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The hiked presidential nomination fee has given room for the two top political parties to compete without much interference, Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) has said.
YALI president Andrew Ntewewe said the United Party for National Development (UPND) and the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) were the only parties capable of winning this year’s elections and the rest should consider rallying behind them.
‘’The problem is that we have had people that form a political party today and tomorrow they want to run for presidency; this is what we as YALI term as jokers. Why not support the candidates that are already there, because it is an open secret that we have two contenders for the presidency, even a child will tell you if you do a simple survey they will tell you that it is either Edgar Lungu or Hakainde Hichilema, why are we failing to accept that ?” Mr Ntewewe asked.
He explained that such leadership could no longer be supported as the new Constitution demanded a popular president.
He added that elections were very expensive and couldn’t afford to embrace political games.
“The spirit of the new Constitution is such that people who aspire for presidency must be popular and acceptable,” he explained.
Mr Ntewewe said issues like those of the national voters register which each presidential candidate had to be given was draining tax payer’s money with the mushrooming of many parties.
He also noted that requirements such as ferrying polling assistants from every political party to observe the ballot paper printing process was costly hence the cutting down on the numbers of candidates would be cost effective.
He said the required k75,000 fee for an aspiring presidential candidate would filter all smaller political parties to pave way for serious parties to contest.
Mr Ntewewe said the fee was a way for aspiring candidates to contribute to the running of elections which was expensive.
He said there were a lot of costs associated to the preparation of elections which needed sharing.
FODEP Executive Director McDonald Chipenzi
The Forum for Democratic Process FODEP has called on the two factions in the MMD to resolve their differences amicably.
FODEP Executive Director McDonald Chipenzi said it was disappointing to note that the MMD did not learn anything from what transpired last year in the run up to the elections.
Mr Chipenzi said it was disheartening to see the former ruling engulfed in endless wrangles when it is supposed to be rebuilding itself adding that it would be political suicide for individuals in the party to refuse to abide by the rules that govern the party.
“As FODEP we are always concerned when political parties seem to have arguments or intra-party differences which seem not to end. We thought the MMD learnt a lot towards 2015 elections and we didn’t expect that we should have another situation just a few months before elections,
“Our hearts bleeds when we see the MMD being engulfed in intra-party differences and those differences seem to be perennial without a solution so we call upon the leadership to rise above board and bring some unity and understanding within the party because it will be very sad to see MMD dying the way UNIP has gone almost into oblivion as if it was not a party which was felt by the natural resources of this country. ” he said.
He noted that it would be sad to see the party considered to be the mother of democracy in the country dead and buried because of a few individuals who can not sit down to resolve their differences.
He said it was important that rules are followed and that continuing to quarrel among themselves is only making the party weaker when elections are approaching.
“It is important that the rules of the game are followed so if some members are calling for a convention and maybe they have resources for that convention let them go for the convention and put everything to rest because if they don’t do that then they will continue quarrelling while election day is drewing closer meaning they will go in an election at their weakest point.
“They have a mammoth task, let them resolve this issue and the earlier they do it the better. If members are calling for a convention it would be political suicide for anyone to refuse to go for the convention so let them follow what their constitution says and if they can’t do that for one reason or another we feel that dialogue should be used,” he said.
Police Spokesperson Charity Munganga
Police have issued a warning to parents in the Copperbelt who are calling for protests over the closure of the country’s largest universities.
And the Police has refuted reports that they broke doors to arrest innocent students who did not take part in the riots.
Speaking ZNBC TV 2 breakfast program morning live police Spokesperson Charity Munganga said police will not condone any demonstrations and has called on people in the Copperbelt not to listen to calls on social media urging parents to mobilize and stage peaceful protest to force government reopen the 2 Universities.
Ms Munganga said the police will not tolerate lawlessness and that they will not hesitate to arrest anyone who will try to bring disorder and disturb the peace.
“There is this message that is circulating on social media calling on parents to come together and demonstrate so that the two universities can be opened procedure is very clear,the Public Order Act provides that people should give a notification, its not just that people should mobilize themselves because they have children who are at these universities, they have to follow procedure.
