President Hakainde Hichilema says Government remains committed and resilient to navigate through economic challenges by devising a number of interventions, such as the revival of the mines, among others.

Speaking during the official opening of the 59th Zambia International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Ndola today, in a speech read on his behalf by Minister of Finance and National Planning Situmbeko Musokotwane, President Hichilema said through resilience and innovation, the country’s economic outlook is looking bright.

President Hichilema reiterated the Government’s ambitious agenda to transform the country’s economic outlook through partnership with the private sector.

The Head of State explained that the Government decided to reverse the gloomy picture of the mining sector dying, but currently the country has witnessed the revival of mining activities in Kitwe, Mufulira, Chililabombwe, and Chingola.
President Hichilema further added that in its continued vision to remain resilient, the Government has gone ahead to also open older Mines at Luanshya, Lubambe, and Kalengwa.

He stated that the Government further awaits the opening of brand-new Mines in Mumbwa and Mingomba in Chililabombwe.
“This scale of production will create thousands of jobs where drivers, mechanics, and electricians, among others, will be employed. In addition, other jobs will be created in the haulage sector,” he said.
President Hichilema emphasised that Tazara and Zambia Railways will come back to life because there will be a lot of businesses transporting mineral products.

The Head of State said it is for this reason that the Lobito Railway is being constructed to champion haulage of the minerals.
President Hichilema highlighted other government actions to improve resilience in the energy sector, where since 1964 the country has depended on hydropower, and the Government is tackling the problem of electricity in the country.
He noted that to this end, the Government has set a target of creating capacity to generate an additional 1000 megawatts using non-hydropower sources to mitigate the power shortage.

He said this is a significant addition to available energy considering that from 1964 to present, Zambia created 3,800 megawatts of generated capacity but now in one year 25 percent current capacity will be installed in one year.
The President explained that had this been the pace in the past, Zambia would have more than enough electricity by now.
President Hichilema has since commended the private sector for their resilience and determination amid challenges the country faced in the past three years.

By Chanda Chisala

President: I’ve canceled national mourning

Supporters: That’s a wise decision, thank you.

President: Oh wait. I didn’t actually cancel the national mourning. It will continue.

Supporters: That’s a wise decision, thank you.

President: We will take the amendment bill to parliament, we have already consulted enough people.

Supporters: Wise decision. The president is telling the truth.

President: Oh Wait. We have deferred the bill from parliament because we have not consulted enough people.

Supporters: The president is telling the truth. He will now consult the people. We told you he’s a listening president.

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One of the worst things you can do for your beloved leader is to unquestioningly praise everything they do and say. This doesn’t help them because it gives them a wrong sense of how well their ideas are working or being received, and it leads to that deadly condition of an emperor walking around with no clothes as his people praise his wonderful invisible garments!

In fact, it also makes the president lose respect for his own servile and obsequious followers. We can all remember seeing this lesson play out in front of our eyes when President Chiluba decided to disappoint all his loyal top leaders in MMD by choosing the outsider Levy Mwanawasa as his preferred successor. His loyal faithfuls who had supported every single thing he did, including his misguided attempt at changing the constitution to give himself a third term, were shocked that he chose the man they considered the most disloyal.

Mr Levy Mwanawasa had resigned as Vice President of the country because he disagreed with Chiluba’s handling of corruption allegations among his ministers. Although Chiluba was angry with this embarrassing act of defiance, it made him respect Mwanawasa more than any of his other ministers because it showed that he was more loyal to his principles than to any man, which shows character. When it was time for choosing a successor, most of the people he had grown to respect had already left the party, so he famously sent someone to wake Mwanawasa up in the middle of the night.

