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Fr. Bwalya told to leave First Lady alone

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First Lady Thandiwe Banda

Chief Government spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha has urged Change Life Zambia executive director Frank Bwalya to respect First Lady Thandiwe and avoid dragging her into purely government business.

And Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha has revealed that the Ministry of Home Affairs has started a screening exercise of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to ensure that those that have departed from their agenda are de-registered.

Gen Shikapwasha, who was speaking in an interview in Lusaka yesterday, said the First Lady is not part of government and, therefore, should not be dragged into matters which concern the running of government.

He was reacting to reports in The Post Newspaper that Fr. Bwalya has written to the First Lady to ask President Banda to cut down on trips abroad and reserve the savings as money for transport for released prisoners.

“The First Lady is the mother of the nation and, therefore, she should be allowed to carry out her role and not be thrown into issues which are purely Government,” Gen Shikapwasha said.

He said it is impossible for government to stop President Banda from attending important meetings abroad and undertaking trips which bring investment to the country.

“We have a set programme for the President and his trips have benefited this country in terms of investment. We have also seen Zambians prospering because of these programmes,” Gen Shikapwasha said.

He said government has a programme it follows and that they are well budgeted for and approved by Parliament. He said care is taken to ensure that the money is spent appropriately.

“So, whatever is being spent on trips is budgeted for and is being spent to prosper Zambians economically. So, Father Bwalya cannot determine what Government should do or how it should operate,” he said.

Gen Shikapwasha wondered why Father Bwalya rushed to write to the First Lady on a matter which directly involves President Banda.

“He should have written to the President himself. We have so many Zambians who write to the President and he replies to them. And as Government, we take into consideration some of their suggestions,” he said.

Gen Shikapwasha said the MMD government is working hard to ensure that it brings prosperity to the people of Zambia.

“There are so many indicators that there is economic growth, there is construction taking place everywhere, among other activities, this is as a result of the hard work the MMD is putting in,” he said.

Gen Shikapwasha said the economy will continue to grow while employment opportunities will increase. He said those civil society organisations and some political parties which always criticise Government do it out of jealousy of the MMD’s achievements.

And Gen Shikapwasha said Government has observed that most NGOs have departed from their original agenda. He said the Ministry of Home Affairs is checking on such NGOs, and that those found to be pursuing political agendas will be de-registered.

“We have seen that a number of these NGOs have gone political, so we will de-register them to allow them to form political parties,” he said.
[Zambia Daily Mail]

Prisoner gets parole,job offer for his diligence during Nawa’s burial

Guest Editor
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Minister Lameck Mangani

Home Affairs Minister Lameck Mangani yesterday led hundreds of mourners, who included service chiefs, in putting to rest Zambia Prisons Service commissioner Gibbie Nawa at Mukobeko Prison grounds.

And President Rupiah Banda has directed that Dominic Nkonde, a prisoner at Mukobeko medium prison who was instrumental in preparing the burial site for Mr Nawa, be put on parole for six months after which he should be employed by the Zambia Prisons Service under the buildings department for his diligence.

In his address to mourners, who included senior Government officials, Mr Mangani, who represented President Banda, said Zambia had lost a vibrant and hard working officer who had demonstrated humility and kindness.
Mr Nawa was instrumental in ensuring that the welfare of his staff was uplifted and the zeal was reflected in the housing initiative he had formulated.

“His death is a loss to all and, importantly, the family. Let me state here that out of every bad situation, God has a hand and, as such, family members should support the widow and children,” Mr Mangani said.

He advised Prisons Service staff to remain steadfast in discharging their duties even in the absence of the commissioner.

The minister hailed the South African government for assisting Mr Nawa and his family while he was in hospital in that country. He also commended the family for allowing the Government to choose the burial site for the late commissioner.

And on behalf of President Banda, who is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, Mr Mangani directed that Nkonde, who was serving a five-year jail term for the offence of motor vehicle theft, be put on parole for six months and that he be employed later.

