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President Michael Sata has advised Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) President Nevers Mumba to put his act together and perform his mandated role as an opposition leader.
Reacting to claims by MMD President Nevers Mumba that the ruling PF was behind the recent troubles that had engulfed the former ruling party, President Sata , in a press statement by his Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations George Chellah, advised Dr. Mumba to put his act together and perform his mandated role as an opposition leader.
“Baseless and wild accusations against the ruling party and the Government, is in itself a mark of a failed leadership. Thus, let my dear brother be brave and face these self-inflicted problems,” President said.
He said as outsiders, the PF can only watch, sympathise and wish Dr. Mumba well as he struggles to stabilise the once vibrant and progressive political party.
The President reaffirmed the PF’s commitment to deepening democracy, equality and respect for the will of the Zambian people.
Mr. Sata emphasised that Government has already facilitated an atmosphere where Zambians in their diversity, including all political parties, were enjoying various rights and freedoms as stipulated in the laws of the land.
The President also dismissed assertions that the Patriotic Front (PF) want to introduce a one-party state in the country.
The President stated that no one within or outside the PF will ever advocate for a one-party state.
He said history has taught the nation that multi-partism has been the central part of all political transitions that the country has ever experienced.
He said as custodians of the Zambian people’s interests, the ruling PF will therefore attempt to debate democracy and the already existing multi-party system of governance, time wasting and a mischievous excuse by some politicians to taint the reputation of the PF as well as divert Government’s attention from more important issues.
Born in Kitwe and raised in Lusaka City, Tony Dalitso Phiri, rap alias ‘Tony Grammz’, born on 28th January 1994 was interested in music at a very tender age. Nephew of singing sensation and Idols Zambia winner Tasila Mwale, Grammz was exposed to various genres of music as he grew up. Showing great passion for Rap, Hip Hop and Rock music, he learnt how to play guitar and is currently perfecting this fine art. During the year 2009 in his tenth grade, he met aspiring Rap Artist Collins ‘Krisn-I’ Nzovu and together they shared their passion for conscious Rhythm and Poetry. They performed at school organised variety shows and various music related functions, writing and composing their own songs. Krisn-I introduced Grammz to the So’ Good Entertainment crew at their Rap and Hip Hop Expo known as the Cypher +260 in the year 2010. This was held at St. Paul’s Secondary school where he charmed the crowd and the So’ Good management with his rap skill. At another Cypher held later that year, he proved himself once again and begun to talk about being signed to So’ Good with one of So’Good managers Chifumbe ‘Beretta’ Sikazweh. A couple of months later after mainly popularizing all So’ Good music and
products, he was successfully signed to the label and is currently a Rap Artist under them.
VISION:
He is exploring all areas of his God Given talent and plans to work with all artists at So’ Good and produce quality sound for the industry. Realising that the music industry in Zambia is slowly but gradually diversifying in the type of music that is being produced, he wishes to forge ahead and grow as an artist and help deliver the unique Zambian style onto the international market.
INFLUENCES:
The raw form of Rap and Hip Hop artists that pioneer the Industry in the shadows and are enriched with talent beyond belief are my true inspiration, such as Talib Kweli, Jean Grae, Mike Shinoda, Pharoah, Black Thought, e.t.c. As well as exemplary Rock artists including Blink 182, One Republic, Linkin Park and Good Charlotte.
KAPA187: How did you come up with the name tony Grammz ? Tony Grammz: Honestly I can’t really remember how the name Tony Grammz stuck, though it comes all the way from High School. From the 10th Grade I think.
KAPA187: What made take music seriously as a career? Tony Grammz: I have always loved music. As I grew up, a lot of people told me I was actually good at it. So I decided not to hold back and just dive into it.
KAPA187: Being the nephew of Tasila mwale, what has she taught you about the music industry? Tony Grammz: She has taught me a lot, from how to be humble no matter how popular you get, to how to have a listening ear and learn how to blend with instrumentals.
KAPA187: The hip-hop industry is really growing in Zambia, who are some of the local acts you look up to? Tony Grammz: I look up to a number of Zambian artists. Top of my list though are F Jay, K.R.Y.T.I.C and Thugga.
KAPA187: What makes you stand out from the rest of the upcoming artists? Tony Grammz: I would say what I rap about and how it blends with what I rap to. My sound is a mixture of new school lyrics and old school vibes.
KAPA187: So good entertainment has a lot of talented musicians, do you get intimidated by them, or do they inspire you. Tony Grammz: I do not get intimidated at all. They are all more than inspirational and are always there to guide me where needed and salute me when I do good. KAPA187: Apart from music what other activities do you take part in? Tony Grammz: If I am not playing basketball or studying, I’m hanging out with my fellow So’ Good artists or other friends. KAPA187: Is there anything your fans would be surprised to know about you. Tony Grammz: I am only 18 and studying my Bachelor’s Degree in Software Engineering in Europe. KAPA187: What has been the best moment in your life? Tony Grammz: The first time I made it onto the basketball team back in High School.
