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It’s a feeding frenzy out here. Women devouring other women’s dignities with such viciousness and disregard for privacy it is driving victims to suicide.
By this time, we have all heard about or seen the video of a Lusaka woman in her glorious beauty, proud of and confident in her nudity showing off her body. And yet this private video has gotten the entire country and diaspora buzzing with ferocious anger. How dare this woman show us her Vagina! Not surprisingly, the weight of the anger is from other women, because let’s face it, how many men would recoil at a woman’s nudity with the Triangle of Life on full display.
It’s other women who are body shaming this woman in particular and others who express themselves with their bodies. These cyber bullies are like hungry hyenas crouching behind their keyboards waiting for fresh meat to drop.
Question: Why would a heterosexual woman view Nudies of other women and pass Vagina commentary?
I am sure many of you who are outspoken over this video accept such indignities as physical, emotional and sexual abuse from the men in your lives, yet you don’t make audio tapes about it to express your anger. You have accepted being disenfranchised in your homes and communities. Your girl children are being molested by relatives, being impregnated by older men etcetera yet your only anger is over an adult woman’s choice to show her Vagina.
You are hypocrites, well put together in your Brazilian weaves and matte lipsticks and yet your minds are still in grass thatched huts crucifying progressive women pa Nsaka, thwarting your own empowerment.
You are hypocrites, well put together in your Brazilian weaves and matte lipsticks and yet your minds are still in grass thatched huts crucifying progressive women pa Nsaka, thwarting your own empowerment. A decent woman will not insult and degrade her Sister’s womanhood. Only a perverse ignorant woman would shred another woman in the manner that Zambian women are going on about it.
When a sister woman has fallen, we should all surround and cover her with Chitenjes and help her up, we must never point and ridicule. Don’t judge lest you be judged! Stop these attacks on other women. It is nefarious, hurtful and sinful.
Question: What are you achieving by destroying another woman who has not done anything to you?
The vagina is a woman’s crown, her own precious jewel. Whether it’s Brown, Mahogany, Yellow, big, small, hairy or shaven it is beautiful. There’s no standard of beauty or comparison, they are all delicate flowers, God’s most amazing creation. It’s every woman’s prerogative to show off her crown jewel to the world or to keep it under wraps.
If your sister has the confidence to show off her crown, why should it anger you? If the crown was meant to be hidden and be a shameful thing, God would have chosen another method of procreation and passage of new life.
Have you ever heard of Mama Julia Chikamoneka? She helped Zambia gain independence when she mobilized other women and they matched in full nudity outside Colonial Governor Evelyn Hone’s office in Lusaka. In Hone’s own words he confessed that when he looked out that window and saw those naked women, he knew it was time for the British to get out.
That video of our naked foremothers fighting for our freedom was more dignified than Kaunda himself holding up our flag on the night of 24th October 1964. Wake up Sisters, unless you can stand up together and hold each other up, the dignity you deserve will forever elude you.
PF Deputy Secretary General Mumbi Phiri (l) raises the party symbol as Vice President Inonge Wina (r) Looks on arrival at Mongu Airport for a two-day working visit to inspect government developmental projects in Western Province
Chishimba Kambwili has no backbone and is just surviving at the mercy of the courts which he is now abusing to remain in power and continue drawing a salary and other allowances from Parliament, PF deputy secretary general Mumbi Phiri has said.
Commenting on Mr. Kambwili’s decision to appeal against the High Court’s decision to throw out his appeal against his dismissal from PF, Ms. Phiri yesterday branded the Roan MP a coward who could not allow a by-election to take place in his constituency because he knew he stood no chance to win and therefore hiding in legal processes.
She said Mr Kambwili was not only politically impotent, but also that Parliament was the source of his bread and butter despite bragging that he had a lot of money to enable him go oversees just to have breakfast. She said she was surprised that someone who had been claiming to be a political heavyweight could chicken out of the impending by-election by running around like a mad man to seek court protection. She said the supersonic speed at which Mr Kambwili had rushed to the Concourt to protect his parliamentary seat had exposed him to all the lies and claims he was making about his political mantra and the source of his financial muscle. “How can he claim that he is giving the PF sleepless nights when he is surviving at the mercy of the courts? This clearly shows that he has no backbone.
