FIRST Lady Esther Lungu says she will not sit idly by in State House because she wants to help uplift the lives of women, elderly people and other vulnerable people across the country.
Mrs Lungu said this yesterday here where she will today meet traditional leaders and women belonging to different clubs.
“I want to see to it that women are uplifted; and the physically challenged as well,” she said.
Mrs Lungu said she does not want to concentrate on helping the needy in Lusaka only, hence embarking on provincial tours.
“As the mother of the nation, you ought to know how your children are faring. I cannot only concentrate on the people of Lusaka since State House is in Lusaka,” she said.
The First Lady also urged Zambians to embrace albinos, saying it is sad that they [albinos] are being killed in other countries.
She also said she is happy with the development projects that Government is undertaking in Itezhi Tezhi.
And Central Province permanent secretary Edwidge Mutale said Itezhi Tezhi is a vast district with a rough terrain that has affected the well-being of women and girls.
Ms Mutale said it is encouraging that Mrs Lungu is visiting the district to meet women to know their needs.
Earlier, Itezhi Tezhi acting district commissioner Akatama Malikana informed Mrs Lungu that the district has 244 women clubs involved in basket-making, Knitting, peanut butter-making, poultry and goat rearing.
Ms Malikana also said 6,000 people are benefiting from the food security pack programme, and that Government is undertaking several development projects in the district.
Among the people who welcomed Mrs Lungu at Uphill Secondary School grounds were Itezhi Tezhi member of Parliament Grayford Moonde, members of the Ministers’ Spouses Club, and several Itezhi Tezhi residents.
Mama Betty Kaunda stayed “idly” for 26 years, raising her family. Never did we see her daughters allover the place shouting “… UNIP mulilo uwakata apya”. And women had decent lives, ask Inonge Wina, Kankasa and others.
Things have now, the first lady calling herself “MOTHER of THE NATION”, is the one to do run a Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child.
By every degree, it is irrational to compare the era of Mama Kaunda to this post UNIP dispensation. Those of us who grow up in UNIP vividly member and attest that neo-con political system has left many countries, society and families severely damaged. Though reforms where a must, the effects of post UNIP political order has has turned out too adverse, disorienting and obliterating nations. UNIP Government had resource ownership, control of state parse from ZCCM, ZIMCO, FINDECO, MINDECO and every grabbed assets from those perceived inimical to the party and its Government. Extended families then were strong, social welfare programs existed with full backing of GRZ using funds from ZCCM. These things are all gone at the hands of our own treacherous Zambians turned front men of…
Government resources to drive meaningful social programs for the most hit Zambians is almost none existing if not all but gone. Sadly, at the hands of our very own treacherous Zambians turned front men of multi-national corporations. In UNIP there was no reason whatsoever for citizens such as Mana Kaunda to get alarmed with the welfare of people because UNIP had resources to support its many programs. But today with a hundred fold population burst, compounding problems among the poor have burst to depressing levels. No normal person would chose inaction, remain indifferent or start politicking against a noble cause. Mama Lungu has every moral duty to mobilize support for the most vulnerable. We need to promote her programs, connect, and encourage her wherever we pitch Zambia.
If you grew up in UNIP, you would be depressed to see how much damage neo-con schemes have done to our beloved country. All national resources stolen and shared among usable criminals today flaunting wealth and chasing power to rule the same defrauded Zambian. In some barbarian era, nations or indeed under UNIP creed, some of these treacherous criminals could have long been executed by firing squads God forbid. Think of the measure of damage their schemes of complicity in stripping the country of every asset just to serve their hiring masters and get, pay-off in shares, or board appointments at the expense of their fellow Zambians has done.
This mother father mentality with our leaders is what’s hindering us to progress and be responsible. Thank you Mama Lungu but I have my own mother. We are all visiting earth, at one point we’ll all depart, we are all equals.
My mother has helped many children and women in her community on a shoe string budget. She is one hell of a CEO and accountant at the same time.
I’m sorry Senior Citizen but you left me with no choice. You are that older man that a youth like would slap for acting foolishly at family gathering and your peers would cheer me on as I roll you in the mud. Sorry
@Nostradamus… Just imagine! Mama Betty was mother of the nation, then maybe maka yama and ba maureen, bana Tasila and Tandiwe are/were ladies,..first ladies
Zambians like to be in the comfort zone, anything outside the box freaks them out!
