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Beston Chambeshi has named eight foreign-based players in his final 21-member 2019 U23 AFCON team.
Striker Patson Daka and midfielder Enock Mwepu of Austrian champions RB Salzburg headline the team for the 2020 Olympic qualifying tournament Egypt is hosting from November 8-22 in Cairo.
Midfielder Emmanuel Banda and striker Fashion Sakala of KV Oostende in Belgium including forward Edward Chilufya from Swedish side Djurgardens complete the five overseas based members of the 2017 U20 AFCON winning team named by Chambeshi.
South African-based goalkeeper Bradley Mweene, midfielders Lameck Banda and Kings Kangwa from Arsenal Tula in Russia who succeeded them in the U20 class of 2018 have been drafted into the team.
Six home-based survivors from the 2017 winning team who notably include goalkeeper Mangani Banda, defenders Solomon Sakala, Shemmy Mayembe and Moses Nyondo have made the cut as Zambia heads to Egypt to try and finish in the top three and qualify for the Olympics for the first time since 1988.
Meanwhile, the team leaves for Spain on Thursday for a week-long pre-2019 U23 AFCON training camp in Tenerife ahead of their opening Group B match against South Africa on November 9.
Cote d’Ivoire and defending champions Nigeria complete Group A.
GOALKEEPERS:Mangani Banda (Zanaco), Patrick Chooma (Kabwe Youth Academy), Bradley Mweene (Real Kings-South Africa )
Transport and Communications Minister Hon Mutotwe Kafwaya
Transport and Communications Minister Hon Mutotwe Kafwaya has called on the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) to ensure that there is sanity on the roads.
The Minister made this call after visiting funeral houses for the ten people who died during the Buseko Market accident last week.
The accident happened on 25th October 2019 when a truck belonging to BHL driven by Elias Chikwenda lost control due to excessive speed as he was trying to avoid a truck that was reversing into Lumumba road at Puma filling near Buseko market.
The driver, later on, went to hit into a parked Corolla, Zesco Pole and finally into a Tavern where the deceased ware watching a football match which is about 30 meters away from the road.
Ten people died in the accident.
Hon Kafwaya said the onus is on the road users to ensure that they are cautious and avoid what he termed as ‘human-made accidents’.
“This government of His Excellency President Edgar Chagwa Lungu is committed to ensuring that there is sanity on the roads. We are always at pains to see the loss of life on our roads,” he said.
He also appealed to the passengers to always ensure that they report to RTSA drivers who are not observing the road traffic rules.
“This calls for sanity. We need to bring sanity on the roads. Let’s also think about other road users. The problem we are attending to today (helping the families) is man-made and the government has to use resources in order to help the families which can be used on other equally important matters,” he said.
“His Excellency called for sanity on the roads recently, he meant well. When we call for sanity, we know where we stand in terms of protecting the lives of our people.”
Hon Kafwaya said the people have appreciated the gesture by President Lungu to direct relevant institutions to ensure that they take over the funeral costs.
And the families visited thanked the government for coming to their aid saying they could not have afforded to take all the funeral costs.
Kapiri Mposhi District Commissioner, Peter Mwiinde, said he is disappointed that some parents in the district were still reluctant to pay school fees even after government reduced the fees to manageable levels.
Mr Mwiinde has since implored parents and guardians to comply and pay school fees for their children especially that government reduced the fees early this year.
The DC observed that the non-payment of school fees by some parents and guardians has made it difficult for school managements to provide certain services due to lack of funds.
“My office is receiving a lot of reports from schools of failure to pay casual workers and to pay for utilities such as electricity and water due to lack of money because parents are not paying user fees for their children”, Mr Mwiinde said.
Mr Mwiinde urged parents who are engaged in subsistence farming to pay school fees for their children by contributing a bag of maize or livestock which schools can translate into cash.
“Parents are key partners in the provision of education through cost sharing and that’s why government reduced the fees to minimize the cost of education on the part of the parents towards the education of their children.” Mr Mwiinde said.
Early this year government announced the reduction in school fees paid in public and grant aided schools to K150 in schools in remote areas and K200 user fees in other schools per term.
