Zambians need to change their mindset towards work-Inonge Wina
Vice President Inonge Wina says change of mindset towards work in Zambia, is imperative in order to achieve the much needed national development.
Speaking at the Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport in Livingstone today, Mrs. WINA said President Edgar Lungu’s call for hard work during his address to parliament yesterday, should be upheld by all Zambians.
Mrs. Wina says Zambia has failed to develop because some people do not want to work this therefore requires that people should change their attitudes towards work.
And Mrs. Wina has also called on the people of Southern province and the country at large to adhere to President Lungu’s call for reconciliation.
She says the President expects this to be the basis of peace and unity in the country.
And the Vice President has further assured the people of the region that the Head of State’s determination to promote and develop the tourism sector.
Mrs. Wina, who was accompanied by Mulobezi Member of Parliament Patricia Mulasikwanda and her Livingstone counterpart, Lawrence Evans, has since left for Mulobezi district.
Meanwhile, the Vice President Inonge Wina is on Sunday expected in Kalumbila District in North-western province on a two-day visit.
According to a tentative programme obtained by ZNBC’s Joy Siatubi in Solwezi today, Mrs Wina is scheduled to arrive at Solwezi airport at 09:00 hours, after which she will proceed for a church service at Manyama Christian Community church.
The vice president will then hold a rally in the afternoon at Mayashi school grounds in Matebo before winding up her day.
On Monday, Mrs Wina will launch the Solar Hammer Mill at Kambazhi in the morning, after which she will address a rally in the afternoon at Kalengelenge.
The Vice president is expected to fly back to Lusaka on Monday.
PF confident of victory in ubanseshi parliamentary by-election
The ruling Patriotic Front party says it is confident that its candidate in the September 24 Lubanseshi parliamentary by-election George Mwamba will emerge victorious on the poll date.
PF Campaign Manager Freedom Sikazwe says the ruling party has done its homework in ensuring that victory is certain for Mr. Mwamba.
Mr. Sikazwe told ZANIS in an interview that the people of Lubanseshi constituency have warmly accepted the message of development being rallied by the PF during its campaigns.
He urged party members to continue with their peaceful campaigns ahead of the poll next week.
Mr. Sikazwe has further implored on the police to ensure that the Lubanseshi parliamentary by-election is held in a peaceful atmosphere.
The Lubanseshi seat fell vacant after the Supreme Court nullified the election of Independent candidate Patrick Mucheleka on grounds of electoral malpractices.
Five candidates are contesting the parliamentary by-election.
These are PF’s George Mwamba, MMD’s Gabriel Mulenga, UPND’s Patrick Mucheleka, Rainbow party’s Daniel Mubanga and Charles Chimumbwa who is standing as an Independent.
Kagem Embarks On Long-Term Staff Pension Plan
Staff at the world’s largest emerald mine – Kagem Mine in Lufwanyama – can now work safe in the knowledge that their long-term futures are secure, thanks to a pension scheme introduced by the company.
Kagem, which is 75 per cent owned by London-listed Gemfields plc and 25 per cent by the Zambian government, signed a memorandum of understanding for the staff pension scheme with Saturnia Regna, under the management of African Life Assurance, at a ceremony attended by Labour and Social Security Minister, Hon. Fackson Shamenda; Mines, Energy and Water Development Minister, Hon. Christopher Yaluma; and Education Minister Hon. Michael Kaingu yesterday.
The mine has enlisted its employees to the Saturnia Regna pension scheme in addition to the current NAPSA plan as part of it long-term staff development strategy. Both Kagem and the employees will contribute to the scheme, which will serve as a private pension investment plan for the employees.
“Kagem has a development strategy covering more than 25 years and our staff are an integral part of that plan. This pension plan will help to create an added sense of security for our employees, who can now work safe in the knowledge that their future needs will be met” said Kagem Director Dr Sixtus Mulenga.
Mr Shamenda commended Kagem on the step as it would help motivate employees, who are on permanent and pensionable terms, and help foster skill retention at the mine. Kagem currently employs more than 600 employees all of whom are permanent and pensionable.
