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The Patriotic Front (PF) in Chadiza District has distance itself from allegations that its members are going round collecting money, goats and chickens from villagers as an inducement for them to be employed when the Chadiza/Chipata Road construction project begins.
PF Chadiza Constituency Chairman, Christopher Banda, said no cadre from the PF was involved in such an act because the party has no powers to employ anyone on the road construction project apart from the council and the contractor himself.
Mr Banda has since accused the opposition Movement for Multi Party Democracy (MMD) and the United Party for National Development (UPND) cadres of spearheading the act and masquerading to be PF cadres in order to dent the image of the ruling party.
Mr Banda has since warned that anyone who will be found cheating the villagers would be dealt with accordingly by the laws that govern the country.
And Chadiza District Council Chairman, Richard Zimba, has confirmed that the local authority has also received reports of cadres who are swindling villagers over the road construction project.
Mr Zimba, who is also (MMD) Chadiza Ward Councillor, said it was only the local authority and the contractor that will have the mandate to employ people after having signed the contract forms.
The council chairman has since warned people of Chadiza not to be deceived by what he termed as cheap politics.
Yesterday, more than 300 people from the surrounding villages of Chadiza gathered at the Chadiza/Chipata Road junction waiting to be employed after claiming to have paid some inducements to some cadres.
David Phiri of Davite village and Moses Phiri of Chilenga were among the villagers who had gathered at the road junction as early as 04:00 hours with the hope of securing jobs.
David has since expressed worry over the move, adding that those people without money or chickens will not be employed because they have nothing to give out.
Secretary General of the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) Wynter Kabimba
Government has categorically stated that the Draft Republican Constitution currently under debate will be adopted through a referendum.
Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba said in Lusaka yesterday that the Patriotic Front (PF) constitution was clear that the republican constitution should be adopted through a referendum.
Mr Kabimba said the form the referendum would take was, however, dependant on the structure of the draft report adding that Government was yet to constitute a Referendum Commission as doing so now would be too costly.
He said Government would, however, not accept infusion of external ideas into the process and this would be met with the outmost resistance.
He dismissed assertions that the constitution process lacked a legal guiding framework saying the process had so far not been prejudiced by Government influence.
“The constitution process has not been prejudiced by lack of legislation to it, there has not been any government white paper to say what Government wants but the only caveat is that it should be devoid of external influences,” Mr Kabimba said.
He was speaking when he officiated at the launch of a study on political governance in Zambia.
And Government will soon dispatch a team of officials to the United States of America (USA) for a familiarisation study on operations of District Attorneys, Mr Kabimba has said.
President Michael Sata recently said Government would establish District Attorneys in Zambia to accelerate delivery of justice especially in remote areas.
Mr Kabimba said Mr Sata was determined to ensure the District Attorneys were established and that his ministry was also working diligently to materialise the Head of State’s agenda.
He was speaking in Lusaka yesterday when visiting USA counselor Jeffrey Minear to that nation’s Chief Justice John Roberts paid a courtesy call on him.
“We are hoping that we fast-truck judiciary reforms. We want to have a justice system that will deliver judgment fast. Soon, our officers will also be going to USA to learn more about District Attorneys,” he said.
And Mr Minear commended Zambians for their continued efforts to formulate the new constitution and was confident the document would be realised.
He called for continuous exchange of expertise citing the case where some officers from Zambia would travel to USA on a study tour of operations of the District Attorneys.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia has postponed the by-election for Mushipashi ward in Mansa which was supposed to take place on April 23rd 2013 due to the untimely death of the UNIP candidate John Musonda who died on Saturday March 29th 2013.
ECZ public relations manager Cris Akufuna said the commission will in due course set another date for nominations and the poll in Mushipashi and that stakeholders will be informed when the dates are determined.
Mr Akufuna said the nominations of candidates who were validly nominated on 28th march 2013 remain valid and that they will not require filing nominations papers again.
He has however stated that the by-election for Kapiri Mposhi and Lukulu West parliamentary Constituencies and 14 wards will proceed as planned on 23rd April 2013.
MINISTER of Sport, Youth and Child Development Chishimba Kambwili
Minister of Youth and Sport, Chishimba Kambwili has extolled Cuba for sponsoring Zambian students to train in that country in various fields including sports management.Kambwili observed that Cuba was a true friend of Zambia as demonstrated by the provision of scholarships to train Zambians some of whom have since graduated in the field of science and sports management.
“We are paying gratitude to this government (Cuba) for scholarships given to our students. We hope that more could be done,” he said.
