(LUSAKATIMES) Sichinga directs authorities in Choma to quickly distribute fertilizer
Time Posted: December 26, 2013 12:51 pm
Some farmers in Choma district in Southern Province have complained of late distribution of basal dressing fertilizer.
The farmers said their maize crop might go to waste due to lack of adequate fertilizer to cater for all the farmers in the area.
Penson Siamuungwa, a farmer from Kasizi village, said the late distribution of the commodity might affect the 2013/14 farming season.
Mr. Siamuungwa told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka that most farmers have planted their maize but due to lack of basal dressing fertilizer, their maize crop may be not grow well thereby affecting their yields.
And Chilundu Ziba said if nothing is done quickly by government, the area might experience hunger this year.
Mr. Ziba stated that government should prepare well enough to avoid the late distribution of farming input in Zambia.
He noted that the agriculture sector is a pillar of any country’s economy hence the need for government to invest heavily in the industry
But Agriculture and Livestock Minister Robert Sichinga, has directed the Choma District Agriculture Coordinating Officer (DACO) to ensure that the distribution of farming inputs to farmers in the district is commenced before the end of this week.
Mr. Sichinga said the government was determined to advance the agricultural sector in order to enhance national food security through continued timely distribution of farming inputs.
He said Choma district had so far received 16,979 by 50 kilogramme bags of D-compound fertilizer from Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia (NCZ).
He has therefore urged the district administrative office to commence the distribution of the commodity as soon as possible.
Labels: FISP, ROBERT SICHINGA, SOUTHERN PROVINCE
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Govt sends relief maize to Southern Province
By Lemmy Likando in Mazabuka and Chimwemwe Kasanje in Siavonga
Sat 17 Aug. 2013, 14:00 CAT
THE government has released 875 metric tonnes of white maize for distribution to vulnerable communities in seven districts of Southern Province.
And chief Sinadambwe of the Tonga people of Siavonga says the government should reconsider its decision not to release relief food to hunger-stricken areas this year.
The seven districts that are earmarked to receive the maize are Pemba, Kalomo, Mazabuka, Chikankata, Monze, Namwala and Siavonga districts.
This is according to the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit, which through its Zambia Vulnerability Committee (ZVAC), carried out an in-depth assessment on the effects of floods and dry spells on the agriculture sector in selected districts of the country in the year 2013.
Mazabuka district commissioner Eugene Munyama said the assessment established that seven districts in Southern Province would require relief maize interventions beginning August 2013 to March 2014.
Munyama disclosed that according to DMMU, Pemba was expected to receive a total of 102 metric tonnes; Kalomo 143 metric tonnes, Mazabuka 145 tonnes, and Chikankata would receive 99 metric tonnes.
He further said that Monze would receive 147 metric tonnes, Namwala 150 metric tonnes, while Siavonga was expected to receive 86 metric tonnes.
Munyama said that the distribution, by the District Disaster Management Committee, of the 145 metric tonnes to Mazabuka would commence next week, adding that the food would be given to vulnerable groups, among them the aged, disabled and critically ill patients throughout the district.
Munyama, however, said that according to guidelines, 80 per cent of the food would be given to Disaster Risk Reduction Food for Work while the 20 per cent was for free to debilitated persons.
And chief Sinadambwe said it would be irresponsible for the government to starve his people in a year that relief food was desperately needed since their food stocks ran out last month.
"It is a mistake for government to say there will be no relief food for starving people this year. Government should reconsider its stance on this; otherwise, people will die and if we die, who will be in Zambia?" chief Sinadambwe wondered.
Recently, agriculture minister Robert Sichinga announced that the government would not distribute relief food to areas affected by hunger because of the reduced 2013 maize crop yield.
And chief Sinadambwe said the raging boundary wrangle between his chiefdom and that of chief Simamba needed urgent attention.
He contended that chief Simamba and his people drifted into his area during and after construction of the Kariba Dam that was funded by the World Bank in the 1950s.
Chief Sinadambwe said chief Simamba, although equally recognised by the government, should become his subject together with his people, claiming that they came from an area now covered by the waters of Lake Kariba.
But chief Simamba argued that it was chief Sinadambwe who had refused to recognise the 1958 boundaries.
Seven traditional rulers in Siavonga district, including chiefs Mweemba, Sinazongwe, Munyumbwe, Chipepo and Sikongo, who is not gazetted by the government, have been embroiled in differences over land.
Chiefs Sinadambwe and Simamba are at the centre of the land dispute.
And chiefs and traditional affairs minister Professor Nkandu Luo and foreign affairs minister Wilbur Simuusa, who were in the area for an indaba, pledged the government's commitment in resolving differences over land among traditional rulers.
Labels: MAIZE, SOUTHERN PROVINCE
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Tonga chief counsels HH
By Roy Habaalu
Thu 21 Mar. 2013, 14:00 CAT
CHIEF Sinazongwe says Hakainde Hichilema's tribal sentiment can divide the country. Commenting on Hichilema's statement that those who think their tribes were superior to others were fools, chief Sinazongwe of the Tonga people of the valley said leaders should preach peace and unity and not segregation among its citizens.
He said all human beings were equal and that no tribe was foolish or superior to others.
"Tribalism won't take us anywhere. We (Tongas) can't form a government out of one (Southern) province; this is what you should understand. We can't form a government under one province unless you are supported by many provinces that consist of many tribes but if we start segregating, there is no way we can find support from our brothers and sisters," he said.
"If we continue segregating, talking about tribalism, we will never rule. Let's network with others just like we shouldn't let others feel that they own this country. Government is for everybody. This is our government. This must be realised that segregation won't help us. If you just concentrate on Southern Province, you won't rule. Why are we leaving the national cake to others? Let's be with them and work together."
Chief Sinazongwe said all those that had accepted government appointments were doing it in the interest of the nation and for the good of the people.
He said Hichilema should have accepted to serve under President Michael Sata so that he learns and understands how the government operates.
Chief Sinazongwe said Zambia was not a personal to holder asset for any particular tribe or individual.
On Sunday, Hichilema said those who consider their tribes more superior than others were fools.
During a briefing in Lusaka, Hichilema said those that saw their tribes superior to others were simply fools because it was God who created everyone.
We should not demonise each other on the basis of choices we never made. No one chose to be born in a particular area, he said without disclosing the tribes that consider themselves superior to others.
Labels: CHIEF SINAZONGWE, HAKAINDE HICHILEMA, SOUTHERN PROVINCE, TRIBALISM, UPND
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S/Province wants medical checks for presidential candidates
By Edwin Mbulo in Livingstone and Misheck Wangwe in Kitwe
Sun 03 Feb. 2013, 14:00 CAT
SOUTHERN Province constitutional convention delegates have resolved to subject presidential election candidates to a medical checkup before nomination. And the delegates have also resolved that those standing for presidency should possess at least a first degree in any field.
Meanwhile, former Amnesty International Zambia secretary general Zebbies Mumba says
Zambians must reject manoeuvres to retain the death penalty in the Constitution because it is barbaric and undermines the value of life.
The Southern Province delegates also resolved to limit the number of terms for parliamentarians to two.
