Nkana have left for Tanzania with coach Beston Chambeshi emphasizing on another efficient show against Simba SC in their 2018/2019 CAF Champions League final leg pre-group tie.
Nkana head into Sunday’s final leg in Dar es Salaam leading 2-1 from the first leg played in Kitwe on December 15.
“It is a big game we have ahead of us in Tanzania and we are happy that we have started the journey early so that we go and acclimatize,” Chambeshi said on Tuesday before departing for Tanzania.
“I am sure the boys know the importance of this assignment ahead of us and everyone is ready to perform.”
Qualification will see Nkana make their long-waited CAF Champions League group stage debut.
Nkana’s only league phase appearance was in the 2014 CAF Confederation cup group stage when they finished third in Group B on 7 points , two points behind Sewe Sport of Cote d’Ivoire and eventual winners Al Ahly of Egypt.
GOALKEEPERS: Allan Chibwe, Kelvin Malunga
DEFENDERS:Gift Zulu,Hassan Ramadhani, Richard Ocran, Ben Bahn, Musa Mohammed, Laison Thole
MIDFIELDERS: Yannick Mulenda, Kelvin Mubanga, Chisamba Lungu, Jacob Ngulube, Duncan Otieno, Shadreck Malambo, Shadreck Musonda, Fred Tshimenga, Harrison Chisala
STRIKERS: Festus Mbewe, Ronald Kampamba, Walter Bwalya
President Edgar Lungu has assured Japanese investors that their investment is safe in Zambia. The President said that Zambia believed in the rule of law and that the property rights are respected.
Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations Amos Chanda told ZNBC News that President Lungu made the assurance when he met a number of investors in Tokyo on Tuesday.
Mr. Chanda said that investors were also assured that government has laws that support the growth of both the private and public sectors.
Mr Chanda said the President gave the Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs the correct position on the country’s debt situation. Mr. Chanda said investors and governments officials should be free to get information from government and not online media.
And The Japanese government has said that there is growing interest by Japanese firms wanting to invest in various sectors of Zambia’s economy.
Japanese Vice Minister for International Affairs, Yasuhiro Shinohara said that this was because of the good relationship that exists between the two countries.
Mr. Yasuhiro said that the good business environment in Zambia was another reason why most Japanese firms want to invest in the country.
He said this when Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development, Ronald Chitotela paid a courtesy call on him at his office in Tokyo.
And Mr Chitotela said Zambia will work with countries like Japan to develop its infrastructure. Mr Chitotela said he was happy that Japan has shown willingness to look at possibilities of working together to modernize the Luangwa Bridge.
He said the bridge is very important as it promotes agriculture in Eastern province and trade with other provinces in Zambia.
Chipolopolo midfielder Enock Mwepu and Chambishi based business executive Chikabala Kaleta have organised the Changwe Kalale memorial youth football tournament to be held on Friday at Chambishi Rugby Club.
Former Zambia Under-17 star Kalale died last year after a spine injury sustained in a road accident in 2014.
He was travelling to Lusaka to join the senior national team camp when the accident occurred in Kabwe.
And Kaleta has told Radio Icengelo Sports in Kitwe that the memorial tournament will be an annual event.
‘Changwe Kalale was not only a football player but a hero for the people of Chambishi and society in general. His life needs to be celebrated,’ Kaleta said.
Kalale and his peers Mwepu plus Patson Daka led Zambia to a maiden Africa Under-17 Championship held in Niger in 2015.
‘Changwe’s existence in football has inspired many young people who are still playing even in his death,’ he said.
Kaleta added:’ Chambishi has got a very rich history of football as you know it has produced the likes of Webster Chikabala, Davies Phiri and Moses Sichone. That age had passed but another age had to rise which comprised Enock Mwepu and Changwe Kalale.’
CARITAS ZAMBIA PRESS STATEMENT FOLLOWING THE CONCLUSION OF THE CONFERENCE OF PARTIES (COP24) ON CLIMATE CHANGE HELD IN KATOWICE, POLAND FROM 3RD TO 14TH DECEMBER, 2018
Caritas Zambia participated in the just ended Conference of Parties (COP24) on Climate Change which brought around 200 countries all over the world together. The main objective of the conference was to arrive at decisions necessary to ensure the full implementation of the Paris Agreement through the designing of instruments that will enable countries achieve climate change goals.
Caritas Zambia;
APPRECIATES the decision made by the conference to adopt a set of guidelines and work programme for the implementation of the Paris Agreement. This, we believe, will provide countries with strong basis to start implementing the Agreement through the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The adoption of the Talanoa Dialogue, as a new methodology and indigenous style of bringing together different actors for a more open dialogue on climate change problems and solutions. However, the outcomes and how they can lead to change anything for the poorest on the ground was unclear. Caritas hopes that this spirit can be improved in the 2019 UN Secretary General’s Climate Summit. Further, we appreciate the fact that state parties recognise the importance of establishing rules on transparency for future climate finance in 2023. This can provide space for improved commitments that will ensure front line communities are at the centre of every decision.
WELCOMES; The operationalization of the Local Communities and Indigenous Platform, hoping that it will pave the way for genuine participation and effectively ensure that the experience and wisdom of traditional communities worldwide will inform global decisions on climate change issues.
