TRADITIONAL leaders in Luapula Province have resolved that they will not support political leaders who insult chiefs.

And Vice-President George Kunda has assured the chiefs and members of Parliament who attended the two-day consultative forum in Mansa that Government will implement the resolutions of the forum to promote development in Luapula.

Senior Chief Mushota, who read out the 14 resolutions from the just ended conference at Mansa Hotel yesterday, said traditional leaders will not support leaders insulting them irrespective of their political affiliation.

“As chiefs, we have resolved that we shall not support leaders who are fond of insulting us because when one chief is insulted, it is all chiefs that are insulted. This includes insulting chiefs from other regions,’’ Chief Mushota said.

He urged political leaders who have insulted chiefs to apologise publicly.

The conference also resolved that the people of Luapula Province will only support a presidential candidate associated with development in the province.

Other resolutions were that members of Parliament from the province should speak with one voice irrespective of political affiliation to help steer development in the province.

“We want our MPs to speak with one voice because that is the only way we shall develop the province and the purpose of unity should underpin development projects in the province,’’ he said.

Chief Mushota said the conference also resolved that the province be sensitised so that they can only vote for a leader who will bring development to the province.

He said the conference also agreed that MPs and traditional leaders in Luapula should work together for the benefit of the people in the province.

The conference also resolved to continue working with former President Frederick Chiluba whose contribution to the conference has been described as immense and helpful.

The forum also urged Government to speed up the construction of a bridge on Luapula river to connect Kashiba and Kasenga in Mwense and rehabilitate health, transport and education infrastructure in the province.

Other resolutions called for foreign investors to invest in the mining and tourism sectors in the province.

And Mr Kunda said Government will consider implementing the resolutions from the conference.
He was speaking when he officially closed the conference.

Mr Kunda commended the chiefs and MPs for their participation in the conference.

He said such an initiative should be supported by all key stakeholders because it is aimed at bringing development to the province.

“I wish to commend the conveners of the conference for their foresight in coming up an agenda focusing on the development of Luapula Province,’’ Mr Kunda said.

He also commended the chiefs and MPs for allowing Dr Chiluba to attend the conference.

Mr Kunda said Dr Chiluba has immense experience having served as head of State for 10 years.

He appealed to other provinces countrywide to emulate MPs and chiefs from Luapula Province in order to steer development in other provinces.

Mr Kunda said Government will consider the resolution and will include them in the Sixth National Development Plan which is currently being worked on.

He said Government is happy that the leaders of Luapula Province have taken an initiative to determine and prioritise the development needs of the province.

“This conference is historical and unprecedented. You have met with your MPs so that you can direct them on issues of major interest to the province,’’ Mr Kunda said.

He also said Government is committed to efforts aimed at improving the welfare of the chiefs countrywide.
Mr Kunda appealed to traditional leaders to seek dialogue when dealing with succession disputes to avoid wrangles.

He said Government will soon purchase vehicles for the traditional leaders who did not benefit from the initial empowerment programme.

Mr Kunda said the resolutions will be presented to President Banda and Cabinet so that they can be considered in the Sixth National Development Plan and next year’s national budget.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

A political Activist says it is taboo for any one to call UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema as a young man who cannot manage to lead the country as president.

In an interview with QFM, Dante Saunders says Mr. Hichilema’s age is in line with national leadership and complements with what is going on around the world today.

He says a man of his age is able to handle national issues because he still has fresh thinking and fresh ideas which can transform the country.

And Saunders says those agitating that PF leader Michael Sata is not fit to be president of Zambia are not fair.

He says despite Mr. Sata’s age, he is still fit to be president of the country.

He says people ought to understand that all people advanced in age have a health complication of one way or another.

He says there is nowhere in the world where one can find an old man without a health complication.

He says Mr. Sata’s health complications should not be used as an excuse for him not to contest for the presidency.

He says the issues of health and age should not be factors in determining who should be president of the country.

He says power to choose leaders lie in the hands of the people, adding no political party should be master of who should be president of the country.

He says in addition to people’s wishes, God ordains leaders hence no one should judge the conditions of other people on issues that affect national leadership

QFM

FORMER President, Dr Frederick Chiluba, has urged the people of Luapula Province to unite and speak with one voice if they are to overcome the numerous challenges they face.

And Dr Chiluba was yesterday given a thunderous welcome at Mansa Hotel, the venue for an inaugural provincial consultative forum for members of parliament and traditional leaders of the Province.

The former President received a similar rousing welcome on Friday night when he arrived in Mansa from Lusaka.

Dr Chiluba said unity and co-operation are the only ways in which the province will find solutions to difficulties.

[pullquote]“Why should people question my coming here to Luapula Province where I come from? Without Luapula there could have been no Chiluba. Surely can’t I even visit my home province,” Dr Chiluba asked.[/pullquote]

Officially opening the consultative forum, Dr Chiluba said: “This is a big meeting and it will help in bringing development to this province, and development can only come through such gatherings.”

