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President Edgar Lungu tees off the Golf tournament at State House during the fundraising Golf tournament
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has stated that the current prevailing economic challenges cannot be attributed to any individual or form of mismanagement of the national economy because the difficulties are largely influenced by various factors across the globe.
He said the current economic challenges are influenced by various factors across the globe and Zambia is not immune to the effects.
“My government is, however, doing its level best to reposition, so as to mitigate the effects of these harsh conditions. Therefore, such efforts definitely require the participation, patience and endurance.
And President Lungu has said that the Patriotic Front (PF) is determined to raise funds to help the needy in society without dipping into the State coffers.
The President, who was speaking during a prize-giving ceremony of a PF fundraising golf tournament at State House in Lusaka yesterday, urged party members to take a leading role in helping the needy in society using fundraising ventures.
Part of the proceeds from the tournament will go to Kasisi Orphanage.
“This gesture is commendable as it complements efforts that my government has been making in improving the socio-economic status of the citizenry including the needy,” said Mr Lungu who urged the PF members to reach out to the needy and not only fundraise for the welfare of the party.
Mr Lungu said government will continue to uphold principles of good accountability of public resources especially in the wake of severe financial constraints the country is currently facing.
PF chairperson Ngosa Simbyakula said the party has embarked on a venture to fundraise in view of the next general elections, but the President, who jokingly wondered when the elections will be held, directed Dr Simbyakula to take the issue of elections date to Parliament.
“I am happy to hear that the elections are next year…says who? They will come when I announce. It is a pity that we have to wait for Edgar to announce the date for elections,” he said.
Farmers in Moyo chiefdom of Pemba district found knitting the 50 Kilogrammes bags of maize for sell at one of the Food Reserve Agency depots in the area.
THE Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has bought nearly 50 per cent of the total maize it has projected to purchase from farmers, two weeks since it started the maize buying exercise.
Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Permanent Secretary David Shamulenge said yesterday that FRA has to-date bought 231,298 metric tonnes of maize representing 46.3 per cent of the total 500,000 metric tonnes it has projected to purchase for national strategic food reserve.
Mr Shamulenge said in a statement yesterday that the projected purchase of 500,000 metric tonnes would be attained by September 15, this year.
“Thereafter, Government through FRA will mop up and purchase all the excess maize for both local and international market taking into consideration the maize deficit in the region,” he said.
Government reiterates its call to FRA to pay farmers within two weeks of receipt of maize and Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Given Lubinda has instructed provincial and district agriculture coordinators to monitor and ensure that farmers were paid promptly.
Mr Shamulenge said farmers needed not to worry that their maize would not be bought because Government would ensure that the whole crop was purchased by FRA, private sector and the international market.
Government is happy by the positive response of farmers to sell maize to FRA since the buying exercise started and especially after President Lungu increased the price from K70 to K75 per 50 kilogramme bag.
This, Mr Shamulenge said, has created positive competition among maize buyers offering more than K75 per 50 kg bag to the benefit of the farmer.
“Government wishes to assure farmers throughout the country that all the maize will be bought by FRA and the private sector given the conducive crop marketing environment it has created,” he said.
And SCORES of farmers in Pemba district, Southern Province have described as impressed the move by President Edgar Lungu to direct the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) to increase the purchasing price of maize.
The agency was buying a 50 kilogramme bag of maize at K75 from K70 for the 2014/2015 maize marketing season.
FRA targets buying 500,000 metric tonnes of maize grain for strategic reserves in the 2014/2015 marketing season.
Scores of farmers, who were found offloading and repackaging thousands of bags of maize at one of the depots in Chief Moyo’s areas, praised President Lungu for his directive to the agency.
The farmers, mostly women said the new price was beneficial as it would enable them to accumulate more profits compared to the previous marketing seasons.
Agness Siakoola was happy that FRA has started buying the maize and that she was among the first farmers to deliver the commodity to the depot.
“For me, it’s a very good price compared to previous years and I know from what I will sell, I will make a small profit,” she said.
Bernard Hamoonga said the sale of maize to FRA was more profitable than private-buyers who, in most cases, were exploiting farmers in rural areas.
Mr Hamoonga also commended the Government for delivering on time the D-Compound fertiliser to various districts.
More than 150,000 farmers across the province would access inputs under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) during the 2015/2016 farming season.
