#v: the twelfth abomination
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❛ don’t come any closer! ❜ for the Doctor
(@knownconsortofthedoctor sent a meme!) - (always accepting!)
The Doctor chuckles, amused at the half-hearted threat. He tilts his head, eyes narrowing as they consider her familiar visage and wonder if she can see the same within him. The weapon aimed squarely at his chest suggests that she does not.
Amusement dances in his eyes, but there's something darker within- an inky blackness writhing in solitude and he thinks that perhaps the darkness is what keeps her recognition at bay. His telepathic signature has long since been doused in petrol, set ablaze and hardened from the pressurized ash of its own remains.
He is not the same man who basked in the sunset to the song of the Towers.
He is otherwise.
A bastardized anomaly born through his own self loathing and pity, a fracture, a branch-off, a would-be-nothing that decided to become one hell of a something after all.
"Or you'll what…?" He poses, an eyebrow lifting. "Even if you manage to bypass the temporal and spatial regulation you've still no idea how I've managed to incorporate the biometrics into the system. You're going to kill us both if you don't engage the coolant coils and while I would absolutely LOVE to see what sort've face I'll have next, I'm not quite so enraptured by the idea as to find out TODAY!" His voice is loud and firm, but it's quite evident by the twinkle in his eyes and the elated part of his lips that he might just want to find out about that new face today regardless.
#knownconsortofthedoctor#OC!12th Doctor Muse#v: the twelfth abomination#[[ Run Me Like A River ]]#[[ hi hello! i hope this is alright! ]]
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Insult in Style: 25 of the best Shakespearean insults
Welcome, dear readers, to a world of Shakespearean insults. Words were wielded like swords and insults danced upon the stage. In the realm of William Shakespeare, insults were not mere slights, but masterpieces of linguistic artistry. From the depths of tragedy to the heights of comedy, Shakespeare’s plays abound with clever, biting, and unforgettable insults. In this article, we embark on a journey through some of the Bard’s most famous works, exploring the realm of Shakespearean insults and uncovering the wit and creativity that made them legendary.
Thou art a saucy, rampallian, whoreson caterpillar!” – Henry IV, Part 1
“Thou leathern-jerkin, crystal-button, knot-pated, agatering, puke-stocking!” – Henry IV, Part 2
“Thou art a sheep-biting, shiny-breeched varlet!” – Henry IV, Part 2
“Thou art a fusty nut with no kernel!” – Troilus and Cressida
“Thou art a most notable coward, an infinite and endless liar, an hourly promise breaker, the owner of no one good quality.” – All’s Well That Ends Well
“Thy tongue outvenoms all the worms of Nile.” – Cymbeline
“Thou art as loathsome as a toad.” – Titus Andronicus
“Thou art a boil, a plague sore.” – King Lear
“Thou art a base, proud, shallow, beggarly, three-suited, hundred-pound, filthy worsted-stocking knave.” – King Lear
“Thou art a fishmonger, a knave, a coward, one that drinks the liquor of villainy.” – Hamlet
“Thou art a flesh-monger, a fool and a coward.” – Measure for Measure
“Thou lump of foul deformity!” – Richard III
“I do desire that we may be better strangers.” – As You Like It
“Out of my sight! Thou dost infect my eyes.” – Richard III
“Thou art as loathsome as a toad.” – Titus Andronicus
“Thou art a base, proud, shallow, beggarly, three-suited, hundred-pound, filthy worsted-stocking knave.” – King Lear
“Thou art a boil, a plague sore.” – King Lear
“Thou art a natural coward without instinct.” – Henry IV, Part 1
“Thou damned and luxurious mountain goat!” – Henry V
“Thou art a most notable coward, an infinite and endless liar, an hourly promise breaker, the owner of no one good quality.” – All’s Well That Ends Well
“Thou art a villainous abominable misleader of youth.” – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
“Thou art a tedious fool, and a knave of a woman.” – Twelfth Night
“Thou art a very ragged Wart.” – Henry IV, Part 2
“Thou poisonous bunch-backed toad!” – Richard III
“Thou art a flesh-monger, a fool, and a coward.” – Troilus and Cressida
As we bid farewell to the world of Shakespearean insults, we are left in awe of the language that continues to captivate audiences even centuries later. From the searing insults hurled between star-crossed lovers to the cutting remarks flung in moments of political intrigue, Shakespeare’s words have left an indelible mark on the realm of verbal warfare. So, the next time you find yourself in need of a clever retort or a playful jab, perhaps you can draw inspiration from the Bard himself. But remember, let these words be spoken in the spirit of jest and admiration for the artistry of language, for in the end, it is the power of words that truly makes Shakespeare’s insults immortal.
Psst! Did you like those and wish to use them? Fear not, dear reader, because we can print whichever quote you desire on your product of choice. You can do stickers, mugs, notebooks, T-shirts, and much more. Email us at ([email protected]) and don’t miss this opportunity!
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Movie Diary 2020
Sadly like most everyone I couldn’t really go to the cinema but I did watch 127 movies (no rewatches) because there was nothing else to do. (I watched Birds of Prey 5 times even though that’s not part of the list).
1 Dolemite Is My Name
2 Knives Out
3 Togo
4 The Farewell
5 Joker
6 The Irishman
7 Marriage Story
8 The Two Popes
9 Honeyland
10 1917
11 Bombshell
12 Pain & Glory
13 Harriet
14 Judy
15 Toy Story 4
16 A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood
17 Ford v Ferrari
18 Jojo Rabbit
19 Richard Jewell
20 For Sama
21 American Factory
22 The Edge of Democracy
23 The Lion King (2019)
24 Little Women
25 I Lost My Body
26 Klaus
27 Ad Astra
28 The Cave
29 Corpus Christi
30 Birds of Prey (And The Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)
31 The Witch: Part 1. Subversion
32 To All The Boys: P.S. I Still Love You
33 Ride Your Wave
34 Charlie’s Angels (2019)
35 Systemsprenger
36 Zombieland: Double Tap
37 Nezha
38 Portrait of a Lady on Fire
39 The Invisible Man
40 Emma.
41 The Gentlemen
42 Onward
43 Woman at War
44 White Snake
45 National Theatre Live: Jane Eyre
46 Serial (Bad) Weddings 2
47 Go Back to China
48 National Theatre Live: Treasure Island
49 Bad Boys
50 Heroic Losers
51 National Theatre Live: Twelfth Night
52 Bad Boys II
53 Extraction
54 National Theatre Live: Frankenstein
55 The Half of It
56 Dance With Me
57 Bad Boys for Life
58 National Theatre Live: Antony & Cleopatra
59 Waterboys
60 Swallow
61 Dark Waters
62 National Theatre Live: Barber Shop Chronicles
63 Scoob!
64 National Theatre Live: A Streetcar Named Desire
65 National Theatre Live: This House
66 And Then We Danced
67 My Love Story!!
68 The Cakemaker
69 The Wedding Banquet
70 National Theatre Live: The Madness of George III
71 House of Hummingbird
72 Tokyo Godfathers
73 National Theatre Love: Small Island
74 Venus
75 A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Love from Shakespeare’s Globe
76 Love is Strange
77 The Heiresses
78 National Theatre Love: A Midsummer Night’s Dream
79 National Theatre Love: Les Blancs
80 The Lovebirds
81 Hannah Gadsby: Douglas
82 The Old Guard
83 National Theatre Live: The Deep Blue Sea
84 Michael Che Matters
85 Palm Springs
86 Cats
87 Monkey King: Hero Is Back
88 Abominable
89 Lu Over The Wall
90 Hamilton
91 Jim Jefferies: Intolerant
92 #Alive
93 Lucky Grandma
94 An American Pickle
95 Irresistible
96 Network
97 Mulan
98 Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey
99 One Last Deal
100 Bill & Ted Face The Music
101 The Devil All The Time
102 Enola Holmes
103 Samurai Marathon
104 American Murders: The Family Next Door
105 Peninsula
106 Sputnik
107 Dark Victory
108 Noroi: The Curse
109 Blow The Man Down
110 Tumbbad
111 The Trial of the Chicago 7
112 Onibaba
113 Over the Moon
114 Fish Story
115 The New Mutants
116 On The Rocks
117 Rebecca
118 Greenland
119 Survive Style 5+
120 Happiest Season
121 Sound of Metal
122 Tenet
123 The Swordsman
124 First Cow
125 Jumanji: The Next Level
126 Arab Blues
127 The Croods: A New Age
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My Multiverse Ask Event! #4
KikiTheSapphireKitsune - Archive of Our Own - First, Second, Third
Megalovaniaintensifies - Archive of Our Own - Fourth
KikiTheSapphireKitsune - Archive of Our Own - Fifth, Sixth, Seventh
Megalovaniaintensifies - Archive of Our Own - Eighth
KikiTheSapphireKitsune - Archive of Our Own - Ninth
Megalovaniaintensifies - Archive of Our Own - Tenth, Eleventh
KikiTheSapphireKitsune - Archive of Our Own - Twelfth, Thirteenth, Fourteenth
Megalovaniaintensifies - Archive of Our Own - Fifteenth, Sixteenth
KikiTheSapphireKitsune - Archive of Our Own - Seventeenth, Eighteenth
Megalovaniaintensifies - Archive of Our Own - Nineteenth
KikiTheSapphireKitsune - Archive of Our Own - Twentieth, Twenty-First
Megalovaniaintensifies - Archive of Our Own - Twenty-Second, Twenty-Third, Twenty-Fourth, Twenty-Fifth
KikiTheSapphireKitsune - Archive of Our Own - Twenty-Sixth, Twenty-Seventh, Twenty-Eighth, Twenty-Ninth, Thirtieth
Megalovaniaintensifies - Archive of Our Own - Thirty-First, Thirty-Second, Thirty-Third
KikiTheSapphireKitsune - Archive of Our Own - Thirty-Fourth, Thirty-Fifth
Glorious_Smut - Archive of Our Own - Thirty-Sixth
KikiTheSapphireKitsune - Archive of Our Own - Thirty-Seventh, Thirty-Eighth, Thirty-Ninth
Error managed to get into the Creator Realm, he brought the gang with him and they were looking for Maxie and her friends. Though that implied the creators wouldn’t find them first, which they did.
“Hello, hello, hello!” Maxie said, wrapping her arms around Error as he glitched and screamed.
“LET ME GO!” He screamed, and Maxie let him go with a pout.
“So, as Kiki said, we will be inhibiting your quest! Trials and tribulations to test how much you have actually grown to see if you actually deserve to know. Also we’re bored and want to mess with you.” Maxie said, and Error facepalmed.
“So, what do you want us to do?” Nightmare said, growling.
“Please Nightmare, nowadays your bark is worse than your bite. Anyway, we have a few obstacle courses, some logic puzzles, some PTSD triggers.” Maxie said, smiling evilly.
“What…?” Cross said, and Maxie raised an eyebrow.
“What?” Maxie said, and Cross facepalmed.
“Oh, no no no, I have only written a story about forest rangers. I would never torture Error. I am usually the one hissing in the comments to punish anyone who does hurt Error, I wish the hissing thing was a joke. Nightmare would kill me if I hurt Error, right? Getting killed by my second favorite Sans for hurting my first favorite Sans is not on my list pal.”
“Well, it seems we have a good noodle. Truly a rare find.” Error said, and Cross snickered.
“One, I’m flattered that you like me. Second, I’m glad you fear me.” Nightmare said, looking around for the voice.
“You won’t see them, from here on out, you’re in a little playground my friends and I made. Good luck.” Maxie said, snicking.
“Oh dear, guys, watch out the voices are planning to get the askers to mess with your search. They wanna draw this out so take any hints we give with a grain of salt. I'd start by looking at what Error is ẁ̵̡̼e̷̪̿à̸̩r̴̜͗i̸̛̦̗n̶͕̄ǵ̶̲, not many Sans with both a j̷͕͕̈́͂a̸̹̓ċ̵̲k̵̳͈̓̆ȇ̵̟̎ṭ̶̯̈́ ̵̨̺͋a̵̜͝n̵̠͋d̸͙͝ ̷͖̇͊s̵̢̟̑c̷̦̜̐͠a̸̦̘͗̎r̶̪̣͛f̵̰̄̾.”
“I think you guys are being censored. And I think we know who.” Error said, glaring at Maxie as she whistled.
“So any other possible relationships in the making? come on my gloomy boys feed me gossip!”
“None over on our end. Though Swap!fell has a crush on Blue, and Red is territorial. We’re waiting for the brawl.” Killer said, chuckling at the thought.
“sanses and the one or two AU papyruses when you try to stop the human at the judgment hall why not stop at the soul room to get near god power”
“Doesn’t matter. They would still beat us. We would have six, and the human has beat the photoshop abomination.” Sans said, and the others nodded. They had come over for a quick hang out.
“Ok my little Horror, aka my third fav, how good a cook are you? Like we talkin Gordon Ramsey of skeletons or what? Also are you aware you are a cute little bean?”
“I love Gordan Ramsey! He’s awesome! He has no qualms about yelling at people for their awful crimes against food. And I am aware, trust me, I know how to use it.” Horror said, winking.
“May I hug all the dark sanses or would that cross a line? You all deserve all the love the megaverse can give you. I know what it feels like to be trapped, alone, and hurt in so many ways, I know what it is like to feel out of option and angry. You don't deserve that, despite everything you are all wonderful.”
“I’d love a hug!” Cross said and felt the hug, though no presence was seen.
“Can I have a hug?” Horror asked and was given a hug.
“I’m good.” Killer said, and everyone else nodded.
“Oh guys there are so many people who have written lyrics for your song megalovania. They can be quite good. I have only ever played the pacifist route myself and can't bring myself to watch an actual playthrough cause I can't watch my beloved monster friends get killed, but it is a catchy song. Have you guys seen any of them yet? Also I think you will like this fan song a lot https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtCBLvAw4ZY&t=71s”
“What the fuck?” Killer said, nearly everyone had the same reaction.
“I liked it.” Cross said, humming the tune.
“papyrus how does your special attack work like if the annoying dog didn't take it”
“It’s just a blaster. Though it would be much friendlier than Sans’.” Papyrus said with a shrug.
“Can I also hug Blueberry? He is my fourth favorite.”
“Absolutely! I love hugs!” Blue said and felt the hug as he smiled.
“You voices are weird.” Stretch said, lighting another cigarette.
“No more. That’s your third, I’ll burn the pack if you smoke another.” Blue said and Stretch groaned.
“flowey if you really think its fun watching human kill everyone why do you beg for mercy if you act like you dont care ps if u wanna murder human kill toriel first.”
“I don’t beg! I was just scared at first and knew I couldn’t break the script! And in case you didn’t hear, I have literally done everything.” Flowey said, rolling his eyes.
“to annoying dog sorry to papyrus in advance please follow papyrus all day while playing dogsong and steal all his bones ps im glad ink didn't murder you”
The annoying dog yipped, he was glad he wasn’t murdered too. He kicked his stumpy legs and wagged his tail as he flew off to Papyrus, who had a feeling of foreboding and anxiety.
“YOU STUPID CANINE!” Papyrus declared as he tried to run while missing his femur. The dog smiled as the song echoed through the Underground and the dog smiled an innocent smile.
“So here is a question to the Sans personality types, why do you lie to your brother about their food? You're not helping them, it would be far kinder to be honest and help them learn to be better. Someday they are likely to meet someone who will not let them down gently and will hurt them.”
“Implying we can. They either run out the door before we can talk or we have to try talking over them.” Sans said.
“Impossible in many AUs, plus, it’s actually good half the time.” Outer said, and Red nodded, glaring at Swapfell as he was ogling Blue from a distance.
“Dream, what is it like being with your brother again? How is your guys brotherly bond affected by well everything that happened?”
“It’s awesome. We have fun and prank some unsuspecting Sanses every now and then. As people seem to forget for the longest time, we were mistaken for fey. And we didn’t help those accusations.” Dream said, “Though we never hurt anyone. Just harmless things like a pie going missing or flowers vanishing into thin air.” Dream snickered, he was back in the Doodlesphere by this point and reviewing paperwork.
