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Minister of Local Government, Vincent Mwale (right) confers with Patriotic Front (PF) Deputy Secretary General, Mumbi Phiri at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Copperbelt International Airport
The Ministry of Local Government has said that it will construct civic centres in all Seven constituencies in Lusaka to decentralise the operations of the main Lusaka civic centre. Minister of Local Government Vincent Mwale says that the development was reached during a cabinet meeting that was held on Monday at State House.
Speaking at the official opening of Kaunda Square stage one market constructed by the Zambia National Service today, Mr. Mwale explained that the current civic centre is not adequate to cater for the growing population in the city.
The Local Government Minister said the construction of the seven-constituency civic centres will start next year.
ZNS Commandant Lieutenant General Nathan Mulenga said the service is remains committed to delivering quality works. Munali Constituency Member of parliament Professor Nkandu Luo has urged the marketeers to desist from acts of vandalism.
Meanwhile, Mitete District Council in Western Province has called on councilors to sensitize people in their wards on government programmes and projects being undertaken in the district.
Mitete District Council Chairperson, Patrick Mikosa said councilors should take their positions of leadership seriously in order for them to execute thier duties effectively.
Mr. Mikosa emphasized that it was the responsibility of councilors to adequately sensitize people in their wards on all developmental projects and programmes taking place in the area.
He said this during a full council implementation sensitization meeting in Mitete district aimed at educating the public on the role of councilors in supporting government projects.
Mr. Mikosa added that continued sensitization programmes by councilors will accelerate the community’s response towards the implementation of government projects.
He stated that the project of drilling boreholes in Mitete district required the community’s contribution of K 1,500 towards completion.
Mr. Mikosa urged the councilors to continue sensitizing the community on the importance of mobilizing funds for speed implementation and completion of such projects.
He further stated that it was important for the community to contribute a certain amount of money for the maintenance of boreholes in the region.
A huge crowd of mourners on Wednesday attended the burial of former Junior International midfielder Changwe Kalale who was put to rest at Chambishi Cemetery on the Copperbelt.
Kalale, 23, died on Sunday at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka three years after a road accident left him paralysed.
The moving funeral procession started with Church Service at Pentecostal Assemblies of God before burial at Chambishi Cemetery.
Speaking on behalf of Chipolopolo, assistant coach Beston Chambeshi paid a moving tribute to the ex-under-17 star during the church service.
“He was an outstanding player and you could see his undoubted talent. I worked and coached here in Chambishi and I know his family very well. I am close to his father Ben and his uncle Robson who also played football,” Chambeshi said.
“And you could see Changes style was unique and surely he got his genes from a footballing family. He a great talent, it was a God given.”
Present at the funeral was FAZ committee member Kabaso Kapambwe, coaches Fordson Kabole, Simonda Kaunda, Kellies Mwaba, Lewington Mujembe, Emmanuel Siwale, Tom Sakapaji, Willy Nkonde and several players.
Also present is retired Zambia and Zesco United defender Nyambe Mulenga who survived the accident plus Kalale’s close pal and Chipolopolo midfielder Enock Mwepu.