Agriculture and Livestock Minister Given Lubinda recently flagged-off the distribution exercise for this year’s farming inputs countrywide at the Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia (NCZ).
The FISP beneficiaries in the province were expected to receive an assortment of D-Compound and top dressing fertiliser with maize, groundnuts and sorghum seeds from Government.
Farmers in Moyo chiefdom of Pemba district found knitting the 50 Kilogrammes bags of maize for sell at one of the Food Reserve Agency depots in the area.Farmers in Moyo chiefdom of Pemba district found knitting the 50 Kilogrammes bags of maize for sell at one of the Food Reserve Agency depots in the area.Farmers in Moyo chiefdom of Pemba district found knitting the 50 Kilogrammes bags of maize for sell at one of the Food Reserve Agency depots in the area.
Zesco United maintained their seven-point lead at the summit of the FAZ Super Division table while Mighty Mufulira Wanderers rose to 4th place after both sides won their respective matches on Sunday in a doubleheader at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
Defending champions Zesco beat Konkola Blades 1-0 to extend their unbeaten run to 12 successive matches after picking up their third win in a role.
Kenyan defender David Owino headed in the games only goal in the 50thn minute off a Justin Zulu free-kick.
Zesco have 52 points, seven more than second placed Power Dynamos with eight game left to play.
In the lunchtime kickoff, Mighty won their second straight game after a 2-0 away win over Forest Rangers.
Eric Chibuye handed Wanderers the lead in the 15th minute to give the visitors a 1-0 halftime lead before Fumbeni Muwowo scored the final goal five minutes before fulltime.
Mighty, who were promoted this year after ten years in Division One North, move from 6th to 4th on 35 points, 17 behind Zesco.
Blades are 4th from bottom inside in the relegation zone in 13th place on 22 points from as many games played.
MMD President Dr Nevers Sekwila Mumba has alleged that President Edgar Lungu is more dangerous and immoral that the late President Sata in the way he conducts his politics. Speaking when he was interviewed by Zack Chavula on Hot FM 87.7 on 27 August 2015 concerning morality and the alleged bribing of the MMD candidate for upcoming Solwezi West parliamentary by-election, Dr Mumba commended the late President Michael Sata for not using MMD MPs as campaign managers when the poached them from the ruling party.
Grand Coalition
The Patriotic-PF has unearthed a scheme in which the Grand Coalition on the People Driven Constitution and Law Association of Zambia-Laz allegedly intend to go to court this week to block the Constitution Amendment Bill.
PF Media and Publicity Vice Chairperson Sunday Chanda has charged that such schemes by the Grand Coalition and Laz will only serve to frustrate efforts to give Zambians a new constitution .
Mr Chanda said this at a press briefing in Lusaka.
He said the PF government is committed to delivering a new constitution to Zambians.
Mr Chanda says while government has proposed to amend non-contentious issues in the constitution through parliament, it has remained consistent to subject non-contentious issues to a referendum.
At the same function PF member Ngande Mwanajiti refuted claims that the PF government has departed from the agenda to enact a people driven constitution.
Mr Mwanajiti also said parliament has power to amend non-contentious issues in the constitution.
But when contacted for a response Law Association of Zambia -LAZ President George Chisanga says he has not received any formal report on the resolutions of the Grand Coalition on the People Driven Constitution.
Miracle By Fire Praise Team releases Chileshe Bwalya‘s brand new music video titled ‘Paka Tumyumfwe‘ featuring Ephraim.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcVsGN6eVak BY KAPA187
On August 28, 1928, in the Scottish highlands, began the secret story of oil.
Three men had an appointment at Achnacarry Castle – a Dutchman, an American and an Englishman.
The Dutchman was Henry Deterding, a man nicknamed the Napoleon of Oil, having exploited a find in Sumatra. He joined forces with a rich ship owner and painted Shell salesman and together the two men founded Royal Dutch Shell.
The American was Walter C. Teagle and he represents the Standard Oil Company, founded by John D. Rockefeller at the age of 31 – the future Exxon. Oil wells, transport, refining and distribution of oil – everything is controlled by Standard oil.
The Englishman, Sir John Cadman, was the director of the Anglo-Persian oil Company, soon to become BP. On the initiative of a young Winston Churchill, the British government had taken a stake in BP and the Royal Navy switched its fuel from coal to oil. With fuel-hungry ships, planes and tanks, oil became “the blood of every battle”.
