Zambian singer, Taska, released the music video for his latest single “Uka“. The song was produced by renowned music producers – Jimmy Jugde & Jerry Fingers. Video directed by Chichi Ice.
BY KAPA187
Surprise – Godfrey Miyanda Makes Front Page in Zambian Sunday Mail!
[By Brig Gen Godfrey Miyanda – 30th August 2017]
“ConCourt Dismisses Miyanda’s Petition”, so bleated one of the Government Gazettes, otherwise known as Sunday Mail, on page 1 of its edition dated 27th August 2017. It is a miracle for opposition persons to get prominent coverage by the public media unless there is a negative twist to the subject. Yes, there was a judgement delivered as reported, but there is a lie and some spinning accompanying the report. Thus it is imperative to contextualise my comment on the report in order for the public to understand why I have reacted in the manner I have done.
The big lie is the following sentence in paragraph three of the story and its timing “In a judgement delivered on Friday…” No, Friday? If there was a judgement last Friday on 25th August 2017 then this was the second Judgement of the same Petition!
I filed the case “Godfrey Miyanda and the Attorney General, Cause Number 2016/CC/0006” at the ConCourt Registry at Lusaka on 11th April 2016, after paying the requisite fee of K226.00. The number 0006 signifies that it was one of the earliest ConCourt cases, in fact the sixth case. The Petition was accompanied by a Certificate of Urgency, with the prayer that it be heard BEFORE the Presidential and General Elections of 11th August 2016 because some of the challenged provisions needed to be determined before the elections. I served the documents on the Attorney General’s Chambers on 18th April 2016; hence even President Edgar Lungu, the PF candidate, was or ought to have been aware.
The Petition was heard on 18th August 2016, AFTER the elections; but six months later there was still no judgement whereas several cases lodged after mine were heard and determined. Early in 2017 the Minister of Justice announced that Government would be tabling constitutional amendments in Parliament; this disturbed me so I wrote to the Speaker on 21st February 2017 to pre-empt the tabling of the intended amendments until judgement of my Petition. Soon after that Petition, even before the Speaker’s office had responded to me, I was telephoned from the ConCourt on or 8th March 2017 with the message “your Judgement is tomorrow”! There was no prior Notice of Hearing but I nevertheless attended on 9th March 2017; the Attorney General’s Chambers did not attend.
Other lies in the story consisted of deliberately withholding information from the public, thus conveying half-truths. For instance the ConCourt ruled in favour of the Speaker taking over the reins of power; I had strongly canvassed against the Speaker taking over, even briefly for sixty days. I based my argument on the Principle of the Separation of Powers (I still do) and our independence history which has recorded that there was a state of emergency in Zambia continuously for nearly 30 years from 1964 to 1991 until the advent of the MMD regime! It was the position of Presidential Candidate Hakainde Hichilema and his Party in the aborted ConCourt Petition that the Speaker should take over. I lost my argument as the ConCourt endorsed the UPND position. So according to the ConCourt, as the law stands now, the Speaker should have taken over from President Lungu. So why has the Sunday Mail hidden this fact? Obviously it is because the UPND’s argument has been sustained although this is via the Miyanda and Attorney General case.
Again my contention against the mixed grill referendum was supposed to be concluded before the election but the Court decided it after the election and I lost the argument as reported. My only consolation now is that I had strongly and persuasively campaigned on the internet against that “twinning trick” to confuse voters and we, the NO VOTES, won. Those in authority started a false hate campaign that the UPND introduced partisan campaigning against the Referendum. But the truth was that the partisan campaign was launched by the PF President when he broadcast live to the whole nation at the Lusaka Independence Stadium, revealing among other things that the PF Central Committee (repeat PF Central Committee) had resolved that people must vote yes in support of the Referendum Question – clearly a partisan position!
I am particularly disappointed that I lost the argument to preserve our customary land for all our people. I shall discuss this fully later when I analyse the 83 page ConCourt Judgement as presently I have other matters running in the Constitutional and High Courts, including the so-called Third Term case. After rubbishing my patriotic red flag over our Republican Constitution, I hope that those charged with the responsibility to protect our independence and sovereignty will quickly swallow their pride and aggressively stop aiding and abetting the raping of our customary land by urgently effecting policies, strategies and methodologies that are above board; such actions shall put Zambian interests first, by delivering the fruits of the prophesied Jubilee Season – Prevention is Better than Cure!
