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President Lungu points at Kalusha Bwalya during the rally
Legendary Zambian football icon Kalusha Bwalya yesterday officially endorsed President Edgar Lungu at a mammoth rally in Kabwe.
The 1988 African footballer of the year performed his ceremonial kick of 11 footballs much to the excitement of thousands Kabwe residents.
During the rally former FAZ president Kalusha Bwalya urged the electorates to vote for President Lungu.
And President Lungu told the Kabwe residents that they should be wary of wealthy businessmen masquerading as messiahs.
He said that some aspirants for the August 11 elections had lost elections several times but could not let other people have a chance in their political parties.
“I am not boasting but my friends saw potential in me. I was in parliament…where I was a dark horse. I listened and prayed when my friends decided that I be the president. Even when Guy Scott removed me I obliged but the people decided and brought me back,” he said.
“But with other parties some people have been losing elections since 2001 and have not allowed others to have a chance. Kuluza sitilesa manje kaluzidwe (losing is not a problem but the way you lose,” he said.
President Lungu said the people that had criticized him that he had no vision had been shamed as he was carrying out late President Michael Sata’s vision.
He said the roads the party had completed were a manifestation of that vision.
The President commissioned the construction of a first-ever multi-million dollar Kabwe Shopping Mall project at a cost of US$20 million.
The shopping mall, which will be constructed on an eight hectare land next to Zambia-China Mulungushi Textiles, will create about 1,100 jobs for the locals.
And President Lungu says the construction of the shopping mall and other infrastructure projects have seen the rebirth of Kabwe.
President Lungu said Mulungushi Textiles will be fully operation by August adding to the employment numbers in Kabwe.
Kalusha Bwalya poses with musicians and PF cadresKalusha Bwalya with PF cadres and musiciansKalusha Bwalya at the PF rally in KabwePF Supporters in KabwePresident Edgar Lungu at Kabwe Central Pf Rally at Civic CentreKabwe Central Pf SupportersPresident Edgar Lungu at Kabwe Central Pf Rally at Civic Centre
Permanent Secretary Dr Chileshe Mulenga
THE Ministry of Home Affairs has started receiving applications from people seeking dual citizenship as provided for in the amended Zambian Constitution.
Home Affairs Permanent Secretary Chileshe Mulenga said most of the people who had shown willingness to acquire Zambian citizenship were former nationals who had become citizens of other countries.
“Mostly so far, it has been former Zambians who took up some other nationality who are trying to reclaim their Zambian citizenship. There are very few foreign nationals trying to take up Zambian citizenship,” he said.
Dr Mulenga said some people who were interested to acquire Zambian citizenship needed to renounce their country’s citizenship as dual citizenship was not allowed in their countries of origin.
Dr Mulenga, however, could not immediately give statistics on how many people had applied for dual citizenship as he was not in the office during the time of the interview.
According to the Amended Constitution which came into effect in January this year after President Edgar Lungu assented to the Bill, a citizen shall not lose citizenship by acquiring the citizenship of another country.
The Constitution states also that a citizen who ceased to be a citizen, before the commencement of the Constitution as a result of acquiring the citizenship of another country, shall be entitled to apply, as prescribed, to the Citizenship Board of Zambia, for citizenship and the Board shall bestow citizenship on that person.
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”
(Isaiah 26:3, NKJV)
Set Yourself in the Direction of Peace
Are you frustrated or upset over something? Maybe fighting off discouragement? The first question to ask yourself is “What am I thinking about?”
If you’re thinking about your problems all of the time or thinking about how impossible everything is, then your life is going to follow a negative direction. However, when you get your mind going in the right direction, when you focus your thoughts on the Word of God, then you are setting yourself in the direction of peace.
Today, keep your mind focused on the Father and meditate on His Word. As you set your thoughts in the right direction, your life will head in the right direction, and you’ll take hold of the peace and victory He has for you!
A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You for peace that passes understanding. I choose to focus on Your Word and set my heart on You. I set myself in the direction of peace knowing that You will order my every step in Jesus’ name! Amen.”
Power Dynamos won on Saturday while Nkana and Mighty Mufulira Wanderers were held away in their respective FAZ Super Division Week 19 matches.
At Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe, Power moved from 4th to 3rd and after a 2-0 home win over Nchanga Rangers.
Goals from Patson Daka in the 34th minute and Kennedy Mudenda in the 47th minute saw Power avenge the 2-1 loss they suffered at the hands of Nchanga in the first leg on March 26.
Power are now third on 34 points, one behind Nkana who drew 0-0 away at Green Eagles.
They are now unbeaten under new coach Danny Kabwe in his five matches in charge with four wins and a draw after picking up three straight league victories.
In Lusaka, Mufulira Wanderers finished 1-1 with Nkwazi.
Steward Chikandiwa was on target for Nkwazi to take his tally to seven goals this season while Rahim Osumanu scored his fourth goal of the season for Mighty.
Meanwhile on Sunday, leaders Zanaco have an opportunity to open an 11-point lead when they visit second from bottom Lusaka Tigers in a Lusaka derby clash at Nkoloma Stadium.
Zanaco beat promoted Tigers 2-0 in the first leg last March.
The United Party for national Development (UPND) has that it find it hard to believe that an approval was granted by the department of Civila Aviation to fly a Helicopter over the site of a UPND rally in Chawama dragging a Vote Edgar Lungu banner, while the crowd below waited to hear their leadership team speak.
In a statement released to the media, the party wondered who in the Department of Civil Aviation cleared the chopper to fly at a UPND rally, which they described as a clear violation of the electoral Act.
The Party has since called on the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to act immediately to show that such blatant disregard of legal requirements concerning elections are treated with the seriousness they warrant.
Below is the full statement
OFFICIAL STATEMENT
The Latest Show of PF Lawlessness
In their latest show of wanton lawlessness and intent to provoke the
opposition the PF has today flown over the site of our rally in Chawama dragging a Vote Edgar Lungu banner, while the crowd below waited to hear our leadership team speak.
We find it hard to believe that approval was granted for such a venture, particularly given strict requirements and procedures that have seen us grounded several times simply because a supposed VIP is touring in the same province as us.
The Department of Civil Aviation who cleared the chopper have done so in clear breach of the Electoral Process Act. The ECZ must act immediately to show that such blatant disregard of legal requirements concerning elections are treated with the seriousness they warrant.
Furthermore, the clear intent to provoke by PF at a rally when our supporters turned out despite intimidation and the terrible events of July 8th is highly irresponsible and shows their complete lack of regard for law and order, as well as their lack of genuine commitment
to promoting peace and unity.
Stephen Katuka UPND Secretary General
PF Choppers flying over UPND RallyUPND Chawama RallyPF Choppers flying over UPND RallyUPND Chawama Rally
Koffi Olomide and dancing queens during
The Agricultural and Commercial Society of Zambia has maintained that the planned musical show featuring Congolese Rhumba King Koffi Olomide will go ahead as scheduled.
In a statement, the Show society says reports that the concert has been cancelled are not true.
“We would like to inform the general public that the planned musical performances by rhumba king Koffi Olomide scheduled for 29th, 31st July and 1st august are still on. The society would also like to state that the speculations going round on various media about Koffi Olomide’s Lusaka shows being cancelled are not true,” the statement read.
“A contract was signed for Koffi to come and perform at Mulungushi International Conference Centre on 29th July and at the bandstand in the showground on 31st July and 1st August.”
Olomide is at the centre of a row in Nairobi, Kenya when he physically assaulted his female dancer at Jomo Kenyatta Airport upon arrival in that country where he was due to perform.
The controversy saw the Kenyan government deporting Olomide and organisers cancelling his shows in that country.
Earlier today, The Non-Governmental Organizations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) Executive Director Engwase Mwale says the women movement will engage Government to block Koffi Olomide from entering the country to perform at the Lusaka Agriculture and commercial show, reports Pan African Radio Journalist Hermit Hachilonde.
Koffi Olomide, is one of Africa’s most popular singers was caught on camera purportedly kicking a woman at the main airport in Kenya.
Police were seen intervening to stop the attack on the woman, identified by Kenyan media as one of his dancers.
The 60-year-old rumba star denied in a Facebook post that he attacked the dancer, adding that he respects women.
