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Socialist SOCIALISTPARTY ISSUE 4, OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020 A newsletter published by the Socialist Party, Lusaka, Zambia FREE OF CHARGE ‘Let’s end hopelessness and despair, let’s end inequality’

SocialistThis staff reporter is one chance NEXT year’s elections will of- fer Zambians a once-in-a-gen- eration opportunity to bring about revolutionary change, Socialist Party president Fred M’membe says. “We will have a chance to end despair. We will have a chance in a generation to end hopelessness. “The situation today is difficult at all levels, but let’s not give up, let’s CANDIDATES ON THE FRONT LINE – Page 8 The 2021 not lose hope. It gets dark some- times, but the morning comes.” Speaking on the “Let The People manifesto Talk” radio programme on Phoenix FM recently, Dr M’membe asked how it was possible for a Christian gives us country like Zambia to have such a huge gap between the haves and have nots. a chance “If we are One Zambia, One Na- tion, we should live similar lives, our conditions should not be so dif- to change ferent.” he said. “We have left other people be- hind and yet they are telling you everything there will be nobody left behind. No! The capitalist system leaves people behind. It’s designed to and build a leave people behind, wherever it is in the world.” Dr M’membe told listeners that more just a Socialist Party government would make sure “we all travel at the same rate, we are all at the same spot, go- ing to the same destination and as and caring one country and one people”. “You can’t be one people when some are eating and others are not, society and some are living well while oth- ers are not. Triumph The Socialist Party’s latest parliamentary candidates with party national spokesperson Rehoboth Kafwabulula (second left, back row) l THE SOCIALIST Party has “Can you have peace under such named its latest parliamentary conditions? No! The Zambia we candidates in the fight for jus- grew up under had no walls, but to- Socialism isn’t complicated, tice, equity and peace. day you must build big walls around Speaking at a briefing to announce the candidates, the your house to have security.” it’s all about human dignity party’s second vice-president, Dr M’membe says victory for Chris Ngenda Mwikisa, said those the Socialist Party is vital to end SOCIALIST Party president Dr M’membe said that under a adopted, “clearly understand the the glaring inequalities. values and principles of social- socialist government, “adults who “With some great effort on our Fred M’membe says socialism ism and the Socialist Party”. are illiterate today, within two part, and watch and guidance of is not a complicated concept. The candidates chosen to years, we’ll make them literate”. the spirits of our ancestors – of that Speaking on Hot FM radio’s stand as members of parliament He said there were plans to expand in Western, Eastern and Lusaka Ngoni commander warrior Nsingu “Red Hot” breakfast show, he ex- the literacy campaign, which was provinces, are: Chiteo Singongi – we will triumph and make Zam- plained socialism was simply about already under way. (Kalabo), Matakala (Nkeyema), bia what it was meant to be, our giving citizens a dignified life. Sitali Likubangu (Sikongo), paradise here on earth. “Socialism is not as compli- He said Northern Rhodesia (Zam- Preston Chinyama (Nalolo), The manifesto is “What remains to realise this cated a thing as people try to bia) had been on the current capi- Ntazana Musukuma (Chawama), a document of great vision is your vote. Your vote make out. It’s not about bombastic talist path since 1891 when Cecil John Zulu (Kasenengwa), Martin is more powerful to realise our col- words, bombastic concepts,” he Rhodes and his British South Africa Phiri (Mkaika) and Kenani Kalala revolutionary changes (Chipangali). lective dream of a better Zambia. told listeners. “Socialism is sim- Company colonised the territory. to our country and lives. “We have been on that path to Dr Mwikisa said it was com- “For those of you who haven’t ply giving a dignified life to our mon knowledge that Zambia was registered to vote, we urge you to people, by providing them with this very day from 1891. We know one of the poorest countries, Download details, and get your national registration cards services that make life dignified. Fred M’membe: education and what capitalism has done to our and, “these comrades will work info about how to join and register to vote to end despair “Our priority will be to give our literacy are priorities country. If capitalism had succeed- hard to ensure there is equity in the Socialist Party, are and hopelessness. children the education they need. built with uneducated people. “It’s ed, there would be no need for any their constituencies”. “Today we have one Zambia “Register to vote for yourself. So, we’ll socialise education and not possible,” Dr M’membe said. other system. There would be no on our back page but two nations,” he said. “A na- need for socialism,” Dr M’membe Register to vote for your future. make it free from nursery, at the age “The more women get educated, tion of the well-off and a nation Register to vote for your country. of three all the way to university,” the lower infant mortality rates you said, “But capitalism has not only of the poor. That is what the So- Register to vote for the Socialist he said, adding that a better society have because they are better able to impoverished our people, it has cialist Party is trying to change, – Page 12 Party,” Dr M’membe said. in the modern world could not be look after children.” also killed them.” to ensure there is equity.” JUSTICE • EQUITY • PEACE ‘Inept PF facing a brick wall next year’ Leaders ‘like soaked cats’ as reality dawns Zingalume compound residents with the hand sanitisers provided by the Socialist Party Socialist staff reporter ‘Few political parties think of the poor’ THE PF government is un- Kelvin Phiri “Most of us did not have these hand “We thank the party for the donation . . . we arguably the most inept and sanitisers, so we really appreciate Dr Fred are very grateful,” Banda said. poorly visioned squad of op- ZINGALUME compound residents in M’membe and the Socialist Party for coming Meanwhile, Ruth Tembo from Kanyama portunists ever reckoned in to our aid,” he said. compound has also praised the leadership of Lusaka have praised the Socialist Party Banda urged the people of Zingalume to Dr M’membe and the Socialist Party. Tembo the country’s political history for continuing to donate hand sanitisers vote for the Socialist Party because it was said the party had shown great commitment and its days are numbered, to the most vulnerable people. empathetic. by helping the people of Zambia in different says Faston Mwale, a member Speaking during the donation, resident Gift And Socialist Party Mpulungu ward sectors through its donations. Banda said the majority of the people, espe- aspiring candidate Avelesi Banda has also “We just have to give a vote to Dr Fred of the Socialist Party central cially in compounds, couldn’t afford to buy commended the party for answering the call M’membe and the party as they have already committee and Copperbelt hand sanitisers and masks used as preventa- from the community to help in the donation of shown that they really are for the poor,” spokespersons’ bureau. tive measures against COVID-19. hand sanitisers. Tembo said. Faston Mwale: days of know-it- Banda expressed concern that with the Banda said many people couldn’t afford “Very few political parties think of the poor “The party faces a brick wall all leadership are numbered opening of schools, children from com- sanitisers or facemasks, which the party has people in the compounds but with the Social- in next year’s general elec- peace, were fundamental corner- pounds were in great danger of contracting donated to the people of Mpulungu ward in ist Party it’s a different story, it is working tions,” he said. stones of a just, fair and humane the virus due to lack of protective equipment. Mandevu constituency. even before being voted into office.” “Since 2016 poverty has been on society for all without exception. the rise attended by a simultaneous For more than three decades, decline in economic governance. Zambia had persistently suffered “Under the PF, the masses of our a serious plague of unbridled cor- Nothing is permanent, Electoral consensus is people have been subjected to the ruption, cronyism, bad governance most atrocious forms of poverty, and general failure of leadership. hunger, inequality and extreme in- “A small, greedy, parasitic elite, even our cells change vital to avoid problems justice. who assumed state power after “Against this backdrop, citizens the unfortunate demise of the late NO GOVERNMENT is perma- would end, but it ended. There was THE ELECTORAL Commission did, “no matter how good it is”, it across the country have intensified Micheal Sata, is directly respon- nent, says Socialist Party president the one-party state, which was so of Zambia (ECZ) will breed prob- was viewed with suspicion. the search for a leadership that is sible for the long list of irreparable Fred M’membe. powerful and we never thought lems if it does not build consensus “The amount of work that they endowed with egalitarian ideas for calamities that have afflicted the He was speaking on Hot FM it would end, but it ended. Noth- on the electoral process, Socialist need to bring consensus and ac- justice, equity and peace to take masses of our people across the radio’s “Red Hot” breakfast show, ing is permanent, everything is in Party president Fred M’membe ceptability to, is much higher than over state power. country,” Mwale said. where programme co-host Mutale motion, everything is undergoing told Hot FM radio’s “Red Hot” they are doing right now. They are “Within the framework of this “The crippling debt that has sub- Mwanza asked him if he thought change.” breakfast show listeners. not approaching issues in a man- preoccupation, Socialist Party merged us under a crisis is a con- there was currently “any wind of Dr M’membe told socially and Asked about divisive electoral ner that will result in maximum president Fred M’membe is pro- sequence of the sheer arrogance of change”. economically distraught Zambi- issues by programme co-host Mu- consensus. gressively becoming the people’s know-it-all leadership. “Nothing is permanent in life, ans, “It gets dark sometimes, but tale Mwanza, Dr M’membe cau- “Some of the schemes they are ultimate choice for the republican “Today, reality has dawned everything changes,” Dr M’membe the morning comes. Don’t give up. tioned that without building suffi- coming up with are questionable. presidency in the upcoming general upon the leadership, the pompos- answered. “Even our bodies are Don’t despair. A better society is cient consensus on what the ECZ I don’t know how they will man- election,” Mwale said. ity is gone and they are like soaked changing every second, the cells possible but we have to struggle was doing, “we’ll have problems”. age to register nine million people He said that with a mix of stead- cats. As of 2018, Zambia’s exter- are replicating themselves. No for it.” “Firstly, the way ECZ is com- in 30 days. And what does the law fastness, courage, a principled nal debt had reached close to 40 government is permanent, no sys- Dr M’membe, who was Post posed – the people who are ap- say? It requires continuous voter stand for justice, kindness, incor- percent of GDP, while domestic tem is permanent.” Newspapers editor-in-chief and pointed to be the commissioners, registration. Every citizen who is ruptibility and a robust passion for debt and arrears represented some He told listeners that capitalism, managing director for more than the chairperson, the vice-chairper- 18 years old should not be denied the marginalised, Dr M’membe, 23 percent. like colonialism, would crumble. two decades, refused to accept son, others of the ECZ are appoint- the chance to vote.” “fits pretty well with the people’s “If there is any lesson at all to “Humanity started living under credit for catapulting the Patri- ed by our competitors in elections. Dr M’membe warned that the growing aspirations for a credible be learnt from the governance style primitive communalism where we otic Front under Michael Sata into Our law is such that the President ECZ would have many problems leadership to take over the reigns of the Patriotic Front, it is that be- were just hunters and gatherers. power in 2011. appoints all those people single- in 2021. of government next year”. queathing state power to big-head- Then we came to slave-owning “I did not create PF and it is an handedly, without consulting other “The resources available to ECZ ed neoliberal capitalist elements is society, which lasted thousands of over credit to give me all the credit stakeholders,” he said. to conduct next year’s elections Humdrum no cheap mistake,” Mwale said. years, then we came to feudal soci- for Michael’s victory in 2011,” Dr “Yes, there is ratification in are limited. The government is “We ought to learn that capital- ety, and then entered the capitalist M’membe said in reply to a caller Parliament but that’s a Parliament broke. We don’t know if there will He described Dr M’membe as “a ism is capitalism. It is not a system society,” he said. who claimed a monster (the PF) they dominate as well, and they be donors to fund our elections leader who is neither motivated by for the poor. No matter how much “Capitalist society is not per- he helped create had now turned just need a simple majority to do next year. material goods nor driven by a lust we grovel before it, it is a system manent, it’s just about 600 or 700 against him. that. The other stakeholders have “There will be challenges. We for power and prestige”. that ‘soaks’ the poor to enrich the years old. It will go away and be “If I could put Michael into gov- no say in who the referees, the are used to expensive elections, “While other prospective con- rich. For the struggling masses, replaced with another system. ernment in 2011, then it would be match commissioners are.” but money will not be available tenders schooled in the traditions there is only one road open to them “There was colonialism in this very easy to put the Socialist Party Dr M’membe said it was for that next year. It’s not easy to build of neoliberal politics are patently – socialism.” country and we never thought it in government next year,” he said. reason that whatever ECZ officials consensus,” he said. unimaginative, save for recycling old humdrum statements baited l RESIDENTS of Itezhi-tezhi tezhi district because of its with promises that have mystified district in Central Province socialist values,” he said. people for more than three decades, have pledged their full support Nawa called on Zambians to Fred M’membe’s clear message of for the Socialist Party. identify themselves with the Stallone Mukungu Nawa of Socialist Party, as its agenda revolutionary politics that guaran- and development programme tees the highest possibility for all- Masasabi area in Itezhi-tezhi dis- trict said it was encouraging to resonated with the aspirations of round development, resonates well the suffering masses. see how the party was practising with the masses,” he said. Resident Field Lweendo, of socialist values in the area. Namaula area, said the people of “The Socialist Party’s manifesto Nawa said the party had Itezhi-tezhi were ready to work is an added value. In compara- exhibited its allegiance to the with the party, while assuring tive terms, it is the most advanced majority poor of Zambia and document ever produced in Zam- that the constituency would would fight hard to make sure deliver a member of parliament, bia’s political history. It is the most the gap between the rich and council chairperson and council- sought-after social contract today.” poor was narrowed. ors for the 2021 elections. Mwale said next year’s general He said the party had already She called on people in the election presented a rare and his- demonstrated equity in the way area to help the party in the fight toric chance for Zambians to trans- it mobilised. for justice, equity and peace in form the country into a socialist “We want to say that we have the country by giving it an elec- state in which justice, equity and welcomed the party in Itezhi- toral mandate in 2021.

