Cleo ice Queen releases official artwork for her debut album “GeminIce”.
Cleo Ice Queen and Kaladoshas will have a double album launch slated for the 5th of December at the Lusaka Grand Hotel.
The dynamic duo have been working together a lot lately , they recently released the video for their hit single “Oxygen” ,a Collaboration produced by one of Zambia’s award winning producers, Shom C.
BY KAPA187
Introduction
You (could this well mean also you, dear reader?) took it away from me!
We know now that in modern warfare, fought on any considerable scale, there can be no possible economic gain for any side. Win or lose, there is nothing but waste and destruction.
Lester B. Pearson
We are so used to using military terminology in civilian speech that we often forget that certain prevalent terms might aspire to something different to what we habitually bind them to, and disregard any other more positive and unblemished meanings. I always found it very tempting and challenging to go beyond any existing classification. And consequently, even perhaps against well-meaning advice, I resisted changing my sub-title.
Most likely, many would attribute ‘final solutions’ to negative events, examples of which may include such genocides as; the Nazis, the Gujarat, the Gerrit Woolfaardt’s plan and the ongoing Palestinian massacres. Hopefully, the present raging refugee crisis wouldn’t run into another genocide, this time international.
Unfortunately, there are many who would try and stop solutions being found and the usual reasons for this are; vested interests, accumulation of vast personal wealth, international corporate power and downright selfish greed.
As long as wars, persecutions and hunger linger, people will continue to seek safer havens.
Western leaders share major responsibility for making much of the world unfit for normal human habitation, in so many different ways. And so far, they are getting away with it. The massive refugee crisis swamping Europe is just the beginning of the troubles that these unscrupulous leaders have brought on their own countries. Now everyone is stunned by the crisis.
While the media focuses on the human tragedy of so many people uprooted and travelling in dangerous circumstances, there is very little attention given to the events that led them to leave their countries. If thousands of people put themselves in the hands of smugglers and risk their lives on such a dangerous crossing it’s because staying on the shore is even more dangerous.
Certainly we all feel for the displaced people, especially the children, but let’s not forget that this is a man-made crisis and it is a government-made crisis. The reason so many are fleeing places like Syria, Libya, Afghanistan, and Iraq is that US and European interventionist foreign policy has left these countries destabilized with no hopes of recovery. This mass migration from the Middle East and beyond is a direct result of the neocon foreign policy of regime change, invasion, and pushing so-called “democracy” at the barrel of a gun.
People are fleeing from Syria not because of the regime of Bashir Al-Assad but because of ISIS, the Islamic State, which had seized large areas in Syria and Iraq and are committing atrocities there. They kill hundreds and thousands of people, burn them alive or drown them and cut off people’s heads. It is hardly surprising that the carefully filmed and diffused videos of “Islamic State” (IS) disciplinary methods have caused panic among people living in their path of conquest. How are people supposed to live there? How can anybody blame them for running away? After all, as all know, there were no ISIS in either Iraq, Syria or Libya before the US/NATO invasions. Don’t we have a right to ask those who created the problems to tell us how to fix them now, while admitting their fault in the first place?
It is quick and easy to break things. Putting them back together may be impossible.
Unquestionably, with its disastrous foreign policy the EU bears a good partial responsibility for the refugee crisis. Europe is fomenting crises and conflicts in the refugees’ countries of origin by selling weapons to their governments while classifying governments as legitimate, despite knowing better, simply because this suits its own interests. Europe tries to soothe its conscience by intoning the mantra; if we didn’t supply the weapons then other states would.
The poor refugees are not as much of a burden on Europe’s economy as Europe was a burden on Africa, in actual fact, on the whole world of under-developed and developing countries.
While Libya continues to sink and Syria and Iraq subsist in a state of bedlam, both France and Britain discuss the problem of refugees attempting to cross into both countries as if the refugees are swarms of locusts’ incursions, who are often viewed as invaders, not innocent people who were victimized mostly by US-European wars.
Now refugees have become ping-pong balls for Europe. We are constantly hearing terms, such as; quotas, Christian, Muslim, asylum, terrorists, disease, and so many other, sometimes derogatory, words. Of course, the religious angle is never missing. Besides, we now have dealings and transactions with these poor folks, as if such bargains are transactions in trading merchandise:
Unfortunately, many such other rackets may be taking place, hidden from our knowledge. It seems that once a thing is profitable it is also considered as ethical.