The new automobile industry was developing fast, and the Ford T was selling by the million. The world was thirsty for oil, and companies were waging a merciless contest but the competition was making the market unstable.
That August night, the three men decided to stop fighting and to start sharing out the world’s oil. Their vision was that production zones, transport costs, sales prices – everything would be agreed and shared. And so began a great cartel, whose purpose was to dominate the world, by controlling its oil.
Four others soon joined them, and they came to be known as the Seven Sisters – the biggest oil companies in the world.
In the first episode, we travel across the Middle East, through both time and space.
We waged the Iran-Iraq war and I say we waged it, because one country had to be used to destroy the other.
– Xavier Houzel, an oil trader
Since that notorious meeting at Achnacarry Castle on August 28, 1928, they have never ceased to plot, to plan and to scheme.
Throughout the region’s modern history, since the discovery of oil, the Seven Sisters have sought to control the balance of power.
They have supported monarchies in Iran and Saudi Arabia, opposed the creation of OPEC, profiting from the Iran-Iraq war, leading to the ultimate destruction of Saddam Hussein and Iraq.
The Seven Sisters were always present, and almost always came out on top.
President Edgar Lungu delivering his speech during the meet the President Fundraising dinner at Mulungushi Conference center
The president of Zambia, H.E Edgar Chagwa Lungu, will be attending the United Nations meetings this September. The meetings attract all the world leaders as they converge on New York City to discuss international politics. Past Zambian presidents, including Michael Sata, have attended this meeting.
During this time, PF USA, the branch of the Patriotic Front in the USA, will be hosting the president for dinner and below are the fees:
The first Tier Of Fees are:
$1000 with a processing fee of 39.95 = $1040 is the first tier of fees for the dinner. This gets you a seat closer to the president. Other than that, this fee can also feed 130 Zambian families for a month and can send 10 Zambian school girls to school for a year in primary school.
The Second Tier of Fees are:
Gold VIP which will costs you $500. That’s half of the Platinum VIP. At an 8ZMK to $1 exchange rate this is 4000ZMK; this again can assist a poor family send 5 girls to school for an entire year.
The Third Tier of fees are:
$300 (Silver). This again is money that can go a long way for a family. Finally the last tier of fees is Bronze which is at $200.
While I certainly understand there are costs associated with meeting the president, we have the Zambian Mission to the UN @ 237 E 52nd St, New York, NY 10022 Tel: 212 888 5770 that we already pay rent for; so if the organizers used this venue they would cut on the costs of hosting the president which would eat away on the ticket pricing. If other items were needed, such as drinks and snacks, we would have justified at the most between $50 to $100 ticket pricing. This would have been ideal considering the economics of this situation.
The president of Zambia is coming to represent our country and give it its continued platform on international stage. In that same light, I would love to see our president also meet people who, without a doubt continue to carry the mantle of citizenry in this foreign land. I do not think the prices being advertised by PF USA should be tolerated by our president because they automatically alienate many of us who can’t afford. Accessibility to the leader of our country should not follow the same classism that is endemic to our larger society in Zambia. Zambia is not an aristocracy but a democracy.
The disparity between the rich and the poor (kwa and ku) continue to grow in economic life in Zambia, I do not think that this should also be reflected in the accessibility that we get for the men and women who are leading our country. All people, rich and poor, should receive an equitable access to the leaders who represent them. These outrageous, discriminatory prices do not serve the interest of a democratic society. If at all there should be a price to attend the event where people can meet the president, it should not discriminate against Zambians who may not afford the $1000. To many of us $1000 is one month rent, $500 will support a Zambian family in the USA with two months’ worth of food, $200 is the price of text books for a Zambian college student; all these people who may have an interest to attend the dinner won’t be able to do so because it is financially discriminatory. ONLY those KU will have access to him, and as a result we will continue to structurally disfranchise Zambian families who can’t buy their way to the political round table.
some makishi during the likumbi lya mize ceremony in zambezi
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has appealed to traditional leaders in the country to help discard retrogressive traditional practices.
President Lungu said as Zambia embraces good cultural practices, there was need to discard traditional practices that did not add value to the well-being of the people.
“Our traditional leaders across the country should take the lead in fighting risky traditional practices such as inheritance of widows, sexual cleansing, early childhood marriage and Gender Based Violence (GBV),” Mr Lungu said.
The President said this during the Likumbi Lya Mize traditional ceremony of the Luvale people held in Zambezi West yesterday.
