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Director of HIV/AIDS and Human Rights programmes for the blind Elijah Ngwale has commended President Rupiah Banda for allocating K30billion for building the first ever boarding school for the Deaf which will cater for about 500 pupils from basic school to senior secondary school.
Mr. Ngwale said this was a welcome made by the government to consider the deaf who were facing a lot of challenges to cope up with the ordinary schools .
He told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that the new school should be a centre for excellence for the people who are physically challenged in society.
However Mr. Ngwale also commended the Ministry of Education for training and employing blind persons as teachers in the country adding that Ministry being the biggest government employer of the physical blind has been promoting the like another able persons in key positions as head teachers and lecturer at UNZA
Mr. Ngwale appealed to the ministry to domesticate Act 24 of the convention on rights of persons with disabilities which stipulates that qualified Blind Persons must be employed as teachers .
He appealed to the ministry of Education to also ensure that each blind teacher is provided with Computer Braille equipment and Braille paper to enable teachers effectively work.
During his Presidential address to parliament, Mr Banda reaffirmed governments’ committement to improving the welfare of the physically challenged in the country.
FLASHBACK: LUAPULA province minister Boniface Kawimbe with senior chief Milambo and Chief Kasoma Lwela when the Minister paid a courtesy call to both chiefs in Mansa.
Government has reiterated its appeal for chiefs to become enterprising and form companies to enable them bid for different contracts from government and other institutions.
Speaking today during the installation of chief Mununga, Luapula province minister Boniface Kawimbe said government would love to see chiefs become part of wealth creation in their chiefdoms.
Dr Kawimbe said there is no law or policy in the country that restrains chiefs from forming construction companies or any business venture like cooperatives.
“Chiefs can be able to form a company and bid for contracts like for infrastructure development or get the contract to clear the leave-way along ZESCO power-lines,” he said.
He noted that government has the money but it will not be enough to give to chiefs so that they can become wealth, hence encouraging them to become more enterprising.
He also reiterated the need for local people to get involved to building decent palaces for their chiefs.
He said in fact the development of chiefs’ palaces should be done out of constituency development fund.
Dr Kawimbe handed over the chieftainship rod, the chiefs black and maroon robe, Zambian flag and a date stamp as part of the government recognition.
Speaking through his spokesperson Bilton Sokoni, chief Mununga thanked government for recognising him as the duly elected chief of the Shila people in Mununga area.
The chief said although there was delay to recognise him for reasons that cannot be mentioned in public he was delighted that government gave him the recognition.
He also appealed to his subjects to maintain peace and security if the chiefdom is to develop.
Chief Mununga also described Census as an important exercise for national development and made an earnest appeal to his subjects to cooperate with enumerators by giving them accurate information once the exercise starts.
FLASHBACK: President Rupiah Banda greets Mathews Mtonga, a Zambian student in Ethiopia after a dinner at the Ambassador’s residence in Ethiopia when he visited that country
Zambian Ambassador to Ethiopia Albert Muchanga has commended Zambians living in Ethiopia for their readiness to participate in the Diaspora seminar.
Speaking during the Association of Zambians in Ethiopia (AZE) general meeting in Addis Ababa yesterday, Mr. Muchanga said that it was gratifying to see Zambians in Ethiopia unite with the Zambian Embassy to strategize how to effectively participate in the development of the country.
Mr. Muchanga said that Zambians working abroad should not be referred to as brain drain but brain gain because of their intellectual and monetary resource can contribute to national development.
He said he was hopeful that the seminar will enlighten Zambians living in Ethiopia on opportunities available for investment in Zambia.
The AZE members in collaboration with the Zambian Embassy agreed to hold a seminar in Addis Ababa before the end of the year where Zambian some experts in finance, trade and investment are expected to come and make presentations that will focus on encouraging Zambians living in Ethiopia to invest in Zambia.
And AZE Chairperson Cosmas Chanda commended the Zambians in Ethiopia for exhibiting a strong team spirit in strategizing how to contribute to their country’s development.
Mr. Chanda said Zambians working abroad were looking forward to a Diaspora policy that would provide an enabling environment for them to invest heavily back home.
This is contained in release to ZANIS from the Zambian Embassy, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia signed by the First Secretary – Press Dorcas Chileshe.
The Southern Centre for Constructive Resolutions of Dispute (SACCORD) has urged the United Party for National Development (UPND) and Patriotic Front (PF) Pact to quickly work out their differences before the 2011 general elections.