The sides in the Valletta summit in Malta on immigration have been thrashing out draft conclusions and senseless political declarations in the lead up to a conference aimed at addressing the migration flows to the EU from the African continent. I don’t know what and if any problem-solving methods of the root causes were treated but it was evident that priority was given only to the issue of returns and readmission of refugees. The EU simply wants to increase return rates to African and Middle East countries.
In 2013, French Foreign Minister Fabius had announced that France and Britain were going to deliver arms to the rebels in Syria. Only weapons and not people are being allowed to cross borders now. Europe is selling weapons together with its soul.
War causes people to become refugees.Is our silence a part of this cause?
How can we ever forget the unjust invasion and war that followed in Iraq, causing a decade-long siege that cost Iraq a million of its children and its entire economy.
Finally, in all respects it comes down to the words of Dwight Eisenhower: “Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired, signifies in the final sense a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed.”
A long-term solution is considerably more practical and unavoidable and would involve the self-stabilisation of the Middle East and African countries, with extensive humanitarian intervention and development aid with the help of the rich European and Arab countries.
This is the only, real and final solution to the refugees problem: Stop meddling in the affairs of other countries; Embrace the prosperity that comes with a peaceful foreign policy, not the destruction that goes with running an empire. End the Empires!
Take it or leave it! There’s no other way. Greed for power is the root of all evil and only targeting the root will solve the problem.
Oh! What a bloody stupid, deranged and senseless world I’m leaving behind!
Pity the young!
When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful.”
Malala Yousafzai
By Joseph M. Cachia December, 2015
Freelance Journalist
Chisenga Muyoya has become the first Zambian to receive the Junior Chamber International Outstanding Young Person of the Year award.
Chisenga, who studies MSc Practising Sustainable Development at Royal Holloway, University of London, was invited to Japan alongside nine other individuals to collect her award.
“JCI is a nonprofit organisation for young, active citizens aged 18 to 40, who are engaged and committed to creating impact in their communities.
Active citizens are individuals invested in the future of our world. JCI gathers active citizens from all sectors of society.
We develop the skills, knowledge and understanding to make informed decisions and take action. As globally minded young people, we all have rights, responsibilities and share goals. We find targeted solutions to local issues benefitting our communities, our world and our future. Embracing new ideas, collaboration and diversity, we have the passion and courage to address the critical challenges of our time. ” as described on the official website (http://www.jci.cc/)
The award, which has been handed out every year since 1983, is given to those who exemplify the spirit of the JCI mission, providing exemplary service to their communities and serving as honorable young active citizens.
Chisenga was chosen because she felt compelled to use her background in computing and information system management, to take a stand for women in technology by founding Asikana Network; a youth led social enterprise that seeks to increase the participation of young women in technology.
Upon receiving the award, Chisenga was overwhelmed:
‘When I first heard that I would receive the award, the gravity of it didn’t sink in because I was frantically preparing for a year of study in the UK, courtesy of the Chevening Scholarship. Before leaving Zambia, I met with two women I look up to, who reminded me to own it, to receive it with pride and know that in doing so, I am paving the way for others.
‘I am passionate about changing the narrative of Africa, that whilst we may not have everything, we do whatever we can with whatever we have. I waved my country flag extra high on that stage in Japan because the recognition at a global level serves as an example to young people in Africa what may seem like small efforts to bring positive change to our communities can have a far greater impact than we imagine.’
The familiar face from the popular ECZ advertisements concerning elections has been building an impressive catalogue of work over the years, having appeared in numerous adverts for telecoms and the banking sector, while also making appearances in award-winning Zambian drama series such as Love Games.
In July 2015, he became the first Zambian to expand into Hollywood and feature in a United States network television show, called ‘My Africa’ on the Africa Channel, promoting the city of Lusaka and Zambia’s image to a viewing audience of 33 million viewers around the world.
Currently, Onechi is co-starring in the ZAFTAR award-winning feature film, ‘Guilt’ premiering on DSTv channel Zambezi Magic in January. The film also features Cassie Kabwita and Owas Ray Mwape. He is also starring in a new and exciting series produced by Global Studios titled ‘Fever’ also launching on DSTv channel Zambezi Magic in February, 2016.
