“We have observed, with great concern that our morals have deteriorated over time. This is evidenced by the high prevalence of teen pregnancies and early marriages. We have also witnessed the growing trend in the misapplication of public funds, and abuse of social media. Of equal concern is alcohol and substance abuse as well as poor work culture, among others,”
President Edgar Lungu says application of national values and principles is not a matter for government alone but a responsibility of every citizen as he notes a deterioration of morals in the nation.
During his address on the second session of the 12th National Assembly on the progress made in the application of national values and principles, President Lungu who is the first President ever in Zambia to present this speech to parliament noted that it is the responsibility of every citizen, family, community, institution, whether private or public, and the Zambian society at large to value and observe the nations values and principles.
The address by the head of state comes a year after he made this update in 2017. The President Lungu in his address today focused the progress made so far and measures taken to build a strong foundation for the application of our national values and principles on which he noted the nations identity and practices need to be anchored.
President Lungu said government is committed to ensuring that our country and its people are morally and ethically upright. However, the head of state observed with great concern that there has been a deterioration of morals overtime.
“We have observed, with great concern that our morals have deteriorated over time. This is evidenced by the high prevalence of teen pregnancies and early marriages. We have also witnessed the growing trend in the misapplication of public funds, and abuse of social media. Of equal concern is alcohol and substance abuse as well as poor work culture, among others,” President Lungu complained.
However, he noted that government has been putting measures and making strides to help restore moral sanity in sectors of society.
“In the public sector, government has developed codes of ethics to regulate the conduct and behaviour of public service officers. For example, the code of ethics for teachers is now in place and is regulating the conduct and behaviour of those in the teaching profession,” he said.
President Lungu observed that morally upright teachers who are role models to the learners will, no doubt, produce disciplined pupils, with high moral standards and ethical values.
He added that government has developed the public officers ethics bill and state officers bill.
“These bills, once enacted, will strengthen the legal framework for guiding the scope, implementation and enforcement of morals and ethics among public and state officers,” he explained.
And to further enhance good morals and ethics, President Lungu said government has developed a single vision for the public service which is “a smart and value-centred public service”.
And President Lungu noted that inactivity among the youth especially has led them to resort to drinking, however he explained that government would not let this vice continue and was already making strides.
“In order to address the issue of inactivity among the youths, government has intensified the implementation of youth empowerment programmes aimed at equipping the youth with skills, equipment and start-up capital for income generating activities,” President Lungu said.
He pointed out supporting 2,667 youth street vendors with loans, empowering 1,000 youths with motorized cargo tricycles, and provision of information and communication technology equipment for the establishment of business centres to 600 youths, across the country as some measures to address youth inactivity.
President Lungu added that in the field of sport that government is implementing the anti-doping programme.
Meanwhile to end child marriage President Lungu said government is working with traditional leaders as the cause stems from harmful traditional practices.
“To end child marriage in Zambia, government is implementing a five-year national strategy on ending child marriage targeting to achieve a 40 percent reduction by 2021,” President Lungu said.
President Lungu added the introduction of a programme through ZNBC, on national values and principles to ensure that citizens begin to understand, appreciate and apply patriotism and the rest of the national values and principles in addition to various sensitization programmes.
And to enhance the country’s democratic principles, President Lungu said government developed a political parties bill in 2017 in response to article 60 of the constitution.
He said the bill, once enacted, will provide for the registration and regulation of political parties and require them to uphold the tenets of democracy.
The head of state also went on to talk about strides made to reduce gender based violence and social injustice whih he said government was taking care of by ensuring development was being taken to all parts of the country.
“We are making strides to ensure that there is no discrimination in the conduct of our affairs and service delivery. We are building a Zambia where everyone has equal access to opportunities and services. We are not leaving anyone behind. Government is, therefore, implementing multi-faceted programmes to develop and empower our youths, persons with disabilities, women, children, orphans and the aged,” he said.
Meanwhile, President Lungu noted that equally, corruption is a cancer which requires concerted and continuous effort to eliminate.
He said government has continued to build necessary capacities in governance institutions and other stakeholders for improved outcomes in the fight against corruption.
“For instance, the establishment of integrity committees in ministries, provinces and other spending agencies in line with provisions of the new anti-corruption act is ongoing. So far, a total of 61 committees have been created and are operational. Work is in progress to improve the functioning of the committees,” President Lungu said.