Ironically, this decision by Chiluba was apparently the first one Michael Sata expressed strong disagreement with, and it finally revealed his own leadership potential. Chiluba was shocked by Sata’s defiance because he never imagined that he had it in him to oppose any presidential decision. Within a short time, as president Mwanawasa turned against him, Chiluba became a supporter of Sata and his opposition Patriotic Front. Had Sata not finally expressed how he truly felt about a decision made by Chiluba, he would have remained a loyal pretender in the MMD and would have never fulfilled his own leadership potential.

There is nothing wrong with supporting your favorite president with great enthusiasm, or defending him against those who always attack everything he does. But in those times that you honestly think he is wrong or being misled, you owe it to your integrity to say it, so that even your statements of support can carry some weight. The worst thing you can do is to just switch off your brain and defend him even for decisions you find disturbing or confusing; you are only helping him fall into a ditch of self-delusion.

More importantly: you destroy your own mind when you support everything someone does (or automatically oppose everything someone does), without thinking seriously and honestly for yourself. It’s a betrayal of your own soul, an act of treason against reason.

The author, Chanda Chisala, is the Founder of Zambia Online and Khama Institute. He is formerly a John S. Knight Fellow at Stanford University and Visiting Scholar to the Hoover Institution, a policy think tank at Stanford. He was also a Reagan Fellow at the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) in Washington, DC. You can follow him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/chandachisala

Minister of Information and Media and Chief Government Spokesperson, Hon. Cornelius Mweetwa, held a press briefing addressing key matters of national interest, ranging from constitutional reforms and the economy to the ongoing dispute over the funeral of former President Edgar Lungu.

IMPEACHMENT CALLS DISMISSED AS “POLITICAL STUNTS”

Hon. Mweetwa strongly dismissed calls for the impeachment of President Hakainde Hichilema, labelling them a politically motivated distraction aimed at derailing public focus from the country’s developmental progress.

“President Hichilema has not breached any article of the Constitution or written law with respect to Bill 7,” the Minister said. “There is no legal basis, even from the courts, suggesting a violation warranting impeachment.”

He clarified that the Constitutional Court’s judgment regarding Bill 7 was advisory, not instructive, and no part of the ruling accused the government of violating constitutional provisions.

The Minister confirmed that Bill 7 has been deferred, not withdrawn, in order to facilitate broader consultations, particularly in response to concerns raised during the June 4, 2025 stakeholder meeting. The government plans to reintroduce the bill in September to address constitutional gaps ahead of the 2026 elections.

“Let us focus on real issues like the cost of living, which is slowly improving, the reduction in fuel prices, and the strengthening kwacha — all signs of solid economic policy,” Mweetwa urged political players.

COST OF LIVING & BUSINESS RESPONSIBILITY

The Minister acknowledged public frustration with static commodity prices despite the recent fuel price reduction announced by the Energy Regulation Board (ERB).

“Every time fuel goes up, prices of goods and services increase — but when fuel drops, nothing changes,” he said. “We urge the business community to reflect the government’s efforts to make life affordable for ordinary Zambians.”

He also refuted social media rumours that Zambia’s power generation was reducing Zimbabwe’s load-shedding, noting that Zambezi River Authority allocates water equally to both countries. Zambia’s gains, he clarified, are not at Zimbabwe’s expense.

President Hichilema has directed all ministries to minimize travel and use virtual platforms like Zoom as part of broader fiscal discipline amid current economic realities.

LUNGU FUNERAL IMPASSE: SEEKING A ZAMBIAN SOLUTION

Hon. Mweetwa addressed the ongoing legal impasse regarding the burial of former President Edgar Lungu, stating that the Attorney General’s lawsuit in South Africa was not malicious or intended to pressure the Lungu family.

“Government has always desired an amicable, dignified resolution — as one Zambian family,” he said. “It would be wonderful to look back and say we resolved this among ourselves, not through a foreign court directive.”

The Minister thanked the South African Government for encouraging dialogue and noted that the court in Pretoria is expected to deliver its ruling on 4th August 2025. He reaffirmed President Hichilema’s desire to maintain the national tradition of burying former presidents in one designated location.