MultiChoice Managing Director Ngoza Matakala handover assorted goods wealth K 50,000 to Children ward AO7 whilst Hospital personal looks on at University HospitalMultiChoice Managing Director Ngoza Matakala handover baby milk to Sarai Phiri a mother to a baby patient whilst Chief Nursing Officer Victoria Nthala looks on during the handover of goods wealth K 50,000 to Children ward AO7 at University HospitalMultiChoice Managing Director Ngoza Matakala handover a water hot to Chief Nursing Officer Victoria Nthala during the handover of goods wealth K 50,000 to Children ward AO7 at University HospitalMultiChoice Managing Director Ngoza Matakala flanked by her Head of Public Relation Mwiika Malindima (l) and Chief Nursing Officer Victoria Nthala speaking to Journalists during the handover of goods wealth K 50,000 to Children ward AO7 at University HospitalMultiChoice Managing Director Ngoza Matakala interacts with Mothers and Children at Kalingalinga Clinic during Nutrition Information Outreach Programme at Kalingalinga ClinicMultiChoice Managing Director Ngoza Matakala chats with Kalingalinga Clinic Nutritionist Beatrice Kankhuni during Nutrition Information Outreach Programme at Kalingalinga ClinicMultiChoice Managing Director Ngoza Matakala interacts with Mothers and Children at Kalingalinga Clinic during Nutrition Information Outreach Programme at Kalingalinga ClinicMultiChoice Managing Director Ngoza Matakala interacts with Mothers and Children at Kalingalinga Clinic during Nutrition Information Outreach Programme at Kalingalinga Clinic
Vodafone Marketing Director, Kasali Kaingu hands over the grand prize to Mr Geoffery Hambulo, a Lusaka resident.
Vodafone Zambia’s Summalevels promotion, which lasted for a period of eight weeks, came to an end today (19th December) at an event held at Vodafone Zambia’s head office announcing the winner of the grand prize, a fully paid-for trip for four to Cape Town, South Africa.
Vodafone’s Summer promotion, dubbed Summalevels was aimed at giving back to their customers. All the customers needed to do to participate regularly use their Vodafone data bundles. They then automatically stood a chance to win amazing weekly prizes or the grand prize of a fully paid-for trip for four to Cape Town, courtesy of the 4G operator.
Marketing Director, Kasali Kaingu said “We have been in the market for just over 1 year and the response from our customers has been overwhelming. We have set ourselves on a quest to transform the way Zambians communicate and part of this process entails actively engaging with our customers, which is the basis for the now concluded Summalevels promotion.”
“As Vodafone, our plans for the Zambian telecom market are revolutionary and long-term. We are grateful to all stakeholders for making our 2017 successful and look forward to 2018 where we will be unveiling cutting edge technologies that will shine the spotlight on Zambia’s ICT space and draw regional and international acclaim,” she added.
Over a period of eight weeks, 91 Vodafone customers walked away with a total of:
40 Smartphones
40 Dinner vouchers
8 Shopping Vouchers
Two fully paid-for trips to Siavonga
A fully paid-for trip for four to Cape Town
The grand draw took place on Tuesday 19th December 2017 where Mr. Geoffrey Hambulo was drawn as winner of the trip for four to Cape Town. Vodafone Zambia spent approximately K200,000 on the campaign and the draws were closely monitored and verified by auditors from renowned audit firm, Deloitte and Touche.
UK based Lily Mutamz will be in Zambia to host her first ever gospel event called The Worship Experience. The gospel singer, whose song titled “You Are” went viral after video shot in Nigeria was released, is set to jet in for the 30th December 2017 Event at the OYDC. Her video currently shows on ZNBC, Diamond TV and One Gospel on Dstv.
The Worship Experience will be an annual event and will be free to allow everyone to attend. Lily was inspired to host the free event because she believes that salvation is free and it should be made accessible and so should worship events.
The event of Worship and Praise will start at 5pm but people are urged to be early to avoid disappointment of not having a seat. The event will be supported by local gospel ministers and preachers to grace the occasion. On the list there is Chileshe Bwalya, Pastor Teddy Mantanyani, Pst Doc. E Mainsa, Apostle Daniels Mkandawire, Nyuma, Enerst, Meyer and The Chunga Revival Choir. Lily said “When God told me to start The Worship Experience it seemed impossible but He has proved to me that this is what He wanted me to do. He has made provision beyond words. I just want to take this opportunity to invite you personally and you will be a witness to what God has began in my life. I have been praying for you that as you attend deliverance will take place and above all their will be a shift in your circumstances.”Lily also stated that she wants to sincerely thank the team in Zambia that is working hard to see the event succeed.
he Katete Magistrate Court has fined a man of Luangwa Section of Chieftainess Kawaza ’ s Chiefdom of Katete District K500 for unlawful possession of hyena body parts which included a reproductive organ.
