‘No turning back on taxes’
By JERRY MUNTHALI
PRESIDENT Mwanawasa says the interests of Zambians will remain paramount in the dispute mining companies have raised over the revised mining tax regime because citizens are merely asking for a fair share of their own wealth. Dr Mwanawasa said this yesterday at Lusaka International Airport on his arrival from Madagascar. Dr Mwanawasa was concerned that the mining companies were criticising Government for asking for a fair share of the country’s resources when the people who voted Government into power have welcomed the new taxes.
“At the beginning of my administration, I said where there is conflict between the people of Zambia and something else, the interests of Zambians will be paramount,” President Mwanawasa said. “I am unable to understand how they can criticise us when we are asking for a fair share of our resources.”
The President said his was a listening Government and he was, therefore, inviting the mining companies to meet the Minister of Finance and National Planning, Ng’andu Magande, and Minister of Mines and Minerals Development, Kalombo Mwansa, to discuss the matter.
“Mining companies should be prepared to show that Zambia’s rate of taxation was higher than the other countries in the world,” he said.
“We are a listening Government. Instead of shouting on the hill, I invite them to see the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Mines. Let them come prepared; let them show that our rate of taxation is higher. Some countries have taxation as high as 51 per cent, 47 per cent, while we are at 31 per cent.”
The President was concerned that the mining companies were using Zambians to complain on their behalf when they were reluctant to give them jobs, claiming they were incapable.
“When we say give jobs to Zambians, they say they are incapable; when they have to fight battles, they use Zambians to fight the lot.
They might be happy now with the salaries they are getting, what of the majority Zambians? Is it wrong for Zambians to ask for more so that we can improve the living conditions for all Zambians?” he asked.
Meanwhile, KASUBA MULENGA reports that a parliamentary watchdog committee has urged Government to relentlessly pursue the new mining tax regime so that Zambians benefit.
Presenting the final report on the 2008 estimates of revenue and expenditure, chairperson of the expanded committee on estimates, Godfrey Beene, told the House that the equitable sharing of benefits between mining companies and Zambians was an immediate imperative.
“In this vein, your committee wishes to strongly urge the House to support the new legislation that will provide for the new mining tax regime,” he said.
Mr Beene, who is Itezhi Tezhi member of Parliament, said there should be a clear and transparent mechanism for the utilisation of funds that will be raised from the new tax measures.
He said Parliament, as the people’s representative, should play a prominent role in decision-making as regards the usage of the resources.
Mr Beene told the House that several stakeholders who appeared before his committee supported the new mining tax regime on grounds that it will benefit many Zambians.
And Mr Beene said since the Central Statistical Office indicated that the basic food basket costs were between K700,000 and K1.5 million, the tax exemption threshold should be raised to at least K700,000 from the proposed K600,000.
The committee also recommended that Government should look into the high cost of doing business in the country because this entailed that Zambian products were expensive, yet not competitive.
Some stakeholders that appeared before the committee said it was a costly venture to doing business in Zambia mainly as a result of the high cost of finance, fuel and poor infrastructure.
Mr Beene said his committee was concerned about the small number of citizens contributing to national revenues. It, therefore, recommended a widened tax base.
The committee also recommended that due to the continued energy problems the country was facing, Government should find alternative sources of the resource, such as coal.
Stakeholders were also concerned about the reduction in the budgetary allocation to the agricultural sector from 8.8 per cent last year to 5.8 per cent this financial year.
Mr Beene said Government should increase the budgetary allocation to the important sector, especially under the fertiliser support programme.
And Minister of Finance and National Planning, Ng’andu Magande, said the ministry appeared before the committee three times so that issues raised in the budget could be clearly explained. Mr Magande appealed to the House to support this year’s budget.
He said Government’s objective was to continue providing tax relief although it could only do this systematically as the economy improved.
Labels: 2008 BUDGET, GODFREY BEENE, MWANAWASA, WINDFALL TAX
Read more...
Machila counsels mine owners
By JERRY MUNTHALI
MINISTER of Lands, Bradford Machila, says the proposed mining tax regime is necessary and has advised the mining firms to reflect on the course of action they want to take. He said it should be recognised that at the time some investors acquired the mines, copper prices were pegged at 65 cents per pound and that the prices were now US$ 6 pounds per pound. Mr Machila was contributing to policy debate on estimates of revenue and expenditure on Wednesday night.
Some mine owners have rejected the proposed tax regime and threatened to take Government to court if the new measures are implemented. Mr Machila said some mining firms had been getting away with non-adherence to the mining agreements and that Government would have no option but to defend itself in the event that it was taken to court.
He said some mining firms had not fulfilled some of the requirements of the mining agreement, such as health, safety, environment and immigration. Mr Machila also said he took cognisant of the fact that the budget for his ministry had been reduced by K2 billion.
He, however, said this would not detract the ministry from contributing to the development of the country. Mr Machila was optimistic that the land policy would be considered by Cabinet and legislation taken to the House afterwards.
Chasefu MP, Chifumu Banda (FDD) was concerned that some investors were greedy and did not want to share the mineral wealth with Zambians.
Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, Mike Mulongoti, said it was important for MPs to discuss the contents of the budget with their constituents instead of leaving the task to Minister of Finance and National Planning, Ng’andu Magande.
Kwacha MP Lombe Mulenga (PF) called for a constituency budget process so that MPs did not feel that their constituencies were neglected. Mr Mulenga called for equal distribution of wealth to all the constituencies.
Meanwhile, Minister of Home Affairs, Ronnie Shikapwasha has appealed to contestants in the Kanyama parliamentary by-elections to be peaceful.
Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha, however, assured the contestants and the electorate that Police were in control of the situation in Kanyama.
Lt-Gen Shikapwasaha said participating political parties should be free to campaign because police were in full control of the situation in Kanyama.
He said law and order was a prerequisite for national development and that the budget enhanced the security of the country.
“We can safely say that our men and women in uniform can work with greater hope in all parts of the country. Even in the remotest parts of the Zambian borders, we can provide security.
There will be need to accommodate the officers and remunerate them well,” Lt-Gen Shikapwasha said.
He said voters should accept that there were many challenges, which needed to be addressed in Kanyama.
He also urged the Patriotic Front (Members of Parliament) who have boycotted the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) to reconsider their position and not to be afraid of the “Anaconda” because the future was theirs and it provided for good leadership.
But Speaker of the National Assembly, Amusaa Mwanamwambwa advised Lt0Gen Shikapwasha to withdraw the word “Anaconda,” and he obliged.
Lt-Gen Shikapwasha also said people should be happy that 71.4 per cent of the national budget would be financed locally.
He advised MPs to be proud of themselves and work with people in their constituencies to ensure that the funding could go up to 90 per cent.
Labels: BRADFORD MACHILA
Read more...
‘Mining firms set to finance power project
By HAGGAI CHILABI and SHAPI SHACINDA
FINANCE and National Planning minister Ng’andu Magande has said some mining firms are ready to provide partial financing for the Kafue Gorge Lower Power project, whose cost has been projected at $1 billion by Zesco. Mr Magande said
the offer by the mining companies was a response to current power shortages, which have affected copper and cobalt production on the Copperbelt. Mr Magande said Government had held preliminary discussions with the mines and the World Bank's lending arm, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), which has undertaken a to conduct a feasibility study and has been appointed as adviser.
"So far two of the mining companies have told us they are prepared to invest in energy because they use the energy. We met a few days ago and they told us they are prepared to invest in the Kafue Gorge Lower project," Mr Magande said in an interview on Wednesday.
Mr Magande said Government would meet the mining companies soon after details of the feasibility studies were completed to determine what contribution they would make.
"They want to know the cost and they are very anxious to improve power supply," Mr Magande said, but he did not name the companies.
He said the mining firms wanted to help curb power shortages, which have forced the Copperbelt Energy Company (CEC) to supply the mines with only 60 per cent of the 400 Mega-Watts supplied to the entire mineral-rich Copperbelt Province.
"If this shortage continues, it will be very disruptive to all of them and so they want to help to end it," Mr Magande said.
Zesco senior manager for Marketing and Public Relations, Monica Chisela, said the construction costs had escalated to $1.0 billion from the previous $750 million due to rising costs for equipment and machinery, including other construction costs.
The CEC has previously said it has been importing between 150 MW and 200 MW of power from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in efforts to plug the deficit.
The copper mines require up to 530 MW in order to meet production demands, and the shortage is expected to worsen when new mining projects are completed this year.
Ms Chisela said Zesco has been rationing power since the start of this year each time demand outstripped supply to keep the industry running and also to curtail a nationwide power blackout.
The entire Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) region is currently facing power shortages, with load shedding being carried in almost the whole region, including South Africa.
Labels: CEC, ENERGY, MINING
Read more...
W’ll deal with corrupt officials – Mwanawasa
By Times Reporter
PRESIDENT Mwanawasa is shocked by public officers who repeatedly award contracts to companies which have previously done shoddy works. The president has since directed that all public officers found culpable for continously awarding contracts to such companies should face the law. Commenting on the recent audit report submitted to the Auditor General’s office, Dr Mwanawasa said the report revealed high levels of misconduct and irregularities done with apparent complicity of public officers.
He said it was surprising to see so many misdeeds and yet officers kept silent on such important matters and maintained that those found guilty of such vices would equally face the law. Dr Mwanawasa was answering questions from journalists at Lusaka’s International Airport shortly after his arrival from Madagascar where he had gone for a three-day state visit yesterday. He said the report revealed many irregularities regarding firms that did shoddy jobs but were still awarded contracts.
“I hope witnesses, prosecutors at the courts can assist me in looking after the public property by ensuring the misguided, criminals and crooks are brought to book. I didn’t like what I read, I knew that things were wrong but I did not know that they were wrong as meant to appear,” he said.
He said some public officers tasked with the responsibility of looking after resources did not deserve to be given such jobs because of the manner in which they handled issues. He said he had asked his legal advisor Darlington Mwape to separate and identify the cases to be handed over to law enforcement agencies.
The President said the cases would soon be handed over to the police, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and other law enforcement agencies for prosecution
Last month, Dr Mwanawasa directed the office of the Auditor General to institute investigations on Tomorrow Investment, a local construction firm, for allegedly performing poor work in several parts of the country while continuously being awarded Government contracts.
Meanwhile, Dr Mwanawasa who was accompanied by the First Lady Maureen arrived at about 13:46 hours aboard the Presidential Challenger and was welcomed by Vice-President Rupiah Banda, Cabinet ministers, defence chiefs and senior Government officials.
Earlier, the President described his tour to Madagascar as fruitful and an eye opener.
Labels: ACC, CORRUPTION, MWANAWASA
Read more...
