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Former Zambia midfielder Linos Makwaza is advising Chipolopolo to win home games in the final stage of the 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign.
Makwaza said it was worrying to see Zambia fail to win a single home game in their flopped 2017 Africa Cup qualifying campaign.
Zambia’s only Group E home win came in a 2-1 away victories over Kenya in September, 2015 and their only win to date at Levy was a 2-0 victory over Sudan in a preliminary round 2018 qualifier on November 15.
Since then, Zambia have gone on to draw 0-0 and 1-1 with Congo-Brazzaville and Kenya respectively in Group E qualifiers.
Zambia faces Nigeria in the opening Group B match of the Russia World Cup qualifiers on October 9 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola seeking their first home win in 2018.
“My main concern is the way we have been performing at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium. I think in the World Cup qualifiers we must take advantage of home games,” Makwaza said.
“It is very important for us to start the World Cup qualifiers with a win,” the Napsa Stars deputy coach said.
Makwaza tipped Zambia to perform well against Nigeria in the group opener.
“Zambia always performs well when they are playing big teams. Therefore we expect a good game against Nigeria,” he said.
Zambia will also tackle Cameroon and Algeria in Group B.
“The players must die a little for mother, we are behind them and we wish them the best.”
Zambia has never qualified to the FIFA World Cup at senior level.
South African kwaito musician Mduduzi ‘Mandoza’ Tshabalala has died.
His family has confirmed that he lost his battle to cancer on 18th september , about a year after he had been diagnosed with a brain tumor.
He was admitted to hospital a week ago, with his family later confirming that he was home and in a stable condition.
Mandoza was born in 1978 in the Zola South section of Soweto, where he shared a house with his mother, his grandparents and two sisters. He never knew his father, his mother claiming that he was murdered the same year Mandoza was born. When he was sixteen years old he was charged with stealing a car and received a one-and-a-half year sentence, which he served in Diepkloof prison.
When he was released from prison, Mandoza formed the group Chiskop along with three childhood friends, S’bu, Siphiwe and Sizwe.
His talents were discovered by Arthur Mafokate, also known as the King of Kwaito.
He was first played on air by DJ Sipho Mbatha, known as Sgqemeza, of Durban Youth Radio now joined Ukhozi FM.
Mandoza strives to give an inspirational message to Kwaito. Mandoza uses his music as a way to encourage young South Africans to achieve their goals. His song, Uzoyithola Kanjani, means “how are you going to get it, if you don’t get up and go for it.” He credits much of his success to his mentor, Glenn Morris, who helped him during his drug addled early years.[2]
Musical career
The group signed its first record contract eight years after its formation and released their debut album, Akusheshi, later followed by Relax.
Although Chiskop achieved great success and was widely seen to be at kwaito’s forefront, Mandoza also started a solo career; in 1999 he released the top-selling (more than 100,000 units sold) album 9II5 Zola South, for which he gained a 2000 FNB South African Music Awards Best Newcomer nomination.
He released the album Nkalakatha in 2000, produced by Gabi Le Roux, which won multi-platinum status. The title track became a crossover hit and reached the top of the charts on both traditionally black and white radio stations. This album won the Best Kwaito Music Album category and the album’s title track won the Song Of The Year category at the South African Music Awards in 2001. Mandoza also won in five of the ten categories at the 2001 Metro Music Awards: Best Kwaito Artist, Best Male Vocalist, Best Album, Best Styled Artist and Song Of The Year. Finally, also in 2001, Mandoza won the Best Artist – Southern Africa category at the Kora All Africa Music Awards. In 2003 Mandoza participated in the documentary film SHARP! SHARP! – the kwaito story, directed by Aryan Kaganof.
Mandoza’s music tries to “put a more constructive message into Kwaito.” Originally, Mandoza did not like the kwaito style, because of its lack of a message and tendency to focus on dancing and pleasure rather than on the plethora of social problems that exist in South Africa, even after apartheid ended in 1994.
Mandoza was voted 77th in the Top 100 Great South Africans in 2004.
