PRESIDENT Lungu has declared today half working day for civil servants to enable them attend the ceremony at which he will assent to the Constitution Amendment Bill at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.
Secretary to the Cabinet Roland Msiska said in a statement yesterday that the President has given all civil servants half day.
The President encouraged members of the public to attend the event that will mark a turning point in the country’s democracy.
Among the new clauses in the bill are the 50 percent-plus-one, running mate and dual citizenship, including having a definite date for general elections.
Meanwhile, a cross section of Zambians says President Lungu’s decision to assent to the Constitution of Zambia Amendment Bill and Constitution of Zambia Bill today is commendable and should not be politicised.
Senior Chief Chikanta of the Tonga in Southern Province is happy that President Lungu has decided to publicly assent into law the bills and has urged politicians to appreciate the decision.
The chief said in an interview yesterday that the decision to assent to the bill at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka will accord many Zambians chance witness “this memorable act.”
“It is a very good move that President Lungu has decided to sign the Constitution bill into law at a public place, which is the stadium. This decision is very commendable because it will allow many Zambians to attend and witness this move, which will go into our history books,” he said.
The traditional leader said signing of the document should be supported by all because it is a national programme and not political.
Chief Chikanta urged all Zambians to attend and witness the signing ceremony.
He said many citizens have been anxiously waiting for the publication of a new constitution, and the signing ceremony of the document is timely because it will help the country address some governance issues.
Chief Chikanta said he will attend the ceremony because it is an important event which affects all citizens regardless of political affiliation.
MMD president Nevers Mumba said yesterday that it is a momentous occasion because there are many progressive clauses such as the 50 percent-plus-one, running mate, and dual citizenship.
And scores of Chingola residents have described today’s signing of the bills as a milestone in the history of constitution-making.
One of the residents talked to, Eastwood Mubanga, cited the 50 percent-plus-one clause as having received a lot of support from the people and other concerned stakeholders.
He said the new constitution will stand the test of time for Zambians as per their desires which have been taken on board.
Martin Mukuwa said people from all walks of life should be in support of the President regardless of their political affiliations.
“This is one of the best historical moments for the country, all Zambians should support this cause,” said the 71-year-old former miner.
Noah Sipanje said most people that he has interacted with are in support of the President.
“From what I have gathered so far from people of all walks of life, most Zambians are in support of the signing of the Constitution Amendment Bill,” he said.
A businesswoman, Noria Kuseka, said President Lungu’s consideration of the views of the people is commendable.
“This shows that the constitution will be a people-driven document for the nation, whose democracy is in its infancy,” she said.
And CHALI MULENGA writes that Livingstone residents have welcomed the signing of the bills as it will help the country have quality leaders who will make informed decisions.
Former Livingstone town clerk George Kalenga said the decision to adopt the constitution in phases is welcome as the country has economic challenges.
“We are looking forward to President Lungu’s assent to the new Constitution of Zambia Bill at Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.
“The new constitution will help the country have leaders that understand issues,” he said.
United Party for National Development (UPND) Katombora constituency chairperson Terriford Lisapo welcomed the 50 percent plus one clause.
UNIP Southern Province chairperson Robert Mukengami said the new constitution is a present to Zambians.
you see! as i predicted tuesday has been `u-turned` into one of those wasted kabotolo public drinking holidays,,,,,,,what a waste!!!!
i cant wait to see your lungu dancing with PF ladies after taking a few beers and mutototo,,,,,,
This visionless Bandit Lungu is a Joke!
The economy is melting, instead of citizens working, visionless Bandit Lungu is wasting tax payers money for a DRINKING PARTY. The of Zambia want a FULL people DRIVEN CONSTITUTION, not this PF lunacy & mediocre.
Visionless Lungu should have signed the Amendment Bill at his office & save tax payers money. These PF BANDITS lied about the “90 DAYS CONSTITUTION” now the scumbags are signing for an Amendment. What a WOG WASH, Zambians have been deceived again by Bandits of DONCHI KUBEBA sickness.
Vote these BANDITS OUT in 4 months time.
The Skeleton Key
~206~
Hey Bo Matokwani (Ndobo)
Long time wahesu. I hoped to see you and Nostradamus next to BANDIT visionless Lungu sipping some Jameson LOL!
Kozo,
The Skeleton Key
~206~
Who pays for the other half of the day the civil servants don’t work?
