New president for Zambia

Saturday, 24 September 2011 02:00

MICHAEL Chilufya Sata being sworn in From Takunda Maodza in LUSAKA, Zambia MICHAEL Chilufya Sata was yesterday sworn in as the fifth Zambian President at a colourful ceremony attended by  thousands of his supporters and foreign dignitaries. He defeated Movement for Multiparty Democracy candidate and then President Rupiah Banda and eight other presidential aspirants in tripartite elections held on Tuesday. The swearing in ceremony at the High Court of Zambia, was witnessed by foreign dignitaries including Vice President Joice Mujuru who was leading a Zimbabwean delegation comprising State Security Minister Sydney Sekeramayi and Minister of State for Presidential Affairs Didymus Mutasa. VP Mujuru said in an interview that the coming in of a new leadership in Zambia would not change relations between Zimbabwe and its northern neighbour. "One thing people must realise is that Zimbabweans and Zambians are one people. If you want to think about how our independence was achieved, we got it through the assistance of Zambia," she said. "In the region, Zambia is one of us. There is no difference. We came here to fulfill that we are one and we should work as one people." It was all joy for President Sata and his Patriotic Front supporters who lined the streets in the morning sloganeering and horning their vehicles. They chanted "Let's Go Sata, Let's Go Sata" while others had banners inscribed "Rupiah Banda for sale". Some of the supporters carried makeshift coffins bearing the name of Mr Banda signifying an end to his three-year rule. President Sata took his oath of office in the afternoon before that country's Chief Justice Enerst Sakala. In his maiden speech, he called for peace and urged all Zambians regardless of political affiliations to join him "in rebuilding the nation". ·         "We will heal this nation and reconcile all of us. We must not allow violence to separate us. We are brothers and sisters," he said. President Sata hailed other presidential contenders for giving him "a good fight". Zambia, he said, was facing huge problems manifested by high unemployment, which he blamed on alleged poor governance by his predecessor. "Seventy percent of our people live in poverty, a clear testimony of bad governance," President Sata said. To address the challenges facing Zambia, he promised to reduce the size of Government and to cut on State expenditure. "We have to restructure things and some of them might take longer," he said. He promised developmental programmes within 90 days. "We have to go back to the drawing board and come up with solutions," the veteran politician said. President Sata promised to deal with corruption. "This culture should never be entertained at any level," he said, amid whistling and ululation from his supporters. President Sata pledged to work with existing and new foreign investors in turning around the economy. He, however, warned investors already operating in Zambia to abide by the law. The elections were marred by violence though foreign observers including the European Union have endorsed them as held in accordance to international standards. President Sata thanked his predecessor for allowing a peaceful transition. The former president was among delegates that witnessed the swearing in ceremony. Mr Banda conceded defeat and called for unity among Zambians. "Yes, we may have different ideas but we both want the same thing, a better Zambia. Now is not the time for violence and retribution. Now is the time to unite and build tomorrow's Zambia together. So, I congratulate Michael Sata on his victory. I wish him well in his years as president. I pray his policies will bear fruit." Mr Banda shook hands with President Sata as he handed over power and the huge crowd went ecstatic. Zambia's founding President Dr Kenneth Kaunda, Seretse Khama Ian Khama of Botswana and various other senior Government officials from Sadc also graced the occasion.