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Flying Doctors conduct medical treatment in Lundazi

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About 400 patients in Nyangwe and Mwase villages in Lundazi District have so far been treated by Zambia Flying Doctors Service (ZFDS) team.

ZFDS Chief Medical Officer, Mulenga Chilambwe says most patients’ conditions include abdominal problems, Gastritis, ulcers, pelvic inflammatory disease among others.

  Speaking in an interview , Dr. Chilambwe said the medical team is targeting to treat over 3000 patients in all the five rural health facilities in Lundazi District.

He added that they have collaborated with the Lundazi District Health Office to ensure sensitisation is done in order to achieve the targeted number.

And Chief Kapichila of the Chewa people has thanked the Zambia Flying doctors for coming to Lundazi district to treat people in the area.

The traditional leader said he has been seeing how the medical team has been visiting facilities in other districts saying he is happy that they have now visited his chiefdom.

Sandra Nyirenda, a Mwase resident, has applauded the medical team for provision of medical services to the people in rural areas.

He said services such as dental and eye care services can only be accessed at the district health office which is 31 Kilometers away from Mwase.

“We have no doctors in Mwase and traveling to Lundazi to access dental care is expensive hence we are grateful with what the flying doctors have done,” he said

5 nabbed for gardening using sewer

Police in Luanshya has arrested five people in Mpatamato Township in Luanshya District for using raw sewer for gardening purposes.

The five who are all residents of Mpatamato were nabbed in a joint operation conducted by officers from the Zambia police service, Luanshya Municipal Council and Kafubu Water and Sanitation Company.

Kafubu Water and Sanitation Company, Marketing and Public Relations Manager Misheck Moyo has confirmed the development to ZANIS in Luanshya today.

“Following a tip off from the public and increased vandalism to sewer pipes in the area, we engaged the local authority and Zambia Police to confirm the reported cases of diverting and tempering with sewer lines,” he said.

Mr Moyo disclosed that the five are said to have been diverting raw sewer from the Kafubu Water and Sanitation Company Limited (KWSC), main sewer infrastructure in Mpatamatu.

He has since urged members of the public to desist from diverting sewer from its infrastructure for any purposes.

Mr Moya further appealed to members of the public to report such activities to the relevant authorities.

He added that the suspects are in police custody and will appear in court soon.

Zambia Suffers Double Blow Ahead of World Cup-Chanda Ruled Out

World Cup debutants Zambia have faced a significant setback ahead of their Group C opener against Japan on Saturday as they confirmed the unavailability of their key attacking midfielder, Grace Chanda. The influential 26-year-old player, a former captain of the team, has been ruled out of the tournament due to illness, according to team officials.

This marks the second major withdrawal for coach Bruce Mwape’s side, following the serious knee injury of first-choice goalkeeper Hazel Nali last week. Nali was replaced in the squad by 18-year-old Leticia Lungu.

Zambia team doctor, Faith Chibeza, didn’t provide further details regarding Chanda’s illness but an inside source revealed that she had been hospitalized for treatment.

“Grace Chanda has been taken ill, and unfortunately, she won’t be able to take part in the tournament. We have done everything we can to help her, and she is receiving all the necessary attention,” said Chibeza.

With 28 caps for Zambia and 15 goals scored for her country, Chanda’s absence will be felt deeply. However, the team is looking to young talent to fill the void, as 18-year-old Comfort Selemani steps in to replace her. Selemani was initially part of the preliminary selection but narrowly missed the final cut.

Despite these challenges, coach Mwape expressed confidence in his team’s abilities. He remains optimistic that the Copper Queens can compete against any opponent in the tournament, drawing motivation from their surprising 3-2 friendly victory over world number two, Germany, a fortnight ago.

“As far as I am concerned, we are not underdogs. The only ones who might think that are our opponents. We don’t think that, we regard ourselves as a big team that can challenge any other team in the world,” Mwape stated.

He also emphasized the team’s extensive preparation over the past two months, believing that they are fully ready to take on any opponent in the World Cup.

