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Coach Honour Janza has recalled Zimbabwe based defender Aaron Katebe for Zambia’s friendly against Ivory Coast to be played at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.
Katebe of FC Platinum has joined the 26-member home based squad that regrouped in Lusaka on Monday.
Janza has further added Under-17 youngsters Patson Daka and Changwe Kalale to the squad.
FAZ spokesperson Nkweto Tembwe confirmed on Thursday morning.
“Two Under Seventeen National team players have been called to the Chipolopolo camp that is preparing for Saturday’s encounter against Ivory Coast in Lusaka. They are Patson Daka and Changwe Kalale,”
Tembwe said.
He added:”Coach has also summoned Zimbabwe based defender Aaron Katebe.”
This friendly match is part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations.
Government has finally released the long awaited final draft constitution.
Acting Justice Minister Ngosa Simbyakula tabled the draft constitution document in parliament today to coincide with the country’s golden jubilee which falls tomorrow.
However the road-map for the constitution making process which one of the demands of the stakeholders has not been presented.
Dr Simbyakula says the release of the draft constitution will allow the Zambian people go through the document.
Justice Minister Edgar Lungu had last week assured the grand coalition that government would release the draft constitution during the independence week.
And the Opposition Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) has expressed disappointment that government has released the draft constitution without a road map on the enactment of the new constitution.
Speaking in an interview MMD President Nevers Mumba said his party was disappointed with government for releasing the draft document without a road map when it had 3 years to come up with one.
Dr. Mumba said the absence of a road map on the enactment of the new constitution signifies that the PF are not ready to conclude the process that has staled for a long time.
“We are deeply disappointed as MMD that they have decided to release the draft constitution in the absence of the road map signifying that really they are not ready.
“They have had 3years to work on the road map and three years to give us the draft constitution so the least they could do is to not only give us the draft constitution but also the road map that is going to take us to the enactment of the new constitution,” Dr. Mumba said
” We demand that this government quickly moves on providing the road map so that we can know how and when the people will have their new constitution,” he added.
Meanwhile the opposition leader has hailed stakeholders including CSOs and fellow opposition parties for pressuring government into releasing the draft constitution.
He observed that without the pressure that stakeholders put in the PF government would have continued lying to the people hence credited should be given to the stakeholder for standing up on behalf of the many voiceless Zambians.
“Although they have released it there is no much credit being given to this government because without the pressure we have put on them not only would they have lied by not providing it within the 90 days they promised but they would not have given us this draft constitution if we had not fought so hard and I congratulate the Civil Society, my colleagues in other political parties for an excellent job for fighting that government responds,” Dr. Mumba said.
This week marks a momentous time in Zambia’s incredible calendar. We are together celebrating the Golden Jubilee under a signature of peace and sustained national security.
On behalf of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD), I wish to congratulate all Zambians and in particular, our founding leaders, a lot of them who are still with us today. On this special occasion, we honor and salute both the living and departed Heroes of our liberation struggle. We vow never to forget all the sacrifices you made on our behalf. May God’s mercy be extended to you and your succeeding families.
May I go further to thank and honor those unsung heroes, whose names do not appear on the roll of recorded freedom fighters and yet also gave all they had, including their lives to secure our freedom. We may not know their names but the Lord does.
I also wish to honour all the men and women that participated in the struggle for the emancipation of the nation from the oppressive One-Party state. The MMD is a pioneering political party that restored personal, economic and press freedoms in 1991 under the leadership of many great men and women who sacrificed in similar fashion to the 1964 generation.
We should not exclude the many gallant Zambians who in the past fifty years shaped the nation at different times and brought great national pride in different sectors like sport, church, politics, and culture. While many Zambians will be given awards for their outstanding achievements, we fear that others from equally important sectors may be over-looked.
The word “Jubilee” is a biblical word which signifies the year of complete freedom and rest. The Sabbath is the seventh day in which God rested after creating the world. Israel was commanded to do no servile work on this day. The Jubilee is the Sabbath of Sabbaths. The Bible says:
And thou shalt number seven Sabbaths of years unto thee, seven times seven years; and the space of the seven Sabbaths of years shall be unto thee forty and nine years. Then shall thou cause the trumpet of the Jubilee to sound….through out all your land. And you shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim LIBERTY through out all the land….. And you shall RETURN every man unto his POSSESSION, and you shall return every man unto his family…… You shall not therefore OPPRESS one another; but thou shalt fear thy God: for I am The Lord your God. (Leviticus 25:1-17)
As we open a new page, we should apply ourselves to the true meaning of Jubilee. It is not a political slogan but a Biblical truth. It literally means “a time of renewal”. To give back FREEDOMS that were taken away in the past fifty years. To RETURN ALL POSSESSIONS taken away from individuals and to ensure that not a single person is OPPRESSED by another.
