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MTN Zambia has announced the appointment of Philip van Dalsen as the company’s Chief Executive Officer taking over from Charles Molapisi who has been appointed as MTN Group Chief Technology and Information Officer (CTIO).
Van Dalsen, who until his appointment was CEO of MTN Cyprus, is familiar with Zambia having previously been the Commercial Director for Celpay Zambia for two years.
He said MTN Zambia is a great company with exceptional local talent and strong relationships with customers and stakeholders.
Van Dalsen says he is delighted to join the company in the next exciting phase of its journey.
He added that MTN will continue to build on the company’s passion for bringing a superior customer experience to the market backed by the outstanding performance of a state of the art network countrywide.
“Everybody deserves a connected world and we fully support the Zambian government’s drive to increase access to information and technology. MTN will continue to work closely with stakeholders and regulators in our strategic partnerships to foster connectivity, financial inclusion and enterprise across the country among other things”, he said.
Van Dalsen noted the company’s support of businesses, saying MTN will continue to innovate with industry-leading solutions and services that empower large corporates and small enterprises to thrive and make a meaningful contribution to the economy.
“Our differentiator in the market is that we are a modern, innovative company that truly cares for our customers and have grown our subscriber base significantly not only in Lusaka and the Copperbelt but across the country where we remain the preferred network,” he said.
Van Dalsen has CEO experience in both emerging and mature markets in Europe, Africa and the Caribbean/Americas. With extensive telecoms experience spanning 19 years, he ensured continuous year on year revenue growth of approximately 10% and market share growth of 13% at MTN Cyprus in a highly competitive and saturated European market which showed declining revenues. He has also held previous roles at Digicel, Celtel and Sonera Telecom Netherlands.
Van Dalsen holds a Master’s Degree in International Public Law from the University of Leiden and completed international management courses with Sonera Business School in Finland and Nijenrode Business School in the Netherlands.
NDC Consultant Dr Chishimba Kambwili has vowed to continue speaking out against issues affecting Zambians.
Speaking at the Lusaka Magistrate Court after he was granted bail, Dr Kambwili said his job is to protect Zambians from exploitation.
He said the state can arrest him as many times as they like but that he will not stop talking for Zambians.
“I want to them that you can arrest me as many times as possible, deny me bail but you are dealing with Umuntu uwakosa mukati nakunse (very strong person) and I am ready to die just like Jesus died for the people,” Dr Kambwili said.
He added, “it’s up to you Zambians to judge, me I was merely speaking for you that these jobs are you and not for foreigners.”
He said, “my jobs is to protect the Zambians from these thieves, this failed project, these Bakawalalas(thieves).”
Dr Kambwili was today granted a K 3,000 and two working sureties bail in a case where he was seen in a video which went viral where he had an altercation with an Indian national who was seen driving a compactor.
The Magistrate has set 13th March 2019 for mention and 9th April 2019 for trial.
Police keeping vigil at the Magistrate Court during Dr Chishimba Kambwili’s court appearanceMr Kambwili arriving at the Magistrate CourtHH, Charles Milupi and Sylvia Masebo at the Magistrate Court offering solidarity to Dr Chishimba Kambwili
Nkana coach Beston Chambeshi has named a 19-member team that has left for Ghana ahead of Sunday’s CAF Confederation Cup against Asante
Kotoko in Kumasi.
Notable absentees from the squad are experienced midfielder Chisamba Lungu and key defender Hassan Ramadhan.
The Nkana delegation left for Kumasi, Ghana on Tuesday aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International
Airport in Ndola.
The team flies into Addis Ababa, Ethiopia before connecting to Accra on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Nkana lead Group C of the Confederation Cup with 6 points, two ahead of second placed Al Hilal and third placed Zesco United,who are tied on 4 points after three rounds of matches played.
Kotoko remain bottom of the group with three points.
Full Squad
(GOALKEEPERS)
Allan Chibwe , Kelvin Malunga
(DEFENDERS)
Ben Adama Banh, Joseph Musonda, Gift Zulu, Moses Nyondo, Given
Sinyangwe, Liason Thole
(MIDFIELDERS)
Duncan Otieno, Shadrick Malambo, Shadrick Musonda, Harrison Chisala, Freddy Tshimenga, Kelvin Mubanga Kampamba, Obeddy Masumbuko and Simon Bwalya
(STRIKERS)
Ronald Kampamba, Walter Bwalya, Festus Mbewe,
Kansanshi Dynamos and four other teams are tied at the top of the FAZ Division One Zone 4 table with 11 points each after Week 6 matches
played at the weekend.
Konkola Blades, Trident, Gomes and Indeni are the other teams sitting on 11 points after playing six matches.
Interestingly, in this zone seventh placed Chambishi are just one point behind leaders Kasanshi.
Kansanshi reclaimed the top spot at the weekend after a 2-2 draw against visiting Ndola United in Solwezi.
Gomes relinquished leadership after losing 1-0 at Kalumbila Quatro in Kalumbila.
In Zone 1, Young Buffaloes are leading with a three point gap after a 2-1 win over Romeki at home in Lusaka.
The Soldiers have 16 points, three above second placed National Assembly, after playing six matches played.
Meanwhile, Kabwe Youth have opened up a two point lead in Zone 3 with 15 points from six matches played after thumping Muchinga Blue Eagles
5-1 in Kabwe.
Elsewhere in Zone 4, Maramba Stars of Livingstone are topping the table with 14 points after the round six matches played at the
weekend.
FAZ DIVISION ONE – WEEK 6
ZONE ONE
Paramilitary 5-0 Young Nkwazi
Young Green Buffaloes 2-1 Romeki
National Assembly 1-0 City of Lusaka
Petauke United 1-4 Lusaka City Council
Lundazi United 1-0 Zesco Malaiti Rangers
Police College 3-0 Katete Rangers (Walkover)
Chipata City Council 1-3 Riflemen
Happy Hearts 1-3 Kafue Celtic
ZONE TWO
Kansanshi Dynamos 2-2 Ndola United
Trident 1-0 Zesco Solwezi
Kalumbila Quatro 1-0 Gomes
FQMO Mining Operation 2-0 Zesco Luapula
ZNS Luamfumu 1-1 Kalulushi Modern Stars
Chingola Leopards 0-0 Konkola Blades
Nchanga Rangers 0-0 Roan United
Chambishi 0-1 Indeni
ZONE THREE
Real Nakonde 3-0 Intersport Youth (Walkover)
Tazara Rangers 1-1 Chindwin Sentries (Game Abandoned)
Kabwe Rangers 3-0 Mpande Youth Academy
Mpika United 0-2 Mpulungu Harbour
Tazara Express 0-0 Malalo Police
Kabwe Youth 5-1 Muchinga Blue Eagles
Mungwi Hotspurs 1- 0 Riverside United
Kateshi Coffee Bullets 1-0 Zambeef
ZONE FOUR
Yeta 1-2 Mazabuka United
Zesco Victoria Falls 1-0 Katima Border Stars
Blue Arrows 1-0 Kalomo Jetters
Livingstone Pirates 1-0 Maamba Energy Stars
Young Green Eagles 3-0 Sinazongwe United
Mumbwa Medics 2-0 New Monze Swallows
Choma Football Stars 1-1 Maramba Stars
Kascol Rangers 0-0 Zesco Shockers
Outgoing Al Hilal coach Zaafouri Irad believes striker Idriss Mbombo was under pressure to impress when he faced his old clubs Nkana and Zesco United in the CAF Confederation Cup recently.
Congolese Mbombo failed to score when his Sudanese side Hilal lost to Nkana 2-1 before forcing a 1-1 draw at Zesco United in the back to back Group C matches in Zambia.
The striker scored 26 goals in all competition last year during his season long loan stint at Nkana before moving to Hilal.
“I understand the situation of Idriss Mbombo because he came here with big pressure and stress. He wanted to do the best and score against Nkana and Zesco,” Irad said.
“In the first match really he had chance to score but he didn’t. In the second match Hilal played defensive game and he (Mbombo) didn’t have many chances to score,” the Tunisian coach said.
Unlike in the match against Nkana where he managed an assistant, Mbombo had a night to forget last Sunday after seeing a red card when he came up against Zesco in Ndola.
“And I think the red card was not really a red card but this is football. This is refereeing in Africa,” Irad noted.
He tipped Mbombo to bounce back in the remaining three Group C matches.
“He didn’t do his best in the two games but he will do his best in the next matches and score.”
Hilal are now preparing to host Zesco at home in Sudan on Sunday.
Six overseas-based 2017 U20 AFCON Winners have been summoned for Zambia’s 2019 U23 AFCON qualifiers.
Strikers Patson Daka and Fashion Sakala,midfielders Emmanuel Banda ,Edwards Chilufya and Enock Mwepu including defender Boston Muchindu are the ex-Under-20 stars called -up to face Malawi on March 20 away in Lilongwe and on March 24 at home in Lusaka in a second round qualifier.
South African-based striker Gampani Lungu of SuperSport United has also been called-up for the qualifier bringing to seven the foreign-based call-ups for the qualifiers.
