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POLICE in Western Province have charged United Party for National Development (UPND) Sesheke Central member of Parliament (MP) Siyauya Sianga and three others with possession of offensive weapons.
Mr Sianga was allegedly part of a group of people who attacked Patriotic Front (PF) secretary general Davies Chama and his entourage in Mulobezi on Saturday.
Western Province commissioner of police Standwell Lungu said in an interview yesterday that Mr Sianga, Gerald Imenda and Godfrey Likamba have been released on bond and will appear in court either today or tomorrow.
Mr Lungu said Mushaukwa Mushaukwa is still nursing a gunshot wound under police guard at Sesheke District Hospital but that his condition is stable.
“We have charged the suspects with one count of being in possession of offensive weapons and they were released yesterday [Sunday] in the afternoon on police bond,” he said.
He appealed to political parties to conduct peaceful campaigns and to help police maintain law and order before, during and after the parliamentary by-elections.
“Any cases of violence must be reported to the police and we will not allow individuals who will perpetrate violence to go scot-free,” Mr Lungu said.
The four allegedly attacked Mr Chama and his entourage as they were driving to the campaign centre in Mulobezi.
Police spokesperson Charity Chanda said a pistol and other offensive weapons were found in a vehicle suspected to belong to Mr Sianga.
TWO criminals have been gunned down by Police in Lusaka while two Sub Way foods workers have been injured in the confusion that ensured during a robbery at Twin Palm mall in Salama Park Lusaka Police commissioner Charity Katanga confirmed the incident in an interview and said the two criminals were gunned down after an exchange of fire with a paramilitary officer who accompanied an Amaguard security vehicle that went to collect cash from Shoprite at Twin Palm mall.
“The criminals were trailing a Toyota single cab registration number ALP 5794 belonging to Amaguard Security Company which was being driven by Donald Mawili of Chawama Township and was going to collect cash from Shoprite store,” she said.
Ms Katanga explained that when the Amaguard vehicle parked to collect the money, the two security officers went to collect money from Shoprite and after collecting the cash box, two men appeared one with an AK 47 assault rifle while the other was armed with an iron bar.
“The one with an iron bar threatened to hit the man carrying the cash box but the security officer resisted to surrender the cash box. This prompted the man which an AK47 to point the gun at the security officer who dropped
the cash box,” she narrated.
She added that the paramilitary police officer who was standing outside sensed danger and charged at the criminals and managed to shoot the criminal with an iron bar in the leg while they exchanged fire with the one carrying an AK47 who dropped the gun while escaping the scene with the cash box. The injured criminal managed to charge at the police officer but was shot dead.
“Our police officers gun developed a fought but he
managed to get the criminals gun which he used to shoot the same criminals down while the other two who were in the Spacio managed to escape with K337, 000 cash,” she said.
In the confusion two Sub Way workers Nicholas Kachinga and Mwandu Kaluba were shot in the upper arm and the stomach and are admitted at Levy Mwanawasa hospital and University Teaching Hospiyal (UTH) respectively.
According to an eye witness who was at the scene during the robbery, the criminals grabbed a cash box from one of the Armcor security officers which he used to hit the same security officer with.
Upon seeing the robbers attack Armcor security officers, a police man twin officer opened fire on the robbers killing two on the spot while others fled.
MISA Zambia Chairperson Hellen Mwale
MISA Zambia says individuals should not be criminalised for merely expressing themselves.
MISA Zambia Chairperson Hellen Mwale said Freedom of Expression is a fundamental right to be enjoyed by all citizens regardless of their background and political orientation as provided for under the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, which Zambia ratified.
Ms Mwale said this in a statement in Lusaka following the decision by the Zambia Police to summon controversial musician Pilato.
“Freedom of Expression is a hallmark of Democracy as its unfettered enjoyment contributes to functional democracy that encourages citizen participation for good governance and accountability.
Good governance and accountability requires that leaders must be amenable to criticism and would thus need a high level of tolerance,” Ms Mwale said.
She added, ‘ It is for this reason that MISA Zambia has continued to advocate for the repeal or amendment of certain sections of the penal code that impede the enjoyment of freedom of expression.
These include provisions in Section 69 on Defamation of the President, Section 53 on Prohibited Publications, section 60 on Seditious Practices among other laws such as the Public Order Act.”
“These legal provisions have been used on several occasions by government functionaries to suppress dissenting views and there by oppress individuals perceived to be opposed to the party in power,” Ms Mwale.