In the spirit of Jubilee therefore, the MMD makes the following demands from the PF government:
1. We demand our freedom back. Freedom to associate and assemble as we wish. We demand that abuse of the Public Order Act be stopped. We need our freedom to hold meetings without facing the brutality of the police. In the year of Jubilee, freedom must be restored.
2. We demand for media freedoms to be restored. The MMD pioneered press freedom in 1991 which the PF government has taken away by dragging journalists and publications to court on flimsy charges and blocking critical media websites. Without press freedom, a nation can never be truly free as the media are the watchdogs of society to make governments accountable to the electorate.
2. We demand that the land being taken illegally by a few rich and powerful people be repossesed and made available to the ordinary Zambian. We need our possessions back in the year of Jubilee.
3. We demand that no Zambian should be oppressed by the ruling party in terms of selective justice being served. We demand that Zambians be allowed to freely express themselves without being arrested as the current trend is. We demand that the current spell of fear and intimidation be broken over the nation.
4. We demand that the wage freeze be lifted, so that workers can freely bargain for better pay in this Jubilee year.
5. We demand the right to education by reviewing the bursary scheme for university students so that students from poor families will have equal access to education.
As we move forward to the next fifty years, may we insist on a new leadership of morality and integrity to move Zambia into the future. We are thankful to God for the political emancipation of 1964 and 1991. It is now time for economic emancipation. But this can only be achieved by a new leadership of morality and integrity with the fear of God and love for the down-trodden.
Zambia must become a fully developed nation in the next 50 years just like Western nations. A new leadership of morality and integrity must take over and introduce the necessary economic and political reforms to produce rapid economic growth like the one witnessed in China of double-digits over 30 years. Though we have achieved much, there remains a greater distance to the finish line.
This Jubilee would be incomplete if we do not put in place a social safety-net to remember those who paid a high price for the freedom we now enjoy. MMD proposes a special fund for all freedom-fighters to ensure that none of them dies in poverty after giving us freedom through their sweat and blood.
May this Jubilee introduce us to true love and respect for each other and a maturity to embrace those who hold views different from ours. May Zambia be a beacon of light on the continent.
Stanbic Bank Zambia commemorated the Golden Jubilee with a luncheon where veteran politician Vernon Mwaanga counseled staff on leadership. The bank’s chief executive Charles Mudiwa welcomes Mwaanga at Stanbic House. Picture courtesy of KPR Consulting.
Zambia has reached a stage in its history where it can no longer look to past for solutions and must look to the future for its socio-economic growth. According to veteran politician Vernon Mwaanga, Zambia’s emerging leaders should take up responsibility for nation-building through economic and social initiatives.
Speaking in Lusaka on Wednesday when he joined Stanbic Bank staff at a luncheon to mark the Golden Jubilee, Mwaanga said that Zambia should commemorate its 50th anniversary by looking to the future and identifying leadership that will move the country forward for the next fifty years.
He noted that leadership should not be restricted to the political scene but in business, enterprise and industry to ensure that coming generations of Zambians will benefit from the new leadership that takes up the mantle to move Zambia forward.
“Zambia is at that stage where we can look at the past to reflect on the successes and challenges we have endured as country. But what is more important is to now look to the future and encourage new leaders to take up the responsibility for growth of industry and nation-building,” he said.
And Stanbic Bank Zambia Chief Executive Charles Mudiwa said the Golden Jubilee was a major milestone in the history of the country because it demonstrated that Zambia remains a resilient country in the face of global challenges.
“To go through half a century and endure various political, social and economic challenges is a demonstration of Zambia’s resilience and its capacity to remain united in the face of a rapidly changing environment,” he said.
Mudiwa added that Zambia’s economic growth of the last few years has been down to the stable political and social environment. He said that investors remain attracted to the country’s strong pillars peace and harmony which encourage businesses and people to thrive.