Kelvin Zulu aged 23 years old was fined for unlawful possession of government trophy contrary to section 97 Subsection 1 and 136 of the Wild Life Act No. 14 of 2015 of the laws of Zambia.
Particulars of the offence are that on December 12 2017, Mr Zulu had in his possession one Hyena ear and its reproductive organ (penis) without a certificate of ownership issued by the director of National Wild Life as required by law.
The said Hyena was found dead of which Mr Zulu cut the male reproductive organ and ear from it.
In passing the judgement, Magistrate Mary Musongole fined Mr Zulu K500 to be paid within two weeks failure to which six months imprisonment.
“You being a first offender, the requirements of the law are a fine and in default six month imprisonment with hard labour. But you should also know that this article is different from the one that governs protected wild life, it has no fine and has a requirement of seven years imprisonment with hard labour,” she said.
Magistrate Musongole said it was important that people were made aware that everything nowadays had a law attached to it.
Meanwhile, the court also sentenced a 31 year old male farmer of Ibex Compound of Katete District to nine months imprisonment with hard labour for stealing four bags of D-compound fertilizer from a motor vehicle valued at K1, 060.
The offence is contrary to section 272 and 276 (c) of the Penal Code chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.
Facts of the matter are that on December 4, 2017 Dickson Phiri a farmer stole 4 by 50Kg bags of fertilizer from a motor vehicle Volvo Truck registration number AAA 4396 a property of Mr Joseph Mukwaila.
From the four bags stolen only three were recovered.
The recent announcement by the IMF that they will not bail out Zambia with an estimated $1.3 billion loan did not come as a surprise to us. This was because as we have shown several times before, the official debt position of $7.5 billion as announced by Finance Minister Felix Mutati in Parliament before the whole world is a big blue lie.
Back in July, we produced an analysis to show that using figures from the Ministry of Finance itself, the total debt position, including local debts is at least $23.4 billion and is at risk of reaching $31 billion very soon if the PF get their way with new loans they are currently seeking. The external debt component of this is not less than $16.6 billion, factoring in debt repayments of the principal amount which so far total $888 million and 2017 debts estimated at $4.2 billion as of July 2017.
The IMF is aware that the external debt of Zambia is unsustainable and has reached a level where the Zambian economy will be under tremendous stress in the coming months. The fund has repeatedly advised the Minister of Finance to place on the table a proper plan on how he intends to correct the ballooning debt.
The IMF already knows that the Minister of Finance lied to Parliament and the world when he under-declared the national debt stock. This singular act is enough to cancel the discussions for a further loan facility with the IMF.
Mozambique suffered the consequences of lying to the IMF when it contracted $2 billion of secret loans of which $500 million vanished into thin air and obviously lined people’s pockets. After the lie was uncovered, donors suspended aid to Mozambique and the country defaulted on its debts.
So the announcement by IMF that our current relationship with them is tenuous was fully expected by us from 6 months ago. While politicians may lie during their political campaigns, the economy is a different field which operates on the integrity of numbers. As they say, numbers don’t lie. The numbers clearly show that Zambia is on a path to a sovereign debt default within 3 to 5 years and the corruption in the PF has worsened our prospects of quick recovery.
We wrote to the Minister of Finance earlier this year and sent him a verified breakdown of our debt analysis and debt repayment schedules for the past five years. He has not refuted the authenticity of our calculations.
There may be a variance of even a billion dollars on either side of our number, but what is true is that the figure of $7.5 billion from the minister is a pure lie. If it was not, the IMF would not have said our debt is unsustainable as this number only represents about 33% of our 2017 estimated GDP, well within normal borrowing limits. The big question is, why is the minister lying about the debt stock? To whose benefit is he lying? Are we seeing parallels to the Mozambique situation? Are millions being secretly siphoned out of the treasury through corruption?
