DECLARE 28TH APRIL PRESIDENTS’ DAY IN HONOR OF KENNETH DAVID KAUNDA AND OTHER PAST PRESIDENTS

Subscribers to the maxim of leadership and strategic thinking will attest to the fact that any form of organization needs leaders. In fact, there is no society that has succeeded without credible leadership in place. Forget the type of leader a given institution or society may have as the fundamental point is that there is always a figurehead at the apex of any organization whose interest is to deal with matters of common good. This aphorism is applicable in our everyday lives and more so at personal level. To be an upright person, one needs to instill a great sense of personal leadership to manage themselves. Societies have held together and transmogrified due to committed leadership and every level of society. The reference to leadership from the outset is aimed at contextualizing the discourse at hand because as a nation, we have transitioned from one leadership to another since we attain self-rule. To date, Zambia holds a proud record of peaceful handover of political power from Presidents Kenneth Kaunda, Fredrick JT. Chiluba, Levy P. Mwanawasa, Rupiah B. Banda, and Michael C. Sata to Edgar C. Lungu without any form of mayhem. 

   

This has not been an easy feat to achieve in comparison to what other countries in sub-Saharan Africa have experienced. This discourse should not be misconstrued to be speechifying personalities but the Presidency as an institution of leadership in relation to the central role it plays in the everyday Zambian society. In the history of Zambian Presidency, we are on sixth President. This is not an easy feat to attain at all in comparison to other countries who are stuck with one leader who seem to have anointed themselves as the alpha and omega with an extreme sense of self-entitlement and no room for transition in the nearest foreseeable future.  If one astutely looks at the Presidents that Zambians have elected, each presented some exceptional form of uniqueness that have contributed to the development of the country in their own unmatched manner. This is not a wholesale statement but one which could be subjected to detailed scrutiny and proved right. For this discourse, probing the distinctiveness of Kenneth Kaunda, Fredrick JT. Chiluba, Levy P. Mwanawasa, Rupiah B. Banda, Michael C. Sata and Edgar C. Lungu leadership style maybe a topic for another day. However, it is cardinal to recognize that Zambia as a nation has venerated the weight of leadership in the management of its affairs. If the country has placed premium on leadership, it is cardinal for the nation to set aside a day on which we recognize the Presidency as a driving force in a nation quest to achieving greater heights at all strata of development. In view of this recognition, it is this author’s proposal that Zambia declares 28^th April “Zambia Presidents’ Day”. This day should be set aside to reflect on the past and present leadership as a means on preserving their legacy.

On 28^th April, 2018, Zambia will be honoring the 94^th birthday of the founding President of the Republic of Zambia Dr. Kenneth David Kaunda. This is the man who is venerated within and beyond the borders of our country because of the significant role he has played in African and global politics. It is not a secret that President Kenneth Kaunda remains a colossus in Zambia political landscape after all, he and many other comrades of his such as Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula, Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe, Vernon J. Mwaanga, Peter Matoka, Justin Musonda Chimba, Julia Chikamoneka just to mention but a few brawled for the liberation of our nation from the pangs of colonialism. We have time and time again recognized the selfless work of this cabal during national events like Independence Day. For being the first President of the Republic of Zambia, we have generally showered praises on this son of the soil. Praises are not enough, there is need to do more. It is now time for us to put in place practical measures that would see his legacy and that of other past Presidents to be preserved through the ‘Zambia Presidents’ day. The interrogation that arises obviously is the practicality of such a day. It is acknowledged that Zambia already has well spread public holidays. In view of that, the 28^th April should not be declared a public holiday at all but an official day with a build up to it through lessons, activities, and other national events that honor the past and present Presidency. This is one authentic manner in which Zambia can institutionalize on a national scale the preservation of Kenneth Kaunda, Fredrick JT. Chiluba, Levy P. Mwanawasa, Rupiah B. Banda, Michael C. Sata, Edgar C. Lungu and future Presidents’ legacy. One would further submit that the Ministry of National Guidance and Religious Affairs could play a cardinal role in the modalities of how this day will be commemorated as it is at the epicenter of guiding the nation. Organizations other key stakeholders should be given the latitude to organize events that would help the nation celebrate the efforts of the past and present Presidents.

Some people have spoken in jest that “Zambians have very short memories”. While this remains a cliché, this author fears is this assertion could turn out to be true because without deliberate efforts, the legacies of the past Presidents may soon dissipate in thin air to the extent that we may have to rely on outsiders to impart it in us. We should never forget that Zambia is fostered on a solid foundation of moral, traditional, Christian, constitutional principles. The primary custodian and example of these virtues is the Presidency. It just therefore just makes worthy sagacity that the nation sets aside a day that recognizes the past and the present leadership through this proposed day. Declare 28^th April Presidents’ Day.

The author is a Lusaka based observer of African & international affairs.

For comments send your email to bonaventuremutale@gmail.com

The Xenophobia Question Needs Deeper Reflection

This article was written at the height of the Xenophobic Attacks that occurred in South Africa. However, I forgot to publish. It maybe stale now but I reckon it still has some valuable points of reflection.

Do South Africans really dislike foreigners? Are they intolerant to foreigners? Is the patience of South Africans with foreigners being pushed to the age? Today, the African continent is watching with jolt the on-goings in a country majority sacrificed to have liberated from the pangs and wrenches of brutal minority white rule.   What has sparked off this carousel of this indifference and in some cases brutal slayings of foreigners in one of Africa’s most supposed promising democracy and economy? Are we as outside observers being melodramatic in the views we hold towards some South Africans regarding this matter? From the outset, it is important to undertake a profound reflection on these attacks and not to haste condemnation of South Africans.

Obviously, these attacks are not a generic feature but isolated and therefore, the actions of a minority should not be used to stereotype over fifty million South Africans. While at this, according to the World Atlas Publication, South African is second most visited African country after Morocco. In fact, it is not only visited but the most migrated to by varied nationalities of most African countries. In fact, a team of academics at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg produced a set of statistics that estimated that the overall foreign population in South Africa ranged from 1.6 to 2 million, or 3 to 4 percent of the total population. They also reported that there were between 1 and 1.5 million legal and illegal Zimbabwean immigrants in South Africa. All these immigrants are competing for jobs and decent livelihood with the citizens.

