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President Edgar Lungu confers with Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya (l) Chainama Mental Hospital Senior Medical Superintendent Dr. Margaret Chibowa (r) during the tour of the Hospital
President Edgar Lungu has refuted claims that the 2021 General elections will be characterised with violence, but has firmly stated that they will on the contrary be characterised with peace.
President Lungu said that the forthcoming general elections in 2021 will be characterised with peace, adding that anyone who tries to perpetuate violence going forward, will not be tolerated.
ZANIS reports that the Head of State emphasized that Zambia is a Christian nation and will abide by the One Zambia One Nation motto, coined by first Republican President Kenneth Kaunda.
President Lungu was speaking on arrival at Harry Mwaanga Nkhumbula International Airport in Livingstone today, where he is expected to officiate at the Eastern and Southern Africa Assembly of Accountants’ General Conference.
He said he is not going to segregate, in his developmental agenda for the country, but will continue pushing the economic agenda forward for the benefit of the Zambian people.
“Some people think we do not care for Southern Province just because the region did not vote for the Patriotic Front, that is not the case Southern Province will receive equal development just like any other region,” he said.
The Head of State is accompanied to Livingstone by Presidential Affairs Minister Freedom Sikazwe, Finance Minister Margaret Mwanakatwe and his spokesperson Amos Chanda.
President Lungu was received by Southern Province Minister Edify Hamukale, Patriotic Front Southern Province Chairperson Lawrence Evans, senior government and party officials.
UPND President Hakainde Hichilema says his party will not support the constitutional amendment bill when it is tabled in Parliament.
Justice Minister Given Lubinda told Parliament on Friday last week that cabinet has approved the roadmap for the constitution amendment process.
Mr. Lubinda said government will spend K2 million on the process and asked stakeholders among them political parties to participate and support the process.
Mr. Hichilema however told a media briefing in Lusaka today that the PF is dodging the dialogue process to reach a consensus in order to manipulate the constitution in parliament.
He said the UPND will not participate in the process if the PF does not want to dialogue to iron out various issues of national interest.
“Parliament cannot represent the interest of all Zambians, the 17 million Zambians must decide what goes in the constitution not parliament which is the child of the people’s constitution”, he added.
Also present at the briefing was National Democratic Congress Consultant Chishimba Kambwili who accused government of wanting to manipulate the document to favor their stay in Power.
“We need to dialogue and agree on what should be contained in the document so that when the document goes to parliament, we don’t waste time debating it”, he said.
And Mr. Kambwili said K2 million is too much tax payers money to use on such a process.
Kambwili with his wife Carol and opposition leaders arriving at Central Police Station.
Police in Lusaka have arrested and charged National Democratic Congress Consultant Chishimba 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.
Police had summoned Mr. Kambwili for questioning at Lusaka Central Police at 10:00 hours in connection with the alleged racial remarks he issued against a man of Indian Origin he found operating a compactor under the Lusaka decongestion project.
Mr. Kambwili arrived around 09:50 hours at Lusaka Central Police station and was accompanied by his wife, daughter, leaders of opposition alliance member political parties and lawyers among others.
Chief Government Spokesperson Dora Siliya recently said the Roan law maker faces up to two years jail sentence for uttering derogatory and racial remarks aimed at an Indian national seen in a video that has gone viral on social media.
Ms. Siliya said Mr. Kambwili went against the Law and that the Law should take its course on his actions.
She told Journalists at a media briefing that the development should not only be condemned by all well-meaning Zambia but by the international community.
Mr Kambwili is currently detained in police custody.
Mr Kambwili was flanked by his wife and Opposition Alliance partners led by Hakainde Hichilema and several supporters.
police keeping vigil at Lusaka Central Police Station where Dr Kambwili is detainedKambwili flanked by HH and other opposition supporters.
Scores of Shepherd Bushiri’s congregants handed over millions after the ‘prophet’ promised them huge and fast returns on their money
Self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri has allegedly fleeced scores of followers out of millions of rands through a failed “commodity investment opportunity”.
Emails and other documents obtained by City Press show that investors were promised a 50% return within 30 banking days of placing their investments of between R100 000 and R1 million.
According to three investors City Press spoke to last week, it all began when, during a church service in March 2017, Bushiri allegedly announced that he wanted to empower members of his church and “make them millionaires”.
A follow-up email sent to selected congregants with the subject line “commodity investment opportunity is open – minimum is R100 000!” began with the words: “I hear good news … HURRY!! It’s first come-first-serve.”
Congregants were told they had just two days to get in on a hot investment opportunity and were promised the impossible 50% return.
