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President Sata with his entourage arrive in South Korea
President Michael Sata has arrived in Seoul, South Korea to begin a four-day working visit.
The President, who is accompanied by the First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba, arrived at Incheon International Airport about 17.35 hours local time (10.35 hours Zambian time) aboard a Korean Airlines commercial plane.
The President was received by the Chief of Protocol for the South Korean government Bae Jae Hyun, Commerce Trade and Industry Minister Bob Sichinga, and Honorary Consul for the South Korean government in Zambia Robinson Zulu.
ZANIS reports that President Sata was accompanied from Japan by Foreign Affairs Minister Given Lubinda, Agriculture and Livestock Minister Emmanuel Chenda, Tourism Minister Sylvia Masebo, Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations George Chellah and Zambia’s Ambassador to Japan, Mwelwa Chibesakunda.
While in Seoul, a tight schedule awaits President Sata as he will attend and give his key note inaugural speech to the Third Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation Forum, and address participants to the high profile Zambia/Korea business forum which has been organised by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
President Sata is the only African Head of State invited to address the prestigious Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation forum which will be attended by about 30 countries represented by their ministers.
The President will also hold high level bilateral talks with his Korean counter-part Lee Myung-Bak and Prime Minister Kim Hwang-Sik at the Blue House, the State House of Korea.
President Sata will also hold separate meetings with key executives of major Korean companies including Samsung electronics before proceeding to attend a dinner and luncheon hosted in his honour.
Meanwhile, the First Lady Dr Christine will visit the Seoul National University hospital, and Baihan Labtech which manufactures medical equipment.
Zambia’s songbird Maureen Lupo Lilanda has expressed happiness that African music is being appreciated in most developed nations such as in the United States of America.
In an interview with ZANIS, Maureen said it was important for Zambians to realise that they have all it takes to put Zambia on the world map if only they set their minds and priorities right.
She encouraged African artists to continue working hard in order to achieve their dreams.
Maureen explained that she has learnt a lot from the just ended Interfusion Music Summit such as how to integrate with artists of different cultures.
She called on Zambian artists to seriously start looking at how to compose music that traces back their roots.
Maureen recounted how she was received with overwhelming support when she stepped on stage and performed the Zambian traditional musical way.
She noted that she never expected the massive support which was accorded to her during the performance at Palm Springs Civic centre in California United States of America.
The female musical sensation expressed confidence that Zambia is on track in its marketing of the arts industry adding that everything is possible to make the best out of the industry.
The interfusion Music Summit which was held from October 4 to 7 at Palm Springs in California USA attracted a number of artists from around the globe.
Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) president Edith Nawakwi says she is not aware that President Michael Sata has intentions of appointing her to the position of Republican Vice President.
Ms Nawakwi said she has met the President on several occasions but at no time did he mention giving her a job in the Patriotic Front (PF) Government.
She said when she featured on the Sunday Interview on the Zambia National Broadcasting Services (ZNBC) Television that it is surprising that such an important office can be given to a citizen in the press.
Media reports especially on an online publication have suggested that President Sata wants to drop Vice President Guy Scott and replace him with the FDD leader.
Ms Nawakwi, however, dispelled the reports saying some people in the country were in the habit of trading rumours as a way of keeping themselves entertained.
She said there is a perception in the country that when one is in the opposition, they must do everything possible to demonstrate that those that are in Government are their enemies.
The FDD president said she does not subscribe to such kind of thinking saying it is the same line of thinking that has robbed the nation of the cost utilisation of ideas.
She said it is time that people changed the perception that when an opposition leader is seen with members of the ruling Government, then they were trying to defect.
And Ms Nawakwi said her party was still intact, and that suggestions that the party’s fortunes had dwindled under her leadership were only a perception.
She claimed that her party was still very strong despite only having one representative in parliament.
Opposition MMD national treasurer Mwansa Mbulakulima has described the 2013 nation budget as an elitist budget.
Mr. Mbulakulima who is also MMD Chembe Member of Parliament says there is nothing tangible in the budget for the poor people of Zambia.
He says it is unfortunate that the PF have completely shifted from addressing the challenges affecting the poor Zambians as promised prior to forming government.
Mr. Mbulakulima says the adjustments that have been made in the 2013 budget such as the removal of duty on carbonated drinks, mineral water, tax, and removal of interest rates on bank savings are all favoring people in the urban areas.
