Minister of Transport and Communication Brian Mushimba has said that ZAMTEL, a state-owned enterprise, is vibrant and on the upswing.

Speaking yesterday when he unveiled the new Zamtel board of directors, the minister commended ZAMTEL management for turning around the fortunes of the company.

The Minister said that in May this year, the company’s opening balance was K30 million but the amount increased to K55.8 million, making its first profit of K2.3 million.

Mr Mushimba said in July, Zamtel posted a profit of K14.5 million.

“Zamtel is vibrant and on the upswing. So as a board, Government expects that you will grow the company and make it a flag of communication,” he said.

Mr Mushimba said Government has invested over US$300 millio in communication infrastructure after realising the important role information communications (ICT) plays in the development of any country.

“We want to position Zambia as a regional hub in ICT considering the strategic location of the country, and ZAMTEL is the vehicle we want to use to achieve that,” Mr Mushimba said.

He said ZAMTEL should be Government’s preferred network, but it is not the case.

“Design business solutions for Government. Why is Government using other networks? Position yourself and create value. ZAMTEL must take the lead, you must be the ‘ferari’ in the industry. As a minimum standard, every government employee should be on ZAMTEL network,” he said.

Mr Mushimba said the board members have signed performance contracts to ensure that they put in their best.

And ZAMTEL board chairperson Justin Chola promised to turn the company into an “undisputable telecom entity”.

Mr Chola, the chief executive officer of Bayport Financial Services and the man behind the concept of Twangale Park, said he will ensure that Zambians become proud of Zamtel by making it the most preferred network.

Other members of the board are Danny Luswili (vice chairperson), Misheck Lungu (permanent secretary in the parent ministry), Bob Musenga, Claire Limbwabwa, Francis Musonda and Sydney Mupeta (Zamtel acting chief executive officer).

This September, Zambezi Magic (DStv Channel 160) will unveil Zambia’s newest half-week drama series when they introduce viewers to Umutenge, which explores issues of domestic violence.

Umutenge aims at exposing culprits and educating victims about the hidden domestic violence acts in a typical Zambian home. Derived from a local proverb which states, “the roof of a home you don’t live in is so admirable”, the drama series deliberates issues that spark domestic violence in a relatively comfortable home comprising of a couple, their daughter, and their nephew.

Domestic violence having reached alarming levels in the nation, Umutenge was conceptualised to take in hand most openly-unaddressed issues and educate the public about them.

Don’t miss Umutenge when it premieres on Zambezi Magic, DStv channel 160, on Monday 04 September 2017 at 20:00.

The City of Lusaka Football Club (F.C) have announced Vodafone Zambia as their official sponsor in an agreement that gives the next generation operator the sole naming rights of the team’s home stadium, Woodlands.

Additional terms of the agreement indicate that Vodafone Zambia will create a digital experience for fans of the Super Division side through the installation of the business’ next-generation Wi-Fi service within the stadium.

In light of this, the 4G operator will officially unveil the Vodafone Stadium, formerly Woodlands Stadium, on Sunday, August 27^th, in a colourful event that is set to coincide with two critical matches. The double header is geared for ZESCO United versus Green Buffaloes; and City of Lusaka F.C versus Nkana F.C.

Vodafone Zambia CEO, Lars Stork said “We are proud to be partnering with City of Lusaka and Forli Limited in what we believe will be a beneficial relationship – more so for the fans. By branding the stadium, installing Wi-Fi and opening a Vodafone store, we are demonstrating two important things that are very important to Zambians: football and staying digitally connected. We believe that this agreement puts local football at the forefront of the integration of technology and sport in Zambia.”

And Diego Casill, CEO of Forli Zambia limited, the real estate firm contracted to refurbish and modernize the stadium noted that this was a great partnership for the local football league in terms of where fans and other key stakeholders want the game to be.

“This partnership marks an exciting phase in the club’s history. Working with a brand as iconic as Vodafone not only injects much needed revenue in the team’s growth prospects, but it cements our credibility and legitimizes our efforts toward giving our fans a modern football experience encompassing both infrastructure and technology. As such, we look forward to officially launching the Vodafone Stadium,” he said.

Mr Casill added: “It is important that we move with the times and offer a world leading fan experience, and in this day and age that means integrating modern infrastructure and innovative technology into our fan offering. Vodafone will be helping us to connect football fans with the game in new ways as well leveraging Vodafone’s experience in digital transformation to grow the City of Lusaka football team.”

This Sunday’s double header is anticipated to attract a capacity crowd of 14,000.

Police in Lusaka today canceled the inter-denominational thanks giving prayers for the release of opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema which were set for today at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka.

And Police have summoned City of Refuge Ministries Pastor Kangwa Chileshe who was one of the conveners of the service.

