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UK Zambian singer/songwriter Harmony recently did an interview with Zambias finest talents
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5fyr5YnXGI&feature=youtu.be BY Kapa187
Secretary General of the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) Wynter Kabimba
PF Secretary General Wynter Kabimba says the party will be most pleased to have Zambia turn into a one party state.
“If the entire 13 million Zambian supported the PF, we would be more than happy to have the PF as the only political party existing,” Mr. Kabimba said.
Mr. Kabimba however stated that creating a one party state is not the policy of the PF.
“We don’t have a policy towards a one party state, I repeat, the PF has no policy of creating Zambia into a one party state but if the people of Zambia wished for that to happen, we would be more than happy to accommodate them,” he said.
Mr. Kabimba said the PF is a product of a democratic process and believes in a competitive environment.
“We are not scared of competition, we won elections under a highly competitive political environment and our political competitors should not blame us for their diminishing political fortunes.”
Mr. Kabimba was speaking in Lusaka today when he officiated at the launch of the party’s political education course for its members who are being trained in various governance issues.
Mr. Kabimba said the PF believes that empowering its members with knowledge, the party is not only raising the level of political discourse but also the quality of leadership.
He said the programme hopes to produce members and leaders who have deep knowledge and understanding of the party.
The PF Secretary General said the programme hopes to produce politically conscious and astute members and leaders.
Gender and Child Development Minister, Inonge Wina has said tribalism does not exist in the Patriotic Front (PF) and extolled President Michael Sata for his all-inclusive approach in running government.
Ms Wina said her decision to join the PF had been vindicated after she was labeled as a sell-out for teaming up with the ruling party.
“I was labeled as a sell-out when I joined the PF and President Sata. People were saying that it is a party for Bembas but look I am a Lozi and there a lot of Ministers in Government who are not Bembas. I decided to join the PF because I believed in President Sata’s vision to bring development to Western Province and there are a lot of good things to come,” Ms Wina said.
Ms Wina who is also PF national chairperson and the Nalolo Member of Parliament was part of President Sata’s delegation that was in Lukulu yesterday to drum up support for the party’s candidate Eileen Imbwae ahead of the by-elections for the Lukulu West seat on Tuesday next week.
Ms Wina called on the people of Lukulu to vote for the female candidate who had the vision to implement needed development in the area.
Commerce Trade and Industry Minister Emmanuel Chenda also echoed similar sentiments that tribalism was not the PF way of running national affairs.
Mr Chenda said tribalism was evident in opposition parties such as the United Party for National Development (UPND).
He said the UPND had been spreading lies about President Sata health and spoke ill about the PF, but that the insinuations should not be listened to.
“The UPND has been telling people lies that President Sata is ill. I have been with him since Easter, we attended mass at Saint Ignatius together and we went with him to launch various developmental projects, he was in China and now he is here talking to you. If he was sick could be here talking to you?” Mr Chenda said.
He said President Sata meant well for the country and had the heart for the people.
The Ministers were speaking in Mitete and Muyondoti areas where the Head of State held public rallies.
His Home Affairs counterpart Edgar Lungu also called on voters to choose Ms Imwae as their representative in Parliament.
Mr Lungu said the PF was geared to turn-around the economic growth of the country to better heights and needed the support of every Zambian.
“The Government is committed to bring development to this country and to Western Province, we have to support each other to achieve what we want as a country,” Mr Lungu said.
Community Development, Mother and Child Health Deputy Minister, Jean Kapata said the people of Lukulu should not waste time to vote for an opposition Member of Parliament as this would only cost developmental progress.
She said plans to set up eight clinics in Lukulu, was a clear testimony of President Sata’s ambition to spread development across the country.
“You should not waste time to vote for an opposition candidate, the PF is ready to bring development to this area just like it has similar ambitions to spread development to the rest of the country,” she said.
Western Province Minister, Obvious Mwaliteta said Western Province was headed for positive economic gains under the PF government.
“We are here for you and that is why President Sata is here today (yesterday) because he wants to be closer to the people and work for you. The Province will record growth under the PF,” he said.
THE Barotseland Agreement of 1964 yesterday brought about mixed emotions to delegates attending the Constitution-making National Convention where some delegates wanted the Agreement embodied in the preamble while others were against.
Chairperson of the whole House Muyunda Mwanalushi had a tough time to control proceedings prompting him to call on the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to conduct elections over the matter using a secret ballot.
