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Expectations From The Forth Coming Bondholder Decision On Zambia’s Request For Debt Service Relief

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Expectations From The Forth Coming Bondholder Decision On Zambia’s Request For Debt Service Relief

By Wakumelo Mataa CTPD Researcher

Zambia’s economy has continued to experience serious macro-economic challenges, aggravated by the COVID-19 crisis on one hand and the debt situation on the other. According to the Ministry of Finance (MoF), the country’s external debt increased to US$11.97 billion at end June 2020 from US$11.48 billion at end 2019.

The fiscal situation has continued to deteriorate as external debt repayments continue to increase, premised on the sustained depreciation of the Zambian Kwacha against the United States dollar. To address the debt situation, MoF begun the process of engaging all creditors to seek their approval for suspension of debt service payments for a period of six months in accordance with the terms of the G20 and Paris Club Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI). Feedback from the bondholders is expected during MoF’s meetings with the note holders scheduled for Friday, 13 th November, 2020.

It is our considered view as the Centre for Trade Policy and Development (CTPD) that the decision of the bondholders will, to a large extent, be influenced by the creditor’s level of confidence in Zambia’s debt transparency and the way Government proposes to deal with the debt situation. It is expected that, being major creditors, China’s recent willingness to grant a debt relief will be crucial to the decision of the bondholders as they will most likely take into consideration, the lack of publicly available information on the terms and conditions of Chinese loans.

We find it progressive that Government through the Ministry of Finance has reportedly reached an agreement with the China Development Bank (CDB) to defer debt service in respect of a commercial loan facility. We however remain greatly concerned that the MoF makes no mention of the amount of the loan(s) in question as this would have helped quantify the amount of relief given. Moreover, there are still serious concerns about the actual scale of the debt that Zambia owes China.

Furthermore, it is our expectation that the bondholders will be looking forward to a clear and realistic economic recovery plan. In this regard, Government will be expected to be emphatic on what it intends to do within the relief period that will point the economy towards recovery and restore debt sustainability. It is imperative that Government commits to prudent utilization of the resources that may be freed up from this initiative should this request pull through, directing a larger part of the
resources into productive sectors. It will be sad for Zambia if the creditors reject the request for relief as this will mean that Zambia has defaulted on its debt obligations that were due on the 13 th of October, 2020.

We find it contradictory that, while we have based our request for debt service relief on the devastating economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the latest auditor general’s report reveals serious irregularities in the usage of funds intended to mitigate its impacts on the economy. It therefore cannot be over-emphasized that Government needs to be more serious if its intentions are to be trusted as it engages with our creditors. There is need to ensure logical consistence in Government’s understanding and appreciation of the prevailing macro-economic problems and consequently, in coming up with solutions to resolve them.

It is imperative to note that Zambia’s Bondholders may also be concerned about the political economy going into the 2021 general elections as this has seemingly made Government reluctant to slow-down on the ambitious infrastructure and policy reform agenda. Should the bondholders reject Zambia’s DSSI request, there will be a negative impact on social spending implying that less funds will be available to spend on initiatives that help reduce poverty or support job creation in the country due to higher interest payments on increased debt.

UNHCR Praises Zambian Government, but calls for more efforts towards ending statelessness

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UNHCR Praises Zambian Government, but calls for more efforts towards ending statelessness

As the world commemorates the 6th anniversary of the #IBelong Campaign, which falls on Wednesday 11 November 2020, the UN Refugee Agency in Zambia, applauds the efforts the Government of the Republic of Zambia has put in place to ERADICATE STATELESSNESS through various forms of civil registration.

Thousands of children are born in Zambia every year and the efforts by the Government to register and issue them with birth certificates and other civil forms of registration is commendable.

“Without a birth certificate or any form of registration, and later a national registration card, an individual is at risk of being stateless, which means no country will recognize him/her as a citizen. Often, such children are excluded from accessing their fundamental rights and opportunities,” said Ms Pierrine Aylara, the UNHCR Representative in Zambia.