CONCERNED; that COP24 failed to deliver climate justice to the most vulnerable people in the world. The lack of focus on loss and damage of the environment leaves people living in poverty even more vulnerable. The negotiations in Poland lacked the ambition and cooperation needed to agree on crucial measures to avert catastrophic effects of climate change. The international rulebook was done but doesn’t conclusively include necessary rules, tools or finance to actually stop the momentum of the changing climate.
Climate finance needed a much more ambitious push to move the world and countries beyond the commitments that have already been made and to help meet the goal of capping global temperature rise at 1.5C. “Rich countries have a moral and a legal responsibility to provide money and technology to developing countries to make their economies greener and tackle the impacts of climate change. Instead of taking this seriously, they pushed through a rulebook riddled with loopholes allowing them to avoid this responsibility.
The poor and vulnerable have their human rights constantly threatened by the effects of climate change. The Preamble of the Paris Agreement in particular reaffirms the rights of indigenous peoples, food security, just transition, public participation and access to information, ecosystem integrity, protection of biodiversity and intergenerational equity. Caritas Zambia is deeply saddened that the COP24 final decisions did not reflect these essential elements in the protection of human rights affected by climate change. It is extremely worrying that state Parties were still debating about such fundamental principles that were supposed to be held as key for every state.
The Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report issued earlier this year warns the world of the likely disastrous effects of global temperature rise at different points, clearly demonstrating that increased ambition is required to keep global temperatures from rising more than 1.5C. Despite this warning and the fact that we have just 12 years left to keep global temperatures at a safe level, parties failed to create a rulebook that lives up to the promise of the 2015 Paris Agreement.
In the context of our country Zambia, we would like to urge the government to;
Revise and enhance its Nationally Determined Contributions before 2020 in line with its fair share. It is well known that current pledges will not be nearly enough to limit warming to 1.5°C hence to contribute to the achievement of the visions and the goals of the Paris Agreement, Zambia must commit to greater levels of action against climate change and ensuring that the poor and vulnerable communities are at the center of every action to be taken.
Actively address gender and human rights dimensions in the revision of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDSs) and the implementation of both mitigation and adaptation measures.
Implement policies that protect the environment. The government should also strive to harmonise all policies that govern all natural resources protection
Adopt the Farmer-managed natural regeneration (FMNR) as a National wide programme to recover our lost indigenous tress. This will contribute to CO2 capture from the atmosphere that cause global warming.
Conclusion
In view of the above, Caritas Zambia calls on faith based groups in Zambia, civil society organisations and all none governmental organisations to increase their ambition to combat climate change, and to keep the needs of the most vulnerable at the forefront of all actions. In this situation, where Climate Change finance is of national concern, Caritas Zambia commends the national commitments to date and notes that it is important not to lose hope and but to continue the struggle for climate justice, for all people and for the planet. Together we can still reverse the course the environment has been forced to take, and we can do it for all the glory of God the creator of our universe.
PR Girl Media will once again host the Penthouse Party under the theme “All Red Affair”. The stylish event launched in 2017 is a networking and fashion event for the budding cosmopolitan crowd of Lusaka. The event this year will be held on 22 December at Society Business Park in Lusaka.
The event is themed on the concept of fashion blended with the best of entertainment on top of captivating city views. The event will commence at 7pm until late with red carpet arrivals which will be captured via Facebook Live during the first two hours of the event.
Lusaka’s socialites, celebrities and corporate personalities will attend the luxurious event with DJs such as Gesh Groove, El Mukuka, DJ Marlon and V Jeezy to keep guests entertained.
PR Girl Media has stated that the Penthouse Party will be the biggest event this festive season. “Last year’s event was a huge success and we have seen a significant increase in interest in lifestyle events in Zambia in 2018 we strategically selected to host this year’s Penthouse Party during the festive season to accommodate our out-of-town guests”, stated Monde & Chishimba Nyambe, Managing Partners of PR Girl Media.
Lusaka city is buzzing with conversations on fashion, entertainment and the stunning venue of the event. It comes as no surprise that PR Girl Media has made a mark in the local entertainment industry, the trendy Lifestyle PR agency has garnered regional attention with events such as Champagne Picnic, Lusaka July and Oktoberfest Lusaka. Corporate sponsors of the event include Budweiser, Society Business Park, Mahogany Air, Hilton Garden Inn and Liquid Telecom Zambia. Details of the event can be found on PR Girl Media’s social media profiles.
Zambian rapper ,Bobby East, who recently released his long awaited album Vanilla, took to social media to express his dismay in a cancelled performance that was allegedly due to his past criminal record and sex tape scandal.
The following is what he posted on social media.
“I would like to talk about something that has been heavy on my mind and spirit the last couple of days.This will be my first thread so please bear with me….”
“For legal reasons I wont be able to address the organizations involved by name but I will give a few clues where I can….”
“This all started a few weeks ago when a contact from an events company I have worked with before called me to enquire about my availability to perform at a end of year party for an unnamed corporation…”
“The date in question was a busy one as a lot of companies were planning similar events and as logic would dictate,I told my contact I would perform for the highest bidder.After a quick negotiation we arrived at what I consider a good offer and I agreed to do the show..”