[pullquote]He wondered how the prayers could be categorized as public nuisance especially in a Christian nation.[/pullquote]

Lusaka Province Police Commissioner Nelson Phiri said the police cancelled the prayer event because the organisers had wrong motives.

Mr. Phiri said in an interview that the gathering would have been an illegal gathering as they did not inform police.

And Pastor Chileshe told Journalists that the conveners wanted to thank God for the release of Mr. Hichilema especially that they held prayers for his release at the same venue during his incarceration.

Pastor Chileshe added that he was advised to write to Religious Affairs Minister Reverent Godfridah Sumaili before holding prayers.

He wondered how the prayers could be categorized as public nuisance especially in a Christian nation.

Minister of Justice Given Lubinda says President Edgar Lungu will decide whether to declare another state of threatened public emergency after 47 days.

Mr. Lubinda says the National Assembly has no powers to make extensions because the decision lies with the Head of State.

He explains that the extension of a state of threatened public emergency will require the President to invoke article 31 which will again be tabled before parliament for approval.

The Minister of Justice was speaking at a consultative meeting for National Civil Society Organisations on the state of threatened public emergency.

Meanwhile Mr. Lubinda has called on the police to continue operating under the laid down rules and regulations during the state of threatened public emergency.

And Speaking at the same event YALI governance advisor Isaac Mwanza condemned international media organisations for misinforming the globe that a state of emergency had been declared in the country.

Mr. Mwanza has challenged the media to be factual in their reporting and avoid sugar coating facts.

Kantu released her latest single “Honey” that features Macky 2. The song was produced by KB, K-Army Studios.

Download the song HERE

BY KAPA187

An exciting line-up of local musicians is set to set to make the 2017 Stanbic Music Festival a spectacle to remember when they join the iconic Boyz II Men at the country’s largest music show on September 22-23.
Now in its fourth year, the Music Festival has stuck to its tradition of building a platform that blends the best of local talent with international musicians of note, enabling artistes and fans to share performances and experiences.
The local artistes were introduced today at a media briefing. They include Afro soul singer Wezi, traditional folk singer Mumba Yachi, Hip-hop sensation Chef 187 and Gospel sensation Abel Chungu Musuka.
Others are contemporary Zambian RnB singer K’millian, singer and guitarist James Sakala, as well as electric violinist Caitlin DeVille.
Local fans and loyal followers of the Stanbic Music Festival played a key part in the selection of the exciting group of performers, by recommending the artistes they wanted to see at this year’s show through Stanbic’s social media platforms.
About 10,000 people, including some from as far as Uganda, Kenya, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, are expected to attend the show on both days, according to Stanbic Head of Marketing Perry Siame.
“We expect a huge turnout at this event, so we encourage fans who are yet to buy tickets to do so as soon as possible because we are unlikely to increase the tickets beyong 10,000,” Siame said.
Stanbic Public Relations and Communications Manager Chanda Chime-Katongo said the music festival was a good platform for local musicians to take to the stage and learn the tricks of the trade from Boyz II Men, and that it was also an opportunity to enable Boyz II Men to sample Zambia’s music and culture.
“The Stanbic Music Festival is a unique platform to ensure that our local music talents perform side by side with renowned international artistes and learn a lot from each other — from arranging a concert to executing it on stage. It is one way local musicians can grow their influence beyond our borders,” said Ms Katongo.
“This festival showcases local talent. If you don’t give them a platform to play on, few people will know who they are and what they are capable of. You can rest assured this line-up will make it a festival to remember,” she added.
National Arts Council of Zambia (NACZ) Assistant Director for Performing and Literary Arts, Mwiche Chikungu, commended Stanbic Bank for the consistency in holding successful music festivals over the past four years, which has contributed to the growth of the music industry in Zambia.
“As national Arts Council, we’d like to thank Stanbic Bank for elevating the music industry in Zambia because every year they improve the quality of the actual event and we are having high quality events, giving our local artists a chance to network with foreign artistes who have a lot of experience,” she said.
“When others who are aspiring artistes see the local artistes who are participating, it inspires them to also take up this career. As you probably know we are now an economic ministry; we used to be a social ministry and arts are part of the creative and cultural industry. People are actually employed in the arts. We also have companies that benefit when the Stanbic Bank event happens.”
And echoing sentiments of his fellow local musicians on the line-up, artiste Abel Chungu Musuka, said being selected to participate in the 2017 music festival was not only exciting, but also challenging local musicians to do better.
“It’s exciting to be part of this line up for the event. It’s a bit more challenging and nerve wracking because you know what’s demanded of you on this kind of stage. As local artistes, we are thinking of perfection and doing better because we make this festival what it is. People travel and attend these festivals because of the standards that were left behind by earlier performers. So, we have to put in a lot of work,” he said.
The event will be held at Lusaka Polo Club on September 22-23, 2017. Tickets are available from Computicket and selected Stanbic branches for K1,500 VIP and K500 standard.