Join our community of SUBSCRIBERS and be part of the conversation.
To subscribe, simply enter your email address on our website or click the subscribe button below. Don't worry, we respect your privacy and won't spam your inbox. Your information is safe with us.
FDD President Edith Nawakwi says High food prices have imposed a burden on household budget.
Mrs Nawakwi says with the rise in fuel price and food costs, most Zambians now have to cut down on food to accommodate their daily travel to work.
“It seems we are working to get to work and pay bills only. There is little if any room for anything else”, she said.
Mrs Nawakwi said somehow, it’s not only the cost of living that has affected Zambians but the lack of job opportunities for the young.
“The time for talking is long past. Now is the time for action. Zambia is more than us politicians, We had leaders before us who fought hard for most of us to be here. Let us do the same, let us embrace the youths. We can only learn new things from them”, she added.
Mrs Nawakwi said some ideas are probably too old and that is why Zambia are still over dependent on hydro energy for so many years.
“Global warming is not new… ask the youths, they probably saw this coming.
Knowledge is infinite and there is no end of learning. There is so much we can learn from our young boys and girls”, Mrs Nawakwi said.
Shepolopolo have advanced to the penultimate qualifying round of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games after eliminating Botswana 3-0 on aggregate.
Zambia on Tuesday night beat Botswana 2-0 away in Francistown in the return leg of the third round to complete a double over their neighbours.
Grace Chanda propelled Zambia to victory after scoring a brace in this match.
Forward Chanda of Zesco Ndola Girls scored the two goals in the 19th and 53rd minutes.
“I am actually very happy about the performance of the team. They have actually played as a team from the goalkeeper up to the striking force,” Shepolopolo coach Bruce Mwape said.
Zambia will now face Kenya in the fourth round after the latter ejected Ghana.
Winner will face Cote d’Ivoire or Cameroon in the last stage for Africa’s automatic qualifying place at the Olympics.
The loser will meet a South American opponent in the playoffs for the other ticket to Tokyo.
Government is contemplating on introducing the study circles at places of work, to enable employees understand the importance of their institutions.
Minister of Labour and Social Security Joyce Simukoko said it is disheartening that despite the country having good labour laws in place, very few people read the employment code.
Ms Simukoko underscored that because of the poor reading culture of the labour laws among the employees in Zambia, some employers take advantage and start abusing their workers.
She said this in Lusaka today during the launch of the national employment and labour market policy, 2018 labour force survey and future of work report for Zambia.
The Labour and Social Security Minister disclosed that her ministry will soon start engaging other stakeholders in a series of discussions surrounding unemployment, in order to come up with home grown solutions.
“Zambia has one of the best labour laws in the region but very few people have read the labour code. This is what makes some employers infringe on the rights of employees because they do not understand the labour laws,” she said.
Ms Simukoko further said the best solution to unemployment is through embracing skills development which move in tandem with the global labour trends.
And United Nations Resident Coordinator Coumba Mar Gadio hailed government for having developed well-tailored labour related documents that spur the country’s development aspirations.
Dr Gadio whose speech was delivered by International Labour Organization Director for Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia, George Okutho, said the launch of the employment and labour market policy was a firm foundation to achieving vision 2030.
She cited the Seventh National Development Plan as among the national documents that are moving on a positive trajectory and will lead to the creation of one million jobs by 2021.
And Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) Chairperson Cosmas Mukuka pledged maximum support to the Ministry of Labour and Social security in the implementation of the plan.
Mr Mukuka said the path which the ministry has taken to include ZCTU in its programmes, will lead to the economic transformation of the country.
Zambia’s Attorney General has applied to the Constitutional Court to remove the President and the National Assembly of Zambia as Respondents in a matter in which the Law Association of Zambia has petitioned against the alleged contravention of the Constitution.
In this matter, LAZ contends that a Bill proposing alteration of the Constitution of Zambia would contravene the Constitution and proposed changes must thus not be enacted into law. LAZ has sued the President of the Republic of Zambia as the First Respondent, the Attorney General as Second Respondent and the National Assembly as Third Respondent.
However, the country’s Attorney General has contended the Republican President and the National Assembly have no capacity to sue and be sued in their own capacity, and must thus be removed as respondents.
The Attorney General has relied on the provisions of Articles 98(1) and 177(5)(c) of the Constitution as well as Section 12(1) of the State Proceedings Act to maintain the Attorney General as the only respondent.
In 2016, UPND leader and his former Vice President had similarly sued the President, Vice President, Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice and Attorney General but the Constitutional Court guided that only the Attorney General could be the respondent.
The matter comes up for hearing on the date to be set by the Court. A Certificate of Urgency has also been filed to ensure the matter is heard expeditiously.
President Edgar Lungu has directed the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) and the Police force to frequently check on the roads, and ensure that all broken down vehicles are cleared from the roads, as they pose a danger to other motorists.
“RTSA and Police must develop a culture of clearing roads of vehicles that have broken down. It’s sad that people perished because a truck was left on the road for a long time,” the President said.
This follows the accident involving a broken down vehicle on the road which led to the deaths. President Lungu expressed sadness over the death of Catholic Choir members who perished in a road traffic accident along the Kitwe Chingola road yesterday.
The President who described the death as tragic and disturbing has since sent a message of condolence to the bereaved families and the entire Catholic fraternity.
The Head of State has further extended a message of goodwill to families of those who are nursing injuries and has since wished the injured a quick recovery.
And the President Lungu has sent a message of condolence to the family of Patriotic Front (PF) member, Petronella Bowa who died on Monday, after an illness.
Dr Lungu said Ms Bowa was a dedicated member of the party who will be missed for her commitment and contribution to national development.
“Ms Bowa was a hardworking and passionate woman who died at a tender age. She was a good party mobiliser who will be greatly missed,” the President said.
This is contained in a press statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka today by Special Assistant to the President Press and Public Relations, Isaac Chipampe.
Calm has returned to Kaoma town following clash between ruling Patriotic Front(PF) and the United Party for National Development( UPND) supporters which left two people seriously injured.
A check by ZANIS in the central business town found tight security by officers from Zambia police and other security wings to ensure law and order.
Traders are also carrying out their usual business.
Police picked a suspected UPND supporter in connection with the violence that took place in site and service area.
A pistol was also recovered from the suspect and the suspect is still in police custody.
Kaoma district electorates will be going to the polls on October 10th, to vote in a new Council Chairperson following the resignation of Mutti Bindundu.
The PF candidate is 65-year-old retired teacher Ngebe Ngombo,while the UPND picked a 55-year-old business man Austin Muneku and the United Peaceful and Prosperous Zambia-UPPZ candidate is Chuulu Maseka.
President Lungu with Zambia Police Chief Kakoma Kanganja
President Edgar Lungu has directed the Zambia Police Service to ensure that civilians found in possession of firearms in Kaoma District in Western Province, are punished before elections are held on Thursday, October 10th, 2019.
The President has also warned that he will not allow the repeat of what happened during the Sesheke by-elections, as well as the happenings that occurred during the Kuomboka traditional ceremony a few years ago.
President Lungu said he was aware of the presence of the Opposition leader in Kaoma District respected the situation, adding that he, however, called for respect of the law.
President Lungu was speaking at Kaoma airstrip as he addressed scores of residents who welcomed him.
The President added that Zambia will remain a peaceful country, for as long as he was in charge of the country, adding that he will not allow the country to degenerate in lawlessness.
Meanwhile President Lungu reiterated that the Patriotic Front remains a peaceful party and he will endeavour to ensure that it remains so.
The President called on Kaoma residents to reject violence and embrace peaceful campaigns.
And President Lungu further urged the police to ensure it extensively investigates the recent incidence which happened in Kaoma and bring the culprits to book.
The President called on the police command to also ensure that order is maintained, and fairly address all matters reported to the department.
The President is in Kaoma District, where he is this afternoon expected to address two public meetings in Mangango constituency, to drum up support for PF candidate Ngebe Ngondo, who is contesting in the Council Chairperson by-election slated for October 10, 2019.
The other contestants include United Party for National Development (UPND) candidate Austin Muneku, as well as United Peaceful and Prosperous Zambia (UPPZ) candidate, Chuulu Maseka.
Yesterday, President Edgar Lungu again went on the record in his usually muted, badly choreographed Statehouse Press Statements; in which he practically made the problem of armed violence in the political arena a “problem for all Zambians”, as opposed to taking absolute responsibility that this is fundamentally a Patriotic Front (PF) creation, which now has the main opposition UPND having to make a decision around whether or not such barbaric, militia tactics by the PF should be repaid with the force it deserves.
Of course, in the UPND, the consensus is such that once, if, when and should our constitutional liberties to assemble, associate and speak freely come under such unsolicited attack at the hands of a heavily weaponized, armed, gun wielding PF militias, we will and shall defend our rights without reserve BUT have committed to doing so with caution, restraint and with such utter respect for the rule of law and human life – including the lives of our adversaries.
As a party, the UPND and it’s leadership have always held, that the primary responsibility to maintain law and order, and that of keeping all of us safe, irrespective of our political affiliations, rests with the police. And this is why we have kept on reminding our men and women in uniform to guard against executing political orders that fly in the face of constitutionalism, the basis of our collective nationhood.
Military grade, armed political violence under the Patriotic Front (PF) and the Presidency of Edgar Lungu has not only surged. It has also found institutional legitimacy and protection.
The level of armed militia tactics being employed by the PF to routinely intimidate members of the main opposition UPND and it’s leadership cannot be executed without the blessing and financial backing of Statehouse. These have become highly sophisticated, organized and bold.
The militiamen are acting for and on behalf of Statehouse and President Edgar Lungu’s illegal bid to remain in power post 2021.
Zambians must be reminded, that the UPND has been in existence for many years. And before the PF came into power in 2011, there was never heard of or seen the level of big money, assault weapons based political violence in Zambia. Never.
Zambia has lost more young men to political violence in the period 2011- 2019 than it did in the 20 years post the rebirth of multipartism in 1991. This is not a coincidence and records are there for all of us to tap into and verify.
The main worry in the UPND is that political violence on the scale we are witnessing under the PF always distorts national conversations and the erodes the credibility of our national elections as more and more people choose to keep away and stay alive, than lose their lives at the hands of what is evidently a criminal gang of corrupt, power hungry degenerates mascarading as political leaders.
And as has been warned by various respected international research organisations, the focus of the PF regime has invariably moved away from realistically and logically serving the Zambian people. Their conversation has moved towards consolidating their power base for themselves at the expense of Zambians.
This is why they are unapologetic about commiting the country to a mountain of public debt we can never pay, because in the short run, it allows them to artificially hoodwink the public into submission.
Except, not anymore.
Zambians will and shall not be cheated.
Zambians will and shall rise to the challenge and defend the integrity, unity and togetherness of our shared nationhood until we get the sound political leadership we deserve.
Zambians do not want guns in politics.
Zambians want ideas for INCLUSIVE development, ideas that will help us resolve the corruption question, growing income and wealth inequalities, joblessness, pensions insecurities, poor education standards, the land question, substandard public healthcare and restoration of the rule of law and our constitutionalism.
This is the Zambia we want, and this is the Zambia we all should and must fight for and defend.
Congolese refugees at Kenani transit centre in the Nchelenge district Zambia
Zambia has allocated more than 100,000 hectares of land to refugees, former refugees and persons of concern, Minister of Home Affairs Stephen Kampyongo has disclosed.
Mr Kampyongo revealed at the 70th Plenary Session of the Executive Committee of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, that Zambia has given huge pieces of land to refugees in the refugee settlements, resettlement and transit centres.
Zambia has three Refugee Settlements namely Mantapala in Luapula, Meheba in North-western and Mayukwayukwa in Western provinces, plus refugee transit centres in various locations, which include Lusaka.
The Minister stated that in addition to land allocation to refugees, Zambia has maintained an open door asylum policy that has over the past 50 years ensured that thousands of refugees are received, protected and assisted in safety and dignity.
Zambia, which currently hosts over 84,500 persons of concern, refugees, and former refugees, has a total area of 752,618 square kilometres of land of which 9,220 square kilometres is water.
Mr Kampyongo told delegates at the Executive Committee of the UNHCR that 76 percent of the refugee population is from the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), who live in refugee settlements and urban areas.
Mantapala which is the latest Refugee Settlement to be established has over 6,000 hectares of land in Chieftainess Kanyembo and was originally meant to host about 20,000 Congolese refugees.
The settlement was set up in 2018 as an integrated refugee settlement to enable refugees become self-reliant and develop their livelihoods.
And the Minister of Home Affairs has further disclosed that Zambia spends at least US$2 million per annum in personal emoluments for its officers, in charge of providing services to the refugee settlements.
He stressed that for many years, refugees have been part of Zambia’s national agenda, benefiting from a whole of government approach in the delivery of services.
And High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi commended Zambia for being one of the champions of the practical application of the global compact on refugees.
Mr Grandi stated that although most countries have made strides in responding to emerging needs of refugees, there was still need for close collaboration in finding long-lasting solutions to some of the refugee crisis.
Peasant Farmer standing in Front of his Maize harvest
Over 800,000 out of the 1 million targeted farmers across the country have deposited their K400 to access the farming Inputs for the 2019/2020 Farmer Input Supply Programme (FISP) for both the direct input supply and the Electronic Voucher system (E-voucher).
Ministry of Agriculture Michael Katambo has disclosed that government has also extended the deadline for depositing the FISP contributions up to October month end, to give chance to the remaining over 100,000 farmers, to make the contributions and access the inputs.
Mr. Katambo explained that government is committed to address all the challenges that farmers incurred in the last farming season, caused by late distribution of inputs and the implementation of E-voucher system in some places.
Mr Katambo was speaking in Chilanga today when he officially launched the issuance of FISP for the 2019/2020 farming season.
He assured farmers that during the current farming season, the authority will effectively address all the challenges and advised farmers who made contributions but did not receive the inputs, to get in touch with the office of the district agriculture coordinator in respective districts.
And the Minister noted that the operations of most agro dealers have been affected by delays in payment of arears owed to them, adding that this is why government will continue to settle the outstanding balances.
Mr Katambo said his ministry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance have put in place mechanisms to ensure that all agro dealers are paid on time, during the 2019/ 2020 FISP implementation exercise.
He further warned the participating agro dealers to refrain from invoicing government for inputs that have not been issued to farmers, adding that farmers also should not surrender their codes to dealers without getting inputs.
And Deputy Secretary to Cabinet and Coordinator for Smart Zambia Martin Mtonga said over 7,600 Civil Servants countrywide have illegally registered to benefit from FISP.
Dr Mtonga stated that through the Zambia Integrated Agriculture Management System aimed at managing FISP, it is easy for government to detect any corrupt activities in the system.
Meanwhile a representative of farmers Agnes Ndhlovu thanked government for the timely distribution of the farming inputs for this season.
Ms Ndhlovu said the early distribution will help farmers prepare adequately in the wake of climate change.
“IMPORTANCE OF NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER CANNOT BE OVEREMPHASIZED,”- HON. SUMAILI.
Government has called on cross sections of society who include political parties, civil society organisations and the general public, not to shun the National Day of Prayer, Fasting, Repentance and reconciliation, set for October 18, 2019.
Minister of National Guidance and Religious Affairs Godfridah Sumaili said the National Day of Prayer is not a Patriotic Front event, but a church driven national day for prayer and reconciliation.
Reverend Sumaili said political parties and other stakeholders should not refuse invitations from the church, who have been mandated to organise and prepare the prayers.
She said the national day of Prayer, Fasting and reconciliation is church driven and that government is only facilitating, to ensure that preparations are done without logistical hindrances.
The Minister further explained that the national day of prayer offers politicians an opportunity to bury their differences and reconcile with their political opponents.
Reverend Sumaili disclosed that President Lungu is ready to meet with any opposition politician and civil society activists unconditionally to reconcile and reflect on the needs of the country.
She added that in the wake of climate change, the country needs to come together on this National Prayer day and humble itself and seek God on the Day of Prayer, Fasting, Repentance and Reconciliation.
The Minister disclosed that President Edgar Lungu will grace the National Day of Prayer activities at the show grounds in Lusaka while Vice President Inonge Wina will officiate and attend the prayers in Ndola, on the Copperbelt Province.
The day of prayer will be held under the theme “Receiving Times of Refreshing from the presence of the Lord through Reconciliation with one another and the environment for a prosperous Zambia.”
And Independent Churches of Zambia (ICOZ) Board Chairperson David Masupa said the 2019 National Day of Prayer, Fasting and Repentance is unique in that the country is faced with climate change and a resurgence of political violence.
Bishop Masupa said Zambians need to find the will, strength and conviction to reconcile with each other and seek God in order to unleash blessings on the land.
The Clergyman acknowledged that while government has put in place macro-economic measures to address the power deficit and curb political violence, there is need for Zambians as a people and a Christian nation to repent and pray to God to intervene.
Bishop Masupa said a lot of Zambians are faced with hunger as a result of the drought, as well as reduced economic production, due to reduced electricity generation caused by the adverse effects of climate change.
