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Kapiri Glass Manufacturing (KGM) Limited has signed a K40 billion (US$8 million) loan agreement with the PTA bank to revive the defunct Plant in Central province.
Kapiri Glass Manufacturing Limited Chairman Costain Chilala signed the agreement on behalf of his company while James Kabuga signed on behalf of the bank.
Mr. Chilala said Kapiri Glass Manufacturing Company will create over 400 new jobs once it is fully revived and operational.
However, he complained of the attitudes of many local banks which he said made it impossible for entrepreneurs to borrow funds for long term projects.
Mr. Chilala noted that the attitude of banks in Zambia made it impossible for the country to start an industrial revolution as they charge very high interest rates.
He said banks are not willing to lend people money for long term projects noting that if they do, their interest rates are too high.
Mr. Chilala, who is a renowned local commercial farmer, urged Government to consider introducing deliberate measures to ease borrowing either by creating an industrial development fund or enacting policies that will encourage indigenous entrepreneurs to invest in Zambia.
He further commended the Zambia National Commercial Bank (ZANACO) for funding small scale farmers through the Zambia National Farmers Union.
He said efforts of ZANACO have helped reduce poverty in rural areas.
And Minister of Finance Alexander Chikwanda described the loan agreement as unique noting that it was not often for Zambians to embark on a huge undertaking especially with risks involved in investing.
Mr. Chikwanda noted that the glass manufacturing industry will create employment for the swelling local population and also contribute to growth of the country’s economy.
He was impressed that a pan-African institution bank (PTA) was in the forefront of helping in establishing an industry which he said will produce a series of sophisticated items for the local and regional markets.
He reaffirmed Government’s commitment to supporting the efforts of local investors who endeavour to invest locally.
He commended Mr. Chilala, owner of Kapiri Glass Manufacturing Company, for embarking on a huge project which he said will provide a positive demonstration to other enterprising Zambians.
Mampi is one of the most popular singers in Zambia . She is somewhat controversial but very very talented. She has a voice that stands out on any song.
Her debut album “Maloza” shot her to fame , songs like “Maloza” and “Portable” made her a house hold name.
Mampi recently released her latest album “Natural Born Star” . The album shows Mampi’s growth as an artist
In an interview with the Weekend Post,she had this to say
“Basically the album shows my skills and to show that the talent is in born and natural. A lot of people have been complaining about my silence that I have gone so quiet whereby am not doing much to contribute anything to the music industry but what they don’t know is that every time am quiet it means am occupied with shows such that I do not have time to be in the studio and record. I will be releasing a new video next month for the Walilowelelela song which is a club hit”
MMD National Chairman Michael Mabenga says he is ignorant about claims made by republican President Michael Sata that some Chinese companies are funding the opposition party.
President Sata yesterday morning during the swearing in ceremony for Mutembo Nchito as Director of Public Prosecutions alleged that he has information that some Chinese firms are still funding the MMD.
Mr. Mabenga says he does not blame Mr. Sata for such allegations but puts the blame on people who allegedly lie to him in exchange for job favors.
He SAYS it is important that Zambians do not mislead the president as this has the potential to kill the country’s spirit of patriotism.
Mr. Mabenga says even if Chinese companies were funding the former ruling party, there is nothing wrong if they are doing so out of goodwill.
Meanwhile, Mr. Mabenga has cautioned members of the party to desist from making negative statements pertaining to the activities of the party.
Mr. Mabenga says it is unfortunate that some members of the MMD had resorted to washing dirty linen in public stating that this is not only sending a wrong signal to party members but to the world at large.
He has since appealed to all party members to carry themselves in a respectable manner so as to uphold the party’s good image.
And Former commerce, trade and industry minister Felix Mutati has charged that the country is experiencing economic uncertainty.
Mr. Mutati says the delay by the government to announce the minimum wage has resulted in a certain level of economic uncertainty.
He says the industry players are uncertain on the way forward of because of the minimum wage issue.
Mr. Mutati in an interview has noted that it is important that the government announces the minimum wage in order to clear to the uncertainty.
Meanwhile, the former commerce minister says the transformation of Zambia must be anchored on policy consistence and not transaction intrigue.
He hopes that the PF government could come out of the shell and make policies that are focused.
Former Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane
MMD chairman for finance and economics, Situmbeko Musokotwane has challenged the Patriotic Front Government to clearly point out the irregularities in the sale of ZAMTEL instead of generalizing the matter.Dr. Musokotwane was speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka this morning.
