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The Opposition United Party for National Development UPND national youth chairperson has charged that patriotic front leader, Michael Sata has gone back to his old thuggery ways.
The Youth Chairperson has also asked Mr. Sata to back off and not push around everyone just because he feels he is more experienced than others.
Joe Kalusa said that Mr. Sata’s statement to the voice of America describing his UPND counterpart, Hakainde Hichilema as an under five leader is disappointing.
Mr. Kalusa said that the remarks clearly show that Mr. Sata has decided to finally go back to his old ways of insults and character assassination.
He said that Mr. Hakainde has proven his maturity by staying quite and not engaging in the nonconstructive debate which has raised a lot of bickering within the pact.
He said that even though Mr. Sata would try as hard as possible to present himself as more experienced, it is evident that Mr. Hakainde is a better option for a national leader than him.
Three Faz executive committee members have quit the association.
The trio is Violet Bwalya and Henchel Chitembeya including Pivoty Simwanza, who over the last seven days has hit the headlines in defiance of Kalusha’s opposition to a October 16 petition calling for the dissolution of the Faz executive over its management style.
They announced their resignation at Garden Court Hotel in Lusaka at 12:00 today.
The development is a serious blow to the confidence of Kalusha who is currently half-way through a four-year reign that has been besieged with calls for his resignation over transfer dealings and team selections at junior level.
The quartet’s resignation leaves Kalusha with vice president Emmanule Munaile, treasurer Boniface Mwamelo and executive committee members Lenny Nkhuwa, Marcha Chilemena and Keegan Chipango.
Meanwhile, Kalusha is by 14:00 today due to address a press briefing over the development and current upheavels over the petition at Football House.
President Banda leaves Zambia for Nigeria aboard the President Challenger plane
President Rupiah Banda has advised Zambians living abroad to consider acquiring land in different parts of the country, instead of concentrating on Lusaka where it is difficult to get plots.
Mr. Banda says other parts of Zambia like the Copperbelt, Chipata, Kasama and Mansa are developing fast and need investment.
Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) reports that the President was speaking in Abuja, Nigeria Wednesday night at a dinner organised by the Zambian High Commission in Nigeria.
He also expressed hope that future Zambian leaders will learn to carry on developmental projects started by their predecessors.
President Banda said he is surprised that some people are questioning him for continuing to implement development projects started by the late President Levy Mwanawasa.
And Zambia’s High Commissioner to Nigeria Alexis Luhila said Zambians in Nigeria are following with keen interest, the development projects which President Banda is implementing in Zambia. Mr. Luhila described President Banda as a visionary leader.
He said Africa needs leaders like President Banda. President Banda is in Nigeria as Special guest at that country’s 50th independence celebrations.
And President Rupiah Banda says it is an honour for Zambia to have been chosen by the Nigerian government, to be guest of honour at that country’s Golden Jubilee Celebrations.
The President said this in an interview with ZNBC’s Luckson Nthani on arrival at Mnandi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, Nigeria Wednesday.
Mr. Banda observed that Zambia and Nigeria have a lot in common as former British colonies.
Mr. Banda is in Abuja, Nigeria where he is the guest of honour at that country’s 50th Independence Annivesary celebrations Scheduled for October 1.
And Commerce Minister Felix Mutati says Zambia and Nigeria are working out a framework in which the two countries can co-operate in real estate developemnt.
Mr. Mutati was speaking after touring Urban Shelter projects in Abuja where the company has contracted many houses for sale.
A congolese electrical engineer and a Zambian businessman have been arrested for siphoning huge sums of money from other people’s off-shore accounts which are held in foreign Banks.
Richie Kabamba Muya aged 36, a resident of Katuba in Congo was arrested together with Mark Mubaluma, aged 33 a Zambian businessman based in Namibia for siphoning over 15,000 US dollars belonging to an Egyptian based in Egypt.
DEC Public Relations Manager John Nyawali has disclosed to MUVI TV news that the duo used a hi-tech device to capture the password and other sensitive personal banking details to fraudulently duplicate Visa Electron Cards.
Meanwhile Mr Nyawali has stated that a 55 year old businessman of Lusaka has been arrested for money laundering activities involving over 200 million kwacha.
