In a recent press briefing at State House, President Hakainde Hichilema’s use of graphs to depict the country’s economy has drawn criticism from the leader of the Socialist Party, Fred M’membe. M’membe agrees with Chawama Catholic Church Parish Priest Father Anthony Salangeta’s questioning of the graphs, arguing that they fail to provide a complete picture of Zambia’s economic situation.

Dr. M’membe expresses concern over the President’s focus on leadership as the main driver of changes in Zambia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) levels since the 1970s. He emphasizes that prioritizing GDP growth does not necessarily guarantee the well-being of citizens. During his appearance on the “Let the People Talk” program on Phoenix FM, Dr. M’membe asserts that citizens are more interested in tangible improvements in their living conditions rather than complicated theories.

Dr. M’membe further states that it is unjust for the entire ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) system, including the President, to harshly criticize Father Salangeta for questioning the graphs. He believes that religious leaders have the right to participate in the country’s affairs and raise concerns that affect the people. Dr. M’membe also criticizes the double standard applied to religious and traditional leaders, where their support for politicians is accepted while their criticisms are dismissed as political.

Father Salangeta, who has come under attack for his remarks, is accused of misrepresenting President Hichilema during a mass service. The clergyman allegedly mocked the President’s use of graphs during a press briefing on May 19, 2023, claiming that “people will not eat graphs.” These sentiments have sparked anger among the clergy, who argue that Father Salangeta’s comments undermine the church’s integrity.

Reacting to Father Salangeta’s statements, Reverend William Njombo, the General Overseer of Christ Riches Church, expressed disappointment in the clergyman’s words, calling them misplaced and an indictment on the church. Rev. Njombo highlights the importance of the New Dawn administration’s efforts to provide free education and bursaries to empower vulnerable citizens and alleviate poverty.

Reverend William Njombo, the General Overseer of Christ Riches Church, expressed disappointment in Father Salangeta’s remarks, considering them misplaced and an indictment on the church. He believed that the clergy should focus on their primary role of offering spiritual guidance to political leaders rather than engaging in political opposition. Rev. Njombo highlighted the significance of the New Dawn administration’s efforts to provide free education and bursaries, emphasizing that these initiatives were empowering vulnerable citizens and addressing the issue of poverty.

Similarly, UPND Spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa voiced his disapproval of Father Salangeta’s comments. Mweetwa emphasized the importance of the values and principles of Zambia as a Christian nation, which rely on the guidance provided by men and women of God from the pulpit. He expressed concern over a clergyman using demeaning language towards the Head of State, suggesting that it was contrary to the role of religious leaders to lead and unify the country. Mweetwa highlighted that he did not want the nation to return to the days when the country had Christians supporting a specific President, indicating his desire for a more inclusive and unified approach.

Both Reverend Njombo and Mweetwa shared the view that clergymen should refrain from engaging in political opposition and focus on their spiritual duties. They believed that religious leaders had a responsibility to offer guidance and support to political leaders while unifying the nation. Their perspectives highlighted the potential tension between the role of clergy as spiritual advisors and their involvement in political discourse, particularly when it comes to criticizing or questioning political decisions or actions.

BENCH WARRANT AGAINST HON CHILANGWA STILL IN FORCE
…. As Kawambwa Police Station Officer in Charge informs the Kawambwa Subordinate Court that the accused person has gone into hiding.
Kawambwa… Friday May 26, 2023 (SMART EAGLES)
The Kawambwa Subordinate Court has ruled that the bench warrant issued on Wednesday against Kawambwa Central Member of Parliament Hon. Nickson Chilangwa remains in force.

Sitting in the Kawambwa Subordinate Court this morning, Magistrate Martin Namushi has since adjourned the court proceedings to Monday May 29th, 2023.

This was after the State made two applications with the first one that the bench warrant remains in force and returnable upon his arrest.
The second application was that the court commences defense for the accused persons who were present before the court.
However, defense lawyer Boniface Chiwala argued that the court cannot proceed with defense while one accused person was not before the court saying it would be deemed as unfair trial.

Counsel Chiwala cited the appeal case of Lipepo versus the people of 2013 saying the Supreme Court guided on such a scenario as faced now before the Kawambwa Subordinate Court.

After Counsel Chiwala’s submission before the court, the State asked for more time to study the matter and applied that the matter be adjourned to Monday May 29th, 2023 to respond to the defense’s submission.

Magistrate Namushi granted the State’s request to adjourn the matter to Monday for possible commencement of trial.
Earlier, Kawambwa Police Station Officer in Charge James Kasanda requested for more time to Monday for the police to bring Hon Chilangwa to court.

He recalled that on Wednesday 24th May, 2023, he received a warrant of arrest giving instructions to arrest Hon Chilangwa.
He said acting on the report, all the stations in the country were alerted and given instructions accordingly.
He told the fully packed court that officers went on the ground and up to now the person named in the warrant is hiding and they continue looking for him.

On Wednesday May 24th, 2023, the court issued a bench warrant against the Kawambwa Central lawmaker for allegedly absconding court proceedings.

The defense lawyer on Monday and Wednesday, filed affidavits before the court saying the accused person was appearing before the Lusaka High Court hence he could not make it to appear before the Kawambwa Subordinate Court.

This is in a case in which Pambashe Member of Parliament Hon Ronald Kaoma Chitotela, Hon Chilangwa, Kawambwa Mayor Chifumbe Kalumba, Kunda Chitotela, Chabu Chitotela, Davy Kaniki and Charity Chibwe Musanto have been charged with one count of arson, threatening violence, malicious damage to property and four counts of assault.

It is alleged that on August 12, 2021, the two lawmakers and five others while acting together assaulted four UPND members, damaged the windscreen of the Mahindra Bolero motor vehicle valued at K400, 000 before allegedly setting it ablaze and further threatened violence.

PRESIDENT HAKAINDE HICHILEMA HONOURS WORLD’S FASTEST 400 METRES MAN

May 25th, 2023

LUSAKA – President Hakainde Hichilema this afternoon honoured and bestowed awards on various Zambians for distinguished service, various contributions and heroics to the welfare of Zambia.

The ceremony, held at State House in Lusaka this afternoon with the world’s fastest man in the 400m category Muzala Samukonga being recognised with the President’s Insignia for Meritorious Achievements.

This year’s, the 60th Africa Freedom Day is being celebrated under the theme: Acceleration of the African Free Trade Area Implementation

Earlier, President Hichilema led dignitaries, members of the diplomatic Corp, members of the clergy and both former and current senior Government official in laying wreaths at the Freedom Statue.

The conferment of the awards and honours an in line with Article 92 (g) of the Constitution of Zambia.

Some of the notable personalities at the ceremony included former Vice Presidents Enoch Kavindele and Pastor Nevers Mumba.

Among those honoured include Joseph Banda for killing a leopard with bare hands after terrolising villagers and restored peace.

Others include Judge Florence Mumba for her high profile service in the Judiciary, the United Nations and other international organizations who was honoured with the Grand Commander of the Companion Order of Freedom 2nd Division.

Esther Mulaisho whose political career started as a young girl opposing colonial rulers was awarded with the Grand Commander of the order of Distinguished service 1st Division.

In the President’s Medal for Galantry, Lieutenant Colonel Habasune Fine Mpezele was recognised for his role in the shooting dead of the Mailoni brothers who terrorised villagers in the Luano valley.

President Hichilema also awarded Kabotu Muhongo under the president’s medal for Galantry for rescuing five SDA members whose boat capsised on the Chilubi Island while Saviour Konnie was honored for his exemplary insurance profession and opened the Professional Insurance company among others.

(C) THE FALCON

AFRICA FREEDOM DAY CELEBRATIONS AS A FREEDOM ACTIVIST AND FOUNDER MEMBER OF THE PAN AFRICAN WOMEN’S ORGANISATION , IN ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA

The African Union (AU) has recognised posthumously Mama Betty Kaunda, wife to Zambia’s late Founding President Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, as a Freedom Activist and Founder member of Pan African Women’s Organization. Mama Betty’s role has been recognised alongside other Women freedom fighters that have not been recognized in the past events.

During the celebrations to mark the 60th Anniversary of the OAU-AU in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Mama Betty’s photograph was displayed in the wall of fame where those who played a role in the liberation struggle were recognized.

In the main hall, pictures of the thirty-two founding members who signed the OAU Charter on 25th May, 1963, were displayed.

Charge d’ Affaires at the Zambia Embassy in Ethiopia, Mr. Trevor Sichombo expressed gratitude to the African Union for recognizing Mama Betty for her role in the liberation struggle.

Mr. Sichombo said until history was recorded correctly, names of great heroes that have made immense contributions, like Mama Betty would go into oblivion.

The Charge d’ Affaires said there was no better way to honor the great men and women than to continue the work they started to achieve the Africa we want.

And AU Chairperson His Excellency Moussa Faki Mahamat said the Africa Union recognised leaders who sacrificed their lives for Africa’s liberation.

He said it was important for Africa to maintain peace as the fallen heroes fought tirelessly to ensure that the continent had peace and prospered. He emphasized the need for Africa to be economically independent and reduce its dependence on foreign aid. He added that it was unfortunate that African countries were grappling with the problem of debt.

And Ethiopian Prime Minister ABIY AHMED said Africa cannot claim to be independent when its people were grappling with poverty.

He said it was unfortunate that despite Africa having abundant natural wealth, the continent remained poor.

The Prime Minister also called on the African Union to establish a continental media house to curtail negative reporting by Western media.

Issued by:

Mrs. Inutu Mupango Mwanza
First Secretary (Press & Tourism)
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia

THE VOICE OPINION; UPND Will lose the 2026 Elections

By Daimone Siulapwa

President Hakainde Hichilema and his UPND new dawn government should begin to realize that they are living on borrowed time. The earlier they do that the better for them because voters are clearly disenchanted.

There is generally economic decline in the country and the cost of living has gone up despite the interventions the New Dawn government has put up to mitigate matters. Business opportunities that were there doing the PF reign have vanished in thin air and it is difficult to fathom why this is so.

Even the cost of borrowing has upped as the Bank of Zambia has increased the Monitoring Policy Ration (MPR) by 25 basis points from 9.25 % to 9.50% meaning if one has a loan, they either have to negotiate for an extended tenure or pay more in instalments. Added to this is the ever increasing cost of fuel and electricity tariffs which have left masses in a state of despair.

As if this is not enough, the UPND government has stifled farmers – choking them to the brink of death. The UPND has stopped the issuance of export permits for agriculture produce like maize and soya and it has also put in place rigidities that are impeding the smooth transportation of agro produce by local buyers such as millers.

President Hichilema and his new dawn government seem not to realize that the agriculture sector is the country’s biggest employer and thus when it is impacted negatively, the greater population is suffers.

The more strategic opposition parties like the PF are already leveraging on this lapse by the UPND government who seem to have an uncoordinated media team. Further, the increasingly sophisticated electorates have left the ruling party increasingly susceptible to election defeat in 2026.

The UPND must learn from the PF that despite the rise of more sophisticated strategies of election rigging and censorship, elections can still be lost. Even in places where governments remain undefeated, such as Namibia and South Africa, the gap between the ruling party and the opposition has narrowed considerably.

The message for the ruling party is clear: perform poorly in the context of economic decline, and you are operating on borrowed time.

The success of the opposition will likely be driven by the coalescence of a number of factors including the failure by the UPND to lower the cost of living and their failure to take care of their disgruntled foot soldiers.

Additionally, the UPND ought to realize that most of the people who voted for them in the 2021 polls were swing voters who are not apolitical per se. The country now has increasingly well-educated electorates with considerable experience of multiparty politics and it is these that are increasingly frustrated with the poorly performing UPND government.

