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Mansa farmers vow not to sale maize to FRA

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File: Peasant farmers sifting through their maize before selling the crop to the Food Reserve Agency

Farmers in Mansa District have vowed never to sale their maize to the Food Reserved Agency (FRA) in this year’s crop marketing season until their grievances are met.

This is in protest against the move by the F RA to reduce on the number of satellite deports to five out of the seventeen they were allocated in the district last year.

Mansa District Agriculture Committee Chairman Abraham Lwando who spoke to ZANIS in an interview says after a meeting held yesterday, the farmers have resolved not to sale their maize until the 17 deports that were allocated to them last year are brought back.

Mr Lwando wandered how the FRA can reduce on the number of satellite deports in the district when the number farmers has continued to rise.

Mr Lwando has since appealed to government to look into the matter saying the move to reduce on the number of satellite deports will bring congestion in the few deports and open the farmers to sale their maize to briefcase business men.

He said Mansa district currently has 38 thousand farmers who if they were to sale their crops to the five deports could result in a congestion.

ZANIS

Police to tighten security at the this year’s show

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Zambia Police officer

The Zambia Police has pledged to provide adequate security for both exhibitors and show goers during this year’s 86th Agriculture and Commercial show.
Lusaka Province Commissioner of Police Solomon Jere said the police has put in place various measures that are aimed at providing maximum security at the show.

Dr. Jere told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that the police was aware of the increase in the number of exhibitors showcasing at this year’s show.

He said for this reason, more police officers have been deployed to man the show grounds and make sure that there is enough security for individual persons, property, dignitaries and the exhibitors.

He also warned people that will go against the law that the police will be on high alert to deal with them.

Dr. Jere cited people that are planning to engage in illicit activities that would later disturb the peace of other show goers as among those that would be dealt with.

He said police officers will be put in strategic places so that law and order prevails.

The Lusaka Province Police Commissioner has also advised show goers to be security conscious and ensure that their personal items such as handbags and cell phones are adequately protected.

Dr. Jere said there was also need for the members of the public to take note of their cell phone serial numbers so that if they lose them, it will be easier for the police to trace them.

He also noted that members of the public should avoid mingling with strangers, moving at late hours and always use registered taxis for their own safety.

He said with the increase in the number of murder cases, there was need for people in the country to be security alert at all time.

He further cautioned parents to take care of their children to avoid incidents of missing children.

This year’s Agriculture and Commercial show will be celebrated under the theme “building on today’s prosperity” and is scheduled to run from the 2nd to the 6th of August 2012.

The show that will be officially opened by Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has attracted over 1,000 local and foreign exhibitors.

Recently, Agriculture and Commercial show Society of Zambia (ACSZ) president Joseph Mwale disclosed that 80 foreign companies are expected to take part in the show.

Mr. Mwale said exhibitors from 18 countries namely, Egypt, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Angola, Nigeria, Seychelles, Tanzania, South Africa and Kenya are participating in the show.

Others that have so far confirmed participation include India, Indonesia, Malawi, China, Iran, Pakistan, Mozambique and Germany among other countries.

ZANIS

Pupils at Jembo High School in Pemba riot

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Pemba Town

Pupils at Jembo High School in Pemba district of Southern province on Monday ran amok destroying school property worth K20 million over poor diet and erratic power supply at the institution.

Confirming the riot to Choma District Commissioner Golden Nyambe who visited the school to have firsthand information, School Manager Brian Mubemba said the pupils damaged windows mostly at the administration block and Science lab.

Mr Mubemba also said the pupils also damaged 3 computers during the riot leaving the school with a shortage of computers for the institution to use in various activities.

He explained that pupils felt that management has not done enough to address the main challenges facing the school hence resorting to destroying property at the institution.

The pupils who pay k768,000 each as boarding fee per term demanded among other things improved sanitation and constant water supply stating that the situation currently is unbearable for them as they mostly queue to fetch water.

