Don’t be abused by politicians, Nalubamba tells chiefs
By Ernest Chanda in Namwala
Thu 29 Oct. 2009, 04:00 CAT
SENIOR chief Bright Nalubamba of the Ila people in Namwala district has questioned government attacks on chiefs who support opposition political leaders. Speaking when three traditional leaders from Chinsali on Wednesday paid a courtesy call on him at his palace, chief Nalubamba said opposition leaders were also Zambians who should be supported when they performed well.
Three Bemba chiefs, Mukwikile, Chewe and Chimbuka, visited chief Nalubamba to promote interaction among traditional leaders. He said he believed in the tenets of democracy where people's views should be respected regardless of who they offended or pleased.
“We as traditional leaders are available to making a contribution to democratic governance. We have a problem with people who pretend to know what they don't know. If a chief highlights government's problems it doesn't mean that traditional leader is an enemy of the state. We know how ignorance can play a devastating role in society, and that's why we don't want our subjects to be ignorant of what is happening in their country,” chief Nalubamba said.
“It would be unreasonable for any government to consider the opposition irrelevant in governance. The opposition have got something to contribute to national development.
Why should it be right for Chitimukulu, Mukuni or those chiefs in Chitambo to support MMD and then it's wrong for other traditional leaders to support the opposition? What is good for the ruling party should be good for the opposition as well. In fact, government should accept the fact that the opposition are a government in waiting. When they do well we shall praise them, and when they get to power we shall remind them to continue doing well.”
Chief Nalubamba said chiefs had power to assist governments in governance because they were closer to the people.
“For example, today you found me making a foundation for our classroom block with my people. That's how we work as traditional leaders. We have power to assist government in governance by supplementing what they do, and they can't deny that. And to you my fellow chiefs, I urge you to be frank, don't be abused by politicians. And if those in power come to ask you about your problems, be frank with them, don't appease them. If you don't tell them the truth they will make you blunt instead of sharpening you. In the end you will not help your people and the people will disown you,” he said.
He bemoaned his recent fall out with the government, saying the amount of hate towards him would not stop him from speaking for his people.
“Government officials should not be afraid of talking to chiefs.
Right now they can't talk to me for reasons of hate, please tell them that I don't care for as long as my people are well-informed and looked after. And for you my traditional brothers, government should respect you because you have got value. We are not chasing after their power, we already have enough. For me I just want to help change the governance system. By the way, who told them that because they are in power now then everyone else is a fool?” chief Nalubamba asked.
“Please don't consider people who vote for the opposition as senseless people; I refuse to be classified that way. I don't want to be threatened because you are threatening the unthreatenable. I will always voice out my opinion as a Zambian and as a leader who is seeing how my people are suffering. Whether what I say pleases those in power or not it doesn't matter for as long as I speak for my people.”
And chief Mukwikile said the choices traditional leaders make should not be bound by conditions. He said it was gratifying that traditional leaders could meet occasionally to discuss governance issues.
“First of all it is most gratifying that we came here to pay a courtesy call on chief Nalubamba. As chiefs we should be meeting to discuss governance issues. Much as we know that we have to work with the government of the day, we should also know that each one of us has got his own choices to make. We should not be bound by conditionalities,” chief Mukwikile said.
“In the Bemba establishment we have what we call the Ilamfya Council where we meet to discuss governance and developmental issues. We are here to learn from our brother how he goes about governing his people. There should be no issues of tribe because whether you are Lozi, Mambwe or Bemba the same poverty affects you. Our interaction therefore should flow down to our subjects so that we promote national unity.”
And chief Chewe said traditional leaders should talk more politics because they have the people.
“There are some people who think that chiefs have got no people. But I can tell them that we have the majority people and that is why politicians come to us asking for a vote. Right now we are not talking politics but unity of chiefs. We can also talk politics because we have the people. And we are the foundation of all politics because we were there before political governments started. It is there in history that chiefs ruled first before politicians, so we have more wisdom than them.”
