Nevers, Kaingu's politics is barbaric - Chanda
By Moses Kuwema in Lusaka and Christopher Miti in Chipata
Tue 11 Dec. 2012, 12:00 CAT
LUAPULA Province MMD vice-chairman David Chanda says the party is at the crossroads because of the arrogance being exhibited by Nevers Mumba and Michael Kaingu.
And Angela Cifire says the MMD's squabbles may lead to the downfall of the former ruling party if not checked.
In an interview, Chanda said many MMD members were confused as they did not know which direction to take.
"We expect the leaders to come out and extend an olive branch to those members who feel they are not happy with the expulsion of Maj Richard Kachingwe instead of labeling them to be disgruntled. Just because people don't agree with you, it does not mean that they are disgruntled. They should realise that arrogance will not help them but the principles enshrined in the constitution are what will help their leadership," Chanda said.
He observed that Mumba and Kaingu were being tortured mentally because of the wrong-doings that they had committed.
Chanda accused Mumba and Kaingu of disrespecting the constitution and urged them to respect divergent views.
"The level of politics being practiced by the two leaders is barbaric. The MMD has a constitution that is supposed to be talking and not the leaders talking. When you have the individuals in an organisation talking and not the document talking then you will have confusion. That's why we have this confusion," he said.
Asked about his views on the appointment of Simbao as national secretary, Chanda said it was wrong.
"First of all morally, Simbao should have realised that there is total division and he should have said no because even a quorum was not formed when he was appointed. I have no respect for people who don't respect the constitution. The arrogance of Mumba and Kaingu won't take them anywhere, their days are numbered and they will regret at one point," said Chanda.
And commenting on the infighting that has characterised the MMD, Cifire, the former MMD Luangeni member of parliament and former information deputy minister, said the current situation was as a result of egoism.
She said the infighting in MMD came about because certain members felt they were "more equal than others".
"These people who feel they are more equal than others, they want themselves and the leadership to be the only people that have a say in MMD…At some stage, leadership is about being able to show vision to the people that are being led and also the people to be able to appreciate that. Now if you get to the point where you think that everything is about you and not the bigger picture of what the party is, then you get to these situations," Cifire said.
She said the current happenings in MMD were a split over certain people whose egos had become bloated.
Over a week ago, MMD national secretary Major Richard Kachingwe expelled party president Mumba, saying he did not qualify to hold the position because he was still leader of the Reform Party.
The same day, Mumba expelled Maj Kachingwe from the party and later appointed Kapembwa Simbao to act in his position, accusing Kachingwe of working with the ruling party to destabilise the MMD.
"As the egos grow larger, each one of them still wants to be bigger than the other person and hence the split that is being seen now. At a time when they should have gone back to the drawing board to say 'let's examine our souls and correct these situations', what is happening is just continuing with these situations. What is happening now is just about me, me and they will not be able to correct the situation until they go down and that will mean the end of MMD," warned Cifire.
Labels: ANGELA CIFIRE, DAVID CHANDA, MICHAEL KAINGU, MMD, NEVERS MUMBA, POLITICAL VIOLENCE
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Rupiah is a thief, says Nalubamba
By Roy Habaalu, Christopher Miti, Kombe Chimpinde and Ernest C
Tue 27 Dec. 2011, 14:00 CAT
RUPIAH Banda is a thief who should be jailed, says Senior Chief Bright Nalubamba. And Angela Cifire says Banda should face the law. Meanwhile, Dr Katele Kalumba has advised Banda to maintain a low profile.
Commenting on revelations that the corruption of Frederick Chiluba's 10-year rule was a joke when compared with the theft of public resources in just three years of Banda's regime, chief Nalubamba of the Ila people of Namwala said those that had stolen must be jailed in order to deter future presidents from stealing.
"Whether he's my brother, I come from a family that believed that those who stole must be punished for the wrong things they did, I don't see retribution in this. They (Banda and the MMD) were able to earn good money. There is no way they can go scot-free. They stole public funds. It's very, very sad," said chief Nalubamba.
