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Edgar Lungu Calls For Early Elections

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Edgar Lungu Calls For Early Elections

Former President, Edgar Chagwa Lungu has accused the UPND in Lusaka of mobilising UPND thugs to attack the United Church of Zambia (UCZ) St. Philips Congregation in Kanyama if he appeared at the Church.

This is allegedly after the ruling party learnt that Zambia’s Sixth President, Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu was invited to grace the occassion as Guest of Honour. The United Church of Zambia, St. Philips Congregation under St. Paul’s
Consistory located in Kanyama Constituency, was hosting a program called “Official Opening of the Church”.

This event comes once in the life of the Congregation hence, its significance.

The Patriotic Front surveillance at the Church allegedly found UPND thugs being offloaded from 3 mini-buses that were preparing to waylay the motor vehicle convoy of the former President.

But Lungu says he received reports about the plot to cause confusion at the Church and chose to attend the Church Service that was being held at the Dunamis Christian Centre.

President Lungu quoted the scriptures; “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” So be wise, act like a serpent but be as innocent as a dove-Mathew 10;16

Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
Lungu has also called for early elections owing to the deep suffering the people are going through.

Ministers, what are you doing to help our President?

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Ministers, what are you doing to help our President?

We’ve no doubt President Hichilema means we’ll for our beloved nation; he’s always burning candles during the night in his quest to find ways and means of making good of what he had promised our people during the run up to the 2021 general elections. However, it seems there may be a few ministers who may not be firing on all the four cylinders to help the President actualise his promises. They’re either sleeping on duty or have lost the steam.

According to our humble understanding, the role of a minister is to help the President meet the aspirations of our people by helping him fulfill his campaign promises. One of the solemn promises the President made to the nation was to bring to an end all the unnecessary road blocks across the country. This was of course, received well by the general members of the public……the people loved it!

Once the UPND formed government, the Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security informed the nation that moving forward, check-points have been outlawed unless otherwise the fixed ones, for security reasons. This was received with glee and ululation by the general public.

For a while, the ‘notorious’ men and women in the white caps disappeared from our roads. Everything seemed back to normal…….traffic moved seamlessly, there was little or no congestion on our roads, motorists were no longer being inconvenienced anyhow….Sanity had indeed been restored back on our roads. And then boom! Cops were back on the road in full throttle……doing what they know best; extracting bribes from the unsuspecting motorists.

One senior citizen, Kevin Soper couldn’t have put it better than the following, “Zambia Police is de-campaigning UPND by mounting snap check-points on the road, and collecting bribes…….driving anywhere is now demoralising; it’s a nightmare as you are made to wait on the road for long hours on end.’

He bemoans that the Police now have a tendency of jumping out from behind trees , bushes, and billboards at traffic lights, round abouts, humps to ambush the motorists. Soper further emphasises that the public has no issues with permanent security road blocks or speed traps, but ambushing motorists to extract bribes is total harrassment and criminal!

We now come to the issue of following Catholic priests, unnecessarily. It’s obviously common knowledge some Catholic priests have never taken a liking of UPND since inception for obvious reasons. They’d utilise every opportunity to decampaign the party whenever it suits them. In other words, the police are not doing the President a favour by ‘bursting’ the meetings that Lungu is having with these Catholic priests. Allow Lungu to continue having his consultative or strategic meetings with the priests; they are an exercise in futility. And God will judge them!

Those days whereby the clergy or traditional leaders would “dictate” to our people how they should cast their votes are long gone! Look at what transpired during the last elections……some pastors and priests literally turned the pulpits into campaign platforms and openly decampaigned the opposition UPND then, urging congregants to give their votes to the brutal PF regime. Did they have their way? The electorate, particularly the youth turned up in numbers and voted otherwise!

Some traditional leaders equally reduced themselves to cadres by absconding from their palaces to make forays into the villages and ‘order’ their subjects to vote for an extension of caderism, corruption, plunder and theft of national resources, tribalism and nepotism, gassing, unemployment! Did the electorate hearken them? Zero! They used their God given brains to do the right thing. In this age and era, there’s no priest, chief or celebrity who is going to teach our people how to vote as if they are children; they’d rather make the right decision using their God given brains!

Ba Jack Mwimbu, we’ve always had high confidence in you. Set your bearings right Sir!

In our next offering, we talk about the Minister of Agriculture. Hon. Mutolo Phiri, what does your job entail, to eat or ensure that our citizens are eating?

Anyway, until next time!

Prince Bill M. Kaping’a
Political/Social Analyst

ZCSA caution consumers against unregulated drinks

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ZCSA caution consumers against unregulated drinks
File:A fake fanta drink packaged in a bottle of Coca-cola was seized in Lusaka .

The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) is urging consumers to stop consuming unregulated beverages whose safety has not been ascertained. Consumers should contribute to safeguarding their health by only consuming regulated drinks available on the market.

This comes in the wake of reports of deaths in Southern Province last week where some people consumed suspected homemade beer called Chijabi allegedly made using methylated spirit, tablets, and shoe polish, among others.

Consumption of a product containing methylated spirit can cause damage to many body organs such as kidneys, heart, and eyes. This can cause unconsciousness and death, while consumption of shoe polish may cause belly ache, diarrhea, and difficulties in breathing.

ZCSA has taken a keen interest in the matter and is currently collaborating with other state institutions to investigate this case. The Agency will issue a comprehensive statement in due course after gathering sufficient information on the matter.

ZCSA is further appealing to the public to report to the nearest office any individual or firms involved in the illegal production and supply of beverages on the market. The Agency will intensify enforcement and public education activities on illegal production and sale of beverages in a quest to enhance the safety of consumers.

