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RTSA Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Zindaba SokoThe Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) has resolved to remove all unlicensed and bad Public Service Drivers (PSV) drivers from the road.
RTSA Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Zindaba Soko, who led a combined team of RTSA and Zambia Police officers on Saturday during an on the spot law enforcement operation on Public Service Drivers (PSV) drivers driver’s on selected roads in Lusaka, said the Agency will work towards ensuring that sanity was restored on Public roads and that all road users were safe.
Mr. Soko warned that the risk behaviour being exhibited by PSV drivers has contributed to the number of high road crashes that have led to loss of lives.
“As RTSA this operation now becomes a permanent feature on all roads and we are going to make sure that we eradicate the bad behaviour that is being exhibited by these PSV drivers. They are putting people’s lives at risk. This is the behaviour that we are not going to tolerate; as RTSA, we are demanding discipline among PSV drivers because there is no compromise when it comes to road safety and applying the law in its totality. We are going to ensure that sanity is restored on Zambian roads. PSV drivers take this as a friendly warning, put yourselves in order, and ensure that you have correct documents”, Mr Soko said.
During the operation Road Transport over 30 motor vehicles driven by unlicensed Public Service Vehicle (PSV) were impounded Lusaka.
Mr. Soko also interacted with passenger on the need to be vigilant and report any road irregularities to the Agency.
He said it was sad that bus owners have continued to give their buses to unlicensed drivers risking the lives of passengers.
Mr Soko said the country has recorded a number of accidents claiming a lot of lives.
He said there is need for the public to work together with the agency to bring sanity on the roads.
Lusaka Mayor, Miles Sampa helping with works in Lusaka
Lusaka Mayor, Miles Sampa, has launched the community led pre-rainy season unblocking of drainages in the wards.
Mayor Sampa launched the programme this morning in Justine Kabwe Ward of Mandevu Constituency. He said residents must change their minds sets and avoid being reactive but be proactive and start keeping their surroundings clean.
“We don’t want our people to be reactive to issues of sanitation but be proactive and start engaging in cleaning activities on daily basis,” he said.
Mr Sampa said he wanted residents to own the relaunched Make Zambia Clean, Green and Healthy.
He explained that the programme was not re-launched for few individuals and institutions but for every resident.
Meanwhile, Justin Kabwe Ward Councillor, Teddy Mwaba, has appealed to the Mayor to help expand the drainage system in his ward.
Councillor Mwaba said almost all the drainages in the ward were too small to contain the storm water during rainy season resulting into flash floods in the ward.
He appealed to the Mayor to use his influence to request the Road Development Agency (RDA) and Disaster Management and Mitagation Unit (DMMU) to assist in the expansion of drainages in the ward.
“Your Worship, there is need for expansion of drainages in my ward because most of the drainages here are too small to contain water when it rains resulting in nearby houses get flooded,” he lamented.
Councillor Mwansa informed the Mayor that DMMU had been informed of the problem but nothing had been done about the matter.
And speaking at the same event, newly elected Health Committee chairperson, Councillor George Data, said people who were in a habit of dumping waste indiscriminately would not be spared by the council.
Councillor Data observed that indiscriminate dumping of waste was common in almost all the wards.
“Your Worship, our people should change their mind sets and stop dumping waste in the drainages and other open spaces,” he said.
He warned that those found contravening the law relating to solid waste management would be prosecuted accordingly.
FILE: President Edgar Lungu with President Joseph Kabila during the Closing ceremony of SADC Summit in NamibiaThe Congo Conference of Catholic Bishops is in the country to seek audience with the Church and President Edgar Lungu on the forthcoming December general elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
President Lungu is the current Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security.
Congo Conference of Catholic Bishops Vice President Archbishop Fridolin Ambongo says the bishops have decided to visit Zambia following the country’s brave intervention in convincing the DRC government to call for elections.
Archbishop Ambongo says Zambia has strong democratic tenets that have enabled the country to maintain peace even after an election.
He told media that the DRC looks up to Zambia as a role model for Peace, security and respect for the rule of law.
Archbishop Ambongo said it was not easy for the African Union to convince the government of the DRC to call for elections but with the help of the Catholic Church in Zambia it was possible.
He also said democracy in Zambia is a reality and that it is the wish of the Catholic Church in Congo to see the same for that country.
