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Exclusive interview with Zambian Olympic 800m runner Prince Mumba

Entertainment Editor
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Prince Mumba represented Zambia at the just ended London 2012 Olympics . He participated in the men’s 800 meters event getting a time of 1 min 49.07 sec .

KAPA187:  Who is Prince Mumba?

Prince Mumba: Humble and a person with patience and a person who loves God and track so much that gave up a good paying job to get a chance to train and represent the nation.

KAPA187:    What was your motivation to take up athletics seriously?

Prince Mumba: Patience and love of track and my country.

KAPA187:  Are you doing athletics as a career or do u have other interests ?

Prince Mumba: career although I do other part time jobs to pay my bills and take care of my family.

KAPA187:  What was the qualification process like to get to the Olympics?

Prince Mumba: I trained so hard and tirelessly. Spent lots of money to travel for competitions and also seeing the chiropractor and physiotherapists. Never worked so hard in my life like I did before. I trained the same workout Duane Solomon the 4th place at the Olympics and he ran 1:42. This gave me an idea how I was gonna perform had not been an injury and some little chest pains.

KAPA187:  What do you do to keep in shape during the off season i.e. when not in any competitions

Prince Mumba: I technically have no off season. Coach always gives me two weeks off then start back with an active rest for another two weeks then start preparing for next Season by getting miles, about 100miles per week and also compete in some road races. Then indoor season.

KAPA187:  What are some of your best memory’s from London 2012

Prince Mumba: Watching my friends breaking through. Three of my friends were in the 800m final. The winner broke the WR, Amos broke world junior record and Botswana NR and Duane had a tremendous personal best PR

KAPA187:   Were you satisfied with your performance in the 800m heat?

Prince Mumba: Not at all. But I’m a soldier even though I felt something pulling on my left quads, I continued to run. I’m only satisfied because I was able to compete and represented my beautiful country

KAPA187:  Will you participate in the next Olympics?

Prince Mumba: I don’t know. I take every year at a time. I have the worlds next year which I’m focusing on.

KAPA187:   What does Zambia need to do to start winning medals?

Prince Mumba: Zambia need to invest in athletes and not just criticize. Every country I have been, they treat sports with respect  all kind of athletics. I see many companies involved in sports. Also athletes are scared to fully involved because they don’t know what to do after sports is done.  Anyway, for me I have to get some part time jobs to survive because I don’t get full support for my sports. We need to encourage the athletes by helping them financially so that they can only focus on sports nothing else. I wrote letters to more than 20 companies in Zambia asking for sponsorship, I didn’t get any response from any. If I didn’t love track I would give up.

KAPA187:  What words of encouragement do you have for young up and coming athletes in Zambia?

Prince Mumba: With or without help from anybody, we need to first of all thank God for the talent and keep believing in yourselves. Be disciplined; continue working hard and the answer will come someday.

KAPA187:  What other hobbies do you have, and is there anything your fans will be surprised to know about you.

Prince Mumba:  I play a keyboard and do a little bit of singing. The surprising thing is, I do graphic design. I’m good with photoshop and other graphic design programs

KAPA187:   In 10 years i will be …..

Prince Mumba: I wanna help sport grow in Zambia.


By Kapa187

Cholera cases soar to 90

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Former President Frederick Chiluba’s spokesperson Emmanuel Mwamba
Emmanuel Mwamba

THE number of cholera cases in Mpulungu has soared to 90, with the latest four cases recorded on Saturday evening.

Northern Province permanent secretary Emmanuel Mwamba confirmed the development in an interview yesterday, saying the four are currently being treated and observed.

Mr Mwamba said the cholera outbreak was in the process of being contained in the past three days after 86 people were treated for the waterborne disease and discharged.

He said the situation is under control as government has devised measures to effectively tackle the disease.About 52 cases of cholera were initially reported in the district before the number rose to 69 and 81 by Thursday last week.

He said Government through the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit have continued the distribution of water filters, alongside chlorine for safe drinking water and oral rehydration salts.