The Finance Minister needs to come clean on the true debt stock as revealed by his own Ministry figures and place on the negotiating table a program that outlines a change of approach in regards to borrowing. The answer to all these stress levels lies in the PF government drastically reducing public expenditure and arresting theft and corruption.
The PF government has been on a long spending spree, buying rubbished second hand fire trucks for a million dollars apiece and overpriced ambulances for over a quarter million dollars each.
In 2011, PF inherited from MMD a small $3.5 billion debt position with debt servicing at 3.5% of domestic revenues. Total loans contracted by MMD were a tiny $504.8 million which ballooned to $1.31 billion the very following year in 2012 under the PF.
The PF are the most fiscally reckless government in Zambian history and stopping this senseless spending must be a precondition to any continued talks with the IMF. Under the prevailing circumstances, the PF government will have a tough time to convince the IMF with such a hidden, mysterious debt undisclosed.
Attached are some charts we constructed using data from the Ministry of Finance Annual Reports 2011-2016 (with our own 2017 estimates) and the government Yellow Books 2011-2017 (attached also is the list of new loans 2011-2016) so that Zambians can see for themselves how their leaders are lying to them and the whole world without shame.
Zambia’s External Debt PositionZambia’s Additional External DebtZambia Total External Debt ServicingZambia Total External Debt Servicing (% of Domestic Borrowing)MOF Annual Report 2015 page 51
A 30 year old man of Mulambe village in Kasama died on the spot after a goods train ran over him at Kungu village on Sunday.
Northern Deputy Police Commissioner Edwin Bwanga who confirmed the accident to ZANIS today identified the deceased as Francis Kangwa, aged 30.
Mr. Bwanga said the body of the deceased which sustained multiple injuries was discovered by passers-by on Monday who later reported to the police.
The Police Deputy Command said the train is believed to have been coming from Nakonde to Kasama when the man met his fate.
He disclosed that the body has since been deposited to Kasama General Hospital mortuary awaiting postmortem before burial.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Police Chief has also revealed that a 35 year old man of Chambeshi village in chief Nkolemfumu’s area in Kasama has committed suicide by hanging for unknown reasons.
Mr. Bwanga disclosed that uncle to the deceased Stanley Mwamba, 31 of Kalafya village reported the matter to police and identified the late as William Mwamba.
He revealed that the deceased was found hanging under a tree in the bush near his house.
Mr. Bwanga narrated that the motive behind is not yet established, adding that police suspects no foul play on the body.
Cross Border Malaria Initiative with funding from Isdell and Flowers Foundation has announced plans to scale up behavior change strategies in a bid to end Malaria along boarder areas of Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Angola.
Project Coordinator Monica Mvula says the recent training of Community Health Workers in Kalabo District of Western Province is testimony that the Foundation is dedicated to eradicating Malaria by suppressing the parasite through rapid testing and treatment.
Speaking when she paid a courtesy call on Kalabo District Commissioner Fridah Luhila on Tuesday, Ms Mvula said early diagnosis prompts effective treatment of uncomplicated Malaria and therefore critical towards preventing transmission, severe disease and death.
And receiving the delegation, Mrs Luhila called for concerted efforts to counter mosquitoes saying the District is endemic to Malaria.
Mrs Luhila disclosed that 45,000 insecticide treated mosquito nets have been repatriated to all the 30 health facilities across the District in readiness for mass distribution.
She stated that the District’s water bodies provide a breeding site for mosquitoes and that Malaria is a major cause of morbidity among patients owing to transmission of infected bites.
Meanwhile, the District Commissioner thanked Cross Border Malaria Initiative for partnering with Ministry of Health and Anglican Diocese in training the 183 Community Health Workers drawn from all the 28 Health Centres across the District.
And District Medical Officer Kamwi Mundia asked Cross Border Malaria Initiative to consider venturing in household spraying against mosquitoes.