“Boys how do you feel about Uncle Dreamy?”
“Don’t.” Killer said.
“No.” Cross said, eyes blank as he shook his head, everyone else was silent as they shook their heads and cringed.
“frisk how is murdering everyone one fun after all i dont think you enjoy getting repeatedly killed plus since you reset so many times you know everything that happens underground besides there are more things to murder in surface ps you didnt answer if you got to the surface on genocide”
“I like to see the dust fall, them scream in pain, and beg for mercy. It’s cute. And yes, I can murder more things on the surface, but they don’t turn to dust or give the, for lack of a better term, high I need. And I don’t get to the surface, only if I spare everyone do I get there. And before you ask, in neutral runs I’m in a limbo state, have to RESET to leave.” Frisk said, smiling as their eyes glowed red.
“frisk what about napstablook or mad dummy you can't kill either”
“I can kill Glad Dummy, and Napstablook is worthless. I don’t wanna waste my time on them.” Frisk spat, growling as they left the ruins, stepping over Toirel’s dust.
“You know what is cute? all the baby bones art of you guys. Awww why is every baby sans just so huggable? Ok ok but really baby Error! just picture a tiny baby Error and tell me that shit is not cute.”
“They’re very cute.” Nightmare said.
“But they didn’t show us any.” Killer said and Nightmare froze.
“Oh.” Error said, and Nightmare turned into a puddle out of shame.
“And payback time, Nightmare, any stories about Dream?”
Springing back to life Nightmare donned a wicked and demonic grin. “Dream didn’t know what a bed was until he was 100. And it took three people to pry him off of it.” Nightmare said.
“That’s actually sad. How long did you sleep in a tree?” Cross asked and Nightmare whistled.
“Our whole lives before the apple incident. Up until then we only slept in a bed seven times each.” Nightmare said, and Cross gave him a teary hug.
“dust how come your a bad guy you were forced to kill everyone your not a bad person if someones a bad person its the human and chara”
“First of all, Chara is only a problem because of Frisk, so they aren’t as guilty as you think. Though they are not innocent. And no one wanted to befriend a killer, sure they like Red, but it’s the culture. And Ink played his cards right so I couldn’t make things worse for him, there’s a reason he didn’t stop Nightmare from helping me.” Dust said, “Same goes for everyone else.” He finished and everyone nodded.
“Hold on a sec, contacts? How do contacts work with eyelights? I don't understand...”
“Magic.” Error said, and Maxie snickered.
“So, let’s begin the challenges!” She said and they were separated and thrown into a version of Snowdin.
“Where are we?!” they cried out, looking around but Maxie laughed.
“Welcome to your first challenge! Can you handle the Star Sanses all by yourself? Only one of you has to win for all of you to proceed, and the battles will be scaled so you are evenly matched.” Maxie’s voice echoed through the area, but she was not seen.
“Maxie. What are you doing?” Jana asked, accompanied by Beatrice.
“Having a bit of fun. What are you doing?” Maxie said, smiling innocently.
“Are you seriously messing with them?” Jana said, shaking her head in disapproval.
“You didn’t raise any concern when Jack, Zack, and I were talking about our plan. So why are you looking at me like that?” Maxie said, and the two sighed.
“Because we want to help. But only to an extent.” Jana said, and Maxie was intrigued.
“To what extent I may ask?” Maxie wondered, smiling.
“If you trigger their PTSD or do anything relating to Ink, we’re out and we will tell them who Error was.” Beatrice said, and Maxie shrugged.
“Sure. It’s a deal.” She said, holding out her hand as Beatrice shook it.
“We’re still going to Jack’s for pizza right?” Maxie asked, changing the subject.
“Hell ya. I’m bringing garlic knots.” Beatrice said and Maxie's eyes lit up.
“Garlic knots!” She held her hands up in joy.
“Blue most of us saw that Christmas party webcomic already. We know you spiked the eggnog. Why do you always pretend to be so innocent? not that I have much room to talk on that front...”
“I have long admitted to spiking the eggnog at that party. And I haven’t spiked anything since. No one seems to believe me!” Blue said, grumbling as his eyes turned to small broken hearts as tears filled his eyes.
“Sure.” Stretch said, and Blue glared, some glitches popping up.
“to sci and alphys is it possible to turn flowey back into asriel.”
“Without 7 human souls, I don’t think we can. We’ve looked into it, just to see if it was possible. He may be ok with staying as Flowey, with the exception of the pacifist run, but others in his situation aren’t. So we looked at his code to see if it was hypothetically possible, and it isn’t.” Sci said, sipping coffee.
“Yeah, h-honestly, I was h-hoping that we could. I-I regret i-it so much. I-I wanted to see i-if I could help others. B-but this is i-irreversible.” Alphys said, ringing her hands.
“It broke Toriel and Asgore’s hearts. Though, they would respect Flowey’s wishes if he didn’t want to, he is still a person whose opinions should be listened to. Even if he is a jackass.” Sci said and Alphys nodded.
“sanses how do you guys stop genocide routes from starting since you said there were very few”
“We don’t. They just stop, and then they start up again. Like wet and dry seasons, only more sporadic.” Classic said.
“Some worlds, like mine, don’t have as many, the way the world works kinda discourages it.” Red said, and Swapfell nodded.
“frisk what was the strangest interaction you have had with someone in the underground”
“Gaster. He is so mysterious and strange. I wonder what his deal was, but I never can find out. I’ve met his followers and such, but I’ve never heard him speak, and I’m assuming the person I saw was Gaster!” Frisk said, they were somewhere in Snowdin forest, marking down words on their arm.
☝☜❄ 💧✌☠💧 ❄⚐ ❄✌☹😐 ✌👌⚐🕆❄ 💣🕆☹❄✋✞☜☼💧☜.
❄☟☼☜✌❄☜☠ 🏱✌🏱✡☼🕆💧.
“so what has been the most dangerous mission the dark sanses have been sent on”
“There was HorrorLustFell.” Nightmare said, “Unaware of what was going to happen, I had Cross deal with it.”
He was waiting for Maxie to start up her game, and he hoped his boys were doing well.
“HorrorLustFell.” Cross said, “I took a month-and-a-half break after that to recover.” Cross said, raiding Grillby’s and the shops for armor, supplies, and food.
Everyone gave similar responses.
“Who all is helping with the search? everyone or just the gang?”
“Just us. Everyone knows what we’re doing and they’re willing to help if we need it.” Error said, shrugging as he made himself a swing and began to swing.
“Okay here is one for the classic undertale gang, since they know about the resets and multiverse now. thoughts on this video? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8hGMFQPBDw”
“Sans, do you want to talk?” Papyrus asked, and Sans was gone.
“I knew he had problems, but if someone can deduce that? Wow.” Toriel said, holding her hand over her mouth.
“We have several therapists available.” Outer said, “The hard part is getting him to see one. And I know I’m a hypocrite.” Outer said, shrugging.
“You are correct, space Sans.” Papyrus said, “I just wish he could talk about it.” Papyrus said.
“I mostly wanna see what paps has to say about his brother hiding his mental health problems.”
“I knew he had issues, but I want him to talk to me, I know it’s hard to talk about your mental health problems, but it’s been five years. Though he has suffered far worse than any of us, if the Dark Sanses are anything.” Papyrus said.
“I’m going to stall Frisk, Toriel, you need to get out of here. Frisk will be getting here soon.” Papyrus said and everyone dashed out of the house.
“Have the sans ever had to have an intervention for any of the other sans, like Blueberries alcohol problem?”
“I have no problem first of all. And secondly, we have had to have interventions.” Blue said, “Black had a drug addiction a while back, and we are trying to get Papy to stop or reduce his smoking habits.” Blue said and Stretch sighed.
“At least I’m working on it.” Stretch said, and Blue nodded.
“oh i'm just teasing him, cause I love him.”
“Thank you!” Blue said, smiling.
“frisk has there ever been a timeline in which the annoying dog didn't take the legendary artifact and if it wasn't taken what does the artifact do”
“I have never gotten the artifact.” Frisk said, Papyrus and Sans coming into view.
“to error how much exp did ink get you?”
“Quite a bit. The number escapes me, but it was in the hundreds.” Error said, swinging.
“flowey at the end of the pacifist timeline you decide to give up the souls and break barrier once the barrier was broken you could have easily murdered more humans and get to be a goat again so why kill a few for their souls?”
“Timelines never last that long, and when I turn back, it leaves an impact on me that makes it hard to be a jerk for a while. Residual effects of being that whiny crybaby.” Flowey said, “And it wouldn’t change anything.” Flowey said, wilting a bit.
“Fresh, tell me about your furby collection? I miss mine. I had 3, they always said they were hungry last at night when I was falling asleep... it was kinda creepy.”
“I have a version of every Furby ever made. 3 is pathetic yo. Though they are demanding and creepy sometimes, I’ll give ya that brah.” Fresh said, looking around as snow fell around him.
“What are you guys doing to find Error's origin anyway?”
“We were going to ask the creators what they knew, since none of Killer, Dust, or Horror’s code could help us and Error’s code is a mess on account of him being a glitch, then we’d go from there, asking questions and making guesses based on what we knew.” Nightmare said, “For all we know Error could be from one of the many neutral timelines, and that wouldn’t pin anything down at all.” Nightmare said.
“Blue, how do you hide your glitches? That seems like a very hard thing to explain to people you don't want knowing about the multiverse.”
“Dream made a small illusion charm with Sci and Alt’s help that makes me look normal. It’s also pretty!” Blue said as he held up a golden charm in the shape of a blueberry, it was attached to a gold chain that was hidden by his battle body.
“Have the rest of the Sans seen Error in his glasses? I need to see them all squirm at how cute he is!”
“Only Blue and Classic have seen him in his glasses. Other than us of course.” Killer said, “I helped make the frames, and the way his eyes lit up when he could clearly see for the first time, it was the best feeling in the world. I remember taking care of Pap, it felt like that.” Killer said, and he smiled at the memory.
“How does Dream feel about being an uncle now? Is he a FUN Uncle?”
“I’m not really considered an uncle per say, but I do try to be fun. And it is fun to say that I am technically the Dark Sanses’ uncle, they have the funniest reactions.” Dream said, laughing.
“Error am I embarrassing you too much?”
“Yes.” Error said, still swinging.
(Tumblr, I need asks from you guys too.)
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#undertale#fanfic#my multiverse#ask event#error sans#nightmare sans#killer sans#horror Sans#dustsans#cross sans#fresh sans#underfell sans#underswap sans#flowey#frisk#toriel#papyrus#outer#sans#underswap papyrus#science sans#alphys
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The best of Katherine of Aragon
A surviving anecdote corroborates a truly popular reception: along the way to London Catalina was offered a glass of English beer. She gamely tasted it, made the appropriate courteous remark, but then turning to a retainer, she pronounced her true verdict: “This is the sponge of ice and vinegar given Our Lord.”
- Peggy K. Liss, Isabel the Queen: Life and Times
That which I venture to supplicate your highness is, that, whatever be the dispositions that your highness shall see entertained on this affair, you will not so act as that it may arrive at effect; for I thus figured it to myself, that it must be that your highess entertains this business in order to terminate my marriage; because with this bait I believe that, as to that which concerns me, things will be done better than the past,‘when some one comes who knows how to arrange and disinvolve them as I have written to your highness. And now I will not cease to return to it here, to supplicate your highness that he who shall have to come here may have the authority and rank that I have said, because he has more to do than highness thinks, or I could tell you. For those of this kingdom are as dilatory as any in the world in negotiating; in it (this kingdom) are needed more particulars than in any other, especially since necessity is doubled by all being in the state that it is, as he who shall come will see.
- Katherine to her father, Greenwich, July 18, 1507, in Letters of royal and illustrious ladies of Great Britain, from the commencement of the twelfth century to the close of the reign of Queen Mary, vol.1, Mary Anne Everett Green, p.150
It occasioned him great perplexity, he said, to have to remain undecided while he was waiting the answer of your Highness. On this account he begged me to write to your Highness, requesting you to make haste. For that, whatever the answer might prove, he wished to have it, in order that he might know what to do. But I should be afraid of him if the answer were not to accord with his wishes, for he has partly declared to me his intention. I bait him with this (the marriage with Doña Juana), as I have written to your Highness, and his words and professions have changed for the better, although his acts remain the same. I also believe that Doctor De Puebla is the cause why they humble themselves so much to me, as well on account of the King (fn. 3) as to keep me contented. For they fancy that I have no more in me than what appears outwardly, and that I shall not be able to fathom his designs, or to acquaint your Highness with the truth as respects what is requisite for your interests, but that I shall content myself with his promises as though I had not made experience of them. I dissimulate with him, however, and praise all that he does. I even tell him that I am very well treated by the King, and that I am very well contented ; and I say everything that I think may be useful for me with the King, because, in fact, De Puebla is the adviser of the King, and I would not dare to say anything to him, except what I should wish the King to know. On former occasions I tried the contrary course with him, but it was injurious to me, nor was it of any use in obtaining a remedy for me. For, whatever I said to him, he did nothing but justify the King, and say that no new matters should be stirred up. I therefore considered that the better plan was to dissimulate with him, and to take no notice of his being ambassador, since he does none of the things which belong to such an office ; especially now his illness has laid him so completely aside that he would be of no use even though he were to desire it. He is nearer to the other world than to this. Whenever I speak to him, he does nothing else but beg me to write and assure your Highness that he is performing wonders. I tell him to have no anxiety, for I always take upon myself the office of writing to your Highness the truth respecting what he does.
- Katherine to her father, October 4, 1507, in cipher, (x)
„Sir,” quoth she, “I beseech you for all the loves that hath been between us, and for the love of God, let me have justice and right, take of me some pity and compassion, for I am a poor woman and a stranger born out of your dominion, I have here no assured friend, and much less indifferent counsel; I flee to you as to the head of justice within this realm. Alas! Sir, wherein have I offended you, or what occasion of displeasure? Have I designed against your will and pleasure; intending (as I perceive) to put me from you? I take God and all the world to witness, that I have been to you a true humble and obedient wife, ever conformable to your will and pleasure, that never said or did any thing to the contrary thereof, being always well pleased and contented with all things wherein you had any delight or dalliance, whether it were in little or much, I never grudged in word or countenance, or showed a visage or spark of discontentation. I loved all those whom ye loved only for your sake, whether I had cause or no; and whether they were my friends or my enemies. This twenty years I have been your true wife or more, and by me ye have had divers children, although it hath pleased God to call them out of this world, which hath been no default in me.”
- Katherine's speech at Blackfriars, June 21, 1529, in The Life of Cardinal Wolsey, George Cavendish, pp.265-266
The Queen replied that he himself, without the help of doctors, knew perfectly well that the principal cause alleged for the divorce did not really exist, "cart yl l'avoit trouvé pucelle," as he himself had owned upon more than one occasion. "As to your almoner's opinion in this matter," she continued, "I care not a straw; he is not my judge in the present case; it is for the Pope, not for him, to decide. Respecting those of other doctors, whether Parisian or from other universities, you know very well that the principal and best lawyers in England have written in my favour. Indeed, if you give me permission to procure counsel's opinion in this matter I do not hesitate to say that for each doctor or lawyer who might decide in your favour and against me, I shall find 1,000 to declare that the marriage is good and indissoluble."
- Eustace Chapuys to Charles V, London, December 6, 1529, (x)
To all these dreadful temptations or adjurations the Queen replied openly and courageously, that as she knew assuredly she was the King's true wife, she would never call herself otherwise than Queen, or answer to any other name, to any person in the world ; and that this course must not be attributed to arrogance or vainglory, for she would be much more proud to be called the daughter of her father and mother than to be the greatest queen in the world, if she could not conscientiously use the title. As to the unjust sentence of the archbishop of Canterbury, the intrigues to purchase the opinions of the universities, the form of this clandestine and accursed marriage, she declared the whole mystery at full length. As to the King not taking her back, she had perfect confidence that He who in a moment converted St. Paul, and turned him from a persecutor into a preacher, would inspire the King's conscience, and not permit such a virtuous prince long to continue in error, to the slander of Christendom and ecclesiastical authority. As to the division of the kingdom, and the confusion of the succession, those only were to blame who had persuaded this new marriage, because the King had already lawful succession acknowledged by the whole kingdom ; and from such an abominable marriage there could only arise a perverse offspring, which would throw all into confusion that allowed it to reign. As to the publication of which they spoke, she would very much desire that not only all the kingdom but all the world knew that she would not consent to things so unjust, or to be treated otherwise than as Queen.
