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President Edgar Lungu joins the commemoration of World Aids Day at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka where he honoured First President of Zambia Dr Kenneth Kaunda with the “Lifetime Achievement Award, ” on Monday, 11th December, 2017. Pictures by Eddie Mwanaleza, State House.
President Edgar Lungu has directed the Ministry of Health to start the KNOW YOUR STATUS programme for children and young people.
This is so because Zambia’s population is still young, and President Lungu says HIV-AIDS presents a threat to Zambia’s future development.
He has said young people therefore should be involved in the fight against HIV-AIDS, saying effective interventions are needed, adding that his government remains steadfast in efforts in the crusade.
This is through various interventions, such as reducing infections, increasing the number of those on Anti-Retro Viral -ARV- drugs, as well as enhancing testing and treatment.
President Lungu was speaking in Lusaka, during Zambia’s commemorations of the World AIDS Day, which falls every December 1.
The commemorations were pushed to today, December 11, and the theme is ELIMINATING HIV BY 2030 STARTS WITH ME.
President Lungu has further explained that this year’s theme is reminder for
And in a quest not to leave anyone behind, just as it is in the 7th National Development Plan, government has constituted a multi-diverse HIV-AIDS Coalition, which will oversee the national agenda on HIV-AIDS.
President Lungu says the coalition will comprise traditional leaders, government departments and other interest groups, without leaving anyone behind.
Meanwhile, President Lungu has also launched the 2018 Lusaka Province Anti-Retro Viral Therapy -ART- Campaign, which is sponsored by the US government-supported PEPFAR.
And speaking at the same event, Minister of Health, Chitalu Chilufya said President LUNGU has shown political will in the fight against HIV-AIDS.
During the same event, President LUNGU honoured former President, Kenneth Kaunda, with a life-time achievement award for his work in the crusade against HIV-AIDS.
In honouring Dr Kaunda, President Lungu said the former President’s work begins with his announcement in 1986 that his son had died of AIDS.
President Edgar Lungu joins the commemoration of World Aids Day at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka where he honoured First President of Zambia Dr Kenneth Kaunda with the “Lifetime Achievement Award, ” on Monday, 11th December, 2017. Pictures by Eddie Mwanaleza, State House.
A 14 year old girl of Mulumbo Village in Senior Chief Kambombo chiefdom in Chama District of Muchinga Province has survived a crocodile attack.
Judith Lungu told the Zambia News and Information Services in an interview in Chama at the weekend that she was caught by a crocodile Friday around 17:00 hours when she went to fetch water.
Judith said she was in a group of four other girls when the crocodile pounced on her just as they were leaving the waters of Lubumbu River after drawing water.
She said the crocodile caught her by the leg and started dragging her into the deep waters and was quickly rescued by two men, Jackson Ngulube and Julius Ng’uni of the same Village who were watering their gardens at the time of the attack.
Judith explained that the two men jumped into the River pursued the crocodile with spears until it abandoned her.
Judith was immediately rushed to Katangalika rural health centre before being referred to Chama District Hospital where she is currently admitted and her condition has been described as stable.
The girl sustained deep wounds on her thigh and on her back.
The ruling PF has embraced the use of social media in its mobilization activities and over the weekend organized a workshop for all administrators of all PF What’s App blogs on the Copperbelt.
This is the second workshop that the ruling party is holding for PF What’s App group administrators.
The workshop was held at the Sherbourne Gust House on Sunday in Kitwe under the theme ‘using What’s App and Electronic Media as a tool for Mobilization.”
The workshop attracted several admins of PF What’s App groups on the Copperbelt drawn from all districts.
It was opened by Kitwe Mayor Christopher Kangombe and with remarks from PF Media Director Sunday Chanda and State House Press Aide Amos Chanda.
One of the participants who asked to remain anonymous said the workshop was an eye opener.
“As a responsible party is holding a second workshop for the administrators on all PF blogs on the Copperbelt to promote the responsible use of social media and electronic media as the tools for mobilization,” he said.
PF Whats App workshopPF Whats App workshop underway in KitweEdgar Lungu branded water bottle during the workshop
Kariba Dam
After almost a year of complex negotiations, Zimbabwe has finally struck a deal with Zambia on payment modalities for a US$114,8 million interest on the federation-era debt that Lusaka is owed by its southern neighbour.
Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, permanent secretary Willard Manungo, revealed the latest developments to The Financial Gazette last week at a ceremony to list $65 million worth of energy bonds for the Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe on the Financial Securities Exchange alternative trading platform.