He said the meeting will help to establish the needs for the province and these will be presented to government. Dr Chiluba wondered why some opposition politicians criticised his invitation to the meeting.

“Why should people question my coming here to Luapula Province where I come from? Without Luapula there could have been no Chiluba. Surely can’t I even visit my home province,” Dr Chiluba asked.

He said his visit to the province has sent shivers in the opposition rank and file but he assured that he was not in Luapula to campaign but to thank the chiefs and MPs for the support he received when he was being prosecuted for seven years.

He revealed that PF president Michael Sata asked him to campaign for him in the 2006 Presidential election and in the event that the PF won, he would drop the court cases.

Dr Chiluba said he turned down the offer and asked Mr Sata to allow the court process to take its course.

“So why should Sata today say that my cases should continue when he came to me and promised to end the cases if I supported him? This shows that he does not understand the governance system of the country,” Dr Chiluba said.

He urged the people of Luapula Province to support President Banda in the forthcoming 2011 elections because he was a working President.

“I have not come here to campaign but to thank the MPs and chiefs that supported me during the seven years I was in court for offences I did not commit, so the opposition should not panic.” Dr Chiluba said.
He also wondered why some people in the province are supporting a person who has failed to become head of state on three attempts.

[pullquote]“So why should Sata today say that my cases should continue when he came to me and promised to end the cases if I supported him? This shows that he does not understand the governance system of the country,” Dr Chiluba said.[/pullquote]

Dr Chiluba arrived in Mansa on Friday night to a thunderous welcome by hundreds of residents. Police had a tough time in controlling the ecstatic crowd.
Meanwhile, traditional leaders have commended MPs in the province for organising the consultative forum.

Luapula Province Chiefs committee chairman, Chief Chisunka, said the traditional leaders in the province are happy that what was proposed last year in October has come to fruition.

“We want to commend our MPs for this initiative which will bring development to the province. Such meetings should continue instead of chiefs and MPs working in isolation,” Chief Chisunka said.

He wondered why some opposition party leaders were opposed to such a consultative forum.

Chief Chisunka said such meetings should be held frequently for the benefit of the people.

Speaking earlier, organising committee chairman Mwansa Mbulakulima said the criticism by some opposition politicians will not discourage the MPs and traditional leaders in the province from discussing development issues.

“We shall not relent because this is what we discussed when we met after the Chabuka ceremony. We are glad that this meeting has been held. This is good for the development of Luapula Province,” Mr Mbulakulima said.

PF Kawambwa Central Member of Parliament Elizabeth Chitika-Molobeka said the meeting will help enhance development.

Among chiefs that attended the forum were the Mwata Kazembe, Kashiba, Puta, Kasoma Lwela, Kayembo, Munkanta and all the sub chiefs from the province.

Other MPs in attendance included Mr Besa Chimbaka (Bahati), Mr Ernest Mwansa (Chifunabuli), Dr Kalombo Mwansa (nominated), Dr Peter Machungwa (Luapula), Mr Joseph Kasongo (Bangweulu), Dr Bernard Chishya (Pambashe), Mr Chrispine Musosha (Mansa Central), Mr Ben Mwila (Nchelenge), Dr Katele Kalumba (Chiengi) and Mr John Chinyanta (Mambilima).

[Zambia Daily Mail]

GOVERNMENT will deal with opposition political parties intent on destabilising peace and unity ahead of the 2011 general elections, Vice-President George Kunda has warned.

And Mr Kunda has said the political alliance between the Patriotic Front (PF) and the United Party for National Development (UPND) is a “pact of total darkness and violence.”

Speaking when he addressed hundreds of Mansa residents who turned up to welcome him at Mansa airport in Luapula Province yesterday, Mr Kunda said government will not allow violence in the country especially that which leads to loss of lives and property.

“We have seen what violence has done to other nations globally, especially, when lives are lost and I am warning those destabilising the peace and unity of the country that government will deal with them in order to protect the lives of our people,” Mr Kunda said.

The Vice-President said the violence in the run-up to the Mufumbwe parliamentary by-election recently should not be repeated as the country approaches general elections.

Mr Kunda wondered why the opposition is proud of the ‘Mapatizya formula’ which is associated with violence.

“This so-called Mapatizya formula is a violent system which if not checked can lead to loss of lives. The international community gets concerned when lives of people are lost through violence in the country,” Mr Kunda said.

The Vice-President also said government will continue to consult former President Frederick Chiluba on many national issues affecting the country.

He said the MMD government will not be embarrassed by consulting the former Head of State because having served as Republican President, President Chiluba has a lot of wisdom.

Mr Kunda wondered why the opposition should politicise the invitation of Dr Chiluba by the organising committee of a provincial consultative forum which opened yesterday and is being attended by Luapula Province traditional leaders.