Some residents of Kabwe district in Central Province have appealed to government to consider transforming Zambia-China Mulungushi Textiles into an economically viable public institution.
The residents said they were concerned that the textile plant, which has been closed since June 30, 2007, is just wasting away and slowly turning into a white elephant.
Mumba Kabai from Lukanga Township said the Zambia and Chinese governments should liaise and agree to turn the defunct textile plant into something profitable for the people of Kabwe and the country as a whole.
Mr. Kabai said the people of Kabwe are expectant and are hoping that the government would work hard to ensure that the facility is revived given the commitment government had shown in the past.
He observed that most of the equipment at the plant was obsolete and that it may be difficult for any investor to invest in the textile company considering the huge cost implications.
He, therefore, advised that it would be better for the two governments to consider turning the facility into a public university or boarding school instead of focusing on resuscitating it in its current state.
Mr. Kabai further observed that given its strategic position and capacity, the facility is best suited to serve as a public university and would be of great benefit to the people of Kabwe and Zambia as a whole.
And Nalukui Sipalo from Dallas residential area has welcomed the idea of turning the facility into a public institution saying it was long overdue.
Ms. Sipalo said it would be important for the governments of Zambia and China to consider the idea of transforming the textile plant into something useful because resuscitating the plant seems to be a non-starter.
She said the need to transform it into a public university was a welcome move because currently, the country has limited public universities and is in urgent need of institutions of higher learning.
She added that the government should pay serious attention to Kabwe residents’ calls concerning transforming the facility which they said can be useful to them with regards to employment creation as well as the uplifting their living standards.
Ms. Sipalo expressed hope that something profitable would be done in ensuring that the facility is useful.
And Justin Mweemba from Bwacha township said Kabwe was in need of development noting that the textile plant was one of the major pieces of infrastructure that can be used to resuscitate the town’s lost glory.
Mr. Mweemba said he would welcome any fruitful idea aimed at transforming the textile plant into a profitable business venture as long as it was of benefit to both Kabwe district and the country at large.
He said there was need for the two governments to consider the people’s views and ensure that their interests are upheld.
But government said it was not sitting idle on the matter.
Central Province Minister, Sydney Mushanga said government was making frantic efforts to ensure that something profitable was done about the Mulungushi textile plant.
Mr. Mushanga told ZANIS in an interview that overhauling the Zambia-China Mulungushi Textile was still high on government’s agenda.
He said government was committed to ensuring that the facility is operational and will not allow any bit of it to go to waste.
He stated that discussions regarding the textile plant were ongoing adding that the general public will be made aware on the progress in the quickest possible time.
The minister has since appealed to Kabwe residents to exercise patience while the government was looking into issues surrounding the textile plant.
From the time it ascended to power, the Patriotic Front administration has shown some commitment to resuscitate the textile plant.
Currently, the facility is under the care of the Industrial Development Cooperation (IDC).
The above is the law that deals with absentee landlords who may appear sometime later and claim land ownership with the cunning intention of gaining compensation on the idle land which they never developed. (Ba katyetye mwenda mwalimwa).
And in this case we must first look at our country’s land history. In accordance with the trade treaties signed by the British South African Company and which were later endorsed by the British government with traditional leaders, Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia) was a Protectorate. The British did not wage war to conquer the people of this country and therefore the whole landmass belonged to the local people.
The Northern Rhodesia (Crown Lands Reserves) Orders of 1928 created crown or state land which was 6% out of the total landmass for the white settlers. This, of course, left 94% for the local people. We must note that the 6% was land mainly covering the copper-belt since the British South African company was only interested in the mining of copper.
However, when the mines were opened in 1932, there was demand for the production of food to feed mostly the African population working on the mines and the related industries. And hence, this therefore attracted white South Africa farmers to come and grow maize. And they established their farms in central Province, which became known as maize-belt.
