AN OPEN LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT

SUBJECT: ABOLISH MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND MEDIA

To describe and justify its functions and existence, the Zambian government says, “As a focal point for national information gathering and dissemination, MIBS has a major responsibility to co-ordinate and facilitate the operations of the media …”

For starters, no single ministry must be designated with the responsibility to gather information generated in every other ministry and government department. Each ministry can and does generate and disseminate information to identified audiences. This is the reason why each of them has a public relations officer with the same responsibility.

My suggestion is that disband the Ministry Information and Media and distribute the officers therein to the PR offices of other ministries. The current staff levels of normally one officer in the PR office does not reflect the importance of communication in an information age. Each ministry must be staffed with officers whose skill sets should reflect modern communication strategies that range from traditional to social media and other media arts.

Instead, the office of the Secretary to Cabinet must host the office of the Chief Government Spokesperson at the level of Permanent Secretary. Under this officer should be a staff compliment with communication and policy analytical skills that can study communication trends in the country and beyond and identify communication opportunities.

Working closely with the media team at State House and Public Relations Officers in various ministries and quasi-government bodies, the Chief Government Spokesperson can strategize effective ways of gathering and disseminating government information. Under this office shall fall the Zambia National Information Services, ZANIS, which is the technical and PR wing of government.

It is not the duty of the office of the proposed Chief Government Spokesperson to speak on policy issues that can be handled ably by line ministries. Instead, this officer will be communicating cabinet decisions and clarifying overall government policy. Alternatively, this officer could facilitate the engagement of the Secretary to Cabinet directly with the media from time to time. Otherwise, his or her task will be that of the face and voice of the Zambian government.

Under the office of the Chief Government Spokesperson should be several units that together define communication and media arts. For instance, there should be a department that deals with traditional media; social media; literary works such as books, book writers, publishing houses, along with film production, artforms such as sculpture, painting; and libraries, etc. Each of these media arts are potential forms of communicating any kind of information and message that government may desire.

Through film for instance, the government of Turkey has promoted anti-terrorism messages; through film, the government of South Africa has shared the various strategies that were employed in the struggle for freedom. Through sculpture, several countries in Europe have told the various aspects of their countries’ history. There is so much that communication is and what it can do to promote the Zambian identity and unity.

In case someone is worried about the media without a government Ministry: yes, only then shall the media achieve a self-regulatory framework. For the public broadcaster, ZNBC, the BBC model and how its board of governors is selected is a very good model to borrow. Don’t worry about the Independent Broadcasting Authority, IBA. There are sufficient examples around the globe to secure its independence and professional conduct.

Mr. President, you were elected on the promise of a new governance environment. The media space is one area you must not leave untouched. Disband the Ministry of Information and Media and end the temptation to interfere with media operations and their independence.

Kellys Kaunda
MA in New Media, Governance and Democracy (University of Leicester)
Former MISA-Zambia Chairperson

5th June 2022

“My Marriage Is Only 3 Weeks But I’m Asking For Divorce” – Lady Cries Out
He was a lovely gentleman when we first met. He performed what was expected of him and said what was expected of him. When he asked me to be his girlfriend, I was overjoyed.

He spends a lot of time on the road because he is a driver. As a result, I treasured every moment we got to spend together. I treasured those times because they weren’t something I experienced every day.

I didn’t get to pay attention to certain things because we didn’t spend a lot of time together when we were dating. There were warning indications. I simply didn’t do anything with them.

He wouldn’t answer some phone calls in my presence, for example. And the times when I got too close to his phone and he freaked out. I had no intention of reading it, but the way he held the phone against me made me suspect.

Instead of paying attention to my gut, I dismissed it. “Things are fine,” I told myself. The ghosts I see are all in my head. They can’t possibly be real.”

I was ecstatic when Kojo asked me to marry him.

We didn’t spend a lot of time together when we were dating so I didn’t get to pay attention to certain things. The signs were there. I just didn’t make anything of them. Like how he wouldn’t receive certain phone calls in my presence. And the instances where he freaks out if I went near his phone. I never had the intention of going through it but the way he guarded the phone against me made me suspicious. Instead of listening to my instinct, I brushed it off. I told myself “Things are good. The ghosts I see are in my imagination. They can’t be real.”

When Kojo asked me to marry him I was over the moon.

I took him home to my family and they endorsed him. He introduced me to his family and they welcomed me with wide-open arms. They came to see my family and performed the knocking rites. His mother and his aunt really liked me. They called to check up on me regularly and I dared to think we were friends. Anytime Kojo’s sketchiness with his phone came to my mind, I banished it immediately; “Come on, his mother loves you. He is marrying you. He loves you so what do you have to fear?”

That’s how I silenced my doubts. We got married and later signed in court. Even after marriage, I still didn’t see any change in him. He still answered certain calls away from my ears. He guarded his phone as if it held the secrets to the universe. I decided to approach things with patience.

I couldn’t touch his phone but I could see the screen sometimes. I observed that the phone calls he ignores or goes away to answer belong to one particular number. I read his body language when the calls came through. He tenses up at first but then he answers and walks away from me. Sometimes, I stood somewhere he wouldn’t see me and watched him talk on the phone. He was often relaxed and chatty with the person as though I’m the one he was talking to.

I asked myself, “Since I am here who is he talking to?” I pushed away the thought that my husband might be cheating on me. After all, our marriage was too new for him to start cheating on me. One day, we were together when that particular number called again. Before he answered the call I asked “Who is that person calling you? I’ve observed that number. It calls you too often to be ordinary.” He said, “I don’t know what you are talking about.” He then walked out to receive the call.

know what you are talking about.” He then walked out to receive the call.

I got furious but I controlled myself. I knew it was just a matter of time before I found things out for myself. “A woman will know if she wants to know,” someone said that a few days ago.

One day, the number called again. Luckily for me, I was sitting in a place where I could look directly at the screen. Within a few seconds, I had engraved the number in my mind. I quickly dialed it on my phone and saved it.

After he finished talking to the number, I also called. The voice on the other side was a woman, just as I suspected. “Hello,” she said. I didn’t waste time on pleasantries. I went straight for the kill; “Hello, please who are you? And what’s your relationship with Kojo?” She answered confidently, “He’s my husband. Is there any problem? Who are you?” I responded, “I’m Kojo’s wife.” She didn’t believe what I said and I also didn’t believe her when she said my husband was her husband.

I said, “If you’re serious about what you’re saying then prove it.” She answered, “Don’t worry. I will send you a photo of our marriage certificate. I don’t know why you want to claim a man who is not yours.” Later, she sent me a photo of their certificate. It is true.

They are married. They’ve been married for eleven years while ours was only three weeks old. I called her again on the phone and we talked. She told me they have been trying to have kids but nothing had worked. Kojo’s family put a lot of pressure on him to take another wife but he refused to heed his family’s advice.

I was devastated. It hurt that he lied to me. It hurt more to find out that he only married me to make babies for him. He didn’t marry me out of love. He only needed someone to give him kids.

I felt foolish. I thought of how his family embraced me and asked myself, “So were they all part of the charade? I trusted them so why would they do this to me?”

