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Commerce Trade and Industry Permanent Secretary, Siazongo Siakalenge , accompanied by District agriculture coordinator ,Mwanji Chela,(right) who was representing the acting District Commissioner Ngoni Moyo, director of industry ,ministry of Commerce Trade and Industry(far left) and other senior government officials and district heads of departments lead by Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia Chief executive Zuze Banda (middle) during a tour of Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia plant in Kafue.
Commerce, Trade and Industry Permanent Secretary Siazongo Siakalenge has congratulated the Business Regulatory Review Agency (BRRA) for sensitising government ministries on new concepts of regulatory impact assessment.
Mr. Siakalenge said BRRA will sensitize and regulate private sector and government agencies in policy and legislative making process.
He was speaking in Lusaka today during the official opening of the BRRA awareness workshop for government ministries and private sector organisations.
He added that BRRA will reduce the cost of doing business.
He stated that the introduction of BRRA will improve the decision making process and provide a platform for public private dialogue and health debate on economic development laws and policies, thereby improving the quality of regulations.
He also said the overall objective of BRRA will be to improve the regulatory environment and lessening the regulatory burden.
He further said the body will also be responsible for regulating licensing, issuance of permits, authorisations, or levies, charges and fees payable to start or operate a business.
And chairperson of the BRRA Sangayakula Sanga said the authority will ensure that the cost of doing business in the country is reduced.
Mr. Sanga said BRRA is working with the Ministry of Justice and the Policy Analysis and Coordination Division (PAC) office in order to see to it that the body is a success.
The agency is currently being operationalised under the auspices of the Ministry of Commerce Trade and Industry with the core mandate of examining policies and regulating policies of government ministries and the private sector.
Deputy Minister of Commerce and Trade Miles Sampa finally unveils the new Zambia Bureau of Standards logo just after cutting the ribbon
Commerce, Trade and Industry Deputy Minister, Miles Sampa says government will soon re-invest in Mulungushi Textiles to revive its operations.Mr. Sampa says the move is aimed at growing the textile industry.
He says Zambia has the potential to grow the textile industry because it has the best cotton in Africa.
Mr. Sampa was speaking in Parliament in response to Mpongwe Member of Parliament, Gabriel Namulambe during the questions for oral and answer session.
He says only two textile factories are currently operating in Zambia namely Sakiza and Kariba textiles.
He also says government will soon produce a list of goods and services that will be banned for import.
And in his follow-up response, Mr. Namulambe encouraged government to establish more textile factories in the country.
Mr. Namulambe said a robust textile industry in Zambia will help increase exports which will in turn stabilize the Kwacha.
Meanwhile Mbala Member of Parliament, Mwalimu Simfukwe says the ban on importation of some goods that can be produced in Zambia will be good for the country’s economy.
Mr. Simfukwe says the ban on importation of some goods is a global practice to protect local industries.
Ronald Chitotela (centre) addresses a Zambia School of Management Studies meeting on the minimum wage in Lusaka
Government says the exclusion of youths from key national issues has been the greatest barrier to the attainment of significant reduction in poverty levels in the country.
Deputy Minister of Youth and Sport Ronald Chitotela says this is evidenced by the higher prevalence of social ills such as illiteracy levels, unemployment, crime, substance abuse and early marriages.
Mr. Chitotela says it is against this background that government launched the revised 2015 national youth policy and the action plan for youth empowerment and employment to address the social ills.
He expressed hope that the practical, coordinated and long term approaches and strategies contained in the youth policy and action plan will lead to youth empowerment and job creation
The Deputy Minister said this in Lusaka today at the opening of the youth consultative workshop.
The workshop, which has been organised by the Zambia Institute for Policy Analysis and Research (ZIPAR) and the International Development Research Center (IDRC), is being held under the theme ‘exploring youth preparedness in benefiting from employment and empowerment opportunities in Zambia’.
And Mr. Chitotela said government has placed youths at the centre of its national development agenda by enshrining their importance in the policy and action plan for youth empowerment and development.
He however said government is aware that isolated and uncoordinated short term interventions are not the answer to dealing with the challenges facing the youth in the country today.
