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Zambia U17 has been drawn against hosts Morocco in Group A at the 2021 AFCON U17.
The tournament group draws were conducted today, February 24 at the ongoing 2021 AFCON U20 in Nouakchott, Mauritania.
Uganda and 2013 champions Cote d’Ivoire complete Group A of the tournament Morocco is hosting from March 13-31.
George Chilufya’s side will face Cote d’Ivoire in their opening Group A match on March 14, Uganda in their penultimate Group A match on March 16 and Morocco on March 19.
Junior Chipolopolo will be facing all three opponents for the first time at an AFCON U17 tournament.
Winner of Group A will play one of the two best third placed sides while the runner-up will face winner from Group B that comprises Algeria,Tanzania,Congo Brazzaville and two-time winners Nigeria- both those matches will be on March 24.
This is Junior Chipolopolo’s second tournament outing after making its AFCON debut at Niger 2015 where they made a first round exit.
The top two sides from the three groups will be joined by the best two third place finishers in the quarterfinals of the tournament that has been expanded from eight to twelve teams in this edition.
Defending champions Cameroon are in Group C with Senegal, Mali and South Africa and chasing an unprecedented third AFCON U17 title.
The top four finishers will represent Africa at the postponed 2021 FIFA U17 World Cup in Peru.
Group A: Morocco, Uganda, Zambia, Cote d’Ivoire
Group B: Nigeria, Tanzania, Algeria, Congo
Group C: Cameroon, Senegal, Mali, South Africa
Popular radio station Hot FM has fired controversial radio and TV personality Mutale Mwanza.
Ms Mwanza was until today a co-host of the hugely popular Red Hot Breakfast Show.
The decision to sack Ms. Mwanza was announced by the station’s Chief Operating Officer Oscar Chavula.
Mr. Chavula said Ms. Mwanza was fired for dragging the name of the station to her level.
Below is the full letter from Mr. Chavula.
“It is with profound regret that I must inform you that management has decided to terminate your employment with Hot FM with immediate effect.
We find your brand to be seriously in conflict with the Hot FM brand and values and can no longer allow this trend to continue.
Your latest antics are, in our view, highly disrespectful, unprovoked and unconscionable considering that they were targeted at an elderly national leader. It literally amounts to cyber bullying and we do not condone such in our values and principles.
We believe we have cautioned you enough in the last few months regarding your public conduct and warned you against dragging our brand and company down to your level.
Time has come to part company with you and we wish you well in your future endeavors.”
Transport and Communications Minister Mutotwe Kafwaya has said that the appointment of Ms. Mutale Nalumango as the new UPND Vice President is a clear indication that the opposition admires President Edgar Chagwa Lungu’s leadership.
Speaking when he featured on a Pan African Radio program today, Hon. Kafwaya said the UPND appointing a female Vice President shows that the opposition have a great admiration for His Excellency President Edgar Chagwa Lungus Leadership.
He said that President Lungu will go down in the country’s history as the first President who had a female Vice President in the country.
“Maybe it will be overstating to commend a party that is copying from an existing party,” Hon. Kafwaya said.
Hon. Kafwaya said it was good to see that the opposition are learning from the PF and further urged them to continue learning and allow President Lungu to teach them.
And Hon. Kafwaya who is also Lunte Member of Parliament said he was happy that the technology which the PF government are providing has the capacity to facilitate for important undertakings such as the holding of online conventions which the UPND benefited from.
“I am happy that as PF, we have provided a platform for the UPND to have online elections, ” he said.
And Hon Kafwaya Said that the PF government has provided an enabling environment for Zambians to thrive in their human endeavors.
The Lunte Member of Parliament said the expansion of roads in almost all parts of the country which have minimized the number of hours people spend on the road.
Hon. Kafwaya also said the construction of schools, health facilities and installation of Communication towers among other developmental projects that the PF government has implemented.
Hon. Kafwaya said he was happy that ZICTA decided to pick a Zambian company Beeline Telecommunications Limited as a fourth phone mobile service provider.
He said it is government’s policy to promote locals to own businesses in the country.
The Minister said that it is unfortunate that some politicians do not want Zambians to own and run companies in the country.
“This is what we are seeing in MOPANI even though they are some politicians who feel all the things owned by Zambians should be sold including Aircrafts,” he said.
Hon. Kafwaya has since challenged Zambians to perform saying the chance that has been given to Beeline Telecommunications Limited be proved and bring to an end the continued narrative that Zambians cannot do certain services.
