By Henry Kyambalesa

As Zambia braces for the 2011 general elections, President Rupiah Banda has decided to trot around the country to seek the help of chiefs in his bid for re-election without making any effort whatsoever to address the needs and expectations of the common people.

President Banda needs to stop taking advantage of chiefs by using them in his political campaigns because they are likely to abuse the absolute traditional authority they wield by imposing their political views and choices on their subjects; and because chiefs are, ideally, supposed to be impartial leaders of all the people in their chiefdoms regardless of the political affiliations of their subjects.

Moreover, engaging traditional leaders to support the MMD in elections is likely to frustrate efforts aimed at creating a level playing field for all political contestants, since they (the traditional leaders) have a faithful following in their areas of jurisdiction. We would do well to address allegations of election-rigging, vote-buying, intimidation of voters, and access to public resources by the ruling political party without opening up other avenues for unfair political advantage.

In this endeavor, the MMD should stop consulting chiefs in the process of picking candidates for elective positions because it is likely to cause confusion if other political parties also decide to consult the same chiefs in picking their candidates.

Also, public assistance to chieftains should be removed from the office of the Republican president and placed under the aegis of the Parliamentary Committee on Local Governance, Housing and Chiefs’ Affairs in order to forestall any suspicions that assistance to chiefs is designed to woo their support for the ruling political party during elections.

If President Banda continues to use chiefs in his scheme to retain the presidency, he is likely to bring about disunity in chiefdoms among chiefs and their subjects who may have divergent political affiliations. This may eventually undermine the legitimacy of chieftains. Chiefs across Zambia need to emulate their North-Western Province counterparts, who decided not to involve themselves in any political rallies or campaigns for the Solwezi Central parliamentary by-election held on November 19, 2009.

Another issue that is of particular concern relates to some of the statements President Banda has thus far made on the campaign trail. For example, he has accused leaders in the PF-UPND pact of having no respect for chiefs. Such an accusation is unfounded, and it is both childish and irresponsible for a public official to try to pit traditional leaders against any other members of Zambian society.[quote]

Also, he has accused opposition-led councils of stealing money from people that is collected through property rates and levies. But if this is actually true, why haven’t the councils been charged with theft of public funds?

Moreover, he has alleged that the PF-UPND pact is a coalition of snakes with two heads that will never rule Zambia since the Constitution only allows for one Head of State. I am not aware of anyone in the PF-UPND pact who has said that the pact wished to have two Heads of State if it secured the people’s mandate to form government.

Besides, he has advised parents to educate their children, and urged pupils to be disciplined in order to succeed in their studies. This reminds me of a contentious statement made by the previous administration that Zambians should not think of having children if they cannot afford to finance their children’s education. And, by the way, the majority of children in Zambia today are already disciplined; what they really need are educational policies designed to provide educational opportunities for all children and adults by investing massively in teachers and educational facilities, abolishing Grades 7 and 9 elimination examinations, providing for low-interest educational grants and merit-based scholarships, and so forth.

Further, he has claimed that the people in Luapula Province have encouraged him to continue with “the good policies” the MMD is implementing. What good policies is the MMD implementing in Luapula Province or elsewhere in Zambia that will make education, healthcare, food, shelter, and other necessities of life readily accessible to all living Zambians?

And why on Earth would a country’s president be advocating for mass defections of citizens from opposition political parties to his party? Is this a scheme designed to create a UNIP-style one-party state?

I personally expect the Republican president to take the lead in engaging in issue-based politics. He needs to spent time telling the people what his administration is doing to address the catalogue of problems currently facing the country—such as poverty, hunger, illiteracy, disease, unemployment, dilapidated infrastructure, disadvantaged children, crime, corruption, and moral decay.

President Banda and his ministers should realize that meaningful socio-economic development will not come to Zambia like manna from heaven; it will need to be adequately planned for and diligently pursued. And they should not expect such development to be attained in an economy where the labour force is composed of large numbers of sickly, illiterate and starving citizens.

If he continues to be stubborn and arrogant, and to consider dissent and criticism as insults, he will end up being the worst Republican president Zambia has ever had—leaving no legacy at all! Dr. Kenneth D. Kaunda, for example, is credited with having presided over a government that provided free healthcare for all, free education for all, and as having secured the existing harmony among Zambia’s tribal groupings, as well as played a pivotal role in our beloved country’s struggle for independence.

Dr. Frederick T.J. Chiluba is credited with having spearheaded Zambia’s transition to multi-party democracy, and the adoption of a more liberalized economic system. While the late Levy P. Mwanawasa is credited with having introduced free healthcare for rural dwellers, provided for free education up to Grade 7, and embarked on a vicious fight against corruption.

We anxiously wait to see the kind of legacy President Rupiah Banda and his administration will leave behind.