However management at the school appealed to pupils to understand the difficulties the institution is going through as it will address them according to the available resources.

The head teacher said the institution has a number of challenges such as accommodation, classes as well as erratic water supply which has been caused by the increasing number of the community surrounding the school.

“The community depends on the same pump which is very small to cushion the supply of water here,” he said.

Mr Mubemba revealed that about 106 pupils have since left the school without permission from management while 11 have been identified as ring leaders in the riotous behaviour.

He however pointed out that school management has not yet decided on what to do to the master minders as the issue is in the hands of the high authorities at the district.

And pupils talked to who sought anonymity for fear of victimization told ZANIS that they were frustrated with the pace management was addressing the various challenges facing the school despite them having paid full boarding fees.

The pupils said the situation at the school is not conducive to live in especially on sanitation part.

“We only have one shower at boys’ dormitory, “they said.

Jembo high school has 425 pupils currently in boarding.

ZANIS

OLYMPICS: Horn Blows Choombe Out of Olympics

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Gilbert Choomba failed to live up to his pre-fight hype in London after exiting in his Olympic Games light welterweight contest on Tuesday night.

Choombe was outclassed 19-5 by Jeffrey Horn of Australia in their round of 32 bout.

The Maamba boxer failed to deal with the fast footwork of Horn and was out-boxed by the Australian and Oceania champion.

Choombe was riveted with very poor balance, showed little defensive skill or jab quality despite his good reach in what was the most-one sided contest of the light welterweight class on the evening.

The Zambian trailed 6-1, 4-2 and 9-2 in round 1, round 2 and round 3 respectively.

Choombe exit leaves four athletes left in the hunt.

Judoka Boas Munyonga and swimmer Zane Jordan have both exited from the Olympics at the preliminary stage.

OLYMPICS: Munyonga Disqualified!

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From seven, they were five. Zambia’s Olympics medal hopes hit again on Tuesday for a second successive time.

Judoka Boas Munyonga was on Tuesday ejected in forgettable fashion after he was disqualified in his 81 kilogram class round of 32 bout against Takahiro Nakai of Japan.

Munyonga was disqualified for an infringement on Nakai after holding onto his leg in the opening minute of their bout at Excel Arena in London.

He joins swimmer Zane Jordan who on Sunday failed to qualify for the 100 meters men’s backstroke semifinals.

Later on Tuesday evening, light welterweight boxer Gilbert Choombe hopes he won’t buck the trend when he takes on Jeffrey Horn of Australia.

Meanwhile, Swimmer Jade Howard hopes to keep Zambia’s swimming interest alive when she takes to the pool on Wednesday in the women’s 100 meters freestyle at the Aquatics Centre.

On Friday, Chauzje Choosha will run in the preliminaries of the women’s 100 meters at the Olympic Stadium.

100 meters runner Gerald Phiri and 800 meters specialist Prince Mumba take to the track on August 4 and 6 respectively at the Olympic Stadium.

Nathan Sinkala: I don’t Have a Stroke!

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Chipolopolo and TP Mazembe midfielder Nathan Sinkala has refuted reports suggesting that he has suffered a stroke.

Sinkala,21, is reported to have been evacuated to South Africa on Monday for medical treatment after failing ill in DR Congo.

On his facebook wall, Sinkala brushed aside reports of him suffering a stroke describing them as rumours.

The player revealed that he has an eye problem.

” It’s not stroke there are just rumours, it is just my eye that is paining but hey God is great am feeling better,” Sinkala wrote on his face book wall.

He was responding to several concerns raised on his health and posted on his face book wall by his fans.

Sinkala added:” Thanks all for your care one love.”

He was a member of the 2012 Africa Cup winning Chipolopolo squad in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

Sinkala joined Mazembe earlier this year and has previously played for Green Buffaloes and Israeli side Hapoel Kiryat Shona.