- Eustace Chapuys to Charles V, London, July 11, 1533, (x)
#perioddramaedit#the spanish princess#tsp#historyedit#katherine of aragon#katharine of aragon#catherine of aragon#women in history
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Making the Draenei Language - Part 2
Part 1 | Part 3
First off, thanks to all the people who’ve expressed interest in this project! It makes me super happy that people think what I’m doing is interesting :D
Anyway, last time I went through and got a basic idea of the structure of the language, this time we’re diving into WHAT 👏 THAT👏 MOUTH👏 DO (and also spelling)
... and by that I of course mean phonetics (the study of the sounds produced in speech), phonology (the study of which sounds differentiate meaning) and phonotactics (how sounds are put together).
Phonetics and Phonology
Before we can even consider choosing some sounds for the language lets take a moment to consider those TEEF!
Taking my main boy Aegagrus (drawn by the wonderful @rurukatt, definitely didn’t put this in here cuz I still love this pic) as a model for my headcanon of Draenei teeth, we can see how those might get in the way of some sounds... but just like, specifically [f] and [v] (sounds in square brackets represent sounds not the letters, to hear what they sound like go here!) Both of those sounds involve making the same shape with your mouth - touching your bottom lip to your top teeth, but when you got some real long or pointy teeth, that might be a little bit hard to do! (or an accident waiting to happen if they’re sharp enough)
There’s only a small problem with this though, we have some canon words that use these sounds e.g “Pheta vi acahaci” - Light give me strength. I’m gonna explain this away by saying that we’re dealing with an approximate transcription using the Latin alphabet and English spelling conventions, which definitely wasn't designed to write down languages outside of well.. ideally Latin. I mean there’s a reason why English spelling is the way it is and one of those reasons comes down to using an alphabet too small for the number of sounds in the language.
Tangent aside, this means those two sounds are probably something like [ɸ] (again click here to hear these) for f and [β~ʋ] for v. These are sounds similar to [f] and [v] but they don’t involve teeth touching lips, check, and they’re probably what human transcribers misheard as [f] and [v].
Going through the other transcriptions in the data and making some guesses as to what they could be, we end up with something like this:
and huh that seems familiar... wait a second!
Yeah that’s just Hebrew without voiced fricatives, affricates or the sound [j] (the ‘y’ sound in English), and a bonus rhotic. I mean that’s probably to be expected as Draenei are heavily coded to be Jewish (a good post on that), so it makes sense that the sounds are also similar. It’s a shame to have such quote-unquote normal sounds (the th sound [θ] in ”thin” and “ether” is only in 4% of the worlds languages!) but that’s what you get when English devs make a game for a western audience, you get... ~~the fantasy accent~~ a.k.a discount slavic/germanic accents.
By the way [r] is the ‘trilled’ or ‘rolled’ r and [ɾ] is a ‘tapped’ r like in Spanish "por favor”.
Also, as another side note, this sound [ʔ] - the glottal stop is present in English too but you probably don’t recognise that it’s there. It’s the ‘-’ break in between “uh-oh”, and its also present in some dialects of American and British English where the [t] in words like “bottle” (bo’el) and “water” (wa’er) are replaced with the glottal stop.
Anyway, onto vowels! And yet again we come back to the problems of English spellings. English has approximately... too many vowels. In my dialect of Australian Standard English there’s up to 20 different vowel sounds depending on how you count. I mean all things considered we've done pretty well with the 5 vowel symbols we've got but good luck trying to accurately represent all this:
(not to mention the diphthongs) with just a e i o u. Most languages only have ~5 vowels so that’s about what I’m looking for. Taking into consideration all the English wackiness in spelling, we end up with what I think are 7 vowels (the pronunciation examples are definitely not gonna be spot on due to regional differences, learn the IPA its good):
[i] - meat, me, three, e-mail
[ʊ] - (short though) good, should, wood
[ʊ:] - (same as above but long)
[e] - bed, head, red
[ɔ~o] - (somewhere between the vowels in) bought, bot (those of you with the cot-caught merger are having real fun now)
[ɐ] - (this one is really only in Australian English) but, strut, bud
[ɐ:] - (same as above but long) bard, palm, start, hard
The two vowels with long forms are the interesting ones. All throughout the canon text we see ‘aa’ and ‘uu’ popping up again and again in things like “Maraad”, “Sayaad”, “Enkaat”, “Vaard”, “Tuurem” and “Krokuun”. Now this could just be stylistic choices made by the dev team to make the language seem more ~exotic~ but I think that it is definitely a case of phonemic vowel length. That’s where distinctions in words are made by elongating a vowel - something Latin had. But it’s not to be confused with what English calls ‘long vowels’, which are really the leftovers from actual vowel length after everyone in 1500 decided to pronounce every vowel just... completely different for some reason. The Great Vowel Shift is an interesting read). Anyway, it makes these double letters make sense, and is way more interesting than random double vowels. It’s also interesting that it’s not perfectly symmetric either, not all the vowels have this distinction, which is cool and perfectly natural for languages to do!
What is weird is that [ɔ~o] doesn’t have this feature, because in our vowel system, it’s almost directly in the middle of our two long/short vowels so it would probably assimilate and end up doing the same thing! So, going off that I’m going to simulate the beginning of language evolution, where the [ɔ~o] sounds is in the process of diverging into [o:] (oar, caught, thought) when it’s followed by ‘r, t, d, k or g’ and [ɔ] (lot, pot) everywhere else.
So, now we have the sounds for our language, how are they used? (dw hardcore conlanging people, I’ve worked out the rest of the allomorphy rules for the consonants but this post is already loooong)
Phonotactics
Phonotactics is largely about how syllables are formed and what sounds are allowed where. In an effort to try and not make the language *too* similar to English I want these rules to differ from English. Luckily, that’d really easy to do because yet again, English is a statistically weird language!
Syllables are divided into 3 parts - The onset, The nucleus and the Coda. For simplicities sake this corresponds to the consonants before the vowel, the vowel, and the consonants after the vowel. English lets wayyyyy too many consonants on either side ending up with abominations like “strengths” having 3 sounds before the nucleus and 3 after, or crimes against god like “twelfths” with 4 sounds after the coda.
Draenei on the other hand seems to be at most (C)(L)V(C). The brackets mean a sound is optional, C’s being consonants, L being ‘liquids’ like [l] and [r] (and [ʋ]) and V of course being vowels. Now going through the data (plus some creative input) we end up with some rules as to what can go where...
but we’ll leave the details of that for the final documentation and head onto...
Spelling! Everyone’s favourite...
There have been countless forum posts about how to pronounce ‘Draenei’ and even between developers at different panels there doesn't seem to be a consensus. This is probably due to the inconsistent spellings used throughout the lexicon so far - draenei and auchenai rhyme (I think) but they’re spelt with different endings!
With the language I have a few main goals
- Make it match as closely as reasonable with canon and common interpretations
- Have the spelling be consistent (same letters should always produce the same sound)
- In line with the first one, keep as much of the spelling the same as possible
- Make it as alien as possible within reason (sadly phonetics and phonology will not be the place to do that)
So coming to a word like “Draenei”, I have to break at least one thingon that list. Personally I want it to be pronounced [drɐ.naɪ] (druh-nai). So, to be consistent with the sounds from before it should be spelt ‘Dranai’ but that definitely won’t do, or I could keep the spelling and pronounce it literally [drɐ.e.ne.i] (druh-eh-ne-ey to give a rough guide for that), which is... equally bad.
The compromise I'm going with is keeping the spelling of Draenei but making the [aɪ] (ai) sound spelt ‘ei’ across the language. Meaning is gonna be Auchenei. Well, not really because there’s still a bunch of other spellings that need standardising.
the ‘ch’ in “Auchenei” is pronounced with a [k], so is the ‘c’ in “Dioniss aca”. Going through and standardising things like ‘ph’ -> ‘f’, ‘ch’ -> ‘k’ or ‘sh’ depending and rewriting vowels to match the phonology we end up with something that preserves most of the identity and look of the language but just makes more sense! Aukenei would then be the spelling I’m using in the lexicon, probably with a little note for the canon spelling.
So, from now on I'm going to be using the reformed spelling TM, which hopefully will mean anyone attempting to speak this language will have an easier time getting what I'm envisioning, cuz everything is now consistant.
That about does it for this post. Yet again if you made it all the way to the bottom, congratulations! Hopefully the next posts will be a bit more interesting (I’m so fucking pumped for how the culture will impact the grammar and vocabulary holy shit) but I gotta get this one out of the way.
Next time, we’ll be doing word-building - the morphology of the language, Thanks for reading!
#draenei#wow#World of Warcraft#lorecraft#headcanon#theorycrafting#language#conlang#linguistics#draenei language#not art
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President Lungu’s address to Parley 2020 in full
ADDRESS By HIS EXCELLENCY MR. EDGAR CHAGWA LUNGU PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA On The PROGRESS MADE IN THE APPLICATION OF THE NATIONAL VALUES AND PRINCIPLES Delivered TO THE FOURTH SESSION OF THE TWELFTH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY On FRIDAY, 6TH MARCH 2020
INTRODUCTION
SPEAKER,
BEFORE I PROCEED WITH MY ADDRESS, LET ME TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO REQUEST THE HONOURABLE MEMBERS TO STAND AND JOIN ME IN OBSERVING A MINUTE OF SILENCE IN HONOUR OF THE LATE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR CHILUBI CONSTITUENCY, HONOURABLE ROSARIO CHAILUNGA FUNDANGA, WHO PASSED AWAY ON 20TH NOVEMBER, 2019 AS WELL AS OUR PEOPLE WHO LOST THEIR LIVES AT THE HANDS OF MOBS FOLLOWING GASSING INCIDENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
(MINUTE OF SILENCE)
MAY THE SOUL OF THE DEPARTED MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT AND OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS REST IN ETERNAL PEACE!
MEMBERS OF THIS AUGUST HOUSE, THE PEOPLE OF CHILUBI AND THE NATION AT LARGE WILL FONDLY REMEMBER THE LATE HONOURABLE FUNDANGA FOR HER INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO THIS HOUSE, HER CONSTITUENCY AND THE NATION AT LARGE. MAY HER SOUL REST IN ETERNAL PEACE.
SPEAKER,
FOLLOWING THE PASSING ON OF HONOURABLE FUNDANGA, THE PEOPLE OF CHILUBI ELECTED A NEW MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT ON 13TH FEBRUARY 2020. LET ME, THEREFORE, WELCOME HONOURABLE MULENGA FUBE, MP. TO THE HOUSE.
I CONGRATULATE YOU ON YOUR ELECTION. IN THE SAME VEIN, I COMMEND ALL THOSE WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE CHILUBI BY-ELECTION FOR EXERCISING THEIR DEMOCRATIC RIGHT AND ENHANCING OUR GROWING DEMOCRACY.
SPEAKER,
IT IS MORE THAN THREE MONTHS AGO SINCE ZAMBIA WOKE UP TO A HORRIBLE REALITY THAT THE COUNTRY WAS UNDER ATTACK FROM UNKNOWN PEOPLE WHO NOT JUST INFLICTED PHYSICAL HARM BUT ALSO APPLIED PSYCHOLOGICAL WARFARE ON OUR PEOPLE.
THE LAUNCHPAD WAS CHINGOLA BUT SINCE THEN MANY PARTS OF ZAMBIA HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS INHUMAN PHENOMENON OF GAS ATTACKS ON OUR PEOPLE, OFTEN CULMINATING IN LOSS OF LIVES AT THE HANDS OF MOBS, ACTING IN THE NAME OF ‘COMMUNITY JUSTICE’. THESE COORDINATED GAS ATTACKS HAVE TRIGGERED IRRATIONAL MOB ATTACKS ON SUSPECTS, VANDALISM OF PUBLIC PROPERTY, DEATH OF INNOCENT LIVES AND CONSTANT FEAR AMONG OUR PEOPLE IN MANY COMMUNITIES.
MR SPEAKER,
WE HAVE WITNESSED MERCILESS KILLINGS OF INNOCENT PEOPLE IN NOT ONLY CHINGOLA BUT ALSO IN OTHER PARTS OF OUR MOTHERLAND. WE HAVE EQUALLY WITNESSED MERCILESS REACTIONS FROM CITIZENS AFTER THESE KILLINGS. WE HAVE WITNESSED SPRAYING OF CHEMICALS ON FAMILIES, SCHOOL CHILDREN, AND THE PUBLIC IN GENERAL.
WE HAVE WITNESSED REPULSIVE REACTIONS BY CITIZENS, INCLUDING STONING AND BURNING OF SUSPECTS. WE HAVE SEEN HORRIFYING PICTURES ON SOCIAL MEDIA. WE HAVE ALSO WITNESSED MASS HYSTERIA; PEOPLE REACTING VIOLENTLY TO RUMOURS OF ATTACKS; FAILING TO SLEEP FOR FEAR OF THE WORST.
MR SPEAKER,
WE HAVE LOST IN EXCESS OF 50 LIVES OF PEOPLE MURDERED BY VARIOUS MOBS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. ABOUT 24 PEOPLE HAVE SURVIVED, EITHER SAVED BY SECURITY PEOPLE OR GOOD SAMARITANS, LIKE TRADITIONAL OR RELIGIOUS LEADERS.
REGRETABLY, IN SOME CASES, MY GOVERNMENT IS AWARE THAT SOME TRADITIONAL LEADERS AND CHURCH LEADERS HAVE EITHER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY FUELED AND INSTIGATED THESE MOB ATTACKS.
MR SPEAKER,
AS IF THAT IS NOT ENOUGH, IN THE ENSUING CONFUSION, POLICE HAVE SHOT PEOPLE. SOME OF THOSE WHO HAVE DIED IN THE MOST UNFORTUNATE CIRCUMSTANCES INCLUDE, SCHOOLBOYS, FRANK MUGALA AGED ONLY 14; AND SYDNEY MOONGA, AGED 17.
THE DEATHS OF THESE TWO BOYS AND OTHER CITIZENS ARE INCOMPREHENSIBLY REGRETTABLE, AND MY HEART GOES OUT TO THE BEREAVED FAMILIES. THIS IS WHAT THE ENEMY ACHIEVED IN THEIR EFFORT TO DISTABILISE OUR PEACEFUL NATION.
MR SPEAKER,
TWENTY-SIX (26) SUSPECTS HAVE SO FAR BEEN ARRESTED AND INVESTIGATIONS ARE STILL GOING ON; WHILE THE SECURITY SITUATION HAS GENERALLY IMPROVED.
IT HAS BEEN OBSERVED HOWEVER THAT, THE ENEMY HAS SHIFTED FOCUS TO THE RURAL AREAS WHERE FALSE INFORMATION IS NOW BEING GIVEN TO THE PUBLIC WITH A VIEW TO INCITING CITIZENS TO RISE AND CAUSE PUBLIC DISORDER.
LET ME THANK THE HEADMEN, HEADWOMEN, RELIGIOUS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS, CIVIL SERVANTS AND INDIVIDUAL CITIZENS WHO HAVE PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE IN RESCUING VICTIMS THAT HAVE ALMOST BEEN LYNCHED BY MOBS. YOUR SAMARITAN GESTURE OF CITIZEN PATRIOTISM AND GOOD NEIGHBOURLINESS IS HIGHLY COMMENDABLE.
IN THE SAME VEIN, LET ME STRONGLY WARN THOSE HEADMEN AND WOMEN, RELIGIOUS, CIVIC AND ALL COMMUNITY LEADERS ENCOURAGING MOB JUSTICE THAT THE LAW WILL SOON CATCH UP WITH YOU. THE STATE SHALL CATCH UP WITH THE ENEMIES OF THE STATE AND ISOLATE THEM FROM THE ZAMBIAN POPULATION.
