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“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
(Galatians 1:10, NIV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
I read a report from a nurse who takes care of people who are close to death. She asked hundreds of patients in the last twelve weeks of their life what their biggest regret was. The number one regret reported was, “I wish I had been true to who I was and not just lived to meet the expectations of others.”
How many people today are not being true to who God created them to be simply because they are afraid they’re going to disappoint somebody? They’re afraid they may fall out of someone else’s good grace. They worry about not being accepted into a certain group. I say this respectfully, but you cannot live trying to be who your parents want you to be, or who your boss wants you to be, or who your friends want you to be. You’ve got to stay true to who God has called you to be.
Today, make the decision to live life with no regrets. Surrender yourself wholeheartedly to who God created you to be. Let Him mold and shape your character. Let Him order your steps. As you submit your ways to Him, He will shine down on you, and you will live the fulfilled, abundant life He has prepared for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father God, thank You for loving me and accepting me just the way I am. It is my heart’s desire to know You and to be known by You. Help me to live the life You’ve called me to and be faithful to You always in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Ten men Nkana on Saturday thrashed Napsa Stars 3-1 at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe and boosted chances of maintaining their status in the Faz Super Division.
Nkana striker Reynold “Sate Sate” Kampamba scored a brace with the first goal coming in the 44th minute before he converted a 52 minute penalty awarded by Lusaka referee Chiwoyu Sinyangwe.
Mwila Kabwe added the third after 70 minutes before Napsa’s Linos Chalwe converted a 92nd minute penalty for a face-saver after Nkana defender Mathew Bwalya had handled in the box.
Nkana captain Sydney Kalume saw red in the 79th minute for a second bookable offence.
This week 22 match started on a faster note with both teams pushing for early goals that never came.
Harry Milanzi and his opposite number Kampamba wasted the early opportunities for their respective sides.
Nkana avenged the 2-1 loss they suffered in the reverse fixture played in Lusaka.
Nkana have increased their tally to 27 points while Napsa remain on 28 points.
MMD president Nevers Mumba has reiterated that he will not run a party of corrupt individuals.
Dr. Mumba has told Qfm news that it is important for party members to take the corruption crusade seriously as it is aimed at cleansing the former ruling party.
He says his firm stance against any party member convicted of corruption must not be seen to target specific individuals but that it is a fight any well meaning member of the MMD should rally behind.
Dr. Mumba has pointed out that the re branding process of the MMD is progressing well and that come 2016, the ruling party will bounce back to power.
And Dr. Mumba has charged that the MMD in Western Province is still strong and intact, expect for four members who want to join the UPND.
He says reports that the party in Western Province has collapsed following the resignation of Kaoma Central Member of Parliament Austin Liato.
The Bank of Zambia has assured the nation that no bank will close due to the central bank’s decision to hike the minimum capital requirement for banks.
Upon assuming power, the PF government introduced a number of sweeping changes to the banking and financial sector and increased the minimum capital requirements for both local and international banks operating in the country.
Local banks were required to comply with the directive of increasing their basic capital from K12 billion to K104 billion while international banks were required to up their minimum capital to K520 billion.
Some market analysts have said the move has caused panic among banks in Zambia with a few international banks having written to the central bank indicating their difficulties in complying with the December deadline to increase their capital.
But BOZ Deputy Governor Bwalya Ngandu has moved to assure the country that the central bank will not allow any bank to go down.
Dr. Ngandu said the central bank is willing to sit down and dialogue with all the affected banks in order to attain the vision of having an adequately capitalized banking sector.
He stated that having a solid capital base allows banks to increase their risk taking and improves the amount of lending in the economy.
Dr. Ngandu was speaking this morning when he officiated at the official opening of Intermarket Banking Cooperation Soweto Branch in Lusaka.
He commended Intermarket Banking Cooperation for extending banking services to areas such as Soweto Market where he said the real people are found.
Dr. Ngandu however called on banks to lower their interest rates further as a way of encouraging the public to open accounts and borrow for productive purposes.
He said the central bank has observed a gradual reduction in interest rates following the policy changes that the Bank of Zambia introduced early this year.
Dr. Ngandu noted that the reduction of corporate tax for banks from 40% to 35% has helped lower the interest rates but was quick to mention that banks could still do more.
Meanwhile, Intermarket Banking Cooperation Managing Director Robert Nkous revealed that the bank has enjoyed tremendous success since it joined the Afriland First Group in 2008.
