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FILE: Steven Masumba is lifted by PF cadres after he resigned from the MMD and as local government deputy minister in Lusaka.
THE Patriotic Front (PF) has adopted former MMD Mufumbwe Member of Parliament (MP) Steven Masumba as its candidate for the parliamentary by-election slated for November 8, 2012.
Highly placed sources who confirmed the development to the Times yesterday said that the party resolved to settle for Mr Masumba as its candidate for next month’s by-election.
This was contrary to earlier media reports which suggested that Mr Masumba had not been adopted by the party in preference to Elliot Kamwendo who was reported to have won the primary elections held in the constituency.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) set November 8, 2012 as the date for the Mufumbwe by-election after the seat was declared vacant by Speaker of the National Assembly, Patrick Matibini.
This followed Mr Masumba’s expulsion from the MMD as Member of Parliament who was punished by his party for accepting a ministerial position in the Patriotic Front (PF) Government.
Mr Masumba lost his legal battle of challenging his expulsion from the MMD but later resigned to rejoin the ruling party.
Lecturers for the University of Zambia School of Medicine at Ridgeway campus back in the early days of the institution
70 medical doctors, who graduated from the University of Zambia based in the United States and Canada, have committed to raise funds for institution.
The doctors yesterday gathered at the Marriott hotel in Washington DC for a reunion as well as to fundraise for their former university.
The students who included those from the first graduating class of UNZA in 1974, former lecturers have pledged to fundraise for the school and provide resources including books, computers and human resource.
Chairperson of the Friends of the University of Zambia (UNZA) Dr. Rukhsana Rahman said the students have over the years been raising funds as individuals and smaller groups but would now like to cast the net wide get many people to invest resources into the university.
“We realize that UNZA Ridgway campus is in need of support and what better way for us to unite and pool resources to help restore the school” Dr. Rahman said.
“The school is in need of journals for the medical students as well as computers and other training tools” she added.
And Charge affairs at the Zambian Embassy in Washington DC, Mr. Ben Kangwa commended the doctors for their interest in supporting UNZA many years after they left the institution.
He urged the friends of UNZA to not only support the institution through financial support but also through visiting lecturer programs, where doctors can give lectures at Zambian medical institutions.
“You could also promote student exchange visits as part of elective courses where students from the U.S are exposed to the methods of medical practice in Zambia” Mr. Kangwa added.
He observed that such programs are usually inhibited by lack of sponsorship but encouraged the doctors to support the initiative.
Mr. Kangwa also called on the friend of UNZA to consider visiting professional medical teams or camps to Zambia with a focus on specific areas of need as identified by the experts on the ground.
The Charge d’ affairs further called for support to research collaboration, tele-medicine development, professional exchange programs, joint medical professional organization and technical support to the Zambian Ministry of Health towards systems and programs service improvement.
“We would like to see a situation where we are able to reverse the trend in the Zambian medical field of “brain drain” to that of “brain gain”, “Mr. Kangwa observed
Meanwhile, the Health Professions Council of Zambia Registrar Dr Mary Zulu says the UNZA school of medicine faces many challenges today as they is need for increased infrastructure, and teaching staff.
Dr Zulu who was a guest speaker at the friend of UNZA reunion revealed that although the school was offering more programs there was shortage on the establishment.
“Out of the 257 lecturers in the establishment, 71 were full time, out of these there only 8 full professors and 3 associate professors leaving the school with a deficit of 186 lecturers.” Dr Zulu said.
She said the school still required increased bed space saying the current space was meant for 571 beds when there were now 1673 students.
Dr Zulu observed that the country had made many strides in introducing more specialized programs including masters programs in science and nursing.
She said the establishment of degree programs at private universities would also help cushion the deficit of medical personal.
The friend of UNZA included Dr. David Levitt, Lecturer at the University of Zambia Medical School, who got a standing ovation for his outstanding service to the school of medicine.
And Dr. Arvind Bhakta who was in the class of 1974 the first graduates at UNZA, said with team work all is possible saying that a few doctors formed a golf fundraising dubbed the ‘Mosi golf fundraiser” that raised monies towards projects in Zambia including UNZA.
Dr BHAKTA said the fundraising gold tournament raised over 10,000 dollars’ worth of books for UNZA.
He added that the tournament was held over 14 year period in various cities including, Florida, Oklahoma, Nashville, Los angles and Toronto, Canada.
