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Zambia U17 kicked off their COSAFA U17 Cup title defence on Thursday with a draw in Mauritius.
The 2017 winners were held to a 0-0 draw by Mozambique in their opening Group B match.
It wasn’t the start coach Tennant Chilumba had expected but was an improvement from last year’s meeting at the stage stage of the tournament that Mozambique won 1-0.
Zambia must now beat Lesotho on July 22 in their penultimate Group B match to stay relevant in the race to reach the semi-finals.
Record two-time champions South Africa is the other team in the group.
South Africa and Lesotho meet on Friday in their opening Group B match.
Winner of this year’s tournament will qualify to the 2019 U17 AFCON to be hosted by Tanzania.
CAF last year adopted regional zonal U17 tournaments as a format for qualifiers for the U17 AFCON.
WE MOURN OUR MURDERED MEMBER, CECILIA BANDA, AGED 21, OF CHILANGA DISTRICT BY SUSPECTED UPND THUGS
Lusaka, Zambia, 19th July 2018 – Yesterday, 18th July 2018, Patriotic Front buried its member Cecilia Banda, aged 21 of Chimanja Ward in Chilanga District who was raped before being stabbed to death by suspected UPND thugs. Hon Japhen Mwakalombe, who is also Copperbelt Minister and Chilanga Campaign Manager in the company of PF Chilanga candidate for Council Chairperson Annie P. Brown and former Minister of Sports Hon Masumba, attended the Ms. Banda’s burial. This is a young lady who has lost a life because she belonged to a different party and was campaigning for a candidtate of her choice. Not only was Cecilia Banda a member of the Patriotic Front; she was someone’s daughter and sister and now she’s gone. This is the self-defence the UPND leadership of Hakainde Hichilema and his cronies have been preaching to their membership; self-defence against a defenceless 21 year old woman, raped and murdered in the name of self-defence, atleast according to the UPND narrative!
Patriotic Front continues to call on its membership to embrace non-violence as directed by His Excellency President Edgar Chagwa Lungu. All members must report incidences of violence to the Zambia Police. Patriotic Front has a responsibility to preserve the Country’s peace and stability.
We are making a clarion call on the Zambia Police to ensure UPND’s fear tactics in Chilanga are brought under control. Last night, suspected UPND thugs brought down a ZESCO pole, sending the entire ward into darkness while they continued playing loud music in the area. Patriotic Front has restrained its members from reiterating even under extreme provocation and this call should be met by decisive action from the Police before another life is lost in Chilanga. Just this week, former Chilanga MP Keith Mukata’s young sister, Karen Mukata’s home was attacked and damaged in full view of the UPND candidate and other UPND officials and a report was lodged with the Police in Chilanga. We demand decisive action on the incident!
Zambia must continue to decisively deal with the Hichilema oxymoron. An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which two contradictory or inappropriate terms are either put together or appear side by side. This is because the events of the last few days have once again brought to the fore, the violent nature of UPND under the leadership of Mr. Hakainde Hichilema and his lackey Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba. The word “peace” and HH or GBM are contradictory and cannot appear side by side.
In a desperate attempt at political survival, Mr. Hichilema has unashamedly refused to condemn his shrinking membership’s violence and has instead encouraged his hooligans to move around with machetes in order to hack innocent citizens in the name of “self-defense”. Was it in self-defense that his cadres recently attacked media personnel who were “armed” only with cameras, pens and notebooks and whose crime was nothing but to be in the same vicinity as his murderous goons in Chilanga? Why has he not condemned those attacks against journalists?
To literally add insult to injury, Mr. Geoffrey Mwamba unleashed the colourful “F word” in a live broadcast in contravention of Section one (1) of the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) Standard Operating Procedure which seeks to shield under age audiences from offensive language and perverts like those in the UPND.
These two mavericks are full of malevolence and they have no message for the electorate even in the current run up to the Lusaka Mayoral and Chilanga Council Chairperson elections. They always look for trouble by stirring it up themselves and diagnosing it incorrectly by pretending they have the remedy. Voters are wary of their shenanigans now than ever before and they will be consigned to the scrap heap of political wrecks.
