Friday, October 19, 2012
African Constitutions Are a Big Joke
I have followed with interest the happenings in Swaziland where Parliament had a Vote of No confidence. Going by Swaziland's constitution, cabinet was supposed to resign. But hey, No! Prime Minister Dlamini refused to step down. Going by the Constitution again, King Mswati was supposed to Sack Dlamini as provided.
As matter of fact, King Mswati III refused even to meet with the Speaker of the house because he was furious with outcome of the Vote. The vote was passed with a Three-Fifth majority of the house as prescribed in the constitution.
Within days of this, the House met on Monday to reverse the original vote. Only 32 members of the House were present for the vote and this fell short of the three-fifths majority the original vote enjoyed. There are 65 members of the House and the 32 present for the vote was only two members over the minimum number who must be present for the House to be quorate.
The votes on Monday were not recorded; Speaker Prince Guduza used the ‘Aye or Nay’ voting principle to decide the outcome, so the exact numbers who voted for the reversal can never be known.
There are doubts about the legality of Monday’s vote. The Times of Swaziland, the kingdom’s only independent daily newspaper, reported that on Monday the Attorney General, Majahenkhaba Dlamini had not been able to tell the House on Monday what instrument was being used to allow the vote to go ahead.
Chairman of the Lawyers for Human Rights Swaziland Mandla Mkhwanazi reported in the Times,said, ‘My view is that if it takes two to tango, it should also take two to un-tango. By this I mean that since it took a three-fifths majority for the vote to be passed, it should also take the same number of votes to reverse it.’
Now this is a HUGE JOKE if you ask
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Economic Emancipation of Tongaland (Southern Province)
Southern Province has over the years remained a quiet and intellectual part of Zambia. Tongas are known to be a very hospitable and kind people. We may have have our own flows and shortcomings but that is what makes us human just like any other people of the earth. We are a farming people. A loving kind and an accommodating type. Those that may have had an opportunity to live their, or even visit, may testify to this.
As a people of Southern Province, we have enjoyed good relations with each and every government that has come into power since 1964. Our people have served in different ministerial positions as well as Diplomatic ones without any favor. From the Kaunda times as President with the likes of Elijah Mudenda as Vice President, to the Chiluba times with the likes of the Miyandas, Mwanawasa with influential people like Ng'ande Magande. We ahve lived together in harmony as one Zambia One Nation without takinfg into consideration the tribal heritage.
The end of 2011 saw the change of power. Is is arguably true that we moved from a Democracy to a Dictatorship. The kind of leadership that one is not allowed to oppose. Categorically, the Tonga people of Southern have been a target by the PF government. it is an open secret that the PF will stop at nothing to punish the people of Southern province, a place where the ruling Patriotic Front holds no seat. Tongas are predominantly UPND just as Luapula and Copperbelt are predominantly PF. I would be right to mention that in Zambia, is Tribalism for any Tonga to support UPND but it is never the case for a Bemba to support PF. It is acceptable for anybody else except the Tonga. This is where it all begins from. Some Ministers have even stressed in Public domain that if a Tonga is be President in this land, it will take Tonga men who marry Bemba women to breed a President. I hope my daughter becomes president in future since her mother is Bemba.
Recently, the President issued a decree which saw Chirundu and Itezhi Tezhi being moved away from Southern Province to Lusaka and Central Provinces respectively. well, in theory at least. This is where the argument begins. People like me will speculate as to what the reasons are contrary to those given by the Government. The Government argues that it is for Administrative reasons. Really? How were these districts being administered prior to this? This begs an answer. Consider this, Itezhi tezhi is 600km away fro Kabwe the Provincial capital of central to which is has been attached (in theory) yet it is only 200km away from Choma to which is previously belonged (still belongs to Practically). What then is the reason? Well, let me speculate
Tongaland!
Southern Province has over the years remained a quiet and intellectual part of Zambia. Tongas are known to be a very hospitable and kind people. We may have have our own flows and shortcomings but that is what makes us human just like any other people of the earth. We are a farming people. A loving kind and an accommodating type. Those that may have had an opportunity to live their, or even visit, may testify to this.
