By Benedict Tembo

IN his quest to give back to the country, a Zambian based in Canada Chasaya Sichilima has partnered with some compatriots and launched a multi-media production company providing content for radio, television and online audiences.

Based in Ndola, Zambezi Omnisport is focused on identifying and making visible the rare aspects of Zambian arts, sports, and culture to both local and international audiences.
Last year was a milestone for Zambezi Omnisport. It was one in which it etched its footprint in the grassroots sport and art sectors.

“Even though we only started formal operations in April 2023, Zambezi Omnisport was mooted in 2018 when it became apparent to the founding partners that Zambia needed a new home-grown effort to bring visibility and prominence to Zambian sports, arts and culture. This came against the backdrop of inadequate attention and investment in the three sectors,” said Mr Sichilima, who is the chairman of the board of directors.

He said this has made it difficult for Zambia to sustainably participate from the inside-out in the global conversation of sports, arts and culture.

“Moreover, this is compounded by the dependency on external donor and corporate support to promote the sectors. To the founding partners, Zambezi Omnisport has become the internal voice and vehicle for the sector’s development through grassroots engagement in key areas such as schools, colleges, lower sporting leagues, minor sports, dramatic art and community events,” Mr Sichilima said.

Last year, Zambezi Omnisport provided technical, logistical and marerial support to the Zambia School Sports Association (ZASSA) athletics and chess tournaments at Ndola’s Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.

Zambezi Omnisport streamed and broadcast the event to online audiences worldwide with HD quality and robust internet.

It also formalised and quantified the local traditional game “Eagle” or Zam-Eagle.
After exhibition at the ZASSA athletics and chess games in April last year, the acclaimed Zam-Eagle is now part of the school’s sports curriculum.

Zam Eagle was part of the competitive games for which points were awarded at the ZASSA ball in Livingstone in August last year .

Zambezi Omnisport provided technical support and filmed the ball games.
It also broadcast and streamed the Copperbelt FAZ GSB Cup for which it received positive feedback from FAZ Copperbelt and cup sponsors.

Mr Sichilima says Zambezi Omnisport also sponsored and provided technical expertise to the first ever Software Development Workshop called Sprintathon at the Copperbelt University in Kitwe.

In August, Zambezi Omnisport sponsored and organised a Madalas Tribute game in Ndola, which was highly appreciated by the community while in September, the company was the media and technology partner for the FAZ Copperbelt 2022 23 season awards gala and provided the event with an engaging presentation and broadcast.

A month later, Copperbelt FAZ under-18 side Ajax Chimz Academy and Zambezi Omnisports signed a partnership deal which saw the media house “Zambezi Omnisport” become the official match day kit sponsors for the academy.

In the same month, Zambezi Omnisport broadcast the 45th Combined Copperbelt Nursing Schools graduation ceremony at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
Zambezi Omnisport initiated a pre- and post- game analysis show. The hat-trick coverage included the Zambia versus Ivory Coast game, the 2023 COSAFA men’s soccer championship, the Copper Queens’ maiden participation in the World Cup, the 2023 COSAFA women’s championship.

Some guests have included AFCON 2012 winner Jonas Sakuwaha, Gabriel Kaunda, the Afrisport FC founder, FAZ Copperbelt technical director Mortson Kasoma and Indeni Roses coach Benson Chambeshi.

It also covered minor sports such as the Ndola netball district championships.
Zambezi Omnisport launched first artistic offering, “Girls Alone” revolutionary talk show presenting the world from a girl’s point of view.
This includes the perspective on career, family, society, relationships, events, among others.

“Girls Alone” explores the views and experiences of the girl from close range. The programme is motivated by the fact that the view of a girl, and a woman, is often dismissed at worst and usually ignored at best in most societies, leading to a cultural structure that keeps her at a permanent disadvantage.

Through “Girls Alone” programme, Zambezi Omnisport brings its contribution to the elimination of this disadvantage by fostering the ongoing conversation and debate about gender equality in Zambia.

There is also discussion on enhancing the contribution of girls and women to the Zambian economy, given the role that they play.
“Girls Alone” is the first of the artistic and cultural Zambezi Omnisport is publishing in the next few months. Zambezi Omnisport has most recently produced engaging online sports content to critical acclaim.