He said efforts being made by various stakeholders on prevention of HIV and AIDS, promotion of girl child education and restoration of harmony and unity in society could only be attained if bad traditional practices were discarded.
He appealed to men to be part of this reformation and also spoke firmly against tribalism appealing to Zambians to coexist “just like our forefathers did”.
“My Government shall not tolerate acts of sectionalism and violence particularly those which are ethnically or politically motivated because we are a country anchored on the “One Zambia, One Nation slogan ,’’ he said.
He appealed to traditional leaders to be ambassadors in promoting peace and unity among the people.
The President also reaffirmed his directive to line ministries and other Government institutions to offer preferential treatment to qualified youth led enterprises in awarding contracts in public procurement process.
President Lungu recently launched a 2015 National Youth policy and action plan for youth empowerment and employment which might result in more than 5000 jobs for the youth by 2016.
The President also highlighted the number of developmental projects that Government was spearheading in the province such as construction of roads and other social facilities.
He also directed the Vice President’s office to send officials to Zambezi West to conduct a comprehensive assessment of all the bridges that require immediate attention to avert threat to the people in the area.
Speaking earlier, President Lungu said he wants to be remembered as a politician who keeps his promises.
“This is an occasion of joy, love and expression of unity. I want to walk the talk, I want to be a politician who would be remembered for delivering on my promise,” Mr Lungu said.
And senior Chief Mumena the Kaonde people of Solwezi said the people of North Western province were happy that President Lungu had fulfilled the promise to attend the ceremony.
Chief Mumena added that they were happy with the number of visits President Lungu had made to the province since he ascended to Presidency.
He said traditional ceremonies helped to bring people from various places together and demonstrated tranquillity.
Chief Mumena said it was high time traditional ceremonies were regarded as an economic activity for the districts.
“Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust…”
(Psalm 40:4, ESV)
Choose to Trust
Trusting in the Lord is a decision we make just like we would choose anything else in life. You chose what to wear today, you probably chose what you would have for breakfast, and you can choose to trust God today, too! When you choose to trust God, there is a peace that settles on the inside of your heart. There are blessings in store for you when you trust Him.
No matter what you are facing in life today, have faith that God will come through for you. Trust that His Word is always true. In Psalm 32, David calls God his “hiding place.” In other words, not only can you choose to trust God in the midst of your difficulty, you can actually hide in Him and find rest for your soul. When the circumstances of life seem overwhelming, choose to trust that God is ordering your steps. Find security in Him knowing that He’s making your crooked places straight and leading you into the everlasting life He has prepared for you!
A Prayer for Today
“Father, today I choose to put my trust in You. I know that You are a good and faithful God, and I trust that You have my best interest at heart. Help me stay focused on Your goodness today in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
The opposition UPND has called on the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to stop the ongoing countrywide registration of voters until the issuance of National Registration Card (NRC) is completed.
UPND Deputy Spokesperson Edwin Lifwekelo has since petitioned Electoral Commission of Zambia Chairperson Justice Esau Chulu to consider putting on hold the registration of voters until the issuance of NRC’S is complete in all designated areas.
Mr Lifwekelo said the issuance of National Registration Cards being supervised by Home Affairs Minister Davies Mwila was to greater extent a sham especially in areas perceived to be opposition strong holds.
“We can only assume maybe it’s because the Minister responsible Davies Mwila is a PF cadre and would like to disadvantage the opposition. We wish to serve a warning that UPND with other political parties and stakeholders will not take kindly to this ploy and will not hesitate to seek a court order restraining ECZ from proceeding with the registration of voters if Issuance of NRCs in other provinces is not abandoned for now,” Mr Lifwekelo warned.
He said Government is fully aware that a lot of first time voters especially the youths are eager to obtain NRC’s and subsequently register as voters.
“This is their democratic right which they must exercise without fear or favour,” Mr Lifwekelo observed.
And Mr Lifwekelo has urged UPND members that they are free to wear party barrettes which form part of the party uniform, explaining that the directive by the Patriotic Front (PF) leadership to ban the use of barrettes was purely an internal matter and police should stop misleading the public by claiming that barrettes have been banned.
“The PF directive was very clear, that they had been infiltrated by criminal elements within their file and ranks who were using PF barrettes to rob people hence the ban. Our uniform has a UPND symbol embedded on them and police can easily identify our members. Otherwise police must stop intimidating our members who have nothing to do with criminals that have infiltrated PF.”
