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The delimitation exercise in Kasempa district has concluded on a peaceful note with a resolve by stakeholders to add two constituencies to make it three.
The stakeholders submitted that Kasempa is one of the largest constituencies in the country that should be considered for two additional ones.
Among the constituencies proposed are Lufupa, Mufwashi and the existing Kasempa constituency while seven additional polling districts are proposed for delimitation.
Kasempa district electoral officer Tyrson Chunga expressed happiness that the process of delimitation was peaceful and attended by faith-based organizations, ordinary citizens and civic leaders.
Mr. Chunga said stakeholders also resolved for the creation of three more wards to reduce the voting apathy by reducing distances.
He said the resolutions will be subjected to provincial sittings that are scheduled to begin in October, this year
LANDS Minister Jean Kapata and her Labour counterpart Joyce Simukoko have been involved in a road traffic accident.
The accident happened when a Toyota Land Cruiser GX which was being driven by 41 year old Henry Bwalya of Lusaka and in which the two ministers and and another passenger named Christian Mwanza were in had a tyre burst.
Deputy Police Spokesperson Rae Hamoonga has confirmed this in a statement to media and said the accident happened on Friday around 16:40 hours at Kapwila area along Nakonde- Mbala road.
“The accident happened when the vehicle had a rear left tyre burst and the driver lost control of the vehicle which went off the road on the left, seven meters away from the road and stopped on its wheels. As a result, the vehicle had damaged left head lamp,left fender , passenger door and shuttered wind screen. All ocupants escaped with no injuries,” said Hamoonga.
“In the night I search for you; in the morning I earnestly seek you…”
(Isaiah 26:9, NLT)
Seek First
Jesus said in Matthew 6, “Seek first the kingdom of God.” That word “seek” is a strong word. One definition is “to require as a vital necessity.” You have to see spending time with God as being vital to living a victorious life. When things get busy, the children need you, it’s hectic at the office, or you’ve got a thousand things to do, you’ve got to put your foot down and say, “No, this is not an option. If I’m going to be strong, if I’m going to be my best today, if I’m going to have God’s favor, I’ve got to rearrange my priorities so I can spend time with God.”
You may have to get up earlier—before the children need you, before checking your emails, before the phone starts ringing. Take time to invest in your spiritual well-being. We feed our physical body at least three meals a day, but often we feed our spirit just once a week at church. We wonder why we feel burned out, unenthusiastic, and lack favor, wisdom and creativity. It’s because we’re not taking time to get filled back up. Just like we feed our physical man, we need to feed our spiritual man. When you invest in your spiritual well-being, it will pay huge dividends in your life.”
A Prayer for Today
“Father, today I choose to put You first. I acknowledge that without You, I can do nothing. I invite You to have Your way in my life as I seek You first in all that I do in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Zesco United and Green Eagles today made winning starts in their respective CAF Champions League preliminary round, first leg fixtures.
But Buildcon made a disappointing start on their continental debut in the CAF Confederation Cup after losing at home to Young Buffaloes of eSwatini.
In eSwatini, Zesco beat Black Mamba 2-0 away and took a 1-0 halftime lead through new boy Umaru Kasumba in the 7th minute on Ugandan strikers club debut .
John Chingandu added the final goal in the 53rd minute.
At Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka, Eagles became the first Zambia team to beat Orlando Pirates of South Africa following a 1-0 home win in their first leg match.
Spencer Sautu scored the games lone goal in the 46th minute.
Zesco host Black Mamba in the last leg on August 24 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola while Eagles hope to complete a historic double away in Johannesburg on the same date.
And at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium today, Buildcon lost 1-0 to Young Buffaloes.
Mpendulo Dlamini scored the games lone goal in the 42nd minute in a first half that the eSwatini side dominated but Buildcon commanded in the last 45 minutes.
Buildcon travel to eSwatini for the final leg on August 24.
United Party for National Development (UPND) National Chairperson Mutale Nalumango
UPND National Chairperson Mutale Nalumango has described the National Dialogue Forum as a PF inspired conversation where the ruling party was talking to itself about its own misguided and selfish ideas and not those of the people of Zambia. She said it was a PF monologue rather than a national dialogue.
