TRIBALISM is an evil that must never be allowed in Zambia and political leaders who aspire to assume the governance of the country on the basis of ethnicity should be frowned upon, President Edgar Lungu has charged.

He said he was alive to the historical fact of how UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema ascended to the presidency of the opposition political party following the death of its founder Anderson Mazoka.

President Lungu said prominent lawyer Sakwiba Sikota was denied the chance of becoming the president of the UPND after the death of Mr Mazoka on account that he was not Tonga even when he was heir to the position.
Addressing a rally in Senanga yesterday, President Lungu charged that no political leader should be voted or given the mandate to preside over the affairs of the country on the basis of tribe or ethnicity.

The President said Zambia had remained united since independence and that citizens were enjoying peace and unity irrespective of their divergent regional beliefs. He stated that it was irresponsible for some political leaders to embark on the campaign of sowing seeds of tribal divisions.

President Lungu said Zambians hated and abhorred tribalism because they had always lived as a united citizenry.

“Do not hate those you disagree with because we are one people. I have been forced to take time to talk about tribalism because there are some political leaders who believe that they can only take up the governance of this country on the basis of tribe. We know what happened when the founding leader of the UPND, Anderson Mazoka died. There was a declaration that only a Tonga was to become the president of a party and Sakwiba Sikota was rejected because he did not hail from that region. Tribalism is an evil and must never be allowed to have space in this country,” President Lungu said.

He said what was regrettable, however, was that some leaders of the opposition parties were not condemning violence and vulgar language among their cadres and leaders.

The Head of State said he was confident that the Patriotic Front (PF) was going to win the August general elections because of its achievements in the last few years the party had been in Government.

“Some political parties are saying it is our turn to govern. Governing the country has nothing to do with tribe…it is not about being Lozi, Nsenga, Bemba but what you can do for the people,” President Lungu said.

He stated that after the death of Michael Sata, some people declared that only a Bemba was supposed to take over but that Zambians rejected the call and instead chose him to succeed the late president.

He said all the people who were advocating for tribalism in the PF had left and had either formed their small tribal parties or had joined other political parties.

“Those who wanted another Bemba to take over the leadership of the PF after the death of president Sata will continue to fight me. When I appointed Inonge Wina as my Vice-President, they were angry with me. We are going to fight tribalism wherever it will show its ugly head, so let us not believe politicians who believe only tribe can make them leaders,” President Lungu said.

INSPECTOR General of Police Kakoma Kanganja has challenged MMD leader Nevers Mumba to provide information on the politicians who are allegedly involved in the ritual killings that have rocked Lusaka for the past one month.

The police chief has charged that Dr Mumba’s statement was alarming to the nation and will not be entertained by the Police Command.

But Dr Mumba has insisted that politicians were involved in the ritual killings that have so far claimed several lives in which the victims had body parts removed. So far, 12 suspects have been arrested to help police with investigations.

Dr Mumba claimed that accusing foreigners of perpetrating the brutal killings was misleading because every election year politicians tended to use ‘‘dark forces’’ as a way of ascending to power. “Every time there is an election, we experience such killings,” he said. Dr Mumba said some politicians used evil forces to ascend to power during elections.

He said the trend was common across the African continent and warned politicians who could have a hand in the ritual killings to desist from the vice.

Dr Mumba said church leaders were aware of what he was talking about.

“Those of us who have been around for a long time, have seen such things happen across Africa towards election period,” he said.

But the police chief has described Dr Mumba’s statement as alarming and intended to incite chaos in the country. “No, no, no. Dr Mumba is alarming the situation,” Mr Kanganja said.

He said the police would obtain and study the recording of Dr Mumba’s statement that politicians were the ones behind the ritual killings.

Mr Kanganja said it were statements like the one Dr Mumba had made which was prompting members of the public to react.

“We did warn the general public against alarming the nation by misleading statements on the ritual killers. We said we would deal with those issuing alarming statements,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Kanganja said more people would be arrested in connection with the ritual killings as investigations had so far reached an advanced stage.

The Police Command would soon issue a statement in connection with the murders that have terrified Lusaka residents.

“As police, we are on top of things. We are doing everything possible to ensure that everybody involved is brought to book,” Mr Kanganja said.

