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President Edgar Lungu has directed the Ministry of Higher Education to make Kwame Nkrumah University in Kabwe district of Central Province a flagship university in the training of teachers.
Mr Lungu said this is because education and teachers in particular shape the country’s economy.
President Lungu issued the directive today when he commissioned the completed expansion works on Kwame Nkrumah University.
Mr Lungu said the commissioning of the expansion works signified the desire of the Patriotic Front government to assure quality livelihoods to the people of Zambia through the development of human capital.
ZANIS reports that President Lungu assured that his government remains committed to ensuring economic growth in the country premised on appropriately skilled and educated people.
“I am aware that the plan to put up infrastructure at Kwame Nkrumah was initiated long time ago, although the process was slow due to limited resources at the time,” he said.
Mr Lungu paid tribute to late President Michael Sata, whose desire he said was to see the expansion of the higher education sub sector.
He said the PF government does not only envisage providing access to education but also quality and relevant education which responds to the issues affecting the country.
He added that his government was already responding to the higher education sector through the seventh national development plan which places the premium on education and skills development.
The Head of State emphasized that education opens up opportunities in life and it is a key requisite to national development and prosperity, including the well-being of the nation.
President Lungu reiterated his government will remain committed to fulfilling the promise to the people of Zambia and deliver quality devices to all parts of the country.
He reminded that the PF government promised to construct at least one university in each of the ten provinces, adding that so far seven have been constructed and are operational.
“Those that are operational are one in Muchinga, two in Lusaka, two in the Copperbelt and two others in Central Province,” he said.
Speaking earlier, Minister of Higher Education, Nkandu Luo, called on students who will enroll at Kwame Nkrumah University to apply for bursaries from government to support their education at the institution.
Prof Luo said this follows the abolishing of meal allowances at the University of Zambia and Copperbelt University in order for government to offer bursaries to more students to acquire higher education.
She said previously students at Kwame Nkrumah University used to face a lot of challenges due to inadequate infrastructure.
Prof Luo added that his ministry intends to turn Kabwe Institute of Technology into a polytechnic institution.
“We want to introduce rare subjects and move from teaching theorists to practical teachers with hands-on knowledge,” she said.
File:PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu (r) with Senior Chief Nalubamba (4th left), Senior Chief Mungaila (3rd left), Chief Muchila (2nd left) and Chief Mukobela (far left) during the meeting at Corner Point lodges in Namwala district
Chief Mukobela of the Ila people of Namwalaha has argued that the Church mother bodies in their current state are incapable of leading the national dialogue process because the institutions are seriously undergoing internal conflicts.
The chief says the church mother bodies should not think they have the monopoly of wisdom to provide leadership in the governance of the country as there are other institutions that are capable of doing so.
He says the constitution has mandated parliament to craft laws making the legislature an important organ of the state to effectively participate in the national dialogue process.
He was speaking in an interview with ZANIS at his Baambwe palace in Namwala.
The chief who was flanked by several headmen said it is saddening that some opposition political parties are opposed to the national dialogue bill when they are supposed to support it and contribute progressively.
Chief Mukobela has advised government and President Edgar Lungu to ignore all those championing a crusade that seeks to jeopardize efforts to improve the country’s governance system.
He said parliamentarians should be allowed to participate in the national dialogue forum which is being proposed by the draft bill.
The chief has called upon all well-meaning Zambians to participate in the dialogue process for the good of the country.
And Chief Matebo of the Kaonde speaking people in Kalumbila district has condemned some opposition parties, civil society organizations and churches that are against the tabling of the well-meant dialogue bill in parliament.
He said the concept of the national dialogue must be supported by all Zambians for the betterment of the nation.
The traditional leader told ZANIS in an interview in Solwezi today that the enactment of the national dialogue bill is well vested in parliament as it is the only representative body that formulates and makes laws.
He said he does not see anything wrong with process being done by parliament as people’s views are carried on board to be discussed by their representatives in parliament.
Chief Matebo challenged those trying to shoot down the bill bring forward their ideas that should be debated in the parliament.
