Scandalous Shocker: Zambia's Green Gold sold for a Song

Mukula tree also termed as the GREEN GOLD has continued to attract attention in the country mainly due to the illegality or under hand manner its being handled by Government from the time the tree's true value became clear arising from growing demand in Asia especially China. For starters Mukula tree is an exotic species of wood that at most takes 100 years to reach maturity and grows mainly in mountainous places of Eastern, Northern, Central, some parts of Lusaka and Muchinga provinces.Not so long ago Zambians in these areas began to exploit Mukula and selling it to local Chinese business people at very attractive prices such that one traditional leader confirmed that his subjects had abandon farming activities in preference to cutting and trading in Mukula. The trade went on for some time until Government expressed concern and before long imposed a ban in trading in Mukula, this happened just about two years ago. Government went further to create a task force headed by the Inspector General of Police to curtail trade in Mukula, a task force that was operating like the secret service drawing huge government resources without clearly spelt accountability mechanisms. This created friction between the Zambia Forestry and Forest Industries Corporation Limited-ZAFFICO-and the police a case in point was in Serenje where ZAFFICO Officers carrying out their mandate were arrested by Police on what was termed as a routine patrol. And so with the said ban in place and police operations the numbers of confiscated Mukula continued to pile up both within the country and neighbouring countries like Malawi, while the demand in China remained at its highest creating a fertile ground for corruption. For instance the decision by government to suspend the issuance and renewal of round wood harvesting concessions in Zambia siting the need to review the old regulations in order to enhance sustainability in management of forestry resources is one decision which begs further explanation as on the other hand government has announced the sale of piled up Mukula logs under the auspices of ZAFFICO. In this transaction four Chinese companies have been identified as sole buyers or importers to which ZAFFICO will sell the logs. The four Chinese companies are Shanghai Hu Nan Foriegn Economic Corporation Limited, Xinxudong International Logistics Company Limited, Zhanjiagang Free Trade Zone Zhouglian Wood Import and Export Limited and L & X trading Limited. With the lack of competitive bidding the four companies are buying the Mukula logs at a way too low price below the market value. The decision has disadvantaged many Zambians that wanted to take part in the auction and is more likely to throw local businesses in turmoil. It is opportunities like the one presented by Mukula and the demand that the country has failed to use to address economic diversification and its related issues like unemployment.

Zambia is also failing to use this resource in value addition, the Mukula logs are going to China in their raw form, only to come back in Zambia in polished tables, chairs, shoes and other ornaments which we pay at high prices, creating jobs and wealth in China. With the right political will and the desire to walk the talk regarding diversification, Mukula presented a starting point which unfortunately will be missed because of narrow selfish interest by a few individuals in government, who have decided single handedly to eliminate anyone else in the Mukula business, but deal with four Chinese companies for a precious resource that the country in general should derive benefits from.

Zambian Parliament?