Meanwhile, chief Chimbuka said the political pacts should be supported because they are a good alternative.
“When you read about the history of Zambia you will understand that the African National Congress which was led by Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula was also deputised by Lawrence Katilungu, a Bemba from Kasama. And Namwala was Katilungu's first constituency because he stood here and won resoundingly. So, political pacts between these two brothers have not started today. Mwaanga and Kaunda went into a pact and it worked, so even the current pact between the UPND and the PF will work. We are here to revive our old relationship with our brothers in Namwala,” said chief Chimbuka.
Labels: BRIGHT NAMULAMBA, CHIEFS
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Rupiah is not an angel – Mulongoti
By Jane Mwakasungula
Mon 26 Oct. 2009, 04:01 CAT
PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda and his ministers are not angels but humans who make mistakes, MMD acting spokesperson Mike Mulongoti said yesterday.
Commenting on chief Bright Nalubamba of the Ila people of Namwala that government ministers were responsible for President Banda’s lying, Mulongoti said the current economic problems the country was facing were ordinary.
“President Banda and us in the MMD are not angels.
The President and his ministers are humans who are capable of making mistakes. After all, he (President Banda) is human like anybody else,” Mulongoti said. “We are in the global village where every country is facing problems. We should not behave as if we are outlandish. Yes we have made a mistake but people should understand that human beings are bound to do that at any time. My appeal is that we should be patient because the problem is not permanent. Even Tanzania and other countries are facing the same challenges.”
Mulongoti, who is also works and supply minister, charged that chief Nalubamba had no respect for President Banda by rushing to the press over the fuel crisis.
“That basically shows that his royal highness had no respect for the President and government. If he felt aggrieved, he should have come to us and we would have discussed the matter comprehensively. We do not rush to the press to complain about their royal highnesses, but rather do it the right way,” he said.
Mulongoti accused chief Nalubamba of trying to demoralise people over the MMD by suggesting that it was not possible for the ruling party to defeat the PF-UPND pact in 2011 with the current mismanagement of the economy.
“The chief’s sentiments are demoralisations. He is blowing the issue out of proportion and we are not going to bend to that,” said Mulongoti.
Chief Nalubamba on Saturday said President Banda qualified to be called a liar after taking misleading advice from energy minister Kenneth Konga on the fuel crisis.
Labels: BRIGHT NAMULAMBA, MIKE MULONGOTI, RUPIAH BANDA
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Rupiah qualifies to be a liar, says Nalubamba
By Jane Mwakasungula
Sun 25 Oct. 2009, 04:00 CAT
CHIEF Bright Nalubamba of the Ila people of Namwala says President Rupiah Banda qualifies to be called a liar after taking misleading advice of energy minister Kenneth Konga on the fuel crisis.
And chief Nalubamba has said that Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata has proved to be a people’s darling politically going by his scores in the previous elections. In an interview in Lusaka on Saturday, chief Nalubamba said it was not possible for the MMD to defeat the PF-UPND pact in 2011 with the current mismanagement of the economy.
“I am very disappointed with the President over the fuel issue. Konga has virtually damaged his image. He misled him (President Banda) over the crisis and then the President later told a lie to the people of Zambia. We are calling for an urgent reshuffle so that government responds to people’s calls.
President Banda has lied over the fuel crisis. This is a crucial moment for President Banda to put people in their right positions so that they can defend his character as President if it is not too late by telling the nation the truth. If that happens, maybe he can reverse the damage caused on him by his ministers,” said chief Nalubamba.
“It is what the ministers of government are doing that will destroy the MMD, and the PF-UPND pact will gain points in this process whether they like it or not.”
Chief Nalubamba said in order to strengthen democracy, no one should attempt to destroy the PF-UPND pact.