He said the business of making laws is for parliament and not churches, adding that some churches that are trying to hijack the process of national dialogue do not even represent the majority.
Chief Matebo has since called on people to unite in peace for the betterment of the nation and respect of the President because leaders come from God as recorded in Romans chapter 13 verse 1.
He said conflicting views in the nation will suggest to the global community that Zambia cannot govern itself leading low attraction of investments the county urgently needs to lift the people of Zambia to middle income status.
MMD President Nevers Mumba has called on President Edgar Lungu to help call for an emergency SADC Meeting over rising xenophobia in South Africa.
Mumba says Zambia is suitable to demand for accountability over xenophobic attacks on African foreign nationals, because it helped liberate the region.
This week scores of foreign nationals are fled informal settlements in the Durban suburb of Sydenham after some of them were attacked in their homes on Tuesday night and their belongings looted.
According to the local SABC news victims said that the armed attackers told them that it will get worse if they don’t go back to their countries of origin.
The refugees say the attackers told them that President Cyril Ramaphosa supports them.
The people fleeing the settlements with their belongings and children say they don’t know where to go.
The refugees say they reported the attacks to the police, but nothing was done.
Officials from the eThekwini municipality are visiting the affected communities.
Deputy Mayor Fawzia Peer has denied that xenophobia is behind the attacks in Sydenham.
Addressing hundreds of displaced foreigners who sought refuge in a the park next to the Sydenham police station in Durban, Peer warned that a recent speech by President Cyril Ramaphosa in which he said that shops operating illegally will be closed has been misinterpreted.
She says Ramaphosa only meant that people should follow the country’s laws and operate legally.
Peer says the speech was also not only focusing on certain sections of society but apply to all diligent citizens to operate legally.
She says people including some foreign nationals who believe the attacks were sparked by the President’s recent utterances are wrong and should
South Africans attacking suspected foreign Nationals
By Charles Mwewa
In the 1990s I resided in the area in Lusaka, Zambia’s Capital, in the flats (apartment buildings) previously occupied by the leaders of the South African African National Congress (ANC). It is believed that all the giants of South African political struggles, including Thabo Mbeki, Jacob Zuma, Nelson Mandela, and many icons took refuge there at some point. Zambia and other African countries generously helped, sometimes with their own blood, to free South Africa from Apartheid brutality.
Why are we today reading and witnessing a blatant lack of gratitude from the Black South African government of Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa? When President Ramaphosa succeeded Jacob Zuma in 2018, he was hailed as a Saviour. He had vowed to work for the ordinary citizen, root out the country’s corruption and curb the gaping inequality that continue to infuriate millions of South Africans. Now, the president seems to be sanctioning a form of debilitating xenophobia I can only dub, “Alienophobia,” or a deluded fear of, and subsequent termination of Black foreigners in South Africa.
Disgruntled South Africans blame foreigners or “Kwerekweres” for their miseries. They want to violently attack and kill any Kwerekwere who fails to leave South Africa by May 13th, 2019 (the culminating Monday after the elections on May 8th, 2019). Like the White Supremacists in USA, the Alienphobes believe that the foreigners are responsible for their poverty and lack of employment. This cannot be too, too far from the truth. It is a clear disregard and willful blindness to the history of South Africa. And it is not my intention to re-lecture South Africans about their own history. It is, however, important to learn from general African history, in terms of genocides and violence.
We all remember the genocide in Rwanda. The Rwandan genocide by the Hutu majority government between April and July 1994 was a blood-bath, a brutal slaughter of the Tutsis in Rwanda during the 1990s Rwandan Civil War. In that slaughter, within three months, close to one million people were murdered. This was while the world watched. Both the UN and OAU (currently African Union – AU) were flatly impotent. African nations watched, and so did the West. No matter the excuse or justification, the world let the Tutsis down.
We cannot overlook or ignore what is brewing underneath South Africa. Hate is blind to reason. The South African government should not only protect foreigners from the hooligans, but also under international law, the nation has an obligation to do so. Where the South African government fails its duty, the UN should exercise its Responsibility to Protect (R2P) mandate. The regional organizations in Africa as well as the AU should speak out directly and strongly against the pending atrocities of innocent foreigners in South Africa.
