Bana ba Kongo is a collective of three very different Lusaka-based 20-somethings .  Founded in 2011, the groups music takes a very light-hearted approach to life and living.  Though very tempting to put the group down as a chiunda band, its nearly impossible to clearly define what musical genre Bana ba Kongo can be placed in, as the music is a fusion of many diverse genres.

Just from the name (which, they insist, must be pronounced with hard ‘b’s!), there is absolutely nothing ordinary about this group.  The band’s music draws influences primarily from the work of contemporaries such as Mozegator, the Mimbulu Family and Ama Blax as well as Nasty D and the kalindula legends of the 80s and 90s.  Their sound, which is the brainchild of main producer Nkandu “stretch.dj” Kataya, is the final product of years of experimenting with different sounds such as house, kalindula, boostele, classic rock, hip-hop and dancehall.

Freshmen

Albert Njapau (real name Albert Njapau) hails from Chamba Valley in Lusaka, a quite fitting point of origin for the multi-talented singer/rapper. Anyone who knows “Ba Fresh” knows that his trademark is his incredible sense of humor. In the studio, Fresh is responsible for many of Bana Ba Kongo’s insanely danceable drum patterns. Fresh has a fair amount of production experience working as Stretch’s assistant during his time with  X.Y.Z Entertainment.  Fresh’s lyrical subject matter varies from side-splitting comedy to social commentary to catchy, feel-good call-and-responses.  On stage Fresh can fairly be called the most distinguished dancer of the three

One Billyon

Born Jilowa Wambili some twenty years ago in Lusaka, Billy (as he is affectionately known) is a product of Mupapa School in Ndola. Billy’s biggest strength lies in his versatility, counting song-writing and singing in all imaginable styles as his main threats. Billy can boom out a strong ragga hook, or something far more soulful and emotional at the drop of a hat. Coupled with his knack for creating concepts out of nothing, Billy hopes for a bright future in the game.  The happy-go-lucky University of Lusaka Commerce student counts Bob Marley and P.K. Chishala among his inspirations, and strongly admires the work of T-Sean and B Flow.

Aubzee

If its not always his voice, its certainly his rhythms that are behind every BBK record.  Aubrey Chikoyo’s upbringing is rooted in music; his father being an accomplished guitar player.  During his school years in Kabwe, Aubzee and a group of friends were always to be found banging on drums and singing songs at every Kalonga High football match.  His ability on the drums can be heard on songs like “Bengi ba Baila” (where he collaborated  on production with cousin stretch.dj) and “Waluvyanya”.  Known also as “Popo Fyuta” and “Red Panther”, Aubzee distinguishing mark lyrically is his poetic use of the Bemba language in his unique delivery, reminiscent of Shimba Boyd of Mimbulu Family in tone and Shimasta in terms of imagery. Metaphors and wordplay are his main staple as he adds to the group’s overall fresh sound.

Bana first came on the scene late last year with their provocative Internet release ‘Lwimbo lwa Nsele’ which caused a major furor on the underground.  Despite not receiving any airplay (for obvious reasons) the group attracted attention from bar and pub owners, often being invited to perform a few tunes for their patrons. The feedback and response thus far has been encouraging, with many showering praise on the groups outlandish outfits and solid stage-work.  As of writing, Bana have all but wrapped up work on their yet-to-be-titled debut album set to hit shelves in July this year.

Bana Ba Kongo’s music is definitely a breath of fresh air in a Zambian music industry stifled with bubblegum music.  From day one, BBK have always strived to go back to the fundamentals and present a uniquely Zambian sound with a 21st century twist.  Despite the often edgy subject matter and sometimes unconventional approach to song structure, Bana believes that their music will keep people across the continent grooving for a long time to come!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0o9cqs2QmM&sns=fb

By Kapa187

The United Party for National Development (UPND) has scooped the Livingstone Central parliamentary seat as counting continues in Muchinga and Chama North constituencies. UPND candidate Howard Sikwela was declared winner in the early hours of this morning after 11, 976 votes against 8, 318 votes of his closest rival Josephs Akafumba of the PF.

Late former vice President George Kunda’s son Howard has taken a comfortable lead with five polling stations remaining to be counted. Howard looks set to inherit his father as Muchinga Member of Parliament on after polling 3, 225 with Jeliaty Ntembwa of the Patriotic Front amassing 2, 446 from 37 polling stations counted.

