To a packed house at Boston University on April 2, President Rupiah Banda made a strong defense for democracy as the African Presidential Center’s new President-in-Residence. In his opening salvo Banda said, “For democracy to flourish there must be a continuing stream of individuals of integrity and ideas with promise. There must be room for a new generation of leaders to rise to solve the next generation of problems. If democracy is going to be secure in countries like Zambia, if development is going to take root; old leaders can’t cling to power or attempt to consolidate it at all costs.”
President Banda also stressed that there is a role for the Western world to play in furthering democracy in Africa, but that it is important for the West to take its cues from African leadership. Using the example of recent events in Mali to make his point, Banda pointed out that “sometimes there are unintended consequences.” He went on to explain that NATO’s arming of rebels in Libya has played a part in the overthrow of Mali’s President Amadou Toumani Touré by Tuareg fighters who have moved into Mali following the fall of Qaddafi.
President Rupiah Banda is the Eighth President-in-Residence at Boston University’s African Presidential Center. As President-in-Residence, President Banda follows such notables as former Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda, President Q. Ketumile Masire, former president of Botswana, President Antonio Monteiro, former president of Cape Verde, and Mo Ibrahim prize-winner President Festus Gontebanye Mogae, former president of Botswana.
Banda will fill the role of President-in-Residence at Boston University through the fall. In addition to his responsibilities at BU’s African Presidential Center, President Banda will also conduct lectures at schools that are part of the Center’s Collaborative, including Morehouse College, Elizabeth City State University, the University of Dar es Salaam, and the University of Ghana, Legon. He will be traveling within the United States and Africa to discuss his experiences as President, trends of democratization, and the current state of African politics. He will also join other former heads of state at the African Presidential Center’s upcoming African Presidential Roundtable, to be hosted at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, May 23-25, 2012.
The African President-in-Residence program is an initiative of the African Presidential Center at Boston University and is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The African Presidential Center has taken an unprecedented approach to studying democratization and free-market reform in Africa. Through this residency program for former democratically elected African leaders, the African Presidential Center provides a forum for sharing the insights and expertise of past and present heads of state and government. The African Presidential Center’s other initiatives include its internationally renowned African Leaders State of Africa Report, as well as its annual policy forum, the African Presidential Roundtable.
well done mr president.. zambia is recognised as a true democratic state in the world despite its own problems.
Thats good RB but tell Henry to report at ACC offices and woodlands Police station for a few questions. Dora cooperated!!
Well done indeed Bwezani…. Keep up the spirit despite troubles back home…am no hater I respect leaders and indeed I voted you out am PF but respect is respect…God bless RB
What we say is not always what we believe in or what we do. RB highlighted very good points. But he fail short of living or doing what was in his speech when he was president. We still wish him well as he puts our country on the world map
But he accepted defeat..take note of that,that’s what makes him special !!!!!
What credit should you give to a loser? No wonder politicians ride your backs
Well done Mr. President, We are proud of you. You played a bigger role in the Zambian democracy. We salute you. Keep the ZAMBAIN FLAG flying UP.?
I am proud to say that for me RB is a worthy representative. I see he kept to relevant and most recent happenings in Africa to justify what he is saying! Who would have thought?
IT SEEMS MY YOUTUBE LINK TO THE SATA IN BOTSWANA RECORDING HAS NOT BEEN UPLOADED, SHAME ON YOU BA LT, SHAME ON YOU!!!!
SEARCH; WHAT SATA SAID IN BOTSWANA
I saw it my brother, I was disappointed to note that I was misled by these guys. Sata never said anything bad, he was in a jovial mood as usual. If what he said was reported well, it could have sent a very good message to people around but what I have discovered is we enjoy lies than the truth. its a shame really. thanks men
youtube.com/watch?v=3G86iWrRfS8
Good speech. You may not have done all that is in the speech but I believe that was your wish. As with all human beings we usually do not do all that we plan to do, but what matters is what you intended to do. ‘’ Democracy also requires a culture of acceptance, the people of the country must understand that even when their candidate loses and the other candidate wins, it is still their government’’ Keep it up Your excellence.
Well done Rupiah, but i dont believe in his philosophy that Zambian governance should be governed by young generations and yet at his age he contested as a president where he lost his presidency to His Ex MCS……………….wish you all the best!Viva the young generations to lead Zambia!
congrats RB
Aiissh.. I wish I had gone to night school. I would articulate matters and appreciate advice from learned people. Just maybe, I would also get invited to Boston one day after my term is finished.
aha! so usetin´ga ba mudala ka? iwe sunvera…lol
anyway those are lectures prepared for him by some technocrat he is with there. but wish him well and hope he can advise his son to return home and face charges if he is a believer in the rule of law and the fight against corruption. if he is democrat indeed………?or lese let him just enjoy his honey moon with his young wife. its a free holiday in the states man….just to give theories one doesnt believe in really.