Dr. Musokotwane said that the commission of inquiry constituted to look into the alleged illegal sale of the telecommunications company to Libya’s LAP Green, should make its report public for the general public to know the truth.
He has since challenged the Patriotic Front Government to refute the findings of the then audit report by Ernest and Young, an international firm of auditors which he said found ZAMTEL to be insolvent with enormous and unsustainable debt against few and obsolete assets.
And speaking at the same briefing MMD deputy national secretary Kabinga Pande questioned why republican vice president Guy Scott is able to represent President Michael Sata on international fora when he can’t act as President in his absence.
Mr Pande said that Dr. Scott should therefore desist from representing President Sata on international fairs because it proves that he is not capable of doing a good job.
Mr. Pande said that the Foreign Affairs Minister should instead be representing the president on foreign engagements because it is during international fora that important decisions of the country are made.
He has since urged Zambian citizens not to take concerns raised by former vice president George Kunda on Dr. Scott’s status as mere politicking but should instead analyze the issue.
Meanwhile, Patriotic Front (PF) Secretary General Wynter Kabimba has said that the PF government is merely fulfilling the party’s campaign promise to the people of Zambia with regards the Zamtel saga.
Mr Kabimba said that complaints that the PF Government has embarked on a witch-hunt do not therefore arise.
Mr. Kabimba told Journalists in Lusaka today that the PF prior to the September 20th elections made it clear that once in office they will ensure that the sale of Zamtel sale is reviewed and investigated.
He said that the PF will therefore ensure that justice prevails in the Zamtel saga in the best interest of the Zambian people.
Meanwhile, Mr. Kabimba has said it will be up to the party central committee to decide on whether or not to consider adopting former Independent Msanzala Member of Parliament Joseph Lungu who resigned causing the by-election.
He said that the party’s top leadership will meet on Saturday to decide on the forthcoming Msanzala bye- election.
President Michael Sata has announced changes to his cabinet in a mini Cabinet reshuffle.
President Sata has transferred Given Lubinda to the ministry of Foreign Affairs, while Chishimba Kambwili has been taken to the ministry of Labour, Youth and Sports.
Fackson Shamenda is the new minister in the ministry of information, broadcasting and tourism.
Mr Sata said the changes are aimed at improving the efficiency of government.
The changes are the first the President has made at Cabinet level since ascending to the high office following his election victory in the 20th September, 2011 elections.
Meanwhile President Sata has directed Director of Public Prosecutions Mutembo Nchito to extend investigations into the sale of Zamtel, to LAP Green.
President Sata says there is need for the office of the DPP to improve on how they prepare the cases to allow the courts do a good job.
The head of state has also called for thorough investigations of other cases involving the privatization of Roan and Kagem mines, Lima bank and Livingstone Intercontinental.Â
The president says the Director of Prosecution and his team to take to court corruption cases that have been well investigated and prepared to allow the law takes it course.
President Sata was speaking in Lusaka today during the swearing in ceremony of Mutembo Nchito as Director of Public Prosecution.
And President Sata has observed that late President Levy Mwanawasa was betrayed when died by the people he trusted in his will to fight corruption.
President Sata adds that the Late Dr. Mwanawasa was committed and worked diligently to fight corruption but that his good will was abandoned by the Rupiah Banda led government.
The president has since urged the new legal team to ensure that corruption is fought saying the PF government should ensure that it leave the government system better than it found it.
And Director of Public Prosecution Mutembo Nchito has vowed to ensure that the rule of law prevails in the country’s legal system.
Mr. Nchito told journalists that it is important for the law to be applied in a fair and just manner irrespective of one’s status in society.
The DPP has also indicated that he will soon start reviewing all the alleged corruption cases involving former leaders.
Mr. Nchito notes that there is therefore need for the people being investigated to be patient and allow the law enforcement agencies to thoroughly investigate the cases.
Immediate past Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane has charged that plans by the Patriotic Front government to have former President Rupiah Banda’s immunity lifted are based on unsubstantiated accusations.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Qfm, Dr. Musokotwane says MMD Members of Parliament will not support the motion when it is taken parliament.
He says it is unfortunate that people are calling for the lifting of Mr. Banda’s immunity in the absence of firm grounds on his involvement in corrupt practices.
The former finance minister who is Liuwa MMD Member of Parliament further explains that the move will set a bad precedent on future Presidents of the country.
And in a separate interview, Chisamba MMD Member of Parliament Moses Muteteka has pleaded Mr. Banda’s innocence.
