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Agriculture Minister Given Lubinda plants an acacia tree during the flag off the Hope Lilayi Women’s club tree planting exercise in Lusaka’s Lilayi Area
FARMERS in Zambia contributed US$645 million in foreign exchange earnings through the export of various agricultural products in 2015, Government has said.
Agriculture Minister Given Lubinda said this showed that the agriculture sector’s contribution to the country’s economy was growing, demonstrating the importance of the sector to national development.
Mr Lubinda said it was important that farmers were celebrated as they contributed significantly to employment creation, income generation and poverty reduction.
He was speaking at the 90th Zambia Agricultural and Commercial Show held under the theme ‘Managing Environment for Growth’ in Lusaka.
“As Government, we have decided that starting this year, we will celebrate the farmers Day by honouring them with awards in recognition of their hard work.
“Farmers produce agricultural products which are exported to earn the country the much needed foreign exchange. I am pleased to inform you that farmers contributed $645 million to the country’s foreign exchange earnings through exports,” Mr Lubinda said.
He said the Government was committed to ensuring that it addressed all the challenges the farmers were faced with in the country. Mr Lubinda said the Government had embarked on a vigorous programme to ensure that one million hectares of land was availed to the farmers under the farm blocs.
He said under this programme, each farmer would be given not less than five hectares of land, adding that this was in an effort to reduce the challenge of farmers lacking land for cultivation.
“We are concerned with the challenges that farmers are going through, but let me assure you that we are working on ways to address them.
“For example, we have increased the number of beneficiaries on the farmer input support programme to 1.6 million in the 2016/17 farming season,” he said.
John Sangwa speaking during the public debate on Freedom of Expression
POLITICAL parties that are urging Zambians to ignore the referendum on August 11, this year are unpatriotic, constitutional lawyer John Sangwa has said.
Mr Sangwa said the referendum was seeking to enhance human rights in Zambia and so the political parties that were urging people not to participate were unpatriotic.
He said this when he featured on a special programme on Radio Phoenix recently. “It’s amazing that a political party can tell people not to participate in the referendum when the referendum was seeking to enhance the rights of Zambians. What sort of political party does that because basically any party aiming to form government should strive to enhance people’s rights,” Mr Sangwa said.
He said concerns from some political parties claiming that there was little time to sensitise citizens on the matter, was mainly an excuse not to provide for Zambians.
Mr Sangwa said it should not also be a problem that the referendum was being held alongside the election because people could be educated on how to vote.
He said he was one of the people that advocated to have the referendum alongside the election due to limited funds that the country had.
Mr Sangwa said civil society as well as political parties should not find excuses to fail the referendum exercise.
He said Zambians should be patriotic enough to assume responsibility to improve their lives through processes such as the referendum.
Mr Sangwa said the reading culture in Zambia was not good and even if the referendum was held many years from now, without stakeholders support, some Zambians would still not read on the issues on the referendum.
“This is the right time to undertake the process and every Zambian should ensure that the exercise succeeds by ensuring that other people read or know about the referendum,” he said.
Mr Sangwa said the matter should not also be seen to be political because matters of the Constitution were not politically biased.
Voting yes in the referendum would ensure that monies owed to individuals by Government through court processes were paid within a year and the President would be mandated to address Zambians on what the Government was doing to improve their livelihoods, among other advantages.
THE K60 million Protea Hotel in Ndola, with a capacity to accommodate more than 100 people, has opened to the public. The hotel, the second largest in the city, opened last week after undergoing construction for about one year.
So far, more than 100 locals have been employed at the hotel. The hotel is the eighth under the Protea Hotels Zambia portfolio and has made Protea Hotels the single largest hospitality brand in the country.
A check at the facility, located on the Ndola-Kitwe dual carriageway close to Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, found some customers flocking into the hotel to inquire about accommodation and other services. The one-storey hotel has 80 rooms, three conference rooms, a restaurant and bar as well as a swimming pool. Front office manager Mwansa Puta said in an interview in Ndola that the hotel opened to the public on Monday last week.
