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Zanaco coach Mumamba Numba says being on bye in the preliminary round of the 2016 CAF Confederation Cup is giving his side ample time to prepare for the competition.
Zanaco will enter the Confederation Cup in the first round where they await the victor of the preliminary round clash between Harare City of Zimbabwe and AS Adema of Madagascar.
Zanaco will be away in the first leg during the weekend of March 11-13 before hosting their opponents on March 19 at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.
In interview, Numba said Zanaco will be ready for the Confederation Cup by the time they will enter the fray.
“We are taking our preparations seriously and it is good that we are on bye,” he said.
“Being on bye gives us time to prepare adequately. By the time we are playing our first game in the Confederation Cup will have played some local games,” Numba said.
“We will be ready for the Confederation Cup,” he said.
Zanaco last competed in Africa in 2013 after winning their last league title.
Nkana striker Jimmy Ndhlovu (l) battles for the ball with Zesco United defender Ayo Oluwafemi (r).
Striker Jimmy Ndhlovu has re-joined Power Dynamos from Nkana on a two-year permanent deal.
Both Power and the player have confirmed the deal after Friday’s fruitful negotiations with Nkana.
Ndhlovu spent a successful one-and-half year loan stint at Power before returning to their Kitwe arch-rivals last July.
In a statement on Saturday Power said:”Jimmy Ndhlovu has rejoined Power Dynamos Football Club.Negotiations for his move to Power finished yesterday (Friday) at Nkana FC.”
Ndhlovu scored 8 goals for Power last season before heading back to Nkana where he struggled to find the back of the net on his way to finishing the 2015 campaign with 10 goals.
He is relieved to rejoin Power on a permenent deal.
“I have been handed 2 years with hard labour at Power Dynamos. New year,new challenges.
“Thank you to all Nkana fans and the executive for the support and love,” he said.
A second half penalty goal from Collins Mbesuma handed MP Black Aces a slender 1-0 win over Polokwane City in an Absa Premiership match at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday night.
The win helped Aces leapfrog Bidvest Wits into second place. Aces moved to 27 points, tied with table-topping Mamelodi Sundowns but behind on goal difference. Polokwane, meanwhile, remain 13th with their 12 points.
With Aces coming into the game placed third on the table with the chance to go top of the log, it was either nerves or rustiness which resulted in a lethargic start to the contest against the relegation-threatened Polokwane.
The game began at a slow pace with few real goal-scoring chances for either side.
The usually attacking Polokwane outfit failed to create any serious threat going forward, to the extent that both goalkeepers were hardly called into action in the first 45 minutes.
UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema has called on Zambians not to allow politicians to divide the country using tribe race, region.
Mr Hichilema said Zambian should reject politicians who use discriminatory means to ascend to power.
He was speaking on Saturday evening when he officiated at the wedding ceremony of Anderson Kambela Mazoka Jr and Lucy Chanda at Pamodzi Hotel.
Anderson Kambela Mazoka Jr is son to the UPND founding President Anderson Kambela Mazoka.
And Mr Hichilema says marriage is true unifying factor that has defied all odds including racism.
Mr. Hichilema reiterated the need for the country to continue embracing each other through marriage.
The UPND Leader added that Zambia must continue being the beacon of oneness in Africa.
He said the marriage of Mazoka Jr and Lucy Chanda signifies that Zambians cannot be divided on tribal lines. HH at the wedding ceremony
Mr Hichilema speaking at the wedding ceremonyAndy Jr and Lucy Chanda
“What if some did not believe? Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?”
(Romans 3:3, KJV)
What if They Don’t Believe?
Have the opinions of others caused you to water down your dreams? There will always be critics and naysayers in life. One of the most important things you can learn is that other people don’t have to believe in you in order for your dreams to come to pass.
Other people don’t set the limits for your life—you do. It’s not what others say about you that affects your life, it’s what you say and believe about yourself. In today’s verse, the apostle Paul is saying, “It doesn’t matter if other people don’t believe.
Their unbelief is not going to keep me from believing in my dreams.” When God puts a promise in your heart, it’s not up to other people to bring it to pass, it’s up to you! You don’t need everyone to validate you. You have to follow the voice of God for yourself and allow Him to order your steps!
