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The Movement for Multi party Democracy has been commended for the democratic manner the party held its national convention.
Yesterday, Nevers Mumba was elected Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) president with a landslide victory over his closest rival Felix Mutati during the party’s 3rd extra ordinary convention held in all the ten provinces.
Dr. Mumba polled 870 votes in the re-run against 422 votes of Mr. Mutati.
A re-run was inevitable as none of the seven candidates managed to amass the 50 percent plus one threshold required by the party Constitution.
Former evangelical fellowship of Zambia executive director Bishop Paul Mususu says that it is commendable that the former ruling party held its elections in a very democratic manner.
Bishop Paul Mususu has however called on the MMD to ensure that it maintains its existence in the political affairs of the country.
He says that Zambia needs political parties that will ensure that proper checks and balances are provided to the government.
He says that government alone cannot manage to administer affairs of the country without the presence of the opposition.
Meanwhile, political analyst Alex Ngoma says that Zambians should learn a lesson from the way the MMD has conducted its elections.
Dr, Ng’oma has however advised the MMD to be focused in addressing the challenges that the party has been facing.
He says that the president elect should ensure that losing members are embraced for the benefit of the people.
He says that unity should prevail in the MMD to ensure that the party remains strong after suffering a shocking defeat last year.
He says that the MMD should ensure that it remains strong for the benefit of democracy.
Lands, Energy and Water Development Minister Christopher Yaluma.
THE Government has commissioned the construction of the first Greenfield, 40 Mega Watts (MW) Kabombo Gorge hydro-power project to cost about US$160 million in North-Western Province.
The project will be built by the Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC.
The time line for the project situated on Kabompo River in Mwinilunga is four years and when completed, it is expected to reduce the power deficit Zambia had been experiencing for some time.
The project would also create over 1,000 jobs for the local people though it was also expected to displace 115 households at Kamikezhi area.
The project is funded through a Memorandum of Understanding between CEC and Nigeria’s Africa Finance Corporation.
Speaking at the ground breaking ceremony on Thursday, Mines, Energy and Water Development Minister, Christopher Yaluma who commended CEC for the initiative, said the project would help to reduce the power deficit the country was facing.
“In recent years, electricity demand in Zambia has been on the rise owing to the strides made in respect of economic growth. This has exerted pressure on the current available supply,” said Mr Yaluma in a speech read for him by his Permanent Secretary George Zulu.
The national installed capacity presently stood at 1,730 MW but the demand was over 2,000 MW.
Mr Yaluma said the implication on the electricity supply industry was that it had to work at ensuring supply exceeded demand so as not to frustrate the economic development process.
In this regard, the minister said the Kabompo gorge hydro power project was a welcome additional development to the country’s electricity generation capacity.
He urged CEC, Zesco and the Rural Electrification Authority to hasten development in the sector to enhance electricity generation capacity to avert power deficits.
He said it was often the case that communities did not immediately see or experience the benefit of long-term development projects such as the hydro power project and would more likely be concerned about the negative yet temporary consequences like displacement.
“The Patriotic Front Government wants to see a people faced development. It is therefore cardinal that investors explain and ensure that the benefits are felt by the locals,” Mr Yaluma said.
But CEC executive chairperson Hudson Sindowe said housing units would be built for the displaced households.
He said another housing complex for staff and support facilities such as upgrading schools, building a clinic, a police station and housing units for workers would also be built.
“In collaboration with the Road Development Agency, CEC would also undertake a road rehabilitation exercise to upgrade the existing access road from its current state to gravel standard.
Lands Deputy Minister Elijah Muchima affirmed that the matter of issuing title deeds would not be a problem.
North-Western Province Permanent Secretary Augustine Seyuba said it was gratifying to see Members of Parliament from different political parties put aside their political attire and focus on development.
“Put aside politics until 2016 and focus on development to uplift people’s lives.
Senior Chief Musele hailed the construction of the project and said CEC should ensure that displaced families were also compensated.
