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Medically trained experts are now allowed to carry out surgical circumcision in traditional initiation circumcision camps.
Traditional Circumcision ceremonies such as Mukanda Initiation ceremony, which is a passage of ritual rites have been practiced by ethnic groups in North-Western Part of Zambia among the luvale,Lunda,and Kaonde speaking people.
For a few months during winter Season,young adolescents from these ethnic groups are taken to the camps set up in the bush near the community where they are taught traits and dances peculiar to their tradition,cultural values and skills expected of a man from their ethnic groups,roles and duties of a good husband and later on the teenagers are circumcised using a special knife as a symbol of initiation into adulthood.
In June 2007,Government adopted Male Circumcision as a preventive tool in response to HIV/AIDS after a study that was done in North-Western Province concluded that the prevalance rate of HIV/AIDS was lower among cirumcised men compared to uncircumsied men.From the study it was discovered that circumcision can reduce chances of contracting HIV by up to 60 per cent.
“However we do not practice circumcision ceremonies for purposes of HIV Prevention but we do it for cultural reasons and part of it is to impart posterity of ritual rites and values among our boys as they grow into adults.It is imperative for every Luvale to have the child circumcised and for us it is part of cleanliness”,said one ‘Pennis Doctor'(Circumsiser) commonly known as Chikenzi in the community of Philimon Kanyanga.
He said to many people in the Luvale ethnic communities the study results that revealed the reduction of HIV/AIDS among circumsised men came as news as many did not know about that.
Moreover many teenagers especially in rural communities prefer to undergo traditional circumcision for purposes of sexual prowness and attraction to girls, as well as dominance over uncircumcised teenagers who are seen to be weaklings.
In Livingstone District,Southern Part of Zambia most Circumcision camps are conducted in Linda Community which has a fair population of Luvale families.
“I spent 3 months in the camp when I was 14 and then what I knew was that by being circumcised I am immune to get any Sexually Transmitted Disease including HIV itself”,confesses Edward Samukonga now 25 years old.
“We love guys who have gone to Mukanda initiation camps because they are good in bed..where a man who is uncircumcised can just have you for short time,a circumcised guy can make more rounds because they have huge sexual apetite”,says Precious,one of the adolescent girls in the community expressing the general perception of traditionally circumcised young adults in the community.
However 61 year old Brenda Nuyambango,recalled the bad experience she had with traditional circumcision in 1999,”My son died in the camp after bleeding heavily when his foreskin was cut.Circumcisers told us he had an STI before he was circumcised and had sores on the head of his manhood. Upto now we do not know the truth but if he had sores why did they go ahead and cut him.”
In 2008,the term Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision(VMMC) was widely used to distinguish clinically done circumcision carried out by medically trained experts from traditionally conducted circumcision done in initiation camps after several studies and clinical trials.One of the studies conducted in Kenya concluded that the rate of complications and adverse effects are 25 per cent higher in traditional circumcision than in clinical circumcision.
Donors such as PEPFAR,Melinda and Gates Foundation as well as Global fund have been providing financial and technical support to priority countries including Zambia to scale up VMMC National Operation plans and the integration of Medical Circumcision and Traditional Circumcision was one of the recommendations.
It is anticipated that if communities transform from traditional circumcision to Medical Circumcision or integrate VMMC into Traditional camps the impact,the global 2025 vision of achieving 80 per cent coverage of VMMC response to HIV/AIDS prevention will be achieved.
Currently Zambia’s National Operation plan is in effect and bearing fruits.A major milestone achievement has been the initiative to integrate medically trained experts to carry out operations in traditional Camps.
“We have experts who once in a while will visit the traditional camps and conduct clinical circumcision during the tradition initiation training.This never used to happen, it was considered taboo for anyone to enter the camp because it is considered a sacred site but then safety concerns came in and now we have reached the consensus where at a stage of circumcision our experts are allowed to conduct VMMC services”,says Kelvin Biemba,Linda Clinic VMMC cordinator.
“Advantages of conducting VMMC in traditional camps are many firstly,the initiates are counselled,tested,taught about the importance of VMMC in response to HIV/AIDS,they are also taught about Gender based Violence(GBV)”,he says.
Many Traditional Circumcisers have realised the benefits and safety of cutting the foreskin clinically as opposed to the use of a knife.
“The only condition is we only allow male medical experts from our ethnic group to conduct VMMC on our initiates for cultural reasons and we do so because we do not want to expose our traditional practice so much”,says Mr Kanyanga,a traditional circumciser.
A flurry of questionable decisions by the electoral body, media exposés of irregularities, and controversial interventions by the government and military suggests yes.
JOYCE Daka, casts a vote on behalf of her visually impaired grandmother, Tiwamyenji Miti ( right) cast her vote at Mtaya Basic school polling station in a Kasenengwa parliamentary by-election in Chipata
Zambia’s enviable record of 25 years of peaceful democratic elections appears to be under threat. With less than ten weeks to go before the country goes to the polls on 11 August, several disturbing irregularities in the electoral process are emerging.
The controversial decision by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to award the contract to print the ballot papers to a previously unknown Dubai-based firm
The questionable appointment of unqualified allies of President Edgar Lungu to the Constitutional Court
The suspiciously hurried enactment of legislation conferring immunity from prosecution on ECZ officials
The registration of allegedly thousands of foreign nationals on the national electoral roll
and the alarming prospects of military interference in the political process
could all undermine popular acceptance of the election results.
The frontrunners in the presidential race are the incumbent Lungu of the governing Patriotic Front (PF), and Hakainde Hichilema of the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND).
See: Can Zambia’s opposition unseat President Lungu in the 2016 elections?
Heightening the prospects for a disputed election result and political violence is the growing sense that neither party appears to be countenancing defeat. Over the last few weeks, both the PF and UPND have talked up their chances of winning, and understandably so.
With the PF only having been in power for five years and Lungu for a mere 15 months (following the death in office of predecessor Michael Sata), the administration feels entitled to more time. It has also expressed confidence that Zambians will look favourably on the party’s record and renew its mandate. Likewise, the UPND and Hichilema, who has spent a decade in opposition, are tantalisingly close to power and have voiced their conviction that their long wait for power will soon be over.