Stanbic Bank hosted a luncheon for its staff at the bank’s head office where Mwaanga shared his long political journey as well as highlights of Zambia’s last fifty years. He was joined by the bank’s board chairperson Mary N’cube in commemorating Zambia’s Golden Jubilee with the bank’s management and staff.
Zambia have jumped ten places on the latest FIFA rankings released today.
After a ten month spent in free-fall, Zambia leap from 88th to 78th in the World.
Zambia’s recovery is thanks to the results in their last two Africa Cup Group F qualifiers after rebounding to draw 0-0 away and winning 3-0 at home in their October doubleheader against Niger.
Zambia, though, remain 20th in Africa and continue to be upstaged in Group F by Cape Verde who rise eight places to 33rd in the World and are fourth on the CAF rankings.
Mozambique who are the only unbeaten side in Group F have also made big gains on the FIFA rankings rising 12 places to 97th.
Zambia and Mozambique, who are tied on five points, meet in their penultimate Group F qualifier away on November 15 in Maputo.
Bottom placed Niger who are out of the 2015 AFCON qualifying race drop 14 places to 121.
Meanwhile, the African top five looks like this: Algeria are 15th, Cote d’Ivoire are 25th, Tunisia are 31st, Cape Verde are 35th, Ghana 35th.
Egypt (38th), Cameroon (40th), Senegal (41st) Nigeria (42)and Togo (52) complete the top ten in that order.
The next rankings will be released on November 27.
Another journey begins for Zambia’s Multi Award winning R&B Artist, Song writer, Producer and On-Air Radio Presenter ROBERTO.
After the success of his 3rd studio album MY NAME IS, 2014 is certainly going to end on a high note for the Zambian Crooner, releasing his first single off the forthcoming album dubbed 1712, the album itself boasts of the greatest collaborations with some of Zambia’s finest artists, also fused with Africa’s hottest trending acts. The album to be released on 17 December 2014, which is Roberto’s birthday, thus the title of the album ,1712. (17 for the date, and 12 depicting the 12th Month of the year)
The BrathaHood Music Artist now under kamikaze Entertainment Management and new publishing deal with Sheer Music Publishing South Africa, takes Africa and the world straight into Celebration Mode with the song AMA-RULAH. The bouncy rhythmic song teases your dance skills and motion sensors with a sassy story line, describing a partner being smooth, clean, tasty and sexy as AMA-RULAH.
“Africa, our Mother Africa, must be free, and it has fallen to our lot to free this part. Be of good cheer, we are just beginning.” – Dr. Kenneth Kaunda
This October Zambians all across the world are holding lavish parties in jubilation of 50 years of independence from British tyranny.While the jubilee parties heat up, anger simmers particularly in Zambian diaspora who cite mismanagement of Zambia perhaps to justify and validate their reasons for leaving the country. Quite frankly, Zambian diaspora has no right to be angry about Zambia’s failures. We gave up that right when we ‘escaped’ Zambia’s dilemmas and opted to put our skills and manpower behind other countries. Zambians who genuinely care about the development of the country live in Zambia. They are the ones being innovative and starting companies that employ and empower other Zambians. They are not in diaspora deconstructing the country with empty words on meaningless blogs under stupid pseudonyms. Unless you are making efforts at bettering Zambia, it is futile and hypocritical to keep blaming those who are trying. Mudslinging only dirties hands and little else.
Last December, I visited my parents in Luanshya and my father and I went on a long freedom walk from the town center to the township of Mikomfwa where I grew up. Our walk took us through a desolate compound of one room dwellings clustered around communal bathrooms called ku Nkungulume (for bachelors), aptly named since establishment by the British as a settlement for unmarried young men. Although the name remains, the compound now houses families. My father has memories of his residency there and he pointed out some of his old hangout places. One of the bars is named Biyaolo, obviously from the western term, ‘Beer Hall’. Our walk ended back in town at the civic center. The Mayor at the time was a 30 year old man who had brought positive changes to the council. The building was clean, the staff courteous and knowledgeable and a robust PR team produces a newsletter updating the public on current affairs. The team work at the council has results, Government recognized the council’s efforts and awarded it the only corruption-free city council in Zambia. I am positive ku Nkungulume will one day have indoor plumbing because Luanshya is making steps toward bettering itself as a community. The town Library is another example of self- improvement in Luanshya. As a native of Luanshya, I started a campaign 10 years ago, through the Books for Zambia Project to equip the library with books. Luanshya library is thriving and the city council is at the center of maintaining the library.