This migration is definitely opportunity-for-a-better-life led. But do these migrants attain the rosy quality of life they dream of? Sometimes, these opportunities that most African nationals trail in the supposed land of opportunity are faux as majority of the immigrants end up engaging in illegal activities to make ends meet while portraying a facade of a rosy picture to their countries of origin. In most cases, these foreigners involuntarily take up jobs that they would never take up their countries of origin. While the above point is not the crux of this discourse, it is important for African countries to take a deep contemplation on the possible panacea to the problem South Africa faces today. In fact, one can be quick to clinch that the problem of foreign immigrants looking for a better life in South Africa other than their own countries places the rest of African countries on the spotlight. Are other African countries failing their citizens for them to lose confidence in their own Governments and opt to go try their luck in South Africa? That is an assertion that can be reflected on by individual bystanders.

In comparative terms, Zambia has seen an influx of Chinese nationals engaging in occupations that indigenous nationals are not skill-short off. It is not a secret that some Chinese nationals have been engaging blue-collar work, sale of vegetables and chickens just to mention but a few. Ordinarily, these are jobs expected to be undertaken by Zambians. While they engage in these activities, some Zambians have raised trepidation that their jobs are being stolen. In a number of cases, the Government has acted to remedy such situations.  Without playing the fiend’s advocate, can this observation be linked to the same cries the ordinary South Africans are making? It is not a secret that employment opportunities world over are shrinking owing to a number of factors such as mechanization of industry and attenuation of economic activity. It would be wrong for any observer of this growing problem of isolated anti-foreigner skirmishes to conclude that South Africans are indifferent to foreigners.  Some observers have even gone to the extent of raising doubts on whether the much extolled national value of ‘Ubuntu’ that aided South Africa to overcome the post-Apartheid violent feelings and paved way for truth and reconciliation.  It is not in this author’s ambit to conclude whether the post-apartheid political transition in South Africa did not fully address the political economic question, and hence the xenophobic violence which is a symbolic expression of a deeper resentment against an unjust and unequal economic growth coupled with a wave of violent crimes. 

While the world is now a global village, one cannot deny the fact that globalization has triggered protectionism at various strata of human endeavor for countries to remain afloat and relevant in this competitive epoch. The cry of the ordinary South African regarding jobs is a genuine one except the manner in which it is being expressed of using violence as a means to gain attention. This problem requires concerted efforts to resolve and regional blocks such as Southern African Development Community (SADC) should take keen interest in this smoldering problem before it hits a tailspin. The block whose countries are used a transit points to South Africa by migrants coming from the northern part of the continent should collaborate towards stamping out illegal immigration.

However, acts of violence by some sullen individuals in South Africa who appear not to have the propensity to air their grievances with sobriety should be condemned in the strongest possible terms. 

SOUTH SUDAN, SINK OR SWIM!

 A  By Bonaventure Mutapi Mutale

Just when Africa and the world at large thought the belligerents in South Sudan conflict, the world’s youngest nation had ceased fire in order to converge their efforts on moving the nation forward, did the nation again go up into a blaze. Before and around Monday, 11^th July, 2016, pandemonium broke out and Juba the capital city of South Sudan was the center of feuds and warfare. And this time around, the mayhem and fighting was so fierce and brutal to the extent that the just in two days since the skirmishing broke out, 200 people had been reportedly killed in addition to many unaccounted for casualties. International media reported that the authorities at South Sudanese Ministry of Health had equally presaged that the death toll from the fighting in Juba could have risen up to over 270. The sporadic confrontation in Juba is a clear affront on the Agreement of the Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, which was signed in August 2015 between President Salva Kiir and Riek Machar’s warring cabals. This is the agreement that was the bedrock of the Declaration of Cessation of Hostilities between the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) loyal to Salva Kirr and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) loyal to his first Vice President, Riek Machar. This declaration seemed to have held intermezzo.

These hostilities between the two belligerents seems to be deeply engrained in the stern and ferocious fight for leadership which many people may wish to note has bedeviled South Sudan even before it gained self-rule from the main Sudan. The most incommodious thing about this post-independence conflict in South Sudan is the generation of contentions by several observers as to whether the fight for independence was in the interest of the South Sudanese or it was about mere fight for political power. The case of South Sudan rapid degeneration into a warzone for a country that appears to espouse freedom and unity for a people that had been down trodden for a long time is bothersome. This is a paradigm that Africa and the world at large should not sit back and watch turn into a bonfire. Those who follow African events will confirm that this is not the first time that this altercation since South Sudan gained self-rule. In 2013, after tensions arose between President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar, who is of the Dinka ethnicity and Vice President Riek Machar, who is of the Nuer ethnicity, war broke out. As usual, the casualties are the civilians especially women and children.  

For those who may care to further know will attest to the fact that Riek Machar even before independence has been at the epicenter of controversy and polemics with the sedulous late Dr. John Garang who at that served as pre-independence President of the South Sudan. Though Riek Machar had been a key figure in the eventual attainment of sovereignty, it has been come clear that he has been a divisive factor thereby making it practically impossible for the newly independent country pull in one direction. This is the reason why observers of African affairs like this author may question his move to go into hiding after the events of July 7, 2016 military face-ff. This action alone raises concerns on the sustainability of the power-sharing agreement. Where is the United Nations (UN) in the midst of this crisis? What about the African Union and regional bodies around the East Africa which South Sudan is a party to?

This is no time for Africa and the world at large to put your feet up their feet into relaxation because the concord the world is simply cosmetic and temporal. The truth is that a conflict is smoldering in view of the fact that the belligerents in the chaos are strongmen with considerable influence that would throw South Sudan’s stability into doubt. This development may also vindicate the reluctance main Sudan had over granting independence to South Sudan. The citizens would question the essence of gaining independence when their national leadership is embroiled in skirmishes and combat. But again, the biggest question that requires answering and vivid understanding as Africa and the world at large responds to the crisis is to establish the footing of the war. Why is it that a newly independent extremely poor country with so much natural wealth would descend into such chaos? What does this say about the future of the peace and security around that country? What does the future hold for a country reported by World Health Organization (WHO) as having some of the worst health indicators in the world? This is a country were under-five infant mortality rate is 135.3 per 1,000, while maternal mortality is the highest in the world at 2,053.9 per 100,000 live births.

