By Elias Munshya wa Munshya

At independence in 1964 Zambia’s first president naively thought that Zambia had entered a new era of post-tribal politics. Kaunda had managed to convince the Litunga to have Barotseland proceed to independence with the rest of Zambia as one nation. He had also managed to bring the churches together to form the UCZ which he inaugurated barely four months into power. His United National Independence Party was the principal brand of unity. The national motto was quickly hoisted to be “One Zambia One Nation.” For Kaunda, he had achieved his dream; a united Zambia had been formed.

However, just three years into power, Kaunda realised that the Zambian tribes were not as united as he had thought. The first post independence UNIP convention saw a very bitter tribal fight. The Bemba—Tonga pact had at the UNIP convention bitterly defeated the Lozi—Nyanja alliance. Kapwepwe was elected UNIP’s vice-President to the consternation of Kaunda and Kamanga an easterner had been defeated In fact, it was during this time, that some UNIP members started doubting Kaunda’s loyalty to the Bemba tribe since he had Malawian parentage. Kaunda knew very well that he needed to do something more to overcome this new era of tribalism that had started to engulf the nation.

To overcome this, Kaunda retraced and reemphasized his loyalty as a Bemba subject of Chief Nkula in Chinsali. He also made a point to try and persuade Kapwepwe to step aside since two Bembas could not possibly hold two top positions in both UNIP and the government. Kapwepwe reluctantly obliged and Kaunda quickly brought in Mainza Chona, a Southerner to replace Kapwepwe. But this deeply displeased Kapwepwe and several other Bemba hegemonists, who latter proceeded to found the UPP, a party mainly popular in Luapula and Copperbelt provinces.

[pullquote]I do not just see how a president can manage to appoint all the 73 tribes to Cabinet and Foreign Service all at once. Additionally, accusations that Banda has appointed more people on tribal grounds do not stand to empirical scrutiny. We said this slightest to Chiluba who actually appointed more Luapulans to cabinet and parastatals than any other president has done for his tribe. As such, accusations that Banda is tribalistic may actually be a reflection of our own tribalism.[/pullquote]

To cure the issue of tribalism Kaunda started what he called Tribal Balancing. In this new arrangement he made sure that the provinces were well represented in government. It was so intentional that you could actually predict who would be in Cabinet and who would not. However, the position of Prime Minister was almost exclusively reserved for Barotseland. Out of six Premiers, from 1973—1991, four were Lozis and the other two were Tonga. This was KK’s tribal balancing at its best. It was mostly dictated by province more than it was dictated by specific tribes.

When Chiluba came into power, the intentional and deliberate tribal balancing was effectively overruled. Chiluba would appoint people on “merit.” However, it still remains to be answered why under Chiluba almost all parastatal chiefs had akin names—Chungu, Musenge, Musonda, Mwansa, e.t.c. From just this it may be clear that appointment on merit may have meant tribal merit as well. But even if this is the reality with Chiluba, he was never accused of playing tribal politics. I guess if it were a Lenje doing the same thing, some vocal quarters could have condemned the practice. This assumption among some Zambians that only non-Bemba speaking peoples are more capable of tribalism is erroneous. Comparing all the past presidents on tribal appointments Chiluba appointed more people in his cabinet and parastatal companies that were Bemba more than any other president, and yet the tribalistic label has not stuck with Chiluba. As such, we as Zambians should seriously address this predisposition.

However, when leaving power in 2001 Chiluba wanted to have a minority tribe to take over. This honour obviously fell on Mwanawasa—of both Lamba and Lenje heritage. Even without objective evidence, Mwanawasa was quickly accused of appointing a family tree in his cabinet. But once objectively assessed you will see that Mwanawasa’s cabinet was more tribally balanced than Chiluba’s at any given time. Mwanawasa also brought in some tribal diversity in parastatal companies. However, when he appointed Sisala as ZESCO Managing Director, more tribalistic accusations were levelled against him. This again plays to my thesis that several Zambians believe, erroneously, that only non-Bembas are more capable of tribalism. Mwanawasa tried to please the Bembas by appointing them to the Vice-Presidency. He only revolted when he lost the Bemba vote in 2006.

