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Cabinet approves 5 boards

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Mr Vincent Mwale Minister of Youth and Sports who is Acting Chief Government Spokesperson with Mr Amos Chanda Special assisstant to the President Presss and Public Relation -Picture By EDDIE MWANALEZA /STATEHOUSE.
Mr Vincent Mwale Minister of Youth and Sports who is Acting Chief Government Spokesperson with Mr Amos Chanda Special assisstant to the President Presss and Public Relation -Picture By EDDIE MWANALEZA /STATEHOUSE.

Cabinet yesterday approved the appointment of new members to serve on the Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA) board.

Sports and Youth Minister Vincent Mwale, who is Acting Chief Government spokesperson, disclosed this during a press briefing in Lusaka today.

Mr. Mwale said the new board members were appointed following the expiry of tenure of office for the previous board last year.

He stated that cabinet made the decision in accordance with the provisions of the medicines and allied substance Act, No. 3 of 2013.

He said Cabinet also approved the appointment of new members to serve on the National Health Research Authority (NHRA) council in accordance with the provisions of the National Health Research Act No. 2 of 2013.

Mr. Mwale said cabinet expects NHRA to put in place an effective national health ethics system by ensuring that the health research that was conducted in the country was relevant, well-coordinated and regulated in order to contribute to improving the provisions of health services and policy making in Zambia.

And cabinet has approved the appointment of new members of the General Nursing Council of Zambia board following the expiry of the tenure of office for the previous board in November 2014.

Mr. Mwale said Cabinet made the decision in accordance with the provisions of the Nurses and Midwives Act No. 300 of 1997.

He said with a board in place, it was expected that there will be improved regulation of health professionals so as to contribute to the improved health delivery service to the general public.

In a related development, Cabinet also approved the appointment of new members of the National HIV/AIDS/STI/TB Council (NAC) board.

Mr. Mwale said the NAC board is critical to the coordination of the response by various stakeholders to the HIV/AIDS/STI/TB pandemic.

Meanwhile, Cabinet yesterday approved the appointment of new members of the Health Professions Council of Zambia (HPCZ) board in accordance with the provisions of the health Professional Council of Zambia Act No. 24 of 2009 of laws of Zambia.

Mr. Mwale said Cabinet expects the HPCZ board to implement and strengthen regulations on the health providers and health facilities registered under the Health Professions Council of Zambia.

He told journalists that the names to the afore boards and committees will be announced in due course.

And Cabinet yesterday approved the forest bill 2015 for publication and introduction in parliament during the next sitting in June this year.

The law will among other things provide for the participation of local communities and other stakeholders in sustainable forest management and the implementation of the United Nations framework convention on climate change and other international agreements to which Zambia is a party.

Zambia to host UN conference on landlocked developing countries

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Mr Vincent Mwale Minister of Youth and Sports who is Acting Chief Government Spokesperson with Mr Amos Chanda Special assisstant to the President Presss and Public Relation -Picture By EDDIE MWANALEZA /STATEHOUSE.
Mr Vincent Mwale Minister of Youth and Sports who is Acting Chief Government Spokesperson with Mr Amos Chanda Special assisstant to the President Presss and Public Relation -Picture By EDDIE MWANALEZA /STATEHOUSE.

Minister of Youth and Sports Vincent Mwale says Zambia will host the United Nations conference on landlocked developing countries this year.

Speaking at a media briefing in Lusaka today, Mr. Mwale, who is Acting Chief Government Spokesperson, said the United Nations conference on landlocked developing countries will be held in Livingstone from 2nd to 4th June 2015.

He said the hosting of the international conference was a testimony that Zambia is a prime destination for world conferences.

He noted that Zambia will benefit immensely from the gathering as the conference will help the country realise the much needed foreign exchange.

Mr. Mwale said the hosting of the conference will further help to market the country’s tourism potential and also sell the country as a prime investment destination.

The minister said details of the conference will be given at a later stage.

