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Zambia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Mr. Emmanuel Mwamba with Chinese Head of Mission to the African Union, His Excellency, Mr. Lui Yuxi
Chinese Head of Mission to the African Union Mr. Lui Yuxi has refuted recent media assertions that China was putting the Zambian Government under political pressure to pay back loans.
Speaking when he paid a courtesy call on Zambia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Mr. Emmanuel Mwamba, at the Zambian Embassy in Ethiopia, Mr.Liu stated further stated that reports alleging that China was demanding a stake in the running of Zambian mines and other national assets were totally false.
Mr. Yuxi said that negative reports being made about China and Africa were malicious and designed to drive a wedge between the two, adding that China was cooperating with Africa to ensure that countries succeeded in their development agenda.
Mr.Liu noted that Zambia was an important country on the African continent because it played a key role in the regional body SADC and was a member of the African Union Committee called the C10.
Mr. Liu said that China would support Africa’s quest for reforms at the United Nations Security Council.
At the same meeting, Mr. Mwamba said it was unfortunate that the western media was using Africa’s debt owed to China as a weapon to fight China and derail the ambitious infrastructure development plans China was supporting in Africa.
Mr. Mwamba said Zambia only owes China about 30% of loans compared to other loans that the country was servicing with other development partners.
Mr. Mwamba requested the Chinese Government to support President Edgar Lungu’s ambitious infrastructure development program.
Mr Mwamba urged China to fulfil its commitment to complete infrastructure projects approved under the Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
Mr. Mwamba said that President Lungu’s infrastructure program that had seen the construction of roads, airports, schools and hospitals was instrumental in the development of the country.
Mr. Mwamba further said Zambia would engage the Commission of the African Union and propose projects which would be incorporated on the phase two of the China Africa infrastructure cooperation plan being done jointly with the African Union.
“Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word…”
(Psalm 103:20, NIV)
Angels Move On Your Behalf
Did you know that when you speak words of faith, angels are dispatched to move on your behalf? The Scripture tells us that God gives His angels charge over us. That means, when God hears you declaring His Word, He says to the angels, “Do you hear My child speaking words of faith? He believes I can do great things. Angels, I have an assignment for you. Go to work and begin to turn the situation around.” And the angels obey His Word!
If we could pull back the curtain on the unseen realm, we would see a host of angels and heavenly beings watching over us. That’s why it’s so important to guard what we say because, with our words, we either open a door for God and His angels to move on our behalf, or we open a door for the enemy and the forces of darkness.”
Make the decision today to only speak words of faith and life over you, your home and your family. Declare God’s Word and His promises and let your words set the angels into motion to help you fulfill the destiny God has planned for you!
A Prayer for Today
“Father in heaven, thank You for the relationships in my life. Help me find creative ways to connect with the people I love. Help me to walk and live in a spirit of unity as You commanded in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Sunday Chanda with UPND President Hakainde Hichilema
The ruling Patriotic Front (PF) has said that it has no time for a pretend President’s Jokes who is becoming more and more desperate for relevance and attention. In a statement released, in reference to the United party for National Development (UPND) Mr Hakainde Hichilema, PF Media Director Sunday Chanda wondered what Mr. Hakainde Hichilema has done about drought in Southern, Western and Eastern Provinces.
Mr Chanda said that it was even shocking how Mr. Hichilema has even attempted to get credit for the support the United Kingdom (UK) wishes to give Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in this Country.
Below is the full statement
WE HAVE NO TIME FOR THE “PRETEND PRESIDENT’S” JOKES
21st September 2019 – We continue to witness UPND leader becoming more and more desperate for relevance and attention. He does not mind to pretend that he is what he is not. He now issues a comical statement purporting to direct His Excellency President Edgar Chagwa Lungu to immediately meet with stakeholders in the milling industry. This is laughable!
We wish to ask what it is that Mr. Hakainde Hichilema has done about drought in Southern, Western and Eastern Provinces? Which field has he been to? Whom has he spoken to except to post divisions and ridicule on climate change.
Zambians have watched with shock how Mr. Hichilema has even attempted to get credit for the support the United Kingdom (UK) wishes to give Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in this Country.
Mr. Hichilema may wish to recall that Her Honour the Vice President met with UK Representative to discuss hunger situation especially in Southern Province except he cannot remember as he is preoccupied with politics.
How does Mr. Hichilema propose meetings when he never attends any national event and even threatens UPND MPs against participating in national and parliamentary critical events?