2 Socialist Monthly, October/November 2020 Harassment and intimidation a threat to multiparty society Democracy needs freedom of speech, assembly to survive

Socialist staff reporter stifling our freedoms of expression and assembly. “Pope Francis aptly warns that ZAMBIA’S multiparty po- thirst for power at any price leads litical system can’t be sus- to abuses and injustice, ‘Good tained if the country doesn’t politics is at the service of peace. Politics is an essential means of guarantee freedom of speech, building human community and expression and assembly, So- institutions, but when political life cialist Party president Fred is not seen as a form of service to M’membe says. society as a whole, it can become a “Today’s Zambian govern- means of oppression, marginalisa- ment is taking harsh actions tion and even destruction’.” to criminalise peaceful expres- Dr M’membe said charity and human virtues should be the basis sion and assembly,” he said in of politics at the service of human a statement from Mwika Royal rights and peace. Solidarity in colours and symbols: the clenched left fist expresses support, unity, strength, defiance and resistance Village, Chinsali. “This is something on which, “The government is using the regardless of our political affilia- police and ruling party cadres to tions, outlooks or persuasions we Red alert over colours and symbols silence opposition and civil society can all agree, if we wish to work voices and to stop their political together for the good of our coun- THE SOCIALIST Party is not offend- cannot be patented, but colour as part of a 1848. Before that the colour red was gen- mobilisation efforts. try and our people and to practise ing or imitating any political party by complete design can be patented. For ex- erally associated with monarchy or the “People are being harassed, those human virtues that sustain using the colour red and the clenched ample, if you want to patent the colour red, Church due to the symbolism and associa- beaten and arrested every day for all sound political activity: justice, left fist as its symbol and salute. you won’t be able to do so. However, if you tion of Christ’s blood. have a design that includes the colour red, Similarly, the use by the Socialist Party simply trying to exercise their fun- equality, mutual respect, sincerity, The party went through a rigorous pro- you can obtain a patent protecting the entire of the clenched left fist salute is not an in- damental freedoms of expression honesty, fidelity. cess of getting its name and symbols cleared design,” the statement said. fringement or imitation of any political par- and assembly. “Every election and re-election, and approved by both the Electoral Com- “While some prosecutions, in and every stage of public life, “By using the colour red the Socialist ty’s symbol. While others are using the right mission of Zambia and the Registrar of So- Party is not violating the rights of any po- hand, the Socialist Party – a leftist party – the end, have been dismissed or should be seen as an opportunity cieties, it said in a statement. abandoned, many people who to return to the original points of litical party. The Electoral Commission of uses the left hand. The clarification follows accusations by Zambia wouldn’t have allowed its emblem The raised left fist, or the clenched left have engaged in nothing more than reference that inspire justice and other parties that the SP was using their peaceful small political meetings law,” he said. or symbol to have the colour red if it was fist, is a universal socialist symbol of soli- “trademark” colours or symbols. conflicting with that of any registered politi- darity and support. It is also used as a sa- have been arrested, held in deten- “One thing is certain, good poli- “There’s no political party, organisa- tics is at the service of peace. It cal party.” lute to express unity, strength, defiance, or tion, and subjected to unnecessary tion or individual that holds a patent to the legal expenses.” respects and promotes fundamen- Red is traditionally associated with so- resistance. colour red in this country or the world at Dr M’membe said fear of ha- tal human rights, which are at the cialism and left-wing political parties. The “We hope this will clear the air about the large. There’s no political party in Zambia rassment and intimidation, and un- same time mutual obligations, en- oldest symbol of socialism is the Red Flag, Socialist Party’s use of the colour red and that owns the colour red. certainty over how the law would abling a bond of trust and gratitude which dates back to the French Revolution the clenched left fist salute,” the statement “It’s trite patent law that a single colour be applied, had led to many people to be forged between present and in the 18th century, and the revolutions of said. staying away from politics and po- future generations. litical gatherings. “Unfortunately and sadly, to- “Increasingly, the police are gether with its virtues, politics also Pact ‘lies’ an misusing or allowing the misuse has its share of vices, whether due M’membe: Let the best among of the Public Order Act and CO- to personal incompetence or to attack on SP VID-19 restrictions to silence flaws in the system and its institu- critical voices and stop opposition tions. us win next year’s elections integrity, and political mobilisation efforts,” he “Clearly, these vices detract said. from the credibility of political Socialist staff reporter ahead of the August 2021 elections. “In 2009, there was a pact initi- misleading life overall, as well as the author- “If the UPND next year emerges ated by the UPND with PF, but that Inconsistent ity, decisions and actions of those LET THE best among us win to be the most supported, let them alliance collapsed over who should THE SOCIALIST Party has engaged in it. These vices, which rule. If any other party – including become president and who should rejected as “lies” claims that it undermine the ideal of an authen- next year’s elections, says “While some magistrates and the Socialist Party – emerges to be get how many seats in Parliament.” would be prepared to join forces judges have protected freedom of tic multiparty political dispensa- Socialist Party president Fred the winners, let them rule.” He said pacts had been seen with the Patriotic Front. expression and assembly, their re- tion in our country, bring disgrace M’membe. Dr M’membe rejected sugges- before and people knew very well “The SP and PF could never cord is uneven. Some continue to to public life and threaten social Speaking on “Let the people tions that the Socialist Party should what the arrangements were about. work together,” Western Prov- issue poorly reasoned, inconsistent harmony.” talk” on Phoenix FM radio, Dr form any kind of alliance or pact. ince SP spokesperson Preston Dr M’membe said those with freedom-limiting decisions. Dr M’membe said corruption M’membe told Zambians their He said the party was not about Chinyama said. common aims – “whose agenda is “This lack of consistency has took many and varied forms, in- choice of quality political leader- winning power for the sake of it. He was responding to “lies” to remove the PF at any cost – let contributed to an inconsistent ter- cluding the misappropriation of ship was paramount. Referring to abortive past po- peddled by Situmbeko Musokot- rain of expression and assembly public resources, exploitation of “We may not like the PF but litical alliances, Dr M’membe them band together”. wane, Liuwa member of parlia- ment, that the SP could form an rights, and left the door open to individuals, denial of rights, flout- if the PF emerges to be the most said, “We have seen these alli- “We are not against them. But alliance with the PF. continue the abuse of the Public ing of community rules, dishon- supported, the most trusted next ances before. The UPND that you our agenda goes beyond that. It is “It is not only misleading the Order Act to harass and intimidate est gain, justification of power by year, let them continue to rule,” Dr to build socialism in Zambia. We are saying we should join . . . had electorate, but is also an attack the opposition and others. force, and the refusal to relinquish M’membe said, in response to call- an alliance called UDA (United are not out to replace one group of on the integrity of the party,” he “Our problem in Zambia today power. ers who proposed political mergers Democratic Alliance). bandits with another,” he said. said. is not that the constitution does “When the exercise of politi- “As the Socialist Party in not guarantee us freedoms of ex- cal power aims only at protecting Western Province, we are ag- pression and assembly, but that the interests of those in power grieved by the conduct of the it is easy to silence and stop their to remain in power, the future is Don’t resist political change, says bishop Liuwa member of parliament. exercise because of a combination compromised and people can be BISHOP Chisala says it doesn’t take an economist or to solve problems and make life better for his people. “We wish to state from the of overbroad laws, an inefficient tempted to lose confidence, since man of God to explain that Zambians are suffering be- It’s very clear that our rulers are failing to reason, to outset that at no time in his- criminal justice system, and the they are relegated to the margins cause the economy has failed. think. Probably we are expecting too much from them. tory – and it shall never be the aforementioned lack of jurispru- of society without the possibility The bishop’s comments follow Socialist Party pres- Reason is not automatic. We have no alternative but case – can the two parties work together. We belong to two dential consistency. of helping to build the future. But ident Fred M’membe’s observation that the Zambian to push them aside and usher in a new leadership – a “This can discourage many when politics concretely fosters different worlds, two different economy had all but collapsed but that “our rulers revolutionary leadership – next year.” ideological presentations. Capi- people from exercising, and fight- the freedoms of people and their want to pretend all is well and it is business as usual”. Bishop Chisala said Zambia had no leadership in ing for, their right to freedoms of aspirations, peace grows in their talism and socialism will never “They don’t even want to talk about it. They are oc- government that “could redeem the people from the congregate together.” expression and assembly.” outlook and on their faces. cupying themselves with petty things that really don’t shackles of poverty”, and that people should not resist He said Dr Musokotwane, who “In this spirit, I appeal to our Dr M’membe said the govern- matter. They can try to evade this reality, but they will change next year. He said arrogance was at play with served as minister of finance in met’s fear of losing power was the brothers and sisters in government not be able to evade the consequences of evading this PF government leaders because they could “dish out the MMD government, had failed cause of its actions. to deeply reflect and meditate on reality,” Dr M’membe said. money”. to develop the constituency “It wants to win next year’s this very dangerous course they are “They are busy trying to crush their opponents ‘like “Money is not everything. Even if they dish out since being elected. elections at any cost – even at the taking. It will certainly not lead to a ton of bricks’. A sensible leader is not motivated by money to try to silence the opponents, it won’t work, Liuwa constituency had cost of destroying our multiparty peace and stability in our country,” the desire to annihilate opponents, but by the desire because their time is up,” he said. 15,888 registered voters at the party political dispensation and he said. last count ™in 2016. Socialist Monthly, October/November 2020 3 INDEPENDENCE DAY A tribute to our unsung heroes Burton Ng’oma was just one of many who fought behind the scenes Fred M’membe recalls experienced its first load shed- ding, which scared the white prison the ordinary men and warders. When this was reported to women who suffered and the judges, they concluded that the struggled to help Zambia prisoners were innocent and this was why they had experienced the defeat its colonial oppres- load shedding, after one of them sors 56 years ago had committed suicide. They con- sidered it to be a signal that they should not go ahead with sentenc- ISTORY is usu- ing the remaining two, in case it ally unfair to or- resulted in something worse. dinary men and It was as a result of this that Bur- ton and Chisashi were acquitted women, attrib- and set free after denying the charg- Huting too much importance es against them. They were the first to outstanding figures, and prisoners at that time to be set free giving them too