When the debate to amend article 139 on the tenure of office and vacation of member of parliament by introducing a clause to limit the term of office to two terms began, most delegates turned to Kalomo area member of parliament Request Muntanga, forcing him to respond, causing laughter.
"I seek protection Mr Chairman (Solomon Muzyamba). I could see the delegates excited when they were talking about not more than two terms; they were looking at me and I felt harassed. However, Mr chairman I want you to remind them that the Constitution does not apply retrospectively, meaning when you change the constitution I will apply again and run for two terms," Muntanga said, amid more laughter from delegates.
The convention, which was also being attended by chief Chikanta of Kalomo, chief Sinazongwe and chietainess Mwenda of Chikankata, ended yesterday.
Chieftainess Mwenda and Chikanta planted a constitutional baobab tree on the grounds of Courtyard Hotel provided by an environmentalist, Benjamin Mibenge.
And in an interview yesterday, Mumba who is also a human rights activist said he had noted with sadness that a good number of delegates to provincial conventions in the constitution-making process were calling for the death penalty to be retained.
Mumba said the death penalty couldn't be justified as it lacked simple logic that a person executed for whatever crime does not face or endure punishment because he or she is already dead.
He said in a country where people proclaim to be Christians, the death penalty must not be entertained as it would be contrary to the teachings of Christianity and highly hypocritical.
"When someone is punished through the extinction of his or her life, it means that it ends there, the person is no more. One then wonders and questions the intelligence of such a punishment. It's very dehumanising and the people that remain traumatised are the executers themselves and the family of that person that remains in deep pain," Mumba said.
He said those supporting the death penalty must realise that it was too final a punishment in the delivery of justice.
Mumba said there was no killing that could be justified or legalised, adding that the termination of life either within or outside the law undermines human life and cannot be reconciled with respect for human rights.
"The chances that the punishment can be meted on you wrongly are high and once you are dead, that punishment cannot be reversed with any remedies. When we allow the existence of death penalty where convicts of murder, aggravated robbery and many other serious crimes would be hanged or killed in whatever form, then we are living a chance to the Constitution to lower itself to a level of the criminal himself because that Constitution will have no respect for human life," Mumba said.
He said well-meaning Zambians that claim to be true Christians must resist the idea of retaining the death penalty as it was cruel and cannot be used to protect society because it does not give chance to the convict to reform.
Mumba said those convicted of crimes that warrant death penalty must be given long sentences that would allow them to reform.
Labels: SOUTHERN PROVINCE, ZEBBIES MUMBA
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Break UPND's tribal barriers, Kabimba urges S/Province
By Moses Kuwema and Cynthia Phiri in Choma
Mon 17 Dec. 2012, 14:00 CAT
WYNTER Kabimba has called on the people of Southern Province to break the artificial tribal barriers that the UPND is trying to erect around them. And Kabimba, who is PF secretary general, says his priority is not to become PF president but to serve the people of Zambia.
Speaking when he officially opened the PF provincial consultative meeting at Crystal Lodge in Choma on Saturday, Kabimba called on the people of Southern Province to reject political parties that wanted to restrict them to a political boundary based on ethnicity.
"Stop segmenting yourselves into tribal enclaves and break these artificial barriers that UPND is trying to erect around you. You have a right to choose which party to belong to," he said.
He said the people of Southern Province were not tribalist but it was the leaders in UPND that were.
And Kabimba said contrary to public perception that he wanted to eliminate some senior members of the party so that he could take over the party presidency, his priority was to serve the interests of the party and the country.
"There is this talk that I want to eliminate people and remain alone to take over the PF presidency. Now let me make this clear, becoming president of the PF is not a priority for me but to serve the people of Zambia.
People are eliminating themselves by committing offences which are against the party. I am innocent. Let us learn to bear the consequences of our own actions, so stop the blame game," Kabimba said.
He said he had the duty to protect the PF on behalf of the central committee and the general membership.
He said the party would not be placed into the hands of greedy individuals and would flush out all those who were internally working against the party.
During the same meeting, Kabimba said all MMD members were welcome to join the PF except for party president Nevers Mumba and his vice Michael Kaingu.
And Kabimba observed that the West had realised that they could control Africans by dwelling on their ignorance.
He said western countries had found a fertile ground in some NGOs.
Kabimba said the government would only deal with NGOs that were progressive.
"Outsiders are coming to confuse us because we don't know the history of our country. ... It is for this reason that as a party, we want to equip you our members with knowledge. We are tired and fed up of these lectures. Stop lecturing to us, we know what we want to do for the people of Zambia.
The people of Zambia will tell us how to govern and not any other person," he said.
Meanwhile, speaking when he addressed party members upon arrival in Livingstone at Courtyard Hotel, Kabimba emphasised the need for party members to be loyal, saying people like former Southern Province minister Alice Simango would have been ministers today if they had been consistent with their political careers.
"I am not gossiping about her, she is there. That is the reason why Alice Simango does not have a position in the PF because today she is MMD, tomorrow she is UPND then she comes back to PF. She would have been a minister today in the PF government. Mr Siacheye Madyenkuku, he was with Mrs Simango.
Just a few months before elections he crossed over to MMD. We have a country to run now and we are looking for serious, consistent strong leaders, that's what we are looking for. The challenge is yours," he said.
Kabimba further told the members to be united as a party and respect decisions that are made by the central committee.
He also said every Zambian had a right to work in any part of the country and advised people to desist from preferring certain tribes to work in a particular area.
Labels: SOUTHERN PROVINCE, TRIBALISM, UPND, WYNTER KABIMBA
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Break UPND's tribal barriers, Kabimba urges S/Province
By Moses Kuwema and Cynthia Phiri in Choma
Mon 17 Dec. 2012, 14:00 CAT
WYNTER Kabimba has called on the people of Southern Province to break the artificial tribal barriers that the UPND is trying to erect around them.
And Kabimba, who is PF secretary general, says his priority is not to become PF president but to serve the people of Zambia.
Speaking when he officially opened the PF provincial consultative meeting at Crystal Lodge in Choma on Saturday, Kabimba called on the people of Southern Province to reject political parties that wanted to restrict them to a political boundary based on ethnicity.
"Stop segmenting yourselves into tribal enclaves and break these artificial barriers that UPND is trying to erect around you. You have a right to choose which party to belong to," he said.
He said the people of Southern Province were not tribalist but it was the leaders in UPND that were.
And Kabimba said contrary to public perception that he wanted to eliminate some senior members of the party so that he could take over the party presidency, his priority was to serve the interests of the party and the country.
"There is this talk that I want to eliminate people and remain alone to take over the PF presidency. Now let me make this clear, becoming president of the PF is not a priority for me but to serve the people of Zambia.
People are eliminating themselves by committing offences which are against the party. I am innocent. Let us learn to bear the consequences of our own actions, so stop the blame game," Kabimba said.
He said he had the duty to protect the PF on behalf of the central committee and the general membership.
He said the party would not be placed into the hands of greedy individuals and would flush out all those who were internally working against the party.
During the same meeting, Kabimba said all MMD members were welcome to join the PF except for party president Nevers Mumba and his vice Michael Kaingu.
