UN Volunteers Zambia in Post-2015 Engagement with the Government, VIOs, Youth Volunteers Network, private sector and community volunteers. The clean-up exercise, medical outreach and debates were intended to raise awareness on the role of volunteerism in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs). The initiatives were part of activities lined up in commemoration of this year’s International Volunteer Day (IVD) held nationally under the theme: ‘Volunteer for a Clean, Healthy and Safe Environment. Your Action Counts.’
Jerabos can contribute to national treasury-HH
UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema has said that Small Scale Entrepreneurs are the engine and drivers of any economy in the world including Zambia’s in the quest for economic diversification and job creation.
In a statement released to the media, Mr. Hichilema pointed out that the so called Jerabos on the Copperbelt can easily be organised as small scale businesses or cooperatives that can later be given soft loans to acquire small scale mining equipment that they can effectively use and generate their own income and possibly even contribute to the national treasury and reduce on government borrowing.
Below is the full statement
The Value of SMEs
We took time to meet some Small Scale Entrepreneurs who are the engine and drivers of any economy in the world including ours in our quest for economic diversification and job creation.
We particularly look forward to having more of our people fully participate in small scale mining activities by giving them licences so that they can partner with foreigners.
It is such a shame, for example, to keep labelling our own citizens with derogatory terminologies such as Copper thieves (Jerabos) on the Copperbelt when these can easily be organised as small scale businesses or cooperatives that can later be given soft loans to acquire small scale mining equipment that they can effectively use and generate their own income and possibly even contribute to the national treasury and reduce on government borrowing.
In fact that is one of the many routes we would have used to assist the retrenched miners, especially that they already have the skills and knowledge in the mining sector.
That way we would have assured our citizens of some decent incomes and opportunities as no one rejoices at massive loss of jobs.
Hakainde Hichilema
UPND President
Southern Province Chief wants to rename Bottom Road after Edgar Lungu
A CROSS section of stakeholders in Southern Province have backed Chief Sinazongwe’s proposal that the Bottom Road be renamed Edgar Lungu Bottom Road in honour of the Head of State.
The road currently under construction connects Chirundu, Siavonga, Gwembe, Sinazongwe and Livingstone districts.
Chief Sinazongwe said on Saturday that it was only right that President Lungu was honoured in that manner as he was the first Head of State since Zambia attained independence to listen to the people’s outcry by commissioning the Bottom Roadworks.
He said this in Sinazongwe when he and President Lungu braved the scorching heat to join hundreds of mourners in paying their last respect to Defence Minister Richwell Siamunene’s father, Aaron Simazila Siamunene.
“Your Excellency I want to thank you mostly sincerely. I think this is the third time that you are coming to Sinazongwe chiefdom. We remember, the first time you came to re-open Colum Coal Mine and when you came to launch the Bottom Road.
“I am requesting that this road should not only be called Bottom Road. I am proposing that it should be called Edgar Lungu Bottom Road. I want to assure you that you are the first sitting President who has answered the (Gwembe) valley people to the call of this Bottom Road, “the chief said.
Reacting to the proposal, Chief Munyumbwe of Gwembe said, there was no better way of people in the province thanking Government’s infrastructural projects apart from honouring Mr Lungu in that manner. He said Mr Lungu was a hard working Head of State and that Zambians should give him support to deliver more developmental projects.
“You see, when a person is doing an excellent work, I don’t see any reason why that person shouldn’t be appreciated. I strongly support this proposal to rename Bottom Road as suggested by Chief Sinazongwe, “he said.
He praised Mr Lungu for many programmes of development that the province was receiving from the Government.
Some residents talked to in Choma and Siavonga districts have collectively backed the calls to honour Mr Lungu and have urged him to remain committed to developing the country.
Zambians are willing to eradicate poverty through hard work- Nawakwi
FDD President Edith Nawakwi says Zambians are willing to eradicate poverty from their homes through hard work as opposed to getting handouts.
And Anne Katakula one of the latest beneficiaries of the FDD Start-Up Grants Project says politicians seeking to be elected should practically demonstrate what they will do for their people instead of making unattainable promises.