I called his mother and asked her between sobs; “Why didn’t you tell me your son was already married? Why did you lie to me?” She tried to calm me but I wouldn’t hear of it. I kept asking questions after questions but she had no answer to any of them.

When Kojo came home, I rushed to him with the evidence. I asked the same questions I asked his mother. He didn’t act surprised. It looked like someone must have told him before he came home. He hasn’t said a word to dignify my questions.

I have been crying for days now. I know I shouldn’t have been too trusting of him but it’s not altogether my fault. I am not the one who married two women without telling either of them. This is not on me. I feel the urge to hurt myself but I won’t do it.

I will pick up the pieces of my life and move on. I know that I will be fine. I just feel so ashamed and betrayed right now. I don’t even know how I’m going to explain it to people without feeling stupid.

I have asked my family to return their drinks to them. Looking at what’s at hand, I don’t even think our marriage was valid in the first place. That notwithstanding, I have called for the annulment of our marriage.

His mother and his aunt are telling me not to be hasty in my decision to leave their son. Kojo himself hasn’t said anything to me. I hate the fact that he manipulated me with his lies so there is no way I am staying with him. I will heal and then I will give myself another chance to love again.

ZAMWORTH INFRASTRUCTURE DEAL AND AG

I have difficulty appreciating why the former Attorney General Likando Kalaluka is being maligned for stating that he can’t remember what happened with the purchase of the Minstry of Infrastructure building unless he is availed the documentation.

Fairness demands that Mr Kalaluka should have been availed the document to refresh his memory. Its not easy for anyone who deals with hundreds of correspondence to remember every document he or she signed years ago.

What I know is that the job of any Attorney General, even the current one, is to advise Government and not private persons. If Attorney General Kalalula advised the Ministry of Infrastructure on the contract of sale and on variations of the special conditions, I don’t see how that would be wrong if Government took up the burden to pay Property Transfer Tax for purposes of reducing the cost of the purchase price of the building during negotiations.

However, Governement must be encouraged to inquire into the purchase of the building but beginning to crucify people in a court of public opinion without availing them the information to reflect and give an informed position is unjust on its own.

Am as shocked as everyone that Government has incurred interest of $25 million due to contractual breaches on payments. This is where I support President Hichilema who frowned upon contracts which had punitive clauses that have robbed the country of millions of money in interests. This culture has to come to an end.

One contractor once told me the reason why Governement purchases things like paper which costs K90 at K250 is because Govt does not pay on time. So usually a business would have to factor in the profits that would have been made due to delays in Government paying. This is understandable and makes business sense.

However, am against the idea of contracts where government is penalised for delayed payments of down payments. Inflated purchase price is draining the treasury of much needed resources. Already the story of the chartered plan at an inflated cost by the Ministry of Youth, this is how Government loses money. The Ministry of Youth and Sport has not learnt anything at all from the past

Free Andsen Zulu, a great injustice has been committed in our land!

” It is a perfectly legitimate and fair comment to say that Hakainde Hichilema is an antiChrist, in Zambia, a country which has declared itself a Christian nation.”

By Azwell Banda

It is impossible for Jesus Christ to be happy with magistrate Chrispine Hampungani for jailing Andsen Zulu for 12 months, for saying that Hakainde Hichilema is an antichrist, a non-believer in Christ.

Such an assertion is perfectly logical, especially in a country that has declared itself to be a Christian nation. In the Holy Bible Jesus Christ categorically says it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person, such as Hakainde Hichilema, to enter the kingdom of God.

Therefore, it is a perfectly rational belief to assert that Hakainde Hichilema is an antichrist, an unbeliever in Jesus Christ.

Intimidated by being arrested and detained by the police, bullied and overcome with fear by finding himself in court accused of having defamed a popular president, representing himself, Andsen Zulu foolishly perhaps, hoped that not wasting the court’s time and quickly admitting to the charge would see him reprimanded at the most, and lightly punished, for his comments.

It is in such cases where magistrates and judges and all judicial officers are expected to be extremely careful, they do not permit a suspect to unwittingly incriminate themselves, when in fact the facts before the court do not amount to a crime! But magistrate Chrispine Hampungani was having none of this caution: the poor man was swiftly jailed for an incredible 12 months!

Perched right on top of the preamble of our Constitution, is the declaration that Zambia is a Christian nation: “WE, THE PEOPLE OF ZAMBIA: ACKNOWLEDGE the supremacy of God Almighty; DECLARE the Republic a Christian Nation while upholding a person’s right to freedom of conscience, belief or religion.”

It is God Almighty, and not money, we acknowledge to be supreme. And yet Andsen Zulu, precisely because he has no money, could not buy an experienced and clever lawyer to argue his case against Hakainde Hichilema, who is a rich man and the President of Zambia, has been swiftly dispatched to prison, obviously to also frighten all poor people without money not to say anything presumed negative or defamatory, against Hakainde Hichilema.

Leviticus 19:15, clearly says “You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbour.”

Magistrate Chrispine Hampungani has gone down in our history books as a magistrate who sent a poor worker to jail for saying something perfectly rational and defensible, against Hakainde Hichilema.

This magistrate has sent shivers down the spines of all those who may wish to express, on any platform including social media and newspapers, any criticism against Hakainde Hichilema.

By this one totally unchristian treatment and judgement of Andsen Zulu, magistrate Chrispine Hampungani has struck a lethal blow upon a most sacred of all rights, the right to free expression, a corollary of the right to free conscience and free thought; the very essence of the right to life.

We are alive because we think. We prove that we think by expressing our thoughts. To murder free speech is therefore to threaten human life itself. Why did the magistrate ignore the Bible by which our laws and dispensation of justice must also be tempered?

For the avoidance of doubt, the Holy Bible is rich with evidence which supports the assertion that it is impossible to be a Christian and a rich person at the same time.

Other systems of faith, morality and humane ideologies have also come to the same conclusion – that it is impossible to serve two masters at the same time, for either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. The Holy Bible is more explicit and it bluntly says: “You cannot serve God and money”.

Andsen Zulu was not only well within his constitutional rights in a self-declared Christian nation to assert that Hakainde Hichilema who is rich, is an antichrist, but, as I must assume he himself is a Christian, it is also his duty to alert others to this fact, the fact of a rich president who certainly is headed for hell, unless he sells all that he has, and gives it all to the poor, because only then shall he have wealth in heaven; and then of course he can follow Jesus!

The law of defamation of the President is an ugly piece of our colonial legacy which every opposition leader since Kenneth Kaunda has promised to repeal when in opposition and quickly ignored this promise when in power; for it is a great lethal law to shield the President from criticism and exposure of weaknesses.

It also helps perpetuate our backward attitude to politicians who only yesterday were begging for votes and upon being elected, suddenly become removed from their origins as vote beggars and thence must be treated like loyalty in a republican democracy.

This obnoxious law facilitates the perpetuation of ignorance, fear and impotence (taken together mistaken for respect of the President) among the public of a person they have made President of the country through the ballot. It promotes sycophancy, fawning and ingratiating fake adulation of the President by his followers who are usually parasitic on this person, and it is clearly unconstitutional as it is not a law of general application and it kills democracy. It stunts the development of a vibrant democratic culture of a freely thinking and talking citizenry. In this day and age of social media, it is a useless piece of legislation incapable of consistent enforcement. It must be removed from our statutes.

