Why free education should be a priority
By Editor
Saturday March 17, 2007 [02:00]
There is no doubt that Zambia’s education system has gone through a number of phases, most of them quite challenging. Whether we look at infrastructural development or human resource capacity within the education sector, it is very clear that this sector requires a major shakeup especially in terms of policy. With the recent unanimous proclamation by Parliament that education in Zambia should be made free up to high school level, we are motivated to offer our opinion on the same.
It is not our deliberate intention to present a long and boring narrative of the history of the education sector in Zambia. However, since the subject we are discussing is quite important, it is necessary that a historical perspective is provided.
According to information held by the government of Zambia, the history of education policies in Zambia can be traced to pre-independence times.
And we want to focus much of our attention on the question of the policy of free education. From the outset, let us understand that before independence in 1964, the education policy environment in Zambia allowed for the existence of a parallel system of education which was then justified on racial and other lines.
However, with independence in October 1964, the new Zambian government in the following year proclaimed a free education policy. And this was, among other objectives, to reverse the many years of injustice imposed on the Africans through education fees and other levies they could hardly afford which were imposed by the colonial authorities.
In fact, the education Act of 1966 legalised the changes from fee-paying or non fee-paying to scheduled or non-scheduled, in order to take care of equity issues that existed before the change of policy. For the government to support the free education policy, it went as far as abolishing the racial schools in 1966 with the aim of desegregating the education system further.
And since its introduction in 1964, the new education policy worked well, and there is anecdotal evidence that it advanced and accelerated educational development in the country. Through the policy, the government ensured that all the schools were well-stocked with education supplies which included exercise books, textbooks, pens, pencils, rulers, mathematical instruments, science kits, art, music, physical education and all other needed materials and equipment. Further, the government made it a point that teachers were deployed to all schools so that the teacher-to-pupil ratio was adequately proportional.
However, with time, the economic challenges of the 1980s left the then government of Dr Kenneth Kaunda with little option but to ask parents to start making a contribution to their children’s education. This policy shift was genuine.
With the new government of Frederick Chiluba in the 1990s, however, the policy shifted so radically that it made education look like a luxury. As the so-called cost-sharing and other structural adjustment policies became entrenched in the 1990s under the Chiluba administration, more and more children dropped out of school as their parents could no longer afford the fees as well as the school requisites.
Informed guessers tell us that as a result of this policy shift in the education sector, the number of children out of school in the country increased to over 700,000 towards the end of the 1990s. And this was happening without sustainable signs of government interventions. What is more interesting is that this policy of cost-sharing was also affecting pupils at primary level.
However, we witnessed a positive policy shift in 2002 when the government abolished user fees in primary schools. Although this decision was the correct one to make, we still think that making education free only up to primary school may not be sufficient, especially if we consider the importance of the role of education in human advancement.
This is why we are encouraged by the unanimous resolution by Parliament last Wednesday to make education free up to secondary or high school level. Our only hope is that this resolution will not end up as just one of Parliament’s records of Hansards. Our position is that this resolution should be taken up by the executive so that it can be transformed into policy.
We are aware of the consequences of such a policy especially in terms of expenditure. But we are equally aware of the long-term consequences of not providing an opportunity for young people to have unlimited access to education. If anything, there are good examples elsewhere that demonstrate the fact that free education at all levels is attainable and it actually yields positive results. If we turned our eyes to the island of Cuba, the picture becomes clear why free education at all levels should be a priority. In Cuba, education is free at all levels as there are no tuition fees paid by school or university students. Education expenditures continue to receive high priority in Cuba.
And there have been positive results arising from Cuba’s free education system. Since the revolution of 1959, Cuba has maintained high standards of educational development. In 1995, Cuba’s literacy rate stood at 96 per cent. This is incredible because it is almost a 100 per cent record. In a 1998 study conducted by UNESCO, it was reported that Cuban students showed a high level of educational achievement.
According to this UNESCO report, Cuban third and fourth graders scored 350 points, 100 points above the regional average in tests of basic language and mathematics skills. The report indicated that the test achievement of the lower half of students in Cuba was significantly higher than the test achievement of the upper half of students in other central and south American countries in the study group.
Clearly, we can make education to start benefiting our people, especially young people. It can even become more beneficial both to the individuals and the nation if it is made more accessible. And education can only be made more accessible if it is made free. And the more levels are included in the free education policy, the better for us. We should seriously look at making education free to more and more of our people.
Labels: EDITORIAL, EDUCATION
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ZNUT praises MPs over free education
By Mwala Kalaluka
Saturday March 17, 2007 [02:00]
TEACHERS' unions and a civil society organisation have commended members of parliament for unanimously passing a motion urging the government to extend the policy of free education to Grade 12. Zambia National Union of Teachers (ZNUT) general secretary Roy Mwaba said in an interview yesterday that the move was encouraging in that it would propel the country to greater economic heights.
He said it did not make sense to have children get free education up to Grade 9 and fail to get to Grade 10 as a result of economic constraints on the part of their parents. He said the free education policy must also help do away with the other fees such as examination which pupils are usually expected to pay.
Mwaba said it has always been his organisation's interest to see the policy of free education extended to Grade 12 and that they have been engaging the government on this issue since 1991. "Our position now is that we are lobbying the government to ensure that this policy is implemented by next year, because we believe that our country will not be propelled forward if our children will not receive free education," Mwaba said. "It must not just be free education but it must be quality education."
Asked if the uniform proposal to provide free education at all levels of the secondary and basic education system would not have a strain on the sector in view of the meagre financial allocations, Mwaba said there would be no effect. He explained that the allocation towards teachers' personal emoluments and the funds disbursed to improve the quality of education were distinct.
And National Millennium Development Goals Campaign Group (NMDG) country coordinator Henry Malumo said the parliamentarians' positive response to the motion gave fresh hope that the attainment of the MDGS was possible by 2015. "We just want to commend the government because it has come out in very clear terms that we have a chance to attain the MDGs," Malumo said. "If the government will just apply the right energy we cam actually achieve the MDGs." He pointed out that this was a big step for the government to take considering that the year 2007 was the half mark of the threshold for developing nations to attain the goals which are targeted for 2015.
Malumo urged the developed nations to come in and supplement such moves by honouring their commitments towards supporting the education sector. "We also want to see this extended to other sectors like health, gender and environment," he said. On Wednesday, members of parliament nodded a motion moved by Mapatizya UPND member of parliament Ackson Sejani urging the government to extend the free education policy from basic level to Grade 12.
Speaker Amusaa Mwanamwambwa put the motion to a vote and the whole House voted in the affirmative. Education minister Professor Geoffrey Lungwangwa said such an undertaking required serious consideration.
Labels: EDUCATION
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HH visits The Post
By George Chellah
Saturday March 17, 2007 [02:00]
OPPOSITION UPND president Hakainde Hichilema on Thursday visited The Post newspaper offices to acquaint himself with the operations of the newspaper, among other issues. And Post managing editor Amos Malupenga described the meeting with Hichilema as fruitful, cordial and frank.
In an interview after his first visit of The Post offices, Hichilema described the visit as very useful. "We were here for a visit. It's very useful for us. We also had some discussions but I am not going into details of our discussion," he said. Hichilema, who was accompanied by UPND secretary general Tiens Kahenya, also toured the facilities at The Post after a meeting with Malupenga which lasted for about two hours. "It's useful for us to see the facilities and appreciate that because sometimes we take it for granted that the paper will come out," Hichilema said. "So it was useful for us to come round here. We have seen the facilities and it's quite important for us."
And Malupenga said he had a very fruitful meeting with Hichilema and Kahenya. "As you know, UPND's relationship with us has always not been as it should be because of a few misunderstandings and misplaced fears and suspicions. So our discussion was mainly focused in that area so as to clear these misunderstandings," he said.
Malupenga said Hichilema also made a few complaints and some observations about The Post's coverage of issues, particularly issues to do with UPND. "All these issues were friendly but frankly discussed and warmly concluded," Malupenga said. "I think it was time well spent and I hope our friends in UPND, through our interaction with their president, will look at us as friends and not foes because we have nothing against them. We just have a job to do which we do without fear or favour."
Labels: HAKAINDE HICHILEMA, THE POST
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My deportation from Malawi is political - Sata
By Christopher Miti in Chipata
Saturday March 17, 2007 [02:00]
MY deportation from Malawi is political, opposition Patriotic Front president Michael Sata has claimed. And Eastern Province police commanding officer Emlyn Mushondwa said there was nothing tangible in Sata's deportation from Malawi. When asked to comment on his deportation on Thursday night in Chipata, Sata responded: "It's nothing mwana (my friend), it's just politics."
Sata, who said he was on his personal business in Malawi, arrived at Mwami border post around 23:18 hours in a Malawian immigration vehicle registration number CZ 1731. He was immediately led to the immigration offices where he was interviewed for almost an hour. "I started off at Lusaka International Airport at 12:20 hours and arrived at Chileka Airport in Blantyre at 14:10 hours. Somebody told me that he had been told to take me back to Mwami border so we started off at 16:00 hours," Sata said.
He said his passport was date-stamped in Lusaka, but the Malawian immigration officers at Chileka Airport refused to stamp it. "There is nothing wrong that I have done. Under normal circumstances, the Zambian High Commissioner in Malawi should have known if there was something. May be you are harassing me because your defence minister (George Mpombo) said you are going to pounce on me," Sata said. He said Zambian politics had dented other professions. "The political climate in Zambia has dented a lot of professions. I know some politicians want to pollute other countries with such issues. Now if they are going to do that we will be embarrassed as Zambians," he said.