Beverages which are not approved by ZCSA and other relevant authorities may be unsafe for human consumption. ZCSA regulates beverages such as Opaque Beer, Clear Beer, Potable Spirits, and Fruit Flavored Drinks in a quest to protect the health and safety of consumers.

It is mandatory for all manufacturers, importers, and traders of the said beverages to obtain authority from the Agency for them to supply the products on the market as provided for under the Compulsory Standards Act No. 3 of 2017.

ZCSA, a statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce, Trade, and Industry, is mandated by the Compulsory Standards Act No. 3 of 2017 to administer, maintain, and enforce compulsory standards for the purpose of public safety, health, consumer, and environmental protection.

Issued by: Original Copy Signed
Brian Hatyoka | Acting Manager – Communications and Public Relations
Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency

First Historic Intellectual Discourse

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First Historic Intellectual Discourse

I was anxious, worried, expectant, curious, excited, nervous, rushing and apprehensive. I had no control of the mix of emotions. The taxi drove from Lusaka for 74 Kms along the paved Great East Road beyond the town of Chongwe to the small Mwacilele Shopping Center. He turned right on to the gravel road toward Mwachalimba. After 2 kms he turned right onto a rugged road that has never been graded. The car encountered deep chasms, trenches, gullies, and sharp rocks in the tiny road and the experience of the driver with rural roads was crucial for safe navigation. We finally arrived at the small red brick caretaker dwelling. I was probably late. I quickly paid the taxi driver and he made a U-turn to return to Lusaka.

Hoisting my heavy backpack, I began my brisk walk into a narrow well foot-trodden bush path with grass, trees, and shrubs on both sides. After a 3-minute walk, the path suddenly opened to a wide space in the Savannah bush wilderness which had five spectacular huts in a straight line stretching into the far distance. In front of the third hut were a small group of people and in front of it a mphungu round structure. My heart beat increased, my knees shook with excitement, and expectations as I was walking toward the mphungu.

Mwizenge Sustainable Model Village

 

Mphungu

The cite before my eyes overwhelmed me as I tried hard to suppress the feeling. Seated on the floor around the inside edges of the mphungu floor building were 20 contented people who were completing eating their delicious breakfast of sweet potatoes and tea. I stood at the mphungu entrance mesmerized. I sat down on the edge of the wall. This was the first discourse meeting of the Africa Tomorrow Indaba WhatsApp Group. The peculiar location is the Mwizenge Sustainable Model Village which is the brain child of Emeritus Professor Mwizenge Tembo. The group’s desire to conduct a discourse of ideas at a rural secluded village-like location intersected with Professor Tembo’s desire to pursue indigenous Zambian/African intellectual ideas, culture and technology.

What is most intriguing about this meeting is not only it’s an unusual location but it helps sometimes to define what something is not. This may give the readers a better perspective of why this meeting was not held at a five-star hotel on Cairo Road in Lusaka. It is hardly because of poverty.

Preparing for the Meeting

In preparation and planning for this Africa Tomorrow Indaba discourse, the group had no title for the meeting, it was not the traditional workshop or seminar. It did not have the President of Zambia, or a high-status figure, director of an institution, an expert to first address the assembled. There were no chairs to sit on, chairperson, moderator. There were no scheduled programs of activities. There were no PowerPoint presentations or lectures planned. The only things that were planned were the logistics for transportation and food. There was no concern that every participant should have 5 Ph. Ds. This was all deliberately unplanned. We wanted participants who were all intellectuals in their own right to come up or get the opportunity to both participate in something novel in which the group might germinate truly new and fresh perspectives and ideas.

Discourse Objectives

The objective of the discourse was however the most serious and had the highest intentions in many Zambian generations. Can a group of highly intellectual Zambians meet in a traditional village environment in the middle of the Savannah wilderness and carry on a high stake but meaningful exchange in the discourse of ideas that have to uniquely deal with African history going back from antiquity all the way to contemporary Zambia/Africa of 2024? What will Zambia/Africa and Zambia look like tomorrow or in the year 3,000 in terms of intellectual culture, technology, the status and the integrity of the African in the global world of dominant ideas, technology, and cultures?

I suggested that everyone introduce themselves very briefly. After all, twenty participants had introduced themselves, personalities quickly emerged. Individuals picked up and expressed ideas, added, and critiqued many. The one idea moved to a new idea. There was passion, excitement, raising of voices, shaking of heads in strong disapproval and nodding of heads in agreement when necessary. There was plenty of laughter. Why did we hold the meeting at this village? What is the purpose? Why not hold the meeting at a modern sparkling lodge complete with Wi-Fi?

Purpose of Model Village

I briefly told the gathering who were all sitting in a circle that the line of 5 huts were lined up in a straight line from north to south representing our history on our vast continent when for thousands of years all Zambians and Africans continuously migrated north and south. The back windows of all huts were located with the back facing the east which is the sunrise. The front doors faced west representing sunsets. Most construction material was from the 50 Hectares of wilderness which the host has declared a forest conservation reserve with the cutting of trees and burning of charcoal not allowed which depletes trees.

History of /Zambia Africa

According to Khapoya (2012), after early humans lived and migrated in small bands as hunters and gatherers and larger communities for thousands of years, the Egyptian civilization was created. The arguments as to whether Egypt had white or black people may be irrelevant. Seligman and the Hamitic hypothesis reflects European racist ideology directed at us Zambians and Africans. The dubious Hamitic hypothesis argued that African Egyptians in the north were olive skinned and those further south towards the equator were darker skinned. This argument is one of the numerous racist myths about Africans and Europeans injecting phony intellectual debates. Cheikh Anta Diop debunks some of these myths.