This law itself, reads, “Any person who, with intent to bring the President into hatred, ridicule or contempt, publishes any defamatory or insulting matter, whether by writing, print, word of mouth or in any other manner, is guilty of an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a period not exceeding three years.” That is all. There are no definitions of the key words: intent, hatred, ridicule, contempt, defamatory or insulting. Obviously, there are English judgements a clever defence lawyer can use to argue in court; Andsen Zulu, a mere driver, had absolutely no way of knowing this.

This law is a powerful weapon for any president against real and imaginary opponents and critics, for the choirs of a reigning president, and for the police and magistrates and judges wanting to catch the eye of a reigning president: any criticism of the president can be presumed to have been uttered or published with the intent to bring the President into hatred, ridicule or contempt.
Has magistrate Chrispine Hampungani opened wide prison doors for any expression of negative thoughts about Hakainde Hichilema? Maybe not. Has Hampungani emboldened Hakainde’s zealots and choirs in and outside the police to harass anyone expressing a negative opinion against Hakainde Hichilema? Yes. Andsen Zulu could not have been a more perfect gift to these enemies of free speech and democracy.

Barely a year in office, Hakainde Hichilema and his UPND choir are fast resurrecting and inventing new ways of protecting and shielding Hakainde Hichilema from negative commentary and perfectly well-earned criticism.

The police have already defended the practice of being summoned in some remote part of Zambia, away from one’s location, to answer charges and attend court sessions. Almost a year in office, Hakainde Hichilema and his government have not produced a road map to deliver on their promises to deal with aspects of the Constitution and laws abhorrent to our Republic and its fledgling democracy. Hakainde’s government though, has not wasted time signing a Staff Level Agreement with the IMF (a very complex epoch defining matter which should have been transparent and involved the whole country, and whose full details are still a secret), amending tax for rich miners, removing VAT exemptions from newspapers and cooking oil, removing fuel and electricity subsidies, removing export duty from several food stuffs, removing import duty from agricultural equipment and machinery and creating conditions for the re-entry into Zambia by Anglo American Corporation, among other things favourable to himself and his friends both in Zambia and abroad.

It is a perfectly legitimate and fair comment to say that Hakainde Hichilema is an antiChrist, in Zambia, a country which has declared itself a Christian nation. Zambia has fast slid into a country whose future now begins to look darker than the Patriotic Front days. It is time to defend our human and constitutional rights, from the fast-creeping anti-democratic, prefeudal practices, now on full display every day.
Free Andsen Zulu from jail, he is an innocent worker! He is blessed because he is poor and his is the true kingdom of God, so says the Bible.

Comments and unrighteous insults welcome at: banda.azwell@gmail.com.

“HH has failed the 90-day test of leadership”

…says Given Lubinda as UPND clocks nine months in office

04.06.22

By Staff Reporter

Hon. Given Lubinda, the acting President of the main opposition party in Zambia PF has described President Hakainde Hichilema’s first nine months in office as “shambolic” in a live Round Table Interview.

Hon. Lubinda said in politics, the reason pundits judge a new government on a 90-day clock is because it is the gestation period a party worth its salt can flex its muscle and show that it is “up to the task” of governing and not job on training.

“When we assumed office in 2011 as PF under President Michael Sata we increased salaries and reduced taxes for public workers within 90 days because we knew what we were doing, the New Doom government has failed to employ people, according to its promises in ten months,” Mr. Lubinda said.

The former Justice Minister lamented that Zambians were duped by a “fast-talking” and over promising opposition that said manna would rain from heaven but has so far delivered air, the narrative must change now, as the cost-of-living skyrockets beyond the means of many ordinary Zambians that bought President Hichilema’s lie of manna from heaven.

“We recorded major strides in agriculture with a harvest of 3.5 million MT of maize as we left office but that has dropped to 2.5 million MT under the New Doom government,” said Hon. Lubinda.

While the PF left fertilizer prices at $700 per ton, Hon. Lubinda said it is sad that the same quantity now costs $1,500 supplied by a friend of the President and the party without a tender at Alpha Commodities.

“Our weakness and main failure as PF were to watch President Hichilema tell several lies and make several fake promises hoping Zambians could tell a lie from the truth but they didn’t,” Hon Lubinda said.

The long serving Kabwata legislator cautioned Zambians not to fall for a political yarn from Mr. Hichilema in future and instead listen to logic and not emotion.

Hon Lubinda warned Zambians to brace for even harder times ahead coupled with ever increasing fuel prices and the cost of basic food needs that shall not be afforded by the very Zambians that voted Mr. Hichilema in office.

GIVEN LUBINDA ON PRESIDENT LUNGU ABSENCE AT KK CHINA EVENT Vs CHUSHI KASANDA

Hon Lubinda, the acting PF President has expressed shock at the inhumane manner President Hichilema and his government have wantonly spited President Edgar Lungu regarding his absence at the commissioning of the Kenneth Kaunda Wing of the International Conference at Mulungushi recently following the “bitter” remarks by Chushi Kasanda, the Information Minister of UPND.

“President Hichilema gave a long speech praising the late President Kenneth Kaunda and Chairman Mao Zedong over a conference center that was successfully negotiated by predecessor Edgar Lungu,” Hon. Lubinda said, “can you imagine if he was in the same room and got ignored like that the same way he was booed at the Heroes Stadium when he humbly and smoothly handed over power? Ms. Kasanda was not humane in calling the former President bitter because even I was invited but di not attend just like Mr. Hichilema snubbed national functions several times.”

GIVEN LUBINDA ON CONSTANT PERSECUTION AND ARRESTS OF FORMER PF GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS

Hon. Lubinda warned the praise singers of UPND that are openly gloating over the arrests, right or wrong, of PF former officials that a precedent is being set where they could dance to the same tune by another party in future once they lose power, as nothing lasts forever.

He said leadership requires forgiving like Nelson Mandela did after incarceration for 27 years and uniting his country South Africa without retribution.

“It’s now romantic for UPND to cheer when they hear a PF official has been harassed, they must know what goes around comes around,” said Hon. Lubinda.

Instead of targeting perceived political enemies, Hon Lubinda urged President Hichilema’s “New Doom” government to fix the economy, the CDF, and the “shambolic” economy dependent on “promissory notes” from the IMF.

As a short-term measure, Hon. Lubinda urged Mr. Hichilema to place the economic growth plan of Zambia into Zambian hands and not his foreign cronies, especially in the mining sector that earn Zambia little or nothing.

At K9000 per month on basic food needs for a family of six, Hon Lubinda joined the long que of those saying the “lying government” of President Hichilema shall add nothing but more suffering to many ordinary Zambians.

Source: Round Table with Nakiwe Simpungwe

”I just could not let this wonderful woman leave my life”- Actor Yul Edochie speaks on why he picked a second wife
Yul Edochie, a Nollywood actor, has explained why he chose actress Judy Moghalu as his second wife.