Speaking when she witnessed the delivery of the latest packages of Sun flower, maize and Soya beans seeds to Chibombo District Small Scale farmers, Ms. Nawakwi said the people of Zambia do not want handouts but want to earn their living by working hard.
She explained that she understood the sweetness which is in farming as she is a farmer and that she was educated and became what is today because of tilling the land.
“We as a Party we understand that the only way out of poverty for our rural communities and the country as whole is farming that is why we embarked on this project of helping small scale farmers. We realise that we can not help everyone but we hope to change the lives of the farmers we are helping. We also want to demonstrate that what Zambians need are not handouts but a supportive Government to help them grow enough for food and enough for cash.
“We also want to show the people in this country how we want to run the agriculture sector to move the country from being a copper dependant to an agriculture dependant economy. Zambians in rural communities have never known and will never know the sweetness of copper because mining companies are owned by foreigners. If I was to ask anyone seated at this meeting the color of copper most of you don’t know but we all know what farming can do to our lives,” explained Ms. Nawakwi.
She also noted that instead of putting money in people’s pockets as per their promise the PF has taken all the money to roads and neglected other needy areas such as schools and clinics which are a necessity as children and mothers are walking long distances to go school and clinics respectively.
She said smart governments are no longer building roads but engaging private partners to build and maintain them as roads are a business in this century.
Meanwhile Anne Katakula has called on politicians to add value to the lives of the people the intend to represent and rule as opposed to buying votes with salt and chibuku.
She commended Ms. Nawakwi for changing people’s lives through the grants from the party and that her actions as a leader speaks volumes of what she will do when the people of Zambia entrust her with power next year.
She said women in Chibombo will fully support her and her party further imploring men and women across the country to rally behind the FDD as the party has demonstrated what they will bring to the governance of the country through actions and not promises.
Ms. Nawakwi on Sunday witnessed the distribution of Sun flower, Soya beans and maize seeds as well as other requirements including chemicals for weed control and knapsack sprayers among others to Chibombo District small scale farmers.
Farmers free to export maize next year-Lubinda
MINISTER of Agriculture Given Lubinda has assured farmers that Government will not stop them from exporting maize next year since it wants to play a limited role in agricultural marketing.
Mr Lubinda also said the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) will only enter the market when the private sector is satisfied with the buying of maize and other crops.
He was speaking at the launch of the Zambia Agriculture Commodity Exchange (ZAMACE).
The exchange is expected to provide an efficient trading platform supported by a warehouse receipt system to enhance market access, liquidity and credibility in the commodities market.
Mr Lubinda said Government has started taking steps to create an agriculture-based economy.
“Government will have very little role to play in agricultural marketing. We will leave it to those [private sector] who know it well.
The FRA will not be the buyer of first resort; they will be restricted to their mandate of buying strategic reserves,” he said.
Mr Lubinda said millers should start fending for themselves because FRA will no longer offload maize to them.
“I urge millers, brewers and producers of stock feed to partner with farmers and enter into contract farming where farmers can grow on their behalf.
“Next year, no farmer will be stopped from exporting maize. So, you can grow as much grain as you can. We will not stand in your way,” he said.
Farmers will now have access to finance through depositing their crops into any ZAMACE certified warehouse and a receipt will be issued that can be redeemed for cash at the bank.
ZAMACE, which is supported financially by Musika, will also be offering a secure and transparent commodity trading platform which includes buying and selling of commodities.
It will ensure compliance with industry to industry acceptable grades and standards, facilitate trade in Zambian commodities futures contracts with the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and providing market information.
President Lungu Commissions the Power Transmission line project
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu yesterday commissioned the more than US$153 million, 330 kilovolts (kv) Pensulo-Kasama transmission line in Kasama which will improve electricity supply to Luapula, Muchinga and Northern provinces.
The power project has augmented power supply to the three provinces from 66kv to 396 kv.
Mr Lungu said the increased power supply would promote industrial and commercial activities in the Northern circuit.
“For a long time, the people of Luapula, Muchinga and Northern provinces have experienced a severe low voltage and frequent power interruptions, a situation which has retarded industrial development and ultimately affected the livelihood of our people.