He, however, refused to disclose more details.
“The two (finance) ministers have agreed on modalities on how to deal with it. But at the moment I can’t reveal what was agreed upon, we will let you know when the time is right,” Manungo told The Financial Gazette.
The interest component originates from a US$70,8 million debt which Zimbabwe inherited after taking over power generation assets that had been shared with Zambia.
The debt was for the shared cost of the Kariba Dam construction and associated infrastructure during the tenure of the Central African Power Corporation (CAPCO), a power firm jointly owned by the governments of Zimbabwe and Zambia when they were still part of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, which was dissolved in 1963.
The debt also included assets taken over from CAPCO, which was running the Kariba power project for the two countries, but was disbanded in 1987 and succeeded by the Zimbabwe River Authority.
Its assets were distributed to national power companies in the two countries, which are ZESA Holdings and Zambia Electricity Supply Corporations.
The principal amount has, however, since been paid off by the country’s integrated power generation and distribution group, ZESA Holdings after it pressured to pay the principal amount when Zambia threatened to pull out of a deal for the two southern African countries to jointly construct the proposed US$4 billion Batoka Gorge Hydro Power Station on the Zambezi River.
The Batoka project, upstream of Kariba Dam, is expected to produce 2 400 megawatts of electricity when completed.
The debt had been threatening co-operation between the two countries on the proposed construction of the massive Batoka power project, which was first mooted 113 years ago.
The agreement on the Batoka project, situated about 54 kilometres downstream of Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River, was dependent on Zimbabwe’s commitment to pay off the US$70,8 million debt.
In 2015, ZESA, through the assistance of the Ministry of Energy and Power Development, transferred the interest component from its books to the Ministry of Finance, arguing that the liability was a government-to-government debt.
It will be interesting to see if President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s cash-strapped government will be able to honour its promise.
Government has been struggling to pay its debts because its more than 300 000 strong workforce has been chewing more than 90 percent of the National Budget, leaving very little for projects and for payment of its debts.
A Congolese refugees at Kenani camp transit centre in the Nchelenge district in Zambia
The number of refugees fleeing violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and being hosted at the Kenani transit centre in the north of Zambia has now passed the 10, 000 mark since August this year.
Kenani is the Zambia’s largest refugee transit facility currently hosting 10,065 registered Congolese arrivals.
“We have now passed the 10, 000 mark on Saturday, and more Congolese refugees are coming in from Chiengi. While for the whole country, numbers of new Congolese arrivals are nearing 14, 000 confirmed UNHCR Representative to Zambia, Ms Pierrine Aylara.
The Nchelenge District Administration has agreed to expand the Kenani transit center, by providing more space. The newly allocated space can now accommodate an additional 1,000 refugee families/5,000 individuals as efforts are being mobilized to open a new permanent refugee settlement within the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, the Government, UNHCR and partners, are working hand in hand to have Congolese refugees at Kenani transit centre as well as new arrivals relocated within weeks to the new permanent refugee settlement – called Mantapala – within Nchelenge District, with more space for improved facilities.
However, limited funding might hamper the timely relocation of refugees. Additional funds are urgently required by humanitarian and development partners to repair the main access road to Mantapala and to open inner roads within the new refugee settlement. The funds are further required to set up basic infrastructures such as health, water and sanitation and primary education facilities as well as other basic amenities.
While the majority of Congolese arrive through the Chiengi border area, then relocated to Kenani, some are crossing into Zambia through other entry points, such as Nsumbu, Kaputa, Nakonde and Mpulungu in Northern, Kapushi and Kakoma, in North Western and Kasumbalesa and Sakania, on the Copperbelt province. These are relocated to Meheba and Mayukwayukwa Refugee Settlements.
Some 13, 924 Congolese have fled to Zambia since the beginning of 2017 through various entry points.
The opposition UPND has written to the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation requesting for the public broadcaster to host its party President Hakainde Hichilema on the “Sunday Interview program”.
According to a letter received by ZNBC Director General, Mr. Hichilema is requesting to feature on ZNBC TV on 17th December, 2017.
In the letter party spokesperson, Charles Kakoma explains that Mr. Hichilema will endeavour to expound his attractive economic vision for the country.
And Kakoma explains that the UPND President will also use the opportunity to wish the Zambians a happy Christmas and progressive 2018.
ZNBC which is now advocating for an increase in TV levy from K5 to K10 has off late been hosting members of the Patriotic Front with the most recent being President Edgar Lungu who stated that the country was facing serious challenges under his watch ranging from the Agriculture, and governance such as him contesting elections for a third term in 2021.