KAPA187: Describe your sound in 3 words Tony Grammz: Old but New. KAPA187: Where can your fans get your music? Tony Grammz: www.vibedeck.com/tonygrammz
www.soundcloud.com/tonygrammz
www.sogoodonline.tumblr.com
KAPA187: Any last words… Tony Grammz: Tony Grammz is here to stay. Let us all enjoy music together.
Boeing 747 MSN 19746 leased to Zambia Airways and delivered on 29 Sep 1988 with registration number N603FF. Details http://www.planesregister.com/aircraft/b747-19746.htm
By H. Muyeba Musonda
As the world celebrates the International Aviation Day which falls on December 17th, it is important to reflect on the aviation industry in Zambia and what it means to the traveling public and the tourism industry. Aviation experts will tell you that Zambia is well positioned for hub status yet the nation does not take advantage of this, hence Zambia has become a haven of foreign operators. Why would anyone in their right frame of mind let millions of dollars slip through their hands while they stand there and watch? This is a question that can be well answered by those who traverse the corridors of power with little knowledge about the importance of aviation and its advantage to the country’s economy. Having no national branded airline in a country is like losing your national registration card, which is one symbol of personal identification and status in your country. And this is what can be said of Zambia in the area of aviation. The once power house of emerging aviation nations in Africa stands like a destitute seeking someone to come to its rescue, because the nation chose to lose one of its symbols of national pride and status, Zambia Airways.
Zambia has since December 4th, 1994 been the prodigal child of the aviation industry in Africa. The loss of the national airline, Zambia Airways Corporation was a slap in the face of its employees, the travelling public and the nation as a whole. That day will remain vivid in the minds of many former Zambia Airways employees, because on that fateful evening, the then Vice President Brig. General Godfrey Miyanda went live on national television and made the most disastrous and nerve wrecking announcement ever made in Zambia’s aviation history. It was a day that would put the last nail in the coffin of the struggling airline, which had its DC10-30 confiscated in London by Chemical Bank for not servicing the loan. That announcement can be likened to a mother strangling her own child on its death bead when there is medicine on the shelf that can be administered to help the child get better.
[pullquote]Why would anyone in their right frame of mind let millions of dollars slip through their hands while they stand there and watch?[/pullquote]
Did Zambia Airways really deserve the liquidation? Or was the airline so insolvent such that it could not have come out such a state of “beyond redemption” or was it a case of bad management, or poor judgement on the part of the government of the day who happened to have been the major shareholders? The fact remains that Zambia Airways was never beyond redemption as many people thought at that time. Operational wise, it was better off than Kenya Airways, Air Tanzania and many other struggling African airlines at the time of its liquidation. What Zambia Airways needed first was a total commitment by the government to see the airline survive like the Kenyan government did for their near dead airline. Secondly, an evaluation of assets was required and a team of experts should have been appointed to help Zambia Airways partner with a European carrier to manage Zambia Airways for some time and to restructure it to meet the business requirement in order to survive and operate profitably. Had government taken the route of Kenya Airways, the nation would not be in a limbo of trying to create another airline 18 years after closing one. Today Kenya Airways stands out as one of the best case studies of airline restructuring in Africa.
For those that have followed the liquidation process of Zambia Airways and its after effects, you will agree that Zambia Airways should have been saved because the airline had more assets that would have offset the debt and put back the airline on the right footing. Not only did Zambia Airways have assets, but it was one of the symbols of national identity and pride. Let me underscore the fact that, had there been someone with a strong backbone in government to withstand the pressure of the donor community and prevent such a move, the airline would still be there. The other questions worthy asking is, if the Zambian routes were unprofitable as some people in certain quarters have suggested, why did other operators increase the number of flights soon after Zambia Airways closed? Why have we seen an influx of foreign carriers flying into Kenneth Kaunda Airport in recent years? Why did some countries ban airlines from Zambia to stop flying into their countries years after Zambia Airways was long liquidated? These questions need to be answered not from a political point of view but from an economic point of view. And the answer is simple. The Zambian “fruit” market is ripe and attractive. Hence it needs to be harvested by Zambians as well. Thanks to the management of the folk at the Department of CivilAviation who are tirelessly working to have Zambia reinstated as a safe country for aviation to reemerge.
[pullquote]The fact remains that Zambia Airways was never beyond redemption as many people thought at that time. Operational wise, it was better off than Kenya Airways, Air Tanzania and many other struggling African airlines at the time of its liquidation[/pullquote]
When one analyses deeply the after effects of the liquidation process, it is no rocket science to learn that those that made the decision to liquidate Zambia Airways never understood how to run an airline. Secondly they did not foresee that the absence of national airline was bad for the nation since a national airline is one of the symbols of national identity for many nations and the life line for the tourism industry and business sector.
