UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema’s widely publicized appearance on the critically acclaimed Hard Talk programme on the BBC has sharply divided public opinion especially among Zambians.

The show whose first airing was on BBC World Service TV at 06:30 Zambian Time has left many Zambians debating with some stating that Mr Hichilema rendered a presidential showing while others said his performance was an embarrassment.

Mr Hichilema becomes only the second political figure in Zambia to feature on the popular BBC flagship show after Kenneth Kaunda and late Levy Mwanawasa.

On the programme, hard hitting President Stephen Sackur grilled Mr. Hichilema on a range of issues including his insistence that he will not recognize President Edgar Lungu’s legitimacy, the failure to win a presidential election despite numerous attempts and his resolve towards national unity.

On the other hand, Mr Hichilema who remains composed throughout the show elaborated how what he says the breakdown of the rule of law has affected the general state of affairs in Zambia.

Sackur also pushed Mr. Hichilema on whether he was going to run for elections again despite having lost a record five times, the UPND leader responded, “Whether I am going to run again is not the point, the point is we are concerned about the process under which these elections are held…anyone is free to run including myself.”

“How many times have I gone to court? This is the first time I am challenging the election outcome. We are calling for a fair process.”

Sackur further pressed Mr Hichilema to substantiate his claims that President Lungu wanted to kill him moments before his arrest and detention.

The BBC Presenter quizzed him that if President Edgar Lungu wanted to kill Hichilema he would have easily done that.

‘With due respect, if he wanted to kill you, he could have killed you. Clearly the intention was not to kill you.”

But Mr. Hichilema cited his brutal arrest and eight-day solitary confinement in what he called inhuman conditions as reasons to believe that Mr Lungu meant to have him killed.

The UPND insisted that his arrest should never have happened in the first place and alleged that accusations and trumped up charges against his followers were the order of the day in Zambia.

This was after Sackur questioned Mr Hichilema why he has continued attacking President Lungu’s democratic credentials when he agreed to have him released with the intervention of the Commonwealth.

“In some countries, you might still be languishing in prison. Why are you making such a fuss about this whole episode?” asked Sackur.

On the eligibility of President Lungu to rerun in 2021, Mr. Hichilema gave a measured response stating the Constittional Court will determine the matter.

He said the country should wait for the court to rule on whether President Lungu is eligible to contest the 2021 general elections.

But reactions among Zambians on social media to Mr Hichilema’s performance on Hard Talk have been so diverse with some describing it as embarrassing while others hailed his calm composure and articulation of issues.

Activist Laura Miti posted, “Just watched HH on BBC’s Hardtalk. What a harsh style from the interviewer and what an impressive performance by HH! Very calm, very presidential.

Now my question – being so good himself, why has he chosen to be represented by such an incompetent and disjointed PR team? Ndaba other than a short moment after he came out of detention which was clearly handled by a professional, the HH media presence is a joke. A reckless one.”

She further charged that Sarkur’s style of interviewing annoying and patronizing of African and Africans.

“Forgetting for a moment HH’s performance on the show, I found Stephen Sackur’s questions to him typically patronising of Africa and Africans. Quite annoying actually.”

“Where does he get off suggesting that HH should be grateful because he only stayed months in a filthy jail, after all in other countries he would still be inside. Is this the African standard? Would he say the same if British Prime Minister, Theresa May put opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn in cells for a few months on some trumped up treason charges?”

She added, “Why must Africans be expected to accept mid-level dictatorship as our version of democracy? According to Sackur and many Westerners including the election monitors he listed, as long as bodies are not lying in the street and someone is in the presidential office, however dodgily they got there, it is good enough for Africa.”

“Then Sackur did not bother to research. He kept insisting the courts had heard the election petition. Very dismissive of the lack of judicial resolution to a disputed election Zambia is still paying for and which our own courts and review institutions have since found problematic. Again is that the standard he would hold Britain to? All in all, what we Africans must always remember is that we must fight for our own democratic standards,” Ms. Miti said.

