The International Monetary Fund has appointed Dr. Boileau Loko as the New IMF Mission Chief for Zambia.

Dr. Loko replaces Mr. Tchidi Tsikata.

But people close to the issue have said that Mr Tsikata has been moved for failing to close the deal with the Zambian government over an economic recovery programme.

“Organisations like IMF pride themselves on performance based targets. Tsikata failed to get a deal with Zambia and he was blindsided by GRZ. so why keep him. Make a change and get the process revitalized,” the source said.

Commenting on the appointment of Dr. Loko, Finance Minister Felix Mutati paid tribute to Mr. Tsikata for his dedication to duty and pledged continued support and cooperation with all the missions to Zambia which will be led by Dr. Loko in order to ensure that Zambia ascends to an IMF supported programme as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, IMF Director for the Africa Department, Dr. Abebe Selassie accompanied by Dr. Loko will soon conduct a short outreach mission to Zambia to meet with the authorities and discuss recent economic developments and policies.

The Zambian Government, led by Mr. Mutati, and the IMF, had a number of meetings on the sidelines of the IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings which were recently held in Washington DC, USA.

During these meetings, discussions were held on the way forward following the completion of the Article IV REVIEW by the IMF Board.

On conclusion of the Washington circuit of talks, both the IMF and the Zambian Government Authorities were generally in agreement with the outcome of the Article IV Consultations, particularly the concerns raised with respect to the rising debt risks and the recommendations made on fiscal consolidation and the need to lower debt risks.

The two sides discussed the importance of redefining Zambia’s borrowing plans going forward in view of the risks associated with high levels of debt, the need to continue fiscal consolidation, and the need for reassessment of the priorities of the 2018 budget.

The two sides also agreed on the inevitability of reviewing and redefining the macroeconomic framework in order to anchor the path towards debt sustainability.

The Zambian Government delegation agreed to provide data on recent developments in the economy, on the 2018 budget, and on borrowing plans. Once this data has been reviewed and validated, the IMF will field a staff visit to Zambia with the objective of redefining the macroeconomic framework.

The United Party for National Development (UPND) says  it has shunned the  Zambia’s 53rd Independence Commemorations today because there is an outbreak of cholera in Lusaka.

Speaking in an interview, UPND Secretary General Stephen Katuka says the opposition party has been informed that because of the pandemic in Lusaka all public gatherings should not be allowed hence the reason the UPND cannot be part of the celebrations.

Katuka says even if the Government has adequately prepared for the day and has extended invitations to Zambians via short messages on mobile phones, the UPND have turned down the invitation because it is not possible to have a public gathering in one area of Lusaka where there is a cholera pandemic and elsewhere in the city it is not allowed.

“We have been informed that because of the pandemic in Lusaka all public gatherings should not be allowed hence the reason the UPND cannot be part of the celebrations” Katuka said

But Patriotic Front (PF) Deputy Spokesperson Frank Bwalya has said the UPND should not think it is the PF that has organized today’s Independence Celebrations  but the Government of the Republic of Zambia.

Bwalya told Pan African Radio News this morning that no one will succeed in underestimating the tradition of celebrating independence and the PF shall not encourage citizens to celebrate the day because people know it is their duty to observe it as an important day for Zambia.

“UPND should not think it is the PF that has organized the Independence Celebrations  but the Government of the Republic of Zambia” Bwalya said

Meanwhile, third Liberation Movement President Enock Roosevelt Tonga is appealing to all Zambians regardless of their political affiliations to appear in the public to commemorate Zambia’s 53^rd Independence Anniversary .

Mr Tonga said the celebrations of the Independence Day should not be politicized by a section of stakeholders in the political arena and the civil society because it is  an obligation of every Zambian to celebrate and thank God for emancipating the nation from the yoke of colonialism in 1964.