In February 2005 it was announced that Mandoza would play a major supporting role in a new South African-made rugby union-themed feature film, Number 10, which would be directed by Academy Award nominee Darrell James Roodt. It was also announced that Mandoza would be contributing to the film’s soundtrack.
Mandoza sang in several of South Africa’s many languages, including English, Afrikaans, Zulu, and Xhosa, giving him wide appeal with South African Listeners.
Munali MP Professor Nkandu Luo helps with the Manja Pamodzi clean-up day in Mutendere.
Manja Pamodzi, the SABMiller Zambia recycling initiative, saw its latest cleaning offensive get off the ground in Mutendere this weekend, as part of a campaign to banish packaging waste from Lusaka’s streets.
Business activities in the area came to a near-standstill while shops and other service delivery points were closed during the clean-up operation. Residents who joined in the exercise cleared blocked gutters, swept up any mess, and picked up litter in the residential area, with some 100 participants collecting 3,754kg of waste during the day.
Newly-elected Munali Member of Parliament Professor Nkandu Luo together with France’s Ambassador to Zambia Emmanuel Cohet, and SABMiller staff members joined scores of enthusiastic residents who turned up to participate in the blitz-clean.
Speaking at the event, SABMiller Zambia marketing director Thomas Kamphuis said: “As a Zambian business that came up with a Zambian solution to a Zambian problem, we’re thrilled with the steady progress our Manja Pamodzi campaign is making. Its success so far is a clear vote of confidence from our communities, who have chosen to trust us by partnering with us in our quest for a cleaner environment with a thriving population. We are immeasurably grateful for this trust.”
He added that Manja Pamodzi is about more than just creating enterprise opportunities: “We are about giving people a sense of worth, a spirit of hope, a future to look forward to and a chance to take back ownership of their and our communities, through life skills and technical skill development.”
Elaine Kafwimbi, Manja Pamodzi project manager, said: “The project, supported by Millennium Challenge Account Zambia, German development organisation GIZ and the French Embassy in Zambia, is designed to empower people in local communities by adding value and sustainability within the already existing recycling structures.”
In just the last year since Manja Pamodzi was launched in August 2015, the project has collected, sorted and recycled 225.4 tonnes of waste: 168.9 tonnes of cartons, 35.36 tonnes of clear PET plastic bottles, 15.19 tonnes of brown PET plastic bottles, and 5.91 tonnes of HDPE plastic containers, with collectors generating K40,425 of income.
The collectors are identified through environmental education and sensitisation drives with a bias towards recycling. The collectors gather polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, cardboards and other recyclable materials from target areas in their communities. Aggregators thereafter buy the material in bulk and process the discarded material into bundles that are then sold to recycling companies to be processed into useable material such as tissues and egg trays.
Munali MP Professor Nkandu Luo helps with the Manja Pamodzi clean-up day in Mutendere.
OC is giving his fans a chance to win $1000 by submitting a dance video to his current single with Iyanya,“Tie your wrappa”.
He posted the following on his facebook page:
Submit your best dance “Tie Your Wrappa” video and get a chance to win $1000, VIP tickets to the annual #AEAUSA awards in New Jersey held on Oct 22nd 2016. Winner will also be featured in the Official Music Video.. All you have to do is make a video of you with the song “Tie Your Wrappa” playing in the background. Get the song in my bio or download at http://indimba.com/song_listen.php?id=1757
Contest ends on Oct 15th 2016
Winner will be picked by Organizers of AEA USA Awards and OC. Video will be judged on skills, quality and number of views.
Copperbelt Minister Bowman Lusambo delivering his speech during the 55th commemoration of the death of Dag HammarskjöldCopperbelt Minister Bowman Lusambo says there are still some unanswered questions surrounding the plane crash that killed late UN Secretary General Dag Hammarskjöld.
And Sweden, the country where Dag Hammarskjöld hailed from has disclosed that it will present a motion to the UN Security Council in January when it takes up one of the non-permanent seats on the Council seeking re-examination of the circumstances leading up to the plane crash.
Speaking during a solemn and moving ceremony at the crash site to mark 55 years since Dag Hammarskjöld was killed, Mr Lusambo who was the Guest of Honour said Zambia joins calls that the cause of the mysterious plane crash be established.