As a people of Southern Province, we have enjoyed good relations with each and every government that has come into power since 1964. Our people have served in different ministerial positions as well as Diplomatic ones without any favor. From the Kaunda times as President with the likes of Elijah Mudenda as Vice President, to the Chiluba times with the likes of the Miyandas, Mwanawasa with influential people like Ng'ande Magande. We have lived together in harmony as one Zambia One Nation without takinfg into consideration the tribal heritage.
The end of 2011 saw the change of power. Is is arguably true that we moved from a Democracy to a Dictatorship. The kind of leadership that one is not allowed to oppose. Categorically, the Tonga people of Southern have been a target by the PF government. it is an open secret that the PF will stop at nothing to punish the people of Southern province, a place where the ruling Patriotic Front holds no seat. Tongas are predominantly UPND just as Luapula and Copperbelt are predominantly PF. I would be right to mention that in Zambia, is Tribalism for any Tonga to support UPND but it is never the case for a Bemba to support PF. It is acceptable for anybody else except the Tonga. This is where it all begins from. Some Ministers have even stressed in Public domain that if a Tonga is be President in this land, it will take Tonga men who marry Bemba women to breed a President. I hope my daughter becomes president in future since her mother is Bemba.
Recently, the President issued a decree which saw Chirundu and Itezhi Tezhi being moved away from Southern Province to Lusaka and Central Provinces respectively. well, in theory at least. This is where the argument begins. People like me will speculate as to what the reasons are contrary to those given by the Government. The Government argues that it is for Administrative reasons. Really? How were these districts being administered prior to this? This begs an answer. Consider this, Itezhi tezhi is 600km away fro Kabwe the Provincial capital of central to which is has been attached (in theory) yet it is only 200km away from Choma to which is previously belonged (still belongs to Practically). What then is the reason? Well, let me speculate;
The PF Government made promises during campaign that it needs fulfilling now. One of them is by making all provinces financially autonomous. We all may agree that this is a good move. we sure all agree to this. Well, at least most of us. But before this can be done, Provinces like Southern that are purely anti PF will have to be paralyzed in terms of revenue generation. 90% of our electricity generation in Zambia is from Southern Province. Itezhi Tezhi is one of such. Moving it to Central Province is one a lot of harm to Southern Province. As is that is not enough, the moving of Chirundu to Lusaka means also losing Kafue Gorge, another Power plant in Southern Province at Namalundu. If you thought that was all, listern to this. Chirundu Border post is the busiest in Zambia in terms of the inflow of goods as well as people and Lusaka International Airport is only second. In 2009
, December alone, Chirundu collected revenues to the tune of ZMK160bn www.times.co.zm/ see now how strategic this point is?
It is clear from the above that what the motive is, it is an evil one. One wonders why one person (the President0 can just direct such a move without consulting the stakeholders. This is a democracy Sir! It is not a Dictatorship. People of Southern Province deserved to be consulted. Just because one is president does not mean you have the powers to do as you wish. Tongas have democratically elected leaders that need to be engaged in deciding such matters.
I appeal to all Zambia loving people to come through and speak out. My colleagues and i have come up with suggestions to go about this. We need not to just sit back and do nothing. Our chiefs have set an example and we need to rise now and do our part. If it means raising resources, so be it until our cause is justified.
Make your submissions! This is a call for Tongas only, but for all Zambians that still have the power to reason. We have only a one Zambia and we cannot let one man destroy it.
Love you all
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Unemployment in Zambia- New Universities or New Jobs
In Zambia today, the levels of unemployment are alarmingly high and there is no doubt that something has to be done about it. As a patriotic countryman, I want to discuss one very important issue that has to be discussed without any favour.
