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Chiluba’s Pettiness – a disappointment in the Diaspora

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By Patrick Hatontola

On 21st February 2010, Former President Dr. FTJ Chiluba called for a press conference at this Kabulonga residence which has been generally described by Zambians in the Diaspora as a hallucinating session. Many have commended Emmanuel Mwamba (Chiluba’s spokes person) for not participating in this circus. What an eye opener to those thinking that Chiluba is still a political factor when his own have lamentably rejected him.

I found the speech unbefitting a former head of state. It turned horrendous moods into depressing moments to listeners. It made sad reading to Zambians who eagerly waited and rightfully so, to hear the former head of state articulate issues of national importance delivered with sincerity and maturity; humility and truth, pragmatic and visionary based on experience.

Alas, that was too much to ask from him. His speech could not transcend above the expectations of political cadres at ward level, to say the least. This goes to show the degree of mediocre he manifested. No matter what amount of compromised reasoning one deployed, they would still not comprehend Chiluba’s fallacies. The question is how could FTJ – a good speaker and eloquent orator stoop and sink that low? How could FTJ deliver a speech devoid of truth and objectivity; a speech remote from wisdom; and more so, a speech that is socio-economically and politically useless? Yes, this is what happens when one reaches a dead end. Fair to say that FTJ has reached a point of diminishing returns to be deemed politically impotent and strategically stale.

When you delve into the contents of his speech, it becomes apparent that Chiluba was at pains to please the invisible hand. Perhaps, its the hand that holds his temporal liberties. To see his predicament, one can easily zoom at his narrowly secured acquittal in the plunder case and the impending disaster from the London Judgment once registered.

In his speech, Chiluba accused Zambians of curtailing his freedom of movement. Be it known to him that Zambians have no issues with his coppe belt visits but for his continued lies on the copperbelt- the people whom he caused irreparable damage during his reign of misrule. The speech was founded on a reason-free axis save a hopeless cry for prolonged freedom more in a form of a prerogative pardon. Chiluba could only do this by decampaigning the opposition whom he believes will bury his hopes, his quest to remain a scot- free criminal suspect. While he can’t see beyond his nose, Zambians do.

Trivially, Chiluba claimed that Sata did not even know how to write minutes. Conversely, Chiluba stated that he defended Sata three times in a claim that a vote of no confidence was passed against him. It is public knowledge that Sata successfully completed his term as Minister without portifolio with an impeccable and a celebrated service delivery record as Minister of Health. Chiluba is killing himself with his own dosage because his vehement support for Sata in 2006 elections proves beyond any shadow of doubt that he believes in Sata’s abilities to govern the country. Why then is Chiluba today abusing his conscious through desperate lies that Sata has no ability or capability to govern? This opportunism is there for everyone to see.

Listen to his claims that he will facilitate the issuance of people’s titles deeds, why would a former head of state voluntary relegate himself and shamelessly usurp the work for administrative clerks? As he aptly observed the admirable works of states- men such as Bill Clinton, let Chiluba be of service to himself by emulating these noble men. These Men have channeled their energies and time to pertinent issues such as the fight against HIV/AIDS and propelling programs that Forster economic emancipation. These world icons never engage into bootlicking like Chiluba but remain true to national duty as it demands. Former president of South Thabo Mbeki, Benjamin Mkapa of Tanzania and Sam Nujoma of Namiba’s silence are perfect examples of what a former President ought to be.

The million dollar question is whether Chiluba’s mediocre and pettiness is embraced in the ranks of the MMD. If the MMD leadership is to gunner support from grass roots, it should disassociate itself from Chiluba in all ways. If left unchecked, Chiluba’s talks will upset the MMD’s political fortunes faster than he spoiled the country. This is with conviction that people can no longer be proud to be identified with him. Let Chiluba know Zambians will forever distance themselves from his maneuvers. With all the misery, poverty and suffering he has caused to Zambians, the least FTJ can do is keep quite than brag of any service because his tenure was characterized by gross disservice against all odds.

The advice to Mr. Sata as a potential candidate is that, let him not respond to Chiluba’s childishness. He must rather continue focusing on issues of national interest for the better of all Zambians.