Lungu and the PF are desperate to retain power and continue enjoying the accumulation of privilege, while Hichilema and the UPND are determined to secure their turn to do so. The stakes are high and the defeated party’s willingness to accept the electoral results will, to a large extent, be determined by the credibility of the electoral process. However, if recent events are anything to go by, a disputed result appears almost inevitable.
ConCourt judges: buddies of the incumbent or fair adjudicators?
In February 2016, President Lungu appointed – as per the revised Constitution of Zambia and subject to parliamentary approval – six nominees to serve as judges on the newly-created Constitutional Court (Concourt). These were: Hildah Chibomba, Margaret Munalula, Mugeni Mulenga, Anne Mwewa-Sitali, Enoch Mulembe and Palan Mulonda.
The ConCourt has the final say on all matters relating to the interpretation of the Constitution including the election of the President. For instance, in the event that an election petition is filed against the President-Elect after elections, the ConCourt has the legal mandate to hear the matter within 14 days of its filing and can dismiss the petition or call for a fresh poll within 30 days. The decision of the ConCourt on any post-election case brought before it is final.
The ConCourt would thus be central to any post-electoral dispute, and opposition parties and civil society have raised concerns that half of the six judges appointed to the Court have close ties to the incumbent. Two were Lungu’s classmates at law school in the 1970s, while a third is a relative who controversially secured Lungu’s nomination to the PF presidency in late-2014 through questionable judicial decisions against his opponents.
none of the appointed individuals even meet the constitutional requirements to serve as a judge on the ConCourt
These links to the President has led the opposition to claim that the ConCourt will be unlikely to ever rule against Lungu. Yet a more important criticism in fact is that none of the appointed individuals even meet the constitutional requirements to serve as a judge on the ConCourt: namely, specialised training or experience in human rights or constitutional law and 15 years’ experience as a legal practitioner.
When John Sangwa, a prominent Zambian constitutional law expert, wrote to Lungu, pointing out these shortcomings and asking him to reconsider the choice of his nominees, the president ignored him. And thanks to the ruling party’s majority in parliament, all six nominees were ratified. Opposition parties argue that the appointments are part of a calculated strategy aimed at ensuring Lungu receives a favourable hearing should the election results be contested.
We are coming to vote
In December 2015, The Post, the leading private newspaper in the country, reported that ruling party officials were recruiting foreign nationals in border areas of Eastern and Luapula provinces – both of which are PF strongholds – to register as voters in Zambia. The Eastern Province borders Malawi while Luapula shares a border with the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Peter Sukwa, the investigative journalist who exposed the story and attempted to take pictures of PF officials conducting the exercise, was left with fractured ribs and a deaf ear after supporters of the ruling party beat him and urinated on him. It took specialist treatment from the country’s top hospital to save his life. The incident highlighted the rising levels of lawlessness that have characterised much of Lungu’s short, beleaguered term in office.
Undeterred, The Post pursued the story further and in May 2016 published evidence of several Malawians in possession of Zambian identity documents and voters’ cards. A check on the provisional electoral roll using the verification process devised by the ECZ confirmed the appearance of these foreign nationals. Furthermore, in separate interviews with the newspaper, some of the Malawians involved in the scheme testified that they had been mobilised with incentives by Zambian authorities and advised to assume common local names to register as voters in several constituencies of the Eastern Province.
Chisamba, a community leader of Malawi’s Mchinji district, led the testimonies, saying: “We are coming to vote. The PF government helped us get these voting requirements and it is our democratic right…We are all ready to come and vote and…are not afraid because we have been permitted by the Zambian government”.
Amidst unverified reports that up to 500,000 foreign nationals from neighbouring countries are appearing on the voters’ roll, the opposition UPND went to the police this May to report the matter. But the police are yet to make any formal arrests, while the ruling party has dismissed the allegations as an opposition smear campaign against the ECZ.
Exonerating itself, the electoral body itself responded that the issuance of a national registration identity card, the prerequisite for acquiring a voters’ card, is the preserve of the government. The ECZ spokesperson said: “the commission does not register foreigners as voters…the basis for registration is a green national registration card and the assumption is that when a person walks to registration officers with a green national registration card, that means that person is a Zambian…It is the Department of National Registration [a division of the Ministry of Home Affairs] that issues national registration cards.”
Opposition parties have cited both the registration of foreign nationals and the police’s lacklustre response as evidence that the ECZ colluded with the governing authorities to manipulate the elections. How this issue is resolved over the next few weeks will have a crucial bearing on the credibility of the electoral process. Left unaddressed, and in the event of a victory for Lungu, it may spark generalised anger or feed into xenophobic attacks against Congolese, Malawian and other foreign nationals. The opposition may also contest a PF victory on the grounds that it was secured with the illegal help of non-Zambian voters.
Adding to the tension is also the fact that the provisional voters’ roll contains monumental errors. In many instances, people who registered in urban centres have found their registrations moved to rural areas without their consent. And media reports suggest that this has been most common in opposition strongholds.
The scale of the reported anomalies combined with the limited time provided by the ECZ for voters to verify their particulars (slightly over a week) has fed suspicions that there is a systematic attempt at play to minimise the number of opposition supporters able to vote.
The new electoral law: institutionalising wrongdoing?
In early May, the PF took to parliament a hastily arranged bill that proposed far-reaching amendments to legislation on the administration and organisation of elections. Among other things, the bill sought to provide ECZ officials with immunity from prosecution for any decisions taken in exercise of their duties and to criminalise the disclosure or publication of ECZ documents to unauthorised persons. It also proposed allowing the President to sack ECZ commissioners for any reason.
Despite criticism that the changes would place the electoral commission above public accountability and undermine its independence, the bill was passed a few minutes before the dissolution of parliament on 13 May. At the time of writing, the bill has yet to receive presidential accent and the final version may, according to parliamentary sources, have different clauses to those that have been published.