Unhappy mining firms told to seek audience with State
By Times Reporter
PRESIDENT Mwanawasa has invited mining companies opposed to the proposed tax regime to seek audience with Finance and National Development Minister N’gandu Magande and Mines Minister Kalombo Mwansa to show cause why the new taxes should not be effected. Dr Mwanawasa further said the mining firms should be prepared to explain to the Government why they were not happy with the proposed increase which was for the benefit of Zambians.
Dr Mwanawasa, who was answering questions from journalists shortly after arrival from Madagascar, maintained that Zambia’s mining taxes were still the lowest as compared to other countries whose taxes were between 40 and 53 per cent.
He said Government was just asking for a fair share of the resources to improve the lives of the ordinary Zambians and that he still could not understand the criticism.
“We are a listening Government, instead of them shouting on the hill I invite them to seek audience with the Finance and Mines ministers and they should be prepared.
“We are at 31 per cent, let the mining firms show that we are wrong when we say that our taxes are low. These people are coming from countries where taxes are high,” he said.
The President said he was sad that some Zambians were speaking on behalf of the mining companies opposed to the proposed taxes, saying that they should instead be fighting for the ordinary people who were still struggling to earn a living.
He said there were times when the Government had asked the mining firms to give Zambians top positions in the mines but they had refused, arguing that Zambians were not capable.
Dr Mwanawasa noted that it was sad that when it comes to fighting battles against increasing tax, the mines used Zambians.
He asked whether it was wrong to propose an increase to improve the living standards of people.
He said he was happy that the people who put him in power had welcomed the move by the Government to increase the tax and that his interest was for the people of Zambia who were more important.
On the continued power blackouts the country was facing, Dr Mwanawasa said he was hopeful that Zesco was working towards resolving the problem.
He said as South African Development Community (SADC) chairperson he had since called for a meeting with SADC ministers of Energy soon to discuss the power deficit in the region and find a way forward.
Labels: MINING AGREEMENTS, MWANAWASA
Read more...
Zambia, Madagascar agree to work together
From Christeter Macha Antananarivo, Thursday
ZAMBIA and Madagascar have agreed to work together and signed the
General Cooperation and the
Joint Permanent Commission-JPC agreements. The two agreements would enhance economic and technical cooperation between the two countries in areas such as agriculture, livestock, trade, transport, meteorology and education.
The agreements would further enhance economic and technical cooperation in scientific research, industry and handicrafts, fisheries, energy, health, information and finance among others.
Zambia’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Kabinga Pande signed on behalf of the Zambian Government while Madagascar Foreign Affairs Minister, Marcel Ranjeva signed on behalf of the host government.
A joint communique issued at the end of the state visit to Madagascar by President Mwanawasa who is also Southern African Development Community (SADC) Chairman, noted that the two countries while expressing satisfaction with the warm state of relations agreed with SADC executive secretary Tomaz Salomao that Madagascar needs help to develop customised infrastracture programmes for energy, maritime, air transport, communications and ICTs.
They also agreed to include these programmes in the SADC infrastracture master plan. This agreement followed Dr Salomao’s report on the SADC power sector review and consultative mission to Madagascar in November last year which showed that Madagascar was experiencing critical power supply shortages which lead to frequent power blackouts in the country.
Madagascar has a current power capacity of only 200 megawatts while the current demand is above 2,000 and 4,000 megawatts in the long-term.
The two Heads of States and the SADC executive secretary underscored the need for Madagascar to devise the short and long-term strategies to address the supply and demand disparities including the linking of the Madagascar Power utility company to the Southern African Power Pool in order to benefit from other SADC countries’ experiences and exchange programmes.
Dr Mwanawasa and President Ravalomanana urged SADC to devise short, medium and long-term measures that would mitigate power shortages faced by Madagascar and the SADC region.
The two Presidents re-affirmed that they would to continue to cooperate at regional, continent and international levels through SADC, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), African Union (AU) and the UN.
At the end of the visit, President Mwanawasa expressed appreciation for the warm reception and hospitality accorded to him and his delegation during his stay in Madagascar and reiterated the need for continued interaction between the peoples of the two countries.
President Mwanawasa has since returned home aboard the Presidential challenger accompanied by his wife, Maureen and Foreign Affairs Minister, Kabinga Pande.
He was seen off at Ivato International Airport by Mr Ravalomanana, and his wife Lalao and other senior government officials from Madagascar.—ZANIS
Labels: MADAGASCAR
Read more...
Resisting mining taxes
By Kenya LondeLondon
Saturday February 16, 2008 [03:00]
I read with anger and disgust the mining companies’ resistance to mining taxes. Among the mining companies that appeared before the committee were Mopani Copper Mines Plc (MCM), Lumwana Copper Mines (LCM), Chibuluma Copper Mines, Kansanshi Copper Mines, Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) and Non-Ferrous Corporation Chambishi Mines.
Submitting before the committee, First Quantum Minerals country manager Chisanga Puta-Chekwe said if the fiscal regime was implemented, Kansanshi Copper Mines would be in trouble with its shareholders.
Puta-Chekwe said there were procedures that needed to be followed by both the government and the mines before the new tax regimes could be implemented.
He explained that in cases where the agreements were violated, litigation was sought in many instances by the affected party. He said it was important for the government to adequately inform the international community about the new mining fiscal regime or they risked making the country an unattractive investment destination for future investments in the mining sector.
It is people like Puta-Chekwe that must face the wrath of the nation. Puta-Chekwe is supporting and comforting a few people who do not need the money they are getting out of Zambia, at the expense of Zambians.
Fiscal policies and collection of taxes, and legislation are the basis of sovereignty. No one should question the laws created by the state's parliament.
The government is violating no agreement by creating new laws. The new tax regime is a new law. Puta-Chekwe and his fellow agents of imperialism should know that there are no procedures that needed to be followed by the government before the new tax regimes could be implemented.
The government should not abdicate its responsibility just to remain attractive. These exploiters were quiet when people were trying to renegotiate the mining agreements because they knew that it was an argument of ignorance.
The government should not negotiate over this; mining is attractive, it has been and always will be. These so-called investors are not doing it for Zambians but for themselves. Anglo American thought no one could come to invest in Zambia to much up their degree.
They missed the point and now they are just hovering around like vultures, ready to cease any vacancy. If any of these companies left, surely another one will come.
The government should tax at output volume not sales revenue. The government is now working. The government should collect tax from the time copper prices started rising.
Labels: WINDFALL TAX
Read more...
Current crop of ministers are legally incompetent, charges Mwiimbu
By Mwala Kalaluka
Saturday February 16, 2008 [03:00]
OPPOSITION parliamentarians yesterday charged that
some ministers’ fear of their permanent secretaries had helped exacerbate the misappropriation of funds in the public service. Debating the estimates of revenue and expenditure for the Auditor General’s office, which was subsequently passed by the House, Monze UPND member of parliament Jack Mwiimbu said the current crop of ministers was legally incompetent to deal with their controlling officers.
He charged that the government was not serious with curbing the misappropriation of public funds because the ministers do not have executive control on their junior officers in that regard.
But home affairs minister Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha asked if Mwiimbu was in order to assert that the government was not serious in the fight against corruption when a former president and some permanent secretaries were facing court charges over graft.
However, Mwiimbu asked Lt Gen Shikapwasha to reveal which former head of state and permanent secretary was before the court for cases that were raised in a report by the Auditor General.
“Most of the cases before the courts now were from individuals, The Post and other members of the public, not the office of the Auditor General,” he said.
Mwiimbu said some ministers were being intimidated by their permanent secretaries such that they could not even raise a finger against them.
“I have no doubt myself that there is collusion in some cases, because there is no way that glaring irregularities are laid bare and no action is taken,” said Mwiimbu. “There is a problem of people munching public resources and yet no action has been taken.”
Contributing to the debate, Siavonga UPND member for parliament Douglas Syakalima accused ministers in President Levy Mwanawasa’s government of being dangerously weak, hence the annual revelations of mismanagement of funds in certain key ministries.
“Why is it that our colleagues are fearing their surbodinates? They should be seen to take action,” he said.
Justice minister George Kunda said they had apportioned the responsibility of managing public funds to the controlling officers so that there was no political interference.
“We do not want to run this country using jungle laws,” said Kunda.
But Syakalima cautioned the ministers that one day they would be on trial for failing to address financial irregularities and using the law as an excuse.
And Luena Independent member of parliament Charles Milupi said the 30 per cent increase in the funding to the office of the Auditor General this year was an indication that the government had noted the significance of oversight institutions.
Labels: GEORGE KUNDA, MINISTERS, PERMANENT SECRETARIES, RONNIE SHIKAPWASHA
Read more...
Bush begins his Africa tour
By Xinhua
Saturday February 16, 2008 [03:00]
President George Bush's coming African tour will emphasise the caring side of US policy but it is widely seen as being more about
military interests, oil supplies and combating Chinese influence. Bush is scheduled to start a tour of five nations with a brief stop in Benin on Saturday, although he has threatened to delay the trip because of a legislative battle with Congress.
The five countries - Tanzania, Ghana, Liberia and Rwanda, as well as Benin - have been chosen for what are viewed as strong democratic credentials and successful US aid projects.
The centerpiece and longest stop of the tour will be Tanzania, whose leader, President Jakaya Kikwete, is seen by Washington as a poster boy for progressive African government.
Bush, accompanied by his wife Laura, will visit hospitals, schools, AIDS and malaria projects. In Tanzania he will sign the biggest ever grant, of $698 million, under his Millennium Challenge Corp, to fund water, energy and infrastructure.
The MCC is intended to reward good governance and sound economic policies.
Kikwete named a new cabinet this week after the previous prime minister resigned over a corruption probe but Washington sees this as confirmation of the president's anti-graft credentials rather than an embarrassment.
Bush's attempt to anoint some of his more successful policies in Africa in the dying months of his presidency risks being derailed by cynicism over U.S. motives and the same issues, led by Iraq, that have made him unpopular elsewhere.
About 2,000 Muslims marched peacefully through Dar es Salaam on Friday to protest against Bush and his war on terror.
One of the march organisers, Sheikh Mussa Kundecha, told Reuters: "Bush will be here for his own benefit instead of caring about the people of the country."
Student Emmanuel Dickson said earlier: "America and Bush have one policy, to look after their own interests. If he is going to give us money for infrastructure and health ... what does he want in return? He wants to bring forces to Africa and he wants to stop the Chinese from getting a greater hold."
Beijing is now Africa's third biggest trading partner, behind the European Union and the United States, after a huge 30 percent jump in the first 10 months of 2007.
Analysts say confused U.S. policy on Africa and bad handling of its new Africa command (Africom), particularly premature discussion of basing it on the continent, have alienated regional powers like South Africa and made Washington unpopular.
Bush approved Africom, a new command for Africa to offer both training to African armies and humanitarian work, a year ago. But African opposition has forced it for the moment to shelve plans to base the headquarters on the continent.
Africom has added to Africa's unhappiness over other elements of Bush's post 9/11 campaign against Islamist militants.
U.S. backing for the Ethiopian invasion of Somalia a year ago to prop up a weak transitional government against Islamist insurgents and the subsequent "rendition" of Muslim suspects, including Kenyan nationals, to Ethiopia has caused widespread anger.
Patrick Smith of the Africa Confidential newsletter said U.S. policy "appears to be at sea ... what is the foundation of the policy? Is it a security nexus based on militarization or is it a much more development-oriented policy?"
"There is a sense that Africa has got the fag end of the war on terror and that it has been very badly handled and if anything has diminished the U.S.'s standing in the region with no great benefit in terms of military effect."
There is also a widely held belief around the continent that Bush is trying to counteract growing Asian, especially Chinese, influence and investment and that Washington is only really interested in oil resources in the Gulf of Guinea — expected to provide 25 percent of its needs by 2015.
"What is on top of Bush's mind is the Chinese. China is worrying to the U.S. It is not only taking markets and alternative trade partnerships ...African countries will no longer need American aid to survive," said Ugandan student Joseph Mwaka.
Houcine Akkari, a retired man in Tunis told Reuters: "The U.S. says it wants to help Africa to boost democracy, reduce poverty and improve governance. But the truth is so different. Bush wants to exploit Africa which is rich in natural resources, without giving anything to Africa." -
Labels: GEORGE BUSH
Read more...
Embarrassing gender imbalance
By Editor
Saturday February 16, 2008 [03:00]
It is sad that after all these years of campaigning for increased women participation and representation in the politics of our country only one female, out of six candidates, is fielded in the Kanyama parliamentary by-election.
This matter of women representation is very important, and it cannot be denied that the number of women members of parliament is painfully low, especially if one considers that women make up more than half of our country’s population. And why should this be so when women have a high degree of those qualities deemed necessary in a political leader?
Stated simply, we have not made sufficient progress in this area. This is a reality we must recognise so that we can all struggle against it.
In order to build a great democratic society, it is of utmost importance to arouse the broad masses of women to join politics and take up the political leadership of our country. Genuine equality between men and women can only be realised if there is equal participation and equitable representation between men and women in all our political institutions.
Women need to increase their political activity to improve their economic and political status. We will not make much progress as a nation unless we stop the political marginalisation of women.
Women must not be treated as mere passive participants in national development. But they must be helped to take up leading positions in the key institutions of the state. Women are not only a backbone of our families but they also play a major role in our economy, especially in rural areas.
it is therefore necessary to truly empower our women to enable them to participate in decision-making processes in our country. We say this because women bring special gifts to the progress of our country. If they are not listened to and are marginalised, then we simply will not have sustainable and equitable progress.
And to make progress on this score, men should be more involved in promoting women’s meaningful participation in the politics of our country. Advancement will not go very far unless women are enabled to take up key positions in our Parliament, Judiciary and Executive.
Women must be represented at decision-making levels in both economics and politics, to sustainably achieve development goals. Our political parties must make great effort to adopt women to contest parliamentary elections and not perpetually just use them to campaign for men.
We know men politicians are in the habit of talking to women as if there were no issues affecting women. “The fact is,” they say, “the home is the place for women. Their interests are in the rearing and training of children.
These are the things that interest women. Politics have nothing to do with these things, and therefore politics do not concern women.” Yet the laws decide how women are to live in marriage, how their children are to be trained and educated, and what the future of their children is to be.
All these things are decided by politicians doing politics in Parliament as members of parliament, passing laws, Acts of Parliament.
Men make so many laws that affect or concern women. And if women had a chance to direct the affairs of our Parliament, some of the laws that marginalise them today would not be there.
If women had equal political participation with men and were fairly represented in Parliament and other political institutions, we would have equitable laws in everything. If women had some share in the making of laws, they would have found a way of making all the laws fair, just and equitable.
There would be profound equality of all – equality in suffering and in hope.
It is said that woman is the procreator of humankind. But she is the creator of humanity – of humanness and humaneness – as well, in a specific manner of her own: in the delicacy of her service, her limitless self-donation, her affective and effective contact with the people, and that compassion of hers that will simply not rationalise the suffering of the poor. Woman is the creator of courage that will never abandon the suffering.
We see women’s effective and meaningful political participation as decisive to the building of a more just, fair and humane society because of the virtues women bring to that process: generosity, steadfastness, openness to universal love, courage, capacity to endure suffering, forgiveness.
Therefore, there is need to broaden our understanding of women’s situation in our socio-economic and political realities. We need to deepen our commitment and solidarity work toward full humanity for all.
The marginalisation of women is affirmed as a hard and abiding reality of life in our country.
Our women have an irreplaceable role in the affairs of our country, yet their contribution is not acknowledged, nor are they accorded equal opportunities with their male counterparts to participate in the governance of our country. This marginalisation is felt in all sectors of life: economic, social, cultural, political, sexual, religious and even within the family itself.
We are aware that the political empowerment of women is part and parcel of the political empowerment of all the poor in our country. There is need for a total rapture with the prevailing patriarchal system in order to build an egalitarian society.
The women’s struggle is deeply connected with the efforts of all the poor who are struggling for their upliftment in all aspects of life.
A mechanism must be put in place to ensure that not less than 50 per cent of our members of parliament are women.
And our political parties have to take affirmative action measures to achieve not less than 50 per cent representation by women in all their structures. This is not a pipe dream.
We may be accused of dreaming but there is nothing wrong with dreaming. After all we all know that today’s reality were yesterday’s dreams. If this is the case, why shouldn’t today’s dreams be tomorrow’s reality? The African National Congress in South Africa has shown us that this is achievable.
Not less than 50 per cent of its national executive committee are women. This has not been achieved by accident but by design. This is a good deed that we need to emulate.
Let us avoid the gender imbalance embarrassment of the Kanyama parliamentary by-election in future elections. There is nothing difficult about it; all we need is to see sense in the need to do so.
Labels: BY-ELECTIONS, NGOCC, WOMEN
Read more...
Dismiss apartheid suits, White House urges Supreme CourtStory Highlights
Suits: 4 dozen U.S., foreign companies should pay South African blacks billions
Bush administration calls lawsuits "unprecedented and sprawling"
Britain, Germany, Switzerland, post-apartheid South Africa file supporting memos
South Africa's government opposes suit, saying it would hurt reconciliation efforts
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A series of lawsuits against companies that did business with the former apartheid regime of South Africa should be dismissed, the Bush administration told the Supreme Court Tuesday. The White House wants lawsuits against companies that did business with Apartheid South Africa dismissed.
The suits argue more than four dozen U.S. and foreign companies should be ordered to pay as much as $400 billion to South African blacks and others who suffered under that country's official policy of oppressive separation of the races between 1948 and 1994.
A federal court in October allowed the group of some 10 class-action lawsuits to proceed. The administration argues the appeals court was wrong to allow the "unprecedented and sprawling" suits to move forward. The governments of Britain, Germany, Switzerland, and post-apartheid South Africa filed supporting memos.
The private suits were filed under the Alien Tort Statute (ATS), which allows foreigners access to American courts when they allege U.S. laws or treaties were violated. The Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act -- passed in 1986 over President Ronald Reagan's veto -- banned U.S. companies from establishing new trade and business with South Africa. Other nations had similar laws.
Among the key plaintiffs is Lungisile Ntsebeza, a sociology professor at the University of Cape Town. He was arrested by the South African government in 1976 and spent nearly six years in prison for his anti-apartheid activism. He said he was beaten and tortured while in custody, and later was banished for six years in a remote part of the country.
In his lawsuit, Ntsebeza's lawyers say companies that continued to do business in his homeland provided "resources, such as technology, money and oil to the South African government," which in turn used it "to further its policies of oppression and persecution of the African majority."
The lawsuit is part of a years-long global effort to hold a range of parties accountable for decades of human rights violations in South Africa.
South Africa's current black-majority government opposes the lawsuit, saying it would hurt its ongoing efforts to foster reconciliation and improve the economic security of all its citizens.
The Bush administration, in its brief, said, "Litigation such as this would also interfere with the ability of the U.S. government to employ the full range of foreign policy options when interacting with regimes the United States would like to influence. ... Such policies would be greatly undermined if the corporations that invest or operate in a foreign country are subjected to lawsuits under the ATS."
The Justice Department argued the Alien Tort Statute allows lawsuits only against the South African government, not companies that allegedly "aided and abetted" repressive polices.
The Supreme Court is expected to decide in coming weeks whether to accept the case for review. If it does, oral arguments would be held in the fall.
Labels: APARTHEID, GEORGE BUSH, LAWSUITS
Read more...
Development agreements not excuse to avoid mine tax, says Machila
By Mutuna Chanda
Friday February 15, 2008 [03:00]
LANDS minister Bradford Machila has advised mining companies not to use development agreements to escape the proposed tax regime on the mines. And Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) Chasefu member of parliament Chifumu Banda expressed worry that foreign investors were trying to justify their refusal to share revenues from the country’s mineral wealth.
Contributing to debate on the motion of supply in Parliament on Wednesday, Machila said development agreements did not only comprise taxes but also included other aspects that some mine investors had not fully lived up to.
“Some mine investors have not been honouring their part of the development agreements that have to do with health and safety, environment, labour and immigration,” Machila said. “The mining companies have been getting away with non-compliance to those aspects of the development agreements.”
He said in the event that the government was dragged to court over breach of the development agreements, it would be forced to defend its position. And Machila said the improper ownership of land by some foreigners was distorting land distribution in the country.
“The allocation to my ministry has been reduced by K2 billion in this year’s budget despite having achieved a revenue target of more than 100 per cent. This shall not detract us,” Machila said.
“We shall use the resources to fund the re-entry exercise and flush out those who are illegally owning land in Zambia.”
And contributing to the debate, Banda said he was vehemently opposed to foreign investors’ unwillingness to share the country’s mineral wealth.
“Government is not saying they will take all of the mineral wealth; they are saying let us share. Only those who are greedy will refuse to share the mineral wealth,” Banda said.
“During the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, Zambia’s mineral wealth was used to build Zimbabwe. Why should we be shy to get a share of our country’s mineral wealth now? Congratulations to the government for taking a bold move. The measures taken by the government are welcome and well-intentioned and government should not be shy to implement them to the latter.”
And Banda challenged finance minister Ng’andu Magande to explain private companies’ debt as part of the country’s national debt.
“I hope the government is not continuing to guarantee private companies’ debt,” Banda said.
Labels: BRADFORD MACHILA, CHIFUMU BANDA, DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS, FDD, MINISTRY OF LANDS, WINDFALL TAX
Read more...
Theft of public funds
By Editor
Friday February 15, 2008 [03:00]
No one can disagree with Mike Mulongoti when he says that “ the fight against corruption is not for President Mwanawasa and government leaders alone but for all citizens”.