He cannot stand on his own and win.“It is laughable that people who can afford to travel and have breakfast in England and have supper back in Zambia can stick to getting allowances from Parliament.
“The good part is that Zambians are seeing that Parliament is the source of bread and butter to those who claim to be more popular than the PF and to have more money. This is why they can still cling to Parliament at all costs as if it is a matter of life and death,” Ms Phiri said.
Meanwhile, Mr Kambwili on Thursday evening came under fire in a barrage of social media comments after he announced his decision to challenge the High Court decision over the matter by appealing to the Constitutional Court.
Within an hour after making the post on his Facebook wall, Mr Kambwili drew over 500 sharp reactions from his followers, most of which questioned his popularity and wondered why he was rushing to court to protect his seat yet he was claiming that he was a political heavyweight.
Zambia’s Ambassador to Germany Anthony Mukwita says the government of President Edgar Lungu has and continues to honor the country’s freedom fighters by building economic development on the political freedom they fought for.
Addressing 160 guests at the Maritim Hotels in the German capital Berlin to toast Zambia’s 54th Independence Anniversary, Ambassador Mukwita said President Lungu’s government has improved the country’s outlook in the infrastructure and social sectors fulfilling the dreams of the freedom fighters who wanted to see a better life for all.
“Since independence, we have had the same airport servicing only one million passengers per year but in a few months if not weeks, we are opening an ultramodern airport which will be servicing about 4 million passengers per year”, Mr. Mukwita said amid applauds.
Mr. Mukwita shared a number of advances in such sectors as primary health in which the number of deaths related to pregnancies or child development has drastically reduced owing to advances in government investment.
At independence, Zambia was served by one major hospital (UTH) in capital Lusaka supported by a handful of district hospitals and rural health centers and health posts.
But Mr. Mukwita said under President Lungu, efforts have been largely expanded upon with hundreds of health posts and each district with an ultramodern hospital performing more challenging medical procedures.
He acknowledged that in recent months, Zambian doctors have performed medical procedures that would have been considered unthinkable at independence such as the separation of Siamese twins, heart surgeries and a kidney transplant.
He said President Lungu’s government has also revived a State investment initiative called Industrial Development Corporation, whose mandate is to manage public investments.
Mr. Mukwita noted that under the post-independence government of President Kaunda, public investments were coordinated under such bodies as INDECO, FINDECO and MINDECO.
He said scrapping of such entities after the Kaunda government lost power in 1991 received mixed feelings with some observers criticizing the move as lacking economic justification however under the PF government, the move is seen as acknowledgement of the fact that the State has a role to play in economic affairs.
“This is not to say that it has been smooth sailing for President Lungu”, Ambassador Mukwita said, adding, “but these achievements must inspire us to work harder comfortable in the knowledge that we have what it takes to overcome our challenges”.
Alliance For Democratic and Development Western province chairperson Mulele Mumbisho making his submission during a public hearing on Public Order Act Amendment under the Ministry of Justice in Mongu, Western Province .
The Human Rights Commission has urged individuals and institutions to take advantage of the on-going consultative meetings on the amendment of the Public Order Act.
Human Rights Commission Spokesperson Mweelwa Muleya said people should also make submissions aimed at improving the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of assembly.
Mr. Muleya noted that the amendment of the POA is one of the output indicators in the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP) aimed at promoting an inclusive and democratic system of governance.
He explained that the amendment is also one of the 183 recommendations which government accepted to implement during Zambia’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of human rights record at the United Nations in Geneva in 2017.
Mr. Muleya stated that the right to freedom of assembly is a fundamental right and freedom enshrined in Zambia’s Bill of Rights and in the International Bill of Human Rights.
He said the Public Order Act should be designed and implemented in a manner that promotes and protects the right to freedom of assembly, association and expression.
