President Edgar Lungu on Wednesday evening cancelled his appearance on a scheduled live interview with the BBC on Focus on Africa at short notice.
The interview which was set for 19:30 Hours Zambian time from New York, USA was pulled out after President Lungu informed the BBC that he was unavailable with minutes into the program.
The BBC had asked Zambians on its Facebook page to post short watts up videos asking questions directed at how President Lungu is administering national affairs.
Some of the questions ranged from how President Lungu is dealing with the depreciation of the Kwacha, load shedding and whether mining companies like Glencore are paying enough taxes.
Program Presenter Sophie Ikenye announced that President Lungu had informed the BBC that he will not proceed with the interview.
No reasons for the withdrawal were stated.
An opportunity lost to clarify economic issues and reassure the international community of Zambians’ viability as an investment destination. Perhaps the advanced questions needed a little bit of research and the technical team did not have time to come up with a proper guide.
Ba Lungu – what happened? This is the presidency you wanted – being asked tough questions! Zambians want answers. Your colleague Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya went with a business delegation to New York and has gone back home with over $ 4 billion worth of investments. But ba Lungu – you went with musicians and PF cadres in a chartered plane and now failing to answer questions on governance, corruption, electricity load shedding, and economic (mis!)management! Please listen to the advice given to you by others, e.g. Dr Musokotwane, Ms Nawakwi and others.
I think its PlaneGate problem.
This man is too dull to answer anything
BBC has strong ethics , they require attestation that person is sober before the interview is conducted.
I am sure he has a valid reason which he will have his supremely intelligent press guy or even more intelligent Info Minister tell Zambians if he chooses to. Read between the lines. He saw the questions given to him in advance and ‘bottled’ it… Chuckle.
Indefensible – enough is enough.
Let Miles sampa take over PF
He is ‘the one’ the president always wanted to take over anyway.
Thanks
BB2014
Ok I may not like Lungu by BBC is not God that Lungu has to show up when summoned. Lets get rid of our inferiority complex.It’s ok to snub a western news agency.In fact I give Lungu my first thumbs up since he came into power.They just wanted to make him look stupid(stupid-er) in front of the whole world. Let them go and interview Cameron.We can deal with our own Id.iots thank you very much.
Hello my people, sorry I am late. I don’t believe Edgar missed that BBC interview, we didn’t drink that much that day.
You see I told you that ka mission in NY is too small. Most of guys just stayed in bar across street.
I hope it had nothing to do with the bottle..
This is getting out of hand now! How can the entire president disappoint us in this manner? This only shows that we voted a wrong person for the highest office in the land. However, its not a surprise even during election debates, he still chickened out plus he has failed even to have one single press conference in Zambia.
I am sure the president had excellent reasons for the cancellation. You don’t just succumb to questions unprepared especailly with BBC with world wide viewership. Lest, nefipuba like BAFORWARD with tribalism..bakumona ukana kwana amano nga taupele comprehensive response to critical questions. BRAVO our presido, limo ama interviews yamo mazeto fye…tukasuka nga twapwisa reaserch to the current problems…. like ba yaluma naba chikwanda nga ba submitter ama reports yabo….
Very good reasons indeed.
Chiefly, absolute ignorance of the status of economy in Zambia, followed closely with constant breaches of fundamental rights, institutionalized corruption, collapse of local currency, pardoning of convicted rapist, misuse of State resources for party needs………………………….
That right there is the problem – a general should never be unprepared – a general should be able to think on his feet. Just dropping silly hats and useless travel company would be a good start in being taken serious and competence can be learned if you are willing. Stop giving excuses for amateurish incompetence.
Wow, what an extremely dull comment.
@Umuntu Muntu Nga Muntu. ,Cacine that interwers s just maseto fye . only few pipo ebo mfwako ku bbc
bbc is just a rubbish note.
just leave him alone. why ukulandila kumbi ukasha kumwakwe ku Zambia
Ala Guys dont be mislead. H.H. s a failure.. come 2016..
Just as well, it could have been embarrassing to watch him display his ………. for the whole world to see!!!!!
Failure by Government to defend its policy wether bad or not is failure indeed.Now I totally believe Lungu has chickens for advisors.Lungu I love you so much but your chicken advisors will cost you.
He cannot articulate issues, this malabishi. They should have interviewed HH first for him to get an inkling. Mr ‘Me too’. Useless. Mutoho ndate yo.
HH has already been on this program mudala.