Meanwhile, a provisional team of 30 home-based players have been holding weekly training camp ahead of the qualifier in Lusaka since the end of January under Zambia U23 assistant coach Bilton Musonda.
Musonda is standing in for Beston Chambeshi who has been busy with Nkana’s CAF Confederation Cup Group C engagements.
Winner over both legs will face Burundi or Congo-Brazzaville in the final round in June for a place at November’s finals in Egypt.
The top three finishers in Egypt will represent Africa at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games football tournament.
Defender: Boston Muchindu (Portugal)
Midfielders: Emmanuel Banda (Beziers, France), Enock Mwepu (RB Salzburg, Austria), Edward Chilufya (Djurdgardens, Sweden)
Strikers: Gampani Lungu (SuperSport United, South Africa), Patson Daka (RB Salzburg, Austria), Fashion Sakala (KV Oostende, Belgium)
African civil society organisations that monitor extractive industries have tended to focus their work on the financial bottom line of mining companies, in an approach that has become known as “follow the money”. The work has been on illicit financial flows, on revenue transparency, and on open contracts. This work, while critical and necessary, has diverted resources from civil society’s traditional monitoring work on human rights. Civil society organisations seldom report on mining companies’ corporate social responsibility (CSR).
Not enough work is being done on the impact that mining activities have on the environment and on local communities. Mining companies have been allowed to implement their CSR programmes without the scrutiny of civil society. In most cases, all we see are glossy annual reports of mining showing smiling faces of miners and selected members of the community but telling nothing of the human rights violations that usually exist where mining occurs.
Considering the difficulties that most African states face in providing services (such as clean water, clinics, schools and food security) to citizens, and especially to communities in remote areas, it is imperative for mining companies to invest in the communities from which they are extracting wealth. It is equally imperative for civil society, when assessing the performance of a company, to go beyond the financial bottom line and examine the social and environmental policies and practices of that company. This is known as triple bottom line accounting.
The work of monitoring CSR, human rights, and environmental impact is not easy. It involves confronting powerful multi-national companies and those civil society organisations, research institutions and foundations that are on the payroll of those companies or receive some kind of compensation in one way or the other.
Recently, the Southern Africa Resource Watch Published a report entitled “Living in a Parallel Universe: First Quantum versus the mining communities in Zambia” based on interviews with civil society, community members and labour. The report looks at the impact of First Quantum Minerals (FQM) activities on the communities. The report focuses only on one operation, the Kansanshi Mine. Kansanshi Copper and Gold Mine is currently owned by ZCMM/IH and FQM, with 20 per cent and 80 per cent of shares respectively. It produces 400 000 tons of copper and more than 120 000 ounces of gold per year. With this production, it is the country’s largest taxpayer. Between 2005 and 2015, the mine contributed more than US$3 billion in tax to the Zambian state.
The report found that FQM is failing in its commitment to CSR. It is clear from this study that the implementation of CSR is top-down, and rarely involves adequate consultation with communities, civil society or employees. Contrary to FQM claims that it is a responsible company, the report finds that Kansanshi mine’s activities, according to communities, have negatively affected water and land, impacting on agriculture and food security. The report reveals a stark contrast between the wealth that FQM extracts for export and the poverty levels in the surrounding communities. The company prioritises the public relations and advertising value of CSR over the needs of Zambians who work in, and live close to the mine.
CSR is premised upon the notion of social accountability and proper monitoring and evaluation, which must include an openness to independent scrutiny. The company has tried to prevent SARWatch from publishing the report, arguing that it has factual errors and that the company was not consulted. This not true. Before undertaking the Solwezi study, SARWatch contacted the company, and requested to meet and discuss visiting the mine and the social investment projects. The company representatives agreed but then failed to show up. SARWatch again requested that the company meet researchers when they were in the field. The company responded by saying that there was nobody available to meet in Solwezi as all the key people were out of the country. They refused to provide the researchers even with Zambians managers who could speak on behalf of the company. The company tried to prevent the publication of the report, claiming that it was not consulted and that the report contains factual inaccuracies.
Although the company was able to provide broad outlines of its CSR programmes through email correspondence, and details available on websites and in annual sustainability reports, the company was not prepared to give any time to the researchers involved in assessing its CSR programmes.
Apart from the lack of courtesy that has been displayed, such an approach to external enquiry is likely to be counterproductive in the long term. At the very least, it ensures that the views of local communities and civil society, and unions are heard without the views of the company itself. If there is any bias in the report, that is largely the result of the company’s attitude to the research.
