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About 3500 Lusaka residents,suing as Sata Villa Community have filed a petition in the Lusaka High Court asking the Court to compel President Edgar Lungu to repossess part of Farm 32a/c and 32a/F and allocate the land to them as Zambians.
The residents led by Gift Ng’andwe of House No. F 194 Chelstone Extension as the first petitioner have sued President Edgar Lungu as the first respondent, the Attorney General as the second respondent,Galaunua Farms Limited and eight other Galaun family members.
In their petition filed in the High Court registry petitioners who are residents of Munali constituency argue that the President is sued as first respondent in his capacity as President of Zambia and is only protected from legal proceedings in respect of anything done or omitted to be done in his private capacity as per article 43(1) of the Constitution of Zambia.
They want the Court to determine that President Edgar Lungu as the first respondent has powers and he should exercise them to compulsorily acquire or reposes the 500 hectares for underutilization and underdevelopment from farm land No.32a/c and farm 32a/f from the Galunia Farms Limited and allocate the same to the 3,511 landless poor Zambians.
They also want the Court to determine that the petitioners have equitable interest in the land in question as owners through adverse possession having been given in 1970 and have occupied the land since then.
The residents who are being represented by Lawyers Rabson Malipenga and Company want the Court to determine in the alternative that President Lungu may relocate the Galunia Farms Limited to any farming block for farming activities.
They argued that the land in question which is not being used and underdeveloped has merely been used for borrowing money from Banks through mortgages, backing this argument with figures and the Banks involved among the ZANCO,Barclays Bank and First Alliance Bank.
They have also submitted that the Galunia Farms Limited despite acquiring these farms for agricultural purposes has abandoned agriculture to be selling land as plots at exorbitant prices to the benefit of the two Galaun families to exclusion of the Zambian people.
25 French companies led by the Movement of Enterprises of France (MEDEF) arrived in Zambia on Monday 1st June 2015 to explore investment opportunities in the country. They are seeking for joint venture partnerships in the infrastructure development, banking and finance, energy, water and sanitation, insurance and transport sectors.
The delegation held an Economic Session on Tuesday, 2nd June 2015 at Intercontinetal Hotel in Lusaka where they engaged the Zambian private sector and the Zambia Development Agency. MEDEF will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Zambia Private Sector Association on Wednesday, 3rd June 2015.
The MoU that will lay a framework for cooperation seeks to further promote trade and investment between Zambia and France. MEDEF is the biggest french business council with over 800,000 member companies.This is according to a statement released by Chibwe Chisala,First Secretary – Economic and Trade,Zambian Embassy in Paris.
Meanwhile President Edgar Lungu has said his administration would give investors good incentives in form of reduced tax, non-tax incentives such as investment guarantees, protection agreements and free facilitation for application of permits, licences, land acquisition and utilities.
“If foreign companies operating here in our country closes, we lose as a country, so it’s imperative that we attain a 50 – 50 deal,” President Lungu said.He further assured the visiting French business community that government through the Ministry of Commerce,Trade and Industry would make the business regime favourable.
President Lungu was speaking in Lusaka today when the delegation of French businessmen paid a courtesy call on him at State House.
President Lungu said Zambia should not only be confined to expanding the ‘traditional’ sectors like agriculture and tourism but switch to modern ones in order to grow the economy.President Lungu said Zambia can learn from developed countries like France which has highly explored and developed in newer sectors such as solar energy.
Mr. Lungu said Zambia is cruising to develop her economy to suit that of France and other developed economies because she is endowed with abundant land, water and other natural resources.
The Head of State assured that Zambia is a safe destination and haven for investment and appreciated the private public partnership that exists with government.He said the private sector is the engine of any economy and reiterated his government’s determination to continue wooing investors in the country.
Delegation Leader Gerald Wolf disclosed that the International Movement des Enterprises de France (MEDEF) who are in the country on a fact finding mission would explore opportunities in Zambia with the assurance made by President Lungu.
Mr. Wolf, who is Vice Chairman of the Africa Committee, hinted that Zambia has proved to be a good destination for investment, hence the delegation coming here.French Ambassador to Zambia Emmanuel Cohet pledged to woo more companies from his country to invest in Zambia.Mr. Cohet reiterated his government’s commitment to cementing further the bilateral ties existing between France and Zambia.The French Envoy added that exchange programmes would be heightened with such platforms.
