UNIP will bounce back - Siame
By Misheck Wangwe in Mumbwa
Sat 18 Jan. 2014, 14:00 CAT
MUMBWA district UNIP chairman Joseph Siame says the former ruling party will one day bounce back to power because it has remained as the only sincere political party among the opposition.
In an interview in Mumbwa on Wednesday, Siame said opposition political parties like the MMD and the UPND cannot be trusted by Zambians because of the treacherous and selfish behaviour they had exhibited over the past years.
He said UNIP in Mumbwa was working towards protecting its supporters from some opposition political parties with no values that were making attempts to steal its members.
"UNIP has been in existence for many years because our forefathers, the founders, Dr Kenneth Kaunda and his comrades formed this party on rich values, on sincere ideologies of selflessness and doing things in the interest of Zambians and not for an individual as we see it in today's politics," Siame said.
"Yes, our popularity over the past years has dwindled due to lack of resources, but I must say that here in Mumbwa, we are working hard to ensure that we become a shining example to members of UNIP in other parts of the country and this is the reason why our offices, despite being old buildings built in 1960, are still operational."
He said UNIP in Mumbwa had refused to work with the UPND or the MMD in future because they were duped in the previous general elections, as its cadres were used to seriously campaign for certain individuals that stood under the two parties, but they were later abandoned.
Siame said UNIP in Mumbwa would continue supporting the progressive developmental ideas that the PF government was implementing in agriculture, road construction and employment creation rather than wasting time interacting with political parties that have no clear vision.
"As UNIP in Mumbwa, we have put our offices on rent and the few resources that we have raised, we have invested in building modern offices, we have so far finished constructing a new block of flats worth K12, 000 and we are spending another K22, 000 on the other building. We are confident that with these projects, we will be able to move a step further in terms of raining the much needed resources for the consolidation of our party," Siame said.
Labels: JOSEPH SIAME, UNIP
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'Don't allow Zambia to be under siege from thugs'
By Christopher Miti in Chipata
Mon 30 Sep. 2013, 14:00 CAT
UNIP says the continued violence perpetrated by political thugs in the country is alarming and should be condemned by all patriotic and peace-loving Zambians.
In a statement issued on Friday, UNIP research and information officer Elina Nyirenda stated that it was unfortunate that incidents of violence had continued to bedevil the country.
Nyirenda, who is also losing UNIP Chipata Central candidate in last July's by-election, stated that what happened to one opposition leader in Kasama recently was distressing and unacceptable in a democraticsociety.
"Those responsible should be arrested and prosecuted. We should not allow our nation to be under siege from thugs. Allowing this behaviour to continue without firm action being taken by the authorities responsible threatens our country's peace and security," she stated.
Nyirenda stated that her party believed that it was the responsibility of all leaders in political parties to put their cadres in line by speaking against violence and making sure culprits are brought to book.
Labels: ELINA NYIRENDA, UNIP
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UNIP dismisses MMD's claim of taking over Eastern Province
By Allan Mulenga
Sat 14 Sep. 2013, 14:00 CAT
MMD's celebration in Eastern Province is short-lived, says UNIP provincial chairperson Donald Sakala. In an interview yesterday, Sakala said MMD's recent victory in by-elections did not reflect a true picture of the people's position in the province.
"It is not true that MMD has taken over support in Eastern Province. If you remember very well when we lost the elections in 1991, what MMD is going through is what UNIP went through also. In the first years, UNIP was very strong in Eastern Province," he said.
"The only problem is that the policies of the PF are what have made other political parties to be winning these elections. These seats, like the Mkaika seat was for the MMD, that is what they must know. They can only boast if the seat was for another political party and they have won it. But they are just retaining their seats that belong to them. David Phiri was MMD; you're aware about that."
Sakala said UNIP would soon reclaim its popularity in the area.
"Eastern Province traditionally has been for UNIP and this is why we are working very hard to reclaim our province here. What is happening is temporary as far as I am concerned. We are working very hard to reclaim Eastern Province," he said.
Sakala said UNIP's sound policies had made it remain relevant to the people of Eastern Province.
"We are the only political party that has existed and still continues participating in all by-elections. It is not easy; give MMD another five years from now. It is too early for them to be talking about popularity in Eastern Province. They have been in the opposition for less than two years; meanwhile UNIP has been in the opposition from 1991. This will tell you that UNIP is strong because if we were not strong, we would not reach as far as we have reached now. UNIP was going to disband a long time ago, but we are still there. We are in the process of re-building the party. One day we are going to take over leadership of the country," said Sakala.
Recently, MMD president Nevers Mumba claimed that his party's recent victory in Mkaika Constituency by-election was enough proof that the party had penetrated the area.
Labels: DONALD SAKALA, EASTERN PROVINCE, MMD, UNIP
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MPs have misrepresented Mkaika - UNIP candidate
By Christopher Miti in Chipata
Thu 22 Aug. 2013, 14:00 CAT
NELSON Mwale, the UNIP candidate in next month's Mkaika by-election, says the constituency has been poorly represented by previous members of parliament.
Featuring on a special Electoral Commission of Zambia sponsored programme on Breeze FM on Tuesday night, Mwale said previous MPs did not give feedback once they went to parliament.
He said as a result of poor representation, Mkaika had lagged behind in development.
"The time has come for people to see tangible development. I was prompted to stand after I saw that this place is behind in terms of development. I don't feel good to see the level of development in the area and that is the reason why I have decided to join the race for this seat. I want to help foster development in Mkaika," Mwale said.
He said Mkaika could develop fast because people were understanding and development-oriented.
"I have done well as a councillor so this time I want to do the same as a member of parliament. I can assure the people of Mkaika that I can do more if I am elevated by the people of Mkaika to be their MP," Mwale said.
He said it was disheartening to note that since Zambia's independence in 1964, Mkaika had only one secondary school with a lot of primary schools.
Mwale said roads were impassable while most areas had no safe water.
He said pregnant women and other people walked long distances to seek medical services.
"I can assure the people that if go to parliament, I will start with this project. We have no government hospital here; we depend on a mission hospital (St Francis) which is also congested. We had plans of putting up a government hospital but I don't know why such plans were discarded," said Mwale.
Other candidates contesting the Mkaika seat in the September 5 by-election are PF's David Phiri, MMD's Peter 'Kafunkha' Phiri and NAREP's Nigel Mpakateni.The seat fell vacant after David Phiri resigned from the MMD to join the PF.
Labels: BY-ELECTIONS, NELSON MWALE, UNIP
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UNIP confident of Feira by-election victory
By Roy Habaalu
Sat 18 May 2013, 14:00 CAT
UNIP says it will surprise the nation by winning the Feira by-election owing to its popularity in the area. In an interview, national women's chairperson, Beatrice Kayuni, said Luangwa had been a stronghold for the United National Independence Party.