Meanwhile, Mr Seyuba commended CEC’s contribution to infrastructure development in the area citing the construction of three bridges and the power project.
He was speaking at the commissioning of one of the bridges constructed by CEC that was commissioned by Chief Ntambu.
Patriotic Front Secretary General Wynter Kabimba has said that the calls by some opposition politicians to have Judge Lovemore Chikopa return to Malawi are misplaced. Speaking during African Freedom day celebration, Mr. Kabimba noted that Judge Chikopa has a constitutional mandate to fulfill and will only leave the country once the mandate to chair the tribunal is over.
Opposition leaders are demanding that Judge Chikopa returns to Malawi as the tribunal is not sitting due to an injunction that obtained by two suspended judges Nigel Mutuna and Charles Kajimanga.
On Thursday Zambian High Court maintained its ruling to suspend a special tribunal set by President Michael Sata to probe three judges he claims acted unprofessional in the case involving a $2.7 million loan to a local airline. High Court Judge Flugence Chisanga who dismissed the application on grounds that the application by the state was premature.
The state has not yet given a firm response to the Judgement or made public when it will take the next step. However, Attorney General Mumba Malila was quoted by the media as saying that the government will appeal against Lusaka High Court judge Fulgence Chisanga’s decision to sustain a stay of proceedings of a tribunal appointed by President Michael Sata to probe the misconduct of three suspended judges. “Obviously we are going to appeal, ” Mr Malila said.
Meanwhile, Mr Kabimba has advised opposition political leaders in the country to seek audience with the PF party or government on matters they feel they could be aggrieved.
Mr. Kabimba noted that it was also surprising for the opposition to shun celebrations of the Africa Freedom day saying the event should be used to signify the Unity of Africa and Zambia in particular.
Mr. Kabimba has questioned why the opposition political parties have resorted to expressing their grievances to the foreign diplomats’ resident in Zambia saying the diplomats are not here to represent the Zambians but their respective countries.
He adds that the one thing the opposition should understand that time is ticking before the 2016 elections saying the diplomats that they seem to be dating will not be relevant to them in the next elections because they are not voters.
Roan United have tasked ex-Chipolopolo defender Hilary Makasa and Shimonda Kaunda to guide the Luanshya side temporary following the dismissal of coach Chris Chibuye on Thursday.
On Friday, Makasa and Simonda took charge of the team as it trained for the first time since Chibuye’s departure.
“Hilary Makasa and Simonda Kaunda were incharge of the team as we trained today,” one of the players at Kafubu Stadium told LT Sports today via telephone from Luanshya.
Roan face Champions Power Dynamos in Kitwe in a Super Division Week 11 game.
After confirming the sacking of Chibuye, Roan Chairperson Pearson Mwale declined to reveal the caretaker coach.
“We have not yet found a replacement (for Chibuye) and I cannot confirm who will be in charge of the team during our next match because that is internal,” Mwale said.
“We shall conduct the interviews next week. We are looking for someone who is strong technically,in areas of fitness and discipline on the field.”
Dr Nevers Mumba is lifted shoulder high by his supporters
Nevers Mumba has been elected Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) president with a landslide victory over his closest rival Felix Mutati during the party’s 3rd extra ordinary convention held in all the ten provinces.
Dr. Mumba polled 870 votes in the re-run against 422 votes of Mr. Mutati.
Returning officer Clement Zulu declared Dr. Mumba as duly elected president of the MMD at the party secretariat in Lusaka which was the totaling center.
A re-run was inevitable as none of the seven candidates managed to amass the 50 percent plus one threshold required by the party Constitution.
In the preliminary stage, Dr. Mumba outclassed his opponents by polling 548 votes representing 41.7 percent while his closest rival Mr. Mutati managed 366 votes representing 27.8 percent.
Former finance minister Situmbeko Musokotwane was third with 280 votes representing 21 percent with Kasempa Member of Parliament Kabinga Pande polling 89 votes representing 6.7 percent.
