PRESIDENT Lungu has challenged Zambians to inculcate a culture of unity and hard work to attain a stable, peaceful and prosperous nation in the next 50 years.

The President said citizens should uphold the national aspiration of transforming the country into a highly-productive society through innovation and competitiveness.

“This will reaffirm the spirit of our being a land of work and joy in unity, as captured in our national anthem,” he said.

President Lungu said this yesterday on the eve of the Africa Freedom Day, which falls today.

This year’s national theme for the commemoration is: “Celebrating 50 years of our national existence and accelerating socio-economic transformation”.

Mr Lungu said the world is undergoing rapid economic and social change and it is important for the country to move in tandem with the rest of the globe.

He said Zambians are duty-bound to be patriotic and pursue self-advancement based on firm moral and ethical principles.

“The national anthem should remind every Zambian of the solemn undertaking to create a united and unitary state, proud, free and at peace with itself, dignified among other nations and self-reliant, prosperous through hard work and a country anchored in God and blessed by His hand,” he said.

Mr Lungu said every citizen should consolidate the achievements of the founding fathers in nation-building.

He said Zambia is a country of equality among men and women, all entitled to the dignity of work and its rewards.

It is also bestowed with abundant natural resources that can should be used to enhance the country’s socio-economic development.

“The real challenge for us is to translate this vast potential into concrete programmes of development that benefit our people.

“As envisioned by our founding fathers, we should strive to rise to the occasion in the face of challenges and forge ahead to ensure prosperity for all Zambians,” President Lungu said.

He said on its part, his administration will continue carrying out infrastructure development such as the construction of roads, schools and universities to increase access to quality education.

Mr Lungu also said Government will continue to enhance the agriculture sector by linking it to agro-processing for value addition.

He said in the mining sector, there is need to ensure citizens become major suppliers to mining companies as well as promoting value addition through copper processing within the country.

“Furthermore, we need to improve the monitoring and auditing of copper mining to ensure that we effectively tax the sector for the benefit of our people.

“I would also like to encourage Zambians to go into joint ventures with foreign mining companies to ensure that some of the proceeds from copper mining are retained in the country,” he said.

He said Zambians have a task to emerge as major entrepreneurs with the capacity of investing both locally and abroad.

The President observed that the country has been spared from war along tribal or ethnic lines, largely by the promotion of the ‘One Zambia, One Nation’ motto.

Zambia is a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural society, which calls for co-existence among different groups.

“I have also made it a personal crusade to inculcate the spirit of ‘One Zambia, One nation’ in all of my national undertakings.

“I am happy that successive governments have continued to nurture this unity of our people, thereby contributing to the peace and stability that we continue to enjoy,” he said.

President Lungu said Zambians should also commit to consolidating its democratic culture.

African Freedom Day is a day to remember and honour men and women who sacrificed immensely for the continent’s freedom and independence.

Mr Lungu said Zambia’s priority should be to continue working with all Africans on the continent and in the Diaspora for socio-economic transformation of the continent.

“Today, Zambia is a sovereign state because of the courage, vision and sacrifice of those men and women. Few are still with us and many have gone.

“To them all, we pay our indelible debt of gratitude. We dedicate this day to them and honour the memory of their heroic deeds. They taught us the true meaning of love of one’s country – service above self,” Mr Lungu said.

The President said this year’s theme is appropriate as it reminds the country of the need to reflect on the past achievements and challenges to enable it chart a new direction.

THE National Restoration Party (NAREP) has urged the youth to obtain national registration cards (NRCs) and register as voters for next year’s tripartite elections.

Speaking when he met NAREP leaders on Friday, party president Elias Chipimo said it is important for youths to obtain NRCs to enable them register as voters in the voter registration exercise, which starts in August.

He said youths, regardless of political affiliation, should turn up in numbers to acquire NRCs and register as voters.

“We want to encourage all the youth in the country to exercise their democratic right as well as moral democratic duty to register as voters for 2016,” he said.

Mr Chipimo said it is important for every youth to register as a voters because they are future leaders.

“Anybody who is 18 and turning 18 years next year should register as a voter during the voter exercise period,” he said.

And Mr Chipimo said NAREP is undergoing major transformation to strengthen its structures
“We want members that are genuine and not politicians of the ‘belly politics’ who start thinking where the next meals will come from,” he said.

Mr Chipimo said NAREP has embarked on membership mobilisation to strengthen its structures at the grass roots.

Bweengwa UPND MP Highvie Hamududu has charged that President Edgar Lungu is struggling to govern because he has not defined his vision.

Mr Hamududu said despite President Lungu representing the young generation of leadership, his administration is following the same path old leadership.

He said many Zambians expected President Lungu to define his own vision, ideals and plans which has failed to do four months after becoming President.

‘Look at his motorcade and that of his Vice President, they are still using long motorcade when the country is broke. They need to stop mismanaging the resources of this country. President Lungu is swearing in people every three days of the week, when does he get to work?’