MR SPEAKER,
AT THIS JUNCTURE, I WISH TO THANK THE MEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM FOR THEIR GALLANT EFFORTS TO RESTORE ORDER AND PEACE. THEIR WORK IS NOT OVER. NEITHER IS OURS. AS COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE DEFENCE FORCES AND HEAD OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT, I WANT TO PROMISE ZAMBIANS THAT THE ENEMIES OF OUR PEOPLE WILL BE CRUSHED AND BURIED.
TO THIS EFFECT, I AM SERIOULY CONSIDERING CONSTITUTING A COMMISSION OF INQUIRY TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THESE GASSING AND MOB ATTACKS, AND BE REST ASURED THAT ALL THE CULPRITS WILL BE BROUGHT TO BOOK REGARDLESS OF THEIR STANDING IN SOCIETY.
THE ENEMY WILL SURELY BE DEFEATED, WITHOUT ANY DOUBT, AND LIFE WILL RETURN TO NORMAL FOR OUR PEOPLE SOONER THAN LATER.
SPEAKER,
THE PEOPLE OF THIS GREAT NATION, ZAMBIA HAVE, THROUGH THE CONSTITUTION, MANDATED THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC TO ADDRESS THIS AUGUST HOUSE AT LEAST TWICE IN A SESSION OF PARLIAMENT. THE FIRST MANDATORY ADDRESS BEING THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF PARLIAMENT IN SEPTEMBER AND THE SECOND BEING THIS MARCH ADDRESS, ON THE NATIONAL VALUES AND PRINCIPLES, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE 9, SUB-ARTICLE (2) OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA.
TODAY, THEREFORE, I AM HERE TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE AND THE NATION AT LARGE ON THE PROGRESS THE COUNTRY HAS MADE IN THE APPLICATION OF NATIONAL VALUES AND PRINCIPLES WHICH SHOULD DEFINE WHO WE ARE AS A PEOPLE.
SPEAKER,
THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME I AM ADDRESSING PARLIAMENT AND THE NATION ON THE PROGRESS MADE IN THE APPLICATION OF OUR NATIONAL VALUES AND PRINCIPLES. AS I UNDERTAKE THIS CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY, IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT INCULCATING NATIONAL VALUES AND PRINCIPLES AND BUILDING A NATION’S CHARACTER IS A LONG TERM UNDERTAKING, REQUIRING CONCERTED EFFORTS BY ALL STAKEHOLDERS.
MR SPEAKER,
THE COUNTRY HAS EQUALLY WITNESSED VIOLENCE DURING ELECTIONS. WE NEED TO MAKE A DELIBERATE EFFORT TO WORK WITH ONE ANOTHER FOR THE BENEFIT OF OUR MOTHERLAND. WE HAVE ONE CHOICE AND THAT ONLY CHOICE IS TO SUCCEED AS ONE NATION. BUT WE CAN ONLY SUCCEED IN TACKLING THE CHALLENGES WE FACE AS A NATION, IF WE ACCEPT TO SEE OURSELVES AS “ONE ZAMBIA, ONE NATION, AND ONE PEOPLE”. ELECTIONS SHOULD NOT DIVIDE US INTO PERPETUAL POLITICAL HOSTILITY AND WARRING CAMPS!
IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT WE CANNOT IMPROVE THE LIVES OF OUR PEOPLE THROUGH POLITICAL VIOLENCE. IT IS DISHEARTENING THAT WE CONTINUE EXPERIENCING VIOLENCE DURING ELECTIONS. IT IS AN ABOMINATION THAT WE SHOULD EVEN LOSE LIVES BECAUSE OF AN ELECTION. ONE ZAMBIAN LIFE LOST IS ONE LIFE TOO MANY.
LET ME SOUND A STERN WARNING THAT ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. I DIRECT ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO ARREST THE SITUATION ONCE AND FOR ALL. THERE SHOULD BE NO SACRED COWS IN ADMINISTERING JUSTICE. SIMILARLY, WE SHOULD HAVE NO SACRIFICIAL LAMBS! THE LAW SHOULD ALWAYS TAKE ITS FULL COURSE ON PERPETRATORS OF POLITICAL VIOLENCE OR MOB ATTACKS, REGARDLESS OF ONE’S POLITICAL AFFILIATION OR ANY OTHER CONSIDERATION. TRIBALISM AND HATE SPEECH HAS NO PLACE IN ZAMBIA. POLITICIANS, PLEASE STOP IT!
SPEAKER,
GOVERNMENT IS EQUALLY CONCERNED WITH THE ESCALATION OF NEGATIVE SENTIMENTS BASED ON NARROW SECTARIAN INTERESTS. OUR COUNTRY IS A NATION OF 73 ETHNIC GROUPINGS. WE ALL HAVE AN EQUAL STAKE IN THIS COUNTRY. THERE IS NO MERIT IN ANYONE TRYING TO DEMEAN OTHER CITIZENS BASED ON TRIBE, SO AS TO GAIN POLITICAL MILEAGE. THERE SHOULD BE AN IMMEDIATE STOP TO THIS NEGATIVE AND DIVISIVE TREND. TRIBALISM AND HATE SPEECH HAS NO PLACE IN ZAMBIA. POLITICIAN, PLEASE STOP IT!
MR SPEAKER,
LET ME NOW RESTATE TO THE HOUSE AND THE NATION, THE SET OF NATIONAL VALUES AND PRINCIPLES THAT WE HAVE EMBRACED FOR OURSELVES AS ENSHRINED IN ARTICLE 8 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA. THESE ARE:
(i) MORALITY AND ETHICS;
(ii) PATRIOTISM AND NATIONAL UNITY;
(iii) DEMOCRACY AND CONSTITUTIONALISM;
(iv) HUMAN DIGNITY, EQUITY, SOCIAL JUSTICE, EQUALITY AND NON-DISCRIMINATION;
(v) GOOD GOVERNANCE AND INTEGRITY; AND
(vi) SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT.
THESE VALUES AND PRINCIPLES INFLUENCE OUR ATTITUDE, BEHAVIOUR AND CONDUCT AS A PEOPLE. THEY ALSO CONTRIBUTE TO THE CONSCIENCE OF THE NATION AND PROVIDE A MORAL COMPASS IN THE FORMULATION OF POLICY AND RUNNING OF GOVERNMENT, BUSINESSES AND ONE’S PERSONAL LIFE. THE IMPORTANCE OF THESE NATIONAL VALUES AND PRINCIPLES CANNOT, THEREFORE, BE OVER-EMPHASISED.
SPEAKER,
I WILL NOW PROCEED TO HIGHLIGHT THE PROGRESS WE HAVE MADE AS A NATION ON THE APPLICATION OF EACH OF OUR NATIONAL VALUES AND PRINCIPLES.
MORALITY AND ETHICS
SPEAKER,
MORALITY AND ETHICS IS ABOUT WHAT WE AS A PEOPLE CONSIDER TO BE SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE AND DESIRABLE. THESE INCLUDE HOSPITALITY, GENEROSITY, AND RESPECT FOR ELDERS, THE ENVIRONMENT, HUMAN LIFE, AND PROPERTY.
LET ME THANK THE DISTINGUISHED COUNTRYMEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE LIVING TO DEFEND HARD WORK, GENEROSITY, INTEGRITY, RESPECT FOR HUMAN LIFE, ELDERS AND PUBLIC PROPERTY.
TO ALL ZAMBIANS WHO HAVE SAID NO TO MOB JUSTICE, CHEMICAL SPRAYING, AND DISREGARD FOR HUMAN LIFE; TO ALL ZAMBIANS WHO HAVE RESPECT FOR ELDERS, PROPERTY, AND THE ENVIRONMENT, I WANT TO SALUTE AND THANK YOU FOR UPHOLDING GOOD MORALS AND ETHICS.
I WOULD LIKE TO CALL UPON THE CHURCH, TRADITIONAL LEADERS, TEACHERS, PARENTS AND GUARDIANS TO FULLY TAKE UP THEIR GOD GIVEN ROLE OF POSITIVELY GUIDING AND MENTORING OUR CHILDREN AND YOUTH TO BECOME RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS WHO VALUE AND UPHOLD HARD WORK, HONESTY, RESPECT FOR HUMAN LIFE, RESPECT FOR ELDERS, RESPECT FOR PROPERTY AND RESPECT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT. THIS INVOLVES VALUING INTEGRITY, HARD WORK, LOYALTY AND HONESTY.
MR SPEAKER
THERE ARE, HOWEVER, VICES THAT ARE PREVALENT IN OUR COMMUNITIES SUCH AS CHILD MARRIAGE; GENDER BASED VIOLENCE (GBV); AS WELL AS ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE, WHICH DEGRADE OUR MORAL FIBRE. THESE VICES ARE DETRIMENTAL TO THE HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF OUR SOCIETY. WE MUST ALL PROACTIVELY GUARD AGAINST THEM.
SPEAKER,
ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE REMAINS A MATTER OF PUBLIC CONCERN. ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE IS A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO GENDER BASED VIOLENCE, PROMISCUITY AND THE SPREAD OF HIV AND AIDS. ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE ALSO CONTRIBUTES TO ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS, LOW PRODUCTIVITY, AND SOCIAL DISORDER.
DUE TO ABUSE OF ALCOHOL, WE ARE NOW SEEING MORE FAMILIES BREAKING UP AND A GENERAL DECLINE IN MORAL VALUES. AS A COUNTRY, WE MUST NOT ALLOW OURSELVES TO LOSE OUR MORAL COMPASS.
SPEAKER,
CONSEQUENTLY, MY GOVERNMENT WILL NOT RELENT IN SENSITISING THE PEOPLE ON THE DANGERS OF ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE. TO THIS EFFECT, WE SENSITISED 644,940 PEOPLE IN 2019 AS COMPARED TO 486,104 IN 2018 ON THE DANGERS OF ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE. THIS MILESTONE WAS ACHIEVED THROUGH PUBLIC AWARENESS PROGRAMMES CARRIED OUT IN INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING, WORKPLACES AND COMMUNITY-BASED STRUCTURES.
IN ADDITION, MY GOVERNMENT IS PROVIDING COUNSELLING AND REHABILITATION TO DRUG DEPENDENT PERSONS. IN 2019, GOVERNMENT SUPPORTED 797 CLIENTS COMPARED TO 757 IN 2018. FURTHER, 471 CASES INVOLVING LEARNERS IN INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING WERE HANDLED AS COMPARED TO 367 IN 2018.
I APPLAUD AUTHORITIES IN THOSE INSTITUTIONS THAT WERE ABLE TO IDENTIFY VULNERABLE LEARNERS AND FACILITATED COUNSELLING AND REHABILITATION. THE AUTHORITIES MUST GO FURTHER TO IDENTIFY THE ROOT CAUSES OF DELINQUENCY AMONG OUR LEARNERS BECAUSE, WE NEED A DRUG-FREE ENVIRONMENT IN OUR INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING.
I, THEREFORE, CALL UPON PARENTS, THE COMMUNITIES AND THE CHURCH TO TAKE KEEN INTEREST IN THE WELFARE OF OUR CHILDREN.
SPEAKER,
GOVERNMENT IS EQUALLY AWARE OF THE ABUSE OF DRUGS AMONG SPORTSMEN AND SPORTSWOMEN. THIS IS WHY GOVERNMENT HAS CONTINUED TO IMPLEMENT THE ‘ANTI-DOPING IN SPORT PROGRAMME’. IN 2019, GOVERNMENT SENSITISED 3,000 SPORTSMEN AND SPORTSWOMEN, COMPRISING 2,000 MALES AND 1,000 FEMALES.
MY GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO CONDUCT ANTI-DOPING TRAINING AND AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS. WE VALUE THE ROLE SPORT PLAYS IN BUILDING CHARACTER AND IMPARTING POSITIVE VALUES.
SPEAKER,
DEVELOPMENTS IN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY HAVE TRANSFORMED OUR SOCIETY. IT IS INTERESTING TO SEE HOW INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY HAS ENHANCED THE WAY WE ACQUIRE INFORMATION AND KNOWLEDGE, AS WELL AS HOW WE ARE ABLE TO REACH ALL CORNERS OF THE WORLD AT THE TOUCH OF A BUTTON. AS OF 30TH SEPTEMBER 2019, THE COUNTRY HAD AN ESTIMATED 9.1 MILLION ACTIVE INTERNET USERS, REPRESENTING AN INTERNET PENETRATION RATE OF 52.2 PERCENT. THIS IS ABOVE THE CONTINENTAL AVERAGE OF 35.9 PERCENT.
THE DIGITAL ERA HAS, POSITIVELY AND NEGATIVELY, IMPACTED MORALITY AND ETHICS IN WAYS WE COULD HARDLY HAVE IMAGINED A FEW YEARS AGO. THE DIGITAL ERA HAS RAPIDLY CHANGED THE WAY WE CONDUCT OUR BUSINESS, POLITICS, EDUCATION, CAREERS AND MUCH MORE.
OUR PEOPLE CAN EASILY ACCESS USEFUL INFORMATION THAT IS HELPFUL IN THEIR BUSINESSES, CAREERS OR EDUCATION. WHILE SOME OF OUR PEOPLE USE THIS TECHNOLOGY APPROPRIATELY, IT IS OF CONCERN TO MY GOVERNMENT THAT OTHERS USE IT TO VIOLATE HUMAN RIGHTS AND TO COMMIT CRIME.
FORMULATION OF STRINGENT LAWS AND ENFORCEMENT COULD DETER SOME OF OUR PEOPLE IN THE HABIT OF CIRCULATING INAPPROPROPRIATE MATERIALS. YET AGAIN, CULPRITS OF THESE INDISCRETIONS CANNOT BE BROUGHT TO BOOK IF THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY REGULATOR AND THE POLICE DO NOT COORDINATE TO TRACK THEM DOWN.
I AM HAPPY TO INFORM THE HOUSE THAT THE TWO ORGANS HAVE ARRESTED SOME CRIMINALS SO FAR AND SOME ARE UNDERGOING TRIAL IN COURT OF LAW. BUT THIS IS NOT ENOUGH, SOCIAL MEDIA ABUSE IS IN FACT GEETING WORSE BY THE DAY. HAVE WE NOT SEEN PICTURES OF ACCIDENT VICTIMS BEING SPLASHED ON SOCIAL MEDIA? HAVE WE NOT SEEN PICTURES OF HUMAN BEINGS BEING STONED AND BURNT, LATELY ON SOCIAL MEDIA? THE ABUSE OF SOCIAL MEDIA IS REAL AND THE BATTLE IS FAR FROM BEING WON.
IN 2019, SENSITISATION PROGRAMMES ON THE APPROPRIATE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA WERE CONDUCTED IN 70 SECONDARY SCHOOLS, COVERING 15 DISTRICTS IN WESTERN AND COPPERBELT PROVINCES. THESE PROGRAMMES TARGETED PUPILS, MEMBERS OF STAFF AND DISTRICT EDUCATION BOARDS. I AM HAPPY THAT OUR SCHOOLS ARE RESPONDING POSITIVELY TO THESE INTERVENTIONS.
IN ADDITION, TRAINING OF MORE ZAMBIA POLICE OFFICERS IN CYBER-CRIME DETECTION AND FORENSIC INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UNDERTAKEN.
I AM EQUALLY GRATIFIED THAT A NUMBER OF PRINT MEDIA, RADIO AND TELEVISION STATIONS ARE INCREASINGLY PROMOTING DISCUSSIONS ON THESE IMPORTANT SUBJECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA AND CYBER-CRIME. LET US INTROSPECT AND RETHINK HOW WE INTERACT WITH INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY PLATFORMS. LET US NOT ABUSE GREAT INVENTIONS CREATED TO IMPROVE OUR LIVES.
SPEAKER,
IN LINE WITH MY GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO THE UN CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD (CRC), THE SEVENTH NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND THE “NATIONAL STRATEGY ON ENDING CHILD MARRIAGE”, OUR VISION IS TO REDUCE CHILD MARRIAGE IN 2021 BY 40 PER CENT AND TO HAVE A ZAMBIA FREE FROM CHILD MARRIAGE BY 2030.