He says the former head of state does not deserve to be treated harshly.
Mr. Muteteka who served in Mr. Banda’s government as Local government deputy minister has since vowed not to support the motion to lift the former President’s immunity.
Article 34 of the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia 1991 (as amended in 1996) contains the notorious “presidential parentage” clause, which among other things states that for one to be president of Zambia both parents should be “citizens of Zambia by birth or descent.” Following questions that have been raised concerning the eligibility of Zambia’s vice-president Hon. Guy Scott on whether he qualifies to hold the office of vice-president or whether he qualifies to stand for the office of president, I wish to conduct an exegetical study of current Zambian constitutional law. This study will show that if Article 34 is read together with the Supreme Court’s ruling in Lewanika and others v Frederick Chiluba, Guy Scott and many others would qualify to stand for the office of President of the Republic.
In the context of a republic such as ours, a constitution is the supreme law of the land. Constitutional supremacy means that the constitution is the tenet by which all institutions of government are governed. It also means that any law made by the legislature that is inconsistent with the Constitution can be struck down. The role of striking down a law that is inconsistent with the constitution is a preserve of the courts. In our context, it is the High Court and the Supreme Court that have the powers to declare any given law null and void if it violates the constitution. However, the Zambian courts do not have the powers to strike down any article in the constitution. The only power they have with regard to the constitution is the power to interpret it. The extent to which the power to interpret actually goes into questioning or even striking down a constitutional article is a philosophical one. All lawyers and jurists within the common law systems at least would agree that the consequence of judicial interpretation sometimes does go into judicial legislation. In other words, even if judges claim to only be interpreters of the law, the consequence of their interpretation might lead to subtly altering the law.
The consequence of judicial interpretation means that a constitution like we have in Zambia is derived from several sources. First, our constitution is derived from a written physical document, which was passed by our parliament in 1991 and amended in 1996. What that document contains is our constitution. However, that document alone does not constitute Zambian constitutional law. A correct view of the constitutional law of our republic therefore should be found in that document as well as rulings of the High Court and the Supreme Court that have interpreted some sections of that constitution. It is important to note here that Zambians should pay particular attention to judicial rulings because they as well as the constitutional document comprise the constitution of the Republic of Zambia. If someone therefore asks you what the constitution says about “presidential parentage” you would be in order to quote Article 34 (3) (c). However, if you have to correctly interpret this article then you must refer to the rulings of the courts on this matter.
What this means is that Article 34 (3) (c) the famous presidential parentage clause should be interpreted within the ambit of judicial rulings. But why are judicial rulings important? First, judicial rulings are important because they become law. In law, through the principle of judicial precedence, when a higher court in a hierarchy rules on a matter all lower courts are supposed to follow that precedence. Consequently, what the higher courts rules on a matter becomes law with regard to that matter under consideration. Second, court cases are important because they show the development of our laws and the constitution. Third, judicial decisions are important because constitutionally, it is the judges who are final arbiters in legal, equitable and constitutional matters. Every lawyer or jurists worth his salt, therefore pays particular attention to court rulings.
This brings me to Article 34 (3) (c). What it says seems simple: a Zambian presidential candidate must have parents who are Zambians by birth or descent. But the next question is, what does this mean? Well this article can mean different things to different people. This article contains some concepts or ideas that we take for granted but indeed would require a tome to interpret. Concepts such as “parent”, “birth”, “descent”, or even “Zambia” could mean different things to different people. But if we are to remain faithful to the rule of law, then we must defer to the courts a legal interpretation of these concepts. If we are to remain faithful to the rule of law in Zambia then we must take what the courts have ruled on this matter as the correct interpretation of the law.
The meaning of Article 34 (3) (c) was adequately provided in the Supreme Court case of Lewanika and others v Frederick Chiluba. In consistent with the constitutional doctrine of stare decisis it is important that lawyers and jurists give adequate respect for this ruling for it helps us interpret the constitution. In fact, Chiluba is a constitutional milestone.
The Chiluba case is an important constitutional case. Since the Supreme Court has not reversed it, it remains law and is consequently part of Zambia’s constitutional law. But what was this case all about? In 1996, the Zambian parliament amended the Zambian constitution and among other things included the “presidential parentage” clause in the constitution. At that time, it was widely believed that parliament passed that law to disqualify President Kenneth Kaunda from standing since Kaunda’s parents are believed to have come from present-day Malawi. Indeed in the 1996 elections, Kaunda boycotted the elections and urged his UNIP party to abscond. Chiluba and his MMD contested the 1996 elections and other parties that include Dean Mung’omba’s party and Agenda for Zambia a party led by Inonge-Mbikusita Lewanika and his brother Akashambatwa. These elections were conducted on the newly amended constitution.
