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The Non-Governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has congratulated the two major political parties the Patriotic Front (PF) and the United Party for National Development (UPND) for adopting women as candidates in the forthcoming Chilanga Parliamentary by election slated for June 6th 2018.
The Patriotic Front has adopted Ms. Maria Langa while the UPND has adopted Ms. Charmaine Musonda as candidates for the by election.
In a press statement released to the media NGOCC chairperson Sara Longwe said the women’s movement have been deeply concerned by the systematic discrimination of women from participating in decision making, especially politics. Mrs Sara Longwe said the NGOCC is therefore elated that the two major political parties have adopted women as candidates.
She added that NGOCC is hopeful that the number of women will increase in Parliament after this By-Election.
Mrs Longwe called upon all the participating political parties to conduct issue-based politics, devoid of character assassination and violence as the campaigns kick-start in Chilanga. She said political parties should compete on the basis of ideologies and not character assassination or violence.
President Lungu with First Lady Esther Lungu during the State Banquet Hosted in honour of the Visiting Angolan President Joáo Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço at Pamodzi Hotel in Lusaka on Wednesday,May 2,2018 -Pictures by THOMAS NSAMA
President Edgar Lungu has reaffirmed government’s commitment to further consolidate the relations and cooperation between Zambia and Angola through continued political engagement and enhanced economic cooperation.
President Lungu has expressed confidence that the two countries will take advantage of the vast opportunities in different sectors to fulfil their bilateral development objectives whose ultimate purpose is to uplift the livelihoods of the two people.
The President said this during a state banquet he hosted for his Angolan counterpart Joao Lourenco and his wife Dr. Ana Afonso Dias Lourenco.
He urged the Angolan government to continue taking full advantage of Zambia’s vast and diverse investment opportunities as the two countries seek better and more innovative ideas to secure the future of the region and the continent at large.
First Lady Esther Lungu with visiting First Lady Angolan First Lady with Former First Ladies Dr Christine Kaseba and Vera Chiluba during the State Banquet Hosted in honour of the Visiting Angolan President at Pamodzi Hotel in Lusaka on Wednesday,May 2,2018 -Pictures by THOMAS NSAMA
The Head of State stated that Zambia attaches great importance to its relations with that country saying that not only historical ties but also the immense potential that lies in the two countries to compliment and contribute to each other’s development.
“I am now happy to announce today that Zambia and Angola have signed a number of agreements including one which will abolish visa requirements for persons with ordinary passports,” he said.
He explained that the move will facilitate free movement of people and enhance trade and investment in line with the continental and bilateral agenda.
President Lungu said Zambia and Angola remains committed to upholding peace, security and stability in the region and the African continent.
He noted that this is because the two countries believe that sustainable development can only be achieved in a peaceful environment.
The President said as a current member of the SADC organ Troika, and AU peace and Security Council, the two governments have an obligation to continue to strive towards the emerging political and security challenges in the region.
He said the two countries should continue to build on the momentum of the existing cooperation as a bilateral, regional and multilateral levels to ensure that the continental agenda for a more developed, peaceful and prosperous Africa is successfully attained.
And President Joao Lourenco said it is important for the two countries to explore sectors where the two countries’ economies can complement each other.
The Angolan Leader said this can be done by seeking solutions to satisfy the reciprocal needs through the trade of diverse products which instead of importing them from distant parts of the region or continent can be transacted with the obvious advantage at the level of the two economies.
President Lourenco has called on the business community from the two countries to develop a proactive and reactive attitude in the framework of relations between the two countries.
He urged the Angolan business community to partner with the Zambian business community to develop businesses in diverse areas such as road, transport, agriculture, tourism which will see an increase in the supply of goods and services between the two countries
The Angolan President added that the move will in turn see an increase in job creation in the two countries.
President Lungu toasts Angolan President Joáo Lourenço and his wife
SEVEN Zambians have graduated from the Trade Academy in Stockholm, Sweden under the auspices of the National Board of Trade (NBT). The NBT is a Swedish governmental agency responsible for issues relating to foreign trade, internal market and trade policy.
The seven Zambians who included Mr Mwamina Ngwale and Mr Gilbert Chisenga from Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry (MCTI); Mr James Mulenga from Mulungushi University; Mrs. Edna Kabala–Litana from the Copperbelt University, and Mr Josephat Nchungo; Mr Haggai Kanenga and Mr Wisdom Kaleng’a from the University of Zambia, have successfully completed their programme at Sweden’s elite Trade Academy. This was an intensive training on advanced Trade Policy conducted across three sessions which ran from October 2017 to April, 2018 in Stockholm, and a mentorship phase which was conducted in Zambia.
