Bottom of the log and winless Mufulira Blackpool battled to put on hold their pending demotion away at Nkwazi.
Blackpool did not win in Lusaka but finished 0-0 to avoid confirming their Division 1 ticket on Saturday for at least 24 hours on 11 points with six games left to play.
They now await to hear how Green Eagles fare on Sunday against 3rd placed Power Dynamos in Choma.
Eagles are one place above the bottom four relegation and are one point below the 29 point threshold that will end Blackpools their interest in the FAZ Super Division.
Meanwhile, the status quo prevailed in the bottom three for two other club’s.
Second from bottom Lusaka Tigers lost 2-0 away to Red Arrows at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.
Festus Mbewe converted a 41st minute penalty to record his fifth goal of the season.
Forgotten man Dube Phiri scored the final goal in the 59th minute for 6th placed Arrows.
Tigers remain second from bottom on 21 points and Arrows stay put in 6th place on 40 points.
And Lumwana Radiants beat third from bottom Lusaka Dynamos 1-0.
Edward Sinyangwe headed in the winning goal in the 42nd minute to see Beston ‘Quicksilver’ Chambeshi’s side jump from 13th to 9th on 33 points.
Striker Evans Kangwa on Saturday opened his account at his new club in Turkey after inspiring Gaziantepspor to their second league win of the season.
Kangwa scored a brace and had one assist in Gaziantepspor’s 3-2 home win over 3rd placed Bursaspor.
He was on target in the 60th and 79th minutes after setting up the game’s opening goal for Algeria striker Nabil Ghilas in the 31st minute.
Kangwa, who arrived in Turkey from Israel in the Summer, played the full 90 minutes for 10th placed Gaziantepspor in what was his fourth game for the club after six rounds of matches.
The Football Association of Zambia has revealed how it will share the cake from its K42.8 million 2016 budget.
The budget was unanimously adopted at the deferred FAZ annual general meeting held at the Government Complex in Lusaka on Saturday morning after it was earlier rejected at the elective AGM in March because it did not have a breakdown of any allocation for referees.
The equivalent of US$100,0000 from the US$1 million SuperSport TV deal will go to referees officiating in the lower leagues.
Meanwhile, Division 1 teams will get K268,800, K480,000 will go to Division 2 sides , Division 3 teams will share K 303, 200 while the women’s league will be allocated K98,000.
And FAZ says they hope to have the amended constitution ready by the next AGM in March, 2017.
One of the items will be to reduce the electoral college from 300 to 100.
“We made a presentation to FIFA they have given us an extension of up to match next year,” FAZ president Andrew Kamanga said.
“By Monday next week, we should be able to send the draft constitution to the councilors for feedback so that we can send the recommendations to FIFA.”
Government has reiterated its call for people to stop discriminating against the old in communities.
Eastern Province Permanent Secretary, Chanda Kasolo, explained that old people feel neglected in society a situation that has put them at risk of depression and social isolation.
Mr Kasolo said this in a speech ready for him by Assistant Secretary, Royd Tembo, during the commemoration of International Day for older person’s held in Chipata today.
Mr Kasolo said old people who feel they are a burden to their families may also perceive their lives to be less valuable.
He said government was committed to ensuring that senior citizens in the country are accorded the necessary respect that they deserve through the Public Service Pensions Fund (PSPF).
Mr Kasolo said government was aware that pensioners were not receiving adequate monthly pension but assured that government was working with the PSPF to ensure that pensioners are re-numerated better than what they are getting now.
He said the challenges facing the aged who are pensioners can be reduced by paying them a reasonable pension until their end of life.
And PSPF Board chairman, Moses, said old people should be given a respectable position in every society as they are assets.
Dr Banda said old age is a natural process and everyone has to go through it as old people have just retired not tired.
He explained that PSPF is currently serving more than 58 000 old people throughout the country.