After the Patriotic Government came into power, the President, HE Michael Sata made pronouncements to build up new universities across the country. Why many will see this as a good move, I see things differently ad beg to disagree. It is only through such positive criticisms that we will help our economy grow. A few people I have talked to have disagreed with me being against the construction of new institutions of learning. I have been accused of not caring for the many uneducated simply because I'm well learned. To the contrary, I mean to save the not so fortunate as I may have been by offering them something in place of missed opportunities they couldn't have growing up. The construction of Universities is a misplaced priority.
Zambia at the moment has hundreds of thousands of young graduates at all levels who are roaming the streets of Zambia because they can not find employment. A university degree in Zambia not accounts for nothing. Let alone a diploma or certificate. Degree holders are competing for jobs as security guards, taking up army jobs, police and many other jobs they shouldn't be considering under normal circumstances. Don't get me wrong, these problems have not been brought by the PF but PF can and should tackle them. It is upon this background that Zambia should not think of offloading more graduates into the job market at the moment. Where are we going to place them if we already have hundreds of thousands unemployed? What good is it to those that will come out with degrees and not get a job? That is simply compounding the problem and not solving any.
You ask, "What the should government do?" Well, government should channel those funds into the financial sector. There is need right now to make funds easily accessible by well meaning citizens with a sound business proposal or plan. Currently, it is practically impossible to borrow for those that want to start up a business. As a result, young graduates just sit home with brilliant ideas because they can't access funds to start up a business. Job creation should not only be viewed as bringing in more Chinese or South African investors to employ our people. We need to start investing in our own people and turn them into employers. Overtime, there will be more jobs available for the youth from these small businesses that may be created. From there, the issue of more universities will happen automatically. Government need to have a deliberate policy to fund all sound business proposals that focus o Manufacturing or food processing or anything else that is done to add value to a product. An economy can only grow if it is engaged in manufacturing. It is time we did away with the service industry. Currently, all sound firms in Zambia are in the Service sector. Banks, Mobile Telecommunications Companies, Water Utility, Power Generation. We eed to grow into other sectors too. Luckily, the Construction Industry is doing really good. I'm looking forward to a time where Food production and Processing will take centre stage, then, we can encourage farming to our youth and we will have dealt a great deal with unemployment.
These are my views and I know they may not be welcomed by some. If you disagree kindly respond to this or write and email me you article and I will publish it. God bless!
After the Patriotic Government came into power, the President, HE Michael Sata made pronouncements to build up new universities across the country. Why many will see this as a good move, I see things differently ad beg to disagree. It is only through such positive criticisms that we will help our economy grow. A few people I have talked to have disagreed with me being against the construction of new institutions of learning. I have been accused of not caring for the many uneducated simply because I'm well learned. To the contrary, I mean to save the not so fortunate as I may have been by offering them something in place of missed opportunities they couldn't have growing up. The construction of Universities is a misplaced priority.
Zambia at the moment has hundreds of thousands of young graduates at all levels who are roaming the streets of Zambia because they can not find employment. A university degree in Zambia not accounts for nothing. Let alone a diploma or certificate. Degree holders are competing for jobs as security guards, taking up army jobs, police and many other jobs they shouldn't be considering under normal circumstances. Don't get me wrong, these problems have not been brought by the PF but PF can and should tackle them. It is upon this background that Zambia should not think of offloading more graduates into the job market at the moment. Where are we going to place them if we already have hundreds of thousands unemployed? What good is it to those that will come out with degrees and not get a job? That is simply compounding the problem and not solving any.
You ask, "What the should government do?" Well, government should channel those funds into the financial sector. There is need right now to make funds easily accessible by well meaning citizens with a sound business proposal or plan. Currently, it is practically impossible to borrow for those that want to start up a business. As a result, young graduates just sit home with brilliant ideas because they can't access funds to start up a business. Job creation should not only be viewed as bringing in more Chinese or South African investors to employ our people. We need to start investing in our own people and turn them into employers. Overtime, there will be more jobs available for the youth from these small businesses that may be created. From there, the issue of more universities will happen automatically. Government need to have a deliberate policy to fund all sound business proposals that focus o Manufacturing or food processing or anything else that is done to add value to a product. An economy can only grow if it is engaged in manufacturing. It is time we did away with the service industry. Currently, all sound firms in Zambia are in the Service sector. Banks, Mobile Telecommunications Companies, Water Utility, Power Generation. We eed to grow into other sectors too. Luckily, the Construction Industry is doing really good. I'm looking forward to a time where Food production and Processing will take centre stage, then, we can encourage farming to our youth and we will have dealt a great deal with unemployment.