The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) in conjunction with the Zambia Law Development Commission (ZLDC) is currently undertaking consultative meetings in Provincial Centres to facilitate public submissions on the proposed amendment of the POA.
This was contained in a statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday.
Over 200 UPND members in Mangango constituency in Kaoma district of Western province have defected to join the ruling Patriotic Front.
Receiving the defectors, Mangango constituency Campaign Manager, Paul Moonga said the Patriotic Front party is gaining ground in all the UPND strong holds in the province.
Mr Moonga said this yesterday at Lukute Primary School grounds where he was drumming up support for PF’s Godwin Putu in Mangango constituency parliamentary by-election slated for November 20, this year.
The campaign manager said PF is eager to win the constituency with a land slide victory owing to the massive developmental programmes that the government under the leadership of President Edgar Lungu has done in the constituency.
Mr Moonga also said the constituency is witnessing violence free campaigns and has called on all opposition political parties participating in Mangango parliamentary by-election to observe the electoral code of conduct in order avoid coming into conflict with the law.
He said President Lungu has continuously preached about the importance of maintaining peace and tranquility which has resulted in all PF members being good students of the President’s words.
And one of the defectors, Richard Simbula said the defections of many UPND members in Mangango constituency is because of the sound policies that the government has put in place such as the social cash transfer and the farmer input support programme among other many developmental projects.
Mr Simbula said that there are no benefits of staying in the opposition UPND party as its leader Hakainde Hichilema has failed to deliver meaningful development in the locality despite having more wealth that is not benefitting the poor people in the constituency.
He said PF has shown willingness and it is fulfilling its pro – poor policies of not leaving anyone behind in its developmental agenda.
And Western province PF chairperson Charles Mututwa said the government has provided more than 10 television sets in all wards of Mangango constituency and seven communication towers to ensure that people accessed ZNBC channels and also to receive mobile services being offered by MTN, ZAMTEL and AIRTEL at the door steps of their homes.
Mr Mututwa alleged that UPND has become a complainant party in the country of the accusing the ruling Patriotic Front for stealing their votes instead of delivering to the expectations of the electorates.
Mangango constituency is being contested by Godwin Putu under the PF ticket, Mwendoi Akakandelwa for UPND, NDC’s Yuvwenu Kashandola and UPPZ’s Kambinda Liwoyo.
Mangango constituency in Kaoma district fell vacant following the death of UPND Member of Parliament Naluwa Mwene who was involved in a road traffic accident along Lusaka – Kaoma road.
Jack Ma at Mfuwe Airport being welcomed by staff from the Zambia Airports Corporation
E-commerce giant Alibaba’s Jack Ma is in Zambia for a private visit.
Ma who according to the latest Forbes China rich list has net worth of US$34.6 billion is in Mfuwe to sample some of Zambia’s wildlife.
He flew to Mfuwe from Johannesburg, South Africa where he was a special guest of that country’s leader Cyril Ramaphosa at the InvestSA conference last week.
It is not yet known how many days Ma would spend in Zambia and whether he is scheduled to meet any government leaders.
A prominent business figure, Ma is seen as a global ambassador for Chinese business and as such is frequently listed as one of the world’s most powerful people by Forbes.
On 10 September 2018, he announced that he will retire from Alibaba and pursue educational charity work, effective in one year.
Ma resigned from the position of the CEO of Alibaba Group and reportedly decided to eventually resign as Chairman to focus on his philanthropic work.
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.”
(Isaiah 43:18, NIV)
Overcoming Disappointments
The Bible tells us that every person, no matter how much faith they have, no matter how good they are, will face disappointments. It may be something simple like not getting the promotion you hoped for, or not closing a business deal you worked so hard on. Maybe you didn’t qualify for a house you really wanted, or maybe something more serious happened like a relationship not working out, the death of a loved one, or some kind of illness in your body. Whatever it may be, the reality is that we’re all going to suffer some setbacks. I believe one of the main keys to overcoming disappointments is learning to let go of the past.