Speaking in a Millennium Radio ‘Talk at Six’ programme last evening, Mrs Nalumango charged that the forum was not credible as it was a coercive assembly that lacked cohesion and consensus by the people of Zambia who are the owners of the constitution.
Mrs Nalumango stated that the forum was formed by an act of parliament that criminalized its character and participating in it was legitimizing an illegal action that had no blessing from the owners of the constitution which are the citizens.
“The PF out of its own accord brought in the Commonwealth to mediate and lead the talks only to U turn in mid stream because they claimed it was a foreign body. Then Lungu in a by election campaign rally in Chilanga said the only credible body that would be nuetral was the Church. Lungu met HH and they together endorsed the Church led dialogue, but on the 11th hour the PF changed and now opted for ZCID. How could the ZCID which in essence was the UPND and the PF, lead the talks about itself?”, wondered Mrs Nalumango.
And Mrs Nalumango has dismissed the assertion that the UPND President Hakainde Hichilema can only meet President Lungu under certain conditions. Mrs Nalumango said the UPND President has always been ready to meet President Lungu without any conditions but that it was the PF attaching conditions.
“President Hichilema has always been ready to meet President Lungu, but the PF themselves are unwilling to talk because they don’t want to empty the pond because they thrive on violence and corruption and they fear the talks would take away all that”.
Meanwhile Mrs Nalumango has demanded that the PF stops its insatiable appetite to cause by elections because it is draining valuable national resources and consuming time meant to deal with important and urgent issues affecting the welfare of the people of Zambia.
“The PF took over power on rhetorical promises that they would put more money in people’s pockets, lower taxes and create more jobs for the citizens. But what the people are seeing are more and more by elections, more and more taxes from people’s pockets into the PF’s pockets.
People are tired of these by elections that are subsequently causing voter apathy and confusion in the citizens’ minds. They are straining the national treasury of scarce resources, and besides we can’t be politicking forever at the expense of fighting hunger and poverty which are of the utmost importance and urgence, than endless council by elections induced by the PF corruption. We can’t go on like this”, said Mrs Nalumango.
Mr Kapalasa flashes the UPND symbol after he was unveiled as the party’s candidate for the Katuba by election
National Development Planning Minister Alexander Chiteme has expressed displeasure at the violent politics being practiced by the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND).
During the media briefing at the PF Interactive Forum in Lusaka, Mr Chiteme accused UPND of wining by using dirty tactics and said that that he had witnessed first hand the lawlessness from the UPND cadres and their leaders who he reveled had harassed him and his colleagues from the PF on voting day.
He said the same underhand methods of harassing and intimidating people which they had used in Sesheke were the ones they employed in Katuba for them to retain the seat.
He said it was therefore laughable for the UPND leader Mr Hichilema to stand on a platform and say “thank you Katuba for giving us back the seat, ”
“They got so desperate they repeated what they did in Sesheke. Intimidating our polling agents, intimidating ECZ Staff, there is a report out there,” he said.
Chiteme said the Patriotic Front was gaining more and more ground due to its ambitious development agenda which was being fulfilled day by day.
He castigated Mr Hichilema for wishing the development agenda of President Lungu and the PF to fail just because of his desire to be President
And Mr Chiteme has said that it was preposterous for UPND to celebrate the Katuba win in the recently held Parliamentary by elections.
According to Mr Chiteme, a person who has been in the political arena as long as UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema has, should bury his head in shame and not be in the forefront celebrating because just a few years ago, in the 2016 general elections, the Patriotic Front had not won even a single ward in the area, a status quo which has significantly shifted with PF taking 3 wards.
Chiteme said simple mathamatics should tell Hichilema that by 2021, with the significant inroads that have been made thus far, the Patriotic Front is poised to win the Katuba seat.
“Go to Katuba and find out how many wards we won in 2016, you will discover it was zero. All the wards were won by UPND. Today as we speak, PF has won 3 wards in katuba which is a so called stronghold of the UPND. We won Katuba ward, we won Chunga ward and we won cholokelo ward,” he said.