The mention of the name UPND has increasingly become synonymous with belly aching, bitterness and brutality. Behind the façade of the so called business tycoons are glorified potential warlords whose only interest is self-glorification and power. Zambia must retire some sour-faced individuals whose pathological belligerence is congenital. Zambia cannot afford opposition leaders whose bile is legendary. Years of self-delusion and bitterness have hardened their hearts to an extent that their facial muscles have atrophied such that their smiles are labored and contrived.
We cannot have an opposition of grouchy men with hearts of stone, who continue to prey on the gullibility of a few whom they sacrifices at the frontier of violence, while he and his family relax in their nouveau riche coziness
We are asking the international community in Zambia and the church to demand that Mr. Hichilema comes out to condemn the violence irrespective of the perpetrator. Further, they should demand Mr. Hichilema issues repeated calls to his members embrace non-violence and issue-based politics. We say this because we understand that peace is not something you wish for. It’s something you make, something you do, something you are, and something you give away. Like one sage said “When you find peace within yourself, you become the kind of person who can live at peace with others”. So until these two individuals, Hichilema and GBM can embrace inner peace by uprooting the tree of bitterness from their hearts, their names will continue to be antonyms of “peace”. They are oxymorons.
Issued by:
Sunday Chanda
PF Media Director
Party Headquarters
Power Dynamos coach Kelvin Kaindu has commended his team for battling to third place up the 2018 FAZ Super Division table despite having six regulars out due to short and long-term injuries.
Power recorded a 1-0 home win over Lusaka Dynamos on Wednesday night at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe to jump from 6th to 3rd.
Out are first and second choice goalkeepers Joshua Titima and Allan Chibwe both on long term injuries leaving Power to bank on third-choice goalkeeper Lawrence Mulenga who has conceded just three goals in his last seven games between the posts.
Others on Power’s casualty list are defenders Kondwani Chimboni and Billy Mutale including midfielders Godfrey Ngwenya and Kennedy Mudenda.
“If you lose six players to injuries, plus Gampani Lungu who has gone to South Africa and Kelvin Mubanga who has gone to Nkana, that shows you have a team. But I am happy with the guys given the responsibility and to come up with a win, it is a plus for us,” Kaindu said.
Lameck Kafwaya scored the game’s only goal in the 11th minute to hand Power their second successive league win and also take his tally to five goals in his first season at the club.
Power have 44 points, eight behind second placed Green Buffaloes and another thirteen adrift of leaders Zesco United whom they hosts in a Copperbelt derby showdown on Sunday at Arthur Davies.
President Lungu expressed optimism that the power sharing agreement signed by warring parties in South Sudan will result in the restoration of peace in Africa’s newest country.
He explained that Zambia can draw lessons from the peace talks in South Sudan as the country is preparing for the unconditional dialogue.
The Head of State said this when Republic of Sudan Vice President Hasabo Mohamed Abdelrahman paid a courtesy call on him at State House today.
President Lungu said Zambia can further learn about agriculture diversification and irrigation in which the Republic of Sudan has excelled.
And speaking earlier, Sudan’s Vice-President Hasabo Mohamed Abdelrahman said war is retrogressive and causes displacement of citizens.
Mr. Abdelrahman said President Omar al Bashir has managed to coordinate the peace talks between Mr. Salva Kir and his former Vice-President Rick Machar.
The talks between the two rival parties in South Sudan have since resulted into the signing of a power sharing agreement.
He said the war in the neighbouring South Sudan caused the displacement of three million refugees last year.
He said the refugees who fled to Sudan were given refuge by President Omar al Bashir.
“President Omar al Bashir remains resolute to mediating peace talks in the neighbouring South Sudan. He has managed to bring the two leaders in the south to the round table and signed the power sharing agreement which is recommendable since war is retrogressive,” he said.
The Sudanese Vice President further pointed out that the peace talks also bordered on the referendum in the South Sudan and general elections which are due in 2020.
Mr. Abdelrahman also briefed President Lungu on the voluntary national arm disarmament in his country.
He explained that his country has given the citizens a period of three months to surrender their fire arms to the government.
The visiting Vice President has meanwhile extolled President Lungu for successfully hosting the just ended 20th Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) summit that saw the election of the first ever female Secretary General.
