Join our community of SUBSCRIBERS and be part of the conversation.
To subscribe, simply enter your email address on our website or click the subscribe button below. Don't worry, we respect your privacy and won't spam your inbox. Your information is safe with us.
Choma District Administrative Officer (DAO), Vincent Sikanyela has called for sensitisation of parents that are unwilling to take their disabled children to School.
Speaking yesterday during the commemoration of Literacy Day at Choma’s Adastra Primary School, Mr Sikanyela observed that every child has the potential to learn regardless of their intellectual or physical impairments.
He noted that education has the power to change life situations.
Mr Sikanyela was impressed by the reading ability of differently-abled school children ranging from grade one to seven who were drawn from eight schools during commemoration of the Literacy Day.
The pupils from zone A included the hearing and intellectually impaired, blind and able bodied pupils from Nahumba, Swan, Emerging Stars, Airport, River Jordan, Kamunza, and Adastra primary schools.
Mr Sikanyela said government was pleased with the interventions that are being put in place to bring long life skills to communities in Choma District.
He commended both government and private schools in the District for using local languages as a medium of instruction in the early grades.
And Zone A Coordinator, Webby Siajinde expressed worry at the deteriorating reading culture among Zambians and called for a change of mind-set.
And Step Up Zambia Provincial Advisor, Matthews Chirwa said his organisation is committed to improving reading levels by 2020 and will offer technical support to schools in an effort to end illiteracy in Choma.
The Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) has isolated over 70,000 metres rolls of failed electric cables worth K80, 500 and 632 dozens of black shoe polish valued at K34, 760 at Lusaka City Town centre.
ZABS Head of Marketing and Public Relations Hazel Zulu said the commodities were confiscated during the surveillance inspection aimed at establishing the number of failed brands that were being sold in the area.
“The non -complaint cables are going by the brand names such as Power Trust, Flexible Wires, Zaks Cable and Emkay Cables,” she said at a press briefing in Lusaka today.
Ms. Zulu has since advised all individuals and firms dealing in such products to stop the trade because they were non-compliant and were a violation of the standards act chapter 416 of the laws of Zambia.
She said the affected cables will be burnt at a cost to be borne by the responsible traders.
Ms. Zulu stated that the black shoe polish in 40mls round tins purporting to be the brand name Kiwi and bearing the same batch number 171404 was intercepted and withdrawn from the market.
She said the counterfeit polish was smuggled into the country by cross border traders who managed to invade ZABS inspectors at the Nakonde border.
Ms. Zulu has further urged individuals and firms dealing in imported products that fall under compulsory standards to subject their goods and merchandise to ZABS and laboratory inspection.
She said the affected traders will be penalised for failure to comply with the standards act.
Former Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) president Reuben Lifuka says Labour Minister Fackson Shamenda should simply concede that he was wrong by not reporting an alleged bribe offer by a Dangote official within the requirement of the law.
Mr. Lifuka has told Qfm news that Mr. Shamenda’s defence does not hold any water to justify his failure to report the matter to appropriate authorities within 24-hours.
Mr. Lifuka adds that Mr Sahameda was also wrong to entertain the Dangote official in the manner he did as it amounts to aiding bribery and corruption.
He has also challenged businesses in the country to demonstrate that they are ready to ethical businesses in the country.
THE introduction of new education curriculum by Government is effectively improving pupils’ performance among schools in Choma, District Commissioner Bernadette Hamweemba has said.
Ms Hamweemba said that the revised education curriculum which involved the use of local language from Grade one to four, was yielding positive results among the pupils.
She said the new curriculum was being implemented well in all schools in Choma, a situation which was promoting literacy from early childhood through one’s life.
She was speaking in a speech read for her by District Administrative Officer Vincent Sikanyela on Tuesday at the commemoration of the 2014 Literacy month held at Adastra Basic School.
“As Government, we are aware of the importance of literacy in our society. That is why we are putting so much emphasis to this in our education programmes,” she said.
Pupils drawn from eight schools from Choma Zone A, their parents and teachers attended the event where the learners participated in various literacy activities such as reading and reciting spellings in Citonga and English languages.
Ms Hamweemba said the revised education curriculum whose emphasis was on early childhood literacy, was in line with Government’s desire to have a literate society.
She commended the schools in the district, particularly those in Zone A comprising 16 schools, for taking the new local language curriculum seriously.