Typical laziness attitude in Zambia led by a lazy leader where laziness and unproductivity are rewarded
All this laziness will end when HH comes to power as people will have to account for time spent at work Vs pay
Viva HH
Bo skeleton kapa Bo masapo
kaniti wahesu, se li kale,! stay Close wahesu. we need to chasing these bandits out of Power this year,,,,
Kikikiki………….ba UPND cadre,too ambitious for there own good just like there leader. Climb down from the pompous and arrogant stand that makes you think you are already in State House when you are still far away yet near to a sixth humiliating defeat……..,I can hadly wait for 2016 elections…….viva ECL.
And that can be termed a crowd? That is a batch of people. Poorly attend.
Same as day of national prayers. Just a pf rally.
I got so many missed calls from woodlands state house, please @ndobo & skeleton tell Ed that I can’t cerebrate on a Tuesday, got work to do. Dual citizenship my ass!!
Landmark event or shear worst of manpower. We are truly beyond reproach in what we should be proud to celebrate. We are a true uneducated and gullible society and our leaders know how to make costly use of it… Zambia I continue to hope for a brighter future with even brighter leaders
This is useless ! Why note sign those papers at parliament or his office ? That’s why economy is useless , rather then government working on a Tuesday spending more time drinking . How many people do you think will go back to work ? Note even lungu will go back .
Lord Confucious,
Thus Viosionless BANDIT Lungu, very lazy & a drunkard. Imagine, X~Mass & New Year celebrations gone, instead of signing the document at his office or work place, the CHAKOLWA is doing all this for political expediency.
Its primitivity of the highest order.
The Skeleton Key
~206~
Strategically planned to shame the opposition and grand collision and also to show the world that the constitution has finally been given to Zambians. Don’t play with the gvt in power no matter how thin Lungu might be, he has powers bane..next wait for election results.
And you wonder why you are cheering from a foreign country?
Disaster Constitution (amendments) signed at Kwambilis Disaster stadium by a Disaster Drunkard president can only bring more Disasters to Zambia.
Lungu should have been working to FIX all the THE DISASTERS PF have caused like load shedding, collapsed Kwacha and the huge DEBT and DEFICIT!
Instead the clueless lazy swine decides to have a National drinking party!
When is this man going to learn what a Presidents job is?
Singing dual citizen and running meant means government have to stop work ? Is this PF guys serious with the country or just actors in metro wood making play circle . Rather look for investors to come into country . BA lungu Zambia has a parliament and you do have a office ! This is how dull most Africans leaders have become . When a white man said Africans can’t lead them self it’s true . You don’t need a Phd or degree to see how dull this government has become and it’s not political or tribal .
And readers don’t have to go very far to see how ‘dull’ some people on these boards are…
LT.thats poor reporting.why picking up people who only support the constitution amendments.Good and unbiased report should include for and against and those with no position.
@planzo,that is good observation but may be they didn’t sample enough and get wider range of views but one can observe that in principle where they went there was wider support than the opposite!
If you want to insult the president please gather yourself , step to show what you got for Zambian people. The idea of just blaming leaders does not fruition to anything but shows how backward some people are. As much as i don’t agree with African type of leadership , Zambia is actually exceptionally and an example to African states that peace can exist. Those in Diaspora should stand to bring change to Zambia not just throw stones. We love you Mr. President , and we will love another leader who will come after him.
A president that encourages laziness is the one you love
@ Zele
For start, I do pay my taxes (personal and corporate) and give employment to fellow Zambians which in turn also pay tax.
Do I qualify to criticize waste of our money used for childish politicking?
Who should I blame for waste of my money? Opposition? Global trends? Or current administration?
He is just our worker, we do not need to love him. All we need is for him to do the job we hired him to do and pay him to do. If you are a shareholder in a company do you love the CEO you have appointed. Lets be serious with life. We can respect him, yes, but he has to respect us as well by not wasting our money on such things as a pointless ceremony and undeserved holiday for civil servants..
The nature and mind of Zambians. Too funny, they cried for the document, the insulted and now progress has been made. Signing it at state house would be a bad idea because of the mistrust we have in our society and a great number of people whose first response is an insult instead of controlling their emotions. Maturity requires a man to hold his anger and have control over it, foolishness requires the opposite. Progress has been made and it requires the attention and coverage it can get, we have paid for many meetings to see such accomplished, its only fair we finish it in such a manner. Let’s show maturity in the manner we talk
Hey Yayaya the Bandit,
Stop misleading the people! Zambians NEVER cried for an amendment bill, NO! PF illusions of “Donchi Kubeba” sickness bug is indeed eroding your pathetic thinking.
