(LUSAKATIMES) Elias Chipimo Snr warns of an Imminent Revolution
Time Posted: January 11, 2014 1:24 pm
Former Freedom Fighter Elias Chipimo Snr has warned that growing levels of discontent among citizens might spark a revolution in Zambia soon.
Mr. Chipimo who is Father to NAREP President Elias Chipimo Jnr said there is a lot of tension in the country due to discontent among citizens.
Mr. Chipimo Snr, a former diplomat who was once imprisoned on treason charges by the Kaunda regime said the PF government should start listening to its citizens.
“A revolution is coming soon in this country because people are totally upset and the government is not listening. People are being intimidated everywhere and are not free to express themselves,” Mr Chipimo Snr said.
He added, “Wherever people get upset and that anger is allowed to be bottled up, that always sparks a revolution and I can see that happening here if the government does not start listening to its people.”
Mr Chipimo Snr was speaking Friday morning during a live special interview on Hot FM’s Red Hot Breakfast Show in Lusaka.
He further charged that Zambia has lacked the inspiration with which it was founded upon in 1964.
“It’s like people are no longer free. When we fought the white minority rule, we fought so that we could be free to speak but today if one says something that the government is not happy about, they are arrested. This is not the freedom we fought for,” he said.
Mr Chipimo Snr also explained that Chumbu Munshololwa does not amount to an insult.
“I’m surprised that somebody is taken to court for calling someone Chumbu Munshololwa. This is not defamatory at all. It simply means one who cannot be advised.”
Labels: ELIAS CHIPIMO, ELIAS CHIPIMO SR, FREEDOM OF SPEECH, NAREP
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Lawlessness and elections
By Editor
Wed 24 July 2013, 14:00 CAT
DR Biemba Maliti, NAREP's chairman for elections, says the levels of intolerance among political parties during election campaigns are worrying. Dr Maliti says the levels of lawlessness being exhibited by political parties in Solwezi East, Chipata and Kafulafuta parliamentary by-election campaigns must be quickly checked because it has the potential to negate the country's democracy.
He says it is sad that the country has some opposition political parties that have refused to recognise the country's democratic dispensation and the need to respect divergent views of people in various matters of governance. Why is this so? This is so because people in politics have forgotten or are ignoring the purpose or essence of politics.
It is necessary to remind them all the time that politics is for the good of the people and the country, and not for the political survival of any individual or political party. We believe that if this spirit of the primacy of the common good were to animate all the political parties, we would not witness the intolerance which has left Dr Maliti and many other Zambians of goodwill worried, dismayed and disheartened.
It's good Dr Maliti is openly expressing concern regarding the frequent incidents of intolerance, intimidation and lust for power as we approach these parliamentary by-elections. To address his concerns, our politicians and their supporters need to be taken back and reminded of the noble goals of political activities. Politics and the elections that accompany it are not a fight for survival but a competition to serve. Elections are not a battlefield where the aim is to destroy the other.
Many people of goodwill, including ourselves, have been preaching about the need for tolerance, civility and decency in election campaigns. But little change seems to be taking place; our words seem to be falling on deaf ears. Election campaigns are still not being carried out in an honest way, devoid of lies and slander, character assassination of political opponents. Electoral laws are being ignored, broken with impunity.
We cannot say we want free and fair elections when we ignore its very foundation: civility and honest campaigns. This is not an attempt to school anyone about the need for decency. It is an attempt to address a huge political problem. Attitudes have to change.
And we need to bring a change in the way we do politics, the way we carry out our election campaigns and the way we treat each other as citizens of our society. A decent society is not based on rights. It is based on duty. Our duty to each other. To all should be given opportunity; from all, responsibility is demanded, the duty to show respect and tolerance to others .
We back zero tolerance on political intolerance. We back efforts to tackle anti-social behaviour; to make political parties responsible for the behaviour of their cadres and supporters, the way it is done with fans at soccer matches; to overhaul the judicial system so that political cadres and supporters stop thinking they can commit crimes under the guise of politics and electioneering and carry on being criminals with impunity.
Of course, some may cry foul, claiming they are being politically harassed by law enforcement agencies. But to all those who may say it's all a threat to their political rights, we say the threat to political rights lies in their conduct, which stops others from freely carrying out their political campaigns out of fear of being harassed, beaten or even killed. And when political opportunities are given to people, there is always a demand for responsibility.
Unless we do something about political intolerance and the crimes being committed in the name of politics, we will not be able to repair this country.
The supreme function of statesmanship is to provide against preventable evils. In seeking to do so, it encounters obstacles which are deeply rooted in human nature. One is that by the very order of things, such evils are not demonstrable until they have caused a crisis.
But we have to think about the future all the time. The besetting temptation of all politics is to concern itself with the immediate present at the expense of the future.
And it is important to always bear in mind that the life of every one of us in this country is inevitably mixed with that of every other citizen and, no matter what laws we pass, no matter what precautions we take, unless the people we meet are kindly and decent and humane and peace-loving, there is no peaceful future for us. Peace and all the good things that accompanies it come from human beings, rather than from laws and institutions. It is said that the individual does best in a strong and decent community of people with principles and standards and common aims and values.
Today's politics is about the common good, the wellbeing of all in a changing world. We must build a strong, decent, civil and active society that can provide it. We cannot buy our way to a peaceful society. We must work for it together. We must plan for it together because this can only be done together.
We shouldn't try to win elections on the basis of being the most feared, the most intimidating, but because we are understood, supported, trusted. We shouldn't win elections because our political opponents are despised, but because the people have more faith in us.
There is no choice between being principled and unelectable; and electable and unprincipled. We should win because of what we believe. We should make sure the electorate know us; our identity and our character as individuals and as political parties.
Things are changing. They cannot remain the same all the time. Our people are getting tired of that violent type of politics. There has to be some change. And change is an important part of life. We have to change. Those who don't change die. If the world around us is changing, and we don't, then we become of no use to it. Even our principles cease being principles and just ossify into dogma.
And by changing we are not asking anyone to change their principles; we are actually asking them to fulfil them; we are not asking anyone to lose their identity but to keep their relevance. We are asking all this because change is an important part of gaining the nation's trust.
Those in politics need to convince our people and show them that politics is not a dirty game, a violent undertaking or a heartless vocation but a real and meaningful part of their lives. To do this, there is need to show our people that we are a nation of tolerance and that we have an innate sense of fair play.
It is in this spirit that we join Dr Maliti in expressing concern for the unending intolerance, dishonesty, malice, lies and slander that today characterise our politics and election campaigns and which it is our duty to bring to an end. We, therefore, call for honesty, civility and decency in all our election campaigns.
Labels: BIEMBA MALITI, NAREP
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'Selfish' opposition alliances are short-lived - Chipimo
By Allan Mulenga
Sun 30 June 2013, 14:01 CAT
NAREP president Elias Chipimo says opposition alliances that are formed for selfish motives to dislodge the ruling party are short-lived.
And Chipimo says NAREP will not rush into forming an alliance with any other opposition party.
In an interview, Chipimo said opposition alliances hurriedly formed result in chaos and frustration.
"For successful alliances to work, you need first of all to ensure that you share the same vision of where you want to go. Now if your vision is just to dislodge one administration from power, then that vision may not be long-lived. It may only result in chaos and frustration," he said.
Chipimo said identifying a leader had been the main problem affecting most African opposition alliances.
"The most pressing issue, especially in African politics, is who will lead. Those are the issues that will take time for the opposition themselves to reflect on and digest; including who will make up this so called alliance. Is it going to be more than two parties coming together?" he asked.
And Chipimo explained that Narep would only form an alliance with opposition political parties that share its values and vision.
"We are willing to work with anybody who shares our vision, who shares our values and is prepared to adopt the approach to politics that we have taken. We don't believe in issuing insults; we believe in focused debate. We believe in offering solutions; we believe in critising where things are wrong, But offering support for those programmes that benefit the people of this country," he said.
Asked whether the opposition in its current form was capable of working together as a united force, Chipimo responded: "The potential and capacity for forming an alliance among the opposition is there. There is no doubt whatsoever. Whether it will happen is going to be a function of political events as they unfold. The dynamics that are going to unfold in Zambia over the next six to twelve months may well indicate that either we go alone or we align our interests."
The working alliance between MMD and UPND has failed to materialise as both parties have been accusing each other of being insincere. In most by-elections both opposition parties have opted to field their candidates, a move which has made them to further drift apart in forming a loose alliance.
http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=34781
PF, WYNTER KABIMBA, BY-ELECTIONS,
Come what may, PF is winning Kafulafuta - Kabimba
By Abigail Chaponda in Ndola
Sun 30 June 2013, 14:01 CAT
IT does not matter what coalition opposition parties will form because the PF will still win the Kafulafuta seat fair and squarely, says PF secretary general Wynter Kabimba.
And Kabimba says MMD's candidate in the Kafulafuta by-election Evelyn Mwanawasa is not a threat as she cannot ride on late president Levy Mwanawasa's legacy.
In an interview at Mukuba Hotel in Ndola, Kabimba said the PF was headed for a landslide victory in Kafulafuta as the MMD did not leave any development in the area.
"Lamba people are clever because their voting pattern always favours the candidate standing on the ruling party. PF is winning the Kafulafuta seat. It doesn't matter the kind of coalition the opposition will form, we are going to win the seat fair and square," he said.
He said Lamba people were interested in who could take development to their area and as PF, they were ready to take the development to all parts of the country.
Kabimba said the PF party and President Michael Sata were interested in the welfare of the Zambian people and were committed to taking development to all parts of the country.
He said politics was not a game of angels and saints and that everyone had issues in the world and asked people to look beyond PF candidate James Chishiba's weaknesses and look at the amount of development he was going to take to Kafulafuta.
"PF is the only party that is going to develop this country. You will not see any lopsided development, where only urban areas are developed. This country will be developed and employment created," he said.
And Kabimba said those thinking that Evelyn Mwanawasa was going to win the Kafulafuta seat by riding on her late brother's legacy should think again because she was not a factor on the political arena.
"Even in late president Mwanawasa's reign Kafulafuta was still underdeveloped. And George Mpombo was the MP, what did he do? Nothing. Mpombo is not a factor in Kafulafuta or anywhere. In 2011, PF asked him if he can stand in Kafulafuta but the people rejected him and he himself conceded. Today he is working with UPND. There is nothing Mpombo can do. What Mpombo is doing is giving false hopes to UPND," he said.
And Kabimba asked PF members to refrain from violence even under provocation.
"PF is a peaceful party and we condemn violence. We want to win all the by-elections democratically. UPND must learn to be good losers if they want to be relevant in the politics of the country. Crying foul to win political sympathy will not do them good. Come what may, we are winning the Kafulafuta by-election and all other by-elections to come," said Kabimba.
Labels: ELIAS CHIPIMO, NAREP, OPPOSITION
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Vote NAREP for development, Chipimo tells Mpongwe
By Abigail Chaponda and Misheck Wangwe in Mpongwe
Tue 26 Feb. 2013, 14:00 CAT
NAREP president Elias Chipimo Jr says Mpongwe residents will have a feel of real development if they vote for his party's candidate Reagan Ndhlovu next week.
And MMD's candidate Miniver Mutesa said she was the only one who had a practical formula for Mpongwe's development among all the candidates.
Meanwhile a member of the Malembeka Royal Establishment Hyback Mwanza says Mpongwe residents are willing to give PF candidate Gabriel Namulambe a second chance.
In an interview, Chipimo said the people must begin to galvanise their thinking towards the need for change.
He said it was pleasing that Ndhlovu had stimulated the desire for change in the minds of many people of Mpongwe district and victory was certain for him.
"Mpongwe is a serious farming community and contributes significantly to the country's food security.
They don't have a mine here so farming is a way of life. As NAREP, we will change things here if we are given chance through our candidate. The Fertiliser Support Programme (FISP) will be strengthened, the poor farmers must be empowered; that's what Mpongwe needs," Chipimo said.
He said without the necessary infrastructure such as decent roads, access to clinics and schools, it would be difficult for people to make progress and his party was determined to turn things around.
"The people here are saying for the last 12 years, they have had an MP, Gabriel Namulambe, who has served in various portfolios. Had he utilised the opportunity while he was there, he could have represented the people of this constituency much better; but the impact in terms of access to quality health care, infrastructure in terms of education is not there," Chipimo said.
He said Mpongwe residents could push for real development on their own if they were given an opportunity through empowerment.
Chipimo said given the situation on the ground, NAREP had no doubt that it would win the election as its candidate was very popular and respected among the people.
He said all the parties participating in the Mpongwe by-election must desist from all forms of violence and allow the democratic electoral process to take its course.
Chipimo said reports of violence in some areas during campaigns were extremely unacceptable as the people of Mpongwe were generally peaceful and must not be intimidated but allowed to vote peacefully.
Mutesa said she was encouraged that in all areas she had visited, the people regarded her as their own and promised to give her the vote.
And in an interview in Mpongwe on Sunday, Mwanza said residents were hopeful that Namulambe was going to perform his duties under the PF government because it (PF) was a disciplined government.
"President Michael Sata is a man of his word, he is a good leader. Even if he is the President, he has humbled himself and begged us Mpongwe residents to give Namulambe a second chance. Who are we to say no? We will do what he has asked us, we will vote for Namulambe on condition that he performs. But if he continues with his bad behaviour from MMD, then we will teach him a lesson he will never forget in his life," he said
Mwanza who is also chieftainess Malembeka's brother said Namulambe should also unite all chiefs in Mpongwe. He said Mpongwe was underdeveloped and that Namulambe had a long schedule to develop the district. Mwanza said Mpongwe residents were confident that Namulambe would win Thursday's by-elections.
