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President Edgar Lungu has said that there is a ploy by western countries to fix countries that are against homosexuality.
President Lungu said that the West has identified 69 countries world-wide which they will fix for being against the practice of homosexuality.
He has disclosed that Zambians should not be surprised when the country is fixed by the west, adding that nothing will change his stance on homosexuality because Zambians are Christians.
President Lungu was speaking when he met northwestern Province Pastors fellowship in Solwezi this afternoon.
He told the pastors that his advisors told him not to talk about it publicly, but that the matter kept on coming up on his mind.
And pastors’ fellowship chairperson Miselo Musonda said the clergy want a God-fearing man in State House.
Reverend Musonda said President Lungu has demonstrated that he is God fearing.
He wondered why some political parties have not spoken publicly to condemn homosexuality.
Power Dynamos on Sunday coasted to a convincing 3-0 Kitwe derby victory at home over Nkana at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe.
The victory ended Nkana ‘s eight match unbeaten run and comes exactly a week after they beat defending champions and leaders Zesco United 1-0 at home across the road in Wusakile.
It was also a signal of intent from new Power coach Perry Mutapa who won on both his home and Derby debut after three games in charge.
Power’s first two goals both came from unfancied sources who justified their places with sublime strikes.
Luka Chamanga blasted in a stunning curler from outside the box to beat Nkana goalkeeper Allan Chibwe in the 42nd minute to send Power 1-0 into the interval.
Dave Daka then scored his debut derby goal in the 52nd minutes with an ice cold tap-in.
Both goals were engineered young winger Kondwani Chimboni.
Chimboni’s fellow Young Power graduate Fred Mulambia capped the rout in the 65th minute when he span round two defenders to fire in the final goal and hand Power their first derby league win at home since 2016.
Nkana stay put at number five on 24 points while Power rise from eighth to seven on 20 points to extend their running run to four straight matches and are now unbeaten in their last five games.
State House has said that President Edgar Edgar Lungu is deeply saddened by the death of a Solwezi woman in a tragic accident involving a Police Service vehicle on Saturday.
According to a statement released to the media by his Press Aide, Mr. Isaac Chipampe, the President said that he had learned of the accident with extreme sadness.
“Death of any kind is regrettable. But death arising from an accident and involving a young person is deeply saddening,” said the President.
President Lungu said he is grieving with the bereaved family.
“At this moment my thoughts are with the bereaved family,” the President said.
And President Lungu wished the other victim of the accident quick recovery.
Pilato addressing Livingstone youths shortly before he was arrested
Police in Livingstone on Saturday arrested Human rights defender and artist Pilato and charged him with unlawful assembly.
And Human rights activists Lauta Miti and Bornwell Mwewa have also been detained by Police after they travelled to Livingstone to negotiate Pilato’s release.
Pilato was addressing scores of youths at a Church in Livingstone’s Libuyu township at a meeting dubbed Youth Insaka.
Police stormed the meeting and picked him up and later charged with unlawful assembly.
In a Facebook post shortly before he was arrested, Pilato said police had allowed the group to continue with the Youth Insaka but that someone called the police officers to tell them that he was performing.
The Youth Insaka is part of the Be Heard Zambia, an initiative sponsored by ActionAid Zambia.
“I have been picked up again by the police but this time they came with cadres. The officers have been instructed to charge me with unlawful assembly. They are now taking me to the Livingstone central Police,” Pilato wrote.
In his message during the meeting, Pilato said leaders must be transparent in the way they manage public resources and must be accountable to the people who collectively own these resources.
And fellow activists Laura Miti and Bornwell Mwewa travelled to help with the release of Pilato and arrived in the night.
They were also immediately arrested and detained and all spent the night in the Police Cells.
Pilato addressing Livingstone youths shortly before he was arrested
Red Arrows early season momentum has continued to lose stream and now face the strong prospect of dropping outside the top four for the first time this season as their continental suffer a dent.
After flirting in the top two in the opening two months of the season, the 2004 FAZ Super Division champions form has continued to plummet since Nkana beat them 3-0 away in Kitwe on October 30 in a game that ended also their unbeaten start to the 2019/20 season.
On Saturday ,Arrows lost 2-1 at home to Buildcon at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka to suffer their four defeat in their last six matches.
In that period, Arrows have collected just four points with a 1-0 home win over Nkwazi on November 23 the only highlight of that period.
