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Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) vice president Boniface Mwamelo says Football House is monitoring the outbreak of the Ebola disease in West Africa where Nkana are scheduled to travel next week to faceSewe Sport of Ivory Coast in a CAF Confederation Cup match.
Mwamelo said FAZ will engage the Ministries of Sports and Health prior to Nkana’s pending trip to Ivory Coast.
He said FAZ does not want Nkana to be exposed to countries where the deadly Ebola virus has broken out.
Mwamelo said FAZ may also consider engaging the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on the matter.
“We are aware about the Ebola outbreak and we are monitoring the situation in West Africa. We don’t want Nkana to be exposed to the
Ebola virus,” he said.
Over 900 people have so far been killed by Ebola in Nigeria, Liberia, Serra Leon and Guinea.
“We are engaging our parent ministry which is the Ministry of Sports and the Ministry of Health on the matter,” Mwamelo added.
The opposition United Party for National Development UPND has expressed concern at the presence of Police Inspector General (IG) Stella Libongani in Mangango constituency a few days before the August 19th polls.
UPND Deputy General Secretary Kuchunga Simusamba says the presence of the police boss is a great source of worry for the party as it sees no reason why the IG should leave her office and go to camp in Mangango constituency.
Mr. Simusamba wondered if the move by Ms. Libongani is an indication that she lacks confidence in her officers in Western Province to handle the forth coming Parliamentary by-election in Mangango.
[pullquote]FODEP hopes that the presence of Ms. Libongani would not fuel more violence in Mangango as was the case in Mufumbwe by- election in 2010.[/pullquote]
Mr. Simusamba also expresses concern that the IG’s presence in the constituency might have a bearing on the outcome of the results.
He accused the ruling PF of trying to change their fortunes by trying to use state machinery as they have seen that defeat is inevitable.
And on the reported clashes against the ruling PF Mr. Simusamba said the ruling party has been picking on the UPND because it has seen that it is the only formidable party threatening the it’s stay in power.
He said PF officials have seen that the wind of change is blowing towards the UPND hence the desperate moves to try and frustrate the party’s efforts by confrontations and violent engagements something he says will they not stand by and watch but meet them head on.
Mr. Simusamba added that the public can not expect anything good from people he termed “known thugs of the PF” such as Kafue MP Obvious Mwaliteta as the only thing they know best is violence.
He also wondered why the same people have not been brought to book by relevant authority for their involvement in electoral violence and for using government Vehicles during campaigns when they are known.
Meanwhile FODEP Executive Director McDonald Chipenzi hoped that the presence of Ms. Libongani would not fuel more violence in Mangango as was the case in Mufumbwe by- election in 2010.
“FODEP hopes that the presence of Inspector General of Police Ms. Stella Libongani in Mangango will not fuel the situation as it happened in 2010 when the IG’s presence in Mufumbwe caused more violence in the area than peace.”
First Lady, Christine Kaseba, is tomorrow expected in Chinsali District of Muchinga Province to grace the girls empowerment and leadership, mentorship training workshop.
Dr Kaseba is scheduled to officially open the workshop on Wednesday where she is due to give inspiration to the girl-children drawn the six districts of Muchinga Province.
The main thematic area the First Lady will tackle is the issue of teenage pregnancies and early marriages.
The First Lady is also expected to take part in the early morning road-run with the girls and a visit to some of the heritage sites among other activities.
Speaking when the First Lady’s advance party paid a courtesy call on him, Provincial Permanent Secretary, Bwalya Ng’andu, said there is need to change people’s mind-sets.
Dr Ng’andu said the girl child needs to be protected and nurtured because they are the future leaders of the nation.He said the levels of teenage pregnancies in the province are worrying and call for concerted efforts in the fight of the scourge.
Dr Ng’andu said there is also need to educate the girls and their parents on the beauty of being educated in society.
