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Communication and Transport Minister Brian Mushimba announcing the cabinet approval of a new national airline during a “Team building” cocktail at Lusaka Intercontinental Hotel on Monday, 18 December 2017. Picture By Jean Mandela
THE re-establishment of Zambia Airways is on course as Cabinet will soon take a final look at the partnership agreement and other documents that were being streamlined.
Consequently, the Government will ensure that the national airline inaugural flight takes off on October 24, this year as planned.
Transport and Communication Minister Brian Mushimba explained that the IDC had approved the documents with comments, which would be addressed by Cabinet this month.
Mr Mushimba said after Cabinet approval of the partnership with Ethiopian Airlines, the documents were sent to the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) to sign the agreement on behalf of the government.
The Minister was speaking in an interview in Lusaka.
“We are on course with the national airline and we are sure to start flying on the set date which is October 24th. Cabinet has approved the agreement but we gave it to the IDC to study it so that they are able to own the document.
“The IDC approved the agreement with some comments and those comments needed to be addressed and we are now in the process of addressing them, “he said.
He explained that among the comments raised by the IDC were technical support and maintenance of the national airline. They needed to be addressed in the shareholders’ agreement.
The Minister assured that all documents including the shareholders agreement would be concluded in time to have the national carrier fly on the set date.
“We entered into a partnership with Ethiopian airline and all that is left is for us to work out the terms and ensure that we have a national carrier in time,” he said.
HH and President Lungu meet at late Munkombwe’s burial in Choma
Understanding the PF-UPND violence accusations and counter-accusations
Accusations and counter-accusations of violence between PF and UPND is a source of worry.
President Edgar Lungu says both PF and UPND are violent and that violence must come to end. To the contrary, UPND leadership says it is PF which is violent. Meanwhile, the UPND leadership has since called its rank and file to arms in self-defence in a tactic styled as “panga for panga”. The UPND leadership says time for its members to continue being on the receiving end and remain cry-babies, is over.
There is no doubt that PF and UPND members are bitter rivals. From the archives, it will be shown that the genesis of the rivalry is the breakup of their election pact seven years ago in February, 2011. It will further be noted that their rivalry has become a habit that can go from mere rhetoric to physical violence, to the extent killing rivals using all sorts of offensive weapons, including guns and pangas.
It started when the late President Michael Sata was at the helm of the PF. It continued when former Vice President Guy Scott was at helm of PF on ad hoc basis. It continued when President Edgar Lungu took over PF.
Even when GBM, Guy Scott, Miles Sampa, Mulenga Sata, and others crossed over to UPND, that did not make a difference. Come election time, it has been violence and more violence. So, one may argue with a high degree of certainty that the violence has little to do with President Lungu.
Other schools of thought argue HH is a problem. I personally do not think so. It has nothing to do with President HH. It is about PF, UPND and elections. Hence, the rivalry goes to extremes during the election seasons: general elections and bye-elections alike.
The rivalry is actually pathological and psychological. It is deeply ingrained in the conscience of respective members of UPND and PF emanating from the crumbled electoral pact of 2011. Ending it will require a strategic therapy like that given to a pathological liar.
To understand the sort of rivalry one needs to know what a pathological liar is. This is someone who compulsively tells lies or fabricates information out of habit. Such people tell lies without effort. It is people for whom telling a lie comes more naturally than telling the truth. They are able to look at you directly in the eyes and lie to you, mostly even without realizing it.
All pathological liars have a purpose, i.e., to decorate their own person. Usually, an ego motive is present. The main motivating reason for this habit is fear. For example, to avoid getting punished, a person starts lying, and when they see that by doing they are saved from punishment, they continue to do it, so much so that it becomes a habit deeply ingrained in their conscience.
Low self-esteem is also one of the reasons that lead to a person becoming a compulsive liar. Such people make up stories about themselves to look good in front of others; to gain pseudo-confidence in themselves; and or at least to appear confident to those around them. These lies can have a wide range of severity. Some of them are little insignificant lies, while a few others can be outrageous.
The first and most important part of the remedy is that the individual afflicted with such a problem should understand and accept this fact. As pathological habit becomes a part of them, accepting remedy also becomes actually very difficult. However, there are people who come forward themselves by accepting the fact that they have a problem which needs to be remedied. This is crucial for any treatment to be effective.
Perhaps, it will be worth drawing lessons from the late President Nelson Mandela. He appointed his bitter rival, Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi, as Home Affairs Minister in 1995. Not only that but he went further to appoint his arch rival as acting president during his absence from South Africa in 1997. You may recall that about 15,000 people were killed in the feuding between Mandela and Buthelezi’s supporters between 1994 and 1997.
In what political analysts said was a conciliatory gesture towards the leader of the Zulu based Inkatha Freedom Party, Mr Mandela said in a speech to Parliament: “I have decided to appoint the Minister of Home Affairs, Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi, as acting president of the country.”
The announcement provoked uncertain laughter in Parliament, as if members were not sure, whether Mr. Mandela, then 78, was joking.
