Maravi

(LUSAKATIMES) New political party formed

New political party formed
Tuesday, June 23, 2009, 16:07

A new political party called Zambians for Empowerment and Development (ZED) headed by University of Zambia (UNZA) lecturer Dr. Fred Mutesa has been officially launched.

Dr. Mutesa, who is the party’s interim President, announced the launch of the new party at a press briefing in Lusaka today. He said Zambians for Empowerment and Development (ZED) was registered and given the certificate of registration on June 9th this year.

Dr. Mutesa said the party will focus on citizen empowerment which the country’s leadership has allegedly failed to provide since the country got its independence in 1964.

He said the new party wants to see Zambians become empowered and thereby contribute to the nation’s development.
He said Zambia has lagged behind in development despite the huge resources the nation has because the local populations have been neglected.

Dr. Mutesa, who is also University of Zambia Developmental Studies Head of Department, said his party would extend the citizens empowerment to political, independence and social empowerment.

He has also called for a new breed of politicians in the country and those that will bring a change in the governance of the country.

Dr. Mutesa said only a new breed of leaders in the country will help address the injustices and poverty that the country is currently experiencing.

“We in ZED are saying its time we replace our old politicians with leadership that will renew our democracy and help develop the country” he said.

Meanwhile, Dr. Mutesa has disagreed with calls from sections of society who are calling for a presidential candidate to have a minimum qualification of a Degree to be president.

He said the only qualification a Presidential candidate should have is selflessness, integrity, transparency and accountabily.

Dr. Mutesa has further said that opposition political parties should only form pacts when there is need.
He said unity of purpose should be the only determining factor for the formation of pacts adding that they should only be formed to advance the interest of the common person.

Other members of the party executive are Kapembwa Lamba who is the interim Vice President, and Stembiso Daka who is the party’s interim Secretary General.

ZANIS

Labels: FRED MUTESA, PARTIES, ZAMBIANS for EMPLOYMENT AND DEVELOPMENT, ZED

posted by MrK @ 4:33 PM