“The celebrations of the Independence Day should not be politicized by a section of stakeholders in the political arena and the civil society because it is  an obligation of every Zambian to celebrate and thank God for emancipating the nation from the yoke of colonialism in 1964” Tonga said

And an Advocate of Modern Political Change Erick Nsokolo has urged all Zambians to cherish and embrace Zambia’s Independence Day Celebrations because liberation did not come on a silver plate.

Mr. Nsokolo, one of the founders of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) said it took a lot of sacrifice for Zambia’s founding fathers to liberate the Africans in Northern Rhodesia from the imperialists.

Mr. Nsokolo also said Zambians should guard jealously the plural democracy being enjoyed today which was fought for by people who banded together to end the one-party-participatory democracy of Founding President Kenneth Kaunda and his United National Independence Party (UNIP).

And Mr. Nsokolo has called on the Government to recognize all freedom fighters who are alive because they died a little for Zambia as opposed to casting a blind eye on them.

“Government should recognize all freedom fighters who are alive because they died a little for Zambia as opposed to casting a blind eye on them” Nsokolo said

Several Heads of State and Government have sent messages of congratulations to President Edgar Chagwa Lungu and Zambians on the occasion marking the country’s 53rd Independence anniversary which falls today.

United States of America (USA) President Donald Trump in his congratulatory message to President Lungu said the United States looks forward to deepening the strong partnership between Zambia and the US in the years ahead, as the two countries work together on democratic governance, the rule of law, and economic prosperity for all Zambians.

“Best wishes to you and the people of Zambia on the 53rd anniversary of your independence. On behalf of the American people, l wish you and the Zambian people peace and prosperity,” President Donald J. Trump said.

And Ethiopia’s President Dr. Mulatu Teshome expressed confidence that the close friendly relations that exist between Zambia and Ethiopia will continue to be further strengthened and developed for the mutual interest of the two peoples. “On behalf of the people and Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and that of my own l would like to extend to your Excellency and through you, to the brotherly people and Government of the Republic of Zambia my warmest congratulations on the occasion marking the 53rd anniversary of your country’s Independence Day.”

South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma in his message reaffirmed his Government’s desire to strengthen the excellent bonds of friendship that exist between South Africa and Zambia. “May l take this opportunity not only to wish Your Excellency’s good health, but also to reaffirm our desire to strengthen the excellent bonds of friendship that exist between our sister countries.”

President of the Federal Republic of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier in his congratulatory message observed that in Zambia’s five decades of its independence, it has established impressive traditions of democracy and the rule of law adding that these must now be maintained and developed through political and social dialogue conducted in a respectful manner. President Steinmeier assured that Germany will stand by Zambia’s side when it comes to tackling the tasks that lie ahead and that his country has keen interest to further consolidate and expand the close and amicable partnership that has grown over the decades between the two countries.“On the occasion of Independence Day in the Republic of Zambia, allow me to offer you and the people of your country my sincere congratulations and those of my fellow Germans. I wish you a sure hand and every success as you strive to further develop your country and enhance the population’s prospects for the future,” President Steinmeier said.

In other messages, India’s President Ram Nath Kovind said the partnership between our two countries is anchored on shared values and perspectives hence Zambia and India are working together to enhance their development cooperation in education, health, information technology and connectivity. “India looks forward to further strengthening the existing warm bonds of friendship with Zambia to ensure greater prosperity of our peoples.

On behalf of the Government, the people of India and on my own behalf, l extend warm greetings and felicitations to Your Excellency, the Government and the people of the Republic of Zambia on the occasion of your Independence Day. Please accept, Excellency my best wishes for your continued good health and well-being as well as for the progress and prosperity of the friendly people of the Republic of Zambia,” President Ram Nath Kovind said.

Czech Republic’s President Miloš Zeman expressed confidence that as a result of his country opening and embassy in Zambia this year the excellent relations that have existed for many years between Zambia and that country will deepen in the political, economic and development cooperation areas for the mutual benefit of the two countries. “May l extend to you my heartfelt congratulations on the National Day of your country commemorated on 24th October.”