Mr Mangani also promoted assistant superintendent John Phiri, who supervised the preparation of the burial site, to the rank of superintendent. The pallbearers and officers who participated in the drills were also awarded a rank each for the job well-done during the burial of Mr Nawa.

In a citation, Home Affairs deputy Permanent Secretary Willies Manjimela described Mr Nawa as a humble, approachable and friendly person.

Mr Manjimela said the late commissioner had contributed to the Prisons Service and that Zambia had lost a gallant serviceman who was loyal and hard working.

Earlier, Africa Correctional Services Association (ACSA) representative, Mary Magoro said the association was saddened by the loss of a visionary leader. She said Mr Nawa provided good leadership under ACSA and the region would miss his wisdom.

Family spokesperson, Bartholomew Tilasi thanked the Zambian and South African governments and all well-wishers for the assistance rendered during the illness and eventual death of Mr Nawa.

Mr Nawa is survived by a wife Beatrice, nine children and three grandchildren.

[Times of Zambia]

Ban sale of skin-bleaching creams-PHPF

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Advert for Skin bleaching cream

THE Public Health Partnership Forum (PHPF) has called on Government to ban the sale of skin-bleaching creams in the country, arguing that indiscriminate use is harmful to the body.

PHPF publicity secretary Enock Kaputula said in a statement Monday that the indiscriminate use of the creams can cause many health problems such as skin cancer, pigmentation disorders, speech and hearing impairment and kidney problems.

Mr Kaputula said Zambia has become a dumping ground for such products.

“The number of women in Zambia using skin dermatological creams containing high-dose steroids, hydroquinone and mercury to bleach their skins has reached alarming levels,” he said.

Mr Kaputula said it is regrettable that the creams are sold in many places including supermarkets, beauty and hair salons and drug stores.

He said some hair salons have even resorted to applying creams containing steroids on the scalps of their clients to stop skin inflammation and to enable hair to grow fast.

Mr Kaputula said skin bleaching is caused by genetic and socio-economic factors and that its root cause is the need by users to overcome perceived suffering from social norms.

Mr Kaputula said because of that, the practice can be considered a disease in the general definition of health.

He said skin-bleaching, being a psycho-socio and health problem, needs to be addressed with interventions aimed at changing the users’ perceptions of themselves and educating people on its consequences.-

[Zambia Daily mail]

Poverty levels in Zambia are still on the increase-CSPR

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Some women of Munagaba area in Choma sharing goats which were given to them by the government for poverty eradication

The Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) has observed that poverty levels in Zambia are still on the increase.

CSPR information and programmes officer Patrick Nshidano observed that an average of 85 percent of people in rural and 34 percent in urban areas is still living under the poverty datum line.

He told QFM in interview that findings of the ongoing current review of the budget from the 2006 to 2010 whose aim is to build capacity among the non-governmental organizations and the public on the budget awareness indicate that the current fiscal policy currently being used in implementing the budget is not effective.

He stated that the poverty levels in the country have continued to rise under the current budgetary implementation framework.

Mr Nshindano further explains that there is need to review and further implement strong and workable fiscal policies that will ensure prudent management of the funds in the National budget.

The CSPR has also recommended Government to increase expenditure towards capital development to at least a third of every annual budget stressing that massive capital expenditure will eventually lead into infrastructure building and improvement which is a vital component of any nation’s development.

QFM

Chiluba describes the Red Card Campaign as illegal

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Dr Chiluba talking to reporters after being acquitted

Second republican president Frederick Chiluba has voiced out on the red card campaign describing it as illegal.

The red card campaign being spearheaded by Father Frank Bwalya and a consortium of civil society organizations seeks among other objectives to force government to appeal against the acquittal of Dr Chiluba.

Dr. Chiluba’s spokesperson Emmanuel Mwamba said the whole campaign is illegal and should not be allowed to continue.

Mr. Mwamba said the red card campaign is aimed at removing the legitimate government from power.

