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THE government has commissioned the Copperbelt Energy Corporation’s one mega watt solar plant at Copperbelt University constructed at a cost of US$1.53 million.
The Copperbelt Energy Corporation, in collaboration with the German government, setup the first ever solar plant at the Copperbelt University.
During the launch, energy minister Matthew Nkhuwa said the solar plant would power up thousands of households in the country.
He said the one mega watt solar plant would help reduce the energy deficiency being experienced in the country.
Nkhuwa said the renewable solar plant would also be a training ground for students at CBU and neighbouring countries, thereby offering skills and employment to the public.
He said the solar plant would make CBU a renewable energy hub and a school of excellence.
Nkhuwa said Zambia would export valuable skills to the region in the not so distant future.
He said the government was keen to see the generation of electricity at cost-effective and affordable rates.
The Zambia National Farmers’ Union has advised farmers that with poor prices that they experienced last year, they should exercise caution and be mindful of people that are giving them offers for their Soya Beans and maize at below full cost recovery prices.
ZNFU Spokesman Calvin Kaleyi said the ZNFU is aware of some buyers that are offering farmers prices for Soya Beans for as low as K2 per Kilogram and K40 for a 50kg bag of maize.
“We call upon farmers not to be desperate to accept such poor price offers, but instead should start bulking their grain so that they can negotiate good prices for their commodities,” Mr Kaleyi said.
“We are aware that the market is liberalised, but farmers this year should not accept any prices below K3 per kg, but instead should negotiate K3 per kg and above. The ZNFU wishes to inform farmers that it is currently in talks with some renowned buyers and those interested to use the Union’s channels should contact the Union for more information on Market linkages.”
He added, “Already, we have managed to organise markets for Eastern Province and the buyers will soon move to Central and Southern Provinces.”
HH greeting multitudes in Mongu
UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema says voting for PF at any level is giving “thumbs up” to the PF government-orchestrated social distress among Zambians.
Hichilema, who flew into Mongu accompanied by UPND national trustee and former Zambezi East member of parliament Sarah Sayifwanda and party national youth chairman and former Sesheke member of parliament Likando Mufalali, arrived at Mongu Airport at 10:20 hours on Saturday.
The opposition leader was then driven to Liseli radio and as his convoy slowly drove into town, thousands of Mongu residents followed and waved and cheered.
At some point, Hichilema’s convoy was literally blocked by a jolly crowd that could not contain excitement.
Then in town, UPND security personnel and the party’s provincial leadership combined their energies to ensure that the animated supporters were held back.
In the company of Mufalali, Sayifwanda, Mongu Central UPND member of parliament Dr Mwilola Imakando, Gertrude Imenda, party’s Lealui Lower ward candidate Muyongo Muyongo, Hichilema proceeded to Liseli radio station where he featured on a special interview.
On Liseli radio, Hichilema said once UPND forms government, it would focus on job creation across Zambia to better the economic well being of citizens.
“UPND is there for the development of the people. It is there for improving the people’s lives. It is not there to cheat or steal from the people! We are saying to the people of Lealui Lower ward, vote for bo Muyongo Muyongo. That is our candidate! But he is just our conduit to the main argument; there in Lealui ward, the debate is whether we love Lungu or we love Hakainde – that’s it,” Hichilema said.
He also noted that giving a vote to the ruling PF was retrogressive.
“Do we support Lungu and his government who are the architects of all this distress we are seeing in Mongu and the entire Zambia? If you vote for the PF candidate, you will be voting for Lungu and saying ‘yes’ to the suffering that he has brought. Hakainde was almost killed for attending his ceremony, the Kuomboka. You cannot get anything from those who never love you and that’s what the PF has shown for the people of this province and the entire Zambia – no love at all,” he charged.
“If you vote for PF, you are saying you like the status quo in the country and especially here in Mongu. There are no jobs, agriculture has been destroyed by the PF government and then how can one wake up on Tuesday and go and vote for a PF candidate? It means you are happy with the high taxes that the PF government has introduced.”
Hichilema added that the UPND was on a journey towards forming a “development-minded” government.