much merit. from Mukobeko maximum prison. It practically ignores the or- After his release, Burton contin- dinary men and women who ued to help the struggle until Zambia gained independence. After indepen- made possible the circum- dence, he worked as a ward council- stances that exalted one per- lor in Chipanga in Chinsali constitu- son over others, making them ency, and at one time worked under important in national and Dr Waza Kaunda, who was a mem- world public opinion. ber of parliament for Chinsali. As we commemorate the It was during this period that he was visited by a grandson of Dr 56th anniversary of our coun- Brown’s, Mr Ipenberg, a history try’s independence we should teacher in the Netherlands, who trav- pay special tribute to the or- elled to gather information about dinary men and women who A digitally restored photograph of Burton Ng’oma Chisashi with his wife Mercy Mukuka Tembwe his grandfather. He wanted to find suffered and struggled without was very intelligent and wanted to her mother died at the hands of where there was serious fighting; struggle for their freedom. He was out where Chinsali was, and spe- respite for our freedom. ask for permission from his parents criminals in Kampemba village in Kamimbi, Musanya, Ilondola, one of the Scottish missionaries cifically, Lubwa Mission, where his Rather than being forgotten to allow him to relocate to his home in 1981 at the age of 92 and her Kambyoshi and Mwalule villages. who preached in favour of the lib- grandfather was a principal. When with the passing of the years, their so he could stay with him. body was never found. Villagers He was a freedom fighter who eration of Africans at the time. He he reached the mission he was quick names, their exemplary lives, their The principal explained that searched for her and found only was very brave and put his country encouraged the blacks to fight for to ask where he could find Burton unselfishness, their heroism, should because of the intelligence and a walking stick at the junction of first before anything. He risked his their freedom and taught them to N’goma and was directed to Watson be remembered by all of us. We good behaviour he had seen in the Muganda farms and Mundu Road, life in the quest to gain freedom be fearless in the struggle. He left Mpanduka, Burton’s nephew. should see them live again. Above boy, he wanted him to move from from where she was taken. from the hands of the colonial rul- for Scotland immediately after cur- Watson tried to talk him out of all, they should remain alive in our the boarding house he was stay- In the years 1937, 1939, and ers and was fearless, the epitome ing Burton, saying he could no lon- going to Mundu village by telling consciousness and in our hearts. ing in with his friends. He offered 1941, God blessed Burton and his of a great leadership. He was such ger live with the bloodshed. him that Burton had grown very On days such as this we should to pay all school fees and provide wife Mercy with three sons; Wal- an enormous figure in this country Burton was remanded at Milima old and could neither remember remember all those who gave their every support until he finished his lace Chilufya Wafita, Chilufya in his own right that he gained rec- prison for three years with two anything nor speak. Despite be- lives for our country’s indepen- education. Wakashika and Daniel Chewe. ognition from many people. colleagues; Shichinda Ifitayi, and ing told this, Mr Ipenberg insisted dence. His father happily agreed, but Two of them have since died with It was as a result of his generos- Chisashi. After that they were tak- it would defeat the purpose of his Today my attention turns to an before leaving he warned the prin- Wallace the only survivor. ity towards freedom fighters that en to Mukobeko maximum prison travelling to Zambia if he could unsung hero of the independence cipal not to steal his son, threaten- In 1943, Burton went to East Af- he was arrested. He was suspected in Kabwe, where they were meant not see Burton, even in his old age. struggle, Burton Ng’oma Chisashi. ing that the whole of Mundu vil- rica Tanzania with his wife Mercy of providing the fuel that was used to be sentenced to death. They He explained that he was writing a Burton was born on May 5, lage would walk to Lubwa Mission to hide from the colonial rulers to burn bridges in the area simply stayed at Mukobeko for four days. book about his grandfather. 1913, at Mundu village in Chin- and kill the principal if anything who wanted to kill him because because he was the only person When word went round that When they reached Mundu vil- sali. He started school at Mundu bad happened to him. Dr Brown of his involvement in the indepen- who owned a vehicle. Burton had been badily beaten, lage, Mr Ipenberg refused to wait in 1925, a school which opened in was further warned that the entire dence struggle. On a memorable day in July other colleagues, who were also for Burton to return from working 1910 with standards one to four. He Mundu village would travel to UK There he worked for Tanzania 1961, the white district commis- targeted to be arrested, ran away in in the fields, following him on foot managed to get his early education and destroy the area Dr Brown Railways and was elevated to the sioner Mr Hanar and mobile po- the bush. These included Brought- instead. When they reached the there and was later selected to go came from if young Burton was position of foreman, eventually lice, as they used to call them, well Kalulu, who married Burton’s farm, Mr Ipenberg spotted Burton to Lubwa Mission, which offered harmed in any way. Happily, Bur- reaching the position of station visited the village at around niece. He was a wanted man but, right away, without even having standards five and six. ton lived with Dr Brown until he manager. He worked in the towns 10:00hrs and found Burton. They luckily, when the police arrived he him pointed out, and spent nine He used to travel as a weekly finished his standard six. of Dodoma, Dar-es-Salam, Itigi, beat him in full view of his two was ploughing in the bush. hours interviewing him about how boarder from his village, Mundu, The principal had a typewriter in Kigoma, and Mbeya, from 1945 sons – Chilufya and Chewe – and Upon hearing what had hap- he lived with Dr Brown. which was 39.5 kilometres from his home and Burton used to play to 1959. burnt his shop. pened, he ran away rather than Burton also worked under the Lubwa Mission, a distance he used with it, eventually mastering typ- Along the way he managed to Upon hearing that the police had returning home for fear of being then governor of Chinsali, Daniel to walk every Friday back home, ing skills. He developed an interest acquire two shotguns, a rifle and a beaten Burton, his nephews, An- arrested. He continued to fight for Mukosa, following a vacancy af- and every Sunday back to school in typing because he used to see motor vehicle called Bedford. dala Munwe, Nashon Shimulunda the liberation while in the bush, ter the untimely death of Kenneth from 04:00hrs to 15:45hrs. Dr Brown typing documents for however, resulting in the villagers Mulenga Nongo, who collapsed calling him as ba Fyanifyani. Burton was a very intelligent stu- the mission every evening and at He was a freedom fighter who was and died while addressing a politi- dent. Noticing this, a British school The police searched for Brought- weekends. cal meeting. The death scared the principal, Dr Brown, requested him very brave and put his country first before well everywhere in the Musanya, In 1935, Burton was the only people of Chinsali, with people re- to get his parents to accompany student from 300 Bemba col- Mundu, Chipanga and Chinsali anything. He risked his life in the quest to gain luctant to apply for the job. him to school one day. leagues who managed to qualify areas. He narrowly escaped death freedom from the hands of the colonial rulers and President Kaunda decided that When Burton delivered the mes- to go on to standard six from those when they finally tracked him his son, Dr Waza Kaunda, be sage, the information was not well who sat the exams in the whole was fearless, the epitome of a great leadership down to Musanya village. They “sacrificed” and stand as member received by his parents, who sus- region now called Muchinga Prov- ‘ attacked his small thatched shel- of parliament amid allegations of pected he had committed a serious ince. In Namwanga 190 students Burton retired in 1959 and re- and Lameck Shauli, rushed to try ter and burnt it, only to discover witchcraft. As a result he started offence at school. His father beat sat the exams and six passed. In turned to Mundu village, Chinsali, to rescue him and were equally and that he was not there, having mobilising the party in the area him before he even met the princi- Tumbuka 145 students passed, and where he opened a grocery store brutally beaten. been tipped off by a teacher, Mr with Burton. pal to hear why he was summoned. no one passed from 115 students in in 1961. He re-joined politics, and After Burton lost consciousness, Levison. He continued to beat his son Mambwe. during the Cha Cha Cha period, they threw him in their vehicle to- While at Mukobeko, Burton Burton died on May 13, 1991, throughout the journey to meet the Burton continued with his edu- provided leadership for the mo- gether with his son and nephews used to sing his favourite UCZ and having come from a loyal fam- principal, to try to force a confes- cation in standard six and had a bilisation of the freedom fighters and took them to Chinsali remand hymn, No 234, Lesa ekachema ily, was buried at a location far sion from him about what he had busy time helping to translate in- in Chinsali area using his own prison cells. Burton was straight wandi, meaning God is my shep- away from his village, Mundu, as done. This didn’t get him anywhere formation from English to Icibem- resources. His home was a sanc- away taken to Lubwa Mission herd I will not fear, to strengthen per tradition. because even Burton didn’t know ba language, working with the tuary for all those who fought for Hospital where he was admitted himself while on remand. On the Burton died with scars on his why his parents were summoned. Rev Paul Mushindo, a prominent independence. and remained unconscious for a third day, which was the day be- body, which he treasured. He When they reached Lubwa Mis- preacher, who was also a specialist During the period 1961 to 1963, month. fore they were due to be sentenced, showed them to his grandchildren sion, Dr Brown was surprised to in Icibemba. members of UNIP asked him to Luckly, he was attended to by they sung the whole night. The fol- as a mark of his struggle and see Burton’s body showing marks Burton became a devout Chris- help them with his car and his a Scottish doctor, Dr Wilson, who lowing morning, one of them, Shi- triumph against the colonial op- of the severe beatings and his eyes tian in the Church of Free Church driver Mackson Chilakuka, to be was from the clan of Dr David Liv- chinda Ifitai, decided to commit pressors. swollen due to crying. of Scotland, now known as The used in the independence struggle. ingstone. Wilson said he would not suicide using his belt, and died in He used to boast that the scars He asked why the boy had been United Church of Zambia. He willingly offered the vehicle to rest until he saved Burton because the cell rather than waiting for the from the beatings he and his fel- beaten, and the father said he sus- While at the mission, he admired the party, as well as the driver, who he had been working with the mis- judgement and sentence the fol- low freedom fighters suffered at pected his son had committed an a girl by the name of Mercy Mu- continued to draw a salary from sionaries to spread the gospel. Dr lowing day. It was from this expe- the hands of the whites while in jail offence at school, and that was the kuka Tembwe, whom he later mar- Burton. He also provided fuel. Wilson worked tirelessly to give rience that, from that time on, the were indelible marks of the love for reason he had been summoned. ried. She was the daughter of Lucy Burton fought a lot, being the Burton the best treatment possible, authorities ensured they collected Zambia he showed during the Wel- The principal explained that it was Bwalya Chimutukule, a maid who only person in the area who had and he eventually regained con- belts from inmates as soon as they ensky rule. not an offence he had committed, in- was working at the home of the two guns at that time. He used sciousness. were detained. Eternal glory to men and women stead he had discovered that the boy Rev David Kaunda. Unfortunately, them during Cha Cha Cha in areas Dr Wilson supported the blacks’ The following night, the prison like Burton and his comrades! 4 Socialist Monthly, October/November 2020 REFLECTIONS Fred M’membe