"He should be grateful to President Sata. Our thinking about Namulambe has changed because President Sata asked us to forgive him. What we expect from Namulambe is respect, humility and hard work. He should represent us well in Parliament. We have assured him of our vote and in return he should bring development to this district," he said.
President Sata was in Mpongwe on Sunday to drum up support for Namulambe. Also contesting the Mpongwe seat slated for February 28 are Rapson Chilufya on UPND and Kenny Kuveya of UNIP.
Labels: BY-ELECTIONS, ELIAS CHIPIMO, NAREP, REAGAN NDHLOVU
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Magande explains how multinationals avoid taxes
By Gift Chanda
Wed 13 Feb. 2013, 15:30 CAT
MULTINATIONAL companies are avoiding taxes by inflating their operational costs through the involvement of many foreign firms in transactions, says Ng'andu Magande. Meanwhile, Zambia Sugar has denied engaging in illegal practices aimed at reducing the amount of taxes paid to the Zambian Treasury.
Commenting on revelations by the British charity ActionAid that accused Zambia Sugar Plc of avoiding paying taxes enough to put 48,000 children in school annually in Zambia,
Magande said the involvement of too many companies in the operational chains of multinational companies was inflating costs and eroding their tax obligation to Zambia.
Magande, who is Zambia's longest-serving finance minister, says tax avoidance by foreign multinational firms operating in the country was widespread.
According to the Zambian law, companies only become liable to pay company tax when they become profitable and have subtracted their operational costs from their total revenues.
ActionAid claimed that Zambia Sugar had paid "virtually no corporate tax in Zambia since 2007".
Its report released on Sunday revealed that Zambia Sugar Plc moved millions of kwacha out of Zambia and into tax havens like Mauritius and the Netherlands, reducing its taxable profits.
The company, which generated profits of KR550 million, was accused of "siphoning" over KR374 million out of Zambia and paying only 0.5 per cent of its pre-tax profits.
But Zambia Sugar, in a statement issued yesterday, insisted that there was no artificial reduction in profit in Zambia.
"Zambia Sugar payments made by Zambia Sugar for the services of third party contractors, expatriate personnel in Zambia and export services provided by Illovo, are made at cost," the company stated.
"We have responded in a transparent and detailed manner to ActionAid and despite this they have produced a report written in inflammatory language that is designed to mislead."
But ActionAid insisted during a public discussion forum in Lusaka yesterday that the report was factual and represented what was on the ground. ActionAid country director for Zambia said the organisation had since lobbied people to go on a one-week sugar-free campaign to compel Zambia Sugar to start paying its taxes in the country.
And Magande, who is also Movement for National Progress president, said local people needed to benefit from the incomes made from their resources.
"If you read this report, how many companies will you find involved in just selling your sugar to Burundi, which is just on the boundary of Zambia? Do you need all these companies in Mauritius, in Ireland to be involved? You see, by having all these intermediaries, they multinationals are just adding the costs and those costs go on the accounts of the Zambia Sugar company," he said in an interview.
"When that happens, Zambia Sugar is going to pay more money for just moving one tonne of sugar to an importer in Burundi and in that way, they are inflating their costs of production and, therefore, their taxable income goes down."
Magande said once the taxable income goes down, the company will pay less tax.
"We are not saying this is illegal, we are not saying it doesn't happen, but what we are questioning is that 'does it need to happen?'
No! You cannot have more cost on producing one tonne of sugar from Nakambala, with the factory in the fields and probably the furthest point to the sugar canes is only about 10km. The sugar is packed locally, why do they need somebody from Mauritius to say this is from Zambia? These are things that are happening but should we allow them to continue because they reducing the taxable income?" he asked.
Magande further said the management fees the firm pays for services sought out of Zambia could be avoided because there is capacity locally.
Meanwhile, University of Zambia lecturer Dr Mathias Mpande says any deliberate act inimical to the country's treasury should be stopped because it is not morally right.
He said multinational firms must declare correct and equitable taxes to the government.
Dr Mpande also advised the government to avoid creating different tax arrangements with various firms, saying this was breeding revenue leakages.
And NAREP president Elias Chipimo said the government should be ready to revoke incentives given to firms that set up their accounting systems in ways that make them pay less tax.
"There shouldn't be any secrecy around development agreements at all," said Chipimo in an interview. "They should be made public. In fact, the government should have made these agreements public in the first place."
Labels: ACTIONAID, ELIAS CHIPIMO, NAREP, NG'ANDU MAGANDE, TAX EVASION, TAXATION
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Police arrest NAREP candidate for slapping PF cadre in Mpongwe
By Misheck Wangwe
Mon 11 Feb. 2013, 14:10 CAT
POLICE in Mpongwe yesterday arrested NAREP candidate Reagan Ndhlovu after he slapped a PF cadre at the police station.
Police sources said Ndhlovu was allegedly found by PF cadres, pulling down posters of PF candidate Gabriel Namulambe and was reported to the police around 08:00 hours.
The sources said after PF supporters, led by provincial youth secretary Chanda Kabwe, rushed to the police to report the matter, Ndhlovu, who was visibly annoyed, followed them.
They said while at the inquiries, he confronted Friday Mulenga, a PF youth, and slapped him hard on the face.
They said Ndhlovu was immediately locked up by police.
"We are yet to know what really transpired when he and PF cadres met at the market. We are told he was tampering with Namulambe's posters but the thing is people must learn to respect the law. They should respect police stations.
How do you beat up somebody at the police the way he did and expect to go scot-free? The man has been arrested and taken to Luanshya. That was disorderly and unacceptable," a police source said.
And Kabwe, who narrated the incident, said PF youths had been instructed not to confront anyone but to report them to the police.
He said Ndhlovu, who was in the company of two other NAREP supporters, was fuming when he followed them up to the police station, where he also slapped Mulenga.
By press time, Copperbelt police commissioner Mary Tembo said she had not received the report but a media statement would be issued after a report was compiled by officers in Mpongwe.
NAREP national chairman Joseph Mushalika said the party had no information over the matter and it would take an official position after enquiring from its supporters on the ground.
Labels: CADRES, NAREP, PF, POLITICAL VIOLENCE, REAGAN NDHLOVU
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COMMENT - From Chola Mukanga's blog, from the President of NAREP, Elias Chipimo. It is great to hear a more detailed background to the maize/mealie-meal crisis. Drought in the US/Canada, leading to South Africa's exports being diverted from the DRC to the USA, leading to higher prices in the DRC, which leads to Zambian maize exports to the DRC.
The Mealie-Meal Crisis in Zambia
By Elias Chipimo
When NAREP held a press conference on 10 January 2013 to deliver our New Year message, we challenged the Patriotic Front to stop focussing on political domination (for example, through triggering unnecessary by-elections) and to prioritise development actions. We then gave several examples of people’s expectations and pointed out that it was not our intention to see the PF fail because if they failed, it would be the people who would suffer.
We received a harsh response from State House suggesting that we are living in a “parallel universe” and requesting us to: “pinpoint where the PF Government has failed, and provide alternative grounded options rather than spend time in a day-dreaming or theoretical session about what [we] [wish] to happen”. The Parallel Universe Series will therefore address issues we were asked to point out. We do this in the spirit of offering solution-oriented thinking and to share with the general public our own policy priorities and governance plans as a Party that seeks to restore values-based leadership through constructive reasoning and issue-based politics. Our first discussion topic is the current mealie-meal crisis.
Rule number one in handling a maize crisis: accept that there is a problemFew people would deny that we are facing a serious food crisis and one that could get a lot worse by the time the current rains are over and the new maize crop is harvested. The price of maize meal – the nation’s staple food – has increased in some cases by over 100 percent from the prices prevailing prior to the day the PF administration came to power. As we will try to demonstrate, although the problem is not entirely the PF’s fault, decisions that they have either taken or failed to take, have served to make a bad situation even worse.
With the price of mealie-meal reaching record levels, the PF appears to have finally woken up from its development slumber and realised they need to get their act together. The problem is that rather than acting, they are reacting. During one of the seemingly endless swearing-in ceremonies at State House, President Sata stated that he would consider re-introducing price controls to curb the high cost of mealie-meal. This would be an act of desperation and would only make the situation worse over the long-term. When you consider that prior to the election in 2011 the average cost of a 25 kilogramme bag of mealie-meal was K45,000 (rebased K45) and that this had risen to over K90,000 (rebased K90) at its highest point in some parts of the country last month, it is clear why there is some panic within the PF hierarchy.
The threat of price controls should not be taken lightly. Mealie-meal increases on a much smaller scale formed an important part of the revolutionary build up that saw the downfall of President Kaunda in 1991. Riots that took place in June 1990 due to Kaunda’s attempt to remove subsidies on maize were seized upon by a daring signals officer who mounted a short-lived coup less than 12 months before Zambia’s First President was finally voted out of power. Mealie-meal is clearly serious business in Zambia. What is sad about the situation we face today is that the present increases were predictable and could have been avoided.
The belated intervention by the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) and continued threats from the Head of State against the millers have meant that prices have started to come down. This has reduced the fear that price controls and other Second Republic tactics will be adopted to address a problem that was almost entirely due to the mishandling of the situation by an administration that appears to be focused more on playing politics than on development. Before we get too cosy with the idea that this risk has gone away, however, we need to remember that because the current price reductions are not a reflection of market forces, the reductions we are witnessing may only be temporary. Sooner or later, a more comprehensive approach to dealing with the mealie-meal crisis will have to be taken. What is needed now is a government that fully understands the politics of maize.
Understanding the politics of maize
When prices of commodities rise drastically, it is usually a market signal that something has gone wrong with the balance of supply and demand. If more people want to buy something that is in short supply, the price of that item will quite naturally go up. Any person who is in the business of trading in mealie-meal will be well aware when demand goes up and so will the consumers. Out of desperation and in order to secure an “essential” commodity whose availability is uncertain, people will – up to a certain level – be reluctantly prepared to pay more. This is exactly what has happened with the price of mealie-meal in Zambia.
The PF does not seem to have understood the politics of maize quickly enough. They have been too busy dealing with their political opponents to realise that they have created for themselves a new enemy: the ordinary Zambian who just wants to be able to enjoy his staple nshima without paying too much for it. Things might not even be so bad for the generally neglected Zambian if at least he or she had a job and could afford the price increase – or if he or she did not have to suffer endless load-shedding, lack of access to quality healthcare and safe clean water, or to face costly transport charges getting the family to school and to work. But before we give the PF too much grief over their poor handling of the maize crisis, let us first examine how we got here in the first place.
The roots of the crisis
The roots of the current mealie-meal crisis lie in the seemingly insatiable demand for the commodity from neighbouring countries, particularly the Democratic Republic of Congo (as well as in the broader Great Lakes Region and beyond), which demand has been made even worse by last season’s poor harvest in the United States and Mexico. Here is a summary of the challenge: South Africa has produced about 12 million metric tonnes of maize this year and is able to supply mealie-meal to the Congo more cheaply than Zambia because of its efficient system of planting, harvest, storage, finance and generally well-supported agricultural sector. This year, however, South Africa is not exporting to the Congo because its exports are covering the shortfalls in the North American markets (which were a result of last year’s drought in that region). The massive vacuum in the Congo supply chain has created even greater pressure on Zambian maize. Due to the basic rules of supply and demand, Zambian maize has simply become hot property in the DRC and beyond, pushing up the local sale price to unprecedented levels.
Had the Government intervened early enough when it became clear that prices in Zambia were rising, the crisis would have been far better managed. For example, when several politicians and commentators started speaking of banning exports last year, it was precisely to prevent Zambian maize from being sucked into the regional vacuum and creating a crisis here.
When you add to the regional demand factor, the various problems resulting from (i) the Food Reserve Agency’s confusing role in the maize market (exporting maize when our markets are facing erratic supplies); (ii) infrastructure challenges preventing maize from being collected from rural areas when roads are impassable during the rains and there is no effective storage in these locations; (iii) long-term structural problems in maize marketing; (iv) delays in providing inputs and payments to farmers; (v) poorly thought out government policy; and (vi) last minute procurement practices, you have the perfect storm of problems. You also have one predictable outcome: sky high maize prices in excess of K100,000 per 25 kilogramme bag. In some ways, we are lucky that the price is not higher!
When you have a critical continental shortage of a staple commodity creating strong regional demand, the short-term measure to take is to prevent exports (so that you can at least feed your own people) and flood the market with as much raw material (stored maize) as possible in a consistent manner. Belatedly, this is the action that PF administration has taken. The reason why prices are not coming down as fast as they should is that the demand is still so high and there are no effective means of preventing exports from our long and porous border with the DRC. Earlier this month newspapers reported the discovery by a Government official of a boat laden with mealie-meal as it was about to set sail for Burundi from Mpulungu harbour. Demand is high in the Great Lakes countries and into Sudan. How many boats go unnoticed? How much mealie-meal is being smuggled daily, weekly, monthly? No one knows!As for the FRA? Well, that is a whole different story. FRA stocks of maize are not audited and it is pure guesswork as to how much maize they are holding at any one time and the quality of that stock. It did not help that the FRA was itself getting in on the export game during the current marketing season, presumably to try and recover the huge subsidy costs to the maize sector which amounts to nearly US$2 million per day. That amounts to 730 million dollars a year – almost the same amount of money as we borrowed under the Eurobond!