And commenting on Namwala UPND member of parliament major Robbie Chizyuka’s remarks that Sata was the worst person to enter into an alliance with with UPND, chief Nalubamba said Chizyuka was wasting his time by insulting Sata becaue he had proved to be the love of many Zambians. He said MMD was building Sata politically by insulting him, at a time when many had lost hope in the ruling party.
“Who is Chizyuka to despise Sata when millions of Zambians are saying he is a good man? Doesn’t the MMD know that they are building Sata politically for castigating him at a time when millions of Zambians are saying he is a darling, politically? The MMD is insulting the man (Sata) directly and indirectly through rebellious members from both the UPND and PF because they are scared of 2011,” said Chief Nalubamba.
And Chief Nalubamba has asked Chizyuka not to challenge his imminent expulsion from the party if he was a factor in Namwala, as he claimed. Chief Nalubamba said Chizyuka was being ungrateful to his party president Hakainde Hichilema who was behind his success in Namwala.
Labels: BRIGHT NAMULAMBA, CHIEFS, FUEL, KENNETH KONGA, PF-UPND, ROBBIE CHIZHYUKA, RUPIAH BANDA
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Rupiah loses support of S/Province chiefs
Written by George Zulu in Monze
Friday, August 07, 2009 2:59:52 PM
SENIOR chief Bright Nalubamba has said the Royal Foundation of Zambia Southern Province chapter regrets having supported President Rupiah Banda in last October's presidential election.And chief Nalubamba has charged that the recent remarks made by President Banda that second Republican president Frederick Chiluba was a good president was undermining the intelligence of the Zambian people.
In an interview, chief Nalubamba of Namwala district said chiefs in the province were saddened and disgusted at the wrong route President Banda had taken in the fight against corruption and governance of the country.
Chief Nalubamba said traditional leaders in the province were not happy with the way the head of state was handling issues of corruption, development, sincerity and unity of the people of Zambia.
He added that this had become a source of concern considering the rate of disintegration among the people.
"We regret having supported President Banda in the last Presidential by-election of 2008, our aspirations as traditional leaders have not been fulfilled. We supported him [President Banda] because he told us and we believed him that he was going to forge ahead with the late [president Levy] Mwanawasa's legacy but what he is doing is contrary to the things he promised us. Corruption has become rampant in his administration, violence against people with divergent views has been introduced and it has increased to alarming levels, harassment of journalists has been recorded under his leadership and failure to deliver development and to show leadership has been at the height of his leadership," chief Nalubamba said.
He said President Banda should rise from his current political and personal destruction by paying attention and listening to the demands of people who voted for him.
"A lot of things have gone wrong in our country and we challenge President Banda to rise to the accession and see things the way other people are seeing them than to hide in a collective agreement position which will leave a poor and bad precedence on the Office of the President," he said.
Chief Nalubamba said the current governance record for Zambia in the fight against corruption was worrying at both local and international levels, while that of abuse of human rights, infringement of press freedom was under threat by President Banda and the MMD.
And chief Nalubamba said a country where a head of state publicly embraced and commended a former president who has been found wanting of having stolen public resources by the courts was worrying.
Commenting on the recent remarks by President Banda in Mansa that Chiluba was a damn good president, chief Nalubamba said corruption had deeply eaten the fabric of the nation.
He said the country was headed for an economic disaster which would be difficult to recover from.
Chief Nalubamba said the open remarks by President Banda to the people of Zambia in support of Chiluba told a sad story of the governance of the country, adding that the judiciary was under serious self-scrutiny to do the right thing.
He said he had no respect for a thieving and corrupt president and that it was totally and morally unacceptable to shower praises and commendations to such people in society.
Chief Nalubamba further appealed to members of parliament to exercise their powers by making laws which would correct the country’s current political situation.