Mr Mwamba said government has also continued to run messages on measures to prevent the water borne disease, which can kill within six hours if it is not treated.
“The public messages have continued running and proved to be effective, as people are coming through with diarrhea cases and complications. We are not leaving anything to chance and patients are being placed under observation and treatment,” he said.
He said a comprehensive approach has been devised and that precautionary measures are being undertaken in other cholera-prone areas such as Kaputa and Nakonde.
Mr Mwamba said government is planning to drill boreholes in the long term and construct ventilated improved pit latrines in Mpulungu, Kaputa and Nakonde as an additional long term solution to the cholera epidemic in the areas.
He said communities in these areas are also being encouraged and educated to observe hygienic conditions.

“The cholera outbreak in these areas is largely attributed to poor sanitation and the lack of clean drinking water. Some of these communities are without piped water and they do not have pit latrines. We are encouraging communities to observe hygiene, including proper disposal of rubbish,” Mr Mwamba said.
[Zambia Daily Mail]

Hard times coming, Nevers tells MMD

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Nevers Mumba
Nevers Mumba

OPPOSITION MMD president Nevers Mumba has said the party should brace itself for hard times as some National Executive Committee (NEC) members could leave the party as a result of the rebranding process.

Dr Mumba has also appealed to Zambians to judge the former ruling party on what it would become after its rebranding process which will give it fresh ideas.

He was speaking to journalists in Lusaka yesterday during a traditional marriage ceremony commonly known as ‘Matebeto’ of his first born son, Shuma-El who would marry Chalansi Malama soon.

He said the rebranding of the MMD which would be announced soon would provide the party with new policies free of misdeeds that people labeled against it during its period in power. He said Zambians should expect a new MMD that had responded to the numerous concerns that people raised against it during its rule.

The MMD leader was confident the rebranded MMD would bounce back into power and that people should judge it after its rebranding process which would give it fresh innovations.

He said the committee tasked to rebrand the party was making headways which would facilitate the announcement of the shadow cabinet with new and valuable policies to drive the party forward.

“When people apologise it is important to know that repentance is personal. Once somebody repents there is nothing more and MMD should be judged of what it becomes after its rebrand. I am very confident that the rebranded MMD will bounce back into power.

“Zambians are not interested in repentance but in how MMD will be after its repentance,” Dr Mumba said.

He said the rebranding would offer the party fresh outlook with a cleaner perception free of immense misdeeds that Zambians had labeled against it and that people should judge the performance afterwards.

”The committee is also preparing for the launch of the rebranded MMD party and the anti-corruption committee which I promised that I will announce soon. A shadow cabinet will also be announced,” Dr Mumba said.

He said the recommendations made during recent MMD national retreat exercise would give an impetus of to the rebranding of the party and the recommendations made would positively motivate Zambians.

He said it was not necessary to divulge misdeeds the MMD committed as some were committed during its 20 years in power when the current Head of State was still a senior MMD party official.

“May I appeal to those who want MMD to list their sins to be the first ones to throw the stones because what is important is repentance and this is also what Jesus commanded in the Bible,” he said.

On reports of NEC members contemplating to quit the party on alleged reports of frustrations, Dr Mumba said, it was obvious that the rebranding process had brought new dimensions which could affect others.

[Times of Zambia]

The fourth Memorial service for the Late former President Levy Mwanawasa in Pictures

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1.

Some wreaths before they were laid on Dr Mwanawasa’s tomb at Embasy Park

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The inside of the mausolium where Dr Mwanawasa’s tomb lays

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People arriving for Dr Mwanawasa’s memorial at Embassy Park in Lusaka

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UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema with his officials before the laying of wreaths on Dr Mwanawasa’s tomb at Embassy Park

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Former president Kenneth Kaunda arrives for Dr Mwanawasa’s memorial

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Former president Kenneth Kaunda arrives for Dr Mwanawasa’s memorial.

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Former president Kenneth Kaunda greets people at Dr Mwanawasa’s memorial ceremony in Lusaka

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Dr Kaunda following proceedings during Dr Mwanawasa’s memorial ceremony in Lusaka

9.

Mrs Maureen Mwanawasa interacts with people during Dr Mwanawasa’s memorial event

10.

