Singer/song writer , Chembo , unveils the video for her latest single “Hey Mama” that is off her debut EP Love Vs Reality.
Photography and video by M-Pact Visuals , art direction by Chembo
BY KAPA187
Wedson names Zambia for Ethiopia friendly
Wedson Nyirenda has dropped Lusaka Dynamos midfielder and captain Clatous Chama plus two other high profile players for this weekends friendly against Ethiopia.
Zambia will host Ethiopia this Saturday in friendly at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka.
The match will be Zambia’s buildup ahead of their August 12 away date against South Africa in a 2018 CHAN final round, first leg qualifier.
Chama’s omission is believed to be on disciplinary reasons after he stormed off the pitch in Zambia’s 3-0 home win over Swaziland on July 22 when he was substituted in the 37th minute and replaced by John Chingandu.
Also dropped are Zanaco defender Taonga Bwembya and Zesco Midfielder Dave Daka.
Green Buffaloes midfielder Mike Katiba returns to the team after missing the Swaziland CHAN qualifying matches due to a head injury he sustained in Zambia’s 3-1 loss to Zimbabwe in the 2017 COSAFA Cup final on July 9 in Rustenburg, South Africa.
Otherwise ,Nyirenda has kept faith in the team that eliminated Swaziland 7-0 on aggregate from the first round of the 2018 CHAN qualifiers.
Team:
GOALKEEPERS:Toaster Nsabata (Zanaco), Kelvin Malunga (Nkana), Allan Chibwe (Power Dynamos)
DEFENDERS:Donaciano Malama, Moses Nyondo(both Nkana), Isaac Shamujompa (Power Dynamos),Simon Silwimba, Fackson Kapumbu (both Zesco United), Webster Mulenga (Red Arrows), Adrian Chama (Green Buffaloes)
MIDFIELDERS:Boston Muchindu(Nkana),Kondwani Mtonga,John Chingandu (both Zesco United), Godfrey Ngwenya (Power Dynamos),Jack Chirwa,Mike Katiba (both Green Buffaloes),Collins Sikombe (Napsa Stars)
STRIKERS:Lubinda Mundia(Red Arrows),Brian Mwila (Green Buffaloes), Augustine Mulenga (Zanaco),Justin Shonga (Nkwazi),Martin Phiri (Power Dynamos)
President Lungu is a democrat and not a dictator-Miles Sampa
Former Matero Member of Parliament Miles Sampa has defended President Edgar Lungu against accusations that he is sliding into a dictator.
And Mr Sampa has advised expelled PF senior members Chishimba Kambwili and Mwenya Musenge to pause, take time and reflect.
Mr Sampa who founded the defunct United Democratic Front said he still believes that President Lungu is a democratic.
He also stated that he is still a member of the PF but serving a three-year suspension.
“This means I am collectively supportive of all decisions made by the Party and by the President. At the moment I am busy with personal errands and school as I seek my PHD (opted for non-honorary).”
He added, “My first central committee meeting under President Lungu as Chairman took over 8 hours as he allowed everyone to talk and express their opinion before taking a consensus position on a matter. My immediate impression then and still now is that he is a democrat and not a dictator. His decisions are a summation of the majority in a group of authority,” Mr Sampa said.
“My take on the unfortunate subject of my brothers Hon Chishimba Kambwili and Hon Mwenya Musenge is that they should pause, take time and reflect. As history may have it, the two were about the most vicious advising me a few years ago to remain in PF after I had made some emotional and irrational decisions against the Party,” he said.
“Armed with their counselling then, I genuinely wish to reciprocate and give them similar advice. I submit to them that they be remorseful, meek and seek reconciliation with PF and President Edgar Chagwa Lungu. Chances are that they too may be given a 3 years leave of absence in which there is much to learn from once in isolation.”
Mr Sampa said the alternative routes they may wish to embark on are hardly ideal and not worth venturing into.
