Catholic Diocese of Ndola Bishop Dr. Benjamin Phiri has called for the appreciation, respect, and value of the elderly and aged individuals in society.

Bishop Phiri expressed concern that the elderly are sometimes abandoned, despised, and subjected to derogatory names in society.

As a Canon lawyer, he recognized the importance of the elderly’s wisdom, considering their vast life experiences in various domains.

Bishop Phiri urged the faithful to offer material assistance and prayers for the elderly and aged, not only during this week but also in the future.

During a Sunday message titled “His Mercy is from Age to Age,” the Bishop launched the celebration of the week dedicated to the elderly and aged in the Ndola Diocese.

“It is unfortunate that the elderly and aged in our society are often despised, abandoned, and referred to in derogatory terms, suggesting their irrelevance to us. When we reflect on ourselves and analyze the current state of society, we realize that we truly need the wisdom of the elderly among us,” Bishop Phiri wrote.

He emphasized that despite appearing tired, fragile, and less productive, society greatly benefits from the experiences the elderly have accumulated throughout their lives. These experiences make them not only good mentors but also valuable companions in all aspects of society.

The Catholic Church in the Copperbelt Province (Ndola Diocese) is observing the week dedicated to the elderly and aged from July 16th to July 23rd, 2023.

During this time, the Church is engaging in reflection and prayer for the elderly who may be abandoned, lonely, mistreated, incarcerated, terminally ill, or residing in homes and hospices.

By BENEDICT TEMBO

GOVERNMENT has said it is keen to continue collaborating with Rwanda in support of regional and international peace-keeping efforts.

Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Jack Mwiimbu said as Zambia prepares to assume the chairmanship of the Southern African Development Community organ of politics, defence and security next month, it is confident of support from friendly and like-minded nations such as Rwanda.

During the occasion to mark Rwanda’s 29th Liberation Anniversary in Lusaka on Friday, Mr Mwiimbu said at the multilateral level, Zambia and Rwanda continue to collaborate on issues of mutual concern not only to their countries but to the African continent while supporting each other’s candidatures in the international system.

Mr Mwiimbu expressed happiness that Zambia and Rwanda have continued to enjoy excellent bilateral relations cemented by common principles and values.
He said the important role that peace and stability plays in advancing economic and social development cannot be overemphasised.

“Rwanda continues to distinguish herself through support to peace initiatives on the continent, including your active engagement in the resolution of the insurgency in Cabo Delgado Province of Mozambique. Zambia will equally continue to collaborate with Rwanda in support of regional and international peace keeping efforts,” Mr Mwiimbu said
He commended the resilience and resolve shown by the people of Rwanda to rise from their challenging history and become a flag bearer of social economic advancement which he described as a remarkable achievement.

“This is comparable to the proverbial rising of the Phoenix from the ashes,seeing how Rwanda has clearly distinguished herself as a force to reckon with on African continent,” Mr Mwiimbu said
And Rwanda High Commissioner to Zambia Amandin Rugira said Rwanda under the leadership of President Paul Kagame has made tremendous strides in all aspects of national development.
“Rwanda has been repeatedly ranked the safest, peaceful, cleanest and one of the fastest growing economy not just in Africa but also in the world,” Mr Rugira said
He said the achievements Rwanda has recorded in the political and socio-economic development are beyond what many would have imagined in the aftermath of the Genocide against the Tutsi.

Government has called on traditional leaders to join in the fight against early marriages and Gender Based Violence (GBV) if the cases are to be reduced.

Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary Henry Mukungule said cases of early marriages and GBV have been on an increase hence the need for traditional leaders to come on board.

Mr Mukungule made the in Kanchibiya District during the coronation of Chief Luchembe VIII of the Bemba people of Kanchibiya District in Muchinga Province.

Mr Mukungule said traditional leaders are the eyes of Government hence the need for them to step up and join in fighting early child marriages and child protection against any form of abuse.

He is hopeful that the new Chief together with others in Muchinga Province will provide the much needed leadership in ensuring that all children in the province are protected against detriment and degeneration.

“You need to spearhead the need to provide education and health care to all children, especially free education that has been provided by government,” Mr Mukungule said.

The PS is grateful to witness the coronation of Chief Luchembe as it demonstrates the importance that the people of Zambia attach to the traditional leaders as custodians of tradition, heritage and customs.

