Friday, March 29, 2024

The Positive side of our Presidential Candidates-Episode 3 Edgar C Lungu

Share

President Edgar Lungu at Labour day Ceremony in Lusaka Picture by Eddie Mwanaleza.
President Edgar Lungu at Labour day Ceremony in Lusaka Picture by Eddie Mwanaleza.

By David Kapoma

About two (2) months ago now, I made a deliberate choice to try and bring out the positive sides of all the aspiring presidential candidates in this year’s elections. I started off with bringing the best out of the UPND leader Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, after which I later did justice to the iron lady Edith Nawakwi.

At the time I started the series I believed I was going to have an easy chore as I believed I was only going to write four (4) or five (5) articles. My judgement was not right as it now looks like I need to do about ten (10) according to the ECZ update. We will have more candidates than I thought we may have in this year’s general elections. I also promise to do a summary that will look at all the candidates once I have looked at every single one of them individually.

Before I proceed with my positive details on president Lungu, I wish to clearly indicate that in my writing, I will not address Edgar Lungu as president but will rightly put him as a presidential candidate for the patriotic front. This I apologise to the PF family

Family Life

Edgar Lungu was born on November 11th 1956 at Ndola Central Hospital. He was brought up from a very humble family on the copperbelt. His humble beginnings from house number 4001 in Kitwe’s Chimwemwe Township are perhaps what have shaped his belief that humility can take anyone anywhere. He is married to Esther Lungu a woman who has been with him through thick and thin.

Edgar Lungu is a father of six children who among them include the well known daughter Tasila Lungu. Despite living a comfortable life even before being ushered into office as president of the republic of Zambia, his children have remained humble with some still working in private companies regardless of the father’s position or status in the country.
He is regarded as a jovial father who is always throwing jokes during family time. His children will tell you that when they want to have some good laugh they always call on him for a light moment. Those close to him can attest to the fact that he is a serious person but always want to add some wittiness in his character. He’s simply a man one would feel comfortable relating with.

Spiritual Life

I must say that I spent more time here as I realised this is one area where most people don’t know about Edgar Lungu. This is not information that even ‘Uncle Google’ has.

Edgar Lungu and his wife Esther meet Bishop Joseph Honto of Christian Power Bible Ministries in 2007.At this point he was practicing his law with Masiye Advocates but had his practicing license withdrawn by the then MMD government. At the time, his wife was engaged in some business and farming activities. After Several meetings with Bishop Honto, he and his wife joined the church which at the time was meeting at lotus basic school.

After being saved together with his wife his salvation was well proven when he introduced his entire family and some members of his community in jack compound to church, after which he and his family have never looked back. Following his commitment towards Gods work, the church saw the need to open a cell in his home.

“He is the one who was picking me every Wednesday for cell meetings held in his home. Being a humble person he always is, he drove a small Ceres car and me being tall I found it hard to enter the vehicle, but I had to do it because I always enjoyed his company. His wife was our cell treasurer and she was very strict with money and so faithful that she kept the 11th money in her home for three year without touching it until she handed it over. Edgar loves dancing and always took it to the dance floor in church” This is how Bishop Honto remembers the two.

With time Edgar and his wife suggested that the church be moved to a bigger place and offered together with another church member to pay rentals as the church was moved to the YMCA building. The church then appointed Mrs Lungu as church secretary which she still is. Until now Edgar and his wife have taken up the responsibility of paying rentals for the church. Their son Madalitso bought the church chairs as his own contribution towards God’s work.

To show his desire for God, when he become president he encouraged his Bishop to start fellowship at State House which today has encompassed all believers from all churches and the national alter has been established.

This is perhaps the reason why the moment he noticed things were going bad after becoming president he turned to God and called for a national day of prayer and fasting. The first of its nature in this country’s history.

Professional Career

Edgar graduated from the University of Zambia as a lawyer in October 1981 and joined a law firm Andrew Masiye and Company in Lusaka. He subsequently underwent military officer training at Miltez in Kabwe. In his early days Edgar worked at ZCCM, Barclays Bank and Ministry of Justice among others.

Political Career

Edgar started his political career in the UPND which he later left to join the PF and contested for Chawama seat in 2001 but lost the election. He remained in the PF and was appointed to be a member of the central committee. He remained a very loyal member and one of president Sata’s favourites.

After the 2011 elections, Edgar won the Chawama seat and was appointed minister of home affairs at a seemingly crucial time when the PF was experiencing intra-party spats. In less than a year president Sata appointed him as minister of defence in charge of the armed forces.

I remember in March 2013 when I was briefly detained together with NAREP President Elias Chipimo and other NAREP officials at Kitwe Central police for unlawful assembly, Edgar ordered for our release and issued a statement the following day to apologise for the action the police had taken which he described as unfortunate.

He rose in ranks until he found himself the PF candidate in the 2015 elections which he won despite starting off in that race at the back. As republican president, Edgar Lungu has made history by being the first president in Zambia to have a female vice president, who he has since maintained to be his running mate in this year’s elections. He was also quick to give the constitution to the citizens, the matter which has been talked about for a long time. To further show commitment he has promised a referendum which will go along side the general elections.

As I conclude I have to state that Edgar has really gained experience in politics as evidenced by his public address skills which have improved in a short period of time.

Next week I shall be looking at the interesting positives of the person I believe will be the youngest candidate in this year’s elections Andyford Mayele Banda standing on the People’s Alliance for Change (PAC) ticket.

Good bye for now and God bless Zambia.

43 COMMENTS

  1. I think you forgot to mention he swindled a client, found guilty, and was barred from legal practice as part of his career legacy. He has also led Zambia worse to worst economic and social breakdown in history and all he does is make excuses everyday. Nothing positive about these facts.

    • In Zambia or world over to make it you need to do a bit or more human praise and worship otherwise ubepelefye. See how almost any PF would be/wanna be is praising Lungu.
      During Rupiah some *****s even said Rupiah help God to achieve a bumper harvest. How on earth?/.//.

    • Edgar Lungu Breaks Bemba Hegemony. Finally his excellency, President Edgar Chagwa Lungu under the guidance of former president Rupiah Banda has finally broken the back of the Bemba hegemony by dribbling all “Bemba” Veep hopefuls in Felix Mutati, Edith Nawakwi, Nevers Mumba, Chishimba Kambwili, Harry Kalaba, Nkandu Luo and one Kapwepwe at the IMF headquarters and settling for Inonge Wina from Western province. It is widely believed in Zambia that Bemba’s are king makers and one cannot afford to snub them politically and succeed. With the foolproof system that EL has put in place, thanks to Israelis, that will ensure that PF emerges winner after the August election and the elections to come in the future, it seems feasible that the PF will rule for 100 years to come with the early decades…

    • Edgar Lungu Breaks Bemba Hegemony. Finally his excellency, President Edgar Chagwa Lungu under the guidance of former president Rupiah Banda has finally broken the back of the Bemba hegemony by dribbling all “Bemba” Veep hopefuls in Felix Mutati, Edith Nawakwi, Nevers Mumba, Chishimba Kambwili, Harry Kalaba, Nkandu Luo and one Kapwepwe at the IMF headquarters and settling for Inonge Wina from Western province. It is widely believed in Zambia that Bemba’s are king makers and one cannot afford to snub them politically and succeed. With the foolproof system that EL has put in place, thanks to Israelis, that will ensure that PF emerges winner after the August election and the elections to come in the future, it seems feasible that the PF will rule for 100 years to come with the early decades…

    • I supposed among the negatives to be ignored are that Tasila has her own mother other than Esther or Esther is his second wife? Lungu is just a chancer. He is not humble at all despite always going around with his hands held in a prayerful stance. This seems a posture concocted to keep up the “humble” image.