Socialist Party president Fred Reckless loans M’membe . . . in tune with the Zambian people have caused budget crisis Debts will hit social services, but SP will renegotiate repayments

Socialist staff reporter “Would you say Zambia needs I love music and enables you to use your creativity to say something to import rice with the vast land we original. have? With the amount of water we Playing a musical instrument uses almost every ZAMBIA is in deep crisis have? We can produce enough rice can’t imagine life part of the brain, and it increases memory capabil- because of reckless govern- in this country to feed the whole ity and helps to better detect vocal emotions. This ment borrowing, which re- without it makes sense because there are many emotions region, so it’s not that we don’t conveyed through music. Apparently, being exposed quires about a 119 percent of have that potential. We have,” Dr AS LONG as I live, I shall be with music. I love to this tonal variance in music can help you not the country’s income to repay music. I started listening to music at an early age on Mwikisa said. just detect the emotions of music, but the emotions debts in 2021, Socialist Party He added that maize produc- radio and a record player. And I made my own musi- behind people’s words. cal instruments – a banjo from tin and nylon strings, No one – unless you are insanely gifted – can ef- general treasurer Chris Ngen- tion should be supported and in- a drum set from tins and plastic covers. fectively learn to play an instrument overnight. Mak- da Mwikisa has said. creased for the export market and When I was in Form 1 at St John’s Secondary ing music requires work and a consistent invest- Speaking on 5FM’s “Burn- livestock feed. School, in Mongu in 1972, I joined the school band. ment of time and effort. As they say, practice makes Dr Mwikisa called for a com- There I was taught to play the cornet trumpet and ing Issue” radio programme perfect. Discipline is necessary to go through the plete shift in priority areas for French horn. Then I moved to St Francis Secondary process of consistent, focused practice, especially party, Dr Mwikisa expressed growth and sustainability of the School, Malole, Kasama, for Forms 4 and 5. I joined when you would rather watch that new movie or a concern that the country’s debt Chris Ngenda Mwikisa: Zambia the school band there, which was more advanced soccer match. This discipline can carry over into a copper mono-economy economy. than the one at St John’s. I continued playing the situation would compromise “For so many years we have other aspects of your life, elevating the quality of the power, the SP would renegotiate trumpet and French horn, but I also added the mel- life you live. the social service sector. been depending on copper, and low phone and baritone horn. At St Francis, in ad- loan repayments and ensure that Playing a musical instrument breeds confidence. “If you pay all your debts, how when the prices go up, we dance a dition to the brass band, we had a pop group called the working class did not contin- The process of learning music leads to you playing are you going to manage your so- bit, and when the prices go down, The Comets. It was great fun. We played all sorts in front of other people. This fosters the valuable ue to be the most affected by the of music – songs of The Witch, Musi-O-Tunya, The cial sector requirements? How are we blame the price of copper, so expertise and grit necessary to confidently hold it you going to meet your health re- current government’s poor deci- Tinkles, Five Revolution, Rikki Ililonga, Paul Ngozi, together when other people are watching. sions and inconsistent policies, as really, it’s not a question of wheth- grand funk, Deep Purple, Doobie Brothers, James quirements? it is now. er we cannot export, whether we Brown, the Jackson 5, Osibisa, etc. “You must buy the medicine, can’t cut our imports. Yes, we can. I also play the harmonica, also known as a Remake the world, you must buy the equipment that He added that the country need- There is so much that we can cut, French harp or mouthorgan. This is a free reed wind require, you must buy all that is ed to reduce unnecessary costs, it’s just a lack of willingness to do instrument used worldwide in many musical genres, starting at home required for hospitals. If you are such as international meetings. notably blues, American folk music, classical music, There were many areas, such as it,” he said. THE SITUATION in our country today is such that a paying all your money, how are jazz, country, and rock. Bo Rikki has creatively used few enjoy the right to an adequate standard of living, the procurement of expensive cars Dr Mwikisa said the country it in his music. And this brother of mine borrowed you going to meet your education while the majority are deprived of such an enjoy- for government officials, that were needed to industrialise, improve my Harmonica and I don’t know if I will ever get it requirements. It means you are ment. wasteful. agriculture and modernise the back. drying up, you are not able to meet The minority have everything and the majority The government needed to education system in order to com- We studied for music exams with the London have nothing, and there’s a widening gap between your requirements,” he said. School of Music and Drama. the rich and the poor. In the interests of adequate raise revenue from the mines by pete with other countries interna- I am not playing musical instruments now but I standard of living as a human right, such a status introducing policies that would tionally. have stayed with the music. I have a Trumpet which quo needs to be addressed. Anxiety bolster efficiency and productiv- He called on Zambians to rally my daughters bought me for my fiftieth birthday. Many of our fellow citizens still live in circum- ity, he said. behind the Socialist Party and its I love music. I can’t imagine life without music. stances that are hardly compatible with their dignity Dr Mwikisa said the country And he expressed concern that as sons and daughters of God. Their life is a struggle president Fred M’membe in the As Bob Marley aptly put it in a reggae rhythm, “One was failing to utilise the resources Zambia still remained a mono- good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel for survival. At the same time, a minority enjoy the 2021 elections as they offered no pain.” fruits of development and can afford to live in luxury it had borrowed, effectively and economy, highly dependent on genuine and sustainable change Choosing to play an instrument is the beginning and wealth. We appeal for a more just, fair, equal and prudently. copper for its exports. based on the socialist ideological humane distribution of the nation’s wealth. of a journey, one that is exciting, but often filled with And he said the 2021 national He said the situation was affect- It may be argued, of course, that those who enjoy grounding. struggle and hard work. It will require you to take in budget failed to address people’s ing the trade balance as Zambia the highest standards of living have achieved this “Why should you trust the So- new information and master new skills. expectations. continued importing most of its through hard work and that they deserve the benefits cialist Party? It’s singing a differ- Playing a musical instrument is really worthwhile. of their efforts, regardless of the poverty affecting “If you look at the allocations of basic requirements from other pro- ent song, it is talking about equity I find playing music relaxing. It thus reduces stress. others. There are many reasons for rejecting this some of the key sectors, let’s take ductive countries. If you are like me and find it easy to get stressed while the others are not bothered argument. the social sectors, the allocations “For how many years now out, listing to music could help lower your stress Firstly, it is sinful to keep for oneself an overabun- have declined over time, how are have we been talking about cop- about equity, it is talking about levels. Listening to your own instrument gives the dance of wealth when one’s brothers and sisters are solidarity, working together. The benefit of taking your mind off your day. suffering and even dying for want of simple neces- they going to resuscitate the econ- per? Governments have come and current system doesn’t think of Playing a musical instrument also helps you sities. In such a situation, it is of no consequence omy,” he said. gone and everyone is just talking develop patience and perseverance. how and why some people come to be excessively He said that once the Social- about copper. Look at the kind of others.” The process of learning to play an instrument is wealthy while others starve. Christian justice de- ist Party formed a government it resources that we have; we have Zambia and the rest of the world mands that sufficient sharing takes place to ensure not always easy. It involves not only your mind, but would address the question of debt water, we have fertile land, we needed to move away from capital- also your body. You will have to learn fingerings that the basic needs of all are met. Secondly, the rich are rich because the poor are poor. Thirdly, even if that had caused so much distress have valleys, yet if you go to a ism, which was inherently corrupt, and/or chord shapes, develop technique, and memo- the demands of charity are rejected, and even if it greedy and promoted consumer- rise new information. and anxiety in the country. number of our shops, you will find were possible to argue that those enjoying excessive Dr Mwikisa said that once in imported rice. ism for profits, he said. Slowly, with consistent practice, you will find wealth are fully justified in doing so, commonsense yourself getting better. With each new milestone, dictates that our society cannot prosper under these you gain a small reward for your efforts and this conditions. will keep you motivated. Making music requires The good of each of us in the long term is secured patience. Instead of getting immediate results, you and promoted by the common good of all. Glaring China is in ‘friendly discussions’ will have to persevere. Keep at it, you will achieve inequalities can only precipitate social instability the results you desire. and threaten the wellbeing of all, rich and poor. You don’t have to become a virtuoso to reap the History abounds with instances where the rich and the powerful have brought about their own downfall with Zambia over restructuring benefits of music. You can gain many of these ben- efits by just learning the basics. You will develop a by refusing to recognise in good time the legitimate taste for the different composers, styles, and genres demands of the poor. CHINA is expected to come under pressure Simon Quijano-Evans, chief economist for emerg- of music. Not only does this cause you to be more As Jimmy Cliff sang in a reggae rhythm – Remake to restructure loans it has advanced to Zambia ing markets at Gemcorp Capital in London, said that the World – a revolutionary transformation of our well-versed in music, but it also leads to a higher given Beijing was one of the largest lenders to Sub- country is urgently needed: after the government asked bondholders for a appreciation of the skill. Too many people are suffering six-month moratorium on interest payments on Saharan Africa, “it is very important for countries in According to Aristotle in his Politics, book eight, the region to be able to reach an agreement with China Too many people are sad US$3 billion worth of Eurobonds. unless you have taken part in music education, or Too likeable people got everything on debt payments”. The country is seeking US$1.3 billion in financial in learning an instrument, you have no real basis for While too many people got nothing “Financial market participants have been waiting assessing the quality of a piece of music. Interest- Remake the world assistance from the International Monetary Fund and for many years for Zambia to approach the Interna- ingly, he also says that you should not dedicate With love and happiness has applied to the G20 Debt Service Suspension tional Monetary Fund for a loan programme to help yourself to learning a difficult instrument, because it Remake the world Initiative (DSSI), of which China is a member, for a is a waste of time. Just learn enough to enjoy play- Put your conscience in the test secure debt sustainability and increase transparency moratorium on debt repayments. ing a bit, and to judge the quality of music. Remake the world with regards to external debt exposure,” he said. Playing a musical instrument cultivates creativity. North, south, east and west China’s foreign ministry said the two countries Remake the world were in talks. “We are now engaged in friendly discus- Mark Bohlund, a senior credit research analyst at At its core, music is art. Redd Intelligence, New York, said China holds about Music is a language, and the more “words” you Gotta prove that are the best, yeah sions with Zambia and we will do our best to assist it Too many people are suffering learn the more you will be able to say. You will to overcome the difficulties brought by the coronavi- half Zambia’s US$11.2 billion worth of external debt. Too many people are sad soon find yourself wanting to apply the information According to the China Africa Research Initiative Too likeable people got everything rus,” a spokesperson said. you’ve learned to create music of your own and While too many people got nothing Under the Belt and Road Initiative, Chinese Presi- at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced Interna- express your own voice. Music is not just about Remake the world dent Xi Jinping’s ambitious trade and infrastructure tional Studies in Washington, between 2000 and 2018, knowing how to play specific songs, it is about ex- Come on human dignity development plan, Beijing has funded the construc- Zambia borrowed US$9.7 billion – most of it from pressing emotion through sound. Whether it is just Remake the world tion of roads, hydropower plants and railways across Beijing – to pay for infrastructure projects, including playing your own version of a song, or creating an Wipe strife and poverty entirely new one, learning how to play an instrument Remake the world . . . Africa, but is now facing multiple requests for debt roads, bridges, power dams and airports. relief from a number of host nations. South China Morning Post Socialist Monthly, October/November 2020 5 EDUCATION