Copper Queens in U$5000 per win at World Cup

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Sports Minister Elvis Nkandu has confirmed that the Copper Queens will receive a $5000 bonus for every win they record at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
This makes Zambia the first African country to pay both men’s and women’s national teams the same amount of allowance for any official match.
Mr Nkandu made the announcement in response to a question from Copper Queens captain Barbra Banda, who wanted to know how much the team would be paid for each win.
He said that the President had directed that the women’s team be paid the same as the men’s team, and that he was committed to upholding that directive.
Mr  Nkandu is currently in New Zealand to watch the Copper Queens’ opening match against Japan. He said that he would be returning to Zambia after the match.
The Minister also assured the team of government support in any area that would need attention during the tournament.
He said that the government would take care of any administrative issues, so that the players could focus on playing the game.
The Copper Queens are making their World Cup debut, and they will be looking to make history by becoming the first African team to reach the knockout stages.
With the government’s support, they have a good chance of achieving their goal.
The Copper Queens will Tomorrow at 09 hour face Japan the previous winners of  world cup and Local Government Minister and Rural Development Minister Garry Nkombo has allowed social clubs to open early to allow the fans to cheer the girls.

Mwinilunga residents urged to embrace keep Zambia clean and green

Mwinilunga Town Council senior Health inspector Agape Mashinyi has appealed to residents in the district to embrace the continuous Keep Zambia Clean, Green, and health program.

Mr. Mashinyi says the program is important as it ensures that people live in clean environments and are protected from preventable diseases such as Cholera.

He said the program is equally important because it does not only protect the environment but also adds to the beauty of the town.

Mr. Mashinyi said this in an interview during the weekly Keep Zambia Clean Green and Health exercise conducted in the district today.

Mr. Mashinyi said communicable diseases such as cholera can easily be avoided simply by ensuring that the environments in which people are living and trading are always kept clean.

“Let us own this program, this is our environment, no one is going to clean this environment for us, if we want a beautiful Mwinilunga let us all participate” said Mr. Mashinyi.

He called on residents in the district to actively participate in the program and own it because no one else can clean their environment apart from themselves.

Mr. Mashinyi acknowledged efforts by the district leadership in ensuring that people turn up for the program and appealed to them to actively participate in the program as it acts as an encouragement to members of the general public to equally participate.

And people in the district have welcomed the program saying it is well intended.

Adrian Lumingu said having a clean environment will protect them from catching diseases such as cholera and called on other residents to fully participate in the program as it was for their own good.

“It is not a government program alone, it is ours, it is us to clean and not the council alone” she said.

Another resident Felix Kang’elu who conducts his business around the chikabu area said a clean environment is important to the business because customers are attracted to go to clean areas.

Vice President Nalumango cautions millers

Government has called on millers countrywide to exercise patriotism and avoid exploiting Zambians through inflated costs of mealie meal.

Vice President Mutale Nalumango says the government is keen to work with the private sector, however, private millers should be reasonable in setting mealie meal prices.

The Vice President said this in parliament today, in response to Kantanshi Member of Parliament, Anthony Mumba, who wanted to know what the government was doing to arrest the escalating cost of mealie meal.

The Vice President attributed the rising prices of mealie meal to the new floor price of maize which the government set at K280 to support small scale farmers.

Mrs. Nalumango said in an effort to make a profit, millers were adding an extra cost to the mealie meal which is being passed on to consumers.

However, the Vice President said it was unjustified for millers to take the cost of mealie to as high as K300 per bag.

The Vice President has since called on traders engaged in the production of mealie meal to be mindful and remember that the ultimate customers are the ordinary Zambians who should not be exploited.

Currently, mealie meal retail prices are averaging around K150 and K300 per 25 kilogram bag, countrywide.

25 girls drop out of school annually at Lukomba Secondary School

Over 25 girls drop out of school every year at Lukomba Secondary School in Kapiri Mposhi district due to pregnancy and early marriages.

School Guidance and Counseling Teacher Esther Nkazi disclosed that most children come from far flung areas and are forced to rent accommodation from surrounding villages because of the lack of dormitories at the learning facility.

Ms Nkazi explained that the practice of renting accommodation from surrounding villages has proven unsafe as many girls are taken advantage of and are becoming victims of pregnancy  and early marriages.

Ms Nkazi revealed this when Women’s Lobby Chapter Board Member, Dorothy Mambwe and Education Standards Officer Special Education, Mary Masumba visited the School.

 Kapiri Mposhi District Education Board (DEB), has appealed to government to construct dormitories at Lukomba Secondary School to provide accommodation for girl pupils.

Ms Masumba explained that the school with over 1800 pupil enrollment is the only senior secondary school in Nkole Chiefdom catchment forcing children who qualify to grade 10 from surrounding schools to engage in weekly boarding to access secondary education.

“The statistics of pregnancy and early marriages are not good at Lukomba. We need government to come in to secure lives for our girl learners who are being abused and impregnated,” Ms Masumba said.