Sierra Leone President Dr Ernest Bai Koroma said “I wish to extend on behalf of the Government and people of the Republic of Sierra Leone and on my own behalf warmest felicitations to your Excellency and through you, the Government and the people of the Republic of Zambia, on the occasion of your country’s Independence Day Anniversary.”

And Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia Sir Peter Cosgrove in his congratulatory message hailed relations between Zambia and Australia noting that the positive bilateral relationship at Government to Government level reflects the shared democratic traditions and history of the two countries as members of the Commonwealth. “On the occasion of the Independence Day of the Republic of Zambia, I wish to convey to you and the Government and the people of Zambia my warmest wishes, together with those of the Australia Government and people,” Sir Cosgrove said.

United Mexican States President Enrique Peña Nieto said he reaffirmed his firm commitment to strengthen the ties of friendship and cooperation between the peoples of Zambia and Mexico in order to favour mutual development and wellbeing of the two countries.“On behalf of the people of Mexico, it is an honour to express my warmest congratulations as you commemorate one more anniversary of the National Day of the Republic of Zambia. I hereby extend cordial greeting and seize this opportunity to express the assurances of my distinguished consideration,” President Enrique Peña Nieto said.

Other Presidents who have conveyed their messages include Cuban President Raúl Castro Ruz. “On the occasion of the Fifty-third Anniversary of the Republic of Zambia’s proclamation of independence, I warmly congratulate you,” President Ruz said.

Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas hailed the historic friendly relations between Zambia and Palestine. “We are pleased to extend to your Excellency on behalf of the State of Palestine and its people on my own behalf and through you to your esteemed Government and to your friendly people our warm and heartfelt congratulation.”

In his message Ireland’s President Michael Higgins said, “The people of Ireland join with me in conveying to Your Excellency our sincere congratulations and warmest greetings on the occasion of your National Day.”

Meanwhile, their Royal Highnesses have joined World leaders in congratulating President Lungu and the Zambian people. His Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan wished the President and the people of Zambia happiness and prosperity. “On the occasion of the Independence Day of the Republic of Zambia, I have great pleasure in sending Your Excellency my heartfelt congratulations and sincere good wishes for your happiness and for the prosperity of the people of your country,” Emperor Akihito said.

King Mohammed VI of Morocco expressed satisfaction with the steadily developing cooperation between Zambia and Morocco and looked forward to continue working with the President to strengthen ties and transform them into a special partnership that would stand as a model f4164or a successful relationship between the two countries. “As the Republic of Zambia celebrates Independence Day, it gives me great pleasure to send Your Excellency my warmest congratulations, together with my best wishes for good health and happiness. I also wish the Zambian people continued progress and prosperity under your wise leadership,” King Mohammed said.

This is contained in a statement issued to media by President Edgar Lungu’s special assistant for press and public relations Amos Chanda.

Vodafone Zambia says, the nation’s creative industry, particularly fashion, has started wielding notable influence both locally and internationally, a phenomenon which had the capacity to significantly impact the economic growth and improve the employment prospects of the country.

Company CEO, Michael Horup said this during the just ended Zambia Fashion Week, which saw several young entrepreneurial hopefuls showcasing their products before an audience composed of fashion enthusiasts, investors, and local and international media houses.

Mr Horup said: “The textile and clothing (T&C) industries form a major part of manufacturing production, employment and trade. Fashion is a structurally diverse industry, ranging from major international retailers to wholesalers to large design houses to one-person design shops. Zambia’s burgeoning industry has the potential, if well nurtured and supported, to employ people across occupations – including fashion designers, computer programmers, lawyers, accountants, copywriters, social media directors and project managers.

“Sponsoring Zambia Fashion Week (ZFW) is part of our continued efforts to help unearth and empower upcoming entrepreneurs and give them a platform upon which they will be identified by prospective business partners and investors,” added Mr Horup.

And Karen Nakawala, the CEO and founder of Afro Multi Media Productions, of which Zambia Fashion Week is an offshoot, noted that if Zambia’s fashion industry was to have an indelible impact on the national economy, it would require overwhelming support for the young entrepreneurs within the sector, both from the public and private sector perspective.

