President Hakainde Hichilema’s administration has dispatched a delegation of ministers to engage in dialogue with the Catholic Church. Led by Honorable Felix Mutati, the delegation comprised Honorable Gary Nkombo, Honorable Doreen Mwamba, Special Assistant to the President Honorable Levy Ngoma, Honorable Sylvia Masebo, and Honorable Charles Milupi. The objective of this delegation was to foster a peaceful relationship between the government and the Catholic Church as a whole.

The delegation held fruitful discussions with Archbishop Ignatious Chama of the Kasama Diocese, resulting in an agreement that emphasized the vital role of dialogue between the church and the state. Both parties recognized the significance of maintaining an open channel of communication to ensure harmony and cooperation. A photograph captured the momentous occasion, showing Honorable Masebo, Honorable Nkombo, Archbishop Ignatius Chama, Honorable Mutati, Honorable Doreen Mwamba, Honorable Milupi, and Honorable Levy Ngoma.

Meanwhile, the Catholic Church, specifically the Monze Diocese, has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to promoting reconciliation, love, unity, and peace throughout the country. During the dedication ceremony of the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Monze, Right Reverend Bishop Raphael Mweempwa emphasized the importance of unity through reconciliation among Zambians and with God. He urged Christians to embody love, mutual understanding, and respect, viewing diversity as a source of enrichment rather than division among citizens.

Bishop Mweempwa urged believers to lead authentic Christian lives, emphasizing the need to align personal values with gospel principles and faith. The occasion saw the presence of Right Reverend Bishop Clement Mulenga of Kabwe Diocese, six traditional leaders, and senior government officials. Southern Province Deputy Permanent Secretary Yolanta Malunga hailed the Holy Trinity Cathedral as a symbol of unity, transforming the face of both Monze District and Southern Province.

Ms. Malunga further expressed gratitude to the Catholic Church for their commitment to uplifting lives in Zambia. She acknowledged the alignment between the Church’s teachings of love, unity, justice, peace, and human development with the aspirations of the UPND government. Ms. Malunga praised the Catholic Church’s support in supplementing government efforts in various areas such as education, social programs, and infrastructure development, which aim to improve the lives of vulnerable individuals in society.

Chief Choongo of Monze District appealed to the government, the Church, and traditional leaders to collaborate in promoting unity and peace across the country. Recognizing the pivotal role of traditional leaders and the Church as custodians of the people, Chief Choongo urged them to complement government initiatives, particularly in the realm of development. Chief Choongo expressed gratitude for the Catholic Church’s notable contributions, especially in education and healthcare, and highlighted the Church’s role in shaping individuals to adhere to Christian values while traditional leaders preserve cultural norms.

Chief Choongo concluded by urging the government, the Church, and traditional leaders to unite their efforts, serving the Zambian people diligently and prudently. With both the government and the Catholic Church expressing their commitment to peace and unity, there is renewed hope for a harmonious future in Zambia.

In the face of a dire health crisis marked by shortages of drugs and medical equipment in hospitals and clinics, concerns are mounting over the lack of urgency displayed by the UPND government in addressing this critical issue. The right to healthcare is a fundamental aspect of a decent standard of living, and governments, even those grappling with limited resources like ours, are obligated to allocate maximum available resources to ensure its realization.

The enjoyment of the right to an adequate standard of living necessitates equal and adequate access to healthcare services for all citizens. To achieve this, the government must acknowledge the persistent problems plaguing our healthcare system and display the necessary resolve to address them with the urgency they deserve. The current situation requires a departure from viewing healthcare as an industry, as it is not a commodity that should be commodified for profit. It is imperative that we reclaim ownership of our health and prioritize care over profit-driven motives. The lives of our citizens depend on it.

Dr. Fred M’membe, President of the Socialist Party Zambia, emphasized the need to address the crisis in the healthcare system. He stated, “We need to move away from the notion that our health is something to be insured by an ‘industry.’ The notion that it is any part of an industry is fundamentally wrong. Health is not a commodity. It cannot and ought not to be commodified. Our health should not be used for profit. We need to take back the ownership of our health. Let’s bring the care into ‘health care’ instead of giving it to an ‘industry.’ Our lives depend on it.”

As a socialist, Dr. M’membe questioned whether significant improvements in the healthcare system could occur without fundamental changes in the broader social order. He argued that the problems facing the healthcare system were deeply intertwined with the larger issues afflicting our society and could not be resolved in isolation. According to Dr. M’membe, “Our viewpoint, as socialists, questions whether major improvements in our health system can occur without fundamental changes in the broad social order. One thrust of the field — an assumption also accepted by many non-socialists — is that the problems of the health system reflect the problems of our larger society and cannot be separated from those problems.”

Meanwhile, concerns have been raised regarding the detainment without trial of Dr. Chris Zumani Zimba, former President Edgar Lungu’s Political Advisor. Dr. Zimba’s incarceration, which has persisted for over ten days, has drawn attention to the growing trend of employing state machinery, including the police and law enforcement agencies, to settle political scores. Dr M’membe, in support of Dr. Zimba, remarked, “Today, my team and I visited former President Edgar Lungu’s Political Advisor Dr. Chris Zumani Zimba, who has been in detention without trial for more than ten days now. We listened to his side of the story, and it is very sad. Politics should be fought with politics. Dr. Zimba has done nothing wrong, and it will be proved in court.”

