HATE SPEECH AGAINST HH WILL NOT FEED STARVING ZAMBIANS
Zambian politics is full of underwhelming drama. Sometimes I feel our politicians overburden us with their politics. We have enough problems with the sky rocketing cost of living and continuing job cuts in industry, its really hard to get by, times are really hard. Zambians have been deceived way too many times and need a break, they need answers, they need leadership that will inspire them and not confuse them, one that is pragmatic and responsive not one that says one thing and does another. Reading the statement UPND leader gave at the high profile investment conference in the UK and checking the response from the ruling PF, who really did not need to respond to it if they had nothing to say on the substantive issues raised, leaves one bewildered and angry.
In case you missed it here is what HH said:
"We listened to the concerns and reservations of prospective investors, which closely mirrored those that we have already heard at home during our domestic consultation with Zambian business leaders and entrepreneurs. From these conversations it is clear that if we are to capitalise on this interest and secure funding for projects that will create jobs, taxation revenues and foreign exchange reserves for Zambia then there is work to be done.
Returning home I urge the PF Government to improve the environment for business and investors through the following means:
Cutting red tape – Currently the number of licenses and permits that are needed to start up a venture is prohibitive and drives up costs. This is an unnecessary disincentive to investment and must be addressed as some of our neighbours, such as Rwanda, have successfully done.
Clarity and stability in terms of investment – Businesses need to have confidence that the fiscal terms and regulation governing their contracts will not be changed from day to day. Lack of certainty is a high barrier to investment. The best way to guarantee such stability is to ensure broad based consultation always precedes the adoption of a new policy.
Project identification and promotion – If we want to attract investment in the areas we believe have the most transformative potential for Zambia then we must lead in identifying these opportunities and communicating them to those with capital. Government should lead in this endeavour, but all of us as citizens and entrepreneurs can play our part in promoting these openings.
True partnership – We want investments that deliver jobs and sustainable growth over the course of several years. This requires the fostering of true partnerships between government and business, both domestic and international. Working together closely in a collaborative and cooperative manner that is focused on mutual benefit and shared ownership it the best way to not only create jobs, but also to protect those jobs.
Finally, it seems clear to me that quality of leadership is essential to this equation. Leadership that not only understands what needs to be done, but leadership that is also ready to take action and work hard until the job is done."
Here below is Sunday Chanda's response on behalf of the Patriotic Front Government:
"It is our considered view that if you are privileged enough to be given a speaking slot at such a ‘sold out event’ or gathering where there are heads of states and CEOs that represent Fortune 100 companies, every word must count and it must count towards garnering investment for your country and not doom saying.
During his rare speaking opportunity, however, HH went on the onslaught and contemptuously, without backing anything, told potential investors that Zambia was not good for business because of alleged red tape, concentration on mining and paying lip service to tourism.
If HH was in an examination, he would have terribly failed to cut the grade the same way he has failed to cut the grade lamentably amongst Zambian voters. This is because he went beyond the Terms of Reference of selling Zambia’s investment potential to giving a disjointed bitter account of everything he perceives as wrong with Zambia. Purely out of bitterness.
Now there is nothing wrong with pointing out short-comings of a country or an individual leader in a democracy that is definitely the stuff that democracy’s is made of. What is wrong however is the level of contempt that HH is willing to stoop to in order to make his bitter points as he steps up efforts to win hearts and souls of Zambian voters. Desperation is clearly kicking in. If we were privileged enough to be among his close advisors, we would tell him four words, “easy with hate rhetoric,” instead like President Lungu, “turn to love and reconciliation.” You will not build Zambia by selling it cheaply, you will not build Zambia by saying it’s a no go area for investment.
If trouble erupted today HH, where would you find a safe haven for your local investment, such as cows and other shares you hold in different companies? Nowhere. Build Zambia HH, do not burn it down and while you are at it, pray to God, you will find that he answers his children’s prayers. Do not be scared of God. Your immense hate of President Lungu and the Pf is deeply clouding your objectivity.
