President Hakainde Hichilema has called for collaborative efforts within the region to combat food insecurity, as the nation grapples with the impact of regional food instability exacerbated by climate challenges and conflicts in neighboring countries.

During a meeting with the World Food Programme Director for the Southern Africa Development Community Region (SADC), Menghestab Haile, President Hichilema highlighted the vulnerability of the region’s food security. He emphasized the challenges posed by prolonged droughts, flash floods, and the looming El Niño, which negatively affect food production opportunities, as witnessed last year.

President Hichilema underscored the importance of addressing the insecurity in Eastern Congo, which remains a top agenda item for the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence, and Security. He emphasized that the instability in Eastern Congo has far-reaching implications for the development of neighboring nations in the region. Vulnerable groups, including children, women, and the elderly, are displaced, oppressed, and deprived of their lives and access to food.

In response to the situation, SADC has decided to establish a mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), enabling leaders to meet and collaborate on measures to stabilize the country and provide humanitarian aid to those affected.

While Zambia has sufficient food for domestic consumption, President Hichilema acknowledged the pressure stemming from neighboring countries that face food shortages, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, the East African corridor, Malawi, and others. This increased demand has impacted food prices within Zambia.

President Hichilema affirmed Zambia’s determination to enhance agricultural productivity for both domestic consumption and exports beyond the region. He appealed to the World Food Programme for expertise to develop strategies to mitigate the anticipated El Niño’s impact in the region.

Zambia possesses favorable agronomic conditions suitable for a variety of foods, but the president stressed the need for full exploitation of this potential and the incorporation of technology in agriculture.

Menghestab Haile, the World Food Programme Director, urged leaders in the SADC region, with Zambia currently chairing the SADC Troika on Politics, Defense, and Security, to play a central role in addressing the Eastern Congo crisis. He revealed the dire humanitarian situation, with approximately 800,000 people displaced and about 50 women subjected to sexual violence daily, underlining the urgency for governments to allocate resources to address these issues.

Mr. Haile commended the Zambian government for its governance and leadership, describing Zambia as one of the two SADC member states offering promising change in the region. He stressed the role of Zambia in addressing food insecurity, emphasizing the need for SADC leaders to prepare for the expected El Niño by securing necessary resources.

In addition to discussions on food security and regional challenges, President Hichilema appointed and swore in Kennedy Lishimpe as the Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Technical Services and Etambuyu Anamela as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Permanent Secretary for International Relations and Cooperation. The president encouraged the newly sworn-in officials to prioritize public service and urged them to work towards economic diplomacy and overcoming drug availability challenges in health facilities. He noted the importance of public servants upholding ethical standards in their roles.

By Benedict Tembo

The demand for Zambian potato chips has continued to grow in East Africa, with Uganda being the latest to make orders.

The Zambia Potato Company has literally reversed the importation of chilled potato chips from South Africa, and saved the country foreign currency, thereby helping to replenish the treasury with the greenbuck.

Zambia Potato Company Country Sales and Business Development Manager Mathews Kaubo is happy with the progress his potato processing company has made in the few years it has been on the international market.From the 27 metric tonnes it first exported to the Democratic Republic of Congo, the company is slowly gaining a lion’s share in the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) markets.
Mr Kaubo said following successful exports to Kenya and Tanzania, Uganda has made orders.
In the SADC, the company has apart from the DRC, been exporting to Malawi, Namibia and South Africa.
“South Africa is our biggest market.

From the pilot export of 27 tonnes to the DRC in January, 2022, the company now exports to eight countries in the EAC and SADC markets,” he said.Mr Kaubo has paid glowing tribute to Government through its quasi institutions for guidance.He said the Zambia Development Agency has been pivotal in helping the company to enter the export market after having been brought on board for the business expo in Lubumbashi, DRC in late 2021.
He also commended the Zambia Revenue Authority and the Zambia Bureau of Standards that ensured the company was compliant to the country’s tax regime and phytosanitary standards for the export market respectively .
Since then, the company has been growing its footprints in the EAC and SADC markets.
The company has so far cruised the 1,850 metric tonnes from the 750 tonnes exported in 2022 and is still aiming to surpass going to the year end.

Mr Kaubo said the company strikes a delicate balance by ensuring that both the local and export markets are satisfied.Locally, the company supplies to chain stores countrywide while local entrepreneurs are serviced by the Buya Bamba outlet on the outskirts of Lusaka City Market.Buya Bamba is both an outgrower agent and distributor for raw potatoes.

“Our focus was mainly to satisfy the local demand. But the processing equipment was projected to be producing more than the country’s needs,” Mr Kaubo said.With local demand estimated to be around 700 tonnes monthly, the company needed to offload the surplus on the foreign market.

“We started our exports in 2022 with 27 tonnes to the DRC. It has since increased to 780 tonnes. We are happy we are exporting the surplus after meeting the local demand,” Mr Kaubo said.

