Zambia gets a smooth transition of power.

FORMER President Rupiah Banda yesterday officially handed over the presidential office to President Michael Sata at State House. Mr Banda handed over the office to Mr Sata after the two conducted a short tour of State House.
The tour which started around 10:00 hours ended up in a closed door meeting.  Mr Banda on Friday afternoon handed over the instruments of power to Mr Sata during the inauguration ceremony at the Supreme Court grounds.  Various stakeholders have since commended Mr Banda for handing over power in smooth transition.

Kenya's Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai dies aged 71

The BBC's Will Ross said Ms Maathai was seen as a source of inspiration

Kenya's Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai has died in Nairobi while undergoing cancer treatment. She was 71.

She won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 for promoting conservation, women's rights and transparent government - the first African woman to get the award.

She was elected as an MP in 2002 and served as a minister in the Kenyan government for a time.

Ms Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement, which has planted 20-30 million trees in Africa.
'Role model and heroine'

"It is with great sadness that the family of Professor Wangari Maathai announces her passing away on 25 September, 2011, at the Nairobi Hospital, after a prolonged and bravely borne struggle with cancer," the Green Belt Movement said in a statement.

"Her loved ones were with her at the time.

"Professor Maathai's departure is untimely and a very great loss to all who knew her - as a mother, relative, co-worker, colleague, role model, and heroine; or who admired her determination to make the world a more peaceful, healthier, and better place."

The organisation did not provide further details.

Ms Maathai, who was a professor of veterinary anatomy, rose to international fame for campaigns against government-backed forest clearances in Kenya in the late 1980s-90s.

Under the former government of President Daniel Arap Moi, she was arrested several times, and vilified.

In 2008, Ms Maathai was tear-gassed during a protest against the Kenyan president's plan to increase the number of ministers in the cabinet.

In her speech accepting the Nobel prize, Ms Maathai said she hoped her own success would spur other women on to a more active role in the community.

"I hope it will encourage them to raise their voices and take more space for leadership," she said.

Former President Banda bids farewell to Zambians

On 23rd September mid-day Zambians Former President President Rupiah Banda says he has no ill feelings nor malice to newly and fifth republican President Michael Sata. And president Banda says he and the MMD Government never rigged and abused state resources but strived to serve the Zambian people in accordance with the mandate to rule and govern the people. Mr. Banda accepted the polls results and conceded defeat and said it was his time to step aside. He has congratulated Patriotic Front (PF) leader Mr. Sata on his election as Head of State.
Mr. Banda said this at a press conference held at State House today during his farewell speech.
“I have no ill feeling in my heart, there is no malice in my words. Now is my time for me to step aside for a new leader and it is time for me to say goodbye.
“ I wish Mr. Sata well in his years as President and I pray his policies will bear fruit,” Mr. Banda said.
Mr. Banda was flanked by his wife handiwe, State House staff and MMD National Secretary Richard Kachingwe, among others.
Mr. Banda urged the Zambian people to rally behind President Sata and build Zambia by working together.
He implored the people against engaging themselves in violence and retribution. He urged the Patriotic Front (PF) Government that the next election would judge the PF in its governance of national affairs and performance.
“Now is not the time for violence and retribution but to unite and build tommorow’s Zambia only by working together can we achieve a more prosperous nation. In my years of retirement, I hope to watch Zambia grow and I genuinely want Zambia to flourish,” he said.
He advised that Zambia must not go backwards but face the future as a country as doing that would entail dishonor to the country’s history.
Mr. Banda advised the MMD party members that the party could bounce back to power in the near future warning that if that chance came new young leaders would be chosen.
He said the defeat sends a signal to the MMD to reflect on the mistakes it made and learn from them adding that Zambia deserved a decent democratic process.
“From this defeat, a new younger MMD will be re-born where a new leadership will be chosen and that leadership will be from the younger generation,” Mr. Banda said.
He congratulated the MMD contestants who have scooped their local government and parliamentary seats and urged those who lost to work extra hard so that win again.
He thanked his former cabinet and civil servants for delivering on the promises as evidenced by the vast projects that were blossom
“Some of you MMD members will be back to serve the people and Zambia again. I know you will do your best for your party and your country.  I must also thank my cabinet and civil servants for delivering on our promises we did a lot of good for Zambia by the projects that we did,” the out-going president said.
Mr. Banda further thanked his family and the First Lady Thandiwe for supporting him when he was head of state.
“Words cannot express the depth of my love for you all. All I ask is that my family continues to serve Zambia as I have sought to do,” he said.
Patriotic Front (PF) strongman, Micheal Chilufya Sata, scooped the 2011 presidential elections after polling   1, 150, 045 in the 143 constituencies tallied  while Mr. Rupiah Banda of the MMD now the opposition had polled 961, 796 votes.
Chief Justice Ernest Sakala who is the presidential Returning Officer declared Mr. Sata duly elected about 00:30 and explained that the difference in votes was higher than the total number of registered voters in the remaining constituencies and that it was within the law to declare Sata as new republican President elect.
Celebrations are going on around the country in many towns with the capital city, Lusaka and Kitwe which experienced heavy riots during the day and night are now in a ‘jovial’ mood.

We thank Mr. Banda for his participation in the democratic process of Zambia which many countries are yearning for.