Sata told the Malawian immigration officers who drove him from Blantyre to Mwami border that he would ask Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika why he was deported. "Bingu has given me a good driver (immigration driver Sachi Chizeya), Levy tampelako na GX but Bingu ampela nafi fuel fyakwe (Levy has never given me a GX but Bingu has even given me his GX and a lot of fuel)," Sata said.
Eastern Province immigration officer Patrick Mumba and some other security officers interviewed Sata for over an hour. After the interview at the boarder, Sata remarked: "Ba Mumba naba Mpombo (Ministry of Home Affairs permanent secretary Peter Mumba and defence minister George Mpombo) mwaloba ilya uma (literally translating 'Mr Mumba and Mr Mpombo you have failed to achieve your goal')." And Eastern Province PF chairperson Solomon Mbuzi took Sata in his vehicle after he refused to use a Zambia police vehicle to take him to the police station.
At the police station, Eastern Province police commanding officer Emlyn Mushondwa communicated to the Inspector General of police Ephraim Mateyo and later apologised to Sata for the inconvenience caused. But in his reply, Sata said there was no need for Mushondwa to apologise saying that it was good that he was taken to the police station to see how dilapidated the ceiling board at the inquiries desk was so that he could talk about it in his meetings. Intelligence and armed police officers went to receive Sata at Mwami border post. And Mushondwa said there was nothing tangible in the whole issue.
Labels: SATA
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Zambian emeralds
By Chisakulo E.K,Kitwe
Saturday March 17, 2007 [02:00]
The Business Post (13/02/07) covered a short story on Gemfields Resources Plc revealing a rise in sales revenue to US1m worth of emeralds produced from their mine.
This is one of the few companies in our gemstone mining sector which is transparent enough to disclose information and probably uphold the principles of corporate governance through disclosure (reporting productive activities to authorities).
Zambia has some of the best emeralds in the world, and yet there are no benefits accrued from these gemstone mining activities because this sector is characterised by players (mostly foreigners) who are busy draining the country of the much-needed foreign exchange earnings. This is a sector we could rely on in the event that the base metal (copper) prices plummet.
The aspect of value addition and beneficiation for the emeralds has been acknowledged by the government as evidenced in the setting up of the gemstone processing and lapidary training centre in Ndola.
However, the government needs to go further by strengthening the legislative and regulatory framework for the gemstone mining sector. This should ensure that there is enhanced reporting on productive activities as well as enforcement of marketing measures to check foreigners who have for a long time dominated illegal marketing activities of the Zambian emeralds.
The mining footprints left in Kafubu block cannot be matched with the contemptible US dollar figures officially declared to the government considering the highly priced nature of the Zambian emeralds abstracted. It is not too late for the government to curb repatriation of revenue from our country by some of these underground economic activities.
http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=23927
Road project in Mbala
By Godfrey Mambwe
Saturday March 17, 2007 [02:00]
I want to commend the government's efforts in spear-heading the project to tar several short-distance roads within Mbala township. The project, which is still in its initial stage has indeed been long overdue.
It is hoped that the project, which has raised a great deal of anxiety and expectations, will not eventually be a white elephant. We have witnessed certain projects commence and later on abandoned because someone somewhere has not been responsible, or did not closely watch the vultures that take advantage of public funds. Otherwise, the recent development in Mbala township is rather progressive and the beginning of more good things to come. What is rural development if these critical issues of development are not taken into account by the government? Bravo the government!
However, I must be quick also to express my disappointment at the failure to consider tarring the road leading up to Mbala General Hospital. This institution should have been critical during the planning. While it is true that this project has a specific budget, failure to make this inclusion is on indication of little or no value being attached to this great institution.
I mean, who does not know how inhuman it is to drive patients, particularly maternal cases from long distances, on these bad roads that are within the hospital vicinity? It is never too late to consider how well this important institution can be serviced in terms of road infrustracture.
Many other roads in Mbala still remain in bad state and almost impassable especially at this time of the year. I implore our councillors, the MP and the authorities that be to rise to the occasion and seriously consider road infrastructure as issues of development.
http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=23922
Corrupt deeds
By Fred Mubanga
Saturday March 17, 2007 [02:00]
My heart bleeds every time I read or see destruction of the so-called illegal structures. Desperate poor people who have no connections to the powers that be end up buying land from wrong people.
The government and local authorities can handle the matter in a more respectable and humane manner. It takes years to erect a structure and our authorities took minutes to bring them down.
Let’s be concerned with the 80 per cent poor Zambians especially when we read that leaders declare billions for themselves.
Posterity will judge them and remember that the Bible declares is what we sow what we shall reap.
http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=23920
Let's support Levy
By Christopher Sichinga
Saturday March 17, 2007 [02:00]
I read, last Friday, about former lands minister, Kapijimpanga’s message to the President with great disappointment. Disappointed in the sense that she should have properly advised His Excellency the President on such matters. It is, however, gratifying that the President responded well to her letter.
We must support such progressive leadership. For once we should salute the President for his uprightness in the way he handled this matter. I hope the other political leaders will learn something from the President's action.
I must end by advising the leadership privileged to be close to the President to stop unnecessarily putting pressure on the President but provide support to him in line with his vision of zero tolerance on corruption.
http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=23924
Finance Bank management
By Banker
Saturday March 17, 2007 [02:00]
I am disappointed with the response by Finance Bank Management on the leakage of information on the President's personal account published in The Post of Thursday March 15, 2007. In the article in question, the bank management appears to be blaming Sata for the leakage
I would like to remind Finance Bank management that politics is a game of mud and stone slinging to gain mileage. In this case, Sata being a politician, he will use any useful information he stumbles upon to expose his opponents for his political gain.
Instead of blaming Sata, Finance Bank management should blame the mole within the system who leaked the information. Banking ethics demand that information on customers' accounts must be jealously guarded and should not be availed to any person not authorised to have such information. This goes to show that their system has been infiltrated.
http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=23925
Corruption in job deployment
By Temwani
Saturday March 17, 2007 [02:00]
I want to air my views in your well renowned paper. The nation really appreciates your vigorous approach towards wiping out corruption in government and public organisations.
However, I have noticed that not much has been said about corruption in job deployment. You may wish to know that there are a lot of qualified and vibrant young Zambians out there who are unemployed not because they are unqualified, but because they don’t know the 'big guns' in these organisations.
I believe it is only your paper which can bail out these unfortunate young men and women. Nowadays , there is even a saying 'Uziba ndani?’ If you don't know the right people in the right organisations, you can apply for one million jobs and not be shortlisted for any of them even though you meet the requirements.
Please, away from the politics and confrontations, we are appealing to you to expose the corrupt human resource personnel in some of these government, quasi government and private institutions. You will be amazed how much nepotism, tribalism and 'Uziba ndani' exists in this country.
This is a time bomb which will have a very bad impact in future. Please help this nation have the right people in the right positions, on merit. It seems job adverts are now just a formality. Investigate and you will find the truth.
Concerned youth
http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=23904
Corruption investigations
By Concerned citizen
Friday March 16, 2007 [02:00]
I want to air my views on the ongoing land issues bordering on corruption. It is hard to understand what corruption is.
To start with I would like to refer you to the editorial comment several days ago which stated that it was not enough to fire or suspend officials at lands to curb corruption,
The law on allocation of land should be revisited because I am made to believe that there is no procedure that any commissioner has been following which is law from time immemorial, so I am wondering what these investigations are being bordered on.
The President is a lawyer who best understands these issues, he shouldn’t just wake up and make decisions to seal the ministry and fight corruption. What is it that those officials at the ministry have done today that has not been done by others before and will continue being done?
Mwanawasa himself should be investigated as well, the evidence is there at lands which I am sure those aggrieved officials are willing to give especially that it is seen as a crime for Nyirongo and Sichone’s families.
The President should put his house in order before he can sacrifice some unfortunate officals. Let justice not discriminate. We all know that there is so much political influence at that ministry so let a new law be put in place because others have been corrupt and will continue being corrupt with the current situation.
http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=23929
Sata and Mugabe
By JJ, Lusaka
Saturday March 17, 2007 [02:00]
It is interesting to recollect after having sensed victory in the just-ended elections, Michael Sata declared that he wanted Robert Mugabe to be the guest of honour at his inaugration. He had in fact hitherto declared Mugabe his hero.
Consequently, I would be interested to learn from Sata what he thinks of the brutality unleashed recently by Zimbabwe security forces on Mugabe’s political opponents. Morgan Tsvangirai's sorry state was seen by all around the world which would make one conclude that only barbarians are capable of such savagery. So Sata and Scott, is Mugabe still your hero?
http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=23921
African democracy
By Clergyman
Saturday March 17, 2007 [02:00]
I could not believe my eyes when I saw on BBC news how the law enforcers beat up the Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai and his supporters.
This kind of politics is discrediting the little efforts African countries are making to bring about democracy not only as a show to the West but unto ourselves as Africans. Such acts are barbaric, retrogressive and unpalatable in modern times. First it was the farms and now Mugabe and his minions have turned the heat on their own fellow countrymen and women.
Mugabe, should not forget that at one time he was a refugee and he certainly knows how it feels to be oppressed. The freedoms that he fought for whilst in exile are the freedoms he must uphold in a once progressive stable Zimbabwe, which lies in tatters now with inflation running at almost 1, 700 per cent.