Meanwhile Zambia National Pensioners Association National Trustee, Shadreck Daka, has urged government to adequately fund PSPF so that it can also increase the monthly pension as some pensioners are getting as low as K 300 per month which is not enough.
This year’s international day for old persons was commemorated under the theme “take a stand against ageism”.
Youth, Sport and Child Development Minister, Moses Mawere, says there is need to continue equipping youths with the necessary skills for them to effectively contribute to the country’s economic development.
Mr Mawere has observed that if youths are empowered with skills training, it will enable them to contribute positively to national development and also uplift their living standards.
The minister said this when the International Youth Fellowship delegation from South Korea paid a courtesy on him.
He said the delegation is visiting the country to check on the progress on the construction of the Youth and Sport Development Centre which they pledged to establish in Chilanga district.
Mr Mawere stated that the centre will house various components and facilities for skills development, education and sporting activities.
He said the delegation will also visit the Copperbelt University to orient first- year students on mind-set education which has been introduced as a under the department of humanities.
Mr Mawere said government is happy to partner with such organisations that aim at building capacity among young people in the country as this helps to uplift their well-being.
GREEN Party Presidential Candidate Peter SinkambaGreen Party President Peter Sinkamba says the creation of new Ministries is ill-timed considering the economic hardships that the country will have to endure.
Mr Sinkamba said the President will start the journey to 2021 on a wrong footing with a bloated cabinet when the country should be serving.
He said creation of new Ministries is imprudent considering that the country’s economy has shrunk by by about US$8 billion in one year.
“On ministries, our take is that the creation of new ministries has made cabinet to be too bloated. From the bloated cabinet, it is very clear that President Lungu is starting the journey to 2021 on a very wrong foot. It is very clear that President Lungu is inconsiderate of the economic fundamentals that he set himself to achieve
” With an economy that has shrunk by about US$8 billion in one year, we the Greens find it extremely imprudent for President Lungu to create more ministries. From all angles, creation of ministries appears to have nothing to do with actualization of the Industrialization and Job Creation Strategy and Youth Empowerment Action Plan, which primarily form the cornerstone of PF economic growth agenda. It is now very clear in our minds that President Lungu will run a highly consumptive government, and a management approach certainly runs afoul of IMF austerity regime. The future looks bleak,”he said.
He wondered how the PF government will achieve its macroeconomic objectives for 2016 when it failed to achieve an annual real GDP growth rate of 5.0% last year.
“Take for instance the macroeconomic objectives for 2016. First, his government has failed to achieve an annual real GDP growth rate of 5.0 percent. In 2015, GDP shrunk by US$4.9 billion, and is set to sink further by about US$3.3 billion by the end of 2016; government has failed to increase domestic revenue mobilization to at least 20.4 percent of GDP from 18.1 percent of GDP projected in 2015. It is unlikely that revenue collections for 2016 will exceed 15 percent; government has failed to reduce the budget deficit to 3.8 percent of GDP from 6.9 percent of GDP projected in 2015.
“Deficit is expected to 10 percent of GDP; government has failed to limit domestic borrowing to 1.2 percent of GDP. Domestic borrowing is in excess of 3 percent of GDP; government has failed to maintain single digit inflation with an end-year target rate of no more than 7.7 percent. Inflation is now hovering around 19%; government has failed to accelerate the diversification of the economy, particularly towards tourism, energy, agriculture and agro-processing as there has been nothing tangible to show for 2016; government has failed to maintain international reserves at no less than 4 months of import cover. The cover is less than three months,” he said.
He also said pronouncements on job creation has been mere rhetoric as there is nothing to show for all the strategies on job creation.
“Government has failed to create employment opportunities through accelerated implementation of programmes such as the Industrialization and Job Creation Strategy and the Youth Empowerment Action Plan. Up to this point in time, these strategies are mere rhetoric as there is nothing tangible to show at the close of 2016,” he said.
Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary, Bright Nundwe, has commended the Cross Border Traders Association (CBTA) for opening an information desk at Nakonde Border Post.
Speaking when he officiated at the launch of CBTA information desk, Mr Nundwe said that Nakonde border is extremely open with numerous undesignated points rendering revenue collection a daunting task.
He said the coming of CBTA information desk must contribute to educating citizens from both Zambia and Tanzania to appreciate crossing the border at designated pointMr Nundwe urge the CBTA information desk to help cross border traders to shift from conducting informal trade to formalised cross border business through sensitisation.
And CBTA Chairman General, Charles Kakoma, said the association is set to supplement government’s effort in curbing smuggling in all border areas of the country.
Mr Kakoma challenged all well-meaning stakeholders to support this initiative as it provides for enhanced trade flow, reduce poverty, and create an enabling environment for collection of statistics which are vital for the government economic planning.
And Nakonde District Council Chairperson, Patrick Mungoi, applauded Tanzanian authorities who came to witness the launch of the information desk by CBTA.
Mr Mungoi observed that there is need to sensitise both Zambia and Tanzanian traders on the importance of the information desk that will operate at the border.
He has since appealed to the Ministry of Commerce Trade and Industry to devise a mechanism with Zambia Revenue Authority (RZA) to see to it that small scale traders do their business in a more user-friendly manner.
Former National Treasure of MMD Elizabeth Chitika has involved a road accident after she tried to run away from the MMD Task Force in charge of collecting party vehicles.
The Task force tried to impound the car she is alleged to have been illegally using since the convention that saw the coming in of a new MMD National Executive Committee (NEC) under the leadership of Felix Mutati who is now Finance Minister under PF and Raphael Nakacinda.
Ms Chitika who had refused to return the two vehicles she got when she was still Party National Treasure was cornered at UNZA research center in Chadliegh area as she headed home around 14 hours yesterday.
She ,however, managed to force her way out and drove up to Kaunda Square in Munali area, where she hit into a reversing canter loaded with sand.
Ms Chitika who escaped the accident without any injury was taken to PHI Police where she was detained for some hours for causing an accident.
The MMD Task Force Chairperson on the collection of party property Mr Dauzen Tembo, said the move will serve as a lesson to all former leaders holding on to party property.
“If they think they can be using our party property to be mobilizing UPND programs they must think again. I found this lady driving our vehicle majestically from ordering things for her shops with a party vehicle, in fact we have heard these people have put our vehicles on ranks,” Mr Tembo said.
Government has hailed the long, stable and mutually beneficial relationship that has existed between government and Barrick Lumwana Mine over the past seven years.
Kalumbila District Commissioner, Robinson Kalota, says the mutual relationship has yielded fruitful achievements that have benefitted people around the mine area.
Speaking during the handover of a K125, 000 Manyama water kiosk to the Manyama community yesterday, Mr Kalota said it is government’s hope that the water supply system will contribute to improved accessibility to portable water for the community.
And in a speech read for him by Sustainability Manager, Christopher Mukala, Barrick Lumwana Mine Senior Corporate Affairs Manager, Nathan Chishimba, said the gesture is the mine’s commitment to improving lives of people in Manyama through the provision of portable water.
Mr Chishimba said Manyama has been confronted with the challenge of inadequate water supply due to the influx of people hence the mine’s decision to put up the kiosk to help address the problem.
Manyama Village Water, Sanitation and Health Education (V-WaSHE) chairperson, Kennedy Mbambe, thanked the mine for the gesture, saying it will not only provide safe drinking water but also reduce the risk of waterborne diseases in the community.
The water kiosk has a 10,000 water storage capacity tank, solar panels and a solar submersible pump.
FILE: Zambia Minister of Finance Alexander Chikwanda receives a cheque worth of K10 million Eight Hundred Twenty Eight from Zanaco MD Dick Bruce as a 2013 Divedend Payment to Zambia Government; the ceremony took place at the Ministry Boardroom in Lusaka.