THE INCIDENCES OF CHILD MARRIAGES AND TEENAGE PREGNANCIES IN THE COUNTRY ARE OF GREAT CONCERN. IT IS MORALLY UNACCEPTABLE TO FORCE YOUNG GIRLS INTO EARLY MARRIAGES. THIS DENIES THEM THE RIGHT TO ENJOY THEIR CHILDHOOD, A HEALTHY LIFE AND AN UNINTERRUPTED EDUCATION. IT IS FOR THIS REASON, THAT WE ARE WORKING WITH TRADITIONAL LEADERS TO CURB THIS SCOURGE IN THEIR RESPECTIVE CHIEFDOMS. IN 2019, GOVERNMENT SENSITISED 146 TRADITIONAL LEADERS IN 14 DISTRICTS OF EASTERN, CENTRAL AND NORTH-WESTERN PROVINCES.
THE INITIATIVE OF WORKING WITH TRADITIONAL LEADERS IN ENDING CHILD MARRIAGES WON THE COUNTRY A GOLD AWARD FOR INNOVATIVE MANAGEMENT AT THE 2019 AFRICAN ASSOCIATION OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT ROUND TABLE CONFERENCE IN CAIRO, EGYPT. THIS ACCOLADE MUST INSPIRE US TO WORK HARD AND DO MORE IN ERADICATING CHILD MARRIAGES.
I WANT TO COMMEND OUR TRADITIONAL LEADERS WHO HAVE TAKEN IT UPON THEMSELVES TO WITHDRAW CHILDREN FROM MARRIAGES AND TAKEN THEM BACK TO SCHOOL. NOTABLE AMONG THEM ARE CHIEF MADZIMAWE, CHIEF MUMENA AND THE LATE CHIEF NYAMPHANDE THE FOURTH. WE WANT TO SEE MORE OF SUCH AFFIRMATIVE ACTION ACROSS OUR CHIEFDOMS. THIS IS A CLEAR DEMONSTRATION THAT ONCE OUR TRADITIONAL LEADERS, CIVIC AND RELIGIOUS LEADERS PARTNER WITH GOVERNMENT TO ADDRESS SOCIAL VICES, A LOT CAN BE ACHIEVED.
SPEAKER,
APART FROM CHILD MARRIAGE, OUR COMMUNITIES ARE GRAPPLING WITH THE PROBLEM OF TEENAGE PREGNANCY. TO THIS EFFECT, GOVERNMENT HAS CONTINUED IMPLEMENTING THE ADOLESCENT HEALTH STRATEGY. IN 2019, 1,967 HEALTH WORKERS AND 3,025 PEER EDUCATORS WERE TRAINED IN ADOLESCENT HEALTH. CURRENTLY, THE COUNTRY HAS 464 HEALTH FACILITIES OFFERING ADOLESCENT HEALTH SERVICES. THIS IS ALL IN A BID TO ENSURE THAT OUR TEENAGERS ARE WELL INFORMED ABOUT REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND THE DANGERS OF TEENAGE PREGNANCY.
A NUMBER OF STAKEHOLDERS ARE COMPLEMENTING GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS IN ADDRESSING TEENAGE PREGNANCY. GOVERNMENT IS, THEREFORE, APPRECIATIVE OF THE INITIATIVE TAKEN BY STAKEHOLDERS IN INTRODUCING A WEBSITE ON REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH EDUCATION AND SENSITISATION. THIS TOOL IS COMPLEMENTING THE TRADITIONAL OUTREACH PROGRAMMES TO RAISE AWARENESS AND PREVENT THE OCCURRENCE OF TEENAGE PREGNANCIES AMONG OUR CHILDREN.
MR SPEAKER,
THE INCREASING NUMBER OF CHILD DEFILEMENT CASES, REMAINS A GREAT CONCERN TO GOVERNMENT. OUR SENSITISATION PROGRAMMES AGAINST THIS VICE HAVE RESULTED IN AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF CASES BEING REPORTED AND DEALT WITH. A TOTAL OF 2,653 CASES OF DEFILEMENT COMPRISING 2,637 GIRLS AND 16 BOYS WERE REPORTED THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY IN 2019, WHILE 2,578 WERE REPORTED IN 2018 OF WHICH 2,574 WERE GIRLS AND 4 WERE BOYS.
WE NEED TO DO MORE TO ADDRESS THIS CHALLENGE. I, THEREFORE, IMPLORE OUR TRADITIONAL LEADERS, FAMILIES, THE CHURCH, CIVIL SOCIETY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO REDOUBLE EFFORTS IN PROTECTING OUR INNOCENT CHILDREN. FAMILIES MUST DESIST FROM THE TEMPTATION OF PROTECTING PERPETRATORS FROM FACING THE LAW.
MR SPEAKER,
GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE IS A SOCIAL CULTURAL MATTER THAT CONTINUES TO ERODE THE MORAL FIBRE OF OUR SOCIETY. IT IS SADDENING TO NOTE THAT THE NUMBER OF GENDER BASED VIOLENCE CASES REPORTED COUNTRYWIDE INCREASED FROM 22,073 IN 2018 TO 25,121 IN 2019. THE MAJORITY OF VICTIMS WERE WOMEN AND GIRLS, ACCOUNTING FOR 19,720 CASES. WHILE WE APPRECIATE THE EFFORTS BEING MADE TO REPORT THESE CASES, OUR COLLECTIVE EFFORT SHOULD ALSO BE ON REDUCING THE INCIDENCES OF GENDER BASED VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITIES. LET US INCULCATE GOOD MORALS IN OUR CHILDREN FROM A TENDER AGE. THIS WAY, THEY WILL GROW UP TO BE LOVING, CARING AND RESPECTFUL CITIZENS.
TO THIS END, MY GOVERNMENT IS TAKING A HOLISTIC APPROACH IN COMBATING THE VICE. THIS INCLUDES SENSITISATION OF THE PUBLIC, PROSECUTION OF PERPETRATORS AS WELL AS PROTECTION AND REHABILITATION OF VICTIMS.
TO FACILITATE THE PROTECTION, REHABILITATION AND LEGAL SUPPORT TO VICTIMS OF GENDER BASED VIOLENCE, 32 ONE-STOP CENTRES HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED IN SELECTED HOSPITALS IN ALL THE TEN PROVINCES.
WE HAVE ALSO CONTINUED TO ESTABLISH FAST TRACK COURTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. WE NOW HAVE 7 FAST TRACK COURTS, WITH ONE ADDITIONAL FAST TRACK COURT HAVING BEEN ESTABLISHED IN KITWE IN 2019. THESE COURTS ARE FACILITATING THE SPEEDY DISPOSAL OF GENDER BASED VIOLENCE CASES.
MR SPEAKER,
IN MY LAST ADDRESS ON NATIONAL VALUES AND PRINCIPLES, I INFORMED THIS AUGUST HOUSE THAT MY GOVERNMENT HAD PUT IN PLACE MEASURES TO BRING EXAMINATION MALPRACTICES TO AN END.
I AM GLAD TO REPORT THAT IN 2019 THE COUNTRY RECORDED MALPRACTICE-FREE EXAMINATIONS. I COMMEND THE TEACHERS, LEARNERS, PARENTS AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS FOR THIS ACHIEVEMENT. THIS IS AS IT SHOULD BE. WE CANNOT BUILD A PROGRESSIVE ZAMBIA IF THE FOUNDATION OF OUR CHILDREN IS BASED ON DECEIT AND FALSEHOOD.
PATRIOTISM AND NATIONAL UNITY
SPEAKER,
EVERY ZAMBIAN HAS A DUTY TO LOVE THIS COUNTRY, DEFEND ITS INTERESTS AND WORK FOR THE UNITY OF THE NATION REGARDLESS OF ONE’S RACE, TRIBE, RELIGION OR POLITICAL AFFILIATION. WE EQUALLY HAVE TO BUILD OUR UNITY AROUND THE MOTTO OF ONE ZAMBIA, ONE NATION. THIS IS THE HEARTBEAT IN FOSTERING POLITICAL STABILITY, NATIONAL UNITY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT.
ONE WAY OF SHOWING LOVE FOR OUR COUNTRY IS TO CARE FOR PUBLIC ASSETS SUCH AS ROAD SIGNS MOUNTED TO GUIDE ROAD USERS AND MINIMISE ACCIDENTS. LOVE FOR OUR COUNTRY INCLUDES OUR ANIMALS, WHICH ARE OUR NATIONAL HERITAGE. I BRING THIS ISSUE UP AS A RESULT OF THE RECENT KILLING OF 2 RHINOS BY AN OVERSPEEDING DRIVER. THAT ACTION WAS UNPATRIOTIC. I AM GLAD THAT THE CULPRIT WAS BROUGHT TO BOOK.
AS PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC, IN THE RECENT SPATE OF GASSING INCIDENTS, I FOUND IT VERY SHAMEFUL, UNACCEPTABLE AND REGRETABLE TO SEE OUR OWN PEOPLE VANDALISING POLICE STATIONS, SCHOOLS, MARKET PLACES, HOSPITALS AND OTHER PUBLIC INFRASTRATURE.
WHEN PEOPLE VANDALIZED THESE PUBLIC ASSETS RECENTLY, WE DID NOT ONLY UNDERMINE OUR OWN SECURITY AND DESTROYED OUR MUCH NEEDED INFRASTRURE, BUT WE ALSO DENOUNCED THE VALUES OF PATRIOTISM, GOOD CITIZENSHIP, COLLECTIVE SOVEREIGNTY AND NATIONAL UNITY.
I WANT TO REITARIATE THAT, WE MUST PROTECT PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE AGAINST VANDALISM. WE MUST TAKE PRIDE IN BRINGING BEAUTY TO OUR HOMES, WORKPLACES, AND PUBLIC PLACES AS PATRIOTIC ZAMBIANS. WE MUST GUARD MOTHER ZAMBIA, JEALOUSLY.
BEING PATRIOTIC MEANS ALWAYS BEING POSITIVE AND SPEAKING GOOD ABOUT ZAMBIA, BOTH AT HOME AND ABROAD. MY GOVERNMENT IS FULLY COMMITTED TO WORKING TOGETHER WITH ALL WELL MEANING PATRIOTIC ZAMBIANS TO MARKET AND ADVERTISE OUR BEAUTIFUL AND PEACEFUL COUNTRY.
SPEAKER,
I HAVE OBSERVED WITH CONCERN THAT SOME OF OUR LOCAL CONTRACTORS WHO ARE AWARDED CONTRACTS HAVE NOT DELIVERED TO THE EXPECTATION OF THEIR CLIENTS. I WANT TO SEE YOU BE MORE PATRIOTIC BY ENSURING THAT YOU DELIVER QUALITY WORKS ON TIME AND WITHIN COST. TO THE FOREIGN CONTRACTORS, I EQUALLY WANT TO SEE YOU DELIVER VALUE FOR MONEY. THIS IS ONE AREA OUR DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS COULD HELP US IN UPHOLDING AND APPLYING PATRIOTISM.
SPEAKER,
MY GOVERNMENT HAS CONTINUED TO IMPLEMENT THE BUY ZAMBIAN CAMPAIGN, AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF PATRIOTISM. TO PROMOTE OWNERSHIP AND SUSTAINABILITY OF THIS INITIATIVE, GOVERNMENT IS SUPPORTING THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO ENHANCE THE MARKET SHARE FOR ZAMBIAN PRODUCTS ON THE DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARKETS. TO THIS EFFECT, LOCAL PRODUCTS ARE CERTIFIED FOR MEETING QUALITY STANDARDS AND ARE CLEARLY LABELED WITH THE PROUDLY ZAMBIAN LOGO. THESE INCLUDE TRADE KINGS, CARLIFONIAN BEVERAGE, ZAMBEEF, ETC. AS AT 31ST DECEMBER 2019, 21 COMPANIES WERE REGISTERED TO USE THE PROUDLY ZAMBIAN CAMPAIGN LOGO.
THE PROUDLY ZAMBIA LOGO HELPS US TO EASILY IDENTIFY LOCAL PRODUCTS IN OUR SHOPS OR CHAIN STORES. WHEN WE SUPPORT THAT FARMER WHO GROWS ORANGES OR VEGETABLES IN CHIBOMBO, SHE WILL PLOUGH BACK THE PROFITS INTO GROWING MORE VEGETABLES AND ORANGES. THIS INEVITABLY ENCOURAGES HER TO EMPLOY MORE PEOPLE AND CREATE MORE JOB OPPORTUNITIES. THE MORE OF SUCH FARMERS WE HAVE, THE MORE WE ARE LIKELY TO ATTRACT OTHER PLAYERS IN THE VALUE CHAIN, ULTIMATELY, OUR ECONOMY WILL GROW.
SPEAKER,
THE PROUDLY ZAMBIAN CAMPAIGN IS BEING PROMOTED THROUGH SENSITISATION ACTIVITIES AT VARIOUS SHOWS AND FAIRS IN THE COUNTRY AND ABROAD, AS WELL AS ON RADIO, TELEVISION AND PRINT MEDIA. IT IS EXCITING TO WATCH ALL THOSE ADVERTS ON OUR NATIONAL TELEVISION THAT PROMOTE ZAMBIAN MANUFACTURED GOODS, WHICH OUR PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO RELATE TO AND ARE HAPPILY WILLING TO BUY THOSE PRODUCTS. THAT IS BUYING PROUDLY ZAMBIAN.
I URGE MORE OF OUR COMPANIES IN ZAMBIA TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS INITIATIVE AND REGISTER TO BE FLAG CARRIERS OF THE BUY ZAMBIAN CAMPAIGN. I ALSO URGE OUR PEOPLE TO SUPPORT GOVERNMENT AND ZAMBIAN BUSINESSES BY BUYING LOCAL PRODUCTS WHO’S QUALITY IS COMPARABLE TO IMPORTED PRODUCTS. FURTHER, ALL GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS ARE BEING ENCOURAGED TO CONSIDER BUYING LOCAL PRODUCTS. THIS WILL NOT ONLY PROMOTE THE GROWTH OF OUR LOCAL INDUSTRY BUT ALSO CONTRIBUTE TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTRY.
SPEAKER,
GIVING THE BEST OF OURSELVES IN THE SERVICE OF OTHERS IS YET ANOTHER WAY OF DEMONSTRATING PATRIOTISM. I AM, THEREFORE, ENCOURAGED BY WHAT I SEE HAPPENING IN SOME OF OUR INSTITUTIONS. FOR INSTANCE, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO LOCALISE SPECIALIST TREATMENT AND BUILD LOCAL CAPACITY, THANKS TO OUR DEDICATED TEAM OF MEDICAL PERSONNEL. AS A RESULT, WE HAVE SEEN GROUND-BREAKING SURGERIES IN KIDNEY TRANSPLANT, OPEN AND CLOSED HEART SURGERY AND SEPARATION OF SIAMESE TWINS BEING CONDUCTED BY OUR LOCAL MEDICAL PERSONNEL.
I ALSO SALUTE OUR CROP SCIENTISTS WHO ARE DEDICATING
THEIR TIME TO GIVE US CLIMATE RESILIENT SEED VARIETIES. THIS IS CONTRIBUTING TOWARDS HOUSEHOLD AND NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY. BEING PATRIOTIC MEANS PRESERVING OUR ENVIRONMENT AGAINST THE THREAT AND IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE. I CALL UPON EVERY ZAMBIAN TO JOIN ME IN A PATRIOTIC CRUSADE OF PLANTING TREES AS WELL AS ENGAGING IN CLEAN AND SMART ENERGY GENERATION SUCH AS SOLAR AS OPPOSED TO CUTTING TREES AND CHARCOAL BURNING.
