From the largest elephant to the smallest shrew, the city of Zootopia is a mammal metropolis where various animals live and thrive. When Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) becomes the first rabbit to join the police force, she quickly learns how tough it is to enforce the law. Determined to prove herself, Judy jumps at the opportunity to solve a mysterious case. Unfortunately, that means working with Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman), a wily fox who makes her job even harder.

PROS

• Very touching movie with an incredible message .
• Excellent animation , the animals really come to life .
• The design of the city of ‘Zootopia’ itself is amazing with sections of snow, desert and rain forest for specific animal residents.

FAVORITE QUOTE

Chief Bogo: Life isn’t some cartoon musical where you sing a little song and all your insipid dreams magically come true. So let it go.

Judy Hopps: I thought this city would be a perfect place where everyone got along and anyone could be anything. Turns out, life’s a little bit more complicated than a slogan on a bumper sticker. Real life is messy. We all have limitations. We all make mistakes. Which means, hey, glass half full, we all have a lot in common. And the more we try to understand one another, the more exceptional each of us will be. But we have to try. So no matter what kind of person you are, I implore you: Try. Try to make the world a better place. Look inside yourself and recognize that change starts with you.

CONCLUSION

Zootopia is one of the best animated films i have watched in a long time . It is a hilarious movie , but it is not all laughs, it also has a wonderful story about tolerance ,accepting people the way they are . It shows that you can do/be whatever you want despite your background (racial ,ethnic , religious ,monetary etc ) . The characters being animals makes it easy for children to follow the story and get the meaning behind it .

The two protagonists will get you fully invested in this film. Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) was great , with his sarcastic jokes and witty antics . Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin ) was a lovable ,tenacious character .

This is a movie you must definitely take your kids to watch . If you don’t have kids , its fine watch it by yourself . Viewers of all ages will appreciate this wonderful Disney classic  .

RATING

5 out of 5 

BY KAPA187

 

United Party for National Development (UPND) President Hakainde Hichilema has said that Zambians should not trust President Edgar Lungu and his Patriotic Front (PF) Government.

In a statement reacting to the calls made by President Lungu to people on the copperbelt to trust PF, Mr Hakainde said that President Lungu’s failure to lead with compassion, strength and clarity of purpose, as well as his string of broken promises and flip-flops, means by now the majority of Zambians wouldn’t trust him with their wallet, let alone the future of their great nation.

Below is the full statement

Why Should Zambians Trust Lungu?

President Lungu has pleaded with voters on the Copperbelt to trust him. Following reports of growing opposition strength in the area he has sought to explain away current challenges by saying he did not cause them and that Zambians should trust him. But what has Lungu ever done for Zambians to trust him?

Mr. Lungu must know that trust is not something people can just give blindly. You must give people reasons to trust you. Often this will be on the basis of certain personal qualities or your track record based on past performance. Here is where the problem lies for our President: broken promises and betrayal have been routine for the PF in Copperbelt and across the country over the past five years and Lungu himself has fallen down very publicly on this measure by assuring miners that they would not lose their jobs just weeks before thousands were made redundant. Meanwhile, even at State House he has been at odds with many of his ministers, with several defecting and more supporters leaving the PF than at any other time in the party’s history.

If Mr. Lungu is a true leader then he must also know that when you hold an office such as the presidency there is a big responsibility that comes with both action and inaction. This is just as true in the case of the economy as it is with the rising levels of crime and violence in the country, which are in part a factor of the failure by authorities to serve justice for victims. Our President may not have hacked anyone with a panga personally, but by failing to oversee justice for the victims he is presiding over an environment in which such violent behaviour is likely to persist.

On the economy, if we are vulnerable to copper then it is because government has not walked the talk on diversification. If mining companies have halted operations then it is because PF policy flip-flops have increased uncertainty and the power sector crisis has increased costs. Moreover, the speed of the PF’s reaction to events has been unacceptable, always waiting until a situation spirals out of control or frustration spills out onto the streets to take any action.

In sum, make your appeals but know that your failure to lead with compassion, strength and clarity of purpose, as well as the string of broken promises and flip-flops means by now the majority of Zambians wouldn’t trust you with their wallet, let alone the future of their great nation. Lead by example and earn that trust, don’t just ask for it.