By Emmanuel Muma CTPD Researcher Trade and Development
COVID-19 has evidently posed both social and economic challenges for Zambia. The country’s growth reduced by – 2.8 % and the cost of living has increased due to the rising inflation. This has caused Government to raise its efforts to reinvigorate growth, reduce poverty and inequality, and attain sustainable economic development through the implementation of national economic recovery programme over the next four years (2020-2023).
As Zambia sets out to implement post Covid-19 economic recovery strategies ,the Centre for Trade Policy and Development (CTPD) would like to urge Government to expedite (albeit with caution) the implementation process of key trade agreements such as the Africa Continental Free Trade Area. The AfCFTA offers opportunities that can help Zambia galvanise and stimulate post-pandemic economic recovery and foster economic growth in the medium to long term. This is based on the idea that AfCFTA will promote the creation of a larger and more integrated market whilst supporting diversification efforts and industrialization through promotion of intra- Africa trade. Intra-Africa trade is expected to expand by more than 80 percent and add to about US$60 billion to African exports. Whilst the commencement of AfCFTA on 1st January 2021 and the Zambia National Assembly approval for the ratification of AfCFTA “cheered up” a number of stakeholders , more work remains in the making before Zambia can fully trade and benefit under the terms of the agreement.
CTPD notes that Zambia is not immune to market risks such as import dumping and the competition expected to be created under the AfCFTA. Whereas competition adjustments are necessary to improve economic efficiency in the long run, it is central for Government through the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry (MCTI) to implement the AfCFTA national implementation strategy in order to protect the interest of the local industries and offer business incentives to help them endure adjustments costs in the short term . This will ensure that the liberalization process remains in tandem with the countries’ development and recovery plans.
Further, CTPD is cognisant of provisions on trade remedies provided for at the continental level under the AfCFTA agreement on which member countries can ride on to help ease short-term adjustment shocks . For example, provisions on flexibility in the AfCFTA agreement, include annex 9 on trade remedies that allow governments to take remedial action against imports which cause injury to domestic industries.
However, our position as CTPD is that in spite of these transitional measures , Zambia should still be able to ride on its own national strategies to help leverage complementary AfCFTA measures by synergising the AfCFTA . It is also our expectation that Government takes the lead and responsibility of identifying new markets for Zambia’s exports in parts of Africa that the country does not currently export goods and services and make this information publicly available for the local industry and small-scale traders.
We further expect Government to enhance efforts towards advancing market infrastructure and the implementation of existing initiatives such as One Stop Border Post and online mechanisms for reporting and monitoring unfair trade practices and non-tariff barriers (NTBs) at key border posts like Kasumbalesa. This will help local traders conduct business in a conducive environment, increase the market share in existing parts of Africa where Zambia already exports its goods and services thus contributing to the country’s increased revenue collection from foreign exchange earnings. In addition, this will help to reduce the financing gap towards Zambia’s post-pandemic economic recovery and foreign debt servicing.
The Patriotic front (PF) in Lusaka Province has noted that President Edgar Lungu’s action oriented approach to governance has made him popular and trusted by the Zambian people.
PF Provincial Secretary, Kennedy Kamba, has since urged Zambians to continue having confidence in President Lungu and ignore propaganda from some opposition political figures who do not meanwhile for the country.
Speaking during a Press briefing in Lusaka today, Mr Kamba stated that President Lungu is busy working around the clock to ensure major mines in the country are run by Zambians and has ignored all false allegations against him.
“I challenge President Hakainde Hichilema of the UPND not to forget his actions of abuse when he sold the country’s mining assets in the name of privatisation which caused indelible devastations on the lives of many citizens. ,” Mr Kamba said.
“The economic destiny and prosperity of this country is in the hands of Zambians themselves and that is why President Lungu is returning power to the citizenry,” Mr. Kamba said.
He said that the opposition is only desperate and seeking attention from Zambians of which they are failing.
And PF Provincial Youth Chairman Daniel Kalembe reiterated the party’s commitment to ensuring integrity among party members.
Mr. Kalembe indicated that the party will strive to adhere to the Central Committee’s resolutions to avoid indiscipline.
“As PF members we will make sure that the resolutions of the Central Committee are seriously followed so that we do not have issues of discipline,” Mr. Kalembe told the media.
He called on Zambians not to lose confidence due to the propagated information by the opposition.
Over 500 headmen from Lusangazi district in Eastern Province have pledged their support towards President Edgar Lungu and the Patriotic Front (PF) Party during the August 2021 general elections.
