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“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead…”
(Philippians 3:13, NIV)
Failure Is Not Final
Are you down on yourself today because of past mistakes you’ve made or because you’re not where you want to be in life? God knows every poor choice, every difficulty, every wrong turn you may have made, and He’s already planned your comeback! In Scripture, the prophet Jonah took a detour, so to speak. It took him a little bit longer, but because he called out to God, because he believed, God not only rescued him, but God got him to his final destination.
Friend, know today that failure is not final. God always has the final say. Mistakes don’t have to keep you from your destiny. God’s plan can override every setback. Your world may be in turmoil today in a relationship, in your finances or health. But know this: not only will God rescue you, He will set your feet on a rock and lead you to your final destination in life. Remember, the promise He placed on the inside of you didn’t go away because you had some personal failures. No, that failure is only temporary, but His Word remains forever! Keep hoping, keep believing because He will move you into the blessing and victory He has prepared for you!
A Prayer for Today
“Father God, thank You for Your hand of victory and blessing that is on my life. Today, I shake off the past, I shake off failure, I shake off poor choices and trust that You are restoring me and leading me into the plan You have for me in Jesus’ name. Amen!”
President Edgar Chagwa Lungu during the funeral of Mr Etienne Tshisekedi (Father to the DRC leader) held at Stadium the Martyrs on Saturday, 1st June, 2019. Picture by Eddie Mwanaleza/State House
President Lungu was yesterday among foreign heads of states that attended a state funeral held for veteran opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the country’s capital Kinshasa. Opposition icon Etienne Tshisekedi, whose son is now Congo’s president, was laid to rest Saturday in his homeland more than two years after he died during a political stalemate over the country’s long-delayed elections.
Accompanying President Lungu to the funeral were Minister of Foreign Affairs Joe Malanji, Luapula Province Minister Nixon Chilangwa, Minister of Livestock Kampamba Mulenga, Copperbelt Province Minister Japhen Mwakalombe and North Western Provincial Minister Richard Kapita. Others included aides, Special Assistant for Politics Kaizer Zulu and Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations, Amos Chanda.
A funeral procession joined by thousands made its way to the outskirts of Kinshasa following several days of tributes to the man who was the face of Congo’s opposition for decades but died before his political nemesis agreed to step aside and allow a new presidential vote to go forward.
In life, Tshisekedi was at times put under house arrest and his supporters jailed. But on Saturday the 84-year-old received a farewell befitting a former leader now that his son, Felix, holds the presidency.
Tens of thousands greeted his casket as it was driven through the streets of the capital Thursday evening and then displayed at Martyrs Stadium the following day. Even the political coalition of his lifelong adversary, former President Joseph Kabila, issued a statement calling Tshisekedi “undoubtedly one of the major political actors of our country.”
At the time of his 2017 death in Brussels, family members say Kabila had blocked the return of his body to Congo for fear it could foment unrest and more calls for his ouster.
Tshisekedi was one of the most outspoken critics of Kabila, at one point accusing him of treason for not stepping down when his mandate ended. Kabila eventually allowed elections to be held in January, which Felix Tshisekedi won.
“I’m sorry that his body had to stay two years abroad but today we are showing our commitment to him still,” Georgette Lobota said as she sold bread at the sports stadium where Tshisekedi’s body lay in state Friday, dressed in fabric with his image. “He will finally be honored as a dignified son of Congo.”
On Saturday, Mass was celebrated and then he was interred at a mausoleum 30 kilometers (18 miles) from Kinshasa during a private ceremony with family members.
Tshisekedi helped found Congo’s main opposition party, UDPS, back in 1982 during the rule of then-dictator Mobutu Sese Seko. Two years after the country allowed multiple political parties in 1990, Tshisekedi became prime minister in an uneasy on-again, off-again partnership with Mobutu.
Zambia begin their 2019 COSAFA Cup campaign this Sunday when they face Malawi in the quarterfinals in Durban.
Kickoff is at 17h30 at Princess Magogo Stadium as Zambia chase their third successive final appearance but still without any silverware since hosting the COSAFA Cup in 2013.
Zambia enjoyed a preliminary round bye but opponents Malawi qualified unbeaten from Group B on 7 points for the June 2 date against the four-time champions.
“We watched Malawi and we saw how they are playing, but again, the game we will play against them be different from the ones they have played so far,” Zambia coach Aggrey Chiyangi said.
“So what is important is we have picked one or two points from them and we will plan for them as we play on Sunday.”
The meeting will be the two sides first at the tournament since 2015 when Malawi beat Zambia 1-0 in the Plate Final.
