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Umusepela Chile unleashes the much-anticipated visuals for “Emergency Room”

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Umusepela Chile unleashes the much-anticipated visuals for “Emergency Room”

Umusepela chile

Umusepela Chile, the breakout star of Headphone Music, has finally unleashed the much-anticipated visuals for “Emergency Room“. This blazing single is lifted from his critically-acclaimed EP, “Son Of Man“, and features the multifaceted talent of Zar The Supreme.

“Emergency Room” takes listeners on a journey into the mind of a patient experiencing a life-threatening emergency. The video, brought to life by the visionary director duo OG Beejay and Jay Rox, features a dynamic conversation between Zar as the doctor and Chile as the patient, who sees their life flash before their eyes.

Get ready to experience the raw emotion and intensity of “Emergency Room”, as Umusepela Chile and Zar The Supreme bring their A-game to this powerful collaboration.

 

 

Romantic Love Mystery

Chief Editor
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Romantic Love Mystery

We have daydreams and fantasies about winning a million-kwacha lottery in our lives. We would be able to buy a beautiful house, not worry about bills, pay college tuition, travel to any great destinations we have heard about, financially support our family members, buy the best presents for our most loved one, enjoy a worry-free life, and the list is endless. Instead of mere dreams and fantasies, there is something similar that fulfills our dreams that many of us have actually experienced or are looking to experience; madly being in romantic love.

Searching for that partner, and being romantically in love is one of the most memorable cherished events in most of our lives. Falling romantically in love cannot only be compared to winning the lottery but it can more accurately be compared to both partners having one romantic love-unlocking key. Both people separately begin searching the neighborhood, the school, workplace, church, college, and the world. They are looking and trying for the one lock which will unlock their romantic love with the right person while using their key. After trying dozens of locks, suddenly the one door unlocks; and voila the two partners meet. The mutual romantic feeling is so electric from that magical moment that it is seared in the minds of both partners for the rest of their lives.

The deep and overwhelming mutual symptoms of being in romantic love are that the couple can’t stop talking when together, they laugh easily at the same jokes, they French kiss, they smile as they gaze in each other’s misty eyes searching for each other’s deepest soul, they share dreams, the food they eat together has never been more delicious, a walk in the moonlight or the woods while holding trembling hands feels magical. They feel weak in their knees as they submit to their partner. In the old days when premarital sex was prohibited, the very unfulfilled desire to be together to completely physically enjoy their sexual union created the feeling of unimaginable tension and fantasies that catapulted the couple to marriage.

Romantic love cannot be fully appreciated unless you consider the obstacles that have often been desperately hurled between the couple, for thousands of years, in an attempt to block and end their romantic love. The society taboos for couples may be that they are from different religions, young and older, from a rich and a poor family, from different tribes, master and servant, being educated and uneducated, from different geographical regions, different social classes, and the couple are from different races especially black and white. One partner may be from the nobility and the other was a commoner. This is the case even today in the saga between Prince Harry and Megan in the British Royal family.

These obstacles present unimaginable pain, anguish, and misery in the couple. In extreme cases like in Romeo and Juliet the couple may commit suicide. This is often why the couple will defy the obstacle and elope, run away and sit together holding each other in their arms and weep uncontrollably while sitting on a bench in a flower garden, restaurant or in the car as they lament their tragic plight and plot strategy.

The couple deeply in romantic love with each other see their partner with a halo around their head. The very ground their partner walks on is hallowed. The power of romantic love is so overwhelming to most couples that it seems religiously magical, mysterious and supernatural. This is why individuals who might be meek and shy suddenly perform spectacular brave courageous actions in order to be with their romantic partner for the rest of their lives. The couples that are in romantic love cannot live without each other. Romantic love is not for the faint hearted. This is why some individuals may be so afraid that they may avoid being in deep romantic love.

These are some of the reasons why the cause of deep romantic love is mysterious. Those who study romantic love may identify some of the factors that may draw couples into romantic love. These may include physical beauty, desire to defy taboo, each of the partners looking for their parent look alike, sexual infatuation, natural biological and physiological needs for human reproduction. None of these reasons will ever completely explain why we experience the mysterious deep romantic love. When obstacles are placed between the romantic lovers that separate them forever, the couple may go on mournfully to meet and even marry another person. But both couples are banished to an eternal life of misery of torture of a broken heart and painful thoughts of what could have been if they had married and been together for the rest of their lives with their romantic lover.

If you are enjoying deep romantic love on this Valentine’s Day, be very grateful, enjoy, celebrate, and appreciate those deep feelings which are a blessing and a gift of life.

By Mwizenge S. Tembo, Ph. D.

