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39. Discharge of functions of President during absence, illness, etc.
(1) Whenever the President is absent from Zambia or considers it desirable so to do by reason of illness or for any other cause, he may by direction in writing, authorise the Vice-President, or where the Vice-President is absent from Zambia or incapable of discharging the functions of the office of President, any other person, to discharge such functions of the office of President as he may specify, and the Vice-President or such other person may discharge those functions until his authority is revoked by the President.
(2) If the President is incapable by reason of physical or mental infirmity of discharging the functions of his office and the infirmity is of such a nature that the President is unable to authorize another person under this Article to perform those functions —
(a) the Vice-President; or
(b) during any period when the Vice-President is absent from Zambia or is himself, by reason of physical or mental infirmity, unable to perform the functions of his office, such member of the Cabinet as the Cabinet shall elect;
shall perform the functions of the office of President:
Provided that any person performing the functions of the office of President under this clause shall not dissolve the National Assembly nor, except on the advice of the Cabinet, revoke any appointment made by the President.
(3) Any person performing the functions of the office of President by virtue of clause (2) shall cease to perform those functions if he is notified by the Speaker that the President is about to resume those functions or if another person is elected as, and assumes the office of, President.
(4) For the purpose of clause (2), a certificate of the Chief Justice that —
(a) the President is incapable by reason of physical or mental infirmity of discharging the functions of his office and that the infirmity is of such a nature that the President is unable to authorise another person under this Article to perform those functions; or
(b) the Vice-President is by reason of physical or mental infirmity unable to discharge the functions of his office:
shall be of no effect until such certificate is verified by the National Assembly:
Provided that any such certificate as is referred to in paragraph (a) shall cease to have effect if the President notifies any person under clause (3) that he is about to resume the functions of the office of the President or if another person is elected as, and assumes the office of, President.
UPND President Hakainde Hichilema has charged that Acting Republican President Wynter Kabimba will never be President of Zambia because he has no ability to mobilize voters.
Mr. Kabimba who is also Justice Minister last week labeled the UPND as a party that is in fantasy island and that Mr Hichilema is a resident in fools paradise.
Mr. Hichilema has charged that Mr. Kabimba is championing hate speech in the country.
“Kabimba is aware of his inadequacies, he is aware of his inability to command popular support on the ground. He is completely mesmerized with the position of Acting President he has been given and he wants to flex his small muscles, he thinks he has large muscles but I want to remind that he has such a small set of muscles politically,” Mr Kabimba said.
[pullquote]People know that he is a destructive diminutive little fellow with such a weird mind[/pullquote]
He added, “Kabimba politically is absolutely nothing and he knows that. If there was a by election in his village and he picks an electoral college of 20 people and there was a contest between the UPND and Kabimba, he would lose and he knows that.”
Mr Hichilema has accused Mr Kabimba of thinking that being conferred with the Acting President position gives him grassroot support.
“Kabimba has no constituency, he has no political constituency, he really must be ashamed of talking the way he talks and he likes pushing hate language together with his cartel which the Zambians know that is destroying Zambia.
Mr Hichilema said, “Even within the PF rank, Kabimba will not be allowed to ascend to the presidential candidature, he knows that. People know that he is a destructive diminutive little fellow with such a weird mind and he thinks he can take out his anger on Hakainde, everybody knows that.”
The UPND leader said Mr Kabimba and the PF cannot break him saying his party has become the party of choice for Zambia.
“Kabimba must not weep for me, he must weep for himself. Hakainde and the UPND are just fine, we know what we are doing. UPND is a party of choice today and he is now confused in that acting position. He has too much pressure from people that dislike him, the church, the civil society and within the PF. Hakainde has stamina, he wanted to lock me up in the police cells with his boss but they have failed.”
A new report by US backed Famine Early Warning Systems Network says Maize prices are expected to decline as the new harvest increases market supply and as rural households access more food from own production and labor.
The report released today says the lower prices will benefit market-dependent households, though prices are expected to remain above the five-year average, due to increases in fuel costs.
It noted that Zambia’s export potential for its record harvest may be limited, as good production elsewhere in the region has reduced demand and provided abundant regional supply.
