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Presidential Hopeful Mudolo Pledges to “Rewire” Zambia’s Economy

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Presidential aspirant Willah Mudolo has declared himself the candidate capable of fundamentally restructuring Zambia’s struggling economy. Positioning himself as an engineer rather than a politician, he argues the country needs a complete redesign, not superficial fixes.

Mudolo, a Global Finance Engineer by profession, contends that Zambia has spent over six decades celebrating minimal economic progress while poverty, poor housing, and limited opportunities persist for most citizens. He likens the current economic model to a broken engine requiring radical re-engineering, not cosmetic repairs or slogans.

Citing persistent load-shedding, factory closures, and struggling industries, Mudolo warns that Zambia cannot compete globally with unreliable energy and outdated economic systems. “We cannot build a 21st-century economy on 19th-century energy reliability,” he stated.

He asserts that incremental growth has failed and that Zambia needs a “bold leap” to secure a prosperous future. His vision, termed “economic re-engineering,” aims for a five- to ten-fold expansion of the economy by attracting tens of billions of dollars in investments into mining, agriculture, energy, and technology.

Central to his plan is empowering youth as skilled drivers of a modern, high-value economy, rather than merely as job seekers. Mudolo criticizes decades of attempting to repair a system he says was never designed to benefit the majority, advocating instead for leadership focused on long-term national performance beyond election cycles.

As the 2026 elections approach, Mudolo is framing his candidacy around a blueprint for a new economic future, presenting himself as a problem-solver rather than a career politician.

From ‘Mulyokela’ to History-Making Mayor: George Mwanza’s Unlikely Rise

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Once dismissed as a ‘Mulyokela’—a term implying a naive upstart—for his youthful ambition, George Mwanza has defied expectations to become one of Zambia’s most celebrated local government leaders.

In 2016, at just 22, his bid to stand as mayor was rejected by elders in the then-ruling party, who deemed him too young, lacking resources, and without a clear vision. Undeterred, he ran as an independent candidate in 2020, weathering personal attacks about his marital status and living arrangements.

In August 2021, at age 27, Mwanza made history. He won a landslide victory against eight other candidates to become Mayor of Chipata, earning the distinction of being the youngest mayor in Zambia and in Southern Africa.

Under his leadership, the Chipata City Council has been recognized as the best-performing council in the country for transparency. Local Government and Rural Development Minister Gift Sialubalo commended the council during a visit to Chipata, noting that its annual revenue has surged from K7 million to K35 million following the digitization of its payment and receipt system. This modernization has eliminated duplicate receipts and set a benchmark for other local authorities.

The council’s innovative approach has also gained continental recognition, winning the award for Best Performing Local Authority in Innovation Management in Africa at the recent Africa Association for Public Administration and Management (AAPAM/AAPAA) Conference in Eswatini.

Mayor Mwanza, a known philanthropist and grassroots activist, has prioritized serving vulnerable communities, particularly youth and women. A key achievement during his tenure is the twinning partnership with the City of Dormagen in Germany, which has facilitated knowledge sharing, cultural exchange, and the donation of laptops to further digitize council services.

Mwanza’s influence extends beyond Chipata. In 2022, he was elected Vice President of the Young Elected Officials of Africa (YELO Network) for UCLG Southern Africa and was shortlisted for the One Young World Politician of the Year Award in 2023.

His journey reflects the trust placed in him by Chipata’s more than 150,000 residents, who chose a 27-year-old visionary to lead their city toward greater transparency, innovation, and development.

ZAQA Warns Against Fake Qualifications, Urges Verification

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The Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZAQA) has cautioned that using unverified or fraudulent academic qualifications to secure jobs or gain college admission can lead to missed opportunities, as verification is now mandatory.

Speaking at an End-of-Year Media Breakfast, ZAQA Director-General Mercy Ngoma disclosed that the authority verified more than 59,000 qualifications this year—both local and foreign. She noted that nearly 2,000 qualifications were rejected after checks revealed they were from unaccredited institutions, linked to unapproved programs, or were outright forgeries.

“Qualification verification is now mandatory for anyone seeking a job or admission to a tertiary institution,” Ngoma stated. “We encourage everyone to verify their papers early to avoid delays or missing out on opportunities.”

Ngoma explained that the verification process ensures only genuine qualifications are recognized, protecting citizens from potential job loss or denied educational opportunities. She added that ZAQA registered 872 qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) this year, including 298 new ones, to maintain quality standards and enhance national and international recognition.