The elections were however, stayed after the chair again ruled that the matter was emotive and the voting should be deferred to a later time.
Former Speaker of the National Assembly Amusaa Mwanamwambwa, in kicking off debate on the matter, said one party to the agreement progressively abrogated it without consultation with the other party.
Mr Mwanamwambwa said he was a nationalist himself in 1959 and now over 50 years down the line, the issue of the Barotseland Agreement had not been forgotten and there was no sign that it would be forgotten in the near future.
“That is why it is important that the Agreement should be in the preamble of the Constitution,” he said.
Heritage Party leader Godfrey Miyanda proposed that the Barotseland Agreement matter should be taken to government so that at other fora, through extensive consultations, the issue can be discussed and an amicable solution found.
But Kembe Member of Parliament Ronnie Shikapwasha disagreed with General Miyanda and maintained that the Agreement should be in the preamble of the Constitution.
This opened a pandora box as almost all the delegates wanted to participate in the debate while others were interjecting through points of order.
The voting over the Barotseland Agreement of 1964 has since been deferred as the last item on the agenda on the on-going constitution convention.
President Michael Sata has announced that Western Province’s wetlands have attracted Chinese investors who want to engage in full scale rice production.
The announcement was received with jubilation from residents that attended the President Sata’s public rally at Mitete Basic School, as it will steer development and create jobs in the Province.
“You have wetlands, I am bringing Chinese investors who want to produce rice and they will show you,” President Sata said.
President Sata also implored Patriotic Front (PF) members to work together and implement Government’s vision to improve the lives of poor people especially in rural areas.
President Sata said this yesterday in Lukulu in Western Province, where he held two rallies to drum up support for the PF candidate, Eileen Imbwae ahead of the Lukulu West by-elections on Tuesday next week.
The President also held private talks with the Litunga, Lubosi Imwiko II, at his palace in the newly created district of Limulunga.
President Sata addressed scores of residents in Mitete and Muyondonti areas, where he expressed concern over the low rate of development and poverty levels.
President Sata urged the people to vote for Ms Imbwae so that the Government could easily implement development in Lukulu.
“Let us work as a team and let us work for the poor people. I ask you people to vote for Ms Imbwae so that we can work together to bring development, we cannot sit and watch our children sleeping hungry and mothers are giving birth under trees and they are dying from pregnancy complications which should not be the case. This is 50 years after Independence,” Mr Sata said.
In order to better health delivery services, the Government would build eight health centres in Lukulu to ease the burden of seeking medical attention faced by the people.
President Sata, who made Ms Imbwae kneel before the crowds, said that every leader must work for the people.
“If you want to work with me, you have to work for the poor people. You will only be in Lusaka when Parliament is sitting but when it has closed, you have to be with the people. These people didn’t choose to be poor. If you don’t work for the people, we will not look after you and I’ll come back and ask the people to give me someone else,” he said.
The President said voting for an opposition Member of Parliament would only slow development.
Mr Sata who also paraded women Police officers while addressing a rally at Mitete Basic School, tasked Ms Imbwae when voted for to speed up the opening of a police station in the area to curb crime.
President Sata arrived in Mongu aboard a Zambia Air Force (ZAF) plane to an applauding welcome as scores of residents and party members gathered at the airstrip.
The President was met on arrival by Vice President Guy Scott who was also in Lukulu to drum up support for Ms Imbwae.
Others that accompanied the Head of State were Home Affairs Minister, Edgar Lungu, Commerce Trade and Industry Minister Emmanuel Chenda, Gender and Child Development Minister, Inonge Wina as well as Community Development Mother and Child Health Deputy Minister Jean Kapata.
The Lukulu West seat is also being contested by Misheck Mutelo for United Party for National Development and United Liberal Party’s Mubita Sikwa. The Lukulu West seat fell vacant after the Supreme Court nullified the seat following an election petition.
The ongoing National Constitution Convention has recommended to the Technical Committee on Drafting the Zambian Constitution to clear and precise terms and draft a clause in the draft constitution to bar Anti-Social practices such as
homosexuality, lesbianism and other abominable practices from being practiced in Zambia.
The convention which reconvened for plenary discussion today has been scrutinizing articles especially those that provides the rights of people and articles that describes the minority and marginalized groups to ensure that the practices of homosexuality and lesbianism are not given leeway into the national document.