And the Patriotic Front is tipped of scooping the Chama North constituency.

With results from 15 polling stations declared so far PF’s January Zimba is headed for victory with a comfortable lead of 4, 350 votes over Yotam Mtayachalo of the MMD who has polled 1,940 and Herbert Zimba of the United Independence Party (UNIP) has only managed 229 votes so far.

Earlier, MMD Muchinga province chairperson Frank Bowa conceded defeat to Qfm news with 19 polling stations left to be counted.

Meanwhile, Foundation Democratic Process (FODEP) Executive Director MacDonald Chipenzi has hailed all stakeholders for the smooth electoral process.

Government has announced that a reputable media institution in the region has expressed interest in acquiring shares in one of the two state- owned newspapers the Times of Zambia and the Zambia Daily Mail.

Information, Broadcasting and Labour minister Fackson Shamenda however said that cabinet is yet to make a decision with regards the partial privatization of the two media institutions. Mr. Shamenda was speaking at Times Printpak Limited offices in Lusaka this morning when he inaugurated the newly appointed board of directors.

The minister has observed that Times Printpak has challenges in almost all areas of its operations and has urged the new board to work towards making the company financially viable. Mr. Shamenda stated that government as a major shareholder does not have sufficient resources to capitalize the Newspaper firm.

He added that among the many challenges that Times Printpak Limited is facing is that over 60% of its income is spent on Staff costs leaving less than 40 % for operational costs. The minister also expressed concern over the company’s huge debts to National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) and other statutory bodies and obligations.

And Board Chairman Michael Musonda said the board will do its best to ensure that the many challenges that Times Printpak is facing are resolved. Mr. Musonda noted that the board of directors will ensure that it offers an effective oversight role for prudent use of the company’s resources.

QFM

The Lusaka Magistrate Court has acquitted three government employees who were accused of human trafficking contrary to section 3 (1) (2) and 8 of the Anti Human Trafficking Act number 11 of 2008.

Before Lusaka Magistrate William Banda was Modrin Tembo, Charity Mutende and Gertrude Sichone accused of one count of human trafficking.

Particulars of the offence are that the accused, between October 30, 2009 and August 9, 2010, being persons employed as juvenile inspectors at the Ministry of Community Development Mother and Child Health intentionally and unlawfully did transfer a child named Jacob Musukwa across territorial boundaries of Zambia by means of an illegal adoption contrary to the Adoption Act.

In the matter, eight witnesses testified before the court.

And in delivering ruling Magistrate Banda said the main issue was that the adoption was legal from the evidence given by the witnesses and that it was clear that the adoption process was followed.

Magistrate Banda said that according to the fourth witness Ireen Kalaluka, she issued the effective date of notice on behalf of the Commissioner of Social Welfare because she was not satisfied that the documents needed for adoption were presented to her.

Magistrate Banda further said that Kalaluka confirmed the said effective date of notice which signaled the beginning of the adoption process.

He said the adoption process was legal and thus a reasonable tribunal properly applying its mind on all facts of the case cannot convict the accused.

And Police in Nakonde district of Muchinga Province have arrested a 22- year -old-woman of Ntindi Township for allegedly stealing a one month –old- baby. Police told Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) in Nakonde yesterday that Harriet Namukonda is alleged to have stolen the child in Kasama district in Northern Province last week.

The police alleged that Namukonda went to Kasama last week where she asked to hold the baby in question from its mother on pretext that she just wanted to help her carry it. Namukonda however, sneaked out with the baby and went to Kasama TAZARA Railway station and got on a passenger train to Nakonde.

Namukonda told her neighbours on arrival back home in Nakonde that whilst in Kasama, she gave birth to a bouncing baby boy. Namukonda was arrested over the weekend following a complaint lodged by the owner of the baby through police in Kasama.

She told a ZANIS reporter from her cell at Nakonde police station that she decided to steal the baby because she had been failing to conceive.

Namukonda who got married at the age of 14, said for the past eight years, she has been failing to conceive and her husbands’ relatives have been saying bad things about her for failing to conceive in the last eight years she has been in marriage.

“It is because of the pressure I receive from my husbands’ relatives and my friends that made me to start admiring other people’s babies, “said Nakonde.

When contacted for a comment, Muchinga Province police commissioner Standwell Lungu said he had not yet received a report on the matter and promised to comment later.