The Feira by-election, caused by the resignation of MMD's Patrick Ngoma to join the PF, is scheduled for June 20, 2013. Kayuni said the party had resolved internal misunderstandings that would have disadvantaged its candidate.
"Eastern Province and Luangwa in particular has been our stronghold and we are confident that we are going to win the Feira seat. People have promised that they are coming back to their mother party because they have seen nothing wrong with UNIP," she said.
Kayuni said no amount of intimidation and electoral malpractice would stop voters from voting for UNIP.
"Our competitors will be shocked. We will take the country by surprise by winning this election and those doubting will be surprised. We are on the ground and I have just come back from Luangwa and will be going back soon. UNIP is not finished as some people may wish," she said.
Kayuni accused the PF of constructing roads in Luangwa to lure voters to vote for its candidate.
She said the party was ready for any election in Eastern Province including Chipata Central that was nullified.
Kayuni said after re-organising itself, the party had done its homework warranting an outright victory.
The PF is fielding Patrick Ngoma, while MMD has Elias Kangachepe Phiri and UPND has Eularia Zulu. UNIP is floating Charles Kanyama.
Labels: BEATRICE KAYUNI, BY-ELECTIONS, UNIP
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UNIP, MMD going into extinction - Kabimba
By Roy Habaalu in Khartoum, Sudan
Mon 29 Apr. 2013, 14:01 CAT
UNIP and MMD are going into extinction because they have failed to reorganise, says PF secretary general Wynter Kabimba.
And Sudan's National Congress Party (NCP) deputy head Dr Nafie Ali Nafie said the council of African political parties must consolidate itself into a body that could monitor elections on the continent.
Kabimba, who chaired the committee on the role of political parties in enhancing democracy, peace development and unity here at the ongoing inaugural conference of the council of the African political parties themed 'together to enhance unity and renaissance of the African continent' said former ruling parties in Zambia went into oblivion because they fell for anything.
"In my country, we have two political parties (UNIP and MMD) that lost elections and went into extinction because they failed to re-organise.
Parties must be based on ideologies; otherwise, a party will have problems of its life expectancy. Parties that are not ideologically based are easily infiltrated because they accept everything that comes and so before my party PF comes out of power, we will go to Ghana and learn how to return to power," he said.
"Parties must be broad-based, based on the majority of our people, not a party for elitists. As a continent, we must learn to resolve our own issues and take responsibility. There should be no outside influence on how we should live together, and Sudan and South Sudan must be commended because they have demonstrated that they can arrive at a conclusion without any foreign interference."
Kabimba said African democracy should be based on social conditions of a particular country.
He said copying western democracy and imposing it on African countries had caused problems in many countries.
And Dr Nafie said the council should have effective consultation with political parties that rejected the outcome of elections.
Dr Nafie said parties that rejected the outcome of elections did not have any democratic base.
"There will be no transparency until the political parties that lose elections accept the results of an election and you should ensure that the council becomes an observer of elections in Africa," said Dr Nafie.
Meanwhile, PF Matero constituency chairman Morgan Ng'ona said political parties should put the interest of the country first and refuse to be infiltrated by outsiders.
"Hate and disgruntledness is what has caused Africa problems. Foreign forces look for disgruntled people and if we allow them, we are causing problems for ourselves especially the opposition when they lose an election," said Ng'ona.
Labels: MMD, PF, UNIP, WYNTER KABIMBA
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Party in govt must develop all regions, says Musunte
By Prince Chibawah in Mansa
Sat 27 Apr. 2013, 14:00 CAT
UNIP senior member Mwansa Musunte has advised the Patriotic Front that Zambians do not tolerate a one-party system. In an interview, Musunte said the government was using wrong justification for its failure to develop certain areas of the country.
"Let me advise my colleagues in the PF that Zambians don't tolerate one party system. Maybe some of them don't know that what made my party to be dethroned from the government was the same one-party state system which the PF is trying to create," he said.
Musunte said he was disappointed that the PF was applying wrong techniques like blackmailing people with threats of not taking development to their areas if they do not vote for the PF.
"The PF is now threatening people of not developing some areas where the party is not gaining momentum. This is violating human rights by not giving an opportunity to people to belong or vote for the political party of their choice," he said.
"It is the mandate of any government in power to develop the whole country but what we are seeing now is that if you don't support the PF, your area will not be developed. That is why most of the recent by-elections countrywide have been scooped by the PF because people were scared that if they didn't vote for PF candidates their areas were not going to record any meaningful development."
Musunte, who has been with UNIP since 1995, said the PF wanted to have many members of parliament to enable it to make and implement wrong policies without anyone opposing.
"We are aware that the PF government wants to turn Zambia into one-party state so that they can continue making and implementing their wrong policies. The PF government is inconsistent with their decisions. That's why they want to pull down the opposition so that whatever they decide will be done at any time they feel so. PF doesn't speak one voice or follow their set programmes or policies. You would find today one PF government official makes directives tomorrow a different PF official will suspend the directives," he said.
He said the PF government had failed to honour the Zambian people by fulfilling the promises the party made during campaigns.
"The PF promised the Zambian people 'heaven on earth', which was a total fabrication. They promised that once voted into power, they will give Zambians a people-driven constitution within ninety days of assuming power. They (PF) have almost clocked two years, what have they achieved in connection with the development and other things they promised the people? Nothing at all! Instead they have ended up working with wrong people who, in fact, were referring them to be incapable of running the country. The same people who used to victimise them when PF was in opposition now they are PF advisors and programme implementers," he added.
Musunte said Southern Province minister Daniel Munkombwe was a wrong politician who practiced politics of the belly.
"Munkombwe has made it clear that he joined the PF government for his personal gain. Of course, we all want to eat but what about the issue of the integrity? Politics of belly will not bring development to this country both politically and economically. Munkombwe was serving in the same position during the MMD administration and if at all he gave the people of Southern Province the development they needed, then so be it because in the end, it will be the people of Southern Province to judge him based on what he did for them," Musunte explained.
He also said the PF government had made few scores in its fight against corruption.
"As far as the fight against corruption is concerned, the PF government has a lot more to do. Determination and sacrifice are cardinal elements to be considered if the fight against corruption is to be achieved," noted Musunte.
Labels: DANIEL MUNKOMBWE, MWANSA MUSUNTE, PF, UNIP
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MMD won't go into oblivion like UNIP, says Dora
By Kombe Chimpinde and Allan Mulenga
Tue 18 Dec. 2012, 14:00 CAT
MMD chairperson for finance Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane wants Nevers Mumba's dual presidency and Major Richard Kachingwe's expulsion discussed by the party's National Executive Committee (NEC).
