At a Public talk on the Voice of America platform moderated by Host of Straight Talk Africa, Mr Shaka Ssali at the University of Zambia this Morning whose panelists included, Executive Director for Alliance for Community Action Laura Miti, Media Practioner, Lawyer and Author Mr Dickson Jere and Political Science Lecturer at the University of Zambia Mr Lee Habasonda, Mr Chanda gave examples as to why Zambia could not possibly be classified as undemocratic.
“When you talk about an impossible government and getting things done, ask yourselves this question, who defeated the bill of rights which can take care of all the things you are complaining about? Its the opposition. “We called a referendum question to say yes to the bill of rights and the opposition defeated that.”
And responding to assertions that the PF government was not inclusive, Mr Chanda stated that it was not the fault of the PF government that Mr Hichilema had an 11th commandment in the UPND to never agree on anything with the Republican President of Zambia Mr Edgar Lungu. He stated that opportunities had been availed to opposition parliamentarians from UPND to be in Cabinet and they had declined.
“The law says the President shall appoint Ministers from within parliament. And if that is not sufficient, in the broader principle of inclusiveness, the President has 8 Ministers to nominate from those that are not in parliament.”
He stated that if the President nominated opposition members of Parliament, and they declined what was he expected to do?
He threw the challenge on civil society organisations such as the one Mr Lee Habasonda represented to persuade the opposition to think in a civil manner and accept cabinet positions.
“The President will not appoint from outside parliament. When Hon. Siamunene was defence Minister, the people of southern province literally retired him. Whose problem is it? Thats the issue about inclusiveness.” He said.
“Am happy that Dickson Jere has been there, he can tell you the difficulty of any President when the election delivers the kind of result that we had in 2015/2016. What the President does is to look at what he has in parliament. And what he can have among those he appointed.” He said.
“And Mr Hichilema says that the 11th commandment in the UPND is never ever to agree with Edgar Lungu. So can you tell me if Garry Nkombo was called to government, how does it sit with that kind of commandment? Stop this utopia and idealistic way of looking at government. I think government is much more complex than that.”He said.
And responding to Mr Dickson Jere on media associations which went to a very wrong conclusion and broad opinion that the PF government was the most dictatorial, Mr Chanda stated that this was the only government that in the last two years had no journalist in jail because of their work.
Mr Chanda further stated that for instance, the current First lady had the least budget since the inception of the First lady office. Mr Chanda also wondered about the rationale behind those that thought a career in government gave such a good life than careers away from government stating that for him, when he was a Journalist, he lived in Kabulonga on sable road and now that he was in government, he still lived in Kabulonga only this time on Kabulonga road. He stated that with civil society, sometimes even when the facts were before them, it was very difficult for them to accept.
“We cant agree sometimes on even how to kick a can down the road. Even when it is said rain starts in November, when you are in civil society even when its a fact, you will say rain starts in January, ” he said
Kindly change the title.
Just noticed you did, good job!
Two negatives: “NOT” and UNDEMOCRATIC?” are they that would make it a positive charge?
Interesting explanation and redefinition of “Undemocratic”.
In this presentation, the spirit of the argument presented by the person being quoted, is to say that if you declined to form a collision government and to be appointment into it because you had issues to address first then you have lost your rights to raise and point out at governance failure issues.
Unbalanced reporting, this was a Public talk involving other speakers, why only presenting Amos view points?
We want to know what others views were on the points positively attributed to Amos.
Otherwise, this whole article is worthless as it represents one and favored view.
Is this all about what Chanda allegedly said, what about about other panalist” contributions?
The understanding of democracy by Mr Chanda is absolutely disappointing, symbolic and self serving
Shambolic*
Ba Lusaka Times today I have indeed realised how pro – PF you are, can you tell the nation what other panelist said about this cruel cunning chipatepate party with their drunken master Jonathan….
What was the original title?
