This morning I had the privileged to attend the presentation of a press release on the political statements directed at the defence and security wings at the Ministry of defence headquarters.
“Those who are supposed to sit should sit while those supposed to stand should do so, no questions because this is just a press statement,” Zambia Army Commander, Wisdom Lopa said at the commencement of the briefing.
Lt. General Lopa delivered the press statement on behalf of the service chiefs, as quoted below:
As the campaigns for the forthcoming tripartite elections gain momentum, it has sadly been observed that some politicians, in the course of their campaigns, have been quoted in particular, in the electronic media insinuating that some members of the defence and security wings are supporting them and informing them on what was happening in the various defence and security institutions eg, on 29 july 2011 a certain political leader while speaking on yatsani radio insinuated that the defence and security wings were feeding him with information related to political campaigning and elections. these recurring statements are of concern as they stand to disparage the defence and security wings in the eyes of the citizenry.
On behalf of the defence and security wings, we wish to categorically state in no uncertain terms, that the defence and security wings shall remain non-partisan and will not be drawn into campaigns for certain individuals to win political mileage. it is a well known fact that once members of the defence and security institutions in a democratic dispensation such as ours become politically partisan, these institutions can be divided, a situation that could easily drift the nation into anarchy and negatively affect national security.
In this regard therefore, we wish to remind all politicians currently conducting their campaigns to discuss substantive issues of national development and not those which may take back the long strides achieved in peace, development and democracy that this country has been renown for. We further wish to implore the citizenry to guard the peace that we have enjoyed as anything to the contrary may lead this nation to conflict that will draw us miles back.
We are assuring the nation that the zambia defence and security wings will remain steadfast to protect the constitution, sovereignty and the citizens of this country. we wish to restate that the defence and security wings will not allow to be drawn into politics and call upon various political players to concentrate on their strategies on how to win votes.
To members of the defence and security wings we would like to give a stern warning that whoever is found involved in active partisan politics by way of associating themselves with any political party will be disciplined accordingly. it is clearly stated that if any member of the civil service wants to join politics, they should first resign.
The zambian defence and security wings have for long been associated with high levels of professionalism and integrity in their operations and known to have remained non-partisan since the advent of multi-party democracy in our country. this is as it should be and should continue. we therefore will continue to support the government of the day, the president and commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and pledge to protect the people of zambia. we call upon all political stakeholders to desist from drawing the defence and security institutions into their political debates for the betterment of the peace, security and development we enjoy in our nation.
Thank you very much and may god bless you.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
UN's message on breastfeeding
The United Nations and its partners are promoting the use of all possible means of communication, including social networking, blogs and even flash mobs, to get the message out on the benefits of breastfeeding beyond clinics and delivery rooms to the wider public.
Breastfeeding is directly linked to reducing the death toll of children under five, yet only 36 per cent of infants below the age of six months in developing countries are exclusively breastfed, according to the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF).
"With so much at stake, we need to do more to reach women with a simple, powerful message: Breastfeeding can save your baby's life," UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake said on the occasion of World Breastfeeding Week, which is celebrated from 1 to 7 August.
"No other preventive intervention is more cost effective in reducing the number of children who die before reaching their fifth birthdays," he stated.
Among the benefits of breastfeeding, UNICEF pointed out that the practice could lead to a 13 per cent reduction in deaths of children under five if infants were exclusively breastfed for 6 months and continued to be breastfed up to one year.
"Breastfed is best fed, whether the baby is born in Uganda or England, China or Canada," said Mr. Lake.
However, while breastfeeding rates in the developing world are on the rise in two-thirds of countries with data, millions of infants are not benefiting from this life-saving practice.
Therefore, UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO) and their partners are using the occasion of World Breastfeeding Week to spur new and creative ways to raise awareness and reach a larger audience with the message of the benefits of breastfeeding.
The theme of this year's World Breastfeeding Week, which is an initiative of the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action, is "Talk to Me! Breastfeeding - a 3D Experience." It emphasizes the importance of communication at various levels and between various sectors to promote breastfeeding.
"Communication is key to attain progress, said Flavia Bustreo, WHO Assistant Director-General for Family, Women's and Children's Health. "This year's theme for the World Breastfeeding Week highlights the opportunity of new communication technologies for making qualified support accessible to health care providers, mothers and families...
"Protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding is important because, even though breastfeeding is natural, it is also a learned behaviour," added Dr. Bustreo.
Breastfeeding is directly linked to reducing the death toll of children under five, yet only 36 per cent of infants below the age of six months in developing countries are exclusively breastfed, according to the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF).
"With so much at stake, we need to do more to reach women with a simple, powerful message: Breastfeeding can save your baby's life," UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake said on the occasion of World Breastfeeding Week, which is celebrated from 1 to 7 August.