Being articulate and being intelligent are two different things – remember, empty tins……!!!!!
He was informed in advance so had time to prepare for the interview. It just shows you that this man is dull. Ba PF cadres always supporting stupid things even when you know that its wrong and a sin of failure. Why should you always bring in tribalism, is this the only weapon you can use against UPND. The more you use such an attack the more we belive that they have better policies. I am not a tongo or lozi but i belive they at least have the brians and seriousness to tackle some issues. Now not Lingu who is partying all the time and can waste over $300,000 to charter a plane. The meeting finished a week ago but he is still in the USA.
@ Ba Mary Chanda
Iyo kwena muli bakali….easy mumy things will be ok. Not ukuilishana sana.
2016 vote PF ( Edgar )
I thank you
You never know may be he wants to bolt from these complex problems. He did not anticipate the complexity of being a President. He himself said he is visionless.
Want to post why not allowing sensible comments
Previous “track record”?
Its simple the have failed the economy , you don’t need a PhD to see what’s happening . Not tribal or political attacks from opposition , his made history with the weak kwacha .
Iwe aba bena bafilwa ukuteka.Teti tupose ishita PF should find another candidate.Let us find a replacement of this leader in PF pantu uyu ena tapali visioooon.This one is a shaaame to the party and the world.How do u run?The kwacha is use-les-ss.Fuel will be increased soon and traders won’t have anything to sale.Kaunda lost elections coz pipo had nothing to eat.prices are up on all commodities.salaries are the same coz of high cost of production.Do u know that cadres who supports u will have nothing to sale and eat?Pipo won’t buy plots they sales and everything will be bought by foreigners with enough dollas.We told u not to fire Gondwe but u went ahead to bring Kalyalyaaa who was managed by Fundanga and world bank directors from US..All u wanted is to cut deals.Not only that u even…
nize
Iwe aba bena bafilwa ukutyeka.Teti tupose ishita PF should find another candidate.Let us find a replacement of this leader in PF pantu uyu ena tapali vision.This one is a shame to the party and the world.How do u run?The kwacha is uselesss.Fuel will be increased soon and traders won’t have anything to sale.Kaunda lost elections coz pipo had nothing to eat.prices are up on all commodities.salaries are the same coz of high cost of production.Do u know that cadres who supports u will have nothing to sale and eat?Pipo won’t buy plots they sales and everything will be bought by foreigners with enough dollas.
We told u not to fire Gondwe but u went ahead to bring Kalyalya who was managed by Fundanga and world bank directors from USA.All u wanted is to cut deals.Not only that u even fired Chitundu a man of Zesco vision and appointed Chakolwa(Mundede) coz of corruption..U’re sorrounded by chakolwas(kaizer n friends).What do u expect the economy to be?
I think I also agree with you. Kalyalya is not the right person.
Cowardly act but not surprising, remember how he chickened out of the presidential debate? Fellow Zambians, I urge you to think hard about who we elect as our top representative..the world is watching and are rightly withholding investment until they are convinced the we have competent leadership.
If he can fear an interviewer like Ikenye, can he imagine facing Stephen Sucker on Hardtalk? It’s a lost opportunity for a man with a “vision” to defend that “vision” on a one-to-one interview. Ukutina, ukuzala, surrender!
its not a must to have an interview with BBC you fellow Zambians.Do you know the agenda or the motive.How many leaders attended the UN General Council meeting?How may were interviewed wake up do not shoot our President he did the right thing.I commend him.Why can’t they interview countries that are at war that supporting evil ways (GAY RIGHT)…Being wise is cardinal.Even in a court they don’t force you to answer any question its not an offence.Well done YOUR HE EL. Zambia is eye marked for greatness no wonder the enemy is not sleeping wake up fellow Zambians.I love my great nation Zambia only the enemies of the State will vomit evil against our dear President and Govt.
Disaappointed! Why? Precisely because the Captain of a reportedly sinking ship ought to enthuse confidence by demostrating that he is up to the task. Suddenly developing cold feet could be taken as an indication of panicky action.
What a dull coward man for a president! This is the same man who chickened out of the presidential debate and now even a more serious interview where he would have marketed his country to the world! Opportunity gone! Could it be that he was very drunk or maybe sick? Questions beg to be answered! This was indeed a cowardly act from a man holding the highest office in the land. This is what PF leadership wanted, “a weak president” for their personal benefits! There are a number of high profile, well educated PF members who supported this useless embarrassing man who have now gone very quiet! Why?