Arrows drop from third to fourth on 25 points after the loss and might fall to fifth on Sunday should Nkana, who currently occupy that position on 24 points, beat or draw against Power Dynamos away in the Kitwe derby today.
Former Special Assistant to the President for Political Affairs Kaizer Zulu Diamond TV’s COSTA Programme
By: Anthony Bwalya – UPND Member
As the over 17 million Zambians wake up this morning, around 10.5 million of these are poised to make it through this day on just one meal; and these are the lucky ones because another close to 500,000 are not even guaranteed a single meal today.
Today alone, $2,411.27 is expected to be stolen under the PF regime; as has been the case since the PF took the mantle of power in 2011. This is how we know that an aggregate of over $10 billion has been stolen under the watch of the PF, principally by PF political actors and their business associates.
Today alone, families must find a way of bridging the K110 per day increase in the basic food basket since 2011; in an environment where real wages have been regressing at a rate of 3.2% per annum while real inflation on every basic food item has been surging by an average 14% – 16% per annum.
The removal of Kaizer Zulu will not recover the close to $2 billion worth of Mukula revenue estimated to have been stolen by the #MukulaCartel since 2012, nor will it recover the close to $30 million stolen in the Firetenders scam. And in case you have not noticed, ZAFFICO IPO prospectus information have revealed that ZAFFICO managed to buy Fire Trucks for a whole $900,000 less, for around $100,000 PF government sanctioned the purchase of one Fire truck at $1 million each.
As we speak, a number of cooperating partners have suspended millions of dollars per annum worth of life-saving support to areas of health, education and social protection because of grand theft and corruption by PF government officials and their subordinate actors.
Today, the PF have allowed ordinary Zambians to pay a heavy premium at the pump for fuel so that PF government officials and their friends can get paid. These are the people controlling major components of the fuel procurement and distribution cycle.
The $7 billion economic SABOTAGE under the PF thanks to a loadshedding which should have been avoided cannot and will not be fixed by the removal of Mr. Kaizer Zulu. The people who have made millions of money in kickbacks in respect of the award of never ending hydroelectric power contracts are in government and are PF officials.
Now, I can understand why people celebrated the removal of Kaizer from his position. Mr. Zulu had become the ultimate symbol of thuggery and impunity at the very highest level of government. But the sobering truth is that KZ was only ever the face of state capture. The real state capture has not gone anywhere.
And while President Edgar Lungu may wish to portray the facade that he has turned the corner and prepared to crack the whip for the right and correct reasons, he still has Jean Kapata serving; an individual whose name has for several years now been associated with several millions of dollars unaccounted for in Mukula revenues. The President still has Stardy Mwale who received K1.6 million to build a Maternity Annex at Kabushi clinic in 2014 and do date, the facility has not been completed not has it been handed over.
The President is still principal supervisor of a political party that has been receiving dirty money in kickbacks for influencing the award of public contracts.
The truth is, Kaizer Zulu has not been removed for the collective good and benefit of Zambians.
Kaizer Zulu has been removed for political expediency, a move aimed at sanitizing the name of a ruling cartel gone rogue.
The problems highlighted above cannot be resolved without a substantive change of government.
Corruption and criminality under the PF is an institutional thing which cannot be gotten rid of by the removal of only any one single individual.
So, thank you Your Excellency for pawning one of your lieutenants. Zambians will not take the bait.