However, she warned that many qualifications offered in Zambia remain unregistered, which could limit their recognition abroad. She advised students to verify that their chosen programs are registered on the NQF.

On delays in the verification process, Ngoma attributed them to a high volume of applications, incomplete submissions, slow responses from foreign or closed institutions, and necessary fraud checks. She assured the public that ZAQA is improving its systems, increasing staff, and developing a new digital platform to expedite the process.

Zambia draws with Mali in AFCON playout

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The Chipolopolo boys have recorded a 1–1 draw against Mali at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) playout at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco.

Mali settled quicker into the match, registering two attempts on goal within the opening 15 minutes, while Zambia’s Fashion Sakala also came close early on, but his effort failed to trouble the Malian goalkeeper.

In the 30th minute, the Chipolopolo boys began to dictate play, with winger Lameck Banda forcing several corners in Malian territory.

The media reports that five minutes before halftime, Zambia conceded a penalty following a defensive infringement in the 18-yard box, confirmed after intervention from the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).

However, Mali’s Striker, El Bilal Touré failed to convert, as his low-driven penalty was well saved by Zambian goalkeeper Willard Mwanza, sending the teams into a  goalless break.

Twelve minutes after the second half, Mali broke the deadlock through Lassine Sinayoko, who finished swiftly from a quick corner to put his side ahead.

In the 66th minute, Chipolopolo coach made two substitutions, bringing on Sabobo Banda and David Simukonda for Lameck Banda and Miguel Changa Chaiwa respectively. A minute later, Zambia registered a shot on target through an overhead kick from Dominic Chanda, which tested the Malian defense.

Zambia made another change in the 70th minute, with Kennedy Musonda replacing captain Fashion Sakala. The Chipolopolo nearly equalised in the 89th minute when Patson Daka missed a header that sailed over the crossbar.

However, Zambia eventually drew level when Leicester City striker Patson Daka scored a diving header from a Matthews Banda cross to make it 1–1.

Following the draw, Zambia sits second in the group standings with 1 point, with hosts Morocco top of the table with 3 points. Mali occupies third. Zambia will next face botton placed Comoros on Friday at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca, with kick-off scheduled for 19:00 hours.

200 bags of cement gone to waste

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About 200 by 50 kilogram bags of cement have gone to waste at Nakanya Secondary school in Mongu district of Western Province.

Speaking after inspecting the school in question, Mongu District Commissioner Morgan Akabeswa has expressed disappointment with a contractor tasked to renovate Nakanya Secondary school, for poor storage of bags of cement at the school.

The media reports that Mr Akabeswa said the government is losing colossal sums of money buying bags of cement meant for improving the learning environment for pupils at Nakanya Secondary school.

He has sternly advised the contractor to be wary of the atmospheric weather conditions before purchasing construction materials such as cement, which can easily go to waste under wet conditions.

Meanwhile, the District Commissioner also took time to inspect construction works at Nakanya boarding school, being constructed by the Zambia Education Enhancement Project (ZEEP) funded by the World Bank.

He was impressed with the pace at which the construction works were moving.

The World Bank is constructing about 22 schools in Western Province in order to enhance quality education in the region.

Mulyata commends marketers

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Lusaka Province Minister, Sheal Mulyata has commended marketers for maintaining peace and ensuring that there is sanity in trading places.

Speaking during the end of year party for New Soweto Market Marketers, in Lusaka, Ms Mulyata says law and order has prevailed due to the depoliticisation of market places.

She said political caderism is now a thing of the past, owing to the stance made by President Hakainde Hichilema, when he took over office.

The Minister also said the zero tolerance to political violence by the government is reaping benefits in market places, which are now peaceful.

Ms Mulyata said marketers are now living in harmony irrespective of political affiliation.

“A market is a place for life, for laughter, for negotiation, and for community. It should never be a battleground. For too long, our markets, bus stations, and bus stops have been plagued by violence. We have seen the politics of division and intimidation creep into your places of work,” she noted.

Speaking at the same event, Lusaka City Council, Town Clerk, Liftery Ndaba said the local authority will continue to prioritise infrastructure development at markets.

Mr Ndaba said the local authority is determined to ensure that markets are properly managed and fit for trade.

He further applauded marketers for cooperating with Lusaka City Council in keeping New Soweto Market clean.

Meanwhile, New Soweto Market Manager, Majory Mulamfu appealed to the government to consider empowering marketers with favourable financing, using Constituency Development Funds (CDF).