Kambwili said this yesterday when he visited the International Physical Education School where a number of Zambian students are studying sports management and specialising in football, basketball, weightlifting and other disciplines.Nine Zambians have since graduated from this university since it was opened in 2001.
Kambwili assured the University management that the knowledge which Zambians have acquired from there was important in the development of sport in Zambia adding that government would want to send more students to study at the institution.
“I assure you that the Zambian students you are training here are a big resource to us. They will be useful to the country and to the ministry,” he said.The minister said his ministry would soon be decentralizing its operations, a programme which will require more sports management professionals to be employed.
He said the National Sports Council of Zambia was also in need of professional sports administrators for it to run smoothly and effectively.
Kambwili further explained that his delegation had learnt a lot about sports management and development during the tour of Cuban sports institutions and facilities.[pullquote]
The students also expressed concern over lack of jobs for them in Zambia when they graduate.They said this prompts some of them to seek jobs in the Caribbean and other parts of the world
[/pullquote]Kambwili is accompanied to Cuba by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth and Sport Agnes Musunga, Chiefs Sports Development Officer Gibson Munyaule, Chairman of the National Sports Council of Zambia, Chifumu Banda and Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Youth Affairs and Sport, Levy Ngoma.
He said some of the lessons learnt are the commitment and approach to sport, the use of simple facilities for physical education and the political will and patriotism towards sports development in the country.
And Kambwili has prodded students studying sports science and management and other sports related disciplines to return to Zambia after they graduate.He said the students should show patriotism by returning to Zambia to develop sport especially now that government has shown seriousness about improving sport in the country.
He said the Patriotic Front government has since increased the annual budget for his ministry from about KR53 million (K53 billion) in 2011-2012 to over KR70 million (K70 billion) because of its commitment to improve sport.The minister said this when he addressed sports management students studying at various universities in Cuba.
“We need your expertise which you have acquired here back in Zambia because the status quo of sports management should change,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, students studying sports management and development in Cuba have expressed concern over lack of basic equipment for them to use when doing practicals in various disciplines of sport while in Cuba.
One of the students, Nicholas Chipeta, whose sentiments were echoed by others, said government should consider buying them sports kits which they needed in order to perform to expectation.He said the kits should have been part of the bursaries which they get from Ministry of Education in Zambia.
Earlier, representative of sports students in Cuba, John Kashiba, thanked the Zambian government for its good physical education policies.
Kashiba however appealed to the Zambian government to learn from Cuba’s approach to improve sport through establishing sports academies in each province.The students also expressed concern over lack of jobs for them in Zambia when they graduate.
They said this prompts some of them to seek jobs in the Caribbean and other parts of the world which were ready to utilize their expertise.
But Kambwili said government was serious about sports development and that the students should not worry about jobs once they graduate.
There are currently 38 Zambian students studying sport science and management at various universities in Cuba.
The Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) has condemned the European Union for promoting homosexuality, lesbian and transgender practices in Zambia.EFZ Executive Director, Pukuta Mwanza, said the Church organisation in Zambia totally rejects the illicit act being perpetuated by the European Union which he said is against the Christian values in the nation.
Rev Mwanza said FEZ is extremely displeased with the letter written by the EU which seeks to promote homosexuality in Zambia.
In a letter copied to the Minister of Home Affairs and the Europian Union (EU), dated April 2, 2013, Rev Mwanza said the EFZ was responding to an advert which was placed in one of the media organisations, dated March 21, 2013.
Rev Mwanza stressed that the so-called advert was not welcome in the Christian Nation, Zambia.He said this in a Press Statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday.Rev Mwanza stated that all churches in Zambia firmly support the position that has been taken by the Zambian Government in rejecting this unnatural practice.
He said it is unlawful in Zambia to engage in homosexual acts, adding that the behaviour of the European Union in promoting the barbaric act in the nation is at variance with the law of this country and that it is unacceptable to the Zambian society.He further urged the Zambian Government not to succumb to such proposals which he said were trying to seek and interfere with the internal affairs of this nation.
Rev Mwanza stressed that by promoting the so-called human rights that are contrary to the country’s fundamental Christian values as well as African and traditional beliefs and practices was not doing good to the nation.Rev Mwanza said the position of Government has accurately reflected the popular and majority position of the Zambian people on this matter both religious and secular.
He added that the Christian community in Zambian is not pleased in totality with the said advert which was dispatched by the European Union in a named publication.He said the Christian Community will stand to protect the morality of this country and the Zambian society at large.
Rev Mwanza noted that in a democratic nation like Zambia, the interest of the majority must be respected, adding that the interest of the minority groups to pursue unacceptable practices and behaviours cannot supersede the interests of the majority.