Luanshya library
We have to recognize and acknowledge fruit bearing efforts by Zambians. We could collectively as a people, work on figuring out the best practices for Zambia instead of photocopying what western countries are doing. What works for London does not necessarily work for Lusaka because we have different needs; culturally, traditionally, economically etcetera. Basically, we’ve only been in civilized society under our own rule for a measly 50 years. We have much to learn. HH, Mumba, Chipimo, Kambwili, RB or whoever else is aspiring to be the next President of Zambia will not salvage Zambia on their own. They may have leadership qualities but without proper policy formulation and implementation in tandem with skilled advisors and cooperation from citizens, nothing will change. I witnessed blatant leadership failure and selfishness in my position as personal assistant to one of the top directors at the Ministry of Science and Technology some years back. At the time the ministry was in charge of funding all the Trades Training Schools including Evelyn Hone College. The funds were rarely disbursed to the colleges wholly or promptly. I know this for a fact because I was in charge of typing up the budgets. Every time the funding came in, directors would convene unnecessary seminars in Siavonga and I mean unnecessary because I attended a couple of them myself and I had no idea why we were there until the per diem allowances came in! A certain director openly used government personnel, vehicles, gas, and office supplies to establish his own college in Northern Province. All the employees knew the stealing was going on but no one spoke up. I was disgusted with what I witnessed but I was green and straight out of Luanshya trades training school and still dizzy from two years of consuming beans and cabbage at the dining hall. In a case like this do you sit there and insult the President of the country or the specific people at the ministry? Kleptomaniac behavior and vandalism is prevalent at all levels of society but it is generally left unchecked or frowned upon. Growing up we had a neighbor who worked at a local clinic and her house was basically a dispensary. I thought she was a kind lady because my mother would send me over to her house for painkillers and she dispensed of them generously until one day there were no painkillers left at the clinic, then we all became exasperated and cursed the government for failing at their job. What about our duty to the communities we live in?
Luanshya Biyaolo
Lack of community engagement is debilitating to the country. I have seen some rural settlements waiting on government to come and replace a roof on a school because their children can’t learn in inclement weather. Are we honestly that bereft of initiative? A good parent will patch up the roof so their child can continue learning. Yes, it is government’s duty to provide education, but remember in the beginning schools were not started by government. Schools were started by individuals who knew the value of education. Before colonialists came to Zambia, missionaries were there first bringing with them education and modern medicine. Many missionary schools and hospitals still standing in Zambia were built by Zambian hands without modern machinery and no government assistance to rely on.
In retrospect, we can trash every incumbent government and hold tribunals and embark on witch hunts all day long but words alone will never bring about the positive changes we long to see and need in our communities. The change we need is within and through ourselves. Luanshya City Council is a good example. Building strong communities is not achieved through words, it is through action and collective organization and engagement. Change in attitude about the way we perceive ourselves and our abilities, self- esteem, confidence and treasuring and protecting our resources could help propel us into a self-sustaining nation. For instance instead of evacuating to South Africa for good healthcare, perhaps we could invite South African officials to Zambia for some lessons in healthcare management, same with our schools and universities. University of Zambia is like a warzone at any given time, one wonders about the caliber of graduates coming out of there when the institution is more famous for its riotous tradition than its academic prowess.
Change can be dispensing of our third world mindset of living in the moment and not planning for tomorrow. A better tomorrow can begin with curbing the senseless plunder of public resources and installing early childhood intervention programs so that the coming generations will have better mindsets that will help stamp out intergenerational poverty and dependency syndrome. We have the tools, we can stop the war within ourselves and get to work. The last 50 years is done, we can’t go back and change the blunders and learning curves we have endured as a new nation but the next 50 years is in our hands to shape and mold. Are we going to stand together and fight for a better Zambia as one, or are we going to continue to stand divided and vie for position and status instead of improved living conditions for all?
HH at a media briefing at the party’s secretariat in Lusaka
THE Patriotic Front (PF) has described as careless United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema’s call on Zambians to commemorate the golden jubilee as opposed to celebrating the occasion.
