President Edgar Lungu has held multilateral talks with visiting Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi and Mozambican leader Filipe Nyusi.

The three heads of State held closed-door talks at Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport in the tourist capital Livingstone.

And President Lungu has directed Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Malanji to ensure that he works with the new DRC Minister of Foreign Affairs Christophe Lutundula to strengthen and deepen existing bilateral relations between the two countries, for the benefit of the two peoples.

After the private talks, the three heads of State flew to the Kazungula border, to meet up with Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi and other SADC leaders, for commissioning of the US$ 259 million mega bridge and international border facilities.

The Kazungula bridge will connect Zambia and Botswana and link the port of Durban to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania through the North and South Corridor.

The multi-million dollar infrastructure is expected to enhance trade and regional integration among SADC and COMESA member states. The Kazungula bridge will replace the age-old pontoon ferry at the border between Zambia and Botswana.

Shangombo District Commissioner Max Kasabi has commended SEEDCO Company for partnering with the government in improving food security in the district through the promotion of agriculture.

Speaking during a post-harvest field day in Shangombo district, The District Commissioner said SEEDCO has provided farmers with easy access to maize seed for the 2020/21 farming season.

“Seedco is contributing to food and income security amongst our smallholder farmers. This is achieved through improved access to good quality improved seed to our hard to reach Shangombo farmers,” Mr Kasabi said.

Mr Kasabi stated that climate change should not prevent the growing of agriculture especially maize as there is an early maturing and drought tolerant seed that is suitable for the district.

“Access to improved seed is being supported by government programs such as farmer the input support program (FISP) and food security pack under the ministry of community development,” He further added.

The District Commissioner further called on the department of agriculture to take practical steps towards ensuring that farmers adopt climate smart agricultural practices for improved food and income security in Shangombo District

Meanwhile SEEDCO Agronomist Bwacha Siangwelele said farmers need to learn on the correct seed variety favorable for the district terrain

Ms Siangwelele stated that engaging in farming will improve the livelihoods of the local people in Shangombo district hence the need to promote maize seeds that will yield good maize harvests.

And a farmer Martha Sikela has called on more youths in the district to engage in agriculture for income generation.

“Youths can create their own business through farming instead of waiting to be employed as agriculture produces more income,” Ms Sikela said.

Seedco Company in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture in Shangombo district conducted a post-harvest field day in order to check on the 2020/21 maize harvests among farmers in the district.

Government says it will not tolerate any increment on school fees in public schools beyond what has been stipulated in a circular sent to all schools countrywide.

Ministry of General Education Permanent Secretary For Technical Services, Jobbicks Kalumba, says his ministry is disturbed by reports that some schools have decided to increase school fees beyond what the government has prescribed.

ZANIS reports that Dr. Kalumba has since directed Provincial Education Officers countrywide to monitor the situation and ensure that no school violates government’s directive.

“We don’t expect any school to introduce new fees above what the government has prescribed, we have not changed the circular which we sent to schools and the directive in the circular is still binding on all schools,” he said.

The Permanent Secretary said the government wants to avoid burdening parents amidst the COVID-19 pandemic which has continued affecting economic activities countrywide.

Dr. Kalumba observed that due to the Coronavirus, households have suffered loss of income and livelihood adding that it would be inhumane for the government to ask parents to pay more for their children’s education.

“Let us not make the lives of our people difficult because in the midst of COVID-19 people’s livelihood have been affected and money is difficult to come by, so let us ensure that our people are protected,” he implored.

Dr. Kalumba was speaking in Ikelenge, Northwestern province when he addressed selected head teachers on the school health and nutrition program in the district.

Meanwhile, Ikelenge District Education Board Secretary (DEBS), Wamundila Monde, commended the government for the school feeding program in the border town.

Mr. Monde said schools were recording increased numbers of pupils attending class because of the feeding program that encouraged pupils to stay in school.

“We have been distributing the maize for feeding programs in our schools and this has encouraged attendance in rural parts of the district, we however, would like to appeal to the government to increase supplies such as cooking and other foodstuff which we have been lacking,” he said.

Mr. Monde said schools in Ikelenge are lining up with government pronouncements on establishment of production units to supplement government efforts in the health and nutrition program for pupils in the district.

Senior Chief Mwata Kazembe of the Lunda people of Mwansabombwe District has called for partnership between government and the private sector in fostering development.

The traditional leader says government cannot do everything alone hence the need for private sector involvement.

ZANIS reports that Senior Chief Mwata Kazembe was speaking when Eden University Chief Executive Officer, Kelvin Kaunda paid a courtesy call on him at his palace

He noted that the private sector needs to supplement government efforts in areas such as education.

The traditional leader cited lack of adequate furniture and computers in some government schools in the district among other issues.

Meanwhile, Mr Kaunda who was in the district at the invitation of the Senior Chief, commended the traditional leader for initiating a number of developmental projects in Mwansabombwe

Mr Kaunda assured that the university will partner with the Lunda Royal Establishment to help address some of the challenges in the district.

And in response to the Senior ‘s requests, Mr Kaunda pledged to donate 300 desks to be distributed to various schools and awarded 100 percent bursary to 50 school leavers in various courses