The report however observed that informal maize flow into Tanzania has started increasing as demand from Tanzanian traders picks up, and increasing demand from Zimbabwe is expected later in the season.
It added that acute food insecurity remains minimal as the new harvest increases household food stocks and variety in the rural areas and starts to reach the market.
Zambia’s Maize production for the 2013/2014 agricultural season reached a record 3.3 million Metric tons, resulting in a large surplus of 1.15 million Metric tons.
“Farmers have harvested their crops and are busy preparing for the market, while some crops are already on the market. Maize sales by small scale farmers has commenced and the fact that farmers are transporting the grain to markets and milling companies is an indication of large supply as they compete for the market. Demand for labor is generally good, and poorer households in the rural areas are mostly working for the better-off in order to increase access to food,” the report noted.
It observed that small traders in Lusaka have started stocking up maize which they are buying from farmers bringing to the main market from mostly Central, Southern and Eastern Provinces with the intention of later selling to large traders, millers and other processors.
“The maize which had been selling at 60 ZMW/50 kg in May has since dropped by 8 percent to 55 ZMW/50kg in June (the current wholesale market price). Maize in Eastern Province is also selling at or near 55 ZMW/50kg. Generally, maize grain prices are on the decline to the advantage of market-dependent households, as expected given the large harvest, with most rural households taking advantage of their harvests for own consumption.”
It however noted that maize grain prices are at least 40% above the five year average.
“Despite recent maize grain price decreases, maize meal prices are still high and mostly remained stable in May and June with respect to April and on average 42 percent above the five-year average as millers run down their old stock purchased at high prices.”
Ministry of Finance Public Relations Officer Chileshe Kandeta (L)
GOVERNMENT has released K654.6 million for development programmes, operations and debt service.
And the Ministry of Finance has established a high-tech VPN Link to Bank of Zambia to improve information flow on the Real-Time Gross Settlement System and implementation of the Treasury single account.
Ministry of Finance public relations officer Chileshe Kandeta said in a statement yesterday that some of the ministries, provinces, and other spending agencies which received funding, are Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection; Mines, Energy and Water Development; Education, Science, Vocational Training and early Education; Home Affairs; Transport, Works, Supply and Communications and Zambia Police Service.
Others are ministry of Agriculture and Livestock and Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health.
The National Road Fund Agency (NRFA) has received K100 million from Euro Bond proceeds for road infrastructure programmes under the Road Development Agency (RDA), while the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development received K2.4 million for maintenance of dams.
“Dam maintenance is an important exercise in the conservation of our water resources for not only human consumption but also livestock, irrigation and other economic activities in areas surrounding the targeted dams,” Mr Kandeta said.
He said the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) received K17.8 million for operations, of which K2 million is for performance improvement at the Kasumbalesa border between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Ministry of Education received K12.8 million for tuition fees for government-sponsored students at the University of Zambia (UNZA) and the Copperbelt University (CBU).
Mr Kandeta said the Treasury-funded K12 million to meet repayment obligations towards external debt.
He said the Treasury has implemented the direct deposit of non-tax revenue and that the initiative targets reduction of cash-human contact in the revenue collection process.
In collaboration with Indo-Zambia Bank, dedicated counter services for implementation of the Direct Deposit of Government’s Non Tax Revenue System are already operational at Passport and Citizenship offices in Eastern, Lusaka, Central, Southern and Copperbelt provinces.
“So far, we have observed a steady reduction in delayed and underbanking.These are the two biggest sources of stress in the handling of non-tax revenue collected from the public as levies, fees, fines, and toll-fees,” the statement reads in part.
He said the Ministry of Finance has now embarked on rolling out the programme to Western, Muchinga, Northern, Luapula, and North-Western provinces.
Mr Kandeta further said, in collaboration with Investrust Bank, the system of direct deposit of Government’s non-tax revenue has extended to the Ministry of Lands headquarters.
In conjunction with Barclays Bank, the treasury has introduced point of sale terminals at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport, Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport, Nakonde Border, and the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) offices in Lusaka and Ndola.
“The Ministry of Finance is keenly observing progress in Financial Management Reforms. We are delighted with the positive results recorded so far, especially that non-tax revenue through the implemented payment systems hits government accounts immediately,” Mr Kandeta said.