“Many of the young entrepreneurs actively involved in the fashion business are self-employed. We need to collectively support these young people, many of whom are undergoing the incubation process, only then will we see growth in our textiles and clothing (T&C) industry and a subsequent impact on economic growth and employment. Against this background, we commend Vodafone JUMP for their efforts on this pertinent matter.”

This year’s Zambia Fashion Week (ZFW) ran from October 19^th to the 21^st with over 1,000 fashion enthusiasts, investors and media attending the event over the three-day period.

Countrymen and women,
Good evening
It is my privilege and singular honour to address you tonight on the eve of our 53rd independence anniversary.

Personally, and millions of others who witnessed the birth of our new nation, 24th October 1964 remains indelible on our minds and the history of our country.

It is, therefore, only fitting and proper that this day is commemorated each year in a special way.

On this day in 1964, at the independence stadium in Lusaka, the first president of the republic of Zambia, Dr. Kenneth David Kaunda received the instruments of power from the colonial government.

As the Zambian flag was hoisted, replacing the british union jack at midnight, our people, in their thousands, shouted “Kwacha!… Ngwee!… Kwacha! Ngwee!,Signaling the dawn of a new era, an era of freedom and self-determination.

A huge copper torch of freedom was lit on the hill overlooking the stadium.

Countrymen and women,

Lest we forget, our independence did not come on a silver platter. Our freedom, sovereignty and dignity as a people, came at a high price, which included imprisonment, banishment and above all, loss of life.

Tonight, we remember with eternal gratitude, the sacrifices of our forefathers and mothers.

We recall their vision and determination to build a strong and united nation founded on love and respect for all people, of all races, tribes and religions.

This determination was demonstrated by the coming together of the likes of Mama Julia Chikamoneka And Betty Chilunga, Mr. Arthur Wina, Mr. Peter Matoka, Mr. Andrew Sardanis, Mr. Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe, Mr. Anoya Zulu, Mr. Harry Mwanga Nkumbula, Mr. Munukayumbwa Sipalo, Mr. Simon Zukas And Mr. Omelo Mumba, among many others, some of whom are still alive today.

From all corners of this country and all walks of life, they came and were united in the pursuit of self-rule and desire to build a new nation.

Independence day was, thus, not only a joyous occasion, but also one that marked a clean break from the bondage of the past.

As we celebrate this day, we also join the rest of the world in commemorating the founding of the united nations born out of a set of common ideals to secure world peace, the rights and protection of refugees, health for all and food security, to mention but a few.

Countrymen and women,
The choice of 24th October, which is also the united nations day, as our independence day, was thus a reflection of the progressive ideals this nation stands for.

The theme for this year’s independence anniversary is: “Celebrating Our Freedom For Continued Peace, Unity, Patriotism, And Development”.

This theme reminds us all of the need to celebrate our independence, by upholding the values and virtues bequeathed to us by the very inspiring generation of our freedom struggle.

Let us therefore, continue to build on these principles, which are well articulated in our national anthem.

Let us use this momentous occasion, individually and collectively, to reflect on the freedom that we have continued to enjoy.

Let me hasten to emphasize that the freedom we enjoy today comes with duties and responsibilities.

Countrymen and women,
Freedom is only tenable in an atmosphere of peace. No country can truly be free without peace. Zambia has continued to be a haven of peace since we gained our independence in 1964. Let us all work towards keeping this cherished record.

This achievement has not come by accident, but has been a result of our conscious and collective efforts in carrying forward the ideals espoused by the founders of this great nation. We should be thankful to God almighty for this blessing.

The peace and tranquility that we continue to enjoy has been key to attracting investment in sectors such as mining, construction, energy, agriculture, telecommunications and tourism. This is contributing positively to reducing poverty and vulnerability of our people through job and wealth creation.

Countrymen and women,
Let me now address the issue of national unity. The struggle for independence was founded and won on account of unity of purpose.

