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A total Number of 108,595 candidates who sat for the General Certificate of Education (GCE) in 2016 have obtained certificates.
ZANIS reports that Ministry of General Education Permanent Secretary Henry Tukombe announced the results at a press briefing in Lusaka today.
Mr Tukombe, said that 37,050 representing (34.12%) were male and 71,545 representing (65.88%) were female.
He said a total of 124,780 registered candidates entered for the examinations, of whom 43,070 (34.5%) were male and 81,60 (65.5%) were female, representing an increase of 18.60% from the 2015 GCE examination.
“Of the 124,780 registered candidates, 116,883 (93.67) sat for the examination of whom 77,291 (66.13%) were female while 39,592 (33.87%) were male indicating that there were more female candidates sitting for the examination “said Mr Tukombe.
He added that a total number of 7,897 candidates were absent from the examinations, of whom 4,419 were female and 3,478 were male representing an absenteeism rate of 6.33% which is a decrease from 9.67% recorded in the 2015 GCE examination.
The permanent secretary noted that there is an increase in the proportion of candidates that obtained GCE certificates from 90% recorded in 2015 to 92% in 2016.
He said the ministry of education is happy that since the inception of the GCE examination, candidates have continued to increase and that government will continue with the programme.
Mr Tukombe, also disclosed that there were no reported cases of examination leakages during the 2016 examinations.
He advised candidates to collect statements of results from their respective examination centres.
The United kingdom University Consortium for Africa (UKUC) will be visiting Zambia next month to make an open presentation on scholarships.
First Secretary, Press and Public Relations at the Zambian High Commission in the United Kingdom Abigail Chaponda disclosed the development in a press statement issued to ZANIS, in Lusaka today.
Mrs. Chaponda said that the UKUC comprising of nine UK Universities that have voluntarily come together to support African students study in the UK will be in Zambia on 1st October, 2016.
Other countries yet to be visited in Southern Africa are Botswana and Zimbabwe between 25th September and 9th October.
She said the aim of the presentations is to assess student qualifications for conditional offers to study in the United Kingdom.
She has since appealed to parents and possible students interested to make online appointment for a one-to-one interview, or attend the scholarship presentation at Southern Sun Hotel from 10 am to 6 pm at no fee.
Mrs. Chaponda said the consortium stems from the significant contribution African students make to the UK Higher Education.
She further noted that Zambia’s High Commissioner to London recognizes this visit as a good opportunity for Zambians to ask questions and learn to explore the potential of studying in the UK.
Mrs. Chaponda said the Zambian High Commission in London is considering the possibility of signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the UK University Consortium for Africa, to allow prospective students obtain up to 30 per cent discounted university tuition fees throughout the 9 universities that form the consortium.
Mrs. Chaponda added that Chief Executive Officer of UKUC Tim Hunt will make the main presentation on The Truth about Scholarships.
Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya
Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya has directed the Ministry of Health to immediately recruit all nurses, midwives and Clinical Officers who have graduated today and in the recent past.
Dr Chilufya issued the directive when he officiated at the second combined graduation ceremony of 800 Clinical Officers, Nurses and Midwives from different health institutions in Lusaka today.
ZANIS reports the Minister disclosed that, the country’s health sector is in need of 17,000 health personnel, but that only 11,000 are employed leaving a deficit of 6,000 health workers.
Dr Chilufya, who is also Mansa Central Member of Parliament, stated that government will strengthen and modernise the health care system and develop human capital at all levels especially in rural areas in its quest to improve provision of quality health care services in the country.
And General Nursing Council of Zambia (GNC) registrar, Beatrice Zulu thanked government for the support it renders to the nursing and midwifery profession.
Ms Zulu also urged the graduates to uphold and protect the Nursing and Midwifery’s ethics and code of conduct as they serve patients.
More than 800 students among them Clinical Officers, Nurses and Midwives from different Health training schools graduated at a colourful ceremony held at Mulungushi International Conference Centre today.