“We did the usual business process of quotations and invoices.Everything seemed to going along smoothly the team and I even started rehearsals…..”
“Until barely a day before the event I got a call from my contact and the first question he asked was “Do you by any chance have any beef with *Name of Bank withheld but it’s one of the biggest in the country*”
“Naturally,I’m stunned.How can I a young rapper from Chunga have issues with a large multinational corporation??it makes no sense and I tell him as much….”
“He tells me the client has backtracked and doesnt me to do their event anymore..
“But my rehearsals and I gave up other shows”I tell him.
“They will pay you in full”he replies, “They just dont want you there”
“I tell him the money isnt important but for my own peace of mind I would like to know why this was happening (even though at this point I had a feeling) I just wanted them to admit it..”
“After a few hours he gets back to me says “Well they had issues with your criminal past and sextape scandal”and even though it’s the answer I was expecting I’m still sadden by it.”
“After all this time,all my hard work every hurdle and obstacle I have had to overcome it still comes down this..I’M THE SEXTAPE GUY”
“I just want to say to the person responsible for this decision,I have an account with you bank in fact I have had it for years and I wont be closing it.You see I will not let this action define who and what you are.”
“I hold no grudges or ill feelings just a deep concern for my work going forward.You might think sextape when you hear my name but if you met me you would see I’m much more.I’m resilient and defiant,I have paid for my mistakes before God and the law.”
“A lot of your clients and employees enjoy my music and I would like to believe a majority of them are over my past mistakes and it is my sincere hope that we can work together in the future… *END*
Government has targeted to spray over 23,000 households in Masaiti district this year under the Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) programme.
The IRS involves the Ministry of Health spraying a World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended chemical on the walls of people’s homes which kills off mosquitos and lasts at least six months.
Masaiti District Commissioner, Mike Musonda, said government wants to achieve a 100 percent coverage this year on the programme to improve on last year’s achievement of 82 percent coverage.
Mr. Musonda said government considers the IRS programme as an effective tool for eliminating malaria in the district due to its preventive nature.
He disclosed that at least 86,000 cases of malaria were recorded in the district this year, which meant that eight out of ten people in the district had contracted the disease.
The District Commissioner was speaking in Masaiti during the launch of the IRS programme yesterday.
And Copperbelt Province Health Director, Robert Zulu, called for concerted efforts in the fight against malaria in the district.
Dr. Zulu said in a speech read for him by Copperbelt Province Malaria Focal Point Person, Christine Mulesu that it was only thorough working together, coupled with combined interventions such as distribution of insecticide treated mosquito nets (ITNS) that the district would be able to achieve 100 percent coverage under the programme.
He affirmed that government wants to reduce malaria cases in the district in line with its national target of eliminating the disease in Zambia by 2021.
“”Without your support, and the leadership in the district, we will not be able to meet this target that we have set for ourselves,” he said.
Meanwhile, Masaiti Council Chairperson Christine Chande, has urged people in the area to continue being receptive towards the spray operators whenever they visit their homes.
Ms. Chande said government had spent huge amounts of money to ensure that people’s homes are sprayed and protected from contracting malaria.
“We are supposed to remain very welcoming whenever the teams visit your homes, allow them to do their work and help you protect yourselves,” she said.
Minister of General Education David Mabumba has advised head teachers in the country to ensure that school fees which pupils pay are properly utilised.
Mr. Mabumba said some parents become reluctant to pay their children’s school user fees because they do not seem to know how the money is used.
Speaking when he toured Nchelenge secondary school, Mr. Mabumba said once parents start to see how the money is being utilized through various projects at the school, they will be very much willing to pay the school fees for their children.
He pointed out that school management should always endeavor to do their best in improving the warfare of their schools.
The Minister said it was time for those entrusted to manage the affairs of schools in the country to be more creative in addressing challenges which their institutions face.
Mr. Mabumba said even as government and cooperating partners support various schools, they too should be doing something to better their institutions.
He has since disclosed that his ministry will hold a meeting for head teachers from all the old secondary schools in the country to see how they can tackle some of the issues which affect them.
And Nchelenge secondary school head teacher Kalumba Chituma said the institution has resolved to allow some parents to pay school fees in kind so as to make it affordable.
Mrs. Chituma explained that instead of them paying fees in actual cash, the parents are allowed to give goats, cassava and maize to the school.
She said the school will continue to addresses most of the challenges it faces.
Dr Edify Hamukale Minister Southern Provonce with Richard Kapita North Western Minister
Minister for Southern Province has advised public service workers to borrow money from lending institutions for constructive reasons.
Dr. Hamukale disclosed that the provincial administration was overwhelmed with the rising number of officers getting loans for wrong reasons.
The Minister observed that some public servants were getting loans to buy second hand cars, sponsor weddings, go on vacation and many other unconstructive reasons.
He said in as much as a car is a necessity, getting a loan to acquire a vehicle puts one on a constant path of maintaining it through buying fuel.
Dr. Hamukale has since advised officers to borrow money for buying houses and investing in lucrative business ventures.
Our dear President, your singling out of the Engineers and to be more specific The Engineering Institution of Zambia (herein after “the EIZ”) is a good thing. Infact it’s a wonderful opportunity you have given to not only the engineering profession but to all professionals abound.