Mys Regina Chiluba and former ZNBC personality Doreen Mukanzo confer. Mukanzo is also the former press attache at the Zambian Embassy in South Africa.

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Dr Kaunda greets former State House economic advisor Dr Moses Banda

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Dr Kaunda with former State House economic advisor Dr Moses Banda

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Dr Kaunda with UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema during Dr Mwanawasa’s memorial ceremony

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MMD member only identified as Chapota in prayer during Dr Mwanawasa’s fourth memorial ceremony

15.

Guests in prayer at Dr Mwanawasa’s fourth memorial ceremony

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Heritage Party president Godfrey Miyanda and his counterpart from the UPND Hakainde Hichilema confer

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Former First Lady Mrs Maureen Mwanawasa lays a wreath on Dr Mwanawasa’s tomb.

18.

Former First Lady Mrs Maureen Mwanawasa lays a wreath on Dr Mwanawasa’s tomb

19.

Dr Mwanawasa’s relatives about to lay wreaths on his tomb

20.

Dr Mwanawasa’s relatives lay wreaths on his tomb

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The Late Dr Chiluba’s wife, Regina lays a wreath on Dr Mwanawasa’s tomb

22.

Dr Mwanawasa’s relatives about to lay wreaths on his tomb.

23.

Evangelical fellowship of Zambia executive director Pukuta Mwanza lays a wreath on Dr Mwanawasa’s tomb

24.

Former president Rupiah Banda’s representative Mikatazo Wakumelo lays a wreath on Dr Mwanawasa’s tomb

25.

Former Zambia Army Commander Isaac Chisuzi about to lay a wreath on Dr Mwanawasa’s tomb

26.

Heritage Party president Godfrey Miyanda lays a wreath on Dr Mwanawasa’s tomb

27.

UPND president Hakainde Hichilema lays a wreath on Dr Mwanawasa’s tomb

28.

UPND president Hakainde Hichilema poses for a moment after laying a wreath on Dr Mwanawasa’s tomb

29.

From left to right…Former State House economic advisor Dr Moses Banda, Dr Kenneth Kaunda and UPND leader confer

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Form left to right…Dr Kenneth Kaunda, UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema and Heritage Party president Geodfrey Miyanda

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Former Ernegy deputy Minister Friday Malwa poses for a photograph with Dr Kaunda

32.

Former Zambia Army Commander Isaac Chisuzi (l) and former Energy Minister Friday Malwa confer

33.

The Baptist Church choir during Dr Levy Mwanawasa’s fourth memorial ceremony in Lusaka

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Some people entering the burial place for late President Levy Mwanawasa at Embassy Park in Lusaka

Blind grandfather accidentally kills baby

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A baby from Sesheke’s Njoko Kachola area was last week accidentally hacked to death by the grandfather who is believed to be blind.

The baby aged one year six months was axed in the head on Wednesday around 17:00 hours by her grandfather who was chopping firewood.

Police assistant spokesperson Esther Katongo confirmed the death of the baby in Lusaka yesterday in a statement.

Ms Katongo said the mother of the baby left it under the care of two girls who later took advantage of the presence of the grandfather and concentrated on playing.

“The baby later crawled to where the grandfather was cutting a piece of fire wood and was hacked in the head with an axe sustaining a deep cut and died,” she said.

The grandfather was named as Fanwell Kamamba Sabwendo 49, of Mwiinga Village, Chief Imalende in Sesheke District.

Sabwendo was now in police custody charged with murder while the body of the toddler was in Yeta District Hospital mortuary.

In another development, police have picked up Frankson Mtonga 22, of Mandevu Township for allegedly murdering his elder brother Shadreck Mtonga after a drinking spree.

The murder happened on Saturday around 22: 30 hours in Mandevu.

“The suspect who was coming from a drinking spree is alleged to have pushed the deceased to the ground and later hit him with a pan brick in the head after he delayed in opening the door for him,” Ms Katongo said.

The victim sustained serious injuries and died on the way to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) while the suspect was detained in police custody facing a charge of murder contrary to the laws of Zambia.