The head of state noted that a nation without morals is like a ship without a compass and called for collective responsibility in the strengthening of the nation’s principles and values.
Really laughable your excellency that you as president of a party should touch on morals by a party. Sir what is the behavior of your party cadres and some ministers and MP s? They can strip a woman naked and not one female minister say or do something. The cadres do not even respect for the law. Seriously sir our country has become barbarious.
Words of wisdom. Indeed the country without morals is like a religion without doctrine. Lungu 2021.
I prefer to mingle with fornicators than theives. Stealing is humiliating terrible moral.
I think ECL was twisting inside of himself as these words were coming out of his mouth. Unbelievable! This man is troubled, he is spineless though at the same time. Since these words are alien to him and his cohorts, good as they man be, it just feels out of place to have come from him, honestly.
“Do as I say, not as I do”
Edgar Lungu.
Blowing $1.7Million in 3 days on Hiring boat cruise, walking safari in New York is misapplicaton of funds. Walk the talk Mr. Lungu. You’ll end up in jail like Zuma
What you have said is veracious but consider this do you wish for him to keep quite about it and do nothing about it ?, I would like to hear from you what could be done
THIS SHOULD START WITH YOU MATE! RIGHT NOW YOU HAVE NO MORAL COMPASS TO TALK ABOUT MORALITY. UKO!
@ 1.6 Looking around it
Let him lead by example. Is this too much to ask of him? When he does, the nation will listen if he should talk about making a “concerted effort to restore morality in Zambia.”
Have our accusations of this president that he is involved in corruption and criminal activities been falling on deaf ears? Or is this a case of hypocrisy?
REALLY these words coming from LUNGU?? He is not ashamed of HIMSELF. He is the chief sponsor of misuse of public funds, yet teasing us in this manner?? Never seen such a JOKER. Guess he doesn’t know his own words…
So they attended the SONA? The lesson was hard but finally they learnt that this was their republican President.
Or is it that perhaps they need their salaries? Uuuhm can’t afford to miss even a month. Either way, the important thing is that THEY ATTENDED.
Now we are waiting for them to raise the impeachment bill…or have they decided to disobey their “intelligent” leader h.h, the only ” intelligent person in upndeez.
Do not worry my President, we are working on our morals, we have good role models such as Kaizer Zulu and others too many to mention in the Government to look up to. We were looking forward to hear more about the big problem we have at the moment, Corruption and misappropriation of funds in the Government coffers with a strong condemnation coming from you and the measures you are putting in place.
Throughout history, pointing at the poor morals of others is usually a mechanism for deflecting from one’s own failures
Thank you Mr. President! Throughout history leaders of nations have taken upon themselves to lead their people to God. In the Bible we see many examples, Nehemiah, Josiah are among those who did this. President Chiluba also showed the way. Thank you Mr. President! Let Zambia confess and rededict its nation to God.
We should also confess satanism.
Nose demon (above) and all who support Three Mansions are examples of what has happened to this generation that is dipped into devil worship.
……devel worship and sexual stalking of HH
… and sexual stalking of HH by the transgender arse kissing and d!ck sucking h00ker?
We have also witnessed the growing trend in the misapplication of public funds, and abuse of social media. Of equal concern is alcohol and substance abuse as well as poor work culture, among others,”
This is Lazy Lungu saying this unbelievable …what irony
But purchasing fire tenders at one million dollars each is misapplication.
Yet he defended those thieves. What a jerk!
You need to lead by example, mumbi Phiri was plastered at the function and she never got disciplined, Kaizer pulls the trigger each time he is drunk, Dora opens the door each time she is drunk to everyone including Mubalama. This needs to start with you and your team, Mr President.
42/42……mukula moved in the dead of night……lungu your friend zuma is being charged
ECL am very disappointed after wasting my vote on u, this is whn u hv waken up to say such words. We cant develop with such type of people.leading us. Dont even dream of 2021.
Most of us Zambians don’t even know what our national values and principles are but are just yapping.
The national values and principles are in our CONSTITUTION.
For example patriotism is a constitutional requirement.That is why we are against those that unpatriotic like that outdated party called UPND.