‘’I would like to hear what we have done to violate the agreement with Queen Victoria, that we should live under her and be given protection. We look upon Federation as a proposal to bar Africans from advancing in the administration of their own Government. My people will not, in any way accept Federation.’’
The Northern Rhodesia (Native Trust Land) Orders-in-Council of 1947 created Trust Land as a result of pressure from the white settlers who demanded security on the land they occupied. Trust Land constituted about 58%. This was actually an extension of crown or state land to 64% while the reserve land for the local people was reduced to 36%. There was, however, a provision for government to consult traditional leaders before land in the Trust Land was accessed for any purpose.
However, there was discontent among Africans for that development in the land policy. And in 1952 a delegation went to London to present a protest memorandum to Her Majesty’s Government which was led by His Royal Highness Paramount Chief Chitimukulu Musungu and which included His Royal Highness Senior Chief Musokotwane; Mr. Harry Nkumbula, President-General of the African National Congress; Mr. Robinson Nabulyato, Secretary-General of the African National Congress and Mr. Lawrence Chola Katilungu, President of the African Mine workers Union.
And here is part of the memorandum: ‘’The placing of the final decision in the hand of the Secretary of the State for Colonies has to the safe guarding of the land rights of the Africans is no security even under the Protectorate Government…..Section 5 (1) of the Northern Rhodesia (Native Trust Land) Order-in-Council of 1947 allows the government to grant rights of occupation in Native Trust Land to non-white and Order-in-council (Native Reserves) of 17th August 1951 allows the Governor to grant land to corporations in Native Reserves.
Provision is, however, made for the prior consultation of the Native Authorities in the case of Native Trust Land, but not in the case of Native Reserves. The African people of Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia) are much concerned about the safety of their land under the Protectorate Government. The laws which protected their land rights have been altered so as to make it possible for the Protectorate Government to alienate land.’’
His Royal Highness Paramount Chief Chitimukulu was interviewed by a journalist from Nottingham journal on 5th May, 1952: ‘’I would like to hear what we have done to violate the agreement with Queen Victoria, that we should live under her and be given protection. We look upon Federation as a proposal to bar Africans from advancing in the administration of their own Government. My people will not, in any way accept Federation.’’
After we attained our independence in 1964, the 58% of Trust Land was only in theory restored back to customary land i.e., to the original 94%. The point I must make clear is that after converting customary land to leasehold land, there is no provision to revert it back to customary land again. And hence it is gone forever. And so it was only the land that had not been converted to leasehold that was added to customary land and there are no statistics available so far to indicate the percentage of the actual physical land out of 58%, the Governor had allocated to corporations in Reserve Land. In other words, customary land only constituted to 94% from 1928 to 1946.
It is unfortunate we always hear even from officers at the Ministry of Lands claiming that customary land is 94% and I suppose it only requires minimal common sense to guess that customary land cannot be stagnant at 94% since 1928. In fact, the Lands and Deeds Registry Act 185 of 1996 edition was to establish accurate records for the proper transfer of ownership of lands. But this Act is so far defunct.
In fact, the white farmers bought those farms at 3 ngwee per acre, but when the new government wanted to buy the farms back, the owners demanded K100 per acre.
And stated earlier the white South African farmers had come to settle in Zambia, but they left the country just before we attained our independence since they could not accept to be ruled by Africans. However, their farms were on title and therefore the black government could not in anyway tamper with them since the white government had made laws to protect their interests i.e., there were clauses which barred the new government from taking over shops and the vast tracts of land of absentee ownership. In fact, the white farmers bought those farms at 3 ngwee per acre, but when the new government wanted to buy the farms back, the owners demanded K100 per acre.
But since the nationalists knew that it was their birthright land and unlike today when we are being pushed around by foreigners because we are being blinded by ‘’foolish democracy,’’ since our ears hitch for praise as ‘’good boys’’ maintaining ‘’democracy’’ from the capitalist-exploiters. For example the Daily Nation of 18th July 2017 came out with the headline: CHINESE DEFY MINISTER and story went on: ‘’Shumeite Investments limited, the Chinese firm erecting a four-storey building in Kalundu residential area has defied Lusaka Province Minister Japhet Mwakalombe and the National Council for Construction (NCC’s) directive to halt the project until construction procedures are followed..’’
