Zambia’s Former Ambassador to the US Inonge Mbikusita-Lewanika has appealed to the government to allow its citizens to freely express themselves.
Dr Mbikusita-Lewanika said the Zambian government should not close channels of fresh speech for its citizens.
She said those that are aggrieved about any issue of national importance should be allowed to freely themselves and that leaders should be in a position to listen.
Dr Mbikusita-Lewanika said stifling free speech might force citizens to use illegal means to express themselves.
Dr Mbikusita-Lewanika who also served as Zambia’s Ambassador to the European Union was speaking on Tuesday when she featured on Radio Phoenix’s Let the People Talk radio programme.
And Dr Mbikusita-Lewanika has warned that Zambia risks losing its heritage if the indiscriminate selling of land does not stop.
She warned that the future generation will be left with nothing if the current leadership does not desist from cheaply selling off huge parcels of land.
Dr Mbikusita-Lewanika also condemned the selling of the Black Mountain in Kitwe’s Wusakile Township saying the decision is not in the best interest of the local people.
She suggested that the Black Mountain could have been preserved as a national heritage site to show the environmental damage that mining in Wusakile caused to the local people.
Meanwhile, Dr Mbikusita-Lewanika said the coming in of Donald Trump to the White House is a challenge for the African continent.
She said President Trump has already demonstrated that his administration will not priority Africa in its agenda hence the need for the Africans themselves to own their development process.
Dr Mbikusita-Lewanika also appealed to Zambians who benefitted from Government free education policy to find ways of paying back to the country.
Wise counsel for the taking. But any plans to revive her defunct Agenda for Zambia party? I see a prelude for revival or formation of another one in the pipeline. The Mbikusitas are no strangers to party formations.
PRESS STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.*
*_Clarification on Presidential Initiative Fund._*
KABWE, 15th August, 2017.
I have noted with displeasure the desire by frustrated former Chimwemwe Member of Parliament Mwenya Musenge to deliberately mislead the people on the disbursement of the Presidential Empowerment Initiative Fund (PEIF). Mr Musenge claims that traders at Chisokone Market in Kitwe were asked to pay K50 each in order to access the loans under the Empowerment Fund. He further claims that less than 100 out of 22,000 traders at the market have accessed the loans.
First and foremost, I would like to state that the Presidential Empowerment Initiative Fund is not a Government Programme but an individual’s initiative aimed at trying to help the people in the informal…
Well spoken, GOOD LECTURE TO PF LEADERS, as Zambia has lost its free speech with the current Government, I was shocked yesterday, I texted someone in Zambia to ask about HH’s case, people are so scared to respond, as PF has instructed the mobile operators to monitor social media and text message. I think such should not be tolerated, it wrong and abuse of Power. If PF wants to correct their mistakes, they should encourage free speech than lock people up.
Madam inonge these maroons once given a chance to speak they just go about insulting anyone in the name of freedom of speech. No one denies anyone to speak but when they insult of course the law has to visit them.
Yes aunt but also advise that free speech doesn’t entail blatant lies, insults etc. There’s nothing wrong in telling the government the truth such as high unemployment etc. In my tradition we say respect is two ways.
Do you have a real job or anything more productive to do with your time?
What about you? Problem with upnd is that you under rate everyone. You think you know everything.
Ndanje – I am actually appalled that Dr. Mbikusita-Lewanika could not mention this very important abuse of the freedom of speech.
Yes am employed and am not UPND, am a Democrat. I voted Hillary and unlike you I don’t live to comment on every story on Lt.
Am not the one to justify any government actions. I don’t know everything, I just use common sense when I comment.
@2.1 So you’re employed misusing company time and computer to post trash. You can’t be a democrat if you are always stopping other people from expression.
Zambia has turned into a nation of whisperers, someone needs to look over his shoulder to speak to a friend on political matters. Unip days are back bigger and worse than before.
Are in Zambia? We are speaking normally. Of course if you go in a bar and start shouting “let’s overthrow the government ” you’ll be nabbed.
Liar! Why didnt you utter those sentiments when you were actively serving as UN ambassador in US? Some of you people are a total disgrace to say the least, you fall in Kambwili’s league period.
During her time as ambassador in USA free speech was not an issue in Zambia.
The Pf Cadres will defend anything, and will attack anyone who’s not singing praises to their boss.
Same applies to UPND Cadres. They will sing praises or defend their boss even when he is wrong.
Hey the doc still looks beautiful despite her age! Maloshi aba!
what is she talking about?
I don’t think what the respected lady is saying is true , I can state that there has never been a time like this in Zambian history ,when Zambians expressed themselves freely .
Social media has opened a Pandora’s box , so much so that every one has a mouth to air their views about the country.
I would also like to advise bloggers that when they do they shouldn’t use vulgar language but must show respect to every one and their views. The people in leadership and politics they deserve to be treated fairly and not insulting them.
Maybe if they speak using the anus it’ll mean freedom of speech.
So, you use that part of the body to speak. Pathetic!
Not me but you! !!!
madam you are a doctor very learned but you miss one simple fact: If you give him freedom to do what he likes or do he will abuse it to his own disadvantage even kill himself. Therefore you have to control him to preserve him.
You only control your household and siblings who are kids and not your fellow adults that is why your own children call you names like Sadam, Savimbi, Idi Amin etc has come home.
I am sure you have been reading and following UPND’s ignorance and wrong beliefs! Dog Watchers in Zambia too?
Free speech to me does not mean undressing our mothers and fathers from top to toe. What we say and do must be worthy emulation.
Ask her why her brother founder MMD member didn’t become president when there was that chance. Ask why her people wanted to pull out of the MMD after Elias Chipimo defeated Arthur Wina to the post of National Chairman of the party.