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Women’s History Museum of Zambia and the Embassy of Sweden in Lusaka are cooperating with Wikipedia to highlight women’s profiles, experts and role models from Zambia. With this initiative, we want to increase the number of narratives on Wikipedia of Zambian women who have contributed to the country’s traditional and contemporary history, and help to make the internet more gender-equal.
Wikipedia is the world’s largest online and user-generated encyclopaedia. Its content influences and colours users’ knowledge about the world. But there is great imbalance on the website, like in society at large. Ninety per cent of the content is created by men, and there are four times more articles about men than there are about women. The figures vary regionally, but the picture is the same all over the world: the information about women is not only less extensive than that about men, it is also more negative and different in character.
“I believe if you don’t talk about your stories no one will tell them for you and it is our responsibility as Africans to do so”, said South African Wikipedian and trainer Bobby Shabangu.
To contribute to a more accurate picture, the Women’s History Museum, the Embassy of Sweden and Wikipedia have therefore taken the initiative for the #Wiki Women Edit-a-thon in Zambia. A Wikipedia representative from South Africa has been in the Lusaka for three days where almost 40 Zambian writers were trained in methods of writing for Wikipedia and situating African narratives so they can have prominence on the global platform.
The stories will be accessible to the public from today, 28th February, 2018. The writers have spent the last 24 hours writing stories about women that were selected by the public. The women were selected through a nomination call sent out by the Women’s History Museum of Zambia through electronic and social media. A shortlist of 150 women was earmarked for documentation.
Today 70 women will be published on Wikipedia with a continued process of documentation to carry on after this process.
“This initiative is a central part of the Women History Museum’s mandate to restore obscured narratives of women’s histories and influence how information about African women is curated, distributed and consumed,” said co-founder of the museum Samba Yonga.
The Embassy of Sweden in Lusaka has supported the project in line with Sweden’s feminist foreign policy, which is based on the ambition to strengthen women’s and girls’ rights, representation and resources. On 8 March, we will be joined by the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Swedish embassies, which are organising parallel events in more than 40 countries together with local actors and partner, in the #WikiGap initiative to improve the representation of articles by and about women on Wikipedia.
“The goal of achieving gender equality is fundamentally a human rights issue. The #WikiWomen initiative primarily concerns representation, which in turns concerns reflecting the world as it actually appears. We want to see women profiles, to the same extent as men, represented in all contexts, including on the Internet. The #WikiWomen initiative in Zambia is timely indeed and links to the Swedish global campaign #WikiGap to close the Internet gender gap,” said Ambassador Henrik Cederin.
The list of women stories that have gone live today include updates and new entries. Updates have been added to historical figures such Alice Lenshina, Maureen Mwanawasa and Yolanta Mainza Chona. New entries include civil rights lawyer Lucy Sichone, Law Association of Zambia President Linda Kasonde and entrepreneur Monica Musonda.
The Zambian Wikipedians (Wikipedia writers) will continue to collaborate with the public in order to keep adding to the women’s profile list. Wikipedia is an open source platform and allows for people to add and edit information.
“The Women’s History Museum wants to create a ground swell of Zambian history on Wikipedia and this is the first stage of this operation. It was imperative to create a corp of Zambian men and women writers to drive this project. The idea is to have quarterly themed edit-a-thons where the Zambian Wikipedians will meet and continue to add to the database”, said co-founder of the Women’s History Museum, Mulenga Kapwepwe.
The Wiki Women Edit-a-thon was a collaborative effort between the Women’s History Museum of Zambia, and supported by the Embassy of Sweden in Lusaka and Wikipedia global. The training was hosted by Bongohive in Lusaka and facilitated by a combined team of Women’s History Museum and Bongohive staff.
CBU students leave campus after government closed it indefinately
Management at the Copperbelt University has appealed to government to release funds for completion of the students’ hostels under construction at the Riverside Campus in Kitwe.
Copperbelt University director Planning, Property and Service Bernard Mabo said the works at the project have slowed down due to poor funding towards the project.
Mr. Mabo said the University management would want the project to be completed as soon as possible so that the shortage of accommodation can be reduced at the institution.