A birth certificate is key to a nationality, rights, identity, to the opportunities and obligations that will be part of what it means to be Zambian for the rest of a person’s life.

UNHCR is cognisant of the study instituted by the Government in 2019 to ascertain the extent of Statelessness in Zambia. The study is commendable as it has resulted in the establishment of a taskforce that has drafted an action plan aimed at ending Statelessness by 2024.

UNHCR calls upon the Government of the Republic of Zambia to continue supporting the adoption of the Regional Action Plan to eradicate Statelessness in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC).

Cognisant of the Government of the Republic of Zambia’s strong support of UNHCR’s #IBelong Campaign to End Statelessness, the UN Refugee Agency calls upon Zambia to continue removing potential barriers, simplifying birth registration processes. Let us make sure that costs or distance from civil registration centres are not the factors that condemn a child to be marginalized, and ultimately stateless. To this end UNHCR encourages the Government of the Republic of Zambia to embark on legal reforms by, firstly, acceding to the 1961 UN Convention and domesticating the provisions of both the 1961 UN Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness and 1954 UN Convention.

Let us also make sure that all parents understand their child’s rights and are supported to complete the steps needed to register them immediately at birth, regardless of their status.

The Government of Republic of Zambia, like any other Government, should finally ensure that safeguards against Statelessness are in place to protect orphans and children found abandoned parents across the country. Above all, the Government is urged to fulfil the promise to all children throughout this country which is laid out in the Constitution.

Zambia’s prospects lie with its children, and how well they are prepared for tomorrow. By making sure that every child’s birth is registered, they can further be given the best start in life: to seek health care, to be educated, to work legally, to pursue justice under the law, to marry, to provide for a family, and one day to register the birth of their own child.

Through birth registration, we can end one of the main causes of Statelessness forever.

Zambia is a party to the 1989 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and is committed to becoming party to the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.

Women effectively contributing to peacekeeping operations-Amb Simbyakula

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Women effectively contributing to peacekeeping operations-Amb Simbyakula

Women have the ability to improve the effectiveness of the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operations around the globe, Zambia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, His Excellency, Dr Ngosa Simbyakula has said.

Ambassador Simbyakula has said Zambia will remain resolute to the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operations by continuing to contribute peacekeeping troops to peacekeeping missions around the globe.

Speaking at the 10th United Nations Woman Police Officer of the Year award ceremony in New York, Dr Simbyakula said Zambia was among the top 20 Member States who are contributors of uniformed personnel to the United Nations peacekeeping operations.
A Zambia Police officer, Chief Inspector Doreen Mazuba Malambo who is a Gender Advisor at the United Nations Mission in South Sudan has been awarded the 2020 United Nations Woman Police Officer of the Year.

The award was presented during the 15th United Nations Police Week at which the heads of the UN Police and policing experts from peacekeeping operations, special political missions and regional UN senior leadership gather to discuss among other topics, performance and accountability, discipline, conflict prevention and peace sustainment.

As part of this project, Chief Inspector Malambo created a network of groups led by male local police officers to engage other men in the community to disseminate information and promote the protection and advancement of the rights of women and girls.

Chief Inspector Malambo also contributed to UNMISS’ efforts to disseminate information on COVID-19 prevention to vulnerable communities, including those with disabilities.

Dr Sibyakula stated that the Government of the Republic of Zambia valued the contribution by women in peacekeeping operations and would therefore continue to champion the involvement of the female gender in peacekeeping.

“I take this opportunity to reaffirm Zambia’s commitment to matters pertaining to international peace and security. We remain resolute in this regard and will continue to play our part in UN Peacekeeping Operations. I therefore wish to congratulate Chief Inspector Doreen Mazuba Malambo, Gender Advisor to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan for being awarded the 2020 United Nations Woman Police Officer of the Year Award in recognition of contribution to the UN work, especially in support of those who are vulnerable or living in vulnerable situations such as women, girls, children and persons with disabilities,” Dr Simbyakula said.