So what is the way forward?
(a) Infrastructure and extension services
Clearly, there is need for more innovative approach to the challenges (actual or perceived) affecting this critical sector. Even when it is not trying hard, Zambia is capable of producing enough food to feed itself. There has to be an expanded incentive to produce not only more but to do so efficiently. This calls for massive investment in extension services, research and development, road networks, irrigation infrastructure and in maize marketing. The colossal amounts being spent on maize purchases could have done wonders if applied to these areas. It is commendable that a good part of the Eurobond is to be spent on the energy and transportation sectors. These are critical areas for ensuring sustained agricultural production.Zambia has in excess of 400,000 square kilometres of medium to high quality arable land that could serve as a massive breadbasket not only for the region but for Africa as a whole. Without investment in infrastructure, however, this potential will remain unrealised. The PF is certainly trying to do its part to improve the road infrastructure with its Link 8,000 project. The only problem is that Link 8,000 is not being supervised and run in a manner that will get us the best results within the shortest possible time and at the least cost (but this is a topic for another day).
(b) New marketing mechanisms
Once production costs are brought under control, we need to develop an efficient marketing mechanism. Innovative ideas include the support to the development of a vibrant commodity exchange linked to a series of storage centres around the country. Storage is critical and can be tied to a system of warehouse receipts. This is a great way to reintroducing the financial sector into agriculture even at a smallholder level. Storage that is certified based on best international practice will effectively commercialise the small farmer. If, for example, a rural small-scale farmer can deposit their produce in a warehouse near his or her field and collect a warehouse receipt for that commodity, he or she can take that receipt and obtain cash for part or all of the stock. This will prevent panic selling and will provide stability to his or her financial requirements. In order for such a system to work efficiently, however, Government must put in place – among other things – supporting legislation and a national storage construction and development programme.
It is important to recall that the private sector has been asking for the recognition of a Warehouse Receipt as a document of title from as far back as 2004. The MMD Government only moved on this in 2010 in an attempt to replace the Agricultural Credits Act. However, the 2012 Act remains unimplemented. This action should be delayed no further. Similarly, an Agricultural Marketing Bill went through stakeholders consultation in 2010 but it is not clear when it will be taken to Parliament despite a Parliamentary Committee report recommending the immediate presentation of the Bill to the National Assembly. It contains important provisions for the improving the sector and curtailing adverse political interference. A Commodity Exchange Bill also underwent stakeholder consultation in February 2010, although it is not clear what stage the Bill has reached.
All of these interventions will help to put maize supply on a much better footing. The price of mealie-meal should be determined as much as possible by market forces and if the Government wants to intervene then it should be done for every bag of roller meal which leaves the mill and not from the raw material stage. After all, Government is probably also subsidising the production of stock-feed (which uses huge amounts of maize) and is not able to monitor how much of the subsidised maize is being used in the stock-feed industry.
(c) Rethinking our diet and farming practices
It is also important for Government to begin the exercise of re-thinking our dependence on maize as a staple food as part of a broader crop diversification programme. Consuming huge quantities of maize meal, particularly the refined breakfast meal contributes to the high rates of preventable illnesses – particularly diabetes. It is almost as impacting as taking lots of sugar in your tea because it is simply refined carbohydrates (especially breakfast meal) that are then converted into sugar by the body. Traditionally, our communities were raised on finger millet – a commodity that can grow with far less fertilizer, has far greater nutritional value and would not become embroiled in the politics of maize as it can be grown more cheaply and efficiently in rural locations. Rural farmers need to be supported to move from subsistence to income-based farming through the emphasis on money crops like soya beans. Soya beans is a source of protein that is widely used for both human consumption and animal feedstock and has great national and regional demand. A soya farmer should have no problem paying back loans on the back of huge demand. In order for the maize sector to perform better, certain structural changes will have to be made.
(d) Rethinking the role of the FRA
Government needs to seriously rethink the role and performance of the FRA. Many traders and millers are not willing to take any local positions on maize preferring to do so purely for export and to a lesser extent to supply local breweries which consume a very small portion of annual production (approximately 80,000 metric tonnes against a full harvest of over 1 million tonnes). Local traders have traditionally had mandates from mills to buy and stock maize for them for release later on in the year but this business has been obliterated by FRA. The reason is simple. If a trader is not sure whether the FRA will also begin releasing maize at a cheap price to millers in the middle of the year, that trader will not want to hold stock that he might have purchased at a high price. This is because even a small reduction in the FRA price to the market could bankrupt a miller that has pre-purchased maize stock for releasing later into the market.
Most millers rely on bank finance but the lack of clarity and planning on the part of FRA makes both the millers and the lending institutions nervous and therefore cautious. They have no certainty as to when the FRA will intervene in the market. The only solution is to focus on the export market or buy limited amounts of stock that they can quickly sell if the FRA drops the price of maize. The financial sector generally prefers to lend to FRA because such lending comes with a Government guarantee. Millers would therefore rather fill their storage sheds with only a few months of stock when FRA is not participating in the market between May and October (a restriction set by the Food Reserve Act).
Further, because not every miller is able to accesses cheaper FRA maize, there is a distortion in the market. A close look at production figures shows that the more efficient producers of maize – essentially the large scale farmers – have tended to diversify into other commodities such as soya beans and tobacco. FRA has therefore only served to promote inefficiency. Current maize yields in Zambia average about 2 tons per hectare when they are supposed to be 5-10 tons per hectare. With its 1.3 million small-scale farmers, Zambia can easily match the average annual South Africa production of 10-12 million tons of maize and feed the continent!
Conclusion
A simple comparison between Zambia and South Africa demonstrates the challenge we face and how without more focussed national leadership, we will not solve the problem of high maize prices. In the end, unless economic activity picks up and people are able to earn more money, the price of maize will always be too high. Even in South Africa where production and marketing efforts are efficient, the price of a 25 kilogramme bag of maize fetches over K100,000 (rebased K100). If the PF administration was as determined to deliver development as it is to destroy Nevers Mumba’s MMD, Zambia would already be a very different country by now. As one expert in the sector (who shall remain nameless) points out, maize in the Americas and Asia is an economic commodity, whereas here we have reduced it to a political crop, haemorrhaged the Treasury and succeeded in sustaining poverty.
Elias C. Chipimo is a Zambian politician and current President of NAREP. He previously worked as a corporate lawyer and human rights activist. He is the author of the book - “Unequal to the Task” which discusses leadership in Zambia and the current state of the nation.
Labels: ELIAS CHIPIMO, FOOD, FRA, MEALIE-MEAL, NAREP
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COMMENT - The PF needs to reach out to the Diaspora and locally, in order to put together national development plans that can be implemented immediately. They also need to explain why they refuse to collect $1.5 billion from the mines, which includes 0.4 billion in dividends not paid out to ZCCM-IH. Time to start trusting the right people. Donche kubeba time is over.
Leadership must be accountable throughout its tenure - Chipimo
By Masuzyo Chakwe and Moses Kuwema
Sun 04 Mar. 2012, 11:59 CAT
EVERY leadership must be accountable to its people throughout the tenure of its administration and not only at the time of elections, states Elias Chipimo. The National Restoration Party president stated in a press release that over the last few weeks, NAREP had become increasingly concerned about the direction the country was taking. He stated that citizens' expectations of the new administration were high and reasonable.
"Jobs for our youth; decent infrastructure in our communities; empowerment for our local businessmen and businesswomen; improved access to quality healthcare for all; stability and predictability in our governance; a reduction of corruption; access to quality education and opportunity in every part of our country…," he stated.
"These expectations are founded on promises that were generously handed out to a population that was tired of lies and broken promises - a population that now demands solutions to address the deep and pressing needs that far too many of our people have been facing for far too long. If not handled carefully, these expectations may result in our own version of the Arab spring."
He stated that the expectations of the people would never be fulfilled by appointing endless series of commissions that to date had gobbled nearly K4 billion of unbudgeted expenditure while water and sanitation problems persist at tertiary institutions throughout the nation.
"…And mothers in high density communities are forced to draw their daily supplies of water from stagnant streams that pose a serious health hazard," he stated.
Chipimo (right) stated that these expectations would never be fulfilled by the constant hiring, firing and reshuffling of ministers and government officials at sizeable and unplanned cost to the Treasury.
"The people want to know: when will all this uncertainty come to an end? When will we stop changing district commissioners? When will we stop making administrative adjustments to our provinces and districts without first consulting and fully engaging with local stakeholders?" he asked.
"When will there be some sort of plan that can unite our nation around tackling the development challenges that are being faced each and every day by ordinary Zambians that just want to have a chance for once to enjoy a decent life?"
Chipimo stated that his party had repeatedly indicated that the President "must engage a strong team of personal advisers at State House to steer the thinking and planning in areas such as political, legal, economic and spiritual".
"As a party that wants to see this nation grow and develop into the country that God always intended for it to be, NAREP does not want to see unrest in our land. But we find ourselves living in a dangerous and delicate time in our history: Our youth are still marginalised by the lack of attention to their desperate cry for work and dignity and our women still face the burden of being the social and economic pillars of our communities," said Chipimo.
Labels: ELIAS CHIPIMO, LEADERSHIP, NAREP
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Chipimo urges strong will in corruption fight
By Gift Chanda
Sun 01 Jan. 2012, 13:50 CAT
ELIAS Chipimo Senior says corruption is embedded in
some Zambians. In an interview in Lusaka on Wednesday, Chipimo asked for strong commitment to the fight against corruption by the PF government.
"I think even if there is a little short of money, because we have squandered so much in the past…the little there is if it goes in the right direction will give people hope that next year on, things will begin to improve," he said.
Chipimo, who is father to National Restoration Party (NAREP) president Elias Chipimo junior, said a strong commitment to fighting corruption would be required because the vice was too embedded in Zambians.
He reminded President Sata that the fight against corruption would not be an easy one because he would be dealing with a composition of people who had been influenced by corruption.
"We have been accumulating a lot of mistakes especially in the area of corruption, regime after regime. People's attitudes both at the very local level and in high office have been so tainted and so conditioned to expecting that taking things from where you work is a natural thing. And if you don't do it you even look stupid, so that has got to be corrected and it cannot be corrected over night or over a year. It can only be corrected over generations through education," he said.
"From the way things are going on now, just because we have undergone change and people have pronounced their ability to change a government that does not listen, it does look as if we have started to bring more hope."
Chipimo called for a change in people's mindsets.
"We need a completely new change of reasoning and a new change of direction in the minds of those who say we want to do completely away with the past corruption or not. We must make a new beginning, but Michael Sata is making a good start for them all," he said.
Chipimo said PFs 90 days in office had been trial-and-error because of lack of maintaining certain decisions taken by the government.
"I think it PF's 90 days in office has been a little bit on the side of trial and error, but the trying is showing better than the errors. I hope it will continue to improve. I say it has been a trial and error all because so many times we get decisions taken and reversed almost immediately obviously if you had thought your policy through, you wouldn't have to do that," he said.
Chipimo said it was a good effort on the part of the government to reverse certain decisions not taken in the interest of the people.
Chipimo urged the government to be dedicated and honest in serving the people who elected it into office.
"Only they the PF can decide when it comes to points of decisions whether it is taking decisions in the interest of the people or it is in personal interest," he said.
He advised the government against taking decisions that would only be convenient to them.
"When I look at the people, they all seem to be walking in the street with a quicker step and I think they are all looking to the future for something positive to happen and that will happen if new jobs are created, infrastructure is improved and education and health are promoted," said Chipimo.
Labels: CORRUPTION, ELIAS CHIPIMO, MICHAEL SATA, NAREP, PF
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PF fears errors in voter’s register will disenfranchise many
By Ernest Chanda and Brina Manenga
Mon 13 June 2011, 16:00 CAT
COMPUTER errors reflecting on the provisional voters’ register are likely to disenfranchise a lot of people, says Evaristo Kasunga. In an interview, Kasunga who is a member of the opposition Patriotic Front expressed concern that the situation was worse in rural areas. Kasunga said in Mbala, where he was at the time of the interview, that several people’s details had been distorted.
“I have just come from a tour of several polling stations in the villages here in Mbala and what I have found out is that most people’s birth records are showing January 1st 1800. Surely, which human being can live for 200 years and appear in today’s voters’ register? Kasunga said.
“And the most worrying part is that people experiencing such problems are being sent away to other polling stations. They are made to walk distances of between 10 and 20 kilometres because ECZ Electoral Commission of Zambia people are saying that’s where the machine is to rectify the problems. I suggest to the ECZ that these machines should be mobile so that everyone is catered for in all the polling stations. It will not be fair to have too many people disenfranchised on account of errors that should have been taken care of.”
Kasunga also bemoaned the low turnout of people wishing to verify their details at polling stations in Mbala District.
He attributed the problem to poor publicity from ECZ and the harvest season, which kept most of the people busy.
“You know, generally Mbala is a farming area and this is harvest season; so people are busy in their fields harvesting. And because of that they are not finding time to go and verify their details at polling stations. I just hope that ECZ will extend this exercise to allow more people participate in the process,” said Kasunga.
And National Restoration Party (NAREP) said the closure of Radio Lyambai in Mongu partly contributed to the low turnout of voters verifying their details.
Party national secretary John Phiri said the limited access to information in Western Province was an infringement on people’s rights.