Speaking earlier, Chinsali Central Member of Parliament (MP), Christopher Mulenga, who is also Education Minister, said the situation needs urgent attention.
Mr. Mulenga said communities should also add their voice in this fight and take part in the fight because these pregnancies are affecting their society.
Forum for African Women’s Educationalists in Zambia (FAWEZA) Executive Director, Agness Shipenuka, said Muchinga Province has the lowest rate in terms of teenage pregnancies.
Ms Shipenuka said despite the province recording the lowest cases of teenage pregnancies, there has been a steady increase in the recent past.
OAFLA-ZAMBIA Programme Co-ordinator under the office of The First Lady Mildred Chuumbwe and Junior Achievement Executive Director Teddy Nyasulu when they paid a Courtesy call on Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary Bwalya Ng’andu (l) at the Provincial Administration offices in Chinsali District.. This was before the official opening of the First Lady’s Youth Mentorship programme at Chinsali Girls Secondary School
File:The use of local languages as a medium of instruction in schools of lower grades has impressed Government has most learners have responded positively. Here, Education Deputy Minister David Mabumba monitoring the use of icibemba at Ray of Joy Primary School in Nchelenge
A Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) has attributed the lack of development in most parts of the country to the limited use of local languages in the nation.
Northern Province Leadership Foundation Platform chairman, Netron Chishimba, stated that his NGO has discovered that some problems in the country were as a result of the reluctance by decision-makers not to engage individuals who do not speak English Language.
Mr Chishimba said the country has a number of people that have wisdom and natural intelligence, adding that their abilities were not fully exploited by the nation because they were unable to use English in most instances.
He gave examples of China and Tanzania as some countries that were making serious strides in development because of their strong use of the local language.
Mr Chishimba appealed to authorities to embrace all citizens if the country is to benefit from their talents.
He also appealed to members of the public to participate actively in the governance of the nation.He said governance should not be left to the party in government alone, saying all stakeholders, including political parties, the civil society movements and private citizens must also contribute in national developmental issues.
Mr Chshimba said people should not criticise and capitalise on the mistakes committed by the party in government but offer alternatives and correct the mistakes.
A 3 month old baby of Fungu village in Chipili district named Justine Nkunta junior has died after allegedly being given kachasu, a highly potent local alcoholic beverage, by his father Mr.Justine Nkunta aged 36.
Luapula Province commissioner of police Malcolm Mulenga confirmed the incident which happened about last week ago in Fungu village in Chief Mutupila’s area in Chipili district.
The mother of the child, identified as Annie Chungu, 31, had in the morning of the material day gone to the field, leaving the baby in the care of his father who was at the time drinking kachasu.
When Ms Chungu returned home from the field around 15:00 hours, she found that the baby was in an unconscious state.Ms Chungu then asked the childs father, who was in a drunken state, about the condition of the child, he responded by saying that he had made the baby drink kachasu.
Police officers who rushed to the scene found that on physical inspection of the baby there were no visible injuries but there was a pungent smell of alcohol emanating from the child’s body.
The child’s body was taken to Mansa General Hospital mortuary where a post-mortem was conducted.
The father of the deceased baby has been arrested and detained in police custody. He will appear in court soon.
Civil rights activist Brebner Changala has said it is particularly worrying that President Michael Sata has continued being absent in the public and that government itself also being dodgy about telling the nation about the wellbeing of the President.
President Sata has not been seen in public for over two months now. Vice President Guy Scott had to represent President Sata in Washington D. C.at the first ever US-Africa Summit which was attended by over 53 heads of state fromthe 4th to 6th August.
[pullquote]
the country is on auto pilot and no one seems to care
[/pullquote]
Mr. Changala said that the alleged failure of the Patriotic Front (PF) government to issue governance policy guideline is a sign that Cabinet has been disbanded.
He told Qfm news in an interview that he thinks that it is important the President Sata shows the nation that he is leading the nation by his mandate.