He said Musa Dimingo, a resident of Bonaventure in Makeni was arrested for allegedly stealing a total of 280 million kwacha which was credited to his account in error by another bank.
A congolese businessman has appeared in court for allegedly swindling a Lusaka businesswoman of seventy million kwacha.
Abdulla Sabani aged 36 is alleged to have on unknown dates but between 1st and 30th October 2009 stolen the said money belonging to Irene Chongo.
Mr Sabani who spoke speaks French, spoke through an interpreter has since pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Lusaka Resident Magistrate Faides Hamaundu has since dismissed an application by Sabani for bail saying he was not a man of fixed abode.
This was after state prosecutors objected to Sabani’s bail application saying he had given two different addresses to the court and the police.
Trial has been set for November 8th 2010 and Sabani will appear in court for mention on October 14th and 28th 2010.
MUVT TV
United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema’s special adviser Douglas Syakalima has said “it does not take a rocket scientist” to discern that PF has killed the pact between the two parties.
Mr Syakalima said the party would go ahead and field a candidate in Chilanga Constituency as agreed by the joint working group of the pact.
[pullquote]“Anyway it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to discern that the PF have killed the pact. “How can they say we have failed to agree yet the working group already decided?” he asked.[/pullquote]
“There is no official correspondence to the effect that they (PF) have withdrawn from the pact, so we shall proceed as agreed by the working group comprising the two parties that we field in Chilanga and they field in Mpulungu,” he said.
He said unless the PF believed that they had killed the pact then they would proceed to field a candidate in Chilanga. Mr Syakalima was reacting to a story in The Post that the PF and UPND had failed to agree on Chilanga.
“Anyway it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to discern that the PF have killed the pact. “How can they say we have failed to agree yet the working group already decided?” he asked.
UPND deputy spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa said the UPND would proceed on the agreed position in the pact. He said going by the last election UPND was more popular in Chilanga than the PF. The PF has declared that it would proceed to field a candidate in Chilanga.
On Sunday, the Patriotic Front (PF) has resolved to contest the Chilanga by-election, disregarding its agreement with the United Party for National Development (UPND) to field one alliance candidate. PF Lusaka provincial publicity and information secretary Stanley Chiumya said his party resolved to contest the Chilanga by-election on Sunday at a meeting presided over by the party’s secretary general Wynter Kabimba.
[pullquote]“Further when you look at the statistics for 2008 Presidential elections, we got more votes than the UPND which goes to show that we are more popular than UPND,” he said.[/pullquote]
He said his party resolved to contest the Chilanga seat because it is convinced it is more popular than its pact counterpart, the UPND. Mr Chiumya said Lusaka Province is a stronghold for the PF as the party currently has seven out of the 12 parliamentary seats. He said according to the 2008 presidential by-elections, the PF got more votes than the UPND in Chilanga.
“We resolved two days ago to contest the Chilanga, reasons being that PF is more popular in Lusaka Province. “We have 12 constituencies in Lusaka of which seven are for the PF and five are for the ruling party. Going by the statistics, PF is the right party to file a candidate in the Chilanga by-election. “Further when you look at the statistics for 2008 Presidential elections, we got more votes than the UPND which goes to show that we are more popular than UPND,” he said.
SEVEN Patriotic Front Members of Parliament (MPs) have revolted against the party’s decision to invite members to apply to stand as MPs in all the 150 constituencies.
The PF MPs who met on Tuesday night at Parliament Motel resolved to write a protest letter to their president Michael Sata against the decision they described as dictatorial.
It is understood that the MPs who met include Chishimba Kambwili for Roan, Given Lubinda for Kabwata, Kantanshi’s Yamfwa Mukanga, Jerry Chanda for Kanyama and Davies Mwila for Chipili.
[pullquote]“We found the statement most unfortunate to say that most of us depend on the parliamentary job for survival,” said the MP.[/pullquote]
Others are Jean Kapata for Mandevu and Munali’s Mumbi Phiri.
“We met at the motel last evening (Tuesday) and we decided that we should write to the president to protest against Mr Wynter Kabimba’s decision to invite members of the party to apply for adoption because this is creating divisions within the party as people are creating parallel structures,” said one of the MPs who attended the meeting but sought anonymity for fear of victimisation.