The closure of a Zambia Airways was not only a slap in the face of the Zambian community, rather, the ramifications of its closure have become a cancer so difficult to cure as evidenced by its effects on the tourism industry, and the mushrooming of indigenous airlines that have failed to spread their wings permanently in the Zambian skies.
The decline in tourism numbers at the time of closure was due to one major reason, people did not have confidence in these airlines that sprung up and failed soon thereafter. The story of failed indigenous airlines in Zambia is nothing new, yet government fails to learn from such past mistakes by allowing individuals with no financial muscle to dent this lucrative industry. Most investors in these failed airlines did not have the financial muscle to compete with the likes of British Airways, South African Airways, Emirate, KLM and Kenya Airways to mention but a few, yet some of them were given a status of a flag carrier and they failed lamentably to keep the flag flying. Some other investors failed because of political interference which made them scared forcing them to pack up and leave. Don’t get me wrong, I support indigenous ingenuity and entrepreneurship, but some industries need government investment in order to survive. This is a common trend anywhere in the world.
Emphasizing on the importance of a national airline as a brand ambassador in his paper entitled Airline companies as national branding ambassadors, Andreas Markesenis states that, “for historical reasons, the national origin has often been very explicit in national carriers. In the past, most airline companies were created by the State and consequently instilled a sense of national pride. In fact, for many years no nation could graduate as a ‘real’ country unless it had its own national carrier . . . . Still today, nationally-branded airline companies have a role to play as nation branding ambassadors.”
Promoting Zambia as a unique tourism destination is synonymous with a national airline. Yet as a nation, our tourism agency Zambia National Tourism Board has failed to effectively promote our country in the absence of a branded national airline. Today, Zambia cannot compete with countries like South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Kenya whose airlines give them an added advantage. Countries like South Africa have gone to ends of even advertising the Victoria Falls as being in South Africa, while the Zambia government sits on proposal papers of how we can form an airline with little action taken. Markesenis further states that, “being a branded ambassador or flag bearer is something that should be intertwined in national identity for those airlines who carry the burden to display the country’s national flag (or national colors) on theaircrafts as they become the pride and responsibility of being the nation’s tourism ambassadors as well,” like Zambia Airways was. There remains some serious decision making to be made on how we move forward in the coming years if we have to make Zambia an ultimate tourism destination and hub in southern African. The government needs to urgently set up a good team of aviation experts to study three African airlines in conjunction with a consulting firm such as Lufthansa Consulting for startup airlines, and come up with an implementable paper, which shall set a framework of creating a national carrier. Why Lufthansa Consulting? Lufthansa Consulting among many other consulting firms has scored great success of helping startup airlines on the African continent. Among them are CIEBA Intercontinental of Equatorial Guinea, Air Gabon and many more. Airlines to be studied could be Kenya Airways, Ethiopian and South African Airways who have undergone successful restructuring and their wings are still spread across Africa.
[pullquote]Countries like South Africa have gone to ends of even advertising the Victoria Falls as being in South Africa, while the Zambia government sits on proposal papers of how we can form an airline with little action taken[/pullquote]
The mandate of the team should be to study how theses airlines have been able to navigate the turbulence of economic hardship and how they have implemented bankable business plans, and how planning for partnership is vital in the restructuring stage. The team should be able to report back to cabinet within four months. This team should be allowed to make recommendations of a partner of their choice and then get blessings from government in form of a strategic business alliance with this cooperating partner that will see the Eagle fly the Zambian skies again. The partner will of course have to be reviewed by government for bilateral agreement purposes.
Who should head this project? My suggestion is that technocrats from the Zambian aviation industry including some former Zambia Airways personnel with a business acumen complimented by 2 senior pilots, 2 senior technical engineers, a senior official from the Department of Civil Aviation, an aviation lawyer, an accountant, a financial planner, an aviation economist and someone with knowledge flight operations. It should be a team that will have to work day and night and present a bankable paper that will be acceptable by the intended partners and financiers. This team should be constituted immediately to set the ground work for a thorough study and make a roadmap for which way forward. I can conclude by saying that there is an urgent economic need to establish a national airline. This economic need for such a venture can only be facilitated by the political will of the government. One can safely point to the fact that the strengths to address this need outweigh the weaknesses. For example, some strength are the projected growth in GDP, the emerging middle class in Zambia with more discretionary income, the emerging market scenario in the economic sector and projected growth in regional tourism, while the major weakness is investment capital and fear of nationalization. However, on the downside the new airline will still face threats of current competitors that have gained ground in Zambia. Whoever shall be in charge will have to come up with aggressive ways to gain market share for the new airline.
