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Mines, Energy and Water Development Minster Christopher Yaluma
Mines Minister Christopher Yaluma says government is ready to welcome home its professionals from the diaspora.
Bright Mukwasa reports that speaking on the sidelines of the Africa Down Under 2015 Conference which ends today when he met Zambians living in Australia, Mr Yaluma says Zambia has taken a good turn for development.
Mr Yaluma says Zambia needs the expertise from abroad to help build the nation.
And speaking on behalf of Zambians in Perth, Mapanza Nkwilimba says Zambians in the Diaspora have a duty to contribute to national development.
Meanwhile, Japanese Ambassador to Zambia Kiyoshi Koinuma has advised Zambians to take up rice production along with maize cultivation.
Ambassador Koinuma says the Japanese government is willing to improve the agriculture sector in Zambia especially rice production.
ZANIS reports that the Japanese envoy said his government seeks to identify a suitable place for rice production on the Copperbelt province.
Mr. Koinuma said this when he called on Copperbelt Province Minister Mwenya Musenge at his Office in Ndola.
And Mr Musenge says the country is working towards diversifying from mining to agriculture.
Meanwhile Ambassador Koinuma says Japanese companies are ready to partner with potential Zambian business entities especially in agriculture, mining and manufacturing.
Vice President Inonge Wina (c) after the official opening of a 1x 2 class room block worth k160,000 at Kataba Primary School in Nalolo District
Vice President Inonge Wina says it is unfortunate that some opposition political parties are condemning First Lady Esther Lungu for her noble gesture of helping the under privileged in society.
Mrs Wina says instead of condemning Mrs Lungu, she should be praised for remembering the people in the remotest parts of the country.
She said it is inspiring that the President’s wife has a heart for the poor .
Mrs Wina was speaking at Shang’ombo grounds.
She thanked the residents for the hospitality rendered to the First Lady during her tour of Western Province.
The Vice President is inspecting government projects in Western Province.
Energy Regulations Board (ERB) offices
The Energy Regulation Board (ERB) says the power deficit the country is facing is a wake-up call on the need to come up with cost reflective electricity tariffs.
ERB Executive Director Langiwe Lungu says the electricity crisis is also what the country needed to begin to appreciate other alternative sources of energy.
Ms Lungu says the electriERB ED LangiweHLungucity crisis is also a reflection of the sub-economical electricity tariffs being charged by ZESCO.
She notes that if the country had cost reflective electricity tariffs, there would have been more investments in power generation by now.
Ms. Lungu was speaking to Journalists in Lusaka this afternoon after a tour of Liquefied Petroleum Gas suppliers namely Afrox Zambia Limited, Oryx Oil Zambia Limited and Muhanya Solar Limited.
Speaking during the tour of his company, Afrox Zambia Limited Regional Manager Victor Kapanda noted the need for government to consider setting up strategic storage reserves for Liquefied Petroleum Gas.
Mr. Kapanda says because of not having Liquefied Petroleum Gas readily available in the country, his company is now importing the gas from South Africa the reason why its price for the 1kg cylinder which used to be sold at K13 is now at K19.
He says in view of the fact that Indeni is currently not producing LPG; government should consider waiving duty on imported Liquefied Petroleum Gas as way of supporting growth and demand for gas as an alternative source of energy.
And Oryx Oil Zambia Limited Managing Director Dansel Sannigadu observed the need to improve on the capacity of transporters of Liquefied Petroleum Gas in Zambia.
President Edgar Lunga has directed all government institutions and the private sector to reduce foreign currency related expenditures in order to save the Kwacha from further sliding. In a statement released to the media by his Special Assistant for Press and public relations Mr Amos Chanda, the President urged all entrepreneurs small, medium and large to increase production of various goods that can be exported to reduce the country’s trade deficits.
Below is the full statement
PRESIDENT MOVES TO GUIDE INTERVENTION MEASURES ON KWACHA, ENERGY SITUATION
LUSAKA (Friday, September 4, 2015)- Following the deterioration of the currency and energy situation in the country in recent months, His Excellency Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President of the Republic of Zambia has intervened to guide monetary and fiscal policy measures designed to stabilize the markets.
1.Developments in the foreign exchange market
The continued difficulties in the global economy and the unprecedented strengthening of the US Dollar has sent all currencies including our national currency, the Kwacha on a downward spin.
The Kwacha depreciation has in the recent past accelerated largely due to the trade imbalances that we are experiencing because the imports are in excess of the exports which have reduced both in volume and value. This is a major function of low commodity price levels globally. Total exports for the first half of 2015 are 26.9% lower than that recorded in the same period in 2014.
The President has therefore directed the ministries involved in economic management particularly the Ministry of Finance working together with the Bank of Zambia to closely monitor the situation and keep him constantly and frequently appraised.
The President wishes to urge all entrepreneurs small, medium and large to increase production of various goods that can be exported to reduce the trade deficits.
There should be a bold drive to increase the levels of production and processing of a wide range of things that are within the country’s reach to reduce on unnecessary imports.
A depreciating Kwacha to unreasonable levels has severe cost implications for a country like Zambia, which imports a lot of its requirements, some of which are excessive. The low Kwacha also compounds our external debt servicing.