The main opposition parties, led by the UPND, see this new law and its suspicious timing as further evidence that Lungu is preparing the ground for a fixed election. They claim that conferring immunity on ECZ officials is meant to protect those who may facilitate the manipulation of election results, while the classification of ECZ documents is a strategy designed to prevent the media from using, say, parallel vote tabulation to publish election results other than those formally approved.
For their part, the ruling authorities have dismissed these claims as unfounded, arguing that the amendments were meant to enhance the independence of the ECZ and bring its operations into line with the amended national constitution.
Also adding to concerns, Lungu has made several changes to the ECZ leadership, moving the widely respected former chairperson Irene Mambilima to the Supreme Court and appointing Esau Chulu, who had served as Mambilima’s deputy, as her successor. The President further nominated three individuals with effectively no experience in managing national elections as ECZ commissioners. Opposition parties allege that Lungu’s reconstitution of the electoral body on the eve of a crucial election demonstrates his determination to ensure a favourable outcome.
From ballot to bullet? The military’s increasing involvement
On 20 May, the commander of the Zambia Air Force (ZAF) issued a strongly-worded warning that the military would tightly control the use of the “innocent” airspace throughout the campaign period, ostensibly to protect it from abuse.
In remarks that are worth quoting at length, General Eric Chimense said that: “Under the prevailing security conditions today, as Zambia Air Force, we are duty-bound to take stringent measures that would prevent our innocent air space from being used wrongly by the perpetrators of violence within our nation. We as service chiefs are seriously concerned with the carelessness and lack of patriotism, hooliganism and total indiscipline that has been observed over the past few months from some of our citizens…These individuals have been justifying the acts of violence or rather of their followers in the name of retaliation or indeed self-defence…It is a threat that cannot be allowed to continue growing in our society. Some of the perpetrators of genocide we hear being arrested in our sister countries within Africa are because of the statements these individuals made before genocide. We as Zambia are known the world over as peacekeepers. We do not want peacekeepers to come to Zambia.”
Chimese’s public address was generally perceived as a veiled message to the UPND, whose leaders recently advised members to defend themselves against attacks by ruling party supporters in the face of a lack of protection from police. The General’s pledge to protect the airspace meanwhile was seen as a euphemism for justifying the Air Force’s frustrations of the opposition’s electoral campaigns on the flimsy grounds of ensuring security while Lungu is flying across the country. This conclusion is backed by the fact that a few days earlier, UPND leaders had complained to the ECZ that the ZAF command had grounded its campaigns with the party’s airplanes denied clearance to fly.
The remarks by the Air Force commander were thus important for several reasons. First, they are evidence that top military commanders are siding with the governing party. Second, they highlight the increasing involvement of the Zambian military in electoral contests. In the run-up to the January 2015 presidential election, military chiefs reportedly backed Lungu, hitherto the Minister of Defence, in the PF’s divisive succession wrangles. And the ZAF commander’s recent comments provide possible indications of the consolidation of that relationship.
Since ZAF helicopters ordinarily transport election materials to and from rural constituencies before and after voting, Chimese’s remarks may further be interpreted as an early indication that the authorities are preparing the ground for manipulating the election outcome. For instance, if the ZAF choppers are to play a part in rigging the vote, the authorities may be pre-emptively trying to prevent the opposition from collecting evidence of such activities.
Furthermore, the commander’s comments arguably demonstrate an attempt to intimidate the population into submission in the event of a disputed election outcome. And finally, given that the rank and file of the military may retain different political persuasions to their commanders, such remarks also have the potential to divide the security forces and foment protracted civil strife in the event of a disputed election.
Printing papers: a controversial contract
In all this, one of the most worrying developments has been the decision of the ECZ to award the contract to print ballot papers to a previously little-known Dubai-based firm, Al Ghurairi Printing and Publishing. Civil society, the press and opposition parties protested strongly against this decision, claiming that the company printed ballot papers for Uganda’s disputed February 2016 presidential poll. The ECZ denied that Al Ghurairi had any involvement in those elections, though in fact both sides are mistaken. The truth is that the company printed ballot papers for Uganda’s local government elections held alongside the presidential poll.
Regardless, an explanation by the ECZ is still needed, especially since the Dubai-based firm quoted $3.6 million for the contract, which is more than double the amount tendered by the South African company Ren-Form CC, which has printed Zambia’s ballot papers for the last three years, including those for the 2015 presidential by-election. Since 2006, ballot papers for Zambia’s general elections have always been printed in nearby South Africa, raising questions about the change to United Arab Emirates. Claims by the ECZ that Al Ghurairi provides superior security features have not been substantiated.
To the delight of opposition parties, Ren-Form CC subsequently lodged an appeal against the ECZ’s decision to the Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA), a government regulatory body with the power to review matters relating to public procurement. After careful consideration, the ZPPA advised the ECZ to cancel the award, citing a number of irregularities, and to restart the tender nomination process.
This recommendation drew sharp criticism from the ruling authorities who, according to well-placed sources in ZPPA and ECZ, asked the regulatory body to rescind the decision. A few days later, however, the ECZ confirmed the final award to Al Ghurairi, prompting further accusations that the Dubai-based firm will be involved in efforts to rig the elections.
Hichilema has been resolute in his opposition and warned that if the deal is not cancelled, it might plunge the nation into chaos. Al Ghurairi’s failure to address the complaints of opposition parties has only fed into growing speculation that it is colluding with the ruling authorities to undermine Zambia’s electoral process. It would be astonishing to see a company genuinely seeking to build an international reputation open itself up to such criticism.
The tenacity of ordinary Zambians in resisting provocation and avoiding political violence over the last 30 years has been remarkable. One can only hope that this record endures and that the mounting irregularities around the current elections do not test the patience of the opposition and the general public to breaking point.
Sishuwa Sishuwa is a Zambian political analyst based at the University of Oxford.
Mr Helium Prime is back with visuals for his hit single ‘Learner’ featuring producer,hip hop and dance hall artist Jay Rox. Directed By DJ LO for Ikonik Pictures.
The Video was shot at Lusaka Skater Paradise in January 2015.