After the elections however, Chiluba won beating his closes rival Dean Mung’omba by a wide margin. Lewanika and others petitioned the Supreme Court asking the court to overturn Chiluba’s election as president. They contended among other things that Frederick Chiluba could not be president of Zambia because he did not satisfy Article 34 (3) (c) of the Constitution of Zambia. Lewanika and others contended that they had evidence that Chiluba was not born in Zambia and that his parent (especially his father) was not Zambian at all.
The ruling of the Supreme Court on this matter is very significant because in it, the court interpreted Article 34. Additionally, in this ruling the court even went to the extent of criticising parliament’s law making rationale and logic. For those who know constitutional law, this criticism is indeed remarkable and quite unusual. But in unpalatable language, a full bench of Supreme Court held that through Article 34 parliament had created problems for Zambians in the future. And considering what is happening now barely a decade after the ruling, the Supreme Court judges indeed were prophetic.
First, the court held that a Zambian like Chiluba would still satisfy Article 34 even if he were born in a neighbouring country like Congo. If it were shown that Chiluba was a British protected person by the time of his birth and that he “ordinarily” resided in Zambia at independence, he would satisfy the requirement of being a Zambian by birth or descent. Using this rule—it means that all those people like Kenneth Kaunda and Guy Scott who were ordinarily in Zambia at independence and were British protected persons satisfy the requirement of being “Zambian by birth or descent.”
Second, the court had identified serious problems with the requirement that a presidential candidate’s parents should be Zambians by “birth or descent”. The Supremes remarked that this law would present serious problems for the future. In essence they ruled that, this article couldn’t apply to Zambians whose parents were born before 1964—before there was a Republic of Zambia. Essentially then, people like Chiluba (born 1944), Michael Sata (born 1944), Rupiah Banda (born 1943), Guy Scott (born c.1940) and or Kenneth Kaunda (born 1924) cannot produce Zambian parents. This is because by the time that the parents of these people were born in the 1800s, there was no legal or constitutional entity known as Zambia. As such, Banda, Kaunda, Guy Scott, or Sata cannot produce parents who are Zambian by “birth or descent.” Sata’s father or Rupiah Banda’s father were not born in Zambia, and they were not descended from Zambia—Zambia itself being an entity born in 1964 and whose citizenship requirements were set out in the 1963 constitution.
[pullquote]Guy Scott himself has equally concluded the wrong way by claiming that he cannot be President of Zambia. Nothing is further from the legal truth; in fact according to law Scott does satisfy the requirements.[/pullquote]
Third, the Supreme Court then addressed a very interesting phenomenon that indeed would apply to Guy Scott. How does Article 34 apply to a white Zambian? In clear language the Supreme Court ruled that satisfying the articles of the constitution have nothing to do with the colour of one’s skin or tribe. In fact, the ruling even went to give an example of an ethnic Chinese. Essentially, the court ruled that if a Chinese was ordinarily resident in Zambia in 1964 and acquired Zambian citizenship at independence Article 34 should not exclude him from standing for the office of president. Additionally, in a rather comic way, the Chinese example was again used—the Supreme Court painted a hypothetical situation and said that an ethnic Chinese child born in Zambia post 1964 but who gets adopted by black Zambian parents would still qualify since he too can claim that his parents were Zambian by birth or descent. This made the Supremes to ask a rhetorical question, so which “parentage” is parliament talking about here? Is it biological or is it adoptive parentage. From the perspective of the judges clearly Article 34 was rather unimpressive.
Keeping with the arguments above, it is my conclusion that notwithstanding Article 34, Hon Guy Lindsay Scott can legally satisfy the requirement of Article 34 and can in fact serve as President of the Republic of Zambia. Unless overruled, the case of Lewanika and others v Frederick Chiluba is law and therefore applies to Guy Lindsay Scott.
The Attorney General of the Republic of Zambia is therefore wrong at law by advising that Guy does not meet the requirements of Article 34. Clearly, if Article 34 were read with the ruling of the Supreme Court, the Attorney General would come to the same conclusion as I have done. Guy Scott himself has equally concluded the wrong way by claiming that he cannot be President of Zambia. Nothing is further from the legal truth; in fact according to law Scott does satisfy the requirements.