“I speak from experience and as they say “ukushusha ilungu; kwendamo” elo ” ukwali insoke takwafwile bantu”.”
He added, “I have also come to learn that in politics, there is no accounting terms such FIFO (First in First Out) or LIFO (Last in, First Out) and LILO (Last in Last Out). It’s the best player of the moment according to the coach that makes the team but that does not mean those on the bench or those substituted cannot play on another day.”
“As CK has loudly proclaimed, ‘loyalty defines a man’, I have come to learn further that ‘ patience defines a man’ as well. Your loyalty and patience should be with PF and President Lungu both in your good or rough times.”
Mr Sampa stated that politics at whatever level is therefore all about loyalty, patience and discipline.
“As for me and anyone that so believed or still believes in me, let’s build loyalty towards PF and President Edgar Changwa Lungu now and for however many years to come. I have also come to learn from experience that President Lungu is a loving, forgiving man and is the President of PF and Zambia because of his historic Loyalty, Patience and Discipline.”
Diplomacy: Zambia’s Resilience, Story of The Bad Good and Ugly
…Good news from Africa
By Anthony Mukwita
Recently, I read an article in the widely followed and hugely respected Time magazine discussing what it called Good News from Africa.
As a writer and a student of a progressive Africa, I found the article to be a fresh breath of literature compared to the bad news of graft, disease and conflict that so often dominates the western media. Countries like our own Zambia has been victim of the peddlers of bad news but the narrative is ostensibly changing and the negative stereotypes fading.
The Time’s article because perhaps my Master’s degree thesis entitled: The perception of Africa in the Western Media: The Zambian Case Study interested me a lot.
My thesis may have been penned a long time ago but my argument that most of the negative things that occur in Africa equally occur in the western world remains valid.
The difference in my argument was, still is; the western media has a stronger and wider influence than the African media, hence the negative stereotypes stick like a tick on Africa than it does on the West.
That is why when I saw Good News from Africa, I was greatly refreshed with the well-researched information, encouraging facts and statistics to back the Good News story.
POPULATION ADVANTAGE
Many African countries including Zambia today have promising demographics says Time, these demographics mean Africa will account for more than half the youthful population by 2050.
This increased population fact is a plus because Africa will account for more than half the world’s population growth by 2050.
By 2100, Africa’s population will have quadrupled relative to today as much of the developed world’s workforce will be shrinking, Africa’s will be expanding meaning countries like Zambia will be ripe ground for skills and labour hunters in the ever-expanding economic world, says Time.
The research also shows that urbanisation rates for African countries such as Zambia currently at about 37 percent, is comparable only to China’s and larger than India’s, which is good because huge population means a bigger market and bigger demand. Especially if it is put into productive use.
So for instance if a Zambian musician of for instance JK’s fame produces a record, he would become an instant millionaire if a million Zambians bought his record at only K1 compared to selling say 10,000 records at current low population levels.
RISING MIDDLE CLASS
Even though the Bible says the poor shall always be among us, Africa Development Bank studies show that in Zambia and other African countries, has an increasing middle class of people.
These people can now be spending between $4 and $20 a day and by 2060, more than a billion Africans are expected to join this growing middle class and Zambia is in tow according to statistic.
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Stability on the continent is ever on the rise according to studies since the end of the cold war with the number of armed conflicts falling from a scary more than thirty to about a dozen currently.
ZAMBIA CASE STUDY
Having given the glowing continental picture, I am drawn back to the motherland—Zambia where the situation according to local and international pundits is equally shining.
My best example is a recent article by the all authoritative Bloomberg News entitled: Copper Trumps Politics as Investors Take Shine to Zambian Assets.
In this informative and uplifting article, Bloomberg News states that despite the negative perceptions some so called Think Tanks have been trying to portray about Zambia and indeed a heightened attack on President Edgar Lungu, the economy has remained resilient and is defying the odds.