The headmen said they have decided to throw their support behind President Edgar Lungu because of the good leadership the President has demonstrated and the many developmental projects being undertaken in Lusangazi.
Senior headman Kanthema, Everson Mbewe, cited the declaration of Lusangazi as a district as one progressive decision President Lungu took.
He also cited connection of power to Sandwe Chiefdom through the Rural Electrification Authority and the grading of Chilongozi road from Petauke to Lusangazi.
The traditional leader added that the road that links Lusangazi and Mambwe district are also milestone developmental projects that have been undertaken in the area under President Lungu’s leadership.
Headman Kathema said it was for this reason that all the headmen in the area will rally behind President Lungu and the PF party candidates in the fourth coming general elections.
The headman was speaking in Lusangazi, when Msanzala Member of Parliament, Peter Daka delivered 500 bicycles to the headmen in all the eight wards of Msanzala Constituency on behalf of the President.
“Chisangu ward is the like a bedroom for the PF because it is the only ward that had the first PF councillor who was in opposition by then so all the headmen in this community are in full support of President Edgar Lungu, the MP Peter Daka and all candidates who will contest on the PF ticket in August this year,” he said.
Other headmen who added their voices to support President Lungu was Senior headman Sichilima from Mawanda Ward who said the PF administration has delivered development to the people.
“We have seen it all, the developments are many and it will not be fair if we tolerated other people apart from Edgar Lungu, Peter Daka and all the PF candidates in this year’s general elections,” he said.
Meanwhile headman Nyamia, Levison Phiri, also thanked the President Lungu for blessing them with bicycles and for developing Lusangazi.
“What the President has done is a commendable job and he deserves another term,” he said.
And Msanzala Constituency Member of Parliament, Peter Daka said President Lungu was concerned about the welfare of people in rural areas such as the headmen and gifted them with bicycles for their easy movements.
Mr Daka, who was accompanied by Msanzala constituency PF officials, urged the headmen to fully support President Edgar Lungu and all the PF candidates in the August 2021 general elections for continuation of developmental projects being undertaken in the area.
“I’ m just a messenger who was has been sent by President to deliver these bicycles to you because it was what you requested from him so that you use them during your movements from one destination to the other,” he said.
The lawmaker pointed out that Msanzala constituency had benefited a lot in terms of development such as the drilling and repairing of boreholes for improved water and sanitation, grading of the main roads and feeder roads.
“This is one constituency that has seen a lot of developments in all angles such as water, mobile network, roads and electricity among others,” he said.
The Department of Fisheries in Shibuyunji has confiscated over 900 kilograms of fish from traders from the time the fish ban was effected in December last year.
Shibuyunji District Fisheries Officer, Steven Nyirongo Mr Nyirongo said the fish was confiscated during an operation carried by the department in conjunction with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife and Zambia Police Service.
“From December 1, 2020 to date the department has confiscated 656kgs of fresh fish, 283kg kilograms of dry fish , four vikukula and 28 mosquito enets,” Mr Nyirongo said.
Mr Nyirongo said it is sad that most of the fish being sold are fingerlings saying this will deplete fish in the water bodies.
“Fish should be left to breed and grow so that it benefits the whole country,” he said.
He urged the residents in the district to venture into fish farming as the department of Fisheries was ready to offer guidance and services on how go about it.
And Shibuyunji District Commissioner, Jairos Simukoko expressed sadness that the residents were overlooking the fish ban.
Mr Simukoko urged the residents to venture into farming and take advantage of the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP), Food Security Pack (FSP) and Youth Aquaculture Empowerment Fund among others.
“I also want to encourage the fishermen to go back and farm or do other types of businesses during the fish ban to avoid breaking the law,” Mr Simukoko said.
Police in Lusaka have charged and arrested Constable Fanwell Nyundu aged 25, a police officer with two counts of murder which occurred on 23rd December 2020 between1000 hours and 1300 hours in which a Prosecutor of National Prosecutions Authority, Nsama Nsama Chipyoka and also Joseph Kaunda were shot at and died.
Zambia Police Service Spokesperson Esther Katongo has confirmed in a statement.
“The suspect is in police custody and yet to appear in Court.”
“Police in Lusaka have charged and arrested Constable Fanwell Nyundu aged 25, a police officer with two counts of murder which occurred on 23rd December 2020 between 10:00 Hours and 13:00 Hours in which a Prosecutor of National Prosecutions Authority Nsama Nsama Chipyoka and also Joseph Kaunda were shot at and died.