The email continued: “For example, when you invest R100 000, you will receive R150 000 pay back after 30 banking days.
“Come with cash (not cards) to Hall A from 10am to 4pm on Wednesday 29 March (today) and Thursday 30th March 2017.”
Those who couldn’t bring cash were told to SMS a number for “BushiriBuzz” to get the banking details.
Duped investors told City Press that the hall was packed to the brim with people on those two days as congregants handed over wads of cash.
But those who could not deliver the cash were told to deposit their money into the account of a company called Rising Estates, the directors of which are well-known Bushiri lieutenants, Willah Mudolo, Duncan Oduor Otieno and Kit Ching Catherine Kum.
The three have often appeared alongside Bushiri on TV.
One of the congregants who heeded Bushiri’s call from the pulpit was Sylvia Skosana, who invested R100 000, which she had borrowed for the purpose.
“When he spoke about it in church, everyone believed him. He was very convincing and I saw this as an opportunity not to be missed. I took a loan and I deposited money into the bank account,” she said.
According to Skosana, who lives in Pretoria, scores of other congregants also made deposits.
“There were two groups – there were those who invested R100 000 and above, and those who invested R1 million and above,” she said.
“I took a personal loan to invest and I know of people who went as far as selling their houses, hoping to replace them when they received the returns. We have still not received the promised harvest.”
Skosana, who works as a transport analyst and who has since stopped attending Bushiri’s Enlightened Christian Gathering Church, said she felt betrayed.
It has now been a year since the big promises were made, and they have yet to receive a cent from the church.
“We have called, sent emails and SMSed the numbers they provided during the investment, but no one is responding. I went to their offices in Sandton, but they referred me to the church,” Skosana said.
“At the church, no one knows who is responsible for handling our issues. They just act as if nothing has happened and this makes me sick. I am still repaying the loan and the interest, and I know many people who are going through the same problem.”
Another investor, Francinah Ntuli, told City Press last week that she also lost R100 000 of her savings when she handed it over in cash to Bushiri’s people after being told her “money would multiply”.
“We were called to a meeting last month at Bushiri’s hotel in Rustenburg, but no one was able to say when we will get payouts or even refunds. They keep on lying to us,” she said.
In hindsight, she cannot believe she was so naive, and keeps asking herself why she didn’t question the investment more thoroughly.
Another would-be investor, who asked that his name be withheld because his relatives are still staunch members of Bushiri’s church, said he was lucky that he could not raise the R1 million within the two-day period Bushiri prescribed.
Under pressure from his parents, he planned to cash in some of his investments, including a pension plan, to invest in Bushiri’s scheme, but he couldn’t get the money in time.
“I almost lost my investment. I told them I could not raise R1 million within two days because I had to cancel some of my investments and divert the funds to the church. The promised returns were supposed to be so good, and my parents were putting pressure on me to invest,” he said.
“I thank God that I did not invest there. I know people who lost their hard-earned money there. My parents still go to that church and I do not want to be seen to be despising it. You know, when it comes to religion, people are very sensitive and it looks like they have been brainwashed.”
In one email sent to the disappointed investors, Bushiri’s team sympathised with those who had lost money.
“We truly understand your disappointment and appreciate the inconvenience the delay in your harvest has caused you to date,” reads the email.
“There is no question that we have not met the very high standards you have come to expect and should continue to demand from us, and in our effort to settle all partners who opted to receive their harvest, we sent out communication based on information that all the funds will be released.”
The email further stated that they did not have all the money available as they were waiting for more money to be cleared.
Bushiri’s assets – including his private jet and a number of luxury vehicles – were taken by the Asset Forfeiture Unit after he was arrested alongside his wife Mary earlier this month on charges of fraud and contravening the Prevention of Organised Crime Act.
Many have speculated about how the self-styled prophet, who celebrated his 36th birthday last week, managed to amass his wealth in such a short space of time.
Despite their complaints, the investors City Press spoke to have received no money back.
Skosana told City Press that she had been sent from pillar to post when she asked for a refund.
“I believed he was a man of God and that he would never do this to us,” she said.
When contacted on Thursday, Bushiri’s spokesperson Maynard Manyowa initially denied the allegations.
He asked City Press to send him detailed questions, which were sent to him on Thursday and Friday via WhatsApp and email.
Manyowa undertook to respond, but failed to do so by the time of going to print.
Zambia’s Filmmaker Musola Catherine Kaseketi has scooped the inaugural Ability Global Award, sponsored by Light For The World, an Austrian-based Non-Governmental Organization. She was one of the three women selected out of 136 entries received from 52 African countries representing a variety of artistic categories.
