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Raphael Nakacinda
MMD National Secretary Raphael Nakacinda has urged former Party President to take a retreat and soak in the reality away from the people who have continued to wrongly advise him.
Responding to Dr Mumba who called during a live phone in program on Radio Phoenix, Mr Nakacinda said it was disappointing that Dr Mumba has continued to live in the past when the reality on the ground is that he is no longer the President of the MMD.
Dr Mumba called the radio station claiming that Mr Nakacinda was commenting on a matter which was in the Supreme Court and that the convention was illegal as it did not have the blessing of party leaders but Mr Nakachinda said Dr Mumba is in shock because he lost the position of presidency.
He said it did not make sense for Dr Mumba to think that the issue is still in the Court when the High Court made a ruling in which Dr Mumba’s case was dismissed.
He wondered how many times the former party President would go to Court, adding that what Dr Mumba was doing was what the Courts described as “Forum Shopping” in the last judgement that dismissed his claims.
He added that people like Dr Mumba feared the electoral process because they fail to do their home work when they are still at the helm of the party imagining that they will be there in perpetuity.
He explained that Dr Mumba would have been a hero in the country’s political circles had he accepted to go to the convention.
And on the issue of legitimacy of the convention, Mr Nakacinda said it is only in Dr Mumba’s head and those he appointed as NEC members who are saying that the convention did not have the blessing of leaders because the leaders of the party who are the general membership attended the convention and a resounding echo of No to Dr Mumba’s leadership was raised through a vote.
The embattled former leader has continued hanging to the faint hope that the courts might restore his presidency something which is highly unlikely as the convention that installed new President Felix Mutati met all the Party constitutional requirements and the new leadership has subsequently been recognized by law through the Registrar of Societies.
SACCORD executive director Boniface CheembeSACCORD says the actions by alleged PF cadres who attacked the opposition UPND Secretariat and damaged property on Thursday undermines the work of stakeholders advocating for a peaceful election.
Speaking in an interview Boniface Cheembe, the SACCORD Executive Director said leaders of political parties should do more in ensuring that they restrain their cadres from engaging in political violence with impunity.
Mr Cheembe said many stakeholders have been working at ensuring that peace prevails during elections hence political parties should play their part in ensuring that their cadres do not jeopardize the peace that the country enjoys.
“What transpired yesterday at the UPND Secretariat by alleged PF cadres were they damaged property shortly after the filing in of nomination papers by President Lungu, it was expected that people would rejoice in a peaceful manner considering the fact that many stakeholders have been working at ensuring that peace prevails in our country and that peace characterizes the campaign period and generally speaking the electoral process in our country, during the vote, after the vote and beyond.
“The fact that we are now seeing cadres decide all by themselves to go and attack a Secretariat and damage property and inflict a lot of loss to the victims of political violence is a thing that needs to be condemned and no body should justify it in any way therefore, as SACCORD we want to strongly appeal to the Zambia Police Service that they need to send a strong message and a very clear message that any body who engages in political violence will not be tolerated irrespective of their political affiliation. We hope that they will move in very swiftly to investigate cadres who were involved yesterday in those actions at UPND secretariat yesterday and bring such perpetrators to book,” he said.
He said the country should not be sending mixed signals on political violence and that the police should send a clear message that violence will not be tolerated regardless of ones political affiliation.
“We cannot continue as a nation sending mixed signals that somehow if you happen to belong to certain political party you may engage in political violence with impunity, it is such a sense of impunity that has helped plunge other nations in the region into choas.
“We are concerned as an organization that we appear to be complacent and take the peace we have been naturing and enjoying as a country for granted. Many countries around the region have their citizens run to Zambia not only for safe havens but also as a destination for them to fulfil their life project.
“If most of these countries which are not stable can have their citizens flocking to Zambia and in an event that we lose our peace and we have our citizens needing to free this country where are they going to go for safe haven and fulfil their life project? Most like
Y it will be in a very few places,” he said.