Therefore, he must not take them (freedoms) away from his people. No wonder they say the oppressed can turn out to be the worst oppressors and we are definitely seeing it with Mugabe. What is happening now in Zimbabwe is basically apartheid rule except that this time around its blacks oppressing blacks and some pockets of whites still leaving in there. Mugabe must not hide behind the veil of sovereignty of the country. Human rights are human rights and their violation anywhere on the globe must be condemned outrightly.
This is also the time for the African Union (AU) to rise to the occassion; challenge and condemn what is happening in Zimbabwe. I thought the transformation from OAU to AU would bring about tough measures not only to coup plotters but to governments that take freedoms away from their people. We fought apartheid with one voice despite South Africa being a soveriegn state. Why? because our brothers and sister were suffering. Why can’t we do the same with this oppressive old man.
If the latest agenda for the AU to form a 'United States of Africa' in the future is to become a reality, we must already start getting serious with oppressive regimes all over africa to realise the 'USA' dream.
Let’s not treat such regimes with kid gloves and show that the AU means business, and nothing else and that the change of name was not about wearing a new overcoat with old characteristics.
I urge Mugabe to take a leaf from Mandela's words when he came out of prison: "I have come out of prison to liberate both the oppressed (blacks) and the oppressors (whites)" (Long Walk to Freedom).
Mugabe, you were liberated in exile, you liberated your country now it’s time and the hour has come for you to liberate your own people, period! Africa twa sebana pafula!
Labels: CORRUPTION, EMERALDS, HOUSES, LAND, LETTERS, ROADS, ZIMBABWE
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A good harvest is not good enough unless...
By Editor
Friday March 16, 2007 [02:00]
Indications by the World Food Programme (WFP) that Zambia is likely to have a good harvest this year should offer us some relief. The indications offer some relief because we know the toll that poor harvests in previous years have had on the population in terms of food security. According to the WFP, although Zambia in particular and the southern African region in general experienced some erratic weather pattern this farming season, it is one of the few countries, including Malawi and Mozambique which are likely to register some good harvest this year.
The WFP tells us that despite erratic water, Malawi is expected to yield a bumper harvest again this year, while Zambia and northern Mozambique are also likely to produce favourable harvests that will even present buying opportunities for the UN food agency.
While we may be tempted to celebrate these positive indicators since harvest time is approaching, there is a warning on the other hand that the southern African region could be headed for another year of critical food shortage. Whereas the critical shortage of food may not very much affect Zambia very hard this year, it is important for us to focus our attention on a few areas of concern in terms of food security, whether or not we will record a bumper harvest.
Assuming that the indications by WFP are accurate and they will translate into reality when the harvest period is over, it may as well be the right time for us to take stock of what has happened in the past in terms of ensuring that food reaches all those in need, including putting in place measures that will ensure that those who want to get some cash out of their crops have the opportunity to do so in a manner that is beneficial to them.
We are raising all these concerns because there is a trend, which in fact has become perennial for some areas of the country, where even though the country generally records good harvests to a point where we can even export some of the harvest, several other Zambians will be appealing for relief food. And nobody should blame those Zambians who are perennially faced with food shortages and are always asking for relief food.
We are saying this because we are aware that not all of Zambia’s regions receive adequate amounts of rainfall while other natural factors also affect crop yields in some parts of Zambia. If that is the case, then it behooves those in government that food is somehow distributed in a manner that does not disadvantage other people.
We also have to start looking at whether we should be rushing to export our staple food, which is maize, before we adequately stock up our reserves. We are saying this because experience has shown us that there are times when natural factors affect crop yield to a point where there is generally hunger everywhere in the country and we are forced to either start importing or ask for help from overseas.
Most of us remember the period 2002/2003 and how so bad the situation was that even outsiders like the United States had the liberty to insist that the only food available for relief then was genetically modified maize. Of course, thanks to the government’s decision at that time, we never got to eat the artificially produced maize, neither did any Zambian die from hunger.
However, the important lesson to draw from such past experiences is that it is time we started taking advantage of some of the good farming seasons to start stocking up our reserves for future eventualities.
We know today how some populous nations such as India are proud of the fact that they always have food reserves in excess. It is because of India’s forward planning that our good brothers and sisters were able to offer us some bags of rice in the same 2002/2003 hunger period that we went through as a nation.
Stories are also told in the Bible of how the Egyptians planned and stocked grain to cover a period of seven years of drought to an extent where they were able to feed populations from neighbouring countries. Therefore, instead of rushing to export our annual surpluses, we should start looking at ways of stocking up those excesses and reserve them for eventualities.
Of course, we are mindful that we also have commercial farmers who need to make returns on their huge investments into farming. We are not saying that they should be denied the opportunity to earn some income from their produce. Even for peasant farmers, we know that most of them rely on farming activities to earn a living. Nobody should deny farmers the opportunity to realise some income from their farming activities.
What we are saying is that the government should somehow find a way of making sure that some maize is stocked up in our reserves just for the sake of those years may not be as good as others. Besides, what does food security mean if we do not have reserves that can save us in times of drought? Instead of leaving our silos yawning or as havens for rodents, we think that it is time they were all filled with food because that is their original purpose.
In the same vein, we also hope that the government has this year provided adequate resources to ensure that those farmers who want to sell their produce will have a ready market. Further, we hope that the Food Reserve Agency will this year make sure that farmers are paid their dues in good time so that the delays we saw last year do not affect their farming activities.
As we keep looking forward to witnessing a good harvest in the next few weeks, we think that these are some of the concerns that require attention. A good harvest will not be good enough if some of these concerns are not addressed.
Labels: EDITORIAL, FOOD, WFP
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Zambia likely to have good harvest - WFP
By David Silwamba
Friday March 16, 2007 [02:00]
THE World Food Programme (WFP) has indicated that Zambia is likely to have a good harvest. According to a press release issued by the WFP southern Africa regional office in Johannesburg, the United Nations food agency stated that despite the erratic weather pattern in the region, countries such as Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique were likely to have a good harvest. "Despite the erratic weather, Malawi is expected to yield a bumper harvest again this year, while Zambia and northern Mozambique are also likely to produce good harvests that will represent buying opportunities for WFP as in previous years," the WFP stated. "Crops are usually harvested during April and May."
However, the WFP observed that Southern Africa could be headed for another year of critical food shortages. "For some parts of the region, it's simply too late to hope that a late burst of rainfall will change people's food supply outlook for the year ahead," stated WFP Southern Africa regional director Amir Abdulla. “We are watching the region very closely to see what assistance may be needed to help the poorest and most vulnerable people through the months ahead. Assessments need to be carried out as soon as possible to determine the impact agricultural losses may have on these groups, but already the early indications for several countries are alarming.”
The WFP stated that even without the additional challenges that would be posed by widespread erratic harvests in southern Africa, the United Nations food agency faced a funding shortfall of about US$97 million for current operations through to the end of 2007. The WFP noted that parts of Angola, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia and Zambia had been struck by devastating floods that had destroyed tens of thousands of hectares of crops during the most critical growing stage. It stated that in contrast, Lesotho, Namibia, southern Mozambique, and much of Swaziland and large swathes of Zimbabwe's cropland had all been affected by prolonged dry spells that had withered and killed crops or reduced their development.
"Since 2004, harvests in southern Africa have generally improved due to better weather patterns and the broader availability of seeds and fertilisers. As a result, the number of people requiring food aid has steadily declined. However, due to chronic poverty and nine of the ten highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in the world, food security in southern Africa remains precarious, requiring WFP to currently assist 4.3 million people."
Labels: FOOD, FRA
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Katumbi invites task force to DRC
By Webster Malido
Friday March 16, 2007 [02:00]
DEMOCRATIC Republic of Congo (DRC) Katanga Province governor, Moses Katumbi, has now invited Task Force on Corruption chairman Maxwell Nkole to travel to the DRC to interview him over his alleged corruption cases in Zambia. In a telephone interview from Lubumbashi on Wednesday, Katumbi said he was ready to send a plane to Zambia for Nkole to travel to the DRC so that he could have an opportunity to interview him over any matters related to the alleged corruption cases.
"If Mr Nkole wants to come, he is free because I am not hiding anything and I don't know anything he is talking about. He can come here (in the DRC) and the Zambian embassy can protect him," Katumbi said. "I will give him security right from the border to come and interview me in Katanga. He is welcome, I am inviting him to come and interview me because Zambia and Congo are sister countries. We are working together on the relations of these two countries. “I respect the President of Zambia and I respect President Kabila. I have already been sworn-in by President Kabila two weeks ago and I am already working now. I was elected three times by the people.”
He said he was ready to answer any questions that the Task Force on Corruption had for him because he was not above the law. “If there is any allegation, he (Nkole) can come. If he doesn’t have money to travel, I can send him even a plane to come and pick him,” Katumbi proposed. “If he doesn’t trust a plane from Congo, he can charter a plane for which I can reimburse. If he needs to ask me questions, he can come. He can come and I am going to ensure that he is going to be protected. I am inviting him to come and interview me in Katanga. I am ready to answer the questions because I don’t know what he is saying. But I don’t have anything to hide.”
Katumbi further said he would be coming to Zambia soon over bilateral talks between Zambia and the DRC government. Katumbi left Zambia in 2002 and has been pursued by the Task Force on Corruption in connection with a series of cases involving restricted properties such as MCK dump mining trucks on the Copperbelt, Mansa Milling, Tamba Bashila, among others.
