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Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations to the President Amos Chanda chats with PF Media and Publicity Committee Vice Chairman Sunday Chanda at State House
POST NEWSPAPER DREW BATTLE LINES FOR THEMSELVES WHEN THEY CONTINUOUSLY RIDICULED, DEMEANED AND INSULTED PRESIDENT LUNGU
STATEMENT BY SUNDAY CHANDA, VICE CHAIRPERSON, MEDIA AND PUBLICITY COMMITTEE
Lusaka, Zambia, 20th September 2015 – Zambians must be laughing to hear that His Excellency President Edgar Chagwa Lungu is after Mr. Fred M’membe’s life, an issue that has reportedly alarmed the Post Newspaper boss and Editor’s biological mother.
While this is not a laughing matter, it is laughable because Zambians have been greeted to all sorts of ridicule, character assassination and insults from the day it became apparent that he would take over the reins of power from late President Michael Chilufya Sata to this day. The Post Newspaper declared Armageddon on President Lungu and his administration and the battle lines they are crying about are the ones they drew for themselves, and no one else.
Zambians are fully aware that the Post Newspaper has preached hatred against President Lungu. They have called him names and vilified his Presidency. He has been at the receiving end of their well-orchestrated agenda to make his Government fail so that their preferred political project in the name of Mr. Wynter Kabimba becomes President.
It is not for the PF administration to count how many lives have been tormented by the media outlet by sowing seeds of hatred and anger against individuals they have perceived to be their enemies. Today, even late President Frederick Chiluba is hunted in his grave when they fully know that the man cannot speak for himself in defence.
We want to assure that President Lungu remains a unifier of the nation and this is demonstrated through his exemplary humble leadership style. Yet Zambians do not expect President Lungu to wine and dine with the Post Newspaper and Mr. M’membe when they have declared him their enemy and number one target for ridicule. It is not in order for them to cry about battle lines they drew for themselves, just because the reminder has come from the President.
All he did was to demonstrate to them that he knows about their drawn battle lines and ready for their fight. it is not a threat on human life when the Bembas say “Alefwaya Ukwakufwila” or “Kafwile uko” (I do not want to be responsible for your demise). A person who this is said to is one on a suicide mission and wants others to be blamed for his death. The two expressions mean that someone is not interested in causing the other’s demise, whether literally or actually. It carried the same context as “Twala ubushilu ukutali, Kapene uko”, (take your madness elsewhere, not here).
In their desperation to bring down the PF Government, they have continued to vilify President Lungu through their appendages who line up for headlines on a daily basis. They can be assured that President Lungu and his Government will not go to bed with the cartel. To those who even entertain the ideal of such a marriage, they must be reminded that light has no fellowship with darkness. Zambians know about the axis of evil in this country which thrives on manipulation and blackmail but they have failed to penetrate President Lungu’s wall because he promised Zambians that PF and the nation are not be sell out to the highest bidder.
It is desperate Opposition parties like UPND and the still-born Rainbow Party who can sell their souls to the cartel. While Rainbow Party was created by the Cartel and in the nature and likeness of the Cartel, the UPND leadership of Hakainde Hichilema has defiled itself by sleeping with the Cartel.
UPND is now a poisoned chalice and will soon suffer serious haemorrhage because today, not even their youths who clashed with the Police after demonstrating over the suspended DPP Mutembo Nchito understand why their leader is such a flip flop. UPND MPs of good standing do not understand why they must be coerced into celebrating the man they rejected to ratify under three (3) years ago.
Mr. Hichilema can nolonger talk about the DBZ loan because he has traded principle for expedience. This is happening because their leader has traded principle for expediency, wrongly believing that the cartel will catapult him into State House. Mr. Hichilema does not realize that by being a flip flop, he has injured society, the same society where the mandate to govern is derived from.
Lastly, we want to thank the Zambian people for the support they have continued to give President Lungu and his PF administration. The PF in Government does not take this support lightly. Not even the insults targeted at President Lungu will slow him down on his endeavour to deliver for Zambia. President Lungu was elected by the Zambian people and those who pride in insulting him day-in and day-out only insult the intelligence of the people who put him into office.
Issued by: Sunday Chilufya Chanda, Vice Chairperson, PF Media and Publicity Committee
Defending champions Zesco United are through to the Barclays Cup semifinals.