Clinical Officers, Nurses and Midwives constitute the largest workforce of health workers in the ministry of Health.
It is no secret that we are going through one of the worst economic turbulence of our time. Our coffers are dry. The country’s debt has risen by 170% from 3.5billion dollars in 2011 to over 9.7billion dollars today.
Zambia has three outstanding Euro bonds totalling over 2.9billion dollars and with an estimated annual interest on the bonds at 240million dollars the amount required to service the interest and repay the principal is about 440million dollars annually.
Considering the fact that all the foreign debt is in dollars, Zambia has to significantly pay more owing to the weak Kwacha that has drastically depreciated from about K5 to a dollar in recent years to about K9 to a dollar as at close of business today. This means that money which is supposed to finance key sectors of the economy such as health, agriculture, energy and education has to be diverted to servicing the debt.
Zambia’s trade deficit has continued rising owing to the dwindling levels of production due in part to the deepening power deficit and high cost of production which have led to massive job losses and in extreme cases closure of companies particularly in the mining and manufacturing sector.
The widening fiscal deficit posses a key challenge on how the ballooning budget deficits shall be financed in the coming months and years as the GDP has continued to shrink from an estimated 7% to a paltry 3.8%.
The cost of living has escalated way beyond the reach of many households owing to a rise in the cost of essential goods and services as a result of high inflation, which has nearly tripled from 7% in 2014 to about 20.5% in 2016 as well as the rise in the cost of production as a result of increased electricity tariffs and fuel prices. This has been worsened by the depreciation of the national currency which has eroded the purchasing power.
Poverty levels have continued to worsen especially among women and youths. Tightening of the monetary policy by the central bank has not helped matters as it has resulted into high interest rates thus constricting spending by denying small and medium scale businesses access to loans to finance and expand their businesses.
What the 2016/17 Budget Should be Focused On
Looking at the challenges facing the country as itemized above it is crucial that deliberate measures be taken to ensure prudent and efficient management of available resources in order to reduce deficits, cut debt, spar growth, create jobs, reduce the cost of living and improve the lives of our people.
The Minister of Finance in his presentation of the National Budget should take into serious consideration the following things:
The Ministry of Finance should come up with stringent regulatory measures to enhance transparency and accountability in the management of public resources and implementation of the budget lines. Government must avoid budget over-runs by strictly adhering to approved budget lines in the disbursement and use of public funds.
Government must reduce unnecessary public expenditure by cutting down on excessive and unnecessary financing of non-productive ventures such as payment of hefty allowances to senior Government officers, buying of SUVs for senior Government officers and holding of workshops. The savings from such austerity measures should be channeled to the productive sectors of our economy to enhance growth.
Government must avoid the contraction of further debt and establish mechanisms which will enhance efficient and prudent management of the existing debt.
The bulk of the money in the National Budget should be allocated to the productive side and not to the consumptive side of the economy.
Not less than 20% of the budget must be apportioned to Agriculture in order to create jobs, create wealthy, cut-down trade-deficits and increase foreign exchange earnings. This should include investing in mechanisation, diversification, agro-processing, fish-farming and animal husbandry.
Government must reduce the cost of production by subsidising power, fuel and agro-inputs.
More money must be invested in the processing and manufacturing sector in order to create jobs especially for the youths.
A significant portion of the budget must be invested in alternative sources of energy such as solar, thermal, bio etcetera in order to end load-shedding and increase access to electricity.
Not less than 15% of the budget must be allocated to the health sector and particular emphasis must be put on the provision of primary health-care, training of medical personnel and provision of clean water and sanitation.
Funds for youth and women empowerment programs must be expanded and the disbursement of the fund must be streamlined and decentralised to ensure accountability and efficient use of the fund.
The budgetary allocation to education must significantly be increased and particular emphasis must be placed on improving the quality of and access to education.
