Miyanda’s Final Say Before the President Assents to the Draft Constitution

1. Ba Miyanda, the phase of debating the constitutional articles is gone. Necessary amendments and adjustments can be made through Parliament.

   • The president has spoken!

   • What I do not understand is why is it difficult to now focus on these concerns Gen. Miyanda has addressed through Parliament? Why was Gen. Miyanda more concerned about blocking the signing of the Amendment Bill when all the submissions were made by the people through the Constitutional Review Commissions? Further tightening of the Constitution is an ongoing exercise. We needed to go past this point – enough money wasted please.

   • It is impossible to keep land native, I think the only people on this earth that have managed to do that are the Native Americans. American Indians as they are usually referred to still manage independent nations called “reservations” within the United States.

     Those reservations are ruled by tribal leaders but they are the most under-developed parts of the entire country. The tribal chiefs still live in primitive settlements compared to the rest of the goo ole USA.

     I invite the General to visit these tribal lands and then we will have a discussion as to if that’s what he really wants for the smart people of the Zambian Enterprise.

   • Continued …

     Now have explained the above, I would like to further explain that the rest of the United States is land that is deeded and is considered as one aspect of the factors of production. I further would like to explain to the General that almost 90% of raw land in the US is owned by the Japanese.

     I don’t know if the General knew that too. There’s also now a new phase in real estate where the majority of A Class properties in the US are now owned by rich Chinese entrepreneurs. On recent record the famous Waldorf Astoria in Manhattan New York was bought by a Chinese firm last year.

     And for the second time President Obama could not even spend his night at that hotel during the last UN Meeting since it is now foreign owned sighting security reasons.

   • Continued …

     So, two things here … one, I like the General a lot, in fact I have so much respect for him as a believer, a well-trained serviceman and as a one time Vice President of our great nation but I would rather have land that is free and clear to help generate capital as a factor of production than create tribal reservations like Native Americans.

     Two, I would like to remind him that he was personally at the center of economic liberation that pioneered the free enterprise system. As a UNIPist, I condemned in the strongest terms how that was carried out and I still echo the same sentiments today.

     But freeing market systems involve liberations all factors of productions, land included. You cannot have it both ways, you either support the system or you don’t. This…

   • In closing …

     Many countries that are now doing extremely well around the world have been faced with this phenomena. For instance, Panama in Central America liberalized their factors of production … almost 90% of private land there is owned by Americans.

     Even here in the United States as mentioned, it was the Japanese at first … now we have the Chinese buying not only high class buildings but also huge tracks of land, followed by Indian nations from Indian itself, etc.

     Property right build Dubai which as early as 1995 was a desert but today a paradise on earth … I rest my case. I still love you Big Brother (General Miyanda) and I appreciate your service to the nation. Ciao

   • Forgive some typos and incomplete sentences some of us type too fast sometimes are have not time to edit before posting here … sorry once more

   • This “simple soldier” is deluded. UNIP era thinking has come and GONE!

     Zambians have had 50 years to develop these assets and have not done so. True stupidity is doing the same thing again and again and expecting a different result!

     Zambia must move with the times and become part of the global economy if we want a decent future for upcoming generations. Primitive thinking appeals to the ignorant but will not feed and clothe our children.

     If we cannot achieve this we need to invite those with the expertise, technology and capital to do so. And of course they will expect to paid for their contribution.

2. Simple soldier the best was blocking this Constitution by relevant judicary bodies of our country.

3. Barren statement. RIP with your statement

   • @Sindicate at 3.17: that is a barren comment, so fyabalansa! Next time let us share knowledge ba Sindicate, for the sake of our country and even for our own individual progress. In life I take the view that there is always something new to learn everyday. Have a blessed day. Godfrey Miyanda///

4. What the General has raised in this post are very important issues and they are not only affecting Zambia, but the entire African continent. The tragedy is that only the rich can afford to buy land in Africa and the Western World or rather former colonialists have seen this loop hole and they are now on a quest to exploit it to the max resulting in the land the size of UK being acquired by western investors in just one year across Africa and that should worry anybody who cares about this continent.