He said the promotion of homosexuality in Zambia is a breach of the Republican Constitution, saying the audacity with which the EU is seeking to promote this illicit act raises grave concern to citizens in the nation.And Rev Mwanza has also reiterated that his Church organisation strongly supports and that it will continue supporting the statement from Minister of Home Affairs Edgar Lungu.
Minister Lungu recently indicated that Zambia rejects the move which has been taken by the EU on the promotion of homosexuality, lesbian and transgender practices in the nation in Zambia.Rev Mwanza advised the EU to rethink and reflect on this matter again and be sensitive to the nation’s local beliefs and acceptable norms by rescinding the decision.He said the EU should as well offer an ernest apology on this transgression they have taken in a sovereignty nation like Zambia.
[ZANIS]
Cosafa’s technical team is in the country to look into Zambia’s bid to host the 2013 Cosafa Senior Challenge Cup in July.
The team led by Cosafa chief operating officer Sue Destombes met with FAZ officials on Wednesday.
FAZ communications officer Erick Mwanza said the Cosafa team later inspected proposed match and training venues in Lusaka.
Nkoloma Stadium is one of the proposed venues together with Godfrey ‘Ucar” Chitalu Stadium in Kabwe, Arthur Davies in Kitwe and Levy Mwanawasa in Ndola.
Woodlands and Sunset stadiums are the proposed training grounds including the sports complexes adjacent to the latter stadium.
The proposed dates for the revived Cosafa Cup that was last played in 2009 are this July 6-21.
The Defense Team representing former President Rupiah Banda in a case in which he is facing Abuse of Authority of Office charges has asked the Lusaka Magistrate Court to free their client on grounds that the law on which he was arrested and charged does not specify clearly what criminal offence he his facing.
During the commencement of trial this morning before Chief Resident Magistrate Joshua Banda, Mr. Banda’s lawyers argued that section 31 as read with section 41 of the ACC ACT No. 3 of 2012 which Mr. Banda was charged for Abuse of Authority of Office is substantially different from Section 89 (1) of penal Code.
The Defense team led by Professor Patrick Mvunga further argued that the ACC ACT No. 3 of 2012 does not operate retrospectively and that the matter is constitutional that should be referred to the High Court for determination.
The lawyers argued that if the court could not refer the case to the High Court, he should instead be freed of the charges.
the lawyers said that the court should invoke the provisions of Article 28 (2) (a) of the Constitution and refer the matter to the High Court for the determination of the Constitutionality of the statement of offence.
The also argued that their client’s charge had been repealed and was not part of the penal code.
The lawyers said the particulars of his offence of having committed the offence between May 1, 2008 and September 24, 2011, were incompetent because he was not the Republican leader at the time.
His lawyers said that the former President was alleged to have committed the offence in his personal capacity but the charge sheet indicated that he was charged in his capacity as President and wondered how that reconciled with the provisions of Article 43 (2) of the Constitution.
However, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DDP) “rubbished” former President Rupiah Banda’s bid to have his case referred to the High Court.
The DPP, Mutembo Nchito asked the court not to entertain the application saying the complainant took plea in the same court and he understood the charge.
“I will argue as I did last time that the Interpretation and General provisions Act number 92 is quite clear and requires no debate amongst lawyers,” Mr Nchito said.
He said the law provided that offences that were committed during the current repealed law should be treated as though the repeal had not occurred.
He said there was no Constitutional issue that had been raised by the accused adding that the indictment was clear, specific of the period it occurred and all were clear of the law which was applicable at that time.
On the argument that there was lack of clarity in the offence, Mr Nchito said the charge was audibly read to the accused when he went to take plea and he confirmed that he understood it.
“It seems to me that it is a little late in the day to complain that the charge was not clear. On the claim that the accused was not president on May 1, 2008, my simple response is that this is a matter for evidence. It is premature to raise that point let alone to pass it on as a Constitutional issue,” Mr Nchito said.
Magistrate Banda adjourned the case to Friday to enable the State submit written submissions as well as the defense to respond to the State’s oral and written submissions.
It is alleged that former President Rupiah Banda on dates unknown but between May 1, 2008 and September 24, 2011 did abuse his authority of office by procuring oil from a Nigerian firm.
Prof Luo shares a light moment with Dr.Kamoto Mbewe
Professor Nkandu Luo will act as Finance Minister for the period from Thursday 4 April, 2013 to Friday, 12 April, 2013 in the absence of Mr. Alexander Chikwanda who will be away on national duties.