Meanwhile, Southern Province Patriotic Front Political Secretary Brian Hapunda says the PF in the province has received the national budget wholeheartedly describing it as a pro-poor budget which gives hope to the majority poor in the country.
In a statement released to Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) in Lusaka, Mr Hapunda said his party in Southern province is convinced that the 2013 national budget under the PF government is a progressive and pro-poor budget that gives hope to many poor Zambians.
Mr Hapunda said his party in the province is happy to note that the government has prioritised the Agriculture, Education and Social Security sectors as some of the areas the government wants to improve in the 2013 national budget which has seen a favourable increase in funding to the sectors.
The Provincial Political Secretary says it is this approach by the government which gives his party hope and confidence that the 2013 national budget will uplift the living standard of the majority poor people.
Mr Hapunda also said the attentiveness and non passing of running comments by the opposition members of parliament during the presentation of the national budget in the house by the Finance Minister on Friday is a clear testimony that the budget is sober, progressive and well calculated to address many challenges faced by the majority poor Zambians.
Orlando Pirates coach Roger De Sa says Zambian striker Collins Mbesuma is making headway in improving his fitness levels.
De Sa was impressed by Mbesuma’s mobility on Friday during a friendly match that saw Pirates clinching a 2-0 win over Platinum Stars.
Mbesuma scored one of the goals while winger Daine Klate got the other.
“I am happy that a number of players got a run around because this was the aim of the match,” De Sa told KickOff.com.
“One cannot read too much into the result because this was not a League match. Still I am happy that Mbesuma is improving his fitness.
“I have never doubted Mbesuma’s scoring abilities. We are working on improving his fitness and he is making progress. He is showing a lot of commitment and has been doing a lot of work after training,” says De Sa.
“Happy Jele also played and this shows he has made progress in recovering from his injury. However, he is not completely ready for
competitive action but there is an improvement.”
The former Bidvest Wits coach says he is now focusing on making sure Pirates achieve a positive result when the play Black Leopards in the first round of the Telkom Knockout Cup next weekend.
Forest Rangers coach Weston Mumba says his team was unlucky to record a 1-1 draw against Nkana in Saturday’s Faz Super Division match at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe.
Forest captain and central defender Musonda Mambwe scored a first half own goal before his team mate Owen Kaposa came off the substitute bench to equalise five minutes to full time.
In a post-match interview, Mumba said Nkana did not deserve to collect a point from the Week 28 fixture because they didn’t work for after benefitting from an own-goal scored by Mambwe.
He stated that Forest came to Kitwe to complete a double over Nkana having beaten Kalampa 3-1 in the earlier meeting at Dolla Hill in Ndola.
“In today’s game my boys did not play according to my expectations. We scored our own goal but were too confident that we will still beat Nkana but that is football,” he said.
“Our next game is against Nakambala Leopards on Wednesday and for us it is a must win game,” Mumba added.
MMD leader Nevers Mumba (in blue hat) being mobbed at Chawama Market in Solwezi
Management at First Inn in Mufumbwe where MMD President Nevers Mumba is lodging is under pressure to evict the opposition leader under instructions from the PF campaign team in the area.
Dr. Mumba and his campaign team have been accommodated at First Inn since arriving in Mufumbwe on Tuesday but are now facing eviction after the PF instructed management at the Lodge to evict them.
Lodge management confirmed that the PF threatened to mobilize hundreds of youths to forcefully evict Dr. Mumba and his team.
The unruly PF youths were blocked from getting near the Lodge after the police were called in to rescue the situation.
MMD Youth National Secretary Tobias Kafumukache accused the PF of creating an artificial shortage of accommodation in Mufumbwe in order to frustrate the MMD campaign which has gained momentum.
“What is happening here is that they are so scared of Dr. Mumba’s presence in the area and they have started intimating our supporters. At this stage, violence is imminent and we want to the police to remain vigilant,” Mr. Kafumukache said.
“Here at First Inn, they told management to send us out, we went to Bert Mushala’s Eclipse Lodge within the same area and management there also told us that they have received instruction to not allow anyone who is not PF to book a room,” he said.
Mr. Kafumukache said the unruly PF youths who have been transported mostly from the Copperbelt are bent on causing confusion.
