Politicians Reflect On Zambia's Post-Independence Era

By Paul Shalala

The Golden Jubilee logo

As Zambia celebrates its golden jubilee, it can not be denied that politics has been an integral part of its last 50 years.

To gain independence from the British, Zambian freedom fighters grouped together into political entities to free themselves from colonial dominance.

In the first 8 years of the country's independence, multi-party politics flourished but in 1972, the constitution was changed to the one party state until 1991 when the country reverted back to multi-party politics.

In its reflection of the Golden Jubilee, the Foundation for Democratic Process  says Zambia's politics are not yet mature due to a colonial era constitution.

"We need mature politics devoid of violence or intimidation. Our institutions to support democracy are still weak," said macDonald Chipenzi, FODEP Executive Director.

And Tom Ngenda, an economics lecturer at Cavendish University in Lusaka says political parties have over the past 50 years crafted their party manifestos from their initial socialist inclination to the current economic appeal to voters.

"In the past, political parties used to craft their manifestos in such a way that they wanted to get into office. Now the parties have manifestos that appeal to people to vote for them so that they can bring economic development to Zambia," said Ngenda in an interview at his office.

For the ruling Patriotic Front which has been part of Zambia's history in the past 13 years, Zambian politics has evolved for the better.

"We have alot to celebrate as a nation. We have come a long way politically and it is time the nation got united and celebrated the golden jubilee together," said Edgar Lungu, Secretary general of the Patriotic Front.

But opposition political parties have different views on how politics have impacted the nation since independence.

"There is nothing to celebrate. Fuel prices are high. The cost of living has gone up. Basically, we have nothing to celebrate as a nation because we have no economic independence," said Hakainde Hichilema, President of the opposition UPND.

Mr Hichilema's sentiments are echoed by Zambia Development Conference President Langton Sichone.

"How can we celebrate the so called Golden Jubilee when we still have an old colonial constitution? We have nothing to celebrate in the last 50 years," said Sichone.

The main celebrations for Zambia's Golden Jubilee will be held at the National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka where various activities will take place.

Both military and civilian performances will spice up the event which has attracted several leaders from around the world.

ECZ Runs Out Of Money For Continuous Voters Registration

Priscilla Isaac

By Paul Shalala

The Electoral commission of Zambia (ECZ) has disclosed that it is unable to conduct the continuous voter registration this year due to lack of funding.

ECZ Director Priscilla Isaac says the unending by-elections the country has witnessed this year have contributed to the loss of funds for voter education.

"This year we are unable to continue conducting the continuous voter registration exercise mainly due to lack of funds," said Isaac in an interview.

According to the Electoral Act, the ECZ is supposed to conduct voter registration through out the year.

The law however provides that the electoral body must halt the exercise in an event of parliamentary or local government by-elections.

Hakainde Hichilema

Meanwhile, Ms Isaac has disclosed that the commission will next year conduct a massive voter registration exercise ahead of the 2016 General Elections.

"For 2015, we are expected to conduct voter registration for the 2016 General Elections. This will be after we get funding from the National Budget," she said.

This year, the Electoral Commission of Zambia has conducted dozens of local government by-elections and several parliamentary by-elections which include Katuba, Kasenengwa, Mkushi South, Solwezi Central, Vubwi and Zambezi West.

Elias Chipimo Jr.

Currently, the ECZ is using the 2011 voters register which has 5, 167, 154 registered voters.

Opposition political parties have reacted angrily to this revelation.

"This shows how PF lacks priorities. If indeed government had priorities, continuous voters registration would have been well funded and supported," said Hakainde Hichilema, UPND President.

The failure by the ECZ to conduct continuous voter education is worrying because young people who have reached voting age will be defranchised," said Elias Chipimo Jr, NAREP President.

But ZADECO President Langton Sichome seems to have a solution to the problem.

"Let government come up with a supplementary which parliament can approve to allow the ECZ to conduct voter registration," said Sichone.

VJ Says Ministerial Changes Give Hope For New Constitution

Vernon Mwaanga addressing delegates

By Paul Shalala

Veteran politician Vernon Mwaanga, who is popularly known as VJ, says the recent changes in the Patriotic Front-led government may just lead to Zambia finally having the final draft constitution which is yet to be released.

Dr Mwaanga, who was speaking in Lusaka during a general meeting held by the Grand Coalition for a People Driven Constitution, says these changes may just be the hope Zambians have been waiting for.

"You the Zambian people through the Grand Coalition have a constitutional right to demand for the constitution which is yours," said Dr Mwaanga.

On Thursday, President Michael Sata sacked his Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba who presided over the constitution making process from 2012 till last week.

Mr Kabimba's handling of the constitution making process made him an enemy of the civil society which has been critical of the way government has handled the process from its legality to the roadmap.

During the same meeting, Oasis Forum spokesperson Father Cleophas Lungu said the best gift government can give to the people of Zambia for the golden jubilee is a new constitution.

"This is the year of jubilee, a year of a new beginning, a year of justice. The best give government can give us is a new constitution," said Fr Lungu who is also Secretary General of the Zambia Episcopal Conference.

Meanwhile, Islamic Supreme Council of Zambia President, Suzyo Zimba, says no amount of suppressing divergent views will stop the grand coalition from pushing for the supreme law of the land.



"Kaunda came with his tactics and we kicked him out. Chiluba came with his third term, we kicked him out. Rupiah Banda came with his money, we kicked him out," he said.

And speaking on behalf of sixteen opposition political parties, Zambia Development Conference (ZADECO) President, Langton Sichone said political Parties will embark on a countrywide campaign of chants for a new constitution.

Mr Sichone asked all Zambians to start chanting and making noise about the constitution wherever they are adding that: "political parties have the numbers and we can do it."

He further disagreed with Mr Kabimba's recent statement before his dismissal that the final draft constitution had been tabled in cabinet before it is released for actual enactment.

"The constitution must be released simultaneously to the people of Zambia and President Sata. It is our document and it should be given to us, not cabinet," the opposition leader added.