The police chief said more people would be arrested as the police intensified and widened their investigations.

Onechi Lwenje is an international actor and writer based in Zambia.

His star has seen steady growth from his television debut in a Zambian awareness TV commercial about HIV/AIDS in 1999. He has gone on to appear in numerous prime time commercials for international corporates in the telecom and banking sectors. He has also given his talent toward national causes such as appearing in voter sensitization commercials in the country of Zambia.

His dramatic acting career has seen him performing roles in award winning series and feature films such as Love Games (2014 Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards winner ‘Best Series/Comedy’) , Guilt (2014 Zambia Film Television and Radio Awards winner Best Movie/Best Cinematography/Best Editing) and most recently Zambezi Magic flagship series Fever. Onechi is also an accomplished writer who has been Editor of multiple magazines servicing a diverse spectrum of readers. He commenced features article writing in 2010 for Zambia’s then-flagship magazine, Nkhani Kulture. In 2013 he went on to become Deputy Editor for the in-flight magazine of international airline, Proflight, Nkwazi. He moved on to perform the role of Editor-in-Chief in industry specific publications that focused on the agricultural and mining sectors, such as ‘Agri-Pro’ and ‘Zambian Mining’ respectively, while also being honored with prestigious assignments such as authoring the official biography of the City of Lusaka for its centenary celebrations. He has also conducted high profile interviews with international luminaries such as Emeli Sande. He is the current Editor of Nkwazi In-Flight magazine.

Onechi broke barriers by becoming one of the first Zambians to appear on US network television when he hosted an episode of documentary series ‘My Africa’ on The Africa Channel, entitled ‘My Lusaka’. Onechi also manages to squeeze being a poet into his personal time and is currently preparing to publish his first anthology of compositions. The ideal of service to the human family remains the driving force behind his personal and professional growth. “I am always contemplating the state of global unity, particularly what kind of world we are making and leaving for our youth. I hope through my work to be an agent of positive change and inspiration for generations.”

KAPA187: You have been acting for some time now, having been in TV series such as ‘Love Games’ , movies such as ‘Guilt’ , various TV commercials and most recently the Zambezi Magic TV series ‘Fever’ . What first made you decide to pursue acting?

ONECHI LWENJE: It’s like asking the ant why it builds its hill or asking a newborn baby why it takes its first breath. I was born to do it. And if you think about it, we’re all born to be performers. From school assembly to board meetings, religious and traditional ceremony, it’s almost as if human beings muse on the meaning of our existence in performance.

KAPA187: ‘Fever’ has become wildly popular in a short amount of time. How did you become part of the cast?

ONECHI LWENJE: I actually got a call from my very good friend Zodwa Khumalo, letting me know about some auditions being held. If you know anything about acting, you know that auditions are nerve-wracking. But I attended anyway and I guess the rest is history. I must say that we were all blown away by the overwhelming response from the fans of Fever. It’s very humbling and nothing anyone who worked on the project takes for granted.

KAPA187: For those who have not yet watched ‘Fever’, tell us about your character Fletcher.

ONECHI LWENJE: Fletcher is a young man at a turning point in his life where adolescence turns into manhood. He thinks he has life figured out, with a best friend and a fixed routine. All that starts to crumble when the events of season 01 begin. For the first time he’s confronted with the perceived absolutes of his convictions. Is there really such a thing as right choices? Or does every choice we make lead us to the manifestation of our destiny? These questions form the basis of his fascinating conflict.

KAPA187: The Zambian Film industry is growing at a seemingly slow pace. Do you feel it is heading in the right direction and what measures do you think need to be taken to bring it up to the next level?

ONECHI LWENJE: In all fairness Hollywood has had a 100-year plus advantage of being on the cutting edge with technology. Quite alright Zambia’s rich history in film dates back to 1935 with the first colonial movies being produced here, but our development has been limited to the confines of our economy’s growth. Film technology is expensive, but thankfully the world has changed and now equipment is fairly affordable and the avenues for distribution have also flourished. I believe this is the reason behind the recent ‘sudden’ boost in content and productions. There is still a lot of growing and learning to do, but we are on course to having an established film industry in a few years.

KAPA187: You hosted an episode of a documentary series on US network television channel ‘The Africa Channel’. Tell us what it was about and how it felt to be given such a platform.

