President Edgar  Lungu called for the 20th Cabinet Meeting on Monday, 4th November, 2019 to mainly discuss policy matters aimed at addressing the electricity challenges the country is currently going through and ensure the continued development of the country. The following were the decisions made by Cabinet:

1. National Energy Policy, 2019.

Cabinet, approved the Revised National Energy Policy, 2019 in order to guide the development and management of the energy sector. The Revised National Energy Policy 2019 builds on previous Policies of 1994 and 2008 and is anchored on the Seventh National Development Plan and Vision 2030.

The Government decided to revise the 2008 Policy with a view to comprehensively address the challenges currently being experienced in the energy sector. The Revised Policy aims at facilitating open access regimes, cost reflective tariff in the pricing of energy services in order to promote investment, encourage the multiplicity of players in the energy market and promote alternative sources of energy such as geo-thermal, solar, wind and other technologies such as nuclear energy.

2. The Energy Regulation Bill 2019

Cabinet also approved for publication and introduction in Parliament, “The Energy Regulation Bill, 2019,” during the current sitting.
The objects of this Bill are to, continue the existence of the Energy Regulation Board and provide for the licensing of enterprises in the energy sector and repeal and replace the Energy Regulation Act, 1995.

Cabinet is of the view that the Energy Regulation Act, Cap. 436, is inadequate in dealing with various issues related to the licensing of enterprises in the energy sector during this period, hence the need to introduce a new legislation. The new legislation is in line with the approved Revised Energy Policy 2019 in addressing the energy problems the country is currently going through.

3. The Electricity Bill, 2019.

During the same Meeting, Cabinet approved the publication and introduction in Parliament of “The Electricity Bill, 2019.” The objects of this Bill include among others, to regulate the generation, transmission, distribution and supply of electricity so as to enhance the security and reliability of the supply of electricity; provide for the sale and purchase of electricity within and outside Zambia through power purchase and power supply agreements; provide the roles and responsibilities of various players in the electricity sector including providing for a Multi-year Tariff Framework.

Cabinet expressed the need to urgently address the current electricity challenges the country is going through due to the effects of climate change that have led to reduced water levels for electricity generation, thereby leading to reduced economic activity with increased electricity rationing through load shedding. Cabinet emphasised that with serious implementation of the 2019 National Energy Policy, the Energy Regulation Act and the Electricity Act, the situation with regard to electricity generation and supply to industries and Zambians in general, should change in the shortest possible time.

4. National Off-Grid Solar Mini-Grid Project.

Cabinet also approved the implementation of the National Off-Grid Solar Mini-Grid Project as an alternative to the reduced hdro-power generation due to lower water levels.

The National Off-Grid Solar Mini-Grid Project will facilitate increased access to electricity by the rural population in Zambia; contribute to improved productivity and quality of life and contribute to improved social service delivery. Cabinet is already looking at implementation of alternative sources of electricity generation as an immediate answer to the electricity shortages the country is faced with as a result of climate change.

5. The National Strategy on Financial Education II, 2019-2024.

In winding up debate for the day, Cabinet also approved the National Strategy on Financial Education (NSFE) II, 2019-2024 in order to strengthen financial education in Zambia and develop a competitive and resilient inclusive financial sector in line with the National Financial Sector Development Policy (NFSDP) and National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) 2017.

The development of the National Strategy on Financial Education II, which builds on the first Strategy, is essential with the primary goal of having a financially educated Zambian population by 2030.

The Strategy aims at improving knowledge, understanding, skills, motivation and confidence to help the Zambians secure positive financial outcomes for themselves and their families which will contribute to reduced poverty levels and stimulate economic growth. The Strategy will also contribute to the development of a stable, resilient and inclusive financial sector that contributes to economic growth and broad-based wealth creation.

Green Party President Peter Sinkamba has said that the late Republican President Levy Mwanawasa had nothing to do with the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) on the approval process for the construction of the Zambezi Sun Hotel and the Royal Zambezi because the two hotels were constructed and opened before he was elected as President of Zambia. Mr. Sinkamba said the two hotels were opened in 2001 before the elections were held and approval and construction were done in the late 1990s when Mwanawasa was neither in Government or had anything to do with ZEMA.

“You will recall that the late Mwanawasa was Vice President from 2001 to 2004 when he resigned from the Chiluba Government. He went to practice law from 1994 up to 27 December, 2001 when he won elections. Between 1994 and 2001, he had nothing to do with the Chiluba Government and ZEMA. Specifically, he had nothing to do with the approval and construction of neither the Zambezi Sun Hotel nor the Royal Zambezi.

“This being the case, it is immoral for Honorable Harry Kalaba to tell a lie and accuse a dead person premised on falsehoods. It is wrong to make political gains by falsely accusing a dead person who is not there to defend himself or herself. More so, it is immoral to dent or malign the character of a former Head of State by spreading falsehoods.