“We have been privy to the many initiatives taken up by Kagem Mining Ltd that are evidence of the company’s long-term commitment to the mining industry in Zambia. It is encouraging to see that in the midst of all the uncertainties that have gripped the sector at the moment, Kagem remains focused on its objectives and are positively contributing to the employment sector and the economy in general,” said Mr Shamenda.
Speaking at the same event, Mr Yaluma congratulated the mine and its employees on achieving more than 3.5 million injury-free shifts, and emphasised the need to remain alert about safety in the workplace at all times.
“What makes Kagem succeed in the way they have cultured their workforce in the mine. Their workforce is attuned to the safety standards. This is something that is entrenched and retained,” he said.
Kagem is the first in Zambia’s mining history to have crossed the 3.5 million mark of injury-free shifts as a result of its stringent but effective safety measures at the Kagem mine in Lufwanyama district.
Kagem Mining to provide $345,000 worth of scholarships for students to study at UNZA and CBU
Kagem Mining will provide US$345,000 worth of scholarships for students to study mining at the University of Zambia and Copperbelt University under an agreement signed this week.
Minister of Education Hon. Michael Kaingu, Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development Hon. Christopher Yaluma; and Minister of Labour and Social Security Hon. Fackson Shamenda were on hand to witness signing of the landmark memorandum of understanding at a ceremony in Lusaka on Friday (September 18).
“Kagem has a framework for sustainability that drives long-term development in partnership with the government and society as a whole. These scholarships demonstrate that commitment and show the company is here for the long-term,” said Kagem Director Dr Sixtus Mulenga.
Under the terms of the scholarship 12 students – six from each university – from the geological and mining engineering departments in their second and third years of study will be selected to receive a comprehensive scholarship for the rest of the duration of their course over a period of eight years. The scholarships will cover the full cost of education including tuition fees, boarding fees, up-keep, clothing and book allowances as well as a medical scheme with Kagem.
Students under the scheme will be accorded internship opportunities at Kagem Mining during their recess as well as an apprenticeship upon completion and further training in areas deemed necessary by the company. They will be indentured to work for Kagem for a period corresponding with the sponsorship period.
The agreements are part of Kagem’s efforts to help the government develop more coloured gemstone industry-oriented graduates that are up-to-date with current technical and theoretical knowledge and mining requirements of the day.
Mr Kaingu said: “Education is a partnership. This initiative supplements government efforts developing the human resources to develop this country.”
However, it can also be noted that training for a career in the mining sector can be a challenge for most students due to the expenses involved. It often takes the dedication of both the parents and well-wishers as well the student and many times it does take a toll on finances. The scholarships themselves will cost $345,000 over the eight years for a total of 12 select students.
The decision by Kagem to roll out these scholarships is timely as the mining sector in Zambia needs such development in order to transform the sector by finding solutions to the current challenges facing it as well as innovative ideas to advance the sector to world standards.
Speaking on behalf of both universities, UNZA Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor Dr Mick Mwala said: “This partnership will not only create graduates, but also scientists, leaders and innovators. The scholarship will take into consideration the vulnerable; there are excellent students who may not have the means. We thank Kagem to this end.”
The world’s largest emerald mine, Lufwanyama-based Kagem is 75 per cent owned by London-listed Gemfields plc in a model partnership with the Zambian government, which owns the remaining 25 per cent.
Since Gemfields took over operation of the mine in 2008 it has invested US$60 million in turning Kagem from a long history of making loss to one where it has been able to increase achievable prices on the global markets tenfold and become one of Zambia’s larger taxpaying mining Companies, contributing more than K2.436 billion (US$324.9 million) to Zambia’s direct foreign earnings in the past few years.
Kagem has generated more than US$40 million in corporate taxes payable to the government in the last three years, along with US$12 million in mineral royalties and US$4 million as the government’s share of dividends.
Gemfields and Kagem are at the forefront of developing the international market and growing demand for Zambian emeralds by investing in exploration, mining, sales and marketing in order to ensure a competitive, reliable and trusted source of responsibly produced gemstones while pioneering new environmental, social and safety standards within the coloured gemstone sector.
A key component of its progress has been the use of cutting edge geological technology and expertise, supported by sector specific mining methodologies, to develop the mine.