The award was presented in Vienna Friday evening attended by scores of guests joining several other physically challenged persons who had turned up to support their colleagues. Zambia’s Ambassador to Germany and Austria His Excellency Anthony Mukwita was represented at the function by embassy Press and Public Relations officer Kellys Kaunda.
Receiving her award, Ms. Kaseketi told the audience that she was humbled for the honor of the award and the representation of the embassy at the function to provide her with moral support.
Kaseketi and other award winners
In his congratulatory letter to Kaseketi, Ambassador Mukwita said her achievement was a diplomatic score for the Zambian embassy and an encouragement to other Zambian artists despite their gender, age, ability or disability.
“We hope that on your return home, you will not relax and say ‘I have made it’ but instead endeavor to reach even higher heights”, the letter reads in part.
The Zambian envoy further noted that arts had the potential to contribute to boosting the country’s image abroad.
Ms. Kaseketi has in the past won international recognition for her films depicting various social issues in Zambia with a view to influencing positive behavior change. It was in recognition of her work that the Austria-based Light for the World competition selected her for the award dedicated to women artists with physical challenges.
Light For The World specializes in programs aimed at the physically challenged persons providing them with opportunities to realize their talents and overcoming societal stereotypes that tend to see physical disability as a liability.
The organization has several programs in a few African countries where it has and continues to see positive developments around the plight of the physically challenged persons.
FILE: President Edgar Lungu touring Government Printers in Lusaka
Minister of Works and Supply Mutotwe Kafwaya says government printers is not yet ready to print ballot papers.
Mr. Kafwaya said government has not yet built capacity for the company to be able to print any ballot papers for the upcoming by elections.
He however said that government has made progress and the company will be ready to print ballot papers for the 2021 polls.
“The company currently doesn’t gave the capacity to print ballot papers and it is the same capacity that we are trying to build”, he said.
Mr. Kafwaya promised that by the end of this year, much progress would have been made in capacitating government printers to enable it print ballot papers locally.
He was reacting to calls by some stakeholders for government to print ballot papers locally for the Bahati Parliamentary by election.
Major Richard Kachingwe has resigned from the opposition UPND citing falsehoods by the party against his son as the reasons behind his decision.
Major Kachingwe, whose son Mpange Kachingwe was implicated by the opposition Alliance in the violence which characterised the Sesheke Parliamentary by election, said the accusations have tarnished his son’s image.
He said his son is not the one holding a pistol in the picture circulating on social media and part of the youths the Alliance claim are being trained as a militia by President Edgar Lungu and some of the people in both government and the PF.
Major Kachingwe, who claims to have been Hakainde Hichilemas advisor, lamented at a media briefing how his Counsel was ignored by both the UPND leadership and the Alliance over the picture circulating on social media despite being aware that it was not his son.
“Am not ready to endanger my family because of Politics and I have told HH that I chose my son over UPND, during the third term campaign by late President Fredrick Chiluba I lost my first born son because I opposed the move, not anymore I will not lose another son”, Major Kachingwe lamented.
He noted with dismay that HH and UPND are ready to destroy the lives of many innocent people just to usher him into office.
“This is not how politics should be, politics is about service and not endangering people’s lives. i dont know if my son who is an engineer by profession is employable by anyone after all this and this is unfair”, he said.
Major Kachingwe advised Zambians to be worry of politicians that are ready to go to any extent including sacrificing other people’s lives just to go to state house.
The opposition Alliance is in the process of reporting individuals to the International Criminal Court among them Major Richard Kachingwes son Mpange Kachingwe.
Below is the full press Briefing
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen of the Media, thank you for coming to attend this briefing. By now the entire country has heard or seen the irresponsible allegations being peddled by the UPND and its’ Alliance of Opposition Political Parties relating to an alleged assassination attempt. It is for this very reason that I called this briefing this afternoon.
Specifically, the UPND, through its’ Alliance of Opposition Political Parties, has made very strong allegations against my son, Mpange Kachingwe, claiming that he is a member of an imaginary armed militia grouping trained by the Republican President to assassinate opposition political party leaders, and that he is the same person seen in a now viral photo with a pistol in hand allegedly assaulting a UPND cadre.
First and foremost, I must make it clear HERE and NOW, that this is a terribly dangerous lie and Hakainde Hichilema knows all too well that his desperate and irresponsible allegations against my son are COMPLETELY FALSE.