The newly built and furnished ‘Esther Lungu Police Post’ in Kitwe’s Nkana East,First lady being WelcomedFirst Lady Esther Lungu with Kitwe’s Nkana East, the area member of Parliament for Kwacha Constituency Hon Joseph Malanji at the handover of a newly build Police StationFirst Lady Esther Lungu with Kitwe’s Nkana East, the area member of Parliament for Kwacha Constituency Hon Joseph Malanji at the handover of a newly build Police StationThe handing over of another $36,000 brand new Nissan Hard body 4×4 Motor Vehicle to the modern Esther Lungu Police Post.First Lady Esther Lungu Test Driving the $36,000 brand new Nissan Hard body 4×4 Motor Vehicle donated to the modern Esther Lungu Police Post.First Lady Esther Lungu Test Driving the $36,000 brand new Nissan Hard body 4×4 Motor Vehicle donated to the modern Esther Lungu Police Post.First Lady Esther Lungu Test Driving the $36,000 brand new Nissan Hard body 4×4 Motor Vehicle donated to the modern Esther Lungu Police Post.First Lady Esther Lungu Test Driving the $36,000 brand new Nissan Hard body 4×4 Motor Vehicle donated to the modern Esther Lungu Police Post.First Lady Esther Lungu Test Driving the $36,000 brand new Nissan Hard body 4×4 Motor Vehicle donated to the modern Esther Lungu Police Post.First Lady Esther Lungu Test Driving the $36,000 brand new Nissan Hard body 4×4 Motor Vehicle donated to the modern Esther Lungu Police Post.PF cadres at the handover CeremonyPF cadres at the handover Ceremony
“Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart…”
(Psalm 37:4, AMPC)
Your Secret Petitions
God knows the secret petitions of your heart. He knows every hidden dream He’s placed within you. He knows the things that you haven’t told anyone about. Maybe you thought they would never come to pass, or maybe you buried them because they didn’t happen on your timetable. Maybe, in the natural, you have every reason to give up on those dreams. Be encouraged today—God is still working behind the scenes! He still has a plan to bring those dreams to pass. Do what today’s verse says and delight yourself in Him. The word “delight” actually means “to make yourself soft and pliable.” It paints the picture of God as the Potter and you as the clay. Allow God to mold and shape your character today. Allow Him to direct your plans and ideas. Keep an attitude of faith and expectancy, and as you submit your ways to the Lord and follow His leading, He will fulfill those secret petitions of your heart!
A Prayer for Today
“Father, You said the path of the righteous gets brighter and brighter. You said no good thing will You withhold because I walk uprightly before You. You said because I delight myself in You, You will give me the secret petitions of my heart. Thank You for being in control of my life and for the good things You have in store for my future in Jesus’ name. Amen. “
Zamtel Head of Corporate Affairs and Government Relations Reuben Kamanga speaking during the end of the year media engagement in Lusaka
Zamtel has announced that it has so far connected a total of 615 new communication towers dotted across the country.
The towers are part of the 1009 new towers planned to be constructed under Phase II of the GRZ Communication Tower Project.
In total, 746 new towers have been erected.
This was disclosed on Thursday evening by Zamtel Head of Corporate Affairs and Government Relations Reuben Kamanga during an end of year media engagement in Lusaka.
Mr Kamanga said 2019 was a busy year for the state owned telecommunications firm as it rolled out a number of products and other innovations.
“2019 was a very busy year for us at Zamtel. We achieved so much as an organization. We continued increasing our footprint by rolling out our network to some of the country’s remotest areas. Through the GRZ Phase II Communication Tower Project, Zamtel has taken communication services to areas which historically have been without any phone signal,” Mr Kamanga said
He added, “As Zamtel, we are determined to deliver the entire 1009 new communication towers in 2020 in line with the project timelines. Let me take this opportunity to thank the Government of the Republic of Zambia through the Ministry of Transport and Communication for the unwavering support in the execution of this project. Special recognition goes to our technology partner Huawei who are working hard to ensure that together, we deliver this very important project for Zambia,” he said.
Mr. Kamanga pointed out that this year, Zamtel continued on its exciting path of innovation and developed and launched new products and innovations in its pursuit towards the promotion of a digital lifestyle.
“Our ZamPay Application which is a contactless payment platform we launched in December of last year has been well received on the market. The number of ZamPay merchants has continued increasing thereby increasing usability and customer convenience. To demonstrate that cashless payments is the way to go, we added new exciting features to the ZamPay App in 2019,” he started.
“You can now download and use ZamPay across all the mobile phone networks. The Number Neutral feature is enhancing the adoption of ZamPay as a preferred payment platform in Zambia,” Mr Kamanga said.
“We are ready to enter 2020 and beyond as Zambia’s best and most trusted network. We plan to roll out new digital business models to make sure value creation is shared and the benefits of the digital economy truly benefits many more lives across this beautiful nation,” he said.
He added, “As a customer centric organization, we have responded to customer complaints over the depletion of bundles. Our Velocity LTE service which offers unlimited and uncapped internet is the perfect answer to the question of bundle depletion. We launched Velocity in late October and we are proud that our customers who have signed up on Velocity are happy with the experience.”
Mr Kamanga said Zamtel also has a number of groundbreaking innovations around e-health and e-learning.
Minister of Mines Mines Minister Richard Musukwa has announced that Cabinet has resolved that all operations at Kasenseli gold mine be suspended.
