A new Zimbabwe is born after the Southern African country’s political parties on Monday officially adopted the country’s historic power-sharing agreement formalising the establishment of a government of national unity in that country.

The landmark agreement comes as a result of facilitation efforts by President Thabo Mbeki who was tasked by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to mediate talks between Zimbabwe’s three main political leaders.

The leaders received standing ovations as they entered the International Conference Centre at the Rainbow Towers Hotel to sign the agreement.

The ceremony was attended by hundreds of party members, diplomats and African Union (AU) and SADC representatives who cheered as the agreement was signed as optimism grows that the economic and political crisis in that country might finally be resolved.

Mr Robert Mugabe remains President of Zimbabwe; Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai is to become Prime Minister and MDC faction leader Arthur Mutambara will hold the post of Deputy Prime Minister under the terms of the agreement.

Regarding the country’s cabinet, Mr Tsvangirai’s MDC and another MDC faction will together have 16 seats, while President Mugabe’s Zanu-PF will hold the remaining 15, Mr Mbeki said.

The chief mediator told the delegates they had travelled a long road to reach such a stage.

Faced with mounting global pressure, runaway inflation and economic crisis, the leaders agreed that there was a need to work together towards an inclusive government, which is the closest the leaders could agree on in terms of a power-sharing accord.

The deal, which was announced last Friday, drew praise from all over Africa and beyond.

President Mbeki was thanked by the leaders on Monday for his patience and effort in seeking to resolve the crisis caused by the contentious presidential election earlier this year.

SADC Chairman for Organ of Politics, Defence, Security and Co-operation, King Mswati thanked him for his uniting efforts to strike the peace deal.

“Mbeki has worked tirelessly to make this day possible and it is for this reason that the parties must make this government of national unity work,” said King Mswati.

Negotiations started at the end of July, but stalled over the allocation of executive power between Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai. The two have been bitter rivals for a decade.

Mr Mugabe has been in power since independence from Britain in 1980.

The country and it’s people have been facing turmoil. In August, the country’s Central Statistical Office said inflation was at 11.2 million percent, the highest in the world.

A third of its 12 million citizens have fled and most of those who remain survive on barely mealie-meal porridge.
The economic crisis has destroyed Zimbabwe’s currency and made it difficult for Zimbabweans to buy basic commodities, electricity, fuel and medicines.

The business community has welcomed the signing of a political agreement between Zimbabwe’s ruling ZANU – PF and the Movement for Democratic Change(MDC).

Analysts said in an interview that the political impasse was to blame for the current economic woes hence cooperation between Zanu-PF and MDC was the answer to Zimbabwe’s turnaround programme.

Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce past President Mariah Hativagone said the political settlement would help attract investors into the country and boost business confidence in Zimbabwe.

She said the business sector would support the initiative shown by the politicians to ensure Zimbabwe came out of her problems that had pushed inflation to record levels.

” We are pleased and happy that the two major parties have reached an agreement,” she said.

“Everything will now begin to take shape. The signing will create a lot of stability in the economy and lure back investment in the country,” she added.

Federal Democratic Party (FEDEPA) president, Reverend Alfred Sayila has maintained that going for by elections is extravagant.

Rev Sayila described opposition political parties participating in the presidential by elections slated for October 30 as self-serving, insensitive and opportunistic.

Rev Sayila charged that there is no sense in accepting to spend about K 400 billion in a single voting exercise that will repeat itself in three years time.

He said this in a statement made available to ZANIS Monday morning.

He observed that the same opposition political leaders that showered the late president with praises during his sickness, death and burial are the ones in the forefront wanting to replace him.

“While we respect their constitutional right to take part in every important polls, this by election culminating from the untimely death of a serving president, they should have naturally refrained themselves from participating, at least on moral grounds,” he said.

Rev. Sayila expressed concern that such leaders will not only end up wasting their resources on electioneering but also will subject the country to an unnecessary cost amounting to billions of kwacha just to prove their existence.

He said opposition political leaders should have used the remaining time to prepare adequately for the 2011.

“Rally crowds cannot be the litmus test for ones popularity as fools, conmen, lunatics and dancers have been seen to attract huge audiences. People may still want MMD to conclude its programmes,” he said.

And Rev Sayila has appealed to all electorates to vote on merit and advised them not to vote leaders who have serious medical records and immoral leaders into office.

“All we want to tell the electorates is not to vote into office leaders who have serious medical records, terminally sick, habitual liars, unprincipled, uncouth, abusive, vengeful, marriage breakers, wavering, undiplomatic, aging and above all tribal,” Rev Sayila said.

Rev Sayila has vowed never to support any political party in the forth coming presidential by election and threatened to discredit power hungry leaders.

