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Cleo Ice Queen carries through her melodic side of rap with this smash hit titled “XO Fever” after winning BEST FEMALE ARTIST in Zambia, in this years SunFm Kwacha Awards. Produced by Zambian super producer Kekero, this track puts the Ice Queen way up there with the best females on the continental platform.
You can definitely pick up the growth and new direction in her sound and we hope to experience more of this side of the Ice. She has hinted via her twitter account that this will be the 1st single off her upcoming sophomore album due for release mid 2018.
The video is due anytime soon and was creatively directed by Ice Queen herself, was shot and edited by Dj Lo of Reel Studios. The video features choreography by dancers Frank Sinya and Chaka Chellah, dancers of the Zoca dance group and cameos from the Trippy hippie group of Zambia. The video is literally gonna be FIRE and will keep the audience engaged scene for scene…giving you FEVER!
FOREIGN pastors are allegedly being forced to bribe Government officials to avoid being reported to Immigration Department for deportation, it has been revealed.
This came to light following the arrest and planned deportation of Pastor Austine Obosele who claims that his deportation stems from his refusal to pay a K30, 000 bribe to a named Ministry official.
Some of them revealed to the Daily Nation that foreign pastors were being targeted by some ministry officials without the minister’s knowledge.
This was also confirmed by one of the local church leaders.
“My pastor was asked to bribe someone at the Immigration office K20, 000 so that he could be given a permit,” the Lusaka-based church leader disclosed.
The church leader who preferred anonymity explained that his pastor, a Congolese national pastoring a church in one of the compounds in Lusaka, had his permit extended after paying K20, 000.
He said after his pastor applied for his permit’s renewal, the application was rejected twice and was told that his position needed to be Zambianised, meaning it had to be given to a Zambian pastor to lead the church and he was advised to apply for the third time. The church leader explained that his pastor was then advised by his Congolese friend, a fellow pastor who has married a Zambian lady, a lawyer by profession.
He said the lawyer told his pastor that she knew someone from Immigration Department and if that person could be bribed with a K20, 000, he would be given a permit.
“He was advised to bring K20, 000 and that money was organised,” he disclosed.
The leader said that even after the money was organised, the permit had not yet come out and despite the bribe being paid two months ago.
He said his pastor was not dealing with someone from Immigration directly but he was dealing with a middle man and to date no permit had been given to the named pastor.
“I don’t think he needs to wait this long, we have now entered into the third month, he still has not gotten his permit. But the money was paid almost three months now and he began the process of renewing his permits four months again,” the church leader said.
He explained that his pastor had been in Zambia for the past eight years and he only needed his permit to be renewed for only two years then he could become a Zambian resident.
“When he makes a follow up he is being told that everything has been done and it’s just that they are a lot of people who are also in the same situation. They first want to deal with these others,” he said.
UPND Vice President Dr Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba made an evening visit to Milpark Hospital on Sunday where the freedom fighter and veteran politician Daniel Munkombwe is admitted.
Mr. Mwamba voiced hope that Mr. Munkombwe will get well soon following the recovery observed.
“I pray for good health and quick recovery for our Freedom fighter” said Mr. Mwamba.
He was accompanied by UPND South Africa Chapter members
King Mswati the second of Swaziland says Zambia has some of the best tourism attractions in Africa. He says it is for this reason that he has visited the Country.
The King also told Reporters that his visit to Zambia is aimed at cementing relationship between his country and Zambia. He said there is need for countries to continue working together.
King Mswati was speaking shortly before he left for Mfuwe together with President Edgar Lungu on a private visit. He was seen off by Minister of Fisheries and Livestock Micheal Katambo, Minister of water Resources Lloyd Kaziya and defense chiefs at Zambia Air force Base airport.
King Mswati is expected to complete his visit on Wednesday. King Mswati is in the country for a private visit.