And Mr Mwiinde has directed school managements not to send away children whose parents have not paid school fees.
Newly appointed North-Western permanent secretary Willies Mangimela (l) addresses civil servants based in Solwezi outside the Boma conference hall
North western province remains vulnerable to infectious diseases such as cholera, yellow fever and Ebola which are present in neighbouring countries sharing boarders with the region, provincial permanent secretary, Willies Mangimela has said.
Mr Mangimela said for this reason stakeholders in the region need to work together to share ideas on how infectious diseases in neighbouring countries can be prevented from spreading to the province.
He said this during an event based surveillance training which was organized by Zambia national public health institute (ZNPHI) in Solwezi yesterday that surveillance of diseases will help ministry of health to detect diseases early.
Mr Mangimela urged stakeholders to meet frequently to come up with measures for disease prevention and control in the province.
Speaking at the same event, North western provincial health director, Dr Charles Msiska disclosed that the province has recorded 50 cases of tuberculosis and five cases of typhoid from Congolese and Angolan nationals.
Dr Msiska called on stakeholders in the health sector to conduct cross boarder meetings with health personnel on issues related to disease control among the three countries.
Meanwhile, provincial veterinary officer,Peter Banda, said detecting infectious diseases in animals before they are passed on to human beings will go a long way in curbing the spread of diseases within the area.
Dr Banda urged stakeholders to lobby for funds to buy equipment for the provincial veterinary lab which is not yet operational despite being handed over to the ministry of agriculture, fisheries and livestock in 2017.
Four Secondary schools under construction in Mpika and Kanchibiya Districts of Muchinga Province whose works had stalled for over five years are set for partial commissioning in the second week of November this year.
The four-day schools, Kampamba, Kopa, Chewe Chifwamba and John Mubanga received a total of K7.9 million that has seen four targets being worked on successfully at the respective schools.
Speaking in an interview with the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) shortly after an inspection tour of Kampamba Day Secondary School in Mpika, Muchinga Province Minister Malozo Sichone said he is happy that the community mode approach of constructing schools is proving to be effective.
Mr Sichone said he is happy to note that great progress has been made at all the four schools under construction in Senior Chief Kopa, Chief Luchembe, Chief Chikwanda and Chief Mpepo.
Mr Sichone also paid glowing tribute to Allan Kaoma, Director at the Ministry of Education in Lusaka for being a pioneer of community mode approach of constructing schools at the time he served as Head Teacher at Malambwa Secondary School in Mpika where he successfully completed 2 by 4 class blocks within six months.
The provincial minister said the successful execution of four targets in less than six months has proved that the community mode approach of implementing projects, is the best way to go.
He has since thanked President Edgar Lungu for ensuring that money was released for the four projects whose works had stalled for over five years.
And Provincial Education Officer (PEO), Ruth Zulu, said great progress has been made in all the four critical targets that were being implemented at the four projects.
Mrs Zulu said a water tank with 83,000 cubic liters of water has also been erected at each of the four schools under construction.
She mentioned the four targets as five staff houses, two ablution blocks, two classroom blocks and water reticulation system.
Mrs Zulu said once the four schools open in November this year as planned they will decongest nearby schools where pupils have been squatting.
The PEO has reaffirmed government’s commitment towards the provision of quality education through improved infrastructure and other learning and teaching tools.
Public Service Commission, Vice Chairperson Hillary Chipango
Public Service Commission, Vice-Chairperson Hillary Chipango has urged the Luapula Provincial Administration to ensure decentralization in human resource management is implemented effectively.
Mr. Chipango says Luapula province has been chosen to pilot the project of decentralized human resources in civil service.
ZANIS reports that Mr. Chipango said this when he and officials from the Decentralisation Secretariat paid a courtesy call on the Luapula Provincial Administration.
Mr. Chipango is hopeful that giving some powers to the Provincial Administration will improve efficiency and effectiveness in the civil service.
And Luapula Deputy Permanent Secretary Royd Chakaba has commended the partnership the Public Service Commission has with Luapula Provincial Administration, adding that it has enabled management to sort out human resource issues accordingly.