The PF has endorsed the decision by its losing parliamentary candidates to petition the election victory of some MMD MPs appointed to ministerial positions by President Sata.
Party Secretary General, Wynter Kabimba says the party will back the petitions regardless of the MMD MPs relations with the government.
Mr. Kabimba says the party will not stop members who have petitioned presidential appointees as it is within their rights to do so.
He says Zambians are looking for an environment that will ensure free and fair elections.
Meanwhile, UPND has withdrawal from the february, 16th, 2012 Msanzala by-election in Eastern Province amid fears of vote splitting among opposition parties.
UPND, which is largely dominant in Southern Zambia claims that it is currently pre-occupied by legal battles in the courts of law, as a result of what it terms PF engineered election petitions.
Party Deputy Spokesperson, Cornelius Mweetwa says the decision to withdraw from the race is further meant to consolidate the numbers of the opposition in Parliament to ensure effective checks and balances.
The Msanzala by-election follows the resignation of Independent Parliamentarian: Colonel Joseph Lungu and his subsequent defection to the ruling PF.
Mr. Mweetwa also criticized Colonel Lungu for facilitating a useless by election at the expense of the electorate.
Colonel Lungu is also reported to have applied to re-contest the seat on the PF ticket.
President, Sata has been accused of having turned himself in to the police and courts through the manner he is handling allegations of abuse of authority against former government leaders.
An opposition political party has since asked President, Sata to stop prosecuting former government officials openly but leave the task to competent courts of law.
UPND is concerned that President Sata has continued meddling and interfering with the operations of the judiciary when dealing with matters involving former government leaders.
Recently, President Sata accused former Government leaders such, as George Kunda and embattled Former Education Minister, Dora Siliya of having benefitted from questionable transactions while in Government.
This has seemingly created undue pressure on law enforcement agencies to intensify the fight against corrupt in an attempt to please the head of state.
UPND Party Deputy Spokesperson, Cornelius Mweetwa said that the head of state has turned himself into a judge without subjecting the suspects to the courts of law to determine their fate.
Meanwhile, UPND president Hakainde Hichilema has said his party has a bright future out of the other major political parties in Zambia despite losing last year’s tripartite elections.
Mr Hichilema said his party was strengthening all structures after putting the loss at presidential level behind.
The opposition party leader, who was speaking when he featured on Zambezi FM Radio programme ‘The Journalist’ yesterday, said he would campaign on the platform of improving the welfare of the majority poor.
He said UPND was better-placed to win the next tripartite elections in 2016 because it was the ‘only party which was committed to improving the welfare of citizens in the country.’
Mr Hichilema said the Patriotic Front (PF) and the MMD had similar values, noting that they ‘stemmed’ from the United National Independence Party (UNIP).
He said UPND had a different approach and would structure its messages to the people on fostering development and that once in government, it would not focus on pursuing former leaders.
“For now, PF is in Government and MMD is out of Government. UPND is the only party to come in during the next elections. We shall focus on telling people how we intend to foster development.?“We are the only party that has a programme of what people want in terms of health, education and other issues. Let’s build UPND together because it is the party of your choice,” Mr Hichilema said.
He said it was not easy to run an opposition party with 29 members of Parliament (MPs) but added that ‘ the sky is the limit.’?Mr Hichilema also urged the PF Government to quickly deliver a new Constitution because the bulk of the work has already been done.
The opposition leader said the ground work had already been laid in the Mwanakatwe and Mung’omba Constitution review commissions.
He said social and economic rights should be enshrined in the new Constitution as most people in Zambia were poor and had attested to that during submissions of the previous commissions.
Mr Hichilema said the new Constitution should also have a 50 per cent plus-one vote to guarantee majority rule.
On street vendors, Mr Hichilema urged the PF Government not to ‘endorse’ vendors to operate from streets, which had no public convenience and refuse disposal facilities.?“Many of our relatives are currently trading on the streets to earn a living but what we are saying is that they should trade in a favourable environment where there are toilets and safety of customers,” Mr Hichilema said.
On the proposed increment of the retirement age to 65 from 55, Mr Hichilema said the suggestion should not be implemented because young people and women would fail to get jobs.
RESIDENTS of Mupambe Township in Mufulira have sued Mulonga Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC) for allegedly supplying contaminated water.
About 2,200 cases of typhoid have been recorded since the disease broke out three weeks ago in the township, which has more than 3,200 residents.?