Having acquired an international profile, Onechi is now working toward making that dream possible for all Zambian actors by launching Aardvark Casting Agency International in Lusaka. This global agency has provided work for actors in Hollywood films such as Mad Max Fury Road, Chappie, Captain Phillips, Invictus, etc. For the first time, there will now be a platform for talented Zambian actors and models to be exposed to global acting and modelling opportunities.
www.facebook.com/aardvarkcastinglusaka
“Advancements in digital technologies across the world has changed the way media is consumed. To keep up with the trends, we want to give talented Zambians the opportunity to showcase themselves on the world stage and bring the much needed revenue back into our economy through job creation,” He said.
Innovative youths such as Onechi need the support of all well-meaning Zambians. Our eyes will be glued to the screens to see what he does next.
(Photo Credit – Aurelien Dayde)
President Edgar Lungu has disclosed that he would not hesitate to waive presumptive taxes which farmers are subjected to pay if need be.
Speaking to mostly emerging and commercial farmers of Mkushi district yesterday, President Lungu said government has realised that taxes should be easy to comply with.
He said people always tend to evade tax if it is prohibitive.
“We have been talking about presumptive taxes and other taxes, I will not hesitate in waiving them or scraping them off because I realise that taxes should be easy to comply with,” he said.
He noted that patriotic citizens should feel duty bound to pay tax so that the money realised can be used to improve the wellbeing of the country.
President Lungu pointed out that making tax rates reasonable will prompt patriotic citizens to comply with their tax obligations.
“If taxes are prohibitive, people tend to cheat anyway and that is what we do not want. And the collection of these taxes without willing compliance by the farmers becomes very expensive,” he said.
The President noted that when people feel that the taxes are oppressive, excessive and are not being applied on their intended purpose, taxpayers tend to become defaulters.
“If taxes are prohibitive, people tend to cheat anyway and that is what we do not want. And the collection of these taxes without willing compliance by the farmers becomes very expensive,” he said.
He said he will engage relevant authorities on the feasibility of scrapping off certain taxes in the country.
President Lungu further said there were many things that should be put in place before waiving certain taxes.
“I want to assure you that your concerns will be looked into but I will not pledge that I will take this position or that position but suffice to say that a solution will be found with consultation with my colleagues in the Zambia Revenue Authority and Ministry of Finance and indeed Agriculture,” he said.
President Lungu stated that his government was aiming at making investment in the agriculture sector attractive.
“Let me assure that we are cautiously endeavouring to make Zambia a better destination for investment than it has ever been before,” he said.
And President Lungu has observed that politics surrounding the production of maize can only be ended if Zambians diverse crop production and consumption.
He said the crop of maize was politicised because it was the country’s staple food.
“We are trying to revisit this crop of maize. Maize should be a commercial crop like other crops that are free of politics,” he said.
And President Lungu reiterated that his administration would endeavour to improve the agriculture sector which he said could be relied upon more than copper for economic development.
He has since called for dialogue between farmers and his government on the best ways to grow the sector in the country.
The President also revealed that his government would increase the act of damming, water harvesting and use in order to support the agriculture industry in the country.
He said there was a lot of run-off water from Zambian rivers into Mozambique and eventually in the Indian Ocean.
Earlier Mkushi farmers’ association representative, Andrew Moffat, complained of many taxes and other requirements which make farming a very expensive business.
Mr. Moffat said farmers were subjected to paying a lot of taxes some of which they do not understand.
President Lungu is on a fact finding mission of development programmes in Central province.
During his tour of duty, the head of state has been holding meetings with chiefs whom he encouraged to uphold peace, unity, love and respect to all Zambians regardless of the tribe and region they were coming from.
Today, the President held meetings with chiefs Mailo, Chibale, Serenje, Kabamba and Chsomo among others.
The Muchimba Music Foundations’ Zed Me Free Concert was a resounding success, playing deep into the night last Saturday at Lusaka Zambia’s Showgrounds Main Arena.
Headlined by Thomas Buttenschon, the show featured some of Zambia’s leading musical artists, including Macky 2, Chef 187, and Mampi.
Co-sponsored by the Roskilde Festival and the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Zed Me Free’s all star line-up also featured Maiko Zulu,Danny Kaya, John Chiti, Afunika, and B Flow.
The non profit concert was a “Test For Ticket” event – anyone who tested for HIV received a complimentary admission ticket.
Zed Me Free was a passion project for Buttenschon.
Born HIV+ in 1985 to a Zambian mother and Danish father, Thomas takes a daily antiretroviral medication that keeps him healthy, and prevents him from transmitting the virus to his wife and children. “If you stay properly medicated”, Buttenschon explains, “the viral load remains so low it’s virtually impossible to pass on the virus.”
