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Zambia is grappling with 800,000 children who are out of School

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Zambia is grappling with 800,000 children who are out of School

Government says it is committed to improving the welfare of orphans and vulnerable children in Community Schools, especially girls and children with disabilities.

Acting Ndola District Commissioner Monde Mumba said this when she officially opened a public dialogue forum for Zambia Open Community Schools (ZOCS) in Ndola today under the theme “Eliminating barriers in education, leaving no one behind.”

Ms. Mumba said Zambia is grappling with about 800,000 out of school children, a situation she said cannot be ignored and calls for concerted efforts in order to secure and build a better future for all.

She observed that the 800,000 out of school children are not in school due to various barriers including limited space in public schools and long distances to the nearest public schools.

Ms. Mumba said this is the reason community schools need to be well supported so that they can accommodate most of the out of school children in communities.

Ms. Mumba said government has enacted a number of policies designed to support community schools in Zambia where more than 20% of Basic School learners access education.

Ms. Mumba however noted that due to information gaps on policy provisions, Community Schools have continued to be sidelined and not getting the much deserved services and support as provided for in the guidelines and policies governing Community Schools operations.

She commended ZOCS and its cooperating partners for supporting the provision of quality and inclusive education for the most marginalized children in society, most of whom found a place in community schools.

And ZOCS Research and Advocacy Manager Petronella Sibeene said the organisation aims to empower communities to be able to provide support to quality basic education to a targeted number of 172,680 children in70 districts across the 10 provinces on the principle that every child has a right to education.

Ms. Sibeene added that the three pillars on which ZOCS builds its approach are those of enhanced educational opportunities for children, increased community capacity to provide such opportunities and advocating for government commitment to the sustainability of Open Community School innovations in over 2000 Community Schools in Zambia.

Meanwhile, Ndola district Education Standards Officer Benjamin Chabusaid the district has 83 registered community schools with 22, 011learners of which 11,566 are girls and 10, 545 boys.

Health workers desert clinic for fear of alleged ‘ghosts’

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Health workers desert clinic for fear of alleged ‘ghosts’

Mayankwa Rural Health Centre in Lukulu district in Western Province has been closed after workers deserted the facility for fear of alleged ghosts that tormented them and their families.

Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) Prince Sikufela Kabila told ZANIS yesterday that the health center closed three months ago, leaving more than 3,000 people without access to health services.

Prince Kabila said expectant mothers are the most affected by the closure of the facility as they are giving birth in their homes, a situation he described as sad because patients are denied clinical treatment as prescribed by the Ministry of Health.

He said the clinical officers and other support staff have relocated to the nearest Luvuzi rural health centre, abandoning the ghost haunted Mayankwa Rural Health Centre.

The Prince added that a recent meeting held with the members of the community resolved that a Clergyman be called in order to conduct prayers to exorcise the health centre of the apparitions.

He said the meeting also resolved to use a traditional diviner to secure the surrounding of the rural health centre using traditional herbs that will secure the health centre from being haunted by ghosts in future.

But when contacted for a comment, Lukulu District Director of Health Raymond Musonda said the rural health centre has today been opened to the general public.

Mr. Musonda said his office has encouraged all the members of staff to open the facility and has since engaged the BRE from Senior Chief Anang’anga and other community members in the locality to ensure that health workers lived peacefully.

He further said that government regulations do not allow traditional healers to conduct divination activities at all public institutions in the country.

Mr. Musonda said his office will remain observant to ensure that workers at the health centre are not further tormented in order for the people to benefit from the medical services being brought near their homes in the area.

President Lungu flags off distribution of relief food in Southern Province

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President Lungu flags off distribution of relief food in Southern Province
President Lungu flagging off the food relief distribution in Southern Province
President Lungu flagging off the food relief distribution in Southern Province

President Edgar Lungu has launched the distribution of relief food in Southern Province with a call on recipients not to resale the food supply.

And the President has committed government to improving agricultural productivity in some parts of the country despite the poor climatic conditions.

President Lungu says government wants to see an improved production of maize crop in Southern Province by encouraging innovative farming methods.

Speaking during the field day in Chief Siachitema’s area in Kalomo yesterday, President Lungu said government wants farmers to emulate innovative farming methods from farmers who have excelled in that areas.

