Mali Kambandu wins the inaugural 2018 Kalemba Prize
Mali Kambandu has won the inaugural Kalemba Short Story Prize for her short story, described as “gripping and beautifully told” by Judges.
The $1000 award is for the best work of original and unpublished short fiction written in English.
Kambandu won for The hand to hold, which is downloadable at Kalemba short story prize
The story centers around a middle class family whose fragile bond is threatened by the resurfacing of their former house-maid. It weaves the themes of class, loyalty, sacrifice and love in contemporary Zambia.
“She looks around the table and can barely remember a happy moment with these women who are helping her plan the happiest moments in her life.” She writes “Family meals are virtually non-existent, but the dining table is the centre of their home”.
A graduate of the University of Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, Kambandu was exposed to literature from an early age “My parents bought us many books – classics and pop culture novels – and encouraged me, my brother and three sisters to read” she said. “At a young age, I read books which my older sisters were reading – novels by Alice Walker and Toni Morrison”. But it was at high school where she read her most cherished book, To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, she said.
Winning the prize, she said, is an honour and affirmation. “The fact that it’s a Zambian award makes it so much more meaningful” said Kambandu, who will be presented with the award at a special ceremony to be held in Lusaka next month.
Kambandu’s story beat five others to win the prize, including by prolific and award winning writer Peter Nawa, A Degree of Alone , 17 year old Sampa Musaba’s The Mango Tree and Kabwe based Andrew Nguvu’s God of The Mind. Others are The Legacy of Moombe by Mutinta Nanchengwa and Broken road in Utopia by Livingstone based writer, Chanda Chongo. A total of 317 stories competed for the 2018 Kalemba Prize.
The judging panel, chaired by Kenyan novelist and Assistant Professor of English at Cornell University, Mukoma Wa Ngugi, described the story as “a dark, yet gripping read, a surprising, beautifully told story that centers the voices that we often think of as living on the margins” said the judges “We were moved by this story about domestic workers and the ties that bind them to the very same families that discard them. Ngugi was joined on the panel by award winning Zambian writer Namwali Serpell – winner of the 2015 Caine Prize for African Writing; blogger, scholar and founder of the influential Brittlepaper.com Ainehi Edoro and the inimitable Mulenga Kapwepwe, Zambian writer and cultural icon.
Kambandu had a stint writing screenplays for feature films and shorts in the US before returning to Zambia a few years ago. She writes short films, documentaries and feature films, including Ulendo wa Rose, Old-time Love, Long-time Love and The President’s Job Description.
She works and lives in Lusaka with her husband, two kids, two dogs, toys and plenty of books. When not writing, she is reading stories to her children.
The Kalemba Prize is a home-grown initiative celebrating Zambian writing. It is funded and administered by Ukusefya WORDS, publishers of the national bestselling book Insoselo na Mapinda
President want toll fees ploughed back into road maintenance
The President says reports show that Zambians have welcomed the introduction of toll gates but that they want to see a well maintained road network in the country.
President Lungu says it is for this reason that all the money collected at toll gates should be used to maintain the roads.
Housing and Infrastructure Development Minister Ronald Chitotela says the President said this at State House yesterday when he received a progress report for infrastructure development and maintenance cluster from his Ministry and the Ministry of Works and Supply.
The report was jointly presented by Mr. Chitotela and his Works and Supply counterpart Felix Mutati.
‘’ Today we appeared before the President to update him on the progress made so far in terms of construction of infrastructure development in Zambia. We updated the Head of State on the challenges faced and gave him our focus for 2018”. Mr. Chitotela said.
He added that the President expressed delight on the progress made so far and he encouraged us to continue implementing projects that are of economic value to Zambia.
And Mr Chitotela said the President expressed concern at the quality of infrastructure being put up especially in newly created districts in the country.
“The President has urged us to speak to the Engineering Institution of Zambia (EIZ) to make sure that consultants that are being engaged are vigilant in monitoring the infrastructure to ensure that there is quality in their works”. Mr. Chitotela added.
And Mr. Chitotela says President Lungu is also concerned that some contractors have continued to abandon projects.
He said the President has directed him to ensure that punitive action is taken on all contractors who abandon works.
And Mr. Chitotela said he assured the President that he has directed the Road Development Agency (RDA) to ensure that the revenue collected at Toll gates is used to maintain the roads.
Meanwhile Mr. Chitotela said he assured the President that his Ministry will ensure that all the projects under his Ministry are closely supervised.