He added that Dr Chiluba is not bothered by the campaign being championed by the civil society organizations because it is illegal.

Mr. Mwamba has also said civil society organizations championing the red card campaign should not pretend to be fighting for the Zambian people when they are just pursuing their selfish agendas.

Mr. Mwamba said Zambians are not calling for the appeal against the acquittal of Dr Chiluba.

QFM

Nawakwi funded by some Nordic countries, Shikapwasha

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Chief Government Spokesperson Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha

CHIEF Government spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha has said Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) president Edith Nawakwi has allegedly obtained money from some Nordic countries to disparage the Government and re-launch her political career.

Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha said in an interview yesterday that there was information available that some Nordic countries had given Ms Nawakwi funds to discredit the Government and campaign for next year’s elections.

Gen Shikapwasha, who is also information and broadcasting minister, said Ms Nawakwi wanted to re-launch her political career and contest for the presidency in the 2011 elections.

Reacting to Ms Nawakwi’s statement that President Banda and his ministers were confused, Gen Shikapwasha said the FDD president’s recent outbursts against the president and Government were aimed at making her sponsors believe that she was a political force to be reckoned with.

[pullquote]“She should realise that as Government, we are more informed about her being funded and she has been exposed,” Gen Shikapwasha said.[/pullquote]

Gen Shikapwasha said Ms Nawakwi should realise that Government had more information about her being funded to discredit Government.

“What Ms Nawakwi does not know is the fact that Government is aware that she has been funded to discredit President Banda and Government. The money she has been given is for use in next year’s campaign and the reason she has been behaving this way is because she wants her sponsors to know that she is doing something.

“She should realise that as Government, we are more informed about her being funded and she has been exposed,” Gen Shikapwasha said.

And Leadership in Development executive director Moses Kalonde said Ms Nawakwi would never be president of Zambia because she lacked seriousness.

The people of Zambia, Mr Kalonde said, would never risk to entrust the running of the country’s affairs in the hands of Ms Nawakwi.

Mr Kalonde expressed disappointment at the kind of politics Ms Nawakwi had engaged in when the FDD leader was in full support of President Banda in 2008.

“Not long ago, Ms Nawakwi supported President Banda and she is now showing her high level of inconsistency. It is disappointing that she has now turned round just for political mileage,” Mr Kalonde said.

Gen Shikapwasha said Ms Nawakwi is being provocative on her continued attacks of President Banda and his administration.

“Government also finds Ms Nawakwi’s incessant challenges to the head of State to go with her on a joint tour of clinics irrelevant as he has other appropriate people to accompany him if he had to do so,” he said.

He said the Government was aware of the calculated ploy by Ms Nawakwi and her cohorts to divert its attention from delivering on the national development agenda.

Gen Shikapwasha reassured that Government would continue with its core functions of providing good leadership, efficient and effective service delivery to the people.

He said while Government appreciated the enormity of the problems that had beset the health sector, it was lack of respect for Ms Nawakwi to drag the presidency into an issue which medical staff had already clarified.

Gen Shikapwasha said Government welcomed constructive criticism, but Ms nawakwi who was clearly morally challenged had no problem in distinguishing between insults and constructive criticism.

[Times of Zambia]

Non-traditional exports growth doubles

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THE non-traditional exports (NTEs) sector in Zambia has grown by more than 100 per cent over the last three years, Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Felix Mutati has said.

Mr Mutati said the steady growth of NTEs recorded was significant for jobs and prosperity in the economy.

Speaking in Lusaka on Monday during the World Bank video conference discussion under the topic ‘Export Competitiveness,’ Mr Mutati said Zambia had made a lot of progress on the diversification programme by continuing to move away from depending mainly on copper.

The Government was implementing economic policies that were aimed at promoting export competitiveness.

The minister said the Government was focusing on adding value to locally manufactured products in various sectors such as livestock and tourism.

“We are also working on the Multi-Facility Economic Zones initiatives to promote exports. The zones are key to generating exports and creating jobs in Zambia,” he said.