I believe that when the Chief Executive calls you to action, it means that he feels you truly have something to offer and that he is open to your contributions that are presently not forthcoming (or just not visible).
I also believe that your call, Your Excellency is not a case of putting Engineers on the spot to become all defensive but Engineers need to show and demonstrate value as they should. Professionals together with their professional bodies have an irrefutable role (almost “fiduciary duty”) to play in national advisory and development agenda.
Let me hasten to mention here that i know that it is not only the EIZ being called to duty but all such other professional bodies such as the EAZ (that recently paid the President a courtesy call at state house and had the pleasure of taking that prestigious front stairs portrait with the President), the LAZ, the PAZ, the medical /Doctors association, and many others who have the duty to their Government of providing Professional guidance, relevance, oversight and opinions on matters they are qualified to comment on .
Now, getting back to the Engineering profession where I belong and whose association/ institution has being singled out. it is worth noting that the EIZ represents all engineering disciplines / professions that include among others, civil, automotive. computer, chemical, environmental, electrical, mechanical engineers, etc at various levels of qualification ( engineers, technologists, technicians and even crafts personnel). This trivia is shared merely so that people don’t just associate engineering with construction and not just see Engineers and leave out others such as technologists, technicians and even crafts personnel who together as a collective get the full scope of the job done!
So now, what have the Engineers (herein after refers to all engineering qualifications) done or not done in as far as playing an active role in advising and feeding into government decision making processes?
I will leave the EIZ as an institution with an elected mouthpiece to respond in greater detail to the President’s call that was echoed by his Minister at a recent EIZ event. But what I know my President is that the EIZ has given and presented position papers and reports such as the report on Zesco loadshedding (Sept 2015) and many others and continues to exist and influence through various representations. Ofcourse the EIZ can do more in creating visibility, relevance, currency and impactful existence. Let it also be known that We the Engineers by nature are quite reclusive albeit “monk-ish” (not like our “learned friends”!!) as such we need nudging and possibly reassurance that you need us too.
However, let me endeavor to list down the following;
BOARDS – Engineers sit or if not there already should be sitting on various State owned agencies & enterprises’ boards such as IDC, ZESCO, ERB, Indeni, RDA, NRFA, NAC, ZDA, etc, to provide a specific Technical oversight and direction. Being at the decision-making table from the onset helps a lot in getting the right deliverables on the ground.
TASKFORCES – task-specific teams are constituted (you guessed right) to handle, resolve specific issues. Govt has now and again constituted task force teams to look into certain issues and report back to govt with a list of possible scenarios and solutions. Often professionals such as Engineers have been part of these teams when invited to. We however need to localise these taskforce teams (case in point, taskforce team set up for government by donor agencies with minority local professional representation don’t quite have local knowledge and least of all local interest!).
EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAMS – the rains or lack thereof are almost upon us ( oh this climate change stuff is real and again as an environmental sustainability practitioner am responsible for!). So with the onset of rains comes the almost inevitable (floods, disease outbreaks etc) and for this we need a multidisciplinary team to anticipate such and mitigate as well as redesign to permanently eliminate.
THINKTANKS – I like what the PMRC (Policy Monitoring Research Centre) has been doing especially with regards to the energy policy advisory. I just wonder how involved and participatory we could be as Engineers in providing input into such processes/ good outputs. Without duplicating effort, Engineers ought to be involved in thought leadership and problem solving through these ThinkTanks.
ADVISORY BOARDS – advising Government should be a national service and patriotic imperative (I missed out on going to National Service after Form 5, I always wished I did go). And no, we don’t need to be paid for every advice we give as professionals to government. Remember ” to ask not what government can do for you but what you can do for government”.
Speaking for myself as an Energy Engineer of over 24years Engineering existence, I have taken it upon myself to engage with all the last 4 including the current Zambian Government’s Ministers of Energy to share with them my personal opinion on energy issues as well as offer my hand to help; truth is advice just seems to be the one thing you can not impose on anyone; they either take it or leave it!
As an Energy Engineer, I personally feel responsible for Zambia attaining a 100% electrification rate and becoming a net exporter of power. I also feel responsible for loadshedding and poor economic performance indicators due to insufficient power for productive usage (Economic – ENERGY – sociopolitical nexus). So this remains my guilt as a professional in this sector as such I shall continue to do my part and remain relevant wherever I am allowed and invited to become.
PROPOSITION:
Professional desk at state house similar to the marketeers’ desk (is it even still there?). Granted, some input directed at Government and specifically the President never ever gets to reach him as it sometimes gets lost either in translation or choice by messenger (case in point, I once commented and gave advice on the Presidential Milling initiative but doubt it even reached the President’s desk). A professional desk or depository at state house where the President takes personal interest may just provide the govt and country with some amazing ideas and solutions.
Apolitical Multidisciplinary advisory team to Government should be constituted with a revolving set of team members taken from across all professional and economic sectors and should not only be of the names we think we know or have heard off; strive to find that reclusive deep thinker and be open to divergent views.
Having said all this , now a message to all my fellow Engineers!