With all due respect, Mrs Lungu’s modest eduction makes her ill qualified to make any meaningful contribution in the manner she is trying to do. She is not the calibre of Dr.Maureen Mwanawasa nor Dr.Christine Kaseba. Shouting Pabwato and distributing handouts will not add value to anyone
I was hoping the former first ladies would stand with the current first lady on this one considering that they too did similar works. @ Senior citizen,I enjoy reading your comments……they are full of wisdom.
We don’t mind you Mrs Lungu going round helping vulnerable women,what we mind is you using government resources and tax payers money to do so…those blankets from china you are donating will not help alleviate poverty in the long run.How about setting up our own blanket manufacturing company that employs those women- now that will definitely bear fruits for years to come
I hear you man. Who told her that she is now mother of the nation? By being a wife to a sitting President does not entitle you to being the mother of the nation. Mothers and fathers of the Zambian nation are those that fought for the independence and formation of Zambia as a new nation
Esther the question is not staying idly at State House, but where you have been getting your funds for your charity errands in helicopters all over the country. That is the question you should respond to. For most of us you are free to go anywhere you like or do whatever you like as long as you are not using state funds
Esther you gone to say and I quote “I want to see to it that women are uplifted; and the physically challenged as well,” she said” The big question is? Where were you all this time?…
Of course we understand the clout “first lady” title wields. She can be an ambassador to highlight a cause like women education, poverty, etc, (Christine chose cervical/breast cancer) & people will talk about that long after she’s gone. Giving alms (especially from stolen money) is won’t do.
But then again you feel for the lady. What’s she gonna be doing in Nkwazi house alone when the hubby is flying around getting himself drunk.
@nostra look that coloured woman behind greyford monde is his wife..what do thnk she is doing there and u expect her excellence to be home…
And this one talking here was a mother even when she was staying in chawama. Surprising that she could not ask for funds from the law firm to help the poor before she stepped in State House, since poor people have always been with us.
Talk of UKUSAMWA……….
The reality is that after we burry the JAMESON at embassy park, this same person will be squatting at ” her mother’s place”. I’m just saying….. I mean ask our beloved Dr Kaseba…..
Mrs lungu, that helicopter you use does not run for free. It costs money. That hudge delegation you travel either gets allowances , and need accommodating, all that is money. Don’t think that because it is GRZ it is free.
Our First Lady ‘Esther’ seems to be a very DULL Mother. How come a normal person spends One Millions Kwacha traveling in a helicopter only to deliver things worth K500 000? Is that being normal?
People close to her told me that to go and come from Mongu for example; a helicopter consumes fuel worth K100,000 but there was our first lady taking wheel chairs and other items worth K50,000. Is that being normal mwebantu? It seems State House is full of imbaciles masquarading as Presidents (Drunkard Edgar Kachasu Lungu), First Ladies (Dull Esther Lungu) or First Daughter or princess (Foolish PF Carder Tasila Lungu )
Mmmmmmmm how much is litre of jet A1 mwebantu for a heli to consume fuel worth K100,000. Zonda uleme tamwaka tekepo.
What you Dr. Malama mean is that these three beings should be turned into mummies and hanged on the trees at statehouse, of what use to society are they going to be then for the rest of the term in office?
Our First Lady ‘Esther’ seems to be a very DULL Mother. How come a normal person spends One Millions Kwacha traveling in a helicopter only to deliver things worth K500 000? Is that being normal?
People close to her told me that to go and come from Mongu for example; a helicopter consumes fuel worth K100,000 but there was our first lady taking wheel chairs and other items worth K50,000. Is that being normal mwebantu? It seems State House is full of imbaciles masquarading as Presidents (Drunkard Edgar Kachasu Lungu), First Ladies (Dull Esther Lungu) or First Daughter or princess (Foolish PF Carder Tasila Lungu )..
The first lady should just come in open and tell everyone that she is caampaigning for her failure in life husband.
Haters will hate
And rightly so!!!
We don’t operate in aa vacuum. While I do not oppose the First Lady’s activities, let it be assigned by parliament for the purpose of accountability. Operating haphazardly has, by all means, to draw mixed public attention.
The nation needs a mother, we are happy to hear that. Remember to pray and visit more OVC children too. We keep praying for you Mama
Exclude me and my family cos we don’t need your handouts…
This is simply a campaign gimmick….self declared mama, reduce dollar exchange rate to K5 and diesel to K4/litre and bring bread price and mealie meal to below RB time.
Did she pay for the Chopper in the background? Is she a Govt official for her to be entitled to travel using a Govt Chopper? These are the questions pipo are asking. If her charity organizations have adequate donations, let her use the funds to travel not using ZAF Choppers.
