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Christopher Katongo is the last man standing from Zambia for the 2012 African Footballer of the Year award.
The striker from China club Henan Jianye will battle with eight West Africans and one North African for this year’s honours.
Katongo is vying for the CAF Player award against the Ivorian trio Arsenal striker Gervinho, Didier Drogba including reigning CAF Player of the year award holder Yaya Toure.
Cameroon midfielder Alex Song, Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Ghana’s Andre Ayew, Nigerian midfielder Mikel Obi and Moroccan Younes Belhanda complete the shortlist.
And on the African-based Player of the Year Award, the TP Mazembe duo of Rainford Kalaba and Stophilla Sunzu will battle with three other contenders for that accolade.
The legendary Mohamed Aboutreika of Egypt, Tunisian Yousse Msakni and his Cameroonian club mate at Esperance Yannick N’Djeng are all vying for the continental prize.
Power Dynamos on Sunday bumped Zanaco from the top of the table after winning their penultimate Faz Super Division game at home against Napsa Stars in Kitwe.
The 2011 Faz Super Division champions beat Napsa 2-1 at Arthur Davies Stadium to close the two-point gap between themselves and Zanaco and move to the top on 59 and 58 points respectively after 29 matches played.
All three goals came in the opening 35 minutes of the first half with Power midfielder Emmanuel Chimpinde putting Power ahead in the 23rd minute before Simon Bwalya made it 2-0 in the 35th minute.
Napsa scored their consolation goal of the game in the 43rd minute through Mike Silayvwe.
Power now have a another date with destiny in Lusaka this time with Red Arrows on November 10 in a match they need to win to retain the title for a second successive season.
In 2011, Power also clinched the title in Lusaka last year on the penultimate day of the season with a 1-0 win over Zanaco at Sunset Stadium.
Zambian Musician Albert Silwimba, 37, popularly known as Alubusu, died on the spot in an accident which happened on Mongu – Kalabo road.
The accident happened between 23 00 hours yesterday and today 03 00 hours at Miulwe area 35 kilometers from Mongu Town.
He was driving a motor vehicle BMW registration number ALE 8235 Silver in color.
The deceased was found trapped in the wreckage of the vehicle and officers with the help of members of the public used axes to break the metal to retrieve the body.
The accident happened due to excessive speed when the driver lost control of the motor vehicle after failing to negotiate a curve and careered off the road and overturned 100 meters from the tarmac road after hitting into several trees in the bush resting on one big tree which also fell.
The body is lying in Lewanika General Hospital mortuary.
He will remembered for his contribution to Zambian music and his hit songs such as “Bwela Panyumba”
Green Buffaloes on Saturday recorded their first win in five weeks after beating Konkola Mine Police 2-0 away in the Faz Super Division match played at Konkola Stadium in Chililabombwe.
This result is expected to be a relief to Buffaloes who last won on October 6 when they beat now demoted Indeni 1-0 at home.
Buffaloes captain Dennis Banda scored from a long range free kick after 56 minutes while second half substitute Michael Bulaya scored the clincher two minutes later as Buffaloes silenced Mine Police in the border town.
The main highlight of the first half came in the 38th minute when Mufulira referee Benard Chabala disallowed Buffaloes’ goal by striker Sirak Musebo.
Chabala ruled that Musebo had fouled Mine Police keeper Evans”Nkalamu” Chewe before tapping in a shot.
The two teams went into the half time break 0-0 thanks to Chewe made some outstanding saves to prevented Buffaloes in the first 45 minutes.
Buffaloes have increased their tally to 42 points while Mine Police are sitting on 35 points.
The President made Mr Masumba to kneel before hundreds of people who turned out for the rally at Matushi grounds to ask for their votes.
By Rev Kapya Kaoma
“We fought for Independence, we achieved Independence. But Independence is empty if it doesn’t deliver. If the ordinary people are not eating well, ordinary people are not getting employment, ordinary people can’t have health facilities, ordinary people can’t get education facilities, then that Independence is hollow.”
These were the words of the late visionary politician Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe – Zambia’s first vice President after parting with Kenneth Kaunda’s United National Independence Party (UNIP) to form United Progressive Party in 1971. Kapwepwe’s attempt to democratically dislodge Kaunda from power attracted the wrath of UNIP cadres – who sadistically harassed and threw rotten vegetables at him. Soon thereafter, UNIP cadres opted for one-party rule. In 1980, Kapwepwe died a disappointed person. Yet his prophetic words are true today as they were in the early 1970s.