Zambian/African History

The Egyptian civilization occurred for 2,010 or more than two thousand years from 3100 B.C.E to 1090 B.C.E. This was about 760 years before the ancient Greeks. The great Ancient Egyptian Civilization which Africans established was 2,460 years before the very young European Industrial Revolution which was from 1801 to 1899 which was for only a hundred years. The Egyptian Civilization lasted to 1090 B.C.E which was over 3,114 years ago.

According to Zinn (2015), one of the most devastating for Africans was the enslaving and uprooting of 10 to 20 million Africans to North America, the Caribbean Islands, and South America. Europeans singles out black Africans for enslaving and anti-black racism not because black Africans were naturally inferior to white Europeans, but because the brutally enslaved Africans provided cheap labor for the large European slave plantations that provided massive amounts of cheap cotton for the European Industrial Revolution. European colonization of the African continent from 1885 to 1960 was also devastating for Zambian/African intellectual ideas, culture, and indigenous technology.

Intellectual Ideas

Numerous Zambian/African intellectual ideas and movements have flourished on the African continent for centuries. In the same way numerous intellectual ideas continued to be smoothly injected with smooth transitions in the discourse group on that day of our lord 11 May 2024. At one point, the problems of colorism in Zambian society emerged from one of the women. I was stunned because I thought colorism in 2024 only existed in American society among blacks and elsewhere in the world. I suddenly remembered that in 1967 at the age of 13 when I lived around Chipata in the Eastern Province, the whole of Zambia objected to young women wearing miniskirts which were too revealing and unZambian or against African culture. Some women used ambi cosmetic cream to lighten or make their faces light or browner. This was objected to and some United National Independence Party (UNIP) youth harassed women who broke these customs. The use of ambi for women to brown their skin was one of the racist European impacts of colonization around the world.

Colorism Among Zambian Women

I simply sat back and listened because the Zambian women were debating and intellectually wrestling with colorism among some Zambian young women with some men here and there interjecting certain points. I told them I wrote a long paper: “Beautiful Women in African Societies” that addressed the problem because Europeans in the 1700s introduced the racist idea that white women and white beauty is the highest standard and Zambian and African women with the darkest skin color were the ugliest. “Eurocentric Destruction of Indigenous Conceptions: the Secret Rediscovery of the Beautiful Woman in African Societies”. My paper strongly debunks that notion. The group said they would read the paper. People told folk tales and other stories.

As we talked and talked, lunch was served. We lost consciousness of the time until at some point someone from the food preparers reminded us that the nshima would get cold. We stopped and ate the most delicious nshima with the famous village chicken, chikanda cooked with nthendelo or freshly made peanut powder, fresh rape, dried vegetables with peanuts powder, fresh pumpkin leaves or Chiwawa vegetables cooked with peanut powder. We also had munkoyo.

After lunch everyone was too full to just sit and continue the discourse.

Traditional Dance Drumming

Three drums were brought out and we played drums for the vimbuza spiritual possession dance of the Tumbuka people. A few people were good at drumming and many tried to play. We talked about the significance of traditional Zambian dances. I wanted to show the group the mtowa tree which I mention in the paper “Beautiful Women in African Societies”.. The whole group walked to the tree as it was right there on the edge of the village a few meters away. Mr. Phiri collected the roots and bark of the mlaza tree or mzakaka which is commonly used for treating a variety of body ailments. Everyone chewed a piece of the root which was very bitter. We talked about it.

As the sun set, we drove back to Lusaka. What did this unstructured group discourse achieve? That is what everyone who took part in it is still contemplating. Nothing that happened can be described yet as the experience was completely new. The new experience that cannot be named yet is what the German Philosopher Michael Polanyi might call the “Tacit Dimension”.

By Mwizenge S. Tembo, Ph. D.

Emeritus Professor of Sociology

Edgar Lungu is a danger to this nation; a hardcore tribalist!

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Edgar Lungu is a danger to this nation; a hardcore tribalist!

The other day, former president, Edgar Lungu took to Social media to register his displeasure over what he deemed as prosecution of some of his supporters for hate speech; describing the same as, retrogressive and regionalism that undermines the “One Zambia, One Nation” motto.

He further wrote, “This morning, I have been reminded of Jackson Chama, a young Zambian who is serving one year imprisonment sentence in Kalomo prison since February 2024 for “hate speech” against the Tonga people. The offense was allegedly committed in Lusaka but the complainant emerged in Kalomo, Southern Province.”

He continues, “you all know the story of “Why Me”, another young man who is equally in police custody in Livingstone now for allegedly, “hate speech” against the Tonga people. The alleged offense was committed in Lusaka but again the complainant emerged from Southern Province.”

Lungu, can you really claim to be a lawyer of good standing in society? If indeed some folks in Southern province felt agrieved by those stupid remarks, do you honestly expect someone from Shan’gombo to file complaints, against the same ?

Lungu further alludes to the imprisonment of Chishimba Kambwili over the similar offenses of “hate speech” against the Tonga people. Interesting!

As a lawyer, we don’t expect Lungu to wantonly gloss over this issue by neglecting to help the public understand why the said individuals have found themselves into conflict with the law! We shall now seek to give a brief background of this without necessarily risking to bore our readers.