Mr Hamududu continued, ‘it is a disgrace that we keep doing the same old things that have failed. We are changing Presidents but we are not changing our social and economic situation.’

He said President Lungu is excessive adding that saving state resources should start with him as President of Zambia.

‘He needs to pronounce himself. When President Mwanawasa started fighting corruption, everyone including DCs started fighting corruption, with President Lungu will do not know his stance on corruption and his Ministers are stealing because they know he is also stealing.’

‘President Lungu has continued on the same destructive path of late President Sata. He has continued poaching hungry and useless MPs from the opposition, not because they are adding value to the ruling MP but because they can increase numbers.’

The Bweengwa MP charged that UPND MPs who are serving in the PF government are doing so for their own bellies.
He added, ‘Most of these chaps the PF is recruiting is just about numbers and not for value addition. He needs to talk to HH if he is interested in a working coalition with the UPND and not poaching UPND members,’ Mr Hamududu said.

Mr Hamududu observed that other countries in the region such as Namibia have identified the critical role that the opposition plays in governing the nation.

‘Just here, our neighbours Namibia are doing it. The new President is now regularly inviting the opposition for talks on how to improve Namibia. Here what we see is HH being arrested everywhere he goes. We expected President Lungu to move the country forward by dropping these archaic laws that impede on our freedoms.’

Zambian Voice Executive Director Mutembo Nchito has denied accusations that he has been hired by Mutembo Nchito to discredit the tribunal set up to probe the suspended tribunal.

Mr Tayali said it is a figment of the mind to think that he has been hired by Mr Nchito saying he would rather be hired by the ruling party, like Fr. Frank Bwalya, where there are more benefits.

He said on the contrary, it is the Patriotic Front under the leadership of President Edgar Lungu which is a hired party by Rupiah Banda to fight his battles using state machinery.

‘People like Hon. Chishimba Kambwili are being used by default as part of Government. I would not want to take a go on Hon. Kambwili personally as he has done to me, because I respect him as an elder brother and I think he is a principled man,’ he said.

‘Hon. Kambwili is being used unknowingly (like I have been used before) and I pity him especially as one of the founder members of PF. Fr. Bwalya on the other hand, has to talk to show relevance in PF, otherwise his strategy to dissolve his party and get a job, would be futile,’ he said.

Mr Tayali said Fr. Bwalya does not know anything about principle and self sacrifice for others saying this is why he left Priesthood.

‘With due respect I wish to remind my elder brother Hon. Kambwili not to get excited with his position as a Minister to trample on my rights by talking about my Rape case which is in court,’ he said.

‘My case in court should not be used as a grenade fixed on my bottom to shut me up, that if I talk, it will be detonated. I will not ignore wrong things, especially where the rights of individuals are violated. Zambia is for all citizens and those that dwell therein.’

‘I have submitted my evidence in Court and I am waiting for justice from the Honourable court not what the Hon. Minister or indeed any other person thinks. I will not negotiate for my freedom when I have not committed a crime.’

He said he is also enjoying the creativity of some online publications like Zambia Reports, by coming up with good fiction about him.

‘I take it as good drama to entertain the bloggers. Zambia Reports was purely created to vilify Dr. Rajan Mahtani because he grabbed a house from Papa Corruption (RB).’

‘Vilification of people is one thing I learnt former President Rupiah Banda is good at. He did it to President Sata through the famous ZNBC programs currently in court. He also used the DBZ loan to demonize Mutembo Nchito and Fred M’membe. He also verified Hakainde Hichilema and Nevers Mumba when he wanted to stand as President in January this year.’

He added,’ from me, citizens should expect more revelations on a number of issues which they have been cheated on. I have made it my business to bring out the truth about the so many things that RB has been creating to implant hatred against citizens of this country.’

Mr Tayali vowed that nothing will stop him from bringing out the truth, justice and equity.

‘Not even death because my death will just give birth to more vicious spirits to haunt the corrupt people in this country. Zambians are walking up to see through corrupt leaders.’

The Zambia Civic Education Association Executive Director Judith Mulenga has described as ridiculous the proposal by PF Secretary General Davies Chama that he would be happy to see Zambia transform into a one party state.

Mrs Mulenga said the proposal should be rejected with the contempt it deserves because Zambians are not interested in a one party State.

She has since advised Mr Chama to keep his views to himself because Zambians appreciate multi-party democracy.

‘I think that is the most ridiculous statement from a public figure. He says it is his own opinion but some opinions are best kept to yourself and not brought up in the public domain,’ Mrs Mulenga said.

She added, ‘Everywhere in Africa, people are moving towards enshrining democratic and not only democracy by name but democratic principles by strengthening institutions, respecting the rule of law and reverting the power back to the people so that those that are voted into power become accountable to the people.’

Mrs Mulenga continued, ‘And then you have the party Secretary General of governing party coming up with this useless proposal that he wants a one party state. This is the problem we have with the current leadership, they are very myopic. They just look issues only for the immediate.’