President Edgar Lungu having a light moment with King Muswati III shorty on his arrival at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport yesterday 04-11-2017. Picture by ROYD SIBAJENE/ZANIS
Trucks waiting to be cleared at Kasumbalesa border
The Zambia Revenue Authority(ZRA) at Kasumbalesa border has collected over 342 million Kwacha as at October 31st 2017 against the annual target of 328 million Kwacha.
ZRA Deputy Station manager Martin Chanda says the modernization of the border post has helped improve the monitoring of traffic in and out of the region.
Mr. Chanda said the modern electronic traffic management system that has been used by a private Israeli firm has also helped smuggling at Kasumbalesa.
Mr. Chanda said this when Finance Felix Mutati meet representatives from ZRA and Zambia integrated property border crossing company-ZIPBCC
And Mr. Mutati says Government will remain stead fast by ensuring that it boasts domestic revenue so as to improve the economy.
Mr. Mutati said he was impressed with security measures that have been instituted at Kasumbalesa boarder post adding that this has reduced smuggling in the area.
He further urged security wings at the border to continue clamping down those involved in smuggling activities.
And Chililabombwe Mayor Christabel Mulala said despite smuggling levels reducing at the border there was need to construct a fence to enhance security
Meanwhile, ZIPBCC share holder representative Saron Dandrovich said the company has spent over four million United States dollars towards improving the new state of infrastructure at boarder post.
Mr. Dandrovich also assured government that his company is the process of developing a trade center for small scale traders on the Zambian side.
Vice President Inonge Wina having a light moment with Lands Minister Jean Kapata during the memorial service for the late President Micheal Sata at Child Jesus Church
Lands and Natural Resources Minister Jean Kapata and her permanent secretary Trevor Kaunda are expected in Germany to attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference that will take place in Bonn between 6th and the 17th of November 2017
The conference will discuss among other things transparency, adaptation, emission reductions, and provision of finance, capacity building and technology.
Zambia’s Ambassador to Germany, Anthony Mukwita says the Zambian government is committed to playing its part in protecting the integrity of the global ecosystem.
Mr. Mukwita says Ms Kapata will represent President Edgar Lungu.
He explains that guidelines that shall be negotiated at the Bonn Climate Change Conference, otherwise dubbed COP23 will form the agenda for the next similar conference, COP24 to take place in Poland in 2018 where they should be completed.
High ranking government leaders, representatives of the UN system, experts in climate change and celebrities are expected to attend., about 170 have ratified it.
This is made available to media by First secretary for press in Belin Kellys Kaunda.
Zesco United maintained their slender lead at the top of the FAZ Super League table on Sunday following a 1-1 away draw at nemesis Nkwazi at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.
The Ndola side endured another frustrating visit to Nkwazi where they have not won since 2010.
Burundi international midfielder Enock Sabamukama put Zesco ahead in the 53rd minute after Mwape Mwelwa had earlier hit the post in the 43rd minute.
Edward Mwamba equalized for Nkwazi in the 74th minute to deny Zesco an opportunity to open a five-point lead at the summit of the table.
Zesco have 63 points, two more than Zanaco and a further three points ahead of 3rd placed Green Buffaloes with five games left to play.
Nkwazi are 12th on 43 points.
Meanwhile, Lusaka Dynamos moved from 5th to 4th following a 5-2 demolition of demoted city of Lusaka at the second game at same venue.
Chris Mugalu scored a hat trick to take his league tally to 20 goals with strikes in the 5th 8th and 51st minutes.
Aubrey Funga scored one in the 17th minute while Moses Ochaya sealed the win in second half stoppage time.
City’s consolation goals were scored by Rolly Tshibungibi in the 10th minute and Ishmael Dunga in the 20th minute.
Dynamos have 57 points after the victory as bottom placed City prepare for a quick return to Division 1 just one season following their promotion.
File picture: Edgar Lungu with Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba and Given Lubinda during a rally to drum up support for Solwezi PF parliamentary candidate Newton Malwa on September 10 ,2014 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
Opposition UPND Vice President Geoffrey Bwalya has vowed that there will be no third bid for President Edgar Lungu.
