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.
Thursday, 30 August 2007
Is Zambia a poor country?
I know the answer to the above question is obvious. Of course according to all the internationally agreed metrics for measuring wealth, our country is poor. Many of our country men and women live below the poverty datum line with little or no access to clean running water, medical facilities, housing and decent educational services. The situation has been compounded by the effects of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Quite a lot of the economically active members of our society have been wiped out by the disease.
Having stated the obvious, it seems to me that if we looked at the country using a different set of metrics, we find that the country actually has a lot of natural and human resources which could be harnessed to improve the wellbeing of our people. For instance, we are constantly reminded that the mining sector is experiencing a boom similar to that of the 1970s. The price of Copper is probably at its highest since the 1990s and there is generally a high demand for base metals. However, the wealth from this activity does not seem to trickle to the common man on the streets. I am not sure my uncle in Kalingalinga or my grandparents in Shangombo have seen any benefit of the boom in the mining industry. I guess the question for GRZ is how to ensure that the general populace benefits from the mining sector without stifling the necessary investment. Perhaps a one-off windfall tax is justified! I am not in anyway advocating re-nationalisation of the mining sector.
There is also a general impression that GRZ does not use the little resources available prudently. This has somehow been proven by the revelations from the GRZ vs FTJ case in London. We are all used to reading about accounting irregularities in govt ministries in the annual Auditor General’s report. Why do we as a people and taxpayers accept a blatant misuse of public funds? This would not be allowed in the mature democratic societies such as the UK and US. It is time we started questioning some of the GRZ expenditures. A number of areas come to mind straight away: (a) Do we need such a larger cabinet? Is it really necessary to have two deputy ministers in certain ministries? (b) The endless conferences, workshops, seminars? They really needed (c) Overseas travel by govt officials. This has proved to be very lucrative for civil servants but no doubt expensive for the country. (d) Perks. Should we really be paying a ministers phone and electricity bill or providing a vehicle for the wife?
Address these issues and the country will be ‘rich’
The PANEL
Having stated the obvious, it seems to me that if we looked at the country using a different set of metrics, we find that the country actually has a lot of natural and human resources which could be harnessed to improve the wellbeing of our people. For instance, we are constantly reminded that the mining sector is experiencing a boom similar to that of the 1970s. The price of Copper is probably at its highest since the 1990s and there is generally a high demand for base metals. However, the wealth from this activity does not seem to trickle to the common man on the streets. I am not sure my uncle in Kalingalinga or my grandparents in Shangombo have seen any benefit of the boom in the mining industry. I guess the question for GRZ is how to ensure that the general populace benefits from the mining sector without stifling the necessary investment. Perhaps a one-off windfall tax is justified! I am not in anyway advocating re-nationalisation of the mining sector.
There is also a general impression that GRZ does not use the little resources available prudently. This has somehow been proven by the revelations from the GRZ vs FTJ case in London. We are all used to reading about accounting irregularities in govt ministries in the annual Auditor General’s report. Why do we as a people and taxpayers accept a blatant misuse of public funds? This would not be allowed in the mature democratic societies such as the UK and US. It is time we started questioning some of the GRZ expenditures. A number of areas come to mind straight away: (a) Do we need such a larger cabinet? Is it really necessary to have two deputy ministers in certain ministries? (b) The endless conferences, workshops, seminars? They really needed (c) Overseas travel by govt officials. This has proved to be very lucrative for civil servants but no doubt expensive for the country. (d) Perks. Should we really be paying a ministers phone and electricity bill or providing a vehicle for the wife?
Address these issues and the country will be ‘rich’
The PANEL
Levy's legacy
Our current president is in the middle of his second and final term in office. It is at this point in time that most holders of similar postions start addressing the issue of legacy. What are people going to remember about Levy's presidency?
To answer this question one has to look at the legacy of KK and FTJ. KK built the infrastructure and was also a pan-africanist.
FTJ's rule is intersting. He no doubt empowered Zambians to own property and went some way in repairing the country's infrastructure. Privatization of the state owned companies is another one of his achievements. However, his rule is tainted by the fact that he tried to run for a thrid term which polarised the country and his own party (MMD). It is also widely believed that his rule was very corrupt and led to an abuse of public funds.
One would think that the stage was therefore set for Levy to be the man that cleaned up FTJ's mess. Wrong! His anti-corruption drive has only led to the arrest and imprisonment of Richard Sakala. All the other big fish are still free. We can therefore safely say the anti-corruption drive will not provide a strong legacy. What of the thorny issue of the constitution? Levy has once again mismanaged the constitution review process. He has at every stage ignored the will of the people. His arrogance over this issue is beyond belief! What of the low inflation and increased economic activity? The man is simply lucky. I have not seen any evidence to link any of GRZ's policies and intiatives to the low inflation and increased economic activity. This is really being driven by the high price of copper on the world market and the opening up of new mines in N.W province. What happened the oil in Chavuma Levy announced last year.
My guess is that we shall remember Levy as the man who was woken up at night by FTJ and offered the presidency on a silver platter.
The PANEL
To answer this question one has to look at the legacy of KK and FTJ. KK built the infrastructure and was also a pan-africanist.
FTJ's rule is intersting. He no doubt empowered Zambians to own property and went some way in repairing the country's infrastructure. Privatization of the state owned companies is another one of his achievements. However, his rule is tainted by the fact that he tried to run for a thrid term which polarised the country and his own party (MMD). It is also widely believed that his rule was very corrupt and led to an abuse of public funds.
One would think that the stage was therefore set for Levy to be the man that cleaned up FTJ's mess. Wrong! His anti-corruption drive has only led to the arrest and imprisonment of Richard Sakala. All the other big fish are still free. We can therefore safely say the anti-corruption drive will not provide a strong legacy. What of the thorny issue of the constitution? Levy has once again mismanaged the constitution review process. He has at every stage ignored the will of the people. His arrogance over this issue is beyond belief! What of the low inflation and increased economic activity? The man is simply lucky. I have not seen any evidence to link any of GRZ's policies and intiatives to the low inflation and increased economic activity. This is really being driven by the high price of copper on the world market and the opening up of new mines in N.W province. What happened the oil in Chavuma Levy announced last year.
My guess is that we shall remember Levy as the man who was woken up at night by FTJ and offered the presidency on a silver platter.
The PANEL
Thursday, 9 August 2007
The Panel on Zed
I have been looking at starting a blog to discuss issues affecting Zed (Zambia) for a long time now and I am hoping I can kee this going for as long as possible.
The motivation for this is to simply provide an analysis of the news stories and events back.
The PANEL
The motivation for this is to simply provide an analysis of the news stories and events back.
The PANEL
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