KENNETH KAUNDA | AN AFRICAN LEGACY – The Movement Magazine

Contributors

Current Affairs
Talk of the Month
Education
We mean Business
Lifestye

1. CURRENT AFFAIRS

A BUMPY DRIVE TO PLOT ONE

The campaign period for Zambia officially commences three (3) months before the second Thursday of the month of August. The second Thursday of August is the polling day, therefore 2021 polling day is August 12 and 3 months before this was May 12.
Billboards already started being put up as soon as the campaign period commenced, but political parties only officially launched their campaigns about two weeks after, with the Patriotic Front (PF) leading the way, launching theirs on the 26th of May, 2021. Political parties like the United Party for National Development (UPND) and the Socialist Party did not launch their campaigns as planned following the advise of the police. Regardless, with time, all political parties found a way to still continue with their mobilization and campaigns. The challenge in launching the party campaigns turned out to be the launch of the bumpy road to getting into State House, popularly known as “plot one”, at least after the campaign period commenced.

No driver on this road to plot one has had an opportunity to use a shortcut with a smooth road, especially with the spike in Covid-19 cases as the Ministry of Health confirmed the country being in the third wave of the global pandemic. This required stiffer measures and subsequently leading to the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) discouraging public rallies. Before we knew it, the ECZ suspended public rallies and encouraged other forms of
campaigning such as door-to-door campaigns and road shows among others. Some political parties didn’t totally comply to this directive by ECZ as they still pulled and entertained crowds of people who showed up to see them.
Because of the crowds being pulled, this led to another obstacle in the campaign period – electoral violence! Unfortunately, supporters of political parties who could not tolerate the sight of rival groups got physical, either by attacking or as a form of defense. Political violence is nothing new in Zambia, but this year, the ECZ do not seem to be having it! In response to reports of violence in Lusaka, Mpulungu, Namwala and Nakonde, the ECZ suspended the campaigns for the two parties identified in the violence, namely the supporters of the PF and the UPND, despite each of the parties feeling like they were victims of the violence and not the perpetrators. Eventually the suspension was lifted in three areas (Namwala, Mpulungu and Nakonde) while it was partially lifted in Lusaka, where physical campaigns were still banned, meaning that two political parties had to resort to other means such as the media to get their message out.

Speaking of the media, billboards have also been torn and burnt down. Again, the PF and the UPND have been the main victims of this, with each one of them pointing fingers at each other as suspects behind the damaging of billboards. Other political parties such as the Socialist Party have also started being victimized in the damaging of billboards. The Socialist Party has put up tailor-made campaign messages to de-campaign both the PF and the UPND, so it may be difficult to really know who their most agitated enemies could be before they point fingers at who they think are suspects. Could the PF supporters consider them that much of a threat to damage their billboards or could the UPND be frustrated by the Socialist Parties efforts to ‘split the opposition vote’ as some political analysts put it.

These are but some of the challenges that have been faced by aspiring leaders considering that no election has been held under such conditions. The Covid-19 pandemic has really changed how things are normally done. Keeping in mind that other countries, some of which have recorded higher numbers of Covid-19 cases, have still successfully had elections, this is somewhat encouraging many people involved in this election that the situation will be manageable.

Despite the challenges faced so far on this road to plot one, what is motivating is that the candidates still keep driving without turning back. The nature of the road now may have slowed down the pace at which the candidates planned to drive at, but it’s also important they follow the rules of the road. The hope is that the driver who gets their first will be accepted peacefully and furthermore, the hope is that this driver will drive the country to further development.

2. TALK OF THE MONTH

As the presidential election campaign period started 3 months before the polls, all candidates and supporters are expected to engage in a fair campaign as outlined in the Electoral Commission of Zambia.

As all stakeholders must work toward building trust and confidence in the election process, it is hoped that the campaigns will provide the Zambian people with sufficient information and understanding for them to exercise an informed choice for their next president.
The media plays a particularly important role in the elections process, just as all Zambians should play their part in creating and ensuring an equitable and peaceful campaign period. Registered voters are encouraged to participate in the elections to enable the Zambian people, including women, to express their democratic will.
All parties should be cognizant of their obligations under the law, including presidential decrees on non-interference by public officials and security forces in electoral affairs: All government officials are legally bound to separate their duties in government from campaigning or conducting themselves in a manner that would benefit specific candidates.

General elections will be held in Zambia on 12 August 2021 to elect the president and National Assembly.

THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM

The President is elected via the two-round system of the 167 members of the National Assembly, 156 are elected by the first-past-the-post system in single-member constituencies, with a further eight appointed by the President and three others being ex officio members: the vice president, the Speaker and one deputy speaker elected from outside the National Assembly (while the second deputy speaker is chosen from the elected members of the house). The voting age is 18, whilst National Assembly candidates must be at least 21.