“Investors are overlooking Zambia’s political risk and buying the nation’s assets as the price of copper, its biggest export, rises. The southern African nation’s currency has appreciated 12 percent against the dollar in 2017, making the kwacha the continent’s best performer after Mozambique’s metical. Copper prices are at their highest in more than two years,” the article goes on.
The above read side by side with last week’s major economic update by Finance Minister Mr Felix Mutati piles up the good news that Zambia’s sponsored protagonists do not want to hear.
They want to give the proverbial dog a bad name and then kill it but it seems to be blowing back in their faces as the southern African countries economic resilience continues to grow under the strong stewardship of President Lungu.
Investors continue to beat a path to Zambia and if Minister Mutati’s stats are anything to fall back on, Zambia’s shine may rise further if we hold tight and shame the doom Sayers.
What Minister Felix Mutati’s stats below telling us:
Zambia’s projected economic growth rate of 4.3 percent for 2017 remains feasible.
This is pushed by observed growth in the major sectors of agriculture, mining, construction, transport and storage, and the wholesale and retail trade.
Increased electricity generation will also contribute to this positive perspective and, hopefully, support growth in other sectors of the Zambian economy.
Budget deficit for 2017 will be maintained at budgeted levels of round 7 percent.
The inflation rate as at end June 2017 was 6.8 % [Six-Point-Eight-Percent] down from 7.5% [Seven-Point-Five-Percent] in December 2016. This reflected stability in most food items and in the Kwacha against major currencies.
As at end June 2017 the exchange rate of the Kwacha per US dollar was K9.25.
The adage is that numbers do not lie and in my view this positive story of Zambia’s steady path to growth must be encouraged and repeated as much as possible in our economic diplomacy and local discourse.
Good news will eventually drown out the negative story being peddled by mercenaries at a huge expense in international media through advertorials as they push their own business interest agenda.
This because it is always dark before the sun rises but Zambians have an opportunity to tell their own good story instead of feeding on negativity because as we all know, there is no such thing as a perfect country.
The great Zambian story must be retold as we look at the glass as half full and not half empty.
The author, Mr Anthony Mukwita is the Charge d’ Affaires at the embassy of Zambia in Sweden. He holds a Master’s degree in Professional Communications and has interest in Economic Diplomacy.
Maize prices 50 percent down-FEWSNET
The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FESWNET) says maize marketing activities are slower than usual due to low local and regional demand.
It states that Maize prices range from around K40-K50 per 50 kg bag in most districts, which is causing concern among farmers.
It says current maize prices have dropped by more than 50 percent in comparison to last year.
“In a few districts, e.g. Monze and Mkushi, maize prices are slightly higher at K55-K65 per 50 kg bag, however this may be temporary,” FEWSNET said in a report.
Meanwhile, the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) announced on July 25th that the buying price for the season will be pegged at ZMK 60 per 50 kg bag.
FEWSNET said this price is disappointing for farmers that were anticipating a better price from the FRA.
It noted that the FRA is likely to purchase 500,000 MT of maize for the strategic grain reserves starting in August.
“Formal maize exports to mostly Tanzania continue, but at a slow pace despite the removal of the export ban and 10 percent export duty. Drivers of this may include the limited regional market and the logistical challenges of exporting to Kenya. Additionally, the recent appreciation of the local currency will make Zambian maize more expensive and less competitive,” it noted.
“In contrast, substantial levels of informal maize continue to be exported to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Tanzania. Meanwhile, the tender by the FRA to sell 100,000 MT of last season’s maize to potential exporters closed and it is in the process of awarding the successful bidders.”
Zambian woman arrested with 12 kg drugs in India
A Zambian woman was apprehended at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) in India on Saturday for allegedly trying to smuggle about 12 kg of narcotics by concealing it in her baggage, an airport security official said.
The official said the woman, who reached the IGI Airport in the wee hours of Saturday to travel to Addis Ababa, was intercepted by CISF personnel, based on a tip off.