The MPs also complained about their party secretary general Mr Kabimba’s remarks in the Sunday Times that most of them had become unpopular in their constituencies.
[pullquote]
“They are not annoyed with me, how can they be annoyed with me, they just wanted to clarify the circular because they thought it is ambiguous. It is very normal because they need to protect their constituencies,” Sata said.[/pullquote]
“We found the statement most unfortunate to say that most of us depend on the parliamentary job for survival,” said the MP.
Last week Mr Kabimba told the Sunday Times that he had issued a circular inviting members of the party to apply for adoption on the party ticket in all the 150 constituencies, a decision he said had angered the sitting MPs and regarded as going against the spirit of the pact with the UPND.
When contacted for a comment, Mr Sata said the MPs wanted clarification on the circular that Mr Kabimba had issued.
“They are not annoyed with me, how can they be annoyed with me, they just wanted to clarify the circular because they thought it is ambiguous. It is very normal because they need to protect their constituencies,” he said.
Mulungushi University Vice-Chancellor Oliver Saasa (R)
NEWLY-appointed Mulungushi University Vice-Chancellor Oliver Saasa has said opposition leaders condemning President Rupiah Banda’s trips abroad should be ignored.
Professor Saasa said the Government had a duty to work for the people and should not allow itself to be disturbed by criticism that lacks value.
He said the people condemning the president’s trips abroad understood well the value of such trips but that they condemn them for unknown agendas.
Patriotic Front president Michael Sata, United Party for National Development leader Hakainde Hichilema and some civil society organisations aligned to the opposition have condemned President Banda’s trips abroad claiming that they are costly.
Prof Saasa said the Government should only act if it was convinced that the size of a delegation was large and needed to be trimmed.
He said trips abroad should be weighed on the basis of the value they brought to the economy and Zambia’s obligation to the international community and individual states.
“The Government is there to work and not to defend itself all the time. There will always be people to condemn Government for everything but at the same time there will always be those who will support, so the Government should not be affected.
“The Government should forget about what these critics are saying. They speak about small things which do not even warrant commenting on. Even the chief Government spokesperson must learn to ignore them,” Prof Saasa said.
He, however, said the fact that opposition leaders and individuals were freely criticising the Government showed Zambia had matured democratically and there was freedom of expression.
The Absa Group Limited (Absa) Headquarters
AMALGAMATED Bank of South Africa (ABSA) Capital, Africa strategist Ridfle Markus has predicted that Zambia will lose investment if Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata emerges victorious in next year’s elections.
Speaking to journalists at Lusaka’s Hotel Inter-Continental on Tuesday evening, Mr Markus said going by Mr Sata’s statements in the media, it was clear that investors would shun Zambia if the opposition leader ascended to power.
“If the statements that have been coming out in the media are anything to go by, then investments in Zambia will reduce because investors will be scared to come to this country,” Mr Markus said.
He said so far, President Rupiah Banda had managed to maintain economic stability as well as ensuring that a favourable investment climate prevailed to attract more foreign investment.
“During the time of (late Levy) Mwanawasa it was stable and (Mr) Banda has also maintained stability but Mr Sata’s statements are scaring and they may have an impact on investment,” Mr Markus said.
As a result of the stability as well as measures to attract more foreign investors, he said Zambia’s foreign direct investment had been impressive.
Mr Markus also predicted that as the elections date drew closer, more investors would leave or be scared to come to Zambia because of the uncertainties that would surround the outcome of the polls.
He said such uncertainties often times affected the markets and it was clear that even in Zambia, a similar situation would prevail.
“When governments go to full elections uncertainties are always there and it is not good for the markets.
“As for Zambia all I can say is that it’s going to be a good race,” Mr Markus said.
In 2008, Kalusha Bwalya swept to power via a landslide thanks to power of grassroots affiliates.
Today that same “Tea Party” constituency is now positioning itself as prime voice for those scared to voice their opinion on football matters and voiceless in Zambian football.
That “Tea Party” is leading an October 16 petition drive to call for an emergency meeting to dissolve Kalusha’s executive over his alleged involvement in transfer dealings and concerns over player selection at junior level.
