FDD President.
FDD President Edith Nawakwi says the constitution needs to be enacted by a referendum because people do not trust their government. She further stated that people have no confidence that Parliament in its current composition can protect the contents of the Final Draft Constitution.
Speaking when she gave a lecture on Democracy in Zambia at Mpima Seminary in Kabwe on Friday, Ms. Nawakwi said the only way the country will have a document which the people will have confidence in is by ensuring that they are given an opportunity to have a say through a referendum.
“There is no trust between the government and the people therefore people can not trust the government to enact a constitution that epitomizes their aspirations.
“It is us the politicians who have caused this mistrust because politics have become a way of survival. Like my elder brother Munkombwe said it is politics of the stomach and people don’t believe in politicians any more,” she said.
She added “The government says it wants to take the constitution to parliament because those in government know that once the document goes to Parliament they will get to have their way.
People’s wishes are not being represented by their representatives because many MPs are their to eat. Today they are voted for as the opposition to provide checks and balances to the government tomorrow they are appointed as ministers abandoning their parties. So the only way to have a constitution that everyone will believe in is by having a referendum.”
And the opposition leader says corruption will continue to be endemic as long as the excessive powers of the President are not curtailed.
Ms. Nawakwi said the only reason why there is too much corruption in the country is because power has been given to few individuals who are using it to enrich themselves.
She noted that because of the over-centralized system of governance there is no equity in society as those in power are not interested in serving the people.
She noted that the only way to successfully fight corruption in the country is by enacting a constitution that spells out what those in power can do and cannot do.
“In this country there is no law that stops me from taking the entire Namwanga Kingdom to State House once I’m voted as President of this country that is why we are always complaining of Nepotism in Government. It all goes back to the constitution,”continued Ms. Nawakwi.
And when asked what she would prioritize when voted into office the opposition leader said ” if I can decentralize the governance system of this country then I would say I have achieved my goal of helping my country move forward because then I would have set a foundation for development.”
She explained that the only reason why the country remains underdeveloped is because the governance system does not allow people to think and act for themselves.
“Many people in this country grow up thinking that government owes them a life hence wait for government to provide everything for them. By decentralizing the governance system we will unlock the potential of not only districts but of individuals as well because they will not be waiting for instructions from someone in Lusaka to plan and implement developmental programs.” she said.
President Edith nawakwi? Hw many presidents do we hav in zambia? Ba lsk tymz shi lekeni ukukusha abantu imitwe,jus address her as fdd leader,we only hav 1 president and that is edgar chagwa lungu,who is so fat the best we hav ever had
What is a referendum and how will the voice of my great grandmother be heard or affect anything if she will be made to participate in it? Someone to enlighten me on this one.
we trust our parliament,nawakwi learn to get facts
Well said Nawakwi. The mentality that the government always knows better is part of the reason the country has not made much social and economic progress. The thinking that when you have a suggestion contrary to government current way of doing things then you are against it is retrogressive. Yes bwana, muzungu anikonde syndrome is no getting us anywhere.
Ba Nawakwi,when you say people don’t trust the government and parliament to give them a new constitution,kindly avail us with the methodology you used to come up with such a conclusion.
You can not trust the PF govt for anything. First, they promised a new constitution within 90days, the promised repeal of the Public Order Act, enactment of the Freedom of Information Bill, they also promised non interference in ZNBC one other public media. It is almost 4 years down the line and non of the above has been achieved. All we have seen is a clique in PF getting very rich and you have pipo like Mwila thinking Edgar Lungu is the best president we have had! The same Edgar that has repeatedly told us, he has no vision.
Look, who is talking? Nawakwi, Just keep quiet, lest some of us who have a long list of politicians like you, GBM, Maureen Mwanawasa who used politics to amass wealth, open our mouth and get you into dustbins.
Madam Nawakwi can you explain how many pieces of land you grabbed when you were a minister under Chiluba? How many you sold during each presidential elections to finance your campaigns?
Kabimba, HH and Mutembo, do you need to be shown your true face? Who grabbed land belonging to the armed forces?
Edith… you are looking Good.
If only only I was a bit older close to you. I would have proposed. I am only 40.
African Beauty….
We don’t even trust the opposition like u, Edith. Worse HH. Now Govt has said some of the aspects of the DRAFT will be incorporated into the constitution NOW. What mo can Zambians ask for. If we remember correctly, this DRAFT was PARKED under WYNTER (and he is in opposition now talking). So whatever way the constitution is AMENDED is progress. Zambians are happy to have some provisions in now. We will deal with the others as we go forward. EL is atleast giving us something.