Mr. Mandela said he was appointing Chief Buthelezi on merit. ,”He is an able and experienced leader of our country. That was the consideration . . . If it will promote reconciliation we will all be happy. But the reason is that he is a highly competent and experienced leader.”
The legislators were at first not sure whether Mr. Mandela was joking in handing his longtime rival full presidential powers. But the President said he had chosen Mr. Buthelezi because he was a ”highly competent and experienced leader.”
For his part Chief Buthelezi, the fiery leader of the Inkatha Freedom Party, said he was filled with awe by the President’s gesture and hoped nothing would happen to show that he ”did not deserve such trust.” But no one seemed too concerned that he would take undue advantage of his expanded authority.
The move — an artful gesture of political reconciliation — came at a time when Chief Buthelezi seemed to have dug in his heels in peace talks to end years of bloody conflict between Mr. Mandela’s African National Congress and Inkatha, the country’s second-largest black party. The talks never yielded any tangible results.
Political analysts believe this gesture from Mandela to his arch rival is a strategy that kept Buthelezi in his coalition government of National Unity with the ruling African National Congress.
I do not believe that talks in Zambia will yield any meaningful reconciliation between UPND and PF over elections. From experience, not even church-driven talks have yielded any tangible results.
To test my thesis, what probably would work is to draw from the Mandela strategy whereby HH is nominated as MP, and subsequently appointed as Home Affairs and given unwavering power to clamp down on violence; and time and time again appointed to serve as acting President during the absence of President Lungu. But like I have stated above, pathological rivals have a purpose, i.e., to decorate their own person. Usually, an ego motive is present. The main motivating reason for this is fear. If both conquer fear, as did Mandela, this thesis can work in Zambia.
Caristo Chitamfya Snr, the father to late radio personality Caristo Chitamfya Jr aka Caristo Clear aka ‘Mr Lip Pose’ has said he will choose light over darkness in dealing with his son’s death.
Presenting his tribute during a funeral service held at Lusaka’s Northmead Assembly this morning (Monday July 2nd), Mr Chitamfya said he will not dwell on the negative stories that are being used to malign his son’s death on social media platforms but concentrate on the positive side which is the light.
“Do I choose the dark? (in this situation), I will choose light, the positive side because light defeats darkness,” Mr Chitamfya said, admitting that it was really hard for a father who has lost a son to find a word to describe the loss.
“It’s hard to find a word in any language to describe a father who has lost a son, because when you lose a son as a father, you feel you are the one to blame, you feel there’s something you could have done to prevent it,” he said.
He described his son as one who came from a humble background and worked very hard to achieve what he achieved in a short time.
“Fortunately my son had something in him, in 24 years, he did what I couldn’t achieve in my entire life, ” he said, in acknowledging his son’s impact and contribution to the entertainment industry in Zambia.
And late Caristo’s mother said she has lost a friend in her son whom she will find hard to live without.
“I’ve lost a friend, it will be hard to live without you. Who will understand and spoil me? Your demise has left me weak. You appreciated me. You achieved a lot, thank you for making me a proud mother,” she said in a tribute read on her behalf.
Meanwhile, Zambia Association of Musicians(ZAM) has described the late Caristo as an integral part of Zambian music who showed love and support to the industry.
ZAM president Tivo Shikapwasha said though not a member of ZAM, Caristo’s contribution to the industry was huge and born out of love.
“Caristo was an integral part of Zambian music, he was a loving person. He has left a lesson of love. He believed in musicians, he believed in all of us,” said the visibly grief-striken Tivo.
Others who shared their tributes include musicians B-Flow and Ruff Kid, Radio presenters Roxy, Showster and Chali as well as National Arts Council chairperson.
Caristo, died last Thursday in a fatal road accident on Lusaka’s Great East Road
The Traders Association of Zambia (GTAZ) has described as disappointing government’s delay in announcing the standard price for maize for this year’s crop marketing season.
GTAZ Executive Director Chambuleni Simwinga said his association sees no justification in government’s excuse in delaying the announcement on the basis of high moisture content in the grain.
Mr. Simwinga said that much as it is reasonable to delay the buying of maize owing to high moisture content, nothing stops government from announcing the standard price for maize.
In an interview with QTV News Mr. Simwinga said pricing has nothing to do with when is the right time to buy maize or not.
Mr. Simwinga said by announcing the standard price on which it will be buying maize from farmers, all that government does is to set the pace at which maize in Zambia can be sold.
He stated that having no standard price for maize is what is worrying his association and other stakeholders in the Agriculture sector.
Mr. Simwinga said as things stand the GTAZ has observed that small scale farmers are already being taken advantage of by small traders who are buying maize as low as K40 per 50kg bag.
He said this entails that delay in announcing the government’s standard price for maize will negatively impact small scale farmers in the country.
Vice President Inonge Wina has left Nouakchott, Mauritania for Zambia after attending the 31st African Union Summit for Heads of State and Government.
Mrs. Wina was representing President Edgar Lungu during the summit.
The summit is being held under the theme “Combatting Corruption, A sustainable path to Africa’s transformation”.
