Upcoming singer Candiwe released the video for her song “Not anymore“.
The video was directed by Chichi Ice of TripTronic Media
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Reduction in Maize Production Triggers Hunger Warning-JCTR
Press Release 14th June, 2018.
Climate change is a significant developmental challenge both globally and locally. It puts at risk efforts aimed at reducing poverty and stifles progress towards the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals. The effects of climate change include changes in the levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide and ground-level ozone concentrations.
They also include changes in average temperatures and rainfall patterns. Zambia is not spared from the impact of climate change. In recent years Zambia has continued to experience droughts, seasonal floods and flush floods, extreme temperatures and dry spells. The Agriculture sector, particularly crop farming is the most affected sector in Zambia as it depends on rainfall due to the country’s limited irrigation capacity. Any significant changes in agriculture production inevitably have a bearing on the country’s economy given that the agriculture sector contributes 18 – 20% of GDP and employs 70% of the labour force, most of which are women and children.
According to the latest crop forecast survey released by the Ministry of Agriculture, Zambia is expected to record about 2,394,907 metric tonnes of maize in the 2017-2018 agricultural season, representing 33.9% decline from last year’s record bumper harvest of 3,606,549 tonnes. This means that Zambia has failed to produce over three million metric tonnes of maize for the first time in three years, making this year’s harvest the lowest since the 2014-2015 season when the country produced 2,618,221 tonnes of maize.
The reduction in the total maize production and yields for the 2017-2018 season, is largely due to the prolonged dry spells that were experienced between November 2017 and January 2018. This may adversely affect the price of the staple food and consequently increase the cost of living that in the last two months has showed stability, if not well managed.
The May 2018 JCTR Basic Needs Basket (BNB) for a family of five living in Lusaka stood at K5,369 which was K64 less than the April BNB which stood at K5,433. The most significant reduction was noted in Kapenta which decreased by K13 from K182 in April to K169 in May per kg. Vegetables reduced by K8 from K16 in April to K8 in May per kg. Tomatoes decreased by K7 from K17 in April to K10 in May per kg. The reduction in the prices of the commodities was influenced by increased supply on the market.
In the light of the latest crop forecast survey projecting the reduction of maize production in the 2017-2018 agricultural season, we forecast a rise in the cost of Mealie meal which will inevitably affect the costs of other essential commodities and services. The JCTR urges government to begin to prepare now on how it is going to address this rise in the cost of mealie meal. As the adage says, to be forewarned is to be forearmed. The crop forecast survey by the Ministry of Agriculture should serve its purpose of helping the nation manage the maize output reduction. We expect the government and its agencies to demonstrate leadership in this preparedness to avert unnecessary suffering during the lean months.
Poland courts African President’s for Climate Change Conference
Poland has reaffirmed its call for African Heads of State and government to attend the Climate Change conference slated for the exotic city of Katowice in about five months town.
This is according to a press statement rlelased to the media by Kellys Kaunda, Zambia’s First Secretary for Press and Public Relations at the Embassy in Berlin, Germany
Making the clarion call to Ambassadors from African countries, accredited to Poland, Minister of Foreign Affairs for Poland Mr Jacek Czapatowicz said the climate indaba or conference, otherwise known as COP24 will gain more traction if Presidents attended.
“We want to use this opportunity to encourage you to invite the Presidents to attend the COP 24 in November,” Mr Czapatowicz said, “it is a very important meeting and we look forward to hosting the Presidents in Katowice.”
This is according to statement issued by First Secretary Press and Public Relations Kellys Kaunda in Warsaw where Mr Mukwita is attending the meeting as none resident Ambassador to Poland along with 16 other Ambassadors.
Ambassadors from Kenya and Namibia told the meeting held at the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters on Szucha street that President Uhuru Kenyatta and President Hage Geingob had already officially confirmed participation to the crucial conference.
Zambia has already started receiving financial resources for mitigating the effects of Climate Change while President Edgar Lungu has personally escalated the planting of one million trees as part of fighting the adverse effects of Climate change.
Ambassador Mukwita could not state for a fact whether President Lungu who has shown full commitment to fight the adverse effects of climate change would attend the high-level UN meeting along with counterparts such as President Geingob and President Kenyatta.
“It would be great though if our President attended given the open show of determination to fight the adverse effects of climate change which he has ably demonstrated at Presidential level recently,” said Ambassador Mukwita.
Every year, the Minister of Foreign Affairs holds high level meetings with Ambassadors accredited to Poland to discuss economic diplomacy and developmental issues.
Ambassador Mukwita was attending the meeting for the first time since he presented his credentials to President Andrzej Duda in April.