In April, Yul astonished Nigerians by announcing that he had married Judy and that they had given birth to a son together.

Many people were discussing about his social media post, including his first wife, May, who commented in the comments area, “May God judge you both.”

Yul, on the other hand, said he married Judy as a second wife because he couldn’t let her go after the influence she had on his life in a nine-minute video titled, ‘Why I married a second wife,’ which he shared to his Instagram account.

According to him, he was previously of the school of thought that no man can love two women at the same time until he fell into the same circumstance and found out that it is possible.

He said;

“I decided to say why today. I used to hear from so many people that a man cannot love two women at the same time. I have heard it a couple of times that a man cannot love two women at the same time. I am one of those people who believed it before. I know alot of people believe it as well that a man cannot love two women. I used to believe it as well until it happened to me. I realized that never say never.

No matter how old you are in this world, we are all young. We are still learning. Things can happen and you learn from certain things.

Speaking further, he said

”At this stage in my life, I think it is possible for a man to actually love two women because two women can be in your life and they bring two different things to the table. They reason in different ways, they contribute differently to your life and you just realise that is just the way it is.

“Someone can’t come into your life and the person makes so much impact in your life and you just don’t want to let this person go and can’t let this person go. Of course, a lot of people would say, as a married man, why did you allow another woman to come into your life. Yes we can say it is wrong, I take the blame for that but these things happen. Let’s be honest.

It happened to me. I realized I just could not let this wonderful woman leave my life.

Make no mistakes about it. These are very wonderful women in their own rights. They bring different things to the table. Yes you can actually love two women at the same time.”

The Trouble With Oliver Saasa’s Report

By Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba

The report recently done by Prof. Oliver Saasa and Shebo Nalishebo entitled ‘Evaluation of Economic Impact of Planned First Quantum Minerals Investments in Zambia’, takes a wide-angled view to examine the macro-economic effects of two of First Quantum Minerals’ (FQM’s) newly-announced investments: a $1.25 billion investment into the expansion of Kansanshi mine’s operations, and a $100 million investment to bring the miner’s $250 million Enterprise nickel project online in Kalumbila.

FQM runs Kansanshi Copper Mine in Solwezi and Kalumbila( Sentinel Copper Mine) in Kalumbila District.

Reading the Report, gives you an impression that this is material for public relations and not an analytical and independent evaluation of the planned investment.

I think this is so because this was commissioned by First Quantum Minerals!

Look at previous good, objective and fair analytical reports that have been done on the issue.

“For Whom the Wind falls-Winners and Losers in the Privatisation of Zambia’s Copper Mine” is a good example.

This Report examined in a wholesome manner the lack of adequate regulation, the unfair and exploitative Mining Agreements, the pension poverty, the casualisation of workers, the exploitative, the lack of both business and social benefits to the community and local economy.

The report also revealed deep-seated fraudulent tax schemes that mine houses engage in, the unnecessary expatriate staff and new money and new profits for the owners.

But Prof. Saasa’s Report discusses no negatives or critical matter but hypes up the proposed investment and benefits that will allegedly accrue to government and the community.

FQM intends to embark on two projects; Kansanshi Expansion Project and Kansanshi Nickel Project.

Kansanshi Expansion Project is designed to extend the life of the mine and boost production from 200,000 tonnes per year to 335,000 tonnes.

The project will also increase Gold production from the current 125,000 ounces a year to 160,000 by 2030.

On the other hand, the Enterprise Nickle Project is projected to produce 36,000 metric tonnes of nickel per year.

The report sends the reader in wild speculation on how this investment, largely capital investment in machinery and equipment will yield community benefits in job creation of about 500-800 and “multiplier effect” that may benefit upto 10,000 people.

FQM prides itself as the largest single tax payer in the country and says it contributed $1.258 billion in public ontributions in 2021.

This amount is made up of taxes ($368m in income taxes) royalties ($386m), duties and fees paid to national and local government, dividends to ZCCM-IH as well as the company’s social and infrastructure expenditure in North-Western Province.

Prof. Oliver Saasa’s Report also raised issues of Conflict of Interest as he was announced as leading an economic advisory unit to President Hakainde Hichilema.

On 15th December 2021 President Hakainde Hichilema announced that he had appointed renowned economist and commentator, Prof. Oliver Saasa as new Chairperson of a new advisory council.

“As part of our vision for growth in Zambia we have asked the eminent Professor Oliver Saasa to chair a New Advisory Council, which will help us to systematically break down the barriers to doing business in our country.” President Hichilema announced.

But in his letter responding to charges of conflict of interest to the Transparency International-Zambia, Prof. Saasa says such a Council doesn’t exist and he has not been appointed to any economic or government unit.

He also said he is not aware of any person appointed to such a steering committee.

This debacle exposes State House as President Hichilema appointed and announced a Chairperson to a non-existent entity as seen by the details of Prof Saasa’s robust response. This has made the Advisory Council a fictitious creation.

On Mining, clearly the current model doesn’t benefit Zambia, as the country benefits little or nothing from such an important sector. Even the numbers announced by FQM may need lose scrutiny.

We require a more fundamental, more beneficial or deeper policy on mining.

Former Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Malanji has said he never earned his wealth through a ministerial position.

Mr. Malanji has further declared that he was still a Kwacha Member of Parliament.

He is currently battling corruption and money laundering cases after being arrested by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC).

Late last year, Mr. Malanji was charged for alleged corruption activities which happened between January 1st, 2021, and August 31, 2021.

DEC in March, 2022, further arrested Mr. Malanji for money laundering activities involving K10 million and US 700,000 Dollars.

Speaking during the burial of Patriotic Front (PF) Kitwe District Secretary Lungo Kawaya in Kitwe on Thursday, Mr. Malanji said he has been doing business for many years.

He revealed that before becoming minister he had $4,000,000 turnover through his companies.

Mr. Malanji started his remarks by paying tribute to Mr. Kawaya before highlighting his cases.

“I have lost a friend. I have lost a brother. I have lost a cousin. I have lost all relationships that you would consider valid in this person we are burying today. It will be very painful today to go and rub his number in my phone. He is somebody I spoke to everyday. My wife at times would even ask namulanda na ba Lungo? I religiously spoke to him every evening. He displayed courage. He displayed courage as he rendered that service to the people. He is somebody who had organisational ability, you give him an hour to organize the programme he would do that. So he meritoriously rose to the portfolio that he was serving until his death. What I would urge those that have remained behind, the family members, the friends is now to look at what we are going to do with those that he has left. Na mwelupwa bonse mwebeshile mukulosha filya fine twishile efyo tuye. This man has left young children and these children will need to continue their education,” Mr. Malanji said.

He saluted people that have been sending him solidarity messages.

