Consumer Protection and Competition Commission (CCPC) Board Chairperson Kelvin Fube Bwalya has said that the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation(ZNBC) has not been sold but merely granted authority to do business with Hantex also known as TopStar. Mr. Bwalya said that ZNBC, despite being a public media is allowed to do business with other institutions.
Mr Fube told ZNBC News that CCPC could however not allow Hantex to control content because it is a sensitive facility to the nation. Mr. Bwalya further stated that the commission’s calculations have indicated that the 400 million dollars digital migration loan could be paid within 13 years and not 25 years.
Mr Fube said that the Commission has recommended that the Joint venture between ZNBC and Hantext should cease immediately the loan is fully paid and all equipment handed over to ZNBC.
Earlier today, Authorities at ZNBC said the arrangement between ZNBC and Startimes is a business model. ZNBC Board Chairperson Mulenga Kampwepwe said the two entities come together to jointly form a company called Topstar Communications Limited in which both parties are shareholders. Ms Kapwepwe said this translates that ZNBC cannot be sold.
She said the partnering between ZNBC and Startimes to form Topstar means the two entities retain their separate, full operational ownership and autonomy. The Board Chairperson said this at a press briefing at ZNBC studio this evening.
“The statement by CCPC must be taken in context of ZNBC and Startimes coming together to create a joint venture company called Topstar Communications Limited,” Ms Kapwepwe said.
She stated that ZNBC has similar joint ventures with Multi-Choice Africa, where the two entities formed Multi-Choice Zambia limited, Gotv broadcasting limited and Gotv Zambia limited.
Ms Kapwepwe said ZNBC holds 40 percent shares while Startimes holds 60 percent.
“As it stands, the shareholding of ZNBC is 100% owned by government on behalf of the Zambian people. As such, ZNBC cannot be sold, bought or taken over without approval from the government because it is established by an Act of 154 of the laws of Zambia,” she said.
Earlier reports indicate that the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), has granted a conditional authorization for a merger between ZNBC and Hantex Corporation which is controlled by China’s Startimes.
On what capacity is this Fube talking again?
I hold a PhD
Thanks
Bb2014,2016
“In what capacity ” Ba PHD please
Ba Mushota Imwe, with a Permanently Damaged Head (PhD), he is speaking in his capacity as Consumer Protection and Competition Commission (CCPC) Board Chairperson. The Answer is in the first paragraph. How you got your Grade 7 certificate without passing ” Can You Remember” Exercises in Grade 5 is beyond me. Ma leakage na mu grade 5 shuwa
We trust you and we will NOT believe FAKE news. If China has helped our broadcasting company become better let them help because Africans love to pull one Hanatha down. Let them live in Zambia, let them work. Remember also that it is UNELECTABLE.
On what capacity? Ba PhD holder! In what capacity are you asking this question?
Wow, this is war between Kelvin vs State House.
So CCPC run by Kelvin Fube has power to shut-down ZNBC?
Indeed to do business with China’s starttimes, doesn’t necessarily mean ownership. Let me explain in terms you understand properly.
The father to my ex-Lozi said me and her daughter are allowed to be in love, but NOT marriage. I asked him, “what if she gets pregnant”, he answered “.. we will discuss when it happens”.
– So I was authorized to do business with her daughter.
– ZNBC is now impregnated by Startimes. Startimes is ready to marry ZNBC and has paid so much money to have her lover, but ZNBC family including CCPC says NO NO NO not so fast. ZNBC’s mother Kapwepwe Fimofimo can’t believe that ZNBC is pregnant yet let the 2 companies make more love.
@Nostradamus
No body could have explained it in the best understandable terms than you did, i see no more questions from PF cadres including PhD holders,,, they are all clear,,I confirm.
This is a stoopidly written story. I wonder whether the author understands what he is reporting on. How can the state be said to own 100 percent shares when you say the joint venture is owned 60-40?
If you reporters are swayed by the buttering of facts don’t try to sway us too.
What do you mean by: Mulenga Kampwepwe said the two entities come together to jointly form a company called Topstar Communications Limited in which both parties are shareholders. Ms Kapwepwe said this translates that ZNBC cannot be sold
How does the joint company translate into ZNBC can’t be sold?
@Viv Idly, spot on! This article is self conflicted, makes no sense at all. Reporters don’t even know how to ask the right questions
This article seems to be poorly written but let me try and make sense of the situation. To simplify, ZNBC is its own entity. StarTimes is its own entity. Both made a joint venture to create ANOTHER SEPERATE entity known as TopStar. This business model means that ZNBC is 100% ZNBC, while StarTimes is 100% StarTimes yet in the TopStar venture (a separate entity), StarTimes owns 60% shares while ZNBC owns 40% shares. So StarTimes (or China as some of you like to propergate) DO NOT own ZNBC but have most of the controlling interest in TopStar.
Deny,deny, deny, KBF these guys want to kick you out of PF and you are busy protecting them
Dear ZNBC Engineers,
If the repayment period is 25 years. Advise on the lifespan of the installed equipment. I believe the lifespan should be shorter than 25 years and also within 25 years technological improvement may render that piece of equipment obsolete. My question is that, were the engineers involved in the deal if they then heads must roll because this is a serious let down on there part and is tantamount to professional misconduct.
Napwisha
give a lifespan of about 10 years max for this DVB T2 equipment due to change and advancement of standards….
Go ask any engineer at ZNBC regarding equipment you will cry. The guys just know how to repair simple radios. Because ZNBC outsources man power if equipment goes down especially big equipment. So I don’t think they can even determine the life-span of the corporations properties.
