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Zambians living in China have hailed Chipolopolo’s display in the 2-0 loss to Brazil in a friendly match in Beijing on Tuesday.
Brazil struggled to beat the 2012 African champions as they needed two second half goals to triumph at the National Stadium in the Chinese capital.
The fans who cheered Chipolopolo say the team performed well against the five-time world champions.
Others said they thought that Brazil were going to record an emphatic win over Zambia.
“It was a good result, we played well despite losing,” a Zambian student based in Beijing said.
Another added:” We are proud of our team, we thought we were going to conceid just after 10 minutes.”
Dede and Oscar were the scorers.
Meanwhile, Zambia played against the 2014 FIFA World Cup hosts minus key stars like Collins Mbesuma, Rainford Kalaba, Stopilla Sunzu, Nathan Sinkala and Davies Nkausu.
Government has confirmed that it has increased salaries for the Executive and members of the legislature.
Chief Government Spokesperson Mwansa Kapeya who confirmed the development said that it is normal for the President’s salary and that of his ministers and MPs to be hiked.
Mr. Kapeya has justified the increments, saying that whenever salaries for civil servants are hiked, those of constitutional office bearers should also be increased.
Salaries for MPs and executive were last year hiked, making the latest increment the second in two years.
According to Statutory Instrument number 91 of 2013 signed by Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda, President Michael Sata will be getting an annual salary of K414, 406 while Vice President Guy Scott will now earn K250, 551 basic pay plus other special and utility allowances.
Ministers will earn a basic pay of K189, 672 each and Deputy Ministers K179, 158 plus other utility and special allowances.
And MMD President Nevers Mumba has condemned government’s move to hike salaries for the Executive and Members of Parliament.
Dr. Mumba says government’s decision only shows that it does not put the interest of the poor Zambians first.
The PF has thrown itself into a whirl of self-destruction. President Michael Sata, the Pied Piper has taken a wrong turn and is leading his followers to their own doom with far reaching-consequences. Here is a man bestowed with authority, and yet even with all the power at his disposal, he is unable to lead like the hero he is. He has never looked so compromising, vulnerable, and beatable. He is a good example of “all that glitters is not gold.” We are learning that as much as tenacity [stubbornness, doggedness, boorishness] can be a gift, it can become a curse as well. In this case, it has triggered a contagion of mayhem in the PF and left its members in a collusive relationship.
President Michael Sata with PF Mkaika constituency parliamentary candidate David Phiri after a rallyto drum up support for Phiri in Katete on Sept 2,2013 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
Sata’s recent divisive remarks “I am not desperate for endorsement” tell it all. His utterances show a weak leader pushing his stewards, die-hards, and zealots over the cliff. No leader rejects and embarrasses his most faithful supporters like Sata has done. He has taken the wind out of Geoffrey Mwamba, Willie Nsanda, Chisimba Kambwili, Robert Chikwelete and their fellow “endorsers” and left them betrayed, shamed, dejected, and devastated. They have found it hard to understand why he has sided with Wynter Kabimba, a man they perceive to be his destruction, and rewarded him and his “successors” with a sense of victory and hope.
[pullquote]They have found it hard to understand why he has sided with Wynter Kabimba[/pullquote]
It is this act, and his fatal entanglement in the Bemba chiefdom that makes him a one-term president. But Sata is right: the opposition is fragmented and weak. The PF house is on fire and the fragmented Zambian opposition is helping put the fire out, a clear indication that it lacks skillful, and quick-witted political strategists who can handle Zambia’s shrewdest political tactician, here referred to as King Cobra, and deny him a second term.
What the weak and fragmented opposition can learn from Sata-the opposition leader
Let me say this; siding or supporting the ruling party is damn. It is a mediocre way of doing politics. In fact, opposition leaders who agree with their rivals rarely win elections. For ten years, King Cobra applied the survival value of intransigent politics. He was totally intolerant of the MMD. Back in 2009 when nurses went on strike, Sata used pictures of a mother in self-delivery posture as a weapon of attack. When there was a shortage of fuel, he picked up a jelly can, queued at the pump, and blamed RB for the crisis. When RB made trips abroad, he accused him of misusing taxpayer’s money.