He has since invited President Lungu to Khartoum in Sudan for a state visit.
Margaret Chimanse, the Manager Public Relations at Electoral Commission of ZambiaRepresentatives from the PF and UPND have unanimously agreed to hold a joint press conference on Friday at which they will announce measures aimed at tackling political violence ahead of the mayoral elections set for July, 26th.
Both parties have agreed to call a truce and disarm their militant members.
This is according to a communique made available to ZNBC News by Electoral Commission of Zambia Public Relations Manager Margaret Chimanse.
The parties have agreed to let the police execute their work professionally without any political interference and arrest any person carrying offensive weapons or perpetrating violence.
Ms. Chimanse says both parties will demilitarise their political regalia going forward and allow the electorates to move around and vote freely without any threats of violence, force or intimidation.
She said the two parties will appeal to the media to report factually and professionally.
According to the communique the PF and UPND say they will not clash or disrupt campaigns of other political parties.
Apart from the PF and UPND, other parties that have signed the communique are Rainbow party, the United Peaceful and Prosperous Party of Zambia-UPPZ, the Forum for Democracy and Development and the United Party.
Minister of Finance Margaret Mwanakatwe says she remains confident that the annual projection of the revised growth of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP)of above 4 percent remains feasible as real sector indicators show a rise in economic activity in the first half of 2018.
Mrs. Mwanakatwe said over the medium term, the expectation is that growth will be in the range of 4-5 percent driven by sectors such as mining, tourism and construction supported by stable power supply and stable global development.
ZANIS reports that the Minister said this during a press briefing at her office in Lusaka today.
She stated that the downside risks to the growth projections include volatility in copper prices, high lending rates and adverse weather conditions.
With regards to fiscal performance, Mrs. Mwanakatwe said it remains satisfactorily although adverse liquidity conditions has made financing audit difficult.
Mrs. Mwanakatwe said on revenue outturn, preliminary estimates for revenues and grants in the first half of 2018 amounted to K25.07 and were broadly in line with the period projections.
She noted that domestic revenues were above target by 3.3 percent supported by positive performance of Value Added Tax (VAT) collections.
Mrs. Mwanakatwe added that, lower than large performance was recorded in some revenue categories such as the income tax, customs and excise duties, export duties and non-tax revenues and grants.
She explained that in an effort to address some of the challenges associated with the low revenue collection in some tax types, government is undertaking measures to use electronic solutions in revenue collection.
Mrs. Mwanakatwe said other measures include increased pace of implementing the land titling programme and the recent change in the taxation for fuel importers to enhance excise duty collection.
She revealed that total expenditure for the first half of 2018 amounted to K39.6 billion against the budgeted K34.19 billion.
Mrs. Mwanakatwe noted that the major components which were above target were interest payments by 43.2 percent and capital expenditure by 65 percent.
She explained that going forward, expenditure control will be at the core to achieve fiscal adjustment given the tight financing conditions and higher deficit.
Mrs. Mwanakatwe further added that, measures on enhancing payroll management, expenditure cuts in areas such as use of goods and services, progressing on procurement reforms and debt reprioritization will be the focus for the rest of the year.
She said this is meant to create a lower spending base as the country gets into the 2019 financial year.
Chiefs and Traditional Affairs Minister Lawrence Sichalwe
Government says it cannot interfere in succession wrangles which erupt in traditional leadership in accordance with the Republican constitution.
Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs Lawrence Sichalwe explains that article 165 of the constitution restricts government from settling disputes which may arise in traditional rule.
ZANIS reports that the Minister however, stated that government had made a submission to Ministry of Justice on how best article 165 can amended.
The minister said this after the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) implored government to intervene in the succession disputes which have characterized recent installation ceremonies in the Province.
He said it was vital for people not to misinterpret the law regarding Chiefs’ affairs in the country adding that only the law enshrined in the constitution can be observed.
Addressing the Minister and his delegation led by Limulunga District Commissioner Litambo Ndombo, Induna Mukulwakashiko asked government to come in and resolve conflicts in traditional affairs adding that government would resolve the misunderstandings amicably.