Home Affairs Minister orders Police to ensure William Banda is protected from MMD youths

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HOME Affairs Minister Edgar Lungu
HOME Affairs Minister Edgar Lungu

Minister of Home Affairs Edgar Lungu has instructed Lusaka Province Commissioner, Dr. Solomon Jere to institute inquiries into Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) Lusaka District Chairperson’s utterances and threats, and ensure that individual rights of association and movement on the part of Mr. William Banda are protected.

Mr Lungu said this in a statement released to the media. This follows a report in a news bulletin , was yesterday quoted Mr Chilufya to be ininciting violence by giving instructions to MMD cadres to harass and sought out Mr. William Banda for allegedly disorganizing MMD in favour of the United Party for National Development (UPND).

The Minister said that he was alarmed by such utterances from Mr.Donald Chilufya who is a senior member of the MMD more especially that he made his views in the presence of the MMD President, Dr. Nevers Mumba.

” One would have expected the MMD leadership including Dr. Mumba to condemn such utterances intended to incite hostility and aggression instantly, but to the contrary, MMD leadership has opted to remain silent”, Mr Lungu said.

“Law is there to protect every citizen including Mr. Chilufya himself and Mr. Banda. Therefore, no one has the right to advocate for violence by taking law in their own hands because doing so border on the violation of the rights of others whose consequence is punishment by law.”

“My advice to members of the Public is that we should all desist from making such kind of irresponsible utterances which amount to defiance of law.”

“My ministry will not sit idle by seeing the culture of anarchy prevail and become the order of the day in the country because Iam charged with the duty of seeing to it that law and order in the country is maintained”,statement concluded

New videos by Toronto Fire and Peter Johnz

Entertainment Editor
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Toronto Fire released a video for the song “Chilya Wanfyalisha” that features Kido

Peter Johnz released a video for the song “Balantangilila”

By Kapa187

Despite Its Volatile Past, Officials Move to Stabilize the Zambian Kwacha

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Uncertain economic times are never good for small nations with developing economies. Capital outflows are difficult to control when investors shift their focus to searching for “safe havens” instead of risk-based returns. Foreign investment is often necessary to develop the infrastructure that will monetize national assets in the ground, but an inward flow of new funds can lead to rampant inflation unless banking officials move quickly to quell it at its early stages. Increased government spending can also fan the flames.

This scenario has played itself out in Zambia, but recently government officials have moved deliberately to stabilize the Kwacha (“ZMK”), the country’s national currency. The “Kwacha”, its name derived from local language for “Dawn”, came into being in 1968. It was designed to replace the short-lived Zambian Pound. At the time, the rate of exchange for the Kwacha was “fixed” at “2:1” for the Pound and “1.2:1” for the U.S. Dollar. Economic crises and over-spending by the government led to hyperinflation during the eighties and nineties. One Dollar now equates to roughly 4,900 Kwacha.

The new millennium, however, brought favorable changes after the privatization of government-owned copper mines. Increased output from the copper mines has led to profitability, less subsidization of the industry by the government, and positive economic growth. GDP growth for the past five years has averaged over 6% a year, and prospects for 2012 are for more growth at the 7.7% level. Inflation remains a problem, but single digit rates are much better than previous 25% levels.

As Africa’s largest producer of copper, the financial dynamics of Zambia are now entwined with the fate of copper prices on the global market. The following chart illustrates this new reality:

Various Market Correlations

In today’s modern world of globalization, our financial markets are now more interconnected than ever before. As a result, pricing behavior of a national currency may depend both on domestic dynamics, as well as what transpires outside of its national borders. The Kwacha is what is known as a “commodity” currency, much like the Aussie Dollar, also included in the above chart. Whereas the Kwacha is dependent on copper prices, the “AUD” fluctuates according to movement in iron ore, coal, and precious metals.

Commodity prices have declined significantly over the past twelve months, some 45% and 48%, respectively, for steel and copper, both leading indicators for the health of the global economy. These declines have weighed heavily on both the Kwacha and the Aussie Dollar. Value depreciation was to be expected under these circumstances.