As a parent and politician, I wish to give some perspective to why I have taken this route to hold this press conference over this matter. In the year 2000 to 2001 when the late former President Frederick Chiluba was championing a third term campaign, I came out strongly against it. At that time my third born son was admitted to hospital undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer under government sponsorship. My political stance led to the then President ordering that my son’s treatment be terminated midway and by the time the differences in opinion were resolved it was too late and the cancer had progressed too far and we lost him. I AM NOT PREPARED TO LOSE ANOTHER SON BECAUSE OF POLITICS.
These are UPND cadres with pangas, catapults and all sorts of offensive weapons with a Prime TV cameraman right in their midst, but the reporting is extremely skewed.
Now coming to the issue at hand, two weeks ago I received a call from my son, Mpange, asking whether I had seen photos going round social media along claims that he was the person allegedly pictured with a pistol in what appeared to be some sort of a scuffle with a UPND cadre in Sesheke. After the phone call I went on to some of the UPND WhatsApp groups that I have been member of and saw what my son was referring to. Anyone could easily see with their two eyes that it was not even my son in the picture in question, as was the lie being peddled within and outside the UPND. After examining the photograph and being satisfied that it certainly was not my son, (see pictures), I posted publicly on multiple UPND platforms and personally called various leaders within the UPND to clear my son’s name. Majority saw reason and agreed with me as they were able to see it was not my son in the picture, HH knows it is not my son in the alleged picture, the party leadership knows it is not my son in the picture, Charles Milupi can equally see it is not my son in that picture but the UPND chose to ignore my counsel and went ahead to draft a speech bearing the dangerous and desperate malicious allegations tying my son to their entire wild ICC case, a speech which was handed to the UPND’s opposition alliance chairman Charles Milupi, who went ahead to spread the malicious accusations without digging for facts or consulting me.
After the Opposition Alliance’s Press Conference few days ago, I called the UPND Vice President to express my displeasure and he agreed with me that the alleged pictures were not of my son, his nephew, and he advised me to contact the Party President directly which I attempted to do to no avail as his phones went unanswered. I then called someone in the UPND media team who equally agreed that the picture in question was not of my son, Mpange, and he was being wrongly accused.
The young man connected me on a conference call with Clayson Hamasaka who was said to be responsible for drafting the malicious propaganda power point and pictures where my son’s head was circled and labelled as being the same person allegedly captured with a pistol in hand in a scuffle with a UPND cadre. To my surprise, immediately Hamasaka learnt that I was on the line he cut the call and immediately called HH to complain. This UPND media person and I agreed to meet in person and find a way of dealing with these malicious allegations.
To my surprise once again, immediately we met, HH phoned this very person to castigate him for outing Hamasaka and connecting him on to a conference call with me. This action to me exposed HH who went on screaming at this person for close to 30 minutes.
The media person advised HH to call me directly and iron it out, that is the only time HH finally saw it necessary to return my calls and I was very frank with him about the irresponsible lie he chose to run with.
My position in the UPND has been that of advisor to Hakainde Hichilema, but he could not even engage me to discuss the lie he was creating about my son. I told him directly that I would choose my son in a heartbeat over the UPND and the alliance. To my dismay, his next question to me was that would I choose my son over his life. What kind of man endangers his advisor’s son’s life in that manner and without even talking to me?
And surely if HH’s life was truly in danger, how was he able to constantly videotape himself in some bush?
HH went on to insist that his life was in danger for over eight hours in Sesheke. But my question to HH is why create such malicious and dangerous falsehoods against my son who he clearly knew was not the same person in that picture? And surely if HH’s life was truly in danger, how was he able to constantly videotape himself in some bush?
HH and I agreed that we needed to have a big meeting with other leaders of the party over this matter as it was very serious. But to date, he has not called me to have any such meeting. HH and the alliance’s allegations have tarnished my son’s image! Selfish careless politicians have put the life of my son in danger, they have tarnished his name and to be honest I am not sure whether he is even employable in any institution with such accusations of attempted assassination and being a member of an alleged armed militia organization set up to murder politicians.
These actions have made it clear to me that there is no end, there is no limit to how far HH and the UPND’s opposition alliance will go in destroying lives all for his selfish pursuit of the Presidency. To consciously manufacture such dangerous and irresponsible lies, and give them to his shadow alliance and broadcast them in broad daylight as they did, knowing too well the allegations were false is EXTREMELY SHAMEFUL.