CANDIDATES

A total of sixteen candidates registered to run for the presidency. The race is expected to be a close race between Edgar Lungu of the Patriotic Front and Hakainde Hichilema of the United Party for National Development. Both competed in the 2015 general elections, which Lungu won by a margin 50.35% to 47.63%.

PRESIDENT + RUNNING MATE + PARTY

Edgar Lungu – Nkandu Luo – Patriotic Front
Enock Tonga – Bright Chomba – 3rd Liberation Movement
Sean Tembo – Henry Muleya – Patriots For Economic Progress
Andyford Banda – Gerald Mulao – People’s Alliance For Change
Chishala Kateka – Samuel Kasanka – New Heritage Party
Kasonde Mwenda – Changala Siame – Economic Freedom Fighters
Stephen Nyirenda – Lucy Changwe – National Restoration Party
Lazarus Chisela – Rosemary Chivumba – Zambians United For Sustainable Development
Richard Silumbe – Kaela Kamwenshe – Leadership Movement
Highvie Hamududu – Kasote Singogo – Party of National Unity and Progress
Fred M’membe – Cosmas Musumali – Socialist Party
Harry Kalaba – Judith Kabemba – Democratic Party
Hakainde Hichilema – Mutale Nalumango – United Party for National Development
Nevers Mumba – Reuben Sambo – Movement for Multi-Party Democracy
Charles Chanda – Simon Mbulu – United Prosperous and Peaceful Zambia
Trevor Mwamba – John Harawa – United National Independence Party

3. EDUCATION

Failing Is Not Always an Indication That You Are Dull

Some of the world’s most innovative and creative individuals rarely do well academically; others even fail exams and get hugely frustrated. One reality is some of these individuals just fail to comply with set standards and norms; they look at equations and conclude they can create their own equations. It is in that process of failing to conform to set standards, standards set by other intelligent people, that they fail the exam.
Conformists usually do better; they memorize other people’s works and once they comply, they are given high marks. However, they rarely create anything new and their progression in life is generally limited. They conform at workplaces, thrive and get promoted but will rarely create anything of their own that employs others (nothing wrong about them at all!)! If Jesus were to sit an exam under the Sanhedrin or Jews norms, and live by them, He was going to fail. He refused to conform. His perspective or worldview was different and it was this mindset and approach to issues that changed the world past, present and in future.
He challenged (religious) conformism when He said, ‘’No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. Otherwise, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse. And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined.
No, they pour new wine into new wineskins.” Mark 2:21-22 He simply changed the status quo. Innovation, creativity is Biblical and it’s encouraged. There is so much in the horizon awaiting your special touch but you have to go beyond the ordinary; those things that have been accepted as the standard.
Failing is not always an indication that you are dull; at times, it could be a signal that you are gifted in some other areas for which you can make a breakthrough that will change the course of the world. Tap into your gifting, release your potential, understand yourself and how you can do things differently. If you cannot fit into this world, let the world fit into you.
In any case, conforming at times denies us the opportunity to realise our true worth as the Apostle Paul warned, ‘Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–His good, pleasing and perfect will.’ Rom 12:2

INVEST TIPS

Time is an investor’s closest friend; with good resources and appropriate skills, the more time you have, logically,
the more you are going to earn. Inflation is growing at an increasing rate, and markets are becoming more unpredictable every day. These conditions are indeed getting worse with the passage of time. Therefore, investment is a decent option to build a nest egg for your future. For young investors, this is not only a good way to accumulate their wealth in the future, but young investors can also supplement their income; save for a house; and/ or save for college.

There are several investment options open to a young investor, for instance, saving in a back account, buying common stock, real estate, stock mutual funds, and short-term Certificate of Deposits. Each kind of option will have its own benefits and demerits; it depends on the investor’s purpose.
For example, if you are saving for your retirement and your age is 25 and you start with a $300 regular monthly deposit earning 9% annual rate for the next 40 years, till your retirement age of 65, you will accumulate approximately $1,420,000. Therefore there are several key steps to be taken into account when investing. Here are 5
tips for young investors saving for the future:

Begin your investing activities as early as possible The earlier you start investing in your life the less financial burdens you will have in the future. For example, spouse and kids expenses, mortgages etc. will come at a later point in your life in your late 20’s or 30’s. Hence, you can easily make a regular substantial monthly
payment in the initial years of your youth. Investing early will also have more interest compounding, meaning you can invest in high risk – high return stocks.
Learn and educate yourself with the entire process It’s essential to be familiar with the market, and understand the business you’re investing in. The example is given in the beginning, $1.42 million may look a huge sum but its future value may be equivalent to that of $40000 of today. Therefore for a couple that wants to use that money after their retirement for another 20 years or so will not benefit much. Therefore, it is essential that you know the process; the costs involved in the stocks and equity options.
Learn to save rather than spend To be an investor, you need money. To have money you need to save rather than spend. This advice is the most obvious one given out by top business professionals. Hence without
ado, to be a successful investor you must do something that nobody in the world wants you to do: save some of your money instead of spending it.
Manage your savings and your debts Some people make a bad habit of spending money based on future expected inflows. This is clearly a mistake, relying on a raise in income that has not yet been confirmed. Therefore, always choose to spend your money based on your actual and current financial state as this can prevent some serious credit crunch issues in the future and spare extra money for investments.
Diversify your portfolio Diversifying your portfolio means you must at all-time maintain a portfolio that is composed of all kinds of assets: from high risk to medium risk to low risk. The medium and low-risk asset
compensates the high risk one and the aggregate returns are generally higher than a single asset portfolio. The wise decision to make is to re-invest your returns to earn greater returns, rather than spend those returns. For an investor, this is the best way to prevent a massive setback. Numerous studies have determined that asset allocation is the most important aspect affecting the performance and volatility of your investment. In fact, 91% of the portfolio return is based on asset allocation, just 2% on market timing, 5% on stock selection, and 2%
on other factors.

4. We mean Business

It is not a secret that young people are working overnight to have dominance and influence among many things in Africa, and Plight is among the many youths making change in this generation. The humble and uprising Plight finds no words in describing who he is; in laughter he calls himself phenomenon. A young man with so much in his hands.
Born and raised in the southern part of Zambia, the humble man was raised by his mother, father and his grandmother. He narrates that his mother had him at a time when she was in school and as a result dropped out of school to take care of him at that time she used to live with her mother. His father on the other hand had to continue with school of which he pursed clinical officer and later came back and married his mother.

Life at that time, throughout his childhood was a nightmare, striving and surviving to where he is today, he calls it
Grace. Because neither his grandmother nor his father had the willingness to take care of him at that time. He tells the movement magazine that his grandmother would get clothes and throw them on the grounds during rain seasons to get rid of him and his mother, yet on the other hand his father refused to pay for his school fee and be a responsible parent at that time.
Throughout his struggles his mother was there to support and give him the little she had. Plight, while at matero boys was sponsored by well wishers and the school. He got to and from school on a bus with no money to pay but will still learn, and be the top most in class. Throughout his education, and while at David Kaunda Technical School, on or about his 11th grade, that’s the only time he saw his father give him tuition fee, he shows gratitude to his aunt who contributed to his education. Upon completing his 12th grade, he had a scholarship but did not go for it at that time, his mother fell sick. The smart boy then, got a phone “blackberry” and used that phone to learn about Microsoft and other technology related studies. It was at that time that he managed to get in school and obtained
qualification leading him to initiate apps and programmers’ in rural schools. He sold ideas which paid him and would take care of his mother and his sibling.
Today plight is a master’s holder and had invented several businesses including my Ride app. He advises young people to be focused and use the many challenges they are growing up with as motivation and a stepping stone to achieve what they want in life.

5. LIFESTYLE

On KK’s 88th Birthday, 28th April, 2012, the Kenneth Kaunda Safari Suits was launched at a colorful ceremony in Lusaka. SBM founded by Sylvia Bwalya Mwansa, invented the KK safari suit which is to keep the fashion trend thus honoring the first republican president. The suit has been in existence for 9 years and is sold at the SBM What’s new boutique in woodlands Lusaka. During the launch in 2012, KK said that he was grateful to be honored in such a way while alive and mama Betty. Furthermore, he was a very happy man to witness the launch of the KK Suits branded
in his name by ‘A little gal’, a Zambian for that matter to bring the story of the Kaunda Suit home. He said “Not many people live long enough to reach this age” at the time, he was 88 and was saying the same at 97, ten years later.
SBM is happy that she got the official endorsement, a trademark

Sylvia Bwalya Mutale-Mwansa
Founder and CEO of SBM Investments Limited
Brand Owner of the KK® Safari Suit

and the Blessings to start the process of Change, a program has
been created for the last six years is now ready to be delivered
under patent of the SBM Investments Limited-SBM Consulting and
Coaching Services. SBM advises the next generation to join hands
and live a quality of life we desire.
“KK, thank you for being in my life. I will cherish all the lessons I
leant from you and your networks. Thank you for the Kaunda family
embracing me beyond old friendships but also in making things
happen for me while you lived.” – SBM

KENNETH KAUNDA | AN AFRICAN LEGACY