In February this year, Jackson Chama went ballistic on Tiktok declaring the people of Southern Province, unfit for government positions. Chama charged that; “no youth from Southern Province will be allowed to take up any government positions in the future because southerners are incapable to run the country as seen by your elders who have ruined your chances by their failure to run the nation…”

It’s shocking that an entire former president can find time to talk about “Why Me”. Were you the one sponsoring him to spew all that rubbish from the septic tank, Sir? “Why Me” is a perfect example of a poorly brought up creature! He has no morals or values at all. Once he got inebriated with his favourite Flying Fish, he’d take utmost pleasure in describing body anatomies in the most obscene, graphic and vile manner that would leave Bana Chimbusa in shock! At some point, he’d digress and vent his anger at “ifi ifibaTonga,” literally undressing them and describing them as the worst human beings!

As for Chishimba Kambwili, oh please, come on! Isn’t Lungu aware that Kambwili was once censured and banned from the campaign trail by the Electoral Commission of Zambia for making utterances that could have plunged our nation into total chaos?

Speaking during an interview on a live phone in radio station in Kasama, Kambwili claimed that the people in the southern region were so tribal that even if Jesus Christ came on earth and stood on a different political party, the people in the region would reject the Son of God and vote for their tribesman!”

Honestly, how can Lungu today complain of “ethnic injustice when a particular tribe has been a subject of contempt, ridicule and hate and even denied of job opportunities during the last 10 years of PF in power?

The behavioural pattern of Lungu in these past few days actually confirms what we’ve feared all along…..that Lungu is a hardcore tribalist, a danger to this nation!

Lungu must not even pretend to insinuate that “as a lawyer, former President, politician and law abiding citizen,” he is against any form of “hate speech” against any person, tribe, region or group of people anywhere!

For instance, when I wrote an article, Sata’s Family Forest Explained which detailed the extent of tribalism and regionalism in terms of individuals appointed to various senior government positions, Edgar Lungu as Home Affairs Minister wanted me to go to prison for treason, for simply stating the truth!

As our Republican President, he never ever bothered reigning in any of his senior officials or party members promoting tribalism or uttering tribal sentiments

During a Parliamentary by-election on Chilubi Island in 2020, Prof. Nkandu Luo would say, “In our land, in line with our tradition, you don’t just pick anyone to succeed me as Nkandu Luo, a Bisa, a Bemba. If I die, you can’t go and get a Tonga in Monze to succeed me.” What nonsense!

Did Lungu reprimand or ever seek to distance himself from such divisive remarks? Negative! He in fact went ahead and rewarded Luo as his running mate in the forthcoming crucial 2021 elections. This simply means he was in agreement with whatever she said.

A week earlier, Chanda Nyela, a staunch PF member openly asked the residents of Clhilubi against voting for any one connected to Tongas because they are bad people.

Did we see heads rolling for uttering such tribal sentiments? Negative!

It’s shocking that former president, Edgar Lungu should be the one to “see the speck in others today, when he actually ignored the log in his eyes” yesterday, when his own cabinet ministers and party cadres were in the forefront of openly sowing seeds of discord in the nation by uttering remarks that tend to expose certain ethnic groupings to contempt, ridicule and hate!

Lungu conveniently kept quiet when his own brutal cadres who had taken over the Lusaka Intercity Bus Terminus ambushed anyone arriving in the city, wearing any red attire and speaking iciTonga, by striping off their clothes and giving them a good beating for supporting the “cow!”

No, Sir! You are not the right person to be raising this issue, today.

When Tongas were being brutalized in public places, you looked the other way; when Tongas were being stereotyped by PF cadres including some senior members of your party, you conveniently kept quiet; worse still, your PF government starting from Micheal Sata to your government, brazenly sidelined people from the Zambezi provinces when allocating government jobs thereby eroding the spirit of the very, “One Zambia, One Nation” motto you want to talk about.

That you want to pretend to be concerned about unity in the nation is a matter of grave concern to some of us; please, try in the next life, Sir!

Prince Bill M. Kaping’a
Political) Social Analyst

President Hichilema reaffirms Government’s Commitment in fighting Corruption

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President Hichilema reaffirms Government’s Commitment in fighting Corruption

President Hakainde Hichilema has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fight corruption which he described as a cancer that retards economic development.

Speaking when he launched the National Policy on Anti-Corruption in Lusaka , Mr Hichilema said his government is poised to heighten the fight against corruption in order to achieve a corrupt free Zambia.

President Hichilema called on the Judiciary to speed up the disposal of corruption cases in order to send a strong warning to the perpetrators of the vice.

“This policy we are launching is part of our commitment to stamp out the vice, immediately we formed a government, we looked at the possible ways of how best we can fight corruption which has been affecting people for so long, so we changed some pieces of legislation,” he said.

President Hichilema added that due to his government’s strong commitment to stamp out corruption, he had engaged his Angolan counterpart on how he managed to recover stolen assets in that country.He explained that when he returned home he dispatched officers to Angola to learn the skill in the corruption fight.

President Hichilema further indicated that in his quest to address corruption and recovery of stolen assets, he has been engaging cooperating partners such the European Union, United Kingdom among others to work together to fight the vice.
He expressed happiness that the corruption fight ranking for Zambia is rising and impressive according to Transparency International Zambia (TIZ).

President Hichilema also called on the Judiciary to dispense justice and that there is no way that people who stole colossal sums of money and resources get lesser sentences while those who commit petty crimes are given stiffer penalties.

He urged ACC officers to investigate corruption cases professionally so that each time the case is referred to courts of law it can be won as opposed to the idea of losing them.

“Please take those cases to court which you know you will win, to do that you need to enhance your investigative skills in corruption cases and work with the Auditor General’s office and others, corruption breeds instability and injustice “he said.

President Hichilema explained that corruption has never been accepted in Zambia and should be condemned by all well-meaning citizens and that the launched national policy on Anti-corruption will help in addressing the vice.
He further appealed to everyone to be vigilant to report corruption cases and that everyone is a police man in the crusade to fight corruption.

