Zambia Media Critique

Miles hands over keys to a cab to a youth One of Zambia's most celebrated young politicians Miles Sampa may finally find a resting place politically after struggling to find his feet in politics after he lost the battle for the ruling Patriotic Front PF Presidency to Edgar Lungu. President Edgar Lungu appointed him deputy minister but he later resigned after he felt sidelined in the Patriotic Front, a party he helped to grow from the scratch with his uncle, late president Michael Sata. After his resignation from government he embarked on party mobilisation work which was not well r eceived in the rank and file of the PF. He was left with no choice but to resign from PF and resign as MP for Matero and form his own political party the Democratic Front. Whilst serving as Matero lawmaker Miles endeared himself to the people by investing his parliamentary gratuity in youth empowerment programmes in his constituency. He even bought motor vehicles and gave them away as taxis to young...

Persons with Disabilities after a meeting on the 2016 elections Zambia continues to be a beacon of light in the growth of democracy on the African continent. The country goes to the general elections in August this year under a new constitution that has significantly altered the electoral environment. The amended constitution now demands that for one to ascend to the office of president they must poll at least 50+1 percent of total votes cast and makes the position of city mayor and council chairperson electable for a period of five years. The right to participation of all citizens in the country's politics is guaranteed by the constitution. Persons with Disabilities have being fighting for recognition and protection of their rights to political and public participation through an inclusive and accessible electoral process. Zambia's 2016 elections will not only be historical on account of the constitutional changes but also because it is the first time that the count...

Zambia’s sixth President Edgar Lungu on Friday, 18th September 2015 delivered his first speech on the floor of parliament after his election to the highest office in the country. In his speech he made promises including that his government would repeal the Mental Disorders Act and enact the Mental Health Bill into law. The Mental Disorders Act of 1949 continues to annoy human rights activists in the country with its usage of derogatory expressions such as idiot and imbecile to refer to persons with mental disabilities. It was with the view of promoting the rights of persons with mental disabilities that President Lungu directed his Minister of Health to the Mental Health Bill of 2016 to Parliament in the current sitting. However a few months down the road The Minister of Health Dr Joseph Kasonde informed the national that despite the completion of the drafting process the bill would not be taken to parliament for enactment.   Disability Rights organisations have raised c...