The President said farmers countrywide should emulate good farming practices from Mr Raymond Mufwambi who has managed to get good yield despite poor rainfall in Southern Province.

And the President has launched the distribution of relief food in Southern Province, to help people who have been hit by hunger, adding that no one will die of hunger.

He said government has enough stock of maize in its reserve to give relief food to its citizens who have been affected by crop failure.

And Pannar Seed Managing Director Samson Nyendwa said his company will continue to partner with government to ensure farmers are equipped with new farming methods and supplied with quality seeds that can perform well during poor rainfall.

He said his company conducted 1,600 field days this year to help farmers get acquitted to new farming methods and agricultural technologies they can use to improve their farming.

At the same event, Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) President Javis Zimba called on the President to intervene in the pricing of maize grain so that they can earn enough from their produces.

Mr Zimba noted that the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) last bought maize at a very cheap price which he said disadvantages farmers.

He also appealed to the President to direct FRA to pay farmers on time this coming marketing season so that they can in turn buy inputs.

President Lungu flagging off the food relief distribution in Southern Province
President Lungu flagging off the food relief distribution in Southern Province

Stop using mosquito nets for fishing – chief

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Stop using mosquito nets for fishing – chief
FILE: Two women using a mosquito net to catch fish in Mongu. It is illegal to fish using a mosquito net

Chief Chimba of the Bemba speaking people of Mungwi district has warned people in his area to avoid using mosquito nets for fishing.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS recently, Chief Chimba said the abuse of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) is criminal.

He said the government is currently spending huge sums of money to ensure that people are provided with nets to help in the reduction of malaria cases in the district.

Chief Chimba has since cautioned members of the public to desist from using the nets for unintended purposes.

The traditional leader added that a constant refusal by some residents is also hindering the effective implementation of the Indoor Residual spraying (IRS) programme in Mungwi district.

Chief Chimba called on various stakeholders to enhanced sensitization of key messages so that the disease can be tenaciously fought.

And district administrative officer Mwape Mumbi said the Government iscommitted to ensure that malaria is eliminated by the year 2021.

Mr Mumbi however, noted that it was saddening to note that malaria cases in the district have remained unacceptably high despite the various interventions currently being implemented by the government and the various stakeholders.

He said this was posing a danger to people’s health as malaria has continued to be a killer disease which claims thousands of lives every year.

Mr Mumbi however, stated that health officials will not relent but continue to implement their mandate to control mosquitos through measures such as the distribution of insecticide-treated nets and Indoor residual spraying to curb the deadly disease.

Government used NAPSA funds to pay February delayed salaries-Africa Confidential

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Government used NAPSA funds to pay February delayed salaries-Africa Confidential
Zambia's Finance Minister Margaret Mwanakatwe
Zambia’s Finance Minister Margaret Mwanakatwe

The respected UK based investigative publication Africa Confidential has claimed that the Zambian government raised the country’s largest pensions fund NAPSA to pay delayed February salaries for civil servants.

In its latest publication, Africa Confidential claims in an article titled Treasury in the red that Zambia’s liquidity problems are getting worse and that state assets are looking more likely as a last repairs to avoid debt default.

It reported, “The lavish spending and borrowing of President Edgar Lungu’s government is starting to catch up with it. Africa Confidential has learned that in March, it had to raid the state pension fund, the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA), to pay overdue February salaries for public service employees.

“While the ruling Patriotic Front continues to deny that its debt burden poses any problem, alarm has been growing in financial circles. Standard Bank, which trades as Stanbic in Zambia and is a significant lender, has warned in a report titled ‘Déjà vu’ that the government is facing an imminent liquidity crisis.”

It added, “Of key concern are the foreign reserves. The government began the year with a little over US$1.5 billion in reserves, only slightly more than the $1.4bn of budgeted debt repayments. Central Bank data shows that last year, it paid almost all its external debt service and some domestic debt from the reserves, totalling almost $1bn.”

The last officially reported figure for the reserves, in January, was $1.45bn.

Now, Standard Bank says further repayments could have brought that down to $1.1bn, potentially falling to $1bn by June, based on its conversations with the Central Bank.