He has however commended opposition political parties that have withdrawn from the presidential by election race.

The National Democratic Focus (NDF) has declared to support Acting President Rupiah Banda during the October 30 Presidential by election.

NDF President Benjamin Mwila said  that Mr. Banda is the right choice for the country’s Presidency.

Mr. Mwila stated that he will not contest the elections saying his party’s primary focus is the provision of competent and ethical leadership capable of uniting the Zambian people.

He urged all his supporters and party members countrywide to campaign for Acting President Rupiah Banda in the forthcoming elections.

He said the NDF’s decision to rally behind Mr. Banda is consistent with the one they made in 2006 when the party supported the candidature of the late President Mwanawasa.

Mr. Mwila said his party expects the MMD administration under Mr. Banda to provide leadership with abundant patriotism and nationalism to defend the legitimate rights and interests of the Zambian people.

He added that Mr. Banda’s administration is expected to practically and consistently stress on the policy fundamentals for social and economic growth that benefits the Zambian people.

And Mr. Mwila has expressed sadness at the refusal by some opposition political parties to accept the MMD proposal to save money by not conducting the Presidential by election billed for October 30.

He added  the saved national resources would be used to subsidise agricultural inputs, provide drugs in hospitals, pay teachers, doctors, nurses and lecturers salaries and allowances.i

Foreign Affairs minister, Kabinga Pande has described the assertion by an unnamed opposition leader that the provision of vehicle loans to chiefs as bribery as unfortunate.

He said it was unfortunate that such assertions are coming from someone aspiring to be president of the country .

He said such statements are an insult to the intelligence of the traditional leaders and is calculated to demean  their stature.

Chief Bunda-bunda said traditional leaders appreciate the role government plays in promoting traditional ceremonies in the country.

The traditional leader noted that traditional ceremonies are important vehicle for fostering and enhanced  social and cultural development in the country.

Meanwhile Government has commended the people of Chongwe district for organizing the Chibwela Kumunshi tradition ceremony despite the harsh weather conditions that prevailed in the area resulting into poor agricultural yields.

Mr.Pande said he was glad that despite the heavy rainfall experienced during the last season’s poor harvest, that  the Soli people  were deterred from hosting their traditional ceremony.

He added that the hosting of the ceremony is a clear testimony that the people loved their cultural heritage and traditional values aimed at fostering unity in the chiefdom.

Mr. Pande urged Zambians to be proud of their culture and preserve traditional values as opposed to promote alien culture .

Mr. Pande  however  said government would  endeavour implementing social projects as a way of honouring late president Dr Mwanawasa’s legacy of improving the well being of its people.

The Minister  was speaking when he paid a courtesy call on  the chief  Mbunda Mbunda  at his palace yesterday.

A  farmer in Senanga has lost about K3.5 million out of K7 million he has buried in the ground  for safe keeping  after termites pounced on the money. Grandson to the victim Frank Lungwangwa who confirmed the development  to ZANIS in Senanga said  his grandfather had lost  the money  after hiding  the K7million  in the ground for safe keeping.

The  farmer  is reported to  have raised about K7 million from the sale of cattle . He is  said to have buried the K7millin which was  in K20, 000 denominations  in a hole he had dug under his  bed. Lungwangwa said  his grandfather  had been sleeping on top of the spot where he had buried the money. The development however he said came  to light  when his  grandfather  wanted to buy an Ox- cart. The cattle farmer who threatened to commit suicide  over the loss of his money was however advised to take the money  to  ZANACO bank in Senanga.
And  an economists Chibamba Kanyama told ZANIS in a telephone interview that hoarding had serious economic implications. Mr. Kanyama regretted that the farmer could not gain any interest from the money which he genuinely acquired. He observed that for the past three years, the K7million could have contributed to economic growth significantly if it was not hoarded.

Mr. Kanyama said the challenge lay with commercial banks and other players in the financial sector to seriously market their products suitable for such groups of economic players.

Acting President Rupiah Banda said government is working to resolve the problem  that have rocked the  University of Zambia (UNZA) Great East Campus , where lecturers have insisted that they will not resume work until their demands are met.

UNZA was prematurely closed on July 30 following industrial unrests when lecturers demanded for a 15 percent salary increment. The lecturers have since declared that they will not go back to work when the institution re-opens on September 21 if their demands are not met.
Mr. Banda made the remarks on arrival from  Katete where he had gone to officiate at this years Kulamba traditional ceremony of the Chewa people.

The  Zambia Air force Plane carrying the Acting President touched down at Lusaka’s City Airport at 12:00 hours .
He was  met on arrival by Cabinet Ministers, deputy ministers and other senior government officials, Service Chiefs, MMD officials and several party cadres.

