28 August 2008
MMD chairman of Commerce and Industry, Sebastian Kopulande and former chairperson of the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) Willa Mungo'mba have joined the race to become the ruling party's candidate in the forthcoming presidential by-election.
Mr Kopulande and Mr Mung'omba join acting Republican President, Rupiah Banda, Finance Minister, Ng'andu Magande, former vice-president, Enoch Kavindele and former Works and Supply minister, Ludwig Sondashi in the race.
Mr Kopulande, a prominent businessman and chairman of TimesPrintpak Ltd said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that he delivered the application to the MMD national secretary on Monday.
In his application letter, Mr Kopulande said that he had been a member of the MMD from its inception in 1990 and had served it loyally and contributed to it immensely.
"I have served in the MMD government since 1991 in various capacities from which I have accumulated the necessary experience to serve our party in the position of President," he said.
In the attached 13-page profile, Mr Kopulande said he had decided to offer his service to give hope and opportunity to all Zambians and pledged to renew the system of Government when elected as Republican President.
Mr Kopulande, 49, said he was a Rhodes scholar with a hefty profile of academic excellence, business success, service to Zambia and helping the weak in society.
"Building on the legacy of President Mwanawasa, the Kopulande administration will build a pro-integrity Government, with in-built mechanisms to prevent corruption," he said.
He said, with his background and experience, he was qualified to face the current challenge with the support of all party members and Zambians.
In his letter dated August 26 addressed to the MMD national secretary, Mr Mun'gomba said he has been a member of the ruling party since it was founded in 1991 and had consistently rendered support whenever called upon to do so.
Mr Mun'gomba also attached to his application letter a detailed copy of his curriculum vitae.
"I believe that MMD is a dynamic party that should continue calling upon committed and intelligent leadership that will provide hope to Zambia's youth and future generations," Mr Mun'gomba said.
Mr Mun'gomba, who served as African Development Bank (ADB) president as well as executive director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said despite the country's debt being forgiven, Zambia still needed to maintain close contact with donor institutions.
"I have worked with these agencies and I am comfortable dealing with them. As leader of the MMD I will continue to advance Zambia's relationship with these agencies," he said.
Mr Mun'gomba, who at some point also served as Member of Parliament (MP) for Mporokoso said it was his conviction that Zambia needed a strong economy to deal with the problems of poverty in the rural areas.
Mr Mun'gomba also said that as chairperson for the CRC, he was in a position to ensure that Zambia was provided with a durable constitution.
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