The Government was committed to compressing a number of business licenses that currently were 517 from 87 Acts.

He said the amendments would soon be taken to Parliament where about 170 licenses were expected to be eliminated.

Mr Mutati said Zambia was working with other countries in the region to improve on transport infrastructure in an effort to address competitiveness as a region.

Last year, the regional grouping under the North South Corridor raised about K1.2 billion for improving transport infrastructure.

He urged the private sector to fully exploit the regional markets saying it was easier for Zambia to trade with neighboring countries at a cheaper cost.

During the same satellite video conference discussion programme, several economic experts and discussants from the World Bank, Ethiopia, Malaysia, Ghana, Nigeria and other countries empasised the need to improve competitiveness at both country and company or firm levels.

[Times of Zambia]

Zanaco Midfielder returns from suspension

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Zanaco head to Abidjan for their Caf Champions League tie against Asec Mimosa on Wednesday boosted by the return to the fold of their combative midfielder Trinity Chalanshi.

Chalanshi missed Zanaco’s 1-0 win over Asec played at Nkoloma stadium in Lusaka on March 20 due to suspension after accruing two yellow cards in as many games.

The midfielder said he was delighted to be back in the team to help in Zanaco’s bid to reach the pre-group stage of this year’s Champions League.

“We are confident but still have to work very hard in Abidjan,” Chalanshi said on the eve of Zanaco’s departure for Cote d’Ivoire.

Chalanshi said Asec were a very good side but that Zanaco were going to get the necessary result away to continue with their quest to reach the group stage.

“They (Asec) are a very good side and have great pace all round,” Chalanshi said who joined Zanaco this year from Konkola Blades.

“As usual we expect a huge crowd to be behind them but we have to block that out and just remember what we have come to do in Abidjan.”

The team will leave for Abidjan at midday Wednesday ahead of Sundays clash against Asec.

AVAP accuses MMD of using public resources to entice women voters in Milanzi

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Anti Voter Apathy Project (AVAP) Executive Director, Bonnie Tembo has predicted high levels of voter inducement and bribery once campaigns officially kick off in the forthcoming Milanzi and Mufumbwe Parliamentary by- elections set for April 29th.

Mr.Tembo accused government of allegedly using public resources to induce women voters in Milanzi by promising women’s clubs in the constituency K5million each through the community development and social services ministry.

Mr. Tembo told Qfm in an interview from Milanzi that some women’s groups leaders who could not disclose their names for fear of losing the promised money, claim that they have already started renewing their membership cards and opening up new bank accounts in readiness for the promised money from the ministry of community development minister.

Mr. Tembo stated that the villagers have highlighted a number of sugar coating promises that have been promised to them ahead of the official campaigns.

Mr Tembo has since appealed to the electorate in the various villages and wards visited during the AVAP education tours to carefully assess their candidates and not vote on the basis of sympathy or bribery.

The Story of Uncompleted Buildings in Zambia

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Lusaka city

By Dr. Chiyaba Njovu

Changing People’s Attitudes and Behavioral Values is Every Leader’s Challenge: The Story of Uncompleted Buildings in Zambia

On one of my trips to Kigali in Rwanda last year, I took some time off to visit some interesting places including the genocide museum. What I saw and learnt was amazing and what struck me most are the people’s thoughts of the past and why that should NEVER be allowed to ever happen again in future. The motto of Rwanda is ‘NEVER AGAIN’. The genocide museum is one place you learn a lot about people, their values, culture and beliefs. Shocking pictures and videos but all aimed at educating the nation. Admittedly, I would not hesitate to say, Kigali is probably one of the cleanest cities I have visited in Sub-Saharan Africa. What also impressed me is the quality of infrastructure being developed or already completed. Touring the Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) and imagining the grand plan of our University of Zambia (UNZA), I could not help but ask myself – why do we have so many uncompleted building projects in Zambia? True, imagine the structures around most of our cities, Lusaka, Kitwe, Ndola or even Livingstone. We have a lot uncomplete buildings strewn all over the place. Why? Has anyone bothered to analyse this scenario? In trying to come to terms with this scenario, I would like to look at our way of doing things, our attitudes towards each other, our views towards cooperation and the way we interact and relate to each other as a people. The last thing I want to analyse is our political conduct, which I feel capitalizes on our societal weaknesses with the result that we have ended up with some of the most incompetent members of our society being elected to high positions of responsibility either genuinely or dubiously. We value positions for what gains we can get but NOT for what we can offer or deliver in that position. This is not the objective of this article though.