Speaking on a conducted tour of the mining, comprising, Presidedent Edgar Lungu, Energy Minister Matthew Nkhuwa, North Western Province Minister Nathaniel Mubukwanu and other government and party officials, Mr Musukwa said that, following government’s declaration of gold as a strategic reserve, the Zambia Army and Zambia National Service (ZNS) will be deployed to provide security at the mine.
Mr Musukwa further said that foreigners have also invaded Mwinilunga and buying the precious mineral from people who are illegally mining in the area.
The Minister said no mining licences have been given out for people to mine at Kasenseli and has warned all those mining illegally that the long arm of the law will catch up with them.
The Mines Minister further said that ZCCM-IH working together with the local people will oversee operations of the mine.
The Constitution Reform and Education Coalition (CRECO) has counseled newly appointed Advisor to President Lungu to serve the Presidency with humility.
In a press statement issued by CRECO Chairman, Hyde Haguta, the coalition has said the appointment of Mr. Zimba, who has been a key figure in the Coalition, reflects the President’s mission to identify and youths across the political divide as this is good for the development of our democracy and country.
“We are delighted and inspired that President Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu has appointed not only one of us from our organisation, but also a young man in the name of Dr Chris Zumani Zimba, an indication that President Lungu believes in the development of youths in this country,” said Haguta
The Consorti said it believes President Lungu appreciates the role young men and women play in the development of this country.
“We are left with no aorta of doubt that president Lungu indeed means well not only for the youths of this country, but for the country’s as a whole because the youths are the leaders of today and tomorrow,” said Haguta who is also MISA Zambia Vice Chairman.
CRECO has advised Dr Zimba that the office he has taken up is an extremely important one and that detractors will throw on his way all sorts of attention swaying comments to make him fail.
“To your comrade Dr Zimba, we implore you to be focused, embrace good advice when necessary, and be focused. Everything that you do will always be linked to the President. There will be people who from the day you were sworn in yesterday will be looking for your downfall,” said Haguta.
Mr. Haguta said people will plot evil against him and even intrude in his personal life just to weaken his emotional stability and cause him mistakes but that they will also fabricate anything about him to detract his attention from national assignment so that he could fail, and blame the President.
“Be focused and strong. Your appointment is envied by everyone, and resist the temptation of falling into their subtle actions. Serve the Presidency with humility,” said Haguta.
General Education Minister David Mabumba says 26 primary schools in Lusaka will be upgraded to Secondary level in 2020.
Mr. Mabumba says upgrading of primary schools is meant to reduce the distance learners cover to access education across townships in the city.
The Minister was speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a one by six classroom block, a staff house and ablution block at the recently upgraded Mahatma Ghandi primary school in Lusaka’s Mtendere Township.
Mr. Mabumba said it is the vision of government to provide quality education to learners through the upgrading of schools.
In October, Mahatma Ghandi primary was upgraded into a Secondary school.
President Edgar Lungu during the commissioning of a Solar Power Project in Mwinilunga
President Edgar Lungu has commissioned the 32.5 kilowatts solar power station in Chief Chibwika’s area in Mwinilunga District.
The mini power station was donated by Huawei following President Lungu’s recent visit at the company headquarters during his trips to China.
President Lungu observed that Zambia had not explored the full potential of solar despite being endowed with sunshine throughout the year.
“This situation has compelled my government to seriously work on promoting this technology by undertaking projects such as the one we are commissioning today,” he said.
President Lungu said this at the commissioning of the 32.5 kilowatt Off-Grid Solar Power Station in Chibwika Chiefdom in Mwinilunga today.
The off grid solar power station will connect over 300 households, schools as well as a clinic to electricity in chief Chibwika’s chiefdom.
“This investment will go a long way in uplifting the lives of our people in rural areas and ensure they contribute meaningfully to national economic growth,” he said.
The Head of State said solar energy will be the way to go for the country to beat the effects of climate change in power generation.
President Lungu said Government was investing in a diversified energy mix to ensure that rural areas were catered for. He said it was disheartening that rural areas where most Zambians were based were the most affected by lack of electricity.
“Let me assure you that the Patriotic Front government has put in place a rigorous programme of addressing lack of electricity in most parts of the rural areas,” he said.
He announced that two energy projects were also ready for commissioning in the province.
“In addition to this project, government is set to inaugurate the Kasanjiku mini hydro power station to supply power to chief Ntambu and chief Sailunga’s Chiefdoms. The two energy projects earmarked for commissioning in the two Chiefdoms signify the PF government’s firm determination to put in place renewable sources especially in rural areas so that no one is left behind,” he said.