Mr. Chiteme said this when he featured on the Patriotic Front Interactive Forum at longacres lodge in Lusaka.
Socialist Party President Fred M’membe says his government will make education compulsory from Nursery to grade 12 and free from grade 1 to University to enable Citizens acquire education.
And Dr. M’membe said any parent that will not send their child to nursery at the age of 3 will be sent to prison where those that will have no Diploma or Certificate in any filed will also acquire education and graduate with Degrees.
He said children that decide to drop out of school in Grades 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 will be sent to juvenile prisons where they will continue with their education and only released when they are ready to go to University.
Dr. M’membe said his Government will make sure that Juvenile prisons have the best teachers, sociologists and psychologists for the children to acquire the best education.
He said his government will cut down on government expenditure especially on the President, Vice President, Ministers, Members of Parliament and Councilors and channel the resources to the education sector.
Dr. M’membe said this will enable schools to employ well qualified teachers, nurses and other professionals that will ensure that children are taken care of at school.
He said his government will also ensure that mining companies pay a fair share of taxes, the money which will be channeled towards improving the education, health and agriculture sectors.
Dr. M’membe said he would rather see Ministers walking to the Office and have children ride in school buses going to school.
He was speaking at the Press freedom Committee of the Must Newspaper on the Copperbelt Province.
Shepolopolo captain Hazel Nali says they are determined to make history on Sunday in the 2019 COSAFA Women’s Cup final in Port Elizabeth.
Shepolopolo face hosts South Africa seeking their debut to COSAFA Women’s Cup crown after reaching the final for the first time in their history.
Unbeaten Shepolopolo head into the final on the back of four wins and a draw.
Shepolopolo qualified to the final after beating Botswana 4-0 in the semifinals on August 8 following 0-0 result between the two sides just two days earlier in their last Group B match.
“It is a great achievement. It is the first time and have broken the history by qualifying to the final,” the Shepolopolo goalkeeper said.
“And we are now looking forward to winning the Cup. We really need to make history by winning this game.”
Shepolopolo are also seeking their debut competitive win over South Africa whom they last faced at the tournament in 2017 but lost 5-3 on post-match penalties following a 3-3 semifinal result at the tournament held in Zimbabwe.
They also drew 1-1 in their last competitive meeting last November in a Group B match at the 2018 Women’s AFCON in Ghana.
“South Africa is not a small team and we really need to work hard if we are to beat them on Sunday,” Nali said.
“Whoever wants it most will win it but I know my girls know we have a huge task ahead but everyone will up their game.”
Meanwhile, their counterparts Shepolopolo U20 are also chasing history on the same date in the early kickoff of the 2019 COSAFA U20 Cup final when they face Tanzania.
It will be the two side’s second meeting at the tournament after Shepolopolo beat Tanzania 2-1 in the group stage.
Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development Permanent Secretary Paul Chanda
Government has asked Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) to rescind its decision to close two shafts at its Nkana site.
Mopani announced the shaft closures on Thursday in a move that an opposition leader said had led to 1,400 job losses.
Mines Permanent Secretary Paul Chanda on Friday said he had written to Mopani to ask the company not to close the two shafts because it had not exhausted discussions with the government.
Chanda said the government had, among other suggestions, asked Mopani to hand over the running of the shafts to local contractors instead of closing them.
“We haven’t concluded talks with them,” Chanda told Reuters.
“Mopani can’t arbitrarily take a decision to shut the two shafts without the participation of the government.”
A Mopani spokesman could not be reached for immediate comment.
The closure of the two uneconomic shafts had always been part of its plans, Mopani said on Thursday, adding that the move would allow it to channel funds towards completion of other expansion projects.
Alexander Chiteme, the Minister of National Planning
Zambia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) drop to 2% has been spurred by various economic and climatic factors but the shrinking growth is recoverable in the short and medium term, Alexander Chiteme, the Minister of National Planning has said.
Zambia is one of the countries that have relied on commodities, copper exports included in economic growth programmes since independence and has not championed industrialization and diversification.