Lusaka City Council and Maputo council sign MOU

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New street lighting on major roads in Lusaka city centre has improved the outlook of the central business district following acquisition and installation of the lights. Above is part of Freedom Way where motorists and pedestrians are now able to do their activities without fear of being mugged
Lusaka city centre

The Lusaka City Council (LCC) and Maputo Municipal Council (MMC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that seeks to enhance development and strengthen co-operation.

The areas of co-operation in the MoU include culture, education, waste management, transport management, local finance development, promotion of investment and tourism.

The two local authorities have similarities in a number of areas and emphasised that the signed MoU would strengthen bilateral and developmental relations between the two cities.

Lusaka Mayor George Nyendwa said the MoU would not just end up on paper like previous documents, but would ensure that the agreement comes to fruition.

This is contained in a press statement released to ZANIS by LCC Public Relations Officer, Brenda Katongola

“I want to assure you that this document that we have signed today will not just end up on paper, but I will ensure that we implement it. I came with a very competent team who understands the importance of this agreement,” Mr. Nyendwa said.

The Lusaka Mayor observed that a lot of lessons have been learnt from the visit as the two cities are similar in a number of areas of service delivery and also face similar challenges.

“We will invite you to Lusaka soon so that you can also see the projects we are working on and from there we can see which direction we take,” the Lusaka Mayor said.

The agreement was postponed last year following the Presidential elections that were held in Mozambique and the death of President Michael Sata in October, last year.

And Maputo Mayor, David Simango said he was happy to learn that LCC and his council shared similar challenges and responsibilities in the local government administration.

Mayor Simango said Mozambique was fairly young in local government administration issues having formed their first Council in 1998 when they held their first elections.

He disclosed that Maputo had an ambitious programme in decentralization process in the local government administration that allows locals to be part of the development process.

He said Maputo was a cosmopolitan city but assured that he would modernize Maputo city by partnering with big cities like Lusaka, which he said was expanding fast and was managing to make the city clean.

“I’m happy that the MoU signed after a long period of correspondence between the two cities which we’ve twinned today and can learn from each other,” councillor Simango said.

Zambia`s High Commissioner to Mozambique, Japhen Mwakalombe who witnessed the signing ceremony held at the Maputo Municipal Council is happy that the twinning agreement which he engineered three years ago had finally become a reality.

Mr Mwakalombe said Maputo has advanced from the time he went there in 2012.

During his time in Maputo, the Lusaka Mayor visited Ntsindya Cultural Centre, the roads and drainages along the Indian Ocean coastline, various markets and cultural and art centres and also held bilateral talks with the Mayor and President of the Maputo Council.

The Mayor was accompanied to Maputo by Councillors, Daniel Kalembe and Joyce Banda and Acting Director of Human Resource and Administration, Henry Phiri,

Sautu ruled out of 2015 All-Africa Games qualifier

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Midfielder Spencer Sautu has been ruled out of Zambia Under-23 teams’ 2015 All-Africa Games final round, last leg qualifier against Nigeria on April 11 in Lusaka.

The Green Eagles and senior Chipolopolo midfielder has a leg injury and is expected to be out of action for at least four weeks.

Coach Fighton Simukonda said Sautu’s absence is a big blow.

“Spencer will not be part of the Nigeria game, he has been ruled out due to an injury and is currently in a Plaster of Paris,”Simukonda said.

“We will definitely miss the services of Spencer, he is a key player in our team but we have no option but to use available player.”

Meanwhile,Nigeria and Zambia are scoreless from the first leg played on March 22 in Abuja in a match Sautu played.

Winner next weekend will qualify to the 2015 All-Africa Games to be hosted by Congo-Brazzaville from September 4-19.

Government appeals to Kansanshi Mine to reinstate laid off workers

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Chishimba Kambwili
Chishimba Kambwili

Government has learnt with concern that Kansanshi Mine in Solwezi has retrenched 93 workers and plans to retrench 400 others.

Chief Government Spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili has since warn that government will not take kindly to any mining company that decides to lay off its workers arbitrarily under the pretext of the new mining tax regime.

Mr. Kambwili who is also Information and Broadcasting Services Minister pointed out that all mining companies are aware of the standing order which obliges them to consult the government through the Ministry of Labour before any decision to retrench any worker is effected.