On uncompleted building projects or other major projects, my observation is that we Zambians like the word ‘mine’ or what I term the ‘I’ culture. Not that saying ‘mine’ is a bad thing in itself but it reveals one’s attitude towards valuing others as partners in development projects. ‘Mine’ for most Zambians would mean doing things by yourself and not allowing other members of your family or organisation to learn from what you are doing. The consequence of this attitude is that if that person is no longer there to complete the project then no one can do it. A cooperative attitude, on the hand, would resolve this problem as it would ensure continuity of developmental projects, whether personal or organisational. A cooperative approach would help family members learn from their predecessors in the family or organisation.[pullquote] Zambians can show you their teeth when deep down their hearts they would rather see you dead. This attitude is a killer to development. Such people would never constructively criticize a person because they want to help him/her improve.
[/pullquote]
But why would people choose an’ I’ approach instead of a cooperative one? The answer seems to hinge on our views towards things that are not personal. Look at our attitudes towards government properties or parastatals in the Second Republic. Most Zambians are afraid of the cooperative culture because of the jealousies amongst people. Jealousy, malice, gossip and some untamed personal egos are known to have created problems among societies. Through gossip, most people fail to see the honesty in another person just because of what they have been told by some malicious person. Malice breeds ill –will among people. That is, if someone is progressive, malicious people would be waiting to see him/her fail and if he plays in their hands, they would ensure that they make him fail. Jealousy, gossip and malice amongst people is what I normally refer to as ‘witchcraft mentality’. In other words, a society where this culture is prevalent makes individuals want to choose to hide what they are working on or about to embark on as malicious people would do all they can to put spanners in their way. I have seen very creative and ambitious projects fail because someone in an influential position or who can play a critical role is jealousy of the initiator. Witchcraft mentality is very destructive. Could some of these be answers to our many uncompleted buildings?

I am not trying to say only Zambians harbour these tendencies but I would like us as a nation to reflect on them if they can help us understand ourselves as a people. I m not trying to point fingers at any single person, but reflective thoughts would tell you that each of those uncompleted buildings you see in Zambia could have suffered from some of these traits – someone with witchcraft mentality could have caused it. I honestly would admit that showing our teeth to people we meet does not mean genuine friendliness. Zambians can show you their teeth when deep down their hearts they would rather see you dead. This attitude is a killer to development. Such people would never constructively criticize a person because they want to help him/her improve. Instead they would choose the most beautiful superlatives to deceive him/her into believing that all was well and that they were solidly behind that person. At his/her demise they are the happiest of people who would even throw a party and use words such as ‘I knew this was going to happen’. Gosh! What an attitude? I strongly believe that ‘we are all good at different things and that is why we are individuals. This belief is useful because it encourages learning and valuing each other for who we are and can do. It helps us understand other people’s shortcomings and where we can help from the bottom of our hearts. But it also encourages us to constructively criticise other people with a view that our criticism would help them improve. Tough choice but most people don’t like being criticised but if you consider yourself as a friend to someone, please do at all times offer your objective advice.