The President has directed all government institutions to rationalize and minimize in all areas that engender foreign exchange costs. The President also enjoins the private sector to reduce foreign currency related expenditures. He makes a strong appeal to the Commercial Banks to be proactive and on the alert for the many leakages and other illicit out flows without being prodded or policed by the Bank of Zambia.
The President notes that following global economic developments over the past two weeks that have had adverse effects on many emerging and developing economies, including Zambia, the Treasury and the central bank have been closely monitoring developments to assess the resultant impact on the domestic economy and the local currency.
Growth in the global economy remains modest and uneven. According to the July 2015 International Monetary Fund World Economic Outlook update, growth for 2015 is projected at 3.3%, 0.2 percentage points lower than in the April outlook.
Growth in emerging markets and developing economies is expected to slow down to 4.2% compared with the outturn of 4.6% in 2014. China’s growth slowed down to 6.8% year-on-year in the first half of 2015 from 7.4% recorded in 2014.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, growth is projected to slow to 4.4% in 2015 compared with 5.0% in 2014, largely reflecting the drop in commodity prices that has led to deterioration in external sector performance, particularly for commodity exporters like Zambia.
Zambia remains vulnerable to developments in the global economy. In particular, the balance of payments position has deteriorated reflecting a widening current account deficit. Both traditional and non-traditional exports have declined significantly this year while imports have declined at a slower pace. As a result, the Kwacha has been on a depreciating trend.
In addition, global investors have been anticipating that the US central bank would begin raising interest rates before the end of the year for the first time since 2006. As a result, emerging markets like Zambia have experienced systematic net outflows of capital, creating pressure on their currencies to depreciate.
More recently, the Kwacha has come under immense pressure, largely emanating from global economic and financial market developments. The major factor has been associated with slow growth in China, the second largest economy after the US.
Chinese authorities recently announced changes to their foreign exchange management, a process that resulted in about 4% devaluation of the Renminbi (Chinese Yuan) against the dollar. Fears that the Chinese economy is slowing down have caused major global stock markets to plummet while emerging markets currencies experienced excessive volatility.
The regional currencies that have depreciated include the South African Rand, the Tanzanian Shilling, the Ugandan Shilling and the Ghanaian Cedi.
Commodity prices, including copper, have dropped with the Zambian economy impacted adversely through the decline in the price of copper, which has fallen to around US$4,900 per tonne from above US$6,500 per tonne in 2014.
These developments apart from underscoring the long overdue need for the diversification of our economy to reduce dependence on copper, they also provide an opportunity for the country to take practical measures to respond to the challenges of diversification.
Difficult as the situation is, it is an ideal time to actualise this structural transformation. The movements in the exchange rate are sending clear signals that our economy needs an expanded export base and a reduction in unnecessary imports.
“In recent days, we have seen an acceleration in the depreciation of the Kwacha against the major currencies. The increased volatility appears to be reflecting market panic more than underlying fundamentals,” the Head of State said.
“I therefore deem the Bank of Zambia’s current monetary policy stance appropriate in anchoring inflation expectations. I have to this effect directed the Minister of Finance who leads the fiscal policy team to work closely with the Central Bank (which is responsible for monetary policy), to assess additional market intervention measures to address the observed excessive volatility.”
The envisaged interventions are designed to calm the markets and allow fundamental factors to be the main determinants of exchange rate movements.
2.Energy situation
Owing to erratic rains last season resulting in low water levels at Kariba dam and Kafue Gorge dam, Zambia’s hydropower generation has drastically reduced leading to ZESCO’s massive load shedding to save power. This has adversely affected households, small businesses like barbershops, hair salons, poultry, welding dependent on electricity, big industries and other essential services.
“This is what I think about every day and I want you to know, I want the nation to know that no one feels the anguish of these disruptions more than I do. My Government is doing its very best to alleviate the suffering of our people.”
The President deplores the current power-cuts, which are adversely affecting industry across the board and have the effect of reducing our Gross Domestic Product Growth to below 5 per cent. The President therefore will require an improvement in areas, which are not acts of God such as in the areas of operations.
In the interim the President has sanctioned a series of remedial measures including importation of power to contain shortfalls.
For the medium and long term the President wants to see determined and expedient efforts to promote investments in alternative power schemes which have short gestations of six months to a year.
The President is hopeful and confident that the decisions to adjust the tariff to 10.35 cents per Kwh will spur investments.
With the transfer of shares on 24th August, 2015 at the behest of the President, from the Minister of Finance to the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), the President expects IDC to spearhead the accelerated investment in the power sector.
The IDC will now be able to go to the market in the coming weeks to raise an initial US$500 million to invest in the energy sector and other related infrastructural development programmes.
It is necessary for both expedition and corporate culture to use IDC as a delivery vehicle. The President wants to see Zambia as a power exporter in the next one to one and half years when another 600 megawatts could originate from the thermal subsector.
The President wants to thank the Zambian people for putting up the inconveniences of power cuts. He assures that their agonies will not be inordinately prolonged.
“I now instruct ZESCO to quickly identify and contract firms that are offering the lowest cost of generation for solar and which will allow ZESCO to earn a profit considering the current retail prices for electricity until Zambia has rebuilt and owned its generation capacity to its actual base load.”
“I am fully aware of firms that have over the years been offering alternative energy solutions at prices lower than the current tariffs with the benefit of long term concessional funding which would allow ZESCO to own the facility upon finishing construction and not require subsidies from the Treasury,” the President said.