Sufficient funds must be apportioned to empower and formalise the informal sector as a way of broadening the tax base and ensuring that the bulk of our people have social safety nets.
The existing tax regime must be revised particularly in the mining sector; re-introduce windfall tax to ensure that the mines pay a fair share of taxes.
Ms Chilando Chitangala A Councillor from Roma ward 17
The Ruling Patriotic Front has bowed to demands to have a woman as a candidate for the Position of Deputy Mayor of Lusaka following the move by Nkoloma ward one Councillor and President Edgar Lungu’s Daughter, Tasila, to contest the Position of Deputy Mayor.
In a statement released to the media, PF has decided to field Roma Ward 17 Councillor Chilando Chitangala as the candidate for position of Deputy Media.
According to the statement, the candidature of Councillor Chitangala has been welcomed and endorsed by all PF Lusaka district Councillors including Councillors Christopher Shakafuswa and Tasila Lungu.
Below is the full statement
For Immediate Release
Subject: Official Candidate for the Position of Deputy Mayor for the City of Lusaka
Following recent developments regarding the issue of election of the Deputy Mayor for the city of Lusaka and subsequent consultations on this issue which has generated a lot of interest we wish to announce that the PF official candidate for the position of Deputy Mayor for Lusaka is Councillor Chilando Chitangala.
She is councillor for Roma Ward 17 of Mandevu constituency. The candidature of Councillor Chitangala has been welcomed and endorsed by all PF Lusaka district Councillors including Councillors Christopher Shakafuswa and Tasila Lungu.
It is our trust and confidence that Ms Chitangala will receive full support from all Councillors as she endeavours to provide leadership as Deputy Mayor after elections slated for Monday 26th September 2016.
Issued by PF Secretary General Davies Mwila
September 23, 2016.
President Edgar Lungu with Lusaka Councillors at State House
Hip hop supremo Cleo Ice Queen joins Africa’s elite in Season 2 of Coke Studio
Musicians, actors and A-list socialites joined DJ, rapper and diva Cleo Ice Queen last night (September 22) for the celebrity event of the year to launch the latest series of Coke Studio.
After months of anticipation, the new season of the widely acclaimed reality show Coke Studio Africa hits Zambia’s TV screens in October on QTV, with the Zambian icon among the top names in the series. The show premieres tonight(Friday, September 23 at 18hrs, with a new episode every Friday.
Introducing Coke Studio at a glittering preview event in Lusaka, Cleo said: “Making music is an amazing journey, and Coke Studio really shows the talent, effort and fun that artists put into their craft. I’m just so pleased that Zambian music fans can now have a chance to share that passion on QTV.”
Each week Coke Studio will bring together artists from across Africa to come up with original material, and all within 48 hours. That means they have to write, produce and perform their hits in two days. No pressure!
Nandi Madida, née Mngoma and Trevor “Trey” Sineke will be presenting the second season of the show. Back by popular demand, lovers of New Original Music can look forward to the show featuring some of Africa’s hottest artists.
In addition to Cleo Ice Queen, the Coke Studio Season 2 artist line-up will include continental collaborations consisting of AKA and Patoranking a Nigerian super star. Cassper Nyovest pairs up with legend Diamond Platnumz from Tanzania and Angola’s hottest property Landrick pairs up with Ash Muzic. Pairings from rapper Nasty C with Buffalo Soulja, SAMA-award winning Rap artist Fifi Cooper with Ryki and other exciting fusions promise to bring next level entertainment for music enthusiasts.
Coke Studio will feature the best producers in the industry, including Sketchy Bongo, Gemini Major and Mobi Dixon, each bringing their unique sounds and talents to the show. “We are so excited to bring music lovers another season of Coke Studio, showing off Pan-African talent while they do what they do best,” says Coca-Cola Marketing Activations Manager for Zambia and, Malawi, Takunda Jinda. “Coca-Cola has a passion for the authentic music process, and as a brand, we are proud to be able to share the process of creating New Original Music with our Zambian audience,” he continues.