“Let us exercise restraint, particularly in the political space, and avoid making inflammatory remarks,” he added.

SOLAR ENERGY EXPANSION AND EXPORTS EXPLAINED
Mweetwa revealed that Phase II of the 100MW Chisamba Solar Power Plant will commence by August 2025, with a 10-month completion timeline. Zambia currently faces a 590MW power deficit, which the Chisamba plant and load management efforts are helping to cushion.

Addressing public concerns over power exports, the Minister clarified that Zambia is exporting only 190MW, strictly to meet binding contracts under the Southern Africa Power Pool.

“Terminating these agreements would lead to costly penalties for ZESCO,” he noted, adding that Zambia is importing power at lower rates than it exports, making it an economically rational decision.

As the nation moves forward on multiple fronts — constitutional reform, energy expansion, and economic recovery — the government has urged all stakeholders to engage constructively and prioritize national unity and progress.

“The path ahead is clearer, greener, and more hopeful,” Mweetwa concluded.

Mwaka Halwiindi’s Leaked Video Sparks Controversy as Kazadi Films CEO David Kazadi is Arrested

LUSAKA — Zambia’s creative industry has been rocked by a developing scandal that has cast a long shadow over two of its most recognisable rising stars: actress, model, and digital personality Mwaka Halwiindi, and filmmaker and media executive David Kazadi, who until recently served as CEO of Hot FM Zambia.

This comes in the wake of an explicit video leak which began circulating online last week, showing what appears to be a young woman bearing a striking resemblance to Halwiindi in a highly compromising situation. The clip, graphic in nature, spread rapidly across social media platforms and messaging apps, triggering a wave of speculation, condemnation, and public concern.

In response, law enforcement moved swiftly. Mwaka Halwiindi was reportedly apprehended for questioning, as authorities began probing the origin of the video, its circulation, and the identities of the individuals involved. Shortly thereafter, David Kazadi was taken into custody as part of the ongoing investigations. It remains unclear at this stage whether Kazadi appears in the footage or played a role in its production or distribution, but police have confirmed he is assisting with inquiries.

The development has thrown renewed attention on the professional history between Halwiindi and Kazadi, who had previously worked together under Kazadi Films, a production house under the Hot Media Group, chaired by Oscar Chavula — Kazadi’s uncle and board chair of Hot FM Zambia.

Among their collaborations, “Day In My Life | Work pt1”, produced by Kazadi Films and starring Mwaka Halwiindi, stands out as a fan favourite. The short documentary-style video showing a behind-the-scenes glimpse into her life as a creative professional remains one of her most-viewed works online and was widely celebrated for its raw, relatable tone.

Equally, David Kazadi is no stranger to acclaim. His major breakthrough came in 2020 with the critically recognised film “Black Dollar”, which made headlines as the first Zambian film to be associated with Netflix. The movie, a gritty narrative exploring themes of ambition, corruption, and urban hustle, positioned Kazadi as a pioneering force in local filmmaking and set a precedent for Zambian content on global platforms

In light of the unfolding events, Hot FM Zambia released a formal statement confirming that David Kazadi has been relieved of his duties as CEO, effective immediately. The statement, signed by Hot Media Group Chairman Oscar Chavula, noted that while the company respects due process and the presumption of innocence, the serious nature of the allegations warranted decisive action to protect the station’s integrity and public trust.

“Mr. Kazadi no longer holds any role within Hot FM Zambia or its affiliated entities. Interim leadership has been appointed to ensure continuity of operations,” the statement read in part.

Hot FM reassured its stakeholders that normal programming and business activities would continue unaffected, and that the company remains fully cooperative with the ongoing investigations.

As investigations continue, the public remains divided between curiosity and concern. While social media platforms are ablaze with commentary, no formal charges have been filed, and both Halwiindi and Kazadi are presumed innocent pending the outcome of legal proceedings.

