Today's letters to the editor

Thu, 11 Jan 2018 10:03:26 +0000

Trading at the cemeteries illegal, unacceptable

Dear editor,

Cemeteries are final resting places for our loved ones when they die. As such, the cemeteries and the deceased in particular should be accorded the utmost respect they deserve.

Essentially, trading in various goods and services is one thing and trading in the designated areas such as markets is another.

  In the recent past, some traders have resorted to selling their merchandise at cemeteries with impunity. This is very wrong and it is a serious offence punishable by law. Dwelling more on this aspect, there is a bylaw in place which criminalise traders conducting their businesses at cemeteries.

 For the traders to continue trading at cemeteries entails that there is laxity of the law. In view of this trend of trading at cemeteries, there is need for enforcement of the law by the local authority to curb lawlessness.

  If you go to bury your loved ones in Lusaka cemeteries such as Chingwere, Chunga and Leopards, you will find traders selling alcohol, cigarettes, mineral water among others. Little wonder why you would find people getting drunk at the graveyards because selling of alcohol. This does not augur well. Worse still, trading at cemeteries is illegal and unacceptable.

E. PHIRI, Lusaka.

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Empty cartel politics

Dear Editor,

It is shocking that anybody could misrepresent the wise words by veteran politician Alexander Chikwanda to suggest that he attacked the Patriotic Front. That interpretation was sick and could only have come from people with a negative agenda.

 Mr. Chikwanda was simply stating the obvious, that the Quality of politicking in Zambia had degenerated to a level where discourse simply amounted to casting aspersions than dealing with real issues.

This is exemplified by statements made by Chishimba Kambwili and more recent Harry Kalaba accusing Government of corruption in order to perpetuate a negative perception. They never bothered to be specific but made much generalised allegations similar to the modus operandi of the cartel.

These sentiments are meant to sabotage the Government in many ways than one, including raising the attention of donor countries including the IMF with which Zambia is currently discussing a facility. The intention is draw attention away from the success the Government has made in financial consolidation to purported political instability and poor governance.

Harry Kalaba as former Foreign Minister is fully aware that such sentiments move the donor community and is hopeful that his negative sentiments will tarnish Zambia’s image to the extent of undermining the goodwill the country is currently enjoying. 

Mr. Chikwanda called for more  nuance, substantive  and intellectual  discourse rather than the trumpeting of empty rhetoric including chanting of the corruption slogan. At no time did he castigate the Patriotic Front. His writing was published in full in your paper and nowhere in that write up did he suggest criticism of the PF policies.

He was candid when he cautioned political actors to be selfless and provide for the needs of the society rather than seek self-aggrandisement. This was directed at all politicians.

He also revealed that President Michael Sata had been surrounded by disloyal officers who among other things managed to swap his speech to parliament. This was meant to show the level of infiltration by external forces.

Again, many Zambians know that President Sata was heavily infiltrated and certainly captured by the cartel-this is not a secret. This is a very well-known fact which was a source of tremendous uncertainty, anger and concern among very many people who loved President Sata.

This cartel manipulated the President into many things and at some point wanted to take over the Presidency when they realised that he was ailing. They knew his condition and were positioning themselves for the eventuality.

The President was also well aware of his condition hence the spectacular realignments he made. This could also explain the powers of the President which he wanted devolved in some measure to a new position of Prime Minister. This was an obvious innovation that would have taken power away from those who expected to assume it.

The vigorous protestations against Mr. Chikwanda only reveal the level of immaturity and in some respects the malevolence of those that are still wishing this country ill. They do not want our political discourse to evolve and reach a level of engagements which exhibits maturity, understanding and above all integrity.

Zambia has to mature to a new level of engagement devoid of empty slogans that are only menat to undermine rather than contribute to the common good.

Ephraim Banda

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Advise to parents, save for school fees now

Dear Editor,

Allow me some space to give a sound advise to fellow parents on the just recent decision made by our government that schools, including universities’ and colleges wont be opened as per school January opening calendar due to the outbreak of cholera.

Despite the normal calendar being disturbed especially to those who really wanted to catch up with their studies as school open, we need to commend and appreciate the move made by Government.

The high number of cholera cases being recorded are just too alarming. In just 24 hours, over 90 cases and over 2000 cases since the spread began. Instead of politicising the deferment made by Government, all meaning Zambians should give government a pat on the back.

Coming to the sound timely advise I would like to give fellow parents is that we should take the move made by government as a good gesture to help us plan and save monies better without any panic.

A lot of spending was done during Christmas and New Year celebrations which usually pushes most parents into panic-mode.

The panic-mode is triggered in the first week of January when the situation of paying school fees comes to light. This is what sends parents and guardians into panic-mode when monies now have to be allocated for school fees, uniforms, school shoes, books and school bags after the heavy spending during/after Christmas and New Year celebrations. Now with school on hold due to the cholera outbreak, it gives us parents chance and good start ahead to allocate monies before schools, colleges and universities open so that we wont be held accountable or be seen as failures in terms of planning.

The move by government should be seen and taken as a head start to us parents in terms of allocating monies for school. I mean, it will be shameful to have our kids sent back home due to fees not paid when we had December and January to prepare. Let us see the deferment by government not to allow learning institutions open due to cholera outbreak as a chance for us to pull-up our socks when it comes to saving monies.

Also its my hope that the deferment by Government will be seen by all as a wake up call of having our surroundings, homes, environment, communities, schools, churches, bars, markets, hospitals/clinics kept clean not just when we hear the outbreak is here but always. Cholera is real and it kills. I rest my thoughts.

TROY MUKUPA

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Zambia is never short of leaders

Dear editor,

It has been said from time to time again that leadership is from God. Leadership at whatever level in the echelons of power is about servant- hood. The implication of this is that leaders are there to serve the interest of the people. In this manner, people can have a life worth living. In other words, they should enjoy life to the maximum by accessing all the basic necessities of life such as clothing, food and shelter.

  However, leaders come and go. It is not surprising to see those in the echelons of power including politicians relinquishing positions through resignation for instance.

Some political leaders can lose their positions through dismissal by the appointing authority. Just recently, Honourable Lucky Mulusa was fired as Minister of National Development and Planning. A few days later, Bahati lawmaker Harry Kalaba resigned as Minister of Foreign Affairs. He pledged to continue serving as member of parliament for his constituency.

Following the dismal of Honourable Mulusa and the resignation of Honourable Kalaba, President Edgar Chagwa Lungu “Mr. Walk The Talk” has appointed Nkana lawmaker, Honourable Alexander Chiteme as Minister of National Development Planning, replacing Mr. Lucky Mulusa. Former diplomat and Kwacha member of parliament, honourable Joseph Malanji as Minister of Foreign Affairs, replacing Honourable Harry Kalaba.

The newly appointed ministers were sworn in by President Lungu at State House on Monday, January 8, 2018. The head of State implored the two ministers to work very hard in delivering development by performing diligently. President Lungu further advised those Patriotic Front (PF) members who can’t work with him as republican President and party president to leave the party.

If truth be told, it is this one: PF is bigger than any politician. If any single politician resigns his position, there are others who can take the mantle of leadership. This is because Zambia is never short of leaders who work for the betterment of this country.

Concerned, Lusaka.