President Ramaphosa may easily win the re-election, but at what expense. Mr. Ramaphosa understands better what Nelson Mandela did and stood for. The president should not sacrifice principle for blood. He should stand up for the Black people of Africa resident in South Africa. These are the people who sold him cattle and made him rich. These are the people who sacrificed to liberate South Africa from Apartheid. These are the people who, in future, will still stand up for South Africa. What is happening in South Africa to aliens and foreigners should be condemned by all and should stop.
The Good Book is speaking to South Africa: “The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners [under Apartheid],” (Leviticus 19:34).
Mambwe district has seen a decrease in the number of early child marriages and child pregnancies.
People’s Action Forum Programme Officer Muleya Chiboola told ZANIS in an interview yesterday that the district has recorded a 90 and 85 percent decrease in early child marriages and child pregnancies respectively.
Mr Chiboola said this during the Girl’s Action Forum Healthy Day activity held at Jumbe Primary School.
He acknowledged that the positive development was as a result of the implemented Sustainable Communities Organized in the Realization of Quality Education for Girls (SCORE Girls) project which aims at improving the quality of education especially for girls through various interventions such as the Girls Action Forum (GAF).
And Mr Chiboola called on other stakeholders to also come on board and intervene on issues of early marriages and child pregnancies in other schools that are not benefiting from the SCORE Girls project.
He explained that the organization has trained mentors who are able to guide pupils on a number of sexual reproductive issues and careers.
The People’s Action Forum (PAF) is working in 30 schools in Mambwe District to raise awareness on early child marriages, forced marriages and early child pregnancies.
Zambia’s Mulungushi University and De Montfort University (DMU) Leicester, UK have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a focus on pursuing projects under the Higher Education Partnerships in Sub-Saharan Africa Programme (HEPSSA).
And the Zambia High Commission in London working with the World Student Advisors in association with De Montfort University; The University of Greenwich; Oxford International Education Group and Brooke House College of the United Kingdom have launched a scheme in which they are offering partial scholarships to Zambians to study at the institutions in the UK.
The programme between Mulungushi University and DMU, administered by the Royal Academy of Engineering of UK, aims to build relationships between industry and academia to ensure that Sub-Saharan Africa produces engineers with the skills and knowledge required to meet the needs of industry, tackle local challenges, address the engineering skills shortage in the region, and to showcase engineering’s role in driving economic development.
Mulungushi University Head of Computer Science & IT School of Science Engineering and Technology Department Christopher Chembe (PhD) said: “this is a significant milestone which will allow Mulungushi University and De Montfort University to enhance the quality of engineers being trained and contribute to the development of Sub-Saharan Africa”.
Professor Alistair Duffy, Director of the Institute of Engineering Sciences at De Montfort University said: “I am excited about this partnership. The two Universities share similar goals and a desire to contribute to building the strength of industry and commerce through research education and knowledge exchange activities. I am looking forward to working with colleagues in Mulungushi University.”
Tim Hunt, CEO and founder of World Student Advisors, a UK based pan-African High Education consultant organisation was consulted leading to the partnership between De Montfort University, Leicester and Mulungushi University.
And the four institutions are offering a wide range of study opportunities in different locations to Zambians Nationals who qualify to study at their Universities. The Universities are offering up to 30 percent reduction in tuition fees only. Any Zambian National classified as an overseas student who meets the university entry requirements qualiflies for the partial scholarships.
In welcoming the scholarships Zambia’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, His Excellency Mr. Muyeba Chikonde urged Zambians to take advantange of the reduced tuition fees to study in the United Kingdom. He said the scheme is the beginning of further negotiations for affordable scholarships that will benefit majority of Zambians.
Tim Hunt said “I am always happy to work with the Zambia High Commission. The partial scholarship programme will help Zambians access UK’s Higher Education sector. We have staff in Lusaka to assist with recruitment and education advisory services. Zambia is one of the twelve African countries we are supporting,” he said.