Faced with the various factors at play, debt accumulation, climate change included, the Government looks ahead and wants to promote exponential growth in various sectors to meet the demands of its 17 million populace.
“The economic meltdown cannot entirely be blamed on President Lungu and the ruling PF alone.” he said. “Nature has a hand in the erring economy and there is little or nothing President Lungu can do to fight it.”
The Minister admitted that Zambia has experienced a slump in economic growth recorded over eight years ago to a paltry 2.5% a record, common in almost all the Sub Saharan states-battling to overcome climatic change effects.
Against the effects of the unforeseen developments, which have affected agriculture, energy, tourism, among other sectors, Zambia realized the need to realign its growth programmes hence, mooting the recovery programme under the 2017-2021 much touted 7th National Development Programme, aiming to regain high GDP.
Climate change has over the time swept growth in energy, industry, agriculture, forcing the Government to secure financial assistance from cooperating partners to undertake facelift in affected sectors and this has resulted in the reinvigoration of the economy although poverty levels remain high in many households.
Allaying fears from economic commentators that President Edgar Lungu’s administration has faced to provide impetus to economic growth-what with high debt levels and declining agriculture and energy performance, Chiteme defended the administration arguing all the factors were not human induced but nature.
“The economic meltdown cannot entirely be blamed on President Lungu and the ruling PF alone.” he said. “Nature has a hand in the erring economy and there is little or nothing President Lungu can do to fight it.”
The unprecedented and severe climate change seen in several parts of the country, chiefly Southern Zambia, the hub of power generation, has slowed down growth of power output, which has in turn affected production in industry-key economic driver.
“We just have to develop the economy even if it means borrowing, if we were borrowing for consumption; I would have been the first to resign,”
He said it is unfair to compare the economic 7% GDP growth in 2011 to what is prevailing today without taking into consideration other overriding factors, flood, caused by climate change which has affected power output, leading to the decline in the economic growth today.
Comparatively, the 7% growth in 2011 is not matched to 2019 because of various factors that have arisen and what transpired then cannot be compared to present day.
Despite these challenges Government has embarked on an ambitious programme to redress the ills, citing the construction of over 200 secondary schools, roads and other infrastructure, alien to the time under review-an indicator of rising GDP, though might not be appreciate now.
On cries of high indebtedness, averaging US$10 billion, Minister Chiteme, justified Government’s propensity to contract loans.
He contended many critics who have narrowed their thoughts on the sinking fund as a basis that we might fail to honour debt obligations arguing various plans including euro bond refinancing are on cards.
“We just have to develop the economy even if it means borrowing, if we were borrowing for consumption; I would have been the first to resign,”
These have given rise to massive market linkages-necessitating farmers across the country to access markets for their produce, a shift from 2011 when the economy doubled.
Zambia remains determined to attain growth under the vision 2030 ambitious, although it is lacking adequate financing but that with determination, the economy was facing a brighter horizon, despite some critics remaining critical despite all the good deeds.
Government will not relent on its ambitious growth programme as espoused under the 7th NDP-which embraces all the 17 sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in various sectors.
Republican President of Zambia, His Excellency Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu laying the foundation stone for construction of the landmark 800 bed capacity ultra morden state of the art Bangweulu Regional Hospital. The President is flanked by Health Minister of the Republic of Zambia, Hon. Dr. Chitalu Chilufya, Housing and Infrastructure Minister, Hon. Vincent Mwale, Northern Province Minister Hon. Lazarus Chungu and Kasama Central Lawmaker Hon. Kelvin Sampa. Photo Credit : Ministry of Health
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu says the government’s aspiration is to transform Zambia into a regional medical hub and promote medical tourism.
During the laying of foundation stone for Bangweulu Regional Hospital in Lupososhi district, Northern Province yesterday, President Lungu said this would only be achieved through health facilities of high standards and strategically placed such as the Bangweulu Hospital.
He said the laying of the foundation stone kick-starts the construction of the hospital.
President Lungu said the development was a confirmation that the government was indeed walking the talk and they were delivering on promises as espoused in the PF manifesto.