Mr. Hichilema, cannot cheat anyone. He has no time for anyone, not even people of Southern and Western Provinces through there time of need.
While our opponents like the UPND leader have the luxury to make headlines , PF Government has been meeting stakeholders for the past two months.
The UPND leader should now know that headlines and pronouncements do not change anything. If he has anything to contribute to the Agriculture discourse, let us hear it instead of lamentation.
The PF Government is on the ground distributing food in Southern and Western provinces as well as weather index insurance payouts.
His Excellency President Lungu and the Minister of Agriculture Hon. Micheal Katambo have been busy this year meeting farmers and Agriculture stakeholders nationwide. Surely they do not have the privilege of stage-managed mealie meal handouts in Lusaka or online posts from the comfort of their homes calling for agriculture meetings. Their last field visit was this week in Southern province.
DMMU delivers sufficient food relief to Southern province.
The Food Reserve Agency (FRA) says it has enough maize in its reserves in Southern Province for community sales to last up to April 2020.
FRA Southern Province Marketing Coordinator Stephen Liato says the agency has over 23-thousand Metric Tonnes of Maize and that over 3-thousand 6-hundred metric tons has been sold.
Mr. Liato says the agency sells maize to the community members every day except weekends.
He says Monze Depot services the Southern Region A, which covers six districts namely Chikankata, Mazabuka, Monze, Pemba, Gwembe and Namwala.
Mr. Liato was speaking in Monze when Agriculture Minister Michael Katambo checked on the Maize Stock at FRA sheds.
And Mr. Katambo has urged the security wings in Southern Province to ensure the food situation is not politicized in the region.
He has cautioned politicians to desist from unnecessary politics and speculations regarding the hunger situation, which usually causes panic among the public.
Mr. Katambo said FRA has enough maize in stock and will continue to service community members through the community sales.
He said the Office of the Vice President through the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unity -DMMU- is also on the ground managing the situation.
President Edgar Lungu is tomorrow expected in New York to attend the 74th United Nations General Assembly in the United States of America.
President Lungu will join host President Donald Trump and other foreign Heads of State and Government in discussing global issues affecting humanity.
Foreign Affairs Minister Joe Malanji has confirmed the development during a media briefing in New York today.
Mr. Malanji revealed that President Lungu will hold a bilateral meeting with the King of Jordon Abdullah Bin Al-Hussein on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
He also said the Head of State is scheduled to undertake a State Visit to Jordan later this year in a bid to enhance bilateral relations with the Jordanian monarchy.
And Mr. Malanji said President Lungu will also hold discussions with President TRUMP’s representatives from State Department while in New York.
Meanwhile, Zambia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Lazarous Kapambwe said this year’s United Nations General Assembly will focus on among other issues climate change, access to universal health care and progress in implementation of the Sustainable development goals.
Minister of General Education David Mabumba says all the retirees that have been evicted from Kabulonga Secondary School boys and girls institutional houses have already been paid their benefits.
He says those disputing being paid must present documents so that the situation can be corrected.
Mr Mabumba says the families of the deceased’s retired teachers have no right to continue occupying institutional houses as government had a contract with the former workers and not the entire family.
But one of the evicted retirees Peter Katwe has insisted that government has not paid him his benefits.
On Thursday night government evicted retired and families of retired teachers who have died from institutional houses.
NDC Secretary General Mwenya Musenge and NDC Political Consultant Chishimba Kambwili
The opposition National Democratic Congress(NDC) has officially disbanded.
NDC legally recognized National Secretary, Mwenya Musenge has disbanded the NDC and indicated that he will form a new party.
He has advised those members in contention with him to join him or form their own party too.
This follows the dismissal of the appeal to the Minister of Home Affairs Stephen Kampyongo.
Last month, the NDC was disbanded following the Lusaka High Court ruling on the matter.
Meanwhile, The National Democratic Congress party (NDC) President Mr. Chishimba Kambwili has announced that he will hold a Press briefing on Sunday 22/09/2019 where he will discuss the status of the political party NDC as well as other matters.
The Press briefing will start at 10:00hrs at Mr Kambwili’s Woodlands Residence and all media houses are invited and requested to be seated by 09:30hrs.
First of all we must acknowledge that Climate change is a very serious issue and accept the responsibility to do something about it. Appropriate actions in dealing with this crisis lies in our ability to diagnose it and how much we understand it. I do agree with President LUNGU on this score. Climate change has the potential to affect every section of our lives as a people and as a country. My advice to our president is that avoid simple solutions to complex issues. If the house is collapsing, you don’t paint it a different color to save it. Climate change is crisis and to deal with it we must employ the necessary sophistication needed.