I am disappointed in a person who never grows! Stunted growth Under Five with immature approach to politics like his cadres. Mr. President I am proud of your hard work! This is the man who had three portfolios under Sata and ran them successfully and it is no surprise Sata saw in you a great leader! God bless you! God bless Zambia! We appreciate your leadership! Never listen to tribalism pundits!
I can never vote for an unpatriotic mammal! I respect Americans! They can criticize their leaders but never compromise on patriotism as do the donkis! Americans will never go outside their country and behave like HH Under Five! Hazaivotera Heka!
Presidio is out of wits. Bamudala balemona kwati akapoto Ka President is a job just to fill in the blanks and say the correct things without looking at your own conduct or your example to the nation. Mr. President sir, you can’t help our morals as a nation when you have no message, no vision, and hell no character! At least so far you have shown none. If you are serious about a moral Zambia. Prove me wrong today… Tell the nation today you have quit drinking yourself, install alcoholic Anonymous Clubs across Zambia in every district, visit and share your own recovery challenges and issues. Every President we ever had sacrificed something for mother Zambia you have sacrificed nothing to be worthy of President of Zambia. You don’t love our country and all its people. How can you lead the…
Good speech content,but I am afraid is just rhetoric.Action is required missing from the content is taking action against drug dealers the main cause of corrupt morals,dealing with the lack of education for primary school age children across the country.This must be free to every child at the point of delivery.
Pointless talking about the issues without mentioning solutions.Educating the children in ways that there is no gain without pain in life, in other words the easy culture Zambians have developed over the last three decades preferring all the vices as the norm in life,should be discouraged.
Key is education,job creation,health,hard on corruption,stamping out the drug trade,wildlife and the environment,enforcing the law in all areas and removing or updating draconian laws from the…
Presidio is out of wits. Bamudala balemona kwati akapoto Ka President is a job just to fill in the blanks and say the correct things without looking at your own conduct or your example to the nation. Mr. President sir, you can’t help our morals as a nation when you have no message, no vision, and hell no character! At least so far you have shown none. If you are serious about a moral Zambia. Prove me wrong today… Tell the nation today you have quit drinking yourself, install alcoholic Anonymous Clubs across Zambia in every district, visit and share your own recovery challenges and issues. Every President we ever had sacrificed something for mother Zambia you have sacrificed nothing to be worthy of President of Zambia. You don’t love our country and all its people. How can you lead the…
How can you lead the nation like that? You are an anomaly in the State House. If you can’t raise your game get out of there today! We can do better…!!!
How can you lead the nation like that? You are an anomaly in the State House. If you can’t raise your game get out of there today! We can do better…!!!
“There is need for concerted effort to restore morality in Zambia-President Lungu”. ECL preaching “morality” is like a whore preaching abstinence. Period.
The body language when the President was speaking showed that it was not in synch with the speech.
Edgar Lungu should stop provoking the Zambian people more because he does not walk the talk. The man is very corrupt to an extent where because of his corruption deals with some well known Companies including some Mining Investors, workers are now being mistreated like second hand clothes. These companies do not treat their employees like human beings anymore because they are fully convinced that they have got backing from State House. Furthermore, the same firms mistreat contractors to an extent where they do not pay them the money they have worked for. They don’ t care whether these people die with hunger or not. CORRUPTION IN ZAMBIA, WHO IS GOING TO SOLVE THE EQUATION ?
Really, how do you expect to have a society that upright morally when you as the enforcer and a leader is in in the forefront propagating immorality and presiding over a rotten and corrupt government? Is it not a paradox? Even your face can tell that you have been drinking nonstop hence ballooning like a tomato that has been left unkempt. Please don’t insult our intelligence, enough of these shenanigans, your end will be more painful than you envisage. Zuma’s time has just started, don’t think we are stupid Mr. fake President.
If anyone steals a bank statement for whatever purpose, then I have a major problem with such a person, and also the person who receives the stolen document. One is a thief and the other is sharing the spoils of theft. And also would a decent person, for that matter a leader who wants to rule Zambia feel so free to receive a stolen document, and use it without shame? Clearly there is something seriously wrong with the moral standing of h.h.
Option for state house? You gotta be joking! Or is that how desperate mr h.h can be? Despite what I know about h.h I did not expect him to sink so low in desperation!