The friend of UNZA also observed a minute of silence for the former First lady Mrs. Betty Kaunda who passed away a few weeks ago.
The event was characterized my nostalgic experiences by the doctors who were at the school of medicine in the 1970s through to the 1980s.
Bishop Joe Imakando and Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia president Reverand Pukuta Mwanza (l) confer
THE Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia is calling on Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba and Defence Minister Geoffrey Mwamba to step down following revelations linking the two to alleged corrupt activities.
The Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) confirmed receiving complaints about the alleged corruption by the two ministers and has since launched investigations.
The probe has also been welcomed by the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) as well as the National Energy Sector Allied Workers Union (NESAWU).
EFZ executive director Pukuta Mwanza appealed to President Michael Sata to ask the two ministers to step down to pave way for investigations by the ACC.
Reverend Mwanza who was speaking in Chingola yesterday during a church service, said it was prudent and in the interest of the nation that the two ministers stepped down from their ministerial posts to allow for the investigations.
The clergy said the authorisation by the President to investigate his serving Ministers showed how credible the PF Government wanted to be to the people of Zambia and an indication that there were no sacred cows in the new regime.
“We as the church then are encouraged to support the corruption free Government. This in turn will post development. But the challenge is that the two Minister cannot be investigated fully if they are still serving,” he said.
Rev Mwanza said the President would show commitment if he asked the duo to step down as they should not hold public offices during investigations.
He said the fear was that investigations could be interfered with if the duo were holding on to their offices on account of them holding senior Government offices.
In a separate interview, ZCTU president Leonard Hikaumba said the investigations indicated that no one was above the law.
He said the investigations would end people’s speculations over the corruption allegations against the duo.
“We are looking at the rule of law and what we want to see is that wherever a Government official is alleged to have committed some offence and if there is an issue out of it, they should not be shielded,” Mr Hikaumba said.
He advised the ACC to conduct the investigations thoroughly and professionally, adding that Government should ensure it provided a platform for the probe.
The NESAWU in welcoming the investigations said it had taken keen interest in Mr Mwamba’s case because it had a large membership from ZESCO.
NESAWU general secretary Manson Mutambo said his union would institute independent investigations into the allegations apart from the probe being conducted by ACC to find out how the tender procedure was being handled at the parastatal company.
Mr Mwamba is accused of manipulating ZESCO to award his company and others where he has interest, a one -year contract worth K36.7 billion to supply and deliver nine, 10 and 12 meter -wooden poles.
He said the union was in support of President Sata’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption and would help the Government fight corruption adding that the fight was not just for Government but individual Zambians should also join the fight to rid of the country of the evil vice.
“We are not going to sit idle when ZESCO is being mentioned in corrupt acts. We shall make sure that the company is not involved in corrupt activities,” he said.
Nchanga Rangers assistant coach Elijah “Special” Tana has rued winger Boyd Chanda’s disallowed goal in his side’s 1-1 away draw with Nkana on Saturday.
Kapiri Mposhi referee Jani Sikazwe ruled out Chanda’s 65th minute goal and penalised him for fouling Nkana keeper Brown Nyirenda before scoring.
But Tana said he was disappointed with Sikazwe’s decision in the Faz Super Division week 26 game at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe.
” The way the referee (Sikazwe) disallowed our goal is very very disappointing,” he said.
“I can’t condemn my players they played well.”
The ex-Chipolopolo skipper said Rangers was now putting the draw behind to focus on upcoming games.
” We will go back to the drawing board. All the remaining games in the league are tough but we will make sure we do our best,” Tana said.
Defender Moses Malambi scored for Rangers on the 70th minute mark before midfielder Mwila Kambwe equalised for Kalampa nine minutes later.
The two teams drew 1-1 in the earlier meeting in May.
Power Dynamos and Under-20 midfielder Mukuka “Deco” Mulenga is heading to Johannesburg to join the Zambia camp.
The teenage playmaker was drafted into the senior team ahead of Zambia’s 2013 Africa Cup final leg qualifier against Uganda on October 13 in Kampala.
Mulenga is flying straight from Bamako to join the team where the Zambia Under-20 lost 3-0 to Mali in a 2013 African Youth Championship final leg qualifier on Friday to bow out 5-2 on aggregate.
He is the only new addition to the team in the 24-man side Renard named just days after beating Uganda 1-0 in their Africa Cup qualifier first leg match played in Ndola on September 8.
Meanwhile, three home-based players left Lusaka on Sunday afternoon for the Johannesburg training camp.
