Join our community of SUBSCRIBERS and be part of the conversation.
To subscribe, simply enter your email address on our website or click the subscribe button below. Don't worry, we respect your privacy and won't spam your inbox. Your information is safe with us.
UPND President Hakainde Hichilema says he will ensure farmers get four packets of basal dressing and four packets of top dressing fertiliser, as used to be the case because it enables farmers to produce more crops and reduce the cost of food for the people.
Mr. Hichilema also said he will work tirelessly towards reducing the cost of farming inputs so that farmers can grow more and get the best value for their produce.
The UPND leader, who spoke in Nyanja throughout, emphasised the need to increase satellite depots in rural communities so that farmers do not have to travel long distances to market areas.
He made these commitments when delivering his 10 Point Plan for Zambia at campaign meetings in Katete District this afternoon.
He thanked the people for turning up in numbers to come and listen to the UPND’s vision for Zambia, despite Monday being a working day.
Meanwhile UPND Vice President Dr. Canisius Banda urged people to turnout in numbers on 11th August and vote for the UPND leadership at all levels.
Dr. Banda also as advised Zambians never to listen to divisive elements in society that were bent on separating the people of Zambia
HH addressing the Katete rallyKatete residents following proceedings during the UPND rally
The FDD says it has told its members not to waste time standing on the queue to vote in a referendum because they will be helping the PF to rig the elections.
But MMD National Secretary Raphael Nakacinda has called for collective responsibility from political parties calling for a boycott on voting in the referendum.
FDD Spokesperson Antonio Mwanza said the PF government intends to delay the announcement of elections results so that they can rig the elections when they lose using the excuse of “the amount of time required to count votes for so many elections at once.”
Mr Mwanza said the gimmick they want to use has been used in other countries where general elections are held along side a referendum and elections results are delayed for more than five days.
He said their members will not help the ruling PF to rig the elections by voting in the referendum.
He also said most Zambians do not even understand what a referendum is adding that even people who have been to school struggle to explain the meaning of the referendum.
But MMD National Secretary Rapheal Nakacinda said it is the responsibility of political parties to educate their members on the contents of the Bill of Rights which they will be voting for or against in the referendum so that they make informed decisions.
He said the referendum is not for individual political parties but for the country and that it is incumbent upon people advocating against the referendum to ensure that they tell people what is in the Bill of Rights and leave them to make the decision to either participate or not.
He called on politicians to rise above petty politics and ensure that service to the nation is put before selfish interests.
Meanwhile UNIP Vice President Njekwa Anamela said his party will let the people vote using their conscious in the referendum.
He said it was the duty of the ECZ to ensure that they do their job of educating the public on what the referendum is.
The MMD in Munali has called on voters in the constituency to send immediate past area MP Nkandu Luo into political retirement so that she can concentrate on sorting out her Tasinta Court cases.
Speaking during a rally in Gripis MMD Munali constituency Chairlady Ireen Jere said the former MP failed to bring development in the constituency during her time as area MP and that the only time she visited the constituency was to ask for votes.
Ms Jere said Ms Luo should go back to her organization and sort out her workers who have taken her to court as running a constituency was too big a job for her.
She said the challenges being faced in the constituency can only be sorted out by an MP who understands the needs of different areas.
Meanwhile, MMD candidate for Munali Mike Mposha said he was the right candidate for the constituency because even the PF in the constituency had picked him as there candidate but that Prof Luo used her connections in the central committee of the ruling party to get adopted.
Mr Mposha said the writing was on the wall as even the PF in the constituency is campaigning for him.
He urged the people to vote for PF President Edgar Lungu so that he starts his own term so that he completes his own term.
He promised to prioritize improving the access to clean water in Gripis area and Chainda Compound and that he will work with interest groups to develop the constituency.
He added that since 1991 the constituency had just voted for people from other constituencies which included Ronald Penza from Lusaka Central, Sonny Mulenga from Mandevu, Edith Nawakwi, Mumbi Phiri and the immediate past MP Nkandu Luo who were all from Lusaka Central.
Meanwhile a scores of PF members including constituency Chairlady for the ruling were among the people who attended the rally in Gripis.
The members said Ms Luo will only be voted for by the members of the central committee who did not listen to the recommendations of the people in the constituency.
They said their are tired of people coming from other constituencies as if they did not have leaders in the area.