He said it was government’s considered view that should there be need to retrench anyone by the mining companies, the first workers to be retrenched should be expatriates and not Zambians.

Mr. Kambwili said government has been extremely flexible and magnanimous on the issue of the mining tax as evidenced by President Edgar Lungu’s directive to the Minister of Finance and Mines to review the mining tax regime and make recommendations to Cabinet by 8th April, 2015.

Among the options the President asked the Ministers to consider were the status quo but negotiate interim fiscal arrangements for operations that are most affected on a case-by-case basis, identifying potential legal or regulatory modifications to the existing 2015 fiscal regime that could be readily passed and implemented and defer implementation of the 2015 fiscal regime.

Another option was to temporary reinstate the 2014 fiscal regime as a more amicable regime is negotiated.

Mr. Kambwili said government expects all mining companies to reciprocate its gesture on this matter.

“Government appeals to Kansanshi to reinstate the 93 workers as the right procedure has not been followed,”Mr. Kambwili said.

He reiterate government’s commitment to creating a favourable environment for both local and private investments to flourish saying this should be done within the country’s laws and regulations.

Supreme Court upholds High Court verdict against KCM

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lusaka_high_court

The Supreme Court has upheld the Lusaka High Court’s verdict that Konkola Copper Mine-KCM was guilty of contaminating Water supply in Chingola in 2006.

The contamination of the water supply in Chingola affected over two thousand residents.

Supreme Court Judge Munalula Lisimba has however over-ruled the lower court’s verdict that the plaintiffs be awarded damages uniformly.

Judge Lisimba has ruled that the Deputy Registrar of the High Court should assess the damages that will accrue to each plaintiff.

In 2011 retired Supreme Court Judge Philip Musonda, sitting as High Court Judge ruled that KCM was guilty of contaminating Water supply in Chingola.

Judge Musonda also awarded four thousand Kwacha damage to each of two thousand plaintiffs

President Edgar Lungu returns home from China

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President Edgar Lungu returns home from China

Edgar Lungu arrives from China
Edgar Lungu arrives from China

President Edgar Lungu has arrived back home from China were he went for a state visit.

The Emirates plane carrying President Lungu and his entourage touched down at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport at 17-15 hours local time.

President Lungu said his visit created a lot of deals with China.

The Head of State said his state visit to the Asian country has revitalized the cordial bilateral relations that exist between Zambia and the people’s Republic of China.

He said his visit and meeting with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jingping has been an audit of how relations between the two countries have been so far.

President Lungu disclosed that some Cabinet Ministers who accompanied him to Asia would be informing the nation on the many agreements signed between the two countries.

He further disclosed that his Presidential Spokesperson, Amos Chanda would be soon issuing out comprehensive statement to the nation through the media.

Mr Lungu was accompanied to China by First Lady Esther, Commerce Minister Margaret Mwanakatwe, Agriculture Minister Given Lubinda and Transport Minister Yamfwa Mukanga among Ministers and Presidential Special Assistants.

President Lungu was received by Vice President Inonge Wina, Defences Chiefs, some Cabinet and Deputy Ministers, Patriotic Front Secretary General Davies Chama, senior Chinese and Zambian government officials and ruling some PF sympathies

Whilst in China, President Lungu facilitated the signing of a range of investment agreements and wooed investors that yielded signing of agreements worth $800 million with Chinese companies other than additional concession loans and grants.

Mr Lungu also facilitated the signing of two Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with Huawei Technologies Company Limited for the construction of communication towers in rural areas and off-grid power plants

He finalized his tour of China yesterday with an affirmation that his government is ready to engage with any nation to strengthen trade and investment relations.

President Edgar Lungu expressed happiness that the trip has spurred renewed friendship between Zambia and China at various levels.

On health, President Lungu pleaded with his Chinese counterpart, Mr. Xi Jingping for Zambian nationals suffering from AIDS in China not to be deported because of their status because they are still a human resource that were contributing effectively to that country’s gross domestic product.