Because the medication is so effective, transmission rates have been drastically reduced throughout Europe and North America.
In Zambia, however, with a 14% infection rate and 1.3 million untreated people currently living with the virus, AIDS remains staggeringly destructive.
“Because of the stigma in Zambia associated with being HIV positive” says Buttenschon, “few choose to get tested, despite many programs that offer the antiretrovirals for free.”
Determined to make a difference, Buttenschon decided to use his music and his personal story to raise awareness about HIV and treatment. He has been making a documentary about his life and activism, entitled “Doin’ My Drugs”, and recently established the Muchimba Music Foundation, whose mission is to “raise awareness through music.”
Partnered with the AHF, MMF implemented a 3 week campaign leading up to the concert, holding testing events throughout Lusaka.
AHF estimates well over 10,000 Zambians were tested.
For anyone testing positive, AHF provides onsite counselling and enrolment into treatment programs.
“Music is a fitting way to encourage everyone to get tested,” says Francis Kasonde, Prevention Program Manager, AHF Zambia,” and the quality of talent at Zed Me Free made sure we surpassed our expectation for testing!”
MINISTER of Local Government and Housing Stephen Kampyongo has said that Zambia is bigger than any one province which may think it alone can change or form government.
Mr Kampyongo said this in Parliament last night on a point or order he raised in response to Mazabuka member of Parliament (MP) Garry Nkombo (UPND) who said that the people of Southern Province are resolved on changing government in next year’s general elections.
“Mr chairman, governments are voted for by people and how I wish one province could put a government in power. But this country is bigger than one province,” Mr Kampyongo said.
He also sought the chairman’s ruling on Mr Nkombo labelling the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) as a curse when the party was elected into office by the people.
“Is this member in order to underrate the people’s voice and will which put the PF in power?” Mr Kampyongo asked.
The chairman of the committee of supply Mkhondo Lungu ruled that Mr Nkombo’s assertions would be later rebuffed by the Minister of Finance.
In his debate on the estimates of revenue and expenditure for Southern Province, Mr Nkombo said: “People of this province are very clear about what the future of this country should be.”
He accused the PF of being a violent group of people who are living on borrowed money which they have allegedly spent on cosmetic development.
GOVERNMENT will support both small-scale and commercial farmers in Zambia to increase momentum for a consistent agriculture-based economy, President Lungu has said.
Mr Lungu reiterated the need to increase momentum for agricultural activities throughout the country to reduce dependency on copper as the economic mainstay.
He said his administration will also ensure that small-scale farmers receive farming inputs and are paid on time.
The President said this yesterday when he paid a courtesy call on chiefs Chitambo and Muchinka of the Lala people in Chitambo.
“I would like to thank you for your warm welcome and also for voting for us in January and for maintaining peace. I am on a fact-finding mission here [Central Province] to check on how the commercial farmers are doing, and if the small-scale farmers have been paid on time because that is the way to go. We also want to check on development projects.
“We want to keep the momentum of agriculture high and move from copper dependency because of inconsistencies in copper pricing and this is historical,” he said.
And President Lungu said Zambians must continue to respect the traditional values of various chiefdoms where they are resident to enhance the `One Zambia One Nation’ principle.
Mr Lungu said it is important for ethnic groupings to co-exist in diversity and avoid provoking each other.
He also urged traditional leaders to embrace people from other tribes and guide them to live in harmony with others.
“We are happy and grateful that you are looking after people from different backgrounds well, and continue to do so. They must also respect you and the traditions and values in your land, and do not hesitate to engage us as Government on various issues just like we will approach you. We have to work together closely,” he said.
Chief Chitambo said he is happy with President Lungu’s style of leadership and will continue giving his administration the necessary support.
He also urged Mr Lungu to ensure that the Patriotic Front adopts a capable aspirant in Chitambo constituency for the 2016 elections.
“We are not in politics but we are messengers, we will support anyone you will give us as MP who can work with us and work with PF as the government of the day. You (Mr Lungu) have a lot of work to do so remain focused to leave behind a legacy you will be remembered for,” Chief Chitambo said.
And addressing students at Chitambo School of Nursing, President Lungu reiterated the need for men and women to work in partnership in fostering development.
“We should have as many men as women ruling this country together,” President Lungu said. “There is no need for women alone and for men alone, we are partners.”
Mr Lungu said gender equality should be felt at all levels, and there should be no segregation on the basis of gender.