He said the party was saddened that people in the province had little access to important information despite this year being an election year.
“We have been carrying out our own surveys in the province to see how many people have been able to show up to verify their details.
Unfortunately we have noted that there are very few people who are going to these inspection centres to verify their details,” said Phiri in an interview. “From the talk we have had with the inspectors, we have discovered that only 20 people per day are verifying their details compared to the large number of registered voters.
Some of the rural voters we have talked to said information about the voter verification exercise has not reached them so they were not aware.”
He said the infringement of people’s rights on access to information in Mongu would deprive the voters of important electoral information.
“Right now they are just relying on Radio Liseli. However, Radio Lyambai had a large following and people had access to a lot of information in their local language. So an extension of the exercise is required if more people in Mongu are to verify their details,” said Phiri.
The voter verification exercise closed yesterday and the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) says it will not extend the exercise because the voters’ register has to be ready for inspection by July 31, 2011.
However, there have been several complaints of wrong names, National Registration Card numbers while other people have totally been omitted from the registers.
Labels: ECZ, EVARISTO KASUNGA, NAREP, PF, VOTER REGISTRATION
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COMMENT - NAREP is a phony party, which can syphon votes away from the PF-UPND pact. Here are the red flags:
1) They are against the Red Card Campaign
Why oppose action that might mobilize the people against the MMD?
2) They want to introduce a flat tax
This is the dream of the US Republican Party. Why? Because in societies where the economy is extremely unequal, the rich pay most of the taxes because they own most of businesses and properties. Therefore a flat tax shifts the tax burden to the poor while reducing the state's income.
3) Nowhere do they show they are serious about taxing the mines
In fact, they want to introduce a flat tax to make Zambia more attractive for foreign businesses. Well we have seen supply side economics since 1991. Without taxing the mines for over a billion USD per year, nothing will change in Zambia.
4) They can't win
It is harsh to say, but in order to win, a party must run candidates in all or at least most constituencies (and win in them). Only the MMD has the finances to do that. Even so, the combined forces of the PF and UPND received the most votes in the last election.
5) Spurring growth by attracting foreign business
This is as very tired policy. What is needed is massive taxation of the mines, so the government has the finances to develop the country, and run it's operations without borrowing or depending on the Zambian worker and 'donor aid' for it's only tax revenues, as is the case today. The massive government borrowing has the deleterious effect of making money unavailable for entrepreneurs and consumers as the commercial banks have lent their money to the government, and as a result charge usurious lending rates. And because the government borrows, the value of the Kwacha is continuously undermined. A few years ago, the exchange rate was K4,800/USD$, today it is K6,000/USD$. That is a 20% depreciation of the national currency in a matter of years. Government borrowing is at the basis of this.
Zambia does not need another neoliberal party. In my opinion, the best thing I can say is that NAREP should join the PF-UPND pact. Now I don't want to discourage NAREP, but all the good things they want to aim for in their manifesto cost money. Either that money comes from the mines, or it comes out of the pocket of the Zambian people, whether they are directly taxed (PAYE, local taxes and levies) or indirectly taxed (when the state borrows, it reduces the value of the national currency and anyone who buys goods in a shop will see prices rise - government debt is an indirect tax on the ordinary consumer. So - is NAREP ready to tax the mines?
NAREP launched (See Full speech)The National Restoration Party (NAREP) has been launched in Lusaka today.
Speaking at the launch, Interim President Elias Chipimo Jnr said his party would transform the way politics are conducted in the country.
Chipimo said the launch of NAREP is a journey towards the realization of a vision built upon the dreams of every male and female Zambian.
He said though Zambia is a rich country it leaves much to be desired because employment remains elusive for many including the youth and the nation’s school leavers.
Chipimo said other problems the country faces are constant disruption of energy and fuel supplies and poor feeder roads that constrain development.
The Interim party leader noted that it is disheartening that Zambia shamelessly asks foreign nations to pay for the problems ‘we have largely brought upon ourselves’.
Chipimo reassured the nation of his party’s commitment to take the nation to greater heights as they have a long term vision for the country.
He said NAREP stands on the brink of a new beginning, saying it is a time to call upon the better instinct within each one of us to make sacrifices that would see this nation become great again.
Chipimo, who is also a renowned Lawyer said he has resigned from the legal fraternity and left his comfort zone in order to work for the development of the nation.
He reiterated his party promise to be committed to work and support the Zambian citizens without discrimination on the basis of gender, tribe, nationality, origin and religion or even political affiliation.
Chipimo promised that NAREP would work tirelessly to serve all people as that is the duty of leaders and is reflected in the party’s motto “a heart for the people”.
He announced that the party would present its manifesto in the next 90 days to give the Zambians a broader picture of ZAREP and it vision to change Zambia.
He said his party’s vision is to see a transformed Zambia, directed by leaders who want to be judged by performance and principle rather than power and possession secretly accumulated while in office.
He further stated that the National Restoration Party will introduce flat low taxes for all and make Zambia the preferred destination for business, business that will support development of local talent and raise the standards of the country’s products and services to levels comparable to the best in the world.
And Chipimo has said many existing political parties have become relevant only to their leadership.
He said the political parties have abandoned the very communities for which they are suppose to exist, and no longer seem relevant to creating meaningful change in people’s lives.
He added that they have not created a tolerant political climate,possess limited vision and have failed to inspire the development and emergence of youthful, energetic and people centered leadership.
BELOW IS WHAT CHIPIMO SAID:
OFFICIAL LAUNCH AND PRESENTATION OF THE VISION OF THE NATIONAL RESTORATION PARTY
(NAREP)
BEYOND CHANGE: TOWARDS TRANSFORMATION
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. INVITED GUESTS. FELLOW ZAMBIANS. IT IS INDEED BOTH AN HONOUR AND A PLEASURE FOR ME TO WELCOME YOU ALL TO THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH AND PRESENTATION OF THE VISION OF THE NATIONAL RESTORATION PARTY
WAY POLITICS IS CONDUCTED IN THIS COUNTRY. I KNOW YOU ARE ALL PROBABLY WONDERING WHY WE HAVE FOUND IT NECESSARY TO LAUNCH YET ANOTHER POLITICAL PARTY. BEFORE EXPLAINING THE REASONS FOR THIS DECISION, LET ME SAY A LITTLE ABOUT THE BACKGROUND TO THE JOURNEY WE FEEL COMPELLED TO UNDERTAKE.
IT WAS THE CHINESE PHILOSOPHER LAO TSE WHO ONCE SAID: MUST BEGIN WITH A SINGLE STEP THE JOURNEY WE ARE ABOUT TO UNDERTAKE IS AN EXCITING ONE. IN MANY WAYS, THIS IS THE FIRST MAJOR STEP. BUT IT IS NOT ENTIRELY NEW. AND MINE ARE NOT THE ONLY FEET THAT WILL WALK IT.
IT IS A JOURNEY BASED ON A BOLD AND AMBITIOUS VISION AND THE DESIRE HELD BY OUR
FOREFATHERS AND OUR MOTHERS IN A TIME GONE BY. IT IS A JOURNEY TOWARDS THE REALISATION OF A VISION BUILT UPON THE DREAMS OF EVERY ZAMBIAN MAN AND WOMAN, BOY AND GIRL. A
VISION FOUNDED UPON THE BELIEF THAT EXISTED AT THE TIME OF OUR INDEPENDENCE:
- WHEN EVERYONE COULD DARE TO DREAM OF THE FREEDOM TO CHOOSE THEIR DESTINY
- WHEN THE YOKE OF COLONIALISM COULD FINALLY BE CAST ASIDE
- WHEN THE FOUNDATION OF A NEW BEGINNING FOR A NEW NATION COULD BE LAID DOWN FIRMLY WITH EAGER AND DETERMINED HANDS.
A TIME WHEN WE COULD BELIEVE IN WHO WE WANTED TO BE AS A NATION BECAUSE THE SPIRIT OF OUR DREAMS WAS SO ALIVE WITHIN US. A TIME WHEN NOTHING COULD HOLD US BACK.
AND IT WAS A COLLECTIVE DESIRE. A FEELING THAT COMPELLED US TO WORK TOGETHER: BEYOND TRIBE, BEYOND RELIGION, BEYOND GENDER.
INDEED, THE JOURNEY I SPEAK ABOUT TODAY IS A JOURNEY OF BOTH HOPE AND FAITH. HOPE THAT THERE IS MORE THAT CAN BE OFFERED TO THE PEOPLE OF ZAMBIA. FAITH IN WHAT GOD HAS IN STORE FOR US, IF ONLY WE CAN BELIEVE THAT HE WILL USE US TO RESTORE THE NATION TO THE GLORY HE ALWAYS INTENDED FOR IT. BUT BEFORE I SHARE THE PURPOSE OF THIS JOURNEY WITH YOU, LET ME FIRST TAKE A MOMENT TO OUTLINE WHERE WE ARE AS A NATION TODAY IN ORDER TO REMIND US OF WHO WE ARE; WHAT WE NEED TO DO; AND WHY WE NEED TO DO IT.
OUR NATION HAS NOT HAD A LONG HISTORY. WE HAVE BEEN INDEPENDENT FOR LESS THAN 50 YEARS.
DURING THAT TIME, HAVING MOVED FROM COLONIALISM TO MULTIPARTY DEMOCRACY UNDER A FORM OF UNIVERSAL VOTING RIGHTS, WE TOOK A MAJOR DETOUR ALONG THE WAY
INTO A PERIOD OF ONE-PARTY RULE. IT WAS A TIME WHEN THE BEST INTENTIONS PRODUCED RESULTS THAT LIMITED THE INDIVIDUAL
FOR THE RIGHT REASONS AND WITH THE BEST INTENTIONS, WE DID THE WRONG THING. AFTER
EIGHTEEN YEARS THIS PATH WAS EVENTUALLY ABANDONED AND WE RE-EMBRACED MULTIPARTY DEMOCRACY. BUT AGAIN, AND IN SPITE OF THE BEST INTENTIONS, RE-EMBRACING MULTIPARTY
POLITICS TOOK SOME GETTING USED TO AND ENDED UP PRODUCING SOME UNWELCOME RESULTS. WE DID NOT FULLY EMBRACE THE
OUR RIGHTS. POWER BECAME A GOAL IN ITSELF RATHER THAN A MEANS TO AN END. PERSONAL ADVANCEMENT AT THE EXPENSE OF THE MAJORITY DEFINED THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN US.
THE RETURN TO MULTIPARTY POLITICS PROMISED THE TYPE OF PROSPERITY AND PEACE WE SHOULD
BE ENJOYING IN 2010 AND BEYOND. BUT ANYBODY LIVING IN ZAMBIA TODAY KNOWS THAT WHILE WE
ARE INDEED A RICH COUNTRY, OUR HUMAN INDEX STATISTICS PORTRAY A NATION THAT IS POOR.
AND WHILE WE ARE NOT AT WAR WITH ANY OF OUR NEIGHBOURING STATES, WE ARE NOT REALLY A
NATION THAT IS AT PEACE WITH ITSELF. OUR POLITICIANS SEEM TO BE AT CONSTANT WAR WITH ONE
ANOTHER. WE CALL OURSELVES A CHRISTIAN NATION YET OUR CONDUCT IS MORE REFLECTIVE OF A
NATION THAT NEVER HAS THE LOVE OF CHRIST AS ITS GOAL.
AND WHILE ALL THE SHOUTING IS GOING ON, DEVELOPMENT REMAINS STUNTED:
- DEATH AND DISEASE KNOCK ON THE DOOR OF EVERY HOUSEHOLD THAT IS UNABLE TO
AFFORD DRUGS TO TREAT COMPLICATED AS WELL AS COMMON AILMENTS
- POOR FEEDER ROADS CONSTRAIN RURAL DEVELOPMENT
– A PARTY THAT WE BELIEVE WILL TRANSFORM THE“THE JOURNEY OF A THOUSAND MILES”.– VENTURING’S DRIVE TO EXCEL IN HIS OR HER OWN THOUGHTS AND ASPIRATIONS.RESPONSIBILITY THAT SHOULD HAVE ACCOMPANIED THE PURSUIT OF2
- FLOODING AND RELATED DISEASES LIKE CHOLERA OCCUR EVERY RAINY SEASON IN HIGHDENSITY AREAS WITH NO SOLUTION IN SIGHT- CONSTANT DISRUPTIONS IN ENERGY AND FUEL SUPPLIES HAVE BECOME AN ACCEPTED PART OF BUSINESS AND DAILY LIVING
- EMPLOYMENT REMAINS ELUSIVE FOR THE MANY INCLUDING OUR YOUTH AND THE NATION
SCHOOL-LEAVERS AND IN THE MIDDLE OF ALL THIS, WE SEEM SHAMELESSLY PROUD THAT WE CAN STILL CONVINCE FOREIGN NATIONS TO PAY FOR THE PROBLEMS WE HAVE LARGELY BROUGHT UPON OURSELVES.
OUR POLITICIANS SEEM TO HAVE NO LONG TERM VISION OR PLAN TO TAKE US TO NEW HEIGHTS AS A NATION. AT A TIME SUCH AS THIS, EVERY ZAMBIAN SHOULD BE ASKING THE QUESTION: WHAT CAN
I DO FOR MY COUNTRY?MANY OF US SIT IDLY BY AS OUR POLITICIANS FIGHT WITH EACH OTHER; WHEN THE NATION IS BEING
TORN APART AT THE CORE.