The Civil rights activist noted that President Sata’s absence from the public eye is also affecting the Zambian economy and has brought about unnecessary rumor mongering which he says is a further threat to national security.
He said it as if the country is on auto pilot and no one seems to care as Cabinet itself has failed and must be condemned.
Mr. Changala has particularly singled out the President’s Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations George Chellah as one of the people that have failed in their mandates as he has allegedly stopped informing the nation about President Sata’s work.
In reaction to this Mr. Chellah said in a separate interview that State House has never taken Mr. Changala’s views seriously.
Mr. Chellah said that therefore engaging Mr. Changala in any matter is a waste of time.
He said State House will thus not engage in any shadow boxing with the civil rights activist as he only appears to be a busy body.
The President’s Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations said State House remains focused on delivering on the mandate that the Zambian people gave to President Sata.
MMD die hard youth leader Bowman Lusambo captured during the gathering to demand for the release of the Zambian draft constitution.
By Bowman Lusambo-MMD Die Hard National Youth Coordinator
UPND SHOULD CONSIDER DROPPING HH TO ADOPT NATIONAL CHARACTER
We have restrained ourselves from commenting on the raging war of words between the MMD and UPND leadership. Clearly the aggressor in this war has been the UPND. In line with party policy, the MMD Die Hard Youth Wing resisted great temptation to weigh in on the debate. We have however been compelled to react to some rather unfortunate attacks levelled against some of the leaders of our grouping.
During Dr Nevers Sekwila Mumba’s appearance on Joy FM Platform radio programme on Thursday, many paid for UPND members took advantage of the open line to attack us and disparage our work. We have now being left with no choice but to respond and put a few issues into context.
Firstly, the MMD Die Hard Youth Wing has never insulted Hakainde Hichilema. We have been on record raising some critical questions about Mr Hichilema’s suitability to hold the republican presidency. We believe our duty to scrutinize and raise questions about whoever is running for the presidency is genuine and is done as a noble service to our great nation. We will continue raising critical issues against Mr Hichilema and any other contestants we feel has some explaining to do for the benefit of Zambians.
How does asking Mr Hichilema to account for his role in the RAMCOZ privatization saga amount to insults? We want to put it on record that our level of debate does not have room for insults. We only raise critical issues for the greater good of Zambia.
From the radio programme, one gets a feel of how the UPND is governed and structured. The UPND members somehow believe that they have the inherent right to rule Zambia after 2016. Well, we have some news for them, 2016 is far from decided. Mr Hichilema is but a mere contestant in the race and as the MMD, we will approach him as such.
As MMD youths, we will continue to offer checks and balances across the political spectrum. We will not shy away from raising alarm when we feel the sovereignty and all that is good about this great nation is under threat.
We believe that the UPND under Mr Hichilema remains a tribal and regional clique. History does not in any way help the UPND in its cause to launder the party off its tribal image.
The tribal tag is well entrenched in the UPND. We have not forgotten how Mr Hichilema presided over a tribal coupe d’état following the death of the great Anderson Kambela Mazoka. Mr Hichilema sponsored a tribal wing to categorically state that only a Tonga will rule the UPND. Unless they have forgotten but we will not stop reminding them that Zambians from that point decided not to vote for the UPND and that marked the decline in fortunes for the UPND.
When we recite these events, we are not picking a fight with the UPND. We are not insulting Mr Hichilema or its leadership. What we are doing is merely reciting history which unfortunately the UPND cannot undo.
Our humble advice for the UPND is to drop Mr Hichilema as its leader and choose a non-Tonga leader as a way of cleansing itself. As far as many Zambians are concerned, the UPND will remain a regional and highly tribal grouping as long as its led by a Tonga because of the manner in which he assumed that position.
Aspiring Kabwata Constituency Member of Parliament Clement Tembo has advised politicians to be servants of the people.
Mr Tembo said politicians should adopt a culture of serving the electorate who put them into office.