He said the ministry of Finance and the Bank of Zambia have also established a high-speed information gateway, which will provide a reliable and real-time information exchange interface between the Integrated Financial Management System at the ministry of Finance, and the Real Time Gross Settlement System hosted by the central bank.
Mr Kandeta said to ensure that this initiative is successful, the treasury is developing a code of practice for implementation of the Treasury Single Account System in Government.
ACTING President Wynter Kabimba has directed Shibuyunji District Commissioner Fanwell Mweemba to find land on which Government is to build district offices.
Addressing district PF officials and Shibuyunji and Mumbwa district commissioners in Shibuyunji on Saturday, Mr Kabimba, who is Minister of Justice, said Government does not need permission from chiefs to get land to build its offices.
He told Mr Mweemba that it is unacceptable that up to now, there are no district offices in Shibuyunji.
Mr Kabimba’s directive came after Mr Mweemba said the newly created district is still awaiting the chief’s authority on where to build district offices.
“You don’t need a letter from the chief or anybody to construct a government building. There is no law like that in this country. The law says all land is vested in the President on behalf of the people,” Mr Kabimba said.
He said the State is an agent of the President and that is why a government building does not have a title deed because Government cannot give itself one.
“These districts are supposed to create jobs for our people. If the district administrations are not functional, how are we going to create jobs for our people?” Mr Kabimba asked
He said the PF government is about service to the people because that is what the people voted it for.
Mr Kabimba said minister of Local Government and Housing Emmanuel Chenda is an experienced local government administrator who can advise newly created districts on any challenges.
“We need to render service to our people. President Sata did not set up districts to remain on paper,” he said
Mr Kabimba also said there is need for district commissioners to coordinate with PF district chairpersons on development projects.
He said the Government will not allow politics to hinder development.
First Quantum Minerals (FQM) has disclosed that it aims to fill technical and management positions at its USD2 billion Sentinel Mine, with Zambians.
This is contained in a statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today by the recruitment Officer at Sentinel Mine, Tracy Campbell.
Ms. Campbell said the move is in line with the mining company’s desire to ensure that benefits from the nation’s mineral wealth flowed to Zambians in a significant and sustained manner.
She said their aim is to ensure that they grow their business in such a way that Zambians benefit in a significant and sustained fashion.
Ms. Campbell said putting Zambians in technical and management positions at the iconic new mine is one vivid way of doing it.
She said they are sparing no effort in this critical effort to attract skilled Zambians locally and internationally.
Ms. Campbell said Sentinel Mine which is 120 kilometres west of Solwezi, has cutting-edge mining engineering requiring specialist know-how.
She said FQM already has a major effort underway to woo Zambian metallurgists, geologists and other specialists.
Ms. Campbell explained that the mine also requires Maintenance of the mine’s two mobile in-pit crushers that militate against fuel costs while increasing output.
Zambia Railways workers in action during the commencement of the truck rehabilitation programme in Livingstone
Government says it has no intention to continue borrowing money to finance capital projects in the country.
And Zambia Railways Director of Infrastructure Sinonge Masiliso said about 4900 jobs had been created due to the works being done on the main railway line from Livingstone to Chingola districts, respectively.
Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Deputy Minister Mwemba Malama says Zambia was responsible for managing its own affairs and as such had to rely on stakeholders within the country for support as opposed to external borrowing.
“As a nation we are not going to continue borrowing money, no. It is not good. We are governing ourselves. We are responsible for managing the affairs of our country so we have to depend on one another,” he said.
ZANIS reports that the Deputy minister said this in Livingstone yesterday after he toured works being undertaken by Zambia Railways Limited using the K120 million it was allocated from the Eurobond.
He emphasized the need for Zambia Railways to be prudent in the use of the funds and utilize it only for capital projects.
Mr. Malama reiterated that the country could only attract investors if it made meaningful investments in infrastructure development.
“We need better infrastructure if we are to attract investors. No investor can come if our infrastructure is in a deplorable state and jobs cannot be created without infrastructure,” he said.
Meanwhile, Zambia Railways Director of Infrastructure Sinonge Masiliso said about 4900 jobs had been created due to the works being done on the main railway line from Livingstone to Chingola districts, respectively.