Having pointed out the above, it can be adduced that the world’s youngest nation has long way to go to attain a workable responsive governance system in tandem with other progressive African countries in view of the on goings there. But again, this also gives an indication that perhaps, there was a lack of preparation for post-independence life in all institutions of Governance. Prior to attaining self-rule, one would have hoped that those tribal rebel groups should have been effectively disarmed and clear post-independence transition roadmap set. The state of affairs also shows a very bad example of having too many ‘strongmen’ with massive almost ‘religious’ influence on a certain section of society.  Silva Kiir and Reik Machar are very influential figures and none of them appear willing to concession their respective establishments. This mayhem has to come to an end and it can only end if the United Nations and its collectives take a strong stand and   encourage both President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar to push for calm for the sake of the South Sudanese people who are usually the victims of war and its off shoots. This conflict should not be allowed to generate into a full scale bedlam. Africa is undergoing a renaissance but this can only be achieved if all countries have their peace and security guaranteed. Africa has witnessed enough conflicts and cannot afford endure more. South Sudan should swim and not sink into a failed state after being independent for only 5 years!

The Author is a Lusaka Based Observer of Local and African Affairs.

For comments, email: bonaventuremutale@gmail.com

The Malaise of the Zambian Entertainment Industry Part II

By Bonaventure Mutapi Musonda Chiti Mutale

In continuation from part I of the article, the crux of this discourse is to understand the extent to which the entertainment industry can be a durable means of survival for our hard working artists. For arguments sake, of current crop of musicians, apart from Macky II, Slap D, Mampi, Amayenge and JK, how many artists are earning a decent livelihood from their intellectual property? To be honest, they are very few in comparison to Nigeria’s or even South African famed musicians whose net worth average earnings are in excess of millions of dollars. Our artists are leap years behind.  How much money does our acclaimed actor Owas Mwape earn from the films he works hard to produce? How much money do cultural dance troupes earn from their performances to sustain them? Or better still, how much is earned by those visual artists whose spend their day being sun kissed curving all types of art work? The truth is they earn peanuts and this is so because the system disfavors the brains behind the works. In Zambia, entertainment artists are conferred fame and not the fortune.

As a nation, we should be guilty of stealing from these dead and living intellectuals. In fact, the guilt should stem from the fact that we pirate their music through free downloads from the internet. We should be guilty because we allow unscrupulous filches to download music, package it in those white paper labelled CDs sold on the streets with impunity for cut-rate prices while the owners of the work famish in hunger and some in destitution.  We should be guilty that we have not created an environment where these artists in film or music can access funds to start up their artistry. We should guilty because we have allowed our musicians to perform for peanuts and yet we are so comfortable to pay foreign artists thousands of dollars. Where does that money suddenly come from?  We should guilty because we have not readily availed them financial literacy to manage their fame and fortune. We should be guilty because we have not provided the correct infrastructure to enhance the quality of the recording and productions.

Apparently, word on the ground is that some Djs in some radio stations are now asking for money for an artist’s music to receive airplay? How corrupt can the system be? While the work of the Djs is totally appreciated, it is discriminatory and highly bigoted to expect a young budding musician to pay them money for airplay when they even struggled to just get studio time to record a song. From the net-worth of the South African music and the Nigerian movie and music industry, one can conclude that the entertainment industry is a business that can thrive in a virtuous environment. The questions that policy makers should be asking themselves should range from what is South African or even Nigeria doing right to attain such high levels of net worth? Pundits will hide in population numbers which this author does not subscribe to. What about Botswana? What about Equatorial Guinea and Benin that do not have the population numbers but have gone ahead to produce big earning artists? The panacea to curing this malaise of the entertainment industry needs well thought coordination at policy all the way to the recording studio, production and the market place. When artists in music or film industry are well remunerated, producers will be well paid just like Djs and eventually more revenue will be poured in the treasury.  

Institutions like the National Arts Council (NAC) and Zambia Association of Musicians (ZAM) need to be operating a macro level in pushing for reformation of the entertainment industry and not just issuing numb reactive press statements. They should engage experts who understand how this industry works in developed countries and then make progressive propositions to the Government for consideration. On the other hand, the powers that be should create a forum for cross pollination of ideas on how to restructure the entertainment industry for various forms of artistic work to benefit those from rural areas.  

There is need to put in place policy measures that cascade to the ward level. For instance, the Government can dedicate three or four percent of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to arts at constituency level. This should be executed with a proper tracking system. This is a form of employment creation at ward level which when aggregated at national level would have an impact on citizen empowerment. High-tech music and film recording equipment should be bought and installed in all ZANIS offices throughout the country to enable the tapping of rural talent. There is no justification to continue keeping our artists whether in film, music, comedy, painting or cultural dance as second-rate performers when it is a common fact that authentic Zambian music and films can break boundaries and earn the country recognition and much needed revenue. Once fundamentals are put in place, everything else will work out because the industry will be paying itself. Perhaps we will see a policy were all artists in whatever form will be required to register with Patents and Companies Registration Authority and Zambia Revenue Authority to enable the Government determine the quantum of the industry. For musicians, music is an investment that they should be earning interest through royalties once their ‘five minutes’ of fame are over. Let us not deprive them of the fruits of their hard work.

The author is a Lusaka-based Observer of local and African Affairs.

For comments, feel free to email: bonaventuremutale@gmail.com

The Malaise of the Zambian Entertainment Industry Part I

By Bonaventure Mutale

Caught up in the early morning traffic some two weeks ago, I tuned into one popular radio station which churns out great antiquated Zambian music. As usual the station was rocking some of those creative sounds that can make any music aficionado tap their hand or feet in appreciation of the rhythm. Several thoughts on the evolution of Zambian music artistry came to mind. The first one was around how much was the net-worth of the Zambian music industry? Who could be Zambia’s richest musician? Who is Zambia’s biggest artist? And if they are big, in what sense? What constitutes a big artist by Zambian standards?  My mind also wandered off to ask the net worth of the film industry? What about paintings and art work? These are pertinent questions I have attempted to research on and yielded zilch results.

One might think this is a blithering supposition but the truth is that there is no information available to ascertain the worth of this important industry. If at all it does exist, the question one would raise is what parameters have been used to arrive at those conclusions. After searching for this information far and wide in futility, I concluded that there is nothing to talk about regarding the general organization in comparison to other countries on the African continent. I am drew some quick but unverified conclusion that the Zambian entertainment industry could be in a real malaise that needs urgent reformation coupled with deliberate restructuring before it slips into a comatose.