“We therefore call for these laws to be re-examined to allow for increased citizen participation without fear of unnecessary retribution at any given time. MISA Zambia remains committed to its vision of a region in which members of society, individually or collectively are free to express themselves through any media of their choice without hindrance of any kind.”
She said MISA further believes in a system in which Access to Information is unhindered and must be readily available.
Maybin Chama has threatened to resign as coach of FAZ Division One North side Real Nakonde over alleged interference from club officials.
Chama joined promoted Nakonde at the start of the season and has managed to stabilise the club.
Nakonde are fifth on the table with 23 points, six behind leaders Kalulushi, after 13 games.
Speaking after his side lost 2-0 at Kalulushi Modern Stars on Sunday, the ex-Ndola United and Nchanga Rangers player charged that some club officials are involving themselves in team selection.
“I can’t hide you (reporters) there is a lot of interference in team selection. There are some guys (officials) who are trying to make a team for me.
They want me to be putting players even in positions in which they can’t fit,” he said.
Nakonde have so far posted six wins, five draws and two defeats only.
Chama added:”If I pack my bags and go back to where I come from it would be extra disaster.”
“I train the team from Monday up to Friday then somebody comes up to say let’s do this. I have just told them that you guys are employers. You hire and fire, if I fail fire me than try to interfer with my work.”
George Lwandamina heads back to the familiar territory after a five-year hiatus from the Zambia national team.
Lwandamina returns for a second stint as Zambia coach after an unsuccessful two-match reign as interim trainer in 2010 when he failed to lead the team to the 2011 CHAN tournament.
He also served as Zambia assistant coach under Herve Renard from 2008 to 2010.
Lwandamina also led the Zambia Under-20 team to the 2007 FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Canada where the team reached the last 16.
Some the players in that Under-20 team and now Zambia mainstays are defender Stopilla Sunzu including strikers Emmanuel Mayuka and Fwayo Tembo.
Midfielder Nathan Sinkala was part of his unsuccessful 2009 Cosafa Youth Championship team that made a group stage exit in Kimberley.
Lwandamina led the Zambia Under-20 to Cosafa victory in 2003 including two runner-up finishes in 2004 and 2006 where he groomed the likes of Rainford Kalaba, Davies Nkausu, Jacob Mulenga and Clifford Mulenga.
At club level he led Green Buffaloes to runners-up finishes in 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2007.
He won the Barclays Cup with Red Arrows in 2013 that he retained last season when the win the league and Cup double in his first season at his current team Zesco United.
His other previous appointments include Kabwe Warriors, Nchanga Rangers where he was technical director from 2000 to 2001, and Mufulira Wanderers where he won two league titles as Ashios Melu’s assistant in 1995 and 1996.
File: Peasant farmers wait for the Food Reserve Agency to buy their maize
Government has announced that it will only buy 500,000 metric tonnes of maize during this year’s crop marketing season.
Agriculture Deputy Minister, Maxas Ng’onga said government will not extend the buying of maize once it reaches its target of 500,000 metric tonnes.
Mr. Ng’onga explained that unlike the previous years where government was forced to extend the buying of maize after reaching its target, it will stick to its target this year.
He added that every quantity of maize that will be left by government through the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) should be bought by the private sector.
The Agriculture Deputy Minister said this in Kaputa district yesterday when he held a meeting with the business community and members of the Kaputa District Business Association.
He said the decision to only stick to 500,000 metric tonnes was arrived at during meetings held with the Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU), the Zambia Cooperative Union and other stakeholders.
He has since urged the private sector to help government buy the excess maize from farmers.
Inonge Wina
Vice President, Inonge Wina, has appealed to the Africa Export –Import Bank (Afreximbank) to consider financing industries that will engage in value addition.
Speaking at her office today when a delegation from the Afreximbank paid a courtesy call on her, Mrs Wina explained that establishing of industries will help to boost trade and increase the country’s export earnings.
She cited copper, agriculture products and forest products as some of the products that need value addition.
The Vice President lamented that Zambia is dependent on row materials to enhance the need to establish industries that can help add value to local products.
Mrs Wina said Afreximbank is critical in financing the establishment of local industries in the country.
The Vice President further implored Afreximbank to establish a department that will help to promote entrepreneurship.
She stated that most of the women fail to access the services of banks hence the need to establish an entrepreneurship department.
Mrs Wina noted that only big institutions are benefiting from the services of banks while majority of the women are left out.
The Vice President has since saluted Afreximbank for the financial assistance the bank is rendering to Zambian campaigns.
And speaking on behalf of the visiting delegation, Afreximbank President, Jean Louis Ekra, assured the Vice President that his bank will critically look at ways of helping in financing establishment of industries.
Mr Ekra said value addition was a challenge hence the need for the bank to set up a facility that will help with value addition.
Meanwhile Mr Ekra has disclosed that the bank is currently negotiating with the Development Bank of Zambia (DBZ) to acquire land so that the bank can put up a facility that will benefit many people in value addition.
The Afreximbank delegation is in Zambia to attend the Annual General Meeting which will run from the 8th to the 14 of June, 2015.
Zambia is a shareholder of the multilateral financial institution which was established in 1994 by African governments and private institutions.
Cabinet, at its 10th special meeting held at State House today, has approved the Constitution of Zambia 2015 Amendment Bill and the 2015 Constitution of Zambia Bill that seeks to increase the number of elected Members of National Assembly from 150 to 156.
Acting Chief Government Spokesperson, Ngosa Simbyakula, disclosed this at a press briefing when he gave an update.
“At the 10th Cabinet meeting held this morning, Cabinet considered 10 agenda items, among them the Referendum Amendment Bill of 2015, National Disaster Management Policy, National Youth Policy and the Financial and Monetary Affairs,” he said.
Dr Simbyakula, who is Justice Minister, said the increase of six constituencies is as a result of 30 newly created districts across the country, noting that some constituencies were belonging to more than one district.
He said the six constituencies would be in effect after the dissolution of Parliament and that there would be no by elections.
Dr Simbyakula explained that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has been allowed to conduct the delimitation exercise and all the political parties were engaged and unanimously agreed to increase the number of constituencies.
He named some of the newly created districts as Kapoche and Sinda in Eastern Province, Nkeyema, Sioma and Sinjembela in Western Province, Ngabwe in Central, and Chirundu in Lusaka that were sharing constituencies with other districts hence the increase.
And Dr Simbyakula has further disclosed that Cabinet has approved the Referendum Amendment Bill of 2015, the Financial and Monetary Affairs which have allowed the contraction of a US$22,467,000 loan from the African Development Bank towards the implementation of the Lake Tanganyika Basin to help the quality of lives of the basin population.
Under this, there shall be contraction of a K175,310 million Asset Lease facility from Stanbic Bank Zambia Limited for the purchase of motor vehicles and other requisite equipment for government institutions to ease transport and logistical challenges.
The minister said Cabinet approved and revised the National Disaster Management Policy as a result of the emerging pro-active disaster risk and climate change issues.
Other approvals made by Cabinet are the National Resettlement Policy to protect resettlement schemes from illegal land allocation to create stable and sustainable human settlements, the National Youth Policy of 2015 to bring it in line with the African Youth Charter and other international statutes.
Under this policy, Cabinet has revised the definition of a youth from 15 to 35 from 18 to 35 years of age.
Dr Simbyakula said in order to actualise the National Youth Policy of 2015, Cabinet has approved the Action Plan for Youth Empowerment and Employment which strategises government’s vision of creating jobs and empowerment opportunities for the young people.
He added that Cabinet has approved the issuance of a Statutory Instrument to raise the minimum paid up share capital for insurance companies to enable them grow their capital base, develop by required to under-write mega risks.
The Acting Chief Government Spokesperson said Cabinet has introduced a Furniture Loan Scheme in order to reduce government expenditure on the procurement of VIP furniture at residential places for state’s Very Important Persons (VIPs).
Janza’s dismissal comes just five days before Zambia plays Guinea Bissau in the two sides opening 107 Africa Cup Group E qualifier this Saturday at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
Janza was dismissed upon arrival on Monday afternoon from Addis Ababa just 24 hours after beating Ethiopia 1-0 in a friendly.
He has been replaced by George Lwandamina.
The Zesco United coach will be interim charge of the team and will be assisted by Fighton Simukonda.
Assistant coach Kampamba Chintu and goalkeeper trainer Davies Phiri keep their jobs
“The Football Association of Zambia has made a change in the top leadership of Chipolopolo. Honour Janza has reverted to his position of technical director and in his place we have appointed George Lwandamina,” FAZ executive committee member Happy Munkondya said during a press briefing at Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe Airport in Ndola just after Zambia touched down from Ethiopia ahead of Saturdays game there against Guinea Bissau.
“We thought it was inevitable that at this period in time of our football in Zambia to make this change. We are very mindful of the fixture that is coming.This decision was important to make because of certain obvious issues we could not ignore as the Football Association of Zambia.”
Janza was not on the flight with the team and instead took another direct flight to Lusaka to meet his fate.
Janza has won eight, draw and lost five games.
Meanwhile, Lwandamina was introduced to his players at the airport in Ndola and will hold his first training session on Tuesday at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe where the team will be camped.
A highly disturbing video showing a police officer harassing kids at a pool party has been making rounds on social media.
The video shows a police officer of the Dallas suburb of McKinley shoving teenage kids at a local communal pool to the ground and handcuffing them.
Police were allegedly called to the community pool because teenagers were causing a ‘disturbance’ in the area.
According to Brandon Brooks, who uploaded the video on Youtube, the police were called to the predominatly white suburb following a fight between ‘a mom and a girl’.
“A fight between a mom and a girl broke out and when the cops showed up everyone ran, including the people who didn’t do anything,” he wrote on Youtube.
“So the cops just started putting everyone on the ground and in handcuffs for no reason. This kind of force is uncalled for especially on children and innocent bystanders.”
The police arrived and commanded everyone to ‘get on the ground’. The officer in question then handcuffs a couple of the teenagers.
The video also shows the said police officer shoving one teenager to the ground and yelling at him to stay down before rushing to a teenage girl in a bikini, grabbing her by the arm and shoving her to the ground.
He then places his knee on her back.
Two black guys came towards the officer to help the teenage girl and he pulled a gun on them.
Police in Lusaka have formally arrested Copperbelt based Musician Chama Fumba over his politically charged song ‘A Lungu Anabwela’ for allegedly defaming President Edgar Lungu.
The musician arrived at Lusaka Central Police Station with two lawyers and has been denied bond. He is expected to appear in court soon.
In the track, the artist chronicles the rise of a little known politician from the sprawling Lusaka township of Chawama to become Zambia’s President in waiting after the PF’s founding leader Micheal Sata’s death.
In apparent reference to President Lungu, he goes on to mock the recent merger of the vanquished former ruling party the MMD with the PF through numerous by-elections.
Meanwhile MISA Zambia says individuals should not be criminalised for merely expressing themselves.
MISA Zambia Chairperson Hellen Mwale said Freedom of Expression is a fundamental right to be enjoyed by all citizens regardless of their background and political orientation as provided for under the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, which Zambia ratified.
Ms Mwale said this in a statement in Lusaka following the decision by the Zambia Police to summon and arrest controversial musician Pilato.
“Freedom of Expression is a hallmark of Democracy as its unfettered enjoyment contributes to functional democracy that encourages citizen participation for good governance and accountability.
Good governance and accountability requires that leaders must be amenable to criticism and would thus need a high level of tolerance,” Ms Mwale said.
She added, ‘ It is for this reason that MISA Zambia has continued to advocate for the repeal or amendment of certain sections of the penal code that impede the enjoyment of freedom of expression. These include provisions in Section 69 on Defamation of the President, Section 53 on Prohibited Publications, section 60 on Seditious Practices among other laws such as the Public Order Act.”
“These legal provisions have been used on several occasions by government functionaries to suppress dissenting views and there by oppress individuals perceived to be opposed to the party in power,” Ms Mwale.
“We therefore call for these laws to be re-examined to allow for increased citizen participation without fear of unnecessary retribution at any given time. MISA Zambia remains committed to its vision of a region in which members of society, individually or collectively are free to express themselves through any media of their choice without hindrance of any kind.”
She said MISA further believes in a system in which Access to Information is unhindered and must be readily available.
United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema has accused PF Secretary General Davies Chama of attempting to assassinate his party’s candidate in the Mulobezi constituency parliamentary by-election Hastings Sililo.
Briefing journalists this morning on the Mulobezi political violence, Mr Hakainde said Mr. Chama aimed at shooting the UPND candidate when he allegedly fired his gun, but ended up hitting an innocent person who is now in hospital nursing a gunshot wound.
Mr. Hichilema said it is unfortunate that Mr. Chama’s driver is the one has been implicated in the shooting when it was Mr. Chama who allegedly discharged more than five bullets from his firearm.
Mr. Hichilema said the violence in Mulobezi was perpetrated by the ruling PF contrary to reports in some sections of the media that it was the UPND which instigated the violence.
He has since challenged Inspector General of Police Stella Libongani to tell the nation why Mr.Chama was not arrested and his gun released after it was confiscated following the shooting incident.
Mr. Hichilema said President Edgar Lungu ought to know that he will be judged harshly when he leaves office for failing to govern the people of Zambia as expected.He added that there is no doubt now that the PF are serious about reverting Zambia to a one party state.
Speaking at the same event, Friends of Edgar Lungu Director Emmanuel Chilekwa who recently defected to the UPND, has challenged the PF Secretary General to tell the nation the source of the 150 vehicles the ruling party recently imported into the country.
Mr. Chilekwa has alleged that part of the recent loan contracted from China is meant to be used for the PF campaigns for 2016 general elections.He said President Edgar Lungu will be answerable to the people of Zambia when he leaves office.
Local fisherman on Zambezi-Kafue River intersection near Kiambi Lodge, Lower Zambezi
WEEKLY POLICY ISSUE
Recently, the Deputy Minister of Energy announced that Zambia plans to reduce its hydropower generation by up to 600 MW if water levels continued dropping. Similarly, the Minister of Agriculture told us that one of the reasons for reduced crop output in the 2014/2015 agriculture season was the poor distribution of rainfall and prolonged dry spells. Load shedding and increased food insecurity will be experienced despite the country having 40% of the fresh water in Southern Africa. This water is contained in our lakes, rivers (surface and underground), and streams that snake around the width and breadth of our country. The Zambezi River boasts of being the fourth longest river in Africa and the largest flowing into the Indian Ocean from Africa. Lake Tanganyika is the second largest freshwater lake in the world by volume and is also the second deepest lake in the world. Lake Kariba is the largest man-made lake in the world. These water bodies and hundreds of others make up the 40% fresh water of Southern Africa.
Despite this abundance of water, a recent UNICEF report says that 4.8 million Zambians have no access to clean water and 6.6 million people are without access to sanitation facilities.
These are startling figures. It is almost unbelievable that after 50 years of independence and relative peace, so many people still have no access to clean water and sanitation. This is not surprising as we are dealing with a PF government that is founded on false promises, no discernible vision or agenda and indeed led by a president who has time and again professed that he has no vision for the country. It should not surprise us when in this trial-and-error approach we are being led to policies that were rejected by the Zambian people in 2011. So, it does not surprise us that a lot of our people, especially in the high density areas, struggle to find water to drink and for basic home chores. We must hasten to point out that even those who live ‘ku mayard’ sometimes go for days without a drop of water from their taps. We have already demonstrated in our previous policy issue on “Cutting Your Coat According To Your Cloth”, how money to buy one Landcruiser for a senior government official can be used to sink 60 boreholes that would provide safe water to hundreds of people in our villages. Lack of access to safe water has consequences, especially on the health of the citizens.
Beyond domestic and industrial use, water conservation should be our default way of life. How can this water that we let flow to the Indian Ocean in millions of liters each day add value to our economy? This water can be conserved and be used for irrigation in order to boost our agriculture. As it is, planting of most crops in Zambia is seasonal, meaning we mostly depend on rainfall, yet our weather can support crop production throughout the year. Let me give you an example: we produce our maize once every 12 months yet with a crop that matures at 150 days it is possible to grow maize three times a year. Imagine us ideally producing 9 million metric tons of maize a year. This is not theory, it is being done; go to Soweto Market anytime of the year, there will be fresh maize, so it just requires scaling up. We have enough expertise in the country to build dams and canals to harvest the water that we are letting off and produce enough food for domestic consumption and export. We must point out that this aspect of infrastructure creation presents an opportunity for enterprising Zambians to build the dams and canals. They can then go into joint ventures with farmers to produce food using their water.
A key cornerstone of regional projects is finding one country’s competitive advantage that has a potential to benefit neighbouring countries.
Zambia can, through the construction of pipelines, export water to the water-deficient neighbours.
Some countries are already in negotiations with Angola to have Angola export water to those countries. A project like this has great potential to generate foreign exchange for Zambia. Lesotho Highlands Water Project, by which the Mohale Dam was constructed through a joint venture between Lesotho and South Africa, supplies water to South Africa is one such project. In Europe too, Russia exports natural gas to Western Europe via a pipeline that is several thousands of kilometers long. It has been and it can still be done. Abundance of water is the major component of any hydroelectricity generation project. This country has not exploited the full potential of its body of waters, especially in the northern part of Zambia, to be self-sufficient in electricity supply. It is amazing that with such potential, power black outs have become the rule rather than the exception in this once net exporter of power.
Another point; have we explored our water bodies to determine what kind of marine life they contain? Do we have all our species of fish well documented? What is the potential for aquaculture in our lakes and rivers? Fish is a very good source of protein. There is no reason we would not have enough of it to meet our nutritional deficit. Zambia consumes 100,000 metric tons of fish every year, yet it only produces 70,000 metric tons. The rest is imported, further putting pressure on the already weak currency. What about extensive geological surveys to determine whether we have minerals or oil under our river beds? These activities are all potential sources of employment for our youth. I also see the need to diversify our faculties at institutions of higher learning to include Marine Biology, Limnology – the study of inland waters – and other related disciplines in order to impart water management skills.
Lastly, our lakes and rivers can be used for transportation and recreation. People and goods can move from one town to another using boats. Travelling from Samfya to Chilubi is being done by boat albeit being unsafe. Our responsibility is to ensure that water transport is very safe. Water sports such as swimming, canoeing, boating and jet skiing could provide recreation. This is what happens in Durban, South Africa. Why can’t we have power boat racing on Lake Bangweulu?
There could be other uses for the water that Zambians can think of. We have more than enough of it. The problem is the PF Government spends too much time on non-developmental matters, such as enforcing the Pubic Order Act and pursuing absurd ideas like a return to a one-party state instead of providing an environment for creative thinking. Zambian are not short of ideas, it is the PF Government that has failed to provide a platform for Zambians to freely express themselves.
Would Bob Marley have been singing about our situation when in the song “Rat Race” he says, “In the abundance of water, the fool is thirsty?”
Here are a few ways a UPND led government would harness this resource:-
Investment in irrigation. This is one area that has been totally ignored by successive governments. Zambia cannot be importing potatoes when they can be grown all year round. Basically Zambia should not import any agriculture food stuff except that which cannot be grown in Zambia. I spoke about this in my previous submission on agriculture reform
Water, like every other natural resource, can be exploited for export. Zambia can export water to any of the neighbouring countries. Zambezi is a shared river, but Kabompo, Kafue, Chambeshi and Luangwa are not, so why can’t we export the commodity.
Water can be harnessed to bring in tourists. These water bodies are potential sources of therapy from the ever stressful world. That alone can earn us foreign exchange if marketed properly.
We take water seriously. Water is life, so the saying goes. If you dispute this seemingly innocuous choice of words, try to go a few days without water and you will value the wisdom therein. If water is life, it therefore goes without saying that we must protect and harness this resource. We are blessed and endowed with a lot of natural resources, to therefore explain the poverty in this country is difficult. The level of tardiness and lack of commitment by politicians is appalling to say the least. It’s time for a fresh start and to have a cup of fresh water from the UPND cup of life.
Roberto collaborated with Rwandan duo Two 4real and RAY Signature of Uganda. It’s a good dance-able afro love song titled “Never Let You Go” sec-titled “Sinamureka“,
audio produced by Pastor-P and video directed by Ma-Riva.
Often times stories that come out of Zambians abroad do not reflect the unity that actually exists in our community. On June 3rd Christopher Chibuta died in his sleep. He was only 26 years old at the time of death and he was in the final year studying economics in Canada. His body had to be shipped to Zambia and Sunday June 7th the community started raising money. We needed $5000 to finance the shipping of his body back to Zambia. As of now 11:54 pm on a Sunday the Zambian community in the USA, Canada and UK organized themselves to raise $5000. The entire amount was raised in one day.
Living the diaspora, although its cheaper to bury a Zambian here; often always their family is back in Zambia and we have developed a concept called ” No Zambian left behind;” and through donations we have always managed to send bodies of Zambians who pass while they are abroad back to Zambia. We do this as a community; and we unite all our resources to achieve this.
Christopher was a very ambitious man and had high hopes of becoming an economist as he pursued developmental studies in Canada. He will be missed dearly as he brought wonderful insight to our community. Often times it used to take us about a week to raise $5000; This is the first time that we have managed to raise the entire amount that was needed in one day.
Iam writing this so that we can show what Zambians who are united can achieve. If we transcend this inorganic division such as tribalism or political partyism we can achieve far much greater good for our communities. These divisions only serve to take away from our destinies. I certainly encourage our community in Zambia and other communities of Zambians living in other countries to always look to the shared roots that we all have for our great country and unite to achieve greatness together.
I have included the picture of Christopher as well as the amount that we raised through donations. I think this is a true reflection of what Zambians who are united can achieve.