Labels: BRIGHT NAMULAMBA, CHIEFS, RUPIAH BANDA, SOUTHERN PROVINCE
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Chief Nalubamba welcomes PF, UPND pact
Written by George Zulu in Monze
Monday, June 08, 2009 2:43:33 PM
SENIOR chief Bright Nalubamba of Namwala district has said the pact between the Patriotic Front and United Party for National Development (UPND) was a welcome move in strengthening the opposition in the country. And chief Nalubamba has said he is not happy with the stance taken by President Rupiah Banda’s administration in the fight against corruption, saying it lacks the inspiration to the Zambian people.
Commenting on the signing of a memorandum of understanding between PF and the UPND, Nalubamba on Friday said the pact was a progressive move by the opposition.
Chief Nalubamba said a strong opposition would be able to follow and monitor the operations of the government in the provision of checks and balances in a transparent manner than in a situation where the opposition was fragmented.
He said it was necessary for both the government and the opposition to account for every move they made in a transparent and accountable manner to its people in responding to national challenges affecting the country.
“As traditional leadership, I also wish in welcoming this to state that I feel now that there will be no question whether it is improper for the opposition to discuss issues of governance and development and to discuss their manifestos with the people from whom they ask for votes,” he said.
He also said it would be painful for both the opposition and the people of Zambia if the recently-agreed pact failed.
Chief Nalubamba added that both political parties had enough experiences from their former pacts and alliances which failed.
And chief Nalubamba said it was important for the leadership to consider the critical role traditional rulers played in the governance of the nation in order to progressively fight corruption and any form of graft in both government and the private sector.
“...there are a lot of things going wrong. He’s [President Banda] got to reach us so that we can also give opinion. Even if we are villagers, we must be given an opportunity to give opinion on how this country should be governed and same applies to the opposition, they should not tell us how they want us to be governed we must tell them how we want to be governed,” chief Nalubamba said.
He said the high levels of corruption in the country were saddening, saying there was need to correct the situation.
Chief Nalubamba charged that the levels of corruption in President Banda’s administration were worse than in the late president Levy Mwanawasa’s regime.
“Why are we going that way? Why is it that corruption is worse off in Mr Banda’s administration than late Mwanawasa’s time, why? Something must have gone wrong,” he said.
Chief Nalubamba wondered whether the systems of control in government were effective and efficient to allow huge sums of money to be stolen.
“I don’t agree with President Banda’s administration on various issues, the purchase of 100 hearses from China and the intentions to procure mobile clinics from a Chinese company at huge sums of money. The idea is not acceptable because it will condemn people in rural areas to death. Government should realise that in the Southern Africa, Zambia has the worst infrastructure both roads and buildings, so which roads are they talking about where those things will pass. Do they have the capacity to repair the equipment they are forcing on the Zambians when they have failed to work on the ambulances which are still lying at various health centres?” said chief Nalubamba.
Labels: BRIGHT NAMULAMBA, CHIEF NALUBAMBA, MoU, PF, UPND
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Nalubamba’s advice
Written by Editor
It is said that when one’s problems are hidden, no one is aware of them. But when they are revealed, people are in a better position to help.
Hence the saying: “It dries when it is put in the sun.” Chief Bright Nalubamba’s advice to the government is timely. Indeed, it will be folly for the government to proceed like there are no problems in the country.
Listening to most of the ministers, they seem to be portraying a picture that those who are complaining about this or that are exaggerating issues, are politicking or just alarmists. These ministers and other government officials want to conceal the truth. They merely want to say that whatever problem there is, it is receiving government’s active attention.
However, this ‘active attention’ does not seem to yield any desired fruits as with each day that comes, our people seem to be getting more and more desperate; the situation is getting worse.
There is need for the government to view things not only from their perspective. There is nothing to be ashamed about; people should learn to accept when things are bad, when hope is diminishing.
It’s good that a cross section of our people is encouraging the government to engage all stakeholders in a bid to find solutions to the country’s current economic problems, which are raising the political temperature. Chief Nalubamba has proposed the formation of a national committee comprising opposition political party leaders, the church, traditional leaders and civil society, to be chaired by the Republican Vice-President.