MEDEF International is the most representative organisation of the French private sector at an international level and represents the French Business Confederation (MEDEF) and its 800,000 companies in the world.MEDEF International also gathers more than 6,700 French companies already operating in the world in 77 Business Councils headed by 40 Chief Executive Officers of major international French companies.
Commerce, Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Miles Sampa assured President Lungu and the visiting business executives that his ministry would push the task given to fruition in order to benefit the Zambian people.
Mr. Sampa said investing in Zambia would translate into transforming Zambia’s economy and also creating jobs for the locals.
He disclosed that the visiting business executives would have audience with the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA), Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry-ZACCI and the Zambia Business Forum among others in order to explore the country as it provides the best investment destination in the region.
Education Minister Michael Kaingu has banned suggestive cultural dances in schools.
Dr. Kaingu said cultural suggestive dances have been identified as one of the factors that leds to early marriages.
“As a nation we are concerned about early marriages so if we can spot areas that act as catalysts for early marriages such as these suggestive dances, we should try and stop them,” he said.
Dr. Kaingu said this in Livingstone today in an interview with journalists on the sidelines of the Third Human Resource Summit of the Zambia Institute of Human Resource Management at Zambezi Sun Hotel.
He described early marriages as a scourge that was as serious as HIV and AIDS and if left unchecked, would be detrimental to the development of children in the country.
Dr Kaingu directed Livingstone District Education Board Secretary Zeneliah Chola to ensure his directive was adhered to at local level.
Meanwhile, the Education Minister urged Managements at public institutions of higher learning to put measures in place that will enable them become self-sustainable.
Dr Kaingu said the trend by public institutions of higher learning to push their financial burdens on government would no longer be acceptable as government was not able to resolve their problems.
He advised local public institutions of higher learning to emulate their counter parts in the region by reducing dependency on government and running their institutions in an efficient manner.
Zambian President Mr Edgar Lungu
President Edgar Lungu says Zambia should not only be confined to expanding the ‘traditional’ sectors like agriculture and tourism but switch to modern ones in order to grow the economy.
President Lungu says Zambia can learn from developed countries like France which has highly explored and developed in newer sectors such as solar energy.
President Lungu was speaking in Lusaka today when a delegation of French businessmen paid a courtesy call on him at State House.
Mr. Lungu said Zambia is cruising to develop her economy to suit that of France and other developed economies because she is endowed with abundant land, water and other natural resources.
The Head of State assured that Zambia is a safe destination and haven for investment and appreciated the private public partnership that exists with government.
He said the private sector is the engine of any economy and reiterated his government’s determination to continue wooing investors in the country.
He further assured the visiting French business community that government through the Ministry of Commerce,Trade and Industry would make the business regime favourable.
He said his administration would give investors good incentives in form of reduced tax, non-tax incentives such as investment guarantees, protection agreements and free facilitation for application of permits, licences, land acquisition and utilities.
“If foreign companies operating here in our country closes, we lose as a country, so it’s imperative that we attain a 50 – 50 deal,” President Lungu said.
Delegation Leader Gerald Wolf disclosed that the International Movement des Enterprises de France (MEDEF) who are in the country on a fact finding mission would explore opportunities in Zambia with the assurance made by President Lungu.
Mr. Wolf, who is Vice Chairman of the Africa Committee, hinted that Zambia has proved to be a good destination for investment, hence the delegation coming here.
French Ambassador to Zambia Emmanuel Cohet pledged to woo more companies from his country to invest in Zambia.
Mr. Cohet reiterated his government’s commitment to cementing further the bilateral ties existing between France and Zambia.
The French Envoy added that exchange programmes would be heightened with such platforms.
MEDEF International is the most representative organisation of the French private sector at an international level and represents the French Business Confederation (MEDEF) and its 800,000 companies in the world.
MEDEF International also gathers more than 6,700 French companies already operating in the world in 77 Business Councils headed by 40 Chief Executive Officers of major international French companies.
Commerce, Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Miles Sampa assured President Lungu and the visiting business executives that his ministry would push the task given to fruition in order to benefit the Zambian people.