Archbishop Ambongo has also called on politicians in Zambia not to disturb the peace the country has enjoyed for many years.
North Western Province Permanent Secretary Ephraim Mateyo
North-western Province Permanent Secretary (PS), Ephraim Mateyo says traditional ceremonies have the potential to promote cultural tourism and bring a boost to individual and household income.
Mr. Mateyo was speaking at senior chief Mujimanzovu’s palace in Mushindamo district today when he officiated at this year’s Nkambi traditional ceremony of the kaonde speaking people.
ZANIS reports that the PS said showcasing traditional crafts and other tangible performances is an effort to preserve and promote traditions and customs.
He encouraged local artisans to continue being innovative in order to attract local and international tourists as a way to generate local income.
Meanwhile, Senior Chief Mujimanzu urged his subjects to work hard to transform the chiefdom to better standards of living and eradicate poverty through self-empowerment.
Speaking through Nkambi National Chairperson Lemi Kajoba, the Chief told his subjects to take advantage of government supported programmes such as growing of cash crops, farming and small scale mining.
He however, appealed to government to revisit the boundaries of Solwezi and Mushindamo districts with regard to Mujimanzovu Chiefdom.
“We strongly feel and believe Solwezi district is more appropriate for both historical tradition and proximity for easy access to the District Administration,” Senior Chief Mujimanzovu said.
Zambia’s Ambassador to Germany Anthony Mukwita says the nation’s rich history can be a huge source of income for the country.
Ambassador Mukwita made this call shortly after concluding a two day tour of Knossos on the Greek island of Crete.
The Ambassador observed that there are hundreds of tourists queuing up to enter the premises where the ancient ruins are located.
“Each of these people are paying to go in, resulting in considerable revenue for the island of Crete and the country of Greece as a whole”, observed the Zambian Envoy.
Meanwhile, Greek Archaeologist Dimitri Pilarinou said that the inhabitants of the palace and its surrounding areas knew how to design sewer systems, store food, and had defense and security infrastructure.
Mrs. Pilarinou charged that countries with rich historical backgrounds are potentially in a better position to gain more from tourism if they invested considerably in marketing.
“People need to know your story before they make up their minds to come and visit your country”, she said.
The Zambian envoy was in Crete at the invitation of CIVITEL Hotels that have offices in berlin as part of the company’s efforts to explore possibilities of expanding their investment in Zambia by setting up hotels in Lusaka and the tourist capital Livingstone.
Government is in a hurry to market and attract more tourists to historical sites in the country with the latest being the centenary celebrations to be held in Mbala later this year.
The Centenary celebrations this year will mark 100 years after the end of the First World War.
Over 18 countries have so far confirmed participation in the event that Ambassador Mukwita said, signals government’s investment in historical sites that can be found in different parts of the country.
Tourism has been ranked with other economic Ministries such as Finance and Agriculture to unlock the potential that has remained untapped for a long time.
This is contained in a Press release issued to ZANIS by First Secretary for Press and Public Relations at the Zambian Embassy to German Kelly Kaunda
Seed Co is expected to open a seed production farm in Chief Kanyesha’s Chiefdom in Luano district of Central province at a total cost of K75 million.
Seed Co Board Chairperson Chance Kabaghe also said the Seed Company is expected to transform 100 medium scale farmers into Commercial Farmers in each Chiefdom of Mkushi district in the next few years.
ZANIS reports that Mr. Kabaghe made the pronouncements during the Ichibwelamushi Annual Traditional Ceremony of the Lala and Swaka speaking people held at Chalata in Mkushi district.
He added that his firm will also support the construction of a cultural village at Chalata that will be used as a transition center to teach the young generation about traditional and cultural values.
Mr. Kabaghe said the move to help the Lala and Swaka people develop their area through agriculture and to continue supporting the Ichibwelamushi traditional ceremony, is to plough back its gains to the community.
He revealed that this is where the company produces the largest amount of seed both for the country and export.
Mr. Kabaghe assured the 19 traditional leaders at the ceremony that Seed Co will also establish a large youth skills life sustaining center in Central province.
He added that the company will facilitate the training of women and youths to become commercial farmers.
Speaking at the same function, Ichibwelamushi Organising Committee Chairperson, Benson Musonda said a people without culture is just as good as dead.
Mr. Musonda said the Lala and Swaka people cherish and value their traditional and cultural heritage.