"No other preventive intervention is more cost effective in reducing the number of children who die before reaching their fifth birthdays," he stated.
Among the benefits of breastfeeding, UNICEF pointed out that the practice could lead to a 13 per cent reduction in deaths of children under five if infants were exclusively breastfed for 6 months and continued to be breastfed up to one year.
"Breastfed is best fed, whether the baby is born in Uganda or England, China or Canada," said Mr. Lake.
However, while breastfeeding rates in the developing world are on the rise in two-thirds of countries with data, millions of infants are not benefiting from this life-saving practice.
Therefore, UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO) and their partners are using the occasion of World Breastfeeding Week to spur new and creative ways to raise awareness and reach a larger audience with the message of the benefits of breastfeeding.
The theme of this year's World Breastfeeding Week, which is an initiative of the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action, is "Talk to Me! Breastfeeding - a 3D Experience." It emphasizes the importance of communication at various levels and between various sectors to promote breastfeeding.
"Communication is key to attain progress, said Flavia Bustreo, WHO Assistant Director-General for Family, Women's and Children's Health. "This year's theme for the World Breastfeeding Week highlights the opportunity of new communication technologies for making qualified support accessible to health care providers, mothers and families...
"Protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding is important because, even though breastfeeding is natural, it is also a learned behaviour," added Dr. Bustreo.
RESPONSE TO PATRIOTIC FRONT PETITION PLAN
LUSAKA, Tuesday, August 2, 2011 – Following numerous Press queries concerning the announcement by the Patriotic Front (PF) that they intend to petition several international bodies over the parentage of His Excellency, Mr. Rupiah Banda, President of the Republic of Zambia, I wish to respond as follows:
It is the right of any citizen to petition any relevant Tribunal if they feel aggrieved on any matter. The President cannot stop any citizen from petitioning the United Nations or any other body to seek redress.
The President is surprised that the issue of the nationality of his parents has become very important now when the PF has been claiming that they will beat the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) during the forthcoming elections. So why are they scared to face President Banda in the elections scheduled for 20th September 2011? In 2008, he filed his valid nomination and beat PF leader Michael Sata in the elections. Why did the PF keep quiet in 2008? Why do they want to block him from standing?
President Banda is on record several times, including his family, as having stated clearly that both his father and mother were Zambians. If his parents were not Zambians, why did the PF fail to raise this issue when President Banda was appointed Vice-President of Zambia by the late President Levy Mwanawasa, SC? The Constitution of Zambia requires that the Vice-President should have the same qualifications as those of the President.
Further, President Banda served Zambia in a number of portfolios, including that of Ambassador to the UN, Washington and Egypt; Minister of Foreign Affairs; Senior Governor of Lusaka; Minister of Mines; General Manager of Namboard (National Agriculture Marketing Board); General Manager of the Rural Development Agency; Member of Parliament for Munali and Vice-President. All these years, no one has ever raised the issue of his parentage. So why the sudden interest now?
This is according to a statement from the Press and Public relations unit at State House.
It is the right of any citizen to petition any relevant Tribunal if they feel aggrieved on any matter. The President cannot stop any citizen from petitioning the United Nations or any other body to seek redress.
The President is surprised that the issue of the nationality of his parents has become very important now when the PF has been claiming that they will beat the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) during the forthcoming elections. So why are they scared to face President Banda in the elections scheduled for 20th September 2011? In 2008, he filed his valid nomination and beat PF leader Michael Sata in the elections. Why did the PF keep quiet in 2008? Why do they want to block him from standing?
President Banda is on record several times, including his family, as having stated clearly that both his father and mother were Zambians. If his parents were not Zambians, why did the PF fail to raise this issue when President Banda was appointed Vice-President of Zambia by the late President Levy Mwanawasa, SC? The Constitution of Zambia requires that the Vice-President should have the same qualifications as those of the President.
Further, President Banda served Zambia in a number of portfolios, including that of Ambassador to the UN, Washington and Egypt; Minister of Foreign Affairs; Senior Governor of Lusaka; Minister of Mines; General Manager of Namboard (National Agriculture Marketing Board); General Manager of the Rural Development Agency; Member of Parliament for Munali and Vice-President. All these years, no one has ever raised the issue of his parentage. So why the sudden interest now?
This is according to a statement from the Press and Public relations unit at State House.
ACCELERATING GREEN ENERGY TRANSITION MATTER OF URGENCY FOR ZAMBIA.
The Zambia Institute of Environmental Management (ZIEM) has called for comprehensive energy transformation in order to save the wood fuel (energy) and forestry resources.
