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Beauty Shamanga and her team about to devour in the country’s largest ever pizza
Fast food chain Pizza Hut last evening unveiled what is believed to be the largest pizza ever made in Zambia.
The pizza measuring 1.48 meters in length and 0.74 meters in width was unveiled last evening during a ceremony to celebrate Pizza Hut Zambia’s first anniversary.
The measurements were validated and by the Zambia Weights and Measures Agency.
And Agency Chief Executive Officer Himba Cheelo announced that the agency in consultation with stakeholders in the pizza industry will be working to standardise the different sizes of pizza offered for sale.
Ms. Cheelo said this is in order to ensure that the diameter of a small, medium or large size of pizza bought at Pizza hut should be the same diameter as that of another pizza bought somewhere else.
She said the agency has the mandate to regulate all weighing and measuring instruments in Zambia and has the duty to assure the accuracy of measurements that are used in trade and focuses on customer protection and promotion of sustainable trade.
Ms. Cheelo said the move will not only protect the consumer but will also give a spin off benefit to the food store owner who can be assured of credible, consistent and precise measurements during production and packaging of different sizes of pizza.
She said the use of accurate measuring instruments and authorised standard measures is the only certain way of assuring precise quantities of commodities produced, packed and offered for sale to the general public.
‘This will result in consistent customer satisfaction which in the long term shall lead to the sustainability of their businesses. I am sure Pizza Hut does not want to be seen as that food store that ‘short-changes’ its customers in terms of the size of pizza sold,’ she said.
‘The move to standardise the different sizes of pizza after the necessary consultations have been undertaken, shall promote fair trade between food traders and consumers.’
Zambia Weights and Measures Agency officers measuring the pizzaPizza Hut workers unveiling the largest pizza ever made in Zambia
Sondashi
TREATMENT Advocacy and Literacy Campaign (TALC) national co-ordinator Felix Mwanza has commended government for allowing the clinical trials on the Sondashi Formula (SF) 2000.
Mr Mwanza said the clinical trials will subject the SF2000 to critical examination, not only for the efficacy and safety but also to put the ‘long story’ to an end in terms of whether it is a cure for HIV.
“We feel that this is an opportunity for Dr Sondashi, Zambians and those that have been eagerly following the events on the SF2000,” Mr Mwanza said.
He is, however, concerned that TALC has not been part of the dialogue on the SF2000.
Mr Mwanza said this is in the interest of guarding the people’s interest and also to participate in what is known as good participatory practice in conducting a research.
“In every research that hinges on human beings, there should be a component of good participatory practice that should be embarked on. We feel that we have lost an opportunity as a country to involve people living with HIV and AIDS,” Mr Mwanza said.
He said the SF2000 was tested around 2006 under the auspices of the National AIDS Council (NAC) and the report was given to Parliament.
He said there is a story behind the SF2000 and the organisation is looking forward to making sure that the claims by Dr Sondashi are conclusively tested.
“If the SF2000 is not a cure, it is important for government to ensure that the product is not sold to people until it is proven to be safe and a cure,” he said.
He said the Government should not allow the administration of any medicine in the country before it is subjected to conclusive clinical trials.
“We call upon Government and relevant stakeholders to ensure that no one sells medicine or claims to have a cure before any clinical trials are concluded,” Mr Mwanza said.
Vice President inonge Wina with Chief Justice Ireen Mambilima
PRESIDENT Lungu says Government has taken measures to improve the delivery of justice and make its cost cheaper by ensuring that the poorest individuals in society have access to it.
Mr Lungu said this is in recognition of upholding the independence of the judiciary and improving on access to justice.
He said Government has taken progressive steps to take to Parliament the Constitution of Zambia Bill which proposes, among others things, to establish a constitutional court and a court of appeal.
“It also proposes to introduce specialised division of the high court to improve the delivery of justice and make the cost of justice cheaper.
“Our goal is to ensure that even the poorest of individuals in our society can have access to justice,” he said in a speech read by the Vice-President Inonge Wina.
