Zambians must run mines – CBU students

By ROGERS KALERO ANY individual who thinks that Zambians cannot run mining companies is not patriotic and does not mean well for the country because he or she does not believe in Zambians, Copperbelt University (CBU) students have said Copperbelt University Students Union (COBUSU) Lawrence Kasonde said students will not tolerate any privatisation dealers and politicians that do not believe in Zambians owning mines. Mr Kasonde said this yesterday in Kitwe at the launch of the ‘Zambia for Zambians campaign.’ He said Zambians must not be cheated that foreigners love this country so much that they will develop it. The students’ leader that Zambia was for Zambians and they should be at the centre of developing it Mr Kasonde said that Government’s trust in Zambians owning and managing mines is both a gesture of patriotism as well as good leadership. “Anyone who says we can’t run companies as Zambians is not patriotic and does not mean well for the country because he or she does not believe in Zambians,’’ Mr Kasonde said Mr Kasonde said the CBU has the School of Mines and other faculties that have been in existence for the sake of the present and the future of Zambia “MCM is just our neighbour within Kitwe and it should be its responsibility to engage the COBUSU in most mining activities. As a union, we have already started engaging and writing to most stakeholders and key players in the mining industry requesting for a meeting with them so that our agenda can come to light “The current opportunity that has presented itself before us, where the government has made a bold move to get back our mines, is such a dime for us because we know we will be beneficiaries, this move should be the move that should be done to all mines in our country,’’ Mr Kasonde said The agenda of thee campaign would include that CBU students must be first priority when it comes to job opportunities because the universities equip the students with the right tools that can be used in the betterment of MCM