And MMD spokesperson Dora Siliya says the party will not go into oblivion like UNIP did.
Meanwhile the MMD Lusaka Province youths have petitioned NEC to endorse the expulsion of Maj Kachingwe at their next meeting.
In an interview yesterday, Dr Musokotwane, who is Liuwa MMD member of parliament, also said MMD was undergoing a rough patch.
"If it is tabled in the NEC, then we will express our views on it," he said.
"If there is a contention about that issue, it should be tabled before NEC and then we discuss and agree on the way forward."
He, however, said the differences were normal in politics.
"This is part of politics. How many vice-presidents has UPND had (since its inception)? How many national secretaries has PF had? So squabbles in politics happen. The important thing is that we are able to regroup and continue forward. Right now, we are going through a rough patch. I think it will be unwise to deny that," he said.
"Defections are a normal thing in any party. There were defections in UNIP. They were defectors to MMD when it was in government. You remember about two years ago nearly half of the members of parliament (rebel MPs) belonging to PF defected, almost half. So these are normal things in politics. Of course you must have good reasons for defecting and personally I have no reason to defect from MMD."
Dr Situmbeko was hopeful that many Zambians would begin to symphasise with the MMD.
"The fact that election promises have not been delivered…they (people) are dissatisfied with the fact that they had very high hopes in good governance, observance of the rule of law, observance with freedom of association. They are observing these things. They are very disappointed that now they have to queue up for mealie -eal. These are fertile grounds for the opposition parties. Those who are affected will see value in joining the opposition MMD," said Dr Musokotwane.
He said the defections in the party were as a result of the rough patch that had gripped the former ruling party.
"Party's are like living organisms. There was PF, nearly half of the people defected but it found other ways of bringing other people and today, they are in government. The success shall not be judged on whether people are defecting but whether many more other people are being attracted to the party," Dr Musokotwane said.
Asked why they were seemingly no new members joining the MMD, a situation that had been compounded by the confusion that had befallen the party, Dr Situmbeko said that each party had its own squabbles.
Recently, MMD chairman for elections Gabriel Namulambe resigned from the MMD to join the PF.
And party vice-president administration Dr Brian Chituwo differed with Mumba over his dual presidency of both the MMD and the Reform Party and Maj Kachingwe's expulsion.
Dr Chituwo wants both issues discussed by NEC but Mumba says the decision to expel Maj Kachingwe is final.
And speaking when she received the petition by Lusaka youths on behalf of NEC members, Siliya, who is also Petauke Central MMD member of parliament, said the leadership would not be swayed by the conduct of a few individuals who were against the party leadership.
"This party is yours. You have to ensure that you take ownership. You have to ensure that you support the leadership. There is no party with the record like MMD. We are not going to be swayed. We are not going into oblivion like UNIP did. It will not happen to MMD," she said.
Siliya said the greatest enemy of the PF was time to deliver of its campaign promises.
"The greatest enemy of promises is time. MMD has time on its hand because we will see those promises fail and we will remind the Zambians that those promises failed. We have a track record and MMD back in government will ensure that we improve on that record," said Siliya.
Labels: DORA SILIYA, MMD, NEVERS MUMBA, SITUMBEKO MUSOKOTWANE, UNIP
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Conflict of principles and opportunism in UNIP
By The Post
Tue 06 Nov. 2012, 11:20 CAT
Njekwa Anamela, the vice-president of UNIP, says it is not important for the ruling Patriotic Front to win the Mufumbwe parliamentary by-election, and an opposition candidate should be elected, because any good government must be able to work with any popularly elected leader.
From an idealistic position, this sounds very good and correct. It is actually the way things should be. But is this the reality in our country today?
We have opposition political parties that are complaining about their members of parliament being appointed to government positions. And some have completely stopped their members from taking up government positions or to be seen to be working with government in any way.
And UNIP, as far as we know, has never come out in the open to encourage opposition members of parliament to accept appointments to government positions. Well, we know that UNIP itself does not have a single member of parliament; it failed to secure any parliamentary seat in the last elections.
However, their position has the elements of both principledness and opportunism. From a position of principle, one cannot disagree with them that all - those in the opposition and in the ruling party - should cooperate in the governance of the country. Their position appears opportunistic because if it doesn't matter who wins in Mufumbwe, why shouldn't it be the ruling party winning instead of the opposition?
It is, however, important that the principled position being advanced by UNIP is not lost in its opportunism.
It is necessary to realise that what UNIP is effectively telling us is that politics, and the elections that accompany it, should be for the good of the people and the country, and not for the political survival of any individual or political party. And if this spirit of the primacy of the common good, which UNIP is advocating, were to animate all the political parties, we wouldn't witness the dirty, slanderous and sometimes violent election campaigns which leave the public dismayed and disheartened.
In the present atmosphere of fierce competition and character assassination, UNIP is somehow, albeit in a contradictory way, reminding the nation of the noble goals of political activity and elections. It is showing us that politics and elections should be aimed at the promotion of the common good and the service of all the people.
This also brings us to the important but controversial issue of "loyal opposition" we have been advocating. The only way what UNIP is advocating can be meaningfully realised is if there is an atmosphere or environment that promotes, encourages and accommodates or accepts the idea or concept of loyal opposition.
We say this because the concept of loyal opposition means, in essence, that all sides in a democracy share a common commitment to its basic values. And that no matter who wins the elections, all or both sides should agree to cooperate in solving the common problems of the society.
And as we have repeatedly pointed out, the political competitors don't necessarily have to like each other, although it would be good for the nation's peace and harmony if they liked each other, but they must tolerate one another and acknowledge that each has a legitimate and important role to play. And the political ground rules must encourage tolerance and civility in election campaigns and in public discourse in general.
What we saw in Mufumbwe raises a number of questions about the civility of our politicians and their ability or willingness to tolerate each other. The Mufumbwe parliamentary by-election was, to some great measure, characterised by lies, deceit, malice and slander. There was very little of policy options discourse.
We know that the MMD may now need a new manifesto because the old one may have been abandoned after their defeat in last year's elections. But this doesn't mean that their candidates in parliamentary by-election do not have their own outlook or personal vision for their constituency that they can campaign on.
It shouldn't be forgotten that democratic elections, at whatever level, are not a fight to survival, but a competition to serve. And that the purpose of these elections is to serve the common good.
The common good is the reason for the existence of politics and elections. This is so because politics and elections enable us to express our commitment and concern for each other; they call upon all of us to contribute and commit ourselves responsibly to building a peaceful and just society for all. Politics and elections must always have as their aim the achievement of the common good.