Kwa education a class apart Mafundi Community School caters to 63 impoverished pupils in Western Province

Cosmas Musumali environment. As such, no child should A free education policy is therefore nec- be subjected to learning in dilapidated, essary to ensure access for all, despite a THESE are the appalling conditions inhumane and degrading conditions. citizen’s wealth. that children in rural Lukulu, Nthongwe It is about time the Zambian masses The Socialist Party in government will (Dongwe) ward in Western Province have took the economy and political power provide compulsory, quality, free educa- to suffer in order to enjoy a basic human into their own hands in order to provide tion from nursery to Grade 12. right . . . education. decent education, public services and College and university education will Mafundi Community School is an exam- standards of living for all – a society in also be free for all Zambians. ple of what happens when rural poverty which all can enjoy the full benefits of There will be no fees; uniforms, books, levels stand at an average of 76.6 percent, economic development. pens, pencils, and school meals will be with Western Province sitting at the high- Capitalism, by its very nature, cannot provided. est poverty levels of 82.2 percent. provide this. It is only a socialist trans- We will put an end to the degrading Every child is special and has a right formation of society that holds a brighter conditions that so many of our children to quality education, a safe and clean future for our children, and our people. have to suffer at school.

JUSTICE • EQUITY • PEACE

6 Socialist Monthly, October/November 2020 LITERACY CAMPAIGN Lessons are for all, not just SP members Word’s on the street: everyone is welcome

Socialist staff reporter personalise these materials. Let us make sure they are used for their intended purpose. If we personalise TEACHERS in Kapiri Mposhi them they will become a waste of have called on members of the time, resources and energy. Re- public to feel free to attend the member they are for the commu- nity.” countrywide Fred M’membe Musoma urged Zambians to literacy classes. support the programme. “The Speaking during a three-day programme has shown Zambians training workshop in Kapiri, that the party values education so teacher Henry Mwewa said much, and the target should be the programme was meant for adults, our mothers and fathers, everyone and not just Socialist who are willing to know how to read and write.” Party members. Programme facilitator Hilton “Every Zambian is welcome, Sibote challenged teachers to regardless of their political af- take a leading role and dedicate filiation. The literacy campaign is their services to the community, meant to benefit the community.” expressing gratitude to those who Mwewa said many people, most- showed commitment by attending ly in the rural parts of the country, the training. had no opportunity to go to school, “Go out there and teach the and the Socialist Party through its community, and please don’t stop Fred M’membe literacy campaign anyone who wants to attend the had given them an opportunity to classes. We have trained you be- learn how to read and write. cause we want the community to “This is one of the great- be literate,” Sibote said. est things the party can offer the Speaking when handing over the people of this country,” he said. teaching and learning materials, “As we know, most people in rural national coordinator Sipiwe Nikisi areas have not been to school for called on members of the commu- different reasons, and now people nity to take a leading role by put- countrywide have an opportunity to learn how to read and write ting them to good use. through the Socialist Party. Many The campaign team conducted have been swindled because they a three-day training workshop in do things that they don’t under- Kapiri Mposhi district of Cen- stand and don’t know,” Mwewa tral Province, donating materials, said. including exercise books, black He has called on programme boards, chalk boards, paper, pens, teachers to show leadership and al- and pencils. low everyone to participate in the classes regardless of their political High praise from Kapiri affiliation. Community Moshi traditional leader A TRADITIONAL leader in Ka- and the literacy programme piri Mposhi district, Central would greatly benefit them. Another teacher, Jaswell Malun- Province, has commended “Many of our people have ga, from Lwansulu ward, com- the Socialist Party for of- never been to school, so the mended the party for offering train- fering the Fred M’membe Fred M’membe Literacy Pro- ing free of charge. literacy campaign in his gramme gives them a greater “We are very grateful to receive area and in Kapiri Mposhi opportunity to know how to generally. read and write.” training from the literacy team Headman Tetu (inset, left) Meanwhile, Kantwite through the Socialist Party, and we said the party was showing Community School Parents’ want to assure you that the training Zambians that it really is a Teachers’ Association chair- will not only benefit teachers, but party for the poor and ready person Boyd Mutambo urged will also benefit the community, to liberate Zambians. parents to take a leading and the materials given to us will “This is a wonderful role and start attending the be put to good use.” programme which our classes. He said education community should support, was key to every successful Socialist Party Central Province that is if we are to liberate development agenda of a spokesperson Claudius Musoma ourselves from poverty. We country. urged teachers not to keep materi- did not even know that you “Thank you to the Social- als to themselves but to make sure could visit us here in Tetu ist Party for bringing the they work for their intended pur- village as many people have literacy classes to this area, pose, to benefit the community. neglected us. Many have this school will benefit our Musoma said the Fred M’membe promised but never fulfilled parents in this area and the anything,” he said. entire Central Province as literacy team’s aim was for every The traditional leader add- learning is important regard- Zambian to become literate. ed that most of the people in less of your age,” Mutambo “Please comrades, let us not his village were not educated said. JUSTICE • EQUITY • PEACE

Socialist Monthly, October/November 2020 7 PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES Pride and Meet the women who will thanks in the battle lead the fight for fairness for 2021 They join Rehoboth Kafwabulula and Christine Musole Socialist staff reporter