The catch is, artists will have only 48 hours to create their tracks, with the added pressure of all their ups and inevitable downs caught on camera. All of this will culminate in an epic performance, hosted by the lovely Nandi.
Other familiar faces from Season One, such as hit maker Riky Rick and pop sensation Jimmy Nevis, will once again return, now in mentorship roles, guiding fellow artists through the music-making process.
Coke Studio Season 2 also features Trey, a season one alumni and producer, taking viewers on a journey across South Africa. His mission will be to pair the best talent for the ultimate track in the final episode. “Make sure to tune in every week to see who will have their name written all over the incredible final track” concludes Takunda.
To be part of the wavey conversation, use the hashtag #CokeStudioZA. Visitwww.cokestudio.co.za for more information.
Cleo Ice Queen collaborates with South African artiste Bucie on Coke Studio track “Simunye”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2if7mbtpEE
About Coke Studio Africa
Coke Studio Africa is a non-competitive show which seeks to bring together and showcase the diversity of African musical talent. It also gives upcoming artistes the opportunity to work with some of the best local and international music and production talent. It brings together performers from different genres, eras and regions to create a modern and authentic African sound through musical fusion.
Newly appointed Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini taking orth before President Edgar Lungu during swearing in Ceremony
President Edgar Lungu receives latter of orth from Newly appointed Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini during swearing in CeremonyNewly appointed Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini taking orth before President Edgar Lungu and his Vice President Inonge Wina during swearing in CeremonyNewly appointed Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini signs in the books whilst President Edgar Lungu (l) First Speaker of the National Assembly Catherine Namugala (2nl) and second Speaker of the National Assembly Mwemba Malama (third fron left) looks on shortly after swearing in Ceremony at State HousePresident Edgar Lungu congratulates Newly appointed Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini during swearing in CeremonyNewly appointed first Speaker of the National Assembly Catherine Namugala taking orth before President Edgar Lungu and his Vice President Inonge Wina during swearing in CeremonyNewly appointed first Speaker of the National Assembly Catherine Namugala taking orth before President Edgar Lungu during swearing in CeremonyPresident Edgar Lungu receives latter of orth from Newly appointed first Speaker of the National Assembly Catherine Namugala during swearing in CeremonyPresident Edgar Lungu congratulates Newly appointed first Speaker of the National Assembly Catherine Namugala during swearing in CeremonyNewly appointed second Speaker of the National Assembly Mwemba Malama taking orth before President Edgar Lungu during swearing in CeremonyNewly appointed first Speaker of the National Assembly Catherine Namugala taking orth before President Edgar Lungu during swearing in Ceremony
Newly appointed second Speaker of the National Assembly Mwemba Malama taking orth before President Edgar Lungu and his Vice President Inonge Wina during swearing in Ceremony
President Edgar Lungu chats with Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini(right) First Speaker of the National Assembly Catherine Namugala and Newly appointed second Speaker of the National Assembly Mwemba Malama during swearing in CeremonyPresident Edgar Lungu chats with Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini(right) First Speaker of the National Assembly Catherine Namugala and Newly appointed second Speaker of the National Assembly Mwemba Malama during swearing in CeremonyPresident Edgar Lungu sweaing in Dr Patrick Matibine as Speaker of National assembly at Statehouse in LusakaPresident Edgar Lungu (c) Vice President Inonge Wina (2nl) Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini(2nr) First Speaker of the National Assembly Catherine Namugala (r) and Newly appointed second Speaker of the National Assembly Mwemba Malama (l) taking official photo after swearing in Ceremony at State HousePresident Edgar Lungu chats with Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini(right) First Speaker of the National Assembly Catherine Namugala and Newly appointed second Speaker of the National Assembly Mwemba Malama during swearing in Ceremony
President Edgar Lungu sweaing in Dr Patrick Matibine as Speaker of National assembly at Statehouse in Lusaka
President Edgar Lungu says he is open and available to consultations and visitations from the National Assembly.