Elections are absolutely necessary in a democratic society. And it is sad to see them turned into a political circus. Elections should never be a matter of political mock engagements since that would break the sacred character of democracy. We value elections in as much as they ensure the participation of citizens in making political choices.
Election time is a time to vote for honest, courageous, hardworking and selfless candidates. It is not a time for feeling sorry for any candidate and elect them simply because they have contested many times and failed as UNIP candidate Stephen Kamwengo seems to be suggesting. Elections are an opportune time for us to review our past in order to prepare for better political choices for the future.
And Kamwengo should ask Mufumbwe voters to evaluate him and vote for him on the basis of his personal vision and in terms of his competence and reputation for honesty and selfless dedication to the common good. The way he is begging for votes seems to be too personal, it is as if it is something of value only to him and not to the electorate.
It's not about pity for a candidate - of course Kamwengo is entitled to self-pity - it is about service, concern for social justice, desire to work for the common good instead of self-enrichment or aggrandisement, disposition to use power for service, especially service of the poor and underprivileged, good moral standing, transparency and accountability to the electorate.
We hope UNIP will one day return to its old principled positions, of course, in a new way and in a new time, and reverse its political fortunes. Opportunism is what has brought UNIP to its current condition of near extinction.
Labels: NJEKWA ANAMELA, UNIP
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UNIP candidate asks Mufumbwe to feel sorry for him
By David Chongo and Misheck Wangwe in Mufumbwe
Tue 06 Nov. 2012, 14:30 CAT
UNIP candidate in this Thursday's Mufumbwe by-election, Steven Kamwengo, has begged the people of Mufumbwe to feel sorry for him and elect him MP because he has contested the seat many times but failed.
And UNIP vice-president Njekwa Anamela has urged the electorate in Mufumbwe to elect an opposition candidate as member of parliament this Thursday, saying it is not important for the ruling party to win because any good government must be able to work with any popularly-elected leader.
At a rally addressed by Anamela to drum up support for him ahead of the poll, Kamwengo, in a heated address to his supporters many of whom just wore plain red T-shirts, said Mufumbwe people were his witnesses that he had contested the seat previously and failed but that on Thursday they should feel sorry for him and get him elected because this was his third time trying.
He urged voters to ignore MMD candidate Stafford Mulusa because he was not a resident of Mufumbwe.
He said Mulusa was a Solwezi resident who was not registered to vote in Mufumbwe and so he would not even vote for himself.
Kamwengo told the gathering that when elected, he would help to improve communication in the district, ensure the erection of a bridge on Musonweji River connecting chief Mushima Mubambe's area with the rest of Mufumbwe, as it could only be accessed through Kasempa.
Kamwengo was the UNIP candidate in the 2010 by-election that was won by Eliot Kamondo who stood on the UPND ticket.
He was also the party's candidate in last September's general election that ushered the PF to power.
This time, Kamwengo is battling it out with PF's Steven Masumba and MMD's Mulusa.
Meanwhile, Anamela said that PF must not be allowed to win Mufumbwe because it was not important that the ruling party candidate must win.
He urged the people to emulate the electorate in Livingstone Central and Muchinga constituencies who voted for opposition candidates so that PF did not have a majority in Parliament which he said was not good for democracy.
Anamela said local democracy should continue to be strengthened so that it worked to bring development for people with a focus on reducing poverty by enabling access to basic needs.
He accused the ruling PF of having selfishly created the Mufumbwe by-election in order to test its popularity in North Western barely one year after its candidate won the seat under MMD.
Anamela said the PF lacked focus and respect for the welfare of the people and asked that the ruling party should rather concentrate on consolidating its commitments to the people.
Meanwhile, PF parliamentarians led by Miles Sampa and Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba on Sunday staged a campaign walk for Masumba.
The walk dubbed 'Walk to Parliament for Masumba' was characterised by singing and dancing to PF campaign songs that were played on loudspeakers mounted on PF campaign vehicles.
Hundreds of Mufumbwe residents and PF supporters joined the walk along the famous Mutanda-Chavuma road.
The match started from Chizela turnoff, proceeded to Shukwe area and later they walked back to Mufumbwe Boma using the main Mutanda-Chavuma road.
The parliamentarians that spoke through Sampa promised the people that Masumba would not fail the people in the constituency, adding that the government would do everything possible to deliver on its promises.
Sampa said the people of Mufumbwe were yet to see tangible development, hence the need for them to give the PF chance to work with them in delivering development through Masumba.
He said Masumba would never let people down as he was their son who had dedicated himself that he would work tirelessly to deliver the much-needed development.
"We wish our colleagues the opposition all the best in this election but we have given ourselves hundred per cent win. This peaceful walk and the huge crowd that joined us speak volumes of how popular the PF has become and the commitment of our brothers and sisters to working with the PF government," said Sampa.
Labels: STEVEN KAMWENGO, UNIP
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MMD will survive, says Ndlovu
By Mukosha Funga
Tue 06 Nov. 2012, 14:50 CAT
International Conference Center - Picture by Joseph Mwenda
MMD information and publicity secretary Alfred Ndlovu says his party will survive because it has a survival kit.
And MMD national secretary Richard Kachingwe says his party is very confident of winning the Mufumbwe seat and was just worried with the level of corruption in the government.
Commenting on UNIP candidate in the Mufumbwe by-election Stephen Kamwendo who charged that although UNIP was voted out of government, MMD was going into the doldrums, Ndhlovu said the former ruling party would survive as an opposition because they had a survival kit to see them through many years.
"MMD has a survival kit which UNIP did not have. It is held in confidence and only we know the way we are going to survive. We have the courage that is needed to be in the opposition," he said.
Ndlovu said unlike UNIP, the MMD had done a lot for Zambians.
"UNIP is different from the MMD and there is no way that the two can die together or do anything together. UNIP is a socialist party and we are a capitalist party... The reason why UNIP died is that it left behind shortages of commodities. We used to queue to buy things in the shops... People have even forgotten about these things because of the hard work of the MMD under the leadership of Frederick Chiluba, Levy Mwanawasa and Rupiah Banda," he said.
"You cannot say a party like this is worse than the UNIP."
Ndhlovu said UNIP members had murdered their party when they boycotted the 1996 elections.
"In 1996, UNIP boycotted elections reducing their 21 members of parliament to nothing and that was self-suicide. They died because they boycotted elections. The MMD will never boycott any elections. We will never die," he said.
Ndhlovu added that UNIP's failure to change leadership successfully also contributed to the killing of the party.
"UNIP was glued to Dr Kaunda; they did not want to change. And usually when you do not change a leader successfully, a party can die and even the MMD could have died. But we change our leaders and the party survives. UNIP wanted anyone who would be seen to be sympathetic to Dr Kaunda to lead the party and consequently, they lost ground with UNIP because that is not what the people wanted," he said "They died because they did not prepare themselves for the challenge of change."