Socialist Party president Fred SOCIALIST Party Lubasenshi M’membe has pledged that parliamentary candidate Fran- cis Chanda Chileshe has com- SP is committed to fielding mended the party’s central not less than 50 percent committee for adopting him women in next year’s elec- to contest the 2021 general election. tions. As part of that pledge, Chileshe said he was ex- the party recently adopted cited that the party leadership three women candidates had placed trust in him to be part of the winning revolution- for the Malole, Chitambo, ary team. and Mbala constituencies. He said he was grateful to They join the party’s national party president Fred M’membe for exhibiting unequalled spokesperson Rehoboth leadership qualities that were Kafwabulula, and Christine inspiring to the general mem- Musole, candidate for Mongu. bers, particularly those who had already been adopted. Cecilia Lwiindi Nedziwe “I also give thanks to all the talks to them about their be- amazing people of Lubasen- liefs, hopes and aspirations shi who encouraged, and supported me to stand as the Socialist Party member of parliament in the coming Margaret Kangwa Pikiti general election. I will not let you down.” MARGARET Kangwa Pikiti Chileshe said he would is the Socialist Party’s parlia- make sure that he worked with the people of Lubasenshi mentary candidate for Malole in order for the constituency constituency. to develop. Pikiti was born in Malole, And Mulenga Chiluba Mut- Mungwi, Northern Province. She Women on the front line: (left to right) Moddy Nonde Chisha, Naome Nanyangwe, and Margaret Kangwa Pikiti amba, who has been adopted for Nkanchibiya constituency, went to Ituna Primary School in for socialism. In fact, it is long Party Women’s League, we do ap- “In my constituency, health of- And asked why she joined the also expressed happiness Kasama and attended Lwitikila overdue. A change is needed in as- preciate that the recommendations ficers meet the people in makeshift Socialist Party, she says, “I joined to be associated with Dr Girls Secondary School in Mpika, pects of life and governance. Capi- emerging from the women’s league clinics in the bush. There are fur- because of its unique vision and M’membe. finishing form five in 1978. talism has failed our people. Suf- have been taken on board by the ther no bridges to make life bear- language: the ‘Justice, Equity, “He worked together with the late president Michael In December 1978, Marga- fering is unbearable and it is hard central committee. able during the rainy season. Those Peace’ language. ret went for compulsory military Sata,” he said. Mutamba for one to look and do nothing. The “In 2021, not less than 50 per- are just some of the huge challeng- “It was the first time I heard of expressed regret that some of training with Zambia National Ser- values of socialism are what can cent women will stand on the So- es that people of Chitambo face on a party that was concerned about vice. This was followed by training the projects initiated by Sata, lift Zambia out of the current pit. cialist Party ticket, both at local a day-to-day basis.” transforming Zambia, about push- such as the construction of in Physiotherapy at Evelyn Hone “I am also a writer and my book and parliamentary elections. This She says the Zambian people ing for not less than 50 percent of John Mubanga Day School, College in Lusaka. begins in the Malole village I used is progressive. are ready for socialism, “Yes, the women’s participation in the party Kopa Day School, and Chala- Then in 1993, she obtained a to imagine, not the impoverished “I also joined because I was in- Zambian people are ready for a so- structures, and leadership outside besa Day School, had stalled bachelor of science degree in oc- one today. So here we are. I am spired by the honesty, humility and cialist government, for a party that the structures. since his death in 2014. cupational therapy in the United He said a good leader now the adopted candidate for So- wisdom of its leadership. I knew has leaders who lead, and allow the “I could also relate to the So- should be humble and relate Kingdom. Later, she completed a cialist Party Malole constituency.” with my background in the church people to govern.” cialist Party values of honesty, master’s in business administration to the challenges faced by the that if we joined hands together we humility, equity and solidarity that people, while searching for with a dissertation that focused on Moddy Nonde Chisha could transform Zambia. I was also Naome Nanyangwe align very well with those of my solutions to their problems. poultry farming in Zambia and inspired deeply by our president, convictions. “For people of Nkanchibiya, Brazil. MODDY Nonde Chisha is Dr Fred M’membe, a patriotic NAOMI Nanyangwe, is the “I equally desire to see a trans- we are convinced that Dr Pikiti is now settled back in Socialist Party’s parliamen- leader who wouldn’t love to see Socialist Party’s parliamen- formed Zambia, a land where M’membe is grounded about the challenges faced by the Malole where she is working had tary candidate for Chitambo citizens being subjected to the an tary candidate for Mbala. everyone feels they belong in all to revamp farmland, working and people because he interacts Constituency. oppressive capitalist system and Nanyangwe is Zambian by na- senses in terms of access to educa- interacting with local people, shar- with them all the time,” Mut- Chisha is Zambian. She attend- ideologies that perpetuates suffer- tionality. Her home languages are tion, health, decent sanitation and ing their anxieties, sorrows, hope- amba said. ed Chimwemwe Primary School, ing among Zambians. Mambwe and Bemba. In terms housing, and a life free from pov- He urged the people of Nk- lessness and desperation on a daily junior secondary at Hellen Kaunda “The Socialist Party is the an- of her religion, she is a Seventh erty and extreme hunger.” anchibiya to unite and expand basis. Secondary, and her upper classes swer to Zambia’s problems. Under Day Adventist, and has previously In terms of the changes she the party in order to win the Malole is a constituency in a at Mindolo Secondary School. the socialist government, we will served in various church leader- desires for her constituency, she 2021 general election. province with a poverty level of Meanwhile, Mbala con- Chisha is currently pursuing work hard to strive for justice, eq- ship positions; as a Dorcas leader, says, “Job creation for a number of 79.7 per cent. This is reflected in stituency Socialist Party a Bachelor of Science and a cer- uity and peace in distribution of the a superintendent and choir leader. youths through embarking on seri- people’s daily struggles, and lack- candidate Naomi Nanyangwe tificate in fashion and design. She natural resources and the national She has served her community as ous industrialisation programmes ing the basics in education, health, has pledged to work with Dr holds a diploma in theology, a wealth of our country as outlined in the savings chairperson. such as industries for processing M’membe for the betterment food, and all the other services re- certificate of psychosocial coun- our manifesto.” Nanyangwe attended Munyezi goods, building milling planta- of the country. quired in an organised society. seling, and a certificate in literacy Asked what transformation she Primary School, completed tertia- tions, a better system of develop- Nanyangwe described Dr Pikiti says: “I was not seeking teaching and in community work. envisions for Chitambo Constitu- ry level at Mbala High School and ing agriculture and building the M’membe as a humble leader political office when I joined the Her previous leadership roles ency, Chisha says: studied early childhood education capacities for our farmers, as well with a vision for Zambia she Socialist Party. I joined the Social- had never witnessed before. include that of being a reverend. “I envision a Chitambo constitu- at the University of Zambia. She as the roads that are currently bad ist Party because the issues close She said Mbala had great Since 2000, she has been pastoring ency in which all our people have has worked as a teacher at Mayan- or non-existent.” to my heart are core to the party. potential to develop the agri- a church. access to healthcare, education, ga and at Mbala primary schools. On Zambia and socialism, Nan- The plight of the poor being at the cultural sector by enhancing In terms of what motivated Chi- roads and bridges, as well as an Asked about what captivates yangwe says, “Zambia is ready for productivity in line with the centre of it. sha to join the Socialist Party, she improved agricultural sector. At the her, Nanyangwe says, “The inner socialism because it is the only party’s manifesto. “Also, after scrutinising the says: “I was attracted to the party’s moment, the situation is bad. There peace I feel when I help others, system that guarantees us real The Socialist Party adopted party’s manifesto, programme, progressive policy on women and are serious issues around access to when I am of service to others, the change, real transformation, and nine parliamentary candidates and the leadership under Dr Fred for the 2021 general election youth. We have a voice in the party education, bad roads, and lack of joy of being useful to others, to the this can only come from our party, M’membe, I happily joined this in September. and as a member of the Socialist decent clinics. people in my community.” the Socialist Party.” party that makes one feel at home. And when my name came up for adoption, and then I was ap- proached by the party leadership The task ahead of us ‘cannot be left to trial and error’ to stand as a member of parliament A shortage of medicines in hospitals was ince, thanked the party leadership for hav- transform the future. I shall therefore sup- for Malole constituency, I accepted Kelvin Phiri also a major challenge. ing the confidence to adopt him to contest port programmes and motions that pro- with anticipation and excitement. “Lack of medicines . . . must change, I next year’s election on the party ticket. mote national unity and equal distribution “As an individual, what capti- ADOPTED Socialist Party parliamentary will make sure that I continue struggling He said it was disappointing that after of development throughout the country, vates me is seeing joy on the faces candidates for Senga Hill and Mpika Cen- for a better Zambia with the people in my 50 years of independence, people still faced irrespective of which party sponsors such of the elderly and children. The tral constituencies have pledged to work constituency. The youths have no jobs and the challenges of unsafe drinking water, programmes. kind of transformation I envision closely with their communities to foster they are in suffering communities.” dangerous roads and poor nutrition. “The task ahead of us cannot be left to for my constituency is accessible sustainable development. Sikonde also called for a shift in the agri- Kalonde said the country was falling trial and error or in the hands of test-tube health for all, education for all Senga Hill candidate Maximo Mutam- culture policy in order to increase produc- apart because of capitalism with its inher- politicians . . . but to tried-and tested com- from pre-school, for people to re- bo Sikonde said it was disappointing that tivity while empowering the farmers. ent greed, corruption, theft and selfishness. patriots, in the hands of our dear comrade gain their pride and provide jobs. schools in the constituency were falling Mpika Central constituency candidate “The Socialist Party has this very ardu- and party president Dr Fred M’membe,” “Zambia is most definitely ready apart because teachers were not motivated. Andrew Kalonde, from Muchinga Prov- ous task of revisiting the past in order to he said.

8 Socialist Monthly, October/November 2020 GLOBAL VIEW Bolivia socialists’ election win ‘reclaims democracy and hope’ Resounding victory comes a year after Morales was ousted from power