Please follow this link to apply https://www.worldstudentadvisors.com/zhcl-partial-scholarship-zambia/
Meanwhile, High Commissioner Chikonde said that following continued debate on the comparisons between qualifications issued by Universities in Zambia and in the United Kingdom, the Mission engaged the United Kingdom National Recognition Information Centre (UK NARIC) who said there have been no recent changes to UK NARIC guidance on Zambian Degrees.
With regard to Masters applicants, UK NARIC advised that candidates will have a greater chance of successful admission if they have an Honours degree (or have taken an Honours year) from a University outside Zambia or if they have studied to Masters level within Zambia’.
The statement was released to the media by Mrs Abigail Chaponda, the First Secretary for Press and Public Relations at the Zambian High Commission in the United Kingdom.
Miles Sampa with Director Planning Ms Muvombo Muchimba and Zambian Ambassador to the US Dr Ngosa Simbyakula
Lusaka Mayor Miles Sampa has said that he has not received his salary for the last two months. In a response in reaction to social media comments against his trip to the US capital, Washington DC, and the ongoing go slow embarked upon by council workers due to delayed salaries, the Lusaka Mayor said that the Government has released some funds to meet the short fall in the wage bill.
The Mayor also said that he has had to cut his trip short to attend to the go slow crisis back home.
The Mayor hope to have Lusaka City Council financially self sustaining on staff wages so that they do not have to rely on Government for a bailout.
Below is the Mayor’s full post
I have observed some social media comments and some valid feedback (with some not valid as usual) against our trip to Washington DC The Capital of the USA, given LCC staff “go slow” due to salary delays. I have been compelled to respond accordingly.
My entourage included the Town Clerk Mr Alex Mwansa, Director Planning Mrs Muvombo Muchimba, Hon Councillor Ms Bupe Mulenga and Hon Councillor Mr Elijah Makungu.
For clarity purposes, may I state that the delay in wages also includes my office. I have also not received my salary for the last two months but the good news to all of us that work at LCC is that the Government through our able President Mr Edgar C Lungu, the Ministry of Finance and our parent Ministry of Local Government have released some funds to meet the short fall in the wage bill. We thank The Central Government.
I have since asked the Town Clerk and our Finance Director Mr Bestone Kajoba to ensure that I am always paid last and only after all other LCC workers have been paid.
As for our trip, allow me to state as a matter of fact that it was not financed by LCC or by Government. All other previous trips I have made abroad since assuming office were also not sponsored by LCC. Equally, all subsequent trips I may choose to seek travel authority and undertake, I will ensure that they are not financed by LCC.
Some highlights of our trip included LCC making presentations at the annual Word Bank hosted conference on Land and Poverty (alleviation), meeting with USAID top official incharge of Africa Ms Oren Whyche-Shaw, meeting with the top officials at Millenium Challenge (financed via a grant of $355M the recently completed Lusaka Water and Bombay drainage works), courtesy meeting to our Washington,DC ambassoder Dr Ngosa Simbyakula.
On the Corporate front, we had lunch with the Zambian renown scholar Professor Kenneth K Mwenda and had dinner with the respected Washington DC Economist Dr Robert J. Shapiro.
At a Corporate cockail event last night, we interacted amongst others with the Founder and Chairman for the Nasdaq $1.7BN online home furniture retail trading company Overstock, Mr Patrick M. Byrne.
Mr Byrne once worked for and is now a business “son” of the CEO of Beckshire Hathaway Mr Warren Buffet. Mr Byrne is a renown philanthropist and we invited him to consider investing and visiting our Capital City of Lusaka.
Although International tours of duty and Networking are vital in order to bring Foreign Direct Investment to LCC and to Our beloved City, I will never do it from LCC coffers as the Council has more pressing financial challenges and needs.
As stated in my Social Contract (item 1 under Revenue Improvement Heading ) that we released before my election, one of my primary tasks is to increase revenue as well as reduce Financial costs or income leakages for LCC.
