Patriotic Front (PF) Secretary General (SG), Davies Mwila, says opposition political parties that shun national events in Zambia should consider themselves irrelevant.
Mr. Mwila says party leaders, especially from opposition political parties, should strive to participate in Independence Days and any other national event.
He was speaking in an interview with ZANIS on the side-lines of the Zambia’s 52nd Independence Day commemorations.
He regretted that UPND leader, Hakainde Hichilema, has shunned the 2016 independence celebrations when he is a major opposition leader himself.
And Mr Mwila says Independence Day is not for the PF party alone but for all citizens from all walks of life.
Mr Mwila said this year’s theme is appropriate in that it is about uniting the nation through hard work and patriotism.
He congratulated both youths and the freedom fighters including some opposition leaders that attended this year’s celebrations country-wide.
“Independence Day celebrations are beyond partisan politics. It is very regrettable that Mr Hichilema can shun such an event when this year’s theme is about unity,” he said.
Meanwhile, opposition National Restoration Party leader, Cosmo Mumba, has appealed to President Edgar Lungu to unconditionally release the ‘political’ prisoners so that they could be re-united with their families.
Dr Mumba further appealed to the Church to call for an urgent indaba to resolve the political impasse surrounding unity and reconciliation.
He noted that Zambia is a Christian nation and her peace is a shining example to other countries not only on the African continent but on the globe.
Opposition and sole female FDD leader, Edith Nawakwi, and her People’s Party counterpart, Mike Mulongoti, were among those attending the Independence celebrations .
Zambia attained her independence on October 24, 1964..
Visiting Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni, who arrived in the country yesterday, is officially gracing the event at State House in Lusaka.
The 2016 independence theme is,” Working together for greater unity, hard work and patriotism.”
And it is ridiculous for some opposition political parties to shun the Independence Day celebrations because the event goes beyond political affiliations, former freedom fighter and veteran politician Sikota Wina has said.
Mr. Wina has described the opposition’s boycott to attend the Independence celebrations as refusal to acknowledge that Zambia was an independent State. He said only people who were not happy and proud that Zambia got her Independence could shun such an important national event.
Mr. Wina stated that the Independence Day celebration was far beyond political affiliations, charging that the move by some opposition political parties to shun the celebration was not in the interest of the country, but selfish interest. “This is a day when we celebrate our freedom from bondage, and one shunning such an event is giving a message that they lack that feeling of being happy that we got Independence. “Independence Day celebrations are way beyond political affiliation. We are not celebrating a particular party, but we are celebrating our nationhood. So unless one is annoyed with our nationhood, one should definitely not participate in celebrating it,” Mr. Wina.
He indicated that national events such as Independence Day must be valued and respected because they provided a forum for unity and harmony. Mr. Wina said political parties should put the national interest before anything else by being party to national events that helped foster the unity of the country.
“National events like Independence give us an opportunity to get together and so political differences must be handled at other fora other than this. There is need to respect the Independence Day because a lot of sacrifices were made to attain the freedom that Zambia is enjoying now,” he said.
And Mr. Wina has implored Zambians to guard jealously and uphold the sanctity of the nation’s Independence attained at great pain by the founding fathers and make the country a better place for all.
He said freedom must not be taken for granted, urging Zambians to strive hard for peace and unity of the country at all times. “Every Zambian has a responsibility to contribute to maintaining the peace that the country is enjoying.
Attaining Independence was not easy, blood was shed and the greatest way to honour the people who fought hard for this is to remain united and work hard for the development of Zambia,” Mr Wina said.
Zambia being a christian nation and her peace is a shining example to other countries not only on the African continent but on the globe. Which other African countries are still in the dark like Zambian?
I have never celebrated independence and I know I’m relevant to my fiance. Is this insignificant compared to pretending to ?
Thanks
BB2014
You don’t have to all be in one locale to celebrate independence. Place is irrelevant. The spirit of it is what’s relevant. Besides, people are hungry, have no jobs, are broke, and their resources are being plundered by foreigners with the help of corrupt government leaders; politicians are stealing the little money that the country has, PF are incarcerating the opposition members and muzzling the press with impunity–what’s there to celebrate? 52 years of Zambia’s independence…what’s there to show for it?
PF has tainted the meaning of Zambian independence. I thought people fought for independence in order to enjoy their freedoms of assembly, freedom of expression, upholding rule of law etc. But alas under the PF all these tenets of independence and democracy have been eroded and replaced with thuggery and extra judicial killings.
How can an individual who is not free to greet his supporters or meet his people celebrate independence? If I can not enjoy the freedoms enshrined in independence then I see absolutely no need to celebrate it.
HH and GBM with the entire UPND did a good thing not to be part of this PF scum which is busy killing people behind the facade of Christianity and then expect free intellectuals to attend its useless celebrations.
To hell with you Chama , Lungu and…
Ba Mwila, you are the only person in the former Cabinet I used to respect because your statements in Parliament had a semblance of decency. However, the statement you have made subtracts from my respect I had for you and I would humbly say you are foolish for alluding that the opposition Parties that didn’t attend this year’s independence celebrations are irrelevant. Who said celebrating national events one needs to be at State House? Zambia is a huge country Ba Mwila. Besides, your cadres are indisciplined meaning, they would attack anyone who looks and smells like UPND! DISCIPLINE YOUR CADRES FIRST BEFORE YOU SEE UPND IN YOUR MIDST AT NATIONAL EVENTS! Do you remember what happened at the Civic Center when your cadres undressed our female member?
Things should not be forced on people. Even Late Sata shunned invitations to Independence celebrations. Ngati munthu siafuna ku bwela mu nyumba yako would you force them especially when they are not your friend?
LONG LIVE SIKOTA WINA LONG LIVE!…. LONG LIVE!!!!!!
Mwila being in office is a leader for all, including the opposition. Mwila should not talk before he thinks, He needs imbrace all and talk mature like a father and not talk like he’s the opposition.
@ Gringo
Do you really expect uneducated brain-washed thug to be able to think?
Mwila you’re sick. If HH made a great mistake of going there, you would have attacked him and say he provoked you. Besides, what’s there to celebrate about, your appointment as SG or what?
It’s actually shallow thinking to boycott independence day celebration. That is like handing all governance and authority to the ruling party. Independence and the state do not belong to the ruling party or any one party and the best way to show those in power that this is our country and not theirs is to take part in these celebrations.
Mwila looks just like the dog he is.
Thsz PF function . Enjoy with cadres. I can’t waste my precious time attend a such.
HH is one unpatriotic nincompoop,it beggars belief how anyone would follow this guy.An ignorant and self seeking tw-it Clearly his interests are not about Zambia.Thankfully he will never be President of Zambia.
It’s your Lungu who is a dunderhead – that’s why he can invite the likes of Museveni to grace such a useless occasion – he is indeed a disgrace to the civilised world & that’s why he is taking the nation nowhere – by the way, tell your Chagwa to focus on improving the economy & governance instead of celebrating when there s nothing to celebrate for….when there’s no vision, people perish…
There you go again. Insults, insults! Insults in the morning, afternoon and evening. Why is Mr. Chama s Chama wasting his time talking about something he considers irrelevant? The fact that he finds it necessary to talk about it means its very relevant otherwise he is irrelevant.
Did he sleep with your wife R YOUR MOTHER for you to shout at him like this? Let us avoid hate speech. Zambia is supposed to be a democracy where people decide what they do! Dont frce it on them!
To be honest it a waste of time and resources. If ministers used one bus to the stadium that ok we can celebrate, but they are going us 20 cars using government resources then whats the points? I dont know why the see HH as someone who should attend. How many zambians will attend? If he doesn’t who cares? Will Lungu, PF or government pay for his fuel? The government is full of corrupt leaders. The Auditor General report with be buried at state house without answer thats the government you put in power. Public servant are not paid what the point of wasting your energy to attend. Which minister hasn’t received his salary?
Your English is pathetic dude. In place of parading your ignorance here find an elementary school, enrollment should be easy.
@ Zambia 1
And yet, even if he is “pathetic” in your eyes, he has the same RIGHTS as pompous pseudo intellectual like you!!!
