Mr Mwanawasa summed up the position of SADC as “No Mugabe, No Summit.”
I really can't understand why Levy has taken this stance. Mugabe has ground a once thriving economy to a complete standstill and Levy still thinks the man has valuable contributions to make at EU-Africa summit.
The African leaders have time after time wasted opportunities to send a strong message to Mugabe. The South African President has adopted a softly softly approach which has not produced any results.
Excluding Mugabe from the summit would have sent a clear message that his jungle politics do not have a place in a modern society.
The PANEL
Thursday 27 September 2007
Monday 24 September 2007
Picture of Mpombo kneeling before Levy
There is a very humbling picture in the POST (FRIDAY 21st) of George Mpombo kneeling before the President in the VIP lounge at Lusaka International Airport.
What is sad about this picture is that it represents everything that is wrong with our current governance system. The President is still viewed as the king or traditional chief. Why should the Hon. Minister feel the need to kneel when talking to the President? It is embarrassing to the say the least.
The PANEL
What is sad about this picture is that it represents everything that is wrong with our current governance system. The President is still viewed as the king or traditional chief. Why should the Hon. Minister feel the need to kneel when talking to the President? It is embarrassing to the say the least.
The PANEL
Thursday 6 September 2007
Prof. Chirwa and the MMD
I am sure many Zambians would not have heard of Prof. Chirwa before the POST decided to carry a number of articles on him in the last couple of weeks. He has actually been a regular columnist for the POST on motoring issues for sometime now.
The Prof. has been making positive contributions during his visit to Zambia. For instance he offered his services to GRZ to advise on the transport sector and actually requested for an audience with President. The other initiative he launched was the idea of a technology Park in Lusaka with a promise to invest approximately £2M of his own money. All these are noble ideas and worthy causes.
There is a story in the POST today that Prof. Chirwa has now joined the MMD. He is quoted saying he has been impressed by the economic policies of the MMD and the fifth national development plan. A number of people have even started speculating that the man wants to run for presidency. I welcome Prof. Chirwa's decision to join the MMD and make a contribution to the development of our country. It is only by encouraging people of integrity, not career politicians, to enter politics that we can start to change the political scene. It is somehow embarrassing that old timers like Mr. Sata still dominate politics in our country. However, for the Prof. to succeed, he has to be ready to fight the likes of Sata, Katele Kalumba and the other 'founders of the MMD'. Nevers Mumba is a good example of someone who thought he could make a positive contribution by joining the MMD. He was used by Levy to shore up his failing reputation only to be dismissed unceremoniously. The political scene is littered with such casualties. To be successful in Zambian politics one has to understand why people like Sata and Katele always manage to win elections at party conventions while more palatable characters have to rely on presidential appointments. Is it the case that the cadres and general public do not take a long term view and are only interested in instant gratification (a packet of Shake Shake or Chitenge Material)? How does one maintain his integrity by not engaging in these activities but still convince the cadres to vote in his favour?
The PANEL
The Prof. has been making positive contributions during his visit to Zambia. For instance he offered his services to GRZ to advise on the transport sector and actually requested for an audience with President. The other initiative he launched was the idea of a technology Park in Lusaka with a promise to invest approximately £2M of his own money. All these are noble ideas and worthy causes.
There is a story in the POST today that Prof. Chirwa has now joined the MMD. He is quoted saying he has been impressed by the economic policies of the MMD and the fifth national development plan. A number of people have even started speculating that the man wants to run for presidency. I welcome Prof. Chirwa's decision to join the MMD and make a contribution to the development of our country. It is only by encouraging people of integrity, not career politicians, to enter politics that we can start to change the political scene. It is somehow embarrassing that old timers like Mr. Sata still dominate politics in our country. However, for the Prof. to succeed, he has to be ready to fight the likes of Sata, Katele Kalumba and the other 'founders of the MMD'. Nevers Mumba is a good example of someone who thought he could make a positive contribution by joining the MMD. He was used by Levy to shore up his failing reputation only to be dismissed unceremoniously. The political scene is littered with such casualties. To be successful in Zambian politics one has to understand why people like Sata and Katele always manage to win elections at party conventions while more palatable characters have to rely on presidential appointments. Is it the case that the cadres and general public do not take a long term view and are only interested in instant gratification (a packet of Shake Shake or Chitenge Material)? How does one maintain his integrity by not engaging in these activities but still convince the cadres to vote in his favour?
The PANEL
Tuesday 4 September 2007
Unnecessary and costly bye-elections
“SOME civil society organisations have described the resignation and defection of Nchanga member of Parliament, Charles Chimumbwa, from the Patriotic Front (PF) to the ruling party as an unnecessary drain on public funds. Forum for Democratic Process (FODEP), Anti Voter Apathy (AVAP) and Oasis Forum condemned the resignation on Thursday.” From the Daily Mail 04-09-2007.
I do not wish to explore the issues leading to the honourable MP’s resignation from PF to join the MMD but it is a gross misuse of public resources to force an unnecessary and costly bye-election on the poor taxpayers. The blame lies squarely with the MMD and the President in particular for encouraging opposition MPs to defect to the ruling party. This practice started when Levy appointed a group of opposition MPs to Ministerial positions during his first term. The country simply does not have the resources to waste on these bye-elections. It would be interesting to find out from the Electoral Commission how much each one of these elections costs the govt. One obviously has to factor in the cost of the public resources (cash, vehicles, GRZ time) that will be used by the govt to make sure that the MMD wins the election. I therefore support the sentiments expressed by the civil society.
To discourage this practice, I would like to suggest that the next constitution should have a clause which prohibits seating MPs from re-contesting their seat if they force a bye-elction for the life time of that parliament (i.e. 5 yrs). I do not know whether such a move would be legally sound but we need to do some thing to discourage the MMD’s desire to increase their majority at the taxpayer’s expense.
The PANEL.
I do not wish to explore the issues leading to the honourable MP’s resignation from PF to join the MMD but it is a gross misuse of public resources to force an unnecessary and costly bye-election on the poor taxpayers. The blame lies squarely with the MMD and the President in particular for encouraging opposition MPs to defect to the ruling party. This practice started when Levy appointed a group of opposition MPs to Ministerial positions during his first term. The country simply does not have the resources to waste on these bye-elections. It would be interesting to find out from the Electoral Commission how much each one of these elections costs the govt. One obviously has to factor in the cost of the public resources (cash, vehicles, GRZ time) that will be used by the govt to make sure that the MMD wins the election. I therefore support the sentiments expressed by the civil society.
To discourage this practice, I would like to suggest that the next constitution should have a clause which prohibits seating MPs from re-contesting their seat if they force a bye-elction for the life time of that parliament (i.e. 5 yrs). I do not know whether such a move would be legally sound but we need to do some thing to discourage the MMD’s desire to increase their majority at the taxpayer’s expense.
The PANEL.
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