The woman from Zambia has been identified as Doris Mwansa (46), and has been handed over to the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) along with the 12 kg of narcotics recovered from her bag.
The drugs that was concealed in 12 ladies’ hand bags has been identified as pseudoephedrine. Upon screening of her baggage, something suspicious was detected in one of the bags.
“Some suspicious items were detected during the screening. During the physical check, 12 purses were found which were unusually heavy. When the bottom of one purse was opened, a white powder was found concealed. On checking of all purses, total 12kg (concealed 1 Kg in each purse) white powder was detected,” said a CISF official.
The powder was sent to the NCB who confirmed the substance to be pseudophedrine, anarcotic substance.
“The accused was handed over to NCB officials for further action.,” said a CISF official.
She was caught by a team lead by Tulika Morang, Superintendent at Delhi unit of Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).
Deputy Director General at NCB Taj Hassan stated that intelligence found on Saturday that a Zambian woman, suspected to be carrying pseudoephedrine will depart from IGI Airport to Addis Ababa and then to Zambia by an Ethiopian flight.
“A team was constituted to carry out an investigation and verify the facts,” Hassan stated.
The team was deployed at the airport to keep surveillance on the passenger. It was found that Mwansa arrived at the airport by taxi at 12:05 am and was trying to pass through security points.
The team intercepted her at the departure gate.
She was in possession of three bags and they all were screened by the NCB sleuths.
And it was during checking, that NCB sleuths found white colour crystalline powder around 17 kg of pseudoephedrine concealed in 12 small purses in one of her trolley.
She was immediately arrested under various sections of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.
During investigation, the accused stated that she came to India on July 17 and was staying in Hotel Ambrose and the consignment was handed over to her by one Kenneth in the hotel.
She also told NCB sleuths that she had visited India six times earlier.
The NCB took police custody of Mwansa and said that she would help them unravel the entire network of drug traffickers across the country.
It is alleged that Mwansa also acted as a carrier for international drug traffickers.
Police are also trying to identify the traffickers and will retrieve the CCTV footage from the hotel to identify the accused Kenneth.
The NCB sleuths will also take Mwansa to the places she had visited during her stay in India to help bust the entire drug racket.
Doctors elect new leaders
The Zambia Medical Association on Saturday ushered in a new Executive after the Aaron Mujajati led Executive completed its final second term.
Dr. Abidan Chansa was elected new President to be deputised by Dr. Samson Chisele.
Outgoing ZMA President Aaron Mujajati thanked several stakeholders who worked with the Association during his reign.
“I wish to thank all the Media professionals that I had the chance to work with. I also wish to thank all the partners that supported our work. Special gratitude goes to His Excellency President Edgar Chagwa Lungu and the Minister of Health Dr. Chitalu Chilufya for supporting us during our term,” he said.
“I also wish to thank the various sponsors that have been working with us. I wish the next team all the best and to continue serving the country with diligence and dignity.”
The new Zambia Medical Association Executive is as follows:
President: Dr. Abidan Chansa
Vice President:
Secretary General: Dr. Francis Mupeta
Treasurer: Dr. Kevin Zimba
Chairperson Public Health: Dr. Nsofwa Sukwa
Chairperson Publications: Dr. Nzaisenga Baptist
HPCZ Rep. : Dr. Mashanga Paul
Chairperson MERB: Dr. Masiku Phiri
Zambia needs IMF bailout-Simumba
International Trade Consultant Trevor Simumba says the recent spike in international copper prices should not make the Zambian government relax in its pursuit of an economic bail out from the International Monetary Fund.
Mr. Simumba observed that the rise in copper prices could be the reason that the PF Government is now telling off the IMF.
“This is the cause of the sudden short term optimism especially in GRZ hence the “we do not need IMF brigade”. This type of euphoria is the main cause of Zambia’s dismal performance in diversifying our economy,” Mr Simumba said.