Emeritus Professor of Sociology

What I said on the Price of Mealie Meal-Nevers Mumba

Chief Editor
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What I said on the Price of Mealie Meal-Nevers Mumba

 

Junkie Attacks Alarm Mongu Residents: Dr Fred M’membe Calls for Urgent Action

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Junkie Attacks Alarm Mongu Residents: Dr Fred M’membe Calls for Urgent Action

Dr Fred M’membe, the President of the Socialist Party, has issued a statement addressing the growing concern over junkie attacks in the city of Mongu. In his statement, Dr M’membe emphasizes the urgency of the issue, calling on the government and police to pay close attention to the situation.

“The cries of Mongu residents over increasing attacks by Junkies are getting louder and louder but no one seems to be responding,” said Dr M’membe. “Over the past two weeks, I have been asked to say or do something about it by some journalists, church leaders, and other concerned residents of Mongu.”

Dr M’membe goes on to explain that he is usually very reluctant to respond or say something about issues or processes that he is not very clear about. However, he is now convinced that there is a very serious problem of Junkies attacking innocent Mongu residents that requires urgent attention.

“Today, a journalist friend of mine in Mongu sent me this message accompanied by the video below: ‘We should not wait until when a child or close relative of those in security wings or authority are affected to act. The situation has been watched to reach this far, now that it’s country-wide, it might be a mountain to climb to deal with it,'” Dr M’membe said.

The brazen increase in the number of attacks of Mongu residents by Junkies means that the government and police must urgently pay a lot of attention to this. Dr M’membe explains that the spate of junkie attacks in broad daylight has definitely alarmed Mongu residents.

“And it is not only the count which is climbing recently but the brutality and violence quotient involved in each incident. Clearly, there is no fear of the law,” he said.

In the discussions about rising crime levels in the country, there is an immovable fact, according to Dr M’membe. “Politicians, in times of increased criminal activity, must be seen to have a stamp on the situation,” he said. “Leaders must lead. Should a leader stay silent when various elements of the society, to include also the clergy, are expressing alarm at rising crime levels?”

Dr M’membe believes that in times of great national challenge, leaders must speak and give reassurance that they are making all moves to calm unsettled nerves. “Should a society unnerved by rising crime levels have to wonder where do their leaders stand on the criminal elements now more prevalent within the country?” he asked.

Working in tandem – the church, police, and all other elements of society have to come together and fashion an approach towards combating this rising crime, according to Dr M’membe. “The church, police, and all other elements of society must come together and fashion an approach that will effectively address the issue,” he said.

The statement by Dr M’membe comes as a response to the growing concern among Mongu residents over the rising number of junkie attacks in their city. The increasing violence and brutality involved in these attacks has raised alarm bells among the residents and the broader community.

Dr M’membe’s statement highlights the importance of addressing the rising crime levels in Zambia and the need for a collaborative effort by all elements of society to combat the issue. “In times of great national challenge, leaders must lead, the church, police, and all other elements of society must come together, and we must all work towards combating this rising crime,” he said.

High Cost of Living in Zambia: Mr. Charles Kakoma Shares his Views on Tackling Food Inflation

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High Cost of Living in Zambia: Mr. Charles Kakoma Shares his Views on Tackling Food Inflation

“The high cost of living in Zambia has become a nightmare,” says Charles Kakoma, a senior citizen and an avid observer of the Zambian economy. “People are sensitive about food prices. They will probably complain less about the high prices of clothes or beer, but when prices of food go up, it becomes a rallying point for de-campaigning the government.”

Kakoma reflects on the past experiences of the country, saying, “The UNIP government of President Kenneth Kaunda experienced food riots in the 1980s. One can also argue that the Patriotic Front Government of President Edgar Lungu was booted out of power in 2021 partly because of the unbearable high cost of living, especially high Mealie-meal prices.”

The new UPND government had raised high expectations among the citizens for reducing the high cost of food. However, Kakoma laments that people are now complaining about the high cost of food in general and Mealie-meal in particular.

When asked if something can be done about food inflation, Kakoma answered, “The answer is yes.” He explains, “While in opposition, the UPND planned to bring down the cost of food. In terms of agricultural policy, it was decided to do away with subsidies on consumption and channel the money to subsidise production. It was correctly analysed that Mealie-meal was expensive because of the high cost of inputs like seed, fertiliser and weed killer.”

However, Kakoma points out that the solution has not been implemented in the manner it was envisaged, saying, “Out of the over 3 million farmers in Zambia, only 1.2 million are being assisted under the Comprehensive Farmers Support Programme, popularly known as FISP. The irony of the matter is that 1.2 million farmers are getting subsidised inputs at K400 for 6 bags of fertiliser while the 1.8 million plus farmers are buying fertiliser at an average of K1000 per bag. After harvesting, all the farmers are expected to sell their maize to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) and millers at the same recommended price regardless of the costs incurred. How do the unsubsidised farmers compete with the subsidised farmers?”