He noted that the Lala and Swaka speaking people plan to construct a cultural village for cultural education and transition to the young generation.
Mr. Musonda paid tribute to Seed Co for being the main sponsor of this year’s Ichibwelamushi Annual Traditional Ceremony.
He noted that Seed Co produces over 60 per cent of seed from Mkushi district both for Zambian farmers and for export.
And Central Province Permanent Secretary (PS), Chanda Kabwe has called on Traditional Leaders in the region to attend the forthcoming Central Province Investment Forum and Expo slated for October 8 to 13, this year.
Mr. Kabwe said the Investment Forum and Expo will see massive development taking place in Central Province.
He said the Provincial Administration will work with the Provincial Chiefs’ Council to explain how the Investment Forum and Expo will bring development and employment opportunities in the province.
The PS projected that two years after the expo, more than 10,000 job opportunities will be created in the province.
He, however, said this can only be possible with full involvement of Traditional Leaders and the private sector, saying government alone cannot succeed.
There seems to be a common narrative among a bulk of Zambian men that women who are educated and financially independent are somewhat, sexually starving – as if to suggest that good education and great sex are mutually exclusive. This cannot be further from the truth.
Pardon me if I sound like a brag, but I am educated, female and sexually not starving. Let me put it this way, of the many things missing in my life, sex and money are not one of them. I speak not just for myself, but an army of women who are having it all: good education, good money and great sex.
I recently sat next to two guys who were whining about their boss, a woman. “She is a slave-driver who just needs good sex”, they declared. They took turns bashing her, each narrating how she was placing unreasonable pressure and workload on them and throwing “tantrums”, demanding that they deliver every task by “CoB”. They picked on her butt and every part of her body before concluding that “If it’s sex she needs, she should just let us know rather than creating hell for everyone.” They then burst into hysterical laughter.
A few days later, on Lusaka Times, a blogger hiding under the name of Anonymous went after one of Zambia’s thought leaders, a woman. “She probably has no boyfriend to service her”, the blogger wrote in reaction to her satirical letter, ‘Dear America, use a targeted missile’.
I once read an article in The Post newspaper with a sensational headline – Educated women are sexually starved. It was making reference to a radio discussion in which its popular host and male callers had arrived at that conclusion. The article had no details of how such a conclusion was reached at, except a cursory mention that educated women were sexually starved. For instance, the article didn’t specify which of the educated women the radio discussion was making reference to, because educated women come in all forms: married, divorced, single, celibate and dating.
In all likelihood, the discussion was referring to the single educated woman because I would imagine that the married, educated woman is getting her fair share of sex unless the suggestion is that her education is standing in the way of accessing sex in marriage.
I have written about this before but let me repeat. Spoiler: we are educated; get used!
I write to inform and, by extension, disappoint this stock of men who hold such un-informed narratives. I am sorry to disappoint you, but we educated women, married or single, are getting sex, great, safe sex under our terms. We have never been more on-demand sexually and professionally as we are now.
Listen, guys, our education is not for sale in exchange for sexual favours. We went to school precisely to run away from giving sexual favours. There is no correlation between a woman’s good education and sexual starvation.
There is no group of people to whom education has brought so much social and economic transformation than women. As for the single educated women, who receive so much scorn, research after research has demonstrated that single educated women are living better, healthier and longer lives. For instance, they have a lower prevalence and risk of catching sexual diseases compared to married women because they have more power to negotiate and insist on safer sex.
The misconception that an educated woman is less likely to get married because men are intimidated needs correcting. The limiting pool from which women must find a man has nothing to do with education, but centuries of traditions and social structures that have favoured men and disadvantaged women. Men have a wider pool from which to choose a suitor; a 50-year-old man can easily get a woman in the range of 18-65 years. Such infinite ranges don’t exist for a 50-year-old woman.
There are also biological factors that work against a woman; her fertility rate is prime in her 20s and significantly drops in her 40s, while a man’s fertility is virtually unaffected by age (only beer).
Therefore, if a woman who happens to be educated is ‘starving sexually’, it is not because of her education, but a social order that she inherited at birth.
But there is good news; education is shifting tables in favour of women. Today, a 40-year-old educated woman has a longer dating shelf life than her uneducated counterpart. On average, she makes her own money, has invested in property, lives a healthy lifestyle, looks younger and when fertility fails her, she can afford other scientific options of conceiving available on the market.