If you can speak so harshly and without shame about Zambia at a public forum, we shudder to think what you say behind closed door meetings with your funders. There is one word we have to describe people like you HH, “UNPATRIOTIC.” You will not win Zambian voters with hate and bitterness. Zambians respond to love and unity, not bitterness and contempt laced with tribalism."
In case you missed it here is what HH said:
"We listened to the concerns and reservations of prospective investors, which closely mirrored those that we have already heard at home during our domestic consultation with Zambian business leaders and entrepreneurs. From these conversations it is clear that if we are to capitalise on this interest and secure funding for projects that will create jobs, taxation revenues and foreign exchange reserves for Zambia then there is work to be done.
Returning home I urge the PF Government to improve the environment for business and investors through the following means:
Cutting red tape – Currently the number of licenses and permits that are needed to start up a venture is prohibitive and drives up costs. This is an unnecessary disincentive to investment and must be addressed as some of our neighbours, such as Rwanda, have successfully done.
Clarity and stability in terms of investment – Businesses need to have confidence that the fiscal terms and regulation governing their contracts will not be changed from day to day. Lack of certainty is a high barrier to investment. The best way to guarantee such stability is to ensure broad based consultation always precedes the adoption of a new policy.
Project identification and promotion – If we want to attract investment in the areas we believe have the most transformative potential for Zambia then we must lead in identifying these opportunities and communicating them to those with capital. Government should lead in this endeavour, but all of us as citizens and entrepreneurs can play our part in promoting these openings.
True partnership – We want investments that deliver jobs and sustainable growth over the course of several years. This requires the fostering of true partnerships between government and business, both domestic and international. Working together closely in a collaborative and cooperative manner that is focused on mutual benefit and shared ownership it the best way to not only create jobs, but also to protect those jobs.
Finally, it seems clear to me that quality of leadership is essential to this equation. Leadership that not only understands what needs to be done, but leadership that is also ready to take action and work hard until the job is done."
Here below is Sunday Chanda's response on behalf of the Patriotic Front Government:
"It is our considered view that if you are privileged enough to be given a speaking slot at such a ‘sold out event’ or gathering where there are heads of states and CEOs that represent Fortune 100 companies, every word must count and it must count towards garnering investment for your country and not doom saying.
During his rare speaking opportunity, however, HH went on the onslaught and contemptuously, without backing anything, told potential investors that Zambia was not good for business because of alleged red tape, concentration on mining and paying lip service to tourism.
If HH was in an examination, he would have terribly failed to cut the grade the same way he has failed to cut the grade lamentably amongst Zambian voters. This is because he went beyond the Terms of Reference of selling Zambia’s investment potential to giving a disjointed bitter account of everything he perceives as wrong with Zambia. Purely out of bitterness.
Now there is nothing wrong with pointing out short-comings of a country or an individual leader in a democracy that is definitely the stuff that democracy’s is made of. What is wrong however is the level of contempt that HH is willing to stoop to in order to make his bitter points as he steps up efforts to win hearts and souls of Zambian voters. Desperation is clearly kicking in. If we were privileged enough to be among his close advisors, we would tell him four words, “easy with hate rhetoric,” instead like President Lungu, “turn to love and reconciliation.” You will not build Zambia by selling it cheaply, you will not build Zambia by saying it’s a no go area for investment.
If trouble erupted today HH, where would you find a safe haven for your local investment, such as cows and other shares you hold in different companies? Nowhere. Build Zambia HH, do not burn it down and while you are at it, pray to God, you will find that he answers his children’s prayers. Do not be scared of God. Your immense hate of President Lungu and the Pf is deeply clouding your objectivity.
If you can speak so harshly and without shame about Zambia at a public forum, we shudder to think what you say behind closed door meetings with your funders. There is one word we have to describe people like you HH, “UNPATRIOTIC.” You will not win Zambian voters with hate and bitterness. Zambians respond to love and unity, not bitterness and contempt laced with tribalism."
Comments
Post a Comment