Let us not be mistaken: the best government in the world, the best Parliament and the best president cannot eradicate corruption in a country on their own, they cannot achieve much on their own. And it would also be wrong to expect a general remedy from them only. Freedom and democracy include participation and therefore responsibility from us all.
If we realise this, then we may stand a chance to deal with corruption in our country. If we realise this, then there can be hope that we will triumph as a nation over the evil of corruption.
But this is not to say the men and women we have put in government to run or manage the affairs of our country on our behalf at such high salaries and relatively very attractive conditions of service have no personal responsibility at all. The buck should stop at them and not at us. If this weren’t so, what would the purpose of employing all these people at such a gigantic cost to the Zambian taxpayer?
It is the duty of those running government, those in power to come up with adequate internal controls and to ensure as far as possible that public funds and other resources are used in an efficient, effective and orderly manner. If public funds and other resources are misused, mismanaged, squandered or stolen, they should bear the primary responsibility. And we as the citizens of this country should bear the secondary responsibility.
What all this means is that when public funds are stolen, it is the primary duty of President Levy Mwanawasa, his ministers and other public officers to ensure that those who have stolen are apprehended and brought to book and are as far as possible forced to make good that which they have stolen.
Clearly, the primary duty of Levy, Mike and others in government is to ensure that public funds and other resources are managed in an efficient, effective and orderly manner. If they fail to do this, then they should be considered to have failed in their primary duty and should be fired.
It is not enough for them to say we have put in place controls or mechanisms to protect public funds and if these controls are over-run or violated and money is stolen, then it’s not our problem; it is a God’s case no appeal.
This doesn’t make sense, this doesn’t encourage accountability and responsibility on the part of Levy, Mike and others in government. It actually encourages abdication of responsibility.
And this should not be tolerated because government is the primary instrument by which people cooperate in order to achieve the common good; it is an authority needed to mobilise and secure the resources from all towards the common good. And accordingly, if those in government fail to perform this very important duty then degeneration sets in in all aspects.
Our plea is not for immunity, but the most unsparing criticism, of the government official who fails to perform his duty to secure public funds and other resources. If money is stolen from a government ministry or department and it is made clear that the officials in that ministry did not perform their duty to properly secure those funds, then together with those who have stolen they must go, they must be fired. There should be a resolute effort to hunt every such government official out of the position whose functions they have failed to efficiently and effectively perform.
And it cannot be denied that although we have been wagging our tongues strongly against corruption, there has been very little action to match that. We hear more of corruption cases than we hear of people being arrested or fired for such misdeeds. In some cases those who are accused of corruption have even been protected by the powers that be until public outcry gets out of proportion. Surely, is this the way to exhibit our zero tolerance on corruption?
Corruption is a grave evil and there’s urgent necessity for the sternest war against it and those who perpetrate it. There should be relentless exposure of, and attack upon every corrupt man whether politician or businessman, every evil practice, whether in politics, in business or in social life.
Our country is not flourishing partly because enormous resources are being wasted or are not being used sensibly. We are wasting the little resources we have available for development.
But this is still not the main problem. The worst thing is that we live in a contaminated moral environment.
We fell morally ill because we have become used to saying something different from what we thought. We learned not to believe in anything and to care only about ourselves. Concepts such as public good, honesty, integrity, accountability have lost their depths and dimensions, and for many of us they represent only psychological peculiarities.
As we have appealed before, let us try in a new time and in a new way to restore accountability, integrity and honesty in the way we manage public funds and other resources.
Let us teach ourselves and others that public offices and jobs are not there to enable those who get them to cheat, plunder, rob or rape the nation but to contribute to the happiness of all citizens.
To make Zambia rich and strong needs intense effort, which will include, among other things, a strict sense of responsibility, accountability, integrity and honesty among those who are tasked to manage public resources and indeed on the part of every citizen.
Honesty, integrity and accountability should be the guiding principles of every public official or officer. It should be made clear to all those who occupy government positions or jobs that corruption and waste are really great crimes.
Our campaigns against corruption and waste have not achieved much. Why? It is simply because we have not matched our words with deeds. This government that claims to have a zero tolerance attitude towards corruption has not put in place any meaningful legislation to help make the fight against corruption much easier, more efficient and effective. Why?
We still see the same tendencies among our public officers – an unwillingness to share the joys and hardships of the masses, and an increasing concern for personal gain. This leads to corruption. It is actually corruption itself. This is very bad and something needs to be done about it. We need to see a much more meaningful campaign and fight against corruption and not just mere political rhetoric.
Labels: CORRUPTION
Read more...
Reporters Without Borders accuses public officials of cowardice, dupli
By Bivan Saluseki
Friday February 15, 2008 [03:00]
REPORTERS Without Borders has accused public officials around the world of "impotence, cowardice and duplicity" in defending freedom of expression. In its 2008 report released yesterday, the organisation stated that African "predators" of press freedom had also not yet given up in suppressing press freedom. Secretary general Robert Ménard said the spinelessness of some Western countries and major international bodies was harming press freedom.
"The lack of determination by democratic countries in defending the values they supposedly stand for is alarming," said Menard.
For Africa, the report stated that men in power who were believed to be above all suspicion had demonstrated that journalists were not always free on the continent.
"This includes leaders who were thought to have been convinced of the benefits that can accrue to a poor country from a diversity of news, from harnessing public debate, public transparency and the vigilance of demanding citizens," it stated.
The report stated that freedom of the press in Africa was badly damaged in 2007 and on at least twelve occasions during the year, some people received orders to kill journalists.
"African journalists - perpetually facing charges of defamation, publication of false news, damaging imputations, insulting the head of state, harming national security, sedition, incitement to disturb the public order or who knows what - have to manage their own cases alone.
Innocent or guilty, they have experienced the filth of a prison cell. Their families, whose chief characteristic is not to be rich, have to manage on their own resources while their breadwinner is unable to earn money," it stated.
The report stated that African media, like a crumbling dam, had taken in water.
"Taboos have been proudly broken.
A host of questions which are vital for the future of press freedom on the continent remain unanswered after this very testing year," it stated.
The report stated that across the continent, chiefly in the French-speaking part, there were numerous scandal sheets, which fed on ordinary corruption, chasing spectacular headlines and little envelopes.
"But the politicians, from Madagascar to Mauritania, from Guinea to Cameroon, via Cote d'Ivoire and the Central African Republic, are the main beneficiaries, making use of badly or unpaid journalists to settle their scores with opponents through bogus revelations. They do it because they have the means to do so and they can get way with it. Disgrace and prison are for others. Absurd logic, unjust justice," it stated.
The report includes press freedom abuse in the DRC, Somalia and Ethiopia, among others.
Labels: FREEDOM OF SPEECH, REPORTERS WITHOUT BORDERS
Read more...
Mauritians start investing in Zambia's sugar production
By Chibaula Silwamba
Friday February 15, 2008 [03:00]
VISITING Mauritius Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Cooperation Madan Dulloo has disclosed that some Mauritians have started investing in sugar production in Zambia. And Dulloo said his government and the Zambian government are seriously discussing the possibility of setting up direct flights between the two countries. In an interview in Lusaka, Dulloo said Mauritius experts had invested in sugar production in Madagascar, Mozambique and were now moving to Zambia.
“I don’t have the figures of how much they are investing in Zambia but I know there is an area very close by (in Lusaka) where they have set up their plantation and sugar factory. They are now setting up their residential area to accommodate expertise from Mauritius and outside and start production here,” Dulloo said. “We have done this in Madagascar and Mozambique and we can do it in Zambia.”
He said Zambia was fortunate to have vast land which Mauritius did not have.
“There is a possibility of our people investing and sharing our experiences and know-how in certain areas of agriculture.
As you know we have a lot of expertise in sugar cane production and use the by-products like biomass for electricity and biofuel,” he said. “On the economy of scale, you are more interesting than Mauritius because you have vast tracks of land and you have tremendous potential in agriculture.”
Dulloo said the non availability of a direct flight between Zambia and Mauritius was one of the biggest impediments to trade.
“We are discussing seriously now on establishing air links between Lusaka and Mauritius and I think there is a possibility and this will enable us to have more exchanges, free movements of people and goods,” said Dulloo.
“We believe that bilateral trade between Zambia and Mauritius has great potential and this is why I have just nominated an honorary consul in Lusaka to represent our interests. I have discussed with your government with my colleagues the minister of foreign affairs and minister of trade, so we are very happy that we are also going to have a consul in Mauritius to promote exchanges, trade and investments between our two countries.”
Labels: MAURITIUS, SUGAR CAIN
Read more...
Choma farmers sign five-year jatropha deal
By Business Reporter
OVER 200 small-scale farmers in Choma have entered into a five-year agreement with D1 Oils Africa which will entail promoting the cultivation of the jatropha plant in the district.
D1 Oils Africa is a bio-fuels development and promotion company with a presence in many African countries. The company’s field technician for Choma Bernard Mulenga said D1 Oils Africa has signed contracts with about 220 local farmers with the aim of promoting the cultivation of Jatropha in the district under an out-growers scheme.
Speaking in an interview in Choma, Mr Mulenga said the contracts include the provision of extension services, training, seedlings provision and market access.
He said the farmers’ diversification into jatropha cultivation would help boost the rural economy and contribute to poverty allevisation.
“We are interested in providing market access to farmers instead of them to go looking for markets when the seeds are ready. We are also encouraging farmers to diversify into other crops.” he said.
Mr Mulenga said the company would also bring in its refinery technology which would be used in processing the oil from the jatropha plant. He allayed fears that the plant caused soil erosion, saying it did not if properly used.
The jatrohpa plant has been identified as one of the more promising sources of fuel as the world grapples to search for alternatives in the face of a looming energy crunch. Ecological concerns have, however, stirred debate about the plant.
Labels: BIOFUELS, CONTRACT FARMING, D1 OILS AFRICA, JATROPHA
Read more...
Sata's mathematics must be confused, charges Sinyangwe
By Amos Malupenga
Sunday February 10, 2008 [03:00]
Sata’s mathematics must be confused, National Constitution Conference (NCC) vice-chairperson Faustina Sinyangwe has observed. Commenting on Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata’s assertion that NCC members were the worst plunderers because they were receiving K46 million per month, money which could be used for national development as opposed to using it on a dubious process, Sinyangwe said Sata’s statement was not only incorrect but grossly misleading.
“I don’t know how his mathematics is. His maths must be confused because we are not getting that kind of money,” Sinyangwe said. “Speaking for myself, I receive K500,000 as sitting allowance per sitting and K100,000 as transport allowance. In total I receive K600,000.
Those who come from outside Lusaka are the ones who receive K650,000 for lodging and meals, K500,000 as sitting allowance and K300,000 as transport allowance. And if you are coming from Nakonde, what is K300,000? These are the figures that I know and you don’t need to get this information from me. Go to NCC secretariat and ask to check the records, after all these are public matters so people are free to ask and get correct answers.
