Government has warned civil servants on the Copperbelt province against shunning significant traditional ceremonies.

Chief government spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili says traditional ceremonies deserve unlimited support by all well-meaning civil servants across the country.

Mr Kambwili, who is also information and broadcasting services minister , implored Copperbelt province permanent secretary Howard Sikwela to ensure that traditional ceremonies are supported by all civil servants without fail.

“ I want to sound a warning to the Copperbelt province permanent secretary that when ceremonies are held he should attend and am disappointed to find a lot of mayors and district commissioners rushing for traditional ceremonies outside the Copperbelt just to make allowances but when it comes to their own they don’t want to attend” he said.

He was speaking during this year’s edition of the Nsengele Kununka traditional ceremony held in Machiya Chiefdom of Mpongwe district, yesterday.

Meanwhile, Mr Kambwili has assured residents of the area that the Mpongwe Machiya road would soon become a reality.

He disclosed that all tender procedures regarding the tarring of the Mpongwe Machiya road had been completed and that a contractor for the road project would soon be identified.

He further assured that the patriotic front under the leadership of President Edgar Lungu will not relent in its efforts to bring sustainable development to Mpongwe District.

NDOLA district Patriotic Front (PF) chairperson George Chisulo has warned MMD national youth secretary Bowman Lusambo to desist from using the PF party structures and materials to campaign in Kabushi constituency.

Mr Chisulo told a media briefing in Ndola yesterday that Mr Lusambo was telling people in the area that he had been sent by President Edgar Lungu to campaign as an aspiring Member of Parliament for Kabushi constituency.

He said that the PF officials have investigated the matter and were since warning him to desist from the acts as such would land him in problems.

“Mr Lusambo has been going round using some of our members and materials to campaign, he is telling the residents in the area that President Lungu had sent him to campaign. That is not true, no one has sent him to campaign in the PF,” he said.

But Lusambo has said the people of Kabushi Constituency will decide on which party he will stand as area Member of Parliament.

Speaking to the Times of Zambia from Kabushi yesterday, Mr Lusambo reiterated that he was an MMD member who wanted to contest the Kabushi Constituency parliamentary election but that the people had the final say on which party he would contest the seat.

“The people of Kabushi’s decision is the decision which I will follow because they own me, I don’t own them.

“Am interacting with the people of Kabushi and the relationship which I have with the people of Kabushi is very strong, so if they decide and we know that their decision is not taking us anywhere, we will go back to the drawing table and make a wise decision together,” he said.

Mr Lusambo charged that some people were peddling falsehoods about him because they were scared of his political vision and the warm relationship he had with people of Kabushi Constituency.

Mr Chisulo said that if Mr Lusambo wanted to stand as a Member of Parliament in the constituency he should do so in his own party and not using PF to entice the people.

He said that he had told people in the area that he would embark on the sewer line project in the area and would also do a lot of other developmental projects.

Mr Chisulo said Mr Lusambo did not belong to PF adding that he should stop masquerading and telling people that he was sent by the president to embark on the campaigns.

He said Mr Lusambo had no link to the PF and should stop pretending to be one as PF did not allow people with dual membership.

Mr Chisulo said that people in the party had given the current Member of Parliament chance to work until the time that the Parliament would be dissolved to pave way for campaigns.

He has also warned members of the PF who were following Mr Lusambo that the party officials would not hesitate to take actions against those, as they were betraying the party.

FDD President Edith Nawakwi says she does not need permission from government or anyone else to help the suffering farmers across the country.

Ms. Nawakwi said it is only a person without brains who can say you need permission to help your relatives adding that Minister of Agriculture Given Lubinda and the PF Government should be commending the Party as opposed to suggesting that it is illegal for her party to help poor farmers with startup grants and that she should register with the registrar of societies in order for her to help the suffering farmers.

Ms. Nawakwi said it was unbelievable and unfortunate that Agriculture Minister and his Government could tell the farmers that it is okay for them to continue suffering and that is okay for them to continue stealing from Zambians through the FISP program which has continued to be used to secure votes from the impoverished small scale farmers.

She called on the PF Government to appreciate that FDD was smarter than them as it has demonstrated how to run the Agriculture sector something she said the ruling party should be the first to commend the party as it was helping Government.

Ms. Nawakwi wondered what sort of judge would punish her for coming to the aid of poor farmers as what the party is doing should be welcomed by all well meaning Zambians including Mr. Lubinda and his clueless PF Government.

“I heard that yesterday in Parliament the PF Government are saying that what Nawakwi has done is not allowed in Zambia, that it is illegal for me to give you Seed and that I will be arrested and go to jail for helping you. Children of God, they want to arrest me because am helping my relatives with seed to grow so that you can be better next year.

I want you be better off, but they are saying it is illegal. Have you heard that? I went to Zamseed with my own money bought Seed so that I can give my mothers to plant something that will give them more money.., ati they will arrest me do you think that is normal?

