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It was a productive Saturday for Team Zambia at the Tokyo Olympics not only on the pitch but in the ring as well.
Shepolopolo drew 4-4 with China on Saturday to erase their 10-3 Olympic debut defeat at the hands of Holland on July to put themselves in the hunt for a quaterfinal place.
In Boxing, welterweight Stephen Zimba has advanced to the round of 16 following a 5-0 win over Marion AH Tong of Samoa.
Zimba is back in the ring on July 27 to face Russian Andrei Zamkovoi who enjoyed a preliminary round bye.
Winner will advance to the last 16 on July 30 to face either Shadiri Bwogi of Uganda or Georgian Madiev Eskerkhan who will be in action on July 27.
Meanwhile, Shepolopolo must beat Brazil this Tuesday in Saitama to strengthen their hopes of clinching one of the two third best finisher quarterfinal berths in the three-group , twelve team Olympic Women’s Football competition.
Zambia are three points behind second placed Brazil and leaders Holland who drew 3-3 to move to 4 points after Saturdays penultimate Group F games.
Shepolopolo were denied their debut Olympic victory on Saturday by a very fortunate 10-man China to finish 4-4 in a match Zambia rallied from three-one down in their penultimate Group F match played at Miyagi Stadium in Rifu.
China started brightly and took a three-one lead in the opening thirty minutes of the match through Wang Shuang who fired in a first half hat-trick in the 6th, 22nd and 23rd minutes.
But Rachel Kundananji, who missed Wednesdays 10-3 loss to Holland after arriving late from her Kazakh base, squeezed in Zambia’s opening goal with a 15th minute header.
Kundananji them won a 41st minute penalty that Barbara Banda converted to see the Shepolopolo captain score her first goal en route to her second successive Olympic hat-trick as Zambia headed into the break narrowly trailing 3-2.
Banda completed her hat-trick in the 46th and 69th minutes and on both occasions out-paced China’s defence to set another milestone as the first African woman to score two hat-tricks in one Olympics.
But Zambia let China back into the match in the 82nd minute through a Lushomo Mweemba handball in the box and Shuang stepped up to convert the penalty.
Banda was then denied a chance of scoring the winning goal for Zambia when she was pulled down by Li Qingting outside the box as she raced in with a clear opportunity to earn the three points for Shepolopolo.
But Shepolopolo also had goalkeeper Hazel Nali to thank in stoppage time when she put her body on the line to deny Shuang her fourth goal and victory for China.
Zambia and China are tied on 1 point each heading into Tuesdays final Group F match against Brazil and Holland respectively who were in action by press time.
Asking for forgiveness if sounding like trying to discourage morale in the camps of other candidates. Though 16 presidential candidates are contesting the upcoming election in Zambia, the real battle is between the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) and the Ruling Patriotic Front (PF).
It is the third time UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema and PF leader Edgar Chagwa Lungu are facing each other in a general election.
If Hakainde Hichilema is going to lose again as prophesied by some prophets and predicted by some so-called political analysts, the question is by what margin?
Simple math points to Hakainde offsetting the margin. He has lost two elections and managed to narrow the margin in both hence probability of doing the same in the next election is high.
In the 2015 by-election, which was a result of the death of late President Michael Sata, Hakainde Hichilema lost to Edgar Chagwa Lungu by a margin of about 27,700 votes.
In the 2016 general election Hakainde lost again but managed to cut the margin to half. He lost by only about 13000 votes.
If anything has changed between 2016 and 2021, has changed in favor of Hakainde Hichilema. Standing on the way of fundamental human rights, corruption, negative attitude towards social media, unnecessary arrests, and violence have made people lose confidence in the PF government.
Internet is another thing that will help to produce the next president for Zambia. Social media fits into the equation.
Though there are several conflicting reports online about internet penetration in Zambia, every Zambian will agree that the number of Zambians who are on social media in 2021 is more than that of 2016.
An implication that social media is able to offset the 13000-vote difference won by PF in 2016 and can be concluded by rewriting the above question:
Hakainde Hichilema will win the upcoming August 12 election by how many votes? Will it be enough to avoid 50+1vote clause?
In the column article “UPND’s Propaganda and Social Media Obsession Can’t Win Elections,” on Lusaka Times about a week ago, the author argues that social media politics has made UPND supporters create an illusion in their minds that they are popular and they have already won the 2021 elections.