Winner of a brand new US$29,000 Renault Duster, Robinson Kabamba with Total Zambia managing director Damien Ricour-Dumas. Picture courtesy of KPR Consulting
Taking part in competitions is a game of chance and you never really think you’ll win. Sitting in the driver’s seat of a brand new Renault Duster, Robinson Kabamba will probably tell you otherwise.
The Kabwe resident has won a brand new Renault Duster valued at US$29, 500 in the Total Zambia lubricants promotion. He was picked from the hundreds of entries that were received and drove away with a brand new Renault Duster at an official handover ceremony held at Total Parkway in Lusaka.
And Total Zambia has prioritised promotion of road safety as part of its services across the country and pledged continued investment countrywide through its provision of motoring products and services to its customers.
“Our role as Total goes beyond service stations but provision of motor vehicle lubricants that improve efficiency on our roads and ensure that vehicles remain road worthy and reduce the risk of accidents,” said Total Zambia managing director Damien Ricour-Dumas.
He added that Total’s 50 service stations countrywide provides services to motorists and that the company’s operations in Zambia for 65 years was a demonstration of its commitment to the country and its customers.
The lubricants promotion which ran from 1st October, 2015 to 31st March, 2016 saw customers who purchased of 5-litre container of lubricants from a Total service station fill in an entry ticket and automatically enter into the grand draw. Monthly draws were also conducted which saw a total of 9 winners walk away with various prizes ranging from a Plasma TV, Awango by Total solar lamps and fuel preloaded on a Tomcard (Total fuel card) to branded t-shirts, caps and umbrellas.
In his box fresh showroom vehicle, Mr Kabamba will enjoy world-class safety and security features that ensure he is in complete control even on unfavourable terrains. The Renault Duster also offers brake assist which keeps the driver in control no matter what.
Dual front airbags are designed to absorb heavy impact while the impact sensing door unlock allows a quick exit from the car while the speed sensitive auto door lock intelligently locks the door.
Man of the moment Ronald Kabamba with keys to his brand new Renault Duster. Picture courtesy of KPR Consulting
Head of the Office of the High Commission of Canada in Lusaka Amy Galigan inspects copper at First Quantum Minerals’ Kansanshi mine.
The government of Canada, through its High Commission in Zambia, has commended Africa’s largest copper producer First Quantum Minerals (FQM), for its $4 billion Kansanshi mine investment, acknowledging the mine’s position as the largest taxpayer in Zambia.
Visiting the Solwezi mine, Head of the Office of the High Commission of Canada in Lusaka Amy Galigan saw at first hand the scale of operations at the mine, driven by FQM’s massive investment, whose primary listing is on the Toronto Stock Exchange, with a secondary listing on the Lusaka Stock Exchange.
“Kansanshi is a remarkable engineering and technology achievement. However, it is also an important contributor to the Zambian economy – through direct and indirect employment; taxes and royalties it pays to government; and via its programmes to increase employability and skills in the surrounding community, improve education outcomes, and work with farmers to increase their yields,” said Ms Galigan.
Kansanshi Mine is expected to produce 235,000 tonnes of copper and 150,000 ounces of gold in 2016.
Ms Galigan further praised government for providing a good environment under which mines were operating in the country.
”A stable, predictable and balanced business and regulatory environment promotes the kind of investment First Quantum Minerals is making in Zambia,” she said, after visiting the mine along with European Union Ambassador and Head of Delegation Alessandro Mariani.
The Kansanshi mine investment has enabled the acquisition of technology which has brought innovative approaches to mineral extraction. The investment has also resulted in operations at the mine becoming more efficient, dynamic, profitable and sustainable; she was told by Kansanshi mine head of Public Relations Godfrey Msiska.
FQM, the largest taxpayer in Zambia, has committed to supporting government in its quest to ensure full transparency and accountability in the production of mineral resources, and was among the first to adopt the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Development’s new EU-supported reporting mechanism introduced at the beginning of this year under the Mineral Production Monitoring Support Project.
FQM has invested some US$4 billion in developing the Kansanshi mine since 2005, transforming the economy of North-Western Province and creating employment for more than 8,500 people. FQM is also currently commissioning the US$2.1bn Sentinel Mine at Kalumbila, 120km west of Kansanshi. Kansanshi produced 227,000 tonnes of copper and more than 136,000 ounces of gold in 2015. It paid K1.74 billion of taxes to the government in 2015, excluding PAYE.
Head of the Office of the High Commission of Canada in Lusaka Amy Galigan, centre, views First Quantum Minerals’ Kansanshi mine with Kansanshi Assistant General Manager Meiring Burger, European Union Ambassador and Head of Delegation Alessandro Mariani and Kansanshi Public Relations Manager Godfrey Msiska and EU represenatives.Head of the Office of the High Commission of Canada in Lusaka Amy Galigan, right, views First Quantum Minerals’ Kansanshi mine with Kansanshi Assistant General Manager Meiring Burger.Head of the Office of the High Commission of Canada in Lusaka Amy Galigan, right, views First Quantum Minerals’ Kansanshi mine with Kansanshi Public Relations Manager Godfrey Msiska (centre) and European Union Ambassador and Head of Delegation Alessandro Mariani.Head of the Office of the High Commission of Canada in Lusaka Amy Galigan inspects copper at First Quantum Minerals’ Kansanshi mine.
President Lungu and Vice President Inonge Wina looking at the PF 2016-2021 manifesto at the lunch of PF Campaign in the Heroes Stadium
The ruling PF has released the long awaited 2016-2021 manifesto which sleeps out the ruling party’s vision for the next five years if they return power in the forthcoming August 11th polls.
In a statement released by his special assistant for press and public relations Amos Chanda, President Edgar Lungu said the vision and ambition of the 2016-2021 PF Manifesto focuses on reducing the cost of living for the poor majority through the increase in agricultural productivity, enhanced job creation and accelerated diversification of the economy.
The President encouraged all party functionaries to read and disseminate as widely as possible, the revised PF Manifesto 2016-2021.
“The President has explained that the platform upon which the PF is basing its message for the second term mandate will be a continuation of the pro-poor policies, it has been implementing in the last five years,” Mr. Chanda stated.