The record four-time champions beat promotion chasing Kabwe Warriors 2-0 at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.
Midfielder Mwape Mwelwa put Zesco ahead in the 13th minute before striker Jackson Mwanza completed the win four minutes later.
Zesco join Green Buffaloes, Nkwazi and Zanaco in the semifinals.
Buffaloes and Nkwazi beat Power Dynamos and Mufulira Wanderers on post-match penalties after 0-0 results on Saturday at Nkoloma.
Zanaco defeated Lumwana Radiants 3-0 on Sunday in a lunchtime kickoff at Nkoloma.
Zanaco made easy work of ten-men Lumwana Radiants on Sunday to advance 3-0 to the 2015 Barcalys Cup semifinals at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.
The Bankers bucked the trend on Sunday after Saturday’s doubleheader at the same venue saw Nkwazi and Green Buffaloes beat Mufulira Wanderers and Power Dynamos respectively on post-match penalties following scoreless draws.
Fackson Kapumbu put Zanaco 1-0 into the break with a 15th minute free kick before Ziyo Tembo headed in the second in the 47th minute.
Lumwana were reduced to ten men in the 49th minute when Rogers Mulenga was red carded by referee Jan Sikazwe after he fouled Lee Ngoma in an off-the-ball incident.
George Chilufya put Allan Kamwanga’s side out of their misery when he headed in Zanaco’s final goal in the 59th minute.
Zanaco, who have played in each Barclays Cup since it began in 2007, advance to the semifinal for the first time since 2012.
The Bankers have never won the Barclays Cup with their 2010 runners-up finish their best result in the competition to date.
Prominent Kitwe clergyman Prophet Emmanuel Nyirongo, who recently made headlines for turning water into paraffin, has died in a road traffic accident at Baluba area in Luanshya.
Prophet Nyirongo, who was returning from Lusaka with four of his followers, is among two people who lost their lives as three others are still battling for their lives at Kitwe Central Hospital.
Prophet Faith Missions Vice Chairman Elison Sakala has confirmed the death of the clergyman saying the accident happened around 03 and 04hrs on Sunday Morning.
Elder Sakala says preliminary investigations indicate that the minibus they were travelling in overturned killing Prophet Nyirongo’s assistant Pastor instantly.
He added that Prophet Nyirongo later died at Wusakile Mine Hospital.
The bodies of the deceased are lying at Kitwe Central Hospital where the other two survivors are battling for their lives while one has since been discharged.
Meanwhile, dozens of church members were this morning found seated outside the church as some men removed furniture from the building en route to the funeral house following the suspension of church services.
Prophet Nyirongo used to run a weekly Christian programme on ZNBC TV1 called 30 Minutes of Power with Prophet Emmanuel Nyirongo.
Diplomatic Staff of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Zambia to the United Nations welcome the First Lady Her Excellency Mrs Esther Lungu on arrival at New York Palace Hotel en route to Dallas Texas for High-Level meetings. PHOTO | CHIBAULA D. SILWAMBA | ZAMBIA UN MISSION
The First Lady of the Republic of Zambia, Mrs Esther Lungu, arrived in the US on Saturday for a series of high-level meetings in Dallas Taxes and New York.
This is according to a statement released to the media by First Secretary for Press and Public Relations
at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Zambia to the United Nations, Mr Chibaula D. Silwamba.
Mrs Lungu arrived in New York around 9:12 PM Saturday night and was received by Zambia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Her Excellency Ambassador Dr Mwaba Kasese-Bota at JFK International Airport. The First Lady will on Sunday proceed to Dallas, where she has been invited by the George W. Bush Institute, to participate in high-profile engagements with other First Ladies focusing on women empowerment, health, technology and other sectors.
Mrs Lungu will participate in the meetings alongside US First Lady Her Excellency Mrs Michelle Obama and former First Lady Her Excellency Mrs Laura Bush. Mrs Obama and Mrs Bush will jointly moderate an interactive discussion on Tuesday.
Mrs Lungu is registered to speak at the Invest in Women, a discussion to be moderated by Mrs. Cherie Blair, wife of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and founder of Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, at the Bush Center Auditorium. Other speakers at the event will include Intel Corporation corporate affairs vice president Shelly Esque, founder and CEO of ARZU Project Hope Connie Duckworth and Opportunity International Global CEO Vicki Escarra.