In 2012, he was convicted in the Democratic Republic of Congo, his home country, of assaulting his producer.
The court gave the singer a three-month suspended prison sentence.
The altercation with his producer, Diego Lubaki, was over a debt of about $3,700 (£2,800), the court heard.
In 2008, he was accused of kicking a cameraman from DR Congo’s private RTGA television station and breaking his camera at a concert in the capital, Kinshasa, following disagreement over recording rights.
In 2012, the same Congolese singer also have records of beating a Burundian national, an international Photo journalist Jean Mandela based in Zambia who insists that Koffi should be arrested.
Speaking to journalists on the 23rd July, 2016 in Siavonga today, Ms. Mwale said people with such conduct should not be entertained in Zambia.
“They must consider revoking Koffi Olomide’s visa and stop him from coming to Zambia” She said
Bishop Joe Imakando takes photographs of the proceedings after Sata’s body arrived
Bread of Life Church International says it will attend tomorrow’s national prayers for peaceful elections.
Some media reports have been circulating which indicated that the Church will shun the event and that President Lungu’s prayers should not be used for political gains by the organisers as way to endorse a particular candidate and demonise others.
But in a statement released by Bread of Life Church International Media Team, presiding Bishop Joe Imakando, Church will attend the prayers.
“I would like to refute media reports circulating on social media in which I am quoted as having had refused to participate in this Sundays prayers for peaceful elections.”
“At no time did I issue such a statement on Facebook or any other social media considering that as a church we have always been active in praying for the nation because we stand for peace,” Bishop Imakando said.
He said he does not know the motive behind people who circulated the statement.
“It can only be described as a fabrication. I would like to state that although I would not personally be in attendance during the prayers due to other commitments, the branches in various parts of the country would actively participate because we believe in corporate prayers.”
Bishop Imakando has appealed to Zambians to ignore the posting and channel our efforts to praying for Mother Zambia ahead of August 11, 2016.
An electoral expert has expressed concern at the emerging trend by the ECZ of recruiting part-time poll staff away from the districts they are registered as voters.
McDonald Chipenzi who is former FODEP Executive Director said there is a risk of disenfranchising the people being recruited something he said would contribute to voter apathy.
“There is need for the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to reconsider the recruitment criterion of part-time poll staff ahead of the General Elections to avoid disenfranchising some of recruits.
“The emerging trend of recruiting individuals as part-time poll staff from other districts to manage polling stations away from the districts where they are registered in has got a disenfranchising effect on many recruits.
“This has the potential to also contribute to voter apathy and to undermining the very democratic process the Commission is supposed to promote and nurture,” he said.
Mr Chipenzi has since called on the Commission to redeploy the poll staff who have been taken away from their districts.
“To this end, the appeal to the Commission is to redeploy those Poll staff to their districts of origin to enable them participate and exercise their political and electoral rights.
“It is also imperative for the Commission to consider putting mechanisms that ensured quality control on the recruited staff to avoid inefficiencies that have a potential to compromise the administration and management of the electoral process,” he said.
SACCORD executive director Boniface CheembeSACCORD has called on politicians to stop black mailing voters into voting them with threats of not taking development to their areas if they don’t vote them.
Speaking in an interview SACCORD Executive Director Boniface Cheembe said black mailing voters should not be part of the country’s democracy.
He said black mailing voters is a disservice to the country and that democracy entails that people vote for people they believe would deliver hence development should go to all provinces because Zambia is a unitary state.
“SACCORD would like to appeal to politicians to desist from blackmailing the electorate as we draw closer to the 11 August 2016 elections. It is important to note that the task of political parties and leaders is to convince the electorate to vote for them and not intimidate voters of neglect if they don’t vote for any leaders.
It is such blackmailing campaign strategies that have contributed to the marginalization of certain provinces all because they exercised their democratic right to vote for leaders of their choice and get punished for it. The strength of the nation’s unitary status is dependent on tolerance,” he said.
The concerns comes in the wake of reports that a named presidential candidate promised to only take development to provinces that would vote him.
THE support for President Edgar Lungu should not be misconstrued as tribal because his endorsement is based the belief that the Head of State should be given his own mandate to complete his developmental agenda, Paramoubnt Chief Mpezeni of the Ngoni people has said.