And Kabimba observed that the West had realised that they could control Africans by dwelling on their ignorance.
He said western countries had found a fertile ground in some NGOs.
Kabimba said the government would only deal with NGOs that were progressive.
"Outsiders are coming to confuse us because we don't know the history of our country. ... It is for this reason that as a party, we want to equip you our members with knowledge. We are tired and fed up of these lectures. Stop lecturing to us, we know what we want to do for the people of Zambia.
The people of Zambia will tell us how to govern and not any other person," he said.
Meanwhile, speaking when he addressed party members upon arrival in Livingstone at Courtyard Hotel, Kabimba emphasised the need for party members to be loyal, saying people like former Southern Province minister Alice Simango would have been ministers today if they had been consistent with their political careers.
"I am not gossiping about her, she is there. That is the reason why Alice Simango does not have a position in the PF because today she is MMD, tomorrow she is UPND then she comes back to PF. She would have been a minister today in the PF government. Mr Siacheye Madyenkuku, he was with Mrs Simango.
Just a few months before elections he crossed over to MMD. We have a country to run now and we are looking for serious, consistent strong leaders, that's what we are looking for. The challenge is yours," he said.
Kabimba further told the members to be united as a party and respect decisions that are made by the central committee.
He also said every Zambian had a right to work in any part of the country and advised people to desist from preferring certain tribes to work in a particular area.
Labels: SOUTHERN PROVINCE, TRIBALISM, UPND, WYNTER KABIMBA
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Quit, Hapunda tells Lubinda
By Kombe Chimpinde
Fri 14 Dec. 2012, 14:00 CAT
SOUTHERN Province PF secretary Brian Hapunda has asked Given Lubinda to go back to UPND if he cannot remain fully loyal to PF.
And Lubinda, who is the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Kabwata PF member of parliament, says it is not the first time allegations of treachery against the party concerning him have been raised.
Hapunda said members with divided loyalty must not be tolerated in the party.
"We challenge him to denounce his loyalty to the party where he served previously. If he is failing to do that, then let them get back," Hapunda said.
"It's also a warning to the party to be careful with those who are joining from other political parties.
We must scrutinise all the people joining us so that we do not have double loyalty. For example, some have still maintained loyalty to their former party and are not fit to be called PF," he said.
Hapunda said the onus was on Lubinda to show cause why he should not be expelled from the party.
"The first step has been taken. That is from the office of the secretary general and the onus is on the accused to show cause why action must not be taken against him and this is a lesson to others that there is no sacrificial lamb and sacred cow in the PF," he said.
Hapunda said that members must always be reminded that the rules and procedures of the party just like those of any club or organisation, must be adhered to.
"Members must show loyalty to the party and must not be seen to be exhibiting double loyalty. This will also be a warning to other members who have become informers of the opposition UPND, MMD and other journalists who are fighting against our cause," he said.
Hapunda further recommended that all those suspected of being moles in the party also be allowed to exculpate themselves by issuing them with disciplinary letters.
And in an interview yesterday from Equatorial Guinea, Lubinda, who said was representing President Michael Sata at the ACP (African Caribbean Pacific countries) summit for heads of state, said people were free to say what they wanted over him.
The PF has accused Lubinda of working with UPND and MMD against the government.
He has been given a seven-day ultimatum to explain his alleged disloyalty to the PF.
Asked to comment on the contents of the letter which had clearly outlined the allegations levelled against him by some members of the party through the secretary general, Wynter Kabimba, Lubinda said he was going to treat all media reports concerning the matter as hearsay.
"I am not in a hurry. People can say what they want for as long as they don't associate with me. Zambians appreciate that I have been through this gossip and hearsay about me before," Lubinda said.
"Even when I saw the letter, my first reaction was let me see the letter because even if I asked someone to read the letter to me, I am sure they will try to emphasise certain points or distort its contents."
Lubinda said that the issues raised in the letter were between him and Kabimba and that he would not abuse anyone by making them the conveyor of his response.
"I don't want to react to the press because I don't know if what has been carried is accurate…but to the author of the message. I will respond to the author of the letter and the people that he copied the letter to. The secretary general was writing to me. I don't believe he was writing to Zambia. The matter is between me and him," Lubinda said.
"As you know, this man is very methodical. I like to follow procedure. It is my letter and I will treat it as such."
Labels: BRIAN HAPUNDA, GIVEN LUBINDA, SOUTHERN PROVINCE
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COMMENT - The UPND should just disband and merge with the MMD. Doesnt' Richard Kapita understand that by trying to get more Tongas to vote UPND, he is alienating the rest of the country and emphasizing the UPND's regional nature?
All Tongas should be voting for HH - Kapita
By Ernest Chanda
Wed 19 Sep. 2012, 10:30 CAT
UPND vice-president Richard Kapita has advised Tongas to be proud of voting for their tribesman Hakainde Hichilema in every presidential election.
Featuring with Hichilema on Sky FM Radio's Good Governance programme in Monze recently, Kapita said Tongas should not expect Hichilema to win the presidency if they did not give him massive votes.
"The point I want to relate to is this issue of people complaining from Southern Province that 'ba President, what shall we do?' You know what you should do. You people from Southern Province always surprise me; you know what you ought to do. Your friends when they are voting for their own person, and you should not be ashamed, people want to make you believe that for voting for Hakainde you should be ashamed. No! Be proud, you've got a capable leader that can run this country differently," Kapita said.
"And that I can assure you; not those people Patriotic Front who've gone there in government chancing because they cheated people. You should be proud of voting for Hakainde today, tomorrow and the other day and next year and so on. But what do you do you people from Southern Province? You give your own son; your own son you give him maybe 30 per cent of the vote. Ten per cent or 20 per cent is given to other people, how do you expect him to win? I think you should go out there and vote for Hakainde in the next election."
Kapita also accused finance minister Alexander Chikwanda of insulting the Tongas by saying that the UPND had a wrong leader.
"This is why I get surprised, for example one leader in the PF was actually literally insulting the people of Southern Province, and the Tongas. He was quoted, Mr Chikwanda, in The Post newspaper a few days ago saying that the Tongas have a wrong leader," he said as Hichilema agreed with him.
Kapita said no individual had a right to choose a leader for Tongas.
He said Tongas could not rule because they were intimidated.
"A number of them have asked, 'why can't we also rule?' The reason you can't rule is that you are intimidated as Tongas. When others say you are tribalists you agree to that, yet it is only in this land where you'll find people from Eastern Province, Northern Province who can aspire to be councillors and the Tongas have no problem with that. So when people turn around and say you Tongas are tribal, please tell them you are not tribal, and don't be scared," he said.
"Even those that are in buses or minibuses when they hear people talking in their own languages they can't even speak their own language as Tonga. Who is Mr Chikwanda to choose a leader for the people of Southern Province? I think you Tongas must wake up and say we are proud of being Tonga. Don't be shy and tamed when you are told you are Tonga you start hiding under the table. Go and give Hakainde the vote next time and make sure that other leaders get zero votes."