He said he told the President that all his officers will put ethical conduct first before personal interests in supervising the works.
Napsa Stars hire Chikwanda as new coach
Elijah Chikwanda has replaced Linos Makwaza as coach of Napsa Stars.
Chikwanda’s appointment comes 24 hours after Makwaza was official axed from his position following a poor start to the 2018 season.
Makwaza was handed the job fulltime this year following a stint as interim last September when his predecessor Tennant Chilumba suffered the same fate on Napsa’s way to finishing 7th in 2017.
His start to 2018 saw him lose his last four successive league game with their only point from Napsa’s five matches coming in Week 1 when they drew 0-0 away at Nkwazi.
“Napsa Stars Football Club has appointed Mr. Elijah Chikwanda as its new head coach,”Napsa spokesperson Gwen Chipasula said.
“Mr. Chikwanda brings a wealth of experience to the club having had coaching stints in Botswana and also coached Lusaka Dynamos, Nkwazi and Kabwe Warriors Football clubs respectively.
“Napsa Stars believe Coach Chikwanda is the right person to steer the team out of its current position. He has been signed on a performance based contract. ”
Chikwanda returns to coaching after Kabwe Warriors declined to extend his contract in January following his earlier appointment last July.
Bruised Nkana renew acquaintances with Chembo
Nkana, Zesco United, Zanaco and Kitwe United will all be in action in Wednesday’s rescheduled matches in the FAZ Super Division.
Bruised Nkana, who have six points from four matches, host struggling Buildcon in a delayed Week Two match at home in Kitwe seeking to recover from two straight defeats.
Nkana have lost to Zesco and Power Dynamos prior to this match while bottom placed Buildcon have no point from their first three matches so far in the league.
“We are wounded now. We have gone two games without a win,” Nkana coach Beston Chambeshi declared ahead of the match against Buildcon.
Meanwhile, this match will mark the beginning coach Tenant Chembo’s reign at Buildcon following his appointment earlier in the week.
Elsewhere, Zanaco have a chance to cut Green Buffaloes lead at the top to one point as they face Nchanga Rangers away in Chingola.
Zanaco have 9 points from three matches while Buffaloes lead the table on 13 points after playing five matches.
At Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka, Kitwe United visit Red Arrows hoping to continue rising up the table.
FAZ SUPER DIVISION
WEDNESDAY – 11/04/18
(Week One Rescheduled Games)
15:00 Lusaka Dynamos Vs Zesco United (Sunset Stadium)
15:00 Nchanga Rangers Vs Zanaco (Nchanga Stadium)
(Week Two Rescheduled Match)
15:00 Nkana Vs Buildcon (Nkana Stadium)
(Rescheduled Week Five Match)
15:00 Red Arrows Vs Kitwe United (Nkoloma Stadium)
Mulongoti should be arrested for giving false information and defaming the President-Cosmo
Opposition National Revolution Party President Cozmo Mumba has called for the immediate arrest of People’s Party leader Mike Mulongoti for defamation.
Dr. Mumba flanked by his Vice President Edward Mbewe who arrived at Woodlands Police Station at 10:45 hours this morning proceeded to the criminal investigations department where he officially lodged a complaint against Mr. Mulongoti.
Dr. Mumba said Mr. Mulongoti has defamed President Edgar Lungu and misled the nation.
“Giving false information to the nation and defaming the Head of State is tantamount to a serious offence. As a concerned citizen, I am here to report Mr. Mulongoti to the Zambia Police on his allegations and institute investigations,” he said.
“President Lungu is Zambian and no-one should question that. Where was Mr. Mulongoti when Mr. Lungu was cabinet minister in different ministerial positions, acting President and now duly elected Head of State? Dr. Mumba asked.
He told journalists in Lusaka today that a docket has been opened against Mr. Mulongoti and his followers who are claiming that President Lungu is not a Zambian.
The opposition leader echoed that he is in support of the Nsenga Royal Establishment who cleared the nationality of President Lungu.
Recently, Mr. Mulongoti challenged President Edgar Lungu to tell the nation his true nationality alleging that he is not Zambian.
Can Fred M’membe tell us if he is Gay and an Atheist as Alleged by Wynter Kabimba
I will not discuss the debate of Antonio Mwanza and Cornelius Mweetwa, sufice to say the two gentlemen debated well and the moderator did a good job, Prime TV “Oxygen of Democracy” program.