We as the Green Party are extremely saddened by the death this morning of one of the Copperbelt University students who were severely injured by Police last week.
We would like express our deepest sympathy to all students affected by this dreadful event and especially to the families, student fraternity. Our thoughts and prayers are with friends of the student who has died or those that were injured, some of who are still in intensive care.
We condemn in strongest terms the high-handed approach by the Police and, and in particular the use of excessive force on unarmed students.
We demand that the Minister of Home Affairs Steven Kampyongo, Minister of Higher Education Prof Nkandu Luo, and Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja take full responsibility for this dreadful event.
We hope that serious measures will be taken to bring culprits to book. The long arm of the law should take it course. Meanwhile, we urge the student populace to remain calm during this trying moment.
Furthermore, we want thank staff at Kitwe Central Hospital who responded with such professionalism and care.
Vodafone Zambia CEO, Lars Stork (Second from right) as a panelist on ICTs in SME development during the Ease of Doing Business Conference in Livingstone
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) must adopt and deploy technology-related business solutions if they are to remain competitive and relevant in Zambia’s growing digital and connected economy.
The remarks came from Vodafone Zambia Enterprise Director, Songezo Masiso, during a business forum hosted by First National Bank (FNB), where he spoke about the interrelatedness of SME growth and ICT usage in a presentation on “The connected future for SMEs.”
“Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are the lifeblood of the Zambian economy. They account for most of all businesses and employ more than two-thirds of all workers. Thus, it is integral to ensure they are ably equipped with the tools to excel and thrive in the digital economy,” said Mr Masiso.
He added that connectivity can help SMEs ride out difficult market conditions, enabling them to increase their exposure to new markets, bring them closer to existing and new customers, cut costs and lower the barriers to entry.
“Technology is fast-tracking small businesses into the digital age by reducing the capital investment required to operate and allowing SMEs to compete with larger, more established, companies. At Vodafone, we understand this and are working closely with a number of SMEs to bridge the technology and connectivity gap.”
A global study carried out by Vodafone UK notes that the use of technology translated into better business results further suggesting a strong correlation between greater technology use and both business performance and confidence.
The inaugural one-day FNB Business Summit leads discussions to challenge Zambian SME executives to dream big and grow their businesses into global giants. It also looks at the constraints to SMEs and businesses in general and makes recommendations on how to improve the ease of doing business.
It has come to my attention that I have now become the victim of two troublesome and untrue stories which have circulated widely – it was reported online in July, 2017 in the Zambian Observer that I was involved in the illegal trafficking of mukula trees, and whose proceeds I was alleged to have utilized to construct a home or homes. Earlier this month, the Zambian Watchdog, another online publication had alleged that I was swindled in a fake gold transaction. I can categorically deny both stories and declare them false. I have not at any juncture been involved in either of the alleged criminal transactions. This is kind of reporting is highly regrettable. While social media is a positive tool that we can all use to share news and express our ideas to communities and vast networks, it is very sad that others are using it for cyber bullying.
Media is the fourth estate and responsible reporting devoid of malice, misinformation, sensation and speculation is an obligation and mandate of everyone calling themselves a journalist or media house. We must realize as citizens that we are privileged to live in a very peaceful country where we are able to express our thoughts and ideas freely. Let us enjoy this freedom responsibly and use it to share accurate information, positive thoughts and ideas and most importantly, improve our own lives instead of trying to destroy reputations and lives of others. I refuse to be victimized and I am pleading to ZICTA to investigate the authors of this false information so that they can face me in court. It is time that we rise against such unjust actions and online bullies.
Like a few other leaders in our communities, I have become a victim of cyber bullying. My character has been assassinated over issues that I have absolutely no connection to and I wanted to express my utter disappointment. I am not only a citizen but a representative of over 200,000 residents of a ward and among these, the majority are young people. I have continued to work hard and serve as a positive role model to these young people. I wish to announce especially to the communities that I am privileged to serve that I will continue to serve them to the best of my ability, with honesty and integrity.
PF Nkoloma ward one Councillor Tasila Lungu
As a professional with a Masters degree in Criminal Justice, I understand my rights and I understand that defamation of character is an offense and those who have continued to spread these falsities to destroy my character must be dealt with.
As one who has spent many years understanding human behavior and social structures, I can identify criminal acts and the consequences of this not only on the offender but on society. As an avid environmentalist I totally abhor needless acts of environmental degradation or deforestation, most of all for short term or individual benefit. For this reason I take great exception to being even remotely associated to this atrocity against the environment and indeed our nation.
