FORMER Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services Ronnie Shikapwasha has apologised to President Sata for the harm he caused him when he was in charge of the ministry and during the September 20 tripartite election campaigns.

Gen Shikapwasha told Parliament on Tuesday politicians called each other names and spoke many injurious words against each other before and during the campaigns. “At this point I want to render unreserved apology to his Excellency Michael Chilufya Sata for the injurious words that I spoke against him. I apologise wholeheartedly,” he said.

Gen Shikapwasha said it is important to respect authority because leadership comes from God. He said God has given President Sata to Zambians and he should be respected.
Gen Shikapwasha also apologised to United Party for National Development (UPND) Hakainde Hichilema for many injurious words he spoke against him.

“I apologise to you, Mr Hichilema, for the many injurious words I spoke to you, some of them parroted,” he said. Gen Shikapwasha, who is also Kembe member of Parliament (MMD), said prayers must continue in Zambia so that there is no witch-hunting to ensure that reconciliation is promoted.

He thanked Merdado Cardinal Mazombwe for his reconciliatory remarks at Saint Ignatius Catholic church last Sunday. Gen Shikapwasha said it is important that the nation reconciles and starts on a new chapter.

And contributing to the President’s speech, Gen Shikapwasha said the speech left out important issues such as the mine taxes, national security and Zambia’s Christian nation status.

And Lieutenant General Shikapwasha has said government did not follow the right procedure when appointing the director general of the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC).

He said the ZNBC Act demands that the position of the national broadcaster’s director general should be advertised, which Government failed to do. “The appointment for ZNBC’s DG was single-sourced and did not give many Zambians an opportunity to compete,” Gen Shikapwasha said.

Bangweulu MP Chifita Matafwali (PF) said it is gratifying to note that President Sata has recognised the need to undertake a review of the Farmer Input Support Programme with a view to establishing whether it is achieving its intended purpose.

Lukulu East MP Christopher Kalila (MMD) said the inclusion of the mother and child health to the Ministry of Community Development will have a negative effect in achieving the Millennium Development Goals on health.

“It is just the same as creating another Ministry of Health because it will lead to the duplication of what the Ministry of Health has been doing regarding mother and child health, which will have a negative impact in attaining the goals on health,” Dr Kalila said.

[Zambia Daily mail]

By Henry Kyambalesa

We should be proud that at 47 years of age, our beloved country has continued to be a land of lasting peace and stability. We should, therefore, make an earnest effort to build on Dr. Kenneth D. Kaunda’s concept of “One Zambia, One Nation” in order to create a society in which political, ethnic, cultural, racial, and religious diversity is genuinely appreciated, tolerated and celebrated.

In this Press Release, I wish to share my views concerning the role of government in independent Zambia. In this endeavor, let us first briefly examine a point of view advocated by the founders of the free enter­prise ideology, that a government should have very limited functions.

In their view, “That government is best which governs least.” Essen­tial­ly, they advocated for a govern­ment whose functions are limited to the following: protecting private property, providing for public safety and security, enforc­ing business and other forms of contracts among individu­als and/or institutions, inducing (rather than perform­ing) commer­cial and industrial activities, and, among other things, facilitating the provi­sion of quality educa­tion and health care.

There are, however, many factors which may lead to an increase in the functions of a country’s national gov­ernment, such as the follow­ing: increases in the country’s popula­tion, an unprecedented number of demands by vari­ous interest groups for gov­ern­ment involvement in ad­dressing their needs, and, among other things, problems brought about by a multitude of hu­man-induced and natural calamities.

There is no doubt that these and other factors can put pressure on a government to expand existing public servic­es and facilities and/or to introduce new ones. Franklin D. Roosevelt, United States president between 1933 and 1945, must have had these and/or other similar kinds of factors in mind when he said: “As new conditions and prob­lems arise beyond the power of men and women to meet as individu­als, it becomes the duty of … govern­ment[s] … to find new remedies with which to meet them.”