“We opened to the public on Monday, and we have received overwhelming response from members of the public. This hotel is the first of its kind in Ndola. We have a restaurant, a bar and a swimming pool,” she said. Ms Puta said the conference room, which has a capacity to accommodate about 150 people, was still under construction and that it would soon be ready.
She said the hotel was currently running a promotion and that the rooms were currently costing between $100 and $120 at the rate of K10.5O per United States dollar.
Velos Enterprise, a local contractor, was engaged to construct the hotel. Protea Hotels is a member of the Marriott International, a leading global hotel group.
Mumbi Phiri(c) during the launch of the PF campaign at Heroes Stadium
NEVERS Mumba is a confused man who does not know which direction to take his political career, and wants to advance by demeaning people in leadership, Patriotic Front (PF) deputy secretary general Mumbi Phiri has charged.
In an interview with Daily Nation, Ms Phiri said that Dr Mumba was a fake pastor who had abandoned the work of God to join politics.
She disclosed that Dr Mumba was a confused man who had continued to demean President Lungu through the media to advance his political career.
Ms Mumbi said that Dr Mumba does not know which direction to take his political career because he accepted to be sent as an envoy to Canada after serving as republican vice president.
“Nevers Mumba is a confused man, he was republican vice president but he accepted to be sent as high commissioner to Canada. He doesn’t know which direction to take his political career; he just wants to advance his career that is why he has insisted on saying bad things about the president through the media” she said.
She said that Dr Mumba was the one using the church to catapult his political career and that he should not attribute that to the president as well.
Ms Phiri revealed that Dr Mumba did not listen to the voice of God because those who listened to the almighty always knew their direction.
She advised him to identify his true talent and stay with it because politics was no ground for him.
Meanwhile, National Revolution Party (NRP) president Cosmo Mumba condemned the Post Newspaper for publishing pictures of military personnel holding political materials.
Mr Mumba said that the pictures published by the Post could have been graphically designed to mislead the Zambian people.
He has challenged the Post newspaper to reveal to the nation who those officers were and that the Inspector general of police should arrest and launch investigations in the matter.
Mr Mumba advised that the publication by The Post was tantamount to inciting people and military personnel to create a situation that could lead to a coup d’état.
“Showing such pictures to the public insinuated that the State security was not part of Government and that such a situation could trigger civil war in the country” he said.
Mumamba Numba has been handed interim charge of the beleaguered Zambia Under-17 national team.
Numba takes charge after from Oswald Mutapa who is suspended following the Zambia Under-17’s age cheating disqualification from the just-ended 2016 Cosafa Under-17 Cup in Mauritius.
This is Zanaco coach’s first national team appointment since he was promoted as head trainer at Sunset Stadium this season.
Numba’s first match will be this weekend when Zambia hosts Sudan in a 2017 CAF Under-17 Cup qualifier.
Rae Hamoonga
A police officer identified as Constable Pytihas Ntulukila was this morning shot dead by some unknown person as they attempted to rob a Cash Transit Vehicle he was in.
The incident happened between 09:00 hours and 10:00 hours along Lunzia Road off Addis Ababa Road in an aggravated robbery.
The Constable Ntulukila was in the company with another police officer in a Cash Transit Vehicle that was collecting cash from various filling stations in the enroute to their Head Office along great east road.
The vehicle in which the officers were in was hit from behind by a Toyota Noah and later stopped.
According to Police Spokesman Rae Hamoonga, when they got out of the cash transit vehicle to check what had happened another motor vehicle, a Toyota corolla approached the scene and the occupants of this motor vehicle came out and started firing indiscriminately thereby shooting Constable Ntulukila in the abdomen who was later rushed to Care for Business Hospital where he later died.
The Toyota Noah was reported stolen vehicle yesterday around 23:00 hours in Makeni east here in Lusaka.
Mr Hamoonga said Police have since launched a man hunt for the criminals who snatched cash amounting to over 200,000 Kwacha.
“We would like to warn these criminals that as Police when you attack one of our police officers whilst on official duty you have attacked the entire police. We shall not leave any stone unturned to bring these criminals to book by employing all legal means at our disposal,” Mr Hamoonga said.
“To this end the Zambia Police Service would like to make earnest appeal to members of the public who may have information to report to the nearest police station so that these criminals can be made face the full wrath of the law.”