She will also attend the Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon and public private partnership panel meeting where former US President His Excellency Mr. George W. Bush will make remarks. Other meetings Mrs Lungu participate in will include the First Ladies Roundtable on improving maternal and child health in Africa, and the technology and innovative training focusing on Facebook and Google best practices.
Mr and Mrs Bush will host a dinner for the first ladies.
On return to New York, Mrs Lungu will participate in a series of meetings including those on the Women and the New Sustainable Development Agenda (25th September), Forum of African First Ladies Against Cervical Cancer (27th September), Organisation of African First ladies against HIV/AIDS (28th September), reception hosted by UN Secretary General’s wife Her Excellency Mrs Ban Son-taek (29 September) and the First Ladies Technical Advisors Fellowship (1st October) on the sidelines of the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Since assuming office on January 25 this year, Mrs Lungu has received accolades for leading various initiatives to promote the empowerment of women, girls, the disabled and other needy people, as well as lobbying for public and private sector-led provision of health and social support to communities across Zambia.
The First Lady of the Republic of Zambia Her Excellency Mrs Esther Lungu on arrival at New York Palace Hotel in New York en route to Dallas Texas for High-Level meetings in USA. Here, the Executive Director of Policy and Monitoring Research Centre (PMRC) Bernadette Deka welcoming Mrs Lungu. PHOTO | CHIBAULA D. SILWAMBA | ZAMBIA UN MISSION
CHILUFYA TAYALI Executive Director The Zambian Voice
The Zambian Voice Executive Director Chilufya Tayali has said that United Party for National Development (UPND) does not have a clear ideology and manifesto like the MMD, NAREP, Rainbow Party which is proving relevant on the political scene.
In a statement released to the media today when he commented on President Edgar Lungu’s Speech to Parliament on Friday, Mr Tayali said that UPND is so personal because their ideology and manifesto is obscure and whimsy because it is drawn according to the emotions of the leader almost on the daily basis.
Mr Tayali further said that UPND is a party that is so intolerant of divergent views, adding that differing with the Party in opinion attracts attracts insults and violence and told the Party that they must realise that they cannot threaten or beat people to vote for them.
“The UPND must realize that they cannot threaten or beat people to vote for them, rather they irritate people and which brings hatred of the Party making them lose elections other than the rigging they talk about, ” he said.
Mr Tayali also told UPND to respect the right of the electorates to choose whoever they want rather than labelling them as foolish for having exercised their democratic right.
“Electorates have a right to their votes to choose whoever they want and they should not be called foolish for having exercising their rights as suggested in the way President Hakainde Hichilema (HH) does. ”
Below is the fill statement:
The Zambian Voice Press Statement on:
2016 REACTION TO PRESIDENT’S SPEECH
20th September,2015
As The Zambian Voice, we are finally delighted that the President comprehensively addressed the Nation through his speech in Parliament.
In the speech of the President, he first and foremost put Zambia on the Continental agenda by highlighting the African Union Agenda 2063 (“TO BUILD AN INTEGRATED, PROSPEROUS AND PEACEFUL AFRICA, AN AFRICA DRIVEN AND MANAGED BY ITS OWN CITIZENS AND REPRESENTING A DYNAMIC FORCE IN THE INTERNATIONAL ARENA,” ). This was important because we do not exist in isolation but are part of other African Countries which face similar challenges like us. Surely this justifies the International policy of the President to interact with other African leaders as well as beyond.
We are in support of this initiative to work with other African Countries and beyond. However, we would like to caution the President and his government to be prudent in their travels to make sure they engage in cost effective international ventures and limiting number of delegates
Drawing from the African Union agenda, the President formulated an inspiring theme, “EMBRACING A TRANSFORMATIONAL CULTURE FOR A SMART ZAMBIA NOW”. This is highly appreciated because it motivates Zambians to change their mindset and be more patriotic and hardworking. Zambians certainly need a change of mindset and we hope the President will not hesitate to discipline those that would be dragging the Country backwards especially his ministers.
The President did not speak in obscurity but gave 15 guideline as a check list. We embrace the 15 guidelines and implore all citizens to engrave them in their hearts and mind for us to change Zambia. (Please check for these guideline in the Presidential speech)
LOAD-SHEDDING
It is consoling to realize that the President is compassionately aware of the frustrations of Zambians emanating from load-shedding.