Nhlovu said MMD was viciously defending Mufumbwe.
"We are winning Mufumbwe because people do not want a drunkard, womaniser. That is not what we want in leadership. Why should Mufumbwe people be cheated?" he asked.
On President Michael Sata's statement on Wednesday that the government was sitting on a big MMD volcano and that there was so much confusion in the civil service as some people do not want the PF to succeed, Ndhlovu said it was not true that there was an MMD volcano.
"It is failure of the leader to change people. If I go to The Post today, I will change it and make it run according to what I think is good management. I am not going to complain that Fred M'membe planted a volcano here because I know I am dealing with professionals," he said.
Ndlovu said the quarrels in PF were signs that the party had a bad leader.
And Kachingwe said the MMD was doing everything possible and civil to win the Mufumbwe by-election.
"We are participating in a civilised way in Mufumbwe. We have warned our party officials and cadres to abstain from violence because the people of Mufumbwe deserve dignity," Maj Kachingwe said.
He, however, said their only worry was the "corruption in government".
"Promising the people clinics... we hope that in the future the Electoral Commission of Zambia can do something about such campaigns," said Maj Kachingwe.
Labels: ALFRED NDLOVU, MMD, RICHARD KACHINGWE, UNIP
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UNIP is gone - Kamwengo
By Allan Mulenga in Lusaka and Misheck Wangwe in Kitwe
Thu 01 Nov. 2012, 14:00 CAT
UNIP candidate in the November 8 Mufumbwe parliamentary by-election Stephen Kamwengo says his party is gone, but MMD is going much deeper into the doldrums.
Meanwhile, six Patriotic Front officials campaigning in Mufumbwe escaped death after the vehicle they were in lost control and overturned three times.
In an interview ahead of the by-election that he is contesting against Patriotic Front's Steven Masumba and MMD's Stafford Mulusa, Kamwengo said the locals in Mufumbwe have lost confidence in the MMD.
Kamwengo said it would be very difficult for MMD to revive itself.
He said MMD was cheating itself by thinking that it would retain the Mufumbwe seat.
"Of course, people had almost decided to vote for MMD, but I am telling them that 'yes UNIP is gone, MMD is the worst'. Maybe UNIP can start resuscitating itself, but MMD is going much deeper to the doldrums. The terrain around here is that when you lose power, people will lose confidence of voting for you and that is the situation here.
To make matters worse, the MMD has fielded someone from Solwezi, that is also giving us an impetus to go forward," he said.
Asked on his chances of scooping the seat, Kamwengo said Mufumbwe needed a leader who was forthright and development-oriented.
"The chances are very high. The campaigns are okay, the messages are clear to people in Mufumbwe, we need a forthright leader.
The area has lagged behind in terms of development. It is the only district which is not connected to the national grid, despite the late member of parliament, Misheck Bonshe, trying to make connections for the national grid to reach Mufumbwe," he said. "The past leaders never realised that those things people need them. This time we are saying that all those projects which were started by Mr Bonshe need to be completed. The only person who can do it is Steven Kamwengo."
Meanwhile, six PF officials survived a crush around 11:30 hours on Tuesday in Lalafuta ward, about 520 kilometres away from Mufumbwe Boma, where the their party had a meeting with the residents.
The vehicle, a Toyota Hilux double-cab registration number ABJ 944 belonging to PF Copperbelt youth secretary Chanda Kabwe was extensively damaged following a tyre burst that made the vehicle to lose control and later roll three times.
Those involved in the accident include Kabwe who was driving the vehicle, PF Copperbelt chairman Rebby Chanda, Mufumbwe district PF chairman Edwin Kafolola, Kitwe district PF vice-chairman Stanley Chandindi, Wusakile Constituency PF youth chairman Moses Musonda, and his deputy Michael Chileshe.
According to Kabwe, the six were rushed to the nearest health institution owned by the Zambia Air Force where doctors examined them as they were complaining of chest and general body pains while Chileshe was bleeding from the mouth and nose.
"The doctors looked at us and declared that we are out of danger while Michael was given some injections and he is also out of danger. We thank God we survived. It happened on our way back because we had another meeting before leaving the place for our base in Mufumbwe. Where the accident happened is part of Kafue National Park and ZAWA officers came to rescue us because there are elephants and lions, so they feared for our lives and we were rescued immediately," he said.
Kabwe said the support the PF was receiving from Mufumbwe residents was inspiring and expressed confidence that Steven Masumba would scoop the seat.
Labels: MMD, STEPHEN KAMWENGO, UNIP
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MMD and PF will never match infrastructure development under UNIP reign
TIME PUBLISHED - Friday, August 3, 2012, 10:45 am
United National Independence Party (UNIP) President Tilyenji Kaunda says the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) did not exhibit Christian values during its twenty year rule because abuse of authority and misapplication of funds was the order of the day.
Mr Kaunda observed that a number of irregularities in the use of public resources were reported in the Auditor General‘s report each year adding that some went scot free.
He commended the Patriotic Front (PF) government for exposing the MMD corrupt ways of governing the country.
Mr Kaunda was speaking when he officially opened the UNIP audit and mobilization meeting at Fern Guest House in Chipata yesterday.
“A lot of money went missing from government coffers, yet very little was done to curb the situation,’ he said.
Meanwhile, UNIP Vice President Njekwa Anamela said the MMD has nothing to show for its twenty year rule of the nation.
Mr Anamela said the MMD failed to deliver to the people of Zambia during its tenure and noted that last minute efforts to construct and rehabilitate roads failed because the party was already out of favour hence its losing the election.
He boasted that the MMD and the ruling PF have never and will never match what UNIP did in infrastructure development.
“Our party has a track record that will never be matched by even the PF which has already exhibited an incoherent manner of governing,” he said.
And Mr Anamela said there was need to have good agriculture policies that will motivate farmers in the country.
He stated that the capitalist way of thinking that the forces of demand and supply determine prices of products will lead to an economic downfall.
“Government should not allow farmers to be subjected to poor market prices of cotton on pretext that prices are determined by demand and supply,” he said.
The UNIP Vice President stated that it is sad that farmers who account for more that 50 percent of the Zambian population have been denied and government should have considered addressing the cotton issue.
ZANIS
Labels: INFRASTRUCTURE, TILYENJI KAUNDA, UNIP
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People are disappointed with non-performing MPs, says Chama North UNIP candidate
By Christopher Miti, Edwin Mbulo and Moses Kuwema
Fri 06 July 2012, 13:21 CAT
UNIP candidate in the Chama North by-election Herbert Zimba says the low voter turnout which characterised most polling stations is a sign that people are disappointed with non-performing members of parliament.