While support for the UPND government still remains robust, satisfaction with how democracy and the economy is performing has declined, and there is still a growing recognition of the impact of corruption on public services and the lives of citizens. Furthermore, nepotism and tribalism is still at bay.

In comparison to the PF, there are falling levels of business opportunities during the UPND reign and this has led to eroded savings giving rise to increased prices which are causing real pain for citizens.

Evidently, the UPND is having difficulties in sustaining living standards and it has given public criticism of corruption greater bite yet it has blown wind into the sails of opposition leaders.

Support for opposition PF is suddenly getting higher because citizens have started believing that the economy is badly managed by the UPND, they are less satisfied with public services, and they are appalled with the rising cost of living.

Evidently, the ruling party is underperforming – neither ethnicity, patrimonialism, nor clientelism will insulate the UPND government from an electoral defeat in 2026. So how can the UPND government respond?

The ruling party can insulate themselves against these trends in two main ways: maintaining legitimacy and increasing repression both of which they are not doing right now.

This raises the question of where legitimacy comes from. Legitimacy stems from responding adequately to popular expectations. It can be built up, like capital, by showing a track record of delivering what people value most.

But is the UPND doing that to the expectations of the people – NO! Indeed the UPND has brought about freedoms by ending caderism but just like citizens want to go about their lives unthreatened, they also want to be economically comfortable.

Alas the UPND government is not offering their population economic opportunities and affording them essential services while improving the economy so as to enjoy stronger legitimacy.

The UPND government has failed to establish a good record on the twin pillars of stability and economic well-being which they would have leveraged to draw down on their reserve of legitimacy when times are hard as will be the case in the next two years.

But the UPND government seem not inclined to move in this direction because they are too incompetent to do so and the sad reality is that there are high levels of opposition support now, particularly for the PF, which may lead to political change in 2026.

In other words, there may be a ‘reincarnation’ of the former ruling party PF in 2026 because the UPND has been swayed into grossly destabilizing the opposition and perceived dissenters through clientelism, patronage politics and extra-legal means, thereby undermining the provision of social justice.*

It’s Not About The Graph, But The Audience

By David Zyambo

“If you would persuade,” said Benjamin Franklin, “you must appeal to interest rather than intellect.”

One doesn’t have to be a communications expert to understand why we communicate—the basic premise of communication is for a speaker to convey a message, and conversely be understood by their intended audience. If you are a public speaker, the importance of knowing your audience, understanding their most basic needs and tailoring your message to their interests and level of understanding is key to success—be it delivering an address, a presentation, a speech, or simply galvanizing people to action.

In the last couple days, Zambia has been all ears on what I would call “unproductive debates” about the use and understanding of “graphs”, or lack thereof. I call it unproductive because this is happening at a time when cost of living is the 800-pound gorilla in every room you walk into today, youth unemployment is at an all time high, and debilitating poverty is knocking at every doorstep in our community. One would expect a more progressive debate to dominate the airwaves post a presidential press conference.

But on the contrary, we’ve seen members of the clergy taking to their pulpits, government ministers wielding their power, pundits of both the ruling and opposition parties, as well as ordinary citizens engaging in rhetoric to either rationalize or disapprove the usage of graphs in the last presidential press conference. Whether the president’s use of graphs was right or wrong depends not on the content itself, but who his intended audience was.

So the question we should be asking is, who did the president have in mind when preparing for his press conference? I’m asking this question because the very first thing a good speaker does when preparing for an address is getting to understand who their intended audience is—you cannot show up to a class of 10 year olds with a Harvard University level speech and expect to deliver impact. Good speakers always begin with the people they will be addressing in mind, answering these fundamental questions before they put pen to paper—who is my audience, why am I talking to them and what do they want to hear from me? Public speaking is akin to selling, where the product is your message—you can’t force people to buy a product they have no use for.

When people become audience members in an address or speech situation, they bring with them expectations about the occasion, the topic, and the speaker. And those expectations are restricted to their interests and level of understanding of the subject. A good speaker is always on the alert for opportunity to appeal to common sense and the people’s deepest needs—fully understanding that deviation from the audience’s expectations can have a negative impact on the effectiveness of the address or the speech. In our case, graphs in themselves should not be the bone of contention, what people should be debating about is the audience—was that the right audience to assimilate statistical illustrations or not? A follow up question should be, who is the intended audience in a presidential press conference?

The concept of presidential press conferences is not new, it has been an ongoing tradition in many countries for hundreds of years—the first ever televised press conference was in 1955 by US President Dwight Eisenhower. Kenneth Kaunda, for those old enough to remember, was fond of press conferences—I used to listen to them with my grandmother when I was a kid. The purpose of these press conferences is for the president to connect with the public and ameliorate the risk of insularity that comes with holding high office—they are also a means to spotlight immediate challenges facing the country, communicate the president’s policy priorities to address them, and put the citizens concerns at easy—similar to a pilot making an announcement during moments of extreme turbulence on a flight. The general public, meaning ordinary citizens, are often the target audience in these press conferences.

Taking an audience-centered approach in this regard is important because a speaker’s effectiveness will be improved if the address is created and delivered at the level of understanding of their target population. So the question we should be asking is, how well does our population understand statistics fundamentals? Can our mothers at Soweto Market, whose biggest interest is where the next meal will come from, interpret and understand a graph—is that information relevant, or could that be viewed as a mockery to them?

I believe that we are always at our best when we speak conversationally, in ordinary-everyday language. PowerPoint slides are very effective in boardrooms—but when it comes to connecting with ordinary people, PowerPoint presentations often pose as a barrier between the speaker and their audience. Additionally, the subject of statistics is vast—for those who are trying to justify the use of graphs at a press conference, can they interpret and understand dendrograms, boxplots,
correlation and regression, path analysis techniques for model identification and fit, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling? If they cannot interpret this level of statistical analysis, the same goes for our mothers at Soweto Market whose primary interest is the next meal for their children. My uneducated grandmother used to sit and listen to Kenneth Kaunda’s press conferences and have notable takeaways—because Kenneth Kaunda always created and delivered his addresses at the level of understanding of a common man.

It is important to always remember that the basic premise of communication is to be understood. When we are understood, we have an opportunity to appeal to interest, persuade, drive influence and galvanize people to action. To appeal to interest, drive persuasion and subsequently influence and action, it is critical that a public speaker puts together the right information that appeals to their target audience’s motivation. They must communicate what’s in it for their intended audience and craft their content accordingly.

I cannot explicitly state whether the president was right or wrong in using graphs at his last press conference, because I am privy to who his target audience was—not sure whether it was ordinary citizens, the business class or investors. But I saw it necessary to outline communications fundamentals, and let people use it as a point of reference in this ongoing debate.

“If you would persuade,” said Benjamin Franklin, “you must appeal to interest rather than intellect.”

-Minority Shareholders complain of concealment of the KMP Royalty deal documents and the Mopani Copper Mines $1.5 Billion purchase agreement
-Board Chair Dolika Banda resigns due to alleged political interferences
-Shares suspended on the London Stock Exchange due to non-compliance to Disclosure and Transparency rules
By Mwansa Chalwe Snr

The recent events at ZCCM-IH, the anchor company for managing Zambia’s mining interests, should be of serious concern to all Zambians. This is so, because mining is the mainstay of Zambia’s economy. In most countries, this would have attracted vigorous and open debate. The resolution of issues concerning the three biggest mining houses – Kansanshi Mining Plc (KMP), Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) and Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) – are all housed at ZCCM-IH, is very urgent.

You cannot have a Board Chair resigning, Minority shareholders complaining about suspected opaque deals and the lack of transparency, and the company shares being suspended at the reputable London stock exchange; and the country continues with business as usual! This piece wants to elicit debate, with the view to persuade the authorities to prioritise the resolution of issues at ZCCM-IH and mining the sector in general, by taking immediate action to give hope to the people on the Copperbelt hope.

THE CONTROVERSIAL FQM/ KMP ROYALTY DEAL

In order to understand what has happened at ZCCM-IH in recent weeks, the starting point should be the initiation of the controversial deal by ZCCM-IH and First Quantum Minerals (FQM) of Canada, to convert of 20% ZCCM –IH ordinary shares into a Royalty financial asset last year. The company’s Board of Directors are understood to have since approved the deal, after the government, as majority shareholder, voted for it in the Annual General meeting of 31st March, 2023.

In 2022, the Zambian government and First Quantum Minerals (FQM) of Canada, agreed to covert the dividend rights and economic value of Zambia’s 20 percent equity in Kansanshi Mining Plc into a life of mine royalty of 3.1 per cent of the gross value of Royalty products to be extracted from Kansanshi Mining PLC (KMP).

The majority of enlightened Zambians were against this deal. The deal raised many suspicions from the beginning, on a number of fronts. There were two key issues that people wanted clarity on. The first, was the status of the ordinary shares that Zambia held. The second was to ascertain the guarantee, stability and predictability of Royalty income in the agreement.

Whereas the government and ZCCM-IH presented a rosy picture about the transaction, arguing that there will be no change in the classification of shares, and that there was no risk in royalty income streams, this was debunked by First Quantum Minerals (FQM) public statements in Canada. The cautionary statement that FQM issued to the Toronto stock exchange on 1st December 2022, in announcing the transaction, and the other statements they made to the press, were more detailed and transparent, than what Zambians were made to believe by both ZCCM-IH and the Ministry of Finance through their press conference.

“At closing ZCCM-IH will de-recognise its equity stake in KMP as an investment in associate and recognise the acquired Royalty as a financial asset. The forward-looking statements in this news release include statements as to the anticipated conversion of ZCCM-IH’s ordinary shares into preference shares. The varied rights attached to the ZCCM-IH Class A shares in KMP will be amended and prescribed in the amended KMP Articles of Association (“New KMP Articles”) to be adopted at Closing. Pursuant to the New KMP Articles and the Termination Agreement between KHL, KMP and ZCCM-IH relating to the termination of rights and obligations under the KMP Shareholders Agreement.

“Certain statements and information herein contain forward-looking statements and forward looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. The Company undertakes no obligation to reissue or update forward looking statements or information,” Statement issued by FQM in Canada on 1st December, 2022 stated.

The above statements were crystal clear to any technical person, as to what the nature of the transaction was, despite the statements being couched in some financial engineering language and legal jargon. It clearly indicates that the 20% ZCCM-IH ordinary shares will subsequently be converted to preference shares, which are almost equivalent to being a creditor with no voting rights. In addition, the existing shareholders agreement will be terminated with fresh articles of association drawn up.

The likely result of the entire deal was that FQM will be become a 100% owner of Kansanshi Mining PLC. Consequently, ZCCM-IH would cease to be a partial owner of Kansanshi Mining Plc. This transaction has been classified by critics as a de facto PRIVATISATION, through the back door. In addition, with regard to the guarantee of Royalty income, the cautionary statements seems to suggest that FQM has cleverly put in a disclaimer or caveat. There seems to be no guarantee that the purported income from the Royalties, based on projections, were going to necessarily materialize.

It must be understood that First Quantum Minerals’ desire to buy off the 20% Shareholding from government did not start last year (2022). The law suit by ZCCM-IH of FQM and its Directors, in the Lusaka High Court on October 28, 2016, where the company was claiming up to $ 1.4 billion from FQM Ltd for fraud, did not go down well with the owners and directors of FQM group. In February 2019, Mining Technology and Lusaka Times, quoting Bloomberg, reported that FQM had offered the Zambian government to acquire the remaining 20% stake in Kansanshi Mining Plc for as much as $700 Million. However, the PF administration then, seemed to have rejected the offer. It is in this context that the re-engineered Royalty deal should be looked at.