The Vice President left Mauritania around 07 hours and was seen off by Mauritania Prime Minister Yahya Old Hademine.
Others that saw the Vice President off were Minister of Foreign Affairs Joe Malanji, Permanent Secretary for Administration in the Office of the Vice President Stephen Mwansa and Ambassador of Zambia to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union, Susan Sikaneta.
Mrs. Wina is accompanied by Senior Private Secretary Ambassador Sheila Siwela.
During the summit, ZAMBIA signed an agreement with the AU to host the Economic, Social and Cultural Council –ECOSSOC – Secretariat in Lusaka.
Zambia hosting the Secretariate will boost the countries social interactive influence on the continent, build trust and confidence, create employment and boost infrastructure development in the country :
Mrs. WINA also attended a meeting of the Committee of ten on the UN security council, where member states agreed to escalate their interventions to heads of State for them to have a position on the UN Security Council .
And During the Joint AU-EU high level side event on “Women in Power”, the Vice President called for more programmes aimed at empowering women and girls on the continent.
The Vice President also attended the official opening of the Assembly which called for Africa to remain united and condemned the recent attacks on Zimbabwe and Ethiopia.
Several heads of state are in Mauritania for the summit which include Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame who is also AU Chairperson, Egypt’s President ABDEL AL SISI, Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangangwa among others.
The official closing ceremony of the summit is expected to be around 2000 hrs (22hours Zambian time) this evening.
Thokozile Slhekiwe Mphande winner of The Next Hot Zambian Model
Thokozile Mphande was announced as the winner of season 1 of The Next Hot Zambian Model. She walked away with the title and a cash prize of k20 000.
The next hot zambian model is a model search with the goal of grooming young ladies that want to be in the industry. During the duration of the show they were given knowledge and skills to succeed as models and brand ambassadors. There are so many talented young people who aspire to be models and this was an opportunity to give them a platform to shine.
One thing the show wanted to do was change the perception of the industry. There is a negative perception to modeling and they wanted to change that and showcase the positive side with the show. They wanted people to understand there is a lot of hard work and dedication that goes with modeling.
Thokozile being handed her prize of k20 000
The Next Hot Zambian Model started with 17 models, some as far as Mazabuka. These included students (some studying law, medicine, business and other courses.), entrepreneurs, some just out of school all aspiring to be models.
There were various clinics at the beginning of the competition for models to learn about being brand ambassadors, how to do the perfect catwalk, catching the perfect light in photography and personal etiquette and grooming. With these clinics the model were equipped with knowledge they need to know as they get into the industry.
Behind the scenes with contestants of the show
The models spent boot camp at longride, chilanga, which was the home base of the competition.
The 13 episode show was broadcast on Diamond TV. The finale took place at La Bottega restaurant in Lusaka. The Next Hot Zambian Model was produced by renowned media personality Alec Mugala. Dorcas Kela Hasiciimbwe (miss lumiere international Zambia 2017) as was the host of the show.
Some of the team behind the show (from left to right) Alec Mugala(producer),Agness Chiyesu , Valentine Mundea , Kaiko Muyunda ,Travis, Kela (Host and Miss Lumiere international zambia 2017) Mickley Banda (Model trainer)
It was an Incredible journey for the filled with challenges and tasks the models had to go through. The top 3 contestants were; Jane Mumba, Thokozile Mphande and Mutinta Ng’andu. Thokozile Mphande crowned the winner and presented with a k20 000 cash prize. Jane Mumba and Mutinta Ng’andu were 2nd and 1st runners up respectively. The Facebook popularity award also went to Mutinta Ng’andu.
Mutinta Ng’andu 1st runner upJane Mumba 2nd runner upHost Kela Dorcas Hasiciimbwe with judges Marta Bessi , Penjani Ng’uni and Deejay prodigal sonThokozile Slhekiwe Mphande winner
Towela Phiri is a medical school graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biomedical Sciences but she considers herself as a Digital Marketing Strategist and Entrepreneur and has chosen to work with youths seeking employment.
Having previously struggled to find formal work and with the current unemployment rate in Zambia at 13.30% as at 2016, she started a company called ZedLance which is an online digital marketplace meant to help job-seekers and freelancers make money using their skills.
Towela was selected to be part of the 2018 Mandela Washington Fellowship. Whilst at the fellowship she hopes to improve and perfect her leadership, entrepreneurial and technical skills so as to help more people using herplatforms. She is placed in the Business and Entreprenurship Track at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, a great institution that has produced some great people like Meghan Markle (The Duchess of Sussex) and David Schwimmer (American Actor from “Friends” popular Tv Drama) to mention a few.
At Northwestern Univeristy
KAPA: Briefly tell us about yourself.
Towela Phiri: I am a 27 year old female born in a family of five and residing in Lusaka. I have two older sisters, one older brother and a twin sister. I was born and raised in Ndola. I did my primary school education at Ndola Trust Primary School and Sunbes Primary school. I did my secondary school education at Fatima Girls’ Secondary School and I attained a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Zambia.