Mr Simumba observed that Zambia always ascribe good economic policies as soon as the copper price inches up forgetting that the bulk of the benefit goes to foreign mining companies with very little trickle down into the domestic economy.
He stressed that the Zambian Government has no role in setting the international copper price.
“It has nothing to do with Zambia but all to do with the biggest economy and buyer of Copper in the world China!!! But rather than continue to consolidate our fiscal position our Government will simply praise itself and now suddenly feels they do not need IMF support,” he said.
“Let us be more strategic in our thinking. With higher copper prices let us maximise collection of revenue and let us push the mining companies to settle all its arrears to Zambian suppliers of services and goods.”
Mr Simumba also urged the Zambian government to build foreign exchange reserves and maintain the fiscal consolidation process and ensure better management of spending by Government.
“The price of copper will not remain high for more than a two years and by 2020 may level off again below $7,000 per tonne but still above $6,000. In this regard, Zambian copper exports will continue to enjoy a good price above US$7,000 which is very good and Government should look to increase revenue from the mines by looking at possible increased royalties for instance,” he said.
Mr Simumba said, “We also need to push more investment into the mines to ensure we increase copper output at even lower costs to improve profitability of the mines and hence an increase in tax receipts from the mines.”
ZNFU urges farmers to hold onto their maize
THE Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) has urged farmers countrywide to hold on to their maize until it has a meeting with the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) to review the price of the commodity.
The union’s president Jervis Zimba said in an interview yesterday that ZNFU has received reports from Eastern and Southern provinces that farmers are being exploited by private traders who are buying maize at as low as K35 per 50kg bag.
Hitherto, the maize grain was being bought at K80 and above in some parts of the country.
Mr Zimba has written to the FRA requesting for a meeting to review the price of maize so that farmers are not disadvantaged.
“If we fail to resolve the matter between FRA and farmers, we will appeal to President Lungu to intervene,” Mr Zimba said.
He wants FRA and ZNFU to discuss the matter and revise the current price.
Mr Zimba said FRA’s price of K60 is far too short of the cost of producing a 50kg bag of maize which is calculated at K75.
He said farmers should not sell their maize until the price of the commodity is reviewed during a meeting between FRA and ZNFU.
“It’s unfortunate that because of FRA’s decision, unscrupulous maize traders are forcing farmers to sell them maize at K35 in Vubwi in Eastern Province,” Mr Zimba said.
He said the decision by FRA to fix the price of maize at K60 per 50kg bag is frustrating efforts by the head of State to run an agro-based economy.
And Mr Zimba said President Lungu is committed to running an agricultural-based economy but that there are people who allegedly want his policies to fail.
Mr Zimba said all stakeholders in the agriculture sector should support President Lungu’s call for an agro-based economy as he is the father of the nation.
He said there is need for a balanced price of maize which will benefit farmers.
Mr Zimba said if the status quo remains, farmers will have no money next farming season and that this will force Government to import maize.
When contacted for a comment, FRA executive director Chola Kafwabulula said the agency has not yet received the letter from ZNFU.
“I don’t just comment anyhow. I am a technocrat, I have to sit down with my managers and discuss what we will say as FRA,” he said
Zambia is projected to harvest 3.6 million metric tonnes of maize, out of which FRA will buy 500,000 metric tonnes while the private sector will purchase 3.2 million tonnes
Meanwhile, Government says FRA as a player in agriculture is at liberty to set the price at which it will be buying maize from farmers because it is a liberalised industry in which producers can choose where to sell their crop.
Ministry of Agriculture permanent secretary Julius Shawa said in an interview that FRA is just one player in a large market and it announces the price at which it wishes to buy the maize because it cannot buy from everyone.
Mr Shawa said the agricultural market, like any other, has prices determined by forces of demand and supply and that FRA as a player cannot buy from all farmers.
He urged farmers to look beyond the domestic markets and take advantage of foreign ones by exporting their grain as this is even more profitable than selling to FRA.