These are my views and I know they may not be welcomed by some. If you disagree kindly respond to this or write and email me you article and I will publish it. God bless!
Unemployment in Zambia- New Universities or New Jobs
In Zambia today, the levels of unemployment are alarmingly high and there is no doubt that something has to be done about it. As a patriotic countryman, I want to discuss one very important issue that has to be discussed without any favour.
After the Patriotic Government came into power, the President, HE Michael Sata made pronouncements to build up new universities across the country. Why many will see this as a good move, I see things differently ad beg to disagree. It is only through such positive criticisms that we will help our economy grow. A few people I have talked to have disagreed with me being against the construction of new institutions of learning. I have been accused of not caring for the many uneducated simply because I'm well learned. To the contrary, I mean to save the not so fortunate as I may have been by offering them something in place of missed opportunities they couldn't have growing up. The construction of Universities is a misplaced priority.
Zambia at the moment has hundreds of thousands of young graduates at all levels who are roaming the streets of Zambia because they can not find employment. A university degree in Zambia not accounts for nothing. Let alone a diploma or certificate. Degree holders are competing for jobs as security guards, taking up army jobs, police and many other jobs they shouldn't be considering under normal circumstances. Don't get me wrong, these problems have not been brought by the PF but PF can and should tackle them. It is upon this background that Zambia should not think of offloading more graduates into the job market at the moment. Where are we going to place them if we already have hundreds of thousands unemployed? What good is it to those that will come out with degrees and not get a job? That is simply compounding the problem and not solving any.
You ask, "What the should government do?" Well, government should channel those funds into the financial sector. There is need right now to make funds easily accessible by well meaning citizens with a sound business proposal or plan. Currently, it is practically impossible to borrow for those that want to start up a business. As a result, young graduates just sit home with brilliant ideas because they can't access funds to start up a business. Job creation should not only be viewed as bringing in more Chinese or South African investors to employ our people. We need to start investing in our own people and turn them into employers. Overtime, there will be more jobs available for the youth from these small businesses that may be created. From there, the issue of more universities will happen automatically. Government need to have a deliberate policy to fund all sound business proposals that focus o Manufacturing or food processing or anything else that is done to add value to a product. An economy can only grow if it is engaged in manufacturing. It is time we did away with the service industry. Currently, all sound firms in Zambia are in the Service sector. Banks, Mobile Telecommunications Companies, Water Utility, Power Generation. We eed to grow into other sectors too. Luckily, the Construction Industry is doing really good. I'm looking forward to a time where Food production and Processing will take centre stage, then, we can encourage farming to our youth and we will have dealt a great deal with unemployment.
These are my views and I know they may not be welcomed by some. If you disagree kindly respond to this or write and email me you article and I will publish it. God bless!
After the Patriotic Government came into power, the President, HE Michael Sata made pronouncements to build up new universities across the country. Why many will see this as a good move, I see things differently ad beg to disagree. It is only through such positive criticisms that we will help our economy grow. A few people I have talked to have disagreed with me being against the construction of new institutions of learning. I have been accused of not caring for the many uneducated simply because I'm well learned. To the contrary, I mean to save the not so fortunate as I may have been by offering them something in place of missed opportunities they couldn't have growing up. The construction of Universities is a misplaced priority.