Induna Mukulwakashiko said recently the BRE installed Nyumbu Kashengula as Mwenechengela of the Mbunda’s of Mushuwa area after the former Chief Josia Nyumbu was dethroned for allegedly disrespecting the Litunga Lubosi Imwiko the II of Barotseland and committing misdeeds.
He also noted that it was appalling that the former Chief who was Mwenechengela from 2007 until 2015 was still on government allowance and flying the national flag thus the need to address the current status.
Similarly, Induna Mukulwakashiko said there were wrangles associated with the installation of Chief Edward Kahare of the Litoya Royal Establishment of Njonjolo area in Kaoma district as well as Mwene Mutondo thus calling on government to illustrate a road map on addressing the issues.
And speaking earlier, Mr Sichalwe who is in the province to witness the welcoming ceremony of Mukiti Sekeli in Sioma district as as Senior Chief Lukama of Shangombo and Sioma district.
Meanwhile, the Minister assured the BRE that government would give a feedback on wrangles surrounding Chief Chengela.
Leaders attending the 20th COMESA Summit have congratulated the new Secretary General of COMESA Ms. Chileshe Kapwepwe on her appointment to lead the largest economic community in Africa.
Led by the President of Madagascar and Chairman of the COMESA Authority, H.E. Hery Rajaonarimampianina, Heads of States and their representatives from all member States expressed their best wishes and support to Ms. Kapwepwe, a Zambian national, as she takes the reins of the regional bloc.
The leaders appreciated the outgoing SG Sindiso Ngwenya for his remarkable achievements during his more than three decades in the organization, 10 of them as Secretary General.
Mr. Ngwenya was recognized for designing many COMESA trade facilitation programmes and specialized institutions that are now highly rated internationally.
In his statement, President Edgar Lungu expressed confidence in Ms. Chileshe, to inspire and lead COMESA to sustained success as well as ensuring that the organization remains a strong force in Africa’s integration process.
“My government, as host of COMESA secretariat, is indeed delighted to have her as the first woman Secretary General of COMESA. Her competence and experience were among the key considerations which earned her this appointment, which was highly contested by equally competent candidates. Your prime responsibility now is to advance the region’s integration agenda and maintain the visibility of COMESA at regional continental and global level,” said President Lungu.
The Judiciary Committee says it is seeking a piece of land in Choma district in Southern Province to construct a high court to improve help improve legal services.
This came to light when the committee paid a courtesy call on Southern Province Minister Edify Hamukale and Southern Province permanent secretary Mwangala Liomba and asked the provincial administration to secure four hectors of land for the construction of a Provincial High Court.
The Judiciary committee chairperson for infrastructure Justice Charles Kajimanga said explained that his committee has decided to establish high courts in each provincial Centre to help improve the services in the criminal justice system.
He added that this it has been discovered that the operations of the subordinate courts are disrupted when high court judges have sessions in particular districts, ( hence the reason to build more high Courts in the country. ).
“When high court judges have sessions they take over court rooms, chambers and sometimes this forces subordinate courts to abandon their cases until high court judges finish their sitting,” justice Kajimanga said.
The Judiciary has realized, Justice Kajimanga said, that this is not doing well for administration of justice hence the construction of high courts in each provincial centre and Choma is one of them.
He said the Judiciary is aware that Livingstone has a high court but since Choma is now the provincial capital a high court needs to be constructed.
The committee informed the Minister and his permanent secretary that they have been to Solwezi Mansa and Mongu and have succeeded in acquiring land as well as building houses for resident judges who will be based in the provinces.
And Dr Hamukale said the province has suffered in accessing judicial services and most offenders have to travel long distances to access the services of a high court judge.
“Livingstone alone is not sufficient. The population is increasing and the services for judicial services is also increasing,” the minister said.
Dr Hamukale assured the committee that his administration will find land in the central business district which will be easily accessed as it is a necessary development for the province.
Government has imposed a mandatory licenses on Remote Piloted Aircraft Systems commonly known as Drones ensure that they obtain licenses.
Zambia Civil Aviation Authority has called on individuals Director General Gabriel Lesa says all individuals in Zambia are required by law to obtain licenses before using the drones in Zambia.
Mr Lesa indicates that although Drones are a good accessories to use by anyone, government through his Authority is requesting them to be registered.