ONECHI LWENJE: Amazing honor, privilege, but also huge responsibility. I was given carte blanche to select the places we would film. You have to understand that for most of the American, European and Caribbean audience, this would be their first and only ever glimpse of Zambia. I wanted a fair mix that left a lasting, positive impression of our beautiful nation. In the digital age where everyone has a smartphone and is on a social network, we have all become ambassadors of our country to the world. I took this responsibility of helping build a positive brand for Zambia very seriously. And fortunately, after it aired we received positive feedback from as far as Denmark, Haiti and the US government. A portion of the episode is available to view online.

http://theafricachannel.com/watch/my-africa-s01-e04-lusaka/

KAPA187: Apart from acting you are also a writer and editor for a number of magazines. What is your favorite topic to write about?

ONECHI LWENJE: I believe very strongly in allowing the teams I get the privilege of working with to write on topics they’re passionate about and interested in. I enjoy telling human stories and servicing my readers by discovering new perspectives on things they may already be familiar with. I recall the chance I got to interview Pompi and tell his story of how he came to be a gospel artist. He’s a great guy and we later received feedback of how people came to give their lives to Christ after being inspired by his story that I was able to tell. That’s what an artist lives for. To be able to transform a soul through art.

KAPA187: Being the current editor of Proflights in-flight magazine, Nkawzi, in what way do you help to promote Zambia to foreign and local tourists who often use that airline?

ONECHI LWENJE: As part of a team, the mandate is always showing the tourism and business potential of Zambia. Proflight has grown into an international airline, flying into South Africa and Malawi. It has made great strides in connecting Zambia with the introduction of a direct flight to Mbala in the horizon so, once again, it’s about building a positive brand for Zambia, a responsibility every Zambian citizen shares. Nkwazi In-flight magazine does have a vibrant Facebook page which you can follow today.

https://www.facebook.com/NkwaziMagazine/

KAPA187: The number of local magazines has increased in the recent past. As more and more people are getting their information and entertainment from online platforms, what do you think local magazines need to do to retain their readers?

ONECHI LWENJE: This question actually applies to the publishing industry worldwide. I believe it is about staying abreast with the times.

KAPA187: Talent VS education. In the creative fields of acting, writing, performing etc. Do you think talent is enough to make you successful?  If one is not particularly talented in an area but they acquire a lot of knowledge about it, would they in turn be successful at it?

ONECHI LWENJE: Art is really about expression. Book knowledge can only compliment the act of picking up a brush, a pen or a camera and actually doing something with it. The talent myth is strong and makes some complacent, but someone who trains hard can come to surpass even the most talented. The gold standard is when incredible talent meets dedication to training and improvement. Then you get Michael Jackson. Then you get Beyoncé. Then you get Sidney Poitier. This only comes about by training, training and more training. Self-improvement comes from dedication and not mere dreams alone.

KAPA187: Do you have any upcoming projects that your fans would be interested in knowing about?

ONECHI LWENJE: I am excited about a fun new web series I have created, called “The Adventures of Duncan Hollywood: Rise of a Zambian Superstar.” It follows a fictional character named ‘Duncan Hollywood’, who is trying to make it in the Zambian film industry as an actor, but there’s a catch. Duncan can’t act and everyone around him knows this except him.The hilarious drama is loosely inspired by the real-life experiences of myself and others within the Zambian film industry. The show is structured as an audio drama that builds up to a scene the audience can watch on Youtube.

You can listen to weekly episodes here;

You can watch how those episodes end here;

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvRwtwo1Gsv_cFHyR9NErdA

Or to make it simple, just Like and follow my Page www.facebook.com/onechi

KAPA187: Tell us a fun fact about yourself that not many people know.

ONECHI LWENJE: I’m not Nigerian. Despite my exotic-sounding name, I’m Zambian. Tumbuka from Lundazi on both sides. My name actually means “What have you seen” in Tumbuka.

KAPA187: Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years.

ONECHI LWENJE: I have one goal. And that is to see the realization of a viable Zambian film industry. To give a simple illustration, I want someone who studies carpentry to be able to work full time building film sets, be able to provide for his wife and kids and retire with a pension. In 5 years’ time, I expect to be closer to realizing that dream of providing economic opportunities for fellow Zambians.

