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GOVERNMENT has urged Beta Holdings, a Zimbabwean pan-brick and tile manufacturing company, to consider establishing a plant in Zambia because its products are of a bulky nature.
Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication Yamfwa Mukanga said Government is happy that Beta has decided to enter the Zambian market formally by signing an agentship agreement with a local company, Kumalinga Trading Limited for the supply of its range of products.
“This will also ultimately provide the much-needed employment opportunities for Zambians not only in the production process but also in the value chain and the distribution process,” Mr Mukanga said.
Mr Mukanga was speaking on Thursday night during the official launch of Beta Holdings products at Lusaka’s Hotel Inter-Continental.
“Initially, Beta Holdings was supplying its products to the Zambian market without a structure, focus and back-up service. Now you have the agency-ship to provide the structure and back-up service for supplying Beta Holdings products to the Zambian market,” Mr Mukanga said.
And Beta Holdings Limited managing director Godfrey Manhambara said his company is proud to be contributing to the Zambian economy, creating jobs and being part of the Zambian community.
“As we move forward with operations, I look forward to our future here, the breaking of the ground of our manufacturing plant one day and the use of Zambian soil to create our bricks,” Mr. Manhambara said.
He said as the Zambian construction industry continues to expand, adding structures to the landscape, structures in which people will come to work, play and relax, Beta Holdings and Kamulinga will be part of this expansion.
The Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) has appealed to the patriotic front government to allow people in western province to hold the Barotse National Council, scheduled to start today, peacefully.
SACCORD Information Officer Obby Chibuluma says government should also show an interest in the meeting so that the outcome can be of benefit to both parties.
Mr. Chibuluma says the government should try by all means not to look at though is has plans of intimidating the scheduled meeting in the province but should instead show an interest in it.
In an exclusive interview with QFM, Mr. Chibuluma has also urged people in the province that are qualified to attend the Barotse National Council to be free and open-minded.
He says people attending the meeting should ensure that their contributions are realistic and their recommendations don’Defence Minister Geoffrey Mwamba is optimistic that Monday’s Barotse National Council-BNC meeting will be confined to real issues.
Mr. Mwamba has however warned that law breakers will not be spared.
The Defence Minister was speaking in an interview with ZNBC News in Lusaka on Sunday.
He has explained that he has a responsibility of deploying soldiers to any part of the country for operational purposes.
Mr. Mwamba says Western Province is not the only area were soldiers are currently deployed for operations.
He has disclosed that the Zambia Army also has its regional office for the training of officers in Western Province.t inflame the already volatile situation in the province.
President Sata about to board the Presidential helicopter at State House yesterday morning before departure for India
President Michael Sata was on Sunday discharged from the hospital in Ahmedabad, India. The online media DeshGujarat reports that Mr. Sata was discharged from the hospital in the evening, after which he reached the Taj hotel near airport.
“The President of Zambia is expected to leave Ahmedabad today(unconfirmed)” says the reports.
Reports say the Zambian President is on private visit to India for medical treatment was operated on Saturday in city’s Samved hospital.
“It is unconfirmed but, possible that the President is in Ahmedabad for the treatment of benign enlargement of Prostate. At Samved hospital in Ahmedabad, this illness is treated by GreenLight laser (KTP Laser). The treatment is non invasive without bleeding. A patient can start eating and taking fluids within 2 hours of surgery and can be ready to go home in less than 24 hours (without the catheter”.
Mr. Sata accompanied by the first lady Dr. Christine Kaseba, spokesperson George Chella, President Sata arrived at Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in a chartered flight on Thursday at around 10.00 pm.
Mr. Sata was given the state guest status, proper security has been provided at Taj Gateway Hotel near the Ahmedabad airport where he is staying.
Wedson Nyirenda’s second coming at Zesco United began on a dramatic note after his 9-man side beat 10-man Zanaco 1-0 at the Trade Fair Grounds in Ndola today.
Zanaco were second best throughout against a Zesco team who were ferocious in attack led by the attacking trio of Innocent Mwaba, Winston Kalengo and Jackson Mwanza.
However, the game was overshadowed by three send-offs, two of them alone for Zesco while they led 1-0 after Kalengo had scored against his former club with a header in the 32nd minute after benefitting from a cross from Zimbabwean defender Zimiseleni Moyo.