ZIEM chief executive officer, Morgan Katati has noted that Zambia is rapidly expanding energy use, mainly driven by fossil fuels as seen by the number of filling stations in the country, however the generation of green house gasses from the vehicles, chimney in mines, deforestation and land change use explains the terrible impacts of Climate Change Zambia is experiencing.
“Although global warming, biodiversity loss, and disturbance of the nitrogen-cycle balance and other measures are important in the sustainability of the Earth’s ecosystem, Government need to act now and avoid the ‘business as usual is not an option,” Katati said.
“Government needs to seriously take environmental governance in order to augment policies and practice. At the moment policies in environment and natural resources management has been hanging and fail to create impact on the communities due to lack of structures at community level,” He added.
And Mr. Katati has said that Green economic thinking can unleash the opportunities that will power sustainable economic growth, social progress and environmental stewardship saying there should be complementary strategic objectives as the basis of focus for policy formulation by the government.
“Rather than viewing growth and sustainability as competing goals on economic development, we must see them as complementary and mutually supportive imperatives. This becomes possible when we embrace a low-carbon, resource-efficient, pro-poor economic models in our governance,” He said.
Mr. Katati further advised for a comprehensive national energy transition which he said is critical to this process and technological revolution for a green economy will be fundamentally the way forward.
In a statement issued in Lusaka Mr. Katati noted that the world has recorded growth in population, per capita income, energy and resource use, waste and the production of pollutants (including greenhouse gas emissions) have all increased exponentially since the first industrial revolution with Zambia not an exception.
“Reducing non-renewable energy and resource use, reducing waste and pollutants, and reversing land degradation and biodiversity losses would then seem key to greening the economy.
According to UN World Economic and Social Survey 2011 , About half of the forests Globally that covered the earth are gone, groundwater resources are being depleted and contaminated, enormous reductions in biodiversity have already taken place and, through increased burning of fossil fuels, the stability of the planet’s climate is being threatened by global warming.
The economic, social and environmental dimensions as the three pillars of development and this stresses the importance of inter-generational equity in development Continuation along previously trodden economic growth pathways will further exacerbate the pressures exerted on the world’s resources and natural environment, this developmental approach limited, where livelihoods were no longer sustainable.
ZIEM chief executive officer, Morgan Katati has noted that Zambia is rapidly expanding energy use, mainly driven by fossil fuels as seen by the number of filling stations in the country, however the generation of green house gasses from the vehicles, chimney in mines, deforestation and land change use explains the terrible impacts of Climate Change Zambia is experiencing.
“Although global warming, biodiversity loss, and disturbance of the nitrogen-cycle balance and other measures are important in the sustainability of the Earth’s ecosystem, Government need to act now and avoid the ‘business as usual is not an option,” Katati said.
“Government needs to seriously take environmental governance in order to augment policies and practice. At the moment policies in environment and natural resources management has been hanging and fail to create impact on the communities due to lack of structures at community level,” He added.
And Mr. Katati has said that Green economic thinking can unleash the opportunities that will power sustainable economic growth, social progress and environmental stewardship saying there should be complementary strategic objectives as the basis of focus for policy formulation by the government.
“Rather than viewing growth and sustainability as competing goals on economic development, we must see them as complementary and mutually supportive imperatives. This becomes possible when we embrace a low-carbon, resource-efficient, pro-poor economic models in our governance,” He said.
Mr. Katati further advised for a comprehensive national energy transition which he said is critical to this process and technological revolution for a green economy will be fundamentally the way forward.
In a statement issued in Lusaka Mr. Katati noted that the world has recorded growth in population, per capita income, energy and resource use, waste and the production of pollutants (including greenhouse gas emissions) have all increased exponentially since the first industrial revolution with Zambia not an exception.
“Reducing non-renewable energy and resource use, reducing waste and pollutants, and reversing land degradation and biodiversity losses would then seem key to greening the economy.
According to UN World Economic and Social Survey 2011 , About half of the forests Globally that covered the earth are gone, groundwater resources are being depleted and contaminated, enormous reductions in biodiversity have already taken place and, through increased burning of fossil fuels, the stability of the planet’s climate is being threatened by global warming.
The economic, social and environmental dimensions as the three pillars of development and this stresses the importance of inter-generational equity in development Continuation along previously trodden economic growth pathways will further exacerbate the pressures exerted on the world’s resources and natural environment, this developmental approach limited, where livelihoods were no longer sustainable.
Monday, August 1, 2011
2011 is here, Its Nafuti Nafuti!
My friends,
I stood in this very room in 2008 and launched a winning campaign. Today i stand in this room and launch a winning campaign. 2011 will be another mmd victory.
We have shown that the mmd continues to be a responsible party. we have shown that the mmd is a party of warmth and hospitality. we invited outsiders to watch us – we have nothing to hide. we are proud to be mmd. we are proud to be zambian.