Zambia at the moment has hundreds of thousands of young graduates at all levels who are roaming the streets of Zambia because they can not find employment. A university degree in Zambia not accounts for nothing. Let alone a diploma or certificate. Degree holders are competing for jobs as security guards, taking up army jobs, police and many other jobs they shouldn't be considering under normal circumstances. Don't get me wrong, these problems have not been brought by the PF but PF can and should tackle them. It is upon this background that Zambia should not think of offloading more graduates into the job market at the moment. Where are we going to place them if we already have hundreds of thousands unemployed? What good is it to those that will come out with degrees and not get a job? That is simply compounding the problem and not solving any.
You ask, "What the should government do?" Well, government should channel those funds into the financial sector. There is need right now to make funds easily accessible by well meaning citizens with a sound business proposal or plan. Currently, it is practically impossible to borrow for those that want to start up a business. As a result, young graduates just sit home with brilliant ideas because they can't access funds to start up a business. Job creation should not only be viewed as bringing in more Chinese or South African investors to employ our people. We need to start investing in our own people and turn them into employers. Overtime, there will be more jobs available for the youth from these small businesses that may be created. From there, the issue of more universities will happen automatically. Government need to have a deliberate policy to fund all sound business proposals that focus o Manufacturing or food processing or anything else that is done to add value to a product. An economy can only grow if it is engaged in manufacturing. It is time we did away with the service industry. Currently, all sound firms in Zambia are in the Service sector. Banks, Mobile Telecommunications Companies, Water Utility, Power Generation. We eed to grow into other sectors too. Luckily, the Construction Industry is doing really good. I'm looking forward to a time where Food production and Processing will take centre stage, then, we can encourage farming to our youth and we will have dealt a great deal with unemployment.
These are my views and I know they may not be welcomed by some. If you disagree kindly respond to this or write and email me you article and I will publish it. God bless!
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Co-operatives- A Business Model
"A journey of a thousand miles, begins with a step" Say the Wise. This is very true in many respects. Before a baby walks, they crawl. That is just the natural way of doing things.
If you were to ask me two people that inspire me today, unlike most of you who would say Obama and Sata, I would say Mark Zuckergerg and Bill Gates. These guys have one thing in common. You guessed wrong it is not their line of business. To the contrary, they each followed their heart and gave up what most Zambians need most. Education. Harvard, the most prestigious University in the United States, where America's finest come from like Obama, these guys dropped out. There was no doubt they could make it big in the corporate world should they have graduated. They followed their hearts. Zuckerberg is now CEO of the Worlds largest social networking platform- Facebook.
These guys surely did not make it on their own. The idea was conceived, shared and implemented. Today, they are popular. There are quiet people behind them that we will never know but they are there. They helped make these people.
One problem that I have noticed in us Zambians is SELFISHNESS. "If I share my plan with Mweemba, he will implement it and take all the credit" we say. One thing we need to understand is; No one can ever implement a plan better than the originator. No one. You could steal all my ideas but you will never be me and would never do things as I would. You will never see the world using my eyes. Only me can. For that reason, I would never seek protection to my ideas (copyright). You're free to use them at will but you will never be me. The best you can do is, contact me and ask how I can assist you.
We have many Zambians with small amounts of capital but would like to do business but they can't. Suppose you had say $1000 and wanted to do a sound business, chances are you won't succeed. But should you give up? No! That is not the end. You can do something about it and that is where I come in. To connect you with someone else like you and help you manage something.
Zambians now need to learn to work with each other. How about ten people with, say, $2000 each come together, put their resources together and let someone manage those funds? That is what I would simply call Share Holding. Rewards may not come immediately but surely would with a bit of time. Remember the capital will have to be grown before any tangible rewards are reaped. Remember you will need assets to help you function daily and that is why you need time before you see rewards. Many people see expenditure on Assets as an expense. No, it is not and that why we don't make any deductions under expenses in the INCOME STATEMENT (Profit and Loss Account) but rather go to the STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION (Balance Sheet) and are added together. They are assets just like Cash and Stock. So allow time for the Non Current Assets (Fixed Assets) to generate the income they are intended to before you can see the benefits. Your manager will do this for you. All you need to do is sit back and relax and let you money work for you. The Manager is employed to make profits for you and that is why he is paid.