SACCORD Information Officer Obby Chibuluma says there is need for the two parties to find lasting solutions to their problems if they are to remain as a strong opposition alliance.
Mr. Chibuluma told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today, that the current confusions in the Pact are likely to weaken the position of an opposition Political Party in the country.
He charged that in a democratic country it is important to have a strong opposition Party hence the need for the leadership of the two parties to promptly sort out their differences for the benefit of Zambians.
He said this is why leaders of the two Political Parties should meet and make decisive action whether their alliance is sustainable or not.
Mr. Chibuluma noted that the current revelations were the two parties are issuing contradicting statements is a clear indication that there is no unity between them.
He added that other problem that is weakening the Pact is because members have too much power therefore making the leadership of the two Political Parties with little control.
He further advised that it is for this reason that the Pact should come out in the open and let the Zambians know they position if their still in an alliance or they are working as two separate entities.
There has been growing misunderstandings in the UPND/PF Pact were members from both Parties are castigating each other in the media.
PF Vice President Guy Scot is today quoted in the media having said that the UPND is trying to build its image at the expense of PF, a statement which has argued UPND Deputy Spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa and since urged PF to clearly state its position whether it is still interested to be in the Pact.
Yesterday over 350 opposition UPND and PF from Kanyama constituency were reported to have defected from their parties to join the ruling MMD accusing their entities of having lost direction and focus.
The Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has released about K3.4 billion Kwacha for the purchase of maize in Kalomo district Southern Province.
Kalomo District Commissioner Justus Phiri says out of the 7 million metric tonnes that the district recorded in the last farming season about 778, 000 metric tonnes has so far been bought.
Mr. Phiri said the maize has been bought from 21 maize depots in the district adding that government is targeting to buy all the maize harvested by farmers in the district.
He said it is governments wish to ensure that the welfare of farmers in the district and that of other farmer’s country wide is addressed to motivate them to work even harder in the next farming season.
Meanwhile the District Commissioner has revealed that a number of developmental projects are being implemented in the district.
Mr. Phiri cited the upgrading of the district hospital at a total cost of about K1.2 billion and the upgrading of major roads in the district as part of the developments being implemented by government.
Other developments Mr. Phiri cited include the grading of roads such as the Chikanta road which leads to Chief Chikanta’s area and the 150 Kilometers Ngoma roads leading to the Kafue national Park.
He said about 71 kilometer of the Ngoma road has so far been done and expressed satisfaction on the workmanship on the road being constructed by Crocodile Construction a consortium of South African and Zambian contractors.
Vice President George Kunda says while government is doing its best to create an enabling environment for investors to invest in the country, it is important for such investors to plough back part of their profits into the communities they are operating in.
Mr. Kunda says government is mindful that investors are using Zambian resources to make money, saying it was therefore the responsibility of every investor to identify themselves with the people in areas they are operating in.
He said investors should always practice good Corporate Social Responsibility so that they ordinary Zambians can benefit from their resources.
Mr. Kunda was speaking at Mailo Basic School yesterday when he received a donation of 70 desks and sports attire valued at over K 50 million from ZAIN Zambia.
He commended ZAIN for not only providing cellular phone network but also assisting vulnerable communities especially in areas of education.
Mr. Kunda said government has been following with keen interest what ZAIN Zambia has been doing not only in urban areas but rural areas of the country as well.
He said the donation will go a long way in creating a good learning environment for children in the area.
“Investors can tap natural resources of Zambia and make money because as a government, we have provided a conducive business environment for them”, he said.
Mr Kunda said this is important because investors who come into the country also provide the much needed revenue for government to initiate other development projects in all parts of the country.
Meanwhile, Mr Kunda has appealed to ZAIN to provide mobile telephone network coverage in Chief Mailo’s area.
He said this was important because the area can provide good business for the company, adding that government through the Ministry of Transport and Communication was looking at ways through which communication can be improved in all parts of the country.
Mr. Kunda said this will enable all Zambians to understand what is going on in their country and other parts of the world as well.
He said communication is a key factor in national development.
Speaking earlier, ZAIN Zambia Managing Director Yayaz King said in line with ZAIN’s Company policy, education is one of the top priority in its Corporate Social Responsibility programme.
Mr King said under the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility flagship programme “Build our Nation” ZAIN has since 2005 supported schools in all the 72 districts of Zambia by rendering support to communities through school expansions, infrastructure renovation and donation of desks and literacy materials.