In april we ran our convention with transparency – unlike pf. mmd candidates were nominated democratically and fairly – unlike pf. we in the mmd do not talk democracy, we do democracy – unlike pf.
2011 is election year – lets us be recognised for our achievements, for our ambition and for our vision. we can be proud of our achievements, and what we stand for. i am proud to be the mmd presidential candidate. i will not let you down.
I am proud to lead great candidates into battle. in 2011 the mmd will win at all levels. mmd councillors will win, mmd parliamentarians will win, the mmd presidential candidate will win.
I will fight to win, you will fight to win, together as the mmd, we will win this election. why? because people recognise the mmd is genuinely a party for all zambians. why? because only the mmd has delivered good results for all zambians. why? because only an mmd government can deliver security, stability and prosperity for all zambians.
Since 2008, our farmers have produced record crops. 2011 was the second bumper harvest. zambia now exports food to zimbabwe, democratic republic of congo, kenya and to the wider world. and many farming jobs have been created.
Since 2008, our miners have broken all production records. old mines were saved, new mines have been opened. multi-million dollar investments have been made. and many mining jobs have been created.
Since 2008, our doctors and nurses have treated us. old hospitals renovated, new clinics have been built. mobile hospitals reach new patients. and many health jobs have been created.
Our young people are leaving school better educated than before. bright children for a brighter future. old schools have been made fit, new classrooms are being built. and many teaching jobs have been created.
Since 2008, we have built bridges, rehabilitated roads, driving zambia forward. new shopping malls are going up, infrastructure is being built. and many new construction jobs have been created. our list of achievements and progress is long, and, god willing, we will continue adding to it over the next five years.
but friends, we must be honest with ourselves and with our fellow zambians. 2008 and 2009 were very cruel years. the world economy was in ruins and, as zambians, we had to be careful with our money. but did we complain? no, we pulled together and united in hard work.
As your president and candidate, i will go to the electorate with humility in my heart and with honest words in my mouth. it is true that since 2008, we have done a lot. but have we achieved all our goals? no, we have not. is there more we can do? yes, there is.
Will we do much more in the next five years? yes, much, much more. will we build more schools? yes we will. will we open more mines? yes we will. will we build more roads? yes we will. will we open more clinics? yes we will. will we grow more crops? yes we will. will we build tomorrow’s zambia? yes we will.
in the 2008 election, i told zambians to look at the other candidates carefully. i said, “do not listen to what they may claim; see with your own eyes what they have actually done.” i will say it again in 2011.
see what we have done in just two years of my presidency; imagine what we will do in the next five! our mmd 2011 manifesto is going even further to explain what more we want to do. it is up to us, all of us here today, all party members, from the very top to the very bottom of our structure, to deliver the mmd message.
it is up to each and every one of us to convince the sceptical that tomorrow’s zambia is safe in our hands. we want their trust, but trust is not given lightly, we must prove we have earned it. as a party, a united party, every one of us must go out and spread the mmd word.
national campaigning is hard – trust me i know, 2008 was tough work. i cannot do it on my own, you cannot do it on your own, no-one can...but as a team, working together we can do it. only by pulling together can we spread our message.
by the time voting day comes, we will have spread our message,
- through every province,
- to every district,
- to every constituency,
- to every village,
- into every house
be you a bank manager, a teacher, a doctor, a mechanic, a mother, a student, a policeman, a soldier, or a herd boy… it does not matter who you are, what you do, where you live, come election day, you will have heard our message.
our message is simple: we will build tomorrow’s zambia through a plan of development for all. and we will deliver development for all zambians through a 7-point plan aimed at:
1. increasing agricultural production and food security for all zambians;
2. building better schools for our children;
3. creating a better health service for our people;
4. more jobs for all our people;
5. building quality infrastructure throughout the country;
6. reinforcing equal opportunities for all by providing access to productive resources such as loans, land and training, and,
7. sustaining and strengthening democratic governance.
by focussing on these, we believe that we can create the most jobs for all, create the most wealth for all, create most stability for all, create security for all. and with these, we will achieve a prosperous zambia for all. this is what an mmd government of 2011 – 2016 is pledging to do.
but what of the other parties? so far, we have heard nothing of substance from them. what do they offer? nothing. michael sata talks a lot, but says very little. he claims to be a big man, but he lacks substance. he promises everything, but delivers nothing. when he and his pf friends come calling, ask them questions.
ask the pf how they will build tomorrows zambia. ask the pf how they will create stability for all zambians. ask the pf how they will create security for all zambians. ask the pf how they will create prosperity for all zambians.
and ask this question, the most important question of all. can michael sata ever really be a president for all zambians? my friends, the people of zambia already know the answer. they have rejected sata three times already.
