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It is government’s responsibility to tackle joblessness, the high cost of living, poverty and hunger in the county by implementing economic policies that benefit communities, says UPND President Hakainde Hichilema.
Speaking when he addressed meetings in Malambo Constituency in Mambwe District of Eastern Province yesterday, Mr. Hichilema also called on citizens to actively play a role in the governance of the country by choosing capable leaders with a clear vision on wealth and employment creation.
The UPND leader, who spoke in local languages drumming-up support for Malambo Constituency candidate Peter Phiri, said Zambians were one united and peaceful people that should not be cheated by selfish politicians that were bent on dividing the nation.
He reiterated his love for all citizens regardless of where they came from and emphasised that his mission was purely to apply his skills in the resource creation and management of the country’s economy.
“Other than failing to generate resources locally and resorting to borrowing, we seriously lack priorities as a country. And as citizens we are also partly to blame because we don’t look at quality leadership but resort to choosing people based on lies that have been told about others. It is time we stop listening to sentiments that divide us as one people,” Mr. Hichilema said.
The UPND leader said farmers across the country were suffering partly because of the leadership choices that have been made.
“Our children are not going to school here in Malambo. The PF government are not buying your crops and other agricultural produce here. But they expect you to enter expensive shops and send our children to schools. The situation is not different anywhere I have been in various parts of the country. The political choices you make here affects everyone in the country as we go to same shops, schools, universities, and look for jobs from the same companies, hence my humble prayer that you consider putting Peter Phiri our candidate here in Malambo as part of the March towards better leadership in 2016,” Mr. Hichilema said.
He said the poor water and sanitation situation obtaining in Malambo and other rural settings were unacceptable especially with a PF government that was borrowing and spending lavishly on motor vehicles, travelling abroad and getting allowances at the expense of supporting and promptly paying farmers so that they can live a decent life.
Mr. Hichilema and his entourage concluded campaigns in Malambo Constituency yesterday and arrived in Petauke late last night after making stopovers in Sinda Constituency where they thanked the UPND team and the people in that area for the victory in the January elections.
The UPND leader called on the leadership to closely work with Sinda Constituency area Member of Parliament Levy Ngoma who he described as hardworking.
He also encouraged them to recruit and embrace new members in the area.
UPND president Hakainde Hichilema buying and eating vitumbuwa at Nyakayokoli village in MalamboUPND president Hakainde Hichilema addresses residents in MalamboUPND parliamentary candidate Peter Phiri interacts with the crowd in MalamboUPND president Hakainde Hichilema interacts with residents in Malambo
A Critical Analysis of the Imperialist Driven Constitution Part 4 – The Art of State Craft
The late President Frederick Chiluba
By Henry Kanyanta Sosala-Chitimukulu
The Art of State Craft
We have read how UNIP used the referendum to get the licence for easily doing everything the government intended to do. And the imperialist-driven constitution is tailored for the capitalist-exploiter to check and easily control the ambivalent movements by which the government would function when their stooges are in control.
The major obstacle for the supposed intellectuals’ breakthrough has been because the so-called ‘’narrow-minded’’ are the king-makers, through ‘’one man, one vote.’’ And 120 parliamentary constituencies out of 150 are in the rural areas.
In fact what is at play in the Mung’omba Draft Constitution is the question of ‘’power.’’ In terms of the issue of where ‘‘power’’ lies has been simple in all the previous Constitutions, which recognized the people, irrespective of their stations in life as being sovereign, but the current draft constitution which was an instrument of the black imperialists and under-written by the capitalist-exploiters looked in an entirely different direction. And it is being hailed as the apotheosis of emergent intellectual nationalism and the concept of equal political rights for every Zambian and more particularly the uneducated sub-human beings (better known in cultivated circles as the ‘’scum and garbage’’ of the nation) have been shot down.
[pullquote]protagonists have now re-defined ‘’democracy’’ to mean ‘’pursuing the interests of the stronger[/pullquote]
Every autocratic and authoritarian scheme of social action rests on the belief that the needed intelligence is confined to a superior few, who because of accumulated wealth or their high level of education are automatically endowed with the ability and the right to control the conduct of others; laying down principles and rules and directing the ways in which they are carried out.