Independent Luena Member of Parliament Charles Milupi says it will be suicidal for Zambia to go to the general elections under the current electoral laws.

Zambia is scheduled to hold its next presidential, parliamentary and local government elections next year.

Mr Milupi who has since formed a new party called Alliance for Democracy and Development (ADD)said the current electoral act No.12 of 2006 and the electoral code of conduct could not to guarantee free, transparent,and credible elections.

He says the current laws leave room for manipulation hence the need to revisit them before the elections.

Mr. Milupi says if the national does not have a new constitution before next year elections, the electoral act should be looked at.

He further wonders why government has saddenly decided to appoint electoral commission of Zambia commissioner from one province.

Mr Milupi has since called on Zambians to ensure that they pressure government to put in place electoral laws that would guarantee a free and fair election.
QFM

President Rupiah Banda has assured farmers that fertilizers and other agricultural inputs for the next farming season will delivered early and in large quantities in order to boost food production in the country.

President Banda said the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) government was committed to ensuring that agriculture becomes the mainstay of Zambia’s economy.

Addressing a public meeting on arrival at Chief Mwanachingwala’s palace in Mazabuka district today, President Banda said fertilizer and seeds will next farming season be given to farmers in good quantities throughout the country.

He said government will also ensure that it buys off the agriculture produce from farmers because this was a sure way of empowering them economically.

The President, who was received by Chief Mwanachingwala, Southern province minister Daniel Munkombwe, senior government and MMD officials at the palace, also said the creation of the ministry of Livestock was meant to improve the livestock sector in the country.

President Banda is accompanied to Mazabuka by Livestock minister Bradford Machila, Commerce minister Felix Mutati and Parliamentary Chief Whip Vernon Mwaanga.

He is in Mazabuka at the invitation of chief Mwanachingwala of the Tonga people of that district.

President Banda reiterated that the MMD was in a pact with the people of Zambia and not two or more political parties coming together.

He said the MMD government has achieved a lot economic gains since he became president.

He said it was now up to the Zambians to judge government’s performance based on what has been achieved so far.

The President told the public meeting that he will always talk to potential voters regardless of their political affiliations in order to garner more support for the ruling party.

President Banda said the MMD was the only strong party because it has stable structures throughout the country.

And during the same meeting, President Banda welcomed over 100 cadres who earlier had left the MMD to join the opposition parties but have rejoined the ruling party.

He said it was pleasing to see so many people rejoining the ruling party, a demonstration of the confidence they have in the MMD.

One of the defectors, a Ms Chibilika, told the gathering that she and others have returned to the ruling party because they have realized that the opposition political parties have nothing to offer.

Meanwhile, Southern Province minister Daniel Munkombwe warned that anybody who will attempt to challenge President Banda for presidency will be suffocated by the convention pressure.

Mr. Munkombwe said no MMD member vying for the party presidency will be physically harassed at the convention but pressure will be too much for them to handle at the convention.

He said President Banda was the only credible candidate who will ensure victory for the MMD in the 2011 parliamentary and presidential elections.

ZANIS

Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) Commissioner General, Chriticles Mwansa has denied media reports suggesting that he was earmarked for vice presidency if people of Luapula province vote for the MMD in next year’s general elections.

Mr. Mwansa said the story carried by the Post Newspaper in its February 12th, edition headlined; “Rupiah promises Luapula chiefs a vice president…if they deliver the province to MMD in 2011,” was ill-conceived.

He said the story was an extreme misinterpretation of events that took place at the Mwata Kazembe’s palace grounds.

He added the insinuations that President Banda would appoint him vice president were cheap journalism, which was devoid of professionalism.

“I wish to distance myself from cheap acts of uncouth ‘professionals bent on misleading the nation in pursuant of personal and hidden agendas,” he said.

Mr. Mwansa, as a spokesperson and chief of protocol for the Mwata Kazembe’s kingdom, he had to be found at the palace to welcome the President as his entourage to guide them through tradition while on the palace grounds.[quote]

“I am currently appointed Commissioner General of the Zambia Revenue Authority and tasked with the responsibility of mobilizing resources for the Treasury. This is a task I concentrate on to the best of my ability,” he said.

He said he would not be distracted by anybody or a media organization from focusing on his substantive job.

“I shall remain resolved to do what I have to do for my country Zambia,” he said.

ZANIS

Opposition Patriotic Front (PF) Members of Parliament (MPs) in Luapula province have resolved to stay away from politics of mudslinging.

The Members of Parliament said it was irrational for them to be politicking at the expense of developing their constituencies.

Kawambwa PF MP Elizabeth Mulobeka, who spoke on behalf of other opposition MPs in the province, said they were elected to represent the people in the National Assembly regardless of their political affiliation.

