The Political Science Association of Zambia

17/03/2022

28/09/2021

We are deeply saddened by the death of Simon Ber Zukas, one of the great founders of this wonderful country. Simon Zukas played a significant role in championing freedoms and equality during the struggle for Zambia's independence in the 1960s.

Born in Lithuania in Eastern Europe in 1925, Zukas arrived as a 13 year old who spoke only a little English, struggling to adapt to a country where black people were treated as second-class citizens under British colonial rule. At the height of the struggle for independence, he joined the African National Congress (ANC) led by Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula and other liberation heroes.

17/06/2021

We have learnt with deep sadness on the passing of former President and liberation hero Kenneth D. Kaunda. President Kaunda steadfastly steered the Republic of Zambia through turbulent times.

With wisdom and foresight, he forged ever-stronger international partnerships for our young nation and deepened his country’s ties with many states and people in the region and globally. His legacy is there for all Zambians and Africans at large to see.

We honor his legacy and mourn his loss alongside his family and the people of Zambia.

08/06/2021

DOWNLOAD THE LATEST PSAZ NEWSLETTER MARCH-MAY 2021 EDITION

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VlYtP9Wjnu_t9DofRk0afX8Btqmt4fHx/view?usp=sharing

13/05/2021

CONGRATULATIONS TOGALA ZULU
The Political Science Association of Zambia wishes to congratulate Togala Zulu for emerging as best graduating student in political science at the University of Zambia.

Togala Zulu is also recipient of the prestigious J.C. Momba award for the best graduating student in Political Science

Togala Zulu was part of a student exchange programme between the University of Zambia and the University of Hradec Kralove in Czech Republic (Faculty of Political Science and Philosophy).

Togala Zulu is a very hardworking and enthusiastic person. He has previously worked as an HIV/AIDS Prevention Expert and Counsellor at Grassroot Soccer Zambia (2015 to 2016) and educated over 3000 young adolescent on HIV/AIDS and Financial skills and tested for HIV over 1000 participants through various community outreach activities.

Togala Zulu also served as student leader in charge of foreign affairs and international relations in the University of Zambia Political Science Association (UNZAPOSA) and also as Director of Projects for God’s Grace Foundation Zambia.

His research interests are in areas of finance and political competition, international conflict and cooperation, global politics and development, rights of immigrants, moral philosophy (normative and applied ethics), religion, the environment and climate change ethics.

03/05/2021

MEDIA STATEMENT (For immediate release)

PRESS FREEDOM KEY TO ELECTORAL PARTICIPATION AND INTEGRITY

Lusaka, Monday, 3rd May 2021- A free and independent media is critical to an effective political and democratic dispensation. As Zambia prepares for crucial election campaigns, the media will increasingly play a critical role in helping citizens make informed political decisions .

On this day, World Press Freedom Day, we call on the Zambian government and other stakeholders-- to guarantee media freedom for journalists to do their jobs throughout election period amid the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

In this peculiar time of heightened online communication amid the covid-19 pandemic, the media have a mammoth task to remain professional and provide credible information given the risk of misinformation among the public, from harmful health advice to wild conspiracy theories.

Given the increased dependency on the media, temporary constraints during this pandemic COVID-19 must not be abused to crack down on journalists’ ability to do their work especially during elections when voters need information about candidates and parties.

The Zambian press is also expected to play a role in the public sphere where the electorates and those aspiring for public office can fairly interact.

The media is the public sphere for political participation and a source of verified, fact-based news and analysis on both political and health related news.

We urge to media uphold professional ethics and enhance democratic tenets for effective political participation and decision making.

To demonstrate their relevance and professionalism, the media practice self regulation to uphold the public and national interest in the long standing peace and stability Zambia has enjoyed over the years.

We thank the media for providing facts and analysis; for holding politicians accountable – in every sector; and for speaking truth.

We particularly recognize those who are playing a life-saving role reporting on public health issues in this era COVID-19 pandemic.

And we call on the Zambian government, stakeholders and political players to protect media practitioners, and to strengthen and maintain press freedom, which is essential for a future of peace, justice and human rights for all the Zambian.