Asked by the moderator if indeed the UPND was a tribal and Bantustan party, Kapita responded: "Well, it depends on what he means. We are all Bantu and we are proud that we get our votes from… there's no body that can't be voted from where he comes from or where she comes from. The reason the people of Luapula, Northern Province voted massively for President Sata was they said he's their own. What you hear is actually just a joke when I hear people say 'Hakainde is only voted for by people from Southern Province', that's not correct."
He claimed that if it were not for rigging in the last general election, the UPND would have won a lot of parliamentary seats.
And despite facts showing that the UPND had more members of parliament in Southern Province than other provinces, Kapita refused to accept.
"How many MPs do we have from other provinces? They are many. In North Western Province we had a massive vote, if it wasn't for the rigging that took place we would have something like eight, nine MPs from North Western Province. In Western Province we have about six MPs," said Kapita.
"Why do you want to restrict Hakainde's MPs only to Southern Province when in actual fact he has MPs in North Western Province, Southern Province, Western Province and Central Province? But here is Mr Chikwanda saying the people of Southern Province unfortunately have a wrong leader."
And Hichilema vowed that he would not listen to what he termed abuse of ethnicity by other tribes so that they continued ruling the country.
"I think the vice-president has spoken sufficiently. I think it's time to remind people that vice-president Kapita comes from a long, long way; comes from Mwinilunga. So I am really grateful that he's here in Monze at this radio station talking to his brothers and sisters in Southern Province.
Vice-president Kapita is from Mwinilunga, Ikelengi, far, far away; he's Lunda," said Hichilema as Kapita retorted that he was proud to be Lunda.
"I'm sure the listeners are listening he's proud to be Lunda. The issue is that this thing is a gimmick. We will not listen to abusing ethnicity so you can continue ruling and suppressing your colleagues, absolutely no," said Hichilema.
Labels: HAKAINDE HICHILEMA, RICHARD KAPITA, SOUTHERN PROVINCE, TRIBALISM, UPND
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Tonga group slammed over ‘war’ threats
September 5, 2012 | Filed underFeatured | Posted by mitia
By KAIKO NAMUSA
INDIVIDUALS and organisations from a cross section of society have roundly condemned the covert group dubbed ‘Tongas Under Oath’ for waging ‘war’ to drive all Bembas out of Southern Province.
And the Zambia Police Service has instituted what they are calling intense investigations in collaboration with various security wings to verify the alleged existence of the shadowy group and the claims it has made of killing three Bembas, while seven others are said to have been poisoned and were expected to die soon.
The group has sent a series of correspondence to President Michael Sata with the latest being a letter dated August 14, 2012 in which they are demanding the reinstatement of Chirundu and Itezhi-Tezhi back to Southern Province following the realignment of the two districts to fall under Lusaka.
Acting Inspector-General of Police, Peter Chingaipe vowed in a statement in Lusaka yesterday that those behind the underground group would be brought to justice.
“The Zambia Police Service working hand-in-hand with various security wings has instituted investigations into this matter, aimed at bringing the author or authors of the letter to the President to book.
“The nation can be assured that no Zambian ethnic grouping can be threatened by such acts, as the people of Zambia, and indeed any resident of Zambia is free to move or live in any part of Zambia,” he said.
Mr Chingaipe warned that authoring letters of threats had serious repercussions and it was for this reason that the Police had instituted the probe.
In the letter, whose sender’s address shows: C/O Mazabuka Municipal Council, P.O. Box 670022, Mazabuka and signed by Mr Mweemba revealed that the “battle would continue” until President Sata reversed the decision to realign the two regions.
Copies of the letter were also sent to Minister of Home Affairs, Edgar Lungu, Inspector-General of Police, Stella Libongani and Tonga Under Oath district leaders.
In condemning the group and its machinations, the Human Rights Commission (HRC) said Zambia was a multi-ethnic country and should not condone any hint of ethnic attacks.
HRC director, Enoch Mulembe called on the Zambia Police to carry out an expeditious investigation into the claims of killings by the group to clear uncertainty.
“The commission believes that the reports, if true, are not representative of other peace-loving Tonga-speaking Zambians and should be thoroughly investigated by the police. We wish to remind the public that tribalism or ethnic bias is prohibited under the country’s Constitution,” Mr Mulembe said in a statement yesterday.
Mr Mulembe said Zambia had also accepted international instruments that were clear on the issue of non-discrimination, adding that different ethnic groups had lived in harmony since time immemorial.
He warned that Zambians should learn from and be mindful of what occurred in other countries due to ethnic hatred.
“Any grievances, if any, should be channelled through established mechanisms, such as dialogue, tolerance, peace and respect for each other. It is important that the law enforcement agencies play their role and investigate any hint of ethnic violence emanating from any part of the country,” he said.
Mr Mulembe said it was important to respect the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination which Zambia had been a party to, since 1972.
The Patriotic Front (PF) in Southern Province has also condemned the group with Provincial Political Secretary, Brian Hapunda saying that the realignment of the two districts was done in good faith so as to improve service delivery to the people in the two areas.
“This group must know that no land has been stolen or uplifted from Southern Province and no cultural norms or indeed language spoken by people in Chirundu and Itezhi-Tezhi will change. This group must also know that Chirundu and Itezhi-Tezhi have now been opened to real development and now they have their own developmental budgetary allocation for purposes of infrastructural growth, a situation which was not there before the realignment,” he said.
Mr Hapunda challenged the group to come out in the open and put their problem to the Head of State if at all they had a genuine concern over the realignment of Chirundu and Itezhi Tezhi.
He advised the group and the people of Southern Province to avoid being used by politicians and political parties who had a hidden and selfish political agenda.
And Siavonga District Commissioner, Brave Mweetwa said the group did not exist in his district and in Chirundu.
Mr Mweetwa accused the opposition UPND of planting seeds of division in the province by opposing the realignment of the two districts and alleged that the opposition party was behind the group.
“It is clear that the opposition UPND has been preaching divisions on several matters of governance including the re-alignment of districts and if anything they are to blame for activities such as those being promoted by the said shadowy group.
“The UPND leadership must take full responsibility of this embarrassing episode in our country’s political history. It is not a secret that the UPND has made it routine to criticise and attack this Government on tribal or ethnic lines. Therefore, they (UPND) owe this unitary State called Zambia an apology,” he said.
Mr Mweetwa said the people of Chirundu and Siavonga were behind Mr Sata and would not be swayed by outsiders who wanted to bring confusion in the area adding the ‘Tongas Under Oath’ was non-existent.
And the Southern African Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes called for caution in dealing with the matter judging by its potential to cause ethnic divisions.
SACCORD information officer Obby Chibuluma observed that much as the matter could raise interest, it had potential to create friction between Bembas and Tongas, hence the need for all stakeholders including the media to treat the matter with the seriousness it deserved.
“There is a possibility that politicians could be using this to malign each other, as we have seen from past political gimmicks, so let us be careful and not rush to conclusions because if this country plunges into ethnic unrest, innocent people will suffer more,” Mr Chibuluma said.
