The Ministry of Tourism and Arts has clarified that there is no international artist who has been cleared to perform in Zambia this weekend.

Ministry of Tourism and Arts Public Relations Officer Sakabilo Kalembwe said in accordance to provisions of the National Arts Council every person is required to obtain a promoters license.

Mr Kalembwe stated in a statement to the media in Lusaka today that there is no application that that has been received by NAC.

“In accordance to provisions of the (NAC) Act Cap 170 of the Laws of Zambia and Statutory Instrument 129 of 199 5 Section 5, no person or organization is allowed to promote any artistic event without a promoters license obtained from the National Arts Council of Zambia,” the statement read in part.

He emphasized that all foreign artists are supposed to be cleared at least three months before the event and are expected to pay 20 percent of performance fees as Withholding Tax Clearance to the Zambia Revenue Authority.

Mr Kalembwe was quick to mention that the Ministry appreciates the support it received including from the President Edgar Lungu in ensuring that all art forms are promoted and developed.

yesterday, there were reports that South Africa’s musical star Master KG who has gotten the world dancing with hit song ‘Jerusalema’ will this Saturday be gracing a Patriotic Front rally in Ndola on the Copperbelt.

Master KG real names, Kgaogelo Moagi, was to perform live in the Musa Kosonka Stadium during what the ruling PF is calling a COVID-19 Sensitisation Rally.

However, the Patriotic Front has cancelled its scheduled Ndola mobilisation rally that was billed for Musa Kasonka Stadium on Saturday.

PF National Mobilisation Chairman Richard Musukwa said that the decision follows various concerns raised by interest groups and some stakeholders.

Mr Musukwa has since directed PF Copperbelt Mobilisation Chairman Bowman Lusambo to postpone the rally in order to give the party room to address the various issues raised.

He has apologised for the inconvenience caused but stressed that the Mobilisation rally will be held at the earliest convinient time.

Mr Musukwa explained that the Mobilisation rally will be preceded by a meeting of the Copperbelt party structures and the Mobilisation team to be convened by the PF Secretary General Davis Mwila following a recent presidential directive.

Mr Musukwa has told ZNBC News that the mobilisation team should complement the party structures to consolidate the PF political base.

And Mr MUSUKWA has directed that the rescheduled Ndola mobilisation rally will only feature Local artists to avoid the recurrence of controversy.

Copperbelt Province Permanent Secretary, Bright Nundwe has called on residents in the province to turn up in numbers and seek God’s guidance and intervention during this year’s national day of prayers.

Mr. Nundwe said the day should however not be politicised as it is an important day for the nation while advise has been given to district commissioners to encourage people in their respective districts.

Mr. Nundwe also said COVID-19 guidelines should strictly be adhered to and that prayers which will be conducted in the afternoon have been restricted to two hours only.

“I want to direct all District Commissioners in the province to make sure that people come in numbers and pray for rains, good health and prosperity for the nation while observing the guidelines given to us by the ministry of health,” Mr. Nundwe urged.

Meanwhile, Mr. Nundwe has cautioned bar owners defying the presidential directive on the hours of operation to face punishment.

The Permanent Secretary said he has observed with great concern that some bars are operating seven days a week and 24 hours a day contrary to the directive issued by the Head of State.

He said local authorities should intensify patrols by making sure that guidelines on COVID-19 are adhered to.

Meanwhile, Paul Ngosa Bar Association of Zambia- Ndola chapter member said the association has also observed that a lot of bars and taverns in densely populated areas have are operating 24/7 every day.

Mr. Ngosa said via telephone that it is up to the councils to intensify patrols and ensure that sanity prevails in the operations of bars and taverns.

He said those within town Centre have strictly adhered to the Presidential directive and that the council should level the playing field so that no one complains.

Mr. Ngosa was however, quick to strongly appeal to President Lungu to allow bars and taverns operate at full capacity while observing health guidelines as prescribed by the Ministry of Health.

“Life really is hard for us as bar owners. We have rentals, salaries and wages and other expenses to pay. We are not managing with the current situation and we are appealing to the Head of State to allow us operate at full capacity,” Mr. Ngosa said.