“Ba munyinane epo nshilapwisha ndefway ukutasha imwe bonse mwe bantumina words of solidarity. (My brothers and sisters before I end let me thank people that have been sending words of solidarity. You only see true friends when you are in trouble.).Pantu umuntu ngalepita mu mafya elyo afwaya ukwishiba abanakwe ni banani. But one thing I can assure you ba munyinane pantu ku Lusaka twaya mukutandala tatwaba nga bambi ama ministers abali ku Lusaka nakale. Ine ndi mwina kopala , batila inshiku shalingenye umwana na nina. Mu ma 1992, 1993 mwebakalamba mwe bali pano mwalemona ngamulefuma ku Riverside (Township in Kitwe) nangu ku Nakonde bana mutekenya mwalekwela ni JM Bus Services. Lelo nasanguka umupina? Elyo nshilaba Minister ba munyinane, tekweba ati tufwile lyonse ngacakutila naukwata ka ngwee waisa mukwimba kuli bonse ati iyoo ine ninkwata K2, ine ninkwata K4. Ilyo nshilaba Minister, nali minister mu 2018. Three years past 2017, 2016, 2015. Turnover yandi yali ni Four Million Dollars ($4,000, 000) mu ma company yandi.Bank taibepa ilyo tukafika panshita ya kuya ku chilye tukaya na ma pepala ati bwana ndembululeni,” he said.

Mr. Malanji continued: “Elders present here will recall that around 1992, 1993 people used to board JM Bus Services in Riverside, Nakonde but today I have become poor? Before I became Minister, turnover in my companies was $4,000,000. Banks do not lie when time comes to present evidence in court we will go with proof.”

Mr. Malanji further assured the people of Kwacha Constituency that he will one day return to work with them like before.

Mr Malanji is challenging High Court judge Kazimbe Chenda’s decision to annul his election on grounds that he does not have a Grade 12 certificate.

Losing Kwacha parliamentary candidate Charles Mulenga has asked the Constitutional Court to dismiss incumbent Mr. Malanji’s appeal against the High Court’s decision to nullify his election because the plea allegedly lacks merit.

“Ba munyinane I had to come and mourn with you because I am still a Member of Parliament. We have a temporary set back but I can assure you that we shall come and work together like before. Ukwafwana twaleyafwana tukalayafwana fimo fine. Mwalishiba efyo icipingo citila, help your neigbour as you would love others to help you. Nshatale ndeka ba munyinane nangu ni ino ine inshita mulamona bana mutekenya balapita pantu ilyo mwaleya muku voter mwaebele ati tulevotela Malanji pakutila tukalebomba nankwe. (You voted for me so that we can work together).Mwe bana mayo mwebali pano bushe elyo muya ku market nga namusenda saladi (Cooking oil), bushe saladi ilalanda ati ine ndi wa mutengo nshapone? Tali nimwe mwebeshiba ati ii saladi nsendele ya mutengo nshifwile uku ponya?Akape takacenjela uucenjela mwine wa kape,” Mr. Malanji said as some mourners cheered him.

CHUSHI KASANDA MUST APOLOGIZE-HARRY KALABA

“It’s wrong to say President Edgar Lungu is bitter…because he has shown magnanimity,” Harry Kalaba

3rd June 2022

Harry Kalaba, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs has expressed shock at hateful remarks Information Minister Chushi Kasanda has made referring to the former President of Zambia H.E Edgar Lungu as a “bitter” man.

Kasanda, notorious for making “ill-informed bad taste public statements” blurted the “bitter” words in a local newspaper following the absence of President Lungu at the launch of the Kenneth Kaunda Wing adjacent to the Mulungushi International Conference Centre built by the People´s Republic of China under the supervision of President Lungu.
The “bitter remarks” have sparked a sour reaction from scores of Zambians of diverse backgrounds that feel President Lungu is being spited maliciously by the President Hakainde Hichilema administration.

Mr Kalaba, a former legislator, Minister and now opposition leader advised Kasanda to remember that “President Edgar Lungu showed a rare kind of magnanimity when he handed over power and he must be respected for that instead of being called bitter its wrong.”
Mr Kalaba said, “the ones that are bitter in this case are the UPND and its Lumbani Madoda (praise singers) who keep referring to President Lungu. Give Mr Lungu a break, he handed over power gracefully.”

Mr Kalaba also frowned upon the Hichilema administrations insatiable appetite to be “praised and worshipped” when they have done nothing worth being praised for.
He said President Lungu reserved a right to choose what function to attend or not.

LGBTQ TAKE BY HARRY KALABA

Mr Kalaba took a swipe at the Scandinavian countries, Sweden and Finland that recently breached the Vienna Convention by flying LGBTQ flags at their embassies in show of support for gay rights that are illegal in Zambia.
Mr Kalaba expressed disappointment that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Zambia up to now has failed to respond to a query from his party that sought an official response regarding the obvious breach of diplomatic etiquette.

Mr Kalaba also challenged the Hichilema government to publish the MoU it signed with the US government to establish an AFRICOM office on Zambia because Hichilema´s loud silence on the MoU just fuels speculation.

Ms Kasanda has now earned an infamous tag of putting her foot in her mouth every time she opens it, with the latest gaffe being when she disrespected President Lungu and disrespectfully called him bitter.

Source: Radio Phoenix

Former Patriotic Front (PF) Secretary General Davies Mwila has said members of ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) do not look happy despite winning the 2021 General Elections.

Mr. Mwila said it is the vanquished PF members who appear happy and united despite losing elections.

The former Chipili Member of Parliament said PF members have even become fat after the election loss.

Mr. Mwila was speaking during the burial of PF Kitwe District Secretary Lungo Kawaya at the Kitwe Memorial Park on Thursday afternoon.

Mr. Kawaya, 44, died on 29th May, 2022 at Kitwe Teaching Hospital after an illness.

In his remarks during burial, Mr Mwila paid tribute to Mr. Kawaya, a staunch PF official.

Present during burial was Mr. Kawaya’s close friend Thabo Kawana, the Ministry of Information and Media – Director.

Mr. Mwila told PF members to support the bereaved wife and children.

“Fwebali close kuli Lungo let us help the family. In any way possible let us help Lungo’s family. Once Lungo’s family is helped people will appreciate that belonging to PF is a good thing. Ififine nga twashika Lungo bonse tupasangane tubutuke abantu they will not appreciate us. This young man was good. I used to call him Lungo Malanji because he was close to Malanji. Ba Malanji nabo baleaba abati no ni Lungo Mwila so twalelwishanya but naishibe ati ni Lungo Malanji.Let us do something for this young man as a party. Elyo twalisashika Mwanga Sata, elyo twashika Chile One, nomba twaiisashika na umwaice wesu Lungo,” Mr. Mwila said.

Mr. Mwila said in his dreams he wonders why the UPND do not look happy after forming government.

He said PF members appear as if they are the ones governing.

“Ba PF mulemoneka abaikatana, elyo mulemoneka kwati nimwebo muleteka.
PF you look united as if you are the ones ruling. Sometimes when I am asleep I tell myself that maybe they stole our votes because the winners (UPND) do not appear happy. We are even fat despite losing the elections. God is preserving us,let us remain united. We will not retire and we achieve Lungo’s vision.Elyo limo nganindala njeba ati awe aba limbi batwibilefye ama vote. Pantu aba winine tabamoneka abasansamuka. Fwebalusa natwina nokwina fwebalushile,” Mr. Mwila said.