Labels: SOUTHERN PROVINCE, TRIBALISM, UPND
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Tonga shadow group is propaganda-President Sata
TIME PUBLISHED - Wednesday, September 5, 2012, 4:25 pm
President Michael Sata has said that the purported letter by a shadow group calling itself “Tongas under Oath” was drafted in Lusaka and not Southern province.
President Sata said that the group is just using the good people of Southern Province to propagate ethnic hatred.
He was speaking at State House when he swore in newly appointed Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba and Southern Province Permanent Secretary Chileshe Mulenga.
Mr Sata has emphasised that the Tonga speaking people have always been peaceful.
Labels: MICHAEL SATA, SOUTHERN PROVINCE, TRIBALISM, UPND
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COMMENT - This sounds like the UPND's lawyer's psychological warfare tactics. I am all for freedom of expression, but the security services need to keep close tabs with the so-called political opposition, when they embark on a course to make Zambia ungovernable and destroy the very fabric of society, which is the trust people have in eachother, no matter what 'tribe'.
Tonga group marks Bembas for death
September 4, 2012 | Filed under: Local News | Posted by: web editor
By CAROLINE KALOMBE
A CLANDESTINE group going by the name ‘Tongas Under Oath’ says it has killed three Bembas and will continue doing so until President Sata reverts Chirundu and Itezhi Tezhi to Southern Province.
In a letter dated Tuesday, August 14, 2012, addressed to President Sata and copied to the Inspector General of Police and the Minister of Home Affairs, the group leader only identifying himself as H. Mweemba said seven other Bembas have already been poisoned and will die soon.
The letter reads in part “We the Tongas under oath are now in serious warfare. Like we promised, this is an update. We wish to inform you that so far we have killed three (3) Bembas – 2 adults and 1 baby in Southern Province.”
This, they say, follows demands that all Bembas should leave the province if government does not give back the two districts.
“Our demand is simple – ‘Take Chirundu and Itezhi Tezhi back to Southern Province’. We gave the 30th of June 2012 as the dealine for all Bembas to leave Southern Province or we be given back our Chirundu and Itezhi Tezhi – you have opted for war-we are going to fight you Bembas effectively and courageously,” reads the letter.
The letter also states that the group uses different post offices for mails “for security reasons”, and their address is ‘C/o Mazabuka Municipal Council, P.Box 670022, Mazabuka.’
The group threatened it will only disclose the names and addresses of its victims once it has increased their numbers.
“Seven (7) have been poisoned and are expected to die sooner or later. The battle between the Bembas and Tongas is continuing and we are assured of victory. After numbers increase, we will give you all the names and addresses of all those we will have killed,” reads the letter.
The letter ends, “Like we demonstrated in our earlier mail, we do not negotiate, we fight-we are not scared of your IG or Minister of Home Affairs- we will give them copy of this letter.”
And commenting on the letter, United Party for National Development UPND spokesperson Charles Kakoma said his party does not condone actions of violence, hatred and tribalism.
The UPND, highly critical of government policies, have their stronghold in Southern Province.
But Mr Kakoma said his party believes in dialogue and that killing or poisoning people will not bring about any solution.
He said the renegade group should be dealt with in accordance with the law because they have admitted to committing a crime.
“As a party, we do not support such acts of violence and hatred and we believe in dialogue because it is talking that will bring about a solution for any problem,” Mr Kakoma said.
Labels: SOUTHERN PROVINCE
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Recognise me as paramount, chief Monze urges government
By Cynthia Phiri in Monze
Wed 04 July 2012, 13:23 CAT
CHIEF Monze has appealed to President Michael Sata to recognise him as paramount chief of the Tonga people of Southern Province.
Speaking on Monday during this year's Lwiindi Gonde traditional ceremony in Monze, the traditional leader said it was disappointing that past successive governments had failed to recognise him as paramount chief for no apparent reason.
He told chiefs and traditional affairs deputy minister Susan Kawandami who represented the government at the ceremony that all the chiefs in the province wanted him to be recognised as paramount chief.
The traditional leader said previous governments had assured him of giving him the status of paramount chief of the Tonga people but nothing had come to fruition
Chief Monze said it was ironical that while all the chiefs in the province had given him this recognition, the Zambian government was indifferent and still regarded him as an ordinary chief.
"Whether somebody likes it or not, I am paramount chief of the Tonga-speaking people," he told the gathering that included chiefs Chikanta, Ufwenuka, Hamusonde, Chona, Liteta and Nalubamba. "This is why I am now asking our able President Michael Sata to grant me this recognition and I am sure he will do that."
Chief Monze said past governments had failed the Tonga people by refusing to respect their wishes to have him installed paramount chief.
The present chief Magunza Monze is said to have descended from a long line dating back to the 17th Century and assumed the throne in 1990.
He said as a spiritual and cultural leader, he wields considerable influence and commands the respect of a wider community in the province.
And chairperson for the Lwiindi Gonde Traditional Ceremony Patrick Mweemba asked Kawandami to remind the government to provide the K100 million the previous MMD government had promised the organising committee in 2011.
Mweemba said the funds were meant for the construction of a permanent structure at the Gonde main arena.
"We have been waiting since our last year's Lwiindi Gonde ceremony," he said.
He also requested the government to begin sending officers from the chiefs and traditional affairs ministry to help in the preparations for the ceremony.
"The current situation is that we only see these officers on the actual day of the ceremony," he said.
Mweemba said the move by the government to establish a ministry to handle chiefs and traditional affairs was a step in the right direction.
"We applaud the PF government for this move," he said.
Each year, the chief leads his community in the annual Lwiindi ceremony traditionally held to give thanks for the first harvest of the year.
This year's ceremony was devoid of politics as most politicians including the ceremony patron Hakainde Hichilema did not attend.
Labels: CHIEFS, MICHAEL SATA, SOUTHERN PROVINCE
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Preserving Tonga culture online
Friday, 18 May 2012 21:04
The Tonga Online project continues to confound critics of the project that took upon itself the quest to have enlightened communities amongst the Tonga people of the Zambezi Valley.
Initially funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and Horizont 3000, the project changed hands in May 2010 when the funders shifted base to South Africa as Zimbabwe was faced with challenges.
Now run by the ably managed Basilwizi Trust, the Tonga Online project has shifted gears and its upward trajectory seems to know no bounds.
“Of course, the initial funders of the project had challenges in 2010 and could not continue with the project and because it served the interest of the people they then approached us to host the project and look for funding.
Basilwizi then took over the project in May 2010 through a memorandum of understanding that we signed through the ADA,” explains Basilwizi director Frank Mudimba.
The major thrust is information access and sharing for the community in Binga, IT skills transfer to the community and schoolchildren is an addition to the main emphasis of the project. They are running 12 centres in schools Binga.
They are also subscribing five weekly newspapers per centre so that the children and the community can be kept informed about what is happening around the world and in Zimbabwe in general.
“We also run computer centres in those schools where we encourage schoolchildren to form media clubs and they do basic story writing.
“We have students from NUST that are doing journalism that are assisting the children to write those stories and publish a newsletter which we called Twabane Times which means sharing,
“We are also still doing outreach training on basic IT skills, we get stories through those IT centres and that we publish on our website as well as the newsletter.