Adastra Basic School head teacher Bornwell Siagwelele said the reading and spelling event, which was organised in partnership with Step-Zambia, was meant to encourage parents on importance of literacy.
He said that there was need to have more reading competitions which were aimed at sharpening the learner’s art of reading in various schools.
A MAN serving a five-year sentence for a brutal assault on his heavily pregnant wife has had his appeal thrown out by a Kasama High Court.
The appeal was anchored on two heads of argument one being that the sentence was excessive and the other that a plea for a shorter sentence so the appellant Lawrence Mulenga could leave jail soon and reconcile with his wife.
Presiding Judge Petronella Ngulube in throwing out the appeal said the issue of reconciliation could not be entertained by the court as many lives had been lost in this way.
Mrs Justice Ngulube had earlier received submissions from Mulenga’s lawyer Keith Katazo who said the five-year sentence with hard labour was excessive for a first offender even though he did not plead guilty at the commencement of trial.
Mr Katazo also submitted that the convict’s wife who was assaulted was reluctant to testify signifying the fact there was room for reconciliation.
He urged the court to impose a sentence that would allow Mulenga to get out of prison quickly and reconcile with his wife.
In response to Mr Katazo, State advocate Cassandra Soko said she had noted reasons advanced by the trial magistrate when Mulenga was convicted and sentenced.
“The convict brutally assaulted the complainant who was at an advanced stage of pregnancy. He endangered the lives of the mother and unborn child,” Ms Soko said.
Arising from injuries and health complications resulting from the attack, Mulenga’s was hospitalized for a lengthy period.
Ms Soko said the case was classic example gender-based violence and that it was not the role of the court to consider reconciliation especially in cases of extreme violence.
After considering submissions made by both parties Mrs Justice Ngulube cited the case of Gideon Millard V The people where it was held that an appellant court should not interfere with the discretion of the trial court on a question of sentence but for the appellant court to decide to interfere with the sentence, it must come with a sense of shock.
She said Mulenga was well aware that his wife was expecting and that she was at advanced stage and still proceeded to beat her up severely.
“I do not see any reason why this happened on record. I have perused the record from the court below and note that there was overwhelming evidence against the appellant. The fact that the complainant was expecting is an aggravating factor,” she said.
Mrs Justice Ngulube also said she had observed that the offence of assault occasioning actual bodily harm in relation to domestic violence was prevalent in the area. The courts therefore, have duty to curb this scourge through deterrent sentences.
“I therefore, conclude that the sentence of five years imprisonment with hard labour does not come with a sense of shock. This appeal therefore, fails. I uphold the lower court’s sentence as it was appropriate in the circumstances,” the judge said in conclusion.
File:Some Zambian Ambassadors and High Commissioners during a diplomatic conference in Chisamba.
A career diplomat, Lameck Kamalo, says Zambians in the diaspora are not doing enough to bring investment opportunities in the country.
Mr Kamalo told ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday that some Ambassadors and High Commissioners particularly are not attracting real investment into Zambia.
He advised President Michael Sata to recall or fire non performing Ambassadors and replace them with vibrant youths whom he said are readily available graduate diplomats.
Meanwhile, Mr Kamalo recommended that the Zambia Institute of Diplomacy and International Studies (ZIDIS) be upgraded to a university for it to attract international students which would later lead to Zambia coordinating conflict management in Africa.
And Mr Kamalo, who earlier visited Mufumbwe Member of Parliament, Steven Masumba and Zambian Musician Clifford Dimba, popularly known as “General Kanene” in prison, has called on the youths to stand by each other at all times.
Mr Kamalo who is also Chief Executive Officer of Big 5 Africa awards international described prison as a college where people are reformed and learn not to repeat the crime they committed.
Struggling FAZ Super League side Roan United have appointed Fordson Kabole as new club head coach.
Club secretary Chisoni Miti confirmed on Wednesday that Kabole has taken over from Dean Mwiinde who has been sent on forced leave by the Luanshya based side.
The veteran coach who was unveiled at Kafubu Stadium on Wednesday will take charge of Roan until the end of the current season.
Roan are bottom of the table with 17 points from 25 matches played.
“Mr. Fordson Kabole is now the head coach. The incumbent coach Mr. Dean Mwiinde is on leave,” Miti said.
Mwiinde failed to win in the ten games he was incharge of Roan.
“He (Kabole) started work today after we introduced him to the players and will be incharge until the close of the season,” he added.
Kabole will work with Kaunda Simonda and Hilary Makasa as his assistants.