The residents have sued through Nkana Chambers for negligence and breach of duty.?In a statement of claim in the Kitwe High Court, John Mwila and 19 others have sued the water utility company as the defendant in the matter for allegedly supplying contaminated water.?
The plaintiffs alleged that between October and December last year, MWSC improperly and negligently omitted to seal leakages on water and sewerage pipes.?
They alleged that as a result of the negligence, the water from the sewer pipe sipped into the pipe carrying drinking water, thereby making water to Mupambe Township unclean and foil.
“ The water from the sewer pipe sipped into the pipe carrying water, thereby making the supplied water to Mupambe community unclean and foil,” read the statement of claim in part.
The plaintiffs said as a result of the company’s negligence, they have suffered injuries, severe stomach pains, diarrhoea, high fever, vomiting and gastroenteritis.?
They stated that the water utility company was expected to supply water which was pure and free of any impurities.?As a result of the negligence and breach of duty, they said, loss and damages were caused to them by the company, their servants or agents.?
They are claiming damages for the sustained injuries in respect of the nuisance.?
The plaintiffs are further seeking exemplary and punitive damages for the injuries caused by the water utility company.
There have been numerous post-September 2011 election accusations of tribalism against the new PF-lead Zambian leadership. This arises of course from the choice of appointees that the Office of the President has made (and continues to make). The continuing debate surrounding the Barotseland Agreement of 1964 appears to add fuel to this hot discussion. Irresponsible people in the opposition continue to delude themselves that they can make political mileage of these two undoubtedly related issues. The current Zambian leadership have so far responded responsibly and as best they can by providing an avenue for discussion for the later item, releasing all persons imprisoned during the 2011 Mongu riots and establishing a Commission of Inquiry that will eventually deliver justice to the families of those killed or injured during the same. Those who subscribe to the notion that the Barotseland Agreement issue will be resolved in the short term and even less the intermediate term (did someone say 90 days?) must reassess their road map on the way forward. And of course their sanity.
For the sake of those with short attention spans (only) two pertinent facts will be presented in their veritable factual (and therefore inherently hard to swallow) context. The first of these unpalatable facts is that there is absolutely no constitutional constraint for the Office of the President to appoint a leadership team based on “balanced” tribal origin. The founding fathers (principally Dr. Kenneth Kaunda) and mothers of this nation reckoned it was necessary in those times to provide a sense of equitable distribution of the “spoils” captured from the retreating British colonialist. There were indeed very few schooled people in that era and if educational qualification was used as the criteria of appointment, the Zambian civil service would have comprised of a pitiful handful of (read as less than 20) totally inexperienced people to provide some form of governance to a political entity of daunting geographical dimensions littered with at least five major tribal and cultural groupings made up of 72 or so distinguishable sub-groupings. Given that we (47 years latter) have substantially more educated people amongst us, the relevant question that demands an answer is whether it is reasonable to continue being fixated in a mental state (tribal distribution of appointments) that views our country as a conquest that must be looted or indeed plundered.
It is abundantly clear that the era of the political freedom fighter has come and gone. The economic freedom fighter whose hour has in all its fullness arrived will require more than sticks, stones and a fearsome visage to make the enemy (hunger, poverty, disease, ignorance) scamper for the cover of the nearest bush. The African countries who have recognised the role of the political freedom fighter and moved away from over-placating that stage of their growth have without exception progressed further economically and in other aspects.
The second brutal (historical) fact is that it made very simple administrative common sense for the British to hand over the then Northern Rhodesian territory in its entirety as a single unit and let any tribal or ethnic concerns sort themselves out. By the late fifties Whitehall had no doubts about three things – the protectorates of sub-Saharan Africa were an economic nuisance, an administrative waste of foreign policy and provided absolutely no strategic military advantage. The golden window of opportunity for the establishment of an independent nation or kingdom of Barotseland within what was Northern Rhodesia was in the five years between 1961 and 1966. Any consideration of Barotseland other than it being a part of Zambia after that window of opportunity is in the studied opinion of some an exercise in warm cuddly nostalgia and a massaging of tribal ego (begging the question – who doesn’t have fond memories of their home or the good old days?). Additional extensions of what is considered Barotseland into the Caprivi Strip, eastern Angola, a smaller part of Congo and how far eastward it extended into Zambia would have undoubtedly left the entire region to this day reeling in border disputes.