President Edgar Lungu during the commissioning of a Solar Power Project in Mwinilunga
Zesco United returned to winning ways on Saturdayk with an effortless home win over Kabwe Youth Soccer Academy at Levy Mwanawsasa Stadium in Ndola.
The victory comes after consecutive defeats to TP Mazmebe in the CAF Champions League on December 7 at the same venue and away Nkana on December 14.
A brace from Winstone Kalengo with a 10th minute header and 29th minute tap-in kept the defending champions at the summit of the FAZ Super Division log.
His goals came thanks from two great assists from his fellow senior player Jesse Were who supplied the first from a corner and the second with a cheeky cross after he drew three players away from Kalengo but who was also marked like a bandit.
Zesco could have run away with more goals but wasted further chances especially with Were ‘s 37th minute effort coming off the post.
Zesco cemented their win deep into the 90th minute when Quadri Kola, who had knocked on KYSA ‘s door all afternoon nodded in Kosuke Nakamachi’s curler just three minutes after the Japanese midfielder had replaced Kalengo in the 86th minute.
However, Zesco stay neck-to-neck with second plced Napsa Stars tied on 31 poibts who beat Lumwana Radiants 2-1 at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka.
Collins Sikombe and Bornwell Mwape were on target for Napsa in the 7th and 23rd minutes respectively.
Siame Musonda netted Lumwana’s consolation goal in the 71st minute.
Chris Zimba deserves my heartfelt congratulations for his appointment as President Edgar Lungu’s Special Advisor for Politics to replace comrade Kaizer Zulu who has run his race. Of course Mr. Zulu’s race was not without drama but he is merely human with emotions but he certainly was a player who did the job his boss needed.
Chris’s academic excellence is well known to all just like his open-mindedness is also well known. At a time of his appointment, Chris remained a Strategic thinker and planner for the Constitution Reform and Education Coalition (CRECO), for which he was partly responsible for conceptualizing.
As usual, people are trying as much to dig his previous articles, written at different times including when he was Advisor to Chishimba Kambwili.
When appointing Chris Zumani Zimba to replace Kaizer Zulu, the President knew everything about him. The Security Services did a background check and provided the President with all necessary information, including his views.
The fact that President Lungu appointed Chris Zumani Zimba shows how the President will not just pick on a person because that person agreed with his views on everything. The President’s choice of Chris Zimba is actually what a Zambian President needs for an advisor: someone with an open-mind and with loyalty to one’s country and Government.
So those previous negative views which Chris Zimba has had could have been the strength of his appointment. It could be the President saying: “come and tell me in my face and the choice will be mine.”
The duty of the Political Advisor is to read the politics and advise the President and not the public. The President can either reject his views or take some or modify them altogether. His responsibilities are partly outlined in what President Lungu said to him during the swearing in.
So Chris Zimba is what exactly the President needs. He won’t be doing media interviews. That is not his baby. He has no obligation to do any media interviews as to whether he shares same views or not. His duty is to disseminate his views to the President and only to those the President may want those views known. The President does not need a YES Bwana for an Advisor or someone who share the same views as his otherwise they would be nothing to advise the President if the Advisor and the President share the same views.
So President Lungu has made a right choice. Not that Kaizer was not the right choice. He was. What killed Kaizer is the personal public performance. When it came to work, I have no doubt, he could have served the President very well, no wonder he was not easily replaced.
So the lesson for the new Political Advisor is to learn also from Kaizer on how best to serve the President and what pitfalls to avoid. Being around the President is a highest honour but also maintaining a good public image of yourself is necessary.
Your life must not come to an end when u political advisor. In fact, you need to socialise and get to places, even usual places, as Kaizer used to where u will assemble your political views from.
As Political Advisor, you must understand the grassroots politics and views. These views are found anywhere: bars, churches, funerals, etc. Kaizer could have gone to get those views and he was right to do so.
But most importantly, the political advisor must do his political work in the background for his boss. And do it to the satisfaction of the boss.
As Political Advisor, Chris should quickly devise a strategy that will bring back on board the minds of many youths who spend time complaining in WhatsApp groups to become allies for the President and to himself on his political journey.
Leave no one behind, listen to the views of these youths and let the President know so that all heads are put together to find solutions of embracing everyone
Finally, I wish Kaizer Zulu well in his deployment. If people don’t talk about you, then know you are not really a factor. Mr Zulu must remain happy happy that people did his part while being around the Presidency.