In an attempt to put things into perspective, it is cardinal to point out that in Zambia, it is not a surprise to find a musician asking for a drink from a patron back stage after an electric performance. It is also true that there have been times popular musicians have died not being given send offs befitting their status. Stories have been heard were families of the late artists have struggled to even raise money to purchase a coffin to enable them afford a decent burial. Having said so, it is also not a surprise to see an artist; be it an actor or musician struggle to pay bills despite their success in public domain. It is also not surprise to see artists in whatever form become a heroes and heroines after they die when everyone just watched them live in impecuniousness while alive.

These are unfortunate incidents that do not seem to click anything in the minds of the public who spend nights away dancing to the creativity of these minds at gigs and all types functions including clubs. The truth is that the fame that comes with Zambian artistry is not in equilibrium with the money that goes into their pockets. Fame without fortune is like potential because cannot potential be eaten. Fame will cannot pay bills. What pays bills is the value that is attached to the fame. In view of this, the question one raises is how long will the Zambian artistry remain in this conundrum? I have heard some musicians say that to earn a decent living in Zambian art, one needs to have another fall back income generating activity. Well this is true but why should his be the case? If this is not deliberately corrected, I portend even more difficult times ahead for our Zambian music, painting and movie industry. It should not surprise you when musicians clamor around political parties to perform and earn some shekels.

According to the Forbes ranking of well performing entertainment industries, it should  fluster us that the South African Music Industry alone is net worth $68 million while Nigerian music industry is worth $48 million and Kenya $3Million. For Nigeria, the film industry in multi-million dollars. What about Zambia? You guess could be as good as mine. Not such information exists! Now, the composition of this net worth is in record sales, royalties, and endorsements. Apparently, the Governments in these countries are obtaining a sizeable share revenue from this industry. Can the same be said about the Zambian music and film industry? How much money is realized from this industry? It is clear that this industry at the moment is a ‘hand to mouth’ and only the brave can stay in the game and survive even after their ‘five minutes of fame’ has come to an end. A big artist by Zambian standards is probably arrived at by ‘observation’ and not by other aspects. This archaic and draconian style of managing this industry needs to come to an end at an earliest possible time. Artists whether in music, film, painting, or cultural dances should be well remunerated and a well thought out environment created for them to thrive.

We should not even act oblivious to the fact that many Zambian musicians just like actors have died paupers and disfavored despite having produced some of the best sounds and films that have lived through time. If fame and fortune is anything to talk about, dead entertainers like Sauzande, Greg Lungu, Paul Ngozi, Pitchen Kazembe, Glorious Band, Smokey Haangala, Serenje Kalindula Band, Masasu, Alfred Chisala Kalusha, Joyce Nyirongo Micheal Kumwenda, Kieth Mulevu, Ras Willie, Daddy Zemus, Lilly T and the young prodigy P-Jay would have died rich men women. Are the dead musicians’ families paid royalties? Could this explain why the rich Kalindula music is slowly evaporating and we still rely on music that was recorded in the 80s and 90s as Zambian music? When the last time a successful authentic Zambian flavored was album produced that sent shockwaves across Zambian radio and clubs? 

Zambian Worker. Change Your Work Ethic!!

Achieving national development is no mean feat. As the axiom goes, ‘Rome was not built in a day’. It clearly shows that achieving national development cannot be achieved in a short time but a long process which calls for calls for hard work, sacrifice and probity. It also entails putting the least of society first than self. In saying so, one would fling quick questions on whether Zambia has the necessary aptitude to improve quality health care, education, transportation infrastructure, decent housing and the social welfare of the people? The answer is a clear-cut yes! However, from the outset, it should be recognized that these amenities do not come discounted. They come at great cost of amplified productivity, investment and the Government creating and enabling environment for the citizens to expend their energy on moving the nation forward

This year’s Labour Day theme dubbed ‘Achieving National Development through Productive Decent Work, Sustainable Job Creation and Social Justice’ comes against the backdrop of serious concerns on the lackadaisical approach the Zambian worker appears to have towards work.

This theme generates important questions that call for deeper reflection at all strata of Zambian society. It also brings in fundamental points of reflection on the extent to which a Zambian worker is willing to go to contribute to national development through their personal effort. One negative trait I have empirically noticed about some Zambian workers is that they seem to underestimate the small and yet cardinal role they play in the aggregate national productivity.

This is seen from the poor working culture coupled with tardiness and general lack of commitment to go an extra mile to contribute to overall organizational vision. This, I see every day in my interaction with some workers in both the private and public sectors.

It has become normal these days to see workers reporting for work at their own time and rush to knock off. Just as it has appears normal for workers who treat clients like they are doing them a favor. 

These practices create very negative perceptions among the general population. These perceptions turn out to be correct in certain instances as civil servants just like those in the private sector who are supposed be the locomotive of the economic development have been caught reporting for work late, drunk or not even reporting at all. How then does one expect improved productivity with such negative attitude towards work? How can a country develop if the keys drivers of three of the four factors of production, the workers are so unworried and complacent in their approached to work? Pure stagnation is the result!

Achieving desired national productivity is a complementary effort where employees play their part and other key stakeholders play theirs too. Each Zambian must realize that there is no ‘quick fix’ to the many challenges the country faces today. It is all about commitment, sacrifice and patriotism in serving ones country.

Interestingly, people around the sub-region praise Zambians working in outside the country as hard working. I have never heard foreigners labeling Zambians working outside the precincts of our territory as being lazy. Its accolades all the way! The question that straight away comes to mind is are Zambians only hard working away from home? Why can’t the praised Zambians exert the same energies they exert out there at home?.

While it is extremely import for the Zambian worker to put in their level best to obtain results, the employers should correspondingly motivate their workers to put in their best as opposed to the business-as-usual. How many government and non-government organizations have productivity committees?  How many employers create well thought out productive workplace cultures? While many employers actually do invest in people and skills, there is need to scale up this aspect to ensure that employees are skilled enough to increase productivity. It may be a case of blaming a worker and yet they are not fully equipped with tools to operate effectively. 

It is a known fact that poor productivity does not bring about sustainable jobs. In fact, my considered view is that low productivity is no different from throwing money in a bottomless pit because there is absolutely nothing to show for it. Sustainable jobs can only be guaranteed if there is increased productivity at every level of Government and the private sector. It is my firm belief that an efficiency and effectiveness opens opportunities to grow the economy. The public sector just like the private sector should work towards scaling up efforts that not only inspire the nation to work hard but also spur development to attain sustainable job creation.

