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Zambia, DRC fight over 13km of land

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Zambia, DRC fight over 13km of land

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has escalated the raging border dispute between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) after the two countries last month separately requested the mediation of the regional defence Troika he chairs.

The neighbouring states have for nearly two months been locked in a bitter wrangle over the control of a territory on the border measuring approximately 13 square kilometres.

The dispute erupted when the DRC accused Zambia of moving to occupy part of its territory in Moba region early last month.

The Congolese government resultantly beefed up its military presence in the area, leading to clashes between the two countries’ soldiers, sparking fears of war.

The United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) disclosed at the time the armies’ clashes had resulted in massive displacements in Moba.

DRC President Felix Tshisekedi on May 11 sent a special envoy, Marie Nzeza — who is also the country’s Foreign Affairs minister — to Harare requesting Mnangagwa’s mediation in the dispute.

Presidential spokesperson George Charamba said, in an interview with the Zimbabwe Independent this week, Mnangagwa, who chairs Sadc’s Organ on Politics, Defence and Security, has now taken up the matter with the regional grouping by embarking on a fact-finding mission. Mnangagwa has briefed Sadc heads of state subsequent to Nzeza’s visit.

“There is actually a fact-finding mission which will be dispatched by Sadc to establish the chronology of events so that we have a starting point for mediation. This issue comes under the purview of President Mnangagwa in his capacity as the chairman of the Organ on Defence, Politics and Security,” Charamba said.

“For there to be good mediation, it means he has to have a certain picture in terms of what transpired. So there is a fact-finding and verification team which is hard at work. We were working on the terms of reference and we are now just done with those.”

He also said Mnangagwa was in the process of trying to bring the two countries to a common understanding that Sadc meant well in the mediation process so as to gain their confidence.

“We must enlist the support of countries involved in the dispute so that we get maximum cooperation if the mediation is to become meaningful. The good thing is both countries aren’t inclined to escalating matters into a full-blown armed conflict yet and both have actually appealed to the chairman of the organ, which is a very good starting point for us,” Charamba said.

“Both countries recognise they are members of Sadc and that they must coexist peacefully. Disputes will always arise around borders but the key thing is always finding peaceful means of resolving them. When we are in this Covid-19 environment, the least we can afford as Southern Africa is an accentuation of the crisis by importing another issue which is really of a military nature.”

“Let the team go on the ground and we will see what facts they will establish and what counsel they will share with the chairman so that we can get the two brotherly countries to an agreement.
“Until now, it had not been brought to the attention of Sadc and, as such, it had remained a bilateral issue, but this time they have come to a multi-lateral structure and we will start from there.”

The dispute dates back to the colonial era and has been raging for decades although it has escalated over the past month-and-a-half.

There was an attempt to settle the issue in 1989 when a treaty was signed between then presidents Kenneth Kaunda (Zambia) and Mobutu Sese Seko (DRC) when beacons were placed along the border.

The treaty has, however, not been very effective as evidenced by frequent disputes.Random border disputes, such as between Botswana and Namibia, Nigeria and Cameroon and between Malawi and Tanzania, have arisen out of ambiguities or incomplete information in a colonial treaty.

Botswana and Namibia, for instance, had a fierce conflict over control of the Kasikili/Sedudu Island in the Chobe River, which forms part of the border between the two countries.

The matter, also mediated by Zimbabwe, was settled by the International Court of Justice in 1999 which ruled that the island belongs to Botswana.

Zambia asks Paris Club for suspension of debt payments until December

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Zambia asks Paris Club for suspension of debt payments until December

Zambia has asked the Paris Club of creditor nations to let it suspend principal and interest payments on debts to all its official creditors from May to the end of December, the Finance Ministry said on Sunday. Zambia, Africa’s second largest copper producer which has struggled with falling demand for the metal, remained committed to servicing debt payments that fell due before May 1, a ministry spokesman said in a statement.

The request for the suspension was made in a letter to the Paris Club.

Zambia’s external government debt jumped to 45% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2019, up from 37% 2018, while total debt stock was estimated at 89%, according to World Bank data.

