Zambia's sport's minister, Rev. Gladys Nyirongo, said the anniversary commemorating the Gabonese air disaster is not the government's responsibility.
Does she deserve to remain as the country's sports minister after making these remarks?
28 April marks the 10th anniversary of the air disaster in which Zambia lost nearly its entire national team.
Thirty people died, 18 of them national team players, when the Zambian Air Force plane they were in crashed into the sea, off the coast of Gabon.
They were enroute to Senegal for a qualifying match for the 1994 World Cup finals.
Zambia's government disassociated itself from Monday's anniversary, despite the players being in the service of the country.
Rev. Gladys Nyirongo said the anniversary is not the government's responsibility but said her ministry, "might be in attendance" at the event.
Does Nyirongo's comments show a lack of responsibility to the players that died in the service of their country?
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As a woman, Rev. Gladys Nyirongo is supposed to know the pain that mothers encounter throughout the nine months of their respective pregnancies and the suffering which they also face, especially in Africa, to nurture their babies up to grown up ages. The minister made a very outrageous statement by saying that the anniversary commemorating the Gabonese air disaster which claimed the lives of almost the entire soccer players and officials of the Zambian national team was not the government's responsibility. She has to remember that those players and officials had no other business in Gabon on that fateful day, other than to go and represent their beloved nation in the 1994 World Cup qualifying match against Senegal. For making such statements against the fallen heroes and their relations, the minister is supposed to be, at least, demoted from the ministerial post to a minister without portfolio or sacked. Apart from such punishment, the ghosts of the deceased would hunt for her soul, if she fails to apologise to the bereaved families.
Emmanuel Udeogu, D.R. Congo Unfortunate and irresponsible as the remarks were, I don't think she should be dismissed. She should be called to order and made to render a public apology. Maybe she does not understand the word 'patriotic' and is yet to grasp the real meaning of the tragedy.
Rene Ayikwei Coleman, Accra, Ghana
Rev. Gladys Nyirongo is a square peg in a round hole. She was not thoughtful with her comments.She doesn't deserve to be in such a reputable position.
Richard Gyasi, USA
I am a Zambian and I am truly appalled by the minister's remarks; even if she happened to be out of the country when the news that the whole team had perished filtered through, I am sure that she felt the loss and the raw emotion that everyone was going through at that moment in time. (The mood of the country was comparable to The USA's after Kennedy was killed or the UK after Diana died.)
So, for her to say such a thing is galling, inexcuseable and downright stupid! And the fact that she is a Reverend makes it even more disgusting! Shame on her! She should be 'freed' from her duties.
Joe Phiri, Vancouver, Canada
The minister's comments are unfortunate but I'm not surprised her government has been known more for careless statememnts than anything else. But this government should know that they owe us an explanation for what happened that fateful night. It's ten years now and all they can tell us is that it's not their responsibility? You would do us all a favour if you stepped down. Please don't take Zambians for granted.
Alick Simungala, Chingola, Zambia
I was surprised to hear that statement from Rev. G. Nyirongo. I was at the site and the minister was the guest of honour and she was sympathising with the families. Could the press not have misquoted her?
Jean Serge, Lusaka, Zambia
I think she deserves to go. Such people are not fit to be in goverment.
Simon Ossy Nkemakolam, Senegal
If the minister was speaking for the Zambian government, then she must be a fool to have allowed herself to be used in such a way.If the government cannot take responsibility for the anniversary of Zambia's heroes who perished playing for the country, then the present crop of players should not be proud representing the country because the same treatment could be meted to them by an uncaring government. Ironically the minister is a reverend who is supposed to be a woman of God. I pray that the spirit of the dead players don't haunt her for this reckless statement.
Patrick Omorodion, Lagos, Nigeria
If her relatives were in that team, she would have some good words to tell the nation. I think she needs to be fired.
Nana Akwasi Sarfo, Toronto, Canada
Statesmen who do not know how to handle the press shouldn't be in office. For a minister of sport to make such a remark is sad. I believe she should be sacked and forced to give a written apology to the families of the players.
Dan, Bowie, USA
The Minister's remarks are the height of insensitivity. The players died in the service of their country - and commemmorating their sacrifice is appropriate. The president would be derelict if he does not sack her from the cabinet.
Ude Eko, USA (from Nigeria)
I had read the minister's remarks soon after she made the declaration. But while I considered it most unfortunate, I consoled myself with the fact that she was probably not domiciled in Zambia on April 28, 1993. I believe the present-day government asked her to make the ill-advised statement and therefore I would forgive her for that. Nevertheless, the outpouring of criticisms that followed her declaration, as well as the emotion on the face of every Zambian on this April 28 2003, should convince Rev. Gladys Nyirongo that indeed a calamity befell the Zambian nation ten years ago. It is therefore her responsibility to advise the government of Mr. Levi Mwanawasa that the calamity still claims many victims who deserve compensation in the spirit of genuine humanity.
Afolabi Gambari, Lagos, Nigeria
I can understand if she does not like football. But as a member of governement, she should understand what a loss of the "cream of the Nation" represents for the country. Resigning is not so common in Africa, so she should apologize to the fans and families.
Pacifique , Atlanta, GA USA
The minister's words represent the government. I believe she consulted before going to the press. If the minister resigns, the whole government should resign!
Ben Phiri, Blantyre, Malawi
Her comments are certainly misplaced. She plays soccer with politics and soccer is not the field for opportunistic political tactics. I would be ashamed to cling onto office if I were her.
N. Radebe, A Mosotho student in Lyon, France
MMIX
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