“The vision and ambition of the 2016-2021 Manifesto will focus on reducing the cost of living for the poor majority by increasing agricultural productivity, enhanced job creation and accelerated diversification of the economy.”
President Lungu also promised to vigorously direct his efforts at reducing the price of mealie meal and other essential commodities, ending load-shedding, ensuring that there is a steady supply of medicines in hospitals as well as affordable school fees for the poor masses in the country.
Edith Nawakwi with Running mate, Dr Rev Clement Mwanza
FDD President Edith Nawakwi has charged that time has come for Zambia to try a female leader in State House because male Presidents have apparently failed to develop the country.
And Mrs Nawakwi has unveiled his presidential running mate, Dr Rev Clement Mwanza.
Speaking Wednesday afternoon when he successfully filed in her nomination papers, Mrs Nawakwi said most political parties ae now opting for female running mates because they have realised that Zambians now want women leadership.
She said the FDD is the most organised political party in the country and has proven most critics wrong who thought that a woman cannot lead a political party in Zambia.
“They used to call us nashalaneka party (a one-man party) but today they have feeling our presence. The multitudes we are seeing here today goes to show that we have people on the ground,” Mrs Nawakwi announced.
Mrs Nawakwi said the FDD is the only political party with a clear development agenda for Zambia.
She said the FDD believes in devolving power to the power and empowering local communities to take charge of their development through a clearly thought out decentralisation policy.
Mrs Nawakwi said another year of the PF in power will see Zambia degenerate to levels never seen before.
She charged that Zambia is now witnessing a break down in law and order and the social economic landscape has also recorded negative gains in the last few years of the PF.
Mrs Nawakwi also warned that the situation in Zambia is currently fertile for post-election conflict and called for more prayers to avert that.
At the same event, Mrs Nawakwi also unveiled the FDD’s candidate for the post of Lusaka Mayor, a Mrs Sirre Muntanga.
She also announced that the FDD has parliamentary candidates in almost all constituencies in the August elections.
Mrs Nawakwi who introduced her running mate Rev Mwanza to the crowd said only the FDD is providing fresh leadership with fresh ideas.
She further stated that a running mate should be the one with the energy to carry the party and the nation forward in an event that the President dies.
“Some of these running mates we are seeing today raises a lot of questions. What will happen if the President goes six feet under. Do they even have the energy to carry us forward? This is why we as the FDD are giving you fresh leadership and fresh ideas,” she said.
And Reverand Mwanza said he was grateful that the FDD leadership have given him a chance to participate in leading the party.
He said with his background in Theology and Community Development and Poverty reduction work, he is best suited to work side by side with Mrs Nawakwi and taking the FDD forward.
Meanwhile, UNIP’s Tilyenji Kaunda and his running mate Njekwa Anamela were the first to file in his nomination papers and promised a return to the ‘good days’ if UNIP is voted back into power.
Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) President Edith Nawakwi’s bid for the Presidency almost flopped after her running mate failed to produce his educational qualifications at the nominations center.
Ms Nawakwi’s running mate Dr. Clement Mwanza failed to produce his original copies of his educational qualifications prompting a closed door meeting with the Electoral Commission of Zambia officials.
Later, Ms Nawakwi’s nomination was accepted by presidential returning officer Justice Esau Chulu.
And addressing hundreds of her supporters after filing in her papers, Ms Nawakwi said time has come to usher in a new leadership and reject recycled politicians.
Ms Nawakwi says this is the time Zambians should liberate themselves from hands of poverty by voting wisely in the forthcoming general elections.
Earlier, UNIP Presidential candidate Tilyenji Kaunda successfully filed in his nomination.
Meanwhile, Democratic Assembly President Maxwell Mwamba who was also expected to file in his nomination could not manage for unknown reasons.
Livingstone Town Clerk Vivian Chikoti (far left), newly elected Livingstone Mayor Milford Maambo, his deputy Fred Sikazwe, Southern Province Minister Daniel Munkombwe and Livingstone District commissioner Omar Munsanje (behind Mr Munkombwe) during the installation of the mayor and deputy mayor in the tourist capitalLivingstone Town Clerk vivian chikoti, and other senior Management officials at Livingstone City Council on Tuesday 31st May 2016 appeared before the Livingstone Subordinate Court following their arrest by the Anti-Corruption Commission on charges of failure to follow laid down procedures in the manner they disbursed personal loans to procure personal vehicles.
Ms Vivian Chiwila Chikoti, 49, of House no. 2, Flamboyant Lane in Livingstone was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Commission on 1st April, 2016 and jointly charged with four other Senior Management Officials at the Council.
She was jointly chared with the Director of Planning Mr. Jammie Mukwato, 47, of house no. 2, Kafue Road in Livingstone, the Director of Public Health Mr. Chabala Chanda, 41, of plot 16/A Makoma Road in Livingstone, to the then Director of Finance at Livingstone Council Mr.
Kingsley Muchindu Siasinyanga, 49, who were themselves arrested on 9th March, 2016 and the then Director of Administration at Livingstone City Council Ms Rosemary Kaoli Chona, 54, of plot 144, Mwambula Crescent, Jesmondine in Lusaka who was arrested on 6th April, 2016.
The Livingstone Subordinate Court has since set 18th and 19th July, 2016 for commencement of trial.
In this matter, Ms Chikoti and the four accused persons were charged with failure to follow applicable procedures and guidelines contrary to section 32 (2)(b) of the Anti- Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012.
Particulars of the offence being that the aforementioned being employed as Public Officers on dates unknown but between 1st April, 2012 and 30th April, 2014, jointly and whilst acting together willfully failed to comply with Circular No. MLGH/71/6/93 issued by Ministry of Local Government and Housing relating to the disbursement of loans when they paid out personal car loans to themselves totaling K 694,234.2 (six Hundred and Ninety-Four million Two Hundred and Thirty-Four Kwacha Two Ngwee).