He added “We cannot afford to lose our peace and ensuring that does not happen we must protect the peace that we have and ensure that the few individuals who believe that they can take the law in their own hands or act politically violently with impunity they need to be brought to book , they need not to be allowed to continue denting the image of our country which we have had since 1964.”
Chishimba Kambwili Protest with The POST Newspapers in Kitwe
Chief Government Spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili says Friday is the darkest day for Zambian politics, with the UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema settling for Geoffrey Mwamba as his running mate.
Dr. Kambwili says Mr Mwamba is not a suitable candidate to be a presidential running mate.
He has alleged that Mr Mwamba is well known for insulting and has allegedly been to court five times for different assault cases.
Dr Kambwili said Mr Mwamba cannot be trusted with the leadership of the country.
He told ZNBC news in an interview that Mr Hichilema and Mr Mwamba are not a threat to the ruling Patriotic Fron
Frank Bwalya addressing the news briefing
PF Deputy Spokesperson Frank Bwalya has thanked President Lungu for making him deputy campaign manager.
In a statement Mr Bwalya said the gesture by President Lungu shows the great confidence he has in him.
He has since promised to closely with the campaign manager Samuel Mukupa and deliver victory for the ruling party.
I wish to thank President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, the leader of our great Party the Patriotic Front for appointing me as deputy campaign manager for the presidential campaign 2016.
This appointment points to the confidence the Party has in me. I promise to do my best in serving our Party. I promise to work closely with the MCC Samuel Mukupa the Presidential Campaign Manager. And I congratulate him on his appointment.
And Patriotic Front -PF- Deputy Spokesperson, Frank Bwalya says the party is ready to launch its campaigns on the Copperbelt on Saturday.
Mr Bwalya says President Edgar Lungu together with the party leadership is geared for the event.
He told ZNBC news in an interview in Kitwe that the party already started its campaigns in 2011 through various developmental projects.
Mr Bwalya said the countrywide campaign launch will be merely to encourage its supporters to canvass votes.
And Copperbelt Police Commissioner, Charity Katanga says the police has provided enough security for the event.
Ms. Katanga has however appealed for peace during the launch slated for Levy Mwanawasa stadium on Saturday.
She said the Police has also stepped up operations in the wake of political campaigns in the province.
ZNBC will carry the PF copperbelt official campaign launch live.
THE Zambian Embassy in South Korea in collaboration with the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) is planning to host a Business Forum in Korea in the second half of 2016 to woo Korean investors to Zambia.
The Forum would serve as a platform for the private and public sectors of both Zambia and Korea to discuss investment opportunities in both countries.
This is according to a press statement released yesterday by First Secretary for Tourism at the Zambian Embassy in South Korea, Nthemba Kamanga-Minja.
And Ms Minja said Zambia’s Ambassador to South Korea Mumba Kapumpa with Zambian Embassy staff members held a meeting with Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) Director General, Patrick Chisanga, on June 2, 2016 at the Zambian Chancery.
She said Mr Chisanga was on a private visit to Seoul, Korea to attend the 2016 Rotary International Convention that was held from May 28 – June 1, 2016.
Mr Chisanga also serves as the Chairman of Rotary International in Africa. In this capacity, his mandate is to coordinate Rotary’s Development and Humanitarian work on the African continent.
ZDA is responsible for a number of economic performance directions and that the organization is a product of a number of operational agencies being brought under one roof.
Mr Chisanga explained that one of the specific mandates is to develop the export dimension of Zambia beyond the copper exports and that the Government is making efforts to diversify the economy.
He mentioned that Non-Traditional Exports (NTEs) had been about 20 per cent of the export off-take but through sensitization and support extended to the NTE sector, the latest figures show that the percentage has risen to about 33 per cent.
Zambia is endowed with a tremendous amount of land, plenty of water and climatic conditions that favour crop and livestock production and as such agriculture has emerged as one of the primary sectors for the purposes of developing NTEs in Zambia.
Mr Chisanga went on to say that Government had set up 10 Farm Blocks in view of the said factors.