The writer is a former Zambia Airways and Aero Zambia employee who served these airlines in various capacities. The opinions expressed in this article are solely the responsibility of the author and do not represent those of his former and current employers. Constructive critics are welcome and can be forwarded to muyeba AT yahoo DOT com
Chief Chisunka of the Ushi people of Mansa district has offered land to the Ministry of Education for construction of the proposed Luapula University.
Speaking to ZANIS in a telephone interview in Mansa today, chief Chisunka said he is ready to give out 30 hectors of land in his chiefdom about 40 kilometres from Mansa Town where the newly announced university could be built.
In July, this year, President Michael Sata announced the establishment of a university in Luapula Province to be called Luapula University.
Chief Chisunka observed that erecting a university outside Mansa Town would reduce congestion in the fast growing town and prevent the students from riotous behaviour.
He said he has vast land which would accommodate all the required infrastructure of the university and has since called on the Ministry of Education to call on him and chat the way forward.
The Chief lamented that it has taken time for stakeholders to swing into action since the President announced the establishment of Luapula University.
Acting Chief Justice Lombe Chibesakunda has challenged Zambian Missions abroad to rise to the occasion and work hard to contribute to the development of the country.
Justice Chibesakunda said diplomats should make use of best practices in their countries of accreditation to add value to Zambia’s socio-economic interests. She cited India as a country with great opportunities which Zambia should harness to drive the country’s economic agenda forward. She stressed the need for a culture of hard work in order to accelerate development in the country.
The Acting Chief Justice was speaking in New Delhi last night at the residence of Zambia’s High Commissioner to India Ambassador Susan Sikaneta. This was at a dinner hosted for her and her delegation who were in India to attend the 13th International Chief Justices’ Conference.
Justice Chibesakunda was accompanied by Supreme Court Judge Florence Lengalenga and her Special Assistant Ignatius Sievu. University Teaching Hospital (UTH) Deputy Managing Director Dr. Laston Chikoya and a team of seven ZESCO officials who are in India on study tours, were also among guests at the dinner.
The theme of the Chief Justices’ conference was “Enforceable World Law and Global Governance” with particular focus on the need to promote economic Justice at international level.
In her presentation to the Conference Justice Chibesakunda noted that socio-economic justice should be an important integral part of the justice system which should be practiced at national, regional, and international levels.
The conference was organized by Founder Manager of the City Montessori School (CMS) Dr. Jagdish Gandhi and was attended by Chief Justices, Judges and legal luminaries from 61 countries.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Kennedy Sakeni
Government has refuted allegations that it is dragging Former Republican President Dr. Kenneth Kaunda into partisan politics.
Speaking to ZANIS in an interview today, Chief Government Spokesperson Kennedy Sakeni said government holds Dr. Kaunda in high esteem, as he is a father of the nation, and can never drag him into politics.
Mr. Sakeni said the defection of former Mines Deputy Minister Jazzman Chikwakwa from the Movement for Multi Party Democracy(MMD) to the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) while at the residence of the Former Head of State is a mere coincidence that should not be misinterpreted by anyone.
He stated that Mr. Chikwakwa is a free citizen, who is at liberty to belong to any political party, adding that there was nothing wrong with his decision to defect to the PF while visiting Dr. Kaunda.
Mr. Sakeni who is also Information and Broadcasting Minister added that government has great respect for Dr. Kaunda’s private and public life.
He was reacting to allegations from some sections of society alleging that government was forcing Former Republican President Dr. Kenneth Kaunda to engage in partisan politics.
The allegations were sparked after Former Mines Deputy Minster Jazzman Chikwakwa ,along with MMD founding member Christopher Ngoma defected to the ruling PF while at Dr. Kaunda’s residence on Wednesday last week.
Bishop John Mambo says the fight against corruption in the country should not be done selectively.
Bishop Mambo is concerned that the recent remarks by President Michael Sata’s suggesting that the Anti- Corruption Commission needs to inform him before instituting investigations into corruption allegations involving any of his ministers.
Bishop Mambo has noted that the position taken by president has the potential to compromise the fight against corruption which the PF committed itself to when it assumed office last year.
The Clergy says President Sata needs to be reminded that the ACC is an institution which is being by professionals who are able to carry out duties in accordance with the law.
Bishop Mambo observed that the corruption in the country has continued to hinder the economic progress of Zambia resulting in high poverty levels.
Bishop Mambo noted that the fight against corruption needs to be undertaken with a holistic approach if corruption is to be stamped out.
THE wrangles in MMD have continued to deepen with two vice-presidents of the Party differing over the expulsion of the National Secretary Richard Kachingwe and the dual membership of party president Nevers Mumba.
While MMD vice-president for administration Brian Chituwo condemns the expulsion of Major Kachingwe and calling on the National Executive Committee (NEC) to meet, MMD vice-president for politics Michael Kaingu says the decision by some NEC members at an impromptu meeting held a fortnight ago to expel Maj Kachingwe was final.
Dr Kaingu has maintained that the decision to expel Maj Kachingwe was final and would not be reversed and NEC would not meet to discuss the issue.