Zambia’s city populations are expanding at an average rate of nearly 4 percent per year and it is projected that Zambia must create 1.2 million new urban jobs by 2025 and 2.8 million by 2035.
A report published today by ZIPAR, the International Growth Centre and Just Jobs Network states that the number of Zambian workers employed in agriculture fell steeply from 71.4 percent to 48.9 percent.
Zambia is witnessing a shift as the workforce moves out of agriculture into services and industry between 2008 and 2014
The report which forms part of ZIPAR’s on-going Flagship Project on “More and Better Jobs” shows that despite the country’s high levels of economic growth, its labour markets are not creating enough jobs that can propel inclusive growth and that this is having a big effect on cities.
It shows that between 2012 and 2014, purchasing power in Zambia’s heavily urbanised Provinces-Lusaka and Copperbelt declined and in Lusaka, urban workers earned nearly 17 percent less in 2014 than 2012.
The report says that in both Lusaka and the Copperbelt, the number of workers who work without pay in a family business or on a farm was growing faster than the number of paid workers.
It notes that most growth recorded in urban employment was in low productivity informal services adding that this is an early warning that productivity may not be rising fast enough to sustain continued job growth in the long run.
“While the situation is likely to worsen with the current economic slowdown, there are some positive trends which could offset the declining rate of urban employment. For example, the construction sector employed 128 percent more workers in 2014 than in 2008. The hospitality sector also expanded formal employment by 63 percent in the same period. But these bright spots cannot outshine the warning signs of a severe lack of productive jobs in urban areas, outside the small, and shrinking, formal sector, which employs just over a quarter of urban Zambians,” the report shows.
The researchers propose policy changes which could inform the development of the seventh national development plan, which is currently being worked on by government.
They proposed strengthened efforts to recognize and upgrade informal settlements and extend cluster-based industrial policy to urban areas and upgrade urban markets.
“The cluster approach to industrialization, which the Zambian government is currently pursuing in rural areas, is well suited to an urban economy. While the cluster approach can also succeed in rural areas there is significant scope to promote manufacturing activities in urban areas in order to create more jobs.”
Improve intra- and intercity connectivity and leverage new infrastructure investment to stimulate growth-intensive sectors.
Connectivity-both within the city and between centres of production is one of the keys to leveraging mass effects of urban economies to create more and better jobs. Effective public transportation networks can help MSMEs to move their goods to markets. Moreover, new investments in national road and rail infrastructure can be harnessed to support the growth of labour-intensive sectors and MSMEs.
The researchers also recommended the revitalization and diversification of the Copperbelt to create a more dynamic, job-creating urban region.
“The Copperbelt is one of the most important urban regions of Zambia, but today its economic fortunes are endangered, largely because of its overdependence on copper mining. Policy makers can reverse the province’s down turn by building on its existing assets and engaging the right mix of interventions to create a vibrant urban labour market through diversifying its economic output.”
Refugees in song and dance at OYDC in commemoration of World Refugee Day in Lusaka
The leader of the Refugee Community in Zambia has demanded for some form of compensation for those refugees affected by the recent xenophobic attacks in Lusaka.
Chairman General of the Refugee Community in Zambia Emile Hatungimana described the xenophobic attacks on and looting of foreign-owned shops and property in Lusaka as barbaric and senseless.
Mr. Hatungimana was speaking in Lusaka during the commemoration of World Refugee Day, which falls today.
“Many are the victims and so far none is talking about compensation. At least something to start rebuilding their livelihoods again. May I, on behalf of the refugee community in Zambia, make an appeal for help to all stakeholders in refugee matters, organisations, the business community, churches and individuals to come to the aid of the victims of the looting. They lost all they had to live on and they are now real destitute. There is no dignity in poverty. They need your hand of generosity now more than ever before,” lamented Mr. Hatungimana.
The refugee leader thanked various sections of Zambian society who offered sanctuary to refugees and other foreigners during the xenophobic attacks, particularly, the St Ignatius Church of Lusaka.
While praising the Zambian Government for introducing the local integration programme for Angolans and Rwandans, Mr. Hatungimana called on the Government to fast-track the programme to achieve massive reduction of refugee population in the country.
At the same commemoration at Olympic Youth Development Centre (OYDC) in Lusaka, UNHCR Representative, Ms Laura Lo Castro condemned the attacks on foreigners in Lusaka.
