By Gerald Nkisu Katayi

In any country that practices multi-partism, it is normal to come to a cross road after every four, five or six years. Zambians is such a country; next year will be a decisive year, through the ballot, voters will be directing the destiny of their country. The Electoral Commission, The ruling party, the NGO’s, and the opposition seem to be preparing for the day of the battle. The mixture of excitement and anxiety can be felt in the air a year before the actual day.

But some how, there’s a strange phenomenon among the players; the ruling party seem to be determined than the opposition. His Excellence Rupiah Banda (H.E.R.B) like a good general is organizing his troops for the D-day. He has recruited the likes of F.T.J the self proclaimed “political engineer”, VJ, “election consultant”, the violet cadre William Banda, and recently he recruited a physical trainer. That is not enough; Mr. Banda like “the Camel’s nose in the tent” story has gone a second mile to remove obstacles like Magande and Mpombo from the MMD to secure his re-election.[pullquote]High office is like a pyramid; only two kinds of animals reach the summit, reptiles and eagles.” But in Zambia even hyenas reach the top. But in the next general and presidential election, let reptiles and eagles only reach the top. [/pullquote]

Who should blame RB for preparing himself? There is no gambling like politics. It has been said, “To be a chemist you must study chemistry; to be a lawyer or a physician you must study law or medicine; but to be a politician you need only to study your own interests.” Therefore RB is proving to be a good politician by attending to his own interests.

Outside the MMD; the atmosphere is set, the opposition political cadres are ready, NGO’s are ready, some priests are ready, but the opposition leaders are not ready. They are not ready because procrastination, power struggle, selfishness and bickering are dividing them. The bickering is who should lead the pact. This is the cause why ruling parties in Africa stay in office for ever because the opposition only concentrates on one portfolio- the presidency! The supporters are ready, but can not do it alone, they are like sheep without a Shepherd, but who shall lead them?

Even though RB and the MMD are doing their best to stay in business, all is not well in their quarters. They have a lame duck; the president. The flying from one country to another like a “president without borders” is not digested well among many voters. Dr. Sondashi once said, “I want to go to State House to enjoy myself.” May be this is what the president is doing and that can be a hole in the MMD’s amour. If recent by- election results in Ndola and other parts of Zambia are indicators of what is to come; the MMD must work harder.

What about the opposition? With the lukewarmness in the opposition; victory over the ruling party will not come on a silver platter. At least history has taught us that a divided opposition can never remove a ruling party from office. A divided house can not stand! Therefore, if the opposition loses, they should not accuse the ruling party of rigging elections. Greed and incompetence in the opposition is eating them like cancer.

And in the view of this author, petitioning and contesting presidential elections in the courts of law after a candidate is declared a winner does not work. Therefore, let the playing ground be leveled, selfishness be cast aside and as one wise man have said, “High office is like a pyramid; only two kinds of animals reach the summit, reptiles and eagles.” But in Zambia even hyenas reach the top. But in the next general and presidential election, let “reptiles and eagles only reach the top”.

PARLIAMENTARY Chief Whip Vernon Mwaanga says the ruling in which Speaker of the National Assembly Amusaa Mwanamwambwa reprimanded Kafulafuta Member of Parliament George Mpombo over his conduct is consistent with the Standing Orders of Parliament.

Mr Mwaanga who was speaking in an interview yesterday advised the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) to study the Standing Orders of Parliament instead of being quick to attack the Speaker.

“It is unfortunate that SACCORD does not understand the Standing Orders of the House yet go ahead to accuse the Speaker of being biased. I expected SACCORD to be well informed,” he said.

He said it was unfortunate to accuse the Speaker of gross irresponsibility when he was acting within the confines of the law.

Mr Mwaanga said members of Parliament enjoyed absolute freedom but that freedom should not be extended outside the House when the subject matter is what was discussed in the House.

He said this was not the first time Mr Mpombo was being reprimanded but he has alleged continued to conduct himself in an unacceptable manner.
Mr Mwaanga said MPs are expected to behave in an honourable manner.