And Kapiri Women’s Lobby Chapter Board Member, Dorothy Mambwe has called on enhanced collaboration to ensure progression of girls in education as the country strives to actualise parity in gender representation in key decision making structures.

Mr Mambwe stressed that educated girls narrow the gender gap and boost participation of women in development.

Mutondo Stars Sign Mafro Kit Deal

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MUTONDO STARS INK MAFRO KIT DEAL

Newly promoted FAZ Super Division side Mutondo Stars have signed a three-year kit deal with renowned Singaporean kit manufacturer MAFRO Sports.

Mutondo President Everisto Kabila said under the partnership, Mafro Sports will provide the club with sportswear and accessories.

Kabila said Mutondo fans are also assured of high quality replicas from MAFRO Sports.

“Most importantly of all is that our dedicated fan base will have an opportunity to don high quality replicas from the exceptional designs that come in different sizes that also include kits for women and children,” Kabila said.

“All that we do at Mutondo is for the community and fans and we’ll therefore not leave them behind as we begin our journey in the MTN Super League. We will never leave our fans behind,” he said.

Revived Mutondo will face Green Eagles when the new FAZ Super Division season begins on August 19 away in Choma.

Multi-million US$ ,Kariba dam wall rehabilitation progress to 67 percent

Works on the US$294.2 million United States Dollar Kariba Dam Rehabilitation Project (KDRP) are progressing well with works being at 67 percent complete.

Zambezi River Authority Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Munyaradzi Munodawafa said in a press statement to ZANIS that the project, which comprises three components, the Reshaping of the Plunge Pool, Refurbishment of the Spillway upstream control facility and institutional strengthening, is projected to be completed by the first quarter of 2025.

Mr Munodawafa said KDRP will help to address dam safety concerns and restore the structural strength of the Kariba Dam for its long-term reliability and safety of operation.

He said since construction, the Kariba Dam has served Zambia and Zimbabwe for over 60 years.

The CEO noted that the Plunge Pool Reshaping works contract, which is being undertaken by Razel Bec (a French company), commenced in May 2017 and works, is now at 78 percent complete.

He said works on the plunge pool reshaping will be completed in the second quarter of 2024.

“In total, 680 million litres of water have been pumped out of the Plunge Pool, leaving the current water level in the pool at 320m Above Sea Level (ASL). Pumping out of the water, with the resulting lowering of the pool level, paved way for the excavation works using controlled blasting of the exposed rock,” he said.

Mr Munodawafa disclosed that to date, approximately 137 000 cubic metres of rock has been removed, out of a total of 300,000 cubic metres.

He said excavation works will widen the Plunge Pool in keeping with the technical design of removing the rock mass around the Plunge Pool of the dam, haulage, and disposal of the excavated rock at the designated dumpsite.

The spillway refurbishment works contract commenced in November 2019 and is being implemented by the Authority as the Employer and a Consortium of GE Hydro France with Freyssinet International as the Contractor.

Mr Munodawafa noted that the status of the project is that the works are at 57 percent complete and the target date for completion of the Spillway Refurbishment works is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2025.

“This project involves the replacement of defective guiderails on the upstream spillway control facility to improve the operations of the six sluice gates,” Mr Munodawafa said.

He said the contractor is focusing on the hydro-demolition of the secondary concrete around the old Built-in-Parts (BIPs) upstream of the Sluices, repair of surface cracks on the downstream end of sluice number three and finalisation of the manufacture of the Emergency Gate in China and the Gantry Crane in South Africa.

Mr Munodawafa said the Authority engaged the services of Gruner Stucky Limited (a Swiss company) as the technical services and supervision consultant for the KDRP.

He pointed out that owing to the unprecedented nature of the works components of the KDRP, the Authority is further supported by a seven member Dam Safety Panel of Experts (DSPoE) which undertake bi-annual site visits and provided guidance, recommendations and opinions to help resolve project execution challenges.

The KDRP Project is being funded through grants and loans made available to the Zambian and the Zimbabwean Governments by the African Development Bank; the European Union; the Government of Sweden and the World Bank.

Mr Munodawafa disclosed that the authority also contributed counterpart funds on behalf of the Governments of Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The Zambezi River Authority CEO said KDRP is to ensure the continued strengthening of the Kariba Dam wall.

He said completion of the KDRP works will benefit the communities in both Zambia and Zimbabwe through a safer and reliable management of flood releases to avoid overtopping of the Dam Wall.

“This will also minimize the risks of unregulated releases of water which could flood the downstream communities, resulting in damage to property and considerable loss of lives, under worst case scenarios,” He said.