“Let me assure this gathering that today marks the end of power supply challenges here in the Northern, as well as Muchinga and Luapula provinces,” he said.
The Head of State said this at the site where he commissioned the project financed by the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICB) and executed by TBEA Limited, also from the Asian country.
Mr Lungu said the project, which would be replicated in Eastern Province, would support sharing between Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania.
He implored the private sector to invest in the light industrial area of the region following the commissioning of the power line.
“The potential for agriculture in this part of the country is enormous and the availability of electricity now in this circuit should be used to exploit the sector,” Mr Lungu said.
He also directed the Ministry of Energy to speed up the completion of all pending electricity generation and transmission projects, while the country should look for alternative sources of energy such as wind and solar.
TBEA vice-president Shang Yafei said the project, which created 200 jobs during construction, represented strong relations between Zambia and China.
Chief Luchembe, who spoke on behalf of traditional leaders in the area, commended the Government for the unprecedented developmental projects.
Mr Lungu later held closed-door talks with the traditional leaders who were led by Paramount Chief Chitimukulu Henry Kanyanta Sosala.
Earlier, the President who was in Shiwang’andu District in Muchinga Province called for the protection of the country’s forests which, if managed properly, could create jobs and wealth for the people.
Mr Lungu said the Government had recognised the forestry sector as a strategic economic industry with immense potential to contribute towards achieving the objectives of the industrialisation and job creation policy.
“My Government has recognised the forestry sector as one of the strategic sectors of our economy with immense potential to contribute towards achieving the objectives of the industrialisation and job creation policy.
“The capacity of the forestry sector to create employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for our people is uncountable, ” Mr Lungu said.
He was speaking when he commissioned a forest plantation exercise worth K10 million.
The project, which was being spearheaded by the Zambia Forests and Forestry Industries Corporation (ZAFFICO), would create 2,000 jobs at plantation establishment stage, and 500 people had already been engaged in the preparatory phase.
More jobs would be created through wood processing and value addition activities when the trees, on the 300 hectares of land, reached maturity.
Mr Lungu was gratified with the number of employment and entrepreneurial opportunities under the project, stating that this was in line with the Patriotic Front manifesto of improving people’s lives.
The Head of State said reforestation was at the core of Government’s programmes aimed at addressing the effects of climate change and deforestation.
He said deforestation was clearly an impact of irresponsible activities undertaken for short-term commercial gains that left the majority of the people disadvantaged.
He directed Zesco and the Industrial Development Corporation to formulate strategies that would facilitate improvements in the treatment of timber locally.
He also directed Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda to source more funds that would enable ZAFFICO to roll out the forestry boosting programme countrywide.
Earlier, Mr Lungu held closed-door talks with five Muchinga chiefs at Senior Chief Mukwikile’s palace.
Others present at the meeting, apart from Chief Mukwikile, were senior chiefs Nkula, Mukungule, Kabanda and Chieftainess Nawaitwika.
MMD East mobilization tour kicks off as Police harass entourage
Eastern Province Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) Chairman Jacob Mwanza has said that the Provincial mobilization tour has commenced with the thunderous arrival of MMD President Dr. Nevers Sekwila Mumba who is leading a strong team that includes Western Province National Executive Committee (NEC) Member Kamwengo Kamuti and National Women’s Chairperson Lisa Passi, among others.
Mr. Mwanza said there is a lot of excitement among people in Eastern province at the arrival of the MMD team, especially the President because the grassroots structures have been anxiously looking forward to him to visiting Eastern Province to assist in rebuilding the party.
The PF keep abusing the Public Order Act against their political enemies
“The mood in the province has completely changed and we are all very excited. This has been a great morale booster for all of us,” said Mr. Mwanza. He however lamented about police harassment. He said the police have stopped the entourage several times, which was rather strange considering that the Patriotic Front (PF) keeps saying that the MMD was dead.
“The PF have been singing the song that ‘MMD is dead’. The fact that they have sent Police to stop us means they know we are a factor and they are scared of us. They are scared that the MMD volcano has already erupted and shall consume them. It is just a matter of time,” said Mr Mwanza.