Mr. Sampa said investing in Zambia would translate into transforming Zambia’s economy and also creating jobs for the locals.
He disclosed that the visiting business executives would have audience with the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA), Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry-ZACCI and the Zambia Business Forum among others in order to explore the country as it provides the best investment destination in the region.
Zambia Railways workers in action during the commencement of the truck rehabilitation programme in Livingstone
Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Yamfwa Mukanga has disclosed that Zambia Railways was scouting for US$8 million to revamp infrastructure and ensure smooth operations of the railway sector in the country.
Mr. Mukanga told journalists in Livingstone that the railway company had informed government that it needed an additional US$8 million to revamp operations.
He said there will soon be a financial injection in the railway sector following discussion which the company and government have been having with some financiers.
“When we had the first discussion with Zambia Railways, they said they needed another 8 million dollars in order for everything to be revamped,” he said.
Mr. Mukanga said government was looking at projects which will contribute to the quick improvement of the sector.
He said Zambians will soon see some positive changes in the sector because the railway company recently procured some machinery using the Eurobond.
He said the company bought two big units tamping machines which are used to straighten the railway line.
The minister said the straightening of the railway line will contribute to increasing the speed of trains thereby improving operations and quickening the transportation of goods.
And Mr. Mukanga has disclosed that former Zambia Railways Chief Executive Officer Muyenga Atanga did not voluntarily resign from his position but was fired by the board.
He stated that Professor Atanga was fired on May 29th 2015 by the board but he decided to write a letter on 31st May stating that he had resigned.
The minister explained that the board had indicated that it was not satisfied with Prof. Atanga’s performance and that there were suspected financial irregularities involved in his leadership.
Mr. Mukanga said no railway project will be affected by the departure of Prof. Atanga noting that the board will soon find a replacement.
Two days ago, Prof. Atanga announced his resignation as Managing Director of Zambia Railways partly stating he was not working well with the board.
A 14 year old boy of Nchelenge district in Luapula province has committed suicide.
Luapula Provincial Commanding Officer (CO) Hudson Namachila said Wisdom Chanda of Kabuta village in Senior Chief Mununga used a neck tie to take his life.
Confirming the incident to ZANIS in a telephone interview today, Mr. Namachila said the juvenile was found hanging in his mother’s house around 07: 30 hours on Monday.
He said the mother to deceased identified as Anna Chisengele had rebuked the juvenile the previous day around 17: 00 hours over missing relish that was reserved for supper.
Mr. Namachila explained that the mother was annoyed when she discovered that someone had eaten the relish that was meant for supper and castigated the juvenile.
He explained that the deceased refused to eat supper that day in resentment and the follow day he defied instructions by the elder sister to sweep the house before he was discovered dead a few minutes later.
Mr. Namachila said the loss of a young life is regrettable but added that police did not suspect any foul play.
My visit this past April to Kafue National Park, the largest park in Zambia and the second largest park in all of Africa, was wonderful and alarming at the same time. I was very much looking forward to this visit because Zambian wildlife is one of my favorite features of your beautiful country. When I was Deputy Chief of Mission at our Embassy in Zimbabwe more than 10 years ago, it was the unique wildlife and ecosystem that sparked my family’s dream to return to southern Africa. But my trip to Kafue National Park, while pleasing to me as a nature-lover, was a wake-up call to the tragedy of wildlife poaching in Zambia. And it will take all of us working together to put an end to this devastating scourge.
Alarming Poaching Crisis
I had primed myself to view some of Zambia’s majestic elephants while I was at Kafue National Park but was disappointed not to see a single one. Later, in talking to Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) officials, to wildlife protection NGOs, and to community members in Kafue, I learned that the Kafue National Park and Game Management Area elephant population is estimated to have been cut almost in half over the past five years due to poaching. It is no secret that the poaching crisis has affected all of southern Africa and that poachers operate within Zambia’s borders. Informal surveys estimate there are no more than 2,000 elephants left within the park boundaries. The criminals who kill this most regal of Zambia’s creatures, taking only its tusks, should be sought out and prosecuted to the fullest extent of Zambia’s law. Zambia’s elephants, rhinos, and other treasured wildlife are for all Zambians to enjoy and appreciate. More, elephants and other wildlife can be a centerpiece of a thriving and profitable tourism industry, employing tens of thousands of Zambians, but only if that wildlife is well-protected.