Mr Munodawafa noted that a strong Dam wall will continue to provide sustainable management of the impounded water to ensure continued availability of water for hydropower generation which is a critical part in the socio-economic development of Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Zambia on the Global Stage: Voiceover legend Chilu Lemba scores nomination at One Voice USA 2023

Chilu Lemba
Chilu Lemba

One Voice USA, the home for global voice over talent, has officially unveiled its 2023 nomination lineup, which prominently features Africa’s eminent voiceover virtuoso, Chilu Lemba. Competing in the category of Best International Voiceover Performance, Lemba has been nominated for his exemplary work on an ad for the South African Guide Dogs Association, entitled ‘Freedom’.

Lemba’s nomination is remarkable for two reasons: he is not only the sole representative from Africa in a diverse category with nine other international contenders, but he also stands as only the second nominee ever from the continent in the history of both the One Voice USA and UK awards.

The One Voice USA awards recognize non-US voice actors for their superior craft through an exclusive International category. This year, the contenders represent a global span including talents from Australia, Peru, the UK, and Japan.

On August 12, 2023, the victors from all 33 award categories will be unveiled during an opulent black-tie gala event at the Hyatt Regency Airport Hotel in Dallas, Texas.

Speaking about his nomination, Lemba commented, “This is an exhilarating honour. Sian Clarke, the producer of the nominated ad and I, mutually felt a year ago that the creation was award-worthy. Everyone involved in the production did a phenomenal job. This nomination not only validates our belief, but also highlights the global competitiveness of African productions.”

In addition to this recent nomination, Lemba has enjoyed a string of victories. In December last year, he won a prestigious Voice Arts Award for Outstanding Commercial – TV or Streaming – Best African Voiceover, for his performance in an Airtel ad, ‘Easy Bill Payments With The My Airtel App’.

The event took place at the iconic Warner Brothers Studios in Burbank, California. His triumphs also include winning the Best TV Promo at The APVA Awards, organized by The Association of African Podcasters and Voice Artists.

 

Social welfare department tasked to trace street kids

Copperbelt Permanent Secretary Augustine Kasongo has directed the Department of Social Welfare in Kitwe to trace the families of the remaining street kids in Kitwe and ensure that they are taken to school in view of the introduced free education policy.

Mr Kasongo said there should be no excuse for any child to stay out of school when government is providing free education.

In a speech read on his behalf by his deputy Daniel Kamenga, during the launch of the District and Community Mobilization on the roll out of the Children’s Code Act No. 2 of 2022, Mr. Kasongo also challenged parents to provide peaceful and conducive environments in homes for kids to grow up from.

He noted that some children are pushed into the streets because of parents and guardians who are abusive and ignorant about the rights of children.

“I am confident that at the end of the meeting today we will have shared the information pertaining to the legal and policy frameworks in Zambia on Children’s rights so that we strengthen service delivery, we need to brainstorm what we can do differently in ensuring that the rights of children are protected and promoted,” he said.

He stated that the country is currently domesticating the United Nations convention on the rights of child (UNCRC) and the African Charter on the rights and Welfare of the Child.

He said the free education policy introduced by the government is a great milestone in the protection and promotion of children’s rights.

And Kitwe District Administrative Officer Mwamba Mulenga said the launch of the children’s rights is timely as it will provide the legal framework on the protection and promotion of children’s rights.

He said a lot needs to be done in sensitizing people on the rights of children.

Produce quality medical staff, training institutions urged

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Minister of Health Sylvia Masebo has urged medical training institutions in the country to aim towards producing quality human resources who will contribute to the development of the health sector in the region.

Ms Masebo advised training institutions not to be swayed by the quantity of students graduating, but rather to target towards producing quality healthcare workers.

She said learning institutions often put more emphasis on the number of trainees.

Ms Masebo observed that universities tend to over enroll resulting in compromising on the quality of training offered to students.

“I know that sometimes universities have tended to have over enrolled students leading to compromising on the quality of training.”

The Minister said this when she officially opened the 2nd SHEPIZ annual Scientific Symposium in Lusaka.

Ms Masebo stated that learning institutions have a huge responsibility of producing fully baked healthcare workers who in turn will save lives.

“Your role is to give us quality healthcare workers who will serve lives and prevent deaths,” she said.

The minister insisted on the need not to please funders or donors with increased numbers of students graduating but rather to priorities producing quality graduates.

 Ms Masebo advised the University of Zambia to emphasize on quality training as it introduced new learning programmes so as to produce competent graduates.