Nineteen Zambian Fishermen have been arrested in Zimbabwe for fishing on lake Kariba Zimbabwean side, reports Pan African Radio Journalist Hermit Hachilonde.
Siavonga District Commissioner (DC) Lovemore Kanyama said the arrest of the nineteen Zambian fishermen come to light on Sunday the 31st July, 2016 at night.
DC Kanyama revealed that six rigs (boats) were confiscated by the Zimbabwean law enforcement Agency on account of illegal fishing in Zimbabwe.
The Siavonga District Commissioner has however expressed anxiety on the prevalence, affirming that the number of Zambian fishermen arrested on the Zimbabwean side of Lake Kariba is now cumulative.
He stressed the need to find a solution as soon as possible to avoid congesting Zimbabwean Prisons with Zambian fishermen. DC Kanyama said fishing in Siavonga is a major industry and people in the area count on fishing to sustain their families.
“Another 19 zambian fishermen arrested last nite 4 fishing on lake kariba zimbabwean side,6 rigs (boats)confisicated.solution has to be found or else prisons in zimbabwe will be full of zambian fishermen.Fishing is one of the major industry here,my office is disturbed with the increase number of these arrests” kanyama lovemore said
SONTA..President Lungu at the Rally in Mumbwa on SundayPresident Lungu has warned teachers and police officers who are being duped by the opposition that there will be a change of government after the elections that they will be dealt with for taking a partisan stance.
Mr Lungu has asked teachers in Chingola who he said are being misled by the UPND to resign from their positions and join the opposition.
The head of state was speaking when he addressed a huge public rally at kabundi high school in Chingola this afternoon.
He said government has all the details and particulars of individual teachers and police officers sympathizing with the opposition.
Mr Lungu has assured the electorate in Chingola that they will be no change of government because the ruling PF is enjoying support from all parts of the country.
And Mr Lungu has advised people not to listen to cheap lies by the opposition that they will reopen mines which are under care and maintenance.
He said Anglo American Corporation has closed mines world over and it is not true that they will reopen operations in Zambia when copper prices have dropped.
Mr Lungu disclosed that the mines that have been shut will resume normal operations once the price of copper rebounds.
UPND Secretary General Stephen Katuka(c) having an interview with the Journalists
The opposition UPND has defended its recently launched Operation watermelon after President Edgar Lungu described it as an evil plan aimed at causing havoc in the nation.
UPND Secretary General Stephen Katuka has also denied accusations that the party has a plan in place called Operation Fear, which will unleash violence and fear on voters, are absurd.
According to the Times of Zambia of Tuesday, August 2nd 2016, the UPND will use Operation Fear to unleash a wave of violence and fear on voters ahead of next Thursday’s polls.
But Mr Katuka said such kind of reporting without any reference to facts is extremely irresponsible and only supports PF attempts to create a climate of fear and intimidation ahead of polls.
“It is under the PF that innocent citizens have been shot down by police with no justice, it is under the PF that unarmed civilians have been kicked in the head outside police stations with no one arrested, and it is the PF President himself who took power of his party through a conference decided by pangas rather than policy,” Mr Katuka said.
He said the PF should know that the only operation UPND has active is Operation Watermelon.
“This Operation is 100% peaceful and designed to offer our supporters protection by wearing PF regalia but voting UPND. They need not fear because their vote is their choice and their vote is secret,” Mr Katuka said in a statement.
“We would like to remind voters that as we get closer to elections the PF is desperate to talk only of tribalism and violence because they are not comfortable talking about policy issues such as unemployment and the rising cost of living.”
He added, “I would like to restate here for the record that UPND completely rejects these accusations. Whoever is peddling them is behaving with little regard for the peace and unity of our country. We want change but it will come through ballots not bullets.”
MMD National Secretary and Chairperson International Relations Joyce Musenge asking for votes on behalf of MMD candidate Allan Mbewe.
A traditional leader in Eastern Province has challenged MMD National Secretary to quickly tell the PF presidential candidate Edgar Lungu to instruct the PF MP to stop confusing voters with contradicting massages on the alliance.