"Immunity and reconciliation should not be the subject. If you are going to allow people to steal at will and then they are going to reconcile with the current leadership, then you must know that you are killing this country because many people will realise that it's not a crime to steal and you will never go into prison for stealing; you won't be prosecuted. And once they know that, then no President that will come into that position will never steal. Everybody will be stealing because they know that there is a precedent left open so they will be stealing at will. We'll be in trouble."
Chief Nalubamba mocked Banda for trying to sell Kamwala Remand Prison land, saying Banda's group of government officials did not want to go to that prison.
"As a matter of fact, did you hear what president Rupiah Banda said? That he would be compelled to build a special prison for Chiluba. How do you do that to a criminal? A special prison for a criminal, how many special prisons are you going to build for these people? Just because they held positions, which they abused, how do you do that? You can't do that!" chief Nalubamba said.
"If you have abused office and you have stolen, you must go in so that others will learn. Otherwise you'll allow those in leadership to steal money at will. Then what will Zambia be 10 years from today?"
Chief Nalubamba said the Patriotic Front (PF) government should set a precedent that would save the country from plunderers.
He said there was need to plant fear in the minds of people that stealing was a criminal offence.
Chief Nalubamba said something must be done against those who had stolen and if facts were there, they must be jailed for it so that future presidents would refrain.
"Otherwise, they will say ‘how can you prosecute or arrest me when you didn't prosecute others?' They will be using these excuses for them not to be prosecuted," he said.
"This country will go to the dogs, I can tell you that. Don't set a precedent that will destroy this country. Set a precedent that will save this country from thieves."
And Cifire, who is former information deputy minister and once one of Banda's allies, said it was embarrassing for Banda to cry out to a chief and as a case study of an incumbent president who loses an election, he should face the law since he was just a cadre now.
Banda had expressed his fears of possible imprisonment to chief Mwanachingwala.
However, the PF government has advised Banda against trying to marshal public sympathy and disclosed that the corruption in his administration was massive.
Home affairs minister Kennedy Sakeni said the corruption of Frederick Chiluba's 10-year-rule was a joke when compared with the theft of public resources in Banda's government.
Several leaders in Banda's regime, himself included, are being investigated for various corruption-related offences.
Cifire said if Banda conducted himself in a befitting manner, the PF government would not harass him.
In reaction to revelations by chief Mwanachingwala that Banda was crying for protection from him, Cifire said the PF would only harass him over the wrong things that he did.
"In any case because you see he has indicated that he is going to be a political cadre, then he has to face the consequences of what cadres face when they do not do what the law states that they should be doing. It's embarrassing that he can reach a situation where he is crying out to a chief and for that matter he is crying out to a chief from Southern Province," she said.
Cifire said after his electoral defeat, Banda declared that he had retired from active politics but it was embarrassing that he was getting back into active politics.
Cifire said Banda should avoid engaging in cadre-like politics but play an advisory role as former head of state.
"A few weeks ago, he (Banda) was called to go to Congo (DR) to assist with the elections there. This is a kind of thing he should be doing now and not to be getting into these everyday cadre relationships where he is going to be parading with the women in the papers. Surely, we need to see better examples of what our leaders have got to do after retiring. The most stressful thing that a Zambian faces is retirement because it spells doom for most Zambians," she said.
Cifire said the Zambian constitution did not allow former presidents to go into destitution and this was the reason why they were given everything that they needed.
"Let him leave the cadre politics to the cadres and let the others carry on. He is out of politics. Let him enjoy his terminal benefits and pension where people can call him and consult and say ‘how can we do this act right'," she said.
"And not to be going up and down; tomorrow you want this and the other day you want something else."
Cifire poured scorn on Banda, saying his political behaviour was embarrassing and lacked consistency.
"After issuing that (retirement) statement, then again he should go back on his work, entice NEC (National Executive Committee) to have him back as president of the party. What we are seeing right now of the many candidates that are trying to stand for MMD presidency means that there are enough people that can carry on with the party," she said.
However, Cifire in April this year praised Banda for his development success and for adding a lot of value to the Zambian economy in the few years he had been in power.
Cifire said at Chipata's St Anne's Cathedral parish that Zambians should massively vote for Banda so that he could complete his development projects in this country.