We have a patriotic duty and a responsibility to our profession to help our government deliver on it’s 7th NDP and Vision 2030 among others. Our contribution should both be small and grand at every level of society (whether appointed to a Board or merely helping our community during the weekly “keep our community clean” activities). We must not just want to participate where we will be recognized and awarded but also where there is no recognition or reward. We should not be shy to volunteer ourselves to service and raise our hands up for appointment and we should definitely not be our own enemies and inhibitors of fellow engineers!
By Eng.Chisakula Kaputu
The author of this article, Chisakula Kaputu is an Energy Expert and Sustainability Practitioner of over 20 years experience. He may be contacted by email at chisakula.kaputu AT see DOTco.zm
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A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all of us at Lusakatimes.
Economics Association of Zambia President Dr Lubinda Haabazoka has called on those involved who were involved in the privatization of mine assets should apologize.
Dr Haabazoka observed that the privatization of Zambia’s mines was done exploitatively.
Writing on his Facebook page, Dr Haabazoka who was attempted to make a veiled attack on opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema who worked as a Consultant to the Zambia Privatization Agency said the sale of mine assets was unpatriotic.
The EAZ President claimed that those that helped sell the mines are swimming in money leaving others to solve the problems they created.
“Each and every individual regardless of the role they played in Privatization of Zambia’s mines should apologize to the nation immediately,” Dr Haabazoka said.
“Privatization of Zambia’s mines at very exploitative terms is the highest level of unpatriotism,” he charged.
“20 years after the damage, some are swimming in money when others are solving problems created!!! 21000 job looses???”
NAREP’s Elias Chipimo, NDC Consultant Chishimba Kambwili and ADD Charles Milupi listen to UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema during a news briefing at Pamodzi Hotel on Sunday
JOINT STATEMENT ON:
THE STATE OF DEMOCRACY AND THE PLIGHT OF ZAMBIANS TODAY, UNITY OF PURPOSE OF
THE OPPOSITION AND THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT JUDGMENT OF 7 TH DECEMBER 2018
ISSUED ON 16 TH DECEMBER 2018
Thank you, fellow Zambians, for giving us this opportunity to address you at this very critical point in the History of our Country. Our discussion shall focus on three specific areas upon which we wish to draw the attention of the people of Zambia.
THE STATE OF DEMOCRACY AND THE PLIGHT OF ZAMBIANS TODAY
State of the Nation and the plight of the Zambian people
1. Ever since the dawn of the Third Republic in 1991, Zambia has been a bastion of democracy in Africa and beyond.
2. However, over the years following the death of President Michael Sata, may his soul restin peace, in 2014, the democratic space, and with it the fortunes of our beloved country, has shrunk to the point where Zambia is all but a totalitarian Nation today.
3. While the opposition has borne the brunt of the declining democratic standards, the people of Zambia have suffered the biggest blow, with standards of living dropping to the pre Mwanawasa and pre HIPC completion levels, owing to mismanagement of the economy by an un-listening and self-centered PF Government which thrives on corruption and undemocratic rule to secure the personal interests of its leaders.
4. As a result, according to recent reports which are widely available to the public, poverty is widespread in Zambia, affecting 64 per cent of the total population and rising to 80 per cent in rural areas.
5. The cost of living is unbearably high with the Basic Needs Basket for a family of 5 standing at K5,575 as at March 2018, which is well beyond the reach of the majority of Zambians, while the cost of fuel and a bag of Millie Meal exceed that which an ordinary Zambian can sustain. On top of that, we are taxed and levied on everything including our own boreholes, while sources of income dwindle on a daily basis.
The state of Democracy
6. To add to the foregoing, Zambians who do not support the PF and are not seen to be supporting the PF are denied opportunities to trade in markets, bus stops and other trading places which should ordinarily be open for all Zambians to operate in.
7. The rule of law is highly compromised with corruption being the order of the day and those who dare speak out against it become instant enemies of the State who are thereafter abused and harassed using the Police and other wings of state authority.
8. Today civil liberties are non-existent with only those that support the ruling party enjoying the right to exercise their guaranteed freedoms and the Police being on hand to arrest anyone else as the abuse of the Public Order Act has now become the norm.
9. Political intolerance and violence has become the order of the day contrary to the spirit of peace and unity that Zambia is renowned for.
UNITY OF PURPOSE OF THE OPPOSITION
An alliance of like-minded Political Parties
10. It is against this background that representatives of the 10 under listed Political Parties have chosen to unite in purpose for the greater good of mother Zambia and all her people irrespective of artificial barriers such as political affiliation.
11. To this end, we have agreed to The 10 opposition political party’s agreed to work together on the following national issues:
(i) Restoration of the Rule of Law;
(ii) Restoration of fundamental human rights, liberties and freedoms such as freedom of association, assembly, movement, the right to peaceful demonstration, worship, conscience including individual’s right to freely the express themselves in speech, conduct, dress or howsoever otherwise. There must be an end to people being attacked for wearing party regalia or other clothing that symbolizes their political choices;
(iii) Bringing an end to Political Violence;
(iv) Restoration of Good Governance;
(v) Bringing an end to Corruption;
(vi) Bringing an end to the abuse of the Public Order Act;
(vii) Electoral Reforms through amendment to retrogressive laws and through the establishment of a truly a independent electoral commission capable of delivering free and fair elections;
(viii) Media Reforms;
(ix) Judicial Reforms and with them the release of political detainees prisoners,refugees and a general amnesty for political fugitives;
(x) Constitutional Reforms;
(xi) Citizens Participation in National development, especially women and youths;and
(xii) Most importantly employment creation for our People and poverty reduction alongside the need to drive accelerated economic development, fairness and equity in the distribution of resources.
