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.

Those who live in grass houses should not throw stones

It is unjustifiable for one who cannot be sued to sue in the name of proving innocence. This clearly justifies why Zambia needs a new constitution to ensure that the document does not only protect those in authority but meets the aspirations of the very people it aims to protect. It is a long held view that the current constitution gives the sitting President too much powers, a view which has now been proved by the President appearing in court where even court decorum could not be respected and their honor were at a loss on how to handle the incumbent. I have always said politicians should always look beyond there interest, as regards the national constitution and President Micheal Charles Chilufya Mwango Sata has an opportunity to give us a document that stands the test of time and not that, which propagates confusion and anarchy to say the least, as is currently the situation. We should all admit including State House that the current constitution falls short of our aspirations, as a country thus needing treatment. If his excellency was an individual like he was in the opposition, the highlight of the article the subject of alleged defamation would not have been on him, as an individual but because of the nature of the office he holds criticism is inevitable. Additionally, lack of public engagement through different avenues such news conferences has been elusive for the last three-years at State House. My earnest appeal therefore to the country's leadership should be about serving the integrity of its people rather than public image build up at our expense. What are the answers to the Kwacha, which has taken a walk now at K6.7 to a dollar, Konkola Copper Mines Saga, Zambians need inspiration leadership, overcome their daily challenges. I also want to thank Malawian Outgoing President, Joyce Banda for providing the continent with the joke of the year for claiming that she been rigged out of office. This is unprecedented for a sitting President in Africa and the digging of her heels on the ground is not a solution. Views expressed here are purely personal

ZAMBIA: A Country without a future

At the height of Zambia’s independence, young people were an epitome of hope and a new beginning but as the country celebrates its fifty years since the end of the colonial rule they have been become a shadow of themselves.The prospects of young blossoming Zambia had been anchored on the very existence of our young generation to facilitate the country’s development. They beamed with hope to lead the rest of the generations to the Promised Land, a land of milk and honey. However, fifty-years after our young people are wallowing in abject poverty and unemployment, a daunting nightmare. Today’s young people face a real and increasing difficulty in finding decent work.The Central Statistics Office reported that unemployment is a more serious problem in the young age groups of 12.-14 (19.9 percent); 15-19 (22.6 percent); 20-24 (20.8 percent) and the 25-29 (13.9 percent). Zambia's President, Michael Sata’s pledge to the electorate that his administration would create jobs for young people three-years ago still remains mere political rhetoric simply put jobs are not forthcoming.The least Zambian youths have come to accessing jobs is through statistics promulgated by Government officials yet the promise of creating jobs for Zambia's most productive age remains elusive for now.Therefore, many young people have failed to find justification in celebrating “Youth Day.”As we reflect on this year’s Youth Day in the Jubilee year, the role of the young people should be properly dignified, as regards to their contribution to the economic emancipation of their country. Additionally, the country’s educational sector should be overhauled to be able to meet the challenges of the modern times in making young the existence of the young people more economically sustainable.Therefore, entrepreneurship is fundamental for a country in sustaining the gains of an emerging economic powerhouse in the region, we are proving to be. Entrepreneurship education facilitates an informed citizenry among young people, who in turn can establish their own institutions and create employment to absorb those roaming the streets. I also wish to commend comrades, who were recently arrested for petitioning the powers that be over the constitution during the youth day celebrations in Lusaka. As much, as I sympathize with the governing political party that Zambia does not need a constitution, I am comforted with the fact that many of these people that shot down the constitutional road-map are in their evenings of their times and understandably their action is justified, as they have been webbed to colonial tactics of suppressing their own people. How do you justify the arrest of someone for merely expressing themselves? Zambia deserves better especially that it is a democratic society where people should be tolerate of other people’s views. This country does not belong to one political party, as we are made to believe. The Zambia Police Service should also stop exhibiting double standards having allowed the governing political party cadres match in the streets of Lusaka several times without any hindrance.The best thing the Police should do is to arrest those who have wasted our tax payers’ resources in funding the process they did not believe in unlike innocent who are merely preparing their future as the future is only certain for those who prepare for it today and you get arrested for merely defining the future you wish to have? Furthermore, the police action amounts to a violation of human rights and Freedom of expression, which is well engraved in our national constitution. Clearly all these things will one day sure haunt us, as a country that suppressed its youth in an attempt to sustain our tummies. This is the Zambia we wanted to see at the reintroduction of multi-party politics? Worse still, to arrest innocent youths and undress female youths who were only celebrating their day while PF cadres are allowed to put on military uniforms during youth day. Is it true that young people are the future leaders of tomorrow? Do they really belong to the future? Happy Belated Youth Day

GBM reject politics of appeasement

I would like to thank my tribal cousins for their stance following the unceremonious exit of Honourable Minister, Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba, as Defence Minister, one of the most ranked portfolios in President Michael Sata’s administration The Bemba’s have demonstrated a unity of purpose for Mr. Mwamba, as a result of his decision to endorse Paramount Chief Chitimukulu rather than blindly embrace collective responsibility, as we know in some instances the majority may not be right. The business mogul has demonstrated that it is important for one not to use their tummies when making critical decisions but their heads, a rare feat in many African leaders. Perhaps Mr. Mwamba did not need the job but the job needed him. He has shown others how it is done who are still job hunting/waiting for jobs even when they are being pushed away. Mwamba did not push himself on the leadership by refusing to give up his birth right, as a hybrid of the bemba royal family. It also defies logic that President Sata has opted to question the Bashi Lubemba’s decision on the choice of the new Chitimukulu, many succession wrangles in the country have arisen among royal family members unlike the Chitimukulu case which has been questioned by the government, while the Bemba dynasty has no qualms what so ever. Mr. Mwamba had long before his unceremonious exit being a reject within the corridors of power when he was stripped off the position of party chairperson for elections. Admittedly, he was a victim of circumstances within the rank and file of the party that he had laboured for and giving up on family would have been a deadly decision for a weaker political soul like him. Subsequently, the support that Mwamba is getting from his tribesmen is commendable because the cause he has undertaken is a noble one and not for the heart-fainted but one with a strong character and it had to take GBM to spearhead that agenda, who is already financially safe. This is entirely my opinion and not my employer nor my wife.

NKANA PUNISHMENT A SCAM

I find the decision by the Football Association of Zambia(FAZ) not only outrageous but conspiracy made to curtail our aspirations of winning this year's Championship. It's now clear that Nkana had lost the game against Konkola blades way before the fixture looking at the verdict. It is undisputed that Nkana has the largest number of fans in the country and that it is a joke for a stadium like Konkola Stadium to be policed by six officers, such a potentially explosive fixture. Could this be the Zambian version of match fixing or football corruption at its best? This is how we are killing the game of football. How did the match officials allow the blades fans on the pitch to perform superstitious acts without intervention, pouring of opaque beer on the VIP section where Nkana fans were seated and you decide to punish us? Stop managing football with a remote control and making of decisions on precedence. Disappointed. This is daylight robbery comrades but I appeal to the soccer fans especially those in Kitwe to camp outside the stadium throughout ninety minutes during the game against ZESCO despite the decision because the boys need us in spirit for a better result.