WE CAN NO LONGER BLAME ONLY THE POLITICIANS FOR THE STATE OF POLITICS IN OUR COUNTRY.
WE MUST ALL EXAMINE OUR LIVES AND SEE WHERE WE HAVE INDIVIDUALLY FAILED OUR NATION.
EACH ONE OF US REGULARLY FACES THE CHOICE ABOUT WHETHER TO EMBRACE OR REJECT A
CULTURE OF HATE; WHETHER TO EMBRACE OR REJECT A CULTURE OF VIOLENCE; WHETHER TO
EMBRACE OR REJECT A CULTURE OF INSULTS. EACH OF US CAN DECIDE TO DO THE RIGHT THING WHEN IT BECOMES CLEAR TO US THAT OUR ACTION CAN MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE. WE CANNOT TAKE SATISFACTION IN BLAMING CORRUPTION AND INTOLERANCE ON OUR POLITICAL LEADERSHIP WHEN IN OUR VERY OWN HOMES; IN OUR VERY OWN WORKPLACES, IN OUR CHURCHES AND SOCIAL COMMUNITIES, WE REMAIN SMALL DICTATORS THAT REJECT CORRECTION AND WISE COUNSEL FROM
THE PEOPLE AROUND US WHO SEE OUR FAULTS ALL TOO CLEARLY. WHEN WE OURSELVES LIE TO,
STEAL FROM AND CHEAT ONE ANOTHER DAILY.
AND THIS IS WHERE THE CHANGE AND TRANSFORMATION OF OUR NATION MUST BEGIN. IT MUST
START FROM WITHIN; WITH EACH ONE OF US SEEKING TO UNDERSTAND THE ROLE WE HAVE PLAYED
IN HARMING OUR COMMON INTERESTS. WITH EACH ONE OF US SEEKING TO UNDERSTAND HOW WE
CAN MAKE THINGS BETTER. WE MUST ASK OURSELVES WHAT IT IS WE HAVE TO DO TO BE MORE
RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS AND CREATE THE ZAMBIA THAT WE ALL WISH TO LIVE IN.
A NEW BEGINNING
TODAY, WE STAND ON THE BRINK OF A NEW BEGINNING
WITHIN EACH ONE OF US TO MAKE THE SACRIFICES THAT WILL SEE THIS NATION BECOME GREAT
AGAIN. THE DREAMS WE HAVE FOR THE NATION TODAY SHOULD ENCAPSULATE THE DREAMS AND
ASPIRATIONS OF EVERY ZAMBIAN:
– A TIME TO CALL UPON THE BETTER INSTINCTGRANDCHILDREN LEFT HOMELESS BY THE RAVAGES OF LIFE IN A COUNTRY THAT HAS FAILED
TO ADEQUATELY PROTECT THE VULNERABLE
EVERY GRANDMOTHER THAT DREAMS OF A BETTER LIFE FOR HER ORPHANEDWANDERS FROM STREET TO STREET SEEKING SAFETY FROM A CRUEL WORLD
EVERY NEGLECTED OR ABUSED CHILD THAT LONGS FOR A CARING HOME AS HE OR SHE-
AND LABOURS FOR INVESTORS IN FOREIGN CAPITALS YET IS NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE A DECENT
WAY OF LIFE FOR HIS FAMILY
EVERY HARDWORKING MINER, WHO WANTS A BIGGER SHARE OF THE PIE WHILE HE SWEATS-
MEAGRE SALARY WHILE PROTECTING PROPERTY HE OR SHE CAN NEVER HOPE TO OWN
EVERY SECURITY GUARD WHO LONGS TO ACQUIRE A HOUSE AND IS FORCED TO LIVE ON A-
HAS NO DECENT FEEDER ROAD TO HIS OR HER COMMUNITY LIMITING THE CHANCE FOR
PROGRESS
EVERY RURAL DWELLER THAT YEARNS FOR THE TIMELY DELIVERY OF FARMING INPUTS BUT-
THE UNBEARABLE NEWS OF YET ANOTHER FATAL BUT PREVENTABLE ROAD TRAFFIC
ACCIDENT
EVERY FAMILY MEMBER THAT SEEKS A LONG LIFE FOR ITS LOVED ONES BUT HAS TO ENDURE-
TO TAKE A BRIBE WHEN EVERY INCLINATION WITHIN OUR SOCIETY EXPECTS HIM OR HER TO
DO SO
EVERY POLICE OFFICER THAT WANTS TO DO THE RIGHT THING BUT HAS TO FIGHT THE URGE-
STANDARD OF LIVING AND TO BE RESPECTED FOR THE WORK THAT THEY DO
EVERY HARD-WORKING NURSE, DOCTOR, TEACHER THAT WANTS TO HAVE A DECENT-
INFLATION
EVERY SENIOR CITIZEN WHOSE MEAGRE PENSION HAS BEEN COMPREHENSIVELY ERODED BY– IF HE OR SHE IS LUCKY ENOUGH TO EVEN HAVE A PENSION IN THE FIRST PLACE
3 HOPE OF A DECENT JOB, HAVING DEPENDED ON AN EDUCATION SYSTEM THAT COULD NEVERHAVE PREPARED THEM WELL ENOUGH FOR THE LIFE AHEAD
WE CANNOT GO ON LIKE THIS.
EVERY ONE OF OUR YOUTH THAT DREAMS OF GREATNESS BUT LEAVES SCHOOL WITH NOVALUE-BASED CHANGE
THE WORD ON EVERYONECOUNTRY IS IN DESPERATE NEED OF CHANGE.
BUT IT SHOULD NOT BE CHANGE FOR THE SAKE OF CHANGE. IT SHOULD NOT BE THE TYPE OF CHANGE
THAT IS DRIVEN BY A SENSE OF DESPERATION. IT MUST BE CHANGE BASED ON A VISION AND DEEP CONVICTION ABOUT WHAT WE NEED TO DO IN ORDER TO RESTORE THE VALUES THAT MAKE US ALL PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR UPHOLDING PRINCIPLES OF HONESTY, HUMILITY, RESPECT, TOLERANCE, FORBEARANCE, HARD WORK, SACRIFICE AND A COMMITMENT TO SERVE.
WE NEED ONCE AGAIN TO SUMMON UP THE SPIRIT OF SACRIFICE AND SERVICE THAT DROVE THE NATIONALISTS IN NORTHERN RHODESIA TO FIGHT FOR A BETTER FUTURE FOR AN INDIGENOUS POPULATION THAT HAD BEEN REDUCED TO UNDERCLASS STATUS. MEN AND WOMEN WHO SOUGHT A NEW WAY FOR OUR NATION. WE NEED TO CALL UPON OUR KNOWS AND UNDERSTANDS THAT IT CANNOT BE RIGHT TO TAKE WHAT DOES NOT BELONG TO US; TO CORRUPT THE SYSTEM THAT SO MANY DEPEND ON; TO USE OUR OFFICIAL POSITIONS TO ENRICH OURSELVES; TO DEPRIVE OUR HOSPITALS OF VITAL DRUGS.
’S LIPS TODAY IS CHANGE! CHANGE! CHANGE! WE ALL KNOW THAT THEBETTER INSTINCT; THE VOICE INSIDE THATTHE NEW GENERATION OF LEADERSHIP
I WANT TO SPEAK FOR A FEW MOMENTS DIRECTLY TO THE GENERATION OF ZAMBIANS BORN AROUND THE TIME OF OUR INDEPENDENCE AND THEREAFTER.
EVERY GENERATION MUST STRIVE TO LEAVE ITS MARK ON ITS NATION
DOES THIS ALONE. WORKING HAND IN HAND WITH THOSE WHO WENT BEFORE US AND RECOGNISING
THE VALUES THAT OUR FOREFATHERS STOOD FOR; THE VALUES
NOW PLAY THAT HAS BENEFITED THE MOST FROM THE STRUGGLES OF OUR FOREFATHERS. YET WE HAVE NOT
PLAYED OUR PART IN MAKING THE NECESSARY SACRIFICE THAT TRULY DEFINES A GENERATION OF
TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERS. AND THAT IS WHAT WE MUST NOW ASPIRE TO BE. NOT TO BE
LEADERS THAT SEEK ONLY CHANGE:
’S HISTORY. BUT IT NEVERTHEY LIVED AND DIED FOR, WE MUSTOUR ROLE RESPONSIBLY AND MAKE OUR MARK IN HISTORY. OURS IS THE GENERATIO
WE MUST BE TRUE LEADERS, LEADERS THAT CAN RESPOND TO THE CHALLENGE OF OUR TIMWE MUST SEEK TO GO BEYOND CH
WE MUST SEEK A NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION-
IMAGINATION OF WHAT KIND OF PLACE IT CAN BE.
AND WE MUST REJECT THE IDEA THAT WE ARE TOO CLEAN AND POLITICS TOO DIRTY; THAT SOME OF
US ARE TOO ELITIST TO FIGHT FOR THE COMMON MAN. WE SHOULD REJECT THE IDEA THAT WE CAN
SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE CORRUPTION AND THAT THE PEOPLE HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO GIVE IN TO IT.
TODAY IS THE DAY THAT THE FOUNDATION OF OUR CHARACTER MUST BE DUG UP AND LAID ANEW.
TODAY, IS THE DAY WE MUST STAND UP AND BE COUNTED FOR THE PEOPLE OF ZAMBIA. TODAY IS THE
DAY WE DEFINE A NEW HOPE FOR OUR NATION, TO RESTORE ITS FORTUNES AND MAKE IT GREAT
AGAIN.
WE MUST DARE TO DREAM OF A DESTINATION FOR OUR NATION THAT EXCEEDS THE WILDEST’TNAREP
IT IS MY PRIVILEGE AND HONOUR TO BE ABLE TO FINALLY ANNOUNCE THAT A GROUP OF CONCERNED AND FULLY COMMITTED ZAMBIANS HAS DECIDED TO FORM A POLITICAL MOVEMENT CALLED THE NATIONAL RESTORATION PARTY (OR NAREP). OUR VISION IS TO SEE A TRANSFORMED ZAMBIA; A NATION DIRECTED BY LEADERS WHO WANT TO BE JUDGED BY PERFORMANCE AND PRINCIPLE RATHER THAN POWER AND POSSESSIONS SECRETLY ACCUMULATED WHILE IN OFFICE; A GOVERNMENT THAT WILL PLACE EXCELLENCE, INTEGRITY, SACRIFICE AND SERVICE ABOVE SELF-INTEREST AT ALL TIMES.
LEADERS THAT WILL OFFER A BEACON OF RESPONSIBILITY, COMPASSION AND HOPE NOT JUST TO OU PEOPLE AND TO THE CONTINENT OF AFRICA BUT TO THE WORLD, ESTABLISHING A NATION IN WHICH QUALITY HEALTHCARE, EDUCATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE ARE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL ZAMBIANS AS THEY ASPIRE TO ATTAIN THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.
NAREP WILL TRAIN OUR LONG-SUFFERING YOUTH AS WELL AS THE UNEMPLOYED AND CREATE WORLDCLASS JOBS FOR THEM ALLOWING THEM TO FINALLY DREAM OF HAVING REAL PROSPERITY IN THEIR LIVES. NAREP WILL PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO THE POOR AND VULNERABLE TO ENABLE THEM TO HAVE THEIR OWN HOMES. NAREP WILL PURSUE A VISION THAT WILL BRING ELECTRICITY AND QUALITY HEALTHCARE AND EDUCATION TO EVERY VILLAGE IN ZAMBIA REMOTELY LOCATED IT IS.
THE TECHNOLOGY IS AVAILABLE TO MAKE THIS A REALITY TODAY SO THAT NO MOTHER HAS TO SEND HER CHILDREN TO THE RIVER TO FETCH WATER FOR HER HOME WHEN THEY SHOULD BE IN SCHOOL. NAREP WILL ESTABLISH A POLICY THAT WILL ALLOW US TO REDUCE OUR DEPENDENCE ON EXPENSIVE IMPORTED OIL AND TO BE DONE WITH THE PERSISTENT POWER CUTS AND FUEL LINES THAT ARE COMMON EVERY YEAR. NAREP WILL INTRODUCE FLAT LOW TAXES FOR ALL AND MAKE ZAMBIA THE PREFERRED DESTINATION FOR BUSINESS. BUSINESS THAT WILL SUPPORT DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL TALENT AND RAISE THE STANDARD OF OUR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES TO LEVELS COMPARABLE TO THE BEST IN THE WORLD. WE WILL COMBINE TECHNOLOGY WITH
AGRICULTURE TO TRANSFORM THE RURAL LANDSCAPE INTO AN OASIS OF ACTIVITY AND
INNOVATION. WE WILL MODERNISE ALL OUR CITIES AND TOWNS AND TRAIN OUR CIVIL SERVANTS TO THE HIGHEST STANDARDS POSSIBLE SO THAT THEY WILL BE TRUE AND EFFICIENT SERVANTS OF THE PEOPLE. WITHIN 90 DAYS WE WILL LAUNCH OUR MANIFESTO SETTING OUT HOW THESE GOALS WILL BE ACHIEVED.