   I think it will be sad to hear the General in future say I told you so or to hear people say Miyanda told you,. We need to seat down and seriously debate this issue of land when the EUPHORIA of the 50+1 and RUNNING MATE has died down.

   • Totally agree with you.

   • I am agreeing with MMD-CB in the first week of the first month of the new year? Wow!
     Man, you nailed it!

5. Ba General,you have a point especially when it comes to Land. We have invited a problem on ourselves by allowing foreigners to get huge tracts of land with 99 years title. We have been sold out by our own Chiefs and those with greater powers who’ve given away our land to foreigners with no meaningful gain for our people. However,this issue of land,important as it is needs to be handled independently,thoroughly discussed to come up with proper land reforms.The President had no time to further delay the constitution. Land is one big question which requires more detailed discussions.I am happy you left out,less important complaints such as 1000 supporters per province,it will weed out petty political parties whose leaders use elections to get external financing for personal sustenance.

   • I refer to the last segment of your posting: Economically speaking, there’s nothing wrong with that.

6. Well, well, whatever negative views people have about Brigadier Gen. Miranda, I think it is folly, irresponsible and foolishness to ignore the important national issues the he has raised. It is said a fool is considered wise when he is silent. It is clear that Mr Mwanza’s views (of YALI) do not reflect the majority of reasonable thinking Zambians. The President need to come clean on the land issue.

7. I keep saying we had the NCC, the Technical committee etc and people from all walks of life were involved to develop this document. Many of those people are respected, some experts in issues to do with land. My question is: The issues that the general is raising now, were they raised then and if they were he must have been defeated and the majority believed that what is in the constitution is the best, so what does he want the president to do? Go for his opinion against the opinion of many others? The document will never be perfect and it can be refined as we go on. Don’t get me wrong I am not in support of this peace meal approach, I am totally with the Grand Coalition approach. But like some have said its a step forward and not backward. So a few Kudos to Lungu for that. You see you…

   • @Mwe bantu
     The process failed in all attempts because the approach was wrong. I suggested, a long time ago, that the constitution is a LAW. By its definition it’s the purview of parliament. MPs should have conducted listening sessions with their constituents and bring back the aspirations of the people. Frame the supreme law of the land from what tje representatives of the people noted down.

     The commission that have been convened were an attempt to reinvent the wheel. It’s unprecedented and therefore evidently a flop.

8. General Miyanda we hear you sir and you have spoken as a true Patriot on the subject of Land and on the attempt of Unpatriotic Zambians who have created ‘rainbow colours’ in their chosen Western families, to come back to reap rewards slotted for indigenous people. Slough you have called some citizens “PF zealots,” I can assure you some of us mistakenly called that are far much more interested in PF as the best Party currently available to the people to form the most stable and able gov’t. Unfortunately that is the sad truth about Zambia; that the Opposition are nothing more than psychotic fortune hunters and ‘mad as a house’ self interested megalomaniacs(HH). In view of the lack of alternatives, we keep in mind you most important points here raised on Land and assure that we…

9. I am keen follower of Gen Miyanda’s political statements and he speaks volumes of sense and thought provoking stuff but the only problem is that he does not inspire a lot of the masses. Its like before he makes an important statement he does not make good research. How I wish the man had the touch of a salesman who can sale ice cream in during the cold season. Its not too late let him shade off some hard stuff on him from UK Military Academies where he trained as a young man. I really admire the man very firm but lacks flexibility to mingle freely with grassroots.

   • You lie.
     I sat on bench with him struck conversation in a fast food restaurant. I had a similar encounters with Kavindele. Why do you want to live. I n both situations I was not dressed in suit or anything, just an old pair of shorts and dusty patapatas. Very ordinary.

10. Unfortunately that is the sad truth about Zambia; that the Opposition are nothing more than psychotic fortune hunters and ‘mad as a house’ self interested megalomaniacs(HH). In view of the lack of alternatives, we keep in mind you most important points here raised on Land and assure that we Patriots will come up to PF in any Revolutionary action to ensure they understand The real People, of Zambia come first.

    • We must remember that the issue of African Lands being sold out to the point where indigenous people lose out has already been raised by various international bodies. Gov’ts are aware of the points raised here. Well done for raising these salient points General.

