The Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) says that the United Party for National Development (UPND) should not think that it is destined to win the 2011 presidential and general elections merely because it won the Solwezi Central parliamentary by-election last week.
In an interview yesterday, MMD national secretary Katele Kalumba has said although it is true that the MMD party is devastated by the loss of the Solwezi Central by-election, the ruling party is not discouraged.
“The party is working towards re-organising itself. People can make mistakes and our overall goal is to correct the errors and move on,” he said.
Mr Kalumba said it is wrong for Mr Hichilema to claim that the MMD’s loss of the Solwezi Central by-election is an indication that the MMD will lose the 2011 polls.
“In politics, even one week is enough to change things. I know they have a reason to celebrate, but it would be too much for him to think they can win the 2011 general elections,” Mr Kalumba said.
He said that in politics, victory in a by-election does not mean that the war has been won, considering the country’s huge population.
He said that the MMD has learnt from its mistakes and is working tirelessly to resolve its own problems.
Mr Kalumba said he has no doubt that under the leadership of President Banda, the MMD will be able to move on and make a great impact in 2011.
“As a party, we need to move forward. We have lost but we are not discouraged,” he said.
The UPND’s Watson Lumba won the Solwezi Central by-election with 5,669 votes while the MMD’s Albert Chifita was a distant second with 4,457 votes.
Others who contested in the race were Muhammad Kalela of the Forum for Democratic Alternative, who polled 189 votes and independent candidate Thomas Kafula who got 51 votes.
The seat fell vacant following the death of former Local Government and Housing Minister Mr Ben Tetamashimba who was an MMD MP.
True never too late esp if one can rig yaba…..Dont celebrate too early you will collapse ka.
I fully support Katele, these quacks think they are at plot 1already. MMD’s power should not underplayed. 2011 is still far, some of these old lizards will be dead before then.
It’s a stepping stone for the good things to come for the pact.if you can loose a seat in your own strong hold where are you going to get other votes from? Shame on you Katele, pipo now know your tricks , you are going come 2011.
Mpombo, Shakafuswa, Chibombamilimo resign voluntarily so that we the pact we can show them that we are really strong.WE GET THEM ALL. M w atumpa sa na ba MMD
Why the fu.ck is katele and his friends like kunda failing to acknowledge that it is now the pact at work and not UPND as an individual party.It seems like this guys want to play down the presence of the pact.Viva the pact 2011 here we come
Children in working democracy you need a strong opposition, be it UNIP, who carries the day as opposition leaders in parliament, we just need that. It will see us good and move forward in development.
What hate about politics is they send more time on talking and insulting each other instead of providing solutions
PACT ni chwe chwe chwe chwe chwe….Unless the MMD bring in Miyanda, they will be the former ruling party come 2011.
These people must understand that Nyama Soya is a liability. It is little wonder VJ, Suresh Desai, Aka et al, organised that clandestine meeting at Andrews wihout the knowledge of Katele.
MMD-thieves start packing now. Your time to go to your farms has come. Which normally thinking person can vote for this useless party full of jockers?????
Bloggers, please log on to the Post newspaper and read for yourselves a statement by VJ attacking Katele. There is a serious in-fighting in the dying MMD and they are now cracking. The Solwezi and Kasama election losses spelt their doom.
Shakafuswa, Chibombamilimo, Mpombo and Magande please create vacancies so that we show these bastards that the pact is here to stay and grasp all these seats
KATELE its true that UPND alone cannot win the general elections. But you are missing the point. UPND is not working alone. UPND is working with PF. PF is the second largest opposition and UPND third. These two efforts combined together will undoubtedly win the 2011 elections. The pact is very strong and I am happy to be part and parcel of it. This time around no amount of rigging will work. The fact that you can’t bring yourselves to accept the presence of the fact tells everyone that you are in fact not doing anything practical to counter the losses. VIVA PF, VIVA UPND, VIVA PACT. TULI PACI BWATOOOOOOOOO
I am VERY saddened by the chegnas to Sattcki Online, the fact that you cant just click on the artists name to get to thier page I think will stop people from searching out the artist in the Top Ten of the week that they are looking at. I also find it a very large DRAG that they have removed the artists BLOG page , which I thought was VERY interesting and REALLY showed that this site is not just about the RICH and FAMOUS artists out there, but a site for ALL artists out there TRYING to get looked at by the general public, thats all for now peace..RULA
Katele don’t play with the voters you will be disappointed do you remember why we the people removed UNIP just for you and your friends in MMD to bring it back in the name of Banda, we the people will have the last laugh again.
mmd will not from any mistakes because they dont listen and learn, i guess this is the African way of leadership….Never listen never learn until disaster what a shame!!!!
Well it is no longer anybodys secret that the MMD is headed for the door.The fact that senior party members like VJ and desai have started organising secrete meeting without the aproval of the partys national secretary speaks a lot of volumes.