Mr Shawa said farmers should increase production and export their maize to countries and regions like the Democratic Republic of Congo and East Africa.
He said this will not only ensure food security but the farmers will also gain more by exporting.
Government will facilitate the return of students stranded in India
Minister of Foreign Affairs Harry Kalaba said in an interview yesterday that Government will facilitate the return of students who are stuck in India because it takes pride in its citizens.
“The high commissioner’s office in India will have to do a case-by-case study as to why each student is stranded so that Government can start bringing them back home.
“We take pride in our citizens and we will not allow anyone of them to be destitute in another country,” Mr Kalaba said.
He said Government will facilitate the students’ return as soon as the comprehensive study is concluded.
Mr Kalaba also urged parents who cannot afford to pay tuition fees for their children abroad to take them to local universities because Zambia’s education system can compete internationally.
“Our education system in Zambia is as good as that of other countries, so parents should not feel bad to educate their children locally,” he said.
The minister was speaking following revelations by Zambia’s High Commissioner to India Judith Kapijimpanga that 36 Zambian students are stuck in the Asian nation for reasons such as having committed offences like drug trafficking.
In a statement issued yesterday by first secretary for press and tourism at the Zambian mission in India, Bangwe Naviley, Ms Kapijimpanga said most students are stranded because of their parents’ failure to sustain the payment of school fees.
Ms Kapijimpanga said it is saddening that some parents just send their children for studies in India without informing the mission which only gets to know about them when they are arrested or have failed to pay school fees.
About 300 Zambian students are documented to be studying at various institutions of higher learning in India.
Ms Kapijimpanga urged parents to consult the Zambian mission in New Delhi on education services being provided in India before sending their children there.
Zesco down Blades to jump four places
Zesco United jumped four places up the log after beating Konkola Blades 1-0 away at Nchanga Stadium in Chingola on Sunday.
The 2016 runners-up jumped from 8th to 4th on 32 points, five behind leaders Napsa Stars who failed to stretch their four point lead at the top of the table in the late kickoff at the same venue.
Jesse Were’s 43rd minute penalty secured Zesco their third straight win since losing 1-0 at home against Forest Rangers in the Ndola Derby on July 9.
Zesco have now played 16 games and have four games in hand and visit Lumwana Radiants this Wednesday with an eye on second place.
Blades stay fifth from bottom in 16th place on 17 points .
Meanwhile, Napsa stayed firmly at the top of the table after a 0-0 away draw at 15th placed Nchanga Rangers.
It was Napsa’s third straight draw as they prepare to host 2nd placed Power Dynamos this coming Sunday in a Week 21 game.
China is busy buying us off whilst we keep fighting tribal and political battles-Haabazoka
Economist Lubinda Haabazoka has charged that China is buying off all strategic positions in Zambia’s economy whilst Zambians are busy fighting ourselves on tribal and political lines.
Dr Haabazoka who is also a Lecturer in the School of Business at the Copperbelt University warned that by the time Zambians finish fighting and reconcile, there will be nothing to share.
He said the blame is not on government only but that most of it is on greedy citizens.
“When you are selling property, you just look to sell at high prices to the Chinese forgetting the implications! Your children and grant children will be relegated to shanty compounds,” Dr Haabazoka said.
“Look at Zambians seriously cutting down the Mukula and other hard wood selling it to the Chinese!!!!! Why can’t they cut the trees in Asia?”
He said government banned the chopping down of the Mukula and its Zambians who rushed to the media to blame government.
“Who does that? Operation Mitengo or whatever it is called has come at the right time!!! Let security forces man our forests!!! You can chop down our sources of oxygen to go and make beds in Asia!!!! I am not anti-Chinese,” he said.
Dr Haabazoka clarified that he is just saying that the trade is unfair.