Government’s desire is a ZESCO that is profitable, reliable, self-sufficient and does not rely on expensive measures such as the importation of power from outside the country or buying power at expensive prices from independent power producers (IPPs).
The power deficit is not only peculiar to Zambia but is being experienced in the entire SADC region and therefore, due to the current generation deficit we are experiencing, the national power utility, ZESCO Limited is currently carrying out load management in order to conserve energy.
Government is working tirelessly in order to mitigate the impact of the power shortage, which has affected all sectors of the economy.
It is in this regard that the government is supporting ZESCO through the implementation of some medium to long-term measures to cushion the impact of power rationing on the economy.
The following are some of the measures that have been put in place:
(i) Government has signed a contract with an Independent Power Producer Aggreko for the supply of emergency power of up to 148 MW with effect from 1st September 2015. An additional 40 MW will be available from January 2016.
(ii) Government is currently negotiating with another IPP for the supply of an additional 150MW, which will be available by January 2016.
(iii) The 300MW coal fired power plant being constructed in Southern Province in Maamba will bring on board the first 150 MW unit by January 2016, whilst the last 150 MW is scheduled for commissioning by the end of the first quarter of 2016.
(iv) The 120 MW, Itezhi-Tezhi hydropower project is 87% complete. The first unit of 60 MW is scheduled for commissioning by December 2015, and the last 60 MW unit is scheduled for January, 2016.
(v) Further ZESCO has initiated a project to install distributed solar plants to the tune of 300MW and commissioning is scheduled to start in the fourth quarter of 2016.
(vi) ZESCO has continued securing power imports of up to 300 MW from EDM of Mozambique and the Southern Africa Power Pool Day-Ahead-Market during off peak periods.
(vii) The procurement process for the 750 MW power station at Kafue Gorge Lower is nearing completion. The shall keep the nation informed on the progress being made.
(viii) ZESCO is looking to spread the hydrological risk by exploring sites on the Luapula River.
The President therefore takes this opportunity to appeal to all users of electricity to practice energy efficiency during this period, and we also encourage the use of alternative sources of energy such as Liquefied Petroleum Gas and Solar for cooking and heating.
3. Conclusion
The President regrets there are citizens who have a field day when the country experiences difficulties which arises from external factors beyond our control. Nobody, let alone government, has magical solutions.
The challenges the country faces today are real and unprecedented and should not be reduced to mere political rhetoric. “While I take the lead in providing decisive solutions to these challenges, I ask all Zambians irrespective of political affiliation or any other interests to unite and come together so that we as a nation can pull through these challenges.”
The President wishes to state further that he will announce additional measures in his State of the Nation Address through the National Assembly on 18th September 2015.
The Head of State will provide comprehensive direction to the Nation on short and medium term interventions to cut costs, diversify the economy and reduce the nation’s dependency on copper and hydropower.
Issued by: Amos Chanda SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT (PRESS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS) STATE HOUSE
Kenya striker Allan Wanga believes playing at home will give the Harambee Stars an edge over Zambia in Sunday’s 2017 Africa Cup qualifier in Nairobi.
Kenya have never beaten Zambia in three Africa Cup qualifiers.
Wanga of Azam FC in Tanzania said beating Chipolopolo would brighten Kenya’s chances of qualifying to the Gabon AFCON.
“We have a chance this time around because we started off well.
We managed to get one point away in the first game,” Wanga told SuperSport.
“Playing at home with the fans, I think we have a chance. If we manage to get three points on Sunday it will put us somewhere,” he said.
Congo and Guinea Bissau completes Group E of the 2017 AFCON qualifiers. All the four teams in this group have a point each after drawing their day one matches in June.
Second placed Power Dynamos look set to cut Zesco United’s seven point lead at the top of the FAZ Super Division when they face Red Arrows away at Nkoloma Stadium on Saturday. Power could take advantage of Zesco’s postponed week 23 match against Nkwazi to cut their lead to four points.
Power have 45 points, seven behind Zesco after 22 matches played. Both Arrows and Power trots into Nkoloma with a one win and loss from their last two games.
In their last match, Power defeated Nkana 2-1 at home while Arrows stole a 1-0 win at Green Eagle in Choma. Mathews Phiri’s Air Men lost the first leg match 1-0 at Power on the night of July 6.
Elsewhere, Mighty Mufulira Wanderers aims to maintain their fourth place on the table when they host third placed Zanaco at Kafubu Stadium in Luanshya.
On their way to meeting Zanaco, Mighty have beaten Power Dynamos and Forest Rangers.
On the other hand, Zanaco have a win and draw in their last two matches. Meanwhile, the Bankers triumphed over the Mufulira side in their earlier meeting in Lusaka.
Kabwe has become the latest region in the country to have a film festival dubbed Kabwe-ka-Mukuba (Rock of Wealth) Film Festival of Zambia.
The festival is the brainchild of Child Exposure Zambia Arts (Chieza), Mumbi Via Media and Ichilumba Arts and Culture Foundation.
The inaugural event was held from August 19 to 22 at Clayton Park.
Kabwe Mayor Richard Bango officially opened the festival last Wednesday night at which Catherine Kaseketi of Vilole Images, which is behind the organising of Shungu Namutitima (Smoke that Thunders) International Film Festival in Livingstone, was the special guest.