Debate deepened on article 27 of the Draft Constitution which provides that a person has the right not to be discriminated against, directly or indirectly on any grounds including birth, race, sex, origin, colour, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, language, pregnancy, health, marital, ethnic, tribal, social or economic status which rose concerns that homosexuals and lesbians might use to their advantage.
Both Kembe Member of Parliament and Bishop David Masupa noted that the people of Zambia have clearly spoken that they do not want homosexuality and lesbianism hence the need to spell out in clear terms that such practices are illegal.
And Request Muntanga contended that the article should not have a place in the Zambia constitution and the monies that people who encourage homosexuality and lesbianism promise should be rejected.
He said the drafts persons of the constitution should not include semantics or difficult language in barring such practices.
Adding to the motion Chief Mumena described homosexuality and lesbianism as abominable acts that delegates should watch closely so that they do not sneak into the constitution in any way.
The house voted against amending the article to delete ‘on any other grounds’ but after an explanation that it might allow anti-social practices, the whole house changed but called on the committee to simplify the article so that it is better understood.
A similar scenario prevailed on clause (c) of article 9 where the convention wanted the technical committee to redefine the minority and marginalized groups who should be protected and not be discriminated against so that the homosexuals and lesbians do not enjoy such constitutional rights.
Meanwhile, clause (3) of article 28 has been referred to a vote on the last day of the convention after delegates failed to reach a consensus just like on Barotse Agreement of 1964.
According to the provincial resolutions, 9 provinces recommended for the upholding of the article but delegates were divided as to whether the death sentence should be abolished or allowed to stand in the constitution.
-The National Constitution Convention has resolved that the new constitution should be adopted through a National Referendum to allow for a national consensus.
The decision came following the recommendation from the thematic working group on General Principles of Governance which proposed that the document be adopted via a national referendum.
But Request Muntanga noted that the whole process has no legal framework and that the mode of adoption could have been known if there was a legal framework to specify how the process would be carried out.
Mr Muntanga said the Technical Committee should be clear on issues of legal framework which mandates them to work on the document.
But Former Speaker of the National Assembly Amusa Mwanamwambwa supported the proposal to adopt the constitution via a National Referendum and further proposed that the referendum be held within a timeframe of 90 days after the document is submitted to the President.
And Pastor Luchile from Luapula noted that what is important was the mode of adoption which is the referendum and not necessarily the issue of legal framework.
He said a referendum will cheer all Zambians as they will participate in adopting their document.
Contributing to the motion on the floor, Heritage Party President said there was need to give the technical committee and the drafts to go through the document and rush them into submitting it so that it is quickly subjected to a referendum.
Gen Muyanda said even the Zambia people needs time to read the document before they vote in a referendum adding that the whole process is time consuming just like a general election hence the need not to rush.
And Katele Kalumba suggested that Parliament should enact legislation on the mode of adoption of the document immediately after it is submitted to the president.
The house unanimously adopted the referendum as a mode of adopting the new constitution but did not specify the timeframe within which it should be adopted.
The mode of adopting the new constitution has been a hot issue since the time the constitution making process started and many organisations and institutions have called for a referendum as the best way of adopting the document.
When the National Convention opened on Wednesday this week, the topic of deciding the mode of adopting the constitution and the legality of the whole process were raised and some delegates almost divided the convention which had then just assembled.
The constitution national conference has adopted Article 18 of the draft constitution which provides that a Zambian Citizen can acquire dual-citizenship.
Article 18 (1) in the draft constitution states that “A citizen shall not lose citizenship by acquiring the citizenship of another country”.
The proposal was widely supported, though some delegates from the Government wondered why a Zambian should acquire citizenship of another country.
But the majority of the delegates said the constitution was not only for now but was mainly for the children who would find themselves in situations where they would need dual citizenship.
The Government has been on record of not supporting the Dual Citizenship clause.
Last year when President Michael Sata addressed Zambians in London, he said that amending the law to allow dual citizenship has its consequences. Mr Sata said that if the law was changed, there will be more Zambians and jobs will be taken away by other nationalities living in the country.
In response to a question from a Zambian living in England during a dinner hosted for him at the Zambian High Commissioner’s residence. Mr Sata advised Zambians living abroad to return home and compete for jobs with their compatriots.