He said Mr Mpombo should have made his remarks concerning the Presidential speech in Parliament.
“While in Parliament, Mr Mpombo did not debate the President’s speech yet he goes outside Parliament to make disparaging remarks against the President,” Mr Mwaanga said.

SACCORD has accused Mr Mwanamwambwa of being biased in the manner he handled Mr Mpombo’s matter.
Last week, Mr Mwanamwambwa castigated Mr Mpombo for disparaging President Banda.

SACCORD information officer Obby Chibuluma is reported as having said Mr Mwanamwambwa was violating the law and undermining the separation of powers.
And the MMD on the Copperbelt has advised Mr Mpombo to heed Mr Mwanamwambwa’s warning to stop issuing disparaging attacks against President Banda.

MMD Copperbelt provincial vice chairman, Jerry Mukonkela said in an interview in Ndola that Mr Mwanamwambwa’s warning to Mr Mpombo is timely.

“We advise Mr Mpombo to heed Speaker of the National Assembly, Amusaa Mwanamwambwa’s warning that he should stop insulting President Banda because it is an offence. We also call on law enforcement agencies to do their work,” Mr Mukonkela said.

He advised Mr Mpombo and all well meaning Zambians to accord President Banda the respect he deserves as head of State.

On Wednesday, Mr Mwanamwambwa cautioned Mr Mpombo against issuing disparaging attacks against Mr Banda because it is an offence.

Mr Mwanamwambwa wondered what the law enforcement agencies are doing about the matter because it is an offence to insult the Presidency especially that it is provided for in the Penal Code.

Mr Mukonkela also castigated Mr Mpombo for his remarks that President Banda is claiming credit for projects initiated by President Mwanawasa.
“Mr Banda took over from President Mwanawasa and he has to finish all those projects,” he said.
Mr Mukonkela said Zambians were going to blame Mr Banda if he decided to abandon projects which had already taken off.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

The MMD has described as over ambitious the decision by former Finance minister Ng’andu Magande to form another political party and warned that he will sink into political oblivion.

Mr Magande confirmed yesterday that he was one of the pioneers of the National Movement for Progress (NMP).

MMD spokesperson Dora Siliya said Mr Magande’s party would only be at the provincial level with little influence and that the MMD would defeat him in any election.

She said Mr Magande had given an impression that he was the best minister of Finance Zambia ever had when he was just given an opportunity to serve in the position.

Ms Siliya said there were thousands of Zambians who were better than Mr Magande and held higher qualifications than the former Chilanga Member of Parliament.

[pullquote]Mr Magande confirmed yesterday that he was one of the pioneers of the National Movement for Progress (NMP).[/pullquote]

And Evangelical Church in Zambia bishop Paul Mususu criticised Mr Magande for forming a political party.

Bishop Mususu said there were many political parties in the country which the former Finance minister should have joined.

He said even though democracy allowed people to form political parties of their choice, there was need to reduce on the multiplicity of political parties.

It would not be possible for newly formed parties to have unique manifestos from the existing ones.

Mr Magande said in an interview that he would offer himself as a presidential candidate in the 2011 elections.

“The movement has been established by my supporters who feel that they needed a forum to continue discussing. Even me I need to find a channel through which to communicate.

“In fact this movement started in North-Western Province and it is countrywide,” he said.

Mr Magande said he had done everything and that now it was time for him to lead Zambia.

He said it was a fact that he was part of the Government that helped the country attain the Highly Indebted Poor Countries completion point, and that it was also during his time that Zambia attained single-digit inflation in 30 years.

North-Western Province NPM pioneer Logan Shemena, who is a former United Party for National Development (UPND) secretary general, said the movement was spreading “like a bushfire”.

“With the cracks in the UPND and the confusion in MMD, the movement is spreading like fire. For now we are not focusing on leadership but to grow the movement,” he said.

[Times of Zambia]

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.

ZANIS

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.

ZANIS

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“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.

— Joel & Victoria Osteen