Back to my Kigali experience, I was fortunate enough to have audience with some leading political figures in that country and their story is very candid. They strongly believe that the Rwandan massacre was caused by the witchcraft mentality among its own people. Therefore, as a first step to restoring harmony in the country the leaders had to educate people on the dangers of those traits –jealousy, baseless gossip, and malice. Tell anyone a political lie in Rwanda; you will be in custody before you know it. Therefore, a lesson to those of us who travel to other countries is that NEVER discuss Politics or RELIGION in a foreign country. Learn their principles and values. Is that true for most visitors to Zambia? The answer is NO. Zambians discuss their jealousies, frustrations, or ill-conceived views with strangers without restraint.

In conclusion, our uncompleted buildings strewn all over the place simply tell a story about our principles and values. We are together but in terms of development we are collections of individuals working on disparate projects on the same piece of land. There is no continuity in projects implementation, whether national or individual, and any change in personnel at any level would see a total reversal of what the predecessor had started. In some cases, we even disregard the huge investment already made and just choose to abandon projects already started. My lessons from Rwanda and its change of paradigm from a war-torn country to one of the most progressive developing Countries demonstrates one leadership quality. The ability to change people’s attitudes and beliefs. It is every leader’s challenge to change people’s attitudes in a nation on the basis of sound principles, values and beliefs, which, I believe, are key to the long term aspirations of any prosperous nation. Prosperity does not come from the ‘i’ culture as development is never delivered by a single individual. It is a continuous process that relies on people being able to build on what their predecessors initiated. Economically, politically and to some extent socially – these are Zambia’s challenges. We seriously need a cooperative culture that encourages the values of team work and honesty in working together as equal players in different roles. Projects, whether individual or organisation must be allowed to go the full cycle even if there is a change of ownership or leadership. Valuing projects should be measured in terms of benefits to the nation and not who initiated or completed it. That is Zambia’s challenge and the sooner we get a leadership that can change this attitude in Zambia, the better for our prosperity.

Presidential pettiness?

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President Rupiah Banda tries to get a clear view of Albidon Nickel Mine during the re-opening ceremony in Mazabuka with Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Li Quiangmin in Mazabuka

By Henry Kyambalesa
President Rupiah Banda has continued to exhibit his pettiness and ignorance in discharging his duties as Head of State and Government. On 26th March 2010, he turned the reopening of Munali Nickel Mine in Mazabuka into a political rally by attacking Fr Frank Bwalya, Hakainde Hichilema, Michael Sata, and the UPND-PF pact.

He told his audience that some opposition political leaders “are busy telling lies that when they come to power they would bring development in 100 days.” Well, it seems the President does not know that “development” is a process, and can be attained through a series of short-term, medium-term and long-term measures.

There is actually a lot a President who is in a hurry to develop Zambia can do within 100 days to set the stage for enhanced socio-economic development that is sustainable in the long run. From inauguration day on 2nd November 2008, for example, President Banda would have taken measures akin to the following, which do not include recurrent government functions:

1) November 2, 2008: (a) abolition of the positions of Deputy Minister and District Commissioner; (b) abolition of examination fees in formal education (c) abolition of TV licensing and related levies; (d) removal of public assistance to chiefs from the office of the President to the Ministry of Local Government and Housing; (e) incorporation of the functions of The Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) that is currently vested in the Office of the Vice-President into the functions of the Zambia National Service (ZNS); and (f) detachment of the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) from the Ministry of Agriculture and conversion of the Agency into an autonomous body, which could incorporate the functions of the Public Welfare Assistance Scheme currently administered through the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, including the Social Cash Transfer Scheme.

2) November 5: Merging of some government Ministries and agencies, and appointment of fewer Cabinet Ministers and Directors of agencies.

3) June 1, 2009: (a) abolition of TV licensing and related levies; (b) turning of ZNBC into a public broadcaster not controlled by the government; (c) reduction of Zambian foreign missions, appointment of diplomats, and re-assignment of countries and regions to be covered by each mission; and (d ) creation of a fund for assisting orphanages.

4) October 2009: (a) start improving infrastructure in schools, colleges, universities, ZNS camps, and vacated refugee camps; (b) start providing free seeds and fertilizer for 2 consecutive years; and (c) start upward revisions of compensation packages for employees on government payroll; (d) devolution of superintendence over the civil police to provincial governments.