THIS IS THE GREATEST LIE EVER PEDDLED BY LEADERS OF POLITICAL PARTIES IN HISTORY
And yet HH knows all too well that my son is a qualified Civil Engineer and not the imaginary armed militia thug he wishes to portray him as. All this because he knows my son is closer to certain leaders whom HH accuses of sponsoring such a fictitious armed militia grouping. Treading in such lies by leaders who are vying for higher office is very dangerous, what more if they were given the instruments of power, what greater lies would they tell and how many more lives would be endangered?
Mind you on the very UPND whatsapp blogs I watched as members of the party celebrated and congratulated one another over the Sesheke formula of violently torching other party’s camps whilst as a matter of strategy blaming only the other side for all acts of violence.
There are no words to describe HH’s growing levels of desperation! Why must so many lives be destroyed and tarnished just to get one man into State House? Zambians must be wary of politicians who have serious traits of peddling lies whilst disguising themselves as well-meaning victims. Zambia must reject desperate politicians who can peddle such dangerous lies. Politics must never be about hatred, lies, slander and malice. But about service to the people.
Now coming to you my colleagues in the media, as the fourth state you must all learn to tell the truth and be objective in reporting. Only a desperate and twisted psyche can contrive a plan to taunt and dare a Head of State’s security detail for the sake of manipulating public sympathy; and only warped minds of sycophants and stooges can support such irrational and irresponsible behaviour.
A Prime TV cameraman was in the midst of the UPND entourage in Sesheke throughout and could see all the offensive weapons carried by the UPND cadres even as they closed off the very road that the Presidential security detail was scheduled to drive through as they were proceeding from Mulobezi into Sesheke (see pictures from the very Prime TV cameraman’s video), who are these and what are they carrying? These are UPND cadres with pangas, catapults and all sorts of offensive weapons with a Prime TV cameraman right in their midst, but the reporting is extremely skewed. Some of you the pressmen who choose not to report truthfully can put this country on fire by working like cadres who only want to tell leaders what they want to hear and not as things happen.
I have no option but to conclude that the violence in Sesheke was an elaborately planned yet poorly executed television stunt by HH and a cast of poorly trained performers, intended to give the impression that he was being pursued and escaped an imaginary assassination attempt. Mind you on the very UPND whatsapp blogs I watched as members of the party celebrated and congratulated one another over the Sesheke formula of violently torching other party’s camps whilst as a matter of strategy blaming only the other side for all acts of violence. It is ridiculous for the press to be part of a scheme to perpetrate violence and portray the instigator as a victim with a stage-managed foray into the bush in order to manipulate local and international sympathy. Meanwhile an opposition alliance is hoodwinked into going to ICC, this is akin to beating somebody and running to police that I’ve been beaten.
For me now the UPND and its’ alliance have crossed the red line, HENCEFORTH I HAVE SEVERED MY RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM AS MY STAY IS NOLONGER TENABLE GIVEN THE CIRCUMSTANCES. They have deliberately, over falsehoods, endangered the life of my son and his family including my own, they have tarnished his image with total disregard for common human decency! Whilst I will remain active in politics, going forward, I will adopt the principle that the enemy of my enemy is my friend! And anybody friendly to my enemy will nolonger be my friend. I shall endeavor to work with men and women of good will who mean well for common good of Zambia and Zambians.
FILE: Youths who converged in Lusaka for a two day Employment forum
By Kalima Nkonde
This article is a follow up on the Youth unemployment article that I wrote early this year entitled “ Zambia’s untold Story: High Youth unemployment, a ticking time bomb as Youth commits suicide”. The previous article did not suggest solutions as it was going to be too long given the poor reading culture in the country. The current one is suggesting practical solutions which merely needs political will to implement and results will show within a very short space of time if the right experts are consulted.
Zambia faces a critical youth unemployment problem which requires innovative thinking to tackle the multiple drivers, at both macro and micro levels that fuel youth unemployment. Although there are various positive macro-economic policies in the 7th National development plan aimed at increasing economic growth and foreign Direct investment, Zambia and other African Countries’ past experience have shown that these policies do not create sufficient jobs to cater for the number of the Youth population entering the labour market. It is in this regard that other direct interventions are required to supplement these policies.
The solutions to youth unemployment are multifaceted and require short term, medium term and long term and well-coordinated strategies which should be concurrently implemented ,and if done, within a period of three years, over a million of good paying jobs could be created. There are six practical interventions suggested in the article.
Government and Multinationals procurement
The first practical intervention which has not been tried, entails the formal cooperation between government and the private sector especially the big multinational companies like Banks, Mines and Chinese Construction companies. The initiative entails involving the private sector by Government negotiating with them for the establishment of formal business linkages programmes whereby they procure supplies from Youth owned small business thereby creating a market for their goods and services.