“If we wait for others to say what is acceptable for the much less than them status they place us at, they will rewrite the long strides backwards Zambia’s democracy has taken in the last few years into normalcy. You are a black African country after all, they suggest. Why should you expect real democracy. That would be holding designs above your station! In short, Sackur is of the view that here where we are, is more like us. Not those democratic illusions we tried to adopt, under MMD.”

Owen Phiri said, “Hard Talk has always been that way. So it’s not harsh per se, not the nature of that programme.”

Sydney Mwamba said Mr Hichilema carried himself well on the programme.

“He was calm and collected, he carried himself pretty well,” he said.

Mary Taguma Bilsborough also defended Mr Hichilema’s performance adding that he featured on a BBC programme which others like President Lungu failed to turn up when invited.
“It’s a shame really. HH is like a stray ball caught in the thicket of thorns. I hope Zambians can give him a chance to demonstrate his poise as head of the country. What we have in Edgar as a person and head of the country is what is translated in his style of leadership and cascades down to his cabinet. Very dismal to say the least.

Jay Phiri Z’mba insisted that Mr Hichilema was roasted during the programme.

“He was roasted left right centre,” he posted.

But Mary Taguma Bilsborough responded, “Jay, what do you mean he was roasted? Those are hard journalistic questions that need a balanced head to handle. Steven is asking such questions to help people across the board to get straight answers from the horse’s mouth. It is good for you and me. Edgar would be asked same kind of questions should he appear on this program.”

The UPND leader is in the United Kingdom for a series of political engagements where he has met Zambians living in London, held a meeting with the investor community in the UK and delivered a speech at Chatham House.

Zambian media entrepreneur Samba Yonga, has been selected as one of Destiny Magazine’s “Power of 40” most influential women in Africa. Yonga is the co-founder of the Women’s History Museum in Zambia and Lead Consultant for Zambia based communications company Ku-Atenga Media.

The annual Power of 40 report is in the November issue of DESTINY and DESTINY MAN, magazines published by Ndalo Media, South Africa.

To celebrate 10 years of positively impacting lives through using thoughtful content, Ndalo Media will be hosting the 2017 Power of 40 Awards, which will celebrate candidates from this year’s DESTINY and DESTINY MAN lists.

Yonga has been selected for her work in researching and exploring obscured narratives of women who have made an impact in Africa with the Women’s Museum of Zambia and her vision to use communications as a strategic tool to position Africans as meaningful decision-makers and game changers.

“I am honoured to be named alongside women and men who are impacting the development of Africa in extraordinary ways and under extraordinary circumstances. Through this nomination Zambia has been recognised as a country that holds some the of the most productive minds that continue to contribute positively to the development of Zambia and Africa as a whole”, Yonga said.

The museum focusses on exploring how indigenous knowledge impacts contemporary life and seeks to restore narratives of women that have been obscured from mainstream knowledge.

Ku-Atenga Media provides strategic communications consultancy for a wide range of high-level international and local clients. The list includes Zambian government agencies, European Union, the UN and various corporate multi-nationals.

The awards ceremony will be held in Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa on 21st November, 2017. The public has an opportunity to attend the awards ceremony by nominating their favourite named personality on the list by clicking on these links below:

DestinyConnect ,  DestinyMan.com

UPND President Hakainde Hichilema on Tuesday addressed the world-renowned think tank Chatham House in London and stated that there is a break down of rule of law in Zambia.

In his speech, Mr Hichilema addressed and the questions that followed after he spoke passionately about the importance of strengthening the rule of law, bringing an end to political violence and restoring the rule of law.

“These issues are not partisan, not about PF, UPND or any other party, but about the national interest and the welfare of Zambian citizens”, Mr. Hichilema stated.

He stressed the importance of sharing different opinions at such well-respected platforms both domestically and internationally.