The Task Force says Katumbi's cases are still active in the High Court where ownership is being contested. The Task Force has also been conducting criminal investigations pertaining to Katumbi's alleged involvement in the K53 billion maize deal, part of which was allegedly diverted for his (Katumbi's) private use.
Labels: CORRUPTION, KATUMBI
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God will vindicate me, says Nyirongo
By Patson Chilemba
Friday March 16, 2007 [02:00]
FORMER lands minister Reverend Gladys Nyirongo has said God will vindicate her of her alleged involvement in corrupt practices. And Rev Nyirongo said she was not bitter and that with or without being in Cabinet made no difference to her. In an interview, Rev Nyirongo said God was in total control of her life and that she had continued to enjoy life outside Cabinet. "You can see how I'm laughing. The breath doesn't change whether you are in Cabinet or not. Life is the same so there is no difference. Life continues, God is in control, I'm still the MP (member of parliament), I'm still Gladys...God will vindicate me," she said.
Rev Nyirongo said there was nothing she could do that would make people believe her but that God was on the throne. "The problem is that you have judged me already you The Post. There is nothing I can say that will make people change their minds," said Rev Nyirongo. Rev Nyirongo said she was not bitter at her dismissal from Cabinet. President Levy Mwanawasa recently dismissed Rev Gladys Nyirongo as lands minister for her alleged involvement in corrupt practices.
According to records obtained at the Ministry of Lands, Rev Nyirongo obtained a plot, property number Lus/35386 on April 13, 2006 measuring 0.165 hectares in her maiden name, Gladys Zitha. And on the same date, her husband Jim Nyirongo also obtained property number Lus/35387, next to Rev Nyirongo also measuring 0.165 hectares. Records also show that her son Davy Nyirongo was offered property number Lus/36120.
Labels: CORRUPTION, GLADYS NYIRONGO, LAND
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Maureen dismisses presidential intentions
By Nomusa Michelo
Friday March 16, 2007 [02:00]
FIRST lady Maureen Mwanawasa has described reports of her intentions to stand for the MMD presidency as a big joke. In an interview, Maureen who did not explicitly state whether or not she was interested in contesting the Republican presidency said: “It is a big joke of the year. And you have said it already in your paper.” On Wednesday a senior MMD official said it was regrettable that Maureen was maliciously being linked to those aspiring for the MMD presidency when she had no such intentions.
But when prodded whether she had no interest to contest, Maureen said she would talk at an appropriate time. “We’ll talk at an appropriate time,” she said And launching the HIV Talkline ‘Call 990’ Awareness Campaign yesterday, Maureen said the HIV and AIDS pandemic has continued to threaten the existence of mankind causing panic and anxiety among nations. “A lot of efforts and initiatives to find a possible cure have been undertaken by several organisations, governments and individuals,” she said.
Maureen said HIV had continued its lethal toll among the most skilled and productive age groups and had slowed down the pace of the country’s development process. “There is need for concerted effort from all stakeholders to ensure that everything possible is done to curb the spread of the disease. The rate at which people are dying requires us to be proactive,” she said. Maureen said Talkline was a major step forward in the country’s fight against the HIV and AIDS pandemic. “I therefore wish to encourage everyone of us, whether positive or negative to consider calling Talkline on 990 and ask questions that are often so difficult to ask friends and family,” she said.
Maureen also called on Celtel and MTN to consider supporting the initiative by providing free access to the talk line for their customers. And US ambassador to Zambia Carmen Martinez said the national figure of 13 per cent of people who know their HIV status is still low and there was need for more people to know their HIV status. “One of the major thrusts of Talkline is to encourage people to access VCT,” Ambassador Martinez said.
She also urged health-related organisations, workplaces and ministries to integrate the HIV Talkline into their programmes. And Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Management Programme (CHAMP) programme director said there had been an increase in the number of calls from rural areas, which she said could increase if MTN and Celtel came on board.
Labels: MAUREEN
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Levy's finances
By Makashini
Friday March 16, 2007 [02:00]
Sorry, I do not find the explanation given over the money which President Mwanawasa’s principal private secretary Alfred Chipoya withdrew from Finance Bank very convincing. If this money was sourced by President Mwanawasa for party campaigns, why was it not deposited into the MMD’s bank account in the first place? The MMD as a political party has a treasurer in charge of the party's resources.
Although the President is free to solicit funds from well-wishers, I think for the sake of transparency and avoiding such transactions attracting suspicion, the President must not have allowed this money to be deposited into his personal account. Could it be that the control of party finances has now moved to State House?
http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=23910
Mistreatment of workers
By Concerned citizen
Friday March 16, 2007 [02:00]
I want to start by thanking The Post for the wonderful job they do for us vulnerable and downcast in society by digging deeper for us. I had the privilege of reading some articles in your paper of how these investors are really misusing and ill-treating our brothers and sisters at work places. I can’t stomach anymore what I saw at one of the government offices where the driver was physically attacked by a permanent secretary.
I would also like to tell the nation how drivers, cleaners and even officers in some government offices are being assaulted by permanent secretaries. We could not believe it because we expect people in such offices to be of high standing in society and are usually above being rough especially with their juniors, worse with a driver.
We were so shocked to witness this PS kicking the driver in full view of the public. This poor guy could not even file a police report for fear of being victimised as usual by government wings. But what do the general conditions say about such conduct and to a high government official ill-treating fellow Zambians not at farms but public offices?
What is the Civil Servants Union of Zambia doing to the abuse going in these offices from senior officers?
We have read about foreigners being deported for abusing Zambians, but what is being done to address abuse in government offices by senior government officers? This poor man just had to resign his job because he couldn’t take it anymore. But who has made this man risk his family being faced with poverty?
If he had responded to these attacks, who knows whether he would not have been charged with assaulting a senior government official at a workplace? But who could have known that this was what was happening?
http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=23904
Corruption investigations
By Concerned citizen
Friday March 16, 2007 [02:00]
I want to air my views on the ongoing land issues bordering on corruption. It is hard to understand what corruption is.
To start with I would like to refer you to the editorial comment several days ago which stated that it was not enough to fire or suspend officials at lands to curb corruption,
The law on allocation of land should be revisited because I am made to believe that there is no procedure that any commissioner has been following which is law from time immemorial, so I am wondering what these investigations are being bordered on.
The President is a lawyer who best understands these issues, he shouldn’t just wake up and make decisions to seal the ministry and fight corruption. What is it that those officials at the ministry have done today that has not been done by others before and will continue being done?
Mwanawasa himself should be investigated as well, the evidence is there at lands which I am sure those aggrieved officials are willing to give especially that it is seen as a crime for Nyirongo and Sichone’s families.
The President should put his house in order before he can sacrifice some unfortunate officals. Let justice not discriminate. We all know that there is so much political influence at that ministry so let a new law be put in place because others have been corrupt and will continue being corrupt with the current situation.
http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=23917
Why blame Levy?
By Milupi, Mongu
Friday March 16, 2007 [02:00]
I refer to Moskam's letter (Thursday March 15, 2007), in which he blames the ruling Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) for the display of party symbols at state functions by some political parties - in apparent reference to PF's non-patriotic and kaponya type of behaviour at the Freedom Statue during the Youth Day celebrations.
Moskam argues that the ruling party has failed to lead by examples because each time President Mwanawasa arrives at the airport from a state visit, he flashes the MMD party symbol. For Moskam, this has prompted the opposition political parties to emulate the party in power!
Reading through Moskam's baseless argument, one wonders how a reasonable opposition party leader can persuade his/her followers to uphold what they do not believe in - simply because the party in power does the same foolish things.
This can be regarded as lacking manners then; how could political parties behave like floating elements; like minions? This is why Zambia remains the same because we have vowed to encourage our political leaders to blindly follow old systems of leadership.
No wonder some non-well-meaning Zambians were against President Mwanawasa's policy of ensuring that before the head of state retires s/he must have his/her retirement house ready, labelling Levy as selfish. All we want is for Levy to follow the wrong Kaunda and Chiluba approach of standing in queues. Without shame, someone is even asking why Levy has allocated K1billion for his retirement house before KK and FTJ houses are complete! For Kaunda that was between him and FTJ; and for FTJ's the question is, did he even do that for KK? So why blame Levy for everything?
Back to the issue under discourse. Zambians, let's be realistic and objective in what we say, and in the way we criticise. The fact is that the behaviour of Patriotic Front (PF) cadres during the Youth Day celebrations is not patriotic at all; the behaviour does not deserve any backing, but condemnation in the strongest terms possible. Blaming that behaviour on Levy and MMD is just being economical with truth - whether you are a PF cadre or not. Why didn't the other opposition political party cadres behave so carelessly? They also have party symbols , don't they? As for flashing party symbols, it is debatable and I see nothing wrong with it.
That is every political party's identity. Let Moskam suggest to the Zambians the Zambian national symbol that he wants our Republican presidents to be identified with. There's nothing wrong in Levy flashing the MMD symbol every time he enters or disembarks from his motor vehicle or jet. Are Levy and Chiluba the first people to do such a thing? Come on Moskam!
Labels: CORRUPTION, LETTERS, MWANAWASA
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Funding for political parties
By Editor
Thursday March 15, 2007 [02:00]
We are not surprised at UPND president Hakainde Hichilema’s revelation that politics have taken a toll on his family’s finances. This was foreseen going by the way Hichilema ascended to the UPND presidency. We remember very well that Hichilema was favoured to lead UPND after the demise of Anderson Mazoka on account of his tribe and his wealth - perceived or real. We recall some UPND enthusiasts demanding that Mazoka should not just be succeeded by a Tonga but a Tonga with money, a wealthy Tonga.