President Lungu said this in Livingstone yesterday during the 2015 judicial conference under the theme: “Enhancing transparency, efficiency and accountability in the judiciary”.
Mr Lungu said the proposed provisions will help in the speedy disposal of cases and enhance efficiency of the judiciary.
He said the protection of citizens through judicial review against any abuse of public power is a cardinal feature of a society governed by the rule of law.
He said the independence of the judiciary is the surest safeguard of the rule of law and called on judicial officers to observe and uphold the highest level of integrity to instil public confidence in the judiciary.
“When we assumed power in 2011, we introduced policy measures aimed at making justice affordable and accessible to the poor.
Government is anxious to improve service delivery to meet the aspirations of Zambians and drive the nation to greater prosperity as promised in 2011,” he said.
Mr Lungu said this can only be achieved if the three arms of Government are transparent, efficient and accountable.
He assured Zambians of Government commitment to governing the country based on the rule of law, which is the bedrock of any democratic society.
And the United Nations resident co-ordinator Janet Rogan said as the nation enters an election year, judicial independence must be preserved.
Ms Rogan called for speedy action on the revision of the Public Order Act to better serve the right to freedom of expression and assembly.
“The police have a responsibility in this, as do the media and all political parties. This can be seen as an element of independence of the judiciary as well as its ability to provide a service to rights-holders, who include media, political parties and even the electorate themselves,” she said.
Chief Justice Irene Mambilima said the judiciary anticipates increased demand on the court systems considering that next year is an election period.
Judge Mambilima said the judiciary remains resolute in improving delivery of justice and has since increased criminal sessions.
President Edgar Lungu addressing Kawambwa Tea plantation Workers at the Factory – PICTURE BY EDDIE MWANALEZA/STATEHOUSE.
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has announced plans by the Government to revive the moribund Kawambwa tea estate in Luapula province and transform it into a fully fledged producer of the commodity.
Mr Lungu said that the Government would revisit the financial requirements of the estate which was placed under receivership and repossessed by the State after a Zimbabwean owner abandoned it. “By next year, we want to start pumping money into this factory so that we can earn foreign exchange through tea exports.
“I have heard your cry and will work flat out to ensure that the Ministry of Finance finds money to make this company viable again,” Mr Lungu said.
The Head of State said this when he addressed the 350 workers of the estate which Government will run through the Zambia Forestry and Forests Industry Corporation (ZAFFICO), which is an agent of the economic diversification programme.
Mr Lungu said Government would soon conclude matters surrounding the compulsory agreement so that the Zimbabwean investor, Khumul Holdings, settled their contractual share.
He said Government would also bear all salary arrears and statutory debts so that the company’s financial books were clean.
“ZAFFICO is a very competent institution and let me state that you are in very safe hands,” the President said much to the joy of the cheering employees.
Mr Lungu directed the Treasury to avail money so that the workers, whom he described as patriotic, were paid this months’ salaries.
“I appreciate your patriotism and hard work in preserving the tea plantation. “We are duty bound to revive this company and permanent secretary for Luapula (Boniface Chimbwali) and Kawambwa Member of Parliament (Nixon Chilangwa), I want all to be well here (Kawambwa tea) by next year,” said Mr Lungu who was in the company of senior Government and Patriotic Front officials.
The President added that as Government was promoting the buy Zambian agenda, State House would be the prime customer of Kawambwa tea leaves.
Earlier, company general manager John Bunda said the more than 200 hectare estate had the capacity to employ 1,000 people when operating at full capacity.
“Your Excellency, we expect to produce 965,000 kilogrammes of tea next year if only we are assisted with capital.
” The future of Kawambwa tea company is still bright for us to compete on both local and international markets, reduce tea imports and save the country’s meagre foreign exchange reserves, ” Mr Bunda said.
President Edgar Lungu addressing happy Kawambwa Tea plantation Workers at the Factory – PICTURE BY EDDIE MWANALEZA/STATEHOUSE.