11. In all fairness, Miyanda would have made much more sense if he referred to the time he was part of the 1996 Assent to the Constitution, which was hastily done to block one individual when his former Boss went through this process in the company of MMD cadres at state house. The issue of land needs to be looked from how we have been so careless with how people [indegenous Zambians] sell inherited land for cheap. Rather than politic about this, encouraging illiterate Zambians who dont really know the true meaning of land ownership and value is a better approach than what Miyanda is seeking with his “Simple Soldier” statement all seeking to go into political history of being visionary. Chiefs are paid monthly stipends for what? They need to be educating their subjects that the land they…

12. Educating Zambians about land ownership and the value of it is the way to deal with this land issue in our country rather than complain. You can pass a law that prohibits foreigners from owning Land in Zambia but you can’t stop the whole Constitution because the Simple Soldier didnt get his day with the President prior to assenting to the constitution.

13. “I am a native of Zambia, I am a native of Zambia, I am a native of Zambia”, sounds much better than being a bantustan or a belonging to a tribe of monkeys. Actually its more humane. It doesn’t talk about race or colour.
    Only question for me is, is one Guy Scott a native. If brother you ever read this please answer for yourself.

    • Itizi turu, go to Japan, or China, or France, or Britain, or Holland (where I assume your ancestors came from), and ask that same question, and see what reaction you get. I know you used the term “native,” sarcastically, and you pulled in the word “bantustan ” and “tribe of monkeys” imagery intentionally . And since you’re in South Africa, I assume that you’re a Boer. If you’re, yes, YOU ARE NOT A NATIVE of South Africa. And the word “native,” is generally defined as “indigenous, of belonging naturally to the soil, with long historical ties to it.”
      Even in America, only the indigenous people are referred to as the “Native Americans,” in spite of other people groupings from around the world having settled there for the past 400 years or so. If any American settler…

    • If any American settler from Europe called himself “native american,” he would be considered crazy. If a black person is born in Holland, he will never be considered a “native, dutch.”
      And why do Europeans insist on being called “native,” after an invasion of other people’s lands, and yet would never allow a person of color born in their countries to be referred to as native? For instance, if you’re black born in Britain to Black British parents, you’re still not considered “indigenous.” If anything, you will still be considered a foreigner, and will be, from time to time, told to go back to the jungle. So there you have it.

14. Yes u’ve said yo own General – zambians shall live to yet again howl at the moon for the sleepiness with which Miyanda’s CONCERNS are; Thanks General, as the saying goes – NOBODY FORGIVES THOSE WHO KNOW NOT WHAT THEY ARE DOING…fate destroys them !!

15. LOL, why do I get a feeling this just-signed new constitution is very likely to become due for review sooner than later w.r.t. land.
    The Litunga of Barotseland must be watching this school of thought with interest on land issue as it resonates with Barotseland w.r.t. land ownership.

16. Lusakatimes 10 Feb 2015-President Edgar Lungu has approved proposals by ZESCO Limited to freeze domestic consumer tariffs for the next 24 months and to adjust commercial consumer tariffs to make them cost-reflective.

    LUSAKA, Nov 27 (ZNBC) — President Edgar Lungu of Zambia has directed that new electricity tariffs should be implemented with a view to progressively moving to full cost-reflective charges

    ZNBC 16 Dec 2015-President Edgar Lungu has called on Zambians and the business community to embrace the new electricity tariffs. The Head of State says this will guarantee meaningful investment and improvements in service delivery in the energy sector.

    ZNBC 3 Jan 2016-President Edgar Lungu has directed ZESCO Limited to revert to the old consumer electricity tariffs.

17. 27 December 2015

    The President of the Republic of Zambia
    HE Edgar Chagwa Lungu
    Resident at State House
    Plot No. 1 Independence Avenue
    LUSAKA

    Dear Sir,

    COUNTER PETITION ON THE CONSTITUTION TO THAT OF GENERAL GODFREY MIYANDA

    Mr President, I write to counter the petition that has been reportedly made by Brigadier General Godfrey Miyanda to you on the Constitution that now awaits your assent. I will concentrate on point number 3 of General Godfrey Miyanda’s petition to you, as reported by the online media Lusaka Times. This is on the Preamble.