The UNIP radicals led by Mr. Simon Kapwepwe launched a campaign towards the Referendum to end all referenda and to which the people consented in their votes of 17th June 1969. Thereafter was born a radicalized law which gave power to the Republican President under Lands (Acquisition) Act Cap 296 of the Laws of Zambia to compulsory acquire any land in the public interest. I must, however, make it clear that according to Professor Michelo Hansungule’s paper, Simplification of the 1995 Land Act stated in Article 7.15: .. there is no provision in the law for the President to compulsorily acquire customary land, the powers of acquisition can only be invoked for leasehold land….’’
This is how law dealt with the white absentee landlords and is applicable to anyone who abandons his undeveloped land. And it is only up to the legal team at the Ministry of Lands to prepare documents for the re-entry for the President to sign.
Four years ago, Zambian freelance writer/blogger Mazuba Kapambwe teamed up with Lorraine Bgoya, a cultural producer based in Zimbabwe to create ‘The Fest Gurus’, a show that aimed to explore Africa through her various festivals. Produced by Gwinyayi Mabika and Ngonizashe Chinara of Crafted Media studios, the concept began as a webseries on youtube.
“Our goal was to pitch the first episode which we shot in April 2013 at the Harare International Festival of Arts (HIFA) to different television stations. However, we weren’t picked up by a network though we kept shooting at travelling to festivals”, stated Mazuba Kapambwe. Over a four year period, the foursome attended Lake of Stars (Malawi), Shoko Hip Hop Festival (Zimbabwe), Bushfire (Swaziland), Vic Falls Carnival (Zimbabwe), Barefeet Festival (Zambia) and Sauti Za Busara (Zanzibar).
By maintaining an active social media presence, The Fest Gurus were tapped by CNN to rate their top seven festivals in Africa and received speaking engagements at Social Media Week Lagos and London. However, due to lack of finances, they stopped actively shooting the show. Their luck changed last year when they were approached by Zambezi Magic to film a pilot episode.
Shot in Lagos, Nigeria during the 20 year anniversary of Felabration (a festival celebrating the life and legacy of Fela Kuti) and at the Windhoek Jazz Festival in Namibia, the pilot episode features interviews with some of Africa’s biggest artists such as Micasa, Sauti Sol, Liz Ehlers and more. Other highlights include the hosts trying out the local food and drink in Nigeria and Namibia and attending Windhoek Fashion Week.
“The pilot is great in that it features two very different festivals. Being a part of a festival that has been going on for twenty years and is held at the residence of Fela Kuti was an unforgettable experience and then in Namibia, we were attending a newer festival and less than a 10 minute drive from there, we met the Himba tribe, an indigenous Namibian tribe that still dress the way they have been for centuries”, said Gwinyayi Mabika.
The aim of The Fest Gurus is to encourage African millennials to travel to festivals on the continent in an attempt to boost intra Africa tourism and also to showcase how African festivals are supporting the creative economy by contributing to the GDP of the countries they are held in.
“Festivals create jobs and support entire cities. For example, The Cape Town Jazz Festival brings in 522 million rand and creates almost 3,000 jobs. The festival market on the continent is lucrative as global festivals such as Essence and Afropunk have hosted editions in South Africa. So The Fest Gurus is definitely a timely show”, stated Lorraine Bgoya.
The Fest Gurus will air on Zambezi Magic channel 160 on Friday December 22 at 21:00 CAT and will repeat on December 25 at 18:40 CAT and on the 30th Dec at 16:00 CAT. Share your thoughts about the episode using #ZMFestGurus and follow @TheFestGurus on instagram, twitter and facebook for live tweets and more festival related content.