Mrs. Mulobeka told ZANIS in an interview that there was need to work with the government of the day saying development could only flourish when MPs work with government.

She thanked President Banda for having visited the province saying the MMD government had done well in the province.
She cited the Kawambwa – Mansa road as one of the developmental projects which government has worked on.

Mrs. Mulobeka said once the opposition political parties support the government of the day, development would be accelerate in the country.

ZANIS

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“You will also declare a thing, and it shall be established…”
(Job 22:28, NKJ)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

In the Old Testament there was an Israelite woman who was about to give birth. She had just heard that the Ark of the Covenant that housed God’s presence had been stolen. She was so upset about it that she named her baby boy Ichabod, which means “the glory has departed.” Notice what she did; she named her future by what was happening in her present. She could have just as easily named him “the glory will return,” but she was so focused on the negative, so caught up in where she was at that moment that she defined her future by it.

Friend, don’t ever name your future by your present day circumstances. You may have had some hard times in the past, but get that “Ichabod” spirit off of you. It may look like you’re stuck in a rut and you don’t really see how you could ever rise any higher, but don’t speak defeat over your life. Instead, name your future: blessed, prosperous, successful, victorious, healthy, whole, strong, talented, creative, wise. Declare what God’s Word says so that you can move forward in the destiny He has prepared for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, thank You for the good future that You have prepared for me. Today I choose to come into agreement with Your Word and declare Your blessing over my life. Keep me close to You as I surrender every area of my life to You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

By Elias Munshya Wa Munshya

The recent visit of President Rupiah Banda to Mwata Kazembe of Luapula Province and to some districts in Luapula Province has highlighted just what is at stake politically for Luapula Province.

First, Luapula matters to the MMD due to the presence of PF rebel MPs. Totaling ten, they enhance the chances of MMD performing better in 2011 should they defect enmasse to the MMD. The MMD may try and convince Luapulans, that by expelling these MPs from PF, PF was by the nature of its act anti-Luapula. No other province at the moment promises such opportunity for the ruling party.

Secondly, Luapula matters, due to the fact that most political players sympathetic to the MMD, have a protracted and steady political history within Luapula Province and the MMD. These include Katele, Mwila, Kasongo, Machungwa, Chitika, and Chiluba himself. The long history and political stability of these figures will help boost MMD’s chances of a few more votes from Luapula. Besides this team may give a tough time to PF should they all decide to campaign for MMD and Banda.

Thirdly, Luapula matters due to the residual influence that FJT Chiluba has. After the demise of Mwanawasa the public’s opinion of Chiluba has somehow rebounded. Rupiah’s government has managed to rewrite the script concerning Chiluba’s prosecution and they have with some success managed to convince some Zambians that Chiluba was unfairly prosecuted. This script has undoubtedly angered some diplomats, various media houses and several NGOs but it has definitely managed to boost Chiluba’s political image among some Zambians. Sata and some PF members are dismissing FJT as politically insignificant. However, in spite of his questionable morality arising from his prosecution, FJT still has political clout which Banda is trying to maximize on. As such, under this new script, Luapulans are most likely to listen to Luapulan Chiluba again.

Fourthly, Luapula matters due to the influence of Mwata Kazembe. It has been observed that Kazembe, even if he is not a paramount chief, does exert a lot of influence among Bemba speaking peoples. For example, compared to other Bemba speaking senior chieftainships, the Kazembeship has been more stable and that stability has proved effective as a conduit of political influence. And so it matters who the Mwata supports for presidency. Kazembe has placed himself in a way that he could easily influence politics among his Lunda people in particular but beyond that to all Bemba speaking peoples.

Fifthly, Governor Moise Katumbi’s presence with Rupiah Banda in Mwansabombwe shows the significance of Katanga in the next elections. While Congo DR in general and Katanga province in particular share with Zambia a very long border, Luapula Province is second only to the Copperbelt in terms of cultural exchange with Katanga. This has been compounded by Katumbi who is Bemba, and who regards himself as a subject of Mwata Kazembe. Besides when Mwanawasa was declaring Katumbi as persona non grata, Kazembe quickly defended Katumbi calling him his nephew. It is rather significant that Katumbi was latter exonerated of all charges by Mwanawasa and was called back into Zambia to restart his businesses. It still is to be observed how much political influence Katumbi will have over Zambia. As for border regions, it is a historical fact, that people in border towns are more likely to vote for the ruling party candidates more than they would for the opposition and Luapula becomes significant in this regard.

Rupiah Banda’s moves for Luapula Province may actually pay off. Once he gets the rebel MPs on his side that will at least break the momentum in the PF, raise lots of questions within the Luapulan electorate about the PF and exploit some sympathy votes from some supporters of Frederick Chiluba for the MMD. If it is Luapula he is targeting, Rupiah is headed the right direction.