Zambia is currently discussing a $100 million government-to-government package to establish a tractor factory that will create 500 jobs, help reduce poverty and escalate agriculture production for Zambia through mechanised farming with URSUS, a Polish company that manufactures tractors and buses, among its many products.
President Lungu stated in the 7th National Development Plan that the project was vital in his continued fight to reduce poverty and develop Zambia.
In May, Ambassador Mukwita re-ignited the discussion on the tractor plant project, which Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland Mr Czapatowicz said is “active” on the desk of Finance currently.
President Lungu is determined to fight poverty through agriculture and make Zambia the grain basket of the sub Saharan region given its advantageous position as land linked surrounded by eight countries.
“The realisation of the tractor factory apart from creating 500 new direct jobs will mean a whole new set up of skills development and a future for the young through agriculture for us,” said Ambassador Mukwita.
Chief Lubunda Summons Police, DC over increasing accidents and lack of road signage on new roads
A traditional leader in Mwense district in Luapula province has expressed concern over the increasing number of road traffic accidents along Mansa – Nchelenge road.
Chief Lubunda of the Chishinga speaking people of Mwense aired his concern when he summoned Mwense District Commissioner, the Council Chairperson and Mwense police officer in charge at his palace yesterday.
The Traditional Leader has also attributed the increase in the number of accidents on the road to lack of road signs and bad state of the road.
He wondered why the road was constructed without road signs and has since requested the local authority to ensure that the road is properly marked.
Chief Lubunda also called for the relevant authorities to work on the potholes which have developed a long road.
He said if not repaired quickly the road will become impassable and many lives will be lost through accidents.
Meanwhile, the council chairperson Richard Kafwanka said his office has already communicated with the Road Development Agency (RDA) about the matter but that no feedback has been given so far.
He however promised that his office will once again liaise with RDA to ensure that the problem is addressed as soon as possible
Embrace people living with albinism-Chiti
Government has expressed its commitment towards improving the welfare of the vulnerable in the country through promotion of initiatives aimed at protecting and promoting their rights.
Northern Province Minister, Brian Mundubile said government aims to see that the marginalized in society have meaningful and productive lives despite their challenges.
Mr. Mundubile said this in a speech read on his behalf by Northern Province Deputy Permanent Secretary, Boniface Mbuzi during the commemoration of the International Albinism Awareness day in Kasama.
He said there is need to increase awareness and understanding of vulnerable citizens such as those with albinism in order to fight against global discrimination and stigma.
The Minister explained that government will continue to provide policy guidance and ensure that the welfare of vulnerable groups is taken care of.
He urged stakeholders and communities to reach out to the marginalized in society and ensure that no one is left behind in the national developmental agenda.
And speaking at the same function, Albino Foundation Executive Director, John Chiti expressed sadness with the increase of discrimination and stigma of people living with albinism in the province.
Mr. Chiti said there is need to put in place measures that will protect people living with albinism against discrimination and stigma.
Meanwhile, Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD) Provincial Coordinator Raphael Kamfwa challenged communities to embrace people living with disabilities.
Mr. Kamfwa urged communities to be progressive by appreciating the strengths and challenges that the vulnerable face in society.
The International Albinism Awareness day was commemorated under the Theme ‘Zambia for all, leave no one behind’.
Government reiterates commitment to improve health workers conditions
Government has reiterated its commitment to improve conditions of service for health workers in the country.
Central Province Minister, Sydney Mushanga says this is because government wants to enhance quality health delivery to everyone in all corners of the country.
Mr. Mushanga said it is for this reason that government is improving working environments, constructing more health facilities and rehabilitating old ones while equipping all health hospitals and clinics with appropriate equipment.
The Minister was speaking in a speech read for him by Assistant Secretary, Mwape Kasanda, when he officially opened the fourth Quadrennial Conference for the Health Workers Union of Zambia in Kabwe yesterday.
Mr. Mushanga further called on the workers union to work closely with government in order to enhance quality health delivery to the citizenry.
He also called on the union leadership to adhere to worker education obligations to enhance competent human resource in the health sector.
Speaking at the same function, Deputy Secretary General for the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions, Elaston Njobvu, thanked government for making remarkable strides in improving the health sector and welfare of health workers.
M.r Njobvu said the economy of the country can only grow if it is managed by healthy citizens.
He also appealed to the government to invest more resources in human resource and equipment so that the health sector can have more competent workers capable of conducting specialized treatment.
And Outgoing President for the Health Workers Union of Zambia, Lambwe Kabelenga, said decent work was vital for a healthy nation.