Even before the coronavirus crisis hit international demand for raw materials, Zambia had been wrestling with growing public debt. Zambia has been listed among countries eligible for relief under the Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI), which aims to help nations respond to COVID-19 health challenges and economic shocks, the statement said.

ZCCM-IH denies selling off Ndola Lime

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ZCCM-IH denies selling off Ndola Lime

ZCCM-IH has denied reports that it has sold off Ndola Lime Company.

In a statement, ZCCM-IH Spokesperson Loisa Mbatha clarified that Ndola Lime Company has ceased to exist due to huge debts and that a new company known as Limestone Resources Limited has been created.

“Over the past 8 years Ndola Lime Company Limited (NLC) accumulated an insurmountable amount of debt, in excess of K1 billion, owed to various statutory bodies as well as private creditors, which led to the Company being technically insolvent,” Ms. Kakoma said.

“In September 2018, two (2) former employees instituted business rescue proceedings in the Lusaka High Court pursuant to the Corporate Insolvency Act No. 9 of 2017,” she said.

“By order of the Court dated 5th October 2018, the Official Receiver was appointed as Interim Business Administrator of NLC. Without the prospect of recapitalisation, the Business Rescue Administration (BRA) process would effectively result in the closure of NLC’s business and loss of jobs.”

“As such, ZCCM Investments Holdings Plc (ZCCM-IH) requested and was granted an Order to convene a meeting of creditors to consider and approve a proposed Scheme of Arrangement.”

“The restructuring proposals in the Scheme of Arrangement were to:
i. Create a New Company (NewCo);
ii. Restructure the liabilities of NLC;
iii. Transfer the assets and business of Ndola Lime to the NewCo;
iv. Retrench, pay and transfer the employees of NLC to the NewCo; and,
v. Dissolve NLC with or without winding up.”

She added, “The NewCo has been incorporated and is known as Limestone Resources Limited (LRL) 100% owned by ZCCM-IH.”

“At a Final Creditors Meeting held on the 10th June 2020, the creditors passed a special resolution to approve the Restructuring Proposals as contained in the Scheme of Arrangement.”

Ms. Kakoma said the main objectives of the restructuring plan are for NLC’s successor company, LRL, to commence operations on a clean slate, debt free, recruit a new management to spearhead the re-orientation of strategy and operations without any legacy problems associated with NLC.

“The achievement of the objectives above would enable effective recapitalisation of the business. In order to preserve jobs, a recruitment exercise for LRL will commence beginning August 2020.”

“The proposed restructuring plan ensures the continuation of NLC’s business, albeit under a different entity name – Limestone Resources Limited (LRL). This new approach and plan ensures that employee welfare is prioritised, NLC’s debt is resolved, and that NLC’s core assets are secured,” she said.

“ZCCM-IH is currently in the process of obtaining statutory and other approvals to facilitate the transition of NLC to LRL. The processes of approvals, transfer, recruitment and recapitalisation will take approximately six months from August 2020.”

She said ZCCM-IH remains committed to revamp the operations at NLC, under a new entity and brand, and the proposed restructuring plan provides practical solution to the key challenges currently faced at NLC.

Re-gazetting of Bill 10 is a trust builder, says ZANASU

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Re-gazetting of Bill 10 is a trust builder, says ZANASU

The publication of proposed amendments to Constitution Amendment Bill Number 10 should diminish the question and minimise mistrust between Government and the public on Government’s commitment to amending the Bill as proposed by Parliamentary Committee, the Zambia National Students Union (ZANASU) has noted.

In an interview with ZANASU Vice President, Steven Kanyakula, the student umbrella mother-body has commended Government for taking steps to publicise amendments it intends to move in Parliament if Bill 10 is given the chance to be amended during the Committee of the Whole House Stage and has since urged Members of Parliament to unanimously vote to open doors for amendments to be formally made in Parliament.

“As ZANASU, we ask our politicians to put the partisan politics aside and do what is best for Zambia so we can put the Constitution reforms behind us and focus on emerging issues such subsidiary legislation to support the amendments such as the Mixed Member Electoral System and other pressing national issues,” he said.

Mr. Kanyakula said ZANASU is happy that Government has committed itself to removing provisions such as the reintroduction of Deputy Ministers and Coalition Government which ZANASU had opposed in its submission to the Parliamentary Committee.