Other candidates are Kapembwa Simbao who collected 20 votes representing 1.5 percent and Chisamba Member of Parliament Moses Muteteka managing 5 votes with Enock Kavindele collecting only 4 votes.
And speaking shortly after the announcement of results, MMD national chairperson Michael Mabenga who was acting president said the results reflect the will of the general party membership.
Veteran politician Vernon Mwaanga urged the losing candidates to support Dr. Mumba in reorganizing ands rebuilding the party ahead of the 2016 general elections.
The convention also saw the amendment of MMD constitution to allow for two positions of party vice president where one will be in charge of administration and other will oversee economics.
An artists impression of the Square Kilometre Array project
A consortium of African nations, headed by South Africa and including Zambia, has won the mandate to host the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) radio telescope project.
The long and eagerly awaited announcement regarding the site for the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) radio telescope was made following today’s meeting of the members of the SKA Organisation at Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands.
After nine years of work by the South African and Australian SKA site bid teams, the independent SKA Site Advisory Committee (SSAC), composed of world-renowned experts, carried out an objective technical and scientific assessment of the sites in South Africa and Australia, and identified by consensus Africa as the preferred site.
However, in order to be inclusive, the SKA Organisation has agreed to consider constructing one of the three SKA receiver components in Australia. Two will be constructed in Africa. A meeting of the members has decided to split the project which is an unexpected decision given the search for a single site. South Africa had hoped the unambiguous recommendation of the SSAC would be accepted as the most sound scientific outcome. But it accept the compromise in the interest of science and as acknowledgement of the sterling work done by our scientists and the excellent SKA project team.
An important aspect of the site decision is the recognition of the MeerKAT telescope, being designed and built in the Northern Cape Karoo by South African scientists and engineers, as a critical step towards the implementation of the SKA. The MeerKAT will supplement the sensitive SKA Phase 1 dish array, providing the majority of the collection area of what will be the most sensitive radio telescope in the world. This recognition is substantive evidence of the great strides made by the local radio astronomy community since South Africa signalled its interest in the SKA.
South Africa, with its eight partner countries – Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia and Zambia – have been working on the bid to host the SKA since 2003. The final proposal was submitted to the SKA Siting Group on 15 September 2011.
On the basis of its analysis of technical, scientific and other factors, the SSAC unambiguously and by consensus found in favour of the African proposal, as well as the African implementation plans and cost factors. Consequently, the SSAC recommended South Africa and its partner countries as the preferred site for the SKA.
The decision by the SKA Organisation to build the majority of the SKA in Africa coincides with celebrations for Africa Day today. It also fits in well with the African agenda as it celebrates the 49th anniversary of the founding of the Organisation of African Unity and the 10th anniversary of the African Union. The SKA has been endorsed by the African Union, both in 2010 and earlier this year.
“The SKA project is a global scientific enterprise to build one of the largest scientific instruments ever envisaged. It is being designed to answer fundamental questions in physics, astronomy and cosmology in order for us to understand the origin and workings of the Universe better, and to reveal new and unexpected phenomena that will enthral and challenge us. Since 2005, we have awarded nearly 400 grants and bursaries to postdoctoral fellows and PhD and MSc students and undergraduate students,” said South African Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor.
“I would like to thank my Cabinet colleagues, especially the Interministerial Committee on the SKA, the Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, scientists and astronomers, the Presidency, officials at the Department of Science and Technology, in particular the Director-General, Dr Phil Mjwara, and Dr Bernie Fanaroff and the entire team at the Square Kilometre Array Project Office for their unwavering support,” the minister added.
File: National Team Players at State House during Luncheon
Zambia were today honored during annual Africa Freedom Day holiday investiture ceremony held at State House in Lusaka for winning the 2012 Africa Cup.
President Michael Sata honoured the team with the Order of Distinguished Service First Division which is the fourth highest order in the land.
The entire bench and 21 players were awarded medals minus Clifford Mulenga who was expelled from the Africa Cup in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea on January 31.