Kitwe City Council has dissolved the executive committee of FAZ Division One North side Kitwe United following the team’s disastrous performance in 2015.
Kitwe finished eleventh in Division One North with 45 points from 34 matches played.
Presenting a supplementary report to the ordinary full council meeting held in the council chamber on Wednesday, Kitwe Town Clerk Bornwell Luanga said the local authority was disappointed with United’s performance.
“The team has been provided with a new bus, players are paid their training, upkeep and winning allowances on time. However, this effort by the sponsors is not matched by the performance of the team,” he said.
Luanga said council spent K1, 078, 151 on United last season in comparison with the K400 000 that Mufulira Council spent on Blackpool but the latter managed to win promotion to the Super Division.
“Our investigations have revealed that the major problem is not the team but the members of the executive committee who have caused divided loyalties from players and hence lack of cohesion in the team,” he said.
Meanwhile, council management has ushered in an interim executive committee to oversee the affairs of the club.
Gabriel Akayombokwa has retained his position as chairperson while the other members of the interim committee include; Emmanuel Numwa, Samuel Mumba, Sombo Kaela and Reuben Simfukwe.
FDD President Edith Nawakwi (c) in confrontational mood
Police in Mwense today tried to stop and detain FDD President Edith Nawakwi who was on her way to Kawambwa to witness the training of over 100 small scale farmers by MRI Syngenta seed company who are working with her party in Start-Up Grants project because Edgar Lungu was scheduled to be in the same District.
The officers in question told Ms. Nawakwi and her entourage which included Journalists from Muvi, The Post Newspapers and Sky FM radio to pack and wait for the officer-in-charge but the opposition leader refused to do as instructed saying she was entitled to be Kawambwa.
One of the officers who was clad in civilian clothes said they had explicit instructions to stop her from proceeding with her journey because Zambia 1 was going to be in the area.
However the officer couldn’t explain what the charge was which prompted Ms Nawakwi to tell her entourage to proceed. She questioned the officer if their Zambia 1 was going to be in all places and whether she was a danger to the President when she was not even armed.
She told the officers to stop giving the President of the PF, Edgar Lungu, unnecessary pressure by harrasing harmless people and the opposition. She said the police have become so petrified and too scared of their bosses in the PF hence they are doing things to please them which are not building the image of the President.
She further told the police that their implementation of the Public Order Act was wrong as it does not stop people or prohibit anyone from traveling further wondering if they would provide accommodation for her and the entourage. She said she had travelled 700 kilometers hence it was ridiculous for the police to tell her that she can’t were to sleep while their Zambia 1 (president Lungu) finishes his programs Kawambwa.
She challenged the police to check if she was wearing any suicide vest for them to say that she would kill the President adding that she was not foolish enough to be anywhere near the PF and their President because of their violent behavior.
She also said it was unreasonable for anyone to stop her from traveling to Kawambwa from as far as Mwense because there are other places along the Kawambwa road.
Dr JOHN PHIRI
General Education Minister John Phiri has directed Provincial Education Officers -PEOs- to work out acceptable boarding and day school fees for government schools.
Dr Phiri says the PEOs should submit their reports to his Permanent Secretary before the commencement of the 2016 school calendar.
He is concerned that the high fees charged in government schools are beyond the reach of the poor and rural based learners.
Dr Phiri said this when he met Provincial Education Officers in Kabwe today.
He said it is regrettable that out of the 102 districts that presented Grade 7 candidates, only 31 districts scored above the National Mean score.
Dr Phiri urged PEOs in provinces that recorded poor results to forge strategies to improve the quality of learning.
This is according to a statement released to ZNBC news in LUSAKA by Ministry of General Education Spokesperson Hillary Chipango.