“The PF keep abusing the Public Order Act against their political enemies even though there is a Supreme Court judgment that says that there is no need to obtain a Police permit to hold a meeting. We shall use legal means to put a final stop to this primitive behaviour.”
“The country has moved on and has made great progress particularly after the landmark passing of the Constitution Bill last week which was led by MMD Members of Parliament. The police should not be allowed to again take us backwards. Zambia is on the path to becoming a modern democracy and should guard against archaic laws such as the Public Order Act,” said Mr. Mwanza.
President Lungu says UPND is planning to cause trouble next year
President Edgar Lungu says he has intelligence information that the opposition UPND wants to cause confusion ahead of the 2016 tripartite elections.
President Lungu alleged that the UPND intends to cause confusion as it has realized that it is not going anywhere.He reiterated that the ruling PF is headed for victory in the general elections.
President Lungu has since implored the UPND leadership to uphold peace. He called on the police command in Northern Province not to hesitate in arresting anyone perpetrating violence.
Meanwhile, President Edgar Lungu is this afternoon expected to commission the Pensulo-Kasama 330Killo volts grid transmission project in Kasama.
Mother-in-law checks on son’s sex life
“MY MOTHER-IN-LAW has made me miserable in my own home because she is always hurling insults at me for not sexually satisfying her son,” narrated a Lusaka housewife in Chilenje local court.
Agness Sakala, 22, of Katoba area said she could not tolerate her mother-in-law Winnie Mwanza’s behaviour as it is taboo and morally unacceptable for her to be interested in her married son’s sex life.
Appearing before senior court magistrate Sharon Sichone was Sakala, who had sued her mother-in-law Mwanza for compensation for insults.
“This woman likes telling me that I fail to sexually satisfy her son and that is why he is abusive towards me. She calls me a prostitute and always joins in to defend her son when we are fighting. Mwanza is the reason my husband no longer respects or listens to me,” she complained.
She said Mwanza was also accusing her of using charms on her son.
But Mwanza told the court Sakala told her she was fed up of the marriage because of her husband (Mwanza’s son) insatiable appetite for sex.
“I told Sakala that marriage is sex and that is the reason why she got married to my son. She also confessed to me that she has charmed my son and emasculated him so that she can do what she wants,” she said.
Mwanza said her 27-year-old son’s life was in danger because Sakala liked beating him.
However, the court in passing judgment castigated Mwanza for interfering in her son’s marriage by demanding to know her son’s sex life.
The court issued a restraining order against Mwanza and warned her of stern action if she continued interfering in Sakala’s marriage.
“How can you know that your son does not get satisfied by your daughter-in-law? the court asked.
(DailyMail)
I’m ready to assent to the Bill as soon as I receive it-President Lungu
President Edgar Lungu says he is ready to assent to the Constitution Amendment Bill of 2015 as soon as he receives it.
President Lungu says it is unfortunate that some people are now saying that he should hold on.
The Head of State says Zambians have been given a constitution that they wanted.
President Lungu was speaking at Zambia Airforce City Airport shortly before departure for Shiwangandu in Muchinga Province, where he is expected to commission a 3-hundred hectare ZAFFICO forest plantation.
The President is later expected in Kasama to Commission the 1-hundred and 53 million dollars, Pensulo-Kasama Grid Transmission line in Northern Province.
This is the second energy project that President Lungu will be commissioning in the province this year.
Meanwhile, President Lungu says he will Not allow a breakdown of law and Order in the country.
President Lungu says he has received reports that some politician in Muchinga is arming cadres with machetes ahead of the elections.
The Head of State also says some people have been paid in Kasama to boo him as he arrives to commission the Pensulo-Kasama Grid Transmission line.
Movie Review: Bridge of Spies
During the Cold War, an American lawyer(Tom Hanks) is recruited to defend an arrested Soviet spy in court, and then help the CIA facilitate an exchange of the spy for the Soviet captured American U2 spy plane pilot, Francis Gary Powers.
PROS
- Tremendous performances by Tom Hanks and Mark Rylance
- Very interesting and original story-line .
