President Banda’s New Year message in full
GOOD EVENING, FELLOW ZAMBIANS.
TONIGHT WE BID FAREWELL TO THE YEAR 2009 AND WELCOME THE YEAR 2010. LET ME INVITE YOU ALL TO JOIN ME IN THANKING OUR GOD ALMIGHTY FOR HIS GUIDANCE AND FOR THE ACHIEVEMENTS WE HAVE SCORED AS A NATION. AS A PEOPLE, WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH QUITE A LOT — MOMENTS OF JOY, OF SADNESS, AND OF REAL ACHIEVEMENT — MOMENTS THAT I BELIEVE HAVE BROUGHT US ALL CLOSER TOGETHER.
I KNOW THAT, TONIGHT, IN MILLIONS OF ZAMBIAN HOMES, PEOPLE ARE PREPARING FOR THE NEW YEAR WITH CELEBRATIONS. BUT EVEN AS WE REJOICE, LET US REMEMBER THAT FOR SOME ZAMBIANS, THIS WILL NOT BE AS HAPPY A FESTIVE SEASON AS IT SHOULD BE. SOME PEOPLE ARE LOOKING AFTER THE SICK, OTHERS HAVE LOST THEIR BELOVED ONES, AND SO ON. LET US REMEMBER ALL THESE PEOPLE IN OUR PRAYERS.
COUNTRY MEN, WOMEN AND YOUTH,
AT THIS SPECIAL TIME OF THE YEAR, WE ALL RENEW OUR SENSE OF HOPE FOR THE FUTURE. THIS IS THE TIME WHEN WE NEED TO REFLECT ON MAJOR NATIONAL ISSUES AS WE PREPARE TO FACE THE NEXT TWELVE MONTHS AND HOPE TO ACHIEVE EVEN BETTER RESULTS IN ALL OUR ENDEAVOURS.
OVER THE PAST YEAR, WE BEGAN THE LONG, HARD WORK OF MITIGATING THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF THE GLOBAL ECONOMIC CRISIS. OUR PROGRAMME FOR MITIGATING THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF THE GLOBAL CRISIS HAS WORKED REMARKABLY WELL. ALREADY, WE ARE WINNING THE BATTLE AGAINST THE ECONOMIC RECESSION AND AGAINST INFLATION, AND THAT VICTORY WILL MEAN MORE GROWTH IN THE ECONOMY, MORE JOBS, AND MORE OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL ZAMBIANS.
A FEW MONTHS BEFORE YOU VOTED ME INTO OFFICE IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR, THIS COUNTRY WAS FACING ECONOMIC PROBLEMS AND AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE OCCASIONED BY THE GLOBAL ECONOMIC CRISIS. THE CRISIS HAD RESULTED IN, AMONG OTHERS, THE CLOSURE OF SOME MINES, THE SCALING BACK OF OPERATIONS AND INVESTMENTS AND JOB LOSSES IN THE MINING SECTOR.
FELLOW CITIZENS,
OUR BELOVED COUNTRY HAS COME OUT OF THIS CRISIS RELATIVELY UNSCATHED DUE TO MY GOVERNMENT’S PRUDENT ECONOMIC MANAGEMENT. A RECENT INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND ASSESSMENT CONFIRMS THIS. ALL ZAMBIANS, REGARDLESS OF POLITICAL AFFILIATION, MUST BE PROUD OF THIS ACHIEVEMENT.
I AM, THEREFORE, HAPPY TO INFORM THE NATION THAT THIS YEAR WE EXPECT A GROWTH RATE OF 6.3 PER CENT IN OUR ECONOMY. THIS WILL BE ONE OF THE HIGHEST GROWTH RATES IN THE HISTORY OF THIS COUNTRY SINCE INDEPENDENCE. NEXT YEAR, WE EXPECT EVEN STRONGER GROWTH IN THE ECONOMY. THIS WILL MEAN MORE BUSINESSES STARTED, MORE INVESTMENTS MADE, MORE JOBS CREATED, AND MORE PEOPLE ON PAYROLLS. IN TURN, THIS WILL CREATE A STRONG REVENUE BASE FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO INCREASE AND SUSTAIN THE PROVISION OF SERVICES TO ZAMBIANS.
