The Patriotic Front has described President Rupiah Banda’s speech to the National Assembly on Friday as empty.

Patriotic Front Youth Committee Secretary, Eric Chanda, told QFM that the president’s speech did not give any hope to the Zambian youth.

He said the President’s speech failed to outline how the MMD government is going to create jobs for the youth in the country from 2011 and beyond.

Mr Chanda said the President’s Speech means that the MMD government has no agenda for the youth in the country, adding that Zambian youths should now realize that the MMD government has run out of ideas on how to improve the well being of the youth.

He called on the youth movement countrywide not to make a mistake of voting for the ruling party because doing so would be suicidal.

Mr Chanda added that the PF has a policy to develop youth industrial zones in to create employment for Zambian youths, and to decongest the major cities in the country.

And Party Spokesperson, Given Lubinda, said there is nothing new in President Banda’s commitment to allocating 30 percent of land to women.

Mr Lubinda said the President should have talked about whether his government has achieved the 30 percent allocation of land to women as opposed to talking about how his government is committed to land allocation to women by 30 percent.

He said the 30 percent land allocation to women is outdated because even late President, Levy Mwanawasa, talked about the same thing in 2004.

Mr Lubinda noted that the 30 percent land allocation to women is no longer a new policy because Zambians now are expecting to see this policy which was initiated by Dr Mwanawasa implemented.

And Mr Lubinda said the party did not want to hear President Banda talk about how decentralization policy is in Zambia.

He sid what was expected of the President is when the dissolution of power would take place in the country.

Mr Lubinda was speaking in an interview.

Yesterday, President Rupiah Banda addressed the Fifth Session of the Tenth National Assembly where he highlighted a number of programmes which his government intends to do in the coming year.

He also said in an unexpected circumstance campaigned as his speech was about to end, sending the opposition Members of Parliament in the house to uncontrollable uproar.

[ QFM ]

by Gerald Nkisu Katayi

Is wife battering a criminal act in Zambia? This one question can be answered by different opinions across the nation. The diverseness in answering this question can be justified by different sources that inform Zambians. As it has been said, “who educates you controls you”.

One of our own law makers is allegedly to have battered his wife. He is not the first nor is he going to be the last man to lay his hands on his spouse. Zambian women are battered in marriages and even during courtship by their boy friends. But who says these acts are criminal?

Zambia is a country of ethnic diversity; this means Zambians can have the same question, yet give different answers and none of the answers will be wrong. Tradition, Religion and English Law are the main sources of information where decisions are derived from. Both of these institutions are alive and well; they are both entertained by the society and politicians yet in some cases they antagonize each other.[pullquote]Zambian women are battered in marriages and even during courtship by their boy friends[/pullquote]

In some Zambian traditions wife battering is part of showing love, in fact some women complain when violence is absent in their marriage; meaning they don’t feel loved. English Law (State) will interpret the same scenario as criminal and punishable offence, while the Church will say love is not easily provoked, thinks no evil, love has patience, love is kind, (1 Corinthians 13:5-7), avoiding any form of violent.

In one society we give recognition to traditional and civil marriages, we have traditional healers and medical doctors; we have local courts to deal with cultural matters, chiefs to rule over their tribes, culture to interpret the norms of a tribe. On the other hand we have the police to enforce the Law, criminal courts to determine the State Law and politicians to rule. In case of wife battering, when tradition says yes, the State will say no! In this case who is right and who is wrong?

Tradition sees hunting as a way of survival, the State calls it poaching and is a punishable offence, tradition in some places supports early marriages, the State brings in girl child education, witch battering is acceptable in some chiefdoms, the State says that is an assault, tradition has it that a woman should endure pain, even when ill she should cook for her husband, the state has women’s rights.

Polygamous marriages are allowed by some traditions, the Church and the State say no. Should the State then arrest the traditional follower who is polygamous? If a chief who is a follower and the keeper of tradition and culture beats up his wife, are the society and the Law going to demonize him? Or is it that some animals are more equal than others?

If a man is empowered by his tradition to batter his wife as away of showing love or solving family disputes, why should the Law come in? Is this then a divided society?

It is tantamount to persecution to try a Christian by sharia law which is Islamic. Why is it in order to try an ardent traditional follower in the courts of law for wife battering? Can this be seen as persecuting the traditionalist?

Both the Church, tradition and the State are institution that influences people’s decisions. Are these three institutions on the same standing? If not; when does tradition becomes inferior to the Law in the case of wife battering? These institutions must be harmonized like in Kenya where chiefdoms are abolished in order to create a more “united conscience society”. If the Law and traditions are allowed to operate without clear distinction, how is the society that is so diverse going to know if wife battering is an offence or not?

President Rupiah Banda says he has hired a physical trainer and intends to be fighting fit for the campaigns next year.

Speaking when he officially opened the fifth session of the tenth national assembly today President Banda said the 2011 election campaigns would not be for people who are faint hearted.

President Banda has since promised to fight for the 2011 presidential elections.

He has urged Zambians to look at what his government has achieved since coming to power in 2008 as they decide who to vote for in the 2011 elections.

Mr Banda said the Zambians should judge the politicians as they go to cast their votes next year based on their deeds and not words.

He added that his government is proud of the achievements it has scored since coming to power in 2008.

President Banda said his government has set the foundation and that it is the time to build a stronger country, hence he would fight to win the 2011 elections.

And President Rupiah Banda said he has not confided in anyone not even Patriotic Front (PFleader Michael Sata on the 2011 elections date.

He says the 2011 elections date has not yet been decided.

And president Banda says Zambia cannot fashion laws to fight corruption to suite foreign powers, but will use Zambian laws to hunt down corrupt individuals.

He says corrupt elements will be dealt with severely if caught and if convicted they should expect no leniency.

Mr Banda says the fight against corruption is his government’s top priority.

Republican President Rupiah Banda this morning officially opened the fifth session of the tenth National Assembly outlining his government’s programme for 2011, including an ambitious road construction and rehabilitation programme.

This is the second time President Banda graced the ceremonial opening of the National Assembly after coming assuming office in 2008.

Outlining his government’s programme for the coming year, president Banda said government would this year embark on the construction of the Mongu/Kalabo road among many other major road projects to be undertaken.

Mr Banda said good transport and communications are vital for commerce, and that his government would, construct, rehabiliat, and repair the country’s physical infrastructure.

He said in view of the high cost of these developments,public/private partnerships will be key in achieving the developmental plans.

President Banda revealed that progress has been made in designing the Kazungula Bridge across the Zambezi river, and that construction is expected to commence by the end of 2011.

He said the Kazungula Bridge would make regional trade with other countries in the southern part easier.

President Banda also mentioned the many road projects which his government is working on which he said are expected to be completed in 2011.

And President Banda has announced that government has procured nine mobile hospitals.

Mr Banda said government is committed to provide the Zambians with equity of access to cost-effective quality health care as close to the family as possible.

He said it is for this reason that his government is constructing district hospitals across the country and commission of these hospitals has since begun.

President Banda pointed out that in addition to the construction of health posts government procured nine mobile hospitals to increase access to health services in rural areas.

He said his goal is a health nation in which no one dies unnecessarily.
[ QFM ]