 

While there could be no single answer to productivity challenges Zambia faces today, the starting point should be a paradigm change of mind-set. In saying so, it should be recognized that transforming a the mind of a Zambian worker should not be limited to Labour Day speeches but an everyday exercise that even targets those yet to be absorbed by the labour market.

Therefore, as the Zambian workers commemorate this very significant day, they should not only be excited at wearing a new suit but reflect on what contribution they have made to increase productivity of the Zambian economy to operate efficiently and generate more resources that will drive it forward to achieve social justice.

It is high time the Zambian worker both in the private and public sector put Zambia’s interests first before theirs and they should never at any point downplay the role they play in the whole process of production of  decent jobs, sustainable job creation and social justice

What is it like being black in India? BBC News

EX-MINERS NEED FINANCIAL DISCIPLINE

‘It’s party time in Kitwe!’ screamed a headline on Sunday, 13th December, 2015. Of course this headline was in reference to the sudden hysteria and massive spending by retrenched miners on the Copperbelt after being paid part of their retrenchment packages in ex-gracia payments and Christmas bonuses. It was reported that some ex-miners descended on chain stores for excessive shopping while others emptied all alcoholic beverages in bars and night clubs from dusk till dawn. Upon reading the story in detail and confirming it with some sources, I quivered in disbelief that these ex-miners can use their life savings on self-indulgence, extravagance and excessive imbibing. I generally do not have a problem with incurring expenditure that benefits the families but I certainly have a problem with engaging in excessive spending for pleasure at the expense of their future.  Apparently, word has it that most of these ex-miners have acquired new friends and acquaintances that they are splashing cash and drinks on. 

Obviously, one wonders whether these newly acquired friends will stand by them when they are bust and penniless. Do the ex-miners fathom the extent to which they are sabotaging their own future with such wanton engagements? Are they financially sound to meet their children’s school fees and other expenses associated with January and beyond? Inasmuch as this story makes sad reading, it also gives a clue how deep rooted financial indiscipline has become in our country. In my considered view, this is just a case in point. Most urban areas have young Zambians who have religiously embraced the ‘shipwe shipwe syndrome’! (Unwarranted spending of money on play) This is a new phenomenon among the young generation that as the nation cannot afford to ignore. 

Having a financially undisciplined citizen is a sure way to personal and collective self-destruction that creates a bedrock for a corrupt society in whatever form. This indiscipline and quest for vanity at the expense of self and national development should worry all well-meaning patriotic Zambians. Young Zambians these days have become known for working extremely hard to make money during the week for nothing else but self-indulgence and imbibing with nothing to show for it. Should the nation’s productive sector degenerate to such levels? When are we going to use these energies to move the nation forward? 

This quest for vanity and love for alcohol is a growing problem in Zambia that if not checked, we are likely to have a nation of drunkards. The consequences of alcohol abuse are well documented and there for anybody to consult. It has become a common feature to find young energetic Zambians intoxicated as early as seven o’clock in the morning. It is a pity that the love for alcohol and sheer vanity appears to have virtually taken over the sensibility of the young and middle aged generations and most of them would do anything to earn money they would fritter on alcohol and vanity as seen from the ex-miners. This comportment has the potential to create other social evils such as break down in family life coupled with delinquency. 

The efforts of Government through the President of the Republic of Zambia, His Excellency Edgar Chagwa Lungu to ensure that those ex-miners are paid part of that retrenchment package tax-free in addition to being given land should be commended as it indicates the extent to which Government wants them empowered to live decent lives after retrenchments. Unfortunately, some of these ex-miners are not reciprocating and complimenting the President’s efforts in view of their reported reckless spending sprees. 

It has now become inevitable that the ex-miners are mobilized and educated on the need for them to retain high levels of financial discipline in this delicate time if they are to survive beyond retrenchments. Programmes such as Future Search should swing into action to succour them with tips to manage their lives after retrenchment. If this is not done, they will weep to Government over problems they would have brought upon themselves due to careless financial management.

For the ex-miners, this is not a time to indulge in excessive spending or imbibing but to exhibit restraint and engage trusted individuals who will help you further your life beyond retrenchment.   

BURUNDI CRISIS NEEDS URGENT ATTENTION

Sometime in May, 2015, I called for the intervention of the African Union press Burundian President Pierre Nkurunzinza to respect the constitution and abandon his third term bid because it would spell serious ramifications on the socio-political and economic instability in that country and around the Great Lakes region. Well, Africa just like the rest of the world watched President Pierre Nkurunziza disregard calls for him to respect the constitution and went ahead to obtain a counterfeit mandate through a Presidential election held on 21 July 2015. This election was obviously boycotted by the opposition as it was deemed fraught and unfair. The veritable truth is that President Pierre Nkurunziza was ineligible to run for a third term. Preceding the election was even a failed attempt by a Military mutiny that attempted to depose him from power.  Since President Pierre Nkurunzinza secured a third term, there appears to be smokescreen that life in Burundi is back to normal and yet the country is on the brink of civil war with international reports and observers suggesting that situation has gravely degenerated to the extent that there are proposals to request the African Union to take decisive action to forestall further violence. 

The innocent citizens haven been displaced with a reported 1,200 Burundians seeking refuge in neighboring Tanzania. There have also been reports of security forces in Burundi being accused of killings targeted the opposition leaders and ordinary citizens. As if that is not enough, there has been upsurge of full scale conflict on political divide and ethnic lines reminiscent of the events that followed the death of President Cyprien Ntaryamira who was President of Burundi until 6 April 1994. This is so because, it appears a targeted and well-orchestrated conflict targeting at specific sections of society.   While the world in 1994,  witnessed a catastrophic episode as thousands of people were killed in the civil war along ethnic lines between the Hutu majority and minority Tutsis. That kind of situation should never be allowed to occur under what circumstances including the current one. In doing so, serious questions should be asked and adequately responded to by the African Union and the United Nations. There have been propositions to send five thousand peacekeepers to Burundi despite resistance from the Bujumbura. How long should Africa wait before the troops are deployed? What about the individual at the epicentre of this crisis? What measures will the African Union take to ensure that post-crisis?   What role will the AU play to guarantee civil liberties to the general populace? 