“We have resolved that we are not going to check out our President (Dr. Mumba) from First Inn, these are just attempts to frustrate our campaigns because they have realized that they are losing Mufumbwe,” Mr. Kafumukache said.
Chiefs and Traditional Affairs Minister Professor Nkandu Luo has described as baseless, news reports that she will soon quit politics to take up a lucrative job with the United Nations.
Professor Luo who is also Munali PF MP said in an interview that she has no intentions of resigning her from government adding that such reports are concocted lies.
“Let me state that President Michael Sata is the one who appointed me to serve in his government and naturally he will be the first to be informed if at all there are such things,” Prof Luo said.
“I will continue serving the people of Munali until the five year mandate given to me elapses.”
She added, “It is really sad that Zambia is now becoming a country that thrives on lies, we lie every day and it is becoming normal. This story about me leaving government is another lie.”
Professor Luo cautioned the public to dismiss such reports with the highest levels of contempt it deserves.
President Sata meets Michijiro Kikawa Hitachi Chairman
President Michael Sata is expected to arrive in Seoul, South Korea today 15th October 2012 to attend two separate high level meetings hosted by the Korean government.
President Sata will attend the third Korea-African Economic Co-operation (KOAFECO) Forum from 16th to 18th October at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, and also the Zambia-Korea business forum which will run on the sidelines of the co-operation forum.
The Korea-Africa Economic Co-operation forum is a brainchild of former Korean President Roh Moo-Lyin launched in 2006 and is held once every three years focusing discussions on global security, development cooperation, trade and investment.
In attendance at the KOAFECO forum which is co-hosted by the African Union (AU) will be some selected African Heads of States and Government.
President Sata who is currently on an official visit to Japan, is expected to arrive at Incheon International airport in Seoul at 10.15 hours Zambian time to start a four-day working visit.
President Sata will attend and give a key note inaugural address to the third Korea-Africa Economic Co-operation forum scheduled 17th October at the Seoul Grand Hyatt hotel, and thereafter address the Korea/Zambia business forum.
The President will start his working visit on Tuesday with a tour of the KT Olleh square housing various Information Technology companies with a view to woe some of them to consider transferring their technology to Zambia by setting up manufacturing plants and create job opportunities.
Later in the day on Tuesday , President Sata, who will be accompanied by the First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba and senior government officials will be the guest of honour at the Korea/Zambia business seminar hosted by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the prestigious Shilla hotel in Seoul.
President Sata will use the business forum which will be attended by influential Korean business houses including electronic giants Samsung and LG, as part of his continued campaign to sell Zambia as a safe investment destination in Southern Africa focusing on creating job opportunities especially for the unemployed youths.
The participation of private Korean companies in its economy has helped create jobs for millions of citizens and reduced the unemployment rate to below 4 per cent according to latest statistics.
The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry along with four other major Korean business associations will host a luncheon in honour of President Sata and his delegation soon after the seminar before the Head of State proceeds to have a high level meeting with the Executive Director of the world renowned Korean electronic engineering company, Samsung.
Later in the evening, President Sata and the First Lady are expected to attend an official dinner hosted by the Korean President Lee Myung Bak in honour of participants to the third Korea-Africa Economic Co-operation Forum at the Blue House, which is the State House of the Korean President.
On Wednesday, 17th October, President Sata will hold talks with Korean Prime Minister Kim Hwangsik on the sidelines of the third Korea-Africa Economic Co-operation Forum before attending the official opening ceremony at the Seoul Grand Hyatt hotel.
The President will also hold bilateral talks with his Korean counter-part at Cheong wa Dae at the Blue House soon after attending the opening ceremony of the forum before proceeding to attend a luncheon hosted by President Lee and the Korean First lady.
President Sata’s visit to Seoul will be punctuated by visits to some key historical attractions that make South Korea one of the most visited countries in the world. He will be taken on tour of the famous secret garden and thereafter to Samsung Electronics in Suwan region.
Before returning to Zambia on Thursday, the President will visit IS-Dongseo Terrace House Construction site to appreciate how Korea has resolved its housing deficit from which Zambia could learn some lessons that could help tackle her housing problem.
Meanwhile, a tight schedule also awaits the First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba during the working visit to South Korea on the sidelines of President Sata’s programme.
Dr Kaseba is on Tuesday scheduled to visit Baihan Labtech, a leading South Korean company that manufactures medical equipment and the Seoul National University hospital before finally attending a First Lady’s high level meeting and a luncheon.