Allan Mukuka eager to keep Chipolopolo place

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Green Buffaloes winger Allan Mukuka wants to earn a regular place in the Chipolopolo squad following his impressive display in the recent friendly against Rwanda in Lusaka.

Mukuka turned the game on its head just minutes after replacing Jackson Mwanza in the 59th minute as Zambia beat Rwanda 2-0 at National Heroes Stadium on Sunday.

The ex-Nkana and Mufulira Wanderers player set up captain Rainford Kalaba for Zambia’s first goal before Mukuka added his name on the score-sheet.

“I expected to player well because I had so much confidence in myself and I was very fit,” Mukuka said.

“I just have to continue working hard so that I can play for the national team regulary,” he said.

Mukuka has been on the fringes of the national team since 1997 when coach Patrick Phiri handed him a debut call-up.

“Coaches and fans should expect more than what I did on Sunday so that I can always play for Zambia.”

The move by Government to set up milling plants in all 10 provinces cheer millers

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The move by Government to set up milling plants in all 10 provinces cheer millers

Superior Milling Company Limited Managing Managing Director Peter Cottan addressing delegates during the launch of a depot in Kazungula
Superior Milling Company Limited Managing Managing Director Peter
Cottan addressing delegates during the launch of a depot in
Kazungula

THE plan by the Government to set up maize milling plants in all 10 provinces of Zambia is a step in the right direction as it provides an opportunity for millers to go into Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) with the State, former Millers Association of Zambia (MAZ) chairperson Peter Cottan has said.

Mr Cottan, who is Superior Milling Company Limited managing director and an active member of MAZ, said the process of setting up maize milling plants was a tedious undertaking and hence there was need for millers to take advantage of Government pronouncements to venture into PPPs.

He said it was unsustainable and a challenging task for the Government to start running milling companies as it role was to provide a favorable environment for the private sector to do their business.

Mr Cottan was speaking yesterday in Kazungula when his company opened his 41st depot in the border town.

During the same launch, Superior Milling Company Limited empowered 10 local women in Kazungula with 10 kg bag of floor each to start running their businesses from the same product.

“A lot of people thought millers will be against the move by the Government but some members of MAZ members are already taking up that opportunity.

“The private sector companies are now setting up milling plants in Chipata, Chingola, Solwezi and other major towns with a hope of going into PPP with the Government,” he said.

Mr Cottan said setting up milling plants by the Government would only be sustainable if it was done through the PPP.

“There is no way Government can start doing the business of running milling companies as this role is for the private sector.

“There will be need for partnership with the private sector in this new arrangement. In my view, the role of Government would be to ensure that millers are supplied with subsidized maize from farmers,” Mr Cottan said.

He also said his company would work with retailers to ensure that the
reduction in mealie meal prices benefited customers.

“When we reduce mealie meal prices, all other retailers have to follow suit. If they don’t reduce, competition will come into play as consumers will have to choose and buy from where they want,” he said.

Mr Cottan also asked the Government to speed up the process of releasing subsdised maize to millers from the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) to stimulate further reductions in mealie meal prices.

On Wednesday, Superior Milling Company Limited reduced the price of both breakfast and roller meal by K5 and K7 respectively for Kazungula in response to Government’s recent pronouncement to offload subsidised maize to millers.

The reduction only applies to Kazungula only and does not apply to other parts of the country as the company is waiting to access subsdised maize from the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) for it to make further reductions in the prices of the commodity across the country.

Mr Cottan said his company was the first miller in the country to reduce mealie meal prices in rural areas by selling a 25 kilogram (kg) bag of breakfast mealie meal at K63 per bag from K68 and a 25 kg bag of roller meal at K44 from K51 in response to Government’s pronouncements.

Prof Lungwangwa backs Zambian publishers

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Transport minister Geoffrey Lungwangwa
Geoffrey Lungwangwa

ZAMBIAN publishers are justified and correct in challenging the manner in which the selection and publication of textbooks by the Ministry of Education has been done.

Former Education minister Geoffrey Lungwangwa said the centralizetion procurement of the exercise was wrong.