Reacting to President Lungu’s attacks on the judiciary, Mr Bwalya said this is a dark week for democracy in Zambia and Africa as a whole.
He said the utterances by President Lungu expressing his desire for a third term in office and threatening judges not to rule against his third term bid should leave no doubt in the minds of all Zambians and the world at large that the three arms of government in Zambia are under siege of a brutal dictatorial regime.
“Never in the history of our beloved country has such a blatant and deliberate act of intimidation of the Judiciary has been seen. Under the Constitution, the Judiciary ought to be an independent arm of government free from interference or direction from anyone,” Mr Bwalya said.
“However in clear violation of Articles 119 and 122 of the Constitution, Edgar Lungu saw it fit to directly interfere with the independence of the Judiciary by giving the Constitutional Court instructions on how to adjudicate upon a matter in which he has personal and, quite obviously, selfish interest, that is the case in which his eligibility to stand as a presidential candidate in 2021 is being considered.”
He said “In whatever way one looks at it, Lungu’s message to the Judiciary was loud and clear. His message was that the Constitutional Court should decide that case in his favour; that the Court should decide that he is entitled to stand for a third term in 2021 or else there will be chaos in Zambia.”
“In other words Edgar Lungu was telling the Judiciary how to perform its functions. And he was warning Zambians that the PF will cause chaos if he doesn’t have his way. Fellow Zambians, this is not only contentious of the Court but also a breach of the Constitution.”
The UPND Vice President said this has exposed President Lungu to possibility of being impeached under Article 108 of the Constitution on grounds that he has violated the sacred law of our land by his careless and irresponsible utterances and on grounds that he has committed a gross misconduct.
“We therefore urge all Members of Parliament to rise above partisan interest and save the Country from Lungu’s tyranny before it is too late,” he said.
“Likewise, we urge the Judiciary, through the Chief Justice, to prove its independence by publicly condemning this unwarranted attack and by taking appropriate action against Lungu in the same way it has done against other citizens in the recent past. No one is above the law, not least Lungu!”
He added, “Civil Society, the Law Association of Zambia, the Church and all well meaning Zambians must protect Zambia`s hard won democracy and speak out against this tyranny. We owe it to ourselves and future generations to come.”
“Let us preserve the peace that Zambia has enjoyed for 53 years and say no to Lungu`s selfish attempts to plunge the country into chaos. Zambia is bigger than one man and his band of thieves, whose only interest is to hold onto power at whatever cost so that they can enrich themselves at the expense of the millions of Zambians suffering in abject poverty.”
SAME DIFFERENCE – MY 2017 COMMENT ON ATTENDING NATIONAL EVENTS!
[By Brig Gen Godfrey Miyanda – 22nd October 2017]
INTRODUCTORY/CONTEXT NOTE: On 22nd October 2017, after I had prepared a statement on the Independence Day Celebrations in Zambia due on 24th October 2017, I recalled that I had written twice on the same topic. Part 1 of 30th October 2013 and titled “My Independence Reflections Part 1: The Farcical Independence Ritual” commented on the predictable perennial ritual of lambasting those who did not attend, labelling them unpatriotic. The second statement of 17th November 2013 and titled “My Independence Reflections Part 2: No More Treason In Zambia” was also about the “patriots” chastising the “unpatriotic Zambians” who did not attend such national events and described them as such. Last year (24th October 2016) President Lungu, during his State House national luncheon, upped the attacks and declared that those who did not attend are NOT Zambians! Rather than write a fresh article I decided to reproduce the previous two as food for thought and to jolt Zambians to begin pondering “why do we not learn from our past deeds?” We seem to have a very steep Learning Curve or simply refuse to learn. Because my article coincided with the Memorial of late President Sata on 30th October, whose name was mentioned, I decided to withhold publication. But now the Solwezi presidential threat on the Judges has spurred me on to re-publish my “flash backs” in preparation for a counter attack; please forgive me as there is no affront to the Sata family but merely recording a historical fact that the statements were published.
FLASH BACK 1
MY INDEPENDENCE REFLECTIONS PART 1: THE FARCICAL INDEPENDENCE DAY RITUAL!