He told ZANIS in interview that four story hostel blocks under construction are expected to accommodate over three thousand students, a situation he said will help cushion the problem of accommodation.
He however said that management was aware that government through the Ministry of Higher Education was working on modalities to avail funds for the project.
And Hua Chang Infrastructure Engineering Ltd, the company engaged to construct the hostels complained that the works have come to a halt due to lack of funding from government.
Zhang Guan Chen, the project chief site engineer complained that the company had run out materials for the works to continue.
Mr Guan Chen said the company can complete the project within a month if money can be availed.
He stated that that the project which commenced in 2015 has prolonged due to poor funding when the contractors had the capacity to finish the works within a period of a year or less.
Shortage of accommodation at the Copperbelt University has continued to be a serious problem which is forcing students to squat with those accommodated or seek shelter in boarding houses around the university.
Ministry of Higher Education Professor Nkandu Luo has since banned squatting at the Copperbelt University and the University of Zambia in Lusaka.
South Africa’s parliament has voted in favour of a motion that will begin the process of amending the country’s Constitution to allow for the confiscation of white-owned land without compensation.
The motion was brought by Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters, and passed overwhelmingly by 241 votes to 83 against.The EFF leader Julius Malema told MPs: “The time for reconciliation is over. Now is the time for justice.
“If the grandchildren of Jan Van Riebeeck have not understood that we need our land, that over and above it’s about our dignity then they have failed to receive the gift of humanity. We do not seek revenge.”
“Land must be expropriated without compensation for equal distribution.”
The only parties who did not support the motion were the Democratic Alliance, Freedom Front Plus, Cope and the African Christian Democratic Party.
It was amended but supported by the ruling African National Congress and new president Cyril Ramaphosa, who made land expropriation a key pillar of his policy platform after taking over from ousted PM Jacob Zuma earlier this month.
“The time for reconciliation is over. Now is the time for justice,”. “We must ensure that we restore the dignity of our people without compensating the criminals who stole our land.”
A 2017 land audit report by the department of land reform states 72% of farm land is owned by white owners, followed by coloureds (people of mixed race) at 15%, Indians at 5% and blacks at 4%.
ANC deputy chief whip Dorries Eunice Dlakude said the party “recognises that the current policy instruments, including the willing-buyer willing-seller policy and other provisions of Section 25 of the Constitution may be hindering effective land reform”.
ANC rural affairs minister Gugile Nkwinti added, “The ANC unequivocally supports the principle of land expropriation without compensation. There is no doubt about it, land shall be expropriated without compensation.”
Thandeka Mbabama from the Democatic Alliance party, which opposed the motion, said there was a need to right the wrongs of the past but expropriation “cannot be part of the solution”. “By arguing for expropriation without compensation, the ANC has been gifted the perfect scapegoat to explain away its own failure,” she said in a statement.
“Making this argument lets the ANC off the hook on the real impediments — corruption, bad policy and chronic underfunding. Expropriation without compensation would severely undermine the national economy, only hurting poor black people even further.”
Pieter Groenewald, leader of the Freedom Front Plus party representing the white Afrikaner minority, asked what would happen to the land once it was expropriated. “If you continue on this course, I can assure you there is going to be unforeseen consequences that is not in the interest of South Africa,” he said.
Chilanga UPND Member of Parliament Keith Mukata has been found guilty of first degree murder and sentenced to death by hanging while his girlfriend Charmaine has been acquitted.
Lusaka High Court Judge Susan Wanjelani convicted Mukata and acquitted Charmaine today when she delivered judgement in the matter where the two were accused of murdering Namakau Kalila Kwenda, a security guard at Mukata’s law firm.
Justice Wanjelani ruled that the fact that three cartridges were found inside the gate confirms that the deceased was shot by a person face to face.
She said it is established that the wound was caused by a gunshot from Mukata but the question is whether there was any malice forethought.
Seven witnesses were called and the two accused were placed on defence.
Mukata gave evidence while Charmaine opted to remain silent.