Everyone leader has a speech writer.
Welcome to my home Town RB and congrats
I am sure RB is very happy with his new role of travelling around America and Africa. He is a Mr. Chapakwenda and loves gravanting. Akonda ku zinguuluka.
Your excellency President Rupiah Bwezani Banda,
Without apologetic we consciously supported your Presidency and unflinchingly remain in solidarity of your values as a model pragmatic democrat. You understand the perils of leadership. It pays to serve as a learned statesman.
We pledge to deliver more speaking engagements and opportunities of Global audience in democratic space.
Proud Zambian!
RB is a true democrat. he lost not because he was a bad leader no, but because MMD had over stayed and people wanted change at all cost
Then they voted in MMD phase 1 which was the MMD at its worst and called that change!
the president for all zambian who leaves his zambian fighting and go to enjoy his money from the zambians he ounce ruled.
Just what Bwezani needs to get over his loss, travelling and having fun. His lecture points, tho sounded good. I hope they are providing him with some wine, after a hard days work, lol!!!!
lol
WHEN UKWA LEAVES OFFICE WILL HE ALSO BE INVITED? I WONDER WHAT VOMIT WILL COME OUT OF HIS MOUTH. HE HAS AN UNTAMED TONGUE!!!! …….
CONGRATULATIONS TO PRESIDENT R B BANDA FOR HAVING A MATURE APPROACH DESPITE ALL THAT HAS HAPPENED AND MOVING ON.
WELL DONE FOR MOTHER ZAMBIA ,LET US BUILD UP ON THIS GOODWILL MISSION.
Congratulations Mr President Sir on this new appointment.
Congratulations VIVA RB! Do us proud and just see how all these pf bloggers are choking with jelousy. @mumbo, Muna wina kale and we are now on an express train to hell with your ukwa on the controls. One thing we know for sure is he will not even get as much as a speaking engagement to University of Zimbabwe when his time is up at the rate he is going. But dont be jelous bane, RB is now a statesman, waving our flag higher on a global platform, sorry guys RB has moved on…MOVED ON brothers and sisters!!
very proud zambian
Nice Lecture bakaamba nombafye bu Lazoo::
The reason it is easy to spot that Sata is a dictator because his government guarantees none of the following:
1. Freedom of speech (Journalists opposed to PF are being hunted down like rats).
2. Freedom of the press (Police has been instructed to hack and destroy independent news websites).
3. Free opposition political parties (Civil servants ordered to de-register MMD party)
4. Independent courts (Sata appointed an acting Chief Justice for 4 days!).
5. Free and regular elections (Judges are being intimidated to nullify election results).
What democray are you preaching , when it is you who could not tolarate freedom of speech in your country and when your Government was run by your children as procurement officers, you not what you preach far away from it. Just get money from Boston University. We are waiting for you to come and answer Mpundu trust fund.
Straight into the trash can!!
Mphundu Trust is a loan.Do yo want to take responsiblity? Ever heard of leverage? ala socialism ekalenga mukaikulike pantu everyone who is successful,to you,ninshi nikabolala.Be entrepreneurial and make your own money not claiming communal money.
the man had his strengths and weaknesses..but above all he’s better than some current ones leading countries in Africa..we salute you sir!
Am very proud of you Mr R.B Banda..very few ,if not none-african presidents could have left office (state house) the way you did.You are a true Democrate bravo!!!!
Just shut up iwe Bwenzani, you should be the last person to defend democracy. Go back to Zambia and help your girlfriend Dora, ali mu ma cells. She was nice when you spanking her but she no longer smarter than everyone hahahaha:((:((:((:((:((
Can you please show some respect. I have followed your blogs, they lack any reasonable arguments. Have you been to school I wonder. Support PF with with some reason please.
Nice one! reality and functionality at the highest level.so it is true that no one lives up to their standard
A Prophet is not welcome in his own village.
Dr. Kenneth Kaunda was the first President in this program at BU. He was awesome, I went to some of his lectures. Bwezani is a fake. He needs to tell us where Henry is
Henry for what? bogus charges.
Hmm. If it is true that we’ve had 2 past presidents on this program then we should play the numbers and work towards getting more future leaders on this platform. Can’t be bad for our international game face. Locally our Presidents don’t do as well but that’s what comes from being in the hot seat. Rightly or wrongly you get burned :)
abena bwezani.