THE PRICE STABILITY THAT WE HAVE CONTINUED TO ENJOY IN FORM OF A DECLINING INFLATION RATE AND A STABLE EXCHANGE RATE MEANS THAT THE HARD-EARNED INCOMES AND EARNINGS OF OUR PEOPLE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE VALUE. IN THIS REGARD, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR DEMONSTRATED UNITY OF PURPOSE THAT ALLOWED THIS NATION TO ADDRESS THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF THE GLOBAL ECONOMIC CRISIS.
COUNTRYMEN, WOMEN AND YOUTH,
THE MAJOR FOCUS OF MY GOVERNMENT IS TO PROMOTE EMPLOYMENT AND WEALTH CREATION THROUGH SUSTAINED GROWTH AND ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION. MY GOVERNMENT HAS CONTINUED TO UNDERTAKE REFORMS AIMED AT IMPROVING THE COMPETITIVENESS OF OUR ECONOMY THROUGH, AMONG OTHERS, SIMPLIFYING THE BUSINESS REGULATORY FRAMEWORK AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT.
OUR MAJOR FOCUS AREA IS AGRICULTURE. TOURISM IS ANOTHER KEY FOCUS AREA. IN THIS RESPECT, I URGE OUR TOUR OPERATORS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE 2010 FIFA WORLD CUP TO BE HELD IN SOUTH AFRICA TO INTENSIFY THE MARKETING OF ZAMBIA’S TOURISM PRODUCTS IN ORDER TO INCREASE TOURIST ARRIVALS IN OUR COUNTRY.
WE HAVE ALSO INITIATED THE PROCESS OF TRANSFORMING THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SECTOR WITH A VIEW TO IMPROVING SERVICE DELIVERY AND REDUCING COMMUNICATION COSTS IN THE COUNTRY. IN ADDITION, THE MEMORANDA OF UNDERSTANDING FOR MAJOR INVESTMENT AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY SIGNED WITH MALAYSIA, SOUTH AFRICA AND OTHER COUNTRIES ARE A PROMISE OF BETTER THINGS TO COME NEXT YEAR AND BEYOND.
AND FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE HISTORY OF THIS COUNTRY, MY GOVERNMENT HAS CHANGED THE BUDGET CYCLE TO ENSURE THAT DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS ARE IMPLEMENTED WITHIN A PERIOD OF TWELVE MONTHS AS OPPOSED TO NINE MONTHS.
FELLOW ZAMBIANS,
DESPITE OUR STRIDES IN MAINTAINING PRUDENT ECONOMIC MANAGEMENT, WE STILL HAVE A CHALLENGE TO ENSURE THAT THE CURRENT GROWTH IS BROAD-BASED AND TRANSLATES INTO SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT IN THE LIVING STANDARDS OF OUR PEOPLE.
IN 2010, GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO DIRECT RESOURCES TOWARDS PRIORITY PROGRAMMES THAT HAVE A DIRECT IMPACT ON SERVICE DELIVERY, ESPECIALLY IN EDUCATION AND HEALTH. IN THE CASE OF HEALTH, I AM HAPPY TO INFORM YOU THAT, FOLLOWING AN AGREEMENT SIGNED BETWEEN MY GOVERNMENT AND COOPERATING PARTNERS, FUNDS HAVE STARTED FLOWING TO THE HEALTH SECTOR.
MY GOVERNMENT HAS NOT FORGOTTEN PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. I AM HAPPY TO INFORM THE NATION THAT GOVERNMENT HAS NOW RATIFIED THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES. ONCE THIS TREATY IS DOMESTICATED, IT WILL BE MUCH EASIER FOR MY GOVERNMENT TO PROTECT PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.