I hope to have LCC be financially self sustaining especially on staff wages so that we can allow the Central Government latitude to attend to other equally pressing public financial demands.
Given above and latest events at LCC, I have had to cut my trip short and actually texting from a plane back home.
I however remain extra confident that our USA trip will bear fruits in one way or another within 2019 for all residents of the Greater City of Lusaka.
Mushindamo town council workers have downed tools in a protest for delayed salaries.
Zambia United Local Authorities Workers Union (ZALAWU) Branch Chairperson, Elias Kapata confirmed the development to ZANIS this morning saying that all unionized workers have downed tools demanding their February and March salaries.
He said it is disheartening to see workers not getting paid for the labour and service rendered to government.
Mr Kapata said the newly created councils have no capacity to pay salaries due to lack of revenue sources, hence them depending on the local government equalization fund.
But Mushindamo Council Secretary Pamela Zulu disclosed to ZANIS that government has already deposited money to the council for the February month and workers will soon get their pay.
Ms Zulu added that the union branch at the council has however vowed to continue with their go slow until the March salaries are paid in full.
A 40 year old man of Lundazi district is reported to have committed suicide after he allegedly murdered his wife following a marital dispute.
Eastern Province Police Commissioner, Lackson Sakala has confirmed to ZANIS in Lundazi that the body of Joshua Nzima was discovered hanging from a tree at a graveyard in Chief Mphamba’s area.
Mr Sakala said the incident happened between March 25th and 26th.
He revealed that Mercy died after she sustained body injuries and was bleeding from the mouth after being beaten with a stick.
Meanwhile, Mr Sakala disclosed that Nzima who earlier escaped after he allegedly committed the offence was found dead hanging from a tree about 4 meters high, at Muyabala burial site.
He said the body of the suspected murderer was retrieved from the tree and after an inspection was conducted, police did not suspect foul play in the matter.
Eastern Police Chief however, suspects that Nzima could have hanged himself between March 26th or in the early hours of March 27th, 2019.
Mozambican Ambassador to Zambia Jeronimo Chivavi has called for stakeholder support to assist victims who were affected by cyclone Idai in that country.
Mr. Chivavi revealed that Mozambique is currently in dire need of about US$242 million United States Dollars to help the affected people.
Speaking during a press briefing on the update of the Idai cyclone at his office yesterday, he stated that among the aid required include experts in the Humanitarian assistance, plastic canvas, tents, foodstuffs, emergency health kits and clothing among others.
The Ambassador disclosed that so far 168,943 families have been affected by the cyclone, 839,748 affected persons, 1,523 wounded and at least 493 people have been confirmed dead.
On the 16th of March, cyclone Idai swept through Mozambique leaving a trail of destruction and thousands in need of help.
The cyclone is regarded as one of the worst tropical cyclones on record to affect Africa and the Southern Hemisphere as a whole.
President Edgar Lungu has implored the Zambia Correction Service to help feed the region.
President Lungu said this can only be achieved if men and women in uniform under the Correction Service work hard.
He urged the Correction Service to endeavor to grow more agricultural produce as this will enable the country to feed other countries in the region.
President Lungu cited Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe as some of the countries that are in dared need of help following the recent tropical cyclone IDai that massively devastated the cited countries.
The Head of State said the country will only be able to share and feed affected countries if the correction service produces enough harvest.
“I directed that we look around for what is available and share with the affected countries by the cyclone Idai.
We can only share and feed others, if you people work hard.” He stressed.
President Lungu said this when He visited Mukuyu Correction Service Farm in Kabwe.
And speaking earlier at the same event, Commissioner General Dr Chisela Chileshe said the service has the potential to produce enough agricultural produce if supported with mechanized farming equipment.
Dr Chileshe said the correction service can play a very important role in ensuring that Zambia becomes one of the food baskets in the continent and contribute to the nation’s resource envelope.
Meanwhile, Dr Chileshe disclosed that the irrigation project at the farm has reached 90 percent completion.