It gives hope to citizens to hear about government’s initiatives to sort out the load-shedding problems through importation of electricity from neighbouring countries, adjusting the price of electricity for commercial entities to attract increased investments in electricity generation and developing alternative sources of energy such as solar and promoting the use of energy efficient electric bulbs.
We also appreciate the president recognition of the poor by keeping low electricity tariffs for low income households.
COST OF LIVING
The President recognised the high cost of living due to exorbitant mealie-meal prices which will be mitigated by setting up of 13 milling plants across the Country. The milling plants will also create easy and accessible market for farmers. In addition employment will be created.
UNEMPLOYMENT
To address this problem the president revealed that government is actively pursuing the implementation of the industrialization and job creation strategy. Government is also implementing various empowerment schemes under the ministries different ministries.
However, as an organization we feel this is rather vague and we would like to recommend some serious study, consultation and clear employment policy which will deal with unemployment specifically. Most of the highly spoken about initiatives on job creation do not really create sustainable and respectful jobs for our people.
It must also be cautioned that the attitude of our ministry of labor to act as a union against employers is not healthy for investment because it does not encourage quality performance but emphasizes job security and high pay. Therefore, the ministry of labor needs to realize that without production there can be no more money for salaries and further investment which would create more employment.
ON BORROWING
The president gave assurance that the country is not sliding into a debt trap because our economy has grown from a USD$ 3 billion GDP in 2005 to a USD$ 28 billion today and we are well within the acceptable international threshold of 40% of the gross domestic product.
He also pointed out that government has borrowed mainly to finance roads, energy and infrastructure as a long term investment that will spur accelerated economic development across sectors. Enhanced economic development will create the needed capacity to meet our debt obligations.
He also reassured Zambians that Government will be able to pay back the loans without difficulties with the help of the establishment of a sinking fund.
However, we would like to caution to government. As at end of September, 2014, the total debt as a percentage of GDP stood at 30.1%. Of this, external debt stood at US$ 4.7 Billion or 17.85 % of GDP, whilst domestic debt stood at K20.45 Billion or 12.32% of GDP.
This year 2015 Government contracted another Eurobond of USD$ 1.25 Billion which increases External debt to USD$ 5.95 Billion or 21% of GDP. It can also be assumed that with the current maize purchase by FRA and other expenses, local debt has also increased.
However, working on the reported external debt and last year’s local debt, we can approximately put Zambia’s debt at 38% of the GDP. Certainly this should cause concern to the President and his Government.
We are also worried about the sinking fund initiative because the semantics of this meanings that we will be keeping away the surplus money for repayment of the debt. Unfortunately our deficit is on the increase, therefore it is paradoxical to talk about a sinking fund.
It must therefore, be put to government that, there should be no more borrowing, rather we would like to see the deficit being reduced especially in the next 2016 budget. More initiatives must be created on how to generate money to finance the on-going infrastructure development otherwise let them be halted.
However, we recognize that a lot has to be put into considerations because certain projects can prove to be a big loss if they are halted or not completed in time.
MILLENNIUM GOALS
The president addressed himself to the millennium goals of becoming prosperous and a middle income nation by 2030. To achieve this, the president setup seven thematic areas – diversification and sustainable development; infrastructure development; human capital development; democracy and good governance; gender and social protection; economic diplomacy, global partnerships and national defence; and culture re-modelling.
On diversification and sustainability the president reviewed that Zambia has recorded a growth of 6% of GDP in the last decade but could do better to about 10% GDP growth.
He also called for a smart economy which is characterized by access to capital, markets, talent, infrastructure and, reliable and predictable regulations.
In addition, much to our delight called for a functional culture and social networks and reiterated the words of late President Sata on the need to promote ethical behavior in public and private sectors anchored on zero tolerance to corruption.
AN EAGLES EYE VISION
While many people cried for a vision from President Lungu, he came in and gave an eagle’s eye vision which is far reaching, beyond his Presidency to plan for 50 years which coincides with African Union Agenda of 2063.
The President reviewed that the Zambia’s projected is 52.1 million people in 50 years. He therefore set his focus on growing the economy to sustain such a population. He said that Zambia needs to work on a double digit economic growth.
Surely this is highly applauded.