Unlike you, he did manage to contribute his opinion on the subject.
baKelvin, thanks for putting it straight. If HH does not attend so what? How many Zambians attended? why not talk about them who attended instead of talking about HH. What if he was celebrating with his family? Is there anything wrong with celebrating at home?
Ba awre @ 3.3 says lets avoid hate speech, why not say the same to Chama who is calling other people irrelevant?
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BELOVED MOTHERLAND ZAMBIA!
Nagasaki its you who is ignorant. Civil servant haven’t received their salary whats the point of wasting their resources to attend the celebration? It cost money to go their.
This is not about civil servants salaries? It’s being about patriotism.
In any case if those civil servants didn’t steal and laze around like they do they wouldn’t be in this mess. First think about what you can do for the country and not what the country can do for you.6@kevin stop supporting nonsense,take your lazy excuse else where. Is it any wonder Zambia is in such a mess, it’s because of people looking you, failing to see the wood for the trees.
I meant *” people like you”
@ 6.1 & 6.2
Celebrating what? Motorcade on empty stomach? By the way, what has this current lot done for the Country at the cost of almost 10 Billion Dollars apart of be sole beneficiaries of unabated and institutionalized plundering?
I DONT EVEN KNOW WHY ANY PERSON WILL BOTHER THEMSELVES ABOUT UPND. THE PARTY UPND IS CURRENTLY STRUGGLING WITH IDENTITY AND NURSING THE WOUNDS OF THE LOSS OF ELECTIONS. ATTENDING SUCH EVENTS IS LIKE ADDING SALT TO A FRESH WOUND. THIS TONGA PARTY WILL NEVER ATTEND SUCH EVENTS AS LONG AS THE PERSON IN STATE HOUSE IS NOT A TONGA.
PF is a Bemba party and Lungu is a stooge. We are not fooled. Bembas are the new black colonialists.
Chisenga let me correct you on your useless tribal talk; many of us are UPND supporters and we are many many different tribes; why does HH or his presence bother you lot? He goes for a court case and he is hounded out of town like a criminal; with your kind of thinking would you have welcomed him to the stadium or set the armed police in riot gear to chase him away; you guys get civilized and accept that Zambia is a democratic country with different parties;
We are not irrelevant but we are slowly sliding into oblivion we are not happy that we lost an election but some things are common sense. We the so called cadres attended the event we took time to share with other colleagues not only from the ruling party but those who like us did not get the support of the people on the true meaning of independence day. Using these welensky tactics do we really think we are scoring any inroads…come on guys this our party is now about one man and one man alone who is losing it. we need to grow up and be counted as before…2021 new leaders will go to the poles…Zambia Forward!
So ba Mwila you mean when Sata instructed your party, Patriotic Front, to shun Independence Day celebrations that made PF become irrelevant? You now sound like RB… Just saying
Mwila is just a newcomer with no sense of history.
But mwila you are useless and irrelevant yourself me I thought you were wise instead you are stupid and senseless honestly speaking how do you expect the opposition to celebrate independence when you busy using the police to persecute them even when they are exercising freedom of expression.Matuvi imwe!
Hakainde Hakayobela (HH) is not one of us. He is a Satamic agent. He can’t celebrate with us because he will be found out.
Dirty, filthy, stinking Privatization politician with a small cult UPND
Honestly, with your skull in the profile pic, you’re the one who looks satanic. And worse still, are you aware that the new Auditor General report shows that there’s terrible looting of our meager resources under PF’s watch? Are you okay with that? Or maybe you’re one of the looters? And are you aware of your beloved leader, Lungu’s alliance with two well known notorious dictators, Museveni and Mugabe? Wake up and smell the coffee. Your leaders are corrupt, and don’t care about anyone else but themselves.
Kudo, you can insult HH till nobody knows but remember that the more you insult him, the more important and significant he becomes to us Zambians. He is indeed the one and only hope for sanity and salvation in Mother Zambia. Well done UPND for not participating in their fake celebrations! As for that wonderful son of the soil – Tawonga!!! Mulungu akuddaliseni masiku onse HH! Amen! Let haters hate! UPND and HH forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
kudos i think you do not sleep over HH and the UPND your hate spills out on the net like poisonous gas;
Kange ndate Malundwelo, kauke Inamboma keu kulubala wena!