Chieza executive director Gabriel Mbambala said the three organisations were inspired by Catherine Kaseketi to come up with a film festival.
This was after she conducted a workshop in Kabwe in January this year. “This is the first time we are having this festival. We were inspired by Catherine Kaseketi, who was in Kabwe in January for a workshop on filming. So from there that’s how the idea was developed,” Mbambala said in an interview last Saturday night when the festival closed.
Gospel musician John Chiti performed at the event, which attracted a good number of people, but was affected by load shedding.
Among the people who witnessed the official opening of the festival were representatives of the Central Province and Kabwe district cultural affairs offices and the National Arts Council.
Mbambala said as a cradle of politics in Zambia, a home of the Broken Hill man and a mining town, Kabwe has a special place in the political and archaeological history of Zambia.
And Mumbi Via Media principal project coordinator Mwape Mumbi lauded the partnership of the three organisations and the role that Vilole Images played for Kabwe-Ka-Mukuba Film Festival of Zambia to become a reality. “There is a general complaint about lack of arts related recreation events taking place in Kabwe that are family-friendly. The idea of the film festival is welcome, and we are excited about it,” Mumbi said.
He said despite the lack of funds during the organisation of the event, the three organisations were not discouraged as they wanted Kabwe to have a film festival that everyone in the area would be looking forward to attending.
Meanwhile, the Man Shot Down, done in South Africa, Suwa, a Zambian film done by Kaseketi and Gift Hands were the films that were screened during the festival.
The films were also screened in Makululu and Nkole townships.
The participants had forums on disability issues, arts, tips to directors and film screening.
On Saturday, there was a children’s fun day and the young ones participated in various games, storytelling and acting
Former Presidential Aspirant Alex Muliokela has offered a solution to the load shedding problem for Zambia – Just Pump water from Rivers into the so called Kariba dam.
A few years researchers studying groundwater reserves in Africa discovered the presence of large amounts of groundwater in the Africa.A geological map showed that Africa is floating above huge reserves of underground water, similar to the equivalent of 100 times the amount of fresh water resources on the surface.Zambia was one of the countries found to have big reservoirs.Others include countries like Botswana, Angola and the largest reserves of underground water exist in the driest regions of northern Africa, especially in Egypt, Sudan, Libya, and Algeria.
File:The use of local languages as a medium of instruction in schools of lower grades has impressed Government has most learners have responded positively. Here, Education Deputy Minister David Mabumba monitoring the use of icibemba at Ray of Joy Primary School in Nchelenge
Despite overwhelming evidence of the positive impact of using mother tongue as the preferred language of instruction for primary school learners, many African countries continue to use the colonial language as the primary language for teaching and governance.
“These languages are not even the second language for most children,” said Kathleen Heugh, Associate Professor in Applied Linguistics, at the University of South Australia.
Heugh was presenting a UNESCO report co-edited by Christine Glanz in a session hosted by Oxford University Press at the combined 9th Pan African Reading for All and the 10th Reading Association of South Africa (RASA) Conference on Friday, 4th of September.
The report, which followed the UNESCO Education for All framework, analysed language policy, implementation and practices in 25 African countries. What emerged was a clear indication that a firm foundation in mother tongue instruction, coupled with learning colonial language, is critical for understanding new concepts and expressing what has been learned.
“The quality of education and the level of learning depends on the synergy of the curriculum with the social and cultural environment,” Heugh said. “But the fact is that African realities are still largely ignored in the development of policies and curricula.”
For Godfrey Sentumbwe from the Ugandan NGO Literacy and Adult Basic Education (LABE), the answer is clear.
“Long periods of ‘colonialisation of the mind’ have led people to believe that their home languages are worthless in education, governance and legal matters,” he said. “There are also hurdles to putting research into practice. We have many good policies on paper but the implementation is poor because the research on which the policies are based is inaccessible and incomprehensible to a wider audience.”
The top down approach from governments is also often met with fierce resistance from teachers and parents, and even when a new curriculum is introduced, the teachers are hamstrung by limited training and resources.
“The important thing is to build on what we have,” he said. “We cannot afford to be contented, but we also must make sure that we work with both the governments and the communities if we want to achieve a lasting solution. And we must widen our horizons beyond the early grades if we are to return to the Africa that existed 200 years before Christ, with centres of learning and excellence in our own languages that were renowned around the world.”
Heugh’s research in Ethiopia and other parts of Africa confirms Sentumbwe’s opinion.
“In Ethiopia we have seen that students who have the highest scores in English and maths are the ones who have had the longest number of years in mother tongue education,” she said.
“Three years of mother tongue education is better than none, four years increases the opportunities, six years increases the opportunities to reach secondary school and eight years offers the best chances to reach the end of secondary school successfully.”
During this time, the colonial language is still taught, but as a secondary subject so that children are prepared for when that language becomes the main medium of instruction.
Heugh’s research has also shown that the resilience of rural communities is a big advantage for their children’s education. Because they do not expect to have help or support from their governments, they take matters into their own hands and make their own learning and teaching resources. The parent and community engagement in the cities is far less and the achievements of the students are much lower.
The UNESCO reports and studies like Heugh’s have travelled far and wide, with a strong move towards mother tongue multicultural education in South East Asia, China, US, Russia and Northern Europe.
“The question really is why has it not been implemented in South Africa, where this research really had its genesis?” Heugh concluded.