12. In order to achieve our common goal of delivering a better Zambia for all, we have resolved to focus on the issues that unite us rather than issues that divide us.
13. We shall thus contribute our unique and considerable skills towards achieving our aforementioned common goal, knowing that at times like this when the very existence of Zambia as we know it is at risk, all noble and patriotic Zambians must cast aside that which divides them and stand together in unity for the greater good of mother Zambia.
14. Our overriding aim is to provide effective checks and balances to those holding public office and whose duty it is to serve the people of Zambia.
Unity in diversity
15. We must hasten to add that our agreement to work together does not entail that there is a merger of the 10 Political Parties, as that would in itself be contrary to the democratic tenets in which we believe.
16. Our collaboration is a clear demonstration that in a properly functioning democracy we can co-exist while being individual, vibrant political parties with our own ideologies.
17. Unlike the ruling party whose aim is to stifle any form of dissenting views, we believe that diversity is the lifeblood of democracy and so we have chosen to act in unity while at the same time recognizing our diversity.
18. It is our firm belief that in this way we can more effectively serve you our fellow citizens of this beautiful land called Zambia.
19. And so we invite you fellow Zambians in all your diversity to join us in unity today, tomorrow and for the foreseeable future IN DOING WHAT IS RIGHT FOR OUR COUNTRY.
CONSTITUTIONAL COURT JUDGMENT OF 7 TH DECEMBER 2018
Brief Historical Background relating to tenure of office of the President
20. The democracy for which Zambia is renowned, and which today is under a threat never before seen, was hard fought for by our forerunners following the difficult years of one party rule.
21. From as long ago as 1973 when the Chona Constitutional Review Commission was commissioned, it was recognized that for Democracy to thrive, and in turn to avoid the creation of a dictatorship, one of the most important requirements was to limit the term of years that a person could be permitted to serve as President of our great Nation.
22. Through that Commission, the people spoke, although they were ignored, and as a result it was recommended that a President be permitted to serve no more than two consecutive five year terms. The result of ignoring the Chona recommendations was that Zambia ended up being under the rule of one President for a total of 27 years.
23. In 1991 we said no to that situation and brought back multi party politics. With it, the people reaffirmed their intent never to have any one person to serve as President for more than 10 years. In 2001, President Chiluba, may his soul rest in peace, tested the resolve of the people of Zambia without success as, in the true spirit of democracy, the people made it clear that there would be NO THIRD TERM for President Chiluba or anyone else. Our democracy thus thrived and became the pride of Africa.
24. Over the years various efforts have been made to put in place a time tested Constitution through various review methods. Among the most progressive of those was the Mun’gomba Commission which presented a draft Constitution that cast the will of the people in stone on the issue of tenure of office of the President.
25. Article 137 of the Mun’gomba draft stated in no uncertain terms that a Presidential term was to be 5 years and that “A PERSON WHO HAS TWICE BEEN ELECTED AS PRESIDENT IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR ELECTION TO THAT OFFICE FOR A THIRD OR OTHER SUBSEQUENT TERM” thereby clearly reflecting the consistent will of the people of Zambia that NO ONE is entitled to hold the office of President for more than 10 years or indeed for more than two terms.
26. Needless to say, when in enacting the Constitutional Amendments of 2016, the PF chose to ignore the Mun’gomba draft constitution, and other, progressive provisions that had previously been suggested, in preference for the current Article 106 which was the subject of the Judgment of the Constitutional Court given on 7 th December 2018 (“the Judgment”), a day which will go down as one of the darkest days in the History of our beloved Country.
Events leading up to the Judgment
27. The Nation will recall that shortly after the 2016 general election, Mr Edgar Lungu declared his intention to stand for reelection in 2021, that is to say, for a third term.
28. Promptly thereafter, 4 surrogate opposition parties led by Christian Democratic Party’s Dr. Dan Pule approached the Constitutional Court to endorse this intention and, together with the Attorney General of Zambia, put forward the unlikely argument that Mr Lungu was eligible to stand.
29. From the outset of the case, public perception was that its outcome was a foregone conclusion and this was confirmed on 2 nd November 2017 during a speech made at Solwezi airport by Mr Lungu in which he said that he knew how the Judges of the Constitutional Court were intending to decide his eligibility and case. During the same occasion, Mr Lungu proceeded to threaten the Judges and the Nation that he would cause chaos in Zambia should the Constitutional Court rule against him.
30. In his classic style Mr Lungu abrogated the Constitution in so far as it guarantees the independence and impartiality of the Judiciary under Article 122, and the entire Judiciary has remained mute over that violation to date. Can citizens therefore be blamed for questioning the Judiciary as a whole and in particular the ability of the Constitutional Court to render a fair Judgment? We leave that to you, our fellow Zambians, to answer for yourselves.