People, let us start to do such things now and before we know it, we will have Zambian companies in other countries all from such ideas as this one. Rome was not built in one day but with time, it became an empire. Trust me, there are no short-cuts in life. Those who rush, often crush.
I leave the challenge up to you all. Those with a vision and understand what leaving a legacy means, feel free to contact me and together, we will make it.
Peace and love to you all.
Email: mweemba@gmail.com
Twitter: @Quigleysouth.
If you were to ask me two people that inspire me today, unlike most of you who would say Obama and Sata, I would say Mark Zuckergerg and Bill Gates. These guys have one thing in common. You guessed wrong it is not their line of business. To the contrary, they each followed their heart and gave up what most Zambians need most. Education. Harvard, the most prestigious University in the United States, where America's finest come from like Obama, these guys dropped out. There was no doubt they could make it big in the corporate world should they have graduated. They followed their hearts. Zuckerberg is now CEO of the Worlds largest social networking platform- Facebook.
These guys surely did not make it on their own. The idea was conceived, shared and implemented. Today, they are popular. There are quiet people behind them that we will never know but they are there. They helped make these people.
One problem that I have noticed in us Zambians is SELFISHNESS. "If I share my plan with Mweemba, he will implement it and take all the credit" we say. One thing we need to understand is; No one can ever implement a plan better than the originator. No one. You could steal all my ideas but you will never be me and would never do things as I would. You will never see the world using my eyes. Only me can. For that reason, I would never seek protection to my ideas (copyright). You're free to use them at will but you will never be me. The best you can do is, contact me and ask how I can assist you.
We have many Zambians with small amounts of capital but would like to do business but they can't. Suppose you had say $1000 and wanted to do a sound business, chances are you won't succeed. But should you give up? No! That is not the end. You can do something about it and that is where I come in. To connect you with someone else like you and help you manage something.
Zambians now need to learn to work with each other. How about ten people with, say, $2000 each come together, put their resources together and let someone manage those funds? That is what I would simply call Share Holding. Rewards may not come immediately but surely would with a bit of time. Remember the capital will have to be grown before any tangible rewards are reaped. Remember you will need assets to help you function daily and that is why you need time before you see rewards. Many people see expenditure on Assets as an expense. No, it is not and that why we don't make any deductions under expenses in the INCOME STATEMENT (Profit and Loss Account) but rather go to the STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION (Balance Sheet) and are added together. They are assets just like Cash and Stock. So allow time for the Non Current Assets (Fixed Assets) to generate the income they are intended to before you can see the benefits. Your manager will do this for you. All you need to do is sit back and relax and let you money work for you. The Manager is employed to make profits for you and that is why he is paid.
People, let us start to do such things now and before we know it, we will have Zambian companies in other countries all from such ideas as this one. Rome was not built in one day but with time, it became an empire. Trust me, there are no short-cuts in life. Those who rush, often crush.
I leave the challenge up to you all. Those with a vision and understand what leaving a legacy means, feel free to contact me and together, we will make it.
Peace and love to you all.
Email: mweemba@gmail.com
Twitter: @Quigleysouth.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Alcohol Abuse in Lusaka - Youths
"The future belongs to those who prepare for it today" Said Malcolm X. He was right.
If you live in Lusaka or have in the recent past been in Lusaka's townships like Kabwata, Matero, Kanyama, Mtendere, Kaunda Square, you would bear witness to the alarming levels of Alcohol Abuse in Lusaka. Alcoholism has become the order of the day among the youth and teenagers across the city. It has become a way of life for the majority unemployed. They start drinking even as early as before sunrise. No kidding.
