President Lungu said that he will ensure that more investment is attracted in the province and the country at large to spur economic growth.

ZANIS reports that President Lungu said this when he commissioned construction works for freedom park mall in kitwe today which will be developed by National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA).

The Head of State said government is aware of the current economic challenges people in copperbelt province are facing, stressing that this is as a result of the downturn in the mining sector which has caused job losses for most people in recent months.

He said government will continue to focus on economic policies, strategies and programmes that will attract local and foreign direct investments in all parts of the country in order to foster job creation in all sectors of the economy.

Meanwhile President Edgar Lungu has commended the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) for not only resolving to participate in infrastructure development but other developmental projects that promote job creation like the freedom park mall.

He said NAPSA’S resolve is in line with government’s national development agenda aimed at job creation and improvement of the welfare of the citizens.

President Lungu reiterated government’s commitment in supporting all developmental projects which are aimed at generating household income, reducing poverty levels and employment creation.

And Napsa Managing Director Yollad Kachinda disclosed that the freedom park mall will create more than 1, 000 permanent jobs once it is completed in the next 18 months.

Mr Kachinda said NAPSA will give priority to the local suppliers of goods and services in order to create job opportunities to the people of the copperbelt.

He added that the mall will host several facilities like banks, office complex, car parks, and shopping malls among others.

The Kitwe shopping mall has been lying idol for some time and NAPSA purchased the mall and has since contracted Avic Construction Company which has since moved on site.

President Lungu is in the copperbelt to commission developmental projects in the province.

The Zambia Direct Democracy Movement and the National Opposition Alliance are this Friday 6th May, 2016 expected to launch a white card campaign against violence in the country.t Lusaka’s Courtyard Hotel.

Speaking to ZANIS in Lusaka today, ZDDM Vice President Charles Kafumbo said the launch of the white card campaign is meant to promote peace, love and unity in the country ahead of the August 11 general elections.

Mr Kafumbo said that in the last two years the country has experienced the worst violence ever recorded since ZDDM was formed in 1989.

The opposition leader said that it was disappointing that some politicians have continued to preach hate speech in the country despite the peace talks which were organized by the church.
Mr. Kafumbo disclosed that his organization will work hand in hand with the Electoral Commission of Zambia to ensure that the message reaches all corners of the country.

The ZDDM Vice President appealed to donors and well-wishers to come on board for the noble cause.

Mr Kafumbo disclosed that the organization will target political leaders and chiefs to help preach against violence. He said the program will start in Lusaka before spreading to various parts of the country.

Former Republican President Rupiah Banda says the former ruling party was formed to exist and has called on members to ensure that the party continues to exist.

Speaking after meeting MMD President Nevers Mumba to iron out their differences, Mr Banda said there are some cowards who are running away from the former ruling party due to the challenges that have continued to rock the party since losing elections but that it was in the nation’s best interest to ensure the continuous existence of the party.

He said no one should allow the democracy that the forefathers fought for to be eroded by the differences in opinion because MMD was a democratic party and divergent views should be allowed.

Mr Banda also denied allegations that he was causing the confusion in the party saying he was too old to be fighting with his son.

Asked if their thorny issue of the party convention was discussed, Mr Banda said the two camps were still talking and that they will resolve the matters of the two camps in due course.

And the former Republican President has called on the press in the country to help heal the nation from the wounds of political violence that continue to rock the country.

He said that it is in every groups interest to speak against political violence because when war erupts it will affects every one regardless of their political inclination and that people will start meeting each other in different countries as refugees.

Meanwhile Dr Mumba said the MMD stands ready to make a positive contribution to the governance of the country.

He said the party will ensure that a deliberate path is created to ensure that all aggrieved members who wish to return and make a contribution through the MMD and its leadership are amicably brought on board.

The reconciliation talks had collapsed a few weeks ago after Dr Mumba refused to meet the other group when he was invited to try and chant the way forward for the party.

Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) chairman Bishop Pukuta Mwanza , Northmead Assemblies of God overseer Bishop Joshua Banda and a new addition in the person of Reverend Father Chilinda of the Roman Catholic Church chaired the meeting.

Known for the movies, Mistaken Identity and Taste of Life, Nafler Media Creations is set to show their latest movie titled Beads from the Dust which will premier in August at Sterkinekor cinemas in Lusaka.
‘Beads from the Dust’ was written by actor Emmanuel Musonda and directed and produced by film directors, Havley Mwewa and Eunice Mapala of Nafler Media Creations.

The movie is about the untold story of where African people came from; how they lived in the past, what they never knew about their ancestors, who they (ancestors) worshiped and how all age groups of people should relate to African culture and traditions.

In an interview with the Weekend Mail, Mwewa said the production was challenging, especially that they were working with some of the upcoming actors and actress, but he is happy that the movie was successfully done.
“It was challenging working with the upcoming artistes. But as producer, I made sure the actors and actresses performed better than expected,” he said.
Mwewa who is also the chief executive officer (CEO) of Nafler Media Creations said people should watch out for this Zambian made movie, cast in two languages, English and Chewa.
“Beads for the Dust is locally produced, it was produced in Nyangwena after Chongwe town, and people should turn up and support something Zambian,” he said.
And Emmanuel Musonda, the story writer, says the title of the movie alone is eye-catching and sums up the story line.
Musonda, who is also part of the starring crew, said the narrative of ‘Beads from the Dust’ takes back the viewer to the native African culture and traditions with the help of visual illustrations.
The movie stars Emmanuel Musonda, Victor Phiri, Sunday Gatawa and Janet Bwalya.

(Dailymail)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrbtIMUAKkQ&feature=share&app=desktop

Republican and PF President Edgar Lungu has said that he will not be crucified for embracing people joining the party from other political parties.

Mr Lungu said said that politics is about numbers and those people leaving the ruling party should not disparage him for welcoming new members from other parties.

Mr Lungu said that those who do so are not politicians and that the late President Michael Sata built PF on the back of membership from the MMD.

“We are welcoming people from UPND, from MMD, from any other political party for that matter because that is a culture that Mr Sata left. Mr did not build PF from without. Where did he get the membership from? He got it from MMD. So anyone who thinks that by disparaging us because we are welcoming other is not a politician, politics is about numbers.

“If people in MMD,UPND are willing to work with us why can’t we embrace them? I’m I going to be criminalised because I have embraced others? I know that Mr Sata did appoint people from UPND, from MMD as Ministers. What has changed? So, people who are trying to crucify me for betraying Mr Sata didn’t know him,” he said.

He explained that he was politically more closer to the founder of the PF than some people cared to know, adding that he was President of the Republic because President Sata trusted him.

“Mr Sata was a politician and I think I was closer to him than some people might want to know and that’s why I am President. If it were not so, he wouldn’t have entrusted me with those huge responsibilities the way he did. He knew that there were others but he trusted me, he allowed me to act as President, he allowed me to act as Minister of Defence, he allowed me to act as Minister of Justice,” he said.

He also called on the PF members to work hard and ensure victory on 11th August.