Paramount Chief Mpezeni and Chief Chanje of the Chewa-speaking people in Chipata have clarified that the endorsement of President Lungu and the Patriotic Front (PF) should not be mistaken to be tribal.
The two traditional leaders said the endorsing of President Lungu was purely based on their strong belief that the ruling party should be given another mandate to continue its developmental agenda.
Speaking when Eastern Province PF campaign committee member, Mr Lameck Mangani paid a courtesy call on him at his palace, Chief Mpezeni said that President Lungu was like a new vehicle which does not require servicing a few days after it is bought.
Paramount Chief Mpezeni said President Lungu needed to be given more time to continue
with his developmental programmes he had embarked on and warned that a change of the country’s leadership would see some of the developmental projects abandoned.
The Paramount Chief Mpezeni said he was able to see developmental activities across his chiefdom and other parts of the country and that there was no need to start changing government leadership just for the sake of it.
The traditional leader said there was need for Zambians to give the PF and President Lungu more time to develop this country because the Head of State had demonstrated a true desire and dedication to improve the lives of citizens.
“President Lungu is like a brand new motor vehicle and no one buys a new car and immediately begins servicing it. Our endorsing of President Lungu is not based on the miscued notion of tribe but purely on the basis that there is need for continuity. We cannot be changing the country’s leadership for the sake of it.
We have developmental programmes that are being implemented and if there was change of leadership, there is a danger that some projects could be abandoned,” Paramount Chief Mpezeni said.
He said everybody should rally behind the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) and President Edgar Lungu because of the massive development that had been undertaken in the last five year.
And Chief Chanje assured Mr. Mangani of President Lungu’s victory and urged the ruling party not to get worried because people in Chipangali constituency were behind the ruling party.
Chief Chanje also told Mr. Mangani during a courtesy call paid on him that the message on the referendum was well received and people were ready to vote ‘YES’.
Meanwhile, Mr. Mangani appealed to the two traditional leaders to help disseminate information to their subjects about the importance of voting in an election.
Model Nthabachi Mvula has been selected to represent the country at the Topmodel Africa, a runway, fashion and pageant-themed modelling event to be held in Harare, Zimbabwe, from Sunday to Saturday next week.
The 24-year-old 174 centimeter (5ft 8in) model, who confirmed her participation in the pageant that is organised by the International Modelling School, is expected to leave for Harare this Sunday.
According to a welcome note from the International Modelling School given to Nthabachi and obtained by the Weekend Mail, Topmodel Africa is a modelling, themed reality series which will showcase all fields of modelling. “We’re not just looking for the usual Eurocentric type of model which is referred to as an international model look, but we’re searching for an African Top model, who is an all-rounder in all fields of modelling,” the note reads. “As the journey begins, we’re pleased to say that Africa has seen the light, and Topmodel Africa is the revolution of modelling-themed events, and it is the first and only of its kind internationally.” “This educative, informative and entertaining concept will soon be a permanent feature on Africa’s modelling industry, for the growth and development of African models. We wish you all the best in your preparations and brace yourselves to be thrilled, inspired and elevated by your Topmodel Africa.”
The Topmodel Africa prizes amount to US$5,000 which shall be awarded based on the winner’s contract with the Topmodel Africa organisation. Other than the overall Topmodel Africa winner, the pageant will award the first runner-up, second runner-up as well as the top body and top face.
There are also special pre-events awards such as top hair-style model, top spokes model, top commercial model, top runway model and top presenter model.
The gala night categories are beach attire (white bikini/two piece), African-inspired masquerade with colours of choice) and African-inspired evening dress with stage effects. The pre-event programme includes top model photography contest, top model cultural night, top model hair competition and top model make-up contest. The pageant will be held at Harare Safari Lodge, which is on the banks of Zimbabwe’s well-known man-made Lake Chivero, located about 40km from the capital city. Nthabachi is contestant number 43 and can be voted for by liking her photo on her Facebook page Nthabachi Mvula – Top Model Contestant Zambia or the Topmodel Africa page. She is being dressed for the pageant by Chizo Designs.