As usual, I took time to interview a few as to establish what their motivation is. I was not received well by most of these visibly disgruntled once normal family members. Others told me that I would never understand how hard their lives were. I wish they had taken time to hear my life. They would probably realise my upbringing was way worse than most of theirs. There was one common answer that I got. Lack of employment. I found this excuse rather interesting and made me ask if they were having these Tujilijili (liquor in sachets). Apparently, the truth is they bought it. This was a matter of concern for me really. If you can buy, then you have the money and if you have the money, then you have a source. It was this source that I needed to know of. But I couldn't figure it out. I remained guessing; maybe they pick pocket people. Maybe they do odd jobs. Whatever the source, would it not be wise to not spend it on alcohol?
Enough of the consumption part. Maybe I'm judgemental because I don't understand what it means or feels to be them. Where is the government in all this really? Does the government not care for it's youth? These tujilijili are being sold at every single bus stop across Lusaka. Are the authorities not aware? Or they are aware except they have a profit motive? What happened the law that prohibits alcohol consumption in public? Bus drivers drink them while driving and bus conductors alike. Is it too hard for the local authorities to take measures? Really, where do politicians live where they are hidden from the realities of the day? Which roads do they drive in that they don't see people selling these spirits at all traffic light? Are they too excited with their security escorts that they legally run red lights and don't see what happens? Or are the people responsible live and work at Civic Centre that they don't go out?
What really can be done to combat this problem? What are the practical solutions to this problem? Prohibit the packaging of liquor in small affordable sachets that only cost K500 ($0.10 or 10 cents)? Are taxes on liquor too low or is liquor simply Tax free of Zero rated (0%) in Zambia? Why really is this nonsense only happening in Zambia? Why? Should we sue the local authority as responsible citizens for failing to live up their mandate?
What is your take on this? Leave your comments here or send me a tweet.
Twitter @Quigleysouth
If you live in Lusaka or have in the recent past been in Lusaka's townships like Kabwata, Matero, Kanyama, Mtendere, Kaunda Square, you would bear witness to the alarming levels of Alcohol Abuse in Lusaka. Alcoholism has become the order of the day among the youth and teenagers across the city. It has become a way of life for the majority unemployed. They start drinking even as early as before sunrise. No kidding.
As usual, I took time to interview a few as to establish what their motivation is. I was not received well by most of these visibly disgruntled once normal family members. Others told me that I would never understand how hard their lives were. I wish they had taken time to hear my life. They would probably realise my upbringing was way worse than most of theirs. There was one common answer that I got. Lack of employment. I found this excuse rather interesting and made me ask if they were having these Tujilijili (liquor in sachets). Apparently, the truth is they bought it. This was a matter of concern for me really. If you can buy, then you have the money and if you have the money, then you have a source. It was this source that I needed to know of. But I couldn't figure it out. I remained guessing; maybe they pick pocket people. Maybe they do odd jobs. Whatever the source, would it not be wise to not spend it on alcohol?
Enough of the consumption part. Maybe I'm judgemental because I don't understand what it means or feels to be them. Where is the government in all this really? Does the government not care for it's youth? These tujilijili are being sold at every single bus stop across Lusaka. Are the authorities not aware? Or they are aware except they have a profit motive? What happened the law that prohibits alcohol consumption in public? Bus drivers drink them while driving and bus conductors alike. Is it too hard for the local authorities to take measures? Really, where do politicians live where they are hidden from the realities of the day? Which roads do they drive in that they don't see people selling these spirits at all traffic light? Are they too excited with their security escorts that they legally run red lights and don't see what happens? Or are the people responsible live and work at Civic Centre that they don't go out?
What really can be done to combat this problem? What are the practical solutions to this problem? Prohibit the packaging of liquor in small affordable sachets that only cost K500 ($0.10 or 10 cents)? Are taxes on liquor too low or is liquor simply Tax free of Zero rated (0%) in Zambia? Why really is this nonsense only happening in Zambia? Why? Should we sue the local authority as responsible citizens for failing to live up their mandate?
What is your take on this? Leave your comments here or send me a tweet.