    • PF Presidential candidate Edgar Lungu has won kudos from families of the Gabon disaster 22 years ago when a military plane crashed, killing everyone on board, by helping them recover K16 billion as compensation.
      Widow of Lt. Colonel Victor Mubanga, who perished in the disaster off the coast of Gabon in 1993, Ms Pamela Mubanga, yesterday said the families were “eternally grateful to Mr Lungu for his personal efforts he invested in the case even when he was not paid anything.
      “We would have never been compensated for the loss had it not been for the efforts of Hon. Lungu who was then a lawyer in private practice,
      “It took 11 years and an audience with two Presidents (Frederick Chiluba and President Mwanawasa) before Hon. Lungu could finally access on our behalf K16 billion which was…

    • Kapoma, you poorly written article is economical on the truth. Edgar stole money from a widowed client and was debarred by LAZ. A humble person does not steal. Secondly, he family life is very scanty. Who are the mothers of those 6 children. 3rd you fail to mention that Edgar has been a professional failure and was fired at all his previous jobs.

    • @ Wise Commentator, you have also forgotten that he swindled many other clients, including myself here, and yourself’s vote, and is planning to do the same on 11 August. In addition, the author also deliberately chose to forgot to mention that Edgar is an alcoholic big time, and the people that you saw on Saturday at the stadium, wanted to witness his second collapse..Copy that!

    • NO, this Kapoma DIDN’T FORGET, he merely DECIDE TO DECEIVE ZAMBIANS!! He is TRYING TO HIDE THE TRUTH WHICH WE ALL KNOW:

      1] CHAGWA STOLE FROM CLIENTS – was found GUILTY BY COURT – FAILED TO PAY THE WIDOW HER MONEY!! OBVIOUSLY BEING FOUND GUILTY MANDATED DEBARRMENT – As such, WAS DEBARRED, till early LAST YEAR WHEN HE CROOKED LAZ INTO REINSTATING HIM – LAZ as usual, being BOOTLICKERS, WANTING TO BE ON HIS GOOD SIDE WHEN HE BECAME PRESIDENT!!
      LINDA KASONDE WOULD DO WELL FOR HER LEGACY TO REVISIT THIS CROOKED RE-INSTATEMENT NOW RATHER THAN LATER!!

      2] Was FIRED FROM MILITEZ, ZAMBIA’S HIGHEST MILITARY INSTITUTION, FOR DRUNKENESS!!

      3] DEMOCRACY FOR CHAGWA, is to OPENY EMPLOY THUGS AT A PARTY CONVENTION, Chase/Intimidate all other vying candidates & BEING ELECTED BY SHOW OF HANDS!!…

    • ……other vying candidates & BEING ELECTED BY SHOW OF HANDS!! THEN OBVIOUSLY STEAL THE STATE PRESIDENCY AS HIS PARTY WAS INCUMBENT, may SATA RIP!!

      #Chagwamustfall!! PamaFikuyabebele!!

      Vote Wisely 11/8/2016!! Vote ZAMBIA FORWARD!! VOTE UPND!! Abantu baya!!

      I thank you!!

  2. Kikiki UPND u’re defeated.U can’t win with pipo like GMB who beat women and pipo.How can u trust such a person as a vice president?U’re buried ba UPND.U saw what happened on saturday.Pipo don’t want change and are disappointed with selfish politicians.It’s Kolopa reloaded.Sela tubombeko and sonta epowabomba.Nacipwa guys.The problem of UPND chaps think about tribe too much.U can’t have GBM as a vice president jst bcoz u want bembas to vote 4 u.Bembas are cleaver and know the right person.They are not moved by such moves.U’ll for yo selves in 2016 .Pipo have resolved to teach UPND a lesson period.UPND chaps insult too much and think by calling everyday on radio makes them popular. Infact it irritates pipo by calling everyday.Sela tubombeko.vote PF

    • Moscow(op)

      When they talk to their wives they see HH and UPND, when they are eating they see HH and UPND, when they sleep all they see is HH and UPND, when they read anything all read is HH and UPND, when they try to write anything all they write is HH and UPND

      Dyaka petro HH,
      The time is close.