After the first publication, I ignored this allegation but it has now become clear that this is a campaign to paint me in a negative light and ultimately to disrupt the connection that I enjoy with the communities that I serve. I wish to encourage the authors of these articles to report the allegations to law enforcement who I’m certain will assist with a more thorough, fact based investigation.
I am not that morally bankrupt or desperate that I would resort to criminal transactions in order to sustain my life. I am a qualified professional who lives humbly; and when I need to supplement my income, I work honestly and hard for it. I have always upheld the law and I continue to serve and make an honest living.
Lastly and most importantly, I would like to thank the communities that I am privileged to serve, for their unwavering support. I pledge to continue to work hard for them in anyway they permit me to, to the best of my ability. I have been privileged to have been chosen to represent and serve as a Councillor for Nkoloma Ward 1, Chawama Constituency since August, 2016. I am proud to stand with the people as we work together to develop our community. We are focusing on the projects that will have the greatest and most direct impact and transform the lives of all residents for the better.
Providing clean, potable water to tens of thousands through installing water kiosks, rehabilitating drainages to ensure waterborne diseases do not afflict our young children, tarring community roads to improve the local environment and developing Kuku Sports Ground from a bare piece of land to a modern youth and community facility that will provide artificial football pitch and running track, basketball and netball court, changing rooms with full facilities and a much later on we hope to add a community centre building. We addressed our safety and security challenges this year through the acquisition of a police vehicle to conduct mobile patrols and ensure public safety – we were supported by the wider local community. We are also reviewing proposals for enhancing health facilities in our community. Many more projects are in the pipeline.
I continue to push my passion for educational excellence for our young people across our vast country, and in particular, in our most remote parts of Zambia. In this regard, I have been privileged to work with the Anchor of Hope Charities based in the United States of America for close to 2 years. We have in this partnership distributed over 30,000 pairs of new shoes to various school children to contribute in motivating them to continue their school attendance. This is one of our projects under the Ubulayo initiative and is aptly named ‘Going Miles for Smiles’. It always gives me the greatest pleasure to see the smiles on our childrens’ faces and their eyes light up when, some for the very first time, put on a brand new pair of shoes.
Perhaps the most challenging of our projects is our Women’s Empowerment Fund. This initiative is a collaborative effort between WeCreate Zambia, who provide the local small business women and traders of Chawama business and finance skills, after which when they graduate the same women can access our interest free revolving fund – this programme is funded through the monthly allowance I receive as a Councillor. Several hundred women have benefited and we continue to add more women as more women repay to replenish the Fund. My steadfast belief is that empowering women, strengthens households, builds communities and helps our children to thrive.
Our focus remains serving the communities we are privileged to represent.
However I continue to assume the best in the people of Nkoloma Ward 1, Chawama Constituency and Zambia. My faith in the Zambian people is total, I interact with them everyday, and have been witness to their warmth and kindness.
I thank you all for your continued support.
The Author is the Patriotic Front (PF) Councillor of Nkoloma Ward 1 in Chawama Constituency and a Daughter of Republican President Edgar Lungu
Minister of Higher Education Nkandu LuoHigher Education Minister Nkandu Luo says students at Copperbelt University (CBU) in Kitwe who yesterday protested over meal allowances are a clique paid to cause confusion to make the Patriotic Front (PF) led Government look bad.
The students rioted after Professor Luo declared that meal allowances have been suspended at the University.
And Professor Luo has disclosed that investigations into the purported beatings of protesting Copperbelt University (CBU) students by Police have commenced.
In an interview with Pan African Radio News today, Professor Luo said the students who protested at the Copperbelt University (CBU) are a paid clique who have dubbed themselves as Elshabab.
When quizzed about who is behind the Elshabab’s funding to instigate violence at the Campus, Professor Luo declined to comment but referred that query to CBU Vice Chancellor saying he is the closest person to such daily activities.
Meanwhile, National Action for Quality Education in Zambia (NAQEZ) Executive Director Aaron Chansa has backed the remark by Higher Education Minister Nkandu Luo that hooliganism should not be tolerated.
Chansa told Pan African Radio news today that damaging property must not be allowed in Zambia but added that beating protestors is criminal and should not be allowed in a democracy.
It is alleged that last night Zambia Police Officers who were deployed at CBU badly injured more than 100 students after they launched a night raid.
