AM SORRY JAMES NDAMBO……
A few months ago I wrote a piece applauding the achievements of my brother James Ndambo . In acknowledging his philanthropic life and perseverance in the world of entrepreneurship I mentioned that he was a very humble and unassuming individual who shunned publicity. My article was meant to high profile a Zambian success story.
I was also mindful of the littered landmines our society has in store for someone we perceive to be more successful or potentially more endearing and popular through noble deeds. The recent malicious victimization and witch hunt of James Ndambo and the attendant invective insinuations of malfeasance in the conduct of his recent (tax)affairs in Choma leaves one to wonder as to the levels of competence of some of our public institutions such as the DEC. Am using somewhat strong language because as a Public figure and a person aware of what negative perceptions can do to someone’s integrity and international business profile , am saddened by the actions of DEC on a matter that could have been handled in a manner that does not smack of persecution, vindictiveness and sheer lack of professionalism. James Ndambo is like our Aliko Dangote , our Patrice Motsepe or Mo Ibrahim from Sudan.
RESPECT HIS ACHIEVEMENTS.
From what I know JN has been running My Home Town and investing in uplifting the lives of many underprivileged people in Southern Province for the past 25 years.
The irony of seizing 8 vehicles which were legally purchased locally begs the question. Will DEC also seize the Water tanks, the Boreholes , the Churches or roads that MHT has built? Am sure the same principle or law they used must apply to those assets. From what I know JN through his pan African International aviation company has bought 3 jets . The value of 3 jets compared to the 8 vehicles legally procured is astounding. Will the jets be classified as potential proceeds of crime and therefore subject to seizure in Zambia? Shall we caution JN and others in the diaspora who are contemplating coming back to their motherland to reinvest that they run the risk of asset seizure if they are seen to be too rich according to our levels? The paradox here, this is coming in the aftermath of one of the most successful homecoming event held in Livingstone for Diasporan entrepreneurs hosted by my young amazing sister from Atlanta, Freda Mwamba Brazel. A big up to you.
Ama levels ka!
What continues to perplex me is this perception of what wealth is in our society. I believe wealth is in your ability to share, to care and provide with humility.
If we wanted to be pedantic looking at the Africa Union balance sheet , what was spent in Choma over past 5 years constitutes what percentage of AU balance sheet? We might be shocked to find it’s JN’s lunch money, my point is Ama levels yasiyana.
I recall some 20 years back I was Vice President of the Kora All Music awards and we hosted the Miss Malaika pageant. Our 1st prize was a Merc CL230E valued at $100K with a cash prize of R1.5m . This was for the whole of Africa . Times have changed JN prize was just for a Choma event and we want to put him kuWire. He is just remitting and sharing part of his wealth he has been allowed to make in other countries back to his homeland. In the process he put Choma on the World map can we quantify that value? As you may be aware most African economies are funded by remittances from the diaspora but we want to kill that with unfettered overzealousness because he is a perceived threat just because he said he is now a SouthAfrican citizen. We now have dual citizenship status (soon) but JN is way ahead of us , he lives in a Global village he is first and foremost an African citizen and that’s why his company is Africa Union, what an iconic brand, and secondly his motherland is Zambia and this is why he continues to give back. So apart from giving MHT bad publicity and attempting to devalue the brand who loses most? What if JN decides not to come back and starts to provide water, sanitation, roads and health facilities in Kwamashu SA or Matonge in DRC ? Or decides not to set up a Cement factory or Aquaponics farm? How many muzungus or should I say foreigners are we going to worship at the expense of our own?
But for now I feel pity for those beautiful, awesome motivated young ladies who won prizes and received dollars which have been seized that they might never see their prizes. Maybe after 5 years , the normal period “complex” cases such as ours take , am sure DEC or whoever will have to travel to other countries to verify the source of wealth. . The question is ,” Will we see another MHT event which created so much economic and Commercial activity in Choma?”
Napapata come to Mtenguleni and for us just Maize seed and fertilizer na tuma Tractors 8 is befitting prizes. And oh yes 100 boreholes and 2 Water tanks.
James Ndambo and Africa Union Pty , if my article on 20/11/21 created unwanted publicity , I apologize. My late father , bless his Soul, used to say:
“ A good person is like a cork in the water . You can push them down but they always pop up. Bothuvuka!”
End of quote.
Please DEC Boma iyanganepo , osapaya bantu banu.
FPM