When your brain is clouded by the genes of clanship you cannot see anything wrong with your clansman. And that is where you get it wrong, ALL the time. It’s like you have decided you don’t want to rule Zambia but just make noise all the time even if it means contradicting what you said just yesterday. Actually since h.h was appointed to replace Mazoka he has been a fiery ball of contradictions.
President Lungu is the head of the country. Morals have broke down from the head. What morals can the president learn from Kaizer who behaves like a teen ager.
State House imaturity is laughable, statements coming out of state house have no maturity, we have a govt behaving like an opposition party.
President lungu doesn’t want to act like a father, he wants to be addressing a nation only at organised press conferences either at the airport, or function.
Our country needs selfless minds but he chooses to mock us with more taxes, while on the other hand increases his entourage when travelling abroad even to the extent of ferrying cadres and friends to events like reed dances. No it’s not normal Mr lungu,repent.
My advise to this fool is to listen to Michael Jackson’s song, “The Man in the Mirror”. It’s so insulting that an immoral alcoholic kleptomaniac like Lungu can gather such bollocks to patronize his victims with such laughable statements, what manner of gutless stupidity is this?
People focus! Do you know where those puppets are heading? Yea a theocracy that is where. You cannot legislate morals. Where are the social scientists when you need them? You need to address the economic and governance matters around those symptomatic behaviors or so-called moral decay. The government wants to strengthen the Ministry of Religion so that you will face a black box each time you need answers!! FOCUS and stop that!!
KK introduced the leadership code which prohibited ministers from engaging in business. Some circumvented the system by using relatives to run businesses for them. Many were uncovered and lost their jobs. Enter FTJ the law was removed. FTJ reasoned that most Unip officials had become destitute because they had nothing to fall on after retirement. Good as the reasoning was, it opened way to unfettered corruption. Ministers in the MMD with other officials became instant millionaires. To me the solution lies in forming a security department to monitor the source of our wealth. The current habit of calling other people corrupt because of politics will not solve our problems. When you buy a plot using the back door, always remember that you’ve taken part in a corrupt act and therefore it’s…
Why not mention the sudden billionaires within your PF? Coz truth be told the amount of theft under YOUR PF dwarfs MMD by miles.
You’re just a frustrated phool who can’t see anything in anything beyond your hatred for PF. You can’t even see that I’m trying to show the Genesis of the situation. I don’t know any millionaire so how can I comment? Eediot.
I just asked a simple question dude. Genesis is gone, we are in the now my happy PF friend. Your dull party run on promises of stamping out corruption but alas they propagate it with glee while tiny brained chaps like you cheer them on. If you do not know any billionaire within your corrupt party then your head is too far up your a$$ than I initially thought which is a shame. I still have hope for you yet, enough empty space in that skull of yours to grow a brain. We shall pray for you one Ndanje Khakis 🙂
@25 Kalok,
So you think the Ministry of Religious fimo fimo will address the moral decay in Zambia, you’re wrong! To you I say please listen to the legendary PK Chishala’s pastor Polepole! It’s like Chiluba declaring Z a Christian State, it’s repugnant and most blasphemous to god that a skank like him could try to fool God!
As for Lungu, the support he still has is two fold, tribal bigotry “Umodzi Kumawa” style and financial gain opportunism. You have to sit with the man to realize he is wholly bereft of any intellectual substance! He’s an ***** full cycle!
But then, it says much about Zambians and their choices. I mean, Sata was fired from the Northern Rhodesia Police for mental instability but down the line he was elected president when his madness was fully compounded by terminal illness arising out of sexual misconduct! Had Chama Chakomboka lived, he would have ruled you fools!
Pompwe naikuta icishele nomba kusabaila, kabwalala, abene abebilo mufulo, ukusampa, ukupyanga, ukufokololwena kumo natonse utwasheleko. Mwe bena Zambia mukalapila, e Dununa Reverse mwaleshana. Mukake mishipi mumisana, uko ikapwila Dununa Reverse mukalya na bana benu. UKO – FILI UKO TULEYA.
Word of a troubled man is assessed in character of him who says it
Had these sentiments been made just after taking over office, it would have been a great way for him to have started his term. But after messing around now his wants to sound good. But alas, the damage has already been done.
Restoring moral values should begin with you because you haven’t got any left .How can you carry on abusing the rule of law with impunity?