For those who don’t know, the 16-team Super Division block’s clout as a major voice in the game is as redundant as it was during the 2008 Faz polls with the exception of maybe two clubs.
On Tuesday, Faz slapped three lengthy bans of three key Tea Party voices starting on October 1, 2010.
Nkosi Warriors chairman Keith Mwewa and Medicial Stars boss Alex Mambwe were handed three year bans from football affairs while a third Albert Sichondwe from Pemba United has been handed a two year ban for bringing the game into disrepute.
Their bans means the trio voices’ will absent from the 2012 Faz elections as Kalusha consolidates his grip on Power and silences dissenting voices whom he calls enemies to the development of Zambian football.
However, a fourth member of that Tea Party Albert Hamatowe of Monze United has jumped ship allegedly after “reconciling” with the powers at Football House.
Long-time nemesis Simataa Simataa too has been given a two weeks to defend himself for attacking the Faz disciplinary committee.
It will be interesting to see whether Timothy Nyirenda the chairman of Kummawa Stars who has openly supported and campaigned for the petition in Eastern province will come to the fore after the culling of senior members of the “Tea Party”.
Meanwhile, how Kalusha will deal with his very own Faz executive committee member Pivoty Simwanza also adds to the drama.
Simwanza defended the Tea Party petition and has publically challenged the Faz president to personally discipline him citing that his boss has no constitutional right to directly do so.
We could be in for a long hot October as Faz version of democracy and the power of the growing grassroots voice resilience is tested in the summer of discontent.
CAF have handed Zanaco coach Wedson Nyirenda a heavy fine on top of a four match ban.
Nyirenda has been fined US$ 5000 and is currently serving the second game of his four-match ban.
The Zanaco coach was banned following his first half send-off by Malian referee Osman Sidebe against Tunisian side CS Sfaxien in their Confederation Cup Group B match on September 11 at Nkoloma Stadium.
Zanaco won that match 1-0.
Nyirenda recently said referees in CAF club games this season have conspired against Zanaco both at home and away.
Nyirenda will watch his side take on Group B leaders FUS Rabat of Morocco from the terraces on Saturday in their penultimate Group B match at Nkoloma.
Zanaco are third in Group B on 4 points from 4 games, five points behind leader FUS and three less than second placed Sfaxien.
Linos Makwaza has described as tough Nkana’s 1-1 derby draw away to archrivals Power Dynamos at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe today in a Super Division Week 25 game.
“It was a tough game,” Makwaza said after the match at Arthur Davies. ” It was a difficult match because Power are a good side but we put up a spirited fight.”
The draw was the first between the two teams since August, 2004 when they played out to a scoreless match at the same venue.
Meanwhile, in an entertaining derby game that had its fair share of crowd trouble, Power took the lead in the 27th minute through midfielder Simon Bwalya.
Nkana equalized four minutes before half time through Victor Mwansa.
The two sides stay in the same position on the table with 4th placed Power moving to 39 points while Nkana in 5th place trail their archrivals by four points.
And in the other Week 25 games played today, Zesco opened up a two-point lead at the top of the Super Division table on 46 points after beat fellow title contenders Nchanga Rangers 1-0 at the Trade Fair Grounds in Ndola.
John Chingandu scored the winner a minute from fulltime after Rangers earlier missed a penalty.
Rangers slip from second to third and exchange places with Green buffaloes who defeated hosts Konkola Blades 3-0 at Konkola Stadium in Chililabombwe.
Edward Musebo scored a brace for Buffaloes with goals in the 4th and 41 minutes while Brian Chilando made it 33-0 14 minutes before the end of the game.
In Kabwe, Manfred Chabinga was a happy man today after his Kabwe Warriors side recorded its biggest win under his watch when they moved into the top 8 after a 3-1 win over Red Arrows at Railway Grounds to ease the pressure on his status as coach.
Goals from Steven Kabamba, Vias Mwendalubi and Elson Mkandawire handed Warriors the three points.