For so many years now, the motorists in ZAMBIA have been paying the carbon tax, how much of this money has been used in research work? What interventions have we employed in the country to control and manage carbon emissions? Or did we just use the carbon emission theme as an opportunity for the government to raise extra cash for itself?
With extended hours of loadshedding, are we able to account for the number of trees that we are cutting for charcoal? How then do we avoid worse rain drought next year if we fail to manage our lifestyle patterns now? We must remember that this loadshedding cycle will not end itself, we must be deliberate to deal with it as a people. What are we doing now that should guarantee us a different reality next year?
Last year I remember we spent millions of dollars just to import power and this year we are doing the same. This intervention is shallow and unsustainable for a small economy as ours. When the energy sector is left to random swings, it becomes difficult to industrialize a country. It also makes the environment vulnerable as people we opt for unconventional ways of getting the much needed power. For example, many have resorted to using fuel propelled power generators which is an additional burden on the environment because most these emit unmonitored carbon into the environment.
WHAT IS THE WAY FORWARD?
As a matter of urgency, the government must freeze import duty on clean alternative sources of power like Solar energy equipments. This will make solar energy generators become affordable and accessible by majority of our people. This will lessen the burden on ZESCO and also on the environment.
Instead of spending millions of dollars on importing power from South Africa, the government should use that money to construct new solar power stations that should guarantee a loadshedding free next year. The importation of power today would be a good idea but not sustainable. We did it last year and if we do it this year we can be sure that we will do it next year. If we can construct solar power stations now and wind energy stations this year, we will not have to worry about extended loadshedding next year and we will not worry about millions of dollars to import power.
Remember complex issues cannot be solved with simple solutions. I am not an authority on this, to deal with this issue extensively the government and the president must be bold enough to look for minds outside of their political friends and engage them. There are brilliant Zambians who understand these matters better and can help find solutions that are sustainable and affordable. The work of politicians is to win elections and make stupid speeches but the real work must be left for people with the talent and skills. The government must not be shy to reach out to these brilliant minds. They are the real assets of our beautiful country.
BEFORE PICTURE: Piles of office cluster in one of the Zamtel offices before the clean up.
Zamtel employees across the country on Friday took time to clean up their offices as part of activities to mark World Clean-up Day 2019 which fell yesterday.
The workers undertook an Office Clean-up Day for 30 minutes from 12:30 to 13:00 Hours.
The activity involved cleaning up the office spaces and laptops and desktops of all unwanted stuff and clutter in order to create a great working environment.
The staff were asked to take and share the Before and After photographs of their office environment to demonstrate the transformational effect of the Office Clean-up Day.
Zamtel Chief Human Resources and Administration Officer Betty Sikana explained that the collective action by the employees was meant to support global civic action against waste.
Mrs Sikana said Zamtel, as a responsible corporate citizen decided to play its part in sending a message on the need to take care of the environment.
She said actions such as the World Clean-up Day should be supported by all including the corporate world especially in light of climate change.
“The Clean-up events like the one we organised at Zamtel are a wonderful way to create immediate change among our staff and raising voices over the issue of mismanaged waste and further inspiring communities where we come from to take steps toward lasting change,” said Mrs Sikana.
She added, “At Zamtel, we believe that Clean-ups such as the one we had are an impactful first step in raising awareness around the issues of waste and environmental resource management in our society.”
The World Clean-up Day started in Estonia in 2008 and has now become a global movement.
In 2018, it was estimated that over 82,280 tons of waste was collected around the world with more than 17 million people from over 150 countries uniting to clean up the world, in the biggest civic action in history. AFTER PICTURE: A Zamtel employee enjoying his work after the clean up
Zesco United stayed top of the FAZ Super Division table following a 2-1 home win over winless Lumwana Radiants at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
Jesse Were and Thabani Kamusoko scored in each half to see Zesco move to 9 points, tied with Red Arrows who also won at home on Saturday.
Were put Zesco ahead in the 32nd minute from an acute angle shot on the near post after his initial effort from a similar range was parried two minutes earlier by Jairos Mulenga.
But the two sides went into the break level when Emmanuel Manda bundled -in the ball in the 43rd minute in a goalmouth scrum.
Kamusoko earned Zesco the three points when he crashed in a 79th minute free kick.
Meanwhile, Arrows stayed tight on 9 points following a 2-1 home win over Power Dynamos at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.