“We need to strike a balance when it comes to gender. There is nothing, that this is a man’s world [or] that this is a women’s world,” he said.
President Lungu also called for gender balancing in enrolments in institutions of learning.
Mr Lungu urged management at Chitambo Nursing School to “strike a balance” by enrolling students from within the district and those from outside.
Mr Lungu said it does not augur well when local people are deprived of places in tertiary institutions.
He said ensuring that people from other parts of Zambia access training at the nursing school is one way of promoting unity in the country.
Mr Lungu also told the students that he is aware of the challenges the nursing school is experiencing but they are not insurmountable.
“With the help of the teaching staff, management and Government, we will get over them because we need quality, and quality service can only come with well-trained students in any field,” he said.
President Lungu later addressed a rally at Mukando Basic School in Serenje where he urged residents to register as voters.
Mr Lungu said he is happy to interact with the people of Serenje and encouraged them to take advantage of the voter registration exercise.
He said he will continue with the projects which late President Sata initiated in Central Province and the rest of the country.
He said he wants more people in rural areas to benefit from various development projects including the rural electrification projects being implemented by the Rural Electrification Authority (REA).
President Lungu has since asked REA to “find ways and means” to ensure that the people of Serenje rural benefit from the power project.
“I want you to benefit from electricity and I want REA to find ways and means to ensure that you have electricity which bypasses you overhead,” he said.
Mr Lungu said his administration also wants to ensure that farmers are supplied with inputs in good time for the farming season.
And President Lungu has advised the electorate to be patient with elected leaders and allow them to work within their period of mandate.
“Allow your leaders to work until the time for campaigns,” he said.
He also reiterated the need for PF members to accept new members into the ruling party as this is key to uniting and strengthening the party.
President Lungu said “the party is bigger than individuals”.
And after touring new housing units in Serenje, President Lungu directed Central Province Minister Davies Chisopa to find land for construction of social amenities near the site where Walltech Enterprise Limited is constructing 66 houses for the police.
He said the development of the new residential area should be accompanied by social facilities like play parks, churches and markets.
President Lungu also toured the site where Datong Construction Company is constructing a police station and police camp in Serenje at a cost of about K34 million.
Mr Lungu is happy with the quality of work at the two construction sites.
He also toured the new Serenje district hospital which is expected to be opened soon after the mortuary is completed.
Earlier, President Lungu had a meeting with Chieftainess Serenje, chiefs Mailo, Chibale, Kabamba and Chisomo.
ZAMBIA’S net foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows rose from US$1.7 billion in 2013 to US$3.2 billion last year, according to the 2015 Foreign Private and Investor Perceptions Survey.
Bank of Zambia governor Denny Kalyalya said when he officially opened a dissemination workshop on the survey in Lusaka yesterday that successful implementation of the fiscal measures announced by President Lungu will go a long way to improve fiscal consolidation.
Dr Kalyalya said the highlighted measures and Government’s commitment to maintaining macroeconomic stability and addressing the cost of doing business, will further increase investment opportunities for both domestic and foreign investment.
“Preliminary analysis of the available data for the first half of 2015 shows notable pick up in investment momentum, with FDI inflows higher than recorded during the first half of 2014. A number of areas of improvement have been raised by the private sector,” he said.
Dr Kalyalya said according to the survey, FDI liabilities to Zambia declined by 29.1 percent to US$1.5 billion in 2014, from US$2.1 billion recorded in 2013.
He said the ongoing economic reforms of promoting private sector-led growth continue to bear fruit as evidenced by notable amounts of both local and foreign investment, and that this is critical to sustaining growth and employment.
“In this regard, we welcome the ‘foreign private investment and investor perceptions in Zambia’ which establishes the magnitude and direction of foreign private investment flows as well as investor perceptions on the investment climate,” Dr Kalyalya said.
He said the survey also underscores the Bank of Zambia’s commitment to catalysing private sector development and investment promotion and that the central bank will continue to work with other balance of payments technical committee members.
According to the 2015 report, the country’s FDI inflows rose to US$3,194.9 million from US$1,690.5 million recorded in 2013, driven by a higher drawdown in FDI assets.
The report also indicates that FDI liabilities, however, declined by 29.1 percent and this was attributed to reduced investment in mining, manufacturing and construction, among others.
Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) President Dr Nevers Sekwila Mumba says that his party reserves the right to press the “Eject” button in the ongoing constitutional process in Parliament if there are any manipulations or machinations by the Patriotic Front (PF).