Kagem Mining believes that today’s students are tomorrow’s workforce and industry champions and is thus motivated to ensure that all of the values and training required by the industry is properly communicated to all students via the school curricula as companies should be able to further improve their operating efficiencies, and the risks of on-the-job training, if the education system is better positioned to meet industry demands.
Kagem has also been supporting several education projects at primary levels in Lufwanyama district where it operates, the most recent project being the building of a new secondary school next to Chapula Primary School, which will see many more students advancing to secondary levels. In the past the students were unable to do so because of the challenge of distance as the nearest secondary school for some is as far as 20 kilometres.
Through its shared value model Kagem seeks to share the benefits of Zambia’s emerald success by empowering and enabling communities with skills and infrastructure that will result in their self-sustenance.
”We are extremely proud of the successes we have been able to achieve within the Zambian mining sector over the past few years, and the fact that we have been able to turn a once bankrupt company into a true global champion. We look forward to continuing these successes way into the future and a well-educated and highly motivated workforce forms a core component of our ability to do just that,” added Dr Mulenga.
Power, Mighty kiss dust in Barclays Cup
Favourites Power Dynamos and Mufulira Wanderers have crushed out of the 2015 Barclays Cup after losing their respective quarter-final matches played at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka on Saturday afternoon.
Power lost to Green Buffaloes by 5-3 on post penalties after a goalless draw in which the Kitwe side missed several chances through strikers Martin Phiri and Luka Lungu.
During the penalty shoot-out, Power defender Derrick Mwansa missed his spot-kick while Kennedy Mudenda, Larry Bwalya and Alex Mwamba scored theirs.
Bilton Musonda’s Buffaloes converted their penalties through Jack Chirwa, Buchizya Mfune, Felon Sitonya, Adrian Chama and Stephen Kabamba.
Buffaloes will now face the winner of the fourth quarter final between Zesco United and Kabwe Warriors in the semi final scheduled for October 17 at a venue to be named.
Meanwhile, Nkwazi advanced to the semi-finals after seeing off Mufulira Wanderers 4-3 on penalties after a goalless draw in the lunch-time kickoff match.
Nkwazi scored their penalties through Rodrick Zimba, Wilbroad Mutale, Chipungu Musukuma and Emmanuel Kasonde after Steward Chikandiwa had failed to convert his.
For Wandereres captain Taonga Bwembya and Jacob Ngulube failed to convert their spot kicks while Chisopa Malama, Mike Katiba and Allan Kamwanga all scored.
This was the second successive year
that Manfred Chabinga’s side had failed to progress beyond the quarter finals as they were eliminated at the same stage last season by eventual winners Zesco United.
Nkwazi will now face the winner of the third quarter final between Zanaco and Lumwana Radiants.
President Lungu’s speech has calmed anxieties created over the past few weeks-Sunday Chanda
PRESIDENT LUNGU UNSTOPPABLE IN HIS QUEST FOR A BETTER ZAMBIA– STATEMENT BY SUNDAY CHANDA, VICE CHAIRPERSON, MEDIA AND PUBLICITY COMMITTEE
Lusaka, Zambia, 18th September 2015 – We wish to reiterate that His Excellency President Edgar Chagwa Lungu remains unstoppable in his quest for a better Zambia.
The State of the Nation Address to Zambians through Parliament has re-assured the anxieties created over the past few weeks.
The clear and strategic sense of direction given by the Head of State today is what Zambia needs beyond fifty (50) years of Independence. The reforms pronounced by the Head of State provide a firm foundation on which generations of today’s Zambia can build dreams of that land of work and joy in unity promised by our forefathers and captured in our national anthem.
We commend the President’s splitting and re-aligning of Ministries in order to serve better the future aspirations of our nation. We also commend President Lungu for bringing to a stop the Construction of Houses for Former Heads of State. This decision must be commended by all who mean well for Zambia.
The Head of State’s clarion call for a National Day of Prayer deserves the support of all Churches in the Country, including all other Faith movements. This is because in order for Zambia to make the desired strides, nothing must replace the place of Faith in God.
In the days, weeks and months that lie ahead, we are asking Zambians to stand with President Lungu and his PF administration as he steers the nation to greater heights. There is no time for mere politicking as President Lungu has summoned the nation to hard work and dedication.