He said the government was resolved to improve the wellbeing of citizens across the breadth and length of the country through, among other things, provision of access to quality healthcare.
President Lungu said the government had placed high premium on having a healthy and productive population to spur socio-economic development.
“This is as outlined in the Seventh National Development Plan, the Patriotic Front manifesto, and the National Health Strategic Plan 2017-2021. Therefore, it gives me great pleasure to lay the foundation stone to commence the construction of an ultra modern hospital, the Bangweulu Regional Hospital, which will be constructed at the cost of K154,174,340.72. The hospital will have a bed capacity of 800 and will take about 36 months to complete,” he said.
He said the first phase of the project involves construction of an outpatient department, maternity wing, casualty wing, administration block, modern laboratory, an operating theatre, and physiotherapy department.
President Lungu said Bangweulu hospital was earmarked to be a centre of clinical excellence in the region housing consultants in various medical disciplines.
He said this would significantly improve the delivery of health services, not only in Lupososhi but the entire province.
President Lungu said the facility would also result in the reduction of referral of patients to Kasama General Hospital, and the University Teaching Hospitals.
He said this would save the government and the people from incurring unnecessary costs.
“The hospital will also provide training of various health personnel, including specialisation under the auspices of the Levy Mwanawasa Medical University. This is in line with my directive to the Minister of Health to enhance human capital development in the health sector. My government will resolutely develop all the newly created districts in line with our decentralisation programme. This will bring social amenities such as health services as close to our people as possible, irrespective of where they are. We shall not relent on this undertaking as a government in power,” he said.
President Lungu said in addition to putting up modern structures, the government would ensure that all necessary staff, equipment and other requisites were provided to facilitate seamless operations.
He urged stakeholders involved in the construction of the hospital to ensure that works were expedited and the project delivered in a timely manner.
President Lungu urged the people of Lupososhi to support the contractor as the works were being executed.
“Your role is critical to the delivery of the project on time. I further appeal to our traditional leadership to support this unprecedented project which will definitely change the lives of our people,” said President Lungu.
Republican President of Zambia, His Excellency Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu laying the foundation stone for construction of the landmark 800 bed capacity ultra morden state of the art Bangweulu Regional Hospital. The President is flanked by Health Minister of the Republic of Zambia, Hon. Dr. Chitalu Chilufya, Housing and Infrastructure Minister, Hon. Vincent Mwale, Northern Province Minister Hon. Lazarus Chungu and Kasama Central Lawmaker Hon. Kelvin Sampa. Photo Credit : Ministry of HealthRepublican President of Zambia, His Excellency Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu laying the foundation stone for construction of the landmark 800 bed capacity ultra morden state of the art Bangweulu Regional Hospital. The President is flanked by Health Minister of the Republic of Zambia, Hon. Dr. Chitalu Chilufya, Housing and Infrastructure Minister, Hon. Vincent Mwale, Northern Province Minister Hon. Lazarus Chungu and Kasama Central Lawmaker Hon. Kelvin Sampa. Photo Credit : Ministry of HealthRepublican President of Zambia, His Excellency Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu laying the foundation stone for construction of the landmark 800 bed capacity ultra morden state of the art Bangweulu Regional Hospital. The President is flanked by Health Minister of the Republic of Zambia, Hon. Dr. Chitalu Chilufya, Housing and Infrastructure Minister, Hon. Vincent Mwale, Northern Province Minister Hon. Lazarus Chungu and Kasama Central Lawmaker Hon. Kelvin Sampa. Photo Credit : Ministry of Health
Record 12-time champions Nkana will open the 2019/2020 FAZ Super Division season with a home match against Green Buffaloes on 31 August in Kitwe.
Wounded Kalampa are seeking an improved display after finishing seventh in Stream B of the 2019 transitional season.
“In the coming season as players we have to work extra hard than we did last season,” Nkana star striker Ronald Kampamba said.
“This season we have to qualify for CAF and win the league,” Sate Sate said.
Nkana’s Kitwe derby against Power Dynamos will come during Christmas and is scheduled for December 21 away at Arthur Davies Stadium during the 14th round.