Since then, only political cadres connected to power holders have enjoyed the fruits of independence. For ordinary people, independence is awfully meaningless. After 27 years in power, UNIP left millions of people in indescribable poverty. As for the Movement for Multi-party Democracy’s 20 year reign, millions of people lost jobs while politicians robbed the nation millions of dollars. No wonder Sata’s Patriotic Front rekindled our hopes in 2011. But so far, signs are that only cadres are getting more money in their pockets. Day after day, our children are going to bed without food and dying from curable diseases. Our towns have no safe drinking water and sanitation is at its worst. Hospitals have no drugs and colleges have no text books; yet politicians’ salaries are increased. Worse still, our country is failing to create good paying jobs for its citizens while neo-colonial “investors” abuse us at will. [pullquote]It is ironic that on October 24, 1964, we rejected British repressive rule but adopted the very laws and tactics colonialist employed on us.[/pullquote]
Unfortunately, Zambia seems to follow the law of nature – the older our nation grows, the more things deteriorate. At 48 years, Zambia has lost all her vitality. After 48 years of independence, the country can’t even perform basic DNA tests; later on provide quality health services in the nation. The best we have done is develop two distinct health care systems; one for the rich and another for the commoner. While commoners attend workforce and technologically starved government clinics and hospitals, the rich and well-connected cadres attend private hospitals. Should these hospitals fail to meet their needs, they are transferred to government funded University Teaching Hospital’s (UTH) “high-costs” or “fee paying sections.” If UTH fails to address their ailment, they are airlifted to South Africa for specialist treatment on public funds.
Who can blame those who celebrated Zambia’s birth in 1964 for looking back at the romantic era of colonialism? “Gone are the days,” they mumble, “when we ate three meals and received proper medical care.” Rather than celebrating black-rule, they are now missing the days when a white man ruled Africa – nurturing the myth that only a muzungu can develop our nation. Is this what freedom fighters envisioned when they risked all for our nation – a country where people will be haunted by perpetual poverty?Patients sleeping on the floor at a ward in UTH
Don’t get me wrong. I am not endorsing the boycott of independence celebrations. Opposition leaders’ refusal to attend this year’s independence celebrations was an insult to those who sacrificed for mother Zambia. October 24 is a sacred event that ought to propel us into pursuing national ideals. So for Nevers Mumba and Hakainde Hichilema to politicize such an important event is immaturity at its best! That said, “What is independence without economic empowerment?”
I fully understand the role international factors play in economic development. However, Zambia’s underdevelopment is mainly our own making. When it comes to addressing poverty, our leaders are not serious. Today, our economy is worse than the one that existed in 1960s. The political atmosphere is not better than colonial rule. Freedom of expression and association are still luxuries in our great nation. Our social services are the most awful – ranking 28th among the world’s poorest nations.
Each government has promised to fight Zambia’s poverty and underdevelopment. No sooner than the people demanded their due share of the nation’s fortune than successive governments employed state machinery to bully them into uttermost silence. The police, anti-corruption commission, the army and courts – structures meant to promote good governance have promoted bad governance instead. They have allowed cadres to exist without the fear of the law. Criminals who stole millions of dollars are constantly reappointed to political office while poor people are incarcerated for expressing their views on matters of governance. The recent love affair between the PF and the Public Order Act is nothing new to Zambian politics. Both UNIP and MMD used this act to terrorize opponents while shielding their corrupt cadres. It is ironic that on October 24, 1964, we rejected British repressive rule but adopted the very laws and tactics colonialist employed on us.[pullquote]One wonders what qualified Vera Chiluba, Dora Siliya and now GBM and Kambwili to hold ministerial positions. The same can be said about countless ministers, deputy ministers, permanent secretaries and worse still those who sit in our embassies across the globe. Under the cadre political syndrome, unwavering loyalty and not job performance secures one’s position. Everything the “big” man says passes without question.[/pullquote]
As a consequence, we have a cadre driven government – the situation that has led to what I term, “a cadre political syndrome.” Shouting party slogans “the loudest” qualifies one to cabinet position – offices meant to formulate and direct policies. One wonders what qualified Vera Chiluba, Dora Siliya and now GBM and Kambwili to hold ministerial positions. The same can be said about countless ministers, deputy ministers, permanent secretaries and worse still those who sit in our embassies across the globe. Under the cadre political syndrome, unwavering loyalty and not job performance secures one’s position. Everything the “big” man says passes without question. It is this problem that has led to constant reshuffles and mismanagement of national resources in our 48 year history. Cadres with a sense of dignity to respectfully disagree with the appointing authorities are usually fired without notice. Yet those who sing praises to the president and misdirect policies at various levels of government simply recycled to other ministries.