    Brigadier General Godfrey Miyanda is unsettled by the second part of the Preamble in the current Constitution. The second part declares thus: “RECOGNISE AND UPHOLD the multi-ethnic, multi-racial, multi-religious and multi-cultural…

    • He has EVERY RIGHT TO !! All natives should share his concerns – you ask the NATIVE AMERICANS how settlers marginalised them ! 2 Thumbs-up General 🙂

18. I agree with the Gen. Miyanda. I also agree with MMD Chief Bootleaker. South Africa is one example where majority of the Land is owned by the whites and the blacks are mere spectators. NO wonder Julius Malema of EFF was advocating of expropriation of land without compasation. In Zambia look at the former Galaunia Farms which covered the entire Lusaka going as far as Chisamba up to the Lusaka International Airport, only one man.
    The land was moving from sons, grandchildren etc….and now after sensing danger, began sub diving into Meanwood at huge costs for small plots. e.g 25 x 50 M cost as much as K90,000 (old currency) beyong a common civil servant.

    Yes you have cerebrated the assent, but will it give you land, or improve your money in the pocket? There is no doubt, General…

19. Poverty is the biggest problem we have even if we are given the land it’s will remain idle zambia has a lot of undeveloped land but it pains me for Indians to own prime land in my country let’s have laws which make it difficult for foreners to own land in zambia expecially prime land

20. @Ichintuchintumwene at 3.08 pm: Point noted; however it is always healthy and civilised to debate/dialogue as this usually leads to consensus on difficult or contentious issues. I hope you do not celebrate and go to sleep as you may oversleep and find “Ichintu” staring in your face, like the government alienating your land to give an ‘investor’ who had just constructed a road round your backyard, and has been paid for the job! Serious debate must start now so that we are not dribbled. Godfrey Miyanda///

21. Let the decision we make today be those if we lived thereafter would be worthwhile to point at in greatness not regret…’i have said my own’, like the General

22. Miyanda :not to be taken seriously!

23. @Jano at 3:17 PM: it was never my intention to “block”; if so I would have gone to Court. I believe that prevention is better than cure, hence why I wanted to dialogue and encourage the President to dialogue with others. Well that is now gone; I pray that we do not regret refusing to speaking to each other. Many years ago we had some serious tension in the country (I was VP). Dr Kaunda stopped me at a remote rural road in Petauke to ask for a meeting with Dr Chiluba. There was no love lost between the two but I persuaded Dr Chiluba to meet Dr KK. A private meeting took place at State Lodge: in attendance Dr Chluba, Hon Sikota Wina and I (for the Government); Dr KK, General Malomba Masheke and Professor Mvunga (KK delegation). Important issues were ironed out successfully. Litigation…

24. @MMD Bootlicker at 3.21 PM: I hear you; but let us focus on our country. I like the idea of ‘seating down’ but ZEDS don’t like ‘seating down'(see @ Ichintu at3.08). I offer to make an initial move by a follow up paper here since those in Government are too big for some of us. My concern is heavier now than in 2001 (15 years ago) when I first proposed a temporary moratorium on land alienation; but we did not win the election. Now the matter is volatile and our youthful population is impatient. The issue needs to be handled soberly but urgently. As we do this we must also observe and believe in the Rule of Law which sadly is lacking among party cadres.

25. @ZAMBIA IS OURS at 3.29 PM:
    1. Even Zambians get 99 years lease (Imagine I am on a 99 year lease small-holding! In theory it means I own this small-holding temporarily).
    2. The negative side about chiefs is that they are perceived to be sell-outs; we can devise a system that exploits the positives of the village arrangement (clan system and communal land); I do NOT subscribe to the Government farm blocks. Chiefs are part of the clan/family system so it would be easier to devise a system around this concept. 3. I support your thought of an independent effort but of selfless people whose desire is to serve. Miyanda///