A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You for another day to see Your goodness in my life. Help me to see myself the way You see me. Help me to see the plans You have for me so that I can be empowered to fulfill my destiny. I love You and bless Your name today in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Minister Yamfwa Mukanga (left) addresses new Zambia Railways Board members at his office as the new Board Chairperson Davies Chama looks on in Lusaka
GOVERNMENT is working on ensuring that the printing of ballot papers for the 2016 general elections is done by the Government Printing Department.
Minister of Works and Supply Yamfwa Mukanga said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday the Government Printing Department has already procured a printing machine which has capacity to print ballot papers.
He said, however, that the printing of ballot papers at the Government Printers can only be permitted if the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) approves of the facility.
“ECZ has to confirm whether the machine that has been installed at Government printers has the capacity to meet the requirements to print the ballot papers,” Mr Mukanga said.
Last year, the ECZ published advertisements inviting bidders for the printing of ballot papers for the 2016 general elections.
A source says Government Printers submitted its bid through the Ministry of Works and Supply.
The source said the machine at the Government Printing Department has not yet been fully installed as the institution is waiting for a few more imported components.
The source added that once the components are installed, the machine will be one of the best in southern Africa with the capacity to print ballot papers for Zambia and its neighbouring countries.
“Once the machine is fully functional, the Government Printing Department will be able to print ballot papers within a space of one week,” the source said.
THE National Council for Construction (NCC) has suspended activities on a Sun Share Investments Limited construction site, a proposed construction of a 10-storey office building in Lusaka.
The site is on Katima Mulilo Road, behind Radisson Blu Hotel.
NCC public relations officer Chama Mwansa said in a statement in Lusaka yesterday that routine inspections, NCC conducted on January 6, revealed that the company was carrying out construction works without a valid registration certificate.
Ms Mwansa said NCC also found that the working environment at the site was unsafe because of poor organisation and workers on site did not have the required full protective clothing.
She said Sun Share also breached the regulation which requires contractors to provide appropriate safety clothing to employees.
“NCC has charged Sun Share Investments Limited for contravening the provisions and has ordered the company to immediately cease all construction activities until further notice,” Ms Mwansa said.
She also reminded contractors that the 2016 registration period began in October last year.
Ms Mwansa said contractors wishing to carry out construction activities in 2016 are encouraged to renew their certificates to avoid being penalised.
“We would also like to encourage contractors to ensure all personnel are equipped with appropriate protective wear and enforcement measures on their use are strictly adhered to,” she said.
Ms Mwansa said NCC remains committed to improving the quality of infrastructure in support of national development and will not hesitate to revoke certificates of contractors found wanting.
Mr Amos Chanda
DESPITE 2016 being an election year when the temptation to spend is high, President Lungu will continue with his tough economic management approach to ensure that the economy rebounds.
Speaking on a special programme on the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) anchored by Brian Mwale, dubbed the President’s Diary 2015, aired on Friday night, President Lungu’s special assistant for press and public relations, Amos Chanda, said economic management will be the President’s biggest diary item for this year.
“The President will be pre-occupied with tough economic management approaches so that we get the Kwacha back, we want to see inflation brought down, the President wants to see stability in the mining sector.
There are conversations going on about the mineral royalty tax system, the mining companies are talking to the relevant ministries. The President is confident the Minister of Mines and the Minister of Finance will guide the sector to a more acceptable tax regime,” Mr Chanda said.
The fall in commodity prices, including that of Zambia’s major export earner, copper, has led to job losses in the mining companies while power shortages have further strained the country’s economy as the Kwacha also depreciated considerably against major currencies.
To stem the downward economic slide, President Lungu responded in November with a range of spending cuts that include not starting any new construction projects, deferring construction contracts where possible, focusing on completing projects already under way as well as delaying the establishment of a national airline.
On the Friday programme, which touched on a broad range of issues including Zambia’s bilateral relations with other countries, the President’s international visits, his religious faith, and his support to sport, Mr Chanda re-affirmed the President’s commitment to getting the economy back on track.
