Bweengwa UPND Member of Parliament, Michelo Kasauta has dispelled public fears that UPND members of Parliament were divided on the National Dialogue Forum (NDF) resolutions and likely to betray the cause on the floor of Parliament.

Mr.Kasauta said people should not doubt the capacity and sincerity of UPND Members of Parliament with regards to matters of national and public interest because they always represent the will of the people.

Speaking when he featured on Live Radio’s Live issues radio program this morning, Mr.Kasauta said UPND Parliamentarians have always stood on the side of the people and will never let them down.

“We agree as UPND MPs that some people might criticise us but one thing we can assure you is that we are more resolved and united than ever to defeat the constitutional Amendment bill once brought on the floor of Parliament. I can assure the public that the bill will not go anywhere.We are determined and we shall stand with the people,” he said.

The Bweengwa lawmaker further said the Party position on the NDF resolutions is very clear and was in line with the wishes of the people hence any departure from it would be suicidal.

He added that President Hakainde Hichilema’s guidance to the parliamentarians on both sides of divide was timely and non partisan but aimed at ensuring that Parliament remains representative of the people.

Mr.Kasauta said supporting the resolutions of the NDF in parliament by UPND MPs would be the worst national betrayal for many generations to come hence their resolve to defeat it now to avoid posterity judging the current Parliament harshly.

“We have an opportunity once again to stand with the people.In 1990,the UNIP dominated Parliament stood with the people and time has come for us to stand with the people and ensure that their wishes and aspirations are respected in line with the constitution which recognises the people as being the authority behind the constitution,” he said.

Justice Minister Given Lubinda is this in sitting of Parliament expected to table in the house a constitutional amendment bill to allow the Republican Constitution number two of 2016 be amended to include NDF resolutions.

The bill will however require two-thirds of the total number of MPs to pass through and the opposition UPND has successfully rallied MPs from among independents and the PF to reject the Bill.

President Edgar Lungu’s Daughter and Nkoloma Ward One councillor Tasila Lungu has donated 400 bags of maize meal as part of her Ubulayo initiative to communities in South Province .

In a message anouncing the donation, Ms Lungu said that she was s privileged to visit communities in Southern Province recently and was was warmly received by Chief Sekute in Kazungula where she was able to distribute 400 bags of maize meal as part of our Ubulayo initiative accompanied by Kazungula District Commissioner Ms Pascalina Musokotwane.

Ms. Lungu further said that the trip to southern province had allowed her to interact with the locals and listened to the challenges they encounter.

“This visit allowed us to interact with this wonderful community and also learn more about the challenges they encounter and also the solutions they have put in place. Thank you so much to the people of Southern Province – TWALUMBA!” She added.

Ms. Lungu who was accompanied by Namibia’s first daughter, Ms. Nangula Geingob Ms. Lungu was welcomed by Chief Sekute of Kazungula.

Ms. Geingob has been supporting communities and orphans through her Patty’s Heart Foundation in Namibia and Her Royal Highness Princess Tirelo Molotlegi of the Royal Bafokeng Nation of South Africa which is home to the world’s largest platinum deposits, managed for the benefit of the kingdom and its people through a sovereign wealth fund.

Meanwhile, Southern Province Deputy Permanent Secretary Kennedy Mubanga has said that government will not allow anyone to die of hunger due to drought which hit the region in the last farming season.

Mr. Mubanga said that government has put in place measures to mitigate the effects of drought in the area, such as assisting those affected with relief food.

Mr. Mubang said that the drought experienced in the last farming season in the area was a temporary setback and encouraged farmers not to give up.

Mr. Mubanga was hopeful that the region which has been a national food basket in the past will bounce back next farming season to produce enough grain to feed the country.

He was speaking when Alpha commodities Limited officials paid a courtesy call at his office in Choma.

The Deputy Permanent Secretary stated that Alpha commodities has already started distributing fertilizer in Southern province in readiness for the 2019/2020 farming season.

And Alpha Commodities Country Manager Ndeleki Miyanda said his Company has already positioned six thousand metric tonnes of fertilizer in Southern Province.

Mr. Miyanda said Alpha Commodities will distribute about 15 thousand tonnes of fertilizer in Southern Province this year

President Edgar Lungu says the Honorary Doctorates conferred to him and his Zimbabwean counterpart Emmerson Mnangagwa is challenge for them to provide quality education for the people.

President Lungu said he is honoured by the conferment of the Doctorate.

“I personally, take this honour as a challenge for us to continue providing the kind of leadership which will enable our two great countries move towards prosperity and provide a better life for our people by ensuring that we continue to extend this honour to our people,” President Lungu said.