Hakainde Hichilema
UPND President

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has said that Zambia produced a record of 2.7 million tonnes of maize in the 2015/2016 farming season despite the difficult weather pattern that the country experienced.

Mr Lungu said those who doubt the Patriotic Front (PF) Government’s resolve and capabilities to confront economic challenges Zambia was faced with must be ashamed at the remarkable success the country had achieved in the 2015/2016 farming season.

He said despite the difficult weather pattern, the success had not come by an accident as it was as a result of clear decisions that the Government made to restructure both the input distribution mechanisms and crop marketing exercise.

Mr Lungu was speaking in Livingstone today at AVANI Victoria Falls Hotel when he officiated at the 2016 World Farmers Organisation (WFO) 6th General Assembly.

The WFO General Assembly, which is held being held under the theme ‘Partnerships for Growth’, has attracted representatives of 517 million farmers scattered around the world.

“Those who doubt our resolve and capabilities to confront challenges must be ashamed at the remarkable success we have achieved in the 2015/2016 farming season which has recorded a record 2.7 tonnes of maize.

“Despite the difficult weather pattern, the success has not come by an accident but it is as a result of our clear decisions we made to restructure both the input distribution mechanisms and crop marketing exercise,” Mr Lungu said.

He said basal dressing fertilizers were in the field by May last year while all farmers were paid by the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) in 2015 for the first time in decades.

Mr Lungu said the feared transition to the electronic (e) vouchers was introduced by his administration saying farmers as well as Zambians could trust the PF Government.

“We are able to confront the economic challenges and transform them into opportunities. This is why we are to laugh off those self-righteous sentiments and criticisms from some who think we have no capacity to run agriculture in particular and the economy in general.

“We have the experience and we a demonstrable record that we are ready and able to do even better. Agriculture is on the mend, and economic in general in on a recovery path. We are determined to do even better,” Mr Lungu said.

He said agriculture was Zambia’s main economic contributor and it created employment for old and young generations while it contributed significantly to the social-economic development of Zambia in particular and the whole African continent in general.

“My Government is determined to provide farmers with innovations and technologies that will accelerate the process of poverty eradication among our poor rural communities who constitute the majority farmers.

“I wish to therefore assure you that my Government has placed priority on cooperating partners working closely with farmer’s organisations to foster food productivity in a sustainable manner and to guarantee incomes and food security for the good of all of us,” Mr Lungu said.

The Head of State said farmers were not merely food producers but they were partners in the global fight against climate change and for sustainability of planet earth.

He said no amount of criticism would deter his administration in fostering development saying his Government would not give up regardless of the current economic challenges.

Mr Lungu also said the Government had made the COP21, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Agenda 2030 and the Committee on World Food Security (WFS) processes a priority.

Speaking at the same meeting, WFO president Evelyn Nguleka said agriculture was the primary sector of all economies and that the sector was responsible for granting food and nutrition security to all human beings.

Dr Nguleka, who is Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU), said agriculture was also responsible for social stability and health adding that the sector provides work opportunities to families, men, women and youth, and largely contributes to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

She said farmers needed to develop the right skills and knowledge needed to effectively improve their capacity.

“This would never be possible without the support of our partners and friends from the public and private sectors, from local and international arena, who believe in our daily work and in our central role for the socio-economic well-being of this planet.

“It is to the above extent that the 2016 General Assembly of the World Farmers’ Organisation, WFO, is being held under the overarching theme of “Partnership for Growth”, with a view to promoting the importance of a holistic approach to the agricultural sector, where different actors stand together for the same goal,” Dr Nguleka said.

Zambia’s Agriculture Minister Given Lubinda, who thanked WFO for hosting its General Assembly in Zambia, said close to 800,000 million people were hungry every day worldwide.

“One of the sustainable development goals in is to fade hunger in the next 15 years. Politicians like you and I can talk about that but the one with responsibility to work towards that goal are these present here.

“As you are aware, those 800,000 million people who go hungry many of them are not in southern region, the continent which has been privileged to host this conference,” Mr Lubinda said.

WFO Secretary General Marco Marzano said the conference had given an opportunity for delegates to examine the theme as farmers strongly believed in partnership.

UNITED Party for National Development (UPND) members will collapse of high blood pressure when the Patriotic Front (PF) forms government after the August 11 general elections, Chief Government spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili has said.