The ex-Power Dynamos and Nchanga Rangers trainer returns to coaching for the first time since March 2013 when he was fired by Congolese club Don Bosco.
Zesco United on Wednesday afternoon missed a chance to go top of the FAZ Super League table after losing 1-0 to Red Arrows at Trade Fair Grounds in Ndola.
Striker Evans Musonda scored the only goal of this rescheduled Wee 22 match.
Nshimbi found the back of the net just after two minutes to silence the home fans.
The win moved Arrows out of the relegation zone as the Air Men climbed from 13th to 11th place on the table with 29 points.
On the other hand, George Lwandamina’s side remained third on the table with 49 points, two below leaders Zanaco.
In another midweek delayed match, Nkana were held to a disappointing home goalless draw by visiting Nakambala Leopards in Kitwe.
Both Nkana and Nakambala missed several chances in this rescheduled Week 21 match at Nkana Stadium.
Champions Nkana remains in fifth place on the table with 43 points and Nakambala moves to 32 points after 25 matches played.
Champions Nkana remained stuck in fifth place after they were held to a frustrating home goalless draw by Nakambala Leopards in a delayed midweek FAZ Super League round 21 tie in Wusakile.
Nkana were left ruing several scoring opportunities by a determined Nakambala side at Nkana Stadium in Kitwe.
However, the visitors were the first ones to shoot on target with forward Moses Siyanda forcing Rabson Mucheleng’aga to stop a free kick taken from outside the box after two minutes.
On 21 minutes, striker Ronald Kampamba came close to giving Nkana a lead when he headed a Kelvin Mubanga cross just over the bar from close range.
Twelve minutes before the break Nakambala’s Friday Konga missed a chance to put his side in front after sending a header slightly wide from the box.
Not even the half time pep talk from coaches seemed to have worked in the last half as both teams continued wasting chances.
Nkana now sits on 43 points and eigth placed Nakambala moves to 32 points from 25 matches.
Wilson Mwale’s Nakambala handed Nkana their first league defeat back in May when they won the earlier meeting 1-0 in Mazabuka.
This draw is coming just three days after the seemingly outgoing league champions Nkana succumbed to a shocking 1-0 home defeat to Nchanga Rangers in Kitwe.
Patriotic Front National Chairperson Inonge Wina has told journalists in Lusaka that the party will soon meet to address the fate of convicted Mufumbwe MP Stephen Masumba.
Ms Wina said the party will soon make its position known to the public on the issue of Mr. Masumba whose conviction for obtaining employment fraudulently was uphold by the high court.
She explained that the issue of Mr. Masumba was an internal matter which needed the decision of the party as a collective.
Ms Wina says the ruling party will not condone lawlessness within the party.
Commenting on some youths within the party who are plotting to have Vice president Guy Scott fired Ms. Wina said there are channels that should be followed to air grievances and that the party will not entertain members taking to the streets demonstrating against fellow party members.
She said internal issues must be addressed within the party but that is should be done in a civilized manner without rushing to the press or demonstrating in the streets.
Ms. Wina also said the party will resolve all the internal squabbles before 2016 and that there will be no divisions in the party before the 2016 general elections further adding that there are no opposing camps within the party.
She also said the party will soon have elections for positions in the party which will ensure that the party emerges stronger before the elections.
File:Defense Minister Edgar Lungu inspects the Quarter Guard mounted by Zambia Army Western Region Headquarters during an Official visit in Mongu District, Western Province
Defence Minister Edgar Lungu has distanced himself from suggestions that he wants to succeed President Michael Sata.
Mr. Lungu has since denounced the Facebook page opened in his name dubbed ‘Edgar Lungu for 2016’.
He says the Facebook page is a creation of the enemies of the PF who want to sow seeds of anarchy in the party.
Addressing Journalists during a media briefing in Lusaka today, Mr. Lungu who is PF Secretary General says the creation of the Facebook page is malicious and the work of the enemy with an intention of creating an impression that there is a succession crisis in the PF.
Mr. Lungu states that he has no Facebook account and he has no intentions whatsoever to create an account in the foreseeable future.
Mr. Lungu, who is also Justice Minister, adds that it is common knowledge that his undivided loyalty is totally devoted to President Sata and the PF.
He has since warned individuals behind the creation of the page that very soon their agenda and related activities will be brought to light.
By broadcast time, over three hundred Facebook users had liked the ‘Edgar Lungu for 2016’ Facebook page.