“From Livingstone to Chingola we have created 4900 jobs under the contractors. This is good for the country especially that we are using local and not foreign contractors, “he said.
Mr. Sinonge further said 420 jobs had been created for the community due to works being done on the Mulobezi railway line.
He however, clarified that funds being used for the rehabilitation works on the Mulobezi railway line were not part of the Eurobond but derived from money earned by the company from its operations.
Information Minister Dr Joseph Katema with Dr Cristopher Kalila
The Southern Africa Editors’ Forum (SAEF) says there is no ‘criminal law’ in Zambia that inhibit Journalists from submitting stories to online media publications.
SAEF President Kenny Makungu says Journalists and any member of the general public was free to write stories to online publications without intimidation.
Mr. Makungu has for this reason urged the PF Government to remove what he calls all inimical laws to media freedom like other countries have done especially in West Africa.
“It’s not criminal to submit stories to online publications because there is no law in Zambia that impedes Journalists or any other person to do write a story or submit an article to the Watchdog or any other online media,” Mr. Makungu said.
ZANIS reports that the SAEF President was speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka today.
He was flanked by SAEF Secretary General Patson Phiri, Treasurer Enock Ngoma, and Committee member, Chansa Mayani.
“We recommend that the Zambian government should remove all the laws inimical to media freedom and withdraw cases involving their professional activities, ” he said.
Mr. Makungu who is also lecturer at the University of Zambia ( UNZA ) school of mass communication , said this in the wake of recent harassment of Zambian Journalists who were harassed this month in their course of duties.
He advised Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr. Joseph Katema to ensure that media personnel and houses operate without any form of intimidation.
He said government through Dr. Katema’s ministry should ensure that journalists are protected as a fourth estate who disseminate, educate and entertain the people on a daily basis.
Mr. Makungu said the harassment of Journalists by Police Officers on was bad for democracy and media freedom.
On the Freedom of Access Bill, Mr. Makungu urged government to table the Bill in this current session of Parliament.
Mr. Makungu urged the PF Government to review pieces of legislation that were in-effective among that prohibition of publication of seditious practices, public order act cap 113, state security Act cap 11, the ZNBC and the Independent Broadcasting Authority Acts on appointment of board members.
Meanwhile, Mr. Makungu says his organization strong joins other media bodies that have called for the immediate release of three foreign journalists jailed in Egypt.
But Chief Government Spokesperson Dr. Joseph Katema has time and again assured protection for scribes operating in the country.
Dr. Katema however, vowed act against some online media companies whose articles he described as malicious and unreliable.
Kabwe Warriors boosted their survival hopes on Sunday after a 1-0 home win over Zesco United at Godfrey ‘Ucar’ Chitalu Stadium in Kabwe.
Warriors have now picked up seven points from six games under new coach Mohamed Fathy since his appointment in late May.
A 55th minute solo effort by Brian Mwila secured Warriors their third league win of the season.
Warriors are also now unbeaten at home after for a second successive game since beating Nchanga Rangers 2-0 on June 14.
Meanwhile, Warriors hero on the day was their relatively unknown goalkeeper Lawrence Mulenga who shut out efforts by Maybin Mwaba, Jackson Mwanza and Alfred Luputa.
Warriors rise from second from bottom in 15th place to 14th on 13 points from fifteen games played.
Zesco stay put in second place and three points behind leaders Zanaco after suffering their second loss of the season on 30 points with a game in hand against Nkana coming up on July 12 in Ndola.
Prince and Princes S Akashino arrives at KKIA and is welcome by Prof. Nkandu Luo, Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs and Japanese Ambassador to Zambia. They later watched traditional dances by the Zambia National Dance Troupe
Their Imperial Highnesses Prince Kiko and Princes Akishino of Japan have arrived into the country.
The plane carrying the Royal couple touched down at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport at about 12:35 hours, aboard a South African Airways Airline.
Their Imperial will visit the official residence of the Ambassador of Japan for a meeting with JICA officials in the country.
Later they will attend a dinner to be hosted for them by Japanese Ambassador to Zambia Kiyoshi Koinuma at his residence.
Tomorrow, Sunday , the couple are scheduled to travel to Livingstone and will among other activities visit Livingstone Museum and conduct a tour of the Victoria Falls.