Lungu and his large delegation are still in the US incuring large costs, while back in Zambia officials have just found out we import eggs, veg, bread and chickens. Those officials included one miles sampa who has been leading the responsible ministry for a very long time. He is the same as.s licker who jumped into action when Lungu showed him cut chips that were being imported from SA.
It seems like the opposition Mps are also just enjoying their allowances, what is the use of having an opposition? HH can you wake up your ministers, they have fallen asleep in parliament.
What a dull coward man for a president! This is the same man who chickened out of the presidential debate and now even a more serious interview where he would have marketed his country to the world! Opportunity gone! Could it be that he was very drunk or maybe sick? Questions beg to be answered! This was indeed a cowardly act from a man holding the highest office in the land. This is what PF leadership wanted, “a weak president” for their personal benefits! There are a number of high profile, well educated PF members who supported this useless embarrassing man who have now gone very quiet! Why??
In zambia’s economic policy address to the current you will neat to avoid repeating common mistakes of expansionary fiscal policy that was made at the time when the economy was surging at exponential rate driven by the booming prices in the commodity resources in copper especially in recent times from now covering the planning and budgetary in that ndp priotising risk to address externalities arising from the expasionary policies we have seen to advance to develop lately on the premise of bubbling resource prices the forecast should be 2016 to 2030
As propossed by dr in the article posted earlier on “spending’ ’you will need to curtail and jacket that spend but…
Why should every thing be a financial statement to you?
If this dude has a girlfriend she is there only for the money.
How does he just chicken out like an opposition leader? Presidents don’t make commitments and then pull out at the 11th hour. That shows Lungu doesn’t make plans
I have never heard Lungu articulate economic issues from his head other than from a written speech. The presidency has really been lowered, chaboboka!
“spending’ ’you will need to curtail and jacket that spend but steadly as you progress through on fiscal consolidations registering modest growth over the achieved
Notice also that our china has been restructuring its impressive growth it recorded over years is likely to slow but will not collapse during this period 2016 to 2040 the chinese economy is changing from one that is qualitative to one that is quantitative making a new era in chinese manu sector its though the chinese downward risk are many for zambia to take a leaf and rebalance to position
If you carefully analyse the emerging markets catergory and see the effects in the near to long term you will…
you will see what actions are needed given zambias capital structure as it where simply check the msci emerging markets bench mark you will observe the performance in this measure to have declined 20% just in the past 6 months about ,the worst ever in years the same has been with the bonds catergory as currencies follow from brazil to sa and our kwacha locally here those countries that have reacted in structure to position have gained even in these times why not zambia it will take time for investors to have a flee spend and reverse the current trade of fdi cash outflows from emerging to us affecting the commmodity driven countries in emerging especially as weaker…
currencies make it easier for investors to move money in emea
There will be a lot of volatility in the stocks debt and currencies invested in these emea countries and zambia is not in isolation as it gets infected with the similar trends in the china asia us invested stocks and bonds
It becomes worse in the case of our countries when one analyses the structure of debt and equity funding amongst our investing companies its like we need to recheck the companies act and see adequancy provisions because some companies have almost revered there balance sheet putting a lot at risk especially the non finacial ones and this ‘’’’sector “’ in particular…
in similar manner just test the corporate debt against gdp and see longtern return for zambia check also the financing methods in equity and bonds and see that structure in longterm operations
Given this situation of grz and corporates that are susceptiticle to rise in rates “’’fed”’ appreciation of dollar coupled with risk aversion resulting from uncertainities in global one would wish ‘’’’zambia was self-sustaining”’ in that 2016 to 2040
We only hope the speech could save as the impetus to diversify and see zambia’s fortunes long-term
The total risk affecting the world is an issue that has to be discussed and risk measures made to insulate Zambia’s fortunes There is potential in the Bonds and Cash flows Generated Given so far but you do not throw good money against bad in sterile currency managements in the TIMES take a POSITION
This is too much.When is ba Lungu leaving office…and the entire PF?
Shame!
maybe he was drinking and forgot about the interview !
“don’t panic over kwacha-Lungu.” he has told us back home not to panic over the economic situation in Zambia. But the President failed to tell the international community why they should still invest in Zambia despite the current happenings. This was a golden opportunity to dispel moody’s economic assessment of Zambia and put the record straight. I hope Chishimba Kabwili won’t worn BBC for attempting to interview the President. The money markets are speculative in nature, a simple interview can help to stabilize the economy especially from the President. Dr. Chiluba attended the interview, Dr. Mwanawasa was also interviewed and the benefits accrued to the country as the international community understood what Zambia stands for. I am disappointed.