We also recall that when Mazoka was alive, it was almost taboo for anyone to suggest change of leadership. Even when his health was failing him, many UPND members and supporters did not entertain any idea to replace him. They argued that Mazoka had sacrificed a lot of his personal money in establishing the party and it was only fitting that he be the one to lead UPND. The few that tried to challenge Mazoka, like Robert Sichinga and others, were cowed into submission by those who believed that Mazoka should lead UPND to his death.
But this emphasis on money in the organisation and running of political parties, especially in Zambia, is undermining democracy. Individuals rise to top political positions mainly on the basis of how rich they are as they are expected to play a crucial role in financing the party; directly or indirectly.
That is why it is not uncommon to hear people who have nothing in their heads offer themselves even for the presidency of the country the moment they accumulate wealth from their often dubiously run businesses.
And because of the high levels of poverty in the country, politics is now taken as a business or some kind of employment, a source of livelihood. Therefore, those with money are easily favoured to take the lead because they are expected to part away with huge amounts of money in financing the party while those depending on politics for livelihood also help themselves. And the same people with money believe that they can ascend to power by using money to buy their way up. The top position is permanently reserved for them until they declare to the contrary.
But this is not how politics should be run. Individuals should rise to higher political positions on merit and not because they are multi-millionaires who can bankroll political organisations.
A political party cannot be sustained by an individual’s acts of benevolence from his or her accumulations. Personal money cannot be used to fund the organisation and run a party unless we are talking about a briefcase political party.
What we need are systems that will enable our political parties, whether ruling or opposition, to fundraise in a transparent and accountable manner. But this also is not an easy thing to do because it has its own challenges. Like many people have observed before, the funding of political process in Africa - not just in Zambia - is a burning issue today. This is because the consolidation of democracy requires the enhancement of capacities of the political actors and parties for action which can only be achieved by an equitable allocation of public resources among the actors.
In Africa, the electoral playing field is more often tilted in favour of the ruling party due to the fact that it controls the human and material resources of the state. Even when it comes to fundraising, private companies and individuals including other donors are, for obvious reasons, much more comfortable contributing to the ruling party and not the opposition.
The argument that government should fund political parties, especially those represented in Parliament, is good but we think that it cannot address all the problems associated with the lack of funds.
The concept of political funding refers generally to the manner in which political parties and individual candidates who seek to get elected to political office gather funds for electoral campaigns and in the case of political parties, this refers to the manner in which they seek to maintain themselves.
There could be a number of sources of political finance in general which include contributions from individuals, contributions from collective actors such as unions or corporations, subsidies from the state and resources mobilised by the political parties themselves such as membership fees, taxes on representatives, income from property or subsidiaries controlled by the party.
However, this is a very complex phenomenon to grasp. That is why some countries in Africa have introduced some kind of regulations such as disclosure regulations, the prohibition of certain kinds of contributions and spending ceilings all in an effort to address this problematic phenomenon.
In most African countries, funding rules are non-existent. But money plays a predominant role in African politics hence the urgency for formulating legislations likely to regulate political finance in African democracies.
In most countries, there is an acknowledged need to have some kind of regulation of political finance. It is feared that total absence of this regulation might lead to parties and candidates to be controlled by important donors. That is why every election time, there are all sorts of accusations or allegations against various parties. We hear statements like this party is being financed by the Chinese while other parties are said to be supported by the Taiwanese.
But this problem of funding must be discussed and addressed because the holding of democratic elections requires financial resources which are not in abundance in Africa because of the low levels of economic development. Part of the opposition’s problem is the allegation that the ruling party makes use of governmental resources for party activities. In most African countries, this is an open secret.
And most opposition parties are cut off from access to public funds and therefore disadvantaged in the electoral process.
Labels: EDITORIAL, PARTIES, POLITICS
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Political parties shouldn't be funded - Mususu
By George Chellah
Thursday March 15, 2007 [02:01]
ZAMBIA'S democracy is being undermined by basing leadership on an individual's wealth as opposed to their qualities, Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia executive director Bishop Paul Mususu has said. And Bishop Mususu said political parties, whether in government or opposition, should not be funded. Commenting on the tendency by political leaders to use their personal finances to fund their parties, Bishop Mususu said the trend was not good for both national and intra-party democracy.
"It goes without saying that if someone buys their way into the political arena, they don't have an obligation to anyone or anything except themselves. If they bought their way, they will be selfish even when in government," Bishop Mususu said. "So those with money will certainly ascend to leadership. They can have the money quite all right but they are not leaders. So the management of national resources will be at risk because we have wrong people in the job."
He said Zambia has seen the evidence of such trends in practical terms. "We do have people who can lead this country to greater heights of development but because they don't have money they haven't ascended to those positions," Bishop Mususu said. "We are undermining our democracy by basing our leadership on wealth of a person as opposed to the qualities of leadership."
Bishop Mususu said there was need to have laws to address these issues. "I think there should be legislation in place on how much resources someone can have access to during elections so that people don't buy their way into leadership but should be elected genuinely," Bishop Mususu said. "Even at intra-party level, right from the screening process, they should not use too much resources because the product of the party is what is exposed at national level. If somebody buys their way at intra-party level there are chances that they will also buy their way at national level."
He said due to such use of resources, it has become difficult for any better person to challenge the national leadership. "Even when you look at the political arrangement in this country, when anyone gets into office, it's difficult for them to lose an election because of the comparative advantage they have over others," Bishop Mususu said. "They use state resources such as motor vehicles, communication, the media and others to woo support."
Bishop Mususu maintained that political parties whether in government or opposition should not be funded. "Funding political parties will not be ideal. Even those with government machinery at their disposal we should not fund them. We shouldn't also allow those in power to use government resources," Bishop Mususu said. "That's why political parties want to be funded because they are comparing with a wrong thing, the use of state resources by those in power. So both of them should be denied that."
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CRB still collecting information - Thole
By Fridah Zinyama and Carol Jilombo
Thursday March 15, 2007 [02:01]
BANKERS Association of Zambia president Sherry Thole has said the Credit Reference Bureau (CRB) is still collecting information from various banks and financial institutions before it can fully start operations. The CRB was formally launched early this year but has not become operational due to the process of data collection that is still ongoing. Thole in an interview said the launch of the bureau would help to change the culture of banking in the country.
“The CRB will help reduce the risk of lending to the public, as history indicates that Zambians have a bad credit culture,” Thole said. She said most banks would be willing to offer more services which are credit related as they would have first hand information about the history of the customers they will be dealing with. “So we are waiting for the bureau to finish the data compilation,” Thole said. She explained that the bad credit culture had affected banking in the country as most banks are hesitant to have dealings with small and medium enterprises.
In January, CRB Africa Ltd chief executive officer Stephen Mills had said the launch of the bureau would change the borrowing culture of Zambia. He said CRB had received extensive support from the Ministry of Finance and Bank of Zambia (BoZ). Mills said the CRB would be operating under license from BoZ. He said the institution would serve commercial banks, insurance companies, micro-finance institutions and non-governmental organisations and other service providers. “We will be able to help financial providers reduce the risk of credit thereby increasing access to credit to the Zambian entrepreneurs,” Mills pointed out.
He explained that credit worthiness is designed to protect the rights of the consumers plus individuals whilst protecting the insurers of credit against people who for one reason or another do not want to live up to their credit responsibility. “Equally people and companies who are credit responsible can use the bureau for easier access to credit due to their good credit history,” he said. Mills emphasised the importance of bureau as a service provider and not a witch finding venture.
Labels: BANKING, CRB
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Shikapwasha explains his position on contesting MMD presidency
By Amos Malupenga
Thursday March 15, 2007 [02:00]
I will contest the MMD presidency only when the right time comes and if it is God's will, home affairs minister Lt Gen Ronnie Shikapwasha said yesterday. And a senior MMD official yesterday said it was regrettable that First Lady Maureen Mwanawasa was maliciously being linked to those aspiring for the MMD presidency when she has no such intentions.
Clarifying reports that he had dismissed intentions for State House, Lt Gen Shikapwasha said The Post journalist who interviewed him did not bring out the gist of his statement. "Firstly, I must state that as a man of God, I remain a vessel to be used by God in the future of this great country and as intended in God's own plans," Lt Gen Shikapwasha said. "When it is God's will to use me, I am available for his purpose."
Lt Gen Shikapwasha said he was asked by the journalist to comment on the information that he was one of those campaigning for the MMD presidency. "I told him that I was not campaigning and he further asked me whether I had intentions to start campaigning for the MMD presidency but I told him that I have no intentions of starting to campaign." he said. "I believe that this is the time to support President Mwanawasa wholeheartedly for him to accomplish his mandate successfully. Zambia has many challenges that require all of us together, as President Mwanawasa is providing quality leadership, to take the country to greater heights."
Lt Gen Shikapwasha said it was for this reason that he felt that campaigning for the MMD presidency was far too early and that doing so now would remove "our concentration from building a strong Zambia and a strong MMD". Lt Gen Shikapwasha said Zambians must continue to pray to God for him to give them a leader who would provide leadership to build on what President Mwanawasa has done and continued to do not only economically but to also improve Zambia in God's will as a Christian nation. "All our energies should be to support President Mwanawasa on his final term of office and hence I am not campaigning, I am not moving any machinery for campaigns," Lt Gen Shikapwasha said. "When God brings that time, all will come to know."