But this syndrome is not limited to PF. Those who follow Zambian politics know that Nevers and HH are equally supreme rulers or dictators, whose rulings are final. As party presidents, they dictate who contests elections and remote control their MPs in parliament. To be a democratically elected MP is to dance to the tune of the party president – independent thinking is downright disobedience. Be it PF, MMD and United Party for National Development, opposing the party president warrants expulsion from the party and ultimately losing elected office.
Sadly, the cadre political syndrome perpetuates poverty and underdevelopment. One can forgive UNIP for appointing so many cadres to public office. Many Zambians were illiterate and very few understood democracy; later on how the Western economic systems worked. In 1964, we only had 100 university graduates and approximately 1200 School Certificates holders. Today, things have changed. Independent thinkers abound. They are the ones who should head the courts, anti-corruption commission and all sectors of the economy.
Regrettably, such thinkers are dismissed on the basis that they were not among those who shouted party slogans “the loudest” when the party was in opposition. At 48, it is time we got rid of the cadre political syndrome and made independence meaningful for all. Let us visualize the dreams of freedom fighters for mother Zambia. “Like our noble eagle,” let us focus on making all Zambians proud and free.
FILE: President Sata greets Dr Kaunda with Dr Guy Scott, FDD president Edith Nawakwi and Felix Mutati looking on.
The Non-Governmental Organization Coordination Council (NGOCC) says it is shocked by the appointment of FDD leader Edith Nawakwi by President Michael Sata to oversee the bio-fuel investment project in the country.
NGOCC board Chairperson Beatrice Grillo says Ms. Nawakwi owes the women movement a comprehensive explanation on her position on the presidential appointment.
Mrs. Grillo says the women movement is aware of the fact that there is nothing wrong with the opposition working closely with the government of the day but states that what is of major concern with regards this appointment is the level at which these politicians work together.
Speaking to QFM News in an interview, Mrs. Grillo adds that appointments are welcome as long as they do not affect the ability of the opposition to provide the necessary checks and balances to government.
She states that Ms. Nawakwi’s appointment will definitely put her in a very awkward position seeing that she is the top leader of a political party who is expected to provide leadership to the party.
Mrs. Grillo says the women movement is looking forward to having a discussion with the FDD leader to really get a clear understanding of the matter.
The NGOCC board chairperson states that if the FDD leader has truly aligned herself to the ruling Patriotic Front, it will be a blow to the women movement, which she says is trying to advocate for women participation in politics.
ZESCO says it is still investigating the origin of the fire that gutted eight (8) apartments at Kabwe’s Railways Quarters compound.
The power utility company has however, denied allegations that the fire started from the prepaid meters, saying there was no faulty prepaid meter that was installed in any of the apartments.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS this afternoon, ZESCO Principle Engineer for Kabwe Branch, Bright Mwaipopo said before the incident, the company had never received any verbal or written complaint from the victims indicating that the prepaid meters were faulty.
He said while the company sympathizes with the fire victims on their loss, it also regrets the fact that the victims have decided to put the blame on the prepaid meters even when there is no authentic proof that the fire came from the meters.
He added that preliminary investigations done so far have proved that there was no one in the apartments at the time of the incident and since the entire household property has been engulfed, it is difficult to tell where the fire really came from.
Mr Mwaipopo however, said investigations on the matter are still underway and management will submit a conclusive report to the company headquarters for further scrutiny.
He further advised Kabwe residents to report any notable faults promptly to avoid such incidences in future and also assured the communities where the prepaid meters have been installed that there is no need for alarm as the meters are genuine and safe.
And Kabwe District Commissioner Patrick Chishala said he will lobby for support from the Kabwe business community and other well-wishers in order to assist the fire victims.
Mr Chishala who sympathised with the victims however, urged them to learn from their experiences and move on with their lives even as the matter is being investigated.
Meanwhile, the fire victims are adamant that the fire that destroyed their apartments and damaged their household property came from the prepaid meters.
They alleged that ever since the meters were installed, they have been faulty and they had to this effect, reported to ZESCO on several occasions but that no action was taken by the power company.