Government officials in Zambia, however, have moved on a number of fronts to bolster the Kwacha and restore confidence in the fledgling currency by its national populace. The central bank recently set a new benchmark interest rate of 9% to stem inflation, and the government is reviewing an initiative to lop three zeroes off the current exchange rate to increase the usability of the currency in various markets, a process known as “redenomination”. Redenomination is not a “revaluation”.

Perhaps, the most impact-laden change, referred to as “shock therapy” in some quarters, has been the adoption of new regulations that require that, subject to a 10-year jail term, all domestic prices must be stated in Kwacha. Foreign hard currencies have flooded the market, but the time has come for Zambians to have faith in their own currency. The “bump” in May and the recent 10% spike up can be attributed to these new rules.

It has been a long road to prosperity for Zambia, but a strong Kwacha will prepare the way for better times for all. Only time will tell.

By Tom Cleveland – http://www.forextraders.com

Zambia’s Talia in Big Brother final

Entertainment Editor
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It is a tight contest with six participants in the Big Brother Africa (BBA) Stargame Reality Show gunning for the $300 000 jackpot as the show approaches its final leg this week.
This coming Sunday either Talia (Zambia), Keagen (South Africa), Wati (Malawi), Kyle (Uganda),  Prezzo (Kenya) or Lady May (Namibia) will go home richer.

ZAMBIA’s beautiful hopeful in the highly contested season seven of Big Brother Star-game Talia, has remained clean and unnominated ever since she was upgraded to the Upville house.

It has been a long dramatic journey for the housemates, living with people from different cultures, seeing the same faces every day, out of touch with the outside world and only hearing Big Brother’s voice.

This year’s show has been tough as Big Brother tightened rules of the game. Two Zimbabwean housemates — Rockford (Roki) Josphats and Maneta Mazanhi were found wanting. One of the golden rules — the provocation rule — stated that a housemate who incited violence would be disqualified from the game.

In an interview, Biola Alabi MNet Africa managing director described Roki and Maneta’s disqualification from the game as a shame, but believed the two housemates were strong contenders for the ultimate prize if they had stayed on.

“The disqualification of the two Zimbabwean housemates was a shame because I believe they were both strong characters, who had good chances of winning. Whatever resulted in their disqualification was unfortunate, as it was unnecessary for them to fight,” she said.

She added that she could not blame them for their actions because the outside world had no idea how pressured the housemates were in the house.
Asked about the harshness of the provocation rule which led to Roki, Maneta, Zainab (Sierra Leone) and DKB’s (Ghana) disqualifications, Alabi said housemates were seriously briefed on the rules of the game.

“Disqualifications are based on the principles of the rules. Before the housemates enter the house, we fully brief them on the rules of the game and make special emphasis on the provocation rule,” she said.

Ola, a Nigerian housemate, had potential to win the game, but he voluntarily exited after he fell ill and had to seek medical treatment outside the house.

According to the rules of the game this year, Ola had to leave the game with his partner Chris. The other Nigerian housemate, Goldie was not a strong contender as she was too emotional and was evicted two weeks ago leaving Nigeria with no representative.

Some viewers have dubbed this year’s show the worst, judging by the increased number of disqualifications and voluntary exits. The nominating system has also come under criticism with people claiming that the system successfully eliminated the strong characters first.

But, Alabi said: “Housemates actually preferred the random-nominations machine because they said it was better to be nominated by a machine than for them to nominate each other, especially during the first weeks of the game when they didn’t know each other well.”

She added that disqualifications and voluntary exits were all caused by housemates’ failure to deal with pressure in the house.
(NewsDay.co.zw)

Lets all vote for Talia so that she can bring the money home and make Zambia proud. Lets vote Zambia!!! Go Go Talia!!

 TO VOTE FOR TALIA VIA SMS    

Zambia: (MTN: 15626) (Airtel and Zamtel: 4333)

By Kapa187

Deadline for submission for Draft Constitution extended to 19th September

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TIZ Zambia chapter president Reuben Lifuka
TIZ Zambia chapter president Reuben Lifuka

The Technical Committee on Drafting the Zambian Constitution has extended the period for the informal public consultative process on the first draft constitution by fifty days from 1st August to 19th September, 2012.

Constitution Conventions Coordinator Rueben Lifuka tells QFM News in a statement that the extension is merely for the benefit of members of the public that relying on the translated popular version of the first draft constitution to receive and study the document before submitting their comments.

Mr Lifuka said this because the Committee has encountered some delays in producing and translating a popular version of the first draft constitution into seven major local languages.

He says the translated versions are in the process of being printed and will be available for distribution to members of the public soon.

Mr Lifuka adds that the Technical Committee will work with relevant stakeholders in the constitution making process to ensure that copies of the translated popular version are distributed to all the ten provinces.

And Mr Lifuka says the formal consultation process will commence with the holding of district consultative for a from 27th to 29th August, 2012.

He says this will be followed by provincial conventions from 8th to 14th October 2012 and the national and sector groups convention from 22nd October to 1st November, 2012.

President Sata challenge Nevers Mumba to name he emissary sent by State House

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President Michael Sata has challenged MMD president Nevers Mumba to substantiate claims that State House sent an emissary to discuss his alleged involvement in some criminal conduct whilst he served as Zambia’s High Commissioner to Canada.

President Sata in a statement released to media by his special assistant for press and public relations George Chellah, said that it is in the interest of Dr Mumba’s personal character and career that he reveals to the nation the emissary he alleges was sent by State House.

“It’s in the interest of Pastor Mumba’s personal character and career that he reveals to the nation the emissary he alleges was sent by State House. Let him name the person he met and on whose authority that individual was acting,” read the statement.

“As far as my office is concerned at no time or period since assuming the presidency have I ever sent anyone to confer with Pastor Mumba or any other person who is alleged to have committed some criminality in their conduct. I therefore, challenge my young brother to name the purported emissary.”

President Sata said that he found Pastor Mumba’s claims fictitious and preposterous.

“Clearly, Pastor Mumba has a very exceptional ability to describe events or incidents that never took place. It’s a very rare quality he possesses in this field I must admit,” the Head of State said.

“However, my advice to him is that as a leader of the so-called largest opposition political party in the country, he must always strive to say the truth because the Zambians are judging him through his utterances and general conduct.”

The President reaffirmed his commitment to the fight against corruption and other abuses associated with this scourge.

“Let’s allow the due process of the law to take its full course and not claim harassment or persecution where there is none. As Head of State, I have all the confidence that the law enforcement agencies involved will handle these matters with utmost professionalism,” President Sata said.

Zambians urged to join hands in fighting for the inclusion of the Dual Citizenship clause

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Economist, Mr Trevor Simumba
Economist, Mr Trevor Simumba

As the constitutional making processes enters a next phase. all Zambians at home and abroad have been urged to join hands in fighting for the inclusion of the dual citizenship clause in the constitution. Economist, Mr Trevor Simumba said dual citizenship was very important in enhancing the growth of the Zambian economy.

Mr Simumba said statistics have proved that most countries with dual citizenship have economies that were doing very well.

” Zambians need to pass the dual citizenship law so that all our people in the diaspora can stay connected. Dual citizenship will help build a great partnership between those Zambians at home and abroad”, Mr Simumba added.

Mr Simumba who is also an International business consultant was speaking on Zambia Blog Talk Radio over the weekend. Government can actually collect a small contribution from Zambians in diaspora to maintain public institutions such as , hospitals, schools and road maintenance, Mr Simumba added.

While in power, former President Rupiah Banda gave the clearest indication that his government was working on passing the dual citizenship clause. Mr Banda, believed dual citizenship will enable Zambians with foreign citizenship to invest and develop the country’s economy”.

