Kasama District Commissioner, Annie Paul, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to promoting social protection programmes as a key pillar for achieving sustainable growth and national development.
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Ms Paul says it is imperative for the government to pursue efficient, effective and inclusive social protection systems in order to reduce poverty, vulnerability and inequality in society.
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She adds that poverty and vulnerability reduction remain firmly entrenched among the priorities of the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP), demonstrating the government’s strong commitment to inclusive development and ensuring that no one is left behind.
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Ms Paul further notes that the government recognises the importance of effective coordination in implementing social protection programmes, as this provides sustainable security against deprivation and extreme vulnerability.
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‎“I am confident that the knowledge and skills you have acquired will go a long way in improving service delivery for the poor and vulnerable in the community,” she states.
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‎The media reports that the District Commissioner was speaking during the closing ceremony of a Social Protection Transform Training organised by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Kasama.
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She explained that the workshop was designed to give district officers an opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills, promote coherence, and strengthen coordination mechanisms across various social protection programmes at district and community levels.
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Ms Paul further urged the participants to fully utilise the knowledge and skills gained to improve service delivery.
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‎ “You are now ambassadors of transformation and coordination in our district,” she noted.
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‎Ms Paul also highlighted that the government’s ongoing decentralisation process has significant implications for social protection coordination, as more functions and responsibilities are being devolved to sub-national levels, empowering local authorities to take a leading role in development planning and service delivery.
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She praised ILO and its partnership for the unwavering financial and technical support to the government, and urged the organisation to continue collaborating in efforts to promote harmonised, efficient and resilient social protection systems.
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‎Meanwhile, ILO Director for Zambia and Malawi, Wellington Chibebe, said the Transform District Training Programme aligns with the newly launched 2025 National Social Protection Policy.
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‎Mr Chibebe, who was represented in the meeting by ILO Financial Coordinator, Malambo Simulyampondo, said it takes a lifecycle approach to addressing vulnerabilities at different stages of life in order to combat poverty more effectively.
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‎He noted that the programme will help build sufficient capacity across African countries, including Zambia to extend social protection to all, as envisioned by various United Nations agencies.
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“ILO seeks to ensure sustainability of the initiative as we scale up the training nationally,” he said.
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Mr Chibebe added that the training has equipped participants with knowledge across several components of social protection systems, including finance and financial management and the selection and identification of vulnerable groups.
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‎He emphasised that the ILO, through the Transform initiative, remains committed to offering both technical and financial support to the government to improve livelihoods and contribute to the attainment of universal social protection coverage.
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‎ “This is a deliberate step by the ILO and other UN agencies to transform and ensure the Zambian government takes full ownership of capacity-building activities in a more cost-effective way,” he said.
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Mr Chibebe expressed confidence that the training will yield meaningful progress in advancing universal social protection at both district and national levels.

The Provincial Administration in Luapula Province has said construction works on the 50-Megawatt Solar Power Project in Mansa District are at 95 percent completion.

In an interview with the media, Luapula Province Permanent Secretary Prudence Chinama disclosed that once complete, Luapula Province will retain 30 percent of the 50 megawatts that will be fed into the national grid.

Ms Chinama disclosed that the works of the solar power project located in Mabumba Chiefdom are expected to be completed by the end of December 2025.

“The only thing that we are waiting for is an evacuation line to bring and retain some of that power that is supposed to go into the national grid,” she said.

The Permanent Secretary, therefore, said that once completed, the 50-megawatt solar project will cushion the burden of power deficit on the people of Luapula.

Acting Chilanga District Commissioner Maureen Chilende has commended the Ministry of Community development and Social Services and cooperating partners for their continued investment in social protection programmes  which, she said ,  remain invaluable in advancing government priorities for poverty reduction and inclusive development.

 The media reports that Ms Chilende says the Supporting Women’s Livelihood (SWL) Project is not merely a social assistance programme, but a transformative platform for women empowerment, climate resilient and long-term economic stability.

She was speaking during the supporting Women’s Livelihood (SWL) Project inception meeting in Chilanga district held at the District Administration Office.

“This event signifies more than a routine engagement, it marks the beginning of an expanded implementation phase that seeks to strengthen adaptive social protection systems and enhance the economic resilience of the poorest and most vulnerable women in our communities “, she emphasised.

Provincial Community Development Officer Mercy Daka explained that the second phase of the Girls Education and Women’s Empowerment and livelihoods for human Capital project (GEWEL 2.0) is a four years project funded by the World Bank and its cooperating partners implemented by GRZ.

Ms Daka said the intervention has been designed to address the structural challenges faced by extremely poor rural women by providing a holistic package that includes formation and strengthening of saving groups, promoting social cohesion, financial inclusion and household resilience.

“ It further provides Life and business skills training, enabling beneficiaries to build foundational knowledge in entrepreneurship, financial management, climate resilience and productive inclusion; A one-time productivity grant, empowering women to start, expand or diversify incoming generating activities,” she explained.

The Provincial Community Development Officer noted that the cash plus model has been recognised internationally for its effectiveness in promoting livelihood sustainability and building household resilience especially among the poorest.