Linos Makwaza Junior put Power ahead in the 31st minute but Arrows pulled away through a James Chamanga equalizer in the 69th minute and Andrew Tololwa in the 90th minute.
Nkana and Napsa Stars could join them on 9 points on Sunday at home in Kitwe against Mufulira Wanderers and away at Lusaka Dynamos respectively.
2019/2020 FAZ SUPER DIVISION
WEEK THREE
21/09/2019
Nkwazi3-Zanaco 2
Red Arrows 2-Power Dynamos 1
Buildcon 2-Forest Rangers 2
Zesco 2-Lumwana Radiants 1
Kabwe Youth Soccer Academy 2-Kabwe Warriors 2
Kansanshi Dynamos 1-Green Buffaloes 0
Green Eagles 3-Nakambala Leopards 2
22/09/2019
15h00:Lusaka Dynamos-Napsa Stars
15h00:Nkana-Mufulira Wanderers
Chipolopolo coach Aggrey Chiyangi says the presence of ten familiar faces in the eSwatini team that have played against Zambian clubs in continental action this season will not be much of a factor in Sunday’s 2020 CHAN final round, first leg qualifier.
Young Buffaloes, who eliminated Buildcon from the CAF Confederation Cup have eight call-ups who include striker Fanelo Mamba who scored the equalizer in the 1-1 final leg in Manzini that saw the Zambian side ejected 2-1 on aggregate .
Green Mamba, who were eliminated from the CAF Champions League by Zesco United, have two call-ups who include the impressive forward Phinda Dlamini.
“The only thing is that those are coming from the clubs are coached by a different coach and the one at the national team is different,” Chiyangi said.
“Yes, we can have an insight into the players that we have seen before but again the planning of the game is different according to the coach.
“So what is important is we have to be ready for them and not underrate them.”
Chef 187 released his highly anticipated 4th album ‘Bon Appetit‘ on 20th September. The 23 track album has features from Nigerian artists Mr P and Skales as well as local artists such as Macky 2 , Wezi , Afunika among others.
‘Bon Appetit‘ is the follow up to Chef 187‘s highly successful 3rd album ‘Amnesia‘. This album could potentially have a bigger impact as it is already receiving alot of praise.
The album is available for purchase on local music site Mvesesani and streaming on most online music platforms such as Deezer ,Spotify ,Apple Music among others.
The competition was intended for aspiring and established songwriters and musicians to produce a song that is memorable, entertaining, educational and informative.
Chisenga’s (Formally known as C.R.I.S.I.S) song, titled ‘SADC – Throw Your Hands Up’, triumphed against 27 entries by artists from nine SADC countries who took part in the competition. The Australia-based artist received $4000 and flew to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania to perform the song at the SADC Summit official opening ceremony in August.
“We’d like to say a big thanks to everyone who participated in the competition,” a post reads on the SADC Facebook page. “It has been a great pleasure receiving your songs, they were all amazing. And now we’d like to congratulate Chisenga Katongo, a Zambian national who emerged the winner.”
“Music provides impactful formats of relaying information about an organisation or product, hence the SADC Secretariat decided to launch the public outreach song to educate and inform about SADC.”
Launched last year in October, the competition was open to citizens of the SADC region and the wordings of the song and content were aimed at promoting awareness and visibility of SADC’s Objectives and Common Agenda.
The competition was intended for artists in any of the following categories: reggae, rock, blues, Christian, comedy/novelty, country, dance, folk, comedy, jazz, pop and R&B/hiphop.
FILE: Vice President Inonge Wina (r) interacts with Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) Indunas shortly after the burial of His Royal Highness the late Chief Lukama Meebelo Sekeld of Sioma and Shangombo Districts at Ibolokwa area of Nalolo District in Western Province
Submissions of the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) to the Parliamentary Select Committee to Scrutinise the Constitution of Zambia Amendment bill no. 10 of 2019
The United Liberal Party would like to thank the Chairman of the Select Committee and the Committee for according the party an opportunity to submit a memorandum on ramifications of the proposed amendments on behalf of the BRE.
We wish from the onset to state that the BRE have only issue with three articles in the bill namely, articles 149, 165 and article 4(3).
On August 27, 2019, the Barotse Royal Establishment requested the United Liberal Party to present on its (BRE’s) behalf to the parliamentary select committee various concerns on proposed amendments to articles in the constitution of Zambia as contained in the constitution of Zambia (amendment) bill no. 10 of 2019.
