•MR Mwamba being installed as Luanshya Mayor in 2002.

By CHARLES SIMENGWA-
MAXWELL Mwamba seems to have seen it all, and he is now determined to help Zambia promote issue-based politics.
The Luanshya-based business executive deplores and condemns some political leaders in the country who are diverting citizens’ attention by way of focusing on petty issues and driving young people into violence.
Mr Mwamba is the president of the Democratic Assembly (DA) whose vision is “to strive to unite our nation, recognising that Zambia is a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural society with a diversity of cultural heritage, traditions and languages”.
He says his party seeks to advocate policies of racial and social equality, justice, liberty, economic and social progress for all Zambians.
He applauds the ruling Patriotic Front for taking a firm stance against political violence, and appeals to the Zambian people to recognise the importance of good communication, foresight, a willingness to learn, and a commitment to established values.
He says instead of engaging in divisive tactics for their selfish gain, political leaders in their entirety should be role models around whom the youth could fashion their lives.
“We must help the young people of our beautiful country get through the adventures, trials, battles and experiences which they need to shape their lives in a positive way,” he says.
Religion
Mr Mwamba draws his strength from Psalms 33:12 in the Bible, which says “blessed is a nation whose God is the Lord. Happy are the people He has chosen for His own”.
“We believe as a party, and devoutly recognise the supreme authority and just government of God almighty in all the affairs of men and of nations,” says Mr Mwamba, who was born to Maxwell Mwamba senior, a Bemba from Kasama in Northern Province, and Agnes Kayuni, a Lenje from Kabwe, Central Province.
He says in view of the need to respect all human beings regardless of their background, the DA recognises and accepts that Zambia is a Christian nation which is tolerant of other religions.
The DA, he says, acknowledges the particular significance of churches and religious communities in their proclamation of faith in spiritual and social welfare activities.
Sport
Mr Mwamba encourages Zambians to use sport as a platform to promote unity and social interaction.
He believes that sport should be used to promote health, or wellness, as well as to create employment, particularly for the youth.
Mr Mwamba has in the past participated in sports promotions and was once a manager of late Zambia’s boxing icon, Lottie Mwale, and other stars who included Chris Kazuma and Musonda Chinungu. This was when he owned International Boxing Promotions.
The opposition leader used his business acumen to help the boxers advance in their careers. Among the companies he has owned are Redham Transport Systems, Harold Acridge Insurance Consultants and Copperbelt Medical Centre.
He is elated by the sports infrastructure development in the country, although he feels a lot more could be achieved.

•Mwamba (left) seals a contract with Australian George Benson (right) for the International Boxing Promotions clash between Zambia’s Lottie Mwale and Alex Sua (middle) in July 1984.

Education
Mr Mwamba, a holder of a Masters of Business Administration, says the DA is a firm believer in the restructuring of the education system to suit the basic needs of learners and society at large.
He says revamping the teaching of science and technology in higher institutions of learning would help Zambia in many areas.
“Education is one way in which we can engage the youths and shift their attention away from political violence.
“As a party we believe in the provision of free universal pre-school education to allow every child the opportunity to develop the mind at an early stage. We also support free primary and secondary education for all Zambians,” he says.
Mr Mwamba, whose wife Rosemary is a law graduate, says the use of practical and vocational subjects should be promoted to encourage a culture of productivity.
He says additional educational infrastructure should be built in order to increase enrolment levels countrywide and get more girl-children, who in rural areas are forced into early marriages, into school.
Local Government
The DA leader says appropriate legislation governing local government administration should be made in line with the current economic environment.
Mr Mwamba, a former mayor of Luanshya, is of the view that the long-neglected housing responsibilities of the councils should be tackled and the existing accounting systems overhauled to improve accountability.
“The DA, which is a centre-left political entity, proposes that mayors should be elected directly by the public at district level and given executive powers.
“The current system by which the mayor is elected by fellow councillors takes power away from the voters. The people should have the final say over who should be their mayor,” he says.
He says road tax should be reverted to the councils to prop up their revenue base and necessitate quality service delivery.
Economy
“The DA is desirous of value addition to goods before they are exported as opposed to just selling raw materials.
“We support diversification of our economy from export of primary materials to value addition through the establishment of a solid industrial base,” Mr Mwamba says.
He says in order to improve returns from the agriculture sector, which is a vital cog in the wheels of the national economy, key products such as maize should go through value addition instead of exporting raw materials for industries in other countries.
“The DA in Government would initiate one farming bloc per province known as the 10 green belts. It is our policy to halt the over-dependency on copper,” he adds.
Training opportunities for small-scale industrialists should be expanded to help them acquire light equipment to process local resources in the districts.
The DA supports the re-introduction of windfall tax in the mining industry in order for the mineral resources to boost the national coffers and address poverty and underdevelopment among some sections of the Zambian population.
The party observes that Chinese investment in Zambia has taken on a more significant economic importance.
“The DA, if elected into Government, would engage with China to align its investment portfolio with the labour laws of the land and to establish the rules of the ‘investment marriage’.
“China’s rapidly expanding influence in Africa holds promise for Zambia, especially for infrastructure development and exports,” Mr Mwamba says.
He, however, advises Chinese investors in the country to adhere to the labour laws and to build a sound relationship with the local workers.
The party acknowledges the push for creation of more industries and promotion of the tourism industry to create jobs for the many young Zambians graduating from colleges.
With this positive approach, it is evident that the DA is eager to promote issue-based politics and to help break the cycle of violence which is particularly rife during election campaigns.