[Times of Zambia]

Don’t take people for granted PF government advised

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The Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) has advised the Patriotic Front government not to take citizens for granted whenever asked to disclose how much is used on a particular national program.

CSPR Board Chairperson Partner Siabutuba said delays in the communication on such matters creates room for misinterpretation or misunderstanding.

Speaking to QFM, Mr. Siabutuba said government does not need to make the announcement when resources are readily available but that it can announce the budget even without resources being available.

He said it is surprising why it took so much time for government to disclose the budget for the technical committee drafting the country’s constitution.

Mr. Siabutuba however stated that the announcement of the budget has been received with gratitude.

He also noted that the lack of a legal frame work to support the constitution making process makes it difficult to determine whether there will be a good document at the end of the process or not.

Mr. Siabutuba said CSPR appreciates the efforts government is making towards the process but stated that the greatest concern is the number of gaps that continue to exist in the constitution making process.

[QFM]

50,000 bags of maize worth K3.2 billion rot

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OVER 50,000 x 50 kilogramme bags of maize worth K3.2 billion have gone to waste at the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) Nkandazovu satellite depot in Kalomo because of poor storage.

And more than 200,000 bags of maize, which were bought from farmers during the last two crop marketing seasons have been marooned at the depot because of bad storage facilities and a poor road network which makes the area inaccessible.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Luxon Kazabu and Kalomo District Commissioner Omar Munsanje confirmed the development in separate interviews in Lusaka yesterday.Mr Kazabu, who recently toured the province, learnt that trucks could not reach Nkandazovu depot to pick the maize due to the poor state of road.

“I learnt from the people who founded the satellite depot that the road is impassible and no truck could reach the area to ferry the maize from there. From what I have seen, there is no road there,” he said.

He said the office of District Commissioner, FRA officers and local farmers have agreed to relocate the depot to a place which will be more accessible, instead of closing it completely.Mr Kazabu, however, said even if the depot is relocated and the ferrying of maize is not done before the onset of the rainy season, the area will still become impassible.

And Mr Munsanje said the maize went bad because there was no proper slab where the bags could be stacked and stored.

“There is no slab at Nkandazovu satellite depot. They just put logs on the ground and stack bags of maize on them, so, moisture from the ground reached the maize and seven layers of bags of maize from the bottom were destroyed,” he said.

He said apart from the moisture from the ground, the bags of maize were also destroyed by intense heat from the sun as tarpaulins used to cover them wore out.

Mr Munsanje said the establishment of the satellite depot was not properly thought out because the area had a lot of difficulties in terms of accessibility.

Meanwhile, Mr Munsanje said as of August 24 this year, 213, 000 x 50 bags of maize were bought from the farmers during 2011-2012 maize crop marketing season.He said the district has devised a mechanism to ensure that all the maize bought from farmers is ferried to safe storage on time, to avoid wastage.
Meanwhile, the FRA Copperbelt Province Coordinator Timothy Chanda said the agency has paid K9 billion out of the K37.57 billion it owes farmers on the Copperbelt for the maize bought during this marketing season.Mr Chanda said the agency has bought 578,000x 50 kilogramme bags of maize worth K37.57 billion from farmers on the Copperbelt.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

Acting Chief Justice implores Zambians living abroad to put the Zambia’s interest first

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ACTING Chief Justice Lombe Chibesakunda

ACTING Chief Justice Lombe Chibesakunda (L)

ACTING Chief Justice Lombe Chibesakunda has implored Zambians living abroad to put the country’s interest first.

This is contained in press statement made available to the media by Lambwe Kachali, the First Secretary for Press and Public Relations at the Zambian embassy in Brussels, Belgium.

The Acting Justice was speaking on Friday at a dinner hosted in her honour at the Zambian residence in Brussels.

She said every Zambian carries the country’s flag and therefore it was their duty to promote the country’s image to the international community.

Justice Chibesakunda also said it did not matter which institutions they worked for, but it should be borne in mind that Zambia was more important to them and therefore be prioritised, where development was concerned.