Issued:

Aaron W. Siwale
Secretary General
+260 96 7092361

For and on behalf of the Governing Council of the Political Science Association of Zambia (PSAZ)

26/04/2021

FELLOWSHIP PROFILE
MAJ. BEN PHIRI, Fellow

The Political Science Association of Zambia has continued to attract accomplished practitioners and academics. We are delighted to be joined by Maj Ben Phiri.

Maj Ben Phiri holds a Bachelor's degree in International Relations and Conflict Resolution, Diploma in Marketing and Sales Management, Certifiable in Diplomatic Practice, Protocol and Public Relations and the London Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) Certificate in Marketing & Sales Management.

Maj Phiri brings a wealth of experience to the organisation having been recipient of the Gold Meritorious award by the Pan African Movement for his work as a Pan African Peace Advocate, Humanitarian Volunteer and International Entertainer in 2010, in Kampala, Uganda at a ceremony presided over by the Pan African Parliament Vice President, Hon Mary Mugenyi.

Maj Phiri also served as Committee Clerk, Mufulira District Council, Political Assistant to the Right Hon Gen Malimba Masheke, Prime Minister, Sales Manager, Premium Oils, Information Officer, UNHCR, Ukwimi Refugee camp.

Maj Phiri is inter alia, a Fellow of the Political Science Association of Zambia: Fellow of the Institute of Sales and Marketing Management (UK) and Member of the Zambia Institute of Marketing.

Maj Phiri is married to Leya a nurse at UTH with whom he has four children: Tiwamyenji (twin 1) Lt Yamikani (Twin 2), Eng Museveni and the last born daughter Peliya.

Interestingly, Maj Phiri is great admirer and friend of His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni President of Uganda and His Excellency President Kenneth David Kaunda, First Zambian Head of State.

We are so happy to have such a great son of Africa to the Association.

14/04/2021

FELLOWSHIP PROFILE:

NJEKWA MATE, Fellow

We are delighted to be joined by Njekwa Mate, one of the most experienced academic in Zambia. Njekwa Mate joins us as Fellow of the Political Science Association of Zambia.

Currently, he is a lecturer at the University of Zambia, Department of Political and Administrative Studies specialising in Governance and Public Management, Administrative Law and Ethics, Democracy and Migration.

He is also the Varietied of Democracy (V-Dem) Regional Manager for Southern Africa. V-Dem is a project coordinated by the University of Gothenburg in Sweden.

From 2011 to 2015, Njekwa Mate served as Head/Chair in the Department of Political and Administrative Studies at the University of Zambia.

Njekwa Mate is also the Founding Vice-President for the Zambian Society for Public Administration (ZSPA). He possesses a Master of Public Administration (MPA) and a BA degree from the University of Zambia.

He recently published“Nowhere to Run: A Review of the Political Economy of Migration, Identity and Xenophobic Violence in Zambia”, African Human Mobility Review, Vol.2 No3, 2016.

Welcome to the Political Science Association of Zambia Njekwa. We are proud of you.

13/04/2021

FELLOWSHIP UPDATE

Lusaka, 13th April, 2021 the Political Science Association of Zambia (PSAZ) has continued to attract the best distinguished minds in political science scholarship. We are delighted to be joined by Dr Njunga Michael Mulikita.

Dr. Mulikita joins us as Senior Fellow of the Associatuon. Dr. Mulikita is Dean of the School of Social Sciences at Mulungushi University, Kabwe. Prior to his present appointment he served as Senior Lecturer/Academic Coordinator in the Dag Hammarskjöld Institute for Peace & Conflict Studies, Copperbelt University.

Before working for the Dag Hammarskjöld Institute, he was United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Conflict Prevention & Peace building Policy Advisor; Ministry of Federal Affairs(MoFA), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (2008-2009).

Dr. Mulikita had previously worked as Expert in Public Administration for the Centre Africain pour Formation et Rechereche en Administration pour Development (CAFRAD), Tangiers, Morocco (2007-2008). In this capacity he undertook advisory missions on governance & public administration reforms in a number of African countries.

Dr Mulikita was also Research Fellow in the Institute for Human Relations (IHR) and Head of the Department of Political & Administrative Studies (PAS) at the University of Zambia (UNZA). He has authored several articles in refereed journals. Dr. Mulikita has since 2012, been an active participant in meetings of the China-Africa Think Tanks Forum(CATTF) and his papers have been published in CATTF Conference Proceedings .