He said the testimonies from some eyewitnesses in Twapia Compound, some of them who are still alive should be considered in order to bring closure to the tragedy.
Mr Lusambo said the rest of the world needs to emulate the late Dag Hammarskjöld with his noble mission to promote peace.
He said President Edgar Lungu’s crusade for peace and unity under the umbrella of a One Zambia, One Nation motto should be supported by all including the members of the opposition.
“Let us continue to work for a better life for all, in the memory of Dag Hammarskjöld. Through his deeds and his words, Dag Hammarskjöld remains a source of inspiration for all,” Mr Lusambo said.
At the same event, Swedish Ambassador to Zambia Henrik Cederin revealed that his country will present a motion to the UN Security Council in January when it takes up one of the non-permanent seats on the Council seeking re-examination of the circumstances leading up to the plane crash.
Dag Hammarskjöld was the second Secretary-General of the United Nations from 1953 to 1961.
On the night of 17-18 September 1961, in the course of a UN mission to try to bring peace to the Congo, Dag Hammarskjöld’s Douglas DC-6 airplane crashed in Ndola killing him and fifteen others. Swedish Ambassador to Zambia Henrik Cederin speaking during the commemoration
Wreaths laid on the crash siteLaying a wealth on the crash site
FILE: Protesting Students at UNZATHE Zambia National Education Coalition (ZANEC) says it is working with the students unions in the country with the aim of ending violent protest each time students in tertiary institutions are aggrieved.
ZANEC board member Robert Shula who is in charge of skills and tertiary education said there is need to inculcate knowledge in students that stoning people’s vehicles every time they were aggrieved was not a solution to their academic challenges.
Mr Shula was speaking soon after a one day academic forum at Mulungushi University in Kabwe which was aimed at raising awareness on the operations of the NGO.
ZANEC which is a coalition of NGOs advocating for education, has been working with students unions through the Zambia National Students Union (ZANASU) since 2015 with the aim of enhancing academic freedoms.
“We have been working with ZANASU to encourage the students that there is no need to run to the road side each time they are not happy with the Government or the management.
“This is why we have been going round colleges and universities in Zambia to try and teach them on the values and norms, where they should start and where they should end.
Mr Shula expressed happiness with the response from both the Government and the students union to the academic forums that his organisation had been conducting throughout the country.
He said it was because of the working relationship between ZANEC and ZANASU that had seen students union apologized for unruly behaviour that had resulted into the closure of the University of Zambia (UNZA) and the Copperbelt University (CBU).
The students had realised that protests did not solve any problem and the only way forward was dialogue.
“They knew that you don’t find something good by stoning other people’s vehicles, and it is now on record that ZANASU felt sorry and apologized to the Government of Zambia and that it how the two universities were opened,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mulungushi University Union general secretary Patrick Hamwiita called on fellow students in all tertiary education institutions to desist from violence but embrace dialogue.
“All what we need is to speak with the office bearers, with the government as students in order to communicate our challenges in a right way,” he said.
Patriotic Front (PF) Shibuyunji District Chairperson Joseph Kasonde said the creation of the Ministry of National Guidance and Religious Affairs by President Edgar Lungu will fortify the declaration of Zambia as a Christian Nation, reports Pan African Radio Journalist Hermit Hachilonde.
In a statement unveiled to the media today the 18th September, 2016, Mr. Kasonde explained that the newly created religious Ministry will help to regulate the church mother bodies in Zambia.
Mr. Kasonde revealed that a number of mushrooming churches in Zambia have taken advantage of the vulnerable people in the communities.
He added that the freedom of worship and rights to assemble have been abuse in Zambia due to the absence of a national admistration in religious matters.
The PF Shibuyunji chairperson further stated that Zambia is now marred with many people masquerading as the clergy, affirming that there are just a money venture and other vices.
Mr. Kasonde has since complained that most of the clergy from the mushrooming churches have caused social problems among the congregants and they are never reprimanded by any superior body of church in the country.