And ZIPAR Executive Director Pamela Kabaso said the launch of the youth policy and action plan by government was a clear demonstration of the importance it attaches to improving the livelihoods of the youths in the country.
Mrs. Kabaso said ZIPAR will continue to help government to respond effectively to the dual challenges of unemployment and poor quality jobs among youths under its recently launched ‘more and better jobs’ project.
Earlier, IDCR programme specialist Martha Melesse said the workshop will help deepen dialogue among key stakeholders in finding sustainable solutions to prepare the Zambian youths for gainful employment.
Ms. Melesse however said research can play a very important role in providing the evidence that can guide sustainable solutions for the issues affecting youths.
She has since called for concerted efforts from all stakeholders aimed at addressing youth unemployment which she said was one of the most pressing issues not only in Zambia but the world over.
CHILUFYA TAYALI xecutive Director The Zambian Voice
Zambian Voice Executive Director Chilufya Tayali has said that his organisation has done some investigation following petition to his organisation by some citizens on the use of a Chartered Private Jet to New York by President Edgar Lungu.
In a statement released to the media today, Mr Tayali advised the advise citizens especially civil society organisations to investigate issues before they rush to issued issue statements
Below is the full statement.
Some citizens petitioned us to confirm the speculations over a chartered plane, by govt, to New York at USD$ 300, 000 while so many Zambians are suffering.
We have done our investigations and following is our findings:
1. Yes the President went to NY by chartered plane and the decision was made by Cabinet for security reasons. Traveling to NY around the time, the President would have had to change planes and make stop-overs at various airports.
We could not however, confirm the cost of hiring the plane as it is being discussed depending on the services that will be rendered but the cost is expected to be much lower than the USD$300, 000 being discussed.
2. The President did not travel with the Musicians neither were they paid for by Govt.
3. Musicians and other Zambians that traveled for a USA-Zambians meet the President event traveled by SAA on tickets bought by PF-USA group.
4. The musicians are actually back in the Country and we managed to speak to some of them.
Basically we are verified that Govt did not pay for the musicians neither was it in the personal interest of the President to charter a plane.
We therefore, advise other citizens especially civil society organisations to investigate issues before they issue statements which at the end of the day would just dent the nation by negative publicity.
It is also important for Govt officials to be sober in the manner they respond to queries. Citizens have a right to question on any issues they are not clear on because that is what good governance entails.
A Kitwe housewife narrated in a local court that she found a pornographic video on her husband’s mobile phone showing him in bed with a teenage girl.
Doris Njovu, who presented the video before Garneton Local Court senior magistrate Fredrick Ndhlovu as evidence, said her husband’s girlfriend, who is 17 years old is even pregnant.
Njovu was narrating in a case in which she sued Chota Mutale for compensation for adultery. Mutale is her husband’s lover.
Njovu told the court that she started hearing rumours about Mutale having an affair with her husband but only believed it was true when she discovered the video of her husband with Mutale.
“Mutale is from my neighbourhood. So I approached her parents when I saw the video but her sisters physically abused me,” she said.
Mutale admitted to having a sexual relationship with Njovu’s husband. She said she had no idea he was married when he proposed love to her until Njovu approached her but by then, she was already pregnant.
Passing judgment, Mutale was ordered to pay Njovu K3,000 as compensation for committing adultery to be paid in monthly instalments of K200.
The court also reprimanded Mutale and advised her to concentrate on her education instead of engaging in illicit affairs.
Zambia’s kwacha surrendered early gains against the dollar after opening stronger on Tuesday, following a 17 percent plunge on Monday to a record low triggered by a sharp slide in copper prices and a ratings downgrade.
The kwacha gained over 4 percent to trade at 12.0280 per dollar in early trade after the central bank intervened by selling dollars in the market, but later gave up gains to trade flat at 12.5400 by 08:30hrs.
“The central bank has been pumping dollars in the market to shore up a weakening kwacha,” Bwalya Mwanza, a forex trader at BancABC said.
Zambia’s currency went into freefall on Monday as prices for its copper exports hit a one-month low. It was further hampered by a rating downgrade from Moody’s.
“The selloff was a bit overdone and this is just a bit of a correction. It’s anyone’s guess how far the correction will go,” said Gerald Ndhlovu, a trader at First National Bank’s Lusaka division.