Kakoma calls for a change in the policy direction, saying, “The policy direction should be to bring down the cost of inputs for all farmers. This can be achieved by cutting off middle men in the supply chain, producing the inputs locally in the country, curtailing corruption in the award of tenders for the supply of inputs and progressively increasing the number of small scale farmers accessing FISP.”

He adds, “The success of the UPND government will depend on putting food on the table; cheap food for that matter. Specific interventions are therefore needed in the agricultural sector to drive down the cost of food.”

For example, Kakoma says, “The favourite relish for many people in Zambia is chicken. The rising cost of chicken is making it difficult for many families to have chicken and nshima at the table. The chicken is becoming expensive because of the high cost of maize stock feed. In order to bring down the cost of chicken, there is need to bring down the cost of stock feed. In the short-term, FRA should supply cheap maize to millers to produce cheap stock feed. Similarly, many children like eggs. The cost of eggs can come down by producing cheap stock feed from FRA maize.”

Kakoma believes that the key to the economic prosperity of Zambia lies in agriculture, saying, “Economic prosperity should be driven by agriculture. Countries like Indonesia and the Asian Tigers leaped from poverty to prosperity through agriculture. They had to embark on the agrarian revolution which later

IPPRZ Calls on Law Enforcement to Tackle Corruption at All Levels in Zambia

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IPPRZ Calls on Law Enforcement to Tackle Corruption at All Levels in Zambia

The Institute for Public Policy Research-Zambia (IPPRZ) released a statement today calling on law enforcement agencies to take action against corruption at all levels in Zambia. The Director of IPPRZ, Mr. Fidelis Solomon Ngoma, expressed his concern about the damaging effects of corruption in the country.

“It’s so distasteful that political corruption damages society to the extent that voters expect bribes from candidates and political parties during elections,” said Mr. Ngoma. “Corrupt people can easily be elected to positions of leadership, and a corrupt elected leadership runs a corrupt system and thrives on further corruption.”

Mr. Ngoma emphasized the importance of ensuring that the political system and electoral process have the highest level of confidence among the Zambian people. He called on the administration of President Hakainde Hichilema to lead the fight against corruption.

“In my view, and our view as the Institute for Public Policy Research in Zambia, corruption in all its manifestations is immoral and unethical,” Mr. Ngoma stated. “We recently raised concerns about the financial irregularities mentioned in the Auditor General’s report, and we urge the government to take action before the situation worsens.”

President Hichilema has established various institutions, such as the Anti-Corruption Commission, Office of the Attorney General, the Drug Enforcement Commission, and the Economic Crimes fast track court, to support the fight against corruption. However, Mr. Ngoma stressed that these institutions cannot fight corruption alone, and called for the support of civil society and NGOs.

“Your administration should be a lead partner in our nation’s anti-corruption crusade,” he said. “It should not only come from the mouth of President Hichilema, but also from the various stakeholders, including government and top party officials, in order for us to fight this virus.”

Mr. Ngoma also emphasized the need to revisit some of the acts in the Zambian constitution, such as the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, Electoral Commission Act, and Drug Enforcement Commission Act, to promote transparency and accountability.

“We expect that the government will create new institutions in an effort to ensure that the ideas of accountability and transparency are actualized in reality, not merely parroted as meaningless slogans as we’ve seen in the past,” he said.

The IPPRZ statement is a call to action for all stakeholders to join the fight against corruption in Zambia. The institute recognizes the difficulties faced by the various institutions involved, but believes that by working together, they can make a positive impact on the country.

Zambia Must Prosper Party Condemns Queuing for ZNS Produced Mealie Meal, Calls for Government Action

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Zambia Must Prosper Party Condemns Queuing for ZNS Produced Mealie Meal, Calls for Government Action

The Zambia Must Prosper Party (ZMP) has raised concerns over the recent queues of citizens waiting to buy a bag of mealie meal produced by the Zambia National Service (ZNS). The ZMP has described this practice as unacceptable and a clear indication of the UPND government’s failure to deliver on its promises to Zambians.

In a statement released by the party’s spokesperson, Trymore Mwenda, he expressed disappointment at the high cost of the ZNS produced mealie meal despite the long queues of citizens waiting to purchase it. “The UPND government must know that even the ZNS produced mealie meal is still very expensive, despite Zambians queuing up for it,” Mwenda said. “Offloading 1600 bags of the ZNS mealie meal per day on the market pegged at K150 and K120 for breakfast and roller meal respectively will not do much because this is not what the UPND promised Zambians.”