The 2021 AFCON qualifiers kick off next month and we take a sneak preview of how Zambia’s Group H opponents are preparing ahead for their opening matches during the October FIFA International Match Window.
BOTSWANA
The Zebras are on the road this weekend to play a premium friendly against record seven-time African champions Egypt.
The match will be played in Cairo on October 14.
Botswana will face Zambia on match-day three and four in a Group H doubleheader home and away date during the September 2020 FIFA Match Window.
ZIMBABWE
Sadly, Zimbabwe are battling to put together a friendly programme and nothing has so far been confirmed by ZIFA by the first day of the FIFA Match Window that opened on October 7 and ends on October 15.
Zimbabwe will be Zambia’s second Group H opponents on November 16 at home in Lusaka.
ALGERIA
Defending AFCON champions Algeria have two friendly matches lined-up for this month.
Algeria will host two-time AFCON champions DR Congo on October 10 in Blida and later travel to France to face Colombia on October 15 in Lille.
Algeria will host Zambia in their opening Group H match on November 11 in Blida.
Patriotic Front Secretary General Davies Mwila has advised party members to ensure that campaigns being carried out are issue based.
The PF Secretary General has further extended the same message to other political players, adding that issue based politics yield positive results as opposed to acts of violence, which only hinder on national peace and security.
Mr Mwila, who was speaking when he addressed journalists in Kaoma District this morning says political campaigns have continued to bare a wrong tag, due to some members who are not following the right channels.
Mr Mwila said that the incidence that happened in the area on Sunday, October 6th, where a cadre was killed is very unfortunate, and must be dealt with, with the urgency it deserves.
And Mr Mwila has dismissed stories suggesting that the PF clashed with the UPND, adding that there was no occurrence of such nature.
He said it was important political parties based their campaigns on issues that affect the entire nation, as they prepare for the 2021 General elections, adding that it was cardinal at this stage to refrain from all forms of violence.
This week on Thursday October 10, 2019, the people of Kaoma District will vote for a Council Chairperson, in a by election, where the incumbent UPND’s Bindundu Mutti resigned to join the Patriotic Front in July, this year..
Heavily armed police officers in Kaoma are blocking UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema and his entourage from campaigning ahead of Thursday’s elections in the area.
The electorate in Kaoma will vote for a new Council Chairperson on Thursday.
This morning, Mr Hichilema was blocked by police officers from proceeding with his campaign programmes in the area because of the presence of Vice President Inonge Wina and President Edgar Lungu who is expected to join the PF campaigns later.
“As usual and under instructions from the PF, heavily armed State Police are blocking us from heading to our campaign areas approved by the Electoral Commission of Zambia. For the record, the Kaoma Council is a vast area covering two constituencies, being Kaoma Central and Mangango Constituencies,” Mr Hichilema said.
“It is therefore unreasonable that the entire province can be shut down because of another competitor, in total disregard to the approved ECZ campaign programme that allows us to be in a completely different place.”
“It is absolutely uncalled for and like always, we want peace and no one should provoke the people from standing up for their votes,” he said.
The PF must remember that a wound against one Zambian is a wound against all of us, so stop it. This country belongs to all citizens regardless of political affiliations and all of them have a right to associate and assemble freely.”
Police preventing UPND from campaigning in KaomaPolice preventing UPND from campaigning in KaomaPolice preventing UPND from campaigning in KaomaPolice preventing UPND from campaigning in KaomaPolice preventing UPND from campaigning in KaomaPolice preventing UPND from campaigning in Kaoma
Crowning of Cecilia Musonda as Miss Africa Great Britain 2019.
Cecilia Musonda, a postgraduate student from Zambia has been crowned Miss Africa Great Britain 2019.
She beat 23 other girls in what was a very close competition to clinch the crown.
The Grand Finale took place on Friday, the 4th of October 2019 at the Royal Regency Hall in London.
Vanessa Naddamba from Uganda was 1st Runner Up with Gracia Susuzande from the Democratic Republic of Congo finishing as 2nd runner up.
Cecilia will now assume her role as the ambassador of Miss Africa Great Britain’s Queens for a Reason program and will be embarking on a charity mission to her home country Zambia.
Cecilia will now assume her role as the ambassador of Miss Africa Great Britain’s Queens for a Reason program and will be embarking on a charity mission to her home country Zambia.
Cecilia Musonda crowned Miss Africa Great Britain 2019.