[By Brigadier General Godfrey Miyanda – 30th October 2013]
Once again we have had another tired ritual to perform, NOT Independence Day but predictable Independence Day quarrels! It is this that has compelled me to comment. The only thing that is fresh about Independence Day is that 24th October 2013 heralded our 49 years of independence, but nothing new. So why do Zambians yearly accept this acrimonious and deceptive “national debate” on who attended or did not attend the celebration? Such criticisms are designed to sweep under the carpet or disguise contentious national issues by merry-making.
On Monday 21st October 2013 the Times of Zambia carried a picture of some prominent but DISPARATE adult politicians on the steps of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross at Lusaka. The picture showed those in power, those who have left power but not completely and those struggling to get into power. It sent conflicting messages, interpreted according to the eye of the beholder. But I always stick to the old cliché that a picture can tell a lie! And that picture told a very big lie – the alleged unity of those pictured and those who attended the Cathedral prayers! Politicians who did not attend were labelled unpatriotic. Those in authority were almost at the point of arresting the ‘offenders’ for being absent without leave (AWOL in military parlance). Actually it is not an offence not to attend independence celebrations; if it were a crime there would be no need for the State to send out invitations as is done at such occasions. An invitation invites two responses: accepting or declining the invitation. That is why there is usually an accompanying note stating either ‘RSVP’ which is a French abbreviation for ‘PLEASE REPLY’ or simply ‘REGRETS ONLY’. There is thus no need for name-calling or stigmatisation; one has either to attend or not attend. To vilify those who choose not to attend such functions is the cheapest hypocrisy. It is a double standard, especially when said by those who refuse to hold dialogue with other political leaders!
I thus call upon right-thinking Zambians not to be duped by populist political sentiments but to discard the BUFI suit and put on the armour of truth. Look at how this innocent day has created a “national” controversy, just because one Hakainde Hichilema expressed his opinion and elected NOT to attend the ceremony which President Sata had not been attending when he was in opposition ranks. All hell broke loose, from the highest rooftops, and from the holy steps of the Cathedral. The Times of Zambia picture showed those adult politicians holding “loving” hands and appearing to be united. But why are Zambians deceived by such pictures and sentiments? The answer is because that is the mind of many Zambians; they seem to be ready and willing to be deceived. In fact if you want to win elections in Zambia, tell a lot of lies!
But at 49 it is time to say no to all BUFI politics. That picture is meant to show unity in Zambia when there is none; Zambians must say no to unity of and for the camera. Some of us have been calling on the President to address the people or even call for a political indaba, particularly of party leaders. He has rejected or ignored that. The state of the nation today is one of strife, trial and tribulation, fear, intimidation, abuse of power and prevalent abject poverty. Many Zambians are fast becoming refugees or foreigners in their own land. There is unbridled political violence and other forms of harassment. How can violence create unity and harmony? How can lies bring people together?
That duplicitous Cathedral picture is a coded message and instruction to Dr Kaunda that he was a witness to the fake unity at the steps of the Cathedral and that he must now prevail on his protégé, President Michael Sata, to arrange for a genuine meeting of political party leaders where, hopefully, they will emerge and shake hands and exchange serious independence greetings and shout in unison“free at last to assemble and demonstrate and appear regularly on ZNBC television and radio without let or hindrance”!
To celebrate means to make merry and enjoy. I am afraid I had no reason to celebrate Independence Day because I am not happy with the management of my country by the PF servants who have overthrown the employers (treason) and are refusing to listen to serious grievances and contentious issues. Instead I have used the occasion to reflect on the PF’s failure to keep its election promises and their failure to unite us and defend our independence and freedoms as envisaged by our Founding Fathers when they chose to successfully challenge the Colonial Government. Let this 49 year landmark be the last time we hear childish screams about those who did not attend so-called national events.