Mwenda went on to describe the scenes in Lusaka’s Kaunda square on Friday last week, where residents queued up for ZNS mealie meal, as unsustainable and a drop in the ocean. He called on the UPND government to address the factors that have triggered the steep rise in mealie meal prices if a long-term solution is to be found. “The scenes in Lusaka’s Kaunda square are unacceptable and do not reflect the level of progress Zambia has made since the return of multi-party politics more than 30 years ago,” Mwenda said.

Despite the concerns raised by the ZMP, the cost of maize meal in Zambia is expected to go down in the coming weeks following the government’s decision to release maize from its strategic grain reserves to millers. Millers are expected to receive about 250,000 metric tonnes from the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) to enable them to produce mealie meal in bulk and flood the local market so that consumers can purchase the commodity at affordable prices.

“The millers have agreed to price the commodity at between K160 (US$8.4) and K170 (US$8.9) per 25-kilogram bag from K300 (US$15.7) in a forward step to ensure that the commodity is sold at affordable prices for Zambian citizens,” said Kelvin Hambwezya, the Chairperson of the FRA Board.

However, some milling companies have been hesitant to quickly buy maize from the FRA and have claimed that there is a shortage of grain in the country. In response, Hambwezya thanked the millers for their cooperation and expressed hope that the price of mealie meal would continue to decrease with further interactions. “FRA is aware of the fluctuating mealie meal prices in the country, and the agency has responded with interventions aimed at normalizing the situation,” Hambwezya said. “FRA was created to make sure that when there is a crisis or a disaster like we seem to have, FRA is mandated to offload maize or rice or whatever commodity is required to help mitigate the problem,” he added.

So far, the millers have paid for 75,000 metric tonnes of maize, and have been instructed to collect it from the nearest FRA depots. The FRA has also sold maize to 33 districts under the rural vulnerable communities to ensure household food security. Additionally, the agency has authorized the release of 50,000 metric tonnes of maize to the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit for relief purposes for households affected by floods.

The ZMP has called on the UPND government to address the factors that have led to the steep rise in mealie meal

Zambians today are so proud of the change of government witnessed in August, 2021

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Zambians today are so proud of the change of government witnessed in August, 2021

By Martin Mushumba, PhD

The New Dawn Government has now spent 1 year 6 months in office. Despite the high food prices caused by unstable fuel prices on the international marked spurred by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Zambians today are so proud of the change of government witnessed in August, 2021.

Below are some of the achievements of the of the New Dawn Government that are making Zambians proud citizens ;

