PF Lusaka Mayoral candidate Miles Sampa kept with the party tradition when he shunned a public debate on Tuesday evening ahead of this week’s Mayoral debate.
Organized by a consortium of Civil Society organizations, the debate focused on key challenges that face Lusaka city such as Water and Sanitation, running of Bus Stations and Markets and Recreation, City Planning and Security in Lusaka.
All the other candidates turned up and actively participated in the debate held at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre and articulated issues.
The debate was broadcast live on privately owned Diamond TV and was moderated by Costa Mwansa.
Mr Sampa failed to turn up and there was no explanation from his campaign team on why he could not feature on the debate.
Through out its party history, the Patriotic Front has never featured in any pre election public debate from the days of its founding leader late Michael Sata.
Some of the candidates that hugely impressed during the debate were the lesser known RPP candidate Wesley Chikuse, veteran UNIP loyalist Rev. Alfred Banda and Mundia Mukubesa who is better known as Petersen.
25 year old Madalitso Musukwa of the United Prosperous and Peaceful Zambia who is the youngest in the race observed that Lusaka is divided into two social classes, those with and those without.
“My manifesto is people driven. It is the right time to inject fresh energy into a new leadership. I’m a 25 year old candidate who doesn’t have kids to send to Russia once elected. I’m urging the youth to vote for young leadership,” Mr Musukwa said.
Mr Musukwa said he will create equal opportunities for all residents in Lusaka by prioritizing job creation across the city.
He said there is also need to increase safety within Lusaka and improve the quality of education through better school Infrastructure.
‘It’s time a young man injects a new type of leadership in Lusaka. I want my elders to rest,” he said.
Saviour Chishimba of the UPP said he will instill discipline and insist on the rule of law once elected Mayor.
“I’m coming with the rule of law. Local govt has to simply implement what central govt agrees on. All revenues meant to be collected by council should be collected only by council itself,” Mr Chishimba said.
Mr Chishimba said the Central Government needs to conform to the Local Governance Act and noted the need to maximize on revenue collection.
He said once elected, he will focus on ending the culture of looting of Looting of public property by taking back all Markets and Bus Stops.
Reverend Alfred Banda of UNIP said there is need to. decongest Lusaka’s roads by building overpass roads and flyovers.,
Reverend Banda said the Lusaka City Council needs innovative revenue generating mechanisms than the existing ones.
He also stated the need to curb rising crime levels in Lusaka.
“Lusaka can be a prototype city. We can make it clean and green again just like during the UNIP days,” he said.
Reverend Banda said there is need for a better drainage system in Lusaka and better street lighting across the city.
NAREP’s Bwalya Nondo said he will prioritize the economic empowerment of women and the youth in Lusaka.
Mr Nondo said there is need to depoliticize the Lusaka City Council which will help enhance revenue collection.
“I need to exorcise the demon that has taken over Lusaka City Council. Time has come for criminals to go where they belong, prison,” Mr Nondo said.
“We want youth and women citizens empowered.”
Mundia Mukubesa of PAC says parties need to understand difference between a party and government.
“We’re giving too much power to one political entity that is whose decisions are not debated. Need for balanced government to fix Lusaka’s problems,” Mr Mukubesa said.
He said once elected Mayor, he will work hard to depoliticize the local council and bring about efficient revenue measures.
Pastor Kangwa Chileshe of UPND says his party manifesto is a development agenda through economic empowerment and efficient service delivery.
He pledged to end a culture of reactive governance to more proactive one once elected Mayor.
Mr Chileshe said there is also need to free the running of Bus Stations and Markets from political elements and introduce efficient leadership at the city council.
Saboi Imboela, the only female candidate in the race observed that voting for a female Mayor will help accelerate development in the city.
Ms Imboela said there is need to improve the state of housing and general infrastructure in Lusaka.
She said as a Mother, she will open Drop in Center for Youths and Children once elected Mayor and improve water and sanitation.
On street vending, Ms. Imboela said it is sad that the PF Government has criticized street vending which she said is a source of livelihood for many poor households in Lusaka.
She said once elected, she will work hard to create new trading spaces to accommodate those wishing to trade.