The defence argued that there was no direct evidence linking the accused to the murder and that it was dereliction of duty for the police as plates in which the gun is said to have been found was not produced as evidence and that the BMW was not taken to the scene for crime reconstruction.
Justice Wanjelani said it is common cause that the deceased was facing his killer at close range and that she finds that the deceased could not have been killed by a gunshot from outside the gate but from inside.
Given that there are relatively few cases before it, what explains the continued delay by the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) in determining the election appeal cases involving Margaret Mwanakatwe, the Lusaka Central Patriotic Front (PF) Member of Parliament and Minister of Finance, and Nkandu Luo, the PF MP for Munali constituency and Minister of Higher Education? Is it simply the fact that the ConCourt was not functioning for quite some time because almost all judges were subject of an investigation by the Judicial Complaints Commission, which ultimately exonerated them? Or perhaps there is more to the case than meets the eye? To recap: in November 2016, the Lusaka High Court nullified the duo’s elections for electoral malpractices after the defeated opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) candidates petitioned the results of the 11 August 2016 vote. The two high-profile ministers appealed to the ConCourt, seeking to overturn the High Court rulings. Nearly fifteen months later, the two appeal cases remain undetermined, yet several similar less high-profile cases that were filed around the same time have already been disposed of. Notwithstanding rumours that a ruling, at least in the Munali case, will be made this very week, it is worth asking what explains this undue delay. Before attempting any response to this question, it is worth quoting in full the relevant clause of the Constitution, which deals with petitions relating to the election of MPs:
73. (1) A person may [within seven days of the declaration of the election results?] file an election petition with the High Court to challenge the election of a Member of Parliament.
(2) An election petition shall be heard [and determined?] within ninety days of the filing of the petition.
(3) A person may appeal against the decision of the High Court to the Constitutional Court.
(4) A Member of Parliament whose election is petitioned shall hold the seat in the National Assembly pending the determination of the election petition.
The first possible explanation then is that the delay in resolving parliamentary election appeal cases is a consequence of the weaknesses of the existing law. While the Constitution requires the High Court to ‘hear’ and presumably determine a properly filed petition against an elected MP within 90 days, it does not provide for a specific timeframe within which a subsequent appeal to the ConCourt must be decided. This is an institutional loophole that some judges may take advantage of to delay deciding appeal cases, one that should be rectified urgently because it potentially undermines the efficient administration of justice and enables judges that are susceptible to political and financial influence to hide behind its ambiguity.
Since the Constitution stipulates that the High Court must ‘hear’ and possibly dispose of a candidate’s petition within 90 days, any further appeal to the ConCourt should be dispatched with the utmost urgency to ensure that the case is not unduly delayed much beyond the three months set in the Constitution and to observe the judicial principle that justice delayed is justice denied. This is especially so in the current context, where the Constitution appears to allow an MP whose election has been nullified but who consequently appeals to the ConCourt to remain in the National Assembly until after the determination of his or her case. If the ConCourt, after so much undue delay, ultimately finds that one was not duly elected to Parliament, it would be complicit in having perpetuated a form of electoral injustice where the wronged voters of a given constituency were all along denied their chosen representative and instead had a dishonourable crook foisted upon them. Thus, in failing to expedite the appeal cases, the Constitutional Court is damaging its reputation as an institution that is able to dispense justice in a timely manner. This erosion of its reputation has grave consequences for the rule of law in Zambia. For instance, the court’s failure to intervene promptly in election appeal cases means that there is effectively no incentive for political parties and individuals to abide by the rules of the game in future elections. Candidates who win illegitimately can be confident that years will go by with them sitting in Parliament and enjoying all the privileges that come with being an MP while their appeal cases remain undetermined in the ConCourt.