The Zambia bench honoured was coach Herve Renard his assistances Patrice Beaumelle and Honour Janza, goalkeeper coach Davies Phiri, team manager Lusekelo Kamwambi , team physician Dr Kabungo Joseph and team physiotherapist Gibson Chaloba
Nigerian artist Wiz Kid was due to perform in Zambia but the show was cancelled . WizKid sent this messege to his fans in zambia via twitter :
” As much as I’d love to make it to Zambia today.. I can’t. Organisers did not fulfil their obligations. There will always be next time !…Next stop is the UK!!!…Emeazzzy!!” @wizkidayo
Government has dismissed speculations that it is behind the calls to have chief justice Ernest Sakala to be fired.
Chief government spokesperson Fackson Shamenda says that it is unfair to speculate such rumors.
They have growing calls from different stakeholders to have the government dismiss the current chief justice.
The stakeholders state that as part of the call for the judicial reforms government should ensure that the chief justice is relieved of his duties.
But on the other hand, some opposition political parties and civil society organizations have objected such calls.
Yesterday The Alliance for Good Governance which is a consortium of civil society organizations, the labour movement and other interest groups stated that there are against the calls for the removal of Chief Justice Ernest Sakala.
They state that though they support the judicial reforms, they strongly feel that such an approach will merely jeopardize the good intentions of government and the aspirations of the Zambian people to see a reformed judicial system in Zambia.
But Mr. Shamenda says that each person has a constitutional right to state individual opinions on matters of national interest.
PRESIDENT Michael Sata says democratisation in any country should move with zero-tolerance to corruption as the vice robs nations of all economic gains.
The President has meanwhile released 2,314 prisoners from various prisons in the country to mark the commemoration of African Freedom Day, which falls today.
In his address to the nation on the eve of Africa Freedom Day last evening, Mr Sata said corruption was a cancer that robbed countries and citizens of their dreams and resources, hence the need to weed it out so as to entrench democratic tenets effectively.
“Where corruption is rife, people are denied their right to receive education, health care, clean water and proper sanitation as well as business opportunities,” he said.
He re-affirmed his Government’s continued fight against corruption with vigour and determination.
President Sata said there was a positive desire to broaden and deepen democratic rule and that no part of the continent was now immune to democratisation calls.
He said last year Zambia demonstrated that a peaceful transfer of power was possible when the Patriotic Front defeated the MMD while Senegal went through a similar peaceful transfer of power.
President Sata said Malawi recently made Africa proud when it followed its constitution after President Bingu wa Mutharika died. The vice-president Joyce Banda took over as Head of State.
The African Union (AU), he said, was created in Lusaka at the last Organisation of African Unity summit in 2001 to foster regional and continental integration through promotion of intra-Africa trade and development.
Zambia, therefore, recognised the importance of regional integration as a key factor in boosting intra-Africa trade.
Mr Sata said this was the more reason why Zambia was a member of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the tripartite initiative involving the Eastern African Initiative, COMESA and SADC.
He said intra-COMESA trade had increased from US$13 billion in 2009 to $17 billion in 2010 and that trends in the SADC region showed a steady growth since the coming into force of the SADC Free Trade Area (FTA)
Mr Sata said the proposed COMESA-East African Community-SADC tripartite FTA was expected to boost inter-regional trade even further.
He said the Zambian Government would remain committed to pursuing the regional economic integration agenda with its partners within SADC, COMESA and the tripartite initiative.
The President urged the Zambian business community to be more aggressive and positioned in order to take advantage of the emerging trading opportunities.
“Zambia hopes that the forthcoming AU summit in Malawi will reach consensus on a roadmap to take us towards the creation of a grand FTA by 2014,” he said.
He said the road for Africa was one of promise because economies were growing and that was the reason the creation of the continental FTA was timely as it would create employment and wealth for the people.
File:Information Minister Fackson Shamenda (l) and Post newspapers owner Fred Mmembe clench hands after a meeting in Lusaka
GOVERNMENT has appointed board members for Times Printpak (Z) Limited and Zambia Daily Mail and urged them to provide effective policy direction to make the two public media institutions viable business ventures.