The President also said that he has a duty to protect the majority of Zambians especially poor citizens.
The Vice President Guy Scott also expressed a similar sentiment of not being in support of the Dual Citizenship clause. Addressing Zambians living in Western Australia at Edith Cowan University in Perth when he addressed in 2011, Dr Scott said that although the issue of having dual citizenship among Zambians could be important and helpful to some, government was worried that other people might misuse it for dubious activities.
“The issue of dual citizenship was important but we are worried about the misuse it will bring. But it would be important that you are entitled to that,” he told Zambians in Perth.
And during the provincial Convention, Government Ministers rejected the inclusion of the Dual Citizenship clause. Leading the charge during debates, Chief Government spokesperson Kennedy Sakeni said that the clause should be rejected on patriotic and nationalist grounds.
Debating on the motion, Mr Sakeni urged Zambians to critically look at the issue of dual citizenship and ensure that it was not allowed in Zambia.
“AS Zambians, let us critically look at the issue of dual citizenship and take the interest of the nation at heart. Why do people want to be citizens of other countries in the first place,” Mr Sakeni said.
His sentiments were echoed by Labour Deputy Minister Ronald Chitotela who argued that dual citizenship would make it difficult to extradite Zambians who committed crimes if they moved to other countries where they had citizenship.
“Let us denounce dual citizenship because even countries like United Kingdom are having difficulties to extradite criminals,” Labour Deputy Minister Ronald Chitotela said.
With the adoption at the ongoing national convention, the Dual Citizenship clause stands a good chance of being included in the final Draft Constitution to be ready by the end of June.
Defending champions Zanaco recorded their first win of the season on Sunday after trouncing promoted Kalulushi Modern Stars 1-0 at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe.
Defender Ziyo Tembo scored a first minute solitary goal in this delayed FAZ Super Division Week Four match.
Tembo headed in a Rodrick Kabwe corner to unsettle Kalulushi in the doubleheader luchtime kickoff.
The second half, was punctuated with misses from both sides who pushed for goals that never came.
Zanaco striker Musonda Mwape was the major culprit mising a sitter in the 78th minute.
Vanquished Kalulushi will rue the absence of winger William Chinse who is reported to be ill.
After Sunday’s loss Kalulushi are still stuck on six points while Zanaco have four points from three games and have a pending Week Three match against Forest Rangers.
Police in Choma have apprehended 16 people following riots that occurred in the area yesterday.
Police Spokesperson Elizabeth Kanjela said the 16 include one person who is believed to be behind the spreading of wrong information that the suspects to the taxi drivers’ murder had been arrested, rumours that incited people to demand that the police hand over the suspect to them.
Ms Kanjela also told ZANIS in a statement in Lusaka today that two of the arrested persons are female while the remaining fourteen are male.
She said a screening process is currently on-going for the sixteen people and further updates will be issued once the screening process is completed.
And Ms Knjela disclosed that in Northern Province, a 45 year old man has been arrested for defiling a 14 year old girl.
She said the incident occurred on 12th April, 2013 between 14:00 and 16:00 hours at Muswilo Village in Chief Tafuna of Mbala district.
Ms Kanjela said the suspect, Peter Sikazwe has since been arrested and charged with defilement contrary to section 138 CAP 87 of the penal code of the laws of Zambia and will appear in court soon.
The Police Spokesperson further revealed that in Eastern Province, a 22 year old man has been apprehended in connection with the death of his 15 year old wife.
Ms Kanjela said the incident occurred on 12th April, 2013 around 08:00 hours at Malima Village of Chief Madzimawe in Chipata district.
She said the incident happened when the deceased, aged 15, of the same address took some medicinal substance in an attempt to terminate her three month old pregnancy.
Ms Kanjela said the victim died on the way to the hospital when she was being rushed by her husband Dickson Banda.
She said Banda is being held to help with investigations while the body of the deceased is lying in Chipata General Hospital Mortuary awaiting post mortem.
Meanwhile, Ms Kanjela said Lusaka man who is believed to be in his 40’s has died on the spot after being hit by a speeding motor vehicle.
She said the incident occurred yesterday, 13th April, 2013 around 18:20 hours along Twikatane road near Diana Kaimba Basic School in Twikatane.