In subsequent months before elections, Cifire praised Banda and vilified other opposition candidates then.
In September, Cifire resigned from the MMD because she felt unappreciated by the MMD despite having done much for the party.
And Dr Kalumba advised Banda to maintain a low profile.
"If your song is playing and you have been dancing that song when the song is over, you have to leave the stage. If you mean well and have good intentions, it's better to take a low profile. Former presidents are important national assets. Former presidents must use the networks created while in office to help the country. This is what former president Dr Kaunda is doing," he said.
And commenting on the government's announcement last week that since Banda remained MMD president he was considered to be in active politics and his benefits would be suspended, Dr Kalumba agreed with the move.
"The law is very clear about the benefits of a former president. There has been a considerable amount of discretion by presidents in the past, but there's need to ensure that, that law is adhered to. It is the law saying that and it the suspension is not done in bad faith," he said.
"I have myself been very emphatic in calling upon our former Republican president Mr Banda, who I consider to be a parent, to desist from inner pressures from those who want to live in politics of hangers-on; even when your time is up, they want to ensure that you hang on so that they have to live off you. What is important is for you to do the right thing by stepping aside."
Dr Kalumba said it would be wise for Banda to quit active politics and give advice to other leaders.
He said those who benefited from his stay in politics were pushing Banda.
"I think what the government is trying to do is to really encourage him to say ‘look let's look after you like we are looking after the old man KK'. It was sad to see how the old man suffered when he involved himself in active politics. Chiluba suffered the same because of his political involvement," said Dr Kalumba.
"I know that he may have a fear that if he quits politics, he will be troubled by the government. These are fears created by those who want to live off him. And these are 15-minute friendships, which do not stay. So my advice is, without any bad intentions, please heed the call by those who are trying to see you retire with dignity."
Recently, chief government spokesperson Given Lubinda announced the freezing of Banda's benefits because it was in breach of the benefits of former president's Act.
And Dr Kalumba said he did not support Banda as an individual in the 2011 elections but because of his loyalty to the MMD.
Explaining his sudden change from supporting Banda, Dr Kalumba, the former MMD national secretary, said he and Banda did not find common ground on many issues.
He said his support for Banda during the 2008 presidential election was meant to unite the party after the sudden death of Levy Mwanawasa.
"As far as I'm concerned, my loyalty was to my party. As party national secretary then, I made statements in support of the president but that didn't mean things were right. My role was to ensure that against all the resistance, to allow an open process, the only thing I could do was to make sure the race was open," Dr Kalumba said.
"But many of my colleagues were of the view that since president Banda was vice-president of the (MMD) government, they would benefit from the benefits of incumbency that he was enjoying. It is a situation where someone is not necessarily the best candidate, but most members feel that he is right under the circumstance. That is the way politics is. Politics is being able to hear the voices of the members. It was because of the same reason that MMD lost. It could have won, but they did not capitalise on the voices of the members because there was too much over-confidence and arrogance."
Asked if he thought Banda had a preferred successor, Dr Kalumba said it was not clear whom the former president wanted to take over from him.
And Dr Kalumba said it was clear that Banda resented him because he felt that he Kalumba) had no respect for him.
Labels: ANGELA CIFIRE, BRIGHT NALUBAMBA, RUPIAH BANDA
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Reveal names of people undermining Rupiah, Cifire challenges William Banda
By Chibaula Silwamba and George Chellah
Wed 17 Mar. 2010, 04:40 CAT
INFORMATION and broadcasting services deputy minister Angela Cifire has challenged Lusaka Province MMD chairperson William Banda to reveal names of ministers, deputy ministers and NEC members undermining President Rupiah Banda and his administration.
Reacting to Banda's revelation on Saturday that some ministers and MMD national executive committee (NEC) members that sit next to President Rupiah Banda, eat and drink with him are slapping him on the face by clandestinely undermining him and his administration, Cifire on Monday said there was no need to pretend that all was well when such things were happening.
“I think that what will be good is for him to mention the names. It will be nice for him to mention names. To show full courage he has to go all the way because if he leaves it at that then we will all be in the same things. For you that are outside, you will be pointing fingers at everyone.