She said that while UNHCR was not in a position to compensate all the refugees affected by the xenophobic attacks, some assistance, through the agency’s implementing partner Action Africa Help International – Zambia, would be given to the most desperate cases identified.
She observed that the world has recorded unprecedented numbers of people of concern to UNHCR, with numbers of asylum-seekers, refugees, stateless persons and internally displaced standing at over 60 million globally.
“As we mark the World Refugee Day, the world has recorded unprecedented numbers of people of concern to UNHCR, with numbers of asylum-seekers, refugees, stateless persons and internally displaced standing at over 60 million globally. 24 people are forcibly displaced every minute! 10,000 people (mostly refugees) have died trying to cross the Mediterranean see since 2014,” Said Ms Lo Castro.
The UNHCR Representative further observed that with the increased pressure on countries and the number of wars and emergencies in the world constantly increasing, sentiments towards refugees are mixed.
“While we still have many who welcome refugees, some hearts are hardening. Let us celebrate today the courage and the resilience of refugees in the world and in Zambia, the courage and resilience of people who had no other choice but to leave their homes behind and seek safety and refuge in welcoming countries like Zambia,” she observed.
“At the same time, I wish to call on refugees to actively contribute to finding solutions to their situation, in full respect of Zambian laws. I call on refugees to take advantage of all opportunities the life in Zambia offers them, even if within numerous challenges.”
Guest of Honour at the World Refugee Day commemoration, Mr Vincent Chibuye, the Acting Commissioner for Refugees, assured the refugee community that Zambia will continue to abide by its obligations under international instruments it is party to, such as the 1951 UN Refugee Convention.
The World Refugee Day was being commemorated under the local theme: Together in Diversity, Peace and Prosperity. The commemoration was characterised by cultural performances, speeches and sports by refugees and Zambians.
A peasant farmer Chileshe Binwell has delivered 80 bags at the Food Reserve Agency Lwimbo depot in Kasama. Here, Mr Chileshe (left) confers with FRA chief Chola Kafwabulula (right) with whom he shared some of the challanges that include inadequate scales
Government says it is worried about the food security in Kalabo district of Western province due to unpredictable and continuous changes in the rainfall patterns leading to poor harvests.
Food Reserve Agency (FRA) Executive Director, Chola Kafwabulula, adds that Kalabo is also trailing in terms of maize productivity due to poor soil texture and that most of the maize for consumption by the residents comes from Lusaka.
Speaking during his tour of duty in Kalabo district over the weekend, Mr Kafwabulula, however, said he was happy with the construction of the Mongu-Kalabo road as it has the potential of boosting the economy in the district.
Mr Kafwabulula noted that despite the low maize production during 2015 and 2016 farming season, the FRA has enough maize stocks in its sheds to feed the people in the area throughout the year.
He also disclosed that this year’s maize marketing season would be a challenge as there were high expectations of stiff competition between government and the maize briefcase buyers.
And Western Provincial Marketing Coordinator, Nyambe Nawa, told ZANIS that the FRA would embark on purchasing maize for 2016 as soon as the moisture content reduces.
Government recently announced an increase on the purchase of a 50 kilogram bag of white maize from K75 to K85 aiming at improving the livelihood of farmers in the country.
Independent Lusaka Executive Mayor Aspirant Elias Mpondela says his decision to contest the mayoral position is motivated by his burning desire to plough back into the community following their goodwill and investment in his education and life, reports Pan African radio journalist Hermit Hachilonde.
Speaking when he graced the enrolment of the Boys’ Brigade at the Anglican Church, St Francis congregation in Lusaka’s Chawama Township yesterday, Mr. Mpondela who mainly spoke off the cuff stated his Christianity background inspires him to serve the people in the community.
The renowned Lusaka Business Executive who is also Zambia Amateur Athletics Association (ZAAA) president said God has blessed him abundantly in life with an inventory of gifts and hence the need to harness his endowments for the benefit of the people he wishes to serve as a way of appreciating God whose design is to transform lives at any given time.
Mr. Mpondela a devout catholic noted that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom which has helped him succeed in life.
The mayoral hopeful has since urged the parents in the church to ensure that their children are trained at a tender age in accordance with the biblical teachings.
Credited for his acumen to fundraise for institutions he has led, the Enterprising ZAAA Chief however assured congregants at the venue that he will consider helping the church with the musical instruments for the brass band which is needed like yesterday.