“We also note that Government has committed itself to having the contracting of loans and debts scrutinised by Parliament. These provisions, and many others, which have resulted in contention will be removed, if the Bill is amended. These amendments can only be realised if the Bill is voted for during Second Reading,” he said.

ZANASU says the focus should be for MPs to build consensus in the House so that Zambians can shift the focus to 2021 polls which we hope must be conducted in an atmosphere that promotes democratic growth through participation and representation. He has since encouraged the public to obtain the official Bill which has been re-gazetted by Government.

Government Asks Diggers to Apologise their their “Stupid Disgruntle Youths” Editorial

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Government Asks Diggers to Apologise their their “Stupid Disgruntle Youths” Editorial

The government has said that it has noted with concern the alleged use of derogatory language by The News Diggers in one of its editorials.

Chief Government spokesperson Dora Siliya said that the use of derogatory language takes away from the professionalism and the country’s Christian values and democracy.

Ms. Siliya has cited the News Diggers Editorial Comment of 12th of June 2020 were derogatory language was used, adding that Media Houses should not forget the culture and political environment in which they work in as they do not operate in a vacuum.

Ms. Siliya who is also Information and Broadcasting Services Minister said that the behaviour by News Diggers exposes the media house to retaliation which might incite those offended to attack the institution if there is no recourse.

She has since advised the News Diggers to consider apologizing.

This is according to a letter dated June 12, 2020, addressed to News Diggers and copied to all media Houses by Ms. Siliya.

News Diggers run the editorial titled “Stupid, disgruntled youths should think twice before dancing Dununa next time.

It’s the Constitutional Court that ordered Government and ECZ to allow Prisoners to Vote

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It’s the Constitutional Court that ordered Government and ECZ to allow Prisoners to Vote

Deputy Chief whip Tutwa Ngulube has said that it was not the idea of government for inmates to start voting, but that of the Constitutional Court that ordered the government and the Electoral Commission of Zambia to allow inmates to start voting.

Mr. Ngulube said that this was after Prison Care and Counselling Association Executive Director Godfrey Malembeka successfully sued the Attorney General in the Constitutional Court.

Mr. Ngulube said that despite these facts being in public domain some opposition parties have chosen to mislead the public that the decision was made by the PF.

He told ZNBC news that these deliberate efforts to mislead the public are a sign that the opposition parties have already started looking for excuses to give when they are beaten by the PF during the 2021 general elections.

Mr. Ngulube said since the country’s independence in 1964, there has never been a government that attempted to allow the inmates to vote until the Constitutional Court gave a directive following a petition by an NGO called Prisca.

Mr. Ngulube encouraged Zambians to go to the Constitution Court and read about the case that led to inmates being allowed to vote rather than to be fed lies by some sections of society.

On Friday, ECZ announced that following the case of Godfrey Malembeka (Prisons Care and Counselling Association – PRISCA) Vs Attorney General and ECZ in which the court held that prisoners’ right to vote should be upheld, and the Commission in fulfilling the ruling was required to undertake Prisoners Voting for 2021 general elections.

ECZ further said that the Commission had made steady progress towards finalization of the guidelines to facilitate for Prison Voting and are expected to conclude this by September 2020 in time for the Voter registration exercise, and that the next steps will involve consultations with key stakeholders especially Political Parties and non-state actors.

Mobile issuance of National Registration Cards to start soon-Kampyongo

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Mobile issuance of National Registration Cards to start soon-Kampyongo

Home Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo has said that the mobile issuance of National Registration Cards (NRC)’s will start as soon as all logistics are put in place.

Mr. Kampyongo said that Government is committed to rolling out the issuance of NRC’s ahead of the forthcoming Voter Registration exercise.

He said this in an interview with ZNBC news in Lusaka.

Mr. Kampyongo however said the advent of the Coronavirus Disease COVID-19 has impacted negatively on the process to issue the NRC’s, ahead of the forthcoming Voter Registration exercise.

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) announced that the voter registration exercise will begin on October 18, 2020 and will run for 30 days.

ECZ Chief Electoral Officer Patrick Nshindano, said this marks a shift from the 60-day plan which the commission earmarked before the advent of COVID-19.