Central Bank Governor Denny Kalalya admitted in February that the fall in reserve levels was ‘a matter of great concern’ but after its recent visit, Standard Bank remarked that there was ‘strangely…hardly any discussion of any policy measures being taken to end the erosion of external buffers’ and that any ‘plan to quell this persistent drain’ was ‘conspicuously lacking.’

Africa Confidential says the government has again underestimated the cost of debt service, which has risen because of unexpected loan disbursements and a weakened currency.

The budget assumed an exchange rate of 10.5 kwacha to the dollar, but this is now ZK12.5 and is likely to rise further, making it more expensive to buy dollars needed to repay debts.

At the same time, the government is struggling to raise credit domestically as market confidence plummets, leading to
further shortfalls in budget funding.

Ministry insiders say the government was relying on $750m of external financing that is unlikely to materialise.

Zambia’s recent failure to pay its $14.8m share of costs for the Kazungula bridge, which will link Botswana and Zambia, demonstrates the severity of the cash shortage.

On 18 March contractor Daewoo suspended works, and after Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi visited Lungu on 2 April it appears Botswana may pay Zambia’s share.

The government is also reportedly struggling to pay Chinese road contractors, leading to suspension of works.

The government has been quietly examining the possibility of borrowing up to $3.25bn to fund roads, domestic debt repayments and the health service, we understand from senior officials.

Standard Bank’s team say that asset sales are now the most likely means of raising cash – something that the government has hitherto denied. ‘This was the first time that we heard policymakers raising the possibility of asset sales to repay maturing debts,’ reported Standard Bank.

Standard Bank also said that little, if anything, was being done to restructure Chinese debt. The same admission was made at the International Monetary Fund Spring meetings in Washington DC in April, say investors who were in attendance.

Senior civil servants tell AC that some of the talks with China resulted from Exim Bank sending a delegation to Zambia two months ago to demand overdue payments to Chinese contractors.

Insiders say that the 15% down-payments Zambia was supposed to contribute to the capital for Chinese projects were borrowed but not always paid in full to contractors as intended.

April has been awash with bad news, including the IMF’s forecast of lower growth of 2.9% next year and rising inflation.

At a poll taken on 24 April at an IMF meeting in Lusaka with industry, almost half those in attendance believed the government would default on sovereign debt this year.

The seriousness of the situation is finally dawning on the government, sources in Lusaka say, although it may be too late

Zambia await Group B winners in 2019 COSAFA Cup quarterfinals

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Zambia have a rough idea who their 2019 COSAFA Cup quarterfinal opponents will be following draws made on Thursday evening in Johannesburg.

South Africa will host this year’s tournament from May 25 to June 8 in Durban.

Zambia enjoy a preliminary group stage bye as one of the six highest ranked teams based on their FIFA rankings and have gone straight into the quarterfinals.

But Zambia will only know their opponents after Group B games are concluded in early June.

Malawi, Namibia, Seychelles and Mozambique are the Group B teams vying for a quarterfinal spot.

Four-time winners Zambia have not won the COSAFA Cup since lifting the trophy as hosts in 2013.

Zambia have finished runners up in successive tournaments after losing to record six-time champions Zimbabwe in the 2017 and 2018 finals.

QUARTERFINAL DRAWS
Zambia vs Winner Group B
Lesotho vs Uganda
Zimbabwe vs Winner Group A
South Africa vs Botswana

GROUP STAGE
Group A
Angola
eSwatini
Comoros
Mauritius

Group B
Mozambique
Namibia
Malawi
Seychelles

People’s Party President Mike Mike Mulongoti has died

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People’s Party President Mike Mike Mulongoti has died
People’s Party leader Mike Mulongoti
People’s Party leader Mike Mulongoti

People’s Party President Mike Mike Mulongoti has died at the University Teaching Hospital.

His death was confirmed Thursday evening by Mr. Mulongoti’s younger brother Joshua.

“My elder brother People’s Party President Mike Mulongoti has died at UTH,” Joshua Mulongoti wrote.

And Mr Mulongoti’s closest Political ally Nason Msoni has described Mr Mulongoti as a patriotic.

Mr Msoni said Mr Mulongoti’s death is shocking.