If you feel “stuck” today, you may want to examine what you’re holding on to. Be willing let go of past disappointments by choosing forgiveness. Who hurt you? Who wronged you? Release it to God. Do you need to forgive yourself? Do you need to receive God’s forgiveness? Make the choice today to forgive. Let go of the past so you can overcome disappointments and experience the bright future God has in store for you!
A Prayer for Today
“Father, search my heart and mind today. Show me any area where I may be holding on to the past. Help me to receive Your forgiveness so that I can extend forgiveness to others and move forward in the wonderful plan You have for me in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
National Assembly has been demoted after just one season in the FAZ Super Division.
The Lusaka club was beaten 3-1 way by Forest Rangers at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola on Saturday to complete the four teams demoted to Division 1 at the end of the 2018 season.
Assembly join fellow promoted sides Kabwe Youth Soccer Academy and Monze Swallows down in the second tier together with two-time champions Nchanga Rangers.
Striker Nicholas Mulilo put Forest ahead in the 31st minute; Austin Muwowo added the second goal five minutes later before Timmy Kazembe made it three in the 54th minute.
Peter Mwaagani scored Assembly’s consolation goal in the 76th minute to finish the season on 12 goals.
Assembly finished the season on 39 points, three points behind Lumwana Radiants whom they exchanged places with at number 17 and 16 respectively.
Lumwana secured their safety following a 2-0 away win over demoted Nchanga in Chingola on the same day.
V
ictor Mubanga and Hillary Bwalya scored in the 13th and 31st minutes respectively to save Lumwana who finish the season on 42 points and extend their top flight stay to a fourth straight season.
Nakamabala finished the season at number 15 on 43 points following a 1-0 home win in Mazabuka over demoted Swallows in their Southern Province derby.
Nakambala now enjoy their longest spell in the Super Division since they bounced back in 2014.
Jacob Mupeta converted a 51st minute penalty to ensure Nakamabla will be playing in the FAZ Super League for a sixth successive season.
A list of teachers that are alleged to have leaked examination papers has been availed to the Minister of General Education David Mabumba. Mr. Mabumva has disclosed to ZNBC News in an interview today.
Mr. Mabumba says this follows investigations, which are still on-going. The Minister has stressed that the culprits will be dealt with accordingly.
On Tuesday, Government announced the suspension of the Grades Seven, Nine and Twelve Examinations following malpractices. Mr. Mabumba says he will on Monext week, hold a media briefing and release findings on the leakages.
Meanwhile, Government says all the 2018, Grade Seven, Nine and 12 Examinations remain suspended indefinitely.
Minister of General Education, David Mabumba said the resumption of the examination will be announced officially by the Ministry.
He explained that the suspension of the examination was announced at a media briefing noting that, the resumption will follow suit.
ZANIS reports that Mr. Mabumba explained in an interview in Lusaka today, that people should desist from taking social media rumors as gospel truth but that, they should instead wait for government’s position.
“People should not believe in what they see on social media. And people from the media circles should not equally believe in social media postings because I announced the suspension through the press briefing and I will equally do the same on the resumption of these examinations.
Mr. Mabumba said his Ministry will endeavor to put the record straight even in the advent of social media where people post unconfirmed reports.
He further urged the traditional media to always get the correct position on such matters so that audiences are given verified information.
There are some unconfirmed reports circulating on social media that the suspension of the 2018 examinations has been lifted by government.
Finance Minister Margaret Mwanakatwe has directed that no Board Chairpersons of State-Owned Enterprises(SOEs) should be accorded offices and personal to holder vehicles.
Ms Mwanakatwe says this is part of austerity measures.
The finance minister made the directive in Livingstone today at the 2nd Industrial Development Corporation-IDC annual Group conference noting that there is need for all State-Owned Enterprises to observe austerity measures.
She has also directed that State-Owned Enterprises should resolve their tax liabilities with the Zambia Revenue Authority-ZRA- as pointed out by the Auditor General.