Lusaka De-congestion Project on time and expected to reduce travel time for people-Chomba

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Lusaka De-congestion Project on time and expected to reduce travel time for people-Chomba

The government says the Lusaka Decongestion project is a key catalyst to social-economic Development.

Ministry of Local Government Permanent Secretary Ed Chomba says infrastructure being put in place will help people to conduct their business with ease.

He says the multimillion-dollar road expansion project is on time and expected to reduce travel time for people within the capital city.

Bishop Chomba says President Edgar Lungu has directed that the road works resume amidst the Coronavirus outbreak because development should continue despite challenges.

He has however appealed to motorists to be patient as works are ongoing because their movements maybe affected for a short while.

And Bishop Chomba has revealed that about 3-hundred trees have been planted along Nangwenya and Zambezi Roads to replace those being cut.

He said government is planting trees three times as much as those being cut down to mitigate the impact of climate change on the country.

Government Delivers 10,000 Fingerings To Clubs In Monze

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Government Delivers 10,000 Fingerings To Clubs In Monze

Monze Town Council has started handing over the Soft Adaption empowerment projects to clubs and co-operatives who are beneficiaries of the government sponsored Strengthening Climate Resilience in the Kafue Sub-basin (SCRIKA) in Bweengwa Constituency.

The handover had been earmarked for March but only commenced two weeks ago due to some challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic which had put most economic activities on hold globally.

The District implementation team headed by the District Administrative officer Gorret Bbalo together with the heads of economic sectors in the district has so far handed over fish fingerings and vegetable seedlings to the two clubs which chose fishing as their projects.

Speaking in a statement issued to the media Ms. Bbalo called on the beneficiaries to guard the projects jealously and ensure that projects uplifts the lives of those who belong to the two respective clubs.

“Let’s guard these projects jealously. These projects are intended to help uplift the livelihood of communities in your respective wards. Government has seen it fit to give you a bit of a push in the back and it only fares that you make sure that we see the benefits. We have heard many times that government has tried to help people with such economic empowerment but ended up regretting because some selfish individuals have either personalised the projects or people have just failed to run the businesses.

“We want to see a change in these communities. We want you to diversify your farming activities that’s we have co-operatives going into fish farming while others have gone into poultry because we don’t want to see people suffering the way they suffered during the period we had challenges with rains and when we had foot and mouth disease. We don’t need to put our eggs in one basket,” he said.

The two clubs that have received the soft adaption economic empowerment are Moonzwe and Mansangu. The two clubs received 5000 fingerings each and some different types of vegetables which will help them sustain their economic activities. Other clubs that have received some empowerment are Mooya and Mutanzhi who received 70 liters of dipping chemicals for cattle each.

A check by a team from Monze Town Council headed by Socioeconomic planner Jack Deka revealed that Mansangu Cooperative was flourishing while Moonzwe had a few challenges which officials promised to rectify.

The supplier of the poultry farming clubs has been engaged and will finalise the process within a few weeks leading the handover to the 9 clubs.

Fish Farming Projects
Fish Farming Projects
Fish Farming Projects
Fish Farming Projects
Fish Farming Projects
Fish Farming Projects

Civil Military Relations and Democratic Control in Zambia

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Civil Military Relations and Democratic Control in Zambia

By Stephen Nyoni.

The concept of Democratic Control culminates from the need for a clear distinction between the politics and the military of a democratic state. Zambia, being a democracy, is expected to adhere to these principles in the way it manages its security policy as well as its governance systems. It is important to inquire the ways in which Zambia has upheld this principle and the areas in which improvement is vital.