Here are Sata’s own words of November 3, 2009:
“His presidency [Rupiah Banda’s] has just been full of crisis upon crisis and frequent presidential trips. Zambians must know that as he enters his second year, it will even be worse because the man doesn’t even care. He only cares so much about the presidential jet so that he keeps traveling all over.”
That was King Cobra in his time. He took advantage of the slightest mistake by the MMD, made capital out of it, and took it to the poor and the desperate because he knew they rally behind politicians who do not compromise. Similarly, no leader in the opposition should compromise with Sata, not even render an iota of sympathy or empathy. As Sata grapples with broken promises, his party’s restlessness and incongruity, and his authoritarian decisions, the opposition should be pouring gallons of paraffin on the fire and stripping him of his magnetism. That’s how the institution of democratic politics works. You take advantage of your opponent at his moment of weakness, beat him, and only compromise at legislative level.
In search of leader who can make Sata eat his own words
This is the time for the opposition to unite and front a leader who can take center stage, rise to the level of national exaltation, and make Sata eat his own words. The opposition lacks such a base activist who can make speeches bemoaning the wrong done by Sata to the Bemba kingdom and call for the Bembas in the country to rally behind him in calling for Sata to gazette Paramount Chief Chitimukulu.
The president’s surprising endorsement of Kabimba and the “successors” has led to speculations that Sata is ensnared in the secret concords and illegal business deals with Kabimba thus his failure to expel him from the party. The opposition vanguard should take advantage of this and bring afore allegations that Sata and Kabimba are directors of Ilunda Chalo Investments Limited and expose the activities of the company.
Such a leader must also expose the “Fourth Republic”—the party within the PF, that’s if at all it exists, and convince the disgruntled “endorsers” to jump ship and join the opposition. The question is; is there such a leader in the opposition? Is it possible one could rise among them and excel in 2016? Yes. Who is it? Good question. Let’s look at the frontrunners in the opposition.
Hakainde Hichilema
Opposition UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema
Leading the pack is Hakainde Hichilema. In all fairness he has made some credible inroads and stands a better chance than most. Born June 4, 1962; Education: BA. Economics and Business; MBA Finance & Business Strategy; Current Position: President of the United Party of National Development (UPND). He is Sata’s chief worrier and target. After his 2009 kumbaya moments with Sata at the height of the PF-UPND pact, Hichilema understands Sata better than other opposition leaders. He knows there is not much venom left in his fangs.
But Hichilema’s opponents describe him as an infantile politician driven by self-interest and spite. They say that when he refused to accept the vice-residency in the PF-UPND brief marriage of convenience, he came out as a power-hungry egocentric politician with an undemocratic “be it me or be it none” presidential ambition.
The major setback though is that the “tribal and ethnic leader” stigma still has its claws deep in his flesh. His pillars of support are still embedded in the predominantly Tonga ethnic ground. Up to this day, running as a UPND candidate is perceived by many as running on a Tonga ticket. The good thing is he has realized his party needs a diverse support base if it is to succeed and he is trying to do something about it. His recent successful Mandevu rally is making many people across the country to give him a second look.
Nevers Mumba
Opposition MMD leader Nevers Mumba
Next is Nevers Mumba. Born May 18, 1960; Education: Associate Degree (Diploma) in Theology; Current Position: President of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD). They say he loves power, prestige, and prerogative, and wears his “Dr. Nevers Mumba” blue band like King George. The problem is he is standing on a turbulent melting iceberg mired as he is in internecine squabbles. It is clear he has not been fully embraced by MMD keepers, some who are getting frustrated that he is not using enough of his “Evangelical charisma” to resurrect the party. Others have been suspicious of him right from the start. They have labeled him a sheep in wolf’s skin and quit.