“My appeal to you on behalf of the New Soweto marketers is that they are considered for empowerment with soft loans like it is for other citizens,” she said.

VEEP witnesses Charity Kapala burial service

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Vice President Mutale Nalumango this afternoon led mourners in putting to rest the remains of Charity, the late wife to Minister of Livestock and Fisheries Peter Kapala.

Mrs Kapala who passed away on December 18, 2025 was put to rest at Leopards Hill Memorial park.

The Vice President was accompanied by several Cabinet Ministers and senior government officials.

And speaking on behalf of the bereaved family, Reverend Mutale Chibuta thanked the government for the support rendered to the family during the mourning period.

Rev. Chibuta said the Kapala family remains indebted to the government and President Hakainde Hichilema for standing with the family during the mourning period.

AFCON kicks off as Morocco beat Comoros 2-0

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The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has kicked off in Morocco, with the host nation starting on a winning note after recording a 2-0 victory over Comoros Island at a packed Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.

The Atlas Lions of Morocco missed a spot kick early in the match after Iyad Mohamed brought down Real Madrid star Brahim Díaz in the 18-yard box. However, Comoros goalkeeper Yannick denied Díaz by saving the penalty with his left knee.

Comoros contained the Moroccans, going into the halftime break with the score line level at 0-0. However, in the 55th minute of the second half, the hosts took the lead when Díaz was left unmarked near the penalty spot and calmly swept home Noussair Mazraoui’s low cross, sending over 60,000 fans into jubilation.

In the 75th minute, substitute Ayoub El Kaabi scored an emphatic overhead kick with a quarter of an hour remaining to seal the victory for the North African side.

Meanwhile, the media reports that the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations champions, Zambia, will today December 22nd, open their Group A campaign against West African nation Mali at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca at 16:00 hours Zambian time with Chipolopolo coach Moses Sichone declaring the team ready for the encounter.

Zambia will be without 2012 AFCON winner Stopilla Sunzu for the Mali clash due to illness.

Chief Chamuka Urges Zambians to Embrace Constitutional Changes

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Chief Chamuka of the Lenje people of Chisamba District in Central Province has called on Zambians to embrace constitutional changes saying they are intended to enhance development.

Chief Chamuka told the media that the enactment of the Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7 of 2025 into law will accelerate development at constituency level.

speaking through  an interview he said that the delimitation of constituencies will enhance service delivery through provision of essential social services to the people.

“I wish to commend President Hakainde Hichilema for the role he has played in the amendment of the Constitution which has provided for the delimitation of constituencies. I am urging Zambians to embrace the constitutional amendments,” he said.

Chief Chamuka commended President Hichilema for being instrumental in the strengthening of the country’s legal framework for the effective implementation of the decentralization policy.

He said the delimitation of constituencies will form an important part in the actualisation of the decentralization policy.

He said the traditional leadership will always support initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of citizens.

Chief Chamuka said some constituencies have remained undeveloped because of their vastness.

He said the situation will now change for the better following the amendment of the Constitution that has provided for the delimitation of vast constituencies.

Chief Chamuka said the new constituencies will equally benefit from the expanded Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

He further said the traditional leadership in Chisamba District will continue working closely with government to foster development to the area.

President Hichilema mourns Kapala’s Wife

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President Hakainde Hichilema joined hundreds of mourners at Miracle Life Family Church to pay their last respects to the funeral service of Mrs Peter Kapala, wife of the Minister of Livestock and Fisheries, today.

The funeral was marked by heartfelt tributes from family members, traditional leaders, friends, and others.

Speaking during the funeral, at Miracle Life Family Church, husband to the deceased Peter Kapala in a tribute read for him by the Minister of Small and Medium Enterprise, Elias Mubanga described the death of his dear wife and close friend Charity Kapala, as a huge loss.

Mr Kapala noted that they got married when she was just 20 years old, and over their forty one years of marriage, he noted that she was his support in his entire life.

“Many of the achievements people see today was due to her wisdom and counsel. She loved deeply, gave freely and nurtured grately,” he noted.

Mr Kapala who thanked God for the gift of her life, noted that the woman he loved dearly as he mourns her deeply, was a pillar of the family in all seasons of life.

Speaking on behalf of the Kapala family, Nephew to the deceased, Chiti Nzima described her aunt as a prayerful woman deeply rooted in her faith by offering support for everyone that came to her.

Mr Nzima stated that she was always steadfast in her words, prayers as well as gentle care for all.

“Fondly known by her friends as Mrs Kapala, her heart was always open. She gave without expecting anything in return,” he said.