The ZAIN Zambia Managing Director said this in a speech read for him by ZAIN Manager DTH projects, Martin Mambwe.
Meanwhile, government has devised a programme through which it wants to rehabilitate Mailo Basic School and construct an additional 1X3 classroom block.
Mr. Kunda said t the same occasion that money for the project has already been set aside and all that is been awaited is for the District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) in Serenje to release the money.
Mr Kunda said government is committed to ensuring that as many schools as possible are constructed so that children can have the opportunity to access an education.
“Provide for those who grieve…a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor”
(Isaiah 61:3, NIV)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
Do you need a new garment today? I’m not talking about a physical garment. I’m talking about what’s covering your mind and emotions. Are you clothed with despair and disappointment? Are you wearing ”heaviness?” If you’ve gone through a hurtful situation, the Bible says there is a time to grieve, and it’s important to release that hurt to the Lord. But the Bible also tells us that God wants to give you a garment of praise instead of a spirit of heaviness and despair.
Are the garments of yesterday weighing you down and holding you back? It’s time for a new garment. The garment of praise is light and filled with peace and joy. Don’t carry those heavy burdens around anymore. Choose to forgive those who have hurt you and praise God for what He’s doing in your life today. If nothing else, start thanking Him for the beautiful sunrise. Thank him for restoring you, even if you don’t see it yet. Just like this verse says, you will be as strong and secure as a tall oak tree, displaying His splendor all the days of your life!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Heavenly Father, I come to You today and ask that You take off my old, heavy garments of despair and heaviness. Make me new today. Give me a garment of praise so that I can be a display of Your glory and splendor. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Defending Barclays Cup champions Power Dynamos coach Fordson Kabole was very brief about his side’s victory at Woodlands Stadium today over Nkwazi and expectations in retaining their title.
The Super Divsions longest serving coach who is never an easy man to catch for an interview discribed the win as a way forward.
“The result is a step into the semifinals football is about attitude on that particular day we are planning to succeed,” Kabole said.
Power beat Nkwazi 1-0 through a 10th minute goal from Luka Lungu in the second match of the Woodlands doubleheader.
And in the lunchtime kickoff, record two-time Barclays Cup champions Zesco United also reach the last four after a 1-0 win over division 1 south leaders Nakambala Leopards courtesy of a first half goal from promising winger Kangwa Chileshe in the 15th minute.
And in the doubleheader at Arthur Davies stadium in Kitwe, Zanaco beat Green Buffaloes 2-0 thanks to goals from Venecious Mapande and Lottie Nyambili.
Lime Hotspurs were the only lower division team to advance after Nakambala were eliminated by Zesco when they beat Nchanga Rangers 4-2 on post-match penalties following a scoreless draw in the later kicoff at Arthur Davies.
Meanwhile, Faz communications officer Erick Mwanza said semifinal draws will be made this coming week.
FLASHBACK: Science Minister Brian Chituwo (r) and UNZA vice chancellor professor Staven Simukanga after a graduation ceremony at Evelyn Hone college
Government says it will continue to provide guidance and support to training institutions in order for them to operate effectively and render quality service to the community.
Minster of Science Technology and vocational Training Brig General Brain Chituwo said his Ministry will ensure success in training the youth is attained to positively contribute to the labour demands of the nation.
Brig Gen Chituwo said this in a speech ready for him by Copperbelt University Vice Chancellor professor Mutale Musonda at the 6th Graduation of 197 students at Kitwe Vocational Training Centre Management Board (KVTCMB) in Kitwe yesterday.
He said the institution initiative for working towards self-sustainability by running a profitable production unit in order to strengthen their revenue base was commendable.
Dr Chituwo urged other higher learning institutions to emulate KVTCMB’s initiative to help students to become self reliant.
He added that his Ministry shall endeavor to continually lobby for capital funding to address the challenges faced by the institutions.
And principal of the institution William Mutale said the institution is faced with a lot of challenges one of them being lack of adequate boarding facilities for students.
Mr. Mutale said despite the difficulties the centre continues to demonstrate to the Zambian people that technical colleges are important in the development of the nation.
He added that institutional bursaries are provided for vulnerable children as a way of empowering them with necessary skills to be self reliant.
Meanwhile KVTCMB acting Board chairperson Joackin Mumba said the management is proud that the centre has not experienced any class boycotts by students or strike buy staff which shows how disciplined the institution.
