The Non Governmental Organizations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) is deeply concerned at the lack of a clearly defined role for the office of the First Lady.
NGOCC Board Secretary Patricia Mubanga said in a statement that the office of the First Lady is not a Constitutional Office.
Ms. Mubanga said there is urgent need for Parliament to immediately enact laws to guide the operations and define the role of the First Lady’s office.
“As the law stands, the office of the First Lady remains shrouded in controversies and yet we continue to see our successive First Ladies sometimes overlapping and undertaking functions, which ordinarily, are supposed to be done by relevant line Ministries and other entities,” Ms Mubanga said.
“Recently, just like in the past, we have witnessed the First Lady Madam Esther Lungu undertaking activities which are, sometimes, misconstrued by members of the public to be advancing partisan politics. Currently, the First Lady is in the Western Province on an outreach programme, which other stakeholders believe are campaigns for the party in office.”
She said in the absence of a clear legal framework, we advise the First Lady to desist from engaging in partisan activities that will bring misunderstanding by other players.
Ms Mubanga said the First Lady is the figurehead ‘Mother of the Nation’ who must not be dragged in divisive partisan political activities.
“It is unclear where the First Lady is drawing the resources she is using especially with the much publicized donations. We also note that the First Lady’s entourage includes public service workers, who, essentially, pose a cost implication on government coffers.”
She said Cabinet Office must come out clear and inform the Zambian people which budgetary allocation Madam Lungu is using in terms of the donations she is making as well as logistical support for the trips.
Ms Mubanga said this will not only enhance transparency and accountability but will also protect the First Lady.
Why are you directing this at Cabinet Office? She should just check with Dr. Kaseba.
The role of the First Lady is to grab as much Taxpayers money as possible, and even after she is no longer First Lady, keep on chewing public funds to the tune of $300,000 just for sitting on her backside and doing NOTHING!
There she will find answers.
Going around distributing blankets and mealie meal is outrightly day right vote buying! This isn’t the role for the first lady, this must stop forthwith, can you not even be ashamed?
This is sounds like ladies stories at ichibwanse, so us men should just watch and enjoy.
Bana Edgar you should answer those questions….
Ms Mubanga Patricia: After 50years and with four former First Ladies, your organisation does not still understand the role of a First Lady in this Country and you decide to raise the dust now that Mrs Lungu is doing exactly what all previous First Ladies were doing. Please mwe banthu, even if its hating some family let us be noble in our NGOs. Some times I even wonder whether Zambia is a Christian Nation because what I read in the Christian Nation media does not reflect that identity. Maybe that’s why Prof Ndulo said we should re-think the Christian Nation Clause (although I don’t support his idea). All this time NGOCC had no problem with sources of funds for FL activities but now. NGOCC becoming a Political Party as well because this follows immediately after Nawakwi made similar noise…
@Miya. The problem is these NGO’s have failed to carry out the programmes they are supposed to because of their thirst for ‘Political Power’! So when they see the First Lady doing things they are supposed to be doing with the money they receive from donors they perceive her as a direct threat.
MIYA, or whatever, just because our ancestors used to walk naked does that mean we should have also been walking around butt naked? I don’t think you’re a very intelligent person so I don’t expect you to understand my reasoning and I will not endeavour to explain further ( (Mathew 7 vs 6).
They want to know the source of monies she spent on her trips. And why taking over the roles of NGO doesn’t she have an idea? About christian nation, It is about the nation not all the people, Chiluba who championed the motto died with a thief tag.
Zambia and fellow Zambians amaze the world. That is taxpayers hard earned money being misdirected. Those poor people are receiving “gifts” from the First Lady at their own expense. That is taxpayers money which should have been spent on health and education for them and their children. The system is redirecting the money to popularise the people in power. Your money is being used to entice you to vote for them. Mrs Lungu is following the footsteps of Vera, Maurine Mwanawasa and Kaseba. Zambians have been taken for a ride by politicians for a long time. My vote can never be bought by my (tax payers) money. Never.