“Dr Chiluba’s presence at the provincial consultative forum has sent shivers in the opposition,” Mr Kunda said.

He said government will also continue to partner with traditional leaders for the development of the country.

He said chiefs play a key role in the development of the country hence the need for government and the traditional leaders to work together.

Mr Kunda said Luapula Province has a lot of economic potential in tourism, mining and agriculture.

He commended Luapula Province members of Parliament for organising the consultative forum with traditional chiefs.

Speaking earlier, Luapula Province Minister Boniface Kawimbe said Government has continued to address the many challenges that the people in the province face.

Dr Kawimbe said a number of developmental projects are being implemented for the benefit of the people.
These include the Samfya District Hospital and school projects in Milenge district.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

The Southern Africa Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes(SACCORD) has accused Republican President, Rupiah Banda of playing double standards in dealing with political violence in the country.

The organization has also questioned the national leader’s authenticity in fighting against political violence in the country.

Commenting on Lusaka provincial chairman, William Banda’s decision to send over 2500 ruling Movement for Multi party Democracy MMD youths to Luapula province, to counter any violence, SACCORD information officer, Obby Chibuluma says that it is surprising that President Banda seems to have not take note of that action.

Mr. Chibuluma indicates that president Banda did assure Zambians that the MMD would never engage in violence and it is very shameful that he has decided to keep quite over the transportation youths.

He says that President Banda should have stuck to his word and recalled the youths who have been sent to Luapula in order avoid the situation in Mufumbwe recurring.

Mr. Chibuluma has also challenged government to allow an independent board to inquire over the violence in Mufumbwe.

QFM

Republican president, Rupiah Banda has held a closed-door meeting with 13 traditional leaders from Copper-belt Province at State House to discuss a number of issues pertaining to development in their area.

President Banda met the traditional leaders following their request to meet the Head of State to discuss issues of development.

The meeting discussed among other issues, the road network in Copper-belt, especially in rural areas, rural electrification programme, construction of schools and mining activities.

President Banda thanked the traditional leaders for the initiative to discuss various developmental issues with him.

He said the spirit of dialogue between Government and traditional leaders should be encouraged in order to foster development in the country.

And the traditional leaders promised to continue supporting the Government of President Banda.

The 13 traditional leaders who attended the meeting include, Chieftainess Lesa, Malembeka, and Shimukunani.

Others are, Chief Nkana, Shibuchinga, Mukutuma, Nkambo, Lupuma, Kalunkumya, Fungulwe, Machiya and Ndubeni.

President Banda was accompanied to the meeting by Local Government and Housing Minister Hon. Kazonga, MP, Permanent Secretary Timothy Hakuyu and some Government Officials from the House of Chiefs.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”
(Romans 12:2, NKJV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Did you know that you life will move in the direction of your most dominant thoughts? If you’re constantly down on yourself thinking you’ll never get ahead, then you won’t. But if you’ll choose to believe that you are an overcomer, that you have victory up ahead, that God has good things in store for your future; then that’s what you’ll end up with.

That’s why it’s so important to make sure our thoughts are the same as God’s thoughts. Just like a computer, whatever you allow into your mind is what will come out in your attitude and actions. The more you meditate on God’s Word, the more you will transform your thinking to be like God’s thinking.

Choose today to focus on the Word of God and allow your mind to be renewed. As you focus on God’s thoughts, you will see your actions become more like Him and you will see His hand of blessing in every area of your life.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, I submit to you all that I am. I ask that you renew my mind by the Word of God so that my thoughts are Your thoughts. Transform me into Your image. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

United Party for National Development (UPND) Namwala member of Parliament Robby Chizyuka says his party president Hakainde Hichilema is scared of holding a convention because he knows that he will be voted out of office.

Major Chizyuka said Mr Hichilema can never make the UPND win the 2011 elections hence his clinging on to power as party president.

He noted that the UPND is being lead by a leader who cannot cross any bridge because he is unpopular.

He said it is very sad that the party leadership has decided not to hold the convention ahead of the 2011 elections because five years have elapsed.

Maj. Chizyuka accused Mr Hichilema of adopting Mr Sata’s tactics.

“It is unfortunate that HH has adopted king cobra’s undemocratic manners by refusing to hold a convention,” Maj. Chizyuka said.

He said it is the tradition of UPND to hold elections every five years and that defying the party’s constitution will set a bad precedence.

He said UPND is not a personal kantemba (kiosk) because it was founded by people who respected the tradition of holding conventions.

Maj. Chizyuka said Zambia should be wary of leaders like Mr Hichilema and Mr Sata because they have the ability to change the constitution to suit their interests.

PF secretary general Wynter Kabimba recently announced that the party convention has been set for October this year.

[Zambia Daily Mail]