Football Association of Zambia president Kalusha Bwalya and his vice Emmanuel Munaile during the FA's annual general meeting in Lusaka
FOOTBALL Association of Zambia (FAZ) president Kalusha Bwalya has said he has got constitutional powers to punish erring executive members and he will not condone indiscipline in the association. Reiterating his earlier pronouncement that he will crack the whip on anyone found wanting among the FAZ executive members, Kalusha said in an interview from South Africa yesterday that in any establishment, there was an institutional code of ethics that had to be followed.
He was reacting to FAZ committee member, Pivoty Simwanza who said on Monday that Kalusha had no constitutional powers to suspend anybody in the executive and accused him of making unilateral decisions on important FAZ matters. But Kalusha, who expressed surprise at Simwanza’s claims, said FAZ was not an animal farm where members could do and say anything. As head of FAZ, he had the authority to ensure that football was properly administered countrywide and that discipline prevailed.
He advised Simwanza to follow the right channels when airing his grievances and not use the media. “I am actually very surprised that he (Simwanza) actually said that. If he was in the last executive meeting, he would have a clear understanding of issues because most of those things he is accusing me of, were discussed. We have executive meetings on a quarterly basis. All the contracts we have achieved as FAZ, I actually discussed with the executive. Soon, there is the MTN deal coming and they are all aware about it.
He said he took exception to an executive committee member to take the game into disrepute and it was good Simwanza came out in the open.
“That is why I am saying enough is enough. Now I will crack the whip. It’s not my nature, but I am forced to. I have always been disciplined on and off the pitch.
“There are rules and regulations guided by a constitution, disciplinary code (like in FIFA’s case), or an ethics code. FAZ is not a jungle where there are no rules. There has to be discipline and recognition of authority in any establishment.
[pullquote]“People should differentiate between Kalusha the player and Kalusha the administrator. As a leader, I have to ensure that football is administered properly because as a player, I was disciplined on and off the pitch, and as an administrator I have to ensure that football is properly administered,” Kalusha said.[/pullquote]
“We can’t always be talking; that is a wrong culture. This is not a zoo or an animal farm where there are no rules and regulations. If people attack me personally, I have the right to respond. You can’t go on insulting the board chairman. “People should differentiate between Kalusha the player and Kalusha the administrator. As a leader, I have to ensure that football is administered properly because as a player, I was disciplined on and off the pitch, and as an administrator I have to ensure that football is properly administered,” Kalusha said.
The FAZ president said the association was lucky to have a Republican President like Rupiah Banda who had the passion for football and had gone out of his way to woo sponsors to football.
Kalusha said since he started heading FAZ, the association has recorded surplus and sponsorship has increased compared to any past executive because the corporate world heeded the fundraising initiative by President Banda and the business community has confidence in Kalusha because of his good reputation.
He said during his tenure as FAZ president, the association has stopped begging money from Government, only for senior national team assignments because there are huge amounts involved when bringing in professional players.
He said he always consulted FAZ executive members on any sponsorship agreements, saying if Simwanza was in the last executive meeting he would understand most of the issues he is accusing Kalusha of.He said most of the sponsorship contracts only required the signature of the association president, vice- president, treasurer or association general secretary because he was chief executive officer of Football House, to sign and not each and every member of FAZ.
[pullquote]Kalusha said he did not have to live in Zambia to manage football because even the FIFA president Joseph Sepp Blatter does not stay in Zurich, where the world soccer governing body’s headquarters is;[/pullquote]
“My role is to see that money is coming in the association and to do that I have to negotiate. I do not get anything for signing. Football is a product that we have managed to sell, but he (Simwanza) should tell the nation when he ever got sponsorship for FAZ.
He said Simwanza like any other member of the executive, was privy to classified information relating to sponsorship at Football House and challenged the executive committee member to visit the secretariat and verify his information.
Kalusha said he did not have to live in Zambia to manage football because even the FIFA president Joseph Sepp Blatter does not stay in Zurich, where the world soccer governing body’s headquarters is; or the CAF president Issa Hayatou who is based in Cameroun when the headquarters is in Cairo, Egypt, but that the FAZ president was easily accessible via mobile phone or email for any serious matters.
President Banda, his grand son footballer Anthony (l) and vice president George Kunda before he left for Nigeria at Lusaka international airport
President Rupiah Banda has left for Nigeria where he has been invited as a special guest of Nigerian President Goodluck Jonanthan at that country’s 50th Independence anniversary.
