FORGET the conventional use of condoms because students at some higher learning institutions have discovered a novel way of using them. Reach out for one, turn it inside out, run it on a laptop screen and voila, it’s clean.

At Evelyn Hone College, the practice of using condoms is also common because apparently the lubricant found inside the condom is perfect for cleaning the monitor of the laptop.

According to some students interviewed, the condoms are easily accessed at the school clinic dispensers and anyone can walk there and get as many as they want.

To clean the screen, one of the students, who identified himself as Joshua Mutale, said the condoms are turned inside out before use.

“I do not know what is in the lubricant, but once you spread it across on the screen, then use a dry cloth or toilet tissue for a finishing touch, you will be shocked at how clean and shiny the laptop will be afterwards,” Joshua said.

He said the practice is common at the learning institution and that most students are not strangers to the trend.

As far as he is concerned, he has not noticed any visible side effects on his laptop since he has been using condoms as a cleaner.

“I do not know where that idea came from or who discovered it, but I can assure you that it does work. I only need four to five condoms and my laptop is looking brand new again because it really shines,” said Joshua.

Another student Lubuto Ngosa, said some students said they only get condoms for their laptops, but are embarrassed to go to the school clinic because condoms are associated with sex. They ask from their friends.

And Chambwa Mpundu said condoms are always associated with sex so, they are only used when they are in school because their parents and guardians may not believe that condoms can clean laptop screens.

“We just use these condoms in schools because if they were found in our possession when we close schools, some of our parents would think we are engaging in pre-marital sex when they are ever preaching abstinence,” he said.

Meanwhile, an information and communications technology specialist Clement Sinyangwe confirmed that there is a component contained in the lubricant found in condoms which is also found in recommended cleaning materials for laptop screens.

Mr Sinyangwe was, however, quick to add that it was not wise to use condoms because it might have some negative effects on the laptop screens.

Vice president Inonge Wina has summoned Nyola Investment a local contractor engaged to construct the Shiwangandu civic centre.

Mrs Wina who toured the site says it is unfortunate that the local contractor has not performed to expectations since 2014.

She says the construction of various infrastructures started at the same time in 2014 yet other contractors have made significant progress.

The vice president says it is disappointing to see local contractors fail to perform when the government is keen to empower them with contracts.

And Shiwang’andu Member of Parliament Stephen Kampyongo said the contractor’s attitude in executing the project clearly shows that he is not serious after government entrusted him with the project.

The member of parliament who is also Minister of Home Affairs said he will pursue the issue promptly because the contractor was given funds but has failed to perform.

Earlier Mrs Wina paid a courtesy call on Shiwang’andu district commissioner Evelyn Kangwa where she expressed happiness that the district managed to contain the invasion of army worms.

Police on Saturday attempted to seize a printing machine mounted in the car park of former Post Newspapers proprietor Fred M’membe’s yard on Nangwenya road in Lusaka’s Rhodes park area.

The printing machine was being used to print copies of the MAST Newspapers.

Police however could not manage to folk lift the printing machine because it is said to be mounted to the ground.

The police only managed to remove some components from the printing machine and seized a speed boat suspected to belong to the Post newspapers in liquidation.

Last Thursday, Police conducted a search at the residence of Mr. M’membe following the issuance of a warrant of his arrest by the Magistrate’s Court.

According to the warrant signed on February 14 this year, Mr. M’membe was supposed to be arrested for failing to deliver to the provisional liquidator Lewis Mosho, the real and personal property, books and documents under his custody or control, belonging to The Post Newspapers limited in liquidation.

Vice Chancellor of the Zambia Catholic University (ZCU) has observed that plurality of Universities without a framework has continued to be a challenge on the quality of tertiary education in the country.

Fr. Patrick Chilambwe said that when the country has a too many higher learning institutions there should be a frame work to regulate quality of education being delivered.
“When you have so many institutions of higher learning, there must be a framework to ensure that that what matters is not the number, but the quality of education being offered. And I am sure that quality is a challenge the education system is facing in Zambia. We are however hopeful that in the coming few years this will be addressed,” he said.
And Fr. Chilambwe has said the Catholic Church strongly believes that education in its truest sense is about giving people orientation, direction,and true meaning of life.

 

He said that it is about opening minds to life long search for wisdom adding that it is deeper than information giving because enables people to be proactive, be in control of their lives, broaden economic, social and other opportunities.

 

“Education goes beyond the getting of knowledge. It is for an application of the dignity of each and every member of society. The Catholic education believes that education is vital for the integral development of the people in social, economic, cultural, spiritual, political and religious spheres,” he noted.