    • I am not surprised at your low IQ, being an OP, you lack mental regour, and sadly, you have concluded this article defeats UPND and not the ballot on 11 August…My foot!!!!! we have so many people who need to be caged in zoos and gape parks to enhnce tourism.. ZAWA must frequent this site to identify the wildlife..

  3. Lungus’ humbleness is enough campaign for him. The man is down to earth, he has not changed or intoxicated with power. God is with him. His character speaks volumes. Sontapo. Com.

    • Unfortunately humble will not feed Zambians and humble has not provided any jobs. Humble has not halted the 22% inflation, so he needs other attributes soonest.

    • @ Kopala, WE CANNOT EAT HUMBLE! Lungu humble this and humble that! What rubbish!

      Zambia needs a visionary determined hardworking President. We have serious issues to be addressed and for sure “humbleness” IS NOT GOING TO FIX THEM!

      Our “humble’ Lungu has FAILED to control the price of mealie meal, load shedding or create jobs. So what use is “humbleness” ????

      Maybe you are mistaking ignorance, incompetence and laziness for “humbleness”?

  4. Oh my God. His practicing certificate withdrawn by the MMD? You are indeed a sick fellow looking for favours

  5. Without controversy,PF is headed for a landslide victory in August. I know some selfish characters will not accept the results, pantu uwawa, tabula kabepesho(meaning “he who has been defeated will always have an excuse.”)

  6. Those that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength & mount their wings and soar up like un eagle. May the Almighty God contiue guiding you as you continue leading this great nation of Zambia Mr. PRESIDENT. The day you gave your life to God you died at sin and you rose with christ Jesus. We the believers of this great nation shall continue praying for you because leadership is from God!@!

    • Are you accusing of the honourable person above praying to be a thief? Ba UPND don’t play with GOD, Lesa tewakwangalako!

    • Yes there is nothing wrong for a thief to pray as long as the prayer is from the heart. Remember the prayer of the pharisee presumed righteous before men and the tax collector who stole money by collecting more taxes than was legal?

      God appreciated the prayer of a tax collector than of a presumed righteous pharisee

  7. PF Presidential candidate Edgar Lungu has won kudos from families of the Gabon disaster 22 years ago when a military plane crashed, killing everyone on board, by helping them recover K16 billion as compensation.
    Widow of Lt. Colonel Victor Mubanga, who perished in the disaster off the coast of Gabon in 1993, Ms Pamela Mubanga, yesterday said the families were “eternally grateful to Mr Lungu for his personal efforts he invested in the case even when he was not paid anything.
    “We would have never been compensated for the loss had it not been for the efforts of Hon. Lungu who was then a lawyer in private practice,
    “It took 11 years and an audience with two Presidents (Frederick Chiluba and President Mwanawasa) before Hon. Lungu could finally access on our behalf K16 billion which was…

  8. Saturday was just a revelation for the doubting Thomases! PF will win the 11 August elections in the first round and that will send shock waves in the opposition camp, especially the UPND who have over-estimated their popularity.
    PF is a force that is sweeping through this country with a campaign message that is electrifying the masses.
    They are easily pointing at the projects they have done in a slogan of “sonta apo wabomba”, they are also pushing for a straight win through the ” Mpaka Litente and Kolopa”.
    Saturday proved that ECL is still an extremely popular candidate for the Patriotic Front.
    Calling voters “Kaponyas” is a decampaign that has worked against the UPND who are considered as elites and a party for the rich. Majority people in Lusaka and Copperbelt are resolved…

  9. I must commend the writer for this approach that he has taken. This is very helpful information on all candidates. I must add that any person, black or white, has positives and negatives, but sadly most of us attack each other on negatives. It is a syndrome that is very destructive and breaks the fabric and essence of togetherness in society. If we are looking for a perfect person on earth, we will be disappointed. If we are to progress as a society, we must learn to strengthen our strengths and weaken our weaknesses. Our leaders and aspiring leaders have all made mistakes in life but have also done very remarkable things. I implore all of us never to loose objectivity as this can be very destructive. Again, excellent piece of work and good non partisan approach. Keep it up!!! One Zambia…