Institutionalising Democratic Control

Institutionalisation of democratic control has been made possible in Zambia through the establishment of defence structures through the peoples will expressed in the constitution. The Constitution demonstrates how exactly the defence forces must be constituted, must function, and indeed, how they must be controlled – particularly by the President of the Republic. The Defence Act stipulates that “The Defence Force shall be charged with the defence of Zambia and with such other duties as may from time to time be determined by the President.” (Government of the Republic of Zambia, n.d.). In the fulfilment of Objective Civilian Control, the political elements in the state can only participate in issues of the defence forces through a parliamentary portfolio that comprises individuals with the necessary experience to shape the nations’ defence agenda. This committee is intertwined with that of the nations’ foreign affairs. As such, the Defence forces as a traditional security wing must uphold the nations’ foreign policy and must function in line with its stipulations. “Discussion of the military in a democracy presupposes a variety of notions, including the extent to which the defence and security forces have been able to exist in an era of high political activity.” (Lungu & Ngoma, 2005) One period was when the country’s leadership pursued a liberation agenda for neighbouring states that involved the commitment of Zambian forces fighting along other troops in the region.
The National Assembly Committee on National Security and Foreign Affairs is tasked with the responsibility, among others, to;
“Study, report and make recommendations to the Government through the House on the mandate, management and operations of the Ministries of Defence, Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs, department and/or agencies under its portfolio.
Carry out detailed scrutiny of certain activities being undertaken by the Ministries of Defence, Foreign Affairs, Home Affairs, departments and/or agencies under its portfolio and make appropriate recommendations to the House for ultimate consideration by the Government.” (National Assembly of Zambia, n.d.)

Professional Troops

Various groups and individuals have hailed the Zambia Defence Force for maintaining professionalism in its relations with the civilian society. Among others, former President Kenneth Kaunda (Kaunda, 2017) as well as the current Commander in Chief, Edgar Lungu (Lungu, 2019) has noted the “professionalism” of the Zambian troops. This factor has largely contributed to the management of healthy democratic control by civilian authorities over the military. “During the difficult period from the 1970s to the early 1990s, the good military performance was largely the result of the highly professional way in which the defence force carried out its tasks, despite it being severely under resourced.” (Lungu & Ngoma, 2005).
(Chewe, 2014) shows that the professionalism of the Zambia troops also has a lot to do with their exposure to high quality military training on CMR.
“Officers have the necessary knowledge gained from Zambia Military Academy, Defence Services Command and Staff College and other institutions of higher learning, from both local and abroad.” (Chewe, 2014)

Trying Times

Zambia’s civil military relations have however, not always been positive. On two occasions the structures of the defence forces and those of the executive have come into compromising situations with the country facing two attempted coup d’etats between 1990 and 1997. “On 30 June 1990, Lt Luchembe Mwamba with others organized a coup d’etat to seize governmental power by military force while President Kaunda was on the Copperbelt to open the International Trade Fair in Ndola… After midday, an announcement was made on Radio Zambia by Grey Zulu, Secretary General of UNIP, that Luchembe Mwamba and the other plotters had been arrested. We concluded that the military takeover had been thwarted.” (Magande, 2018) Some have argued that this attempt was prompted by the political and economic circumstances that where in the country at the time. The few rogue elements sought to take control by undermining existing systems of governance. The second attempt was allegedly much more politically oriented with blame being placed largely on opposition elements which included former President Kenneth Kaunda. In this instance, the plotters seemed to represent less of the people as a whole and more of sectors of society that had been alienated by the new democratic dispensation and its methods of governance.
“The Zambian Government announced … that a coup attempt that lasted a mere three hours had been suppressed without bloodshed and that a handful of military officers had been arrested… Zambian journalists said they knew of no particular animosity between Mr. Chiluba, a former trade unionist, and the military.” (McNeil, 1997)

Theory in Practice

Some scholars like (Chewe, 2014)have argued that Zambia has, in its early years experimented with two contentious systems of CMR. They argue that the early one party state system demanded that the loyalty of the military, as like that of any other sector, be solely to the regime. The appointment of these military personnel to governance positions eliminated the distinguishing element between the two structures. This is typical of the Janowitz theory which states that “officers can still participate in the politics of the nation as military and political tasks are difficult to separate. (Janowitz, 1964).
However, with the introduction of multi-party politics in 1991, the involvement of the military in politics, just like the involvement of politics in the operations of the military, is frowned upon. Several instances where such has taken place have been responded to with a heavy hand from the various state institutions that seek to protect democratic control in politics as well as in the military. “In the Zambia Army, officers are urged to keep away from politics if they are to be called professional officers.” (Chewe, 2014) This view is the one advocated for by (Huntington, 1957).