The strategy to be employed is to attract a Public Private Partnerships to help develop the surrounding areas through vertical and horizontal business linkages. He added that agro-processing also presents massive investment opportunities for the processing of crops, fruits and vegetables, as well as livestock and forestry products.
In the discussion, Mr Kapumpa outlined the efforts the mission has carried out thus far in promoting Zambia as an investment destination and tourism destination of choice and said the ZDA is one of the mission’s biggest partners.
Mr Kapumpa said that the meeting with Mr Chisanga would serve as a further building block in the plans that the mission has with the ZDA.
Government has advised farmers against selling their produce but reserve some for household food security.
Namwala District Commissioner Mary Sakala says farmers in the district especially should not to sell all the maize but reserve some for their food security.
She was speaking at the official launch of the 2016 Food Reserve Agency crop marketing season training held at corner point lodge in Namwala District, today.
Ms. Sakala added that government recognises the important role satellite depot clerks, commodity checkers and warehouse supervisors play in the marketing of maize and other crops to uphold the required quality of maize purchased.
Ms. Sakala further said that the district will commence buying of maize once the moisture content of maize reaches acceptable levels of 12.5%.
The District Commissioner disclosed that satellite depot clerks will be deployed in satellite depots to prepare the depots in readiness for the exercise.
She further has appealed to depot clerks to tell farmers to only bring their maize at the satellite depots until the accepted moisture content of 12.5 percent is reached.
The District Commissioner warned the depot clerks that it will not be good to receive reports of farmers spending nights at satellite depots before official receiving of maize at depots is announced.
Ms Sakala has also appealed to depot clerks to guard against corruption ,nepotism and other vices as they serve the farmers and that the clerks are expected to put in their best to avoid cases of stocks being spoilt or stolen.
The Namwala District Commissioner said those found wanting will be visited by the long arm of the law.
During the last marketing season in 2015 ,Namwala District purchased 95,725 X 50 KG bags of white maize and this season a total of 13 satellite depots have been allocated for Namwala District equivalent to the number of satellite depots where FRA operated last season.
President Edgar Lungu talks to KCM Mr Davies Paterson Vice President Local Economy Development at Kitwe Agricultural and Commercial Show in Kitwe on Saturday..
President Edgar Lungu has officially opened the 59th edition of the Copperbelt Mining and Agricultural Commercial Show with a challenge to the mining industry to consider diversifying in other minerals apart from copper and enhancing competitiveness in their operations.
ZANIS in Kitwe reports that President Lungu made the challenge this afternoon when he officially opened the show whose overall stand winner has been scooped by the Zambia National Service (ZNS).
“I want to challenge the mining industry to embrace diversification in other minerals which the country is endowed with and not only concentrate on copper and also to enhance competitiveness in their operations,” he said.
The President further said this year’s theme “Innovation and Diversity the answer to the Energy and Copper Challenges” could not come at a better time than now when the country was currently facing challenges due to effects of climate change.
“This year’s theme could not come at a better time than this when the country is facing problems due to climate changes that we have experienced,” he said.
President Lungu further implored farmers in the province to increase food production and diversification so as to safely store for the local market before exporting.
And speaking earlier incoming show society chairman, London Mwafulilwa, outlined the five-year programme plan that his executive intends to implement, which includes plans to change infrastructure in the show grounds by replacing old dilapidated buildings with modern exhibition halls, setting up a media centre and ensuring that the show becomes self-sustaining.
“We have plans to raze old dilapidated buildings and replace them with new exhibition halls, as well as setting up a media centre and making sure that the show is self-sustaining,” he said.
Mr Mwafulilwa further advised to take advantage of the challenges that the country was facing and identify opportunities that they could explore using innovation.
And Agriculture Minister, Given Lubinda, wondered why certain critics predicted a looming drought and talked of the mining industry going through a crisis when the Copperbelt Province had produced an unprecedented 236, 760 metric tonnes of maize despite the bad weather conditions.
Muhammad Ali has died at the age of 74, a family spokesman has said.
The former world heavyweight boxing champion, one of the world’s best-known sportsmen, died at a hospital in the US city of Phoenix in Arizona state after being admitted on Thursday.