President Edgar Lungu’s special assistant for project implementation, Lucky Mulusa, said in a statement that a government department sourcing dollars from the market had also put pressure on the kwacha.
“This tends to cause shakes to the economy because usually the amounts siphoned out of the economy for the procurement of, for instance, fuel are huge,” Mulusa said.
Road contracts which are in the hands of Chinese companies have also contributed to the shortage of foreign exchange in the country as most of the money paid to them is taken out of the country
“Road contracts which are in the hands of Chinese companies have also contributed to the shortage of foreign exchange in the country as most of the money paid to them is taken out of the country,” he said.
Zambia’s state Road Development Agency (RDA) on Sept. 21 awarded a $492 million contract to China Henan International Cooperation to construct and repair roads in Africa’s second-largest copper producer.
A member of the opposition FDD on the Copperbelt has urged Edith Nawakwi to step down as party President.
FDD Copperbelt Provincial Coordinator N’shingebuka Shyamenda says the continued stay of Ms. Nawakwi in the office as FDD Leader is illegal.
Mr. Shyamenda says Ms. Nawakwi has already served two five year terms in office as FDD leader and should therefore vacate office.
Mr. Shyamenda has told Znbc News in a walk in interview that Ms. Nawakwi’s stay in office is at variance with Article 13 (2) of the FDD constitution.
He says the FDD constitution does not allow the party leader to be in office for more than two terms.
Mr. Shyamenda has since given Ms. NAWAKWI fourteen days in which to vacate the FDD Presidency to pave way for a National convention.
But FDD Copper belt Chairperson Mobilization Chairperson Yotam Mutayachalo says the view of Mr. Shyamenda does not represent party members on the Copper belt.
However, Mr. Mutayachalo says FDD Executive committee members on the Copperbelt will soon meet to discuss the constitution issues raised by its member.
Mr. Mutayachalo is however optimistic that the FDD will hold its National convention before the 2016 General elections.
He says party leader Edith Nawakwi has indicated that she is ready to go for a party convention where she will re-contest her position.
President Lungu who is Chairperson of the LLDC grouping has told the 70th United Nations-UN- General Assembly that capacity constraints are also limits the countries’ development.
ZNBC’s Kennedy Bwalya reports that President LUNGU said this when he addressed a LLDC Heads of State High Level Forum at the on-going UN General Assembly in New York.
President Lungu is however, hopeful that World Trade Organisation member states will conclude outstanding multilateral negotiations during the-WTO- meeting billed for Nairobi, Kenya in December 2015.
And the President of the 70th UN General Assembly, Mogens Lykketoft noted that being land locked exposes countries to great vulnerabilities while limiting their investment potential.
At the same forum, Lesotho Prime Minister Dr. Pakalita Mosisili called for the establishment of a special fund for LLDCs infrastructure development.
Mr. Mulusa and His Excellency Mr. Mwamba during the meeting
SPECIAL Assistant to the President for Project Implementation and Monitoring, Mr. Lucky Mulusa has castigated Zambians who were in the habit of tarnishing the image of the country for their selfish benefit.
Mr. Mulusa has said that it was unfortunate that some Zambians, including educated ones, were on a crusade to speak ill of their own country for the sake of wanting to meet their selfish desires without taking into account the damage they were causing to the country.
He said there should be a marked difference particularly when an educated person criticised unlike what transpired now where it was obvious that it had become fashionable for some elements to criticise in order to impress their “masters”.
“There are also some educated Zambians who have fallen prey to negative comments. When you are a professor, for instance, I think you should ensure that your cricism is well thought out. Your contribution should be structured on the same lines as a thesis, with the problem properly laid out, then you discuss and at the end you offer solutions. In that way, we the policy makers can even see that indeed there is a problem here and we are sincerely being called in to rectify something,” he said.
Mr. Mulusa was speaking yesterday when he addressed diplomatic staff at the Zambian High Commission in Pretoria. He is in South Africa to learn how the country has modelled some of its ministries which pertain to national planning and evaluation. This is riding on President Edgar Lungu’s proposal to create and split some ministries.