Research after research is showing changing dynamics that favour educated women. Education and financial independence have become a top non-negotiable factor for a majority of men looking for a woman to marry. This is a significant shift from decades ago where physical beauty and home-making qualities topped the list.
This has meant that a 40-year-old educated and financially independent woman has a wider than ever pool of men to choose from. I personally know of 30-year-olds dating women in their 40s. By men, I mean the educated, hot, successful and professional type and not the growing breed that lives off women.
The misconception that men are intimidated by an educated woman is not entirely correct. But if some men are truly intimidated, it’s about time, and we welcome that. At his core, a man is not intimidated by a woman he wants, no matter her list of degrees, achievements or social standing. When a man wants a woman, he will garner the confidence to go after her. A woman retains the right to say no if she doesn’t want him and this has nothing to do with her collection of degrees.
We educated women have never seen education as a barrier to finding a man, sex or marriage. We want both high education and great sex. Do not ask us to choose one or the other when we are entitled to both. But if we must choose, our education is not for sale, and we will never look back.
Sampa Kabwela is an artist, publisher and mother. She works for an international organisation. For comments, email, lyrical.zambiaATgmail.com
Chipolopolo boys coach Sven Vandenbroek says he is yet to get the best out of the team that played Namibia in the 2019 Cameroun Africa cup of nations qualifier.
However, Vandenbroek says the come back from a goal down to force a draw is satisfying enough.
This is after the Chipolopolo boys came from behind to draw one all against Namibia.
And Vandenbroek says he did not start Enock Mwepu in the midfield because the player joined the team late on Monday.
The coach further added that Mwepu did not start because he did not train on an artificial turf, the pitch which was used for the match.
The Chipolopolo mentor said this during a post-match briefing in Namibia.
This was after Namibia and Zambia settled for a one all draw in group K of the 2019 Cameroun AFCON qualifier.
Meanwhile, his opponent Ricardo Manneti says the results for all the teams in group K so far means that the qualification to Cameroun may go to the wire.
Manneti’s comment follows a two all draw between Mozambique and Guinea Bissau in the other fixture of group K, a results that puts both teams on top on four points.
In philosophy, a “razor” is a principle or rule of thumb that allows one to eliminate (“shave or cut off”) unlikely explanations for a phenomenon or avoid unnecessary actions.
One example is “Never ascribe to malice that which is adequately explained by incompetence…” an aphorism Laura Miti seems to have stumbled upon.
Laura’s snide attempts to sully the PF government and its leadership with her inane version of the maxim is completely misplaced.
She has so many areas of profusion that she has neglected to “shave or cut off” – such as the overgrowth of malice that has reached endemic proportions and has blinded her to the positive realities of our nation. Ms, Miti refuses to countenance the bare facts and figures recently highlighted by the Minister of Finance Honourable Margaret Mwanakatwe even when they are placed right in front of her face.
This demonstrates her overpowering urge to make herself seem witty just as she appears to have an overwhelming compulsion to wish ill on the economy of the country and its people just because of her hatred of the country’s leadership and her fad with one opposition party. Such impetuousness has far reaching negative consequences for all citizens including herself.
Our sister bases her simplistic analyses on her infatuation with “Africa Con-fidential” – an alarmist publication with an enormous credibility gap.
The axiom she clumsily misused, has been widely attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte. As it turns out, there is one thing Laura has in common with Napoleon, and… no…it is not gallantry or any such admirable virtue.
What Laura shares with Napoleon is his quirky side; irrational phobias.
It is widely held that Napoleon had “ailurophobia”; the persistent, irrational fear of cats.
If Napoleons phobia of kittens was unreasonable, Laura’s type of phobia is completely off the scale of the bizarre.
Laura has the phobia for a certain race of fellow human beings; Sino-Phobia. The same phobia sadly advanced by ‘Africa-Con’.
Her poorly disguised dislike of the Chinese people and everything related to China drives her toxic eccentricities and impedes her judgement.
We encourage Laura and her ilk which includes the sleazy publication that is “Africa Con” to take note of the following;
1. Africa Con seeks to project China as a villain Africa must shun at all costs. Yet Chinese global investment since 2005 includes N/America USD136.7billion, Central & Caribbean USD11.9billion, South America USD115.9 billion. Others include Europe USD140 billion, West Asia USD163 billion, East Asia USD142.3 billion. Also included are Australia USD77.8 billion, Middle East and North Africa USD116.3 billion and sub-Saharan Africa USD197.2 billion. It must be noted that these numbers do not include countries with investments of less than USD100million, and do not include loans or trade. (This is before the USD60 billion financing aid to Africa).