And in Muchinga's Kanona polling station some voters stayed out because of marauding lions. In an interview after voting at about 09:10 hours, Zimba said a lot of people in Chama were disappointed with the previous members of parliament.
He said the people of Chama should not lose hope because he was ready to work together with them.
MMD's Yotam Mtayachalo who voted at about 08:05 hours said it was nice for him to vote for himself.
He said the polls were marred with apathy because people were harvesting.
Immediate past member of parliament Darious Mumba cast his vote at Chama Day High School at around 07:43 hours.
By press time, PF's January Zimba was checking in various polling stations on how people were voting.
Zimba said going by how he had campaigned, victory was certain.
Final results for the Chama North by-election are expected between 06:00 hours and 12 hours today.
In Livingstone, the voting started on a low note.
By 11:58, only 230 people out of 1,064 registered voters at Livingstone Day Basic School polling station had voted.
More voters were expected in the afternoon.
And Miriam Phiri Nalucha said the turnout at Victoria Hall was low and hoped it would pick up by afternoon.
PF candidate Joseph Akafumba had expressed confidence he would scoop the Livingstone seat after casting his vote.
The UPND fielded Reverend Howard Sikwela while Zhodwayo Soko, Steven Zulu and Joseph Mwanza contested as independent candidates.
Meanwhile, police on Wednesday night fired teargas to disperse suspected PF and UPND youths that had gathered along Lusaka Road and engaged in verbal skirmishes.
Livingstone electoral officer Vivian Chikoti called on the police to arrest anyone intent on causing anarchy.
"I want to strongly appeal to all players political parties to follow the electoral code of conduct and not act outside the rules and regulations. We want to have a free and fair election but when they start to act outside the box, the elections may not be free and fair," Chikoti said.
On a report by PF that UPND cadres were arrested in Dambwa after being found giving out money to voters, Chikoti said she had not received the report and promised to follow it up with the police.
Southern Province police commissioner Brenda Muntemba said the proximity of the command posts could have led to the confrontation between the UPND and the PF on Wednesday night.
"I will spend the night here and pray that we have a peaceful election. I'm putting my officers on the streets so that they can control the situation," she said.
In Serenje, a check at Kanona basic school, a polling station, which has about over 500 voters, yesterday revealed that only 234 voters had turned up as of 16:00 hours.
But the Zambia Wildlife Authority officials who did not want to be named described the reports as mere rumours.
However, the villagers said they saw the two beasts in the area.
Other polling stations in the area witnessed a low voter turnout.
In Chibale area, by 09:00 hours, very few people had turned up to vote at most polling stations which are far apart.
Labels: UNIP
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Political parties that fail to adapt die
By The Post
Fri 20 Apr. 2012, 12:00 CAT
POLITICAL parties have a very important role to play. And a lot of attention needs to be devoted to their organisation and development. For political parties to live long and be of value to society, they need to have objectives that go beyond putting in office, putting in State House their founders.There is something seriously worrying about the nature and organisation of most of our political parties, if not all. It would seem most of our political parties are founded with the sole objective of putting their founders in State House. And when that fails, they disintegrate or go into oblivion.
To avoid this, there is need to institutionalise the operations and organisation of our political parties so that they start to have a life that is beyond and that is separate from their founders.
If this is done, we will have political parties that live for a very short time because they were nothing but special purpose vehicles for getting into office their founders.
There is need to strengthen intra-party democracy so that our political parties are not dominated by one individual with the largest political clout or the deepest pockets. The danger of this is that when the most popular element leading the party loses an election or dies, the party disintegrates because everything was organised and anchored on that person.
There is also the danger of the party being dependent on the finances of one person, the person leading it. When the pockets of that person dry up, the party dies unless there is another financier to take it up and lead it.
This is what has affected the progress of our political parties to varying degrees. UNIP was so dependent for its survival on the prestige and popularity enjoyed by Dr Kenneth Kaunda. After he lost elections in 1991 and could not re-contest in 1996, the party, in electoral terms, went into oblivion.
Despite having relatively more assets than other political parties, 20 years after being kicked out of office, UNIP today doesn't have a single member of parliament. Riding on the prestige of Dr Kaunda, his son, Tilyenji, took over the leadership of the party. But despite continued poor performance in elections, he has continued to hold on to the leadership of the party, come what may.
Tilyenji has decimated the party to a point where it today harbours no hope of a reversal of political fortunes. UNIP survives today because of the assets it has that the leadership is clinging to. UNIP today only exists for those who are enjoying the benefits of its assets.
In the minds and lives of our people, UNIP is dead. What has killed it? In our view, UNIP's poor performance or showing in elections is a result of its poor organisation and lack of adequate intra-party democracy which made it lose its militancy and capacity to mobilise.
Another political party that deserves analysis is the UPND. This was a party that was organised around one capable and popular individual, Anderson Mazoka, with the objective of making him president of the Republic.
When that failed and with his death, UPND started to experience seriously declining political fortunes or popularity. UPND was taken over by a person with no political clout and experience but one who was believed to have more money than his colleagues.
Today, UPND cannot claim to be a national political party; it has been reduced to a regional party supported mainly by members of its leaders' tribe, with very little support elsewhere. UPND is not showing any signs of rejuvenation or revival. This message is the same year after year, with its leader crying about his rights to also govern.
The party doesn't seem to be able to connect with the broad masses as a result of its narrow agenda. In three elections, UPND has been on the defensive, trying to justify why its leader should be president also instead of propagating a clear message that appeals to all Zambians.
Today, UNIP and UPND are joined by MMD. For 20 years, MMD survived on being parasitic to the state. It used government money and resources to buy votes and patronage. It got the support of those who benefitted from it being in power.
But that support base was reducing every year and eventually, things caught up with it. MMD was booted out of office last year by a political party with far much less resources than itself.
The PF won last year's elections on the basis of the popularity of its leader Michael Sata and on the broad support it got from a coalition of all the forces in the country that wanted change. And worse for UPND, it got itself into an electoral alliance with the MMD at its worst.
This was in a clearly stated belief of its leadership that no single opposition political party would defeat the MMD on its own. This demonstrated the political inexperience of the UPND leadership and its inability to read the mood in the nation.
PF won on its own to the total disbelief of the UPND and MMD leadership. And today, the UPND is caught by the MMD virus. If the cure is not found quickly, both of them are headed into oblivion. Changes are needed in both MMD and UPND. They need to reorganise themselves in terms of leadership and in terms of political direction.
Political parties should continue to change, adapt without losing their core values or principles. Political parties that do not change die. We hope this will not be the case for UPND and MMD as it seems to be the case for UNIP today. But there are also lessons for PF in all this.