My mind today is on Fred M’membe and Wynter Kabimba, I don’t know what to make out of Wynter’s revelations, that Fred M’membe is gay and once wanted made sexual advances on him a hotel room when they traveled out of Zambia.
Honestly, I am dumbfounded, on one part I feel sorry for Fred M’membe, such revelations can have far reaching consequences on the person. Imagine how Fred M’membe’s family, wife and children are feeling hearing this being discussed in public.
On the other hand, I have respect for Wynter Kabimba as a very intelligent man, a lawyer and a politician. He may not have the charisma to woo people to his side, but he is not a person I would simply dismiss, when he makes such revelations.
Therefore, his allegations cannot be simply dismissed as mere political malice against Fred M’membe. I strongly believe that Kabimba knows what he is talking about otherwise he would not trend that route knowing how emotional and vengeful Fred M’membe is.
Looking at this case from the political point of view, I think Fred M’membe’s political test, has come too soon to survive harsh storms and I think he is dead and buried. I doubt if he will rise from these very injurious blows from his once close comrade.
Fred M’membe cannot keep on being silent, he has to come out and tell the nation whether indeed is he has a different sexual orientation or not. Is Wynter Kabimba telling the truth or not? This questions can only be given by Fred, not anybody else.
We can’t assume that Fred M’membe is not gay, just because he has a wife and children, many other gay people have wives and children. Similarly, quoting Bible passages, does not automatically mean one is a Christian.
What is the Socialist Party policy on sexual orientation and Zambia as a Christian Nation? Is Fred M’membe an Atheist? I am sure Zambians would appreciate to hear from this Socialist party 2021 Presidential Candidate.
TAYALI – NI TOUCH AND GO!
EEP – A NATION IS PEOPLE!
2021 IS OUR TIME – WAPYA BAISA!
MMD Presidency still unresolved after court says appellant should have taken case to ConCourt
The Presidency of the former ruling party, the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) is still not resolved after the decision by the Supreme court that the appeal case should have gone directly to constitutional. MMD has had two centers of power since the 2015, after two factions led by Felix Mutati and Nevers Mumba laid claim to the presidency.
Dr Mumba had challenged the legality of the convention which saw his executive kicked out office in May 2016 and replaced the by Felix Mutati led executive.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed that the appellant in the case in which MMD President Felix Mutati appealed to the supreme to determin jurisdiction of the high court in a constitutional matter should be taken to the constitutional court as it was the right forum to address the grievances of the parties.
The Supreme Court Judges Hamaundu, Malila and Makungu sitting in Kabwe said the appeal should have gone directly to the constitutional court because it had the jurisdiction on constitutional issues.
The judges said the appeallents should not have taken the appeal to the Supreme court because the constitutional court has powers to listen to matters which were below the lower courts.
The Supreme court Judges who sat as a full bench have since said that it was up to parties involved to take the matter to the constitutional court.
The Mutati faction has indicated that they will take their appeal to the supreme court to determine who is the true leader of the MMD
Police pick a be-headed body of a 3 year old boy
The Zambia Police in Chalimbana yesterday picked up a body of a male juvenile identified as Tunashe Mumba whose body was found without a head.
The report was made by Michael Mumba aged 28 years of Sichembe Farm situated on Great North Road, a care taker, that his son identified as Tunashe Mumba aged three years six months had gone missing from home on April 08, 2018 at about 14:00 hours.
The body of the child was discovered in the bush, 50 meters from the parents’ home, yesterday, April 09, 2018 by a member of the public who was herding cattle and that the body was found without a head.
Police visited the scene and picked the body which was taken to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) Mortuary.
The Police suspect that the place where the body was found was a secondary scene as the murder could have happened somewhere and later the assailants dumped the body where it was found.
Police have since instituted investigations in the matter and appealed to members of the public to report any information relating to the case to the nearest Police station.
This is according to a press statement issued to ZANIS by Zambia Police Public Relations Officer Esther Katongo in Lusaka today.
16 year old boy on the run after stabbing her 22 year old sister r to death
A 16 year old boy from Samfya District in Luapula Province is on the run after he allegedly stabbed his 22 year sister to death using a scissors.
Luapula Province Police Commissioner, Elias Chushi who confirmed the incident to ZANIS in an interview yesterday named the victim as Mpundu Nga’nde .
Mr. Chushi said Reuben Nga’nde is alleged to have stabbed his sister in the chest several times after picking up a quarrel with her.
He stated that Police in Samfya is hunting for the juvenile who has since run way.