31. Suffice to say that it was self-evident from the hordes of Jubilant PF cardres that went to Court on Friday 7 th December 2018 that they knew the outcome of the case well in advance. Zambia Police were equally very cooperative on the day and conveniently forgot to apply the Public Order Act the way they do when other citizens wish to exercise their constitutionally guaranteed freedoms.
32. The eventual outcome of the Judgment did not therefore come as a surprise to many that dark Friday morning.
The Judgment and the approach used by the Court in arriving at it
33. Country men and women, whilst the outcome did not come as a surprise to many, the approach used by the Court to arrive at it has baffled many legal minds as the Court appeared to depart from the usual practice of Courts when adjudicating upon matters before them.
34. In Zambia, we have an adversarial system in which the Court is, or ought to be, neutral and leave the parties to put forward the questions they want determined and their arguments for and against those questions.
35. In the present case, the Court, in its final judgment completely rephrased the question for determination before it without affording the parties an opportunity to argue their cases from the perspective of the question as reframed by the Court, thereby placing them at a disadvantage.
36. What is more, had the Court allowed the parties to address it in the context of the rephrased question, they would have had a fair chance to put forward their arguments on what mischief parliament intended to remedy by specifically providing in black and white under Article 106(3) that A PERSON WHO HAS TWICE HELD OFFICE AS PRESIDENT IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR ELECTION AS PRESIDENT.
37. At the end of the day, we, and the many Zambians we speak for, are left wondering why the Court took the path it did in a case of such magnitude and far reaching effect.
38. We are left wondering how it can be that Mr Lungu never held office from January 2015 to September 2016, despite executing all the functions of President and enjoying all the benefits and emoluments of that office. How can it be that he was President, but did not hold office as President at the same time, in seeming defiance of logic?
39. For a detailed review of the Judgment, we invite members of the public to carefully read the analysis as rendered by National Restoration Party president, Mr Elias Chipimo, on the 9 th of December 2018, a copy of which is annexed hereto as an addendum, which analysis we the undersigned fully endorse and adopt on our own behalves and on behalf of the Political Parties we represent.
The effect of the Judgment on Zambia’s cherished Democracy
40. It is evident from the state of the law as it stands today that by enacting the Constitutional amendments of 2016, the PF put into motion a well-orchestrated plan to hijack Zambia’s much cherished democracy, using an amended Constitution which was designed with flaws and hidden agendas to suit the PF.
41. We thus ask Zambians to note the following key holdings contained in the Judgment:
(i) The decision by the Court not to accept the very clear wording of Article 106 (3) which states that a person who has twice held office as President is not eligible for election as President; and
(ii) The decision by the Court to instead rely on the provisions of Article 106 (6), (which relate to a Vice President that assumes office as President pursuant to Article 106(5)(a) or to a person that is elected to the office of President pursuant to Article 106(5)(b)) in order to arrive at the conclusion that Mr Lungu did not serve a qualifying term when he completed late President Sata’s term, may his soul rest in peace, and as such that Mr Lungu can serve more than two terms and more than 10 years in office.
42. From the above, it is evident that some of the far reaching effects and consequences of interpreting the Constitution in such a manner remain unaddressed.
43. For the first time in the History of Zambia, and contrary to the will of the people as demonstrated in the brief historical background above, a Court has legalized the holding by a person of a THIRD TERM.
44. Whether or not Mr Lungu’s initial term is deemed not have been a full, qualifying term under the Court’s interpretation of the law, the reality is that he served as President for the period of that term, was paid his emoluments as such and was sworn in again on
13th September 2016 for his current term. The judgment opens the door for him to do so again; for him to have a third stint in office, contrary to the resolve of Zambians in 1991 and 2001 when we said clearly NO THIRD TERM. The power is in our hands fellow citizens to say once again, but this time to Mr Lungu and the PF, NO THIRD TERM, we shall not allow it!
45. In the same spirit of the Zambian people, we shall not allow any single person to hold office for more than 10 years as this opens the door for despotism. Examples are plenty in Africa where the Constitution is manipulated so as to allow dictators to extend their rule and this is what we are seeing today. It will begin with a one year six month’s extension, then another extension of 2 years and 11 months, and so on until Mr Lungu is in office in perpetuity. Zambians must not allow this and the power is in our hands to SAY NO TO MORE THAN 10 YEAR’S RULE BY ANYONE!
46. As a matter of law and fact, by holding that a term of less than three years cannot be deemed a qualifying term for purposes of eligibility to stand for election as President, the Constitutional Court has created a dangerous precedent and a Constitutional crisis given the provisions of Article 81(4) to (9) of the Constitution which allow the President to, upon reference to (no other than) the Constitutional Court, dissolve parliament at any time during his tenure, resulting in the holding of fresh general elections within 90 days thereafter.
47. As things stand therefore, country men and women, and with the current perception around the Constitutional Court, there is a very real danger that before the lapse of this and any future term of office that Mr Lungu, or indeed any subsequent President, may hold he can perpetuate his stay in office by dissolving Parliament before the lapse of three years and will be eligible to stand again as the time already served will not qualify as a full term for purposes of disqualifying him from eligibility.