Speaking at the same event, Justice Minister Mulambo Haimbe observed that corruption not only deepens the suffering of the people, but weakens the moral fabric of society.Mr Haimbe explained that the launched anti-corruption policy will strengthen the fight against corruption in government institutions among others.

He stressed that the agenda of the current administration is to partner with various stakeholders to end corruption which disadvantages the majority of citizens , especially women and youths.

Meanwhile, Anti-Corruption Commission Director, Tom Shamakamba said corruption is a cancer which eats the moral fabric of the country and reiterated the commission’s dedication to stamp it out.

Mr Shamakamba praised the government and other stakeholders for their unwavering commitment to ensure that corruption is addressed in order to promote a corruption free society.He promised his institution’s determination to implement the launched national policy on anti-corruption in order to protect the government.

And British High Commissioner to Zambia Nicholas Woolley said the United Kingdom is committed to help Zambia fight corruption and achieve a corrupt free Zambia.He explained that corruption retards social and economic development hence the support to Zambia by contributing the sum of K50 Million towards helping in stolen asset recovery.

The outgoing British Commissioner observed that the initiative is bearing fruit saying corruption undermines trust and that the fight is a step in the right direction.

Meanwhile, Head of the European (EU) delegation Ambassador Karolina Stasiak said supporting Zambia in the fight against corruption is one of the EU’s priority areas.

She has since pledged EU’s continued collaboration with Zambia in promoting good governance for the benefit of the people.

Police refute reports of raiding where former President Lungu met with Catholic Bishop Mulenga.

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Police refute reports of raiding where former President Lungu met with Catholic Bishop Mulenga.

Police refute reports that they raided Stephen Luwisha Secondary School in Kabwe where former President Edgar Lungu was meeting with Kabwe Dioceses Catholic Bishop Clement Mulenga.

Police deputy spokesperson Danny Mwale said police went to the school to verify information that former President Lungu and his entourage were scheduled to hold two public meetings in Kabwe.

Mr. Mwale said officers from Kasanda Police Station, in whose jurisdiction the school is, went to verify the nature of the meeting. He stated that the officers were informed that the former president was meeting with Bishop Mulenga.

Mr. Mwale clarified that police officers in Kabwe were not formally notified about the visit of the sixth president to the province, which would have allowed adequate security measures to be put in place. He emphasized that the former president should always notify the police of his movements for security reasons, given his status as a public figure who may attract public attention. This information is according to a statement issued to ZNBC News by Mr. Mwale.

Zambia women under 17 progress to 2024 World Cup Qualifiers

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Zambia women under 17 progress to 2024 World Cup Qualifiers

The Zambia women’s Under 17 football team has advanced to the final round of the 2024 World Cup qualifiers, despite suffering a one-nil defeat to Uganda in the second leg of the third-round fixture played in Uganda. The team secured progression with a 2-1 aggregate score. Uganda secured their lone goal through Sylvia Kabene in the 73rd minute, resulting in a one-nil victory for Uganda and a 2-1 aggregate score overall.

Reporting from Uganda, Chansa Kunda confirms Zambia’s advancement to the final round of the 2024 Dominican Republic World Cup qualifiers, where they are likely to face Morocco.

Speaking after the game, Coach Carol Kanyemba expressed satisfaction with the team’s progression to the final round, citing it as the ultimate goal.

Uganda Coach Sheryl Botes commented that her side could have won the game if not for missed chances.

62,000 Youths Sponsored for Skills Training Nationwide Through CDF

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62,000 Youths Sponsored for Skills Training Nationwide Through CDF

Technology and Science Minister Hon. Felix Mutati has revealed a significant increase in youth training opportunities through the Constituency Development Funds (CDF), with over 62,000 youths sponsored for skills development across various trade schools nationwide.

Speaking at a sideline event during the China-Zambia High Quality Development Forum, inaugurated by President Hakainde Hichilema, Hon. Mutati highlighted the transformative impact of the CDF’s bursary program, which commenced two years ago. He noted that enrollment in trade schools has surged from 34,000 to 96,000 since the program’s inception.

According to the Minister, the CDF has played a pivotal role in financing skills development initiatives, emphasizing its crucial contribution to addressing unemployment and fostering entrepreneurship among Zambian youth.

Minister Mutati emphasized the potential of the 62,000 trained youths to bolster job creation and entrepreneurial ventures across various sectors of the economy.

During the same event, Infrastructure, Housing, and Urban Development Minister Charles Milupi underscored the vital role of infrastructure development in driving national progress and prosperity.

ICT Sector Contributed 2.6% to the Country’s GDP In 2023

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ICT Sector Contributed 2.6% to the Country’s GDP In 2023

Minister of Science and Technology Felix Mutati says the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) sector contributed 2.6 percent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the third quarter of 2023.

Mr Mutati says the ICT sector grew by 5.1 percent which is similar to the growth rate recorded in the second quarter of the same year.

The Minister attributed this to the massive investment by the government and the private sector that enhanced productivity and efficiency across other industries.

According to a statement issued to ZANIS, Mr Mutati said this last night when he addressed the nation on the eve of the 2024 Commemoration of the World Telecommunications and Information Society Day which falls today.
Carrying the theme Digital Innovation for Sustainable Development, the Minister acknowledged the growth of the ICT sector saying it is beneficial to citizens.

“This day reminds us of the critical role that ICTs play in driving economic growth and development. It is also a celebration of the continuous evolution that has reshaped the way we communicate, learn, work and live,” Mr Mutati said.

He added that the country has witnessed an increase in the use of digital tools and platforms as businesses and individuals adapt to the changing landscape.

