As we commemorate Unity Day, the Grand Coalition on the Campaign for a People Driven Constitution is calling on the people of Zambia to unite in the demand for a new people driven constitution.
The Grand Coalition views unity as an important ingredient in the nation’s development. History is rich with examples of how in the past, unity and cooperation enabled the people of Zambia to overcome injustices. It was unity that enabled the country to attain independence from colonial rule. It was unity that enabled us to deliver unto ourselves a multi-party democracy. The Grand Coalition believes that through unity, we will also deliver unto ourselves a new people driven constitution.
The Grand Coalition believes that there is no better way of reinforcing the One Zambia One Nation motto than to allow the people of this country to define their own future through a people driven constitution.
From 2011, the people of Zambia united in contributing to the drafting of the constitution by the Technical Committee, and it was through that process that the current draft constitution was born. In the same way our unity led to the development of the final draft constitution, we believe the same unity will enable us to ensure the adoption of the constitution through a national referendum.
The Grand Coalition calls on the government to desist from using divide and rule tactics, to go against the will of the majority. There is no better way of celebrating the country’s unity than for all people, regardless of tribe, political affiliation, religion, sex or age to come together and demand for what is theirs, a people driven constitution.
It is our call to celebrate Unity Day with remembrance that as Zambians we should not allow anything to divide us in our call for a new people-driven constitution.
Issued by:
for/THE GRAND COALITION
Sara Longwe
VICE CHAIRPERSON
Zambians’ attitude towards their presidents is like a man who marries and divorces 5 times and still thinks it’s the women’s fault. No idi.o.t, it’s you!
A successful country takes work from both government and citizens. Changing presidents doesn’t make you better citizens you dunderheads.
Change your attitudes towards developing your communities and yourselves and you will start to see Zambia evolve into a better country.
In 1986 people stood together & went to “war” with GRZ because of shortages on the CB & KK was forced to correct things.
In 1990 because of escalating prices of mealie meal people stood together & KK listened.
In late 1990 Garden House gave birth to the movement that culminated in KK revoking article 4 ushering in multipartyism.
In 2000 people led by Oasis forum stood up to FTJ & he was made to abandon his crazy third term.
GC people are ready but they need a leader. This GRZ is aware of the circumstances leading to the events above so they have prepared all means to thwart any uprising. Don’t think there use of guns in bye elections is by mistake. So you also think differently.
We the public are our own worst enemies. Unless we think out of the box and ignore tribal and political inclinations, we shall suffer to the bitter end. We share common problems. Divide and rule is the order of the day and the public is the end loser. Pathetic!
@MAN KENYA,
YOU ARE RIGHT AND I HAVE OBSERVED THIS VERY CAREFULLY FROM OUR LEADERS OF THE DAY WHERE BY A REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT WOULD IN PUBLIC SAY WAKO NI WAKO, OTHER TRIBES ALSO DESPISING OTHERS THAT MWALIBA BANGA (HOW MANY ARE YOU IN THE COUNTRY?). YOU CAN’T RULE, WHAT DOES THIS EN TELLS A MBUNDA, LEYA, SUBIYA LUNDA, LAMBA, LENJE, NKOYA, KWANGWA, SOLI, WHEN SOME TRIBES SAY WE ARE A LESSER TRIBE IN THE COUNTRY?
THERE IS TOO MUCH DIVIDE AND RULE WHICH HAS COME OUT IN OPEN TODAY. THE SLOGAN OF ONE ZAMBIA ONE NATION HAS BECOME FAKE AND ITS FOR TEASING LISTENERS WHO ARE VISITORS. ON OBSERVATION, WE SAW THIS IN THE PREVIOUS PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS WHAT HAPPENED AND WE STILL WAIT TO SEE WHAT THE 2016 WILL LOOK LIKE.
As far as I know, this is not the generation where people know what a constitution is due illiteracy levels especially in rural areas. Perhaps it is only you Grand Coalition and a few others who know what it is and what it means. As for now, the people’s representatives (MPs) should stand in for their electorates to speak on their behalf, otherwise the issue of new Constitution will be a none starter for some few more years. Go round some offices and ask what some people who look educated understand by a constitution and the so called referendum and you will be disappointed. So instead of wasting any more time as we have done in the past until elections come, let parliamentarians work on the matter in parliament as a matter of urgency since 2016 is almost here.