Power goalkeeper Joshua Titima, his club mate Thomas Nyirenda and Red Arrows keeper Daniel Munyau are in camp in South Africa.
Also in the travelling party was defender Emmanuel Mbola of Portuguese side FC Porto.
FILE: Chibolya compound women residents gathered at the borehole to find solution to the water problem that has hit Itezhi-Tezhi district
Minister of Local Government and Housing, Emerine Kabanshi, has disclosed that government is increasing allocation of resources to the water supply and sanitation sub-sector in order to reduce poverty and promote development.
Ms. Kabanshi observed that it is a well established fact that hands accumulate germs, which can only be removed by washing hands with water and soap.
She was speaking this evening at the eve of the commemoration of the sanitation week which starts tomorrow, October 8, 2012, and will culminate into the commemoration of Global Hand Washing day on October15.
She noted that the objective of global hand washing day is to promote a global and local culture of washing hands with soap.
Ms Kabanshi reiterated that the 2012 Global Hand Washing day marks the fifth anniversary of Global Hand Washing day, adding that the international community, Zambia inclusive, is celebrating the 5thbirthday of millions of kids around the world this year.
She explained that hand washing with soap can help prevent diarrheal diseases, pneumonia and other diseases that prevent many children from reaching their 5th birthday.
Ms Kabanshi stated that buying a tablet of soap or liquid for hand washing during critical times is cheaper than treating patients, adding that it is a life-saving practice to wash hands with soap every day.
The minister maintained that government is concerned about poor sanitation, health and hygiene practices that have contributed to illnesses and deaths that could be prevented by simple habits such as this one.
She affirmed that it is for this reason that government initiated an integrated national campaign, called make Zambia Clean and Healthy.
Ms Kabanshi said government realizes the need for increased investment in water supply and sanitation infrastructure and services in order to improve the health of the majority of citizens.
She observed that it is only through healthy and productive citizens that Zambia can achieve sustainable development, hence the commitment to promoting sanitation and hygiene behaviour.
The minister urged public places such as restaurants, health centres, schools and markets among others to always have adequate water supply, hand washing facilities, toilets and sanitary necessities like toilet paper and soap.
She said government is aware that issues of cleanliness and hygiene are largely personal matters that should effectively be promoted at individual and family levels, adding that if not adequately addressed, poor personal hygiene has potential of becoming a public health hazard.
Ms Kabanshi urged the local authorities to step up inspection of public places to ensure that they conform to the provisions of the Public Health Act.
She disclosed that during the commemoration week, her ministry, partnering with other line ministries, the NGO-Wash forum, UNICEF and the private sector have lined up several activities such as distributing sanitation, health and hygiene education materials and soap in selected schools around the country.
Ms Kabanshi stated that the lined up activities around the country on global hand washing day have been set to as well remind everyone to “help more children reach their 5th birthday” by building a culture of washing hands with soap.
She advised local authorities and water utility companies countrywide to initiate, co-ordinate and implement activities aimed at promoting sanitation and hygiene, adding that these activities should continue beyond the sanitation week and the global hand washing day commemoration.
The Local Government Minister observed that the rainy season is around the corner and that this is the time there are high cases of waterborne-related diseases, such as cholera, mainly due to poor sanitation and hygiene practices.
She noted that cases of waterborne-related diseases can be curtailed by adhering to basic sanitation and hygiene practices such as boiling drinking water, avoiding buying meat and its products from open markets and streets and, of course, always washing hands with soap.
Ms Kabanshi expressed happiness to the cooperating partners, the private sector, the NGO-Wash Forum, UNICEF and all those who are supporting government’s efforts in improving the lives of fellow Zambians.
Defense Minster Geofrey Mwamba’s Former Campaign Manager in Kasama Central Constituency in the 2011 tripartite elections,Mr Nathan Ilunga, has accused the media of trying to paint GBM as the most corrupt of the two Ministers accused of corruption.
In a statement released to the Mr Illunga said that unlike GBM who is being accused of soliciting for a bribe, Justice Minster Wynter Kabimba is being accused of receiving a kick back , which according to him is worse that what GBM is being accused of.
Below is the full media statement.
PRESS STATEMENT
7TH OCTOBER, 2012
RE: CORRUPTION INVESTIGATIONS AGAINST DEFENCE MINISTER GEOFFREY BWALYA MWAMBA,MP.