This has nothing to do with propaganda. Unless one is not wise enough to know why there is a waged war against social media by the PF government. PF saw a loss coming a long time ago.
President Edgar Lungu’s running mate Professor Nkandu Luo says the country is in safe hands under President Edgar Lungu.
Speaking at a media briefing in Kitwe, Professor Luo said President Lungu walks the talk and means well for the country.
She said President Lungu and the PF have laid a strong foundation that is moving the country to greater heights.
Professor Luo said the country under the Patriotic Front as seen major transformation in all sectors and the opposition now have no clear campaign message to sell to the electorates.
” We have been able to look at the foundations we made as a party when we formed government in 2011, we made a decision to focus on massive infrastructure development and our critics laughed at us but to see Zambia a prosperous nation we needed to focus on infrastructure development, any person who understands economics understands the importance of a good road network. ” Professor Luo said.
” Zambia had bad road networks before PF formed government but now with the good roads it has made trade and commerce easy especially in rural areas where farmers are able to move their produce to the markets,” she said.
And Professor Luo said the PF government is forward looking.
” We have been looking into the future as a team and we have laid a foundation and we have put into practice most of the things we had promised,” Professor Luo said.
Meanwhile, Professor Luo said the opposition UPND has no message hence resorting to violence.
She has since challenged UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema to openly condemn violence and tame his cadres.
” Our critics have no message hence resorting to violence. As PF we have never had a fight in areas where we have been because we have a message. Just yesterday we heard of stories where our people where beaten by the UPND in Keembe. Any single place they go to, there is a fight,” she said.
” Zambians should begin to analyse leaders and reject violent ones. President Lungu has always condemned violence and has never tolerated it. Hakainde Hichilema is promoting violence and if he is a good leader he should condemn violence by his cadres,” Professor Luo said.
And Professor Luo said the ruling party is conducting its campaigns with strict adherence to Covid – 19 health guidelines.
” We are not having any mass rallies. We chose a strategy that could achieve the same results as mass rallies.We meet small groups of people and focus on the messages, you can have mass rallies and achieve nothing at the end of the day.
Chief Matipa of the Bisa people in Chilubi district of Northern Province says he will encourage his subjects to turn up in numbers to votes in the August 12th General Elections.
The traditional leader has noted with concern that the people of the Chilubi district had been shunning going for voting in the past elections.
ZANIS reports that the chief said a lot of people have opted to spend their time on the fishing camps and do not return to cast their votes.
“This time around I have already taken it upon myself to direct them to return from their camps and cast their votes during the August 12 elections because they are very important,’ he said.
The Chief has since ordered every fisherman to return home on the 6th of August so that they can choose their leaders in this year’s general elections.
Chief Matipa said this is to curb the voter apathy the district has been experiencing in the past elections.
“Voter apathy has been experienced in this district in the past elections but I will make sure that this time there will be massive turnout,” he said.
He was speaking when Northern Province Presidential Campaign Manager, Geoffrey Mwamba, paid a courtesy call on him at his place.
And Mr Mwamba has welcomed the chief’s decision of taking part in fighting voter apathy which the country has experienced in some parts.
Mr Mwamba explained that it is sad that despite a lot of people registering as voters only few take their time to go and cast their votes.
“I am happy that you have taken this important move to encourage your subjects to turn up in large numbers to cast their votes in this year’s general elections,” he said.
He said if traditional leaders start to take the lead in the fight against voter apathy it might encourage a lot of electorates to cast their vote.
The Campaign Manager has noted that citizens should know that it is their right to choose leaders of their choice.
“It is their right to vote and choose leaders of their choice hence the need for them to cast their votes for representatives who should bring development to this area,” he added.
He also appealed to other traditional leaders to explain to their subjects that they should choose leaders who are God-fearing in this year’s general elections.
Mr Mwamba said some of the leaders have been rejected by the citizens in the past because they do not have leadership qualities.
The National Olympic Committee of Zambia has jumped to the defence of Tilka Paljk, one of the two swimmers competing as part of Team Zambia at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Some Zambia took to social media attacking Paljk after she was announced as one of the two flag carriers for the opening ceremony.
They questioned her nationality stating that she is not Zambian enough to represent the country at the global sporting showpiece.
But National Olympics of Zambia President Alfred Foloko said the attacks on Paljk her unfortunate.
“Our beloved sports fans, the comments I have seen all over social media over the past few days makes a sad reading. Only a week ago we were burying our founding father, Dr. Kenneth David Buchizya Kaunda, who was clear about building One United Nation,” Foloko said.