National Council for Construction to put data on website for public scrutiny

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THE National Council for Construction (NCC) is designing a website as a pilot to host public funded construction projects in Zambia under the Construction Sector Transparency (CoST) Initiative.

NCC executive director Sylvester Mashamba said its only selected projects would be on the pilot website being funded by the Department for International Development (DFID) and the World Bank.

Speaking at a media workshop in Lusaka, Dr Mashamba said a lot of information concerning Government projects was still not made available for public scrutiny and that the website would avail the necessary information.

“The website would avail information pertaining to the project specifications, contractors, consultants and other stakeholders involved in the projects so that people would know the type of project and it specifics,” he said

Dr Mashamba said many times the public have had misconceptions on the type of works a contractor was to do while the community expected something else.

“We have had many situations where a contractor is meant to patch portholes but then the community expects a complete road resurface. Under the CoST initiative we will have such disparities resolved as information would be made available to the public,” he said.

And Dr Mashamba said most projects in Zambia had failed to follow the three principle areas of construction in relation to international best practices.

He said a construction project whether private or public must be started and completed on time, of agreed and acceptable quality and delivered within acceptable costs.

“If these areas of the projects are done then it’s a good project, but we do find a contractor has failed to meet one or two areas. That is why we want the contractors and consultants to improve in these areas through disclosures,” he said.

Zesco commissions the $4.4m transformer

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THE long awaited ZESCO transformer from India has arrived in the country. Above, a mommoet truck carrying the machine destined for Lusaka’s Leopards Hills sub-station at Chirundu border post, Zambia Dec 2009
THE ZESCO transformer from India

ZESCO has commissioned the new US$4.4 million transformer at Leopards Hill sub-station.

With the new 150MVA transformer in place, Zesco expects load-shedding to reduce by more than 50 per cent in Lusaka.

The old 125MVA transformer was gutted by fire in June last year.
Speaking yesterday when he commissioned the transformer bought from India, Zesco board chairperson Kwalela Lamaswala said it would increase transformational capacity for the Lusaka load by a further 25MVA.

Mr Lamaswala said the preliminary tests had recorded positive results, and the transformer had undergone various pre-commissioning tests after which it was finally switched on, on February 22, 2010.

“The installation works of the transformer were completed on Saturday, February 20, 2010. This development means load-shedding in Lusaka will be significantly reduced,” Mr Lamaswala said.

He commended cooperating partners, among them, Lusaka City Council, Zambia Army, Zambia Police, and Zambia National Service for their support during the fire that destroyed the old transformer.

“Our appeal to our customers is to continue to switch and save so that we can collectively minimise the impact of load-shedding,” he said.

Mr Lamaswala expressed sadness at the increased incidences of vandalism of Zesco installations, which he said cost millions of Kwacha to replace.

Recently, a tower collapsed on the transmission line between Luano and Kansanshi sub-station due to vandalism and caused power outage, while one person was electrocuted in Ndola in the process of vandalising a cable.

And Zesco acting managing director Ernest Mupwaya said the company had installed advanced fire-fighting equipment and surveillance cameras at sensitive sub-stations.

Mr Mupwaya said the company was losing huge sums of money due to vandalism.
He cited Western Province where Zesco spent more than $10 million on buying new machines after the old ones were vandalised.

[Times of Zambia]

RB arrives in China for State visit

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President Rupiah Banda with China's deputy minister of Foreign Affairs ,Zhai Jun at Beijing Airport in china

PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda yesterday arrived in Beijing, China for a State visit and is today scheduled to hold bilateral talks with his Chinese counterpart, Hu Jintao.

Mr Banda and his delegation arrived at Beijing International Airport around 14:30 hours local time aboard a United Arab Emirates (UAE) plane from Dubai where he had stopped over on his way to China.

According to a statement released by special assistant to the president for Press and public relations Dickson Jere, President Banda was met at the airport by the Chinese Foreign Minister, Zambia’s Ambassador to China Joyce Musenge, Cabinet ministers, African ambassadors accredited to China and other senior Government officials.

