It is shameful and un-African to neglect elderly parents and grand-parents on account of ill-health, Southern Province Minister Daniel Munkombwe has said.
And Dambwa North Senior Citizens Organization (DANESECO) president, Saxon Simachembele, has said that the massive wastage of knowledge and skills that goes with retired people is worrisome.
In a speech read for him by Southern Province Permanent Secretary,Darius Hakayobe during the official launch of the Dambwa North and Maramba Senior Citizens Organization, Mr. Munkombwe said
it is a source of deep concern that the rights of senior citizens have continued to be violated daily and added that government is determined to deal with the scourge.
“The abuse of senior citizens is a phenomenon that has been observed by my province and the nation to be increasing and becoming more prevalent in our communities and nation,” the minister said.
Mr. Munkombwe said government is determined to deal with the scourge by preparing the Senior Citizens Policy, the Senior Citizens Legislation and the Senior Citizens Regulations to ensure that the
rights of senior citizens are protected and safeguarded fully.
“I ask you to prepare a senior citizens policy that will guide development for the elderly and provide for legislation and regulations which will stop such practices as elderly abuse and senior citizens neglect and abuse of the rights of senior citizens,” Mr. Munkombwe said.
The minister said although Zambia is a relatively youthful country in comparison with European countries, it still needs its elderly citizens.
“This is because the youth are impulsive and not as patient as the elderly. “We need not abuse the elderly because of their massive contribution to the development of the nation,” he said.
The minister said the new deal government strongly supports senior citizens through Non Governmental Organizations and promotes initiatives that promote self-reliance and self-help among senior citizens.
“We need to support senior citizens to be able to support themselves because it is only then that they will be able to support their children and grand children,” he said.
And Dambwa North Senior Citizens Organization (DANESECO) president, Saxon Simachembele, has said that the massive wastage of knowledge and skills that goes with retired people is worrisome.
Mr. Simachembele said the non-existence of government programmes to go along with retirement has contributed to massive wastage of skills and knowledge among retired people.
He said there is need for government to establish a register and pool of retirees whose skills and knowledge in any particular field can easily be accessed whenever required by any public or private
organization.
Mr. Simachembele said retirees are faced with numerous challenges that include looking after orphaned children owing to the HIV/AIDS pandemic, and added that retired people have little chance of participating in income-earning activities.
“Let me highlight that problems faced by senior citizens are legendary. It is in this light that our organization was formed,” he said.
The said the newly launched organization would create economic opportunities as it would create employment and that members will accrue other economic benefits.
Mr. Simachembele has called on government to cooperate by providing guidelines of how to access capital equipment and easy-term financing to ensure the uplifting of living standards among senior citizens.
ZANIS/ENDS/MM/EB.
No. 1 ! eheh
#2
That felt good, now i know why pipo do it.
I have stopped condeming pipo who do it. lets just compete for the no.1 slot fairly and squarely.
Hey u people who voted for Rb are you Happy with whats going on at zed? fuel, mealie meal, salary etc what a good move.. i hope u happy now and thx to u ….
#5. Point. Things are now unfolding for the people who voted for RB. See. I don’t want to hear any MMD member open their mouth and complain coz this is exactly what you were look for when all of us wanted change. Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!!! MMD
Munkombwe is talking too much because he knows that he is rich after this term.Too bad for me my 5 years gratuity is not even equal to one month Minister’s salary.
Someone tell me. which Ministry is Bradford Machila serving. Is he Minister without Portifolio?
Policy on Aging is elaborate enough to deal with all issues on aging. Why is it that people in Zambia are obsessed with associations?
I would like to initiate a discussion and unfortunately this comment avenue is my only one, i beg your indulgence.
Do you know that if the powers that be permitted western union and other money transfer companies to pay out in hard currency ($,£) our kwacha would benefit tremendously.
One of the major factors for Ghana’s development is the monies sent by those in the diaspora ( i hate that word!). The same applies to India which is fastly industrialising.
Because the money we send to our families is paid in kwacha, it does not reflect as an inflow of forex.
Where can I find Mr.Abba Munansangu?