Mr. Mulusa pointed out that Zambia has, for a long time, suffered from a lack of reliable information platforms from which balanced and accurate material could be sourced. He said the only readily and easily accessible sources where those which offered negative perception about Zambia and that this has caused a lot of damage to the country’s image especially to prospective investors and other categories of people who lived outside the country.
“This lack of reliable information platforms has left those wanting to learn about our country exposed to these negative sources.
“Those who are painting Zambia black are very few. In fact most of them have been given opportunities before to save the people in public office and their performance has been disastrous. These are the people who want to assume the moral pedestal; today they are the righteous people and not President Lungu,” Mr. Mulusa noted.
He said President Lungu was “a wonderful person” who has continued to ensure that development spread across the country including to places where he had been rejected during elections.
“Look at North western for example, the President has been there more than any other province, in fact more than any other President just in the eight months he has been in office.”
Mr. Mulusa said the splitting and creation of ministries was a good thing which would enable a particular ministry to focus on specific issues and ensure proper implementation.
He gave an example of South Africa which he said had well-defined ministries such as the Ministry of Economic Development, Ministry of Monetary and Evaluation and the Commission for National Development Planning, which made it easy to focus on core functions.
Mr. Mulusa explained the current poor performance of the Kwacha saying this was being worsened as a result of lack of proper coordination of government departments which were sourcing their foreign exchange from the open market instead of going to the central bank.
“This tends to cause shakes to the economy because usually the amounts syphoned out of the economy for the procurement of, for instance, fuel are huge. Road contracts which are in the hands of Chinese companies have also contributed to the shortage of foreign exchange in the country as most of the money paid to them is taken out of the country,” he said.
Mr. Mulusa noted that President Lungu has tackled the issue of the poor performance of the Kwacha by announcing measures that would broaden sources of foreign exchange.
He said one way in which this was being addressed was by implementing road projects in a sequence that would allow focus on those that would economically contribute to the country.
“When the President says we need to think smart, he means we need to start choosing projects that have economic benefit above those with a social contribution to the nation. It is those with economic contribution that will eventually enable us meet social needs.”
Mr. Mulusa said he was happy that the Mission was focusing more on economic diplomacy which he said was critical to the country in order to spur development.
Earlier, Zambia’s High Commissioner – Designate to South Africa, His Excellency Mr. Emmanuel Mwamba said the Mission was focused on forging closer links with South African businesses as “we realise that the bulk of investment in Zambia is from South Africa.”
He said the High Commission has, to this effect, formed the Zambia – South Africa Business Council which he said was meant to promote interaction among South African businesses operating in Zambia, Zambian businesses operating in South Africa and the Zambian government.
Mr. Mwamba hoped the launch of the Council which will take place soon would be graced by President Lungu in order to give it a good profile.
He bemoaned the fact that most government institutions were not responsive to the needs of the Mission whenever approached.
“Most of the times we have to navigate through a forest as we try to get assistance from our relevant offices in Zambia. It has been frustrating to us as well as the investors we may have been trying to bring in,” Mr. Mwamba said.
Part of the diplomatic staff during the meetingMr. Mulusa, His Excellency Mr. Mwamba, and Deputy High Commissioner, Ms. Philomena Kachesa during the meetingPart of the diplomatic staff during the meeting
Sweet potatoesare eaten worldwide, and are a huge part of the Zambian diet. Growing up I always felt like they were cooked in the same old way. It was only when I got older that I was introduced to the orange coloured sweet potatoes and since then I couldn’t get enough. What I love about these sweet potatoes is they taste amazing, and can be cooked in various ways. Furthermore, sweet potatoes are extremely healthy; in fact one baked, medium-sized sweet potato contains 438% of your daily value of vitamin A, 37% of your vitamin C, and a bit of calcium, potassium, and iron and 4 grams of dietary fiber.
Now, I’m a huge believer in making your cooking exciting; and this doesn’t have to be done on a big budget with fancy ingredients, it can simply be done by finding new and exciting ways to cook the same food. There is nothing wrong with mixing sweet and savoury flavours together, just because sweet potatoes are sweet doesn’t mean you can’t have them in a savoury dish; so today I’m going to show you exactly how to do that.