Even as we drove along the Lusaka-Kaoma road, which lies inside the boundaries of the park, I couldn’t help but think of how Kafue National Park’s wildlife is at risk. Cars, buses, and trucks were speeding along the road. Later, when I talked to community members, I learned that it is not uncommon for leopards and other prized animals to be hit and killed by this speeding traffic.
Encroachment is also a major problem. At one point, ZAWA officials showed us settlements and farmland encroaching on the park boundaries and pointed to the deforestation this encroachment results in, reducing the habitat for the wildlife.
How can we reconcile the needs of human progress and development with the need to protect Zambia’s wilderness and keep its animals alive? The answer lies in tourism that creates jobs and revenue for the communities living near Zambia’s national parks and game management areas. This is also the answer to reducing poaching. These communities must see the wildlife for the precious and renewable resource it is.
An important part of my visit to Kafue National Park was meeting with ZAWA officials and seeing first-hand the challenges they face. Charged with managing a huge area, often with very few resources and limited manpower, these officers work long days in the bush, living under difficult conditions, yet remain highly committed. I congratulate ZAWA and its officers for their commitment and dedication to protecting Zambia’s wildlife under such harsh circumstances and in the face of rising poaching pressures.
But ZAWA can’t do it alone; it needs support from all of us. There are many organizations working hard to support ZAWA in the Kafue area, such as Game Rangers International, and I applaud them and others who have risen to this challenge. Now let’s get other community members, NGOs, the Zambian government, the international community, and others working together to support ZAWA’s efforts to protect wildlife in Kafue National Park and throughout the country.
Communities Must Benefit from Protecting Wildlife
Part of the challenge for elephants and other wildlife in and around Kafue National Park is that the local community does not appear to benefit at present from the protection of wildlife or from the tourism in the park. I was dismayed at the condition of facilities in a Game Management Area community close to the main entrance gate of the park. Together with community leaders, I visited a primary school with two small buildings and only four teachers serving more than 400 children! There were not nearly enough desks and chairs for all of the students, and the buildings were in desperate need of repair. Community members said the only financial benefit they have seen from the park in recent years was support received from hunting license revenues coming from the Game Management Area, not from tourism generated within the park itself. Hunting can play a positive role in conservation but tourism, by promoting the preservation of Kafue’s wildlife, can and should play a much bigger role in improving the welfare of the communities near the Park.
Community members in and around national parks must play an active, positive role if wildlife is to be saved from extinction and form the basis for a tourism industry from which all Zambians will benefit. ZAWA, NGOs, the Zambian government, and international community must engage with local communities to determine how Zambia’s parks and tourism can benefit local communities so that they are part of the wildlife protection solution. Despite Victoria Falls and some of the largest and potentially best national parks in Africa, Zambia attracts only a few hundred thousand tourists a year. It has the potential to attract millions who would contribute to the Zambian economy and to the benefit of all Zambians but most especially to the local communities that are home to this precious natural heritage.
The Time is Now
I encourage the government to look for new ways to support the communities around its national parks, and I encourage all stakeholders to work together with the Zambian government and communities to support their efforts.
We have a chance to turn the tragic poaching crisis trend around and for Zambia to establish a framework under which both local communities and the entire economy will profit from Zambia’s wilderness treasures for generations to come. But the time to act is now. Once elephants are nearly extinct or gone from Zambia, it will be too late. We must all work together with ZAWA to combat this crisis.
Reliable poaching statistics need to be regularly available so that we can properly address the challenge, and so that people around the world can be educated about the regional poaching crisis. By raising awareness, we can encourage additional funding to ZAWA, wildlife protection NGOs, and others so that we have a fighting chance to stop these crimes from continuing. In closing, I continue to be fascinated by Zambia’s natural beauty. Though we saw no elephants, on one game drive in the park we did spot a leopard. It was the highlight of the trip. This is what tourists pay to see: animals in their natural habitats. To experience Africa’s nature is what motivates people to fly to Zambia from across the world. This is Zambia’s greatest natural resource, which – if protected – can help provide a bright economic future for all Zambians.
Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) public relations manager, Cris Akufuna
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has said the rescheduling of the dates for the commencement of the voter registration exercise has nothing to do with lack of funding from Government.
The Commission has attributed the rescheduling of the voter registration exercise to delays in the procurement of equipment and materials.ECZ Public Relations Manager Crispin Akufuna said the assumption of lack funding from government is only but wishful thinking.
Mr Akufuna said the commission has funds available for the procurement of equipment for the voter registration exercise ahead of the 2016 general election.He explained that there is a lot involved in the procurement process and that is why the commission opted to postpone the voter registration to allow the process run its course.
The Grand Coalition on the Campaign for a People Driven Constitution in Zambia has condemned the proposal by the Republican President H.E. Edgar Chagwa Lungu to unilaterally alter the contents of the draft constitution by deleting Article 296 of the final draft constitution.
This document was drafted by the Technical Committee Drafting the Zambian Constitution which was constituted in November 2011. The drafting was done after a review of all the constitutional review commission reports over the last forty years and after consultations with Zambian citizens at local, district, provincial and national level. The final draft constitution was validated through the same consultative processes through conventions. It is therefore unbecoming, undemocratic, disrespectful and unacceptable for the Republican President to unilaterally make a decision to drop any provisions in the draft in clear disregard of the will of the people of Zambia who put those provisions in the draft. This dictatorial tendency by the President must be stopped immediately.
This vindicates the concerns of the Grand Coalition that the current government cannot be trusted over the constitution reform process and that if left unchecked, they can alter the whole document to suit their selfish motives. The Grand Coalition is concerned that without a legal framework to guide the process, there is no guarantee that the interests of the people will be respected and protected. If the President can unilaterally drop a provision in the draft, what will stop him from dropping everything else that he does not like? In fact our fear is that this is only the beginning. This PF government will diminish and mutilate the draft document to suit their selfish motives. This is unbecoming and unacceptable. The only way of protecting the content of the draft constitution is to facilitate its adoption through a national referendum.
It is clear that the government has hijacked the constitution reform process for selfish motivations and this should not be tolerated by any well-meaning and good standing Zambian. The Grand Coalition warns the government to refrain from such selfish manoeuvres and prioritise the interests of the people.
We will not just sit and watch the people’s rights being undermined and trampled upon by a callous government that pretends to listen but choose to go it alone. We will continue to point out these injustices by the government against the same people who gave them the mandate to govern.
Issued by: Fr Leonard Chiti
Chairperson of the Grand Coalition
UPND president Hakainde Hichilema and UPND founder Anderson Mazoka’s daughter Machenje at the SABC studios
Opposition UPND President Hakainde Hichilema says it was important for people seeking public office to be clear enough on what they intended doing for the majority of their citizens if Africa was to develop.
Speaking at various economic platforms and when he featured on South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC)’s radio and later live television interviews in South Africa, Mr. Hichilema said it was important for governments to create opportunities where businesses of various sizes prospered and created job opportunities for the majority of citizens, especially the young people.
Pressed on his source of wealth, Mr. Hichilema said he was pleased to have been given decent education opportunities despite coming from poor background and later on a conducive environment to start a small business that he slowly grew and would want many Zambian citizens, especially the youths, to enjoy the same.
The UPND leader, who has been invited at the prestigious World Economic Forum taking place in South Africa, says he looked forward to providing the same conducive economic environment if Zambians gave him an opportunity to lead the country so as to create employment and business opportunities for majority of the people and look after the underprivileged in society.
Mr. Hichilema, who has been meeting various business delegations from around the world interested to invest in Zambia, said the country had great potential in various sectors such as agriculture, tourism, mining, manufacturing and encouraged companies to come and partner with local citizens to develop the huge economic potential.
And Mr. Hichilema says it was important for political competitors in Africa to treat each other with respect and not as enemies in the political field.
The UPND leader said it was regrettable that opposition politicians in Africa were always targets of all sorts of malicious propaganda, hate speech, as opposed to compatriots that were equally interested in developing the country in harmony.
He cited cases where opposition politicians in Africa were not normally provided with free space to operate and mingle with citizens and explain their alternative policies and vision for their country due to various colonial pieces of legislation such as the Public Order Act.