Headman Kalitema of Chadiza District said the massages coming from the PF candidates has the potential to make the President lose the elections as some voters may choose to stay away because of the confusion being fueled by the PF candidates.
The Headman who spoke on behalf of 6 village headmen from the same area said the President should quickly give a directive to his MPs as their continued campaigns against the alliance will make him lose the elections.
Meanwhile, the MMD has called on voters in Eastern Province not to vote for some of its former MPs who crossed to the PF at the last minute due to selfish interests.
And MMD National Secretary Rapheal Nakacinda has told Chadiza DC to stop undermining his boss by telling voters that their is no alliance between MMD and PF because he is too junior to be contradicting his appointing authority.
Mr Nakacinda said the former party members who were made MPs by the former ruling party can not be trusted and that the reason they dumped their party and paid their way for adoptions on the PF ticket was not because they wanted to serve their people but for selfish interests.
Speaking when he featured on a radio program dubbed the Political Hour on Breeze FM in Chipata on Monday Mr Nakacinda said the former MPs who have stood on PF thought the party had died but are now finding it hard to convince voters who are questioning their loyalty both to the party and the voters who knew them to be MMD but are now competing against the party.
He said the voters should not waste time voting for the said MPs because they failed to deliver in their respective constituencies and were hoping that standing on the PF ticket would help them return to Parliament but that they were now finding it difficult to explain why voters should return them as their representatives.
He also said the MPs campaigning against the MMD alliance with the PF are working against the platform that will make Edgar Lungu win the election in the first round.
“All PF candidates especially those who left MMD because they are ones who are even more desperate, the question we have is that amene anakutumani kuti muka imilile PA PF nibandani? Now you are desperately wanting to fight the very platform that Edgar Lungu will use to win. You can’t trust some of these candidates because they went to PF for personal interests.
“They could have stood on the MMD ticket, they could have benefited from the alliance but because of personal interest, expecting that if they win they can be ministers or something like that. We don’t want those kinds of leaders because they cannot be trusted even us as MMD we detest that kind of behavior and obviously the people in the respective constituencies they come from will be able to make the verdict on 11th August. We want leaders who will advance the interest of the people who vote for them and not their interest.
“Even when we were working to salvage this party they were aloof wanting to cut personal deals going to PF asking for adoptions on the PF ticket those leaders as MMD and I believe that even our colleagues in PF do not hold them in high esteem and that is our position. We campaigning and our thrust is that Edgar Lungu should win and MMD has offered the best candidates at Parliamentary, mayoral and local government as best candidates that will work with both the people and the PF leader in developing the country,” he said.
And speaking during a campaign meeting in Chadiza Mr Nakacinda warned the area District Commissioner to stop meddling into politics because he was a civil servant who should concentrate on delivering development to the area.
He said his campaigns against the alliance was detrimental to the aspirations of the person who appointed him and that he should stop confusing voters because he will make his boss lose the elections.
“Let me say something about this DC that I have heard is going round telling people that there is no alliance, first of all a DC is too junior to be contradicting his boss. The person who appointed this DC is the President and the President said he wanted to work with MMD so what is he saying? We believe that anyone saying there is no alliance is working against the President because the alliance is meant to help him win the elections.
“I have also heard that his trying to black mail voters that he will not give them fertilizer if they don’t vote for the PF candidate, let me ask him this, Ni fertilizer ya anyina? Who started the program that he wants to start using to get his friend to Parliament?” Mr Nakacinda wondered.
The MMD National Secretary is currently on a campaign trail in Eastern Province accompanied by NEC Members, Chairperson for Agriculture Mr Chilufya Chishala and Chairperson for International Relations Ambassador Joyce Musenge. The team is in the province to lay the ground fertile for the coming of the MMD president Mr Felix Mutati into the province for a series of rallies.
Chairperson International Relations Joyce Musenge talking to voters in ChadizaChairperson Agriculture Chilufya Chishala talking to voters in ChadizaNational Secretary Rapheal Nakacinda joins in the traditional dance
Vice President Inonge Wina(r) greets the High Commission of the Republic of Zambia First Secretary Patricia Muyamwa(l) during the launch of the Zambian Chapter of Zambia-South Africa Business Council at Pamodzi Hotel in Lusaka
Vice President Inonge Wina has encouraged Zambians to have confidence in the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ).