IN ORDER TO PLAY MY PART IN PURSUIT OF THIS VISION, I HAVE RESIGNED FROM THE LAW FIRM I ESTABLISHED 15 YEARS AGO, LEAVING IT TO MY COLLEAGUES TO TAKE IT TO GREATER HEIGHTS
– NO MATTER HOW–WHICH I HAVE NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THEY WILL DO. I HAVE RESIGNED FROM THE BOARDS THAT I PROUDLY SERVED ON THESE MANY YEARS; I HAVE MADE THE GOAL OF TURNING OUR COUNTRY
AROUND MY MOST IMPORTANT CAREER DECISION TO DATE. I HAVE DETERMINED TO OVERCOME MY FEAR OF WHAT THE FUTURE MAY HOLD. IT WILL BE ENOUGH THAT I MADE A CONTRIBUTION TO
CREATING A LEGACY FOR MY CHILDREN AND FOR THE GENERATIONS TO COME. THAT LEGACY WILL BE A RESTORATION OF DIGNITY AND OTHER HIGHER VALUES TO POLITICS. IT WILL BE TO FINALLY RECONNECT THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE TO THEIR ELECTED OFFICIALS SO THAT THEIR VOTE CAN RESULT IN A REAL AND MEANINGFUL IMPROVEMENT IN THEIR LIVES. FOR THOSE OF MY GENERATION
WONDERING WHAT SACRIFICE THEY CAN MAKE, I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO DEFINE FOR
YOURSELVES HOW YOU WANT TO BE REMEMBERED.
BUT IN A LAND OVERCROWDED BY INDIVIDUALS WITH POLITICAL INTENTIONS AND PARTISAN
DREAMS, IT IS FAIR TO ASK WHY THIS CONTRIBUTION HAS TO BE THROUGH A NEW POLITICAL PARTy RATHER THAN AN EXISTING ONE. WELL, THE SAD REALITY IS THAT MANY POLITICAL PARTIES HAVE REALLY BECOME RELEVANT ONLY TO THEIR LEADERSHIP. THEY HAVE ABANDONED THE VERY
COMMUNITIES FOR WHICH THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO EXIST. INDEED, POLITICAL PARTIES NO LONGER
SEEM RELEVANT TO CREATING MEANINGFUL CHANGE IN PEOPLE
TOLERANT POLITICAL CLIMATE. THEY POSSESS LIMITED VISION AND HAVE FAILED TO INSPIRE THE DEVELOPMENT AND EMERGENCE OF YOUTHFUL, ENERGETIC AND PEOPLE-CENTRED LEADERSHIP.
AS THE NATIONAL RESTORATION PARTY, WE BELIEVE THAT POLITICAL PARTIES SHOULD EXIST To ACHIEVE ONE GOAL. THAT GOAL IS ENSURING THAT DEVELOPMENT IS DELIVERED TO PEOPLE
PEOPLE, PARTICULARLY THOSE AT THE VERY GRASSROOTS LEVEL.
IN COUNTRIES LIKE OURS, THE DEVELOPMENT BENEFITS TEND TO TRICKLE FIRST TO AREAS ALONG THE LINE OF RAIL, TO THE EXCLUSION OF THE RURAL COMMUNITIES THAT MOST NEED INTERVENTION.
THE FAILURE OF POLITICAL PARTIES TO DELIVER ON THEIR DEVELOPMENT GOALS HAS EVEN
PROMPTED SOME TO CONSIDER THE IDEA OF ABANDONING THEM ALTOGETHER. BUT THE FACT THA POLITICAL PARTIES IN ZAMBIA HAVE NOT WORKED TO DELIVER DEVELOPMENT TO THE PEOPLE IN THE
PAST DOES NOT MAKE THE IDEA OF THEM BAD. WE SHOULD NEVER SEEK TO THROW THE BABY OUT WITH THE BATHWATER. BUT WE DO NEED TO APPLY OUR MINDS TO UNDERSTANDING WHAT HAS
GONE WRONG REGULARLY TEST ITS POPULARITY AND ACCOUNT FOR ITS ACHIEVEMENTS AT A NATIONAL
CONVENTION UNTIL FORCED TO DO SO.
THE SAD TRUTH IS THAT POLITICS HAS LARGELY BECOME AN INDUSTRY THAT RELATIVELY FEW
PARTICIPATE IN FOR THEMSELVES UNDER THE FALSE EXPLANATION THAT THEY ARE DOING IT FOR
PEOPLE. IT IS BECAUSE OF THIS THAT MANY ORPHANS LIVING IN HIGH DENSITY COMMUNITIES SEE
HOPE ONLY IN CIVIC GROUPS THAT DO A COMMENDABLE JOB IN KEEPING THEM HOUSED, FED,
CLOTHED AND EDUCATED. THIS IS WHY THE MAJORITY OF ZAMBIANS SUCH AS THOSE LIVING IN THE
RURAL AREAS OF EVERY PROVINCE
PROMISES OF POLITICIANS ARE MEANINGLESS. THEY NO LONGER BELIEVE THAT POLITICS CAN MAKE
A REAL DIFFERENCE IN THEIR LIVES. THEY NEED TO FEEL THAT SOMEONE CARES ENOUGH ABOUT
THEM TO DELIVER ON THE EXPECTATIONS THAT EVERY ZAMBIAN IS ENTITLED TO HAVE. THIS IS WHY
THE CLERGY FEEL COMPELLED TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST THE INJUSTICES PERPETRATED BY
’S LIVES. THEY HAVE NOT CREATED A– ALL– WHY LEADERSHIP IN NEARLY EVERY EXISTING PARTY EITHER FEARS OR IS UNABLE TO– HAVING BEEN NEGLECTED FOR FAR TOO LONG – FEEL THAT THE5
LEADERSHIP INTOXICATED WITH STATE POWER. UNDERSTANDING THE COMPASSION OF CHRIST, THE CHURCH SHOULD NEVER SIT IDLY BY AS IT STRIVES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE VULNERABLE.BUT TO BE FAIR, NOT EVERYONE IS IN POLITICS FOR THEMSELVES. MANY
LOWER LEVELS REPRESENTATIVES OF THE COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE PUT THEM INTO OFFICE. YOU SEE, MANY POLITICIANS TEND TO START OUT WITH THE BEST INTENTIONS. BUT SOMETHING HAPPENS THAT TAKES THEM AWAY FROM THEIR ORIGINAL GOAL OF SERVICE. THEY FORGET THEIR CALLING; LOSE THEIR COMMITMENT TO SERVE AND FOCUS INSTEAD ON THE ALLOWANCES AND GRATUITIES THEY WILL NOW EARN WITH LITTLE REGARD TO THE IMPACT ON THE NATION RESOURCES.
– PARTICULARLY AT THE– ARE TRYING THEIR BEST TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND TO BE EFFECTIVE’S LIMITED FINANCIALRESPONSIBLE CHANGE AND THE THEME OF RESTORATION
SO IT IS CLEAR THAT WE NEED RESPONSIBLE CHANGE. ANYONE WHO CARES ABOUT THIS COUNTRY KNOWS THAT IT IS A COUNTRY IN DESPERATE NEED OF CHANGE. BUT IF ALL WE SEEK TO DO IS TO CHANGE LEADERSHIP AT THE TOP THEN WE WILL NOT HAVE MADE ANY REAL CHANGE AT ALL. WE WILL AGAIN HAVE SIMPLY TRANSFERRED THE RIGHT TO EXERCISE POWER FROM ONE GROUP TO ANOTHER. WE WILL HAVE REPLACED THAT SUSTAIN MEDIOCRITY; THAT SUSTAIN CORRUPTION AND NEGLECT WILL HAVE REMAINED
INTACT. AS A NEW PARTY, WE TOO WILL EVENTUALLY FALL INTO THE CLUTCHES OF GREED AND MEDIOCRITY IF WE DO NOT MAKE HIGHER VALUES THE BASIS OF EVERYTHING THAT OUR PARTY STANDS FOR. THE
NATIONAL RESTORATION PARTY (NAREP) BELIEVES THAT VALUE-BASED LEADERSHIP NEEDS TO BE REINTRODUCE INTO POLITICS IN ZAMBIA. WE BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE BOTH THE VISION AND THE COMMITMENT TO UPHOLDING THE VALUES THAT CAN DRIVE TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGE IN A NATION THAT MUST ACCOUNT FOR THE ABUNDANCE OF WEALTH WITH WHICH IT HAS BEEN BLESSED.
WE DEFINE OUR VISION AND AMBITION UNDER THE THEME OTO BRING BACK THE PAST. IT IS A DESIRE TO TAKE THE NATION TO A PLACE IT SHOULD ALWAYS HAVE OCCUPIED. IT IS A DESIRE TO RESTORE A POSITIVE SENSE OF PRIDE IN OUR NATION. AS NAREP, WE WILL ALWAYS REJECT SELF-INTEREST AT THE EXPENSE OF THE NATION. WE WILL RESTORE PRIDE IN HARD WORK. WE WILL ENSURE ADHERENCE TO ACCOUNTABILITY. WE WILL UNDERTAKE OUR DUT WITH DETERMINATION AND COMMITMENT. WE WILL RESPECT THOSE THAT WENT BEFORE US. WE WILL CHALLENGE AND CRITICISE THE DECISIONS OF OUR OPPONENTS WHEN THEY GO WRONG BUT WE WILL NEVER INSULT THEM.
OUR PARTY WILL BE OPEN TO EVERYONE. OUR ONLY CONDITION IS THAT THOSE THAT SEEK TO BE A PART OF IT BE PREPARED TO WORK HARD FOR THE PEOPLE AND ADHERE TO THE VALUES UPON WHICH ITS FOUNDATIONS WILL BE LAID. WE WILL NOT CLOSE THE DOOR TO THOSE THAT ARE IN POLITICS TODAY BUT NOW WISH TO EMBRACE VALUE-BASED CHANGE. THE ONLY PRICE WILL BE TO UPHOLD THE VISION AND THE VALUES THAT MUST NOW DRIVE THIS NATION FORWARD. THE NATIONAL
RESTORATION PARTY WILL NEVER BE A PARTY BASED UPON AN INDIVIDUAL OR ON A REGIONAL AFFILIATION. IT WILL BE A PARTY IN WHICH THE LEADERS ARE MERELY THE CUSTODIANS OF ITS VALUES AND ITS VISION.
OUR LEADERSHIP MUST CARRY THE NATION TO NEW LEVELS OF COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY. IT MUST BE LEADERSHIP THAT WILL SET AN EXAMPLE IN EXCELLENCE, SACRIFICE, SERVICE, HUMILITY, TRUST, HONESTY AND ACCOUNTABILITY. DISCIPLINED LEADERSHIP THAT WILL INSPIRE AS MANY AS POSSIBLE TO ACHIEVE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL, NEVER DOING FOR OTHERS WHAT THEY CAN BE INSPIRED TO DO FOR THEMSELVES:
“FURNITURE” BUT THE STRUCTURES THAT SUSTAIN GREED;“RESTORATION”. THIS IS NOT A DESIRE-
TO THEM AT ALL TIMES AND NOT ONLY DURING ELECTIONS
WE WILL ALWAYS ASK YOU TO REMIND US OF OUR VALUES AND TO HOLD US ACCOUNTABLE-
UNDERSTANDING AND ACCEPTING THAT SUCH FREEDOM ALLOWS THEM TO BE AS HARSH AS
NECESSARY TO US TO MAKE US REALISE THE IMPORTANCE OF OUR WORK FOR THE PEOPLE
WE WILL PROMOTE A STRONG, VIBRANT, COMMITTED AND FULLY INDEPENDENT PRTHIS IS OUR PROMISE WITHOUT DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF GENDER, TRIBE,NATIONALITY, ORIGIN, RACE, RELIGION
OR EVEN POLITICAL AFFILIATION. WE WILL WORK TIRELESSLY BECAUSE THAT IS OUR DUTY TO YOU
AS LEADERS PEOPLE WE DO THIS RIGHT, WELL, THEN OUR INTERESTS WILL BE SERVED TOO. AND WHEN ALL IS SAID AND
DONE; WHEN IT IS TIME FOR US TO USHER IN NEW LEADERSHIP, WE SHOULD WALK ON, NOT SEEKING
TO HOLD ONTO POWER OR WAITING TO BE THANKED BY OUR NATION, BUT THANKFUL THAT WE HAVE
WE WILL MAKE ALL OF OUR ACTIONS AS TRANSPARENT AS POSSIBLE– OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU: WE WILL WORK FOR YOU AND SUPPORT YOU,– TO SERVE ALL OF THE PEOPLE. THIS IS REFLECTED IN OUR MOTTO: “A HEART FOR THE”. AS A PART OF THE NAREP LEADERSHIP, WE WILL SERVE NOT OUR INTERESTS BUT YOURS. IF6
BEEN ABLE TO PERFORM OUR DUTY WELL WHEN THE CHALLENGE OF OUR
NATION IS GRIEVING; ITS SOUL IS DOWNCAST AS IT LOOKS OUT TO A DARK HORIZON.
BUT NO MORE. FOR WE CAN NOW BUILD UPON THE HOPE OF RESTORATION.TIME CALLED UPON US TO
DO SO.
AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS NEW INITIATIVE, WE SHOULD UNDERSTAND THAT LEADERSHIP
CANNOT ACHIEVE THIS TYPE OF TRANSFORMATION ALONE. WE NEED A NEW NATION, A NEW ZAMBIA,
ONE IN WHICH ALL OF US ARE HARDWORKING; ALL OF US ARE SACRIFICIAL; ALL OF US ARE
TOLERANT, FORWARD LOOKING AND RESPONSIBLE. FOR THE NATION TO TRULY CHANGE AND BE
TRANSFORMED, EVERYONE MUST PLAY A ROLE. WE HAVE ONLY ONE ZAMBIA AND THE SPIRIT OF OUR
WE CAN BE THE
ALTERNATIVE OPTION FOR ZAMBIA, TOGETHER TAKING OUR COUNTRY FORWARD TO THE PLACE IT
SHOULD ALWAYS HAVE BEEN.
TO MOVE OURSELVES FORWARD RESPONSIBLY, WE ALL NEED TO ACCEPT THAT WE CANNOT BUILD
OUR FUTURE NATION ON A FOUNDATION OF MEDIOCRITY, GREED, INTOLERANCE AND INSULTS. NO
MATTER HOW ANGERED WE ARE BY WHAT WE SEE AROUND US, WE MUST NEVER GIVE IN TO A DESIRE
TO TEAR ONE ANOTHER DOWN. WE MUST SEEK INSTEAD TO CHALLENGE AND INSPIRE ONE ANOTHER
WITH BOLD AND VISIONARY IDEAS.
I SPEAK TO YOU TODAY WITH A TREMENDOUS FEELING IN MY HEART THAT THE WEIGHT OF OUR
NATION LEADERSHIP. IT IS TIME THAT WE TAKE OUR TURN TO MAKE THE SACRIFICES THAT WILL MAKE THIS
NATION GREAT AGAIN.
TO THOSE THAT WILL SEEK TO JOIN US BUT STILL HAVE FEAR IN THEIR HEARTS AS TO WHAT THE
FUTURE HOLDS, I ASK YOU TO REMEMBER THIS: THE DARKEST HOUR IS ALWAYS BEFORE DAWN; YET
NO MATTER HOW DARK THE NIGHT, THE MORNING WILL COME. TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE THAT THE
TIME IS TOO SHORT OR THAT SOME AUTHORITY CAN DOUSE THE FLAME OF HOPE BURNING IN OUR
HEARTS I SAY THIS: THE RACE IS NOT TO THE SWIFT, NOR IS THE BATTLE TO THE STRONG BUT TIME
AND CHANCE HAPPEN TO THEM ALL. GOD IS ABLE TO ACHIEVE FOR US, INFINITELY MORE THAT WE
CAN ASK OR IMAGINE.
IN CONCLUSION, LET ME REMIND US ALL OF THE CHALLENGE BEFORE US
NATION THROUGH PERSONAL SACRIFICE AND INTEGRITY. LET US REKINDLE THE SPIRIT THAT
INSPIRED OUR NATIONALIST LEADERS TO FIGHT FOR OUR INDEPENDENCE. LET US ALL
’S DESTINY LIES FIRMLY WITHIN THE GRASP OF THOSE WILLING TO ASSUME RESPONSIBLE– TO TRANSFORM THE– EACH OF US –START THE CHANGE FROM WITHIN. IN 1964 IT WAS INDEPENDENCE; IN 1991 MULTIPARTY AND THEHOUR; IN 2011
LET ME END BY MAKING AN APPEAL:
– RESTORATION FOR NATIONAL TRANSFORMATIONSACRIFICE THAT THE NATION NEEDS TO FOLLOW AND ALWAYS SPEAK OUT AGAINST THE INJUSTICE YOU SEE IN OUR NATION
TO THE CHURCH LEADERSHIP, LIVE THE CHANGE AND BE THE EXAMPLE OF SELFLESSNESS ANINDIVIDUALS LIKE YOU
TO THE SMALL-SCALE ENTREPRENEUR, REMEMBER THAT GREAT ECONOMIES WERE BUILT AND YOUR KNOWLEDGE MUST BE APPLIED TOWARDS DEVELOPING LOCAL SOLUTIONS TO OUR
INDUSTRIAL CHALLENGES
TO THE ACADEMICS, WE APPEAL TO YOU TOO – FOR WE ARE LIVING IN AN INFORMATION AGE·
FOREFRONT OF CHANGE FROM THE DAYS OF OLD, WE APPEAL TO YOU TO CONTINUE IN YOUEFFORTS AND TO WORK WITH US TOWARDS A BRIGHTER DAY.
OUR PARTY MOTTO:
REAL AND RESPONSIBLE HOPE TO ALL OF THE PEOPLE AND NOT JUST THE FEW. OUR SYMBOL IS A
RIGHT HAND OVER THE HEART AS A PHYSICAL PLEDGE OF OUR COMMITMENT TO THIS GOAL. I ASK
YOU ALL TO JOIN WITH ME NOW IN WELCOMING A NEW HOPE FOR ZAMBIA; A NEW VISION FOR OUR
COUNTRY; A NEW PARTY THAT WILL RETURN OUR NATION TO WHERE IT ALWAYS SHOULD HAVE BEEN.
PLEASE RISE WITH ME NOW TO HERALD THE FIRST STEPS OF A PARTY WITH A VISION AND A
COMMITMENT TO SERVE ALL OF THE PEOPLE ALL OF THE TIME. RISE WITH ME NOW TO WELCOME THE
FIRST STEPS OF NAREP
I THANK YOU. AND MAY GOD
TO OUR MOTHERS AND SISTERS AND TO OUR DAUGHTERS; YOU HAVE BEEN AT THE“A HEART FOR THE PEOPLE” SPEAKS TO OUR REASON FOR EXISTING – TO GIVE– THE NATIONAL RESTORATION PARTY.’S GRACE BE WITH YOU ALL.
TO OUR MOTHERS AND SISTERS AND TO OUR DAUGHTERS; YOU HAVE BEEN AT THE“A HEART FOR THE PEOPLE” SPEAKS TO OUR REASON FOR EXISTING – TO GIVE– THE NATIONAL RESTORATION PARTY.’S GRACE BE WITH YOU ALL.
TO OUR MOTHERS AND SISTERS AND TO OUR DAUGHTERS; YOU HAVE BEEN AT THE“A HEART FOR THE PEOPLE” SPEAKS TO OUR REASON FOR EXISTING – TO GIVE– THE NATIONAL RESTORATION PARTY.’S GRACE BE WITH YOU ALL.
TETA MAShimba says:
March 10, 2010 at 10:19I want to join this party.Where can i register from.
Who am I says:
March 3, 2010 at 16:12There is a huge difference between knowing about someone and knowing someone. Knowing someone is about having an encounter with that person. Most of the negative comments about Elias Chipimo are purely based on hearsay and it’s a shameful habit to foster as youth. There is always something negative that can be said about everyone including everybody throwing stones at Elias on this site. As the saying goes: don’t throw stones if you live in a glass house. We all somehow live in glass houses. It’s just that no one knows where our glass houses are located otherwise we would go through the same thing if we were in the public domain. Fellow youths, let us give up the Pull Him Down (PHD) sydrome and look at what this gentleman is able to bring to the table.
One fact is that he is young, vibrant, knowledgeable (with a depth of knowledge economic, political, social issues etc) and very hard working. He is just what we need to see some meaningful development in our country. When we look at the leadership history of Zambia, it is evident that we have mostly been lead by old citizens of the country. They have done the best they can and it’s time for them to hang the boots and let youthful citizens of the country carry the torch. My question to you is this: why should we continue entrusting our future as youths to someone who is already in their future? Let us put into office a young vibrant fellow like Elias with fresh ideas and full of energy to take us to the next level. Twanaka ukuchula!!!!
As earlier alluded, there is always something negative that can be said about everyone. Quit worrying about whether he can connect with the poor. He will because he is a real Zambian and fluently speaks about 5 local languages. He is very humble and that’s the truth. This being the case, focus on the good qualities here which should be our area of concern and not what you have heard. At the end of the day, it should be about choosing the lesser evil of the many people aspiring to lead the country.
My appeal to you all is that let us give this guy a chance. He is the man for the job. I have no doubt he will makes us proud. You have my vote man!
Viva NAREP!!!!
Waitaya says:
March 3, 2010 at 11:04Forming a pary is not a solution to our problems. this is where we all get it wrong. Why dont we try another formula such as mobilising communities so that they become selfsustaining. We lack a certain type of leadership in this country that type which can dedicate its time and resources to helping people rather than always asking the people to sacrifice. Giving up a job is not a scarifice because one puts in place means and measures of survival. Jnr will be getting something from his law firm so what sacrifice has he really made to form his party.
Peasant farmer says:
March 2, 2010 at 23:38The challenge has been given to us as Zambians to begin to move beyond shallow analysis and “pull him down” syndrome. The sad state of our country hurts us all, whether so called “elite” or struggling house servant…It makes to review our attitudes and really ask ourselves whether this is the best that we can be…. Forget about his origins, the point is does what he is saying make sense? And as for those that think you can only talk to the poor if you are poor, is that really true? What do you have to offer in the way of hope if you are one critically ill patient talking to another. The fact that people of this calibre can give up their highly successful and independent careers to INVEST in their country and their people with their own lives is remarkable and to be admired. Let our new challenge to ourselves be one that says “how can I help”. Elias may not be the candidate for everybody, but he is a good place to start.
KK says:
March 2, 2010 at 22:54Great speach. At last an option to these old sick politicians. Where can i get your cards. Definately an option for the youth.
Chinsali Inc says:
March 2, 2010 at 21:20It is very clear that this is not a “people movement” as was the now useless MMD originally was. The launch itself was elitist- I talked to 4 different cousins of mine who are Lusaka based- but in the poorer sections- and they know nothing. This was clearly a rushed and hap-hazard move by Junior, [perhaps racing with Mr. Milupi] on who will launch first. But they say the race of most things in life is not for the swift, but for those who can endure! Then after reading the speech, I sadly note that Junior is a very egocentric man. Here is a man who has already appointed himself as President of the Party, and judging from the speech will not have it any other way. You will note how the “I ” was very prominent. This is his personal party, and vision, which will be his failing. Further this alone limits him as THE leader Zambia needs. We are not looking for a “STARRING”, Zambia is not a movie. We need visionaries, not narcissists such as Junior, who want to stress how they are taking a personal loss by joining politics as a major theme to their beginning. With all due respect, Mr. Elias Chipimo, your speech and ego prevent you from being a “man of the hour”, that Lady Zambia will fall in love with immediately. Your courtship leaves a lot to be desired, and is the same rhetoric we have heard over and over again. Nonetheless, good luck- I wish no man no ill.
Peace says:
March 2, 2010 at 17:54has the young man have a following,politics is game of numbers.l wish the young man the best in the game of politics.is the man going to contest the 2011 polls?
Senior Citizen says:
March 2, 2010 at 17:45MMD as the mother, father and pioneers of democracy in Zambia with democratic Zambians here cordially welcome President Elias Chipimo and his NAREP in the liberalized political space. We wish him wellness, happiness, success, and gains without intrusion. The MMD fervent prayers are that he can bring issue driven leadership long expected of the embattled opposition circus in the arena.
MMD and all democratic Zambians will never inhibit political dreams of opponents or itself share failed politics of titular parties who vainly collude in principles marriages of convenience out of own inadequacy. MMD will keep embracing issue based democracy at any level but like any political party, it will engage opponents on issues in a spirited political manor not with cousinship gloves.
In the same vein MMD blesses any citizen keen to enjoy their constitutional right of association and speech. Every Zambian has a right to form their own parties and freely articulate what they believe are their value systems. Collusions have failed in Kenya, Zimbabwe here in Zambia between PF with UPL and a consortium of parties under UDA. Oil and water cannot deliver anything good if forced in one Chamber. We the citizens pledge to individually support any Zambian of courage and democratic spirit keen to realize his political dream democratically. We will extend moral, spiritual and material support needed in emerging.
MMD and all democratic Zambians will never inhibit political dreams of opponents or itself share failed politics of titular parties who vainly collude in principle-less marriages of convenience out of own inadequacy.
MMD as the country’s icon of democracy will keep protecting the rights of all citizens who are acting within the confines of the laws and constitution of Zambia. People are free to exercise their rights a fact PF thugs need to know. In this vein, the ruling MMD and democratic Zambians will always keep reminding PF Kaponyalism to stop throwing their petrol booms on Zambians who choose to contribute to democracy through own associations and entities . certainly MMD will ruthlessly deal with PF thuggery that think every Zambian has the duty of blind loyalty to a dictator themselves they vainly worship otherwise opposing voices be petrol boomed.
President Elias Chipimo has not violated the constitution just like Mr. Vincent Malambo, Patrick Chisanga, George Mpombo and guys at “The Citizen Democratic Party-(CDP)” will finally register their respective individual parties soon in the run up to Decision 2011, all these will be doing so within the frames of our democracy and constitution of the Republic.
Bravo Elias!
Mugungulu H. Mwaanga says:
March 2, 2010 at 17:21Welcome to Zambian Political scene NAREP and all the best to you Mr Elias Chipimo jr.
Have a blessed day all.
_
Matt 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you
Kibakimani says:
March 2, 2010 at 17:17I m sure those who attended the launch (I didnt) will attest that the guy speaks with conviction, charisma and intelligency. I ve seen the guy in action and that was in the mid 19190s together with Lucy Sichone, doubters and those who have already chosen other partries will do well not to intertain him coz he is very persuasive.
However, one thing though is, why launch when the manifesto is not yet ready. So what are you saying to those who want to follow you, do you think they will follow you just because you have got good vibes only? Get real man! Get serious and get your team into immediate damage control, otherwise, get lost!