TO ENCOURAGE OPPORTUNITY AND JOB CREATION RATHER THAN DEPENDENCY AND WELFARE, WE HAVE SUCCESSFULLY IDENTIFIED SIX AREAS ACROSS THE COUNTRY FOR MULTI-FACILITY ECONOMIC ZONES. I EXPECT ZAMBIANS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE ZONES TO PARTNER WITH FELLOW ZAMBIANS AND FOREIGN INVESTORS TO CREATE A STRONG PRODUCTIVE BASE TO FOSTER JOB CREATION AND ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION.
COUNTRYMEN, WOMEN AND YOUTHS,
BESIDES WORKING TO EMPOWER OUR WOMEN, WE WILL ALSO HELP OUR YOUNG PEOPLE, WHO HAVE THE HIGHEST UNEMPLOYMENT RATE, FIND JOBS THROUGH SKILLS TRAINING AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP, SO THAT THEY CAN KNOW THE PRIDE OF WORK AND HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THEIR FUTURE.
FELLOW COUNTRYMEN, WOMEN AND YOUTH,
MY GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO INTENSIFIED THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE HISTORY OF THIS COUNTRY, WE NOW HAVE AN ELABORATE ANTI-CORRUPTION INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK IN PLACE. I, THEREFORE, CHALLENGE EVERY ZAMBIAN TO WORK WITH MY GOVERNMENT IN IMPLEMENTING THE ANTI-CORRUPTION POLICY.
FELLOW CITIZENS,
AS I SPEAK TO YOU TONIGHT, WE STAND ON THE THRESHOLD OF A GREAT ABILITY TO PRODUCE MORE AND DO MORE AS A COUNTRY. OUR ECONOMY IS NOW WELL-POSITIONED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE GLOBAL ECONOMIC RECOVERY TO ACHIEVE HIGHER RATES OF GROWTH AND GENERATE MORE JOBS AND WEALTH.
AS WE ENTER THE YEAR 2010, I CHALLENGE EVERY ZAMBIAN, MALE, FEMALE, YOUTH, TO RE-DEDICATE THEMSELVES TO HARD WORK AND DISCIPLINE. HARD WORK AND DISCIPLINE ARE THE KEY TO A PROSPEROUS FUTURE FOR ZAMBIA.
COUNTRYMEN, WOMEN AND YOUTH,
LET ME COMMEND ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO OUR UNITY, PEACE AND STABILITY. TOGETHER WE HAVE LIVED IN HARMONY DESPITE DIFFERENCES IN OUR POLITICAL VIEWS. AS WE BEGIN THE YEAR 2010, LET US MAINTAIN THIS UNITY BY DELIBERATELY USING OUR DIVERSITY OF OPINION TO ENRICH THE QUALITY OF OUR THINKING AND ACTIONS. IN THIS REGARD, I EXPECT THE MEDIA – BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE – TO UPHOLD OUR PEACE AND UNITY.
MAY I ALSO COMMEND OUR COOPERATING PARTNERS FOR THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT TO OUR COUNTRY AND, IN PARTICULAR, FOR DISBURSING THEIR COMMITMENTS FOR 2009. OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS, DONORS HAVE POSITIVELY RESPONDED TO THE MEASURES PUT IN PLACE BY MY GOVERNMENT TO IMPROVE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR. ALMOST ALL THE DONORS WHO HAD DELAYED THEIR FUNDING DURING THE FIRST HALF OF 2009 HAVE DISBURSED THEIR COMITTMENT OR INDICATED THEIR WILLINGNESS TO DO SO.
SO, IN A SPIRIT OF GRATITUDE FOR WHAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ACHIEVE TOGETHER OVER THE PAST YEAR AND LOOKING FORWARD TO ALL THAT WE HOPE TO ACHIEVE TOGETHER IN THE YEAR AHEAD, THE FIRST LADY AND I WANT TO WISH YOU ALL THE BEST OF THE YEAR 2010.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
GOOD NIGHT.