To Africa Con and bedfellows, the above represents sovereignty take-over!
2. ZNBC is wholly owned by government while Top star, is a separate company and signal carrier. Top star is a company co-owned by ZNBC & Star Times. In other words. Top Star is a joint venture.
3. If Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) decide to contribute land, which is appropriately valued, to the joint venture, does that amount to the National Broadcaster being bought by the Chinese? No…It will be part of their capital contribution to the business.
Like others hiding behind the veil of racism, xenophobia and other discriminatory evils, we have some among us that hate the Chinese just because they are of a different race, and because they don’t speak the English language as well as the likes of Ms Mitis do.
4. Had ZNBC had gone into a joint venture with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), would these gripes and criticisms have existed? We must all get over the colonial hangovers, surely! 5. Government has no intention whatsoever to sell the power utility, ZESCO to China and no such talks have ever taken place as Energy Minister Matthews Nkhuwa has told the nation. Africa Con lied! As someone said, one would expect the survivors of colonialism to get over the hangover, when the colonialists themselves are reincarnating into neo-colonialists.
The Sensationalism of Africa Confidential – Africa’s Con
Africa Con-fidential is a compilation of articles sent by country reporters whose reputation cannot be guaranteed.
It is replete with error, speculation and guess work clothed as confidential analysis.
The numerous errors and factual mis-statements do not make it credible or true just because it is called the “Africa Con-fidential”.
lt is a privately-owned publication, which struggles to get information, and it routinely sensationalises the information it receives.
The publication thrives on speculation and its “sell – value” is leveraged on the melodrama of exaggeration, based on the little information it gleans and scavenges from questionable records and unsanitary sources.
It is not the infallible Alpha and Omega of truthful reporting. Africa’s Confidential is just one of many sources of (mis) information, which need to be compared with other more reliable sources for balance.
The publication is deficient of balance and fairness: the central pillars of journalism ethics.
Africa Con-fidential is on a mission to shroud any mutually beneficial outcomes of Africa- China relationships. They might as well be called “Africa’s Con”.
The reality is that China has established itself as Africa’s all-weather friend: in need and in deed – much to the chagrin of the adherents of western neo-colonialism such as Africa Confidential, Laura Miti and Hichilema’s UPND.
In the words of President Paul Kagame of Rwanda at the Opening of the Summit of the recent Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC): “China’s actions have demonstrated that a stronger Africa is seen as an opportunity to invest in, rather than as a problem or a threat. China has continued to lead the way in showing what is lost in not engaging and partnering with Africa. The health and productivity of the bonds between Africa and China are self-evident. Let there be no misinterpretation on that score. Africa is not a zero-sum game. Our growing ties with China do not come at anyone’s expense. Indeed, the gains are enjoyed by everyone who does business on our continent.”
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa also noted that “Chinese direct investment in Africa between 2000 and 2017 exceeded $100 billion, up from only $1 billion in 2000.”
Considering what other countries such as, Rwanda, Kenya, South Africa have said about Africa/ China co-operation; would *Africa Con* say in the same cynical tone that the named countries among many others are also on the verge of losing their sovereignty to China?
Would they say the same if it were the European Union, United Kingdom or the United States of America offering the same package to Africa and Zambia?
“Africa’s Con” like Laura Miti and her neo-colonial sponsors, carry what is clearly an anti-China agenda.
Malice is ascribed to everything they do.
Laura quotes Hanlon’s Razor: Maybe they need a razor to cut off the overgrowth of malice…
The Author is PF Media Director At the PF Secretariat In Lusaka
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation].” (Matthew 11:28 AMP)
Come to the Father
Does your soul need refreshing today? You can come to the Father and find what you need. Are you facing challenges in your relationships? Finances? Career? The Father wants to refresh you. He wants to give you rest. Think about that for a moment. What would cause you to rest? If you knew everything was going to work out for your good, you would stop worrying. You would rest! Even if things don’t work out the way you planned or on your timetable, you can trust that God will turn things around in your favor.