Mr Mutati further assured the government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for the telecommunications and information industry to thrive.

President Hakainde Hichilema Urges Traditional Leaders to Collaborate on Food Security and Climate Resilience

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President Hakainde Hichilema Urges Traditional Leaders to Collaborate on Food Security and Climate Resilience

In a bid to bolster food security and enhance the country’s resilience to climate change, President Hakainde Hichilema has called upon traditional leaders to join hands with the government. This call came during a meeting between President Hichilema and traditional leaders representing all ten provinces at State House .

President Hichilema emphasized the importance of collaboration between the government and traditional leaders to address pressing issues such as food security and climate change adaptation. He highlighted the need for joint efforts to promote irrigation practices and other sustainable agricultural initiatives to mitigate the effects of climate change on food production.

The meeting, initiated by President Hichilema, aimed to facilitate discussions on national development, as well as issues affecting various chiefdoms, including drought and other climate-related challenges.

Expressing their appreciation for the invitation, Chief Nkambo, Chairperson of the House of Chiefs, stated that traditional leaders were delighted to engage with President Hichilema on matters crucial to national development. Chief Nkambo assured that the traditional leaders were committed to collaborating with the government to address the challenges outlined by President Hichilema.

Following the meeting, President Hichilema and the Chiefs convened for private discussions to further explore strategies for collaboration and collective action on food security and climate resilience initiatives.

12 Reasons Why a United Zambian Opposition Cannot Win Against President HH in 2026 – Part Two

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12 Reasons Why a United Zambian Opposition Cannot Win Against President HH in 2026 – Part Two

By Leemans L. Nyirenda

Reason No. 7: The strength of the opposition revolves around Mr. Lungu, who lacks character. Mr. Lungu may possess some semblance of strategy for the 2026 elections but lacks the character to go all the way to win. He has not learned from his past, and he has so many issues to contend with, too numerous to itemize. The man is a crybaby. Whenever one of his family members faces the law, he cries like a baby. Unlike President HH, who endured 127 days of hard labor in prison on his way to State House, Mr. Lungu looks too weak to spend even one week in prison. He would easily break for missing his Jameson, family, jogging, and his luxurious lifestyle. The obstacles that HH underwent on his way to victory would be too heavy a burden for Mr. Lungu to carry if he were to be subject to just 20 percent of it. Resiliency is not part of his DNA. Even his presidency was won through violence and trickery. He lacks the character to navigate the opposition to victory when the going gets tough.

Reason No. 8: Opposition leading candidate Mr. Lungu is haunted by the past and has blood on his hands. Unfortunately for the opposition, Mr. Edgar Lungu has not apologized, and neither has he shown remorse for the killings of innocent lives after commanding his “troops” to kill innocent souls. Just to mention a few names:

  • Chibulo Mapenzi in July 2016 was murdered in cold blood under his command.
  • Gravious Mutapa in February 2015 was killed because he was UPND.
  • Versper Shimuzhila was smoked to death by Mr. Lungu’s “troops” under his command at UNZA in 2018.
  • Lawrence Banda was shot dead on October 6th, 2019, and the killers protected or hidden by his regime,
  • Joseph Kaunda and Nsama Nsama were killed simultaneously after the bullets missed President HH.

Instead of standing with those who were mourning for the loss of their loved ones, Mr. Lungu chose to stand by the killers and murderers and sometimes even promoted the trigger nappy cops like Namuswa after shooting Peter Masani at the High Court. Mr. Lungu is never emotionally affected by the sight of someone wailing. He can only pretend to be. Memories are still fresh, and tears will never dry until he shows remorse and apologizes to the families and Zambians at large.

Reason No. 9: Jail time awaits some prominent opposition party leaders. While every suspect is deemed innocent until proven guilty, most of the opposition leaders are suspects and facing criminal charges for corruption and abuse of office. Some of these leaders will be lucky if they made it to the 2026 polling day. They are putting up appearances, but in private conversations, they are expressing their fears of going to jail. Going into an election of that magnitude with serious allegations of corruption and plunder may just work to their detriment. Zambian voters may resent voting for them on account of wasted votes in the event they went to prison and would not serve their interest. In such a scenario, some voters would even stay away.

Reason No. 10: Opposition is demoralized and fatigued. Since 2021, the opposition has continued to lose ground through loss of National Assembly and Council Chamber seats. The loss of parliamentary seats to the ruling party in Kabushi and Kwacha constituencies sent shivers in the opposition camp while most of the vacancies that have fallen in councils for councilors in most parts of the country have been won by the ruling party UPND. Those voters who have continued to vote for the opposition are now fatigued and demoralized. Their most likely choices in 2026 will be either to join them (UPND) and vote HH or stay away from voting as their votes will be seen as a waste of time and effort.

Reason No. 11: Eligibility Mystery for the opposition. Their top contender is embroiled in his eligibility to stand as a presidential candidate in 2026. The matter revolves around the powers of the constitution court. Has this court possessed the power to review its own decisions? If the answer is yes, then Mr. Lungu’s eligibility to stand in 2026 hangs in the balance as it has been challenged in this court, and judgment is being awaited. The challenge of his eligibility is grounded upon the premise that he served two terms and was sworn in twice as a president of the Republic of Zambia and as such he is not eligible to stand. If the ruling be in favor of the petitioner, it goes without saying that the opposition will get into a scramble for presidency, and hell is expected to break loose. The divisions in opposition are inevitable and more likely.