Mrs. Mwanakatwe has further directed that there is need for Performance Contracts and benchmarks between IDC and Boards adding that only contracts for CEOs that meet the benchmarks will be renewed.
She has in addition reiterated that all State-Owned Enterprises not making profits should downgrade their travel class.
Mrs. Mwanakatwe said the reforms embarked on by government to reshape State Owned Enterprises will not fail and that boards and Chief Executive Officers who resist change will not be tolerated.
Earlier, IDC Board Member and Chairperson of Investments Committee, Father Leonard Chiti said the IDC has this year invested over 40 million US dollars in various ventures in the country on behalf of government.
Father Chiti noted that the strength of the IDC to make investments is in the ability of companies in the group to pay dividends.
Nathan Chanda answering questions during the question and answer session at the PF interactive forum
Luanshya Mayor Nathan Chanda says the closure of Section 5 and Baluba clinics by the Health Professionals Council of Zambia is a burden on the people.
Chanda has also clarified that Section 5 and Baluba clinics are not government health facilitates but belong to CNMC Luanshya Copper Mines PLC.
He said it is sad that the clinics a which are of great health to the people of Luanshya can be closed at a critical time.
“I have learnt of the closure of section 5 and Baluba clinics by the Health Practitioners Council of Zambia. The two health facilities belong to CNMC Luanshya Copper Mines plc(CLM) not government and provide health services for miners,” Chanda said.
He said as Mayor of Luanshya, he has since engaged CLM to ensure that they quickly comply with the required Standards by HPCZ.
“My office is already actively engaged with CLM to ensure that they quickly comply with the issues raised by the HPCZ so that the 2 institutions are reopened and continue to offer health services to the miners and their families and have assured me that they will work on all concerns raised.”
On Thursday, HPCZ closed down five health facilitates on the Copperbelt.
The facilities closed include Section 5 Mine Clinic and Baluba Shaft Mine Clinic both located in Luanshya. Others are Copperbelt University Clinic in Kitwe, Sinozam Friendship Hospital also in Kitwe and Hilltop Hospital located in Ndola.
“Health Professions Council of Zambia- HPCZ has cited and closed down five (5) health facilities in Luanshya, Kitwe and Ndola on the Copperbelt Province for various violations, contrary to the laws of Zambia. The facilities closed include Section 5 Mine Clinic and Baluba Shaft Mine Clinic both located in Luanshya. Others are Copperbelt University Clinic in Kitwe, Sinozam Friendship Hospital also in Kitwe and Hilltop Hospital located in Ndola,” HPCZ registrar Dr Aaron Mujajati stated.
President Edgar Lungu speaking to thousands of Kafue resident who welcomed him for the cleaning exercise in Kafue
President Edgar Lungu says government is determined to create a cholera free Zambia.
President Lungu says this is because his government values every life.
He says the Keep Zambia Clean, Green and Healthy Campaign is not a political issue but meant to enhance cleanliness.
President Lunga was speaking in Kafue at Mathanda Market when he participated in the cleaning exercise.
He has since urged citizens regardless political affiliation to participate and work together with government in cleaning surroundings.
President Lungu has further appealed to everyone to participate in the cleaning exercise every last weekend of the month.
The President has also praised the Zambia National Service for the commitment to spearhead the exercise.
President Lungu also toured Mathanda market, where he bought fish and a variety of vegetables from traders.
He also checked on Sanitation levels at the market’s fee-paying toilet.
And Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo urged the people to ensure they maintain the infrastructure that supports the market’s sanitation.
Meanwhile Kafue district Commissioner Joseph Kamana said the district has been participating in the clean campaign.
And Kafue Mayor Thomas Zulu said he is working with the people to ensure the district is clean and conducive for operations and eventually prevent diseases.