During a press briefing in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Hichilema said Zambians cannot genuinely celebrate the golden jubilee amidst high levels of poverty, hence the need to only memorialise the day.
The UPND leader, however, said commemoration of 50 years of independence should be a non-partisan affair and praised freedom fighters for the country’s political freedom.
According to news monitored on ZNBC, Mr Hichilema also paid tribute to President Sata for doing his best in the past three years, and praised former presidents for leading the country.
Mr Hichilema also used the occasion to call on Government to immediately release the draft constitution.
But PF director for media and publicity Brian Hapunda has asked Zambians to celebrate the golden jubilee.
Mr Hapunda said it must be borne in mind that the freedom Mr Hichilema and all Zambians are enjoying is a product of the gallant freedom fighters’ efforts in liberating the country from the yoke of colonialism, hence must be celebrated.
He described Mr Hichilema’s remarks on the golden jubilee as irresponsible.
And PF Lusaka district information and publicity secretary Matafwali Mwenya says Government will not act on instructions and deadlines regarding the release of the final draft constitution by the opposition party leaders, reports KELLY NJOMBO.
Reacting to calls by Mr Hichilema that Government should release the draft constitution before Friday this week, Mr Mwenya said Government is committed to releasing the draft constitution within the jubilee season.
He said in a statement yesterday that Mr Hichilema will not be allowed to start giving the democratically elected government deadlines.
“President Sata will never betray the people of Zambia in any way. He remains committed to delivering the constitution. On this score PF government has already shown goodwill to release the constitution within this jubilee season. We therefore find Mr Hichilema’s demands strange and highly malicious meant to pre-empt Government’s goodwill on this process,” Mr Mwenya said.
He said the PF government owes Zambians delivery of the final draft constitution.
Mr Mwenya, however said Government does not owe this duty to Mr Hichilema as a person or UPND or civil society organisations.
THE Bank of Zambia (BoZ) has unveiled a 50th Independence Anniversary K50 commemorative banknote bearing portraits of former Presidents and the current Head of State.
Minister of Finance Alexander Chikwanda launched the note in Lusaka yesterday as Zambia’s tribute to founding President Kenneth Kaunda, former presidents Frederick Chiluba, Levy Mwanawasa and Rupiah Banda, and the incumbent President Sata for their visionary leadership which has united the country.
“The K50 commemorative banknote, unlike previous commemorative coins which the Bank of Zambia issued to celebrate various historical events, will circulate side by side with the current K50 note,” he said.
Mr Chikwanda said the commemorative banknote bears the same features as the currently circulating K50 banknote except for the portraits of the five heads of state and the “50th Independence Anniversary” wording.
And BoZ governor Michael Gondwe noted that this is the first time a commemorative banknote is being circulated as legal tender in the country.
Dr Gondwe said printing and minting of banknotes and coins is a global phenomenon that is done to preserve important events.
Dr Kaunda was grateful for the honour bestowed on him and urged Zambians to continue to build the nation together using the “One Zambia, One Nation” motto.
Mr Banda, who was touched by the gesture, urged Zambians to maintain peace, love and unity.
Representing late President Chiluba, his widow Regina Chiluba said it was a great gesture for the government to recognise her husband’s contribution to Zambia.
“I would like to congratulate Zambians for being peaceful. My late husband would have been happy,” she said.
And representing late President Mwanawasa, his widow, Maureen, thanked Government for recognising the role her husband played in the development of the country.
Education Minister John Phiri and Turkish Ambassador to Zambia Ahmet Arda sharing wards during Horizon Education Trust School ground breaking for the Girls Secondary School
ABOUT 200 students who applied for bursaries in rural areas were not picked because the department of social welfare did not submit their application forms, Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education John Phiri has said.
Dr Phiri said in an interview on Monday that he has engaged the Ministry of Finance to see how best rural-based students can be helped.
Dr Phiri said the omission by the department of social welfare resulted in many students not being awarded bursaries.
“I just hope that the committee which is looking into the final list of bursary applicants will finish on time so that the students can be able to register,’’ Dr Phiri said.
He also said the University of Zambia (UNZA) has extended the registration period for students to November.
Dr Phiri is confident that the omission by the department of social welfare will be avoided in future and more students will be awarded bursaries.