And Mr. Lungu has expressed happiness that the opposition political parties in the country will be part of the 50 years Golden Jubilee celebrations slated for 24th October.
The Justice Minister says Jubilee celebrations should not be viewed as a political event but a national event.
Mr. Lungu says he is glad to hear that the UPND and MMD will take part in the Jubilee celebrations.
Commerce and Trade Deputy Minster Miles Sampa has donated his September salary towards the maintenance and protection of the house of President Sata’s father in Chitulika village in Mpika District.
The Deputy Minister said his donation is aimed at ensuring that the house for the late Langforiv Sata is turned into a heritage site.
Mr Sampa was speaking in Mpika yesterday after inspecting the house and later launched a project named Langi Trust to oversee the maintenance of Mr Langforiv Sata’s house.
He explained that the project will be sustained through contributions from well-wishers and will also help orphans to access education.
Mr Sampa who is also Matero MP has since appointed Julius Komaki as interim chairperson to coordinate the activities of the trust and ensure that the yard is fenced from being vandalized further.
He said that the project will be sustained through contributions from all well-wishers adding that it will not have any funding from the Government.
Mr Sampa called on people of Chitulika village and Mpika as a whole to protect President Sata from enemies and support the government’s national development agenda.
And some Chitulika residents who attended the launch of the project thanked the deputy minister for Commerce and Trade for the gesture and pledged to support and protect President Sata and the Chitulika heritage site.
Villagers walking along the great east road to access services such as health and markets in Eastern province
As we begin the 50th Independence Celebrations, we also note the rather unfortunate state of our economy which has for half a century remained with ‘potential’ to grow. The word ‘potential’ has been used in many government policies from KK’s 27 years of a one man show, to the MMD’s 20 years and now the PF’s last three years of gross economic policy mismanagement. Zambia’s potential to ‘grow and create jobs’ remains just that, ‘potential’.
The $600million VAT impasse
The recent impasse regarding the $600million VAT repayment to the mines is a clear manifestation of economic patchwork which has characterized the PF’s economic management approach. We have in past warned about the dangers of disjointed economic management approaches as being practiced by the PF, and now, with the mines’ threat to cut thousands of jobs, we will begin to live the realities of pure economic governance failures.
The most worrying aspect of the recent economic mismanagement is that the PF government has accumulated a huge public debt in the last three years. Some statistics show that the PF led government has borrowed more in three years than the borrowings of the MMD government in its 20 year rule. What is more strange now is the $600million repayment which they could have easily avoided had they not gotten into the practice of economic patchwork through statutory Instruments that had little or no value to the smooth operations of the economy. We have lamented about external excessive borrowing without regard to ability to pay, but now it seems our leaders borrowed only to repay the mines when such would have been easily avoided. It is ironic that we would issue a Eurobond of $750million, holding road shows and popping champagne, and when the money is in, take out $600million to pay the mines, yet, pass on the debt payment burden onto the poor Zambians through taxes, wage freezes and a higher cost of living.
Governance system of tax evaders,by tax evader for tax evaders
The recent revelations of non-payment of taxes by some business close to the power circles reveal one big problem with our governance system: We are in a governance system of tax evaders, by tax evaders for tax evaders. The problem is that a government of tax evaders, by tax evaders and for tax evaders will not take decisions that would hurt the economic interests of the ruling elite and those close to state house. It appears the government is likely to continue borrowing at home and from abroad to finance its expenditure and pass on the burden of inflation and debt servicing randomly to the poor and middle income class, which bears the heavy burden of explicit and implicit taxes. Alas, most of the poor and middles class citizens have failed to challenge the ‘divine right’ of tax dodgers to rule the country. We have on one hand a tabloid that perpetuated poor economic governance through propaganda because it benefitted its elite owners through illegal tax relief, and a government on the other hand that implemented economic patchwork and borrowed excessively without regard to pay. Evidently, the poor and middle classes need to wake up to claim their fundamental rights and install a government that looks after public rather than personal interests. Such a government can be made from a complete overhaul of the current regime, or indeed a new regime altogether.
Poor long term policies
A government that meets its daily expenditure by excessively relying on internal and external borrowing is certainly guilty of economic mismanagement and national dis-service, and is mortgaging the future of our nation, our children, and their future. This cannot certainly be allowed to continue. With a clearly deteriorating debt profile, one question that comes to mind is: why does our government continue to spend more than its revenue when the country is already highly indebted? The answer is that political expediency and lack of regard for long-term national economic interests prompt the political leadership into doing that. Furthermore, propaganda media has done the nation a di-service by being part of, and championing poor economic governance.