The Great Lake region has generally been prone to conflict and therefore there is need to do everything possible to expeditiously forestall the current crisis before it sucks in other neighbouring countries.  In view of this, it is cardinal that all member state of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region which Zambia is a member of actively participate in resolving this conflict.  

As most Zambians maybe aware, Zambia and Burundi share borders through the great Lake Tanganyika which consequently there have been trade relations taking place between the two countries. Just in 2013, Zambia is reported to have exported a total of 40,000 metric tonnes of maize to Burundi as clear indication of the trade potential.  For more trade relations to proliferate and fortified, Zambia should play an active role to ensure that Burundi remains politically stable. 

In an event that the Burundi Constitutional Court rules that President Pierre Nkurunziza is eligible to run for a third term, the African Union and the International Community should impose sanctions Burundi to ensure that the will of the great majority is respected. The situation in Burundi is serious and African and the World at large cannot afford to be inconspicuous about it.  It is very simple; President Pierre Nkurunziza must respect the constitution and the will of the people.

KENNETH KAUNDA INTERVIEW IN 1963 AT CHILENJE HOUSE NO. 394

THOUGHTS FROM TELALINI

STATE OF MOST FOOTBALL PITCHES WORRYING

It is not a secret that of late, Zambian club football has been getting international attention. In fact, Zambia’s club football has always received international attention but lately, a new dimension to it has arisen as more foreign players want to play in the Zambian Super League. This is a clear indication of the increased competitiveness of the league.  This feat appears sweeping but the fact is that never at any point has the Zambian league attracted quality players from countries such as Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania.  With all these foreign quality players trekking into the Zambian Super League, I can only assume that the league is not only competitive but also well remunerating. However, remuneration and the leagues attractiveness is not the crux of this article. While the league is attracting quality players, the state of the football pitches leave much to be desired. Most of the pitches I have watched club football from do not only have bumpy surfaces but in most cases have over grown grass. Indeed, they are not bumpy or overgrown greens, they are patchy with brown grass. These are football grounds that host big clubs like Zanaco, Nkana, Zesco and Power Dynamos, Green Buffalos.

The question in my ruminations that begs an answer is that why are most clubs investing in branding their team buses and signing international quality players without doing anything about their rickety pitches? Where is FAZ in all this? Are these pitches inspected before the seasons commence? Why should a team of Zanaco, or Nkana’s pedigree play in a football pitch that resembles a grazing land?   Look at the state of the Woodlands, Nchanga, Konkola, Sunset, Shinde, Godfrey Ucar Chitalu, Edwin Imboela, Nkana, and Arthur Davies playing turfs. They are in a very poor state for one to enjoy watching the flare that comes with Zambian club football. The only stadium with a semblance of a good pitch is Nkoloma Stadium, home of Red Arrows FC. It lately looks rundown though. In fact, watching Zambian football on these poor turfs is boring no matter how good teams playing are. Which player can fully express their skill in such pitches? Mind you, the Zambian Super League games are televised across the African continent on Supersport Channels. Watching the Zambian Super League on Supersport sometimes is very embarrassing because skilled players and very excellent team formations are made to look like school boys playing in some isolated neighbourhood. I have every reason to believe that some of these career threatening injuries suffered by many players are exacerbated by the very perilous playing surfaces. 

If the Zambian super League games are transmitted across Africa, how then can we attract quality players and also showcase our beautiful game with such poor pitches? I am agitated and very worried that if this situation goes unabated, the league may lose its attractiveness. If you compared the quality of the pitches across the Zambezi in Zimbabwe, one would wonder if those pitches are in country faced with economic malaise and yet are able to maintain them. The situation is same with the Kenyan Premier League whose packaging of their league has become attractive by not only improving the branding around the stadia but most importantly improving the state of their playing turfs.  

The owners of these pitches should take keen interest and focus on building capacity in their groundsmen to ensure that football as a product is well packaged starting with a good playing turf. Perhaps, these teams should consider tapping Golf clubs such as Lusaka Golf and Chainama Golf Clubs to learn how they manage to maintain their golf courses.  Yes, Zambia has quality and exciting players but the state of the playing surfaces leaves much to be desired. It high time these big clubs who appear ready to part away with millions of Kwachas to brand their teams, sign foreign players and pay them well refocus their strategy by improving the quality of playing surfaces. There is no substitute to good football, it can only come when teams improve their turfs and the rest will follow.  

Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza Must Respect the Constitution and The Will Of The People!

This week, Burundi has hit headlines on account of their President Pierre Nkurunziza launched a bid to run for a third term in office for the next presidential election to be held on 26th June 2015. The bid has seen three people, including two police officers, being killed due to the political unrest in that country. With the launch of the third term bid, it is clear that he do everything in his powers to retain power. I assume even at the price of having unfortunate deaths such as the three people including two police officers. Already, reports are suggesting that at least seven people had been killed and 66 others wounded in a week of clashes between police and protesters in the capital. This, without a doubt recipe for lawlessness and impending divisions in a country that has had a very rickety political past. 

Being a keen follower and commentator on International,  African and local affairs,  I must admit that President Nkurunziza is one President I least expected to attempt to chew the constitution and push  for a third term bid especially taking into account the difficult circumstances under which he became President of Burundi.

It’s a pity that his grovelers are justifying the third term bid on account of discounting first five year term her served. This is the man who was seen as a rising star in the contemporary African Renaissance to the extent that in September 2010, the India–based Unity International Foundation honored him with the "Rising Star of Africa Award” because he was viewed as a role model in peace consolidation and development for the whole of Africa.

It is not a secret that Burundi has had a difficult political past right from the first President Colonel Jean-Baptiste Bagaza who was ousted in a coup by President Major Pierre Buyoya, all the way to President Sylvestre Ntibantunganya and Cyprien Ntaryamira who was President of Burundi from 5 February 1994 until the plane he was aboard together with Rwandan President Juvénal Habyarimana was shot down on 6 April 1994. The events that followed after the death of the two leaders were catastrophic as the world witnessed thousands of people being killed in the civil war along ethnic lines between the Hutu majority and minority Tutsis.

The world and African bodies such the African Union (AU), Member States of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region which Zambia is a member should impress upon the Burundi Government to respect the wishes of the majority and the constitutional provisions that limit the Presidential tenure to only two. 