They are saying that what Nawakwi is doing is not allowed in this country, but I want them to answer whether stealing from poor Zambians is allowed. I am telling this Government that I will continue with this program and many other empowerment programs because I don’t need permission from anyone to help my sisters, brothers and mothers move out of poverty,” she said.

Ms. Nawakwi added that the party will not relent in its efforts of trying to uplift peoples lives and ensure that people are moved out of poverty through a successful Agriculture sector.

“This is a practical demonstration of how the FDD Government will run the Agriculture sector. We want to show these people that we mean business and that poor farmers should be given grants which should improve the lives of poor farmers and not a bag of fertilizer and a medium of maize seed.

As FDD we will give grants to farmers for three years and we are talking about a successful grant enough for a farmer to grow food and enough to sale so that a farmer can have income for his family. We want to inculcate a culture of working hard and not that of handouts because we know that Zambians are hard working but lacks full support from the Government. Just like the way gets grants from foreign countries farmers should also get grants.

This was a practical advise to President who has asked those ” na amano” to provide solutions so instead of being jealous the PF should appreciate the fact that FDD is smarter and commend us,” she said.

The opposition leader said this when she officially opened Mungwi ward conference in Malole Constituency in Northern Province yesterday.

The ruling Patriotic Front (PF) party in Lusaka has challenged its outspoken Rachel Chileshe to stop insulting Republican President Edgar Lungu or face the wrath of the law.

The PF founding members Charity Banda and counterpart Francis Mukuka said it is totally unacceptable for Ms Chileshe to continue castigating President Lungu for no apparent reasons.

Ms. Banda, in a walk in interview with ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday, castigated Ms. Chileshe for putting the name of the Head of State Edgar Lungu and the entire PF leadership into disrepute.

She urged the outspoken PF member who is Matero Constituency MP Mile Sampa’s sympathiser to form her own political party than what she termed as riding on the projects started and embarked on by the PF government leadership.

“I challenge Ms. Chileshe to form her own political party than riding on PF projects instead of putting the name of President Lungu and the entire PF leadership into disrepute. She’s just a disgruntled person who is being used by selfish politicians in Matero,” Ms. Banda said.

Ms. Banda said Ms. Chileshe is not a founder member of PF at all but instead she ( Chileshe) is being used by selfish politicians bent on dividing the ruling party.

She threatened that she will ensure that the Police to arrest Ms. Chileshe for insulting President Lungu which is contrary to the laws of Zambia.

President Lungu is keenly following the legacy of late president Michael Sata and chided all PF and government critics, she said.

Her accomplice , Mr. Mukuka said that Ms. Chileshe belongs to the ‘PF cartel’ which he said is leading a frustrated life.

Mr. Mukuka challenged Ms. Chileshe to come out in open if she is a ‘true green’ or staunch PF which was formed by late republic president, Michael Sata.

He said President Lungu is on track to take Zambia to greater prosperity and he should be supported by all well-meaning Zambians.

“President Lungu is devoted to develop the country and those criticizing him should be shameful of themselves.

Efforts by ZANIS to get a comment from Ms. Chileshe on her claims denouncing President Lungu and the PF proved futile as her mobile phone went off.

Today’s Scripture

“Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet and delightful to the soul and healing to the body.”
(Proverbs 16:24, AMP)

Pleasant Words

Do you need healing in your body—physically? Spiritually? Emotionally? Your words can bring that healing. Start speaking pleasant words—words of life, encouragement and thanksgiving. Guard your heart by making sure you are only listening to pleasant, life-giving words. If there’s something on the TV or radio that isn’t bringing life to your soul, turn it off. If someone’s having a conversation that’s not uplifting or productive, don’t be a part of it.

Choose to meditate on God’s Word which is living and active and full of life. Let His strength and peace rise in your soul. Keep your heart and mind focused on Him and always choose pleasant words!

A Prayer for Today

“Father, thank You for Your Word which is truth that sets me free. I repent today for any words that have brought destruction into my life or the lives of those around me. I ask that You uproot every negative seed and help me to always choose words of life in Jesus’ name! Amen.”

‘Zed Me Free’ Concert to End HIV—Nov 28^th—Lusaka Showgrounds

On Saturday the 28^th November 2015 at 13h00, the Muchimba Music Foundation in association with AIDS Healthcare Foundation will be presenting Zed Me Free, A Concert to End HIV! This spectacular show, with Headline Act, Thomas Buttenschøn, will be featuring some of Africa’s top talent including Macky 2, Mampi, Afunka, Chef 187 and B Flow to name a few.

All you have to do to participate in this event, is to get tested for HIV, and even this has been MADE simpler as there will be testing “roadshows” every weekend leading up to the main event. The first testing roadshow takes place on Saturday the 7^th November at Kalingalinga, followed by one at Matero on the 14^th November and finally at Chawama on the 21^st November.

