NDAMBO WELL
CONNECTED
…but I don’t think he has any political ambitions – Kavindele
By Kombe Mataka
FORMER vice-president Enoch Kavindele has called for respect among leaders in the country.
Meanwhile, Kavindele says James Ndambo is a serious businessman with connections in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“When I was talking to him, although he lives in South Africa, 75 per cent of his businesses were in the DRC. So to me it would appear he is a genuine businessman with intentions of assisting people here. I don’t think he has any political ambition. He is doing extremely well and very connected in the DRC,” Kavindele told The Mast.
Kavindele further says while he does not know much about President Hakainde Hichilema’s relationship with Brenthurst Foundation, it looks to be a serious group.
He said for any leader, personal interest should not supersede that of the State.
He noted that there was so many squabbles among leaders in the country.
“That is totally unnecessary. You see [leadership] revolves amongst human beings. Today it can be A in office and tomorrow, B. The country will always be there,” Kavindele said.
He said those that have left power must respect that those in office.
“So it is very important that those who assume power especially through a democratic process are respected and indeed those who are have left power are respected. It does not auger well for people at the level of presidency to start exchanging harsh words about each other as we are seeing. It is most unwelcome and it should not be allowed to continue. It should not be,” he advised.
And Kavindele said there was nothing sinister about the honouring of former heads of state of Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Liberia, Olusegun Obasanjo, Ernest Bai Koroma and Ellen Sirleaf Johnson respectively with the Order of the Eagle of Zambia First Division.
“It has happened several times. In fact, even some presidents who come for state visits may end up getting one of these (honours). Kamuzu Banda got it. Robert Mugabe got it. It has happened several times,” he recalled. “These are special people. Koroma played a role in our last election that is why he has been recognised. Obasanjo, the former head of state, has been in different places including during the inauguration of President Hakainde and Madam Sirleaf was the first female in Africa to be head of state. All the three have had a steering role on the transfer of power. They have all gone through a democratic process. This is also one way of encouraging African leaders to do the correct things. There is a lot of instability on the African continent and the role these three are playing is very important in making sure that that this is right way to go all the time. Power should only change through a democratic process.”
Kavindele said he did not know the relationship President Hichilema personally had with members of the Brenthurst Foundation but that it had a lot of distinguished people.
“I have no idea of the relationship that the President may have personally with those people but I can tell you one thing is that amongst the members of the Foundation who were introduced, there are former ministers in many other countries including the minister of finance of Costa Rica and the European Union, former president of Ethiopia and former president of South Africa [Kgalema] Motlanthe. Now those are very serious people. So if they have a foundation, I would like to believe that it is a very serious foundation. Whether those are Mr Hichilema’s personal friends or what, I don’t know but I think the Foundation is genuine,” he said. “And that Mr Greg Mills, I have read three of his books and they are extremely good books based on development of several African countries. He has been in the frontline advising President [Paul] Kagame of Rwanda and what Kagame is doing there is commendable.”
Meanwhile, Kavindele said some of the comments passed on Zambian-born philanthropist James Ndambo during his visit in which he donated various thing to residents of Choma and the police were unfair.
He noted that it would be difficult for those that wanted to help the country if there are similar sentiments directed towards those that wanted to partner with the government.
“This Dambo as far as I know is a genuine and prosperous businessman. Just that people have been unfair. Some of the comments are not good at all. During the last visit to Zambia, President Felix Tshisekedi [of DRC], Dambo came with President Tshisekedi. Dambo even introduced me to Tshisekedi’s two brothers and a cousin at Pamodzi [Hotel]. There was the Presidents’ table and the next was Ndambo’s table, and Congolese top people. He is quite a connected man. So you see here it is hard to assist where you can assist,” said Kavindele. “In other countries that would mean he is well in, to be in the company of the President’s relations. That is the impression I got myself. And you know most countries, when you are in those circles, it would appear that you are certainly accepted there. When I was talking to him that although he lived in South Africa, 75 per cent of his businesses were in the DRC. So to me it would appear he is a genuine businessman with intentions of assisting people here. I don’t think he has any political ambition. He is doing extremely well and very connected in the DRC. He had tried to do one or two businesses here on Kafue Road. He was running a dry port. Like most other things in Zambia, he was not appreciated. That is how he left Zambia to go and settle in South Africa. The art of philanthropy involves attacks both for the giver and receiver. Of course, you could say he went too much aboard but then that is his money. He is allowed to spend his money in the manner that he wanted.”