However, under Banda the issue of tribalism has taken on a new shape all together. In the past it was sufficient that provinces should be represented in the Cabinet. As such, Eastern Province would not normally complain if a Chewa, Tumbuka, Ngoni, or Kunda is appointed to Cabinet. However, with the utterances of Paramount Chief Mpezeni, there is a demand in some quarters that tribal balancing should not just be provincial balancing but rather should be about tribes. As such, His Majesty the Mpezeni is complaining that among the five cabinet ministers from Eastern Province in this current cabinet none of them are Ngonis. Without Ngonis in Cabinet, Mpezeni feels left out of national development. This intra—provincial tribal conflict is the greatest danger to Zambia’s future development. Similarly in Luapula Province, there were complaints that the MMD had started to sideline Southern Luapulans (mostly Ushis) in preference of the Northern Luapulans (Lundas, Bwiles, etc). Northern Province is even more dynamic, Hon GB Mwamba recently said while campaigning that Northern Province belonged to Bembas, ignoring its multi-ethnicity.

One Zambia One Nation will only work, if the provinces stop intra-province tribalism and begin to look at themselves as one people. Otherwise, if we continued on this path, we may just end up being one Zambia and no Nation. I do not just see how a president can manage to appoint all the 73 tribes to Cabinet and Foreign Service all at once. Additionally, accusations that Banda has appointed more people on tribal grounds do not stand to empirical scrutiny. We said this slightest to Chiluba who actually appointed more Luapulans to cabinet and parastatals than any other president has done for his tribe. As such, accusations that Banda is tribalistic may actually be a reflection of our own tribalism.

The Patriotic Front (PF) has said the Movement for Multiparty Democracy’s (MMD) decision to send over 2,500 youths to Luapula ahead of the developmental conference to has vindicated the party’s concern that the meeting is not genuine.

PF spokesperson, Given Lubinda has observed that MMD Lusaka province Chairman William Banda’s decision to send MMD cadres to Mansa is proof that the conference that would be graced by former President Fredrick Chiluba, is not being held in good faith.

Mr.Lubinda said in an interview that it is evident that the MMD government wants to give Dr Chiluba a platform to campaign for president Banda for the 2011 presidential elections.

Mr. Banda this morning told journalists at a press briefing at the party’s provincial headquarters that he has already sent 350 youths to Luapula province after receiving information that the PF has sent about 200 of its youths to the province with intent to disrupt the meetings.

Mr.Banda accused PF of being at centre of perpetuating political violence that is currently taking root in the country.

He said the PF does not want to see the developmental meeting in Mansa to go on as planned.
[ QFM ]

MMD Lusaka province chairman William has announced that he is sending 250 cadres to the national development conference in Luapula province which will be graced by second republican president Fredrick Chiluba in Mansa starting tomorrow.

This follows the earlier announcement by the Patriotic Front (PF) that it would send more than 200 youths from Lusaka and the Copperbelt to the conference.

Mr Banda announced this during a press briefing in Lusaka today that he would to ensure the republican president Rupiah Banda and second republican president Fredrick Chiluba were protected.

Mr Banda said the cadres who were expected to leave for Luapula this afternoon will further be reinforced by another batch of cadres expected to leave for Mansa this evening.

Former president Chiluba is tomorrow expected to grace the development conference in Mansa which will be attended by chiefs and Members of Parliament from Luapula province.

The conference is expected to discuss development in the province.
[ QFM ]

Some members of the Patriotic Front (PF) and the United Party for National Development (UPND) have remained adamant that their respective leaders should lead the pact raising fears that the opposition alliance may fail to agree on one candidate.

Former Mulungushi Ward councillor and UPND youth activists Edwin Simusamba said PF leader Michael Sata should take a backstage as an advisor and allow UPND president Hakainde Hichilema to lead the pact.

“The major issue for the 2011 campaign will be about the economy, it will be about job creation and wealth creation, Mr Hichilema is best suited because he has demonstrated all these traits to the country,” he said.

But Masaiti losing PF parliamentary candidate Clifford Zulu said Mr Hichilema had everything to benefit by allowing Mr Sata to lead the pact because of the latter’s political experience.

“You can see that HH is not the same person of 2006, he has now learnt politics. You can see even how he looks at issues. All these it is because of his interaction with Mr Sata,” he said.