“The suspect is in police custody and yet to appear in Court.”
Senior Medical Superintendent at the Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital Dr. Penias Tembo says the Covid-19 Isolation Centre at the hospital is currently overstretched and overwhelmed.
Dr Tembo said government and the hospitals management is not coping with the demand for service from Covid-19 patients as cases keep swelling.
He has since appealed to faith based organizations and the corporate world to step in and help the facility manage Covid cases.
Dr Tembo was speaking on Tuesday when the Lions Club of Woodlands in partnership with Zamtel, ZSIC Life and the Guardian Insurance Group launched a feeding programme for front line workers at the Covid-19 Centre.
Dr Tembo admitted that it is not a secret that Levy Mwanawasa Covid Isolation Centre is facing a number of operational challenges because the facility is overwhelmed.
The Levy Mwanawasa Isolation Centre is the biggest in Zambia and currently has 171 workers who will receive all essential meals through the feeding programme.
Through the Initiative, Zamtel other partners such as ZSIC Life and the Guardian Insurance Group will pay an identified catering firm that will prepare and deliver the meals to the medical facility.
At the same event, Lions Club of Woodlands President Kabwe Kandeke said the initiative is meant to appreciate the efforts by front line health workers who are taking care of Covid-19 patients.
Mr Kandeke has since thanked Zamtel and the other partners for responding to the needs of the front line workers.
And Zamtel since donated K20,000 to the initiative and also set up a Merchant Code 69650 through which Zamtel Kwacha subscribers can send financial contributions to fund feeding programme.
Speaking at the handover of the cheque, Zamtel Senior Manager for Mobile Money Mulenga Masinja said the feeding initiative is meant to appreciate the hard work that health workers are putting in to combat Covid-19.
“As an indigenous Zambian brand, we are making this donation because we believe it will go a long way in meeting the nutritional requirements of our hard working frontline health workers as they provide the much needed care and support for patients afflicted by Covid-19. The funds provided by Zamtel and other partners will also help motivate our workers who are at the front line of this battle against Covid,” Mr Masinja said.
Amnesty International says investors must hold global mining giant Anglo American accountable for toxic legacy of lead poisoning in Kabwe that occurred between 1925 and 1974.
Kabwe residents have some of the highest lead levels in the world – especially in children aged 5 years and younger.
‘The horrendous ongoing consequences of mining for Kabwe’s children should convince Anglo American that its human rights policies can only protect the company’s reputation if they implement them properly,” says Amnesty International’s Economic Affairs Director Peter Frankental said.
“The horrendous ongoing consequences of mining for Kabwe’s children should convince Anglo American that its human rights policies can only protect the company’s reputation if they implement them properly. Investors should take heed of the growing number of litigation cases against companies relating to the impacts of their operations decades ago.”
“The Supreme Court’s judgement against UK mining company Vedanta, has opened up the UK courts to claimants who cannot access justice in their own country.”
“There is an urgent need to clean up the toxic lead legacy in Kabwe, and to provide justice and remedy. Alleviating the ongoing suffering of Kabwe’s children, and its future generations, requires Anglo American’s leadership and engagement, not its evasion and obstruction.”
A group of African and British rights organisations have sent a letter to 10 of Anglo American’s leading investors including BlackRock, Fidelity, JP Morgan, Standard Life Aberdeen and Old Mutual.
Children playing with bottle tops in the dust in Chowa township in Kabwe. The dust is highly contaminated with lead, which is extremely toxic. Photograph: Larry C Price for the Guardian
Anglo American is due to release its annual results on Thursday, 25 February.
Kabwe, a mining town in northern Zambia, was managed by the Anglo American group of companies between 1925 and 1974, when the majority of the lead poisoning was caused.
Evidence has revealed that Anglo American was aware of the lead poisoning.
The residents have some of the highest lead levels in the world and health studies in Kabwe have recorded the alarmingly high blood lead levels in children aged 5 years and younger.
Dr A.R.L Clark, a doctor on the Kabwe mine, found that between 1971 and 1974 blood lead levels of children were highly elevated across communities near the mine.
The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a blood lead level of 5 µg/dl (micrograms per decilitre) or lower, yet in Kabwe thousands of children have levels above 45µg/dl), with some above 100µg/dl.
Low levels of exposure can lead to reduced IQ, behavioural problems, hearing impairment, while high levels can be fatal.