NGOCC Executive Director Director Engwase talks women in Chief Chungu’s area in Luwingu.
Non-Governmental Organizations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) Executive Director Engwase Mwale has expressed sadness that the number of women adopted as Councilors and Members of Parliament still remains extremely low despite efforts put in place by the women movement in Zambia, report Pan African Radio Journalist Hermit Hachilonde.
Three months ago, the NGOCC conducted a media workshop with various news editors from both private and public institutions in Zambia where news editors made commitments to give platform to female candidates with the aim to increase the number of women in decision making positions.
In her opening remarks at Lake kariba inns hotel in siavonga yesterday, Ms. Mwale said the current meeting with the news editors is aimed at reviewing the strategies that had been put in place and to see how both media and the women movement can carry forward the agenda of enhancing women’s participation towards and beyond August 11 and towards 2021.
She acknowledged that the media is critical in agenda setting and attitude change in any society and it is imperative that media is engaged if the desire to balance the equation in decision making positions in Zambia is to be achieved.
Ms. Mwale hopes that after the retreat the media personnel will go back in their offices with concrete strategies to take the agenda to its furthest to help the women movement achieve the ultimate objective.
“As an organization we are however sad to note that despite the efforts that we had put in place the number of women adopted as Councilors and Members of Parliament still remains extremely low.”
”A presentation will be made during this meeting on the numbers of women that are participating in the elections on August 11”
“For us as an organization to achieve our ultimate objective, our working with you the media is not an option! It is my sincere hope that after this retreat we will come out of here with concrete strategies to take this agenda “to its furthest”. Ms. Mwale said
FDD President Edith Nawakwi
FORUM for Democracy and Development (FDD) President Edith Nawakwi says that this year’s election should not be based on how rich some candidates are but about ideas and how leaders will help improve people’s living standards.
Speaking when she featured on Sun FM radio in Ndola on Thursday, Ms Nawakwi said there were some candidates that felt they had already won the general elections, adding that pulling large crowds at rallies was not a guarantee of victory.
She further appealed to other political players to prepare their members for the outcome of the elections.
“In a time like this when we are canvassing for votes everyone has a catch phrase and when the people give them the mandate they go underground saying that’s not what we promised you. Others are saying we will fix it, we will fix the economy but there is no specific discussion for what can be done for our brothers and sisters.
“This election should be about ideas and not who is mighty with money and violent. If crowds were everything, late Anderson Mazoka would have won when he stood. There are those of us in the race who feel they have won the race and I want to remind them of what happened in 2008 when late President Sata declared that he had won and would not accept defeat, violence erupted in Marapodi township.
“How you prepare your people for the outcome is important and I get concerned with some of our leaders who have made pronouncements that they will not accept the results,” she said.
Ms Nawakwi, who was accompanied by People’s Party president Mike Mulongoti, said it was wrong for some parties to assume that they had won elections and others must accept that.
She further explained that the misconception that she was attacking the United Party for National Development (UPND) was incorrect but stated that the party had been violent towards the FDD.
“I have repeatedly said that UPND has been very violent towards FDD, I have nothing against individuals but as a mother who knows the pain of giving birth, I have everything against someone who wants to shed blood.
“We cannot run a campaign based on violence and I don’t want to be a part of post-election violence. I know the pain of having to nurse a child in hospital and you want me to sit back and watch violence,” she said.
She called on political leaders to respect each other because they were all equal and urged people to commit their leaders in God’s hands.
President Edgar Lungu address a Rally at Kapiri Mposhi on Friday Picture by Eddie Mwanaleza/Statehouse
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has charged that Zambians are not ready to experiment with leadership by voting for the opposition because they are already satisfied with his work.
Mr Lungu said he was a tested leader who had served in various ministerial positions before taking up the presidency where he has also demonstrated his capabilities within a short time.
Speaking when he addressed a public rally in Kapiri Mposhi, Mr Lungu wondered how someone who had never served as a councillor could be aspiring to be president.
“Zambians are not ready to experiment with leadership, I have been on probation, you were trying me and you can’t say I have failed, what you now need to do is to confirm me for five years.
“I have served as deputy minister, minister for Home Affairs, Justice and Defence before being elected president while others have been losing from 2006,” he said.