dr. frederick chiluba rejected him as successor, because he knew he was not worthy. dr. levy mwanawasa beat him in 2001, because he was the better man. he beat him again in 2006, easily! i beat him in 2008. and in 2011, i will beat him again.
but sata never learns, he is like a punch-drunk boxer, who keeps coming back for more. well, this time the mmd is going to knock him out for good! the people of zambia will be the referee….let them count him out.
my friends, for michael sata, the final hour has really come. the pf boat is sinking and sata will go down forever.
as president since 2008, i can stand before the zambian people and point to what we have achieved. i stand on my record, the record of my government and the record of my party. i am ready to be judged by the people.
as a party, we are ready to be judged by the people. they have seen what we have done; we have been constructive and energetic.they have also seen what the opposition have been doing; fighting and squabbling like children.
michael sata will be asking zambians to vote for him. let him stand on his record too. in 2008, he promised to fix load-shedding in 90 days. nobody believed him.
in 2008 he promised to build the livingstone road in 90 days. nobody believed him. in 2008 he promised more money in your pockets. but he never said how he would deliver these things, because he did not know how.
again in 2011, he is promising the same things. he has no vision, no new ideas, no direction. he is yesterday’s man. this year he will say that it is time for change. but change to what? people of zambia your choice is simple. you can go backwards with pf or forwards with mmd.
the truth is that pf is a one-man band. it has a sick heart, it has no soul, it only has sata. can zambians trust sata? i say ‘no’. just ask young hh. he trusted sata and he got hurt. the pact was meant to be about team-work; but sata is not a team player.
we knew the pact would never work because we know that sata will say and do anything to get power.
because of their mistakes and failures, the zambian people will punish them. the mmd will take votes from pf up and down the country, we will take them from the copperbelt, we will take them from lusaka, we will even take them in luapula. and watch out upnd… we will also take them in southern province. we will take them because we are the party for all zambians.
sata likes to call himself the cobra. i never trust a creature that slithers on its stomach, would you trust a snake? i warn all zambians; if you play with the cobra expect to get bitten.
but…that is democracy for you. everybody has the right to stand for election – even michael sata. and that is why i love zambia so much. we are a tolerant nation. we are a proud nation. we are a truly democratic nation. and we are a nation that makes the right choices.
in 2011 i call on all zambians to conduct themselves with civility and honour. as a party, we will not resort to violence and will work with the authorities to ensure that zambia is held up as a beacon of good democracy.
as a party, we will conduct ourselves in a lawful manner. nobody must bring dishonour to our fine name. when campaigning, do not be distracted by taunts and false arguments. we must keep our tempers down and our spirits up.
be fair and be just. be honest with our achievements and do not tell lies. do not give ammunition to those who want to cause us mischief. please remember this over the coming months. we do not repel people, we attract them.
we will leave the negative words to sata and the post. can you imagine what a visitor to zambia thinks when they read the post? they must think we are a backward, third world country. but they are wrong, and the post is wrong.
- we are an advancing economy, now with middle-income status
- we are one of the top 10 fastest-growing economies in the world.
- we are one of the easiest countries to start up a business.
- the economy has been growing at average 6.6 percent per year.
- there are no longer fuel shortages
- the exchange rate is stable
- inflation is coming down.
- standard of living going up
- price of cement is coming down
- as a nation we are getting stronger
- more people now own their own homes
- more people are investing in zambia than ever before
- more people are in employment than ever before
- and mealie meal price has come down
all delivered by an mmd government.
some people cannot bring themselves to accept that we are doing a good job. remember the saying, ‘there are none so blind as those who will not see’.
well, my friends, we must go from this place and tell the whole zambia that sata and his friends at the post are wrong, and that the journey to tomorrow’s zambia must go on.
only one party can deliver stability – mmd!
only one party can deliver security – mmd!
only one party can deliver prosperity – mmd!
only one party can deliver for zambia – mmd!
there is only one party to vote for – mmd!
there is only one party for all zambians – mmd!
my friends,
2011 is here. The hour has come!
Rupiah Banda(President of the MMD at the launch of 2011 election campaign)
I stood in this very room in 2008 and launched a winning campaign. Today i stand in this room and launch a winning campaign. 2011 will be another mmd victory.
We have shown that the mmd continues to be a responsible party. we have shown that the mmd is a party of warmth and hospitality. we invited outsiders to watch us – we have nothing to hide. we are proud to be mmd. we are proud to be zambian.
In april we ran our convention with transparency – unlike pf. mmd candidates were nominated democratically and fairly – unlike pf. we in the mmd do not talk democracy, we do democracy – unlike pf.
2011 is election year – lets us be recognised for our achievements, for our ambition and for our vision. we can be proud of our achievements, and what we stand for. i am proud to be the mmd presidential candidate. i will not let you down.