Speaking at Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula international airport upon her arrival from Lusaka, Mrs Wina said there is no reason to be suspicious of institutions of governance such as the ECZ.
She said it is worrying that politicians have gone into panic mode and are undermining institutions of governance.
ZANIS reports that the Vice President said the ECZ should be allowed to do its work without interference from external forces.
She said undermining the ECZ is equivalent to showing a vote of no confidence in the governance system of the country.
Mrs Wina also called for peace and unity in the country as the country heads for elections next Tuesday August 11, 2016.
She said without peace and unity, the country cannot survive.
Yesterday UPND members intercepted ECZ trucks in Livingstone on suspicion that they were carrying election materials.
The trucks were later cleared and drove to Lusaka under police escort.
President Lungu with First Lady Esther Lungu in Mumbwa during the Meeting with Chiefs – Picture by Eddie Mwanaleza
President Edgar Lungu has warned that he is ready to abandon democratic principles and deal sternly with what he called trouble makers in order to safeguard national peace.
In what could be his sternest warning to his opponents ahead of next week’s elections, President Lungu said he is ready to use draconian means to protect the country’s much cherished peace.
President Lungu told a rally in Mufulira on Monday that Zambia has a well-known tradition of peace and tranquility which should be protected.
He said he has intelligence information that the UPND is planning to cause havoc if they lose the elections.
President Lungu added that he has already given strict instructions to heads of security to clamp down on opposition elements causing trouble ahead of the election.
The Head of State said it is meaningless for Zambia toc continue enjoying democracy when some politicians are abusing it through hate speech and violence.
He said as much as he respects democratic principles, he will not sit and watch some opposition leaders cause havoc in their pursuit to enter State House.
President Lungu said the UPND is sponsoring violence in the country through what they are calling Operation Watermelon.
He said Operation Watermelon is an evil strategy aimed at causing violence and panic among Zambia and prevent them from participating in next week’s elections.
President Lungu said no one will invest in Zambia if politicians continue to perpetuate bloodshed adding that the opposition should respect the presidency.
Kitwe United bounced back to the top of the FAZ Division 1 Zone 2 table after thumping Mansa side ZNS Lwamfumu 2-0 at Garden Park Stadium in Kitwe on Sunday.
Skipper Moses Loloji and forward Tresor Chansa’s goal in each half moved Kitwe to 35 points after 18 matches played.
Chingalika are a point above Konkola Blades who relinquished the top spot after forcing a 2-2 draw at Copperbelt Buffaloes in Ndola.
Roan United are third with 32 points after a hard-fought 3-2 win over Ndola United at Kafubu Stadium in Luanshya.
In other games, Kalulushi Modern Stars recorded a decent 2-0 win over visitors Bresmar United with Gomes Wanderers picking a frustrating 1-1 draw against Kansanshi Dynamos at home in Ndola.
12 rounds of matches are remaining in this year’s FAZ Division 1 Zone 2 season.
FAZ DIVISION 1 ZONE 2 WEEK 18
Kalulushi Modern Stars 2-0 Bresmar United
FQMO Mining 1-0 Chambishi
Copperbelt Buffaloes 2-2 Konkola Blades
Zesco Solwezi 1-0 Mining Rangers
Kitwe United 2-0 ZNS Lwamfumu
Roan United 3-2 Ndola United
Gomes 1-1 Kansanshi Dynamos
Chingola Police vs Indeni*
*Game postponed due to an Indeni bereavement
Contrary to popular belief Chilli con carne or “Chilli”, as it’s called in America, does not actually originate from Mexico or South America, it is said to originate from Texas. It is a spicy stew containing chilli peppers, meat (usually beef), tomatoes, beans and seasoning. You can make it with actual chillies or with chilli powder. It is absolutely delicious and relatively easy to make. It’s one of those dishes that can be eaten by the whole family; grandparents, parents and children. You can adjust the amount of chilli that you add to it, to suit your taste buds.
So what are you waiting for? Go on give it a try, I promise you’ll enjoy it.