He said a lot of factors, both local and abroad, have caused damage to the performance of the Kwacha, including some irresponsible remarks. A number of measures available have had to be undertaken by the central bank to stabilise the Kwacha, but he says this does not amount to a return to statutory controls as President Lungu remains committed to a free market economy.
In the past one month, the Kwacha has rebounded from around 14 to the United States dollar to an average of 10.
“There has been a remarkable stability of the Kwacha over the past one month. Going forward, the President wants the currency to remain stable as it appreciates,” he said.
“… With the energy sector stabilising, with the rainy season looking quite okay, we should see the economy rebounding.”
This will be helped by interventions such as “to cut unnecessary expenditure, to cut unnecessary imports” that will save the necessary forex.
Mr Chanda also talked about how the President’s foreign visits benefited the country with, for instance, China providing a concession loan for the solar milling plants that are reducing the cost of mealie-meal; and agreements with Angola regarding an oil pipeline, rail and road links and food exports by Zambia.
He also disclosed that the President has received invitations to visit the Pope in Rome and to undertake a State visit to France next month and that Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni will be sending petroleum engineers to come and assist Zambia in oil exploration in the north of the country, where it is believed there could be reserves.
Mr Chanda said Zambia’s great international recognition is back as it has reclaimed its place in the international community of nations.
“It’s significant for me to highlight to you that President Lungu was the first Zambian President to address a special session of Parliament in Angola… this is the great honour given to Zambia,” he said.
First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda’s Son Kaweche Kaunda
FORMER President Kenneth Kaunda’s son, Kaweche, has commended President Lungu for the removal of the clause in the Constitution on indigenous parentage, saying that the previous clause was meant to bar his father from standing as president.
In the former Constitution, the clause, under article 100, stated that a person qualifies to be nominated as a candidate for election as a President if that person (a) was a citizen by birth or descent (b) has been ordinarily resident in Zambia, among other qualifications.
Speaking in an interview, Mr Kaunda said the removal of the clause is long overdue, adding that it is unfair to have a clause based on an individual.
“We all know how that clause came about. The motive behind it was to bar my father,” he said.
Meanwhile, Zambians in the Diaspora have welcome the dual citizenship clause in the amended Constitution, saying it will enable them invest back home.
Speaking from Austria, where he is currently studying political science, Zambian-born Austria citizen Madalitso Phiri, said it is a ‘dream come true’ to be accepted under the new Constitution as a Zambian whilst maintaining his Austrian nationality.
He said Zambia has one of the most educated people working as professionals in the Diaspora, such as engineers, doctors and nurses who would like to bring those skills home with no restrictions.
He said that Zambians living in the Diaspora will now also be able to fully and effectively participate in the economic activities of the country.
“This is not only a great honour, but also an obligation to do more for our country and I am very sure that many Zambians in the Diaspora will be able to influence change. I believe that the dual citizenship clause will expand Zambia’s economic base and stimulate trade,” he said.
He added that Zambians living abroad will now be inspired not only to return to their country of their origin, but to also invest in the country using advanced technology.
And Precious Chola, based in Ethiopia said the dual citizenship clause will make Zambians in the Diaspora feel part of the country despite being away.
“The dual citizenship clause will no doubt expand Zambia’s economic base, stimulate trade and investment and inspire Zambians in the Diaspora to invest back home. It will also encourage Zambians abroad to build a stronger Diaspora that will in turn, engage their host countries for economic and political decisions in favour of their country of birth and descent,” she said.
Another Zambian-born American citizen Mathews Chanda said that the clause allowing them to maintain Zambian citizenship whilst holding on to other passports will enable them implement their business investments without much difficulties.
Mr Chanda said President Lungu should be commended for signing the Constitution Amendment Bill into law, adding that Zambians must work together for the good of the country.
FIRST Quantum Mine (FQM) is developing the US$2-billion Trident Mine in Kalumbila area of Solwezi district and has engaged more than 1,200 employees, including 200 Filipinos with specialised skills. Above, some of the Filipinos captured during a conducted tour by media heads and other senior journalists to Trident’s Sentinel
The meeting between Kalumbila Minerals Limited management and Mine workers Unions has failed to yield positive results.
And the mining giant has maintained that it will go ahead and retrench 7 hundred and 30 miners at its Trident Sentinel Copper Mine in Solwezi.