GODFREY MIYANDA,
BRIGADIER GENERAL
[30TH OCTOBER 2013]
POSTSCRIPT 22ND OCTOBER 2017: what a prophetic mirror four years ago; it seems nothing has been learnt four years later – at State House on 24th October 2017 a prominent Senior Citizen and some opposition party leaders castigated those who did not attend this year’s event!
FLASH BACK 2
MY INDEPENDENCE REFLECTIONS PART 2: NO MORE TREASON IN ZAMBIA!
[By Brigadier General Godfrey Miyanda – 17th November 2013]
As I continue to reflect on the 49th Independence Day, I notice the prevalence of the “unity of the camera”, a mirage that disappears as soon as you step away from the “enemy” you were shaking hands with! I also realise that there are many “independences” around: independence of the mind, of judges, of wives, of your children, of the youth, of NGOs, of religion, of ethnic groups, etc, etc. Thus we may severally have been experiencing fleeting mirages of unity but now we must all make an effort to focus on which “independence” is relevant on this occasion of the 49th Independence Day.
On this second reflection I focus on contentious issues that have to do with citizens’ rights and freedoms as enshrined in the current Republican Constitution that continue to be abrogated and generally ignored. The PF record is abysmal with regard to the Rule of Law. There has been harassment and tampering with the rights of citizens, especially those that have to do with freedom of assembly, free speech as well as the independence of the judiciary. Such abuse by those in authority is what must become treason today!
The law of treason in its present form has maintained its colonial character and purpose and is archaic, contradictory and irrelevant. Therefore it is not reasonably justifiable in our democratic dispensation. Essentially it was designed to prevent citizens from expressing their strong sentiments against the ruling regime. Such a law is anathema to citizens and is a hindrance to the on-going independence journey and subtracts from the quest for unity.
Look at how ridiculous and contradictory this law is today. Before our independence battles, while this law was in full force under the Colonial Power, our Founding Fathers ignored it, actively denounced and challenged the colonial regime and succeeded. Simply put, they committed treason against Her Majesty the Queen’s establishment in Zambia! In short we gained our Independence by committing treason – without that action prior to 1964, there would not have been the 49th Independence Day to commemorate! But after assuming power our leaders maintained the very laws that were designed to derail and to stall the independence march of the late 50s and onwards!
Wind forward to 1972 – Dr Kaunda’s regime decreed the establishment of Zambia as a One Party State. Under that decree it was an offence to form or belong to a political party other than UNIP; it was an offence to hold an opinion that contradicted that of the Ruling Party. I classify the imposition of the One Party State as a treasonable act; but its removal from our statute books was the most important and heroic achievement of the MMD. What is happening in our country today, under the PF which is mentored by former President Dr Kaunda, is sending worrying signals about possible re-introduction of that era. The spectre of Hitler or Idi Amin is hovering over the horizon. Dr Kaunda, the architect of the One Party State, appears to be co-President or the lead Consultant for President Sata; so we have a reason to be apprehensive. We do not want to go back to detentions without trial!
To put this apprehension in perspective I refer to some parts of the Zambian Penal Code that deal with sedition. The definition of ‘seditious intention’ is so wide that any form of political sensitisation and even election campaigns qualify to be classified as sedition. There are phrases such as “to bring into hatred or contempt or to excite disaffection against the Government; to raise discontent or disaffection among the people of Zambia; to incite resistance, either active or passive, or disobedience to any law or the administration thereof” (as CSOs are presently doing with regard to the Constitution-making process). Workers are not spared as under Section 92 the President may invoke statutory powers against a union and designate a boycott if he so judges by specifying any action he deems fit to control the situation (persons found wanting are liable to imprisonment for at least six months). These sections in their full effect contradict the spirit and letter of the current Republican Constitution.
I therefore urge the people of Zambia to prevail on the PF Government to expunge from our statute books the treason offence and all related derivatives of treason such as sedition. Instead what must be treasonable is to get onto office by telling lies and fostering deception as this is a way of preventing voters from ushering in a government of their choice!