Elsewhere, holders Zesco United have a big home clash against Zanaco at home on day one of the new campaign.
Last season’s runners up Green Eagles will host Kabwe Warriors in Choma with Red Arrows welcoming Nakambala Leopards.
Debutants Kansanshi Dynamos will line up against Power Dynamos at home in Solwezi.
Green Eagles coach Aggrey Chiyangi says they are not intimidated to be facing South African giants Orlando Pirates in Saturday’s 2019/2020 CAF Champions League preliminary round , first leg match at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.
Eagles’ date against the 1995 CAF Champions League winners and 2013 runners-up marks their second outing in continental football a season after reaching the second round last December of the CAF Confederation Cup in what was also their debut CAF campaign.
They also battle a Pirates side that is unbeaten in continental competition against a Zambian side with three wins and a draw.
“We are not intimidated. Zero percent intimidated. The reason is very simple, we have played so many games especially that we have played well in the Zambian league and have played in the CAF Confederation Cup and also had a chance to play in the CECAFA, so intimidation for us is now out of sight,” Chiyangi said.
Eagles were runner-up in the 2019 league season after losing to Zesco in the playoff final and later finished third as guest side at the 2019 CECAFA Club Cup in Rwanda in July.
“In football everything comes step-by-step. The only good thing is that when you talk about Green Eagles, I think the group has been climbing, it has not been going down which is good for the team,” Chiyangi said.
“So, even if we play Pirates, we are in a learning phase, but again, when in a learning phase, it does not mean we cannot get a positive result because football is played on the pitch.
“So we are taking it very positively. So, if they make mistakes and we get a chance, we will score but we have to be very careful.”
Buildcon on Saturday makes their CAF club competition debut when they host Young Buffaloes of eSwatini at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
Buildcon face Young Buffaloes in a preliminary round, first leg match of the 2019/2020 CAF Confederation Cup.
“We are debutants and I don’t expect miracles from us but if we pull our puzzle and strings together nothing will go wrong,” Buildcon interim coach Tenant Chembo said.
“It’s all about hard work. If you have to achieve anything as a team we need team work, discipline and good altitude,” Chembo said.
Young Buffaloes return to Zambia for a second successive time after losing 2-0 away in Lusaka and 3-2 at home in Manzini to Green Eagles at the same stage of the 2018/2019 CAF Confederation Cup.
“Young Buffaloes are a seasoned team. They have been together for sometime so we just have to be wary and guard ourselves.”
Buffaloes coach Domeni Kunene is hoping to do better against Buildcon.
“We are well prepared for the game, the spirit in the team is high, and we promise a better performance this time around,” Kunene said.
The two sides will meet in the last leg on August 24 in Manzini and the winner over both legs will face South African side Bidvest Wits in the first round in September.
Meanwhile, Zanaco are on bye in the preliminaries of the CAF Confederation Cup.
Vice President Inonge Wina has assured the nation that it is government’s duty to ensure that citizens are protected in good and bad times.
Mrs Wina says President Edgar Lungu has constantly assured the public that no one will die of hunger or starvation in Zambia because government and its partners are working round the clock to address the situation.
She further said that government is fully aware that the current hunger situation experienced in some parts of the country arising from extreme droughts and flash floods require urgent and special attention.
Mrs. Wina reiterated that every decision made by government is and will always be in the best interest of the citizens and the nation at large and that the hunger situation is no exception.
She has reminded stakeholders calling for declaration of the hunger situation as a national disaster to be mindful that there are many considerations made before making such a declaration.
Mrs Wina further stated that concerns from various interest groups will be taken into account through the due process and established procedures, the result of which will be done in the national interest.
The Vice President stated that the nation will informed of the way forward at the earliest opportunity.
Mrs Wina has thanked the public for the patience and solidarity with government during this moment of need.
She further thanked stakeholders for the understanding that government is doing everything possible to address the hunger situation in the country.
Mrs Wina appealed to the members of the public to remain calm while government is providing both short and medium term solutions with the view of finding long term solutions.
This is according to a statement issued by Permanent Secretary for Administration in the Office of the Vice President Stephen Mwansa.