And Home Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo assured the Head of State that the correction service is implementing the call it made for the service not to be a burden on the treasury but to be self-sustaining.
He thanked President Lungu for visiting the farm as his presence will motivate the men and women to work hard.
We feel for the Opposition UPND members as they have to endure their life President diminish the Party’s returns with every election that comes.
From 2006 when he took over as leader of the Opposition UPND by way of tribal machinations and conspiracies, Hichilema has never learnt that hired crowds do not turnout to vote.
Over the last 13 years that he’s been leader of the UPND, he also hasn’t learnt his lesson that surrounding himself with lapdogs and useful idiots like Elias Chipimo under the guise of an “alliance” alienates loyal Party members who have stood with him over the past 13 years.
Over the past 13 years as Life President of the UPND, he has never learnt that it pays for a leader to remain loyal to those on whose shoulders he stands.
The “Kapata mukaya” mentality that lavishes attention to new “friends” at the expense of the ostracised old faithful, is thus killing Hichilema’s UPND.
When Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba (GBM) joined UPND, Hichilema clearly side-lined loyal stalwarts to create space for his new found love. We saw the neglect of people such as the late Hon Request Muntanga, late Kuchunga Simusamba, who served as UPND deputy Secretary General, and many others.
Today, it is GBM that is being isolated and alienated.
Hichilema is presently so infatuated with former Roan Constituency MP Chishimba Kambwili that he is clearly marginalising and estranging GBM his Vice President. Hichilema is evidently under the illusion that Kambwili with his loose loud mouth has the magical card. It is just a matter of time before GBM becomes history in UPND.
It is also now clear that UPND cannot comfortably defend any of its seats in its strongholds without the involvement of violence, bees and lightning. As things stand, Hichilema does not enjoy the loyalty of most of his Members of Parliament in the House. They simply look at him as a ticket to Parliament, nothing more, nothing less.
With Hichilema at the helm of the UPND and the political impotence of the likes of Chipimo as his “alliance”, the opposition will suffer a heavier defeat and lose by an even wider margin in 2021, especially if we go into that election under the current Constitution and other laws.
THE DISINTEGRATION OF HICHILEMA’s BANTUSTAN POLITICS
UPND Leader Hakainde Hichilema with Party members
Apart from Hichilema’s “Kapata mukaya” mentality there is another major abnormality that continues to destroy UPND from the inside.
Fred M’membe now leader of the Socialist Party and former editor of the defunct Post Newspaper repeatedly referred to UPND as a “Bantustan” party.
“Bantustans” were a major divisive administrative scheme for the exclusion of blacks from the South African political system under the policy of apartheid, or racial segregation.
Similarly, the divisive Bantustan approach that came with Hichilema’s hostile take-over of UPND in 2006, exlcuded UPND MP’s and Councillors from accesing development in their areas, as Hichilema barred them from interacting with relevant government agencies and officials.
Just like apartheid defined a persons affiliation, destiny and character by the colour if their skin, Hichilema’s UPND encourages divisive stereotyping that defines a Zambian citizens character and political affiliation based on the province or region they came from. In Hichilema’s UPND, citizens that hail from a particular region are by default obliged to automatically become sympathetic to UPND regardless of circumstances; and correspondingly, Hichilema considers Zambians who hail from these particular areas as “traitors” if they support any other political party apart from UPND.
For instance, during the funeral of the late Anderson Kambela Mazoka – the founder of UPND, the then Information and Broadcasting Services Minister under MMD Government Dr Vernon Mwaanga (a Southerner) went to the funeral house to deliver a Government message from the then Head of State President Levy Patrick Mwanawasa; Mwaanga and his driver were savagely beaten by UPND cadres under the leadership of Hakainde Hichilema.
And what was Mr Mwaanga’s crime? He was brutalised and beaten because he was a Southerner who did not support the UPND but belonged to the ruling party! (MMD at the time).
Over the last 13 years of Hakainde Hichilema’s misrule of UPND, there have been many other examples of people from Southern Province, and other perceived UPND “strongholds” that have been discriminated against and even abused by Hichilema and the UPND for merely supporting other political parties.