The Sunday Mail also highlighted the allegation that my submissions were “incoherent”. To be incoherent means that a statement or submission is hard or difficult to understand or is not clear. It is my strong contention that it is the bounden duty of any judge or court that is adjudicating on a case to cure any incoherence by getting clarification from the party concerned BEFORE passing judgement, especially in the case of a court such as the ConCourt, where there is no right of appeal against its judgement, even as a Court of First Instance – mark this, NO APPEAL!
I am sending an exact copy of this statement to the Sunday Mail. I challenge them to publish this statement in full and prominently, on their front page, as a condition for publishing it, otherwise they will earn the permanent title of Government Vuvuzela. Fellow Zambians, brace for a second miracle in the Sunday Mail!
GODFREY MIYANDA,
BRIGADIER GENERAL,
[30TH AUGUST 2017]
Police raid and stop an alleged sex party involving 70 teenagers in Lusaka
POLICE on Friday raided a house in Lusaka’s Woodlands area and stopped an alleged sex party involving 70 teenagers aged between 13 and 18.
Police spokesperson Esther Katongo said in a statement yesterday that bottles of beer and used condoms were found on the scene. The incident happened between 17:00 hours and 18:00 hours.
Mrs Katongo said police knew about the party after receiving a report from a concerned citizen.
“About 70 of them were rounded up and picked. They were locked up after charging them with conduct likely to cause breach of the peace,” she said.
Mrs Katongo said parents and guardians turned up and pleaded with the police to have the juveniles released and paid admission of guilt for them. The juveniles have since been released.
Some parents were reportedly shocked to find their children at the police station because most said they had dropped them off at various schools and tuition centres for lessons.
“Police are looking for the owner of the house because in this country, it is an offence to use premises as brothels. Action on the owner of the house will depend on the outcome of our investigations,” she said.
Meanwhile, Media Networks on Children’s Rights and Development director Henry Kabwe has regretted the continued increase of juveniles engaging in sex parties and other illicit activities.
Mr Kabwe has since called on the police to also look into issues of defilement and counselling, especially that the youngest was 13 years old.
“Parents must begin to lobby for the re-introduction of play parks for our children so that our children can have other forms of entertainment. As it is, they have easy access to internet and sometimes end up copying the wrong things,” he said.
North PF youths join calls for Mutati to resign
PF youths in Northern Province have joined Eastern Province counterparts’ call for MMD leader Felix Mutati, who is also Finance Minister, to resign from government.
The youths who were led by Burton Bwalya yesterday have accused Mr. Mutati of jeopardizing the PF while strengthening MMD grass-root structures.
They have since given Mr. Mutati a 24 hour ultimatum to resign from government or relinquish his MMD leadership position.
This came to light when the youths presented a petition to party provincial vice chairperson Peter Mwansa in Kasama , yesterday.
The youths further alleged that Mr. Mutati has concentrated on promoting his presidential ambition at the expense of his ministerial work.
Efforts to get a comment from Mr. Mutati by broadcast time failed as he was unre4achable by his mobile phone.
Today’s Messages:In Your Midnight Hour
Today’s Scripture
“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.”
(Acts 16:25-26, NIV)
In Your Midnight Hour
Paul and Silas were put in jail for spreading good news. It wasn’t fair. They were beaten and accused without a trial. As they sat in the prison, bloodied, bruised and hopeless, it looked like things were over for them. When they had no hope, nowhere to turn, when they were literally trapped and bound in their circumstances, they began to sing praises to God. As they did, right at midnight—their darkest hour—there was suddenly a great earthquake. The prison doors flung open, their chains fell off, and they walked out as free men!
We’ve all had times when we felt completely trapped by circumstances. We’ve all felt lonely and hopeless. So many along the Gulf Coast are facing their darkest hours. Today, I encourage you to do what Paul and Silas did and begin to praise God! When you praise Him no matter what, that’s when God enters your situation. That’s when He can break your chains and set you free. Praise Him in your midnight hour and watch Him show up and set you free.
A Prayer for Today
“Father, right now I lift my heart to You. You are worthy to be praised! I will bless You in the midnight hour knowing that You are good, and You have victory and freedom in store for me in Jesus’ name! Amen.”
Nyirenda salutes 10-man Zambia
Ten-man Zambia ended their World Cup jinx against Algeria on Saturday when they beat The Fennecs 3-1 at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.
Algeria had won all four previous World Cup qualifying encounters at home and away against dating back to1985.
It was also Zambia’s first competitive win over Algeria since they beat the North Africans 3-2 for bronze at the 1982 African Cup in Libya.