The Zambian envoy stated that Chief Inspector Malambo had done Zambia proud by becoming a role model and an inspiration not only to fellow peacekeepers but to women and girls in communities where she is serving.

Dr Simbyakula commended the efforts of the women peacekeepers for undertaking their mandate even as the world was facing the COVID-19 pandemic.

The United Nations Woman of the Year Award was established in 2011 to recognize the exceptional contributions of women police officers to UN peace operations and promote the empowerment of women.

ZCCB Worried With Some Trends that May Force Zambia Sacrifice Its Treasured Peace

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ZCCB Worried With Some Trends that May Force Zambia Sacrifice Its Treasured Peace

President of the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) Rt. Rev. George Lungu says some trends in Zambia today are worrisome and if left unchecked may force the country to sacrifice its treasured peace.

Bishop Lungu emphasized that such worrisome trends if left unchecked may force the country to sacrifice the treasured peace at the altar of expedience with obvious results of continued discord and lack of progress in the pursuit of common good.
“It is morally unacceptable to allow certain trends to go on while we remain watching and waiting from our comfort zones. This workshop is no doubt a manifestation of that desire to do something about our situation. A time to take note of the silent cries of our people,” said Bishop Lungu.

The ZCCB President further said that the Church may take pride as a voice of the voiceless, the conscience of the nation, yet if the voice of the Church at certain critical times goes silent for whatever reason, that is failure on its mission.
He noted that the Church must [remain] true to its identity as ambassadors of Christ and effective promoters and mediators of peace.

Rt. Rev. Lungu has since hoped that with the prompting and guidance of the Holy Spirit, the workshop will bring about genuine peace and reconciliation in Zambia.

Bishop Lungu said this when he opened a ZCCB Peacebuilding workshop in Lusaka on Wednesday 11th November, 2020 under the theme: Towards a Peaceful Zambia-The role of the Church.

The two-day workshop held at Kapingila house, in Lusaka Zambia which aims at raising awareness as key pastoral agents to be true and effective promoters and mediators of peace in Zambia has attracted 44 participants from all Catholic Dioceses of Zambia.

The participants include Bishops, Pastoral Coordinators, Communication Secretaries, Caritas and Social Program Directors and members of the Catholic Secretariat Management team.

And speaking in his presentation, Bishop Evans Chinyemba of Mongu urged Christians to conduct interdenominational prayer meeting on peace.

Mampi premiers visuals for “Nabeba“

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Mampi premiers visuals for “Nabeba“

 

 

Mampi premiers visuals for her single “Nabeba“. The song was produced by KB , the amazing music video was directed by Lo.

Nabeba is an afro-soul track performed in Nsenga. On this one the Queen diva narrates a story about Mr Tembo whose unhappy in his marriage because of his wife’s love for money.

Shepolopolo U17 Reach COSAFA Cup Final

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Zambia have reached the final of the round-robin 2020 COSAFA Women’s Under-17 Championships with a game to spare after thumping Comoros 3-0 on Tuesday in their penultimate group match.

The Young Shepolopolo will face East African guest nation Tanzania in the final on Saturday at Wolfson Stadium in Port Elizabeth.

Zambia have booked their place in the final in grand style- sealing qualification with one round of matches left to play.

Both Tanzania and Zambia have nine points apiece in the round-robin tournament that has seen the top two teams storm the final.

“The game against Comoros was very tactical and we are happy that our opponent gave us something to go and think about,” said Zambia coach Kangwa Kaluba.

“We knew that we were going to win this game so we had to make it easy and tactical so that our children can have extra energy to play in the next match and the final.”

Zambia on Thursday afternoon faces Zimbabwe in their formality group match at the Oval Stadium.

Every Zambian is entitled to development-President Lungu

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Every Zambian is entitled to development-President Lungu

President Edgar Lungu has stated that every Zambian is entitled to development. President Lungu has assured traditional leaders of Chitambo district that government stands committed to improving people’s livelihood across the country without leaving anyone behind.