President Lungu said he will freely avail himself at all times to the National Assembly Speaker Dr Patrick Matibini, Members of Parliament (MPs) and National Assembly staff.
Mr. Lungu also assured the Speaker, MPs and all National Assembly staff of continued enjoyment of their full rights and privileges accorded to them under the law.
ZANIS reports that the Head of State said this at State House in Lusaka today when he swore-in the Speaker Dr. Matibini, National Assembly first Deputy Speaker Catherine Namugala and Second Deputy Speaker Mwimba Malama.
“I shall be freely accessible to you Mr. Speaker, MPs and all National Assembly staff at all times as well as interpret their words and actions in most favourable manner,” the President said.
Dr. Matibini, Mrs. Namugala and Mr. Malama took their oaths where they pledged to show their allegiance, preserve and defend the republican constitution in the execution of their duties.
And speaking during the same event, National Assembly Speaker Patrick Matibini said MPs would also access themselves freely to the Head of State.
Earlier, National Assembly Clerk Doris Mwinga disclosed that the trio were this morning elected by the MPs in accordance with the Constitution Article 82 (6) and National Assembly Standing Orders 4 and 5.
Mrs. Mwinga further disclosed that Mrs. Namugala and Mr. Malama were elected with Standing Order 5 (16) provision.
“The Members of Parliament shall elect, by secret ballot, a Speaker of the National Assembly from a list of names of persons, who are qualified to be elected as Members of Parliament, but are not Members of Parliament, submitted to the National Assembly by the President; political parties holding seats in the National Assembly, a person is qualified to be elected as Speaker of the National Assembly if that person is a citizen by birth or descent; does not have dual citizenship; has been ordinarily resident in Zambia; and is at least thirty-five years old,” the Constitution reads in part.
Earlier in the day, the National Assembly elected Dr. Matibini as Speaker while Mrs. Namugala and Mr. Malama went un-opposed during the elections.
The today’s ceremony was witnessed by republican Vice President Inonge Wina, PF Secretary General Davies Mwila and his Deputy Mumbi Phiri , Some Cabinet Ministers, Secretary to Cabinet Roland Msiska, and other senior government officials attended the swearing in ceremony at State House .
President Lungu Speaking to Journalists
President Edgar Lungu says he is not the right person to decide over the fate of Miles Sampa who has applied to be readmitted into the PF.
President Lungu said as much as he has forgiven Mr Samoa and forgotten all the insults he directed at him, the ultimate decision over his application lies in the hands in the party’s Central Committee.
“Remember I spoke at the thanksgiving rally we had at Woodlands Stadium and I said those that are coming, the Central Committee would have to determine, I don’t want to prejudice anyone’s chance of coming back to the party but the truth of the matter is that my eyes are on the ball and the ball is to take the country forward and develop,” President Lungu said.
“You know there are a lot of people who insulted us, called us names but I can neither say the party has forgiven them or forgotten because it does not lie within me as a person. It lies in the party, it’s a matter we leave to the party., for me I forgive and forget and move on but the party is bigger than Edgar Lungu,” he said.
And President Lungu says the UPND is free to take the matter of the presidential petition to the International Court of Justice as long as they follow the law.
“They are free to go any where as long as they follow the law, we have no problem and we will not stop them,’ President Lungu said.
THE Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has today adjourned a hearing for Lusaka Martha Mushipe to November,18th, 2016, after she requested for more time to respond to a complaint letter against her conduct before the Constitutional Court.
LAZ this week summoned Ms. Mushipe who is also a senior counsel for the UPND to appear before its legal practitioners’ committee for alleged misconduct during the Constitutional Court’s hearing of the presidential election petition.
Catherine Namugala at the media briefing
Dr Patrick Matibini was this morning re-elected as Speaker of the National Assembly after going through unopposed.
Dr Matibini will chair proceedings of the 12th session of the National Assembly which makes its first sitting next week Friday.
