...as stakeholders welcome reshuffle

A CROSS-SECTION of organisations and individuals have welcomed the changes President Edgar Lungu has made to his Cabinet saying they will help improve the economy and delivery of public services.

And the Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI) has celebrated the firing of Moses Mawere from the Ministry of Youth and Sports saying the ministry had crumbled under his watch with Zambian youths left destitute.

President Edgar Lungu dropped Mr Mawere and transferred a number of ministers from one ministry to another, changes that have widely been welcomed by a cross-section of individuals and organisations.

The Zambia National Students Union (ZANASU) described the transfer of Professor Luo from the Ministry of Higher Education as “the departure of the oppressor”.

Soon after word went round that Prof Luo had been transferred, UNZA students gathered at the Monk Square to celebrate her departure.

ZANASU president Misheck Kakonde said the student population was excited with the departure of Prof Luo and urged her successor Brian Mushimba to immediately re-open the Copperbelt University (CBU).

“We are elated because the oppressor has been removed. We welcome Dr Mushimba’s appointment because he is one of us. He was at UNZA and he understands the challenges students go through and we expect that as he opens his new office, he will also open the CBU,” Mr Kakonde said.

Former United Party for National Development (UPND) vice president Canisius Banda said the changes would inspire confidence in the economy.

Dr Banda said the charges would shore up the economy and confidence in the business markets. He said the President should do more in reforming his Cabinet till he got the right mix which, through competence, diligence and loyalty, would deliver in accordance with the expectations of the people.

Dr Banda said the changes showed that President Lungu was concerned about his flock, the people, and the economy.

“By this action, it can be argued that the republican President is actually saving some of his ministers from more open public beatings as was the case in Kabwata,” he said

Dr Banda said the changes also reflected the diagnosed complacency which had begun to creep into Cabinet.

YALI president Andrew Ntewewe said the reshuffles would remove the ‘personal-to-holder’ mentality among Cabinet ministers towards their offices.

“When ministers stay long in one position, inertia, laxity, a business-as-usual mentality and no sense of urgency kick in. Some start thinking that their offices are personal-to-holder yet they are required to deliver according to the expectations of the people of Zambia,” Mr Ntewewe said.

“The Ministry of Sports was the worst performing and seeing Emmanuel Mulenga being appointed gives as confidence that this emerging leader will deliver. As far as we are concerned, the young people were as good as having no ministry under Moses Mawere,” Mr Ntewewe said.

Former minister of Finance Katele Kalumba said the reshuffles were inevitable as President Lungu needed a team that will help him to win the 2021 general elections.

Dr Kalumba said President Lungu had seen that some Cabinet ministers were underperforming.