I am very disappointed that of the two ministers being probed of allegations of corruption, GBM’s case is being given prominence and portrayed as so serious while that of Wynter Kabimba is played down and only highlighted in a small way inside GBM’s story.
GMB’s company (ARIZONA) which he has left to family members to run now that he is in Government is said to have been registered with the Registrar of Companies in 2003 meaning that it is a well established legal business entity which gas engaged in genuine lucrative transactions in the past.
The other fact is that GBM is not alleged to have solicited or lobbied a contract from the Ministry of Defence where he has direct influence.
In my own understanding and I stand to be corrected here, soliciting and/or lobbying can’t be more grievous in nature than receiving kick-backs which Kabimba is alleged to have been involved in. Therefore shadowing Kabimba’s case and giving prominence to a simple allegation of soliciting or persuading which sounds civil is clear enough to discern what is being schemed against GBM.
Even those calling for resignation are targeting their missiles at GBM alone but I want to say that GBM should not resign because under the circumstances there is no reason for that.
Yesterday on Saturday the 6th October, 2012 a large group of Kasama residents comprising marketers and other citizens staged a peaceful demonstration in solidarity with GMB and urged him to soldier on with his head high since they believe he is not corrupt but a powerful business person.
The demonstration was covered by both the public and private media so that the whole nation knows how the people of Kasama feel about the saga but this has been played down too except for Radio Mano, a community radio station disseminated this information within their catchment area but for other media houses it’s like there is an invisible hand conjuring up tricks so that they continue to reporting negatively about GBM.
Lastly, the same purported invisible hand or group of GBM’s rivals seem so determined to plot his downfall by peddling corruption allegations and set the system against him since they know the man at the helm of the system his Excellency President Michael Chilufya Sata is allergic to the vice.
Don’t’ worry GBM they are just jealousy and fearful of you and if God is for you who are they to tarnish your image and profile which you have toiled form over a substantial period of time to raise to such high levels.
Signed Nathan Ilunga (Mr) Former Campaign Manager for GBM in Kasama Central Constituency (2011 tripartite elections) KASAMA
Government has announced that Indeni petroleum refinery in Ndola on the Copper-belt Province will be shut for 21-days effective from tonight.
Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development Permanent Secretary (PS), George Zulu, says the shut-down effective mid-night October 7th to 28th October is to facilitate routine maintenance repairs.
Mr Zulu assured that nation that as of October 7 (today) there is sufficient stocks to enable Indeni management proceed with the shut-down period without compromising fuel supply.
Mr Zulu explained that the shut-down was planned for 1st October but was postponed for one week to enable adequate stock-piling of fuels.
Mr Zulu said in a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka today that his ministry will continue to import finished products in form of petrol and diesel during the three-week shut-down period.
The PS stated that Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) started supplying jet while other aviation fuels also started beefing up stocks in August, this year, adding that despite the increase in plane traffic and demand for aviation fuels, the aviation fuel will continue to be available in sufficient quantities.
He appealed to the local fuel bulky suppliers and retailers to ensure that all measures are being taken into consideration to avoid disruption in supply.
He warned that government will not take kindly to any entity that neglects to do its part in ensuring that fuel supply continues to be smooth in the whole country.
“As has been in the past l appeal to all fuel bulky suppliers, retailers and consumers to conduct their businesses without any anxiety at all. For any clarifications, I and the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) are there to respond to such if any,” the PS said.
File:Scores of christians from different denominations during the Palm Sunday celebrations at the Supreme Court grounds in Lusaka
By D.Chikwanda
As a citizen of the beloved mother Zambia, I thought its time I also added my voice to the current debate on Christian nation declaration.Before I go any further, let me make it clear that I am not a catholic nether am I a protestant but a Zambian and a son of God.
Why do I have to make this clarity? Well, it’s because I have observed that this debate seems to be a battle between Catholics and Protestants, it’s a battle of supremacy and pride between these two religious groupings.
The declaration of Zambia as a Christian nation was by Fredrick Chiluba who was a protestant and when Sata (a catholic) won the elections he promised to rule this country based on the catholic doctrine. This issue seems to be stretching far beyond a clause in our constitution and I am deeply convinced that they are bigger powers trying to influence this debate: for or against. But as for me, I want to add my voice to this debate as a common Zambian, based on my personal understanding and conviction.