But United Party for National Development (UPND) Lusaka Province Youth Wing Spokesperson Otis Bwalya has urged government not to be reactive but proactive when dealing with concerns affecting students.
Bwalya has since appealed to Higher Education Minister Nkandu Luo to rescind her decision and give students meal allowances than making innocent ones suffer.
Keith Mweemba and Pep President Sean TemboPatriots for Economic Progress (PeP) President Sean Enock Tembo has petitioned President Edgar Chagwa Lungu to disclose the total amount of money that he has earned this year through various allowances such as international and local trips.
In a statement to today, Mr. Tembo said such a disclosure by President Lungu will serve very important purposes as it will allow the citizens to know the total amount of remuneration that the President earns, given that the law already requires full disclosure of the Presidential basic salary which is in the public domain.
Mr. Tembo further stated that the disclosure of the various allowances earned by the President will also allow Zambians to do a cost-benefit analysis of the Presidential trips by comparing the cost to the taxpayer versus the perceived benefits.
“President Edgar Chagwa Lungu to disclose the total amount of money that he has earned this year through various allowances such as international and local travels” Tembo said
Mental patients being bathed and clothed by Nurses and student nurses from Livingstone General Hospital at the Livingstone Civic Centre in Livingstone
A mental Health activist Chishipe Mwelwa has bemoaned the inadequate funding for mental health management and services in the country.
Ms.Mwelwa who is also Executive Director for National Organisation for Women Against mental Health Related Illnesses ( NOWAMHRI ) says government should consider increasing its budget allocation to mental health from the current one percent allocation of the Health bill.
ZANIS reports that Ms. Mwelwa said during an interview that mental health treatment should be prioritized on equal terms like other illnesses such as malaria and y especially in the work place.
Ms. Mwelwa said there should be a deliberate policy to ensure that the rights of people affected mentally are looked into as communities often times discriminate and harass the mentally ill and their families.
The NOWAMHRI Executive Director said in order to fight mental health related issues there is need to fight the root causes of the mental disability.
When the root causes are addressed it is easy to fight this vice and create a better future for every citizenry in the country, she said.
Ms. Mwelwa however said this can only be done with adequate finance and support from all well-meaning Zambians and the Civil Society.
She said stigma and discrimination for the mentally challenged persons has also been at the toll of the fight against this fight, adding that patients are shunning from going to health facilities.
Ms. Mwelwa attributed the major causes of mental health to divorce, bullying, drug and alcohol abuse, peer pressure and high poverty levels.
Vice President Inonge WinaRuling Patriotic Front (PF) Vice President Inonge Wina says the party has continued to promote intra-party democracy and urged opposition parties to emulate PF in deepen democracy in the country.
Mrs. Wina, who is also Republican Vice President, noted with sadness that some named opposition political party leaders have never sought mandate from their members through elective conventions hence lacks credentials of being democrats.
The PF Vice President was speaking when she officially opened the first ever One Day Lusaka Province Patriotic Front Committee Consultative Meeting in Chongwe District under the theme: “How best can we mobilise our party in the Province.”
She implored PF members to ensure that intra-party democracy continues to thrive in the party and praised them for growing the party to its current state.
The PF Vice President noted that the party has continued to demonstrate that intra-party democracy canbe achieved hence the need to be inclusive by welcoming more people in the “Boat”.
She further noted that politics is about numbers therefore, the party needs to recruit new members if it’s to continue winning future elections.
Mrs. Wina however, cautioned members to be mindful that the country is operating in a multiparty system where divergent views are respected in line with tenets of democracy.
“Let us all rise up to support our hardworking Party and Republican President (Edgar Lungu) who has demonstrated that with a vision and focus Zambia can once more become a prosperous and middle income country by 2030,”she said.
The Vice President noted that the 2020 PF General Conference is meant for organizational renewal to make it more transformational hence there’s no need for members to start sowing seeds of discord.
She called on the rank and file to remain steadfast, disciplined and united in diversity if the party is to avoid an unnecessary conflicts from within.
Mrs. Wina urged PF members to welcome and embrace new members if the party is to remain strong, competitive and attractive in readiness for future elections.
“As we meet to mobilise ourselves into an energetic force in the province, let us make that solemn pledge to commit ourselves to abide by the aims and objectives of the party of participating actively without motives of material or personal gain,” she advised.
“This is what our founding President Michael Chilufya Sata stood for. This is what President Edgar Lungu has continued to promote because it’s part of who we are as a party.
“We must also remember that we need to mobilise the party not just for the sake of it but as a vehicle of carrying out the aspirations of the Zambian people.”