CREATION OF 5 MORE MINISTRIES
In order to realize his overreaching vision, the President pointed in the direction of promoting dynamic and strategically focused diversification and rapid growth by realigning our institutions to promote synergies in the planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and coordination of national programmes. This saw the creation of 5 more ministries by splitting some ministries and realignment which gives us this outlook:
1. Ministry of finance
2. Ministry of development planning;
3. Ministry of general education
4. Ministry of higher education;
5. Ministry of gender
6. Ministry of mines and mineral development
7. Ministry of energy and water development;
8. Ministry of works and supply
9. Ministry of transport and communication
10. Ministry of agriculture
11. Ministry of fisheries and livestock
While others might be concerned with the budget implication of this increase in ministries, we think efficiency is very necessary and we would rather pay to have it than otherwise. From our interaction with the civil servants, it was established that the realignment of President Sata in his quest to reduce ministries, a lot of confusion was caused at the ministries which brought in inefficiency.
Our only caution to Government would be that the two deputy ministers in one ministry should be a thing of the past to save on cost.
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP
The President recognizes the importance of the Private sector in his 2064 vision and we applaud the gesture. We only look forward to more Zambian participation in the private sector. Zambians must own the largest shareholding in companies for us to control the economy and forex exchange.
All over we appreciated the President’s commitment to empower Zambians through various initiatives and policies. We can only insist on engagement with all stakeholders on this point. Government should not assume the know-it-all attitude which has been the trend in the past.
GENERAL OPINION THE SPEECH
The speech was very inspiring and has a prospective future if it is supported by all citizens. The President set a National plan, a roadmap to guide all of us to the promised land of 2064.
Certainly with change of attitude, investment in power generation, industrialization, public-private partnership, good governance, international policy and prudent expenditure which the President alluded to should deliver the Zambian people from their current poverty squalor.
However, this can only be done if the 15 guidelines as prescribed by the President are adhered to. The speech was not for President Lungu, but for all of Zambia and it should be taken as a National agenda.
REACTION TO UPND ATTITUDES TO THE NATION AND ZV
The main objective of The Zambian Voice is to promote good governance, social justice and respect for human rights. Our motto is “One Voice in many languages”. We espouse to advocate in truth without bias or fear whatsoever
GOOD GOVERNANCE
Our work has not been easy because many times we face challenges, threats, insults, violence and intimidations from various stakeholders especially politicians. However, today we take great exception to the United Party for National Development (UPND).
It must be understood that Good Governance does not just entail the respect of the rule of law and human rights by these in government, but also those in opposition including ordinary citizens. Therefore, the work of ZV is to offer check and balances and guidance to all, especially the ruling party and political parties in waiting to form government.
Unfortunately the UPND wants to exclude itself from the respect of rule of law and respect for human rights in a guise of fighting for political power.
This is totally wrong and as a civil society organization it is within our mandate to condemn it.
We have observed that on a number of occasions the UPND especially the leadership tend to cause public disorder thereby endangering the life of their members and other ordinary members. This behavior has found most of the senior UPND before the police.
We do not support the Public Order Act (POA) if used to trample of on the citizen’s right to express themselves but not being voted in power is not tantamount to human rights abuse for people to start matching and running battles with the Police.
Electorates have a right to their votes to choose whoever they want and they should not be called foolish for having exercising their rights as suggested in the way President Hakainde Hichilema (HH) does.
We don’t want to be biased by ignoring or sympathizing with the UPND on their unjustified breaking of the law just to prove a point of bad governance to the outside world and their sponsors who they have been engaging locally and internationally. Indeed we are struggling economically but we are a peaceful nation and the only party that wants to cause civil strife in the UPND by their behavior and messages including some songs being sang by some sympathetic artists.
RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
We have also observed and fallen victim of the UPND’s verbal and physical abuse. For the UPND, difference in opinion attracts insults and violence. They party is so intolerant of divergent views. This is not respect of human rights which includes freedom of expression. And the evidence is there especially from our point of view.
The UPND must realize that they cannot threaten or beat people to vote for them, rather they irritate people and which brings hatred of the Party making them lose elections other than the rigging they talk about.
For the UPND everyone is a sellout unless he/she sympathizes with them. But it must be borne in their minds that not everyone is desperate as they maybe. On the other hand politics is about benefits which is why HH has been fighting passionately to get into power.