Coach Wedson Nyirenda described the winas cricital inthe 2018FIFA World Cup Group B qualifying race.
“It was not an easy game for us it was a big challenge for us but all in all our main was to get the 3 points which we have achieved sonthat we stay in the race,” Nyirenda said.
A brace from Brian Mwila in the 6th and 32nd minute put Zambia 2-0 in the break.
But Yacine Brahimi cut that lead in the 52nd minute with a breathtaking volley to beat Kennedy Mweene.
Three minutes later Zambia suffered a setback when Fashion Sakala was sent off for a second booking.
But Zambia’s nerves were calmed in the 88th minute when Enock Mwepu fired in a,low shot after coming on as a 56th minute substitute for Chisamba Lungu.
Zambia rise to 4 points and are now 2nd in Group B and five points behind leaders Nigeria.
Algeria Stay rooted to the bottom of Group B on1 point,one point behind 3rd placed Cameroon who lost 4-0 away to Nigeria.
Zambia face Algeria on Tuesday away in Constantine hoping to maintain 2nd place ahead of their October 7 away date against Nigeria.
Woman Made me Love Zambia – Part 6
Click here for Part 5
President Kaunda walked for long distances and rode a bicycle through bush paths from Shambalakale Village in Chinsali to Mokambo Border with the Congo to buy salaula to sell back in Chinsali to support his wife Betty and family in the 1940s.
Mama Mulena Mukwae Nakatindi Yeta Nganga walked on bush paths in 1925 in Barotseland. Solomon Kalulu walked on bush paths in 1924 between so many villages around the Lusaka wilderness area where he was born. Mama Monia Nanyangwe Chintu walked on bush paths in Kitwe in 1942. Sikota Wina walked through so many bush paths in 1931 in Mongu in the Barotse Province. Mama Wendy Nakapembe Sinkala walked on bush paths in 1959 in Isoka and years after in Luanshya. There were so many bush paths that criss-crossed in Lundazi that connected so many villages; Ngwata and Chiroba, Kanyanyata and Bilapacande, Limbalimba and Jalijali, Boyole and Basiti.
The late Dr. Yizenge Chondoka who passed way in May this year said our Zambian ancestors in the 1890s walked through bush paths that started from as far as Chama in the Eastern Province of Zambia, traversing hills and treacherous mountain valleys all the way through Fort Jameson (now Chipata), to Salisbury in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), Johannesburg and all the way to Cape Town in South Africa. They were trekking to walale (town) looking for jobs.
There were bush paths in Lusaka from the Show Grounds to University of Zambia (UNZA). There were bush paths from Kalingalinga to UNZA and to Mtendere and to Kalikiliki. There were bush paths from Zani Muone to Ng’ombe compound; from Chiborya compound to Chawama to Kanyama all the way to Matero.
Perhaps one of the most soulful experiences in life is to walk on a bush path. It is so exhilarating because it is so quiet and serene that you can hear your own footsteps when you walk. You detour from the path to eat some ripe wild fruits such as nthumbuzgha, matyowo, and kasokolowe. You can meet relatives and strangers on the path. You can detour from a bush path to relieve yourself. You can hear the Nyatiti, Nyapwere, the Nyasisi, the forlorn cry of the Nyalikoma bird, and the mnthyengu bird that sounds like it is speaking sophisticated English.
You can hear loud exploding sounds like fire crackers when you walk on a serene bush path during the hot seething October heat. The sounds are those of very hot dry brittle exploding sounds of the dry mphampha of the mutondo and chiyombo tree seeds. You can hear the sounds of chenje or cicadas during the seething October heat. You can especially see the njiba bird with its distinctive melodious song that pierces the serene air of Savannah woodlands. The njiba bird song symbolizes the beautiful Savannah wilderness where all the 7.5 billion people today in the whole world started their lives from a hundred thousand years ago.
You can cross streams and small creeks walking on a path where you can drink clear pristine flowing clean water if you are thirsty or wade your hot bare feet in the cool clean water. When you are walking on a path best of all, you enjoy the gift of time to think, contemplate, fantasize, think of your family, the past, the future, the present, wife, husband, a lover or the purpose of your walk, think about God, mathematics, life, death, evil, school, work, farming harvest, or ufwiti or witchcraft. When you are on a path sometimes you don’t know or are not sure where you are going. If you are sweating and tired, you can sit and rest for a short while under the cool shade of the mutondo tree before you resume your journey.