Dr M’membe further criticized the current administration’s use of state resources and institutions to fight political battles, emphasizing that such practices would undermine the nation. He remarked, “What was opposed in the previous regime must be condemned under the current UPND government. This growing trend of using State Machinery by this government, the use of the Police and Law Enforcement agencies to fight their political battles with others will surely destroy our country. We can do better and deserve better. This is not the way to run a country and its people.”

Interim leader of the newly formed Zambia Wake-Up Party (ZAWAPA) Howard Kunda has said his party will have zero tolerance to corruption and all ills that deprive the people of Zambia of the much needed public resources.

Mr. Kunda said ZAWAPA will show the zeal to fight against corruption which he demonstrated when serving as Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee Chairperson between 2016 and 2021.

The former Muchinga Member of Parliament said there is a need to ensure that Zambia fights all forms of corruption without segregation or favouritism.

Mr. Kunda said people doing wrong things in the current or old regime must never be protected by government officials or law enforcement agencies.

“We will stand on the premise that there will be zero tolerance to corruption. We presented ourselves and for me I presented myself as parliamentary public accounts committee chairperson and I was looking at the Zambian people and not individuals. I never looked at anyone with an eye to protect, if they were doing wrong I was there and my team to protest national interest,” Mr. Kunda said.

Mr. Kunda said the people of Zambia must unite and be innovative with proper government support to take the nation to greater heights.

He said young people in particular should work with ZAWAPA to shape their destiny and that of the nation.

“As ZAWAPA President, Zambia Wake-Up Party President, I am offering myself to the people of Zambia knowing that we can do it if we only come together and pursue that which we believe in. We believe that Zambians must unite and be innovative and government to support their innovative ideas so that our country once again can see the development the people of Zambia are longing for. So I think that it is very important that the young people can come on board because we are in majority. Young people must be there to shape their destiny and that is where ZAWAPA is coming in to bridge that gap,” Mr. Kunda said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Kunda said the New Dawn Government has failed to guarantee food security in the country as evidenced by recent mealie meal shortages in some parts of the country.

He said no Government should starve its people of the much wanted staple food by failing to plan and enhance food security.

“We cannot have a situation where we are lining up to buy mealie meal. Mealie meal is our staple food which I think any leader should pay attention to so that no one goes hungry but that is not the case now. We are looking at this situation which is dire because I think this government has not been caring in terms of providing for the people to ensure that food security is guaranteed in the country because the first thing they came to do was to sell the maize to our neighbouring country,” he said.

“Yes we can sell but you only sell after you plan and make sure you are within your reserves but we saw that this is a government that does not plan. They want to show that they have the expertise but they do not listen even from experts who are already there in those offices as civil servants who have been polished so to say to doing these works. So I think those are some of the reasons, then we have looked solely at the agriculture sector which has been a disaster under this government. We have looked at the health sector, we looked at the education sector, we looked at the commerce industry, we looked at generally even the political climate in the country,” Mr. Kunda added.

Antonio Mwanza, the former Media Director of the Patriotic Front (PF), has resigned from the party, citing the lack of willingness by the party’s leadership to hold an elective general conference following their loss of power in 2021. In a press conference held in Lusaka, Mr. Mwanza alleged the existence of a clique within the PF central committee that opposes the idea of a general conference and has taken control of the party’s operations.

According to Mr. Mwanza, there is no valid excuse for not conducting the general conference, and he believes that the reasons being given are false and motivated by the hidden agenda of a select few who are against holding the conference. His resignation raises concerns about the democratic processes within the PF and suggests a division within the party’s leadership.

In response to Mr. Mwanza’s resignation, Raphael Nakacinda, the PF Chairperson for Information and Publicity, requested time to study the resignation letter and the reasons behind it. While Mr. Nakacinda stated that the party remains united and democratic, he acknowledged Mr. Mwanza’s departure and assured that the matters raised would be addressed or responded to at a later stage if necessary.

The PF, in an official statement released by Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba, a member of the Central Committee and Deputy Chairperson for Information and Publicity, acknowledged Mr. Mwanza’s resignation from both his position as Media Director and the party itself. The statement regards Mr. Mwanza’s concerns and reasons as his personal opinion and suggests that they will be dealt with or responded to if deemed necessary in the future. The PF thanked Mr. Mwanza for his dedication, sacrifice, and commitment while working with the party and its leadership, and wished him success in his future endeavors and political pursuits.

Mr. Mwanza’s resignation and his allegations of a lack of democracy within the PF raise questions about the internal dynamics and decision-making processes of the party. As the former ruling party, the PF plays a significant role in Zambian politics, and any internal divisions or controversies within the party have broader implications for the country’s political landscape.

The decision of whether or not to hold an elective general conference is a crucial one, as it determines the party’s direction and allows for the participation of party members in shaping its future. Without a clear and transparent process for selecting leadership, there is a risk of power being concentrated in the hands of a select few, potentially undermining the principles of democracy and accountability.