In his usual and legendary philanthropic acts, Mr. Mpondela also donated an undisclosed sum of money to help the church buy the same musical instruments as part of commitment.
Mr. Mpondela, who is also currently Radio Maria and Yatsani President, further stressed the need for Zambians to seek God’s guidance when choosing leaders especially in the forthcoming general elections.
“I want to work with the community as part of my appreciation to God’s abundant blessings to me’ he said
A 38 YEAR OLD housewife of Mpatamatu township has been sentenced to two years simple imprisonment by the Luanshya magistrates’ court for stripping naked and assaulting another woman who she suspected to have been flirting with her husband.
Appearing before Ms Chitundu Kalungu, in Luanshya last Wednesday, was Grace Kunda, 38, of house number 178/27, who was charged with assault.
Kunda is also facing charges of indecent assault.
Particulars of the offence were that Kunda, on April, 2016, in Luanshya did assault Gertrude Besa.
She pleaded guilty to the charge.
Ms Kalunga noted that it was sad that housewives had resolved to fight other women over husbands even when women were merely exchanging greetings with their husbands.
“Women should never fight over a man. A woman’s battle with her husband should be in her home and not on the streets. That is what a dignified and cultured woman does.”
“However, I have considered the fact that you are a first offender who readily pleaded guilty to the charge without wasting the court’s time. And I have also considered the rest of your mitigation. That being the case, I sentence you to two year simple imprisonment with effect from the date you were arrested,” Ms Kalungu said.
She granted Kunda leave to appeal to the High court within 14 days.
Kunda pleaded with the court to exercise leniency on her as she was remorseful for her actions.
Facts before court were that on the material day,Ms Besa was going to Mpatamatu when she met Kunda’s husband’s husband with who she exchanged greetings.
Not knowing that Kunda was watching from afar,she saw her come and ask why Besa had been flirting with her husband.Kunda then shouted to say ‘prostitute and before long,all she saw was a crowd that came and undressed her whilst beating her using kicks and fists.
The court heard that Kunda then pulled her genitals causing her vagina to pain and that Besa also sustained general body pains.
Besa then reported the matter to the police and an arrest was made on Kunda,the facts read in part.
File:Over 500 Fish and Rice mongers from the West Bank of the Zambezi River in Western Province come to squat at Mulamba Harbour in Mongu District
A survey around the fishing camps in Kazungula has revealed that some women involved in trade have exchanged sex for fish.
A Media crew working on an International Center for Journalists(ICFJ)HIV Reporting project has found that the escalating HIV/AIDS infections around the fishing camps may be attributed to the sexual relations between some women involved in the fish trade and the fishermen.
At Highland Fishing camp which Borders Kazungula and Kasani Botswana,the crew interviewed 8 fishermen if they have had sexual relations with women who buy fish from them.Three men agreed to have had sexual partners in the trade while four of them denied while one refused to comment.
Highland Village Leader Mumbuna Mayangwa confirmed cases of extra-marital activities between Fishermen and female fish traders.
Mr Mayangwa urged the Zambian and Botswana Government to introduce HIV/AIDS preventive measures such as Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision facility as well as HIV counselling and testing.
Meanwhile a number of fishermen around the camp expressed unwillingness to undergo Circumcision. Kamayoyo,one of the fishermen said he fears he can lose income once circumcised because this would mean him staying home for a number of days.
Kamayoyo said some of his fellow fishermen feel discouraged to go for VMMC because of the pain associated with the surgical operation.
“Generally we men do not like pain especially if it has to do with sensitive parts like private organs and if you go round asking I am sure most men will tell you the same,”Kamayoyo said.
PEPFAR and World Health Organisation(WHO)have introduced a Device that replaces surgical operation during Circumcision known as PREPEX which
is still a Pilot Project in a number of priority countries including Zambia and Botswana.
In Zambia clinical trials to introduce PREPEX started in 2014.As opposed to the cutting of the foreskin using the surgical instrument,PREPEX is a ring that is placed on the foreskin to cut blood supply and later the foreskin drops of by itself.
Rainford Kalaba joined his Zambia teammate Cletus Chama by scoring a brace in continental action in what was a great weekend at home and abroad for some Chipolopolo players.
TP MAZEMBE:
TP Mazembe rallied to beat Medeama of Ghana 3-1 at home in Lubumbashi on Sunday thanks to a fired-up Kalaba.