“I have served as deputy minister, minister for Home Affairs, Justice and Defence before being elected president while others have been losing from 2006,” he said.
Mr Lungu also called on the Patriotic Front members to resist provocation from the opposition UPND to avoid violence as the country draws closer to next month’s elections.
He reiterated that the opposition UPND members had resorted to violent acts because they had realised that the party was losing the August 11 polls.
Earlier, Local Government Minister Stephen Kampyongo said 40 boreholes would be sunk in Kapiri Mposhi to avert water shortages that had been caused by reduced rainfall.
Former vice-president Enoch Kavindele and former Kabwe Central MP Austin Chewe were among the people that addressed the rally.
And traditional leaders in Ngabwe District have told President Edgar Lungu that people in the area are geared to vote for him in the forthcoming general elections.
Meanwhile, the Head of State has assured people in the district that the Patriotic Front (PF) means well for the welfare of every Zambian.
Chiefs Mukubwe and Ngabwe of the Lenje and Lima-Lenje people, respectively, assured President Lungu of a resounding victory in the August 11 polls.
The duo said this yesterday when Mr Lungu, who was in the area for a working visit, called on them.
“Your Excellency, you are the first sitting Head of State to visit us and let me assure you that the people here are with you.
“PF has responded favourably to our call for Ngabwe to be designated as a district and this has led to rapid development,” Chief Mukubwe said.
He said the area had witnessed the development of infrastructure in sectors such as health and housing.
The traditional leader urged the President to ensure that contractors engaged on developmental projects did their work urgently and efficiently.
Chief Mukubwe thanked the President for increasing chiefs and retainers’ allowances as the move will ease the operations of traditional leaders.
He also condemned the political violence witnessed ahead of the elections.
Chief Ngabwe wished the Head of State well ahead of next month’s polls.
In response, President Lungu said the Government would seriously look into the social and economic challenges affecting the area.
“We have vigorous development programmes in all sectors among them health and education and your royal highnesses let me assure you that we are doing everything possible to uplift the living standards of our people in Ngabwe,” the President said.
Mr Lungu, who was accompanied by his campaign manager Samuel Mukupa, deputy Frank Bwalya and party deputy secretary general Mumbi Phiri, also toured selected developmental projects.
Among, the facilities visited was the site which will house the new Ngabwe police station and camp.
He also toured the site designated for the new district administration block, council and post office.
After the tour, Mr Lungu urged provincial ministers and permanent secretaries to collaborate with the Ministry of Finance in facilitating timely project completion.
This follows reports of dragging construction projects in some parts of the country on the pretext that Zambian contractors in particular were incompetent.
“Well, we can’t criticise everyone because there are some Zambian contractors who are doing a good job elsewhere. So I urge people responsible for projects; the ministers and permanent secretaries to work closely with the Treasury which deals with a lot of competing needs,” the Head of State said.
Meanwhile, addressing a campaign rally at Mumba Chala Secondary School, the Head of State said the people should vote for leaders who stood for peace.
The President said some politicians did not respect the electorate as they had been found in the possession of offensive weapons while refusing to sign peace accords and attending national prayers.
“Such people do not mean well at all. So, please vote for peace, vote for PF, vote on the boat,” President Lungu told the jubilant crowd. Mr Lungu pledged to complete all developmental projects earmarked for the area as the people of Ngabwe deserved access to quality social services.
“If you want development, vote for PF, vote on the boat. PF will complete all the developmental projects including those left by late president Michael Sata because we do not promise the people lies, we cannot insult your intelligence,” he said.
He urged the people to vote for PF aspiring Lufubu Constituency Member of Parliament Gift Chiyalika and his counterparts contesting for ward and council chairperson positions.
President Lungu being welcomed by Catherine Nchembe as he arrived at Mumba Chala Secondary School in Ngabwe DistrictPresident Lungu being welcomed by Catherine Nchembe as he arrived at Mumba Chala Secondary School in Ngabwe DistrictPresident Lungu being welcomed by Ngabwe PF Choir as he arrived at Mumba Chala Secondary School in Ngabwe DistrictPresident Lungu addressing a rally in Kapiri Mposhi????????????????????????????????????