I can say that my entrepreneurship journey started way back in primary school. I would fix my fellow pupils broken stationery for a small fee. My mother was an enterprising woman who loved what she did and I would say that I gained my interest in entrepreneurship from her. My father still lives in Ndola and is very supportive of my choices and my dreams.
KAPA: Having a bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences what made transition to digital marketing and entrepreneurship?
Towela Phiri: From the day that I graduated from medical school, I knew that I wanted to be an entrepreneur because I am passionate about entrepreneurship. I started to work on my first business idea which involved filtration of used cooking oil in restaurants. My idea was great but required big capital investments. I then transitioned to writing business plans as a service as by then I had already written a number of them when seeking funds for the cooking oil filtration services.
In marketing for the business I discovered digital marketing, this was about 3 years ago. The digital marketing industry is amongst the fastest growing industries in the world and more so in Africa especially that we have caught on the bandwagon a little too late. It’s an industry that is so dynamic and changing every day. It requires creativity and an interest to learn. And so, I naturally fitted in because it compliments me.
KAPA: Having your educational background in a different field, did you find it difficult to follow your passion?
Towela Phiri: Yes and no. Of course transitioning from a medical career to entrepreneurship was frowned upon by many people including those in my circle. But then it wasn’t so difficult to follow my passion because I believe in living my dreams. I tell people to never listen to somebody that hasn’t tried the thing they are telling you to stop. I couldn’t imagine doing work that I didn’t enjoy doing every day of my life. But with digital marketing and entrepreneurship, I can work till the late hours of the night and get up very early and it doesn’t feel like a burden.
Us Embassy
KAPA: Many youths are venturing into entrepreneurship, but it is not an easy road. What would you say to someone who is having a hard time getting his or her venture off the ground?
Towela Phiri: I encourage you to get started with whatever you have, even if it’s just a drawing of a prototype or a couple of items to sell. The problem with many startup entrepreneurs not only in Zambia but worldwide too is that we wait to have everything in place before we start. As a startup entrepreneur, you cannot afford to be a perfectionist. Perfection will come later, things are always changing and growing. You will never feel like you have everything you need to get started. Start with what you have, and take small steps. Then continue to add on and grow from there.
KAPA: Tell us about your company Zedlance, how are you using it to help the youth.
Towela Phiri:ZedLance is an online platform or marketplace that links freelancers or part-time workers with virtual jobs. Virtual jobs are jobs that do not require one’s physical presence to do them. For example typing, proof reading, editing, web design, app design, graphic design, motion graphics, etc.
The reason I set up ZedLance was to help young people make income using their skills online. One of the biggest problems we have in Zambia is unemployment and that provides a lack of income revenue for many. However, each of us has some sort of skill(s) that others are willing to pay for either for lack of it or for convenience. But the question that comes to mind is. “How and where do I find clients that are willing to pay for my skills?”
This is where ZedLance comes in, it works in the form of a marketplace, similar to Ebay but for services and allows people to sign up, post jobs and have freelancers bid for these jobs. ZedLance also enables somebody in Nchelenge work with somebody in Siavonga without ever having to meet. We give people the freedom to choose.
KAPA: You were selected to be part of the Mandela Washington fellowship. Tell us what it is about, and what you hope to gain from this experience.
Towela Phiri: The Mandela Washington Fellowship, the flagship program of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), empowers young African leaders through academic coursework, leadership training, and networking opportunities. Fellows come from every country in Sub-Saharan Africa and have established records of accomplishment in promoting innovation and positive change in their organizations and communities. There are three main tracks; business and entrepreneurship; public management and administration; and civic leadership. This fellowship takes place in various universities in the United States and 25 fellows where selected from Zambia for this year’s cohort from over 1000 applications.
I have been attached with 24 other vibrant young Africans at The Kellogg School of Management which was entered into partnership with the Program of African Studies at Northwestern University in Evanston, just a few kilometers north of Chicago, Illinois. Highlights of this year’s program include: academic courses focusing on new venture formation taught by faculty in the Kellogg School of Management; site visits to Chicago businesses and nonprofits, including World Bicycle Relief, World Business Chicago, and 1871; community service, involving mentoring high school students through the Youth Organization Umbrella, Evanston’s Young Entrepreneurship Summer Camp; and cultural activities, such as an architectural boat tour of Chicago, museum visits, concerts, and festivals.
I want to learn how to be an inclusive leader and learn how to combine leadership and diversity with my businesses as well see the examples of companies here that are making things work for them especially in the digital marketing industry.
Northwestern University Fellows
KAPA: This was your 3rd time applying for the fellowship program before you were finally picked. Make made you keep attempting it, when others would have given up.
Towela Phiri: The reason I kept applying is because I believed that if I could try just one more time, I would make it. I first heard of the Mandela Washington Fellowship when I attended one of the free women’s Wednesday sessions at the US embassy here in Zambia. I didn’t know how to apply the first time, I had nobody to help me and I was just starting on my entrepreneurship journey. I knew that there was room for improvement and so the 2nd time around I made it for the interviews but wasn’t successful. I admit that I was heart-broken. I took a short break and started to work on the next round. I had the belief and the determination as well as the help of an awesome 2017 Fellow. The reason I kept applying is because I had already experienced the worst and I really had nothing to lose. But my biggest lesson was to not do it alone. Always find somebody that has succeeded at what you are trying to achieve and seek help with humility and openness to learn.