In a nutshell, western union is willing to pay in $ or £, its just upto our government to allow them. In that way we would act much in the same way as investors bringing in forex.
Other countries such as the examples i gave pay out in the $ or £.
Bane lets support elderly people. but again, the problem is , most of these people engage themselves in other vices such as witchcraft such that naiwe weulebapa support bakulila kumo.
#10 u seem to have a point,but please be more clear…lay it in simple terms.
# 12 – stop mourning,tell your relatives to open dollar accounts at no fee at all,stanbic is doing,then deposit those dillars in you bbululs account and they can withdral hard cash.Are you scared that you are exxternalizing money from wherever you are thats y you want western union to pay in hard cash, get a life or just come back home.
Baby C…nowadays even youngmen and ladies are “imfwiti”.dont u think that wen a lady gives her husband a “love portion”… that act can also be labelled “juju”
14. What i mean is, we need foreign investors because they bring foreign currency to Zambia.
We have a lot of Zambians who could bring foreign currency to Zambia in the form of money sent to their relatives.
If money sent was paid by western union in US$, there would be more dollar on the market. This would push the value of the kwacha to dollar up.
Goods and services which are usually imported would be cheaper and we would not rely on foreigners so much.
Can’t wait to get old, heh Danny?
Things are so bad that mines,zamtel,railway systems of zambia are cllosing and firing people they are busy increasing salaries,it is not fair and right with the government,everytime we hear from the its about money or corruption
15 Youngster. You are so typical of ….. Stop and think for a minute before writing. I am suggesting as positive thing and all you can do is make senseless comments?
Do you even know what the minimum balance is for a stanbic account? I will tell you. Most of your relatives cannot afford it.
I dont know if you are a youngster, but you certainly think like one. Try getting a brain this christmas
# 16 Dog father
You ve got a point there. But ifi fintu fyalikwata expiry date ka!
People have different ways of geting rich.Forming an organisation like this one is one of them.People spend millions and millions of kwacha to get to FAZ, Plot 1, Parliament etc. Why? Not to serve no.But to make their pockets fat. This is Zed baba.Have you heard that Kalu is eyeing CAF position? By all means I will join this organisation as a treasurer or is it accountant? When I say by all means, I really mean it and will not fail. Next time you will be seeing me in the press as wanted person.
#10. Would this be restricted to Dollas, Euros and Pounds? Because I am sure you don’t expect the Mongolian Tögrög, Rupees, Emalangeni and even Malawian Tambalas when you go to the Western Union outlet at Freedom Way, do you? I think you bring up a good point though and I support it wholeheartedly.
By the way, what makes you think WU wants to pay out in hard cash and lose out on speculation?
23. Western Union does pay out in hard currency in certain african countries. They make their money from their service charges either way.
#20 – am inviting you to just come back home and relax.I know what you are going through, but for your own info, Zed is a greener pasture than some of those places you guys claim to be enjoying.
Actually, you are just there to for “siteseeing” tu ma nice buildings.You can`t even afforf decent accomodation, let alone a bath everyday.
My USD a/c is FAT son and i will soon be uploading it on this blog just to make sure that your mourning in worthless………Again get a life or just come back home!!!!
Youngster. For your infor, i am not an economic refugee. I wont go into details of accomodation standards etc. Those are basic needs which i do not worry about at this stage in my life. My concerns are more long term such as the wealth that i will leave my children and family. Suffice to say, i do very well financially for me and my family by any standard, wether here in England or in Zambia.
My success is built on a solid foundation of good upbringing,education, character and to a large extent gods blessings.
If i were in Zambia today, you would probably be working for me. Do not delude yourself. Dont judge people by your own standards. Not everyone lives like the firends or relat
relatives you visited in England.
I come to Zambia every 6 months, thank you very much. Sometimes more frequently.
Youngster. You want to talk about accomodation and publish your bank account…?
Do you not believe that you actually have a dollar account and so you want to tell the whole world? Are you so impressed that you live in a house with electricity and water? Maybe you have built a fence around it so you think you have arrived?