Nevertheless, the proper governmental role in a free-market economy, as Michael E. Porter once advised in an article entitled “The Competitive Advantage of Nations,” which appeared in the Harvard Business Review of March-April 1990, should be that of serving as “a catalyst and challenger … to encourage—or even push—companies to raise their aspirations and move to higher levels of competitive perfor­man­ce.”

42nd President of the United States of America, Mr. William J. Clinton, espoused this point of view in general terms when he stipulated his Administrati­on’s desire in the State of the Union Address of January 27, 1998 thus: “[We need to] build a govern­ment that [func­tions as] … a catalyst for new ideas, and, most of all, a govern­ment that gives … people the tools they need to make the most of their own lives.”

In serving the business commu­ni­ty and other segments of society as a “catalyst and challenger,” a gov­ernment needs to provide adequately for various kinds of guarantees, inducements and essential services and facilities, such as the following:

1) A well?developed transportation infrastructure and ad­e­quate tran­sporta­tion services to industrial, com­mercial, and residential areas to ease or facilitate the distri­bution of production inputs and finished products;

2) Adequate public ser­vices (including police protec­tion, fire protec­tion, public utilities, and decent housing), as well as telecommunica­tions, educa­tion­al, vocation­al, health, and recreational facili­ties;

3) Equitable sales, corpo­rate, and other taxes, as well as tax conces­sions and induce­ments that are more attractive than those in alterna­tive coun­tries or regions which inves­tors are likely to consider for invest­ment;

4) Political and civic leaders who are fair and honest in their dealings with private business institutions, and stable econom­ic policies (inc­luding a formal assurance against nationalisation and/or expropria­tion of privately owned business undertakings by the national govern­ment);

5) Political and civic leaders who are genuine and resolute in their fight against the scourge of corruption in governmental and non-governmental settings;

6) Less bureaucratic licensing, import, export, and other procedures, and ade­quate information about in­vest­ment and marketing prob­lems and opportu­nities in the various sectors of a coun­try’s econo­my and in cross-border markets;

7) A system of justice that is fair, impartial and independent in both word and deed; and

8) A social safety net designed to adequately cater to the needs of economically disadvantaged members of society that is not subject to political meddling or manipulation.

These inducements, ser­vices, facilities, and guarantees, among a host of other things, can enable economic units, for example, to operate more efficiently and eventually deliver economic and social outputs to society at reason­able costs and prices.

As Alassane Ouattara (current president of Ivory Coast) once advised in an article entitled “Africa: An Agenda for the 21st Century,” which appeared in Volume 36/Number 1 of Finance and Development of March 1999, therefore, there is an urgent need for national leaders to re-define the roles of their governments away from direct involvement in commercial and industrial activities toward the pro­vision of inducements, guarantees and essential public services and facilities to their primary stakeholders.

Given the many positive changes currently being introduced by the Patriotic Front administration, our beloved country seems to be destined for a brighter future. Together, we can realize the benefits of independence, democracy and economic liberalization, and we can succeed in our quest to create a more democratic, more peaceful, more prosperous, more egalitarian, and more environmentally sustainable society.

By K.Cooke

My wife was booked on to Zambezi Airlines flight on Friday 28th of October. She arrived at the airport at 0600hrs and proceeded to check in, only to be told that the flight was delayed until 1300hrs, then 1330, then 1400, then 1530 then they would be flying on Air Zimbabwe at 1600, then they were now flying on the plane returning from Tanzania at 1630 and finally that the flight would be at 2000hrs.

At or around 2000hrs she boarded the flight and they finally left for Johannesburg only to have to return to Lusaka due to an engine failure. Upon arrival back at the airport most of the passengers were told that there was no accommodation and that they should sleep on the floor.

The following morning the airline still did not know when they would fly out so my wife purchased a new ticket, as did most passengers,with SAA and around 0730 they departed.