And very surprisingly due to the ideas that developed in the early history of mankind, even in institutions where democracy should be preserved now exist men’s minds and feelings still permeated with ideas about leadership from above. For example, David Assaph Luche wrote:
‘’The church in Africa is currently better placed to begin to shape the destiny of Africa. Sadly the Church in Africa has been bought, compromised, polluted, divided and encroached with all kind of vices’’
(Monitor & Digest 20th July 2007).
The art of ‘’state craft’’ is a set of particular outcomes in which control over state power is cleverly taken away from the poor to attain class objectives and domestic compradorial and parasitic elites under the tutelage, protection and for the ultimate benefit of the capitalist-exploiter.
‘’Statecraft’’ is a concept and a practice that consciously aims to demobilize the people as a motive force for change and treats them as objects; citizens who obey class biased ‘’rule of law’’ and religiously follow directives from a vanguard leadership. The goal of ‘’statecraft’’ is to create a state of democratic, well-governed nation that can meet the needs of their citizens and conduct themselves responsibly (according to the capitalist-exploiter’s rules). This is the best way to provide enduring security, not for the ordinary people, but for the capitalist-exploiter.
In this respect, the protagonists have now re-defined ‘’democracy’’ to mean ‘’pursuing the interests of the stronger.This had to be achieved through the Chiluba regime’s commitment to the Bretton Woods institutions and its imposed restructuring and privatization policies and the so-called ‘’financial stability’’ has only brought more hardships and poverty on Zambians.
For example, an international organization, the National Citizens’ Coalition reported in Social Watch Report 2002:
“When former President Chiluba took office from President Kaunda in 1991, the poverty rate was 56 per cent. When he left the government after ten years, poverty had risen to upward of 80 per cent.’’
On the other hand, the human side of the reforms were not deliberately taken into account by the international institutions or considered sufficiently by the government since the appeal was to speed up privatization, even at the price of widespread corruption, which was condoned by these institutions. And as the Social Watch Report 2002 went on:
‘’Large-scale corruption had diverted resources meant for the people of Zambia, while they watched in sorrow and desperation as their country headed towards becoming the poorest in the world. A characteristic feature of Zambia’s poverty is that the government and the international institutions bred it. Zambia’s poverty did not just happen; it was caused…..Former Chiluba’s government was the most corrupt in the history of this country. Resources that should have been used to improve the people’s quality of life were misappropriated in grand corruption episodes..” (emphasis mine)
According to BBC Focus on Africa monitored on 12th April 2002, Zambia was counted among the ten most corrupt nations of the world. NGOs are funded mostly by Western donors and here is The Posts’ editorial comment on NGOs: “…
the civil society, for more than four years remained largely silent on corruption. And when some members of the civil society spoke on this issue, it was often an attack on those who were making the most humble contribution to this fight and not against the thieves. In short, they started to appear as if they were defending thieves. Thus, sending the wrong message; the wrong signals to our people which confused them.” (ibid., 20th September 2006).
And indeed, corruption has now become the graphic symbol of our society.And corruption is just a deliberate policy to make people docile and manipulative and hence people to be totally submissive to the powers-that-be. The aim is to break the moral fibre of our society.
NGOs are funded mostly by Western donors and hence submissive to the powers-that-be. The Social Watch Report also noted:
‘’Recently, Zambia was admitted to the highly-indebted Poor Country initiative of the IMF/World Bank. A key condition for the HIPC initiative is that government produces a ‘participatory’ poverty reduction plan. But the plan being drawn by the government and the World Bank can in no sense qualify as ‘participatory.’ There is no single face from the poor on the team that is developing the plan. The government simply identified likeable NGOs and put them on the team to make it look like there was grass-roots participation. No one on the team has experienced the insecurity and desperation of being poor.’’
And here is the greatest and shameful scandal: Dr. Kamoyo Mwale, a career intelligence officer disclosed:
‘’…we discovered that the MMD government had changed the printers of our money from Harrison in England to Thomas de la Rue because they did not want Kaunda’s portrait on the money. This sounded very plausible, but later on we discovered that they exploited the loopholes at Thomas de la Rue. So they asked for the first consignment of K6 billion (now K6 million) to be shipped outside the Bank of Zambia arrangement. That money came into circulation in this country. But some of it was already circulating in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo)…..My friend Xaviour Chungu, the new intelligence director whom I was helping in his new position had a correct conscious in the beginning. He saw what the new leaders were doing….getting money directly from the mint….there were many actors involved Katebe Katoto and others.’’ (Sunday Post 26th March 2006).
Please note: A characteristic feature of Zambia’s poverty is that the government and the international institutions bred it. Zambia’s poverty did not just happen; it was caused…
A United Church of Zambia (UCZ) Reverend of Ndola and her husband have died in a road traffic accident in Mwense district after their vehicle overturned and plunged into a stream.
Luapula Province Police Commissioner Hudson Namachila confirmed to ZANIS in Mwense today that Reverend Nosiku Sintengu aged 39 years and her husband Stepehn Chilufya (48) drowned in a stream on the Mwense- Kazembe road around 09:00 hours yesterday.
Mr Namachila said Mr Chilufya, who was driving the vehicle, a Toyota Furncargo, lost control as he tried to avoid a pothole causing the vehicle to plunge into the stream.
Mr. Namachila said the Reverend and her husband are both from Ndola’s Lubuto compound and were travelling from Kawambwa district where they had gone to conduct church services.
Mr. Namachila explained that the accident happened around 09 hours at Mulonga village 15 kilometres from Mwense Boma in chief Lubunda’s area along Mwense- Kazembe road.
He said the vehicle Toyota Funcargo registration number AJC 6612 which was being driven by the late Steven Chilufya overturned and fell into the stream as he tried to avoid a pothole.
The police commissioner said the duo drowned and died on the spot.The bodies of the deceased are in Mansa hospital mortuary awaiting post mortem.
Local Government and Housing Minister Dr. John Phiri has dispelled allegations that Lusaka City Council (LCC) illegally sold nurseries and play parks in the City to private investors.
This follows allegations that LCC sold the Looters Basketball playing field in Lusaka’s Libala area to a Chinese investor at a cost of K12.1 million.
Dr Phiri told Parliament yesterday that there was no irregularities in the sale of the said area as the Council followed correct procedures. The area had many land uses, which included the proposed use.
Members of Parliament questioned Government over the alleged illegal sale of nursery and play parks by the Lusaka City Council, (LCC).
LCC is alleged to have, among others, sold Looters Basketball playing field in Lusaka’s Libala area to a Chinese investor at a cost of K12.1 million.
PF Chongwe MP Sylvia Masebo, in a question for oral answer, asked the Local Government and Housing Minister, John Phiri, whether he was aware that the LCC had recently sold most, if not all, the nursery and play parks to private developers.
She also wanted to know the rationale for disposing of such important public property.
However, Dr Phiri explained to the House that the council followed procedure in disposing of the properties in question.
Local Government and Housing deputy Minister Nicholas Banda earlier told the House that Libala Plot 20435 also known as Looters had remained unused for a long period and the LCC released five hectares of the land to a Chinese company known as Hangfeng.
The company would build a shopping complex, an amusement, basketball and tennis coats.
Dr Phiri said procedure was followed because the area was originally designated for mixed land use and the sale would protect the land from encroachment and boost revenue for the Council.
Ms Masebo also said a nursery situated near State House had been sold but Dr Phiri responded that the issue was still under contention in the courts of law.
Mazabuka Central UPND MP Gary Nkombo asked whether it was Government’s programme to continue leasing botanical gardens and play parks while his Mafinga counterpart Catherine Namugala wondered if Government had investigated the issue of other properties being sold by the LCC.
MMD Mumbwa MP Brian Chituwo asked why it was not necessary for the Council to consult the Government when it disposed of the property and changed land use.
PF Nkana MP Luxon Kazabu asked Government to confirm whether the land was sold and some councilors and some management staff shared the proceeds of the sale.
Dr Phiri said there was no record that some people benefitted from the sale. Dr Phiri explained that the land in question was previously seven hectares and two hectares of the land had since been sold.
Vice President Inonge Wina (c) with Western Province Minister Poniso Njeulu (r) and Belgravia Services Limited Site Manager Collins Kipkorir (l) at the construction site of a modern fuel depot inspecting the work progress in Mongu
VICE President Inonge Wina has described as a disgrace an increasing trend where elderly people are neglected in society and regarded as witches.
Ms Wina said it was sad that the old people were being accused of committing many crimes which they did not commit such as being a witch.
She urged elderly people not to feel neglected because the Patriotic Front (PF) Government was caring for them.
Ms Wina was speaking in Livingstone yesterday when she met and interacted with elderly people at Maramba Old People’s Home.
Maramba Old People’s Home has 45 old people out of which 14 are females and 31 are males.
“Your Government cares for you and we don’t have to see you suffer in the streets and this is why we are keeping you here.
“One of the concerns is that the old people are accused of committing many crimes which they did not commit such as being a witch. This is not true at all and it is a disgrace because we know that the people being accused are innocent,” Ms Wina said.
Ms Wina, who also donated some blankets to old people, said the Government was very determined to ensure that all its citizens were taken care of.
“This is why we have come up with the social transfer cash scheme to make sure the most vulnerable in society are considered in the Government programming.
“It is also not according to Zambian tradition to put your parents in an institution for elderly people as that shows neglect. The nucleus family has come to stay and it is something we have to accept, she said.
Ms Wina noted that husbands and wives were currently were focusing on looking after each other and had no time to care for the old people.
“That is the reality in society but there is still room for families to care for their elderly people who have done everything to provide for their children.
[pullquote]“One of the concerns is that the old people are accused of committing many crimes which they did not commit such as being a witch. This is not true at all and it is a disgrace because we know that the people being accused are innocent,” Ms Wina said.[/pullquote]
“At the end of the day, the elderly cannot look after themselves and it is up to families to really take care of them,” she said.
Southern Province Minister Nathaniel Mubukwanu directed his Permanent Secretary Sibanze Simuchoba to ensure that the Maramba Old People’s Home was budgeted for in next year’s budget.
“I am directing the Permanent Secretary for the province that as we plan for 2016 budget, we should consider allocating some amount towards Maramba Cultural Village even though it falls under a different Ministry,” he said.
Maramba Old People’s Home deputy officer in charge Kazembe Zyambo said the Home needed electric pots to effectively prepare meals for inmates.
“We have 15 very sick people and we have to bathe them and escort to various places to help themselves.
“We are asking for a van in terms of an ambulance to ferry people to the hospital as well as to integrate the old people in communities,” Mr Kazembe said.
TEN people among them four Zambians of Nkole Island in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have drowned on the Luapula River when the boat they were travelling in capsized due to overloading.
Luapula Province Commissioner of Police Hudson Namachila confirmed the development in a telephone interview with ZANIS in Nchelenge yesterday.
Mr. Namachila identified the Zambian nationals that have perished in the accident as 60- year -old Mpanga, 25-year-old Mwila, Ilunga (20) and Chishimba aged 25.
The Luapula Province Police Chief said others who drowned are Bana Kaela, Kafita, Titi and a male juvenile only identified as Davy are among the Congolese nationals that lost their lives in the same accident while six others have not yet been identified.
Mr. Namachila disclosed that four unidentified women reportedly survived and were at Nkole Island in Congo DR while the body of Mpanga had been retrieved and buried by press time.
Mr Namachila said the majority of the victims are believed to be Congolese nationals who met their fate between 20:00 hours on Sunday and the early hours of yesterday on Monday.
He explained that the boat in which the victims were travelling was enroute to Nkole Island in the DRC carrying 14 passengers and laden with bags of cassava when it capsized at Kasase area along the Luapula River because of over loading.
Mr Namachila said Headman Potolo of Kilwa Island on Lake Mweru reported the matter to Police in Nchelenge around 09:00 hours yesterday.
First Quantum Mineral Operations (FQMO) emerged the overall best winners of 2015 labour day celebrations in Solwezi. Above, chiefs and traditional affairs minister Dr Joseph Katema (second right) hands over the trophy to Kansanshi mine public relations manager Godfrey Msiska on Friday in Solwezi.
GOVERNMENT has accused the media of meddling the wrangles between Chewas and Ngonis who are fighting over land in Chipangali settlement area in Chipata District.
Chiefs and Traditional Affairs Minister Dr Joseph Katema said yesterday that some media institutions were taking sides by deepening the differences between the two tribes.
Dr Katema said there was no need for media houses to be siding with one tribe saying doing so was fuelling the differences. He said the media should be seen to be promoting peace and harmony instead of taking sides.
“The role of the media is to promote peace and let me state here that the media is to be blamed for fuelling the differences between Ngonis and Chewas. Some media are taking sides on the differences of the two tribes,”Dr Katema said.
He wondered why instead of promoting harmony in different chiefdoms, the media was seen to be promoting anarchy and tribalism.
Dr Katema however said elders of the two tribes were meeting to resolve the misunderstandings on matter.
Misunderstanding between Chewas and Ngonis over the rightful ownership of Chipangali land has risen.
UPND president Hakainde Hichilema interacts with marketeers in Marapodi township
UNITED Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema has appealed to electorates to vote for Peter Phiri in the June 30th Malambo parliamentary by-election.
Mr Hichilema who is in Mambwe District and drumming up support for UPND candidate said voting for Mr Phiri was the rightful choice.
Addressing a series of meetings in Malambo Constituency on Monday, Mr Hichilema said it was disheartening to see children been sent back from school because parents cannot afford to pay school fees.
He said even the source of income for most rural households such as sale of agriculture produce was completely neglected adding that farmers were being swindled by briefcase business people who were buying maize and cotton at the low prices.
He said there was urgent need for Government to move in and announce the 2015 floor price of maize.
Mr Hichilema who is accompanied by UPND provincial Paul Thole, former MMD provincial Chairperson Alexander Miti and former president Rupiah Banda’s son Andrew said Malambo constituency was suffering due to the leaders who do not understand the basic economic fundamentals and have resorted to massive borrowing in order to repay the earlier borrowed money.
“When they borrow, you don’t even see the money here as citizens. They share the money through inflated Government contracts in projecting instead of paying farmers on time,” he said.
He reminded people to give Mr Phiri a vote as a he was a local citizen of Mambwe.
The UPND leader said the people of Malambo, Petauke Central and Mulobezi constituencies have been orphaned for three years without parliamentary representation due to the Patriotic Front (PF)’s greediness for numbers in National Assembly.
He said the money being wasted for such bye-election should have been paid to the farmers who were taking their children to school.
And Mr Phiri promised to tackle the water problems stating that the people were drinking water from the same points with animals.
He also promised to address the human-animal conflict in the area which he said it was huge source of concern.
A 22-year-old Police officer based at Kasama Central police station has committed suicide after shooting himself using an AK 47 rifle.
The deceased officer has been identified as Constable Boyd Mutale who took his own life yesterday while on duty.
Northern Province Police Deputy Commissioner Alfred Nawa confirmed the incident to ZANIS yesterday.
Mr. Nawa explained that Constable Mutale was found dead in a pool of blood besides the AK 47 rifle while some empty cartridges were also found on the scene.
He said the motive for suicide by the police officer has not yet been established adding that police have since launched investigations into the matter.
The body of Constable Mutale is lying at Kasama General Hospital mortuary awaiting post mortem and burial.
Meanwhile, Mr. Nawa has sent a message of condolences to the beavered family over the death of the youthful police officer.
He said the Zambia Police Service regrets the incidence and wished the deceased officer’s family God’s strength during this difficult time.
In the recent past, cases of suicide have rocked some parts of Northern Province thereby rising concern among members of the public.
Nkeyema district in Western Province has this year produced more than 4,000 tonnes of tobacco worth over US$5 million.
Nkeyema district commissioner Fridah Luhila made the disclosure on the occasion to mark the official opening of the 2015 national tobacco marketing season at the Japan Tobacco International (JTI) Rosewood Sales Floors in Nkeyema yesterday.
In a speech read on her behalf by Nkeyema district administrative officer, Patrick Mweemba, Mrs Luhila said over 2,700 hectares of tobacco was cultivated resulting in a huge injection of money into the district’s economic lifeline.
And Agriculture Minister, Given Lubinda, in a speech read for him by his deputy Maxas Ng’ona, said a total of 33,500 metric tonnes of tobacco valued at approximately US$190.7 million was produced in the country last year.
Mr Lubinda said that it is, however, projected that this year there will be a slight reduction in tobacco production to about 27,000 metric tonnes whose value is pegged at US$155 million.
He said the tobacco industry plays an important role in the nation’s economy and the livelihoods of rural farmers as it employs over 450,000 people directly countrywide.
Mr Lubinda said government recognizes the potential of the tobacco industry to economic development and it is, therefore, making concerted efforts to create an enabling environment for all key players in the sector by introducing various policy and legislative reforms.
He said some of the reforms include the amendment to existing pieces of legislation such as the Tobacco Act and the Tobacco Levy Act in addition to enhancing the knowledge and skills of expertise involved in tobacco production.
Mr Lubinda said the policy and legislative reforms that government has embarked on will contribute to the desired growth of the tobacco industry in Zambia, adding that, increased productivity and enhanced value addition to tobacco is the only avenue through which to increase earnings.
He said that only 13 percent of small-scale farmers have access to credit and commended the tobacco industry for helping small-scale farmers to access finance and credit facilities through the out-grower schemes.
The Agriculture Minister said that government expects that the floor price for tobacco in 2015 will be determined in a transparent and participatory manner with all players in the industry.
Mr Lubinda said that government has noted with sadness, the continued employment of under-age persons in the tobacco industry and urged those involved in the vice to strictly conform to the labour laws of the country.
Meanwhile, Tobacco Board of Zambia (TBZ) Board Secretary, Samson Muyembe, urged tobacco farmers to cooperate with their sponsors by repaying loans, avoiding side-trading and keeping away from illicit trade.
Mr Muyembe said the tobacco industry world-over has marketing challenges arising from over production and over supply and TBZ with its stakeholders should strategically put in place a sustainable tobacco marketing system which will facilitate a fair price for the grower and merchant.
He said there is also need to complete the regulatory reform proceedings that are currently underway to review the Tobacco Acts to align tobacco legislation to the current challenges and contemporary issues affecting the industry.
And JTI Leaf Zambia general manager Mike Roach said the new Rosewood Sales Floors are the most modern tobacco trading facility in Zambia that will allow the company to buy tobacco in more quantities and at a quicker pace.
Mr Roach said this will result in farmers being paid at a faster rate as the facility has been brought close to the farmers and it is an indication that JTI’s investment in Zambia is long-term despite the industry’s ups and downs.
At the same event, Western Tobacco Leaf Association chairperson, Richard Kamocha, said there is need to train farmers in tobacco production as tobacco grading comes with the good grading of the crop.
Mr Kamocha thanked the industry stakeholders for the continued support to farmers and called on government to introduce an initiative such as the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) for tobacco farmers in the country.
He said the PF government’s good agricultural policies have translated in huge investments such as that of JTI which has brought about continued support to farmers and has created jobs.
President Lungu greeting PF Deputy SG Mumbi Phiri
President Edgar Lungu is tomorrow expected in Mozambique to attend that country’s 40th independence anniversary celebrations which take place on 25th June, 2015.
In a press briefing held this afternoon at the Zambian mission in Maputo, Zambia’s High Commissioner to Mozambique Japhen Mwakalombe told journalists that President Lungu’s attendance of that country’s independence anniversary celebrations was important as it signifies the sound relations that exist between Zambia and Mozambique.
Mr. Mwakalombe said President Lungu will be visiting Mozambique for the first time since assuming office in January this year.
He expressed optimism that President Lungu’s visit will further enhance trade between the two countries.
Mr. Mwakalombe further said the President will on tomorrow, 24 June 2015 attend an evening gala which will be held at the Cultural Centre of the University of Eduardo Mondlane in Maputo ahead of the independence celebrations.
On June 25, President Lungu is expected to lay wreaths at the Mozambique Heroes Stadium in respect of that country’s late former first leader of the Front for the Liberation of
Mozambique, Samora Machel and its first leader under the Portuguese government Eduardo Mondlane.
On the same day, the President will proceed to Machava stadium, the venue for the independence celebrations.
Mr. Mwakalombe added that President Lungu will then proceed to Ponta Vermelha palace, the State House of Mozambique, for a luncheon which will be hosted by his counterpart, Filipe Nyusi.
The President’s entourage to Mozambique will include Zambia’s first president Kenneth Kaunda.
Others will be Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba, Special Assistant to the President for Political Affairs Kaizer Zulu and Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations Amos Chanda.
Mr. Mwakalombe has described Dr. Kaunda’s participation in Mozambique’s 40 independence anniversary celebrations as a demonstration of Zambia’s sacrifice towards that country’s fight for independence.
“During the inauguration of President Filipe Nyusi early this year, President Lungu assigned Dr. Kaunda as his representative. Thegovernment of Mozambique acknowledged Zambia’s representation,” he said.
And on the sidelines of the independence celebrations, Mr. Mwakalombe said the ZECSO Acting Managing Director Victor Mundende is expected to hold discussions on how to increase electricity trade within the SADC region.
A former Portuguese colony, Mozambique gained independence on 25 June, 1975 with the late Samora Machel as its first President.
The late Machel died in a plane crash as he was returning from a Frontline States meeting that was held in Lusaka, Zambia in 1986.
Joaquim Chissano and Armando Emilio Guebuza are Mozambique’s former leaders.
Filipe Nyusi, Mozambique’s current President, assumed office in January this year after obtaining 57.3 per cent vote win in the October 2014 presidential and general elections.
With 30 political parties, the Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO) is the major party which has been in power since that country’s independence in 1975.
Former First Lady Dr Christine Sata with chats with Former Zambia’s High Commissioner to Kenya Mumbi Phiri during the Golden Jubilee Anniversary of Zambia’s Independence and the 50th Anniversary of India -Zambia Diplomatic relations in Lusaka on October 18,2014 -Pictures by THOMAS NSAMA
Former First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba has been evicted from the Lodge where she was staying after leaving State House following government’s failure to settle accommodation bills.
This was revealed in Parliament today by Mazabuka Central UPND MP Gary Nkombo who rose on a point of order to ask Government why it is failing to take care of the former First Lady.
Mr Nkombo described the situation as awkward and disclosed that Dr Kaseba is now squatting with her mother in Lusaka’s Libala Township.
‘Mr Speaker is this Government in order to neglect the former first lady to the point that she got evicted from the Lodge she was staying in at Number 8 Reedbuck forcing her to move in with her biological mother at a house in Libala near Sky Park Mall?’
Speaker Patrick Matibini has since asked Mr Nkombo to file an urgent question so that Government can respond to the issue.
Zesco United on Wednesday battle to find a cure to their two-match losing run when they host Nchanga Rangers at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
The defending FAZ Super Division champions have lost their last two successive league matches to see them tumble outside the top two and down to 7th position on 20 points from ten games with four matches in hand.
Zesco suffered their first defeat of the season on June 3 when they lost 2-1 at home against promoted Nkwazi.
They followed this up with a another home loss by the same margin, against another promoted side this time Forest Rangers.
Zesco coach George Lwandamina also finds himself in an awkward situation on Wednesday when he comes against his Zambia assistant coach Fighton Simukonda who is Nchanga Rangers head trainer.
The scene sets-up an uneviable situation for both coaches who have yet to win on the Zambia bench with a draw and a defeat since their appointment on June 8.
Simukonda’s Rangers are third from bottom but are currently on a mini-revival after picking up four points from their last two games.
Elsewhere, 4th placed Power Dynamos host Nkwazi at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe in a battle for second place.
Power are unbeaten in their last five games and will be aiming to pick up their first win after two successive draws to try and topple Nkwazi from second place.
Power and Nkwazi have 21 and 22 points respectively heading into Wednesday’s game.
And in Mazabuka, bottom placed Nakambala Leopards host 10th placed Red Arrows.
The Ministry of Youth and Sport is in the process of developing a comprehensive sexuality education curriculum targeting youths aged between 10 and 24 years who are out of school.
The ministry has since engaged two consultants to help with developing the sexuality education curriculum.
Youth and Sport Permanent Secretary Agnes Musunga observed that youths who are out of school have a higher chance of engaging in sexual activities hence the need to equip them with information and skills on sexual reproductive health.
Ms. Musunga said in a speech read on her behalf by Director for Youth Collins Mulonda that lack of sexuality education curriculum for out of school youths has exposed them to HIV and unplanned pregnancies.
She was speaking in Lusaka today during a stakeholders’ consultation on development of the out of school youth curriculum.
She stressed that once the curriculum is developed, it will help address the challenges faced by adolescents and youths who are out of school.
And speaking earlier, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Deputy Representative Chinwe Ogbonna said the development of the curriculum will help address the many challenges faced by youths who are out of school.
Ms. Ogbonna has since congratulated government for initiating the development of the curriculum which she said will address the sexual reproductive health challenges of the youths that are out of school.