KAPA: When you return from the fellowship what do you plan on doing?
Towela Phiri: My plan when I get back firstly is to officially launch ZedLance. My team of 3 and I have already done testing and pre-marketing and currently working on a few technical things. Secondly, I plan to add more E-books on my website www.tpmoments.com and write more articles, blog posts and tips for my Chatbot so that I can share the knowledge gained from the Mandela Washington Fellowship. I also plan to do some speaking events and mentorship sessions especially with those that are just starting out on this journey or are conflicted about believing in their dreams.
KAPA: Any last words…
Towela Phiri: For those that follow my social media channels, they know that my slogan is “Believe in Your Dreams”. Life isn’t meant to be lived doing what you detest. Do it for a while if you must, then start to work on your dreams, whether it is entrepreneurship or not. Will it be hard? …yes. Will it be difficult? …yes. Is it impossible? …no.
An immediate return to the Premier League is absolutely vital for Swansea City after they suffered the ignominy of relegation last season and, if reports are to be believed, new manager Graham Potter is going hell for leather to assemble a squad capable of achieving exactly that.
A vast array of names have been linked with moves to the Liberty Stadium in recent weeks, with KV Oostende’s Zinho Gano one to catch many headlines in recent days.
Both the Swans and Stoke City were believed to be in talks with the Belgian Pro League side over a potential transfer for their forward, but it now appears that the Swans were, in fact, targeting his teammate, Emmanuel Banda.
The 20-year-old Zambian central midfielder only joined the club from Portuguese side S.C. Esmoriz in 2017, but it has now been reported that he could already be set for a big move and a big step up in south Wales.
Banda played in just 16 of his side’s 38 league fixtures last season, but it’s remarkable to note what an impact he was able to make at such a young age.
A traditional box-to-box midfielder with a sweet left foot, Banda has the ability to contribute at both ends of the field.
His record of 3 goals and 2 assists in so few games was strong anyway but looks even better when considering just how much defensive work he also gets through.
While many Swansea fans may want tried and tested signings that are guaranteed to thrive in the Championship, it can often be the lesser-known signings that are most thrilling to watch prosper.
Banda is almost custom-built for the English game and, should he join, has every chance of becoming a huge fans’ favourite at the Liberty in the coming years.
First Lady Esther Lungu receives donations
The Zambia Diplomatic Spouses Group (ZDSG) at the Zambia High Commission in London on Sunday donated six Sewing Machines to the Esther Lungu Foundation Trust.
According to a statement rleaased to the media by Mrs Abigail Chaponda, First Secretary Press and Public Relations at Zambia High Commission in the United Kingdom, Zambia’s First Lady Esther Lungu received the donation on behalf of the Trust. She expressed her gratitude and described the gesture as noble.
Zambia’s High Commissioner to United Kingdom His Excellency Mr. Muyeba Chikonde’s wife, Musonda handed over the Sewing Machines to Mrs. Lungu in her capacity as Chairperson of the ZDSG on Sunday.
“I am really humbled by what you have done. You went out of your way to donate the sewing machines. A lot of women are going to benefit from this. Thank you very much, may God bless you for this gesture,” said the First Lady.
“We are inspired by your work and thought of making a humble contribution the Ester Lungu Foundation Trust. May God continue blessing you and the Foundation,” replied Mrs Chikonde.
The First Lady was in the United Kingdom to attend the SheTrades Global 2018 where she delivered a keynote speech in her capacity as African Woman Entrepreneurs Program (AWEP) Chairperson. This is in recognition for her commitment towards strong advocacy for women empowerment.
The First Lady is the Founder of the Esther Lungu Foundation Trust. Since assuming her tenure as First Lady in 2015, Mrs. Lungu has utilized her distinguished position to reinforce her passion for uplifting the wellbeing of humanity, which work she has been doing for more than 23 years.
Mrs Lungu has levered her position to focus on the economic empowerment of women living in rural and hard to reach areas. She advocates for the empowerment of women and girls; maternal and child health; and for persons with disabilities.
The First Lady has joined global leaders to press for the elimination gender based violence, child marriages and discrimination against persons with disabilities.
Through her Foundation, Mrs. Lungu is co-financing food processing equipment for women in agriculture; low cost boarding houses for girls education; drilling of boreholes for clean drinking water and assistive devices for children with disabilities.
Mrs. Lungu is a member of the Organization of African First Ladies against HIV and AIDS, she is also a member of the Stop Cervical and Breast Cancer First Ladies Forum, a patron of the Lafarge Foundation in Zambia and also the patron for SOS Children Villages in Zambia.
United Party for National Development (UPND) Vice President Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba has alleged that the the ruling Patritic Front (PF) is the perpetrator of violence and the business that supports the vice.
