PRESIDENT Banda has declared that he is ready to stand in the 2011 presidential elections and is confident of victory because the ruling party is more unified and better coordinated than it was in the run-up to the 2008 elections.

And former First Lady Maureen Mwanawasa re-affirmed her family’s support for the ruling party and urged it to work in unity.

Mr Banda said the ruling MMD could not win the 2008 presidential elections with a wider margin because he did not have enough time to prepare for the elections after the demise of President Mwanawasa.

He said this when he launched the MMD membership card renewal in Lusaka yesterday.

“I have never denied that I am ready for the 2011 elections. We are ready for both the elections and the national convention. When we will hold the convention is our business,” President Banda said to the jubilation of hundreds of party cadres.

He said campaign efforts for 2011 will be more harmonised, unlike in 2008 when certain people were doing their own things.

He said there will be a committee that will ensure that campaign activities are harmonised throughout the country.

It will discipline those who may want to pull in different directions.

Mr Banda said the committee will also ensure that the party speaks with one voice.

“It wasn’t like that last time because I had just come in and did not have enough time to coordinate things. However, I would like to thank you for what you did because if it was not for you, I would not have won the elections,” President Banda said.

He said the MMD government has worked hard to deliver development to the people and ensure that people have equal access to national resources regardless of who they voted for.

Mr Banda urged MMD officials not to relent in serving Zambians with passion and humility, regardless of the achievements Government has scored.

“Let’s not show arrogance to the people. I don’t like arrogant people,” he said.

He said he gets surprised by former Defence Minister George Mpombo’s verbal attacks because he did not fire him.

Mr Banda said Mr Mpombo quit on his own, but wonders why the former minister attacks him.

Mr Banda said he was chosen Republican Vice-President because the late President Mwanawasa saw that he was a true supporter of the party.

“I did not come from nowhere. I came into this party. I was invited to come because I was devoted to this party. I fought to be where I am today,” Mr Banda said.[quote]

Mr Banda called on the party leadership to promote unity because the ruling party can no longer tolerate politics of insults and hatred.

He said the MMD should work hard in future by-elections, saying they lost the Solwezi Central by-elections because they were divided over petty things.

The President assured Zambians they will sleep in peace next year because Government will ensure that they choose their leaders in a conducive atmosphere.

Mr Banda warned people against voting for leaders who have a track record of intimidating and hounding out political opponents because such politicians could manipulate the Constitution if voted into power.

The President said party members will be free to contest for positions at the MMD convention.

He said those who are in the habit of offending party members will only have themselves to blame if cadres bar them from attending the convention.

Mr Banda warned of disciplinary action against party cadres who are reportedly soliciting money from business houses in the name of MMD.

The President urged MMD cadres to do things correctly so that they do not provide an opportunity for the opposition to attack them.

And speaking to journalists after she renewed her membership, Mrs Mwanawasa said the MMD should unite as it cannot afford to lose focus now.

She said the party should, in the spirit of forgiveness, bring everyone on board, including the outspoken members and those considered as prodigal members.

Mrs Mwanawasa said she renewed her membership to re-confirm her family’s commitment to the party.
She, however, said as wife of the late President, she gets injured when she hears people talking about his legacy.

Meanwhile, President Banda said Patriotic Front secretary general Wynter Kabimba was expressing ignorance when he condemned his state visit to China.
The President said his trip to China was an eye-opener of how the Asian country overcame poverty.

He said it was a world-wide trend for leaders to share ideas and learn from one another.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about His mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains”
(Colossians 4:3, NLT)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Did you know that when Paul wrote this verse, he was in chains and in prison? He was arrested for preaching the gospel. Everything in his surroundings shouted “limitations,” but instead of looking at his surroundings, Paul kept his eyes on the limitless God. He kept looking for the open door of opportunity that God would have for him next.