Meanwhile Mine Workers Union of Zambia -MUZ- has urged Government to intervene and ensure that jobs are served at Kalumbila Mines.
MUZ General Secretary, Joseph Chewe who confirmed the development to ZNBC News in Kitwe today said a meeting was called by unions in the mining sector and Kalumbila Mine management to discuss the impending job cuts.
Mr. CHEWE said the meeting which was held in Solwezi yesterday was called to discuss the pending job cuts at Trident Sentinel Copper Mine in Solwezi.
However, the National Union of Miners and Allied Workers NUMAW has described the move by Kalumbila Minerals to lay off over 730 workers as unfortunate.
NUMAW President James Chansa has told ZNBC News in a separate interview that the union will not accept any unnecessary jobs in the mining sector.
Kalumbila Minerals management said it has been forced to scale down labour following the move by ZESCO’ to restrict power supply to the mine.
According to a letter from Kalumbila Minerals availed to ZNBC News, ZESCO Supply has been cut from 150 megawatts to 70 megawatts.
The mining company has indicated that it will scale down production to half following ZESCO’s move.
BUT ZESCO National spokesperson Henry Kapata refuted the claims by Kalumbila that the mining giant is receiving restricted power from the company.
Mr. Kapata said ZESCO is supplying adequate power to the mining firm as agreed to ensure it runs at full capacity.
On Wednesday, Chief Government Spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili described as regrettable the decision by Kalumbila mine to retrench 730 miners.
PF Deputy Secretary General Mumbi Phiri addressing the public of Mano Ward in Bangweulu Constituency in Samfya District at Kasoma Banweulu Primary School during campaign the rally
The Patriotic Front -PF- has challenged veteran politician, Vernon Mwaanga to report his fears about rigging to the Police and the Electoral Commission of Zambia -ECZ-.
PF Deputy Secretary General Mumbi Phiri says it is shocking that Dr. Mwaanga has chosen to be used by the Post Newspaper whose agenda is to frustrate President Edigar Lungu and his government.
Mrs. Phiri told ZNBC in an interview in Lusaka today that it is sad that the Post Newspaper using some unsuspecting politicians are attempting to mislead Zambians that the PF will rig the August 11 elections.
She said President Lungu will win the August General election without rigging as suggested by some section of the media.
And Chief Government Spokesperson, Chishimba Kambwili says the Patriotic front -PF- government is committed to run a transparent, free and fair elections.
Mr. Kambwili told ZNBC News in an interview that President EDGAR LUNGU has promised Zambians that he will not circumvent the will of the people.
He said the PF government upholds high levels of integrity and is resolved to practice decent politics at all costs.
Mr. KAMBWILI who is also Information and Broadcasting Minister said veteran politician Vernon Mwaanga’ should tell Zambians how elections are rigged.
Meanwhile Provincial Chairperson, Horace Longwe says there is need for PF youths to start mobilizing themselves and explain development projects the party has done.
Addressing youths in Mandevu constituency this afternoon, Mr. LONGWE also warned the youths against engaging in violence saying he has already expelled violent members from the party who have since been welcomed by the opposition.
Mr. Longwe has also advised Veteran Politician Vernon Mwaanga who has been talking about rigging that the counting of ballots in Zambia has changed and does not allow space for rigging.
And PF Lusaka Province Chairlady Maggie Mumba says a party with a weak youth unit is not a party as youths and women work hard.
Meanwhile Lusaka Province Youth Chairman, Kennedy Kamba has called on youths to work hard and ensure that President LUNGU wins by over 65 percent this year.
President Edgar Lungu is not impressed with the building inspectorate of the Lusaka City Council .
Mr. Lungu has wondered what has happened to the practice of issuing certificates to building plans at every stage of construction.
This was after discovering that the brick wall that collapsed and claimed lives during heavy storms do not meet required standards.
Speaking after the tour of woodlands stadium and a brick wall of Lamasat along Kafue road where three people died, Mr. LUNGU says the situation is a clear act of corruption.
He says it is sad that companies like Lamasat which are reported to be wealthy can construct a wall fence without following proper building procedure.