Issued by: Sunday Chilufya Chanda, Vice Chairperson, PF Media and Publicity Committee
President Lungu’s Speech was just flowery and lacks Implementation-UPND
Yesterday President Edgar Lungu delivered his first speech to Parliament as Head of State.
Our immediate reaction is that every year we hear such flowery speeches from the PF leadership but lacking implementation and to us this is just one of them.
For example, we have heard wild claims such as creating more than 480,000 jobs since coming into office, which equates to an average of 10,000 per month.
More recently at the launch of the Youth Policy, they stated they would create 500,000 jobs by the end of 2016, which roughly equates to 1,000 jobs per day, yet a complete opposite is happening as jobs are being lost in various sectors particularly the mining industry.
After 8 months in office it was a relief to finally hear the President talk about the challenges we are facing, and to some extent what he intends to do about them. We would encourage him to continue to address the public on such matters regularly, as we have advised in the past.
While the theme of the speech “embracing a transformational culture for a smart Zambia now” gave us some encouragement initially, the content seems to be at variance with this theme, as does the PF’s track record. As such we are left with as many questions as answers. We also remain deeply concerned that the PF Government still doesn’t fully understand the complexities of the current economic situation and how to resolve them.
Let me set out a few points which we picked up on:
Firstly, in his first point, the President uses the phrase “Embracing innovation and entrepreneurship”, but then there is nothing in the speech that speaks to this particular idea. Now innovation and entrepreneurship are two things we champion in the UPND, particular because of their transformational potential for our youth and unemployed. We would have wanted to hear examples from the President, for example on how Science and Technology can be harnessed to facilitate innovation, how government will support local innovation hubs and industry partnerships.
Secondly, the President goes on to say “Re-aligning our institutions where necessary to make them more responsive to the needs of the nation”. The basic fundamental issue in this country is that many Presidents have said this, but we do not see any changes being done in oversight institutions. Which institutions did the President have in mind? ZESCO perhaps?
Thirdly, on “promoting cost effective operations in government to eliminate waste and abuse of public resources” he appears to have immediately revealed his lack of commitment to this particular issue, as he went ahead and announced the creation of yet more Ministries. The President will preside over 80 ministers in his Government and what is cost effective about that? Yet more evidence that our Government still hasn’t fully understood the seriousness and complexities of our current economic situation.
Fourthly, this reference to “Promoting a saving culture among citizens to promote investment” is to say the least patronizing. The President cannot talk of a saving culture when interest rates in banks are lower than inflation. In this economy it is impossible to save.
In the UPND we have been talking about this “Promoting punctuality and efficiency to enhance productivity” all along, but the PF cannot and has not been heeding our advice. With a bloated cabinet, it remains unclear how they intend to achieve this.
This “Promoting and nurturing talent” has been our cry. We have even gone further to say we shall do three things (i) encourage retention of talent through proper conditions of service and rewards (ii) engage the diaspora to ensure that they can contribute from wherever they are and (iii) dual citizenship. These three strokes will go a long way to addressing the issue of talent retention.
The President talked about “Promoting long-term planning”. This is what all Governments must do, and as such we are surprised that the PF does not even make reference to the vision 2030 in all its planning. To date it seems as though it only plans ahead to the next election.
Some of the issues the President touched on are very dear to us and we await their implementation. For instance, value addition. This has been our way of things all this time; we have been talking about value addition. As usual the PF talks but rarely does. The issue of the President’s house, we are on record having said that this clause is wasteful, and we are glad that the President now agrees with us. As with the promised constitution, we will believe it when we see it however.
Finally, on diversification, we have been talking about this from 1998 when UPND was formed.
Sadly, the President’s speech does not in any way address the immediate issues that we are facing as a country, such as the inflation rate, the load shedding and the resulting job losses. This speech was another missed opportunity that fails to tackle the current problems the country is facing head on.
Charles Kakoma
UPND Chairperson for Information and Publicity
Teaching financial education in Zambia
Standard Chartered staff in Zambia are educating young people about their money, helping them to gain confidence and understanding in how to manage their finances
Two year old girl chokes to death on a Malaria tablet
A TWO-YEAR-boy of Zimba district in Southern Province has died after swallowing a malaria prevention tablet which choked his gullet.