Mr. Mulongoti was evacuated to South Africa for specialist treatment in January 2019, but was brought back last month.

He was being treated for cancer.

Mr. Mulongoti served as Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services and Minister of Works and Supply under President Levy Mwanawasa and Rupiah Banda.

Solar Milling Plants to be resuscitated in Katete

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Solar Milling Plants to be resuscitated in Katete
The Solar Milling Plant
The Solar Milling Plant

The Department of Commerce, Trade and Industry in Katete District has said come up with a strategy to resuscitate some of the solar hammer mills in the district so that they serve the purpose they were meant for.

District Cooperative Development Officer (DCDO) Gibson Chilala disclosed that the institution was targeting five out of the 23 solar hammer mills in the district.

Mr Chilala said the first step in the strategy is maize bulking per hammer mill which will be followed by grinding the maize into mealie meal then packaging it.

“The third step is to establish a selling point at the Katete Stores. The target production is per hammer mill five bags per day for seven days. We are targeting 540 bags per month,” he said.

He said the five bags were arrived at because the hammer mills can only grind a maximum of five bags per day that is without cloud cover.

Mr Chilala said the institution was just waiting for the maize to reach an appropriate moisture content to start implementing the strategy.

He said the strategy will benefit the cooperatives around the hammer mills.

Mr Chilala said the resuscitation of the hammer mills will contribute to the lowering of the mealie meal price and availability of the commodity.

Mr Chilala said this in an interview following calls from the District Commissioner (DC) Joseph Makukula for the institution to up their game in ensuring that people were made aware of the benefits of the solar milling plants.

Solar Milling Plants to be resuscitated in Katete

Katete, May 2, ZANIS——–The Department of Commerce, Trade and Industry in Katete District has said come up with a strategy to resuscitate some of the solar hammer mills in the district so that they serve the purpose they were meant for.

District Cooperative Development Officer (DCDO) Gibson Chilala disclosed that the institution was targeting five out of the 23 solar hammer mills in the district.

Mr Chilala said the first step in the strategy is maize bulking per hammer mill which will be followed by grinding the maize into mealie meal then packaging it.

“The third step is to establish a selling point at the Katete Stores. The target production is per hammer mill five bags per day for seven days. We are targeting 540 bags per month,” he said.

He said the five bags were arrived at because the hammer mills can only grind a maximum of five bags per day that is without cloud cover.

Mr Chilala said the institution was just waiting for the maize to reach an appropriate moisture content to start implementing the strategy.

He said the strategy will benefit the cooperatives around the hammer mills.

Mr Chilala said the resuscitation of the hammer mills will contribute to the lowering of the mealie meal price and availability of the commodity.

Mr Chilala said this in an interview following calls from the District Commissioner (DC) Joseph Makukula for the institution to up their game in ensuring that people were made aware of the benefits of the solar milling plants.

The DC said it was important that the department up its game in sensitizing and creating awareness among communities on the milling plants that have been put up in the district.

Mr Makukula said without the sensitization and awareness, people will not understand the wealth creating potential in the hammer mills.
The DC said it was important that the department up its game in sensitizing and creating awareness among communities on the milling plants that have been put up in the district.

Mr Makukula said without the sensitization and awareness, people will not understand the wealth creating potential in the hammer mills.

PF says it is shocked and saddened by the death of UPND MP Patricia Mwashingwele

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PF says it is shocked and saddened by the death of UPND MP Patricia Mwashingwele
Bwana Mkubwa Member of Parliament Hon. Jonas Chanda.
Bwana Mkubwa Member of Parliament Hon. Jonas Chanda.

The Patriotic Front( PF) has described the death of Katuba Member of Parliament and United Party for National Development (UPND) deputy spokesperson Patricia Mwashingwele as shocking, saddening and wished the UPND and the bereaved family its deepest condolences.

Bwana Mkubwa Member Parliament Jonas Chanda has described the late law maker as a gallant leader who represented her people diligently adding that the National Assembly has been robbed of an asset.

Dr. Chanda said Ms. Mwashingwele advocated for education through serious debates especially that chaired the parliamentary committee on education.

He recalls how the two parliamentarians worked together during the Zambian-Austria Parliamentary Partnership to lobby and advocated for solutions to youth unemployment and giving education opportunities to children with special needs.

