Maravi

Don’t leave preservation of civil liberties to politicians - Maureen

Don’t leave preservation of civil liberties to politicians - Maureen
By Nomusa Michelo
Sunday October 14, 2007 [04:00]

FIRST lady Maureen Mwanawasa has called on Zambians not to leave the preservation of civil liberties to politicians. Launching a book authored by neurosurgeon Dr Kachinga Sichizya entitled Uneasy Yoke at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre (MICC) on Friday evening, Maureen said civil liberties are important in the lives of citizens.

“The task of safeguarding civil liberties should not be a prerogative of the politicians, law makers or the judiciary. Everyone has a role to play,” she said.

“As publishers you have an important role to play by ensuring that matters relating to civil liberties get into the menu of what people read by encouraging the publication of books and other reading materials that deal with this important subject.”

Maureen said at a time when the world was riddled with wars, the book industry could contribute toward the building of peace, stability and tranquillity.

She also commended Maiden Publishing House for contributing to increasing the reading culture among young people.

“We must seize the opportunity and write as many educational books as possible so that we can provide our children and adults an opportunity to fully prepare themselves for the challenges of life before and after leaving school,” Maureen said.

“You will agree with me that education and books are our best tools to conquer illiteracy and lack of information which forms one of the greatest enemies of human and social development.”

And Dr Sichizya, a consultant neurosurgeon at Beit Cure Hospital in Lusaka said the book is a fictional love story, which talks about the traditions and cultures of the Namwanga people of Northern Province.

Dr Sichizya said the book took him 15 years to write as he was also pursuing his medical career. He said he felt it was important for him to write the book in order to preserve a part of Zambia’s history.

Dr Sichizya said it was important to document the country’s history as its custodians were now dying.

Maiden Publishing House managing director Christine Kasonde said the company, which is wholly Zambian owned, has published over 200 books, 80 per cent of which are textbooks.

Labels: BOOKS, MAUREEN MWANAWASA

posted by MrK @ 3:42 AM