President Banda will today hold bilateral talks with his Chinese counterpart at the Great Hall of the People before attending a State banquet in his honour to be hosted by President Hu.

Mr Jere said the two governments would sign various memoranda of understanding in different fields of cooperation after official talks, which have been scheduled for tomorrow.

President Banda and his delegation would also meet Chinese investors and tour some of their projects, including that of the China Nonferrous Industries.
Mr Banda will appear on CCTV for an interview on Zambia-China relations.

On his way to China, President Banda made a stopover in Dubai where he held talks with Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of the State of Ras Al Khaimah, Sheik Saud Bin Sadr Qasimi and his advisers where they discussed issues concerning foreign direct investment.

While in Dubai, President Banda also met Credit Suisse Bank officials concerning investments in Zambia. The bank has majority shares in Finance Bank.
The two parties agreed to hold more consultative talks.

[Times of Zambia]

Work on Lusaka drainage system begins

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Some houses flooded in Lusaka's Misis township

THE Government has begun a process of opening up drainage systems in areas affected by floods in Lusaka to reduce water levels that have submerged most households in the capital city.

Deputy Minister in the Office of the Vice-President, Guston Sichilima said in Lusaka yesterday that apart from the relocation programme, the Government had started digging temporary drainages to allow stagnant water to flow into the main waterway systems.

Mr Sichilima said when he featured on Radio Phoenix “Face the Media” programme that the Government was doing everything possible to ensure that the affected people live in a safe environment.

He said the Government was determined to provide a safe environment by relocating affected people to higher lands, although some people were reluctant to shift from their flooded houses.

As part of long-term measures, the Government, in conjunction with Lusaka City Council (LCC), would demolish buildings constructed in spaces meant for drainages.

The Government had introduced a master plan to re-plan the capital city and accommodate more waterway systems.

The Government has released K600 billion for all the councils to be used for various development projects, which would include construction of roads and drainages, he said.

Speaking on the same programme Patriotic Front Kabwata Member of Parliament Given Lubinda said most structures were built in places reserved for drainages.

He said the issue of drainages needed planning among the Government, local authorities and other stakeholders.

Acting Lusaka Town Clerk, Bonwell Lwanga attributed the continued flooding in the capital city to lack of proper drainages and unplanned settlements, among other factors.

Mr Lwanga said LCC was already in talks with the Government to find a lasting solution to the problem of drainages, and so far the Government had released K9.8 billion for the drainage system in Kanyama Township.

Meanwhile, another rescue team from the Zambia Army has been sent to Mpulungu to join efforts to retrieve seven bodies still trapped under rubble after nine people were killed in a mudslide along the Lake Tanganyika coastline earlier this week.

District Commissioner Willie Simfukwe said in an interview yesterday that the team had landed at Mbala Airport and would join the teams already in Mpulungu.

Regional army and Zambia National Service teams and others from the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit were already in Mpulungu for the exercise being hampered by difficulties to access the mudslide site.

“We visited the survivors and assured them of Government’s support, but we have also told them to relocate to safer areas,” he said.

Mr Simfukwe said the victims also received mealie-meal, cooking oil and other necessities.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

Chiluba charges: Can we have answers?

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PF Leader (L) and UPND Leader (R)

FORMER president Frederick Chiluba raised a number of issues about the moral conduct and leadership qualities of Patriotic Front (PF) leader Michel Sata and United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema which must exercise the minds of many Zambians.

As Mr Hichilema observed (Post Newspaper) “I am assuming that Mr Sata will respond to those many, many issues … because it is important that he responds to these matters.”

It is significant to note that what Dr Chiluba raised were not accusations, but issues that require explanations.

They are not matters that can simply be wished away by saying the former president is a trickster or be dismissed as revival of long forgotten history – true or distorted.

They are matters that have a bearing on the choices people will be asked to make in the forthcoming presidential and general elections.

In his Press conference at his home in Kabulonga on Sunday Dr Chiluba questioned the morality of Mr Sata in passing moral judgment on others and challenged him to explain his relationship with a Ndola woman.