Mr. Chikwanda is accompanying President Sata on a state visit to China. Prof. Luo is substantively the Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs.
Professor Luo, though just in an acting capacity for the period 4 April to 12 April, 2013, will become the second woman in the history of Zambia, to perform the duties of cabinet minister in the Ministry of Finance in Zambia.
The first was Edith Nawakwi, who held the portfolio of minister of finance between 1998 and 1999.
Prof Luo’s first assignment will be tomorrow morning when she chairs the senior management meeting, which will be attended by the deputy minister, secretary to the treasury, the permanent secretaries, heads of department and other senior officials in the ministry of finance.
Meanwhile, President Michael Sata is expected in China ahead of a seven-day State visit to bolster Sino-Zambia relations and attend an economic summit.
The president is expected to proceed to Sanya the next day , a resort town south of Beijing where a welcoming ceremony to be hosted by Chinese President Xi Jingping awaits him.
The two leaders are scheduled to hold closed door talks before the signing of bilateral agreements at the Sheraton Hotel on April 6.
According to a detailed programme released by the Zambian Embassy in Beijing, Mr Sata would on April 7 proceed to deliver a keynote speech at the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Economic Conference on the coastal island of Boao.
The keynote speech would be delivered at a Sub-forum, Africa: Rise of an Ancient Continent.
After his speech, he would travel to Sanya and later fly to Shenzen where he was lined up to hold more bilateral talks with regional authorities and visit special economic zones.
Wrapping up his visit, President Sata would hold more bilateral discussions with Chinese Prime Minister Li Kequiang and chairperson of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Yu Zhengsheng before meeting with Zambians living in China.
Due the high number of foreign leaders attending the conference, security has been tightened at the MGM Grand and Sheraton Hotels.
Some senior Zambian Government officials have already arrived in Sanya on hand to receive the President.
A check at the Sheraton found the hotel greens prepared for the signing ceremony and the Zambian flag flying at full mast next to the Chinese one.
The Electoral Commission Zambia (ECZ) today met Tourism Minister Sylvia Masebo to discuss the incident that happened during the filing of nominations for the Kapiri Mposhi by elections on March 28.
ECZ Public Relations Manager Crispin Akufuna said Mrs. Masebo informed the Commission that she had no intentions of disregarding the law or the authority of the Commission and regretted what happened.
Mr. Akufuna has since advised all registered political parties and their members to familiarise themselves with the electoral laws concerning nominations in particular and elections in general in order to ensure adherence to the law by all stakeholders during elections.
This is according to a media statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka today.
Mrs Masebo who is also Patriotic Front (PF) Chairperson for Elections is alleged to have violated the electoral code of conduct when she together with a group of PF cadres invaded the nomination centre during the filling of nominations for the Kapiri Mposhi by elections.
1. President Sata with his entourage attending a church Service on Good Friday
2. President Sata with his entourage attending a church Service on Good Friday
3. President Sata with his entourage attending a church Service on Good Friday
4. President Sata with his entourage attending a church Service on Good Friday
5. President Sata being welcome at Church During a Good Friday Service
6. little girl Kissing the cross at Church
7. Parishioner queuing for Holy Communion
8. An ushertelling a boy to stop making noise
9. Dorothy Chanda, wife of Professor Chanda at a Church Service
10. Taking a nap during the service
11. An Church Goer comes out the mass in order to answer a phone call
12. Boys seated outside as there was no space in church
13.
14. Boys seated outside as there was no space in church
15. Church Mapalo Bread of Life making donations of presents to an Natwange orphanage during Easter to show Easter Love
16. Church Mapalo Bread of Life making donations of presents to an Natwange orphanage during Easter to show Easter Love
17. Church Mapalo Bread of Life making donations of presents to an Natwange orphanage during Easter to show Easter Love
18. Church Mapalo Bread of Life making donations of presents to an Natwange orphanage during Easter to show Easter Love
19. Kids gather to receive Gifts During Easter Weekend
20. Kids opening their Gifts
21. Kids during Easter where they received Gifts donated by Bread of Life
22. Kids during Easter where they received Gifts donated by Bread of Life
23. Kids during Easter where they received Gifts donated by Bread of Life
A knocked down traffic light in Kasama during the Good Friday procession
24. Street Kids making brooms as a way of spending their Good Friday in Kasama
25. HUDREDS of faithfuls commemorating the Way of the Cross along Timothy Chisanga Chinunda road in Kasama during Good Friday
26. KASAMA Archbishop Ignatius Chama holding the cross of Christ when Methodist Church Reverend John Sikazwe was preaching the word of God along Timothy Chisanga Chinunda road in Kasama during the Way of the cross
27. KASAMA Archbishop Ignatius Chama carrying the cross of Jesus Christ during Good Friday with several faithfuls at St. Johns Cathedral in Kasama
A twenty –one year old grade nine pupil at Shem basic school in Nakonde has committed suicide after allegedly impregnating a 52 year old woman of the same village.