Zambia and other African countries’ recent experience has shown that foreign direct investment is not generating sufficient jobs for the labour market, partly due to mechanisation of most tasks but also due to the huge overdependence of multinationals on imports thereby exporting jobs . It is, therefore, up to smart governments to ensure that Multinationals Enterprises (MNCS) are made to generate indirect jobs through preferential procurement from youth owned companies.
Mining companies’ suppliers relocation to Zambia
The second initiatives is involves Mining houses. They could can be a source of indirect jobs if they are utilized in an innovative manner. Mining companies, for example, import 95% of their supplies. Government could negotiate with them and persuade them to force their captive suppliers abroad to relocate to Zambia where they are operating and create thousands of jobs and transfer skills. This is no rocket science.
Internship and job placement programmes
The third initiative could be entail asking the private sector to participate in internship or job placement programmes or if they have no openings, contribute funds in form of grants to be used by small companies for wages to employ interns to gain work experience.
In Zambia, there is little evidence of formal cooperation between Government and the Private Sector in order to fight youth unemployment. Zambia should copy from South Africa who has programmes where big business is involved in indirect job creation. The recent programme that was launched by President Cyril Ramaphosa in March, 2018 was the Youth Employment Service (Yes). The initiative which takes the form of a partnership between government ‚ business‚ labour and civil society is set to create 330‚000 jobs for young people in its first year. The initiative aims to see more than one-million young people being offered paid work experience over the next three years.
“We know that the depth of youth unemployment is huge and therefore we have to respond. We need effective and sustainable programmes to prepare young people for first-time employment. This demonstrates that we are a country on the move. We will be coming up with further initiatives to address youth unemployment‚” Ramaphosa said when launching the YES initiative, adding that South African government, in partnership with business would create more programmes aimed at alleviating youth unemployment.
Promotion of self employment initiatives
The fourth initiative for promotion of youth employment is self employment. The success of this intervention depends on the design of the various initiatives and the implementing agencies chosen for the purpose. The self-employment initiative entails the promotion of practical entrepreneurship programmes which are tried and tested. These programmes should entail the provision of a balanced range of support modalities such as training/skills development, mentoring and advisory services, easier access to finance through microcredit schemes, provision of grants and business start-up loans.
Graduation of Vendors to formal sector
The fifth initiative should include efforts to graduate some of the informal sector players like street vendors into formal businesses, providing them with short term entrepreneurship training courses, assisting them with a market for their products or services and providing them with capital for equipment and working capital ,and ensuring they employ additional workers in the process. This initiative can be implemented in a form of a medium to long term project funded by the World Bank or the Africa development bank .
Education system reform
The sixth and final initiative is a medium to long term solution. There is a need to focus on the reform of Zambia’s education system and the promotion of maths, Science and technical skills training so as to solve the problem of the mismatch of the skills being produced and what the labour market needs. The current basic and tertiary education system is failing as it is producing young people who are unsuitable for the labour market. This mismatch between the skills required for jobs and the levels of skills with which young people leave schools, colleges and universities with is one of the main reasons for the high youth unemployment rates. The former Minister of Youth, Sport and Child Development, Mar. Vincent Mwale did correctly make this same observation at the United Nations in 2016.
“We have young people that graduate from universities and colleges but do not have the right skills that are required on the market. The education system is kind of misplaced,” Mr. Mwale said when addressing African youths at United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum 2016 in New York.
At basic education level, there is need to emphasize the teaching of STEM subjects – Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. The introduction of courses on entrepreneurship in the school curriculum so as to change the mind set of young people at an early stage that on completion of education there are two choices: self-employment and wage employment.
At tertiary level, there is need to reduce investment in mundane University education of the 20th Century and more focus is made on research and technical training. The Technical Education and Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TAVETA) needs to be properly realigned, well-resourced and linked to industry and entrepreneurs who have run real businesses so that it is not too theoretical in approach to training. The 21st Century is based on the knowledge economy
The initiatives suggested above can only work effectively if a special purpose vehicle to implement the multifaceted nature of the solutions is created. The research by International Labour Organisation(ILO) and the World bank have shown that programmes that integrate multiple interventions are more likely to have a positive impact on reduction of youth unemployment. What is needed is a structured system of support to the Youth to solve Youth unemployment.
The Author is a Chartered Accountant by profession , a retired Private Sector Development expert and an Enteprenuer. He is an independent finance and economic commentator/analyst and a Patriot.