If PF is not going to quickly move away from total reliance on Michael and his popularity, the party is going to face similar problems soon. It will survive as long as Michael is President of the Republic. But it will not cope with the challenges that will arise as soon as Michael is no longer the party leader.
And there is no need to pretend and behave as if Michael is going to be at the helm of PF forever. At most, Michael can only lead the PF for another nine years - and that is if he continues to be President after the next elections.
If he doesn't continue to be the President in 2016, the PF would have to find another leader before this time who is as popular or even more popular than Michael. The question is: what are the prospects for this? Is PF sufficiently institutionalising itself to survive the departure of Michael from its leadership?
A lot of effort will be required to institutionalise PF and make it less dependent on Michael because this is his party and it represents his vision. It is difficult to imagine how PF will be without Michael and without Guy Scott, one of its co-founders.
It is therefore important for our political parties, their leaders and members to pay special attention to the issues raised by Stefan Liebich, a member of the German parliament, that political parties should learn the art of survival in the opposition after losing elections.
The issues they have raised are important not only for the survival of our political parties but also for the development of our multi-party democracy.
We need experienced political parties. We cannot continue to have new political parties running the country at every turn. Let's pay more attention to the organisation of our political parties. We cannot have a thriving multi-party democracy without thriving political parties.
Labels: OPPOSITION, PARTIES, PF, POLITICS, TILYENJI KAUNDA, UNIP, UPND
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PF owes youths jobs - E/Province minister
By Christopher Miti in Chipata and Fredrick Mwansa in Itezhi-te
Tue 13 Mar. 2012, 13:59 CAT
EASTERN Province minister Charles Banda says the PF government owes the youth job opportunities. And youths in the province have pledged never to get involved in any kind of corruption. Meanwhile, UPND youths in Itezhi-tezhi yesterday defied their national leadership's order to boycott Youth Day celebrations by taking part in the commemoration.
Speaking during Youth Day commemorations at Chipata's David Kaunda stadium yesterday, Banda who was represented by Chipata district commissioner Masautso Banda said
the PF's electoral victory achieved in the 2011 elections was largely owed to the youth.
He said the job opportunities would be provided for by creating employment opportunities both in the formal and informal sectors.
"The challenge of my government is therefore to improve the quality of life of the youth through sustainable economic activities in order to uplift especially the lives of youths in rural areas. It is for this reason that the PF government is introducing programmes to accelerate the social economic empowerment of citizens especially the youth and women," Banda said.
PF and UNIP youths were the only ones from political parties that participated. On behalf of the youths, Dalitso Zulu said the youth in the province support the government's fight against corruption.
Dalitso said the youth would expose all forms of corruption by reporting all suspected corrupt practices to the relevant investigative wings of government.
"We applaud your government for reviving the fight against corruption as the vice is a dangerous cancer capable of destroying our province's and Zambia's economic development and reputation," she said.
Dalitso appealed to the government to consider abolishing the examination fees at grade 12 level.
She commended the government for abolishing health user fees in government institutions but urged it to ensure health institutions were well stocked with medicine, well equipped and well staffed so that the youth and the poor were able to receive quality medical care.
Dalitso said this year's theme "Accelerating Youth Empowerment for Sustainable National Development" was appealing to the youth as it called for the development of the strategies for strengthening public private partnership in stimulating domestic resources for implementing youth development programmes.
She said the youth had continued to face numerous social problems and challenges such as inadequate information, limited recreation facilities in the province, unemployment and HIV/AIDS whose prevalence rate was still very high.
"We therefore call upon the government to consider the following: putting in place development and economic policies that stimulate employment creation and provision of quality services in the health and education sectors including recreation, establish a special fund to facilitate youth exchange programmes at local, regional and international levels and involve the youth in decision making on matters that affect them," Dalitso said.
She also urged the government to increase the threshold for youth development fund for developing entrepreneurial skills.
UPND youths in Itezhi-tezhi joined hundreds others from all walks of life in commemorating Youth Day at Itezhi-tezhi court grounds.
The UPND youths who carried a banner with their president Hakainde Hichilema's portrait were seen marching and singing along with their Patriotic Front counterparts.
UPND national youth chairman Likando Mufalali announced that UPND youths would boycott Youth Day celebrations but would instead concentrate their energies doing community work.
However, Itezhi-tezhi MMD youths were conspicuously absent from the march past though some youth leaders were seen at the venue of the cerebrations.
And Itezhi-tezhi district commissioner Roy Nang'alelwa says it is regrettable that some opposition parties are engaging youths to create anarchy instead of engaging them in productive economic activities.
Nang'alelwa said that it was unfortunate that some opposition parties were politicising the Youth Day celebrations by inciting youths to boycott the celebrations.
He urged youths in the district to refuse be used as accessories of tribal politics.
"I urge the youth to refuse to be used as instruments for tribal politics at the expense of weightier development issues the district is grappling with," he said.
He announced that the government had released K70 million to commence construction of skills training centre in the district.
He said the PF government would establish a micro credit financing facility so as to lend to established district vocational training centres and small scale enterprises as well as facilitate access to market through procurement opportunities for goods and services.
And Itezhi-tezhi youth Lupinda Chimwasu urged the government to create employment for the youths by making a deliberate policy that will compel investors in the district to employ 70 per cent local youths.
He further said that due to unemployment, many youths had engaged themselves in illicit activities such as beer drinking and prostitution leading to high HIV contraction rates.
Labels: CHARLES BANDA, EASTERN PROVINCE, JOBS, PF, UNEMPLOYMENT, UNIP, YOUTHS
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Zambians decide how long a party rules, says Anamela
By Namatama Mundia
Mon 16 Jan. 2012, 13:56 CAT
THE power to determine how long a political party should continue ruling the country remains with Zambians, says UNIP vice president Njekwa Anamela.
Reacting to Vice-President Dr Guy Scott's statement that 10 years would be enough for the PF to be in government, Anamela said how long a political party stayed in power should not be limited by any law as doing so infringed on the right of choice to competing ideas, principles and systems which those political parties embodied.
He said that Dr Scott's argument on how long a political party should stay in power was defective because parties represented aggregate interests as opposed to individual self-interest, which he suggested.
"The argument is also defective in that it is biased against the young generation of members of political parties who are dedicated, committed to promoting the continuation of the ideas, values, principles and systems that personify the existence of political parties," he said.
Anamela said that if it was Dr Scott's wish that PF dies in 10 years, that could not be a prescription for other political parties that compete for power for the sustenance of democratic development.
"His argument should be rejected and seen to be antiquated, undemocratic and limiting to the growth of the nation's democratic development," Anamela stated.