Muchinga Province police commissioner Remmy Kajoba has confirmed the incident in an interview with the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) in Chinsali today.
Mr. Kajoba said Sunday Sichone hanged himself in his bedroom using a neck tie.
The deceased was found hanging in the roof of his bedroom by some family members around 06:00 hours yesterday on Tuesday.
Mr. Kajoba said Sichone reportedly failed to withstand the pressure from the old woman who is alleged to have been demanding for nappies for the baby.
The body of Sichone is lying at Nakonde health centre mortuary.
Meanwhile, a medical doctor says it is possible for an African woman to conceive even at 55 years old.
Chinsali district hospital clinical Care officer Charles Chungu was reacting to the death of a Nakonde pupil who committed suicide after allegedly impregnating a 52 year old woman.
Meanwhile, a 5 year old pupil at Hoge Pre- School in Chinsali district died on the spot yesterday after being hit by a vehicle.
Muchinga Province police commissioner Remmy Kajoba has confirmed the accident in an interview with the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) in Chinsali today.
Mr. Kajoba said that the accident occurred around 07:00 hours yesterday at Mweye Village in Senior Chief Nkula’s area on a curve along the Nambuluma –Chinsali Boma Road .
Mr. Kajoba identified the victim as Bwalya Sichande, a boy, who sustained deep cuts on the head.
Mr. Kajoba said the accident involved a 4×4 Ford registration number ABZ 9243 belonging to a Chinese construction company hired to build houses for civil servants in the new district.
He added that the driver identified as George Mbao, 25, has since been arrested and is currently detained at Nambuluma police station and will appear in court tomorrow.
Chinsali district hospital clinical care officer Charles Chungu confirmed receiving the dead body of the boy yesterday in the morning.
Dr. Chungu told ZANIS that the body of Sichande is lying in Chinsali District Hospital Mortuary awaiting a post-mortem.
And a resident of Mweye Village George Mambwe has appealed to the local authority in the district to consider putting up humps near Hoge School especially that the School is located near the main road in order to safeguard the lives of the school children.
Zanaco on Tuesday night prepared for Saturdays clash against Orlando Pirates with a training session under floodlights.
Pirates host Zanaco on Saturday night in a CAF Champions League first round return leg match at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg.
Tuesdays night session was the only one scheduled by Zanaco before heading to Johannesburg on Thursday morning.
“We just wanted the players to get an idea since our game is in the evening. Our games here are played during the day,” Mumba said.
Zanaco trained for two hours at Nkoloma from 18:00 to 20:00 hours.
The team hold their final training session on Wednesday afternoon at Sunset Stadium.
Zanaco currently trail Pirates after losing 1-0 in the first leg meeting on March 16 at Nkoloma and need to beat their hosts 2-0 this weekend to advance to the second round of the Champions League.
Sebastian Zulu-when power of politics claimed another intellectual
Justice Minister Sebastian Saizi Zulu had hoped for a good day. It had taken this most distinguished State Counsel and advocate of the Supreme Court of Zambia months to compile the report. He was a stickler, he always had been. Even in real life he spiced his lingua with legal anecdotes. When the president gave him the assignment, he knew it was one for the national archives and an additional bragging right.
As he compiled the report, words like “contributory negligence,” “demurrer,” “escrow,” flickered at the base of his medulla oblongata.
“We’ve nailed it,” he told his team after months of rewrites.
April 10, 2012 was presentation day. Dressed in his best suit of dark gray, he picked up his report, bound in the national color of green, and left for State House on Independence Avenue. When he stepped into the room scores of politicians were already present. They saw in him a little swagger, of satisfaction, perhaps.
FILE: President Sata receiving the commission of inquiry report into the cancellation of radar contracts
Moments later, the president stepped in. Silence fell in obeisance. He too was dressed in a gray suit and a tie the color of a fire engine. He surveyed the room as if taking roll call. When his eyes met those of his Justice Minister, there was a smile only from the latter.
After the president had taken care of other matters he called upon the honorable minister. It was his moment to shine. He gathered himself and walked over to the president in measured steps and handed over the report. Aficionados rolled their cameras, clicked and flashed.
“This report is very useless, very complicated,” the president suddenly said. “We wasted our money.”