I am making an earnest appeal to the Zambian people to forgive their Members of Parliament but never forget their names in light of the outcome of the constitution of Zambia bill Number 16 of 2015 and the Constitution of Zambia(Amendment) bill number 17 of 2015 at second reading stage in parliament after the governing political party managed to secure a two-thirds majority in the house with the support of the former ruling party, movement for multi-party democracy(MMD). It be put on record that the action of parliamentarians is day-light robbery to the people of Zambia for denying them an opportunity to determine their own destiny.Primarily, Members of parliament were part of the provincial assemblies that were organised to collect submissions and that the contents in the draft constitution were a determination of the Zambian people drawn from various parts of the country. l mean the the supreme organ of the land, Zambia is the masses, its people who made the submission on what sort of the constitution they want. After the submission period was over the commission went and compiled a draft on the submissions made. Therefore, what is/was required now should have been to publish the draft for people to read and scrutinize thereafter, the government would have facilitated for the referendum(popular vote) to ask if the what was contained are the clauses people have been aspiring for.l mean people should have been given a chance for this popular vote and not this shot-sighted approach that Zambia has implemented. Zambia needs an overhaul when it comes to the constitution because in the past people have had no ownership to the document, as it has either entrusted the president or the law makers themselves with so much power. The current constitution has failed to inspire the ordinary people to be active participants in the democratic dispensation.The process that parliament has settled on is prone to manipulation based on the arrogance of numbers and party royalty for instance by the patriotic front, who are the majority in the Zambian parliament.It is always difficult to comprehend with the delusion among our members of parliament have sacrificed such a progressive draft on the alter of expediency for purposes of political appeasement for nothing more than shameful selfish gain in exchange for adoption .As much, as l respect and acknowledge that Zambia, is a democracy, parliament is a wrong forum to accord us a people driven constitution because the members are driven and motivated by partisan interests and not that of the Zambia people.Parliament has betrayed us and they will do so again even without thinking twice about it.Shooting down the bill would have meant returning the draft to the masses, even those that never took part or make submissions have a say after which the constitution is rejected depending on the results of the referendum and not parliament, especially this TOXIC Parliament, I must add! The constitution, a mother of parliament cannot be adopted by its child, the National Assembly, this, Lawyers like John Sangwa debated before very well. This is truly, a bad legacy for our "Care Taker" president, Edgar Lungu, who should have inspired us to greater heights by attaining what has been elusive for all these years but of course its the usual deceptive" Donch kubeba. I do not need to be a lawyer to guide that this parliament may end up being a Constitution dustbin for because of the lack of a clear 2/3rd majority the bill may fail at third reading.. not a profit of doom but simply giving an opinion. Now see, the government proudly terms some clauses of the constitution contentious without providing any clarity on those same. Who even said those are the only contentious clauses according to the majority Zambians? "Other African countries like Kenya and South Africa, a people driven constitution is only possible away from Parliament.When the history of this country is written, make no mistake to have a permanent imprint of their names omitted. And those that feel that the constitution is not important, a constitution is a priority if we were to talk about accountability, transparency and facilitation economic development and the country should have made the seemingly extravagant expectation once and for all, as we might be returning to this once unresolved business again. Nothing Lasts For Ever.Good day

Zambia’s wildlife trafficking officials are aware?

The dates might be elusive on my fingertips but an approximation is in order to ensure that l am within my perspective in today’s writings. The day must have been 2nd January, 2013 when then Minister of Tourism, Sylvia Masebo summoned journalists to her office to drop a bombshell and subsequently, justify her unceremonious dismissal of four top senior managers including its Director General, Edwin Matokwani. The usual uncompromising but elegant, Masebo sometimes referred to as an iron lady of Zambia’s modern politics had a challenge for the men of the pen and note books to thoroughly investigate the many planes that were invading the Zambian airspace to air lift Zambian animals to unknown destinations. Ironically, since it was coming from a politician, it was kind of difficult to trust her especially that her and the colleague, Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba popularly known, as GBM sat in the same cabinet under the King Cobra, Michael Sata. But it had been rumoured that the duo literally spoke on key cabinet decisions.

So for me it was Masebo Boza! My thoughts were further amplified by the Minister of Defence, Geoffrey Mwamba, some clergymen and opposition political parties who claimed Masebo was just hallucinating and that there has never been a breach of Zambia’s airspace. Yes l was on the same wavelength of thinking with these individuals. It was just never possible that Zambia could be so porous by design to allow such illicit activities because the minister in charge had said our men and women in uniform are ever alert. Shockingly, few days later, a major revelation was made that a Mozambican national was allegedly operating an air strip in Luangwa district of Lusaka. Then reality dawned on me to begin to question the competence of the country’s armed forces in dealings with issues especially that someone had been allowed to operate an airstrip in a foreign country. But this slowly died out after Madam Masebo was dropped by the President. There was no follow up from the government to substantiate the claims that a senior government official had made about the safety of our animal in various national parks dotted across the country.

When the country was almost departing that episode, a much more sophisticated exposure was made following the arrest of seven foreign nationals in Southern Province for attempting to transport sable antelopes to South Africa. I thought for a moment why Masebo’s utterances were ignored!Where some indigenous people involved in the execution of this evil act! Who is involved and Why! Why are they being protected! These questions are not be getting adequate attention from the relevant offices governing the tourism industry. Like in the past, the excitement will soon die out and everything will be forgotten because no one just cares like it was in the case of Sylvia Masebo’s revelations, its business as usual. I vividly remember one senior government official revealing that she was surprised to have found Zambian animals in Brazil for an exhibition fetching handsomely yet government did not know how these animals found themselves there. Surely, we seem not too serious with the management of resources that God has entrusted with us since time immemorial. So many things appear to be carpeted with impunity despite having structures to deal with these matters. For instance in the latest revelation of animals being transported from Lusaka to Southern Province, Where is the source of these animals! Has Government through the Ministry of defence started manning the many abandoned airstrips across the country to ensure that our wildlife is protected? One day, we shall wake up to find even mbeba, a chipatanese (People of Eastern Zambia) delicacy has been airlifted thus coordination is needed between the government security wings and ministry of tourism and not rhetoric that have been exposed to lately. The recent revelations are just a tip of an iceberg of what is going on in our wildlife sector. Remember Eight more South Africans have just been arrested for being in possession of 16 impalas in Central Province. The trend is shocking and worrying, it’s time to act to save our wildlife. The pictures are courtesy of the Post Newsppaers