“Even when we don’t agree, it is essential that we dialogue”.

“Zambia has historically been host to refugees fleeing violence and intimidation elsewhere, but today Zambia is an exporter of refugees. We must remedy this by releasing all political prisoners and restoring human rights for our people.”

Mr. Hichilema also covered such basic rights as the right to work and earn income, rejecting discrimination based on political affiliation, ethnicity, and religion or any other such measure.

He also covered recent abuse of the Public Order Act, which he said must be reformed to remove the opening for manipulation that is used to deny opposition, civil society and citizens in general their freedom of movement.

“The use of security apparatus to abuse citizens and deny them their rights and freedoms must be stopped”.

“Those media institutions that are considered independent have been constrained and in the worse cases shut down,” said Mr. Hichilema in reference to the closure of the Post Newspaper and threats against stations such as Muvi, Prime and Komboni radio.

“In some cases we have direct violation of the constitution by government”, he stated citing Article 104 that requires the President to stand aside following the submission of an electoral petition.

“We also see the state disobeying or disregarding court orders and the abuse of the office of the Director of Public Prosecution.”

Mr. Hichilema said the way forward must be the restoration of the rule of law and public order, as well as reform of the judiciary and to address lacunas in the current constitution that undermine democracy and democratic efforts.

“After the flawed 2016 elections we opted to go the democratic route and file a petition, rejecting violence. For this approach to work, however, petitions need to be heard and the rule of law must be respected. The presidential petition must be heard”.

Concerning the criminal justice system Mr. Hichilema called for an end to detention without charge, as well as a return to the presumption of innocence until proving guilty.

“Party cadres using police and issuing instructions to the police Inspector General cannot be good for any democracy or for any citizen of that democracy”.

Regarding the electoral process Mr. Hichilema stressed that the “lack of transparency in the electoral process has created opportunities for rigging and has therefore been a source of tension and dispute”.

Reform of the ECZ is a must, said the UPND leader, stating “Why would anyone resist a truly independent ECZ, unless someone feels they are benefitting from the current system that lacks transparency?”

And Mr. Hichilema has charged that that the levels of corruption are reaching cancerous standards.

He said only a small group of people are benefitting at the expense of the majority..

“State institutions such as ZRA and ACC are being abused. We must have zero tolerance for corruption and end the abuse of state institutions, as well as at the same time ensuring the professionalization of the civil service.”

He charged, “You cannot redistribute poverty. In order to deliver social and economic progress and create the jobs and opportunities Zambians so desperately need and deserve, these issues pertaining to human rights, rule of law and governance must be urgently and comprehensively addressed.

“The refugee crisis from the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been worsening since September 2017 and we fear this could lead to a major humanitarian crisis on both sides of the border. We therefore call for increased support from all humanitarian actors,” President Lungu said after touring the Kenani refugee transit centre in Nchelenge district bordering the DRC, the President said.

“This situation will require more preparedness by the Government of Zambia, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), other United Nations (UN) Agencies and Cooperating Partners to receive and assist the new arrivals.”

Since September 2017, the number of confirmed refugees at the transit centre in Luapula Province, Northern Zambia now stands at 6,100 following the escalation of violence in some parts of the DRC. In view of the deteriorating political and security situation in the DRC, the UNHCR Headquarters in Geneva has declared a Level Three Emergency in the Democratic Republic of Congo (the highest possible crisis alert calling all humanitarian actors to preparation and action against an imminent humanitarian crisis.) The focus is that more refugees are expected to flee the DRC into neighbouring countries among them, Zambia.

On a daily basis, between 50 and 100 asylum seekers are entering Zambia fleeing from widespread violence due to the volatile political and security situation in some parts of DRC, especially in the eastern parts of that country bordering Zambia’s Luapula Province. The Zambian government has stepped up security in the area to protect both the refugees and Zambian villages affected by insecurity in the border areas.