When Mr Sata talks about K46 million per month, I don’t know where he is getting his figures from. And an impression has been created that we get allowances every day even when we are not sitting. We only get the allowances when the conference is sitting. Even when the conference is sitting, those who don’t attend don’t receive the allowances.”
Sinyangwe, who is Sata’s niece, said the people participating in the NCC had independent minds and that claims that they would be compromised by the hefty allowances were unfounded.
Question: Who is Faustina Sinyangwe?
Answer: My full names are Faustina Bwalya Kalupa Sinyangwe. I am the fifth child of my mother who is Julian Kalupa and my late father Bwalya Kalupa.
I was born in Luanshya in 1949. My father was a miner and I grew up in Luanshya where I started my education at Makoma School in Sub A up to standard two when I moved to Finsansa where I did standard three. Then I moved to St Theresa’s Mission.
After completing my standard six, they had opened Ibenga Secondary School so I continued there and finished all my education in Luanshya.
Q: What happened after you finished school?
A: I went to Evelyn Hone College; I wanted to be a secretary. But eventually, I realised it was not the type of work I wanted to do. Then I went for a teacher’s training at Mufulira Teachers’ Training College.
After training, I taught in Kitwe for three years at Chamboli Primary School. After those three years, I was seconded to education television as a television teacher. I was there part-time. After teaching on television for one year, my superiors then – Mr Shamatutu and Wilfred Chilangwa encouraged me to transfer to education television. This was now in 1974.
Then I applied for a transfer. But my district education officer said ‘no, you can’t be taking my good teachers so we can’t release her to come to education television’. So Mr Chilangwa who was then controller of education broadcasting decided that they should send me for training so that if I come back, they will have no use for me because the type of training that I will have done would require me to move to education broadcasting.
So I was sent to England in 1976 to study education technology.
Q: What was involved in that course?
A: It involved production, research, directing and presenting programmes and everything that goes into a production. So if I went into a television station, I would direct, produce and present. I would literary do everything. The course was very interesting but it had a bias on research and using media technology to teach.
So when I came back, naturally they had no choice but to take me to education television. After teaching there for two years, they wanted me to specialise because they thought I was good at presenting programmes so Mr Chilangwa wanted me to go back to specialise. But unfortunately, he left.
I found it the job very interesting because apart from doing schools’ programmes, we ventured into educational programmes which were not really tied to schools per se but which the schools would use as well as the public. That was not common at education television. But I really wanted to work closely with people who were involved in production like Jeff Sitali.
Frederick Norman Foundation also sponsored me to do education television. I did that course outside in the UK and came back. What followed was that I was promoted to be a lecturer from a teacher presenter.
Q: How was your TV presentation or teaching, did you teach to a specific audience or the audience was whoever watched television?
A: I was teaching social studies Africa for junior secondary school. Even the grade sevens used to use it. In those days, we used to give television sets to schools, hospitals and in all places where we thought we had people who would listen to our programmes.
That is why it was a challenge for me because as a teacher, you are confined to pupils in a classroom but since I was a TV teacher, it meant that my programmes were subject to criticism from anybody. So this gave me a challenge to do research so I could be factual. I also needed to have programmes that would benefit the pupils because television brings the outside world into the classroom. The idea was to capture those specific sentiments of a teacher, classroom or a lesson which a classroom teacher cannot get.
For example, if I am talking about Zimbabwe I can go and get a shot and people will see that this is Zimbabwe and this is Rufaro Stadium. And out of the many programmes I did, I remember a programme on Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980 which won me an international award when I entered the competition.
Q: What did you say about Zimbabwe’s independence?
A: I called the film, Three Time Luck because of the many times they had tried. There was UDI, they tried with the joint PF and ZANU and this third time they got the independence. So I went round the country to see what it was and I covered the independence celebrations in 1980. It was a very good programme and I got a certificate which I am still very proud of.
Through working, I was attached to the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association and I met very experienced television producers and writers.
Q: Could you get back to the point you were developing when you talked about being appointed as a lecturer?
A: Yes, I was appointed lecturer at the education television in Kitwe and I worked for three years. We have the same positions as lecturers in teacher training colleges; while they were lecturing to students, we were lecturing on air.
In 1989, I was appointed to assistant controller at education television. That meant that I was running the whole department of education television. We had a film department, photographic department, production and management and the research department.
Apart from the clerks, you will be surprised that I was the only woman in that department of education television heading men. It was a very big challenge though I didn’t feel it much because even when I was growing up, I was brought in a family of boys. I attribute a lot to my late dad because he used to tell me that ‘my father had nine girls’, and the late two were my father and his young brother. He said his father gave everybody at home equal chores. If it meant climbing the tree, the women did that. So he told me that he had no boys or girls, he just had children in a home and he gave us the challenges to do.
So I grew up looking at myself as a person rather looking at myself as a woman. And when I was heading a department full of men, I didn’t feel it would be difficult, though men sometimes want to push you around.
After working as assistant controller for three years, I was again sent abroad. This time to Washington to go and do television and broadcasting management. I was attached to WVIZ television station which was also a public broadcaster.
While there, I attended a very big conference which taught me a lot of things on education broadcasters and producers. Education broadcasting in this country is trivialised; whether we talk of education for all, it would take a long time for us to achieve that. Distance education using broadcasting is very cardinal because our friends in other countries told us that they get degrees and PhDs just by using the media and reading materials.
So when I came back, I was transferred to head the whole education broadcasting here in Lusaka. At the time, there was talk that they’re going to abolish education broadcasting altogether. I asked my permanent secretary then, Dr Sichalwe Kasanda, why they had brought me to Lusaka if they were abolishing the programme. He said ‘no, we spend a lot of money buying radio and TV sets but not so many people would listen to the programme’.
I said ‘why don’t we look at the other side of things because we now have so many children in the streets who cannot afford education so we can give them education that is cheaper and therefore affordable’.
That is how I brought the idea of us having a directorate of distance education where education broadcasting could belong together with the national correspondence college so that we start at that level then move it up to grade twelve level and link it up with the university. I thought there was a total breakdown from primary school and what is happening at the university. My idea then was to build up and link up with the university. I had a lot of discussions with the director of distance education and things were coming up but unfortunately I had to retire because you don’t work forever.
The plans that I had are not coming but one thing I am proud of is the interactive radio programme which I initiated which is known as Taonga Market.
Q: Was that your initiative?
A: Yes, that was my baby. I said ‘we have these children and mothers who spend all the time in the markets selling because they don’t have any other source of livelihood and we have grandparents with children. So why do we offer some kind of education to the out of school?’
At first they said it was impossible because I was talking of people who were scattered all over. But I was very determined. As I said earlier, I was a producer so I produced one programme for the girl-child education and the people at NORAD really admired that programme.
So they went to find out at ZNBC who did that programme. They were told that the producer was at education. They followed and I told them I was planning to sponsor education to the out of school children. They asked how this could be done. I said we just had to sensitise people by talking to them. This man from NORAD bought the idea but he was not sure.
And, Amos, I remember the two years when I planned for that programme. I never knew what a weekend was; I worked on Saturdays and Sundays. When my driver was tired, I picked my husband to come with me just in case I had a tyre burst he would help out. I went in villages talking to the people.
So I piloted that project in Monze, Chongwe and Lusaka. I had meetings with villagers, convincing them to find a mentor who would look after their children, convincing them to find a place where they could listen to a programme and also to borrow a radio from the neighbourhood for use when time for lessons come.
When I took it to Chongwe, I wanted to pilot in three areas but the councillors said ‘no, we need a centre in each of our wards’ and there were about nine wards and we gave in. So we had nine centres in Lusaka and about ten in Monze. We worked tirelessly writing programmes and did all what we could before launching the programme with Honourable Brigadier General Godfrey Miyanda who was education minister at the time. He was very helpful.
Q: Which year was this?
A: This was about the year 2000. We started with grade one and moved to grade two. It was interesting when we went to Monze because parents were removing children from normal schools to our centres because they felt that the children were learning more than in the normal schools. This was because the radio teacher would always be there, there was nothing like the teacher has gone for a funeral or he is today sick. Our programmes were so well planned that the children learnt well.
And one thing that excited me was that when I went back to monitor, I found that even the elderly people had started using the programmes. That made me very sad because I knew that Zambians were really thirsty for education. When I came back, I told people at the ministry that we needed to do something for adults because there were things like stand, jump, in the programmes for children and it would be difficult for elders to follow that. But the elders told me they were happy because they could go to the bank and sign signatures.
So I said we needed to plan for adults. By the time I left, we had gone up to grade four. Now they have gone up to grade seven. My idea was that when we get to grade seven, we should inter-link with national correspondence college at grade six level and give them packs of modules for them to follow.
But I hear that some of our children wrote grade seven and they had gone to grade eight. I hope and pray that they will follow that because if it crumbles, I will be very sad because that is something I laboured.
Q: I know that this Taonga Market is a radio programme, but just how does it operate?
A: Now the Ministry of Education had realised that it is something they can really look to, especially in the rural areas. When I was there, I lobbied for radios, boards, chalk and exercise books. So people just find a place. In rural areas, they use even homes. Then we find school leavers who in most cases have nothing to do. So we help them out in this area.
In the programme, it is built on what the teacher is supposed to do so they just follow. I did a lot of monitoring, even with my staff to see if the programme was making progress. We did a lot of evaluations.
Q: I have listened to this programme on radio on a number of occasions but now I am trying to imagine what happens on the ground. So tell me, what happens?
A: We have training sessions for mentors once a year. We do a lot of practicing and sing the songs because we try to make it entertaining. The programme is on radio and the mentors or teachers are in the centres following the programme with the children. After the programme, the children are given exercises to write.
But the problem we had is that we were not paying these people (mentors). So I suggested to the Ministry of Education that we must have a way of motivating these people who are putting in a lot. I said ‘let’s recruit grade twelves, after they mentor for two years then we can send them to teacher’s training colleges for training’. That’s how far I left things. I don’t know if this was followed up.
The mentors were eager knowing they would go for training after two years.
Q: By the way, why did you name this programme as Taonga Market?
A: I decided to name the interactive radio programme as Taonga because in Tumbuka language, taonga means thank you. Secondly, I am so much in love with my niece’s daughter whose name is Taonga. Because I attached so much feeling to it, I gave it the name Taonga.
Q: When did you retire?
A: I left the ministry in 2003, that’s when I retired. And I really thank the ministry. They trained me a lot. I travelled a lot. At one time I was the chairperson of the SADC committee on education. I headed this committee for three years and we had Professors and PhD holders; I was there among these people as chair.
Normally, I was supposed to run just for a year but they kept retaining me for three years. And these three years I chaired the committee gave me the wider knowledge of what is happening in education.
Q: At the time of your retirement, what position did you hold?
A: I was director, education broadcasting services.
Q: What followed your retirement?