“No!” the minister exclaimed.
The boisterous laughter from the crowd ripped through his ego and left him wounded. The crudeness of the president had reversed his gains. For a brief moment he was appalled by the turn of events. He stared at the president as if saying “how dare you! It is not my fault that you didn’t go to school.” Actually, he was going to tell him precisely that, but his sapience prevailed. With drooping shoulders, he recoiled to his spot, his swagger blasted as if by dynamite.[pullquote]
He stared at the president as if saying “how dare you! It is not my fault that you didn’t go to school.
[/pullquote]The power of politics had claimed an intellectual. This is a common motif. Zambian politics have always prevailed over the power of thought and turned intellectuals into ivory-towers. A politician with little or no education is mightier than an intellectual with roof-level degrees. He can humiliate him; frustrate him; turn him into a pauper; throw him into the gallows; drive him out of the country; or lead him to his demise.
Ivory -tower intellectuals in government
That’s the barrier to our advancement. It is not the lack of economic power, but too much political power invested in an individual called the president. Although, to his credit, president Sata has appointed learned people to cabinet positions—Professor Luo Nkandu, Professor Nevelyn Willombe, Dr. Effron Lungu, Dr. John T.N. Phiri, Dr. Joseph Kasonde, Dr. Patrick Chikusu, Dr. Joseph Katema—he has failed to turn them into an integral feature of the country’s political landscape. They are all ivory-tower intellectuals who have failed to have a decisive impact in reshaping conventional wisdom and setting a course of advancement for us.All the afore-mentioned have chosen to wear their political hat. They have assumed the idiosyncrasies of a politician, and sit in the back seat of a bus taking us to nowhere.
File:Professor Nkandu Luo talks with Elias Mpondela
Let me pick on “high flyer” Micro-Biologist and Immunologist Professor Nkandu Luo. On September 1, 2011, University of Zambia students gave her a thunderous welcome of “don’t kubeba,” in the hope that if she became their Member of Parliament, she would improve standards of living and education on their campus. Professor Luo left them with the following words: “We need to restructure the university, we need to change the way it is run. Once elected I will work hand-in-hand with the university council to devise ways of making money for this institution.” The pledge, as we now know, falls in the “money in your pockets in 90-days” category. [pullquote]That’s the barrier to our advancement. It is not the lack of economic power, but too much political power invested in an individual called the president.[/pullquote] How about Dr. John Phiri and his deputy Professor Nevelyn Willombe at the Ministry of Education? These two intellectuals have adopted the old rigid subject centered education system that churns out thousands of kaponyas and Grade 12s each year and dumps them on the street. They can’t seem to come up with a progressive system that builds on a student’s natural talents and interests. Yet they know how education reformers in successful economies have added various measures designed to ensure as many of their young people have at least a two-year college diploma.
Our education system lacks rigor because it does not reflect an upward social and economic mobility that meets 21st century standards. The non-vocational curriculum on Dr. Phiri’s desk is useless and he knows it. It is of no use to a generation faced with a fast changing world in which the common denominator in social and economic exchange is technology. As an intellectual Dr. Phiri ought to be fighting for a system that reduces the number of dropouts. Above all, he should be urging the president to invest massively in his ministry, perhaps in more than any other wing of government.
Maybe he is trying, who knows? We will never know because the Sata cabinet is not in the business of developing and promoting ideas. There is no minister who has presented a “visioning” coherent and excitable exercise to the public; one that should lead to the advancement of the Zambian people. Not one of these intellectuals has presented new and important ideas and brought them to public attention. Why? It is because they are not sure what to expect from their boss.
A country devoid of ideas can not succeed
The president treats intellectuals as people detached from the everyday concerns of the poor. He believes that he alone is the champion of the common folk. He therefore thinks he does not need an intellectual to tell him what to do. It is the same reason he ridicules and discredits his opponents rather than address their concerns. Like some of his predecessors, he has kept intellectuals in total subjection and rendered them inept and wasted. For years, they have been unable to participate successfully in the handling of complex and dynamic circumstances facing our nation. In failing to bring them to the fold, he has created a big gap between the academic and political worlds.
A LandRover finding its way through the flooded Njashishi Road in Kanyama Compound in Lusaka
Our economy is still on life support; our rural dwellers are still “primitive;” and our ingenuity and talent remains untapped. Instead of addressing these teething issues, our intellectuals are hurtled in institutions of higher learning where they teach students what to think and not how to think. Students are often subjected to arcane theoretical and methodological assignments and not shown how to make stuff—kilns for brick-making in rural Zambia, radios, television sets; automobiles, food processors, or sewing machines.[pullquote]
our intellectuals are hurtled in institutions of higher learning where they teach students what to think and not how to think.