While we would like to believe that chief Nalubamba’s proposal is in good faith, we feel congregating people from all walks of life is not the best way to go about finding solutions to our immediate problems in the country. In fact, this will just add to the problems because participants in such a committee will have to be looked after using taxpayers’ money. Before long, we will be told that billions of kwacha are spent on paying allowances to participants on this committee.
Sometimes it is good to be clear about things in life. It is our view that before anyone sits down to attempt to find solutions to these problems, there is need to understand why Zambia finds itself in such economic problems. If we do not find the source or sources of these problems, solutions will never be found, regardless of how much we search for them.
When President Rupiah appointed his Cabinet, he told the nation that he had appointed Situmbeko Musokotwane to replace Ng’andu Magande as finance minister because he wanted to compose a team that is going to respond to the challenges brought about in the world economy.
Before we start congregating people in the manner suggested by chief Nalubamba, why not ask Musokotwane to tell the nation what he has done or is doing in response to the assignment given to him by President Banda when he appointed him? We can also ask President Banda to tell the nation what his so-called dream team is doing to address these economic challenges.
However, those in government who talk about how this economic recession in the United States is adversely effecting our economy never offer solutions on how to go round these problems. They merely lament; they just regret and complain about how difficult things have become and will continue to be.
Zambia is not the only country affected by these world economic changes. Almost every economy is affected but affected differently. How each country is affected by these economic changes depends on how they run their affairs.
Today, we are hearing a lot of our people, both in the ruling MMD and the opposition political parties, complain that President Banda should not have dropped Magande, especially during this time of global economic recession. But President Banda told the nation that he was dropping Magande because he had Musokotwane who has a rich curriculum vitae with vast experience to tackle problems brought about by the recession in the American economy.
The point we are trying to make is that Zambia has got many capable people to deal with almost any situation; whether political, economic or indeed religious. The problem is we avoid using the right people in the right positions. That is why today we will find chief Nalubamba’s proposal of coming up with some mixed grill committee to deal with these problems very attractive. We do not need a congregation of political leaders, church leaders, traditional and civil society leaders to brainstorm solutions to these problems. What this country requires is an effective Cabinet or government to decisively deal with such problems.
And beyond such a Cabinet or government, other knowledgeable people can be consulted to offer solutions. That is why we agree with chief Nalubamba that there is nothing to be ashamed about when things are not alright; other stakeholders should be engaged in trying to find solutions to difficult situations.
Magande does not have to be finance minister for him to contribute to finding a solution on such matters. Those who are in government now can seek his input by trying to learn from his experience both in government and outside.
There are so many Zambians in Magande’s position who can help but are not being utilised by those in government purely for petty political reasons.
Those in government have this know-it-all attitude when some of them don’t even understand their roles and obligations. Some ministers can’t even explain the much-talked-about credit crunch in the United States and yet we expect such ministers to find solutions to our problems. It’s a joke!
We need to go beyond this cheapness and utilise our qualified and competent people. Some problems can be avoided if competent and qualified people are put in their right places. We should only resort to chief Nalubamba’s proposals in very extreme cases requiring such a response.
Labels: BRIGHT NAMULAMBA, CHIEF NALUBAMBA, RUPIAH BANDA, ZEC
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It’ll be folly for govt to maintain that there’re no problems – Nalubamba
Written by Margaret Mtonga and Kelvin Tembo
Friday, December 19, 2008 12:56:45 PM
IT will be folly for the government to maintain that there are no problems in the country, Royal Establishment of Zambia chairperson chief Bright Nalubamba has said.
And Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) spokesperson Fr Paul Samasumo has said the government should expect criticism from the Church despite the cordial relationship that exists.