And North Western Province United Party for National Development (UPND) Chairperson, Colonel Grandson Katambi says the passing on of Katuba Member of Parliament, Patricia Mwashingwele is saddening to the party in the province.

Col. Katambi said Ms. Mwashingwele was a gallant woman who will be missed by everyone in the party.

He said the party in the province is conveying heartfelt condolences to the family of the late Katuba Member of Parliament.

Col. Katambi said this an interview with ZANIS in Solwezi today.

UPND Provincial chairlady Irene Apuleni described the late Ms. Mwashingwele as an inspiration to young women in the country.

Ms. Apuleni stated that Ms.Mwashingwele was a good leader who represented women in UPND well.

She wished the family of the late Ms. Mwashingwele Gods strength during this difficult period.

Meanwhile, UPND Secretary General Stephen Katuka said his party has lost a gallant woman who will greatly be missed.

“This is to inform the UPND family and the nation that a black cloud has befallen our party and we have lost our deputy spokesperson and Katuba Member of Parliament Ms Patricia Mwashingwele,” he said.

Mr. Katuka said funeral and burial arrangements will be announced in due course.

Ms. Mwashingwele died this morning at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) after an illness.

Traditional leaders happy with National Dialogue Forum

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Traditional leaders happy with National Dialogue Forum
Chiefs Mishoro and Madzimawe of the Ngoni Speaking People of Eastern Provinceduring the celebrations of Senior Chief Kalindawalo of the Nsenga speaking people of Eastern Province in Petauke District on Wednesday

Traditional Leaders that are participating in the ongoing National Dialogue Forum at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka, are happy with the progress made in the deliberation of issues.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today, Senior Chief Madzimawe says the forum has accorded delegates an opportunity to freely express themselves, with regards to what the order paper contains.

The traditional leader stated that he is hopeful that at the end of the sittings, the forum will come up with a good document that will contain resolutions that the people of Zambia will appreciate.

He noted that the forum still has some time for the people who opted to stay away to reconsider joining the process as it is the only way they can contribute to matters of national interest.

The Senior Chief observed that Zambia is still a young democracy and has not yet reached levels of developed countries whose constitutions stand the state of time but that at some point the country will come up with a tangible legal document that the people of Zambia will be proud of.

And Senior Chief Chiwala said given more time, the forum will be able to reach a consensus on all the issues that have been enshrined in the amendments.

He said shunning away from this important matter, makes people miss an opportunity to correct what is needed to be revised in the country’s constitution.

The traditional leader added that it is important that all leaders attend the national dialogue forum as it is in the interest of the people they represent.

Chieftainess Mweenda said she is equally happy that the dialogue sittings so far are progressing well.

The Chieftainess said there is a lot that the Zambian people need to learn concerning the governance system of the country but do not read extensively, despite being availed the necessary documents.

She regretted that the reading culture in the country is not impressive and has since advised the Zambian people to develop a culture of reading in order for them to have a better understanding of the country’s governance system.

Effervescent electric violinist Caitlin De Ville is set to release her first covers collection

Entertainment Editor
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Effervescent electric violinist Caitlin De Ville is set to release her first covers collection

Effervescent electric violinist Caitlin De Ville is set to release her first covers collection after a huge European tour with Korpiklaani and Turisas. The album of covers is her first streaming release since 2017 and is to be released via Ostereo.

Caitlin De Ville has built a reputation as an outstanding and unique live act who has performed all over the world (28 countries, 5 continents)  Through her highly engaged YouTube channel, Caitlin has found a home for her performances with over 425,000 subscribers and over 100 million plays on her videos and counting.

Her sound – her movement – her playful style; there’s no mistaking Caitlin for a traditional violinist. Expect her to perform everything from Pop through Classic Rock to well-known Dance hits & her excellent original arrangements. Caitlin’s remarkable on-stage energy is the result of a long term love affair with popular and underground dance culture.

‘Covers Collection’ is a compilation of Caitlin’s covers from her popular YouTube channel, allowing her listeners to enjoy Caitlin’s music on all the major DSPs, which has been a popular request from her dedicated fan base. The tracks feature Caitlin’s characteristic sound and channel all the energy from her electric live performances. Including hits tracks such as ‘Despactio’, ‘Rockabye’ and ‘Shape Of You’, the Covers Collection is an album that shows off Caitlin’s unique natural talent.