1. Student meal allowances have been restored across all public universities in the face of various economic hardships for the country
2. Student loans extended across all public universities.
3. Free education for primary and secondary schools- a deeper statement on investment in education.
4. Primary and secondary schools are filled to capacity- it brings joy to note that families are no longer inhibited by high school fees as they send their children to government schools.
5. Bursary for boarding schools being provided across the country.
6. Bursary being offered across all trades training institutes in the country
7. Constituency Development Fund (CDF)-sponsored skills training – free training for skills under CDF sponsorship.
8. All councils across the country receive equilization fund in record time.
9. Marketeers booster loans are being distributed to markets across the country.
10. There is enhanced financial access through CDF, Citizen Economic Empowerment Fund (CEEC), Youth Empowerment Fund, and Marketeers fooster funds.
11. Zambia National Service milling plants have been launched – this has brought cheaper mealie meal on the market.
12. 30,496 teachers employed in 2022. A further 5,000 more are to be employed in 2023
13. 10,000 youth being employed under the voluntary, internship, and graduate programs
14. About 2,000 local government workers are employed across the country.
15. 5,000 youths recruited in the defense forces
16. About 200 youths employed at ZRA
17. About 100 youths employed at CEEC
18. About 100 youths employed at Anti-Corruption Commission
19. About 6,000 jobs were created through Mwinilunga Fruit Factory
20. About 6,000 jobs were created through Chipata Fruit Factory
21. Over 11,200 health workers are employed. 4,000 more to be employed in 2023.
22. Road construction corruption curbed – Road works are now transparent and as a result cheaper.
23. Corruption in the procurement of drugs curbed
24. Corruption in farming input procurement and distribution curbed
25. Fruit processing plants in Chipata and Ikelenge opened to enhance value addition in agricultural produce.
26. Load shedding effectively ended – unprecedented response to the power crisis.
27. Media access is free for all – opposition leaders even have more access to the media than the ruling party leaders.
28. A professional Independent Broadcasting Authority- not one set up to shut divergent voices.
29. Enhanced freedoms of association and assembly – Opposition leaders can today freely patronize supermarkets and shopping malls as well as churches without any restriction.
30. In this space of time, CDF has been increased from K1.6 million to K28.3 million – this has given the people a voice in determining what is good in their pursuit of development.
31. Cheaper roads being constructed through PPPs
32. Electric motor vehicle battery plant being opened on the Copperbelt Province – this is a manufacturing sector game changer for Zambia and Africa.
33. Desk distribution in schools is on-going
34. Classroom construction across all constituencies is ongoing through CDF
35. Construction of more Secondary Schools under the World Bank going on.
36. 60% of inherited retirees’ benefits dismantled – the plight of retirees has been honored.
37. Energy diversification program is in full swing with investments in solar from the United Kingdome, United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.
38. The government has established through the Citizen Economic Empowerment Fund a special funding for energy investment projects.
39. Public Service workers’ salaries have been increased by 22.5% in 1 year 6 months.
40. Opposition free to insult the President- Penal Code Act repealed to allow for such lawlessness.
41. Death penalty abolished- Penal Code Act repealed.
42. Corruption fight enhanced- past and present corruption being fought without fear or favour- e.g. Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Health corruption exposed and fought with the passion exhibited in fight corruption in the former administration.
43. Balanced cabinet and civil service appointments – A government that is representing national character balanced on tribe, skills, and experience. This is inclusive governance.
44. A free and professional civil service restored – tribal and political persecutions abolished which was characteristic in the former administration.
45. Macroeconomic stability- inflation has been controlled to single digits. Whilst food prices are on the rise, they are doing so at a much slower rate than they were around August 2021.
46. Debt contraction is under control- debt servicing is in progress despite economic challenges.
47. Influx of investment flow into the country- there is an enhanced business environment attracting investments not only from China but now also from many Western countries.
48. Cheaper fuel markets explored through MoUs with Angola and Namibia.
49. Enhanced international and diplomatic relations with both the West and East- China relations have also been upheld.
50. Enhanced diplomatic relations with SADC countries and Africa as a whole.
51. Caderism and politics in trading places and bus stations curbed- there are no more station and market commanders terrorizing innocent citizens.
52. Enhanced respect for the rule of law- professionalized security wings.
53. Fairly distributed development across the country – depoliticized development, that is detached from regional politics.
54. Depoliticized response to national disasters – A professional Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit doing its work.
55. Fair access to employment – tribe and/or political affiliation do not matter anymore as employment is now accessible to all Zambians.
56. Restored order in the courts of law- courts are gaining public confidence. Corruption skews justice and compromises the rule of law.
57. There is order in the mining sector- whilst a stable tax regime is being negotiated the order has remained and this is supportive for growth. The negotiations on Konkola Copper Mines and Mopani are also progressing in a much more stable environment which is generally good for the mining sector given its importance to the Zambian economy.
58. A clear distinction between the Party (UPND) and its Government. The Party is purely being run by the Secretary-General Hon Batuke Imenda and other party officials whilst the President and his vice have been focused on government affairs. This has been key in curbing abuse of resources by the party.
59. The focus on national development rather than retaining power- President Hakainde Hichilema has his eyes set on pursuing a united and prosperous Zambia. He has shown disinterest in playing politics even when this threatens his hold on power ahead of 2026.
60. Respect for the traditional leadership – all traditional authorities have been embraced and receive respect, support, and attention from the government as opposed to a system that marginalized others based on their tribe and region they hailed from.
61. Restored peace and security- no more killings and gassing incidences that threatened national security. Citizens can drink and party with a free mind without fearing being attacked by some panga-wielding cadres or being gassed in the night.
In a nutshell, the New Dawn Government has scored across so many spheres of people’s livelihood. It has not only re-established a peaceful and united Zambia, but also created a less stressful society as people’s major burdens such as high unemployment, high schools fees, unpaid terminal benefits, restricted access to business financing and marginalised access to development have all remained in the past.

The Author is a Public and Economic Policy Analyst.

Weakening Kwacha Causes Worry: ANDD Calls on Government to Address Negative Impact on Economy

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Weakening Kwacha Causes Worry: ANDD Calls on Government to Address Negative Impact on Economy

The weakening of the Zambian Kwacha against the US Dollar is causing concern among advocacy groups in the country. The Advocates for National Development and Democracy (ANDD) have noted the negative impact that the depreciation is having on the economy and have expressed their worries publicly. The rise in the cost of doing business and the subsequent increase in the prices of basic commodities have made them unattainable for ordinary citizens. As a result, small businesses are shutting down, leading to mass unemployment and potential further economic struggles.

The Executive Director of ANDD, Samuel Banda, has called on the government to unlock the mining sector, which accounts for a significant portion of the country’s Gross Domestic Product and is its main foreign exchange earner. Mr. Banda stressed the importance of a strong Kwacha, especially in an import-driven economy, as it is necessary to avoid plunging the country into deep poverty and food insecurity. In a statement to the media, Mr. Banda said, “A strong Kwacha is a necessity for the current economy that is import-driven. Without a solution in sight, there is a risk of the country plunging into deep poverty as even food security will be a challenge due to the high costs of agriculture inputs.”