Truth of the matter is ,if the MMD win the 2011 elections there will be unprecedented violence in Zambia. Unless , ofcourse , they miraculously turn the economy around between now and then.
Whose that Ghost face vuman?
MMD stop calling names just get your packages put them in readness for exit people want change this time around
Ba Katele icindikeni.we all know yo tricks supported by yo crooked mind….CHICK COLOUR.
chi katele waba ubuloshi, we all know that MMD has already started planing on rigging 2011 elections
as # 8 rightly put it, the major liabiltiy in the MMD is RB himself and the likes of Mulongoti, Ronnie and all. The only way this party can be redeemed and even have a flicker of chance of winning 2011 is if these elements are removed. Its just logical.
#13 PF is not the 2nd biggest OPPOSITION political party,it is the first!UPND is 2nd..these 2 combined they are unstoppable.
the MMDs failure to recognise the pact is their first step in destabilising and disorganising the opposition.should they succeed to break apart the pact we are doomed!i wish elections were next year.2011 gives them too much time to exercise their evil endeavours.
we should be advising you not to think you are going win the 2011 election and not the other way round, thugs!!!!!
Now the elections are over, people of Solwezi were promised new schools, boreholes and the rest. Is this the last time people of Solwezi will see George Kunda and his cronies riding off into the sunset and never to be seen until the next elections. What a bunch of losers!!! People of Solwezi pursue these criminals and make them eat their own promises……
Katele face the truth chap…you snagoma…
Who is this chik with Katele in Picture? Basuba sana pa eye lid to she could look beautiful. A beautiful lady can only be identified immediately she gets out of bed not thru make ups.
#2 Wa tall mber no call. Wanya unyengeshefye apo ule bulapofye. Mukaya muchifungo no call in door full.
FODEP DISSAPOINTED WITH THE SOLWEZI ELECTION
The foundation for democratic process (FODEP) has charged that the just ended solwezi central by election is not something that anyone should begin to celebrate about because it failed to meet both the local and international standards free and credible elections.
FODEP president, Stanley Mhango says that the by election was marred by a lot of unnecessary violence which should not be entertained at a point when the nation greatly needs to find solutions to so many issues that have arisen socially and economically.
Mr. mhango says that violent culture that was exhibited in the last three by election shows that the relevant authorities are not doing enough to ensure electoral act is being implemented.Meanwhile, MR. Mhango has observed that the voter apathy that has been recorded in the few elections conducted across the country is due to the fact that people have begun to lose confidence in the politicians.
He says that people are looking forward to leaders who will address their needs and not just insult each other at every moment they get.
Solwezi victory not reflection of reality-Musonda
Centre for Election and Governance (CEG) Trustee, Gershom Musonda
has advised the opposition PF/UPND to concentrate on developmental issues than celebrating on the Solwezi by-election.
Mr. Musonda says the pact has been obsessed with the election victory in Solwezi and forgotten to do their role of advocating for the people.
He has also charged that the Pact’s victory in the Solwezi by-election is not the reflection of the situation on the ground.
Mr. Musonda told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that pact should not over celebrate the victory as there are yet to be tested of their popularity once they hold a convention.
He said people are just over excited with the news of the pact but is not the true reflection that the pact is here to stay.
“They pact is too obsessed with the victory in Solwezi but this is not a reflection of the whole situation on the ground. People voted for them because they are just excited, but there is the issue of the convention and once they choose a leader that’s when we will see that there are here to stay” he said.
Mr. Musonda said the pact should instead advocate for the mobile issuance of the National Registration Cards which is taking place in some areas and other things that are of national importance.
He said they should also resolve some of the internal wrangles in their respective parties especially the PF which seems to have unresolved problems.
Kuku bwamba bobe
Someone please tell me, for such an important seat as Solwezi, how come the MMD did not rig the elctions? Does rigging only take place when MMD wins? Just exposes bad losers doesn’t it? I wonder how they will take the huge loss in 2011 which is surely coming. I say surely coming because I see that the pact is between leaders rather the grass roots. Even among MPs I am sure they “support” the pact just to be seen to be loyal to their presidents, otherwise they would “go” the same way as Major Chizyuka. By the way I am not MMD, just an independent observer of the political scene.
Since ruling MMD ushered in plural politics in 1991, Solwezi Central constituency has kept changing party alignments 5 times. Following MMD triumph in 1991, it was lost by a land slide margin to Humphrey Mulemba under his then National Party following a push out of MMD in the early 90s.Two years later, MMD retained it but in early 2000s it was again lost it to Mazoka’s UPND with a defining run away margin.
Exactly some two years later Solwezi Central seat was regained by the ruling MMD until the untimely death of Hon.Teta this year.