Trade Academy offers comprehensive and forward-looking knowledge in analysing, formulating and implementing trade policy. The course is aimed at contributing to the development of a critical mass and increasing the capacity of trade policy experts who will be able to drive trade policy in their respective countries.
The course drew participants from ten countries which included Zambia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Lebanon. Others were from Bangladesh, Jordan, Georgia, Bolivia, and Ecuador. These constituted the second unit of the Trade Academy which was initially designed to target civil servants and evolved to add an academic dimension due to the recognition that universities played a critical role in trade policy through, for instance, training the necessary human resource which eventually serve in the public and private sectors as well as civil society.
It is in this regard that the five of the seven were lecturers drawn from the three public universities in Zambia with the specific objective of exposing them to the Trade Academy as well as the tailor-made Train the Trainer Programmes which focused on providing insights on modern and learner based teaching methodologies necessary for shaping the future of trade policy through the respective courses offered at the three universities.
The graduation ceremony officiated by the Director for Development Cooperation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sweden, Mr. Johannes Oljelund and the Deputy Director of the NBT, Mr. Oscar Wåglund Söderström, took place at the NBT Headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden. In his key note speech, Mr. Oljelund encouraged the participants to build a strong network amongst themselves for a formidable contribution to the future of global trade policy. And in addition, Mr. Söderström urged the graduating cohort to utilise their newly acquired skills to effectively improve trade and trade policy in their respective countries.
Among the invited guests were Zambia’s Ambassador to Sweden, Her Excellency Ms. Rose Salukatula who was accompanied by the First Secretary for Economics and Trade, Ms. Clara Chilupe. Ambassador Salukatula who was elated by the event congratulated the graduates and encouraged them to keep making Zambia proud and contribute to national development through their respective work. She further expressed her gratitude to the government of Sweden for their generosity and support in building technical capacity needed for trade-oriented economic growth in the developing countries represented particularly Zambia.
Issued by:
Nicky Shabolyo
Counsellor
ZAMBIAN EMBASSY IN SWEDEN
His Excellency President Edgar Lungu welcomes his Angolan counterpart President Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco shortly his arrival at Kenneth Kaunda International
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His Excellency President Edgar Lungu and Angolan President Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco watch the traditional dance shortly his arrival at Kenneth Kaunda International
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His Excellency President Edgar Lungu confers with his Angolan counterpart President Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco shortly his arrival at Kenneth Kaunda International
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President of the Republic of Angola, Joáo Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço arrives in Zambia
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President of the Republic of Angola, Joáo Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço arrives in Zambia
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Angolan President Joao Manuel Lourenco lays a wreath at the grave of late former Zambian President Michael Sata at Embassy Park
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Angolan President Joao Manuel Lourenco l at the grave of late former Zambian President Michael Sata at Embassy Park
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Angolan President Joao Manuel Lourenco leaving Embassy Park shortly after laying wreaths
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President Edgar Chagwa Lungu (right) welcomes his visiting Angolan counterpart Joao Goncalves Lourenco at State House
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President Edgar Chagwa Lungu (left) speaks during the bilateral talks with his visiting Angolan counterpart Mr João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço (right)
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President Edgar Chagwa Lungu (centre right) and his visiting Angolan counterpart Joao Manuel Concalves Lourenco (second left) witnesses as Minister of Home Affairs Stephen Kampyongo (right) and Angolan Minister for Interior Angelo De Baross Veiga Tavares signs a visa exemption agreement
First Lady Esther Lungu with Children at University of Zambia after the Autism Awareness walk
First Lady Esther Lungu paid tribute to parents and guardians that are taking care of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Autism Spectrum Disorder is a complex lifelong neuro-developmental disorder that is characterised by a child’s deficit in reciprocal social interaction, communication, and restricted interests.
The First Lady flagged off of the Mulenga Autism Foundation awareness march past under the them under the theme “Understand, Accept, and Love.The First Lady said the theme has come at the time when many parents and the general public need to understand what autism is all about.She said without understanding what autism is, will definitely result in failure to manage the condition.
The First Lady has since called for the need for Zambia to be knowledgeable about autism prevalence because this will ensure that the nation plans for the provision of adequate services to persons with autism.Speaking earlier Mulenga Autism Representative Joseph Kabali said the event is meant to help answer questions by parents on autism.
Mr. Kabali said with early intervention a person with autism can grow up to contribute to the development of the country.
The event is one of the first of its kind in Zambia that showcases how citizens can get involved in the autism community.
First Lady Esther Lungu on Great East road during the Autism Awareness WalkFirst Lady Esther Lungu on Great East road during the Autism Awareness Walk
President Edgar Lungu has called for strengthening of ties between Zambia and Angola in order to foster development for both countries that will benefit the two peoples.
President Lungu notes that the relations between the two countries have been cordial dating back to Angola’s liberation struggle.
ZANIS reports that President Lungu made these remarks this afternoon at Sate House when he held bilateral talks with the visiting Angolan President Joao Lourenco.
The President affirmed that Zambia values the cordial relationship that exist between the two countries further commending Angola for its growing democracy and the successful hosting of that country’s elections.
President Lungu also stated that the two day state visit by the Angolan President is meant to share mutual relations between Zambia and Angola.
And the Angolan President Joao Lorenco said his visit is a sign of the important bond and friendship that exist between Zambia and Angola.
President Lorenco said Angola values the role Zambia played in its liberation struggle and further commended the first republican President Kenneth Kaunda for his role in the liberation of Angola.
He commended Zambia for having opened its doors to not only Angola but other countries in the SADC region.
Meanwhile, Zambia and Angola have signed five Bilateral Agreements in various sectors to enhance the development cooperation between the two countries.
Minister of Home Affairs Steven Kampyongo and Angola’s Minister for Interior Affairs Angelo Tavares signed an agreement for the Visa exemption for ordinary passports to allow nationals to enter either territory.
The Ministers also signed a reciprocal visa exemption on diplomatic and official passports.
The two ministers also signed an agreement in establishing cooperation of security and public order to fight crimes, terrorism and money laundering among others.
And Minister of Finance Margret Mwanakatwe and Angola minister of external relations Manuel Augusto signed an agreement to provide mutual assistance in customs administration in order to prevent, investigate and suppress customs offences.
At the same event, Minister of Agricultural Michael Katambo and Angolan Minister for external relations Manuel Augusto signed a protocol for cooperation aimed at establishing and strengthening bilateral relations in the agricultural sector between the two countries.
The Protocol seeks to enhance cooperation in agro production, agro research, and farm block development, research in livestock production, animal health and tran- boarder diseases control.
Zambia recorded 5,940 cases of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in the first quarter of 2018, figures from the Zambia Police have shown.
The 2018 quarter one figure represents a 0.8 percent increase compared to the 5,464 cases recorded during the first period in 2017.
A total of 645 cases of Child defilement were recorded representing 10.9% of the reported cases out of which 642 cases were against girls while 03 cases were against boys compared to 2017 where 627 cases were recorded indicating an increase by 18 cases or 2.8%.
Lusaka Province recorded the highest number of child defilement cases with 307, Central Province recorded 76 cases followed by Eastern Province with 73 cases, Southern Province had 58 cases and Copperbelt Province recorded 42 cases.
Other Provinces are Luapula with 27 cases, Muchinga, 20, Northern, 15, Western, 15 while North Western Province had 11 cases of child defilement.
The country also recorded 31 cases of indecent Assault of which 20 were female adult victims and 11 were girl victims.
21 GBV related murder cases were recorded countrywide out of which 12 were female adult victims, 06 male adult victims, 01 girl and 02 boys compared to 2017 during the same period where 24 GBV related murder cases were recorded translating to a reduction by 3 cases or 12.5% decrease.
Out of 5,940 GBV cases reported countrywide, 760 cases were taken to court resulting in 109 convictions, 30 acquittals, 69 withdraws and 552 are still pending in various courts of law around the country, 2,748 cases were withdrawn at Police Stations while 2,432 are still under investigations.
Sarovar Premiere Lusaka will open in Lusaka in September.
The hotel is being developed by Neelkanth Group based out of Zambia whose core business lies in steel, lime, copper cables and real estate and will be managed by Sarovar Hotels.
Hotel Managing Director Ajay Bakaya said the hotel would have 82 ‘all-suite’ rooms, each with a balcony, kitchenette, living room, spacious bedroom and bathroom.
In-room facilities include a TV, microwave, tea/coffee maker, juicer and a washing machine.
Sarovar Premiere Lusaka will offer banquet and conference facilities, with the conference venue accommodating up to 500 people.
All-day dining, a bar lounge and an alfresco diner will be available for guests, along with a gym, spa and swimming pool.
Built in elegant designs with all modern facilities, it is the only all-suite hotel in town which will offer the space and comfort of a personal apartment.
“Sarovar Premiere Lusaka is conveniently located at Manda Hill, opposite the Shoprite Mall, in the finest location in Lusaka. Elegant in design, the hotel offers all the modern facilities, and it is the only apartment hotel in town,” says Ajay.
This development marks Sarovar’s presence in the five countries in Africa including Tanzania, Kenya, South Sudan, Ethiopia and Zambia.