Buluya! Who told her that she is the mother of the nation? Sha! Typical village mentallity,only kaunda qualifies to be ‘father’ of the nation,because he was founding president.boonse aba nibangwele!:
Is that all you have picked from the article?
@ John Chinena
No, we also picked up lack of accountability and waste of tax-payers money on the pretext of “social responsibility” for the malaise caused by the “father” (LOL) of the Nation and his folowers
Who made her the mother of the nation when its us paying for her allowances, travel and gifts via a slush fund…what happens when her lazy bum of a president ceases to be head of state? Let’s see if she will be mother then; she will quietly fade away like the Kasebas of this world.
Comment:which mother would steal from her own children (us ordinary Zambians)? You are most definitely not my mother!!!
I think pa Zed all we have are critics! Pa Zed ifyakulanda fyalipwa,no meaningfull debate!
Mwandi mama you are doing a great job. At least you are uplifting fellow womens lives. Unlike chi KILI who was threatened by womens beauty . At least now we have a mother any child can run to and you know you will be heard. Kudos amake Tasila us the zambian beauties love you
Imwe naimwe, who is better looking between Ether Lungu and Kili Sata? I also think Mumba and Mwelwa Sata look better than Tasila – not sure about Stella though. Anyway, it is a matter of opinion.
That’s your private conversation you need to having with your husband not us!
Nobody says you should stay iddle in State House but you should use your own Resources NOT OUR MONEY in your Gallivanting.
I hope this is clear – you have no position in our constitution mate and your Husband knows this!!
If she is our mother then the lazy bum is our father…what folly!!
WHAT IS WRONG WITH THESE FIRST LADIES IN ZAMBIA? WHY ARE THEY SUCH BLINDFOLDED? EACH FIRST LADY THAT COMES IN LISTENS TO LOOTERS WHO ADVISE HER TO START LOOTING OUR BELOVED COUNTRY OF ITS ALREADY LOOTED AND MEAGER RESOURCES. WHY ARE PEOPLE SUCH SELFISH? WHY DON’T YOU CARE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION AFTER YOU ARE DEAD? PLEASE WATCH OUT BECAUSE YOU MAY NOT LIVE TO ENJOY YOUR CORRUPTLY OBTAINED WEALTH FOR LONG. GOD HITS HARD.
Zambian government coffers are full of cash whenever the word President is mentioned. The same coffers shrink to empty whenever health and education for the ordinary Zambian is mentioned.
The roles the first lady is playing belong to the Ministries of Community Development, Gender and Child Development. I am very sure those Ministries are not awash with funds at the moment. They are struggling. This is just WRONG. Who might correct the wrong since our Parliament is under the control of the ruling PF and the Executive? And there are no laws to support ordinary Zambians to challenge what Cabinet Office is doing – dishing out boxes of cash for the first lady to take continuous country tours distributing cheap blankets. Is that the way government has chosen to fight poverty? This is the…
This is the reason the ruling party is totally opposed to a new constitution. Many ordinary Zambians support this out of sheer ignorance. Yes constitution can put food on your table by stopping the government from misusing your taxpayers money. How I pray that one day someone will be made to answer for this in a court of law. This is the only way this wastage will stop. My mother passed away in 1993 in poverty and we buried her in an unmarked grave.
It is not bad to do charity work to the less privileged in society. The problem of democracy is that nothing will EVER GO with a comment!!
As the wife of a president whose approval ratings are competing with the Kwacha for a race to the bottom, you should probably stay out of the fray madam.
This nonsense of mother of the nation should come to an immediate stop we mama kunda in state house for 27 tear never did she call herself that nor abuse public funds please NGOS fight this and you opposition MPS , Esther Lungu can not be my mother never let her restrict herself to her husband unless she wants to be insulted.
Jealousy will never take you anywhere ! The first Lady is entitled to do charity work world over.If you are ignorant in up and down party,you can go to hell since its now very clear that you will never see state house.
But who asked you to do something. If you dont we wont miss you
Who told Esther that she is mother of nation? It’s non.sense to put herself there. In Zambia we have no mother of nation, we have a First Lady, that does not mean mother of nation.
Zambia as a nation has entered a new period altogether and it will be naivity to compare with mama KK. The world is in fast track mode development, because even countries that were not developing are now seeing themselves in fast truck mode. What should be told to Zambians is that, Zambia will never be the same again and if we do not work extra hard, we should bless for harder times ahead. At this time and age, everyone is able to access information and knows what is happening world wide, as such it is no longer Zambia alone but it is the world. Those who read and write , please inform those who are not previlliged to say that Zambia as part of the world we are all in fast track development or the opposite.