"In fact, even in the more developed democracies either in Europe or North America, such a political experiment as Dr Scott wants to do in Zambia does not exist nor can it be entertained as it has instability elements written all over it."
Anamela added that it was support from citizens and its popularity which determined how long a party stayed in power.
And UNIP archives research officer Elina Nyirenda has said that UNIP had in existence a well-established party archives which was digitalised.
"This archives also holds ANC historical material as the two parties merged. The UNIP archives in terms of political material is one of the biggest in the country and follows only the national museum in this respect," she said.
Nyirenda said that even as an opposition party, they had worked to preserve and professionalise the archives especially in the last 10 years in addition to upgrading its holdings.
Nyirenda said that the party learnt with interest PF secretary general Wynter Kabimba's interest in documenting UNIP history apart from the PF desire to archive its own history.
"The PF's intention to adhere to the Constitution by complete delinkage from use of government infrastructure is as it should be and most welcome," stated Nyirenda.
Labels: GUY SCOTT, NJEKWE ANAMELA, PF, UNIP
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UNIP hails Zamtel repossession
UNIP has supported the impending repossession of Zamtel from Libya’s Lap Green Networks. The opposition party’s president, Tilyenji Kaunda said the Government should go ahead and repossess the company whose 75 per cent shares were allegedly controversially sold to the Libyan company.
Mr Kaunda also said some issues the MMD leadership was complaining about were a product of their own making. Speaking at a Press briefing in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Kaunda commended the PF Government for the impending reversal of the Zamtel sale.
He said the PF Government was in tandem with the former ruling party’s position of only privatising firms for the benefit of citizens without compromising the sovereignty of the country.
At the same function, UNIP received several party members who re-joined the party from MMD and the PF.
Prominent among them were former women’s deputy national secretary, Cynthia Nyondo and former acting secretary general, Alfred Banda.
"We want to take this opportunity to commend Government for its stance on retaking Zamtel. This is in line with our thinking. The position Government has taken in this matter is the correct one because it is important that the privatisation process should not disadvantage Zambia nor compromise the sovereign will.
"All matters related to this transaction should be resolved in the best interest of the nation. Diplomacy and dialogue should be there in the best interest of the nation," he said.
Mr Kaunda said dialogue and diplomacy should be employed in dealing with the Libyan Government which was the owner of Lap Green Networks.
And Mr Kaunda said the MMD leadership should not complain about the fight against corruption because ‘the past was haunting them.’
Reacting to former vice-president, George Kunda’s complaints that former government leaders were being harassed, Mr Kaunda said MMD was ‘reaping rewards of the seeds it planted.’
He said it was the MMD that amended the Constitution in 1996 on parentage for presidential candidates in order to bar his father, Dr Kenneth Kaunda from contesting the polls.
He said despite advice, the MMD went ahead to amend the parentage clause and came up with an "Apartheid Constitution."
UNIP vice-president, Njekwa Anamela, said MMD was to blame for the "mischievous clause."
On calls to lift former Republican president, Rupiah Banda’s immunity, he said there was need to follow the due process of the law, adding that people should desist from handling the matter emotionally.
Meanwhile, Mr Kaunda said UNIP has with effect from January 1, 2012, embarked on a countrywide membership recruitment drive.
By Times Reporter
Labels: CORRUPTION, MMD, NJEKWE ANAMELA, TILYENJI KAUNDA, UNIP, ZAMTEL
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MMD accountable only to itself, says Tilyenji
By Moses Kuwema
Mon 08 Aug. 2011, 12:00 CAT
Zambians for the last 20 years have been subjected to a regime that is not accountable to them but to itself, says UNIP president Tilyenji Kaunda. And the United National Independence Party (UNIP) yesterday became the first party to successfully file in their nominations for the 2011 elections.
And addressing his supporters after filing his nominations for the presidential elections slated for September 20, Tilyenji said good democratic governance was anchored on having a good constitution that protects the rights of every citizen and guarantees that no one is above the law.
“What this means is that Zambians for the last 20 years have been forced to live under the whims of a government regime that is not accountable to them but to itself,” he said.
Tilyenji said without a constitution that all Zambians could relate to and accept, the rule of man prevailed rather than the rule of law.
He said the MMD regime had lamentably failed to deliver a constitution that Zambians wanted and it was for this reason they should not be allowed to continue to preside over the affairs of the nation.
“The reason why corruption, hunger, poverty and unemployment are ever rising and have affected the development of our country is due to lack of a time-tested and durable constitution that is acceptable to all Zambians and properly safeguards their economic, social and political needs,” Tilyenji (right) said.
He said his party stood ready to provide Zambians with a constitution that would be acceptable to all stakeholders within six months after coming into office.
He said the strengthening of institutions that grew and protected the emergent democracy required that the issue of the constitution for the public be the priority for any new government and that this was his party's immediate task if the came into power.
And UNIP, who were led by party president Tilyenji, his vice president Njekwa Anamela and secretary Kenneth Kaira, among others, arrived at the Supreme Court grounds in readiness for the filing in of nominations around 10:40 hours.
After going through all the processes of filing before the Chief Justice and Electoral Commission of Zambia chairperson, justice Irene Mambilima declared that Tilyenji had successfully filed in his nomination to stand as president in this year's polls.
According to the programme for the nominations, Forum for Democracy and Development and Zambians for Empowerment and Development (ZED) party were scheduled to file nominations yesterday.
Labels: MMD, TILYENJI KAUNDA, UNIP
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UNIP welcomes Mkhondo’s decision
By Bright Mukwasa
Sat 18 June 2011, 04:01 CAT
UNIP says it has no quarrel with home affairs minister Mkhondo Lungu’s decision to seek to recontest the Lundazi seat on the MMD ticket.Party vice-president Njekwa Anamela said Zambia was a democratic dispensation and any individual had the right to contest any seat on the party ticket of their choice.
“We have no quarrel with that decision just like we had no quarrel when he was
elevated to that position home affairs minister,” said Anamela in an interview.
“You see, in Zambia we are trying to build a democratic society and we respect that.”
However, Anamela said more party members were interested to contest the Lundazi seat.
Anamela said his party was working hard at the grassroots to mobilise the members in readiness for the forthcoming general election.
And Lungu said he was set to retain the Lundazi seat in the event that the MMD’s national executive committee picked him due to his record and experience with the people of Lundazi.
“It's not a secret that I have applied to stand on the MMD ticket. But I can't say I will be adopted straight away by the party, but if I’m adopted, I am confident I can win the seat for the party,” said Lungu.
Lungu applied to recontest his seat on the MMD ticket and came out second in the primary interviews at constituency level.
Currently, Lungu is the only UNIP member of parliament.
Labels: MKHONDO LUNGU, MMD, UNIP
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