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Kitwe mayor Chileshe Bweupe has tied Kitwe United’s failure to win promotion in the ended season to the financial difficulties the team has been grappling with.
Bweupe said with proper sponsorship the Kitwe City Council owned side has the potential to bounce back to the Faz Super Division.
In the ended season, Kitwe finished fourth on the table with 56 points.
The Parklands Ward Councilor acknowledged that council has been limping to backroll the Buchi Boys.
Bweupe promised that council will continue scouting for sponsors ahead of the 2013 campaign.
“As Kitwe City Council indeed we have struggled in the past to find sponsorship for our team Kitwe United. It is partly our fault that we missed out on promotion to the Super League by a very small margin. “However we are proud of our boys and our coaches,” he said
“We will continue pushing for sponsorship to help the team.”
Mike Mulongoti addressing the media at the conference
Former Works and Supply Minister Mike Mulongoti has advised President Michael Sata to break his silence on the ongoing squabbles in the ruling party.
Speaking in an interview with Qfm news, Mr. Mulongoti says President Sata must clearly state his stance on the demands by PF cadres to have Kabwata Member of Parliament Given Lubinda expelled from the party.
Mr. Mulongoti notes that it is unfair for PF Secretary General Wynter Kabimba to harass a leader who has been given the mandate to serve by thousands of electorates.
He has also challenged President Sata to hold a press conference where he should address the many pending issues in the country.
Mr. Mulongoti says the continued silence by the President is causing anxiety in the Zambians as a number of questions on the governance system remain unanswered.
Youth and Sport Minister Chishimba Kambwili escaped death in a road traffic accident after his official motor vehicle overturned on the outskirts of Mpika District.
ZANIS reports that that Mr. Kambwili’s official vehicle overturned after his driver Moses Daka failed to negotiate a corner on the outskirts of Mpika District on his way to Kasama District where he was expected to hand over cheques to some youth groups in the district.
Mr. Kambwili, who was accompanied by his three daughters, is reportedly to have sustained some minor injuries while his official vehicle has been damaged extensively.
The Minister and his three daughters are currently receiving medical attention at Chilonga Mission Hospital in Mpika District.
Mr. Kambwili is on the tour of Northern and Muchinga Provinces to handover cheques to some deserving youth groups under the revised Youth Development Fund (YDF) programme.
The Minister had just come back from Southern Province on a similar programme that is aimed at economically empowering youths.
President Michael Sata has advised the opposition to seek sober forms of engagement with the government.
President Sata has further counselled the opposition political parties to cooperate with specific law enforcement agencies mandated with the responsibility of maintaining law and order as opposed to creating unnecessary tension.
“As Government, we have noticed a strange appetite for aggression and attempts to create panic and despondency in our people by a certain cluster of politicians within the opposition movement,” President Sata says.
“Our word of caution is that, we are wide awake to these low-priced political maneuvers and are ready to handle any situation, which is at variance with our laws with the firmness it deserves.”
President Sata said in a statement by his Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations George Chella, yesterday, that government will not be derailed from its responsibility of safeguarding and preserving the peace the country has enjoyed over a long period of time.
The President says there was a lot Government and the opposition could do together for the benefit of the country, provided there is decency, sincerity and patriotism from both ends.
“As leaders, we should all strive to build a united, democratic and disciplined nation. This can only be achieved if we all endeavour to adhere and respect the laws that govern us as a people,” President Sata says.
Government has reassured the Zambia Air Force (ZAF) and other defence wings of its commitment to provide adequate military equipment and other support to enable them smoothen operations.
And Zambia Air Force (ZAF) Commander Lieutenant General Eric Chimese has reiterated that the Air Force command will remain non partisan and serve the government of the day diligently.
Defence Minister Geoffrey Mwamba says the Patriotic Front (PF) government is determined to equip the defence force so that it can consolidate its ability to defend the country from both internal and external aggression.
ZANIS reports that Mr. Mwamba made the assurance during the 2012 ZAF annual ball at Chambal Valley Air Headquarters Officers’ Mess in Lusaka last night.