Dr Kaingu said in an interview yesterday that the move taken by NEC to expel Maj Kachingwe and reverse the letter to invalidate Dr Mumba’s presidency shall not be reversed and discussed at any forum.
“There is no need to call for a NEC meeting to look into the decision that the same NEC members made. It doesn’t work like that anywhere in the world. Dr Chituwo was not there when this decision was being made and we won’t hold him responsible for the statement he made,” he said.
He said the decision to expel Maj Kachingwe and reinstate Dr Mumba was the general consensus of the party members from the top leadership to the grassroot and that the decision was final.
He said the NEC members who made this decision acted based on the feelings of the general membership on the ground.
“I am a vice- president of the party for politics and I am in touch with the people on the grassroot, what was decided by the NEC during the meeting was reasonably accepted by the general membership including those on the grassroot,” he said.
He said some members had actually been calling to warn him against fighting the president of the party, saying doing so would not help build the MMD.
Dr Chituwo and MMD chairperson for women Affairs Catherine Namugala held a Press briefing on Saturday to denounce the decision made by some NEC members to expel Maj Kachingwe.
He said it was important for a full NEC meeting to be called for the matter to be discussed amicably as the two decisions made by Maj Kachingwe and Dr Mumba were contrary to the party constitution.
Zambia came third on the medals table of the just ended fifth edition of the Supreme Council for Sport in Africa (SCSA) Zone Six Under-20 Games. South Africa topped the log with Namibia second.
TOTAL MEDALS
COUNTRY
GOLD
SILVER
BRONZE
TOTAL
SOUTH AFRICA
67
46
19
132
NAMIBIA
13
18
34
65
ZAMBIA
12
9
20
40
MOZAMBIQUE
10
8
8
26
BOTSWANA
7
10
16
33
ANGOLA
6
5
3
14
LESOTHO
4
3
6
13
ZIMBABWE
3
7
6
16
SWAZILAND
2
0
3
5
MALAWI
1
6
5
12
MAURITIUS
0
0
0
0
SEYCHELLES
0
0
0
0
And a Spectacular firework display in Lusaka last night provided a final flourish at the closing ceremony as Zambia bade farewell to the fifth edition of the Supreme Council for Sport in Africa (SCSA) Zone Six Under-20 Games, passing the button to 2014 hosts, Zimbabwe.
After the Games, flame was doused out at Nkoloma Stadium, Sport and Youth Minister, Chishimba Kambwili handed-over the SCSA Zone Six flag to Zimbabwean Minister of Education, Sports, Arts and Culture, David Coltart, symbolising the shift to the new hosts for the sixth regional sports spectacle.
Various performances, which included rich traditional Zambian dances and local music diva, Mampi Mukape, added some spice to the closing ceremony of the Games with a theme ‘Rhythm of our Nations’.
The 2012 SCSA Zone Six Games mascot, Nyoni also bade farewell in a fashionable way, dancing his way from the pitch.
Athletes from 12 participating countries paraded in the stadium with volunteers as the Games’ theme song played.
South Africa emerged overall winners of the 2012 SCSA Zone Six Games with 132 medals, which included 67 gold and were trailed by Namibia in second position with 65 medals while hosts Zambia reaped 41 medals to finish third.
Of all the participating countries, only Mauritius and fellow Indian Ocean islanders, the Seychelles failed to win a single medal.
South Africans celebrate victory in the men’s final game at Nkoloma
And Kambwili said the last 14 days had been eventful as the athletes demonstrated their immense talents in various sporting disciplines and also cemented relationships among participating countries.
Kambwili paid special tribute to President Michael Sata for making the Games possible through timely allocation of funds and other resources during the preparations.
He said after staging the regional games and with robust sports infrastructure development, Zambia could now aspire for bigger sporting events like the All Africa Games and the Africa Cup of Nations football championship.
SCSA Zone Six Games organising committee chairperson, Mvuzo Mbebe thanked the Zambian Government and its people for putting up an admirable show and urged the nation to now use its experience to aspire for greater things.
Local Organising Committee (LOC) chairperson, Esau Nebwe said organising the Games had been a wonderful experience for his team and that Zambia was now poised to host major international sporting events.
Coltart promised a remarkable sixth edition of the SCSA Zone Six Games in 2014 in Zimbabwe.
Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba has said that he is prepared to cooperate with the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) to enable the Commission conduct smooth investigations on allegations levelled against him.
Mr Kabimba said he would cooperate with ACC to close the chapter on corruption allegations regardless of the methods the Commission would prescribe such as going to the media.
He was speaking in Livingstone yesterday when he featured on Falls FM’s Checking Point programme.
Mr Kabimba, who is Patriotic Front (PF) Secretary General, was in Southern Province to meet and confer with party leaders in the districts and province to ensure that the ruling party gets stronger.