Information, Broadcasting and Labour Minister, Fackson Shamenda announced this in Lusaka yesterday during a media briefing.
The board chairperson for Times Printpak is Michael Musonda, a private legal practitioner and former Law Association of Zambia president.
Other members are Bank of Zambia Director of Human Resources and Administration, Penelope Mapoma, Non-Governmental Organisation Coordinating Council Executive Director, Engwase Banda-Mwale,University of Zambia (UNZA) lecturer Eustace Chanel Nkandu and Multi-Choice General Manager, Simon Botha.
Mau Farms Executive Chairperson, Lawrence Kwaleyela Moola, retired High Court Judge, Kabazo Chanda, Information, Broadcasting and Labour Ministry Permanent Secretary, Amos Malupenga and Times Printpak Managing Director, Godfrey Malama are the other members of the board.
For the Zambia Daily Mail, Standard Charted Bank Zambia Managing Director, Mizinga Melu is the new board chairperson while other members are former journalism lecturer and now ZAMCOM Director, Oliver Kanene.
Others are UNZA lecturer and researcher, Crop Science Department Tamala Kambikambi, lecturer and coordinator for print media, mass communication department at UNZA, Carole Phiri-Chibbonta and Head of Corporate Affairs and Marketing at Barclays Bank (Z) Limited, Webster Malido.
Others are Managing Partner at Philsong and Partners Legal Practitioners, Phillimon Songolo, chairperson and part owner of Balmorla Farm, Simon Zukas, Mr Malupenga and Zambia Daily Mail Managing Director, Isaac Chipampe.
Mr Shamenda said the Government and Zambians’ expectations for public media were high, hence the two public media should operate as viable business ventures.
“The least I expect is to see these newspapers coming to the Government with begging bowls every time in an environment where the private media is flourishing without handouts,” Mr Shamenda said.
He said being perpetual beggars compromised the editorial independence of the public media and that there should be nothing to stop the boards from making money and running the newspapers profitably.
“If you allow the newspapers to publish what people want to read,people will buy the newspaper. If people buy the newspapers,advertisers will rush to buy space and that is what will make the newspapers profitable and independent from any form of interference,”he said.
He was convinced that the new boards would translate the pronouncements of the leadership of the Patriotic Front Government into action.
Mr Shamenda said as minister, he expected the boards to run the media institutions smoothly, efficiently and provide effective policy direction.
He said there should be transparency in management as the board provides checks and balances in the operations of the two institutions.
He said the Government had not been in a hurry to appoint the boards because it took time demonstrating how the public media should operate.
“We have further demonstrated that the people working in public media are highly professional. They know what is right and what is wrong and given space to make decisions independently they will always do the right thing,” he said.
The minister said it was the desire of the ministry to see improved labour relations in all departments affiliated to the ministry, the public media inclusive, with good corporate governance.
He said the appointments of the boards came at an opportune time when Zambia was drafting the new Constitution and that they should look at provisions on public media and make appropriate submissions.
He urged all Zambians who valued a free Press and freedom of expression to support the board members.
The minister also disclosed that soon, he would be giving out 10 licences for radio stations around the country.
Movement for Multiparty Democracy presidential aspirant Nevers Mumba says the former ruling party is under pressure to prove to the Zambia people that it is democratic.
Dr. Mumba says the holding of the national convention is the final chapter for the MMD to live to its promise that it is democratic.
And Dr Mumba is optimistic of being elected MMD president during the partys convention today.
He says he has done a good job during the campaigns to warrant election as MMD president.
He says if credibility is not upheld during todays convention, the MMD will never rise again.
And another presidential candidate, former finance minister Situmbeko Musokotwane says he has put in his level best to take charge of the MMD.
Dr. Musokotwane says he has left everything to the MMD members to chose who will lead the party to the 2016 elections.
Meanwhile, Enoch Kavindele, who is also vying for the presidency says MMD members should support him as he is not new to the party.
He has promised to bring positive change to the party in readiness for the 2016 elections.