“We also do documentation of Tonga culture, we support traditional dance groups as we record and archive their material to try and save the Tonga heritage,” he said.
The eloquent Mudimba pointed out that since they took over there was a slight shift in the focus areas of the project because prior to their taking over it was almost 90 percent IT skills-based meaning the focus was on teaching computers and maintenance of computers in the schools.
For them, however, they believe that computers are just tools that help them to disseminate the Tonga’s cultural heritage and also to archive their cultural practices.
“They are tools that help them share information and access information so they shifted focus to say the Tonga Online Project must actually concentrate on information access.
“As you know the Zambezi Valley rarely get radio transmission, it’s a blackout in the Zambezi Valley, we are trying to complement Government efforts, where they can’t reach the people we try and get whatever means to get the get the people to be part of Zimbabwe.
“Our work is to complement what Government has already done or what it says should be the way forward for example we have been active in schools that benefited from the Presidential Computer Programme in schools.
“We already have projects in those schools, we have assisted in connecting those computers and getting power to those schools,” said Mr Mudimba.
He said his organisation donated a 7- megawatt solar grid to Siabuwa High School, a school that had received computers 10 years ago and they were still not being used.
They also installed e-books and children are also able to read and use the light for evening study.
All the 10 secondary schools in Binga received 10 computers each.
“Our purpose is to identify problems in the community and seek proper partnerships that will assist in sorting out some of the problems. We had been courting the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) for a long time even for the Siabuwa project.
“We had courted REA for a long time to try and install their solar grid project but they didn’t come on board but after we did it ourselves and they saw that it was a success they have moved in to set a similar grid in Chunga and another one in Lubimbi.
“We’re very glad that the expressed needs of the community are being addressed although it’s taking time we know the challenges of resources that the Government is facing but we are now able to get information to those areas and they are able to use the computers that the president donated,” he said.
When Basilwizi was formed by the chiefs the mandate it had was that of education and cultural support, it was hugely supported by the chiefs.
There was a chiefs’ council in 2005 that called for the formation of the trust and they were unanimous that their language and culture were at risk from the national policy of only supporting three languages in the country.
costa.mano@zimpapers.co.zw
Labels: SOUTHERN PROVINCE
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Government aims to empower people in rural areas
By Cynthia Phiri in Pemba
Sat 26 May 2012, 12:42 CAT
SOUTHERN Province minister Obvious Mwaliteta says the government is looking at policies that can narrow the gap between the urban and rural areas. Mwaliteta said narrowing the gap between urban and rural people can be done through empowering rural communities by devolving power to the local people.
He said this in Pemba yesterday before touring some land that has been identified for the construction of administration offices for the new district. Mwaliteta said there were huge disparities between urban and rural areas in terms of infrastructure development.
"The gap will be narrowed up as some rural areas begin to open up which will see the construction of high schools, filling stations, banks and shopping malls, among other things that go with the district status," he said.
"I urge all districts in Southern Province that have been created to quickly identify land where district administration offices will be built. Some are taking too long in trying to frustrate government efforts."
Mwaliteta said the government aims to empower people in rural areas to bridge the gap between the poor and the rich and that the answer lay in ensuring that the business environment for the private sector was improved by supporting market integration activities and ensuring micro-economic stability.
"…The other way is for us to open up areas for the private sector to partner with the government. The creation of the districts in Southern Province has got nothing to do with politics but has everything to do with helping the poor people. Moreover, Southern Province has a high population; we cannot deny you the districts because some people somewhere will criticise us by doing that; we have created these districts because we are devolving power and resources to the people. We want to ensure that even the poor are incorporated," he explained.
Mwaliteta said the creation of districts would provide a lot of employment opportunities for the local people.
"This will put more money in people's pockets and in turn, poverty will be eradicated," said Mwaliteta.
Labels: RURAL AREAS, SOUTHERN PROVINCE
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PF aims to dismantle UPND in S/Province
By Edwin Mbulo in Livingstone
Mon 09 Apr. 2012, 13:27 CAT
SOUTHERN Province PF women's chairperson Ann Nyirenda Tischer says her party is aiming to dismantle UPND's dominance in Southern Province.
In an interview, Tischer said the Patriotic Front would not take the forthcoming Livingstone by-election lightly but would re-engage the electorate to vote for the PF for easier administration and governance.
"We shall go flat out and campaign as we did while in the opposition for our candidate Joseph Akafumba and give the PF government its first seat in Southern Province. When we are done with this, we shall make sure we begin the process of dismantling the yoke of UPND in the province so that the area can be at peace, not being in perpetual opposition," she said.
She also urged women and youths to be patient with the PF over election promises made to them.
Tischer said women would be more dignified under the leadership of President Michael Sata because he had a heart for the poor.
"We know that it is virtually impossible to employ every person in Zambia, but one thing is for sure that with the leadership of a father and grandfather like President Sata, we shall be more dignified as women in Zambia," Tischer said.
She added that Zambians would soon see the benefits of having voted for the PF into government.
Labels: PF, SOUTHERN PROVINCE, UPND
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Poverty in Zambia is a mockery, says Mwaliteta
By Edwin Mbulo in Livingstone
Sun 01 Apr. 2012, 12:59 CAT
WE have not come to loot but to serve Zambians who voted for change because they want transformation of their lives, says Obvious Mwaliteta. Addressing Livingstone councillors on Friday, Mwaliteta, who is Southern Province minister, said poverty in Zambia was artificial as many people have been made richer on other people's misery.
"People voted for change because they wanted a change in their lives…We PF have not come to benefit but serve the people who voted for us because they want a change in their lives," Mwaliteta said.
He said the PF wants to pay back to the people of Zambia by alleviating poverty.
Mwaliteta told the mainly opposition council that with the coming by-elections, councillors needed to vote for the PF as the party leaders were servants of the people who need a service.
"This poverty is artificial, poverty has made others rich. When Sichifulo people demand for relief food, others get rich over the food. That is how bad Zambia has become as others benefit over others' suffering," he said.
Mwaliteta who also addressed council workers said there was need for change of altitude by the local authority so that people gain confidence in the civic leaders.
"The PF government is pro-poor government which needs transparency, dedication and hard work. If you want to be a thief in future start stealing now, if you want to be a drunkard start drinking now, let us change and not be greedy. The fight against corruption should not be with the government alone," Mwaliteta said.
He said Livingstone needed an intercity bus terminus and a modern market and the finance minister was waiting for the bill of quantities from the council.
"The issue of vendors is quite a sensitive issue as it is our people who are trading on the streets. President Sata did not say they should stay on the streets forever, we need to find solutions by building a modern market," said Mwaliteta.
And Livingstone mayor Aggrey Njekwa appealed to the government to constitute a Local Government Commission to resolve most of the council staffing problems.
And Shungu ward councillor Simasinti Simasinti complained that chief Mukuni was demarcating and allocating council land without council approval.
Labels: LIVINGSTONE, POVERTY, SOUTHERN PROVINCE
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There's no sensible alternative to dialogue
By The Post
Thu 15 Mar. 2012, 13:00 CAT
FOR whatever his limitations and deficiencies, Daniel Munkombwe is an intelligent politician who one ignores at his own peril.Those in government and all the other political forces operating in Southern Province should heed his advice and approach matters in a manner that makes meaningful dialogue possible.