48. Fellow Zambians, the Constitutional crisis that now exists and is highlighted above is an assault on our democracy of the worst kind as it brings back the wamuyayaya formula that we Zambians rejected in 1991. We urge you to reject it once again!
49. It is clear that this situation is part of Mr Lungu’s elaborate plan to kill democracy in Zambia as he has said time and time again that he would sacrifice democracy.
50. Zambia is bigger than one man and his friends and, collectively as citizens, we must put a STOP to it.
Our message to the people
51. The time has come for all Zambians to unite against those that wish to kill our hard earned democracy and to protect our Constitution as we swore to do in the preamble to the same Constitution in which we committed to upholding the principles of democracy and good governance.
52. We collectively owe our beloved motherland and ourselves the right and duty to defend the Constitution and to resist or prevent any person from overthrowing, suspending or illegally abrogating the Constitution and our rights as enshrined therein.
53. It is not about Banda, Chanda, Chipimo, Hakainde, Kambwili, Lukuku, Milupi, Mulongoti, Siwale, Tembo or the opposition as a whole but about the people of Zambia, our children and their children.
Our call for action
54. We therefore ask you our fellow Zambians in the exercise of your right and duty to defend and protect the Constitution, our democracy and mother Zambia:
(i) To exercise your democratic right to demonstrate lawfully and peacefully for the re-amendment of the Constitution, for a return to the rule of law, for an end to the abuse of the Public Order Act, for the restoration of fundamental human rights, civil liberties and freedoms and for an end to the abuse of Institutions of State.
(ii) To rise up from your slumber and demand that a new, people driven Constitutional review process be undertaken by the Ministry of justice
immediately to amend the current Constitution and remove any ambiguity so that no person can claim eligibility to stand for a THIRD TERM. Let us say in one voice NO THIRD TERM FOR MR LUNGU OR ANYONE ELSE.
(iii) To rise up in unity and demand THAT THE JUDICIARY BE ALLOWED TO OPERATE FREELY AND INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT INTERFERANCE FROM ANYONE.
(iv) To demand for radical judicial reforms the Kenya and South Africa way and for the consequent ABOLITION OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT.
(v) To join us in the fight against corruption;
(vi) To unite as one and to Act together NOW to protect your POWER, THE PEOPLE’S POWER, from being abused and taken away by the greedy and corrupt elements of our society;
(vii) To bring an end to politically motivated intolerance, an end to political violence, to restore the peace, love and unity for which Zambia is renowned and to restore the dignity of mother Zambia by speaking out against all that is wrong and un Zambian in our Country today, tomorrow and for the foreseeable future;
(viii) To say NO TO UNREALISTIC AND EXCESSIVE TAXES AND LEVIES on your already overstretched income; and, most importantly
(ix) To demand for accountability in the use of public wealth and the prudent and equitable distribution of resources to key areas of need including health,education, water and sanitation AND FOR THE LOWERING OF PRICES OF FUEL, MILLIE MEAL AND OTHER ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES.
55. We as opposition political parties open our doors to all Zambians, other like-minded political parties, including the multitudes of unhappy members of the PF and other organisations or associations to join us and together we do what is best for mother Zambia and one another.
56. Zambia calo cesu elo twa kwata fye cimo, and the time for action is now. We must use all lawful means available to protect our great Nation Zambia!
Conclusion
57. We commit ourselves to serving our motherland above ourselves.
58. We shall not relent in the battle to save our democracy and so we shall explore all local and international legal avenues to address the current situation obtaining in Zambia.
59. We remain united in purpose as the opposition.
ONE ZAMBIA, ONE NATION!!!!!
SIGNED FOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE POLITICAL PARTIES LISTED BELOW:
Alliance for Democracy and Development Charles L Milupi
National Democratic Congress Chishimba Kambwili
National Restoration Party Elias Chipimo
New Labour Party Fresher Siwale
Patriots for Economic Progress Sean E Tembo
Peoples Party Mike Mulongoti
Republican Progressive Party James Lukuku
United Party for National Development Hakainde Hichilema
Minister of General Education David Mabumba has disclosed that phase one of the construction of 82 secondary schools across the country is expected to be completed by the end of this month.
Mr. Mabumba explained that the US$60 million Zambia Education Enhancement Project (ZEEP) will help increase access to secondary education in the country.
He said the Ministry was targeting to enroll pupils in these secondary schools once by January next year.
Speaking when he inspected construction works of schools under the ZEEP in Luapula Province, Mr. Mabumba said the World Bank funded ZEEP project was targeting communities that have never had a secondary school.
He said some of these schools will have boarding facilities to accord pupils who come from distant places an opportunity to acquire education.
Mr. Mabumba observed that once this project is completed, issues of learners dropping out of school due to long distances will be a thing of the past.
He disclosed that currently the country has a lot of primary schools as compared to secondary schools but with the coming of ZEEP, more secondary schools will be constructed.
Meanwhile, the Minister has urged all local contractors working on this project to speed up the works.
He explained that the money for the project is readily available and there is no reason for them to delay.
He has since urged the local people in all the areas where these schools are being constructed to take keen interest and continue supporting the project as it is their own.