Come to the Father today with thanksgiving. Thank Him right now for taking your burdens and giving you peace. Thank Him for loving you and giving you new life. Thank Him for His faithfulness! Go out today with an attitude of expectancy. He always has a plan, and you can always come to Him!
A Prayer for Today
“Father, I come to You now and give You my cares and burdens. I thank You for working behind the scenes on my behalf. Thank You for loving me and setting me free. Thank You for giving me rest for my soul and peace in my heart today in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
President Edgar Lungu is welcomed by Minister of Labour ,Joyce Nonde Simukoko during labour day celebrationsMine workers union of Zambia (MUZ) President Joseph Chewe has commended government’s decision to revise the minimum wage upwards for domestic, shop and general workers.
This follows the issuance of statutory instruments no 69 of 2018 covering domestic workers, statutory no 70 of 2018 covering shop workers and statutory no.71 of 2018 which provides for general application of all protected workers.
Mr Chewe said that government must be commended for revising the minimum wage because all the key economic fundamentals in the country have changed.
He also urged Minister of Labour Joyce Simukoko to speed up the enactment of the minimum wage for workers in the extractive industry whose conditions of service are poor.
Last week, Government revised upwards the minimum wages for workers not represented by trade unions.
Labour and Social Security Minister Joyce Nonde Simukoko, announced at a press briefing that the minimum wages have been revised following a tripartite consultative meeting held on May 18 2018.
Mrs. Simukoko explained that during the consultative meeting, it was agreed for the introduction of new Statutory Instrument on minimum wages.Mrs. Simukoko says the new minimum wages are meant to achieve government’s agenda of addressing challenges affecting un-unionised workers.
Mrs. Simukoko says the new minimum wages are to be effected on 10th September 2018.
She said the revision implies that wages for various categories have been revised upwards with domestic workers’ wages increased from K522.4 to K993.60 with transport allowance inclusive.
Shop workers’ revised minimum wage is pegged at K1, 698/60 with transport, lunch and housing allowances inclusive and that the wages will increase according to the grades of employees while the minimum wage of the highest grade in this category will be getting K3, 558.9.
In the general workers’ category which includes receptionist and guards among others, the minimum wage for category one workers is K1698.60 while the highest category is at K3, 151.61.
Mrs. Simukoko has since urged employers to ensure they abide by the new law.
Zambia Republican Party (ZRP) President Wright Musoma says the suspension of Martha Mushipe must be a lesson for the public not to abuse or make unwarranted attacks against Judges.
The Law Association of Zambia has suspended the practicing license of Martha Mushipe and has ordered the closure of the law firm, Mushipe and Associates which is solely run by her.
Martha Mushipe
Mr Musoma says the decision by LAZ has come at a time when the public is engrossed in discussions of whether the Constitutional Court must cite Martha Mushipe’s client in that petition, Hakainde Hichilema, for contempt of Court.
He says the party is also concerned that the inertia by the Constitutional Court and the Director of Public Prosecutions to cite Mr. Hichilema for contempt of Court maybe sending wrong signals to the public.
This is according to a statement made available to media by Mr Musona.
FILE: Southern Province Minister Edify Hamukale cuts the ribbon to officially commission the communication tower in Dundumwezi as Zamtel CEO Sydney Mupeta and Senior Chief Siachitema looks on
Government has set aside K1.2 million in the 2019 budget to go towards preparations for the Southern Province Investment Expo which will take place in the third quarter of next year.
Southern Province Minister Edify Hamukale disclosed this during the inaugural meeting with government Heads of Departments and other stakeholders in Choma.
The Minister explained that the province has a lot of investment opportunities in various sectors such as mining, tourism, agriculture and livestock.
Dr. Hamukale is optimistic that the expo will attract investment in value addition of raw materials such as liquefaction of coal to produce diesel and fertilizer.
He added that southern province is the 3rd largest contributor to the country’s gross domestic product at 11%, therefore, such investment will boost not only the economy of the province, but Zambia at large.
The minister further implored the organizing committee to interact with provinces such as Luapula in order to learn from their experiences.
“We expect investors from our neighbouring countries, South Africa, Europe, Asia, and the United States. This expo is not for government only. We want participation of the private sector too”, he stressed.
And the Zambia development Agency (ZDA), which will provide technical guidance towards organizing the expo wants local entrepreneurs to benefit from the expo.