Amos, is it true that all your three kids are schooling at some international school where you are paying USD20,000 per child per term? Please clarify and don’t be defensive again. It’s just a need to know. Same as when civil society and citizens in opposition tell you that they don’t see democracy under PF, the best response is not coming out in self-defense. When you are faced with criticism, the best is to introspect and make amends. No one is perfect! All citizens should have a say in the governance of this enterprise called Zambia!
The bottom line is that PF has always been tribal. In 2011, over 95% of its candidates are from up north. Even now, its provincial committees in SP, WP and NWP, are full of Bembas. PF cannot disguise its tribal nature. Only a dolt will join such a tribal Cabinet.
Hahahahah!
Little boy telling silly hikes AGAIN!
This PF government indeed lacks a chart, save that which imagination can deciphers from the surface of the moon, as directionless as water in a lake.
Chanda stop telling us what we know. If you have no news keep quiet.
Its only HH who’s not democratic. We all it. UPND go for a conversion please!
And what do you call dismisal and threats of violence against kambwili for having presidential ambitions……right in front of lungu ??
No journalists is in jail no….you only shut down their whole operations…….and what do you call restricting the opposition any space to operate??? Just recently a card renewal exercise for UPND membership wad cancelled by lungu and kapoyongo…you call that democracy ??
“Mr Chanda stated that this was the only government that in the last two years had no journalist in jail because of their work.”….
We will believe you when Government sells TOZ and Daily Mail – AS PF PROMISED!
Or have you conveniently forgotten about that campaign promise Mr Amos small boy???
The problem is Lusaka Times always reporting fake news.
Well said my brother. Haters chock please. Hakaivotel Himwine HH
Mr Chanda that fact the every time you speak you need to answer the same question of whether PF is democratic, should tell you something. That is, Zambians are not happy. Zambia is under a police state with policeman stopping church meeting. With opposition stopped from meeting even at traditional ceremonies. With ZNBC being hijack as PF’s propaganda tool. Sad sad sad
Lusaka Times, was it only Chanda talking? We heard what you haven’t reported though.
Party president for life?
The danger we have in this country is that we are not exposed. Let’s allow as many people as possible to visit our neighbours and then compare what is pertaining here.
So what? Having the best house in Chibolya does not mean that you have the best lifestyle in Zambia. This bad neighbourhood syndrome is no good when the standards are too low or nonexistent. Being better than Zim does not make Zambia the best place in the world.
Hazaluza Hagain!
Liar liar, pants on fire
Just how old are the leaders of the these media associations who allege that the PF government is the most dictatorial? I suspect most of them were either not born or too young to have experienced true dictatorship under Super Ken’s regime? If they were old enough, these must be the most intellectually dishonest people this country has ever had. I find it ironic that an NGO leader can ECL a dictator on Muvi TV, walk out of the studio, and go to a club for a drink. If this happened during KK’s time, you would walk straight into a police dragnet and spend an indefinite period in the police cells.
Dont compare Zambia now to Kaunda cause that was One Party State and not democracy. Clearly the two can not be compared. Both choose the time and the ideology at the time so really if Zambia is a democracy now let it be judged against other democracies and not with Kaunda. The two dont go together
ust how old are the leaders of the these media associations who allege that the PF government is the most dictatorial? I suspect most of them were either not born or are too young to have experienced true dictatorship under Super Ken’s regime? If they were old enough, these must be the most intellectually dishonest people this country has ever had. I find it ironic that an NGO leader can ECL a dictator on Muvi TV, walk out of the studio, and go to a club for a drink. If this happened during KK’s time, you would walk straight into a police dragnet and spend an indefinite period in the police cells.
Just how old are the leaders of the these media associations who allege that the PF government is the most dictatorial? I suspect most of them were either not born or too young to have experienced true dictatorship under Super Ken’s regime? If they were old enough, these must be the most intellectually dishonest people this country has ever had. I find it ironic that an NGO leader can ECL a dictator on Muvi TV, walk out of the studio, and go to a club for a drink. If this happened during KK’s time, you would walk straight into a police dragnet and spend an indefinite period in the police cells.