He said Mr Sata was best suited to be the pact’s presidential candidate because he was action oriented and politically experienced.

Mr Zulu said the PF leader’s political experience can be traced way back from the days for former president Kenneth Kaunda.

“Zambians know what he did as a governor, minister in the Chiluba (former president Frederick Chiluba) Government.

Mr Hichilema should allow him (Mr Sata) even to lead for one term so that we can make a Zambian Mandela,” he said.

Mr Sata had a vision for the country and hence he was best suited to be the pact’s candidate.

But the former UPND councillor Mr Simusamba said the world was now moving towards having a new generation of leaders.

“You have seen what has happened in the UK where they have elected David Cameron and what happened in the US where they voted for Barrack Obama.

[pullquote]On assertions that UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema has no experience to lead the country, Mr. Kakoma said Mr. Hichilema cannot fail to lead the country because he has proved managerial experience both in public and private life.[/pullquote]

“The world is changing towards the new generation and therefore Mr Sata should remain as an advisor in the pact,” he said.

He said having Mr Sata as the pact presidential candidate would be taking the country 10 years backwards.

“As I have stated 2011 will be about the economy and HH is just the better candidate,” he said.

Meanwhile, United Party for National Development spokesperson Charles Kakoma says those arguing over who should be the PF/UPND pact’s presidential candidate are simply wasting their time.

Mr. Kakoma told Q fm in a telephone interview that currently there is no need for anyone to discuss the presidency of the pact because the matter will be dealt with at an appropriate time.

He says since the presidency of the pact has not yet been decided, people should not be concerned but should instead discuss issues that will help the pact scoop the presidency in 2011.

And Mr. Kakoma has described statements by people suggesting that PF leader Michael Sata is not fit to stand for the presidency because of his heart condition as unfortunate.

He says people should desist from making such defamatory statements and instead commit national leaders into prayers for God to give them good health.

Mr Kakoma says people should not concentrate on the negative side of national leaders’lives because that will not help the nation to develop.

On assertions that UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema has no experience to lead the country, Mr. Kakoma said Mr. Hichilema cannot fail to lead the country because he has proved managerial experience both in public and private life.

He has since appealed for calm and called on the pact members to support whoever will be chosen as presidential candidate, stressing that the one who will not successful during the selection process will automatically be the deputy.

[Times of Zambia/QFM]

PATRIOTIC Front (PF) Chimwemwe Member of Parliament (MP), Willy Nsanda has been divorced by his wife, Phebby but the MP rejected the court’s ruling that he shares half of his property with her.

Mr Nsanda told the Lusaka Boma local court that he could not share 50 per cent of his properties with his former wife because the two were not staying together when he accumulated the properties.

Lusaka boma local court senior presiding magistrate Henry Mwananshiku sitting with senior local court magistrate Juliet Mwila dissolved Mr Nsanda’s marriage yesterday after the MP was sued by his wife for divorce.

Mr Nsanda said he had worked for his properties and had title deeds for the property he had acquired but was surprised to hear his former wife was claiming for the goods for which she was not a beneficiary.

“She found me with a house at Mass Media, she found me building a 20 roomed motel for my child Elizabeth because I did not want my children to suffer. I am surprised that today she is claiming properties she is never party to,” Mr Nsanda said.

He told Mr Mwananshiku that what his former wife was doing was criminal and would not let her benefit from things she had not built with him.

This was in a case in which Phebby Nsanda, 48, of house number 7660 Woodlands Extension Lusaka had sued her husband for divorce alleging that Mr Nsanda, 57, of house number 245, Zekoni Avenue, Itimpi Kitwe was causing marital disputes in their marriage.

Mr Mwananshiku granted Mrs Nsanda divorce and ordered that the MP shared half of his household goods and properties the two had acquired during their stay as a couple.

But Mr Nsanda said after the judgment was passed that he could not share his properties adding that if that were the case he would be forced to appeal to a higher court.

He accused his wife of having an affair with Ernest Mwamba an employee of the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) an allegation Mrs Nsanda refuted. The MP doubted if the child the two had was his.