The majority of the chaps from the CB and Lusaka are the ones who propelled this man into office by refusing to vote for HH. Its great to hear that the economic crises and load shedding is hitting the hardest in these two regions.
Let it hit even the more so that all those who were foolishly singing ‘ifitu ni Lungu’ last January should not sing no more in 2016. PF is a problem brought upon the Zambians themselves because even shi kulu Sata was clueless on issues of the economic…..its disheartening because it feels as though the country has run out of reasonably knowledgeable people to rule. I feel sorry for those who voted for people capable but could not have it their way………..
@Zezemba, you hit the nail on the head. I think that CB and Lusaka are feeling the heat more. This is very good. I shall wait to hear what their “campaign song” next year will be. Ati kolopa “dochi” com. Tepapa.
I beg your pardon, meant to say, ‘should sing no more………issues of the economy’
Thanks.
…this only goes to show our president lacks self confidence …there are definitely certain issues on governance he has absolutely no idea about….hence chickening out just to avoid embarrassment….
…this is disappointing and discouraging to say the least…..
Well done Mr Presido ! You don’t give an interview at short notice on matters of national importance.It could be done next time.
We can only speculate since no reason has been given for him not going on with the interview. How do we know the interview was even scheduled?
BBC Africa Facebook page always invite questions in advance from members when they are about to conduct an invite.
@ kci – you almost made me spit coffee on my computer screen laughing at your desperate remark. You and the ostriches, huh?
When I state that Edgar Lungu is a bum and a lazy one for that matter people think its an insult….this man will turn up to a dinner party, by election campaign, independence celebrations in another country on time BUT he will cower away from a press conference or interview like the case above…we are paying this waste of space $60000+ a year for doing absolutely nothing at all.
@Jay Jay
Just hiding in the diaspora and insulting the president won’t do you any good my dear friend. Just concentrate on whatever job you are doing and take care if your family in Zambia. Let Zambians tough it out….Things will soon be ok I can assure you.
Anyway
2016 vote PF ( Edgar )
I thank you
@Katondo Boys
You are of unsound judgment for you to insinuate that things will improve under ECL. You are into politics of the belly that is why you are blinded by what you get from supporting ECL.
Lungu has ultimately failed to run this country and the more time he is given, the more destruction he will cause.
Mwaimwena nomba. Tapalati!
Wat do u expect from a chakolwa with no vision. We hav am ***** for president. 2016 kuya bebele even on the copperbelt people hav changed thier minds. Stupid coward watusebanya pafula!!!!
@ Anonymous
Tone down my dear friend…..are you the Anonymous from back in the days on the Zambian.com…way back in 2004
Anyway
2016 vote PF ( Edgar )
I thank you
@ anonymous,
there is no tribalism here after all he is from eastern, politics nimuselela kwakaba. mwati sebanya ba president. 2016 kuya bebele. We cant continue with this nonsense shunning an interview on bbc what a shame. people want to hear solutions from you on the crisis. Any way he is used to speeches that are prepared for him to face the media. He is visionless for sure.
ALO ZAMBIA MAY I TOK TO RB, BOSS CAN I GO AHEAD WITH INTERVIEW, EEH BASIYE CHABE
@Moscow
You need help my friend….you just blowing hot air with your rantings….stop lecturing and try to be as brief as you can with your posts. You seem to have too much free time at your disposal…what job do you do or are you in school if I may ask?
Anyway
2016 vote PF ( Edgar )
I thank you
Whatever the reason……….the president was wrong. That was a good platform to market the country to would be investors. The economy is fast falling apart, therefore he would have given confidence to the people of Zambia and the world over that Zambia is on the right track despite the challenges.
This probably shows our president is lacking in many things including JUDGMENT. I am quite scared for my country. We surely have no president at all. Those are interviews that are given priority because they will be cast world over. How do you stand for your own if you can’t go through an interview.
I have never heard of our president being interviewed on matters of national interest except simple political questions when he is about to fly out of the country.
This is what happens when you are led by a clueless man surrounded by jokers for advisers. Instead of carrying an economic team he decided to fly with party cadres and praise singers. Do you expect Mumbi Phiri or JK to prepare the president for a BBC interview? Zambians should be serious about who they put in state house in 2016 and not this embarrassing man.