In my submission I want to disagree with those that are against the declaration, especially the arguments that Catholic clergymen have put up so far. Specifically, I want to respond to the article by Fr.Gabriel Mwanamwalye (I must say that am a big fan of his Insights articles) in the post newspaper of 24th September, 2012 dubbed “Christian nation debate: acta non verba.” In this article Fr.Gabriel argues that almost 21 years after the Zambia was declared a Christian nation, as a nation we have nothing to show for it and he also says that faith without works is dead. The clergy further pointed out evil acts currently prevailing in this country such as corruption,poverty, murder, politics without principles and so on. He uses these
as a point of argument against the declaration of Christian nation. It is true that some things that are currently happening in this nation do not reflect Christian values, but is this reason enough to get rid of the declaration? Certainly not! From my understanding the declaration does not mean perfection it’s simply an acceptance as a nation that we believe in the life of Jesus Christ and recognize his supremacy and of course this must be shown in our works as well.
In ancient times Israel was declared a nation of God but that did not mean everyone in Israel was faithful but they accepted God and believed in his powers as a nation. All of us we call ourselves children of God but that does not mean we are perfect, sin will distance us from God but it does not make us cease to be his Children.Truly what is happening in our country is disheartening but instead of us denouncing that declaration we must start striving to live up to Christian standards. The clergy must devote their time towards teaching people to obeys God’s laws and live up to those standard instead of condemning the declaration. Let us also bear in mind that we are living in the last days but that does not mean there are no people who believe or live up to the standards of God. Instead of asking what the declaration has done we must be asking ourselves as churches what we have done to improve the situation in the nation. In other words it’s like the clergy are admitting that we have failed to live up to Christian values therefore let us become liberal.
In my conclusion let me answer the question that Fr. Gabriel raised in his article, the question was “it is almost 21years after Fredrick Chiluba declared our country as a Christian nation, what have we to show for it? The answer is simple: we have peace and love in our nation. 1peter 4:8 says “Above all things have intense love for one another, because love covers multitude of sin.” And John 13:34-35 says “I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another just as I have loved you and by this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among your selves.” I believe as a nation this is what we have done, even visiting tourists have appreciated us for our love which has lead to peace. This has been shown in smooth transition of political power and it can also be seen in our patience towards bad leadership in this country because the bible says ‘love is patient.’
Besides if I may ask what harm has the declaration caused so far?
Fr.Gabriel in his article says faith without works is dead but what we must realize is that there is a difference between a declaration and
faith. Faith in the Bible is describe as a substance of things hoped for; meanwhile a declaration on the other hand means a pronouncement,so as a nation we are simply making a pronouncement that we recognize the supremacy and existence of Jesus and that we believe that he came to earth and died for our sins and it also means that we submit to his teachings and principles but this does not mean that citizens automatically become perfect or angels. Even in churches including Catholics there are people engaging in illicit activities but we can’t say that we should get rid of the church but we strive to
educate members and praying that God can touch their hearts and bring them to repentance.This is what we should be doing as a nation instead of having petty debates on the declaration. Let us pray to God to help us as a Christian Nation to become a nation that will live up to a true meaning of Christianity. Let us pray for our leaders, let us pray for one another and let us pray against all kinds of evil prevailing in this nation.
A practical example of what we have to show for as a Christian nation is the way we responded towards the issues of homosexuality that arose after the visitation of the UN secretary General.Catholic priests included rose up and said we can’t allow such a practice in our country because we are a Christian nation. The declaration is thorn in the flesh of those that want to introduce dirty practices such as homosexuality and as a nation we must guard our nation and the declaration jealously. Well this is my personal view on the matter and I intend to share with many Zambians with hope that they share my views as the drafting of the new constitution progresses.
May the Good lord bless this nation and its citizens.
ZAMBIA under-20 coach Keagan Mumba has bemoaned Zambia failure to qualify to the 2013 Africa youth championships after a 3-0 away loss to Mali despite having a good crop of players.
Speaking after the team was effectively bundled out of the race to Algiers, Mumba apologised to the Zambian fans for the embarrassing manner in which his team were ejected from the Africa Youth qualifying race and said he had affected him negatively.
“I dreamed of the CAF Africa Youth Championships as well as the World Cup, we have won the and are tired of COSAFA Cup. And, despite the quality of players we have in this under-20 team, We are still underachievers.
“Maybe FAZ needs to improve input into preparing the team than just wanting it to qualify to such competitions.
This team never played any high level preparatory matches yet we banked on names on paper. It’s time to go to the drawing board again and again until we do the right thing,” he said.