RPP Wesley Chikuse says he will focus on upgrading shanty compounds and creating employment opportunities for the residents of Lusaka.
He said he will reallocate some residents to pave way for the upgrading of shanty compounds.
Can whoever is elected as mayor please remove those two roundabouts and redesign those points.
I think the traffic in and out of the CBD will be smoother by a marked 70%.
As usual PF strategy of only being answerable to the great leader ECL the chickens will one day come to roost.
What a waste of time. I would stay away too if I were Miles Sampa instead of listening to lies and to people with no debating skills and stage presence!
These PF, who do they think they are to avoid shaking hands the common people?
Sampa should have participated.
Simple as that
Thanks
BB2014,2016
Bozo – The govt has procured an EXIM bank loan for that from the Indian govt…Indian contractor will do all that on one roundabout all you have to do is payback with interest.
History has shown that no one has gone for a debate and win the elections. So why waste your time if does not add value.
WHERE POWER LAYS, THERE YOU SHOULD GO. WHERE PEOPLE ARE, THERE YOU SHOULD BE. WHERE REAL QUESTIONS ARE THERE YOUR SOUL SHOULD BELONG AS A LEADER.
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Indeed. Why waste your time with skewed questions from Costa instead of the real people who vote, and really are in need, and really are all this election fuss is about. Wining that debate sounds academic and usually is not practical. May the best candidate scoop that seat. Filth LSK needs a break from idle seat warmers. Dear winner, please relocate ZRL infrastructure from CBD, I thank YOU.
Lusaka Residencies DON’T VOTE FOR MILES SAMPA. It means he has Nothing to Offer. A confident person would want to tell Voters what he will do. He is a Dull stupid fool.
Zambian universities, guided by imitation rather than creativity, deploy less than admirable means to achieve success. The most successful manoeuvre, it appears, is increasing the number of research publication in high impact international journals, without an underlying accent on original knowledge creation. How poor all labs and equipments are now just made new labs for first year lab cources)In my first semester in Helmholtz coil experiment even a compass was not functioning properly and all equipments were so old and outdated and we did some experiments in a group of 3 or even 4 because out of 4 only 2 were working. Practicals are done with little innovation or margin for change: Even if the students have some genuine idea for changing the parameter of a particular experiment, it is…
What are you talking about?! A bad carpenter always blames his tools. Concorde, Eiffel Tower, Empire State Building, London Underground and lots more, were all designed with what you call “outdated equipment”; and, they are still marvels today! So, just shut up.
In Zambia it is a waste of time participating in these debates. The people who tune in to listen to these debates don’t even vote and they are the minority. The voters are the illiterates from compounds who are happy to live the way things are and are very happy to receive a chitenge material and pack of shake shake from PF and they form the majority.
Pre-election debates should be made into law especially for the presidency so that those without visions and solutions to the country’s problems can be spotted easily.
i concur with you
IT WILL NEVER WORK!!
Unfortunately even if debates were made compulsory, Zambian’s are Brain Dead, whereby a candidate can come up tell them “I have Zero vision, I’m Corrupt, & the biggest liar & womaniser’ Zambian’s would still choose that candidate over an honest hard-working candidate as they will look @ the region the candidate hails from, & if they can get free Chibuku, vitenge, Saladi, & Dununa songs.
Conclusion; ZAMBIAN’S WILL VOTE FOR A BRICK, OR TOMATO CAN, AS LONG AS IT COMES FROM THEIR PROVINCE!
This should be what ECZ should be proposing …you can not just no-show in the States or Europe without a valid reason, Sampa is doing what his lazy boss Edgar would do plus time he was involved in a debate Muhabi Lungu (former UNIP President) embarrassed him he can not debate as he has no principles to guide him.
Sampa knows he will win and that the average voter does not care about English debate, they just want to see candidates dancing on stage whilst handing out chibuku shakey shakey.
Such proposals are signs of staying too long in the diaspora and end up losing touch with reality
Lungu cannot respect that law because he thinks he is the law. Tell me what happens if Lungu is a no show at the debates- NOTHING, It will be business as usual.
@Reality Chaambwa 3.4
Great observation.