“We welcome the creation of a religious ministry by his excellence president Edgar chagwa Lungu because it will consolidate the declaration of Zambia a christian nation” he said
The Zambia Society for Public Administration (ZSPA) have called on government to provide a clear direction on the focus areas for the 2017 National Budget.
ZSPA President Kelvin Saia says even as the Secretary to the Treasury has called for submissions from members of the public, there is need for increased sensitization on the areas of priority so that submissions made by the public are meaningful to the process.
Speaking in a press statement issued to ZANIS today, Mr. Saia said the government should clearly explain their development agenda to the nation to enable Zambians to easily audit the government.
He said Zambians would only do that when they have clearly understood the contents of the budget.
Mr. Esiasa noted that only the few elite clearly understand the composition of the budget and therefore it is important that citizens in rural areas are also given an opportunity to understand the budgeting system as it also affects them.
Meanwhile, the association president has called on the government to explain the meaning of the pronouncement of Kafue as the Steel and Iron industrial Zone.
Mr. Esiasa said Government should state what path will be taken to ensure that the town is adequately prepared for the development.
He said it is important that proper mechanisms are put in place including a favourable environment for both business and operations in order to create more investment in the country.
Scene of the Serenje accident
The driver of power tools bus which was involved in a Road Traffic Accident in Serenje, identified as Baron Chibuye, 39 has been charged with 22 counts of Causing Death by Dangerous Driving and will appear in court soon.
And the Driver of the Truck, Lucky Mulolo aged 36 has been Warned and Cautioned for three counts of Causing Death by Dangerous Driving.
He has not been charged yet because he is still admitted in Serenje Hospital.
22 bodies of the deceased have so far been identified with only three yet to be identified, that of one male adult, one female adult and a female juvenile aged about two years.
Police Deputy Spokesman Esther Katongo said “We hope that by the end of the day today, all the remaining bodies will be identified.”
Meanwhile, two inmates from Zambia Correction Service in Livingstone have died while 41 others mainly footballers have sustained injuries after their vehicle failed to negotiate a curve along Mukuni Road.
Those involved in the accident were eight officers from Zambia Correctional Service, 21 inmates and 14 soccer fans.
And a check by Times of Zambia at Livingstone Central Hospital yesterday evening found scores of medical officers attending to various injuries while a Dead End Sign Post at the accident scene was uprooted and had blood stains.
Southern Province Commissioner of Police Godwin Phiri said the accident happened yesterday (Sunday) at 15:20 hours along Mukuni road Livingstone.
Mr Phiri said the accident involved Jimmy Hachilala, an officer at the Zambia Correctional Service in Livingstone who was driving a Bedford truck with registration number P.S. 3206 with 42 passengers on board.
“The vehicle belongs to Zambia Correctional Service. The accident happened when the driver failed to negotiate a curve due to excessive speed in the process the truck overturned on the left side of the road causing fatal and serious injuries to the passengers.
“41 victims are admitted to Livingstone Central Hospital while two inmates died on the spot namely Hadson Mwene, 34, and Mudenda Budget who is in the early 30s,” Mr Phiri said.
He said the vehicle was extensively damaged while the driver is also admitted to hospital.
Livingstone Mayor Eugene Mapuwo, who rushed to the Hospital to visit the injured, described the accident as a huge tragedy in Zambia’s Tourist Capital and conveyed his condolences to the be revealed families.
Mr Mapuwo, who also wished the survivors a quick recovery, urged the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) to put more signage at the Mukuni Road curve to minimise road accidents.
MTN SA has pulled the plug on its mobile money service because of the lack of commercial viability in a country where about three-quarters of the population had bank accounts.
This comes four months after Vodacom closed a similar product called M-Pesa in SA, which had been meant to duplicate the uptake of Kenya’s similarly named, but more successful mobile money transfer service.
Mobile money services that enable customers to transfer funds using their phones are popular in other parts of Africa, particularly where people have limited access to traditional bank accounts.
“The operating cost of providing a mobile money platform has become prohibitive,” said MTN SA chief consumer officer Larry Annetts. However, he said the company’s decision to shelve its mobile money service did not signify a complete exit from financial services.