Referee Jan Sikazwe began by dispatching Mwaba for dissent in the 67th minute before his teammate Simon Silwamba joined him 9 minutes from time for a second bookable offence.
Zanaco defender Mwelwa Sakala joined Silwamba and Mwaba for an early shower after Sikazwe flashed red for a somewhat soft call on a ball-to-hand incident.
Meanwhile at Konkola Stadium, Konkola Blades won the first-ever Chililabombwe top-flight derby after beating promoted Konkola Mine Police 2-1.
At Arthur Davies Stadium, Nkana finished 1-1 with Nakambala Leopards and it was the same situation at Kafubu Stadium in Luanshya where Roan United were held by the same score line by Green Buffaloes.
Ngambela of Western Province Clement Wainyae Sinyinda
Preparations for the Barotse National Council scheduled to start tomorrow have reached an advanced stage.
An inter-denominational church service was held today in the Kuta at the Litunga’s palace in Limulunga.
The service which was also attended by the Litunga of Western Province, the Ngambela, Senior Indunas and scores of people from within Limulunga and far flung areas was convened to pray for peace ahead of the traditional convocation.
The church service which started at 08:30 hours and only ended at 13:40 hours was also attended by the clergy from various church denominations in Western Province.
And the Ngambela of Western Province Clement Wainyae Sinyinda has reiterated the need for those invited to attend the Barotse National Council (BNC) to observe peace and order.
Ngambela Sinyinda said the BNC has been called not to fight government but to discuss critical issues affecting the development of Western Province.
Speaking at the end of the inter-denomination church service, Ngambela Sinyinda told the congregants that Western Province should maintain its reputation as a peaceful region.
He advised those coming to the meeting that although there is a likelihood of the presence of security personnel in Mongu, they should not engage in any action which will jeopardise the prevailing peaceful environment.
The Ngambela said the meeting was important because it was interesting to see Western Province was at the bottom of the list of underdeveloped areas in the country.
He said it was for this reason that the meeting should be able to find ways and means of addressing the challenges which have put development in reverse gear.
All Barotse Royal Establishments, Diplomats and representatives of governments from within the region have been invited to attend the two-day meeting which opens tomorrow at Saint Francis Catholic Parish in Limulunga.
And delegates to the meeting have since started arriving in Mongu.
Finance Deputy Minister Miles Sampa says there is no cause for worry over the Kwacha’s recent ten per cent depreciation because the economic environment remains favorable.
And Mr Sampa has described the country’s first quarter economic growth pegged at six per cent as impressive.
He was speaking in an interview with ZNBC news in Lusaka on Sunday.
The Kwacha has reached its lowest ebb this year trading at 5400 Kwacha against the U.S dollar.
And Government has not banned the importation of various items meant for the production of chickens and other livestock.
Agriculture and Livestock Permanent Secretary David Shamulenge says the ban on importation is strictly on processed and unprocessed chickens.
Dr Shamulenge says the ban does not cover the importation of breeding stocks, veterinary equipment, materials, vaccines and drugs.
He has urged all stakeholders in the agriculture sector to always consult his ministry for guidance whenever they intend to export or import agricultural products.
Dr Shamulenge was speaking to ZNBC news in Lusaka on Sunday.
There has been misinterpretation and misinformation over the recent statement by Agriculture Minister Emmanuel Chenda on the ban on importation of chickens into the country.
John Carter is based on a classic novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, whose highly imaginative adventures served as inspiration for many filmmakers, both past and present. The film tells the story of war-weary, former military captain John Carter (Taylor Kitsch), who is inexplicably transported to Mars where he becomes reluctantly embroiled in a conflict of epic proportions amongst the inhabitants of the planet, including Tars Tarkas (Willem Dafoe) and the captivating Princess Dejah Thoris (Lynn Collins). In a world on the brink of collapse, Carter rediscovers his humanity when he realizes that the survival of Barsoom and its people rests in his hands.
PROS
Great acting by the whole cast
Original and exciting story line.
Excellent fight scenes and visual effects.
CONS
Some of the characters were not fully developed , such as the character of Sola.
FAVORITE QUOTE
John Carter: Find a cause… fall in love… write a book.