Some of the rehabilitated equipment at Luanshya Copper Mines
THE Chamber of Mines of Zambia (CMZ) has asked the Government to reconsider the new mining tax regime proposed in the 2015 National Budget.
The new mining tax regime will see the introduction of eight per cent mineral royalty tax on underground mining and 20 per cent on open cast mining.
CMZ president Jackson Sikamo told the expanded parliamentary committee on estimates that the new mining tax regime was not progressive and would lead to the closure of some mining companies.
“We have reviewed the new mining tax regime and it is entirely unsustainable,” Mr Sikamo said. “The mining industry needs to be nurtured and the proposed tax regime in the 2015 Budget will destroy it.”
Mr Sikamo urged the Government to reverse the proposed tax regime as it would affect employment and Government revenue in the country.
Zambia is currently among the countries with the highest effective tax rates and increasing taxes would greatly affect existing mines and would-be investors in the mining industry.
So far more than US$12 billion has been pumped into the mining sector and more than 150,000 jobs created, hence the importance of keeping the country attractive for mining investment.
Zambia should also reconsider the introduction of VAT Rule number 18, as it was impractical and impossible for the mining companies to meet.
The mining companies urged the Government to sort out the VAT issue expeditiously, as failure to reverse it would have an impact on the mining companies and total Government revenue collection.
Mr Sikamo said introduction of the taxes would increase the cost of doing business in the mining sector and negatively impact capital expenditure projects and payments to mining suppliers.
The expanded committee of estimates, chaired by Bweengwa UPND MP Highvie Hamududu, took the mines body to task over its members’ ‘quick to cry’ attitude every time the Government suggested increases in the mining tax regime.
Members of the expanded committee on estimates are MMD Ikelengi MP Elijah Muchima, PF Kabwata MP Given Lubinda, Kabompo West UPND MP Ambrose Lufuma, Moomba UPND MP Vitalis Mooya, Lukashya PF MP Elfreda Kansembe, Nchelenge PF MP Raymond Mpundu and Lukulu East MP Christopher Kalila.
Others are Keembe’s Ronnie Shikapwasha, Siavonga UPND MP Kennedy Hamududu, Kasempa MP Kabinga Pande, Mkaika MP David Phiri, Solwezi West UPND MP Villie Lombanya, Pambashe MP Ronald Chitotela, UPND MP Mufalali Likando, Namwala UPND MP Moono Lubezhi, Chipangali MMD MP Vincent Mwale and Lumezi MMD MP Isaac Banda.
The dam wall at the Kariba North Bank Power station
THE Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) has mobilised funds from donors for the rehabilitation of the Kariba Dam.
The rehabilitation works for the dam are estimated to cost over US$290 million.
ZRA chief executive officer Munyaradzi Munodawafa said cooperating partners have responded to the request from the Zambian and Zimbabwean governments to assist with the rehabilitation project.
Mr Munodawafa named the partners as the European Union (EU), which intends to contribute US$100 million, and the World Bank Group (WBG), which proposes to provide US$75 million, while ZRA is also looking for US$75 million from the African Development Bank (AfDB).
He said other partners are the Swedish government, which proposes to provide US$30 million funding, and the rest will be counterpart funds from Zambian and Zimbabwean governments.
“The outcome of the meetings between the two governments and the cooperating partners has been successful.
“A number of issues relating to implementation were discussed which pave the way to ensure the rehabilitation works are adequately funded, with expertise that will undertake the project to meet international safety standards to give a new lease of life to the Kariba Dam,” he said in a statement to the Daily Mail recently.
Last week ZRA on behalf of the Zambian and Zimbabwean governments met representatives of the EU, the World Bank Group and AfDB to finalise preparations for the rehabilitation of the Kariba Dam.
EU head of delegation Gilles Hervio said, “I am pleased with the progress that has been made so far in the preparatory work to ensure that the rehabilitation works are done in a timely manner to avert a power deficit in future.”
AfDB country representative Freddie Kwesiga told the meeting that the rehabilitation of the dam is important and that it will also secure an already constrained generation capacity in the southern African region.
World Bank country director Kundhavi Kadiresan also said reliable power generation is needed to meet the ever increasing demand in the region.
And Swedish Ambassador Lena Nordstrom said securing sustainable energy is a key priority for development cooperation and consequences of the dam failure would be a serious setback for efforts to reduce poverty and promote economic development.