Accountant General Dr DICK CHELLAH SICHEMBE – making a presentation on the Public Finance Act, No 1, 2018 @ Protea Hotel in Chisamba
Zambia is set to derive numerous economic benefits from the hosting of the 26th East and Southern African Association of Accountants General (ESAAG) Conference set to take place in Livingstone from 25th February to 1st March, 2019.
Accountant General Dick Sichembe says who said this added that more than 1,600 delegates have so far confirmed their attendance.
“ This development was unprecedented as it is the first time the conference would have so many delegates and attributed it to the support and confidence exhibited by other member countries, “ he said.
Dr Sichembe expressed confidence that the large number of expected delegates would generally impact positively on Zambia’s economy and Livingstone’s tourism sector in particular.
“ This is because delegates were expected to purchase Zambian products, sample tourist sites and conference will help market the country internationally, “ he said.
ZANIS reports that the Accountant General said this in Livingstone yesterday during a press briefing ahead of the opening of the conference on Monday at Avani Victoria Falls Resort.
President Edgar Lungu is expected to officially open the conference which will be held under the theme: Enhancing the effectiveness of Public Financial Management Systems in Developing countries and emerging economies.
And Dr Sichembe noted that the theme for the conference was in line with what government was doing to not only stabilize the economy but to ensure its growth and fiscal fitness.
Meanwhile, Dr Sichembe who is also Chairperson of ESAAG said it was baffling for Africa to continue recording high levels of poverty while it had vast natural resources it could use to uplift people’s living standards.
“Africa sits on vast resources. It’s a paradox that we have poverty in our midst. As ESAAG, we are the voice of our countries and the masses and we therefore, call for rules and regulations that can be used to manage resources in the most efficient and effective ways to ensure they are directed to needy areas,” he said.
ESAAG would continue advocating for its member countries to engage the use of best practices in managing public resources, he noted.
“It is only through prudent use of resources that we can reduce poverty and develop our countries,” he said.
Accountants General from Eswatini, South Africa, Namibia, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Uganda, Botswana, Lesotho, Tanzania and Mauritius attended briefing.
IDC Acting Group Chief Executive Officer Mr Henry Sakala speaking during the launch of the Eastern Province Investment Expo in Chipata.
The Industrial Development Corporation says IG will this year in partnership with a local private partner, establish a fruit processing plant in Katete, Eastern Province estimated to cost about $2.5 million.
Acting Group Chief Executive Officer Mr Henry Sakala said the project is key for the province as it will provide a ready market for mangoes, oranges and other fruit that go to waste due to lack of a market.
He said the IDC was excited about the project because it would create both direct and indirect jobs for the people and enhance economic sustainability in the area.
He added, the IDC expects to replicate this model in other areas that have similar natural endowments.
“So far the IDC has invested in a multi-million dollar palm oil production in Muchinga Province, revamping of Kawambwa Tea in Luapula, cashew production in Western Province and we are also moving towards establishing a large scale pineapple and fruit processing plant in North Western Province’, he said.
Furthermore, Mr Sakala said the IDC has embarked on a 600 MW scaling solar project with its cooperating partners, with solar farms and power plants earmarked for Lusaka, Central, Copperbelt and Eastern Provinces.
Mr Sakala was speaking at the launch of the Eastern Province Investment Expo and Conference 2019 cocktail reception in Chipata over the weekend.
The Eastern Province Investment Expo is scheduled for 26th – 30th August 2019.
Some of the Ministers and Permanent Ministers who attended the launch of the Eastern Province Investment Expo in Chipata
Meanwhile, Government says it is impressed with the progress made on the construction of the industrial park in Chipata by Conduril.
Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) Director of finance Christopher Sichinga says the K 25 million worth project is going according to schedule and will be handed over in August once completed.
During inspection of the construction works at the industrial yard by CEEC, Mr Sichinga said despite the works currently been at 30 percent, he is positive that the Conduril will complete the works to meet its set target.
He said he is impressed with Conduril for employing 80 local workers adding that the numbers will increase as works intensify in the coming months.
And Conduril Chipata site manager Paul Mwale expressed optimism that his company will complete the works in August.
He said the works on the site are going as expected.
Once the project is completed, many Zambians are expected to take up space to participate in economic empowerment as expected under government’s policy of empowering the local citizenry.
The CEEC is scheduled to construct eight industrial yards in various parts of the country.
Some of the Cabinet Ministers who attended the launch of the Eastern Province Investment Expo in Chipata.
Zesco United on Sunday night surrendered top spot in Group C of the CAF Confederation Cup to Nkana after toiling to a home draw with ten-man Al Hilal of Sudan.