The victims who are currently being accommodated by friends and relatives are demanding compensation and one of the victims Christance Chikota insisted that she had been to ZESCO on severally but she received no assistance from the company staff.
On Wednesday, a fire has burnt a block of quarters consisting of eight (8) apartments at Kabwe’s Railways Quarters compound, leaving 11 families homeless.
Three people in Serenje today narrowly escaped death when the newly won Toyota corolla car they were travelling in careered off the road and overturned along the great north road at Chikubula area 46 kilometres from Serenje.
The new corolla was recently won by Mr Emmanuel Bwembya of Mulenga Hills in Kasama who was also in the car driven by his nephew at the time of the accident.
ZANIS reports that three of the other passengers identified as Happy Simbeye, Brain Mwamba 32 and Melvis Kafwancha 32 of Location compound in Kasama are currently admitted to Serenje district hospital following the accident.
And a medical officer at the district hospital, Dr Richard Kaki told ZANIS that Simbeye sustained serious head injuries while the other two sustained minor injuries.
The accident which involved an unregistered Toyota corolla which was won in the ongoing MTN promotion happened around 10:00 hours at Chikubula area when the driver of the vehicle Prince Chiluba lost control of the car after he failed to negotiate a corner.
Meanwhile, Chiluba 23, of house no 16/16 Bauleni compound who was the driver of the vehicle escaped un hurt and has since been arrested and remanded in police custody.
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“Do not give the devil an opportunity to work.”
(Ephesians 4:27, ISV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
So many people today are living with less than God’s best because they’ve allowed fear to creep in and take root in their lives. Fear is the greatest weapon the enemy uses to try to hold us back. Fear is not from God. Scripture tells us that fear brings torment. It’s designed to paralyze us and keep us from God’s blessings.
The good news is that God is greater than fear. His power in you is greater than any power that comes against you. But, in order to walk in His power, you have to close the door on the enemy. See, the enemy can’t have access to your life unless you open a door and give him access. That’s why we have to be careful about what we watch, what we listen to, what we read, and what we say. When we open ourselves to fear, we give the enemy opportunity.
If you’ve allowed fear to steal from you in any area of life, today you can be free — you can be finished with fear. Conquering the enemy starts by making the choice to close the door on fear by receiving God’s love and meditating on His promises. Receive His truth and speak His truth. Let Him set you free and lead you into victory as you close the door on fear. A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father, I come to You in faith declaring that I am finished with fear. Thank You for giving me a spirit of power, love and a sound mind. Fill me with Your peace and joy today as I worship You and move forward in Your victory in Jesus’ name. Amen.
— Joel & Victoria Osteen
We are ready for Napsa Stars on Sunday says Power Dynamos coach Beston Chambeshi.
Power host Napsa on Sunday at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe in their penultimate match of the season that they need to win to go top of the Faz Super Division table.
Two points separate leaders Zanaco from Power on 58 and 56 points after 29 and 28 matches played respectively.
A win at home on Sunday against Napsa for Power who beat them 2-1 in the first leg meeting in Lusaka on June 17 will enhance their hopes of successful title defence heading into the last league game next weekend.
“For sure it is a tight race we are almost there and on the right track,” Chambeshi said.
“I think it (The title race) will go as far as the last game of the season.
“I think that this game will be a decider we will take it with a serious approach. They beat us in the first game in Lusaka and we have to win that game and it is not about revenge.”
However, Chambeshi has fitness problems for midfielders Kennedy Mudenda who limped off against Green Buffaloes on Thursday and Thomas Nyirenda in the Barclays Cup semifinals on Saturday.
“They will be fit am sure they will recover for Sunday,” Chambeshi said.
Zanaco suffered from a bout of late season jitters in the race for the Faz Super Division title on Saturday after allowing demotion threatened Roan United to draw 2-2 away at Sunset Stadium in Lusaka.
This result kept champions Power Dynamos’ chances of defending the league title alive as they can displace Zanaco from the top provided they beat Napsa Stars in Sunday’s delayed fixture at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe.
Two-goal hero Elson Mkandawire put Zanaco in front after 19 minutes scoring with a shot that was aided by a hand.
Seven minutes later ex-Chipolopolo striker Davies Mwape equalised for Roan tapping in a free kick from close range.
Just after the restart Roan’s Lyson Sikaonga scored what looked like a winner for the struggling Luanshya side.
But Mkandawire headed in an equaliser 20 minutes to full time.
Zanaco now tops the league with 58 points from 29 matches while second placed Power who have play their Week 29 match on Sunday have 56 points.
UPND Chairperson for Women Affairs Namakau Kabwiku has accused the PF of electoral malpractices ahead of the Mufumbwe parliamentary by elections.
Mrs Kabwiku alleged that the PF candidate Steven Masumba has been dishing out gifts to various institutions and individuals in Lalafuta Ward with a view to win votes.
She told journalists in Lalafuta Ward that Mr Masumba bought iron sheets worth K1 million for Lalafuta market and also gave Lalafuta Basic School Head teacher K1 million to buy desks.
Mrs Kabwiku alleged that the former Local Government Deputy Minister also made a donation of K1 million to Lalafuta Evangelical Church of Zambia.
She claims the PF candidate bribed and intimidated UPND Lalafuta Ward Councillor Davan Mukwemba to buy votes in the area.
She charged that the iron sheets were confiscated from the Councillor by UPND and MMD officials and will be handed over to the police because the Electoral Commission and the Conflict Management team were not present in the area.
She claims that the police confirmed the incident.
But when contacted to comment on the matter, Mr Masumba referred all questions to his campaign Manager Jean Kapata saying he will not speak to any media until the elections are over.
Efforts to contact Mrs Kapata failed at press time.
Meanwhile, campaigns ahead the Mufumbwe by elections have intensified with the top two parties poised to win the seat, PF and UPND holding a number of peaceful rallies.
The political atmosphere continues to be stable aided by heavy police presence.
Minister of Defense Geofrey Mwamba has vowed to rally behind President Michael Sata and the Patriotic Front party.
Mr Mwamba pledged to support President Sata all his life and advised Mufumbwe residents to rally and support the president in order have meaningful development.
He said the PF government through the good leadership of President Sata has enabled the people of Muchinga Province have access to clean water, better schools, good roads and hence appealed to people of Mufumbwe to vote for Pf candidate Stephen Masumba as member of parliament for Mufumbwe constituency and district.
Mr Mwamba said he will always belong the PF government and has no intention of leaving and therefore advised people who wish to resign from the PF party to do so while he pledged to remain faithful.
And National Revolution Party President Cosmo Mumba has also pledged to support President Sata in order to bring development to the country.
He said he decided to support president because the people of Zambia voted for him and God chose him as a leader for the people of Zambia.
He further urged the people of Mufumbwe to open their eyes and see that President Sata was the driver of the country and needs the support of every citizen.
The President made Mr Masumba to kneel before hundreds of people who turned out for the rally at Matushi grounds to ask for their votes.
Meanwhile, President Michael Sata has urged the people of Mufumbwe in North Western Province to make wise decisions in elections if they are to see development in their area.
The President noted that power to develop Mufumbwe lies in the votes of the people themselves.
Speaking when he introduced the PF candidate for the Mufumbwe parliamentary by election in Mufumbwe today, the President said government want to use Mr Masumba to implement development in the area.
Mr Sata said the Pf government will develop areas that have Members of Parliament who are in government.
He said the entire province is in the hands of the opposition that is why it is not developed.
Mr Sata said Mr Masumba crossed to the ruling party because he wanted to develop his area which he said cannot be done if he remained in the opposition.
The President said the MMD leader failed the church and his party which he deserted hence cannot make a good leader for the country.
Mr Sata however urged Mr Masumba to be tolerant to all the people even those that are provocative.
He told him to be listening to the people who are his employers.
The President made Mr Masumba to kneel before hundreds of people who turned out for the rally at Matushi grounds to ask for their votes.
And Cosmo Mumba said the opposition do not deserve vote because they frustrate government in parliament.
He asked the people of Mufumbwe to vote for a young MP like Mr Masumba who has the capacity to implement developmental programmes in the area.
The rally was attended by several Cabinet and Deputy Ministers and two Chiefs.
One of the flat burning in Kabwe. Residents almost beat up men from the fire department for arriving at the scene without water
Government has disclosed that it will deliver a comprehensive statement following the rising cases of fire incidents across the country.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS yesterday, Local Government and Housing Minister Emerine Kabanshi stated that she has since asked officers in her ministry to prepare a report regarding matters and all concerns on how to deal with eventualities of fire accidents.
Ms Kabanshi noted that as government it remains committed to addressing any possible occurrences of fire disasters in the country.
She however said that government is not sitting idle on various issues which the country is encountering adding that it is for this reason that government is taking such reports with the most urgent attention they deserve.