Ingredients
1 tbsp oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 red pepper, sliced (you can also use green or yellow peppers)
2 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
1 heaped tsp of hot chilli powder (or 1 level tbsp if you only have mild)
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp ground cumin
500g lean minced beef
1 beef stock cube
1 can of chopped tomatoes (400g)
1 tsp sugar
2 tbsp tomato purée
1 can of red kidney beans (410g)
Plain boiled rice, to serve
Method
Prepare your vegetables.
Over a medium heat, put your pan on the hob and heat your oil for 1-2 minutes, until hot. Add the onions and cook for about 5 minutes, or until the onions are translucent. Add the garlic, red pepper, chilli powder, paprika and cumin; stir well, then leave it to cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Increase the heat, add the meat to the pan and break it up with your cooking stick. Stir for about 5 minutes, and fry until all the mince is a similar size and completely brown.
Mix your beef stock cube into 300ml hot water and pour it into the mince mixture. Add the can of chopped tomatoes, sugar, salt and pepper; then add 2 tbsps of tomato purée and stir the sauce well. Simmer it gently, bring it to the boil, stir well and put a lid on the pan.
Turn down the heat until it is gently bubbling and leave it for 20 minutes; making sure that you check on the pan occasionally and stir it. If the sauce is drying add a couple of tablespoons of water and make sure that the heat is low enough. After simmering gently, the sauce and mince mixture should look nice and thick.
Using a sieve, drain and rinse the red kidney beans and stir them into the chilli pot. Bring to the boil for another 10 minutes, adding a little more water if it looks too dry. Taste a bit of the chilli and season it accordingly.
Now replace the lid, turn off the heat and leave your chilli to stand for 10 minutes before serving. Leaving your chilli to stand is really important as it allows the flavours to set.
Serving
There are numerous ways to serve your Chilli, but I suggest that you serve it with plain boiled rice.
Kanta Temba is a cake maker and decorator. She is also the owner and founder of Kanta Kakes – cake shop.
You can find her work onwww.kantakakes.com. Follow her on twitter @KantaKakes and Instagram @KantaTemba.
Bishop Evans Chinyemba
Diocese of Mongu Bishop Evans Chinyemba has denounced Zambia’s deteriorating media freedoms especially for the public media.
Bishop Chinyemba said the country would conduct next week’s general elections under the climate of public service media that only speak for the party in power.
In a stinging analysis, Bishop Chinyemba has since urged the Zambian government to stop abusing the public service media sector for its ends.
“Zambians have allowed the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC); the Times of Zambia and the Zambia Daily Mail newspapers; the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) and the National Agricultural Information Services (NAIS) to destroy public service media ethics and allow them to only speak for the party in power,” Bishop Chinyemba said.
He made the remarks in the latest Mongu Diocese bulletin, Drumbeat, addressed to parishioners.
Bishop Chinyemba says in its current form and for lack of a better term, Zambia’s public service media had become ‘enemies of information’ especially during the months of electoral campaigns in the nation.
“The way the public service media has behaved seems to have left the Electoral Commission of Zambia powerless knowing that the hand of government is in both institutions.” The Bishop said.
He added that after next week’s general elections, the country would urgently need to revisit and revise the Electoral Code of Conduct in as far as it relates to public service media.
Bishop Chinyemba further criticised the closure of the Post newspaper by the Zambian government on 21 June, this year.
The Mongu Diocese Ordinary insists that the country has more to gain when public service media are allowed, by politicians, to operate without interference so that they can become trusted sources of information and vital cultural institutions that reach the whole population without bias.
Referring to Zambia’s violence-ridden electoral campaigns of 2016, in which some deaths and many injuries have been recorded, Bishop Chinyemba called for peaceful voting.
“We know where we have been and as a nation, we refuse to live in fear. The call is for all Zambians is to arm yourselves not with a party Panga, but with your National Registration Card (NRC) and voter’s Card. Vote as if this was your last vote; and you wish to leave a good future for generations that are coming after you,” the Bishop encouraged parishioners.
Zambia has seen unprecedented levels of political violence between rival political party cadres which have resulted in injury, loss of life and property.