“Muyongo Muyongo is part of that journey. This journey must continue until we achieve what we want. We want to form government and focus on poverty alleviation – to create jobs, improve agriculture. We want to make sure that once we form government, we revitalise economic activities in Western Province and the whole Zambia,” Hichilema pledged.
Minister of Infrastructure and Housing Ronald Chitotela
GOVERNMENT will award the National Housing Authority (NHA) contracts to build housing units as a way to alleviate the company’s financial woes, the ministry of Infrastructure and Housing has said.
Workers at NHA have gone for many months without pay due to the many challenges the company is facing.
Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Ronald Chitotela said that in order to address most of the challenges, Government would grant NHA contracts to construct houses in the upcoming housing ventures.
Mr Chitotela said in an interview that Government would grant NHA the contract to construct housing units under the project signed with Mercury Asset Partners of the United States.
In August last year, Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Mercury Asset Partners, a global financing, and logistics company to finance the building of houses for civil servants.
Mercury Asset Partners has proposed a US$ 600 million financing to undertake the construction of 5,000 low, medium and high-cost housing units for civil servants in Zambia.
“Very soon, the Mercury Asset partnership will be finalised and the NHA will have the contract to build the housing units in order to empower them,” Mr Chitotela said.
He said NHA would also be given contracts to construct provincial administrations, commercial infrastructure and 20,000 housing units that Government would soon embark on under various projects.
Mr Chitotela said NHA would also be given the duty to finish all housing and other infrastructure projects that had been abandoned by other contractors.
He said NHA would soon record positive developments following the injection of money from the contracts to build houses and that the board of directors were also finalising the turnaround strategy.
Part of the housing project Government would embark on encompassed the upgrading of unplanned townships like Msisi and Chawama.
A recent census indicates that Zambia’s current housing deficit stood at 1.5 million housing units and this is projected to hit three million by 2030 if nothing was done to contain the situation.
Most stakeholders have welcomed Government’s decision to construct houses to cushion the deficit.
Veteran Kalindula musician Philipo Chimbini has died.
Chimbini’s promoter alderman Patrick Tembo has confirmed that the musician died on Sunday at Kitwe Teaching Hospital. Chimbini, who was born in 1944, had been battling stroke.
Some of the popular songs Mr Chimbini produced include Abana Bamucani, Italanta and Emele.
According to Radio Icengelo, Alderman Tembo described Mr Chimbini’s death as sorrowful and shocking.
“Mr Chimbini died on Sunday afternoon at Kitwe Teaching Hospital,” Alderman Tembo said.
Funeral is at his home in Kitwe’s Luangwa Township.
President Edgar Lungu address congregants during fundraising Church Service at Trinity UCZ Church in Lusaka. The Church wants to use the money which they would realise to build a big ChurchPresident Edgar Lungu confers with UCZ Synod Bishop Sydney Sichilima during the fundraising Church Service whose proceeds will go to build a new Church.President Edgar Lungu (middle ), UCZ Synod Bishop Sydney Sichilima (left) and Trinity Church Minister in charge, Reverend Lloyd Skaundi dancing to Kings Malembe malembe favour song during a fundraising Church Service at Trinity CongregationPresident Edgar Lungu address congregants during fundraising Church Service at Trinity UCZ Church in Lusaka. The Church wants to use the money which they would realise to build a big ChurchPresident Edgar Lungu interacting with the Sunday School Children at Trinity UCZ shortly before he joined congregants for the fundraising service at Trinity Church
President Edgar Chagwa Lungu being seen-off by Bishop Sichilima after the Fundraising Church service to raise funds for the Construction of the proposed New Church complex in Lusaka. This was at UCZ’s Trinity Church
Swaziland or Lesotho are Zambia’s prospective semifinal opponents at the 2018 COSAFA Cup.
Zambia will enter the fray of the 2018 COSAFA Cup at the quarterfinal stage on June 2 of the tournament South Africa will host from May 27 to June 9.
Winner between Zambia and Namibia will face Swaziland or Lesotho on June 6 at New Peter Mokaba Stadium where this year’s tournament will be held.