He said government is fully aware of the critical role that the air force plays in assisting airlifting assistance and transportation of victims of disasters in areas inaccessible by road.
The minister explained that it was for this reason that government will ensure that appropriate transport aircraft and air defence equipment is provided for the Zambia Air Force.
Earlier, ZAF Commander Lt. Gen. Eric Chimese warned air force staff to remain non partisan and serve the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Michael Sata with utmost loyalty.
Lt. Gen. Chimese observed that although Zambia is a democratic nation, officers should not be swayed to get involved in partisan politics warning that ailing officers will be dealt accordingly.
He praised government for embarking on the harmonisation and rationalisation of the conditions of service in the defence forces.
Lt. Gen. Chimese said the ongoing construction of staff accommodation at ZAF twin palm is hearing completion will accommodate over 1000 families in decent accommodation.
He requested government to replicate the housing initiative to other ZAF bases in order to ease the current acute shortage of decent accommodation for officers following the selling off of the housing units to sitting tenants under the MMD’s home ownership programme.
Home Affairs Minister Edgar Lungu, Bank of Zambia Governor Dr. Michael Gondwe, Secretary to the Cabinet Dr. Rowland Msiska, Lusaka Mayor Daniel Chisenga, Zambia Police Inspector General of Police, Stellah Libongani and past Air commanders attended the function.
Scores of women from both Mazabuka and Chikankanta districts in southern province yesterday morning turned up in numbers to undergo free cervical cancer screening at Mazabuka District Hospital.
And first lady Dr. Christine Kaseba has donated five million Kwacha cash towards the ongoing mobile cancer screening exercise at Mazabuka District Hospital.
A check by ZANIS this morning around 06:00 hours at the District hospital found long queues of women waiting to be tested for cervical and breast cancer by a team of specialists who have traveled from Monze District to conduct cancer screening in Mazabuka District.
Some women interviewed said they wanted to take advantage of the two days period that the hospital authorities have organized to undergo cancer screening. The screening is taking place in both Mazabuka and Chikankata Districts.
And making the donation on behalf Dr. Christine Kaseba in Mazabuka this morning, office of the first lady technical advisor, Judith Mwila said the five million kwacha donation is meant to help easy some of the challenges that may be faced in the screening exercise.
Mrs. Mwila said the first lady has decided to donate the money in order to help organizers meet some of the financial challenges that may be faced in conducting the exercise more especially that it was being run on a mobile basis.
She said the first lady is committed to helping women on issues that affect their health adding that her office will do everything possible to ensure that a screening facility is established in Mazabuka District to help more women access cancer screening services.
And receiving the donation, Mazabuka District Hospital Superintendent Dr. Namagugu Sibanda thanked Dr. Kaseba for the donation which she said will help meet some of the operational costs that are needed to run the mobile screening exercise which started yesterday and ends today.
Dr. Sibanda charged that two days was not enough to cancer for the population of Mazabuka and Chikankata Districts saying if funds permitted the exercise could have gone for a longer period.
She disclosed that more women are willing to have themselves tested for cancer but can not do so because of lack of a screening facility.
Mazabuka District Commissioner Eugene Munyama yesterday donated one million five hundred thousand kwacha cash towards the organization of the mobile screening when he flagged off the exercise.
Government says it does not intend to stifle opposition political parties because Zambia is a democratic country.
Chief Government Spokesperson Kennedy Sakeni says that they PF government needs opposition political parties in order to provide checks and balances.
Mr. Sakeni who is also Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services said this in a special live interview on radio Mano in Kasama, yesterday.
He contended that there is nothing wrong with the public order act as it only requires parties wishing to hold meetings to follow the rules and approach relevant authorities.
The opposition in the country has recently been on the heels of the PF government whom they have accused of not fulfilling the pre September 20, 2011promises such as the restoration of the Barotseland agreement.