Bandit Yayaya is scolding people to support Pathetic Failures’ with an amendment bill, how visionless? Wake up early from your slumber.
The Skeleton Key
~206~
@Yayaya: How many of the cadres attending the signing ceremony at Heroes Stadium have ready or understood the ammendments in the Consitution that the President is signing today? Its not about criticising or insulting the President as you are putting it, its not about trusting or not trusting the President, its not about lack of maturity in those with opposing views. Most people are concerned on the COSTS associated with this signing ceremony. All other Constitutional ammendments were signed at State House by previous Zambian Presidents at very low cost to the Tax payers.
@The Skeleton Key
~206~ I have become a bandit now. You know the right you ought to speak but choose not to. will be here to watch you mature in speech.
@Kuzanga Chami The question should always be, how many Zambians understand the same constitution we have spend years insulting the leaders over. Its the same people some wish to use to de-campaign or riot over the same constitution or have you forgotten the caliber of people that where were arrested at civic center during youth day commemorations.
50 percent-plus-one may never be achieved try more than 50 percent !
Difference between us and the developed world in the west is that a an event like this would have prompted a cost analysis in terms of lost man hours and productivity from workers taking a day off, lost business opportunities by a marketeer whose tomatoes was not sold because a prospective buyer instead chose to go for the ceremony. For the average Zambian, a holiday is music to his/her ears and who ever pronounces a holiday at the slightest excuse automatically becomes the best boss. And Edgar knows this because that’s been his life. Now try bringing in a strict, disciplined person like HH,,,,, get my drift?
Webman, you are thinking like someone you has lived too much in the diaspora. We are Zambians , we don’t process information like that. Viva PF.
Jebo I have been in Zambia almost all my life but I do not reason like PF. Ati because we are Africans its okay to carelessly use resources when they are no medicines in hospitals and some of our children learn under trees. God help us!!!
in the west men can marry men… am sure disciplined people like hetch hetch will do like wise. Stop this “the west” you do not know anything about the west. for you information they are the most proud and nationalistic people and would have filled up not only the stadium but the streets as well. ati the west the west yet the only west you have been to is kwa bulozi (no offence my lozi friends)
This is an inconvenience for the private sector as they are unable to conduct their businesses properly with govt agencies closed for the Lazy bum.
Ati voice of reason? We Get your tortuously made points. However, if you despise the west so much, stop going to them with your begging bowl in your hands my friend!
Lusaka Times, we are still waiting for the article involving Amos Chanda instructing OP to consult with PFs Timor consulting for this years elections
This is a waste of national resources using borrowed money. why didn’t he sign it at parliament or at state house? This is actually an election campaign and as long as people are given a day off & some beer, they’ll be happy to vote for Lungu. Zambia needs a serious leader like Magufuli who is not going to waste national resources like this.
Comment: Ever drunkard president!.Always doing things under the influence of dagga and shake-shake.
Comment: Ever drunkard president!.Always doing things under the influence of dagga and shake-shake beer!.
What a waste of national resources. The idea is to make a show to voters and to the world.
GIVE CREDIT WHERE IT IS DUE.ONE WILL HANG HIM/HER SELF.
POLITICS ARE FOR POLITICIANS.NDELOLESHAFYE.
A new constitution has always been used as a campaign tool by whoever has been in opposition (including the current government) Even dull chaps that have always been in ‘group three’ in their entire education career have sung along to both sides of this new constitution song without understanding a single clause of it. Chagwa is simply telling you that ‘you made a lot of “noise” about this issue, and as much as I dont believe in it, I will give it to you in a “noise” fashion’, hence the Heroes stadium venue.
All you critical empty tin cans, why do you forget to wear your brains when you blog, since you don’t seem to have one when you hit the keys?
@Microscope, you seem to have forgotten to “wear” yours(that is, if brains are supposed to be worn). When you do wear it, kindly use it to learn the difference between comments and blogs….
Insults will lead Zambians to nowhere. Everyone has the right to their views and opinions. Don’t get worked up due to this, it’s not worth it.
Awe Sure, kindly look up the word “blog” and get acquainted with the verb part.
What colour is your brain and which brand? It seriously needs a transplant. You sound like clueless Lungu.
A half a day of lost productivity for all civil servants. This is unbelievable waste. I know PF cadres have little understanding of economics so they will question my reasoning but the enlightened who have been to schools and actually learnt something will understand what it means to not work for half a day for a work force of some 300, 000 people. Please correct me on the actual figure. The stadium will be filled mostly by PF cadres anyway so why this negative impact on the country’s economy?
