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Chiefs from Itezhi Tezhi and Siavonga districts have told a stakeholders meeting in Choma that they are strongly opposed to the realignment of the two districts to central and Lusaka provinces respectively.
Speaking during a stakeholders meeting at Choma sports club , chief Kaingu of Itezhi Tezhi said he and other four chiefs in the district in exception of chief Musungwa have totally rejected the idea of realignment of the districts.
Chief Kaingu who spoke on behalf of the district chief’s council said all the five chiefs in the district are in total support of the stance taken by the Southern Province Royal Foundation to reject the re-alignment of the two districts.
He said the people of Itezhi Tezhi still want to belong to southern province administratively.
Chief Kaingu said president Sata would do well to listen to the cries of the people of southern province and rescind his decision to transfer the administration of the district from southern to central province.
And chief Chipepo of Siavonga said people under the Sikoongo and Chipepo chiefdoms under the newly created district of Chirundu do not want the district to be administered from Lusaka.
Chief Chipepo said the valley people are greatly disturbed by government intention to realign their district to Lusaka province.
He said president Sata should immediately rescind his decision and cancel the transfer of the two districts to Lusaka and central provinces.
SOUTHERN Province is slowly turning into a political hotbed following yet another suggestion that the region be split into two. The proponents of the provincial divide are chiefs in five districts that lie in the Kafue Flats, who suggest the creation of the country’s 11th province to be called Kafue.
This new province should encompass Kafue, Itezhi-Tezhi, Mazabuka, Mumbwa and Namwala, the chiefs say. Among the five districts, Itezhi-Tezhi and Mazabuka are economic hubs, the former having a power station; the latter a sugar plantation.
The chiefs’ council chairman, David Diangamo, who is no stranger to Zambia’s political and economic landscape, has since written to President Sata (left) to buttress the proposition. In his letter, Mr Diangamo highlights issues which the chiefs believe would improve service-delivery if Southern Provinces was divided.
The letter, dated March 8, 2012, reads in part: “In order to foster development and improve the social conditions of these people, it is our heartfelt submission that your Government considers creating an additional province – Kafue Province.”
The latest twist to the tale comes against the backdrop of a vehement refusal by some stakeholders against President Sata’s re-alignment of some districts in the province. Earlier, Senior Chief Mukuni and Chikanta proposed a new province in the Gwembe Valley to be called Zambezi Valley. Senior Chief Mukuni’s proposal which was submitted to the MMD administration last year has Gwembe, Kalomo, Kazungula, Livingstone, Siavonga and Sinazongwe districts.
The letter was also signed by the secretary to the Chiefs Council Reuben Shikabwali. But Mr Diangamo now says consultations with a number of stakeholders who include chiefs in Mumbwa, Namwala and Itezhi-Tezhi districts have already taken place.
He says the majority of the people in the five districts have welcomed the direction Government is taking by way of improving socio-economic service delivery. “Your pronouncement in respect of the re-alignment of Itezhi-Tezhi and Chirundu is aimed at sharpening the provision of services to these disadvantaged areas,” he writes.
Mr Diangamo says the people of the Kafue Flats are mainly the Ila and Batwa who share the same traditional and cultural background. The former secretary to the treasury in the MMD government says over the years, the plateau Tongas have championed the political, social and economic direction of the people of Southern Province at the expense of those in the Kafue Flats and Zambezi valley.
“Even after attaining independence, the Ila/Batwa-people have not gained much in comparison with the plateau people. The political landscape has been dominated by the Tongas, mainly under opposition leadership,” Mr Diangamo writes.
He says the domination of others by the plateau Tongas has seriously retarded development in Southern Province and affected the people of the Kafue Flats who have been marginalised since independence.
“Our traditional rulers and other opinion makers are being consulted on this matter and hope that they will find time to confer with Your Excellency prior to the Choma meeting,” the letter reads.
President Sata recently re-aligned Chirundu district to Lusaka Province and Itezhi-Tezhi to Central Province, a move which has seen resistance from some sections of society in Southern Province.
Yesterday, various stakeholders met in Choma to discuss the re-alignment of districts in the province.
IMPRESSED with the crowd of youths that gathered in Lusaka for Youth Day celebrations, President Sata poked fun at leaders of the opposition MMD and United Party for National Development (UPND) for advising their youth to boycott the event.