Republican President Rupiah Banda has directed the Ministry of Education to work closely with the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) in keeping drugs out schools.
In a speech read for him by Education Minister Dora Siliya during the re-launch campaign of Education for all by 2015 in Lusaka today, Mr. Banda says he is saddened by the increasing cases of under age consumption of alcohol, drug abuse and teenage pregnancies and marriages.
Mr. Banda who has also instructed the local authority in the country to firmly deal with any Bar found entertaining under aged patrons says that alcohol producers to be sensitive when advertising their products.
The President says his government recognizes children with special education needs and that it will soon construct a school for the deaf in Lusaka at a cost 30 billion Kwacha and a center of excellence for children with various special education needs.
He has urged parents to ensure that their children do not deviate from the path of education adding that positive communication in families will influence and inspire children to refrain from vices distract them from school.
Mr. Banda has also called on the youths in the country to be responsible and concentrate on education if they are to be better adults in future.
Meanwhile, Kenya Airways has sponsored 9 children from different schools in the country to undertake an educational tour to Kenya.
The pupils ranging from grades 8 to 12 have been selected by their provincial education officers based on their commitment.
Kenya Airways Chief Executive Officer Titus Naikuni says the gesture is in line with the company’s corporate social responsibility in areas where it operates.
Mr. Naikuni says the Airline has chosen to support education because the poverty that most African countries experience cannot be eradicated without Education.
He says his company will build linkages between African universities where students will exchange information aimed at creating sustainable development.
Matero Member of Parliament (MP) Faustina Sinyangwe says the opposition PF/UPND pact is collapsing.
Mrs Sinyangwe who is among the PF rebel MPs said that the differences in the pact were foreseen and anticipated.
“This is because the two leaders have very different ideologies and their intention was misplaced, ” Mrs Sinyangwe said.
She said that there is no way the pact expected itself to survive when their main aim of removing the party in power was to remove government from power, was publicly announced.
She also highlighted the fact that the change was not enshrined from the grassroots level but only took place from the top of the political pact’s structure.
Mrs Sinyangwa noted that it is evident that the pact between the two parties would not last.
She said that both Michael Sata and Hakainde Hichilema should have focused towards building a stronger base for the pact to grow from.
[ QFM ]
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has officially handed over the Mourners’ Shelter at Mporokoso District Council Cemetery, which was constructed with funding from the UN refugee agency under the “assistance to refugee host community initiative” amounting to K 60 million.
Construction of the Mourners’ Shelter commenced in December 2009 and was completed in August 2010.
Implementation of the project was undertaken by the Mporokoso District Council on behalf of the government of the Republic of Zambia.
According to a statement signed by UNHCR Communications officer Kelvin Shimo, the Mourners’ Shelter was handed over today by the UN Refugee Agency Head of Sub Office in Charge of Northern and Luapula Provinces Mr. Phillipe Creppy to Northern Province Minister, who officiated at the ceremony on behalf of the Government.
During the hand-over ceremony, Mr Creppy, underlined the fact that UNHCR is not a development agency, but within its limited resources tries to assist the local communities in refugee impacted areas.
The request to UNHCR to assist with the construction of the Mourners’ Shelter was first made by the residents of Mporokoso, who used to complain of lack of a Mourners’ Shelter at the District cemetery. Mporokoso, in Northern Province, hosts refugees at Mwange refugee camp.
Northern Province Minister, John Chinyanta thanked UNHCR for assisting the government by funding the construction of the Mourners’ Shelter which will improve services for mourners during burial at the district cemetery.
In January 2010, UNHCR also completed emergency rehabilitation of one by three classroom block and a teacher’s house at a cost of K60 million at Munkanta Basic School in Kawambwa District, Luapula Province, which had been destroyed by heavy rains in 2009.
Mr Creppy expressed his gratitude to the people of Mporokoso and the Government of the Republic of Zambia for the active support and commitment they showed all through the implementation of this project.
He also said the gesture was UNHCR’s appreciation to the people of Mporokoso and the Government of Zambia for the warm welcome which was and continues to be accorded refugees.
PF cadres
Partriotic Front (PF) youths have said the United Party for National Development (UPND) should leave the pact instead of insulting and antagonising their president Michael Sata and secretary general Wynter Kabimba.
PF national youth secretary Eric Chanda said the UPND leaders had shown that they entered into the pact in bad faith.