WHY ZAMBIANS WERE AGAINST THE FQM ROYALTY DEAL

The argument by Zambians with regard to the Royalty deal is that the original objective of Zambia’s acquisition of minority interests in mining houses like KMP, was strategic and not just financial. The level of animosity against the transaction was reflected in the number of people who registered their opposition, including the News diggers Newspaper, who wrote several editorial Opinions criticising the transaction in the month of December, 2022.

“As we have said in our earlier editorial comments, this trouble that the UPND government has plunged itself in, is a result of failure to consult. The shares that ZCCM-IH holds in the mining companies are held in trust for the people of Zambia. The President and those around him need to distinguish personal property and government assets. When dealing with state assets, you ask the people first before acting,” the News Digger advised in one of its editorial opinions on the transaction.

There were many other commentators who opposed the transaction. And among them, was economist Dr. Lubinda Haabazoka, who felt that the deal needed to be debated by Parliament as ZCCM-IH belongs to Zambians, and as such, a fundamental decisions like that, needed their concurrence.

“Surely in whose best interest in this deal? Why can’t the other owners of the same mine also go into such type of arrangement with government to say ‘for our 80 per cent shareholding we are going to be getting this much. Why should they push it to us? For me I think this should have been taken to Parliament for debate. A lot of economic jargon is being used to confuse the population and posterity will judge us harshly. The generation of Dr. Kenneth Kaunda are turning in their graves because we have been unable to harness anything from the Mining Industry,” Dr. Lubinda Haabazoka lamented in an interview with the Mast Newspaper on the transaction.

The public argued that dividends are not the only reason that drive prudent investors. Asset growth can even be more important. It is also a known fact that KMP’s future growth prospects are currently very bright, given the electric car revolution and the growth in the green economy. And with its recent investment of $1.25billion to expand the Nickle Mine, it should be all the more reason to keep the ordinary shares. The expectation is that both dividend payments and the value of shares will exponentially increase in future. And so, ZCCM-IH stands to lose out from this expected success.

The other downside of the transaction is that the deal will give FQM 100% ownership of KMP and a carte blanche to make decisions which may not necessarily in the best interests of the country. There are so many intangible benefits attached to holding 20% ordinary shares. Zambia’s interests in the mining companies go beyond dividends or royalties. The current royalty deal has implications on the following: loss of value in capital gains on ordinary shares, possible loss tax revenue to government, illicit financial flows, transfer pricing risks, foreign exchange, corporate governance, national security and other intangibles. These should have been taken into account when the decision was being made, rather than to just the seemingly simplistic focus on the short term of royalty revenue only.

This first part of the article has given readers the background to one of the causes of the current problems at ZCCM-IH. In the next part, I will delve into the apparent deterioration of corporate governance at ZCCM-IH based on recent events. I will also analyse what could have led Ms. Dolika Banda to resign and highlight why ZCCM-IH shares were suspended from the London Stock exchange.

To conclude, I wish to remind the people who have counter views to this article, that we live in a democracy. And as Zambians we have freedom of expression. The criticism of the deal should not make people – especially those in public service – get hot under the collar. As public servants, if they can’t stand the heat, they better get out the kitchen. It should be known that ZCCM-IH does not belong to the government of the day, but to all Zambians. And so, they are all entitled to comment on the happenings at the company. And for those with contrary views, the best they can do is to write their own Opinion, and support it with facts, and not insult. The public will judge who is making more sense. Zambians have simply given any government, at a particular time, the stewardship function, and therefore those with delegated responsibility ought to be accountable. This article is all about accountability, period.

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The writer is a Chartered Accountant and Author. He is a semi-retired international MSMEs Consultant. He is also an Op-Ed Contributor to the Hong Kong based, Alibaba owned South China Morning Post (SCMP).Contact:pmchalwe@gmail.com

ABOUT SOYA BEANS vs NSHIMA-NOMICS

By Miles B. Sampa,MP (24.05.2023)

Seen a number of colleagues in the opposition giving orders and ultimatums to the government to purchase all the Soya beans harvested by farmers in the Country.

I thought to myself that here we go again ‘ wanting to do things exactly the same as in the past years and yet expect our Country to grow economically’. Celebrated social philosopher Albert Einstein once put it bluntly “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.”

In the past each time farmers fail to sell their cash crops, then lobbyist be it opposition arm-twist incumbent governments to become buyers of last resort whether said crop purchase was in the approved national budget or not. So where is the government expected to find the funds to buy the surplus soya beans if I may ask?

Print the money or borrow from the domestic market and in which case some will still cry foul that ‘government is crowding out the private sector buying bonds and tbills’. Even when they can easily do that, should that money not be channeled towards buying more medicines for our hospitals and clinics ?

Weaker populistic based governments easily give in and ‘manufacture’ un budgeted money to purchase the soya beans for political expediency. This is a crop that is predominantly grown by the large commercial farmers. So when they decided to plant it, who was their target market and what has happened to that market? Did they not insure their crop against unforeseen market instabilities ?

The only crop which I personally vouch for even in Parliament for government to always intervene as buyer of last resort is Maize. This is because Maize not only leads to ‘ulutoshi’ (staple food nshima ) but is grown by our majority peasant farmers in all the 10 provinces of Zambia that are vulnerable and have no access or capacity to insure their little acreage of crops.

Nshima or lutoshinomics can lead to mass starvation or loss of lives if not handled well. Government therefore has to be alert to support small scale maize farmers if so needed from the planting to the marketing stages of the crop.

Thats for Maize but the market options currently available for the soya beans commercial growers is to stole their harvest in warehouses until their anticipated floor price surfaces. All simply cut their losses if stressed for liquidity. It’s part of agricultural economics planning and strategies.

Unfortunately what Zambia does not have is a grain or commodity exchange market where there constant primary and secondary sellers and buyers transact daily be it for speculative purposes. In developed countries soya beans is traded same way we trade FOREX. Some buy when the price is low and keep for months to re-sale at a margin profit when prices rise.

We have LUSE for shares but we must have another one for agricultural and metal commodities. If there is one then indeed it’s non functional and that’s why soya beans farmers running to the Minister of agriculture Mutolo Phiri to buy what he neither needs or had money or budget line to pay from.

I urge to the Finance Minister Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane to abide by the 2023 approved national budget and any expense that we did not approve in Parliament for him to spend, should mot be tolerated. Zambia needs financially disciplined if ever has leap frog it’s national development agenda.

We cannot keep digging financial holes to bury other holes. That was the norm time immemorial and this current government of all its many short comings, they have to stay prudent with public finances by sticking to the approved national budget. Soya beans purchase from commercial farmers was not budgeted for.

May we as a nation please Sir Albert Einstein in his grave by not doing same economic errors of the past but expect different economic results (higher GDP).
May the nation act sane in that aspect.

MBS24.05.2023

PF MP gives Hichilema A+ grade

CHAMA South PF member of parliament Davison Mung’andu says President Hakainde Hichilema’s electoral promises to Zambians are being actualised.

Meanwhile, Mung’andu says the current fight against corruption should continue, without those affected singing the hymn of tribal persecution.

The lawmaker said this in a vote of thanks at an event where President Hichilema officially distributed 156 Toyota Land cruisers for Constituency Development Fund (CDF) project monitoring in the Lusaka Showgrounds yesterday.

He commended the government for the unprecedented expansion of the CDF from K1.6 to K28.3 million in 2023.

“I did not believe this, when I heard that you have increased CDF from K1.6 million to K28.3 million. Just last week, I went to prove that ‘this money indeed is being disbursed.’ I’m happy to report that Chama South constituency, as at last week, had K18 million siting in the account,” Mung’andu said, prompting ovation in the VIP section.

“Mr President, this is the first time in the history of this country that constituencies have been allocated funds that will allow citizens to improve their livelihoods and attain meaningful development, regardless of their social status as well political affiliation.”

Mung’andu added that: “Mr President, your promises to the people of Zambia are being actualised and we are witnesses to the impact, with the expanded CDF.”

“The vulnerable youth, women and indeed school going children are getting access not only to basic education but also skills development but also skills development, through the deployment of this CDF,” he noted.

“Mr President, be comforted that in almost all to constituencies, skills development is working…”

He further said the procured CDF vehicles are a testimony of the UPND government’s fiscal discipline and budget credibility.

“What your government budgets is released. In simple terms, if you budget for K2 billion for vehicles, we see that K2 billion being released. For that, Mr President, we want to thank you,” Mung’andu said.

Mung’andu also touched on the issue to do with the current fight against corruption.

“We encourage you on the fight against corruption. You stated, Mr President, that your fight against corruption will be non-selective. It will look at the past, present and the future,” he said.

“Mr President, we have no doubt that if an individual commits or omits an act prohibited by the law, he or she does so alone. We do not do that as a tribe! Mr President, do not look or listen to anyone that wants to hide in the name of the tribe in the fight against corruption.”

He reiterated that if one is accused or arrested of a corrupt act, there are courts of law that are going to acquit them if indeed they did not commit that offence.

“So, I see no reason why us, particularly those of us who are in the opposition today, should complain that we are being taken to court. The courts are the places where acquittals are being done if you are innocent,” said Mung’andu.

Kalemba

GOVERNMENT HANDS OVER 156 VEHICLES FOR CDF PROJECT MONITORING
President Hakainde Hichilema this afternoon at the Showgrounds in Lusaka, officially handed over 156 vehicles under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to facilitate service delivery to the Zambian people in all constituencies across Zambia.

In attendance were stakeholders from a cross section of society. Government has taken deliberate steps towards economic and social transformation to achieve equitable development in all the 10 provinces in Zambia, regardless of political affiliation the president said adding that the decision to increase CDF from K1.6m to K28.3m per year, that is simultaneously disbursed to every constituency every year without fail was aimed at this cause.

The President said it was encouring to see that now, through CDF, students have desks and this number is increasing daily. In addition, vulnerable pupils are attending school, the youth are accessing life skills and co-operatives have been empowered to enhance people’s livelihoods.

Governments guiding principle is people-centred development that ensures access to basic needs for all Zambians in all the corners of our country President Hichilema lamented while urging the constituencies to use these vehicles for their intended purpose, to monitor and evaluate local projects because these benefit the whole community, whom government has promised to serve.

“SOME NATIONAL STUPIDITIES” – A Letter to President HH

Dear Mr. President,

I watched your recent Press Briefing with devoted admiration as you, taking no intellectual prisoner, excoriated noise from news, fiction from fact, and myth from memo.

Your message, sir, was clear: The path to recovery will be long and winding. It calls for patience. It will pass through painful valleys, often with gates controlled by others who don’t share our pain or urgency. To get where we are going, we must work, work, work. For we can only fuel this journey through relentless production, and not through hedonistic consumption. This is what I heard from you, in summary.

Mr. President, I might be wrong, but the abrupt way you ended the presser suggested a bit of frustration on your part. Mainly, I thought the most flustering part for you was Frank Mutubila’s question – how do you reconcile glowing diaspora admiration with growing domestic discontent?

I thought you answered that question, like those before it, very well. However, that moment resembled a Jesus-on-the-cross moment: Doing the right thing, crucified for doing the right thing. This, Mr President, as you already know, is not the first time people will vilify, to use your words, “the cat that catches the mice.” Nor will it be the last.

I recently read an essay by Mark Twain, written in 1891 called “Some National Stupidities.” It’s an old piece, sir, but the message isn’t. In this essay, Twain praises the German stove and bemoans the fact that Americans continued to prefer their monstrous woodstoves that practically required a dedicated full-time staff to keep them running. He wrote: The slowness of humans in embracing ideas that are valuable and come with a promise of sustainable advantage is a curious and unconscionable thing. “Sadly,” he continued, “this form of stupidity is confined to no community, to no nation; it is universal.”