Well said jay.Zambians need to think hard about who they elect next time, as there lives depend on it. Interviews come with the job and shying away from them is not doing your. We don’t pay this chap to just appoint friends and making useless changes. He is not tackling real issues affecting the people and numbers are really showing how bad and lazy he is, no wonder he has nothing to tell the people. A working man will have no problem talking but a lazy chap will have to fabricate stories.
@China
We do have a leader in the name of Edgar Lungu….so give me 10 good reasons as to why you think he is not fit to rule? I Know the only one reason you have for me is “just look at the dollar rate” seriously!!!!!! come on guys….let’s be very objective…
Anyway
2016 vote PF ( Edgar )
I thank you
@ Katondo
Anyway
2016 DONT vote PF LEAST OF ALL ( Edgar )
I thank you
@ Katondo boys
Only 10 reasons?
1. Incompetence;
2. Fiscal mismanagement;
3. Failure to formulate current economic policy;
4. Failure to disassociate himself and his party from criminal acts of his “advisers”;
5. Using State resources for party needs;
6. Constant breach of Constitutional provisions as to the fundamental rights;
7. Arbitrary and self serving use of “pardon”;
8. Close association with convicted criminals;
9. Condoning and encouraging tribalism; and
10. Abuse of State funds for personal gratification.
Do you need more? If so, Me and any other person who does not condone immorality and lack of rule of law (if you want, I can explain it to you the meaning either in narrow or amplified form) can number more than 100 reasons.
Thank You to.
His excellencey the president of Zambia you are a big disappointment to us the Zambian people, you can’t even explain yourself please explain to the world why the kwacha is trading at 13= to 1$ and what you are doing to control the situation tell us what to expect in the next 3 months. You went to the US with a bunch of fools expecting them to advise you on what!!!!! Exactly..when all they did was spend money that this country doesn’t even have
Katondo you pay zero taxes to be talking and maybe you receive a brown envelope to just support blindly even when you know in your heart things are not okay. Your man is plundering the country, keep it 100 with him, he wanted the job so bad when he knew he had nothing to offer but humility, I think we need ability more than humility
@China
And yes so let the people of Zambia give him another 5 years….after that then we can talk
2016 vote PF ( Edgar )
I thank you
@Moscow
Then why don’t you run for president? You sound very smart behind a keyboard in the diaspora
MMD chiefbootlicker will be contacting you very soon
Anyway
2016 vote PF ( Edgar )
I thank you
I think EL was ready, but he was told by his Cartel that such an interview wold be too risky. It is very obvious some PF bigwigs told him to cancel, just like they did not want him to attend the Muvi TV presidential debates. This man is just a pawn in chess board being manipulated by some boys behind.
Do you mean the “Real Cartel”, the RB managed one, or usual Chama’s blabbing?
What a president? This man has wasted our tax payer’s money. He should have sent madam Inonge. Dr Scott would have been a better leader and he would have put Zambia on world map than the Jameson man. Can you imagine mudala Bob down south chickening out of out of such an interview. Zambia is doomed with Lungu as leader.
siliyas
Comment:Katondo boys u are just as ignorant,as this same ***** president. Why shud i tone down wem these bunch of *****s are destrying our beloved country at a very fast rate.
@ Anonymous
No need to insult the President my friend…..but why don’t you ‘smart and intelligent guys become Presidents ? Did Lungu elect himself? NO….will the beautiful people of Zambia elect him again?…YES
So you can spend the whole day commenting my friend…..but guess what….PF will be in control
2016 vote PF ( Edgar )
I thank you
@ Anonymous
No need to insult the President my friend…..but why don’t you ‘smart and intelligent guys become Presidents ? Did Lungu elect himself? NO….will the beautiful people of Zambia elect him again?…YES
So you can spend the whole day commenting my friend…..but guess what….PF will be in control
2016 vote PF ( Edgar )
I thank you….
Katondo, that’s the problem with Zambian people now, you don’t need convincing especially when you are grown, you supposed to know that’s why you pay for the consequences of your decisions. A Nigerian scam artist or gold diggers will convince you to give up all your cash and you’ll suffer the consequences.
Well done President Lungu. You don’t have to answer to propagandists. This is very normal, leaders world over give interviews as and when they like. When did we ever hear that ZNBC has given UK Prime Minister interviews on issues that matter most? Why did British Airways pull out its services to Zambia without an explanation? They always snub these journalists and this is normal.