He said political leaders must be servants of the people and not masters adding that time has come for politicians to stop misrepresenting the electorates by submitting their own agenda instead of that of the electorate.
Mr Tembo was speaking in an interview shortly after attending a Church service at St Pauls UCZ in Kabwata constituency.
The Church service was also attended by First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda, Acting Chief Justice Lombe Chibesakunda and several other dignitaries.
“I would like to call on politicians to put the interest of the people first. We have to stop this habit of serving our own interest first and neglecting the people that put us in office. I would also like thank the Church in Zambia for continuing to play a reconciliatory role in the nation,” Mr Tembo said.
He added, “The Church must further help transfer the mantle of leadership from the older to younger generation of leaders. We need a transfer of leadership from old political leaders to the younger generation.”
This is a time of Jubilee, let every Zambian show and practice love, it’s all we need. I attended Church service today to learn more because I believe politicians should listen more than they talk.”
Mr Tembo has already declared his intentions to contest the Kabwata parliamentary seat in 2016.
Vice President, Guy Scott, says the just ended US-Africa Summit, which was being held in Washington D.C., was a huge success.
Dr Scott says the Summit brought together about 53 Heads of States and government who met with a common goal.
Speaking during an interview with journalists in Washington D. C shortly before departure to Zambia, Dr Scott said the meeting was centred on the need to create an increased market between Africa and Zambia.
He said America was interested in getting close to Africa to create a broader market for its products.
Earlier, Dr Scott also held a number of closed door meetings with organisations such as the International Conservation Caucus Foundation (ICCF).
The meeting was aimed at discussing conservation governance work in Zambia.
The organisation comprises about 200 members who are a third of the US Congress.
The ICCF group is based on a philosophy of conservation through development.
Dr Scott also held private talks with The World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
In an interview with ZANIS, Dr Scott said the WWF was interested in the tourism sector in Zambia.
And Zambia’s Ambassador to the U.S., Palan Mulonda said Zambia was in support of being part of the global movement to see the world managed in a sustainable way.
The Vice President was in Washington D. C. to attend the first ever US-Africa Summit that ran from the 4th to the 6th of August, 2014.
Dr Scott was among other African Heads of state and government that attend the first ever US-Africa summit at the invitation of US President Barack Obama.
The Summit whose theme was, ‘Investing In the Next Generation’ allowed leaders to consider the decisions and joint actions they wanted to take to consolidate Africa’s progress as well as to deepen the relationship between the United States and Africa.
File: Peasant farmers sifting through their maize before selling the crop to the Food Reserve Agency
Farmers in Mkushi District have bemoaned delayed payments by the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) for maize transactions of the current crop marketing season.
One farmer, Golden Musonko of Kakumo Cooperative, said farmers had expected to be paid within two weeks after delivering their maize in early July.
Mr Musonko complained that five weeks had lapsed since farmers delivered their maize, adding that the FRA had not paid any of them.
Another Farmer, William Njelekwa of Milimo Cooperative, described the situation as worrisome, saying the farmers needed the money to prepare for the next farming season.
Mr Njelekwa appealed to the Government to help speed up the payments owed to the farmers.
In response to the farmers concerns, Mkushi District Commissioner (DC), Luka Mwamba, assured that Government was doing everything possible to facilitate for the quick payment.
Mr Mwamba said he had received an assurance from the Provincial FRA office that farmers would soon be paid.
He also mentioned that by press time, maize supplied by the farmers had exceeded its target as 11, 500 metric tonnes (230,000 by 50 kg bags) of maize had been bought by the FRA.
He said the situation had resulted in the shortage of grain packing bags, adding that more bags were expected to be brought in by the FRA soon.
And in reference to the Farmer Input Support Program (FISP), Mr Mwamba disclosed that the District was earmarked to receive 35,588 bags of D-compound fertilizer.
He said 34,188 bags of urea fertilizer would be allocated alongside 17,094 maize seed, as well as 28 metric tonnes of ground nut seed.