[/pullquote]Relying on his populism and demagoguery, the president thinks he can fix the country. He’s joking. He cannot succeed in a country devoid of ideas. He won’t succeed if he can’t provide clear roadmaps for action. He will lamentably fail if he can’t mobilize political and bureaucratic coalitions. At the end of his reign he will exit the same way, or perhaps worse than his predecessors. And for us as a people, it will be another era wasted.
The foremost role of a president is to think, think, and think. In the case of our president, he must apply out-of-the box thinking. He should be thinking about how to make a difference; how to improve the economy. He cannot fix the economy by depending on the Chinese and other foreign investors. He can’t build a unified and well informed country by spending much of his time inside State House and on trips abroad without getting immersed in the concrete day-to-day demands of the people.
Think Tank
Fine, the president may not be a deep thinker. He may lack intellectual curiosity. But if he is truly dedicated to taking us out of the doldrums, he has enough help around him. There is a good crop of Zambian intellectuals capable of shaping public opinion and generating a “new thinking” attitude that could change the way we live and conduct ourselves. I dare mention but a few; Professor Francis Tembo, Professor Dickson Mwansa, Professor Vernon Chinene, Professor Chifumbe Chintu, Professor Stephen Simukanga, Professor Enala Mwase, Professor Clive Chirwa, Professor Anne Sikwibele, Professor Michelo Hansungule, Professor Muna Ndulo, Professor Kelly Chibale, and many other Zambian professors and PhD holders. These people reached the highest level of academia for one reason—to provide intellectual leadership. Why can’t they be given a chance?
President Sata must embrace them. He must use them to bridge the gap between ideas and action. He must create out of such intellectual giants an unencumbered and most authoritative think tank that can propel Zambia to prosperity; one that will be in the business of buying and selling ideas around the country. The names of such people must be known to us. We must have access to them. They must be in the media often, presenting their findings and offering constructive ideas. They must announce launchings, exhibitions and discoveries and celebrate breakthroughs.
The think tank must be an autonomous, non-partisan and non-profit broad-range institution created to address urgent national issues. Supported by all wings of government, the organization must operate mainly in the areas of economics, health, and technology and offer research and analysis. Its location should be the University of Zambia where an innovation lab should be built as a symbol of change. It is here that various institutions of higher learning will translate theoretical concepts in the arts and sciences into novel applications; and it will be here that the country’s outstanding individuals, with no education, but with projects of direct benefit to our country, will be invited to showcase their talents.
[pullquote]Gone are the days when presidents shaped public policy and opinion. Think tanks are doing it for them[/pullquote]
The think tank should also serve as an umbrella for a compendium of other think tanks run by independent professionals and accomplished researchers and scientists who will conduct research in areas of political strategy, economics, technology, and others. Its organization should serve as a source of funding that encourages, promotes and agitates for the scientific research and technological innovation by talented individuals, companies, and other universities and higher education institutions around the country. It should offer repayable loans to support industrial research or experiment projects.
Gone are the days when presidents shaped public policy and opinion. Think tanks are doing it for them. That’s how they are succeeding. They are using think tanks as a stepping stone to their success. Ronald Reagan did just that. First World countries and those of South America have been successful because their leaders have created a constructive relationship with intellectuals. They use intellectuals as agents of change and harbingers of ideas. [pullquote]In as far as he is concerned Zambia is doing pretty well.he does not know how bad things are for us. He sees a slight drop in inflation as tremendous progress.[/pullquote] You can take a horse to the river, but you can’t force it to drink, so the cliché goes. As is always the case, our president will lend a deaf ear. It is not within his interest to accord Zambian intellectuals a pivotal role in the transformation of our country. He will not entertain such ideas because his reign is as good as it gets. In as far as he is concerned Zambia is doing pretty well. He does not want intellectuals to claim credit. But the candid truth is that because he does not know how to apply the procedures and standards of economics and science to politics, he does not know how bad things are for us. He sees a slight drop in inflation as tremendous progress.
Countrymen, it is time to see our intellectuals not as ivory towers, but as pillars of advancement. We must make use of their knowledge and critical thinking while they are still alive. For decades, our politicians have mistreated and scared them away. These outstanding individuals who sit in small cubicles called offices with a zero balance in their bank account, due to poor pay, love what they do. They are visionaries in the real sense of the word. They are a treasure. If we are to change our country, we should allow them to influence the ranking of our priorities and shape the future of our country.