The funds they used were held in the special Delivery Fund Account held at Zambia National Commercial Bank meant for workers’ salaries and other funds held at Finance Bank account which were disbursed to the council by National Road Fund Agency and Ministry of Tourism meant for road drainage works, garbage collection and works towards the Livingstone Inter-City Bus Terminus and Livingstone Modern Market, in preparation towards the hosting of the United Nations World Tourism General Assembly in 2013 by Ministry of Tourism.
Further, Kingsley Muchindu Siasinyanga and Chabala Chanda were joinuy charged with another count of abuse of the authority of office contrary to section 21 (1)(a) of the Anti- Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012 of the Laws of Zambia.
Particulars of the offence being that the duo on dates unknown but betwee· 11 st April, 2013 and 31st December, 2014, jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown did abuse the authority of office by directing drivers from Livingstone City Council namely Mr. Active Anungu Cheelo, Mr. James Mishengo and Mr. Norman Chibuye to be paid subsistence allowances and to travel to Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania to pick up the private vehicles of Vivian Chikoti, Rosemary Kaoli Chona, Chabala Chanda, Kingsley Muchindu and Jammie Mukwato, acts which are arbitrary and prejudicial to the rights and interests of the Government of the Republic of Zambia.
The accused are expected to appear on the aforementioned dates for commencement of trial.
Frank Bwalya
PF Deputy Spokesperson Frank Bwalya says there will be no negative imprecations that will arise from the missing of nomination deadline by two of the party’s aspirants.
Mr Bwalya said there are no negative consequences that would affect the PF campaign as the party is working with aspirants from the MMD in Muchinga constituency and the Independent in Lundazi who will both campaign for PF presidential candidate Edgar Lungu.
“A number of media houses have called us to make a comment about the consequences of the development that two of our members namely Dr Ngosa Simbyakula who is our national Chairperson and Dr John Phiri who did not file their nomination papers yesterday. Our position is that there are negative consequences that would be to the level of affecting our campaign.
“What Zambians know is that we are working with MMD. In case of Muchinga constituency Mr Howard Kunda is campaigning for President Lungu because the MMD led by their new leader Mr Felix Mutati is not standing. In Lundazi we have a PF member Bezwayo Nkunika who has stood as an Independent and will campaign for our presidential candidate,” he said.
Justice Minister Ngosa Simbyakula and John Phiri yesterday failed to file in their nominations after arriving at their respective nomination centers late.
Patriotic Front [PF] aspiring candidate for Lundazi Central Constituency in Lundazi District, John Phiri yesterday failed to file in his nomination papers for Lundazi Central Constituency after he allegedly arrived one hour after the nomination centre was closed.
District Electoral Officer [DEO], Boyd Kaoma said that all political parties were given a timetable in which to file in their nomination papers.
Mr Kaoma said the PF party was scheduled to file in between 13.00hrs to 14.00hrs but Dr Phiri arrived at the centre at 16.50hrs after the centre was closed.
He said according to the Electoral Commission of Zambia [ECZ], during nomination days political parties were given time table in which they were supposed to follow strictly but the PF failed to abide by the time table.
Mr Kaoma, who is also Lundazi Council Secretary, disclosed that he telephoned PF District Chairperson, Emmanuel Mulenga, one hour before the PF aspiring candidate’s time to file in his nomination papers to remind him.
And in a related development, PF aspiring candidate for Mukomba Ward in Lundazi Central Constituency, Stephen Banda, also failed to file in his nomination papers for arriving late and he had no other legal documents.
Meanwhile, efforts to get comments from either Dr Phiri, who is General Education Minister or Lundazi District Patriotic PF chairperson Emmanuel Mulenga failed by press time.
Four aspiring candidates for Lundazi Central Constituency who successfully filed in their nominations papers, were Frankston Banda on UPND ticket, Bizwayo Nkunika on independent ticket, Lawrence Nyirenda on independent ticket and Evans Ngoma on independent ticket.
Rosah Presents her second project of 2016 preceded by “To the Hungry Soul”. “Pressed” is an 8 track EP that continues to show Rosah’s Diversity and range. The Central theme of Pressed is Love which is expressed through Rap, Spoken word and Singing.
PF Choir sings during the Ground Breaking ceremony for the Construction of 2 correctional facilities and 72 housing units for the Zambia Correctional Services in Mwembeshi
A new report by MISA Zambia shows that the ruling PF is receiving the bulk of election media coverage with its officials overshadowing other election players.
The report released today shows that the PF had the majority of coverage almost twice as many stories as UPND, and that the PF was given undue prominence across the majority of media houses.
It also showed that election stories are predominantly covering process, personalities and events and not dealing with policy or developmental issues nor party manifestos and are not issue based.
It also revealed that more than 60% of all election stories were single sourced, and therefore biased, unfair and not balanced.
The report is a result of a media monitoring project undertaken by MISA Zambia in collaboration with BBC Media Action and Media Liaison Committee (MLC).
Researchers on this project analysed 441 election-related stories from a total of 21 different media houses in order to produce the data used in this report.
These included TV stations, radio stations, newspapers and websites, and covered public, private and community-owned outlets.
The research shows that PF/PF party officials or statements were the most common source of election-related news stories at 28.1% followed by UPND/UPND party officials or statements at 14.6% while CSO representatives or statements received 13.2% and statements from average citizens at received only 7.6% of coverage.
The MMD and its party officials received a paltry at 6.7% with the ECZ representatives or statements getting at 5.8% of the coverage.
The report findings also showed that in private owned media outlets, the PF received more media coverage, but the difference with the next major party was lower than across other media sources.
It showed that the PF received 43% of media coverage followed by UPND at 25% and that 10 % of coverage was not centred on any political party but rather on election stakeholders in Zambia.
In community owned media outlets, the PF also received more press coverage at 41%, while the UPND received 25%.
14% of the media coverage was not on any political party but rather on election stakeholders, notably the Electoral Commission of Zambia.
Other political parties such as the MMD, NAREP and FDD received a total of 11% combined while the Rainbow party and DF received no coverage.
In the public media, the P received 51% of the election related coverage, compared to the next closest political party, the UPND that received significantly less coverage at only 18%.