It is these concerns that recently made five opposition parties such as the now opposition Movement for Democracy and Development ( MMD ), United Party for National Development (UPND ), United Liberal Party (ULP) , Alliance for Democracy and Democracy (ADD) and the National Restoration Party (NAREP ) to team up and express their concerns on a number of issues affecting the country.
Recently the leaders of the opposition held a Press Briefing at the UPND secretariat at which they denounced what they termed Dictatorial tendencies by President Michael Sata and the PF government.
The opposition leaders bemoaned the continued denial by the Zambia police permits to hold public rallies.
The police are reported to have blocked the joint political rally which was supposed to be held in Mutendere Township in Lusaka this weekend by the opposition.
And Mr. Sakeni has said that government has set aside K22 billion for the construction of infrastructure meant for provincial television stations in eight provinces.
He also said that another K25 billion has been set aside for the digital migration programme in the 2013 budget and the two programmes are expected to run simultaneously.
The Minister added that government is in the process of identifying plots earmarked for the construction of provincial television station offices.
Meanwhile Mr. Sakeni has said that government is still brainstorming on how best to help community radio stations in the different challenges they are facing.
‘’Our vision is to help private radio stations on what methodology we can use, ‘’ he said.
Mr. Sakeni is on a tour of media institutions in Northern Province and has so far visited ZANIS offices in Kasama and Mungwi district, ZNBC transmitter offices in Kasama and Radio Mano.
He also met with journalists at a cocktail where he interacted with them.
Mr. Sakeni is expected has since proceeded to Luapula Province today on a similar programme.
Almost the entire opposition Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) provincial executive in Luapula Province has resigned to join the ruling Patriotic Front (PF).
MMD Luapula Province Chairperson Emmanuel Chungu led the defectors who included his vice, David Chanda, provincial spokesperson, Mwiza Mpelembe, provincial chairlady Fostine Chola, provincial chairperson for health Lumba Kalumba, Provincial Treasury Simon Mwale, Kawambwa District Chairperson Johnson Mfula and former Chipili MP Benjamin Kaumba.
Speaking on behalf of the other defectors in Mansa, today, Mr Chungu noted that the MMD provincial executive in Luapula province has refused to be led by party president Nevers Mumba saying the opposition leader he has displayed undemocratic tendencies which they cannot tolerate.
He described Dr Mumba as a dictator who has allegedly failed to respect the constitution of the MMD in his dealings with other party officials.
Mr Chungu said Dr Mumba expelled MMD National Secretary Richard Kachingwe unconstitutionally, adding that this cannot be allowed to continue.
He said genuine members of the party have prevailed on Dr. Mumba to reconvene a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting to discuss issues among other issues his dual presidency of the MMD and Reform Party, his invalidation of the MMD presidency and the expulsion of Major Kachingwe but that these calls have fallen on deaf eyes.
The former MMD Provincial chairperson said his team will thus work to destroy all the structures of the former ruling party in the province so as to be vindicated for the position they have taken.
He also assured PF members that his group was not joining the ruling party to displace old members but to support the party in all aspect of human endeavour in order to move the country forward.
Former MMD Provincial Chairman Emmanuel Chungu at the defection Ceremony
Mr Chungu also pledged total loyalty to President Michael Sata and the leadership of the PF which he said has being practical since the party assumed office after emerging triumphant in the September 20, 2011 tripartite elections.
He said the MMD was only rhetoric in its promises of bringing development to Luapula province unlike the PF that has shown to be practical by implementing some of the promises they made to the Zambian people.
In welcoming the defectors, Vice President Guy Scott urged PF members in the province not to feel jealousy of the new members but to embrace and work with them in order to push the development in the province and the country at large.
Dr. Scott said it was imperative that all Zambians work together and remain united to push the country’s development agenda.
He said the people that have defected from the MMD to the PF did so with full conviction from their hearts and not their pocket.
Dr. Scott said there was no buying of members in the PF as was the trend in the MMD defections where people were bought for them to resign from the opposition to join the ruling party.
He told the defectors that they joined the ruling party because they believe in its future and not because of goodies that the party has to offer.