Too late for dual citizenship…
Let the President meet the people! Why do you want the President to meet and talk to you only the elite? let ECL go to the Stadium in Matero and meet with his people to whom he is presenting the new present.Americans did it, y can’t Zambia do it. That was in 1743,icikalika pa nsaka musumba wabwali,all they wanted was for those well to do pipo to be invited so that they eat amongst themselves,ECL comes from chawama and has komboni way of doing things were we share the little we have,pabwatoooooooo the long awaited 2016 is here,talking about cost,which is costly going for a referedum or have a constitutional signing ceremony at heroes stadium?
Here again is further evidence BEING REINFORCED of how lax this utterly LAZY BUM EDGAR LUNCU is…PRODUCTIVITY in Zambia is AT AN ALL TIME LOW and he gives half day in the first week immediately after the long end of year holidays. Would any of you people out there give your workers, maids and garden boys have a half a paid day off immediately after your Christmas and New Years holidays. I said this when this utterly SLOTH was campaigning back in 2014 that he has neither has ambition nor vision he has never successfully run a business OR PUT IN A SHIFT..all he is capable of promoting is a lackadaisical work culture to an already inefficient civil service. This LAZY BUM EDGAR is only good for dressing up, dancing and drinking…this week CEOs, Directors, Heads of Depts are pushing their…
cont’d
are pushing their workers to start the year on a high BUT in Zambia which is HIGHLY INDEBTED in BILLIONS OF DOLLARS and this SHIFTLESS excuse for leader is doing the exactly opposite….is it because he does not feel the pinch and its taxpayer footing the bill.
I honestly detest LAZINESS and ne’er-do-well people….this is UTTERLY SILLY AND SHAMEFULLY DISGRACEFUL.
The hatred on here is sickening. This is not blogging or freedom of speech or holding a different view. It’s ineptness of the highest. No wonder we can’t lift ourselves. Lungu a lawyer has done in year of being President what glorified Levy Mwanawasa another lawyer failed to do in 7 years of being President. Zambia cannot inact a constition all at once because of past bad precedents. KK, FTJ, Levy & Rupiah all failed the people on the constitution making process. Lungu has done that & only retrogressives will not appreciate that. I hope Lungu can put the remaining contentious issues to a referendum during the forthcoming general elections and lets see naysayers how they will hang themselves. Move on.
Pleas try to understand what bloggers are saying, if you use your brain to read the comments, no one is against the new condition. It is the fact that public money is being waisted and the signing could have been done cheaper.
Interesting comments….the majority are against the wastage of tax payers funds and loss of man hours….two key variables in economic growth models. LT, interesting that you reaffirmed ‘objective and fair’ reporting in your New Year greetings, but not a SINGLE view carried in your article had diverging views….mmmm, makes one wonder how you gather your stories:)….just saying.
People should not be excited about the signing of the document. You will discovour later and find it has been doctored to suit the pf govt.
LT IS BECOMING ANOTHER WATCHDOG!!!
2hours to go write whatever you want, lets go lungu lets go lets go lungu this what pipo are chanting at hereos stadium,sunu twacinca bo ma politikisi ya mu zambia mwami leza waka tupa Edigar lungu sunu wa saina contitution oyu mwana ula beleka acuuu,katu langa bo poigolela constitution indaba po munya ano,twalumba bana ba kwa leza
For all intent and purposes (process) this is not a new Constitution. The idea was to ‘overhaul’ the whole document to reflect what Zambians as a people want. Parliament hijacked the document and a number of progressive submissions are not reflected. The executive powers, for example, were supposed to be critically reviewed, the Bill of Rights reinforced and power devolved to regions. What we have are a few amendments. Its still essentially the 1964 Constitution. Dual citizenship is welcome but was there before (Kaunda got rid of it) – its merely being re-introduced. In short, there is no need to waste resources over someone appending a signature to a few amendments. All this populist pomp and ceremony is designed to hoodwink people into thinking Lungu is suddenly ‘The Messiah’.
“….Some opposition political parties like the UPND,FDD and the Fourth Revolution Party have opted to shun the event……”.
And Grand Crumble (formerly Grand Coalition).