The fact is that humanity is not only slow in adopting valuable ideas and pathways—it sometimes persists in rejecting them completely. Take the German stove in Twain’s essay, for instance—the huge white porcelain device that offered a cleaner environment and required far less effort, rejected in favour of its American cousin, a solemn, unsympathetic pollutant suggestive of slow death and eventual grave. This, Mr. President, is what Mark Twain called a “national stupidity”.

Mr. President, let me explain why “national stupidities” occur, if I may. The late nineteenth century was a rough time for frogs, worms, and a number of other creatures. As the study of physiology blossomed in Europe and America (thanks in part to Charles Darwin whose memorial centre you recently visited), scientists went wild dividing, dismembering, and relocating these unfortunate creatures. According to scientific legend, they also slowly heated some of the animals in order to test the extent to which they could adapt to changes in their environments.

Sir, the most famous example of this kind of research is the apocryphal story of the frog in boiling water. Supposedly, if you place a frog in a pot of very hot water, it will scramble around and quickly jump out. However, if you put one in a pot of room-temperature water, the little guy will stay there contentedly. Now, if you slowly increase the temperature, the frog will stay put as it acclimates to the rising change in temperature. And if you continue to turn up the heat, the frog will eventually boil to death, having gradually lost its instinct to leap out of trouble. Mr. President, the boiling-frog story is the quintessence of the principle of adaptation.

The general premise, sir, is that all creatures, including Zambians, can get used to almost anything over time. This ability to adapt to anything is supposed to be a great asset to humanity, but, unfortunately, it is also the hemlock that feeds our “national stupidities” as the frog story pejoratively demonstrates. The frog sits there, adapting to the rise in temperature until it dies.

Similarly we all carry the frog instinct. We adapt to both good and bad things. When we elected you, we were exercising our frog instinct to jump out of what was clearly a decadent trajectory. The problem is that we had lost track of how far we had adapted to the ruinous path. So, now we miss the warm deception of the rising temperature in the former order.

Sir, the same instinct explains why spouses hang on to abusive relationships. To save face, they will say “I’m staying in this relationship because of the children” or “the devil you know is better than the angel you don’t”. That is because they cannot say “I am staying in this relationship because I am experiencing ‘some national stupidities.’” Mr President, do you listen to Zambian music, by the way? In the words of musician Indi K (featuring Dandy Crazy) – we all have our moments where we cling to toxic situations and say “chipuba chandi, ndekeni nemwine.”

So, when there is a change, and a new pathway is introduced, our natural reaction is to resist, complain, and want to revert to a semblance of the status quo because that is the path we feel we own.

When people are complaining, Mr. President, it could be one of two things. Either the path is painful and wrong, or the path is painful but right. The role of leaders is to discern. If it’s because of the former, then we need to change course. My view is that the path you are leading us on is painful but right. Some of the pain we are going through is that of having adapted to tantameni, national holidays at every whim, disguised prices, and tariffs. We came to own these things. They became our tantameni, our holidays, and our prices. So, in our eyes, you are the villain that has taken something away from us. Left unchecked, we would prefer these things even though they will lead us into a ditch. Indeed, even though they have led us into a ditch. They are, collectively, our “national stupidity.”

There is a passage in the Bible that you will, no doubt, be familiar with, Mr President. The nation of Israel was on its way to the promised land. Somewhere in the heat of the desert, as the going got tough, they murmured these words to Moses: “We wish we had died in the land of Egypt. There we sat by the flesh pots, and we did eat bread to the full. But you, you have brought us here into this wilderness, to kill us all with hunger.” Ex 16.3. They preferred slavery with food to freedom with food. To hell with dignity, they preferred lining up (tantameni) and receiving meat and bread. It was their “national stupidity.”

All this to say Mr. President, do not be distracted by the transient murmurs of a nation that adapted to previous encumbrances. Be encouraged by the enduring goal of “dignity and peace ‘neath Zambia’s sky.” The same nation which is complaining in the wilderness will be clapping in the land of milk and honey.

Yours Sincerely,
Patrick Sikana

STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.

25.05.2023

SMALL SCALE FARMERS HAVE BEEN SLAPPED IN THE FACE BY THE NEW DAWN GOVERNMENT.

The decision by the new dawn Government through FRA not to buy Soya beans in the 2022/2023 crop marketing season is a direct slap on the face of the small scale farmers in the country.

There are many factors attesting to this fact some of which are here listed below:

1. It has been a song of the new dawn Government to encourage small scale farmers to take farming as a serious business that can help create real wealth for them.
2. Government is on record of encouraging small scale farmers to diversify from growing maize only into growing other cash crops such as soya beans, cotton, tobacco, sunflower, ground nuts, cassava etc which are more profitable than maize. 3. Government has always been assuring small scale farmers that it would help find market for those crops for them.
4. The president directed and encouraged small scale farmers to grow more soya beans in the 2022/2023 farming season as government had already found market for it in China.
5. There was good and attractive soya beans price in the 2021/2022 crop marketing season of
K 11/kg translating into K550 / 50kg bag which made more small scale farmers to grow more soya beans in the 2022/2023 farming season.
6. There was late distribution of maize seed and fertilizer for the 2022/2023 farming season which only came after planting season for maize was over in many parts of the country thereby favouring the planting of soya beans.
7.Maize seed and fertilizer for those on FISP were not enough for the 2022/2023 farming season which saw small scale farmers sharing fertilizer in 5L containers commonly known as medas.
8. The prices of maize seed and fertilizer were too high beyond the reach of majority small scale farmers.

These factors coupled with many others inspired majority of the small scale farmers in Zambia to grow more soya beans than maize in the 2022/2023 farming season hoping that they would make more money from soya beans which in turn they would use to buy maize for their domestic consumption if need be.

But alas as per the NEW DAWN ADMINISTRATION OF LYING TO IT’S PEOPLE, small scale farmers who laboured to grow more soya beans have been left to sale their crop to briefcase buyers who are only offering between K3 to K 5 / kg translating into between K150 to K250 / 50kg bag resulting into a loss of about K 300 / 50kg bag as compared with the previous marketing season, instead Government has decided to increase maize price from K180 to K280 / 50kg bag which they know many small scale farmers do not have, but only commercial farmers will benefit from this good maize price.

Indeed this is a direct slap on the face of our small scale farmers.

By

Hon. Pst. Boyd Mwape Chibuye
NDC V/President.
2026 Tulibonse.
JOB CREATION THROUGH INDUSTRIALIZATION.

PF RECOGNISES ONE CHINA POLICY

PF DISTANCES ITSELF FROM MILES SAMPA

Tuesday 23 May 2023

We wish to categorically distance the Patriotic Front from a statement attributed to Hon Miles Sampa that he published today on his Facebook page stating that Zambia may need Taiwan and not China. Mr Sampa has accused The People’s Republic of China of “holding Zambia hostage.”

We wish to put it on record that the Patriotic Front, both as a Party and Government, then, has enjoyed and continue to enjoy very warm and cordial relationships with The People’s Republic of China and the Chinese Communist Party and looks forward to further deepening our relationship.

Zambia has been one of China’s oldest diplomatic partners and Chinese investment in Zambia remains the largest foreign direct investment portfolio.

China’s Belt and Road initiative has financed several major infrastructure developments in Zambia in various sectors including health, education, transport, mining as well as energy, amongst many others.

China’s relationship with Zambia stretches way back as far as the era of Zambia’s liberation struggle were China supported Zambia, then Northern Rhodesia, through financial and material support.

During our tenure in office, the Patriotic Front forged closer ties with China that were aimed at facilitating and promoting cultural exchanges, economic cooperation, joint trust, and political equivalence to drive the Zambia-China relationship forward.

Article 61 of the Constitution of the Patriotic Front designates the Party President as the principal spokesperson of the Party on all national and international affairs. In the absence of the Party President, named constitutional office bearers of the Party are mandated to speak on behalf of the Party and Mr Miles Sampa does not fall in any of the said categories.

I further with to state that the Patriotic Front is a firm believer in the One China Policy and it is for this reason that we unequivocally condemned the reckless and provocative behaviour of Nancy Pelosi last year when she visited Taiwan.

Anyone who goes against the One China policy is not only against the People’s Republic of China but all well meaning citizens of the global community. Our position as Patriotic Front and that of its members will remain as such.

In view of the above, I wish to guide and caution our colleagues, especially our friends from the media to ignore with contempt, the statement from Hon Miles Sampa or indeed, anyone who is not authorised by our Constitution or the Party leadership to speak on behalf of the Party.

I thank you.

Issued by;
Hon Given Lubinda
Vice President
Patriotic Front

ECL, HH DONT TALK…’there’s bad blood between the two’

By Staff Reporter

FORMER president Edgar Lungu has no problem talking with his successor but the impression President Hakainde Hichilema has created that the duo has a cordial relationship is surprisingly misleading.

According to sources close to Lungu, there’s bad blood and the two do not talk contrary to the impression President Hichilema created yesterday that the two are in talking terms.

“Some of us who interact with the former President know that the third and last time the two spoke was when Zambia’s fifth president Rupiah Banda died. As you recall this is now well over one year. That was when President Hichilema phoned ECL to inform him about the death of Rupiah Banda and requested ECL to join him in mourning the former president to ensure he was mourned in dignity,” one source explained.

“The first two times the duo spoke was soon after the handover of power from the former to the current. And these were two separate meetings although we are not privy to what they discussed in those meetings. If there are any other times they have spoken, President Hichilema or ECL will be at liberty to share with, or explain to the public the nature of their conversations. Otherwise we can safely say the two have discussed only twice after ECL handed over power because the third and final discussion was strictly about RB’s death.”

The source further said that position notwithstanding, former president Lungu has no problem talking with his successor should President Hichilema show interest in talking with him.

“The bottom line is that whilst President Hichilema would like the country to believe that he is enjoying a cordial relationship with ECL, the opposite is the truth,” the source said. “The question is: why is President Hichilema misleading the public when even his ministers and senior government officials know that there is bad blood between President Hichilema and his predecessor? Ministers and other senior government officials also are not free to interact with him (ECL).”

Another source explained that the issue surrounding security enhancement at Lungu’s house in Lusaka’s Ibex Hill was supposed to be discussed with Secretary to the Cabinet Patrick Kangwa who has not shown up despite promising to do that several times.

“For instance, do you know that for over one week now, ECL has been waiting for the Secretary to the Cabinet to discuss this same issue of security at his residence and other administrative issues pertaining to the Office of the Sixth President but Mr Kangwa has failed to show up for this meeting?” said the source.

“Secretary to Cabinet is the custodian of that Act that deals with former heads of state. The former president is managed by Cabinet Office. The Act dealing with the former heads of state is clear. It even defines what constitutes participation in active politics. But now it appears jogging and going to church constitute participation in active politics.”

Addressing a press conference at State House yesterday, President Hichilema said he was available to hold talks with his predecessor.

“Talking is the answer. I have always been available. I don’t want to reveal many things here because I am responsible. My colleague and I talk, be known to you. But what is said in public is a different matter. So how do I deal with such a situation? Someone is not telling the truth there,” he said.

“There are crimes that were committed before, and conversations took place on how to treat those issues within the law. I advised, let us treat this within the law. But citizens are not aware…someone goes on a platform and says there is no communication. Now the day I will reveal, if it is necessary, you will be shocked.”

President Hichilema however stressed the need for repentance so that society can become normal.

He also said Lungu’s retirement is purely a legal issue.

“I started with myself that when I’ve done my time, I will retire and go and look after goats. The goats are waiting for me. They need my attention and I love them so much. And I think they love me because you can see how they multiply when we give them more time and attention. On a serious note, it is a legal issue. You cannot be in retirement and yet you are in politics. The law does not allow that. So who is offending who now? HH is not offending any individual or targeting anybody. It is the law that is being offended,” said President Hichilema.