The Head of State was speaking in Chitambo district today during a meeting with Chief Mailo and Chief Chitambo.

Speaking in response to the challenges that were presented before him by the Chiefs, President Lungu commended the traditional leaders for advocating on behalf of their subjects.

“I have heard all your challenges and I can assure you that we won’t stop to bring development to the district,” President Lungu said.

“Each person needs to be developed, so do not be ashamed to request for development. I appreciate for letting me know about the challenges,” he assured

And President Lungu has assured traditional that communication challenges will be resolved as he will engage with Minister of Transport and Communications Mutotwe Kafwaya on switching on Radio Zambia.

“On Radio Zambia, I’ll take it very seriously with the Minister of Communications. We need to be communicating with our people. After so many years we can’t be failing to communicate to our people,” the President charged.

Meanwhile president Lungu says Bill 10 has nothing bad except that solutions to most problems lie in the Bill.

He wondered why some Members of Parliament decided to vote against or not to vote for Bill 10 when they are a representative of the people.

“Bill 10 had a lot of good things. Let’s make sure that our people register as voters in numbers to vote for people who will consider their desires. I don’t see anything wrong with Bill 10, the solution to Bill 10 is that we vote in numbers come 2021,” he noted.

At the same meeting Chief Chitambo cited poor road network and shortage of secondary schools in the area as some of the challenges presented before the President.

From the meeting with chiefs in Chitambo district, President Lungu also met with Headmen in the district and proceeded to Serenje where he held similar meetings.

Richard Kapita launches a talent identification spree in North Western province

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Richard Kapita launches a talent identification spree in North Western province

Western Province Minister Richard Kapita has come up with a football tournament aimed at identifying talent among youths in Mwinilunga district Of North Western Province.

Speaking during a football tournament final match, Mr Kapita said leaders have the responsibility to help youths in identifying and harnessing their talents.

Mr. Kapita said youths in the district have nothing much to do and end up engaging in vices that may negatively affect their future.

“I adapted this from my late uncle Paul Kapita who started these tournaments in the district way back where he used to identify talent and take them to big clubs in Lusaka some of them become international players like Watiyakeni, Kajiya and Muke ” Mr. Kapita said.

He said apart from talent identification, the football tournament will keep the youths busy by doing something productive thereby preparing them to be responsible in future.

And Mwinilunga District Commissioner Arnot Mapulanga said such initiatives by national leaders to empower youths, supplement government’s desire to have a productive youths.

He said the initiative is evidence of President Edgar Lungu’s constant call on the need for citizens to keep fit.

Meanwhile Senior Chief Kanong’esha of the Lunda speaking people who was present to watch the final match, thanked Mr Kapita for the initiative which he said will help address many challenges faced by youths in the area.

The Richard Kapita 2020 football tournament was played in Kanong’esha and Mulumbi wards as part of the preparation of the Edgar Chagwa Lungu football tournament that will come early next year.

Politicians urged to sign peace treaty ahead of 2021 elections

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Politicians urged to sign peace treaty ahead of 2021 elections

The Trust Emergency Response Organization (TERO) has hailed President Edgar Lungu for preaching peace and national unity ahead of the 2021 general elections.

TERO Organization Coordinator Chipasha Chisha has called on all political leaders to emulate President Lungu by signing a special peace accord ahead of the elections.

“We are in support of the agenda of our Republican President who is always preaching peace and unity,” said Mr. Chisha.

“Because without peace we cannot enjoy the freedom we are enjoying in this mother Zambia,” he said.

He, however, said it is important for political leaders in Zambia to come up with a peace agreement that must be signed by all Presidents ahead of the 2021 general elections.

“Am here to encourage the political parties or political players to come up with a peace agreement as one way of imparting confidence in the Zambian people or electorates who will participate in the 2021 general elections,” he added.

Mr. Chisha added that issues of political violence will not arise if there is a peace accord signed by all political party leaders.