He was suffering from a respiratory illness, a condition that was complicated by Parkinson’s disease.
The funeral will take place in Ali’s hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, his family said in a statement.
Born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Ali shot to fame by winning light-heavyweight gold at the 1960 Rome Olympics.
Nicknamed “The Greatest”, the American beat Sonny Liston in 1964 to win his first world title and became the first boxer to capture a world heavyweight title on three separate occasions.
He eventually retired in 1981, having won 56 of his 61 fights.
Crowned “Sportsman of the Century” by Sports Illustrated and “Sports Personality of the Century” by the BBC, Ali was noted for his pre- and post-fight talk and bold fight predictions just as much as his boxing skills inside the ring.
But he was also a civil rights campaigner and poet who transcended the bounds of sport, race and nationality.
Asked how he would like to be remembered, he once said: “As a man who never sold out his people. But if that’s too much, then just a good boxer. I won’t even mind if you don’t mention how pretty I was.”
Ali turned professional immediately after the Rome Olympics and rose through the heavyweight ranks, delighting crowds with his showboating, shuffling feet and lightning reflexes.
British champion Henry Cooper came close to stopping Clay, as he was still known, when they met in a non-title bout in London in 1963.
Cooper floored the American with a left hook, but Clay picked himself up off the canvas and won the fight in the next round when a severe cut around Cooper’s left eye forced the Englishman to retire.
Won Olympic light-heavyweight gold in 1960
Turned professional that year and was world heavyweight champion from 1964 to 1967, 1974 to 1978 and 1978 to 1979
Had 61 professional bouts, winning 56 (37 knockouts, 19 decisions), and losing five (4 decisions, 1 retirement)
In February the following year, Clay stunned the boxing world by winning his first world heavyweight title at the age of 22.
He predicted he would beat Liston, who had never lost, but few believed he could do it.
Yet, after six stunning rounds, Liston quit on his stool, unable to cope with his brash, young opponent.
At the time of his first fight with Liston, Clay was already involved with the Nation of Islam, a religious movement whose stated goals were to improve the spiritual, mental, social, and economic condition of African Americans in the United States.
But in contrast to the inclusive approach favoured by civil rights leaders like Dr Martin Luther King, the Nation of Islam called for separate black development and was treated by suspicion by the American public.
Ali eventually converted to Islam, ditching what he perceived was his “slave name” and becoming Cassius X and then Muhammad Ali.
In 1967, Ali took the momentous decision of opposing the US war in Vietnam, a move that was widely criticised by his fellow Americans.
He refused to be drafted into the US military and was subsequently stripped of his world title and boxing licence. He would not fight again for nearly four years.
After his conviction for refusing the draft was overturned in 1971, Ali returned to the ring and fought in three of the most iconic contests in boxing history, helping restore his reputation with the public.
He was handed his first professional defeat by Joe Frazier in the “Fight of the Century” in New York on 8 March 1971, only to regain his title with an eighth-round knockout of George Foreman in the “Rumble in the Jungle” in Kinshasa, Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo) on 30 October 1974.
Ali fought Frazier for a third and final time in the Philippines on 1 October 1975, coming out on top in the “Thrilla in Manila” when Frazier failed to emerge for the 15th and final round.
Six defences of his title followed before Ali lost on points to Leon Spinks in February 1978, although he regained the world title by the end of the year, avenging his defeat at the hands of the 1976 Olympic light-heavyweight champion.
Ali’s career ended with one-sided defeats by Larry Holmes in 1980 and Trevor Berbick in 1981, many thinking he should have retired long before.
He fought a total of 61 times as a professional, losing five times and winning 37 bouts by knockout.
Soon after retiring, rumours began to circulate about the state of Ali’s health. His speech had become slurred, he shuffled and he was often drowsy.
Parkinson’s Syndrome was eventually diagnosed but Ali continued to make public appearances, receiving warm welcomes wherever he travelled.