So why not go all the way, pretend to know who is doing what because now we have all been lumped as the same,” said Cifire, who is also MMD Luangeni member of parliament. “So let us know, which one of us is falling prey to this kind of things. We are going to elections and we need to have unity of purpose. So, if we are smiling at each other and yet we are divided in our numbers then what is going to happen at the end of the day? Nothing!”
Cifire said William's observation was useful.
“If that has been observed then it is within ourselves that we can correct some things that are wrong. In fact, for me, I would think that it's unfortunate that such things should be happening.
The most progressive thing for anybody that has advice to give would be to sit and indicate the truth on what is happening instead of showing smiles when indeed something else is being done behind,” Cifire said.
“So, if it's true maybe I could say I salute him for his courage to bring it out that this is what is happening. If it's true, it's a show of courage on his part that he has been able to say it.
I think most of the time we tend to bury our heads in the sand; you see things happening and we want to pretend that all is well while people will be jumping on the side. So if that is happening then I think it's good that he has been able to point it out.”
Agriculture minister Peter Daka declined to comment on William's revelations.
“I am in Luapula Province doing card renewals, I wasn't there; I didn't hear the remarks. I never heard them,” Daka said.
Gender minister Sarah Sayifwanda distanced herself from the insinuations.
“From the word go I have always stated that I am new in politics and I am a God-fearing woman. I accepted politics for one purpose that is to serve the Zambian community. I am not that type or in that habit of stabbing one another, no! My focus, and I repeat it, is to serve the Zambian people in whatever capacity.
So whatever other people are saying whether against me or that lot it's only the Lord Jesus Christ who can judge,” Sayifwanda said. “I have nothing to do with those allegations. Let them go ahead, it takes the Lord Jesus Christ to cleanse all the mud from my face.
But I believe in servicing, to serve the Zambian people. Let the people talk but I believe in serving the Zambian people. I wouldn't love to go further than that. It's very unfortunate but I am here to serve the Zambian people.”
When asked about accusations that she was among the people that felt the late Levy Mwanawasa's legacy had been abandoned, Sayifwanda replied: “No one has ever approached me to find out my views and those are just speculations.
I have never sat with anyone, no one can claim today to have sat with me and then heard from me talking. And I am still desisting to make a comment on that one because I have never even said it before and I will never, never say anything.
As I have stated, I am a God-fearing woman, I fear the Lord Jesus Christ and it's only him that I will need. I don't want to make any comment on that one. It's very unfortunate no one had ever approached me, asked me on that for them to make that allegation.”
During the MMD annual card renewal exercise for Lusaka Province at Mulungushi International Conference Centre, William accused some ministers and NEC members, whom he did not name, of holding dark corner meetings against President Banda.
“Your Excellency, if you hear Lusaka Province is talking about a certain minister, a certain NEC member, you must take it serious to discipline them because this is the heart of MMD and the state,” William said. “When you call them to NEC meetings, when you look at them, who do you think you can hand over power to in NEC besides the one George Kunda you have next to you? Your Excellency, somebody called me the day before yesterday.
I am not going to hide this, somebody called me only three days ago, and he was saying, 'Comrade chairman I want you and us to work together with that one and that one'. He said, 'you must not interfere in the selection of the vice-president'.
I think they have somebody whom they want. I will tell you the name in confidence. Now, Your Excellency, these are the people who sit next to you, who eat with you, who drink with you, at the same time they are slapping you on your face behind you.”
William told President Banda not to be surprised or get angry when the Lusaka Provincial MMD committee proscribes some NEC members from attending NEC meetings.
“Your Excellency, we are saying, in Lusaka Province, we have studied all your Cabinet ministers. We have studied all your deputy ministers. We have studied all NEC members. There is no more nonsense of de-campaigning MMD in this Province,” said William.
“Those who make noise I have toured the whole Lusaka Province, I know who is wanted by the people and who is not wanted by the people. When you call NEC meetings don't be surprised, I have got a high-powered intelligence in the province, our own. When you hear that one NEC member is blocked not to attend NEC meetings, don't be surprised, don't be angry, we know that those are the people who are against your leadership.”