Reason No. 12: The Zambian opposition is just “Chimbwi no plan.” Apart from being armchair critics on everything President HH does, the opposition does not provide any alternative solutions. They use all manner of jargon they learned in school to pour scorn on the president. “HH has failed,” “HH is a dictator,” “HH is a disaster…” Meanwhile, the same HH is delivering graders for feeder roads to all the constituencies in peri-urban and rural constituencies (Graders began to disappear during MMD rule and disappeared completely after PF took over and hence the poor state of roads in Zambia). HH is delivering desks to all schools across the country so that by the end of 2024 no child will be sitting on the floor. Parents are no longer hassling looking for school fees for their children as education is now free. Teachers, Nurses, and other Medical Personnel are back in schools, clinics, and hospitals in big numbers in all constituencies across the country with an average of 230 trained teachers and 96 nurses and other medical personnel per constituency, with these numbers expected to increase by 2026. No one has ever achieved such performance since Dr. Kaunda left the presidency. By 2026, every constituency will have received K145 million for social and economic development and hence indeed HH’s campaign will be issue-based. The opposition leaders’ challenges will emanate from the fact that they will have nowhere to “sonta epo wabomba” as they themselves coined it? The most unfortunate part for them is that they will not and cannot reverse what President HH has done and doing, neither can they stop his gains. Based on the facts that have been highlighted in this article, it can be argued with some force that the opposition has very little chance to carry the day in 2026 unless something extraordinary happens between now and 2026. Relying on current hardships and events to project what will happen in 2026 is in futility. A united opposition cannot, therefore, win against HH in 2026.

The author is a human rights advocate, author, researcher, youth and development partner, and corporate and management consultant. He holds a Master of Business Administration, Bachelor of Laws, and Diploma in Human Resource Management.

ZCSA seizes non-compliant electrical products in Lusaka

Chief Editor
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ZCSA seizes non-compliant electrical products in Lusaka

The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) has seized and quarantined non-compliant electrical products in Lusaka valued at more than K290, 000.
ZCSA seized electric cables, Adaptors and household electrical appliances such as kettles, plate cookers and toasters among others from Kamwala Trading area, Oasis, Westgate and Levy Malls in Lusaka for not complying with relevant compulsory standards.Of the seized items, non-compliant electrical products valued at K42,090 were withdrawn from the market and will be disposed of soon.

The products were withdrawn from the Market by the Agency during an enforcement exercise, as they posed a risk to public safety.The potential risks posed include personal injury, electric shock, fire and damage to property among others.

Further, items valued at K248, 499.00 were quarantined pending the implementation of corrective measures on affected products as provided for under the Compulsory Standards Act No. 3 of 2017.

non-compliant electrical appliances

56 plugs, sockets and adaptors did not comply with the required color coding while 121 electric cables were not registered with the Agency, with 1, 442 plugs, sockets and adaptors being non-compliant with the Zambian Standard 558: Plugs and Socket Outlets, Adaptors and Connection Units.

ZCSA warns of stern action against traders who are illegally supplying non-compliant products on the Zambian market. This is because such products pose a risk to public safety. ZCSA will continue conducting enforcement activities in a bid to ensure that only safe products are allowed on the market.

Consumers must buy products from reputable sources and report any suspicious products to the nearest ZCSA office.
ZCSA regulates the manufacture, importation and sale of electrical products covered by the following compulsory standards:

  • ZS 106: Safety of Household and similar Electrical Appliances-Specification;
  • ZS 558: Plugs and Socket Outlets, Adaptors and Connection Units
  • ZS 688: Electric Cables with Extruded Solid Dielectric Insulation for Fixed Installations
    (300/500 Votts to 1900/3300 V) Specification.

The Zambian Standards cover specifications and testing methods of the respective products for household,
commercial and light industrial use.

ZCSA, a statutory body under Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, is mandated by the Compulsory Standards Act No. 3 of 2017, to administer, maintain and enforce compulsory standards for the purpose of public safety, health, consumer and environmental protection.

Issued by:  Hatyoka- Acting Manager – Communicatoins And Public Relations
Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency`

It will take centuries for us to develop; we’ve no culture!

Chief Editor
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It will take centuries for us to develop; we’ve no culture!

One of the greatest US presidents, John F. Kennedy, in his inaugural address to the nation, inspired children and adults to see the importance of civic action and public service.

“Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country,” those were his profound words that helped shape the thinking of most Americans.

It’s now 60 years after our independence; what do have to show for our freedom? Zero! We can’t produce our own toothpicks; we’ve to look to China for simple things as needles, razor blades or matches! We can’t even grow our own food – Ukraine to grow us wheat for our bread, we’ve to wait for fruits from South Africa and let our mothers constantly travel to Tanzania for our potatoes and onions. Our university graduates can’t even manufacture a scooter or bicycle and yet you think we can develop!

In this country, we tend to think it has to take singular efforts of one particular individual sitting in State House to develop this country. Resigned to such warped thinking we don’t bother to do anything for our country at all. Shall we ever develop like this? Maybe in another 100 years! We’ve no culture at all. What is culture? It’s simply a way of doing things, which we pass on to generations to come.

Take for instance the “Keep Zambia Clean Campaign…..;” there’s no doubt there’s only one person in Lusaka, Simon Mwewa passionately doing something about it. Each day, he assumes the role of Sheriff around Simoson building area ‘enforcing’ cleanliness as well as educating the masses on the dangers of littering. And in case you are thinking it’s only those from the shanties who have this terrible habit of indiscriminate disposal of waste, then you’ve your bearings wrong bwana! Wait until you’re on the Highway……. you’ll see all manner of rubbish flying from the windows of SUVs, Mercedes Benz and Ford Rangers! Can we develop our country with this sort of behaviour?