The new covers album is just the start of a busy year for Caitlin, with a string of new original releases on the horizon, 2019 is set to be an exciting one for Caitlin De Ville.

Tracklist
1. 2U
2. Galway Girl
3. Rockabye
4. Shape of You
5. Despacito
6. Subeme La Radio
7. Alone
8. Hey DJ
9. The Middle
10. Crying in the Club
11. Something Just Like This
12. Attention

13. Youngblood
14. Don’t You Worry Child
15. Perfect Strangers
16. Mi Gente
17. Hey Ma
18. Particular
19. It Ain’t Me
20. Echame La Culpa
21. Me Enamore
22. Galamukani
23. What About Us
24. Wild Thoughts
25. Don’t Let Me Down
26. Mad Love
27. Colors
28. El Bano

 

Chembo asks her fans to “Feel the Pain”

Entertainment Editor
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Chembo asks her fans to “Feel the Pain”

Fast rising singer, Chembo , recently released her new single “Feel the pain” We sat down with her to discuss her latest offering.

KAPA KAUMBA: Tell us about your latest single “Feel the pain”. How did it come about? What was the thought process behind it?

CHEMBO: Feel the Pain has been probably the most emotionally tasking song I’ve written to date and also the most spontaneous. Emmanuel (the Producer) Joshua (backing vocalist) and I were just having our usual writing jam sessions and then I started singing that song spontaneously. I wrote the rest afterwards but it was wholly inspired by emotions I’d felt throughout 2017, It was a moment of healing for me, I needed that release.

KAPA KAUMBA: You released your single ‘Feel the Pain’ along with a short film titled ‘To talk about pain’, tell us about that.

CHEMBO: I really believe the first step is accepting and acknowledging and then talking about pain, talking and expressing leads to healing. We need to remove the stigma around pain in general, pain is the root cause of mental health issues and the more silent we are about that, the longer it will take us to deal with those conditions. So I shot and edited that film to help illustrate this point. I’ll advise everyone reading this to simply watch it and then comment their feelings, the film is simply a mirror.

KAPA KAUMBA: You recently released the visuals for ‘Feel the Pain’. What was the concept of the video?

CHEMBO: Feel the Pain which was shot and edited by Timothy Ntengerenji and Art directed in collaboration with me, it’s extremely symbolic actually and I’ll just say watch the video and draw to your own conclusions to be honest, Art is to be observed and interpreted subjectively, so comment and tell me what you think, good or bad.

KAPA KAUMBA: Recently you were selected as one of the #Empawa100 artists as chosen by Mr Eazi and his team. What was your reaction when you first heard that you had been chosen?

CHEMBO: What’s crazy is I kept visualising myself being picked but when it happened I was truly shocked to my core it was actually so funny coz a friend of mine had to tag me and message me privately for me to see it. That was such a dope moment too! God is great! Shout out to Mr Eazi and the team honestly it’s such a huge deal!

KAPA KAUMBA: Despite not making it to the top 10 you still received some sponsorship and some promotion by the Empawa team. How do you intend on using this opportunity to further your music career?

CHEMBO: Yeah I still get to create a music video and get some promo from them it’s a huge boost for my career and it’s literally happening at the right time. Watch out for the video on some great platforms and the accompanying song on radio across the continent!

KAPA KAUMBA: 2019 started off pretty good for you as you were also announced as one of the Artists selected to be awarded a Horizons Launchpad fund as selected by BBC and Art Council of Wales. Congratulations on that achievement. What opportunities does this provide for you?

CHEMBO: Thank you so much! This fund has helped raise my profile as an artist in Wales and the UK and helped me get some songs mixed and mastered too. I also got the chance to visit Sony Music HQ in the UK and chat with A and R there played some of my music for them and all which was great. I’m excited for what other doors will be opened because of it.

KAPA KAUMBA: What can your fans expect from you for the rest of the year.