When I woke up that morning in my bedroom after the night of the priceless dream about Linda Jotanda that many men would envy and I cherished, I knew I was on a bush path of life. Except I did not know where I was going and I could not be sure where this path of deeply romantic love with Linda Jitanda was leading me to. But I certainly knew what my heart’s desire was: I wanted to see and be with Linda Jitanda again even if it was just for a precious minute; Oh! How that would be as a good as being with her for eternity. It was both intoxicatingly good and but also terrifying. Is that what deep love does?
I could hear voices of children and adults throughout the house. The pata pata of running feet back and forth in the hall way past my bedroom door. The multiple flashings of the toilet; the running and shutting off of water taps in the bathroom. The scent of frying eggs wafted under my bedroom door.
“Mummy! I can’t find my other shoe?”
“Misozi! I always tell you when you come back from school, to take off your school uniform and fold it nicely and put it in the closet. Then put both of your shoes under your bed. Yesterday one shoe was in the kitchen and the other one near the TV. Have you looked in the living room??”
“I found it!” shouted Mizosi.
“Now, hurry up! Your father has already started the car. He will leave you!”
The front door slammed. My uncle was leaving for work. My Aunt Nya Zghambo taught Grade 1 up 4 at Northmead Primary School. She worked in the afternoons and did not have to walk to work nearby until 12 hours.
I looked at my watch. It was 7:15 hours. I turned on my short wave radio to the Home Service to see if there was a program in ChiKaonde. I turned to the station in time to hear the middle of a ChiBemba song:
Ushiku ulya nikumwene
Nikumwene nga kuchiloto
Ala iwe waliwama
Jitanda e..hhhh!!!
Tumenso tobe twa ma lavu
Chimubili chobe cha mafiga
Ala iwe waliwama
Jitanda e..hhh!!!
The night I saw you
It was like a dream
Oh! You are so gorgeous
Jitanda e..hhh!!
Your eyes are full of love
Your body a lovely figure
Oh! You are so gorgeous
Jitanda e..hhh!!!
My mind replaced in the song “Mariyana ehhhh!” with “Jitanda ehhh!!” I hummed the song in disbelief. How could that song come on to the radio after what I had been through, my feelings and last night’s dream? Was this Linda Jitanda communicating with me in telepathy through the radio? This spurred me on as I was even more determined to do something to see her or just even find out what happened to her even if it was going to be heart breaking news.
The song was an interlude before the ChiBemba program announcer announced the rest of the ChiBemba programs lineup of Home Service radio Programs that morning up to 8:00hrs. He said ChiNyanja programs were from 8:00 to 10:00 hours; ChiTonga programs from 10:00 to 12:00 hours and ChiKaonde from 12:00 to 14:00hours. Although I could not speak ChiBemba, I could understand it. No luck with ChiKaonde programs as I would be at work with no radio.
I moved the radio dial to the General Service of Zambia Broadcasting Services which was always in English only. I caught the last part of the news bulletin as Kenneth Maduma the News Reader was saying……..
“To end the seven hours news, here is a summary of the main headlines: “President Samora Machel of Mozambique will conduct an official visit to Zambia next week on Wednesday as part of his thank you tour to the Front Line States in their support of Frelimo during the armed struggle against Portuguese colonialism. The Mozambican President will address a mass rally in Lusaka with President Kaunda …..The Minister of Finance has urged the Party and its Government to……”
I had never seen Samora Machel before. May be this would be my chance for me to see him at a mass rally even if it was a work day. I had to get up to get ready for the work day. I was going to report to my boss about my trip and ask if I could be transferred to Mwinilunga. I just remembered one thing: the Secretary to my boss, Mrs Lungu at the office, was the most blunt but funny person in the office who liked to criticize, make commentary and tease everyone including political leaders; even including President Kaunda. What would she ask me about my trip to Mongu in front of everyone in the office? I couldn’t tell her everything? I was going to go to Kingstones Book Store during lunch. May be in the evening after work, I could quickly go to the 3 or 4 bars in town to ask my friends, if they were there, what they thought about my love for Linda Jitanda; did they think I was infatuated? If I got home early enough, may be I could tell my mbeba (mice) story to my nephew Tozani and niece Misozi.
But what I was very excited and anticipating was that this is the morning after I met and fell in love with Linda Jitanda. I was going to walk through the path from Buchi Road for almost an hour from the house to NAMBOARD Kwacha House in Cairo Road. How would I feel? Will I discover something different on the long path? Will this be like any other day? What will I be thinking?
By Mwizenge S. Tembo, Ph. D.