Conclusion

Zambia can be summarised as a state that has tasted both extremes and has consciously come up with a conclusion on one that works best. It has gone further to put in place structures and institutions that make sure that democratic control is kept enforced and has been made possible by a defence system that is well equipped with the necessary knowledge and training.

Both best practices and learning curves can be adopted from Zambia. “It is interesting to discover that a young country like Zambia has experimented with opposing theories in civil-military relations. What is more fascinating about the Zambian system is that, despite the changing political systems, the Zambia Army remained steadfast and maintained a high level of professionalism.” (Lungu & Ngoma, 2005)

References

1) Chewe, I., 2014. An Examination of Professionalism in the Zambia Army, Fort Leavenworth: U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.
2) Government of the Republic of Zambia, n.d. Chapter 106 The Defence Act, Part I (5). In: The Constitution of the Republic of Zambia. Lusaka: GRZ.
3) Huntington, S. P., 1957. The Soldier and The State: The Theory and Politics of Civil-Military Relations. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
4) Janowitz, M., 1964. The Professional Soldier: A Social and Political Potrait. London: Collier Macmillan Publishers.
5) Kaunda, K. D., 2017. KK Hails Professional Army, Lusaka: Zambia Daily Mail.
6) Lungu, E., 2019. President Lungu Commends Zambia Army for exemplary conduct, Lusaka: Lusaka Times.
7) Lungu, H. & Ngoma, N., 2005. The Zambia military – trials tribulations and hope, Ndola: Mission Press.
8) Magande, N. P., 2018. The Depth of My Footprints: From the Hills of Namaila to the Global Stage. 1st ed. California : CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.
9) McNeil, D. G. J., 1997. Zambia Says a COup Is Over In 3 Hours, Without Injury. [Online]
Available at: https://www.nytmes.com/1997/10/29/world/zambia-says-a-coup-is-over-in-3-hours-without-injury.html
[Accessed 03 September 2019].
10) National Assembly of Zambia, n.d. Committee on National Security and Foreign Affairs. [Online]
Available at: http://www.parliament.gov.zm/node/204 [Accessed 03 September 2019].

FAZ Warns Training Ban Dodgers

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The Football Association of Zambia has warned clubs they could face penalties for failing to adhere to the team training ban in the midst of the Covid-19 outbreak.

FAZ says it has information some league clubs are abrogating the full team training ban as Football House lobbies health authorities to restart the league in July behind closed doors.

“The FAZ Chief Executive Officer (Adrian Kashala) says punishment will be meted out on erring members with the docking of points being one of the options,” FAZ spokesperson Sydney Mungala said in a statement.

“Kashala has however assured the football family that engagements with the Ministry of Sports and Health have yielded positive results with a possibility of football returning soon.”

FAZ has stated that it plans to lift the full-training ban two weeks before the official restart of the 2019/2020 season.

The FAZ league has been on emergency recess since early March when the Covid-19 pandemic was declared by health officials.

Bowman Lusambo launches K400,000 Economic Empowerment Fund for Kabushi taxi drivers

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Bowman Lusambo launches K400,000 Economic Empowerment Fund for Kabushi taxi drivers

Kabushi Member of Parliament Bowman Lusambo on Saturday announced the setting up of an Economic Empowerment Fund targeted at taxi drivers in his constituency.

The fund has a K400,000 set aside to support taxi drivers with micro finance loans for their families to start up small businesses.

The other component of the Fund will go towards applying for licence upgrades from the Road Transport and Safety Agency for over 300 taxi drivers drawn from seven taxi ranks in the constituency.

The drivers will have their driver licenses renewed and upgraded with the help of Mr Lusambo at no cost to the drivers.

This came to light on Saturday when representatives of taxi drivers in Kabushi when Mr Lusambo for a consultative meeting on how they could be empowered economically.

Some of the representatives of Taxi drivers from Kabushi attending a consultative meeting held at Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo’s residence
Musician Kings Malembe Malembe with Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo

The drivers were given a chance to make their submissions and majority of them submitted that they were would like to get a higher driving qualification but they are unable to do so because of lack of funds.

In his response, Mr Lusambo assured them that the K400,000 Fund will be administered by the taxi drivers themselves in a form of a Corporative with support from some members of Kabushi Constituency Executive for monitory purposes.