But the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has said they cannot investigate the corruption allegation by the Zambian publishers because they have not received a written complaint against some Ministry of Education officials involved in the procurement of educational material.

ACC public relations manager Timothy Moono said the Zambian publishers were welcome to lodge a complaint to the Commission.

He said the complainants should bring the matter by writing to the ACC.

Professor Lungwangwa said the choice of educational materials for schools was the responsibility of District Education Secretary (DEBS) and not the ministry whose role was to administer Government policy and not to interfere in the day-to-day running of schools.

He was commenting on the controversy between the Ministry of Education and Zambian publishers who have been left out from a lucrative Government tender to provide educational materials in Zambian schools.
The ministry has not only centralized but has now contracted foreign owned firms to develop and publish the textbooks.

Prof Lungwangwa said it was disappointing that the ministry wanted to adopt the centralization policy in the procurement of educational material which he said would adversely affect the education system in the country.

“Should the Ministry of Education centralize its operational system then there would be no need of having District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) offices in the districts.

“Initially the procurement of tenders for educational materials was done with the help of the DEBS offices in the districts who were able to choose and identify the type of material they wanted in their respective districts, and the centre (ministry) will only provide payments,” he said.

He said if the ministry wanted everything to be centered at the ministry it meant there was a problem that would eventually result into ineffectiveness in the operation.

Prof Lungwangwa said he was of the view that the complaints by the Zambian publishers were justifiable and based on the interest of the nation.

He said centralizing the operation of the ministry would be a recipe for ineffectiveness in the education sector that would result into poor quality.

Prof Lungwangwa urged the Ministry of Education to revisit its policies to provide quality education in the country.

He said the present Government should appreciate “a few efforts” that were left by past governments to improve the education sector.

Zambian publishers have complained that the new system the ministry was using to award the tender for the procurement of educational materials was not favourable, and disadvantaged the local publishers.

The publishers have challenged the Ministry of Education and Anti-Corruption Commission to call for an urgent meeting to enable them to prove the corruption allegations in the ministry.

It is alleged that some technical staff at the Ministry of Education are conniving with some foreign educational book publishers so that they could personally benefit.

We can prove Textbook Corruption-Zambia Publishers

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ZAMBIAN publishers have challenged the Ministry of Education and Anti-Corruption Commission to call for an urgent meeting to enable them prove the corruption allegations made against the ministry.

“It is not true that Zambian-owned companies have no capacity to produce books for the ministry to have given contracts to foreign-owned companies; they frustrated Zambians for the purpose of disadvantaging them,” they said.

The Zambian publishers have argued that local registration did not automatically mean local ownership because the foreign companies could now be registered in Zambia for the benefit of the centralized tender which was a ploy meant to disadvantage the local writers who were fighting the new system of engaging textbooks companies.

The publishers were responding to the Ministry of Education who threatened to take legal action against local publishers who are alleging corruption.

“We want equity and fairness We have written many letters to the Government to complain but nothing has happened,” they said.

The Ministry of Education has defended its decision to award foreign owned firms saying the companies awarded were registered in Zambia.

Education spokesperson Hillary Chipango said the three companies registered with the Patents and Companies Agency (PACRA) and the Citizen Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) were members of the Book Publishers of Zambia (BPAZ) and therefore were Zambian registered Companies.

Below is the full statement from the Ministry

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, SCIENCE, VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND EARLY EDUCATION, RESPONSES TO THE ARTICLE ON TEXT BOOKS (DAILY NATION NEWSPAPER OF 30TH AND 31ST MARCH, 2015).

The tender was floated on 26th February, 2014 and the bidding was conducted through the Open National Bidding (ONB) a procedure specified in the Public Procurement Act of 2008 and the Public Procurement Regulations of 2011, and was directed to all Zambian registered Publishers and Citizen Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) preferential treatment was applicable.

The assertions by Mrs. Alice Mkandawire that there is a US$4million scandal at the Ministry of Education concerning the procurement of text books as it signed contracts with foreign companies even before the ruling on the application for stay of execution of the High Court Judgement pending appeal by Zambian publishers was made is not correct.