The named boy, of Mapatizya Constituency, died on Wednesday last week around 20:00 hours. This was after his father, Gift Shankambo, gave him the tablet for malaria prevention.
Southern Province Police Chief Joseph Mutale confirmed the incident in an interview yesterday.
Mr Mutale said that Mr Shankambo gave the tablet to his son from some health personnel who is reported to have been conducting a malaria prevention programme in the area.
Mr Shankambo reported to Mapatizya police post on Friday last week around 03:30 hours that his son, whom he had given the tablet, had died after it choked his throat.
“The father (Mr Shankambo) gave his son a malaria tablet which he took but it choked him after swallowing it…it could be that the deceased suffocated after taking the tablet,” Mr Mutale said.
The body was taken to Zimba Mission Hospital where a post-mortem was carried out.
Mr Mutale said, during the post-mortem, the tablet was found in the deceased’s throat which concluded that the boy died from suffocation.
Police have instituted investigations on the matter.
An Underground fuel tank at a Filling Station in Mazabuka explodes
AN underground fuel tank at Vuma Filling Station in the central business district of Mazabuka has exploded.
The Energy Regulation Board (ERB) has since been informed about the incident and the filling station has temporarily been shut down until investigations are concluded.
Southern Province Police Chief Joseph Mutale confirmed the incident which happened in the early hours of Thursday.
Mr Mutale said in an interview that at the time of the incident, among other motor vehicles that were refuelling was a police vehicle.
Mr Mutale, however, said that no death or injury was recorded and the Energy Regulation Board was informed about the explosion of the tank.
“The fuel tank which is underground exploded, but there was no fire except some smoke which was seen coming out and was immediately put off,” he said.
He said the preliminary investigations had revealed that the subversive fuel tank could have had a fault leading to the explosion.
He said that the filling station has temporarily been shut down to prevent any similar occurrence until investigations were concluded.
Mr Mutale, however, said the situation at the filling station was normal.
Government signs $273 million contract for phase two of digital migration
GOVERNMENT has signed a US$273 million contract with Star Software Technology Company Limited to undertake phases two and three of Zambia’s Digital Migration Project.
The contract was signed yesterday following the culmination of all the tender processes and procedures that the Ministry satisfied and were fully cleared by the Attorney General.
Information and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary Godfrey Malama said Government was funding the digital migration project as a demonstration of its commitment that Zambia moved with the rest of the World in embracing the digital television broadcasting technology.
“I wish to emphasise that this project, once implemented in full, will create 505 direct jobs and it is estimated that at least 2000 indirect jobs will also be created from agents, technocrats and others, and many more that will be created in the creative industry,” Mr Malama said.
Speaking yesterday at the signing ceremony of $273,154,281.00 contract made up of two major components at the Ministry’s conference room, Mr Malama said Zambia was one of the four countries in the region that partially met the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) deadline.
Mr Malama said Government had no doubt Star Software Technology Company Limited would deliver as provided in the contract as it had already been demonstrated by the manner in which phase one of the project had been executed.
He said these phases included the supply, delivery, installation and commissioning of digital terrestrial broadcasting to cover the rest of the country and studio equipment for ZNBC, ZANIS and supplying of 1,250,000 customer care receiving units (decoders, antennae and dishes) and ten new provincial broadcasting stations the Ministry is establishing.
“Construction of six Provincial Broadcasting Stations, a National Operations Center for the Public Signal Distributor, and rehabilitation of ZNBC and ZANIS Studios, in addition, there will be also 12 customer care centers, Lusaka and Copperbelt having two each and one in each of the remaining Provinces,” he said.
He said digital migration was paramount to the dispensation of democracy and was confident that once completed would help people access information and be able to make informed decisions as they take part in periodic elections.
Star Times Group chief executive representative for Eastern Africa Region Ken Xie said the signing of the contract is another milestone for the implementation of digital migration in phases two and three.
“We are happy to be here and help Zambia migrate fully into digital countrywide, the nation will realise the importance of digital migration once implemented, thank you to the Zambian Government’s commitment,” he said.