Brain washed kids want Zambia to benchmark. Tell them that we have more illiterate people who bother to follow a Costa Mwansa Show on some channel at the expense of real issues – the hustle and bustle of life that should result in bread and butter on their tables.
It will take light years away for Majority of Zambians to make sense of a TV debate. Political party promises are won at rallies in Africa.
He is was scared of his 100 day hogwash, sheer stupidity and the gullibles will vote for that mappet. Its a tradition to attend such debates and articulate real issues instead of hiding behind the PF facade crap of 90 days. The magnacata is clearly written on the wall, but because of political expedience and wanton corruption they will put someone who has lamentably failed to do anything despite being in positions of influence. I would vote for Petersen or this 25 year old instead of these losers.
Look at the past two General election debates …Lazy Lungu has never turned up…I hope ECZ made them sign an agreement on nomination day to sign an agreement to attend one public debate.
Someone here is trying to dance his way into the mayoral position without a vision just like his great leader.
The people of lusaka deserve to see how each contender fairs against the others.
From successful banker, competent councillor and mp, deputy minister and provincial minister?? I think Miles Sampa is the most capable and qualified for this job. The others are overzealous upstarts with no practical experience and are confusing fantasies with “vision”.
Really laughable ..reading our smart resident blogger post @Zambian Citizen, if your Sampa is so savvy as you claim why did he find it hard to survive outside govt.
Which CSOs?? The political cadres masquerading as CSOs?? I would stay away from it too as it is a political trap!! Clever choice Miles.
I thought Miles signed a social contract with residents of Lusaka, he shouldn’t be judged by his absence from meanless debate. Most of these candidates don’t even know who holds the council purse, hence debating from without.
Everyone keeps stating that their policies are “people driven” including Miles Sampa…please don’t dupe voters which people did you consult ….really laughable…you can turn around when you win and state I consulted cadres and street vendors at Intercity.
Public rallies are the best way to sell oneself because multitudes attend, instead of these useless, waste of time indoor debates. The great majority of voters are not a part of this and very few follow these debates on TV. Sampa is smart. He knows the right platform to sell himself. The opposition know how to waste time just to make themselves “lilevant” as Muliokela would say.
Define a social contract.
Zambian citizen staying away is a sign that someone is not ready for the job and more Cholera will follow the people if they decide to put such kind of individuals into these position. A debate should be mandated so the people can make well informed decisions and the candidates are questioned about the validity of their claims and promises. We cannot afford to be putting incompetent people in power, I’m sick and tired of those green attires and the people who wear them who think they own the country, absconding is surely a big indication of how they view our people as low lifers not worse of a debate.
lumbi, Miles Sampa and the word incompetent cannot be put in the same sentence. Just look at his CV. He has bern in local and executive political management and succeeded. He has been in corporate management and succeeded. That’s why his main message is enhancing the collection of revenue and a close communication bond with lusaka residents. Miles also comes with a strong grassroots connection as he demonstrated in Matero. This meeting was a trap by political trap by the politically charged CSOs.
Miles Sampa = incompetent! Simple. His only achievement is being a beneficiary of nepotism.
He cannot even manage to attend a debate!
THAT IS HOW INCOMPETENT HE IS!
Dont mind @Zambian Citizen he is not the sharpest tool in the kitchen drawer….most smart PF cadres don’t like Sampa …deep down they are hoping he trips up
Don’t quarrel. The people of Lusaka will decide.
Following footsteps of his boss. Just good at womanizing and beer drinking. Just to hold a simple press conference is hell.
Patiently waiting for tommorows elections
PF’s mode of campaign is playing music, singing and dancing. After that they distribute T-Shirts and Chitenge materials. It seems to work for them so why bother debating things that will still come back for approval by parliament that is currently PF controlled.
Until such a time ‘political debates’ become part of our electoral process one need not attend. This is really an American style approach first brokered under the Nixon v Kennedy presidential race. For me the debate would be more meaniful if it had interpreters in the major languages of Zambia. These would then be screened and beamed to all corners of Zambia so that every voting citizen can judge who they are voting for. But if it is restricted to Lusaka and its in English what purpose does it save? By the way the UNIP candidate was very strong
People whom pay TV levy to ZNBC should demand them holding a Public Debate like they demand live football matches…those who no-show should be replaced with a puppet.