Dumbwiza says:
March 2, 2010 at 17:09This is an oppotunity, whats their telephone number, i want to join these guys.
Walubita Liyungu in Kitwe says:
March 2, 2010 at 17:00How many parties are we going to have in this mother land? Mr. Milupi will also come with his ADD party soon.
Butema says:
March 2, 2010 at 16:42Its a bold decision! atleast he has direction and probably a young man with credability rather some of those young polititians we have been seeing such Siulapwa and Mumba who have been bragadociously embarassing to the young generation in the land. please Elias remain as focused as you were in your thoughts when you just began conceptualising this idea, remember there are several interligent young people that share your view but are afraid to come out as you have done..find away to tap such afraid but inteligent brains..and you will surely move forward…This is our time.
Black China Man says:
March 2, 2010 at 16:41Am sure he is not desperate to lead like some well known opportunistic politicians who can go to bed with a man whom his own founding father of his political party, declared he could not work with, but yet you loose all principals and sleep with such a man in the hope of getting to state house.
People are asking why not join existing opposition parties?
Well it could be that he cant be party to one man show parties like PF or UPND (Where if Sata died today that would be the end of PF, coz PF is Sata and Sata is PF, may be UPND culd survive,which I strongly doubt) secondly he may be a true democrat believing in demcratic principles, for that reason he cant be seen to mix with parties that dont know what a convention or democratic election looks like. Ten years leading a party no ballot is cast to elect you, and you claim to be a democratic leader wanting to change Zambia, shame. Thirdly, may be he doesnt believe in an insult driven campaign and mad slinging that HH and Sata are in engaged in day in day out, without articulating policies
After giving you the above reasons do you now understand why he has decided to go it his own way. I only hope that he doesnt become power hungry like the current politicians,jumping from one pact to another hoping for state house, (Sata pact with Sakwiba, HH pact with UNIP FDD, now Sata pact with HH). Have patience young man, if it is written in the stars, that you Chipimo will lead Zambia, be patient for that day will come may be not in 2011, but who knows it could be 2016, 2021, or 2026. All the best young man.
Royd says:
March 2, 2010 at 16:37#Maimbo,Look my bro,otho i respect yo opinion on getting rid of th old politcians but i dn,t believe that ths VERY IMORAL and A THIEFING and OVERZEALOUS ELIAS CHIPIMO is the one to do the blooming the sweeping if you like.BY THE WAY,I WAS THERE AT MULUNGUSHI WHEN THIS “CHAP” WAS LAUCHING HIS NAREP PARTY. Am sorry thoz of you who think ELIAS CHIPIMO is adding and bringing ANYTHING NEW to Zambian Politics,THE CHAP REPEATS THE USUAL OLD AND KNOWN STATEMENTS THAT HAVE LOST ENFLUENCE TO THE VOTERS.He talks OF SACRIFIZE TO THE ZAMBIAN PIPO,WHAT A STUPID STATEMENT,HOW MANY TIMES HAS HE SACRIFISED HIS SERVICES AS A LAWYER TO HELP THE POOR LANGUISHING IN OUR PRISONS TO DAY? Believe me,I EVEN HAD A HAND CHECK WITH HIM AT MULUNGUSHI WHEN HE ARRIVED,he is SHALLOW and POMPERS. I asked for HIS MANIFESTO but he gave me his SPEECH INSTEAD!! He left Mulungushi leaving PEOPLE STRANDED WITHOUT TRANSPORT.Others came as FAR AS NORTHEN,EASTERN and 8 FROM MONZE. But what was FUN was the YO BULLIES with Trousers below BUTTOCKS and CAPS facing on the SIDES. THEY HAVE EVEN INVITED FOR A YOUTHS MEETING ON i3 March in Avondale.SO REALY ITS CHAMA CHAKOMBOKA PART 2.
The Reflector says:
March 2, 2010 at 16:34This Chipimo chap is certainly funded by the MMD. Who are you fooling??? We shall see who will vote this party??? You can ask MMD to vote for you. Shame!!!!!on little boy!!!
monalisasyndrome says:
March 2, 2010 at 16:17There’s this UNZA academician also whose party was launched recently with a name that rhymes with ZED. I haven’t heard much from the party since its inception. So much about forming parties.
The Punishers says:
March 2, 2010 at 16:08He is quite brilliant and articulate but we have to be reminded that theory and practical can be traced on how someone talks well! I am seing vote splitting and for now i will not support the NAREP!! Let them lay good foundation first and am just learning of this party now!!!
Optimist says:
March 2, 2010 at 16:08We will wait to analyse your manifesto NAREP and see how it’s archtects will handle questions emanating from there. Otherwise, all the best. We need the young turks again and hope that no one will snap them off this time.
zuze says:
March 2, 2010 at 16:06wasted brains already..why form another party with more than 35 in exiatsnce..?
Nangwale Mwilwa says:
March 2, 2010 at 16:06I am personally tired of Old immature Politicians who spend there days fighting and belittling each other.Its about time a brave young man stood up for us!I personally feel he deserves a chance and we should try to just listen to him and correct him where he goes wrong or fails.Its all about collective effort.It is because of the island attitude that we possess that is why we are not getting anywhere.Lets try this once to stand up as a united front with one common purpose.When Obama started, people laughed and taunted and look where he is today.Support whatever is noble.Lets strive to get our hope back.Let us not be content with less.Let us fight for progress and unity.We should get rid of the PHD syndrome.Amen to Change!!!VIVA to the young man!!!
ZNBCFaceofZambia says:
March 2, 2010 at 15:59he should have started at ward level so that he has a track record of leadership. what has he done to any community so far that can convince people? this is our problem in this country. just wake the next morning and decide to lead a nation when you cant even lead your own clan. i like the way Obama worked his way to leadership. he made a vision first and began working towards it by mobilising communities.
MJ says:
March 2, 2010 at 15:58@ CJ are you sure that you wish to use the word “implement” in this sentence, and I quote:
“In zed today what we need is a radical person to implement all the ills we have been identifying as hindering our development.”
I DONT THINK SO BUDDY – WRONG WORD!!!!!!!
Be that as it may Elias Chipimo has taken a positive stance, hats off to him for doing so. the stance is simple “get out of your comfort zone ZAMBIA do do something!” He has been a successful lawyer in his 20 odd year career and he’s taken the view that Im tired of drving my range rover, benz (or whatever he drives) while this country wallows in its self pity. the time has come for each of us in our own capacity to get out of that comfort zone and do something. this party may ultimately end up as no more than a flash in the pan but its significance will be THE TIME HAS COME TO MOVE FROM OUR COMFORT ZONE…i end with the words of Fr Bwalya “CHANGE OR DIE ZAMBIA”
lopa says:
March 2, 2010 at 15:49Being a party cardre and being an astute voter are miles apart, for once we have a person who comes with a different outlook to life and a desire to make better of our great nation.
True his message renders a misjustice to himself in that he came forth without a manifesto but then I ask how many parties currently stick to a manifesto once they table it? Havent we seen parties try to fight their own consitutional provisions inorder to support some non-existent value?
EMC has taken a brave route I look forth to see who he will work with I have seen names like Clive Shamwana and others am yet to verify..I want to believe no Zambian born before Independence understands better the ills we suffer than those born after Independence and I am throwing my weight behind this one….
We shall give all the other candidates a run for their money and by the time the world looks up on November 2011 we shall have a youngman at the helm, a young cabinet a young civil service ready to turn the country around….NRP HERE WE COME!!!!!!!!! Many young ones will live to realise their dream and sadly it does not lie with granies Sata, RB, Ngondo, Magande..the die is cast the war is on…..
monalisasyndrome says:
March 2, 2010 at 15:42Sorry, I have forgotten the name of that Kasama lebel MP. Its definitely not Kambwili. Any offers?
Mu Zambian says:
March 2, 2010 at 15:35Zambian politics are heavily personality- based. Something of a cult leader that everyone looks upto and is able to attract other non-members to join. This is the status quo that NAREP has to deal with as they attempt to change the country’s political mind-set. So the question is: who are the political heavyweights in NAREP? Elias himself is a mosquito, politically speaking. Can Watchdog please give us the full list of the front members of this new political band?
monalisasyndrome says:
March 2, 2010 at 15:35How long these emerging parties will last in this political climate is open to conjecture. Everyone wants to form a political party these days, you name them; Chishimba Kambwili, Ludwig Sondashi, Cosmas Mumba, Charles Milupi,and now Elias Chipimo jnr. The lack of synergy among Zambian political players is beyond anyone’s imagination.
MONAKUFIPUBA says:
March 2, 2010 at 15:23This is the problem or rather the dark cloud that covers Zambia all the time when Elections are near the corner, I write with tears in my eyes its like our education is meaning less in our nation.Why do we want to continue sleeping when these crooks continue robbing from us , even learned people like this man called Chipimo Jnr be blinded like this, all the time there are elections we start hearing about new political parties WHY WHY WHY is it like this. If these men have the heart for the peolpe of Zambia the way they are putting it please i beg my my they get sense out of sense, 1.In the political opposition parties that are there at the moment are there no wise inteligent people there that Mr. Chipimo can team up to redeem Zambia.2.Is it not out of greedness and selfness that Mr. Chipimo has formed this party.3. Is he so much sure that he willm sell his party for 2011 election by the way is there time?????? Because even some of the exisiting parties around are only known by there President and the spokesperson, Men and women in charge of e.g securityand finances are not known they are only known by there Presidents.Well what am trying to say is if this man Mr. Chipimo can resign from his duties as a lawyer and accept to be used by these crooks, then sorry we are only there to stand then fall.
Jimmy Chikambo says:
March 2, 2010 at 14:39Its all about committed Zambians!, if one feels and they are very sure that we need to progress in our Nation, then we have got no choice but to sacrifice what we can.
Its truthfully the time we had change!!!.
“A heart for the people!”
CJ says:
March 2, 2010 at 14:18To be fair what new thing has he said in his speech that will make me vote (for him) come 2011. In zed today what we need is a radical person to implement all the ills we have been identifying as hindering our development.We cant have jobs, three meals a day etc because the country is run by weak men who cannot take charge of the country.
LS says:
March 2, 2010 at 14:08A journey of a thousand miles, starts with a single step. Its time that Zambia gets to have fresh ideas and the much needed visionary leadership. All progressive Zambians should hear the message and weigh the options. Enough is enough. I personally look forward to supporting this progressive team. Together we can retore this county’s glory and prosperity.
Junior Mooka says:
March 2, 2010 at 14:04Zambia has enough political parties.it will be difficult for this party to sell as 2011 is around the corner.i hope it is not one of those parties aimed at vote splitting.
Shikalumekalyonso says:
March 2, 2010 at 14:03Iwe Chipimo,politics is not child play!
We are not here for jokes.
Go back and practice your law taulapya iyo!
ZWA !! says:
March 2, 2010 at 13:45Enough rhetoric. Please show us your team…Who are you working with, iwe Chipimo???????
Maimbo says:
March 2, 2010 at 13:41Give the young man a chance. Lets get rid of old tired men like RB, Sata and them all. Viva Chipimo
Goliath Munkonge says:
March 2, 2010 at 13:40He makes sense. Though I think he should have treid to looby to be vice to HH. The two would have done well. But for now I think its too late. The people are already decided on who to vote for. They see any new comers as MMD outfits
The BOSS says:
March 2, 2010 at 13:36Zambia is nether short of dreamers.Anyway it cost nothing to dream another chamachakomboka
Pact says:
March 2, 2010 at 13:30Hmm, 90 days, populist message …. sounds like PF to me. And why start something without a manifesto in place??? Means you don’t even know what you stand on and want to do!!!
DON'T DIVIDE US says:
March 2, 2010 at 13:20Another BY is born,pls welcome as a small fish in a big river of Zambian politics……mwana don’t be used by croked FTJ money….but you will have it rough….the road is very hard thick….going…people will chew your little money and leave you broke….but majority Zambians are for the PACT….VIVA HH…VIVA SATA….VIVA THE PEOPLE…GOD BLESS US ALL.
proud zambian says:
March 2, 2010 at 13:10I just hope he is not like other new political parties formed last year which has gone to sleep or rather dossing. I am ready to support him if he comes with new ideas to make a difference in a the political arena. I am tired of these recycled politician ideas
WE THE PEOPLE says:
March 2, 2010 at 13:10change we can blive in, its about time.
KAPATAMOYO says:
March 2, 2010 at 13:10How many more sacrifices do you want Zambians to make? Our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents have made sacrifices and most of them will die without knowing why they willed to sacrifice for Zambia. It is fair to say that probably most of our great parents have already died without a single day when they had any enjoyment of comfort resulting from their labours.
We ourselves, in our fifties, sixties, seventies and eighties have been sacrificing, tightenning our belts and sacrificing under KK, FTJ, LPM and now RB; and you Chipimo wants us to still sacrifice? How many politicians shall we sacrifice for?
Don’t call us to sacrifice, just return to your profession. We hope that it will not soon be disclosed you failed in your duties as a law practitioner and now you are looking for the easy way out called politics.
Please give us a break!
Dog says:
March 2, 2010 at 12:59I like this man already, even though I haven’t heard him speak or read his manifesto. I just hope he doesn’t get dragged into the mud by his fellow politicians. He should keep out, and resist the temptation to take them on with words, otherwise, there is NO difference between him and the current old farts that dominate the political landscape here!
Labels: ELIAS CHIPIMO, NAREP, NEOLIBERALISM
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