Kalaba was on target in the 21st and 73rd minutes while team mate Salif Coulibaly scored in-between on the 45th minute cancelling out Malik Akowuah’s 4th minute opener for the Ghana club.
The goals were Kalaba’s first in continental action this season.
Kalaba and Nathan Sinkala played the full 90 minutes while Given Singuluma was substituted just 12 minutes into the match.
Mazembe top Group A tied with MO Bejaia of Algeria on 3 points who beat visitors Young Africans from Tanzania 1-0 on the same date.
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS:
In Setif, Algeria on Saturday, goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene was on the bench as Mamelodi Sundowns beat Entente Setif 2-0 away to top Group B in the 2016 CAF Champions League.
Sundowns and Zesco’s 3-2 home win over record champions Al Ahly also on Saturday afternoon in Ndola marked a great start for Cosafa zone clubs in this years Champions League.
ZAMALEK
On Sunday in Nigeria, Zamalek beat Enyimba 1-0 away in Port Harcourt to go second on goal difference behind Sundowns in Group B.
Striker Emmanuel Mayuka was an unused substitute in that match.
WEEKEND SCORECARD & TOP SCORERS CHART
CAF Champions League Group A
18/06/2016
Ndola
Zesco United 3(John Chingandu 27′, Cletus Chama 48′ 55′)- Al Ahly 2(John Antwi 29′ 65′)
-2016 Cosafa Castle Cup Quarterfinals
19/06/2016
Windhoek, Namibia
Zambia 0-Swaziland 0*
*Swaziland win 4-2 on pp
FAZ Super Division
Week 16
19/06/2016
Forest Rangers 1(Felix Nyaende 41′ pen)-Green Buffaloes 0
Mufulira Blackpool 0-Nchanga Rangers 2(Clement Mwape 55′, Harrison Kaonga 61′)
Martin Phiri(Power Dynamos):5
Ronald Chibwe (Forest):5
Felix Nyaende (Forest Rangers): 4
Edward Mwamba (Nkwazi):4
Jacob Phiri(Kabwe Warriors):4
Venecious Mapande (Nakambala):4
Roderick Kabwe (Zanaco):4
Jacob Ngulube(Nkana)4
Martin Bwalya (Lusaka Tigers):3
Meki Kabeya Mulume(Nchanga Rangers):3
Seith Sakala (Zanaco): 3
Brian Mwila(Green Buffaloes):3
Fwayo Tembo(Power Dynamos):3
Isaac Chansa (Zanaco): 3
Mathews Macha(Napsa Stars):3
Jack Chirwa(Green Buffaloes):3
Spencer Sautu(Green Eagles):3
Guily Manziba (Nkana):3
Kalaba Chikwanda (Nkwazi):3
CONTINENTAL
AFTER 18/06/2016
Idriss Mbombo (Zesco):4
Cletus Chama (Zesco): 4
John Chingandu (Zesco):2
Jesse Were (Zesco):2
Maybin Mwaba (Zesco):2
Roderick Kabwe (Zanaco): 2
Ziyo Tembo (Zanaco): 2
Aubrey Funga (Zanaco):2
Mwape Mwelwa (Zesco):1
INTERNATIONALS
AFTER 19/06/2016
Winston Kalengo (AC Leopards):2
Christopher Katongo (Green Buffaloes): 2
Collins Mbesuma (Mpumalanga Black Aces)
Isaac Chansa (Zanaco): 1
Cletus Chama (Zesco United):1
Mwila Phiri (Green Eagles): 1
The Judiciary and Allied Workers Union has charged that the PF government has failed to improve the working conditions for the vast majority of judiciary workers in the last five years it has been in power.
JAWUZ President Peter Mwale said in an interview that judiciary workers are some of the least paid government workers in Zambia.
Mr Mwale said even the much announced salary increment last year was a mere drop in the ocean as some judiciary workers got between K300 and K400 as salary increments.
He described the meagre increments which came after two years of a wage freeze as a mockery.90% of judiciary workers are unionised and are living in abject poverty
Mr Mwale accused President Edgar Lungu of concentrating all his efforts in making the lives of the Judges more comfortable and neglecting the bulk of the workers in the judiciary.
“Judiciary workers are suffering. The truth is that our members are not well paid. If you see the housing allowances they are subjected to, you would cry but these are men and women in the frontline of delivering justice. How do you expect them to carry out their duties?”
