AUSTRALIAN VISIT SEES PRESIDENT BANDA IN MATERO

The state visit of Australia's Governor General Quentin Bryce has seen President Banda visit one of Lusaka City's Patriotic Front's strong hold Matero Township. The Church, in this report by the Times of Zambia of March 23, 2009 welcomed the gesture:

"THE Church has commended President Rupiah Banda for being closer to the grassroots as the move is a clear testimony that the Government is serious about the empowerment policy. Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) general secretary, Suzanne Matale, said yesterday that credible leadership was identified through its interaction with the grassroots, which was usually down-trodden.

Reverend Matale said this when President Banda, First Lady Thandiwe and the Governor-General of Australia, Quentin Bryce, attended a church service at the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AMEC) in Matero Township. Others who attended the service were Vice-President, George Kunda, Information and Broadcasting Services Minister, Ronnie Shikapwasha and Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources Minister, Catherine Namugala.

Rev Matale said Mr Banda could have decided to attend a church service in the plush areas of Lusaka, but owing to his commitment to empowering the grassroots, he preferred Matero, regarded as a place for the common people.

“We are delighted that you came to worship with us here. This is where we worship, we are delighted that you by-passed Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Trinity Church, Cathedral of the Child Jesus and so when we talk about empowerment, this is what we are talking about. A leader who goes down to the people using a potholed road, with your visit this church will not be the same. We will now be empowered,” Rev Matale said.

She said the attendance of the church service by Mr Banda was an indication that the residents of Matero were special in the eyes of the president. She also said that the global economic meltdown has had adverse effects on the citizens, particularly the residents of Matero. Additionally, she said, the majority of people were living in abject poverty, suffered from the effects of HIV/AIDS, while cholera was a perennial outbreak.

And Ms Bryce said that she was honoured by the reception accorded to her by the church and said Zambia should use her visit to reflect on the friendship existing between the two countries.

“This is a very special day and I bring to you greetings from Australia. This visit should enable us reflect on the friendship and respect between Zambia and Australia,” Ms Bryce said.

In welcoming the president, a youth member of the AMEC, Modesta Daka, said that the Government was focused in as far as addressing the plight of the youth was concerned. This, she said, could be evidenced in President Banda’s assurances made during the Youth Day commemorations. She said it was encouraging that the Government had worked hard to ensure that the majority of the youth were in schools.

“Matero is a cosmopolitan area where people of different backgrounds, political affiliation, religious beliefs live together in unity. This is a true manifestation of the motto One Zambia, One Nation,” Ms Daka said.