“These comments border on division and segregation. Something Zambia has stood against for the past 50 years. It is very saddening,” he said.
“For us as the National Olympic Committee of Zambia (NOCZ), we have weathered such bias and will continue to focus on the facts whilst upholding the law. The principle of gender equality represented at the games under the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is one of the key agenda recommendations in the strategic plan.”
“Tilka Paljk is one of the two swimmers competing as part of Team Zambia at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. She like the other 29 athletes is representing Mother Zambia in all aspects. NOCZ has a mandate to ensure that two athletes of different gender carry the flag of the country they are representing at the time of the Opening Ceremony at all Multi-sport competitions such as the Olympic Games and in this particular the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games being held right now.”
Foloko said Paljk is a bonafide Zambian and deserves respect and admiration for her efforts to carry the flag and represent her country.
“We disregard such ignorant hurtful comments from our fans who may not have an idea of what constitutes a citizen. We encourage Tilka to remain focused fully believing in herself and ensuring to perform at her very best while dressed in Zambian colours,” he said.
The government has Commended the University of Zambia (UNZA) for the good works at the Agriculture Technology Demonstration Centre(ATDC).
And Ministry of Higher Education Permanent Secretary Ms Kayula Siame has since urged UNZA to enhance commercialization of the ATDC at their Liempe Farm in Silverest.
Ms Siame said that investment will help the centre take off from its formative phase to a commercial level.
She added that a lot could be done in terms of adaptive technology, to support growth of the country’s sector.
Ms Siyame was speaking when she conducted a familiarization tour of the UNZA Agriculture Technology Demonstration Centre and the Presidential milling plant.
She has emphasised on the need to bring these technologies to the level where entrepreneurs and farmers at all levels can easily utilize them.
“We need to bring these technologies to the level where entrepreneurs and farmers at all levels can easily utilize them and use it for their own livelihood but also for commercial purposes.” she said
“So that two thronged approach is very important because we are looking at sustaining small scale farmers and also the commercial aspect. That blend is very important that needs to be worked on,” She said.
Ms. Siame also said the Presidential Milling Plant, with a capacity of 40 tons, was an impressive facility that would contribute to maize production.
And UNZA Vice-Chancellor Prof Luke Mumba said the Presidential Milling Plant, which is about 90% towards completion, represents an investment from both the Zambian and Chinese Government.
He said the centre has undergone three-phase which started in 2009 and are currently in the third phase.
Prof Goma mentioned that the third phase, which is the sustainability phase, will transform the centre into a scientific hub that has a strong commercialization undertaking.
This is contained in a statement issued by Ministry of Higher Education Public Relations Unit. Ministry of Higher Education Permanent Secretary Ms Kayula Siame at the UNZA Agric Technology Centre
Ministry of Higher Education Permanent Secretary Ms Kayula Siame at the UNZA Agric Technology Centre
President Edgar Lungu has commended the manner in which traditional leadership have rallied behind the government in the implementation of the Kafue Gorge Lower Power project.
Speaking when he paid a courtesy call on chiefs in Chikankata shortly before commissioning the first 150-megawatt power generation unit of the Kafue Gorge Lower power station, President Lungu said the collaboration between traditional leadership and government should be a model others must emulate.
The traditional rulers President Lungu paid a courtesy call on are Chief Naluama of Chikankata, Chieftainess Sikongo of Chirundu, and Chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo the second of the Soli people in Chongwe
President Lungu said without the help of chiefs, the project would not have been a success because the Kafue Gorge Lower power project stretches across all three chiefdoms.
The President added that his government believes in inclusivity stating that no one should be left behind.
“It’s difficult to deliver projects of this magnitude because of squabbles between communities, between chiefdoms and so on, but here we are. It’s a grand project located in more than four or five chiefdoms but we agreed and you allowed us and your people cooperated,” Mr Lungu said.
And Chief Naluama says he is proud that such a huge energy project is located in his chiefdom.
And Chief Naluama said he is delighted that the locals have gained employment owing to the Kafue Gorge Lower power project.
Chief Naluama said his subjects will now have access to electricity.
“I have no doubt that people around such as the Shamubobo village to mention a few will receive power as soon as possible,” the traditional ruler said,
And speaking in a speech after the commissioning of the project, Chieftainess Mukamambo the Second disclosed that she gave out more than 5,000 hectares of land for the implementation of the Kafue Gorge Lower Power project.