President Banda was seen off at Lusaka International Airport at about 09 .28 hours by Vice President George Kunda, Works and Supply Minister Michael Mulongoti, Secretary to the Cabinet Joshua Kanganja, Health Minister Kapembwa Simbao, Deputy Minister in the office of the Vice President Daniel Munkombwe, Defence Chiefs and other Senior government officials.
ZANIS reports that President Banda is accompanied by Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Ronnie Shikapwasha, Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Felix Mutati and other senior Government officials.
Shortly before departure, President Banda told Journalists that the changes he made to his Government were meant to bring efficiency in the ministries.
Yesterday, President Banda reshuffled three Cabinet Ministers and made a new appointment at Permanent Secretary level.
Among those transferred is Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Peter Daka to Ministry of Science , Technology and Vocational Training in the same capacity taking over from Dr Brian Chituwo who has been moved to the Ministry of Local Government and Housing .
The President also transferred Local Government Minister Dr Eustarckio Kazonga to the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives as Minister while Zambia Revenue Authority Commissioner General Chriticles Mwansa was appointed Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Science, Technology and Vocational Training.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Science, Technology and Vocational Training Ms Shery Thole is new Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services.
Meanwhile, Zambia’s republican president, Rupiah Banda has appointed Mr. Wisdom Nhekairo as new Commissioner-General of the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA).
Mr. Nhekairo, who was until his appointment as ZRA Commissioner for Domestic Taxes, will take over from Mr. Chriticles Mwansa who has been moved to the Ministry of Science, Technology and Vocational Training as Permanent Secretary.
President Banda appointed Mr. Nhekairo in exercise of powers vested in him under Section 19(1) of the ZRA Act, Chapter 321 of the Laws of Zambia.
The appointment of Mr. Nhekairo is with immediate effect.
[pullquote]He said the resident doctors will Wednesday hold a meeting with Secretary to the Cabinet Joshua Kanganja. The President emphasised that a permanent solution to the issues affecting the doctors will be found through dialogue.[/pullquote]
Further, President Banda, in exercise of powers vested in him under the University Act Number 10 of 1999 and its Regulations, has appointed Lusaka-based Academician and Consultant Professor Oliver Saasa as Chancellor for Mulungushi University.
The appointment of Professor Saasa is with immediate effect.
And President Rupiah Banda says the stand off between government and the striking resident doctors will soon be resolved. President Banda says the resident doctors Tuesday held a meeting with Health Minister Kapembwa Simbao in a bid to address the matter.
He said the resident doctors will Wednesday hold a meeting with Secretary to the Cabinet Joshua Kanganja. The President emphasised that a permanent solution to the issues affecting the doctors will be found through dialogue.
President Banda however, said he could not prejudice what the resident doctors and the Secretary to the Cabinet will discuss.
Meanwhile, the President said government remains committed to the constitution making process. He said the National Constitution Conference -NCC- has handed over its draft constitution to government and that the Ministry of Justice is taking necessary measures to move to the next step in the process.
The author of the book, It’s How We End That Matters: Leadership Lessons from an African President, Martin Kalungu-Banda is not new to Zambia. He has been a lecturer at UNZA, worked for BP Zambia, OXFAM and famously had a stint at State House from 2005 to 2008. At State House he served in an ambiguous role as President Mwanawasa’s leadership consultant or unpaid Chief of Staff as the case may be. The greater nation of Zambia got introduced to Martin Kalungu-Banda by President Mwanawasa himself who praised his effort of making personal sacrifices to try and help the top Zambian government workers improve their leadership. He is currently a leadership consultant and this book is his second. A third book is still in the works.
It’s How We End That Matters: Leadership Lessons from an African President is a book on both President Levy Patrick Mwanawasa and Leadership. It is about 170 pages long with a whopping 17 chapters. Of course this sounds a little bit too much for a book with that much pages. But once you engage yourself with this book, it is difficult to put down and you would understand why it would have so many chapters. Chapters range from the one that talk about Mwanawasa’s ascension to presidency, to his position on HIV/AIDS to elections.[pullquote]Mwanawasa is humanised in this book. He is presented to have been a very candid and honest person. He is presented as one who would freely discuss about beautiful Rwandan women and punctuate that thought with the reality of HIV/AIDS. He is presented to have been one who was rigid in his opinions but also quite flexible to say sorry when confronted with the need to do so. Martin Kalungu-Banda’s role in this unfolding story of Mwanawasa is also quite fascinating in this narrative.