Labels: ANGELA CIFIRE, RUPIAH BANDA, WILLIAM BANDA
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Vote for akulu mphuno, Mpezeni urges subjects
By Christopher Miti in Chipata and Lambwe Kachali in Kasama
Monday October 13, 2008 [04:00]
PARAMOUNT chief Mpezeni of the Ngoni on Saturday advised his subjects to vote for akulu mphuno (the man with a big nose) while pointing at an MMD chitenge material bearing Vice-President Rupiah Banda's portrait. But chief Mwanjabantu of the Nsenga people of Petauke district charged yesterday that only corrupt chiefs in Eastern Province could support Vice-President Banda.
And chief Mwanjabantu has accused science and technology minister Peter Daka of enticing some chiefs in Eastern Province to vote for Vice-President Banda.
Addressing his subjects that included Luangeni MMD member of parliament Angela Cifire at Ephedukeni palace last Saturday, Mpezeni said it was time an easterner ruled Zambia.
“Angoni osati mukabude mpuno, osati kuti banthu okokunamani boza, osati akongoyenda m'minyango utsiku kuchita tuma campaign twa boza. A nkalapo a Sata nakuuzyani kuti na Kaunda, ula onse Chiluba, so naamene aba, amene aba amuona akulu mphuno aba.
[You Ngonis, you must not make a mistake, don't be cheated by these people who do their campaigns in the evenings. Sata was there, I told you about Kaunda, even that one Chiluba so now it's this one you see with the big nose,” Mpezeni said while pointing at the MMD chitenge material bearing Vice-President Banda's portrait.
Chief Mpezeni said his vote was for Vice-President Banda.
“We also want to be on top. We have pushed these others and now we are tired, enough is enough. Let us also try because we also want this position so it's not that it's me who will be on top but if Rupiah Banda wins, then it means all of us are there,” Mpezeni said.
He urged his subjects to vote for Vice-President Banda because he was the right person to continue from where late president Levy Mwanawasa left.
“I want to remind you that we have presidential elections. It's not a by-election where we choose Cifire (Angela). Now we are at war,” he said. “What you should remember is that we gave late president Mwanawasa all the MPs and I asked president Mwanawasa openly through the press to give us a vice-president and he listened and he gave us Rupiah Banda. Now the one who is there is Rupiah Banda and he is the one who has Mwanawasa's ideas. Now, if you don't vote for Banda, who will continue with Mwanawasa's good works?" Mpezeni asked.
He said late president Mwanawasa was good because he introduced the Fertiliser Support Programme (FSP) that no other presidential candidates other than Vice-President Banda could continue with.
“Others have been there in the UNIP government; he was a governor in UNIP government and he was a minister in the MMD government. But surely, what exactly are they looking for?
What type of hunger do they have for leadership; let him leave his friends to try.
Is it wrong for Rupiah Banda who is an easterner to contest?” Mpezeni asked in an apparent reference to PF's presidential candidate Michael Sata, as the subjects shouted “no”.
He urged easterners not to be cheated by some presidential candidates.
“Every person who crosses Luangwa coming here, that person is called a resident of Chipata. Now surely, can you give somebody a vote?
Neo nukuuzyani ine, so ine nukamba pano voti yanga niya Rupiah Banda wangu so olo mweo osati mukapatse oyenda voti yayi; nawo abemba nawo eyesako. Kwenze Kaunda enze muchinji, kwenze citeni a Chiluba naachinji lomba, beve beka, lomba beve anamwai wanji (I want to tell you that my vote is for Rupiah Banda so even if you don't vote for these people who come… Bembas tried, there was Kaunda and Chiluba now are they the only ones who are lucky?),” Mpezeni asked.
He said easterners should vote for Vice-President Banda so that people could understand that even easterners want to lead Zambia.
“It's not that everyone of us can lead. There is only one person who can lead so let's support him. If you vote for that person, then that person will continue these things,” Mpezeni said. “As I’m speaking to you now, some of these candidates they depend on those in the markets. Now can those from the market form government?
The people who form government are you from the village because every person comes from a village where there is a chief and a headman. Even you if you are to produce your National Registration Cards, we will see that you come from chief Mpezeni, okay. Who is there if there is no chief? The president?” chief Mpezeni asked as the people broke into laughter.