Mr Chanda was reacting to a statement by UPND national youth chairperson, Joe Kalusa who claimed that Mr Sata had lost wisdom despite having served in Government for a long time.
Mr Kalusa said as an old man, the UPND had expected Mr Sata to provide wisdom in the pact, but that he had failed to do so.
But Mr Chanda wondered what Mr Kalusa had done for the country to attack Mr Sata who he said was liked by many Zambians. “Who is Joe Kalusa to tell the man who has suffered for the people that he has lost wisdom? Can he tell the Zambian people what he has done compared to Mr Sata?” he asked.
Mr Chanda said even UPND Mazabuka Central Member of Parliament Garry Nkombo and his Siavonga counterpart Douglas Syakalima could not be compared with Mr Sata.
He said Mr Syakalima and Nkombo should have sought dialogue with their pact partners instead of rushing to the media to air their grievances.
“To us as PF youths, it is clear that they are not interested in the pact and let them go. PF is the largest political party in Zambia and therefore we can stand alone without the help of any political party,” Mr Chanda said.
He instructed all the PF youths in Zambia to launch a vigorous campaign and mobilisation as a single party and not as a pact with the UPND.
Meanwhile, the PF in Eastern Province said yesterday it was in support of Mr Kabimba’s statement that UPND did not join the pact in good faith.
In a statement released in Chipata, PF Eastern Province publicity secretary Mung’omba Ngoma accused the UPND of de-campaigning the PF in the Milanzi Constituency by-election in Katete this year.
He said UPND provincial officials “camped” in Mufumbwe instead of assisting the PF in the polls.
Mr Ngoma said the PF was better off without the UPND and warned that UPND risked being further weakened with the formation of a party by former Finance minister Ng’andu Magande.
He charged that the UPND was a provincial party which was only strong in Southern Province.
Mr Ngoma said if UPND party was serious with the pact, it should not have allowed its members to castigate Mr Sata and other senior party officials in the manner they did.
But UPND chairperson for youth and child development, Micheal Chuuzu refuted the claim by PF that the UPND leaders did not support their pact partners in Milanzi.
“PF has no party structures on the ground in Milanzi, they used our party structures during the Milanzi by-election” Mr Chuuzu, who is one of the national management committee members from Eastern Province, said.
On assertions that the formation of a party by Mr Magande would weaken UPND, Mr Chuuzu said Mr Magande’s party would instead weaken the PF because Mr Magande was targeting to woo all the PF rebel MPs to his side.
[ Times of Zambia ]
SECOND Republican president Frederick Chiluba rejected attempts by Patriotic Front (PF) leader Michael Sata to take over the presidency in 2001 after realising that the opposition leader’s conduct did not match that of a head of State.
Dr Chiluba, alongside the national executive committee, supported the candidature of late president Levy Mwanawasa when his second five-year tenure of office expired in 2001 which was the reason Mr Sata does not like the former President.
MMD chairperson for information and publicity Dora Siliya said this when she addressed a public rally at Kasakalabwe Middle School in Mpulungu Constituency to drum up support for the October 28, 2010 parliamentary by-election.
The Mpulungu parliamentary by-election follows the death of Lameck Chibombamilimo.
Apart from working as a popularity gauge for the main political parties the contest will be about numerical advantages in the 150-member National Assembly, currently dominated by the ruling party.
Ms Siliya said Mr Sata started showing lust for power when he served under Dr Chiluba but it was clear that Zambia deserved a better candidate to promote national economic development and unity.
She told the residents to reject the candidate the PF would adopt for the by-election and encouraged them to judge Government on the basis of its performance and not the lies being told by Mr Sata against President Rupiah Banda and the Government.
Dr Chiluba, alongside the national executive committee supported the candidature of late president Levy Mwanawasa when his second five-year tenure of office expired in 2001 which was the reason Mr Sata does not like the former president.
Ms Siliya, who is Education minister, said Dr Chiluba was a good president who promoted unity while Mr Sata did not like people from many parts of the country and had continued to demonstrate this by promoting politics of ethnicity.
She warned that the disunity being promoted by the opposition could lead to civil war as the leader continues to divide the nation on tribal lines.
She said the MMD Government would continue to work for the people despite the criticism by the opposition and the allied civil society organisations.
Ms Siliya said the people of Mpulungu had demanded that Mpulungu Harbour should be repossessed and the Government had done just that.
The harbour had the capacity to employ many people and feed the whole district if well managed and that Government would ensure that the people benefit from the investment.