Mr Sata said the turn-out at the Freedom Statue was unprecedented and proved that the MMD and UPND were inconsequential. The President said some leaders of the two parties used stolen money to bribe youths into shunning the celebrations.
Mr Sata said this in Lusaka yesterday when he graced Youth Day celebrations at the Freedom Statue. The MMD and UPND boycotted the celebrations, claiming that they feared harassment from PF cadres.
“After stealing money, you buy voters and become leaders of political parties. Don’t use stolen money to give youths so that they can boycott this important day,” Mr Sata said.
He said the MMD and UPND are inconsequential as the celebrations were successful despite youths from the two political parties boycotting the event.
“I would like all of us to give a round of applause to MMD and UPND because they thought this event would be a flop without their participation. But we have shown them how inconsequential they are,” he said.
[pullquote]“After stealing money, you buy voters and become leaders of political parties. Don’t use stolen money to give youths so that they can boycott this important day,” Mr Sata said.[/pullquote]
Meanwhile, President Sata has challenged the Zambia Federation of Employers (ZFE) to provide employment to youths. Mr Sata was reacting to the call by ZFE for Government to create employment opportunities for young people around the country.But the President said instead of calling on Government to create jobs for young people, ZFE should spearhead the creation of employment opportunities for Zambians.
And MMD and UPND youth boycotted celebrations of Youth Day in Livingstone, leaving it to the PF youth and those from schools and other organisations in the tourist capital. The youth who attended the celebrations marched from Mukuni park in the town centre to Village Grounds, a distance of about three and half kilometres.
And 10-year-old Christine Mbinji, a grade six pupil at Mujala Demonstration School of Zambia, called on Government to ensure that it fulfils the promises of employment creation for the youth so that they too can contribute positively to national development.
Mbinji, who wants to become a medical doctor, also advised her fellow young people against engaging in alcohol and drug abuse.
And acting Southern Province permanent secretary Linda Siwale said Government is working to address problems affecting young people in the country.
Former Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane
Former Finance Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane has advised the PF government to quickly address the country’s dwindling investor confidence. Dr. Musokotwane has told MUVI TV News that the recent downgrading of the country’s economic outlook from stable to negative is due to the misguided economic policies of the PF government.
He said that the downgrading by FITCH is worrying because investors tend to make their decisions based on such ratings. Dr. Musokotwane, who is aspiring to lead the MMD as its President, said some investors have expressed concern with the PF’s uncertain economic direction.
The Former Finance Minister was commenting on the recent downgrading of Zambia’s economic outlook from stable to negative by FITCH international rating Agency.
However, the PF’s Party Secretary General Wynter Kabimba has said that Zambia’s latest economy rating from stable to negative by Fitch Ratings is meaningless and aimed at misleading Zambians.
[pullquote] PF’s Party Secretary General Wynter Kabimba has said that Zambia’s latest economy rating from stable to negative by Fitch Ratings is meaningless and aimed at misleading Zambians.[/pullquote]
Speaking on last night’s edition of the assignment programme dubbed” THE PF IN GOVERNMENT”,Mr Kabimba said that the rating is meant to work at the psychology of Zambians. He added that the PF government has done nothing so far as to erode investor confidence in the country.
Mr. Kabimba said that the current economic policies of the party are investor friendly but that the emphasis has been that of ploughing back into communities where they operate. He has further stressed the need for investors not to externalize profits.
Vice president Guy Scott has assured Mopani Copper Mines(MCM) that Government will not disappoint the mining firm following the shut down of its leach plant by the Zambia Environmental Management Agency(ZEMA) two weeks ago.
Dr. Scott said that there are no mad people in Government that would kill a cow that produces milk. He said this after a fact finding mission at Mufulira West Mining Project in BUTONDO Township, where MOPANI has been accused of acid pollution.
Decisions by ZEMA have in the past have suffered political interference on pretext of trying to keep investors. So far, the mining firm has ignored ZEMA recommendations and has waged war in the media through statements claiming that 350 workers will be affected with the shut down.