Ms Kabelenga said there is need to grow the economy for sustainable jobs in the health sector.
The Fourth Quadrennial Conference for the Health Workers Union is being held under the theme “A healthy nation is a productive nation.’
HH says he has information that President Lungu wants to kill him
United Party for National Development (UPND) Leader Hakainde Hichilema has claimed that President Edgar Lungu is still after his life.
Addressing journalists in Lusaka, Mr.Hichilema claims to have intelligence information suggesting that President Lungu regrets not having killed him while in detention.
And Mr Hichilema said that he will apply for a police permit to hold a peaceful protest against what he has termed as wanton corruption in the PF Government.
Mr Hichilema said that he will follow the law as prescribed under the Public Order Act to apply for a permit.
The UPND leader has since called on Zambians to join him during the protest saying it is their money that is being stolen by the PF administration.
Mr Hichilema has further called on the PF Government to stop harassing Financial Intelligence Centre Director General, Mary Tshuma for sharing the 2017 financing trends report with the public.
Mr Hichilema said that, according to the investigations carried by his party, the law enforcement agencies were furnished with the report three months before it was made public.
And Mr. Hichilema said that if given a chance to govern the nation, he will end political violence within 30 days of coming to power.
Mr. Hichilema said that political violence has persisted in the country because President Lungu has tolerated the scourge.
Meanwhile the UPND Leader has proposed that the constitution be changed so that in an event an elected officer such as a Member of Parliament, Mayor, Council Chairperson or Councilor dies, the person who came out second should take over to avoid wasting resources through by-elections.
Mbala to host Centenary Celebrations to mark the end of the First World War
Chief Luchembe of the Bemba speaking people in Muchinga Province told ZANIS in Mbala district, that making the centenary celebrations a national event will help people within and outside the country know more about the World War.
He explained that most people in the country do not know that Mbala district is an important historic destination where the First World War ended in 1918.
The Traditional leaders said the commemoration which will mark 100 years of the end of First World War will help the country and the world at large to share information on what happened during the World War.
He has called on authorities to ensure that the event is well organised in order to make it a success.
Meanwhile, Chieftainess Kawaza of the Chewa speaking people of Katete and Sinda districts said the commemoration of the Centenary will help unveil the national resources and the historical sites that Mbala district is endowed with.
She has since called on Zambians to turn up in large numbers and get first-hand information on the end of the First World War.
Mbala district in Northern Province will this year host Centenary Celebrations to mark the end of the First World War slated for 25th November, 2018 under the theme ‘ Unlocking the tourism and investment potential of Northern Province 100 years after the end of the 1st World War’’.
Zambia to receive a US$10 million cash injection from Germany for refugee support
Zambia will receive a US$10 million cash injection from the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) to be used for improving water and sanitation challenges for refugees fleeing conflicts from countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, said Ambassador Anthony Mukwita.
Mr. Mukwita was speaking shortly after meeting top officials from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development led by Mr. Alois Schneider when they paid a courtesy call on him at the Zambian mission in Berlin on Wednesday.
This is according to a statement issued by First Secretary for Press and Public Relations Kellys Kaunda who described the meeting that covered various socio-economic and diplomatic issues as successful.
“This was the first time Ambassador Mukwita was officially engaging the Federal Ministry in charge of Economic Cooperation and Development since he assumed office in 2017 and in our view lots of ground was covered,” read the statement in part.
Ambassador Mukwita said the financial resources from the Economic Cooperation Ministry also known by its German acronym BMZ, “shall go a long way in alleviating the poverty status of refugees in Zambia following a call for international help by President Edgar Lungu earlier in the year when the country received a sudden influx of 10,000 refugees most of them women and Children.”
The Zambian envoy said, “it is our understanding that this generous gift from the Federal government shall be channeled through UNICEF, the United Nations Fund for children and we would be right to call it a God-sent from Germany.”
The German delegation to the Zambian Embassy, at the behest of Ambassador Mukwita, was led by the Head of Division Southern Africa: South Africa, Mr. Alois Schneider, Ms. Heike Porksen and Senior Policy Officer Christoph Ritz.
“The money should be released for refugee support purposes to Zambia through UNICEF before the end of the year,” Ms. Porksen said, “the beneficiaries will not only be refugees but people in the areas that host refugees and this is a very important fact to bear in mind. The clean water shall be shared equally between refugees and the local community.”
President Lungu and First Lady Esther Lungu have personally made persistent calls to the international community to help lift up the adverse livelihoods of refugees fleeing conflicts in their countries and finding refuge in Zambia.