SPEAKER,
AS CITIZENS, LET US CONTINUE DEVELOPING AND NURTURING A STRONG SENSE OF DEVOTION AND ATTACHMENT TO OUR COUNTRY. WE NEED TO DEVELOP A DEEP SENSE OF LOYALTY TO THE NATION AND ENDURING SUPPORT IN DEFENCE OF OUR COUNTRY WITHOUT EXPECTING ANY PAYBACK OR REWARD. LET EACH AND EVERY CITIZEN MAKE A CONSCIENCE DECISION TO PUT THE INTEREST OF THE NATION FIRST, BEFORE SELF. LET US PROMOTE HARD WORK, INNOVATION AND PATRIOTISM AMONG OURSELVES. IT IS UNFORTUNATE TO SEE SOME OF OUR OWN PEOPLE WHO WANT TO GO AGAINST ALL THIS GOOD VALUES.
DEMOCRACY AND CONSTITUTIONALISM
SPEAKER,
DEMOCRACY ALLOWS EVERYONE TO FREELY AND FAIRLY PARTICIPATE IN THE GOVERNANCE OF THE COUNTRY WITHOUT ANY FORM OF COERCION, INTIMIDATION OR DISCRIMINATION. THIS GOES HAND IN HAND WITH CONSTITUTIONALISM, WHICH IS ABOUT UPHOLDING THE RULE OF LAW BY BOTH GOVERNMENT AND THE GOVERNED.
IT IS IN THIS SPIRIT THAT MY ADMINISTRATION CONTINUES IMPLEMENTING LEGAL REFORMS AIMED AT ADDRESSING EMERGING ISSUES THAT HINGE ON DEMOCRACY AND THE RULE OF LAW.
THE EMERGING ISSUES INCLUDED THE LACUNAE SURROUNDING SOME OF THE FUNDAMENTAL PROVISIONS IN OUR CONSTITUTION, CONCERNS RAISED OVER THE PUBLIC ORDER ACT AND THE NEED TO STRENGTHEN THE ELECTORAL PROCESS. LEGAL REFORMS ARE BEING UNDERTAKEN FOLLOWING EXTENSIVE CONSULTATIONS, WITH A VIEW TO ENHANCING THE RULE OF LAW AND THE EFFECTIVE PARTICIPATION OF OUR PEOPLE IN THE RUNNING OF THE AFFAIRS OF THE NATION.
I AM GLAD TO REPORT THAT MY ADMINISTRATION HAS MADE SOME SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN FOSTERING LEGAL REFORMS IN ADDRESSING KNOWN LACUNAE. FOR EXAMPLE, I AM PLEASED TO REPORT THAT MANY PATRIOTIC ZAMBIANS AND STAKEHOLDERS HAVE TAKEN INTEREST IN READING AND ASSIMILATING THE PROPOSED PROVISIONS IN THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT BILL NUMBER 10.
MR SPEAKER,
IN BILL 10, OUR CHIEFS AND TRADITIONAL LEADERS HOPE TO REGAIN THEIR HERITAGE SECURITY AND SMOOTH SUCCESSION; POLITICAL PLAYERS WANT TO SEE AN EXTENSION TO THE PERIOD OF PRESIDENTIAL PETITION FROM 14 DAYS TO 30 DAYS; IN BILL 10, MANY ZAMBIANS WANT THE CHRISTIAN NATION IDENTITY TO BE SECURED AND PROTECTED; IN BILL 10, OUR WOMEN, YOUTH AND THE DIFFERENTLY ABLED WANT THEIR OWN REPRESENTATION IN PARLIAMENT; THE JUDICIARY WANT CLARITY OF HIERARCHY BETWEEN THE SUPREME COURT AND CONCOURT; IN BILL 10, OUR PEOPLE WANT ENHANCED SEPARATIONS OF POWERS; BANK OF ZAMBIA WANT TO SEE THEIR MANDATE HARMONIZED TO REGIONAL AND GLOBAL STANDARDS; AND IN BILL 10, ALL OF US WANT TO CLEAR AND BURY ALL LEGAL LACUNAE AND INCONSISTENCIES FOUND IN THE CURRENT CONSTITUTION.
THE HEALTH INSURANCE ACT NO. 2 OF 2018 HAS MADE IT MANDATORY FOR ALL ZAMBIANS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE SCHEME AND REDUCE THE COST OF SEEKING MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE PUBLIC FINANCE MANAGEMENT ACT NO. 1 OF 2018, HAS STREAMLINED THE MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC FINANCES, WITH MORE STRINGENT SANCTIONS AGAINST CULPRITS.
THE ABOVE ARE SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT SPEAK TO OUR NATIONAL VALUES AND PRINCIPLES OF DEMOCRACY AND CONSTITUTIONALISM. AS CITIZENS, IT IS MY OBLIGATION, YOUR OBLIGATION AND OUR OBLIGATION TO EFFECTIVELY, TOGETHER, PARTICIPATE IN LEGAL REFORMS TO ENHANCE OUR DEMOCRACY AND PROGRESSIVE CONSTITUTIONALISM. OUR LEGAL REFORM PROCESS BEGINS WITH THE SUPREME LAW OF THE LAND. OUR CONSTITUTION, AND ALL SUBSEQUENT LEGISLATION THAT GOVERNS OUR NATION.
MY GOVERNMENT REMAINS COMMITTED TO UPHOLDING AND FOSTERING THE KEY TENETS OF DEMOCRACY, INCLUDING FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS, FREE MEDIA, CITIZEN PARTICIPATION AND REPRESENTATION, MULTI-PARTY POLITICAL SYSTEM, CITIZEN EQUALITY, RULE OF LAW, SEPARATION OF POWERS, RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS, POLITICAL TRANSPARENCY AND LEADERSHIP ACCOUNTABILITY.
MR SPEAKER,
ONE OF THE THREATS TO OUR DEMOCRACY IS VOTER APATHY. A VOTER, WHO IS A CITIZEN OF THE COUNTRY, IS THE RUNNING FUEL AND ENGINE OF DEMOCRACY. WHEN WE DO NOT VOTE, DEMOCRACY SUFFERS. WHEN DEMOCRACY SUFFERS, GOOD GOVERNANCE SUFFERS. THE RECURRENCE OF VOTER APATHY IN GENERAL ELECTIONS AND SIGNIFICANTLY IN BY-ELECTIONS, REMAINS A CONCERN TO ALL OF US. FOR INSTANCE, IN 2019 ALL PARLIAMENTARY AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT BY-ELECTIONS, THE VOTER TURN OUT WAS LESS THAN 50%, AN INDICATION THAT MOST OF OUR CITIZENS DO NOT UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE THE IMPORTANCE OF OUR DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM.
IN THIS REGARD, I APPEAL TO LEARNING INSTITUTIONS, CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS, FAITH-BASED ORGANISATIONS AND NON-STATE ACTORS TO GET TO THE ROOT CAUSE OF VOTER APATHY IN THE COUNTRY AND DEVISE EFFECTIVE WAYS OF RE-ENERGISING THE SENSE OF CIVIC DUTY IN OUR PEOPLE. WE NEED TO NURTURE OUR DEMOCRACY.
FURTHER, I APPEAL TO THE MEDIA IN THE COUNTRY TO PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE IN REPORTING POSITIVELY INFORMATION ON THE IMPORTANCE OF VOTING AND DEMOCRATIC VALUES. THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA (ECZ) SHOULD ALSO DEVOTE MORE TIME AND RESOURCES TO SENSITISE AND CREATE PUBLIC AWARENESS AMONG OUR PEOPLE.
HUMAN DIGNITY, EQUITY, SOCIAL JUSTICE, EQUALITY AND NON-DISCRIMINATION
SPEAKER,
EVERY HUMAN BEING HAS AN INHERENT RIGHT TO LIFE AND HUMAN DIGNITY. WE, THEREFORE, NEED TO TREAT EVERYONE WITH LOVE AND RESPECT, REGARDLESS OF SOCIAL CLASS, RACE, GENDER, NATIONALITY, EDUCATION OR RELIGION. THIS IS WHY MY GOVERNMENT IS IMPROVING ACCESS TO ELECTRICITY, WATER AND SANITATION, AMONG OTHERS.
MY GOVERNMENT IS ALSO MAKING STEADY PROGRESS IN SUPPORTING OUR GIRL CHILD IN THE EDUCATION SECTOR. FOR EXAMPLE, MY GOVERNMENT KEEPS ON SCORING HIGH UNDER THE GIRLS EDUCATION, WOMEN EMPOWERMENT AND LIVELIHOODS (GEWEL) PROJECT WITH SUPPORT FROM THE WORLD BANK. WITH THE AIM OF INCREASING ACCESS TO THE LIVELIHOOD SUPPORT FOR WOMEN AND ACCESS TO SECONDARY SCHOOL EDUCATION FOR DISADVANTAGED GIRLS IN EXTREMELY POOR HOUSEHOLD, THE GEWEL PROJECT REACHED 16,082 BENEFICIARIES IN 2018 AND INCREASED TO 16,584 BENEFICIARIES IN 2019. SUCH ARE PRACTICAL GOVERNMENT PROGRAMMES AIMED AT FOSTERING HUMAN DIGNITY, SOCIAL JUSTICE, EQUALITY AND NON-DISCRIMINATION AMONG ZAMBIANS.
AS A PRO-POOR GOVERNMENT, WE ARE EQUALLY PAYING PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO THE MARGINALISED SECTIONS OF OUR SOCIETY. AS YOU MAY BE AWARE, THE SOCIAL CASH TRANSFER PROGRAM AIMED AT HELPING TO REDUCE POVERTY THROUGH TRANSFER OF MONEY TO PERSONS WHO MEET THE SPECIFIED CRITERIA OF VULNERABILITY STANDS OUT IN THIS CASE. BY COMPARISON, THE INDIVIDUAL AND HOUSEHOLD BENEFICIARIES OF THE SOCIAL CASH TRANSFER INITIATIVE IN 2018 WAS 574,663, WHILE IN 2019 INCREASED TO 632,327.
IN ALL THESE EFFORTS, MY GOVERNMENT IS WORKING WITH RELIGIOUS ORGANISATIONS, NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS, THE PRIVATE SECTOR, THE DONOR COMMUNITY AND OUR TRADITIONAL LEADERS TO PROMOTE AND IMPROVE THE DIGNITY AND LIVELIHOOD OF OUR PEOPLE.
SPEAKER,
TO IMPROVE THE DIGNITY OF OUR PEOPLE IN RURAL AREAS, WE HAVE MADE PROGRESS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE OPEN DEFECATION-FREE PROGRAMME. IN 2019, THE LUNDU CHIEFDOM IN MUCHINGA PROVINCE BECAME THE LATEST CHIEFDOM TO ATTAIN THE OPEN DEFECATION-FREE STATUS. THIS BRINGS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF OPEN DEFECATION-FREE STATUS CHIEFDOMS TO 53 OUT OF 288 CHIEFDOMS IN THE COUNTRY. IN ADDITION, 60 PERCENT OF THE TARGETED 7.8 MILLION PEOPLE IN 102 SELECTED RURAL DISTRICTS NOW HAVE ACCESS TO HAND WASHING FACILITIES.
FURTHERMORE, 152,808 SEWER CONNECTIONS WERE MADE TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SANITATION AND PROMOTE HYGIENE FOR CLOSE TO 1.3 MILLION PEOPLE IN URBAN AREAS.
SPEAKER,
TO MAKE GOOD ON SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EQUITY, MY GOVERNMENT IS INCREASING ACCESS TO ELECTRICITY IN RURAL AREAS. EIGHT GRID EXTENSIONS WERE COMPLETED IN 2019, RESULTING IN 408 INITIAL CONNECTIONS. RURAL HOUSEHOLDS ARE THE PRIMARY TARGET FOR CONNECTION TO THE ELECTRICITY GRID AND THIS IS DONE AT A SUBSIDISED FEE.
FURTHER, 16,662 HOUSEHOLDS OUT OF THE TARGETED 22,000 HOUSEHOLDS COUNTRYWIDE HAVE SO FAR BEEN CONNECTED TO ELECTRICITY UNDER THE ELECTRICITY SERVICE ACCESS PROJECT. IN ADDITION, WE ARE WORKING ON THREE MINI GRIDS AND 25 GRID EXTENSION PROJECTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT ARE AT VARIOUS STAGES OF CONSTRUCTION. THIS IS WORK IN PROGRESS AND WE ARE CERTAIN WE SHALL REACH OUR TARGET.
IN THE SAME VEIN, IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR, I PERSONALLY INITIATED AND CONSEQUENTLY COMMISSIONED THE 32.5 KILOWATTS SOLAR POWER STATION IN CHIEF CHIBWIKA’S AREA IN MWINILUNGA DISTRICT WITH THE AIM OF HELPING TO CHANGE AND IMPROVE THE LIVES OF OUR PEOPLE. MY GOVERNMENT PLANS TO INSTALL AND SUPPORT MANY SUCH INITIATIVES ACROSS ZAMBIA.
TODAY, I AM HAPPY TO REPORT TO THIS HOUSE AND THE NATION THAT THE OFF GRID SOLAR POWER STATION IN CHIEF CHIBWIKA’S CHIEFDOM NOW CONNECTS OVER 300 HOUSEHOLDS, SCHOOLS AS WELL AS A CLINIC TO ELECTRICITY. THIS IS EVIDENT TESTIMONY THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO IMPROVING THE HUMAN DIGNITY AND LIVES OF OUR CITIZENS WITHOUT LEAVING ANYONE BEHIND.
SPEAKER,
TO ENCOURAGE ENROLMENT, ATTENDANCE AND CONCENTRATION IN CLASS, MY GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTING THE HOME GROWN SCHOOL-FEEDING PROGRAMME. THE PROGRAMME PROVIDES MEALS TO LEARNERS FROM POOR AND VULNERABLE HOUSEHOLDS IN SELECTED DISTRICTS AND PROVINCES. AS AT DECEMBER 2019, 1,156,760 LEARNERS WERE BEING FED EVERY DAY IN 3,004 SCHOOLS COVERING 39 SELECTED DISTRICTS. THE 2019-TARGETED REACH OF 1,156,760 IS A BIG IMPROVEMENT IN TERMS OF BENEFICIARIES. EVIDENTLY, PROVISION OF EDUCATION AND FEEDING SUPPORT TO VULNERABLE CHILDREN IS AN IMPORTANT WAY OF PROMOTING EQUALITY; SOCIAL JUSTICE; EQUITY AND NON-DISCRIMINATION.
FURTHER, 14,395 VULNERABLE CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WERE SUPPORTED WITH EDUCATION BURSARIES THROUGH THE SERVICE EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS FOR VULNERABLE CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS INITIATIVE. THIS SUPPORT IS ENABLING THE MOST VULNERABLE CHILDREN IN OUR SOCIETY TO MEET THEIR BASIC NEEDS AND PREVENT THEM FROM DELINQUENCY.
SPEAKER,
IN OUR RESOLVE TO PROMOTE INCLUSIVE EDUCATION, GOVERNMENT IS OFFERING EDUCATION TO ALL, INCLUDING PERSONS WHO ARE DIFFERENTLY ABLED. CURRENTLY, THERE ARE 215 INCLUSIVE SCHOOLS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. I AM HAPPY TO NOTE THAT ZAMBIA HAS 458 TEACHERS WHO ARE COMPETENT IN SIGN LANGUAGE AND 253 IN BRAILLE.
SPEAKER,
TO FURTHER PROMOTE SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EQUITY, GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO INCREASE ACCESS TO INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION FACILITIES, ESPECIALLY IN RURAL AREAS. THIS IS BEING DONE THROUGH THE CONSTRUCTION OF COMMUNICATION TOWERS. GOVERNMENT WOULD HAVE ERECTED 1,009 TOWERS BY THE END OF 2020. SO FAR 776 TOWERS HAVE BEEN ERECTED, OUT OF WHICH 655 ARE FUNCTIONAL COMPARED TO 338 IN 2018.
THESE TOWERS HAVE IMPROVED COMMUNICATION IN RURAL AREAS AND BROUGHT THE BENEFITS OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY TO OUR PEOPLE. THE BENEFITS INCLUDE MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATION AND FINANCIAL INCLUSION THROUGH MOBILE MONEY AND INTERNET BANKING.