A: When I retired, the donors that I was working with were not very comfortable that I should go leaving that project. I did a lot of projects there, I was involved in the sensitising process during the decentralisation of the ministry. This programme took me to almost all corners of Zambia. I was also instrumental in the programme for the advancement of girls’ education in Zambia. I did the FAWEZA thing; I was the first publicity secretary.
So the donors wanted to retain me somehow after I retired. They said I should remain as a coordinator but away from the ministry. I was employed by USAID.
I worked just for four months when I was called to go and stand for parliamentary elections in Mpika. I left my good salary…(she laughs).
Q: Who called you to contest those elections?
A: There was a by-election in Mpika so the president asked if I could go.
Q: Which president?
A: President Sata.
Q: When did you join politics?
A: I think all of us are politicians by nature but it is the levels that matter. I was beginning to join politics at that level just after I retired. When I went into those elections, I didn’t know a thing; I didn’t know how they campaigned, how they talked to cadres because I would be upset and tell them ‘if you want money from me just go away’.
Somehow, I didn’t have enough time. I only went there for a month and in this one-month we had the nominations and elections. But I couldn’t make it.
I am normally a very determined person and get attached to people I work with. So I was attached to the people I worked with in Mpika. I said ‘I will work and I must get that seat’. I came back and continued to work with my people in Mpika.
But then I was told by my president that I will not go back to Mpika because I could contest a Lusaka seat.
Q: That’s how you abandoned Mpika?
A: I abandoned Mpika with great pain.
Q: When you decided to join politics, why did you settle for Patriotic Front and not any other political party?
A: As I said, I moved a lot across the country. I think I understand Zambia more than most of the politicians. And when I went around the country, I talked to people, to parents, children, churches and politicians. Each time I came back, I would tell them what I found on the ground.
I talked year after year but nothing moved. Then I thought ‘no, I shouldn’t join MMD because if I do, it will just be like I am just joining the same story’. But I didn’t want to belong to the failures again. I wanted us to make a change. That’s how I joined PF to make the change when we come to power because I had so many things I thought we would change if we came to power. That’s how I joined PF.
Q: I thought you joined PF because Mr Sata is your relative, isn’t that so?
A: Yes, Amos, Mr Sata is my uncle but I don’t work like that. I work out of my conviction, that I am doing what is right. You don’t join because of a person. PF is an organisation, it doesn’t belong to Mr Sata. So I joined the party because tomorrow Mr Sata might not be there.
Q: So there is also a family tree in PF?
A: (Laughter) But the difference with this family tree is that I work and convince the people that I can stand and work. I don’t want to rely on the family tree to talk for me, to make grades for me. I make my own grades. There is one thing I believe in from the time I was growing up; I must do what is right.
Q: I have heard some PF people complain that you were initially imposed in Mpika and later in Matero Constituency because of this same family tree business…
A: That’s interesting. As for Matero, when I came back from Mpika, the constituency I should have contested was Munali. I started work in Munali and I got along with the people there. But then the teachers who worked with me and the people that I interacted with when I was doing decentralisation work in Matero decided that they wanted me to be their MP. That’s how easy I had it.
When they told me this, I first thought it was a joke. But believe you me, Mr Sata didn’t want me to go to Matero. He fought that I should be removed. Even from the last day of my adoption, Mr Sata didn’t want to play a part because he didn’t want to be accused of imposing a relation on a constituency.
But the people of Matero came to Mr Sata several times saying they wanted me. And two years before elections, I was with the people of Matero. I worked with them because I wanted to know them, their problems and know the place. I also wanted them to know me. By the time of elections, it was plain sailing for me.
Q: But your uncle Mr Sata is on record as having said recently that you won Matero because of PF and if you want to be funny now he will kick you out of the party so you can prove your popularity if you think that you are popular…
A: The truth of the matter is you heard that in some instances the electorate refused the people they had given them. People now are developed. They are not just going to go because it’s a party. As for me, I think I won as me because I worked with the people for Matero for two years so they knew me. We did a lot with them.
Q: What did you do?
A: I had a lot of meetings with women. I even started youth football clubs. I was a teacher so mingling with people is my nature. I interacted with the teachers, the church, I am staunch catholic. So people knew who they were voting for. If I go with you to Matero, you will see that even the young children know me by name. So I won as a person. I know the people there love PF but I think I won as a person because they knew me. There were some instances where candidates were imposed on constituencies and we lost. The president won by the parliamentary candidate lost.
Q: Going back to your relationship with Mr Sata, from which side is he your uncle?
A: Mum’s side. My mother and Mr Sata are cousins. I knew my grandfather very well. I am talking about Mr Sata’s father who I adored. He was a wonderful man. When he was alive living at Mr Sata’s place, I was more frequent at their place because it was a pleasure being with him.
Q: Recently, you found yourself on Mr Sata’s other side and you must have, for a moment, forgotten that he was your uncle when you called him a thug after he allegedly sent some thugs to sort you out, how was that experience?
A: That incident was very sad. Let me go back a little, as members of parliament, we enacted the NCC Bill and I was part of that. Even in the process before the enactment, PF was part of that. Don’t you remember that my president was present at the summit of presidents at Mulungushi? The NCC was as a result of their meeting. They drew the roadmap and the Bill was brought to Parliament. It was taken to a committee where everybody submitted, PF included. Amendments were brought to the House, we debated and enacted.
Out of principle, I am not going to act against something that I was part of. I told you earlier that I stand as a person even if he is my own father and I think I don’t agree with him, I will say so. In this instance, I said I was not going to agree just because Mr Sata is my uncle. I want to do what is right.
There are two things here; to do the right thing or to go the easy way. I don’t believe that all the people who have stayed away believe that they wanted to stay away. They have stayed away because they were afraid of being fired.
But I think I am doing the right thing. I am representing my people in the constituency who are not only PF. You have MMD, ULP, UPND, the churches and all those who do not belong to any party. A party position should not stand in a way where one is representing people beyond party lines. There comes a time in one’s life when you have to put your head on the chopping board in order to do what is right.
I am a Franciscan, by the way. If you see those Catholic women who put on grey things, grey gowns. So I vowed obedience and I vowed humility. When I held the Bible and said I would defend the Constitution, why shouldn’t I? If there is any other better reason, I would say no. But this is a national thing and I believe that we have been crying for a good national constitution for a long time.
Another beauty is that our current Republican President is not standing so we will have no interference from him. Thirdly, and most important, boycotts have never worked for anybody in this country.
Even if we had boycotted, the people who had gone will have gone ahead to enact the Constitution. Should they come and complain later? People will think that we are not serious.
By going there does not mean that we are going to agree to everything and that we are going to defect from PF. We have never sat anywhere and say we are forming a party like others have insinuated. We are not saying we are removing Mr Sata because that is not a convention, it is just NCC.
What we need is internal democracy. We must have elections, we must go to the convention and elect our leaders. But now what it is, is that Mr Sata appoints and when he is not happy, he removes you. Whereas if you were elected by the people, you cannot easily be removed from a position like is the case now.
Q: Just how did you gather courage to call your uncle Mr Sata a thug when those thugs he allegedly sent harassed and humiliated you in Matero?
A: You know, one thing is that the people who came were Mr Sata’s security men. And as a PF member, I know that those people get instructions from Mr Sata. They don’t fall under anybody.
When they came, the first thing they said was ‘we were sent that you should never hold any meetings because you are suspended’. I told them I am suspended as a PF member but I am still a member of parliament and I am here for a ward development committee meeting. We were discussing the bad state of the roads in the constituency and we wanted to elect people to supervise a project that the Zambia National Service was going to carry out in the area.
So these men came in and started pushing me like a thief. They poured Chibuku opaque beer on me. I was very upset. I am still very upset. And I will not rest until those people are taken on. We must go to court and they must justify why they did that.
Q: What did your uncle and president say after you described him as a thug?
A: He hasn’t talked to me, he never phoned me. But I phoned him, I talked to him. I was very upset and I had the courage much more because he was my uncle and I never expected anything like that from him. I told him I was very disappointed and I believed that he sent those people because they were his people.
Q: What was his response?
A: He refused. But when this thing happened, your reporter came and found me with beer all over my body and I said what I said. I am not going to be like a coward politician who say one thing today and tomorrow they say I was misquoted. I said what I said because of how I felt. We can’t have politics where we stop reasoning. We are also supposed to respect other people’s opinions.
If Mr Sata thought he needed to fire us like he has been threatening, he should fire us with dignity. There is no need to fight each other because apart from me being his niece, I am a married woman.
Q: Has the party initiated any disciplinary action against you as a result of that statement against your president?
A: In the letter that they wrote me, they said I must exculpate myself as to why I said those words. But as you know, I have reported this to the police and the case will soon commence so I don’t want to say much about that. We will go and hear everything in court.
Q: In the light of these developments, how do you see your future in PF?
A: I have a future. I am an MP. My electorates still want me. I am still working with them in terms of development. This time there is no politicking; we must be talking about development. Now it’s time to work with the government to bring development to our people. And I am saying government because I am not going to initiate anything without money. Whether I like it or not, I will knock on the door of a minister to lobby for my people. That is the job of an opposition member of parliament; it is to lobby and convince the people in power that you need certain things.
Q: Assuming you are expelled from PF, which way do you go?
A: I am a person and I have always been a person. I don’t think my life will start and end with politics.
Q: I am talking about possibilities of joining another political party…
A: I have no plans of joining any party and I don’t see anybody chasing me from PF because I have not done anything wrong, anyway! Someone must give me good reasons for chasing me or I will not move an inch. You don’t just chase because you have powers to chase. The reasons they gave me in my suspension letter do not hold water. They must have other reasons to chase me or fire me from the party.
Q: Let’s talk about your family in brief. I know your husband My Mpazi Sinyangwe is a former Task Force spokesperson. One can say that you come from a ‘divided’ house in the sense that your husband worked for the government while you belonged to an opposition party. Just how did you reconcile these two positions?
A: I had worked in government for many years and I had been a very senior civil servant. So I understand how government works.
Politics were at our secretariat and his work was at the Task Force. When we met at home, we were a family. I never discussed anything concerning his work and I never discussed politics with him. We discussed our family and it ended there.
My husband respected my decision to do politics. But even if I heard anything, as a former senior civil servant who understand confidentiality and my limits, I don’t think I would need to go beyond. I needed to support him so that he could work well and advance his career. I am glad that even after he left, I don’t think there is anyone who can point a finger at him accusing him of having disclosed this or that to his wife.
I know some people looked at it that way. I don’t even know how his contract was terminated. I suspected that the contract was terminated because I belong to an opposition party. I said if that was the case, then it was most unfortunate because people must be regarded as human beings in their own rights. But I am glad that he served and he left with a clean name.
Q: How was the atmosphere each time you returned home in the evening when Mr Sata was busy denouncing the Task Force earlier in the morning?