Reacting to President Edgar Lungu’s statement that he was disappointed that while the PF had persistently called for peace during elections, the UPND leadership was inciting its supporters to retaliate when provoked, GBM challenged the head of state, whom he accused of being the mastermind of the violence, to issue a decree to his supporters instead of playing lip service.
“I think Edgar Lungu doesn’t know what he is talking about. I have been in PF and I know what PF is capable of doing. They are the perpetrators of violence and this panga [machete] business, they are the ones who started this panga business in any political party in this country, only when PF came into power, of course, under the tutorship of the late, my good friend Willy Nsanda, that is when the pangas were introduced. It’s quite foreign, it’s alien to this country, to the Zambian people to use pangas,”
The UPND Vice President said that his party was not encouraging violence but ssaying that that the party members should defend themselves because the UPND have always been on the receiving end.
President Lungu last week said Zambian politics was full of hypocrites who were only interested in taking over power, to which Mr Mwamba said President Lungu was a hypocrite who in one breath condemned violence and in the other quietly funded it.
He further cautioned Zambians against being duped by President Lungu’s public condemnation of violence saying he was in fact the back curtain architect of the vice.
“Edgar is a good actor, only those that do not know him will think that what he says is what he thinks or what he wants to be done, that is not correct. Those of us who know him well know he’s a good actor. In one breath, he will condemn violence and in the other quietly fund it. I have been in PF, I know how they operate; they are the ones instigating violence. They are the ones giving them money and guns so that they can attack us and threaten us,” GBM.
GBM challenged President Lungu to denounce violence with action the way president Levy Mwanawasa did when he was Head of State.
He wondered why President Lungu had been silent when UPND members were attacked but vocal when the trend was reversed.
“Zambians, don’t be duped by Lungu and what he is saying now. In fact, he is the one who is supposed to stop violence. If I may try to remind you all Zambians, when late president Mwanawasa was President, he issued a decree that any of his party members found committing any political crime, that person would be on his own. What is wrong with Edgar doing the same? Why can’t Edgar do that? He is the only one who can stop it.
When I was attacked in Shiwangandu, why didn’t Edgar comment? Why didn’t he say that those who were trying to kill GBM should be arrested?” GBM asked.
“He hasn’t said a word in Chilanga, not too long ago, I was missed by 20 gun shots by his cadres, he never commented. Does he expect us to sit idle? We are not encouraging violence but we are saying that we should defend ourselves. We have always been, as UPND, on the receiving end. If you are UPND and killed today, no one comments, Edgar doesn’t comment but if you are PF today and you are just scratched, the whole Presidency will comment.”
He further noted that President Lungu knew who the perpetrators of violence were and urged him to stop deceiving Zambians. GBM said his party had resorted to defending itself because the police who were sitting on various complaints were being controlled by PF ‘thugs’.
“I think that’s being unfair but Zambians don’t listen to him, he is just a desperate person who wants to hang on to power, to the presidency through violence. It’s not possible that he doesn’t know that his cadres are the one perpetrating violence. In fact, he is the key person, he is the perpetrator of violence. He cannot tell me that he does not know what his people are doing. There are reports which have been opened, except now we feel it’s not important to even report to the police because as long as you are UPND, when you report even a murder case that your uncle or supporter has been murdered, nothing happens.
The PF thugs are literally controlling the police. I think the main culprit in my view is Edgar himself, he is the culprit himself, he is the one who has created this violence in this country; he is the one who has brought violence,” said GBM.
Meanwhile, Unknown people have petrol bombed Republican Progressive Party (RPP) Lusaka Mayoral Aspirant Lesley Chikuse’s Kamwala business place valued at K200, 000. Mr. Chikuse disclosed that a group of young boys set ablaze his business in the early hours yesterday, further noting that that in as much as this may be a set back towards his participation in the mayoral race he will not give up.
Mr. Chikuse has thanked the fire brigade for their quick response despite his loss, adding that they came on the scene shortly after being informed.
FILE: Part of the huge crowd that attended a mega rally which was addressed by President Edgar Lungu at Kasama Golf Course to woo voters ahead of the August 11 general election in Kasama today. .-picture by Mary Bwembya (ZANIS)
A group of ordinary Zambian citizens gathered at Lusaka’s Kapingila house on Friday 29th June for an all too unusual reason – to examine the state of the nation. The public meeting, titled Kwatha which loosely translates to “no more!” or “enough is enough”, was designed to raise unaddressed issues that directly impact Zambian lives. The town-hall or indaba style conversation was an important step towards a more engaged public. It allowed citizens to make their views heard and to connect with others around common challenges and possible solutions. In doing so, it follows the direction of the Oasis Forum public discussion held at the same venue in March of this year. The gathering consisted of open discussion punctuated by musical calls to action from female Zambian musicians and community groups.