ZESCO Board Chairperson Chibwe Mwelwa has reiterated that President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has built on KK’s infrastructure legacy and made Zambia a Power-hub in southern region. Mr. Mwelwa said this today at the commissioning of the 750MW Kafue Lower Gorge project in Chikankata constitutency, Southern Province.
Mr. Mwelwa added that electricity generation is vital in the development of any nation. President Kenneth Kaunda last commissioned a power project in 1977. Since the ruling Patriotic Front popular victory in 2011, they have embarked on a number of projects across the country.
“And because of these projects, Zambia in the whole of Southern Africa, is the highest producer of electricity. The PF Government under the remarkable leadership of His Excellence Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu has connected Southern Province, North-Western Province, and other parts of Zambia which were not part of the national grid. This is essential for national development for instance, you need energy to run industries, or mines or even running a chigayo at the market , you need power, because power drives the economy”, he explained.
The board Chairperson further stated that Zambia used to have about 600,000 households connected to the national grid but the *PF Government* had doubled the digits to over 1,300,000 users. In terms of power generation, which is unprecedented.
*President Lungu’s* vision to develop this country has made us become the highest producer of electricity in southern region. In addition, we have now after 57 years of Independence the capacity to export power to neighboring countries, a huge milestone for as a country and ZESCO in particular.
President Lungu was in Chikankata district, Southern province to launch the Kafue Lower Gorge Hydropower project, one of the three major game-changer projects.
He was received by PF National Chairman and ZRA board chairman, Southern province permanent secretary, Lusaka province permanent secretary, ZESCO managing director and board members, IDC group CEO, China embassy and China representative to Zambia, PF Southern province chairman , Southern Province Presidential campaign coordinator, PF adopted candidate for Chikankata constitutency, and other senior Government and party officials.
Patriotic Front (PF) Media Director Antonio Mwanza says opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) President Hakainde Hichilema is not responsible for the appreciation of the local currency from K23 to K20.7 against $1.
Mr. Mwanza said the Kwacha appreciated because of the good policy shift by President Edgar Lungu.
He explained that the President allowed Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) to reform by sealing loopholes in order to collect correct taxes.
Mr. Mwanza said ZRA exceeded it’s target by 10 Billion Kwacha which was injected into the economy.
He said President Lungu negotiated with the mines to pay statutory obligations in dollars which saw the collection of Four Hundred Million Dollars paid directly to the Bank of Zambia which was helping to stabilize the Kwacha.
The PF Media Director said this when he featured on a Millennium TV discussion programme in Lusaka this evening.
Mr. Mwanza said the allegation by UPND President Hakainde Hichilema that the Kwacha appreciated because of the UPND’s imaginary opinion poll must be treated with the contempt it deserved.
He said even Mr. Hichilema’s Presidential Spokesperson Anthony Bwalya contracted him on his Facebook page by equally making unfounded allegations that PF stopped importing fuel.
And Mr. Mwanza said civil servants were now getting funeral grants and health insurance because President Lungu cared for them.
He said President Lungu controlled the price of fuel by removing VAT and Income Tax to stabilize pump prices forcing motorists from other countries to buy from Zambia.
The PF Media Director said cooking oil prices shot up by far but President Lungu allowed for the importation of 9000 metric tons of edible oil and removed income tax and import duty.
He said mealie meal prices would have reached K500 per bag by now but the PF Government controlled it of which businessmen were now exporting to neighboring countries where they made super normal profits.
Mr. Mwanza said President Lungu never fell for the opposition’s call for a complete lockdown which would have left Zambians in untold suffering.
He said the opposition refused to take COVID vaccines even after accusing the PF Government of failing in the fight against COVID 19 when Zambia had excess vaccines.
The Ministry of Finance has indicated that the continued stability, and the recent appreciation of the Kwacha against the United States dollar to K21.39 as at 23rd July 2021 from K22.64 on 1st July 1, 2021, largely reflects changes in the supply of foreign exchange and broad improvements in market expectations.
The Ministry has further stated that the new developments are consistent with the broad goals set out in the Economic Recovery Programme (ERP), which was launched by President Edgar Lungu in December 2020.
According to a Statement issued to the media last evening by the Ministry of Finance Public Relations Officer, Chileshe Kandeta, the recent developments in the foreign exchange market include factors such as improved foreign exchange flows from the mining sector in view of the strong recovery in copper prices and production.