Zambia and Burundi share boarders through the great Lake Tanganyika which consequently there have been trade relations taking place between the two countries. Just in 2013, Zambia is reported to have exported a total of 40,000 metric tonnes of maize to Burundi as clear indication of the trade potential.  For more trade relations to proliferate and fortified, Zambia should play an active role to ensure that Burundi remains politically stable. 

In an event that the Burundi Constitutional Court rules that President Pierre Nkurunziza is eligible to run for a third term, the African Union and the International Community should impose sanctions Burundi to ensure that the will of the great majority is respected. The situation in Burundi is serious and African and the World at large cannot afford to be inconspicuous about it.  It is very simple; President Pierre Nkurunziza must respect the constitution and the will of the people.

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Building on 50 Years of African Solidarity and Striving Towards Peace, Development and Prosperity for All

Its 50 years today since African Freedom Day was founded during the first Conference of Independent African States, which attracted African leaders and political activists from various African countries in Ghana on April 15, 1958. Interestingly, with the leadership of the great Kwame Nkruma President of Ghana only Government representatives from eight independent African states attended this conference, which was the first Pan-African conference in the continent. Despite the majority of African countries being under the yoke of colonialism, Zambia included, this group of ‘not so powerful’ eight countries certitude to purposely declare the day 25^thMay 2013 to annually mark the liberation movement’s progress and further symbolize the determination of the people of Africa to free themselves from foreign domination and exploitation was a huge act of African patriotism. For those who may not be aware, Ghana was the first African country south of the Sahara to secure independence from colonial rule in 1957.  By 1960, nearly 17 countries in Africa gained their independence and indeed the 1960 was declared the Year of Africa. Obviously this gave way to for the birth of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) on 25^th May, 1963.

It should be acknowledged that Africa has undergone massive changes socially, economically and politically in the last 50 years. It should also be noted that despite the awakening of the African renaissance and the handing over of political to African leaders, it is clear that colonial powers never left as witnessed with the continued meddling in the Affairs of the independent states. The extent of their meddling went as far as their ability to sow seeds despondency that duly elected leaders were being hounded out of office at their instigation. This trend by and large has affected our passage to be completely emancipated from the pangs of imperialism. It is common knowledge some military coupés which became the order of the day in the 60s, 70s all the way to the 80s where machinated and executed with the help of the foreign powers that had turned Africa into a ‘playground’ or a battlefield of ideologies. To this effect, some African countries have to date never recovered from the social, political and economic damage the foreign powers have caused in the last 50 years of Africa’s freedom. While some African countries appear to be getting a clench on their destiny, the African social, political and economic story is so gigantic that one article cannot tell the entire story.  

With all the social, political and economic instability Africa has under gone, the fundamental questions that perceptibly rise are whether its destiny is still its own hands. Are we truly socially, politically and economically emancipated? Do we have the capacity to survive with the without foreign interferences? Are our resources working for us? Are we building on the dream of the founding fathers like Patrice Lumumba, Kwame Nkruma, Captain Thomas I. Sankara, Kennth D. Kaunda, Sekou Toure, Jomo Kenyatta, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Gamal Nasser, Yakubu Guwon, and Julius Mwalimu Nyerere? The fact is that we are still very dependent on outside forces to survive as seen from the fact that we are constantly knocking on the doors of the foreign powers for aid. This has led many countries falling prey to dictations and meddling.  Africans should constantly seek inspiration from the past pan Africanists if we have to hold our own in the globalized contemporaneous world.  They had a clear vision of where they want the continent to towards self-sustainability at all strata of our being. Despite some important economic and political gains Africa has made it is clear that after 50 years, the challenges of peace across the continent remains challenge to an extent that its offshoots such as poverty are evident. There are countries like the Somalia that have practically been ungovernable in the last 20 years.  

 Propitious enough, the African continent has made great strides towards unity and enhancing Peace and security as can be evidently seen through the growth and maturation of politics and economies coupled with regional integrating bodies such as COMESA, SADC that enhances the African renaissance. Therefore, the theme ‘Building on 50 Years of African Solidarity and Striving Towards Peace, Development and Prosperity for All’ is very appropriate because it also directly challenges Zambia to continue playing its noble role of being a hub of social, economic and political development for all to prosper.

Subsidies. Decisions Have To Be Made

Zambia in the contemporary weeks has experienced massive debate on the emotive issue of the government decision to discontinue subsiding fuel and the agriculture sector. This decision has clearly sparked emotive  debate to an extent that an assortment of  sections of society have engaged in a range of debate in support of it and others completely against it to an extent of taking their displeasure to the streets in protest. Despite, the situation as it stands, the Government has made a decision in the interest of the nation. It should be first acknowledged that the Zambian industry in post independence era saw a preponderance of financial support or a subvention of many industries and products, from petrol to food.

 The Zambian government being the main player in the assisted many parastatals which by and large made losses year in year out were constantly assisted by the government. The financial support cut across agriculture, mining, transportation, oil and lubricants just to mention but a few. Despite all the support the Government made available to the different strata of industry, the resources appeared to be going into a bottomless pit with no tangible returns to show for it. On top of the subsidies, the government had to also converge its efforts to grow the education, health, or infrastructure sectors.  The continued financial support to sectors that appeared to be a resource drain led to the extent that the Government was forced to be borrowing to subsidize at a range of supply of inputs, manufacturing, distribution, and consumption. At the dawn of the 1991 wind of change and the eventual shift in economic policies of the Movement Multiparty Democracy (MMD) to a free market economy, subsidies were generally shelved but of course not completely. The agriculture, education and oil sector to date have been major beneficiaries of subsidies.  

The Government’s continued support to then oil and agriculture sector seems to have driven us back to the old days when resources would be poured in and at the end of the day losses are still incurred. This eventually means that the cost of fuel has been adjusted upwards and so will be the case for mealie meal. The question would be at whose expense should the continued support be? At the end of the day, the Government had to make a hard decision to either carry on with subsiding loss making ventures or abandon it.  Well, the subsidies were abandoned! This surely means that the savings from the huge subsidies have to be directed to other productive areas of the human endeavour. But again, could this perhaps be the Governments desire to minimize its extensive participation in a variety of economic activities? Indeed, there are many subsidies that are a sanctuary for inefficiencies. 