Mr. Chakaba notes that decentralization is key in attaining sustainable development hence it is important that human resource functions are decentralized too.
He observes that some civil servants are frustrated with the bureaucracy in the civil service adding that the coming of this project will promote speedy handling of their issues.
Mr Chakaba has assured the Public Service Commission that the provincial administration has the expertise to carry out the functions effectively.
Over 19, 000 households in Mumbwa District are to benefit from various malnutrition interventions in the next four years under the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN 2) USAID funds.
And about 1,400 people will directly benefit from agriculture farming inputs to boost food security at household level, this farming season.
Mumbwa District Commissioner, Felix Ndopu, says those to benefit from inputs are households having teenage pregnant girls and babies below six months, who at the time of birth weighed less than 2.5 kilogramme.
Mr Ndopu explained that the other category to benefit from the farming inputs are pregnant women whose Middle Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) is less than 21 cent metres and orphans whose mothers died of maternal deaths in the last six months.
The DC adds that the rest will benefit from health and other nutrition messages as well as water and sanitation.
Mr Ndopu said this will include repairing broken down boreholes in the 19 wards of the district.
He said the district is expected to register 28, 000 households to ensure that the fight against stunting among children is won.
Yung Verbal and Cartel music present Rotation off Yung Verbal’s soon to be released project “Forever Young.”
The club banger features Zambian music heavy weights Dimpo Williams, Tsean and Daev – The production credits belong to Chase Iyan. Yung Verbal is excited to share this single and video directed by Lanzee of Coppershots.
After the breakout success of Chanda Mbao’s last single, Money Gang, which hit number 1 positions both in South Africa and Zambia, Chanda Mbao has come back with a local banger entitled, Too Much. The song has started to make waves online with youngsters sharing videos of themselves dancing to the song as well as very popular covers uploaded by the likes of K Star the comedian. At the time of this writing the song occupies the number 1 spot on both Radio Phoenix’s famed Local Rhythms Countdown as well as Hot FM’s immensely popular Hot 10 at 10 countdown where it has been number 1 for almost three weeks.
With incredible production by Chanda’s frequent producer, Chase Iyan, and a sizzling quadri-lingual verse from Zambian heavyweight rapper Slap Dee, ‘Too Much’ has taken the Hip-Hop scene by storm. (FYI—we did our own tally and the song actually has five languages in total in the rap verses of the artists.) Multilingualism aside, the catchy creativity of the phrase ‘too much maningi’ has undoubtedly helped propel the song to mainstream popularity.
Chanda Mbao says that a music video for the single is due to come very soon and we are certainly looking forward to that! For now, we will keep listening to the Hip-Hop banger!
Zambia’s Ambassador to Sweden, Her Excellency Ms. Rose Salukatula addressing guests during celebrations to mark Zambia’s 55th Independence Anniversary in Stockholm at the weekend.
Ambassador to Sweden, Her Excellency Ms. Rose Salukatula has called for increased cooperation with Zambia’s partners in order to help Government achieve its developmental goals.
Ambassador Salukatula has pointed out that despite some challenges, Government was resilient and focused on ensuring that the economy of the country grew and contributed to bettering the lives of Zambians.
“We would like to urge our cooperating partners as well as our friendly countries to continue supporting us in the efforts we are implementing through various developmental programmes.”
Ambassador Salukatula was speaking in Stockholm on Friday during a colourful reception hosted for diplomats accredited to Sweden, Zambians and various other stakeholders, to commemorate Zambia’s 55th Independence anniversary which fell on 24th October. The event was held at the Ambassador’s residence in Stockholm.
On Saturday, the Ambassador hosted a separate gathering of Zambians from across Sweden to celebrate the national day. The well-attended event, which was also graced by Chola Lungu-Mtoni, granddaughter of freedom fighter, Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe, was organised by Zambians resident in Sweden.
Ambassador Salukatula said the Zambian Government has shifted from strictly political to economic diplomacy in a bid to accelerate economic development through the country’s bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
The Ambassador observed that diplomatic relations between Zambia and Sweden date back to 1965 and that it was, in this regard, Zambia’s desire to see that all forms of collaboration with Sweden become stronger.
