Just when you think the MMD 's house in now under control, another big loss from the ruling government. Former FORMER gender minister Patricia Mulasikwanda saturday resigned from the MMD to join the pact through UPND.
Who is next?
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Friday, December 25, 2009
ZAMBIA 2011 ELECTIONS...CHANGE IS COMING
Mark your calendars, Monday, 3rd October 2011. A new day is coming for Zambia . MMD government can not govern beyond 3rd October 2011 without a renewal of political mandate from Zambia. The above date will mark exactly the end of the second 5-year term of MMD controlled government.On 3rd Oct, 2006 the late President (M.H.S.R.I.P) started his second term. Going beyond this date, President RB term would come to an end hence his govermnent must make a case to Zambians and parliament reasons to extend their stay at State House
Election dates in Zambia seem to only benefit the ruling party which has monopoly of choosing a day whenever the party feels ready to hold elections. However, this day belong to Zambians who make an important choice about the kind of government leadership and policy they want. All parties need same and fair rules of elections. A fixed election date creates transparency, more democratic and would increase voter turnout as more people plan for this day. No party in Zambia must monopolize election date to advance its political interests.
Zambia can enact a law to have a fixed election date like other democracies; and we have technology to that. We must have hold elections on weekdays that will allow participating political parties access to courts when challenges occur. Friday election day is a bad choice because courts are closed on weekends to hear file challenges.
So challenging partiles wait for Monday to file cases, by which the newly declared person will hold a weekend swearing-in event to gain executive power and immunity- automatically shifts from mere political candidate to Presidency.Therefore we must have amendments about swearing-in ceremonies not be private weekend events, but public events. President Zuma took the aoth of office at a public event. Zambians must witness a newly elected President promise to defend this country.
Zambians must legally expect to see a new president on October 4th 2011. Depending on the commitment to its manifesto and delivery of public services, MMD will be examined again for a third time. If Zambians decide against 3rd term rule(18 years) by MMD government, then Zambians will usher in a new government with a different action plan. Change is important for Zambia ’s democracy.
Zambians must legally expect to see a new president on October 4th 2011. Depending on the commitment to its manifesto and delivery of public services, MMD will be examined again for a third time. If Zambians decide against 3rd term rule(18 years) by MMD government, then Zambians will usher in a new government with a different action plan. Change is important for Zambia ’s democracy.
MMD READY TO CONCEDE DEFEAT IN 2011
MMD Acting spokesperson Mike Mulongoti says the ruling party-MMD will gracefully concede defeat if the people of Zambia decide to not to return the party to power in the 2011 elections(watchdog zambia reports)....Saturday, December 12, 2009
INVESTORS WILL REMAIN IN ZAMBIA REGARDLESS OF WHO WINS 2011 ELECTION (PACT OR MMD)
Every election is about change. But so far the MMD has always been using this saying that under PF or PACT, the investors in Zambia will go away. The fact is no investor will run away as long as there money to make and labor to do the work. Period!! Investors will remain regardless of who wins in 2011. Therefore, both MMD and PACT must just offer how best to deal with investors. These guys are in Zambia to make money.No presidential candidate should run for office to maintain the status quo or implement someone’s agenda. It is important that each candidate in this presidential election articulate their issues, policies and plans for Zambia .
Zambia is confronted with several challenges that demand bold and effective leadership. We need to reform government institutions to increase transparency and accountability especially in government public service performance especially in education and health. We need to reform the fight on corruption by making anti-corruption agencies receive mandate to investigate and prosecute corruption cases from parliament and not just from State House.
We face an energy crisis from lack of reliable sources of oil and ageing oil refineries. The government must see energy as a national security issue, build strategic oil reserves and offer affordable oil prices to businesses and consumers. On the long time, the next president must explore energy alternatives from coal and natural gas. Bargaining money for oil from private banks and frequent Zesco load shedding make Zambia vulnerable.
Past economic results is not a guarantee for another good future performance. People want opportunities to make a better living. Milking the past as true measure of tomorrow is a cheap political tactic. The next president must offer a clear vision and policies for Zambia . We can not just implement projects or release money for development during election time.
Zambia needs a strong president that will deal foreign investors; demand a fair pay of taxes and make sure Zambia ’s labor and environmental laws are followed. No party has a monopoly on investor confidence; as long as there is money to be made in Zambia , investors will stay regardless of who is the president or party in government. So MMD must stop this fear that under UPND/PF government, investors will go. The fact is they will not.
We face an energy crisis from lack of reliable sources of oil and ageing oil refineries. The government must see energy as a national security issue, build strategic oil reserves and offer affordable oil prices to businesses and consumers. On the long time, the next president must explore energy alternatives from coal and natural gas. Bargaining money for oil from private banks and frequent Zesco load shedding make Zambia vulnerable.
Past economic results is not a guarantee for another good future performance. People want opportunities to make a better living. Milking the past as true measure of tomorrow is a cheap political tactic. The next president must offer a clear vision and policies for Zambia . We can not just implement projects or release money for development during election time.
Zambia needs a strong president that will deal foreign investors; demand a fair pay of taxes and make sure Zambia ’s labor and environmental laws are followed. No party has a monopoly on investor confidence; as long as there is money to be made in Zambia , investors will stay regardless of who is the president or party in government. So MMD must stop this fear that under UPND/PF government, investors will go. The fact is they will not.
We need a new deal on the mining sector. In addition to fair tax contribution, Zambia must demand that all mining investors start to bank their millions of profits with local banks in Zambia , not with out of the country banks.
The next president must champion an agricultural revolution in Zambia by investing and creating incentives to engage in farming. Zambia ’s agriculture can create millions of jobs, reduce food prices and contribute to the economic growth. We need to move from political slogans that offer no real solutions for safe roads and build rail ways.
These above challenges are Zambian issues, not regional that requires strong leadership from the next president, cabinet and parliament. The people of Zambia can not harvest a different good economic result if the same bad policies done by the same government repeat the same failed agenda.
The next president must champion an agricultural revolution in Zambia by investing and creating incentives to engage in farming. Zambia ’s agriculture can create millions of jobs, reduce food prices and contribute to the economic growth. We need to move from political slogans that offer no real solutions for safe roads and build rail ways.
These above challenges are Zambian issues, not regional that requires strong leadership from the next president, cabinet and parliament. The people of Zambia can not harvest a different good economic result if the same bad policies done by the same government repeat the same failed agenda.
Government can not do everything but it can create opportunities for Zambians. This election is about choosing a leader who will fight for Zambians and create opportunities.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
WILL ZAMBIANS HIRE MMD AGAIN IN 2011?
Imagine you run a business, with the performance of the MMD, can you hire them for another job..This is what 2011 election is about: MMD must convince Zambians to rehire them in 2011.
WILL YOU REHIRE MMD IN 2011?
Across the country, healthcare workers, farmers, students and teachers are demanding better conditions of services. The ruling party is already marketing its MMD presidential candidate for 2011; an example how out of touch politically a regime can be with needs of its citizens. Of course, the wish of any ruling party is to stay in government. So the MMD will fight to keep its power, that’s the way of politics. But Zambians can not avoid asking; what specifically does MMD want to achieve beyond 2011 which has not been done, tried before or achieved since 1991?
Our hard working nurses operate with inadequate medical supplies and teachers work in poor facilities. Their demand for a sustaining working condition is legitimate. Unfortunately, we see the same pattern of dismissive from government leaders. But when it involves self government pay, there is money for government officials to import new luxury cars.
Millions of dollars spent on importing mobile hospitals and manda mandas would give better salaries and provide professional development opportunities for nurses and teachers. Mobile hospitals and hearses can not function in a vacuum; both will require motivated and well paid healthcare workers to utilize those facilities. We know our government is limited in resources; but Zambians expect sound MMD government priorities in any public spending. Zambia requires a comprehensive reform on health sector. We can not sustain the health sector on the generosity of South Africans to treat our patients. This will require a radical change of health policy and new ways of providing care to Zambians. The status quo is a sick healthcare in need of reform.
Zambians hope for 2011 elections is that presidential candidates campaign on workable, innovative and quality health policies. It is time to move from cheap campaigns to real infrastructure reforms debates. Zambia ’s current health challenges require a new political platform and new ways of governance. Zambians should not expect changes in healthcare if we keep electing the same people or party with same manifesto and tactics into power.
Take a hard look at Zesco. The problem is not Zesco but government policy. Power shortages should not be a way of life for Zambians. Power shortage is a sign of failing government. Nationwide power outrage shows that Zambia ’s electricity supply system is dysfunctional, ill-equipped and outdated. To fix this problem will require changes in political leadership, ideology and ZESCO management. Zambians are waiting to hear from MMD government about their plans for power supply beyond 2011 and what specifically it plans to do which has not been done since 1991. Zambia has enough resources from coal, solar and wind for alternative power supply sources and water for more power. All it requires is an effective government with clear policies, strategy and vision.
ZESCO enjoys market monopoly and revenue to upgrade its ageing grid system. Unless that revenue is misappropriated towards political interests. ZESCO has skilled employees who are educated and capable of delivering sustainable power supply if directed by sound government polices. ZESCO’s failure to deliver is due to misguided government energy goals and lack of effective political leadership. The MMD government has not prioritized to fix the electricity supply crisis to avoid blackouts and save government spending.
MMD continues to champion its drumbeat for good investment climate and economic growth in Zambia . But let’s face the reality people, without a sustainable electricity supply; investors will not come and Zambians will not have guarantees for local business initiatives. Unexpected power blackouts inflict major damages on household appliance and industrial equipment.
As the battle for election 2011 gains momentum, Zambians deserve to hear how the so-called MMD winnable candidate will offer a different sustainable energy supply policy and good health care system. Opposition parties must also outline policies priorities and how it plans to differ from the MMD government policies especially on healthcare, education, and energy and investment promotion. Enough with criticism against RB, the opposition PACT must say how they plan to govern and what radical changes should we expect from them. Elections 2011 should be about choosing a good future for Zambia by electing a President, Party and Members of Parliament who will commit to offer and deliver solutions to Zambians main challenges.
Zambians are hard-working people but have we been let down by unresponsive government. Change is needed for Zambia because the MMD has lost all political capital. But if Zambians decide to vote for change; what is the alternative party to form government in 2011 or should Zambians just rehire the MMD government for another five years?
WILL YOU REHIRE MMD IN 2011?
Across the country, healthcare workers, farmers, students and teachers are demanding better conditions of services. The ruling party is already marketing its MMD presidential candidate for 2011; an example how out of touch politically a regime can be with needs of its citizens. Of course, the wish of any ruling party is to stay in government. So the MMD will fight to keep its power, that’s the way of politics. But Zambians can not avoid asking; what specifically does MMD want to achieve beyond 2011 which has not been done, tried before or achieved since 1991?
Our hard working nurses operate with inadequate medical supplies and teachers work in poor facilities. Their demand for a sustaining working condition is legitimate. Unfortunately, we see the same pattern of dismissive from government leaders. But when it involves self government pay, there is money for government officials to import new luxury cars.
Millions of dollars spent on importing mobile hospitals and manda mandas would give better salaries and provide professional development opportunities for nurses and teachers. Mobile hospitals and hearses can not function in a vacuum; both will require motivated and well paid healthcare workers to utilize those facilities. We know our government is limited in resources; but Zambians expect sound MMD government priorities in any public spending. Zambia requires a comprehensive reform on health sector. We can not sustain the health sector on the generosity of South Africans to treat our patients. This will require a radical change of health policy and new ways of providing care to Zambians. The status quo is a sick healthcare in need of reform.
Zambians hope for 2011 elections is that presidential candidates campaign on workable, innovative and quality health policies. It is time to move from cheap campaigns to real infrastructure reforms debates. Zambia ’s current health challenges require a new political platform and new ways of governance. Zambians should not expect changes in healthcare if we keep electing the same people or party with same manifesto and tactics into power.
Take a hard look at Zesco. The problem is not Zesco but government policy. Power shortages should not be a way of life for Zambians. Power shortage is a sign of failing government. Nationwide power outrage shows that Zambia ’s electricity supply system is dysfunctional, ill-equipped and outdated. To fix this problem will require changes in political leadership, ideology and ZESCO management. Zambians are waiting to hear from MMD government about their plans for power supply beyond 2011 and what specifically it plans to do which has not been done since 1991. Zambia has enough resources from coal, solar and wind for alternative power supply sources and water for more power. All it requires is an effective government with clear policies, strategy and vision.
ZESCO enjoys market monopoly and revenue to upgrade its ageing grid system. Unless that revenue is misappropriated towards political interests. ZESCO has skilled employees who are educated and capable of delivering sustainable power supply if directed by sound government polices. ZESCO’s failure to deliver is due to misguided government energy goals and lack of effective political leadership. The MMD government has not prioritized to fix the electricity supply crisis to avoid blackouts and save government spending.
MMD continues to champion its drumbeat for good investment climate and economic growth in Zambia . But let’s face the reality people, without a sustainable electricity supply; investors will not come and Zambians will not have guarantees for local business initiatives. Unexpected power blackouts inflict major damages on household appliance and industrial equipment.
As the battle for election 2011 gains momentum, Zambians deserve to hear how the so-called MMD winnable candidate will offer a different sustainable energy supply policy and good health care system. Opposition parties must also outline policies priorities and how it plans to differ from the MMD government policies especially on healthcare, education, and energy and investment promotion. Enough with criticism against RB, the opposition PACT must say how they plan to govern and what radical changes should we expect from them. Elections 2011 should be about choosing a good future for Zambia by electing a President, Party and Members of Parliament who will commit to offer and deliver solutions to Zambians main challenges.
Zambians are hard-working people but have we been let down by unresponsive government. Change is needed for Zambia because the MMD has lost all political capital. But if Zambians decide to vote for change; what is the alternative party to form government in 2011 or should Zambians just rehire the MMD government for another five years?
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