And Luapula Province PF Chairperson Kennedy Sakeni said the PF in the province is not interested in any squabbles but want peace to reign so as to develop the area.
Mr Sakeni who is also Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services urged PF members in the province to always maintain peace in order for them to remain united.
“For not from the east nor from the west nor from the south come promotion and lifting up. But God is the Judge! He puts down one and lifts up another.”
(Psalm 75:6–7, AMP)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
Have you ever noticed that people tend to act differently around those they think can do something for them — people who appear to have status, wealth or influence in life? I believe that the way we treat people is a test. At times, God will bring people across your path that may seem insignificant. They may not appear to be able to do anything for you, but in reality, they are divinely linked to your destiny. They hold the key to your promotion and increase. Will you treat them with respect and honor even if you think they can’t do anything for you?
The truth is that the people we’re playing up to or trying to win their favor may be the ones that open a door for us, but they don’t hold the key to our destiny. Promotion doesn’t come from them. Promotion comes from God. And, God will use the most unlikely people to open doors of opportunity for you — a hotel bellman, a maid, an intern, or an unpopular kid at school. Let’s pass the test and treat everyone like Jesus put them in our path because He probably did. Remember, God is watching and promotion comes from Him. A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father, thank You for promotion. Thank You for ordering my steps and leading me on the right path. Today I choose to honor and respect everyone, and in turn, I choose to honor You in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Rainford Kalaba and Stopilla Sunzu did not leave the 2012 CAF awards gala in Accra last Thursday empty handed but are laughing all the way back to the bank on Christmas.
The Zambian duo lost out the 2012 African based best player award to Egyptian Mohammed Aboutreika but got some cool cash for getting nominated.
Kalaba took home US$ 10,000 while Sunzu who suffered the shock of returning the award after a awards presenter John Barnes blunder, was given US$ 5000.
“Kalaba was even counting the cash..cool Christmas money for the young man,” a source familiar with the development said.
Meanwhile, Aboutreika took home US$15,000 for his win to cap two successive disappointing attempts by Egypt to qualify for the 2012 and 2013 Africa Cup finals.
Midfielder Mulenga Mukuka has been named Power Dynamos Player of the Year.
Mulenga brushed aside competition from club captain Joseph Sitali and midfielder Emmanuel Chimpinde to win the award.
The Zambia mifielder also won the Most Improved Player Award.
The Most Disciplined Player Award was scooped by midfielder Emmanuel Chimpinde.
Striker Graven Chitalu was the club top scorer with 14 goals in all competitions.
In the ended season, Power finished second in the Faz Super Division and failed to defend the league title plus the Barclays Cup.
Zambia closed 2012 on a low note after losing 1-0 away to Tanzania in a friendly on Saturday at the National Stadium in Dar-es-Salaam.
The African champions huffed and puffed in the first half as Tanzania dominated their guests.
Striker James Chamanga came close with the African champions best chance of the first half in the 44th minute but blasted his effort marginally wide.
A minute later, Tanzania shocked Zambia when midfielder Mrisho Ngasa outpaced Kampamba Chintu and skipped goalkeeper Daniel Munyau to score what would turn out to be the winner.
Zambia were a different side after the break after Chris Katongo, Isaac Chansa and Nathan Sinkala were respected for Evans Kangwa, Mukuka Mulenga and Francis Kasonde respectively.
Sunzu was outstanding in defence while Mukuka gave Zambia’s midfield the kiss of life and came close to his debut goal in the 73rd minute when he hit the post.
Felix Katongo too hit the post four minute before fulltime in a frustrating second half after dominating the second period.
Meanwhile, Zambia head back home for Christmas but regroup on December 26 in Johannesburg for their final phase of training came ahead of the 2013 Africa Cup that kicks off on January 19.
Lusaka City Patriotic Front(PF) councilors have complained that Kabwata Member of Parliament GIVEN LUBINDA is frustrating implementation of developmental projects.
The councilors want party Secretary General Wynter KABIMBA to guide them on which Member of Parliament should be leader MP in the chamber.