Chiyangi also returns for his second COSAFA tour following an unsuccessful first in 2016 when they tumbled at the quarterfinal on post-match penalties to eSwatini and later lost in the Plate Final to Namibia.
Sunday’s match not only presents a great opportunity for Chiyangi to redeem himself but also continue from where he left off in March when he oversaw Zambia’s convincing display when they beat Namibia 4-1 in their formality 2019 AFCON Group K qualifier in Lusaka.
Meanwhile, Zambia are sweating on the fitness of key striker Lazarus Kambole who has been restricted to light training following an injury he sustained during practice in Durban.
Sunday will also see Chiyangi hand a goalkeeping debut to either Green Eagles’ Sebastian Mwenge or Power Dynamos’ Lawrence
Mulenga for the number one shirt .
Winner will face defending champions Zimbabwe in the semifinals on June 5 at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Zimbabwe beat Comoros 2-0 on Saturday in their quarterfinal match.
National Democratic Congress Party leader Chishimba Kambwili Kambwili insisting that the liquidation of Konkola Copper Mines KCM was out of order and that Soccer icon Kalusha Bwalya should be allowed to represent the country at CAF, and advised FAZ president Andrew kamanga not to be selfish over the nomination of Kalusha for top job at CAF.
HH addressing a news conference at the UPND secretariat on Thursday, April 4th 2019
Minister of Minister of Mines and Minerals Development Richard Musukwa has challenged United Party for National Development leader Hakainde Hichilema to offer solutions on issues surrounding Konkola Copper Mine. (KCM)
Mr. Musukwa said that instead of issuing negative remarks in the media, the UPND leader should suggest workable solutions to Government.
Mr. Musukwa said that Mr Hichilema attacks in the media over KCM are meant to discredit PF, making it look like Government does not mean well for the people of Zambia.
The Minister said that Government’s decision was done to save the mine and protect interest of the people and that the Challenges at KCM are greater than what is being portrayed in the media.
Mr. Musukwa said that all key contractors and suppliers had already given notice to KCM to withdraw their services before the liquidator came in and Mr Hichilema should get facts right before issuing damaging statements to the media.
The Minister said that , to resolve issues at KCM, there is need for Zambians to work together regardless of political affiliations, adding that Government is doing everything to restore confidence in both local and foreign contractors working with KCM.
Mr Musukwa was reacting to remarks by the UPND leader when he featured on Hot FM breakfast show in Lusaka yesterday.
NATIONAL Dialogue Forum absentees should not undermine efforts of gallant and patriotic Zambians by talking ill about the resolutions arrived at after great sacrifices, United Liberal Party president Sakwiba Sikota has said.
Mr Sikota said all delegates at the Forum showed great commitment to the plight of the country unlike those who deliberately stayed away.
He was reacting to sentiments by United Party for National Development (UPND) president, Hakainde Hichilema that the NDF was a sham and that it had drifted from the Siavonga resolutions.
Mr Sikota reiterated that it was wishful thinking for some sections of society to speculate that NDF drifted away from the Siavonga resolutions when they boycotted the Forum.
He said it was wrong for absentees to degrade the efforts of others when they could not sacrifice their time and put away pride for the sake of the wellbeing of the country.
Mr Sikota told the Daily Nation that it was unfortunate that bitter individuals could still stoop so low to spread falsehoods that the NDF drifted away from the Siavonga resolutions.
He said those who attended the NDF were representing the Zambian people and that it was an insult to undermine their efforts.
The opposition political party leader said the stakeholders did address all issues which were agreed upon in Siavonga.
He said some of the resolutions were adopted but most of issues which were agreed upon were addressed.
“Quite number of the Siavonga resolutions were adopted during the forum, those which not adopted were very few.
“People did agree that most issues agreed upon in Siavonga be addressed because they were important to the governance of this nation. So it is wrong for those who were not present to spread falsehoods about the outcome of the National Dialogue Forum,” Mr Sikota said.
Mr Sikota said the UPND and its leader were a let-down to the Zambian people, that a good leader would not have shunned such an important event.
He said if the UPND leadership wanted their issues to be addressed they would not have boycotted such an important event.
Striker Emmanuel Chabula is itching to finally playing for Zambia at the COSAFA Cup after suffering a setback during his debut tournament call-up in 2018.
Chabula made the final 20 of the 2018 team that went on to reach the 2018 final but did not play after suffering an injury at the tournament held in Polokwane, South Africa.
“I am very happy to have made it to the final selection again and I am looking forward to playing for my country because if I look at the last time I went for last year’s COSAFA, I had a serious injury and I never played any game and I was just warming the bench,” Chabula said.