“The drones are good as they can be used different purposes among them aerial survey in Agriculture, mining and gaming ventures, among others but they have to be registered, “ he said.
ZANIS reports that the Zambia Civil Aviation Authority Director explained in an interview that the authority will however take to task anyone found using the Drones for illegal purposes.
“It is important that everyone who poses a Drone gets a license to ensure that the safety and security of the aviation sector is not compromised,“ he said.
The Director General notes that to ensure national security of the country in the wake of advanced technology, his Authority will continue ensuring that the use of Drones in the country is well managed and controlled.
The Director General has since disclosed that the Authority will soon conduct awareness campaigns in all provincial centers for stakeholders to take keen interest the issue.
Irish Aid Director General Ruairi De Burca welcoming Hon. Kabanshi
Minister of Community Development and Social Services, Honourable Emerine Kabanshi has said the Zambian Government will continue to partner with the Irish Government in the effective and efficient implementation of Social Protection Services in Zambia.
The Minister is on a learning visit in Ireland from 16th to 21st July, 2018 on Social Protection facilitated by the Embassy of Ireland in Lusaka.
On Monday, Hon. Kabanshi had a number of meetings with various shakeholders to acquire acknowledge on social protection in Ireland which she said would help in improving the social protection systems in the country.
The Minister had a meeting with the Director General of Irish Aid at which a number of Social Protection interventions in Zambia especially on disability were discussed for partnership and collaboration.
She expressed her gratitude to the Republic of Ireland for the learning visit, which she saw to be valuable as most of the experiences faced by Ireland were similar to Zambia although at different levels.
The Minister said Zambia is commited to improving the various social protection systems in the country.
“The PF Government under the Leadership of His Excellency President Edgar Chagwa Lungu will continue to Partner with the Irish Government in the effective and efficient implementation of Social Protection Services in Zambia as Ireland is contributing K30 million to the Social Cash Transfer programme apart from other technical assistance given to Social Protection Programmes,” she said.
Irish minister responsible for disability Finian McGrath, Hon. Kabanshi and the Zambia Senior Government officials pose for a picture at a meeting.
The Minister also visited Honourable Fianian McGrath, the Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Disability to learn on how the Government of Ireland had developed the services and disability sector over time.
Honourable Kabanshi noted that reformation of the disability sector in Ireland came a long way and involved interventions to change mind set.
She was informed that 6 percent of the labour force both public and private in Ireland were reserved for persons with disabilities and both sectors received incentives such as the Wage Subsidy Scheme by Government.
The Minister learnt that a de-congregation strategy was used to integrate persons with disabilities to households in communities rather than institutionalising them.
The outcome of the meeting included learning on the Ability Programme in which the interventions on disability focussed on the abilities of persons with disabilities rather than their disabilities as well as training persons with disabilities for the job that suit them.
The meeting discussed among other things the engagement of the private sector on disability and inclusive education activities by making use of the Special Needs Assistant.
The Minister also had a meeting with the Deputy Secretary in the Department of Social Protection, Anne Vaughan and officials from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection where she learnt how the Department was implementing a number of Social Protection programmes from a lifecycle approach, which begins early in life to prevent individuals from falling into poverty and deprivation and to ensure that those trapped by poverty are taken out.
The Minister said the meeting with Anne Vaughan was seen as benefical to the processes which Zambia was undergoing in improving various social protection systems such as the payment systems, the complaints mechanism and the Integrated framework of Basic Social protection in which the single window service system would be implemented.
Hon. Kabanshi said the meetings in Ireland were a resource and would provide input in improving the various social protection systems in the Zambia.
Issued by: Abigail Chaponda (Mrs.)
First Secretary | Press and Public Relations
Zambia High Commission in the United Kingdom.
Minister of Finance Margaret Mwanakatwe has revealed that the stock of external debt of the country at the end of the first quarter was US$9.37 billion.
Mrs. Mwanakatwe said the slight increase in the debt stock was on account of disbursements during the review period.
Speaking during a press briefing in Lusaka today, Mrs. Mwanakatwe stated that as at June 2018, government paid US$161.3 million in external debt service.