Tars Tarkas: You are ugly, but you are beautiful. HE WILL FIGHT FOR US!
CONCLUSION
I did not know what to expect going into this movie , but i must say it blow my mind , it was an incredible movie. It is an action adventure-fantasy movie that the whole family can enjoy.
Mongu residents watching the fund raising walk ahead of this years Kuomboka ceremony
United Party for National Development (UPND) leader, Hakainde Hichilema and United Liberal Party (ULP) President Sakwiba Sikota have jointly advised the Patriotic front government not to treat people of Western province as children of a lesser god.
The two leaders said there is no need for the government to behave as if they are doing the people of Western province a favor but it should realize that they are equally entitled to the benefits other provinces are enjoying.
Speaking at a joint press briefing, UPND Leader Hakainde Hichilema said there was no need to spend billions of kwacha on a commission of inquiry into the causes of last years Mongu riots.
Mr. Hichilema said the money should have been used to facilitate the dialogue that people wish instead of wasting it through a commission of inquiry.
He has since advised the Patriotic front government to develop a plan that will help accelerate development in the province.
And his ULP counterpart Sakwiba Sikota says the joint meeting should not be misunderstood but should be embraced by every leader that puts the welfare of the people at heart.
Mr. Sikota says dialogue is the only sensible and reasonable way forward for the country.
Business in Mongu town on Friday came to a standstill as the Kuomboka Kufuluhela Committee passed through town centre during a fundraising walk ahead of this year’s Kuomboka Ceremony.
The fundraising walk started at around 08:00hours from Mongu Shoprite and Mongu Airport to the Stadium characterised by traditional drumming and dances.
Speaking on behalf of the Barotse Royal Establishment Premier Ngambela Clement Sinyinda Induna, Inete thanked Mongu residents for contributing and participating in the fundraising walk where about K4.9million was raised.
Ngambela Sinyinda reminded people that the Barotse national Council meeting will be held in Mongu on the 26th of March 2012 adding that all invited guests will be arriving on the 25th of March, 2012.
Men and women were clothed in Lozi traditional attires, women dressed in Misisi while men in Liziba and Mashushu with walking sticks.
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Mongu residents today turn out in large numbers and participated in the fundraising walk organised by the Kuomboka Kufuluhela Committee ahead of this year's Kuomboka ceremony
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Mongu residents today turn out in large numbers and participated in the fundraising walk organised by the Kuomboka Kufuluhela Committee ahead of this year's Kuomboka ceremony
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the Kuomboka Kufuluhela Committee passing through town centre during a fundraising walk ahead of this year’s Kuomboka Ceremony.
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Members of the Kuomboka Kufuluhela Committee counting money raised during the fundraiser
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Mongu residents watching the fund raising walk ahead of this years Kuomboka ceremony
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Men and women were clothed in Lozi traditional attires, women dressed in Misisi while men in Liziba, Mashushu with walking sticks.
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Men and women were clothed in Lozi traditional attires, women dressed in Misisi while men in Liziba, Mashushu with walking sticks.
Former Tourism and natural resources Minister Catherine Namugala has called on Zambians to protect the democracy that the country has continued to enjoy.
Ms. Namugala pointed out that recent developments and attempts by government to frustrate the opposition are a threat to the country’s democratic tenets.
She says the opposition is an important tool to the development of any country as it provides checks and balances on government policies.
Ms. Namugala explained that it is incumbent upon well meaning Zambians to speak against the alleged assault on democracy by the PF government.
She has however expressed her confidence in the judiciary stating that all matters before the courts will be handled expeditiously without any interference.
Earlier this month the spokesperson for MMD -MS Dora Siliya said the party is legally challenging the government’s Registrar of Societies for what the party insisted was its “unlawful” de-registration.
Dora Siliya said the head of the government agency is an undisciplined government official, who is attempting to obliterate the MMD. Machinations, she said, will not work.
“Our lawyers have taken up this matter to get an execution of stay. However, we know that this is a step to obliterate the MMD.”
Chief Registrar of Societies, Clement Andeleki de-registered the MMD for non compliance with the Societies Act.
The Registrar of Society maintained that the former ruling party MMD owes them over K390 million in arrears.He explained that the money is from the 42 registered branches of the MMD across the country and dates back to 1991.
