UPND Muchinga ward 24 Trustee’s Petrol Bombed House in Pictures
Lufwanyama Chiefs endorse President Edgar Lungu for 2021
Senior Chief Nkana, Chief Lumpuma and Chieftainess Shimukunami of Lufwanyama district on the Copperbelt Province have endorsed President Edgar Lungu for the 2021 elections.
The Chiefs said they want President Lungu’s leadership to continue because they have seen the numerous developments that his administration has scored in the District.
The three traditional leaders have also observed that the PF will now penetrate in Lufwanyama because of massive development.
The Chiefs were speaking separately on Saturday when PF Copperbelt Province Mobilisation Chairman Bowman Lusambo led his team in paying courtesy calls on them at their respective palaces.
Senior Chief Nkana says he no longer trusts the promises from the opposition but rather believes in the developments he has already and continues to see under the PF government.
“The animal in your hand is better than the one in the wild” Chief Nkana told Mr Lusambo.
Chief Nkana said the opposition will not lie about roads,hospitals, clinics, communication towers and any other development because the PF government has already delivered adding that Lufwanyama has rejected politics of mere promises.
The traditional leader encouraged the PF to base their campaigns on the tangible development which they have done in the country to ensure that they win the forthcoming Lufwanyama ward by-elections.
He said time has come for the PF to have representation both at ward and Parliamentary levels in the area in order to accelerate development in Lufwanyama which has stalled due to lack of commitment from the opposition.
“This is smart campaign. Lies will not prevail in Lufwanyama because we want politics of fulfillment and not promises” he said.
And Chief Lumpuma said President Lungu has delivered massive development in the shortest period of time which other governments never managed.
He cited distribution of farming inputs which has already been delivered to the district and a bumper harvest during the 2019/20 farming season as evidence of good and caring leadership under President Lungu who he described as being humble and wholehearted.
Meanwhile, Chieftainess Shimukunami said Lufwanyama has changed in favour of the PF and expressed hope that the party will scoop all the ward by-elections.
Mr. Lusambo is in Lufwanyama to spearhead mobilisation activities and drum up support for PF candidates in Thursday’s Local Government by-elections.
Members when they paid a courtesy call on Chief Lumpuma at his palace on Saturday.
Mbesuma Hires His Ex-Roan United Coach to Run His Academy
Collins Mbesuma has hired his former coach Paul Mulenga to take charge of the newly formed Mbesuma Football Academy in Luanshya.
Mulenga, an experienced coach, was part of the Roan United bench that drilled Mbesuma before he moved to South Africa seventeen years ago.
He has coached several teams among them Kitwe United and Mufulira Blackpool.
Mbesuma Foundation project manager Charity Munthali announced in a statement that Mulenga will be assisted by Adrian Mubanga, Frank Changwe and Passmore Kunda.
The academy is already holding trials at Luanshya’s Kafubu Stadium.
“Collins Mbesuma is overjoyed that his dream of forming an academy to help the youths of Luanshya is finally coming to life and he is looking forward to the day,” Munthali said.
The foundation and academy were launched in June.
UPND demands Police action after member’s house in Matero is petrol bombed
UPND Secretary General Stephen Katuka has demanded for the conclusion of police investigations in which suspected PF cadres on Tuesday night petrol bombed a house belonging to UPND Muchinga ward 24 Trustee Peter Kalyata.
Mr. Katuka who visited and donated assorted items to Mr Kalyata Saturday morning said it was sad that politics had become a risky and dangerous activity leading to the injuring of political opponents.
He said he never thought he would live to see a day when a Zambian would be petrol bombed for merely expressing a difference in opinion hence the need for the police to quickly bring the culprits to book.
And Mr Kalyata explains that he had to pass through the window when the house was on fire as he could not access the passage through the living room which was ablaze.
Displaying his burns on his back and hands,Mr Kalyata whose wife and three other children which include his granddaughters said it was a miracle that he managed to rescue his family in the inferno.
Meanwhile,Lusaka Provincial Chairlady Rosa Zulu wondered how medical practitioners at Matero level one hospital could discharge the family from hospital with heavy and visible burns.
Two of the victims are admitted to the University Teaching Hospital while the other one is at Matero level one hospital.
Mr and Mrs Kalyata have been discharged despite being in a bad shape.
The Secretary General was accompanied by National Women Chairlady, Namakau Kabwiku and Matero Constituency and Muchinga ward 24 officials.