MILES SAMPA BWALYA IS A USELESS FELLOW.NO PRINCIPALS AT ALL.HE FORMED A POLITICAL PARTY AND WANTED TO BE A PRESIDENT AND HOW CAN TODAY STANDS AS A MAYOR SURE AND FOR THAT MATTER UNDER PF THE PARTY HE DENOUNCED SO MUCH IN 2015 AND 2016.HE WENT AND CAMPED IN MUCHINGA AND CAMPAIGNED HEAVILY FOR HH IN 2016 AND HE INCITED UPND CADRES TO MAN HANDLE MY FRIEND WHO WAS CAMPAIGNING FOR PF AND LUNGU IN MUCHINGA.
NJALA WAMUNYOKOLA KAPALA.
IT IS HIGH TIME THAT THIS UNPRINCIPLED POLITICIANS ARE TOLD LESSONS BY NOT VOTING FOR THEM.
I CAN NOT VOTE FOR PF NOW AND AT LEAST PF HAS LOST SOME VOTES FROM ME AND SOME CLOSE FRIENDS.
NO WONDER HE COULD NOT ATTEND THE DEBATE,HE IS SO ASHAMED OF HIMSELF AND MAY HE DIDN’T EVEN HAVE FOOD AT HOME.
HE HAS NO VISION AT ALL AND HE WILL BE THERE AS MAYOR JUST TO…
Whoever misses these debates emerges winner………….
Sadly true …they average voter only wants to see candidates dancing like Koffie in green Adidas tracksuit
JAY JAy you are so right, they like to see people dancing.
Debates do not change the political landscape of African voting.When people decide that they will vote for a certain candidate,no matter the debate,nothing will change.Most of those debates are in English which is difficult for a common man to understand.A common man,who is a viable voter,does not understand the word ”social contract”.It is a fuss that debates will change a voting pattern of an area.
A nation,whose levels of education is low,is difficult to make an informed decision.Most of the citizens have been manipulated owing to the high levels of ignorance and low levels of articulating issues.To pull people out of the abyss of ignorance,education should play a pivotal role. Otherwise,am seeing PF winning it because they have capitalized on peoples’ ignorance.
Very true. The next thing the PF may pursue is deliberately ensure that people don’t get an education so that they can remain in power. Why would a government made up of normal people introduce compulsory learning of local languages in all primary schools? For what reason exactly when there are no books in Universities or colleges that are written in Zambian local languages? This is why Zambia will always remain behind. It’s stupid for a small country like Zambia to assume that nine of their local languages can propel them to national development. Just thinking.
His going to win of course, no vision, no plan, no direction.
Of course he is going to win. Edgar has already told the ECZ to make sure that he does! And the Ugandan is working on the computers right now.
Vote for Saviour Chishimba followed by pastor Chileshe; vote out young man Miles;
Please Sampa is not a young man he is an old man he is not the age group of Saviour or Chileshe…Saviour for me is confusing…you just don’t know what he is one minute he is bootlicking the Israelis who are committing countless atrocities against Palestinians next he is talking about justice and he is dressed like a freedom fighter. You can not have such mad chaps in Civic Centre!!
And yourself?? Must hurt you that the young chaps you left behind are occupying government offices today while you wallow in a foreign land as a second class citizen, Jay Jay. Miles is in his late 40s and he left thr corporate world a successful banker, succeeded as a councillor and mp as well as minister. What have you ever done that we can look at, useless twit!!
Zambian Citizen – am not a politician or running for public office…until I do you will see my profile. You insecure little man!!
You don’t have to be a politician to show us your achievements. Other Zambians are showing us by excelling in business, others in the academics, others in the arts like actors. What can you show us?? Twit!!!
The opposition does not even have a single councilor in Lusaka and they are dreaming of winning the seat? Miles is the best candidate in these elections ask people in Matero and no one in the race currently beat’s he’s credentials
So if you dont have a seat you dont contest? What legacy has he left in Matero?
I agree with mushota,Sampa should have participated,by staying away,he has just deca,paigned himself.
Not true.