Justice Chibesakunda encouraged Zambians in the Diaspora to invest back home and help grow the economy.

She said the Zambia today was totally different from the Zambia they knew many years ago as more development had taken place, and emphasised that it was time they invested in their own country.
The Chief Justice further requested Zambians to work with the mission in encouraging potential investors to focus on many investment opportunities in Zambia.

And Ambassador Grace Mutale Kabwe expressed gratitude to Justice Chibesakunda and assured her that she would continue to encourage both Zambians and foreign investors to invest in Zambia.

Police raid two homes

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File picture: Former Lusaka district police commanding officer Greenwell Nguni wears recovered mask and a rifle recovered from criminals during a public display of the goods at Lusaka central police station.

Police have recovered from Mtendere and Woodlands three vehicles and guns belonging to the four suspected notorious criminals gunned down in Lusaka on Friday afternoon.

The suspected criminals were shot by a police crack squad when they attempted to steal K420 million from a Greenbelt Fertiliser accountant.

Lusaka police commanding officer Solomon Jere said three Toyota Corolla Sprinters, three pistols, two AK 47 rifles, two retractable bags, and some live ammunition have been recovered from two homes.

Dr Jere said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that the items were recovered with the help of leads on cell phones found on the bodies of the slain criminals.

“We found these items in two houses in two different locations – Woodlands and Mtendere – where the criminals were hiding them,” he said.
The criminals, who were armed with AK 47 rifles, were killed after an exchange of fire with police who thwarted the crime following a tip from the public.

Dr Jere said good training and the preparedness of the police enabled them to effectively thwart the crime.

He said the criminals had several pistols and 32 rounds of live ammunition at the time of the exchange of fire with police.

Dr Jere said police are making headway with investigations into the matter and are receiving overwhelming response from members of the public.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

Visiting Zambian students to the US urged to be high achievers.

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Charge d’ Affairs at the Zambia Embassy in the United States, Ben Kangwa
Charge d’ Affairs at the Zambia Embassy in the United States, Ben Kangwa

Charge d’ Affairs at the Zambia Embassy in the United States, Ben Kangwa has urged Zambian youths to work hard and become high achievers if the country is to develop.

This is contained in a media statement made available to the media by Patricia Littiya, the First Secretary for Press at the Zambian Embassy in Washington DC.

Mr. Kangwa who was speaking when 16 students from Rhodespark and Crested Crane School visited the Embassy in Washington DC, urged the students to utilize the opportunity in the US and learn from their friends.

The students are in the US under the auspices of the Green Contributor Incorporated, an organization that connects communities and organizations from around the world, to establish partnerships with schools in developing countries.

And Green Contributor Incorporated President George Koshy, says the students who are on the program are in the country to network with fellow students on environmental matters.

Mr Koshy said during their visit the students visited The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

And one the students Wazana Sinyangwe a Grade 11 pupil from Rhodespark school, said the students felt privileged to be on the educational tour and that the experience had changed their lives.

Wazana observed that they would use their experiences to pursue their dreams. She added that they would share their knowledge with their fellow students back home.

Zanaco beat Blades To Stay Top

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Zanaco’s push for their sixth Faz Super Division crown looked bright after beating Konkola Blades 1-0 away at Konkola Stadium in Chililabombwe on Sunday.

The Bankers lone goal against Blades was scored by midfielder Henry Banda who converted a 28th minute penalty.

Zanaco’s win sees them maintain their five point lead at the top of the Super Division table shifting from 44 to 47 points after 22 matches with eight games left to play.

Meanwhile, Zanaco also completed a league double over Nchanga whom they beat by the same margin the first leg meeting in Week six on April 28 at Sunset Stadium in Lusaka.

[standings league_id=21 template=extend logo=false]

It’s A Relief To Beat Nkana-Jacob Banda

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Zesco United skipper Jacob Banda has described his side’s 1-0 victory over Nkana in Saturday’s Faz Super Division week 21 match as a relief.
Striker Winstone Kalengo scored a solitary goal to help Zesco end a three-game winless streak.

Banda said the win was a morale booster to the team.