On Monday their Imperial Highnesses are also expected to pay a courtesy call on Justice Minister and Secretary General of the Patriotic Front, Wynter Kabimba.
Their Imperial Highnesses are scheduled to leave the country on Wednesday 2nd July after visit Zambia’s President Dr. Kenneth Kaunda.
Earlier in the week, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Japan in Zambia Counsellor Hideki Yamaji says the expected state visit of Prince Akishino, the second son of Japanese Emperor Akishino, and his wife Princess Kiko will strengthen the already existing diplomatic ties of Zambia and Japan.
Meanwile, Kabwata Cultural Village in Lusaka was yesterday afternoon a hive of activities when it hosted visiting Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko.
The visiting Japanese Royal couple were accompanied by Chiefs and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkandu Luo to one of the country’s oldest cultural village.
The entourage arrived at the cultural village at 15-30 hours local time.
Tourism and Arts Minister Jean Kapata, her Permanent Secretary Stephen Mwansa, Japanese Ambassador to Zambia Kiyoshi Koinuma, Zambia’s Ambassador to Japan Mwewa Chibesakunda, Lusaka Deputy Mayor Portifer Tembo, and other senior government officials from the Japanese and the host Zambian government received the visiting Royal couple.
They were entertained by a number of Zambia traditional dances and songs including the Likumbi Lyamize cultural group amid tight security by some patriotic Japanese nationals staying in Zambia.
Prince and Princess Akishino later toured stands that displayed a number of handcraft pieces and various chitenje materials at the Village.
The Royal couple which later watched a number of traditional dances in the main arena of the cultural village stayed on for an hour before they left.
Prince and Princes S Akashino arrives at KKIA and is welcome by Prof. Nkandu Luo, Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs and Japanese Ambassador to Zambia. They later watched traditional dances by the Zambia National Dance Troupe
Earlier Tourism and Arts Minister Kapata said Zambia and Japan enjoys warm and cordial relations that have continued to exist for many years since Zambia attained her independence in 1964.
Ms. Kapata further said Japan has assisted the Zambian government in key sectors such as health among others.
She cited the Children hospital that was constructed at the University Teaching Hospital as a gift to the Zambian government as part of cementing the bilateral ties between the two countries.
The Minister commended the Japanese Royal couple for choosing to visit Kabwata Cultural Village and urged it to consider visiting other rich tourism heritage sites like the Mighty Victoria Falls when they visit the tourist capital, Livingstone tomorrow.
“I invite Their Imperial Highnesses to explore Zambia and visit the Mighty Victoria Falls including others tourism sites as you go to Livingstone tomorrow.
“ Thank-you very much for choosing Kabwata Cultural Village and l hope you have enjoyed our rich cultural heritage here at the Village. Feel welcome to Zambia, “ Ms. Kapata said.
The Minister said the frequent high profile goodwill visits of leaders from other countries to Zambia are good for the country.
She stated that the recent visit of the Chinese Vice President Dr. Li Yuanchao and the coming of the prince and his wife was good for Zambia especially as the country commemorate the 50 independence jubilee.
The Zambian government has invited the Prince and Princess to be part of the commemoration of this historic occasion and celebration of the Jubilee year.
Prince Akishino 48, and his wife arrived in the country yesterday afternoon at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport aboard a South African plane.
Their Imperial Highnesses are scheduled to leave the country on Wednesday 2nd July and proceed to neigbouring, Tanzania for other important agenda/s.
During their tour of duty in Zambia, the royal couple will call on Acting President Wynter Kabimba, former first republican president Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, tour Livingstone and attend a reception for the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Japan and Zambia.
The Royal Couple will also among other programs engage with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) officials in Zambia.
Meanwhile, Japan has so far spent about K16 million on Japanese cultural grant aid projects in various sectors in Zambia.
The grant has been used to support sectors such as the agriculture, education, transport, and health and infrastructure development, water and sanitation programs and on poverty reduction programmes in rural areas.
Former Solwezi Central Member of Parliament Lack Mulusa has called on government to reduce on the reckless borrowing as it is ruining the lives of feature generations who will have the burden of repaying the loans.
Speaking in an interview Mr. Mulusa said government has been borrowing huge sums of money with no capital projects to show for it.
Mr. Mulusa said the high levels of borrowing the PF government is engaging has negative repercussions on the feature of the country hence the need for the PF government to consider reducing.
He advised the PF government to invest in capital project which will help repay the loans unlike the current trend where government is borrowing while no projects are being commissioned to indicate where the borrowed funds are being channeled to.
And Mr. Mulusa has commended the Bank of Zambia for relatively stabilizing the Kwacha.
Mr. Mulusa said a stable Kwacha is good for the country’s economy especially small scale businesses who where adversely affected in the last few months.
He noted that with a stable currency investors are not scared to invest in the country as there is predictability in the country’s economy.
Meanwhile Nation Restoration Party Youths in the Copperbelt have also called on government to stop its reckless borrowing.
The NAREP youths have called on all well meaning Zambians to denounce the continued borrowing at what they say is not sustainable as there are no results from what the PF has borrowed so far.
Bernard Mwila who is Copperbelt Provincial Youth IPS said the PF are burdening the public as while as feature generation who will have to pay high taxes.
Mr. Mwila called on stakeholders to come together and demonstrate against the continued borrowing.
He also called on the public and stakeholders to strongly condemn government the recent proposal by government to borrow over 1billion Euros a commercial rate of 7percent.
” As NAREP youths, we strongly oppose this proposal and call upon every well meaning Zambian to denounce the proposal. We therefore, call on civil society organisations, political parties, student unions and the church together with parliamentarians to peacefully demonstrate against the careless borrowings and expenditure by “cipante-pante” government.
Since its us who will be paying back these interest at the expense of our economic freedom by paying huge amounts of taxes. Again we live to witness how slowly and technically Zambia is surrendering her hard fought for sovereignty and selling our birthright due to poor planning by the “cipante-pante” government ever since we started borrowing under the PF”
The NAREP youths said this in a press statement released to the media.
Justice minister Wynter Kabimba says there will be no change of government in 2016.
Addressing party officials in Shibuyunji district, Kabimba, who is acting Republican President, said UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema was a resident in a fool’s paradise and was living in fantasy.
“There are two republics a politician can live in, firstly, the fool’s paradise. And HH (Hichilema) lives there; he lives in the fool’s paradise and he can live there for as long as he wants. HH is a resident of fool’s paradise, he has a passport for that republic. The second republic is Fantasy Island; so what Mr HH does is he moves from fool’s paradise to Fantasy Island and he has followers that move with him,” Kabimba said.
“He moves with his followers on holiday, fantasising to Fool’s Paradise that they can win an election. It’s a dream that UPND can win the 2016 elections, the figures are there. We won because we didn’t come from 18 per cent, no. We came from 38 per cent to win the 2011 election. These facts are painful when you are not PF, but please manage your pain,” he said.
Kabimba said PF won 42.3 per cent of the vote, with MMD second on 35 per cent and UPND third with 18 per cent.
He said the PF needed to be united for it to continue growing.
Kabimba said party members should help President Michael Sata, as torchbearer of the party, in spreading his vision for the country.
And speaking earlier when he donated various books that included PF booklets (about the history and development of the Patriotic Front from 2001 to 2011) and the recent country report of the Peer Review Mechanism at Nampundwe Secondary School, Kabimba said there would be no change of government in 2016.
He said the PF had responded to the needs of the people.
“There will be no change of government in 2016, nothing! I will come here again and donate and do good works for you; don’t listen to these prophets of doom. The unprecedented development across the country under the leadership of His Excellency President Michael Sata has never been seen in the history of this country and we are not going anywhere. That’s why there will be no change of government,” Kabimba said.
And Kabimba said the MMD had murdered the Zambian culture.
He said people were no longer able to identify themselves with their culture.
He pledged to sink a borehole at his former primary school, Shikatende, and one at Nampundwe Secondary School.
“The African culture, the Zambian culture in particular, our culture has been murdered and the last government (MMD) which we as PF defeated, are to blame because they didn’t pay attention. The people that can’t identify themselves with culture are as good as dead. Culture is important in order to maintain our identity as a people,” Kabimba said.
He said under the MMD, people that spoke English with a foreign accent were considered educated.