In an interview yesterday, chief Nalubamba said President Rupiah Banda needs assistance to sort out the food crisis in the country, but described defence minister George Mpombo's threats that the government will deal with whoever is going to protest over the escalating mealie-meal prices as unconstitutional and provocative.
Chief Nalubamba said President Banda would not find the solutions to the food crisis without the help of the church, opposition leaders, civil society and traditional leaders.
He said the government should learn to accept criticism if it was meant to better the country. He said those criticising were not doing so because they wanted money out of it, but because they were looking at the interest of the nation.
“There is nothing to feel ashamed about. People should learn to accept when things are not ok,” he said.
Chief Nalubamba proposed that a national committee be formed comprising of opposition political party leaders, the Church, traditional leaders and civil society to be chaired by the vice-president to look at the current food crisis.
And chief Nalubamba said there was need for the government to be cautious in the way it handled the food crisis. He said threats from government were a toothless weapon to silence the poor, angry and hungry people in the country.
“Such threats from Mpombo and Kabonde can be weapons of destruction to cause violent demonstrations in the country,” he said. “The poor need responses to their needs and not threats; remember the saying that an empty stomach knows no law.”
Chief Nalubamba said there was urgent need for the government to call for constructive dialogue and involve people like Patriotic Front leader Michael Sata, UPND's Hakainde Hichilema and other stakeholders.
And Fr Samasumo said the government should consider the fact that the Church comprises of human beings who have the right to express their views on issues affecting the nation.
“The government should accept criticism and bear in mind that the Church does not seek political office whenever it speaks out on national issues,” Fr Samasumo said.
He said the current high mealie-meal prices in the country could only be resolved once the government fulfilled the promises that it made during the campaigns.
“If the Church makes comments on issues of national interest, the government should not think the Church is being malicious,” he said.
He said the government should welcome criticism the way they have called on the Church to pray for President Banda.
“The Church has always prayed for the government and we will criticise where necessary,” said Fr Sumasumo.
Labels: BRIGHT NAMULAMBA, CHIEFS, ZEC
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PF planned demos are nonsensical – Rupiah
Written by Patson Chilemba, Gillian Namungala and Gloria Siwisha
Friday, December 05, 2008 11:38:20 PM
PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda yesterday described the planned Patriotic Front (PF) demonstrations over mealie-meal prices as nonsensical. But PF leader Michael Sata said President Banda is panicking because he made a lot of false promises to the people.
And senior chief Bright Nalubamba has said PF's continued threats to demonstrate over the escalating mealie-meal prices are a wake up call for the MMD government to re-examine its policies.
Speaking to journalists before leaving for Burundi where he had gone to attend an emergency one-day heads of state and government summit on the Burundi peace process, President Banda said there was no basis for PF's intended demonstrations.
"You know it's nonsense actually. Nowhere in the world do people solve problems by demonstrating. Every problem when it comes, you sit down and you talk. Somehow the Patriotic Front seems to think that the only way to solve problems is demonstrating. They look ridiculous for that," President Banda said. "There is no basis for it at all, and I think that the Zambian people have shown them that they are not interested in that."
But reacting to President Banda's statement, Sata said President Banda's false promises had now boomeranged.
He warned President Banda not to provoke PF because they were capable of repaying his words with actions.
"He should not think by denying us a permit, they will stop us from demonstrating. When we want the voice of the people to be heard, we shall go to the streets with or without a permit. Can you see what demonstrations can do? The prime minister of Thailand has resigned, and the courts were appointed by the same prime minister but the same court has banned the ruling party including the prime minister. And I hope our courts will emulate that," Sata said. "I'm pleased that his lordship the Chief Justice when he appealed to magistrates to dispose of cases quickly. Rupiah Banda should take it easy, keep cool; the busier the junction, the easier the job. And at the moment he does not need to compete with words because we can easily compete with him in action."
Sata said he respected Inspector General of Police Francis Kabonde and home affairs minister Kalombo Mwansa because they were gentlemen but that he would not take kindly to any daring from President Banda because there was still tension in the country.