This year’s National Day of Prayer will be held under the theme: “Zambia seeks God’s intervention for Sustainable National Unity, Peace and Prosperity.”

Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Jean Kapata says government remains committed to supporting all initiatives aimed at protecting the environment and natural resources.

Ms Kapata said government will continue to work and partner with other stakeholders to ensure that the environment is protected through planting of trees among other initiatives.

ZANIS reports that the minister was speaking in Lusaka today at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Community Tree Planting and Establishments of Plant Nurseries at Justine Kabwe School in Mandevu, an initiative between the Ministry of General Education and Savannah Zambia dubbed making Lusaka a garden city by 2030.

“Government particularly my ministry welcomes such initiatives as they clearly show the commitment of partners and other organisations to protecting and preserving the environment,” she said.

Ms Kapata, who is also Mandevu law maker, further noted that initiatives such as the planting of trees will go a long way in addressing climate change issues, the country is faced with.

“My Ministry is fully aware of deforestation and other vices that are harmful to the environment. The situation is further worsened by lack of awareness among members of the community hence such projects aimed at protecting the environment are welcome,” she noted.

Ms Kapata added that more concerted efforts are critical in order to address effects of climate change.

And Ministry of General Education Permanent Secretary, Jobbicks Kalumba, said the Ministry is delighted that Savannah Zambia has come on board as a partner in planting of trees.

The Permanent Secretary, who was represented by the Ministry’s Principle Education Standards Officer, James Chomba, said such activities carry an important skill aspect in learners.

“A child who will have the knowledge of planting trees will have a bigger picture of what it is to address effects of climate change,” he said.

Meanwhile, Savannah Zambia Executive Director, Nkole Mwamba, stated that protecting the environment and natural resources is everyone’s responsibility.

Mr Mwamba further observed that partnerships in tree planting are paramount in protecting the environment.

“Life can only flourish by protecting the environment. As Savannah Zambia, we will continue to strengthen partnerships with other stakeholders to support community planting of trees to ensure value addition to forests is enhanced,” he noted.

The University of Zambia Dean in the school of Humanities and Social Sciences Felix Masiye has said leaders should respond to climate change in the country.

Professor Masiye said the green conversation should be explored and amplified to keep the leadership on climate transformation alive.

Speaking during the official opening of a 3 days virtual Zambia Climate Leadership Transformation Summit, Professor Masiye said UNZA has continued to play an important role in shaping the climate change conversation.

“As a University, we are completely aligned to the urgent need to diversify the voices and participation, especially of youth and women in the climate change conversation, he said.

And Prof. Masiye noted that the COVID-19 pandemic is a reminder that people have little control of the future hence the need to demand that everyone must be involved in the conversation.

The Summit is a partnership between UNZA and the Africa Leadership Transformation (ALT) Foundation with support from partners from Australia, New Zealand and USA in the actualization of a virtual meeting.

And Prof. Masiye said that through the partnership UNZA has been able to develop leadership capacity and the training of four faculty members to become instructors of the leadership course.

Meanwhile, Africa Leadership Transformational Foundation (ALT) Executive Director Daniel Kamanga has urged participants and various partners to focus on intentions to strongly engage in climate change.

“This summit is about intentions; how we can relate, think about, engage with the climate transformation. The intention should be a future of shared commitment to climate transformation that works for everyone,” he noted.

Mr Kamanga passionately called on the need to involve voices of youths and women and farmers on the ground.

The Director said the summit is committed to provide opportunities for knowledge sharing on the narratives surrounding climate change restoration within the Zambian context.

“We also need to create capacity to build leaders within Zambia who are able to go to the outskirts and train people in climate change,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources Director- Climate Change and Natural Resources Ephraim Shitima disclosed that the government is in the process of formulating the climate change bill.

Mr Shitima said the bill aims to provide a legal framework for effective implementation of climate change programmes in the country.

He noted that the government’s commitment is evident through enactment of the National Policy on Climate change which promotes climate resilient adaptive practices, smart agriculture and many other programmes.