He lit the Olympic cauldron at the 1996 Games in Atlanta and carried the Olympic flag at the opening ceremony for the 2012 Games in London.
GBM taking Oath
UPND President says he wanted somebody who would be a uniting factor and was willing to soil his hands as his running mate and that GBM fits the billing.
And the opposition leader says the manner in which they handled the secret of who would be his running mate shows the level of maturity and readiness to govern the country.
Asked why he settled on GBM as his running mate when featured on a live political program “Zambia Decides” on Muvi TV Mr. Hichilema said that he chose Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba as his running mate because he is willing to go round the country and sleep anywhere and that GBM is a hard worker.
He said that with so much division in the country he felt obliged to pick an individual who would bring the country together.
“…the second reason was to reunite this country together. Zambia today is divided and it is my obligation, it is the obligation of all of us seeking leadership to act in a manner that will bring the country together.
The third reason is that it is important to get somebody who is willing to soil their hands. If you follow our campaigns, I go anywhere and I don’t mind whether I sleep in a tent or classroom, I needed a running mate who is equally committed to moving across this country, crossing the bridges of this country, somebody willing to work night and day to drive a hard bargain in these campaigns and I think GBM is that individual,” he said.
And on the secrecy and if there was any indecision surrounding the running mate, Mr Hichilema said there was never any indecision as the running mate was chosen much earlier and that the confidentiality demonstrated the level of maturity in their party.
“The fact is that the decision was made much earlier but was not announced clearly shows the level of maturity that we are exhibiting even before we even start running the country, not many people have been able to do this, I think it’s a demonstration of maturity,” he said.
He also thanked his other Vice President Dr Canious Banda for graciously accepting the decision adding that there can only be one running mate.
Meanwhile Mr Hichilema said it was not fair for the people who were not adopted to say the party was bad because being the party of choice in the country, the party had its own challenges and among them was the competition for adoption.
He said it was incumbent on those who are not picked to demonstrate unit of purpose and ensure that they rally behind those who have been picked so as to delivery victory not only to the party but for Zambians who are suffering under the directionless leadership of President Lungu.
He also expressed regret that former MPs who have been left out are accusing him of being a bad leader when they have been MPs since the formation of the party.
He said it was unfair on the part of those who have been MPs to note his bad leadership when all was well when it was them being picked.
United Party for National Development (UPND) President Hakainde Hichilema has said that he is thrilled to have filed my nomination and announced Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba (GBM) as my running mate in the upcoming elections on 11 August 2016.
In a posting on his facebook page, the UPND leader said that GBM and him were men of action and that they both have resolved to work tirelessly to use their practical experience in business to fix our country and create jobs.
” We are a united and a hard working team. We have a plan and we know what needs to be done,” he said.
The UPND leader further said that his party is ready to support local businesses, attract investment and move the country forward.
“Alongside our team we’re ready to support local business, attract new investment and get our country moving forward again by delivering our 10 Point Plan,” he said
Mr Hichilema further said that his team team was ready to cut waste and tackle corruption so we can spend our resources on educating and investing in Zambians.
“We know that this is the best way to ensure that economic growth results in increased opportunities and improved quality of living for the majority of our people,” concluded the post.
Dr Banda Congratulates GBMHH during nominationsGBM and HHGBM taking OathGBM taking Oath
Zambia battle to remain relevant in the 2017 Africa Cup qualifiers when they face Guinea Bissau in a penultimate Group E fixture on Saturday.
Third placed Zambia know that a defeat in Bissau will end their interest in Group E where they trail leaders Guinea Bissau on 6 and 7 points respectively.
A defeat will leave Zambia with an uphill battle to stay in contention for one of the two second best spots from the 13 groups of four teams.
Coach George Lwandamina has a full sqaud at his disposal lead by goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene, defender Stopilla Sunzu and midfielder Rainford Kalaba.
Striker’s Collins Mbesuma and Winston Kalengo who were not part of the selection in the first leg match against Guinea Bissau that finished 0-0 in June, 2015 in Ndola are also in the team.