“As long as they don’t follow procedure all those who will found in that demonstration be it 10 people all whatever we are going to arrest them because not going to allow such a situation because these are the situations that end being sources of anarchy,,” she said.
Meanwhile Ms Munganga said the police does not go after students locked in their rooms but that they only break doors of the students they see running away from the scene of the riots.
Asked how it can be possible the police to properly identify students considering the distance between the hostels and great east road Ms Munganga said the police are able to remember the faces of the students who take part in the riots.
Professor Stephen Simukanga
FORTY-THREE universities which applied to be recognised as institutions of higher learning have failed to meet the required standards of registration and accreditation, Professor Stephen Simukanga, the Higher Education Authority director general, has said.
Professor Simukanga has said Higher Education Authority would soon publish a list of legally registered public and private higher institutions of education.
He said at the close of December last year, the authority received 53 applications out of which 10 universities were approved.
Prof Simukanga said the list which shall be published in the Government Gazette and media at the monthend of February, would reveal the institutions which are supposed to be operating.
“This comes following a process of reviewing applications from existing and new private colleges and universities, which are now required by law to register with the authority. “It is a requirement according to law that both public and private universities and colleges must register with the higher education authority, hence the process of receiving and reviewing applications,” he said.
Prof Simukanga said Government would soon issue an ultimatum to all higher institutions to either register with the authority or face the law.
He said at the month end of this month a list of legally registered universities and colleges will be released in order to notify the public on which universities and colleges were recognised.
“It is for this reason that we shall also embark on a sensitisation campaign of the public and the proprietors of universities and colleges,” Prof Simukanga said.
He urged higher education institutions to improve their standards according to the regulations to enable them continue operating.
In the recent past, there have been concerns on the numerous mushrooming colleges and universities in the country and the higher education authority started working to correct the situation.
The authority which was instituted in 2014 through an Act of Parliament had been preparing frameworks which it has since started implementing.
ZCCM Investment Holdings PLC (ZCCM-IH) says it has embarked on an ambitious diversification programme which will see its interests extended to the manufacturing, power generation, agriculture and real estate sectors.
ZCCM-IH Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Pius Kasolo told delegates to the 2016 Investing in African Mining Indaba in Cape Town yesterday that the diversification programme as part of rebranding from a mining company which the institution has continued to be associated with.
Speaking when he made a presentation entitled ‘Diversifying the Investment Portfolio’, Dr. Kasolo said the programme has advanced with work on establishing Zambia’s biggest cement manufacturing company already started.
Dr. Kasolo said financing for the 5, 000 tonnes-per day-cement company which will be established at Ndola Lime Company Limited, has already been secured. The plant will be self-sufficient in electricity as it will have a 52 megawatt power plant constructed alongside the main project.
He said the cement company will utilise about 22 megawatts of the electricity generated while the excess will be sold.
Dr. Kasolo said that apart from helping to bring down the price of cement, the plan was also to cushion the suffering of mine employees on the Copperbelt who recently lost their jobs through retrenchment.
“The main task I was given at my appointment was to industrialise Zambia and I can assure you that we have started and we are well on course. It should be acknowledged that the lower the price of cement is, the more development you trigger because everyone including private citizens will be involved in construction,” Dr. Kasolo said.
He said, to leverage on the power deficit, ZCCM- IH has diversified into thermal power generation through Maamba Collieries Limited, in which it held 35% shareholding.
It currently has shareholding portfolio in 16 companies, including biggest mines such as Kansanshi mining plc, Mopani copper mines and Konkola copper mines.
ZCCM-IH, with its partners has invested close to $850 million at Maamba Collieries Ltd, to construct a thermal power plant which will produce 300MW of power by mid-2016 and 600MW once completed.
ZCCM IH has about, 2000Hetares of land in Lufwanyama with a water frontage on the Copperbelt Province, which has great potential for farming high yielding crops such as soyabeans, oilseeds and maize or livestock (cows and pigs) and fisheries (aquaculture).
“When privatisation occurred assets were issued to residents and companies as a form of payment. Certain assets were forgotten, and upon discovering that we have a number of properties, we decided to capitalise on them, upgrading and renting them out.”