Media analysts and legal experts have urged caution against trial by social media, warning that the virality of the footage should not override the importance of due process and privacy rights, especially in cases where reputations, careers, and futures hang in the balance.

This incident also opens broader conversations about digital ethics, personal privacy, and the blurred lines between public image and private life in the age of constant online exposure.

At the heart of this story are two young creatives who, until now, had helped shape Zambia’s cultural narrative in different but notable ways  Mwaka Halwiindi through her vibrant online persona and authentic storytelling, and David Kazadi through his ambition to elevate Zambian cinema to international screens.

Now, both find themselves facing one of the most intense media storms in recent memory. As the investigation unfolds, the nation waits not with judgment, but with anticipation for clarity, truth, and, above all, justice.

This is a developing story. Updates will follow as more information is made available from official channels.

LIVINGSTONE – Senior Chief Mukuni of the Toka Leya people has issued a scathing critique of former president Edgar Lungu, accusing him of sowing seeds of division during and after his time in office. In a candid statement during a public event in Southern Province, the respected traditional leader said Lungu’s leadership had eroded national unity and left behind a fractured Zambia.

“Instead of building bridges, he chose to build walls,” Chief Mukuni said. “Even now, out of office, his actions continue to inflame divisions.”

The remarks come amid heightened political tension following national debates around the burial of Lungu and the handling of his remains by his family. While the government has called for respect and dignity, some PF-aligned voices have framed recent events as examples of state persecution. Chief Mukuni’s comments cut through this narrative with surgical clarity.

“Zambians must reject those who play victim after causing harm,” he said. “Let us not forget the intolerance, the tribalism, and the violence that gained strength under his regime.”

The chief’s bold statement will widespread public and political reaction. Civil society groups, UPND officials, and ordinary citizens have welcomed his words as a timely reminder of the importance of unity and national healing. PF supporters, however, have condemned the comments, labelling them politically motivated and disrespectful.

Political analyst Dr. Jackson Zulu noted that Chief Mukuni’s comments were not mere opinion but a deliberate attempt to reframe national memory. “He’s confronting revisionist history,” Zulu said. “The PF wants to paint Lungu as a statesman unfairly targeted. Mukuni is reminding us of the lived experience under that administration division, suppression, fear.”

Indeed, Chief Mukuni has long been an outspoken critic of the former regime. He himself was arrested under Lungu’s government on what many believe were politically motivated charges. His current position echoes the sentiments of many traditional leaders who now feel emboldened to speak after years of silence.

UPND Secretary General Batuke Imenda praised the chief’s remarks, saying, “We must never allow a return to the days where tribal identity dictated opportunity or security. The chief has spoken truth to power.”

Even outside the political circles, religious and civic voices are resonating with Mukuni’s sentiment. Pastor Evelyn Mwewa of the Interfaith Council said in a radio interview, “Leadership that divides, even subtly, is leadership that damages the soul of a country. Mukuni is not being divisive he is calling for healing.”

But the PF isn’t taking the criticism lightly. Party acting president Given Lubinda issued a rebuttal, stating, “It is disappointing that a traditional leader would lower himself into partisan attacks. We urge all royal establishments to remain nonpartisan and unify, not divide, our people.”

The conversation has reignited the public’s focus on the role of traditional leaders in Zambia’s political discourse. While some argue that chiefs should stay above politics, others insist that silence in the face of injustice is complicity.

Mukuni, undeterred, remains firm. “I am a custodian of culture and truth,” he told reporters. “If politicians fear the truth, they must change not silence the messenger.”

As Zambia inches closer to the 2026 general elections, the stakes are rising. Political memory is now a battlefield, and voices like Chief Mukuni’s are refusing to let history be whitewashed or weaponised.

In a nation still grappling with tribal tensions, economic recovery, and political mistrust, the words of a royal elder seasoned by time and tested by power carry more weight than ever.