“Na ba District Commissioner (Lawrence Mwanza) tatwabeshiba twaishibafye Mayor wesu (Mpasa Mwaya), twaishiba na Malanji, twaishiba na Pavyuma (Kalobo – Wusakile PF Member of Parliament), twaishiba na Kang’ombe, twaishiba na cela moce Mulenga Kampamba, na Allen Banda na Chiteme. Nalebeba ati mukamulila Chiteme. Chiteme uyo mulemulila. Nomba ifi fyonse Lesa aletusunga tufwile twaikatana pamo nga ma bans. Ifwe epo tuli tatwachite retire mpaka ifyo Lungo alefwaya fikafikilishiwe. Mukwai kuti nalombafye ukweba ati umupashi was kwa Lungo ulale mu chibote. Thank you very much,” he said.

Other mourners included former Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Malanji, PF Copperbelt Provincial Chairman Nathan Chanda, former Nkana MP Alexander Chiteme, PF National Women Chairperso Kampamba Mulenga, PF National Youth Chairman Christopher Kang’ombe, Chishimba Kambwili and former Kwacha MP Boniface Mutale.

Meanwhile, Mr. Kawana paid a moving tribute to Mr.Kawaya earlier during Church service.

“The good die young indeed. Over the years, we rode together, played together, worshipped together and shared moments together. We cried, argued, laughed and went through our high and low moments together. No matter what life threw at me, I always knew I had a friend and brother to turn to and to share my high and low moments with.Politically, we always stood on different stand views. He was PF all his political life, he believed and held strong in PF in opposition, in office and in opposition again. This never affected our bond at all, infact, it strengthened our bond as we could argue and laugh at our leaders and political views we held different as it where. Rest in peace my dear friend and brother Lungo Kawaya (Bashi Muzo). Go well until we meet again, you have run your race well and you have been good and faithful through it all,” wrote in his earlier tribute.

Patriotic Front Party
Lusaka
2nd June, 2022

STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RESPECT LUNGU, FOR HE WORKED

THE Patriotic Front (PF) party is appalled by the lack of civility being exhibited by the government’s chief spokesperson towards our former republican President, His Excellency Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu.

It’s hypocritical and outright childish for Hon. Chushi Kasanda to accuse Dr Lungu of being bitter for shunning the commissioning of the Kenneth Kaunda Wing of Mulungushi International Conference Centre by President Hakainde Hichilema on Tuesday.

The PF is aware of the motive of inviting Dr Lungu to the event. The government and the horde of political cadres it had mobilised wanted to embarrass the former President as they have done in the past, but he was smarter than them.
We know that President Hichilema would have read his whole speech without mentioning the man who had travelled to China and clinched the project on behalf of the people of Zambia.

President Lungu would have just been sitting there as a nobody without being acknowledged as was the case during the funeral of former President Rupiah Bwezani Banda recently.

It would have been very embarrassing for President Lungu to sit there while President Hichilema delivered a tirade accusing his administration of corruption and being a clique of thieves.

It would also have been inappropriate for Dr Lungu to attend the highly politicised function only to hear that Investigative wings had raised the home of one of the members of his family or of of his former aides the next day.

We would like to remind our flamboyant Minister of Information and Media that she is the chief spokesperson for the government of the Republic of Zambia, and not for the United Party for National Development (UPND). Her statements should therefore be sober and measured. She is behaving like a ward level cadre.

It’s laughable for her to claim that the PF did nothing when her own President went to commission a project the former ruling party initiated and left at near-completion level.

The minister should refrain from competing with the UPND secretariate in issuing demeaning and offensive statements targeting the former President and his administration.

President Lungu will not stoop low by allowing himself to be embarrassed in public by those who do not even have the shame to proudly commission the projects he initiated without mentioning his name.

Chushi Kasanda should tame her excitement because Zambians have not forgotten how President Hichilema shunned all the national functions officiated by Dr Lungu when he was in the opposition.

They have also not forgotten how President Hichilema refused to acknowledge and respect President Lungu, whom he disrespectfully called Mr Lungu for his whole five-year term of office.

But Dr Lungu called Mr Hichilema “Mr President” after the latter had won the Presidential election even before he was sworn in.
Let her and her president leave our former President alone and concentrate on defending the lies they told Zambians during campaign s towards the August 2022 general elections.
Issued by:
EDWIN Lifwekelo
PF Deputy Media Director.

PRESIDENT HICHILEMA DATES ESWATINI

STATEMENT ON THE OFFICIAL VISIT TO THE KINGDOM OF ESWATINI BY MR. HAKAINDE HICHILEMA, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation wishes to inform the Nation that Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia will undertake an Official Visit to the Kingdom of Eswatini, at the invitation of His Majesty King Mswati III, from 3rd to 5th June, 2022.

President Hichilema and King Mswati III are scheduled to hold bilateral talks where discussions will focus on matters of mutual interest at bilateral, regional and international levels.

During the visit, the two leaders are expected to preside over the signing of the joint Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in the area of Tourism as well as the Establishment of a Political Consultation Mechanism between Zambia and Eswatini. The MoUs will further strengthen cooperation and contribute to the development of various sectors of the economies in the two countries.

Zambia and Eswatini share cordial bilateral relations anchored on historical ties and mutual respect. The two countries have continued to strengthen bilateral relations through the exchange of high-level visits as well as the establishment of the Joint Permanent Commission of Cooperation.

President Hichilema has emphasized the importance of promoting intra African trade and collaboration for beneficial economic and social development among countries on the continent. Zambia remains committed to fulfilling the agenda of common development aspirations by maintaining open and cordial relations through pragmatic cooperation with Eswatini, for mutual benefit.

The Kingdom of Eswatini presents itself as a viable partner in various fields of economic and social interests such as Tourism, Culture, Trade and Agriculture. This visit by the President will, therefore, provide an opportunity to share best practices in areas earmarked for progress, and it is in line with the Government’s approach to placing great value on working openly and collaboratively with a range of partners to unlock new opportunities for the country and its citizens.

The President is expected to return to Zambia immediately after his engagements.

Hon. Stanley K. Kakubo, M.P
MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
LUSAKA🇿🇲

American singer, Keke Wyatt, 40, has added another child to her ever-expanding brood.

The singer/songwriter took to Instagram on Wednesday night, June 1, to announce the birth of her newborn son with her husband, Zackariah Darring.

US singer, Keke Wyatt welcomes her 11th child at 40

The baby boy, named Ke’Zyah Jean Darring, is Keke’s 11th child overall and her third with her current husband, Zackariah.

Sharing the good news with her fans, she revealed that her ‘miracle baby boy’ was born on May 27, 2022.

She wrote:

“My husband Zackariah & I are grateful to GOD to announce the birth of our miracle baby Boy…. Ke’Zyah Jean Darring .Born May 27, 2022.

Most of you are familiar with the challenges I faced during this pregnancy. My husband & I made the decision not to accept the Medical Specialist’s suggestion to terminate our baby early despite the positive trisomy 13 test results. We appreciate and thank God for all of the Dr’s in the medical field. However, I can’t stress enough to all mothers & couples, when the Dr gives you life changing information about your unborn child …. pray about it, use faith & follow your spirit before making ANY final decision. We believed the report of the Lord and after holding our beautiful healthy baby boy Ke’Zyah & looking into his eyes, I’m glad we did.