He recalled that Zesco endured a bad patch after collecting one point in three matches prior to Saturday’s win at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.

“Yes, it is a relief, that is how football is, you can go through a bad patch. We have played well and Nkana gave us a good run. It was a tough game for us although we managed to score a late goal,” Banda said.

He declared that Zesco was still in the title race.

“The chances are very bright. We are going to win the league,” Banda added.

Zesco are second on the table with 42 points in 22 games.

[standings league_id=21 template=extend logo=false]

Miles Sampa asks Dambisa Moyo to get her facts right before making divisive statements

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FILE: Finance and National Planning Deputy Minister Miles Sampa
FILE: Finance and National Planning Deputy Minister Miles Sampa

The government has advised US-based Zambian born writer Dambisa Moyo to have her facts straight on economic issues before making divisive statements that have the ability of painting a bleak picture of the country.

The advice is coming from Miles Sampa, the Deputy Minister of Finance who says Ms Moyo has lately been issuing statements on Zambia’s economy largely based on opinion rather than fact.

“As an economist, Ms Moyo knows that you don’t go around making statements that make the country look bad without facts,” Mr Sampa said, “she has insinuated that investors are wary of coming to Zambia when our in trays are full even as we try to empty them.”

At a recent Economics Association of Zambia discussion forum in Lusaka, Ms Moyo tabulated a shopping list of things she believes have gone bad in Zambia including an unstable economic playground that scares away investors.

But at no time, according to Mr Sampa, did she place a finger on anything tangible or give a scientific example of how investors are now discouraged of coming to Zambia.

“Criticism without facts seems to be the latest avenue for venting personal anger, frustrations and disappointments by people like Ms Moyo,” Mr Sampa said.

Under the previous Rupiah Banda administration when she released her first book Dead Aid, Ms. Moyo was treated like royalty, a trend that led her to land various board positions on multi-national corporations whom she sometimes speaks for.

Ms Moyo’s attacks did not end at investors sounding alarm but she went further to question the Zambian government’s decision to pass a law banning the use of US dollars in domestic transactions which has even been commended by Wall Street Journal analysts. [pullquote]Mr Sampa said: “If an educated economist cannot appreciate the importance of rebasing our currency, then I wonder whether I should continue pursuing my PHD.”[/pullquote]

Mr Sampa said: “If an educated economist cannot appreciate the importance of rebasing our currency, then I wonder whether I should continue pursuing my PHD.”

Ms. Moyo whose two books Dead Aid and her latest cover How the West was Lost have attracted mixed reactions, was in Lusaka recently giving her views on the economic direction of Zambia under the PF administration.

Her views, however, have been seen by other economists and bankers such as Mr Sampa as ‘skewed’ and sometimes even nostalgic of the previous administration that listened to her without question.

“I would like to tell Ms. Moyo and other critics that Zambia is open for business despite the futile negative criticism we continue to get by those that wish us ill,” Mr Sampa said, “ours is a national duty and calling, not a personal war.”

[Zambia Daily Mail]

Massive’ projects earmarked for North-Western Province

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Vice President Guy Scott and North Western province minister Josephine Limataa during presentation of gifts at the Likumbi Lya Mize ceremony.Picture by Suma Systems Solwezi

VICE-PRESIDENT Guy Scott has said that the Government is undertaking massive development projects in North-Western Province aimed at uplifting the living standards of the people.

Dr Scott said his Government was carrying out explorations of natural resources in sectors such as mining to utilise the potential of the province in mineral deposits.

He said in Zambezi yesterday when he graced the 56th annual Likumbi Lya Mizee cultural festival of the Bakachinyama that the Government was aware of the challenges faced by the province.

He said the Patriotic Front administration was undertaking the rural electrification project to connect the districts in the province such as Zambezi to the national power grid.

“We don’t want to see this province to remain a Cinderella, our main interest is to promote agriculture and many other development projects,” he said.

Dr Scott said the Government was this year targeting K54,000 small-scale farmers in the province to benefit from the provision of the subsidised inputs under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP).

The Government is also taking keen interest in the creation of massive job employment opportunities in the province as well as other parts of the country.