The sharp drop in the Kwacha is putting upward pressure on inflation, with consumer prices rising 9.9% this month compared to 9.8% in November. The depreciation of the currency is partly due to slow progress in debt-restructuring talks with creditors, and this, combined with the uptick in inflation, may prompt the Bank of Zambia to raise interest rates for the first time in over a year at its February meeting. Interim Statistician-General Mulenga Musepa stated, “The cost of transport outpaced other price increases.”

The uptick in inflation and the decline in the currency may persuade the Bank of Zambia to raise borrowing costs at its February meeting after maintaining the benchmark rate at 9% this year because of a downward trend in price growth. Annual inflation, which the MPC expects to average 8.5% next year, has been above the bank’s 6% to 8% target since May 2019. Food inflation decelerated to 11.9% this month from 12.1% in November while non-food price growth accelerated to 7.3% from 6.7%. Monthly inflation quickened to a 10-month high of 1.1%.

The weakening Kwacha is causing serious concern among advocacy groups in Zambia and its impact on the economy and ordinary citizens cannot be underestimated. The government and relevant stakeholders need to act promptly to find a solution and avoid further economic turmoil. The ANDD’s Executive Director, Samuel Banda, summarized the situation best when he said, “The gradual strength of the Dollar against the Kwacha has led to a significant rise in the cost of doing business, mostly due to the rising cost of importing goods and services. This has had a direct effect on the rising prices of basic commodities beyond the reach of ordinary citizens. In addition, the country has witnessed small businesses shutting down leading to mass unemployment, a situation that if left unchecked will lead to untold misery among the populace.”

Patriotic Front Reassures Members: No Leadership Vacuum Within the Party

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Patriotic Front Reassures Members: No Leadership Vacuum Within the Party

The Patriotic Front (PF) has issued a statement assuring its members that there is no leadership vacuum within the party. The statement was issued in response to concerns raised by the ongoing court process instigated by Honorable Miles Sampa against the party and its leadership.

According to the statement, the injunction obtained by Honorable Sampa is a temporal ex-parte order and the Patriotic Front will have an opportunity to defend itself during an inter-parte hearing on February 16th, 2023. The party will have the chance to counter the allegations leveled against it and its leadership.

The National Chairperson of the Patriotic Front, Honorable Davies Chama, emphasized that the party’s leadership remains intact, with Honorable Given Lubinda serving as Vice President and Honorable Nickson Chilangwa serving as Deputy Secretary General. Chama assured members that the party will continue to operate normally under Lubinda’s leadership and that no one should spread rumors of paralysis within the party.

The statement concludes by saying that the Patriotic Front remains committed to serving its members and will continue to operate as usual, despite the ongoing court process. The party is confident that the truth will come to light during the inter-parte hearing and that it will emerge unscathed from the allegations made against it.

Zambia’s Socialist Party President Dr. Fred M’membe Questions President Hichilema’s Silence on AFRICOM Office Setup

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Zambia’s Socialist Party President Dr. Fred M’membe Questions President Hichilema’s Silence on AFRICOM Office Setup

Dr Fred M’membe, the President of Zambia’s Socialist Party, has expressed his concern over the lack of response from President Hakainde Hichilema regarding the setting up of an AFRICOM office in Lusaka.

In a letter dated June 24, 2022, Dr M’membe raised several concerns regarding the establishment of the Office for Security Cooperation in Lusaka, as he believed it to be a serious mistake given the understanding of the doctrine behind the AFRICOM. Dr M’membe cited the United States’ 2017 doctrine document, which outlines the objectives and activities of AFRICOM and the potential risks it may pose to Zambia’s sovereignty.

Dr M’membe also discussed how AFRICOM has slowly increased its presence throughout the continent, establishing agreements with various African countries to use airfields, bases, and other resources for refueling aircraft, deploying troops, and conducting surveillance operations. According to Dr M’membe, AFRICOM’s operations have primarily supported US government foreign policy objectives, but have not yielded any significant benefits to the cooperative countries.

The President of the Socialist Party also pointed out that the distinction between setting up a military base and an office is often used as a way to politically manage AFRICOM’s presence in African countries. He used the example of Ghana, where the US mission stated that they were not setting up a base, but instead were entering into a Status of Forces Agreement that allowed the US military unrestricted access to various facilities in the country.

Dr M’membe concluded his letter by questioning why President Hichilema has not responded to these critical concerns and called for a public discourse on the matter.