He urged the people not to listen to those who come like civil servants and bring confusion by telling them to vote for other candidates.
“Let's live the way we have been living. I’m told there are teachers who move round confusing the people but we don't want them to confuse us,” he said.
“The person who is supposed to look at the future of the people is a chief like me so I’m crying for all of you because if we harvest hunger next year, it will not be fine. Mweo Sata akamupatseni fataleza mweo nchito yake nikungoyambana naayake nanshamba lomba nshama ndiye kulamulila dziko aah, nshamba ndiyekuti niutsogoleri? Mukuyoona a headman otukwana pamunzi pagulu yabanthu ndiyekuti naatsogoleri olongotsoka? Lomba mweo ndiyebamufuna?” asked chief Mpezeni literally meaning. Can Sata give you fertiliser? His job is just to quarrel with his friends and insults.
Now, is a headman who insults at the village where there are people a good headman? Is that good leadership? So are those the type of leaders that you want.
He said if Vice-President Banda won the October 30 elections, his works would benefit all Zambians.
“O bana ba Mpezeni, bana ba Zwangendawa tiyeni tipangane chinthu cimodzi tikavotele wamene ula cabe osati benangu yai. You children of Mpezeni children of Zwangendawa let’s agree on one thing, we need to vote for that one (Rupiah Banda). I was in the Bemba land and Chitimukulu said they are behind us; they want to push us.
I was in Zambezi same, same. I was at chief Ndungu's place, he is also saying the same. Even the Tongas, I don't know whether it can be a lie but they are also saying the same thing but because we look at the majority between Southern and Eastern, you are leading here in terms of population,” chief Mpezeni said.
“O baba sunukamba kuti mukavotele pachitenje chisweta yayi kuli chitenje chisweta nachotyani? Chaula muyakene ula amene bamukuti ambuya basu baakuti ambuye basu vila vitenje yayi, koma mukasankhe cila cha blue nenze naoona amai ayakene enze achivwala alikuni?
Obaba, pano sinili pandale koma umwai ukakuwelela, umwai uwela lini kabili yai akupasani namwe mweo yam'mbale enzochita ngati enzoziwa Mwanawasa kuti nisiilepo uyu munthu ndiye angasunge. A Mwanawasa atisiya kusiila Rupiah Banda lomba mweo mumkankhe shuwa.
I’m not saying you should vote for a red chitenge no, what's the colour of the other chitenge material? That chitenge for our traditional cousin the one they call our traditional cousin, those materials no but a blue one.
I had seen one woman wearing, where is she? I’m not politicking but if you are lucky, luck cannot be on your side for two times, you have been given on a silver plate. Mwanawasa did as if he knew who to leave on the seat.”
He said easterners could not just be pushing other people to be presidents but that this was the best time for them to lead. He said he cannot do anything without the people in his chiefdom.
“I’m a chief because of you, I’m just your servant or your speaker where you can speak from. I’m not knowledgeable on my own, knowledge comes from you people,” said chief Mpezeni.
Last Monday, UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema visited chief Mpezeni at his palace but after the meeting, chief Mpezeni did not say anything when contacted to comment on the meeting.
And chief Mwanjabantu of the Nsenga people of Petauke district charged yesterday that only corrupt chiefs in Eastern Province could support Vice-President Banda.
"It's not a secret that easterners vowed not to vote for Rupiah Banda. This is why they sent Peter Daka to talk to chiefs and is here visiting chiefs.
He is moving with journalists from government media from one palace to the other…," chief Mwanjabantu said. "I challenge Peter Daka to deny this. They want to use these chiefs to dictate to their subjects to vote for Rupiah. This is what has happened here."
Chief Mwanjabantu urged easterners not to succumb to intimidation by some chiefs but should instead vote for the right candidate who would develop the country.
"Peter Daka has failed to deliver to his constituency. He has neglected his constituency. So I call upon the Nsenga people and the people of Eastern Province that we shouldn't be cheated by these cheap politics exercised by some chiefs who are receiving khaki envelops," he said.