Closed Chinese mine defies hapless ZEMA

Since time in immemorial the country’s environmental agency continues to prove toothless in biting institutions that continue to abrogate the country’s environmental safeguards. The recent action by a Chinese owned mine in Chingola to continue operations in the cover of the night brings to the fore serious scrutiny of the Zambia Environmental Management Agency-ZEMA-to effectively monitor erring institutions. It is clear that the closure of China Copper mines has merely been on paper as the said mine has continued with operations as if they were not found wanting. China Copper Mines Limited was about two weeks ago closed for polluting a water source in Chingola’s Kafisali Village affecting thousands of the inhabitants. Ironically, this is a clear indication that the agency has no respect for the very people it is supposed to protect after their life support commodity-water-was polluted with impunity. Wait a minute, whose interest is ZEMA supposed to protect? The local people or the investors that are causing damage to the wellbeing of various communities. It is clear that ZEMA has no teeth to bite in protecting the very interest of the Zambian people. According to tests the water was contaminated beyond the normal acceptable levels, no doubt the communities depending on the dam will pay and sadly so some of them will pay the ultimate price-death. While the investor will go scot free, unless ZEMA tells the country otherwise and things stand, even to expect the affected communities to put up a sustained legal battle seeking compensation will be too much to ask. For how long will this impunity go on without seeing institutions or individuals causing harm to people and the environment without being punished? The country’s resources are surely under threat from both the very people that are supposed to protect them for the love of few pieces of gold and silver. The people of these areas have made their case known through protest but nothing concrete is in sight for them. The Chinese Mining Company polluted a dam in Chingola with toxic material; the dam is a major source of water for residents. In the insert:Chingola District Commissioner, Philip Kalima addressing Residents of Kafisali in Chongola following a protest after the pollution of their only source of income.

Aliko Dangote- Panacea to Africa’s problems

The entry of Dangote industries into the Zambian market is a clear manifestation that Africa should start to focus on embracing African innovations, creations and investments. The introduction of Dangote cement on the Zambian soil is not only timely but exposes the very ills that have engulfed the sector that has lobbied millions of country men and women that have belaboured to put up decent structures. We have for a long time been subjected to exploitative prices by the existing cement manufacturers, who seemingly have connived with the powers that be to steal from their poor populations especially in the recent years where the country has witnessed unprecedented infrastructure development. Suddenly, the prices of cement have drastically fallen following the grand entry of Dangote cement on the local industry. Since time immemorial, Nigeria has been synonymous with crookedness on the continent yet the very situation Zambia has been looking for is emanating from this very country. Let me hasten to mention that the Dangote investment in Zambia was lately heavily engaged in frustration by some cash few hungry people, mostly in government that threw all manner of accusations for the investment to collapse but the company officials remained resolute in pursuit of their aspirations. Culturally, Africa has never been known to a pioneer or facilitate development since its inception, as tribes, brothers and communities have always risen against each other. Development in Africa came with the visitors but seemingly, African entrepreneurs such as Aliko Dangote are reshaping the destiny of the continent through the massive investments littered across. He is currently, aggressively expanding his investments or business empire across several African countries like Zambia to ensure that the continent develops its export potential from what is predominately import driven economies. It is therefore my hope that Dangote be used, as a model of solving African challenges using indigenous resolutions. For Zambia, this could be an opportunity for local business men and women to start doing it rather than merely dreaming. However, this should be in conformity with the political administrators of our times to ensure they facilitate an enabling environment in embracing local investments. Government should be able create and facilitate an enabling environment for opportunities to invest in all spheres of life rather than political patronage, as the case seems to be in the road sector. Zambia really needs to build its millionaires to ensure that the country benefits to the fullest and curtail the dependence syndrome on multi-national institutions that seem to be milking us our resources.