President Edgar Lungu joins in the cleaning exercise in KafuePresident Edgar Lungu joins in the cleaning exercise in KafuePresident Edgar Lungu joins in the cleaning exercise in KafuePresident Edgar Lungu joins in the cleaning exercise in Kafue
UNZA School of Law Trophies displayed at Golden Jubilee Commemoration Stand, 2016
On Friday, October 19, 2018, the Zambia Institute of Advanced Legal Education (ZIALE) publicly released the results of its 2017-2018 Legal Practitioners’ Qualifying Examinations (LPQ Examinations). Due to the grave misinformation circulating on various media platforms about the performance of the University of Zambia (UNZA) School of Law students in those examinations, UNZA is taking this unprecedented step of publicly setting the record straight.
We have conducted a statistical analysis of the released results which are independently verifiable and public facts. Further, this statement itself, is not intended to sensationalize the ZIALE examination results for any gain or advantage to UNZA or its School of Law, but simply to provide the general public and stakeholders with an accurate set of facts on which to base their perceptions. As will be evident from the facts presented in this statement, the UNZA School of Law was, by far, the strongest performer in the recently ended ZIALE examinations.
By the official count, approximately 379 students sat for the final ZIALE LPQ Examinations. The public may wish to know that out of this number (379), approximately only 28% were UNZA degree holders. Out of the 379 students attempting the examination for the first time, only three (3) students cleared all 10 courses. This translates to an overall pass rate of 0.8%. The fourth candidate mentioned in the press was not sitting the LPQ Examination for the first time.
The public may also wish to know that one (1) of these three (3) “first-attempt passers” is a UNZA degree holder. Since 2013, UNZA has been running two Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) streams: a “general stream” at UNZA Great East Road Campus and a “commercial law stream”, in conjunction with the Zambia Centre for Accountancy Studies (ZCAS, now ZCAS University). Graduates from both streams receive University of Zambia (UNZA) law degrees. Therefore, the widely publicized news that no UNZA degree holder passed the examination is wholly untrue.
The foregoing notwithstanding, what has not been analyzed, is the performance of the remaining 376 students (99.2%) who did not clear all the 10 courses. This analysis will reveal the true picture of the performance of UNZA graduates. What is noteworthy here is that a staggering 92% of all candidates who passed 9 out of the 10 courses examined (that is to say, failed only one course) are UNZA degree holders. 86% of these students were drawn from our main stream and 6% were drawn from our commercial stream. When one statistically controls for UNZA’s modest ratio of the candidates (28 %), the 92% figure mentioned here is far higher.
Further, without a single exception, all of the UNZA students that failed only one course, failed the exact same course. This may indicate that our students encountered a common problem in that particular course. Needless to say, we intend to analyze what problems the students may have encountered in order to make the necessary interventions that will assist our students perform better when they re-sit the course in December, 2018.
It is a well-known fact that for quite a while now, only a small percentage of students clear the ZIALE LPQ Examinations on their first attempt. Over the last few years, the percentages of candidates who clear the programme on first attempt have ranged from 0.8 % to 5% .What is not of public notoriety is that a far much higher percentage of candidates clear the ZIALE LPQ
Examinations on the subsequent attempt, which typically occurs about two (2) months after the initial results are released. The true picture of any law school’s performance is therefore not in the small sliver of students that clear on the first attempt, which this time around, is 0.8%; but rather, in the number of students, from any given University, that are ultimately called to the Bar out of any given cohort. In this regard, no other University surpasses UNZA.
With the strong performance of our students this year, we have no reason to believe that it will be any different with this cohort. It should be noted that when evaluating the final number of students sent to the Bar from a particular University, the ratio of candidates contributed to the class under consideration must be factored into the analysis.
While UNZA has always dominated the “first-attempt pass list”, we have never been content with the miniscule number of UNZA students that pass on first attempt. We also wish to note that ever since private universities gained admission to ZIALE in 2010, UNZA has always shared the “first-attempt passers” with other universities. This is therefore not the first time, by any stretch, that a non-UNZA student has passed the ZIALE LPQ Examinations on the first attempt.
In fact, in 2011, which was the very first year that private university students were among the candidates examined, three (3) out of the eight (8) candidates that passed on the first attempt were non-UNZA degree holders. While this is the first time that UNZA has not dominated the “first- time passers” list, it must be noted that this is just by a single candidate.