“Let me take this opportunity through you, Guest of Honour, to assure the Swedish business community that Zambia still remains a very attractive investment destination, with the Zambia Development Agency continuing to receive higher investment pledges every year,” she said.
“I wish, through you, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, to invite the business community from your respective countries to come to Zambia and explore the abundant investment opportunities available, especially in the energy sector where we have been having serious challenges lately,” she added.
Ambassador Salukatula told the audience that as a nation of 72 ethnic groups, Zambia prides itself in the peace it has continually enjoyed for decades, living in harmony as one people from different cultures, regions and beliefs.
She noted that today, Zambia was well known for its hospitality which has inspired many visitors from around the world.
“It is this belief in peace and unity that has allowed democracy to flourish and make Zambia a shining democracy on the continent. Since independence in 1964, Zambia has held democratic elections through which the country has had the privilege to be led by six different governments, with the losers giving in to the will of the people by gracefully conceding defeat.”
And in response, Ambassador Carlsson noted that Sweden and Zambia have enjoyed strong and warm historic and long-standing relations since independence, and that the two countries also shared history in terms of Dag Hammarskjöld, whose work was still held in high regard in Zambia.
Ambassador Carlsson said development cooperation has been at the core of bilateral relations for many years, but that Sweden was now working to broaden these relations to include the field of trade and investment.
He disclosed that Business Sweden, an organisation jointly owned by the Government of Sweden and representatives from the Swedish business community, was keeping a watchful eye on the Zambian energy market through their Energy for Africa programme.
“In this endeavor, I particularly note the successful visit last year by a trade delegation to Zambia and Swedish companies which took part in the AgriTech Fair last year. We must ensure to keep the momentum going with follow-up activities next year.
He observed that Swedish bilateral development cooperation with Zambia amounted to approximately SEK450 million or US46.5 million every year, running between 2018 and 2022. This focuses on human rights, democracy, rule of law, gender equality, health, sexual and reproductive health & rights, nutrition, environment, climate, renewable & sustainable energy, and inclusive economic development and livelihoods.
Ambassador Carlsson noted that just like Sweden, Zambia shared concern over climate change, as highlighted by Zambia’s President His Excellency Dr. Edgar Lungu at the last United Nations General Conference in New York.
He said part of Sweden’s bilateral development cooperation included a focus on renewable energy and that in line with this, the 2019 UN Global Climate Action Award was conferred on Sweden for its project, ‘Beyond the Grid Fund for Zambia’. The project focuses on off-grid rural electrification solutions. “The programme has exceeded the goals set and is now being scaled up to additional countries in the region as a result,” Ambassador Carlsson said.
Addressing Zambians, Ambassador Salukatula called on the nationals to realise that peace was an important asset if Zambia was to continue attracting tourists as well as foreign investment in various sectors of the economy which the country needed in order to achieve sustainable development.
“Let us work towards maintaining the country’s brand as a beacon of peace. Let us emulate our founding fathers and mothers in being patriotic and to speak good of our country as any negative sentiments from any of us will not help anyone but just hurt the economy of the country.”
Zambia’s Ambassador to Sweden, Her Excellency Ms. Rose Salukatula with Sweden Sub-saharan Africa Chamber of Commerce president, Åsa Jarskog during celebrations to mark Zambia’s 55th Independence Anniversary at the weekend.Zambia’s Ambassador to Sweden, Her Excellency Ms. Rose Salukatula addresses Zambians resident in Sweden at her residence during celebrations to mark Zambia’s 55th Independence Anniversary at the weekend.Zambia’s Ambassador to Sweden, Her Excellency Ms. Rose Salukatula addressing guests during celebrations to mark Zambia’s 55th Independence Anniversary in Stockholm at the weekend.Guest of Honour, Head of Trade in the Africa Department of Sweden’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bengt Carlsson listens to the address by Zambia’s Ambassador to Sweden, Her Excellency Ms. Rose Salukatula during celebrations to mark Zambia’s 55th Independence Anniversary in Stockholm at the weekend.Zambia’s export to Sweden, Edward Chilufya and Zambia’s Ambassador to Sweden, Her Excellency Ms. Rose Salukatula pose with a ‘ZAMBIA 55’ replica jersey presented to the Embassy by his club, Djurgården, at the Ambassador’s residence. This was during celebrations to mark Zambia’s 55th Independence Anniversary in Stockholm at the weekend.