Fellow citizens, only fools should support the idea of shunning public debates. Since Zambians are very wise, we shall advocate for turning this into law to avoid ruling parties taking advantage of any situation. As it were I urge all Zambians to turn in numbers vote for their choice candidates except the one whose ideas were not heard namely MILES SAMPA
I know its a matter not directly related to the subject matter but somewhat is because Zambians must be very mindful of the people they elect to represent them. They elected Chiluba, a stinking thief who decalred Zambia a Christian Nation and them deviously turned the country into Sodom and Gomorrah! Sata, was a diseased foul mouthed dying tribal bigot of note, they elected him and he left the counder asunder with his fervent tribal bigotry that he engendered and let fester like a malignant cancer! Now this Margaret Mwanakatwe, the girl is clearly sick and you can see it on her face. Her health is on the skids real big time but she is seriously addicted to promiscous adulterous sex and alcohol, like Lungu. And the thing about adultery and alcoholism and Nyanjas’ is it a cultural thing?…
You are a pathetic tribalist only siting one tribe as being thieves and corrupt. Who hid K2b in a hole, was he Bemba? What about institutions that I decline to name who employs there tribesmen, including certain banks. Sober up bro and just know that no one is righteous no not one. We are all corrupt served by God’s grace.
What a cost for Costa Mwansa. Trying to be in the limelight? People are fed up with these debates which bear no fruits.
I am not voting tomorrow. Miles is a let down. I am still annoyed with him for abandoning the people of Matero when he was MP. Not showing for the debate is height of arrogance.
Proud Zambian please Vote, if you dont Miles will win.
Njangwamuloty Mwendalutaker, YOU ARE A PATHETIC TRIBALIST. YOU STINK. THAT IS WHY YOU WILL ALWAYS BE LOOSERS.
Thats the arrogance of PF for you, they feel they owe any one an explanation, luckily they have masses of people who dont understand issues and would rather dance at PF rallies.
THOSE ARE NOT JUST DANCERS. THEY ARE REGISTERED VOTERS.
Remember ECL does not believe in debates, he has never held a Press conference because he cant face tough questions. Sad because Press conferences allow a head of state to answer questions affecting the nation.
Remember Kambwili tried to start a live Facebook programme where he could explain government actions? what happened? he was sacked because he would overshadow the head of state.
@Titus Musankwa: OH, I SEE. SO YOU MEAN THIS WAS AFTER ALL MEANT TO BE AN INTERROGATION PLATFORM TO “FEAST” ON SAMPA, ALMOST ON THE EVE OF VOTING? IF THAT IS THE CASE THEN SAMPA WAS SMART ENOUGH TO AVOID SUCH A FORUM. AM SURE THE VULTURES HAD QUESTIONS LIKE:
1. DID YOU KILL MBANDU?
2.WHAT IS HAPPENING IN YOUR MARITAL LIFE.
3. WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE 42/42
4.ETC
ALL OF THEM NONSENSE AND NOT BENEFICIAL TO LUSAKA AND THE NATION.
KIKIKIKI……MWALOBE LYA UMA.
What’s the point of attending a debate when you have already marketed yourself through the numerous rallies, and have equally informed the masses of what you are going to do once elected as Mayor of Lusaka? That’s why Sata was a great thinker, may his soul rest in eternal peace.
“SAMPA NGA TALIPO, BONSE ABA NI BA NGWELE”.
WHEN THE ELEPHANT IS NOT IN THE HOUSE, THE DEBATE BECOMES USELESS.
EVEN WHEN HE IS NOT PRESENT, HIS ABSENCE IS FELT.
IN FACT WHAT DO YOU WANT TO HEAR FROM SAMPA?
HE HAS BEEN ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL WITH HIS CAMPAIGN MANAGER AND TEAM DAILY, HE HAS BEEN ADDRESSING RALLIES EVERY DAY IN LUSAKA. HE HAS BEEN ARTICULATING HIS VISION DAILY, HE IS ON FACE BOOK IF YOU WANT A ONE ON ONE DISCUSSION.
UNLESS IT IS A TRAP OR YOU ARE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING ELSE.