Events like this are an important expression of the power citizens have to improve our own lives by identifying issues and articulating solutions to implement in partnership with our elected representatives. Zambia’s citizens however, have a reputation for passiveness, often disguised as peacefulness: The individual approach to civic affairs so far has been to stay out of public life until an extreme situation calls for event-based action, such as the protests to curb over-extensions of presidential terms. and to leave more consistent oversight of national affairs to politicians, activists and donor partners. These discussions are a break from that trend, towards the ongoing community engagement that Zambia sorely needs. They are one way to put into action the ideal of democracy – government by the people, and they indicate a realization that governing requires more than casting a haphazard vote every few years. In a functioning democracy, the people exercise their power by remaining involved in all levels of government – contributing ideas, helping to implement them and holding officials to account on the nation’s interests and ideals.
Kwatha was organized by Zambian women and chaired by the Alliance for Community Action (ACA)’s Laura Miti, who emphasized the apolitical agenda of the discussion. “This meeting is a not a political meeting, it is open to every citizen in the nation who is tired of seeing Zambia not moving forward. Are we happy or not with the state of our nation?” Of note is the primacy of women in leading not only the event – organized and largely attended by women, with a fair showing of men and youth – but also in modelling civic voice for the rest of the country. NGOCC Chairperson Sara Longwe spoke early in the meeting about the important role women play in community life and leadership, and her reflections are borne out by recent examples of other notable women leaders speaking up and acting on issues of national concern, such as the former Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) President Linda Kasonde’s brave defense of judicial independence. and the spotlight on grand corruption shined by the Finance Intelligence Centre (FIC) led by Mary Tshuma.
Governance issues like those listed above perpetuate many of the development challenges the country is grappling with, requiring government and citizens alike to take corrective action. Poverty and unemployment, ignorance and disease, debt and corruption do not just disappear if ignored long enough, and nobody has the privilege of relying on others to solve them. The false distinction between government and citizens – the notion of “them” and “us – is eroded by civic engagement. In Ms. Miti’s words – “Change, in Zambia, will start with citizens articulating to each other why we need that change, then acting to achieve it.” Greater public participation does not however absolve public officials of their responsibilities, it should in fact heighten their accountability and sense of responsibility – “If Zambia is to go forward as a nation, the ones in authority should look at the problems of the less privileged before looking at the affairs of the ones on top.”
Friday’s discussion centered on service delivery and standards of living. Following introductions, attendees listed in turn the problems in their respective communities. Recurring concerns were water and sanitation issues and low quality of education and health facilities, with corruption identified as contributing to the breakdown of these services. Rising crime, partly related to the recent government crackdown on street vending cutting off many youthful traders’ incomes, was also highlighted as a community concern. The emerging theme that elected representatives and would-be representatives should take note of, was that Zambians want simply to live a safe and decent life, but this remains out of reach for the majority. Attendees also expressed an increased willingness to be involved in pursuing this goal, phrased by young contributors as coming together to devise solutions for communities and officials to take forward.
The emphasis on service delivery shines a spotlight on local government just as the Lusaka mayoral election ramps up – it will be interesting to hear what concrete plans candidates put forward to improve sanitation, schools and health facilities. It will also be interesting to see how Lusaka residents vote – in line with these concerns and our own best interest, or in patterns that incentivize detachment, failure and neglect from our representatives. Continued public dialogues such as the Kwatha meeting would indicate that Zambians are indeed finding our voice. Hopefully our votes and our actions will follow.
Muna Ngenda is an African Development strategist concerned with helping ‘the people’ exercise their power. His work focuses on transforming African economies through regional industry and re-creating African politics through civic education. He is a Chevening Scholar, a graduate of the London School of Economics and Political Science, and founder of Indaba Africa.
LUAPULA Province Minister Nickson ChilangwaGovernment says it is doing everything possible to ensure that works for the construction of the District Center in Lunga District in Luapula province are completed on time.
Luapula Province Minister Nickson Chilangwa says as contractors engaged earlier had resumed works works on the works, he stated that government wants to see works progress to another level before the end of the year.
The Provincial Minister said government is aware of the urgent need for infrastructure in the district and that will do everything possible to ensure that something is done.
ZANIS reports that the Luapula Province Minister said this yesterday during the Musubilwa Mpemba Traditional Ceremony of the Unga People of Lunga District.
He also disclosed that funds for the clearing of water channels in the district have already been released and that government will ensure that the channels are cleared.
Mr Chilangwa has since called on the people in the district to support government projects aimed uplifting the welfare of the people.
He cited projects like coming up with a longer fishing ban period as one that needs support from both the chiefs and the people, saying allowing the fish to breed is the only way that people can benefit from it.
Mr Chilangwa also called on chiefs not to delay in giving land to investors when called upon saying projects that come in the province are for the benefit of the people.
And Senior Chief Kalimankonde of the Unga People has called on government to put up Communication Towers that have internet in the area.
Speaking through Musubilwa Mpemba Lunga District Organising Committee Chairperson Borniface Mwelwa, the Senior Chief says towers in the area have no internet connectivity facility and only work during the day.
He wondered how the area can be connected to towers without internet and only work during the day when people communicate at any time.
The Senior Chief has since appealed to government to come with good strategies that will ensure that nature is conserved in the area.
Senior Chief Nkula with Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary Jobbicks Kalumba
Community Forest Management Groups (CFMGs) in three districts of Muchinga Province have signed an agreement with Government to promote communal control, use and management of forests.