Others vying for the MMD presidency are former commerce minister Felix Mutati, Chisamba member of parliament Moses Muteteka, former health minister Kapembwa Simbao, and former foreign affairs minister Kabinga Pande.
TP Mazembe striker Given Singuluma has pulled out of Zambia’s June 2 World Cup qualifying clash against Sudan.
Faz communications officer Erick Mwanza said in an interview that Singuluma had pulled out due to health reasons from Zambia’s 2014 World Cup Group D qualifier in Khartoum.
Singuluma’s popped up at Football House on Thursday to state his withdrawal after a highly publicized no-show at Zambia’s training camp in Johannesburg just two days after his fellow TP Mazembe call-ups joined the team in South Africa.
“Singuluma will not travel to South Africa because he is not well following the ribcage injury he suffered at TP Mazembe that was also confirmed by the medical staff at the club,” Mwanza said.
“He is finishing the final week of therapy and therefore out of the game against Sudan.”
Singuluma’s absence has raised some theories with one thought alleging that he snubbed his recall after being dropped from the 2012 Africa Cup team in January.
Kitwe United on Wednesday thrashed visiting Zesco Luapula 10-0 in a Faz Division One North encounter at Garden Park in Kitwe.
Strikers Jimmy Jibelo and Mubanga Kampamba contributed a hat-trick each has the Buch Boys punished the Mansa side.
Powerful striker Fregon Kaunda,John Chabu,Edmore Kabosha and Robin Siame contributed a goal each in a week 11 midweek fixture watched by a sizeable crowd.
Zesco are reported to have arrived in Kitwe late and did not have a pre-match warm up.
In Solwezi, league leaders Lime Hotspurs increased their tally to 21 points after recording a slender away 1-0 win over Kansanshi Dynamos.
Second placed Prison Leopards who are two points behind Lime, kept pressure on the leaders wit a 2-0 victory over struggling Mumbwa Medics at home.
FAZ Division One Week 11 Results
23/05/2012
North
Kansanshi Dynamos 0- Lime Hotspurs 1
Nkwiza 1- Kalewa 0
Ndola United 0- Mining Rangers 0
Kitwe United 10- Zesco Luapula 0
Prsion Leopards 2- Mumbwa Medics 0
Police Blue Eagles 0- Kalulushi Modern Stars 0
Chambishi 3- Bresmer United 1
Mufulira Wanderers 0- Mufulira Blackpool 0
Young Forest 0- Chindwin Sentries 1
South
Luena Buffaloes 1-Young Green Eagles 0
Kafue Celtic 2-Livingstine Pirates 0
Kalomo Jetters 4- Paramilitary 3
Freedom Rangers 1- Kascol Rangers 0
City of Lusaka 4-Chilenje Youth Academy 0
Kabwe Warriors 2- Riflemen 0
Lusaka City Council 2- Young Stars 1
Nampundwe 2- Zesco Shockers 0
Lusaka Tigers 1- Nkwazi 2
Bottom placed and winless National Assembly Egyptian trainer Mohammed Fathi says he is happy with the goalless draw his side forced against Nkana in Wednesday’s Faz Super Division encounter at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe.
Fathi said the side he took over last Thursday from sacked Wesley Mondo has started showing signs of improvement.
“Draw or win away it’s a good result, it’s not bad. I am still balancing the team and Nkana are not a bad side they are a strong
team,” he said.
“Today we missed a lot of chances but we played better than in the last game (2-1 loss at NAPSA) Next game will work harder to get three points,” Fathi added.
The ex-Power Dynamos and Kabwe Warriors expressed confidence that Assembly who have only collected 4 points after week 10 games played on Wednesday can survive relegation at the end of the season.
“If we continue picking points like this we will recover. The league is still open, 20 games remaining, 60 points. It is too early to talk
about relegation.” Fathi stressed out.
Assembly’s next fixture is a home game against league leaders Zesco United who have opened up a four-point lead at the summit of the table with 24 points under their belt.