The report has since recommended the need to increase coverage of topics relevant to citizens’ choice of who and which party to vote for like poverty eradication, education, health, agriculture, party manifestos and employment.
The report also called for balance the coverage of different political parties and to particularly give more coverage to opposition and smaller opposition parties.
It also recommended the Increase in the range of sources and viewpoints expressed in a story.
President Edgar Lungu speaks to NGOCC member of board of trustee Dorothy Hamwele (c) and NGOCC chairperson Sarah Longwe at State House
The NGOCC has said less than 70 days before the proposed National Referendum is held, the PF Government only released the proposed “Bill of Rights” that is supposed to be subjected to the National Referendum on Monday 30th May 2016. The people of Zambia are not aware of the contents of the proposed “Bill of Rights” that they will be voting for or against.
The NGOCC said the delay in releasing the proposed “Bill of Rights” by the Government of the Republic of Zambia is a deliberate ploy to yet again deprive the people of Zambia an opportunity to have a people driven Constitution that is reflective of the Zambian people’s will and aspirations.
The people of Zambia are not aware of the contents of the proposed “Bill of Rights” that they will be voting for or against.
Speaking at media briefing on behalf of 41 Non Governmental Organisations affiliated to the Council Sarah Longwe said holding the National Referendum together with the General Elections will result into rendering this important constitution making process meaningless and a waste of public resources as it will not achieve the people’s intended purpose.
She said a National Referendum is a critical civic process that transcends any political process especially of a partisan nature as the 2016 General Elections. To use the same venue and personnel to manage both the General Elections and the Referendum will bring confusion and a possible avenue for voting complications as those who do not have voters cards will be allowed into the elections venue.
The different eligibility tests for the National Referendum and General Elections presents unique and new challenges to not only the electorates but also the Electoral Commission of Zambia.
Whereas the National Referendum requires that at least 50% of those eligible to vote do actually take part in the National Referendum, the General Election requires a different test and hence the need not to confuse these two different electoral processes.
Whereas the Central Statistics Office projects the total voting population to be just over 7 million Zambians, the Electoral Commission of Zambia Voters Roll captured only 6 million+ Zambians. Clearly the challenges faced in capturing more voters in the just ended registration exercise will greatly impact on the Referendum voting process given the voter apathy trends in the recent past.
Ms Longwe said due to unprecedented incidences of political violence that the country has experienced in the past two years, the likelihood of voter apathy is very high which may greatly impact on the success of the National Referendum.
The NGOCC has therefore demanded that no referendum on the Bill of Rights and Article 79 should be held alongside the August 11th 2016 General Elections and no repealing and amending of Article 79 of the National Constitution given that the people of Zambia are unaware of this constitutional change and must first be sensitized.
Below is the Full Press release
We the representatives of NGOCC member organisations who met, at the NGOCC secretariat in Lusaka to deliberate on Zambia’s Bill of Rights and the National Referendum process on 27th May 2016,
OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING:
1. Less than 70days before the proposed National Referendum is held, the Government of Zambia only released the proposed “Bill of Rights” that is supposed to be subjected to the National Referendum on Monday 30th May 2016. The people of Zambia are not aware of the contents of the proposed “Bill of Rights” that they will be voting for or against. It is our considered view that the delay in releasing the proposed “Bill of Rights” by the Government of the Republic of Zambia is a deliberate ploy to yet again deprive the people of Zambia an opportunity to bequeath unto themselves a people driven Constitution that is reflective of the Zambian people’s will and aspirations. The “Bill of Rights” has also not yet been simplified and translated into local languages and sign language.
2. With the foregoing, holding the National Referendum together with the General Elections will result into rendering this important constitution making process meaningless and a waste of public resources as it will not achieve the people’s intended purpose. A National Referendum is a critical civic process that transcends any political process especially of a partisan nature as the 2016 General Elections. To use the same venue and personnel to manage both the General Elections and the Referendum will bring confusion and a possible avenue for voting complications as those who do not have voters cards will be allowed into the elections venue.
3. The different eligibility tests for the National Referendum and General Elections presents unique and new challenges to not only the electorates but also the Electoral Commission of Zambia. Whereas the National Referendum requires that at least 50 percent of those eligible to vote do actually take part in the National Referendum, the General Election requires a different test and hence the need not to confuse these two different electoral processes. Whereas the Central Statistics Office projects the total voting population to be just over 7 million Zambians, the Electoral Commission of Zambia Voters Roll captured only 6 million+ Zambians. Clearly the challenges faced in capturing more voters in the just ended registration exercise will greatly impact on the Referendum voting process given the voter apathy trends in the recent past.
4. Due to unprecedented incidences of political violence that the country has experienced in the past two years, the likelihood of voter apathy is very high which may greatly impact on the success of the National Referendum.
RECOGNISE THAT:
1. The Referendum question is not very clear as it proposes two things in one question, it seeks to amend the constitution to enhance the “Bill of Rights” on one hand and to repeal and replace Article 79 of the Constitution of Zambia on the other.
2. The two symbols used in the referendum of the Eye and Ear do not represent the ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ answer being sought.
3. Government has not clearly stated what clause should be repealed and what clause should be replaced in Article 79.
4. Article 79 of the Constitution of Zambia which is being referred to in the Referendum Question is the same provision that entrenches the Bill of Rights from being subjected to minority deliberations and/or amendment by Parliament. Our fear is that if this provision is not clearly explained to the people of Zambia, it may bring about discontent among the citizens. It is therefore imperative that the narrative of the said Article 79 is made known in clear terms to Zambian voters on what its contents will be.
WITH THE FORE GOING OBSERVATIONS AND CONCERNS, WE DEMAND THE FOLLOWING:
1. NO REFERENDUM on the Bill of Rights and Article 79 should be held alongside the August 11th 2016 General Elections
2. NO REPEALLING and AMENDING of Article 79 of the National Constitution given that the people of Zambia are unaware of this constitutional change and must first be sensitized.