But in an interview last week on Tuesday, Lt Gen Shikapwasha said he had no intentions of contesting the MMD presidency. He refuted statements linking him to be among those desirous of taking over from President Mwanawasa as MMD president. When asked about it, Lt Gen Shikapwasha remarked: "What? No, no, I don't have those intentions. Ask the others who are being mentioned." And an MMD senior official said reports that first lady Maureen had intentions to contest the MMD presidency were part of the orchestrated campaign to disgrace her.
"We know that some people are afraid of their own shadows and want to fight and bring down the innocent First Lady for their own selfish reasons," the source said. "The truth is the first lady has no such intentions and people should not waste time fighting her because she is not a contender in the race for either the MMD or the Republican presidency."
Labels: MMD, SHIKAPWASHA
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Male politicians are petty, says Masebo
By Mwala Kalaluka and Nomusa Michelo
Thursday March 15, 2007 [02:00]
LOCAL government and housing minister Sylvia Masebo on Tuesday accused male politicians of being very petty. Winding up debate on the estimates of revenue and expenditure for her ministry, Masebo said she wished the current Parliament had more women than men. She was reacting to concerns raised by some opposition parliamentarians who were accusing the government of having tolerated lawlessness in the local government system.
"This is because when women speak, they speak from their hearts," Masebo said. "The problem is that there is too much pettiness among our men leaders in this country." Some male parliamentarians, mostly from the left, led by Roan PF member of parliament Chishimba Kambwili started heckling Masebo as soon as she made the statement. Kambwili was heard accusing Masebo of insulting the men.
However, Masebo cautioned fellow parliamentarians not to just waffle on things they did not understand but that they should first of all get to the root of the matter and issue statements that could be justified. "There is a tendency in this country for people to waffle on things they do not understand and mislead people," she said. Masebo said some of the leaders that were saying she was a thug should look at their faces before describing her as such. "When you compare their faces and mine, who looks like a thug," said Masebo, as she directed her eyes to the left side of the House. "If I see that you are cheap member of parliament, I will have no business with you."
She said the problem of unplanned settlements that had gained her condemnation from some politicians was not a new one. "We (politicians) have all played a role in the mistakes of the past," she said. Masebo, who issued a 24-hour ultimatum to all street vendors to vacate the streets, said she did not harbour any presidential ambitions.
Matero PF member of parliament Faustina Sinyangwe commended Masebo for the manner she has handled the issue of unplanned settlements. Earlier, Masebo said Zambia is challenged with the growth of informal settlements resulting from rapid population growth and urbanisation with 70 per cent of the population in urban areas living in informal settlements with inadequate infrastructure amenities. She said K7.7 billion has been allocated in the budget for the upgrading of some informal settlements.
Masebo said although the allocation was insufficient, the ministry intended to start the process of supplying basic social services especially for water sanitation and roads. Masebo also told Parliament that K1.2 billion has been allocated to facilitate the initial issuance of housing bonds. She said the special purpose vehicle board of trustees and its secretariat were already in place.
Masebo also said the government will this year implement the national housing programme in which local authorities have been asked to set aside land for construction of 100 housing units in each district. She also said her ministry had also requested the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to encourage Zambians living abroad and its diplomats to invest their savings in housing construction. Masebo said there was a housing deficit of 1.2 million housing units especially for low and medium cost housing. Meanwhile, Masebo caused a stir in Parliament when she entered the house dressed in a bright red Lozi traditional dress called Musisi.
Labels: SYLVIA MASEBO
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Ministers confront Scott over PF cadres' conduct
By Mwala Kalaluka
Thursday March 15, 2007 [02:00]
LUSAKA Central member of parliament Dr Guy Scott was on Tuesday confronted by some MMD parliamentarians following the unruly conduct exhibited by PF cadres during last Monday's Youth Day celebrations. Dr Scott, who is also PF secretary general, was confronted by tourism minister Kabinga Pande, sports minister Gabriel Namulambe and home affairs deputy minister Grace Njapau outside the chamber at Parliament during the 16:15 hours break. However, Dr Scott asked the ministers, who were later joined by State House deputy minister Richard Taima, if they wanted the PF youths to raise the ruling party symbol during the march past. "Did you want them to do this?" Dr Scott asked as he waved the MMD party symbol.
But Namulambe said the PF youths would have been allowed to march past President Levy Mwanawasa's dais had they followed the manner in which everybody was marching. "The FDD were allowed, UNIP was also allowed and even the UPND," Namulambe said. He complained that the behaviour by the PF youths did not reflect very well on the opposition party's leadership. As he went down the stairs to the dining room, Dr Scott promised to look into the matter. The mumbled response from Dr Scott prompted Namulambe to threaten that the PF would not be invited to attend future Youth Day celebrations if they did not change their behaviour.
But Pande said Dr Scott would be invited to attend the celebrations. "We will invite you," said Pande, as he pointed at Dr Scott. On Monday, there was confusion when a crowd of PF youths attempted to march past President Levy Mwanawasa at the Freedom Statue. And Mazabuka UPND/UDA member of parliament Garry Nkombo said it made him sick whenever he saw MMD and PF parliamentarians taking at each other on the floor of the House.
Contributing to the debate on the estimates of expenditure for the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services (MIBS), Nkombo said such antagonistic tendencies among politicians did not make sense. Nkombo said the ping-pong that had characterised the country's political landscape was nauseating. He said it was not right for politicians to portray a divisive picture to the public. Nkombo attributed the tensions among politicians to the biased media coverage, which he said only tends to favour those in the ruling party and the Executive. "It is sickening that only government should get full coverage," said Nkombo.
Labels: CADRES, PF
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Finance Bank says sorry to Levy
By Amos Malupenga
Thursday March 15, 2007 [02:00]
Finance Bank has unreservedly apologised to President Levy Mwanawasa for the leakage of his personal account. Finance Bank managing director Dick King yesterday said opposition Patriotic Front president Michael Sata's allegations of corruption and money laundering against President Mwanawasa's principal private secretary Alfred Chipoya were false, regrettable and unfortunate. President Mwanawasa, through his special assistant for legal affairs Darlington Mwape, on Monday demanded for an explanation from Finance Bank on how confidential information regarding his private account was availed to a third party.
Sata had written to President Mwanawasa asking him to investigate Chipoya whom he suspected to be involved in money laundering as he withdrew about K4 billion from Finance Bank within a period of 30 days. But Darlington Mwape stated that the money was from President Mwanawasa's personal account which was legally raised from various sources for the purpose of campaigns and that the withdrawals were at his instance.
And King said Sata's allegations could not stand because the transactions were all in compliance with the banking and financial services Act and within the ambit of the laws of Zambia. "Finance Bank Zambia Limited employs over 600 Zambians and all its transactions are transparent. Every member of staff is legally bound to an Oath of Secrecy, as is common practice in the financial sector. Any violation of this code of conduct is a serious breach of contract," King said. "Investigations have commenced on employee ethics and code of conduct and any culprits will be brought to book if it transpires that bank transactions have wilfully and unlawfully been made public."
King said it was most unfortunate that in a country with political maturity, some leaders succumbed to misleading information from informers with their own selfish interests to serve, which information they used for politicking. "In the meantime, we express our unreserved apology to His Excellency the President for any embarrassment and inconvenience the article may have caused him," said King.
Labels: BANKING, CORRUPTION, MWANAWASA, PF
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Help Zimbabwe - Levy
By KASUBA MULENGA
PRESIDENT Mwanawasa has urged the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to help Zimbabwe resolve her domestic problems so that the effects do not spill over to neighbouring countries. Mr Mwanawasa expressed hope that the SADC summit to be held in Zambia some time this year would deliberate on the problems facing Zimbabwe.
However, the President was mindful that Zimbabweans themselves were in a better position to resolve their problems. “We can only offer advice which can be accepted or rejected. We are looking forward to a time when we will once again see a prosperous Zimbabwe,” he said. Mr Mwanawasa said this at State House yesterday when he received credentials from new Zimbabwean ambassador to Zambia, Lovemore Mazemo. The President said like other SADC countries, Zambia had shared the anguish of the difficulties Zimbabwe had experienced over the past few years. Mr Mwanawasa said he was greatly concerned about the prevailing political situation in Zimbabwe where police allegedly mistreated leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), Morgan Tsvangirai, while he was in detention.
However, he said he would not comment further on the beating of Mr Tsvangirai, until he received a detailed report from the Zambian mission in Zimbabwe. “Just this morning (yesterday), I heard something on television that the MDC leader was beaten while in incarceration. I am unable to comment much on the situation because I am yet to receive a report from our ambassador there,” Mr Mwanawasa said.
However, the President said Zambia had supported Zimbabwe’s policies, which had corrected the inequity of the colonial legacy. “The land policy which has served as a pretext for Western Europe and the United States of America to impose sanctions on your country is good for our Zimbabwean brothers and sisters. After all, they sacrificed their lives during the liberation war for their freedom and land,” he said.
President Mwanawasa said the ownership of land was the inalienable right of the indigenous people of any country including Zimbabwe. He said land should be accessible to ordinary people because it was essential in the creation of wealth and in the fight against disease and poverty. The President said Zambia and Zimbabwe enjoyed brotherly relations based on trust and confidence and this meant that the two countries could engage in frank dialogue when an uncomfortable situation arose.
Mr Mwanawasa urged Mr Mazemo to explore ways of ensuring that the two countries mitigated the consequences of the burden of the sanctions on Zimbabwe's shoulders. And Mr Mazemo said during his stay in Zambia, he would dedicate his duties towards strengthening the relations with his country.