Without further ado ladies and gents here are your 3 recipes.
Spicy sweet potato wedges
Ingredients
6 medium sweet potatoes
Cooking spray/1-2 tablespoons cooking oil
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon ground sea salt
1 teaspoon ground red pepper/chilli powder
1 teaspoon black pepper
Method
Preheat oven to about 250° C.
Peel potatoes; cut each potato lengthwise. Place potatoes in a large bowl; coat with cooking spray/oil.
Combine sugar, salt, chilli pepper, and black pepper; sprinkle over potatoes, making sure each one is coated.
Place potatoes, in a single layer on a baking tray. Bake for 10 minutes; turn wedges over; bake for another 10 minutes or until tender and beginning to brown.
Enjoy your wedges as part of your main meal with a juicy piece of T-bone steak, and a fresh salad or coleslaw. Or try them as a light snack or starter, with a sour cream and chive dip.
Curried carrot and sweet potato soup
Ingredients
2 teaspoons vegetable oil/canola oil
½ cup chopped onions
3 cups cubed, peeled sweet potato
1 ½ cups sliced peeled carrots
1 tablespoon grated ginger
2 teaspoons curry powder
3 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon of ground sea salt
Method
Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat
Add onions and cook for 3 minutes or until tender. Add sweet potato, carrots, ginger, and curry; cook for about 2 minutes.
Add broth and bring to a boil. Cover the saucepan and reduce the heat. Simmer for 25 minutes or until vegetables are tender; stir in salt.
Pour half of soup in a food processor or blender; pulse/blend until smooth. Repeat procedure with remaining soup.
Serve with soft white fresh bread.
Creamy sweet potato mash
Ingredients
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1?2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
905g sweet potatoes (about 2 large or 3 small-medium potatoes), peeled and chopped
Salt & freshly ground black pepper
Method
Combine butter, cream, salt, sugar, and sweet potatoes in large saucepan.
Cover the saucepan and cook over a low heat, stirring occasionally, for about 30-45 minutes or until potatoes fall apart when poked with fork.
Remove from heat and mash sweet potatoes in saucepan with potato masher. You can also mash in a kitchen aid mixer.
Stir in extra salt and pepper to taste.
Plate up your thick and creamy sweet potato mash and enjoy with, a light salad, or asparagus and a piece of healthy grilled chicken.
Kanta Temba is a cake maker and decorator. She is also the owner and founder of Kanta Kakes – cake shop.
You can find her work onwww.kantakakes.com. Follow her on twitter @KantaKakes and Instagram @KantaTemba.
ZAMBIA’S representative to the Miss Tourism Universe 2015 Liyah Phiri says she is happy with the experience she gained at the pageant held last Sunday in Beirut, Lebanon, and won by Romania’s envoy Teodora Dan.
She is also relieved that the pageant, which ran from August 20 until last Sunday, is over. “Thank God Miss Tourism Universe 2015 has finally come to an end. It was a great experience and journey for me. I had my moments and I mingled with people from different countries,” she posted on her Facebook page. “I believe I did my best and learnt so much. I represented my country to the best of my ability… Thank you so much to all my sponsors and the people who supported me before, during and after the pageant. Love you all.”
Liyah received support from the Ministry of Tourism and Arts, Ministry of Youth and Sport, Zambia Tourist Board, Stay Easy Hotel, Lusaka Hotel, Sphiwe Benasho, Mumba Christine Makumba, former Lusaka mayor Daniel Chisenga and Mubanga Mubanga.
At the pageant, Felicia Ahlgren of Sweden was First Runner-Up, Harshani Ruman (Sri Lanka – Second Runner-Up), Dijana Cvijevtic (Switzerland – Third Runner-Up), Alona Kholiavka (Russia – Fourth Runner-Up) and Konchuma Khienwad (Thailand – Fifth Runner-Up).
The world chose Miss People’s Choice Winner by voting their favourite candidate at the pageant vote website during the whole pageant period of Miss Tourism Universe 2015; and Miss Myanmar Nang Seng Ing got the world’s nod.
