President Rupiah Banda says that the forthcoming National INDABA scheduled for 4-5th April is not political but intended at deliberating and solving the economic problems facing the country as a result of the global economic recession.
In an interview with ZANIS at Matsapha airport in Swaziland shortly before his departure back to Lusaka, Mr. Banda pointed out that it is sad that some political parties have misinterpreted the planned INDABA.
“It is an economic INDABA intended to enable Zambians talk about their country and to find ways overcoming the effects of the global financial crisis,” explained Mr. Banda.
Government has in the 2009 national budget provided a number of incentives aimed at cushioning the impact of the global economic melt down on the country’s economy.
President Banda was in Swaziland to attend a one day Southern Africa Development Community-SADC Extraordinary summit aimed at discussing and charting the way forward on the economic recovery plan for Zimbabwe and to also resolve the current political unrest in Madagascar.
And Mr. Banda has described the one day extraordinary summit which came to a close last night as a success.
He further commended King Mswati III and his government for organizing the summit saying countries in the region are committed to solve problems affecting member states.
Mr. Banda who outlined some of the key issues which were resolved in the summit on the economic recovery plan for Zimbabwe and the political insecurity in Madagascar said the Heads of States and governments in the region are happy with progress made on the implementation of the unity government.
He however said SADC heads of states have agreed to work our measures of resuscitating the economy of Zimbabwe.
Meanwhile, President Banda has expressed concern that men and women in uniform are behind the violation of the constitution in Madagascar.
He said what happened in Madagascar was unconstitutional saying the ousting of a legitimately recognized government of President Marc Ravalomanana and ushering into office of a President Andre Rajeolina is another serious violation of the constitution for Madagascar.
“Indeed the constitution has been violated in Madagascar and we have seen men and women in uniform putting the law in their own hands by bringing in a person who is not of constitutional age among other acts,” he said.
Mr. Banda pointed out that all SADC countries are constitutional and SADC Heads of State have since condemned what happened in that country.
Mr. BANDA was among eight Heads of States and government who attended the one day Extraordinary summit which was chaired by His Majesty King Mswati III who is also Chairperson of the organ on Politics, Defense and Security.
President Banda has since arrived back home. He was received by a number of cabinet ministers, government heads and the ruling MMD cadres at the international airport. Defence chiefs were also on hand to welcome the President back home.
Among the notable were Vice President Anthony Kunda, Information and Broadcasting minister Lt. General Ronnie Shikapwasha, MMD National Secretary Katele Kalumba and other senior government figures
ZANIS/CBM/ENDS/MM
I hope it is not a social indaba.
Stimulus plan mudala.
Ba presidado can you talk less and improve the nation please. What have you done in the last 2 months that you are proud of?
Hope you wont be sleeping this time RB during the indaba [-x
#2, Stimulus plans/package would be great news. But I wonder if Zambia has any such strategies in place..
Another talk shop,that shud have been done before the budget.What recommendation can you implement when the budget is almost approved.What happened to the recommendations of the Levy INDABA? Dustbin.Stop wasting national time.What is the MMD policy on such? thats the party in power Rupiah jst want to divert attention from the humiliation coming out of the Dora tribunal
You know there are so many ways Zambia could benefit from this second great depression. There is already a greater transfer of shares from western mining companies to the government. However, there should be a real overhaul of foreign ownership of the economy. Make everyone pay their windfall tax, and if they don’t make them pay in shares. Make the mining companies pay their taxes in copper, and build up a national copper reserve, which will deflate the currency, and reinflate the currency by writing business loans and giving credit for an equal amount. Which would create hundreds of millions of dollars of loans, without creating inflation. That would get indigenous business going.
This “global economic meltdown” has become a misused term now. Can some journalist ask President RB Banda what he means by saying “global financial crisis”?
On “He however said SADC heads of states have agreed to work our [sic: out] measures of resuscitating the economy of Zimbabwe”, but how about resuscitating the economy of Zambia whose Kwacha currency was equal one-on-one to the British pound in the 1970s or so.
Why not let the Zimbabweans resolve their financial problems alone as they are big enough to do that instead of channeling the the British DFID money that Zambia receives to Zimbabwe when the Zimbabwean government can access that money for themselves directly from the…
where is it?
Funny how the government is constantly criticised for not listening to its people, yet when it facilitates a forum by which to do so, it is attacked for not ‘getting on with business’. As usual in Zambia – damned if you do, damned if you don’t. Whatever one’s feelings towards the government, it can still be commended for at least trying to dialogue with various sectors of society, which wasn’t the case under Kaunda or Chiluba. I mean seriously, must there alwyas be a knee-jerk opposition to every single government initiative? It really pays to have discretion in these matters and pick battles wisely. smh.
Talking economics and not politics? I am confused. But if you say so then let it be so. All in the name of the world economic crunch and not self government. Those who can see should open their eyes and will realize that there is a lot of talk in the name of Goliath (Economic Crunch) and less David (Government) action.
Can I also say that this so-called credit crunch is a fiction?
Yes 1984 you are welcome to say that. At least something different from your usual ” prepare for hard times ahead”.
This globally trumped up liquidity and credit crunch was orchestrated by the international bankers to achieve a Problem– reaction– solution.They create a PROBLEM(in this case credit crunch)then there is a REACTION(job loses)and then they offer a SOLUTION (global currency)to the problem they created.This is called a Hegelian dialectic.Please understand that this crisis was engineered,these people have always used the hegelian philosophy to manipulate events.PROBLEM–REACTION–SOLUTION.
#14, you never cease to amaze me. A real geuniee in a bottle.Keep it up.