He added, “These High Court and Supreme Court Judges that President Lungu is focusing his attention on are already doing very well. They have hefty salaries and numerous allowances but this President is neglecting the majority of the workers in the judiciary. We have more than 90 percent of the workers in the judiciary who are not judges but they are now neglected.”
Mr Mwale warned that the workers will now show their dissatisfaction with the PF government in the ballot box on August 11th.
“We have pleaded enough and now our time to show them that we are not happy is coming and mind you, we are have tried to reason with government to no avail.”
Ex-Mufulira Wanderers and Nchanga Rangers defender Justin Kunda has died aged 42.
Kunda died on Sunday morning at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka after an illness.
He died as Nchanga youth team coach.
“Our youth coach died yesterday at UTH in Lusaka where he was referred two weeks ago. He had been sick for close to two months,” Nchanga secretary Jim Chongo said.
Funeral is at the deceased residence in Chingola’s Nchanga North area.
Burial is set to take place on Wednesday at Chingola Central Cemetery.
Kunda was part of the Wanderers squad that won the Super Division title back to back in 1995 and 1996.
He later joined Nchanga as a player before he was made assistant coach after retiring from playing.
Political parties participating in the August 11 general elections have been advised against engaging themselves in political violence before, during and after the elections.
Copperbelt Young Women Christian Association (YWCA) Coordinator Sharon Chisanga said since the country has been a haven of peace for many years,it is important that the status quo is maintained at all costs.
She pointed out that it was the duty of all political party leaders to advise their cadres to refrain from political violence during this time of campaigns.
She told ZANIS in an interview in Kalulushi that Zambia was bigger than any political party, therefore leaders of political
parties had to restrain their members from engaging in violence.
Ms Chisanga said Zambians do not expect themselves to become refuges after 51 years of independence.
The country has in recent times experienced sporadic incidences of political violence and strife mainly between the ruling PF and the UPND.
WARRIORS! Dancers demonstrate how they used to kill a lion in the old days. This was during the first ever Samu Lya Moomba Lwiindi Traditional Ceremony of the Tonga speaking people of Choongo Chiefdom in Monze DistrictFormer First Lady Dr Maureen Mwanawasa (in the Middle) being welcomed by Chieftainess Choongo’s Ngambela Tryson Hamaamba(left) to the inaugural Samu Lya Moomba Lwiindi Traditional CeremonyThe Host Chieftainess Choongo of the Tonga speaking people of Monze District arrives at the inaugural event , which drew 12 traditional leaders from Namwala, Choma, and Monze Districts as well as thousands of people. Samu Lya Moomba ceremony is now an annual event to pay homage to spirits at the shrine where former freedom fighters sued to meet to plan for the struggle for independence.Southern Province permanent secretary Mr Sibanze Simuchoba (right) greets Senior Chief Monze(left) while Chief Chikanta ( seated in the middle)of Choma District and the host Chieftainess Choongo ( seated left)looks on during the inaugural Samu Lya Moomba Lwiindi Traditional Ceremony of the Tonga speaking people of Choongo ChiefdomFormer First lady Dr Maureen Mwanawasa (seated right) and veteran politician Vernon Mwaanga( seated left) follow proceedings yesterday at the inaugural Samu Lya Moomba Lwiindi Traditional Ceremony of the Tonga speaking people of Choongo chiefdom.Southern Province Permanent Secretary Mr. Sibanze Simuchoba (right) joins people with disabilities as they entertained guests at the inaugural Samu Lya Moomba Lwiindi Traditional Ceremony held in Choongo chiefdomveteran politician Vernon Mwaanga(right) who together with former First Lady Dr Maureen Mwanawasa(left) represented the Patron of the ceremony, United Party for National Development(UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema, speak after they handed over K30,000 cash donated by the patron to the organisng committee.Mr. Hibene Mwiinga (seated left)special economic adviser to President Edgar Lungu, and Southern Province Permanent Secretary Mr. Sibanze Simuchoba follow proceedings at the inaugural Samu Lya Moomba Lwiindi Traditional Ceremony held yesterday in Choongo chiefdom. Government helped in the construction of shelter, among other donations.Southern Province Permanent Secretary Mr. Sibanze Simuchoba delivering his speech during the inaugural Samu Lya Moomba Lwiindi traditional Ceremony of the Tonga speaking people of Choongo ChiefdomVeteran politician greets Senior chief Monze (seated left) during the first Samu Lya Moomba Lwiindi Traditional Ceremony of the Tonga speaking people of Choongo chiefdom heldELEVEN:EATING FIRE! Acrobats entertain the crowd at the Inaugural Samu Lya Moomba held in Choongo chiefdomSouthern Province permanent secretary Mr. Sibanze Simuchoba(Left) presents his gifts to the host Chieftainess Choongo during the first Samu Lya Moomba Lwiindi Traditional CeremonyThe Samu Lya Moomba shrine where it is believed that former freedom fighters including former First Republican President Kenneth, Harry Mwanga Nkumbula among several others used to meet during the struggle for independence. During his speech at the Samu Lya Moomba Traditional Ceremony yesterday, veteran politician Vernon Mwanga called on government o consider turning the place into a national heritage site.