Dr Scott out-lined a number of programmes in the areas of education, health, agriculture and infrastructure the Government was implementing to ensure development of North-Western Province.

“Some programmes are underway like in energy sector, we want the use of thermo generators to be done away with and the project to connect the province to the national grid is underway and already the exercise for clearing bushes has started,” Dr Scott said.

He cited the project for tarring the Mutanda-Chavuma Road, which had reached an advanced stage as something that should give the people of North-Western Province increased hope for further economic development of the area.

Dr Scott, however, said the challenge to create sustainable development in the country was not for Government alone but for everyone.

“The challenge to create sustainable development is a challenge for all and not the Patriotic Front (PF) Government alone and so let you the people of Zambezi work hard to ensure sustainable development of the country,” Dr Scott said.

He also pleaded with the people to give Government time as it addressed youth unemployment, which he said was not only rife in Zambia but the world over.

The Vice-president commended the people of Zambezi and North-Western Province as a whole for contributing to last year’s crop bumper harvest by producing 2.5 million bags of maize and urged the people not to fall prey to briefcase buyers especially from the neighbouring Congo DR who were allegedly sneaking in to exploit farmers by buying the crop at a cheaper price.

Dr Scott also commended Chief Ndungu for preserving the Likumbi Lya Mize cultural ceremony and called for unity and core-existence among the different ethnic groups of North-Western Province.

“Once there was Luvale empire and Lunda but these empires no longer exist as political entities because Zambia is one country,” Dr Scott said.

Senior Chief Ndungu of the Luvale people appealed to the Government to construct a bridge across the Zambezi River where people are currently using a pontoon.

In a speech read for him by his representative, Patrick Fumbelo, the traditional leader said the province was faced with numerous challenges that the former MMD administration failed to address.

He was, however, happy with the distribution of the translated copies of Draft Constitution.

He also commended President Michael Sata for working on fulfilling the PF campaign promises by fostering various development projects in the country.

The Vice-President was accompanied by Local Government and Housing Deputy Minister Steven Masumba, Chiefs and Traditional Affairs Minister Belinda Kawandami, Mines Deputy Minister Elijah Muchima and North-Western Province Minister Josephine Limata.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

On the Bishop’s Position on the Christian nation clause and abortion

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File:Scores of christians from different denominations during the Palm Sunday celebrations at the Supreme Court grounds in Lusaka.

By Rev K.Kaoma

When the late President F.T Chiluba declared Zambia a “Christian nation” on December 29, 1991, religious leaders’ reactions were mixed. Generally, Evangelical/Pentecostal pastors welcomed the move while Roman Catholic Bishops and the Council of Churches in Zambia cried foul – they were not consulted. Later, Catholic Bishops asserted that the move was discriminatory to non-Christians and undemocratic. 21 years later, these religious leaders are still divided on the issue. Evangelicals/Pentecostals pastors favor the clause, but Roman Catholic Bishops are demanding its exclusion. Interestingly, when Lusaka Times carried the story of the Bishop’s objections, the reactions were equally mixed.

At the risk of called all sorts of names, I thought of adding my voice to the issue. From the onset, I share the Bishops’ concern that the Christian nation clause should be omitted in the proposed constitution. Zambia is not theocracy – in which religious laws translates into national laws. Of course, over 80% of Zambians may be Christian, yet this is not the reason for declaring our nation Christian. Our acceptance of liberal democracy implies acceptance of religious freedom as defined and protected under the law.

That aside, by enshrining a Christian nation clause in our constitution, we are setting an erroneous precedent for future generations. Church history teaches that Christian numbers have always shifted. Just as Christianity once dominated North Africa, today, Christians are in the minority in that part of the Africa. For us to think that Christians will always be the majority in Zambia is ignoring the facts of Church history. In addition, just because all our presidents have been Christians does not mean it will always be so. The 1994 election of Bakili Muluzi in Malawi illustrated the fact a Muslim can become President. Is it fair for such a president to use his power to declare the nation an Islamic State and that the country will be governed by Islamic principles? Most of us would see such a move as undemocratic and unjust. Yet this is how the declaration came about when Chiluba declared that Zambia will be governed by “biblical principles.”[pullquote]

Should drinking and smoking be legislated simply because I view them as evil? In a theocracy, the answer is yes, but in a democracy, it is no!