It cannot be treasonable to complain against or criticise the Government. Those who get into public office by telling lies in order to win an election and who, once they get into power, abuse the laws that they have sworn to defend and protect ought to be the ones charged with treason. Even when citizens, in their anger, shout and “insult” as they march and demonstrate there are other laws that can properly deal with such conduct.
Our Founding Fathers did more than let out empty invectives: they destroyed bridges, schools and telecommunications facilities; they burnt government institutions; they cut off designated areas to prevent Government forces from accessing the areas by blocking them with logs and rocks; they even undressed in public (pornography) to emphasise their helplessness and disapproval of the presence of a detested foreign power. What could be more treasonable than that? But the joke is that that treason ushered in our independence. If it is true, as declared by Dr Kaunda last week, that President Sata was a Freedom Fighter, then he must surely be aware of these activities which led to our independence. Let him release the Barotse activists forthwith and ‘deport’ TREASON back to England where it is hardly heard of today!
GODFREY MIYANDA,
BRIGADIER GENERAL,
HERITAGE PARTY
[17TH NOVEMBER 2013]
Postscript 22ND October 2017: This is my second Reflection on Zambia’s Independence Day published in 2013. Believe it or not, four years later in 2017 we actually have a treason prosecution in Zambia, though aborted through a nolle prosequi!
The Resident where the plants were being grown indoor
The Drug Enforcement Commission in Lusaka has arrested a South African national of Indian origin following an operation conducted in Lusaka’s Woodlands area on Wednesday in which an in-door cannabis lab was discovered.
Kabir Magan, 33, of House Number 35, Buluwe Road, Woodlands in Lusaka has been charged with trafficking in psychotropic drugs, unlawful cultivation of cannabis, possession of instruments for the administration of drugs and permitting unlawful use of drugs at the premises contrary to the laws of Zambia.
The lab contained an intricate system for the simulation of environmental conditions to support the plants that were being grown in polythene bags.
The operation also led to the discovery of a suspected cryptocurrency machine.
DEC Deputy Spokesperson Kamufisa Manchishi said ,”The Commission wishes to strongly warn individuals against the unlawful cultivation of cannabis which constitutes an offence under the Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances Act. The Commission will not relent in its mandate of bringing offenders to book.”
He said the suspect is in Police custody and will appear in court soon.
Delegates attending Saturday’s Media Institute of Southern Africa Zambia Chapter Annual General Meeting reelected Hellen Mwale as its Chairperson.
Ms. Mwale who will serve for a second term will be deputized by Hyde Haguta.
Ms. Mwale a former Daily Nation polled 106 votes against her opponent Wilson Pondamali who had 35 votes.
The new MISA National Governing Council comprises Ms. Mwale, Mr Haguta and Fr. Barnabas Simatende, Mr. Martin Akende and Ms. Veronica Mwaba who are the three committee members.
The three committee members went unopposed and they will serve on the MISA Zambia NGC for the first time.
Speaking after her re-election, Ms. Mwale thanked members for their confidence.
She expressed gratitude to other contestants on the positions of Vice and Chairperson.
The MISA Zambia National Governing Council provides policy direction to the strongest media advocacy body’s secretariat in Zambia thus rendering it a true democratic membership driven organisation.
The new body will serve for a term of three years.
“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.”
(Psalm 84:11, NIV)
He Withholds No Good Thing
What do you need from the Lord today? Do you need peace, provision or guidance? The Word of God promises that no good thing will He withhold from those who walk blamelessly before Him. Now you may be thinking, “Joel, I’m not perfect. How can I have a blameless walk?” The Good News is that when you receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you automatically have a new, blameless walk. The past is erased in God’s eyes. And sure, you may make mistakes from time to time, but 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Understand today that God wants to pour His favor and honor on you. If you feel like there is anything in your life that you need to be cleansed from, go to the Father today and confess it to Him. Let Him make you new so that you can receive the good things He has in store for you!