Separately, Dr. Kasolo earlier disclosed that ZCCM-IH had partnered with locals in Luapula Province to explore for manganese. The project has already been funded and would soon start mining operations.
He said ZCCM-IH had a community gold mining project in North-western Province in which they had partnered with Chief Kasempa and with Chief Ingwe community in the Katoka Mema Gold Mining project.
Dr. Kasolo is part of the Zambian delegation led by Minister of Mines and Minerals Development, Mr. Christopher Yaluma, at the world’s biggest mining conference which is underway in Cape Town until 11th February, 2016.
Others are Deputy Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Mr. Richard Musukwa; Deputy Minister of Finance, Mr. Christopher Mvunga and Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa His Excellency Mr. Emmanuel Mwamba.
Mr. Mwamba stated that Zambia would present a strong and emphatic case to underline the fact that the country remained one of the most suitable, strong, and stable investment destinations in the world.
He pointed out that the Mining Indaba presented a perfect opportunity to market Zambia to the rest of the World.
He explained that Mr. Yaluma and his team had a busy week during which they will make presentations and speak at various highly strategic panel discussions.
Mr. Yaluma started with speaking at the 4th Annual Ministerial Symposium on Sunday; on 9th February, the Minister will attend the World Bank-organised Special Information Session dubbed Good Governance is Good Business while on 10th February, Mr Yaluma will lead a high-powered group that will team-up to make a country case study presentation on Zambia. Others in the team are Mr. Mvunga; Vedanta Resources Plc Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Tom Albanese; Dr. Kasolo; Gemfields Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Ian Harebottle.
Mr. Yaluma has also held side meetings with various potential investors and interviews with both local and international media during which he laid out challenges and solutions being pursued by Government in the mining sector.
The conference has attracted speakers from all over the world that include Ministers of Mines, representatives from mine houses, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, Africa Development Bank and others.
(R-L) ZCCM-IH CEO Dr. Pius Kasolo, Wood Mackenzie Senior Research Manager Mr. Nick Pickens, Eurasian Resources Group Sales Director Mr. Giles Smith and Senior Research Analyst from Bernstein Mr. Paul Gait during a panel discussion on 8th February, 2016(R-L) Ivanhoe Mines Limited President Mr. Lars-Eric Johansson, ZCCM-IH CEO Dr. Pius Kasolo and Wood Mackenzie Senior Research Manager Mr. Nick Pickens during a panel discussion on 8th February, 2016Mines Minister Mr. Christopher Yaluma (r) with His Excellency Mr. Emmanuel Mwamba meet Vandeta Resources Plc CEO Mr. Tom Albanese.Mines Minister Mr. Christopher Yaluma (c) with UK Trade Investment Specialist Ms. Ros Lund, Mines Deputy Minister Mr. Richard Musukwa, (extreme left), and His Excellency Mr. Emmanuel Mwamba at the the 2016 Mining Conference in Cape Town on 8th February, 2016 Mines Minister Mr. Christopher Yaluma in an interview with SABC’s Liabo Setho at the Mining Conference in Cape Town on 8th February, 2016Mines Minister Mr. Christopher Yaluma in an interview with SABC’s Liabo Setho at the Mining Conference in Cape Town on 8th February, 2016
Growing up I absolutely hated Impwa, they were too bitter and I didn’t enjoy them at all; but like most of the food that I now eat, once I got older I started enjoying them. Shaped similar to an egg or a pear, Impwa are small white eggplants, these are significantly smaller than their purple eggplant counterparts. They are often harvested when they are very young and called “Baby eggplants”; they have a creamy texture and mellow flavour when cooked. Small eggplants are low in calories and high in vitamins and nutrients such as B vitamins, magnesium and potassium; and are an excellent addition to any meal. These eggplants are available during the summer months and because of their small size and sponge-like qualities they can soak up a lot of bold flavours; making it easy to cook them in a variety of ways – mixed with ginger, garlic, chilli and all types of spices. They can be cooked in a number of ways; pan-fried, deep fried, grilled and baked and compliment stewed meats, baked fish, chicken and even cheese. White eggplants have a short shelf life once harvested, so should be consumed roughly within 5 days.