On Mr Sata’s marital status, the public wants to know if it is true that he has two wives although, according to The Post newspaper (February 22) he denies being a polygamist. He did not comment on his relationship and the two children allegedly sired with the Ndola woman Dr Chiluba referred to.

Those who know that he divorced his first wife to marry the one he lives with now would like to know if it is true that there is a third woman in his life.

Further, in view of the overt hostility exhibited against the MMD and President Rupiah Banda by some priests in the Roman Catholic Church, many wonder if this is because the woman in question is a biological sister of one of their bishops. It is important that this is explained as some people may be forced to speculate.

In respect of Mr Hichilema, Dr Chiluba wondered what morals he had if he could conceal the truth when a Zambian is wrongfully accused.

The public would thus like to know if Mr Hichilema was a senior official of Grant Thornton when the firm was appointed receiver of Luanshya Mine’s Ramcoz. Mr Hichilema has to explain what he knew about the payment of US$12 million referred to and why he did not tell his firm to state the truth as stated by Dr Chiluba.

This is the only way he can allay fears that his former company or himself may have been undeserving beneficiaries of the money. Since he seeks to be president of Zambia the issue is about why Zambians should entrust their lives on him as president if he does not have moral courage to say the truth when a citizen is wrongfully accused.

[Times of Zambia]

Zamtel management backs partial privatization

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ZAMTEL
ZAMTEL management says it is in support of privatisation of 75 percent of the company’s shares to an equity partner because this will help the company be more responsive in meeting customer needs.

Zamtel managing director Mukela Muyunda said the privatisation of the shares will address various challenges that the company is facing.

Mr Muyunda said this yesterday when he led a team of officials from Zamtel to appear before the Parliamentary Committee on Communications, Transport, Works and Supply.

He said his management has realised the urgent need to privatise Zamtel because of the effective role that the company will play in enhancing growth in the country’s telecommunications sector.

“The management of Zamtel is fully convinced and has supported the decision taken by Government to privatise the 75 percent shares of Zamtel. The move is commendable as this will help the company to become more innovative and improve on its operations,” he said.

Mr Muyunda said this in response to a question raised by Bangweulu Patriotic Front (PF) MP Joseph Kasonde, who wanted to know whether Zamtel management is aware that Zamtel has been a ‘sleeping giant’ for a long time and if they are in support of the company’s partial privatisation.

Mr Muyunda admitted that the company has over the years not performed according to people’s expectations and that interventions are being taken to improve its operations.

“It is true that over the years, Zamtel has not met the expectations of customers so to improve its operations, we are undertaking the installation of the GSM-phase three which will help us to improve the company’s efficiency.

“Once this exercise is completed, the company will attract more clients because of the improved services that it will provide to its clients,” he said.

He further said his company has made strides to install the optic fibre network which should be operational before the end of this year.

Mr Muyunda said his company is in a hurry to finish installing the optic fibre network because of the effective role that it will play in improving the country’s telecommunications sector.

Mr Muyunda said Zamtel will this year implement other viable projects to ensure that it competes with other mobile service providers in the country.

Parliamentary Committee chairperson on Communications, Transport, Works and Supply Ng’andu Magande urged Zamtel management to put in place remedial measures to improve the company’s operations.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

South Korea based Air Force Col. Keith E. Andrews to be honored by Zambia’s president.

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The Air Force officer who last year dashed to the rescue of two Zambian girls drowning near Victoria Falls will be honored by Zambia’s president.

Col. Keith E. Andrews is to receive a medal in May for pulling the teens to shore after they fell into the fast-moving waters of the Zambezi River, just 180 feet from where Victoria Falls plunges 360 feet.

“People keep calling me a ‘hero.’ I don’t want to be a hero,” said Andrews, chief of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance with the 607th Air and Space Operations Center at Osan. “I tell everybody the same thing: I just know that God put me in the right place and the right time.”

At the time of the March 8 rescue, Andrews was a lieutenant colonel and a student at the U.S. Air Force’s Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. He was one of about 20 students in Africa on a two-week regional studies trip.

The trip included a sightseeing stop at Victoria Falls. It was a hot, sunny early afternoon with a heavy mist thrown up by the cascading falls.

