Pule hails Sata-led change

Pule hails Sata-led change
By Maluba Jere and Chibaula Silwamba
Tue 27 Sep. 2011, 12:00 CAT

REVEREND Danny Pule says the various agents of the historic change of government, starting with President Michael Sata need to be commended. In an interview, Rev Pule said President Sata as an agent of change never gave up or got discouraged.

"Since 2006, really he did not lose in my view just like in 2001 Mr Anderson Mazoka did not lose, but the results were manipulated and this is the very reason that I felt that the various agents of change must be commended," said Rev Pule.

He further commended the Catholic Church for fearlessly speaking for the voiceless and urged that in future, leaders needed to pay attention to the wind of change.

"I am not Catholic myself but the Catholic Church spoke on behalf of the people. It's a pity and unfortunate that late Bishop Paul Duffy hasn't seen what he advocated, what he mentioned, what he fought for on behalf of the people," he said. "So, these are lessons we must learn."

Rev Pule also commended people who championed the need to have Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT), saying that ensured that votes were not manipulated.

"I believe that the peaceful transition that has taken place has so much been as a result of the international community speaking out on behalf of the people and siding with the people in the name of democracy," he said.

Rev Pule said Zambians were the real agents of change because they stood as one to ensure the change they wanted took place.

He urged traditional leaders to learn from what had happened and not allow themselves to become partisan.

"I am ashamed to say those chiefs from Luapula where I come from were used shamelessly by Rupiah Banda and the MMD and they were bribed to support him. But you have seen what has happened, even those who were supporting their own candidates, they lost," he said.

He said chiefs should realise the need to stand with the people.

And Rev Pule said President Sata would succeed in bringing about the changes that meet people's aspirations.

Rev Pule said Zambians would base their expectations on the Patriotic Front's manifesto which spells out what it intends to do for the people.

He said President Sata had a message that had continued to ring loud and clear in people's minds, hence their decision to elect him Republican President.

"People are expectant that that message will be carried through. I have no doubt that as a man of action, he will gather a team of ministers and other key players that will carry out the changes and the aspirations of the people and we will succeed," said Rev Pule.