If you are still trying to convince your kids to eat these, shake up the way you cook them and try out this easy and delicious recipe – Baked eggplant with cheese.
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 35 minutes
Serves: 4 people
8 small white eggplants, sliced in half – long ways
Salt & Pepper
1 tsp of Garlic powder
192g of breadcrumbs
2 eggs
1 (740 ml) jar of tomato & basil pasta sauce
170g of cheddar cheese, grated
½ a pack of fresh basil (optional)
Method
First remove some of the bitterness of the eggplants. Peel and slice each eggplant, sprinkle with salt and rinse in a colander under the tap. Let them drain for about 30 minutes. Prepare a baking tray with foil or greaseproof paper and set aside.
Preheat the oven to 200 ?C. In a bowl mix together the breadcrumbs, 1 tsp of salt, 1 tsp of pepper and 1 tsp of garlic. In a separate bowl beat the eggs until smooth. Dip each eggplant into the egg mixture, making sure each side is coated with egg, then immediately dip them into the breadcrumbs, coating each side. Place them on the baking tray and bake for 20 minutes; turning them over once, half way through. Remove them from the oven and set aside.
Now pour half of the jar of tomato and basil sauce onto the bottom of a different baking tray. Spread the Impwa evenly over the sauce, pour the remaining half of sauce over the Impwa and sprinkle the grated cheese over the top. Bake for another 15-20 minutes, until the cheese has melted, is slightly golden around the edges and the sauce is bubbling. Remove from the oven and sprinkle the basil over the top.
Serving
Serve immediately whilst piping hot and bubbling. they can be eaten on their own, as an appetizer or a snack.
The kids will love this, the cheese completely disguises the Impwa; and they won’t feel like they are eating boring veggies; and of course you will be happy because you are packing in all those nutrients. Enjoy!
Kanta Temba is a cake maker and decorator. She is also the owner and founder of Kanta Kakes – cake shop.
You can find her work onwww.kantakakes.com. Follow her on twitter @KantaKakes and Instagram @KantaTemba.
HH addressing members of the Zambian Diaspora and South African business community in Johannesburg
Yesterday evening we were honoured to address members of the Zambian Diaspora and South African business community in Johannesburg, including representatives from the South African Chamber of Commerce.
We enjoyed meeting many of the audience members in the interactions that followed, and we talked a lot about the various opportunities and challenges that exist in the region currently.
It is clear that there is untapped appetite for investing more into Zambian businesses and sectors, but there is also understandable concern about some of the issues that we are facing such as the power shortages and exchange rate volatility. The point of these forums is not to spread ‘doom and gloom’, but to have an open and honest discussion about how to remove any current barriers to investment and then get things moving. This is the essence of constructive dialogue.
We talked about opportunities in various sectors, notably agriculture, our ambitions for double-digit growth and attracting greater investment into the country. We spoke about the vast opportunity that exists for investment into projects that will help diversify our crop and in areas of value-addition that we are very keen to promote because of the numerous knock-on benefits that come from this area. By adding value locally we can lower pressure on food prices and exchange rate pressure and create additional jobs.
We are always informing our policies based on consultation and again what we are hearing is that more investment can be brought into Zambia but we need to do three things better: 1. Marketing our country and defining the opportunities 2. Providing stable and clear business regulations 3. Sorting out the problems in the energy sector that drive up costs and create added uncertainty. A stable and conducive environment for business is well within our reach if we cut the waste, cut the red tape and the reduce the time and cost of securing various permits.
We would like to thank those who made it to the talk this evening for their time and such a warm welcome. We hope to host you in Lusaka soon where we can move our discussions forward.
Hakainde Hichilema
UPND President
HH addressing members of the Zambian Diaspora and South African business community in JohannesburgHH taking questions from members of the Zambian Diaspora and South African business community in Johannesburg
Only one Zambian player has made the 2016 CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) All-Stars team.
There was no place for goalkeeper Jacob Banda who kept a cleansheet in four matches in open play at the tournament before Zambia exited the CHAN at the quarterfinal stage 5-4 on post-match penalties after their extra-time last eight tie against Guinea finished 0-0.