THE POSITION OF THE MINISTRY IS

All the three Publishers awarded the contracts are registered in Zambia at Patents and Companies Agency (PACRA) therefore, they are Zambian registered Companies. Find attached herewith the photo copies of registration Certificates.

All the three Publishers awarded the contracts are registered with the Book Publishers of Zambia (BPAZ). Find attached herewith the photo copies of registration Certificates.

All the three Publishers awarded the contracts are registered with the Citizen Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC). Find attached herewith the photo copies of registration Certificates.

The Publishing Companies that Mrs. Alice Mkandawire and Mr. Kapeso Ntambakwa represent did not participate in the tender and therefore have no legal claim as they were not part to the process.

The three companies (Mwajionera Publishers Limited and 2 others) that sued the Ministry did not participate in the tender and the High Court judgements of 19th day of January 2015 and 27th April 2015 ruled in favour of the Ministry.

The Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) in its Letter dated 25th September 2014 with reference No. ZPPA/9/4/1 advised the Ministry to proceed with the procurement process as their review had found that the process was within the provisions of the Public Procurement Act No.12 of 2008 (PPA) and Public Procurement Regulations of 2011.

The one year delay in the procurement of text books was caused by Mwajionera Publishers Limited and 2 others who sued the Ministry with no cause and legal basis.

Therefore, there is no scandal or corrupt tendencies in the manner the tender for text books was handled and the two articles in the Daily Nation News Paper should be dismissed with the contempt they deserve as there is no truth in the articles. The articles are malicious, misleading and are bent at tarnishing the image of the Government.

The people responsible for the articles have ulterior motives and selfish interests to serve and want to gain public sympathy using lies after losing the appeals made to ZPPA and the unfruitful Court proceedings.

The Ministry has written to the Attorney General to study the articles and consider suing the Daily Nation News Paper, Mrs. Alice Mkandawire and Mr. Kapeso Ntambakwa.

Hillary Chipango
MINISTRY SPOKESPERSON

Chef 187 and Picasso release “Tatuchepa”

Entertainment Editor
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Chef 187 and Picasso release “Tatuchepa”

chef187

Chef 187 and Picasso release the video for the song “Tatuchepa”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBAaJEyfI-E
BY Kapa187

China’s agreement to set up milling companies in all the 10 provinces will reduce prices-Lungu

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President Edgar Lungu
President Edgar Lungu

President Edgar Lungu has said that he has no doubt that the prices of mealie meal will reduce following China’s agreement to set up milling companies in all the 10 provinces.

He says he promised to reduce the price of mealie meal in his campaigns prior to the January 20th Presidential elections.

President Lungu said that Zambia produces a lot of maize and that there is no reason why the price of mealie meal should be high.

He said that it is for this reason that he visited China to seek assistance on setting up milling companies.

President Edgar Lungu has assured Zambians living in Diaspora of Government’s commitment to helping address the various challenges affecting their welfare abroad.

Mr Lungu said this when he addressed the Zambian Community living in China during a dinner held here at Kempinski Hotel.

The president said that he had already taken steps aimed at improving the welfare of Zambians living Diaspora particularly those in China who have been encountering unpleasant situations during their stay

And President Edgar Lungu said that his State visit to China has revitalized the cordial bilateral relations that exist between Zambia and the People’s Republic of China.

The President said that a lot of agreements between Zambia and China have been inactive due to lack of constant interaction between the two countries.

President Lungu said his visit and meeting with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jingping has been an audit of how relations between the two countries have been so far.

The President was speaking in an interview with Journalists in Shangahi, China shortly before leaving for Zambia.

President Lungu said Chinese firms have been operating in Zambia for a long time and that it is time that Governments maintained a constant interaction.

He said that his visit means that the two governments will now approach their relations with more vigor in all sectors of society.

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Acting President Inonge Wina accords the Late Lavu Mulimba

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Inonge Wina
Inonge Wina

Acting President Inonge Wina has accorded the late former Cabinet Minister in the first Republic Lavu Muilimba an official funeral.