FQM has chosen to dispute mainly the assertion that water consumed by the communities might be polluted. It is silent on other important findings of the report, such building schools with no toilets, maintaining a school with no toilets, broken windows or no doors, failing to relocate a community that clearly needs to be relocated, failing to provide the agreed amenities to a community that has been relocated and pushing a community out of its land without consultation and the expansion of the mine’s tailing dam, which is pushing communities off their land and affecting food security.
One of the recommendations of the report is that the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) must urgently establish whether underground water in areas around Kansanshi is polluted or not. FQM has chosen to focus on the water because this issue is easily contested in the absence of agreed scientific testing standards.
The report has recommended that the Zambian government provide the necessary financial, human and logistical support to the Zambian Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) to be able to discharge its duty of monitoring and evaluating the impact of mining companies’ activities without fear or favour. It has also recommended that ZEMA urgently establish whether underground water in mining areas, especially in Kansanshi, is polluted or not, and reassure communities. As for other issues raised in the report, SARWatch would like to invite First Quantum Minerals (FQM) to conduct a joint validation mission with SARW to verify the findings of the report.
The Author is the Executive Director of the Southern Africa Resource Watch.
Zesco United on Tuesday returned to the number two spot following a 2-2 away draw against Kabwe Warriors in a FAZ Super Division Pool A match played at Godfrey ‘Ucar’ Chitalu Stadium in Kabwe.
The result was the defending champions second successive draw in domestic action after finishing 0-0 at home against Pool A leaders Zanaco on February 17 at Levy Mwanwasa Stadium in Ndola.
However, it was Warriors who took the lead through striker Emmanuel Okutu who put Warriors ahead in the 28th minute before Rahim Osumanu equalized on the stroke of halftime for Zesco.
Zesco then took the lead in the 51st minute through veteran striker Winston Kalengo but nine minutes later Osumanu failed to add the third when his effort was kept out by Warriors goalkeeper Benjamin Ochan.
But unbeaten Zesco’s hopes of collecting their first league win since they beat Nakambala Leopards 2-0 on February 6 in Ndola evaporated when midfielder Misheck Chaila fouled Okutu in the box.
Warriors’ midfielder Patrick Kasunga stepped up to convert the penalty and see Warriors record their third successive league draw.
Zesco are back at number two only on goal difference exchanging places with Lusaka Dynamos whom they join on 8 points after four and five games respectively, four points behind Zanaco.
Warriors, who are also unbeaten with four draws and a win this season, stay put at number four on 7 points.
Kambwili flanked by HH and other opposition supporters.
Embattled NDC Consultant Chishimba Kambwili has pleaded not guilty to a charge of expressing or showing hatred, ridicule or contempt against an Indian working for a construction firm. He was arrested and charged yesterday for allegedly showing hatred, ridicule or contempt for persons because of race, tribe or place of origin or colour contrary to section 70 of the Penal Code, Cap 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
Lusaka magistrate Chitalu Mulenga has granted Kambwili K3,000 cash bail in his own recognizance with two working sureties from a reputable organisation. The matter has since been adjourned to April 8 for commencement of trial.
Meanwhile, Kambwili has failed to take plea in the other count where he is charged with disobeying lawful orders of a Security Guard at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport because the court was not availed with the docket. He is expected to appear before court to answer to this charge as soon as the docket is presented to court.
Barclays Bank Zambia Managing Director, Mizinga Melu
Barclays Bank Zambia Plc and World Vision Zambia have signed a K1.1 million Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreement aimed at improving the well being of more than 15,000 underprivileged children and their families in rural areas of the country.
Speaking during the signing ceremony at World Vision offices today, Barclays Bank Zambia PLC Chief Executive Officer Mizinga Melu said the two organizations will work towards supporting vulnerable communities through a number of projects that have been put across.
Mrs. Melu pointed out that the bank has also been engaging itself in supporting projects and the vulnerable which includes the construction of a one by three classroom block and provision of school desks at Chipapa Secondary School in Chongwe district and the distribution of sanitary towels to adolescent girls.
And Ministry of Community Development and Social Services Permanent Secretary Pamela Kabamba said government’s development program in education and health can only be achieved with support of Non-Governmental Organizations and other stakeholders.
Mrs. Kabamba who officiated at the signing in ceremony expressed gratitude towards Barclays Bank Zambia and World Vision Zambia for supplementing government’s effort towards improving the lives of the vulnerable in society.
Meanwhile, World Vision Zambia Managing Director John Hasse said the partnership between the bank and his organization will enable it transform more lives in various communities across the country.
Minister of Justice Given Lubinda has said the process to amend the Republican Constitution will proceed, whether the opposition rejects the roadmap or not. He told a media briefing in Lusaka that the government desired to accommodate all views but would not yield to destructive forces.