I am proud to lead great candidates into battle. in 2011 the mmd will win at all levels. mmd councillors will win, mmd parliamentarians will win, the mmd presidential candidate will win.
I will fight to win, you will fight to win, together as the mmd, we will win this election. why? because people recognise the mmd is genuinely a party for all zambians. why? because only the mmd has delivered good results for all zambians. why? because only an mmd government can deliver security, stability and prosperity for all zambians.
Since 2008, our farmers have produced record crops. 2011 was the second bumper harvest. zambia now exports food to zimbabwe, democratic republic of congo, kenya and to the wider world. and many farming jobs have been created.
Since 2008, our miners have broken all production records. old mines were saved, new mines have been opened. multi-million dollar investments have been made. and many mining jobs have been created.
Since 2008, our doctors and nurses have treated us. old hospitals renovated, new clinics have been built. mobile hospitals reach new patients. and many health jobs have been created.
Our young people are leaving school better educated than before. bright children for a brighter future. old schools have been made fit, new classrooms are being built. and many teaching jobs have been created.
Since 2008, we have built bridges, rehabilitated roads, driving zambia forward. new shopping malls are going up, infrastructure is being built. and many new construction jobs have been created. our list of achievements and progress is long, and, god willing, we will continue adding to it over the next five years.
but friends, we must be honest with ourselves and with our fellow zambians. 2008 and 2009 were very cruel years. the world economy was in ruins and, as zambians, we had to be careful with our money. but did we complain? no, we pulled together and united in hard work.
As your president and candidate, i will go to the electorate with humility in my heart and with honest words in my mouth. it is true that since 2008, we have done a lot. but have we achieved all our goals? no, we have not. is there more we can do? yes, there is.
Will we do much more in the next five years? yes, much, much more. will we build more schools? yes we will. will we open more mines? yes we will. will we build more roads? yes we will. will we open more clinics? yes we will. will we grow more crops? yes we will. will we build tomorrow’s zambia? yes we will.
in the 2008 election, i told zambians to look at the other candidates carefully. i said, “do not listen to what they may claim; see with your own eyes what they have actually done.” i will say it again in 2011.
see what we have done in just two years of my presidency; imagine what we will do in the next five! our mmd 2011 manifesto is going even further to explain what more we want to do. it is up to us, all of us here today, all party members, from the very top to the very bottom of our structure, to deliver the mmd message.
it is up to each and every one of us to convince the sceptical that tomorrow’s zambia is safe in our hands. we want their trust, but trust is not given lightly, we must prove we have earned it. as a party, a united party, every one of us must go out and spread the mmd word.
national campaigning is hard – trust me i know, 2008 was tough work. i cannot do it on my own, you cannot do it on your own, no-one can...but as a team, working together we can do it. only by pulling together can we spread our message.
by the time voting day comes, we will have spread our message,
- through every province,
- to every district,
- to every constituency,
- to every village,
- into every house
be you a bank manager, a teacher, a doctor, a mechanic, a mother, a student, a policeman, a soldier, or a herd boy… it does not matter who you are, what you do, where you live, come election day, you will have heard our message.
our message is simple: we will build tomorrow’s zambia through a plan of development for all. and we will deliver development for all zambians through a 7-point plan aimed at:
1. increasing agricultural production and food security for all zambians;
2. building better schools for our children;
3. creating a better health service for our people;
4. more jobs for all our people;
5. building quality infrastructure throughout the country;
6. reinforcing equal opportunities for all by providing access to productive resources such as loans, land and training, and,
7. sustaining and strengthening democratic governance.
by focussing on these, we believe that we can create the most jobs for all, create the most wealth for all, create most stability for all, create security for all. and with these, we will achieve a prosperous zambia for all. this is what an mmd government of 2011 – 2016 is pledging to do.
but what of the other parties? so far, we have heard nothing of substance from them. what do they offer? nothing. michael sata talks a lot, but says very little. he claims to be a big man, but he lacks substance. he promises everything, but delivers nothing. when he and his pf friends come calling, ask them questions.
ask the pf how they will build tomorrows zambia. ask the pf how they will create stability for all zambians. ask the pf how they will create security for all zambians. ask the pf how they will create prosperity for all zambians.
and ask this question, the most important question of all. can michael sata ever really be a president for all zambians? my friends, the people of zambia already know the answer. they have rejected sata three times already.
dr. frederick chiluba rejected him as successor, because he knew he was not worthy. dr. levy mwanawasa beat him in 2001, because he was the better man. he beat him again in 2006, easily! i beat him in 2008. and in 2011, i will beat him again.
but sata never learns, he is like a punch-drunk boxer, who keeps coming back for more. well, this time the mmd is going to knock him out for good! the people of zambia will be the referee….let them count him out.