5) January 1, 2010: (a) reductions in PAYE and corporate income tax by 5 percentage points, and expansion of PAYE income bands; (b) reduction in VAT from 16% to 12.5%; (c) reductions in interest rates by at least 2 percentage points per year over a period of 4 years; (d) payment of all due retirement benefits owed by the government; (e) free healthcare for all without inhibiting the operations of private healthcare providers; (f) free formal education (up to Grade 12); (g) abolition of Grades 7 and 9 elimination examinations for all school children; (h) provision of scholarships to Grade 12 students who would obtain a Division 1 in order for them to pursue studies at locally based institutions of higher learning; (i) provision for low-interest government loans for Grade 12 students who would not obtain a Division 1 and elderly citizens to make it possible for them to pursue studies at locally based institutions of higher learning; and (j) mass enrolment (on a voluntary basis) of street kids and other panhandlers into skills training programs at ZNS and vacated refugee camps.

6) January 1, 2011: (a) start the implementation of home ownership schemes for the police and all civil servants, provision of low-cost rental housing units for low-income families nationwide, management of a home-ownership scheme for low-income families to be financed through low interest mortgages, and rehabilitation of shanty townships; and (b) start improving infrastructure in resettlement schemes nationwide.

7) June 2011: Start providing a seed and fertilizer subsidy at 50%.

8) September 2011: General Elections.

As a by-stander, I expected the President to devote his entire speech to a discussion of development-related issues, such as the role of investments in mining and other sectors of the economy in national development. He needs to learn that criticism and dissent are necessary evils in politics. If he cannot withstand the heat, he should stay out of the kitchen!

PF/UPND Pact, civil society breeding anarchy – Mangani

Guest Editor
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Minister Lameck Mangani

Home Affairs Minister Lameck Mangani has said the Patriotic Front (PF) and United Party for National Development (UPND) Pact is working with the civil society to breed anarchy in Zambia.

The minister accused the two opposition parties of being behind the Red Card campaign as realised in the manner they were collaborating with the civil society organisations such as the Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) and the Citizens Forum.

Mr Mangani said in an interview yesterday that it was surprising that the civil society was still calling for Zambians to join the Red Card campaign despite them meeting with him last week to address their concerns.
He said the two parties and the civil society organisations such as TIZ were always speaking one language even where there was no justification.

“It is clear that they have a hidden agenda as civil society. We need people who have progressive ideas as government and not those promoting anarchy,” he said.

He said the idea of meeting civil society organisations at his office last week was to iron out any issues raised but the government was saddened with the path its stakeholders were taking.

Mr Mangani said there was no justification for the Red Card campaign as being insisted by the civil society. He said Citizens Forum executive secretary Simon Kabanda should come to terms and accept that issues raised by the civil society as reason for the Red Card campaign were already addressed by the government.

Earlier, Mr Kabanda appealed to the Ministry of Home Affairs through the police to allow his organisation and other Red Card supporters to go on with their campaign.

Speaking on Face the Media radio programme on 5 FM in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Kabanda said the only thing the government could do to stop the campaign was to make all the things that had been lacking available to the people.

“If the government does not want us to go on with this campaign, then they should correct the situation which I think is becoming more desperate. For instance, the government should set the date for the referendum for the 50 plus one and it should also start the registration process for those who want to take part in it,” he said.

He said the Citizens Forum and other civil society organisations would then have nothing to flash red cards for, once their desires and those of the Zambian people were granted, failure to which they would continue with their campaign.
[Times of Zambia]

Economist Intelligence Unit Report on Zambia predicts RB’s re-election in 2011

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President Banda greets MMD cadres at Ndola airport, Zambia
President Banda greeting MMD cadres

A REPORT of the influential Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) has predicted that President Rupiah Banda and the MMD are likely to retain power in the 2011 general elections because of the influence of incumbency and the recovery in both the local and global economy.