Former Mafinga MP Catherine Matibini was also unopposed for the position of First Deputy Speaker.
Mfuwe MP Mwimba Malama was elected Second Deputy Speaker after he also went through unopposed.
The opposition parties in the House did not field any candidates.
Mwansa in the community searching for nominees and conducting surveys for Zoona
Money Transfer leader ,Zoona, has partnered with Zambian Woman of the year; Community Service Award winner Mwansa Bwale in a campaign targeted towards recognising and awarding young female entrepreneurs as well as change agents making a difference in their communities. This is under Zoona’s theme #HelpingCommunitiesThrive. The campaign was launched in August 2016, with initial focus of Lusaka. The competition is open to young females below the age of 35 with proven track record of their work.
Mwansa had this to say “We want to discover and reward female entrepreneurs in Lusaka who are helping their communities thrive. So we need the public to nominate these women entrepreneurs including change agents operating in Lusaka, ie, even someone running a self-made orphanage/organization. One of these women will be chosen weekly to get a ZMK3000 prize, to be collected from their local Zoona booth. After 3 Weeks, we will have a GRAND DRAW and the final winner will receive slightly more. To enter our competition, nominate your community hero by COMMENTING their full name in the zoona posts on my page. I will contact you for their inspirational story which I’ll post on my page for people to read . Let us spread the word and HELP COMMUNITIES THRIVE through zoona!!! Follow #IloveZoona and my page, Together let’s help the young women who are helping their communities thrive”.
The first winner was Zanji Valarie Sinkala whose track record, vision and focus is profound. Judges couldn’t help but be in Awe of the amazing works she’s doing in her community. Zoona is happy to support her cause so she can continue helping her community thrive.
Below is Zanji’s story:
“My name is Zanji Valerie Sinkala and I am a passionate advocate for women and youth empowerment. I am the founder of a non-profit organization called Ku Mwanachi, which means ‘To The Woman’ in my tribe Namwanga and signifies that all things are possible to the woman regardless of her gender and background and she can achieve all the success this world has to offer. There is a famous Chinese proverb that my mother always quotes, and it says “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” It is based on this proverb that I founded Ku Mwanachi, which aims at contributing to Women Economic Empowerment through educating low income female entrepreneurs (mainly marketeers) in business essentials in order for them to educate their children, provide health care for their families and improve their standard of living. The biggest milestone for the Ku Mwanachi initiative had been to register it in order to create credibility with different networks. Moreover, some potential investors were interested in partnering with the foundation to sponsor it’s training’s but this proved to be a challenge because we lacked the necessary documentation, therefore dragging the whole process altogether. However, it came as an amazing opportunity when I got a call from Mwansa Bwale a few days ago. I couldn’t hold back the tears of joy when she informed me that I had won the first round of the Zoona Competition.
Zanji and the women she supports in her community
I was overjoyed because this miracle happened at the perfect moment. Finally, I had enough money to set the required documentation in place and prepare for the foundation’s business essentials training which, in faith, had been set to take place in 3 weeks time! A week before this happened, a friend of mine recommended me for the Zoona Competition. I must say, I was a bit skeptical because I thought I didn’t stand a chance because my accomplishments paled in comparison to the formidable participants that were nominated. I surely count it a rare privilege and honor to be counted amongst these women.
I do not have so many friends on Facebook so obviously I didn’t expect to win considering that one of the conditions of winning was to have the ‘most Facebook likes’. I knew i didn’t stand a chance, so I gave up and forgot about it. However, I strongly believed that all the nominated participants were doing a great job in helping their communities so I really didn’t care so much about who won but instead hoped that whoever did would continue to help their communities thrive.