President Lungu’s address to Parliament gets support from cross section of people
DIPLOMATS accredited to Zambia, opposition political parties and the civil society, have welcomed the pronouncements made by President Edgar Lungu in his address to the Fifth Session of the Eleventh National Assembly in Lusaka yesterday.
German Ambassador to Zambia Bernd Finke has welcomed President Edgar Lungu’s speech to parliament, and said that his country shares and supports the President’s call for more decisive action to fight poverty in Zambia and to speed up the diversification of the economy.
Mr Finke said Germany stands ready to continue to support Zambia in these endeavors and to assist the country in overcoming the current economic crises.
In a press statement released yesterday in reaction to the President Lungu’s opening Speech to the fifth session of the Eleventh National Assembly, Mr. Finke said he had taken note of President Lungu’s strong
commitment to protecting and promoting human rights and the rule of law, especially with a view to guarantee freedom of expression and assembly and to apply a zero-tolerance approach in the fight against corruption.
He further cited the call for more inclusive economic growth in order to fight poverty, the call for a diversification of Zambia’s economy and for better financial management and accountability which are being made year after year, government after government.
Norwegian Ambassador to Zambia Arve Ofstad said in an interview that the President’s speech was progressive as he touched on a number of issues currently affecting the people.
“The President’s speech was good and inspiring as it clearly points the direction in which his Government is moving to develop the country.
“It is clear that the President wants to alleviate the challenges affecting Zambia and it is important that everyone works together with him in achieving this goal. On that basis, the future for Zambia is bright,” Mr Ofstad said.
Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Yang Youming said the speech by President Lungu indicated that the Head of State was committed to alleviating the country’s economic challenges.
Mr Yang said every country had its own challenges which could be overcome if political leaders worked together in the spirit of coexistence.
“It was a very comprehensive speech, touching on a lot of issues that are currently affecting the country.
“The problems that Zambia is going through are temporal and can be overcome if the Government is supported with the input of new ideas particularly from Members of Parliament (MPs),” he said.
Meanwhile, Alliance for Democracy and Development (ADD) Luena MP Gertrude Imenda was happy that the President touched on the issues that she was advocating for Government intervention during the previous sitting.
Ms Imenda said she had advocated for the President to give a roadmap on the reintroduction of the National Airline, workplace productivity and the construction of a fuel pipeline between Zambia and Angola.
Lunte MMD MP Felix Mutati called on President Lungu’s administration to support the ideas coined by the Head of State in ensuring that his vision for the country was implemented.
“The President has the right ideas but the concern has been that of policy implementation by the other Government office bearers.
“The bureaucracy attached to some projects should now be a thing of the past and with the right people backing him, the country will move forward,” he said.
Lukulu West UPND MP Misheck Mutelo said progressive Bills brought to the House by the Government during the current sitting would be supported as the role of MPs was to help improve the livelihood of the people.
The Zambia National Women’s Lobby (ZNWL) has commended the President for separating the different Ministries which had become inefficient due to their size.
ZNWL has since urged Mr Lungu to appoint more women as Cabinet Ministers in the newly created Ministries to bridge the gender disparity in Government.
Mineworkers Union calls for calm over job loss threats
THE United Mineworkers Union of Zambia (UMUZ) has called for calm among miners in view of the current economic challenges that have threatened jobs in the mining sector.
More than 1, 600 miners at Baluba Mine have been sent on forced leave after the mine was placed under care and maintenance while Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) has initiated the process of declaring redundant over 4,000 miners.
UMUZ president Wisdom Ngwira said the unions were actively engaging management at MCM over the matter of job cuts as such, employees needed to remain calm.
Mr Ngwira said this in a statement yesterday.
He was aware of the anxiety the announcement by MCM of its intention to lay off 4, 000 miners had caused but that the unions and management have engaged in consultation over the issue.
As such, all MCM employees and other miners in other mining houses needed to remain calm while efforts by all the stakeholders including Government, unions and management of various mining houses were being made to explore ways of mitigating the impact of economic challenges.
“We are aware about the anxiety this may have caused to the employees, but our advice as unions is that they should remain calm, and work normally since the unions have engaged management into discussions over the issue,” he said.
To this effect, Mr Ngwira said there was need for now to halt any speculations about the issue of redundancies at MCM until such a time when management and the unions would come up with the final decision.