At the beginning of this month, ZEMA ordered Mopani copper Mine to suspend part of its operations at a Leach plant. ZEMA said it had inspected the site and that heap leaching—a process that involves metals being leached from a heap of crushed ore by applying acid to it—couldn’t be resumed until the company had completed eight recommended measures to reduce its effect on the surrounding area.
[pullquote]So far, the mining firm has ignored ZEMA recommendations and has waged war in the media through statements claiming that 350 workers will be affected with the shut down.[/pullquote]
ZEMA said local residents in Butondo had complained that acid mist from the leaching process causes health problems and they were seeking compensation from Mopani. The Butondo community complained of noise from the crusher, cracking of houses, vibrations, and dust, the statement said.
“According to health records obtained from Clinics in Butondo, statistics show an increase in the number of cases for pulmonary, throat, nose and ear ailments which were captured between October and December 2011 as compared with the 2008 data for the same months,” the statement said.
Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) President Kalusha Bwalya
The ministry of sport has backtracked on its earlier endorsement of Kalusha Bwalya, as its preferred candidate to continue at the helm of the country’s soccer governing body, Football Association of Zambia (FAZ).
Director of sports in the ministry running sports, Bernard Nakachinda contends that his ministry has not endorsed any one so far ahead of the FAZ elective council meeting to be held at the end of the month.
Mr. Nakachinda says such a decision by the Government would disadvantage other aspiring candidates.
He has since called for a harmony among the stakeholders ahead of the meeting.
He made the clarification on a MUVI TV’s special Youth Program.
Recently, Nakachinda stated that his ministry would love to see Kalusha Bwalya continue as FAZ president so that he could lead Zambia to the world cup.
Meanwhile, Football Association Of Zambia (FAZ) officials shunned Sunday’s thanks giving service at Lusaka’s Cathedral of the Holy Cross.
Officials from the three Church mother bodies were left wondering on the whereabouts of FAZ officials when called upon to deliver a speech.
However, their absence did not matter, as the program proceeded as planned.
The thanksgiving service was organized to thank God for the AFCON trophy which the Chipolopolo Boys won after beating Ivory Coast 8 – 7 on penalties.
President Michael Sata was among hundreds of people witnessing the commemoration of the Youth day at the Freedom statue. The President led the defence chiefs , members of the diplomatic corps in laying wreaths, as the Zambia Army brass band played solemn music. As part of the celebrations, Cadet’s fired a 12- gun salute at the freedom statue. President Sata also took time to greet Chief Justice Ernest Sakala, Diplomats accredited to Zambia, PF party officials and Youths.
Mr. Sata also watched a match past by youths from various schools and organisations. Also present at the Freedom statue was Vice President Guy Scott , Cabinet Ministers, Members of the diplomatic corps and several senior government officials.
Below is the full speech delivered by the president at the occasion:
Speech by his excellency, Mr. Michael Chilufya Sata, President of the Republic of Zambia, at the commemoration of the national youth day on 12th march, 2012 Freedom statute, lusaka
Theme: “accelerating youth empowerment for sustainable national development”
Salutation:
Director of Ceremonies;
Honourable Chishimba Kambwili MP, Minister of Youth and Sport;
My Lord, the Chief Justice of the Republic of Zambia, Mr. Ernest sakala,
The Honourable Dr. Patrick Matibini SC, Speaker of the National Assembly;
Honourable Cabinet and Deputy Ministers;
Your excellency, Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, First President of the Republic of Zambia;
Your excellency, Mr. Rupiah Banda, Fourth President of the Republic of Zambia;
Secretary to the Cabinet, Mr. Evans Chibiliti;
Senior Government Officials;
Your Excellencies Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Representatives of International Agencies accredited to Zambia;
Distinguished invited guests;
The Youths of Zambia;
Members of the press;
Ladies and gentlemen:
Address:
It gives me great pleasure this morning to address this gathering, and through you, the nation at large on this important occasion of the national youth day.
Zambia every year celebrates 12th of march as national youth day to remember the contributions of the gallant youth of this nation for their role in the political independence of the country.
Now, the celebrations provide us the opportunity to review our performance of what we have achieved for the youth and to reflect on what we need to do in order to improve their well being.
Today is also an opportunity to the Zambian youth to express their views on issues affecting their wellbeing.