BOLIVIA’S socialist party is party, Movimiento al Socialismo ern thinking of Bolivia and of de- took power after Morales’s banish- human rights and prosperity in Bo- celebrating a stunning politi- (Mas), resulted in mass street pro- mocracy”. ment, it was a stinging rebuke. livia and throughout the region.” Opponents of Mas claim Arce cal comeback after Luis Arce, tests, the presidential election be- Leading members of the Latin “It tells us the rightwing in Bo- ing scrapped, and Morales being American left, who hope Arce’s livia has no broad political support is little more than a puppet for Bo- its candidate in the presiden- forced from the country in what election triumph may help re- – not even close,” Shultz said. livia’s exiled former president, who tial election, secured 55.1 per- his supporters describe as a racist, vive their own fortunes, cel- “The rightwing was given a they suspect will now seek to return cent of the vote. rightwing coup. ebrated the result. “Viva the chance to govern and proved that it home. But Arce sought publicly to His closest rival, the cen- “We will govern for all Boliv- Bolivian people! Viva democ- is only interested in its own power distance himself from Morales ians. We will bring unity to our racy!” tweeted Gleisi Hoffmann, and in itself, and has contempt for during the campaign, and allies trist former president Carlos country,” Arce said. the president of the Brazilian the indigenous and poor of the said the man poised to become Bo- Mesa, Civic Community par- Morales, who has towered over Workers’ Party. country. livia’s next president was beholden ty, received 28.8 percent. the election rerun despite living Venezuelan leader Nicolás “It demonstrated that by pre- to no one. Arce, a former finance min- in exile in Argentina, hailed “a re- Maduro tweeted: “A great victory! tending it had legitimacy that it “Categorically, Evo will not in- ister under Evo Morales, said, sounding victory” for his party. United and aware, the Bolivian didn’t, by overseeing real human terfere in the government of broth- “Sisters and brothers, the will people have used votes to defeat rights abuses and impunity, and by er Luis Arce,” said David Apaza, a “We have reclaimed democ- of the people has prevailed,” he the coup they carried out against being incompetent and corrupt in Mas leader in El Alto, a high pla- racy and above all we have re- tweeted. our brother Evo.” its governance, and people weren’t teau city above La Paz. Luis Arce: we will bring unity claimed hope.” Morales was Bolivia’s first in- The result is a sensational politi- going to have it.” “Comrade Evo Morales in his The 57-year-old UK-educated digenous president and governed cal fightback for Mas, which was date they had when Evo was first In Washington, a state depart- time was the vital element, the economist, who is widely known from January 2006 until he was left reeling last year when its leader elected in 2005,” said Jim Shultz, ment spokesperson said: “President principal protagonist, but now we as Lucho, pledged to end the un- ousted last year. was forced to flee the country after founder of the Bolivia-focused De- Trump and the United States look believe our comrade should rest, certainty that has divided Bolivia Rightwing interim president trying to secure an unprecedented mocracy Centre. forward to working with whom- while our brother Luis Arce takes since October 2019, when disputed Jeanine Áñez congratulated Arce fourth term as president. For Áñez’s outgoing conserva- ever the Bolivians elect. We will the lead.” claims of vote rigging against his and Mas, and asked them “to gov- “It’s a return to the kind of man- tive interim government, which continue to promote democracy, Agencies The language The struggle for peace ‘is of fascism, our most dictatorship, sacred duty’ TO STRUGGLE for peace should be the most sacred duty of all and civil war human beings, whatever their religion, country of origin, skin colour, and however advanced Joseph Kishore and David North or youthful their age may be. Those were the words in a statement by the Socialist Party THE UNITED States presidential cam- Zambia to mark this year’s Inter- paign is being transformed into a coup national Day of Peace. Each year, the International d’état by Donald Trump, who has de- Day of Peace is observed around clared that he may not accept the results the world on September 21. The of any vote that goes against him. 2020 theme was “Shaping Peace Together”. Speaking at a White House press confer- The United Nations General ence before his hospitalisation with COV- Assembly has declared this as a ID-19, Trump was asked whether he would day devoted to strengthening the “commit here today for a peaceful transfer ideals of peace, through observ- of power after the election?” He replied, ing 24 hours of non-violence and “We’re going to have to see what happens. SP condemns racism and repression in the US ceasefire. You know I have been complaining very THE SOCIALIST Party Zambia US,” a spokesperson said. “The Socialist Party calls peaceful coexistence. We “This year, it has been clearer strongly about the ballots. And the ballots has expressed solidarity with “We are aware of the fact for solidarity with the victims deplore the senseless assault than ever that we are not each other’s enemies. Rather, our are a disaster.” the anti-racism movement in that . . . the escalating racial of systemic violence, and by the US establishment on the United States against a crackdowns are direct spin- implores all organisations of those agitating for a more common enemy is a tireless When his questioner persisted, Trump growing wave of repression. offs from the deeply fractured good will to unify and con- humane and fair society. virus that threatens our health, said, “You’ll have a very peaceful trans . . . “We earnestly beseech the capitalist system. cretise the struggles against “We demand the immedi- security and very way of life,” there won’t be a transfer frankly. There will international community to “We call upon the US racial injustice and physical ate and unconditional release the statement said, issued by be a continuation.” raise its collective voice to government to without delay attacks, especially against of the Party of Socialism and Socialist Party president Fred Trump’s determination to rapidly appoint denounce the racially inspired address all forms of structural individuals and civil organ- Liberation activists and many M’membe on behalf of the attacks that today define the aggression against the anti- isations that seek to defend others from incarceration a new Supreme Court justice to fill the seat politburo. order of events across the racism protesters. justice, promote equity and across the US.” “COVID-19 has thrown our left by Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death is a crit- world into turmoil and forcibly ical element of the unfolding criminal con- With a justification based on claims of his illegal seizure of power, the Democrats that would get out of control and threaten reminded us that what happens spiracy. Trump intends to stack the Supreme rampant fraud, Trump would ask state legis- have declared that there is nothing that can the capitalist oligarchy. in one part of the planet can Court with lackeys who will rubber-stamp lators to set aside the popular vote and exer- be done to stop Trump’s appointment of an- The Democrats fear such a development impact people everywhere. his repudiation of the election results. cise their power to choose a slate of electors other justice before the November election. more than anything. Their entire focus over “In March, United Nations Sec- “I think this [the election] will end up in directly. After Republican Senator Mitt Romney the past four years has been to divert popu- retary-General António Guterres the Supreme Court, and I think it’s very im- In doing so, Trump would be acting on announced he would support Trump fill- lar opposition to Trump behind the conflicts called on all warring parties to portant that we have nine justices,” Trump the basis of Justice Antonin Scalia’s argu- ing the Ginsburg vacancy, the Democrats within the ruling class over foreign policy, lay down their weapons and focus on the battle against this said at the news conference. ment in Bush v Gore 20 years ago, when abandoned their “resistance” strategy, such centred on the demand for more aggressive unprecedented global pandemic. That the preparations for an overthrow of the Supreme Court intervened to shut down as it was, of finding four Republicans who action against Russia. “While the message was the constitution are well advanced is now vote-counting in Florida and hand the elec- would break with Trump and Senate Major- To subordinate the fight against Trump intended for armed parties, soli- widely acknowledged. A column published tion to Bush. ity Leader Mitch McConnell and oppose a to the Democratic Party can lead only to a darity and cooperation across in The Atlantic, headlined “The election Trump is not running an election cam- confirmation vote. political catastrophe. borders, sectors and genera- that could break America”, outlines what paign, he is setting into motion a plot to Senate minority leader Charles Schumer Workers must recognise that American tions, are also needed to win it called a nightmare scenario involving the establish a presidential dictatorship. This is has declared that “all options are on the ta- democracy is collapsing. The language of this new fight against the worst public health crisis of our time. mobilisation of right-wing vigilantes and a continuation of the entire conspiracy initi- ble”, but only after the Supreme Court nom- Trump is the language of fascism, dictator- “In these difficult times of the seizure of uncounted ballots. ated with his June 1 speech threatening to inee is confirmed, and then only if the Dem- ship and civil war. physical distancing, even though The Atlantic references discussions with- invoke the Insurrection Act and deploy the ocrats win control of both the Senate and the The critical issue now is the development we may not be able to stand next in the White House over how to overturn the military against domestic protests. White House. But the Supreme Court pick of a mass movement of the working class. to each other, we can still dream election results if they go against Trump. There is a staggering contrast between the is central to Trump’s strategy of maintaining The growing wave of strikes, protests and together about a world full of According to sources in the Republican ruthlessness with which Trump and his co- his position in the White House. demonstrations – including those sparked justice, equity and peace. Party at both state and national levels, the conspirators are implementing their plans The pathetic response of the Democrat- by the whitewashing of the police murder “Let’s celebrate this day by Trump campaign is discussing contingency and the fecklessness and cowardice of the ic Party and its presidential candidate to of Breonna Taylor in Louisville – must spreading compassion, kind- ness and hope in the face of the plans to bypass election results and appoint Democratic Party and its presidential can- Trump’s conspiracy is determined, above coalesce into a general strike, demanding pandemic. Let’s stand together loyal electors in battleground states where didate, Joe Biden. Even as Trump is plan- all, by its fear that any call for resistance Trump’s removal from office. against attempts to use the virus Republicans hold the legislative majority. ning to stack the Supreme Court to facilitate would trigger a mass movement from below wsws.org to promote discrimination or ha- tred,” the party statement said. Socialist Monthly, October/November 2020 9 GLOBAL VIEW CHINA Gangster WATCH INTEREST in China is growing, yet most news and analysis out- side the country is produced by mainstream media from the global north. To provide access to Chinese bankers, perspectives, the Dong Feng Col- lective – researchers from various countries – offers a China digest of news. This is an edited selection.