Engineers have warned that a collapse of the dam wall would put the lives and livelihoods of more than 3.5 million people in Zimbabwe, Zambia and Mozambique at risk.
The ZRA recently warned that the dam wall needs urgent rehabilitation. However, it says there is no need to panic as engineers still have the situation under control.
Failure to invest in the timely rehabilitation of the dam will result in the gradual degradation of key dam safety features to a level below international standards.
Opposition UPND Member of Parliament (MP) Cornelius Mweetwa has urged government to lift the two-year wage and employment freeze imposed by government on the public service workers
Mr. Mweetwa notes that the freeze implies that government did not appreciate the efforts of the civil servants.
As a mover of motion on urging government to lift the wage freeze imposed on the public service in 2014, the opposition MP said in parliament today that the price of commodities was allegedly rising yet salaries for civil servants was static.
Various stakeholders among them opposition political parties, churches and civil society organizations have received the imposition of wage freeze by government with mixed feelings.
And contributing to the debate in the House, UPND Monze MP Jack Mwimbu said Zambia is a member and signatory to the convention of International Labour Organisation, (ILO).
Mr. Mwimbu said the wage freeze in conflict with industrial Relation Court Act Cap 269 of the laws of Zambia adding that the trade unions in Zambia not consulted.
Mr. Mwimbu, who laid down Judgment number 145/1999 on the table before the National Assembly Speaker, Dr. Patrick Matibini accused Government of not caring for the 200,000 civil servants.
The Monze law-maker observed that history had repeated itself to what the previous MMD government under president Frederick Chiluba did in 1998 when it imposed a wage freeze on the civil servants.
“History is repeating itself to what the former MMD government did 16 years ago in 1998. It’s not fair to impose a wage freeze on public service workers and it means the PF Government is not for you,” Mr. Mwimbu said.
But Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda says it is not possible to reverse the wage freeze given the strained budgetary situation of government.
Mr. Chikwanda said that the national treasury could not afford another increment for public service workers after the high increase given to public service workers last year.
The Minister defended wage freeze saying 14 months is not too long a time before the wage freeze imposed on the civil service is lifted.
Mr. Chikwanda recently said in Lusaka when he opened a Zambia Congress of Trade Union workshop that the wage moratorium was only meant for 2014 and 2015.
He added that his plea to the trade unions is for them to realize that government’s action is upon resource availability.
He said that going forward the Patriotic Front government wants to correct structural imbalances where 70 percent of the national budget goes towards emoluments and related factors.
However ZCTU President Leonard Hikaumba said that the planned countrywide demonstrations would go ahead in order to show government that the work force is very displeased with the wage freeze.
There is a looming showdown on government operations from the public service workers to paralyze government with union leaders piling pressure over the wage freeze urging government to reverse the infamous illegal wage freeze.
Kitwe District Commisioner Elias Kamanga has hailed the role sports has played in fostering peace and unity in the country as Zambia marks the Golden Jubilee of Independence.
Speaking at the recent Golden Jubilee Sports Festival in Kitwe, Kamanga said sports activities among them football, boxing, athletics, golf and netball have united the country in the last 50 years.
“It cannot be argued that sports has been one of the key unifying factors of Zambia 50’s year journey. Sports like football, boxing athletics, golf and netball have united people across religious, political, social racial and ethnic divide,” he said.
Kamanga added:”It can be said that sports just like religion has played a significant role in Zambia’s peaceful existence.”
He urged companies to support sports.
“Let me therefore encourge companies to get back to the good old days when they made sports part of their business by facilitating the availability of sports facilities,” Kamanga said.
Ex- 400 meters hurdles world champion Samuel Matete says he is prepared for the Zambia Athletics Association elective annual general meeting to be held in December.
Matete is challenging incumbent and long serving ZAA president Elias Mpondela for the top post.
Zambia’s most successful individual sports man announced his bid to challenge Mpondela earlier in March.
“Firstly, it is my right to contest the ZAA election. I am prepared for the election coming up in December. I have been working in the background,” Matete said.
“I have a vision to promote athletics at the grass root. It is important that we go out in communities to tap talent instead of sitting in offices. Talented athletes will never come to us we have to follow them in communities,” he said.
The 1996 Olympic Silver medallist also won gold at the 1993 Commonwealth Games.