He addressed a provincial consultative meeting in Choma at the weekend and so-far only Central and Muchinga Provinces are the remaining provinces for him to round up the entire country.
“I am a strong believer of ACC and I will cooperate with them so that we close this chapter.
For instance, I have never said the investigations are political and being driven by political enemies. ACC is at liberty to investigate me and anyone in Government,” Mr Kabimba said.
Mr Kabimba said Zambia needed a strong ACC to fight corruption.
“We need to fight corruption in this country and if I am found to be corrupt, I must be subjected to the same law an ordinary citizen is subjected to,” he said.
He also said none of the people who escorted him to ACC recently harassed anyone at the Commission because they were all peaceful.
He also wondered where the Oasis Forum was when high profile personalities were allegedly abusing public resources during MMD’s rule.
“When we took Dora Siliya to the tribunal, for God’s sake where was Oasis Forum? When former President Rupiah Banda’s wife was flying around in three helicopters and where was the Oasis Forum? They left this corruption fight to PF until we dislodged the MMD.
We are committed to ensure the country is freed of corruption,” he said.
On allegations that PF was introducing a party state in the country and that the current party was behind MMD wrangles, Mr Kabimba denied the allegations.
Mr Kabimba said he had nothing to do with wrangles in the MMD and he did not feel sorry for the former ruling party.
“If we do get into a one party system in Zambia, It won’t be by design by us as PF but by default. Don’t we were in the opposition and we had our own wrangles.
In 2007, we expelled from PF 16 ‘rebel’ Members of Parliament (MPs) out of 43 MPs we had because this group went against the decision of the party,” he said.
On the appointment of opposition MPs, Mr Kabimba said the appointment was under the PF policy of inclusive Government and not to weaken the opposition.
“We have also extended an olive branch to UPND MPs to run an inclusive Government and we are waiting for them to take a step,” he said.
On allegations of presidential ambitions, Mr Kabimba said there was nobody who had told him that he or anyone in the party had presidential ambitions.
“I also hear all these allegations about these false ambitions that I would like to become a president of PF in future.
My ambition lies in any role members of PF will assign me to play,” he said.
Mr Kabimba also declined to comment on his recent letter to Foreign Affairs Minister Given Lubinda saying he was still waiting for Mr Lubinda’s to give his side of the story.
On the Public Order Act, Mr Kabimba said it was not the Minister of Justice to enforce the Act but the police and Minister of Home Affairs.
“Under the Public Order Act, you need to notify the police and give them a seven days notice that you are going to assembly especially where the meeting is political in nature to maintain law and order.
The police must respond to you depending on whether they have enough manpower to handle the gathering,” he said.
Mr Kabimba said he had done a research on the Public Order Act and he discovered that the United Kingdom (UK) had a similar Act which had similar provisions like the ones for Zambia to prevent anarchy.
“There are a lot of emotions coming from the Oasis Forum and other sections of csociety over the Public Order Act.
I also see a lot of sentiments trying to excite and playing to the gallery over these issues. I had a meeting with American Ambassador in my office two days ago and we discussed this same matter,” he said.
Mr Kabimba said he would respect the decision taken but the Oasis Forum but to think that Oasis Forum was the only truth was not correct.
“Truth can be very relative. To think that Oasis Forum is only truth and only people with good interpretation and good judgement of what is happening is not correct. The can misinterpret the law. Let them engage Government.
We are not an arrogant Government and we are not prepared to run these debates in the press but sit down with stakeholders,” he said.
UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema has advised Zambians to prepare for an early general election.
Mr. Hichilema said the increasing power battles in the ruling PF have given the clearest indication yet that Zambia will be heading for an early general election.
“The message to our supporters is let’s go out there and mobilize. These people are fighting because they know something that we don’t know. Zambia will be voting again soon and so let’s prepare,” Mr. Hichilema said.
Mr. Hichilema was speaking Friday afternoon when he featured on a special radio programme on Lusaka’s Joy FM.
“They are fighting because they know they need to position themselves. They have already started campaigning in the rural areas because they know that this country will have another general election before the scheduled time and we need to be ready too.”
Mr. Hichilema stated that the wrangles in the PF are also a confirmation that the PF government is running the country without a plan.
[pullquote]“They are fighting because they know they need to position themselves. They have already started campaigning in the rural areas because they know that this country will have another general election before the scheduled time and we need to be ready too.”[/pullquote]
“Mealie meal prices are sky rocketing but the party in government finds it convenient to cause a bye election. Army worms are terrorizing our poor farmers and the government tells them to use their own little money to buy the pesticides.”
He said the buck for the worsening Mealie meal situation in the country squarely stops on President Michael Sata and Agriculture Minister Emmanuel Chenda.
Mr. Hichilema said Mr. Chenda has no clue on how to address the Mealie meal situation because the man is a well-known poor performer in his public life.
