Issue One - 15 May 2015
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ZAMBIA FORWARD
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UPND NEWSLETTER
Welcome
This issue…
• Welcome
• Lead Article on Freedom of
Information
• 5 Minutes with… Dr Beyani
• Government Watch
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• UPND Updates
About the UPND
The United Party for National
Development (UPND) is a truly
national party that stands for
progress, good governance and
a united Zambia. Founded in
1998, the party believes
government is responsible for
creating an environment in
which businesses can flourish,
create jobs and drive economic
growth. By focusing on
economic management and
expanding the size of the
economy the UPND proposes to
utilize the additional revenues
raised to invest in raising the
standard of education and
healthcare.
Contact us
Please contacts us with your
thoughts and comments at
[email protected].
www.hh-zambia.com
Welcome to the inaugural edition of the UPND Newsletter
Zambia Forward. Every fortnight this newsletter will bring
you messages from the party leadership, commentary on
important policy issues, and update you on the latest party
activities.
This issue kicks off with an article on Freedom of
Information, which sets out the UPND position on why we
must enact the Access to Information bill to ensure we have a
functioning democracy in which citizens are empowered to
hold their government to account. Ensuring government is
open and transparent and that citizens are empowered is, in
our eyes, a powerful catalyst for national development.
In our first 5 Minutes With… feature we interview UPND
Director of Policy and Research Dr Choolwe Beyani.
Meanwhile, in Government Watch we share updates and
perspectives on important developments of the past two
weeks. Finally, in Party Updates we present our photo
highlights of the past two weeks. We hope you enjoy this
inaugural edition of Zambia Forward.
We encourage you to share the newsletter with friends by
printing and emailing copies to you contacts and
encouraging them to subscribe on Facebook at
www.Facebook.com/Hakainde.Hichilema.com. Enjoy!
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Issue One - 15 May 2015
Access to Information Bill
a Catalyst for National Development
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believe everyone has the right to access complete
and accurate information in a timely manner.
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The availability of timely, complete and
accurate information is a strong catalyst for the
economic and political development of any
nation. For us, freedom of information is a
highly relevant piece of legislation that ensures
responsible, accountable and responsive
governance.
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Denying the Zambian people the right to access
information by refusing to enact the longawaited Access to Information bill, as President
Lungu has threatened this past week, impairs
the democratic process of our nation and slows
down economic and social development as
Zambians are unable to participate effectively
in the process of governance. Without accurate
and complete information, citizens rely on
rumours and unconfirmed reports which are a
danger to the economic and political growth to
maturity of our nation. This indeed is most
unfortunate, and 50 years after independence it
is such a shame that our nation is held to
ransom by denying its citizens the ‘Right to
Know’.
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Just as education and health are a priority for
us, the ‘Right to Know’ is a top priority that
every citizen of Zambia must have. We believe
that public bodies are custodians of information
not for themselves, no, but for every Zambian
citizen and as such, every citizen must have the
liberty to know what the Government is doing
without fear of arrest, as is the current situation
under the PF. For us, we hold transparency and
accountability in high esteem, and we strongly
www.hh-zambia.com
The fight against corruption cannot be won if we
protect those that perpetuate it through denying
citizens access to complete and accurate
information. We as UPND believe that a free press
and a citizenry with free access to information is
not a luxury, it is a right which is key for equitable
and sustainable development. A free and vibrant
media exposes corruption and makes leaders
accountable. A free and vibrant media instills
confidence in the citizens to enable them to voice
their concerns and opinions, no matter how
different they may be, and to us, this is what a
nation like ours needs – free flowing information
for flourishing ideas. The introduction of similar
pieces of legislation, such as the US Freedom of
Information Act, elsewhere has strengthened
democracy and accountability greatly.
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The need therefore to support the enactment of the
Access to Information bill into law is clear, and as
such, we take very strong exception that after 13
years of the drafting of the bill, we have a head of
state that fears this freedom and is unwilling to
give the Zambian people what they want. It is only
an oppressive, corrupt and incompetent
Government that would be scared of allowing free
information to the nation. An honest, transparent
and effective Government, and consequently
democracy, cannot exist if Government holds
citizens at ransom by holding onto their right to
freedom of information as is currently happening
in Zambia.
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We are actually shocked that Government could go
ahead and contract a loan of US$192 million
without informing the nation or rather the people
that are supposed to pay that loan back. This loan
will be paid back by the tax payers. Why then
should they not know of its existence when they
are expected to pay for it? The way the PF is
behaving on this one is akin to a husband who is
getting things on credit and does not inform his
wife, when the wife asks why there is no money for
mealie meal he answers that he is paying debts.