Am sure the Post is hurting with jealousy and envy.
Well done Mr. President, you have made us proud.
This is just an academic exercise, in reality RB is exactly the OPPOSITE of his lecture. He is also morally corrupt, how old was his wife when he married her? lol…no wonder abuse cases are on the increase, very bad role model. Only plunderers appreciate RB, no wonder he lost miserably, the voice of the poor spoke and oh how he cried……….
This man was beaten clean at the ballot box with a knock out blow and not by split decision. He cried when the results were announced. Was this the guy who was prepared to leave volunarily? The guy and his sons turned State House into a tender and procurement dept?
Well done our President. Your speech was so well done and you were very articulate. I watched you on youtube. Thats a President. I dont know about others if at all they will be invited after their term is done. It can be an embarrsament i think.
People of this SAD NATION called Zambia. When credit is due give it. What are u urselves doing NOTHING just bitter with hate. TRUTH is the globe trotter BWEZANI is putting our name on the map. ONE other thing, CAN U SAD people really claim he is guilty????? I WANT TO SEE PROOF for now to be honest I WANT HIM BK VIVA RB VIVA
CREDIT TO THE PRESIDENT FOR ALL ZAMBIANS AND CONGRATS. HOPE UKWA WONT BE INVITED AFTER HIS TERM BECAUSE HIS FIRST ACTION B4 GOING TO THE LECTURE HALL WILL BE RESHULFLING THE WHOLE SENATE AT THE UNIVERSITY.
where on earth would you Invite a corrupt former header of states to go and lecture democracy,instead of corruption in Zambia.White people are the biggest clowns.
Banda was a dictator and a thief at the same time.
R.B had no plan 2 rule the country he had no vision for the nation. He was put into power by abena mulongoti, Nteta mashimba (mhsrip). And all those who nvr wntd 2 lose jobs. Pipo who knew dat he had no vision were Magande, masebo and all those he thot were against him. Pipo like mpombo resigned whn they realised. Nomba abena Shikapwasha, Kunda, Siliya. These stil stands evn whn they knw dat he had no vision.
Nearly 90 % of the lecture was googled! The value of inviting former leaders to Boston is not for the presidents to give theoretical lectures. Rather, Boston invites these former leaders to provide real perspectives of their recent experiences against the theories. The professors and lecturers at Boston are the ones who wrote the articles on google which your RB plagiarized!
#44, this is an advanced society. We have this here buddy: http://plagiarisma.net/ This is Boston university my friend. Don’t trivialize such great institutions. Look at the quality of your own academic qualifications before you start insulting Boston University. Don’t write senseless things just because you don’t like someone. Respect knowledge and its contributors.
why do you have to censor, we come to your site because we can express our opinions freely. you risk losing readers if you continue censoring comments. look at what has happened to the post.
…I ain’t mad at you RB for getting paid while lecturing about values and promises you half upheld and fulfilled, there are indeed questions that arise as a result of your position as former republican president of Zambia. As soon as your tenure has elapsed in the US and following the few engangements you have lined up in parts of Affrica, we the Zambian people ask that you please return home to Zambia and address a few things. Notably, the issue of your immunity being stripped, the corruption allegations that have been linked to your time in office as well as your son Henry’s involvement in government deals and contracts that were authorised through state house. Enjoy your time away from all these issues, because when you finally come back home, you’ll have a lot of explaining to do.
To have two past presidents on this P-I-R program says a lot about Zambian democracy.We should be proud. Nobody can call him Humpty-Dumpty now.
Zambians generally focus on a person’s behavior from the past and not the present. Some people are so focused in the hurts of the past that they do not realize that another person has changed or is trying to change. They keep an old version of the person in their mind.
What most people don’t know is people change.
will always love and cherish you as our Papa. no amount of words gonna hinder your success.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life.
And it shall be well with you at all time with your good health you shall enjoy Gods blessings. You were appointed from your mothers womb that you will be and so shall it be. no amount of insults shall block you. we are happy some of us you have made as what we are today, and we have a future, no matter what the devil does, we have all the future, good houses and good money. May the lord reachly bless you and guide you in your speaches,movements and also in your life ever and ever.
why not start at home and lecture at UNZA etc
Zambian people should learn to be supportive of one another! Why are you always the first ones to stab people in the back? RB is marketing our country which is otherwise known for very few nice things. You are always the last people to recognise the skills and competence of fellow Zambians. There a lot of Zambians that have established themselves abroad and command respect. You need help!