We once had a privilege to attend a meeting at the Civic Centre where a Parliamentary Committee was gathering views from the public. As the enthusiastic small crowd was making submissions, you could see some of our MPs were fast asleep, yawning or busy fidgeting with their handsets. The moment the Chairman announced the meeting was now adjourning, their faces lit up instantly! They swiftly jumped to their feet; it was time to claim their allowances for them to go and enjoy gourmet menus at the hotel and, of course help themselves to countless gallons of alcoholic beverages and empty in the toilet afterwards. What sort of good laws can such a bunch of characters help formulate?

When introducing one of his flagship projects – the Constituency Development Funds (CDF) President Hichilema saud he was taking the money away from the big thieves in Lusaka and taking it to the people in the districts, shanties and villages. But lo and behold, it seems we equally have small thieves away from Lusaka. Reports of abuse of CDF in Kalabo as revealed by Finance Minister, Bo Situmbeko Musokotwane are quite heartbreaking. However, we aren’t perplexed. This is the order of the day countywide! Members of Parliament and their Councilors, District Education Board Secretaries and their Heads of Schools and Council officials and the contractors are all suspects! Daily they’re conniving with each other to ‘chew’ this money by procuring goods and services at inflated rates! And you think we can get anywhere as a country?

Consider the embarrassing conduct of our traffic police officers….. When they report for work each morning, what seems to preoccupy their minds isn’t what they are going to do for our country to ensure safety on our roads, but rather how much they’ll pocket in terms of bribes! They’ve even become more sophisticated now; when they slap you with any traffic offence, they’ll take you to an office where a person in charge will ask you whether you want a receipt or not. No receipt means paying a lesser amount which doesn’t obviously go to the government coffers, but ends up in their pockets to buy sausage or hungry lion! Is there any patriotism in this? Can a nation surely develope in this way?

Perhaps Cabinet ministers, Permanent Secretaries and MPs can learn one or two lessons from global revolutionary icon, Che Guevara! When the Bolivian dropped-out of medical school to assist Fidel Castro in the Cuban Revolution, he wasn’t motivated by material things. Once the country was finally liberated, he continued living in a modest house, driving a small car and pitching up for work in his military fatigues. When heard about the troubles in Angola, he resigned from his positions as Minister of Industry and President of the Bank to go and help out in the liberation struggle. Don’t be motivated by huge salaries and allowances, let the money go to the people.

One day, we found ourselves in the bathroom at a newly commissioned, One-Border-Stop complex constructed at a huge cost to the tax payers. It doesn’t matter whether the money was from within or abroad; what’s important is that colossal sums of money were spent to come up with such a marvel to watch. It was rather disappointing to find graffiti strewn on the wall using feacal matter while fittings such as door handles, latches and switches had all been ripped off! Can we develop with such a mentality?

Perhaps, the President should consider introducing a Department of Culture in one of the ministries as this will go a long way in inculcating good cultural values in our people. We also require our Ministers to be radical in their approach.

During era of MMD for instance, we had our people spitting anyhow in public, relieving themselves on every tree or wall fence or smoking indiscriminately. Immediately Micheal Sata, as Local Government Minister then introduced by-laws stipulating stiffer penalties for the culprits, all the nuisance petered-out!

Please, share your views.

Until next time……

Prince Bill M. Kaping’a
Political/Social Analyst

China-Zambia Ink 18 MoUs Worth USD 1 Billion

Chief Editor
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China-Zambia Ink 18 MoUs Worth USD 1 Billion

Zambia has signed 18 Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with Chinese companies, totaling over one billion United States Dollars, in various areas of cooperation.

The signing ceremony which is aimed at promoting cooperation occurred during the official opening of the China-Zambia High-Quality development forum in Lusaka that was officiated by President Hakainde Hichilema.

President Hichilema reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment for a continued partnership with China and other countries that results into sustainable development.

The President stated that such partnerships should be deepened by delivering obligations.He noted that China and Zambia relations has created opportunities for economic development citing, reopening of 28 Shaft on the Copperbelt, support in infrastructure development and China’s input in Zambia’s debt restructuring.

The President said the forum is a path to resolution of the economic and social challenges.The Head of State is expectant that the forum to deliver results and assist the country in its journey towards economic expansion.
“Beyond the forum, there should be more investments, joint ventures, partnerships, value addition and increased economic transactions,” President Hichilema said.

President Hichilema stressed the importance of Social Corporate Responsibility which has potential to create job opportunities especially for the youth.

President Hichilema reaffirmed his commitment to double the size of Zambia’s economy.
“Ours as senior government officials is to build on these relationships, by delivering our obligations so that we can take this relationship to the next level for the benefit of our people,” President Hichilema said.

He also appreciated the announced support of the Chinese government towards drought disaster and emergency in the country.

Chinese Ambassador to Zambia, Xiaohui Du said the two countries have dedicated the year 2024 as the China -Zambia year of business cooperation, culture and tourism.

Ambassador Du noted that the forum is also an important step to implement the strategic partnership that exists between the two countries.

He noted that China remains ready to build on past successes by opening new avenues for high quality development that features innovation, technology and inclusive growth to meet the growing needs of the people.

Alliance of Chinese Business in Africa for Social Responsibilities Chunhe Diao said many Chinese enterprises have been investing and operating in Zambia, contributing to the bilateral cooperation.

Mr Diao added that the alliance will actively practice the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits through an industrial corporation platform.

Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Chipoka Mulenga said Zambia has embarked on engaging in economic diplomacy by making sure Chinese companies do not only trade but set up investment in the country.

Meanwhile, Zambia Development Agency Director General Albert Halwampa said Zambia has witnessed a good number of investors undertaking scoping exercise to invest in Zambia.

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