About the Pan-African Reading for All Conference
Pan-African Literacy for All conferences, are important literacy events in Africa, providing a platform for literacy professionals and researchers to engage with policy makers in government and the donor community. The conferences have taken place bi-annually since 1999 in countries including Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Swaziland and Uganda. This year’s event will be run in association with the International Literacy Association (ILA) and the International Development Committee-Africa (IDC-A). It will be organised by RASA—a leading South African literacy organisation which regularly organises conferences that draw together most of the South African experts on literacy.
High Commissioner His Excellency Mr. Mwamba with representatives from KEPCO KPS, Mr. Jason Lee (left) and LG International, Mr. Dow Lee during the meeting at the High Commission in Pretoria
TWO South Korean companies have indicated interest in entering the Zambian mining and energy industries as soon as they conclude consultations. According to the statement released to the media by Nicky Shabolyo, the Press Secretary at the Zambian High Commission in South Africa, representatives from KEPCO KPS and LG International disclosed their interests when they met Zambia’s High Commissioner-Designate to South Africa, His Excellency Mr. Emmanuel Mwamba in Pretoria yesterday.
KEPCO KPS Chief Representative, Mr. Jason Lee told the High Commissioner that his company had experience in thermal, nuclear, hydro and solar power plant maintenance technology. He said KEPCO KPS has previously undertaken projects in Madagascar, India, Uruguay, Pakistan, Australia, Philippines Mexico, Bangladesh, Kenya and Morocco and has been working with South Africa’s power utility company, ESCO since 2008.
Mr. Lee said they would be happy to meet relevant officials in Zambia to discuss modalities of how his company could get involved in the Zambian market. He said KEPCO KPS was finalising collection of information so that they could understand Zambia’s situation before making a formal proposal.
“We are ready to travel to Zambia anytime as part of our study before we can confidently make a formal proposal to enter Zambia,” Mr. Lee said.
KEPCO KPS are also looking at maintenance of transmission lines apart from power stations.
And Chief Representative at LG International, Johannesburg office, Mr. Dow Lee said his company was involved in a wide range of projects and had identified various areas of interest in Zambia which include the copper, coal and gold mining sectors.
Mr. Lee said he has been to Zambia before and understood the general situation of the mining sector but would like to travel back to check if opportunities still existed. He expressed concern at the current low copper prices which he said were the major hindrance to exploring the sector.
HE explained that LG International trades in products used in processing gold and believe statistics show that Zambia held good potential for a good market for such products.
LG International, which is a sister company to LG Electronics, is into natural resource development and industrial infrastructure business in emerging countries with growth potential.
In response, His Excellency Mr. Mwamba advised LG International to look at the current low copper prices as an opportunity in itself. Mr. Mwamba pointed out that prudent investors in the commodity market opted to acquire assets when prices were low because they understood that the trend was such that prices for commodities fluctuated.
“You should not be discouraged but instead be encouraged and see an opportunity in the low prices. An investor will always want to enter the market when they can buy at a low price. Commodities are an investment for the long term and you should realize that prices always fluctuate,” Mr. Mwamba said.
He noted that it would be important for LG International to make gold processing materials available in Zambia as this would encourage value addition to the metal unlike the current situation in which it is exported in its raw form.
“We need to start adding value to our raw materials and the Government has set out on this mission so that we can meaningfully benefit from our resources,” He said.
Mr. Mwamba told the two representatives that the High Commission in Pretoria will facilitate their visit to Zambia by arranging meetings with the relevant offices.
The High Commissioner said the proposal by KEPCO KPS was convenient as the country was facing a huge power deficit partly resulting from some old power plants which could not operate at their optimum capacity.
He said transmission lines posed another challenge as most of them were old while they also did not have a wide reach across the country.
“Most of our power stations are old. They can no longer function fully and urgently need to be mordenised. Apart from being old, our transmission lines need to be extended across the country.”
Mr. Mwamba commended KEPCO KPS on their policy of embracing local labour in their projects as this encouraged skills transfer.
High Commissioner His Excellency Mr. Mwamba with representatives from KEPCO KPS, Mr. Jason Lee (left) and LG International, Mr. Dow Lee during the meeting at the High Commission in PretoriaHigh Commissioner His Excellency Mr. Mwamba with representatives from KEPCO KPS, Mr. Jason Lee (left) and LG International, Mr. Dow Lee after the meeting at the High Commission in Pretoria
University Teaching Hospital
Residents Doctors Association of Zambia have refuted reports suggesting that Junior doctors at the University Teaching Hospital UTH have downed tools.
Association President Francis Mupeta says no Junior doctor has gone on strike and that the misunderstanding between the members and government is being attended to through the available procedures.
Dr Mupeta says government owes 250 Junior doctors over 10 Million Kwacha in settling allowances and school fees for Post Graduate students which has not been paid for over a year.
Dr Mupeta said this at a press briefing in Lusaka.
He added that government has promised to settle the debt owed to doctors within two weeks adding that the association has faith in government.
The MMD on the Copperbelt is urging the party’s National Executive Committee NEC to urgently consider filling up the vacant positions of party Vice President.
MMD Copperbelt spokesperson Peter Phiri says the party needs committed leaders to reorganise the former ruling party ahead of the 2016 General elections.
The two positions of MMD Vice President for Administration and Politics fell vacant after the office holders were expelled from the MMD.