No matter what “chains” you may feel like you are in today, remember, we serve a God who’s in the business of setting people free, and He has equipped you with His power. When doors look closed all around you, when your surroundings look limited, when you feel like you’re in chains, remember, God is still at work. He’s promised to walk with you all the days of your life. Keep your hopes up. Keep expecting. Keep believing. Like Paul, pray for those opportunities to be opened to you. If you fall, get right back up and press forward with even greater determination because He promises to break the chains and open doors of opportunity in your life.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, I choose to take my eyes off my surroundings and focus on You. I choose to focus on the passion and dream You’ve placed in my heart. I trust that You are working behind the scenes, opening doors of opportunity. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

MMD Lusaka Province Chairman William Banda has threatened to spill the beans against any National Executive Committee (NEC) members, cabinet and deputy ministers undermining President Rupiah Banda’s leadership.

Mr. Banda said he was aware of some NEC members, Cabinet and Deputy Ministers who do not support President Banda.

Mr. Banda said this during this year’s MMD card membership renewal exercise for Lusaka province.

He said president Banda was in full control as MMD President as well as the sole candidate for next year’s presidential elections.

He assured President Banda that those party members de-campaigning him would soon be sorted out. He said he has since instituted a high powered intelligence unit that would crack down those de-campaigning the President.

Mr. Banda sounded that he wants sanity in the MMD and Lusaka province in particular. Mr. Banda said the 2010 card renewal exercise launched in Lusaka today will provide a platform for the intelligence unit to work flat out in ensuring that President Banda wins the next year’s tripartite polls.[quote]

He appealed to MMD National Chairman Michael Mabenga to stop interfering with erring MMD cadres because the intelligence unit has been instituted to deal with such matters.

Mr. Banda donated a new bicycle and undisclosed moneys to Bertha Mwansa who is former MMD founding member for Women Affairs Chairlady.

Those that were present at this year’s MMD 2010 card renewal exercise are former Republican Vice President Enock Kavindele, former First Lady Maureen Mwanawasa, and former Agriculture Minister Mundia Sikatana.

Others include former Mines Minister Kaunda Lemba-lemba, former Home Affairs Deputy Minister and former Ambassador Libya Derrick Chitala.

Meanwhile, confusion ensued as an unknown MMD cadre threatened to beat former Finance and National Planning Minister and Chilanga Member of Parliament Ngandu Magande following his unwarranted attacks on President Rupiah Banda and Vice President George Kunda.

There was a near punch-up but alert MMD Youth Security Wing managed to thwart the fight amid shouting.

ZANIS

OUTSPOKEN former Southern province Patriotic Front (PF) coordinator Opper Hamiyanze has resigned from the PF and Joined the MMD.
Mr Hamiyanze had resigned along with Provincial PF treasurer Darius Hamusambo. This was during the Southern Province MMD card renewal exercise held in Choma today.
Tourism minister Catherine Namugala and southern province MMD chairman Solomon Muzyamba received the defectors.
Mr Hamiyanze said he had decided to leave the opposition PF and join the MMD because of the many development programmes southern province is benefiting from president Rupiah Banda’s administration.
He said the province had received a lot of tangible programmes making it difficult for the province to continue being controlled by the opposition.
“There are a lot of development projects in the province. There is no point to remain in the opposition,”Mr. Hamiyanze said.
He said he had also decided to resign because of the dark cloud hovering over the UPND/PF Pact especially over who the leader of the pact would be.
He said the there was no need to belong to the UPND/PF pact which was putting members in suspense and dilemma on who its leader was going to be.
He said the pact did not give any hope to Zambians saying only President Rupiah Banda’s administration can stir the country to greater heights of development.
And receiving the two defectors, Tourism minister Catherine Namugala said the MMD was a strong party but called for hard work among party officials in mobilizing the party.
She said there was need to strengthen grass root structures at branch, constituency and district level.
Ms Namugala said the MMD was vibrant party which could not be compared to any other political party.
She urged branch and constituency officials to organize the party in readiness for the upcoming elections next year.

ZANIS

The civil society organizations are alarmed and concerned at the arrest of Fr. Bwalya for merely distributing red pieces of paper.

Citizen’s forum executive Director, Simon kabanda has appealed to the Police at Kamfinsa, where Fr. Bwalya is being detained, not to tamper with the rights.

Mr. Kabanda reveals that the police are not allowing anyone to visit Fr. Bwalya, and not to give him food. People who went to Kamfinsa were denied entry to see him and give him some food.

He says that not even father Bwalya’s mother has been allowed to go in to see her son, and to give him some food.