Also not on the list was his Zesco club mate and midfielder Cletus Chama whose two assists helped Zambia to the knockout stage with a match to spare.
However, that honour went to Zambia captain and striker Christopher Katongo who has been picked as one of the substitutes in the CHAN All-Stars .
Katongo scored one goal at the tournament following his recall in December to the Chipolopolo fold for the first time since October, 2014.
Best XI
Goalkeeper: Ley Matampi (DR Congo)
Defenders:Abdoul Karim Dante (Mali), Joel Kimwaki (DR Congo), Cheick Ibrahim Comara (Ivory Coast), Mohamed Youla (Guinea)
VITENGE NI VATU, a Zambian clothing line on Wednesday opened the 2016 fashion week show at Alliance Francaise in Lusaka.
The show, which ends on Tuesday, saw upcoming designers such as Chikondi Mwanza, Martha Chikumbi, Ruth Chimbala and Annie Kamanga, showcasing their designs for the first time.
In an interview with the Weekend Mail, Vitenge Ni Vatu vice president Precious Ng’oma said the fashion show was aimed at promoting the African fashion by working with upcoming designers in the fashion industry. “The event has been opened and our main interest is to work with upcoming designers in the fashion industry and it is great to see upcoming Zambian designers showcase their talent,” Precious, who is also model coach for Vitenge Ni Vatu, said.
She said Vitenge Ni Vatu 2016 fashion show, which attracted 18 designers, was aimed at creating a platform where youthful and passionate imminent designers can showcase their God-given talent.
Precious, who is also face brand ambassador, said Vitenge Ni Vatu concept aims at embracing African culture by showcasing African fabrics. “Anything Zambian bring it on … we love Zambia and we love to work with vitenge. It’s not only about the Zambian arts of fashion, but all things to do with Africa, be it art, music or culture, we just value the authenticity that the African continent has to offer,” Precious said.
She is confident the fashion show will help contribute to the growth of the fashion industry and encourage the community to embrace the African prints.
The 18 designers will be showcasing their designs each night.
Other designers in attendance include Deborah Mulenga, Donaila Mwale, Alai Kunda, Cecilia Njobvu, Miriam Mwamba and Debora Sehela.
Ngoma wants the budding designers to work hard and continue improving their designs. “In life, we must never remain stagnant, so I would like to see them strive to beat the creativity levels exuded this time around and bring us even more amazing designs in the near future,” she said.
HH with Felix Mutati after the interview
Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) members who want Lunte member of Parliament (MP) Felix Mutati to take over as party president have vowed to continue putting pressure on the current party leadership led by Dr Nevers Mumba until a national convention is held before April 2016 ostensibly in line with the party constitution.
Some of the party members calling for a convention said yesterday that they want Mr Mutati to head the party and get into an alliance with the United Party for National Development (UPND) ahead of the August 11 general elections.
But Mr Mutati said in an interview that the members are calling for a national convention because it is in the interest of the MMD.
Mr Mutati said calls for a national convention are not about individual members as perceived.
Mr Mutati said he is just among many MMD members calling for the national convention to resolve issues in the party.
“I don’t have any appetite to promote violence in the country,” he said.
Yesterday, two MMD rival groups clashed physically at the party secretariat in Lusaka’s Kabulonga and left a trail of destruction.
One group comprises members calling for a national party convention to elect leaders while their rivals are MMD president Nevers Mumba’s supporters.
The cadres besieged the MMD secretariat in busloads and stoned five vehicles, including a bus belonging to Flash Bus Services, which was used to ferry cadres who wanted to present a petition to MMD president Nevers Mumba demanding that he should call for a convention.
Around 10:00 hours , a horde of cadres who are demanding that the MMD leadership should hold a national convention to elect new leaders, was ferried to the party secretariat and attempted to present a petition to Dr Mumba but they were repelled by Dr Mumba’s supporters before they could disembark, sparking scenes of violence.
Police officers arrived at the scene and fired teargas canisters to disperse the unruly cadres and arrested four in the process.
Dr Mumba charged that the cadres were sent to the secretariat by people bent on destabilising the party.
He said in an interview yesterday that the MMD is intact and will not hold a national convention to elect new leaders.