On Monday, an alliance of 10 opposition political parties rejected the set roadmap for the constitution amendment, accusing government of adopting a process that is not inclusive.
However, Lubinda has said the government would cultivate the support of the civil society and independent lawmakers to ensure the process was done according to the agreed roadmap.
He said some UPND lawmakers could be relied upon to vote with the ruling party to ensure that the two-thirds threshold in Parliament was met.
Lubinda further stated that the opposition political alliance must not be “agents of retarding national development” through their “acts of opposing every move taken by government to refine the constitution of Zambia”.
He also denied claims by the political alliance that the proposed roadmap was meant to manipulate the constitution amendment process.
K 2 million has been set aside for the constitution amendment process with the first sets of meetings scheduled for the first week of next month.
And Lubinda dispelled assassination claims by UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema since the Patriotic Front took office in 2011.
When asked why government authorities had allowed Hichilema to continue accusing government of targeting to kill him, Lubinda said the opposition leader “is forcing the system to react” but maintained that government was above politics of assassinations.
Kambwili flanked by HH and other opposition supporters.
Police in Lusaka have charged National Democratic Congress Consultant Chishimba Kambwili with another count of Disobedience to Lawful Orders.
This is in connection with what transpired at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport Mr. Kambwili is alleged to have forced himself into a restricted area.
Police spokesperson Esther Katongo confirmed in a statement issued to the media that the docket has been forwarded to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for further dealing.
In a latest video making rounds on Social media, Mr. Kambwili is seen forcing his way into a restricted area disregarding security personnel directive when he went to receive his wife at the airport.
Earlier, Police arrested and charged Mr. Kambwili with Expression or showing Hatred ridicule or contempt for persons because of race, tribe or place of Origin or colour.
This is contrary to section 70 of the Penal Code, Cap 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
Zambia Police spokesperson Esther Katongo confirmed Mr. Kambwili’s arrest who is currently detained in police custody and has been denied bail.
President Lungu
President Edgar Lungu has noted with regret that Africa’s resources remains unexploited thereby disadvantaging her people.
The Head of State says the role of accountants is therefore cardinal in transforming Africa into a prosperous and peaceful continent.
He said failure for most of the accountants to diligently serve the people is not due to lack of knowledge, skill or competence, but it is because of tilted focus on personal interest at the expense of public interest.
President Lungu says it is disheartening that some accountants have become enemies of the people by being involved in financial transgressions in order to quickly amass wealth at the expense of citizens.
He said there is now greater demand than ever before, by citizens, in Africa for transparency and accountability in the management of public resources who want to see value for the taxes they remit to government being used for national development which positively impact on their quality of life.
President Lungu said Citizens are demanding good schools; good health facilities; good roads; safe water and sanitation; and access to electricity among other basic human needs.
He said it is not enough for accountants to produce financial reports which citizens cannot read or understand and must therefore endeavour to produce simplified financial reports to enable citizens appreciate the link between the revenues generated and the goods and services provided by your respective governments.
He was speaking in Livingstone at the 26th East and Southern Africa Association of Accountants General’s 2019 Annual Conference being held under the theme: “ENHANCING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PUBLIC FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AND EMERGING ECONOMIES.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has refuted media reports suggesting that Finland has drastically reduced bilateral aid support to Zambia due to corruption allegations.
Ministry spokesperson Dorcas Chileshe says Zambia and Finland have enjoyed 50 years of diplomatic relations as well as 45 years of development cooperation.
Ms. Chileshe said the two countries have over the years collaborated in various sectors of development including health, education, environmental protection and forestry and are currently exploring ways of further strengthening cooperation in various fields such as energy, agriculture, ICT and manufacturing, the Ministry said in a statement.
She said that since Zambia graduated from being a Low Income to being a Lower–Middle Income Country, several Cooperating Partners, including Finland, have been gradually reducing their development aid to Zambia.
Ms. Chileshe at the same time, there has been increased focus on enhancing trade and investment between Zambia and Finland. This development has been welcome since it has the potential to create jobs, increase foreign exchange earnings and contribute to the growth of our economy.
She said Zambia values the development cooperation that Finland continues to render through the new Country Strategy for Finnish Development Cooperation in Zambia for period 2016 to 2019, which focuses on promotion of democracy and growth of the private sector.
Ms. Chileshe said the Private Sector Development Programme is worth 9 million euros and it plays a major role in accelerating the growth of micro, small and medium sized enterprises by supporting implementation of Zambia’s social protection policy.
She said the Zambian Government therefore, reaffirms its commitment to the close relations with the Republic of Finland and to engaging in further cooperation for the mutual benefit of both countries.