A Prayer for Today
“Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me and choosing to pour out Your favor and blessing on me today. Thank You for giving me a new beginning and making me blameless in Your eyes. Search my heart today and lead me in the way everlasting in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
The first problem is to define the role of the media in our democratic society which poses an inevitable dilemma especially during general elections in Zambia. Bias is difficult to define and harder to measure, but in general the popular concern is that editors and reporters allow their personal political beliefs to influence the stories that they choose to run and to colour the way in which they report them and the extent to which a reporter’s beliefs affect reporting varies greatly with the kind of story.
I believe it is common knowledge that press stories are often slanted and that journalist’s own political views, policy preferences and ideological dispositions bias their news coverage in general.
The relationship between journalism and politics is a two-way street: though politicians take advantage as they can of the communications media available to them, these media in turn attempt to use politics and politicians as a way of both entertaining and informing their audiences. And so whoever controls the mind controls the man. The ear is the gateway to the senses and that is why in what is called ‘’the power of the air,’’ all governments control the radio transmissions because whoever controls what is transmitted controls the person.
And the mass media, whatever their disclaimers are not simply mirrors held up to reality or a messenger that carries the news. There is inevitably a process of selection, of editing and of emphasis and this process reflects, to some degree, the way in which the media are organized; the kinds of audiences they seek to serve and the preferences and opinions of the members of the media.
However, there has always been an unhealthy relationship between those who govern and those who write. Politicians read and worry about newspaper editorials, something the average citizen rarely does. All public officials have a love-hate relationship with newspapers, television and other media of mass communication. However, they depend on the media for their advancement of their careers and policies, but fear the media’s power to criticize, expose and destroy. Politicians have become increasingly dependent on the media. Their efforts to woo the press have become ever greater and their expressions of rage and dismay when their courtship is spurned, even stronger.
We are now faced with two major problems in the media. The first is that newspaper private ownership are businesses that must make a profit and therefore that need for profit leads to distort the news coverage such as the criticism of public policy and the revelation of public scandal and the only way to attract a large readership is with sensationalism, violence, romance coupled with exposing of anything. And in fact, politicians create or sponsor newspapers to further their interests. And hence journalists within the private ownership, deliberately tend to create an adversarial press, (normally known as ‘’spinning’’ the news), which is to attack their sponsors’ critics.
And they apply what is called ‘’Floating trial balloons,’’ i.e., if you like someone call his ideas ‘’respected,’’ and if you don’t like the person call them ‘’controversial.
They are eager and compete to break embarrassing stories that will win for its author honour and prestige. Journalists help to make politicians popular by the trick of being ‘’mentioned.’’ There is something very important about being positively ‘’mentioned’’ regularly in the media.
Second, the newest electronic source of news is the internet. It is the ultimate free market in political news which no one can ban, control or regulate and no one can keep either facts or nonsense off it.
And it is here where we have a great problem with our local media because in this scenario the social media is not fed with news from professional journalists, but mostly from the ‘’muckraker.’’ (the term mostly used in the USA), but those of my generation who participated in horse betting know something about the horse-racing ‘’lingua,’’ i.e. ‘’muck’’ means ‘’manure’’ and by extension it refers to anything that is filthy or disgusting.
A muckraker is an unprofessional and unethical writer who searches through the activities of public figures seeking to expose any contrary conduct. Hence these intruders into this noble profession have created a national cynicism and distrust since their main objective is seizing upon any bit of information or rumour that might call into question the qualifications or character of anybody with opposing views to their sponsors. Media coverage of gaffes, i.e., misspoken words, misstated ideas, clumsy moves etc., have become a staple of political reporting. And falsely attacking public figures has become a norm, when once it was a professional taboo.
I am not here referring to ‘’yellow journalism’’ or ‘’elastic language,’’ but on the contrary they have resorted to reporting absolutely total lies. And I have personally been a victim of such reported lies. And it is now clear that ‘’corruption’’ and ‘’telling of lies’’ have become the graphic symbols of our nation and on the latter, President Edgar Lungu was quoted to have said, ‘’The problem, muma politics – boza (lies in politics), even in the opposition, there is boza; even in the ruling party there is boza…’’ (Saturday Times of Zambia 23rd September 2017).