The Patriotic Front in Mufumbwe district of North Western province have denounced violence and promised to restrain any attempt of violence that may be perpetrated by the opposition political parties participating in the forthcoming by elections.
Both PF candidate for the Mufumbwe seat Steven Masumba and Copperbelt PF Youth Secretary Chanda Kabwe have told ZANIS that their party will adhere to the electoral code of conduct and conduct their campaigns peacefully ahead of the pools.
And Mr Masumba said he has made adequate preparations to retain his seat following the many successful projects he and his PF party have implemented in the area.
Mr Masumba noted that since his election as Member of Parliament for Mufumbwe, he has worked on many developmental projects such as roads, schools and bore holes which he said was enough campaign for people to vote for his.
He also disclosed that his defection to the ruling party was in consultation with the traditional leaders in the area who wanted to work with the government of the day in order to bring development to their areas.
Meanwhile PF Copperbelt Province Youth Secretary who was also in Mufumbwe to drum support for the PF candidate said the PF camp will continue to conduct peaceful campaigns and called on opposition parties to emulate them.
He noted that the constituency cannot afford to witness another violent election after what happened in 2008 where lives were lost hence the need for participating parties to conduct their campaigns peacefully.
Contesting the by-election whose nominations took place on Thursday last week is PF’s Stephen Masumba, Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) candidate Stanford Mulusa, and Stephen Kamwendo of the United Independence Party (UNIP).
The Mufumbwe parliamentary by-election is scheduled to take place on Thursday, November 8, 2012.
Vice Presidents wife Charlotte Scott says Zambians should unite and fight back the cancer disease.
Speaking last evening when she officiated at the Zambia Cancer Society 2nd Annual Relay for Life at the Olympic Youth Development Centre in Lusaka, Dr Scott said it is sad to see children in the cancer wards facing each day that come with much pain and little hope because of the many challenges that the disease comes with.
She said the disease is not the only battle that children and their caregivers have but also the significant impact that affects them socially, emotionally, spiritually and financially.
The Zambia Cancer Society 2nd annual relay for life this year was held under a theme “Get loud against cancer” the relay was organised to raise awareness and funds towards the provision of food, toiletries and also help rehabilitate the water system at the cancer children ward at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH).
Dr Scott said there is need to improve the ward so that the children’s lives can be made a little more comfortable as they undergo treatment a little more bearable.
She said as a medical doctor, she has witnessed much pain and suffering that has compeled her to join in the fight and ensure that the painful memories of children with cancer are taken away by fighting back cancer and protecting children affected by the disease.
She noted that there is also need for organisations to come in and support the Zambia Cancer Society’s mission of improving the quality of life of cancer survivors and their families, adding that because of the prolonged stay at UTH some caregivers run out of finances to purchase basic provisions for themselves and their patients.
She further stated that for the majority of patients, the distance to Lusaka from their home towns means another burden of travel and accommodation, forcing them to abandon their treatment which is normally over several months thereby increasing the chances of re-occurrence and mortality.
Meanwhile Zambia Cancer Society Chairperson Udie Soko said cancer is a disease that needs more encouragement and hope for a patient to survive.
Ms Soko said the Zambia Cancer Society 2ndannual relay for life this year comes at a better time when the world wants to recognise ambassadors in the fight against the disease, adding that survivors of the disease are the best people to tell a story and encourage others faced with it.
She said her organisation has in the recent past held a number of events to raise funds and support for the cancer patients and survivors.
FILE: Mkushi DC Christopher Chibuye(in suit) pleading with angry Farmers at FRA main shed
Farmers in Mkushi district have begun receiving their 2012 maize transaction payments from the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) during the course of last week.
Mkushi District Commissioner Christopher Chibuye confirmed the development in a statement issued whilst gracing the Agro-dealers Seed Fair in Masansa over yesterday.
Mr Chibuye elaborated that Farmers had started receiving payments from FRA through Stanbic and ZANACO Bank branches which are being used as pay points for the exercise.
He said that farmers were being paid from the K1 billion FRA monies at ZANACO, as well as from the K640 million at Stanbic bank.
He further mentioned that he had been reliably informed that the FRA had allocated another K3 billion towards catering for farmers in the district, adding that the money would be deposited at the two selected bank branches in the district.