#14 I totally disagree with you. Only the gin in a bottle can make you say that.
Do you know that if at all anyone saw this Goliath (E-crunch) coming they would have been the richest of the whole world by now? No one knew it was coming and no one was prepared. Just face it or if if is difficult to face it, then do a face-lift. I am now taking my 10 days Old daughter for a walk.
Cheerio
Congrats ba Jamaco. A new DAD. Welcome to the club!
It’s fun to note that every country including Zed is talking about “their” economies being affected by the global recession…when was our economy ever good…at least not since i have been born. So it will be nice to hear what the deliberations of the indaba will be…good lucky.
Ba Jamaco, nomba the 10 days old daugther is already walking lol….nika tona. I guess she is also already talking…Anyway, take good care of the mbino!
The previous INDABA recommended 14 government Ministries. I am not too sure how many this one will recommend and if at all that recommendation will be looked at
#18, our economy has improved over the last few years, as evinced by the stability of the Kwacha before the credit crunch. Inflation was reduced and our foreign reserves increased. It’s far from perfect, but there were improvements.
Hey LT do we have a new vice president now by the name of Anthony Kunda?i thought the name of the Vice president was George Kunda. LT with your mistakes muka panga po fye umulandu ka.
Stripper how are you?is that your leg?
such gatherings do not result in anything relevant to the issues at hand.Running govt is a complex process. Interventions to such complex issues will most definitely not come out of such gatherings. It ‘sgood to be seen to be involving everybody but that is not sufficient for the purpose.We need to get more serious than this in our approach toaddresing presing national issues. Iwant to see efforts; to poverty alleviation,infructructure development education system improvement and matters of that nature. This indaba is a waste of money we desparate need at this stage to address food security.Ba Bwezani is not seeeing that there is trouble looming. This is no time to start seeking acceptance.
Lets hope they will re-recommend the 14 govt ministries again this time around coz to me minisries like Gender is a waste of money especially that there a Department of Gender-in-development at Cabinet office headed by a Permanent Secretary.
#16 I knew that Goliath (E-crunch) coming and i also know that their solution will be diabolical.One thing i did not know was the timing.PREPARE FOR HARD TIMES AHEAD.
How many indabas are you going to have you mmd government? You are just wasting money taking drinks and chewing to much during these talk shows.But we dont see any results,you know the problems people are facing do you have to sit down again and ask? Just act and stop wasting time.Zambians good at talking but no implementation.Can you even stop mentioning that name indaba please.Be seriousy!
Infact they could put off this meaningless meeting instead use that money to cushion the effect of the ZESCO tariff adjustment .If they think it ‘s inevitable for the tariff to be raised. This country has paid a high price for political machination which todate has not yielded much.It ‘s about time we began relooking at the political system in our country. I am not convinced we have an appropriate system right now.This is a country that should be spending money at end user goods services and infrustructure and not sytems that not yield anything.
# 23 Chewe the virgin…thats my leg.. I am fine and how are you doing?
As long as RB continues to fly in that special plane he will not work towards the creation of a national carrier.Can you imagine Mugabe with his damaged economy has still managed still maintain air zim.What a shame! When will we ever learn as Zambians?A holiday in Zambia is extremely expensive.It is even cheaper to go to SA than our motherland.And for as long as BA continues to monopolise the air industry we wont go anywhere.Govt could have taken over ZA if they wanted to.But because they wanted to prove a point to the ZA directors (as if..).
Stripper your leg looks nice we.So attractive ka.
Its hard to separate politics from economics at such gatherings. If you want to discuss economics call the Zambian greatest minds in economics first, then consult the others. Otherwise the conclusions of the conference shall be diluted by the political interests.
Why hard on Madagascar but soft on Zimbabwe? ha ha I can picture Mugabe taking a stand on the Madagascar issue. What irony.
@#30. I wouldn’t call Zim Air “maintained”. At least RB is not hoarding the country’s airline to take personal trips abroad when he feels like it like Mugage, even when a plane is on a scheduled flight to another destination. Would you rather we have a massively-indebted airline just for the sake of having an airline? That didn’t work under Kaunda with Zambia Airways.
There , are, occasions, I have , independently thought weather shall we go….How do we handle consensuses
Gentlemen just press for an invitation to go and participate as a youth or as a representative of a youth organisation. if you are keen to help this country that is a more effective forum to submit your valuable contributions than LT. not that LT is not good but unlike on LT, at the Indaba minutes containing your contributions will be produced an action plan with definate responsibilities will be produced and progrees will be measured based on the tasksin the action plan.
Reports are indicating that Zambia is to financially help Zimbabwe alongside other SADC countries by contributing towards coming up with US$ 10 Billion that Zimbabwe needs as a stimulus package to help her move back to its original position or near it. Sad enough, the Zimbabwean leader can easily access such money from the British but is selfishly now going to milk Zambia of the money the British give to us for good behaviour while he speaks all sorts of things against them. Where is the sense in this? I urge the British to reconsider their financial help to Zambia if we are going to start misusing the funds that they give us for making positive strides in democracy and transparency.
Very sad that our leaders are agreeing to some of the proposals that those who covertly support the Zimbabwean leader are now bring on us. I believe that Zambia contributed enough to Zimbabwe in the past starting with copper that developed Harare into a City it is today during the federation days and ending with the driving out of colonial rule in the 1980s and round about there. The Zimbabweans who then became better off than Zambians when things went wrong for us could not even help us properly save foe their mocking us that Zambia had a weak economy. Now, Zambia is about to start sending its begged money from Britain and others to help the same Zimbabwe which does not show seriousness.