The Miss Africa went to Nompumelelo Silabela of South Africa, Miss Asia (Rianne Kalaw – Philippines), Miss Arab (Chanez Belaid – Algeria), Miss America (Theily Montiel – Mexico) and Miss Europe (Oltjana Zdrava – Albania).
The other awards were for Miss Teen Model (Natalie Riar – Cyprus), Miss Best Evening Gown (Alona Ulianova – Belarus), Miss Photogenic (Daria Cocier), Miss Best Face (Milica Racic – Serbia), Miss Brilliant Smile (Khienwad Konchuma – Thailand), Miss Personality (Kateryna Koretska), Miss Best Costume (Nathalie Lozada – Panama) and Miss Internet (Hka Shawn Seng – Myanmar).
Nchanga Rangers coach Fighton Simukonda says Sunday’s Super Division match against Zesco United was not about him and his colleague George ‘Chicken’ Lwandamina competing.
Simukonda, who deputises Lwandamina on the Chipolopolo bench, watched his side lose 2-1 to leaders Zesco at home.
In a post-match, Simukonda said competing against Lwandamina was not on his mind as Nchanga clashed against Zesco.
“No!There was nothing like George and Fighton Simukonda competing,” he said.
“Football is not like boxing. Football is football and we should separate football from other games,” Simukonda said.
He attributed the loss to inexperience in his squad.
“We created chances but we lost because of inexperience. My team comprises of young player,” he added.
Lwandamina remained calm despite the win propelling his side to a nine point lead at the top with 59 points.
“It is a good win but it was very difficulty. Rangers fought especially in the second half.
We will continue prepairing for the next games so that we keep up the momentum until we win the league,” Lwandamina said.
Zesco needs a minimum of seven points from the remaining five games to defend the league title.
Mrs Mwanakatwe
Minister of Commerce and Trade Margaret Mwanakatwe says there is need to review the 65 years lease of the Lubarma Market in the Kamwala trading area in Lusaka.
Ms. Mwanakatwe said this in Lusaka yesterday when she made a surprise visit to Kamwala trading area on complaints from traders that they are charged in US Dollars.
The traders also complained of poor sanitary conditions and high rental charge and the lack of servicing of the infrastructure.
Ms. Mwanakatwe was accompanied by her counterpart at the Ministry of Local government and housing John Phiri, the Mayor of the City of Lusaka George Nyendwa and his Town Clerk Alex Mwansa, Commerce Permanent Secretary Siazongo Siakalenge and Lusaka District Commissioner Davison Mulenga.
The Kamwala trading area was constructed in 2002 under a 65 years Lease agreement by China Hennan, who has continued collecting rentals.
She said it is sad to note that despite the high rentals at the trading area, traders are also charged in US Dollar which is against government regulation.
Ms. Mwanakatwe said the high rental rates are not being helpful to the ordinary Zambian.
She said it is important that the terms of the lease benefit both the Zambian people and the contractor.
Meanwhile Local Government and Housing Minister John Phiri has directed the Lusaka City council to furnish his office with a detailed report on the way forward.
Dr. Phiri stressed on the need to have projects that benefit the local people at grassroot level because they are key to the development of the economy.
He said it is also important to create enabling environment for the growth of small scale traders to expand, but difficult trading conditions and high rentals coupled with service charge is hindering their growth.
Government has condemned sections of society that are raising questions about President Edgar Lungu’s reported chartered plane to New York for the UN General Assembly.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Chishimba Kambwili said in an interview that President Lungu is entitled to choose any mode of transport in and an outside of the country.
Mr Kambwili who is also Chief Government Spokesman said for outside presidential commitments, the group that looks at the security of the President determines what mode of transport to use.
Mr Kambwili said that Government has to look for money to meet that expense as recommended by the group in charge of President Lungu’s travel.
‘If you are telling me that he did travel by chartered plane then it meant that Government had money to pay for that chartered plane but like I have said, people are not going to question how the President travels,’ Mr Kambwili said.
Mr Kambwili added, ‘Because he is entitled to use any mode of transport. Is he the first one to charter a plane in the history of this country?’
Mr Kambwili said people will always condemn everything.
‘When they bought the presidential challenger, people condemned, when you charter, they will complain, when the President flies commercial, people will condemn, why are they allowing the President to fly commercial.’