A Treble For Mweene, Musonda Gives Leopards Hope
Striker Mwape Musonda and goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene Saturday’s went according to plan with a delivery of hope and glory in their respective weekend engagements with their South African clubs.
On Saturday night at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg, Mamelodi Sundowns completed a treble with victory in the Nedbank Cup final following a 1-0 victory over Bloemfontein Celtic.
Mweene was an unused substitute in that match following the return of Denis Onyango after a three week injury layoff.
The result sees Mweene end the season with a gold medal in league championship, the Telkom Cup and now the Nedbank Cup.
And earlier in the afternoon in the league playoffs at Bidvest Stadium, Mwape Musonda inspirational form for relegation-battling Black Leopards continued with a first half goal in a 3-1 away win over promotion-chasing TTM.
It was Musonda’s second goal in as many matches after scoring in the 1-0 game one win over Ajax Cape Town on September 9.
But the Chipolopolo striker was denied a brace when his effort just before halftime was ruled out for offside.
With maximum 6 points from two games, Leopards need a win with a match to spare against second placed Ajax Cape Town on September 18 to secure their top-flight safety.
Ajax Cape Town, who have midfielder Roderick Kabwe in their ranks, have 3 points after two games played heading into their penultimate fixture against fellow promotion prospects TTM on September 15.
Government to revise incentives for investors in the Multi Facility Economic Zones
The government says it is revising incentives for investors in the Multi-Facility Economic Zones to make the hubs more attractive and updated to global trends.
Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister, Christopher Yaluma says Government wants to come up with a set of incentives that will stand the test of time and create an enabling environment for local and foreign investors.
Mr. Yaluma says investors will be engaged for input in the incentives review process to ensure that the best decisions that suit all parties are made.
The Minister says once views and consultations from stakeholders are consolidated, a proposal will be presented to the Ministry of Finance, Cabinet and Parliament for subsequent approvals.
Mr. Yaluma said this in an exclusive interview with ZNBC News in Lusaka when he visited the Lusaka South Multi Facility Economic Zone where he also checked on operations at Big Tree Limited, a Trade Kings subsidiary which manufactures beverages.
Decision to reopen further due to reduced positive recorded cases in the recent past.
Health Minister Dr. Chitalu Chilufya has said that the decision to reopen schools, higher learning institutions, and partial operation of bars and nightclubs was due to a reduced number of recorded positive cases in the recent past.
Speaking during the COVID-19 update, the Health Minister reminded Zambians that should there be complacency on health guidelines the Head of State might tighten restrictions on the patronage of bars and nightclubs.
Zambia has in the last 24 hours recorded 143 new COVID-19 cases out of 1,390 tests, with 6 BID cases reported in Ndola and Chingola districts, bringing the toll to 312.
The Minister further announced that 108 people have recovered bringing the total number of recoveries to 12,007 with 13,466 as a cumulative number of cases.
Yesterday President Lungu relaxed some COVID-19 measures, but was also quick to mention that complacency against health guidelines could prompt government to reverse the relaxed measures.
meanwhile, Chilubi Constituency Member of Parliament Mulenga Fube has hailed President Edgar Lungu for the decision to re-open schools.
Mr. Fube noted that the decision to allow pupils to resume learning under the new normal, will save girls especially in rural areas like Chilubi from social threats such as teenage pregnancy and early marriages.
He says a number of girls had already fallen prey to the vices as a result of having been away from school for a long time.
Speaking to ZANIS in Kasama, Mr. Fube said the move to re-open schools is welcome as it will help learners at all levels to continue with their education and prevent a crisis in the education system.
The Chilubi lawmaker has since urged education authorities to ensure the safety of both learners and the teaching fraternity.
During the official opening of the 5th session of the 12th national Assembly, President Lungu announced the reopening of all schools, colleges and universities under the new normal.
The Head of State however said the reopening of learning institutions at all levels is subject to the strict adherence to the covid-19 regulations.
The reopening will take place between September 14 and 28, 2020.
President Edgar Lungu heads to Luapula Province for By- Elections Campaigns
President Edgar Lungu is tomorrow expected in Luapula Province for a two-day working visit.
Luapula Province Minister, Nickson Chilangwa has told ZANIS in Mansa that President Lungu will land at Mansa Airport at 13:00 hours and thereafter, connect to Mwansabombwe District on the same day.
Mr. Chilangwa says while in Mwansabombwe, the Head of State will pay a courtesy call on Senior Chief Mwata Kazembe of the Lunda people.