KAPA187: Any last words.

ONECHI LWENJE: Art and its various mediums of expression must be appreciated in every culture for it to thrive. Imagine your life without a song, a dance, or the escapism your favorite film or television program provides. In the film space, Zambians have demonstrated through content such as Kabanana, Love Games and Fever that, if supported, we can provide high quality entertainment for the people of Zambia, Africa and the World. But it can only be accomplished together. Thank you for the amazing support you have given so far. I believe strongly that the best work is yet to come. You can follow my journey to that day. Subscribe by texting “ONECHI” to 660 to receive a special voice mail from me on a daily basis. Exclusive to MTN. Do it today.

Follow Onechi Lwenje on social media :

facebook: Onechi

Twitter: Onechi777

Instagram: Onechi777

 

BY KAPA187

 

 

COPPERBELT Minister Mwenya Musenge has denied any involvement in mealie-meal smuggling and has accused his political adversaries of plotting his fall by implicating him in the scandal.

On Wednesday this week, police in Kitwe impounded a truck carrying 1,000 x 25 kilogrammes bags of breakfast mealie-meal which was allegedly linked to a Mr Musenge .

But Mr Musenge said at no time did he engage himself in illegalities such as mealie-meal smuggling despite being a businessman throughout his life.

“Looking at what the residents of Chimwemwe were going through,in 2012 I decided to register with Chimanga Changa Milling Company to start supplying mealie-meal and make the commodity available using my building in Chimwemwe Township,” he said.

Mr Musenge said later he decided to stop supplying mealie-meal from Chimanga Changa due to low demand but his driver asked to be supplying mealie-meal in Ndola using his account with the Ndola-based milling company.

He added that three years ago a constituency secretary he only named as Laston requested to be using his Chimwemwe business premises and the Chimanga Changa account to continue supplying the commodity to which he agreed.

“It is unfortunate that the young man is in police custody, I don’t want to get in the way, I want the police to investigate the matter,” Mr Musenge said.

He urged the police to be professional as there was no law that prohibited business people from transporting goods within the country.

“There is need for professionalism on the part of police officers, what they should have done is follow the truck to find out if was going to the border instead impounding the vehicle from Chimwemwe. Groundnuts are transported all the way from places like Chinsali to Lusaka and no one questions that,” Mr Musenge said.
He accused his political enemies of instigating his fall.

“They will not succeed in bringing me down, me I have been performing in the two constituencies I have been. In Nkana and Chimwemwe constituencies my works speak for themselves, so those who are plotting my fall should be patient ,the central committee will come up with names of candidates,so lets stop this mudslinging,” Mr Musenge said.

Christian Democratic Party President Dan Pule has called on Inspector General of police Kakoma Kanganja to investigate former Vice President Guy Scott for vowing to cause havoc for the President.

Dr Pule said that Dr Scott’s utterances that he will cause havoc for President Edgar Lungu to step down must be probed.

Dr Pule said that Dr Scott’s statement carried in Thursday’s edition of the Post Newspaper must be condemned by peace loving Zambians.

Dr Pule noted that a man of Dr Scott’s standing must lead in preaching peace ahead of the general election as opposed to fanning violence.

He told journalists at a media briefing that the police must immediately institute investigations in Dr Scott’s threats in order to give Zambians a peace of mind.

Yesterday the Post Newspaper reported that Dr Scott, who together with Miles Sampa, Obvious Mwaliteta and Garry Nkombo on Sunday held a rally in Mazabuka, said that he was on a mission to remove the MMD which has crept back into power under President Lungu’s watch.

“When you see that, then you should know what we are up to. PF knows what we are capable of doing. So we are on a mission to take away the PF members that we suffered with who have been replaced by MMD.

So we will cause a lot of havoc and diarrhoea for the PF until Edgar is removed. Until the MMD that has crept back into power is removed again, because we saw that we were being eaten alive in PF by the MMD,” Dr Scott said.

”We see UPND as this year’s winner in this election and we want the people who have been pushed out of PF to be part of that. I consider myself to have been pushed out of PF, being pushed out.”

He said President Lungu was feeling the pressure exerted by the PF breakaway group that was supporting UPND’s presidential candidate Hakainde Hichilema.