“But this time around, I am fully fit and I am ready to play for my country and I will do my best.
“It is a nice feeling when you are called for the national team. You have to put in your best as a striker and hit the back of the net.”
Chabula has had a prolific last two seasons that began at Kitwe United in 2018 where he scored 10 goals before moving to Nkwazi this season where he netted seven goals.
Zambia’s Ambassador to Sweden, Her Excellency Ms. Rose Salukatula with Estonia’s Ambassador to Sweden, Her Excellency Merle Pajula at the Embassy of Zambia in Stockholm. The embassy also has extra-accreditation to Estonia.
Estonia has offered full scholarships for young Zambians to participate in a postgraduate certificate programme in International Relations and European Integration.
The Estonian School of Diplomacy (ESD), in collaboration with the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, announced the offer of the scholarships to the Embassy of Zambia in Stockholm last week.
The scholarship programme, which runs from September 2019 to May 2020, is targeted at young Zambian diplomats and civil servants and will take place at the ESD in the Estonian capital of Tallinn.
The scholarship covers tuition fees, a monthly allowance, accommodation in Tallinn, health insurance in Estonia during the studies as well as the cost of visa and resident permit processing.
The course includes three thematic modules namely; International Relations; European Studies, and Diplomatic Studies.
Among other requirements, applicants should not be more than 35 years, should have at least a Bachelors Degree and currently employed by the civil service for at least the last one year.
Zambia’s Ambassador to Sweden, Her Excellency Ms. Rose Salukatula, who is also accredited to Estonia, has described the development as encouraging and as an indication of the growing cordial relations between Zambia and Estonia.
Zambia’s Ambassador to Sweden, Her Excellency Ms. Rose Salukatula (centre) and Counsellor at the Embassy, Mr. Nicky Shabolyo (right) with Estonia’s Ambassador to Sweden, Her Excellency Merle Pajula at the Embassy of Zambia in Stockholm. The embassy also has extra-accreditation to Estonia.
Ambassador Salukatula noted that Zambia was honoured to be offered the scholarships by Estonia, which she said was among countries with advanced modern education systems in Europe. She said that Zambia stood to benefit from several other areas by maintaining close ties with Estonia.
“Estonia is not just strong in information and communication technology, but is also quickly emerging as a top destination for people interested in different disciplines such as education being offered by its universities. Estonia’s universities are fast becoming popular in Europe,” Ambassador Salukatula noted.
She said Zambia was in need of educational opportunities for the young, who formed the larger part of the country’s population. The Ambassador disclosed that the Embassy in Stockholm has been engaging other countries in Europe to which the Mission was accredited in order to secure training opportunities in various fields.
“It is our hope that our young people back in Zambia will take an interest and seize this opportunity in order to advance their education,” she added.
The Ambassador noted that the scholarship offer has been communicated to the Zambian government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to work out modalities for execution.
Estonia is one of the countries with the highest levels of educational attainment in the world, with a proportion of 25-64 year-olds with a tertiary qualification of 37%, against an average of 32% from among the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries. This is also one of the highest among OECD countries.
Issued by:
Nicky Shabolyo
Counsellor
ZAMBIAN EMBASSY IN SWEDEN
Acting Secretary to Cabinet, Mr Patrick Kangwa has with immediate effect suspended foreign and local travels for Permanent Secretaries and Directors for a period of 90 days.
He said Cabinet upon investigation had discovered that some Permanent Secretaries had taken upto 99 days out of their offices in 2018.
Mr Kangwa bemoaned the absence from the offices of the Controlling Officers stating that it was one of the reasons some Cabinet decisions had failed to be implemented.
He reminded them that the current situation in the nation demanded for decisive action to be taken in order to restore stability in the nation and eventually record economic growth.
He announced to them that they had one of two choices open to them which was either to transform or face disciplinary action for failure to comply.
“In our respective Ministries, we have the responsibility to act collectively, make sacrifices and ensure that the measures that have been announced are implemented fully,”
“We do not have the luxury to conduct ourselves as we have done in the past of operating in silos,”
“We must act collectively. The plight of 17 million Zambians out there depends on our good actions,” he said.
He said the 90 day suspension of travel for both Permanent Secretaries and Directors was one of the measures being taken to allow them to reflect and transform. We will also ensure strict management of personal emoluments bill,”
“This will call for serious consideration for personnel decisions such as retirements – in – the – national interest which have continued to impact negatively on both payroll and pension,” he said.
He called on all commissions to ensure retirements in national interest and transfers not substitute disciplinary actions against erring officers.
The acting Secretary to the Cabinet said this when he chaired the inaugural management meeting for permanent secretaries at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka.