These debts that PF is contracting will constrict
this country’s ability to provide key basic social
services. This Government is mortgaging this
country. Due to the non existence of the bill, we do
not even know the terms of this new loan.
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Issue One - 15 May 2015
How many other debts has this country
contracted ‘privately’ we wonder? This particular
loan is thought to be structured in such a way
that Zambia will pay, but the equipment will be
supplied by China the same people giving us the
loan. To whose benefit is this loan? There is a
similar loan that has been structured in that
manner for the 650 health posts, with the
materials being imported from India where we
obtained the loan. Again, we ask in whose
interests are we doing this? We fully back our
brothers and sisters who have spoken out
following comments by President Lungu that he
may not enact the Access to Information Bill.
The law is already long overdue and the threat to
delay it, potentially indefinitely, is the latest
example of betrayal of the Zambian people by
the PF Government.
3. We will work with all stakeholders to
increase the levels of awareness of the
public about the importance of the ATI law
and how they can exercise their freedoms
under it to request information in their
interest. For this, the media, both print and
electronic will be core partners
4. We will also ensure the enactment of the
new constitution that introduces other
provisions that will help to better balance
the power between Government and the
people in the peoples’ favour.
5. We will also ensure media is given the
freedom to report without pressure from
Government, because we know that
democracy and sustainable economic
development requires that a free media is
sustained.
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Let us touch a bit on the constitution so that this
debate can be properly situated. If we had a
constitution that compels Government to seek
approval from parliament to contract loans, that
would ameliorate this situation on this particular
matter. But that is not happening, we do not
have a constitution that protects the public from
contracting loans. We would like to challenge
President Lungu to tell us what security threat
exists by telling the Zambians that we have
obtained a loan to beef up military equipment?
We are not asking President Lungu and PF to tell
us how many fighter jets they are buying or how
many AK47s or Light Machine Guns they are
buying. We just want to know the terms of that
loan, and who will supply the equipment,
whether its Zambian Companies or Chinese
Companies. That is not much to ask.
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Our Approach:
1. We will ensure that the ATI bill is passed
into law within the shortest possible time
of the UPND’s leadership.
2. W e w i l l e n s u r e t h a t a t h o r o u g h
implementation plan will be laid out to
ensure effective participation of all
citizens and stakeholders.
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6. We will make better communication by
State House to the people a priority,
including regular press conferences by the
President that include a media Q&A.
UPND will run a transparent system. We are aware
that the mandate given to any Government is from
the people, and that Government must be
accountable to its people not only on delivery of
the promises those in power make, but also on
presiding over the national resource wealth.
Presiding over resources means consulting on the
deployment of those resources and then managing
and monitoring them prudently. Clearly our
friends who are in Government now want to think
of governing as a secret and therefore want to hide
as much as they can. We can’t say with certainty
why they are behaving in this manner but we know
that they are hiding something. We would like to
urge everyone to join the fight for the FOI bill.
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Together , We Can
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Hakainde Hichilema
UPND President Page 3! of 8!
Issue One - 15 May 2015
5 Minutes With… Dr Choolwe Beyani
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This week we speak to Dr Choolwe Beyani, the Director for Policy and Research in the UPND.
What does your position involve day to day?
My position is responsible for designing new policy positions, making changes to the manifesto of the
party and guiding party organs on the correct policy position of the party. When a contentious issue arises
for instance like the amendments to the constitution proposed by the PF government the party takes a
position and advises all concerned of the correct position.
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In your opinion what is the greatest challenge facing Zambia?
The greatest challenge the country is facing is the mass poverty our people face, quite a paradox in a land
of plenty. The country has abundant natural and human resources but which have not been harnessed to
the benefit of its people.
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What do you think is the greatest opportunity open to Zambia?
The greatest opportunity to Zambia lies in the industry of its people to harvest resources for the benefit of
all.
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When did you become interested in politics and why?
I have expressed political interest since my undergraduate days at the University of Zambia. Influenced by
radical left politics of the era I was a keen student of revolutionary politics. Having studied world history
and the political economy of development, I have refused to accept the condition of perpetual poverty and
domination of foreign interests on our socio-economic formation. I am a keen believer in the
emancipation of our people from political and economic bondage.
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What causes are you passionate about?
I am passionate about liberated development anchored on our people, especially women and youth. I am
a human rights advocate and campaigner, as well as an environmentalist. For the latter, I am particularly
appalled by the environmental degradation that is itself a function of poor and blind governance systems.
I am worried for the future of our land when I look at the pollution of our water bodies by reckless and
unbridled private capital, I am appalled by the deforestation of our land which is affecting weather
patterns and endangering the future of our ecosystem.
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Where do you get your inspiration from?