It is a day for the youth of Zambia to enjoy their rights and freedom and also to reflect on their obligations, responsibility and contribution towards national development.
This is also a challenge to every Zambian youth to tell the nation of what has been their personal contribution to self and national development.
It is a challenge to every Zambian youth to critically look at oneself to find out whether you are part of society’s problems or you are part of solutions to society’s problems.
It is time for a paradigm shift and repositioning oneself in an effort to contribute positively to national development.
Distinguished guests, ladies & gentlemen, the youth: No country can attain its social and economic development goals without the active participation of the youth.
However, the Zambian youth are yet to play their positive role in the quest to promote youth participation in national development.
On our party, our government will guarantee educational and employment opportunities for the youth.
Government is seeking to address some of the challenges by using locally driven socio- economic initiatives to empower citizens while recognizing the important role the donor community plays in complementing such initiatives.
We are seeking an inclusive government and open our doors to all stakeholders in running the affairs of the state.
The theme for this year’s national youth day: “Accelerating Youth Empowerment for Sustainable National Development,” is very appropriate at a time when the patriotic front government has committed itself to empowering the youth to catalyze them to take up their right place in society.
In the past two decades the youth were not at the centre regarding their participation in the national development.
This has been due to inadequate resources targeted at youth development and as such, the majority of the youth in Zambia has remained unemployed, ill-educated and without formal skills to enable them earn a living.
It is therefore time we invested optimally in the youth and ensure that they participate in the socio-economic development of the country.
Distinguished guests, the youth, ladies and gentlemen: May I take this opportunity to salute the Zambian youth for peacefully participating in the september 2011 general elections.
The peaceful change of government that took place is a true reflection of the entrenchment of democracy in our country.
We should indeed be proud as a people for such a remarkable achievement.
Now that elections are behind us, it is time for us all to focus on forging ahead with the development of our country.
On my part, I wish to reiterate my pledge to make Zambia a better place for all youths in line with the patriotic front vision which is, and I quote:“the citizens of this great land not only deserve better lives but are entitled to better living.”
To all the Zambian youths, I say it is time to put Zambia first in the interest of achieving our social and economic development.
You are therefore urged to participate by utilizing the available developmental programmes that are aimed at both empowering you and empowering the country.
My dear youths, country men and women: Zambia this year celebrates forty-eight (48) years of independence amidst high poverty levels in the country.
Despite being endowed with a lot of natural resources, the country has continued to face staggering poverty and low formal sector employment opportunities for our dear youths.
The recently pronounced economic growth characterized by the classification of Zambia as a middle income country is meaningless if it does not make noticeable impact on poverty reduction among our people especially the youth.
I would therefore like to see that the pronouncements in economic performance translate into substantial reduction in poverty indicators and creation of employment opportunities.
The challenge of our government is therefore to improve the quality of life of the Zambian youth especially those in rural areas.
Our goal is to achieve higher and sustainable economic growth that will uplift the well-being of our youth and the poor in our society.
To this end, the patriotic front government is introducing programmes to accelerate the socio-economic empowerment of citizens especially women and youths.
Offering employment opportunities for our people, especially many young men and women leaving educational institutions is critical to the fulfillment of the patriotic front manifesto which promises job creation and putting more money in our people’s pockets.
Distinguished guests, youths, ladies and gentlemen: Our government shall concentrate its efforts on skills development and creating self-employment opportunities especially for the youths of our country.
The Patriotic Front electoral victory achieved in the 2011 tripartite elections is owed in large measure to our young generation.
It is them who were among the large numbers of our citizens that worked so hard to bring about the desired change last year.
We therefore owe them jobs by creating employment opportunities when they graduate from colleges, universities and skills training centres.
This shall be done through equipping the youth with skills and business enterprise know-how and the financing needed for self-employment and entry into the formal sector.
My government has in the last five months of our being in office made tremendous strides in trying to improve the wellbeing of our dear youth and these include:
i. Construction of district youth skills training centres—our government has provided for more than K10.3 billion in this year’s budget for the construction of district youth skills training centres and rehabilitation.
We are currently constructing twelve (12) centres in all the ten provinces.
Once complete, these centres will offer vocational and life skills to the youth for improved and sustainable livelihoods.
Our government has further provided K50 billion in this year’s budget for youth skills training development.