Red Arrows put behind their recent poor run of results to win their opening day Faz Super Division game of the season at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.
Arrows, who were recently booted out the Caf Confederation Cup preliminary stage and Charity Shield semifinals, on Saturday afternoon beat Forest Rangers 2-0 to go top of the table for at least 24 hours.
Goals from Bruce Musakanya and Jimmy Njobvu in the 2nd and 86th minutes respectively secured Arrows top slot.
And down at Edwin Emboela Stadium in Lusaka, Patrick Phiri’s Napsa Stars slipped to a 2-1 home loss against Indeni.
Savior Simumba put Indeni ahead of the 14th minute but Jacob Mupeta leveled scores in the 30th minute for Napsa to see the two teams go 1-1 into the break.
Reuben Chibesa made sure Indeni four-hour journey back to Ndola was a joyous one when he scored the winner in the 77th minute.
Arrows are top on three points, level with Indeni whom they beat to top spot thanks to a better goal difference.
Meanwhile, National Assembly started their first season back in the top flight on a fairly good note when they drew 1-1 at Woodlands Stadium against Nchanga Rangers.
The remaining four games will be played on Sunday with the major highlight being Zesco United and Zanaco opening day meeting at the Trade Fair Grounds in Ndola.
Power Dynamos will begin their league title defence on Wednesday away to Green Eagles.
Power Dynamos and TP Mazembe drew 1-1 in their CAF Champions League first round first leg match played at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe today.
Power were made to work hard for the draw by a very efficient Mazembe who had four Zambian players in the starting lineup with Stopilla Sunzu and Francis Kasonde in defense, Rainford Kalaba in midfield and Given Singuluma in attack.
Mazembe took the lead in the 24th minute after a see-saw opening period at a packed Arthur Davies stadium
Tanzanian striker Mbwana Sammata scored the game’s opening goal after he benefitted from some casual defending from midfielder Thomas Nyirenda near the corner flag.
Sammata bumped Nyirenda off the ball leaving him spread on the floor and raced with it to the near post before shooting from an acute angle to stun a packed and hitherto boisterous Arthur Davies into dead silence.
Mazembe could have added at least two more goals in the first half but Sammata blasted his shot wide at close range in the 33th minute while Singuluma hit the woodwork two minutes later.
Power continued to be second best after the break as Sammata, Singuluma and Kalaba led the charge with their dominant attacking.
Respite for Power came in the 85th minute when Kabwe crashed in a free kick that took a deflection off the wall before going in to give the home-side some hope in the return leg set for Lubumbashi on April 8.
Opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) has refuted a post newspaper story suggesting that the party members have been rejoicing the purported illness of Republican president Michael Sata who left for India yesterday for a private visit.
Speaking in an interview with Qfm news, UPND acting deputy spokesperson Martha Mushipe said her party will not rejoice over the illness of anyone in the country.
Mrs. Mushipe said the story in question is untrue stating that it is an attempt by the Post Newspaper to malign and subject the UPND into disrepute.
She therefore charged that the UPND wishes President Sata good so that he can implement his promises to the Zambian people.
Mrs. Mushipe called on Zambians not to believe the story in the Post newspaper as it aimed at tarnishing the image of her party.
She also challenged the Post Newspaper to disclose where the alleged celebrations of President Sata’s purported illness took place.
And Mrs. Mushipe has rubbished rumors suggesting that UPND vice president Richard Kapita has defected to the ruling Patriotic Front.
She said Mr. Kapita is still a committed party vice president and that at no time did he express intentions of joining the PF.
MINISTER of Information, Broadcasting and Tourism Given Lubinda
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism Given Lubinda has charged that it is immoral for anyone to rejoice over reports that president Michael Sata is in India for medical check-ups.
Mr. Lubinda has however maintained that President Sata’s private visit to India has nothing to do with his health adding that the head of state is in perfect condition.
The minister in a telephone interview on ZNBC’s Mid- morning show was reacting to a story reported in one of the papers that there is jubilation in the opposition UPND over false reports that the president is in India to seek medical attention.
And Mr. Lubinda says the US $ 10 thousand Donation that the president made to a school while in Botswana should not be trivialized.