A: This is my husband and we are one and if he attacks the Task Force, it touched me somehow. And one day I told Mr Sata as my uncle that ‘these utterances you make about the Task Force, people would start saying it is my husband who probably has said something to him’. I even told him one day that ‘you are saying that disband the Task Force because you want me to suffer’.
But you know Mr Sata spoke his mind. He would say that the Task Force was illegal but the man who worked for this illegal entity was looking after his niece. My husband was very understanding. Even when they terminated his contract, he took it very calmly. I felt guilty that a thing like had happened. I felt that if I had not joined politics, he would still be working.
But I think everything has got its own way of ending, and it ended that way. There are a lot of sacrifices when people live together and my husband had sacrificed a lot. I just pray and hope that the people in authority who might have thought that he was not the right person because the wife was a politician will see in the end that they made a mistake because Parliament is another arm of government and I am a member of parliament so there is need to work together to implement government’s policies.
Q: Mr Sinyangwe is out of the Task Force and Mr Sata is suddenly quiet about the Task Force, is that a coincidence?
A: I don’t know. Yes, coincidentally he is not talking. Maybe the Task Force is now legal…it’s only Mr Sata who can answer.
Q: How many children do you have?
A: I have four boys. I had one daughter who unfortunately passed on. It’s a family of men. I am the only woman.
Q: When did you marry?
A: In 1980.
Q: How did you meet…I think that this business of broadcasting must have brought you together since your husband is also from that background?
A: It’s surprising. You know I worked with him when he was transferred from Lusaka to Kitwe. He was working in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting but education television was housed in the same house as ministry of broadcasting. We were together in broadcasting. It was just hi, hi in the first few years but I don’t know what happened later. We got very close and finally we got married. You know we were ssociation and I met very experienced television producers and writers.
Q: Could you get back to the point you were developing when you talked about being appointed as a lecturer?
A: Yes, I was appointed lecturer at the education television in Kitwe and I worked for three years. We have the same positions as lecturers in teacher training colleges; while they were lecturing to students, we were lecturing on air.
In 1989, I was appointed to assistant controller at education television. That meant that I was running the whole department of education television. We had a film department, photographic department, production and management and the research department.
Apart from the clerks, you will be surprised that I was the only woman in that department of education television heading men. It was a very big challenge though I didn’t feel it much because even when I was growing up, I was brought in a family of boys.
I attribute a lot to my late dad because he used to tell me that ‘my father had nine girls’, and the late two were my father and his young brother. He said his father gave everybody at home equal chores. If it meant climbing the tree, the women did that. So he told me that he had no boys or girls, he just had children in a home and he gave us the challenges to do.
So I grew up looking at myself as a person rather looking at myself as a woman. And when I was heading a department full of men, I didn’t feel it would be difficult, though men sometimes want to push you around.
After working as assistant controller for three years, I was again sent abroad. This time to Washington to go and do television and broadcasting management. I was attached to WVIZ television station which was also a public broadcaster. While there, I attended a very big conference which taught me a lot of things on education broadcasters and producers.
Education broadcasting in this country is trivialised; whether we talk of education for all, it would take a long time for us to achieve that. Distance education using broadcasting is very cardinal because our friends in other countries told us that they get degrees and PhDs just by using the media and reading materials.
So when I came back, I was transferred to head the whole education broadcasting here in Lusaka. At the time, there was talk that they’re going to abolish education broadcasting altogether. I asked my permanent secretary then, Dr Sichalwe Kasanda, why they had brought me to Lusaka if they were abolishing the programme. He said ‘no, we spend a lot of money buying radio and TV sets but not so many people would listen to the programme’.
I said ‘why don’t we look at the other side of things because we now have so many children in the streets who cannot afford education so we can give them education that is cheaper and therefore affordable’.
That is how I brought the idea of us having a directorate of distance education where education broadcasting could belong together with the national correspondence college so that we start at that level then move it up to grade twelve level and link it up with the university. I thought there was a total breakdown from primary school and what is happening at the university.
My idea then was to build up and link up with the university. I had a lot of discussions with the director of distance education and things were coming up but unfortunately I had to retire because you don’t work forever.
The plans that I had are not coming but one thing I am proud of is the interactive radio programme which I initiated which is known as Taonga Market.
Q: Was that your initiative?
A: Yes, that was my baby. I said ‘we have these children and mothers who spend all the time in the markets selling because they don’t have any other source of livelihood and we have grandparents with children. So why do we offer some kind of education to the out of school?’
At first they said it was impossible because I was talking of people who were scattered all over. But I was very determined. As I said earlier, I was a producer so I produced one programme for the girl-child education and the people at NORAD really admired that programme.
So they went to find out at ZNBC who did that programme. They were told that the producer was at education. They followed and I told them I was planning to sponsor education to the out of school children. They asked how this could be done. I said we just had to sensitise people by talking to them. This man from NORAD bought the idea but he was not sure.
And, Amos, I remember the two years when I planned for that programme. I never knew what a weekend was; I worked on Saturdays and Sundays. When my driver was tired, I picked my husband to come with me just in case I had a tyre burst he would help out. I went in villages talking to the people. So I piloted that project in Monze, Chongwe and Lusaka.
I had meetings with villagers, convincing them to find a mentor who would look after their children, convincing them to find a place where they could listen to a programme and also to borrow a radio from the neighbourhood for use when time for lessons come.
When I took it to Chongwe, I wanted to pilot in three areas but the councillors said ‘no, we need a centre in each of our wards’ and there were about nine wards and we gave in. So we had nine centres in Lusaka and about ten in Monze. We worked tirelessly writing programmes and did all what we could before launching the programme with Honourable Brigadier General Godfrey Miyanda who was education minister at the time. He was very helpful.
Q: Which year was this?
A: This was about the year 2000. We started with grade one and moved to grade two. It was interesting when we went to Monze because parents were removing children from normal schools to our centres because they felt that the children were learning more than in the normal schools.
This was because the radio teacher would always be there, there was nothing like the teacher has gone for a funeral or he is today sick. Our programmes were so well planned that the children learnt well.
And one thing that excited me was that when I went back to monitor, I found that even the elderly people had started using the programmes. That made me very sad because I knew that Zambians were really thirsty for education. When I came back, I told people at the ministry that we needed to do something for adults because there were things like stand, jump, in the programmes for children and it would be difficult for elders to follow that. But the elders told me they were happy because they could go to the bank and sign signatures.
So I said we needed to plan for adults. By the time I left, we had gone up to grade four. Now they have gone up to grade seven. My idea was that when we get to grade seven, we should inter-link with national correspondence college at grade six level and give them packs of modules for them to follow.
But I hear that some of our children wrote grade seven and they had gone to grade eight. I hope and pray that they will follow that because if it crumbles, I will be very sad because that is something I laboured.
Q: I know that this Taonga Market is a radio programme, but just how does it operate?
A: Now the Ministry of Education had realised that it is something they can really look to, especially in the rural areas. When I was there, I lobbied for radios, boards, chalk and exercise books. So people just find a place. In rural areas, they use even homes. Then we find school leavers who in most cases have nothing to do. So we help them out in this area.
In the programme, it is built on what the teacher is supposed to do so they just follow. I did a lot of monitoring, even with my staff to see if the programme was making progress. We did a lot of evaluations.
Q: I have listened to this programme on radio on a number of occasions but now I am trying to imagine what happens on the ground. So tell me, what happens?
A: We have training sessions for mentors once a year. We do a lot of practicing and sing the songs because we try to make it entertaining. The programme is on radio and the mentors or teachers are in the centres following the programme with the children. After the programme, the children are given exercises to write.
But the problem we had is that we were not paying these people (mentors). So I suggested to the Ministry of Education that we must have a way of motivating these people who are putting in a lot. I said ‘let’s recruit grade twelves, after they mentor for two years then we can send them to teacher’s training colleges for training’. That’s how far I left things. I don’t know if this was followed up.
The mentors were eager knowing they would go for training after two years.
Q: By the way, why did you name this programme as Taonga Market?
A: I decided to name the interactive radio programme as Taonga because in Tumbuka language, taonga means thank you. Secondly, I am so much in love with my niece’s daughter whose name is Taonga. Because I attached so much feeling to it, I gave it the name Taonga.
Q: When did you retire?
A: I left the ministry in 2003, that’s when I retired. And I really thank the ministry. They trained me a lot. I travelled a lot. At one time I was the chairperson of the SADC committee on education. I headed this committee for three years and we had Professors and PhD holders; I was there among these people as chair.
Normally, I was supposed to run just for a year but they kept retaining me for three years. And these three years I chaired the committee gave me the wider knowledge of what is happening in education.
Q: At the time of your retirement, what position did you hold?
A: I was director, education broadcasting services.
Q: What followed your retirement?
A: When I retired, the donors that I was working with were not very comfortable that I should go leaving that project. I did a lot of projects there, I was involved in the sensitising process during the decentralisation of the ministry. This programme took me to almost all corners of Zambia. I was also instrumental in the programme for the advancement of girls’ education in Zambia. I did the FAWEZA thing; I was the first publicity secretary.
So the donors wanted to retain me somehow after I retired. They said I should remain as a coordinator but away from the ministry. I was employed by USAID.
I worked just for four months when I was called to go and stand for parliamentary elections in Mpika. I left my good salary…(she laughs).
Q: Who called you to contest those elections?
A: There was a by-election in Mpika so the president asked if I could go.
Q: Which president?
A: President Sata.
Q: When did you join politics?
A: I think all of us are politicians by nature but it is the levels that matter. I was beginning to join politics at that level just after I retired. When I went into those elections, I didn’t know a thing; I didn’t know how they campaigned, how they talked to cadres because I would be upset and tell them ‘if you want money from me just go away’.
Somehow, I didn’t have enough time. I only went there for a month and in this one-month we had the nominations and elections. But I couldn’t make it.
I am normally a very determined person and get attached to people I work with. So I was attached to the people I worked with in Mpika. I said ‘I will work and I must get that seat’. I came back and continued to work with my people in Mpika.
But then I was told by my president that I will not go back to Mpika because I could contest a Lusaka seat.
Q: That’s how you abandoned Mpika?
A: I abandoned Mpika with great pain.
Q: When you decided to join politics, why did you settle for Patriotic Front and not any other political party?
A: As I said, I moved a lot across the country. I think I understand Zambia more than most of the politicians. And when I went around the country, I talked to people, to parents, children, churches and politicians. Each time I came back, I would tell them what I found on the ground.
I talked year after year but nothing moved. Then I thought ‘no, I shouldn’t join MMD because if I do, it will just be like I am just joining the same story’. But I didn’t want to belong to the failures again. I wanted us to make a change. That’s how I joined PF to make the change when we come to power because I had so many things I thought we would change if we came to power. That’s how I joined PF.
Q: I thought you joined PF because Mr Sata is your relative, isn’t that so?