Al Hilal held Zesco to a 1-1 draw at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
But Zesco were made to work hard for the point after Al Hilal took the lead with a man less when striker Idris Mbombo was sent-off on the stroke of halftime for dissent.
Nasr Edin Ahmed put Al Hilal ahead in the 65th minute but it took another seven minutes for Zesco to earn the one point when Lazarus Kambole equalized for the hosts.
The result was a winner for Al Hilal who had lost 3-1 to Nkana on February 13 in Kitwe and now leave with a point after camping in the country for ten days to play their final Group C away game in Zambia on February 24.
As for Zesco, the result is still a setback after coming into the game on the back of a 2-1 away loss in Ghana to Asante Kotoko.
Zesco drop from first to third on 4 points while Nkana lead on 6 points after their 3-1 home win over bottom placed Kotoko earlier in Sunday afternoon’s game at Nkana Stadium.
Second placed Al Hilal also have 4 points while Kotoko are on 3 points with three games left to play.
Nkana beat Asante Kotoko of Ghana 3-1 on Sunday to make significant gains in Group C of the CAF Confederation Cup .
Ronald ‘Sate Sate’ Kampamba scored a brace while Fred Tshimenga scored from the spot to see Nkana complete back-to-back home wins in Group C and comfortably sit of 6 points from three games.
Tshimenga put Nkana ahead in the 18th minute from a penalty after Walter Bwalya was brought down in the box.
But Kotoko equalized in the 21st minute when Yacouba Songne fired in a fine free kick.
Kampamba restored Nkana’s lead in the 28th minute with a fine volley to see the two sides go 2-1 into the break.
Kampamba completed his brace in the 52nd minute to make life difficult for Kotoko.
However, Nkana suffered a setback in the 71st minute when Richard Ocran received his second booking and is suspended for the next match on March 3 away to Kotoko.
Nkana will know their status at the end of match day three when Zesco United and Al Hilal complete their Group C assignment on Sunday night in Ndola.
Police in Mwansabombwe Town in Luapula Province have detained a Lusaka bound Bus allegedly with women fishmongers who attempted smuggle fish out of the province.
The arrest of the five women fishmongers follows the ongoing fish-ban which closes in five days on 1st, March , 2019.
ZANIS reports that at a passenger bus owned by Scorpion Bus Company Registration Number AIB 9965 coming from Nchelenge Town heading to Lusaka was by broadcast time found detained at the police station in Mwansabombwe Town.
The passenger bus was caught around 05:30 hours by an alert team of Security officers and Chipepa Fishing Management Committee at Kasumpa barrier trying to enter Mwansabombwe from Nchelenge Towns, respectively after a tip off by alert residents of Kasumpa.
Mwansabombwe District Livestock and Fisheries Coordinator, Singa Donattelo who confirmed the development identified the driver of the bus as Kelly Siame, 37, a resident of Chifubu township in Ndola.
“ The bus was caught carrying five women fishmongers who were among other the passengers , trying to smuggle bundles of fish popularly known as Chisense weighing 184 kilograms out of Nchelenge Town , “ he said.
Mr Donatello says it is disappointing to both the traders and the transporter had connived in such acts despite only four days remaining before the end of the fishing ban.
He has since cautioned transporters who are in the habit of helping in the transporting of illegal fish during the fishing ban to refrain from the unlawful act.
The arrested women fishmongers and the bus crew were detained at Mwansabombwe Police awaiting appearance in court.
And Kawambwa Subordinate Court Magistrate, Deodatus Chisala who confirmed the development said normally, he would have ordered that the fish be burnt but instead ordered that the fish be given to Mbereshi Mission Hospital and Kazembe Orphanage in Mwansabombwe District.
Magistrate Chisala has since set Monday February 25, 2019 as the day for the transporter and the five fish traders will appear before Court of law in Kawambwa.
Mr Mushimba with Hospital staff upon his discharge
Transport and Communications Minister Brian Mushimba has been discharged from Awryp Hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Mr Mushimba was evacuated to South Africa after suffering some injuries on his right arm following a road accident in Lusaka.
The Kankoyo Member of Parliament posted on his Facebook page that he was happy to be heading back home.
“It feels good to be going home today after an extended stay in hospital repairing my injured right arm. I’m thankful for the many well wishes and prayers,” Mr Mushimba wrote.
Mr. Mushimba was admitted to Awryp Hospital in Johannesburg from January 26th 2019 after he injured his arm right which affected significant soft tissue.
His vehicle had flipped on Thabo Mbeki road as he was driving back home past midnight.
Mr Mushimba with Hospital staff upon his discharge