“It’s impossible to get permanent residence in China or let alone citizenship but they have it all easy in Zambia!!! ZRA and ACC busy following small Zambian businesses leaving the Chinese to flourish. Just near the stadium, Honourable Bowman Lusambo ordered the demolition of a Chinese car wash!!!”
He added, “I have nothing against the Chinese. I actually think that they have really helped in building infrastructure for African countries but their new model of expansion into Africa is alarming. As Africans we have totally got it all wrong!!!! Look at Zambia for example, the Chinese have strategic positions in all sectors of the economy. Media (Topstar), Mines, construction sector (mei mei etc), agriculture sector (small scale indigenous Zambians can no longer compete), Land (These guys are buying our land and properties in strategic places with impunity), etc.!”
“Why am I worried? President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya has proclaimed that Indians are now an indigenous tribe in Kenya. He did this just before elections. His calculation is basically to get the Indian vote coz most Indians have Kenyan citizenship! I have nothing against Indians.”
He continued, “We suffered together during the colonial times, we were oppressed together but can Africans be given the same status in India? Where did all this start?”
“After changing to a market economy in 1991, we lied to ourselves that we needed to privatize all public entities. Zambians at that time had no money because for 27 years it was a crime to even own $1. So foreigners came in and bought us off. If we controlled 90% of businesses in Zambia, today we control less than 10%.”
Dr Haabazoka charged that Zambians have been relegated to just owning Tuntembas and small real estate even though the Chinese are busy build large estates to rent to us.
“After 15 years, it will be difficult to negotiate with them. They would own most land, most property and businesses. I hope they wouldn’t have bought Zesco or Zamtel then!!!”
He charged that Zambians themselves are to blame.
“Who is to blame??? Ourselves!!!! Look at how patriotic Russians are? Generally Russian citizens had no money prior to 1991 but after they liberalized their economy, they sold property to themselves creating oligarchs. These guys heavily invest in Russia and have helped keep wealth locally,” he said.
“The Russian government also chose commercializations against privatization that’s why you have huge companies like Gasprom that are able to fund huge government projects like hosting the Olympics and World Cup. Trump in the USA has realized that his country is being looted, hence the America first program! What is happening in Zambia,” he asked.
“We are busy fighting ourselves on tribal and political lines whilst China is busy buying us off! By the time we finish fighting and reconcile, there will be nothing to share!!! Let us develop a sense of patriotism. Even this article will attract negativity from Zambians even though it’s for their own sake but if I write this in the U.K., I was going to be knighted!!!By the way, the U.K. Has lost its identity because of the same open door policy.
Dr Haabazoka has since urged Zambians to take up strategic positions.
“Let us stop fighting!!! ZRA should concentrate on foreign businesses especially those that issue invoices in foreign languages!!!! I mean then how does ZRA tax them??? The Post was closed for taxes but I haven’t seen that enthusiasm against other foreign players!!! The mines who pay peanuts to ZRA should not be spared!!!”
“Let’s learn from Putin and put our house in order!!!! Let us unite Mwebantu!!! In reading this statement, do not politicize it!!! It’s not meant for politics but to protect that which I inherited from my father and grandfather I.e. Zambia.”
He said, “Very soon the only right we shall be able to exercise is the right to vote coz we have forgotten about Zambia and are busy looting it!!! God bless and unite us!!!! I love this country from Nakonde to Shangombo!! It can’t be a failed project.”
ZDA says more Chinese firms seeking to invest in Zambia
The Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) says its been overwhelmed with Multimillion dollar Chinese firms seeking to invest in Zambia.
ZDA Director of Investments Matongo Matamwandi said the agency has received strong numerous inquiries on investment opportunities in Zambia.
ZANIS reports that Mr Matamwandi said Chinese businesses have indicated willingness to invest in among other sectors energy, commerce, tourism , agriculture and other service provision.
He said Chinese businesses and investors from around the world are having confidence in the Zambian economy owing to stable economic climate and an unmatched and attractive investment package.