Conversely, there are many examples of UPND fanatics in UPND strongholds, who in keeping with Hichilema’s UPND’s regional extremism, have discriminated and even brutalised Zambians who do not come from those particular areas.
It is therefore understandable why the current leader of the Socialist Party as earlier alluded to, has in the past frequently labelled UPND a “tribal Bantustan party” that had a regional colour. He was merely calling an animal by its rightful name!
And when the erstwhile tabloid editor roasted Hichilema for one graft allegation or another and exposed UPND as a regional party itching to form government in order to exploit resources for the personal gain of its leaders, he said: _“UPND has the propensity of becoming worse in government than any other party because it is full of “crooks” interested only in enriching themselves if they assumed power through tenders”_ the current leader of the Socialist Party was merely being candid.
KAFUE BY ELECTION RESULT SIGNALS A WIND OF CHANGE BRINGING PF DEVELOPMENT FOR ALL; AND FREEDOM FROM UPND BANTUSTAN POLITICS
HH during the campaigns in the Kafue By Elections
It is important to remember that it is Hichilema’s UPND’s Bantustan mentality that senselessly triggered the Kafue Council Chairperson by election.
It was caused by the UPND “disciplining” the former Council Chairperson for merely attending an official engagement in his official capacity within his official jurisdiction in Kafue; when the Head of State President Edgar Chagwa Lungu was on national duty in Kafue to launch the keep Kafue Healthy Clean and Green event.
Like apartheid Hichilema would rather have the people in UPND strongholds wallowing in poverty, than their leaders being seen and interacting with relevant government officials to foster development in these areas.
The outcome of the Kafue by Election is therefore symbolic of how Zambians all over the nation, including Western, Southern and North western have continued to reject Hichilema’s senseless and retarded Bantustan kind of politics.
As Patriotic Front Secretary General Hon Davies Mwila has stated, The PF development agenda is a wind of change blowing across former opposition strongholds.
This wind of change is a growing into a movement of gale force winds, bringing freedom from the Bantustan bondage of regionalism, whilst increasing PF grassroots popularity.
This election success is therefore a victory for the development of Kafue under PF; overcoming the prolonged Bantustan retardation of Kafue under UPND;
It is a victory of the will of the people prevailing over the bitter ego of one man;
It is also a victory of love and national unity; prevailing over the blind negative loyalty of tribalism and regionalism.
It is therefore not just a triumph for Patriotic Front; but a victory for all progressive Zambians who do not want their political choices to be driven by regional and tribal stereotypes.
The current UPND model that automatically pigeon holes the political affiliation of citizens according to region; and in apartheid fashion segregates and prevents its officials from engaging with relevant Government officials to foster development in their respective areas is blatant Bantustan style tribalism.
Hakainde is failing the UPND.
The Author is Patriotic Front’s founding Secretary General and now Member of the Information Committee
Defending FAZ Super Division champions play their first home league game in over six weeks when they host Green Buffaloes in a Week 10 Pool A match at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
Zesco’s last Pool A match was on February 16 when they played out to a 0-0 home draw against leaders Zanaco.
The league absence came about due to their recent CAF Confederation Cup Group C campaign that they concluded on March 17 when they failed to qualify to the quarterfinals when they finished bottom of their pool.
Since then , Zesco have played just two league games, both away, with the first coming on March 13 when Mufulira Wanderers beat them 2-1 at Shinde Stadium to suffer their first league loss of the season.
Zesco then recovered slightly last Wednesday with a 0-0 away in Kitwe against Kitwe United.
The champions currently sit fifth on the log on 9 points from six matches with three games in hand and are eleven points adrift of leaders Zanaco who have played nine matches.
Zesco are expected to be at full strength against Buffaloes whom they beat 1-0 in the first leg meeting on January 30 away in Lusaka thanks to a Jesse Were goal.
Were returns to the fold after missing Wednesday’s draw at Kitwe United almost a week after he was dropped for Kenya’s AFCON away match against Ghana on March 23.