Mr. Chushi explained that the deceased sustained deep cuts in the chest which led to her death.
He said the body is in Samfya District Hospital Mortuary awaiting post-mortem and burial.
Ministry of Religious Affairs urges Zambians to uphold national values
The Ministry of Religious Affairs and National Guidance has embarked on a nationwide campaign to sensitize government Heads of Departments on national values and principles.
Director of Religious affairs and National Guidance, Yengwe Kakusa said the national values and principles are embedded in the republican constitution but needs to be unbundled for easier understanding by Zambians.
“These values which are already embedded in the national constitution need to be put in simpler form and explained so that they can be understood and applied,” he said.
He said promotion of national values and principles will also help in the equitable distribution of resources across all sectors of the economy especially when resources are inadequate.
“Upholding of these values such as patriotism and national unity will help us maintain an identity as a country,” said Mr. Kakusa.
And Kapiri Mposhi District Commissioner, Peter Mwiinde has called on Zambians to respect elders and the Head of State.
Mr. Mwiinde said the current scenario where people are abusing social media by insulting the country’s leadership is uncalled for.
“We have seen people insulting elders and the Republican President through social media, this is not in our culture as Zambians,” he said.
He added that a country which does not uphold its values loses direction.
The team from the Ministry is also expected to conduct the sensitisation meetings in Kabwe and Chibombo districts this week.
Chicken George bounces back as ZESCO
ZESCO United Football Club has announced the appointment of George Lwandamina as the club’s new Head Coach.
Lwandamina popularly known as Chicken George takes over from Tenant Chembo who resigned as Interim Coach on Sunday, 8 April 2018.
Lwandamina is a highly-accomplished coach whose coaching career spans national and international stints.
Prior to his appointment, he was the Head Coach of Young Africans in Tanzania.
He also served as Zambia National Team Assistant Coach under Herve Renard from 2008 to 2010.
Lwandamina also led the Zambia National Team Under-20 team to the 2007 FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Canada where the team reached the last 16.
He also led the Zambia National Team Under-20 to Cosafa victory in 2003 including two runner-up finishes in 2004 and 2006.
At club level, he led Green Buffaloes to runners-up finishes in 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2007.
He served as Head Coach for ZESCO United FC from 2014 to 2017.
During the 2017 season, he also doubled as Head Coach for the senior Zambia National team.
Lwandamina won two league titles and the Barclays Cup for ZESCO FC.
He also won the Barclays Cup with Red Arrows in 2013.
George, is a league winner with Young Africans in their previous season.
His other previous appointments include Kabwe Warriors, Nchanga Rangers where he was technical director from 2000 to 2001, and Mufulira Wanderers where he won two league titles as Ashios Melu’s assistant in 1995 and 1996.
“We have no doubt that with his credentials, he will bring on board exceptional performance and help us conquer African football and that he will continue with the winning culture and unite everyone connected with ZESCO United, from the players to the supporters,” says ZESCO United Club Secretary Richard Mulenga.
“On behalf of the Executive committee, I wish to congratulate Mr. George Lwandamina on this appointment and I thank everyone at the Club and the supporters for their patience,” he said.
Batoka Power Project to create six thousand jobs
The African Development Bank (AfDB) says about six thousand jobs will be created once the construction of the Batoka Hydro Power Project between Zambia and Zimbabwe commences.
This came to light during a high-level meeting in Abidjan, Ivory Coast on accelerating Africa’s growth and development that has been convened by AfDB to scrutinize the progress which it has made in facilitating the development of the continent.
The meeting is also evaluating the results achieved in AfDB supported programmes while at the same time examining plans to accelerate and scale-up programmes.
This is according to a press statement made available to ZANIS by Ministry of Finance, Public Relations Manager, Chileshe Kandeta in Lusaka today.
Mr. Kandeta said Under its High Five Initiative , the AfDB has identified Zambia as one of the beneficiaries from the USD758 million and integrate Africa programme, the USD59 million feed Africa Programme, and the USD2.5 billion quality of life improvement programme.
He said the Integrate Africa Programme is targeted at supporting the construction of a railway link between Angola and Zambia.
Mr. Kandeta stated that once constructed, the link will enhance trade and create an alternative route for Zambia’s exports from North-Western and Copperbelt Provinces.
He noted that the Integrate Africa Programme is also targeted at enhancing the supply capacity of the Southern Africa Power Pool by not only facilitating and galvanizing support for the Batoka Gorge Hydro Project, but also facilitating the completion of the Zambia-Tanzania-Kenya Power Interconnector.