Mr. Nkous stated that Intermarket now has over 90 % of its loan book allocated for SME’s in various segments of the economy.
He said Intermarket is also aggressively supporting the government’s rural development programme through rural finance.
Mr. Nkous said the opening of the Soweto branch brings the bank’s total branch network to 7.
He said this follows closely in the opening of the NIPA and Manda Hill branch adding that the bank has sights on opening new branches in Chisokone and Masala markets in Kitwe and Ndola respectively.
The opening of the Soweto branch brings the total number of bank branches in Zambia to 264.
All MMD MP’s from Western Province have dispelled media reports that the party in the province is cracking.
Speaking on behalf of the six MP’s at a news briefing in Lusaka, Mwandi MP Michael Kaingu described the media reports that the party has cracked as malicious.
Some media reports have alleged that the MMD in the province is facing collapse after former Labour Minister Austin Liato was forced out of the party.
The reports indicated that Mr. Liato has now started dismantling some MMD structures and some officials sympathetic to Mr. Liato have since left the former ruling party.
Dr. Kaingu said the truth of the matter is that the MMD in Western Province is still very strong and that all the structures in the province from branches, districts, wards, constituencies and districts to provincial executives are strong and sound.
He said the MMD seed is on fertile ground after the PF government lamentably failed to honour all its campaign promises including the restoration of the Barotse agreement.
Dr. Kaingu said MMD officials at various levels will engage the people of Western province and recruit more members as soon as the rebranding exercise is over.
He said all the MMD MP’s pledge total support to the party and will work closely together with party president Nevers Mumba.
The MP’s that issued the statement include Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane, Prof Geoffrey Lungwangwa, Mr. Mundia Ndalamei,Hon Mutelo and Hon Chiseke.
VICE-PRESIDENT Guy Scott is tomorrow expected in Addis-Ababa to attend the burial of the late Ethiopian Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi.
Zambian Ambassador to Ethiopia Francis Simenda told ZANIS in Addis-Ababa yesterday that Dr Scott and his delegation would arrive in Ethiopia at 07:00hours local time for the burial on the same day.
Mr Simenda said Dr Scott would be received at Bole Airport by ministers Given Lubinda for Foreign Affairs, Sylvia Masebo for Tourism and Arts, and Christopher Yaluma for Transport, Works, Supply and Communications, among others.
He said while Dr Scott would be representing the Zambian Government at the funeral, Mr Lubinda would today sign the book of condolences on behalf of Zambia at the Grand Palace, the residence of the late Premier.
Mr Simenda confirmed that he received a message of condolences from Zambia’s President Michael Sata, which he subsequently delivered to the Government of Ethiopia.
Meanwhile, Mr Simenda said Ethiopia was deeply shocked by the death of Mr Zenawi, who passed away in Brussels on August 20, 2012.
He described Mr Zenawi as a great leader and Pan-Africanist who fought to resolve conflicts in many African countries including Eritrea and Sudan.
He recalled that Mr Zenawi led his country from conflict through democracy to economic boom in his 20 -year rule which all Ethiopians and Africans in general would remember him for.
And a mood of sobriety has enveloped Ethiopia ahead of the burial of Mr Zenawi.
In the capital Addis-Ababa, flags are flying at half mast while radio and television stations are playing solemn music and running programmes related to the success of the country during Mr Zenawi’s rule.
GOVERNMENT has dispatched a reinforcement of soldiers to Luano Valley in Mkushi District to beef up other security wings stationed in the area to hunt for the three fugitive notorious Mailoni brothers who have continued to terrorise residents.
The cold-blood killers – Mika, Fabian and Stephano – have been living in the valley while brutally killing people using spears.
Last week, the three viciously murdered a 43-year-old man who now becomes the 12th victim.
The Mailoni brothers are accused of brutally killing 12 innocent people in cold blood. Their victims include Zambia Flying Doctor Service (ZFDS) chief pilot, Moses Masumba.
The Zambia Police Service deployed its men to the area to hunt down the alleged serial killers after they murdered their first victims in 2009, but this has not yielded positive results so far.
The Mailoni brothers are also said to be responsible for the murder of Chief Chembe’s adviser, Christopher Nyama Champe of Shimpupula Village and Headman Mbalakawe Chipokolo of Shitambeni Village.
In 2010, Government sent over 20 police officers to Luano Valley to beef up security and bring the alleged murderers to book, but to no avail.
The Mailoni brothers are said to be taking advantage of their good knowledge of the vast forest to evade security officers.