“Of course President Mwanawasa was not a saint. He made his own mistakes as President of Zambia. If one points at factual examples of mistakes, that is one thing. But to generate lies, and use the lies to dent the integrity of a dead person is inexcusable mischief which Honorable Kalaba needs to apologize about. If he is honorable enough, he has no option but apologize not only to the Mwanawasa family but the people of Zambia at large. An insult to the sitting president or former president is an insult to all of us the Zambian people.

“As an environmentalist I was personally involved in the environmental impact assessments for most large scale projects in Livingstone. The only large scale project involving the Mwanawasa government was the proposed construction of a five star hotel and golf course by Legacy Holdings in the Livingstone Game Park. This was in 2006. If allowed to proceed, the hotel and golf course would have occupied a significant portion of the game park including blocking the route for elephants when they migrate from Zimbabwe to Zambia and going to Botswana.

“Whilst Zambia Wildlife Authority and the local community, including the local chiefs were in support of the project , we the environmentalists objected. ZEMA conducted a public hearing of the EIA, and at the end of objected to the construction of the hotel and the golf course. President Mwanawasa never ever overruled ZEMA on the objection and that is how the idea of construction of the five star hotel and golf in Livingstone Game Park failed to materialize. If you want you can google this information and my name will pop up on the environmentalists that objected. Mwanawasa name will not appear anywhere either for or against the project. This is the factual position.

“Honorable Kalaba should therefore just admit he made a mistake on the Lower Zambezi Game Park saga and apologize to the nation than defend himself premised on falsehoods tainting the integrity of deceased persons. That is cheap, petty politics that we, who aspire for the highest office should never entertain,” Mr. Sinkamba said.

In Gotham City, mentally-troubled comedian Arthur Fleck is disregarded and mistreated by society. He then embarks on a downward spiral of revolution and bloody crime. This path brings him face-to-face with his alter-ego: “The Joker”.

Pros

• Excellent performance by Joaquin Phoenix , he brought the character of Arthur Fleck (Joker) to a whole new light. The character development was incredible to watch.
• Fantastic, unpredictable story telling.
• The sense of realism was a breath of fresh air amongst all the CGI heavy movies out.
• The cinematography and the film score were superb.

Cons

• The pace of the movie is abit slow at times.

Favorite quote

Arthur Fleck: “Murray, one small thing?”

Murray Franklin: “Yeah?”

Arthur Fleck: “When you bring me out, can you introduce me as Joker?”

Arthur Fleck: “The worst part of having a mental illness is people expect you to behave as if you don’t.”

Arthur Fleck: My mother always tells me to smile and put on a happy face. She told me I had a purpose: to bring laughter and joy to the world.

Conclusion

‘Joker‘ is NOT a superhero movie (leave the kids at home) , despite it being about one of the most recognizable supervillians. It can best be described as a Psychological thriller.

The movie is set in 1980’s Gotham City ,in the midst of building tensions between the rich and poor. Arthur Fleck (Joker) is a deeply troubled man struggling to earn a living as a clown. Things seem to go from bad to worse for him , eventually leading to his descent into “madness”. Phoenix had such a strong performance that you may be inclined to sympathize, and even justify his character’s heinous actions.

The movie tackles topics such as mental health , class divisions between rich and poor, gun violence. The movie may leave you feeling glum and dejected. But i guess that is the point. It is a realistic depiction of what happens when someone is seemingly pushed to the very edge of sanity.

Many film critics agree that Heath Ledger’s Oscar-winning performance from the 2008 movie ‘The Dark Knight‘ has been the best portrayal of The Joker , but after seeing this movie Joaquin Phoenix gives him a run for his money. His maniacal laugh , erratic mood swings, and dancing all contribute to his overall depiction of this unpredictable character.

Joker is a brutal, dark and compelling origin story of a man’s painful journey to self destruction.

Rating 

5 out of 5

BY Kapa Kaumba

By James Mulenga

Lusaka High Court Judge Sharon Newa has declared that Dr. Nevers Sekwila Mumba is the President of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD).

This was in the case in which Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) Acting National Secretary Winnie Zaloumis took Felix Mutati, Raphael Nakachinda, George Kangwa and Mwansa Mbulakulima to Court to find out who gave them authority to organise the MMD Convention of 2016.

Judge Newa in her Ruling this morning said that the MMD Constitution only mandates the National Executive Committee (NEC) to call for a Convention.

“According to the MMD Constitution, only the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Party can call for a Convention. Furthermore, the resources of organizing the NEC are supposed to be organized by the Party Treasurer”, Judge Newa said.