  10. Majority people in Lusaka and Copperbelt are resolved to give the PF a resounding win. UPND are hiding their faces from this fact, but this is exactly the reason that landed GBM in police cells. The women of Chisokone told him off and chanted PF slogans to his explosive violent temper and slapped 2 while tipping some tables of merchandise for 2 others.
    He will compensate them while they will also become campaign agents for the PF by stating that UPND will be beating up marketeers if they came into power.
    “When God says yes, no one can say no”. Continue denying GOD and he will show you.

    • But why is that some people are blaming our President to be behind GBM’s locked up? GBM is a very cruel person and people supporting him are also not normal. No one is above the law, if you assault someone don’t think the police will just let you go freely. So GBM you are in for it. And your wife is supporting you that PF will lose votes in Northern, where? Unless in your house because GBM tatulisha not even kakoswe. So let him face the wrath of the law.

  11. I thought you were going to talk about all the aspirants, but you have only talked about the outgoing president. You are definitely looking for a job dear because you have only brought out the good side of Edgar and I was waiting to hear about the other side too. You are very silly and please keep the information to yourself. Most of these so called ministers have done dodge dealings in the past like stealing from the mines even being detained in police cells and we would like to hear that side of their stories

  12. MMD did not with draw his practicing licence but LAZ with he chewed money belonging to a Client a widow the guy is a crook.

  13. I’ve always wondered where the President draws his strength & wisdom from. He is too good to be true. Why do we have a bumper harvest when all our neighbours are hungry, what explains mealie meal coming down from the claimed K150 to K73 (today in Spar Arcades) why did he all of sudden champion new constitution granting power to the people & less to the executive, why build infrastructure for the poor all over Zambia, why did he call for a national day of prayer etc. To the so called intelligent this is all foolishness but to those that have ears & eyes this is God given wisdom & favour. Thanks for the info. God Bless Zambia

  14. it is very simple to understand the{ ENGLISH] used the author clearly states that he is looking at the positives,he is yet to point at the negatives.so why conclude before the author does,crazy upndown tribal grouo+bantustan.

  15. I’ve always wondered where the President draws his strength & wisdom from. He is too good to be true. While our neighbours are going hungry our food stores are full. There was a claim that mealie meal is K150 but today it is K73 (Spar Arcades). While the poor have been forgotten for a long time by past Presidents it is amazing the infrastructure that poor & rural Zambia can now access. When all the past presidents were scared of diluting their excessive powers & avoiding new constitution & extended bill of rights the President is championing this very process. When others were saying no to national prayers he was in the forefront. All this is f00lishness to the so called intelligent but wisdom & favour to the faithful. Thanks for the info & God Bless Zambia!

  16. Fellow UPND members, I choose to open my eyes and see what is written ion the wall. Every time before change of ruling party, it becomes fashionable to identify yourself with the opposition and people generally pride themselves that they are opposition.
    that is clearly not the case now. Most of us don’t come out that we are UPND. Brothers and sisters, what shall we do when we lose in August? from the way the public mood is, a re-run is not likely and PF will most likely have a land-slide victory.
    Let us start preparing psychologically so that we can be in a better position to do better in 2021.
    Best wishes.

  17. I always admire people who obtained a distinction at UNZA let alone a merit. Is it true that one edgar Lungu obtained a distinction in Law?

  18. Since when did the Government start withdrawing Practising certificates for lawyers? I see the author was tryingh to be economical with the truth

  19. Ati mealie is expensive. ….ask one Fat Albert to reduce the price in his milling company. Ati free education…….mwe bantu, how will the teachers get paid? Be realistic! Life in Zambia is ok, go elsewhere and see- umwana shenda….
    Let us give credit where it’s due.

Comments are closed.

Read more

Local News

Discover more from Lusaka Times-Zambia's Leading Online News Site - LusakaTimes.com

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading