Members of the Grand Coalition on the Campaign for a People Driven Constitution in Zambia today, 17 th September, 2015 lodged a petition before Minister of Justice, Hon. Ngosa Simbyakula, demanding for an immediate stop to plans to table the Constitutional Bill in Parliament when it assumes sitting tomorrow, 18th September, 2015.

This is according to the statement signed by Grand Coalition Spokesperson McDonald Chipenzi.

The Grand Coalition and its constituents are concerned that the government, has deliberately disregarded the citizens’ views submitted to the Technical Committee on the constitution making process during its consultations at individual, district, provincial and national levels, and trashing all the efforts, time and public resources invested into this process since November 2011.

“We, the signatories below, representing a cross section of citizens from all sectors and all walks of life, write to you to demand that the Government of the Republic of Zambia, through your office, immediately stop your plans to table the Constitutional Bill in Parliament” reads the petition in part.

The petitions submitted today were signed by 1,009 citizens. At the time of the presentation, more signatures from the provinces were on the way to be delivered at the Ministry of Justice and the signature submission to the Ministry will be ongoing

The Grand Coalition petitioners were led by Vice Chairperson Sara Longwe, Spokesperson McDonald Chipenzi, as well as Steering Committee members Guess Nyirenda, Pamela Chisanga, Lewis Mwape and Shadrick Chembe. The submission of the petition was also witnessed by more than 60 students and youth activists, and members of the various coalitions that make the Grand Coalition.

Below is the fill petition:

 

Grand Coalition petitions Justice Minister to stop plans to table Constitution Amendment Bill

Dear Hon. Ngosa Simbyakula, Minister of Justice,

We, the signatories below, representing a cross section of citizens from all sectors and all walks of life, write to you to demand that the Government of the Republic of Zambia, through your office, immediately stop your plans to table the Constitutional Bill in Parliament We, as representatives of citizens, are concerned that the government, through your office, has deliberately disregarded the citizens’ views submitted to the technical committee on the constitution making process during consultations at individual, district, provincial and national levels, and trashing all the efforts, time and public resources we have invested into this process since November 2011.

The constitution is the supreme law of this land. It is our only tool as citizens for determining the way we would like to be governed, and to hold to account leaders like yourself.

Honourable Minister, the Patriotic Front while campaigning for election in 2011 promised us a NEW CONSTITUTION that “reflects the will and aspirations of the people which would be adopted through a referendum within 90 days, and which could stand the test of time has once more eluded the Zambian people”. This, Honourable Minster is contained in your party manifesto on page 42, Clause 22.

Now 45 months on, we still do not have a new constitution. Instead, you want to amend the constitution leaving out the fundamental issues that give rise to a new constitution. Why is the Government, through your office and at the expense of public interest and in defiance of the people’s will, anxious to take a risky route to enact an amended constitution using your in-built majority representation through parliament?

Please find below some of the people’s demands:

i. We demand that the Constitution Bill should not go to Parliament.
ii. We demand that you immediately present a clear legal framework to protect the constitution making process.
iii. We demand that the government stops tampering with the people’s final draft constitution as released by the Technical Committee that drafted the document.

PLEASE STOP THIS DECEPTIVE PARLIAMENTARY ROUTE TO DELIVERING AN AMENDED CONSTITUTION FOR ZAMBIA.

Sincerely,
Concerned citizens and organizations

The origin of graffiti art can be traced to the ancient Egypt and Greek empires.
In early years graffiti was initially engraved on rock surfaces and seen as a sign of ancient civilization.
Today the art form has taken a new twist and flourishes on western hip-hop street culture.
Contemporary graffiti is usually spray-painted on the sideline of public and unkempt city spaces where it is normally seen as a nuance.
In some European cities graffiti is notoriously sprayed on the main stream city walls and on moving trains.
Although this art genre is not common in Zambia, some traces of it with vivid western influence can be spotted in some isolated areas of Lusaka and some Copperbelt towns.
Being an art form that flourishes on the wrong side of public space most graffiti artists work under the cover of the night.
But there is one local graffiti artist who seems to be determined to put his work on canvas and share it with his fans at conventional platforms.
Dwain Whitaker, Zambia’s likeness of America’s Barry McGee, has already exhibited his works at Henry Tayali and Alliance Francaise art galleries in Lusaka.
To further defy graffiti traditional trends of tagging on public walls and unkempt surroundings, Dwain has a clean online portal where he shares his creative passion.
The emerging artist is one of the few local artists utilizing the social media to showcase their work.
In one posting on his face book page, Dwain, shares a picture of a carton box full of spray cans with a caption; “The excitement that comes with a new paint shipment is unbearable, the possibilities are endless. 16 square meters of canvas and a 50 can rainbow of spray paint…”
Indeed, they seem to be endless possibilities with Dwain’s graffiti works.
Take for instance the series of works including a large graffiti done four panels which he painted during the 3-day Street Cultural festival that took place at National Sports Development Complex ground in Lusaka last week.
Dwain’s graffiti works radiated some unique creative energy and laterally gave the   backdrop of the whole street cultural event.
Street culture was an ideal of Elijah Zgambo and Kapambwa Siame to create a platform for the youths to celebrate dance, rap and skate boarding.
This year’s festival attracted some 2000 youths who celebrated the hip- hop culture.

(Daily Mail)

Former Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) national secretary Muhabi Lungu has decided to retire from active politics.
Mr. Lungu said he had decided to leave politics to the champions.

“I have decided to go on a quieter side, I am semi-retired until further notice but for now I have decided that let others be champions,” he said.

Mr. Lungu said the decision to retire was his personal choice.

He said he just decided to take a different side of life away from politics.

“It is just a personal choice, we all make those personal choices sometimes, I have done this before, so it’s just a personal choice for me to take a different side of life for a little while,” Mr. Lungu said.

And when asked whether the MMD current leadership was the reason for his decision to retire from politics, Mr. Lungu said he did not want to comment on anything pertaining to politics.

“I don’t want to comment on anything to do with politics at the moment; I just want to watch,” he said.

Mr. Lungu however said he would announce his comeback if he decided to return to active politics.

“When I am ready to get involved, I will let you know but as for now my intentions is just to be a normal private citizen,” he said.

THE United Party for National Development (UPND) has described as political harassment the arrest and detention of Patriotic Front (PF) Chongwe Member of Parliament Sylvia Masebo who on Tuesday attempted to escape from lawful custody at Woodlands Police station.

UPND president Hakainde Hichilema it was sad that Ms Masebo had been arrested for only walking from court to her house with her sympathisers and was harassed by the police at Woodlands Police station for telling them that she wanted to go to her home to collect her medication.

Mr Hichilema said the political persecution Ms Masebo was being subjected to, the hate speech and vulgar language including violence only served to increase political tension in the country and scare away investors.

Mr Hichilema said in a democratic country like Zambia, differences in opinions should always be encouraged because it was a platform where the best alternatives and policies to manage the economy were advanced.

“Persecuting political opponents, hate speech, vulgar language, violence only serve to increase tension in the country and scare away potential investors. This creates political instability and in a democracy like Zambia, differences in opinions must be encouraged based on who has the best and superior alternatives and policies to fix the economy and not to fix perceived political opponents. We are praying and stand with Ms Masebo and the people of Chongwe in these trying moments,” Mr Hichilema said.

And UPND presidential spokesperson Edward Mumbi said Ms Masebo was being politically harassed because she had differed with her political party, the Patriotic Front (PF) over the manner they were governing the country.

Mr Mumbi told journalists at the Magistrate Court yesterday that Ms Masebo was nothing but a victim of political persecution, stating that the culture was only promoting disunity in the country and should therefore be condemned.

He said if Ms Masebo had committed any crime as the police were claiming, they should have allowed her to appear before the court so that she could be heard.

“Ms Masebo is a PF member of Parliament and she is being treated like a common criminal purely because she has differed with her party in the manner they are governing. She is a victim of political persecution and this has been the culture and the nature of our politics in the last decades. We cannot continue with vengeance and retribution based on political differences and this culture is just destroying our unity and oneness. We have been reliably been informed that there is political interference in this matter because if Ms Masebo had committed any crime, she should have been allowed to come to court to be heard,” Mr Mumbi said.

Mr Mumbi said the UPND had been informed that the police had received instructions from high command ordering them not to take Ms Masebo to court for her attempting to escape from lawful custody case.

Ms Masebo was however released from police custody after appearing before magistrate Lameck Mwale and given bail of K10 000 in her own recognizance and will appear in court for mention on 1st October, 2015 and trial will commence on 9th through to 10th November, 2015.

SOUTHPAW tells the riveting story of Billy “The Great” Hope, reigning Junior Middleweight Boxing Champion of the World . Billy Hope seemingly has it all with an impressive career, a beautiful and loving wife (Rachel McAdams), an adorable daughter (Oona Laurence) and a lavish lifestyle. When tragedy strikes and his lifelong manager and friend leaves him behind, Hope hits rock bottom and turns to an unlikely savior at a run-down local gym. 

PROS

• Excellent performances by Jake Gyllenhaal and Rachel McAdams.
• Interesting and gripping story line.
• The boxing scenes were shot very well and did a good job of really putting you in the shoes of the fighters.

CONS

• The movie was a bit predictable .

FAVORITE QUOTES

Billy Hope: When I was twelve years old there was this little girl, she was skinny, she had ratty hair, she had been through it. She stuck with me when I was incarcerated a couple of times, and I knew she was there. I wouldn’t be here without my wife Maureen.

Maureen Hope: Billy Hope knows how to take a punch, but he also drops bombs.

CONCLUSION

SOUTHPAW is an incredible movie about a man who goes from having nothing ,to having everything he desires ,only to have it all taken away. At its core it is a boxing movie , but it goes deeper into the life and trials of Billy Hope .
Jake Gyllenhaal was fully committed to this character , To get into shape for his role he underwent a grueling training routine, working out six hours a day, and completing 14,000 sit ups every week ,he gained 15lbs (33kg) of muscle!

Southpaw may be a little predictable , but that is not a bad thing . You will really get emotionally invested in the main character ,Billy Hope, and go with him through his tough journey .

RATING 

5 out of 5

BY KAPA187