JOIN DRIVERN TAXI AS PARTNER DRIVER TODAY!
Dear Country Men and Women,
As a point of departure, let me start by asking all of us to kindly stand up and observe a moment of silence in honor of our departed beloved Republican President His Excellency Mr. Michael Chilufya Sata. I acknowledge that His life was an embodiment of sacrifice, empathy, selflessness, courage, and perseverance and His vision was anchored on service and love for the poor.
Three years ago, the Patriotic Front party was given the mandate under the presidency of His Excellency Michael Chilufya Sata to govern this Country. Our journey has not been without its peaks and troughs with challenges that sometimes have seemed insurmountable – but under the determined and able leadership of His Excellency Michael Chilufya Sata, we overcame unimaginable odds. His passion for bettering the lives of the less privileged occupied much of His time. He focused his efforts on the best ways our party could tackle the numerous challenges that confronted the majority of citizens in this country.
As a President and a human being, Michael Chilufya Sata, believed that at the core of all things lies the need to fulfill the needs of the people. I know that he will be best remembered for His ability to explain human challenges in simple language and to translate these challenges into visionary action- hence His nickname- man of action.
Country Men and Women, it would be unreasonable of me or any other member of the patriotic front at this juncture, regardless of situation, not to acknowledge the contributions of our acting republican and party President Dr. Guy Scott to the establishment of our party countrywide, its eventual electoral success and current National and International status as the governing party of the Republic of Zambia. The admirable friendship and political partnership with our late President Sata was both inspirational and complimentary based on mutual respect and brotherly love. In the context of the position Dr. Scott occupies now both in the party and government, it is imperative for all of us to air our concerns and suggestions about our current situation in a sober, dignified and civil manner.
Like any other family that has been hit by a cyclone of events, it takes time for the dust to settle and I believe beyond any reasonable doubt that we shall emerge from the current situation as a more unified family. It has been a long walk for our party, especially and significantly for the two compatriots namely the late President Sata and Dr. Guy Scott.
Against this backdrop and in upholding both our party constitution and general democratic principles, I urge the party leadership to call for the general conference to elect a Presidential Candidate so that He or She can have the mandate of the grassroots from across the Country. This very important choice of leadership must not be subjected to a selected few members whose decision may not resonate with that of the general membership.
Let me hasten to add, a convention is not about the creation of enemies or fostering of camps, it is a healthy competition to fulfill the tenets of democracy on which our party is founded. As with every competition, there will be a victor. It is my hope and belief that all the unsuccessful competitors will be gracious enough to rally behind the party’s choice from the general conference, in the true spirit of brotherhood and with the passion and conviction that saw us grow from 1 seat in parliament in 2001, to becoming the governing party 10 years later.
The journey that has created the person I am today has been unconventional. During this journey, I have faced challenges, successes and always moved on to the next challenge with many lessons. These successes and challenges have purified and redefined my character, vision, worldview and political ideologies. My choosing of a path in politics was inspired by the same values that defined the core of his Excellency Michael Chilufya Sata’ vision, to be of service to others. My beginnings are humble, therefore I speak and believe from experience that the life of every person no matter who and where they might be, can be uplifted if the conditions and opportunities are created for them.
Having said that, I Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba today the 17th of November 2014 wish to declare my interest in the upcoming nominations for the patriotic front president and presidential candidate for the forth coming presidential by elections. I pledge to build on the legacy of our beloved late President by insuring that we carry on with our endeavor to uplift the status of all Zambians by investing in people, especially the poor, as the productive and creative core of the economy.
Ladies and Gentlemen, as we direct our thoughts and efforts towards the selection of leadership for our party, let us all remember that we are all on the same side and that we all wish to serve our Country to the best of our abilities. Let us maintain our respect for each other and move forward into the next phase of our development as a nation known the world over for unity and peace, a nation that embraces and celebrates diversity.
God bless Zambia God bless and continue to unite our party – the Patriotic Front thank you.