And Lwando Bbuku, spoke on behalf of her three children citing that she always found a practical way to inculcate peace and live for others in her children.

Meanwhile, representing their Royal Highnesses of Chifunabuli district, Traditional Leaders were represented by Ponde Mecha, who described her as one who understood that a community stood firm when women and others were supported and empowered.

Mr Mecha added that the late Mrs Kapala would ensure that people particularly persons with disabilities were included through support of persons with disabilities as well as many other charities in the district.

While Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary for Administration Noriana Muneku who was also her friend, described her as one who carried life with courage citing that she built multiple successful businesses through her unwavering excellence.

Ms. Muneku highlighted that the deceased who was her confidant above all her accomplishments loved her family so much.

In a touching tribute, the deceased friend, Jane Mulenga also gave a life history, describing her as a loving family woman.

Ms. Mulenga who read her life history disclosed that the deceased passed away after a short illness on December 18, around 15:40 hours.

Mrs Victoria Mwiimbu, who spoke on behalf of the First Ladies office as well as the Ministers wives Association noted that she was a cherished friend whose shoes will be difficult to fill, as she served with the first lady on projects with passion and dedication from Zambia and beyond.

Mrs Kapala, described as a woman with a big heart for the people, will later be laid to rest at Lusaka Memorial Park.

ZAQA verifies 59 000 local, international qualifications

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The Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZAQA) has verified over 59,000 local and international qualifications as of December 20, 2025.

ZAQA Executive Director Mercy Ngoma says the achievement reflects the authority’s strengthened capacity to conduct qualification verification services, which are critical in protecting employment and higher education opportunities for citizens.

Ms. Ngoma explained that during the same period, over 1,900 qualifications were issued with notices of rejection following the successful completion of the verification process.

Speaking during an end-of-year media interaction in Lusaka today, Ms. Ngoma said the rejections resulted from qualifications obtained from institutions without legal authority to award them, enrolment in programmes that were not quality-assured, and cases of fraud, among other reasons.

She noted that this development underscores the importance of qualification verification as a quality-assurance and public protection mechanism, which is now mandatory for employment purposes and enrolment into tertiary education institutions.

Ms. Ngoma also appealed to qualification-awarding bodies to register on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) in line with prescribed quality standards, a move she said would enhance both national and international recognition of Zambian qualifications.

She added that in recent months, the authority has recorded an increase in requests from regional qualifications authorities and recognition bodies seeking confirmation of the registration status of Zambian qualifications.

Ms. Ngoma further stated that, following the expanded mandate of ZAQA, the authority has been strengthening its institutional capacity by enhancing staffing levels and conducting a comprehensive review of its systems and international processes to improve efficiency.

UCZ Minister calls on Congregants to Grow Crops

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An outgoing Minister in the United Church of Zambia in Mbala District has encouraged congregants to take advantage of the good rainfall pattern in the District to grow crops.

George Manda says it is important for people to engage in agriculture if they were to improve household food security and their living standards.

Reverend Manda said the favourable rains provide an opportunity for residents to diversify their agricultural production beyond maize into crops such as groundnuts, beans, soya beans and vegetables.

The media reports that Reverend Manda, who is also UCZ Northern Presbytery Secretary, said this during  the church service in Mbala.

He has urged church members to embrace the church’s 2026 theme, “Change the Narrative”, by adopting positive attitudes and actions that promote development in their families and communities.

“Changing the narrative requires hard work, discipline and faith, and as a church we must lead by example in shaping values that contribute to national development,” Reverend Manda said.

He encouraged congregants to demonstrate love, peace and unity as they celebrate Christmas this Thursday.

He said the festive season should remind believers of the importance of caring for one another.

Reverend Manda has further wished the congregants a peaceful and joyful Christmas and called on them to continue praying for the unity and prosperity of the nation.

€50m Guarantee boosts GreenCo Power Markets

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GreenCo, Impact Fund Denmark (IFDK) and the European Commission have closed a €50 million guarantee under the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+).

According to a statement made available to the  media today by GreenCo, the guarantee is provided to GreenCo on a back-to-back basis via IFDK, who have also invested an additional $6 million adding that this combined facility marks a watershed moment for the development of competitive electricity markets in sub-Saharan Africa.

The statement also states that the guarantee underpins GreenCo’s ability to meet long-term payment obligations to independent power producers (IPPs) across sub-Saharan Africa, including all countries of GreenCo’s current operations, namely Zambia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia and the DRC.