But his clashes with president Sata and his frequent trips to the jailhouse are helping. Prison is the baptismal tabernacle for every future president in Zambia, unless handpicked like Mwanawasa and Banda. With this experience, Mumba has become courageous and dare challenge the incumbent. Having said this, Mumba must not be cuckolded by the recent few parliamentary victories in Eastern Province. The voters are not necessarily supporting him but are rallying behind their favorite candidates. What he urgently needs is a national formula, and a fresh leadership style now, or he risks becoming irrelevant.
Elias Chipimo
NAREP leader Elias Chipimo
Next, Elias Chipimo Jr. Born September 3, 1965. Education: B.A. Civil Law. Current Position: President of the National Restoration Party (NAREP). Though brilliant, liked by the young generation, he has a long and arduous way to State House. He comes out as gullible, susceptible, and an appeaser. As earlier intimated, the strategy of appeasement does not work in chaotic Zambian politics. Sharing the suffering consequences of the PF and urging the president to address them is a trait synonymous with third-rate personality parties. Receiving and accepting praise from the ruling party is a bygone gesture common among conciliatory, consensus-seeking, and compromise-oriented leaders. If Chipimo wants to defeat King Cobra, he has to adopt a tough style of leadership and become combatant, forceful, and preemptory.
There is no enough space for the rest of the moribund parties. Let me put it crudely; they do not deserve mention because most of them, including General Godfrey Miyanda, operate splinter or personality parties. I must hasten to mention that I have a soft spot for Father Frank Bwalya. He has showed us that he a fearless politician who takes the stance of battle and is ready to fight. Although it is too soon to measure his success, he has the charisma and the ability to stir the hearts of others.
If finding a sole leader is impossible, at least find some sort of alliance. Imagine for a moment Hichilema, Mumba, Chipimo, and Father Bwalya in a joint force. Imagine them creating a coalition for change, and mapping a winning electoral strategy. Imagine them in one bus driving across the country holding joint rallies and at every stop, and in a unitary voice, stressing economic instability and insecurity, and the incompetence of the ruling party and its leader. They would be welcome in all the provinces. But sadly, this would only be possible if they put the country before their personal ambitions and sectarian interests, struck a common political agenda and swore a covenant to beat the incumbent and form a coalition government in 2016. Coalition politics is a common and very successful strategy around the world.
Open society Foundation executive director Sunday Chilufya has called on government to reverse the reported salary increments for the President, ministers and members of parliament.In a press statement released to the media, Mr.Sunday Chilufys expressed concern at the salary increments to the executive and members of the legislature at a time when the nation faces serious econonmic challenges.
He said the Zambian people have sacrificed through the removal of subsidies and it is high time that Government was seen to be sacrificing too. Zambia is still grappling with high poverty levels and the country is yet to dismantle the huge burden of unemployment, especially among youths. We therefore call on Government to reverse this reported decision as it is completely out of season.
OSF also called on Government to ensure Shoprite Workers fired are reinstated and their conditions of service addressed by management. Zambia cannot afford to see jobs being lost when we have not yet dismantled the burden of joblessness.
UPND vice-president for politics Canisius Banda has described as madness the PF governments decision to increase the salaries of the Republican president, Michael Sata and all government ministers, especially when the Zambian government barely survives on borrowed money to Finance the budget.
Dr. Banda said the action was one of the stupidest things he has ever seen, especially that there are a number of unresolved issues with nurses, mid-wives and other medical personnel.
Details of salary increments
President Michael Sata’s salary has been increased to a whooping K414,406 million with a special allowance of K108,934 barely a year after his salary was increased to K327,000 million in 2012.
The increase in President Sata’s salary by K87,000,000 will also see his Vice-President Guy Scott and other specified office holders including Cabinet ministers have their salaries increased by the same percentage margin as per Statutory Instrument No 92 of 2013.
This is the third time in a little more than two years that President Sata has had his salary increased with the first two increments having been effected at 100 per cent of the annual basic pay.
The hefty salary increases come against a backdrop of health workers including nurses, council workers and other public service workers having gone on strike after receiving a meager four per cent increase.
According to the Statutory Instrument No 91 of 2013 of the Presidential Emoluments Act of the Laws of Zambia Volume 15 Cap 261 signed by Minister of Finance Alexander Chikwanda, President Sata was now entitled to an annual salary of 414,406, about K87,406 more than his current earnings which are at K327,000.
The Statutory Instrument signed on October 8 by Chikwanda under the October 11, 2013 government gazette, President Sata’s salary increase is effective September 1, 2013.
April 2012 presidential salary increase
On April 1, 2012, Sata increased his salary from the K164m (K162 000) per annum, which Rupiah Banda was earning to K327 million (K327 000).
This is according to statutory instrument no. 17 of 2012 signed by Finance minister Alexander Chikwanda.
The same Statutory Instrument showed that President Sata’ special annual allowance was increased from the K59 million (K59 000) Rupiah Banda was earning to K80 million (K80 000).
June 2012 presidential salary increase
On 14 June 2012, Sata’ salary was increased by K50 million (K50 000). This was according to Statutory Instrument number 43 of 2012 signed by Finance minister Alexander Chikwanda.
The additional K50 million was backdated to April 1, 2012 when the first increments were affected.
By the June 14, 2012 increments, Sata’ special allowance was increased from K80 million (K80 000) to K99 Million (K99 000).
In 2012, Chikwanda signed Statutory Instrument No 17 of 2012 which had raised President Sata salary to K327 million [nearly US$73,000] per annum.
Rupiah Banda rejected salary increase for executive and parliamentarians during his time
Former president Rupiah Banda was getting K164,120 million per annum and when he was acting president the former head of state refused to append his signature to a Parliamentary Bill for increased salaries of the Executive and parliamentarians and sent back to the House for revision.(http://www.lusakatimes.com/2008/09/20/rb-explains-decision-not-to-sign-salary-bill/)
In 2008 while in the opposition, President Sata attacked former president Rupiah Banda over the salaries saying the then president was being selfish.
Chikwanda said in exercise of the powers contained in section two of the Presidential Emoluments Act and after consultation with the Standing Orders Committee of the National Assembly, President Sata would be paid K414,406 million annually.
“These Regulations may be cited as the Presidential Emoluments (Amendment) Regulation, 2013 and shall read as one with the Presidential Emoluments Regulations 2009, in these Regulations referred to as the principle Regulations. These regulations shall be deemed to have come into operation on September 1, 2013, Chikwanda stated in his Statutory Instrument.
And according to the Statutory Instruments No 92 of 2013 for Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices, Vice-President Dr Scott would now be enjoying an annual salary of K250,551 with a special allowance of K62,360 while his utility allowance had been upped by K49,098 per annum.
The Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini would now be pocketing K230,557 million with an added special allowance of K55,299 while his utility allowance now stands at K49,098.
The deputy Speaker, Cabinet Ministers, the Chief Whip and Leader of the Opposition have had their salaries increased to K189,672 million while the salary of the deputy Chief Whip and that of the Deputy Chairperson of Committee will be earning K179,158 million.
Expelled Patriotic Front (PF) Assistant Secretary General in charge of politics Sikwindi Situla says only party and republican president Michael Sata can remove him from his position.
Mr. Situla says this because his position as PF Assistant Secretary General in charge of politics draws its authority from the PF party president.
Speaking to Qfm in an interview, Mr. Situla has also maintained that he is still a sincere and loyal member of the PF and a supporter of President Sata and his leadership.
Mr. Situla has also stated that he has written a letter concerning his suspension to President Sata is awaiting his response.
On Monday, PF deputy secretary general Bridget Atanga suspended Mr. Situla from the party before announcing his expulsion yesterday for insubordination.
Mr Situla has been linked to the Fourth Republic Party together with PF Secretary General Wynter Kabimba.
FILE: Livingstone City Council workers removing makeshift structures for street vendors from Mosi-oa-tunya road in Livingstone on Friday to promote cleanliness in the city ahead of the August 2013 UNWTO conference
SOME Council police officers and street vendors in Livingstone on Monday clashed in the central business district regarding the latter’s manoeuvres to illegally resume trading on the streets.