Addressing a press briefing in Kitwe yesterday, Dr Mumba said that important concerns were raised by MMD Nalikwanda MP Honourable Professor Geoffrey Lungwanga on the possibility of the PF mutilating the constitution or diluting it through unauthorized amendments. He said that the MMD would withdraw their support for the constitution amendment bill if there were any manipulations or machinations or if any strange “ghosts” appeared from the PF.
He further said that the MMD as initiators of the process through the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) would not allow the bill to fail but would see it through to the end unlike the United Party for National Development (UPND) whose Members of Parliament took part in the the NCC and collected allowances but abstained from voting in the end. He said that the PF walked out of Parliament before the vote on a similar constitution amendment bill in 2011. He blamed the PF and UPND for the subsequent failure of the constitution process.
Dr Mumba also touched on the crisis on the Copperbelt with job losses of more than 7,000 and said that solving the crisis would be his first assignment once elected into office. He referred to his successful negotiation for an $8 billion investment by Barrick-Gold while he was Canadian High Commissioner which created 4,000 jobs.
Dr Mumba’s full speech is below.
PRESS BRIEFING ON 1ST DECEMBER 2015
BY MMD PRESIDENT DR NEVERS SEKWILA MUMBA
Members of the Media Fraternity; Members of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy; Our Party supporters; Ladies and Gentlemen.
Today, I wish to address a very important issue that has been on the minds of Zambians for the last several days; namely the Constitution making process which culminated in the Constitution Amendment Bill number 16 passing the second reading in Parliament last week Thursday 26th November 2015.
On behalf of the MMD, I wish to clearly explain our position so that the nation is fully aware of the reasons why we supported the bill. I also wish to address some unfounded allegations from some quarters that are mis-representing our stance.
Before I delve into the matter at hand, I firstly wish to congratulate our members of Parliament for helping attain the two-thirds majority vote. The debate has now been opened up so that we can finally make tangible progress in enacting a new people-driven constitution which we have not succeeded to do since 1972 when the first Constitutional Review Commission was set up.
Getting into the matter at hand, I wish to reiterate our position which has been consistent by referring to what two of our honourable Members of Parliament stated on the floor of the house during the debate last week; namely Chembe MP and MMD National Secretary Honourable Mwansa Mbulakulima and Chipata Central MP and MMD Parliamentary Whip Honourable Mutolo Phiri.
In summary, we as the MMD support the piece-meal amendment of the constitution because it is the most practical method with a higher probability of success and is also the least expensive. As Honourable Mbulakulima said in Parliament last week, we would have loved to have the entire document presented for enactment but are constrained by provisions relating to the Bill of Rights which can only be amended by a Referendum.
We are of the opinion that subjecting the entire document to a referendum carries the risk of failure for the entire process if the final document is voted against or if voter turnout does not meet the stipulated legal requirements such as 50% of ELIGIBLE voters participating in the vote. It is said that “a bird in hand is worth two in the bush”. The draft constitution contains several progressive clauses which if enacted shall be a huge positive boost to governance, politics and the economy. These clauses are a must and the following are some of them:
1. 50%+1 electoral system which ensures that we shall have a majority president unlike the current system where a candidate can become president even with 10% of the vote as long as he or she has the highest vote.
2. Presidential Running Mate Clause to prevent a by-election in case the sitting president is no longer able to continue in office. It is important for this bill to clarify explicitly what happens if the Running Mate who was Vice-president also has to leave office while completing the term of his predecessor and the mechanism of selection of the Vice-President in these kinds of scenarios. We have already gone through two costly presidential by-elections in 2008 and 2015 at huge cost. These could have been avoided with the Running Mate Clause in place.
3. Dual Citizenship for Zambians to make it easier for them to invest back home.
4. Strengthening of the Auditor General’s office to effect prosecutions of erring civil servants.
5. Mandatory national Debt contraction through parliament to prevent the current situation where Cabinet can just borrow anyhow and leave future generations in perpetual debt.
6. The Supplementary Appropriation Act to prevent government spending money that has not been pre-approved by parliament.
7. Preventing Parliamentary Defectors from contesting seats for life of that Parliament. This shall eliminate costly unnecessary by-elections.