He added that the FISP inputs were expected to be delivered to the district soon.
Local Government Minister Emmanuel Chenda (left) talks to Lusaka Mayor Mulenga Sata during an inspection of Lusaka Town centre market
Local Government and Housing Minister, Emmanuel Chenda, has disclosed that preparations for the implementation of the Decentralisation Policy have reached the final stages.
Mr Chenda said government will shortly commence the actual implementation of the key provisions of the policy.
The minister said this in Lusaka today during the commemoration of the African Day on Decentralisation, Local Governance and Local Development.
He said the Patriotic Front government is committed to the principles and values of Decentralisation, Local Governance and Development as promoted by the African Union.
Mr Chenda said this is because government is a firm believer in the utmost importance for government to operate on the basis of decisions made by citizens.
He said decentralisation, if well implemented, enables citizens to take part in government decision making processes and, therefore, offers enhanced opportunities to put democracy into practice especially at the local level.
The minister said in this way, decentralisation also improves the possibility to use public funds in a needs oriented and efficient way.
He said government will, therefore, continue to pursue the decentralisation and local government reforms in order to ensure that necessary political and other resources for the improvement and transformation of communities and livelihoods at local level are made available.
The Local Government Minister assured the nation that government is determined to continue improving the standards of living of all citizens.
He said the unprecedented infrastructural investments in the priority sectors of energy, transport, infrastructural development, health and agriculture among others that are rapidly transforming the socio-economic profile of the country is testimony of government’s strides to improve people’s lives.
He said these investments are creating new opportunities through which to uplift the quality of people’s lives in all areas of human endeavour.
He said the creation of new districts across the country in particular has brought hope for human and sustainable development to areas that have remained underdeveloped since independence.
Speaking earlier, Lusaka Mayor, Mulenga Sata, stated that decentralisation is the only sure way for local authorities across the country to step up service delivery to communities they serve.
The Lusaka Mayor said in a speech ready for him by his deputy, Potipher Tembo, that the Lusaka City Council is ready to take on board the functions to be devolved by the central government in addition to its mandate as stipulated in the Local Government Act Chapter 281 of the Laws of Zambia.
He appealed to government to hasten the pace of decentralisation, saying inclusive governance is a key to enhancing the quality of life of citizens.
And Ministry of Local Government Permanent Secretary, Stanford Msichili, thanked government for giving councils unprecedented levels of grants that have never been seen before.
Former DEFENCE Minister Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba (GBM)
Kasama Central Member of Parliament Geoffrey Mwamba has announced that he is donating his entire gratuity to his constituency to spearhead development.
Mr Mwamba joins Matero MP who two weeks ago announced that he will donate his midterm gratuity to a youth empowerment initiative in his constituency.
MPs are due to receive about 250,000 each in midterm gratuity around September this year while the remaining 250,000 will be issued at the end of the five year terms in 2016.
Mr Bwalya announced in a posting on his Facebook page that he is donating the money to Kasama Central because that is where the money rightfully belongs.
“I have donated my entire gratuity to Kasama Central Constituency because that is where it rightfully belongs as people who voted for me. The gratuity will be shared equally among the 8 (eight) wards in Kasama Central. I am into politics to serve the people and I remain committed to this ideal,” Mr Bwalya wrote.
He added, “As soon as I return to Lusaka, I shall write to inform the Speaker of the National Assembly to channel my gratuity to the people of Kasama Central who have made me to be what I am today. Lastly, during my program on Radio Mano, I called for unity in the nation. This we must do without fail.”
-PF candidate for Mangango Rogers Lingweshi Lyambai speaking to journalist shortly after succesffully falling in of nomination
Three UPND cadres were this afternoon arrested by the Police for allegedly wanting to abduct ruling PF Mangango Parliamentary candidate Rodgers Lyambai Lingweshi.
