What type of President do we need in Zambia and what type of parliament will ensure prosperity?
Firstly, all MPs must be mature enough to support any progressive move or bill in parliament, to the benefit of all Zambians not just a party, individual or family tree. One way parliament can avoid being simply a rubber-stamp is by having a truly mixed parliament. The issue of a minority President must not therefore arise. A few educated, and some priviledged Zambians, are being pessimistic, instilling fear by saying a party needs a majority in parliament to govern! Supposing Rupiah Bwezani Banda became Republican President. What guarantee do we have that Rupiah will manage tn appease his party bosses and tow their party line? Mind you, Rupiah has no hold on the MMD, he's just a Trustee. So the same instability people are claiming will dominate parliament if Michael Chilufya Sata or Hakainde Hichilema is elected can still be there if Rupiah wins. I have in mind the Thabo Mbeki and the A.N.C. led Jacob Zuma situation. I personally think Rupiah is a bigger risk to stagnate goverment because he can easily be fired by the MMD if his UNIPist attributes begin to show up.
The second issue is the 'legacy'. Can someone out there please explain to me what Mwanawasa's legacy is! For me, a legacy is when someone does an extraordinary and unprecedented work, going out of the way to do the unusual is what creates a legacy. Is it because of the Chembe bridge or Lumwana and Kansanshi mines? Let us all not forget that being Republican President requires one to hold fort and keep the country running. In this case Zambia. Let's face it, and accept! Mwanawasa had no tangible campaign platform in 2001. The only thing he talked about was 'continuity with change'. The corruption crusade was just something he stumbled upon after he got to Plot 1. Have we Zambians chosen to practice selective amnesia by choosing to forget certain things simply for convinience? Or by pretending that Mwanawasa was an angel? A saint? He did both good and bad! Didn't Mwanawasa practice corruption (nepotism) by appointing his relatives and party cadres to important public offices which they neither deserved nor were qualified for. If anything, Zambia has never been Mwanawasa's private property like Teka Farms to be inherited by his family, sympathisers or even MMD cadres. I urge all well meaning Zambians to turn out on 30 October 2008 and vote for a leader that shall never stagnate Zambia. This should not simply be about Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD), Patriotic Front (PF) or United Party for National Development (UPND).
Dr. Frederick Chiluba did the beautiful Katima Mulilo bridge work, opened up the transport sector and now our roads are even jammed, HIPC started under FTJ's tenure, economy liberalisation, home ownership, etc.
Dr. Kenneth Kaunda did the longest bridge in Africa at Mukuku, schools, hospitals, universities, colleges, township road network, etc.
These honourable statesmen did all this work because it was their time. Let the next President do the work that suits our current time. Needs and expectations are ever evolving. Global and national economies are ever dynamic and so our needs as Zambians today are different from 2001, 1991 or 1964. Let the wise perceive!
Thirdly, the next President should not be anywhere near, or similar to Mwanawasa. No two people will perform equally in the same way that no two people's DNA are the same. It must just be someone who has the nation at heart and shall do it right - constitutionally. This means therefore that personality and character is an issue that must never be divorced from the elections. Jesus Christ once said, 'You shall know them by their fruit'. This literary means that a person's work rate and output is determined by their character, their personality. It's the underlying passion that propels an individual to perform. Look at Barak Obama-Joe Biden and John McCain-Sarah Palin partnerships. An individuals track record speaks volumes on who a person actually is. Whatever one has achieved or failed to achieve. 'A man is judged for what they accomplish and not for what they start'. One should only aspire for public office because they have performed well in any past public office assignment.
I rest my case!
Percy Mwale,
Kitwe.
Monday, October 27, 2008
NEWS COVERAGE ON ZNBC TV
It is regretable that in this time and age, our national TV does not value the importance of fair coverage especially in an election period. This they (ZNBC) must realise that Zambia needs a President sold and accepted by the majority of Zambians. This can, and should be done by ZNBC taking on an objective role of informing the electorate of what the candidates are basing their campaigns on. When Zambians pay TV Licences, it is beyond affiliations and so must be given a variety of news.
An example of how ZNBC TV carries its news items is as follows in order of presentation. This is before the 1st Commercial Break.
1. Rupiah Banda - 2 items
2. Vernon Mwaanga on RB - 1 item
3. Edith Nawakwi on RB - 1 item
4. Ronnie Shikapwasha on RB - 1 item
5. Michael Mabenga on RB - 1 item
6. PF & UPND on campaigns - 1 item
7. Kalomo & Petauke election materials' distribution
8. ECZ's Chris Akufuna on polling station guidelines.
The above scenario is a tip of what has characterised our TV news time on ZNBC Main News of 25th October 2008. This gave Rupiah (MMD) 66%, Sata (PF) 06%, HH (UPND) and Electoral Commission 22%. This meant that Miyanda (HP) had no coverage whatsoever.
Let posterity judge our, 'it will show when you pay' station.
Percy Mwale,
Kitwe
An example of how ZNBC TV carries its news items is as follows in order of presentation. This is before the 1st Commercial Break.