CONS
- The story was abit too straight forward , not enough twists in the plot .
FAVORITE QUOTES
James Donovan: “Aren’t you worried?”
Rudolf Abel: “Would it help?”
James Donovan: “We have to have the conversations our governments can’t.”
James Donovan :”Everyone deserves a defense. Everyone matters.”
CONCLUSION
I went to see this movie without having viewed the trailer or any attractions , all i knew was that it was staring Tom Hanks and directed by Steven Spielberg. Tom Hanks is one of my favorite actors and Steven Spielberg has never directed a movie i didn’t like . I was not disappointed , Bridge of Spies was a magnificent movie .
It is a period piece , based during the 1960’s , the cold-war era , when there were tense relations between USA and The Soviet union . This is not a James Bond-like spy action movie , but rather an evenly paced suspense/drama/espionage movie. That being said , it is still very enjoyable and will have you at the edge your seats at moments , thinking something is about to go horribly wrong .
Tom Hanks displayed a solid and believable performance as the fish-out-of-water lawyer trying to negotiate a prisoner exchange between USA and USSR . Mark Rylance equally had a distinguished performance as the quirky,mysterious Russian spy, Rudolf Abel.
Bridge of Spies is an exciting mixture of a court-room drama and a cold-war spy thriller. I highly recommend watching it .
RATING
4 out of 5
BY KAPA187
PF concerned with the anti-government propaganda-Father Bwalya
The PF is concerned with the anti-government propaganda being spread by some sections of the media.
PF Central Committee member Frank Bwalya says there is a general disregard for fairness and ethics by some media outlets in their reporting especially on the government.
Speaking when he appeared on “Let the People Talk” Programme on Radio Phoenix Father BWALYA said the media should aim at verifying and balancing their stories before airing them.
On the same programme Father Bwalya who is also PF Chairman for Information, urged the police to arrest anyone involved in the beating of journalists.
And Father Bwalya also said there is nothing political about the recent seizure of documents and equipment at the Post Newspapers by Zambia Revenue Authority -ZRA-officers.
Meanwhile, Father Bwalya said he is happy that the public media is not being used to spread bitterness and division in the country.
He said the public media is playing a pivotal role in disseminating information on the many developmental projects taking place countrywide.
Father Bwalya has since assured all the opposition political parties of equal media coverage in the run up to next year’s general elections.
PF leadership in Lusaka upset by demolition of 800 illegal houses
The Patriotic Front leadership in Lusaka Province is annoyed over the demolition of over 800 houses in Lusaka West area.
PF Province Chairlady, Margaret Mumba says it is unfortunate that the Police went ahead to demolish the houses of innocent Zambians.
Ms Mumba claims that at the time the demolition exercise was carried out she asked for the Court Order but was not given the document.
She was speaking in an interview with ZNBC News in Lusaka.
And PF Provincial Youth Chairman, Kennedy Kamba said the affected families are supporters of the ruling Party who gave PF votes during the just ended Ward election.
We are not introducing uniforms for teachers- The Teaching Service Commission
The Teaching Service Commission has clarified that no meeting took place to discuss the introduction of uniforms for teachers.
Teaching Service Commission Secretary Sandra Ndhlovu explained that contrary to media reports, the Commission did not meet on any date to consider introducing a mandatory dress code for teachers nor will it be considered in the near future.
Ms. Ndhlovu said the commission has not received any complaints from the public regarding the dress code of teachers and has since warned individuals fabricating such stories of stern action once discovered.
‘You may wish to know that the Commission has been out of station operating from Chongwe and Kafue carrying out national assignment, dress code is part of code of conduct but introduction for uniforms have never been discussed, these reports are a work of unknown people trying to discredit the work of the Ministry and the Commission,’ Ms Ndhlovu said.
But the Commission is on record backing General Education Minister Dr Michael Kaingu proposal to introduce mandatory uniforms for teachers in order to bring sanity to the profession.Dr Kaingu whilst touring schools in western province expressed concern that some teachers especially the female folk are wearing clothes that reveal their underwear while conducting classes.
She has since appealed to teachers countrywide to stop holding meeting aimed at discussing the reported introduction of teacher’s uniforms.