“Don not put the targets you have set with the funders and donors above quality, therefore as you increase the number of training programmes put emphasis on quality of training so as to produce competent graduates for our country and the region.

As you supplement government efforts in improving human resources for health, let us generate health workers fit for saving people.” She said,

And speaking earlier, The University of Zambia Vice Chancellor Anne Sikwibele said the symposium will provide an opportunity for academic staff, post graduate students and researchers to share their work through a series of presentations lined up.

Professor Sikwibele said the symposium will also aim at addressing key issues affecting Zambia’s health sector such as infectious diseases, tropical diseases, non-communicable diseases and vacations.

She implored Zambian scientists to help find solutions to the problems affecting the health sector in the country

Luangwa DC calls for speed completion of district hospital

Luangwa District Commissioner, Luke Chikani, has bemoaned the delay in completion of the construction of the district hospital.

Mr Chikane says currently the hospital has only one ward which is operational, hence the need to expedite the completion of the wards and staff houses.

 Mr Chikane was speaking when Lusaka Provincial Health Director, Simulyamana Choonga called on him at his office.

The District Commissioner further appealed for specialized medical   personnel at the   district hospital to effectively provide the needed health services to the people.

He said the district hospital is currently referring patients to other health facilities due to lack of specialized medical staff at the district hospital.

Mr. Chikani also cited office space and inadequate staff accommodation   as some of the challenges faced by the department of health in the district.

The District Commissioner also appealed to the ministry of health through the provincial Director of health, that they should consider constructing a maternity wing at Luangwa urban clinic.

 Dr. Simulyamana Choonga said his organisation is working hard to ensure that all health facilities have better water reticulation systems as well as a maternity wing.

Dr. Choonga also assured the District Commissioner that he will consult the relevant authorities to help address the challenges faced by the department of health in the district.

“We will consult with relevant authorities to find solutions to various health challenges that the district is facing,” said Dr. Choonga.

Zambia, UAE seal mining exploration dea

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Zambia has today signed two Memoranda of understanding with the United Arab Emirates for mineral resource exploration between the two countries, as well as enhancement of support to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

The signing ceremony, held at State House, was presided over by President Hakainde Hichilema and visiting United Arab Emirates Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sheikh Shakboot AL Nahyan.

Minister of Small and Medium Enterprise Elias Mubanga signed the 15 million United States dollars Khalifa Fund for SMEs while Minister of Mines Paul Kabuswe signed the MoU on mineral exploration.

President Hichilema urged the teams from Zambia and the United Arab Emirates to speed up the implementation of the agreements, emphasizing that the government is in a hurry to reconstruct the economy and improve delivery of key social services to the citizens.

He added that Zambia is particularly interested to collaborate with the UAE and learn from them how they have managed to attain development for their country, using their natural resource base, which he described as admirable.

The Head of State said as part of government’s transformation agenda, technology forms part of the drive towards development and that the UAE becomes a critical partner for the country.

And Sheikh Shakboot AL Nahyan, the UAE Minister of State for foreign Affairs said the UAE wants to deepen its relationship with Zambia by collaborating in many areas, while strengthening ties in an already existing relationship.

Sheikh AL NAHYAN says Zambia has been welcoming and the UAE is very comfortable to strengthen the relations.

Meanwhile, Minister of Small and Medium Enterprise Development Elias Mubanga said the 15 million United States dollars from the KHALIFA Fund will boost the capacity of SMEs to do business, especially small scale farmers.

Mr. Mubanga however observed that the ministry will need additional technical support to SMEs as his ministry plans to set up an incubation center for SMEs in the country.

KCM Make Adjustments to Nchanga Rangers ExCo

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Konkola Copper Mines Plc (KCM) has made changes to the Nchanga Rangers Football Club Executive Committee.

KCM has appointed Joshua Chalenga as Technical Director and Prince Tembo as Committee Member.

Consultations are currently underway to co-opt three other committee members from outside KCM into the ExCo and these will be assigned duties to perform in taking Nchanga forward.

KCM Company Secretary Maxwell Mainsa announced that Shapi Shachinda will continue as Club President, Charles Shonongo as Vice President, Emmanuel Simbeye continues as Executive Secretary and Ronald Simwanza as Club Treasurer.

Mainsa commented that, “KCM will provide all the necessary support to the ExCo team and we urge the Club’s supporters and fans to rally behind the team in order for it to return to the Super Division.”

This is according to a media statement issued by KCM acting Manager Public Relations – Victoria Kabwe Zimba.

Nchanga will be competing in the National Division One after being demoted from the top league last season.