Mumba team was beaten 3-0 by Mali in Bamako on Friday night, which added to a 2-2 home draw in Kitwe a fortnight ago tom see Mali go through 5-2 on aggregate.
The under-20 failed to play an international friendly in the run up to the home tie after the team was rejected entry into Congo and even after the 2-2 draw, Zambia still did not get to play an international friendly.
He said Zambia played all the football but Mali just got the goals.
He also hailed FAZ for attaching the two senior national team coaches (Herve Renard and Patrice Beaumulle) to his squad as it helped him and his assistants as well as the players to learn something new in football.
He said the coaching bench remained firm on improving football in the country and that together with the two senior national team coaches, the country needed to be focussed on football development.
Zambia has been hoping for a berth at the 2013 Africa Youth championship in Mali where the top four finishers were going to make it to the World Youth Cup to be staged in turkey in 2013.
So far, Zambia only has two under-20 world Cup appearance- the 1999 and the 2007 team with the latter making second round of the competition.
MINISTER of Sport, Youth and Child Development Chishimba Kambwili
Sports Minister, Chishimba Kambwili, has warned of taking stern action against the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) if it hinders development of aquatic sports through exorbitant parking fees.
Mr Kambwili said Zambia’s rich water resources belonged to the people and he would not hesitate to take punitive action against ZAWA in the event that parking fees remained high to discourage people from engaging in aquatic sports such as rowing.
“I do not want to hear that ZAWA is putting up exorbitant parking fees to block development of aquatic sports otherwise, heads will roll,” he said.
Mr Kambwili, who was accompanied by National Director for Sports, Bernard Nakachinda, said this in Livingstone today at the 2012 Regatta held under the theme: ‘Rowing against gender based violence.’
And the minister cautioned organizers of sports events countrywide to have uniform winners’ prizes for men and women as it was unacceptable to have men receiving prizes of higher value than their female counterparts in the same competitions.
Mr Kambwili noted with displeasure that Kazungula Youths scooped a K7 million first prize in the men’s category while Zambezi Boat Club received K5.5 million despite scooping the first prize in the women’s category, indicating a difference of K1.5 million.
“I issued instructions in Ndola three months ago which you might have missed. Therefore, I am challenging organizers to ensure prizes for men and women in competitions are the same,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Kambwili stated that both his ministry and the provincial administration supported the introduction of sports tourism as a program under the department of sports.
He revealed that rowing and angling (fishing competition) were identified as some of the aquatic sports in which Zambia had a comparative advantage to showcase the potential of growing sports tourism ahead of the 20thSession of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) General Assembly to be co-hosted by Zambia and Zimbabwe next year.
“Take advantage of the sports tourism program and work closely with my sports coordinator on sports tourism with the 2013 UNWTO General Assembly in mind,” he said.
Mr Kambwili further said he was challenged to see South Africa reap a gold medal in rowing at the just ended London 2012 Olympic Games and believed Zambia could also perform well given its large quantity of water in the region which provided comparative advantage.
He directed Provincial Sports Coordinators in Northern, Luapula, Western, North Western and Southern Provinces to spearhead the development of rowing and ensure that Zambia would have a formidable team for the Brazil 2016 Olympic Games.
The majority of teams that participated in this year’s Regatta were local, while four teams came from Kazungula district and one team from Western Province.
Kazungula Youths scooped a K7 million first prize in the men’s category while Auto World got the second prize of K5 million. Third and fourth place races failed to take off due to limited time and they were suppose to get K3.5 million and K2.5 million respectively.
It was for this reason that organizers combined the prizes for third and fourth places and split it in half for the deserving teams.
Meanwhile, in the women’s category, Zambezi Boat Club scooped first prize and received K5.5 million while Wapoka came in second and the rest of the competitors got various consolation prizes.
Chizongwe Technical High School in Chipata district in Eastern province last evening pocked US $5,000 after scooping the 2012 Schools Debate Competition.
This was after the Chizongwe debate team beat their opponent, Kasisi Girls’ Secondary School of Lusaka.
Kasisi Girls’ Secondary School came runners-up in the tournament and they were given 100 litres of Decotex paint.
This is according to the live programme beamed at the Pamodzi Hotel in Lusaka on Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) television and monitored by ZANIS in Lusaka.
ZNBC Assistant Public Relations Officer, Mpunga Simukwae, who was the director of programmes, congratulated Chizongwe Technical High School for their splendid performance to win the prize.