Alleged Illegal Audits Persist in HH’s Government: Honorable Mutotwe Kafwaya Speaks Out Against Unethical Behavior

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Alleged Illegal Audits Persist in HH’s Government: Honorable Mutotwe Kafwaya Speaks Out Against Unethical Behavior

Hon. Mutotwe Kafwaya, a presidential candiate for the post of PF president, has recently spoken out against the government’s reliance on alleged illegal audits. In a public statement, he expressed his shock and disappointment over the recent use of illegal audits against senior staff members in the Ministry of Finance and National Planning.

“The recent audit being used against the Auditor General and Ministry of Finance senior staff was done illegally by a private firm,” stated Hon. Kafwaya. “Government should eliminate its love for illegal audits. All audits in Government are provided for by law.”

Hon. Kafwaya went on to challenge the Ministry of Finance and National Planning to prove that the Secretary to the Treasury had sanctioned the illegal audit activity. He called the behavior of those who carried out the illegal audit “unethical” and “unprofessional.”

“I dare say this audit had no authority. It was illegal. The officer or officers who undertook this audit should be put to task for wasting taxpayers’ money on an illegal activity,” said Hon. Kafwaya. “All actions of government workers must have authority.”

The political figure also raised concerns over the individuals being lined up to take over as Auditor General, suggesting that they may be capable of conducting illegal audits to benefit their friends. “Will this country ever receive free and fair views of financial, operational, and governance performance of government with such unethical individuals as AG?” he asked.

Hon. Kafwaya’s statements come in the wake of a regional purge, where unwanted staff members were removed from the Ministry of Finance and National Planning based on the findings of the illegal audit. He criticized the actions of the government, stating that transferring staff out of a ministry on the basis of investigations is not provided for by law or any procedures of government.

“This country belongs to all,” said Hon. Kafwaya. “Government should reduce on this visible regional purge. Remember that accountant who is accused of being the owner of 48 houses. He was not transferred out of MoFND for those alleged offenses.”

Hon. Kafwaya called for the illegal audit to be discarded and those who carried it out to be held accountable for acting outside of the law. He also quoted Matthew 7:12, “Do unto others what you wish for them to do unto you,” in a call for more ethical and professional behavior in the government.

“Happy Sunday. Restoring everything patriotic,” he concluded.

Nkana Rally to Rout Nchanga Rangers

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Nkana boosted chances of surviving relegation when coming from behind to thump Nchanga Rangers 3-1 in Sunday’s FAZ Super Division match at home in Wusakile, Kitwe.

Prior to this Week 23 encounter at Nkana Stadium, Kalampa were just on place above the bottom four.

After leading for most part of the game, Nchanga conceded three goals in the last 27 minutes to lose their eighth game of the season.

Striker Miguel Pedro put Brave in front after 12 minutes when scoring against the run of play to shock the home side.

Nchanga’s lead lasted up to the 63rd minute when new Congolese signee David Kabala equalised from close range.

Substitute Lameck Kafwaya put Nkana in the driving seat with a fantastic 72nd minute goal before registering his brace four minutes away from full time.

Kafwaya had replaced injured captain Harrison Chisala earlier in the 40th minute.

Meanwhile, victory moves Kalampa two places up to number 12 with 28 points from 23 matches played.

Nchanga replaces Nkana at number 14 as they remained on 27 points in 23 matches.

Types of Nshima

Chief Editor
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Types of Nshima

By Mwizenge S. Tembo, Ph. D. Emeritus Professor of Sociology

For 19 million Zambians in Southern Africa, nshima and what it stands for is the very basis of life. Nshima is the staple food eaten by not only Zambians but Malawians and many other African neighbors. Almost all 72 tribes and indigenous African languages in Zambia probably call nshima by a different name according to the specific area language and dialect variation. The Chewa, Tumbuka, and Ngoni of Eastern Zambia and Malawi call it sima or nsima, the Bemba of Northern Zambia call it ubwali, the Tonga of Southern Zambia call it insima and Lozi of Western Zambia call it buhobe.

There is a saying that Eskimos who live in the frozen north pole may have many different definitions of snow. This reality of having so many definitions may be true for people who live in the desert and how they define sand or people who live on sea islands and how they may define types of fish, for example. This reality is true for nshima in Zambian culture.

In traditional villages in rural Zambia, nshima has many types and states. There is nshima that is cooked from cassava meal (sima ya chikhau or chinangwa), sorghum meal (sima ya mapila or chidomba), finger millet meal (sima ya kambala), and sima of rice or mpunga. Potentially nshima can be cooked from any grain and tubers that can be ground into meal or flour. There is nshima that has lumps in it (sima ya mambontho). This nshima is often the result of hasty cooking and only young inexperienced girls, men, and novices are expected to make this mistake.