The PF Vice President pointed out that PF is a vehicle that must continue to assure and re-assure Zambians of all ages and gender that it is unstoppable in its continued quest to develop the country.
Earlier, Chongwe Member of Parliament Japhen Mwakalombe praised government for rolling out massive infrastructure development in the Chongwe District, in particular and Lusaka Province as a whole.
Mr. Mwakalombe who is also Lusaka Province Minister, said the expansion of the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, the construction of the first ever Lusaka Specialised Hospital and the expansion of the Great East Road into a dual carriage way is testimony of government’s commitment of uplifghting the plight of Zambians.
The Chongwe Law Maker revealed that in 2018 government will tar 20 KM of township roads aimed at accelerating the new municipality status of Chongwe.
And speaking at the same event, PF Lusaka Province chairperson Horrace Longwe said the party in the province is intact and ready to face the opposition in future elections.
Mr. Longwe reiterated his call for opposition political parties claiming popularity to be brave enough and call for elections in their parties prove to Zambians that they can win even in their own political parties.
He stated that it is strange that some political party leaders that have never gone through an election in their own parties want to claim to be more popular among Zambians.
Chongwe MP, Japhen Mwakalombe, Chawama MP, Lawrence Sichalwe, Luapula MP, Emerine Kabanshi and Munali MP, Professor Nkandu Luo attended the meeting.
The One Day Lusaka Province Committee Patriotic Front Party (PF) Consultative Meeting is expected to come up with resolutions which will be submitted to the Central Committee, for possible considering.
The meeting has also attracted all PF MPs, Mayors, Chairpersons, Councillors, Constituency, District and other party officials in the province.
Lusaka Province has 14 constituencies with Lusaka District leading with 7 while Kafue,Shibuyunji and Chirundu with one each.
The rest are Chongwe, Rufunsa, Luangwa and Chilanga respectively.
Anthony MukwitaThe number of Zambian exhibitors at the German international tourism showpiece, the International Tourism Bourse, ITB, the world’s largest, to take place in a few weeks’ time, has increased. Zambia’s ambassador to Germany His Excellency Anthony Mukwita says so far close to 30 Zambian exhibitors have signed up, a leap from just 9 that took part in the 2017 travel show.
“This means a lot for us as an embassy, as a government and as a country. The increase in numbers will showcase Zambia in a much bigger way than ever before”, ambassador Mukwita says with a sense of optimism.
The Zambian envoy says the exhibition space will now be bigger than before and opportunities for speaking about Zambia equally more thereby placing the country in a much more privileged and rare position to sell itself to the world.
“We are a preferred destination for tourism as borne out by many authorities around the world that include the CIA Fact Book, the International Monetary Fund and many more”, Mr. Mukwita says.
And First Secretary (Tourism) at the Zambian embassy in Berlin Susan Katema has called on more Zambian businesses to sign up for the travel show. “We want to see more sign up and turn this into a huge success for Zambia’s tourism and the economy as a whole”, Ms. Katema says.
More than 100,000 people are expected to attend ITB consisting of travel businesses, tourists, the international media and other interested parties. Taking place every year, ITB provides a global platform to showcase trends in the tourism business.
For the past 30 years, Zambia has been attending and exhibiting at the ITB but this is the first time that the country has won the position of Convention and Cultural Partner giving the country a special place at the event to share with the rest of the world what it has to offer in the tourism sector.
Due to continuing marketing and lobbying, Zambia has begun to see an increase in the number of tourists from Germany into the country. The Zambian embassy hopes the numbers increase even further after the exposure the country stands to gain at the tourism show.
The Zambian government has identified the tourism sector as a growth point in the economy. Consequently, it has continued to provide an enabling environment for the growth of the sector.
MINISTER of Health Hon Dr Chitalu Chilufya
Health Minister Dr Chitalu Chilufya has removed the entire senior management team at Solwezi General Hospital for negligence.
Dr Chitalu got incensed by the deplorable conditions he found at the hospital when he paid an impromptu visit around 22:00 hours yesterday.
After seeing dirty floors, walls and witnessing neglected patients, Dr Chilufya described the situation as negligence saying his decision to remove management would serve as a warning to others who were running health institutions.
“The whole management team will be removed so that we place a team that will care for patients properly, a team that will support the medical superintendant to run the facility and that must be done immediately. This must send a warning to everybody running a health facility that these are positions of trust and we expect you to provide health care in clean environments and competently so. We have to ensure that we don’t compromise on the quality of care,” said Dr Chilufya.