 

And the ZCU Vice Chancellor said that there cannot be true and authentic development without well-educated citizens.

 

“There cannot be true and authentic development without well-educated citizens, therefore education is not a privilege for a few people but is basically a fundamental right for each and every citizen of any given country,” he noted.

 

Speaking when a conducted Holy Mass at Zambia Catholic University (ZCU), Mass Communications Faculty in Lusaka, Fr. Chilambwe re-echoed Pope John II’s message that education is above all the communication of Christ and helping to form Christ in the lives of others.

 

“Education is not a commodity, even if Catholic schools equip its graduates with enviable skills, but rather a Catholic school sets out to be a place of human person and of human persons adding the Catholic University should be grounded on the community of people who believe in Jesus Christ,” he observed.

 

He further said that specific the purpose of a Catholic education is for the formation of students who will not only be good citizens of today but also for the world to come.

Hivos Southern Africa says the media in Zambia has the power to change the country’s food habits and sustainable food production and consumption.

Hivos Southern Africa Communications Officer Masimba Biriwasha said yesterday, the Zambian diet is mainly composed of maize, starchy roots and, to a lesser extent, fruit and vegetables.

Mr Biriwasha told Journalists during an interactive session with Lusaka based Journalists on Thursday night that media can help to make the case for a food secure community where all children and adults grow, share, and prepare healthy, local food.

The session was meant to highlight the importance of media reportage on food consumption and production related issues in Zambia.

He said according to the National Food and Nutrition Commission (NFNC), one of the major causes of a high rate of malnutrition in Zambia is the mono diet practice.

Mr Biriwasha said the culture of mono diet is born from mono cropping food production, which is heavily slanted towards maize.

“For a start, media can take a lead role in researching stories about issues related to the local food system, farmers’ markets, local food policy, growing and preparing local food, and school and community gardens. Such stories can shed light on crucial issues related to sustainable food systems,” Mr Biriwasha said.

He added, “Through evidence based stories, media can foster new ways of thinking around food among citizens and at policy making levels. Media can change minds, challenge the tradition of maize mono-cropping and create a movement that embraces a sustainable, diverse, nutritious and health food culture.”

Mr Biriwasha said the stories on sustainable food that media produce can foment neural connections in people’s brains that help messages stick.

“Stories are irresistible because the brain is hardwired for narrative. Our message as Hivos Southern Africa Hub in Zambia is very simple: the time to act is now. Working together, it is possible to implement a sustainable food strategy in the country that is respectful of biodiversity and ecosystems, culturally acceptable, accessible, economically fair and affordable, nutritious, safe and healthy.”

Mr Biriwasha said revealed that as part of its efforts to foster media reportage on sustainable food, Hivos Southern Africa is going be launching a sustainable food reporting award which will be handed out on World Food Day on October 16.

Meanwhile, Mr Biriwasha says there is need to implement a sustainable foods programme in Zambia aimed at fostering a radical rethinking of food production and consumption that recognises ecosystems as the foundation of societies and economies.

He said the existing food system in Zambia, built on large-scale mono cropping of maize, is eroding ecosystems and crop diversity and reducing diversity on people’s plates.

“In our view, we need to put citizens centre stage to build a new food system that is sustainable, nutritious, diverse and healthy,” Mr Biriwasha said.

“Sustainable diets are respectful of biodiversity and ecosystems, culturally acceptable, accessible, economically fair and affordable, nutritious, safe and healthy. A diverse food system builds on the productivity and nutrition potential of agricultural biodiversity in food systems.”

“Diversity on the farm is diversity on the plate. As Hivos Southern Africa Hub, we firmly believe that a sustainable food system can contribute to sustainable diets that are key to realizing the goal of a healthy nation,” he said.

The ruling PF has cautioned Zambians against being mislead on the review of the amendments that were made to the Republican Constitution in 2016.

PF Deputy Spokesperson Frank Bwalya is urging people in the Country to be wary that it is not true that the PF led government has embarked on another Constitution review process.

Mr. Bwalya says the nation needs to know that the process that is to be brought before Parliament is in fact the amendment of the clauses that are in conflict with other clauses in the Constitution.

In an interview with QTV News Mr. Bwalya explains that what will therefore take place is a kind of aligning and cleaning up of lacunas that have been identified in the national document.
Mr. Bwalya note that these are the same inconsistency that the people of Zambia already know exist in the Country’s supreme law.

He states that it is for this reason that the ruling PF holds the view that there is no need to use the route of a Constitution review commission in amending some clauses in the Constitution.