Professor of Sociology
Is it possible for Minister of Finance to work quietly?
Sovereign rating is not enough
“Revision of Zambia’s sovereign rating is an affirmation of the soundness of Government policies,” was the conclusion of Mr. Felix Mutati, Minister of Finance. What happens when this is reversed? Will the minister make a public statement? What will be the contents of the statement?
We ask these pertinent questions in light of the warning coming from the same people who gave positive marks to Zambia’s sovereign rating that seems to have been ignored totally by the minister in his uneven remarks.
In case he did not see it, they warned, “We could also lower the ratings if previously destabilizing factors re-emerge, for example, if copper prices were to materially fall, or if rainfalls disappointed, or if improvements in the liquidity of the domestic banking system reversed,” they said, adding that “these factors have a substantial bearing on macroeconomic stability, growth, and the government’s financing position.”
They know very well the fluid economic situation of our country. Yet, we Zambians should know better and that is why leaders should learn to work quietly and wait for results. Sovereign rating is important but it is not the end,just as macro-economic stability is essential but is not the end in itself.
Zambians will not use these indicators alone to judge the performance of the economy because there are other perhaps more important things to take into account.
Industrial development is perhaps the best indicator
There are other essential factors. But certainly industrial development is perhaps of greater significance. Yet, we hardly talk about it. Discussions of economic growth are incomplete when we don’t link macro-economic stability or sovereign rating to important economic fundamentals such as industry.
I pick on industry because this is the sector that can make a difference and has a multiplier effect if developed. Even mere dialogue with the public over an important subject like this could generate some good ideas. The good news is that after almost five decades of timid growth, industry value added in the economy showed very robust rise in absolute values in the last ten years from $4.4 billion in 2007 to about $9.1 billion in 2013 (Figure 1).
In the period 2012 and 2014 industry in the economy has seen its highest rise ever and this can largely be explained by investment in the copper industry, hats off to the leadership and investors like Mopani mines and others. As a share in the GDP, of course industry, accounting for 34% in 2015 has had a large role although there has been erosion like in manufacturing from 48% in 1990 for example.
But there are two important points here. First, $9 billion worth of industry in the economy is simply too low to facilitate structural transformation, job creation and improved living standards. To do this, industry will have to expand to high levels. Tanzania’s industry in the economy is about $11 billion. Vietnam’s industry is $ 64 billion. In 2015 Zambia’s industry dropped from $9 billion in 2013 to about $7 billion. (National statistics office may have latest figures, my data is up to 2015 only).
In terms of growth in absolute values, the period between 2001 and 2011 saw the highest growth of industry save the deep drop between 2009 and 2010 as well as the current trend from 2012 (Figure 2). Compared to the last three to four decades, the country has experienced flourishing industry although again, growth based on small dollar values is a major challenge. The highest growth was about only $2 billion in 2007 and 2011 while the past period between 1970 and 2000 was one of anaemic growth averaging $400 million per month.
Conclusion
In conclusion, congratulations to the leadership and investors in the mines. At least there is a noticeable picture showing that in comparison with the last four decades, industry showed steep rise in dollar values in the last one decade. If the level of 2013 can be maintained by reversing the current downward trend, that would be excellent.
But there is another painful point. Industrial growth based on the mining sector alone will only remind us of the last article: Imagine Zambia without copper. Instead, we must focus on sub manufacturing sectors like food and beverages and textiles and clothing, especially the latter which is the first step for industrialization in most successful countries like Vietnam.
Finally, Vietnam people rarely talk in public places. They never speak in many public meetings like we Zambians do. I am sure their leaders too hardly preach about their economic achievements. Unlike most of us, they look very humble and, although it is difficult to correlate this humility with performance, it is highly likely that it has substantially contributed to their economic success.
I think they are leaders who dedicate their lives to hard work and leave praises to the public. So, perhaps simply work and let the public judge for you. These public photos and statements that we like portraying so much will not help the country to develop. We need not mask the real economic problems with smiling pictures and public statements appearing to show achievements.
By Economic Governance
20-Man Chinese Delegation Visits ZNUF
A delegation of 20 Chinese businessmen and agriculturalists from Han Chin City in China yesterday visited the Zambia National Farmers’ Union (ZNFU) to explore possibilities of partnership with the Union and investment in Zambia’s agriculture sector.
And the ZNFU has called on the Chinese to consider utilising the abundant opportunities available in Zambia’s agriculture sector, which country teems with abundant arable land, where only 6.02 million hectares or 14% of 43 million hectares of land classified as high potential for agriculture is being utilised, water resources and a good investment climate.