The three districts that have signed the deal include selected community groups in Shiwang`andu, Chinsali and Nakonde districts, respectively.
Provincial Minister Jobbicks Kalumba who graced the signing ning ceremony expressed his s delight at the move adding that Community groups have now been given the obligation to control community forests and described it as a best form of decentralisation.
The Decentralized Forest and Other Natural Resources Management Project (DFNRMP) that has achieved Community forests control is an introductory project which has been undertaken in collaboration with the Government of Zambia and Government of Finland.
The programme is meant to contribute to the reduction of poverty, as well as contributing to improvement of sustainable forests and other natural resources management.
Dr. Kalumba said that the provincial administration looks forward to all sectors in the province to continue supporting the project activities as soon as support from the Government of Finland ends this June.
He has urged the Department of Forest to ensure that, the Project is extended to all parts of the province.
The DFNRMP sustainability plan of working through the Local level structures such as the Council and the District Development Coordinating Committee (DDCC) will facilitate the formation of more Community Forestry Management Groups.
The PS however, has lamented that out of the 33, 190 hectors of land covered by the new Community Forest agreements in Zambia Muchinga Province only has 2, 579 while the rest is in North-western Province.
Dr. Kalumba has also appealed to Finland government to consider extending the programme to include other districts in Muchinga Province and also extend the programme duration to two more years.
And the Ambassador of Finland Timo Olkkonen who was represented by Elizabeth Njlovu said that the Government of Finland and Zambia have been cooperating partners for 50 years in development of Forest Management.
Mr. Olkkonen said that the Government of Finland funded the project to offer pilot community management Forests under the statutory Instrument No. 11 of 2018.
In a speech read on his behalf by an Advisor to the Finland embassy Elizabeth Ndlouvu, Mr. Olkkonen said that the statutory instrument enables local communities to gain rights to control access and use their surrounding forests and benefit economically, adding that the fight of deforestation is now in the hands of the Community Forest groups.
Meanwhile, Acting Director of Forestry, Wiseman Sangulube has thanked Traditional Leaders for supporting the project by allocating land towards the project.
Mr. Sangulube has also thanked the Finish Government for being a leading partner in Forest management.
Traditional Leaders from the three districts the Senior Chief Nkula, Chieftainess Waitwika , Chief Nkweto, and Chief Mumba, also witnessed the Signing Ceremony which was held at Chief Mukwikile`s Palace on Friday.
Vice President At The 31st Heads Of States And Government Summit In Nouakchott,Mauritania. Pictures By Kunda Mando
Vice President INONGE WINA has called on Africa to remain united and focused to help attain a position on the United Nations Security Council.
Mrs. WINA says this will help promote the common position for reforms on the UN Security Council.
The Vice President was speaking when she attended the meeting of the committee of ten ( C10 ) on the United Nations Security Council Reform in Nouakchott, Mauritania.
The C10 comprises of Zambia, Libya, Namibia, Kenya, Senegal, Equatorial Guinea, Uganda, Algeria, Sierra Leonne and Congo, respectively.
And Mrs. WINA said that UN security council needs to adapt to the changing environment.
She said that there is need to eliminate all the misconceptions that Africa is not speaking with one voice.
All the members of the committee called for increased levels of engagement from ministerial to presidential levels and come up with powerful strategies to demand a position on the council.
Later, Mrs. Wina attended a dinner in honour of the Heads of states by Mauritania President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz.
Vice President At The 31st Heads Of States And Government Summit In Nouakchott,Mauritania. Pictures By Kunda Mando
In Another development, Vice President INONGE WINA has called on African countries to take the bold decision to adhere to the quota system regarding the involvement of women in Leadership.
Mrs. WINA says it is imperative to strengthen political will by way of being more action oriented.
The Vice President was speaking today, during a JOINT AU -EU High Level Side Event under the theme “Women in Power”.
The Side Event was chaired by Rwandan President PAUL KAGAME.
Mrs. WINA says capacity building towards empowering women should now be directed to more practical implementation.
She challenged the Africa Union, to ensure member states are peer reviewed on the activities they are undertaking towards women empowerment.
Mrs. WINA also challenged member states that condemn girls who fall pregnant by not allowing them to go back to school to be peer reviewed because this practice must stop.
MEANWHILE, Mrs WINA says Zambia has done tremendous work in trying to achieve gender parity by deploying an all-female peace keeping contingent in the Central African Republic.
She said that this move has since been acknowledged and appreciated by the international community as being a progressive and productive peace keeping initiative.
The Vice President also highlighted that empowering the girl child through the Girls Education and Women Empowerment Livelihood (GEWEL), which is aimed at facilitating the re-entry in to school for girls who drop out of school because of pregnancy, as one of Government’s progressive interventions.
She said that education must be a universal right for every girl.
Earlier, Rwanda’s President PAUL KAGAME said that there is need for everyone to change their mindsets for the continent to enhance women empowerment.
Meanwhile, the EU Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development NEVEN MIMICA said that 5 hundred million Euros has been set aside to help empower now