Our country is a blend of 73 tribes with different religions and political persuasions. Despite our diversity, we are all Zambians.

We share a common heritage and a common destiny. We need to stand against anything and everything that attempts to divide us. We are one people.

Indeed, our constitution recognises the multi-ethnic, multi-racial, multi-religious and multi-cultural character of our nation.

We, as a people, have also resolved that Zambia shall remain a unitary and multi-party democratic state. We are only as strong as we are united or as weak as we are divided.

Countrymen and women,
We all have the duty to maintain and promote national unity not only for ourselves, but also for our children and our children’s children.

Without unity, lasting peace is not possible. Without unity, there cannot be any meaningful development. Without unity, there will be no country to be proud of.

Our theme this year also calls us to reflect on the cardinal issue of patriotism. Zambia was born out of patriotism.

The founders of our nation put national interest above self. Therefore, we need to uphold and preserve this spirit, without which we will not be able to fully realise the development we aspire for.

Patriotism is important in preserving our national identity. It is for this reason that our constitution recognises patriotism as one of the key national values and principles.

Countrymen and women,
Let us, therefore, inculcate this positive value in our children. Let patriotism be a currency for both our public and private lives.

Political independence without sustainable development is meaningless. Our independence should, therefore, be used as a vehicle to achieving inclusive development and prosperity.

Our independence will be futile as long as poverty levels in our nation remain high. We should not be satisfied until the fruits of independence roll down to all parts of our country like the waters of the mighty zambezi river flowing from its humble beginnings to the oceans of abundance.
We shall work towards reducing poverty, vulnerability, inequality and unemployment, especially among the youth and women-folk.

In June this year, government launched the seventh national development plan covering the period2017-2021 as a guiding framework to foster development.

Countrymen and women,
Together, it is our collective responsibility to determine our destiny. Together, we must build a thriving and resilient economy for all. Together, it is possible.

As I conclude, let me reiterate that this day, 24th October, our independence day, is not only a reminder of our transition from colonial subjugation to freedom.
It is also a call to continue promoting the values of peace, unity and patriotism bequeathed to us by our founding fathers and mothers. It is a call to us to work hard to foster sustainable development that will propel our country to prosperity.

Let me, therefore, pay special tribute to the church and religious leaders, our traditional leaders, civil society, political parties, the corporate world and international organisations for their unflinching support in fostering development in our country.

Countrymen and women,
Our generation has a collective duty to responsibly exercise this freedom and, indeed safeguard the peace and unity of our nation, under the “one Zambia one nation” motto. Above all, we have an obligation to be patriotic to our great country. Let us put Zambia first in all we say and do.

I wish you all a joyous celebration.
May God bless our great nation, Zambia.
Good night.

Prophetess Tupelo King of Restoration Faith Ministries based in Mkushi is the new preaching sensation emerging on the Zambian platform; well known for her accurate prophesies, miracles and healing, Prophetess Tupelo King is no doubt making an impact in Zambia through her Prophetic and healing crusades.

She has in the past hosted Major Prophets such as Prophet Shepherd Bushiri Popularly known as Major one at her prestigious annual crusade known as the “ Destiny Encounter Crusade” that attracts thousands that flock to Mkushi every year to hear the word of God and to receive their prophetic messages.

Other powerful and renowned preachers and Prophets have also ministered at her fast growing church in Mkushi Including Prophet Isaiah Sovi, Prophet Hermes Elisha, Apostle Joshua Marlon among many others.

This year she is hosting yet another heavy weight in the prophetic circles, Prophet DD Isaac based in South Africa, well known for his prophecies and healing miracles, the controversial prophet DD Isaac has attracted a lot of media attention all around Zambia and Africa especially for his healing of diseases.
This weekend is expected to be a powerful expression of miracles and prophesies much to the excitement of all that are awaiting this year’s Destiny Encounter Crusade in Mkushi with great expectations.

At least 3000 people are expected to attend this gathering from Lusaka Kabwe Ndola Kitwe,Kapiri, Mkushi and all other surrounding areas.