Zambia has New Leader

PATRIOTIC Front (PF) president Michael Sata is the new president of Zambia. Mr Sata was declared winner by Chief Justice Ernest Sakala this morning after beating his closest rival Rupiah Banda by a margin of 188, 249 votes.
Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) chairperson Ireen Mambilima said Mr Sata received 1,150,045 votes, representing 43 per cent from 143 constituencies counted while Mr Banda polled 969,796 votes, representing 36.1 per cent. Justice Mambilima said results from the remaining seven constituencies would not have changed the status even if they were given to Mr Banda. The seven constituencies had a total of 157,710 votes.
"Under section 74(3) (b) of the Electoral Act of number 12 of 2006, the commission is empowered to determine and declare the result of an election without receiving the results of all polling stations if the outstanding results are not likely to materially influence the overall result of that election," she said.
She said by the time of declaration ballot papers from Kalabo, Liuwa, Sikongo, Lukulu West, Luena, Mongu Central and Nalikwanda had not yet been received. Justice Mambilima, however, said ECZ had ascertained the winner of the 2011 polls and therefore the Chief Justice, who was the returning officer, should make the official declaration.
At the time of the declaration, United Party for National Development president Hakainde Hichilema had polled 489,944, while his Alliance for Development and Democracy counterpart Charles Milupi had 13,382 votes. National Restoration Party president Elias Chipimo Jr had 10,190 votes, UNIP's Tilyenji Kaunda had 9, 713, Forum for Democracy and Development's Edith Nawakwi had 6,627 with National Movement for Progress leader Ng'andu Magande polling 6, 097 votes.
Heritage Party president Godfrey Miyanda got 4,358 while Zambians for Empowerment and Development leader Fred Mutesa had 2,191 votes. The chief justice, in making the declaration, said he had ascertained the result and was satisfied that Mr Sata was the duly elected Head of State.
He also said he was convinced beyond any reasonable doubt that Mr Sata had met all the requirements of the statutes of ECZ. And immediately after the declaration, PF campaign manager for Mr Sata Willie Nsanda said that he was happy that finally justice had prevailed. He said for a long time, the PF had been attempting to seek the presidency but to no avail and was therefore happy that at last justice had prevailed.
There were wild scenes of celebrations outside Mulungushi International Conference Centre as jubilant PF supporters celebrated Mr Sata's declaration as president. The chanting and hooting took centre stage elsewhere in the capital city, just like it was in Ndola and other towns of the Copperbelt where PF supporters thronged the streets despite the time of the night.

ZAMBIA VOTES TODAY……As Voting Is Underway - Sydney

Zambians go to the polls today (Tuesday). Chris Akafuna, spokesman for Zambia’s Electoral Commission, indicates the electoral body has implemented measures that will guarantee a transparent and credible vote.

Over five million Zambians are expected to cast their ballots in the presidential, national assembly and local government elections. Most of our Brothers have moved to the places where they were registered from to exercises their Right .
“The electoral commission has done all it can…to ensure that all materials, all personnel and the most sensitive part of the elections, the ballot papers, are in place and have been distributed to all 72 districts,” said Akafuna. “This was done to ensure that Zambians this morning turn out in big numbers to cast their vote for their preferred candidate.”
VOTING HAS STARTED….We wish the best and favourable candidates their best. We also pray for peace for contenders.  We have 10 presidential aspirants 

Bishop Paul Duffy, OMI: 1932-2011 27/08/2011 Zambia 0

The first Bishop of Mongu, Zambia, Bishop Paul DUFFY, died on August 23, 2011, at the Oblates’ Madonna Residence in San Antonio, Texas, where he was receiving treatment for cancer. He came to the United States just a few days after the ordination of his successor, Bishop Evans CHENYEMBA, who was ordained on May 28, 2011.

Born in 1932 in the State of Massachusetts (USA), Bishop Duffy professed his first vows as an Oblate in 1952. He was ordained a priest in 1962 and a bishop in 1997.

In 1984 Bishop Duffy was one of the first four Oblates from the former Southern Province of the United States to serve in Zambia. Fighting for the rights of the people in the Western Province, Bishop Duffy became a champion of the poor, and was branded an enemy by politicians and corrupt businessmen.

In his homily delivered during the episcopal ordination of Bishop Chinyemba, Archbishop Nicola Girasoli, Apostolic Nuncio in Zambia, advised the new bishop to be the voice of the voiceless: “In Mongu, in this diocese, you succeed a great Bishop. Try to imitate and continue the apostolic pastoral ministry of Bishop Paul Duffy. Be faithful to his pastoral legacy. Dear Bishop Evans, try to be close to the needs of your people, be the voice of the voiceless and the voice of the poor.”

Bishop Duffy was indeed that “voice of the voiceless.” He “left nothing undared” in speaking up for the poor. When he criticized members of the government for not fulfilling promises to help the poor in Western Province, Zambia, their negative reaction was swift. They angrily rebuked Bishop Duffy’s statements. A group affiliated with the ruling party petitioned the Vatican’s representative. In September, 2010, an independent newspaper in Zambia reported that the information secretary of the ruling party had threatened to mobilize ruffians to travel to Mongu to manhandle Bishop Duffy if he continued to speak negatively about the party and the president.

Western Province of Zambia suffers more than any other province from high poverty levels, low economic production and a neglected infrastructure. The majority of children are unable to obtain basic nutritional needs. Most women are highly disadvantaged and live in extreme poverty, vulnerable to HIV/AIDS as they are forced to engage in risky behaviors for economic survival.

The Diocese of Mongu, established in 1997, covers some 87,000 square kilometres in western Zambia, with a population of over 620,000; of these, approximately 10% are Catholics.

After a memorial Mass in San Antonio with his brother Oblates, family and friends, Bishop Duffy’s body was returned to Zambia for burial in the diocese he had founded.

HUNDREDS of people from all walks of life led by numerous Catholics on Friday 2nd September,  thronged the Lusaka International Airport to receive the body of late Mongu Catholic Bishop Paul Duffy. The body was flown to Mongu on Sunday morning and a religious reception was held at Kaande before a vigil was conducted at Mongu Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes

 Bishop Duffy received a heroic Burial on September 5th, 2011.


MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE!