President Mwanawasa held a press briefing on Friday February 22, 2008 at State House where he announced some changes to his government.
For instance, Dr Mwanawasa fired southern province deputy minister JosephMulyata, who is embroiled in corruption charges and replaced him with Daniel Munkombwe, who until then was southern province Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) chairperson.
Dr Mwanawasa also fired ministry of agriculture permanent secretary Dr Sam Mundia.
The President also elavated commerce deputy minister Dora Siliya to a full cabinet portifolio of communications and transport. In justifying this promotion, the President has said he elevated Siliya because she hails from eastern province where he has been receiving large support.
Dr Mwanawasa also sent his aunt and political advisor Mavis Muyunda into the diplomatic service at a mission yet to be determined.
Dr Mwanawasa also appointed communications and transport minister Sara Sayifwanda to the ministry of agriculture where she would work closely with incumbent Ben Kapita, who is said to be bed-ridden as a result of ill-health. The ministry of agricuture now has two cabinet ministers but some critics have indicated that the move was contributing to the already bloated Zambian cabinet.
Well, I salute His Excellency for efforts in trying to manage Zambia and the government but I have a major issue, expecially with the appointing of one Daniel Munkombwe. Mr Munkombwe is 76 years old.
Neither do I have a personal bone to chew with Munkombwe nor do I have a personal problem with the appointing finger, but please allow me to think loudly over this issue.
Rather my worry is about leadership opportunities espcecially for the youth. This government is on record with pronouncements on youth empowerment but how do the youth get empowered when we continue placing old wine in old bottles wantonly like this?? I think this is recycling leadership. Mr Munkombwe has accepted and defended his appointment and proudly, he has said Dr Mwanawasa promoted him because of his ability to perform. He also also believes that no country would survive with young people in leadership positions hence the need to blend old leadership, such as his with new people.
"Performance and work is not related to age," he is quoted in one of Zambia's dailies.
I can see that Mr Munkombwe is at pains trying to justify his hunger for office, but he must be reminded that his only chance to make a mark in leadership is over. Whether is is fit enough to perform is no justification to hang on to power.
The books of history elaborate very well and it is public knowledge that Mr Munkombwe has served the first, second and this third government in Zambia. He has danced before in front of different political party leaders including those in the opposition.
The fact that Mr Munkombwe still wants to hang on is a clear indication that his actions are pure deeds of avarice, which would not take us anywhere.
Mr Munkombwe deserves a place in the terraces of retirement where he can serve ably as a consultant or counsellor or senior citizen on leadership to the youth. I think his time, just like many others who are still jostling for public office is over. Mr Munkombwe should retire and give chance to young people. He should follow the footsteps of his counsin Vernon Mwaanga who retired from public office honourably after serving the country for so many years.
I would like to propose that the older generation should pave way for young leaders. After all they are same people who have continued to talk about future leaders. The search for future leaders should have started yesterday. The empowerment of young people does not happen with making empty statements alone. It deserves more than that! It deserves action and tangible decisions that promote the thriving of young ideas. It can not be achieved by re-appointing people over and over again. There are scores and scores of able leaders in Zambia who would have fitted well in that ministerial job.
Mr Munkombwe should be the last person to pledge his efforts towards the fight against corruption now that he has a job in government. In fact, he should not even mention that fight as it is hypocrisy of the worst order for him to do so. I do not want to remind Mr Munkombwe about how an MMD taskforce convicted him when he dubiously received a motor vehicle from then MMD vice presidential aspirant Austin Chewe in 2003.
It now explains why Mr Munkombwe has been trotting from one political party to the other. He has been in search of greener pastures and I am not quite sure if he has found that space.
Saturday, 23 February 2008
Levy appoints Munkombwe
FLASH BACK.... President Mwanawasa with newly Southern province deputy minister Daniel Munkombwe (left) in Mazabuka recently.
Time check
TIME CHECK... President Mwanawasa checks his time before addressing a press brifieng at State House.
Levy's advisors
President Mwanawasa's advisors for policy implementation Jack Kalala (left) and legal Darlington Mwape (centre) following proceedings during the press briefing. On the right is foreign affairs permanent secretary Tiens Kapoma.
Mavis Muyunda
President Mwanawasa's political advisor and aunt Mavis Muyunda does a thumbs up from her seat after the President announced her move from State House to the diplomatic service. The mission she would be sent to is yet to be announced. Ms Muyunda refused to comment suffice to say that she would thank and congratulate the President after she is sworn in as ambassador.
After Mr Mwanawasa announced her move to the diplomatic service, Ms Muyunda burst into a jovial mood and was all smiles.
Levy smiles
President smiling as he prepares his talking notes before announcing some reshuffles in the Zambian government.
Levy listens
President Mwanawasa pays attention to a question from journalists during a press briefing in at State House.
Friday, 22 February 2008
Escapades in the east
On valentine's day, I traveled to the eastern province of Zambia. This is about 600 kilo metres from Lusaka, the capital. It is usually a six hour drive on an average speed of say 100 to 120 kilo metres per hour. Chipata lies on the border with Malawi and this distance is just about 12 kilo metres and about 15 minutes drive.
I was out on assignment to cover the British Council's youth leadership training programme under a name called Dreams and Teams.
There was myself, a Bristish comrade and lead trainer called David Huskins, Macnon Luwaile from british Countil, Ernest from Zambia's national broadcaster ZNBC and young man Modern from a television station in Lusaka called MUVI.
We set off from Lusaka aound 3:30 pm and got to Chipata at about 10pm.
This (in the picture) is the road that takes you to the east where there are wise men, some people say.
I spent seven days and took a lot of pictures to share here.
I saw Ngonis preparing for the Nc'wala traditional ceremonies, I shot bicycles, which forms a large part of the transportation system in Chipata.
In Zambia, Chipata (formerly Fort Jameson) has large potential for economic development especially in agriculture. There are a lot of shops for trading and this is where one also finds Asians of Indian origin who speak the local language better than the indigenous people. The major crops grown in Chipata are maize, tobacco, sorghum and potatoes.
I just wanted to share with you a brief story about my escapades in Chipata. Let the pictures talk on their own.
Road to the east
Mwanza, the man who drove me to eastern province looking looking so far away in front of the great east road.
War dance
This is a war dance. It is performed by the Ngoni people of eastern Zambia during ceremony called Nc'wala. It is a dance characterised by slamming of feet on the ground and fierce display of war prowess. The dancers usually brandish spears alonside the women, who sing and clap as the men dance around.
In Zambia, the Nc'wala has remained one the major traditional ceremonies. It is considered to be among the major unifying factors among the tribes and in preservation of culture.
The the traditional ceremony, which is usually graced by a high profile person such as head of state, the inkhosi yama nkhosi (king of kings) drinks raw blood from a bull that is slughtered in front of the audience.
Future writer??
Quite attentive. One of the youth leaders concentrates on her work as she prepares a presentation.
Future writer??
One of the young leaders leans on a table opposite her chest to draft notes during a leadership training in Chipata.
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