Zambia are chasing a second successive COSAFA Cup final appearance after finishing runners-up last July when they lost 3-1 to Zimbabwe in Rustenburg, South Africa.
Meanwhile, the 30-member Zambia team entered camp in Lusaka today to begin the first week of training for the COSAFA Cup.
Youth Aid Chairperson Chungu Kachenga has challenged patriotic front deputy media director to media director Antonio mwanza to apologize to Senior Chief Mukuni And Hamusonde of southern province for accusing them of being used as of as propaganda tool against President Edgar Lungu by the opposition United Party For National Development (UPND).
Mr. Kachenga says it is disrespectful for a youth like Mr. Mwanza to begin to speak negatively about senior royal highnesses and publicly accuse them of being partisan.
He has told q-news that it is irrational for the PF to think that every Zambian will side with them especially with what is happening now.
Mr. Kachenga says it is not in order for young people like Antonio Mwanza to battle with such highly respected and god ordained elderly people.
And The Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) has described as saddening, tendencies by Zambians to doubt the parentage of every President that has ever ruled the country.
YALI governance Advisor Isaac Mwanza tells q-news that it is disturbing that all past presidents’ parentage has been doubted.
He explains that it is further disheartening that even President Edgar Lungu’s parentage is being questioned by some political players who have aspirations of ruling this country.
Mr. Mwanza has however reiterated that the burden to prove that President Edgar Lungu is not Zambian lies on those who are accusing him, and not himself.
He says those alleging that president lungu is not Zambian should come forth with evidence so that the matter is put to rest.
Zambia Police Service Inspector General Kakoma Kanganja
The Press Association of Zambia (PAZA) has called on Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja to ensure that his officers stop tempering with media freedoms.
This comes after two journalists in Lusaka where harassed by a suspected statehouse police officer identified as Sipalo Mbewe.
PAZA President Andrew Sakala has told q news that yesterday’s incident should be a litmus taste to ascertain whether any punitive measures will be taken against the officer who attacked the two journalists while on duty.
He says this is because journalists in the country have in the recent past been attacked, while police has done nothing about it.
He is of the view that this is a clear indication of how media freedoms are injured in the country.
And Mr. Sakala has urged journalists in the country to take legal action against police officers arrest them, and ensure that such cases don’t die a natural death.
Award winning Zambian Hip-Hop artist Chanda Mbao has cracked yet another feat with his most recent music video, Wave (featuring R&B artist Scott), hitting the Trace Urban Africa Top 10. It is currently the only Zambian music video on the countdown after trending heavily on Trace’s other media property Trace Africa, where it received ‘Smash Hit’ status and featured on several of the latter’s countdowns.
This is great news for Zambian musicians, particularly as Trace Urban is arguably the Trace media group’s most important and widely viewed platform. Trace Urban airs not only on the continent but in geographies as varied as Turkey, Poland, Sweden, France and many other countries. With this sort of viewership, our artists are bound to get more attention and be able to represent us on the global stage.
As a nice touch to the Hip-Hop song which has been noted for its cross border appeal, the artists still pay homage to their homeland with a natural scenery of the Kafue National Park. The video features beautiful lush landscapes and even cameo appearances from some elephants! The video was shot at the Mukambi Safari Lodge by rising star director DJ Lo of Reel Studios.
If you’d like to support local talent and help the Zambian boys climb the chart, you can vote for their video here: http://www.tracerequest.com/. All you have to do is drop a comment noting the artist and track name.
Roger Federer with President Lungu at State House on Sunday
Tennis star Roger Federer says he is happy to be in Zambia away from his usual tennis tours.
The 20-time Grand Slam winner arrived in the country on Sunday to check on his foundation, which operates in the rural parts of Zambia.
Federer called on President Edgar Lungu at State House upon arrival on Sunday.
The Roger Federer Foundation (RFF), which aims to provide equitable access to quality basic education to children, began its work in Zambia in partnership with People’s Action Forum (PAF) in August 2011.
In 2011, the Roger Federer Foundation launched a community school initiative in rural areas of Zambia together with the local partner organization People’s Action Forum (PAF).
According to the Foundation’s website, as the Zambian government often cannot make education available to the people in these areas, the communities themselves established and community schools.
The aim of the initiative is to support and strengthen these primary schools.
The Board of the Roger Federer Foundation has approved a total budget of 1.6 million Swiss Franc for this purpose.
The programme has reached 85,000 children in total so far.
People’s Action Forum (PAF), a non-governmental, national non-profit organization, was founded in Zambia in 1994.
The PAF´s vision is a peaceful community in which the rural as well as the urban population are able to develop equally and sustainably. In order to strengthen the rural communities the PAF´s activities focus on the five priorities education, food security, health, economic opportunities and awareness raising. PAF particularly works with children and women in rural areas in order to help them achieve self-determined living conditions.
The forum has over 2000 members who support the organisation’s goals on a voluntary basis.
In 2008 PAF was awarded the renowned International UNESCO Literacy Award.
Zambia has been picked as the host of the World bank’s International Development Association [IDA] 18 high-level mid-term review. The event will be held in november, 2018.
The announcement was made, Sunday 22nd April, 2018, by World Bank Vice President Axel Van Trotsenburg during the IDA 18 Implementation Update at the World Bank Headquarters in Washington DC.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Finance Margaret Mwanakatwe expressed gratitude to the World Bank for the opportunity to host the Mid – Term Review for IDA18 in November 2018.
“This presents a great opportunity to showcase the long history of IDA’s work in Zambia,” she said, and added that, “in support of the all – important special theme on “Jobs and Economic Transformation”, we have a project on agribusiness and trade for which I am very keen.”
“We are the land of scaling solar, with the program going into its next phase, we are a transparent Government and would like to showcase this as well, we would also like you to visit our projects and enjoy the warm hospitality of the Zambian people under the embrace of the African sun,” stated Mrs. Mwanakatwe.
And Head of International Financial Institutions at the United Kingdom Department for International Development Richard Teuten backed Zambia and said the United Kingdom was happy that the country becomes the first in the Southern African Region to host the High-Level IDA Mid-Term Review Meeting and further stated that the choice of Livingstone as the host City was a great one.
And Africa Group 2 Constituency Alternate Executive Director at the World Bank Group Jean-Claude Tchatchouang of Cameroon, said Zambia deserved to host the High-Level event because of her good credentials in implementing World Bank Programmes, adding that, “many countries have a lot to learn from Zambia, especially in handling energy reforms and in the implementation of scaling-up solar projects.”
Mrs. Mwanakatwe was accompanied to Washington by her National Development Planning counterpart Alexander Chiteme, MP, Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet (Finance and Economic Development) Christopher Mvunga, Secretary to the Treasury Fredson Yamba, Special Assistant to the President for (Economic Affairs) Hibeene Mwiinga, Bank of Zambia Governor Dr. Denny Kalyalya, Ministry of Finance Permanent Secretary for Economic Management Mukuli Chikuba, Permanent Secretary for National Development Planning Chola Chabala, ZRA Commissioner General Kingsley Chanda, and Deputy Governor Administration Bank of Zambia, Dr. Tukiya Mabula Kankasa.
Zesco United roared to the summit of the FAZ Super Division table on Sunday following a 3-0 home win over Lumwana Radiants at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
The victory came just five days after Forest Rangers beat Zesco 1-0 in the Ndola derby at the same venue to hand the defending champions to their first leg loss of the 2018 campaign.
Defender Marcel Kalonda poked-in the first goal in the 32nd minute in the midst of a goalmouth scrum off a corner won by Jesse Were after his initial shot was deflected out by Enock Chingwele.
Were was rewarded for his industry in the 43rd minute to put Zesco 2-0 into the break.
Lazarus Kambole scored the final goal in the 52nd minute to go top of the charts on four goals from seven matches this season.
Zesco’s victory relegated Green Buffaloes to second while Power Dynamos are third; all three side’s have 16 points.
Lumwana’s defeat was their second by the same margin a week after losing at home to Nkana and the pressure is now very much on coach Zeddy Saileti after seeing the fourth bottom side collect one point from their last three games.