26. @Welly at 3.52: thanks; most negatives are passed on from mouth to mouth and blogger to blogger, even by people one has never met or associated with. I take it in the stride. However I latch on to your comment that the President must come clean on the land issue. I listened to the whole speech; he said nothing at all. I considered it urgent that is why I sought audience with him. I hope he does soon so that we can be clear about what his vision is as land encroachments and related disputes seem to be growing exponentially, with youths being the most impatient. We have lost some lives of legal owners of properties and need not lose anymore. Miyanda///

27. To all bloggers on this forum.Ni funseko mwebantu.bushe ababene ba Miyanda didn’t he form part of government once upon a time ? Never once during his tenure as whatever he was in govt did I hear him advance such credible concerns so that they could be dialogued in the near future.Manje why kuleta nkani lilya mwaba ba retired and expired politician.Awe cumi

28. Well spoken General Miyanda.

29. “There will be nothing left by these vultures when they are through with their schemes.” end of quote

30. There will be nothing left by these vultures when they are through with their schemes.

31. This land issue raised is very important. Can someone tell me who took away the soccer fields land for Lusaka Boys School in Long Acres? This was done without consideration of future expansions for Lusaka Boys School. A white man had a vision for that school that it may end up being a college or university in years to come, so I think. Population growth was on the mind of the initial developers of that piece of land. Since land has value, it is proper and justified that the registered owners of the land pay royalty fees to Lusaka Boys School for the duration of land ownership or 99 year lease. The school or Ministry of Education should not lose out on this one. Those of you with Law Degrees that care about Lusaka Boys, do something to help the school raise funds needed to improve it’s…

32. @TK 4.37 to 4.43 PM: 1. 1996 is a Red Herring nothing to do with this debate. 2. I am not and will never be a glory seeker! 3. Current land law does not allow foreigners to own land but a legal ruse was used to bypass that law, I believe with the connivance of those in authority. That is why I never blame foreigners but our own selfish natives for our lack of progress. 4. Dialogue is a civilised way of resolving issues, especially contentious ones. Those who detest or shun it eventually regret. I have conceded that President has won this battle but NOT the war; the Land war which is growing exponentially calls for urgent attention. Miyanda///

33. @Cactus at 5.09 PM:
    1. Regrettably this is a contentious Constitution. A Constitution must be arrived at largely by consensus, not by manipulation and/or pre-determined strategies to fix this or that.
    2. Barotseland: I hear you but I do not believe this land issue is a Barotse problem but it will grow exponentially beyond Western province borders as citizens become desperate and restless as they look for alternative ways of survival. The first gift to Man was land, with all that was necessary to tame it. But Man is selfish, greedy, wasteful, jealous and stubborn. Let us not wait for a conflagration for I believe prevention is better than cure; if it comes there will be nothing like “mpembela mfyone -wait till I blow my nose!” Miyanda

34. The general has spoken for the second time and what does he get yet again? Argumentum ad hominem!

35. @Harrison Chewe at 5:17 PM: your Counter Petition is incomplete but good to know that there are others with contrary views to mine. Any way your petition seems lost here. For your information I am rarely unsettled as I always enjoy an intelligent exchange. But what’s the beef? He has assented, so you have won, bro – for now!

36. @Fwenketepo at 9.43 PM: How do you know that I never advanced concerns when in Government? Don’t argue you were NOT there!

37. @EYES at 10.59 PM: There is no excuse for that Lusaka Boys land Rape. That is why I keep saying do NOT blame foreigners for what your fellow natives have brought upon us. Our biggest fight is within ourselves. Charity begins at home.

38. @Infidels Baghdad Zuku at 12.26 AM: I think Infidel you are lost and definitely do NOT understand the meaning of Argumentum ad hominem. Ask your neighbour and then come back and blog with understanding. Miyanda///

39. @ TO ALL: that’s me, I am done for now till another topic. Gudnite/gudmorn. Brig Gen Godfrey Miyanda///