Kapa187:How did you get the name M.foreal
M.foreal:How that name came up?Most Aussies couldn’t say My name(Mwenya Mwanasabamba) so they used to call me M, and so when I met new people and they asked my name I’d say M…then they would ask for real?i would answer yep,M for real and that’s how it started
Kapa187:When did you start making music
M.foreal:I started music when I was still in high school with a friend Drex (Former HoneFm hipHopToRockYour block host) then I left Zambia 12 years ago.Being in a new place and not knowing what’s goin on I sort of quit doin music til about 2002 when I made my first track called Money Jones which you can download from my reverbnation page http://www.reverbnation.com/mforeal?profile_view_source=header_icon_nav
Kapa187:What made want to take up music seriously?
M.foreal:I have always done music behind the scene,performed here and there then 2011 I featured in Chawa.C song Stuck on You
who then convinced me to do an album,then I started working on it, though it was at snail pace due to my work which keeps me busy.Two months ago I met an old woman who heard my song and asked me if I had an album I said no and was like do it before you get to my age and regret for not doing it,so am now more focused and releasing my album on June 30.The title for the album is Breaking News(Am Here)
Kapa187:For those who have not heard your music , describe your stlye/sound in 2 words.
M.foreal: Romantic ballads! Think of Cool J I need love,that’s my typa jam
Kapa187:Do you have a main theme to your music or do you cover various topics
M.foreal: Mainly am talking about love but there are some tracks talking about things I’ve been through,though my next album will have a lot of political and controversial issues
Kapa187:Tell us about your song “Gone over you”What was the inspiration behind it ,how did it come about.
M.foreal: I had just met my girlfriend When i heard the beat which already had the chorus so I bought it and and wrote that track coz I was Gone over her so yeah she was my inspiration for that.
Kapa187:Which 3 zambian artists would you most want to work with and why
M.foreal: Judy I just think she’s an amazing artist.I would also like to work with Jay Rox he’s got some talent,love his stuff,and the third one is Uncle Rex,I’m a big jazz fan and play his cd a lot in my car so would be great to work with him.
Kapa187:Apart from music what other activities do you take part in ?
M.foreal:Am also into photography, so if am not doing music am out and about taking pictures. I have a little home photo studio
Kapa187:What makes you stand out from other artists?
M.foreal:I tell a story and switch my flow depending on the type of story am telling so my flow is different on each and every track.
Kapa187:Is there anything your fans will be surprised to know about you.
M.foreal: I opened for the legendary Daddy Zemus,probably one of his last 3 performances before he died…so im not a newbie
Andrew Banda and Sakwiba Sikota leave Woodlands police station after signing a police bond
Former Republican President Rupiah Banda’s son, Andrew has been found with a case to answer in a matter in which he is charged with corruption.
Chief resident magistrate Joshua Banda in his ruling yesterday said he had read all the testimonies by the nine witnesses called by the prosecution and found that the accused was facing a typical case which needed him to answer to the charges leveled against him.
Magistrate Banda said he had carefully read the testimonies of the State witnesses and the submissions from both parties and that in his view, he considered that this was a typical case where Andrew should answer to the allegations of corruptly soliciting and agreeing to receive two percent of all payments made to Italian businessman Antonello Locci.
“I accordingly invoke section 207 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) and place the accused person on his defence,” Mr Banda said in his ruling.
This is in a case in which Andrew, being a public officer as First Secretary at the Zambian Embassy in Italy and later Deputy High Commissioner to India, solicited and agreed to receive gratification from Mr Locci amounting to two per cent of all monies paid to Frattelli Locci SRI by RDA.
And Andrew, 52, now a farmer of Chasimpa farm in Chipata is charged with one count of soliciting two per cent gratification amounting to K171 million on all payments made by RDA on current and future road construction projects contrary to Section 28(1) paragraph A (i) of the Anti-Corruption Act No.38 of 2010.
The Magistrate said if at the close of the evidence in support of the charge appeared to the court that a case was not made out against the accused sufficiently to require him to find a prima facie case against Andrew, the court would have dismissed the case and acquitted him forthwith.
Mr Banda said in this instance, the court found sufficient evidence which required it to explain the substance of the charge to the accused and shall inform him that he had the right to give evidence on his own behalf and that he could call witnesses if he so wished.
And after the Court explained his rights, Andrew through his lawyers from Milner Katolo and Associates told the court that their client would give sworn evidence and asked for time to prepare themselves.
Defence lawyer Paul Katupisha informed the court that Andrew would call nine witnesses to assist him to defend his matter.