Copper Cathodes for exports from Kansanshi mine
Although the growth prospects for Zambia’s mining sector remains positive for this year, amid rising copper prices and improved electricity supply, a worsening regulatory environment may negatively impact on the country’s copper production in the coming years, warns BMI Research.
“We expect Zambian copper production growth to accelerate in the coming months as copper prices and domestic power supplies improve.
On March 20, the Zambian Ministry of Mines announced its targeted copper production levels of more than a million tonnes, up from 755 000 t in 2017,” BMI reports.
BMI expects Zambian copper production growth to average 8% this year, which will amount to production of 815 000 t – up 2% on that produced in 2017.
The primary driver behind rising copper production in Zambia this year will be the positive copper price environment.
Within a generally strong performing industrial metals complex, copper prices have risen more than 21% in the past 12 months –copper being the best performing base metal after nickel.
First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda says he is hopeful that the shared relations that Zambia has with Angola will continue to be strengthened.
Dr Kaunda added that it was gratifying to note that Zambia has continued to share strong ties with Angola.
He said the relationship that the two countries share is real and should be appreciated by all well-meaning Zambians.
Dr Kaunda was speaking when Angolan President Joao Lourenco paid a courtesy call on him at his residence at State lodge this evening.
And Angolan President Joao Lourenco says Angola will continue to hold with high regard the relationship shared between the two peoples.
Mr Lourenco has described the visit to Zambia as important and hoped that the visit will open more avenues for the two countries.
The Angolan President is in Zambia on a two day state visit and is scheduled to visit the Kafue Steel Manufacturing plant tomorrow before flying back to Angola.
Earlier yesterday, Mr Lourenco held bilateral talks with his Zambian counterpart at State house, before attending a business forum at the Government Complex.
The Angolan Head of State was accompanied by his wife, Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Malanji and Labour Minister Joyce Simukoko and other senior government officials from Zambia and Angola.
President Edgar Lungu has reiterated government’s commitment to providing a conducive environment for businesses in the country to thrive.
He said government will continue to formulate policies which will enable private sector development.
The President said this during a Zambia Angola Business Forum at government complex in Lusaka today.
President Lungu stated that there is need for the private sector to thrive by making profits and at the same time empowering local businesses through fostering job creation.
He added that the Patriotic Front (PF)government will ensure that all investment in the country are successful.
The President assured the Angolan business community and Zambian community that investment and business setup in the country is safe and conducive for growth.
Speaking at the same event, Angolan President Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco commended President Lungu on the signed agreement between the two countries as it will enhance trade initiatives.
President Lourenco said entrepreneurs from both countries can interact and contribute to entrepreneurship projects and economic development.
He said there is need for the entrepreneurs to bring about the potential into reality of growing the economy.
The Angolan President underscored the importance of the agriculture, agro , transport and tourism sectors to any economy.
He stated that there is a huge latitude of preferences which the business community can choose from.
President Lourenco added that it is important that both countries concentrate continue on infrastructure development as the main pillar of economic development.
Mr Fresher Siwale and Mr Mike Mulongoti when they went to file a complaint to the Office of the Public Protector about President Lungu’s identify recently.
New Labour Party Leader Fresher Siwale on Wednesday clocked exactly ten days in police custody after he was arrested and later charged with the offence of Defamation of the President.
This was after Mr Siwale and People’s Party President Mike Mulongoti raised questions about the identity and nationality of President Edgar Lungu on a live Prime TV programme.
Mr Siwale had been in detention for over seven days and was only charged on the fourth day after growing public pressure.
However, the state delayed to present him before court and when it did on Wednesday, Mr Siwale could not take plea as the state told the Magistrate that the docket was not ready.
He is due to appear in court on Monday for possible plea after which he may apply for bail.
During his court appearance on Wednesday, Mr Siwale appeared frail and weak and was accompanied by a handful of sympathizers among them Mr Mulongoti and Charles Milupi.
Mr Mulongoti described the treatment of Mr Siwale as a gross violation of human rights saying the offence of Defamation of the President is not a serious case that warrants denying bond.
Mr Mulongoti predicted that President Lungu will also face the same treason when he is out of office especially that he has allegedly committed more serious offences such as treason.
Meanwhile, the Civil Society Constitution Agenda says it is gravely concerned with the continued detention Mr. Siwale, by the Zambia Police Service.
CiSCA Chairman Bishop John Mambo said the detention of Mr Siwale is a clear contravention of the constitution, rule of law and human rights instruments by the current regime.