Only Edgar Chapona Chakolwa Kaloba Wrungu and his fellow heartless,useless,brainless.clueless,ruthless,spineless,directionless,needless and drunkards deserve to celebrate for imposing themselves on innocent Zambians.
SOMETHING BIG IS EATING UP THE PF LEADERSHIP. AT THE BACK OF THEIR MIND THEY KNOW THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG IN THE COUNTRY. THEY ARE HAUNTED BY THEIR EVIL ACTIONS. BY REFUSING TO HAND OVER POWER TO UPND YOU ARE SIMPLY SAYING YOU ARE THE ONLY ONES WHO DESERVE THE BLESSINGS WHICH GOD HAS BESTOWED UPON ZAMBIANS. WHAT THEN IS THE REASON TO CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE FOR, WHEN MILLIONS OF ZAMBIANS ARE STILL SIDELINED AND MARGINALIZED? IF YOU REALLY WANT UNITY IN OUR COUNTRY THEN CREATE A LEVEL GROUND FOR EVERY ZAMBIAN.
UPND didn’t get to 50%. Handing over power to whom again? Stop speaking with emotions, and realize that the constitution is a very powerful document.
If they are irrelevant, you wouldn’t have said anything about them.
Exactly their MPs represent half of the country…this is the caliber we have for leaders they preach about unity but hardly know its meaning; just like the declaration of Christian nation all folly!!
Let there be reconciliation first before the opposition can attend such events. A lot of things have gone wrong in Zambia. This we all know and we should not pretend.
It is independence day. How do the UPND not understand this. It is a celebration for Zambia and the whole of Africa.
sorry but 52 years later we are not independent but dependent on foreign countrys for aid so what is there to celebrate? a few lucky people pocketing money that should be used for developement in our country?
What is there to cerebrate honestly?
Suppression of the private media,
Poverty,
No freedom of expression,
Some people are above the law,
Telling the truth is a crime.
Compromised government institutions.
Tribalism
Corruption
Divided nation
Election malpractices
Constructive criticism is considered a crime
Crippled economy
Abuse of public funds
Faulty constitution
Police brutality
etc
Telling people to riot and rise against the govt is now called constructive criticism.
And looting the Country for personal gain is now called unprecedented development?
Sikota ‘Muhammed Hussein’ Wina is just saying so because his sister-in-law Inonge Mutukwa is Veep. When did PF and Sata attend State functions? What goes around, comes around.
I dont remember Old man Sata attending these events after he lost to RB first time around; the fact that you have noticed their absence makes them relevant.
What Mr Hichilema and GBM is doing is counterproductive and they are basically throwing the baby out with the bathwater…you are telling us you will shun national events for 5 years; what is your end game?
Stop this silliness and childishness you two f**ls…its your MPs who will suffer from your folly.
Sata was loved by many people across the country not that Satanist who is only known in southern.
it will be very difficult for upnd to win the election if they continue with hh,
I also shunned it, what is there to celebrate?
The country is upside down with this drunkard
@clueless, MP and Joseph, Sata was the master of politics and he had respect for people in governance. UPND and HH have problems because you want to do all what Michael was doing and saying, us in PF we work together, we do what we say and we do it better.
When the opposition attend ruling party functions, they are attacked. And why are you worried about them anyway, you won the elections. Peace out.
It is not yet Uhuru!
Yes, Zambia as a territory might be independent from external white rule, but it is very true that the People are still colinised by and dependent internally on their black leaders! Their black leaders simply fit into the whitemen shoes and became black colonialists for 52 years. The time for real political fight is now.
Zambians need to have real internal political independence, if their quest for economic emancipation is to be attained. People of Zambia need to fight for Power. Power needs to taken away from State House and shared right through to the lowest political unit, the Village! Power must be spread.
It was ridiculous to attend the indpendence day celebration i was bussy doing something meaningful
HH is not allowed to greet people and move around so you wanted hiem to be arrested for greeting people?
Why even wasting my time watching Musevene what can he bring to Zambia?