Prior to the August 2013 United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) General Assembly, Tourism and Arts Minister Sylvia Masebo working in partnership with the Livingstone City Council removed the vendors from the streets.
The removal of street vendors was meant to promote cleanliness in Zambia’s tourist capital ahead and beyond the United Nations global tourism summit.
But after the UNWTO conference, some vendors have been making attempts to secretly sneak their products to the streets.
On Monday this week, some Council Police officers and vendors physically fought much to the amusement of on-lookers and shop owners over the latter’s attempt to return to the streets.
Eye witness told Times of Zambia in Livingstone yesterday that council police were over-powered by the vendors who in turn vowed to resume trading on the streets.
The Council police only managed to return back into town after several minutes in the company of State police in a police van in a bid to pursue the vendors.
And speaking in an interview yesterday, Livingstone City Council Public Relations Manager Emmanuel Sikanyika expressed shock at the physical battle between Council police and vendors.
Mr Sikanyika said the local authority would not allow vendors to take the law into their own hands with impunity.
He said no amount of lawlessness would be tolerated because the council police were protected by the law in the execution of their job.
“Livingstone is not short of trading space. We have given people places where they can trade from and those that want to come back to the streets are just selfish and do not want to face the completion with their friends in the markets, but we shall not allow any form of lawlessness,” Mr Sikanyika said.
He said the council was working with State police and anyone found wanting would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
POLISH Prime Minister Donald Tusk is expected in the country for a three day State visit and will meet President Michael Sata for bilateral discussions.
The two leaders are scheduled to meet at State House, where Mr Tuck is expected to pay a courtesy call on the Head of State.
The Polish Prime Minister, who will be leading a high-level delegation of 30 Polish businessmen, would arrive in Zambia via the Livingstone International Airport on Saturday, October 19, 2013.
Accompanying the Prime Minister will be his wife Malgorzata Tusk, the former Prime Minister, and the Head of Economic Council, Krzysztof Jan Bielecki, the Minister of Transport Construction and Maritime Economy, S?awomir Nowak, the Minister of Health Bartosz Arlukowicz, the Vice-Minister of Polish Foreign Affairs BeataStelmach, and Ministry of Economy Vice- Minister IlonaAnoniszyn-Klik.
Others are the President of Polish Investment Agency, Stanislaw Majman, two members of Parliament as well as two Secretaries of State at the Prime Minister’s office.
This is contained in a statement issued yesterday by First Secretary for Press and Public Relations at the Zambian Embassy in Germany, Yvonne Shibemba.
The Prime Minister and his delegation would then visit Lusaka Museum where he would officially open an exhibition in honour of Cardinal Adam Kozlowiecki, a Polish-born Jesuit missionary who spent most of his life in Africa and died on September 28, 2007, aged 96 and was buried in Lusaka.
Cardinal Kozlowiecki was the first archbishop of Lusaka. The Prime Minister is also expected to officiate at the opening of the Business-Economic Forum in Lusaka to be attended by the Polish Business delegation and the Zambian Business community.
The diverse group of Polish businessmen expected to attend the Business Forum represent important sectors such as the Road construction, Railway construction, Copper mining, Energy engineering, Agricultural machinery, Mining Machinery, Furniture production, Food distribution, Coin and medal printing, Bullet proof producer and Consulting military electronics.
Mr. Tusk would also have an opportunity to visit the oldest Polish Charity Mission in Zambia, Kasisi, and thereafter meet with the representatives of the Polish Community in Lusaka.
The Prime Minister and the delegation is expected to depart for Poland on October 21, 2013.
And Zambia’s ambassador to Poland who is resident in Germany, Bwalya Chiti expressed happiness at the Polish Prime Minister’s visit to Zambia.
Mr Chiti said the visit was a good sign of positive development of business and economic cooperation between Zambia and Poland.