Mr Kandeta added that this has led to a significant expansion in the trade balance estimated at US$1.9 billion during the period January to May 2021 compared to US$576.8 million over the same period in 2020.
He added that other factors are significant flows from non-resident investors seeking to purchase government securities, evidenced by the oversubscription at 116 percent in the bond issuance held today.
“This has bolstered liquidity in the foreign exchange market and has subsequently led to the substantial reduction in the hitherto excess demand,” he said.
Mr Kandeta also stated that scaled up market support by the Bank of Zambia in view of improved flows from the mining sector is equally another factor.
“Further, there has been a confidence boost in the market following the announcement by the IMF to allocate Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) to its members in August. The SDR allocation is expected to increase international reserves by approximately US$1.3 billion in August,” He stressed.
Mr Kandeta said in addition, the Bank of Zambia has continued with the gold purchase programme through which about US$22 million has been added to the international reserve position.
“With the above developments and continued implementation of the measures in the ERP, the Kwacha is likely to remain resilient,” he said.
The Tokyo Games are officially underway and the rest of Team Zambia gradually joins the fray for Olympic glory starting this Saturday.
Shepolopolo had the honour of kicking off Team Zambia’s Olympic quest on July 21 before Friday’s July 23 official Day One when they lost 10-3 to Holland in the football events that traditionally begin before the opening ceremony.
Bruce Mwape’s side is back in action this Saturday when they play China in their penultimate Group F match in Rifu.
But the boxers, Judokas, swimmers and athletes join them in the chase for honours over the coming days.
The boxers will be of the first non -football disciplines in action this Saturday, July 24.
Welterweight and Africa silver medal winner Steven Zimba will be in action against Ah Tong of Samoa.
But Zimba’s colleague and African championships Flyweight silver medal winner Patrick Chinyemba will be in action on July 26 against Alex Winwood of Australia.
The third boxer and Africa championships featherweight gold medal winner Everisto Mulenga is on bye and will be in action on July 28.
Mulenga awaits winner of the July 24 bout between Mohammad Alwadi of Jordan and Colombian Avila Sergura.
Winner of the July 28 fight will qualify for the quarterfinals on August 1.
In the Judo, Steven Mungandu will be in action on Sunday, July 25 against Adrian Gomboc of Slovenia.
The swimmers have a slightly longer wait and take to the pool on July 30 with Shaquille Moosa in heat 3 of the men’s 50 meters freestyle.
Tilka Paljk will also be in action on the same date in the women’s 50 meters freestyle.
Meanwhile, the athletes will start their campaign on July 30 when Roda Njobvu takes to the track in the 100 meters heat and later the 200 meters heats on August 2.
Sydney Siame will be in action on August 3 in 200 heats ahead of the finals on August 4.
Upcoming coach Govenda Simwala is determined to create his own path away from his late father’s glittering coaching career.
Govenda is the son of Nkana legend Moses Simwala, who remains the most successful coach in the history of the FAZ Super Division, 27 years after his death.
The 1988 and 1989 Zambian coach of the year won eight league titles at Nkana as coach between 1980 and 1992.
Govenda is aware there will be comparisons between him and the man nicknamed “the Chairman” after taking up coaching following his forced retirement last year.
The former Power Dynamos right-back retired on medical grounds after persistent injuries.
Govenda, 30, is one of the youth coaches at Arthur Davies in charge of the Under-17 team.
“Coaching is not that easy but I am doing my best. I can see a future ahead in coaching,” he said.
Govenda holds a CAF C Diploma Coaching badge attained from a recent training held in Lusaka.
“As a coach you must aim high. I want to be an international coach so I need to get more papers when training comes. Papers in modern football are very important.”
He wants to be his own man in coaching.
“Even when I was playing people were saying your father was a good player. It now comes to your father who was a good coach,” Govenda said.
“Of course my father was a good coach and won so many medals. I will do my best but I am not under pressure to fit in his shoes.”
“He was Moses Simwala and I am Govenda Simwala, so I may not do exactly what he did. I will do my best to follow in his footsteps.
Football is changing every day, we are in modern football and my father was in another generation of football. But underline the words I won’t be under pressure,” Govenda added.