“The law is clear. When a former president retires, they must not stay in politics and the emoluments they get are based on the law and they are provided for in the law. Today I see a headline in one of the newspapers saying HH lied, it wasn’t 13 policemen, it was eight. I asked the Secretary to the Cabinet and said please can you deal with that? Me I am given information to interpret the law. The law is clear. But in this case, if there was misinformation, it’s the Cabinet Office. It’s not my problem…But what I know is that even eight is offending the law. Even four is offending the law, because the number is three. So now you can see the malice in there. You can see how we have reduced…the substance of the matter is not 13 or eight. The substance of the matter is that has the law been offended?”

MR GIVEN LUBINDA,DO YOUR RESEARCH BEFORE YOU CONDEMN CDF

Authored By Mupishi Jones

I want to send an appeal to those in leadership positions at whatever level to do thorough research on the information that they are sending to the general public.Mr Given Lubinda released a presser yesterday where he unleashed attacks on the commissioning of the newly procured CDF Land cruisers to constituencies.

Mr Lubinda should realize that today’s generation of youths are different from those of yesteryears.You can’t feed today’s youths with half baked information and expect to be respected as a leader because they will catch your lies sooner or later on internet and social media outlets.

Mr Lubinda seem to be condemning in the strongest terms a CDF activity which he doesn’t fully understand.Even ordinary citizens can tell that he doesn’t have enough information on the operational structure of this CDF.

Mr Lubinda condemns the President for commissioning and handing over these vehicles to constituencies saying the resources used could have been used to buy medicines and medical supplies in our health care facilities.Just this will tell you that Mr Lubinda is ill-informed on the different components of this CDF.Let me school Mr Lubinda that the 2022 CDF of K25.7m had K1,285,000 administrative component meant for activities such as project commissioning and project handover ceremonies.This component is what finances the various project commissioning and hand over ceremonies that the citizens watch on TV everyday.

This administrative component was budgeted way back for activities such as what Lubinda is condemning today.Using this component to buy medicine would be misapplication of funds and one can be answerable to auditors and at PAC for that.

I request Mr Lubinda to familiarize himself with the CDF guidelines before exposing his inadequacies in public.
Secondly,Mr Lubinda talks about 56 out of a total of 70 vehicles have been given to UPND controlled Councils in Southern and Western Provinces leaving only 9 to PF controlled Councils and 8 to independent controlled Councils.

Again Mr Lubinda is exhibiting alarming levels of ignorance.It grinds inside me to think that this is the same man who was heading our justice system in our country.

To begin with,these vehicles were financed by individual constituencies in all the 156 constituencies countrywide.All the 156 constituencies received a total of K25.7m including the cost of this very vehicle.

I guess Mr Lubinda is being economical with the truth because he should have mentioned those constituencies that have not received these vehicles if indeed he had full information on what he wanted us to believe.I don’t know whether Mr Lubinda doesn’t know that this is the second batch of vehicles to be distributed and that the first batch went quietly to those constituencies he’s claiming have been segregated.

How can President Hakainde Hichilema send K23.7m to all 156 constituencies for CDF programs only to come and fail to send a K1m vehicle which is meant to monitor the K23.7 m projects? Does it make sense? When President Hakainde Hichilema was distributing this K23.7m to all the 156 constituencies,Mr Lubinda was quiet.

When the UPND government at the request of councils themselves to procure these vehicles on their behalf, the same Lubinda and his team condemned the move, others even went to court.Today, when these vehicles are being distributed,they want to become concerned citizens, how?

Let’s just be fair,we are not asking you to like Bally, but please give credit where it’s due.Bally is miles ahead of you guys in this game.
Don’t hate the player, hate the game.

I submit

Mupishi Jones

THE ZAMBIA-CHINA FRIENDSHIP ASSOCIATION CORRECTS ANTI CHINA MISINFORMATION

The Zambia-China Friendship Association would like to correct the highly misleading, inaccurate, ill-informed, and diplomatically damaging anti-China propaganda that has been published by one Hon. Miles Sampa, Member of Parliament for Matero, Aspiring Candidate for PF presidency and Former Deputy Minister of Finance under the Michael Sata PF Administration.

Hon. Sampa`s article is calling for Zambia to recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state and that Zambia is better off having diplomatic relations with Taiwan than the People’s Republic of China, on the basis that,
1) Taiwan is wealthier than China
2) Dumping $10b debt on Zambia
3) Called China names including that it is bullying Taiwan
4) Made accusation that China is interfering with Zambia`s debt restructuring engagements with the IMF

Consequently, he has advised President Hakainde Hichilema not to go to China, and to strengthen bilateral ties with China but instead take a trip to Taiwan.

All his accusations, and rationales are patently false. To begin with, his “grade 12” understanding of the history of the founding of the People’s Republic of China is grossly inaccurate.

The correct position is that the People’s Republic of China was founded by the great Chinese people under the revolutionary and anti-imperialist leadership of the Communist Party of China led by Mao Zedong following the treacherous Chiang Kai Shek and his nationalist party attempted betrayal of the Chinese revolution to the imperialist colonial forces which included America, Great Britain and France, who were trying to divide China the same way they divided Africa for colonial exploitation. Having been defeated, Chiang Kai Shek and his small band of followers with the aid of the West imperialist powers ran away from China Mainland and forcefully imposed themselves on the island of Taiwan, a province of China.

We would like to point out further, that this imperialist plan, which Chiang Kai Shek was a tool of the imperialist forces, presented an existential threat to the Chinese people and the nation-state, where the imperialist western powers including Britain, and France were trying to destroy China through the sale of illegal drugs, such as opium and other illicit drugs in order to effect a genocide on the Chinese people for profit.

In fact, they unleashed two unprovoked wars on China, called “the opium war”. The first war was fought in 1839-1842 when the Chinese government tried to impose a ban on opium by a British merchants, the second war was fought from 1856 to 1860, this time by Britain and France together against China in which they plundered China and desecrated the emperor`s palace and forced China to give-up sovereignty over Hong Kong, which was only handed back recently on 1ST July 1997 after 156 years of colonialism.

The other absurd assertion by Hon Sampa is the one where he suggests that Taiwan is wealthier, and more technologically advanced than China.

To the contrary, it is common knowledge that China is the second largest economy in the world now and technologically very advanced, it is the only country in the world to have an independent space station and the Chinese 5G technology is number one.

There are many more areas in which China is number one in the world, for purpose of this discussion we cannot list them all, suffice to say that a comparison between China and Taiwan as suggested by Mr Sampa is the height of folly.

Mr. Sampa has further accused China of, in his own words, “dumping a $10b debt on Zambia”, suggesting that, China forced Zambia at gunpoint to take this $10b debt when in fact, this $10b debt was solicited and contracted by mutual agreement between successive Zambian governments from Dr Kaunda right down to PF in which Mr Sampa served as a Deputy Minister of Finance.

Unlike the $750 million Eurobond debt which was contracted from Western vulture funds by Mr Sampa, then deputy Minister of Finance, for which he is remembered to have proudly called himself Mr. Eurobond, which Eurobond debt up to date has not been properly accounted for; the Chinese debt on another hand is easily accounted for and its use is visible to all Zambians in the health infrastructure such as the levy Mwanawasa, the masterpiece of road infrastructure including the Mongu- Kalabo road, housing units for our security personnel, the Kafue lower hydro project which has effectively ended load shedding in our country and others too numerous to mention.

The Former Deputy Minister of Finance has further suggested that Zambia open diplomatic relations with Taiwan in preference to China. We would like to inform Mr Sampa and the country, that Countries under the established order of international relations, countries do not open diplomatic relations with provinces of other countries, Taiwan is a renegade province of China. This proposal by Mr Sampa is the egregious of all his dubious proposals. We would like to remind the nation that, it is on this very issue that Zambia`s relation with China is anchored.

It was Zambia in 1971, then represented, by our very own illustrious and consummate diplomat, Hon. Dr. Vernon Johnson Mwaanga (serving under the late Fourth President Rupiah Banda, then Foreign Affairs Minister, and founding President of Zambia, Late Dr. Kenneth Kaunda,) led the United Nations organization General Assembly to kick out Taiwan which was illegally occupying China`s seat at the United Nations, to overwhelmingly and democratically restore the people’s Republic of China to the United Nations and take up its legitimate seat as a fifth permanent member and only one democratically elected to seat on the security council.

That was the event that defined and put to rest once and for all, that there is only one China in the world which is now referred to as one China policy, to which all member states of the United Nations subscribe, including the United States of America. Therefore, it is incomprehensible as to why anyone would remotely suggest that Zambia abandons a universal principle governing current international relations with China of which it is the main architect.

In his article, Mr. Sampa has concluded by advising the Zambian Head of State, His Excellency, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema to abandon a scheduled Presidential visit to China which is a co-chair of Zambia’s sovereign debt restructuring mechanism, accusing it of being responsible for the perceived lack of progress in the engagements with IMF.

It is our considered view that this assertions by Hon. Mr Sampa are not based on truth, and his advice to the head of state not go to China, is reckless, ill-advised and full of mischief boarding on the unpatriotic.

We are, however, fortified, confident, and comforted by the fact that, His Excellency, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, President of Republic of Zambia has already shown a better understanding of international relations and the world geopolitical situation and he is patriotic enough to put the interest of the country first by having decided that he will be going to China soon

Issued by
Chibeza Mfuni
DEPUTY SECRETARY GENERAL
23. May 2023

Hon Given Lubinda, Vice President of the Patriotic Front (PF), strongly criticized President Hakainde Hichilema and his government for what he termed as “reckless expenditure.” The statement comes in response to an invitation by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development for a ceremony where President Hichilema is scheduled to hand over Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Project Monitoring Motor Vehicles to various councils.

The event, slated for Wednesday, 24th May, 2023 at the Zambia Agricultural Showgrounds in Lusaka, has drawn sharp criticism from Lubinda, who claims that the government’s decision to spend a significant amount of money on a motor vehicle handover ceremony is irresponsible given the country’s current economic challenges.

Lubinda pointed out that Zambia is grappling with severe economic stress, including a lack of liquidity, rising youth unemployment, critical shortages of medicines and medical supplies in healthcare facilities, rising inflation, and an escalating cost of living. Against this backdrop, he argues that the government should prioritize allocating resources to address these pressing issues rather than indulging in unnecessary expenditures.

The Vice President of the Patriotic Front also expressed concern over what he sees as an unbalanced distribution of the motor vehicles, claiming that the majority have been allocated to United Party for National Development (UPND)-controlled councils in Southern and Western Provinces. According to Lubinda, out of a total of 70 vehicles, 56 have been given to UPND-controlled councils, with only nine allocated to PF-controlled councils and eight to independent-controlled councils in the other provinces.

Lubinda argued that such distribution violates Article 147 of the Constitution of Zambia, which demands equitable distribution and application of national resources to all regions and citizens without favoritism or preference. Accusing President Hichilema and his government of discrimination and regional bias, Lubinda described their actions as divisive, ethnic, unpatriotic, and highly polarizing.

He further claimed that Hichilema’s alleged divisive behavior extends beyond the distribution of vehicles, permeating all aspects of government business, including job appointments and contract allocations. Lubinda cited the recent recruitment of Eagle Holdings Limited, owned by the Zambia National Service (ZNS), where he alleges that individuals from a specific region were favored. Lubinda warned that such actions based on ethnicity and regionalism could sow disunity and division, posing a threat to the unity of Zambia as One Zambia One Nation.

PRESS STATEMENT BY HON GIVEN LUBINDA, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE PATRIOTIC FRONT

Tuesday 23 May 2023

The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has issued a notice, inviting Councils, Mayors, Council Chairpersons, Members of Parliament, Principal Officers and other government officials to the official handover of the Constituency Development Fund(CDF) Project Monitoring Motor Vehicles by President Hakainde Hichilema on Wednesday, 24th May, 2023 at the Zambia Agricultural Showgrounds in Lusaka.