DEBATES DON’T SEEM TO WORK IN AFRICA. YOU ALREADY KNOW SAMPA, HE HAS BEEN ON THE SCENE FOR A LONG TIME. YOU SHOULD HAVE MADE UP YOU DECISION BY NOW….AND IN FACT SAMPA WILL CARRY THE DAY BECAUSE HE HAS ENOUGH VOTERS IN HIS “BAG”.
Why go for a debate when you know you can steal the vote?
WHY GO FOR A DEBATE WHEN YOU KNOW YOUR VOTE HAS ALREADY BEEN STOLEN?
Some of these TV Stations are opposition parties why go there. Miles Sampa is not in opposition so only opposotion candidates require to go there.
I was at UTH, cleaning toilets for doctors and I met a doctor from Namwala. I asked him that does cow dung cause any serious illnesses when it reaches the brain? The doctor answered me, “Yes! If dug is not disposed of the owner of Animo Farm and his tourists can get brain damage or MAD COW DISEASE with symptoms of irritability, anger issues, delusions, Hallucinations and Childish-like behaviours!” I said, “Mmmm! I have seen that!”
Prodigal son will beat the Hell out of Mad Cow Disease Hagain.
Hahahahahahah Sharon am so proud of you
Those saying Sampa was right to dodge this debate I really have to ask you if you are retarded. For you to get a job you will go through vigorous interviews sometimes in three phase but you would willingly give someone authority over you lives with out so much of a single debate and you still wonder Why we are poor I can tell you it’s because of the cancer like you .We have too many senseless people in Zambia instead of pushing for mandatory debate someone wishes there where no debate .In fact we should have public question and answer sessions for the candidates
Lusaka Times have you been paid my previous comments has not been uploaded
Lusaka Times upload the comment
Those saying Sampa was right to dodge this debate I really have to ask you if you are retarded. For you to get a job you will go through vigorous interviews sometimes in three phases but you would willingly give someone authority over your lives with out so much of a single debate and you still wonder why we are still poor I can tell you it’s because of the cancer like you .We have too many senseless people in Zambia instead of pushing for mandatory debate someone wishes there where no debates.In fact we should have public question and answer sessions for the candidates
So Lusaka Times block my comment because I use two words senseless and retarded when so many people here are using worser words
What’s the Patriotic Front’s take or view on the absence of its member? Does such behavior show respect to the voters or what?
Silly and empty question.
A logical person will always want the best laws that will be of positive impact to be enacted in every society,, If logical norms are not appreciated in our societies due to ignorance of people,, we the enlightened ones should not celebrate ignorance,, but rather find means and ways for our societies to see things in a logical way,, Miles Sampa should have attended the Debate,, Him not attending shows that he is more interested in wining the elections and not leading the locals out of the primitive age,, Miles should strive to be a leader for the illiterate and the literate,,, Leaders are more interested in uniting building bridges between people,, and not encouraging ignorance by shunning away from debates
That debate could make sense to you the elite. Most Zambian voters may not have that same level of understanding and civic knowledge(education) let alone vocabularies and language used to articulate issues in that Costa show. Come think of it, like really, can that theoretical expression of ideas of how to develop filthy LSK win votes in Zambia today? It’s an hypothesis. Why would the right thinking Zambian candidate risk losing an election if attending it would make you win. Let’s face the Facts in their complete state, only opposition cadres in their majority have 100% viewership of Private TV stations in Zambia. I watch them just to balance my view of and on national issues.
Miles won this election immediately he was picked by PF. Now it’s just formality so that people accept the decision. Form G12’s are already prepared and ready to be presented even before voting started. That’s the PF way!
The problem with zambians is that we love being given free things all in the name of campaign. One thing is for sure, if an opposition candidate won this election, the ruling party would have made his job a living hell but to ensure that they continue doing what there ‘GREAT LEADER ECL, COMMANDER INCHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES” is doing and thats sending zambia backwards. Even when we see that there is a problem we choose to ignore it and only realize when its too late. This has to stop. Lets not think with our bellies or the items we are given, but lets think with our brains and see who can look out for the interests of the people and not just his own personal gain. Most of you who are making comments here are supporting a particular party obviously because in one way or the other you are…