Ms Daka noted that Chilanga district continues to demonstrate strong leadership and community engagement which are essential foundations for the successful rollout of SWL.

 The SWL initiative is a component of the GEWEL project which was first started in 2016 and was conducted in 81 districts and run by the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services and reached nearly 144,297 Poor rural women by 31 December 2024.

The second phase of SWL has seen an additional 20 districts which includes Chilanga district and 42 old districts which had benefited in the first phase and has been layered on the social cash transfer programme which covers about 1.3 million poor households in Zambia.

Local Government and Rural Development Minister Gift Sialubalo has pledged that “heads will roll” following the unauthorized demolition of structures in Chingola and Kasompe. He stated that officials who abused their authority by carrying out the demolitions will be held accountable.

The action comes after residents of Kasompe Airstrip reported that their houses were demolished by council workers, with allegations that armed officers brutalized men, women, and children during the operation.

Speaking at a press briefing, Minister Sialubalo revealed that preliminary findings indicate the Chingola demolition was executed without a council resolution, proper documentation, or prior notification to the area MP, local councillor, or the affected families. He expressed shock that some councillors participated despite the lack of formal approval.

“There are people operating above the law. We are not going to spare anyone involved. Even if structures are illegal, proper processes must be followed,” Sialubalo asserted.

He has directed the local authority to submit a full report identifying who authorized the demolition, who allocated the plots, and who issued any building permits.

Copperbelt Province Minister Elisha Matambo also condemned the demolitions in Kasompe, confirming that 10 families were displaced. He stated that the provincial administration was not informed, violating a 2023 directive requiring councils to seek provincial approval before any demolition.

“This was wrong timing and harsh, especially in the rainy season,” Matambo said. “We will follow this issue and deal with anyone found wanting. Dialogue, not demolition, is the solution.”

Minister Sialubalo further warned that officials, councillors, or party members who defy regulations will not be protected. “We have to uproot the roots of illegal land allocation,” he said. “We are not going to spare anyone.”

Zambian football icon Kalusha Bwalya has been taken to the Lusaka High Court over allegations that he received payment for a plot of land in Chongwe but failed to complete the sale.

According to court documents filed on December 2, businessman Davie Zulu claims he paid K426,720 for Plot No. 26188/M in March 2021 after signing a contract through Bwalya’s appointed attorney, Fabian Nzala.

Zulu states that he fulfilled all contractual obligations, including lodging and later withdrawing a caveat at the Ministry of Lands. The agreement required that payment be made after the caveat was successfully lodged, with funds deposited into the vendor’s account minus legal fees and transfer taxes. The vendor was also to grant vacant possession of the land free of any encumbrances within two months.

Zulu alleges he made the full payment on March 26, 2021, lodged the caveat on March 30, 2021, and withdrew it on September 7, 2021.

The court documents reveal that Bwalya wrote to the Chief Registrar of Lands on June 24, 2021, seeking a re-issued certificate of title after claiming the original was missing. The Ministry of Lands also could not locate a photocopy. When the lease expired in 2022, a new offer letter was issued in Bwalya’s name on May 30, 2022.

Zulu contends that despite these developments, Bwalya has been reluctant to instruct his lawyer to sign the new lease, effectively blocking the completion of the transaction and constituting a breach of contract.

As Bwalya currently resides in Johannesburg, South Africa, Zulu has requested the court’s permission to serve him with the lawsuit through a substituted service—specifically, an advertisement in the South African newspaper The Citizen, due to its wide circulation.

Through his lawyers, Zambezi Chambers, Zulu is seeking specific performance of the contract, damages for breach of contract, interest, and legal costs.

Following an inspection of the newly rehabilitated Kasama Sports Stadium, FIFA officials have stated that nothing prevents other stakeholders from undertaking additional improvement works at the facility.

FIFA Lead Regional Development Officer David Fani, who led the inspection alongside Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) officials, expressed satisfaction with the completed works while acknowledging some aspects require conclusion. He emphasized that the project’s scope allows for other parties to assist the community in further enhancing the stadium.

“The scope is there for other parties to come in, even after completion of the project, if there are still works to be done. Other parties can come in and assist the community to improve the facility,” Fani stated.

The $300,000 FIFA-funded project primarily covered pitch installation, civil works, and consultant fees. Fani noted that while the installer did a good job, the pitch has deteriorated due to gaps in maintenance but can be restored with minor work.

FAZ Northern Province Chairperson Chikonde Mbalazi announced that FAZ will provide 80 plastic chairs for the refurbished VIP area and assured that the pitch will be restored to its previous perfect condition. He called on the business community and civic leaders to partner in completing works outside FIFA’s scope, such as an additional, larger dressing room that was incorporated into the plans but requires further funding.

The rehabilitation, part of five FIFA-funded projects across Zambia, included a facelift for the VIP area, perimeter fencing, two ablution blocks, and a ticketing office. The stadium is now largely complete, pending final touches and ongoing maintenance to preserve the facility.