Zambia Analysis-2011 11 Web

November 2011 | ZMK 10,000.00

Maize boom—who benefts?Religion and politicsThe GMO policy debateZambia’s resilient artists

A new start

Post-election analysis rom Sishuwa Sishuwa, NeoSimutanyi, Francis Chigunta & Robert Liebenthal

The thinking person’s place

Zambia Analysis

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Zambia Analysis

, November 2011

Zambia’s new start

As we go to print on this re-launched Zambia Analysis, our country can look back on47 years o independence and ve weeks o a new government.Barely had the dust settled aer the dramatic elections beore Zambia’s man o ac-tion got to work with his broom. Few o Zambia’s powerul decision-makers will haveslept soundly this month as Commissioners, Director Generals, Managing Directors,Boards and entire agencies have been swept away. Sata’s clean-up will be elt deeper intothe public service too, as civil servants are sternly told it is time to improve their work ethic. For some observers the moves are decisive; or others, reckless. Te uninhibiteduse o presidential powers to re people is a worrying sign. On the other hand, the gov-ernment’s commitments on corruption and a new constitution are to be welcomed. Asthis agenda progresses, putting tighter limits on presidential powers would be popularand necessary—and we will all be watching to see i this happens.But aer all the clearing-out, how will the PF govern? Te immediate political prob-lem is clear: the government lacks a parliamentary majority. Te exercise o presidentialpowers only goes so ar. Overturning a ew election results will not suce. Te PF willtry to eat into the so centre in the MMD’s parliamentary representation, either by in- viting cross-overs or arranging tacit agreements on voting.Beyond such political manoeuvrings, however, the new government will need todevise workable policies. In some cases, they need them ast. We have already seenworkers across the country seizing the chance to demand more money in their pocketsby taking to the picket lines. Te government is trying to wrest back the initiative andcalm the unrest it itsel encouraged, but it remains to be seen what sort o an impact thenew minimum wage policy will have.I it is a new start or Zambia, it is also—coincidentally—a new start or this magazine.Zambia Analysis is back or the rst time since 2010. We hope you like the resh newlook and serious approach.We’ll be developing the magazine as we go. Look out or some rolling improvementsto the content and, beore long, online availability. Our mission is to raise the level o analysis available on Zambia’s newsstands and each month we will eature high quality writing on economics, politics, business and culture. We will not get ar without thesupport o our readers and we invite you tell us exactly what you want rom us. On theproduction side, be assured that we will produce consistently and make the magazine visible and widely available.Tis major ocus o this issue—notwithstanding the speed o developments in thelast ew weeks—is a look back at the elections and what they signied. Much more is tocome in the months and years ahead. For now, we hope you enjoy the magazine.

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Editorial

Zambia Analysis

, November 2011

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The thinking person’s place

Zambia Analysis

Editor

Aaron Grifthseditor.zambia.analysis@gmail.com

Contributing writers

Emma Broadbent, Food SecurityResearch Project, Francis Chigunta,Robert Liebenthal, Chola Mukanga,Andrew Mulenga, Owen Sichone,Neo Simutanyi, Sishuwa Sishuwa

Art Direction & Design

Christoph Nick

Published by

Zambian Analysis Limited

Board of Directors

Simon Zukas (Chairman), MasulaniMazyopa (CEO), Robert Liebenthal,Friday Ndhlovu, Isaac Ngoma

Zambian Analysis Ltd.

Lungwebungu RoadRhodes ParkLusaka

Printing

New Horizon Printing Press

Cover photo

Kupela Clarke, Isaac Chela, KissBrian Abraham