You insult the president and the court acquits you and you the Government is dictatorial? Come off it!
Comments that are posted on social media cannot be tolerated in a dictatorship.Thank God you are in Zambia
It was the governments choice to acquit him and I can tell you there was an invisible hand again at play on that decision. You unfairly close the Post when other media houses are going through the same ie not paying tax obligation and not fully paying employees and you call Zambia a democracy. They just wanted to shut them up. Let us reflect on what we are as opposed to just following. See Kabwili was like that but he has now realized himself the wrong things he did to others. He was behind the closure of the post but he is now rejected. I support no party but I support what is right and dont support what is wrong. Allow people to speak out so we can have a Zambia that we all can call a democracy. Democracy is participation and we choose it and we have to live with it. Allow…
Stating facts does not amount to insults.Insults was what SATA used to say about LPM and RB AND there govts cabbage,child abuse ,was even talking about hidden slits and you were cheering him on now you want to see insults elsewhere what’s wrong with you.
Where is LAZ kansi? This man is a civil servant who misuses his office for political campaigns. There must be an offence there. PF has its own spokesman paid for by it’s finances. Chanda is paid by the minister of finance to advise the President not to advance PF propaganda.No! PF must pay him not us the taxpayers
Laughable! U steal elections and call it democracy? U block the Petition Hearing and call it democracy? U cant allow people to pray,to assemble, to exercise their Human Rights and call it democracy? The PF Govt under Sadist and Dictator Edgar Lungu is the most intolerant and undemocratic govt since Zambia’s Independence in 1964. Amos Chanda calls Dictatorship Democracy. He is just a joker trying to defend the indefensible. Amos Chanda is a Spokesman for a Visionless,Sadist and Dictator Jonathan Oscar Lungu. Period.
@ 19 Mumba,
Can you provide unimpeachable and incontestable empirical evidence to prove that the elections were stolen? If you cannot, it might be advisable that you keep quiet and avoid making a fool of yourself.
Is it the some Chanda who was quoted in the article below;
The four senior PF officials took turns boasting how they had made sure they had fixed the opposition leader and how they were controlling state institution.
The officials who were in the company of another mercenary, Lewis Mosho and some former Post Journalist and what looked like prostitutes, drunk the night out and only left 8 reedbuck after midnight.
“Natuka chita ka cikala…kalemona kwati ni ka President nako. In fact Ba (kakoma) Kankanja is very weak if I didn’t direct him upto now that ka cikala would still be enjoying the comfort of his house,” Kaiser Zulu was heard bragging before Kampyongo interjected,
“Awe kachepa sana. We are in charge …we are serious operatives. In fact kulefwayika fye kafwile mu jele. Ni…
CONTINUED
“Awe kachepa sana. We are in charge …we are serious operatives. In fact kulefwayika fye kafwile mu jele. Ni mweba Amos you are too soft this should have been done immediately we came from Mongu,” said Kampyongo.
However Chanda who was seemingly concerned about the media backlash said he had already instructed the public media to stop any form of coverage.
“We need to manage what comes out of the media…otherwise abantu must not be fed on this ka HH. We discussed naba Mwamba how we must handle the who thing. We managed to turn the incident in Mongu against UPND. A ka perfect opportunity presented itself kaili nomba balamba ukupapata and they will now recognize P1 as President,” said Chanda.
Chanda who was drinking Savannah dry, also mocked the UPND vice president GB…
UBUFI NEPAMUSHI AMOS, HE CAN FILL A CATHEDRAL WITH LIES. WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO HIM, I THOUGHT HE IS A CHRISTIAN IN CHRISTIAN NATION.
Amos Chanda is a symbol of a wise man! Please keep on educating these hypocritical critics Chanda.