Another constitutional weakness that needs to be corrected urgently relates to the requirement that ‘[a] person may appeal against the decision of the High Court to the Constitutional Court’. In my view, it seems to be a fundamental error in law that political parties or losing candidates unsatisfied with the rulings of the High Court should be appealing, mandatorily, to the ConCourt rather than the Court of Appeal and possibly the Supreme Court. The question of whether or not someone has cheated in an election is not necessarily a constitutional matter; it can simply be a legal issue, and the ConCourt, a specialised body, is supposed to only adjudicate on cases where the interpretation of the Constitution is in dispute, which is hardly the case here. In this case, the High Court found that Mwanakatwe and Luo were guilty of winning their elections by means of intimidation, use of racist remarks and public resources for campaigning, and violence. None of these are constitutional matters that warrant the attention of the ConCourt.
Here, we see yet another problem created by the 2016 hurriedly-amended Constitution: lack of a clearly defined hierarchical order of the country’s superior court system, which has effectively rendered the Supreme Court redundant. One possible way of addressing this defect, which reveals a court system in crisis, is to strictly delineate the mandate of the ConCourt, which, according to Article 121, is equivalent in rank to the Supreme Court. As presently designed, the Concourt is a mess and it is hard to argue that it brings anything new on board. A more effective solution would be to abolish the ConCourt altogether, as recently proposed by civil society groups, and focus on strengthening the exiting courts, including by way of requiring all judges and magistrates to retire and re-apply for their positions through an independent vetting board. This approach would lessen the problems of corruption and incompetence that are central features of our justice system.
The Judiciary may have a few individuals who still pretend that they are serving a higher cause than that of the lumpen elites in power and foreign money in Zambia. Taken as a whole, however, the judiciary is rotten to the core. Genuinely good individuals in the Zambian judiciary, especially the higher echelons, would have resigned a long time ago when Frederick Chiluba, Levy Mwanawasa, Michael Sata, Rupiah Banda and now Edgar Lungu all made it clear to them that they exist mainly to carry out the wishes of the executive. It matters less to some on the bench that they belong to a noble profession that should dispense only truth and justice – a considerable number of them are happy to serve out lies and injustice to advance their careers and the interests of the ruling authorities. In our extreme material and cultural impoverishment, the truth is foreign and professions are a means to find a job, for survival, not to advance the so-called ‘noble ideals’ of the profession. Law has in fact assumed the mantle of leader, in this regard, in Zambia; it has become the scum of all professions, in my opinion. To become a lawyer has become the immediate dream of any young man or woman seeking to escape poverty. This is an acidic ingredient of a judiciary that is highly susceptible to political and financial interests.
The more plausible, and ominous, explanation behind the delays in disposing of the appeal cases is that this is a conscious political strategy that has been adopted by the ruling authorities. This strategy is one of pressuring the courts to make constant adjournments to the cases to avoid holding any parliamentary by-election in urban constituencies of Lusaka for fear of losing to the UPND. Any loss to the opposition would be embarrassing and reveal waning support for the ruling party. More importantly, the evidence on which Luo and Mwanakatwe’s seats were nullified is similar to the irregularities that Hakainde Hichilema and Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba cited in their petition against the election of Lungu. If the ConCourt upholds the decisions of the High Court, it would open a Pandora’s box, as the UPND is likely to use the rulings as proof of the serious irregularities that marred the presidential election. The main opposition is also likely to insist that by extension their petition, which was dismissed without being heard, must be heard.
It is worth remembering that Hichilema and Mwamba have appealed to the High Court claiming that their right to be heard as stipulated in Article 18 of the Constitution was violated by the ConCourt when it disposed of their petition against Lungu’s election without hearing it, as required by Article 101 (5). This much-delayed case remains before the High Court and the judge who is hearing the matter, Mwila Chitabo, has stayed proceedings pending determination of an appeal to the Supreme Court to make him recuse himself from it for alleged bias. If the ConCourt upholds the High Court decisions to nullify the seats, it would effectively put pressure on the Supreme and High courts to make a ruling on the right to be heard case, the outcome of which might potentially plunge the country into a constitutional crisis.
The Belgian beer Stella Artois will officially launch in Zambia on 3 March 2018 at a colorful event at the Roan & Sable Restaurant where business leaders, celebrities and socialites will attend to taste the unique beer.