Dr. Kambwili said he was confident that the PF would be re-elected into power after the August 11 elections and was not shaken by some of its members defecting to UPND.

He told the Daily Nation in an interview yesterday that UPND was only popular on social media such as Facebook and not among the Zambian people.

“I feel sorry for the UPND because some of them will collapse with BP. I have no doubt or fear that we are going to lose these elections; we will beat UPND in the first round and they will be shocked. “Their popularity is just on Facebook, but our popularity is with the people of Zambia. That’s the difference,” Dr. Kambwili said.

He said the Zambian people had confidence in the ruling party because of the many developmental projects that it had initiated.

Dr. Kambwili noted that the PF government had achieved a lot within a short period of time.
“Our record is there for everybody to see and the people have confidence in us, not even past governments had achieved what we have done in a short period.

‘‘If the people of Zambia are going to change government, then I will be left with no option but to think that Zambian politics is not about development but about evil,” he said.

Dr. Kambwili also revealed that Government was aware of UPND’s trick of bribing people by buying them air time to insult and condemn government on radio stations. “The UPND gives people money, they take advantage of all radio programmes where there are live phone-in programmes and they give them money to buy talk time to call radio stations. We know that when there is a phone-in programme, they give UPND cadres to call so that they insult Government,” he said.

“Those few people that always talk on radio to condemn Government are not the voters. The voters are people of Zambia who have confidence in us,” Dr. Kambwili said.

Zambian musicians Maureen Lilanda, Wezi , James Sakala and Mumba Yachi collaborated on a song about protecting our wildlife.

 

The song is produced by Jerry Fingers. Music Video produced and directed by Fortress Media. Conceptualized by John Mwanza, Mojo Music and Game Rangers International with additional footage from Phil Jeffery, Jeffery & McKeith Safaris.
Filmed on location at Lilayi Lodge and Musekese Camp, Kafue National Park, Zambia.

“Zambia is home to important wildlife populations which need our protection before it’s too late. This song is a call to Zambia and the rest of the world to support conservation efforts and celebrate the people and organisations who are making an impact. Sending the message out to everyone that we are the generation with whom the responsibility lies: to report wildlife crime, reject illegal bush meat, value our wilderness areas and support the men and women risking their lives on a daily basis to protect our wildlife.”

These musicians and many more will be performing at Elefest 2016 music and arts festival . Find out more HERE.

BY KAPA187

 

 

President Edgar has yesterday commissioned the US$323 million synclinorium shaft at Mopani Nkana Mine in Kitwe.

And President Lungu congratulated Mopani mines for completing the new shaft saying that government will support the mining giant to complete other major projects as well as help the company achieve its vision.

ZANIS reports that the Head of State stated that the synclinorium shaft renews hopes not only to the mining industry, but to the nation as a whole.

He added that the expansion of mopani’s mining activities clearly indicates the confidence investors have in Zambia’s political and economic environment.

President Lungu stressed that the development was also a mark of confidence in government’s resolve to turn around the economy of the coperbelt province.

He said the launch of the plant is not only important to mopani copper mines but to all stakeholders, including government, the industry and the nation as a whole.

President Lungu reiterated government’s support to the mining sector as evidenced by the recent changes to the mining regime, stressing that the adjustments were effected in an effort to enable the sector remain viable during the period of low metal prices on the international scene.

He said he was happy that Glencore has also set aside a further US $1.1billion for a number of other projects aimed at transforming mopani into a modern mining operation.

President Lungu also urged Mopani and investors in the country to create job opportunities for the people in view of the mines new investments in order to alleviate the effects of job losses that occurred as a result of scaling down of mining operations.
And Mpani Copper Mines Chief Executive Officer Johan Jansen has assured that the minning industry in Zambia is still viable and productive despite the low prices of copper on the world market.

Mr Jansen stated that with the official launch of the synclinorium shaft at mopani, the life span of the mine has been prolonged from 25 to 50 years, adding that this will also secure jobs for miners.

The Mopani Chief also assured government that the mining giant will continue to contribute to the treasury for many years to come.

Mr Jansen stressed that Mopani will further continue to play its corporate responsibilities by supporting communities in several areas of sports, health, infrastructure development among others.

The synclinorium shaft is among the projects that Mopani has planned in its upgrade programme aimed at prolonging the life span of its mine.
The project commenced in 2011, and has been completed at a cost of US $323million.