Minister of National Guidance and Religious Affairs Godfridah SumailiTHE Young Men Christian Association has called on the ministry of national guidance and religious affairs to discipline members of the clergy that have contributed to moral decay in the country.
Association president Thabo Kawana said his organisation was saddened that most clergy men had concentrated more on teaching about prosperity and marriages instead of salvation.
Mr Thabo said time had come for the ministry of national guidance and religious affairs to discipline and give guidance to certain men of God who had diverted from their call as moral builders.
“We want to throw the challenge to the clergy, the moral decay in the country is being caused by the lack of salvation messages from the clergy.Our churches have concentrated on teaching more about prosperity, marriages and teaching things that are not food to the soul.
“Now is the time to pull all our efforts together and we are also encouraged by the timely efforts of the ministry of national guidance. This ministry is timely and we want to thank President Edgar Lungu for a well thought out ministry that working accordingly to how we envisioned it to be working,”Mr Kawana said.
He urged the church to work with the ministry in trying to arrest the moral decay especially among young people that had taken route in the country.
“It is our responsibility, the Government has already done its part by creating a friendly atmosphere for churches to operate independently and so the clergy should preach salvation and help restore sanity in our communities.
Mr Kawana said the church was going to be held responsible if more lives are lost as a result of moral decay.
“The church must come and play its moral authority, the Government also must come at play its authority and even NGOs like YMCA must all come and arrest this moral decay.
“If we are to continue to have members in our churches, members need to be healthy and educated and if the church is going to ignore the fact that they need to preach salvation to the young people, most of their member will be sick and they won’t have members,” he said.
LivingstoneWe have enough condoms to see us through the festive season, acting Livingstone district coordination advisor Melvin Kalumba has said.
In an interview yesterday, Mr Kalumba disclosed that his officer working together with other stakeholders in the district had mobilised over 800,000 condoms to be distributed within the district specifically for the festive season.
He said 34 condom dispensers were strategically placed in selected areas in each of the 17 wards in Livingstone.
“We are aware that the festive season comes with a lot of sexual activities and as a district we are equal to the task and that is the more reason why we have mobilised enough condoms specifically for this period.
“We don’t want people more especially youths to engage themselves in unprotected sex and so over 800,000 condoms are in stock and ready to be distributed to all corners of Livingstone using our cooperating partners and NGOs,”Mr Kalumba said.
He called on members of the public to join the district Aids taskforce in sensitising communities on the dangers of unprotected sex during the festive season.
“Livingstone being a tourist capital will be a hive of activities during this festive season and members of the public should play a very pivotal role in helping to reduce HIV infections by speaking against unprotected sex,”he said.
He said the district had between June and September this year distributed 254,407 male and 18,238 female condoms.
“During this period, the district accelerated and intensified prevention in order to reduce the annual rate of new HIV infections.
“Livingstone is a transit to three countries which see a lot of mobile and migrant labour in the district. This too has proved to boost commercial sex, needless to mention that this proximity has exposed locals to cheap alcohol which has led to a lot of unprotected sex,”he said.
Dr Mumba confers with HH and GBM after the court appearance
New Congress Party president Peter Chanda has advised UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema to adhere to advice given to him by the Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland and former Nigerian President Olesegun Obasanjo to accept and forget about the 2016 elections.
Pastor Chanda says the two had confirmed that Mr. Hichilema had agreed in their presence to accept and forget about the 2016 polls.
He has told ZNBC News that it is however surprising to hear the UPND leader still insisting that he had won last year’s elections when he appeared on ZNBC’s’ Sunday Interview programme on Sunday.
Pastor Chanda has observed that Mr. Hichilema must realise that the courts of law cannot make a president and that it is only through an election that one can become Head of State.
He said Mr. Hichilema should instead focus and look forward to the 2021 elections and build his party to a level where the UPND will go for a convention and have intra party elections.