1. Rupiah Banda - 2 items
2. Vernon Mwaanga on RB - 1 item
3. Edith Nawakwi on RB - 1 item
4. Ronnie Shikapwasha on RB - 1 item
5. Michael Mabenga on RB - 1 item
6. PF & UPND on campaigns - 1 item
7. Kalomo & Petauke election materials' distribution
8. ECZ's Chris Akufuna on polling station guidelines.
The above scenario is a tip of what has characterised our TV news time on ZNBC Main News of 25th October 2008. This gave Rupiah (MMD) 66%, Sata (PF) 06%, HH (UPND) and Electoral Commission 22%. This meant that Miyanda (HP) had no coverage whatsoever.
Let posterity judge our, 'it will show when you pay' station.
Percy Mwale,
Kitwe
Friday, October 3, 2008
Abuse Of Public Resources By The MMD and Rupiah Banda
Power is indeed very sweet and blinding. How come the MMD have
continued violating electoral rules with such impunity, carelessness.
Stubborn as they seem to be, can't the powers that be take appropriate
measures and curb this evil of looting public resources. Why should we
even waste our time by going to the polls when it is clearly visible
that one candidate has an advantage over others?
We have seen from The Post newspaper edition of Friday 03 October 2008
how government arms have been compromised. Zambia Air Force (ZAF) and
Zambia Police Service (ZP) have been pictured providing a service to
RB and his MMD bootlickers while providing a diservice to the entire
nation. Can Mulongoti and Tetamashimba justify this abuse of ZAF
choppers and ZP truck.
How long shall the Electoral Commission of Zambia remain quiet? Am now
tempted to it's actually the Electoral Commission of the MMD. Do we
honestly expect Ephraim Mateyo and his team to effectively enforce the
law when they are actively aiding law breakers? Is the ZAF leadership
so blind as not to differentiate between government and party
activities? Lesa fye umwine atwafwe!
My worry is, what would become of Zambia if RB were to win?How much
abuse would we see if he can grossly abuse government resources in his
current acting capacity?
continued violating electoral rules with such impunity, carelessness.
Stubborn as they seem to be, can't the powers that be take appropriate
measures and curb this evil of looting public resources. Why should we
even waste our time by going to the polls when it is clearly visible
that one candidate has an advantage over others?
We have seen from The Post newspaper edition of Friday 03 October 2008
how government arms have been compromised. Zambia Air Force (ZAF) and
Zambia Police Service (ZP) have been pictured providing a service to
RB and his MMD bootlickers while providing a diservice to the entire
nation. Can Mulongoti and Tetamashimba justify this abuse of ZAF
choppers and ZP truck.
How long shall the Electoral Commission of Zambia remain quiet? Am now
tempted to it's actually the Electoral Commission of the MMD. Do we
honestly expect Ephraim Mateyo and his team to effectively enforce the
law when they are actively aiding law breakers? Is the ZAF leadership
so blind as not to differentiate between government and party
activities? Lesa fye umwine atwafwe!
My worry is, what would become of Zambia if RB were to win?How much
abuse would we see if he can grossly abuse government resources in his
current acting capacity?
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Chelsea FC, The Team Everyones Loves To Hate
There is only one that interests me in the English Premier League, and that is Chelsea. I enjoy the teams mentality and philosophy of never giving up. Even when it seems impossible, and unimaginable, the team has risen to the occassion made me proud.
A lot of people all over the world love to hate Chelsea. Is it because of Roman Abramovich? Or is it its gem collection of star players?
Tribute to the past and present Chelsea FC staff and players. The pre-Roman era will of course include Rudd Gullit, Gianluca Viali & Claudio Ranieri as some that made a mark. The Roman era began with Ranieri, the came the charismatic 'Special One' Jose Mourinho. Oh, then came the colourless Avram Grant. Right now, the mantle is with 'Big Phil', Luiz Felipe Scolari.
Am betting on Chelsea being serious contenders, if not winners of the Carling Cup, the FA Cup, the Barclays Premiership and the elusive UEFA Champions League.
Mark my words and give me feedback in May 2009.
By the way, the other European club I support is the La Liga champion Real Madrid FC, the 'Galacticos'.
Finally, my local childhood club is Mighty Mufulira Wanderers Football Club. This literary translates to me being a proud supporter of my Zambia National Soccer Team, the Chipolopolo Boys. Till death do us part.
A lot of people all over the world love to hate Chelsea. Is it because of Roman Abramovich? Or is it its gem collection of star players?
Tribute to the past and present Chelsea FC staff and players. The pre-Roman era will of course include Rudd Gullit, Gianluca Viali & Claudio Ranieri as some that made a mark. The Roman era began with Ranieri, the came the charismatic 'Special One' Jose Mourinho. Oh, then came the colourless Avram Grant. Right now, the mantle is with 'Big Phil', Luiz Felipe Scolari.
Am betting on Chelsea being serious contenders, if not winners of the Carling Cup, the FA Cup, the Barclays Premiership and the elusive UEFA Champions League.
Mark my words and give me feedback in May 2009.
By the way, the other European club I support is the La Liga champion Real Madrid FC, the 'Galacticos'.
Finally, my local childhood club is Mighty Mufulira Wanderers Football Club. This literary translates to me being a proud supporter of my Zambia National Soccer Team, the Chipolopolo Boys. Till death do us part.
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