Zambia’s largest commercial bank by assets, ZANACO has announced that Mr. Hendrik Gezienus Mulder has been appointed as the Managing Director of the Bank with effect from 1st November 2016.
This follows the retirement of Mr Bruce Dick who left the bank on October 30th 2016.
In a statement, the Board thanked Mr. Dick for his dedicated service to the Bank and in helping shape the new direction that the Bank has embarked upon and wished him the very best in his future endeavors.
The new Managing Director Mr Mulder is the former Managing Director for Rabo Development in the Netherlands.
With a career spanning over 34 years, Mr Mulder is a Law graduate of the University of Groningen in the Netherlands and has extensive experience in banking. His functional expertise is in strategic management, credit risk, treasury, investment and retail banking.
He started his career in 1982 at ABN Amro Bank where he served in various roles in the Netherlands, India, Brazil, Indonesia, Colombia, Romania and Saudi Arabia.
He also served at PT Bank Rabobank Indonesia as CEO for five years before joining Rabo Development.
The Board said it is confident Mr. Mulder will further add immeasurable value to the Bank’s new initiatives.
Drug Enforcement Commission
The Drug Enforcement Commission through its Anti-money Laundering Investigations Unit (AMLIU) has arrested a female banker and two of her relatives for money laundering involving over Three Million Kwacha (K3, 000,000).
Jessie Bwalya Kayelata Tapalu, 34, a Banker of Plot No.223/23 Kabangwe in Lusaka has been arrested on counts of fraudulent false accounting, theft by servant, forgery, uttering of false documents and money laundering contrary to the Laws of Zambia.
Also arrested in connection to the money laundering offence are Leo Tapalu, 37, a businessman and husband to Jessie Tapalu of the same abode, and Emely Matongo Mweene, 63, a house wife and the mother-in-law to Jessie Tapalu of Plot No 156180/80 Kamwala South in Lusaka.
It is alleged that Jessie Bwalya Kayelata Tapalu on dates unknown but between 1st May 2014 and September, 2015 jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown by virtue of her position as a bank officer at a named commercial bank with intent to defraud did steal money amounting to K3, 069,779.10 from her employers and then made money transfers to her husband Leo Tapalu amounting to K405, 470, to her mother-in-law Emely Matongo Mweene K 314, 830 and other monies to friends and close relatives.
Jessie Tapalu did engage directly or indirectly in money laundering activities by instructing people who were receiving money to deposit the said money into a joint account for her and her husband domiciled at a different bank in Lusaka.
The proceeds of crime that were realised by the accused persons were later used to invest into movable and immovable property such as motor vehicles and buildings which have since been seized as part of money laundering proceeds.
The three accused persons have been released on Police Bond and will appear in Court soon.
This is according to a statement by DEC Spokesperson Theresa Katongo.
Controversial Catholic Priest Frank Bwalya has finally started the process of leaving the Holy Priesthood, the profession he attained after 7 years of training.
In a long passionate statement, Mr Bwalya who is now Deputy Spokesman in the PF said he is taking the steps to leave priesthood after deep reflection.
Mr Bwalya who took time off active priestly duties a few years ago said it has proved hard for him to go back to the priesthood and he has now decided to seek permission to be released.
He however said he will continue respecting the Catholic Church.
Below is Mr Bwalya’s statement
Sixteen years ago on September 30, 2000 I was ordained a priest after training for a solid eleven years.
Thereafter, I prayed everyday saying, “Lord, grant that I may die and be buried as your priest”. It is now seven years since I took leave from priestly ministry. I regret to say that my prayer cited above may not be realised. I say so because I have decided to start the process of asking Mother Church to allow me to leave Holy Priesthood.
I believe that my mother, siblings and close relations not to mention fellow priests, the laity and friends across religious groupings have had enough time to prepare for this eventuality.