Institutions such as consumer protection commission must not be run by partisan individuals as the whole point and purpose of the commission is to ensure non bias.. already there is a circus/palava in explaining what is happening.. ZNBC has been sold and it will try to buy itself back within 13years or 25years for those that care… that’s my opinion!
Is this $250 or now 400 million loan the same one that had studios is all 14 provinces factored in only to be given 2 or 3 studios built and 5 broadcast vans instead ? …….this is like being charged for 14 houses then you get 2 or 3 houses and 5 caravans instead….
we all know built studios can last even 100 years but broadcast vans can only last maybe 10 to 15 years.
Thanks for the clarification from ZNBC and CCPC. For a short while we were victims of distorted news from upnd trib.alists obviously.
But tell me, has Mr Fube denied that he used the term “merger of ZNBC and Hantex” which he has now “clarified”?
Cader,
Morden studios were promised in all provinces when that $250 million ( now according to KBF $400 million) loan was announced.
only Lusaka, and maybe 3 more studios have been build, and to account for the rest you have been given 5 out side broadcast vans or trucks.
You fontins when you see a studio on wheels you think it is better than a built bricks and motor studio ?
you are duping the masses imwe ba PF, those vans have a lifespan of only 10 years with good service as opposed to 100 years for a good building and a built studio can be repurposed long after those trucks are rotting without spare parts…..
Even Judas Iscariot denied having sold Jesus to the Chinese of those times. That euphemism of “authority to do business” is just a prelude to full blown ZNBC slavery to China.
Remember we still have the impotent ZCCM-IH after privatization. This smells the same!
My understanding is this there is a joint venture between star times and ZNBC and 60% and 40% respectfully. What KBF is not denying that the investment is 60% start times and 40% start times.But this partnership is like this for a 25 years period at the end of the 25 years start times forfeits its shares in ZNBC . KBF also said the hope to to repay that credit is less than 15 years. I think this not too bad a deal. better than a life time. The other thing is how about if the state had the cash to make a one time payment of the loan it means even in 3 years time the loan can be paid off and start times forfeits its shareholding, but for that we need to have a look at the documents of the agreement.
What is not coming out clearly is that; there are three entities here. Say A,B and C. A and B have formed a joint venture C in which they hold 40 and 60% shares respectively. A being ZNBC, B being Star Times and C being Top Star.
TRIGO! Your whole analysis of the ZNBC StarTimes venture is completely wrong. Look for my profile in the comments earlier. I have explained how the business model is structured. Once you understand that, then you will have a better idea of how ZNBC’s autonomy and how loan system works.
Not making a lot of sense, just raising more questions than it is clarifying. Which government officials negotiated the initial raw deal? Why has it taken this long to realize the scam? How do you have full operational ownership and autonomy when you only have 40% shares though in the same breath there is 100% of shareholding? CCPC you are just on the terraces like me, what gives you confident that your recommendations will be actualized? By the way, i cannot remember when i last watched a ZNBC channel.
Zambians own the rights to the name
” ZNBC” 100% , only the trade mark name badala….and 40% of all assets and profits while the other 60 % of assets and profits are owned by the Chinese….
The article is poorly written, an average minded person wont comprehend the main idea of the article or content.
Why not make it more transparent for people to understand exactly what is going on at ZNBC. Having 2 people making conflicting statements will not settle down any dust!!!
This is so one party state days it’s hysterical! Governance defined by secrecy, intimidation and spin is causing trauma and thin-skinned sensitivity on our population. Leaders, loosen up, share yourselves more clearly, stop the bling and embrace the Zambian spirit if only for once in your fcuking lives!
What is happening at ZNBC is a pure case of project finance, where the provider of finances has a stake in the operations and profits made for specific period of time. 25 years is too much that is why i earlier asked if engineers where involved from the word go. An engineer worth is to be called an engineer will have difficulties agreeing to such a deal. EIZ, where are you? Can you move in and take appropriate action against some of the engineers to send a strong clear signal. What are you waiting for, a case of professional misconduct is on your table.
Zambians….this is how PF sign deals, covered in all sorts of grease smoke and mirrors to confuse you ….and keep the kaponyas dancing…
I think we are talking about 2 things here……only the trade mark name ZNBC , which is 100 % owned by you, the zambians. The Chinese have no say in the name.
Then we have the meat , juicy bones and the soup ,…… that is all assets ,losses and profits. This is where Zambians own 40% while the Chinese own 100%….
Ok badala , so the Chinese have let you keep the trade mark name ZNBC at 100%.
Sorry……..Then we have the meat , juicy bones and the soup ,…… that is all assets ,losses and profits. This is where Zambians own 40% while the Chinese own 60%…..
From comments above,one can tell how much business ignorance we have among ourselves as Zambians.
In business,this is an every day issue.
However,just look at the comments especially from the UPND cadres.
The debates are toxic and the masses are not learning much about business modelling.
No wonder the Chinese are having a field day while the Zambians are busy politicking and calling each other names.
Stop politicking and lets learn and work .
Present counter arguments then if you know the truth.
You want people to follow you blindly ?
To you what does “100% Zambian but again 40 % Zambian and 60 % Chinese , the same company ? Mean ?
What is Akainde ranting about? Can he for once close his mouth until he gets the facts. I am sick and tired of Akainde’s tiredness. Anyanya shetani.
So now they are saying znbc is not sold to star times but actually given to them by giving them authority over it. So you are actually saying you haven’t sold it but given it away meaning even if the loan is paid the Chinese will still maintain authority over znbc for the next 25years and possibly beyond.
Its a democratic problem when a media owned by the state starts doing business. Especially with a media from a country that is known for denying its people to speak freely. What happens if the loan for some reason cant be repaid ?