“Very beautiful,” he said. “You see the falls coming down. Water’s everywhere.”

He was about 10 feet from shore when he stopped so a companion could snap his photo, with the river and the falls in the background.

A teenage girl sat on a rocky outcropping near the water talking on a cell phone.

“Being a dad, I had my dad radar on, thinking she’s close to that water,” Andrews said.

Two other young women came along and the three chatted. Just as Andrews turned away to take the photo he heard two splashes, then loud screams.

“I saw big eyes, and they were reaching for their life,” he recalled. “The water was sweeping them away.”

One girl clung to the leg of the one nearest shore, who in turn was straining for a handhold but couldn’t reach shore because the current was drawing her back. The third stood on the shore nearby, screaming hysterically, Andrews said.

He said he dashed to the girls in about two bounds, clasped a rock to anchor himself to shore, and thrust his right arm toward them.

He caught the nearest girl’s wrist, and, in a single motion, lurched rearward, hauling them both from the water.

“I don’t know where I got the strength to do that,” he said. “[The current] was sucking her away pretty fast.”

Shaken and crying, the girls bowed their thanks and said something in a local dialect.

The morning of graduation day at the air war college, the student body handed Andrews a framed photo of the rescue, signed by all of them. More recently, he learned that Zambian President Rupiah Bwezani Banda is to present him a medal May 25 in Lusaka on Africa Freedom Day.

Although the incident occurred nearly a year ago, Andrews can still choke up when he thinks about it. He has a 15-year-old daughter.

“Couldn’t sleep at all that night,” he said. “Thinking what would have happened if I hadn’t have been there, if those two girls went over the falls … and thinking, if something like that happened to my daughter, hoping someone would be there to help her.”

Source [Stars and Stripes.]

Zambian dancer perfoms a traditional dance at a U.S. Census open house in Washington State

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The U.S. Census Bureau’s Bellevue office held an open house Thursday that featured a Snoqualmie Indian family singing a tribal song, a Zambian dancer doing a traditional dance and a U.S. congressman urging residents to fill out their census forms.

The open house helped underscore two key points about the constitutionally-required head count: The county is diverse, and the work of counting everyone in it holds a great deal of political importance.

The last American Community Survey — a snapshot of the population that’s done by the Census Bureau — showed that 31 percent of the Bellevue population is foreign-born, and one-third of the population speaks a language other than English. Of cities in Washington with a population of more than 20,000 people, Bellevue has the largest percentage of residents that are foreign-born.

That diversity presents a special dilemma for the census bureau, however. Immigrants “tend to not to understand the importance of the census,” said Bellevue Councilman Conrad Lee, himself an immigrant (Lee was born in China and moved to Bellevue in 1958). “We tend not to be counted.”

Each uncounted person means a loss of about $1,400 in federal money per year, according to the Census Bureau. The census is also used to apportion congressional seats, and Washington may be large enough, population-wise, to qualify for a tenth congressman, if the count is high enough.

So the open house at the Census office in on 120th Avenue Northeast was also something of a pep rally for ethnic communities, faith-based and immigrant groups to help them organize a strong response to the census.

“It’s just a real simple deal,” said U.S. Congressman Dave Reichert. “Fill out the questionnaire. Send it in.”

Most people will be counted by mail. The census form will arrive in mailboxes around March 15, and census organizers expect most people to drop the return envelope in the mailbox.

But for those who don’t respond right away, census workers will be sent out to try to find out why a response wasn’t returned. And census-takers are also needed to count people at nursing homes, prisons, halfway houses, soup kitchens, even the race track — places where people don’t live in single-family homes or apartments with clearly-defined mailing addresses.

If you’re looking for a job, the census office is still hiring; in fact, they are expecting to employ 1,200 people at the office in Bellevue, and many of those positions are still open. Call the 2010 Census Jobs Line, 866-861-2010, for information.

What skills are required? The census is “looking for people who are friendly,” said recruiter David Higgins. “Most of the jobs are door-to-door.” It’s a bonus if you speak more than one language.