Imwe ba UPND what type of animals are kanshi? Isn’t enough that President Lungu met with First President at White House? See today’s papers. Your Hakaivotela Heka will never meet a sitting American President in his entire life and this is what is eating him slowly but sure, envy! Our President Mr. Lungu is the first Republican president to meet a sitting US President and am sure important issues have been…
@Ba MyIronLady: The comments are coming from well meaning Zambian Citizens and not UPND cadres. Not all who criticize govt are cadres/ politicians. Being interviewed on BBC should be viewed as a marketing opportunity for Investment and clarifying issues which may be misunderstood by other people in this world. Comparing the UK Prime minister to our situation is a non-starter. Who needs more foreign investment between Zambia and UK? Lets not be blinded by being die hard cadres.
Will a ka photo op with Obama fix zambians problems?? For your information Obama is only human, so is any sitting US president, no need to think they are a god. That is why you Africans were so easly colonised. I can assure you nothing affecting our current situation was discussed otherwise PF mouth pieces would have shoved it down our ears.
Comment: Ci katondo they are in control and they hav less than a year to be in office.
This is indeed a lost opportunity. To put it in context, BBC has a weekly global audience of 308 million people (The BBC Global Audience Measure – GAM). The World Service Group is going from strength to strength in both developed and developing markets, with the single biggest audience for any country in the USA (30 million people), and with more than a third of the total audience on the African continent (100 million people), the biggest BBC audience ever seen on any continent.
Any normal functioning adult Zambian who truly cares will see that this is a lost opportunity to market Zambia.
Calling Lungu an ***** would be an insult to all the stupid people. There are three main reasons Lungu chickened of out the BBC interview:
(1) Lungu cannot intelligently analyze and assess issues;
(2) He lacks self-directed thinking for effective communication abilities. We just need to accept and live with the fact that we have a moron in State House. Let him travel around with Muhabi Lungu who wrote his speech to Parliament to also write his interview answers; and
(3) He is habitually obsessed with alcohol and cannot control how much he consumes, therefore his brain is always saturated with alcohol hindering his already mild thinking capacity.
We need a thinker for the president not an intellectually feeble drunkard.
…if Sata had not given ECL an opportunity to act as president…would he(ECL) have been among the ten aspirants for PF’s presidency..??…later on republican…??…I doubt very much…..so one reason he contested was because the was left with the instrument of power…and not that he was convinced within himself that he can efficiently run the of office of the president….the second reason was the push from the vultures..
…BBC…CNN..AL JAZEERA interviews are usually ‘hot cakes’…one can’t just afford to miss them…eeeh!!
Why hasn’t BBC interviewed the EU as why the dollar has gained so much against the Euro? Its now almost 1 to 1. South African Rand is 1 Dollar to 16 Rands. Almost all major currencies have been affected by certain economical changes by the US and China. Just in case you want to us to lecture you imwe ba Under 5,
1. America has almost stopped importing oil from the Middle East. Its using its own oil and this has affected the Gulf oil producing countries and hence the low oil price per barrel.
2. America recently introduced a new currency with strong features and they made sure fewer dollars are in circulation now.
3. America is also mining its copper and reduced on importing the “red metal” from Switzerland.
4. There is reduced war in the world today and this means that our…
..@myironlady….you seem to be a tenant who is always looking over your fence to see if your neighbours have also stopped grilling chickens for dinner just to prove a point to your children about the economic hardships your are facing….each country is unique in as far as economic blues are concerned….but what matters most is the measures they put in place to resolve the ‘impasse’ and protect their economies and citizens from total collapse….the countries you are referring to produce most of the basic household requirements….toothpicks…pencils…razorblades..cars…while Zed has to import most of the items…..why don’t u refer to Nigerian Naira…Ghana Cedis….Botswana Pula….
Contd
4. There is reduced war in the world today and this means that our copper’s demand is not as high.
The many reason for all this is that this is their policy today.
5. China has slowed down on its growth path predominantly because the “customer” (America) is using mostly locally produced goods.
All these and many more are what is actually making other major currencies to feel the heat. This and more is what we expected the so called “economic Managers” like Under 5 to have been saying. The fact that he is silent on these simple happenings means that he is fake and no one can trust him, no wonder he failed to answer the debate questions in January 2015.
So the solution to our Zambian economy is this:
Lets identify our strengths in Zambia like agricultural products which…
ROFLMAO!
To be honest, I’d like to see you interviewed – on the Comedy Channel.
Can anyone please explain or justify the presence of 2 photographers from state house on tax payers money in the USA right now?