MTN said its decision did not mean a complete exit from financial services. “MTN is still committed to remaining a significant player in the financial services space, and we are exploring opportunities in financial services space and other adjacent sectors.”
“MTN will be introducing innovative and customised financial services products in the near future, as it strives to lead the delivery of a bold new digital world to its customers,” said Annetts.
MTN SA launched its mobile money platform in 2012, and partnered with Pick n Pay and Boxer to offer its money remittance platform. It said the platform attracted over 2-million registered customers.
Mobile money services such as M-Pesa and MTN Mobile Money have failed in SA partly because the local banking sector is more developed than it is elsewhere on the continent.
Glencore, the world’s largest diversified commodities trader
Mining giant to pay damages after court rules sulphur dioxide emissions at copper plant led to death of politician
Toxic fumes from one of Glencore’s copper plants in Zambia caused the death of a politician, the African country’s high court said, in a ruling that could trigger fresh claims against the company.
The London-listed mining and commodities trader was ordered to pay 400,000 Zambian kwacha (£30,000) in damages to the widower of Beatrice Mithi, apolitician who died after inhaling sulphur dioxide released by Glencore subsidiary Mopani Copper Mines.
The ruling in June means Glencore could face new claims from residents of the Mufulira district, where local people have long complained of health problemsallegedly caused by emissions from Mopani’s copper smelter.
Laywers for Glencore contested the claim, citing an environmental indemnity agreement signed with the Zambian government in 2000.
However, a judge in Kabwe, in Zambia’s Copperbelt region,ruled that the agreement did not apply because sulphur dioxide emissions had exceeded legal limits.
“By emitting sulphur dioxide into the environment exceeding statutory limitations [Mopani Copper Mines] breached its duty of care owed to her [Mithi] and the community,” the ruling said.
Mr Justice Sichinga also dismissed evidence from two doctors, who claimed that asthma, diabetes and heart problems may have caused her death.
The legal battle featured in the Rundschau programme on the SRF TV channel in Switzerland.
A postmortem found that Mithi died from “acute respiratory failure due to inhalation of toxic fumes” at a church service on New Years’ Eve in 2013.
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The FTSE 100 firm completed a £300m project in 2014 to build an acid plant to raise the capture of sulphur dioxide from 50% to 97%.
The Switzerland-based commodities and mining giant is appealing against the decision in Zambia’s supreme court.
In a statement, Glencore cited “procedural irregularities” in the ruling, saying the judge did not consider evidence that its defence team submitted.
Glencore said the judge “misinterpreted” defence evidence and disputed any link between emmissions at Mopani’ and Mithi’s death.
Traidcraft, which is campaigning for greater legal accountability for companies operating overseas, said: “This is yet another case of an irresponsible company, listed in the UK, causing serious harm through its operations in a developing country.
“The decision of the Zambian high court in this case is welcome, but it’s hard to see how it will have much of a deterrent effect on this or other companies.
“The government have an opportunity right now to deal with this. They are looking at how to prosecute companies for ‘white collar’ crimes but this could be extended to consider other serious corporate crimes, including failure to deal with severe pollution or causing deaths.”
Glencore bought Mopani Copper Mines in 2000, inheriting a longstanding sulphur emissions problem that has fuelled simmering tension with the community.Anger at emissions erupted in riots in August 2014.
It has previously enjoyed immunity from claims relating to the period between 2000 and 2014 thanks to its environmental liability agreement.
Power Dynamos are through to the 2016 Barclays Cup semifinals after eliminating defending champions Green Buffaloes.
Power beat Buffaloes 2-1 at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka on Sunday to defeat the defending champions for a second successive match.
The two sides met last weekend in Kitwe when Power beat Buffaloes 4-1 in a league game at Arthur Davies Stadium.
Patson Daka, who scored a brace in that game in Kitwe, was again on target in Lusaka when he headed-in Francis Kasonde’s cross in the 13th minute.
Kennedy Mudenda then made easy work of Buffaloes stationary defence in the 25th minute minute to put Power in command of the match.
Buffaloes consolation came in the 49th minute from ex-Power striker Lottie Phiri.