Parliament should define her role. Its good for her to work within the confines of the law to avoid unwarranted criticism. Many First Ladies engage themselves in charitable organizations to assist orphans. Let her show accountability for her work.
Her role is defined in the bible “wives, be submissive to your husbands”…..it does not anywhere say “be submissive to the community”…that’s why PF had a “meet the President dinner” WITHOUT Esther in attendance, ba PF naabo 🙁
Zambia has a hudge budget deficit. Public servants are not being paid ontime so much so PF has had to go and borrow more money, yet you have some corrupt PF kaponya supporters saying we should not ask where the money for all those travels with a hudge entourage is coming from. They think Zambia is rich, we are choking in dept and these corrupt kaponya supporters want us to turn a blind eye to reckless spending.
MY UNDERSTANDING OF THE ISSUE IS THAT OUR HUMBLE FISRT LADY HAS NOT FORMED AN NGO.LET HER FORM ONE LIKE VERA CHILUBAS HOPE FOUNDATION,MMCI FOR MWANAWASA M,UBUTALA Bwa Bumi, Christine Kaseba ETC,CLEARLY IT WILL HELP THE WOULD BE DONORS TO ASSIST WHERE POSSIBLE.
I SUGGEST THE FIRST LADY REGISTERS ” THE ESTHER FOUNDATION” ,WE LOVE THE WORK SHE IS DOING.
The role of the firs lady is non existent in our constitution. Betty Kaunda’s role was not to go out to dish out money to people as is the case with our former presidents of Chiluba, Mwanawasa and Banda. These were presidencies that were sent and r bad for out country. First ladyship is not an institution such that it shud be funded publicly by our parliament. The first lady enjoys privileges by virtual of her husband being head of start….but alas not to use public resources to fish out at will to cement there stay in power. That’s why Thandiwe was questioned as in to where she was getting that money. Nawakwi is very right but the problem I v with politician is they will only object to something when they r out of power.
Kazeya, you are right there! That’s what this lady, from NGOCC whatever she calls herself, should have suugested to the FL. Open an NGO so that she worsk withing the guidelines governing NGOs if at all there any. Otherwise I shall take it that this is just plain jealous, the PHD syndrome at play here! Typical of ”some dull” women, enemies of themselves!
When HH becomes president next year, he will immediately address this issue and wont continue with this culture of stealing money from the masses by the first family to dish out to the same masses. An act of parliament will be passed immediately.
MIYA you are misleading in your contribution towards the issue raised. As a nation that is putting accountability of the use of public funds ,i do not think its wrong to review her works in relation with the expediture etc.The problem you have you zambians is that you do not want to accept that a wrong is a wrong.There is abuse of government resources period.
NGOCC they are full of jelos and selfish spending on themselves, e.g women day money spent on themselves, even world aids day , also giving themselves tu ma programs and sharing money. let the first lady reach the poor, lam a woman working with full evidence, poor people are suffering, even faweza children without parents dropping from school no support, these women so called NGOCC, social welfare etc very selfish we know them. Just keep quite and let people of God work.
These ngocc women full of jelos, even at work place 80% of women bali na jelos with their fellow women. at our work place we have them, pliz women lets have a heart for others not munyono. l don’t support these ba zimayi, kaduka bad.
Why attack Easter Lungu.
Vera did the same, where were these jealousy pipo
Maurine over did it, where were these jealousy pipo
Tandiwe tone it down abit, where were these jealousy pipo
Kaseba even had an allocation by Sata from public resources, nobody talked and where was Kachinhor kanawakwi
Easter is using resources from well wishers, chinshi imwe mufwaya wabafinhyor, panyo panu.
First lady has no constitutional role all over the world. Jealousy *****s.
Women never support other women hahahaha. Now that Mrs Lungu is enjoying those helicopter rides, a jealous woman, in this case women are mad. Anyway good points they brought up.
In countries that can afford it and where stealing from public coffers is not the order of the day, the role of the first lady is a goodwill ambassador. At home and abroad.
