Namugala advises Rupiah’s critics to be sensitive

Namugala advises Rupiah’s critics to be sensitive
Written by Katwishi Bwalya
Saturday, May 02, 2009 4:50:06 PM

TOURISM minister Catherine Namugala has advised people criticising President Rupiah Banda to be sensitive and realise that he too is human. Officiating at the 3rd True Ebony Achievement Awards presentation in Lusaka on Thursday night, Namugala said there was need for people to realize that there was more to life than just criticising the government.

She said it was unfortunate that some people had continued to dish out destructive criticism on the government and politicians.

"Please yes, do criticise us but be sensitive that we too are humans especially your President whom you yourselves have elected. He is the only one you have at this point in time. Respect him, he is your President. There is no one else at the moment, give him the due respect," Namugala said

Namugala said people should also be able to speak out whenever politicians did something right.

"If we had to trade places, I can assure you that you would not enjoy a destructive criticism that is some time dished out to the politicians," she said. "We need you to tell us when we go wrong but please when we do something right tell us as well. That way you will encourage us to do even more after all even as politicians we are people too."

She said it was unfortunate that people blamed politicians for everything.

"We politicians who always have to take the blame [yes] I want to say yes, we will have problems but there are good things in our country. There are good people in our country and those good people we must encourage and applaud. Even us as politicians we need your counsel, we need you to advise us in a constructive manner," Namugala said.

She said the best gift Zambians could give to their country was to be patriotic and hard working.

"The men and women who have worked extra hard have realised that there is more to life than just criticizing and not doing much about your country. The men and women whom we are awarding and honoring tonight know that there is more to life than being a politician they have realised that in other fields there is a way you can contribute to your nation," Namugala said. "I want to encourage you to teach all of us that there is life out there, outside politics you can still excel, you can still do so much and contribute to your country Zambia and your memory will live on forever. Why am I saying all this? I am saying all this because I have realised that the best gift we can give to our country Zambia is patriotism and hard work regardless of where you are. You can contribute by being patriotic, contributing to your country in an honest manner so that you can teach the young people like Cynthia Kanema and all the young people out there that it is hard work and patriotism that builds a country so that the young people out there can look up to us the older people and indeed be proud of who we are as Zambians."

She commended Ebony executive director Kanema for coming up with an initiative of awarding Zambians who have excelled in various fields.

"The initiative by True Ebony to recognise excellence deserves special commendation because this is one way of encouraging hard work," said Namugala.

Among the people who were honoured include Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) chairperson justice Florence Mumba as female legend of the year while Professor Chifumbe Chintu scooped the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Silvia Banda of Sylvia Catering scooped the Entrepreneur of the year Award while Gold Medalist Rachael Nachula scooped the Sports Personality Award. Catherine Kaseketi scooped the Arts and Culture Award and Community Based Intervention (CBI) got the Humanitarian Award with AFRICAST scooping the Tourism Promoter of the year Award.

Kanema called for increased awareness of cervical cancer.