“The police’s continued incarceration of Mr. Siwale without presenting him before the courts on allegations that he defamed the republican President, Edgar Chagwa Lungu is against the provision of the Constitution. In Article 13, the Constitution demands that “any person arrested or detained shall be informed as soon as reasonably practicable of the reasons for his arrest or detention” and that any person who is arrested or detained and who is not released, shall be brought without undue delay before a court”.
Bishop Mambo noted that Mr. Siwale was detained without being charged for three days and after being charged in the fourth day, Mr. Siwale has spent close to seven days without being brought before the courts as provided for in the country’s constitution, the supreme law.
“With the foregoing, CiSCA finds appalling the failure by the Zambia Police to understand and respect the basic constitution provisions, first by keeping president Siwale for three days in detention without charge and later on after being charged, still failing to present him before court as the law established.”
He added, “This, in our view, is a clear violation of Article 13 (3) which demands thus: “if any person is arrested or detained upon reasonable suspicion of having committed, or being about to commit, a criminal offence under the law in force in Zambia is not tried within a reasonable time, then, without prejudice to any further proceedings that may be brought against him, he shall be released either unconditionally or upon reasonable conditions, including in particular such conditions as are reasonably necessary to ensure that he appears at a later date for trial or for proceedings preliminary to trial.”
Mr Fresher Siwale and Mr Mike Mulongoti when they went to file a complaint to the Office of the Public Protector about President Lungu’s identify recently.
Power Dynamos’ poor form continued on Wednesday evening following a 1-0 home defeat to Nkwazi at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe.
The result was Power’s first home loss and their second overall of the 2018 season.
It also came five days after they stuttered to a 0-0 away draw at Lumwana Radiants in a match goalkeeper Joshua Titima saved a penalty for the Kitwe giants.
Nkwazi punished Power for a wasteful first five minutes when Chipungu Musukuma scored the game’s lone goal in the 7th minute.
The goal came against the run of play that saw striker Alex Ng’onga and midfielder Kelvin Mubanga guilty of being over elaborate in front of Nkwazi’s goal.
Power stay 4th despite the defeat on 17 points, five points behind leaders Zesco.
But Zanaco suffered their second successive league defeat five days after Zesco beat them 1-0 away in Lusaka.
Zanaco lost by the same margin away at 16th placed Lumwana who won via Victor Mubanga goal in the 21st minute.
The 2017 runners-up drop from 8th to 9th on 13 points following the loss.
WEEK 9 WEDNESDAY RESULTS
02/05/2018
Lusaka Dynamos 0-Kitwe United 0
Lumwana Radiants 1-Zanaco 0
Nchanga Rangers 2-Red Arrows 1
Green Eagles 2-Nakambala Leopards 0
Power Dynamos 0-Nkwazi 1
Kansanshi Dynamos have reclaimed second place on the FAZ Division One Zone Two table after edging ZNS Lwamfumu 1-0 in Tuesday’s delayed Week 5 match in Solwezi.
Defender Rodgers Bwalya scored the goal that moved Kansanshi to 9 points after four matches played in the season.
Bwalya’s deflected cross shook the net after seven minutes as coach Israel Mwanza’s side held on to overcome Lwamfumu of Mansa
.
Kansanshi are now a point behind unbeaten leaders Chambishi.
The Solwezi outfits have posted three wins and one loss.
Kansanshi last season finished second in Zone Two to miss out on promotion on the final day of the season.
Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya has stated that Universal Health coverage (UHC) is a global health policy agenda that has been adopted as one of the health targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Dr. Chilufya notes that the SDG number 3 aims at ensuring health lives and promotion of the wellbeing for all.
The Minister added that the country’s transformative agenda for inclusive economic growth is premised on successfully enhancing human development to which the health sector contributes through the provision of quality essential health- care services for the entire population.
Meanwhile, Dr. Chilufya stated that Zambia recognizes that the path to move towards achieving Universal Health Coverage is a smart investment for any country.
He reiterated that a predictable and sustainable health care financing mechanism is therefore pivotal to the health system reform if Universal Health Coverage has to be attained.
The Minister said to this effect, Zambia has identified the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme as one of the health financing strategies which will assist in ensuring a sustainable, predictable, and dedicated financing for the health sector and at the same time provide financial risk protection for the country.
And Dr. Chilufya stated that his Ministry’s transformational agenda is meant to change the landscape of how the Ministry conducts its business.
He said the intent has been the attainment of equity of access to cost effective quality health services as close to the family as possible.
Dr. Chilufya added that the Ministry has gone further to state that the vision must be delivered to all corners of the country hence the commitment to provision of universal health coverage.
The Minister said this in a statement released in the Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI) Health Press Journal issued on April 30, 2018.