Mumbwa lawmaker Brian Chituwo was MMD Vice President for Administration and Micheal Kaingu the Mwandi lawmaker was in charge of politics.
Mr. Phiri has since commended its party’s Youth Secretary Bowman Lusambo for showing interest to fill up the position of MMD Vice President- Political.
Works on the Chadiza – Chanida -Katete Road in Eastern Province have slowed down due to erratic funding.
The project which is under the link Zambia 8000 road project is being done by China State Construction Engineering.
Road Development Agency-RDA- Senior Manager Public Relations Loyce Saili says erratic funding to the project has slowed down the works.Mrs. Saili however, said government is actively looking into all issues affecting projects in the road sector.She told journalists in Chadiza that the government through RDA is committed to ensuring that projects are completed on time.
[pullquote]the contractor has been forced to scale down on its workers from 600 to 30 because of the challenges of funding[/pullquote]
And RDA Eastern Province Regional Manager Thomas Zimba said the project is key to linking Katete -Chanida border and Chadiza to chipata.
China State Construction Contract Manager, David Mbasera said the company is carrying out minor works on the project.Mr. Masera further disclosed that the contractor has been forced to scale down on its workers from 600 to 30 because of the challenges of funding.He is however confident that full works will resume soon.
The government is spending over 700 million Kwacha on the project.
United Party for National Development (UPND) President does the Ila warrior dance as a sign of mourning during the burial of late Bweengwa Central Ward Councilor Mr. Gladson Maungila in Bweengwa
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United Party for National Development (UPND) President Mr. Hakainde Hichilema pays his last respects to late Bweengwa Central ward Councilor Mr. Gladson Maungila. The late Civic leader who was also Local Government Association of Zambia Provincial Vice chairperson died on 29th August, 2015.
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Monze District Commissioner Mr. Cyprian Hamanyanga pays his last respects to late Bweengwa Central ward Councilor Mr. Gladson Maungila during burial
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UPND cadres carry the body of late Bweengwa Central ward Councilor who died on Saturday during burial in Bweengwa
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Chief Mukubwe of the Lenje speaking people of Ngabwe District (second from left) with his Headmen following proceedings of the installation of Chief Ngabwe VI at Wikishi in Ngabwe District.
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Chiefs and Traditional Affairs Deputy Minister John Kufuna (Middle) congratulates Chief Ngabwe VI (right) after his coronation as Kapiri Mposhi MP Eddie Musonda looks on.
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(L to R) Kapiri Mposhi MP Eddie Musonda,Chiefs and Traditional Affairs Deputy Minister John Kufuna and Copperbelt Permanent Secretary Reverend Howard Sikwela paying homage to newly installed Chief Ngabwe VI
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Chief Ngabwe VI (Middle) dances with his wife (left) during his installationPresident Lungu’s daughter greets a child of Musa village in Kasama where she was in the entourage of UNICEF who were touring projects in the area.
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President Lungu’s daughter, Tasila mingles with children of Nkole Mfumu Chiefdom in Kasama when she visited the area.
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President Lungu’s daughter, Tasila mingles with children of Nkole Mfumu Chiefdom in Kasama when she visited the area.
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President Lungu’s daughter, Tasila mingles with children of Nkole Mfumu Chiefdom in Kasama when she visited the area.Tourism and Arts Minister Jean Kapata (right) presents tourism materials and books to Zambia’s High Commissioner to Malawi Salome Mwananshiku at the Chancery in Lilongwe
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Local government minister Dr John Phiri follows a discussion at one of the largest recycling companies in Sweden that employs 700 workers, IL Recycling with Zambia’s Deputy Ambassador to Sweden Anthony Mukwita.
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The 28th of August 2015 marked the Zambia National Day at EXPO Milan (the Universal Exposition held every five years worldwide and currently running until the end of October).
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Minister of Health Hon. Joseph Kasonde accompanied by Vice Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Hon. Miles Sampa
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The 28th of August 2015 marked the Zambia National Day at EXPO Milan (the Universal Exposition held every five years worldwide and currently running until the end of October).
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Minister of Health Hon. Joseph Kasonde accompanied by Vice Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Hon. Miles Sampa
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Acting Mbala District Administratice Officer, Fredrick Chilambwe officiating at the Stakeholders’ Participatory Performance Review and Reflection meeting for Action Aid at Tutenzi Lodge in Mbala
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Acting Mbala District Administratice Officer, Fredrick Chilambwe officiating at the Stakeholders’ Participatory Performance Review and Reflection meeting for Action Aid at Tutenzi Lodge in MbalaMongu District Commissioner Susiku Kamona distributing relief maize to victims of Spastic Paralysis (Konzo) disease at Kaote Village of Lwatembo area in Mongu yesterday. Government has released 150 metric tons of maize to mitigate food shortage in Lwatembo area up to the next 2015/2016 harvest season.
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Mongu District Commissioner Susiku Kamona distributing relief maize to victims of Spastic Paralysis (Konzo) disease at Kaote Village of Lwatembo area in Mongu yesterday. Government has released 150 metric tons of maize to mitigate food shortage in Lwatembo area up to the next 2015/2016 harvest season.
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Mongu District Commissioner Susiku Kamona distributing relief maize to victims of Spastic Paralysis (Konzo) disease at Kaote Village of Lwatembo area in Mongu yesterday. Government has released 150 metric tons of maize to mitigate food shortage in Lwatembo area up to the next 2015/2016 harvest season.