Ms Kanjela identified the deceased as Aaron Chitunda aged between 45 and 49, of unknown house number in Twikatane Compound who sustained fatal body injuries and was pronounced dead upon arrival at UTH after being hit by a Toyota Land Cruiser, registration number ABM 1428.
The vehicle was being driven by David Chinyama aged 38 of house number 253/09, Kaunda Square Stage two.
Ms Kanjela said the accident happened when the pedestrian attempted to cross the road and was hit by the on-coming motor vehicle.
She said the body of the deceased is lying in UTH mortuary while the driver of the vehicle has been arrested and charged with causing death by dangerous driving contrary to section 161 of the Road Traffic Act No. 11 of 2002.
Dr Canisius Banda, the man heavily linked with the position of UPND Vice President says he has not been approached by the party over taking up the role.
In an interview, Dr Banda said he is still a committed member of the MMD and serving as Chairman for Health.
Some online media reports have reported that Dr. Banda will officially be unveiled to the media next week as the UPND Vice President, in a move most analysts view as a positive step towards stemming perception that the UPND is a tribal party.
But Dr Banda said that he may consider such an appointment if it came through after serious consultation with family, friends and the community.
“Leadership is not about self. It is about the people that you seek to serve, so I will consult if am formally approached,” Dr. Banda said.
Dr. Banda said he entered politics to serve the Zambian people and pay back for the education he obtained using Zambian tax payers money.
“Today I’m a Master of Public Health and I never went to private school, I was educated by the Zambian tax payer in public schools and I will be available if called up to serve the people,” he said.
He said opposition parties need to strengthen their collaborations in order to protect democracy which he said is under threat in Zambia.
Zambia Railways Managing Director Professor Clive Chirwa has expressed ignorance over media reports that he has been suspended and will be handed a letter of suspension tomorrow.
There are reports from the company that Zambia Railways Board members led by Mark Chona made the decision to suspend Professor Chirwa on Friday.
Investigations have revealed that the board wants to get rid of Professor Chirwa for refusing to sign allowances for its members.
It was also revealed that some board members want Professor Chirwa fired because he has been blocking them from influencing the awarding of contracts at Zambia Railways.
When reached for a comment last evening, Professor Chirwa expressed ignorance over the matter but admitted that he has had difficulties with the board.
[pullquote]The board wants to be paid for doing nothing and I have refused. I will not pay people for doing nothing. Basically that’s why we have been fighting.[/pullquote]
He said he is not aware of his suspension and that he will report for work tomorrow.
“As far as I know, I still have my job, yes I was away in Ndola last week working at our Ndola plant so am not aware of any changes and I will report for work on Monday,” Professor Chirwa said.
“We have been fighting with the board over allowances for some time now. I have never signed for any allowances since I was appointed. The board wants to be paid for doing nothing and I have refused. I will not pay people for doing nothing. Basically that’s why we have been fighting.”
Last month, the board suspended the company’s Director of Finance after she reported to Professor Chirwa that some directors were demanding allowances for doing nothing.
And Board Chairman Mark Chona refused to comment saying he was unwell.
Mr. Choma however hinted that there were some changes at management level but refused to comment further.
“Yes we have made some changes but I cannot comment now because I’m unwell. Let’s talk on Monday and I will be able to give you more information,” Mr Chona said by phone.
It is understood that an acting Managing Director has already been appointed.
On November 15 2012, President Michael Sata appointed Professor Chirwa with the task of reviving the ailing railway transport sector.
Scripture tells us that the Word of God is like a seed. Just like planting a seed in the ground, when you “plant” the Word of God in your life, it will produce a harvest—the blessing and fruit of God’s promises!
How do you sow the Word? By simply putting it into practice. By obeying it and applying it to your everyday life. Those next few verses in Mark 4 tell us that the seed of the Word can be sown into different types of soil. The soil represents our heart condition. The key is to make sure that nothing steals the Word of God out of your heart. Don’t allow bitterness and offense to fester. Don’t compare and be envious of others. Instead, choose forgiveness and keep an open and humble heart toward the Lord. As you dwell on His Word and stay close to the Father through prayer and worship, that seed will take root. It will grow and develop and bring to pass the harvest of righteousness in every area of your life!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father, thank You for the seed of the Word that will not return void in my life. I choose to open my heart to You and say, “Have Your way in me.” I choose love, I choose forgiveness, and I choose to surrender every part of my life to You in Jesus’ name. Amen.