It is folly to tell people that I fight to get into power out of philanthropism when you have made so much money and yet, you have very few charity works to point at. It is also a fact that real philanthropist do not fight for political power and we have many examples to that effect.
It is therefore important for UPND, as well as other political parties, to find means of looking after its members other than just mobilizing them for civil strife, abuse of citizens and violence.
UPND must show good example of good governance, social justice (looking after people) and respect for human rights. This is what will attract electorates to vote for them otherwise new political parties such as the Rainbow Party will by-pass them and test power before they do if they don’t go into extinction.
UPND must have a clear ideology and manifesto like the MMD, NAREP, Rainbow Party which is proving relevant on the political scene. The UPND is so personal because their ideology and manifesto is obscure and whimsy because it is drawn according to the emotions of the leader almost on the daily basis.
We express our views with sadness because as CSO we believe that for good governance to flourish, there have to be a strong opposition unfortunately the biggest opposition seem to be losing grounds making the PF have an easy ride on a number of issues. The PF even stands to win 2016 general elections due to poor opposition performance.
ZAMBIA Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) has bemoaned continued poor service delivery by the country’s three mobile service providers despite constant warnings.
ZICTA consumer protection officer Edgar Mulauzi said his institution wrote to Zambia Telecommunications Company Limited (Zamtel), Airtel Zambia and MTN Zambia last month on how to improve the quality of their services.
“We will soon release a report to inform the nation after we finalise our discussions with them and analyse the reports we have compiled,” he said.
President Lungu with First Lady Esther Lungu and the Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini on arrival for the official opening of the Fifth Session of the Eleventh National Assembly on Friday, September 18,2015 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
OPPOSITION political parties have welcomed President Lungu’s call for peace, unity and an end to politics of violence.
UPND says all well-meaning Zambians should support the President’s call for peace, unity and an end to political violence.
UPND deputy spokesperson Edwin Lifwekelo said opposition political parties do not exist to insult the Government.
“It is time we started championing issues that bring about development and not insults. Any call for peace and unity must be supported,” Mr Lifwekelo said.
He said all stakeholders should take responsibility and show leadership.
“This is a timely call for all those who are in Government and those who are in opposition,” he said.
Mr Lifwekelo said the issue of name calling is not the way to go but that politicians should practise politics which add value.
He said it is important to give praise when it is necessary adding that opposition political parties do not exist to criticise.
And NAREP president Elias Chipimo said calls of peace and unity are welcome. “The President himself should be in the forefront and demonstrate a culture of peace and unity. As politicians, we should tell our cadres who perpetrate violence to stop doing so,” he said.
And Christian Democratic Party president Daniel Pule said the President should be commended for calling for peace and unity.
“We believe in politics of peace and not insults. We hope that all Zambians regardless of their political affiliation will support the President,’’ he said.
And Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) Secretary General Antonio Mwanza said the President should walk the talk because as a leader, he (President Lungu) should be in the forefront of initiating ways of promoting peace.
And MMD President Nevers Mumba said the President alone cannot initiate peace but that he should involve other players like opposition political parties.
And hundreds of youths in Lusaka yesterday held a peace rally at Freedom statue in solidarity of President Lungu’s continued call for peaceful politics.
The rally was organised by PF Youths for Peace chairperson Eddie Gowa.
The youths adhered to the party’s banning of wearing berets and were orderly during the event.
They sang and danced to pro-PF political songs and showered praises on President Lungu’s style of governance.
Dubbed ‘youths unite for peace’, the rally took stock of President Lungu’s abhorrence of violence.
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu with former President of Zambia,Rupiah Banda on arrival at Solwezi Airport
FORMER President Rupiah Banda has dared MMD president Nevers Mumba to expel him from the party, saying he has the right to support President Lungu.
Mr Banda, who was speaking in an interview following a statement by MMD president Nevers Mumba that the former president would be expelled from the party because he supported the PF, wondered why Dr Mumba, who is a clergyman, is failing to show love for people but is instead sulking and being emotional towards him .
“Dr Mumba should not forget that he is a pastor who should preach peace and promote unity in the nation instead of being emotional towards me like he has been,” said Mr Banda.
The former head of State also said he has never quarrelled with Dr Mumba for him to be so emotional towards him.