 

[/pullquote]But even if we accept that Zambia as a Christian nation should be governed by “biblical principles,” or Ten Commandments as President Sata put it, one would ask, “Whose biblical principles or Ten Commandments?” The disagreements between Roman Catholic and Evangelical/Pentecostal leaders illustrate that different between churches.

Let us take for example the issues surrounding women rights. While the united Church of Zambia and some Pentecostal Churches have women pastors, the Anglican Church in Zambia and the Roman Catholic Church do not. Didn’t St. Paul say that women should learn in silence (1 Timothy 2:11; 1 Corinthians 14:34), a conservative Anglican might argue. I don’t subscribe to such teachings, but I am aware that many churches share such views. Now imagine such views becoming the basis for granting women their constitutional rights. Another interesting case is that of alcohol and smoking. Should drinking and smoking be legislated simply because I view them as evil? In a theocracy, the answer is yes, but in a democracy, it is no!

[pullquote]Friends, we may open parliamentary sessions with prayers, hold bibles while taking oaths and even hold occasional ecumenical services at the Anglican Cathedral of Holy Cross and State House to which all politicians and party cadres are invited. These acts are good, but they don’t make our nation Christian.[/pullquote]

It is time to accept that the separation of religion and State is what sets democratic nations from Islamic states. The stoning of women, the amputating of thieves, and denial of women to drive or divorce in many Islamic States, is due ruling according to “Islamic principles.” I am sure that most of us are horror-struck by such oppressive laws yet there are religious laws to be obeyed and followed. It is here that I applaud the Roman Catholic Bishops’ opposition to the “Christian nation” clause.

By the way, what do we really mean when we claim to be “a Christian nation?” Is it not an insult to our Lord Jesus Christ to claim what we are not? Is it not hypocritical to defend our Christian nation status when sin is what reigns supreme? This year, the “Christian nation” made international headlines when sex-workers provided free sex to men after Zambia defeated Ghana 1-0. Our politicians are just as corrupt as those in the Congo or Nigeria. Insults, tribalism and corruption are found across the nation. People are dying from lack of medical care while politicians and to some extent pastors continue to amass billions in entitlements. Amidst all these sinful acts, the song “Zambia is a Christian nation” is sung by the politicians and commoners alike.

Friends, we may open parliamentary sessions with prayers, hold bibles while taking oaths and even hold occasional ecumenical services at the Anglican Cathedral of Holy Cross and State House to which all politicians and party cadres are invited. These acts are good, but they don’t make our nation Christian. Only by acknowledging the Lordship of Jesus Christ in our lives are we made Christians by the Lord himself.

In sum, Christianity is not something that can be imposed on the State or anybody; it is a way of life. That said, just as I am opposed to religious demands to constitutionally declare Zambia a Christian Nation, I find the Roman Catholic Bishops on legal abortion somehow contradictory. While it is within the rights of Bishops to make such demands, to denounce the declaration clause on secular grounds and oppose abortion on religious dogma seems contradictory.

If Zambia is essentially a secular state, then dogmas should not be enshrined in the national constitution. The Roman Catholics may consider all forms of artificial contraception intrinsically evil. They are equally opposed to abortion in all circumstances – rape, incest and the saving the mother’s life. Many Christians may argue otherwise, but personally, I have no problems with such dogmas as long as they remain within the boundaries of the Church. Catholics have a choice to obey or disobey such dogmas – as they usually do on contraceptives and abortion. However, to impose such dogmas on the nation is off the beam.

Undoubtedly, abortion is a serious problem in our nation. We may call it evil or murder, but the fact remains that someone is procuring an abortion in Zambia right now. Some of us know people who have died as a result of illegal abortions – mothers, sisters, cousins, aunties, friends, and neighbors. Rather than jumping on dogmas, we need a compassionate discussion on the legal abortion. Our proposed constitution seems to provide such an avenue.

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