CHEMBO: This year my supporters can expect more Chembomusic, more visuals, fire flame emoji collaborations, I’m performing at 2 music festivals in the UK (Focus Wales and The Big Cwtch Festival) and other shows. I’ll be announcing so many amazing things via my social media in the coming weeks too.

I just want to add that God is great and all thanks goes to God to be honest for all these new developments. To the new listeners are welcome to #ChembomusicGang And a huge Thank you to everyone who has supported me so far I’m grateful to have you be part of my journey. Natotela saana, Zikomo Kwambili, Tiyeni nayo!

‘feel the pain‘ is available on all streaming platforms as well as on Youtube for the music videos.

Follow Chembo on social media:

Facebook: Chembomusic

Instagram: Chembomusic

Twitter: Chembomusic

 

BY KAPA KAUMBA

Caster Semenya loses appeal

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Caster Semenya loses appeal
South Africa's Caster SemenyaSouth Africa's Caster Semenya
South Africa’s Caster Semenya

Caster Semenya lost her appeal Wednesday against rules designed to decrease naturally high testosterone levels in some female runners.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport’s panel of three judges gave a complex verdict and “dismissed both requests for arbitration” from Semenya and the governing body of track and field.

Announcing its ruling, CAS agreed that the IAAF’s policy was “discriminatory” to athletes with differences in sexual development (DSDs) such as Semenya. However two of three arbitrators accepted the IAAF’s argument that high testosterone in female athletes confers significant advantages in size, strength and power from puberty onwards, and said the policy was “necessary, reasonable and proportionate” to ensure fair competition in women’s sport.

“I know that the IAAF’s regulations have always targeted me specifically,” she added. “For a decade the IAAF has tried to slow me down, but this has actually made me stronger. The decision of the CAS will not hold me back. I will once again rise above and continue to inspire young women and athletes in South Africa and around the world.”

It means that all DSD athletes, who are usually born with internal testes, will have to reduce their testosterone to below five nmol/L for at least six months if they want to compete internationally all distances from 400m to a mile. The IAAF, which welcomed the news, said its policy would come into place on 8 May.

Semenya, a two-time Olympic champion in the 800 meters, will now be forced to medicate to suppress her testosterone levels if she wants to defend her world title in September in Doha, Qatar.

Still, the CAS panel “strongly encouraged” the IAAF to note its concerns when it applies the rules — which the judges believe might have to be modified in future to be fair.

Semenya, who has long argued that her unique genetic gifts should be celebrated not regulated, said she would not give up her fight and believed that the DSD regulations would be one day overturned.

“I know that the IAAF’s regulations have always targeted me specifically,” she added. “For a decade the IAAF has tried to slow me down, but this has actually made me stronger. The decision of the CAS will not hold me back. I will once again rise above and continue to inspire young women and athletes in South Africa and around the world.”

PF expresses sadness at reported disturbance at Radio Mano

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PF expresses sadness at reported disturbance at Radio Mano

The Patriotic Front has condemned the recently reported disturbances that took place at Radio Maria in Chipata by alleged PF sympathisers and have called on the Police to investigate and ensure media practitioners and media houses do not operate under fear of attack in the course of duty.The PF leadership has urged its members to welcome constructive criticism and has also urged the opposition to avoid insults ,inflammatory language and fabricating false stories.

Below is the Full Press release

The Patriotic Front strongly condemns the recently reported disturbances that took place at Radio Maria in Chipata by alleged PF sympathisers and we make a strong call to the Police to investigate and ensure media practitioners and media houses do not operate under fear of attack in the course of duty.