We are both believers and know that God has & will continue to have the final say. Thank You to my nurse Ebonie. Thank you ALL for the prayers & support ShugaS

Keke announced her 11th pregnancy back in February. The RnB singer has been a mom since 2000.

She welcomed her first three children, Keyver Wyatt Morton, 21; Rahjah Ke Morton, 20; and Ke’Tarah Victoria Morton, 13, with her first husband Rahmat Morton. The duo had another daughter while they were together but their fourth child was stillborn. She shares four children from her relationship with Michael Ford; Ke’Mar Von Ford, 11; Wyatt Michael Ford, 9; Ke’Yoshi Bella Ford, 6; and Kendall Miguel Ford, 4.

Kim Kardashian has finally revealed that she pursued comedian Pete Davidson mainly for s3x.

The reality star made this known during the eighth episode of The Kardashians.

The mother-of-four said she wasn’t looking for a relationship when she first hooked up with the 28-year-old comedian.

She added that she had heard about his “BDE” (big dk energy) and she was simply “DTF” (down to fk).

She also hinted at having the best sex of her life with Davidson, while adding that he’s simply the “best human” she’s met.

The conversation began with Kim listening to a conversation between her nephew Mason and her daughter North.

Mason, Kourtney’s first son, was telling North how cool Travis Barker, now his stepfather, is.

Kim recounted Mason’s statement about Travis to her mother Kris.

Kim said: “I overheard their convo and Mason goes, ‘Can you drop me off at Travis’ studio?'”

Kim continued: “He was like, ‘It’s so cool’ and he was telling North, ‘they have these bikes and it’s just so fun.’ His tune has totally changed since the engagement.

“‘I heard him say to North, he was like, ‘You know, getting a step-dad is not so bad. They’re not these evil people like you see in the movies.”

Kim told Kris that the way Mason was talking to North gave her the feeling that, “everything would work out” for Kourtney and Travis.

Kim then said in her confessional: “I think after hearing this conversation with Mason and North, and just hearing how he’s getting along with Travis and just loving having someone else around, I just think OK there’s hope. Someday I’ll have someone who’ll come around and hang out with the kids.”

A producer for The Kardasians then asks Kim: “So are you dating Pete? Why have you been so secretive?”

Kim responds: “Honestly, I just feel like I wanted to really make sure and not just be so like… ‘Oh my God I met someone and I’m having fun.’ And then just start talking about it on a show and then if we weren’t talking months later I’d be like an idiot, or a wh**e, either one.”

Bill Cosby’s latest sex assault civil trial kicked off on Wednesday, June 1, following a Los Angeles woman’s 2014 lawsuit claiming the comedian molested her when she was a teenager in the 1970s.

Judy Huth, 64, sued Cosby alleging that the former actor brought her to the Playboy Mansion and forced her to perform a sex act around 1975, when she was 16.

She is seeking unspecified damages for sexual battery and emotional distress.

In her lawsuit, Huth said she and a friend met Cosby at a film set at a park. She said Cosby invited the girls to meet him the following week, when he made Huth drink beer and molested her on a bed at the Los Angeles mansion.

The former actor will not attend the Santa Monica trial. Cosby’s attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, said, ‘We are confident that the evidence will discredit Plaintiff´s 50-year-old allegation.’

Another lawyer for Cosby confirmed he would not be present on Wednesday. His representatives say glaucoma has left him blind and made travel too difficult.

Gloria Allred, who represents Huth and has also handled several Jeffrey Epstein’s victims, said her client will not comment on the case.

Cosby, 84, is best known for his role as the lovable husband and father in the 1980s television comedy series ‘The Cosby Show,’ earning him the nickname ‘America’s Dad.’

His reputation was damaged after more than 50 women accused him of multiple sexual assaults over nearly five decades.

The trial is one of the last cases Cosby faces after a Pennsylvania appeals court threw out his criminal sexual assault conviction and freed him from prison 11 months ago. Several other lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct were settled by his insurer against his will.

Cosby will not testify after the judge ruled that he could assert his Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination. And he has no plans to leave his Pennsylvania home to attend the trial.

Huth says she suffered ‘psychological damage and mental anguish’ as a result of the alleged assault. She is one of the dozens of women who have said they suffered sexual assault at Cosby’s hands.

Huth claims she met Cosby on the set for the movie ‘Let’s Do It Again’ in San Marino, California, and days later was invited to his tennis club, along with her friend Donna Samuelson.

There, she says, he gave her alcohol and took her and her friend to the Playboy Mansion, where he forced her to perform a sex act.

The original complaint in the case accuses Cosby of ‘putting his hand down [Huth’s] pants, and then taking her hand in his hand and performing a sex act on himself without consent.’

According to court documents, Huth alleges that Cosby told her and her friend to say that they were 19 if asked by staff at the mansion.

Cosby has denied her version of events. His defense team jumped upon the fact that Huth’s original version of events said that the assault occurred in 1974. Later, Huth said it occurred in 1975.

The judge in the case allowed Cosby’s legal team to depose Huth and Samuelson for a second time on May 23.

Andrew Wyatt, a spokesman for Cosby, has accused Huth of ‘inconsistent statements since the inception of filing this civil suit against Mr. Cosby.’

The state of California passed a new law in 2020 that extended the statute of limitations in civil court for victims of sexual assault.

This lawsuit is one of the last remaining open suits against Cosby. The star of ‘The Cosby Show’ has settled many of the claims against him.

Victoria Valentino, who claims that Cosby raped her in 1969, said of Huth’s lawsuit: ‘I think that Judy’s trial may be our last stand for justice and seeing accountability come to fruition in our stand against Bill Cosby,’ The New York Times reported.

Cosby team will establish Cosby’s whereabouts in 1974, around the time when Huth said that she met Cosby, and not 1975.

Huth and her friend do not appear in the Playboy Mansion’s logs in 1974, according to The New York Times.

While the judge in the lawsuit has ordered Playboy to produce lists of employees from that time period in order to see if any could back up either side’s contentions. The New York Post reports that Playboy has complied with the judge’s orders.

The comedian’s team says that Cosby doesn’t deny having met Huth, there is photo evidence showing the two together. They maintain that Cosby didn’t know that she was underage.

The trial is expected to last around two weeks.

BITTERNESS – WHY HON CHUSHI KASANDA?

With all the many policy issues that require clarifications, the Chief Government Spokes Person could only accuse President LUNGU of bitterness.

Now, that is really shallow. I am sorry to say.

Look, there is a lot of bitterness in the country right now. I have no doubt in my mind.

But obviously the bitter ones are those YOUTHS and other ZAMBIANS who were promised JOBS, LOWER COST OF FOOD AND BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES but are getting the complete opposite. That is no jobs, higher cost of food and no business opportunities.

Look Hon Kasanda. Launching a Government project by a sitting head of state is not a NATIONAL EVENT. It is a routine, day to day operation of the president.

Meaning that inviting a former head of state to a day to day work work of the current head of state is what should be enquired into.