Similar meetings are expected to be held for the Controlling Officers every month going forward.
Congolese refugees at Kenani transit centre in the Nchelenge district Zambia
The African Union has contributed a sum of 100,000 dollars to Zambia’s work towards hosting refugees.
In his letter confirming the transfer of funds to the Zambian Embassy in Ethiopia, Chairperson of African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat, said this followed the recommendation made by the Permanent Representative Committee Sub-Committee that visited Zambia to undertake the humanitarian assessment on Zambia hosting refugees.
The funds have been sent directly to the Ministry of Agriculture to go under the FISP program for refugees to help make refugees self sufficient.
And Zambia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia who is also Permanent Representative to the African Union Emmanuel Mwamba expressed gratitude for the solidarity gesture.
Mr. Mwamba said Zambia has been hosting refugees since the 1970s by providing shelter, land, food, water, education, infrastructure and security, a matter that came at great cost to the country.
He said the burden has been made lighter by resource support from the United Nations, the UNHCR and other humanitarian institutions.
Mr. Mwamba however said the contribution that has come from the African Union is an extremely humbling gesture to the Zambian government as it is re-affirming the principle that Africa should be at the fore-front of resolving its own challenges.
Zambia currently hosts 77,370 persons of concerns (51,371 refugees, 3,173 asylum seekers and 22,826 former refugees).
The refugees and former refugees are hosted in Maheba in North-Western Province, Mayukwayukwa in Western Province and Mantapala, in Luapula Province.
Zambia also has transit centres in Makeni and Northern and Luapula Provinces.
This is according to a statement issued by Inutu Mwanza, the First Secretary for Press and Tourism at the Zambian Embassy in Ethiopia.
Every government of the day has a right to run state-owned enterprises according to party manifesto. And every government of the day has a right to choose which countries and institutions to partner or work with. We see this happen everywhere in the world. The on-going trade war between the Trump administration and China, including institutions like Huawei is just one example. That is fair enough.
While it is granted that a government of the day has a right to run state-owned enterprises according to the party manifesto, and party relationships, however, there must be rationality and constitutionality in doing so. This is so because Article 90 of the Constitution of Zambia Amendment 2016 provides that the Executive authority derives from the people of Zambia, and should be exercised in a manner compatible with the principles of social justice and for the people’s well-being and benefit. In exercise of the executive authority of the State, a government of the day is obliged to promote the rule of law, among other values and principles.
In relation to the matter on hand, Government had several lawful options to divorce from Vedanta. Some options were direct while others were fronting.
One direct option was invoking the Golden Share power in vesting agreements. In that instance, Government would have taken over operations of KCM in line provisions of the Shareholders’ Agreement. The Agreement stipulates steps that need to be taken to do so.
The next direct option was invoking the Mines Development Act 2015 Licencing provisions. In this instance, the Ministry of Mines would have revoked KCM mining licence if there any breaches committed by KCM which violated the license conditions. The Mines Act stipulates steps that need to be taken to do so.
The trouble with the case in hand is that instead of adopting a direct option, it instead adopted by a fronting option. In my view, the direct options were better in many ways than fronting option.
For example, through the ZCCM-IH fronting arrangement, though publicly Government claims to be taking court action, nonetheless, it is not represented by State Chambers in the action. Constitutionally, where does this omission leave State advisability when the Attorney General and Solicitor General are missing in a Government court action?
It is no wonder a lot of issues surrounding the ZCCM-IH front are not adding up. Take for instance compliance with the Securities Act No. 41 of 2016 and the Listing Rules of the Lusaka Securities Exchange (LuSE). Before court action for liquidation of KCM was commenced, I strongly believe that the Board of ZCCM Investments Holdings Plc was obliged to publicly announce the liquidation of KCM.
The Securities Act and LuSE Rules provide necessary steps that must be taken by a listed company which is in severe financial difficulty and finds itself in a situation where it has no alternative but to dispose of a substantial part of its business or issue shares for cash to meet its ongoing working capital requirements or to reduce its liabilities. The ZCCM-IH 20% shareholding in KCM is a substantial part of the ZCCM-IH business. Disposing that share through liquidation is a drastic measure requiring notice to public shareholders. This was not done by ZCCM-IH. It appears to me that ZCCM-IH did not comply with the Securities and LuSE precautionary rules. Or have disclosure rules changed?
My second point of departure on ZCCM-IH omissions is compliance with Section 134 of the Securities Act. Government officials are making statements to the effect that Government intends to “liquidate” KCM with a view sell it as a “going-concern”. Forget about the contradiction in terms. But rationally and legally, what this whole thing means is that since ZCCM-IH is the front, then practically, ZCCM-IH has embarked on the exercise to take-over KCM.