He noted that the peace accord will instill confidence in the country’s electoral process.

First Lady warns parents giving children in marriage

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First Lady warns parents giving children in marriage

First Lady Esther Lungu has advised parents to stop the habit of consenting to early marriages for material gain.

The First Lady says there is no material gain that is worth compromising the future of the girl child by marrying her off.

Mrs Lungu said that early marriages and pregnancies can be curbed if parents were at the centre of the fight and not being perpetrators.

ZANIS reports that the First Lady was speaking at Matambazi primary school in Sinda district where she was disturbed to learn that 16 girls aged between 12 and 15 years were impregnated this year out of which only five have been successfully re-admitted into school.

The First Lady who is the chairperson of the Esther Lungu Foundation Trust (ELFT) said the Foundation, with support from its cooperating partners, was doing its best to address the problem of early marriages but the fight calls for concerted efforts.

“Early marriages and unintended pregnancies continue to ravage our country, especially in rural areas. And shamelessly, parents even encourage this by separating the two children from their families to live as husband and wife, especially when a girl falls pregnant all in the name of damage,” she said.

She said parents should realize that first pregnancies by minors are high risk therefore needing an all-inclusive-family support.

The First Lady said the government is improving school infrastructure, an indication that it prioritizes education something that should compel guardians to ensure children are kept in school.

“I have been reliably informed that Sinda is one of the districts in the province with high teenage pregnancies and early marriages. This is an indication that we need to partner and ensure that we take advantage of the re-entry policy,” she added.

She further empowered women groups through the Area Women Association with K20 thousand and made donations of medical supplies and school requirements to the health center and school respectively.

The donated items included solar sets, digital thermometers, suction canisters, bicycles, surgical gloves, books, and computers among others.

The first lady also donated similar resources to the Chimunsi community, as well as the special education unit at Tiritonse primary school.

Meanwhile, Provincial Permanent Secretary Veronica Mwiche has commended the First Lady for speaking strongly against unwanted pregnancies and early marriages which continue to obstruct the girl child from attaining their potential.

Ms Mwiche noted that the works of the First Lady’s foundation trust resonate with the goals of the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP).

“Your work coverage speaks directly to some key pillars of the 7NDP in ensuring women and girls access equal opportunities to excel,” the PS said.

And speaking when the first Lady called on her at her palace, Chieftainess Nyanje called on the first lady to continue empowering women as her chiefdom has a lot of viable women who only lack adequate empowerment to boost them.

The Chief also thanked the government for the numerous projects has been completed and still embarking on in the area.

“We are happy with the development government is extending to its people. For instance, my palace was completed a long time ago, the road has been worked on, farming inputs have been delivered in good time, to name just a few,” she explained.

The ELFT focuses on the empowerment of women and girls through economic and education programs, maternal, neonatal and child health issues, water and sanitation as well as persons with disabilities.

The First Lady is in Eastern Province on an 8-day out outreach programme in Mambwe, Chipata, Sinda and Petauke districts which is expected to end on November 11, 2020.

Voter registration is slow, it’s taking more than 30 minutes, Chavuma residents complain

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Voter registration is slow, it’s taking more than 30 minutes, Chavuma residents complain

The Voter Registration which started yesterday countrywide began on a slow note in Chavuma District of North Western Province.

A check by ZANIS yesterday, found some people complaining of the process taking more than 30 minutes before obtaining a voter’s card.

Elijah Sapindalo, Deputy Village Headman of Maseka complained that the process was taking too long to register one person.

“I’m complaining about the system of registration because it is taking 30 to 50 minutes to register one person, now how many people are going to register in a day, so we are asking the government to increase the number of days. I think 30 days is not enough to register all the people, people are willing to register but the period is too short, so please were are asking the government and ECZ to give us more days so that all of us can register,” lamented Sapindalo.

And District Electoral Officer Kennedy Bwalya said by close of the day yesterday, 356 were recorded from 10 centers while 56 were registered at the central station.