Mr. Lubinda notes that the donation was just a kind gesture from president Sata to the people of Botswana for honoring him by according him an opportunity to officially open the school during his state visit to that country.
He adds that the benefits of Zambia maintaining good relations with Botswana are more than the 10 ,000 dollars donation which is only equivalent to K 52 million.
And the minister noted that records at the Zambian mission in Botswana indicate that 2000 Zambians are currently working in Botswana.
Mr. Lubinda notes that the Botswana economy has helped cushion the impact of unemployment in Zambia by creating jobs for Zambians residents there.
He has however, reminded the Zambians in the diaspora on the importance of them investing back home so as to secure their future.
PF Secretary General and spokesperson Wynter Kabimba
PATRIOTIC Front (PF) secretary general, Wynter Kabimba said that the PF Government was not in any way turning the country into a one-party State. He was reacting to assertions by some quarters over his role and the relationship between PF as a party and the Government.
Last week saw the suspension of the political party status of the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) – which ruled the country for two decades until September last year – on the grounds it has not been paying its annual registration fees.
The party’s 53 seats in the 158-seat parliament are safe for now while a court challenge is heard but the move is raising alarm bells with all the wrong people.
Ratings agency Fitch, which earlier this month downgraded Zambia’s outlook to negative from stable, said the development only increased concerns about the government’s direction.
“Even if the decision is overturned by the courts, Fitch highlights again the risks associated with sending a negative message on matters relating to economic policy, property rights and respect for the rule of law,” it said.
However, Mr Kabimba said as chief administrator of PF, he would ensure that the Government implements the socio-economic programmes as promised during the election campaigns
He said it was his duty, under the supervision of President Michael Sata, to ensure that the Government implemented the socio-economic programmes as the party would be judged based on the successes or failures of the State.
Kabimba says the ruling party will deliver its social contract with the Zambian people and advised members countrywide to focus on implementing the manifesto.
“Let me explain the principles underlying the relationship between the party and the Government as they stand now. Principle number one is that in 2011, it is the PF that went out to the people during campaigns with a social and economic programme which was contained in the PF manifesto period 2011-2016.
“We said to the people if you vote for the PF as a party this is the programme that we are going to execute with the Government we are going to form, so the social contract if you want to put it that way which led to the PF winning the elections, or which made the people to vote (for) the PF was on the basis of that manifesto between the people and the PF,” he said.
Mr Kabimba said if the Government failed to deliver by 2016, it was not the Cabinet that would be judged but PF as a political party.
He said it was PF as a party that would go back to the people to seek another mandate and not Cabinet. ”
So put another way, put in a legal form, the party is the principal and the Government is the agent, there is a principal-agent relationship between the two institutions and if you agree with that principle it means the Government is answerable to the party in the execution of the social and economic programmes,” he said.
He said because of that relationship, the party was interested in the day-to-day implementation of the socio-economic programmes.
“Now the chief administrator of the party is the secretary general and, therefore, that is the office that creates a link between the Government and the party.
“The queries from our members and from those who voted for the party regarding the implementation of the socio-economic programme go to the secretary general and not Government officials.
“It is the duty, therefore, of the secretary general to find out from those that are implementing, how the programme is progressing and give answers to the members and supporters of the party,” he said.
Mr Kabimba said it was for that reason that, as secretary general, he was not part of the Government establishment.
He said it was his duty to remind his colleagues in Cabinet to stick to and implement the socio-economic programmes as the basis on which the party was voted into power.
“Is this tantamount to interference with Government as it is alleged? It is the duty of the SG to do so. Is the secretary general a minister without portfolio? From what I have said no! I do not enjoy any Government benefits, financial or otherwise, I do not sit in Cabinet.
“My outstanding role together with the president of the party as my immediate supervisor is to see to it that this programme is implemented because in 2016 the party will be judged on the failure or success of this programme and at that time Cabinet will have been dissolved and it will not be there to answer queries from the people as in facing the judgment,” he explained.
He said by that arrangement, it did not mean that the party was taking back the country to a one-party State. Mr Kabimba said today, Zambians were not judging the MMD as a government but as a party having failed the people of Zambia.
“We have learnt a lesson from the history of the MMD and do not want to fall in the same pit,” he said.