“We can always honour them by ensuring that access to quality education at primary, secondary and higher education levels is assured for them.”

He said Zambia and Zimbabwe must continue to place emphasis on preparing the youths for the 4th Industrial Revolution, in the education that is provided for them.

President Lungu said the two countries do not want to remain behind.

“I challenge the corporate sector to partner with government and contribute towards infrastructure development at our public education institution

President Edgar Chagwa Lungu and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa were yesterday afternoon conferred with honorary doctorate degrees in law by the University of Zambia (UNZA) for, among other things, their exceptional leadership and upholding the rule of law.

The two leaders received their honorary degrees at a ceremony held by the University of Zambia in Lusaka.

Both President Lungu and Mnangagwa graduated from UNZA with LLB.

The awarding of the degrees to the two leaders has evoked sharp reactions from The Head of State will be conferred at a Ceremony to be held at UNZA.

Notably, civil rights activist Laura Miti said President Lungu must decline the good governance honorary doctorate if indeed the university is planning to confer him.

“If there is ever a time one hopes a rumour making the rounds is fake news, it this story that the University of Zambia plans to award President Lungu with an honorary doctorate in good governance. Good governance Even he would refuse it, kaleza. They should give him one for encouraging health and fitness pela, if they must. These things must ring true” Miti said.

However, Foreign Affairs Minister Joe Malanji said the decision by UNZA to confer Doctor of Laws degrees on the two Presidents who are former students of the institution will raise the profile of the University.

He told Reporters that Universities like Harvard boast of having produced many Presidents in the United States of America wondering why UNZA should not be proud to have produced three Presidents.

Mr. Malanji said UNZA has produced several leaders across Africa who are currently serving in high positions in their countries.

Meanwhile, President Mnangagwa has returned to Zimbabwe after concluding his one-day official working visit to Zambia.

President Mnangagwa was seen off by Foreign Affairs Minister Joe Malanji, Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo, Higher Education Minister Professor Nkandu Luo, Lusaka Mayor Miles Sampa and other senior government and party officials.

The plane carrying President Mnangagwa and his entourage left Kenneth Kaunda International Airport for Harare, Zimbabwe at 18:39 hours local time.

Vice President Inonge Wina has revealed that overwhelming numbers of United Party for National Development -UPND ward councillor are applying to join the Patriotic Front (PF).

Ms. Wina says the PF-Secretariat is being flooded with such applications by a vast number of UPND Councillors.

She observed that the UPND Councillors have realised that their party has no future.

Ms. Wina has dispelled allegations that the PF is bribing UPND Councillors in North-western Province and other parts of the country to ditch their party.

She was responding to Kabompo members of parliament Ambrose Lufuma during the Vice President’s Question Session in parliament.

Meanwhile Ms Wina expressed confidence that unnecessary by-elections will be curtailed once the constitution and electoral laws are amended.

She said the recent National Dialogue Forum-NDF gathered recommendations for the country to curtail unnecessary by-elections.

The NDF was constituted to facilitate the amendment of the Constitution and other subsidiary laws.

And the Vice President has insisted that government has not banned the movement of maize locally.

Ms. Wina says Zambians are free to transport maize within the country but reiterated that government has banned the export of maize.

Ms. Wina said this in parliament during the Vice President Question Session.

She was responding to United Party for National Development -UPND Moomba member of parliament Fred Chaatila.

Mr. Chaatila complained that people from his constituency buying and transporting maize from other parties of the country are facing harassment.

Today’s Scripture

“I made haste, and did not delay to keep Your commandments.”

(Psalm 119:60, NKJV)

Don’t Delay

Isn’t it interesting how easy it is to put things off? We plan on doing something. We have good intentions. We just plan to do it later. “One day I’m going to start exercising. One day I’m going to get my finances in order. One day I’m going to forgive that person who hurt me.” The problem with this kind of thinking is that “one day” never comes.

There will always be some reason to keep delaying it. Is there something in your heart that you know you need to do? Maybe God has been dealing with you, and you keep putting it off. You think, “As soon as I get through this busy season, I’ll spend more time with my family.

As soon as I get a pay raise, I’ll start tithing my income. As soon as my child gets out of diapers, I’m going to get my family back in church.” But friend, good intentions don’t equal obedience. The quicker you do what you feel down in your spirit, the happier you’re going to be. Don’t let unfinished business keep you from God’s best. Step out. Obey His voice and walk in the blessing He has for you!

A Prayer for Today

“Father, thank You for Your patience and grace toward me. Search my heart. Show me the way to go. I choose to obey Your voice quickly and honor You in all that I do in Jesus’ name. Amen.”