Maravi

Sata's Botswana donation worries Mutesa

Sata's Botswana donation worries Mutesa
By Moses Kuwema
Fri 23 Mar. 2012, 12:59 CAT

DR Fred Mutesa says Zambians will wonder why President Michael Sata donated money to a school in Botswana when Zambia had many areas that need financial assistance.

Commenting on President Sata's donation of US $10,000 to an ultra-modern high school which he officially opened during his three-day state visit to Gaborone, Dr Mutesa, president of the Zambians for Empowerment and Development, said Zambians will feel there were many other needs that the head of state could have donated to.

"…Much as it was his personal money, Zambians would be wondering if the country had no needs which the President could have donated to. The people of Zambia would be saying ‘don't we have other needs that he could have donated to' and I think the school he was opening is an elite school, in my view which did not really need his contribution. People would be saying it's misplaced priorities," Dr Mutesa said.

He, however, noted that President Sata was free to decide what to do with personal money.

"Really I would not make a storm out of a tea cup. If it's his personal money, he decides what to do with it, I would not fault find, it's not a big issue to me," he said.

The ultra-modern school, with a capacity of 2,000 high school students, is the first of its kind in Gaborone intended to be a showpiece in the region and a sign of commitment to education in that country.

And on President Sata's three-day state visit to Botswana, Dr Mutesa said it was important for the country to foster strong bilateral ties with its neighbours.

He said the head of state's visit to Botswana was particularly important because of the impending bridge project linking Kasane and Kazungula across the Zambezi River, which had been on the cards for a long time.

Dr Mutesa said his party supports the need for strengthening of bilateral ties with neighbouring countries.

Labels: BOTSWANA, FRED MUTESA, MICHAEL SATA

posted by MrK @ 4:25 PM