President Edgar Lungu with Mr Richard Bennett CEO SunBird Bioenegry Africa during the ground breaking ceremony at Kawambwa Cassava farm and biorefinery plant which will Produce Bioethonol (biofuel)- PICTURE BY EDDIE MWANALEZA/ STATEHOUSE.16-12-2015
President Edgar Lungu has commissioned the 190 million US dollar Bio Fuel Plant in Kawambwa , Luapula Province.
The Project which is scheduled to start production in 2017 will produce 120 Million litres of bio- ethanol annually and create over 600 New Jobs for locals.
And President Lungu says the project is poised to create a market for cassava for over 20 thousand Local farmers under its out grower scheme.
The Head of State says the project will enable Zambia substitute imported fuel with bio fuel.
And President Lungu has praised the investors Sunbird Bio-energy Africa and its partners China New Energy and China State Construction for investing in the project.
He said the investors have a good track record as evidenced by the more than 1- Hundred projects that they have successfully constructed across Asia.
Earlier, Sunbird Bio Energy Africa Chief Executive Officer Richard Bannett said the plant will be producing 120 million litres of fuel per year.
Below is the President’s Speech
THE DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE PATRIOTIC FRONT & OTHER MCCs, THE ACTING MINISTER OF ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT, THE PROVINCIAL MINISTER, LUAPULA PROVINCE, HONOURABLE CABINET MINISTERS AND DEPUTY MINISTERS PRESENT, YOUR ROYAL HIGHNESS, SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, HIS EXCELLENCY MR YANG YOUMING, CHINESE AMBASSADOR TO ZAMBIA SUNBIRD BIOENERGY AFRICA OFFICIALS CHINA NEW ENERGY LIMITED AND CHINA STATE CONSTRUCTION OFFICIALS DISTINGUISHED GUESTS, MEMBERS OF THE PRESS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
I am greatly humbled to be here today to grace this ground breaking ceremony to commence the first ever Cassava Ethanol project in Kawambwa.
This is an important development for our country and it is in line with government policy to diversify away from the mining sector.
This project will enable us to substitute imported fuel with Biofuel to serve on the huge outlay on imported petroleum products. In addition, the project is poised to create a market for cassava for over 20,000 local farmers. This is besides, the direct job opportunities for our own people in the surrounding area.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am delighted to note that Sunbird Bioenergy Africa have
committed themselves to establish this important processing plant which at its full capacity will be able to produce 120 million litres of Bio-ethanol equivalent to 20 percent of Zambia’s petrol requirements.
I am reliably informed that Sunbird Bioenergy Africa and its partners China New Energy and China State Construction have an impressive track record of developing projects such as this. This is evidenced by more than 100 projects that the companies have successfully constructed across Asia.
Prior to this, a Government team was sent to appreciate the success story of the similar project in Thailand. Among the successes recorded on this project in Thailand includes:
1) Creation of thousands of jobs for rural farmers with production levels in excess of 600,000 tonnes of cassava each year;
2) Production of over 120 million litres of Bioethanol each year and
3) Creation of more than 500 direct employment opportunities in management, engineering, accounts and other fields.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Sunbird Bioenergy has committed itself to replicating the project in Thailand, here in Kawambwa.
As Government we are extremely grateful that management of Sunbird Bioenergy Africa chose Kawambwa district for this critical project.
To this effect, my Government has allocated 20,000 Ha of land on the Luena farm block for the development of a nucleus farm and out-grower programme which will produce more than 600,000 tonnes of Cassava each year for the plant.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
With this new project, there is need for Ministry of Agriculture to work with Sunbird Bioenergy Africa to design an out-grower programme aimed at maximising participation of as many rural farmers as possible.
I am informed that the construction of the plant will commence in 2016 while production is expected to begin 2017. I wish to urge management to ensure that the implementation programme is expedited and adhered to for us to quickly see the benefits of this project.
With increased power supply in the northern circuit, I am hopeful that more investment such as this will be attracted to set up in this region.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In conclusion I wish to once more commend Sunbird Bioenergy Africa and its partners for taking economic development to the rural part of our country. This will tremendously improve the lives of our people.