The win was payback time for Power who lost 5-3 on post-match penalties of the 2015 Barclays Cup at the same stage and at the same venue by the same side after a 0-0 full-time result.
The 2019 and 2011 champions join Nkana and Zanaco in the semifinals scheduled for October 10 at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe.
The three teams await aw the winner between Konkola Blades and Zesco United in the semifinal draws to be made by FAZ.
That match has been rescheduled due to Zesco’s on-going 2016 CAF Champions League semifibnal fixtures on September 17 at home and September 24 away in Pretoria against Mamelodi Sundown of South Africa.
President Lungu with US Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Lind Thomas Greenfield (third from right) after she paid a courtesy call on President Lungu at Waldorg Astoria Hotel in New York on Saturday
United States of America Under Secretary of State for African Affairs Linda Thomas Greenfield has congratulated President Edgar Lungu on his re-election, saying his second tenure in office is a clear manifestation of the Zambian people on his leadership.
She noted that although there were some flaws in the electoral process, President Lungu was duly elected and he is a legitimate president whom the US government recognizes.
“President Lungu you have been inaugurated and you are the President of Zambia known within and internationally,” said Ms Greenfield.
Speaking during a closed door meeting at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York yesterday, the US Under Secretary of State for African Affairs said her government recognises President Lungu’s re-election and advised him to promote political dialogue as Zambia’s Head of State.
She however warned that the US government would not tolerate violence and political instability saying those that will found wanting will be held accountable for their deeds.
The US envoy said the US government has been keenly following the democratic trends in Zambia and that her government will continue to work with the Zambia government to foster development.
Ms Greenfield pointed out that the Zambian military personnel in peace keeping missions abroad were the
best the US has worked with as they have shown exemplary behaviour during trainings and other military engagements.
The US Under Secretary has since pledged her country’s continued financial support for Zambian military training and increase the number of personnel in various trainings.
She cited the Mandela-Washington fellowship programme as one of the programmes many Zambians have benefited from and more others will be engaged in.
And President Edgar Lungu commended the United States government for its continued commitment to Africa. Mr. Lungu has since assured Ms Greenfield that his administration will continue to promote democratic principles to in order to move the country forward.
He further told her that his government has in this vain given back media operating licenses that were suspended to some broadcasting houses due to unprofessional conduct which he said threatened the unity and security of the nation.
Recently , the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) announced that it has lifted its ban on the broadcasting licences on two community broadcasting houses.
IBA Chairman Justin Mutale, the IBA board chairperson , said the move followed the three Stations’ adherence to the operating licences they were earlier issued.
The three are the Itezhi Tezhi Community Radio Station and Muvi TV, respectively.
President Lungu also disclosed government will now embark on measures to improve the economic status of the country.
He explained that some of the measures his government will take includes cutting un necessary subsidies on fuel and electricity which he said will bring hardships in the beginning but will help improve the economic status of the nation in the long run.
This is contained in a statement from the Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations Amos Chanda.
File:NCHANGA Mine rescure Team B Captain Jonathan Kolala inspects air underground during the Zambia Mine Rescure Association competetion at Namundwe Mine
The emotive issue of foreign skills in mining and other fields
Are foreign skills – whether in mining or any other field – a blessing or a curse? Are they good or bad for the country that hosts them?
That is the question posed in this week’s article in the Mining for Zambia website.
Zesco United’s Jesse Were, who is from Kenya, is cited as an example of a foreign-born football player who has made a real contribution to his Zambian team; he scored six goals in two games earlier this season. Were is one of six foreign players in Zesco United’s 30-man squad, which means foreigners make up 20% of the team.
“Football clubs – whether in Europe or Zambia – look far and wide for players who can give them the edge over their competition,” the article says, referring to the skills, international knowledge and experience of other leagues that they bring.
“This approach to recruitment is really no different to that taken by a modern mining company. [It] is also judged on success, and bases its successes on the skills and experience of its management and workers.”
Mining companies, like football teams, operate in an increasingly competitive global industry. The use of highly qualified expatriates with special skills is a natural response to that, adding to the overall firepower of the team.