Nawakwi just keep quite. When are u going to a convention for yo party? U ve sat on that seat like its yo dinning table. That party is dead, we don’t even know who else is in that party or if u r just alone & just making a few noises during elections.
@wilz pleaseiiii its not wynter who delayed the release of the constitution but the entire PF government as a whole.They sung in one accord that amongst PF developmental projects,a constitution is one of the projects to be implemented but there were other projects like infrastructure development the PF was in a hurry to develop.wat are u saying
People don’t trust President Lungu because he is a dictator.
let 2016 come so that we teach him a lesson.
He is not a dictator. You are a clueless electorate.
Mulembwe, if President Lungu is a dictator then you need a bed in a mental asylum. He is the most transparent and humble president I have ever seen in my 67 years life.
Our MPs do not even know their mouths from their farting exhausts. This is why MPs think they can run municipalities or organize civil society, neglecting their functions of parliamentary representation. Indeed nothing good will come out of a parliament like that. But again neither will our depraved, deprived communities. We really need a new leadership
Good communicator. The language is simple and clear. Yes there is need for devolution of political and administrative power. Example; Why should everyone have travel to Lusaka to register a car, get surveying services, get a title deed etc.?. Zambia becomes an expensive and inefficient country because of centralization.
It is a correct observation that people don’t trust their MPs. But then madam, president, will going for a referendum ‘remove’ the MPs out of the picture? The answer is a categorical NO. Even if the people VOTE in a referendum and in the unlikely event that such an exercise is successful, the document will still have to be taken to Parliament for enactment ” needing 2/3 majority approval by the same MPs. This madam, renders the Referendum under the current constitution provisions an academic if you like a cosmetic process.
Therefore, piecemeal amendment is not such a bad thing but requires vigilance from stakeholders such as FDD to hold our MPs and the gvt accountable.
Campaigning for a referendum before 2016 is a fallacy, unrealistic and above all very retrogressive
Well said mama Nawakwi. I miss Hildah Malama here, she need to say something
Nawakwi, spare us the crap. Which people? is not chipenzi and his cronies as well as you making empty noise over the constitution. Leave us out of this.
Even if you decide to go for a referendum the same government and parliament you’re dissing here will have to ratify it. I find this very illogical…… The government is now very committed to have all those non-contentious clauses amended through parliament in a less costly undertaking as opposed to running that costly referendum. These are not leaders this country needs who are fed on donor money with a specific non patriotic agenda for the nation. Ba Nawakwi,,, please go and sleep….
Correctly analysed,even when the draft constitution is adopted thru’ the referendum it will still be parliament to enact that constitution into law. So sometimes i wonder these empty politicians and NGOs why they want to mislead the public. A referendum in the affirmative can still be rejected by any sitting government if they have a different view and that has happened even in Europe.So which ever way you look at it Government and Parliament will still have the final say as elected representatives unfortunately that’s how democracy works. The best is to build trust as well as give and take.
I adore this lady big time… I wish mwandi Edith you were my ….
But on this one I tend to disagree with you…
Still adores you anyways!!
Ya mayo ya Nawakwi. Ikalinisile. Don’t try to sound intelligent and relevant when you are not!
The only tangible thing you’ve ever done for Zambia is put up those lights at markets. I hope they still work. Other than that you’ve stolen from the poor Zambians to make yourself rich. We have not forgotten u twat!
I like my government under President Lungu. I had lost faith under Sata with whom Nawakwi tried to be pally and travelled to Brazil but with President Lungu, no crumbs falling to sideways politicians, it is natural for them to blabber to get attention.
Which people, iwe mwanakashi iwe? Say ine Nawakwi don’t trust… Stop your cheap generalizations!
I thought Nawakwi was intellegent! For a referendum to go through, at least half of the elegeble voters (not registered) should vote yes. Is that possible in Zambia? Any person with a well functioning brain will no that that in impossible. It would be a total waste of money. Please allow Edgar to work, he is proving to be more intellegent than most of our opposition leaders such as her and HH. He should just concentrate on improving Zambia than worrying about empty vessels.
I am one of those people Nawakwi is talking about. There are many more Zambians who do not trust the govt. Govt should let the people have the final say, after all, govt leaders are our servants. Are the Zambian people not the masters?
The rabid gender oriented attacks on Edith by some chaps belongs to the stone age. Take her on politically punch for punch without those ”iwe mwanakashi business ok.
She knows better since she was party to that constitution that was draftedto bar KK from standing as president in 1996