Maravi

I don’t know why Fr Bwalya hates me – Rupiah

I don’t know why Fr Bwalya hates me – Rupiah
Written by Maluba Jere and Edwin Mbulo in Livingstone
Saturday, April 25, 2009 2:46:39 PM

PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda yesterday said he does not know why former Radio Icengelo station manager Fr Frank Bwalya hates him. And President Banda has described his win in Southern Province during last year's presidential elections as a major victory.

Officiating at the 18th Ordinary Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Lusaka in Livingstone, President Banda said it was however fortunate that it was only Fr Bwalya who hates him.

"I ask myself nemuyifilanji uyu [translated what wrong did I do to him]? Fortunately, it is only him as I have met other bishops such as [Kasama Archdiocese] Archbishop Spaita, I don't feel this particular animosity he [Fr Bwalya] has for me," President Banda said. "However, I will continue to pray for him. I may not be good or adequate in my dealings but please don't hate me, continue to pray for me."

President Banda said the country could only achieve growth and development if there was close collaboration between the government and other stakeholders especially the Church.

He said one of the responsibilities of the Church was to offer spiritual and moral guidance to the nation.

"It is through such guidance that Zambians will learn that the success of this country is equally their responsibility and therefore the need to change their mindsets," he said. "If all Zambians participated in productive activities, the country would achieve greater heights in terms of economic growth."

President Banda said political leaders are members of the Church and therefore the Church needed to support these leaders for the benefit of the Zambians.

He assured the diocese of the government's support in its endeavours to raise the standards of the community.

President Banda hoped the Church in its deliberations would among other issues consider enhancing justice for all, strengthening the spiritual and social wellbeing of everyone, as well as the extension of God's glory on earth.

Earlier, Southern Province minister Daniel Munkombwe said he was a proud member of UNIP and that he was happy that the people who formed MMD did not threaten people with death in order to join the party.

"When you continue to criticise, people begin to suspect the sincerity of that setup. We have bad people in MMD but we have extremely bad people in the Church," Munkombwe said.

"I am a proud Unipist [UNIP] and am happy that the people who formed the MMD, one of them is here [Akashambatwa Mbikusita Lewanika stands up], they did not say change with us or you will die. So don't command people to change or die, we don't want Christians to die."

Anglican Diocese of Lusaka Bishop David Njovu urged President Banda to revisit his campaign promises. Bishop Njovu said his church would continue to pray for President Banda's leadership. He expressed concern at the current job losses due to the closure of the mines.

"We are now reliving the sad times when mines are closed and families are faced with untold miseries and hardships," Bishop Njovu said. "We pray to God Almighty that this situation does not repeat itself with the intensity of the previous times, this can only be avoided with government's intervention to protect its nationals by safeguarding their jobs and consequently, the wellbeing of their families and of the country."

And speaking on arrival at Livingstone International Airport, President Banda thanked the people of Livingstone for voting for him in last year's polls.

"I would like to thank the royal highnesses led by chief Mukuni for the great honour bestowed on me...through them I want to thank the people of this province for their support resulting in a higher figure of votes in the province and grabbing the capital city of the UPND [United Party for National Development]," he said. "It is a major victory because since multi party, the whole of this province has always gone to one party."

President Banda also thanked the church for its prayers for the wellbeing of the country as well as the people.

"It is fortunate that people pray for the wellbeing of this country and I can carry this country in unity and peace and am really happy that I’m here for this important function," he said.

President Banda also wished the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) well in its efforts to provide justice to everyone in the country regardless of whether they were Zambians or not.

President Banda, who said LAZ was an important organisation in ensuring a fair legal system, expressed gratitude for being invited to grace the institution's annual congress.

"That is why I look forward to tomorrow night having dinner with them," President Banda said. "I wish them well in their effort to providing justice to everyone regardless of where they come from."

He said the MMD would do its best to ensure that the country moves forward in prosperity.

The President was welcomed by Munkombwe, other government and party officials, the mayor and chiefs Mukuni, Sekute and Moomba.

Vice-President George Kunda's wife Ireen was also on the same plane as President Banda and other officials.

At the airport, MMD provincial chairman Solomon Muzyamba assured President Banda that the MMD leadership in the province would continue to mobilise people to ensure it is strengthened.

However, Muzyamba said the party was rather disturbed and concerned about the non-performing opposition political parties who had made it their business to be arm-chair critics of the government.

"Out of every good deed, they see negative. Such politics are detrimental and will not help you develop the country," Muzyamba said.

He said the opposition political parties needed to realise that the country needed development and urged them to join efforts with the government to bring about development.

"They need to wake up and realise that this country needs development," Muzyamba said. "Let us all work together, let them join us when 2011 comes, we can get back to politics. By 2011, we will have gathered more members and we will ensure a win and continued leadership."

Munkombwe urged President Banda not to get distracted by attacks from the opposition political parties.

Munkombwe said the party was stronger in Southern Province but that he would not tell President Banda how much support he had so that the opponents could take it that the MMD were sleeping in the area.

Labels: FRANK BWALYA, RUPIAH BANDA

posted by MrK @ 1:48 PM