Since President F.T.J. Chiluba introduced the culture of brown envelopes to “Bikini Bottom’ pastors, I stopped taking some religious leaders seriously. So when I read about over 700 pastors on the Copperbelt selling their unconscionable souls to the God fearing President Edgar Lungu, it was like watching SpongeBob selling Bibles at Krusty Krabs in Bikini Bottom. And who could miss it? “A God fearing,” and the only man who would secure “the nation’s Christian Nation heritage and a continued covenant with God,” is President Lungu. One would expect these words to come from Patrick and not even SpongeBob. Shockingly, the honorable Patriotic Front Member of the Central Committee, the Rev. Godfridah Sumaili uttered these meaningless words at the campaign event on the Copperbelt. They are just what they are, simply meaningless.
Whereas the Rev. Sumaili’s role is to gunner religious leader’s support for President Lungu, the PF administration has always appealed to Churches to be apolitical. If 700 pastors spoke in favor of HH, PF cadres and Madam Sumaili would be condemning their actions. But since these pastors are supporting the Big man, Madam Sumaili is happy with it. The PF should not have it both ways–the ECZ should not allow the PF to politicize certain institutions just because it is in power, while limiting other parties. The playing field must be fair. Neither should Madam Sumaili use Churches for political gains, while stopping other church leaders from doing the same. She is a politician and must campaign as a politician as opposed to a pastor. The clerical attire should not make her immune from political attacks–she is not different from GBM, Kambwili or Lungu.
Madam Sumaili claimed that President Lungu is God fearing. Yet, the Lungu administration has been characterized with extreme corruption, violence and insults. From the K2.2 billion recently reported as missing by the Financial Intelligence Report to houses without owners to Fire Engines to expired drugs, the Lungu administration is rotten with mismanagement and corruption–something that has led Zambia to being blacklisted by donors. Unless she is deaf, she hears the insults that her fellow cadres have employed to advance the Lungu agenda. She wouldn’t turn a blind eye to innocent lives that have been destroyed amidst her shouts of “let us pray” and “amen”. Neither would putting on the clerical collar absolve her of the blood on the PF hands–she is just as guilty as Mwila, GMB and Kambwili. If she was principled, she would have left this administration long ago. She is not campaigning for Lungu because he fears God, but rather to get her job back. If anything, she acts as the false prophet to Old Testament Kings–telling the King what he wants to hear.
Clergy from districts on the copperblt gathered in Kitwe to declare their commitment to see President Lungu back in power .
The claim to “the Christian heritage” (whatever it means) is just a lie she wants to employ to blind people from holding the Regime accountable. I am a Christian but I won’t subscribe to the PF Christian heritage of thieves. A Christian heritage that permits thugs to gallivant the streets with pride, while mothers give birth on the floors, kids die from curable diseases, degree holders are unemployed, and families cannot afford painkillers. Praise be to Rev. Sumaili’s Christian heritage! We reward politicians and cadres with oversized cars, big salaries, and unwarranted allowances, but masses cannot even afford a meal! Hail to Rev. Sumaili’s Christian heritage! Only politicians and cadres count! The rest of us live as beggars. A taste of hell in Rev. Sumaili’s Christian nation you find! Steal a packet of chocolate in Shoprite, in jail you rot for years. Steal millions, kiss the God fearing president’s boots! You are free. Alleluia! A just Zambia built on equality or love-justice is the heritage we need.
The PF wants to advance the fib of the covenant with God. But central to the Biblical Covenant is love-justice; love for God and for the neighbor. Yahweh demands that we look out for each other’s interests–we are each other’s keepers. The violence and the lawlessness that characterize the PF campaign are indictments of Lungu’s and Madam Sumaili’s failure to respect the dignity of fellow human beings. As a religious leader, Madam Sumaili must be ashamed to even open her mouth–for five years she failed to speak truth to power. She watched corruption explode while cadres amassed millions. She never spoke out when opposition leaders were persecuted. When will she tell GBM, Kambwili, and Mwila to learn a little decency? When will she tell PF cadres to stop brutalizing UPND cadres? The truth is, she won’t! She is a politician bluffing to those Bikini Bottom pastors, who like Patrick are foolish enough to believe Spongebob Squarepants has the mental acuity to operate the boat. Sadly, there are enough votes to elect such a gruesome, Machiavellian, soulless and visionless leader–the end is predictable–a very big disaster awaits us; more and more money in their pockets, and an overwhelming economic crisis.
And with countless Bikini Bottom pastors like Rev. Sumaili around, they will dine like saints, say grace on golden tables, while masses die from hunger and curable diseases as pastors sing “Kumbaya,” in the name of a “Christian Heritage” and “covenant with God”.