The  Acting President  was accompanied by Presidential Affairs Minister Cecil Holmes, Community Development Minister Catherine Namugala, Chief Government Spokesperson Mike Mulongoti and Local government deputy Minister Ben Tetamashimba.

Church and Government when the King is dead

By Rev.Dr. Justine Likuka

Continued from part 1

God will never abort his purposes for a people or a nation. I do believe there is a “Joshua” somewhere in Zambia. To the politicians – all that the Zambian people need is a Joshua don’t give us Achan to lead us. He might have been near Moses or even within the camp of Moses but Achan is not a Joshua.

On another front, Miriam and Aaron were also in the camp of Moses! Miriam is considered the “First Lady” of Exodus.

The Bible doesn’t tell us when God began to use Miriam as a prophetess. The first biblical description of her in this role occurs after God miraculously stopped the pursuing Egyptian army at the Red Sea.

“Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand and all the women followed her, with tambourines and dancing” (Exodus 15:20).

“I brought you up out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery. I sent Moses to lead you, also Aaron and Miriam” (Micah 6:4).

As part of this powerful family, Miriam was there when Moses, Aaron, Hur and various other family members discussed Israel’s problems, and developed strategies to solve them. As a prophetess and the oldest member of the family, her opinion was valued. She was accustomed to being approached for her advice and was revered as the first lady of Israel. Yet, in spite of her prominence, Miriam, and her brother Aaron, both began to fear their influence was waning. Out of jealousy, they began to gossip about Moses’ marriage to an Ethiopian woman: “Has the Lord spoken only through Moses?… Hasn’t he also spoken through us?” (Numbers 12:2).

The Bible records that God heard what Miriam and Aaron said about Moses, and God was not pleased. God knew that it was not so much Moses’ marriage, as Miriam and Aaron’s envy of their younger brother’s authority over them, which underlay their criticism.

Right now, we have a lot of talk about the coming presidential by-elections. We can not be silent about it because the nation needs to vote a Joshua on the 30^th October.

This is a great task for the nation. As for Achan – he was with the children of Israel but was not “for” them. Let us be careful of who we think is for us as a nation. Miriam and Aaron did not fear Moses’ reprisal. After all, their brother usually did not defend himself against reproaches. Hadn’t he always listened patiently to the endless complaints of Israel? Miriam and Aaron knew that Moses was long-suffering and humble – perhaps in their judgment, a little too much so.

God, however, did not view what had happened in the same way as Miriam and Aaron.He saw clearly their presumptuous attack, at Miriam’s instigation, against his chosen leader. If they wanted God’s attention, they now fully had it. God commanded: “Come out to the Tent of Meeting, all three of you.” (verse 4).

Jethro also would have been the favorite for Moses – he was wise and always gave counsel to Moses when he was a leader of Israel, but still, God wanted a Joshua. Exodus 18:1 – 3

When Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father in law, heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, and that the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt; Then Jethro, Moses’ father in law, took Zipporah, Moses’ wife, after he had sent her back, And her two sons; of which the name of the one was Gershom; for he said, I have been an alien in a strange land:From this account, we are able to see that Jethro was not just an elder – but was closely related to Moses.

Not just where these people in the camp of Moses, they were also ‘immediate’ family members of Moses. Very instrumental and helpful to Moses – but God never appointed them for the purposes he had for Israel; they were not the “Joshua” that God intended to lead Israel! Right now – Zambia needs a Joshua for continuity. READ: Isaiah 6:1-13

6:1 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.*

Government says there is need to provide special legal services to the vulnerable people in order to achieve the late President Levy Mwanawasa’s vision of maintaining rule of Law in the country.

Justice Minister George Kunda said most people in the country were failing to receive special legal services due many challenges that the Legal Aid Department under the Ministry of Justice is facing.

Mr. Kunda was Lusaka yesterday when he handed-over nine Ford-ranger vehicles to the department of Legal Services.

He said government in the Firth National Development Programme (FNDP) has devised various mechanism aimed at providing special legal services to the under privileged people in societies.

Mr. Kunda cited the procurement of motor vehicles, rehabilitation of courts and the provision of other necessary allowances to the people manning courts as some of the other means that government has taken to develop the country’s legal framework.

Mr. Kunda has since challenged stakeholders in the country to support the Ministry of Justice with a view to enhancing the provision of special legal services to the vulnerable people in the country.

And Legal Aid Board Chairperson Esau Chulu commended government for the role it has taken in providing special legal services to the most vulnerable people in the country.

Justice Chulu said government through the Ministry of Justice has been instrumental in devising various special mechanisms aimed at maintaining rule and Law in the country.

Justice Chulu has since commended the late President Levy Mwanawasa for coming up with extra remedial measures aimed at addressing lawlessness in the country.

ZANIS/TK/MK/ENDS