We of course are privileged to still have in our midst persons who were present when Zambia came into being in the corridors of Westminster. I am sure if there was or is anything of particular interest to add to the Barotseland Agreement debate they will in the first place provide the relevant facts to the existing commission. There are some who harbour the opinion that the silence of the relevant founding persons itself speaks volumes on the matter. Then there are others who think this silence is golden.
The Challenges and the Opportunities.
The geographical dimensions, the sheer size of Zambia make meaningful and sustainable development difficult in many remote parts, Western province being no exception. Consider that Kafue National Park itself is about as large as England. As far as continental position is concerned, the landlocked nature of Zambia render it fairly “rural” in comparison to the countries that have a sea or ocean front where trade and sea-based commerce has been flourishing for centuries.
The regionally central position of the country has not been sufficiently capitalised in terms of transport infrastructure. Zambia’s potential as a unspoilt tourist centre goes begging as a direct result of piece-meal and half-hearted infrastructure investment that have been restricted to periods immediately preceding major elections. The three international airports (located Lusaka, Ndola and Livingstone) remain the size of air-strips in comparison to counterparts in other countries, maintaining more or less the same size they had in the sixties and seventies (correct me if I am wrong please). The international bus terminal in Lusaka is a crying shame, the home of the homeless and stranded travellers, a filthy mess, a health hazard with harassment as the order of the day. It does not take a rocket scientist to figure out that under the current system any development will be easier to place in the existing centres of communication (principally along the line of rail) before it trickles outward to less developed remote areas – it is the natural course of matters.. The existing railway service is itself at the edge of collapse.
The challenges Zambia faces represent amazing opportunities. Instead of waiting for government, the people must avail themselves to the alternative of a bright future. Zambia still remains one of the most difficult countries in the world to set up a business in (for both locals and foreigners) despite a recent slight improvement in the global rankings. This is part of the adventure and can be sorted out in time with the appropriate political will.
The day that government no longer remains the largest employer in the country is the day that Zambia can be considered to have made a significant milestone towards attaining economic freedom and moved away from unsustainable dependence on a central government system. On that day, political appointments will (hopefully) be of little consequence because the economic development of the nation will be very squarely in the hands of the people. The number of those who not merely believe but know that federating the provinces is the best answer to allegations of tribalism and the greater part of the solution to the Barotseland Agreement debate has reached critical mass. With a federal system, the development of a region or province will fall very squarely in the hands of the people themselves and they will be in no position to blame anyone but themselves. A leaner, meaner civil service backed by a kick-behind private sector is clearly the way forward.
(The author wishes the record to show he is not Bemba by birth or ancestry and is not averse to the possibility of parenting off-spring in that direction – in other words, let’s not take ourselves too seriously).
Zambia’s tourism minister has offered to bungee-jump with the Australian woman who plunged into the Zambezi River after her cord snapped in two.
Given Lubinda has already leapt off the Victoria Falls bridge in an effort to restore Zambia’s battered image.
Video footage showing the 22-year-old Erin Langworthy plunging head-first into the rapids became an overnight online sensation.
Tourism is a major money-spinner in Zambia, creating many much-needed jobs.
The minister made his bungee jump on Sunday – to quell safety fears after the news of the snapped bungee rope spread around the world.
He said he had heard that Ms Langworthy was planning to return to Zambia.
The Australian, who jumped on New Year’s Eve, escaped with just cuts, bruises and a broken collarbone after surviving the fall of 110 metres (360ft).
She had to swim with her feet tied together to the Zimbabwean side of the water, and had to free the cord when it got caught on rocks.
Mr Lubinda, who says he is approaching 50, told the BBC’s Focus on Africa programme it was his responsibility as tourism minister to be the “guinea pig” and “take the risk” in order to restore people’s faith in bungee-jumping and in Zambia’s tourism.
“I am hoping that all those who watched a middle-aged person jumping down the bridge and coming back up smiling will be encouraged not just to jump but also to come and visit Zambia,” Mr Lubinda said.
Mr Lubinda, who has bungee-jumped once before, said he was very confident that the rope would not snap.
He also pointed out that, as far as the records show, Ms Langworthy’s accident is the only one out of the estimated 150,000 jumps since the sport was introduced to Zambia 17 years ago.
The minister said his second jump was a thrilling experience.
“Standing at the edge of the bridge and looking down and seeing nothing but water and rocks – and knowing that the only thing that holds you is a bungee rope – is extremely fearful,” he said.
“But just the experience of going down, and knowing you have the courage to do it, is itself a thrill.”
Zambia is home to Victoria Falls, one of the natural wonders of the world, and is an increasingly popular safari destination.