Anyone who is not a dementia patient know this fact that the history of Solwezi Central is not worth taking for guaranteed especially when it has been won with a dismal margin of 1200 votes forgoing over 17,000 plus votes out of 34,600 registered. Solwezi Central voters’ alignment history is of going back and forth. To be comfortable, a winner there needs to convert and pull out not less than 17,000 or win with a runaway margin of not less than 67% above the percentile of closest rival.
There is no voting security for 2011 considering that the remaining 18,000 plus voters are unconverted for the confusion of the PACT leadership struggle about to ensure. HH now artificially namena amapapiko, he believes more than ever before that he should be the PACT candidate a dream Sata will tear down and trash. Had he lost Solwezi, it could have helped in a compromised negotiation for Presidency, but under a majority MMD Parliament where the issue of running mate or Prime Minister remains a fallacy, HH’s insecurity of becoming VP in a non binding PACT’s imaginary Government is overwhelming him.
HH’s base will not take kindly any call of him deputizing Sata a man they know insulted and kicked late Mazoka out of MMD any issue haunting HH. His base will press for nothing less than realizing their “Tonga only President dream”. Even HH himself with the Solwezi Central seat frenzy and data that Sata is in uncharted waters in Luapula, is for nothing less but PACT Presidency no different ambition to the naturally fixated Sata. But the republican constitution has no room for a dual Presidency in this country. This means the drama begins here.
Katele should be ashamed of himself 1). he advised UPND to go alone since they are becoming popular. Now since when can an enemy give good advice? 2) VJ the master rigger is not happy about Katele. Do you think VJ will continue rigging elections at his frail old age? 3). Katele should worry about Magande team 4). He may to escape jail since the judiciary is worried
Veteran I enjoyed the solwezi vote despite your foul language, HH your father won.
#39 DRAMA begins and ends in your head
Veteran has finally emerged from the dead with his wishful analysis. Ba Veteran the issue at hand is that the MMD’s loss in Solwezi is an indicator of things to come. For sure anything can happen in politics but we can’t dwell on what has not yet happened. Who knows, future events may just work out negatively for the MMD. The likes of Katele and Veteran have now become like Zambian football pundits who always hope they’ll qualify for the world cup if something bad happens to the other team. We are all God’s creatures and wishing the others bad will not help the MMD. Logic tells us MMD will soon belong to the political dustbins of Zambia.
The sign is that MMD is going, if elections were held tommorow. But no the election is not tommoro and there are too many dynamics at play. E. g. who will lead the pact, how will the MP’s be selected , will UPND members be happy to under a PFpresident ? or will PF cadres be happy to be under UPND president ? What about the tribal card? How will northern and Luapula vote if HH leads ? How will Southern, central and Western vote if Sata leads the PACT. Will they agree themselves who will lead the PACT
Livinstonian keep in mind that VJ or Katele ( hate them or love them) have been at the helm of the ZAmbiam politics from 1990. They understand the game very well, they can always be wrong but they certainly do know the game of politics… It is way too early to judge. Just think of how Sata won seats which had been won by the MMD on the copperbelt just before the 2006 election. Tell me if he won
The issue of who’ll be the pact’s leader will be sorted out at the right time. It appears for now this has become the MMD’s political weapon. The two leaders are not that stupid. They know that if they don’t handle it maturely that will mean the end of their political carriers. The pact will come out of this with an amicable agreement. For now the MMD should concentrate on sorting out their problems. They’ll remember Magande.
Positivist – Don’t get carried away, VJ and Katele are spent forces. They belong to the Jurassic park of Zambian politics. There won’t be any old fashioned politics this time. The pact has sharpened their political gymics including the Mapatizya formulae and the formulae they used in Solwezi.
i HAVE TO GO BUT KEEP IN MIND THAT THIS IS NOT ABOUT THE LEADERS BEING STUPID OR SOMETHING. bUT THE QUEST FOR POLITICAL POWER NORMALLY BRINGS DIVISIONS. iTS NOT ABOUT BEING STUPID. aND ANYWAY THE CHOICE OF LEADER WILL HAVE AN IMPACT ON REGIONAL FOLLOWING. oH AND IF vj AND KATELE ARE SPENT FORCES, THAT PROBABLY MEANS SATA IS SENILE. HE IS OLDER THAN THEM BOTH AND HAS BEEN AT POLTICS MUCH LONGER THAT KATELE.. ALL I AM TRYING TO SAY IS LOOK AT MATTERS OBJECTIVELY…. POLITICS LIKE ANY OTHER COMPETITION HAS A LOT VARIABLES THAT ARE NOT DETERMINED BY ANGER OR EMOTION ITS THE DYNAMICS ON THE GROUND WHICH DO INCLUDE RIGGING AND ABUSE OF GOVT RESOURCES
a journey of a thousand kilometres begins with a step. the step was solwezi then they will be another and another, before we know it sata will be in control.