Kalengo will be hoping to add to his three goals scored in the qualifiers while Mbesuma is seeking his second on the road to Gabon.
Meanwhile, a win for Zambia will see them move two points clear for at least 24 hours as they await the outcome of Sunday’s clash in Nairobi between bottom placed Kenya who have one point and number two Congo-Brazzaville, who like Zambia, have 6 points and enjoy a better goal difference.
Chief Government Spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili
Government has strongly warned the media in Zambia against publishing inflammatory stories and headlines.
Chief Government Spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili observed that media houses in Zambia were in the habit of sensationalising stories and headlines in order to incite people to rise against one another thereby sparking civil war and other skirmishes in the country.
Mr. Kambwili Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services was reacting to the story and lead headline carried by the Post Newspapers today which states, “It’s War;” quoting United Party for National Development (UPND) cadres.
He said it was highly irresponsible of the media to publish sensitive stories.
He has since condemned the UPND cadres for threatening war in the country and the Post Newspapers management for publishing a story from what he termed, ‘excited cadres’.
Mr. Kambwili has since asked the media to stop publishing inflammatory statements.
He has also reminded the Patriotic Front (PF) cadres of the ruling party’s stand to expel any of its member who will be found engaging in violence.
UPND president has finally ended the speculation on his choice for running mate by settling for party vice president administration Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba popularly known as GBM.
Mr Hichilema and his running Mr Mwamba have since successfully filed in their nomination papers before ECZ Chairperson Justice Esau Chulu.
Justice Chulu validated Mr Hichilema and Mr Mwamba’s nominations.
Speculation had been rife over the past few days over who the UPND leader will pick as his running mate with former first lady Dr Christine Kaseba being among those thought to be on the shortlist.
.
UPND Vice president politics Vice President Politics Dr Canisius Banda former Acting president Guy Scott and UDF leader Miles Sampa were among the notable figures who accompanied the duo for nomination.
Zambian Afro-pop singer Wacheda’s‘Iron Man’ single featuring Cactus Agony got off to a good start and now, 5 months after its release, its music video is number one on Zed Top 10 on DSTV channel Zambezi Magic.
This is its 4th week on the video chart and comes after it was certified a hit on ZNBC’s Born N Bred in March.
On its release, the video was compared to Rihanna’s ‘Rude Boy’ video, something that did not sit well with Wacheda even though it is a compliment to be compared to Rihanna.
“The comparison comes probably because of the colours hey I love colour and good graphics as I am very creative.’ She says. ‘I wasn’t exactly pleased because I feel the concept is entirely different. But I am glad I was not being accused of borrowing from her video. But it also goes to show that Tha DjLo nailed it.”
“We really set out to make a different kind of video and it worked out well”, says Wacheda. “Partly because of the outfit, Amber Tungani designed the dress and the leg warmers I wore in the video and they really stood out.”
Despite the success of the video, Wacheda says watching her video on TV was weird. “I was actually nervous when it played because people were calling in to air their views. A few said it was a miss but my hubby was right next to me. Thank God for that because I was about to pass out, I felt like I was being judged.”
She says shooting the scenes was nerve wrecking and it didn’t help matters that at one point during the filming she was stuck in an elevator . The second day of the shoot took place when on the day when there was a countrywide blackout. “We were stuck on the 13th floor of Findeco House with my make up half done. We waited patiently, hoping power would be restored but nothing happened for 2 hours.”
“This is my first video and considering I was nervous on the first day. If you pay attention to the first verse of the video you can tell. I couldn’t look into the camera. I kept giggling and shying away.”
But she says her make-up artist Kay Kasweka ‘did a good job’. “She brought out that colourful, happy go lucky girl who I tend to hide inside I came alive.”
Asked if she is working on an album, Wacheda says she is not in a hurry. “Well not at the moment. I am not in a rush to put an album together. I want to take my time to feel the music and eventually decide what direction it will take.”
Wacheda is branching out into TV, she will make an appearance on Zambezi Magic’s provocative talks show ‘Nkani Ya mu Sisi’ on Wednesday.