In 2015, Germany received global plaudits by responding to a refugee crisis in Europe by accepting some 1 million refugees when other European countries shunned them, a move the Zambian diplomat hailed as generous and outstanding.
Zambia has enjoyed relations with Germany both politically and diplomatically for over four decades now and Ambassador Mukwita said he intends to escalate and grow this relationship in order to make it beneficial for Zambia.
This is not the first time Germany is being generous to Zambia, as earlier in the year the largest economy in Europe donated more than 600,000 euros at the height of the conflict in Congo.
Scrutinise mayoral candidates political parties urged
The Integrated Community Anti-Litter Initiative ICALI has advised political parties taking part in the Lusaka Mayoral by election to adopt candidates who will contribute to the modernization of Lusaka into a smart city.
Mr Chikumbi says the association wants to see a candidate who will deliver on the foundation laid by government of promoting the make Zambia clean, green and healthy.
He appealed to political parties to scrutinize respective candidates trying to occupy the position of Lusaka Mayor.
Mr Chikumbi said the incoming Mayor should demonstrate capacity and ability to coordinate with all councilors in order to actualise the make Zambia clean, green and healthy campaign.
He noted that currently Luska is battling with indiscriminate disposal of solid waste.
He noted that the position of Mayor is key in coordinating programmes aimed at beautifying the city.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia set Tuesday 26th July as the date for the mayoral elections in Lusaka and Council Chairpersons elections in Chasefu, Chipangali, Kasenegwa, Lumezi, Lusangazi and Chifunabuli district.
The mayoral elections in Lusaka were necessitated following the death of former mayor Wilson Chisala Kalumba.
President Lungu is off to Kenya as Amos Chanda says he never received the FIC report
President Edgar Lungu has this afternoon left for a private visit to Kenya at the invitation of his counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta. According to his Special Assistant for Press and Private relations Amos Chanda, the president is expected to be back over the weekend.
Meanwhile, Mr Amos Chanda told journalists at the Airport that the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) has not submitted its report to the office of the President and that the President only heard of the report on Social media. Mr Chanda said that the 2017 Trends Report was instead rendered to civil society and member of the general public.
“No such reports have been given to him by the Auditor General’s office, Zambia Revenue Authority, or any law enforcement agencies,” Chanda said. “…the FIC Report was not even given to the supervising ministry, Ministry of Finance.”
Mr Chanda said that President Lungu said that he regrets that particular details of the FIC findings are with civil society and that heads of civil society boasted at a public forum held at Kapingila House in Lusaka on Wednesday, that the would embark on a “name and shame” campaign as details of the investigations of the financial crimes were given to them.
Mr Chanda further said that the president was not aware that public money was lost due to tax evasion, fraud, theft and corruption as no such reports have been given to him by the Auditors General’s office, Zambia Revenue Authority, or any law enforcement agencies., and that the FIC Report was not even given to the supervising ministry, the Ministry of Finance.
Mr Chanda further said that it was unfair for civil society to place a burden on the president to act on a report that he has never seen or been submitted to him.
Mr Chanda said that, if the report was meant to be given to law enforcement agencies and competent authorities for action, it could have been given, but added that maybe the sole purpose of rendering the Report to the public, was to cause embarrassment to government, whose purpose has since been achieved.
The Financial Intelligence Act of 2010 (as amended in 2016), directs the FIC Director to submit the report to law enforcement agencies and competent authorities such the Zambia Revenue Authority, Minister of Finance and the Head of State.
The 2017 Trends Report, was launched at Radison Blue by Attorney General Likando Kalaluka as Chairperson of the Anti-Money laundering Authority and FIC Director, Mary Chirwa-Tshuma.
Government adopts integrated approach to settle refugees
Luapula Province Permanent Secretary Dr. Buleti Nsemukila says the integrated approach which has been adopted in settling refugees at Matapala Settlement camp will promote co-existence between the host community and refugees.
Dr. Nsemukila points out that government is making sure that the host community is not disadvantaged in anyway even as it hosts refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Speaking when a team from the Zambia Human Rights Commission paid a courtesy call on him, The Permanent Secretary explained that facilities like clinics and schools which are been put up at the settlement camp will cater for both the local community and refugees.
He indicated that government wants to see to it that there is equality among the host community and the Asylum seekers by making sure that they both have access to social services and other human needs.
And Human Rights Commission Chairperson Mudford Mwandenga says the Commission is impressed with how government is handling the refugees at Matapala resettlement.
He explains that from the tour of Matapala resettlement which the commission had, it is clear that the process of resettling the refugees is progressing well.
Mr. Mwandenga has however appealed to government to ensure that the local people are not displaced even as it is settling the asylum seekers.