It is acknowledged that the upward adjustment in the cost of mealie meal and fuel has effects right from the lower strata to the most affluent our population. In reflecting on this very emotive topic, perhaps the Government should have implementation of the removal of the subsidies gradually at a minimal scale to avoid abrupt impact? Other schools of thought have suggested that perhaps the announcement of the discontinuation to agriculture subsidies should have waited until the consumers get over the shock of the removal of the fuel subsidy? 

It can be concluded that the two decisions the Government has made are in the best interest of the nation and as such may have positive benefits in the future. There is no Government that would deliberately want to hurt its people with harsh economic policies. The general populace should therefore be patient enough and allow for their upshots. 

Transforming The Economy Through Job Creation, Labour Law Reform, Better Conditions Of Service And Improved Work Culture

It is that time of the year again when workers across the globe commemorate this very important day. Year in year out, the commemorations have been premised on various themes to help the nations critically focus and reflect on the special day. With the many themes that have been churned out over the years, key thoughts arise on the influence they have on policy makers, employers, workers and the general masses. Are they just themes in name or they are there to help identify pointers to specific challenges that need attention? This year’s theme is dubbed ‘Transforming the economy through job creation, labour law reform, better conditions of service and improved work culture’. The theme appears loaded but it is probably one of the most practical and comprehensive themes coined in a very long time. The theme challenges the Government, Employers, Unions and the Zambian work force on which economic transformation is anchored on. It clearly reminds these keys stakeholder on the important roles they play to achieve economic transformation.

In understanding the specific challenges this theme brings to the stakeholders, it is obviously imperative to underscore the fact that the Zambian economy has undergone massive restructuring and growth over a long period of time in a bid to stabilize it for the benefit of the general population. The growth and stabilization has lead improvements in the quality of life. However, more work still remains to be done if the economy has to grow further to have a positive trickle down effect to the rest of the Zambian population. It has been widely acknowledged that today, Zambia’s biggest challenge is unemployment. Without delving much into the other social and economic offshoots of the challenges of unemployment, it is understood and appreciated that various measures to mitigate the shocks of unemployment have been undertaken by the Government. Though unemployment continues to be a burdensome and time consuming process, the drive to ensure that quality employment is created in order to generate wealth is equally gaining momentum through economic restructuring and implementation of projects such as the Link 8000 and 2000 road projects, the revitalization of Zambian Railways, Nitrogen Chemicals and indeed the impending reopening of Mulungushi Textiles among others. 

The bedrock of employment creation should essentially be implementation of concrete wealth creation programmes that would grow and transform the economy for wealth to be created.  This also entails active participation in economic activities that promote self suffiency as the current labour market cannot absorb the entire population into formal employment. To this effect, there are economic questions that require answers from the leadership and the general citizenry on how with concerted efforts the economy can be reinvigorated to sustainably levels through their efforts. This is supposed to be the starting point of our reflection on this year’s labour theme.

 This theme also highlights the important aspect reforming labour laws to ensure that they are responsive to the needs and dynamics of the labour market. The Zambian labour market is constantly changing in the face of the many economic trends that are taking place.  With these key changes, it also entails that we constantly pay attention to the trends for Zambia to have labour law reforms that are relevant to the employers and employees. The key legislative pieces currently managing the Zambian labour market include the Employment Act, Cap 268, Industrial and Labour Relations Act, Cap 269, Factories Act, Cap 441, NAPSA Act, Workman’s Compensation Act, No 10 of 1999 ZIHRM Act No. 11 of 1997, Conditions of Employment and Minimum wages Act, Cap 270, Employment of Young Persons and Children Act, Cap 274 and obviously some International Labour Conventions that have been ratified and domesticated. I may not be in a position to clearly state which of these laws require reformation but in a nut shell these laws are that manage and provide direction to the labour market. It but it is important that lacunas in their administration are identified and reformed to ensure that they are become relevant and help transform the workforce and in the long run transform the Zambian economy. 

One of the fundamental pieces of legislation that has not been bundled with the other laws that the Patriotic Front Government needs to revise and reform is the Apprenticeship Act. This act should provide a national systematic involvement of the youth into entrepreneurship through apprenticeship. Once the Act is revised it should be responsive to the current needs of the youth as one on the many interventions to achieving economic transformation. In addition Internship should become a mandatory function of any organization to ensure that the Youth are availed an opportunity to gain experience in business and industry. The strengthening of this Act should further be backed by an undertaking to create a National Skills Inventory (NSI) to ensure that the country takes stock of the skills available on the Labour Market and also deliberately monitor the quality of jobs available on the market. The national skills inventory will assist Government project and predict the areas were particulars skills are required.

So far, the Government has lived up to the theme by ensuring that the Zambian worker is paid a living wage through the issuance of the statutory instruments on the minimum wages in various sectors of the labour market. Under the circumstances, this is how far the government can go and it is a very commendable move. On the other hand, workers in various cannot afford to demand for more wages without anything to show for it. The Governments token action should be repaid with a workforce that is totally committed to going an extra mile to improve productivity at work places. Zambians are generally hardworking people but in recent times, their work culture has come under the spotlight particularly the public service whose performance falls far below the people’s expectations. The perception has even gone further to suggest the public service appears to have taken the route of ‘self-service’ and not ‘public service’.  It is a well-known fact that self-service can be very distractive as the person who serve themselves become gluttonous and forget to serve others.  These perceptions are correct in certain instances where civil servants who are supposed be the engine of the economic development have been caught either reporting for work late, drunk or not even reporting at all. It is instances such as these that bring into question whether the credibility of the workers charged with the responsibility of turning government policies into tangible programmes that not only the benefit general populace but themselves are fit to hold those positions. There is need to philosophically change the mind-set of the Zambian workers so that they constantly improve sustained productivity which eventually opens doors to improved conditions of service. Which employer would not be willing to improve conditions of service for his or her employees if they are putting in their level best and delivering on their institutions mandate? There are several examples of both foreign and Zambian employers that remunerate their employees well based on performance. Employers who show traits should be recognized and used as models of best practices to the rest of the employers.  

Therefore, as the Zambian workers commemorate this very important day, they should not only be excited at wearing a new suit but they should reflect on what contribution they have made to the transformation of the Zambian economy. They should further reflect on the fact that Zambia’s economic transformation largely depends on their productivity to achieve tangible transformation. It is high time the Zambian worker both in the private and public sector put Zambia’s interests first before theirs and they should never at any point downplay the role they play in the whole process of social and economic transformation of the country.