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A stack of over 14, 000 bags of maize purchased by FRA at Chipoka satellite depot since the marketing season exercise commenced.
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Farmers rebagging their maize at Kamuswazi Satellite depot
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Farmers waiting to sell their maize at FRA Chipoka Satellite depot in Mbala
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stack of over 14 000 x 50kg bags of maize bought by FRA at Chipoka Satellite depot in Mbala
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Heaps of maize yet to be rebadged for sale at Chipoka Satellite depot
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Out-going Acting Mbala District Commissioner, Felix Mungaila thronged by farmers when he visited Mambwe Mission satellite depot to check on the progress of the marketing season
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Out-going Acting Mbala District Commissioner, Felix Mungaila (in a black suit) after checking the purchasing of maize at Kamuswazi Satellite depot
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Re-bagged sacks of maize awaiting FRA officials to buy from farmers
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Out-going Acting Mbala District Commissioner, Felix Mungaila talking to FRA depot clerk, Rhema Siwelwa at Mambwe Mission Satellite depotRankin Consultant Company Resident Engineer Salah Gad (r) briefing Zambezi Region Council Leadership of Namibia, Governor Col. Lawrence Sampofu (l) and Mongu District Commissioner Susiku Kamona (c) before touring the 8000 Link Zambia Mongu- Kalabo Road Project
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Rankin Consultant Company Resident Engineer Salah Gad (l) explaining the work progress of Mongu-Kalabo Road Project to Zambezi Region Council Leadership of Namibia, Governor Col. Lawrence Sampofu (r) and Mongu District Commissioner Susiku Kamona (c) during the tour of the project
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Rankin Consultant Company Resident Engineer Salah Gad (l) explaining the work progress of Mongu-Kalabo Road Project to Zambezi Region Council Leadership of Namibia, Governor Col. Lawrence Sampofu (r) and Mongu District Commissioner Susiku Kamona (c) during the tour of the project
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Rankin Consultant Company Resident Engineer Salah Gad (l) explaining the work progress of Mongu-Kalabo Road Project to Namibian High Commission First Secretary Hellen Ndandi (c) as AVIC International Zambia Limited Site Manager Chen Yiju (r) looks on during the tour of the project
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Sefula Irrigation Scheme Camp Extension Officer Angelo Silumesii (front) showing the Zambezi Region Council Leadership of Namibia and Zambian delegation the water source of irrigation canals during the tour of the agriculture projects in Mongu
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Sefula Irrigation Scheme Camp Extension Officer Angelo Silumesii (r) explains the importance of the canal in a sandy terrene to Zambezi Region Council Leadership of Namibia, Governor Col. Lawrence Sampofu (l), Namibian High Commission First Secretary Hellen Ndandi (2nd l) and Mongu District Commissioner Susiku Kamona (2nd r) during the tour of the agriculture projects in Mongu
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Namibian High Commission First Secretary Hellen Ndandi (r) discuses with Western Province Permanent Secretary Mwangala Liomba (l) after a courtesy call at the minister’s office in Mongu
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Zambezi Region Council Leadership of Namibia, Governor Col. Lawrence Sampofu (r) charts with Western Province Minister Poniso Njeulu (c) and his Permanent Secretary Mwangala Liomba (l) during a courtesy call at the minister’s office in MonguEducation deputy Minister Sydney Mushanga (right) hands over a bag of mealie meal to one of the Zambian freedom fighters in Kabwe during the Sydney Mushanga sports tournament held in his constituency Bwacha recently.
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Education deputy Minister Sydney Mushanga (left) joins Evelyn Hone College Band during the Sydney Mushanga sports tournament in Bwacha compound in Kabwe recently.
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Education deputy Minister Sydney Mushanga (right) hands over a bag of mealie meal to one of the Zambian freedom fighters in Kabwe during the Sydney Mushanga sports tournament held in his constituency Bwacha recently.
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Bwacha Member of Parliament Sydney Mushanga kicks the ball to officially launch the tournament in his constituency.
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Education deputy Minister Sydney Mushanga (centre) presenting the trophy to Super Lion, who were the overall winner of the Sydney Mushanga sports tournamentVice President Inonge Wina (r) receives a bouquet from Joe Makungwe jr. (c) on arrival at Mongu Airport on a five days tour inspecting some developmental projects and interacts with the people of Western Province.