We further contend that the expanded “Bill of Rights” in the Draft Constitution submitted by the Technical Committee drafting the Zambian Constitution contains the Social Economic and Cultural rights that are pertinent to the needs of the women of Zambia. It also does adequately articulate further rights of women, children, the elderly and those with disabilities in order to create an environment where there is no discrimination and where equality prevails.It is those rights therefore that we the women of Zambia seek to protect in the “Bill of Rights”through a people-driven process.
As an organisation, we have been opposed to the piecemeal amendment of the constitution from the onset as we foresaw the challenges such a process would bring as experienced with the amended constitution. We are equally concerned with how government will deal with the non contentious issues contained in the draft constitution that were not discussed in parliament.
We call upon every well meaning Zambian to join us in calling for the Referendum not be held alongside the General Elections on 11th August 2016.
For/NGOCC
Sara Longwe
CHAIRPERSON
1) Breastfeeding Association of Zambia
2) Council of Churches in Zambia
3) Community Youth Concern
4) Community for Human Development
5) Empowerment of Prisoners Wives and their Children
6) Enviro Green Care Association of Zambia
7) FLAME -Forum for Community Against Hunger and Disease
8) Forum for Africa Women Educationalists in Zambia
9) Guides Association of Zambia
10) Home Economics Association of Zambia
11) Kwasha Mukwenu Women’s Group
12) Lusaka Muslim Women Trust Fund
13) Lusaka West Women Organisation
14) Makeni Ecumenical Centre
15) National Council of Catholic Women
16) National Legal Aid for Women
17) Planned Parenthood Association of Zambia
18) Senior Citizens Association of Zambia
19) Society for Women and AIDS in Zambia
20) Tasintha Programme
21) Waterfalls Rural Women’s Organisation
22) Women For Change
23) Women Entrepreneurs Development Association
24) Women Finance Cooperative Zambia
25) World Day of Prayer
26) Women and Law in Southern Africa
27) Women in Law and Development in Africa
28) Young Women Christian Association Council of Zambia
29) Young Women in Action
30) Zambia Alliance of Women
31) Zambia Association of University Women
32) Zambia Association for Research and Development
33) Zambia Media Women Association
34) Zambia Open Community Schools
35) Zambia National Association of Disabled Women
36) Zambia Nurses Association
37) Zambia National Women’s Lobby
38) Zambia Federation for Women in Business
39) Zambia White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood
40) Zambian Women In Mining
41) Zambia National Traditional Counsellors Association
AN ENERGY expert has challenged the United Party for National Development (UPND’s) energy policy, claiming that point four of the UPND’s 10-point plan does not offer anything newer than what Government is currently grappling with.
Energy Forum Zambia chairperson Johnstone Chikwanda stated that the challenges being faced in the energy sector across the African continent including Zambia have come about due to lack of investment in the sector over a long period of time.
“The dichotomous challenge involves low tariffs and lack of adequate new investment. The challenges we face in the African energy sector are so huge that most of them require regional integration efforts,” said Chikwanda.
Mr. Chikwanda noted with concern the failure of the UPND policy to talk about oil and gas exploration in Zambia and what incentives they will offer to investors so as to accentuate investment and development of gas fields in Zambia.
“Mr. Hichilema said nothing new in his point number 4 to spur new differentiated hope for improving the energy sector of Zambia and the region as a whole. The root of the challenge is low tariffs and not absence of a willing private sector investor,” said the energy expert.
On 21st May, 2016, the UPND launched its official campaign at a rally in Kitwe where Mr. Hichilema said that he would talk to his friends in the private sector to build power stations which will sell power to ZESCO.
Mr Chikwanda said the issue of energy ‘‘has been driving global politics and it is paramount that political parties in government and especially those in opposition try hard to distinguish themselves and offer clearly cut and well differentiated solutions to drive the energy sector going forward’’.
Commenting on renewable energy policy, as stated by the UPND, Mr Chikwanda advised the opposition party to be cautious as only a certain quantity of solar energy could be integrated into an electricity grid from a technical point of view.
“It is very unlikely that the Zambian electricity grid can be integrated with more than 300MW of intermittent power,” he said.
Worshiped as a god since the dawn of civilization, the immortal Apocalypse (Oscar Isaac) becomes the first and most powerful mutant. Awakening after thousands of years, he recruits the disheartened Magneto (Michael Fassbender) and other mutants to create a new world order. As the fate of the Earth hangs in the balance, Professor X (James McAvoy) and Raven (Jennifer Lawrence) lead a team of young X-Men to stop their seemingly invincible nemesis from destroying mankind
PROS
The acting was excellent , the stand out performances came from Sophie Turner (Jean Grey) andJames McAvoy (Charles Xavier)
It had a huge ,star studded cast , but all the characters was used expertly ,nothing felt forced .
Filled with eye-popping special effects and exquisite action scenes .
CONS
The story-line was abit predictable .
FAVORITE QUOTES
Moira MacTaggert:Where ever this being was, he would always have four followers who he would imbue with power.
Alex Summers / Havok: Like the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. He got that one from the Bible.
Moira MacTaggert:Or the Bible got it from him.
Erik Lensherr/Magneto: Doesn’t it ever wake you up in the middle night, the feeling that someday they’ll come for you and your children.
Charles Xavier: I feel a great swirl of pity for the poor soul that comes to my school looking for trouble.
Apocalypse:You are all my children, and you’re lost because you follow blind leaders. No more false gods. I’m here now.
CONCLUSION
X-men: Apocalypse was a fantastic movie , but when compared to the previous movies in the X-men trilogy , ‘First class’ and ‘Days of future past’ , it falls flat . It lacks the emotional connection and character depth of the last 2 movies . Erik Lensherr/Magneto ,who was a pivotal character in the previous films was not fully utilized and was basically relegated to the role of a henchman.
X-men: Apocalypse was not ,however, full of negatives . It did have a fresh original story-line and the addition of characters such as Jean Grey and Scott Summers/Cyclops will excite fans of the series . The seemingly unstoppable villain Apocalypse , who sees himself as a god , was portrayed expertly . The action sequences and visual effects were splendid .
This is not the best X-men movie but it is definitely worth watching .