And President Mwanawasa also urged new Brazilian ambassador to Zambia, Josal Luiz Pellegrino, to apply his personal efforts to ensure that his government invested in the production of anti-retroviral drugs in Zambia. Mr Mwanawas also appealed to Mr Pellegrino to convince his country to invest in Zambia's agricultural sector by providing equipment to farmers. “Brazil is strong in manufacturing agricultural equipment which can be of great benefit to Zambian small-scale farmers.
Since 45 per cent of water in southern Africa is in Zambia, Brazil can exploit the resource for the benefit of the local people,” he said. Mr Mwanawasa also looked forward to meeting Brazilian president, Luiz Inacio Lula Da Siva, during the course of this year to hold bilateral talks since the two countries had re-opened embassies.
And Mr Pellegrino said the two countries had a common history of good relations with neighbours
He said Zambia had, since independence, been generous in using her internal political stability, amid limited resources, to promote regional peace, security and sustainable economic development.
Labels: MWANAWASA, ZIMBABWE
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Economic growth rate too low - HH
By GEORGE MUMBA
UNITED Party for National Development (UPND) President, Hakainde Hichilema, has said Zambia's economic growth rate must be in the range of 8 to 10 per cent if the country is to develop. And Mr Hichilema has charged that bureaucracy in Government discouraged many investors since it took long to finalise negotiations. Speaking on MUVI TV's Eye Ball To Eye Ball programme last evening, Mr Hichilema said the targeted economic growth rate in this year's national budget of 6 to 7 per cent was too low to bring meaningful development.
"If we are to record any meaningful economic development we need a growth rate of 8 to 10 per cent, the target in the national budget is very low," said Mr Hichilema. Meanwhile, Mr Hichilema has described the unemployment and poverty levels in the country as grave. Mr Hichilema, who buttressed his observation by citing the brain-drain that had rocked the teaching and medical professions, said there was need for Government to rejuvenate the tourism and the agricultural sectors to generate national income to improve the economy. "Our professionals are leaving the country because of poor salaries.
Unemployment remains high and poverty levels stand at 80 per cent. We need to make serious decisions on these issues," Mr Hichilema said. On the expected energy shortage by 2008, Mr Hichilema said Government must look into the matter as it might harm the economy. He said the Lower Kafue Gorge, Itezhi-Tezhi Dam and Kalungwishi power projects must be worked on to avert the energy shortage.
On corruption, Mr Hichilema said the vice was a cost as it lowered the country's image internationally. He pointed out the disappearance of K36 billion stolen by some civil servants and the recent developments at the Ministry of Lands that culminated in the dismissal of the Minister and the permanents secretary were signs that corruption remains a challenge.
Labels: ECONOMY, HAKAINDE HICHILEMA
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Levy wants BP to invest in infrastructure
By KASUBA MULENGA
PRESIDENT Mwanawasa has appealed to the BP Group to consider investing in Zambia's petroleum industry whose infrastructure is in a bad state. Mr Mwanawasa made the appeal yesterday when a BP Group delegation paid a courtesy call on him at State House. The President said BP was an important partner in the country's petroleum sector as evidenced by its assistance to Government when Indeni Petroleum Refinery was shut in October last year. "In October last year, we shut down Indeni when it was necessary. BP agreed to assist with fuel stocks for four months.
It was a peak period, there was farming and other activities," Mr Mwanawasa said. The President said BP was a real development partner and Government greatly appreciated the role it played in the country's energy sector. He said 12 per cent of the energy requirements in Zambia were from fuel and it was, therefore, important that there was continued dialogue between Government and BP.
Mr Mwanawasa said the petroleum infrastructure in the country was in bad state and required to be rehabilitated. "This will require the efforts of the private sector. We want to hear from BP about the role they can play in this matter because without fuel, the economy can collapse," Mr Mwanawasa said. The President also appreciated the contribution BP made towards the country's social sector like sponsoring sports activities, education and health.
And BP Group vice-president for fuels marketing refining and marketing group, Tony Fountain, said since they were in business, they would look at the opportunities of expanding their investment in the petroleum infrastructure in Zambia. Mr Fountain was happy with the economic successes Zambia had recorded over the past years during which it had seen low inflation and significant debt cancellations.
And on behalf of the group, Mr Fountain donated K300 million to the University of Zambia (UNZA) to help with the hostel construction and rehabilitation, which President Mwanawasa recently launched. And Mr Mwanawasa said he appreciate to a point where he could collapse. He said the number of students at UNZA had increased over the years, resulting in a critical shortage of accommodation.
Labels: ECONOMY, MWANAWASA
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Regina’s property bears State receipts — Witness
By NORMA KAPATA
SOME of the goods seized from former Republican President Frederick Chiluba’s wife Regina’s house in Ndola by the Task Force on Corruption were procured by State House, a Ndola magistrate’s court heard yesterday. This was in the case in which Mrs Chiluba is facing nine counts of being in possession of stolen or unlawfully obtained property. The property in question includes four vehicles, real estate, a 61-inch Toshiba colour Television set and K474 million cash.
State witness Moola Nayota, 36, told the court that while attached to the Task Force, he was assigned to identify and ascertain how Mrs Chiluba acquired certain properties by tracing the source of funds. Mr Nayota who is a former Zambia Police Service officer and now a security manager at the Bank of Zambia regional office in Ndola, said he applied for search warrants to search Mrs Chiluba’s residence in 2002 as well as to gain access to information pertaining to her accounts with various banks.
His search at Mrs Chiluba’s residence at the time, house number 54 Lewanika road, yielded among other things, 21 receipts and documents from Zambia Revenue Authority, a freight agent and ZEGA.
Other documents were tax invoices and release orders from the tax and excise division at Lusaka International Airport. Some of documents used to import undisclosed goods, had the addressee listed as State House, of the Government of the Republic of Zambia. Nayota said he also found an airway bill also addressed to State House for transportation of a Toshiba 61-inch colour television set, serial number 69140018, from receipts found from the bedroom and the sitting room.
A move to have the documents admitted as evidence by State advocate Christopher Mundia and State prosecutor Fred Malambo was however, met with strong objection from Mrs Chiluba’s lawyer Robert Simeza who said the witness was not the proper person to produce the evidence. “Tendering of the documents as evidence by Mr Nayota cannot be allowed as he is not the author of the documents neither is he the addressee nor were the said documents in his custody. “Mr Nayota is no longer working for the Task Force, unless you are telling me he had the documents with him at the Bank of Zambia before coming here,” Mr Simeza said.
Mr Mundia responded that the documents were found on the accused and the witness was a team leader who conducted the search and no rule prohibited a witness from testifying that he came across the documents. “The State will call witnesses that authored the documents and it is our submission that the objection is premature,” Mr Mundia said. Principal resident magistrate Chilombo Phiri sustained the objection saying the State should have laid the foundation in whose custody the documents were. Mr Nayota later told the court that upon leaving employment with the Zambia Police Service, he surrendered all documents pertaining to the case to Assistant Commissioner of Police Musole Biemba with Vincent Machila, from the Anti- Corruption Commission (ACC) witnessing the procedure. He told the court in a four-hour long examination how he visited several banks to check on Mrs Chiluba’s accounts as well as those of her ex-husband, Edward Mwanza.
The search also allegedly implicated Mrs Chiluba’s relatives Catherine Chifunda and Charles Chifunda from whose residences vehicles were recovered. One of the vehicles, a Toyota Rav 4 registration number AAR 4461 was retrieved from Catherine’s residence, number 7790 in what is called the Kansenshi In-fill, in Ndola. Another car, a Mitsubishi Canter registration number ACE 9742 seized from Collet House in Ndola from Charles. A BMW car registration ACD 1871 red in colour was also seized from a garage as well as an Isuzu registration number AAT 2603. All three vehicles were listed in the white books that were produced in court as belonging to Mrs Chiluba except for the BMW, which was listed as being co-owned with her ex-husband.
Mr Malambo asked Mr Nayota whether he would be able to take the court to the sites where the items in question where to which he replied in the affirmative. Three of the vehicles are currently parked at the Ndola Central Police Station Trial continues today. Meanwhile, there was tight security at the court buildings, which were sealed off with razor wire while police clad in riot gear manned the premises. Mrs Chiluba upon leaving the court building was met with enthusiastic waves from Patriotic Front (PF) cadres who were kept at bay by the wire.
They cadres shouted, “We love you!” to Mrs Chiluba to which she replied, “I love you too, thank you for coming,” before being whisked away in a tinted black Government vehicle.
http://www.daily-mail.co.zm/press/news/viewnews.cgi?category=8&id=1152779518
Witness narrates how Regina acquired $80,000 property
By CHARITY MUSA, BARBARA MUKUKA
A STATE witness has testified how US$80,000 was transferred from a Barclays Bank of Zambia account in Lusaka to another bank in Ndola to buy Addo House in Ndola in favour of former President, Dr Frederick Chiluba’s wife, Regina. This was at the commencement of trail in the Ndola Magistrates’ Court in a case in which Mrs Chiluba is accused of receiving and being in possession of stolen State property. Mrs Chiluba was married to a Mr Edward Mwanza at the time of the alleged offence.
The first prosecution witness, Moola Nayoto, a former senior superintendent in the Zambia Police Service, told Magistrate Chilombo Phiri, that between April 2002 and February 2004, he was attached to the Task Force on Corruption. Mr Nayoto, who is now employed by the Bank of Zambia’s security wing, testified that during his attachment to the Task Force on Corruption, he was assigned to trace the bank accounts of Mrs Chiluba.