Yet, Zambian mines do not actually employ much expatriate labour, because Zambia has a long history of mining, and training people at the highest levels.
Zambians can be found in senior executive positions at all of Zambia’s copper mines. At Mopani, for example, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Financial Officer and the Chief Services Officer are all Zambians.
A 2014 study on the industry by the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) found that expatriates represented barely 1-2% of the workforce, whether contractors or direct employees. That compares with 8% in Peru and 17% in Tanzania.
“So, Zambia’s mining industry is actually far more Zambian than many give it credit for,” the article says.
Furthermore, Zambia is also an exporter of talent. “We have our own high-flying expats – such as Norman Mbazima, currently CEO of Kumba Iron Ore in South Africa, and Anthony Mukutuma, the General Manager at First Quantum’s Guelb Moghrein copper mine in Mauritania,” the article says.
Zambian graduates from the University of Zambia’s School of Mines can be found in high-level careers, both in mining and academia, in Finland, Australia and other parts of Africa.
“Expatriates are heavily represented in some of the world’s most successful economies, both at professional and worker level,” the article says. “In Singapore, they represent one-third of the population; in the United Arab Emirates, the figure is higher than 80%, with the majority of them working in Dubai.”
A fact-sheet by the American Immigration Council states: “As a number of studies make clear, the presence in a company of highly skilled foreign workers whose abilities and talents complement those of native-born workers actually creates new employment opportunities for American workers.”
The evidence suggests that we should be “celebrating the presence of expatriates” who bring vital skills that Zambia needs, not just in football, but in mining and other fields too.
The BBC reports that Swiss firms have been criticised in a report for their links to the African trade in diesel with toxin levels that are illegal in Europe.
Campaign group Public Eye says retailers are exploiting weak regulatory standards.
Vitol, Trafigura, Addax & Oryx and Lynx Energy have been named because they are shareholders of the fuel retailers.
Trafigura and Vitol say the report is misconceived and retailers work within legal limits enforced in the countries.
Three of the distribution companies mentioned in the report have responded by saying that they meet the regulatory requirements of the market and have no vested interest in keeping sulphur levels higher than they need to be.
Although this is within the limits set by national governments, the sulphur contained in the fumes from the diesel fuel could increase respiratory illnesses like asthma and bronchitis in affected countries, health experts say.
Why are regulations so lax?
The picture is changing but there are still several African countries which allow diesel to have a sulphur content of more than 2,000 parts per million (ppm), with some allowing more than 5,000ppm, whereas the European standard is less than 10ppm.
Rob de Jong from the UN Environment Programme (Unep) told the BBC that there was a lack of awareness among some policy makers about the significance of the sulphur content.
For a long time countries relied on colonial-era standards, which have only been revised in recent years.
Another issue is that in the countries where there are refineries, these are unable, for technical reasons, to reduce the sulphur levels to the standard acceptable in Europe. This means that the regulatory standard is kept at the level that the refineries can operate at.
Some governments are also worried that cleaner diesel would be more expensive, therefore pushing up the price of transport.
But Mr De Jong argued that the difference was minimal and oil price fluctuations were much more significant in determining the diesel price.
What’s so bad about sulphur?
The sulphur particles emitted by a diesel engine are considered to be a major contributor to air pollution, which the World Health Organization (WHO) ranks as one of the top global health risks.
It is associated with heart disease, lung cancer and respiratory problems.
The WHO says that pollution is particularly bad in low and middle income countries.
Reducing the sulphur content in diesel would go some way to reducing the risk that air pollution poses.
What’s being done about it?
Unep is at the forefront of trying to persuade governments to tighten up the sulphur content regulations and is gradually making progress.
In 2015, the East African Community introduced new regulations for Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania. Diesel cannot now have more than 50ppm in those countries.
It is clear that the situation has improved since 2005.
UNEP’s Jane Akumu is currently working with the West African regional grouping ECOWAS and its Southern African counterpart SADC to try and change the regulations there.
She told the BBC that she was optimistic that governments would bring down the legal sulphur limits as the arguments in favour are compelling.