my friends, for michael sata, the final hour has really come. the pf boat is sinking and sata will go down forever.
as president since 2008, i can stand before the zambian people and point to what we have achieved. i stand on my record, the record of my government and the record of my party. i am ready to be judged by the people.
as a party, we are ready to be judged by the people. they have seen what we have done; we have been constructive and energetic.they have also seen what the opposition have been doing; fighting and squabbling like children.
michael sata will be asking zambians to vote for him. let him stand on his record too. in 2008, he promised to fix load-shedding in 90 days. nobody believed him.
in 2008 he promised to build the livingstone road in 90 days. nobody believed him. in 2008 he promised more money in your pockets. but he never said how he would deliver these things, because he did not know how.
again in 2011, he is promising the same things. he has no vision, no new ideas, no direction. he is yesterday’s man. this year he will say that it is time for change. but change to what? people of zambia your choice is simple. you can go backwards with pf or forwards with mmd.
the truth is that pf is a one-man band. it has a sick heart, it has no soul, it only has sata. can zambians trust sata? i say ‘no’. just ask young hh. he trusted sata and he got hurt. the pact was meant to be about team-work; but sata is not a team player.
we knew the pact would never work because we know that sata will say and do anything to get power.
because of their mistakes and failures, the zambian people will punish them. the mmd will take votes from pf up and down the country, we will take them from the copperbelt, we will take them from lusaka, we will even take them in luapula. and watch out upnd… we will also take them in southern province. we will take them because we are the party for all zambians.
sata likes to call himself the cobra. i never trust a creature that slithers on its stomach, would you trust a snake? i warn all zambians; if you play with the cobra expect to get bitten.
but…that is democracy for you. everybody has the right to stand for election – even michael sata. and that is why i love zambia so much. we are a tolerant nation. we are a proud nation. we are a truly democratic nation. and we are a nation that makes the right choices.
in 2011 i call on all zambians to conduct themselves with civility and honour. as a party, we will not resort to violence and will work with the authorities to ensure that zambia is held up as a beacon of good democracy.
as a party, we will conduct ourselves in a lawful manner. nobody must bring dishonour to our fine name. when campaigning, do not be distracted by taunts and false arguments. we must keep our tempers down and our spirits up.
be fair and be just. be honest with our achievements and do not tell lies. do not give ammunition to those who want to cause us mischief. please remember this over the coming months. we do not repel people, we attract them.
we will leave the negative words to sata and the post. can you imagine what a visitor to zambia thinks when they read the post? they must think we are a backward, third world country. but they are wrong, and the post is wrong.
- we are an advancing economy, now with middle-income status
- we are one of the top 10 fastest-growing economies in the world.
- we are one of the easiest countries to start up a business.
- the economy has been growing at average 6.6 percent per year.
- there are no longer fuel shortages
- the exchange rate is stable
- inflation is coming down.
- standard of living going up
- price of cement is coming down
- as a nation we are getting stronger
- more people now own their own homes
- more people are investing in zambia than ever before
- more people are in employment than ever before
- and mealie meal price has come down
all delivered by an mmd government.
some people cannot bring themselves to accept that we are doing a good job. remember the saying, ‘there are none so blind as those who will not see’.
well, my friends, we must go from this place and tell the whole zambia that sata and his friends at the post are wrong, and that the journey to tomorrow’s zambia must go on.
only one party can deliver stability – mmd!
only one party can deliver security – mmd!
only one party can deliver prosperity – mmd!
only one party can deliver for zambia – mmd!
there is only one party to vote for – mmd!
there is only one party for all zambians – mmd!
my friends,
2011 is here. The hour has come!
Rupiah Banda(President of the MMD at the launch of 2011 election campaign)
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Ramadan underway tomorrow
LUSAKA, July 31, 2011 - Republican President, Rupiah Banda has sent a goodwill message to the Muslim community in Zambia on the occasion of the 2011 Ramadan, which begins tomorrow.
The President said he was hopeful that as the Muslims observe the holy month, they will also pray for Zambia to have peaceful Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government elections which will be held on September 20, 2011.
President Banda wished all Muslims well during the annual month of fasting.
The Head of State said the Zambian people were with the Muslims as they observe the holy month of Ramadan.
The President said he was hopeful that as the Muslims observe the holy month, they will also pray for Zambia to have peaceful Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government elections which will be held on September 20, 2011.
President Banda wished all Muslims well during the annual month of fasting.
The Head of State said the Zambian people were with the Muslims as they observe the holy month of Ramadan.
PRESIDENT BANDA WARNS AGAINST SHODDY ROAD WORKS
USAKA, July 30, 2011, – Republican President, Rupiah Banda has warned that his Government shoddy road works by contractors whose desire is only to enrich themselves at the expense of Zambians.