He said the President will later engage village Head persons in Mwansabombwe District before addressing public rallies to drum up support for Patriotic Front -PF- candidate in the Mwansabombwe Parliamentary by-election, Kabaso Kampampi.
Mr. Chilangwa said President Lungu will also visit Kawambwa District during his two-day stay in the Province.
Mr. Chilangwa has since called on the people of Luapula Province to give solidarity to President Lungu during his stay in the province.
Promoted Kitwe United Plots Financial Strategy
The newly constituted Kitwe United executive committee wants to make Chingalika financially stable ahead of the 2020/21 FAZ Super Division season.
Kitwe last season overcame financial woes to win promotion back to the top league.
Club President Emmanuel Numwa said his committee is engaging potential sponsors besides club owners Kitwe City Council.
“Our vision as a club is to sustain our stay in the Super League and be able to create a memorable foot print,” Numwa said.
“Indeed the past season was very harsh to the club financially but we are preparing to change all that,” he said.
‘In addition to the commitment that was made by the main sponsor Kitwe City Council, we are engaging supportive sponsors in order to put in place a predictable funding in environment for the club. So far so good we are having favourable response in that regard,” Numwa said.
The Buchi Boys have bounced back to the top league after spending one season in Division 1.
UPND’s HH in Luapula Province in Pictures
All MPs to be Tested for COVID-19 on Monday
Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini has directed that all Members of Parliament and staff of the National Assembly will be tested for Coronavirus on Monday, September 14, 2020.
Dr. Matibini says the move is aimed at preventing the spread of the Coronavirus Global Pandemic.
He has since urged all MPs and staff to take advantage of the exercise by the Ministry of Health.
He says results will be made available within 48 hours adding that the exercise will be conducted from 08 to 17 hours.
Dr. Matibini announced this today when Parliament resumed seating following an earlier adjourning sini die due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus Global Pandemic.
The Survival of a Boy Child on the Streets
By Norman Kapata
WE have seen an increase of street children on our streets and I recently had an opportunity to have interviewed a street child to find out what has made him to lead such kind of life.
The name of the boy has been withheld because he is a child and needed to be protected, here is what he shares.
I usually wake up as early as 05:00hours every morning after a long night on a torn mat in the sitting room which is turned into our cool bedroom after every nightfall.
We have found ourselves in a two-roomed house because my parents cannot afford a more decent house.
I am the firstborn and aged 10years with three of my little brothers from the same father and mother.
My father is a charcoal trader and the income he generates from his business is not enough to meet our daily needs as a family sometimes we would go to bed without food and sometimes we just drink water to keep us living.
So as always every morning I usually wake up early to help my mother who is a housewife to wash the plates and sweep our small yard.
When it’s 07:00 hours with my friends we leave our home to go into town while our other age-mates would be going to school or would be sleeping in bed.
On the other side of life we find ourselves heading into town with big empty sacks on our back to look for empty mineral water plastic bottles in drainages, dumpsites, dust bins which we collect and take for a sale to bring food and bread to our parents’ homes.
It’s not an easy task for a young boy of my age as we walk from one shop to another looking for our “gold” on a good day you can be done by 14:00 hours to fill up the sack, but on a bad day, we are made to walk long hours.
Sometimes we are chased from various buildings and premises in our quest to make a living as some people think that we love doing what we do like visiting dump sites.
Its hunger that has forced us and circumstances beyond our control to pick the empty plastic bottles.
We the little boys are helping out to bring food to our homes so we beg society not to treat us as criminals or outcasts.
The streets today are full of street kids not that we want to be on the streets it’s because our parents are failing to keep these homes and bring food home.
In some homes, it’s us the so-called small boys or street kids who are feeding our families from these plastic bottles we collect and sale.
We sometimes spend the day under drainages to rest and make plans as to which route to take and at times we spend the lunch break at the back of some Restaurants to find food leftover from the tables for survival.
Sometimes we are chased from other restaurants but if you are lucky and come to find the owner who has a good heart you are made to wash plates and in return you are given a decent meal.
Well, such is life after the hurdle with meals we return into the streets with our sacks on our backs.
But at times I think of what my siblings back home on how they are surviving but I only trust that God is taking care of them.
When we are done collecting these empty plastic bottles we head to Choma’s biggest open trade market at Makalangunzu where the buyer of these items gives us cash at the spot of delivery.
After being paid I usually buy a smaller pack of mealie meal popularly known as ka ‘Pamela’, some vegetables, 300ml of cooking oil, salt, and sugar.
After I am done buying these items and most times it’s usually around 16:00hours I would rush home for my mother to cook.