The councilors have complained in a petition to Mr. KABIMBA signed by Lusaka Mayor Daniel Chisenga.
Mr. CHISENGA said that the councilors have observed that Mr. LUBINDA who is also Foreign Affairs Minister is misleading the party by championing causes aimed at bringing disunity in PF.
He said that the Kabwata MP is threatening Kabwata councilors and stifling crucial council chamber debates to satisfy his personal interest.
The councilors have cited instances where Mr. LUBINDA opposed a progressive motion aimed at expanding the boundaries of Lusaka to open up land for burial sites.
Mr. CHISENGA added that Mr. LUBINDA has objected the empowerment of the people of Kabwata by opposing the opening up of land in Kamwala area for creation of shops for allocation to the people.
He added that recently Councilor CHIKUTANO NKHOMA embarrassed the council in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and that Mr. LUBINDA opposed the councilor’s decision that Mr. NKHOMA be suspended.
On Friday, seven PF Lusaka Constituencies accused Mr. LUBINDA of betrayal and treachery and called for his expulsion.
And earlier this week Kabwata constituency PF officials petitioned the party authorities to take action on their MP.
Patriotic Front Secretary Wynter Kabimba recently gave a seven day ultimatum to Mr. Lubinda within which to exculpate himself on allegations of disloyalty to the party.
But Mr. Lubinda said that he has exculpated himself over his alleged collaborating with opposition UPND and MMD Members of Parliament to discredit some of PF’s decisions and policies.
MMD youths in Lusaka have given its party leadership a 14 days ultimatum in which to call for a an urgent national executive committee (NEC) meeting to sort out the deepening wrangles that have rocked the former ruling party.
The youths have threatened of serious demonstrations if NEC fails to call for a meeting to iron out the differences within the 14 days ultimatum.
The youths wants MMD NEC to hold an urgent meeting to address issues of the invalidation of MMD president Nevers Mumba, National secretary Major Kachingwe’s expulsion and the alleged dual citizenship of Dr Mumba.
They further want NEC to also touch on issues of finances, expenditure and allowances.
“We demand the following: discuss the so called MMD repentance, we want the NEC to make it very clear on the boundaries between the new MMD and the MMD that we know and we belong to.
“We demand that a Quorum be formed. Infact all NEC members must attend” read a statement signed by Lusaka Central Youth Chairperson Jacob Mtonga and Kabwata Constituency youth Chairperson Lesley Chikuse.
Mr Mtonga and Mr Chikuse further demanded for minutes of the NEC to be made public to them and that NEC should deliberate on the issues without being emotional and following the party Constitution.
They said as youths, they did not recognise any suspensions and expulsions in the party until such a time when the full NEC meeting would be held.
Mr Mtonga and Mr Chikuse charged that the failure by NEC to call for a meeting and iron out the wrangles within 14 days would result in youths taking the matters personal which would attract serious demonstrations.
File: Education Minister John Phiri (r). On the left is deputy Minister David Mahumba.
OVER 280,000 pupils out of the total number 0f 337, 706 who sat for Grade seven examinations this year have been selected to grade Eight.
Education minister John Phiri says a total number of 337 706 pupils entered for the grade Seven examinations and only 304, 429 pupils sat for the examinations.
Dr Phiri who announced the results at the ministry headquarters in Lusaka yesterday said the results represent a progression rate of 93.49 percent.
He says Grade eight classes will open on January 14th 2013 with a grace period of two weeks.
Dr Phiri has disclosed that all the pupils who sat for the examination in Luapula, Eastern, Copperbelt Northwestern Central and western Provinces have been selected to grade 8.
He says the 2012 examinations recorded four malpractices involving three teachers and nine pupils.
Dr Phiri says the three teachers have been suspended while the nine pupils were expelled from school in a move meant to send a serious warning that government will not tolerate malpractices.
He says the malpractices involved stealing of examination papers to aid candidates.
Dr Phiri praised all key stakeholders who participated in the examination and urged them to continue with the same spirit.