PF Mangango by-election campaign manager Obvious Mwaliteta says the three cadres were arrested around 12:00hrs after some UPND cadres allegedly attacked a PF camp in Mangango ward where Mr. Lingweshi was.
Mr. Mwaliteta has told Qfm news in a telephone interview that amongst the three who have been arrested and detained at Mangango police post is a Mr. Kenny Ndumba whom he says was the leader of the attempted abduction.
He says such politics which the UPND is portraying is allegedly typical of the opposition party and that it has further demonstrated that the UPND is an alleged tribal and violent political party.
The PF Mangango by-election manager, who is also Kafue Member of Parliament (MP) says his party is however happy that people of Mangango have come to the realization of the development that the PF government is taking to their area and that they want to cooperate with it.
He says the ruling party is thus remains committed to abiding to the Electoral Code of Conduct and that it will sustain peaceful campaigns through out the by-election.
Mr. Mwaliteta has since urged the UPND and other political parties taking part in the by-election to stop fighting each other especially that the people of Mangango are peaceful.
But UPND vice president for politics Canisius Banda has told Qfm news in a separate interview that his party has no plans of abducting anyone.
Dr. Banda says all that his party however wants to abduct is poverty, ignorance and disease.
He says it is for this reason that the UPND is calling for peace and harmony as the campaigns for the Mangango by-election continue and that his party urges the ruling PF not to use government resource in its campaigns.
A nonprofit making organisation called Leadership Conferences Foundation has announced that it will hold a leadership conference on Friday, 5th September2014 aimed at attracting young and emerging leaders in all sectors in Zambia.
The conference to be held at Mulungushi International Conference Center is also aimed at providing hope and inspiration to one another.
The Theme of the Conference is “Zambia at 50, Answering the Call of Leadership and has been inspired by Leviticus 25-10 and Isaiah 61:1-11.
Leadership Conferences Foundation Coordinator Stanley Mhango announced in a statement that Dr Reverend Japhet Ndhlovu has been appointed as Convener of the conference.
Dr. Ndhlovu once served as Council of Churches of Zambia Secretary General and is now with the United Church of Canada, and he is currently based in Levin’s, Newfoundland in Canada.
Speakers at the event include Dr. Maureen Mwanawasa, Lusaka Mayor Mulenga Sata, Matero MP Miles Sampa, Chipangali MP Vincent Mwale and Choma Central MP Cornelius Mweetwa including ZCTU Secretary General, Roy Mwaba and Judiciary and Allied Workers Union President, Peter Mwale.
Others are Cholwee Mudenda, Pastor and host of, Night of Destiny conferences, Dr. Joseph Kayaya and Stephen Kyengula from Student Association, and many emerging and young leaders.
At the Conference, a group of founding fathers led by Dr. Vernon Mwaanga will perform a symbolic act of handing over a torch of light and leadership to a representative of the young and emerging leaders to signify a generation change of leadership.
Transparency International Zambia Executive Director Goodwell Lungu (R) (file Picture)
Transparent International Zambia Executive (TIZ) Director, Goodwell Lungu, says his organisation will not relent in exposing corrupt public officers in the country.
Mr Lungu said huge sums of public funds have been abused by greedy and selfish few individuals, a thing he said should be rooted out in Zambia.
He said this today when he featured of the Zambia National Broadcasting Services (ZNBC programme dubbed National Watch on the disbursement of constituency development funds.
He thanked the public for the massive support given to his organisation on the important role it is doing in highlighting irregularities hidden in public offices.
And speaking during the same programme, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Local Government and Housing, Stanford Musichili, said the eight (8) officers suspected of wrong doing his ministry have been suspended to pave way for investigation.
Mr Musichili said no one will be protected at his ministry if found wanting of abusing public funds meant for the Zambian people.
He urged the Auditor General’s office to move in and conduct an internal audit to ascertain what exactly happened involving the suspected abusing of K3 million meant for Rufunsa and Chongwe district councils.