A group of Zambians in the Diaspora launched an online signature petition drive to urge the government of President Michael Sata and the Technical Committee of Experts drafting the new constitution to embrace the idea of Dual Citizenship.The group believes dual citizenship is a win-win situation for all Zambians.

President Sata still argues that there will be more Zambians and jobs will be taken away by other nationalities living in the country if the law is changed.

The president during his visit to London said that people should not be “selfish” but should choose whether to be Zambians or hold other forms of citizenship.

And Elias Chipimo junior said that President Michael Sata’s opposing view on dual citizenship causes public worry because of the history attached to constitution-making processes in the country.

Commenting in June this year on President Sata’s opposition to the clause in the draft constitution, Chipimo who is National Restoration Party president said the government should not have the final say on the process.

He said President Sata’s view on the matter would be fine if the constitution-making process had not been hijacked in the past by successive governments.

And Chipimo fears were echoed by MMD President Nevers Mumba. Featuring on Muvi TV’s The Assignment on sunday evening,Dr mumba said MMD was aware that the PF was soliciting for numbers in parliament in order to pass laws that were favourable to their agenda.

Dr Mumba said the move give MMD MPs jobs in the PF Government is aimed at the PF creating numbers in anticipation for the passing of the new constitution.

He said the PF was against the running mate clause and the 50 plus 1 percent for a president and was now preparing to defeat the clauses in parliament where they were handicapped with regards to marshalling two-thirds support.

[Story filed in by Pezzy Kudakwashe]

Bharti Airtel shares to resume trading on Lusaka Stock Exchange

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Airtel HQ in Lusaka
Airtel HQ in Lusaka

Shares of Bharti Airtel which trades as Celtel Zambia Plc on the Lusaka Stock Exchange will resume trading this week, ending a 17-month suspension after the telecoms firm failed to have itself delisted.

LuSE said in a statement that trading in Celtel would resume on Wednesday, having been suspended in February 2011 when Bharti lodged an application to delist the company.

Bharti applied for the delisting following a mandatory offer to buy out minority shareholders that raised its shareholding to almost 97 percent.

Some remaining minority shareholders sued both Bharti and Celtel, saying they did not want to sell their stake in the company because they were unhappy with the terms and price.

The bourse also said Bharti had withdrawn plans for the compulsory acquisition of minority shares.

Bharti Airtel had previously said it planned to delist the Zambian unit even after the local bourse rejected the initial proposal.

Speaker thanks Auditor-General for equipping MPs with knowledge of how Government uses public money

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Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini

Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini has commended the office of the Auditor General for providing parliament with independent and objective information on how government spends public funds.

And Auditor-General Anne Chifungula has pledged that her office will continue equipping parliamentarians and their staff with necessary tools that will effectively and efficiently deal with issues of public finance accountability.

Dr. Matibini said since parliament approves government’s expenditure in every financial year, there was need for it to on behalf of the people to hold the executive accountable on the management of the public resources.

He said this when he officially opened a week long sensitization workshop for Members of Parliament on the work of the Auditor General in Lusaka today.

He praised the office of the Auditor General for tabling before the house performance audit reports that give the legislature an insight into the quality of decisions undertaken by government.

Dr. Matibini has since implored the Auditor General to continue upholding the highest standards of performance in the production of audit reports that will enable parliament perform effectively.

Earlier, Auditor General Anne Chifungula said her office will continue equipping parliamentarians and their staff with necessary tools for them to effectively and efficiently deal with issues of public finance accountability.

Ms. Chifungula said her office has invited Auditor Generals from Tanzania and Zimbabwe to come and share their experiences with the Zambian law makers.

She pointed out that the workshop will also provide members of parliament with a clear appreciation of the different roles played by her office, Accountant General’s Office and Office of the Controller of Internal Audits.

The workshop has attracted Members of Parliament from the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Local Government, Health and many others.

ZANIS

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