He appealed to the business community in Zambia to attend the Business/Economic Forum on October 21, 2013 and take this opportunity to meet with the Polish business people that would be accompanying the Polish Prime Minister.
Striking workers from Shoprite Kitwe branch seated at the freedom statue a few meters away from the Shoprite premises
GOVERNMENT has given Shoprite management a 10 day ultimatum to conclude salary negotiations with National Union of Commercial and Industrial Workers (NUCIW).
Labour deputy ministers, Ronald Chitotela and Rayford Mbulu urged all striking shoprite workers to resume work to pave way for salary negotiations.
In an interview yesterday after addressing both management and the union officials in a prolonged meeting that took the whole morning in Lusaka, the deputy ministers said government expected the stakeholders to corporate and improve the conditions of service.
“We have been locked up in a meeting since morning with both Shoprite management and NUCIW union officials with a view to reach consensus and resolve the issues raised by the striking workers, we have managed to convince them to go back for work today, we are hoping that management will comply with our directive and finish negotiations within 10 days,” Mr Mbulu said.
And NUCIW president Robert Munsanje expressed happiness at the outcome of the meeting by the two deputy ministers and management officials saying had the two government officials not decided to show concern, the strike would have continued until their issues were addressed.
He said the workers had been briefed over the outcome of the meeting and all agreed to resume work today.
“As a union we are happy that government has come in quickly to intervene in the matter because the members concerns had been hanging for a long time without being resolved as management was giving many excuses, we ask government to continue checking on the progress to see whether the directive is being heeded,” he said.
Unionized Shoprite employees on Monday downed tools pressing management to improve their conditions of service.
The striking workers were protesting against management’s alleged failure to implement the Government’s prescribed minimum wage.
The workers complained that the least paid worker gets between K400 and K600 which is below the minimum wage and the workers had been hoping their superiors would come up with meaningful increments instead of offering a K160. The workers were demanding a minimum increment of K450.
POLICE in Luanshya have arrested Patriotic Front (PF) Mpatamatu ward 22 councillor Amon Masala for alleged examination malpractices.
Copperbelt Province acting commissioner of police Joyce Kasosa confirmed in an interview in Ndola on Monday that Masala, 40, of house number 533 Section 24, Mpatamatu in Luanshya, was arrested on Sunday around 15:00 hours.
Ms Kasosa said Masala was arrested at Mpatamatu market when he attempted to photocopy Grade 12 examination papers for mathematics, physics and chemistry.
She also said police confiscated the photocopier which was being used to photocopy the examination papers.
“Masala is in police custody and the photocopier was also confiscated. We have instituted investigations into the matter,” Ms Kasosa said.
She warned that police will not hesitate to arrest individuals engaging in examination malpractices.
Ms Kasosa said police on the Copperbelt are proactively monitoring all towns in the region to curb examination malpractices.
“We want to ensure that all the culprits are brought to book because examination malpractices are a serious offence,” Ms Kasosa said.
On Saturday, five teachers in Kalulushi along with 12 pupils from various schools in Kitwe were arrested for alleged examination malpractices.
GOVERNMENT has assured the nation that the Constitution will be delivered according to the wishes of people.
Acting Minister of Justice Edgar Lungu told Parliament yesterday that there should be no fear that the document will be doctored.
He was responding to a question from Lubansenshi Member of Parliament Patrick Mucheleka (Independent), who wanted to know whether the draft constitution will be submitted to the President and members of the public simultaneously.
“There is no fear whatsoever in us. We were elected by the people and this document [Constitution] is for the people,” Mr Lungu said.
Senga Hill Member of Parliament (MMD) Kapembwa Simbao said he is not certain whether or not the submissions of the people would be safe if the document is first submitted to the President before the public.
“Will our submissions be safe? Will they not be manipulated?” Mr Simbao asked.
Mr Simbao’s views were supported by Chembe MP, Mwansa Mbulakulima (MMD), who expressed fear that the document might be doctored.
But Mr Lungu maintained that the PF wants a people-driven constitution.
He said there is no need for anyone to fear that the constitution may be altered.