He said when given an opportunity to serve the people of Zambia, UPND would end political victimization because it was inimical to multiparty democracy and socio-economic development.
He said the vision of leaders in Africa in the 21st century, Zambia included, should be on creating business and job opportunities for their citizens and improve the provision of basic services such as. Education, Health, Food and reduce poverty.
The UPND leader has been invited in his capacity as one of the world’s successful business persons and emerging African leaders with potential to add value to the global economic development and poverty reduction.
“Baba” an Afropop song written and Produced by one of Zambia’s leading producers and songwriters Chali Bravo, is an upbeat, fun, flirty and lyrically shows appreciation for the African man. Paired with Katongo’s sultry vocals, you have a match made in heaven, and simply, music to your ears. Predicted to be one of the best songs with an international Afropop crossover appeal to come out of Zambia; “BaBa” certainly does not disappoint. Listeners are drawn in by the up tempo afro drums, and the catchy chorus finds you involuntarily moving to the rhythm. A song definitely to match the greatest Afropop songs ever released, and one fans will not get enough of; “BaBa” is out this June the 15th on all major digital stores.
To kick off 2015, Katongo embarked on a 2 month press tour in Zambia, which gained her a devoted Zambian following to add on to her already growing international fan base. This is just the beginning for Katongo and with her new single under-way which promises to be a definite hit, it is safe to say that the rest of 2015 is going to be explosive for Katongo much to the delight of her fans.
Zambian born, British bred singer songwriter, Katongo, has been writing songs since the age of 11. Her musical style is best described as Afropop. This comes through in her self-released
debut EP entitled ‘My Way’ which is packed with dance influenced tracks laced with African drums and Caribbean rhythms that instantly grab your attention and showcase Katongo’s ability to deliver meaningful lyrics with strong, yet soothing vocals. With fan favourites such as ‘Tonight’, ‘So Good’ and ‘Something Bout the Way’ it’s understandable why Katongo continues to garner media attention.
Throughout 2012 and 2013 Katongo’s songs ‘Tonight’ and ‘So good’ enjoyed regular play on, Amazing radio, Nottingham 97.5 Kemet FM and Shoreditch radio (England), Beat 99.9 FM (Nigeria) Flava FM (Zambia) to name a few. In 2014 her New single, JOY, which features popular Zambian artist JK, has seen her receive regular airplay on Naija FM, Beat 99.9 FM Nigeria and Zambia’s Power FM, Hot 87 FM, Flava FM and Q-FM. Alongside her music, Katongo spends time in philanthropy in support of the charity ‘Africans United Against Child Abuse’ (AFRUCA). Recognised as a supporter of the charity, Katongo, alongside other speakers, have spoken at the House of Commons on a couple of occasions .Katongo is also the co-founder of Pamoja Women’s Foundation with her sister Kanta Temba. In addition to her charitable capabilities and music career, Katongo is a model and has appeared in International
music videos and Adverts as well as beauty and entertainment magazines (Cocogal UK, Poize Magazine Nigeria, Promota Magazine and EZM).
Katongo’s music video for her single ‘Tonight’ peaked at number 17 on Oljo, the popular online German Music Video Chart, ahead of renowned artists like Calvin Harris, Ne-yo and David Guetta. Her follow up single ‘Joy’ has gone on to peak at number 7, on the Beat 99 FM Radio Nigeria and Naija 102 FM Radio. With an ever growing worldwide audience, Katongo was recognised as one of the 20 most successful Zambian women in the UK and recently signed her first song writing deal with UK Publishing Company Speegra Music UK. Katongo’s talent has also garnered praise from the likes of Simon Cowell when she featured on his ‘You Generation’ talent search.
Over the last few months Katongo has enjoyed collaborating with Afrobeat artists such as J Martins from Nigeria and JK, and was crowned a winner of the UK Songwriting Contest in December of 2014. Expert judges praised Katongo for writing ‘Make A Change’, an inspiring reggae style song about finding strength within ourselves to make a positive change to the world.
Senegalese-American singer Akon, whose Akon Lighting Africa initiative aims to bring electricity to some of the 600 million Africans who lack it, announced on Thursday the launch of a new “Solar Academy” for the continent.