Bellevue census office director John Saul says he’s expecting the count will show 600,000 people live in the area served by the east King County census office, which includes everything from Bellevue east to the county border, and south to the southern border of the city of Renton.

But getting a head count of the exact number — well, that’s what the census is all about.

[Seattle Times]

Government defends the microbicide gel clinical trials

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MINISTER of Health, Kapembwa Simbao

Government has defended the microbicide gel clinical trials in which 46 women out of 1,332 volunteers in Mazabuka District contracted HIV due to failed efficacy of the gel pro-2000, meant to prevent the contraction of the virus that cause AIDS.

Health minister Kapembwa Simbao told Parliament in a ministerial statement today that government believes that research as such the microbicide gel clinical trials is important because it provides data for policy implementation.

Mr Simbao says the results of the Microbicide Development Programme, Mazabuka trials were disappointing, but that government recognizes that this large trial was done with high scientific and ethical standards.

He says the researchers also engaged the stakeholders and the community in which the trial was conducted. Mr Simbao says the failure of the clinical trials should not bring to an end microbicide research, but should continue as well as research to find other means of protecting women.

And Mr Simbao says the issue of compensation for the women infected with HIV does not arise because all the volunteers knew that they were taking a risk trial and that it is for this reason that they were made to sign the consent agreement.

He says the only thing that is being done is to make follow ups so that those that contracted HIV can be assisted to cope with their new condition.

QFM

Crown Prince receives President Rupiah Bwezani Banda

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Ras Al Khaimah Crown Prince
Ras Al Khaimah Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler HH Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, received yesterday visiting President of Zambia Rupiah Bwezani Banda and his entourage.

The two officials discussed during the meeting existing relations between the UAE and Zambia in all fields and ways to upgrade them, particularly in the areas of mutual trade, economic and investment cooperation.

Present in the meeting were Sheikh Omer bin Saqr Al Qasimi, head of the Private Department of RAK Ruler, Sheikh Faisal bin Saqr Al Qasimi, head of the Finance Department, other Sheikhs and senior officials.

[WAM/MN]

Politics in Zambia: The nadir.

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Dr Chiluba emerges from his house and his assistants are at hand to help him before going to address the press briefing

By Charles Ngoma

Adlai Stevenson is quoted as saying, ‘I have been thinking that I would make a proposition to my Republican friends…that if they stop telling lies about the Democrats, we will stop telling the truth about them.’

From Dr Chiluba’s latest press conference one can see how Zambian politicians seem to be sitting between the truth and lies by failing to reveal one, while concealing the other.

It is like the more secret scandals they know about each other, the closer their precarious friendships and associations. Kind of insurance policies ready to be cashed in on the death of that friendship.

There has been feverish interest in this press conference and yet in as far as politics is concerned, there was very little of it.

The main political point Dr.Chiluba made was to defend his freedom of association and tell us why he supports a particular person as Presidential candidate.

Other than that, the rest was a shameful and embarrassing ‘undressing’ of an older man in the eyes of the people. Once upon a time all these men were pals.

It seems that at that time, they concealed all the truths about each other but now they want everyone to know what they know.

On the other hand, Mr Sata once asked Mr Hichilema to ‘reveal how he got rich so quickly as a young man’ but now that, is expediently a non-issue in the pact.

Could it be that he has reserved that weapon for future use? How true, that ‘in politics, your enemies can’t hurt you, but your friends will kill you.’ (Ann Richards, 45th Governor of Texas) There is no doubt that Dr Chiluba was provoked by the numerous aspersions that had been cast on his character by the older man. Whether he was right or wrong to respond in that manner, I will leave for others to judge.

But the question that should be asked is: how have we come to this petty pass in our politics? May I suggest that all sectors of our society are to blame for this.

First, it is us, us the public who have an insatiable appetite for ‘juicy gossip’ and voyeurism on the people in power and those we admire.

Because of this, we have blurred the distinction between what is of public interest and interesting to the public.

What came out of the former President’s mouth was not news to many people because Zambia is a small country and we all know someone who knows someone, who knows someone we know.

Second, the blame is on the media, the media whose life line depends on circulation.