Meanwhile, MMD National Treasurer Ms Elizabeth Chitika has exposed the duplicitous character of Lunte Member of Parliament Felix Mutati and that he has been the shadow behind the confusion that engulfed the party soon after the election of Party President Dr. Nevers Sekwila Mumba.
A poorly designed official 2016 United Party for National Development (UPND) calendar headed “2016 UPND NEW TEAM FOR 2016 FOR ALL ZAMBIANS” shows pictures of various individuals including UPND President Hakainde Hichilema and his wife, a picture of late UPND founding president Anderson Mazoka (MHSRIP) and United Liberal Party (ULP) President Mr. Sakwiba Sikota was unearthed in Lufwanyama during the party mobilization tour late last year.
Others on the calendar are former MMD minister Mr Vernon J Mwaanga, Alliance for Development and Democracy (ADD) President Charles Milupi and several current UPND Members of Parliament but shockingly, this line-up also includes Mr Mutati who is referred to as a “UPND Official” in a caption under his picture.
The Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) has appealed to Journalists working in its media houses not to put the name of the Catholic Church in disrepute through their reporting and programming.
ZEC Chairperson for Communication Right Rev. Moses Hamungole said that as the country gets closer to 2016 tripartite elections, Catholic media houses should stay focused and professional in their line of duty.
“I urge you to stay focused and professional in your line of duty. Be balanced, accurate and seek the voices of all the people involved in the news stories before airing. Avoid being biased and partisan as that may put the name of the church that has stood nonpartisan in disrepute. Should you be seen or seem to become partisan the good name you have earned yourselves over the years risks going down the drain” Bishop Moses cautioned.
He added that the Catholic Church in Zambia sees radio as an important tool for spreading its prophetic voice on various matters and that it has proved to be a tool for development.
“As you gather here, I urge you to work together as catholic radio station In Zambia” He said.
He also advised Catholic media managers not to run the church media outlets like personal media.
Bishop Moses Hamungole was speaking on Monday, 8th February, 2016 at a workshop for Catholic media workers in Kasisi area of Lusaka under the theme; Reporting Church News.
And speaking at the same event, Catholic Media Services (CMS) Director Fr. Winfield Kunda implored Journalists in catholic run media houses not to fall into the trap of following circular media programming.
He said Catholic radio stations should project a wonderful voice of counsel on members of our society and be a reliable voice on vices in society.
“Let the Catholic Church media be a reliable voice to condemn drug abuse, tribalism, corruption, violence in homes and other vices. Ours should be the media which is objective, fair, balanced and that which remain truthful to the message of Jesus Christ. I urge you to talk about evils that the bad governance has brought in society, also what the advent of internet has brought on families that are not using it well.” He said.
“Our colleagues in the circular media have a tripartite mandate of Informing, Educating and Entertaining but us, working for the Church media is to Evangelise, Inform, Educate and Entertain our audience” He added.
President Edgar Chagwa Lungu (left) with French President Francois Hollande
PRESIDENT Lungu’s three-day official visit to France has immediately yielded six deals that will see Zambia receive significant investment in the energy, aviation and other sectors.
Following bilateral talks between the President and his counterpart Francois Hollande at Elysee Palace here yesterday, France has promised to, through Airbus, help Zambia establish a national airline.
Zambia, through the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA), has also issued a licence for France 24, the European country’s largest broadcasting house, to immediately begin operations in Zambia.
Briefing the media after the bilateral talks between the two leaders, special assistant to the President for press and public relations Amos Chanda said President Lungu thanked Mr Hollande for the fruitful engagement.
Mr Chanda was speaking at Le Meurice Hotel.
“The President is very thankful to his host, His Excellency President Francois Hollande, for promising to help Zambia set up a national airline through Airbus.
“Mr Hollande said Airbus, one of the largest global aviation companies, will help train Zambian pilots, provide technical support and supply aircraft for the new airline,” he said.
Mr Chanda said Mr Hollande promised Mr Lungu that as soon as the Zambian government is ready, his administration will send technical teams to the southern African nation to begin the process.
He said Mr Hollande has also told President Lungu that his government will mobilise investment in the energy, mining and other sectors.