Digital Migration may spell TV blackout for Zambia-Costa Mwansa

Zambia like many other developing countries is racing against time to meet the much-anticipated deadline for migration or transition from analogue to digital broadcasting. Come June, 17th, 2015 Zambia will be plunged into television blackout that will surely affect many viewers or simply the majority of our people. This is simply because millions of viewers will be caught up in a scenario that will see television sets unable to work. This is so because Zambia, in 2006, as a signatory agreed, along with more than 100 other countries in the International Telecoms Union (ITU), to stop transmission of television signals in analogue format and move to new internationally acceptable digital standards. Unlike many African countries, Zambia has not set its domestic target for the transition and subsequently, disaster, manipulation and panic is apparent. It might be a situation of too little, too late for the country whose digital migration prospects are threatened by the lack of clear implementation mode to facilitate the smooth transition owing to an elusive and uncoordinated publicity from all stakeholders to curtail consumer uncertainty, as the deadline draws near. The International Telecoms Union (ITU) has in no uncertain terms rejected a proposal by some African countries to have the deadline extended further after a lobby by African Union (AU). This came to light at the recently held 8th Ordinary Session of the General Assembly of the African Union of Broadcasters held in the Senegalese capital, Dakar. This means that impact might be punitive and costly for Zambia and other parts of the continent that seem alien to the digital migration. Ironically, Zambia had even failed to meet the set target by the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) deadline of 31st December, 2013 on digital migration but then Permanent Secretary, Amos Malupenga was optimistic that the June, 17th target was to be attained. We must be an ambitious country that believes so much in miracles and not preparations for something we had been fore warned. Mr. Malupenga had also indicated of the partial migration due to financial challenges that year. The question now is; has that been achieved? Worst still the country has been conducting the dual illumination (Which means the running of analogue and digital side by side) until 2015. Accordingly, SADC roadmap for digital broadcasting migration was that all member countries were supposed to migrate from analogue to digital broadcasting on 31st December, 2013. This is a fallacy in my opinion because the country should have switched off the analogue signal earlier than anticipated to prepare the people like Kenya and Tanzania have done despite their teething problems. Yes the struggle has been there but at least something has been achieved especially the outstanding issues. Admittedly, there will be confusion in our country. How will people dispose off their televisions that will not be in conformity with the formats? No one seems to be providing the answers……….. There has been no activity built around the transition or migration stages for Zambia that I am aware of. As technical, as it may sound, this global initiative is a reality and that your television set or mine come June, 17th will have no access or pick digital signal, as they will require a “digital adapter” popularly known, as a decoder or set-top boxe required to service every household. However, distribution for these magic boxes that comes with immense benefits will be challenging to many operators either public or private, as people might be subjected to counterfeit products due to the anxiety around it. The switch over presents with it immense benefits and opportunities for the viewer like you and me in the long term such, as • Digital Television Broadcasting will offer sharper; brighter picture, and reduced interference. Viewers will also enjoy improved sound quality. • More choice: Digital signals take up much less bandwith and therefore more channels can be broadcast. This will facilitate diverse for the Zambian population including the youth, women and farmers among others. • More access: The Set Top Box (STB) which will be used to receive the digital signal also has the capability to interface with devices such as a cell phone, memory card or internet modem. This will provide viewers with access to many more services and information. • Better viewing pleasure: With analogue you are only able to have standard definition television. With Digital Broadcasting High definition television is possible . High Definition Television is the premium version of digital television, offering picture and sound quality which is much better than today's analogue television. The reason is that it offers up to twice the vertical and horizontal resolution of a traditional analog (PAL) signal. The higher resolution picture is particularly suited to large screen television displays. This means that the benefits of HDTV are particularly noticeable on larger screen sets and when using projection equipment. HDTV will be in widescreen format and provide cinema-quality viewing with Dolby surround sound • Electronic Program Guides (EPGs): Electronic Programme Guides (EPGs) are a feature of digital television broadcasting that come fitted in the Set Top Box. An Electronic Program Guide (EPGs) can be used by viewers to navigate between channels, identify the currently screening program and the next program ('now and next') on each channel. More sophisticated EPGs can be used to set reminders for program viewing, provide a short synopsis of the content of programs, identify programming in advance for several days, search for programs by genre, and provide access to some enhancements among others. • Better utilization of frequencies: A digital signal carries much more data than an analogue signal. Therefore, more than one channel of television programs can be broadcast at the same time. This is known as multi-channeling. This efficient utilization of channels reduces the number of frequencies required for the broadcasting sector. Can the potential disaster be averted at this late hour, certainly not but something can be done to lessen the impact especially if the government admits the existing shortfalls takes the bull by its horns and moves all out to engage all stakeholders both public and private to join forces and act for the good of the country and its citizens. Television remains a huge platform of information dissemination with great influence on citizens and in this modern day and age the medium cannot be denied to the citizens in a country like Zambia which is building on its democratic credentials. For now let’s wait and see. Costa Mwansa is a General Manager of Zambia's privately owned Muvi TV