For a long time, I never imagined that one day I would make such a decision. However, it has become necessary to choose to walk one path and since it has proved hard for me to go back to the priesthood this time around I have decided to seek permission to be released.
So I will soon start taking steps towards a dignified departure from Holy Priesthood as prescribed by Mother Church. Please pray that God will continue to grant me happiness and personal fulfilment.
Above all pray that I may never disgrace my background and above all my faith as a Catholic Christian.
I will proudly continue to share in the common priesthood of the baptised and do everything within my means to propagate our faith. I will forever be grateful for the blessings I have received as a priest and the honour the Order accorded me.
I will soon take some time out to reflect and deal with the process of leaving priesthood. When I return, God willing, I will be the same passionate and zealous Frank Bwalya. I have written this reflection with a free conscience and a light heart because I have had enough time to discern.
I pray that God will continue to sustain my desire to serve his people in what I do and that I will never lose focus of his Kingdom. Amen.
On September 29th and 30th, 2016, about 20 African ministers, joined by representatives from international institutions as well as scientists and experts, are gathering in Marrakesh (Morocco), to attend a High Level International Meeting ahead of the upcoming COP22 negotiations.
The aim of this meeting is to build a support coalition for the initiative for the Adaptation of African Agriculture to climate change. In all, nearly 30 countries are represented.
An initiative to reduce the vulnerability of African agriculture to climate change
Launched in April 2016 under Morocco’s impetus, the initiative for the Adaptation of African Agriculture to climate change was born out of the observation that Africa, Agriculture, and Adaptation are only marginally taken into account in international negotiations and climate-fund allocations.
While all three are particularly vulnerable to climate change, they can also, and above all, play a major role in providing solutions.
The AAA initiative intends to act on two main levels: –
The Negotiations level, in order to place the Adaptation of African Agriculture at the heart of COP issues and challenges, and obtain an equitable distribution of climate funds between adaptation and mitigation.
The Solutions level, in order to promote and foster the implementation of concrete and innovative projects in terms of soil management, agricultural-water control, climate-risk management, capacity building and funding solutions.
A High Level Meeting to rally Africa around the initiative for the Adaptation of African Agriculture to climate change
About 20 African ministers are meeting on September 29th and 30th, in Marrakesh (Morocco), alongside representatives from leading international institutions (FAO, the World Bank, ADB, among others), as well as scientists and experts.
The aim of this High Level Meeting is to rally all stakeholders – whether in the area of agricultural development or in the fight against climate change – around the AAA initiative. In all, about 30 countries are represented in this Meeting.
It is intended to be an opportunity to share agricultural solutions and good practices that can be extended across the entire African continent. AAA initiative adopts a project-based approach that represents concrete ways to funding.
This meeting will also mark the launch of the #weAAAre campaign.
This campaign will focus on raising public awareness and mobilising the international community to act in favour of the AAA initiative in the lead-up to COP22, which will be held this year in Marrakesh from November 7th to 18th.
In terms of implementation, the initiative can lean on the great dynamic that is currently energising south-south cooperation, as well as on the ongoing rapprochement between African states, which is a priority for His Majesty King Mohammed VI.
Indeed, AAA seeks to serve Africa’s interests in such a way as to enable the continent to become a key player in climate-related issues.
International Gospel artists Ephraim Mutalange alias ‘Son of Africa’, together with rib cracker Comedian Sinkala Brighton, producer / musician Shenky Shuga of the ‘Kontamako’ fame and UK based International Gospel singer Margaret Tandoh will grace Zambia’s 52nd Independence celebrations in London.
Speaking to Lusaka Times, Big 4 Rocks Events co-ordinator London-based Broadcaster Chela Katwishi, confirmed the artistes’ participation, saying the event has been dubbed as ‘Tiyende Pamodzi’ so as to play a major role in uniting Zambians after the just ended tense but peaceful elections in Zambia.