May I also take this opportunity to thank your royal highness for embracing this project in your area. My sincere hope is that your counterparts in other parts of the country will emulate your resolve to open up your area to development.
It is now my singular honour and privilege to declare the commencement of this project.
May the Almighty God bless you all. I thank you.
President Edgar Lungu with Mr Richard Bennett CEO SunBird Bioenegry Africa plants Cassava Cutting at Kawambwa Cassava farm and biorefinery plant which will Produce Bioethonol (biofuel)- PICTURE BY EDDIE MWANALEZA/ STATEHOUSE.16-12-2015President Edgar Lungu with Mr Richard Bennett CEO SunBird Bioenegry Africa and other Officials at Kawambwa Cassava farm and biorefinery plant which will Produce Bioethonol (biofuel)- PICTURE BY EDDIE MWANALEZA/ STATEHOUSE.16-12-2015President Edgar Lungu with Mr Richard Bennett CEO SunBird Bioenegry Africa and other Officials at Kawambwa Cassava farm and biorefinery plant which will Produce Bioethonol (biofuel)- PICTURE BY EDDIE MWANALEZA/ STATEHOUSE.16-12-2015
Mateo Phiri
Veteran broadcaster and 5 FM Chief Executive Officer Mateo Phiri popularly known as Matti P has died.
He was 70.
He died this afternoon as he was been taken to Lusaka Trust Hospital after battling cancer for some time.
His son James confirmed the death this afternoon.
Mattipi was famous for having coined the phrase ‘Don’t argue, you were not there.’
FODEP Executive Director McDonald Chipenzi
IT IS hypocrisy for some opposition political parties to oppose now the requirement for 1,000 supporters drawn from all 10 provinces for one to be nominated as presidential candidate as stipulated in the new Constitution.
Foundation for Democratic Process executive director McDonald Chipenzi questioned why some opposition parties have started complaining over the submission which they supported during the district and national assemblies. Mr. Chipenzi said there was nothing undemocratic about the 1,000 supporters’ clause, stating that no political party was against the law when it was brought up during people’s conventions.
“The submission was made by the some political parties who are complaining. It was brought to these assemblies and conventions and every one supported it; there was no one who was against it,” Mr Chipenzi said.
He said it would be hypocritical for anyone to start complaining now because the draft had been on the shelf for a long time.
Mr. Chipenzi said some of the political parties which are part of the Grand Coalition opted to support the clause that it was what they wanted to do.
“Some of these political parties when we were in the Grand Coalition opted to come out and say this is what they wanted to do,” he said.
“And the motive behind that 1, 000 supporters was based on the fact that some of these parties are regional and would not manage to bring the 200 in one province, so if they have to be national and be respected, they just have to be mobile,” Mr. Chipenzi said.
He said political parties have to be mobile if they have to be national and respected.
Mr. Chipenzi said there was nothing undemocratic about the 1,000 supporters’ clause, stating that no political party was against the law when it was brought for conventions.
“It is not undemocratic to ask people to do what has to be done; if in the Constitution we are against regional political parties, why should we not put a fertile ground for political parties,” he said.
“Let them cultivate support from across the country; if they can’t, they cannot get nominated. That is the nature of democracy, democracy is rule of law,” he said.
He said political parties had no option but to follow the law once it was amended.
The qualification for previous presidential elections was for a candidate to go for nomination with 200 registered voters but the new Constitution stipulates that the candidate should draw 100 supporters from each of the 10 provinces, bringing the number to 1,000 supporters.
Members of Parliament
Political parties should not be funded from State coffers because the nation cannot afford it , the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has charged.
Secretary general Cosmas Mukuka has also described as unfortunate the passing of the 50 percent+1 vote clause because it was unfeasible due to regional voting patterns.
The clause allowing Government to fund political parties with representation in Parliament as contained in the Constitution Amendment Bill No. 17 should not have passed because some political parties are irrelevant, he charged.