And of course, the social media ‘’muckraker reporters’’ are operating in a conducive atmosphere since Zambian politics does not induce any sense of reality and one current notable feature is that politics is based on reactions to issues and not on principals or on sound reasoning. The political scenario appears to bear hallmarks of simple blind and personal struggles and hence with no ideology to sustain it except the monotonous trading of insults and the use of political thugs to bulldoze innocent people during election campaigns.
And unfortunately the Zambian media has finally lost international integrity since there is total lack of investigative or interpretive stories about issues and policies and hence investors cannot rely on false reports circulating in social media about the state of the nation. No one can blind the capitalist-exploiter with cooked lies since he knows much more than we Zambians know about our national affairs.
And that is why we are seeing so much investment especially in infrastructure development in our country inspite of the continued negative reports on the state of the nation? The foreign investors cannot risk to invest their money in an unstable environment and they rely on Insurance Premium Index and as at now, the insurance premium rates in the Sub-Sarahan Africa are lowest in Botwana, Mauritius and Zambia which means foreign investors are sure of their investments in this country.
The Author is Chief Chitimukulu, the Paramount Chief of the Bemba Speaking People in Northern Province of Zambia
Power Dynamos 2017 FAZ Super Division title hopes are in tatters following a 3-0 home loss against Green Buffaloes at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe on Saturday.
The defeat left Power with a slim chance of finishing in the top four that guarantees continental football in 2018 and they stay in 6th place after the defeat.
Power is also without a win in their last four matches since beating Nakambala Leopards 2-0 in Kitwe on September 30.
Since then, Power have collected two draws and as many defeats.
Friday Samu scored a brace in the 21st and 54th minutes before Mike Katiba fired a breathtaking shot from outside the box in the 68th minute.
Buffaloes stay 3rd on 60points, behind Zanaco and Zesco United who have 61 and 62 points respectively.
Power have 52 points with five matches left.
Meanwhile, champions Zanaco were held toa2-2 away draw at Kabwe Warriors.
Bibo Bindu put Warriors ahead in the 5th minute but Zanaco midfielder Isaac Chansa equalised in the 41st minute to see the two sides go 1-1 into the break.
Felix Nyaende put Zanaco ahead in the 60th minute but five minute before time, Warriors restored parity when Ziyo Tembo turned the ball into his own net to deny Zanaco a chance of returning to number 1.
And Zesco will be in action on Sunday when they visit Nkwazi and a win there will see them open a five point lead.
In Ndola, Nkana stay 4th on 56 points after a 0-0 away draw against number 9 side Buildcon.
Government will in the second quarter of 2018, start implementing the Integrated small towns water supply and sanitation programe in northern, muchinga, Luapula and Western provinces, targeting 12 districts.
The districts include Mbala, Kasama, Mpika and Nakonde. Others are Samfya, Kawambwa, Mwense and Mansa, while the rest are Kaoma, Mongu, Senanga and Sesheke.
The 48 months project, which will be at a total cost of USD150M, with government counterpart funds, and a USD1.6M grant from MIC TAF, aims to increase access to quality, safe and reliable water supply and sanitation for the people in the project areas.
Ministry of Water Development sanitation and environmental protection Permanent Secretary ED CHOMBA says water supply infrastructure will include the rehabilitation and construction of new reservoirs and water network facilities.
Construction and rehabilitation of sewer networks, as well as the construction of climate resilient demonstration public sanitation facilties among other programmes, will be undertaken on the sewerage infrastructure development.
Dr. CHOMBA says at completion, the programme targets to improve the health of close to nine hundred and 30 thousand people through access to safe drinking water and improved sanitation services .
Dr. CHOMBA says the selected utility companies in the project areas Like Chambeshi, are expected to increase thier national coverage contribution to water supply and sanitation from their current contribution of 47 percent and 25 percent water supply and sanitation provision respectively.
He says this is in line with Government’s commitment to have a one hundred percent access to safe, and reliable water supply by all and 90 per cent access to sanitation services by 2030.