He has condemned this action in strongest terms describing it as unfair.

He has therefore appealed to the Police Command to prevail on their juniors at Kamfinsa to allow people to see Fr. Frank Bwalya and to allow them to give him some food stating that Zambia is not a police state.

The consortium of civil society organizations is therefore going to hold a press conference on Sunday 14 March 2010 to communicate with the public on this issue of the arrest of Fr. Frank Bwalya.

Father Bwalya was arrested by Kitwe police and detained at Kamfinsa Remand Prison for allegedly flashing red cards against President Rupiah Banda and the MMD government.

Father Bwalya in an interview with QFM during this week questioned what offence there in giving the MMD government a red card.

QFM

POLICE in Kitwe yesterday arrested Change Life Zambia executive director Frank Bwalya for conduct likely to cause breach of peace.

Copperbelt police commanding officer Antonneil Mutentwa confirmed the arrest of Father Bwalya, who is former Radio Icengelo station manager.

“I can confirm that we have arrested Fr Bwalya for conduct likely to cause breach of peace and we have since taken him to Kamfinsa State prison.

“He was distributing red cards to youths who took part in today’s (yesterday) Youth Day celebrations at Kaunda Square in Kitwe,” Mr Mutentwa said.

Mr Mutentwa warned of stern action against people who want to destabilise the peace that the country enjoys.

“We shall not sit idly and watch some Zambians destabilising the peace that our country is enjoying. We are ready for any trouble-makers and we will deal with them accordingly,” he said.

Mr Mutentwa said Fr Bwalya will appear in court on Monday.

And Kitwe district commissioner Macdonald Mtine took a swipe at the opposition Patriotic Front (PF) youths who wanted to disrupt Youth Day celebrations.
Mr Mtine rebuked the youths, who were carrying a boat, which is the PF political symbol.

“I saw someone with a red card, and some youths almost disrupted the peaceful event. We must put our political differences aside when we are celebrating important events like this one,” Mr Mtine said.

[Zambia Daily mail]

By Wesley Ngwenya

Today March 12, 2010 is youth day–A day we celebrate the youthfulness, share our inspirations and visions for our future. Every year, however, the meetings across the country are characterized with propaganda, useless political speeches and no inspirations whatsoever.

There is very little to celebrate for the many youths in this country. The youths in Zambia are unemployed and less empowered. Walk through the streets of Katondo in Lusaka and you will see how they are just hanging out and trying to sell something for a meal. There are those that are now selling on our main roads of Church Road, Independence Avenue and Great East Road. Unemployment is very evident for everyone living in this country and yet our leaders turn a deaf ear to it.[quote]

There will be many speeches all around the country. Most of them will be the same self glorified speeches on how the government is doing this and that, blah blah blah. Give me a break, the government in this country has little or no feasible programs for the youths. The youths in this country need employment, the youths in this country need access to healthcare, the youths in this country need access to empowerment funds. In simple terms the youths in Zambia simply want to live. Can the government provide those instruments to enable us live?

Sometimes the youths in this country are to blame for the perpetuated cruelty against us. We seem to be shortsighted and want instant gratification. We are taken advantage by politicians who use us so they can get what they want. We dance for them, we throw stones for them, we tell lies for them and do many other unthinkable things for them. We even reject our own fellow youths and instead decide to choose leaders who are three generations ahead of us. What is wrong with the Zambian youths?

If we are to become economically independent then we need to be free thinkers. We, as youths, need to start thinking about our future collectively. It does not make sense for us to be dealing with the same issues for more than four decades now. Let us start addressing the issues that affect us as youths today. When we do that then a lot of issues will start falling in place. We shall have the right leaders in place. We shall have the right policies formulated. We shall have the right laws passed. As we pass this March 12 celebration let us rethink our strategy in addressing the issues that concern us.

To all our leaders, we are sick and tired of the usual politicking at every event. Can we please make this year’s youth celebration a different one? We can make a difference by giving our youths the much needed hope. We need to restore hope and faith in the youths. We need to energize them so they can start thinking fresh things. To all my fellow youths I wish you all happy youth day. Stay strong and stay safe. Adios. [email protected]