And Minister of Finance Margaret Mwanakatwe has called on the African Development Bank to increase the capacity of implementation agencies in member countries in order to improve their resource absorption capacity.
The minister cited Zambia’s 19% annual absorption capacity of AfDB resources as a scenario in need of redress.
“This is to make sure that access to the benefits of development for the intended recipients are not delayed,” she said.
Meanwhile, African Development Bank President, Akinwumi Adesina said there is need to mobilise more resources in order to achieve the development targets of the bank through the High Five Initiative.
Dr. Adesina also announced that the AfDB will this year be organizing the first ever Africa Investment Forum in order to increase the international community’s attention on Africa’s growth potential and help channel resources to the continent.
Indian President arrives in Zambia for a 3 day State Visit
PRESIDENT of the Republic of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, has arrived in Zambia, for a three- day State Visit.
It is the first time in three decades that a President of India is undertaking a state visit to Zambia.
The Presidential plane touched down at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport- KKIA at 14:26 hours Zambian time.
President Kovind is accompanied by India’s First Lady, Savita Kovind, senior Government officials and a business delegation.
He was received at KKIA by President Edgar Lungu, First Lady Esther Lungu, Patriotic Front – PF Secretary General Davies Mwila, Cabinet Ministers, Service Chiefs, Senior Government officials, heads of missions accredited to Zambia and Zambia’s High Commissioner to India Judith Kapijimpanga among others.
President Kovind inspected a full guard of honour and was accorded a 21 gun salute.
Zambia has enjoyed excellent relations and cooperation with India with support accorded to Zambia on a bilateral level as well as under the framework of the India- Africa Forum Summit, in the fields of energy, health, infrastructure, capacity building, agriculture and trade among others.
Private investment in Zambia by Indian companies currently stands at over USD 5 Billion in sectors such as mining, infrastructure, manufacturing and pharmaceuticals.
There has been a steady increase in bilateral trade which stands at USD 1.2 Billion from April 2017 to January 2018.
India is an important and strategic partner in the quest of the Patriotic Front- PF Government to deliver development to the Zambian people as articulated in the Seventh National Development Plan.
During the state visit, the two Heads of State would hold bilateral talks and witness the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) between India and Zambia aimed at enhancing cooperation in various sectors including the establishment of Entrepreneurship Development Institute in Zambia, taxation, visa exemption on diplomatic passports and judicial cooperation.
President Kovind and President Lungu will also officiate at a ground breaking ceremony of the decongestion of Lusaka roads which would result in fly over bridges.
India and Zambia will also sign a USD 40 Million Agriculture Mechanisation agreement during the visit.
The Indian President leaves Zambia on April 12, 2018.
Buildcon vague on Chembo’s assistants as Nkana game looms
Tenant Chembo has been appointed Buildcon head coach but the winless and bottom placed side is very vague on who his substantive assistants will be.
Chembo, who dumped Zesco United on Sunday after seven years with the defending FAZ Super Division champions, has been handed a one year deal by the Ndola upstarts.
But Chembo starts his tenure on Wednesday with a big away date to Nkana without any concrete assistants after his predecessor Gugulielmo Arena left with his backroom staff while John Lungu was released at the start of the campaign.
“The team has several coaches there is the goalkeeper coach, we have got someone acting as a technical advisor,” Buildcon president Moses Mubanga said.
“They are a couple of other people who might come in the interim to try and support the coach. For tomorrows match obviously.
“We are not in a hurry, we don’t want to fill in the gaps for the purpose of doing it, and we just want to ensure we bring quality to the team.
“So (for now), we have engaged the coach in line with what you (the media) are talking about and we should be able to chart the way forward.”
Chembo’s first task is to guide them from the mire of last place on the FAZ Super Division table where they sit of zero points after losing their opening three games of the season and scoring just one goal and conceding five.
However, they face a wounded Nkana away who have lost their last two games.
Both of Nkana’s defeats where at home against Power Dynamos and Zesco United where they lost 2-1 and 1-0 respectively.
The defeat at the hands of Zesco was engineered by Chembo and the new man will be hoping the football gods will be in his favour again on Wednesday despite uncertainty over his assistants.
Chembo has been with the six-time champions since 2012 and served as interim coach three times.
He finish 2nd in 2013 and 2016 when he also won the Barclays cup before lifting the league title in 2017; and in March guided Zesco to the 2018 CAF Champions League group stage, all as caretaker.