My inspiration is garnered from that which has come before us. The rise from poverty of the peoples of
Russia, China, Cuba and Eastern Tiger economies, India etc tells me that together we can change this
country as others have done. The peoples of this country and their many travails inspire me to contribute
to a better Zambia that will leave a legacy long after we have departed from this life.
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Tell us something about yourself that not many people know
I was born in a simple village and went to school often without shoes until secondary school. People will
probably not know that I do not eat junk food regularly and that I used to do Karate. People might also
not know that I love cooking.
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Issue One - 15 May 2015
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Lifting the Wage Freeze
At this year's Labour day celebrations President Lungu announced the lifting of the wage freeze. However,
as UPND Chairman for Labour and Industrial Relations Percy Chanda pointed out the timelines set for
wage negotiations following the announcement means that an increase is unlikely before the end of year
when the freeze was due to expire in any case. As UPND a decision was taken not to join in with the
Labour day celebrations in protest as Government's failure to address serious challenges facing workers
across the country, including casualization, limited training and career progression opportunities, as well
as low salaries but a rising cost of living. Our full statement on Why Zambian Workers Deserve Better can
be read at www.hh-zambia.com/pressroom.
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Freedom of Information
President Lungu has alarmed civil society and media alike by threatening not to enact the Access to
Information bill that has been in the pipeline for many years now and was a 2011 PF election promise.
UPND President Hakainde Hichilema has publicly called for its enactment, also reminding the PF
Government of their broken promise to deliver the new constitution and the pressing need to reform the
Public Order Act.
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Police Pressure
During our latest tour to meet local communities and thank Zambians for their support in the 2015
presidential by-election (See Party Updates for photos and more details) we have once again come under
threat from those who would see our movements restricted. We continue to support the urgent reform of
the Public Order Act that has been abused in such instances. It is not only our democratic right to meet
with and consult supporters and citizens across the country, but also for Zambians everywhere to meet
peacefully and without fear for all manner of reasons.
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Defamation Charges to Hit Eric Chanda
New Revolution Party President Cozmo Mumba is reportedly set to file criminal charges against Eric
Chanda, leader of the Fourth Revolution Party, for defaming President Edgar Lungu.
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PARTY UPDATES
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Over the last two weeks we have been touring Chongwe, Rufunsa, Kanyama and
Mandevu constituencies in Lusaka Province to meet the people, hear more about the
daily challenges they face and their hopes for the future, as well as to thank many of our supporters for
their goodwill and continued efforts. We plan to continue touring the country to thank as many people as
possible in the coming weeks and months.
During this time we have also released two weekly policy statements: Education is a right for our youths
and Economic Policy Inconsistencies. If you want to know where we stand on these issues we would
encourage you to read them at www.hh-zambia.com/pressroom.
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Here are some photographic highlights from the last week:
www.hh-zambia.com
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Issue One - 15 May 2015
Itope welcomes UPND President Hakainde
Hichilema on Friday 8 May 2015.
HH addresses crowds in Itope on Friday 8 May
2015. He delivers a message of unity, potential, and
the need for Zambians to come together to deliver
change.
Friends and marketeers showing us around in
Ntibantiba on 9 May 2015.
Buying sweet potatoes at the market in Ntibantiba
on 9 May 2015.
Last weekend we attended Chinyunyu SDA Church
service and visited St Andrews Catholic Parish
Church.
Greeting friends and supporters in Chinyunyu on 9
May 2015
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Issue One - 15 May 2015
Greeting congregation members after a lovely
service at St Luke's Mission in Rufunsa on 10 May
2015.
Taking the time to hear more from the good people
at St Luke's Mission in Rufunsa on 10 May 2015.
Helping out at Zambia Council for the
Handicapped on 11 May 2015 we heard more
about the challenges differently abled Zambians
are facing...
... and discussed some of the opportunities for
empowering individuals and communities to go
much further.
Taking the time to talk and laugh with community
members in Linda Compound Kanyama on 11 May
2015. The people there shared with us some insight
into the daily challenges they face...
...Unsurprisingly the need for job creation and
support for local businesses and entrepreneurs
came up time and time again, as well as the high
cost of living.
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Issue One - 15 May 2015
As well as listening we spent some time helping
out in the community while we got to know some
of the people and their businesses.
Many small and medium sized local businesses
have received no support from the PF Government,
while rising fuel and food prices have made it more
difficult to make ends meet.
Taking the bus from Chazanga to Kabanana was a
chance to discuss the just announced fuel price
increases on 12 May 2015.
At the market in Chazanga there was a friendly
atmosphere despite the tough conditions
marketeers are facing.
Talking with marketeers and traders in Chazanga
on 12 May 2015, where we enjoyed the company of
friends, old…
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… and young.
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