“The French President has promised the head of State that France is interested to invest in both the traditional hydro and alternative energy with emphasis on solar energy,” Mr Chanda said.
During the talks, a number of agreements were signed covering different sectors.
The agreements are between Zambia and the France Development Agency (AFD), ZNBC and France 24, declaration of intent between the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) and Business France and between the University of Zambia School of Mines and Ecole Supereiere des Mines de Nantes and Telecom Bretagne.
Another deal is between Paris 1 Panthon Sorbonne University and Zambia’s Tourism Training Institute Trust.
Earlier in the day, President Lungu toured the French National Museum of Natural History where Minister of Foreign Affairs Harry Kalaba signed a memorandum of understanding with the French Ministry of Ecology for co-operation in the conservation of nature and mitigation of climate change.
President Lungu, who witnessed the signing ceremony inside the museum, called for more efforts aimed at preserving nature because climate change is increasingly threatening the human race with extinction.
France’s Minister of Ecology Aigole Royel signed on behalf of her country in the presence of the museum’s president, Bruno David.
Mr Chanda said President Hollande also echoed Pope Francis’ appeal to President Lungu during his visit to the Vatican City last week to help resolve the escalating political instability in Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
He said Mr Lungu reported that he is already interceding as he had sent envoys to mediate in the two countries’ conflicts.
Mr Lungu said he was concerned that if the two countries did not resolve their internal political wrangles, it could trigger an influx of refugees into Zambia, which could cause economic and social problems for the country.
He said the two leaders discussed a wide range of issues and pledged to work towards the strengthening of bilateral relations for the benefit of the citizens of the two nations.
President Lungu arrived at the Elysee Palace at 15:00 hours and was received by Mr Hollande.
The French Republican Guard mounted a guard of honour for the President before the two leaders went into the presidential complex for the private talks.
President Lungu attended a welcoming ceremony at the L’Hotel National des Invalides where the French military mounted a guard of honour for him.
He came out at 16:00 hours and headed for Le Meurice Hotel.
President Lungu is today expected to address a business forum to be attended by over 70 prominent French investors.
Given Lubinda
The Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry has expressed willingness to invest in the agriculture sector in Zambia.
Saudi Chamber of Commerce and Industry Board Member and Chairman of the Agricultural Committee His Excellency Mohamed Alhamadi said his organisation is interested in agriculture investments in Zambia.
Mr. Alhamadi says the Saudi businesses are looking for partnerships with Zambia’s public and private organisation to execute the organisation’s vision.
He was speaking when he welcomed Zambian businesses executives led by Minister of Agriculture Given Lubinda in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Mr. Alhamadi appealed to the Zambian government set conditions that will ensure the safety of Saudi investments in Zambia.
And Mr. Lubinda says Zambia appreciates the cordial relationship that exists between Zambia and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Mr. Lubinda however, expressed disappointment at the lack of progress between the private sector in Zambia and their counterparts in Saudi Arabia.
He said Zambia was looking for investors to help the country increase agricultural productivity so that it can meet the ever increasing food requirements for both local and regional
President Edgar Lungu speaking when he held a breakfast meeting with the French Investors in Africa at Le Meurice hotel in Paris France
PRESIDENT Lungu has invited French investors in Africa to come to Zambia and see for themselves the country’s vast investment opportunities in the various sectors of the economy.
And French investors have described what they heard during their meeting with President Lungu as “good news” and promised to come to Zambia this year to explore investment opportunities.
The President said here yesterday that Zambia is one of the best and safest investment destinations in Africa and challenged the investors to take advantage of the country’s geographical location at the crossroads of three regional blocs.
These are the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the East Africa Community (EAC).
President Lungu was speaking when he met selected members of the French Council of Investors in Africa (CIAN) at Hotel Le Meurice in Paris, France.
The President was accompanied by Minister of Energy and Water Development Dora Siliya, Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Margaret Mwanakatwe and Minister of Foreign Affairs Harry Kalaba.
The President’s special assistant for press and public relations Amos Chanda, Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) executive director Patrick Chisanga and other government officials were also in the delegation.