Twitter @Quigleysouth
Retail Business in Zambia
Without a doubt, Zambia is currently having a lot of spending power in retail than most other Southern African countries with the exception of South Africa. The Zambian economy is growing and so is the population. The Mining and Construction industries are doing well creating a number of jobs for people thereby increasing the aggregate spending power for the economy.
Zambia has really turned into another province of South Africa. We have seen huge movements of capital from the South into Zambia. Many South African retail outlets have found many profit opportunities in Zambia. Shoprite stores, Pick'n'Pay, Game Stores, Pep Stores. Clothing retailers like WoolWorths, Identity, Trueworths, Total Sport, Mr. Price to mention just a few.
One interesting thing though is, there is almost no big retail Zambia company. In fact, there is still a deficit if retail service provision. These South African Giants are only concentrated in Lusaka and the Copperbelt Province of Zambia. Recently, I took a trip to Mkushi, a very big commercial farming community. There is no Retail store. I took time to ask a few people how they feel about this. As you may well have guessed, no investor really has even thought of it. The many rich people including a very good number of white farmers with millions of dollars, either drive or fly to Lusaka to do their shopping.
On the other hand, I have seen so many small shops around Lusaka trying to compete with these South African Giants. Yes, they do make sales but really, they don't have everything that a consumer wants. Suppose, I wanted a loaf of bread as well as polony and cereals. There is no doubt I will find bread at one local shop but not the other products. I will have to visit 3 local shops to complete my shopping. As a result, I will simply go one Retail Store and get everything under one roof. There is really no harm in buying from these stores and I'm not encouraging anyone to shun them. To the contrary, I have a plan for these small traders that can make them profitable.
How about a cooperative. Identify yourself with 3-10 other traders of your category, put your resources together, go to a place like Mkushi, Choma or indeed any other place for that matter and open a sound store that will house everything under one roof. Zambian should start to think outside the box and go out. We as Zambians are too urbanised mentally. We will stop at nothing from being in Lusaka.
Do you have a capital and need a sound business plan, feel free to contact me. Networking is the key to modern business. Are you a non-Zambian seeking to establish a business in Zambia? Bring it on! Zambia remains unexplored.
Twitter @Quigleysouth
Zambia has really turned into another province of South Africa. We have seen huge movements of capital from the South into Zambia. Many South African retail outlets have found many profit opportunities in Zambia. Shoprite stores, Pick'n'Pay, Game Stores, Pep Stores. Clothing retailers like WoolWorths, Identity, Trueworths, Total Sport, Mr. Price to mention just a few.
One interesting thing though is, there is almost no big retail Zambia company. In fact, there is still a deficit if retail service provision. These South African Giants are only concentrated in Lusaka and the Copperbelt Province of Zambia. Recently, I took a trip to Mkushi, a very big commercial farming community. There is no Retail store. I took time to ask a few people how they feel about this. As you may well have guessed, no investor really has even thought of it. The many rich people including a very good number of white farmers with millions of dollars, either drive or fly to Lusaka to do their shopping.
On the other hand, I have seen so many small shops around Lusaka trying to compete with these South African Giants. Yes, they do make sales but really, they don't have everything that a consumer wants. Suppose, I wanted a loaf of bread as well as polony and cereals. There is no doubt I will find bread at one local shop but not the other products. I will have to visit 3 local shops to complete my shopping. As a result, I will simply go one Retail Store and get everything under one roof. There is really no harm in buying from these stores and I'm not encouraging anyone to shun them. To the contrary, I have a plan for these small traders that can make them profitable.
How about a cooperative. Identify yourself with 3-10 other traders of your category, put your resources together, go to a place like Mkushi, Choma or indeed any other place for that matter and open a sound store that will house everything under one roof. Zambian should start to think outside the box and go out. We as Zambians are too urbanised mentally. We will stop at nothing from being in Lusaka.
Do you have a capital and need a sound business plan, feel free to contact me. Networking is the key to modern business. Are you a non-Zambian seeking to establish a business in Zambia? Bring it on! Zambia remains unexplored.
Twitter @Quigleysouth
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)