We wish to condemn in the strongest possible terms the action by Government on the following score;

1. It is reckless and irresponsible for President Hakainde and his government to spend such colossal sums of money just to handover a motor vehicle to a Council.

The country is in dire economic stress with the lack of liquidity, rising youth unemployment, critical shortages of medicines and medical supplies in our healthcare facilities, rising inflation as well as a spiralling cost of living among numerous other economic challenges, yet we have a Government that finds it prudent to use the country’s meagre resources on an unnecessary expenditure such as a handover ceremony of motor vehicles.

The money that Government will squander on this ceremony could have been channeled to needy areas such as the procurement of medicines and medical supplies in our healthcare facilities which have been relegated to death centres.

2. The distribution of the said motor vehicles is unbalanced and biased towards the UPND as 56 out of a total of 70 vehicles have been given to UPND controlled Councils in Southern and Western Provinces of Zambia leaving only 9 to PF controlled Councils and 8 to Independent controlled Councils in the other 8 provinces.

Article 147 of the Constitution of Zambia demands that Government must observe and ensure equitable distribution and application of national resources to all regions and all Zambians without any favouritism or preference to any region or any grouping.

Therefore, the conduct of Mr Hichilema and his government to discriminate and segregate certain regions and groupings from freely participating and fully benefiting from the national cake is divisive, ethnic, unpatriotic and highly polarising and must be condemned and challenged.

This unpatriotic, ethnic and divisive behaviour from Mr Hichilema is not only limited to the issue of CDF vehicles but it has spread to all facets of government business including the distribution of government jobs and contracts. The case in point include the new recruitment of Eagle Holdings Limited, a company owned by the Zambia National Service (ZNS) where almost all those that have been recruited hail from one region.

Ethnicity and regionalism has become a hallmark of Mr Hichilema in all his appointments of people to key positions of Government both local and abroad. This is a recipe for disunity and division and must not only be condemned but it must be resisted as it threatens the very basis of our existence as One Zambia One Nation.

I thank you.

Miles Sampa
ABOUT THE WEDDING & GUEST LIST

So the event of the day was the traditional wedding of the daughter to our President HH. What a good feeling and more so oldest child of the first family. In my past life met them all including the then toddlers but now two talk boys with afros doing the Tonga cowboy dance (as their father enjoy doing) on the line up of their older sister. Fantastic.

Beyond that I struggled to notice who made the guest list that our President had invited to attend the ‘national’ wedding. I am far from having expected to have received a card. Here thinking of people like the former President ECL, Fred Mmembe, Sean Tembo, Harry Kalaba, Dr Canicius Banda, Chilufya Tayali et al

A few days ago I wrote an article on how us politicians or indeed all seniors citizens should ensure to exclude our children and spouses from ‘fights’ in our arena. It’s noble to do that. Our personal families are not part of our political or business miunderstangs, agreements or disagreements.

Even within the President’s renown past and current associates we can only hope majority were invited. Maybe they were sworn to privacy as we have seen no guest pics online but I can assume away from Minsters that the likes of Muna Hantuba, Valentine Chitalu and Costain Chilala were there.

While I am at it I can also assume and hope that our chairman and the President associate (atleast then) Mr James Ndambo was invited and was present. Not long ago Mr Ndambo married off his daughter and we watched live that the guest of honour at that wedding in SA was one of President HH’s senior Ministers. Therein made the optics clear that a gesture of invitation was extended to the President and he was represented at the event by one of his Ministers.

I keep mentioning Mr Ndambo because I know both him and Sir HH before he became President. I know there were good my home town (Choma & Southern province) associates and brothers.

Apparently it all went highway when wrongly reported that one of the guest at the Ndambo sponsored beauty pageant in Choma some time last year was some rich foreigner lady called Isabel Dos Santos and daughter to the late President of Angola Edwardo Dos Santos. Those who make a living by telling lies to current (and even former Presidents ) so speculated. The former President daughter Isabel is some multi billionaire with international financial scandals and by the time they enter the Country, President HH should have been aware.

The truth surfaced later however and it turned out that one of the young two daughters of Mr Ndambo is named Isabel and happens to be married to some Portuguese origin man called Dos Santos. See how a facts can easily be flipped into a seemingly true lies to the detriment of relations between VVIPs.

My point is weddings of our children are normally occasions that automatically bring old friends and brothers together and supersedes or over rides any past rifts, misunderstandings or fights which maybe real or but in lost case pseudo or perceived. Wedding are times to unite or re-unite families and friends .

I am hoping President HH may have another third wedding ceremony for his children (Miyanda & Meenda) but this time for non family guests mostly his friends, workmates (Sean Tembo) and other peers.

The first family stopped being a private family the day the President was sworn in. They are a public institution in the same way England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 comes to a stand still when a child to the Queen or King has a wedding.

Otherwise sincere congratulations to the President. The simplicity of the two events we have witnessed thus far is commendable . Even when you could easily afford to sponsors some huge and extravagant event for the children, you kept it within the mood and economic sombre of the nation.

Well done and kudos to the bride, groom, groom family and indeed the first family.

MBS21.05.2023

CHISHIMBA KAMBWILI: STOP YOUR WITCHCRAFT: PICKING SOILS FROM YOUR FRIENDS’ FOOTSTEPS TO MAKE THEM LOSE THEIR MIND IS EVIL: WHAT YOU DID AT LEOPARD’S GRAVEYARD WILL ALSO ONE DAY HAUNT YOU.

By Koswe Editors

Chishimba Kambwili must stop practising witchcraft with immediate effect. In a bid to be President, you must use your brains and not witchcraft.

Zambians don’t know yet what Kambwili has done in the dark but we will now going forward expose him.

When these political parties started forming Alliances, Kambwili started targeting his fellow competitors by getting soil from where they stepped and then used the same for charms.

Yes, we all know that PF is full of witches like Freedom Sikazwe but Kambwili’s tactics to target the current leadership and confuse it by putting them in a bottle and make sure they obey him and not hold him accountable for many offences he committed is uncalled for.

There are evil spirits Kambwili is keeping at all his houses and he knows that what we are saying is true. When Kambwili is about to face trouble for his crimes, he just orders his evil spirits to make those to hold him accountable lose memory and forget about him.

We all know that Kambwili was supposed to be the state witness in the case of Bowman Lusambo killing Kasongo but this and many other issues are not taking place because of his witchcraft.

For a thought. These PF witches have planned to cause many spiritual accidents especially when President Hakainde Hichilema’s motorcade will be heading to and from the office and their target is to at least have 80 people die and thereafter start calling on Zambians to hate him and push him to move into State House.

According to Kambwili’s sangomas from Malawi, once HH moves to State House, he will not last long as their evil spirits will capture him and make him lose memory and even die.

Currently when the current leadership plans to have these criminals held accountable, Kambwili just goes behind his house and starts piercing a tree there while shouting: STOP IT! UPND STOP IT! HH STOP IT! CAN YOU ALL OBEY ME! Kambwili talks to his demons and evil spirits.

Unless you pray hard, you cannot see these things that PF through Kambwili are doing. So far, non of them has been convicted and the reason is simple: apart from using money to bribe people handling their crimes, they are also using evil spirits and witchcraft to make people soft and forget about their crimes.

The stunt Kambwili put up by walking without shoes to the Leopard’s graveyard was not just a mere step but he was performing rituals as guided by his sangomas.

Zambia and Zambians must pray for President Hakainde Hichilema and indeed the entire UPND Government because Kambwili and PF are determined to use witchcraft to even make the UPND government forget about crimes these thieves committed and then the same thieves will go to voters and say: We are clean. We never stole anything as no one has been jailed and so, give us power because these ones have failed. This is Africa and if you were old enough, you will recall the days of Mushala and how he troubled Kaunda.

Someone must check Kambwili in prayers including at his houses.

SOURCE: Koswe

We chose privacy during our wedding says Miyanda and Meenda!

Newly wedded couple Mrs.Miyanda H. Meenda and her husband Meenda Milambo have disclosed that they requested for privacy during their marriage.

The New couple that received alot of donations have stated that, they requested that their marriage should not be captured by anyone else except for their hired camera Crew.

In an interview with this reporter to congratulate their marriage, Mrs. Miyanda H. Milambo says she is happy that her marriage was not publicized on the media or social Media.

She stated that the couple enjoy living a private life away from the media and Social Media respectively.

Reporter : “Mrs. Miyanda H. Milambo,the Newest Couple in town Congratulations, you made a wonderful bride. I saw you dance like your father. That was amazing”.

Mrs. Miyanda H. Milambo: “Thank you very much my friend. I never saw you at any of my events. It has been hectic but we thank God on how everything went on”

Reporter: ” I have noted that non of your pictures are circulating on the media and social media respectively, was that your wish?”

Mrs. Miyanda H. Milambo: ” You know we have always lived a private life, away from the Media or Social Media. That is not our thing. Me and my husband actually requested all our guests not to take any pictures of us except for our hired camera crew that documented our events”.

Mrs. Miyanda H. Milambo: ” We don’t enjoy Publicity and our marriage needed that as well. We had our own Camera crew that documented our event for us and our extended Family friends.”

Reporter : “People are curious, they want to see how you and your husband look like. The Zambian people feel they need to know you even seeing any of your pictures?”

Mrs. Miyanda H. Milambo: ” We are grateful for such thoughts, but we enjoy life in privacy just like this. We want our marriage to be off social media or any media related activities. We fully understand that the media is good and bad at times. So we will avoid the media just like we have done in the past”.

Reporter: ” Congratulations once more on your marriage and wishing you God’s blessing and Guidance. Regards to our new brother in-Law”

Mrs. Miyanda H. Milambo: “Thank you very much my friend. It is always a pleasure talking to you. Hopefully to see you soon.”

Reporter : “Indeed. Where is your honey moon by the way?”

Mrs. Miyanda H.Milambo: ” It’s always private and we will live it at that. No information regarding our honey moon”.

By Prince Kaliza

Lately, some of our citizens have always wasted their time wondering why President Hichilema and his predecessor, Edgar Lungu, can’t sit down over a cup of tea, by the way the president doesn’t imbibe alcoholic beverages like Lungu, and talk. What is there to talk about, anywhere!

First and foremost, let’s try and put a few things into perspective. Edgar Lungu was in power for some good 7 years; did he at any point ever consider breathing the same air as Hichilema, as leader of a largest opposition political party then, in the room as they deliberated upon the affairs of the land? Did anyone including the church, civil society or so-called senior citizens raise concern or ever call for dialogue between the two warring parties?

In case some of us have forgotten, Lungu was so ‘allergic’ to the presence of Hichilema anywhere near him that he always ensured that he couldn’t be found in the same vicinity as him be it in towns, markets, shops, townships or anywhere where human beings congregated! He always made sure he curtailed the movements of his nemesis to the point of lockinf him up for treason wnen they found themselves using the same road !

Expecting Hichilema and Lungu to get along is preposterous! It’s akin to the makishi (a masquerade) and an uncircumcised person (chidima) enjoying a meal together! This can’t happen…..just like you can’t mix water with oil. The two individuals have got nothing in common; they can’t get along!

Whereas the other one allowed his ministers to ‘chew’ part of the produce in the field…..ubomba mwibala, this one is a disciplinarian; he’ll hand you over to the cops pronto!

Whereas the other one enjoyed hosting overnight parties at State House and pamper his guests with an endless supply of Jameson; this one will offer you a bottle of water or juice!

Whereas the other one allowed cadres to harass or beat up members of the opposition mercilessly; the other one will tell you are on your on!