Meanwhile, residents of Mpulungu have demanded that the MMD should adopt prominent Mpulungu business executive Given Mung’omba as the candidate for the ruling party.
Ms Siliya said part of her mission was to involve the residents in selecting the candidate to assess whether the constituency officials had picked the candidate the voters want.
Another applicant for the position is former MP Griever Sikasote who is Northern Province MMD chairperson.
[ Times of Zambia ]
In an earlier article, I had given the so called UPND/PF Pact until November 2010 to survive. After November, I predicted that it was going to disintegrate into stark factions and rancour. November is two months away and all the signs are all here. The Pact has
collapsed. The winner in this break-up is unfortunately, Michael Sata and the loser of course is his counterpart Hakainde Hichilema. In this article, I wish to examine how HH lost the battle for the Pact because of his political naiveté.
Hakainde Hichilema failed to control his message going into the pact. He was undoubtedly motivated by a modest desire to see that the MMD does not retain power in 2011. But that is where the problem lay. HH did not care about the disparate manifestos that his party had with PF. Instead, his actions were characteristically opportunistic. He was ready to compromise his pro-business principles, pro-constitution values and the democratic character of his UPND. He was willing to sacrifice all these ideals at the altar of the PF’s anti-business and dictatorial trends. I do wonder why it never occurred to HH that the PF he wanted to go to bed with had never conducted intra-party elections at any level, from its branches to its Central Committee, in the 9 years of its existence.
Hakainde Hichilema lamentably failed to keep and enforce political discipline within his UPND ranks. As a party under Anderson Mazoka, the UPND was very well rallied around its party president. Mazoka was undoubtedly a respected leader within the UPND. But as HH took over, it was clear that he was no match for Mazoka. HH found it difficult to escape Anderson’s shadows. An incessant comparison between him and Kambela yielded miserable outcomes. When problems started to develop within the UPND/PF Pact, HH tried and failed to articulate to his people to give the pact a chance. It looks like more junior UPND structures had no hope in PF’s sincerity about the Pact. And as such, they just saw no reason why their leader wanted to insist on it.
The greatest show of indiscipline came when the UPND national Youth Chairman Joe Kalusa expressed doubt about the leadership abilities of the UPND and PF leaders in pact. HH had all but failed to whip and rally his troops.
Hakainde Hichilema’s public insistence that he cannot win the 2011 elections if the UPND went it alone shows his political naïveté. Politics is a game of posturing. It never is a game of veracity and actuality. It is a game of cards, opportunity and courage. But HH just recently told his followers not to cheat him into thinking that he can win the 2011 elections singlehandedly. This defeatist mentality is contrary to the spirit of Zambian politics. HH’s insistence that he needs a Pact to dislodge the MMD from power is perhaps one single statement that seals his fate as a political neophyte.
Even leaders of smaller parties in Zambia, without parliamentary presence, never display such defeatism. They go on fighting. Parties such as Heritage Party, or even Reform Party or indeed UNIP do go into elections with a courage and belief that they are in it to win. None of party presidents ever say that they cannot win an election. Michael Sata himself as leader of the PF never says that he cannot win the presidency unaided. In fact, what HH said made him appear politically immature compared to his counterpart. That it is the UPND that needed the Pact more than the PF needed it can be comfortably inferred from HH’s statements. In politics, many would rather vote for a ten-man party whose leader believes that he can win, than vote for a millions’ party whose leader displays spineless attitudes. HH has lost the battle for the Pact because he as evidenced by his recent statements cannot win the 2011 election unless he stood on the Pact’s ticket.
The UPND and Hakainde Hichilema do still have a huge role to play in the political arena in Zambia, however. As a party that is rising in its popularity, HH should not have discouraged his supporters that the UPND cannot triumph. He instead needed to encourage them if they are to continue with their resurgence in Northwestern Province and beyond. As HH is telling us about his inabilities, a new National Movement for Progress (NMP) under Ng’andu Magande is reverberating in Monze and beyond.
Magande does believe that he is the right man for Zambia and is coming to the year 2011 with the audacity to win. If HH continues with his naivety, the people of Southern Province may switch their allegiance from his UPND to NMP or worse still the MMD.
All Ng’andu needs to tell the South, the North, the East and the West is that he has become the heir of their desire to see a developed Zambia. If it is time for a southerner to lead their beloved country, Magande may be the man. At least, unlike one Hakainde Hichilema, he believes it.