“The NEC that sat in 2016 voted unanimous to have the party convention in 2017 and not 2016. And the party treasurer Hon. Elizabeth Chitika didn’t even use one ngwee to organise the 2016 Convention”, Judge Newa.

Judge Newa then declared the 2016 MMD Convention illegal and the election of Felix Mutati as Party President null and void.

“After considering the testimony by both the plaintiffs and defendants, I hereby declare the 2016 MMD Convention null and Void. I further declare all the elections that took place there including the election of Felix Mutati as Party President as null and void. The MMD President is Dr. Nevers Sekwila Mumba,” Judge Newa.

Information and Broadcasting services Minister Dora Siliya has advised the media to leave politics to politicians.

Ms. Siliya says Journalists must concentrate on doing their job to the best of their capabilities.She says there is need for the media to jealously guard their profession with dignity and integrity and not allow politicians to polarize the profession.

Ms. Siliya says this will ensure the public have confidence in the country’s media.Ms. Siliya was speaking when the Media Institute of Southern Africa MISA – Zambia Chapter presented the 2019 State of the Media report to her in Lusaka today.

She also stated that journalists must have a professional body which will have standards of practice and which will ensure that journalists are not disrespected or harassed.

Meanwhile, Ms. Siliya said it is regrettable that the country has continued to record cases of violence against journalists as captured in the MISA report.

And MISA Zambia Director Austin Kayanda appealed to Government to ensure that Journalists are protected from all forms of harassment.

Mr. Kayanda said with the upcoming 2021 General elections, there is need to guarantee the safety of the media.
This is contained in a statement issued to ZNBC News by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services Press and Public Relations Unit.
[ZNBC]

Police in Lusaka have recorded a warn and caution statement from Phoenix FM Journalist Logic Lukwanda regarding a story he published over the purported 80 missing Black Lechwes.

Speaking to Journalists at at Police Headquarters, Phoenix FM Managing Director, Muzaza Musulwe described the whole incident as intimidating to the media house.

“Yes, it can be very intimidating because really to find yourself here and being questioned like that, it is not very good but I think it is part of our profession,” said Musulwe.

Logic was accompanied to Police Headquarters by Phoenix FM News Editor Patricia Mbewe, a MISA representative including Lusaka Lawyer Gilbert Phiri.

Last month a Conservationist working in the northern circuit,Nsama Musonda Learns reported that 80 Black Lechwes had gone missing in the Bangweulu Wetlands in Luapula Province.

Ms Learns said the animals were captured from the Bangwelu Wetlands during the now banned exercise where the Department for National Parks and Wildlife began capturing wildlife species from their natural habitats to private ranches.

She has appealed to all concerned Zambians, Civil Society Organisations and Media and Human Rights activists to help locate the Lechwes which are endemic to the Bangweulu Wetlands.

Minister of Tourism and Arts Ronald Chitotela on 2nd October 2019 announced the suspension in the movement of animals from National Parks to Private ranches.

The suspension came a few days after controversy surrounded the movement of animals in Mfuwe where trucks were turned back by residents.

He said it was alleged that one of the Directors at the Ministry of Tourism and Arts signed a certificate of movement of live animals from one national park to a private ranch.

Bangweulu Wetlands is the only place in Africa where the Black Lechwe still occurs in significant numbers.

The population in 2005 was estimated at 35,000 but the area has the potential to carry up to 350,000 Black Lechwe.

Ministry of Tourism and Arts has refuted reports that 80 black Lechwes are missing in Bangweulu Wetlands.

Tourism and Arts Permanent Secretary Amos Malupenga then disclosed that former Tourism Minister Charles Banda in March 2019 issued a capture permit for 50 Black Lechwe to Langani Game Ranch in Kazungula and 30 Black Lechwe to Kwisoko Game Farm in Lusaka.

Mr. Malupenga said that the animals were captured and translocated to the two farms on September 10, 2019 following the authorization.

On 31st October 2019 around 12:31hrs, Ms Learns then received a phone call from +260953892614 where a gentleman calling himself Mumba asked her why she had opened her mouth on the story of the black lechwe when she knew it involved the minister.He said they are aware that the opposition were paying her to destroy PF in Luapula and if she said anything more on the issue she would. A woman in the back ground was screaming on top of her voice that they will hunt her down and break her legs and make sure she lived in a wheel chair

Ms Nsama Musonda Learns says she will no longer respond to police summons over the matter.

Mrs Learns said she has now left this matter with her lawyers and that she will not respond to any police summons until they record a statement from the complainant and explain to her lawyers what charge the complainant has laid against her.

“If conserving nature in line with the legal and policy frameworks on environment and natural resources is POLITICAL and tantamount to treason, I need serious guidance so I am writing to the Anti Corruption Commission for guidance on the whistle blowers policy and protection of citizens.”