Mr Chibuye noted that the run up to the FRA payments to farmers had been characterized by various challenges which had raised a lot of apprehension amongst farmers.
He cited the delays in the early part of the marketing season during which the procedures were negatively affected by the shortage of empty grain bags.
The District Commissioner said that during his attempts to address that challenge, he had personally gone to meet highly placed FRA officials until the matter was addressed to some reasonable extent.
Mr Chibuye said there had also been incidences of farmers publicly expressing their anger for delayed payments, saying he is glad that farmers had finally begun getting their money.
The DC disclosed FRA payments to farmers following a query which was prompted by the Chairperson for the newly formed Mkushi Agro- dealers Association (MUKADA) Wilfred Simposya.
During the district’s first ever Agro-dealers Seed Fair in Masansa, Mr Simposya had appealed for the intervention of the District Commissioner to helping speed up FRA payments to farmers.
Mr Simposya said that he felt compelled to make this appeal in view of the business climate for Agro-dealers which he realised could be much healthier if farmers received prompt payments from their transactions with FRA.
File: The failed National constitutional Conference of 2011
The Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) says the church in the country will not rest until Zambia is served with a Constitution that will stand a test of time.
ZEC Secretary General Father Cleophas Lungu says Zambians deserve the best out of the current Constitution making process.
Father Lungu says the church will continue pressing on the technical committee of experts on drafting the Constitution and government to ensure that the process is people driven.
He has however reiterated his fear that the constitution making process risks being manipulated in the absence of a legal framework.
The ZEC Secretary General has since urged Zambians to actively participate in the ongoing Constitution making process.
THE Lusaka Stock Exchange building on Lusaka’s Cairo road yesterday caught fire but quick action by the firemen saved the building from severe damage.
A check revealed that the fire had already been quenched by the fire fighters with the help of the G4 Security firm which has been hired to provide security services.
In an interview, security guards from G4 Security suspected that the fire might have been caused by the short circuit following the unexpected rains that poured in the capital city yesterday for over an hour.
“We just heard sparks coming from the top of the building and when we rushed there, we saw fire destroying the signs of the building and immediately alerted the fire fighters who responded on time,” one of the guards said.
He said the firemen rushed to the building on time but had not fully equipped themselves but managed to quench the fire using fire extinguishers.
President Micheal Sata during the Church Service at Kita1 Joue Catholic Church In Sapporo Japan
President Michael Sata this morning attended mass at the Catholic Cathedral of Sapporo on the island of Hokkaido in Japan.
Hokkaido is a northern Japanese island located over 1000 kilometres from Tokyo.
President Sata was accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Given Lubinda, Agriculture Minister Emmanuel Chenda and Tourism Minister Silvia Masebo.
Others included Zambia Ambassador to Japan, Ng’ona Mwelwa Chibesakunda and other government officials in the presidential delegation.
The president was offered an honorary first seat in the sector reserved for eminent persons.
President Sata said he was happy to find that the Catholic Church has finally penetrated Japan that has been predominantly Buddhism.
He said the penetration of the Catholic Church into Asian nations shows that the church has been growing steadily worldwide.
President Micheal Sata during the Church Service at Kita1 Joue Catholic Church In Sapporo Japan
And Kita 1 Joue Catholic church priest, Father Ken Sleyman, said the cathedral was greatly honoured to host President Sata at the English Sunday mass.
He described President Sata as a model in showing his faith and love for God so publicly and that he has made the Catholic Church to be proud and encouraged in living the catholic faith life in Japan.
Father Sleyman said President Sata is the first president to attend mass at the cathedral of Sapporo since it was established 10 years ago.
Father Sleyman asked God to bless President Sata as he endeavors to bring joy, peace, prosperity and health to all the people of Zambia.
In his sermon, Father Sleyman urged congregants not to allow habits, values and possession to hinder them towards eternal life.
Meanwhile, President Sata is tomorrow expected to wind up his official working visit to Japan.
He is later in the afternoon expected to fly to South Korea.
During his working visit to Japan, President Sata met emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko as well as that country’s Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda.
The president’s visit has culminated into the signing of a US$41.77 million loan agreement with the Japanese government for the financing of the construction of the Kazungula bridge project.
President Micheal Sata Speaking during the Church Service at Kita1 Joue Catholic Church In Sapporo Japan