Colossal sums of money have been spent on Constitutional Review Commissions since 1972 and we are still going round in circles which must stop now. We shall not abrogate our responsibility to defend and speak on behalf of Zambians through MMD elected MPs. NGOs and all other interest groups must learn to respect the opinions of others without resorting to mudslinging and character assassinations. Just because we support the constitution bill does not mean we have been bought by the PF as some NGOs are insinuating.
Important concerns were raised by MMD Nalikwanda MP Honourable Professor Geoffrey Lungwanga on the possibility of the PF mutilating the constitution or diluting it through unauthorized amendments. As stated by our Whip Honourable Phiri, we as MMD shall not tolerate that and we reserve the right to press the “Eject” button. This is another warning to PF that if there are any manipulations or machinations, or if any strange “ghosts” appear from the PF, we shall immediately withdraw our support for the bill. We are only here because of the promise that the constitution shall be enacted with the aforementioned progressive clauses.
I also wish to clarify that despite statements to the contrary, the failure of the last constitution bill in 2011 was due to the PF and UPND who both defeated the bill. The PF by walking out before a vote was taken and the UPND by going to parliament but abstaining from voting. This shall not be allowed to repeat itself and that is why we support the bill. We are only interested in the end result and not pointless debates.
We as MMD were the initiators of this process through the National Constitution Conference (NCC) under late president Levy Mwanawasa and the current document being debated is the product of the NCC. We want to see this whole process through to completion and we shall not abandon it halfway the way the UPND did by collecting allowances from the NCC but abstaining from voting in the end.
How can we reject the process we started by depending on speculations about the intentions of the PF who are merely completing the process we started? We have been consistent on this issue from the beginning including during the Presidential debate just prior to the January 2015 presidential election.
Finally, we are aware that there is much debate remaining before this bill is enacted but we remain confident that reason shall finally prevail and hopefully Zambians will have a document that addresses the most cardinal issues in the governance of the nation.
I thank you,
Dr Nevers Sekwila Mumba
MMD President
The Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) is relieved that the Constitution Amendment Bills No. 16 and 17 have passed the Second Reading in Parliament and we now wish to call on Members of Parliament to rise above partisan politics and enact the Bills into law when they come up for Committee Stage and Third Reading.
We want to remind the PF Government that YALI has not supported the Patriotic Front to do what they want but we have supported Government to do what is right and what is in the interest of the Zambian people’s. President Lungu must be reminded that there are some MPS within his party who would like him to be voted out of power and will use the Constitution Reform process to achieve this desire by supporting the removal of progressive clauses such as the 50 percent plus 1 and the Presidential Running which the people of Zambia have consistently said they want to see in their Constitution.
As leader of the Patriotic Front, President Lungu must guide his party MPS to avoid removing progressive clauses from the Constitution which would lead to withdrawal of support by some opposition Members of goodwill who would like to see that Zambians get a better law before December 31, 2015.
The Board of YALI unanimously resolves to support this process that is aimed at giving Zambians a better supreme law and we urge President Lungu and all our MPS to give Zambians a good and progressive Constitution before 31st December 2015.
YALI would like to remind our Members of Parliament that the duty to make, repeal and enact laws is vested exclusively in the House through Articles 62 and 78 of the Constitution of Zambia which is the supreme law that must be obeyed by all. We therefore call on those Members of Parliament to use the Committee Stage and Third Reading to draw consensus on the making of a better Constitution and removal of ambiguities in the Bill.
We also acknowledge that during this time when Zambia is facing huge economical challenges, it can be a challenge to have all costly provisions of the Billl effected and operationalised soon as the Bill is signed into law of the Bill passes through the Third Reading but the Members of Parliament must resist the temptation of removing progressive clauses in the Constitution based on the costs and current economic challenges which may be temporal.
Parliament must unanimously resolve to support all progressive clauses while guiding the nation on the effective date of some of the provisions where costs may be an issue. The lesson from Zimbabwe can be borrowed on this matter.
All members of Parliament represent the people, most of whom may not have sufficient knowledge on the content or implications of the current Draft Constitution and, at a time like this, we want to remind all MPs to remember the very reason why the people elected them to Parliament. The Draft Constitution and the Constitution Amendment Bill was arrived based on the participation of 12,000 plus Zambian elites who represented the 15 Million Zambians and it is the duty if Parliament which represents the 15 million Zambians to interrogate the content of the Bill and realign them so Zambians can have a better law which approved by MPs who are the real representatives of the the Zambian peoples.