In view of the foregoing, we reiterate that most of the information that has been circulated in the media and other communication platforms is therefore grossly distorted. We have absolutely no doubt that there are brilliant students in other universities. However, if one is to make global statements about the quality of a law programme, then those statements need to be based on an evaluation of the performance of 100% of the candidates examined and not just a miniscule 0.8%.
For seven (7) years straight (2011-2018), UNZA has recorded the best overall performance at ZIALE. This unrivaled performance must be understood in the context of the serious resource challenges plaguing all public universities. In spite of these debilitating challenges, the performance of our students at ZIALE has remained unrivaled. We attribute this solid performance to the resilience of our students, as well as to the first-rate academic staff which is the School of Law’s greatest asset.
The Law School’s staff complement consists of eleven (11) PhD holders and four (4) soon-to-be PhD holders. Further, the Law School’s lecturers have been trained at some of the best Universities in the world. Moreover, 90% of these lecturers are called to the Bar in at least one jurisdiction. Collectively, UNZA Law School academic staff possess rich experience drawn from law practice, government, advocacy, as well as regional and international organizations of repute.
We would like to note the critical role that private universities play in the democratization of legal education in the country. Due to the entry of private players, the study of law has been liberalized and access to the profession has dramatically increased. This is something we are proud of and strongly support. Due to the serious challenges we have faced and continue to face, UNZA is unable to meet the growing demand for legal education. In this regard, we view private universities as partners and not as foes.
Incidentally, not less than two (2) of the Law School’s four (4) strategic objectives address the democratization of legal education. First, the School of Law has as an objective – “to join in the building and development of the legal system in Zambia and generally, to make the resources of the School’s staff and students
available for the welfare of the community.” Secondly, the School aims “to be prepared to offer, where these are desirable and required, law teaching resources for other institutions in Zambia”. Indeed, the UNZA School of Law stands ready to collaborate with other Law Schools in the interests of the development of quality legal education and in the development of our legal system as a whole. This notwithstanding, we strongly resist the gross distortion of our performance in the recently held ZIALE LPQ Examinations.
Finally, the UNZA School of Law is still, by far, the premier Law School in the country. It leads in research output. It leads in the education level and international standing of its teaching complement. It leads in the overall performance of its graduates at ZIALE. It leads in the provision of quality legal education. We also wish to state that despite the challenges faced by the UNZA School of Law, it remains committed to providing first class legal education, and to preparing its students for the legal realities of a globalized world.
Gerald Chiluba meeting MMD National Secretary Raphael Nakacinda at the party Secretariat in Lusaka
Southern African Student Union (SASU) Regional Executive Member Gerald Chiluba has called on youths attending the SASU conference in South Africa to declare war against job advertisements requesting for experience describing the conditionality as a new form of discrimination against youths.
Speaking from South Africa where he is attending the SASU summit, Chiluba who is also Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) National Youth Coordinator said the high levels of youth unemployment in the region calls for practical and realistic efforts and that one such effort was to fight the “experience requirement” which hinders young graduates from being employed.
He noted that parents send their children to school to learn and not to gain experience hence the condition to have experience was discriminatory against youths.
“As a way of moving forward, allow me to make a public call to my fellow youths to declare war against any job advertisement requesting for experience.
“We send children to acquire education and not to gain employment experience. The requirement for many years of experience is in itself a new type of discrimination against the youth and students who graduate from universities and colleges. The youth are already burdened with high unemployment and this is total discrimination against this generation of young people.”
SASU is a regional student organisation whose membership is drawn from national student unions from SADC.
This years theme for the summit is “Democratisation of Education: the prospects of free, quality and relevant education in the SADC region” and all 15 SADC countries are being represented by their national student union with ZANASU representing Zambia.
File:Representatives of the Three Church Mother bodies
The three Church mother bodies have expressed extreme disappointment and concern at the recent action by the police to prevent citizens from exercising their constitutional right to meet and discuss national issues affecting the society in which they live.