Mr Nsanda demanded that the court grants him permission to have both the child and parents undergo a DNA test to ascertain the father of the child.

“I want to be clear with the court’s ruling which is saying that I share the properties that I built and gotten deeds before I met this woman?
“If that is the case I want to appeal and who can help me to appeal,” he asked.

Mr Mwananshiku, however, reminded Mr Nsanda that it would be tantamount to contempt if the MP refused to share the properties with his wife.

He said the court had made its decision and if Mr Nsanda was not happy with the decision he had the right to appeal to a higher court.

The court also ordered Mr Nsanda to pay his former wife K20 million compensation in four months installments and provide a K500,000 child maintenance to the child the two had beginning this month.

“Honourable, your job is very respected so just go and pay what the court has ruled failure to which will be contempt. The laws that you make in Parliament have today tied you. These are the same laws that we the courts follow,” Mr Mwananshiku said.

He said there was no doubt the child Mr Nsanda had with his former wife was his and to that effect the MP should ensure the child received what was due to her.

On the court granting Mr Nsanda permission to have a DNA test, Mr Mwananshiku said it was not the duty of the court to grant such permission but it was a decision to be made by the couple.

During trial, Mrs Nsanda told the court that she wanted to divorce her husband because the MP was abusive in his language and had no respect for her as a wife.

She said trouble started after her uterus was removed and after she gave birth to Mr Nsanda’s child by Caesarean Section.

Mrs Nsanda said she started staying with Mr Nsanda in 2004 and the MP paid dowry for their marriage although it was not legally binding because they had not registered their matrimony.

Mrs Nsanda said her husband also accused her of receiving K1 billion from the ruling MMD to kill Mr Nsanda and the PF leader Michael Sata.

She said she was rightly married to Mr Nsanda because he even bought her a Mercedes Benz registration number ABE 8780 as a present after giving birth to a baby girl.

In cross-examination, Mrs Nsanda denied allegations that she started staying with Mr Nsanda because she had run out of money and her companies had collapsed.

Asked by Mr Nsanda if she did not have a charm, Mrs Nsanda responded in Bemba “Imwe ba Nsanda bushe nganalikwete ilomba ama newspaper yonse ngatayaumfwa nokulandikishya mulandikisha,” which when translated into English reads: “Mr Nsanda if I had a charm wouldn’t all the newspapers have heard as you are a loud mouth?”

Earlier Mr Nsanda publicly harassed Times of Zambia chief photographer Stephen Kapambwe when the photojournalist tried to get a picture of the MP outside the local court premises.

As Mr Nsanda was disembarking from his vehicle, Mr Kapambwe tried to capture the MP but he (Mr Nsanda) approached Mr Kapambwe and grabbed his camera demanding that he (Mr Kapambwe) deletes captured pictures.

Mr Nsanda asked for Mr Kapambwe’s identity, and the photographer produced his Press pass but the MP was not happy and took the Times employee to the messengers office where the camera was again confiscated by the court officials.

The MP told Mr Kapambwe that he had no right to take pictures of him and if continued he would sue him for violation of human rights.

[Times of Zambia]

The Bank of Zambia has predicted that the country’s inflation rate is expected to slow down during the second quarter of the year.

Bank of Zambia Governor Caleb Fundanga says the slowing down of the inflation rate will largely be as a result of an increase in the supply of fresh food with the onset of the 2009/2010 crop harvest period.

Dr. Fundanga however says the recent hike in fuel prices might lead to an increase in the inflation rate which will result in increased commodity prices.

Speaking during a quarterly media briefing in Lusaka this morning,Dr Fundanga added that preliminary data shows that Zambia recorded an overall balance of payment deficit of 81.4 million untied states dollars during the first quarter of 2010 compared with a surplus of 18.2 million United States dollars in the previous quarter.

He adds that during the period under review, the current account deficit narrowed to 25.1 million United States from 113.3 United States dollars million recorded in the previous quarter.

He states that this was largely due to a reduction in the income account in the account balance following the decline in income on equity payments.

The central bank governor further revealed that the merchandise trade surplus increased by 35.4 percent to 368.5 million United States dollars in the first quarter of 2010, from 272.2 million United States recorded in the fourth quarter of 2009 mainly due to an increase in exports.

QFM