He said a search warrant was issued by the magistrates’ court, which he used to carry out investigations at Barclays Bank. The witness said a Chisha Chibesakunda, an employee of the bank, told him that the accused transferred a total of US$80,000 in three payments to buy Addo House in Ndola in 1999. He was led in evidence by Task Force on Corruption prosecution lawyer, Christopher Mundia.
Mr Nayoto also said he obtained another search warrant which he used at Standard Chartered Bank in Ndola, where he looked at bank deposits which were made in the name of Regina Chifunda Mwanza. “The following cash deposits were made in respect of the accused account; K40 million (February 2, 2004), K50 million (February 4, 2001), K80 million (April 10, 2001), K20 million (February 12, 2001). Other deposits were K35 million (October 8, 2001), K30 million (October 22, 2001) and the K150 million (November 11, 2001),” Mr Nayoto said. He tendered to the court the bank documents regarding the payments.
Mr Nayoto also testified that on September 10, 2002, he applied for another search warrant to carry out investigations at House No 54 Lewanika in Kansenshi, Ndola, that was Mrs Chiluba’s residency. However, Mr Nayoto said he only found Mrs Chiluba’s relatives. He said during the search in the presence of Mrs Chiluba’s lawyers, he found 21 documents. “The documents included clearing documents, Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) customs and assessment papers and import papers, including one for a Toshiba television set that belonged to State House,” he said.
But defence lawyer, Robert Simeza, objected to the introduction of the documents for identification, saying that the witness did not author them, nor were they addressed to him and that they were not in his custody as he left to join the Bank of Zambia. However, Mr Mundia explained that the prosecution’s strategy was to show to the court that some documents were found and that some other witnesses would testify to show their authenticity. Mr Nayoto also said he did not find the Toshiba television set at Mrs Chiluba’s residence but with Mr Kabobo of Kansenshi Infill. He explained that Mr Kabobo told him that the television set was handed to him for repair by Regina Mwanza.
Mr Nayoto also said another search warrant was issued against Mrs Chiluba’s relative, Charles Kafunda from whom a Mitsubishi Canter registration number ACE and a BMW car, red in colour were seized by the police and handed over to him at the offices of the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) offices. The other vehicle that was recovered by the police was a manual for a Toyota Land Cruiser. Mr Nayoto said a Mitsubishi Rav 4 registration number AAR 4461 was recovered from Catherine Kafunda and her husband, a Pastor Ngosa, who signed the search warrant. These vehicles’ white books were in the name of Mrs Chiluba.
He said when he left the Zambia Police Service he left the vehicles and white books in the custody of Commissioner of Police, Musole Biemba. Mr Nayoto testified that he went to Parklands in Kitwe where he inspected shops at plots number KIT 643 and KIT 645, a farm in Fatima in Ndola and that the investigation was extended to then Registrar of Land, Frighton Sichone. The case has been adjourned to today for continued trial.
Labels: COURTS, REGINA CHILUBA
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Let’s respect, tolerate each other
By Editor
Wednesday March 14, 2007 [02:00]
IT is a truism, but nevertheless true, that good listeners in most cases turn out to be good students or effective learners. So those who want to learn something and understand how to live in harmony with each other in today’s turbulent world should pay particular attention to Queen Elizabeth’s words of wisdom.
Today, nobody can deny that the world is deeply divided along clearly drawn-out fault lines, essentially because of a lack of respect, tolerance and understanding for and among each other. We agree with Queen Elizabeth on her message that it is more important than even to keep respecting and understanding each other better in today’s difficult and sometimes divided world. If we did an objective self-reproach either as individuals, groups or nations, we would come to a realisation that many of the divisions among ourselves have been our own creation primarily as a result of a lack of respect and understanding among ourselves.
But we should realise, as Queen Elizabeth puts it, that each one of us is an individual with ties of emotion and bonds of obligation to culture, religion, community and beyond. Each one of us is special! And the Queen advises that the more we see each other in this way, the more we can understand each other’s points of view. She encourages us to have open minds and hearts so that we can find our diversity as a cause for celebration and source of strength and unity.
If we looked at things this way, the world would not be going through some of the worst situations that it has had to encounter. Some of the conflicts, be they military, political, economic or otherwise, have been due to a lack of respect and understanding of one another. What is even more sad is the fact that some of the misunderstanding is deliberate.
For instance, we know very well that it is generally agreed that the world needs to move towards a more free trading system if other disadvantaged nations have to benefit and perhaps lift their peoples out of poverty. There have been talks after talks about the need to agree and make each other understand that fair trade rules should be applied if poor nations are to get a fair share from the world market.
However, what we see from the developed world is wanton protectionism on one hand as they on the other keep humming the hypocritical song of fair trade. Sometimes it is not that there is a lack of understanding of the issues. In most cases, the misunderstanding is deliberate.
The failure of trade talks also shows that there is little or no respect for each other even when the issues have been clearly understood by those concerned. If there was respect for each other and among the nations involved in these trade negotiations, a solution should have been long found and an agreement should have been in place by this time.
When we talk about the need for peace and security in the world, we have some powerful nations which want to police the rest of the world without regard for agreed upon mechanisms.
We have countries, such as the United States of America, which are swift to implement far-reaching unilateral actions in the name of peace and security without following systems that have been put in place in order to avoid unilateral excesses. Even when other nations are opposed to such actions, the United States will not respect the opposing views, but instead label such nations opposed to their excesses as ‘the unwilling’ or ‘Old Europe’. This is the kind of lack of respect for other views that is not bringing about order in the world.
This is the kind of lack of respect that is prolonging some of the conflicts which may be difficult to resolve now and in the near future. We have already seen the crisis in Iraq where the United States did not want to respect the views of the ‘unwilling’ or the views from ‘old Europe’ on the fact that the military route that was being pushed would not help the situation. With the benefit of hindsight, perhaps, the United States should by now have realised that it should have respected the views of others before it went ahead to unleash unilateral force on the Iraqis.
In short, in a world of diversity, it is important to understand and respect each other. In fact, we are also being warned by eminent scholars such as Samuel Huntington that today’s world politics is entering a new phase, in which the great divisions among humankind and the dominating source of international conflict will be cultural.
These divisions along culture fault lines may appear less significant now, but we have seen that they are becoming increasingly important. And this is the more reason why we must begin to learn to respect and understand each other more and more. In a world that is surrounded by countless conflicts, we must begin to respect and tolerate each other.
Labels: EDITORIAL, TOLERANCE
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Queen calls for unity
By Joseph Mwenda
Wednesday March 14, 2007 [02:00]
QUEEN Elizabeth II has said that it is more important than ever to keep respecting and understanding each other better in today's difficult and sometimes divided world. And Speaker of the National Assembly Amusaa Mwanamwambwa has urged youths to accept one another's intellectual, physical, economic and cultural backgrounds. In her message to mark the Commonwealth Day which fell on March 12, Queen Elizabeth, who is head of the Commonwealth, said everyone had hopes, needs and priorities.
"Each one of us is an individual with ties of emotion and bonds of obligation to culture, religion, community and beyond. In short, each of us is special," she said. "The more we see others in this way, the more we can understand them and their points of view. In what we think and say and do, let us as individuals actively seek out the views of others: let us make the best use of what our beliefs and history teach us: let us have open minds and hearts; and let us, like commonwealth find our diversity as cause for celebration and source of strength and unity." Queen Elizabeth said the Commonwealth, which was home to nearly a third of the world's population, was a thriving community, which valued its past and made most of its future.
She said the Commonwealth's almost two billion citizens came from many faiths, races, cultures and traditions. "I think that one of the reasons for the success of this organisation is that it draws not only on certain shared values, but also from the principles and practices of everyday life, which can be observed day after day in the cities, towns and villages of our 53 member countries," she said. "By respecting difference and promoting understanding, the future will be a better one for us all." Queen Elizabeth noted that over a thousand years, the very basis of community life had been the pooling together by individuals of their resources and skills.
She said the lesson of community life was that to flourish, people must help each other. "To do this there must be a sense of fairness, a real understanding of others' needs and aspirations and a willingness to contribute," Queen Elizabeth said. She said despite its size and scale, the Commonwealth to her was still a collection of villages, in close-knit communities and that helping each other would lead to greater security and prosperity for all. Commerce deputy minister Dora Siliya read Queen Elizabeth's speech during commemorations of the Commonwealth Day at Parliament buildings on Monday. The Commonwealth Day is commemorated annually on the second Monday of March and this year's theme was "Respecting differences promoting understanding".
And addressing 18 youth representatives from the nine provinces of Zambia, Speaker Mwanamwambwa said respecting each other's differences was a major factor that united Zambians. Speaker Mwanamwambwa, who is also Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Zambia president, urged youths to accept one another's diverse intellectual, physical, economic and cultural background bearing in mind that such were factors that unite the country. "The acceptance of this principle will enable the youths of Zambia to find solutions to perceived problems of discrimination, marginalisation, exclusion, poverty, political differences and inequality and injustice," Speaker Mwanamwambwa said.
He emphasised the need for youths to take up a leading role in engaging individuals, civic organisations and government in resolving conflicts, and building harmonious communities. "Although the Commonwealth grew out of the British imperial past, today's Commonwealth helps to advance justice, democracy, human rights, and sustainable economic and social development in an integrated way," he said. Speaker Mwanamwambwa further applauded the organisation for having become a lively and growing association of states, sensitive to the modern world, yet mindful of its historical ties.
Labels: QEII
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