The Party leadership of the PF is extremely saddened by this development and is calling on all genuine PF members to desist from such conduct because they are alien to the media freedoms we committed to uphold. In making this call, the leadership of the Party wishes to advise as follows:
1. PF MEMBERS SHOULD WELCOME CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM, BUT IGNORE PROVOCATION
Violence in any form is inexcusable and diametrically opposed to what Patriotic Front stands for. The President of the Party who is also our Head of State His Excellency President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has been unequivocally consistent in his counsel to PF members to resist all violent acts and to never retaliate to any provocation no matter how grievous or tempting the provocation may be.
All members of the Party are therefore under strict instructions to remain unmoved  and exercise restraint even under extreme provocation. Anyone who is a genuine and well-meaning member of Patriotic Front will therefore not go against the core values of the party and the clear guidance of our President
We wish to emphasise that we are neither allergic to criticism nor are exempt from it and we can always rebut in more civil ways.  Like John F. Kennedy once said: _“Without debate, without criticism no administration and no country can succeed and no republic can survive”_.
Criticism – especially of the constructive type only helps us to improve. No official or member of the PF should therefore think the Party is allergic to criticism. PF does not exist for censorship of the news. We do not exist to stifle dissenting or divergent views, nor are we wired to cover up our mistakes or to withhold from the press and the public the facts they deserve to know. We are configured and ready for public scrutiny; that is in our basic design.
We are ready to be held accountable and we are ready to be asked questions; and yes we have refused to respond to provocative opposition malice with violence.
2. OUR ASSURANCE TO THE MEDIA FRATERNITY
It is no coincidence that the Media industry has grown exponentially since the Patriotic Front formed government in 2011. The phenomenal growth of the media industry and the unprecedented accelerated promotion of journalism under the tenure of PF is a direct result of the Party placing a high value on Media houses as partners in development. The Media fraternity and the journalism fraternity can thus rest assured of a continued enabling environment for them to grow and thrive.
3. A CALL TO OUR COLLEAGUES IN THE OPPOSITION TO REFRAIN FROM INSULTS, INFLAMMATORY LANGUAGE AND FAKE NEWS
As we call for restraint within PF, we equally continue our call to our competitors to refrain from insults, fabricating fake news and using any demeaning and inflammatory language, as it only robs us all of an opportunity for constructive engagement and civility. We are at the end of the day all humans, and  Zambians with children, grandchildren and an entire nation looking up to us for exemplary conduct in the ruling party and opposition alike.
We are aware of some of our colleagues in the opposition who sadly seek to abuse any media platform they are accorded with to insult and malign the President and other ruling party officials all in the name of freedom of expression; thereby contaminating the freedom of expression and abusing media freedoms.
In conclusion, we are calling for politics of civility, and the law to take its course wherever political violence rears its ugly head.
Issued by:
Sunday Chilufya Chanda
PF Media Director
Party Headquarters
Lusaka

IBA condemns threats of violence against Power FM radio in Kabwe and Radio Maria in Chipata

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IBA condemns threats of violence against Power FM radio in Kabwe and Radio Maria in Chipata

The Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) has condemned the harassment, violence and damage to property that occurred at Power FM Radio in Kabwe, during the ‘Power to the people’ programme that featured Dr. Chishimba Kambwili on Tuesday 30th April, 2019 and also the reported attacks and harassment of Journalists at Radio Maria of Chipata on Wednesday 1st May, 2019 after a political programme.The Authority has urged all political party sympathisers to follow the laid down procedures of registering their grievances about any broadcast material they find aggrieving as opposed to engaging in violence.

Below is the Full Press release

The Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) wishes to condemn the harassment, violence and damage to property that occurred at Power FM Radio in Kabwe, during the ‘Power to the people’ programme that featured Dr. Chishimba Kambwili on Tuesday 30th April, 2019. In the same way the Authority condemns the reported attacks and harassment of Journalists at Radio Maria of Chipata on Wednesday 1st May, 2019 after a political programme.

Broadcasting Stations have a crucial role to play in providing information to the public, and any disturbance to a station is an infringement on media freedom and the public’s right to information. The Authority is particularly dismayed that the people’s right to information is disrupted when the media is threatened. We are further saddened that these threats have occurred in the week when we are supposed to celebrate journalists on World Press Freedom Day, which falls on 3rd May, each year

In this regard, we wish to urge all political party sympathisers to follow the laid down procedures of registering their grievances about any broadcast material they find aggrieving as opposed to engaging in violence.

Complaints or any misgivings about media coverage must be made to the concerned station within three months of the broadcast. Should the station fail to make good or correct the complaint raised within fourteen days, then the complaint can be addressed to the IBA.

We also wish to advise that when an unfortunate incidence of violence occurs against a person and or a broadcast station, the incident must be reported to the Police, as the police are duly mandated to maintain law and order.

Josephine Mapoma
DIRECTOR GENERAL
INDEPENDENT BROADCASTING AUTHORITY (IBA)

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