It is politically easy to continue to govern, even if badly, without real resource mobilisation effort and effective expenditure control. While mortgaging the future of the country and of the coming generations, the ruling elite also find opportunities to accumulate personal wealth. Those with business and close to the power circles default on tax payments, and life goes on as if all is well. With the passage of time, borrowing, which was used as a solution for resource deficiency, has become part of the problem. The increase in the outstanding debt has begun to claim a rising share of government revenue for debt servicing leaving fewer resources for other government operations. Ill-conceived statutory instruments and patchwork with mining policy has resulted in government having to pay, though legally so, $600million which could and should have been avoided. As a result, a large part of current expenditure and the entire development expenditure are shortly to be financed by even more borrowing. Evidently, a self-centred and short-sighted political leadership has trapped the country in a vicious circle.
Solution
What is the way to break the vicious circle the government is stuck in? Economically, and professionally speaking, the only way out is to undertake tax reforms to expand the tax base and increase tax-to-GDP ratio. Rising tax revenue will reduce the borrowing needs of the government and at the same time improve its debt servicing capacity. Furthermore, a clear, succinct and mutually beneficial mining policy devoid of personal wealth gains interests by those in charge should be championed.
Tax reforms would require that the undertaxed sectors are brought into the direct tax net and those who conceal their incomes to avoid tax payments, or those that fail to pay as required by law such as the propaganda media are compelled to pay their due share of income tax. Furthermore, the PF would do well to de-link itself from businesses that get too close to the governance circles with the hope of getting tax reliefs.
Zambia will outlive all of us, let us not allow its future to be mortgaged by elite interest groups and poor economic governance.
By Hjoe Moono
Hjoe Moono is an independent economic consultant and commentator based in Lusaka. A Rhodes Scholar (Class of 2009) he holds an MSc in Economics (Sheffield University), MSc in Global Health (Oxford University) and a BA in Economics (UNZA). He is currently a UK Economic and Social Research Council PhD in Economics candidate at the Lancaster University Management School, England.
FILE: HH Speaking to Journalists after appearing for mention
The reports that the PF government wants to abandon more than 4000 University of Zambia students and consign them into the streets due to lack of money for bursaries; are shameless and a clear lack of priorities.
UPND, still insists on affordable and quality education being a responsibility of any caring government as one of our four pillars in our manifesto that also include agriculture, prudent economic management, and quality health care.
Can the PF be serious for once, and stopped playing ‘donchi kubeba’ on the people of Zambia, especially the youths whose future solely depend on this education they are being denied today by this irresponsible leadership.
Those children, some below 19 years, are adolescents who can do anything, even taking their own lives, once their future is shattered by lack of bursaries. In fact, the PF leaders must be held responsible and accountable for anything bad that will happen to these children a result of being denied a chance to get education due to lack of bursary. In any case, the PF were voted based on their manifesto that among other lies, provides for free education from grade one to university, and gave hope to the majority Zambians.
This PF government has so far been wasting a lot of resources on by-elections being instigated by them. The bloated cabinet, huge delegations to international meetings and other allowances, which would have been used for the education and other social sectors are being wasted.
Further, the PF government removed critical fuel and food subsidies on the promise of serving money for social sectors such as education and health care. What has happened to that money saved from subsidies since the money used on roads is borrowed money which the same youths they are denying bursaries will have to repay in the near future?
We in UPND believe that education is the best inheritance, best equaliser, and is an investment and not a cost and hence should be accessed by all children even those whose benefactors cannot that cannot afford to pay for their education.
In any case, an education bursary is basically a financial instrument that can be structured and arranged in any form such as a grant or a long term loan scheme that can afford children from poor families to access education.
PF should therefore find the money for the youths at UNZA and other learning institutions even through a supplementary budget, like they have been doing for their by-elections, and other wasteful expenditures.
Hakainde Hichilema
UPND President
___________________________
UPND Information (PI Dept)
President Sata being welcomed by Vice-President Dr Guy Scott on arrival at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport from New York on sepember 28,2014 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
This is a question that is on the minds of Sata’s supporters. It is a question being secretly discussed among the leaders of the Patriot Front. Opposition leaders are eager to know who their 2016 nemesis is going to be. After disappointing and disappearing acts of our incumbent president, Zambians are keen to know what his succession plan is.