Food for thought: WHich of these afflictions do you suffer from.
1 inferiority complex
2 memories of deprived childhooh/rough childhood coupled with rapid urbanisation
3 or just plain kabova mentality?
Take time to think about this as you download your bank details.
Old daniel Old Daniel! how is like being a minister huh! I admire your honesty though.Politics of benefits.
The list where Bradford Machila(Former Lands Minister) appears is still missing.Nyama Soya will hold another Press boring session soon to anatogise us soon
#25 what is your problem? You can’t have a good day without picking a fight? Let the guy alone. He hasn’t committed any crime or misdemeanour. If you have lots of energy and time why don’t you just blog on the issue and express your opinion instead of fighting the authour.
Politics of benefits at play. There goes another ‘kombwe’ crew at noon this time. Quite bold eh?
30 Ba Ole. Thanks. Congratulations on the Coaching qualification are also in order. Progress is always appreciated.
Its very difficult to respect elders who are involved in vote rigging, child molestation,witchcraft and snatching other pipo’s wives. They are there in MMD and you know them and we will never respect them.
Munkombwe it is also shameful to insult other people. Yuo might think that you talk sence but what you say to others it insults. whatch your mouth.
#32 – anytime bro and thanks for the kudos.
Munkombwe needs to go back to the land
#33 You are absolutely right. On vote rigging I think it should come to a stop or else it will be a new culture of having unwanted leaders. Since Sata was also in the MMD and knows how VJ does it I would’nt mind attending his seminar on vote rigging.
What are some of Munkombwe’s achievements apart from beakering and bootlicking. He looks old as if he eats too much nyamaaa soyaa. Can someone tell him to stop questioning the intelligence of the Catholic Church.
About WU paying out in dollars/pounds etc. Please organise yourselves you who are in the diaspora and speak with one voice to the Bank of Zambia and request them to allow WU to pay people in those currencies. Yes, it will indeed increase the dollar/pound on the market here and this will be to the benefit of us who are here in Zambia. You are actually big investors and people here might not realise this, but you guys do really contribute hugely to the economic activities of this country. Please get together and do just that.
Sorry bwana Munkobwe, we are neglecting you because you are also neglecting us.
Mealie-meal prices, hunger in the country, Education policies, medicines in hospitals, inconsistency in poicy direction, labour laws, Casual approach to governance, corruption and miopic parliament are some of your failures.
Can you call yourselves elders.
Munkombwe needs to worry about the aged now because his biological clock is fanning all of us, there’s no stopping it.
Munkombwe is a disgrace to senior citizens.He may be losing his marbles with age or simply getting senile.He is such an irritating bore.
How many kids and wives does Munkombwe have mina batu?
Munkombwe is more intellgent than HH. tongas dont dispute this fact.
Senior Citizens are really working now.
its a shame – All my MPs voted for the salary increase…
help me what should i do
43 Nakena …….
Munkombwe has four wives and 19 children
#32 – have a good day.Your thought is brilliant and i support it.I just wanted to hear bad things from you esp hahaha…..call me when you are home this xmas.
Any young kids out there. I need to go out tonight.
hasn’t the rb government neglected everyone else? ba munkombwe mwambe nchobeene bapati!
#49.I’m right here babe.I will take good care of you tonight.
Lady Thong where do we meet?
MUNKOMBWE SHOULD APOLOGISE FOR TEH HATEFUL THINGS HE UTTERED AGAISNT HE CATHOLIC CHURCH BEFORE HE SPEAKS IN PUBLIC AGAIN.
The aged were normal adults at one time but probably voted for Chiluba and the MMD who sold the country for a song and now they are old and helpless. Isn’t it the GRZ that should be ashamed for dancing and singing to the songs of the IMF while citizens swim in poverty?
I would rather feel sad and ashamed at the institutions that are being put in place for our kids than for old people who had a chance to do good in their prime. But for our kids, I feel angry because of the huge amount of neglect of their societal needs due to poor GRZ policies and practices.
Dog father. Call me on +260 978980374
Mwalitemwa ukulanda ifyabuwelewele!