Commissioning of the Kidney transplant centre at the University Teaching Hospital by Health Minister Dr. Chitalu Chilufya
Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya says government’s investments in the health sector has seen the reduction of malaria related deaths by more than 70 percent.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Elimination 8 engagement forum in Gaborone, Botswana, Dr. Chilufya said government’s intervention include investments in health systems and a broader expansion of infrastructure.
He reiterated President Edgar Lungu’s commitment to strengthening cross border diplomacy in bridging the fight against malaria at regional level through fostering linkages.
This is contained in a statement availed to ZNBC News by First Secretary Press and Public Relations at the Zambian High Commission in Botswana Kasabo Kalusa.
The Elimination 8 initiative is a coalition of eight countries working across national borders to eliminate malaria in Southern Africa by 2030.
In the gospel of Mathew our Lord Jesus Christ tells his disciples who later became the founding apostles of the Church: _“You are the Salt of the Earth.”_
Salt has many properties.
Among them is healing; preserving; and providing taste.
In the aftermath of the memorial service of the founding father of the Patriotic Front and 5th President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, we commend the Church for championing healing; advocating the preservation of dignity and encouraging the sweet flavour of brotherly love, to a body politic’s buffet that has increasingly become unsavoury and served on a soiled platter garnished with all manner of malice, fake news, hate speech and violence.
The jubilation by congregants was evidence that Zambians are yearning for politics of maturity. Politics of insults and demeaning language has been frowned upon by the Zambian people. Our citizens are fatigued with politics of insults and character assassination. Fifty five years after independence, such distasteful politics has no place in our country- and it must come to an end.
It takes a lot for the President to humble himself in the manner he did. His humility should not be taken for granted.
We thank President Lungu for showing the way and demonstrating such mature and peaceful politics, that even under extreme provocation and disrespectful taunting, he has refused to respond to insults with other insults. He has exercised commendable self –restraint and demonstrated how meekness is not weakness; but rather power under control.
The Head of State has shown that he is President not just for Patriotic Front, but for all Zambians regardless of ethnicity, political affiliation or religious inclination. His all-inclusive approach is testimony to his decisiveness in leaving no one behind in the development agenda.
At 55, Zambian politics have come of age. We are at a stage where the Head of State should be able to meet and dine with any Opposition leader to discuss matters of national development irrespective of any sharp political differences.
President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has effectively demonstrated that as the nation’s foremost Leader, he is ready to, meet, reconcile and work with any political leader for the good of the nation. Such is his practical commitment to mature politics that seeks the common good for the common man.
It must be emphasised that it takes a lot for the President to humble himself in the manner he does.
We therefore urge all opposition political leaders and other stakeholders to take advantage of President Lungu’s goodwill. For the sake of all our children and posterity, we must put politics of insults and character assassination in the past where they actually belong.
On our part as the Party in Government, we will endeavour to cherish the Church’s guidance and emulate the President’s politics of civility, even as the Church continues to fulfil its prophetic role in bringing sanity to the body politic and healing in the nation.
PF continues to call for substantive politics, issue-based politics.
We shall do our part.
#Tutemwane.
By Hon Davies Mwila
Patriotic Front Secretary General
Party Head Secretariat
Lusaka
FDD Chairperson for Labour Yotam Mtayachalo paid a visit to Chama North Constituencies and found that people are facing acute food shortages.
According to Mr Mtayachalo, people in Mwalala ward in Chama North Constituency to be specific Katangalika village to assess the hunger situation, unless the government acts expeditiously and come to their aid, people may die of starvation because the majority are depending on mangos for survival.
Mr Mtayachalo said the hunger situation may get worse in the coming few months if nothing is done urgently to address the situation in light of the rain season which is just around the corner as many areas are inaccessible during this period of the year.