Wynter Kabimba
Rainbow Party General Secretary, Wynter Kabimba, says there is need to transform the governance system into a society that offers equal opportunities for all.
Addressing party officials in Livingstone , Mr. Kabimba says capitalism has not worked for Zambia in the last twenty four years because it gives selective opportunities.
Mr. Kabimba says socialism is the best system for Zambia as it gives equal opportunities to all citizens without discrimination.
Meanwhile Mr. Kabimba has implored his members to go flat out and campaign ahead of the 2016 tripartite elections.
Mr. Kabimba told his members that it takes hard work and serious mobilization for any party to win general elections.
Mr Matt Pascal First Quantum Minerals Director of Operation with President Edgar Lungu during the Tour of Kansanshi Mine PLC in Solwezi on Friday 15-05-2015 Picture EDDIE MWANALEZA /STATE HOUSE.
Several mining firms on the Copperbelt and North Western Provinces are threatening to scale down on their operations following the numerous challenges that the mining sector is facing.
Mine Workers Union of Zambia -MUZ- General Secretary Joseph Chewe has further disclosed that several jobs in the mining sector have been lost in the last few days as a result of operational challenges affecting mining houses.
Mr Chewe fears that more jobs in the sector will be lost if government does not engage mining firms to discuss the current operational challenges.
Mr Chewe has cited falling metal prices on the international market and the current power deficit as some of the challenges affecting mining firms.
He said the operational challenges might compel mining houses to reduce on their production capacities.
Mr Chewe has disclosed the development at a media briefing in Kitwe today.
He has further disclosed that First Quantum Minerals of Solwezi has since effected a number of job cuts at the mine.
Meanwhile, MUZ has asked President Edgar Lungu to engage mining firms on how best to save the hundreds of jobs that are on the line in the mining sector.
Mr Chewe has accused government of not showing political will in handling the challenges in the mining sector.
He has further revealed that NFCA mine in Chambishi on the Copperbelt has also informed the union on impending job cuts if problems in the sector are not addressed.
Mr Chewe could however not disclose the number of jobs that have been lost so far in the mining sector.
Meanwhile, Livingstone District Commissioner, Omar Munsanje, says government under President Edgar Lungu, is fully committed to alleviating poverty across the country especially among vulnerable women in rural areas.
Mr. Munsanje says government has put women empowerment and protection top on its agenda through various programmes in government ministries.
Speaking during the Southern Province business expo for women, Mr. Munsanje said government will continue supporting initiatives aimed at empowering women.
And Assistant Director-Planning at the Ministry of Gender and Child Development, Nobert Bukoka, says the ministry is committed to helping women and other vulnerable groups alleviate poverty.
Mr. Bukoka says the Ministry of Gender in partnership with the Ministry of Community Development has been giving out grants and hammer mills to women in a bid to reduce their suffering.
The Southern Province business Expo for women has attracted fifty women groups across the province.
Out of the fifty women groups, five have been selected to participate at the National Expo to be held in Lusaka later this year
FILE: UPND president Hakainde Hichilema with his counterparts from Nevers Mumba from MMD and Edwin Sakala (R)from Zambia Direct Democracy Movement (left).
The opposition Zambia Direct Democracy Movement (ZDDM) has expressed concern by reports suggesting that huge pieces of land in the Country are quietly being sold to foreigners.
ZDDM is troubled that this is happening when other countries in the region such as South Africa and Botswana have resolved not to sell even an inch of their land to any foreigner.
In a statement to Qfm News ZDDM President Edwin Sakala has also expressed his party’s sadness over the unending trend in the country where people have continued wasting their time and energy insulting each other and blaming their leaders on issues that are of global nature.
Mr. Sakala states that his party has taken note that leaders in government are receiving insults over economic shocks coming from climate change and trends on global markets.
He says ZDDM believes that a country like Zambia which has a small population is supposed to enjoy one of the highest and best quality of life on the African continent it being endowed with mineral wealth.
Mr. Sakala says his party therefore prays that Zambians realize as quickly as possible that the culture of bickering and insulting each other is only working to the advantage of foreigners who have already occupied most of their prime land in the country.
He says the ZDDM will also continue to advocate for a Federal system of government which can provide for each of the 10 provinces having their own semi-autonomous governments to raise awareness that their land is being taken away as they waste time and energy on fighting for power.