The Constitution which has been passed provides in article 60 section 4 (a) the establishment and management of a Political Parties Fund to provide financial support to political parties with seat in the National Assembly.
But Mr Mukuka said although the Constitution Amendment Bill was currently in the hands of President Edgar Lungu, it was important to seriously reflect on the clause which allowed the establishment of funds for political parties.
“It is unfortunate that funding of political parties went through because our submission was that unless a political party meets a specified threshold. If you are saying political parties should be funded, under which threshold will be followed?” he said.
Mr Mukuka said the funding for political parties should reach a certain threshold because political parties would be concentrating in one constituency just to be receiving funding from government.
“MPs should have suggested that a political party will be receiving funding when it has more than 10 MPs. That way political parties will be serious and promote proper regulations,” Mr Mukuka said.
He said political parties should be formed to provide checks and balances to the ruling party not merely registering and forming one for the sake of receiving funds.
“The best which the President can do is to probably see how best people can discuss it and provide a serious threshold so that we can have serious political parties who should compete because now every political leader who has no following will be receiving funds,” Mr Mukuka said.
And commenting on the 50 percent+1 vote clause, Mr Mukuka said the possibility of repeating elections in Zambia were quite high.
He said Zambia cannot have one-off session of general elections following the historical background of elections conducted in Zambia. “But now that the 50 percent+1 vote clause has gone through Parliament, we cannot question it very much at this stage because it remains in the hands of the President,” he said.
Mr Mukuka said because the clause had passed in Parliament there was need to start looking at campaigns and ensure that every citizen was educated on his right to vote.
He said if political parties will not campaign adequately ahead of the 2016 general election then it would be an automatic re-run which was a cost to the nation.
A LUSAKA housewife told the Lusaka Boma court that her husband of nine years has been accusing her of having sexual relations with her step-son.
Evelyn Phiri, 34, of Kamwala South township was narrating a case in which she sued Didima Sakala for divorce.
Phiri told Lusaka boma local court magistrates Miyanda Banda and Davies Mpundu that she got married to Sakala in 2006. She said they have two children together and bride price was paid. However, the couple has been on separation for four months.
“I was once married with two children but my husband died. When I got married to Sakala, I was his third wife and I found he had three children from his previous marriage; I took care of his children,” she said.
She said problems started eight months into their marriage when Sakala packed her clothes and took her back to her parents for no reason.
Phiri said Sakala also developed a habit of calling her a prostitute and accusing her of having sexual relations with his son.
“After this allegation, I left our matrimonial home because he was being disrespectful. Before that, he abandoned me at my parents’ home and married another woman whom he also deserted six months later. He then started begging me for reconciliation and apologised for what he did,” she said.
Phiri told the court that seven months after reconciling, he chased her again and married a fifth wife with whom he had another child.
“He chased his fifth wife and came back with his uncle to beg for forgiveness. We reconciled again and I went back to being a mother to his children while mine remained with my parents. He does not even want me to visit my children or allow them to visit me at my matrimonial home,” she said.
But Sakala in his statement denied the allegations and insisted that Phiri was having a sexual relationship with his son.
Passing judgment, the court granted the couple divorce and ordered Sakala to pay Phiri K10,000 as compensation with an initial instalment of K1,000 followed by K300 monthly instalments.
Sakala was also ordered to pay K400 as child maintenance.
Rainford Kalaba scored for TP Mazembe on Wednesday in their final game at the 2015 FIFA World Club Cup but it was not enough to see the DR Congo side and African champions from departing Japan with a smile.
Mazembe lost 2-1 to North American champions Club America of Mexico in a 5th and 6th place playoff in Osaka.
Kalaba scored for Mazembe in the 43rd minute to reduce the gap with America already leading 2-0.
Kalaba played the full 90 minutes while his compatriots midfielder Nathan Sinkala and striker Given Singuluma were unused substitutes.
Mazembe were knockout of contention after losing 3-0 to host side Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the quarterfinals on December 13.