Stella Artois is one of the world’s best-selling beers, a classic lager, golden in color with exceptional clarity and a spicy hop character that is enjoyed in more than 80 countries. Its full, characteristic flavor and excellence is assured through a superior brewing process and by using the finest ingredients available. The beer is well known as an in ideal accompaniment for a variety of cuisines from around the world.
Under the theme ‘Host Beautifully’ Stella Artois has partnered with the premium food venue to celebrate the beer’s arrival in Zambia. A variety of food will be presented at the launch to highlight the support of the brand for the development of culinary arts in Zambia.
“2018 is an exciting year for Stella Artois, a global beer that prides itself on its rich heritage of over 600 years of brewing expertise. This event is a great tasting opportunity and we are delighted to give the country’s consumers the choice of such a fine product that has been a favourite for centuries in Europe. It brings a whole new taste to our beers and product line. It’s a distinct lager, perfect for anyone wishing to drink in style or celebrate” stated Jose Moran, Country Director of Zambian Breweries Plc.
House DJ El Mukuka and International violinistCaitlin De Ville will entertain the guests with an unforgettable music experience.
RCZ Members during the Presidential fundraising walk on the completion of the Multi-Purpose Hall at RCZ Kamwala Congregation
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RCZ Kamwala Congregation Ushers during the Presidential fundraising walk on the completion of the Multi-Purpose Hall at RCZ Kamwala Congregation
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RCZ Kamwala Congregation Ushers during the Presidential fundraising walk on the completion of the Multi-Purpose Hall at RCZ Kamwala Congregation
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First Lady Esther Lungu receiving money to well wisher during the Presidential fundraising walk on the completion of the Multi-Purpose Hall at RCZ Kamwala Congregation
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First Lady Esther Lungu receiving money to well wisher during the Presidential fundraising walk on the completion of the Multi-Purpose Hall at RCZ Kamwala Congregation
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First Lady Esther Lungu receiving money to well wisher during the Presidential fundraising walk on the completion of the Multi-Purpose Hall at RCZ Kamwala Congregation
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President Edgar Lungu appreciating after receiving money from well wisher during the Presidential fundraising walk on the completion of the Multi-Purpose Hall at RCZ Kamwala Congregation
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President Edgar Lungu shake hands with UCZ members after there contributions during the Presidential fundraising walk on the completion of the Multi-Purpose Hall at RCZ Kamwala Congregation
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President Edgar Lungu shake hands with people in the bus members after there contributions during the Presidential fundraising walk on the completion of the Multi-Purpose Hall at RCZ Kamwala Congregation
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President Edgar Lungu congratulates Amin Ali after his contributions during the Presidential fundraising walk on the completion of the Multi-Purpose Hall at RCZ Kamwala Congregation in Kamwala
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President Edgar Lungu waving at shop workers during the Presidential fundraising walk on the completion of the Multi-Purpose Hall at RCZ Kamwala Congregation in Kamwala
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Kamwala Market business men and women welcomes President Edgar Lungu at the market during the Presidential fundraising walk on the completion of the Multi-Purpose Hall at RCZ Kamwala Congregation
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President Edgar Lungu shake hands with Mohamed Egsayed after his contributions during the Presidential fundraising walk on the completion of the Multi-Purpose Hall at RCZ Kamwala Congregation
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BATA Kamwala manager Chibwe Chibeka welcomesPresident Edgar Lungu at BATA during the Presidential fundraising walk on the completion of the Multi-Purpose Hall at RCZ Kamwala Congregation
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Kamwala Market business men and women welcomes President Edgar Lungu at the market during the Presidential fundraising walk on the completion of the Multi-Purpose Hall at RCZ Kamwala Congregation
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President Edgar Lungu during the Presidential fundraising walk on the completion of the Multi-Purpose Hall at RCZ Kamwala Congregation
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President Edgar Lungu during the Presidential fundraising walk on the completion of the Multi-Purpose Hall at RCZ Kamwala CongregationPresident Edgar Lungu flanked with Mister of Health Chitalu Chilufya and Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo during the Presidential fundraising walk on the completion of the Multi-Purpose Hall at RCZ Kamwala Congregation
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President Edgar Lungu planting a plant whilst Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo looks on shortly after the Presidential fundraising walk on the completion of the Multi-Purpose Hall at RCZ Kamwala Congregation
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First Lady Esther Lungu and Minister of National Guidance and Religious Affairs Godfridah Sumaili shortly after the Presidential fundraising walk on the completion of the Multi-Purpose Hall at RCZ Kamwala Congregation
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First Lady Esther Lungu planting a plant whilst President Edgar Lungu looks on shortly after the Presidential fundraising walk on the completion of the Multi-Purpose Hall at RCZ Kamwala Congregation
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President Edgar Lungu touring the site of the church shortly after the Presidential fundraising walk on the completion of the Multi-Purpose Hall at RCZ Kamwala Congregation
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Rev. Daniel Daka confers with President Edgar Lungu who is flanked by Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo during the touring the site of the church RCZ Kamwala Congregation
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Rev. Daniel Daka confers with President Edgar Lungu during the touring the site of the church RCZ Kamwala Congregation
The Ministry of Higher Education says it is confident that China Energy Engineering Group will complete the construction of the Fredrick Titus Chiluba (FTJ) University in Luapula within the contracted 24 months period.