The President says the company should be prosecuted for constructing a brick wall not meeting the required standards.
Mr. Lungu however says the tragedy should be a wakeup call for the councils to begin valuing lives of people who ushered the PF into office.
The President also visited two houses of mourning one in chilenje where a 14 year old boy died after the brick wall at Woodlands stadium collapsed on him and three of his friends who got injured and another in John Laing compound where two children from the
same family, aged 12 and 9 died when the brick wall belonging to Lamasat collapsed on them.
Mr. Lungu consoled the families appealing to them to put everything in the hands of GOD noting that the development is sad.
He says while government will help the families with funeral expenses, no amount of money or help can bring back the deceased.
Mr. Lungu also checked on Down Town shopping mall where the roof was also blown off during rain storm.
Mall Assistant Manager Emmanuel Bwembya says goods worth millions of kwacha got damaged in the rains but that no life was lost.
Meanwhile 13 out the 14 people admitted to UTH following the rain storm have been discharged.
UTH Spokesperson Mwenya Mulenga confirmed in a telephone interview that the condition of Benedetti ZULU who is still admitted is stable.
Meanwhile government through the disaster management and mitigation unit has taken over the funeral expenses for the people who died in Lusaka when the wall fence collapsed on them following the hailstorm.
A check by ZNBC news found a team of Government officials identifying the affected homes. The team was lead by Lusaka district commissioner, Captain Davies Mulenga.
And father of the deceased, Kennedy Sikota, who commended President Lungu for taking time to mourn with his family, said James was an aspiring footballer whose dream was to play for the national team.
“He was a brilliant boy whose wish was to play for the national team. We are broken as a family over his untimely passing but support from Government will go a long way in easing this burden,” he said.
And Fred Ngoma, one of the survivors who was with James at Woodlands Stadium, said they took shelter by the wall fence when the storm started.
“While we were standing, lightning struck and the wall fence fell on us. James fell on me but I managed to crawl out to a nearby carwash after which I realised that James had remained. We tried to ask the people at the car wash to go back and search but they told us to wait until the rain was over,” a swollen Fred said.
Wincing in pain, Fred said it was then that they discovered that James had been seriously injured from the impact.
In John Laing, father of the two siblings who died at the Lamasat wall fence, Allan Kazemeka, thought his children would routinely come back home only to be told that they had been involved in a accident.
“I rushed to the scene where the wall fence had collapsed on my children. There, I was told that they had been rushed to the hospital, where I learnt they had both died,” the grief-stricken Mr Kazemeka said.
He described his children as industrious, adding that they helped provide for the family with proceeds from the vending business.
“I am, however, grateful to God for sparing the life of my youngest daughter, who crawled under the vegetable table at the time of the accident. She survived because the wall fence fell on the table while her sisters, who were against the wall, were crushed by the blocks,” he said.
Upon seeing the President and his entourage, Mr Kazemeka and his wife Dainess wept uncontrollably, humbled at the presence of the Head of State.
The President consoled Mr Kazemeka and encouraged him to be strong for the sake of his family. President Lungu also counselled the mourners, urging them to take a leaf from the patriarchal Job from the Bible, who drew strength from God when he lost everything he had.
One of the girls’ friends, Anna Phiri, said Florence and Helen, who were jovial, got along very well with her. She said she was shocked at their death and would greatly miss them.
Scores of John Laing and Woodlands residents gathered to get a glimpse of President Lungu and his entourage as he made his way to the funeral houses.
He was accompanied by his special assistant for press and public relations, Amos Chanda, senior government and Patriotic Front party officials.
Zambia play their first game in 2016 on Sunday when they face nemesis Angola in a friendly in Johannesburg.
Angola and Zambia are using the friendly to fine-tune their respective teams’ ahead of their participation in the 2016 CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) that Rwanda will host from January 16 to February 7.
George Lwandamina’s side heads into the freindly at Muller Ground (Kick-off 16h00), hoping to extend their unbeaten run to five games since losing 3-0 to Egypt last October in Abu Dhabi.
Since then, Zambia has picked up three wins and a draw that they capped with back-to-back victories over Sudan in a 2018 World Cup qualifier in November to end 2015 on a high.