‘This matter has not been discussed and will never be discussed,’ she said.
And Ministry of General Education Spokesman Hillary Chipango has reiterated that there is no policy by the Ministry of Education to introduce mandatory dress code for teachers.
‘On the teachers uniform discourse, the Ministry has categorically stated that there is no such a policy in the Ministry and the Ministry will always take extensive consultation with stakeholders including teacher trade unions and policy makers to arrive at such a decision and besides, it would be a contradiction to us teachers to wear unions because you might be aware that wearing uniforms for learners was not compulsory,’ Mr. Chipango said.
Mr. Chipango stated that these reports have caused agitation and anxiety and brought discontent in the teaching fraternity.
But the Commission is on record backing General Education Minister Dr Michael Kaingu proposal to introduce mandatory uniforms for teachers in order to bring sanity to the profession.
Dr Kaingu whilst touring schools in western province expressed concern that some teachers especially the female folk are wearing clothes that reveal their underwear while conducting classes.
Small Parties cry foul over Requirements for Presidential Candidate in the new constitution
SIX opposition political parties have opposed the requirement for total of 1,000 supporters drawn from all 10 provinces as stipulated in the new constitution and described it as retrogressive and undemocratic.
The parties claimed that the requirement was a farce and an abhorrent to democracy as it was mooted by big parties with financial muscle to the disadvantage of smaller parties.
They have since appealed to President Lungu to take it back to parliament for amendments
The six are Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD), People’s Party (PP), National Revolution Party (NRP), Zambia Direct Democracy Movement (ZDDM), Alliance for Democracy and Development (ADD) and Zambia Republican Party (ZRP) who have all rejected the clause.
Among other qualifications for presidential nominations, article 100 (j) stipulates that a person qualifies to be nominated as a candidate for election as President if that person is supported by at least 100 registered voters from each province.
Zambia has currently 10 provinces after the creation of Muchinga by President Michael Sata (late) which translates into 1,000 supporters under the new requirement.
The qualification for previous Presidential elections was for a candidate to go for nomination with 200 registered voters. The parties alleged that the clause was aimed at preventing some political parties which did not have the financial muscle from contesting in general elections by making the nomination process more costly, saying the clause should be re-tabled.
FDD spokesperson Antonio Mwanza said that ferrying 100 registered voters from each of the 10 provinces to Lusaka was unattainable as the exercise could gobble the entire budget for an election for a party.
“This article is irrelevant. It is cumbersome. What are we trying to achieve by unnecessarily raising the expenditure of political parties? Prevent some parties from taking part in an election? This is an assault to democracy and we shall not support it.
PP president Mike Mulongoti said it was not possible for some parties to avail 1000 registered voters, arguing that there was nothing political parties needed to prove about their popularity for them to bring such massive numbers of people during nominations.
And ZRP leader Wright Musoma said the Article had the potential to force other parties which had financial constraints into oblivion because they will never field candidates.
“Who, in his right senses, can support such an extravagant article? Look, opposition political parties are not funded by Government and so, it is only the party in power that has an advantage over this matter because they have all the resources at their disposal,” Mr. Musoma said.
Meanwhile, ADD president Charles Milupi, ZDDM vice president Charles Kafumbo and NRP president Cosmo Mumba echoed the same sentiments saying the Article would have to be re-tabled or the people’s wish for representation would be suppressed.
Article 100 of the amended constitution provides that a person qualifies to be nominated as a candidate for election as president if that person:
-is a citizen by birth or descent;
-has been ordinarily resident in Zambia;
-is at least 35 years old;
-is a registered voter;
-has obtained, as a minimum academic qualification, a Grade 12 certificate or its equivalent;
-is fluent in the official language;
-has paid that person’s taxes or has made arrangements, satisfactory to the appropriate tax authority, for the payment of the taxes;
-declares that person’s assets and liabilities, as prescribed;
-pays the prescribed election fee on, or before, the date fixed for the delivery of nomination papers;
-is supported by at least 100 registered voters from each Province.
The Constitution Amendment Bill which passed through Parliament last Friday awaits Presidential assent.