The Technical Committee drafting the constitution has assured that it will conclude its work on 31st October 2013.
The Committee is however not sure when the document will be handed over to the President and the Public simultaneously as it can only be decided by the executive.
Technical Committee spokesperson Ernest Mwansa said the committee has received the report and the final draft from the editors who were tasked to proof read the document.
And Mr. Mwansa has disclosed that the technical committee starts its sittings tomorrow to look at the recommendations that have been made by the editors.
He was speaking in Lusaka this afternoon when UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema paid a courtesy call on the technical committee at its secretariat.
Meanwhile,Mr. Mwansa said the technical committee has so far spent slightly over K100 million on the constitution making process.
And Mr. Mwansa said the technical committee has made changes to the bill of rights and will recommend to government that a referendum on the constitution be held.
He however emphasized that whatever happens to the document after it has been handed over to President Sata and the Public is none of its business as its mandate ends on 31st October 2013.
And UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema said lack of a definitive time to conclude the process is a source of concern to members of the public.
He said the escalating cost of the constitution making process is also raising concerns hence the need for the committee to conclude its works quickly
Vice-President Dr Guy Scott with his wife Charlotte and First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba in South African. This was when Dr Kaseba arrived in Sandton to attend the GBCHealth Africa Regional Conference 2013, at which she is expected to be presented with the Frontline Heroes Award
First Lady, Christine Kaseba, has arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa, where she will be honoured with a Frontline Heroes award for her exemplary contributions to the health sector at the GBC Health Africa regional conference.
The conference serves as a hub for private sector engagement on the world’s most pressing health issues with an intention of fostering closer, strategic and effective public-private collaborations to enhance efforts in the attainment of MDGs on health.
The GBC Health Africa regional conference, which runs from tomorrow will be held under the theme ‘Where Business meets to help global issues become local results.’
The conference will also draw participation from other high ranking officials, among them Health Ministers from South Africa, Aaron Motsoaledi, Nambia, Richard Kamwi and Nigeria, Onyebuchi Chukwu, Deputy CEO Illovo Sugar, Gavin Dalgeish, and the Executive Secretary of African Leaders Malaria Alliance, Joy Phumaphi, among others.
On arrival at Sandton Intercontinental Hotel, Dr Kaseba was received by vice President, Guy Scott, his wife, Charlotte and Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Muyeba Chikonde.
The First Lady will on tomorrow address students, staff and other guests at a high profile medical school, the Medical University of South Africa (MENDUSA).
She will later attend a VIP reception, at the Midrand Conference Centre which will be co- hosted by the Stop TB, the international Organization for Migration and Global Health and Diplomacy.
Dr Kaseba will also join Chief Executive Officers in Southern Africa as they discuss issues of malaria under the theme “Leaders in Malaria Accelerators in Elimination.”
The high level panel will also include Namibia’s and Nigeria’s Health Ministers, Richard Kamwi and O. Chukwu, Deputy CEO Illovo Sugar, Gavin Dalgeish, and the Executive Secretary of African Leaders Malaria Alliance, Joy Phumaphi among others, at the Midrand Conference Centre.
She will on Friday, join a panel with Professor Chukwu and the UNAIDS regional director of Eastern and Southern Africa, Professor Sheila Tlou, at the meeting which will address best practices on women’s and reproductive health and the elimination of Mother-to-Child
Transmission of HIV.
As matron of a Cervical Cancer programme, the First Lady will, together with Professor Tlou, lead the SADC cervical cancer launch and the crisis state of regional cervical cancer in the SADC region.
The forum is intended to discuss and make important announcements related to their work on TB and cervical cancer in the region.
The SADC Secretariat will lead the conversation in positioning of the SADC regional strategy and plan of action and control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
The First Lady will be presented with a Frontline Hero’s award later in the evening at a full gala dinner which will be hosted to honour most exceptional companies of 2013.
On Friday, She will deliver a keynote speech at the conference plenary and later join a panel in her capacity as World Health Organization (WHO) Goodwill Ambassador against Gender Based Violence.