Ms. Wina has declared a one-day national mourning to be observed on Wednesday, 8th April 2015 when the late Mr Mulimba was be put to rest.

Secretary to the Cabinet Roland Msiska announced in a press statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday.

Dr. Msiska stated that all forms of entertainment nature shall be cancelled and only solemn music shall be played during the mourning period and that all national flags shall also fly at half-mast.

Dr Msiska disclosed that on Tuesday 7th April, 2015 a requiem service would be held at 09:00 hours at the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka in honour of the deceased.

He added that after the Church service, Mr Mulimba’s remains would be air-lifted to Sandwe village in Petauke District in Eastern province.

The late Mr Mulimba, 77 died yesterday after an illness and the funeral is being held at his farm in Lusaka West No. 691, Sub division 38-39A, Mungwi Road.

The late Mr Mulimba served as Defence Minister and Member of Parliament for Petauke Constituency.

He also served as Human Rights Commissioner.

The late Mr Mulimba is survived by a spouse and children.

Bowman Lusambo calls for respect for women in Politics

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A jubilant MMD Die Hard National Youth Coordinator Bowman Lusambo dancing at Mongu airport
FILE: A jubilant MMD Die Hard National Youth Coordinator Bowman Lusambo dancing at Mongu airport

LUSAKA—As MMD youths, we wish to add our voice to the debate on the need to respect women especially those involved in politics.

Evidently, the debate was sparked off by an article in a tabloid newspaper which misquoted Education Minister and Mwandi MP Hon. Michael Kaingu over his remarks directed at his Namwala counterpart Moono Lubezhi.

The records show that the news article was manufactured by a Journalist who wanted to twist the context in which Dr Kaingu referred to Hon. Lubezhi.

Records have shown that Dr. Kaingu did not call Hon. Luzezhi a prostitute but merely mentioned the name Dorika in the conversation.

Even renowned Comedian Bob Nkosha who popularised the name Dorika has clarified in a Daily Mail article that Dorika does not mean a prostitute but a woman who is courageous and ready to go places.

We know that Dr Kaingu has shown great maturity and leadership by apologising for any injury caused but we wish to use this opportunity to make a few observations about the demands for respect from our female politicians.

As expected, some female politicians such as FDD’s Edith Nawakwi and NGO leaders like Sara Longwe, Emily Sikazwe and Regina Musokotwane have jumped on the occasion to castigate Dr Kaingu and other male politicians calling them chauvinistic and rotten.

As young politicians, we wish to place it on record that the current debate centred on sexism is unfortunate and is draining the country’s energies off the much focus on development.

We also wish to caution our female politicians especially to be very careful on how they conduct themselves in public because they will be judged by their actions.

The manner in which Ms. Nawakwi has been attacking H.E Edgar Chagwa Lungu is uncalled for and rather unfortunate.

We find it ironic that Ms. Nawakwi finds it so easy to raise the gender card when she is attacked and yet is has been insulting male politicians her entire political life.

Ms. Nawakwi should be reminded that the nation has not forgotten how she continuously insulted late President Dr Frederick Chiluba even when Dr Chiluba never insulted her back.

Late President Dr Mwanawasa and even former President Rupiah Banda also received their own fair share of insults from Ms. Nawakwi’s handbag of insults.

From our standpoint, Ms. Nawakwi should be the last person to protest whenever she is insulted because her entire political life has been fed on a diet of insults.

Furthermore, the failed attempt to drag the life of young Iris Kaingu in this debate is cheap and unfortunate. The action by the tabloid to scan Iris’s Twitter and Instagram accounts for tweets and photos for publication is another desperate act of Journalism.

What we know is that Iris is an adult who was enjoying her private time at a beach and was appropriately dressed for the occasion. What we however find fascinating is how Iris’s bum shots found themselves on the front page when such images are all over on the internet?

We can only conclude that there is a malicious campaign by some desperate individuals to prolong a rather unfortunate debate which lacks focus except that it involves Dr Kaingu who happens to be Iris’s father.

Our call on the nation is to refocus its energies on addressing key national issues such as unemployment and poor health care than prolonging a debate which should never have been there in the first place.

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