Further, Mr Mtayachalo said the people complained bitterly against Department of National Parks and wildlife officers who they accuse of bursting into their homes usually at or before dawn in search for game meat and illegal guns and wantonly arresting them without allowing them to dress properly.
He said in the process they are beaten on mere suspicions and it is also alleged that some overzealous Officers are accused of planting evidence at the homes of some suspects.
Mr Mtayachalo said this conduct which is becoming widespread can no longer be tolerated and it calls for an immediate inquiry by the government so that once it is proven to be true, culprits must be brought to book because it is not only unacceptable and unprofessional but also a gross violation of human rights.
He said this has led to many people in Chama District being remanded and languishing in prison in Lundazi district for so many months or years without appearing in court on time in accordance with the law after being denied bond. Contributing to this is the fact that Chama district has no resident magistrate.
Mr Mtayachalo said he has brought these issues to the attention of Chama District Commissioner Leonard Ngoma who is working tirelessly and he has promised to address these issues.
He has further appealed to the government to consider increasing food allocation countrywide to hunger stricken population because the 12.5kg bag of mealie meal given to affected families is not enough to sustain them going by the African family step up.
The world of financial services has moved away from money transfers to a focus on mobile money and other products entering the market. So at Zoona, we have listened to this change and have been busy shifting our strategy into helping businesses have better access and reach. We have recently closed investment backing this new shift in strategy and are now executing on our new plans.
Our Zoona agent network and the entrepreneurs operating them remains critical and we are currently streamlining it to a smaller, stronger network of agents who are reliable,liquid & well trained. Our strategy is, quality not quantity. We are focused on making more partner products available at a Zoona booth; we’re in partnership with Mukuru to provide international money transfers and for Atlas Mara, Tenga & MTN we are providing deposits & withdrawals (with further partner wallets in the pipeline) . We are dedicated to increasing partner product access nationwide via our agent network.
We are also delighted to announce the launch of our new financial technology (Fintech) spinoff Tilt which is also focused on serving business customers. Under Tilt we have developed a new bulk payment platform, where customers, employees or beneficiaries can access cash at any Zoona, Kazang or Afrivance agents nationwide. Our Tilt partnerships have resulted in $37 million in value being transacted over the platform
between July and September in Zambia. As we continue to engage with mobile network operators and banks to facilitate payments onto wallets and accounts, our business customers will have a full suite of cash and digital payment offerings available to them.
Please visit www.tiltafrica.com for more information.
As we shift Zoona and introduce Tilt to collectively serve business customers, we are looking forward to connecting with many more partners to help solve customer problems within the market. We believe interoperability, and increased cash and digital payment options is the future, and together we can change the way Africa transacts.
FIRST LADY ESTHER LUNGU she is involved in charity work donation for rural Zambians that sometimes cannot be reached via conventional government channels
The Ministry of Health in partnership with Merck Foundation will next month send medical personnel to India to specialize In Vitro Fertilization (IVF).
Assistant Director Clinical Care and Diagnostic Services, Daniel Makawa says the specialized personnel will help in harvesting eggs and complete the process of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF).
Dr. Makawa says currently IVF which is the artificial fertilization of egg and sperm is only offered at a private facility.
He says Government is now championing that the service is being offered in the public facilities so that all the aspirations of the people are realized.
Dr Makawa told ZNBC News in an interview in Ghana, that the Ministry wants to ensure that such services are offered at public institutions to ensure everyone has access to basic health care services.
He, however, stressed that there is a need for men to come on board and address the commonest causes of infertility among men and women.
Dr Makawa urged the male fork to understand that infertility is a two-way thing that can affect males and females.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health Assistant Director Cancer, Sharon Kapambwe has called on Zambians to start the dialogue on issues surrounding infertility.
Dr. Kapambwe said there is a need for more awareness among stakeholders so that a proper legal and ethical framework is drafted around Infertility.
First Lady Esther Lungu is leading a Zambian delegation to the Sixth Edition of Merck Africa Asia Luminary Conference in Accra Ghana.
The First Lady will during the Sixth Merck Africa Asia Luminary Conference in Accra be awarded a Special Recognition Award for her works and initiatives as Ambassador of Merck More than a Mother.