"As chiefs, we are not supposed to force our subjects who to vote for. Let our subjects choose the president they want. It is clear that those chiefs have no vision, no direction just like Rupiah Banda because only corrupt chiefs in Eastern Province can support Rupiah.”
And chief Mwanjabantu urged chief Nyamphande to stop cheating Zambians that he chief Mwanjabantu was not a traditional leader who could speak on behalf of chiefs in the province.
"The way chief Nyamphande was crowned is the way I was crowned. Yes, so he should stop being funny because I am ready to meet him anywhere. I am prepared to meet any chief who feels is capable to meet me, because they are hopeless," said chief Mwanjabantu.
But when contacted, Daka said there was no way he could do the things that chief Mwanjabantu alleged against him.
“They (chiefs) know why they want to support RB. So he should not transmit that from wherever he is to me, because if he wants to start a fight with me, I am not ready to be getting into these fights,” Daka said. “Why should I quarrel with Yosam when he is not even my relative?”
Labels: ANGELA CIFIRE, CHIEF MPEZENI, CHIEF MWANJABANTU, MMD
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ACCA launches youth entrepreneurship
By NKOLE CHITALA
THE Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) has set aside K45 million as youth fund to help facilitate entrepreneur skills training. Deputy Minister of Sports, Youth and Child Development, Angela Cifire, said the fund was set aside this years and would run over a period of three years.
Ms Cifire said Government was happy with the organisation on the efforts made to assist youths in the country. She said Government would continue to encourage initiatives aimed at uplifting the living standards of youths.
She was speaking at the trainees meeting held at Mulungushi conference centre in Lusaka recently.
She said that with the fund set aside, the association would soon enter into partnership with a youth club, Junior’s Achievement Zambia Chapter, to help facilitate entrepreneur skills training which would run as a replica of real businesses in industry.
Ms Cifire said Government had revised the national youth policy to bring it in line with the ever-changing global and national trends.
She said the revised policy took into account the need to attain the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) through partnerships and networking among others.
The policy has outlined the vision objectives and strategies and has provided the implementation framework for various youth development programme.
She said funding for the education sector had been increasing steadily over the past couple of years, which was not the case in more than two decades. And Ms Cifire urged youths to adhere to global standards in terms of professional conduct, underpinned by a code of ethics.
“Please embrace this expertise as you establish a reputation for integrity and professional standards that are transparent, responsible and in the public interests,” she said.
ACCA has 122,426 members and global students while affiliates figures stand at over 325,606.
Labels: ACCA, ANGELA CIFIRE, ENTREPRENEURS
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Levy offers Cifire position of deputy sports minister
By Inonge Noyoo
Thursday April 26, 2007 [04:01]
President Levy Mwanawasa is likely to appoint former health minister Angela Cifire as deputy sport, youth and child development minister. According to sources close to Cifire, President Mwanawasa has written to her stating that if she would be available and ready to accept the offer, he was ready to appoint her as deputy minister in the Ministry of Sport, Youth and Child Development.
"I think the President is trying to find out if Angela would be willing to take up this appointment. As you know, it is a demotion because Angela was a full Cabinet minister," the source said.
"From what we hear, it's like the President does not want to announce and then Angela refuses to take up the position because it is a demotion. But in my view, there is no harm in Angela accepting this appointment because we have seen people who have been demoted and later promoted. The former vice-president Mr Lupando Mwape was demoted and later promoted by the same President Mwanawasa.
General Miyanda was also dropped as Republican vice-president by Chiluba and was appointed as education minister; he didn't refuse to accept that lower appointment."
The source said there were rumours that some people from Eastern Province had expressed displeasure at Cifire's dropping.
"I can only urge our people from the east not to be emotional because obviously the President has a good reason for his actions," the source said.
But when reached for comment, Cifire said she had not been communicated to about her being dropped as Cabinet minister or re-appointment to another ministry in a lower capacity.
Cifire, who was in a jovial mood, said she was only aware that she had been dropped and did not know anything about her filing up the now vacant position of deputy minister at the Ministry of Sport, Youth and Child Development.
Labels: ANGELA CIFIRE, CABINET, MINISTERS
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