L-R, Lafarge HRD Ms Thecra Milambo, Kitwe Acting DC Dr Chikafuna Banda, Samacci MD Ms Ireen Bwembya
Lafarge Zambia Plc launched its Kumanga Franchise initiative which will enable new customers to become
sole distributors of Lafarge Zambia’s cement brands and other building materials such as brick force wire,
tile fix and steel rods.
This franchise is commercial strategy which fits well with Lafarge Zambia’s strategy of enhancing customer
experience through the establishment of a commercial channel that presents the most effective ways of
making products and services closer to consumers, thereby enhancing convenience of service. At the same
time it will be promoting entrepreneurship, which is the sure way of owning businesses and creating more
jobs in our country.
The launch was held on Friday at Kitwe, plot T83, Chamboli along Ndola, Kitwe road and it was officiated
by the Copperbelt Permanent Secretary representative, Acting Kitwe District Commissioner Dr Chikafuna
Banda, and the Lafarge Zambia CEO, Mr Emmanuel Rigaux represented by Human Resources Director
Thecra Milambo.
Speaking at the event, the Lafarge Zambia Human Resource Ms Thecra Milambo said Kumanga is an
innovative approach by Lafarge Zambia designed to promote greater access for consumers to their
valued cement brands and other building products; it increases convenience, saves time and allows for
the purchase of any quantity the consumer desires, all within the vicinity of their local community.
Ms Milambo said the Kumanga franchise will be on a contract of five years and Lafarge Zambia will provide
a fully furnished container store to the customer.
“There is no monthly franchise fee, although the customer will be required to provide an initial capital of K
36,000 only, coupled with a monthly container rental fee of K 400. The Kumanga Container Store will only
be used to sell products purchased under the Kumanga franchise”, She explained.
Ms Milambo also stressed that Lafarge Zambia remains committed to providing value for money innovations
for all customers and stakeholders.
“We will ensure that we uphold all our values in the way we implement this franchise. As health and Safety
is a core value, we encourage all partners to uphold these standards in their businesses too.” She said.
Meanwhile, Samacci Investment Managing Director Ms Ireen Bwembya thanked Lafarge Zambia for
considering her to me the first franchisee in the copperbelt.
“As for me I am happy about this new journey I’m undertaking with Lafarge to serve the customers in the
construction industry. I’m happy because Lafarge does not only make cement but they also provide
construction solutions to their end users. And I believe I will not just sell their product but also learn a lot
more solutions through their innovations in the constructions industry” She said.
The Acting Kitwe District Commissioner Dr Chikafuna Banda said he was happy to see that Lafarge Zambia
is coming up with initiatives to supplement government efforts in creating jobs in the country.
“Ladies and gentlemen it is encouraging to see that Lafarge is working on complimenting government efforts
to serve the customers interest in the trade industry. This Franchise will not only allow the public to easily
access the product cheaply, easy and safe way but will also create income for the people who will own the
container Shop and additional employment to people who will be selling in these stores” He said.
Dr Banda also urge other companies to emulate Lafarge in coming up with good initiative in delivering their
services to their customers.
To roll out the initiative Lafarge has come up with a K1 million Win a Container Shop Campaign and have
five Kumanga containers shops to give away in the copperbelt. All you have to do is buy 10 bags of cement
from our selected outlets in the Copperbelt, Sparrow and BuBu in Kitwe Misty Developments and Carymac
Investments in Ndola, and House of Luanshya in Luanshya. The promotion is running from 1 June to July
31 st 2016. Our Sales and Marketing team is available to give more information, so take part today!