There is nshima yopola. This is nshima that has gotten lukewarm or cold because either it was cooked too early or eaters, guests, or diners delayed getting to the table. This nshima is rather hard and might even crumble as the eater tries to get a lump. There is nshima ya cimbala. This is nshima left over from the previous night. It is usually stone cold and wet from steam condensation overnight. Children are the only ones expected to eat this type of nshima sometimes for breakfast. Adult men are not advised to eat nshima ya cimbala as it is believed to cause weakness in the elbow joints and also likely to usurp a man’s sexual energy.

Nshima yibisi means raw nshima. This is the nshima that was badly and hastily cooked perhaps with a very weak flame due to inadequate firewood or impatience on the part of the woman or the cook. One extreme way of testing if the nshima is yibisi or not well cooked is to push one’s forefinger deep into the just cooked nshima on a plate like one would push a dipstick when determining oil level in an automobile engine. If the nshima is well cooked, the finger will hardly penetrate, as it will be too hot for the tester. But if the nshima is undercooked, the finger will penetrate all the way and the individual tester will hardly feel any discomfort.

There is nshima ya mugayiwa. This is nshima that is cooked from corn or maize that is not hand processed. It is corn meal ground directly from corn using a hammer mill. This type of nshima is darker and very coarse or rough. Many Zambians will only eat this as a sign of hardship, in an emergency, or if they are living in institutions like the boarding school, armed forces, or prison. In extreme cases it might cause diarrhea because of too much roughage for those not accustomed to eating it.

There is nshima ya kambandila which is cooked from maize or corn meal that is made from corn that has hardly dried in the fields just before harvest. This is also often done in desperation as the family might have run out of corn or maize from the previous season’s harvest or vingoms va chomba.

Nshima yosoza refers to eating the nshima without the second dish; the relish. This again is an extremely tremendous sign of suffering if individuals have to resort to eating nshima without relish. This extreme case is rare as in most cases individuals who eat nshima yo soza are said to be careless. There is a learned skill in eating a large plate of nshima matched with often a smaller portion or serving of relish. One has to learn to match the rate of eating the nshima with the specific served portion of the relish. Going to the relish pot for some more is usually unacceptable or impractical. So, in the unfortunate situation of mismatching the rate of eating nshima and the relish, the individual might end up eating nshima yo soza.

Nshima features very prominently in many other cultural aspects of the community. For example, a traditional healer or nga’nga will often prescribe that a patient gets the herb soaked from roots of a certain tree and use it for cooking nshima. The patient has to eat this type of nshima for two to three weeks to a month. This is true for a child who is being treated for childhood epilepsy or seizures for example. This type of nshima is known among the Tumbuka people as kasima ka mnkhwala or a tinny nshima cooked for medicinal purposes.

Local Fuel Transporters in Zambia Safe from Business Threat – Peter Chibwe Kapala

Lusaka Times Editor
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Local Fuel Transporters in Zambia Safe from Business Threat – Peter Chibwe Kapala

 The recent conversion of the Tanzania Zambia Mafuta (TAZAMA) pipeline from a crude oil feedstock transportation system to a refined diesel transportation system is not expected to put local fuel transporters out of business. This was confirmed during a press briefing held at the Government Complex last Friday, where a government spokesperson said, “These developments should not cause anxiety among petroleum transporters. Local fuel transporters will still be involved in ferrying the commodity from the main storage depots and distributing across the country.”

The reconfiguration of the TAZAMA pipeline is expected to result in reduced fuel landing costs, which will eventually lead to lower pump prices. “The re-configeration of the pipeline will enable it to pump and transport refined low-Sulphur diesel to Indeni Refinery, which has now become an oil marketing company (OMC) with storage depots,” the spokesperson added.

The conversion of the TAZAMA pipeline to pump and transport refined low-Sulphur diesel is progressing well. The government has completed 15% of the cleaning and conversion process, and it is expected to be completed within the first quarter of 2023. “The conversion process should be completed within the first quarter of this year and at the latest the beginning of the second quarter,” the spokesperson confirmed.

Once completed, the TAZAMA pipeline will be able to pump 90 million litres of diesel per month, ensuring a reliable and sustainable fuel supply at a reduced cost. The government is committed to stabilizing and reducing the cost of petroleum products in the country. “The New Dawn Government is commited to ensuring sustainable fuel supply, an important catalyst in the economic development of the country. Further, the Government, through the Ministry of Energy, will continue working on measures to stabilize and reduce the cost of petroleum products on the Zambian market,” the spokesperson stated.

In conclusion, local fuel transporters in Zambia can breathe a sigh of relief, as the TAZAMA pipeline upgrade is not expected to put them out of business. “These developments should not cause anxiety among petroleum transporters,” the spokesperson emphasized. The government is working hard to ensure a sustainable and cost-effective fuel supply for the country.

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