ZNFU president Jervis Zimba urged the delegation to explore possibilities of investment in the entire agriculture value chain, value addition and processing. He also told the Chinese delegation that a window for enhancing mechanisation and technological advancement begs to be tapped. He said Zambian farmers want to move with the rest of the world in agricultural technological advancement that would trigger increased production and improved productivity.
He said there lies a great opportunity to invest in irrigation, with irrigation potential estimated to be about 2.75 million hectares; based on water availability and soil irrigability, which 523,000 hectares can be economically developed.
He said only 340,000 hectares of land is irrigated in Zambia, which is about 65 percent of the economical irrigation potential leaving a total of 183,000 hectares yet to be developed.
The ZNFU said massive investment opportunities exist in various agriculture sub-sectors that include;
Soyabeans and edible oils production, livestock, stock feed and livestock processing (which includes beef, poultry and pigs), tobacco and value addition, sugarcane, sugar and ethanol production, dairy, and maize with potential to invest in Value Addition Processing Equipment and Machinery and storage facilities.
Mr. Zimba said there is also a huge export market in the region, with the Congo DR offering the largest market for not only unprocessed, but also fully processed agriculture products.
The Chinese delegation said its main investment interest is in plantation agriculture, fisheries, agriculture value addition, processing and agriculture machinery, but mainly livestock and the entire agriculture value chain.
Head of delegation Cheng Chungsheng said they bring with them vast agriculture technology in raising cattle, chickens and other agricultural products and massive marketing experience and ready capital.
Mr. Chungsheng said they have been to South Africa, Zimbabwe and now Zambia and are happy with what they have seen here.
Mr. Chungsheng said his delegation wants to set up industries in Zambia, which, apart from growing agricultural products, would process everything from within the country and export finished products. He said they want to create employment and transfer agriculture technical knowhow among the local Zambians.
Mr. Chungsheng intimated to ZNFU that another delegation would visit the Union before the end of the year.
Impasse arises over the multi-million kwacha shopping mall in Monze District
An impasse has arisen over plans by the Monze District Council plans to construct a multi-million kwacha shopping mall at the Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula Stadium and District Agriculture Show grounds.
While the Local authority have maintained that it will go ahead with its plans to construct the shopping mall at the said site, some Monze residents have rejected the deal.
However, Southern Province Permanent Secretary Sibanze Simuchoba says government welcomes any progressive developmental idea meant to improve the lives of the people.
During a stakeholder consultative meeting held at the Council Chamber yesterday, some concerned residents argued that plans by the council were ill conceived and not in the best interests of the local community.
The local Authority mooted plans to relocate the stadium named after the former freedom fighter Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula which is sitting on a 2.3 hectares of land and Monze show grounds sitting on 11.9 hectares so that the land could be allocated for the developmental purposes including construction of shopping facilities.
Mr. Kelvin Cornhill argued that the stadium was built to honour the former freedom fighter adding that it was used by youths as the only sports recreational facility in the area saying demolishing the facility to pave way for a shopping malls was unfortunate.
” Harry Mwanga Nkumbula Stadium was built as a memorial site for the gallant freedom fighter and is also the only recreational facility for youths in Monze, therefore relocating it to another site will is an ill-conceived idea that is bad for remembrance of freedom fighters,” said Mr. Cornhill.
He advised that instead of relocating the show ground the council should instead develop the place with modern infrastructure so that future agriculture shows it attracts more agriculture exhibitors outside Monze District.
And United Party for National Development (UPND) Monze Central Member of parliament Jack Mwiimbu said the council made a mistake not to consult the residents before coming up with such plans.
Mr. Mwiimbu has advised the council to apologize to the Monze community for ‘seemingly’ imposing projects on them without consulting them.
He noted that people in Monze are willing to welcome any developmental projects that would better their lives but that the council lost it by failing to first making exhaustive consultations on such monumental projects.
” I feel that the council owe the people of Monze an apology for not consulting them at the time it (council) came up with the idea. Now if people reject the projects it is not that they do not want that particular project it is because you have not done any meaningful consultations right at the birth of the idea,” said Mr. Mwiimbu.
He called for the formation of a special committee to look into the matter.
Another resident Biggie Chiya said the council should find alternative site for the proposed projects of shopping facility and leave the show ground and stadium as the two pieces of land were already in use.