Firstly I would like to point out that the way people were treat was a disgrace and it shows what a sorry state of affairs Zambian aviation is in. However, being the founder of Equatair Airlines and having been chased and harrassed out of Zambia after establishing a Zambian airline and after being resident for 20 years, I must confess to feeling a certain smugness and satisfaction.

Zambia, sadly has ended up with the aviation industry that the government deserve and it is sorrow for the people of Zambia that I truly feel.

THE Zambia Consumer Association (ZACA) has bemoaned the high cost of INTERNET bundles charged and alleged unfair conditions attached to INTERNET services by mobile service providers.

The association has since challenged Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA) to discharge its mandate and protect consumers.

ZACA executive secretary Muyunda Ililonga said, “We do agree with complaints from subscribers and we want to express our utmost disappointment with telecommunication service providers who have taken advantage of exploiting consumers regarding the INTERNET bundles,” he said.

In an interview in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Ililonga is of the view that competition in the telecommunication industry should have order and quality customer care to immensely benefit consumers.

He said the association has observed that despite the competition in the sector, telecommunication firms are charging exorbitant high INTERNET charges and are subjecting consumers to unfair conditions.

It is alleged that subscribers using INTERNET bundles from mobile service providers are paying more for less services including forfeiting credit if it is not used within the stipulated timeframe.

Mr Ililonga urged ZICTA to perform to consumers’ expectations of protecting them. He said the performance of ZICTA is very worrisome and not to consumer’s expectations.

Mr Ililonga said telecommunication is a major driver of the economy which require all tumbling blocks to be removed.

He said the major impact arising from high cost of INTERNET bundles is the high cost of doing business which will suffocate the economy.

“ZICTA should discharge its mandate according to expectations of people and be feasible…and take action against erring companies. It should not just concentrate on money collection but protect consumers as well,” he said.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

MORE MMD provincial chairmen have voiced their concerns on the need for their leadership to find money for an extraordinary convention that will usher in the new party president.

They are also calling for the re-introduction of the position of party vice-president, which was removed from the party’s constitution at its national convention in April this year.

Deputy national secretary Chembe Nyangu on Monday said the MMD does not have money to hold an extraordinary convention to elect party president Rupiah Banda’s successor. Mr Nyangu said MMD members should allow the party’s national executive committee (NEC) to nominate a leader in an acting capacity in between conventions in line with the party’s constitution.

The provincial chairmen now calling for an extra-ordinary convention are Emmanuel Chungu (Luapula Province), George Kangwa (Central Province), Ezekiel Mtonga (Eastern Province), William Banda (Lusaka Province) and Stephen Mukuka (Northern Province).

They are supporting calls by MMD Copperbelt province chairman Joseph Chilambwe, who has appealed to the former ruling party’s national leadership to hold an extra-ordinary convention at which Mr Banda’s successor will be elected.

Southern Province chairman Edgar Keembe has, however, said the NEC should nominate a leader in an acting capacity before the convention is held. Mr Chungu said in an interview from Mansa yesterday it will be beneficial for the former ruling party to hold an extraordinary convention to elect a leader.

“In the absence of the mini-convention, those who are interested in standing should be given ample time to travel and meet as many people as possible so that they can also listen to what people want to say before a resolution can be passed to the NEC for ratification, but the ideal situation is to go for a mini-convention,” he said.

Mr Chungu said the MMD needs to re-introduce the position of vice-president, which was removed from the party constitution at the last national convention. “We need to normalise that, we should have a vice-president now that we are in opposition,” Mr Chungu said.

And Mr Mtonga said it is important for the MMD to legitimise the position of party president and vice president through the participation of the majority members at a mini-convention.

“No-one should hide behind financial limitations because where people are determined, they can pool resources as party structures and do the right thing. We should not make the same mistakes that have made us lose the elections,” he said.

Mr Mtonga said the position of vice-president should be re-introduced for the MMD to effectively function and rebrand itself now that Mr Banda has announced his intention to retire from active politics.