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Vice President Inonge Wina (l) and Western Province Permanent Secretary Mwangala Liomba (r) comfort Sandy Clark (c) CEO of Dignity Zambia an Australian based charitable organization as she breaks when narrating her stay in Zambia during racism in colonial days. This is during a courtesy on Her Royal Highness Litunga La Mboela of Lwambi Chiefdom in Nalolo District, Western Province
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Vice President Inonge Wina (r) and Dignity Zambia CEO Sandy Clark (c) show respect before entering the Muoyo Palace yard during a courtesy on Her Royal Highness Litunga La Mboela of Lwambi Chiefdom in Nalolo District
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Vice President Inonge Wina (l) with of Her Royal Highness Litunga La Mboela (r) of Lwambi Chiefdom walking the Muoyo Palace yard during the courtesy call in Nalolo District
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Vice President Inonge Wina (r) kneels before Her Royal Highness Litunga La Mboela (l) of Lwambi Chiefdom inside the Kashandi (Conference Room) during the courtesy call in Nalolo District
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Her Royal Highness Litunga La Mboela (l) of Lwambi Chiefdom displays a book ‘’My Love Affair with Zambia’’, from Dignity Zambia CEO Sandy Clark as Vice President Inonge Wina (r) looks on during the courtesy call at Muoyo Palace in Nalolo District
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Dignity Zambia CEO Sandy Clark (r) receives the Lwambi chiefdom Development Strategic Plan for 2015-2019 guidelines from Her Royal Highness Litunga La Mboela through Induna Biundan’ono (l) during the courtesy call at Muoyo Palace in Nalolo District
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Dignity Zambia CEO Sandy Clark (r) with Veep. Senior Private Secretary Ambassador Sheller Siwela (r) go through her book ‘’My Love Affair with Zambia’’, during the courtesy call at Muoyo Palace in Nalolo District
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Vice President Inonge Wina cutting the ribbon to officially open a 1x 2 class room block worth k160,000 at Kataba Primary School in Nalolo District
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Vice President Inonge Wina (r) talking to Kataba Primary School Head teacher Munalula Mubiana (c) and Western Provincial Education Officer Loveness Lubasi (l) inside a new class room during the official opening of a 1x 2 class room block worth k160,000 at Kataba Primary School in Nalolo District
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Vice President Inonge Wina (c) after the official opening of a 1x 2 class room block worth k160,000 at Kataba Primary School in Nalolo District
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Vice President Inonge Wina (c) admiring a baby jersey knitted by a women group in Liatoya area during an interaction with them in Nalolo District
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Vice President Inonge Wina (r) receives some straw traditional brooms from a women group in Liatoya area during an interaction with them in Nalolo District
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The Zambia Project Site Manager Jaycee Coetee (l) showing Vice President Inonge Wina (c) the site for the construction clinic by Dignity Zambia, a charitable organization based in Australia, in Nalolo District
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The Zambia Project Site Manager Jaycee Coetee (l) leading Vice President Inonge Wina (c) to the site for the construction clinic by Dignity Zambia, a charitable organization based in Australia, in Nalolo District
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Vice President Inonge Wina (l) with Dignity Zambia CEO Sandy Clark (c) and The Zambia Project Site Manager Jaycee Coetee (r) at the site for construction of a clinic in Nalolo District
Cheesecake is one of those desserts that is perfect for any occasion; parties, dinners, BBQ’s – you name it. Traditionally it is made with fruits but nowadays there are so many different flavours.
Today I want to share my favouriteno-bake Strawberry Cheesecake recipe with you; which I subtly evolved from ‘Steve’s kitchen’.
Preparation time – 30 minutes
Setting time – 1 ½ hours
Serves -8 people
Ingredients
Note: You can use an 8 Inch round – spring form tin, a loose bottom tin or a regular baking tin. I personally prefer to use a loose bottom tin or a spring form tin as it is easier to remove the cheesecake. However a regular baking tin works as well, but you will have to serve the cheesecake straight from the tin.
Spring form tinLoose bottom tinRegular baking tin
You will need….
1 cup / 225 g of sugar
4 or 5 fresh strawberries
300g of digestive biscuits
125g of melted salted butter
5 teaspoons of flavourless gelatine
Boiling water
2 x cans /400g of condensed milk
4 Teaspoons vanilla extract
800g of cream cheese
Fresh strawberries to top the Cheesecake
Method
Cut 4 or 5 fresh strawberries into small pieces.
Turn the stove onto a medium heat and pour the cup of sugar into a heavy bottom saucepan/pot. Let the sugar start to melt around the edges – until it gradually melts completely.
Stir the sugar mixture together – making sure it is completely melted (forming a caramel)
Turn off the stove and carefully add chopped strawberries into the caramel; stirring quickly. Keep stirring until the sauce becomes quite runny. Leave it to cool whilst you make your cheesecake.
Place digestive biscuits into a bowl; using the end of a rolling pin crush into crumbs.
Melt the butter either in the microwave or on the stove – this should take no more than a minute.
Mix melted butter and crushed digestive biscuits, until all the butter is absorbed.
Pour the crumbs into the cake tin; using the back of a spoon press the mixture down into the cake tin – making sure it’s compact and flat. Place it in the fridge to cool down and firm up.
Add boiling water to your gelatine granules, or prepare your gelatine by following the instructions on the packet; mixing it to make sure the gelatine is fully dissolved – put it aside whilst you prepare the cream cheese.
In a bowl mix condensed milk, vanilla extract and cream cheese; whisk thoroughly until fully mixed, fluffy and thick. Now add gelatine and mix together well.
Remove the cheesecake base from the fridge and pour the cream cheese mixture over it – spreading it out evenly.
Place it in the fridge for 1 hour.
Gently warm up the strawberry sauce, so that it is slightly runny again. Take the cheesecake out of the fridge and pour the sauce over it – making sure it is evenly spread.
Cut the tops off of fresh strawberries, and place them around the edge of the cheesecake, place 3 or 4 strawberries in the centre for decoration.
Place it in the fridge for an extra 30 minutes.
Serving
Gently remove the cheesecake from the tin – “ta da”!!! There you have it, your delicious cheesecake is ready to serve and eat.
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.