His colleague , Mr. Micheal Mundale a renowned local businessman in the area, also said the local authority can still allocate a piece of land for prospective investor within Monze without relocating the two facilities far from town centre.
And Bweengwa UPND member of parliament Mr. Michelo Kasauta said the Harry Mwanga Nkumbula Stadium should not be relocated but that any investor willing to come and put up a shopping facility in the District should partner with agriculture show grounds management to ensure a win-win situation.
Former Namwala District Commissioner Mr. Givas Syazha said the local authority should explain how the proposed plans to have shopping facilities would benefit people in Monze District.
But Monze District Council Chairperson Mr. Bisha Munsaka when contacted said the local authority was merely implementing the proposed plans made in 2013 to relocate the stadium and show grounds to pave way for construction of ultra- modern shopping facilities.
Mr. Munsaka explained that motivations behind the plans was due to a number of factors including the rapidly growing population in Monze with currently projected at 217,971, that the District was easily accessible, growing agriculture sector, strategic objectives of the council to transform District Council into a municipality within three year among other factors.
The council Chairman revealed that a 16.23 hectares of alternative land has already been secured south east of District for relocation of the stadium and the show grounds.
He supported the plans to relocate the stadium and the show grounds to allocate investors to build modern shopping malls saying the facilities would provide innumerable benefits to the local people including employment creation , and provide locals with ready market for their agriculture produce among other benefits.
And Southern Province Permanent Secretary Mr. Simuchoba noted that Monze District despite being along the line of rail lack modern shopping facilities.
He has urged the community to fully support noble plans by the council to better the lives of people by wooing investors to create jobs opportunities, decent accommodation, better services among others.
The PS also advised people in Monze to be rational as they make written or oral submissions on their views concerning the council plans to relocate the two facilities which are in the heart of town adding that it was government policy to consult people on what development they want without it imposing it on them.
” I would just urge people of Monze to take these proposals by the council seriously and make positive comments on these plans because the desire for government is to see meaningful and progressive development taking root in all towns so that we can create job.
“We people in Monze should know is that all towns at some time undergo re-planning and redevelopment and therefore they should not think Monze is the only District which is being redeveloped.
“The council should continue o receive the comments but when we find that the comments or views are not in perspective of the plans the obviously we shall ignore them and use the best practices to develop the town,” he said.
Mr. Simuchoba further observed that Monze District was very dirty due to unregulated street vending and added that it was the duty of the local authority to remove the street vendors and ensure sanity and a sustained spirit of cleanliness was strictly adhered to as people conduct their businesses.
Zambia’s economy continues powering forward as it records first trade surplus in 2 years
ZAMBIA recorded a trade surplus valued at K410.6 million in July after about two years of being in deficits as the inflation rate dropped further to 6.3 percent.
The trade surplus entails that the country exported more than it imported in July.
Central Statistical Office (CSO) attributes the increase to the improved copper price on the London Metal Exchange (LME) trading at US$6,808.50 a tonne and increased production by the mines.
CSO director of census and statistics John Kalumbi said Zambia’s copper exports significantly increased from 81,489 tonnes in June to 94,851tonnes in July.
Speaking at a CSO monthly briefing, Mr Kalumbi said the positive trend has also been boosted by copper prices, which went up from US$5,699 per tonnes in June to US$5,978 in July, representing a 4.9 percent rise.
“Since copper accounts for the largest weight/proportion of traditional exports, any change in the volume and price has a direct bearing on the performance of traditional exports.
“In July 2017, Zambia recorded a trade surplus valued at K410.6 million from a trade deficit of K335.7 million recorded in June 2917. This represents a 222.3 percent increase in the trade balance,” he said.
Mr Kalumbi said there was an increase in the total value of metal exports from about K4.4 billion in June to over K5.3 billion in July, translating into a 21.2 percent rise while total exports earnings were up by 76.8 percent to K6.69 billion.
Annual inflation, the rate has declined from 6.6 percent to 6.3 percent due to a reduction in the price of various food and non-food items.
Of the 6.3 percent, food and non-alcoholic beverages accounted for 2.7 percent while non-food items accounted for 3.6 percent.
“Year-on-year inflation rate as measured by the consumer price index for August reduced to 6.3 percent compared to 6.6 percent recorded in July,” Mr Kalumbi said.
He attributed the annual food inflation rate decrease from 5.3 percent to 5.1 percent to price changes for bread, cereals, meat, table salt and mushrooms.
Similarly, non-food items inflation dropped by 0.4 percentage point to 7.7 percent due to a reduction in the price of diesel and petrol as well as car battery and motor cars.