But who cares, we will go ahead and sign with Uncle Eddie. And being underfive, uPMD does not realise that by opposing and shunning the consititutional amendment they are actually decampaigning themselves. By the way, if they do not likethe amendments, is uPMD still going to participate in the general elections? Or are they going to wait until they enact their own? kikikikiki
It is not a party document.It is a national document which should be signed in a transparent manner.Many are times such important document has been signed in secrecy hence sowing seeds of mistrust.The document is not for Chagwa,it is a Zambian document.Those condemning the assent of a document should be ashamed of themselves for being hypocrites.If Chagwa signs the document in a secrete place,people will start condemning him.They will call him all sorts of names.Some will even start shouting on an anthill.I feel the president is being logical in signing the document in an open place.He does not want people to cry foul that the document was doctored in secrecy.
but the secretary to the cabinet announced that today is not a holiday. another PF flip flop?
WHAT A WASTE OF VALUABLE RESOURCES. ALL THAT MONEY JUST TO WITNESS THE SIGNING OF THE “JAMESON AMENDMENTS”. BA PF KUWAYAWAYA FYE. NO WONDER OUR ECONOMY IS IN SHAMBLES. ANY WAY NOW THAT THE JAMESON AMENDMENTS HAVE BEEN SIGNED WHAT WE NEED IS A NEW GOVERNMENT THAT WILL GIVE US A NEW CONSTITUTION. PF HAVE FAILED TO DELIVER A CONSTITUTION INSTEAD THEY GAVE US AMENDMENTS THAT DO NOTHING FOR THE COMMON PEOPLE. ZAMBIA NEEDS A SERIOUS GOVERNMENT THAT WILL GIVE US A CONSTITUTION PF HAS FAILED TO DELIVER A CONSTITUTION. ITS TIME FOR CHANGE
ONLY the BIBLE INSPIRED BY GOD. Will EVER STAND A TEST OF TIME. Not this defective document called CONSTITUTION this piece of document will continue to be revised by humans govts.So why waste people’s precious time and tax payers money when few days down the line the document will not prove to stand a test of time?
Inspired by God…listen to yourself. ..the selfsame Bible that promoteshe slavery; is that God’s inspiration as well!!
Muletasha bane. Problem is that most of you people in diaspora think that you are so knowledgeable to the point where the whole world is under your feet, WRONG! You do make valid points sometimes, but don’t be big headed. How much money would the government lose by another constitution making commission compared to the half day off? Let Lungu lap his limelight, he is doing that which many before him just lip-serviced you and pocketed billions of cash. NGOs in mourning…
This government borrows money from countries that work 45 hour weeks to make it possible they are not indebted because they know the value of work ethnic…you have to change your mindset if we are to move forward; some businessman today will not be able to register or clear machinery today because Lungu declared a holiday.
they are no work in civil service.
WHY DO PIPO WANT TO TWIST THINGS,THE PRESIDENT DID NOT SAY HE WILL FOOT THE BILL. THIS IS JUST LIKE A FOOTBALL PIPO FIND THERE WAY TO THE STADIUM EITHER ON FOOT OR WELL WISHERS TRANSPORT PIPO TO SUCH PLACES.
PLEASE HATRED IS CANCER AND CAN DESTROY YO HEALTH.
ITS NICE IT IS BEING SIGNED OPENLY OR SOME OF YOU WUD VE ACCUSED HIM OF SOMETHING ELSE.
NB : LUNGU HAS NOW PROVED THE BEST PRESIDENT OF ALL.THE PAST HAD ENOUGH TIME BUT WERE SELFISH BCOS CONTENTS WERE AGAINST THERE RULE BUT OUR JUBILI PRESIDENT BCOS HE LOVES ZED HE HAD TO FORSAKE THAT FOR GUD OF OUR NATION.
LETS RESPECT OUR PRESIDENT DO NOT CALL HIM BAD NAMES JUST BCOS ONE ANOTHER MAN IN MIND
(SELFLESS,COMMITTED,FAITHFUL,LISTENING,GOOD JUDGEMENT,ETC )
WETHER MUSUMINE OR NOT A STEP FORWARD HAS BEEN TAKEN IN THE CONSTITUTION MAKING PROCESS…THATS WHY ITS CALLED A PROCESS BCOZ ITS NOT THE END BUT JUST THE BEGINING
Dear Skeletons from the cupboard and your crew will never be President of Zambia – ever! Move away please, let them work!
Is There Anything Else Noteworthy In This New Constitution Besides ’50 percent-plus-one, running mate and dual citizenship’? Honestly Feels More Like ‘Constitutional Amendments’ Rather Than A ‘New Constitution’.
Once amendments have been effected, the document is new.