Eng. Bwalya also noted that ECZ is targeting to register 30,000 eligible voters within the District.

“As of yesterday, we registered 365 people and we will keep on updating you on the numbers from time to time. For the station here at the town centre yesterday we registered 56 meaning on average registration time it’s taking 10 to 12 minutes. We expect an improvement in the time as we progress in the exercise,” he said.

Eng. Bwalya encouraged the people of Chavuma to pay attention to all announcements being disseminated in the district.

DMMU warns communities along Kafue River as filling of Kafue Gorge Dam starts

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DMMU warns communities along Kafue River as filling of Kafue Gorge Dam starts

Kafue Gorge lower hydro power station has started filling its dam in readiness for commissioning of the first 150 megawatts for power generation.

As a result normal water flow of the Kafue River will be disturbed with reduction in water levels and a sudden increase.

The Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) in collaboration with other stakeholders has sent early warning to communities along the Kafue River to suspend all activities for a period of one week.

Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit DMMU Chief Planner Dominic Kangongo encouraged the communities during a sensitization meeting at Chisakila area of Chiawa in Kafue district to ensure that they heed to advice on the need to stay away from the riverbed.

Mr Kangongo further advised community members to ensure that they spread the word to other people who did not attend the meeting to prevent loss of lives and property.

Kafue gorge lower Principal Environmental Specialist Jack Munthali explained that there will be low water levels during the storing of water at the dam.

“You may experience low water levels as the dam is being filled but there will be a sudden increase”, he stated.

He advised the communities to stay away from the riverbed to prevent any tragedies from happening during the test transmissions.

“Remove all properties of value like water pumps to prevent damage to property”, Mr Munthali warned.

And members of the community have commended the team for warning the communities in advance as this will help prevent tragedies.

Fanny Mainga of Chiwena village in Chirundu District however expressed concern that farmers who planted along the river will have their crops washed away.

The 750 mw Kafue gorge lower project is expected to significantly mitigate the power deficit that the country is experiencing once the project is fully commissioned.

The 750 mw Kafue gorge lower project is expected to be fully commissioned during the first quarter of 2021.

Zambia On Brink of Default With Creditors Set to Refuse Relief

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Zambia On Brink of Default With Creditors Set to Refuse Relief

Bloomberg media reports that a key bondholder group is set to reject Zambia’s request for an interest-payment holiday, putting the country on course to become the first African sovereign defaulter since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.

There is consensus among the so-called Zambia External Bondholder Committee to reject the proposal, with a voting deadline of Wednesday ahead of meetings with creditors on Friday, according to two people with direct knowledge of the matter, who asked not to be identified because they’re not authorized to speak publicly.

The committee’s members hold about 40% of the southern African nation’s $3 billion of outstanding dollar bonds, and at least 25% of each, enough to vote down the proposal.

Bondholders abstained from previous votes that had been set for Oct. 20, prompting the adjournment to Nov. 13 to allow the government more time to convince them to accept the proposed six-month payment freeze.

Zambia said it is seeking equal relief from all external creditors, and the government’s approach to private lenders and mainly state-owned Chinese lenders could set a precedent for a growing number of countries seeking to reprofile debts they can’t afford to service as the pandemic ravages their economies.

The world’s largest economies will on Friday decide on a common framework to co-ordinate future debt restructuring among private and official lenders.

But the finance ministry has failed to provide transparency on its debts to Chinese lenders or inform bondholders of any progress in reaching a deal with the International Monetary Fund on an economic program, one of the people said.

There has also been no direct talks between the government and bondholders, the person said.

Zambia’s finance ministry didn’t respond to four calls and text messages seeking comment.

The government of Africa’s second-biggest copper producer has already missed a $42.5 million coupon payment scheduled for Oct. 14 on its $1 billion bonds due 2024, and a 30-day grace period ends on Friday.

Zambia’s already said it won’t pay if it isn’t granted a standstill, which would trigger a default giving bondholders the right to demand immediate repayment of the capital.