zanji with some women in Bauleni
Today I am so grateful that I was chosen to be the first winner and that many ambitious female entrepreneurs my foundation is empowering will be helped immensely through this Zoona prize. It is true that when you educate a woman you educate the world, and therefore, as an organization, we have taken particular interest in the woman because she has a great deal of potential and influence. Take for example our youngest participant Harriet, a 20 year old lady who dropped out of school in Grade 9 due to lack of school fees and hence opted to start selling clothes at the market in order to raise tuition fees. Harriet has neither business training nor experience whatsoever. She confessed that she has not been able to raise the money needed for her school because business is tough lately. However, Harriet makes an average profit of k30 a day. If only she can be taught on how to prudently manage her small business, I believe she, and many other young ladies like her, can achieve their dreams of completing an education.
zanji with some women in chunga
This October, Ku Mwanachi Foundation will conduct a training seminar on business essentials for various low income female entrepreneurs. In this training, the foundation will educate these marketeers on the importance of banking as opposed to ‘holding’, a practice widely popular among marketeers, open bank accounts for them in order for them to save money more effectively, teach them on how to prudently manage their merger resources, diversify their business, educate the women on the importance of sending their children- especially the girl child- to school and on how they can be self-reliant, thereby reducing the occurrences of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in our communities. A total of 20 women from N’gombe, Chawama, Chunga and Bauleni Compounds have been selected to participate in this seminar. Using the funds from Zoona, efforts of the training and the foundation at large have been realized at a faster rate. Thank You Zoona.”
A week later another phenomenal young entrepreneur was nominated and also awarded K3000 by Zoona. Thabo Joy Masiye. Hers was delivered in style before she was awarded the money at her community Zoona kiosk.
On Saturday 17th September Kupes Young Women’s Network held their first Conference at Intercontinental Hotel in Lusaka. Thabo happened to be a member of the network so Mwansa Bwale represented Zoona at the event by surprising Thabo as the competition’s second winner. That was followed by her receiving the money at a Zoona kiosk the next day.
Thabo at Kupes young womens conference
Below is Thabo’s story:
“My name is Thabo Joy Masiye. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Bugema University Kampala, Uganda and am currently Pursuing ACCA.
I am a self-driven and highly motivated individual. I believe in one working towards their full potential. It is through my desire and determination to be that independent hardworking woman that has made me the woman I am today. A proud entrepreneur.
I am the founder of Thabo’s Trendz (Clothing line) and also Thabo’s Jewels (Jewelry line). I taught myself how to design and hand-make jewelry. The fun part about creative designing is that mistakes actually turn out to be unique designs.
I have a great passion for art and it has always been my goal to pass on this great feeling of spending every day of your life doing what you love. For this reason, I am founder of the ‘Who I am Campaign’. This is an organization aimed at empowering young people to discover their Godly given talents and make use of them.
I want to help bring out the entrepreneur in as many youths as I can reach. I want to help get rid of the typical mentality of going through school with the belief that at the end of the road someone will create a job for you. I want to help raise a new era of youths that are self-motivated and determined to live up to their dreams and not depending on another person’s efforts to create a job for them. We are all different for a reason; each one can make a difference. We need to close the gap between employment and unemployment and I am determined to do this.
Thabo wearing her designs
When I was nominated for the Zoona Challenge, I was so humbled and honored to know that people out there appreciate my work and recognize it. I was determined to not let them and myself down, I have come a long way I make time for every opportunity that comes my way. I submitted my bio at our first Kupes Young Women’s Network Conference (Founded by Mrs. Norena Chiteba) that Mwansa Bwale (Community Ambassador at ‘I love Zoona’) announced me as the winner of the competition. I was so flattered, indeed God is a gentleman, He always opens doors for us if we let Him.
I plan to invest this money into my business which will help me generate more capital to meet the expenses of the ‘Who I am Campaign’. Since the conference, I must say, a lot of people are geared to come on board and help me make this campaign a success. It’s all about young people working for young people to create a better Zambia and world at large. We will spread the spirit of entrepreneurship mindset to as far as we can go.
thabo wearing her designs
Thank you Zoona for investing in me and my work to make a difference in my community and country at large. By building an entrepreneurship mindset in young people, they will be willing to discover and develop their God given talents to create employment for themselves and their families too.