2024 Outlook

Production of Zambezi Omnisport Sprintathon on a much larger scale.
“Feedback from last year was that venue at American Corner could only accommodate so many. Since were doing it for the first time, that was a deliberate decision to get an understanding of the need,” Mr Sichilima said.

He said the production of a Zam – Eagle competition is intended to increase coverage of the traditional game to everyday situations.

“It is a game that can give a break for our kids from computer games,” Mr Sichilima said.
Zambezi Omnisport also intends to escalate coverage of the men’s African Nations Cup and the women’s edition once dates are confirmed.

On his motivation behind Zambezi Omnisport, Mr Sichilima said:” It is about putting together years of involvement in arts and sports across the world, blending it with modern day technology and equipment and adding another layer and value to the Zambian sports, media, and entertainment landscape.”
At the core of this and from his personal standpoint is” Diaspora engagement with, and contribution to the motherland.”

Energy expert Borniface Zulu has advised the government to invest in the construction of charging points for electric vehicles (EVs) as part of a broader initiative to accelerate the transition to a sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation system.

Mr. Zulu highlighted the potential benefits of investing in charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, emphasizing that such an investment could significantly reduce transport costs, greenhouse gas emissions, and oil imports in the country. In a statement to ZANIS in Lusaka, he underscored the importance of mobilizing adequate and sustainable financial resources to facilitate a smooth transition to electric vehicles.

“The benefits of electric vehicles in Zambia include environmental, economic, and social aspects. The adoption of electric vehicles can lead to a lower carbon footprint, reduced emissions of local pollutants, lower fuel and maintenance costs, reduced dependence on oil imports, increased energy efficiency, and potential for job creation and innovation,” explained Mr. Zulu.

He further emphasized the need for the government to foster partnerships and collaborations, invest in charging infrastructure, and develop supportive policies and regulations to promote the adoption of electric vehicles. Mr. Zulu acknowledged that while there are significant opportunities for electric vehicle adoption in Zambia, including increased demand for transport services and growing renewable energy generation, challenges such as high initial costs and the establishment of charging infrastructure need to be addressed.

“The adoption of electric vehicles presents a promising option for Zambia to address its transport and energy challenges,” concluded Mr. Zulu, recognizing both the potential benefits and existing barriers that require strategic solutions for successful implementation.

The Public Protector, Mrs. Caroline Sokoni, has voiced deep concern over the growing instances of unlawful impounding of motor vehicles by some traffic police officers. Mrs. Sokoni notes that this practice has escalated, even in cases where the offense committed does not warrant vehicle impoundment under the law.

Expressing her observations, Mrs. Sokoni emphasized that the majority of the public is law-abiding and willing to pay fines, contributing to government revenue. However, she highlighted a disturbing trend where certain traffic police officers resort to impounding vehicles as a means to solicit bribes from affected motorists.

The Public Protector underscores the detrimental impact of such actions on the government’s fight against maladministration and corruption, asserting that law enforcement officers should not be contributing to the flourishing of these vices.

In her capacity as the head of an institution mandated to ensure adherence to processes and procedures in public institutions, Mrs. Sokoni asserted that the Office of the Public Protector will not tolerate deviations from laid-down procedures by a few officers within the Traffic Department. Such deviations tarnish the image of the Zambia Police Service.

Mrs. Sokoni issued a call to Zambia Police Service Traffic Officers to uphold professionalism, avoid procedural improprieties, and execute their duties without unjustly impounding vehicles or victimizing the public.

Furthermore, the Public Protector appealed to members of the public who have fallen victim to questionable vehicle impoundments to collect the name and service number of police officers, as well as the police station managing the roadblock. They are encouraged to report such incidents to the Office of the Public Protector or the Police Public Complaints Commission.

Mrs. Sokoni concluded by reiterating the importance of maintaining the integrity of law enforcement agencies and fostering trust between the public and the police force. The Office of the Public Protector stands firm in its commitment to upholding justice, transparency, and accountability in public institutions.