Whereas the other one would allow ministers and his cadres to flaunt their wealthy proudly by throwing parties at Chicagoes and enjoy oysters, lobsters as they imbibed enormous amounts of glenvidich, the other one is comfortable enjoying chibwantu at his farm.

Whereas the other one was quick to show off designers’ outfits from exclusive boutiques abroad, the other one has got no qualms about putting on clothes and shoes from Kamwala!

Honestly, how do you expect the duo to get along? What are they going to talk about?

Please, allow Hakainde to run this nation encumbered!

Prince Bill M Kaping’a
Political/Social Analyst

By Isaac Mwanza

After watching the last press “briefing” by our Republican President, Hakainde Hichilema, which lasted for closer to 3 hours on Thursday, one can only say keep trying, be modest, avoid rhetoric and learn from the past Mr. President.

There can be no doubt when one listens to the President that he has set the Patriotic Front (PF) as the standard measure for his leadership.

The President appeared to have been singing old stale hits about the PF when people have moved on and are looking for new tunes. It was like going to a Yo Maps Heroes concert and all he performs is “Finally” from 4 years ago!

The Zambian people rejected the PF for basic reasons that it had failed to deliver the quality of life it had promised them, for its arrogance and its somewhat militant style of government.

Among its supporters, the PF party is never loyal to those who were or are loyal to it. It was one of the many reasons why PF grassroots members decided to put in less for their party to win the general election.

The PF allowed the arrogance, selfishness and lawlessness to dominate its governing structures which angered and later alienated loyal members.

The PF allowed the government and its institutions to become a cash cow for a few beneficiaries who walked in the corridors of power and gave themselves the most lucrative government and SOE construction and supply contracts.

Unfortunately, it cannot be said at this stage that the administration of President Hichilema is acting any differently or the governing UPND is behaving any better than its predecessor.

There isn’t much of any detectable difference in the two parties’ style of leadership.

The current administration is driving us to the unpopular International Monetary Fund (IMF) route whose destination is greater suffering and pain for many.

It is becoming clear by the day that measures prescribed by the IMF from its Washington boardroom are premised on the Law of the Jungle: survival of the fittest and elimination of the weakest.

Humility should compel any President wearing the shoes President Hichilema stepped into to recognize that Zambians with responsibilities on their shoulders are going through untold difficulties at this moment.

Poverty levels are growing at an alarming rate from time the Hichilema administration took up stressful IMF measures in order to access the largely irrelevant $1.3 billion loan. The money remains tightly locked up in the IMF’s vault.

According to the IMF wisdom, Mr. Hichilema must complete negotiations with official creditors and demonstrate to be taking “bold and ambitious program of reforms” to the IMF’s satisfaction.

The measures allegedly agreed between government and the IMF are, to many ordinary Zambians, evil. Families are on the verge of complete financial collapse and irredeemable poverty.

Many of the weakest in our society will lose everything, having already lost their dignity.

In the midst of what Zambians are going through, Mr. Hichilema didn’t see the need to acknowledge at his 3-hour press conference that life has generally become tough for the overwhelming majority of ordinary Zambians.

From his sentiments, President Hichilema seems to believe that Zambians who are complaining on social and other media are those who received and became addicted to free handouts under the derided PF regime.

And going by his general remarks, the President also seems to believe that his administration is doing far much better than all previous governments since independence.

His belief is based on economic indicators from his own Ministry of Finance and the “vibes” coming from his international friends and admirers who are not experiencing the hardships being faced by Zambians.

President Hichilema’s press briefing was particularly punctuated by the graphical presentation of these indicators in PowerPoint.

He struggled to showcase what he seems to believe is the excellent performance of his administration as compared to the fallen PF regime.

It would appear the President may not be aware that the PF had the best statistics in terms of tangible deliverables with regard to what they had done for Zambia in their ten-year tenure, which is statistically better than the MMD or UNIP.

Before Zambians chucked the PF out of power, the PF prided itself on having enrolled more beneficiaries on FISP and social cash transfer programmes, the biggest infrastructure investments in the education, health, energy and road sectors.

In just 7 years, the Lungu administration built 1,650 schools, the same number as UNIP built in its first 10 years of government after independence and 10 times more than the British built in their 70 years of colonial rule.

Zambia saw about 650 new health posts, Level 1, District and General Hospitals. There is also the state-of-the-art Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula Airport,

Not to forget the marvellous Kazungula and Mongu-Kalabo bridges and new bituminous roads dotted in both rural and urban areas. These are among the many good things the former regime could point to.

Irrespective of statistics on poverty levels from the Bretton Woods institutions, the cost of living under the fallen regime was relatively affordable for many ordinary Zambians.

Zambians, however made a decision on August 12 to chuck out the PF despite its impressive statistics.

The PF’s lawlessness, the blatant abuse of power by the few, the disregard for democratic rights and political thuggery became unbearable and Zambians decided that it was time for change.

The hope of many Zambians was a return to normalcy and predictable order which had eroded under the PF. Zambian voters had hoped the UPND was to provide the path back to normal statehood and the full enjoyment of democratic rights by all.

The UPND, at a minimum, offered the promise of bettering their lives in a reorganized society than the previous administration.

This is why it is baffling that President Hichilema could spend over close to 3 hours comparing and contrasting economic statistics about his government and those from previous governments.

Even in his reliance of those statistics, the President completely ignored factors that could have contributed to past negative growth of our economy.

These factors include the cold war before 1990, repeated cycles of droughts and floods, wars, instability, and economic blockades against our trading partners.

The others were the pandemic in 2020, low price of metals, our primary export, on the international markets due to economic stagnation in major economies due to the 2008 global financial collapse.

From the data presented, the President should also have noted that negative indicators such as high inflation in a year before any general election reflect uncertainties surrounding the outcome of such a major election.

Real life does not flow smoothly like a good PowerPoint presentation, Mr. President.

Of what good is a country that prides itself in statistical positive economic growth when its citizens are struggling to make the ends meet in real life?

What is the value of showcasing a single digit inflation when your citizens are failing to put food on the table for their families?

Where is the pride when your citizens do not have income to meet minimum fees for health insurance with NHIMA?

Of what good is education when classrooms are grossly overpopulated to the extent that children are reduced to merely being present in class and come out with neither knowledge nor skill?

Mr. President, there are a number of good things happening under your leadership which you could have discussed as genuine positives but you elected to dwell on your predecessor’s negatives.

And, you could have taken the opportunity to learn from questions coming from media representatives who have so much to highlight and much to share.

Instead, Mr. President, you chose not to pay attention to what the media had to share. You literally overwhelmed the media with your presentation.

Did you notice that even the few questions you allowed from the media did not go to addressing issues arising from your own PowerPoint presentation and your endless statistics, Mr. President?

The media is usually a good and reliable indicator of what is on the ground. It is good to let them talk, and for you to listen.

The people wanted you to answer questions that directly affect their lives rather than to repeat presentations you may have made overseas.

If you had allowed the media to exhaust their questions, and if you had then briefly but precisely provided answers, you probably could have had a meaningful engagement with the Zambian public.

But don’t be discouraged Mr. President.

You need to continue interacting, not necessarily with students who are usually mobilized to sing praises, but the public who, by questioning your leadership style or decisions, will help you to govern well.

CARELESS STATEMENTS COULD NEGATIVELY IMPACT ON MOPANI AND KCM FINAL DEALS

The careless statements being issued by politicians almost on daily basis on Mopani and KCM, is making the Job of Government very difficult in coming up with a win / win situation. Because of these careless statements, Government may be pushed in an extremely weak bargaining position.

The unnecessary pressure from politicians could lead to the two mines being sold at give away price with unfavorable conditions for miners and ordinary Zambians .Government is negotiating under duress. It’s no longer a bargaining process where there is the spirit of give and take.

From time to time Zambians have complained on how our mines have been sold. Zambians have also complained that the deals that are signed do not befit them. Yet some people are busy issuing statements meant to weaken Government position on the two mines. This is how we end up with very weak Mining Development Agreements. BA MUKOLWE NGAFULA UBUSHIKU TABUCHA BWANGU.

Currently, Government can either negotiate with the new buyers or Glencoe and Vedanta. However, negotiating skills demand that, one must negotiate in good faith based on the principle of give and take. Secondly never at any stage of negotiations display any signs of desperation. Then confidentiality must be observed at all times. Honestly, are we being fair to ourselves when on daily basis careless statements that undermine the process and its outcome are being issued? Stop issuing careless statements. If you don’t understand the impact of what you are saying better be quite.(TONDOLO MUSUMA)

When PF grabbed the mines none of you bothered to ask them about the conditions that were attached to these mines. Most of you were too busy dancing Dununa reverse. When some of us refused and said that you have destroyed the two mines. You called us enemies of miners and our freedoms on the Copper belt were curtailed. But today you are in the forefront of issuing statements. Under PF the mention of Glencoe and Vendetta was treasonable. The integrity of the bargaining process will be highly compromised if those who harassed both Vendetta and Glencoe officials are part of the process. Remember how that young CEO at Mopani was harassed? Be patriotic, do your cheap politics away from the mining industry.

Percy Chanda

UPND – Chairman for Mines and Freedom Fighter

WHAT STOLEN MONEY CAN DO IF NOT CAREFULLY MONITORED PEOPLE CAN USE IT TO DISTURBLISE THE COUNTRY …***

By Stembridge Sikalundu

They can try to buy anyone even those that are close to the president , in a Mafia family money creats possibilities to get power in any way , they have used the church before and they can pay off men and women in churches , we have seen their influence in some of the media houses , the propaganda used and the way journalists from the private sector are behaving towards the UPND govt and particularly the president , what they can’t do is to buy life . They are richer than the country , zambia as a country is struggling to restructure the nations debt of $14 billion dollars they contracted , all the wealth they walked out of govt together as a team may be more than $30 billion dollars meaning they are richer than the country by leaving it poorer than they found it .

Since winning the general election by the UPND party , the greatest challenges we have seen is that stolen resources which are being used to confront the UPND ligitimate govt .when we say they are a risk to the peace and development of this country ,our views are taken lightly while they are moving like worms towards the UPND progressive focus .

When they see that they can’t win elections democratically they may turn evil and plot against the president , they know the longer president HAKAINDE HICHILEMA is in office their stolen wealth is at risk of being siezed or estinguished by legal expenditures . We have called on investing more on the security of the president because the enemy is behind and in the bedroom . Some of the sabotage in the economy may have beeen caused by cartels that are linked to these elements .

When some people are appointed by president HAKAINDE HICHILEMA they celebrate because they feel their money may have been used to achieve what they want , some people have lasted for a short while on their appointments with varying reasons , contrastingly when a different person is appointed they find what to complain because their money is lost , this may be looked at as mare rhetoric .The UPND party replaced the fifth 5th most corrupt govt in Africa at the time , these elements are right at the door steps of the UPND govt .

They are championing the one zambia one nation as a weak link for the UPND to appoint their elements and expose the confidentiality and secrecy of the UPND govt , someone is seriously involved in this serious matter who may be the principle of trait , when themselves managed a regional govt it was a right , when appointments go hey way they bring up all sorts of issues because ,they want their way . It is high time the UPND upbeat their political game , criminals are back . When you see juvenile opposition leaders rising to demonstrate against the visit of a high profile leader like US vice president KAMALA HARRIS , it is because stolen money is involved to fund these activities to dent govt .

All these matters point to one person and the same direction of interests , history repeats itself , FTJ ( mhscriep) brought democracy to this country but he defied the practice to save the country from retaining it to the same ways , and the world got shocked and zambia till today maintaines it’s lane . The intelligence wings of this country should reaffirm their role to provide sensitive intelligence data in order for this country to be governed on its principle criterias , criminals are in the church , in govt and what is left is probably to reach the core of the presidency , they are advancing slowly but sure , the UPND leadership allowed this , if the situation is not carefully managed these elements may sound a warning which they are doing already and surprise the people of Zambia and the whole world . God bless mother Zambia .