Other than Nchelenge and Chiengi borders, DRC refugees have been entering Zambia in small numbers through border points in Nsumbu, Kaputa and Mpulungu district in Northern Province, Kasumbalesa and Sakanya border points on the Copperbelt, as well as Kipushi and Kakoma in North-Western Province bringing the total number of refugees from DRC to over 9,000 as of today.

“The President has established that unless immediate and greater interventions by stakeholders are made the refugee crisis could quickly degenerate into a major humanitarian crisis.”

The Zambian government is working closely with aid agencies under the leadership of the UNHCR to provide asylum seekers with security, basic necessities such as food, shelter and medicines among others. The President has mobilised an assortment of drugs from private sources to beef up the response by Nchelenge district health officials to any possible disease outbreak.

The President has emphasised that the international community must do more to forestall an imminent humanitarian crisis in the border areas where the refugee crisis is concentrated. “To effectively respond to the current emergency, urgent support is needed to provide life saving assistance including food, wash, public health and core-relief items to new arrivals at the transit centre and new settlement. As we move to the new site, a number of critical requirements have to be put in place.”

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Country Coordinator Ms. Janet Rogan, UNHCR Country Representative to Zambia Ms. Pierrine Aylara, Ministers of Home Affairs and Health Steven Kampyongo and Dr. Chitalu Chilufya respectively accompanied the President on the tour of the refugee transit centres.

Zamtel has announced that it has so far paid a total of K 93.3 Million in 2017 to dismantle both historical and current liabilities owed to the Zambia Revenue Authority.

Of the figure, K61 Million was for historical while K32.3 Million has been paid towards the current tax liability.
Recently, Zamtel made a K10.7 million payment to the ZRA towards dismantling the tax debt and a further K44 million by way of debt-swap with the Government.

On Monday, Zamtel made another K12 million towards clearing its historical debt liability.
At a news briefing in Lusaka on Tuesday, Zamtel Chief Executive Officer Sydney Mupeta said the development is significant as it goes to reaffirm the company’s commitment to liquidating its historical obligations.
Mr Mupeta further said that the payment is testament of Zamtel’s commitment to cleaning up its tax books with the tax authority.

“As a State Owned Enterprise, we are fully aware of the need for tax payers like ourselves to be tax compliant. These are the same funds that are channeled towards service delivery for the public good and paying for drugs in hospitals and equipping our schools,” Mr Mupeta said.

Mr Mupeta added that the payment of historical debt also symbolizes the growth trajectory that Zamtel is experiencing.
“As an organization, we are fully cognizant of the fact that we still have more to do but this development alone shows that this organization has turned turning the corner and heading in the right direction. I applaud the efforts by the Government of the Republic of Zambia through the Zambia Revenue Authority to increase tax collections,” he said.
He added, “The zeal and innovation at ZRA is clear for all to see, and as partners in development, we applaud the Commissioner General and his team for their efforts. The success of the recent tax amnesty is another example of how ZRA is working towards tax efficiency.”

Mr Mupeta emphasized that the bulk of the tax debt being cleared is very historical adding that Zamtel is committed to ensuring that this tax burden is completely dismantled.

“The future of Zamtel is very bright, we are on course with our $280 million investment that will give us the best network coverage that the country has ever seen. We have started implementing our first 100 sites out of the 1,009 sites. This will give Zamtel 4.5G with speeds of up to 240 Mbps for our fixed customers, 4G for our mobile customers, best-in-class customer experience and best-in-class quality of service,” Mr Mupeta said.

And ZRA Commissioner General Kingsley Chanda commended Zamtel for its commitment to be tax compliant by making timely payments towards clearing the historical debt.

Mr Chanda emphasized that it is commendable that Zamtel is now current in its tax payment and urged other state owned companies to emulate the telecoms firm.

He said Zamtel is one of the companies that took advantage of the ZRA tax amnesty which he said has greatly enhanced tax collection for the authority.