When I get back home my mother would welcome me and starts preparing for supper our meals are usually of vegetables and dry Kapenta.
We usually eat beef Or chicken during Christmas mostly after my father has a good sale of charcoal as the demand that time around is high and after saving for the festive season but the other days it’s nshima with vegetables.
When mum is done cooking we would sit around with my little brothers to eat what God has provided us for that day and as usual, we have jokes together as a happy family and also have fun while enjoying our meal
After we are done eating we usually get our plates and pots inside the house to prepare for the night
This is how my day ends and think of how tomorrow will be and this is how my future is going to be because if I do not go into town to look for empty plastic mineral water bottles for sale my little brothers and parents will die of hunger.
My dreams of going to school are a nightmare as who will take me to school and pay for my school fees.
Only GOD him alone knows our future
The Author is a retired Journalist & current President Of the CHOMA PRESS CLUB
Stop quoting products and services in us dollars, EAZ advises businesses in Zambia
The Economics Association of Zambia (EAZ) has advised some businesses in the country to stop quoting products and services in us dollars.
EAZ president Lubinda Haabazooka tells phoenix news in an interview that it is unfair for business houses to charge the Zambian consumers in dollars whose earnings are mostly in kwacha.
Dr., Haabazooka says businesses quoting products and services in us dollars are also making it difficult for Zambian based businesses and households to plan and budget effectively.
He has added that the kwacha remains legal tender in Zambia and only in some exceptional cases especially in the tourism is where charges in us dollars should be tolerated.
Load Shedding will be a Thing of the Past, President Lungu Assures Zambians
President Edgar Lungu has assured the nation that load shedding will be a thing of the past once he commissions the Kafue Gorge Lower power station which he says will produce 750 megawatts.
President Lungu says the current electricity deficit is 810 megawatts adding that the Kafue Gorge Lower power station, and other hydro-power stations that are coming into being, including solar power stations, will certainly wipe out this power deficit.
Speaking when he officially opened the fifth session of the twelfth National Assembly, the Head of State further assured the nation that the government has invested enough in electricity generation to turn the tide around.
“Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank our people for the understanding and the resilience they have shown during this difficult period. Government continues to recognize the importance of the energy sector in facilitating social and economic activities across different sectors,” he said.
“In 2016, we undertook to increase the country’s electricity generation capacity and access to electricity. Mr. Speaker, I am glad to report that the electricity generation capacity increased from 2,800 megawatts in 2016 to 3000 megawatts in 2020. This was a result of an addition of 160 megawatts to the existing capacity from hydro, thermal, and solar energy sources.”
The President disclosed that the additional sources were from the Ndola energy power plant upgrade, the Musonda Falls power station upgrades, and the Bangweulu, Ngonye and Copperbelt Energy Corporation solar plants.
“Mr. Speaker, while the electricity generation capacity has increased, the actual electricity generation has been fluctuating due to drought that has affected most of the hydropower stations, ” he said before adding that this was happening at the time when the demand for electricity has been steadily increasing.
“Mr Speaker, to address this rising demand, I am happy to report that an additional 750 megawatts of electricity is expected to come on board by the end of the year after the completion of the Kafue Gorge lower power station and the Chunga solar power project in Kafue National Park,” the President said.
“The coming on board of the Kafue Gorge lower power station will mark a major milestone in electricity generation in our country since the construction of the Kariba and Kafue Gorge power stations many years ago.”
Micho Spells Out Pro’s Call-Up Policy
Micho says he does not believe in making wholesale foreign-based call-ups just becomes a player is based abroad.
The Chipolopolo coach said he will only be making essential call-ups as Zambia prepares for their international restart this October after an eight-month lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Chipolopolo will stop being a tourist destination where we are sending air tickets to the players playing outside the country who are coming here to visit their families,” Micho said.
“We shall limit the number of tickets sent to those that are coming and will be ready to serve the nation in the best possible way.
“What I am saying is instead, for example, of calling 25 players playing abroad, when you can bring only 11 or 14 players, who can play instead of having players making faces after travelling so far.
“We shall look at the economical and sporting aspect of things. Economical, meaning bringing the players that are projected to play, and sporting-wise, meaning players who are really coming to serve the country to serve the best possible way.
“And this is exactly the criteria standard we will use in the times ahead of us.”
Chipolopolo’s first international assignment will be with two friendly away dates against the United Arab Emirates next month.
Micho’s side will later return to competitive action in November in a 2021 AFCON Group H qualifier doubleheader at home and away against Botswana.