Lead poisoning also affects pregnancy and can impair the development of the developing foetus.
Anglo America says it has high economic, social and governance (ESG) standards across its operations.
In an address at the 2021 Mining Indaba in South Africa in early February, Mark Cutifani, the CEO of Anglo American, said “humanity” was a key word for the company and that “people look to Anglo for leadership and assurances that a company can put operations aside and focus on what is good for the community.”
In October 2020, a group of Zambia women and children filed a class action lawsuit against Anglo American’s subsidiary in South Africa for alleged mass lead poisoning.
In response to the class action suit, Anglo American said it is “not responsible for the current situation” and “was not the majority owner of the mine.”
A Media Educator and Social Media Specialist at the University of Zambia has expressed concern with the continued production and circulation of pornographic material which he says has a potential to corrupt the morals of citizens.
Father Francis Chishala notes that the production and circulation of pornographic material that has caught the attention of social media is a matter of concern that should be curtailed as underage children are having access to adult material.
Fr Chishala told ZANIS in an interview that there is a need to urgently address the matter as high profile individuals have been at the centre of the illegal activity.
“They are the ones who should instill good morals among young people but they are exposing children to obscene material.” he said.
Fr Chishala noted that the behaviour of some high profile individual is compromising the country’s status as a Christian nation.
“As Christians, we are supposed to have a strong base so that we do not pollute society with obscene materials,” he said.
He lamented that it is sad that despite negative criticism and threats from authorities, people have continued to display their nudity for all to see on social media.
The Jesuit noted that there is a moral decay in the country saying the Government should quickly address the situation.
“We cannot continue to see elderly people disgrace themselves in such a manner.” He said.
The country has seen increased pornographic content on social media content which is produced by local people.
Former Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD ) spokesperson Yotam Mtayachalo has commended President Edgar Lungu and the Patriotic Front ( PF) government for accelerating major investments in the electricity sub sector such as the 750MW Kafue Gorge Lower power project.
Mr. Mtayachalo who is also PF Chama North Constituency in Chama district of Muchinga Province aspiring candidate in the August 12, 2021 elections, has also commended the Government for the allocation of K305m in the 2021 national budget for rural electrification projects.
Mr. Mtayachalo has told the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS ) in Chinsali yesterday that the allocation of K305 million in the 2021 national budget is a major milestone in improving rural accessibility to electricity because electricity is a catalyst of economic development and improving people’s standard of living.
Meanwhile, Mr. Mtayachalo say people of Chama district in Muchinga Province are concerned with frequent power blackouts which is affecting business activities and households.
Mr. Mtayachalo says there is an urgent need for intervention in the frequent power black outs in Chama district.
The frequent power black outs being experienced in Chama district have been blamed on ESKOM, a national power utility company of Malawi that supplies power to Lundazi and Chama districts in Zambia which is reportedly having challenges to supply uninterrupted power as there are using a 132kv line catering for that country’s northern region hence affecting power supply not only to that country but to Chama and Lundazi
“I have seen spoken to Zambia Electricity and Supply Corporation Ltd (ZESCO) the Regional Manager for Eastern province Mr Denis Kolala over the matter and he has indicated that ESKOM the national power utility company of Malawi has been having challenges to supply uninterrupted power as there are using a 132kv line catering for the country’s northern region hence affecting power supply not only to that country but to Chama and Lundazi as well,” said Mr. Mtayachalo.
Mr. Mtayachalo added ZESCO Eastern Regional Manager, Mr. Kolala , has assured him that he will liaise with ZESCO branch manager in Chama to normalize the situation by utilizing the gene sets to supply power to the district following the challenges Eskom has been experiencing of late.
Mr. Mtayachalo also expressed concern over continued delays in connecting Chama district to the National Electricity Grid as the 132 kv power line to the district from Chipata via Lundazi has already been completed.
He has since appealed to ZESCO management to mobilize resources for the construction of a substation so that the district can quickly be connected to the country’s s national electricity grid in order to avert frequent power outages supplied from neighbouring Malawi.
“I want to assure the people of Chama North constituency that I will do everything possible to ensure that erratic power supply to the district is quickly addressed and that the district is connected to the national electricity grid as quickly as possible,” said Mr. Mtayachalo.
The government will soon operationalize all the clinics in Lusaka that have been upgraded to level 1 hospitals in order to enhance service delivery.
Health Minister Dr. Jonas Chanda notes that doing so, will also promote the model of care in conformity with the district level status due to large population catchment areas.