The infamous family of killers – led by a man whose real name is Katunda – murdered up to five people in the Mkushi-Serenje area in 2009, using the most primitive manner of bow and arrow, according to the police.
What has been hard to understand is how the brothers have proved difficult to nail even when they are collectively going about with a K50 million bounty on their heads which the Zambia Police Service has staked for information leading to their arrest.
A special paramilitary police task force was dispatched to the area in 2010 and recovered weapons which were used in the murder of Dr Masumba in the same area.
Defence Minister, Geoffrey Mwamba said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that the Government was concerned about the residents who were now living in fear of the notorious killers who had brought despair among the locals.
“We have just sent a reinforcement of troops to Luano Valley and we are very determined to hunt for them and capture them. We shall not rest until we capture them.
“As Government, we are saddened with the continued killings of innocent people at the hands of these brothers and this time we shall not leave any stone unturned but work in all areas to capture them,” Mr Mwamba said.
Recently, Chief Chembe, who presides over Luano Valley, was quoted in the media as being a troubled man as he risked being a chief without people if the Mailoni brothers continued to commit atrocities.
He said operations at three schools in Chembe, Liteta and Chinika and two other community schools had been affected as both pupils and teachers were scared of the notorious killers.
But Mr Mwamba said the defence and other security agencies were on the ground in the valley to continue conducting operations to arrest the suspected murderers.
“Our reinforced troops and other security wings will be there for serious operations to pursue these notorious killers.
“I can assure Luano residents that Government is committed to capturing the suspects,” he said.
Since 2007, the three Mailoni brothers, who were initially four before one retreated, had been on the police wanted list for murder crimes and terrorising the locals in the area.
Mr Mwamba said the dispatched reinforcement of troops would join other security agencies such as the police already stationed in the hilly terrain of Central Province to pursue the killers.
He said the Government was concerned with continued reports of some residents in the valley and surrounding areas who lived in fear and abandoned their fields and homes due to the killers.
The Minister said the combined defence forces would mutually work as a team to strategise and explore effective methods to track down the fugitive and notorious brothers.
[Times of Zambia]
UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema has disputed investment pledges figures announced by government for the first half of 2012.
Mr Hichilema said that government is not being sincere about the recorded increase in investment pledges.
Mr. Hichilema said that lack of clarity by the PF government on its investment policies could not in any way encourage investors to come and invest in the country.
In an interview, the opposition leader further stated that the repossessing of Zamtel from LAP Green Network has also sent a bad signal in to the investor community.
Mr. Hichilema has also accused the Chief government spokesperson Kennedy Sakeni of not being conversant with economic issues describing his statement on the increased investment pledges as mere political rhetoric.
Government on Wednesday disclosed that the country recorded $4.1 billion in investment pledges of the approved projects during the first six months of 2012.
Chief Government Spokesperson Kennedy Sakeni in a statement said the investment pledges are expected to create 18,778 job opportunities for Zambians.
File:Spokesperson for the Constitution making committee Simon Kabanda speaking during a press briefing on the extension of the constitution making period
Public anger is amounting against the work of the Technical Committee Drafting the Constitution after revelations that the committee is paying people appearing on its radio programme K450, 000 each per programme.
The amount is paid as transport refunds for featuring on hour radio programmes.
The radio programmes are part of the sensitization efforts by the Technical Committee Drafting the Constitution.
The Committee recently paid K900, 000 to a member of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) for featuring on two radio programmes to discuss the draft constitution.
But YALI Executive Director Andrew Ntewewe condemned the decision by the Technical Committee to pay such huge allowances for transport.
“This is the worst case of abuse of national resources and we are now demanding that government tabulates how much the Technical Committee is paying for various services,” Ntewewe said.
“This could be a tip of the ice berg, how do they justify the payment of close to K500, 000 to each and every guest appearing on their programmes for a mere one hour?”
Ntewewe demanded that Finance Minister Alex Chikwanda addresses the nation on the funding of the work of the Technical Committee.
“This process lacks transparency and it is therefore likely to fail, it appears some people are now using this process as a cash machine,” he said.
When reached for a comment, Technical Committee Spokesman Simon Kabanda said he could not comment on the revelations but promised to call back when he is furnished with details.
During the NCC process, Mr. Kabanda then as Executive Secretary of the then vocal Citizens Forum refused to accept a K250, 000 transport refund for appearing on a TV programme on ZNBC.