Simple, other members of the party are at the level of 1mbecility to the point that they ignore theirs telephone capabilities. They think that phone can “made”selfies only.
Lungu knew that he would be shown to be a complete and total id.iot by appearing on international BBC tv. It is as simple as that.
His alcohol soaked brain would be incapable of even remembering what the question was by the time he came to answer it.
He barely is capable of reading a prepared speech!
Time to kick this useless malingerer out and get someone COMPETENT that can DO THE JOB HE IS SUPPOSED TO DO!
Zambians were warned, but lo and behold they proclaimed Lungu was anointed to be President. They made up their mind to vote in Lungu and PF regardless.
Now the economy has crumbled and the dummy-Lungu has no clue what’s going on.
Where are all the pastors and religious people who proclaimed Lungu was the chosen one?
IS THE BBC SO IMPORTANT THAT IF YOU DON’T ACCEPT AN INTERVIEW WITH THEM THEN YOU STOP BEING A NATION? I THINK THE CRITICISM IS GOING TOO FAR. YES IT COULD HAVE BEEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT MANY THINGS. EL HAS BEEN TALKING AND TALKING AND TALKING SINCE HE WENT TO THIS SUMMIT. SO WHAT DO YOU WANT TO HEAR. IT IS NOT THE END OF THE WORLD. TALKING TO BBC WILL NOT BRING FOOD ON YOUR TABLE BABA.
@Chisenga…you need to reposition yourself onto a more mature platform to barely understand the intricacy of what is being debated here….BABA
A question for you Chisenga? why accept to attend and then when the whole world is tuned in including your fellow citizens you just say I am not coming. Sometimes be objective, its not normal, it shows bad manners. Whether its an interview on BBC, CNN, AL-JAZEERA or even our own tu ma stations here. The most powerful man in the world (Obama) does not do that because he is civilized but why should our Donchi Kubeba president do that.
President Obama reminds the world today that “Politics and solidarity that depended on demonizing others, drew on religious sectarianism (Masons and Satanists), or NARROW TRIBALISM or jingoism may at times look like strength in the moment, but over time, its weakness would be exposed”. This is exactly a serious warning to some known opposition and media house who have waged the dark war on the leadership of President Edgar Lungu. They don’t see anything good in what is obviously clear demonstration and effort by President Lungu to develop our country! All they see, and set eyes on is to get what the masses have not entrusted with them. They are using manipulation and deceit, taking advantage of the clearly and know global challenges as a spring board to advance their self egoism.
What…
Contd
What they have deliberately chosen to ignore is this, what goes round comes back around! Criticism which is not balanced surely back fires and when back fires, its very bad. We have seen it in some opposition leaders who believe they cannot be led and they know it all. If indeed this were true, how come they only desire to be in Government to be of service to the people?
Really God opens ours eyes in so many ways and thanks to Obamas words, we will not be fooled by selfish self centered failed men and women in the name of opposition!!!
@ MyIronLady
All Mighty may have opened your eyes, but it has forgotten to put the brain in your skull.
He fails to sit down with Costa Mwansa at Muvi TV to answer questions and you think he can confront seasoned BBC reporters. I believe he did well otherwise he would have embarrassed us even more. Good move Mr. president.
My fellow country men….no need to put all the blame on the President….we can all contribute and help develop Zambia. So stop complaining just pack your katundu and jimp on the first available flight back to Zambia…..yes we can
2016 vote PF ( Edgar )
I thank you
bbc focus on africa are too junior to interview our president.which president have u ever seen them interviewing?differenciate entities u chaps.and more over wasting time for only 3 minutes.kudos your exellence for heeding to the advice.you would have looked so much inferior to that small wing of bbc. A comon man can not understand, stop the noise HE has good advisors.
You are right, he IS intellectually inferior even to dead snail.
Everything is now unravelling for Ka Lunga. He has brought the country to its knees in barely ten months. He has actually bitten more than he can chew. This is what happens when you get your ka law degree through Mwembish, then crook and worm your way to the Presidency. This is a reflection of most Zambians by and large.
its not mandate to have an interview with BBC you fellow Zambians.Do you know the agenda or the motive.How many leaders attended the UN General Council meeting?How may were interviewed wake up do not shoot our President he did the right thing.I commend him.Why cant they interview countries that are at war that supporting evil ways (GAY RIGHT)…Being wise is cardinal.Even in a court they don’t force you to answer any question its not an offence.Well done YOUR HE EL. Zambia is eye marked for greatness no wonder the enemy is not sleeping wake up fellow Zambians.