“IF SATA DID IT, THEN WE IN UPND WILL ALSO DID IT??????” WHAT A SHAME. SATA WAS POPULAR AND WHATEVER HE DID , HE ATTRACTED PEOPLE TO HIM AND TO PF. BUT YOU GUYS FROM DUNDUMWEZI, WHATEVER YOU DO IS CAUSING ZAMBIANS TO ABHOR, SHUN, HATE, DISLIKE AND OPPOSE YOU. SO DONT JUST IMITATE THE KING COBRA. FOR HIM IT WAS WORKING, UNFORTUNATELY IT IS’NT WORKING FOR YOU. KIKIKIKIKI….
Its very unbelievable that UPND still thinks won elections! How many provinces do we hav in Zambia? from the 10, only 3 provinces is where UPND won 110%. Unfortunately, 7 provinces were not in favor of u! U can’t force pipo to lik u if they don’t want u to b the president. Its different from chieftainship where one has no choice. Mwila respect yoself and UPNDz decision coz its not about u bt about them.Leave them alone & avoid issuing provoking empty statements that can’t change anything coz u can’t force them anyway! These ar the things which cause violence. U don’t need a commission of enquiry to tell u y there was post election violence. Simply mind yo business, yo tone, language& move on too as a party!
Leave the opposition alone. I don’t blame them, there is nothing to celebrate. Zambia under PF is a failed state. It is better to show the truth than to pretend. PF is mistreating innocent citizens imprisoning people like Mwaliteta when they are the ones who stole people’s votes for their selfish interests. PF is cursed party Zambia has ever had.
It’s proof, they have no interest in Zambia other than to turn it into an own PLC. If you don’t celebrate the nation was created, then why would you want to be President of it. I don’t think much thought has gone into these protests by UPND, it’s a case of childlike stamping of the feet and scowling. They don’t recognise IDE the state President, and they don’t want to go to Parliament seating…..what gives? Imagine an American Patriot, not celebrating the 4th of July….no hotdog, no hamburger, no flag waving……
Let those who are grieved to leave zambia and come back when upnd forms government which is non starter. Whose hh in zambia or lungu zambia is bigger than the two hatraged is too bad hh is surrounded by evil advisers
i may be wrong but i believe shunning independence is like shunning xmas day just because you believe your pastor has chewed offering or shunning farmer’s day because you had a drought. What is Xmas day? What is independence day?
let those who are enjoying go and celebrate
I wonder why you force these tongas to celebrate the independence day!!!these guys have told us all that minus hh,we wont be part of mother Zambia events-shame!!!just ignore hh and let him rot in opposition!!!
“what is bound on earth is also bound in heaven” if God’s children denies you, even God himself will not allow you to preside over them.
What a load of bull and hypocrisy. The opposition you trail day and night to find reasons to harass, or slap ridiculous charges on, is the same one you want to attend the so-called Independence celebrations. You don’t even know that part of being Independent is having a choice. People can choose to celebrate in their own way. There is no law that obliges anyone to be present at this event. In its true sense, Independence day is meant to be an occasion to reflect on what rights and freedoms people have and whether they have indeed been emancipated from economic slavery. But ironically, those in charge of these proceedings are the very people who have no respect for rights or know the meaning of freedom. They are the very perpetrators of wanton persecution.
From the way I see things and reading all your comments HH is the man you won the election’s what more do you want start working m7n will advise you on economic issues do you really need HH to dance dununa reverse for you to be recognised as being the custodians of the people you wanted to be in power but you seem to be still campaigning this time even your Mugabe is tired ofyou people don’t like you the world doesn’t like you you rule half the population we don’t like you you have forced your selves on us
Zambia has been a home to many freedom fighters in the region Swapo,Anc, Mpla you mean to say sikota has no friends amongst them who he could have invited to celebrate with him apart from HH
“Unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.” History remembers kings not soldiers, when you take the kings wise path, you will preside. Otherwise, you shall remain fighting wind until you seize and be forgotten. Your story will be told to the next generation as some who fought so hard but never won a battle.
There’s nothing to celebrate. how can we celebrate when the parents of Mapenzi are grieving because of Lungu’s bad leadership.
Unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.” History remembers kings not soldiers, when you take the kings wise path, you will preside. Otherwise, you shall remain fighting wind until you seize and be forgotten. Your story will be told to the next generation as someone who fought so hard but never won a battle.
Reply
Wining battles is irrelevant. Wining war it counts.
The ONLY irrelevant person at the “celebration” its you who last year had failed as the Minister to provide Law & Order and instead allowed rampage by the criminal thugs. But then, what else to expect from uneducated brain-washed thug?
Let us wait and see if your lack of basic performance was one of the reasons for violence leading to last election.
Why do some people forget so easily? PF, in its entire 10 year period in the opposition never attended a single state function. Why are they so quick to critize their colleagues?
Comment: I’ve stopped blogging. It’s time to move on cos I’ve a lot to think about my life. It was great blogging with you.
Why should Mwila want opposition parties especially UPND to celebrate independence when they are in forefront teargassing them and arresting them on trumped charges? There is no freedom of movement, no freedom of assembly, no freedom of speech as can attested by the closure of the Post.
You are right Fred. All the freedoms enshrined in our constitution have been trampled upon and raped by this regime. So what are the celebrations for? They are only for the ruling high class and those close to them. I recall very vividly how Sata used to be allowed to speak and move about freely by both Mwanawasa and Rupiah Banda during the 10 years he was in the opposition. The ‘CHANGE’ we wanted and voted for in 2011 has gotten us into hell.
Our forefathers got independence for all of us, but what is saddening in our generation is that those with power are taking away from their brothers what was fought for. It is still colonialism, this time by ourselves against each other.
It’s like u being asked if u want to be run over by a mercedes or a bmw. It’s the same pain.
Oppression by a WHITE MAN is no better than oppression by a fellow BLACK MAN.
Independence is freedom, NOT just from White man, but also from fellow blacks. UNIP sang those freedom songs for 27years whilst oppressing the people. Stop the following , then we can say we are free indeed:-
– Rigging of elections
– Bribing judges
– Police brutality
– Muzzling our independent press
– Control of DeadNBC
– Oppression of opposition
– Intimidation of social-media bloggers. (v.childish govt)
– Enslaving us in IMF/Chinese debt
– LUNGU reducing the Presidency by collaborating with OLD-FART Dictators like Museveni & Mugabe.
Surely I cannot celebrate my independence at an occasion graced by renowned dictators like Museveni & uncle Bob who have hijacked the vision of African independence, emancipation and pan Africanism. It’d then render my independence meaningless. When some of us spent days and nights in the bush during the struggles of neighbouring countries, the least I’d expect at the independence celebrations are true icons of not only the struggle but also those that have walked the talk.
You do not force people to attend events especially if they do not trust you. I think Museveni was enough for that event. In my view independence should be economical, social and political liberation. This is cosmetic in this country! Hunger and poverty can not be the cornerstone for celebrating independence.
Mwila should first explain why PF in opposition never used to attend such ceremonies. He should also explain why he destroyed professionalism and impartiality in the Police by illegally firing Police Officer he did not like and directing the Police only to harass UPND supporters. By the way is there need to celebrate independence amid so mush poverty and division in the nation? Lat time UPND supporters attended such a ceremony, one lady was beaten up and stripped naked by PF thugs. Did Mwila order the Police to arrest the thugs? Bring back justice and the rule of all and take all those UPND supporters in prisons to court.
The only Zambian who is worthcelebrating independence ic arc Bishop Milingo!
HOW MANY TIMES DID PF ATTEND INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATIONS WHEN THEY WERE IN OPPOSITION? WHY DO WE SEE WRONGS ONLY WHEN WE WANT TO?
MR. MWILA I WAS HAPPY AT YOUR APPOINTMENT AS I THOUGHT WE WERE GOING BREATH SOME FRESH AIR AWAY FROM CHAMA & MUMBI PHIRI. PLEASE DON’T PROVE ME WRONG AS I HOLD U IN HIGH ESTEEM. I HOPE U DON’T TURN OUT TO BE THE SAME OLD WINE IN A NEW BOTTLE.
What a wise man that Higher Taller must be.
Davies AIDS Mwila.