The Executive Committee of Kabwe Warriors Football Club (KWFC) has followed with keen interest the on-going debate about whether the 107 goals scored in the 1972 season by its striker, the peerless Godfrey ‘Ucar’ Chitalu (now deceased) should be recognised as a world record by world football authority FIFA.
To begin with, KWFC, its generous and faithful sponsors Zambia Railways and its fans are delighted that this debate is happening at this time as it coincides with the club’s 50th anniversary of its founding, for which plans are at an advanced stage to celebrate the milestone.
This year also marks 40 years since Godfrey Chitalu scored the 107 goals that have now ignited this very interesting global debate about whether he should now be recognized as the world record holder for the most goals scored in a calendar year.
While there has never been any debate about the legitimacy of Chitalu’s 107 goals in Zambian football, an achievement for which he was duly awarded by the FAZ at the end of the same season, KWFC is grateful to FAZ and the thousands of fans who are now championing the campaign for FIFA to recognise the feat as a world record.
For the record, it is not as though FIFA has been totally unaware of Godfrey Chitalu’s record. In 1982, FIFA did award him, along with other notable international stars, for his contribution to the promotion of the world’s number one sport, at a ceremony held in France.
We are therefore confident that the FAZ, armed with all the statistical evidence needed to press the case for Chitalu’s 107 goals, will do its best to ensure that justice is done.
As a club, KWFC has worked assiduously to safeguard its history and we are happy the Chitalu has now received international recognition whether FIFA accepts the record or not. While Chitalu holds a special place in the hearts of Zambian soccer fans, it is particularly heartening that support for him to be awarded the record for his 107 goals has come from all over the globe.
There is no debate about the fact that there are now a few millions more people out there who now know about him, about Kabwe Warriors and about Zambia than did a week ago.
As part of our club’s programme to celebrate 50 years of existence, the executive has already taken the decision to rename its home ground, Railway Ground, after its record goal scorer, to be known as the Godfrey ‘Ucar’ Chitalu 107 Stadium. Also, a statue of him is to be erected at the stadium and t-shirts bearing Chitalu’s name and ‘107 goals’ are to be printed to help raise funds for the club and for his surviving family, some of whom continue to be avid supporters of KWF.
It is to be appreciated that during the days Chitalu was at the peak of his game, football was not as commercialised as it is today and, like most of his generation, he played for the love of the sport as well as honour for the country. It is amazing that 20 years after his death, his name has potential marketing power and it is only right that this value should accrue to his family and Kabwe Warriors Football Club.
In this regard, KWFC would like to warn that it is aware that a merchandising line bearing the name Chitalu and ‘107’ goals has gone online and that this is in breach of the rights that are currently held by the club and the Chitalu family. Our lawyers in London have been advised to look into the matter.
Zambia’s women’s team celebrate after beating Zimbabwe in the women’s soccer final at Nkoloma stadium.
Zambia boys and women’s football teams have minted Silver and Gold respectively as the curtain came down on the Zone Six Youth Games at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka today.
In the girls event, Zambia beat defending champions Zimbabwe 2-0 to claim their first ever Zone Six Youth Games Gold medal in the event.
A Hellen Mubanga’s brace in the 11th and 16th minutes secured Zambia’s 12 Gold medal of the seven-day regional sports festival.
Meanwhile, the boy’s team squandered an opportunity to get Gold after South Africa rallied from 1-0 down to win 2-1.
Chibuye Mulilo put Zambia ahead in the 7th minute before Fagrie Lakay leveled scores after the break.
Seriba Kabelo coincidentally scored the winner in the 67th minute sealed South Africa’s 67th Gold medal of the games.
Former Committee of Citizens Executive Director Gregory Chifire (right) addresses journalists as Political Consultant John Ziba looks on at Chainama Hotel in Lusaka
Former Committee of Citizens Executive Director Gregory Chifire has alleged that MMD leader Nevers Mumba does not qualify to be Republican President because his Father hails from South Africa.
Addressing a media briefing in Lusaka Sunday morning, Mr. Chifire said he has come across some information that alleges that Dr. Mumba’s Father comes from South Africa.
Mr. Chifire claimed that Dr. Mumba’s Father settled in Chinsali district and married into the Ndalama family that lived in that area.
“This is the story coming from Chinsali. All the villagers know this story and I want the media to go there and verify what the villagers are saying. This man’s Father was from South Africa and maybe that explains his light skin,” Mr. Chifire said.
He said under the current constitution, Dr. Mumba does not quality to be Republican President.
Mr. Chifire has appealed to MMD members to take a keen interest to scrutinize the parentage of Dr. Mumba.
[pullquote]This man’s Father was from South Africa and maybe that explains his light skin,” Mr. Chifire said.[/pullquote]
And Mr. Chifire said MMD will never bounce back into power unless it gets rid of all selfish and stubborn leaders.
“MMD is full of stubborn and deaf people. They don’t listen and somehow am happy that they lost the 2011 elections because most of those people in MMD behaved as if they owned Zambians.”
At the same briefing, MMD founder member and political consultant John Ziba charged that the no amount of rebranding would change people’s perceptions of the MMD.
Mr. Ziba said as far as Zambians are concerned, the MMD is still a corrupt party adding that Dr. Mumba will never take the MMD anywhere.
“I know Dr. Mumba very well. He is not to be trusted especially with issues of finances,” Mr. Ziba said.
And when reached for a comment, MMD leader Dr. Nevers Mumba said he will not respond to the issues raised by the two gentlemen because they have no authority to comment on MMD affairs.
YALI Governance Advisor addresses the Dialogue on Constitution Reform Process at Manda Hill Lodge, 23.08.2012. Also in the picture is a member of the Technical Committee, Dr. Rodger Chongwe and US Embassy Political and Economic Chief, Tim Smith, YALI President, Andrew Ntewewe.
Young African Leaders Initiative’s response to Wynter Kabimba
Dear Hon. Minister,
RE: THREAT OF ARRESTS EMANATING FROM THE CONDUCT OF PROVINCIAL YOUTH DIALOGUE ON THE CONSTITUTION
We are in receipt of your letter dated 12th December 2012 addressed to our Governance Advisor regarding your misgivings on YALI’s position to conduct dialogues on Zambia’s Constitution Reform process and your instructions to the Zambia Police Force Inspector General to potentially arrest anybody from our organization who shall organize or conduct such forum outside the supervision of the Technical Committee.
Our Board has reviewed your correspondence and notes with sadness that you, as learned counsel, are failing to appreciate provisions of the Constitution of Zambia which guarantees fundamental freedoms and rights of citizens to freely assemble, participate in public activities and determine laws that govern their lives without government coercion. You will note that the Provincial Dialogue you referred to is not a parallel workshop on the constitutional making process but one of the many interventions by citizens of this Republic who wish to engage in our country’s Constitutional reform process.
The Technical Committee, which is now working under intense pressure from your office, was informed of the same dialogue and they sent apologies for their inability to attend our dialogue. An invitation was later extended to the Town Clerk in Kasama, the Committee’s District Facilitator who delegated his deputy also mentioned in the Post story.
At this point, we would like to state as follows:
Your threat of “stern action” – be it arrests by the Inspector General of Police who, no doubt, has no autonomy and works at the mercy and convenience of the appointing authority and politicians like you – is unfounded and has no basis in law as YALI is not committing any offense when it decides to hold forums with young leaders on the constitution. We stand ready to defend the rights of fellow citizens and our own rights to engage in the process without any interference from politicians.
The Technical Committee and the Constitution-making process, which will gobble over K110billion, is funded by taxpayers money and resources gifted by the international community. It goes therefore that taxpayers have a constitutional right to engage in this process. There would be no reason at all for this process to continue receiving any support if Government has positioned itself to control how people engage in this process by use of the Technical Committee. YALI will therefore be left without any option but lobby Members of Parliament and the International Community to rethink funding to this fraudulent process whose outcome seems to be already predetermined. Your appointment to that office, we now believe is serving to frustrate the constitutional reform process as your immediate predecessor exhibited political willingness for this process to be people-driven.
Undeterred by your threats, YALI will continue to hold its activities which are legal and we are prepared to use all available legal means to defend the right of our young citizens to participate in this process. Should your directive pose any further threat for young citizens to have a say in the process, we are ready to seek an injunction to restrain the Technical Committee from holding its activities in exclusion of our voices as citizens to contribute towards a people-driven constitution. We may further seek a review of your decision in our courts of law which we feel is arbitrary and made without consultations with stakeholders.
Finally, Hon. Minister, there is need for you to make a clear distinction in the manner in which you want to run Party affairs from your public responsibilities in that honorable office of Minister of Justice. It is, however, in our country’s best interest that you restrain yourself, put Zambia first and be impartial in discharging your duties and serve all our peoples. It will not help any Zambian to have a popularly, legitimately and democratically elected Government practice dictatorial tendencies and unleash our men and women in uniform on citizens who exercise their democratic right.
We hope you are satisfied with our response.
Yours faithfully
YOUNG AFRICAN LEADERS INITIATIVE
Andrew Ntewewe
President
cc: His Excellency, the President
Mr. Michael C. Sata
Republic of Zambia
State House, Lusaka
cc: The President
Law Association of Zambia
Lusaka
cc: Chairman
Technical Committee Drafting the Zambian Constitution
cc: Inspector General of Police
Zambia Police Force Headquarters
Lusaka
cc: Attorney General, Ministry of Justice, Republic of Zambia
cc: United Nations Human Rights Commission
cc: Ambassadors/High Commissioner
Diplomatic Missions Accredited to Zambia
Lusaka