Newspapers do not make money from selling individual papers as such, but if they show that they have a wide circulation, advertisers are more likely to buy space and thus finance the paper.

It has been said that sex sells newspapers and what a harvest it yields when this is combined with politics! The media personalities are part and parcel of the society, and so what interests the society, interests them and vice versa.

But, there is journalistic training that should help distinguish between a reporter and a common gossiper, between a professional and a charlatan.

The journalist must be incisive, and must consider diligently the effect the information he is to disseminate will have on people. Information is power.

The pen is mightier than the sword. Nowadays, we have visual cues as well and this is a potent force that can be used to shape our destiny for good or for ill.

Lack of information is ignorance, and ignorance is vice. But too much information without restraint is dangerous.A sail that takes in too much of the wind will capsize the boat.

There are certain things that are not necessary to report, unless one has malice in aforethought.

Thirdly: the politicians themselves. There is nothing super human about a politician. Indeed, all of them have flaws.

All of them have done and will do many unsavoury things in their lives for which they will be ashamed. We do not elect them because they are ensamples of superior morality.

We elect them to do a job. But, if they have any idea as to why they are in politics, then they will know what to say and when to say what they say.

It seems to me that Mr Sata has a penchant for pointing moral flaws in political opponents. Dr Nevas Mumba was once a victim of this while he led the NCC.

How can talking about someone ‘stealing another man’s wife’ bring food to a hungry and malnourished child in Madzimoyo, medicine to a leper in Liteta, fertilizer to a farmer in Mazabuka or money in the pockets of a retired miner in Mwansabombwe?

How do all these personal attacks explain encourage people to go to a polling station to vote? By these personality issues, how does the man in the street understand what is wrong with the national budget? How does all this really develop our country?

As President Obama said about America, I would say of Zambia that there is nothing which is wrong in Zambia, which what is right with Zambia cannot correct.

As our own Dr Kenneth Kaunda says about HIV/AIDS, we fought colonialism, we can overcome our ills as well.

Let the people seek first the really important things for us and our children and elect officers who can bring about those things.
Let the media ask the right questions and so hold the elected officers to account for their mandate and promises.

Let the politicians concentrate on the weightier matters of development, life and death, rather than petty issues of who is sleeping with whom.

PF is Panicking- Mabenga

Entertainment Editor
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MMD National Chairman Michael Mabenga addresses journalists at the party secretariat in Lusaka
MMD National Chairman Michael Mabenga addresses journalists at the party secretariat in Lusaka

The Ruling Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) has said the opposition Patriotic Front (PF) is panicking following second republican President Fredrick Chiluba’s declaration to support president Rupiah Banda in the 2011 general elections.

MMD national Chairperson Michael Mabenga said it was surprising that the PF is jittery with Dr Chiluba’s support for president Banda by condemning him, when the party did not condemn him when he supported PF leader Michael Sata in the 2006 elections.

“ PF is panicking, its leaders are now condemning Dr Chiluba because they are aware that the MMD will retain power after the 2011 elections,” Mr Mabenga said.

Mr Mabenga noted that in 2006, the MMD allowed Dr Chiluba to support the PF because he has a democratic right to support whichever party he feels like supporting.

PF President Micheal Sata has ordered Dr Chiluba to aplogisewithin seven days or be dragged to court.

And Chiluba has vowed to defend every statement that he made against Sata during his press briefing last week.
According to a letter written to Dr Chiluba by Sata’s lawyer John Mulwila from Ituna Partners, the law firm had been retained in connection with the alleged innuendos and remarks that were also published by the Times of Zambia.

Mr Sata was particularly concerned about the allegations by Dr Chiluba that he was dismissed by the Northern Rhodesia police force and that he was arrested and imprisoned because of some criminal offences committed in the police force.

He was further concerned about Dr Chiluba’s allegations at the same Press briefing that he led a polygamous life and had a relationship with a woman in Ndola, yet he was receiving Holy Communion in the Catholic Church.

And Mr Sata’s lawyer stated that the words complained of by his client were in no doubt defamatory and the estimation in which he stood in the opinion of others had been affected by false statements.