Those who are opposed to the government's realignment of some districts in that province should know how to engage the government and argue their case peaceably and with civility. As Munkombwe has correctly observed, trying to blackmail those in government won't do.
There is no need for arrogance. What is needed is humility, ability and willingness to listen to others. There is need to dialogue, sharing our own beliefs with others. And this is not a choice for us since we have opted to live in a democratic and plural society. Dialogue is a must for us and is an essential path for the promotion of peace and unity in our country.
And above all, dialogue is rooted in the nature and dignity of human beings. In dialogue, one can compare different points of view and examine disagreements, without thinking that they are the owners of the absolute truth.
In dialogue, compromises have to be reached. And the nature of compromise is that you can compromise on fundamental issues. Insignificant things, peripheral issues, don't need any dialogue or compromise. If you are not prepared to compromise, then you must not enter into or think about the process of dialogue at all.
Concessions are inherent in dialogue. In dialogue, you have to accept the integrity of the other person. When you dialogue, you must be prepared to compromise. In dialogue, one can compare different points of view and examine disagreements. And as we have repeatedly pointed out, negotiated solutions can be found even to differences that have come to seem intractable and that such solutions emerge when those who have differences reach out to find the common ground.
Today we live in a highly inter-dependent world which is bound together to a common destiny. And as such, it is no longer possible to ignore the feelings of others. A democratic society needs the commitment of citizens who accept the inevitability of conflict as well as the necessity for tolerance.
We need to learn how to manage our differences because differences will always be there in a democracy. Gone are the days when all of us are expected to see things the same way and believe in the same things.
It is regrettable to not that the political arena is full of greed, vanity, dishonesty, lies, cheating, hypocrisy and double standards. All political issues must be governed by truth, honesty, morality, patriotism and sacrifice.
There is no perfect form of human government.
Abuses can take place in every system, but the fundamental value of democracy is to allow the participation of citizens in the government of their country. In this regard, democracy as system of government is consonant with human rights and the respect of human dignity and freedom. Again we say, gone are the days when everyone was supposed to think the same way, belong to the same party, and support the same policies and programmes.
True believers in multi-party democracy, in a plural society, welcome dialogue and debate over views contrary to their own because they realise that they themselves may not always be right. They recognise that there is a specific role to be played by each different organisation in a spirit of unity amidst diversity.
This value of respect of diversity and dialogue mean a realisation that those in government play a very important role but that they are not the only actors in a democracy.
To govern is to communicate. Given the chance, people are generally capable of governing themselves in a manner that is fair and free. And those in government must always bear in mind that any society comprises a great diversity of interests and individuals who deserve to have their voices heard and their views respected. And the voice of democracy is not only that of the president, his ministers and the leaders of his ruling party.
The voices of democracy include those of the government, its political supporters and opposition, of course. But they are joined by the voices of trade unions, organised interest groups, chiefs and their indunas, community associations, the news media, scholars and critics, religious leaders and so on and so forth. All these need to be heard, need to be respectfully listened to and engaged by the government.
All these groups are free to raise their voices and participate in the democratic political process. In this way, their participation acts as a filter through which the vocal demands of a diverse populace pass on the way to becoming public policy. Gone are the days when the only voice that mattered, the only view that mattered was that of the president. This country can no longer be governed by presidential decrees.
People want to be consulted; people want to meet and talk to their leaders, including the president. And it doesn't matter how right those in government are in what they want to do; they still have to consult, engage the people. Consensus or accommodation, on anything, has to be reached through debate and compromise. This helps build the trust necessary to resolve future problems. It helps build coalitions.
And coalition building is the essence of democratic action. It teaches interest groups to negotiate with others, to compromise and to work within the constitutional system. By working to establish coalitions, groups with differences learn how to argue peaceably, how to pursue their goals in a democratic manner and ultimately how to live in a world of diversity.
Gone are the days when the president could wake up and announce that he has directed this and that to be done and expect everyone to keep quiet, expect everyone to accept his orders without questioning. Giving orders, taking unilateral decisions, is the easiest thing for anyone in power to do. But there are consequences.
In a democracy, people are not open to this kind of thing. They want to participate, they want to be consulted - they want to be part of the daily decisions that are made by their leaders.
It is therefore important that this government mulls over things and considers the feelings of the people over the various things it is doing, including the re-alignment of districts and reorganisation of provinces.
There are many good programmes or initiatives that this government is coming up with that are failing to win popular support. Why? Our simple explanation is that there seems to be a problem with communication. The government is not engaging people well and encouraging them.
Democracy is communication: people talking to one another about their common problems and forging a common destiny. Of course, consulting people, dialoging with people is time consuming and can be costly. Certainly, no one has ever accused democracies of being particularly efficient in their deliberations: democratic decision making can be a messy, gruelling and time-consuming process.
But in the end, a government resting upon the consent of the governed can speak and act with a confidence and authority lacking in a regime whose power is perched uneasily on the narrow ledge of force.
It's time Michael Sata gets back to his old self and starts to deploy his great mobilising skills and engage the people so that they can buy into his policies and programmes. Issuing orders, directives or threats won't do.
It may do for the few people he has appointed to government or state jobs who cannot take him on for fear of losing their jobs or positions. But it won't do with the general population that don't depend on his appointments for their daily survival. He can take unilateral decisions inside his government, but he won't get away with it when his decisions get out to the people.
Something is not working well. Something has horribly gone wrong. How else can one explain the government's failure to win public acceptance for its very correct, good policies and programmes?
Labels: DANIEL MUNKOMBWE, SOUTHERN PROVINCE
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Greed will divide SP - Munkombwe
By Moses Kuwema
Wed 14 Mar. 2012, 12:00 CAT
VETERAN politician Daniel Munkombwe says Southern Province risks being torn apart because of greed. And Munkombwe complained that he would have been a multi-millionaire by now had it not been for politics.
Commenting on revelations by some Southern Province chiefs that the
UPND was behind the tension between the government and chiefs in the province over realignment, Munkombwe said
the greed that was being exhibited by some people would divide the whole Southern Province.
"I get concerned when people say we are going to give pressure to the government. I have always been for dialogue. I nearly lost my life during the struggle when the Kariba war between the Tonga of the Gwembe Valley and the colonialist, when they were fighting in 1960 and I don't think I will be prepared to go into any war now for whatever reason," he said.
" I think the government is willing to talk to the people, but no government can be pressurised to really work under duress, that does not augur well. If there are any people who are planning anything, it should be put on the table. And greed will divide the whole Southern Province, it will be torn apart because of greed."
Munkombwe advised that whoever had issues with the government should explain their position and they should also take time to ask the people of Southern Province for their views.
"But if they are going to apply pressure particularly political pressure, no government can succumb to political pressure, I know that. Presidents or governments very rarely succumb to pressure," said Munkombwe.
And Munkombwe said he would have been a multi-millionaire by now and leading a quality life had he not been in politics.
He said he was poor because of politics.