What is the motive?

If indeed the state invited President Lungu, he did the state a favor by not attending. How can the state elevate commissioning a project so as to make it a national event?

Be serious my dear Hon Chushi Kasanda. Your role is an important one.

If I were in your shoes, I could be talking about Governance issues. These might include:

(1) Clarifying CDF bottlenecks.
(2) Clarifying non employment of trained teachers who are above 45 years.
(3) Clarifying perceived UPND support for gay rights.
(4) Failure to reduce the cost of fuel and foodstuffs but increasing them.
(5) Clarifying free education.
(6) Clarifying the emerging perception of replacing market and bus stop cadres with blue and white collar cadres in line with one MPs proclamation that 98% of public workers are Pf cadres and should be removed.

I think you have a lot of work.

In fact President Lungu’s fantastic relationship with China gave birth to that project which was being launched in what the state thought was a national event. Recognize him for that. It would be civil to do so.

I am disappointed. But since UPND is disappointing in fronts, I guess I need to unfortunately get used.

Hon Mutotwe KAFWAYA, MP
Restoring EVERYTHING PATRIOTIC.

President Hakainde Hichilema (HH) former Vice president Dr. Canisius Banda has penned down a heartly birthday message to him.

Dr Banda has reflected on a number of issues from 10 years ago when he recalls telling Hichilema will one day rule Zambia.

He also recounts the campaign period and now when Hichilema is president of Zambia.

Dr Banda wrote:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Hakainde HICHILEMA
[The Case of Wine and Time]

By Dr. Canisius Banda

This is June, my man.
The month of your birth, mine too.

On the 4th it is your day.
On this day, spare a fond thought for Violet, your mother.

On this day, her day, give her a call of gratitude.
Mothers survive mankind, remember that.

I sincerely wish you a happy birthday, my friend.
I hope that, like wine, you are getting better with age.

Better.
Wiser.

I know that you are a good man.
Miyanda, your daughter, told me so.

But it is your Republican Presidency that occupies us now.
For you to be a good leader, allow God to guide you, by your listening to His people, the citizens.

Remember always that your reign is impermanent.
But how you treat the citizens will last forever.

Listen to the citizens always, my man.
Allow them to lead you. This way, you will succeed.

To illustrate your humility, I remember as we traversed the country in a helicopter, lobbying citizens for their permission to lead them, with Chakawa sharing buns for energy, you told me about the uselessness/redundancy of owning three or four pairs of shoes at a time, as you explained the Law of Diminishing Returns to me.
Retain that spirit, my man. Remain humble.

This spirit within you is the required instrument for your addressing the debilitating income inequalities in Zambia’s communities today.
The King, you see, ought to be the most humble in his kingdom.

Wash the feet of your followers, Hakainde.
Jesus did.

Be careful with the West.
For years, they have been a danger to our sovereignty, survival and prosperity.
In cold blood, they brutally killed some of our forefathers.

I saw you in church the other day as you paid your last respects to Attorney KABESHA’s wife.
You spoke befittingly well in defence of citizens, our culture and identity, your country.

But the West was not pleased, they didn’t like it at all.
I can still hear them secretly grumbling, squirming. They are watching you.

Avoid shouldering such responsibilities alone.
Let citizens carry such burdens with you.

It is NOT your decision.
It is theirs.

Your personal thoughts on the LGBTQI communities are not important.
It is the collective consensus of citizens that is your cushion.

Trust me, that promise you made that fertiliser will sell at K250 maximum will never ever happen in the life of your presidency. Though it’s late now, you might sell the jet.
Learn from your mistakes, my man. Make new mistakes each day, never repeat old ones.

Do not lie.
Invest in the truth always.

The truth not only liberates but it is also a sacrosanct building block of sound societies.
Seek refuge within it.

Learn who your true allies are. History will help you.
I see that your attitude towards Russia has improved. Trust me, Russia isn’t the horned Devil as is presently being cast/portrayed.

I remember, over a decade ago, telling you that you would be Republican President someday.
Perhaps I should have also tipped you on how to govern as well.

My omission, my fault.
Forgive me.

Nonetheless, it doesn’t matter now.
What matters is that you must listen to the people, their voices.

Secure their lives and that is the secret to securing your own.
Give comfort and comfort you will have.

Never take that which belongs to the community.
If you do, you too will be taken away from the community.

I am happy that you had a conversation with Xi JINPING, the President of China.
Talk to him again, again and again.

It is wise.
Everyone does, including Joe BIDEN and Vladimir PUTIN.

America owes Xi JINPING over USD 1 trillion, you see.
You, as Republican President, only owes USD 5.6 billion, loose change by Chinese standards. Trust me. You just might get lucky.

China never colonised a single African country, you see.
Anyone that tells you that China is deliberately placing African countries in a DEBT TRAP for purposes of colonising them is not your friend, is only envious and is only selling you a red herring.

As you commemorate your birthday, never forget that you are a black man, Hakainde; educated by UNZA, an institution owned by blacks.
Never forget that. It matters for you are governing a blacks’ country, a country referred to as a shit-hole by some foreigners.

These blacks, Hakainde, are still slaves today, you see.
They have tears in their eyes, tears occasioned by never-ending colonialisms.

These black people may not have the degrees that you have, may not even know much, transfer-pricing, quantitative easing, liquidation or stuff like that.
But this country belongs to them, it is theirs, warts and all.

Address the cost of living, my man.
For it may cost you your presidency.

The cost of living is hurting them badly.
Vavuta vinthu, they say,, their eyes devoid of hope.

UNZA today celebrates you as one of its graduates, once a poor, rustic lad.
And by dint of this, the people expect, Zambia ought to be in safe hands with you as its Republican President.

They are looking to you for their liberation.
That is why they educated you, ended your own indigence, armed you with knowledge. For their own emancipation.

The people of Zambia are worried that some of these people you are now associating with mockingly sold them items from windows on their own land. Denigrating, the called them boys.
They know your birthday, and are praying for you this June, hoping that you will not turn your back on them.

Regret nothing, my man.
Harbour no grudges.

As you commemorate your birthday, never forget the reason behind your wanting to lead.
Leave vengeance to God.

Your legacy should be the reason why citizens ought to be grateful to your parents.
Your legacy should be the reason why your birthday should continue being celebrated way after you have gone.

Happy birthday, my friend!
I pray that, as you age, like wine, you become better.

Yes, you may be a good man, as Miyanda says.
But when you let the people of Zambia lead you, you will become a better man, an exemplary president.

Do better than Jesus, my man. Beat His record.
He expects you too.

This then is my birthday message to you, my friend.
May God keep you, and may His favour be upon you.

Mine is on the 8th, only four days after yours.
I hope that you will remember to send me a pack of Chibuku Shake Shake, my favourite.

Even a tot of Kachasu wouldn’t hurt, after all, this is what we drink here in Mandevu Compound.
Remember us in the slums always, we are your masters.

We may brew Kachasu today.
But remember, the gold under your feet is ours.

Happy birthday, my man!
Cheers!
Salaam aleikum!

Dr Canisius BANDA
PILGRIM

1 June 2022