QFM

Brace yourselves for climate change effects – Clergyman

Guest Editor
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A South African based clergyman and medical doctor has implored the church in Zambia to brace itself for the looming effects of global warming on the environment.

South African Indian Ocean Division of the Seventh Day Adventist Church health ministries director Alex Raguno said the negative effects of global warming will in future affect water levels as rivers will start drying up.

Speaking to the leaders of the SDA church who gathered at Choma central church, Dr. Raguno said Christians should brace themselves against the impending calamity by winning more souls to Jesus Christ to hasten his second coming.

He noted that it was time the SDA church stood up for Jesus Christ by engaging in an evangelistic campaign that will ensure that more people surrender their lives to Jesus.

Dr. Raguno observed that global warming is envisaged to reduce crop production levels which will culminate into hunger and starvation in many parts of the world. He explained that it was only Jesus Christ, who was able to address calamities of global warming, floods, and earthquakes, which have devastated some parts of the world.

Dr. Raguno implored the SDA church leadership in Choma to embark on vigorous evangelist campaigns.

“We need a great explosion such as that of the Japanese invasion by the Americans not to kill people but to win more people to Jesus Christ through evangelistic campaign meetings,” he said.

NAIS/ZANIS

Veep tables whistle blowers protection Bill

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VP George Kunda

VICE-President George Kunda yesterday presented in Parliament for first reading the Public Interest disclosure Bill, which seeks to protect whistle blowers in the private and public sectors.

Presenting the Bill on behalf of Mr Kunda, Home Affairs Minister Lameck Mangani said the Bill would provide a framework within which public interest disclosures would be dealt with independently.

Mr Mangani said the Bill would provide procedures in which employees would disclose information regarding unlawful or irregular conduct by their employers.

Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Ronnie Shikapwasha also presented the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) Amendment Bill.

Acting Commerce Trade and Industry Minister Bradford Machila presented six other Bills related to registration of companies and trading requirements.

Mr Machila said the Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines- Investment Holdings (ZCCM-IH) had not published its annual reports since the financial year ending June 2005.

He told Parliament that the delay in finalising the reports for 2006, 2007 and 2008, although already audited, was as a result of the need to report ZCCM-IH at a fair value in compliance with the international accounting standards.

He was responding to a question from Nchanga Member of Parliament Wilbur Simuusa (PF) who wanted to know when the annual reports for ZCCM-IH were last published.

He said that ZCCM-IH in subsidiary and associate companies had previously been reported at cost in all annual reports.

Mr Machila said following the completion of audit of accounts for the year 2006 and before publication, the company in 2007 engaged external consultants to undertake valuation of its investments.

“Unfortunately, the valuation exercise by the consultants has not been finalised to the satisfaction of ZCCM-IH’s external auditors due to lack of comprehensive resources data from the mines,” Mr Machila said.

And Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Mutale Nalumango has directed the Ministry of Home Affairs to issue a ministerial statement over the issuance of national registration cards (NRCs).

She said this after Mfuwe MP Mwimba Malama (PF) had earlier on asked when NRCs would be issued to eligible citizens in his constituency.

Deputy Home Affairs Minister David Phiri (MMD) explained that the issuance of NRCs was an on-going exercise.

But Chongwe MP Sylvia Masebo (MMD) argued that there were a lot of inconsistencies in the issuance of the identity cards, and asked the Speaker to direct the ministry to issue a ministerial statement.

And Gender and Women in Development Deputy Minister Lucy Changwe (MMD) told the House that 1,198 gender-based violence cases had been recorded from 2007 to date.

Of these cases, 911 men were convicted for the offence, while six women and 220 youth were convicted. Ms Changwe said this when she responded to a question from Kankoyo Member of Parliament Percy Chanda (PF) who wanted to know the number of people convicted for gender-based violence.

And Mr Machila said that the Pepsi Zambia plant in Lusaka would be opened by March this year. He said that the bottling company had invested US$30 million in the project and that 214 direct jobs would be created, alongside 600 indirect jobs.

He was responding to a question from Kanchibiya MP Davies Mwango (PF) who wanted to know when the plant would be opened and the number of jobs to be created.

[Times of Zambia]

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