S&P Global Ratings Services last month cut its assessment of Zambia’s debt to “selective default”.

While Zambia has said it’s seeking the relief from private creditors as part of the G-20’s Debt Servicing Suspension Initiative for low-income countries struggling from the economic fallout of the pandemic, the southern African nation’s debt troubles have been building for years.

The IMF already warned in 2018 that Zambia was at high risk of debt distress, and the government continued adding billions of dollars more in external debt, which has climbed to about $12 billion.

Forest and Napsa Reaction to Continental Draws

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Forest Rangers and Napsa Stars have described their continental draws as fair.

Forest will be making their CAF Champions League debut and so too will be Napsa in the CAF Confederation Cup.

AS Bouenguidi of Gabon will visit Forest at the month-end.

Forest coach Tennant Chilumba is familiar with Gabonese football after facing CS Mounana in the 2015 CAF Confederation Cup when he was Power Dynamos boss.

Power won 3-0 at home but lost 4-0 away in a second round tie in Libreville.

“It’s memories again playing in Gabon. I am quite familiar with the Gabonese territory and I believe the players will do the job. They have done well so far but they should not become big headed because the big challenge is ahead now. We just need to get to the next round,” Chilumba said.

Meanwhile, Napsa will be on the road away to FC Ngazi in Comoros.

“I think it is a fair draw and we just need to focus because they are no easy games at CAF level but I am confident we will reach the group stage,” Napsa coach Mohamed Fathi said.

“But there is nothing like a walkover game, we have to work very hard in every game we play either local or continental to achieve what we want.”

The first legs will be played November 27-29 and return leg during the week of December 4-6.

PF of Confident of Victory in 2021, even without Bill 10-Sunday Chanda

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PF of Confident of Victory in 2021, even without Bill 10-Sunday Chanda

THE RULING Patriotic Front (PF) Media Director Mr. Sunday Chanda has challenged the opposition political parties to tell the Zambian people what they will do for the country if elected into Office.

Speaking on Tuesday morning on Kwithu FM’s ‘Nkani Yatu’ program where he was discussing issues of governance, Mr Chanda expressed sadness over the tendency exhibited by some members of opposition parties to politicizing everything.

He said the opposition should put the interest of the people first as opposed to opposing matters which are aimed at taking the nation forward.
Mr Chanda cited Bill number 10 which some members of the opposition campaigned against but shunned from voting.

“What we wanted as the PF is for the youth, women and differently-abled persons to have guaranteed seats in parliament so that they can advance their own agenda,” said Mr Chanda.

He emphasized that issues affecting the marginalized groups of Zambians can be best addressed by the affected persons and further said that is the more reason why PF wanted such people have their own representation in Parliament.

“As the PF, we wanted young people to advance their agenda, we wanted differently-abled persons advance their own agenda and the women too because we understand their challenge.”

However, Mr Chanda said even in the absence of Bill 10 which the opposition claimed the PF wanted to use to its benefit that the ruling party was confident of another victory in the forthcoming general elections slated for August 12, 2021.

He said Zambians have seen what the ruling party had done and further challenged the country’s largest opposition party, UPND, what it would do for the people.

And the PF Media Director further said lawyer John Sangwa’s discourse with regards President Edgar Chagwa Lungu’s eligibility was nothing but mare politics, adding that President Lungu would be on the ballot next year as the constitutional court had ruled in its judgement that he was eligible to stand as President.

Meanwhile, Mr Chanda said the PF remained confident that the voter registration exercise which commenced on Monday would be a success despite the process facing challenges on the first day.

“Unfortunately, our colleagues in the opposition and some CSOs opposed the online pre-registration voter exercise which would have made things easier when doing the actual exercise as most of the things would have been done and we feel that had MPs gone earlier in their constituencies to tell the electorates about it, it would have helped but again, they chose to play politics.”

Mr Chanda however said that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) should consider allocating more man power in high density areas so that it is able to capture the intended targets of registered voters ahead of the crucial elections.

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