We particularly remind President Lungu that while his party may be enjoying an a majority in Parliament, this advantage must never be used to subvert the will of the people contained in the Constitution Bills which Government has presented to Parliament. President Lungu has an opportunity to show Zambians that he means well on the Constitution by urging his Party’s Members of Parliament to enact all progressive clauses as contained in the Bill irrespective of whether the Patriotic Front which he leads, agrees with them or not.
Zambia’s Members of Parliament must never fail the nation once again, as they so shamefully did in March 2011, when they failed to give Zambians a constitution that was more progressive than the current 1996 Constitution.
Isaac Mwanza
Governance Advisor
Young African Leaders Initiative
Zambia’s dream of qualifying for the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil is over after losing their second consecutive match at the 2015 CAF Under-23 Cup in Senegal.
The Junior Chipolopolo on Tuesday evening lost 3-2 to South Africa to exit the CAF Championship where top three teams will qualify for the Rio Olympic Games.
Zambia conceded three second half goals in a space of seven minutes as South Africa came from behind to overcome their COSAFA region rivals.
Fighton Simukonda’s side led after 35 minutes with Lusaka Dynamos youngster Conlyde Luchanga netting a superb goal after finishing off a Spencer Sautu cross.
But South Africa turned the game on its head after the break with three goals in the 46th, 51st and 53rd minutes inked by Menzi Masuku and Gift Motupa who grabbed a brace.
However, Zambia never gave up easily as defender Billy Mutale reduced the deficit to 3-2 when he finished off Lubambo Musonda’s corner after 72 minutes.
This result means that Zambia cannot advance to the semi-finals of this CAF Championship as they lost their opening Group A match to Tunisia via a 2-1 score-line.
Zambia last took part in the Olympics football competition in 1988.
And Attorney General Likando Kalaluka contends that the High Court ought not to have entertained the application for Judicial Review by Mr. Nchito as it cannot be allowed to curtail investigative processes of the Tribunal.
Chief Justice Ireen Mambilima deferred ruling on the matter after hearing submissions and arguments from both parties at the Supreme Court in Ndola this morning.
Justice Mambilima sat with a panel constituting four Supreme Court Judges namely Deputy Chief Justice Marvin Mwanamwambwa, Justice Evans
Hamaundu, Justice Elizabeth Miyovwe and Justice Henry Chibomba.
This is in the matter where Mr. Kalaluka and Solicitor General Abram Mwansa have on behalf of the STATE raised three grounds of appeal against the Lusaka High court decision.
Mr. Kalaluka submitted that Mr. Nchito should have waited for the tribunal proceedings to come to an end and only go to court if he felt there was injustice in the tribunal findings.
The Attorney General argued that there is no need for the suspended DPP to go to court now, supposing that the tribunal clears him of alleged professional misconduct.
Mr. Mwansa submitted that the Judicial Review sought by Mr. Nchito was prematurely before court.
In Response, Mr. Nchito argued that some of the members sitting on the tribunal are connected to what he is alleged to have done and should not be allowed to sit on the panel.
He submitted that as a constitutional office holder facing a tribunal, he can only seek recourse in an event where there is unfair justice through Judicial Review.
Zambia has been appointed to facilitate the High level Meeting on HIV/AIDS to be held next year in June in New York.
UNAIDS deputy Executive Director Luiz Loures disclosed the development when he met the Vice President Inonge Wina in Harare , Zimbabwe.
He said Zambia was chosen because Africa bears the impact of the pandemic and that the best practices in the fight against of the disease are on the continent.
Dr. Loures said his organization is confident that Zambia will help the organisation and other partners set new programmes in the fight against the pandemic.
He further said UNAIDS was happy that Zambia was being represented at the 18th international conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa at a higher level.
He urged the Vice President to use her influence to continue pushing the battle forward against the pandemic at a higher level.
And Ms. Wina said the Zambian government was happy that it has been given an opportunity to facilitate the high level meeting.
She said government was taking the fight against HIV/AIDS seriously due to the devastating effect the disease has on the economy.
She stated that government was taking the issues of women empowerment seriously as they are key in the fight against the pandemic.
She said Government realized that they were gaps during the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals, and that it will come up with new strategies in line the Sustainable Development Goals to achieve greater results in the fight against the disease.
The Vice President Arrives this morning in Harare to attend the 18th ICASA Where she will give a key note speech at a special session of the African Parliamentary and Leadership Colloquium under the theme “African Union sustaining visionary leadership towards ending AIDS in Africa by 2030.