She observed that the PF could be suggesting the idea of a one party state because of its dwindling popularity.

‘We know how successive governments they have operated when they become repressive. They get into power through a multi party system by popular mandate and when this popularity wanes, they become repressive and they start using all sort of machinations which are well known to us.’

Mrs Mulenga said the PF is using Mr Chama’s statement to taste the waters and gauge how Zambians would react to such a statement.

‘We know these machinations very well. By making such a statement, the PF was using Mr Chama to taste the waters to see how the public would react and from there, they would be able to know if the avenue is there for them to push such an agenda and you can see from the way they are annihilating other political parties by buying off strong opposition members.’

First Lady Esther Lungu has urged Zambians to make God the centre of their daily lives and activities.

Mrs Lungu said it is important that society becomes and remains prayerful as a Christina nation and to Iive godly lives.

The First Lady gave a moving testimony of how prayer has strengthened the first family and blessed their lives.

“For us, scripture has a strong bearing on our life. God is great and mighty, he does miraculous things. Sometimes when we wake up, we wonder if we are in state house,” she said.

She said god has blessed her family exceedingly that her family has still remained in awe.

Mrs Lungu was speaking when she attended church service at the Pentecostal Assemblies of God Zambia Trinity Praise Cathedral in Chipata today.

The First Lady asked the church to pray for the first family and the nation so that government works ably to provide the needs of the people.

Mrs Lungu implored the church to continue complementing government by providing social services to communities in order to lessen the suffering of people.

The First Lady said society must embrace orphans to help curb and address the problem of street kids.

Mrs Lungu said Zambians who make up and espouse to be a Christian nation should not stigmatise and discriminate persons with disabilities.

The First Lady is in eastern province to assess women empowerment programmes and reach out to the vulnerable, disabled and aged in society.

CHILUFYA Tayali, the Zambian Voice executive director, has responded to Chief Government spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili’s allegations that he is a hired gun who should be caged for slandering and scandalising the country’s distinguished and eminent citizens such as former Chief Justices Annel Silungwe, Mathew Ngulube and Ernest Sakala.

Mr Kambwili told Mr Tayali and his paymasters not drag President Edgar Lungu and former president Rupiah Banda into the tribunal currently investigating the professional misconduct of suspended Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Mutembo Nchito.

Below is Mr Tayali’s response

It is a figment of the mind to think that I have been hired by Mutembo Nchito because I would rather be hired by the ruling party, like my brother Fr. Frank Bwalya, where there are more benefits.

On the contrary I think it is the Patriotic Front (PF) under the leadership of President Edgar Lungu which is a hired party by Rupiah Banda to fight his battles using State Machinery. People like Hon. Chishimba Kambwili are being used by default as part of Government.

I would not want to take a go on Hon. Kambwili personally as he has done to me, because I respect him as an elder brother and I think he is a principled man. Hon. Kambwili is being used unknowingly (like I have been used before) and I pity him especially as one of the founder members of PF.

Fr. Bwalya on the other hand, has to talk to show relevance in PF, otherwise his strategy to dissolve his party and get a job, would be futile. Fr. Bwalya does not know anything about principle and self sacrifice for others, this is why he left Priesthood, but I respect him because his Holy Orders are indelible.

With due respect I wish to remind my elder brother Hon. Kambwili not to get excited with his position as a Minister to trample on my rights by talking about my Rape case which is in court.

My case in court should not be used as a grenade fixed on my bottom to shut me up, that if I talk, it will be detonated. I will not ignore wrong things, especially where the rights of individuals are violated.

Zambia is for all citizens and those that dwell therein.

I have submitted my evidence in Court and I am waiting for justice from the Honourable court not what the Hon. Minister or indeed any other person thinks. I will not negotiate for my freedom when I have not committed a crime.

I am also enjoying the creativity of some online publications like Zambia Reports, by coming up with good fiction about me. I take it as good drama to entertain the bloggers. Zambia Reports was purely created to vilify Dr. Rajan Mahtan because he grabbing a house from Papa Corruption.

Vilification of people is one thing I learnt former President Rupiah Banda is good at. He did it to President Sata through the famous ZNBC programs currently in court. He also used the DBZ loan to demonize Mutembo Nchito and Fred M’membe. He also verified Hakainde Hichilema and Nevers Mumba when he wanted to stand as President in January this year.

From me, citizens should expect more revelations on a number of issues which they have cheated on. I have made it my business to bring out the Truth about the so many things that RB has been creating to implant hatred against citizens of this Country. Nothing will stop me from bringing out the Truth, Justice and Equity. Not even death because my death will just give birth to more vicious Spirits to haunt the corrupt people in this Country. Zambians are walking up to seethrough corrupt leaders.

May the Lord give us courage and sight to see the Truth.

—

*CHILUFYA TAYALI*

Executive Director

The Zambian Voice