“I don’t know why he is too upset like that. As a clergyman, he should be the one spearheading peace and unity in the country,” he said.
Mr Banda insisted that Dr Mumba should be able to give love to all people and stop attacking him.
He also said Dr Mumba is a pastor who should lead by example and demonstrate to the nation that he is a man of God.
Dr Mumba yesterday said Mr Banda would be expelled from MMD because of his continued campaigns for the PF.
He cited the recent Solwezi West PF campaign rallies, where Mr Banda shared the PF campaign platform as reason for expelling the former republican president from the MMD.
“…I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live…”
(Deuteronomy 30:19, NASB)
Choose Blessing
God desires that you live in blessing in every area of your life. He’s given promises in His Word and established a plan for you to live in total victory. He promises to give you the answers, but you have to be the one to decide to obey His voice. You have the final choice, so choose life and blessing!
Every time you choose to obey the Word of God, you are choosing blessing. When you put God first in your life; when you walk in love toward others even when it’s difficult, you are choosing blessing. When you turn away from ungodly influences and when you give to others, God will pour out His blessing on you in return. Start today and do what you know to do. Obey His Word, and His blessing will overtake you! You’ll rise higher and higher and live the abundant life He has for you.
A Prayer for Today
“Father in heaven, today I choose life. I choose blessing by obeying Your Word. Keep me close to You so that I can honor You in all that I say and do in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Vice President Inonge Wina says change of mindset towards work in Zambia, is imperative in order to achieve the much needed national development.
Speaking at the Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport in Livingstone today, Mrs. WINA said President Edgar Lungu’s call for hard work during his address to parliament yesterday, should be upheld by all Zambians.
Mrs. Wina says Zambia has failed to develop because some people do not want to work this therefore requires that people should change their attitudes towards work.
And Mrs. Wina has also called on the people of Southern province and the country at large to adhere to President Lungu’s call for reconciliation.
She says the President expects this to be the basis of peace and unity in the country.
And the Vice President has further assured the people of the region that the Head of State’s determination to promote and develop the tourism sector.
Mrs. Wina, who was accompanied by Mulobezi Member of Parliament Patricia Mulasikwanda and her Livingstone counterpart, Lawrence Evans, has since left for Mulobezi district.
Meanwhile, the Vice President Inonge Wina is on Sunday expected in Kalumbila District in North-western province on a two-day visit.
According to a tentative programme obtained by ZNBC’s Joy Siatubi in Solwezi today, Mrs Wina is scheduled to arrive at Solwezi airport at 09:00 hours, after which she will proceed for a church service at Manyama Christian Community church.
The vice president will then hold a rally in the afternoon at Mayashi school grounds in Matebo before winding up her day.
On Monday, Mrs Wina will launch the Solar Hammer Mill at Kambazhi in the morning, after which she will address a rally in the afternoon at Kalengelenge.
The Vice president is expected to fly back to Lusaka on Monday.
President Edgar Lungu with PF Lubanseshi candidate George Mwansa when he address a huge rally at Mucheleka school today. looking on is campaign manager Freedom Sikazwe, Mwansabombwe MP Rogers Mwewa and Senior Private Secretary to the President Danniel Sio :Picture by Mary Bwembya (ZANIS)
The ruling Patriotic Front party says it is confident that its candidate in the September 24 Lubanseshi parliamentary by-election George Mwamba will emerge victorious on the poll date.
PF Campaign Manager Freedom Sikazwe says the ruling party has done its homework in ensuring that victory is certain for Mr. Mwamba.
Mr. Sikazwe told ZANIS in an interview that the people of Lubanseshi constituency have warmly accepted the message of development being rallied by the PF during its campaigns.
He urged party members to continue with their peaceful campaigns ahead of the poll next week.
Mr. Sikazwe has further implored on the police to ensure that the Lubanseshi parliamentary by-election is held in a peaceful atmosphere.
The Lubanseshi seat fell vacant after the Supreme Court nullified the election of Independent candidate Patrick Mucheleka on grounds of electoral malpractices.
Five candidates are contesting the parliamentary by-election.
These are PF’s George Mwamba, MMD’s Gabriel Mulenga, UPND’s Patrick Mucheleka, Rainbow party’s Daniel Mubanga and Charles Chimumbwa who is standing as an Independent.