The President has said Zambians demand value for their taxes and it is, therefore, important that roads and other infrastructure are built to the highest standards. He said the state of transport infrastructure and, roads in particular, is a major concern to farmers and the business community.
President Banda made these remarks today when officially opening the 85th Zambia Agricultural and Commercial show in Lusaka.
“I expect the contractors and those charged with the responsibility of supervising the construction of roads to ensure that they are built to the highest standards. Zambians demand value for their taxes, and as government, we will not tolerate those who compromise quality standards in order to benefit themselves,” President Banda said.
The President said it was pleasing that the agricultural sector had continued to perform well and congratulated farmers for producing another maize bumper harvest this agricultural season. The bumper harvest was confirmation that the Government’s agricultural policies were working and bearing fruit.
“I wish to, however, state that the full potential for agriculture is yet to be realized. I, therefore, urge our farmers to adopt appropriate technologies and improved farming practices in order to increase production and productivity of both food and cash crops,” the President said.
The Head of State assured that his Government will continue providing the necessary support needed to further transform the farming sector into a rewarding commercial activity.
This will include improved marketing of agricultural produce and enhancement of research and extension services. The Government will also continue to encourage value addition and promote processing of farm produce into finished products.
President Banda said this year's theme “Shaping tomorrow’s World” reflected his Government’s vision of building tomorrow’s Zambia because the decisions today will affect the development and survival of future generations.
“For that reason, it is important to understand that for us to build our economy and to sustain its growth, we need to lay a firm foundation. My Government is, therefore, implementing measures and programmes aimed at increasing access by all our citizens, both in rural and urban areas to economic and productive resources,” the President said.
President Banda expressed happiness that Government efforts and policies aimed at improving the economy have yielded positive results. The Zambian economy has for the last three years been growing at an average of 6.6 percent per year and the country was recently classified by the World Bank to a lower middle income country from a low income country.
Zambia was also recently ranked by the World Bank among the top 10 reformers in the world.
“This is the right path to becoming a wealthy country and it should inspire all of us to work even harder for the future generations. All this indicates that Government has been implementing the right economic policies,” the President said.
President Banda assured Zambians that his Government will continue efforts to diversify the Zambian economy further from copper through sectors such as agriculture, tourism and other mining activities such as nickel, gold and oil.
This is according to a statement from state house press and public relations unit.
__________________________________________________________
The President has said Zambians demand value for their taxes and it is, therefore, important that roads and other infrastructure are built to the highest standards. He said the state of transport infrastructure and, roads in particular, is a major concern to farmers and the business community.
President Banda made these remarks today when officially opening the 85th Zambia Agricultural and Commercial show in Lusaka.
“I expect the contractors and those charged with the responsibility of supervising the construction of roads to ensure that they are built to the highest standards. Zambians demand value for their taxes, and as government, we will not tolerate those who compromise quality standards in order to benefit themselves,” President Banda said.
The President said it was pleasing that the agricultural sector had continued to perform well and congratulated farmers for producing another maize bumper harvest this agricultural season. The bumper harvest was confirmation that the Government’s agricultural policies were working and bearing fruit.
“I wish to, however, state that the full potential for agriculture is yet to be realized. I, therefore, urge our farmers to adopt appropriate technologies and improved farming practices in order to increase production and productivity of both food and cash crops,” the President said.
The Head of State assured that his Government will continue providing the necessary support needed to further transform the farming sector into a rewarding commercial activity.
This will include improved marketing of agricultural produce and enhancement of research and extension services. The Government will also continue to encourage value addition and promote processing of farm produce into finished products.
President Banda said this year's theme “Shaping tomorrow’s World” reflected his Government’s vision of building tomorrow’s Zambia because the decisions today will affect the development and survival of future generations.
“For that reason, it is important to understand that for us to build our economy and to sustain its growth, we need to lay a firm foundation. My Government is, therefore, implementing measures and programmes aimed at increasing access by all our citizens, both in rural and urban areas to economic and productive resources,” the President said.
President Banda expressed happiness that Government efforts and policies aimed at improving the economy have yielded positive results. The Zambian economy has for the last three years been growing at an average of 6.6 percent per year and the country was recently classified by the World Bank to a lower middle income country from a low income country.
Zambia was also recently ranked by the World Bank among the top 10 reformers in the world.
“This is the right path to becoming a wealthy country and it should inspire all of us to work even harder for the future generations. All this indicates that Government has been implementing the right economic policies,” the President said.
President Banda assured Zambians that his Government will continue efforts to diversify the Zambian economy further from copper through sectors such as agriculture, tourism and other mining activities such as nickel, gold and oil.
This is according to a statement from state house press and public relations unit.
__________________________________________________________
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