The CIAN team was led by its chairman, Alexandre Vilgrain.
“I am urging you to mobilise your members to come to Zambia, see for yourselves and explore investment opportunities available in our country,” President Lungu said.
“Your investment in Zambia is not only for the Zambian market but for Africa as well.”
The meeting, which started shortly after 08:00 hours, lasted for one hour.
The President assured the investors that his Government’s interventions will be through measured fiscal and monetary instruments to correct market distortions that may threaten overall economic stability.
President Lungu urged the investors to ignore the misinformation being circulated by some media houses and hear from him because he is the head of State.
“So forget some misguided distortions in some media outlets because you are listening to me as head of State. I oversee the entire economy and so I stand here as the country’s number-one salesman,” he said.
The President said he looks forward to seeing the French investors in Zambia and cherish the opportunity of doing business with them.
He outlined a number of comparative advantages that Zambia has over other African countries, the major one being political stability and open market economic policies.
He offered the investors a win-win situation where they make a reasonable return on their investment while his Government develops the country and improves the lives of the people.
“My belief is that any meaningful investment must result in the uplifting of people’s welfare through equitable wealth distribution,” President Lungu said.
And Mr Vilgrain described President Lungu’s presentation as good news because it has given the investors an accurate picture of the investment climate in Zambia.
“What we heard from the President is good news to us investors. The problem in the past was that many French investors in Africa did not know how to find partners to do business with in Zambia.
“But the President’s presentation was very good. I am coming to Zambia this year with some of my colleagues to come and look at areas of interest where we can invest,” Mr Vilgrain said.
President Lungu is in Paris, France, on a three-day visit to promote Zambia as an attractive investment destination and hold bilateral talks with President Francois Hollande.
He arrived on Saturday and will tomorrow afternoon leave for Lusaka.
President Lungu during a breakfast meeting with the French Council of Investors in Africa at Le Meurice Hotel in Paris on Feb 8,2016 –Picture by THOMAS NSAMAPresident Lungu during a breakfast meeting with the French Council of Investors in Africa at Le Meurice Hotel in Paris on Feb 8,2016 –Picture by THOMAS NSAMAPresident Lungu during a breakfast meeting with the French Council of Investors in Africa at Le Meurice Hotel in Paris on Feb 8,2016 –Picture by THOMAS NSAMAPresident Edgar Lungu speaking when he held a breakfast meeting with the French Investors in Africa at Le Meurice hotel in Paris France
Chairperson Judge Esau Chulu
THE Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) says it will use the short message service (SMS) facility for registered voters to verify their registration status.
Chairperson Judge Esau Chulu said this facility will be effective and enable many people check and rectify their details. Justice Chulu, however, said the commission will not extend the voter registers’ verification period when it comes to an end.
He said this in Lusaka on Friday when he addressed presidential candidates and stakeholders in the forthcoming general elections.
Justice Chulu said all registered voters are expected to check their details within the seven days window provided for by the law.
“After the close of voter registration at the end of this month, registered voters and stakeholders will be accorded a seven days’ window to inspect the register of voters from May 15 to 21, 2016,” Justice Chulu said.
He said the final voters’ register will be certified on July 31, 2016, to enable all eligible persons who will have turned 18 years by then to register as voters and participate in this year’s elections.
Justice Chulu said this is why the commission will provide an SMS facility for registered voters to verify their registration status.
“Please be advised that the commission will use the current register of voters (2011 register), for purposes of verifying aspiring candidates and their supporters,” he said.
Justice Chulu also reminded political parties that aspiring candidates and their supporters should only be those that appear in the 2011 register of voters as this will be the official register at the time of nominations.
“I urge political parties and aspiring candidates in particular to adequately prepare for the verification of supporters which will be conducted at provincial centres from May 19 to 23, 2016,” he said.
Justice Chulu also said in accordance with Article 52 (4) and (5), the commission has revised the nomination timelines to accommodate petitions that may arise from the nomination process.
“The revised nominations dates are as follows; for presidential candidates it will be May 30 to June 3, 2016, mayoral and council chairpersons, May 30, 2016, and for National Assembly and local government elections, May 31, 2016,” Justice Chulu said.
