Maravi

LETTERS - Land

Zambian ‘apartheid’
Written by CM Mulenga, United Kingdom
Thursday, December 18, 2008 9:53:23 AM

The Kitwe mayor’s stance regarding the allocation of 30 hectares of land in Garnerton area for the Chinese nationals to construct 300 houses made very interesting reading and cannot pass without comment.

It is really sad that the local council can start segregating (more like in apartheid South Africa) between the Zambian and Chinese nationals, who in this day and era are supposed to be living side-by-side. It is against this background that we have to question the wisdom of Kitwe mayor Divo Katete and Kitwe City Council.

The mayor does not seem to appreciate the difference between an economic zone and a residential area.

This type of segregation is exactly what our freedom fighters fought against and should not be tolerated in this age.

The Chinese nationals should be given land amongst all other Zambians as they equally have to integrate with their local counterparts and the entire Zambian population so that they understand our way of life and we understand theirs.

Surely all Zambians want to see the country develop as this will benefit the entire Zambian population but this idea of having segregated townships and/or compounds between the races should be stopped by all progressive Zambian and Chinese nationals.

And those 30 hectares of land in Garnerton area to be given to the Chinese nationals will entail displacing the local community and resettling them in other areas the council will find “suitable” for them. Would it not be more fair and justifiable to give the local population the title deeds to the lands they have occupied for a long time and for generations in some cases?


http://www.postzambia.com/content/view/2797/64/

Rupiah’s leadership
Written by Ba Muzo
Thursday, December 18, 2008 10:00:14 AM

Mwauma nga pa cela (you have hammered the nail on the head). I totally agree with the editorial of the December 16, 2008. The problem we have now does not require threats and political statements in the tailored media. It requires facing the situation now or never. Let President Rupiah Bwezani Banda show leadership. He should be above all Zambians and show us that he deserves to be at Plot 1.

Real leaders are made in crises, and we thank God that we have these crises. Our friends in America are doing something. They are not blaming the economic global downturn but are bravely trying to find solutions to the crisis. As a father, I cannot sit and cry about hunger at my home and castigate my wife when she threatens to go back to her caring parents. I tend to wonder where Zambia is going. If indeed these leaders can find money to pay themselves, then let them also sweat for it.

One now can understand why the working class rejected the MMD presidential candidate during the recently-held election.

A prudent leader will sit down and ponder on why the workers voted against him. Most progressive workers, for instance, are fed up with the cut throat taxes they have been enduring during all the 44 years of being independent. A Zambian worker is a modern slave who toils for government leaders. A leader will look at this as an opportunity to reprieve such workers by reducing their tax so that money saved can be invested and thereby create employment.

Going back to the issue at hand, there are two things MMD needs to do; they should improve on their communication skills so that they know how to communicate with the Zambian populace. Obama won the American peoples black and white because he knew how to communicate to people.

We do not need intimidating leaders but inspiring leaders this time around. Let them explain all the lies they promised us and how they will deliver on their promises. We want fertiliser to cost K50, 000. Fuel prices should come down. Failure to fulfill these things will mean that they are not worth the salary they have been awarding themselves.

Secondly, U utwala pa nsaka tonaula, those in leadership should realise that they are not the most intelligent Zambians. Out there lies a large cloud of intelligent Zambian (politicians or non-politicians alike) who if they put their heads together can help the government come up with solutions to heal our country. This time around we do not need political overtones, but solutions to what is happening in the country.


http://www.postzambia.com/content/view/2753/64/

Rupiah’s complaints
Written by Joe Kasiya, Lusaka
Thursday, December 18, 2008 10:02:24 AM

We used to laugh and jest at Levy’s ill preparedness
to assume the office of president when he was awoken from slumber by former president Frederick Chiluba, but President Rupiah Banda is even worse.

The man appears to be groping in the dark like a blind man and leading us nowhere. He keeps referring to the global recession which in all probability he doesn’t even understand when the problems have been largely created by himself and his misplaced Cabinet.

President Mwanawasa (MHSRIP) took over the leadership of this nation when the economy was in tatters, an exchange rate that didn’t make sense and hyper inflation at its highest, but with prudent management of resources and zero tolerance to corruption, he was able to woo investors and bring normalcy to the economy within a short period of time.

His appointment of Ng’andu Peter Magande as finance minister speaks volumes about the fallen presidents great vision for the country.

Magande was to become Zambia’s longest serving and best finance minister.

Trevor Manuel, South Africa’s finance minister has held that portfolio for the last 14 years and is probably Africa’s longest serving finance minister. The financial and commodity markets react when he blinks or has the slightest of headaches.

The first statement by the new minister of Finance Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane was that Zambia was not going to be affected by the global recession. How naïve of this technocrat! The kwacha is today trading at K5, 300 to the US dollar and may hit six ‘pin’ before Christmas.

The leadership of this country does not inspire confidence in the majority of Zambians. Rather, it instills and infuse the notion of fear, confusion and each one for himself and ba Lesa for us all in the general citizenry, for how in hell does a whole president complain so openly the way this one does!

The whole Cabinet is forever complaining instead of offering solutions.

It is during moments like these that I miss Levy and Magande for their magnanimity, nobility, high-mindedness, fairness, boldness and generousity of spirit.

Labels: CHINESE, KITWE CITY COUNCIL, LAND, LAND RIGHTS, RUPIAH BANDA

posted by MrK @ 9:53 AM