Veteran, there you again, spewing your rhetoric. I don’t think that you get it. MMD is a useless party, which will soon be kicked out. Just face reality man, your ridiculous party will soon be on life support.
Katele should just be quiet and brace himself for more defeats. MMD faces huge issues, most notably corruption and lack of accountability. RB, with the help of his best Kafupi, is dragging MMD into oblivion. Thank you Kafupi for making yourself the poster child of MMD.
To be honest, I don’t think the Pact will win the 2011 elections. The problem is they are trying hard to use the tactics of pre -1991 election to hound Rupiah Banda out of office. Politics of confederations where the Babylonian press is trying hard to mobilise fake churches, gullible masses,foreign diplomats and round faced NGO leaders to discredit Government. Every single day we see bare faced lies against Rupiah Banda to cower the man into submission. I presume he Mr Banda has learned the lessons of 1991 – Do Not Believe the Babylonian Press, they only report manipulative lies to control others. If Mr Banda has stolen please report where he has stolen from and how much. Otherwise this witchcraft mentality of trying to control others through lies will not be believed anymore…
To be honest the pact will win the 2011 elections
Dr. Kalumba Katela has a point. There are stil alot of serious issues to be resolved in the Pact. As it is at the moment we dont know which candidate the pact is going to field and MMD is wishing for any dispute of that subject. that is their strength at the moment.
I am sure Dr. Katele Kalumba would have said otherwise, but for the criminal cases he is facing. It pays to stick to MMD if you are facing jail.
hoooooo,what has happened with MMD fishing pond gone dry in Solwezi? all there fishing ponds will be dry by 2011, Katele want or NOT.
Tell this lady with Kalumba that she is so dirty!!!! how can she paint herself like that…!!! I still remember when I was living in botswana,,,,they used to laugh at some of the zambian ladies of painting themselves…!! here in uk, it is the nigerian women been laughed at..!!! what wrong you black people…!!!!! Even choosing a president you trust somebody to build houses withinn 90 days…!!!!! he was been in goverment nearly for 4 decades,,, now you think is your saviour!!!
The problem with a general election as oppossed to a by-election is that their is a general lack of vigilance in monitoring elections and the results. That’s how VJ and the like are notorius at manipulating results from remote outposts, given the vastness of zambia, the small population,the general lack of infrastracture and communication capabilities! Unless we improve on the levels of education(civic and otherwise!), and a lot of other general facets “normal life”of our people, and re-organise the appointment of Commissioners and staff at ECZ and change its operational aspects, we are doomed to have unfair general elections.
Katele is spot on UPND cant win the presidential elections but the PACT will..!!! Sorry Katele as true as your statement may be UPND will still be the ones celebrating in 2011 as the PACT will be in power….
The Solwezi sit was indeed a litmus test, a test which has proved that the popu;arity of MMD has droped by a thousand votes. Instead of busy celebrating, HH and this PACT whould quickly decide on who will lead. As it is now, the speaker has declared that there shall be no more parliamentary elections unless in the case of death. Therefore, the need for a consolidated electoral pact in by elections has come to an end, its service is outlived. The next stance should be to consolidate the pact by picking one sole commander who will provide the leadership to which all others will follow. This Commander should preferably be anyone other than HH or Sata….because, a decision on HH will cost the PACT the whole northern vote without a doubt, in any sane Zambians mind.
#60 contd…similarly without doubt, and I repeat mark these words, Sata as presidnet will cost the PACT a Southern vote, and this vote could easily be swayed into the hands of MMD as it stands now. The people of Southern provine have development they have never seen since 1964, hence Sata at the rhelm, will easily throw this vote to MMD without any hesitance.
Therefore a neutral candidate needs to be found, a man who will be lected president, and be deuptised by Sata and HH respectively. This is th eonly solution for unity in this pact….otherwise, the begining of its downfall has just begun. Pick a nuetral candidate, without tribal inclination, a person to be chosen at the convention.
I am reliably informed that there are some real Intelectuals in the wings who have decided to join politics. The likes of Elias Chipimo Jr and John Sangwa. The problem is where they will start from. The amount of time required to mobilised is too short to make an impact in 2011. These are the only kinds of people who can bring real change that Zambia needs. HH is a very smart guy. I really do like him. I hope SATA can continue with his heart problems so that by 2011, he may have kicked the bucket and then….. ITS HH ALL THE WAY!!!! N I C E!!!
Somewhere in NYI’ll have to look into the EEOC further. I’ve seen pelope who came back from disability and within a month they were forced into resigning because of the new Q/A process. People who had been here for 10 or more years, over the age of forty, forced to quit because they, within the last 6 months, could not keep up with the workloads. This is a great tool to develop a lawsuit. I’m in!