Ministry Spokesperson Kawanda Chiselwa told ZANIS in Mansa yesterday that the Ministry is confident that the contractor will perform to government’s expectations and deliver the project on schedule.
Ms. Kawanda says the $132 Million FTJ University project which is expected to commence this year will be constructed in Mansa.
She notes that her Ministry is pleased that the project is finally taking off following its launch in 2013.
Ms. Kawanda explains that the delays in the implementation of the project have been due to a few logistical challenges which have since been sorted out.
She says the development plans and drawings for the project have since been made available.
Ms Kawanda says the project is expected to be re-launched by President Edgar Lungu on the dates to be confirmed.
She notes that the construction of the FTJ University in Luapula Province will offer school leavers quality education within their proximity.
Ms. Kawanda observes that fighting for limited places in the few public universities has most the times discouraged children who have performed well at grade 12.
Esther KatongoZambia Police says it shall not tolerate any individuals who are engaged in Cyber-Crimes.
Zambia Police Spokesperson Esther Katongo says the police service has noticed a rise in cybercrimes in the country due to social media.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday, Ms. Katongo stated that the internet is an ever growing platform hence causing a rise in the cases of cyber-crime.
“ The police service is working hard this year towards punishing any individual caught engaging in such activities, “Ms. Katongo said.
Ms. Katongo explained that many people have become victims of cyber-crime because many do not take time in reporting such cases to the police.
She urged every individual engaged in committing the crime to withdraw before they face the law and victims of such crimes to report the cases to the nearest police station.
Recently, home affairs minister Steven Kampyongo said during the annual ball held in Lusaka that the Zambia police will not condone any acts of cyber- crime criminality this year.
The minister made clear that the Zambia police service will this year work hard in order to fight cyber-crimes.
Minister of Justice Given Lubinda
Minister of Justice Given Lubinda says the constitution Amendment Bill will be tabled during the June –July parliamentary sitting.
Mr. Lubinda says for this reason government has not delayed in presenting the bill to parliament as sufficient time is required to follow the necessary steps.
He explained that the bill will be subjected to expert review before it is published to members of the public.
The Justice Minister was responding to a question from Mazabuka Central Constituency Member of Parliament Garry Nkombo who wanted to know when the Constitution (Amendment) Bill to address the lacunas in the Constitution will be presented to the National Assembly.
The Justice Minister disclosed that by May this year the amended constitution will be published a month before it is submitted to parliament.
“We will published this amended constitution in May 30 days before it is tabled in Parliament and any member of parliament will be at liberty to propose an amendment as long as they lobby for two third majority of member as I will also be lobbying for support to pass the bill,” he stressed.
Mr. Lubinda further bemoaned the low turnout of political parties who made submissions on the proposed amendment bill.
FAZ has rescheduled the 2018 Charity Shield semifinal date between Zanaco and Nkana from March 3 to March 1.
The game has been brought forward due to operational reasons and will still be played at Nkoloma Stadium where they were set to meet in a semifinal doubleheader this Saturday.