On President Banda's usage of the word 'nonsensical', Sata said: "Rupiah Banda must start using sober words because we can use harsher words against him. Him, he's eating, the necktie that he's wearing is bought for him. That's why when we complain about fuel, fertiliser, he says it's nonsensical. He doesn't know the cost of mealie-meal."
On information minister Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha's statement that President Banda did not promise to reduce fertiliser across the board, Sata said President Banda's government was feeling the impact of former finance minister Ng'andu Magande's absence.
He said Lt Gen Shikapwasha said Magande announced before the October 30 presidential elections that people on the Fertilizer Support Programme (FSP) would pay only 25 per cent and government would meet the other 75 per cent.
However, Sata said it was President Banda and not Magande who promised that civil servants would be getting subsidised fertiliser.
"I have had no respect for Shikapwasha and now as he has gone there [information ministry], he's even losing the small respect that he has," Sata said. "I cannot help my brother [President Banda] panic. He's panicking because he made a lot of false promises."
Sata also urged the Supreme Court to quickly set a date for the recount of ballots so that the issue of the disputed election could be put to rest once and for all.
And chief Nalubamba of the Ila people of Namwala said the demonstrations were a democratic right and created an avenue through which people could express disappointment or appreciation of the events in the country.
"If people can't reach you as a leader in government by way of appointment, then they must find another avenue through which they can deliver their demands or grievances. To me, peaceful demonstrations are nothing to be afraid of in a democratic country because they create an opportunity for current leaders to re-examine themselves," he said.
Chief Nalubamba said as a leader, President Banda should ask himself what he had not done and what he could do in order for the policies to be responsive to the needs of the people who elected him.
He said it was only after re-examining and researching on issues that answers would be found.
"The answer lies in the fact that we told the people the impossible, so leaders should be honorable enough and explain to the nation why they find it impossible to deliver their earlier promises," chief Nalubamba said. "There is no harm in apologising. As a leader you owe it to the people to explain the problem other than blanket or cheat them [that] you can deliver when in actual fact you cannot."
Chief Nalubamba also urged Sata not to feel shy to offer a solution to the escalating mealie meal prices, if he had one.
"The problem we have in this country is that the opposition wants to keep ideas to themselves and wait up until they form government to implement them. If they have the interests of the people at heart, let them offer solutions to save this country as they are also equal partners," he said.
Chief Nalubamba stressed the need for President Banda to engage Sata in active dialogue to find a solution to the country's economic problems.
Chief Nalubamba, who said President Banda could not afford to have enemies in a democracy, advised him to initiate dialogue with Sata if a solution to some of the current problems was to be found.
"Time has elapsed to continue fighting the war because it has already been won. So this is a time to start re-constructing and developing the nation and everyone should be involved," chief Nalubamba said.
Recently, Sata said PF would organise nationwide demonstrations over President Banda's lies on fertiliser, mealie-meal and fuel prices. He said President Banda lied during the campaign period that the price of fertiliser had been reduced from K250,000 to K50,000.
Sata further said President Banda together with National Milling Corporation managing director Peter Cottan reduced the price of mealie-meal by K2,000 before the elections but increased the price of the commodity just after the election.
Meanwhile, chief Nalubamba appealed to the government to consider elevating the House of Chiefs to a second chamber of laws. He said traditional leaders were vital in developing the nation because they could contribute to the formulation of laws.
"Mwami tabeyi meaning it's a taboo for a chief to tell lies. Chiefs are honest people who can help bring sanity to the political arena," chief Nalubamba said.
However, he said the second chamber should include other intellectuals from outside.
Chief Nalubamba cataloged lawyers and prominent individuals as some of the people that could participate in the proposed second chamber of laws.
Labels: BRIGHT NAMULAMBA, DEMONSTRATION, PF, RUPIAH BANDA
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