The panellists will also include South Africa’s special advisor to the Minister of Social Development, Zane Dangor and Botswana’s Attorney General, Athalia Molokomme.
Interim Zambia coach Patrice Beaumelle has praised his sides’ performance despite their loss to five-time World champions Brazil.
Brazil beat Zambia 2-0 in a friendly at the Birds Nest Stadium in Beijing China on Tuesday.
The 2014 World Cup hosts cut their way to victory after scoring both their goals via set pieces.
Oscar put Brazil ahead from a free kick in the 61st minute and Dede while headed in a Neymar free kick five minutes later.
“We had a good game. Boys played well, we made two mistakes they cost us but overall I am satisfied. The boys showed a lot of determination and the heart and showed the world and Africa that they belong to this high level,” Beaumelle said.
And Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari described Zambia as a great side.
“Zambia is a great team. They made it difficult for us because they were very competitive,” Scolari said.
“We are satisfied with this result but I am sure Zambia too.
“They are a great team who work for each other.”
Patrice Beaumelle began his stint as interim Zambia coach on a positive note with a narrow 2-0 friendly loss to five time World champions Brazil in Beijing today.
Zambia held their own despite being under the cosh for most of the 90 minutes from the 2014 Fifa World Cup hosts in the two sides first ever meeting.
The first half ended scoreless with Kennedy Mweene the hero keeping out sure chances from Neymar and Pato.
The deadlock was broken after 60 minutes of action when 46th minute substitute Oscar put Brazil ahead with a free kick.
Dede extended Brazil’s lead when he headed in Neymar’s free-kick.
Tenacious Zambia marginal loss came after they were hit by seven key absentees for the match due.
Collins Mbesuma, Davies Nkausu and Mukuka Mulenga were all ruled out due to injury.
However, Beaumelle’s first day at the office was also hit by a club-versus-country row after TP Mazembe refused to release Rainford Kalaba, Nathan Sinkala and Stopilla Sunzu citing illness and injury.
Patriotic Front (PF) Deputy Secretary General Bridget Atanga has with immediate effect expelled the party’s Assistant Secretary General Political Sikwiindi Situla for been linked to the Fourth Republic Party.
Mrs Atanga said this in a letter addressed to Mr Situla which was also copied to President Michael Sata, PF Secretary General Wynter Kabimba, National Chairperson and the PF Chairperson for Disciplinary Committee.
She said Mr Situla’s expulsion is in connection with the letter she wrote to him on October 14 where she suspended him and asked him to exculpate himself within 24 hours over the revelations that he is linked to a parallel structure within the PF known as the Fourth Republic Party.
Mrs Atanga said to her surprise, on the same date, Mr Situla was quoted on the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) mains news to have said that the suspension was null and void saying he reports directly to the President and not the Deputy Secretary General.
“I wonder which ‘President Mr Situla is referring to because President Sata cannot tolerate such indiscipline. I don’t know maybe he reports to another ‘President’, I wrote a letter to him but he decides to answer through the media,” Mr Atanga said.
She said that Mr Situla was not operating from the party secretariat but that he was operating at PF Secretary General Wynter Kabimba’s law firm.
She said it was unfortunate that Mr Situla had continued to issue tribal statements, which was not allowed, as this could cause further divisions.
[pullquote]“I wonder which ‘President Mr Situla is referring to because President Sata cannot tolerate such indiscipline. I don’t know maybe he reports to another ‘President’[/pullquote]
She challenged him to name the Permanent Secretaries and Ministers that were allegedly spearheading tribalism in the Government.
“This kind of talk is deadly, we don’t want blood-shed in the country, let him mention which Ministers and Permanent secretaries that are tribal, let him tell the public,” she said.
The PF Deputy Secretary General said she therefore finds Mr Situla to be very indiscipline and has used the powers instilled in her as Deputy Secretary General to expel him (Mr Situla) from the PF as Assistant Secretary General Political.
Mrs Atanga has since wished Mr Situla all the best in his future endeavours.