40. “…How come foreign investors have the means to develop our country but we do not have the capacity and capability to develop it ourselves? It is because those in power choose to betray their people…”
    ANY BLOGGER ABOVE WHO HAS WRITTEN AGAINST THIS ARTICLE- IT’S EITHER THEY READ AND DID NOT UNDERSTAND IT OR IT IS JUST THE USUAL CONDEMNING OF THE AUTHOR BECAUSE YOU DO NOT BELONG TO HIS CAMP. LAND IS THE REAL WORRY IN ANY SOVEREIGNTY. ANY WAR ON EARTH IS ABOUT LAND AND GEN. MIYANDA KNOWS WHAT HE IS EXACTLY TALKING ABOUT. ZAMBIANS ARE LOSING THEIR OWN LAND UNDER THEIR NOSES AT A FRIGHTENING RATE AND NO ONE SEEMS TO BE QUESTION THIS LOSS. GO ON- CONTINUE INSULTING MIYANDA. LET’S SEE HOW FAR YOU CONTINUE INSULTING HIM BEFORE YOUR COUNTRY IS TAKEN OVER IN YOUR LIFE TIME.

41. IF WE CAN’T SUPPORT OUR PEOPLE TO DEVELOP OUR OWN LAND, LET’S NOT THINK THAT ANOTHER NATION OR NATIONS WILL COME WITH THE INTEREST TO DEVELOP IT FOR US. THERE’S ABSOLUTELY, NOTHING LIKE THAT. THAT IS SYNONYMOUS TO ASKING YOUR FRIEND TO HELP YOU MAKE A BABY WITH YOUR WIFE. IF THE FOLLOWING DAY SHE WILL STILL BE YOUR WIFE- YOU MUST BE THE LUCKIEST MAN EVER LIVING. I HAVE LISTENED TO PAUL BUPE’S POEM ABOUT “BAMUTAPE” AND I HAVE ALSO LISTENED TO KINGS MUMBI’S, “WAKE UP ZAMBIA”. THEY ARE SIMILARLY, TALKING ABOUT THE SAME THINGS BUT IN DIFFERENT CONTEXTS. YOU CAN LISTEN TO BOTH PAUL BUPE AND KINGS MUMBI ON YOUTUBE. THE QUESTION IS: WHEN IS ZAMBIA GOING TO WAKE UP?

42. @Peter at 2.35 and 2.47 PM: I advise @Cold Play at 9.35 AM and @BR Mumba at 6.36 AM to read and understand @Peter’s comments. Spot on.

43. @Cold Play at 9.35 AM: How can u develop if afta 50 yrs u still dont understand the problem? If u sell all yo land to your Japanese and Chinese what wil your “upcoming generation” use to feed and clothe themselves? The so-called global economy will swallow them.

44. BA MIYANDA
    this is where you belong. Blogging politics. You have been praised as being level headed at some point but iam afraid you becoming irrelevant. Do self check first.

    • @twende at 2.30 PM: you have said nothing. Let us educate each other. Say something relevant or else keep your peace. Miyanda///

    • Please General, do not listen to twende. He doesn’t know what he is talking about. You’re very much relevant. When the land is taken over and owned by powerful foreign corporations, and conglomerates, who have no regard whatsoever for the poor natives, then he will understand.

45. @BR MUMBA, Sr at 6-36, 6.44, 6.52, 6.58 and 7.01 AM: Your comments deserve fuller response. Since I have undertaken to write a follow up article I shall combine them in my paper. However I don’t understand your point of stating that “it is impossible to keep land native”. Are you against ownership by Zambians? Or is this American English meaning keeping land virgin? Native Reserves in Zambia meant land reserved exclusively for the use and ownership of the “native or indigenous people”. I am alarmed that you seem to be proud that 90 % land in America is owned by Japanese. Is this what you are suggesting for Zambia? As I have said I will respond fully later. Best regards. Miyanda///

46. I agree with general Miyanda, what will become of our future generations, they will be no land to talk about.

47. I very much appreciate Obrgd.Gen. Godfrey Miyanda’s nationalistic way of looking at national issues.
    For sure, any genuine and right thinking Zàmbian, must support the sentiments being air by the General, regardless of political affiliations for the future generations to come. Don’t allow the future to judge you hushly. The problem we have in Africa is that, when one group is in power, they think as if they are the creators of that country. Yet, they are just employees of the people., who are the owners, together, of that country. Save Zambia!!!

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