He said MMD members should ask the NEC to immediately set a date for a mini-convention in line with the party constitution.

And Mr Kangwa said MMD members in Central Province want to participate in electing Mr Banda’s successor through a mini-convention. “We cannot sit only as NEC members to decide who takes over the party presidency because we are few and people may not be kind to us. Our members will think that they are not part and parcel of the leader we will put in office,” he said.

Mr Kangwa said the party president should continue in office until the party secures funding to hold an extraordinary convention.

And the Lusaka Province chairman said the decision to elect a party president should not be left to the NEC alone, but that the majority members should participate in the process.

“We should not deny the general membership an opportunity to decide who should lead them. This time around we are not in government and the best way to go about this is to allow the majority to choose a leader and not to impose a candidate on them,” he said.

Mr Mukuka said NEC can nominate a leader in an acting capacity, but that a convention should be held to elect the party president. “Our president, Mr Rupiah Banda, has done a lot to take us where we are today and he should be commended for that,” he said.

But Mr Keembe advised MMD members not to be in a hurry to elect Mr Banda’s successor. “Let us take our time, there is a constitution which provides that the NEC can sit and appoint a leader in an acting capacity.

“We don’t have money to start going for a convention. We have to go back to our structures to establish how many of our members have defected and those that have remained before we can think of going to a convention,” he said.

Early this week, Mr Chilambwe said the party should find money to hold a mini-convention to ensure that the majority members participate in choosing Mr Banda’s successor. But Mr Nyangu said MMD members should look at the cost implication, which the former ruling party cannot afford.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

Government has expressed pessimism at allowing Zambians living in the Diaspora to hold dual citizenship. Vice President Guy Scott said that although the issue of having dual citizenship among Zambians could be important and helpful to some, government was worried that other people might misuse it for dubious activities.

Dr. Scott has said that the government is however still studying the issue. “The issue of dual citizenship was important but we are worried about the misuse it will bring. But it would be important that you are entitled to that,” he said.

Dr. Scott was speaking at Edith Cowan University in Perth when he addressed Zambians living in Western Australia. The Vice President told Zambians in Australia that government will cautiously discuss the issue of dual citizenship at cabinet level.

And Dr. Scott has disclosed that government will discuss the need to establish a consular office in Australia especially that the number of Zambians living in that country has increased.

He said that opening a consular office will allow Zambia and Australia boost their business ties while easing the lives of Zambians in that country. There are over 4,000 Zambians living in Australia, out of which about 2,000 live in the western part of that country.

The Vice President further called on Zambians in Australia to invest back home and help rebuild the country. He said the PF government will level the playing field for both foreign and local investors who want to engage into various businesses in Zambia.

Meanwhile, Dr. Scott told Zambians in Australia that the Patriotic Front won last month’s general elections because young people were frustrated by the failure of the previous government to create job opportunities for them.

He said government now has a challenge of providing Zambians with their needs hence the need for investments that will create employment. Earlier, Zambians living in Western Australia asked government to urgently address the request to allow them be citizens of two countries.

Chairperson of the Organisation of Zambians Living in Western Australia (OZALIWA), Chilekwa Mwaba, said Zambians living abroad will easily invest home if they are granted dual citizenship status.

Mr. Mwaba also appealed to government to open a consular office in Perth because most of the Zambians are living in Western Australia. He said the Zambian embassy in Tokyo in Japan is too far to quickly address needs of Zambians living in Australia.

Meanwhile, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chishimba Kambwili, thanked Zambians living in Australia for conducting themselves well. Mr. Kambwili said there have been no bad reports about Zambians in that country.

The Vice President, together with Mr. Kambwili, Commerce Minister Bob Sichinga, Labour Minister Fackson Shaenda and some senior government officials were attending the 2011 Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting (CHOGM 2011) in Perth which has since closed.

ZANIS