Mr. Kabanda who was a strong critic of the NCC process had said the payment was abuse of national resources because he did not understand how they could pay him K250, 000 when his house was not far from Mass Media, the building that houses ZNBC studios.
Nkana continue battling for survival on Saturday when they face Patrick Phiri’s Napsa Stars in a Faz Super Division Week 22 encounter at Kitwe’s Arthur Davies Stadium.
Phiri returns to Kitwe in the Napsa hat plotting to defeat his former side Nkana.
In the earlier meeting, Napsa beat Nkana 2-1 in Lusaka.
Promoted Napsa has enjoyed a good run since bouncing back to the elite league this season and are 9th on the table with 28 points while struggling Nkana have 24 points from 22 matches.
Nkana coach Zeddy Saileti will line-up a youthful side comprising mainly of under 22 players like, strikers Evans Kangwa and Reynold “Sate Sate” Kampamba while his rival will rely on old-guards Harry Milanzi,Linos Chalwe and Dabwitso Nkhoma among others.
This is the first time Napsa is visiting Kitwe after winning promotion back to the Super Division.
Elsewhere, Nkana’s city rivals Power Dynamos face league leaders Zanaco at Lusaka’s Sunset Stadium.
Zanaco tops the league with 47 points.
FAZ Super Division
Week 22
01/09/2012
Zesco United-Konkola Blades
Indeni-Forest Rangers
Nkana-Napsa Stars
Zanaco-Power Dynamos
Roan United-Red Arrows
Nakambala Leopards-Nchanga Rangers
Konkola Blades-Green Eagles
Green Buffaloes-National Assembly
Zambezi West UPND member of parliament Charles Kakoma (c) with Vice president Dr Guy Scott and Provincial minister Josephine Limata at Likumbi lya Mize traditional ceremony of the Luvale people of Zambezi
UPND Spokesman Charles Kakoma has rubbished assertions by Defence Minister Geoffrey Mwamba that a number of UPND MP’s want to work in the PF government.
Mr. Kakoma told Journalists in Lusaka yesterday evening that Mr. Mwamba’s claims are part of the PF government’s propaganda aimed at weakening the opposition.
“No UPND MP is interested in serving in a party with falling fortunes, this is propaganda used by dictators, even Hitler used the same tactics,” Mr. Kakoma said.
He said the UPND remains united to provide credible checks and balances to the ruling party and are not looking for simple jobs from the PF.
Mr. Kakoma said UPND MP’s recognize their role in a democractic dispensation and would not negate such responsibilities.
“I hear I have also been mentioned in this ficticoius list that GBM is talking about but surprisnly, no one has approached and I don’t know where this is coming from,” he said.
“I have served for three terms as an opposition MP and I have never even dreamt of accepting a position especially in this government which lacks vision.”
Mr. Kakoma has since advised Mr. Mwamba to ensure that the PF delivers on its various promises to the Zambian people.
“What is sad is that, what GBM is claiming does not matter to a person who is hungry in Kanyama, to a person without a job in Matero and I think these are the issues that Zambians want addressed and not who is interested in accepting a job or who is not.”
Government has signed a fuel supply contract worth 500 million U.S dollars with trafigular.
Trafigular will supply petrol and diesel for as period of one year.
Energy Permanent Secretary George Zulu has signed the contract on behalf of government with Trafigular Oil Analyst Letennier Gillaume has signed on behalf of his firm.
Mr ZULU says the country is assured of a steady and continuous supply of fuel.
He has also announced that government will soon conclude contractual processes for the preferred supplier of petroleum feedstock.
Mr Zulu has also disclosed that the MMD government had entered into an agreement to buy crude oil from Nigeria.
He says the MMD government paid for the supply of 92 thousand litres of crude oil which was never delivered.
Mr Zulu has promised to disclose more information on the failed oil deal in due course.
He however, says the PF government is in the process of finalizing a bilateral agreement with the Nigerian government to supply crude oil to Zambia.
The Bank of Zambia has maintained the policy rate at nine per cent for September.
Central Bank Governor Michael Gondwe says the policy rate has been maintained in view of the stable inflation rate which is expected to close the year within the range of 7 per cent.
Dr Gondwe announced the decision at a press briefing in Lusaka on Friday.
And Dr Gondwe says borrowers should use the policy rate as a bargaining chip when negotiating loans with Banks.
He says the policy rate was introduced to bring transparency in the setting of interest rates.
Dr Gondwe says the policy rate has also helped to reduce lending rates to as low as 16 per cent.