Speaking during the Zambia Week being held in Chengdu, China, Mr Matamwandi said the Chinese investments have potential to change the economic landscape of Zambia .
He said he was happy that leading the pack are big chinese businesses with international repute and global presence eager to aid Zambia’s economic development process and transformation.
The Zambian Embassy in China organised an exposition to provide a platform to market Zambia’s investment and tourism potential to Chinese businesses in Sichuan province of China.
During the Zambia week, Vice President Inonge Wina who was accompnied by Zambian technocrats and business representatives held discussions with Chinese government and businesses officials on prospects of investing in Zambia.
Mrs Wina among others also witnessed the twinning of Lusaka province to Sichuan province of China as well as Chongwe District Council to Mianyang City .
And Zambia’s Ambassadorto China Winnie ChibesaKunda said the Embassy will continue with the initiative to woo Chinese investment from China’s other provinces to Zambia.
Ambassador ChibesaKunda also stressed the importance to twine Zambia’s remaining nine provinces so that they can position themselves like Lusaka province to woo investments and change the socio-economic landscape of their regions.
Luwingu farmers want Agric Minister to help find marker for their produce
Luwingu district commissioner Patrick Chanda has appealed to the ministry of agriculture to help farmers in the area to find the market that can buy large quantities beans at reasonable price.
Mr. Chanda says this is because beans growers are struggling to find market to sell their commodity in Luwingu district due to lack of market.
He lamented that although the farmers were in 2016 advised to diversify to growing cash crops such as beans, soya beans, groundnuts but there is no market to sale their commodity.
The District Commissioner has for this reason appealed to the Minister of Agriculture Dora Siliya to help find market on behalf of the farmers of Luwingu district.
Luwingu is one of the districts in the northern that has produced large quantities of beans this 2016-2017 farming season.
In another development, Mr. Chanda revealed a chairperson a named cooperative society who is engaged by world food programme (WFP) to purchase 75 metric tons representing 1, 500 by 50kg bags of beans in the area was this this morning beat up by farmers.
The chairperson was beaten up as he announced that he was not accepting more as the cooperatives society has met the sufficient number of bags required by WFP.
The announcement was received with mixed filling some farmers came as far as Shimumbi area about 115km which hired vehicles.
The angry farmers resorted to beating the chairperson indiscriminately adding that they had nowhere to take commodity.
And speaking on behalf of the farmers Martin Kasenge said farmers in Luwingu have produced bumper harvest for both beans and maize and they have nowhere to sale the commodity.
He appealed to the president Edgar Lungu to help find business who could buy the beans from the peasant farmers in the district.
A check at the market farmers have resorted to selling a gallon of beans between k15.00 and k20 while a 50kg bag of beans is costing between k150 and k200.00 and the same gallon of maize is selling between k4.50 and k6.00 and 50kg bag is costing between k45.00 and k60.00 respectively.
Three Chinese nationals and two Zambians nabbed for illegal possession of Ivory at Chanida border post
Three Chinese Nationals and two Zambians have been arrested for illegal possession of 25 rhino horn pieces weighing 32.2 Kilograms at the Chanida Border Post in Nyimba District in Eastern province.
The five were arrested in a joint operation conducted by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) and the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA).
The suspects who were nabbed at the Border Post that links Zambia to Mozambique are expected to appear in court to soon.
And Mr. Kalembwe has assured the public that no rhinos have been poached in Zambia’s National Parks nor stolen from Government stockpiles as reported in some sections of the media.
This follows the arrest of a Chinese woman at Oliver Tambo International Airport in South Africa for being in possession of 11 rhino Horns which were found in her luggage.
The Chines woman is said to have travelled from Lusaka to Hong Kong via Johannesburg where she was arrested and has since appeared in Court.
Mr. Kalembwe however said joint investigations with the South African Authorities have been instituted to establish how the luggage containing the rhino horns eluded security checks at the Kenneth Kaunda international airport and to establish the source of the rhino horns.