He stated that government regards chiefs knowing that they are a haven of peace, wisdom and development across the country which cannot be achieved without the positive input of chiefs.

Mr Mukungule stated that in order for development to be attained in Luchembe’s chiefdom and Kanchibiya District as a whole, there is need for the traditional leader to work with the Government which holds the mandate and developmental agenda for the country.

He also called on the chief to utilise the many programmes being implemented by government so that development can reach the intended beneficiaries.

Speaking earlier, Senior Chief Nkula of the Bemba people of Chinsali District called on Chief Luchembe to remain committed as he performs his duties.

Senior Chief Nkula said it is the duty of the coronate Chief to look after his people and resolve with amicably their issues a fatherly heart.

The Senior Chief also called on residents in the area to work well with their chief if they want to see development.

Speaking through his representative Mutale Ng’andu, Chief Luchembe VIII said he will work hand in hand with stakeholders to ensure issues of early marriages and GBV are reduced in his chiefdom.

The Chief further encouraged residents to form cooperatives so that they can benefit from the many empowerment programmes government is implementing to alleviate poverty among residents.

Chief Luchembe VIII whose full names are Stephen Ng’andu Byemba was chosen as Chief Luchembe on September 10th 2021.

His coronation took place yesterday in Kanchibiya District at the palace ground

According to Radio Phoenix FM main news monitored in Lusaka the other day; the police swung into action and arrested and charged 52 notorious and dangerous junkies from different townships for idle and disorderly behaviour.

Police Spokesperson Rae Hamoonga disclosed that the 52 junkies were apprehended in selected areas of Kamanga, Obama, Big Jose, Chris Mall, Ndeke Meanwood, Kampasa village, Kaunda Square stages 1 and 2 as well as other crime infested areas.

Hamoonga has since appealed to members of the public that could have been attacked by junkies in these areas to report to Chelstone Police Station and help in identifying them so that other appropriate charges can be slapped on them. What do we make of this?

Not so long ago, a similar operation was unleashed in Kitwe that saw street kids and suspected junkies rounded-up, dramatically! While street kids were taken to safe homes, the junkies were charged for idle and disorderly conduct and whisked away to the penitentiary.

After being detained for a while, these junkies have been let off the hook and are now prowling the streets……and probably resumed their nefarious activities!

How long shall the junkies be arrested and detained, released and be re-arrested? Are we doing them any good making them easily walk in and out of prison as though they are taking a stroll in the park on a quiet Sunday afternoon as they enjoy ice cream. Can somebody please stop the drama and perhaps apply a better solution…..

Rounding-up and hauling the street kids and junkies to detention facilities isn’t obviously the best panacea to the challenge that this combined problem poses to society. Continuing to do so is actually akin to applying Vaseline to a festering wound!

It’s important to appreciate that most of those that qualify to pass as junkies were once street kids themselves eking a living on the streets. Once they graduated from being urchins, they obviously retreated to the townships where they’ve since regrouped and organised themselves into violent gangs that are now causing terror and mayhem in our communities.

What can be done to address this problem?

This definitely calls for thinking outside the box. As opposed to dumping them into a dungeon where no one doesn’t even bother openning their eyes and attempting to walk them through a journey of helping them rediscover themselves, what the street kids and these junkies need are opportunities. Opportunities to acquire vocational skills; Opportunities to gain employment without having anyone unnecessarily stereotyping them; Opportunities to join co-operatives and access capital to start their own projects!

After the botched privatization exercise implemented by the MMD regime that saw a good number of our people wound up on the streets; President Chiluba established a Vendors Desk at State House to personally see to it that citizens who were setting up enterprises on the streets as an alternative to their predicament received his utmost attention without any encumbrances.

Can somebody perhaps whisper to the president to consider appointing a Commission on Street Kids or perhaps a Directorate under the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services which would be instrumental in mobilizing the street kids and junkies into co-operatives so that they are better assisted not only to secure funding, but also encouraged to work the land to produce food to feed the nation and for export to the neighbouring countries; delve into the bowels of the Earth to extract gold, sugilite and diamonds etc or perhaps take to the Forest to harvest rosewood to manufacture desks for our schools.

Until next time, I rest my case.

Prince Bill M Kaping’a
Political/Social Analyst