However, Zambia takes on Angola still without a win over their archrivals from the West since June, 2006 when they beat Palancas Negras 2-0 in the Cosafa Cup final.
Angola has since that match gone on to dominate Zambia with two wins and a draw with the last meeting seeing the Palancas Negras beating Chipolopolo 2-0 , again in Johannesburg, in another pre-tournament friendly in January, 2013.
And Sunday’s match will also mark the end of Isaac Chansa and Christopher Katongo’s exile after last playing for Zambia in June and October 2014 respectively.
Meanwhile, Zambia will wrap-up its four-day training camp in South Africa on Tuesday when they face Mamelodi Sundowns junior team in a practice match at the same venue before jetting off to Kigali on Wednesday.
At the CHAN, Zambia are in Group D where they will face Zimbabwe on January 19, Uganda in their penultimate pool match on the 23rd and Mali on the 27th.
Kasama Central MP GBM after the interview
“THE schemes by the Patriotic Front (PF) to attempt to rig the general elections is a sign that the ruling party has lost the confidence of Zambians and can only resort to electoral malpractice to cling to power, Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba has charged.
Mr Mwamba whom is UPND vice-president for administration has alleged that some former PF supporters had revealed that the ruling party was encouraging its cadres to obtain more than one voter cards in a bid to rig the general elections.
Mr Mwamba said the ruling party should stop fantasizing that it was going to win the general elections scheduled for 11th August because Zambians were determined to change Government and that the UPND was the only alternative.
He explained that a former PF member who has defected to the UPND had produced three voters’ cards which he acquired illegally.
Mr Mwamba who could not give the name the former PF member said such matters should not go unattended to as it could be seen that the PF had started rigging even before people started voting. He said the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) had to clarify how it was possible for one individual to have three cards. ‘’ As a party our position would be that we have to petition the ECZ, they need to explain how one person can have three voters cards under one name, ‘’ he said.
President Edgar Lungu speaking at Statehouse swearing in Ceremony on Thursady 7th January 2016. Picture by Eddie Mwanaleza/Statehouse.
THE Patriotic Front (PF) will not allow anyone to coerce or blackmail President Edgar Lungu to nominate a running mate that he would not be comfortable with, Frank Bwalya has said.
And Fr Bwalya has warned party official lobbying traditional leaders and other interest groups to support their candidature as running mate to stop because President Lungu would be allowed to freely choose his running mate.
Fr Bwalya, who is PF information and publicity chairperson, said he was warranted to categorically state that President Lungu would be allowed to freely choose his running mate following the recent manoeuvres by some senior members positioning themselves, motivated by notorious ambition of taking over the Head of State on the PF party ticket.
“Our party acknowledges the dynamics of a running mate who becomes Vice President when his or her party wins the presidential election,” Fr Bwalya said.
Fr Bwalya said PF was conscious of the danger the presidential running mate arrangement could pose in the case where a person with notorious presidential ambition was adopted as running mate.
He said the party would allow President Lungu to freely choose his running mate and that would be a person he would be comfortable to work with.
“Those who are guilty of this behaviour should know that they are wasting their time and that they are effectively eliminating themselves from being considered,” Fr Bwalya said.
He said the party would strongly oppose the nomination of a running mate among those who had exhibiting insatiable appetite for presidency under the pretext of desiring to be vice president.
Fr Bwalya said such people would be a real danger to President Lungu.
“We are aware that one of our members of parliament has even gone further to indicate that he would leave PF and form his own party if President Lungu will not pick him as his running mate. Our message to this ambitious person is that his conduct has already disqualified him,” Fr Bwalya said.
He has since urged all respected traditional leaders not to allow themselves to be used by selfish people whose real aim was the presidency.
“On the contrary our traditional leaders and other stakeholders have a duty to help the president freely choose a person who will not be a danger to his life,” he said.
Fr Bwalya said after winning the forthcoming 2016 general election the PF want President Lungu to govern Zambia and lead it to prosperity without any fear of being harmed by those around him.
Zanaco coach Mumamba Numba says being on bye in the preliminary round of the 2016 CAF Confederation Cup is giving his side ample time to prepare for the competition.