According to the Section 134, a listed company or company whose securities are registered with the Commission that proposes a takeover or merger, or is being taken over by another company, is obliged to apply to the Commission to approve the takeover or merger, in the prescribed manner and form, and accompanied by a prescribed fee. Did ZCCM-IH do so in its current bid to takeover KCM?
I once again strongly believe that Government should rethink its strategy on the KCM liquidation/takeover. Rationality and rule of law should be cornerstones of such grand decisions in the interest of social justice and for the people’s well-being and benefit.
FIle: President Edgar Lungu (right) listens to Vedanta Resources PLC Chairman Anil Agarwal (left) who paid a courtesy call on him at State House
Vedanta Resources has taken the government of Zambia to international arbitration following the seizure of its Konkola Copper Mines.
The company, which is controlled by Indian metals tycoon Anil Agarwal, said a shareholder agreement with the Zambian government “provides for disputes to be submitted to international arbitration in Johannesburg.”
Vedanta said on Friday its executives were unable to visit its KCM operation and engage with local management, in a setback to efforts to ease tensions amid a legal battle with the Zambian government.
The move comes after the government of President Edgar Lungu seized control of KCM, one of Africa’s biggest copper producers, this month, saying it had breached environmental and financial regulations.
Vedanta said that its chief executive Srinivasan Venkatakrishnan held meetings with the Zambian government on Wednesday.
It said Vedanta was assured by the government that it had not entered into any “sale” agreements with other parties for the mines, it said.
Mr. Agarwal said on Thursday the company was working to comply with Zambia’s laws and tax requirements.
State-controlled ZCCM-IH is seeking liquidation of KCM, in which it owns 20 per cent.
Vedanta, which owns 80 per cent of the Vedanta, which owns 80 per cent of the company, claims that it has invested over $3bn in KCM since it acquired the business in 2004, adding processing capacity and extending the mine life.
Demonstrators marched in Chingola earlier this month to welcome the state’s efforts to bring in another investor.
The 2018 money laundering/terrorist financing trends report has revealed that Zambia incurred losses estimated at K6.1 billion linked to financial crimes such as Tax evasion, fraud, corruption and money laundering activities.
This shows an increase from the K4.5 billion recorded in the 2017 financial intelligence center trends report.
FIC Director General Mary Chirwa said during the launch of the report that the Center analyzed 176 suspicious transactions of which 80 were disseminated to law enforcement agencies on suspicious covering tax evasion, fraud corruption and money laundering.
Ms. Chirwa said the most prevalent forms of corruption noted in 2018 were those involving bribery and conflict of interest.
She said during the year, the Center disseminated reports on corruption with estimated value of K4.9 billion with public procurement activities being significantly vulnerable to corruption.
Attorney General Likando Kalaluka expressed hope that the report will help policy makers to strengthen measures aimed at addressing the highlighted financial trends.
Meanwhile FIC Acting Chairperson John Kasanga said the report has not experienced state interference during its compilation and continues to play an important role for the country by supporting response towards the prevention and detection of money laundering and terrorism financing.
And Some Law firms have been cited in the latest Financial Intelligence Center trends report as a vehicle used for money laundering activities by criminals.
Identified law firms assisted suspected criminals to mask the source of funds and aided its reinvestment or movement to foreign jurisdictions, the report says.
The center analysed cases related to 9 law firms amounting to K385 million in 2018 and cases involved illegally obtained funds transferred to law firms who then facilitated the acquisition of property such as land and motor vehicles on behalf of the launderers.
No traces of Sildenafil Citrate(Viagra) and Tramadol(painkiller) have been found on Konyagi Potable Spirit, following an investigation conducted on the alcoholic beverage, the Zambia medicines Regulatory Authority has revealed.
Samples of both medicinal products which are under the regulation of the ZAMRA were submitted to the Authority by the complainant on 15th May, 2019 following a report from a member of the public on the suspected adulteration of Konyagi.
The samples were analysed at the National Drug Quality Control Laboratory for the two adulterants (Sildenafil Citrate and Tramadol) which were absent in the product.
The Authority has since notified the complainant as well as the institution responsible for enforcement of the Food and Drugs Act.
ZAMRA Public Relations Officer Ludovic Mwape has since implored members of the public to remain vigilant and take interest in matters that may affect their health and well-being.
Mr. Mwape has also assured the public that it is open for engagement on matters pertaining to medicines and related products as enshrined in the Medicines and Allied Substances Act No. 3 of 2013.