Thank you again to Zoona for this great opportunity. Your investment in young entrepreneurs is surely not in vain.”
Thabo recieving her prize
The competition continues as Zoona’s search for the 3rd community heroine through Mwansa Bwale intensifies. After the 3rd winner is identified and awarded, the public will then vote for the Final winner out of the 3 heroines and Zoona will award her K5000.
Zoona continues to help communities thrive through providing the quickest and most reliable and affordable means of sending and receiving money at minimal costs. It takes pride in supporting young entrepreneurs who are in need of perhaps some extra cash. Mwansa Bwale is excited about this partnership because of her passion in community engagement and supporting her fellow young women aspiring to make a difference in their communities. She encourages young people to create their own employment than wait for government to give them jobs.
Mwansa bwale at a Zoona booth
Follow the link below to Mwansa Bwale’s official Facebook page for updates about Zoona’s helping communities thrive campaign.
Pop star Emeli Sande says her new album was inspired by a “life-changing” trip to Zambia after her marriage ended.
The star, who grew up in Aberdeenshire, visited her father’s homeland in 2015, traveling to her grandmother’s village “deep, deep into the outback”.
“There’s no electricity, no running water,” she told BBC Radio 4’s Front Row. “But they’d light the fire and everyone would sing.”
“We took a lot of voice memos, and they’re sampled on the album.”
“There’s one track featuring my dad and my cousins, called Tenderly, and there’s a prayer for my auntie. “I feel like that [visiting Zambia] was such a big spiritual turning point for me.”
Sande returned from a four-year hiatus last week with a sweeping, cinematic new single, Hurts.
She said the lyrics were an emotional outburst, marking the first time she acknowledged the pain of divorcing her childhood sweetheart Adam Gouraguine in 2013.
“I mean, this was the only relationship I’d ever experienced,” she told the BBC, “so to finally be without him and without the relationship in my life, it took a lot of adjusting.
“Even just a small thing like learning how to handle myself in the real world. It was like a crash course in life.
“The shock of it all made me forget about the emotion for a while – put it off, put it off, put it off.
“[A] close friends I’ve had since primary school, she told me later on, ‘It was just really weird, you were acting as if you were fine for so long, and not addressing anything. I was really freaked out when I saw you because you said, “oh yeah, I’m fine, I’m cool.”‘”
“So Hurts came when I felt a bit more stable and ready to face it. This was the first time I addressed it within myself.”
Sande added that the end of her marriage had been partly responsible for her long break from music.
“I had to get myself to a state of full confidence, full energy before coming back.” she said. “This life, and the choice to be an artist, does take sacrifice. It affects everything. Your relationships, your mentality, your spirit.
“Everything is affected by your choice in career.”
‘Is that the same girl?’
Sande’s debut album Our Version of Events earned two Brit Awards and an invitation to sing for President Obama at the White House.
But her relatives in Zambia were unaware of her career success until her father brought a portable generator to his village and played a DVD of her show at the Royal Albert Hall.
“All my cousins were sitting there watching the show, and clapping when the audience were clapping,” she said. “And then they all started turning around looking at me like, ‘wait a minute, is that the same girl?'”
Chartered Plane that took the President to Ne York lands at Kenneth Kaunda International AirportPresident Lungu being welcomed by Vice President Inonge WinaPresident Lungu being welcomed by Vice President Inonge WinaPresident Lungu being welcomed by Vice President Inonge WinaPresident Lungu being welcomed by Service ChiefsPresident Lungu being welcomed by Service ChiefsPresident Lungu being welcomed by Minister of National Planning Lucky MulusaPresident Lungu being welcomed by Minister of Finance Felix MuatatiPresident Lungu being welcomed by PF Secretary General Davies MwilaPresident Lungu Speaking to Journalists