Also back are his compatriots defender David Owino and midfielder Anthony Akumu including Burundi international Enock Sabumukama who were all on AFCON qualifying duty.
Meanwhile, third from bottom Buffaloes have failed to collect a win in Zesco’s league absence since they beat Nakambala Leopards 3-0 on February 9 at home in Lusaka.
Since then, Buffaloes lost two and drawn four but are unbeaten in their last three league games.
FAZ SUPER DIVISION
WEEK 10
30/03/3019
Pool A
Zesco United-Green Buffaloes
Prison Leopards-Mufulira Wanderers
Kitwe United-Nakambala Leopards
31/03/3019
13h00:Lusaka Dynamos-Kabwe Warriors
15h00:Red Arrows-Zanaco
POOL B
30/03/3019
FC MUZA-Power Dynamos
Nkana-Lumwana Radiants
Green Eagles-Forest Rangers
13h00:Circuit City-Buildcon
15h00:Nkwazi-Naspa Stars
The state has entered a nolle Prosequei in a matter in which Chipili Independent Member of Parliament Jewis Chabi is accused of malicious damage to property.
This is in a matter that came up for the commencement of trial.
Chabi is accused of Maliciously Damaging property belonging to the Patriotic Front contrary to section 335(I)(b) of the Penal Code Cap 87 as read with Act number 17 of 2007 of the Laws of Zambia.
Particulars of the offence where that Chabi on December 17, 2017, around 16:00 hours willfully and unlawfully damaged a patriotic Front chitenge material and flag valued at K250.
The decision by the state to enter a nolle prosequi was made after one of the key witnesses Kennedy Kombe 41, a toll collector at the National Road Fund Agency (NRFA) chose to remain silent.
In response, Defense lawyer and former Attorney General, Musa Mwenya appealed to the court to withdraw and acquit the case against Chabi basing on section 8 and 201 of the criminal procedural Court which provides in clear terms that the court should acquit the accused if a complainant withdraws a matter.
And in passing ruling, Resident Magistrate Mulenga said he took into consideration the application by the defense.
He however stated that the witness who withdrew did not show interest but there are other state witnesses that were willing to testify.
He said the offence of malicious damage was not committed against an individual but an organization.
He then accepted the application by the state and entered a nolle prosequi and discharged Chabi.
FIRST Lady Esther Lungu with chief Madzimawe of the Ngoni people in Chipata after she paid a courtesy call on him at his palace
Chief Madzimawe of the Ngoni people of Kasenengwa district has appealed to stakeholders not to undermine the Dialogue Bill on the Constitution Amendments saying they should instead offer solutions on how it can be refined.
Chief Madzimawe said in an interview today in at his palace that all stakeholders should support the bill which was recently approved by cabinet to give a legal framework to dialogue ahead of the commencement of the constitution refinement process.
He stated that the church should not take over and run the whole process.
“It is just one of the stakeholders and that it will not be right to give one particular stakeholder to run the whole process. The church is not the only place where we can seek wisdom.” He said.
“Though we appreciate that the church is the most respected institution in the country but what matters most is the people who are driving this institution, you can have a state of the art vehicle or aircraft but if the drivers or the pilots are not serious, I don’t think you can enjoy the machine at hand. So I advise that we give chance to Government which is in the driving seat,” he said.
The traditional leader said there are many wise people in various communities citing retirees and the elderly as some of the wise people who can offer counsel on the process.
He stated that traditional institution form the basis of leadership in the country because traditional leaders are at the grassroot saying they equally want to be considered in the process.
Chief Madzimawe noted that the country appears not to be going forward as it is going back and forth due to some opposition political parties and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) who are in a habit of opposing everything that Government puts of the table.
“They should not oppose just because they want to fight Government, they should offer solutions and support what is right for the sake of unity and peace,” he said.
He said that he expects political parties to behave where those in Government are given the opportunity to work while those in the opposition should offer checks and balances.
Chief Madzimawe said that parliament, which is a representation of the people of Zambia is better placed to consider the bill through its various stages before the bill is enacted.