[/pullquote]
The book combines humorous personal stories of Mr. Kalungu-Banda’s interaction with President Mwanawasa punctuated with leadership lessons. Kalungu-Banda is quite honest and frank about his time at State House and offers a thoroughly optimistic and pragmatic view of President Mwanawasa’s personal qualities and leadership. He himself admits that he meant the book to be a positive one and not necessarily a critical one. While acknowledging that President Mwanawasa was indeed a man of profound weakness, such as a hot temper, Kalungu-Banda quickly assures the reader that he concentrates on Dr. Mwanawasa’s strengths since focussing on people’s strengths is more inspiring than focussing on their weaknesses.
Reading the book gives you the sense that it is indeed two books in one: one on the personal story of President Mwanawasa and another on leadership principles. As such, it is this rare quality that makes the book unique and a must read. You can actually remove the story of Mwanawasa and you would still have a great book on leadership, and conversely you can subtract the leadership principles punctuated through the “food for thought” sections of each chapter and still have a great book on the life of President Mwanawasa. Additionally, in this book, Kalungu-Banda takes routine issues that happened while he served at State House, such as Mwanawasa’s interactions with his visitors, Mwanawasa’s interface with his personal staff, and indeed his interaction with his wife and children and derives great principles for all kinds of leadership political or otherwise. Mwanawasa is humanised in this book. He is presented to have been a very candid and honest person. He is presented as one who would freely discuss about beautiful Rwandan women and punctuate that thought with the reality of HIV/AIDS. He is presented to have been one who was rigid in his opinions but also quite flexible to say sorry when confronted with the need to do so. Martin Kalungu-Banda’s role in this unfolding story of Mwanawasa is also quite fascinating in this narrative. Beginning from the time Kalungu-Banda marshalled enough courage to make his first call to State House to the time the Zambian government disowned him and to the subsequent reunion he had with President Mwanawasa, the book is as much about Mwanawasa as it is about the author himself.
Kalungu-Banda’s book is a second book, and definitely not the last one, on the expanding Mwanawasan biographies. The first one, Levy Patrick Mwanawasa: an incentive for posterity, was authored by journalist Amos Malupenga. For his part, in being so optimistic about Mwanawasa, Kalungu-Banda misses to give the fascinatingly political side of the Mwanawasa phenomena—which unsurprisingly brought the negative as well as positive sides of Mwanawasa. It would have been good to have at least a section in the book address the Mwanawasa political strategy. This could include issues like his choice of cabinet in general and his intriguing choices of Vice-Presidents. Mwanawasa had four vice-presidents in seven years. Kalungu-Banda’s book while mentioning the cabinet in general terms it does not address any of Mwanawasa’s vice-presidents at all. While Kalungu-Banda’s omission of the political aspect of Mwanawasa’s leadership is quite obvious I think there are several lessons we could have learnt about Mwanawasa’s leadership from that end as well.
From the title itself, it is certain that Kalungu-Banda intended an international audience for this book. The title itself does not mention Mwanawasa by name. This is understandable since very few people in Europe and America could identify or even know who Mwanawasa was. But the fact that the title does not contain the name of Mwanawasa is equally an anomaly, especially for a book that is supposed to be a biography of sorts. At about US$10 from www.amazon.com, this book is quite reasonably priced and should be a must read for all that want to hear an optimistic view of an African president. Except in this case, this African president is not an eccentric kleptomaniac but a man of integrity and sober manners—Levy Patrick Mwanawasa. He was according to Kalungu-Banda, a courageous, kind, family-loving, and hospitable African gentleman who indeed as the title suggests, “Ended well”. I highly recommend this book for those seeking to understand Mwanawasa and those needing original insights into how they can maximise their leadership.
Patriotic Front (PF) President Micael Sata had an Interview with Voice of America (VOA) presenter Clottey where he answered questions ranging from young people, the PACT and calls for him to quit politics. Click on the play button to listen.