A: Yes, Amos, Mr Sata is my uncle but I don’t work like that. I work out of my conviction, that I am doing what is right. You don’t join because of a person. PF is an organisation, it doesn’t belong to Mr Sata. So I joined the party because tomorrow Mr Sata might not be there.
Q: So there is also a family tree in PF?
A: (Laughter) But the difference with this family tree is that I work and convince the people that I can stand and work. I don’t want to rely on the family tree to talk for me, to make grades for me. I make my own grades. There is one thing I believe in from the time I was growing up; I must do what is right.
Q: I have heard some PF people complain that you were initially imposed in Mpika and later in Matero Constituency because of this same family tree business…
A: That’s interesting. As for Matero, when I came back from Mpika, the constituency I should have contested was Munali. I started work in Munali and I got along with the people there. But then the teachers who worked with me and the people that I interacted with when I was doing decentralisation work in Matero decided that they wanted me to be their MP. That’s how easy I had it.
When they told me this, I first thought it was a joke. But believe you me, Mr Sata didn’t want me to go to Matero. He fought that I should be removed. Even from the last day of my adoption, Mr Sata didn’t want to play a part because he didn’t want to be accused of imposing a relation on a constituency.
But the people of Matero came to Mr Sata several times saying they wanted me. And two years before elections, I was with the people of Matero. I worked with them because I wanted to know them, their problems and know the place. I also wanted them to know me. By the time of elections, it was plain sailing for me.
Q: But your uncle Mr Sata is on record as having said recently that you won Matero because of PF and if you want to be funny now he will kick you out of the party so you can prove your popularity if you think that you are popular…
A: The truth of the matter is you heard that in some instances the electorate refused the people they had given them. People now are developed. They are not just going to go because it’s a party. As for me, I think I won as me because I worked with the people for Matero for two years so they knew me. We did a lot with them.
Q: What did you do?
A: I had a lot of meetings with women. I even started youth football clubs. I was a teacher so mingling with people is my nature. I interacted with the teachers, the church, I am staunch catholic. So people knew who they were voting for. If I go with you to Matero, you will see that even the young children know me by name.
So I won as a person. I know the people there love PF but I think I won as a person because they knew me. There were some instances where candidates were imposed on constituencies and we lost. The president won by the parliamentary
candidate lost.
Q: Going back to your relationship with Mr Sata, from which side is he your uncle?
A: Mum’s side. My mother and Mr Sata are cousins. I knew my grandfather very well. I am talking about Mr Sata’s father who I adored. He was a wonderful man. When he was alive living at Mr Sata’s place, I was more frequent at their place because it was a pleasure being with him.
Q: Recently, you found yourself on Mr Sata’s other side and you must have, for a moment, forgotten that he was your uncle when you called him a thug after he allegedly sent some thugs to sort you out, how was that experience?
A: That incident was very sad. Let me go back a little, as members of parliament, we enacted the NCC Bill and I was part of that. Even in the process before the enactment, PF was part of that. Don’t you remember that my president was present at the summit of presidents at Mulungushi? The NCC was as a result of their meeting. They drew the roadmap and the Bill was brought to Parliament.
It was taken to a committee where everybody submitted, PF included. Amendments were brought to the House, we debated and enacted. Out of principle, I am not going to act against something that I was part of. I told you earlier that I stand as a person even if he is my own father and I think I don’t agree with him, I will say so. In this instance, I said I was not going to agree just because Mr Sata is my uncle. I want to do what is right.
There are two things here; to do the right thing or to go the easy way. I don’t believe that all the people who have stayed away believe that they wanted to stay away. They have stayed away because they were afraid of being fired. But I think I am doing the right thing. I am representing my people in the constituency who are not only PF. You have MMD, ULP, UPND, the churches and all those who do not belong to any party.
A party position should not stand in a way where one is representing people beyond party lines. There comes a time in one’s life when you have to put your head on the chopping board in order to do what is right.
I am a Franciscan, by the way. If you see those Catholic women who put on grey things, grey gowns. So I vowed obedience and I vowed humility. When I held the Bible and said I would defend the Constitution, why shouldn’t I? If there is any other better reason, I would say no. But this is a national thing and I believe that we have been crying for a good national constitution for a long time.
Another beauty is that our current Republican President is not standing so we will have no interference from him. Thirdly, and most important, boycotts have never worked for anybody in this country. Even if we had boycotted, the people who had gone will have gone ahead to enact the Constitution. Should they come and complain later? People will think that we are not serious.
By going there does not mean that we are going to agree to everything and that we are going to defect from PF. We have never sat anywhere and say we are forming a party like others have insinuated. We are not saying we are removing Mr Sata because that is not a convention, it is just NCC.
What we need is internal democracy. We must have elections, we must go to the convention and elect our leaders. But now what it is, is that Mr Sata appoints and when he is not happy, he removes you. Whereas if you were elected by the people, you cannot easily be removed from a position like is the case now.
Q: Just how did you gather courage to call your uncle Mr Sata a thug when those thugs he allegedly sent harassed and humiliated you in Matero?
A: You know, one thing is that the people who came were Mr Sata’s security men. And as a PF member, I know that those people get instructions from Mr Sata. They don’t fall under anybody.
When they came, the first thing they said was ‘we were sent that you should never hold any meetings because you are suspended’. I told them I am suspended as a PF member but I am still a member of parliament and I am here for a ward development committee meeting. We were discussing the bad state of the roads in the constituency and we wanted to elect people to supervise a project that the Zambia National Service was going to carry out in the area.
So these men came in and started pushing me like a thief. They poured Chibuku opaque beer on me. I was very upset. I am still very upset. And I will not rest until those people are taken on. We must go to court and they must justify why they did that.
Q: What did your uncle and president say after you described him as a thug?
A: He hasn’t talked to me, he never phoned me. But I phoned him, I talked to him. I was very upset and I had the courage much more because he was my uncle and I never expected anything like that from him. I told him I was very disappointed and I believed that he sent those people because they were his people.
Q: What was his response?
A: He refused. But when this thing happened, your reporter came and found me with beer all over my body and I said what I said. I am not going to be like a coward politician who say one thing today and tomorrow they say I was misquoted. I said what I said because of how I felt. We can’t have politics where we stop reasoning. We are also supposed to respect other people’s opinions.
If Mr Sata thought he needed to fire us like he has been threatening, he should fire us with dignity. There is no need to fight each other because apart from me being his niece, I am a married woman.
Q: Has the party initiated any disciplinary action against you as a result of that statement against your president?
A: In the letter that they wrote me, they said I must exculpate myself as to why I said those words. But as you know, I have reported this to the police and the case will soon commence so I don’t want to say much about that. We will go and hear everything in court.
Q: In the light of these developments, how do you see your future in PF?
A: I have a future. I am an MP. My electorates still want me. I am still working with them in terms of development. This time there is no politicking; we must be talking about development. Now it’s time to work with the government to bring development to our people.
And I am saying government because I am not going to initiate anything without money. Whether I like it or not, I will knock on the door of a minister to lobby for my people. That is the job of an opposition member of parliament; it is to lobby and convince the people in power that you need certain things.
Q: Assuming you are expelled from PF, which way do you go?
A: I am a person and I have always been a person. I don’t think my life will start and end with politics.
Q: I am talking about possibilities of joining another political party…
A: I have no plans of joining any party and I don’t see anybody chasing me from PF because I have not done anything wrong, anyway! Someone must give me good reasons for chasing me or I will not move an inch. You don’t just chase because you have powers to chase. The reasons they gave me in my suspension letter do not hold water. They must have other reasons to chase me or fire me from the party.
Q: Let’s talk about your family in brief. I know your husband My Mpazi Sinyangwe is a former Task Force spokesperson. One can say that you come from a ‘divided’ house in the sense that your husband worked for the government while you belonged to an opposition party.
Just how did you reconcile these two positions?
A: I had worked in government for many years and I had been a very senior civil servant. So I understand how government works. Politics were at our secretariat and his work was at the Task Force. When we met at home, we were a family. I never discussed anything concerning his work and I never discussed politics with him. We discussed our family and it ended there.
My husband respected my decision to do politics. But even if I heard anything, as a former senior civil servant who understand confidentiality and my limits, I don’t think I would need to go beyond. I needed to support him so that he could work well and advance his career. I am glad that even after he left, I don’t think there is anyone who can point a finger at him accusing him of having disclosed this or that to his wife.
I know some people looked at it that way. I don’t even know how his contract was terminated. I suspected that the contract was terminated because I belong to an opposition party. I said if that was the case, then it was most unfortunate because people must be regarded as human beings in their own rights. But I am glad that he served and he left with a clean name.
Q: How was the atmosphere each time you returned home in the evening when Mr Sata was busy denouncing the Task Force earlier in the morning?
A: This is my husband and we are one and if he attacks the Task Force, it touched me somehow. And one day I told Mr Sata as my uncle that ‘these utterances you make about the Task Force, people would start saying it is my husband who probably has said something to him’. I even told him one day that ‘you are saying that disband the Task Force because you want me to suffer’.
But you know Mr Sata spoke his mind. He would say that the Task Force was illegal but the man who worked for this illegal entity was looking after his niece. My husband was very understanding. Even when they terminated his contract, he took it very calmly. I felt guilty that a thing like had happened. I felt that if I had not joined politics, he would still be working. But I think everything has got its own way of ending, and it ended that way.
There are a lot of sacrifices when people live together and my husband had sacrificed a lot. I just pray and hope that the people in authority who might have thought that he was not the right person because the wife was a politician will see in the end that they made a mistake because Parliament is another arm of government and I am a member of parliament so there is need to work together to implement government’s policies.
Q: Mr Sinyangwe is out of the Task Force and Mr Sata is suddenly quiet about the Task Force, is that a coincidence?
A: I don’t know. Yes, coincidentally he is not talking. Maybe the Task Force is now legal…it’s only Mr Sata who can answer.
Q: How many children do you have?
A: I have four boys. I had one daughter who unfortunately passed on. It’s a family of men. I am the only woman.
Q: When did you marry?
A: In 1980.
Q: How did you meet…I think that this business of broadcasting must have brought you together since your husband is also from that background?
A: It’s surprising. You know I worked with him when he was transferred from Lusaka to Kitwe. He was working in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting but education television was housed in the same house as ministry of broadcasting. We were together in broadcasting.
It was just hi, hi in the first few years but I don’t know what happened later. We got very close and finally we got married. You know we were working in the same building so after we married, he just worked for one year and left. Whether he was running away from me, I don’t know.
Q: Where did he go?
A: He joined Star Commercial and from that time he never came back to broadcasting. He was working for other people until the Task Force co-opted him and he served diligently. Now he is concentrating on our family business. He is working on our small holding in Chongwe.
Q: Well, we have come to the end of the interview. Let me thank you for this opportunity. I wish you all the best.
A: Thank you and you are welcome.
Labels: FAUSTINA SINGYANGWE, PROFILE
Read more...