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CMF@: If you were intelligent the way you are potray, you should have not written things you are writing here. Let me remind you quck that it is not about supporting your leader banda 74 years and nearly 75 in may,, you can go and ask his wife thandiwe 36 years first lady of zambia that her 74 years husband has done nothing to change the suffering of the masses. There comes a person like you mentioning development…!! am not against you,, but, point one thing or development he has done..!!! also tell me why commisisioning other projects when some are not yet finnished like zimba- Livingstone, mutanda-chavuma, serenje-mansa,,even there in Lusaka, the last time I drove through those township of yours,, there were no proper roads,,, why commisioning k192 billion from his home area,eastern province,? Every time he talks of development is eastern province..!! in fact it is you who is so backwards to understand developments, not into your pocket but the masses, to remove the people of zambia from shacles of proverty. The way you are writing sugesting u are from the same place..!!!. Let alone the acquital of chiluba, you know very well that chiluba is a thief, you can not associate with this individual because he is a killer..!!! some of us who had relatives working in the copperbelt mines can tell you how chiluba qualify as a thief. This is a person 74 years Banda associate with..then he is also criminal like chiluba, and you who is supporting them. you support banda, you support chiluba as well. what are you talking about CMF@. It is sad to read things in this paper but we all know by now it is owned by Zulu,, the editor is also from eastern province..!!! be quit chap.!
@ Kizito, you’re riddled with blind hatred and fury and fail to read in between the lines. It is said that those who forget history will be obliterated by the same history. Written history has a lot of negative deeds by your Satire. You only need to surf the net and you’ll see. I’ve never met President Banda in life and supporting him does not mean I’m related to him. I just made an intelligent decision. I may not even support the party he’s in because of its part deeds but as an individual I’m to a great extent on his side because he’s more credible. Are you related to your Satire. If so, then it’s you with a skewed angle of thinking.
Viva MMD, Viva RB for 2011,the pact of PF and UPND can try 2016 But SATA will be too old so pact look for new candidate for 2016 pliz for 2011 RB for president.viva MMD and RB.
Ku Masangalatoni,
Stop with the Chinese! How much do you pay your employees?
I thought so, so shut up!
Now those are heavy words coming from a man like you Mr. PRESIDNT…I hope we can walk this talk…
imwe bantu, if the economy is doing very well, why do our relatives have to depend on “Western Union” remittances? Where are the so-called jobs? Chinese investors still pay people less than K500,000. The economy is only improving in the pockets of Alaabee and his family.
i dont think any corrupt president can achieve any thing, not at all the corrupt RB has clearly demonstrated how corrupt he is by amassing all corrupt people to come into his govt. if there is any development it is not because of RB to the contrarry.. a govt full of thieves can not properly manage economy it doesnt work that way
Thermometer@ I will change as long this CMF does so..!! he is busy insulting people here..!! he is questioning credability of Magande..!!! can you compare banda and Magande sure…!!! whats wrong with this person of yours..happy new year boys and girls..!!! by the way am writing my CCIE exams in couple of weeks in Brussels. Those in computer networking, they know what are talking about…!!! CMF@ tell your man that,2009 has been disaster, even his wife Thandiwe 36 years, will agree with me..!! that 74 years husband has failed zambian people..!!!
CMF.. Are you relative of president banda…? it seems you chap,, you just make noise just to say nuisance things here. We all know by now, this paper, zambianwatchdog is own by Zulu from eastern province where your donkey comes from. Right now, there is an article about Magande, but he blocked any comments from anyone after insulting magande..!! Sure Magande is an economist not banda who has studied economic history,, In uk, if you say I have studied economic history they will laugh at you..!!This man still have UNIP ideas of foolishness. do not compare Magande and Banda,, Magande was secretay general of africa and carribean community for many years,, he was just lost to Koffi anna as secretary general of UN. CMF@ you are so bad person to continue writing and pressing banda’s speech as if you paid you are paid to do so..!!!