The issue of leadership succession is often one that eludes Zambian leaders. History shows us that no previous Zambian leader clearly chose a successor. Kaunda never dreamt of ever leaving the presidency. The same goes for Chiluba until his third-term bid failed then he stumbled into Levy in the early hours of one morning—and boom Levy became president. RB was clearly not Levy’s choice though he kept him as his vice.
So who is going to succeed the Cobra considering that venom would not likely be poisonous come 2016? There is undoubtedly a long list of potentials to take over the party leadership among the PF members. In fact, some of the possible candidates are PF outsiders. Here is my list of people that are contending to take over the PF’s top job and maybe Zambia’s top job as well in a couple of years:
Edgar Lungu: Perhaps currently the frontrunner in taking over the PF leadership. He is acted as Republican President at least four times. He is currently the Minister of Justice, Minister of Defence and PF’s Secretary General. Insiders say he is approachable and easygoing. However, critics think his weakness for the brown bottle does not make him a strong leader. This choice would likely help the PF in mobilizing the much needed votes in Eastern Province to win a general election.
Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba : Sata’s former Defence Minister is very much in the race to take over from him. Although he resigned his cabinet position, GBM refused to quit his legislature job which created a feud between him and former Secretary General Wynter Kabimba. After the latter’s dismissal, GBM is back at the high table. He is PF’s richest man and very likely to use his financial muscle to ascend to the presidency. His education or the lack of it, though, has often come up as a concern to many critics.
Guy Scott: Though currently Scott does not qualify to be the Republican President, a change in the constitution will likely put him on top of the list to succeed Sata. A long-time ally of Sata, Scott will be a neutral presidential candidate with not so much of a tribe which is often a very hot topic when it comes to electing candidates in Zambia. Scott’s age and health will be a major setback as opponents will likely favor a younger and even darker candidate.
Wynter Kabimba: The former PF Secretary General is not out of the equation in solving the presidential succession puzzle. Though he has remained low profile since his exit from cabinet, WK is doing some underground work so he can come back strong. The Post Newspaper owner Fred Mmembe is on his side and it’s believed that he is still in talking terms with Sata. It is strongly believed, within PF, that WK will be a hard sell to the Zambian people because of his arrogance, corruption record and even his heritage.
Given Lubinda: Famously known as Zayelo, the former Foreign Affairs Minister and Kabwata lawmaker is probably the best candidate from this list to take over the presidency from Sata. Like many others, Lubinda was a victim of WK’s power struggle and was accused of selling secrets to opposition parties. He was fired, suspended and somewhat excommunicated. As Karma would have it, WK was fired and Lubinda was back in the limelight. It is rumored that he will bounce back as a minister soon. Lubinda does not have much formal education but is very intelligent. However, he remains a minority in a party that is dominated by the Bembas.
Wilbur Simuusa: The current Minister of Agriculture will be a surprising pick to take over from Sata. As one of the most educated ministers in the current administration, Wilbur is a very trusted subordinate of Sata. He has massive support from the Copperbelt constituency. However, his being Tonga will likely cost him the promotion although supporters say this will be a good way to send a sign to opponents that believe that PF is a tribal party.
Chishimba Kambwili: The Sports Minister has clearly shown interest in taking over from Sata. Whether or not he is capable of the job is another question. The overly vocal minister continues to make more enemies instead of friends in his quest for Zambia’s hottest job. Though some say he is a goal getter and would probably get a lot more done than his boss, others have pointed at his lack of diplomacy, his pro-Bemba agenda as some of the draw backs from such a candidate.
Elias Chipimo: This one will be a wild card. The current opposition leader of National Restoration Party (NAREP) has been often named as a likely successor the day Sata became president. Chipimo has dined and wined with the Sata dynasty for a while. His criticism to the administration has been very mild and perhaps strategic. Will this opposition leader jump ship and take the opportunity of leading PF and maybe Zambia?
This list just shows how blind and lack of foresight by Zambian dictators. They are so often engrossed in amassing wealth and power that they give little or no thought at grooming one who will take over from them. Some have even given the thought of handing power to their sons—forgetting that they have to go through the election process. Sata’s biggest task at hand is to find someone who is going to take over from him and do a better job than he has done as the Republican President. This will be a legacy that will go down in the history of this country especially if he voluntarily steps down as president. Only time will tell what happens next…