"I am leading a very quiet life now and I want to see if I can stand the last few days or years of my life by working for myself because I have totally been impoverished by politics. I should have been a multi-millionaire.
There was a time when I used to drive 16 tractors on my farm, during the early 1970s and late 1960s. I used to have over 2,000 herds of cattle. I am now poor. My Kalundu Motel was turned into welfare, where everybody was just sleeping and eating freely. My Choma Hotel, my garage was used to repair all political party vehicles," lamented Mukombwe.
Munkombwe said his only benefit now was the peace that was prevailing in the country and that he still carried his reputation with him.
"That is where I gain pride but otherwise, I have been impoverished by my participation in politics for far too long. I am poor. Some politicians have even been referring to me as a very poor old man so I am grateful that I have come out poor in the political life. Some people have come out fat and rich but I have come out poor and that I am going to retire very happily. I am now 80 and I have spent three quarters of my life in politics," he said.
Munkombwe said having been in politics for over 60 years, he wanted to give chance to other people to equally make contributions in the country's social, economic and political areas.
Labels: DANIEL MUNKOMBWE, PROVINCES, SOUTHERN PROVINCE, UPND
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Southern Province PF urges youths to stay focused
By Henry Chibulu in Mazabuka
Sun 11 Mar. 2012, 11:58 CAT
JOSEPH Akafumba has advised youths in Southern Province to be responsible and refuse to be used as tools for tribal political battles with government. Akafumba, the Patriotic Front's Southern Province chairperson, said youths should direct their energies towards providing leadership and not to engage in vices that could ruin their future.
He said the PF government would support the advancement of youths because of the crucial role they play in determining the country's destiny.
Akafumba said youths were leaders of today and not tomorrow hence their behaviour was critical in the development of the country.
And PF youths in Mazabuka have strongly called on youths in the district to refuse to be used as agents of promoting violence and anarchy in the country by selfish politicians whose interest was to create instability in the nation.
District youth chairperson Bruce Nkubitwe said youths should only accept programmes that would result in them being pioneers of production, prosperity and defenders of peace and justice.
Nkubitwe said it was regrettable to note that instead of the opposition UPND engaging youths in productive economic activities, the party was now recruiting youths to take part in demonstrations against the re-alignment of Itezhi-tezhi and Chirundu districts.
"The Patriotic Front youth wing is fully aware of a UPND scheme to transport youths from various districts to Choma to showcase a fake solidarity protest at the stakeholders meeting on the 12th March 2012 which is Youth Day," said Nkubitwe.
Nkubitwe said the PF was disappointed with the level of incitement of youths to rise against government by the UPND instead of helping government in finding solutions to the high unemployment levels among youths.
He said government had lined up several youth empowerment programmes aimed at uplifting the livelihood of the majority of youths in the country.
And district secretary Moses Ngosa said government was aware of many challenges youths were going through and was now addressing their problems.
He said the PF had lined up social and economic development programmes meant to better the lives of youths such as expansion of facilities and vocational training to absorb all school leavers in order to collaborate and provide life serving skills.
Ngosa added that the integration of youths in leadership and decision making was a great achievement for youths as this would entail that youths were part of the executive that always make decisions on key governance issues.
He said the introduction of district vocational centres would help reduce the high unemployment levels that the PF government had always advocated since its inception 11 years ago.
Ngosa however urged the government to put in place legal instruments that would support the enhancement of youths programmes in the country.
Labels: PF, SOUTHERN PROVINCE
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Chiefs accuse UPND of fanning tension
By Henry Chibulu in Mazabuka
Sun 11 Mar. 2012, 11:58 CAT
SOME chiefs in Southern Province have accused the UPND of fanning tension and challenged the provincial royal foundation to clearly tell the nation the donors funding traditional rulers invited to attend a regional stakeholders meeting in Choma tomorrow.
And Chieftainess Mwenda says the UPND is responsible for the current tension between the government and traditional rulers in Southern Province over re-alignment of some districts.
Chiefs Musungwa of Itzehi-tezhi, Mwanachingwala, Mwenda and Hanjalika said chiefs on their own had no capacity to raise funds for such huge meetings that require huge resources.
Chief Musungwa said the pocket agenda being propagated by chiefs Mukuni and Chikanta on behalf of the opposition UPND would soon be exposed and the truth known.
He said it was wrong for the chiefs to hide their true colours using the re-alignment of Itezhi-tezhi and Chirundu districts to Central and Lusaka provinces respectively.
He said it had become clear that the two leaders were equally bitter with the loss their political party, UPND, suffered during last September's elections.
Chief Musungwa observed that the debate on re-aligning Itezhi-tezhi should be left to the people of Itezhi-tezhi to decide and not a clique of traditional rulers hired to fight the government.
Chief Musungwa charged that there was no way traditional rulers in the province could choose to work hand in hand with the opposition to bring down a legitimate government by frustrating its efforts of decentralising government operations instead of offering solutions to government.
He also wondered who the chiefs were representing on the re-alignment of Itezhi-tezhi district to Central Province because the local people were happy with government and could not wait for the policy to be implemented.
"Issues of customs and traditional cannot work because people of Central Province are not different from Southern, we are Bantu Botatwe. In fact, Mumbwa district in Central Province was born from Namwala which also gave birth to Itezhi-tezhi, so where is the problem? Let my counterparts stop making unnecessary noise," advised chief Musungwa.
Chief Musungwa further challenged the organisers of the meeting to tell the nation why chiefs in Itezhi-tezhi have not been invited for the meeting despite also being affected by the re-alignment.
"We are smelling a rat here. Common sense demands that a person affected by a policy direction such as the re-alignment of Itezhi-tezhi be allowed to explain whether or not he is happy or unhappy, but unfortunately some chiefs who claim to be champions are speaking and opposing on behalf of people that have been crying for change in the administration of the district. We have been advocating for government to re-align the district in terms of administration because we have continued to suffer due to long distance to Livingstone and because of the floods that every year cut off our district from the rest of Southern Province. Our only nearest administrative province is Central and our people arrested are prosecuted in Mumbwa. So where is the problem of Itezhi-tezhi belonging to Central Province?'' asked chief Musungwa.
Chief Mwanachingwala said calls by chiefs to split the province were unnecessary because government had not included that in its budget.
He said chiefs should not involve politicians as doing so would dilute their case.
Chief Mwanachingwala said splitting a province was an expensive undertaking than re-aligning some districts.
He said chiefs should appoint a committee to express their grievances to government than involving the opposition to resolve the problem.
Chief Hanjalika said he would not attend the Choma meeting because organisers were bent on fighting government instead of allowing dialogue to take its course.
He said he regretted attending the first Choma meeting because the level of debate was politically motivated.
Chieftainess Mwenda said UPND should not hold government at ransom because the opposition party does not own the people of Southern Province.
She said UPND was responsible for the current tension between government and traditional rulers.
Recently, President Michael Sata accused some chiefs in Southern Province of double standards.
He said some chiefs who were against the re-alignment of districts wanted Southern Province to be split.
Labels: CHIEFS, CHIEFTAINESS MWENDA, SOUTHERN PROVINCE, UPND
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