The institution, scheduled to open this summer in Bamako, Mali’s capital, will try to give African engineers and entrepreneurs the skills needed to develop solar power. European experts will help supply training equipment and programs.
The academy will aim to teach people how to install and maintain solar-powered electricity systems as well as micro grids, “which are really taking off in rural Africa”, Akon Lighting Africa said.
Africa has 320 days of sunshine a year, the organization said in a statement, so harnessing solar energy is an ideal way to enable those without electricity to get it.
“We have the sun and innovative technologies to bring electricity to homes and communities. We now need to consolidate African expertise,” said Samba Baithily, who founded Akon Lighting Africa with Akon and Thione Niang.
Seventy percent of Africans are under 35, and creating sustainable jobs is vital, the group said, so investing in solar power for the future can help in more ways than one.
“We expect the Africans who graduate from this center to devise new, innovative, technical solutions,” said Niang. “With this Academy, we can capitalize on Akon Lighting Africa and go further.”
The group announced the launch of the academy at the second United Nations Sustainable Energy for All Forum in New York
Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) has appointed little-known Gilbert Simakoloyi as the new chairman of FAZ Super Division side Power Dynamos Football Club.
Simakoloyi has taken over from Benny Simukoko who left the post last month – after serving for one year and four months.
In a statement on Tuesday, CEC announced that Ryan Mulenga is the new treasurer while vice-Chairman George Lungu and Secretary Ricky Mamfunda have been retained their respective positions.
“Power Dynamos will now be headed by Gilbert Simakoloyi who takes over from Benny Simukoko,” the statement read in part.
“We are confident that the new chairman will build upon the performance and positives scored by his predecessor both on and off the pitch this season.”
The committee members are Chishimba Kaela, Obed Chishala and Muntanga Sibalwa.
The trio replaces Heggie Kalangwa, Morton M’gemezulu and Ronald Kambani Lungu.
Football administrator Andrew Kamanga says FIFA president Sepp Blatter’s resignation could have strong ramifications in his strongholds around the globe that are also facing issues of transparency credibility.
Blatter on Tuesday announced that he was stepping down just five days after his heated re-election in the midst of a corruption scandal that has hit FIFA that has opened criminal investigations in the USA.
The fallen FIFA strongman had called for an extra-ordinary congress to be held in the next six months to elect a new leader.
Kamanga said Blatter’s departure was long overdue.
“His resignation is a breath of fresh air as the corruption allegations levelled were serious and he failed to take responsibility as the leader,” Kamanga said in an exclusive interview with LT Sport on Wednesday.
“FIFA now needs new leadership to restore the lost credibility and hopefully become transparent in its dealings.”
Kamanga added that Blatter’s departure had most importantly opened the floodgates for a stakeholders right to have a stronger say and scrutinise how their money is managed and spent in FIFA’s respective constituencies.
“There is no doubt that the happenings at FIFA have a striking resemblance to our local situation,” Kamanga said.
“If we are to restore confidence in our local game we need new visionary leadership to take our football to a higher level.
“Like FIFA, FAZ has not been transparent on a number of issues such as SuperSport sponsorship, match appearance fees for international games, gate takings from all international games and the total collapse of the Secretariat.”
Forum for Democracy and Development FDD President Edith Nawakwi will on Friday the 5th of June 2015 be featuring on the live popular BBC program, BBC Africa Debate.
The monthly program which features African politicians and business people among others to discuss pertinent issues affecting the African Continent. The debate will explore tough decisions and competing priorities faced by Africa’s leaders ahead of the United Nation UN climate negotiations that will be held later in December this year. Ms Nawakwi will also discuss how best the continent’s energy requirements can be met without impacting negatively on the already existing climate change challenges as well as whether renewable energy is the answer.
The opposition leader who is a graduate of Imperial college in Energy Economics was the country’s first Minister of Energy and is the only woman to have served in that capacity since Zambia’s independence. Nawakwi is credited for developing the Zambia’s Energy Policy.
With a passion for renewable energy Ms. Nawakwi believes that there is a direct link between the impact of climate change and poverty. She believes that poverty reduction in the country and continent at large will lead to more acceptance to renewable energy by the masses.
The debate will be held on Friday, 5th June 2014 in South Africa Cape Town and will be broadcasted live on BBC radio at 19 hrs.