Speaking separately when he toured the soon-to-be commissioned Kanyama and Chawama level 1 hospitals in Lusaka, Dr Chanda assured that government will also prioritize recruitment of human resources in order to promote efficiency when it comes to health care service delivery.
The Minister also called on hospital management for the two health facilities to expedite the needs assessment report in order to facilitate for immediate operationalization of the two facilities.
The minister who was accompanied by UTH Director Clinical Care and Diagnostic Services Dr. Alex Makupe and Nkoloma ward councilor Tasila Lungu Mwansa explained that the model of care should befit the new infrastructure development of health facilities that the PF government has done.
He said there is need to take care of patients within their localities in order not only to bring medical services closer, but to also reduce the burden of referring cases to tertiary hospitals such as the University Teaching Hospital and Levy Mwanawasa Hospital.
Dr. Chanda also called for decentralized care of COVID-19 patients within the level 1 hospitals in order to strengthen community management of the pandemic to avoid further spread.
“It is good to see such huge investments in the health sector and clearly shows the importance that President Edgar Lungu attaches in promoting access to quality healthcare,” Dr Chanda said and recalled how small the facility was when he was doing his medical attachments as a medical student over 20 years ago compared to the unprecedented progress that has been recorded now.
And at Chawama Level 1 hospital, Dr Chanda directed for the facilitation of a mortuary in order to reduce the burden on tertiary hospitals.
Meanwhile, Dr Chanda has disclosed that the next cabinet meeting is expected to table the way forward with regards to the COVID-19 vaccine following the $25 Million support towards vaccine acquisition and deployment by the mobile provider MTN, to the African Union.
He assured that government will be as transparent as possible with the issue of the vaccine as he urged Zambians to individualized the fight against the pandemic in order to record progress.
He said this when he gave a latest COVID-19 update where he disclosed that Zambia is the last 24 hours recorded 555 new cases out of 3,910 tests done while 9 deaths were also recorded in the same period.
Stakeholders in Gwembe district, Southern Province have expressed concern on what they termed ’high’ levels of land encroachment especially in learning institutions and hospitals.
Stakeholders say schools in Gwembe have been encroached by people who have built structures on land belonging to schools.
This came to light in Gwembe during a meeting dubbed, “School titling and deeds”.
The participants who attended the stakeholder meeting feel State and Traditional land should clearly be defined and interpreted to avoid people from building structures such as shops or houses.
Gwembe District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) Benson Zemba said primary schools should have five hectares (ha) of land, basic school 15 ha while a secondary school should sit on 25 hectarage piece of land.
Mr. Zemba lamented that the situation is not as it is today because of encroachers that have allegedly taken away part of land.
The DEBS cited Chipepo Secondary School that has been encroached by people.
The stakeholders resolved that Gwembe District Council as a local authority as well as Chief Chipepo and Munyumbwe counterpart should be involved so that boundaries are properly secured.
A resolution was further passed that all schools, district hospital should be allocated title deeds to deter would-be-encroachers.
District Commissioner Timothy Siakaziba who also attended the meeting disclosed that the Ministry of Lands in Lusaka has been notified over the need for schools and hospitals to be issued title deeds.
The meeting was attended by Council Chairperson Paul Chilala, Heads of Government departments and quasi institutions, church and non-governmental organization leaders.
Meanwhile, Chief Chipepo and Chief Munyumbwe pledged to give land in their respective chiefdoms in order to stir and open up Gwembe in line with the Seventh National Development Plan which is anchored on stimulating economic growth.
Nkana coach Kelvin Kaindu is confident Kalampa will excel against former champion Raja Casablanca of Morocco and 2019/2020 runners up Pyramids in Group D of the CAF Confederation Cup.
The Kitwe giants will start the league phase away in Egypt against ambitious Cairo club Pyramids on March 10.
Nkana will also face either Namungo of Tanzania or CD de Agosto of Angola in Group D.
“It is not going to be easy but we still have confidence in the team and we believe for the support we can get, I think we can sail through,” Kaindu said.
“I am sure if we take our games at home and probably maximize getting full points at home and try to pick a point or two away I think it would be an advantage for us.”
Raja will visit Nkana on March 17 in what will surpassingly be their debut continental meeting.
“It is good that we played in a North African country before we qualified to the group stage,” he said.
“It is an advantage for us rather than going to a country where we don’t have so much information. Yes we know these (Raja) are the giants in North Africa and we just need to focus.”