“May l take this opportunity to thank the sponsors of this programme and also for making it a success. Great thanks goes to Chizongwe Technical High School for emerging the winner of 2012 Schools debate,” Mrs Simukwae.
Mrs Simukwae further said the competition had attracted a number of players and urged pupils to be pro-active in current affairs programmes in their respective school.
The debate competition was sponsored by Decotex, a local paint manufacturing firm, Exams-Made-Easy and ZNBC.
ZNBC Director General, Chibamba Kanyama, Zambia Information Communication Technology Authority, ZICTA and Decotex officials including the school authorities from the two learning institutions also attended the event and witnessed the prize-giving ceremony.
THE Petroleum Transporters Association of Zambia (PTAZ) is concerned at the high number of foreign trucks that come into Zambia without meeting safety requirements.
PTAZ president Roberto Sabbadin said in Ndola yesterday that there was number of foreign trucks that bring finished products into the country but do not meet the safety requirements.
Mr Sabbadin has also accused the Energy Regulation Body (ERB) and the Road Transport Agency (RTSA) alleging that they had not taken any action against the foreign transporters.
“The foreign trucks bringing in the finished products do not meet Zambian safety requirements and ERB and RTSA are nowhere to be seen. PTAZ is concerned that ERB relaxes safety requirements for foreign trucks but is rigid to Zambia transporters.”
“These double standards favour foreign transporters and disadvantages the domestic companies,” he said.
Meanwhile PTAZ called on the Ministry of Energy to enforce the clause in the contract signed between government and Trafigura to allow for PTAZ members to provide up to 20 percent of the trucks in the transaction to be given to Zambians.
“PTAZ is shocked that Trafigura has ignored to hold any dialogue with the PTAZ to ensure that rates are agreed to allow Zambians transporters to be involved in the transportation of fuel,” he said.
Mr Sabbadin also appealed to government to also increase the 20 percent GRZ fuel transportation to 100 percent.
He said his organisation through its private arrangements and private financing had engaged HCL Chartered Accountants- Global Consult Division a local Accounting Firm to look for structured financing for 700 units of brand new trucks for its members.
“PTAZ is requesting government to support and facilitate this transaction because over 3000 jobs will be created directly and indirectly,” he said.
“The Lord your God will thrust them out from before you and drive them out of your sight, and you shall possess their land, as the Lord your God promised you.”
(Joshua 23:5, AMP)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
We all have giants or obstacles that try to keep us from possessing what God has promised, especially in our dreams. We have two choices: we can quit and live in mediocrity, or we can fight and take hold of the victory.
In the Bible, the children of Israel were camped right next door to their Promised Land. God had already told them He would give them the victory; all they had to do was go in and fight for the land. But, when they heard how big their opponents were, they had such a weak, defeated mentality that they just gave up. Their attitude was, “What’s the use of even trying? We’ll never defeat those people. We might as well just stay out here in the wilderness.” They settled for mediocrity because they weren’t willing to fight.
Friend, don’t let that be you! The battle you have to fight today is in your mind. You have to change your thinking in order to possess God’s promises. Start choosing thoughts of faith and victory. Declare that you are an overcomer. As you stand and fight and win the battle in your mind, you’ll move forward and embrace the promises and dreams that God has for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father, today I come to You believing that You have given me the victory. I will not focus on the obstacles before me; instead, I will focus on You. Help me to stand strong and keep my heart and mind focused on the victory You have in store for me in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Mufulira referee Francis Lombe was forced to abandon Saturday’s Faz Super Division match between Roan United and Power Dynamos at Kafubu Stadium in Luanshya after home supporters rioted few minutes to full time.
Lombe stopped the match when Power were 2-1 up.
Cletus Chota gave Roan a first half lead before Graven Chitalu haunted his former club with an equaliser in the 88th minute.
Two minutes later Power midfielder Simon Bwalya scored the second for the defending champions.
Bwalya’s goal angered the home supporters who became unruly and resorted to throwing stones on the pitch.
The Kafubu faithful are reported to have partially damaged the vehicle belonging to Power vice chairman George Lungu.
Power coach Beston Chambeshi has since claimed victory despite the match ending prematurely.
“We have won the game, we even signed in the results book,” Chambeshi said.
And leaders Zanaco were held to a 1-1 draw by Nakambala Leopards away in Mazabuka while Zesco United lost 2-1 to National Assembly at home.