I CRY ZAMBIA IS MY BELOVED COUNTRY
May be an image of text that says ‘0 SPECIAL MOBILISAT MOBILISATION WAE SMT’

Heavy duty noisy equipment have moved in Lower Zambezi protected national park area to clear forests and chase away animals and birds as they pave way for a planned copper mine due to open.

Excavation for the vast open cast copper mine in the heart of the Lower Zambezi National Park has begun. The bulldozers’ move into Zambia’s pristine wildlife sanctuary and famous tourist attraction follows a decade-long fight by activists trying to stop the mining.

The move follows an about-turn by Zambia’s government environmental agency and by President Hakainda Hichilema, who had been outspoken about being opposed to the mine. The green light given to the mining company to start clearing work has raised questions about what political leverage mine owners may have had.

Mwembeshi Resources Limited first applied for mining rights in the park in 2011 and submitted an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) rejected the EIS. The mining company appealed and in 2014 the Zambian government approved the application for the Kangaluwi copper mine in south-eastern Zambia on the national park land.

Lower Zambezi is a vital part of the wider Zambezi basin, a significant shared resource that contributes to the economic, environmental and social development of southern Africa.

In 2014 the Lower Zambezi Tourism Association (LZTA) warned that the proposed mine would cost the Zambian economy billions of dollars a year in foreign investment and livelihoods. The tourism association said it would also destroy an ecosystem that is home to 124 species of animal, 403 species of birds and 54 aquatic animals. The association’s models also concluded that the mine was not viable.

“Modeling figures suggest that the project is not economically viable, will result in a net loss of jobs for local communities, and will generate a financial loss over the first seven years of operation of a minimum of US$13 million”, the report found.

“Locally, the project would risk a minimum of US$5 million of NGO investment in community development programmes that align with protected area management.

“In broader terms, there is great potential for mining inside protected areas to have a negative effect on international aid investment, upon which Zambia is heavily reliant and receives over $1 billion annually.”

This report coupled with objections and reports by a coalition of activists helped secure a court injunction to stop the mine. However, eight years later, the mine has successfully secured the right to mine.

The company has dismissed these concerns, saying that the mine is a mark of progress and job creation of which communities are in favour.

Mwembeshi Resources would not confirm or deny whether work on the mine has started.

“Your questions are so specific and you seem not to be interest(ed) in more important things about the mine, like value, jobs, benefits or the big support the mine has from the local community,” said Oliver Shalala, communications and corporate affairs manager. He added that the mine enjoys a lot of support among “black Zambians”.

“It is the white lodge owners, who have been known to be involved in illegal mining and poaching in the Lower Zambezi, who are fighting the mine based on untruths, half-truths and indeed wrong assumptions,” he charged.

Shalala is adamant that anyone opposed to the project or writing about it is just wasting their time “because Zambia needs development and not politicking”.

Stephen Malenga, the council secretary for Luangwa district where the mine is located, confirmed to MakanDay that work, including on the roads, has started.

“In April, I sent a team responsible for revenue collection (at the council) to Lower Zambezi to establish facts about the mine after hearing reports that it was operational,” he said.

“What they found was that the roads are being worked on and office blocks were being constructed but they were not completed, an airstrip has also been constructed at the mine.”

A decade-long fight turns into a sinkhole

The proposed mine is an open-pit mine which involves the excavation of a large open hole or a series of pits. These are gradually deepened and expanded to extract the desired mineral – in this case, copper.

Open-pit mining typically involves the use of heavy equipment, such as bulldozers, excavators and trucks to remove overlying material and expose the mineral deposit. Storage facilities are used to store the waste materials generated from mining operations, called tailings. These waste materials, including dangerous chemicals, are stored in dams constructed near mining sites. Any leaks or faults would threaten the entire ecosystem.

In 2011, when the mine first applied for a licence to operate in the area, activists warned about the threat of permanently damaging a significant portion of the park. Although it is not clear how big the mine area will be, the Environmental Impact Assessment explains how the main construction phase activities include road construction, site clearance, earthworks, open pit excavation and construction of the concentrator plant. Other work includes building a tailings storage facility, water storage tanks and fencing.

When the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) rejected the EIS in 2012, the environmental agency’s technical experts flagged degradation of the escarpment habitat, wilderness values and river pollution as key concerns on along list of potential adverse impacts.

ZEMA stated that the the mine would “destroy the landscape of the park”. It also warned that the proposed tailings storage facilities were “risky” and the “chances of failure are high”.

Two years after ZEMA rejected the mine’s EIS, Zambia’s then minister of lands, Harry Kalaba, approved the project. It was stopped by the court injunction, and Hichilema, who was in the opposition at the time, made his objection to mining in the national park clear on social media, in 2014 and again in 2019.

In 2021, ZEMA changed its mind and approved the mining company’s EIS it had rejected in 2012. The EIS expired in 2021. A coalition of environmental activists, the Conservation Advocates Zambia (CAZ), approached the courts to reverse ZEMA’s approval but Zambia’s Court of Appeal dismissed the case in February 2021. In addition to the Kangaluwi open-pit site, the EIS outlines how operations are likely to be undertaken at three satellite sites – Kalulu, Chisawa and Imboo.

CAZ also asked ZEMA to review its decision and, after getting no response they applied to the High Court asking for a judicial review of ZEMA’s decision to approve the expired EIS which it had initially rejected. This hearing has was adjourned twice before grinding to a halt on 30 March this year when ZEMA said it had “no authority” to review its own decision.

On 27 April, CAZ sent a plea to Minister of Green Economy and Environment, Collins Nzovu, to stop all activities related to the mining operation. He has not yet responded.

Aside from unanswered questions about whether there was any political influence exerted to approve the project, the events have also raised questions about President Hichilema’s “new deal” commitment to protect and conserve the country’s treasured forests and national parks.

Mine ownership

The mine is owned by a Zambian registered Mwembeshi Resources Limited. Mwembeshi Resources (Bermuda) is the largest shareholder and the company is owned by a Chinese conglomerate (the majority owned by Hu Kaijun and Chinese government stakeholders). Other companies that hold shares include Metex Resources Limited and Amazon Associates Limited.

There are also Individual shareholders in Mwembeshi Resources, and they include Stephen Mulenga, Willie Rutherlain Sweta, Hyden Hara, Pengani Yangailo, and an Austrian – Marinko Vidovic, according to the Patents and Companies Registration Agency records.

Weak legal framework

While the Mines and Minerals Development Act (2008) and the Zambia Wildlife Act (1998) allow for mining inside national parks, there is no policy or legal framework to guide implementation, monitoring and mitigation of impacts such as ensuring full site rehabilitation as is outlined by the Mines and Mineral Resources Development Act.

Section 80 of this Act prescribes “the rehabilitation, levelling, re-grassing, reforesting or contouring of such part of the land over which the right or licence has effect as may have been damaged or adversely affected by exploration operations, mining operations or mineral processing operations; and(d) the filling in, sealing or fencing of excavations, shafts and tunnels”.

Source: Makanday Centre for Investigative Journalism

The Civil Society Constitutional Agenda (CiSCA) has called upon President Hakainde Hichilema to commence the process of holding a national referendum to incorporate the progressive economic and social measures introduced by his government into the Bill of Rights. The aim is to ensure the long-term protection of these crucial human rights provisions against potential reversals by future administrations.

CiSCA acknowledges the concerns expressed by President Hichilema during a press briefing held on 18th May 2023 at State House. The President highlighted the vulnerability of the free education program, meal allowances for tertiary students, and increased social cash transfers, which could potentially be overturned by a different government or President. While appreciating the President’s initiatives in providing these essential services, CiSCA agrees that such concerns are valid, given the wide-ranging powers vested in the office of the President. Additionally, it recognizes the President’s desire to leave a lasting legacy and believes that safeguarding these initiatives is a vital step toward achieving that goal.

In light of these considerations, CiSCA urges President Hichilema to expedite the process of expanding the Bill of Rights to incorporate these measures and other economic, social, and cultural rights into the Constitution. By doing so, these rights can be entrenched as sustainable safeguards for the vulnerable segments of society, whose vulnerability is likely to persist. Without constitutional protection, these measures may be perceived as mere acts of favoritism from the President, subject to withdrawal at any given time.

For the referendum to be successful, CiSCA emphasizes the need to foster consensus among citizens and political leaders. The goal is to ensure that the referendum becomes a unifying national endeavor rather than a battleground for political divisions. Ideally, the referendum should be held one year before the 2026 general elections, distancing it from the confrontational atmosphere typically observed during election campaigns. CiSCA believes that the ruling party has a responsibility to lead in narrowing political polarization, as President Hichilema frequently expresses his desire to unite Zambia. Inviting opposition leaders to contribute alternative pragmatic solutions to the nation’s challenges can serve as a starting point for consensus building on the necessity of expanding the Bill of Rights to include economic and social rights through a mandatory referendum.

CiSCA also calls upon opposition political leaders to respond to the invitation and offer alternative solutions, considering their role as advocates for the welfare of ordinary citizens. It urges them to prioritize the wellbeing of the people over political elitism.

Failure to hold a referendum and leaving the vulnerable members of society at the mercy of political shifts will prompt Zambians to engage President Hichilema and his government in a discussion. In a nation grappling with chronic poverty, unemployment, and inequality, citizens will seek to understand why the most vulnerable are exposed to the risk of regressing from the progressive gains achieved.

Dear Minister Matambo,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the recent statements you made threatening the democratic principles that form the foundation of our society. As a concerned citizen and advocate for democratic values, I feel compelled to address the alarming implications of your remarks.

First and foremost, it is essential to emphasize that the freedom of expression is a fundamental pillar of any functioning democracy. Kitwe Mayor Mwaya Mpasa exercised this right when expressing her opinion that the President should resign. It is both her prerogative and duty as an elected official to voice concerns on behalf of her constituents.

As a public servant, it is crucial for you to remember that your role is to represent the interests of the people and uphold democratic ideals. Threatening a duly elected mayor for expressing an opinion not only undermines the principles of democracy but also sends a distressing message to the citizens you serve.

In a healthy democracy, there is room for disagreement and open dialogue. Robust debate and differing viewpoints contribute to the growth and progress of a nation. By responding to Mayor Mpasa’s statement with threats, you are attempting to stifle dissent and discourage public officials from engaging in critical discussions.

Hon. Minister, it is important to note that such actions are not tolerated by the President himself. The President has consistently demonstrated a commitment to democratic values, including the right to freedom of expression and open dialogue. Any attempt to suppress dissenting voices goes against the spirit of democracy and the principles that the President has upheld throughout his term.

I urge you to reconsider your position and approach. Instead of resorting to intimidation and threats, let us foster an environment where elected officials can express their views freely, without fear of retribution. Rather than viewing dissent as a threat, let us embrace it as an opportunity to address concerns, rectify shortcomings, and work towards a stronger and more inclusive democracy.

Furthermore, as a representative of the government, your actions set an example for other officials and the general public. It is crucial to demonstrate integrity, respect for democratic values, and a commitment to the principles that guide our nation. By doing so, you can help restore public trust and confidence in our democratic institutions.

I implore you to reflect on the gravity of your statements and the potential consequences they may have for our democracy. It is my sincere hope that you will reconsider your position and work towards fostering an environment of open dialogue and respect for differing opinions.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my concerns. I trust that you will act in the best interest of our democracy and the citizens you represent. I look forward to witnessing your commitment to upholding democratic values and promoting a society that values free expression and open debate.

Yours sincerely,

Musonda Chishimba