Zambia will not move an inch in 100 Years: Change Mindset

Zambia might not move an inch in the next 100 years if no serious introspection is taken into account. The country has literally been in reverse gear in the last fifty years. The productive generation of our times has not been inspirational at all inclusive of the writer. The generation has been material driven at the expense of national pride and devotion to one's country. Zambia with a few graduates and individuals with humble education at independence witnessed unprecedented levels of development and terms like corruption were none existence on the jaws of the citizens of a once flourishing country but this has now become a lifestyle and generally acceptable. Several people go unpunished for their crimes in this country because no one just seems to care.Our leaders are ever trooping to and from the courts of law; the moral fiber of our society is ever deteriorating. Additionally, fifty years on after so many graduates in the country, the country is languishing in high poverty levels. It was always embedded in the altar of my heart that education was a key to success nevertheless, is this so for Zambia? Corruption has become a metaphor of a once cherished society where hard working was a corner of our society, upon, which we built our strong foundation, as a people. We, as a people have created so many shortcuts to success especially among the productive group of our society. Our wealth creation and accumulation is overtime and cannot be explained or justified. Just even our quest to adopt a people driven constitution is donor driven, what would have happened if our founding fathers and many more civil rights activists had mortgaged their aspirations, thoughts, ideals and those of their people to their donors? Surely, independence would not have actualized. As Zambia marks yet another memorable day on its calendar in remembering the contributions and efforts of the young people in the last fifty years, honestly, there has not been any significant progress in the welfare of an average youth in the country, our existence, as a generation is rough but what have we done to improve the status quota, as a generation? In the midst of blazing guns and bombs coupled with numerous challenges did our people just fold their arms to watch the country generate in unabated slavery? No, the very challenges that our forefathers faced was enough motivation to justify their quest for an independent nation, where freedom and liberty shall prevail over everything, as is the case now. Youth Day, What was new? Maybe, the only thing was good looking Minister of Youth, Vincent Mwale and Acting President Ngosa Simbyakula. Undoubtedly, it has now become difficult for young people to appreciate the existence of the day owing to numerous challenges that continue to cloud their immense contribution. Unlike fifty-years ago, many young Zambians are a shadow of themselves and fail to blossom for what they are destined for, as they continue to grapple with unemployment despite their academic qualifications. Employment creation is now merely a promissory note from those charged with the responsibility to do so. Additionally, the perennial youth celebrations are more rhetoric and short of incentives to address the challenges that young people of today face. There is no hope or inspiration to propel this generation a platform to positively contribute to the development of the country thus rendering young people mere spectators in key sectors of the economy if that loan award is based on political patronage. Our education curriculum still remains archaic and does not take into account modern survival trends such, as establishment of enterprises to grow the economy. This should be quickly worked on to ensure active participation of the young people to refuel the wheels of the declining economic prospects. I mean entrepreneurship. African governments have shown that they have no capacity to create employment overtime. We are crying about our local currency not performing so well when huge investments are the hands and armpits of the foreigners. We are literally dancing to their tunes when it comes to the exchange rate. We can only term ourselves “economic refugees” in our own country. Economic emancipation remains key for Zambia through the productive generation. What serious innovations have surely emerged out of the Universities and colleges, as a solution to the ever increasing unemployment levels? I am sure none, we have no testimonies of our own, as a nation from these innovations…….. Young people nowadays are being employed, as agents, aggressors and conveyors of violence and mere political stooges, this is primitive to say the least. The focus world over at the moment is more about competition of ideas in technology, fashion, sports and not guns or stone throwing. Political independence was long achieved by our forefathers and economic emancipation is crucial to get our people out of the poverty doldrums, a responsibility which squarely lies on the young people, as a productive generation. What do we have to show our prospective generations, as achievements? The record for our failure, as a generation is too huge to bear. Zambia, the land of plenty yet so poor! Watch out the next article on digital migration