He said the Zambia Potato Company has been exporting 50 tonnes to Botswana, Malawi and Namibia.
“South Africa is our biggest market. Kenya and the DRC are our second biggest markets in terms of demand,” Mr Kaubo said.

The company, which established in 2018 but started production in 2019, has employed 150 full time staff members, mostly women at its Ngwerere factory in Chongwe District.
Mr Kaubo said the company has created hundreds of jobs through its outgrower schemes in Northern and Southern provinces.

“Farmers employ about eight people per hectare. We are growing above 2,000 hectares,” “he said.
Hundreds of marketeers benefit from loose raw potatoes at Buya Bamba.
“We are happy to keep our farmers growing. The more they increase the hectarage, the more jobs they create. We have to continue growing the export market,” Mr Kaubo said

A valedictory ceremony was held in the chamber of the National Assembly in honour of the late former Speaker of the National Assembly Amusaa Mwanamwambwa.

The casket, draped in the Zambian flag, arrived at the National Assembly buildings and made its way into the chamber at about 10:08 hours.

The ceremony which was attended by Members of Parliament was also attended by dignitaries that included former Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini.

The sombre ceremony was characterized by tributes which were delivered by Vice President Mutale Nalumango, Government Whip, Stafford Mulusa and Leader of opposition Brian Mundubile , which was followed by a valedictory speech by Speaker of the National Assembly, Nelly Mutti.

Thereafter, body viewing was then conducted.

And in an emotional speech, the Speaker, Ms Mutti disclosed that when she took up her position, she regularly consulted the late Amusaa Mwanamwambwa on Parliamentary matters.

“Immediately I was elected Speaker, I paid a courtesy call on him and continued to consult him from time to time on matters of the house,” she said.

Ms Mutti said even during her tenure as Speaker, she regularly reached out to the late former Speaker of the National Assembly.

She paid tribute to the late former Speaker on Parliamentary reforms instituted during his tenure.
Ms Mutti said even after retiring, the late Mwanamwambwa rendered guidance whenever called upon by the National Assembly.
She also revealed that she used her discretion to hold a valedictory service for the late former Speaker in honour of his distinguished service to the country.

“Although the National Assembly of Zambia Standing Orders 2021, do not expressly provide for the holding of a valedictory service for a former Speaker or indeed a former Member of Parliament , I invoked the provisions of Standing Order 239 of the National Assembly of Zambia, Standing Orders 2021 to enable the house conduct a valedictory service for the late Hon.Amusaa Mwanamwambwa, former Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia in recognition of his distinguished and patriotic service rendered to this August house and the nation at large,” said Ms Mutti.

And Vice President Mutale Nalumango said she learnt a lot when she served under the late former Speaker as Deputy Speaker.
Mrs Nalumango described the late former Speaker as a man of integrity who was a great professional.
“To me and probably many others, Hon. Mwanamwambwa was a gentleman with personal, professional and exceptional qualities which enabled him to execute his role as presiding officer exceptionally well,” she said.
And Government Whip, Stafford Mulusa said the UPND will never forget Mr Mwanamwambwa for dealing with the party, then in opposition, with fairness.

Meanwhile leader of the Opposition, Brian Mundubile paid tribute to the late former Speaker saying he made a positive impact both locally and at international level.

Germany’s Federal President, His Excellency Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, is set to undertake a significant two-day State Visit to Zambia from November 1st to 2nd, 2023. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Zambia announced this highly anticipated visit, highlighting its importance for the strengthening of bilateral ties and the pursuit of shared developmental goals.

During the visit, President Steinmeier and President Hakainde Hichilema, are expected to engage in bilateral discussions that will center on a range of critical areas of mutual interest for both nations. These key issues include cooperation in water and sanitation, agriculture, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) development, energy, trade, and investment, among other significant sectors.

Furthermore, President Steinmeier is slated to visit projects in Zambia that have received support from the German Government. These projects exemplify the ongoing collaboration between the two nations in various sectors, and President Steinmeier will have the opportunity to witness firsthand the positive impact of this cooperation. One notable event on the agenda is the signing of an agreement between the Zambian Department of Water and KfW Development Bank, which is set to take place in Livingstone.

Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Hon. Stanley K. Kakubo, M.P, stressed the importance of President Steinmeier’s visit in reinforcing the longstanding and excellent bilateral ties that exist between Zambia and Germany. These ties are rooted in shared values and mutual aspirations for prosperity, making the visit a pivotal occasion for Zambia to further its partnership with Germany, a global economic powerhouse and a prominent member of the European Union.

Minister Kakubo emphasized that the visit holds great significance for the Zambian Government, providing an opportunity to foster sustainable development for the mutual benefit of both nations. The high-level engagements and discussions are expected to make significant contributions to Zambia’s Economic Transformation Agenda and deliver tangible benefits to the Zambian people.

President Steinmeier is set to conclude his visit and depart from Zambia on November 2nd, 2023.