Article 149
The Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) is of the view that the proposed amendments to this Article could give the President excessive and unilateral powers to create, divide or merge provinces with recourse to and approval or consultations with the traditional stakeholders and parliament. The excessive power may be used for the alienation of parts of Barotseland and merge them with lands outside the jurisdiction of His Majesty the Litunga. The BRE considers the proposed amendment unconstitutional and a threat to the integrity of Barotseland and direct affront to the authority of the Litunga;
Article 165
The BRE considers the proposed repeal of this article and its substitution with a provision that effectively requires ‘chiefs’ to be recognized by someone or some entity under an Act of Parliament the President and in turn empowering the person or entity to withdraw that recognition as unsuitable to the values and norms of Barotseland. The contention in this article is that it does not recognize or support the traditional structures of Barotseland, as there is no uniformity among traditional societies in Zambia; it denigrates the supremacy of His Majesty the Litunga of Barotseland of his territory. The provision would engender confusion, insubordination and lawlessness among some ethnic peoples that seek to rebel against established authority by declaring oneself as ‘chiefs’ when not a ‘chief’; thus creating and promoting insecurity.
The BRE feels that this Article even in its present state offends, violates and undermines the customary, traditional, legal rights and authority of the Litunga and National Council. The BRE resolved to advise strongly that this provision be withdrawn.
Article 4 (3)
This Article proposes to state that ‘the Republic of Zambia is a Christian, unitary, indivisible, multi – ethnic, multi – racial and multi – party democratic state. The BRE believes that the word indivisible defeats the spirit and purpose of a unitary state. The BRE wishes that this Parliamentary Committee will ensure that Bill No. 10 of 2019 includes Articles that acknowledge the fact that Zambia is a creation of two nations that agreed to unite into one nation and one people under the Barotseland Agreement of 1964. In this regard the BRE feel that the word “indivisible” be deleted.
The BRE also wants to bring to the attention of this committee the centuries long traditional government system of Barotseland, were the Litunga is an institutionalized symbol of authority and unity among the 38 ethnic groups and is the established medium of preserving the diverse cultural heritage. Traditions, customs and the cultural values of all the ethnic groups comprised in Barotseland revolve around the Litungaship.
The Litunga ensures that people in Barotseland choose their chiefs in accordance with their peculiar hereditary succession systems. Once correctly selected and chosen, chiefs are brought before the Litunga to be installed and given the instruments of power. Anything to the contrary constitutes a serious breach of our traditional values and cultural norms.
Arising from this background the position of the Barotse Royal Establishment and the people is that Barotseland shall remain united and all its thirty – eight (38) ethnic peoples remain one people under the leadership and direction of His Majesty the Litunga.
The Barotse Royal Establishment, further wishes to present to the Parliamentary Committee that it upholds and reminds the Government of Zambia of the provisions of Article 8 of the Barotseland Agreement 1964. This Article, inter alia, states unequivocally that; “the Government of the Republic of Zambia shall take such steps as may be necessary to ensure that the laws for the time being in force in the Republic are not inconsistent with the provisions of the Barotseland Agreement 1964”.
The BRE states that it shall not accept any constitutional provisions, which are inconsistent with the letter and spirit of the Barotseland Agreement 1964, more so that we are in the process of healing the wounds that Barotseland suffered in the past by acknowledging its constitutional status within a United Zambia.
The United Liberal Party believes that the concerns raised by the Barotse Royal Establishment are genuine and requires the serious attention of the Chairman and the Parliamentary Committee.
We would propose on behalf of the BRE that in order to take into account the concerns of the BRE, a Proviso be put to Article 149 that will make it clear that Political boundaries of districts and provinces do not affect customary and tradition boundaries and jurisdictions.
We therefore propose inclusion of a proviso with wording to the effect,
“Provided that no creation or merger of a district or province shall affect the traditional or customary authority or jurisdiction of existing customary traditional Paramount Chiefs, Senior Chiefs and Chiefs authorities’ existing jurisdiction or physical boundaries”.
We further suggest that upon creation, merger or division of a province or district the traditional and customary authorities be consulted to take into account and peculiar local issues that may be relevant.
With regards to the preamble Article 4(3) the BRE seek to have recognition of the unitary status of Zambia being based upon the BAROTSELAND Agreement of 1964. For this reason the BRE would propose that the Barotseland Agreement be recognized in the Constitution as the basis for Zambia being a unitary state
We feel that these proposals will enhance the Bill which is before your committee.