Former Vice President, George Kunda has insisted that his successor Guy Scott does not qualify to hold the office. Mr. Kunda therefore advised President Sata to save the country the agony of going to court by relieving Dr Scott of the position.
Mr Kunda said that there was no way a country could have a vice president who cannot act as president when the president is out of the country. Mr. Kunda went on to say that no amount of intimidation will stop the MMD from pointing out and question governance lapses.
And Foreign Affairs Minister Chishimba Kambwili has expressed profound disappointment at former vice President George Kunda’s intentions to petition the appointment of Dr.Guy Scott as Zambia’s vice President.
Reacting to Mr Kunda’s threats that the MMD would petition Dr.Scott’s appointment as vice President, Mr Kambwili wondered what the former vice President wanted to achieve.
Mr Kambwili said that Mr Kunda who once served as the legal advisor to government in his capacity as Attorney General and Minister of Justice, should be well vested with the constitution of Zambia.
Mr Kambwili stressed that it was unfair for a former Vice President to doubt the eligibility of Dr Scott to hold the position of vice President when the latter had lived all his life in Zambia.
He charged that Mr Kunda was exhibiting high levels of dishonesty following his many public utterances lately.
He said the constitution was very clear on who qualifies to hold the position of vice president and president respectively hence Mr Kunda should be well vested with the law since he is a lawyer by profession.
Mr Kambwili said Dr Scott has lived his entire life in Zambia and has been heavily involved in Zambian politics for many years.
Meanwhile, the Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) has urged the technical committee to put to rest the issue of parentage for people aspiring for the office of President.
FODEP president Alex Ng’oma has told QFM NEWS that the country needs to move forward by allowing all citizens irrespective of their parental roots to take part in national governance at all levels without any form of discrimination.
Dr Ng’oma said that the issue of Vice president Guy Scott’s parentage and whether he qualifies to hold the office of vice president is a waste of time because Dr Scott has been in Zambia from the time he was born.
He said Zambia needs to learn from progressive countries such as the United States of America and embrace all the citizens in politics saying this is key in enhancing the country’s democracy.
Some players from the Zambia National soccer team in training
Zambia and South Africa drew 1-1 in a friendly played at Rand Stadium in Johannesburg this afternoon.
Defender Stophila Sunzu of TP Mazembe in DR Congo scored the opener before South Africa equalized in the second half.
The friendly was the two sides first meeting since January 20, 2009 when South Africa beat Zambia 1-0 at Atteridgeville outside Pretoria.
Zambia now face Namibia this Saturday in what is expected to be their final friendly game before heading to Equatorial Guinea next Tuesday.
Meanwhile, ex-Chipolopolo midfielder Gift Kampamba has predicted a tough Africa Cup outing for Zambia.
Zambia will begin their Africa Cup campaign with seemingly tricky Group A encounter against Senegal on January 21.
Kampamba, who featured at the 2002 Africa Cup in Mali, said it won’t be easy for Zambia to progress from Group A which has also contains Libya and co-hosts Equatorial Guinea.
“I can’t say Zambia will reach the quarterfinals. Reaching the last eight is a far-fetched dream,” said Kampamba.
He described the current national team as unpredictable.
However, the former Rostov, Mamelodi Sundowns and Nkana midfielder said Chipolopolo are a very unpredictable team despite his reservations about Zambia’s Africa chances.
“Let the players motivate themselves, I know many foreign based players have got the heart to play for the nation,” Kampamba said.
The United Party for National Development (UPND) has cautioned Republican President Michael Sata against finding people being investigated for corrupt activities guilty even before they are tried in the courts of law.
UPND deputy spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa tells QFM that the President seems to be leading the investigative wings on how the cases involving former MMD leaders should be handled.
Mr. Mweetwa says from what the President is reported to have said upon arrival from South Africa were he had gone to attend the ANC centenary celebrations, it is doubtful whether people being probed for corruption will have a fair trial.
He notes that President Sata should lead by example in upholding the rule of law by allowing the law to take its course whenever issues of corruption are being dealt with.
Mr. Mweetwa has since doubted whether people like Dora Siliya who is being investigated in connection with the sale of Zamtel will have a fair trial.
Yesterday President Sata said that he would soon swear in Mr Nchito who would “go for them, especially that he knew them well.” ?“Very soon, I am going to swear in Mutembo Nchtito who knows them better. He will sort them out including Dora Siliya. She must recover quickly,” Mr Sata said.?