FURTHER, NINE ADDITIONAL RADIO STATIONS AND ONE TELEVISION STATION HAVE BEEN LICENSED, BRINGING THE TOTAL TO 142 RADIO STATIONS AND 45 TELEVISION STATIONS COUNTRYWIDE. THIS HAS INCREASED ACCESS TO INFORMATION FOR OUR PEOPLE. MORE IMPORTANTLY, PLURALITY OF VOICES IN THE MEDIA MEANS THAT ZAMBIA’S DEMOCRACY HAS BEEN ENHANCED, AS THE MEDIA IS A MARKETPLACE OF IDEAS.
SPEAKER,
GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO ENHANCING EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE, PARTICULARLY FOR VULNERABLE GROUPS AS WELL AS INMATES.
FOLLOWING THE LAUNCH OF THE NATIONAL LEGAL AID POLICY, GOVERNMENT, IN 2019, EMBARKED ON SENSITISATION PROGRAMMES IN SOUTHERN, CENTRAL, COPPERBELT, NORTH-WESTERN AND LUSAKA PROVINCES. DURING THESE SENSITISATION PROGRAMMES, THE GENERAL CITIZENRY WAS ALSO PROVIDED WITH LEGAL AID CLINICS. THESE SENSITISATION PROGRAMMES WILL BE EXTENDED TO THE REMAINING PROVINCES.
TO PROMOTE SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EQUITY AMONG THE POOR, GOVERNMENT IS TRAINING, 280 PARA-LEGALS AT DIFFERENT LEVELS. IT IS ALSO GRATIFYING TO NOTE THAT, IN 2019, 9,229 PEOPLE SOUGHT LEGAL AID ASSISTANCE AND WERE ALL ASSISTED.
GOOD GOVERNANCE AND INTEGRITY
SPEAKER,
GOOD GOVERNANCE IS NECESSARY TO ACHIEVING OUR NATIONAL GOALS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. WE ARE ENSURING CITIZEN PARTICIPATION, ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY IN THE RUNNING OF THE AFFAIRS OF THE COUNTRY.
WE HAVE CONTINUED TO PROMOTE THE PARTICIPATION OF OUR PEOPLE IN DECISION MAKING AND THE COUNTRY HAS WITNESSED A MARKED INCREASE IN PARTICIPATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT COORDINATING COMMITTEES BY PRIVATE AND OTHER NON-STATE ACTORS. THIS IS IMPORTANT AS THESE PLATFORMS PROVIDE OUR PEOPLE WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS OF THIS COUNTRY.
SPEAKER,
TO FURTHER PROMOTE PARTICIPATION OF OUR PEOPLE AT LOCAL LEVEL, WE HAVE ENACTED THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT NO.2 OF 2019. THE ACT GIVES EFFECT TO THE DECENTRALISATION OF FUNCTIONS, RESPONSIBILITIES AND SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED AT ALL LEVELS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT. IN ADDITION, THE ACT PROVIDES FOR THE ROLE OF TRADITIONAL LEADERS IN THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE OF THE COUNTRY.
I AM GLAD TO REPORT THAT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS ACT HAS COMMENCED. SO FAR, DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEES HAVE BEEN FORMED AND ARE OPERATIONAL IN 1,326 OUT OF THE 1,624 WARDS.
SPEAKER,
GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO TABLED THE NATIONAL PLANNING AND BUDGETING BILL NO. 22 OF 2019 BEFORE THIS AUGUST HOUSE. THE BILL AIMS AT PROVIDING AN INTEGRATED NATIONAL PLANNING AND BUDGETING PROCESS. ONCE ENACTED INTO LAW, THE LEGISLATION WILL IMPROVE GOOD GOVERNANCE BY PROVIDING A PARTICIPATORY AND DECENTRALISED NATIONAL PLANNING AND BUDGETING PROCESS.
I URGE MEMBERS OF THIS AUGUST HOUSE TO SUPPORT THE BILL AS IT WILL FACILITATE AND ENHANCE OUR PEOPLES’ PARTICIPATION IN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
SPEAKER,
TO CONSOLIDATE GOOD GOVERNANCE AND THE INTEGRITY OF OUR ELECTORAL PROCESS, THERE IS NEED TO ENSURE, AMONG OTHERS, THAT ALL CITIZENS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE ARE ACCORDED AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXERCISE THEIR DEMOCRATIC RIGHT. IT IS FOR THIS REASON THAT, THIS YEAR, THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA WILL CONDUCT THE VOTER REGISTRATION EXERCISE.
I URGE ALL STAKEHOLDERS IN THE ELECTORAL PROCESS TO PLAY THEIR RESPECTIVE ROLES IN ORDER FOR OUR ELECTIONS TO CONTINUE BEING CREDIBLE AND TRANSPARENT.
SPEAKER,
TO PROMOTE GOOD GOVERNANCE AND INTEGRITY IN THE PROVISION OF SERVICES, GOVERNMENT HAS CONTINUED TO DEPLOY ELECTRONIC SERVICES. THE DEPLOYMENT OF ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE HAS RESTRICTED DISCRETION BY OFFICIALS AND INCREASED DETECTION OF CORRUPTION.
I AM GLAD TO INFORM THE HOUSE AND THE NATION THAT GOVERNMENT HAS DEVELOPED AN INTEGRATED DIGITAL PLATFORM KNOWN AS THE GOVERNMENT SERVICE BUS AND PAYMENT GATEWAY. THIS PLATFORM HAS BEEN DEVELOPED WITH AN INTERNET BASED SINGLE-WINDOW SERVICE FOR ACCESSING AND DELIVERING SELECTED GOVERNMENT SERVICES ELECTRONICALLY. MORE OF OUR CITIZENS WILL BE ABLE TO ACCESS AND PAY FOR SERVICES USING THE INTERNET FROM THE COMFORT OF THEIR HOMES, OFFICES OR BUSINESS PREMISES.
SOME OF THE ELECTRONIC SERVICES THAT WILL BE LAUNCHED SOON ON THE GOVERNMENT SERVICE BUS AND PAYMENT GATEWAY INCLUDE THE MOTOR VEHICLE ROAD WORTHINESS; ROAD TAX AND CARBON EMISSION SERVICE; BUSINESS-NAME SEARCHES AND CLEARANCE; PRINTOUT AND ANNUAL RETURNS AND ONLINE BUSINESS REGISTRATION.
FURTHERMORE, PAYMENT OF GROUND RENT; CONSIDERATION FEES; CERTIFICATES OF TITLE; LAND SURVEYS AND FORESTRY FEES; AND INTERPOL VEHICLE CLEARANCE WILL BE INCLUDED ON THE SINGLE WINDOW ELECTRONIC PLATFORM. OTHER SERVICES TO COME ON BOARD ARE HUNTING AND SAFARI PARK LICENCES; ONLINE TAX IDENTIFICATION REGISTRATION AND DECLARATIONS; VISAS AND WORK PERMITS.
SPEAKER,
MY GOVERNMENT REMAINS COMMITTED TO THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION. UNDER THE CORRUPTION PREVENTION INTERVENTIONS, WE HAVE INTRODUCED ANTI-CORRUPTION CONTENT IN THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM AT PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL LEVELS, TO INSTIL HIGH INTEGRITY VALUES IN OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.
IN ADDITION, SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE TO FURTHER INSTITUTIONALISE PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION. IN 2019, 30 MORE INTEGRITY COMMITTEES WERE ESTABLISHED IN BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER TO 94. THESE EFFORTS ARE PRACTICAL STEPS IN CLOSING ALL LEAKING TAPS IN MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC FUNDS.
WITH REGARD TO PROSECUTIONS, THE ANTI-CORRUPTION COMMISSION SECURED 17 CONVICTIONS AND RECORDED SEVEN ACQUITTALS DURING THE PERIOD UNDER REVIEW.
I URGE INDIVIDUALS, THE PUBLIC SECTOR AS WELL AS NON-STATE ACTORS TO CONTINUE PARTNERING WITH GOVERNMENT IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION. WE MUST ALL HATE CORRUPTION IN ORDER TO FIGHT AND ERADICATE IT BECAUSE CORRUPTION IS NUMBER ONE ENEMY IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND GOOD GOVERNANCE.
REMEMBER CORRUPTION IS A TWO-WAY VICE THAT REQUIRES CONCERTED EFFORT TO CURB. JOIN MY GOVERNMENT IN FIGHTING CORRUPTION; JOIN US IN DEVELOPING ZAMBIA, WITHOUT LIVING ANYONE BEHIND.
SPEAKER,
I HAVE CONSISTENTLY REMINDED THE MEDIA THAT, THEY PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE IN PROMOTING DEMOCRACY AND GOOD GOVERNANCE. HOWEVER, THE NATION HAS WITNESSED THE EROSION OF MEDIA ETHICS BY PRACTITIONERS, AS WELL AS MEDIA OWNERS. THE CRITICAL ROLE THAT THE MEDIA PLAYS, AS THE FOURTH ESTATE, AS WELL AS A WATCHDOG OF SOCIETY, HAS BEEN CIRCUMVENTED BY FINANCIAL AND POLITICAL INTEREST; ALL WE HEAR AND READ IS NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT BUT PROPAGANDA AIMING TO BOLSTER MEDIA OWNERS AND POLITICAL PLAYERS’ INTERESTS. THIS MUST STOP!
I CONDEMN IN THE STRONGEST TERMS ACTIONS BY PEOPLE ABUSING THE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM TO VICTIMISE, UNDERMINE AND EMBARASS THOSE THEY CHOOSE TO TARGET. COUNTRY MEN AND WOMEN, THERE IS NO INTEGRITY IN FILMING ACCIDENT VICTIMS INSTEAD OF HELPING THEM? NEITHER IS THERE ANY INTEGRITY IN FILMING TERMINALLY ILL PEOPLE AND SHARING TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC?
DESPITE ALL THIS, MY GOVERNMENT HAS ALLOWED THE MEDIA TO OPERATE WITHOUT INTERFERANCE. MY HOPE AND PRAYER IS THAT JOURNALISTS WILL SOON FREE THEMSELVES FROM THE NEW FORM OF CONTROL BY PEOPLE WITH MONEY.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
SPEAKER,
MY GOVERNMENT HAS PRIORITISED SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN OUR QUEST TO ACHIEVE SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND PRESERVE THE ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR NEEDS AND THE NEEDS OF GENERATIONS TO COME. THIS WILL ENSURE THAT OUR DEVELOPMENT PROCESS GUARANTEES INTER-GENERATIONAL EQUITY.
WE REMAIN MINDFUL OF THE INTER-LINKAGES OF THE ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PILLARS. OUR ASPIRATIONS FOR A DECENT LIFE FOR OUR PEOPLE THROUGH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HAVE, THEREFORE, NOT BEEN AT THE EXCLUSION OF SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY.
SPEAKER,
CLIMATE CHANGE CAN IMPEDE OUR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AGENDA. THAT IS WHY IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE CONTINUE TO MITIGATE AGAINST THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE. ACCORDINGLY, WE WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT RESEARCH IN AGRICULTURE IN ORDER TO DEVELOP MORE CLIMATE RESILIENT SEED VARIETIES. CURRENTLY, WE ARE PROMOTING THE USE OF CONSERVATION FARMING PRACTICES, ESPECIALLY IN THE DROUGHT PRONE AREAS OF OUR COUNTRY.
I AM GLAD TO INFORM THIS AUGUST HOUSE THAT THE NUMBER OF FARMERS PRACTISING CONSERVATION FARMING STOOD AT 532,000 IN 2019 IN COMPARISON TO 267,000 IN 2018.
SPEAKER,
COUNTRYMEN AND WOMEN, MY HEART BLEEDS TO SEE THE RECENT CALAMITIES OUR FACING OUR PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THE PEOPLE OF KANYAMA, CHILANGA AND LUANGWA IN LUSAKA PROVINCE. THE PEOPLE OF LUMEZI, MAMBWE, NYIMBA, LUSANGAZI, PETAUKE AND LUNDAZI IN THE EASTERN PROVINCE. THE PEOPLE OF CHAMA, MAFINGA, AND KANCHIBIYA IN MUCHINGA PROVINCE. PEOPLE OF MUNGWI, KASAMA, KAPUTA, CHILUBI ISLAND AND LUWINGU IN NORTHERN PROVINCE. PEOPLE OF LUNGA, CHEMBE, AND MILENGE IN LUAPULA PROVINCE. PEOPLE OF CHITAMBO IN CENTRAL PROVINCE. THE PEOPLE OF KITWE AND CHILILABOMBWE IN COPPERBELT PROVINCE. THE PEOPLE OF CHAVUMA AND ZAMBEZI IN NORTH WESTERN PROVINCE. THE PEOPLE OF MITETE IN WESTERN PROVINCE. AND THE PEOPLE OF SINAZONGWE, GWEMBE, CHIKANKATA, MAZABUKA AND SIAVONGA IN THE SOUTHERN PROVINCE OF ZAMBIA. ALL THESE NATIONALS HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY FLOODING AS A RESULT OF CLIMATE CHANGE.
THE DEVASTATING EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE CAN CAUSE AN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL SHUTDOWN. FOR EXAMPLE, RECENTLY EASTERN PROVINCE WAS CUT OF FROM THE REST OF THE COUNTRY, WHILE IN MANY PLACES PUPILS AND ESPECIALLY MOTHER HAD NO ACCESS TO FOOD, THEIR SCHOOLS, HEALTH FACILITIES AND MARKETS.
FURTHERMORE, OTHER NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF THIS FLOODING HAS CAUSED INSECURITY AMONG OUR NATIONALS AS DANGEROUS REPTILES HAVE BEEN BROUGHT INTO DIRECT CONTACT AND CONFLICT WITH OUR PEOPLE.
SPEAKER,
TO ENSURE WE MITIGATE THE EFFECT THAT CLIMATE CHANGE IS CAUSING TO OUR ENVIRONMENT, AFFORESTATION AND REFORESTATION ARE KEY INTERVENTIONS IN PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE USE OF OUR FORESTRY RESOURCES. TO THIS EFFECT, 34,650 PINE TREES AND 13,432 FRUIT TREES WERE PLANTED IN THE LAKE TANGANYIKA BASIN IN NORTHERN PROVINCE DURING THE 2019/2020 RAINY SEASON. THIS INITIATIVE IS AIMED AT PROTECTING THE ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY OF THE BASIN.
I COMMEND ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS WHO HAVE TAKEN A LEAD IN SUPPORTING THIS DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONE OF PLANTING TREES. I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THE FRUITION OF THE ‘PLANT A MILLION TREES INITIATIVE’, AND MANY OTHERS. TREE PLANTING IMPROVES THE WATER HOLDING CAPACITY AND THE CARBON SINK, IN ADDITION TO BRINGING GENERAL BEAUTY TO OUR ENVIRONMENT.
SPEAKER,
INNOVATIONS ARE THE SPICE OF DEVELOPMENT. THEY NOT ONLY CATALYSE THE PACE OF DEVELOPMENT, BUT ALSO BUILD THE MOMENTUM FOR CHANGE. I SALUTE THE EFFORTS BEING MADE IN VARIOUS SECTORS AS WE PURSUE DEVELOPMENT IN A SUSTAINABLE MANNER.
THESE EFFORTS INCLUDE THE DIVERSIFICATION OF OUR ENERGY SOURCES, DEVELOPMENTS IN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS AS WELL AS IN MEDICINE AND OTHER SCIENCES.
FOR EXAMPLE, LAST YEAR, A UNIVERSITY OF ZAMBIA ENGINEERING RESEARCHER, DR. SAM SICHILALU, CAME UP WITH AN INNOVATION TO GENERATE FUEL FROM POLYMER WASTE SUCH AS DISCARDED TYRES, PLASTICS AND RUBBER.
THIS INNOVATION HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CONTRIBUTE SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE PRODUCTION OF CHEAPER ENERGY AND IMPROVE SANITATION. IN ADDITION, THIS NEW ENERGY SOURCE COULD SAVE OUR FOREST RESOURCE AND HELP MITIGATE AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE. OUR WOMEN AND YOUTH WOULD ALSO HAVE A WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE RAW MATERIALS TO THE INDUSTRY IN THE FORM OF DISCARDED TYRES, PLASTICS AND RUBBER.