Meanwhile, Buffaloes on Sunday tumbled to their first league loss of the season after Lusaka Dynamos beat them 1-0 away at Sunset Stadium in Lusaka via a Cletus Chama 3rd minute goal.
In Ndola, Forest returned to Earth after improving Kabwe Warriors beat them 2-0 in the lunchtime kickoff at Levy Stadium.
Emmanuel Okutu put Warriors ahead in the 50th minute before Heritier Nkonko scored the final goal fifteen minutes later.
Warriors are 4th on 14 points under their new coach Tennant Chilumba.
Chief Chikwanda of the Bemba speaking people of Mpika when asked to comment on chief Mukuni’s demands that President Edgar Lungu should speak out on his nationality which is being questioned, expressed shock and the following was his reply:
Let’s say like the way Michael Sata came from my chiefdom, Michael Sata at one time they were saying he is a Tanzanian and we defended. We said this person comes from Chikwanda chiefdom. That person meaning he is my child and part of my subjects. He is my child and am ready to defend.
Those chiefs who defended, to say that this our subject and he is our child. Ah. The person who knows his child is a parent and those are the parents for Edgar Lungu. They know him exactly and his roots. How can someone come from nowhere come and speak for someone who is not his child honestly, does it justify? No!
The easterners have spoken and have defended that President Lungu is their child besides being their subject. Each and every parent knows where the child comes from. Someone will be able to say his roots are this and that. They know him and know his roots, so why should other chiefs speak on someone who does not belong to them? How can he justify? Even if the President keeps quiet, he knows my parents have already defended me, my parents have told the nation. He cannot start talking because those words were enough.
Why should other chiefs come in? That person doesn’t hail from their chiefdoms, that person hails from Eastern province and the easterners spoke.
We had the late President Sata, and us we knew him, we lived with the parents. We knew that Sata is Zambian because he came from my chiefdom and we lived with his father. Even equally, the way President Lungu the easterners had already spoken, they told the nation, they told us so why should I go again questioning where he comes from? What am I looking for?
I am a chief and I have got boundaries, so why should we start going beyond borders sure, because where Southern province and Eastern province are located is very far. Unless if it was one of the chiefs from Eastern province who shares the boundary from where President Lungu hails from would be able to argue and at least would have a basis. Actually the neighbor also has got no grounds to argue because it is us who know where our son is coming from.
When we start crossing the boundaries, going into other provinces then we do not know where our powers come from. If someone is silent, it does not mean they are guilty. The parents have spoken, so no one should utter anything.
Let us try to avoid such kinds of antagonizing each other. As royal highnesses we are there to work with the government of the day, even to keep checks and balances. That’s the way it is supposed to be. 75 percent of our subjects are impoverished, so if we are working with the government, we are supposed to compel them to do what they promised than to start going into politics. It is better to resign and join politics if that has failed. We have to preach peace.
Whoever comes into power in 2021, we have to work with them even if it is Green Party. We work with the government of the day. We have got one Zambia, and this one Zambia, we have to preach peace as royal highnesses. Let us not involve ourselves in politics. Each and every chief knows where he belongs. So we have to tell our sons that the direction at which you are going is totally wrong. Even my child home I have to speak out if wrong. Let us try to speak peace and see other countries the way they are running. How many refugees do we have in Zambia, where are we in case anything happens. Why are we fighting? There is always a mandate for each government in power, a mandate is a period of five years. Let five year elapse then if it is to usher another government, do so. As royal highnesses, we are there to support any government that comes into power at that particular time.
We are one people, we are Christians even if politicians or chiefs. All those who are trying to agitate divisions, it is not right in the country. It is more less like we have already failed in our chiefdoms and want to extend our problems to politics. Because honestly speaking, why should I become a politician if I call myself a chief? Because as a chief, whoever is in power is also my subject. It is better to resign if it like that, there are so many from our clans who can take over. If the worst comes to the worst, it is better to put your foot down and join politics.
Even UPND if they win elections, we will work with them because at that time it is government. So let us try to speak for the voiceless and compel government to do what they promised. Why involve ourselves in politics as royal highnesses.
So the easterners have already spoken. We should not start crossing boundaries because each chief has got jurisdictions