The roadshows themselves will be an event, with DJ’s spinning music and some of the artists from the show event stopping by to meet fans. So come on by, get tested, get condoms, get the t-shirt and get access to Zed Me Free, A Concert to End HIV!

MMD Vice Presidential aspiring candidate Bowman Lusambo on Friday spent time interacting with vulnerable households in Ndola’s Kabushi constituency as part of his familiarisation tours in the area.

Mr Lusambo who is also MMD National Youth Secretary donated various items to 22 selected households drawn from Kabushi’s eight wards.

Some of the items donated include a wheelchair for a 75 year old resident of Masala who is unable to walk, food items for a family that recently lost their property due to fire, made a cash donation to a lady suffering from advanced Parkinson’s disease in Lubuto area.

A number of food packs containing sugar, cooking oil, Mealie meal, washing paste and other essential items were also handed out to elderly women in Kabushi constituency.

The recipients were identified after a through two week screening process that was conducted in partnership local NGO’s, the Church and local political leaders.

The donations took over nine hours to be distributed to all the deserving recipients.

In interviews with local media, Mr Lusambo explained that he was compelled to extend a helping hand to the suffering masses in Kabushi in order to lighten their burdens.

‘We are not saying we are here to solve all their problems. These people are suffering but we know there is joy in giving and we would rather share the little we have with our people here when they are still alive than coming to mobilise transport for the burials,’ Mr Lusambo declared.

He also clarified that he is not making the donations to woo voters ahead of the 2016 elections after declaring his intentions to contest the Kabushi parliamentary seat.

‘I grew up here, I got moved by what I saw and I decided to help. There is nothing political about giving although our leaders that are elected to serve our people should do more to help them,’ he said.

He added, ‘What we have in the area is pure lack of leadership. You find elderly women over 80 years of age who have been neglected to fend for themselves. How do you expect a woman that old to fend for herself? The local leadership should help link her up to some social protection programme for the elderly run by the Government, now that link is missing in Kabushi and that is why i say there is no leadership here. We would like to change that.’

Mr Lusambo also used the visitations to mingle and interact with local people and engaged them about ways of developing the constituency.

Over the weekend, Mr Lusambo will officiate at the inaugural Bowman Lusambo football tournament to played at Milemu grounds in Kabushi constituency where 12 teams drawn from the eight wards will battle it out for the K40, 000 rich tournament.

United Party for National Development(UPND) President Hakainde Hichilema has said that the latest revelation by the PF Government that the will be used to finance the 2016 budget is absurd. In a statement released to the media, the UPND leader said that what the PF Government was telling the nation was that henceforth country will borrow to finance consumption.

Below is the full statement

This week the PF have once again shown their lack of understanding in managing the economy, revealing how the latest Eurobond will be used to finance the 2016 budget. This is absurd, what the PF is telling us is that henceforth we will borrow to finance consumption.

As we have stated before such loans are only sustainable if and when they are invested wisely and not merely used to cover general expenditures. In fact, these funds must be invested into areas that will deliver returns if Government is going to be able to meet repayment obligations, which have now spiraled to take up 7.1 billion kwacha of the 2016 national budget. This is 2.8 billion kwacha more than our healthcare budget! PF must and should invest the Eurobond in productive sectors. A productive sector is a sector that has capacity to grow and pay taxes to Government. This is what is logical.

We say that if we can eliminate waste at the heart of Government then there really is no need to use this money to cover recurrent expenditures like the ones that are going to be for the newly created Ministries. If we can reduce the size of Government, limit the heavy Presidential travel schedule and minimise or completely do away with by elections then a great deal of money can be saved. One by elections costs us a minimum K10 million kwacha that can supply water to over 2.5 million people. So just one by-election denies 2.5 million people clean drinking water.

The savings from this wonton wasteful expenditure is the money that we in the UPND would use to then re-invest in education and healthcare and other critical social services. At this time, as a nation, we need to be investing in strategic areas that will create jobs, such as programmes that provide business start-ups with access to finance, or training of community healthcare workers. Such initiatives will both create jobs and deliver an additional return for us, through improved service delivery or economic growth. Why can’t PF reorganize Development Bank of Zambia and make it the conduit of industrial development. An amount of US$1.25 billion is a lot of money by any standards.

Regrettably this is not the first point on which the 2016 national budget has come under criticism. Analysts, both local and international, have already expressed concern that targets such as to halve the budget deficit in 2016 are unattainable and lack credibility. Barely a month has passed from the day Hon Alexander Chikwanda read the speech in parliament where he announced that his Government was targeting single digit inflation; we have hit double digits at 14.4%. In addressing the current economic challenges it is of fundamental importance that our plans have credibility or we will not be able to win back confidence.

Without confidence it will only become more and more expensive for us to borrow, and investors will more and more take their money elsewhere. Remember, Government has a responsibility to us, the citizens, to spend the money it has borrowed on our behalf wisely and with great care!

Hakainde Hichilema
UPND President