In a statement released to the media yesterday, the three mother bodies said condemned in the strongest terms the conduct of the police whom they accused of having developed a habit of ambushing unarmed and defenseless citizens as well as making arbitrary arrests and detentions.
The church mother bodies further said that it was worrisome to note that the propensity of police brutality has now crossed boundaries and can be done in religious buildings which for a very long time have been regarded as sacred places.
Below is the full statement
JOINT PRESS STATEMENT BY THREE CHURCH MOTHER BODIES ON THE ARREST AND DETENTION OF FAITH LEADERS AND THE CTPD STAFF IN NDOLA
1. Preamble
We, the leaders of the three Church Mother bodies namely the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ), the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) and the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB), greet you all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2. Our Prophetic Voice
We have always maintained that our prophetic voice on national issues is solely motivated by our wish to see a unified, prosperous and just society where citizens live in peace with the Lord, with one another and with creation. Our prophetic voice is also motivated by our wish to build a nation in which citizens are guaranteed the exercise of their God-given rights of expression, association and religion and can thus meet and freely discuss issues of national importance without hinderous.
3. The Uncalled for Conduct by the Police and the Need to Respect the Sanctity of the Church Space
We wish to register our extreme disappointment and concern at the recent action by the police to prevent citizens from exercising their constitutional right to meet and discuss national issues affecting the society in which they live.
This is in the wake of the incidence which apparently occurred on Friday, 19th October 2018 in Ndola where the Centre for Trade and Policy Development (CTPD) held a training workshop at the Ndola Baptist Church in view of reviewing and identifying the impact of the 2019 national budget, Zambia’s national debt and the reported illicit financial flows.
We have been informed that while the workshop was being conducted inside a Church building, police came in full riot gear and demanded for an end to the workshop before they proceeded to arrest three (3) CTPD staff and five (5) pastors, locked them up in police cells and we are told that they later charged them with unlawful assembly with intent to commit crime.
The arrested citizens were only released on police bond after they presented working sureties.
We, the Church Mother Bodies would like to condemn in strongest terms possible the conduct of the police who seem to have unfortunately developed a habit of ambushing unarmed and defenseless citizens as well as making arbitrary arrests and detentions. It is worrisome to note that the propensity of police brutality has now crossed boundaries and can be done in religious buildings which for a very long time have been regarded as sacred places.
The Church is a place of refuge for the vulnerable and weak in society. We call upon the police to desist from such behaviour that violates not only the sacred spaces but people’s rights as well. Instead, we expect them to demonstrate high levels of respect and reverence when they standing on sacred grounds. The action by our police in this saga was not only detrimental to freedom of assembly and speech but also a sacrilege and detestable in the eyes of God. It is indeed shameful to have these arrests conducted a day after Prayer, Fasting and Reconciliation.
We, further, call upon the Zambia Police Command in the country to be professional and operate above board to the satisfaction of all citizens regardless of their political affiliation, tribe, race or religion. The Police service must also operate above board by ensuring that there is freedom of assembly, speech and religion as enshrined in the laws of the land. We also call upon relevant authorities to review and amend the Public Order Act which has remained archaic from the days of colonialism.
The biased application of the POA to stifle the lawful activities of the Civil Society Organisations and of the Church is unfortunate and is already contributing towards the shrinking of the democratic space in the country.
We demand that government expedites the process of reviewing the POA and its manner of application so as to maintain peace and order in the nation while respecting the constitutional rights and order. To our political leaders, especially those in power, we urge you to exercise power with restraint and work towards inculcating the tenets and cardinal values of democracy and good governance.
4. Conclusion
We, the three Church Mother Bodies, will not relent in advocating for social justice and speaking for the voiceless in our beloved country. We will continue to defend the freedom of expression and assembly. We will also continue to fight for a just society where independence means more than just political freedom.
We will continue to fight for the independence that is extended to the church, civil society and the common woman and man on the street. Lastly, the Church will continue to preach tolerance, love, peace, and national unity.