How could he show up when he failed to show up in January for the TV interview during the run-up to the 2015 presidential bye-election? He has also failed to hold a press conference since assuming office. He is following what H.E. M.C. Sata was doing. Sadly, it is a missed opportunity for the country
@ scrutinizer
what intricacy when chisenga is intricately spot on?
you are only driven by hang ons of colonialist intricacies that pertuate obstruction to progressive thinking
It is surprising that PF cadres are able to defend their failed Changwa’s actions. Changwa has squandered Zambia’s chances both at home and abroad. It shows that he is not capable to lead Zambia.
whether curtailed interwiew or not h.e lungu is a god_given president he can not be compared to satanists.and more over god has stopped creating countries where are satanists going to rule?
That was perfectly in order. While the BBC asked viewers to prepare questions, did they equally ask the President to prepare the answers? Sorry BBC, you just wanted to incite Zambians gullible Zambians against their President. Sorry BBC, tefyo tubomba mu Zambia ifi iyo.
And Zambians, do not worry at all, this is not a matter of life and eath, it was not a live interview at all. So the interviewer can find something else to fill the slot when the programme was supposed to be aired, if at all it was already scheduled at all.
From:
kolopakolopa.com
To:
balalabalala.com
Anyway fyakuifwaila.
Disappointing to say the least………..It is annoying to see that the Zambians will still vote for ECL because of knowledge and how a country is run……. Ba Lungu has never been confident from day ONE.
phew! ka Lungu, he dodged the bullet there! Imagine how many people would have been exposed to his nonsense on BBC..
Simple logic…
UPND supporters are ‘online’
PF supporters are always in the voting booth
2016 HH will be history…mark my words
2016 vote PF ( Edgar )
I thank you
What does the above logic have to do with the article? I think as zambians we should be objective in our support amd criticism whether as pf,upnd, mmd etc supporters. When a president is voted in our he/she is accountable to ALL of us. Lets not politicize everything, but put our govt officials to work. We need to worry about our families health, education, economy etc. Most of these politicans are doing fine in their homes. Elections are over. Good day!
What a false headline! President Lungu Cancels his appearance on BBC Focus on Africa at 11th Hour. The true headline is supposed to be: President Lungu fails to appear on BBC Focus on Africa at 11th Hour
Perhaps we are misreading this whole episode. Maybe ka Lungu made a special request to BBC for them to have a bottle of vodka under the interview table. That is when BBC said, this is no pub sir. And they canceled the interview!
lol
Maybe they told him no printed speeches allowed in the interview, just your own wits
And then ka Lungu said, what wits? I left my wits in Zambia
Zambia will be developed by Zambians, whether BBC interviews our President or not nothing will happen if we the concerned do not work hard and that’s what President Lungu said in his speech to parliament. Those condemning our President only shows that perhaps they are suffering from inferiority complex. Our President was not obliged to be interviewed if he had a busy schedule attending to investors and the like, than go for a talk show with no tangible result. People who talk too much are not performers…
You sound pathetic if he didn’t want to go he should have simply not accepted the invite…your lazy Lungu is always blaming external factors back in Lusaka for the depreciating of the kawcha and is forever begging for FDI…what better platform to sell himself and his country.
@Jay Jay
Why are you so bitter my friend…why so much hate? Very strange characters on here….yaba!!!!!!!!!
Anyway
2016 vote PF ( Edgar )
I thank you
Oh! “Maybe he had a busy schedule”? He had meetings with Obama?
The President did very well by not entertaining the BBC. BBC is dead…it is the old or adage club. It is finished. The broadcast is too old fashioned. It is the club of the queen and the king….monarch and language twisters English. Ma labish yeka yeka fye. They should invite hh, gbm, Mulongoti and Nawakwi Or why not invite Mpombo so that he teaches them their language better?
Bravo ECL …Bravo PF….
You are a f00l. instead of discussing sensible issues you are here vomiting rubbish. Do you have any other things to do anyway or all day long you live a life of hallucinating?
Can you please clarify, are you black gay wearing pink dress or pink lesbian wearing black trousers?
I can see the headline: “Zambian President does a ‘Donchi Kubeba’ on BBC”. We expect whoever is President to represent we the Zambians. If he cannot even have a press conference in Zambia & cannot have an interview on BBC, who is he representing? We need to know where we are going as a country!