“The past education system under the MMD, you were only recognised as educated by speaking English with an accent. If you spoke like a Briton, you were perceived to be educated. Under the PF, those that can’t speak English proficiently must be able to speak using their hands to better this country. Our local languages during the colonial era were considered primitive for a long time and were not part of our school curriculum,” he said.
Kabimba said he went to Nampundwe to give pupils and teachers hope that despite challenges they were facing, the government was committed to uplifting their living standards.
He said the government would create equal opportunities for all, whether in villages or urban areas.
Kabimba said for pupils to succeed in life, they needed to observe discipline.
He said teachers were fundamental to the development of a country as they were role models in society and shape the personalities of citizens.
Kabimba commended Konkola Copper Mines in Nampundwe for sinking the only borehole at the school.
“I have read a lot of bad stories about KCM but I want to thank you today for good corporate social responsibility to the community,” said Kabimba.
Earlier, Nampundwe Secondary School head teacher Bridget Nambwele said the number of pupils had increased from 30 to over 1,400.
She added that the school had 48 teachers.
“Last year we produced a pupil who got six points. The teachers are staying in rented houses. We don’t have a multi-purpose hall and from inception we have been using a big tree as a school hall and our pupils are sleeping in bad shelters, so we appeal to you to build better hostels for these future leaders,” said Nambwele.
“…let us strip off every weight that slows us down…”
(Hebrews 12:1, NLT)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
What’s happened in your past is not nearly as important as what is in your future. Where you’re going is much more significant than where you’ve been. But if you stay focused on the past, you’ll get stuck where you are. This is the reason a lot of people don’t have joy or enthusiasm for life. They’re dragging around all of this negative baggage from the past.
Somebody offended them last week, and they’ve got that stuffed in their resentment bag. Last month, they lost their temper and said some things they shouldn’t have. They’ve got that in their guilt and condemnation bag. Ten years ago, they lost a loved one. They still don’t understand it. They’ve got that hurt and pain in their disappointment bag. They carry around their bag of regrets, all the things they wished they would have done differently.
Life is too short to live that way. Learn to travel light. Every morning when you first get up, forgive the people that did you wrong the day before. Forgive your spouse for what they said. At the start of the day, let go of the disappointments, the setbacks from yesterday. Start every morning fresh and new. God did not create you to carry around all that baggage. Let it go and move forward in the life of blessing He has in store for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father, today I choose to travel light. I choose to shake off the past, shake off disappointment and forgive those who have hurt me. Heal my heart as I release everything that would try to hold me back in Jesus’ name! Amen.
Zanaco are the winter champions while Power Dynamos stay third as the 2014 FAZ Super Division heads into the three-week mid-season recess.
At Sunset Stadium in Lusaka, Zanaco returned to winning ways after a three -match drought when they beat Red Arrows 2-0 in a modest Capital City derby.
Goals by Moses Phiri and Matthews Macha in the 68th and 88th minutes respectively handed Zanaco its first win since defeating Nchanga Rangers 3-2 on June 7 at the same venue.
Zanaco had prior to Saturday’s win over Arrows suffered their first loss of the season on June 14 when they lost 1-0 at home to second placed Zesco United.
The six-time champions followed that up with a 2-0 away loss away to defending champions Nkana before recovering with a 1-1 draw at Power Dynamos.
Zanaco move up to 33 points from 15 games and and three points ahead of Zesco.
Zesco will stay put in second spot regardless of their result on Sunday should they beat second from bottom Kabwe Warriors thanks to Zanaco’s superior goal difference.
Meanwhile, Power picked up their third successive draw after coming from behind to draw 1-1 with Nakambala Leopards in Mazabuka.
The result saved Power from suffering the same fate that their Kitwe archrivals Nkana endured on June 25 where they suffered their first league loss of the season after losing 1-0.
Nkana’s tormentor Friday Konga breached Power in the 6th minute to put Nakambala ahead and score his fifth goal of the season.
However, Alex Ngonga salvaged a point for Power in the 17th minute to also bring his tally of the season to five goals.
Power have 28 points, five behind Zanaco and tied with fourth placed Napsa Stars who beat Green Eagles 1-0 in Lusaka.