Edgar Lungu: Pace Setter

I have been reluctant to comment on the alleged collapsing and subsequent hospitalization of his Excellency, Edgar Lungu following the anxiety that has engulfed the entire episode since Sunday during the women’s day celebrations at Heroes Stadium. Initially, the prompt response on the Health Status of President Lungu by State House has been timely unlike in the past where it has been shrouded in secrecy to say the least. Secrecy creates a lot of tension, distrust, divisions- constitutionally and politically, a situation the president seemingly does not wish to subject Zambians to. The presidency is a public and national institution thus the need for the country to get prompt briefs to whatever happens to the office even just a mosquito bite. Therefore, honest updates help the country quench prospective gossip and speculation. We must admit that politics is a stressful profession and president Lungu has had one strenuous schedule since his ascendency to the office of President having travelled to Mfuwe for a working Holiday and Chipata for the recently held Nc’wala among many engagements home and abroad. President Lungu is a pace setter, who doesn’t get sick? Because even cars do break down without giving you any indication that it will do so in a few minutes. Sickness is not something we wish for ourselves, not even for our worst enemies. As long as we remain mortal, sickness and diseases will remain part and parcel of our lives and the President is human to get sick. Nevertheless, President Lungu should be commended for his magnanimity to openly admit he was not feeling well. Additionally, his love for the country is admirably inspiring having put his country before self even in difficult times. He is truly a rare breed in African politics. If you tell people your ailments, you get medicine for it and that there is intensified prayer for the healing of a Head of State. The country has not been subjected to helicopters picking the head of state from the heroes’ stadium and rushing him to an unknown destination like it has been done before. The nation might not see the benefits and results of his actions of being transparent over his health condition but they will surely manifest soon or later. Admittedly, the health of a president surely has a bearing on so many things such, as the performance of a currency, which has been limping for some time now. Secondly, his aides deserve praise for not holding him hostage and subsequently not subjecting him to physical torture by hiding him from the public like some rogue handlers have done in the past demeaning the sickness of the head of state. I saw him myself at Maina Soko military in his ever jovial mood unlike in the past where we were told the president is jogging in the streets of London or that he is attending a routine medical checkup. Watch out for Nchito Yasila!!!

Only Your thumb remains with You, Let’s vote wisely…

The euphoria that accompanies the festive season has finally disappeared and reality has dawned, as we get back to our normal daily lives especially that this month, our children are returning to class, the biggest headache being schools fees and other requisites. I however, believe that settling bills will not be the only headache for many Zambians, as they have been presented with an opportunity to elect their sixth Republican President following the demise of a sitting leader, Michael Sata. As usual, their desires of choosing their leader have been granted by the constitution to ensure a smooth transition of leadership for the second time in less than six years. President Levy Mwanawasa was the first Zambian leader to have died while in office in 2008. Admittedly, Zambia has undergone serious stormy moments but praise to God for His enduring mercies that the country has remained united and overcome such stormy moments. Off course another test is here, in a week’s time, a new leader will have to emerge. The campaigns presently have heightened among the eleven participating political parties currently, doling out few Kwachas, bags of rice, cooking oil and other food staffs to the poor. The poor are always told by the country’s Electoral body, Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) that they have the right to vote, yet they don’t have the right to recall their non-performing leaders once elected except to wait for an election term to expire. This question always comes up on the basis that most leaders behave as bosses once elected as opposed to what they say before being elected, to serve the people with humility. It is in this vein that some scholars argue that Democracy is slavery in its literal sense especially in African sense because it does not seem to work for the ordinary citizens. I hope you will not cast your vote on expediency terms such as tribal, race or resources you may have received from those aspiring to leadership especially that it is not a guarantee for your development but rather a sell out to your perpetual poverty. I have of the opinion that t

here has never been true leadership in Zambia. I believe the country has been led by ‘chancers’ and it is time to put in place true leadership that will change not only individual outlook but policy as well. Use your card wisely come 20th January 2015.