The statement further states that by strengthening GreenCo’s balance sheet and demonstrating investment-grade creditworthiness, the structure facilitates the flow of private capital into markets historically considered too risky despite strong fundamentals and urgent demand.

Meanwhile, GreenCo’s Chief Commercial Officer and Co-Founder, Cathy Oxby said the guarantee is not just about GreenCo but it is also about proving that African power markets can work without sovereign guarantees.

“By using guarantees to unlock private investment rather than replace it, we can accelerate the energy transition while diversifying risk and leveraging flexibility to deliver innovative solutions to our clients,” added Ms Oxby.

The guarantee operates as a revolving facility, available over a 23-year period and the full facility should catalyse investment in over 500Mega Watts of new renewable generation capacity across

Southern Africa.

“The related EFSD+ and IFDK guarantees are highly bespoke, and the product of creativity and hard work by the combined deal team,” explained Pug Bennet, GreenCo’s Chief Finance Officer and Co-Founder.

“We are very grateful to both the European Commission and IFDK for their willingness to think outside of the box and work with us to design a practical and impactful solution to address perceived risks,” added Mr Bennet.

The transaction aligns squarely with the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, supporting energy transition, regional integration, and private sector mobilisation in priority African markets.

“This is precisely the type of catalytic intervention the EFSD+ was designed to support,” said Thomas Hougaard, Managing Director of Impact Fund Denmark.

Mr Hougaard noted that by backing a regional market intermediary, the European Commission is helping to unlock investment that ultimately delivers clean, affordable, reliable electricity to power the economic growth and affordability to citizens.

Court Awards Damages for Trespass via Unsolicited Text Messages

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The Lusaka High Court has ruled that unsolicited text messages sent to a personal mobile phone can amount to trespass, awarding damages to a former banker against his former employer.

The matter involved a former Treasury Manager at NATSAVE whose personal mobile phone number was registered with Indo Zambia Bank for account authorization purposes during his employment. After his contract ended in 2023, the former employee notified the bank and requested that his number be removed. Despite these requests, authorization messages continued to be sent to his phone.

The former employee sued NATSAVE, claiming trespass and seeking K1.5 million in damages. In its defense, the bank argued that trespass applies only to land or physical property and not to electronic communications. The bank called no witnesses in support of its case.

High Court Judge Chalo Mfula rejected the bank’s argument, stating that a claim for trespass should not fail solely because there was no physical interference. The court held that the claim was sustainable in the context of modern communication.

“In this present case, I find the Plaintiff’s claim for trespass contextually tenable. The claim for damages for trespass to the Plaintiff’s phone succeeds,” the judge stated.

The court, however, reduced the damages awarded from K1.5 million to K30,000, finding the amount claimed to be excessive.

The judgment noted that the plaintiff was subjected to a barrage of unsolicited messages despite repeatedly requesting that the messages stop. The court further observed that the continued messages posed a potential risk of fraud and disturbed the plaintiff’s peace.

“In the age where a thief can remotely steal more with a computer than through a gun, the want of duty of care on the part of the Bank to honour the Plaintiff’s request was concerning,” the judge stated.

Case Significance

The ruling extends the application of the tort of trespass to unauthorized digital communications, including text messages. It emphasizes the obligation of institutions to act on requests to remove personal contact details and to respect withdrawal of consent.

Case citation: Charles Mwila v National Savings and Credit Bank – 2023/HP/1771 (Judgment delivered December 2025).

Sinda Police Investigate Fatal Sibling Assault at Gule Wamkulu Shrine

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Police in Sinda, Eastern Province, are investigating a case in which a 29-year-old man allegedly killed his 27-year-old brother following a dispute at a Gule Wamkulu traditional shrine.

Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba confirmed the incident, identifying the suspect as Sinoya Mwale and the deceased as Isaac Mwale.

Mr. Mweemba explained that the two brothers had reported to the shrine, locally known as Liunde, on Saturday, December 20, 2025. A misunderstanding later arose, leading Isaac to withdraw from the shrine—an action that angered his brother.

A group of five men affiliated with the Gule Wamkulu attempted to take Isaac back but were stopped by his mother. The group later returned with Sinoya, who proceeded to beat his brother, striking him on the head with a stick until he collapsed.

Isaac sustained a serious head injury, described as a deflated forehead, and was rushed to Saint Francis Mission Hospital in Katete, where he died yesterday.

The suspect, Sinoya Mwale, has been arrested and is in police custody as investigations continue.