The report, however, warns that stagnation in economic policy is at risk as political tensions ahead of the 2011 elections could slow reforms.

“Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will grow at a robust 6.8 percent in 2010 as copper production rises in response to the strong recovery in copper prices and agricultural production continues to benefit from favourable weather and government subsidies,” the report reads.

The unit predicts that domestic revenue collection will gradually improve as the mining sector grows and world trade begins to recover from the effects of the recession.

It says that as a result of this, the fiscal deficit will fall to 2.7 percent of GDP in 2010 and 2.4 percent in 2011.

The exchange rate will appreciate slightly to K4, 660 to US$1 in 2010 as the increase in foreign exchange inflows from copper exports outweighs the slight decline in donor support.

The EIU also notes that the current-account deficit is expected to fall to 0.3 percent of GDP in 2010 as higher copper prices boost exports, before increasing slightly to 1.1 percent of GDP as copper production stabilises and import demand continues to grow.

“Former President Frederick Chiluba has endorsed Mr Banda’s candidacy in the 2011 presidential election. This will buoy Mr Banda’s electoral prospects.

“Two of the country’s largest mining firms have announced new planned investments in the copper sector in response to the surge in copper prices,” the report reads.

On agriculture, the EIU says Government expects another bumper maize harvest in 2010, underpinned by favourable weather conditions and an increase in the number of farmers benefiting from the state’s fertiliser subsidy scheme.

“Tax collection in January exceeded budgetary targets by K29 billion (US$6.2m), marking a break from the trend observed in 2009,” reads the EIU report.

The EIU is the world’s foremost provider of country, industry and management analyses.

It was founded in 1946 when a director of intelligence was appointed to serve The Economist magazine.

The EIU is now a leading research and advisory firm with more than 40 offices worldwide.

For over 60 years, the EIU has delivered vital business intelligence to influential decision-makers around the world.

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[eiu.com]

Red card campaign is now unstoppable, Fr Frank Bwalya

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Change Life Zambia executive director Fr Frank Bwalya says the red card campaign is now unstoppable as it has became a national campaign.

Fr Bwalya says attempts by government to thwart the whole campaign will not succeed.

He says the reason why government is intimidating the civil society organizations taking part in the red card campaign is because they are guilty.

Fr Bwalya in an interview with QFM from Kitwe adds that millions of Zambians have joined the red card campaign and that millions more will join.

He adds that government is panicking because they are not ready to appeal against the acquittal of second republican president Frederick Chiluba because doing so would jeopardize the political marriage he is enjoying with president Rupiah Banda.

He adds that failure by government to allegedly bribe the civil society organizations has led to further panic.

Fr Bwalya has since expressed confidence that the red card campaign will achieve its objectives because it is now a people’s campaign.

QFM

Edith Nawakwi accuses George Kunda of plotting murder against her

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Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) leader, Edith Nawakwi says the statement attributed to vice president, George Kunda warning her that one day she will find herself in a ditch if she is not careful with the remarks she is making lately amount to plotting murder against her.

Mr. Kunda was quoted in one of the daily newspapers as saying that Ms Nawakwi has won her recognition wrongly and would very soon fall in a ditch because government cannot allow a situation where the President is being insulted.

Ms. Nawakwi says it is shameful that MR.KUNDA, who she describes as an absentee minister of justice, has chosen to focus so much on crushing her and her reputation at the expense of his job.

[pullquote]Ms. Nawakwi says it is shameful that MR.KUNDA, who she describes as an absentee minister of justice, has chosen to focus so much on crushing her and her reputation at the expense of his job.[/pullquote]

She says it is the expectation of the general public that the vice president would have by now, advised the republican president to declare the flood situation in the country a national disaster.

She says it is worrying her to see Mr. Kunda persistently attack her for every statement she makes.

Ms Nawakwi has since challenged the vice president to clearly explain to her which ditch she will soon find herself in.

She has also urged him to focus on other issues that are more important and beneficial to the people of Zambia and stop threatening her.

QFM

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