Speaking at the same meeting, ZDA Desk officer Chisanga Pule, for the southern province expo, said the agency will make interventions to empower local entrepreneurs in order to encourage their participation.
“The danger of these events is that they may just end up like fun-fares attended mainly by government officials while business people take back stage” Mr. Pule said.
He said businesses clinics will therefore, be set up where entrepreneurs can register their businesses to access various services at one stop.
Luapula Chiefs’ Council is set to host its first ever Global Entrepreneurship Week to take place from November 12 to November 18, 2018 in Mansa district.
Luapula Chiefs Council Secretary Chief Chisunka, of the Ushi people in Mansa, said the Council has partnered with Elif Business Solutions to host the 2018 Luapula Chiefs Gala Dinner at the end of the Global Entrepreneurship Week.
Chief Chisunka explained that the partnership is in line with the Chiefs’ Council’s vision of providing visionary traditional leadership to pave way for prosperous chiefdoms in the province.
He noted that the global entrepreneurship week will provide an opportunity for many entrepreneurs in the province to showcase their products that are set to change the face of the province.
Chief Chisunka observed that this year’s 2018 Luapula Culture Gala Dinner will introduce Royal Excellence Awards where it will honour various stakeholders recognised for making positive contribution to the development of the province.
He said apart from the Excellence Awards, the winners of the Global Entrepreneurship Week will also be given awards which are meant to encourage innovation and for more entrepreneurs to come on board.
Chief Chisunka said the Chiefs’ Council is excited to partner with Elif Business Solutions who are the national host of Global Entrepreneurship Week in the country.
Meanwhile, Senior Chief Nsama has praised government for initiating policies aimed at enhancing rural development.
Speaking when Northern Province Minister Brian Mundubile paid a courtesy call on him at his palace, chief Nsama said the creation of new districts has helped to advance infrastructure development and the provision of key social services.
ZANIS reports that he said the people of Nsama are thankful to government for establishing the district which has since resulted in the improvement of service delivery to local residents.
And Chief Nsama has appealed to government to speed up construction of the Mporokoso-Kaputa road and electrification of the district in order to open up the area to investment.
He said Nsama district is endowed with numerous natural resources which have the potential to attract investment.
Chief Nsama further urged government to ensure that construction of the District Administration Offices is quickly completed.
Meanwhile, Mr. Mundubile assured the traditional leader that government is working towards addressing the concerns.
He said the PF administration remains determined to improve the livelihood of the people especially in rural areas through the pro-poor policies.
Mr. Mundubile is on a tour of the province to sensitize stakeholders on the forth-coming Northern Province Investment Exposition and First World War Centenary Commemorations set for November 2018.
LOCAL Authorities in Mansa District of Luapula Province have given all business houses a 14 day ultimatum in which to have all shops and business houses painted failure to which they will face closure until they comply with the law.
Mansa Municipal Council Mayor Emmanuel Chungu says the move is in a bid to keep Mansa town clean, green and health and that this may led to speeding up the process of Mansa attaining a city status.
The mayor explained that the council has done a lot of sensitization campaigns on both local radio stations and via the public address system to the business fraternity on the goodness of keeping their premises clean.
Mr. Chungu made the directive in Mansa when he addressed more than forty business traders and business owners at a planning and sensitization meeting held at council guest house over the weekend And Mr. Chungu has thanked the Government for the many infrastructure development in the central business district Mansa which includes the upgrading of township roads from gravel to the bituminous standard.
Meanwhile the Mansa Municipal Council has offered all tenants and landlords an amnesty towards the payments of land rates at a reduced price.
Speaking at the same function Committee Chairperson for Finance and Valuation Newton Kalaba announced the fifty percent reduction.
Mr. Kalaba who is also Kaole ward Councilor said all business owners and landlords owing the council have been given a sixty day grace period in which to settle their bills at a reduced price before the end of an amnesty.
And Mansa Municipal Council have implored on all mobile service network providers to go through the council before branding any private shop within Mansa Central Business District.
Mansa Municipal council Director of Engineering Services Situnyama Llewellyn who represented the Town clerk said mobile network service providers should pay through the council before painting any building with their corporate colours as doing so is advertising their businesses which should attract a fee.
The council has since called upon all business owners to have their trading licenses for the year 2019 renewed and thanked all the business houses for the support the local authority has so far received.