“The change has been necessitated by Nkana’s involvement in the CAF Confederation Cup fixture against Chabab Riadhi Belouizdad Football Club to be played on 6th March 2018,” FAZ spokesperson Desmond Katongo said.
Nkana will fly out to Algeria immediately after the semifinal to play CR Belouzidad in a CAF Confederation Cup first round, first leg match.
Nkana are entering the CAF Confederation Cup at this stage after enjoying a preliminary round bye in February.
“Meanwhile the fixture between Zesco United and Napsa Stars will take place as initially announced,”Katongo said.
Napsa and Charity Shield holders Zesco United will meet at Nkoloma on March 3 at 15h00.
The Charity Shield final is set for March 10 at Nkoloma.
Meanwhile, Zanaco and Zesco are also in continental action in midweek and both are at home in the pre-group stage of the 2018 CAF Champions League.
Zesco will be in action on March 6 when they hosts ASEC Mimosa of Cote d’Ivoire in the first leg at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
Zanaco will host Swaziland champions Mbabane Swallows 24 hours later at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.
All return leg dates for Zambia’s three continental representatives will be played during the weekend of March 17.
Buildcon’s 2018 pre-season spending spree has seen them capture Zambia midfielder Chisamba Lungu.
Chisamba joins the ambitious Ndola club on a two-year deal following a modest six-month stay at Turkish club Alanyspor.
The 2012 AFCON winner joins two of his Chipolopolo colleague’s at Buildcon, namely striker Brian Mwila and defender Isaac Shamujompa who also arrived in the pre-season from Platinum Stars of South Africa and Nchanga Rangers respectively.
Another high profile arrival at Buildcon this season is ex-TP Mazembe and Zambia striker Given Singuluma.
Chisamba returns home after a ten year stint over season that took him to Georgian club Baia in 2008 where he spent two seasons.
He later moved to Russian club FC Ural where he spent eight seasons before leaving for Turkey last August.
Ministry of General Education has no intentions of abolishing the Grade Seven end of year examinations due to the vital role they play in the education sector.
The Ministry said this after the National Action for Quality Education in Zambia (NAQUEZ) Executive Director Aaron Chanda made calls to abolish the grade seven examinations stating that they are no longer relevant and do not play the evaluative and diagnostic function that they used to.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka, Ministry of General Education spokesperson Nondo Chilonga said that the grade seven examinations cannot be abolished in that they play an important role in the education sector.
Ms. Chilonga explained that the grade 7 examinations are meant to monitor learning objectives of primary schools in that all learning outcomes at that level are evaluated through those examinations.
She further explained that not all provinces have adequate learning places at Grade Eight level, therefore, grade 7 examinations are used as a selection tool to determine who progresses.
She added that examinations are also used to monitor the performance of teachers in situations where pupils fail to perform well during exams, thereby improving teachers’ performances as well.
The Ministry’s spokesperson added that learner’s assessments begin as early as grade one and must be achieved at different levels in order for the Ministry to develop the education systems in Zambia.
Ms. Chilonga however urged all people calling on the Ministry to abolish the grade 7 examinations to think again in that the examinations play an important role in the education system.
Zambia sugar Corporate affairs Manager Lovemore Sievu takes shareholders on a conducted tour of the sugar plant in Mazabuka.
A Chikankata based economist, Professor Clement Matente has praised Zambia Sugar PLC for paying over K20.3 Million to government as Tax Returns for the year 2017.
Professor Matente has also hailed Zambia Sugar PLC for employing over 11 000 Zambian workers at the biggest Sugar plant in Africa.
He said this in an interview with the Zambia News and Information Services in Chikankata district in Southern province today.
Professor Matente also said it is good that the company has continued increasing its workforce thereby complementing government efforts in the area of job creation in Zambia.
The Professor further urged Zambia Sugar to continue striving hard in creating jobs for the Zambian people.
He also implored government to continue creating a favorable and conducive environment for the private entities to operate profitably such as Zambia Sugar PLC in order to increase the export of the commodity to other countries.