What does NGOCC DO nowadays ai…we JUST HEAR THEM COMMET ON POLITICAL ISSUES…THATS HOW TAYALI NGO LOST CREDIBILTY….SARA LONGWE AND THIS PATRICIA MULENGA ARE SEROUSLY POLITICALLY AFFILIATED…
WHAT DOES NGOCC DO NOWADAYS….PLEASE ASSIST…I THINK ITS BECOMING IRRELAVANT LIKE THAT ONE FOR TAYALI…
The anomaly regarding the First Lady’s expenditure and tours is supposed to be addressed by our rubber-stamp Parliament,but it’s impotent.Only a people-driven constitution will help us to solve such problems.
Ine ukufumyako Ester isn’t my my mother .
Ekutumpika Bantu Zambians frm praising kaseba nw busy praising the 2 thieves in statehouse.
Is Ester not a human being to help others that need her help. At least the money she receives is reaching the needy. NGOCC women use such money to enrich themselves. Leave Ester alone, she is so far doing a good job.
Don’t worry about, votes otherwise MMD would not have lost. People are knowledgeable enough to decide who to choose. Majelasi yapaka mwa a zimai.
One cannot help it but weep for mother Zambia! Only Betty Kaunda discharged her role very well as not to try sharing in the limelight of her leader husband. There is nothing wrong with the first lady taking on certain functions at the invitation of line functionaries and organisations but making it seem she has a role in the executive is taking things way too far! Now the Lungu administration has added the daughter Tasila who is going around the country with security but with no defined role and whose budget? When Ms Nawakwi raises issue with such anomalies the response to her are insults giving an impression that all intelligent brains have left Zambia.
If there is a mistake this needs to be corrected. I understand people are questioning the first lady’s source of income for the donations she is making. This was not the case with the late Betty Kaunda (Rest in peace mother of Zambia). This all started when Chiluba became President and almost the whole Zambia thought it was okay, especially after being sold those houses at cheap prices, no one said anything about this. Even Nawakwi herself never said anything about the issue, an issue that was taking place just under her nose
There is nothing wrong for the wife of the President (ifya bu first lady fwa mufedulo) to make donations provided that the funds she is using have been raised by herself or been budgeted for and approved by the Zambian Parliament
In this case if it is true…
then this needs to be done away with immediately. We can’t continue making the same mistakes, especially when we know these are wrong. So Kambwili and your team. What are you gonna say, 2016 is not far away baba. Because even us people that supported PF and thought things for the better were coming are now doubting because of what we have seen so far
We can’t have everyone at state house flying around, bushe ku Zambia takwaba imi sebo
@Justice lukanga Kafusha
There will be no change of government in 2016. Detractors like you led by Post Kachepa Namakando Mmembe, are few and shooting in thick air. PF will triumph and HH will go into retirement. He is fooled by Jan 2015 small margin beat by ECL. HH got 46% from 3 provinces SP, WP and NWP where voting average was 80%. ECL got 48% from 7 provinces namely CBP, CP, LuP, EP, MP, LP and NP with voting average of 35%. This is what HH and his supporters have deliberately avoided debating. Though HH seem to have gained some numbers in CBP, LP and NP, he is losing ground in NWP and WP. This means that UPND on the overall is losing ground while PF is gaining. This is why HH will lose again. Forget Mmembe Post Kabimba Rainbow party, They are going nowhere.
@Justice lukanga Kafusha
There will be no change of government in 2016. Detractors like you led by Post Kachepa Namakando Mmembe, are few and shooting in thick air. PF will triumph and HH will go into retirement. He is fooled by Jan 2015 small margin beat by ECL. HH got 46% from 3 provinces SP, WP and NWP where voting average was 80%. ECL got 48% from 7 provinces namely CBP, CP, LuP, EP, MP, LP and NP with voting average of 35%. This is what HH and his supporters have deliberately avoided debating. Though HH seem to have gained some numbers in CBP, LP and NP, he is losing ground in NWP and WP. This means that UPND on the overall is losing ground while PF is gaining. This is why HH will lose again. Forget Mmembe Post Kabimba Rainbow party, They are going nowhere. Yes
It wil be worse with HH who has 10 wives all of them first laddies discharging this functions, zambia wil be bankrupt