Socialist Shenzhen capitalist CHINA says it plans to transform Shenzhen into a “socialist model” by 2025, leading growth and inno- vation in the Greater Bay Area. The project will allow the city to advance in the technology, energy, telecom- criminals munications, transportation, educa- tion and land management sectors. Leaked files expose Global Times China joins COVAX role of dirty money in CHINA has joined COVAX, the US$2 billion global distribution agreement on COVID-19 vaccines, Money laundering is a crime that makes other crimes possible. It can accelerate economic inequality, prioritising developing countries. the world economy More than 170 countries have drain public funds, undermine democracy, and destabilise nations joined the WHO-backed scheme, In other words, the biggest US Barry Grey Network, or FinCEN, between British-based Standard Chartered, money launderer, reported the although the US has refused to. It 1999 and 2017. Barclays, HSBC, Bank of China, and international banks have made transactions to British and Ameri- aims to produce two billion doses FinCEN makes its database of Bank of America, Wells Fargo and countless millions in profits serv- can authorities, and continued do- by end of next year. SARs available to more than 450 Citibank. ing as money launderers for ter- ing business with the client. The Reuters AN EXPLOSIVE report pub- ror outfits such as the Taliban and law enforcement and regulatory One report, filed by JPMorgan Nigerian government is now suing governments of so-called “rogue lished by BuzzFeed News agencies across the United States. in August, 2014, lists over US$355 the bank in a British court. countries” such as North Korea – Action on loans documents the role that major What BuzzFeed calls the “Fin- billion in suspicious activity re- This collusion between gang- with the knowledge and tacit ap- CHINA is participating in the global CEN Files” were leaked to the ster bankers and capitalist govern- US and international banks lating to more than 100,000 wire proval of the governments of the Debt Service Suspension Initiative news outlet more than a year ago. ment regulators is a continuation knowingly play in launder- transfers “sent, received or trans- US and other major powers, even (DSSI) as a lender of US$28 billion, It has since been combing through of longstanding policy. In 2012, ferred” over the course of a decade as these same governments were maturing in 2020. According to a ing and circulating trillions of them, in collaboration with the the Obama administration refused by MKS, a Swiss-based company waging or threatening war against study, China has never seized as- dollars in dirty money from International Consortium of In- to criminally prosecute Britain’s that trades in precious metals. the targeted terrorist organisations sets from debtor countries, and has vestigative Journalists, which co- biggest bank, HSBC, after it ac- terrorist organisations, drug At least 25 of the people named and overseas regimes. already agreed to renegotiate a quar- authored the report. knowledged laundering billions of cartels and assorted interna- as subjects in the SARs have ap- The BuzzFeed report describes ter (US$94 billion) of its total loans. BuzzFeed News notes that it dollars for Mexican and Colombi- peared on Forbes’ list of billion- the cynical rationale behind the Rhodium Group tional financial criminals. also shared the SARs with more an drug cartels. Among the bank’s aires in 2018, 2019 or 2020. formality of banks filing SARs, The report is an unanswerable than 100 other news organisa- major clients was the Sinaloa Car- which, for the most part, are never indictment not only of the banks, tions in 88 countries. The report, The findings featured in the tel in Mexico, which is known for Asia on a roll even read by the staff of FinCEN. titled “Dirty Money Pours Into The BuzzFeed report include: dismembering its victims and pub- DEVELOPING countries, mostly but also of western governments Over the past decade, the number World’s Most Powerful Banks,” l Standard Chartered moved licly displaying their body parts. in Asia, will account for 95 percent and regulatory agencies, which of SARs filed by major banks has includes only a small and redacted money on behalf of Al Zarooni That was in keeping with the of global growth in 2020-2021, with are fully aware of the banks’ ille- sharply increased, indicating a sample of the news outlet’s hoard Exchange, a Dubai-based business policy of the US government of gal but highly lucrative activities, growth of money laundering and China accounting for 51 percent, of suspicious activity reports. that was later accused of launder- shielding top bankers from any other illegal activities on behalf according to the IMF. The GDP of and tacitly sanction them. The US government maintains a ing cash on behalf of the Taliban. accountability for illegal activi- of criminal clients. Over the same advanced economies is expected to BuzzFeed writes that its in- policy of total secrecy in relation to l ties, including those that led to the HSBC’s Hong Kong branch al- period, the staff of FinCEN has fall 3.6 percent below their 2019 vestigation demonstrates “an un- the SARs, refusing to release them collapse of the financial system in lowed WCM777, a Ponzi scheme, shrunk by 10 percent. level in 2021. derlying truth of the modern era: even in response to Freedom of 2008, and ushered in what at that to move more than US$15 mil- Banks are legally required to file Asia Times the networks through which dirty Information requests. Earlier this time was the deepest slump since lion even as the business was be- an SAR with FinCEN if they sus- money traverses the world have year, the Treasury Department is- the Great Depression. To this day, ing barred from operating in three pect a transaction might be linked become vital arteries of the global sued a statement declaring that the not a single leading executive of a COVID-19 efficiency states. Authorities say the scheme to illegal activity. Large banks file economy. They enable a shadow unauthorised disclosure of SARs major bank has been prosecuted, AFTER discovering 13 new CO- stole some US$80 million from tens of thousands of such reports financial system so wide-ranging is a crime. In an obvious attempt let alone jailed, for fraudulent ac- VID-19 cases, the coastal city of investors, mainly Latino and Asian every year. In 2017, 19 large banks tivities that led to the destruction of and so unchecked that it has be- at intimidation and threat of pros- Qingdao tested nearly 11 million immigrants. The firm’s owner used filed a total of 640,000 suspicious millions of jobs and the decimation come inextricable from the so- ecution, the statement added that residents in five days using an ef- the funds to buy two golf courses, a activity reports, according to a of working-class living standards called legitimate economy. Banks the matter was being referred to ficient batch-testing method. More mansion, a 39.8-carat diamond and study by the Bank Policy Institute, in the US and around the world. with household names have helped the Department of Justice and the than 10,000 medical workers were mining rights in Sierra Leone. a lobbying group. As the World Socialist Web- to make it so”. Treasury Department’s Office of mobilised, with a single lab testing l Bank of America, Citibank, site wrote at the time, “Here, in a The report continues: “Profits Inspector General. 400,000 samples per day. JPMorgan Chase, American Ex- nutshell, is the modern-day aristo- from deadly drug wars, fortunes Xinhua press, and other financial firms, Executives cratic principle that prevails behind embezzled from developing coun- Corporate processed millions of dollars in the threadbare trappings of ‘de- tries, and hard-earned savings mocracy’. transactions for Viktor Khrapunov, But as the BuzzFeed report ex- Firms sue US govt stolen in a Ponzi scheme were all “The financial robber barons of MORE than 3,500 US companies The initial response of the the former mayor of Kazakhstan’s plains, “So long as a bank files a allowed to flow into and out of today are a law unto themselves. are suing their government for eco- American corporate media has most populous city, even after In- notice that it may be facilitating these financial institutions, despite They can steal, plunder, even mur- nomic losses due to tariffs imposed been to bury or entirely ignore terpol issued an order for his arrest. criminal activity, it all but im- warnings from the banks’ own em- munises itself and its executives der at will, without fear of being on Chinese imports. The trade war the BuzzFeed revelations. A re- Khrapunov fled to Switzerland and ployees. from criminal prosecution. The called to account. They devote a against China has seen US compa- cent print edition of the New York was later convicted in absentia on “Money laundering is a crime suspicious activity alert effective- portion of their fabulous wealth nies’ share value fall by US$1.7 tril- Times carried a report on page charges, including bribe-taking and to bribing politicians, regula- that makes other crimes possible. It ly gives them a free pass to keep lion and is expected to cost the US eight of its business section. The defrauding the city. tors, judges and police – from the can accelerate economic inequal- moving the money and collecting economy around US$316 billion by print editions of the Washington A separate piece by NBC News heights of power in Washington ity, drain public funds, undermine the fees.” end of this year. Post and the Wall Street Jour- presents evidence that JPMorgan, down to the local police precinct democracy, and destabilise na- In its article on the FinCEN Files Financial Times nal made no mention of the exposé. Bank of New York Mellon and oth- report, the New York Times noted – to make sure their wealth is pro- tions – and the banks play a key The report is based on more than er banks helped move more than that JPMorgan wired money to tected and they remain immune role. ‘Some of these people in crisp 22,000 pages of documents con- US$150 million for companies banks in Switzerland, Lebanon and from criminal prosecution.” Boost for women white shirts in their sharp suits are BETWEEN 1995 and 2018, China cerning over 10,000 subjects and tied to the North Korean regime. Nigeria on behalf of a convicted wsws.org feeding off the tragedy of people made important improvements in involving more than 170 countries dying all over the world,’ said women’s education, health and Martin Woods, a former suspicious and territories. Nearly 90 banks poverty, but discrimination re- transactions investigator for Wa- and other financial institutions are mains a challenge. Women’s il- chovia.” included in the institutions that literacy (24.1-7.5 percent) and The report goes on to explain submitted the SARs. maternal mortality were reduced that “even after they were pros- JPMorgan Chase, the biggest (61.9-18.3/100,000). ecuted or fined for financial mis- US bank, recorded the highest to- CGTN conduct, banks such as JPMorgan tal value of transactions listed in Chase, HSBC, Standard Chartered, the FinCEN Files: US$514 billion, Vocational training Deutsche Bank and Bank of New based on 107 suspicious activity re- THE Government has invested York Mellon continued to move ports. (Its CEO, Jamie Dimon, was US$14.7 billion in vocational edu- money for suspected criminals”. at one time known as “Obama’s fa- cation reform, prioritising access by The extensive report is based vourite banker”). peasants and migrant workers. At on more than 21,000 “suspicious Deutsche Bank accounts for the least one new technical college will activity reports” (SARs) filed by highest number of SARs, 982, with be built in 14 poor areas, with the some of the world’s biggest banks a total value of US$1.3 trillion. goal of training a million new skilled with the US Treasury Department’s The other banks on the top 10 workers over a five-year period. Financial Crimes Enforcement list are Bank of New York Mellon, The front page of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network – FinCEN – website Sixth Tone 10 Socialist Monthly, October/November 2020 GLOBAL VIEW War fears as US trades blows over China’s economic might US President Donald Trump and his “war coun- cil” led by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have amplified their aggression against China. What began as a trade dispute in the 1990s has now escalated into the United States mak- ing an existential challenge against China following its emergence as a major economic and technological power. What most rankles the US ruling class is that the various hybrid war techniques to weaken or overthrow governments are simply not available. The only means at the disposal of the United States to hold on to its power – chillingly – is armed force War and peace: Liu Bolin, China, Guernica, 2016 (above), and Zhong Biao, China, Paradise, 2007 (below) Vijay Prashad Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and Taiwan, the 90 billion cubic metres con- willing to go the Gorbachev road amples of this are among sections and the depiction of the coronavi- sumed by China. In 2014, Russia’s THE eighth century Chinese – namely, to surrender the Chinese of the capitalist class in the Philip- rus pandemic as a “China virus”. multinational energy corporation poet Li Bai wrote of the ugli- model to the will of the United pines and Sri Lanka, where Chinese Evidence is not as important Gazprom and the China National ness of war – as far as war States. There is no possibility that investment has been welcomed. The US-imposed hybrid here as the use of older racist and Petroleum Corporation signed a is concerned, nothing has the Communist Party of China will The Chinese state has intensified war on China anti-Communist ideas to demonise US$400 billion, 30-year deal. changed over the centuries dissolve itself. The Chinese middle its intervention in the tech sector China. Increasingly, China has attempt- inside China, with a US$14 billion IS THE United States trying Soldiers smear their blood class – possible fodder for a “co- ed to build institutions outside on the dry grass lour revolution” – does not have private and public fund to support to impose a war on China? Why is the US increasing of Western-controlled trade and While generals map the any appetite to overthrow the gov- tech developments. Semiconduc- For the past several decades, its pressure on China? development architecture, includ- next campaign ernment. It is content with the di- tor Manufacturing International the US has conducted a trade ing the Asian Infrastructure Invest- Wise people know winning rection of the government and sees Corporation (SMIC) – China’s CHINA’S technological advances war against China. There are ment Bank (founded in 2014). As a war that its government has improved top chip company – had an initial could result in a generational ad- public offering (IPO) in Shanghai two key issues that worry the part of this, China has committed to Is no better than losing one living standards and has been able vantage over the West. Its scientific de-dollarisation – it has proposed – unlike Western governments – to which netted US$7.5 billion. As a US; first, a trade imbalance and technological developments to hold its reserves and to conduct tackle the Coronavirus pandemic. consequence of such funds and its that benefits China, and, sec- came about because of the coun- trade in currencies other than the Quad, China and Russia have craft- A Harvard University study shows own scientific developments, China ond, the growth of the Chi- try’s investment in higher educa- US dollar. This is a long-term but ed a military and diplomatic Eur- that the government led by the will soon be able to bypass the US nese technology sector. tion and its ability to transfer tech- inevitable development, and one asian security bloc. This is evident Communist Party of China has in- chip firms. nology from firms that entered the Techniques that the US has that threatens the overall role of the in the arms deals and the military creased its approval from 2003 to China’s economic capacity con- country to manufacture goods. used against China include; pres- Wall Street-dollar complex. exercises, but also in diplomatic 2016, largely because of the social tinues to exert pressure on fragments In 2018, Chinese scholars for suring China to revalue its cur- China’s cooperation with Rus- coordination. For example, Rus- welfare programmes, and the fight of capital in different countries. For the first time published more sci- instance, Australian mining com- rency against the dollar, pressur- sia is most advanced in this arena, sian and Chinese foreign ministry against corruption pushed by both entific articles than their colleagues spokespersons Maria Zakharova panies rely upon China to buy iron ing China to prevent “piracy” on with about 50 percent of Russia- the Communist Party of China in the US, and Chinese firms filed China trade conducted in roubles and Hua Chunying said in late July ore from Australia. These compa- intellectual property in order to and by the Chinese government. more patent applications than US and yuan (Russia owns about that they would join efforts in com- The overall approval stands at 93 nies lobby Canberra not to take too slow down its domestic intellec- firms. Chinese tech firms have now 25 percent of the global yuan re- batting the information war against percent. hostile a position against China. tual property developments, and produced products that appear to be serves). Both Russia and China China and Russia. Roughly one third of Australia’s pressuring China to slow down or ahead of US, European, and Japa- are divesting themselves of their Chinese diplomats have tak- What contradictions do total exports go to China; these in- cease its Belt and Road Initiative. nese products. Examples of this dollar reserves. In January 2020, en a more forthright attitude the US war project face? clude soy, barley, meat, fruits, gas, The US has now begun a war include 5G, BeiDou (a better map- Russia sold US$101 billion – or 50 in their statements. They have and the raw minerals. against the Chinese economy. The ping technology than GPS), high- percent – of its dollar reserves, and been dubbed the “wolf warrior dip- CHINESE economic developments The Australian government is attempt to isolate Huawei and ZTE speed trains, and robots. moved US$44 billion into Euros lomats”, an allusion to a popular – such as the country’s capacity to forced to acknowledge these con- from their suppliers and markets Faced with US pressure, China and US$44 billion into yuan. The film where a Chinese soldier from outspend the US in development cerns, even though it has a longer- will have a debilitating impact on has crafted an independent trade yuan, however, represents only an elite Wolf Warrior troop defeats aid to outbid Western firms in trade term perspective than the short- the growth potential of the Chinese and development agenda. about 2 percent of global currency a group of terrorists led by an ex- deals – has produced alliances be- term profit concerns of the mining economy. Since the world financial crisis, reserves. US Navy Seal. tween China and key capitalist conglomerates. China has already The US has sanctioned roughly China began diversifying its econ- Against the eastward expansion Clearly, the US has found that sectors in countries that have oth- hedged its bets, increasing pur- 152 companies that make chips omy from reliance upon the US and of NATO and the emergence of the Chinese leadership has been un- erwise been secure US allies. Ex- chases of soy and meat from Ar- and other products for Huawei and European markets to build up its gentina and Brazil, and it is likely ZTE. Increased bans – through the own internal market and to increase to buy more mined goods from US government’s Clean Network engagement with the Global South. Brazil (Brazil’s Vale is using mas- initiative – would prevent US com- The immediate projects that sive ships to carry mined goods to panies from using Chinese cloud developed included the Belt and China). services and undersea cables, and Road Initiative, the String of Pearls The US military is stretched thin it would ban Chinese apps from Initiative, the Forum on China- between the conflicts in Venezu- appearing on app stores. The US Africa Cooperation, the Shanghai ela and Iran, and now in China. The government has increased pressure Cooperation Organisation, and the US Navy has had four secretaries on other countries to join in this China-Community of Latin Ameri- in a year, part of the chaos in the campaign. can and Caribbean States Forum. Trump administration. As a con- The US government has in- The Chinese government has also sequence, the US Navy has com- creased its military pressure along begun to pay more attention to the plained about the lack of ability to the eastern rim of China. This in- Association of South-East Asian handle so many theatres of war at cludes the 2017 revival of the Nations (ASEAN). These moves the same time. Quad (Australia, India, Japan, and come alongside a remarkable pov- China has developed sophisti- the US), the creation of the US erty eradication programme. cated defence mechanisms, such Indo-Pacific Strategy (its key docu- Currently, China is highly de- as cyber warfare techniques that ment from 2020 is called “Regain pendent on imported energy, such have the ability to shut down US the Advantage”), and the develop- as gas from ASEAN nations, Aus- communications, starting with their ment of a range of new weaponry, tralia, and Qatar. The China-Russia satellites, and such as their Dong- including cyber weapons. 6000km “Power of Siberia” pipe- feng missiles, which are capable of This military power has come line will provide 38 billion cubic hitting the US naval ships that are in alongside hostile rhetoric against metres of natural gas, a substantial the South China Sea. China, with attention focused on increase to meet the demands for Tricontinental

Socialist Monthly, October/November 2020 11 EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE AND AGRICULTURE The masses of our people are engaging themselves in these struggles to gain material benefits, to live better lives and in peace, to have free education, quality healthcare, clean water, decent sanitation, a solid roof over their heads, and all the services required in an organised society

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