His main academic interests are democratic transitions, Administrative Reforms, Comparative Politics, African Politics, PRC-Africa cooperation and Civil Military Relations. In 2016, Dr. Mulikita was awarded the Distinguished Scholar Prize of the Zambia Society for Public Administration (ZSPA).

We welcome such a distinguished scholar to this great discipline.

06/04/2021

Press Statement
(For Immediate Release)

REPLACING EXPERIENCED MPs DANGER TO LEGISLATIVE STABILITY

Lusaka, Tuesday 6th April, 2021. The Political Science Association of Zambia (PSAZ) would like to urge political parties to select experienced candidates for Parliamentary elections that will instil legislative stability and internal party cohesion in the next Parliamentary session.

To ensure legislative stability, political parties should avoid making wholesome changes to the legislature. Experienced MPs, especially those in the first term, must be retained to ensure the House’s continuity and stability.

The association believes that Parliament is the anchor of political stability, necessary for sustainable democracy and economic development. Replacing a huge contingent of experienced legislators will be a drawback on the legislative institution.

As a nation, we must nurture a legislative system that keeps experienced lawmakers, gradually graduating some of them into advanced leadership roles in the House, such as Speakers, Deputy Speakers, Committee Chairs, Whips, and Caucus Leaders. We must have only a few new entrants in each general election.

Whilst it is important to unseat and replace unfit representatives in the legislature, existing lawmakers, over time, have matured in legislative research, parliamentary scrutiny, debate, and oversight. These value-addition skills are not gained overnight.

Wholesome changes to the House may disrupt legislative quality and function that experienced lawmakers have gained over time. A legislature with experienced lawmakers is key to a well-functioning government as Ministers are appointed from Parliament.

Considering the importance of legislative stability, the association further urges political parties to use a “centralised system” of candidate selection. The parties’ politburo (central committee or top management committees) must have a final say on who is to be adopted for Parliamentary election. This is to achieve party discipline and internal cohesion which are sin qua non of legislative stability worldwide.

Issued by:

Media Liaison and International Relations Office

27/03/2021

African Association of Political Science(AAPS) International Conference (25-26 March, 2021)

In a quest to create strong intellectual synergies with other organisations on the African continent and the world at large which are shaping public policy, elections, governance, diplomacy and democracy in Africa, the Political Science Association of Zambia participated in the African Association of Political Science Virtual International Conference which was co-hosted by the University of Johanesburg and the University of Prestoria in South Africa and 12 National Associations for Political Science were present.

The Political Science Association of Zambia was represented by Joe Ndambwa (Fellow and President of the Association), Aaron Siwale (Fellow and Secretary General of the Association), Dr Neo Simutanyi (Senior Fellow) and Njekwa Mate (Fellow).

The Association was honoured to chair a Session on Democracy, Democratisation and Elections. Other associations represented were the South African Association of Political Science (SAPS), the Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA), the Malawi Political Science Association (MPSA), the Kenyan Political Science Association among others.

The main agenda for the African Association of Political Science (AAPS) Annual Conference was themed, "Revival Agenda-An Association Anew." This theme follows the collapse of the AAPS in 2014/5, when one of its champions, Professor Kunle Amuwo, passed away - it suddenly left a huge lacuna in this area of work.

African scholarship has been poorer without an association or society to provide conditions for an intellectual community that would re-engage African political thought and activism epitomized by the likes of Claude Ake, Mwesiga Baregu, Ali Mazrui, Luc Sindjoun, Ibbo Mandaza, Tajudeen Abdul-Raheem, Said Adejumobi, Tandika Nkiwane, Osita Agbu, Kenneth Acheampong, Kwame Aning, Dani Nabudere, Rwekaza Mukandala, and others.

There is consensus within the political science and related fraternities today that there is a need for an association to help provide platforms for tackling the old and new political questions of our time. Such an association would build on the legacy of AAPS, but reach further in relation to issues, facilities and challenges of our time today.

Therefore, the launch conference for the new association looks back into the AAPS days in order to look forward into emerging issues and questions both in its intellectual agenda and in the manner in which it will be managed. It will draw in national associations, national departments in political science and related fields, individual scholars including emerging scholars from the continent and in the African diaspora. With this, we also hope to bring back the iconic African Journal of Political Science journal, but this time as an open-access online journal.