I ENCOURAGE THE CAPTAINS OF INDUSTRY TO TAKE KEEN INTEREST IN THE VARIOUS INNOVATIONS BEING SHOW-CASED BY OUR HIGHER LEARNING AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS. ZAMBIA WOULD BE RICHER IF THESE INNOVATIONS WERE QUICKLY PATENTED AND COMMERCIALISED. I FURTHER ENCOUARGE THE COMMERCE INDUSTRY AND RESEARCHERS TO TAP THE POTENTIAL OF EXISTING AND NEW RURAL INNOVATIONS SUCH, FOOD PRESERVATION, FOOD AND NUTRITION PRODUCTION, PREVENTION OF AILMENTS, ETC.
SPEAKER,
WE HAVE A DUTY TO SAFEGUARD OUR NATURAL RESOURCES. ACCORDINGLY, GOVERNMENT HAS CONTINUED TO REGULATE THE UTILISATION OF GROUND WATER RESOURCES IN THE COUNTRY. SO FAR, 32,000 BOREHOLES AND 94 DRILLING COMPANIES HAVE BEEN REGISTERED. TO FURTHER GUIDE THE PUBLIC ON WATER UTILISATION, CABINET HAS APPROVED THE NATIONAL WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION POLICY.
IN 2019 ALONE, WE CONSTRUCTED 1,454 BOREHOLES COUNTRYWIDE. FURTHER, THE CHONGWE WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION PROJECT AND THE KAFULAFUTA WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS PROJECT HAVE REACHED AN ADVANCED STAGE, CURRENTLY STANDING AT 90 PERCENT AND 55 PERCENT, RESPECTIVELY.
I ALSO WANT TO ENCOURAGE MY FELLOW CITIZENS TO DEVELOP THE CULTURE OF WATER HARVESTING. AT HOUSEHOLD LEVEL, A LOT OF RUN-OFF WATER CAN BE HARVESTED DURING THE RAINY SEASON FOR USE IN OUR GARDENS AND OTHER DOMESTIC PURPOSES. COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES CAN ALSO POOL RESOURCES AND APPLY THEM ON CONSTRUCTING SMALL SCALE DAMS. AS GOVERNMENT, WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK ON EXISTING WATER HARVESTING PROJECTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
SPEAKER,
ZAMBIA IS RENOWNED FOR ITS RICH WILDLIFE AND PRISTINE NATIONAL PARKS. THIS VITAL RESOURCE CAN EASILY BE LOST DUE TO RAMPANT POACHING AND CLIMATE CHANGE EFFECTS. OVERNMENT HAS, THEREFORE, EMPOWERED LOCAL COMMUNITIES IN VILLAGES TO MANAGE AND PRESERVE THE NATURAL WILDLIFE FOR THEM TO CONTINUE RECEIVING ECONOMIC BENEFITS THROUGH TOURISM.
SO FAR, COMMUNITY CONSERVANCIES HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED IN SELECTED GAME MANAGEMENT AREAS TO HELP CONSERVE OUR WILDLIFE AND BUILD SUSTAINABLE WILDLIFE-BASED ECONOMIES FOR THE AFFECTED COMMUNITIES. THIS INITIATIVE WILL ALSO INFLUENCE POSITIVE AND PROACTIVE PRACTICES OF CONSERVING WILDLIFE AS WELL AS REDUCING HUMAN ANIMAL CONFLICTS. THE HEIGHTENED SENSE OF COMMUNITY OWNERSHIP INEVITABLY LEADS TO A REDUCTION IN POACHING.
SPEAKER,
THE DISCOVERY OF GOLD IN NORTH-WESTERN PROVINCE AND A NUMBER OF DISTRICTS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY RESULTED IN AN INCREASE IN ILLEGAL MINING ACTIVITIES. IT IS UNFORTUNATE AND REGRETABLE TO NOTE THAT THE DISCOVERY OF GOLD AND OTHER PRECIOUS MINERALS HAS CURRENTLY BIRTHED UNLICENCED MINING, UNSAFE MINING PRACTICES WHERE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN BURIED ALIVE AND CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES WHILE SCRUMBLING OF THIS PRECIOUS MINERAL.
IN ORDER TO SAFEGUARD THIS PRECIOUS MINERAL AND OTHER NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENSURE SUSTAINABILITY IN THE MINING SECTOR, MY GOVERNMENT HAS INTRODUCED A NUMBER OF MEASURES TO MITIGATE ILLEGAL MINING AND ITS NEGATIVE EFFECTS ON OUR ECONOMY.
SUBSEQUENTLY, GOVERNMENT HAS DECLARED GOLD A STRATEGIC RESOURCE AND ESTABLISHED THE ZCCM GOLD COMPANY LIMITED TO SPEARHEAD AND MANAGE THE GOLD MINING VALUE CHAIN IN A FORMAL AND STRUCTURED MANNER. THIS MEASURE WILL ENSURE THAT, WE EXPLOIT THIS NATURAL RESOURCE IN A SUSTAINABLE MANNER AND TRANSFORM OUR COUNTRY’S ECONOMIC FORTUNES.
SPEAKER,
INDISCRIMINATE DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTE HAS CONTINUED TO BE A MENACE AND A PUBLIC HEALTH HAZARD IN OUR COMMUNITIES. IN ADDITION, IT IMPEDES OUR PROGRESS IN ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT.
I HAVE OBSERVED WITH CONCERN THAT THE KEEP ZAMBIA CLEAN, GREEN AND HEALTHY CAMPAIGN IS YEILDING VERY LITTLE RESULTS. WHEN YOU LOOK AROUND THE CITIES, THERE IS LITTLE IMPROVEMENT AT REACHING THE DESIRED OBJECTIVE. COUNCILS ARE NOT PROACTIVELY COLLECTING GARBAGE AND CLEANING THE CITIES. HOW ARE COUNCILS JUSTIFYING THE RECEIPT OF EQUALISATION FUNDS WHEN SOCIAL SERVICES ARE POORLY DELIVERED? MAYORS AND COUNCIL SECRETARIES, WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO ENSURE YOUR TOWNS AND CITIES ARE CLEAN, GREEN AND HEALTHY?
AND WHAT ARE YOU AS CITIZENS DOING AT INDIVIDUAL TO KEEP YOUR SURROUNDINGS CLEAN, GREEN AND HEALTHY, ON A DAILY BASIS? THE ONE-DAY CLEANING EXERCISE A MONTH IS NOTED BUT INSUFFICIENT. TO ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS, TAKE THIS RESPONSIBILITY VERY SERIOUSLY AND ENSURE EVERYONE IS DEDICATED TO CLEANING THEIR SURROUNDINGS. FURTHER, ALL COMMUNITY LEADERS SHOULD ENSURE THAT HOUSEHOLDS CLEAN THEIR SURROUNDINGS EVERY DAY AND ARRANGE FOR APPROPRIATE COMMUNITY WASTE DISPOSAL.
COUNCILS SHOULD BE INNOVATIVE AND CREATE A COMPETITIVE REWARD SYSTEM FOR THOSE HOUSEHOLDS AND COMMUNITIES WHO ARE ADHERING TO KEEPING THEIR SURROUNDINGS CLEAN, GREEN AND HEALTHY. I FURTHER ENCOURAGE THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO JOIN BY SUPPORTING THIS INITIATIVE.
I ALSO CALL UPON OUR PEOPLE AND AGENCIES MANAGING THE MARKETS AND OTHER TRADING AREAS TO ENSURE THAT THEY PUT IN PLACE EFFECTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES. FURTHER, I URGE INDUSTRIES, THE CORPORATE WORLD AND THE MINING COMPANIES TO ENSURE THAT THEY COMPLY WITH THE LAW ON POLLUTION MANAGEMENT AND SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL.
WE MUST BEGIN WITH OUR OWN HOMES. WE MUST DISPOSE ALL OUR WASTE IN THE RIGHT MANNER. WE MUST KEEP OUR HOME ENVIRONMENT CLEAN, GREEN AND HEALTHY.
SPEAKER,
A HEALTHY POPULATION IS KEY TO ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. THEREFORE, THE EMERGENCE OF THE CORONAVIRUS IS NOT ONLY A PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERN BUT ALSO A THREAT TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. ZAMBIA, BEING PART OF THE GLOBAL VILLAGE, IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO THE DISEASE. IN THIS REGARD, GOVERNMENT HAS PUT IN PLACE MEASURES TO ENHANCE PUBLIC HEALTH SECURITY IN THE COUNTRY INCLUDING CREATING A CONTINGENCY FUND FOR EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, PREVENTION AND MITIGATION. FURTHER, THE ZAMBIAN MISSIONS ABROAD ARE MONITORING THE SITUATION REGARDING ZAMBIANS STUDYING OR LIVING IN THE AFFECTED COUNTRIES. IN ADDITION, ALL OUR PORTS OF ENTRY ARE ON EQUALLY ON HIGH ALERT.
HERE IN ZAMBIA, LET US ALL BE ALERT AND ADHERE TO THE GUIDANCE BEING PROVIDED BY HEALTH OFFICIALS, SUCH AS WASHING HANDS REGULARLY, COVERING YOUR MOUTH WITH YOUR ELBOW WHEN COUGHING AND SEEKING MEDICAL ATTENTION FROM THE NEAREST HEALTH FACILITY, AS WELL AS ADVICE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE WHEN YOU FEEL YOU HAVE FLU LIKE SYMPTOMS. THESE MEASURES APPLY TO OTHER INFECTIOUS DISEASES SUCH AS EBOLA.
CONCLUSION
SPEAKER,
NATIONAL VALUES AND PRINCIPLES ARE A CRITICAL INGREDIENT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PROSPEROUS ZAMBIA. I AM CONVINCED THAT ADHERENCE TO OUR NATIONAL VALUES AND PRINCIPLES WILL KEEP US FOCUSED ON ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF OUR PEOPLE.
IT IS OUR DUTY TO INVEST TIME, RESOURCES AND ENERGY IN MAKING OUR NATIONAL VALUES AND PRINCIPLES A DEFINING FEATURE OF OUR COUNTRY. WE MUST ALL STAND UP AND LIVE BY THESE VALUES AND PRINCIPLES. WE OWE IT TO THE NEXT GENERATION TO INCULCATE OUR NATIONAL VALUES AND PRINCIPLES IN THEIR LIVES. NATIONAL VALUES AND PRINCIPLES ARE THE GLUE THAT HOLDS US TOGETHER AS A NATION. LET OUR GREATNESS BE MEASURED NOT BY OUR QUALIFICATIONS OR WEALTH, BUT BY THE STRENGTH OF OUR DEVOTION TO OUR NATIONAL VALUES AND PRINCIPLES.
SPEAKER,
I RECALL THAT EACH TIME I PAID A VISIT TO MY VILLAGE AS A YOUNG MAN THEN, I WAS ALWAYS REMINDED THAT THE WORTH OF A PERSON WAS NOT IN THE NUMBER OF CHICKENS, GOATS OR CATTLE ONE OWNED, BUT RATHER THE GOOD NAME ONE CARRIED. BY THAT, THEY MEANT THE VALUES AND PRINCIPLES THAT ONE LIVED BY, AND WERE AN EXAMPLE TO OTHERS.
I ALSO TREASURE THE EXPERIENCES AND LESSONS I LEARNT FROM MY EXTENDED FAMILY ON THE IMPORTANCE OF RESPECT AND FAMILY. THIS PROVIDED A SENSE OF BELONGING AND SECURITY BECAUSE AS A CHILD I WAS SAFE EVEN WHEN MY BIOLOGICAL PARENTS WERE NOT THERE. THIS VALUE WAS TAUGHT AND PASSED ON FROM THE OLDER FOLKS TO THE YOUNGER GENERATION IN EVERY PART OF ZAMBIA. THIS IS THE ZAMBIA I KNOW AND DESIRE TO SEE.
WE HAVE, THEREFORE, NO EXCUSE BUT TO LIVE BY OUR NATIONAL VALUES AND PRINCIPLES. IT IS OUR DUTY NOW TO ENSURE THAT THIS WISDOM CONTINUES TO BE TAUGHT TO THE YOUNGER GENERATION IN THE SPIRIT AND NAME OF “ONE ZAMBIA, ONE NATION”.
FOR YOU AND ME, ZAMBIA IS OUR ONLY GOD GIVEN COUNTRY, OUR OWN TRUE NATION, OUR ONLY HERITAGE, AND COLLECTIVELY OUR HOME. THEREFORE, WE HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO KEEP ZAMBIA PEACEFUL AND BEAUTIFUL; NOT ONLY FOR OURSELVES TODAY, BUT FOR OUR CHILDREN AND THEIR CHILDREN, FOR TOMORROW AND ETERNITY.
SPEAKER,
MAY THE ALMIGHTY GOD BLESS US ALL AND OUR GREAT NATION, ZAMBIA.
I THANK YOU.
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well if you told me you were d r o w n i n g
i would not lend a hand
i've seen your face before m y f r i e n d
but i don't know if you know who i am
#Lyricals ♥♥#[[ Instant Regret ]]#Dark!Doctor#v: The Ninth Plague#v: The Tenth Commandment#v: The Eleventh Hour#v: The Twelfth Abomination#v: The Thirteenth Zodiac
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[ CLOSED with @sclfmastery, Continued From Here. ]
"Yes!" he shouts, his tone one part incredulous and one part amused, the word coexisting with a laugh of much the same implication, both having been expelled at once. His face transforms from moderately annoyed to absolute bewilderment, both eyebrows hoisted toward the salt and pepper of his hair and his mouth hanging open just so.
Normally angering the Master is like a fine wine, to be savored slowly and completely in moderate sips, but in this moment he finds himself gulping. Drowning in it, and the only reaction his mind can muster is stunned hysterics.
"Three of them, in fact, all happening simultaneously on the same planet and here you are, sauntering right into the middle of it as though your life meant nothing! Are you- are you- have you gone daft in your old age? These people aren't ignorant of the Time Lords, they know us- they hate us. We're the reason their planet ended up centuries behind in their technological evolution, we're the reason they became a slaver's planet, we're the reason these crusades are even taking place and you just waltz right into the middle of it, without a care in the cosmos!"
His hands are flailing, his arms following suit, but his tone isn't angry, it isn't patronizing, there's no lecture or even a hint of telling-the-Master-what-to-do. Instead, it remains amused and bewildered, as though the Doctor can't believe what's happening. He also cleverly avoids the fact that he, too, is a Time Lord and he, too, waltzed right onto the planet without scanning the timelines or location first, resulting in himself being stranded as his TARDIS had dematerialized the moment he'd stepped foot outside of it.
"You're the most notorious Time Lord in the Universe aside from myself and you just- I can't even- it's- it's-" his rambling is cut off by the sound of an explosion several miles away, far enough that it won't harm either of them but close enough that the rumbling in the soil is felt beneath their feet and the plume of smoke as a result can be seen, clearly, in the distance.
One heartsbeat passes- four thuds in his ears -before he reaches out, unthinking, and grabs the Master's hand. There's a darkness bleeding through the physical touch, a hopeless nature buried beneath the suit and the salt-and-pepper scruff, the weathered hands and the bright blue eyes. The once-cerulean of his mind is so jaded that it's become an inky black, like the spaces between stars where no light can be seen. The no-space. The Void.
"My TARDIS is gone, she left me here. I've been here a month, in hiding, so if you've got a way off of this planet, now would be the perfect time to-..." again he's cut off as another round of explosions, closer this time, billow in the distance. Gunfire isn't far behind. The Doctor’s bright blue eyes are glassy, now, as he looks at the Master, the pair of them once again caught in the middle of a War that wasn’t theirs.
#sclfmastery#OC!12th Doctor Muse [ Private ]#v: The Twelfth Abomination [ Private ]#war cw#[[ The ask this came from is a month old ]]#[[ Oopsy ]]#[[ Better late than never lol ]]
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