UK based International Gospel singer Margaret Tandoh
Chela revealed that Big 4 Rocks has decided to team up with The Goat Shirley, a Zambian pub and restaurant owned by Patson Ngoma, as way of giving the UK Zambian community the best in entertainment. The Goat Shirley’s Lucy Ngoma will provide sumptuous fresh dinner on the night, while the first 100 ladies will be treated to a free glass of wine.
He emphasised that, Big 4 team comprising, popular UK based Zamuk proprietor Ronnie Tembo, Sports Analyst Kondwani Gumboh, Former Napsa Professional Football player Stan Sikwese and Music guru Eddie Musonda, who is a former DJ of Hanif Adams’ Valentinos, Highlights, Moon city and Oasis came up with the idea as a follow-up to promoting peace and unity.
producer / musician Shenky Shuga
Chela added that this is also a follow – up to last year’s Big 4 donation of clothes to Zambia’s Buzz Café Club. Last year’s Big 4 donations were received by Buzz Café Representative Ambassador Frank Mutubila. The Café subsequently donated the clothes to a charity of their choice.
He also said that the artistes are expected to perform in London to a show which will see various UK based Zambian pastors in attendance, while London award winner DJ Blair Kami and DJ Andrew will be behind the decks coupled with loads of entertainment surprises such as the ‘Home Sweet Home’ fame led by UK based Music producer Brian Zimba.
Comedian Sinkala Brighton
Chela also confirmed that Ephraim, Sinkala & Shenky are scheduled to arrive in London from Zambia on Sunday 23rd October in readiness for the celebrations, disclosing that this year’s show will be held at the London Royal Regency Banquet on Friday 28th October.
President Lungu delivering his address during the official opening of parliamentTHE Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) has expressed gratitude with the content of President Edgar Lungu’s address to the National Assembly.
CSPR Advocacy and Communication Programme Coordinator Maxson Nkhoma said in a statement yesterday that the Presidential speech was not only encouraging to most Zambians but it was also inspiring to the majority Zambians as it hinged on a number of progressive and well-articulated Government’s short – long term pro-poor policies aimed at realizing real economic diversification from one based on mining to one which is broadly based on agriculture, livestock , fisheries and tourism .
Mr Nkhoma said CSPR was happy that the President was categorical on his Government’s decision to make the agriculture sector a number priority among all other sectors in an effort to diversify the economy and facilitate for robust economic growth, wealth creation through value addition, processing and packing.
“ CSPR is glad to note that the President, shares the concerns affecting the small scale farmer’s in as far as farming mechanization is concerned. This inspires confidence and hope amongst small scale farmers that government will create enabling environment that will enable small scale farmers able to own farming equipments which will enable them enhance production,”he said.
Mr Nkhoma said the proposed creation of the agriculultural- related industries would support Government’s intention for job creation through value addition, processing and packing.
He said CSPR welcomes the proposed introduction of the cooperative bill to be brought before Parliament as it would help enhance the performance of the cooperative movement in Zambia while harnessing its potential to contribute positively to sustainable national development On Macro-Economic Front.
He said CSPR was optimistic that with the proposed broad based macro-economic policies such as the reduction of inflation rate to single digit and reduction of public debt , Zambia would a remain a predictable and best investment destination for both foreign and local investors.
“We note that inflation has already started reducing from over 22 percent in December 2015 to around 18 percent in September 2016.
Further it is our hope that creation of the Industrial Development Cooperation (IDC) will help the country enhance its capacities in commerce, trade and industry and enable Zambian products fair competitively on the international market while creating jobs for local people,”he said.
He called upon every Zambian to embrace President Lungu’s call for innovation if the country was to develop In the age of digital technologies and economic globalization.
He said CSPR was looking forward to the Presentation of the national budget which was clearly linked to the Presidential address to national assembly the Medium Term Expenditure Framework(MTEF) and the Seventh National Development Plan(SNDP)