Awe Kizito! this is a new year, let us change our language, respect elders please, I have a strong conviction we can debate in a pleasant manner.
CMF.@ You are the same people bringing problems in this troubled soutehern african state. People do not like sata but thy have no option but to put him than Rupiah banda, which early 70, are talking about..!!! In Europe, there are no leaders above that age… In USA president, 48 yrs, Russia 41 years, France 56, UK 58, Germany 61 years and she is serving her last term in two years time she will be history, many other country apart from cuba which has 78 years president..!! If you think staying in kalingalinga, you are wise by supporting such a leader and has brought development, which development to talk about, development to his pocket and the pocket of his binch girl Dora Siliya…!!! Zambia must change the goverment if there are to rescue themselves from economic shambles.!
Which achivement to talk about by this man of yours. The only thing you hear Eastern province development hear and there,, what about other provinces. He failed to complete road works from zimba to Livingstone., but he can go to eastern province to commission 192 billion road project..!!! it will be shock of my life if he goes to southern province in 2011 to campaign. it is the only province without cabinet minister..!! it has not happened to all the zambian presidents..How come this nyama soya of yours saying,,, there are from opposition..!!! we will put sata than this stupid leader of yours.!!!He is fearing that these people are after the president of zambia…but it will be just matter of time,,watch the space..go to hell,, you fat old donkey!!!!!!!
@ Kizito, and how long will you satire rule. He’s in his mid 70s too you know.
Are you saying RB is still willingly rule zambia. Tell this old man of yours that his time had passed…! This man will be remembered in zambian books as the only president to rule for only 3 years and was been fired by his own people..
If someone can convince me that somehow, the Govt was responsible for the rise in copper prices on the international markets, I will give credit to them on the economic crisis. The scrapping of windfall tax was a dick move since this was a threshold tax and had no effect on the mines as the prices were already depressed. Now,we will lose out on revenue because of this silly move by the finance minister. Is there anything else that was done to prevent the closure of mines?
No banks went bankrupt for the simple reason that there is very little credit in this country. So, when the west was defaulting on its payment, this was not possible in Zambia. Nigeria is the only one which was faced with one and for reasons totally unrelated to the crisis.
Thank Your Excellency, I have full confidence in you.
Good speech and let us all be optimistic than pessimistic for the coming year.
Good speech indeed, especially is behind every word there is clear commitment.
May God bless the Nation, and may God grant us a happy and prosperous New Year.
We thank you Mr President for the economic growth and the wonderful speech full of hope for mother Zambia. Lets all put 2010 before our Lord and indeed it shall be fruitful. GOD bless Zambia, all Zambians and RB.
Congratulations on your achievements and Godspeed for the remaining hurdles the country faces. There have been many achievements indeed but there is need for empowering local government so that they can manage local problems efficiently. There is the BIG picture and national government is doing well there, but the local environment is slow to respond. I suggest that Schools, hospitals and the Police be locally managed through councils and counsellors that the common man can reach easily. Democracy at the local government level needs to be enhanced. Each party must have a local government agenda to sell to the people. Perhaps local government elections must be held more frequently (like half term of parliament). School administration must be accountable to the parents through stronger PTAs and scool governorships. Similarly, hospitals must be tailored to local needs. The police chiefs maust be accountable to the area they police and police chiefs must be honorary members of councils. Party politics must be subservient to civic institutions. The management of our environment, through garbage collection, water and sewerage etc. still leaves much to be desired. Local governments must be empowered to impose sanctions on pollutants and environmental sabortage.
It’s a well written speech but I don’t trust RB.The damage he has caused himself and the nation through questionable decisions is beyond repair.The anti corruption framework is okay but implementation and politicl will is lacking.It seems our presido is full of juicy words that he does not mean. Can’t wait for 2010 to end so that we usher in the new dawn in 2011.