Ms Kabanshi however implored Zambians to stay calm as government works out modalities on the matter pertaining to fire cases.
The country has of late recorded a number of fire cases sweeping through some buildings among them being the Luanshya Railways Building, a Timber Manufacturing company on the Copperbelt and a Block at the Railways Quarters in Kabwe.
Fire me putting out the fire in Kabwe
In Kabwe this week, fire has burnt a block of quarters consisting of eight (08) apartments at Kabwe’s Railways Quarters Compound, leaving 11 families, homeless.
The fire which started at about 16:00 hours yesterday caused damage to household property worth millions of Kwacha.
The fire also gutted some important academic and employment documents belonging to the occupants who cried as they helplessly watched their apartments go down in flames.
[pullquote]Residents have, however, condemned the poor response of the fire crew, which was notified about the incident a few minutes after the fire started but only arrived at the scene an hour later.[/pullquote]
However, no life was lost in the inferno, as everybody rushed out of the apartments, immediately.
The cause of the fire and extent of the damage have not yet been established, although the residents said the fire was as a result of poor electrical wiring and clustering.
Residents have, however, condemned the poor response of the fire crew, which was notified about the incident a few minutes after the fire started but only arrived at the scene an hour later.
And Kabwe District Commission, Patrick Chishala, expressed disappointment over the conduct of fire fighters who did nothing but neglected the community they serve.
Earlier, the fire crew arrived at the scene without water, much to the disappointment of the occupants and upset residents who watched from the streets.
By the time the fire crew came back, the entire block had collapsed and all household property was in ashes.
Meanwhile, there was a near punch up between residents and fire brigade officers as the residents accused the fire fighters of arriving too late to quench the inferno.
Given Lubinda and Press secretary Presidential affairs George Chellah
Foreign Affairs Minister Given Lubinda has appealed to citizenry living in the diaspora and those intending to travel abroad to consider registering with Zambian missions in countries they are travelling to or nations they are living.
Mr Lubinda told journalists in Lusaka yesterday that it was important for his ministry to know whereabouts of Zambians abroad and where those that decided to travel out were residing.
“I should to take advantage of your interview to appeal to my fellow Zambians (that) whenever they are travelling abroad they must make it a duty to inform our representatives in those countries. It is not with the intention of policing what citizens are doing, it’s for the sake of good order.
“It is imperative for us, as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to know where our citizens are and where they are travelling so that in case there is need for us to provide assistance to them, we may do so. It is difficult when our citizens travel abroad and we only hear about them being stranded or them being caught up in trouble,” he said.
Mr Lubinda said the other importance for Zambians travelling to other countries and especially those that chose to reside there to register with Zambian missions in those countries was that it would assist Government to come up with good policies to enable it support those living in the diaspora as well as to cultivate a relationship with them.
And Mr Lubinda said Cabinet approved that Government opens up two missions in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and South Korea in the course of next year.
“No country is an island and that is the reason why the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic and Consulate Relations provides for countries to have embassies and missions in other countries that is for us to enhance the relations amongst nations.
“It is therefore imperative for Zambia to maintain a good number of missions abroad and at the moment Zambia has decided to increase the number of missions and Cabinet approved that two missions be opened during the course of 2013,” he said.
Mr Lubinda explained Government had to that effect sent a team of officers from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Finance, among other relevant Ministries, visited Saudi Arabia and that the team had since presented him with a report on what was required to open a mission in Riyadh.
“Pretty soon I will be seeking the authority of His Excellency (President Michael Sata) for us to move into Riyadh to go and finalise the opening of a mission there.
“The second country where we are to open a mission is South Korea. You might have heard his Excellency, the President, when he was speaking in Korea that he was encouraging the Government of Korea to also consider opening a mission in Zambia,” Mr Lubinda said.
Mr Lubinda observed also that Government was considering either to reopen the mission in Libya which was closed and subsequently returning the property to Zambia last year following the turmoil that had erupted there.
He added that alternatively Government was considering opening a mission elsewhere to replace that which was closed in Libya, but that awaited Cabinet approval.
Mr Lubinda said also that besides the country being represented at ambassadorial and High Commission levels, a team in his Ministry was currently conducting a study to ascertain which countries required the appointment of Honorary Consuls to represent Zambia.
“Once they (team) have finished that exercise, I will be seeking the approval of Cabinet for us to proceed with identifying Honorary Consuls to represent Zambia in those countries where we will not have Ambassadors or High Commissioners,” he said.