All those working in President Lungu’s government are expected to be loyal-Mwila
Mr Mwila says PF is a party on its own and it shall remain as such with Mr Lungu as its presidential candidate in the 2021 elections.
“President Lungu and PF have no time to waste on politicking. We are eager to deliver development and so we want loyalty, harmony and unity in our ranks,” he said.
Mr Mwila was speaking yesterday when he received a petition from Eastern Province PF members who demanded the resignation of Minister of Finance Felix Mutati for allegedly destabilising the party in the province.
Mr Mwila promised to deliver the petition to President Lungu immediately and later present it to the central committee for consideration.
“We will soon visit Eastern Province to check what is going on there. Eastern Province is our stronghold, so we will not allow anyone to destabilise our party,” he said.
And presenting the petition, provincial PF vice-chairperson Godwin Phiri said it has come to the attention of the party in the region that some people in MMD are allegedly working against President Lungu.
Mr Phiri accused MMD vice-president Mtolo Phiri of secretly telling members to destabilise PF in the province.
“MMD vice-president Mtolo Phiri is secretly instructing MMD members to undermine and destabilise PF with the view of propping Mr Felix Mutati to take over in 2021,” he said.
When contacted for a comment, Mr (Mtolo) Phiri said he could not immediately give his side of the story because he needed to consult and get an official position.
Mr Mutati’s mobile phone went unanswered.
But MMD national secretary Raphael Nakacinda told Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) that the party will not interfere in the internal affairs of the PF.
Mr Nakacinda said the MMD will not react to the calls against Mr Mutati but that the party leader was chosen on merit by President Lungu because the head of State has confidence in him.
And some PF members in North-Western Province have also called for the resignation of Mr Mutati from the MMD or relinquish his cabinet position, reports BUTTYSON KANDIMBA.
The members made the demand yesterday when they presented a petition to North-Western Province Minister Richard Kapita.
PF provincial chairlady Violet Kayumba also accused Mr Mutati of destabilising the party in the region.
She said, during the Likumbi Lya Mize traditional ceremony recently, hundreds of MMD members allegedly openly declared their support for Mr Mutati for 2021 and endorsed his candidature.
“We all know that we only have one President, who is His Excellency Edgar Chagwa Lungu as endorsed by the central committee recently,” Ms Kayumba said.
And Mr Kapita thanked the members for showing love for the party which they do not want to see die in the province and promised to deliver the petition to President Lungu.
Mr Kapita urged the members to remain peaceful as the head of State examines the petition from the province.
In Northern Province, some PF supporters marched in support of the petition to have Mr Mutati resign.
VISA in discussions with Government to promote the digitisation of payment and a cashless economy
Company general manager for southern Africa Jabu Basopo said currently, Zambia is struggling with huge cash in circulation because people prefer to move with money than use cards for their transactions.
In an interview recently, Mr Basopo said if the country digitalises payments, it will result in more money in the banking system to enable financial institutions to lend.
“We are in the process of discussions with Government through the accountant General’s office, because it is in charge of terms of digitising payments for the entire departments within Government.
“At micro level, there are also several benefits, because if the banking system has money it will help small and medium enterprises borrow to inject into their business and to enable them to create jobs as well as contribute to the growth of the economy,” he said.
Mr Basopo also said the company has conducted a study, which reveals that any growth in the electronic payments collates to increase in growth in gross domestic product.
He said the company is working with various banks in terms of promoting digital payments through the use of the card.
Mr Basopo said Zambia has made strides in developing digital financial services, but that there is still some work needed to be done to fully implement digital payments.
In a separate interview, Visa country manager Salome Makau said there are some remote areas in Zambia without banks forcing workers to take a two-day journey to collect salaries.
“If money was sent to them electronically it will lessen their burden,” Ms Makau said.
ZICTA has new boss
Mr Mutimushi, who is a telecommunications and electronics engineer, takes over from Margaret Mudenda, whose contract ended in June this year.
In a statement yesterday, ZICTA board chairperson Emmanuel Musonda hoped that Mr Mutimushi’s appointment, coupled with his vast experience in the ICT sector, will take the authority to greater heights.
“We have no doubt that his exceptional regulatory expertise, proficiently built over the years through practice and learning, developing unique regulatory skill sets of international standard, will be a critical ingredient in the ICT regulatory agency,’’ he said.
Mr Mutimushi has served ZICTA for over 16 years of which 10 years have been at senior management level in charge of technology and engineering.