He said the Fund has been set up with the help of President Edgar Lungu and will operate as a revolving fund.

Mr Lusambo said the gesture by President Lungu to assist in setting up the Fund is a clear testimony that he cares for young people.

He said the PF government has set aside several economic empowerment programmes targeted at young people.

At the same event, popular musician Kings Malembe Malembe urged the young people to remain focused if they are to improve their economic situation.

He said young people should also align themselves with those in leadership starting from their wards in order to take advantage of the opportunities.

Musician Kings Malembe Malembe speaking at a meeting called by Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo at his Ndola residence on Saturday when he met representatives of Taxi drivers from Kabushi
Some of the representatives of Taxi drivers from Kabushi showing appreciation to Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo during the meeting

Today’s Message: Shame Off You

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Today’s Message: Shame Off You

Today’s Scripture

“…Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach…”
(Isaiah 54:4, NIV)

Shame Off You

Shame is one of the enemy’s favorite tools. Starting in our childhoods, he will remind you of every mistake and every failure you’ve ever made, saying “Shame on you” even about things that weren’t your fault. As adults, “Shame on you” plays over and over in our thoughts. If you fell back into a bad habit, you told yourself, “Shame on you.” If you went through a divorce, the message is “Shame on you.” Shame causes us to feel guilty and unworthy, as though we don’t deserve to be blessed.

But today’s Scripture speaks of how God has removed our shame. Whether it was your fault or somebody else’s fault, you don’t have to carry the heavy load of guilt, or beat yourself up over past mistakes, or feel wrong on the inside. When the enemy says, “Shame on you,” God says, “Shame off you. I’ve forgiven you. I’ve redeemed you. I’ve made you valuable.” Your worth comes from your Creator.

A Prayer for Today

Father, thank You that You have removed my shame, and You have defeated the enemy who accuses me. Thank You that You have forgiven me of my past mistakes and released me from the guilt. I declare ‘Shame off me!’ to whatever tries to make me feel unworthy. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Football Fans Group Urges For League Restart

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The Zambia Football Fans Association (ZAFFA) has asked the Government to allow the resumption of football.

The coronavirus outbreak has halted football in Zambia for over three months.

Plans are now underway to restart the disrupted 2019/20 football season by July.

ZAFFA General Secretary Chawezi Katwizi said FAZ and the Government should come up with a plan that will enable football to be played amid the coronavirus outbreak.

“As soccer fans we are missing the game of football a lot,” Chawezi said.

“We have seen examples in football where other countries have started playing games without fans. I think we should start playing football, there is no need to wait any further,” he said.

Recently Minister of Sports Emmanuel Mulenga said only the Ministry of Health has the final say on the pending resumption of football in Zambia.

“There is no need to wait; we don’t know when this coronavirus will end so we need to learn to live with it. FAZ can come up with something (plan) and they rehearse with the Ministry of Sports and Health,” Chawezi said.

FAZ is still engaging the Government on this issue.

Owino: Zesco United Must Hit The Ground Running

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Zesco United defender David Owino says the defending FAZ Super Division champions must set the standard when the league resumes in July after a four-month pause due to the covid-19pandemic.

Owino said every team faces the huge challenge of scrapping off the rust since the last competitive games was played on March 8.

With nine games left, Zesco are currently fifth and four points behind leaders and their Ndola archrivals Forest Rangers as they chase an unprecedented fourth successive FAZ Super Division title.

“For sure it will be a bit difficult because we have stayed for long without playing football. You know in football there is a difference between match fitness and just training and it is not only us but most teams will struggle as we start for sure because of match fitness,” Owino said.

“All-in-all it is work, and we have to try and do our best to come out of this.

“And you know Zesco is a championship team so there will be not time for laxity so we have to just reorganize quickly and try in that short period that we will be given to give our best.”

The status of those standing ahead of Zesco in title race has Nkana sitting at number four on 43 points; Green Eagles have 44 points while Napsa Stars are one point behind leaders Forest on 45 points.

“I believe by now the team has rested and those that were injured have recovered so we just hoping that when the league resumes we will go back to where we belong,” Owino said.

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