She said total guaranteed debt was US$2.7 billion of which US$1.21 billion had been drawn against the principal amount.
ZANIS reports that Mrs. Mwanakatwe noted that the stock domestic debt as at end of June 2018 was at K51.86 billion.
She explained that with regards to domestic arrears in the first quarter of 2018, increased to K13.91 billion from K12.77 billion due to a rise in arrears related to roads and other RDCs.
Mrs. Mwanakatwe said the pace of arrears accumulation is a source of concern to the government and commitment controls are being strengthened to avoid accumulation in RDCs.
She added that the road sector arrears are on account of more work being done as a result of payments made.
Mrs. Mwanakatwe noted that the concentration of dismantling projects at 80 percent and above will address the problem going forward.
Mrs. Mwanakatwe said government is committed to implementing the recent austerity measures to support inclusive growth and fiscal consolidation.
The Minister explained that following the announcement by President Edgar Lungu on a number of measures to address the fiscal imbalances and high debt the country is facing, government is now in the process of implementing the measures in order to have a new fiscal and debt outlook into the medium term.
She disclosed that the measures announced are supposed to support growth and social protection going forward hence, on-going projects whose financing has been signed for will continue to be implemented.
Mrs. Mwanakatwe said government will be selective on the cancellation of current contracted debt which have not yet disbursed to address economic impact, financial and legal implications.
She added that her ministry will be aiming to free up cash flows by carrying out liability management on selected bilateral loans, both local and foreign by extending the maturity profile.
Mrs. Mwanakatwe stated that the austerity measures are in no way indicating an intention by government to default on any of its loans.
She said the major objective is to reduce the pace of debt accumulation and to smoothen the maturity profile so that government has more fiscal space especially around the time of maturity of the Eurobonds.
Mrs. Mwanakatwe added that, it is also important for the country to return to moderate risk debt distress and support fiscal consolidation.
President Edgar Lungu is tomorrow expected in Chipata City for a three day visit in Eastern Province to drum up support for PF candidates vying for the July 26th council chairperson elections in five newly created districts.
According to a tentative programme released by Provincial Permanent Secretary Chanda Kasolo, the Head of State is expected to arrive in Chipata, the Provincial capital at 10:30 hours and fly to Lusangazi district where he is expected to woe support for PF candidate William Banda in the forthcoming election.
The following day on Saturday 21st, July 2019, President Lungu is scheduled to fly to Chipangali and later Kasenengwa districts where he will campaign PF candidates, Million Tembo and Saul Zulu, respectively.
President Lungu will next day on Sunday attend a church service at Lumezi Catholic church and later address a public meeting to back PF candidate Clement Mwale before proceeding to Chasefu where he is expected to drum up support for Chimwemwe Banda who is contesting Chasefu council chairmanship on the PF ticket.
The Head of State is expected to return to Lusaka upon conclusion of his programme in Chasefu.
The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency has seized 80 packets of rubber condoms in Livingstone city.
This was done in an effort to ensure that there is safety and quality on the compulsory standard products.
“On the 26th June, 2018, ZCSA Office in Livingstone received a phone call from an unidentified customer to an effect that he had purchased expired condoms from Stop Shop situated in the 217 area in Livingstone District of the Southern Province of the Republic of Zambia. Without any delay, the ZCSA inspectors swung into action and conducted an on-spot inspection,” said Agency Spokesman Lee Hamunji.
“After conducting a thorough check, it was indeed established that there were some expired condoms namely, 8 packets of Contempo hot condoms valued at K160.00 expiry date October 2017. 72 packets of Contempt endurance condoms valued at K1, 728.00 whose expiry date was April 2018”.
Mr Hamunji said some of the parameters that are used to test for condoms include thickness of the condom, length and width of the condom, water leakages, bursting volumes and pressure and also freedom from holes and visible defects.
“In accordance with the provisions of ZS 386: 2000 (rubber condoms-specification) read together with the Compulsory Standards Act No. 3 of 2017: Section; 16. (1) and the powers vested upon Inspectors, the products were seized. ZCSA would like to urge all suppliers and manufacturers to ensure that they continuously do stocktaking and remove products whose shelf life has expired.”
Topstar Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Leo Lio shows President Edgar Lungu the architectural map of how Satellites and other digital infrastructure will be constructed in Vubwi district to enhance information flow in the area
Dear President Edgar C. Lungu,
RE: APPEAL FOR YOUR INTERVENTION – TOPSTAR IS FRUSTRATING ZAMBIAN INVESTORS IN THE DIGITAL MIGRATION & BROADCASTING PROJECT
Reference is made to the above subject matter.
Kenmark Broadcasting Network (“kbn”) is a Zambian owned independent broadcasting network licensed to provide various programs of an entertainment, informative, educational and Christian nature. Kbn was successfully granted a Content Service Provider Licence – Commercial Free to Air by the Independent Broadcasting Authority in January, 2017. Following this, kbn applied at that time to the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation for a TV signal of which we were informed this was not possible at the time due to digital migration that was in progress and as such the bandwidth capacity had been exhausted.
We were later advised that kbn would be allocated a bandwidth capacity on the TopStar bouquet. All indications were that this would be made available early this year 2018. On the strength of this we sourced and secured office space to commence preparations for broadcasting and have been incurring operational costs since October, 2017. Some of the milestones achieved in preparation for commencing broadcasting include; contracting a consultant to get the studio and control rooms ready, we procured a loan to fund the purchase of high quality studio and broadcasting equipment, we started filming and producing a number of shows in readiness for broadcasting, we employed a multi-skilled team of 16 young talented Zambians comprising journalists, camera operators, video editors, marketing staff, transmission controllers, graphics designers and other support staff among others.
To demonstrate the channel’s readiness, we started conducting live facebook broadcasts for news at 19:00hrs and a breakfast show every morning from Monday to Friday. We have since suspended these trial broadcasts due to cash flow constraints arising from the network having not commenced commercial broadcasting. All the operating expenses including salaries were funded from resources of the local promoters and directors of the company. We wish to bring to your attention that earlier in the year, inspectors from IBA, TopStar and ZICTA came and conducted inspection and confirmed our technical readiness to commence broadcasting.
Your Excellency, the challenge we have continued to face is that TopStar the designated national signal carrier, claims that they do not have sufficient bandwidth to accommodate our channel on their bouquet. However, we are aware and were reliably informed that ZICTA provided enough capacity to TopStar but they have instead filled the available bandwidth with their own Asian content. Our understanding Your Excellency is that TopStar’s mandate is to be a national signal distributor and not to assume the role of a content provider as well. They cannot be both. As things stand, they are playing both roles of being a signal carrier as well as a content provider. This clearly has an adverse impact on competition and is depriving young Zambian investors such as ourselves who are ready and willing to add diversity to the Zambian television programming from entering the market and competing favourably. Your Excellency we know you are an ardent supporter and advocate of young Zambian entrepreneurs who are contributing positively to the socio-economic sector of the country.
We have had sight of letters from IBA instructing TopStar to ensure that our channel which fulfilled technical requirements be given space on the digital platform. However, the directive hitherto has been disregarded with impunity by TopStar citing capacity and bandwidth limitations. Your Excellency, we are well aware that it is the policy of your Government that Digital Migration must benefit Zambians. We are therefore extremely disappointed and shocked with the conduct of the appointed signal carrier who have vehemently refused to take our channel on board.
We must hasten to mention that IBA has given licensees the necessary support, but the challenge has always been the allocation of bandwidth which is a matter of contention between TopStar and ZICTA. Our frantic efforts to have this matter resolved through normal channels have yielded no fruitful results and we are left with no choice but to seek your intervention in this matter. Your Excellency, this state of affairs on a matter of public interest is not acceptable to us and we are sure will not be to you as well as it is an affront to your Government’s efforts to empower Zambians who genuinely want to play an active role in national development.
It is our sincere hope that our appeal meets your consideration for urgent intervention as the status quo is negatively impacting our ability to meet current financial obligations in the absence of full commercial broadcast programming.
We look forward to your positive response on the matter.
Yours faithfully,
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
KENMARK BROADCASTING NETWORK
Cc: The Minister – Information and Broadcasting
Cc: The Minister – Transport and Communication
Cc: The Director General – Independent Broadcasting Authority
Cc: The Director General – ZICTA