All these measures are meant to put more money in the pockets of our youths.
ii. Youth development fund: the pf government realizes that the youths face a number of challenges to access money from banks and other financial institutions.
This has hampered many young people from venturing in business for wealth and employment creation. Therefore government has provided K11 billion this year for the promotion of youth enterprise development and provide less cumbersome and cheaper finance.
I am therefore challenging all the youths countrywide to come up with viable project/business proposals so that they can access the money to create their own businesses and be able to positively contribute to national development.
Your government is committed and determined to come up with initiatives that are meant to provide a framework for an informed and effective support in the design, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes that will promote productive and job-rich growth for our Zambian youth.
It is my desire that the patriotic front government shall achieve the following in the next five years: i. Design and include youth employment strategies in national development frameworks; ii. Improve the livelihoods and employability for the youth; and iii. Establish sustainable political will, leadership and technical capacity for achieving results on youth employment creation.
I therefore call upon the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sport to initiate the process of coming up with a detailed programme and action plan on youth empowerment.
This should be reflective of national circumstances and should take into account consultations with stakeholders among them, the youth, the united nations agencies and the commonwealth youth programme through well organized and coordinated national youth consultative forum.
My office expects to receive the final draft of the action plan on youth empowerment in Zambia by the 30th september, 2012.
Distinguished guests, dear youths, ladies and gentlemen: I am aware that the absence of the office of the district youth development officer is negatively affecting delivering services to our dear youths.
I therefore direct the permanent secretaries at the public service management division and ministry of youth and sport to expedite the process of establishing and filling the office of the district youth development officer.
This shall enhance service delivery and ensure accelerated empowerment for the youth.
Furthermore, you should ensure that all district youth vocational training centres are adequately and appropriately staffed including the newly constructed centres.
Distinguished guests, dear youths, ladies and gentlemen: I now wish to thank organisations and cooperating partners who have jointly worked with my government in making this year’s youth week and day celebrations successful.
I further wish to thank the youths of Zambia through various youth organizations, government ministries, private sector and public institutions for their participation in the march past today and other activities during youth week.
I thank you and may God the Almighty richly bless the Republic of Zamba and its people!
Vice President Guy Scott said that the PF government is working hard to get rid of MMD cadres who are still serving in the civil service.
Dr Scott said that the MMD cadres are making attempts to sabotage the PF government operations.
And Dr Scott has defended the appointment of PF cadres in the civil service. Dr Scott said that the PF government cannot neglect cadres who ushered it into power.
The Vice President has advised PF cadres to have confidence in the government that the voted into office because the administration is determined to develop the country.
Dr Scott said this in Mufulira on Sunday when he addressed PF cadres.
Commerce minister Bob Sichinga has revealed that the government has no intentions of nationalizing companies. Mr. Sichinga said that the commissions of inquiry that were set by the government should not be mistaken as a nationalizing process.
He said that the commissions of inquiry are just conformity to what the Patriotic Front government made to the people of Zambia during campaigns. He clarified that the current government does not want a situation where a company that was sold in dubious manner continue operating in the country.
He said that government is committed to ensure that lawlessness is not allowed to continue operating in the country.
Meanwhile, Mr Sichinga has said that alleviation of poverty and underdevelopment in Africa depends on the co-operation of the major three regional economic blocs. Mr Sichinga said this when he officially opened a second COMESA-SADC and the East African Community tripartite meeting in Lusaka.
He said that transparency is one of the cardinal principles of the Tripartite negotiations.
Mr Sichinga has urged delegates at the second meeting of the Tripartite Trade Negotiations Forum to exchange the necessary information and data.
He says there is need to be truthful and open with one another because the Forum stands to be a major collective fight against poverty and underdevelopment in the whole continent.
And speaking to journalists COMESA Secretary General, Sindiso Ngwenya says one of the objectives of the meeting is to harmonise trade agreement for the entire region.
Ministry of Information Broadcasting and Labour Permanent Secretary Amos Malupenga
Government says it will soon open up the airwaves to allow private radio stations expand their radius and cover the whole nation.
Information, Broadcasting and Labour Permanent Secretary, Amos Malupenga disclosed that government is willing to spread media coverage so that Zambians can have information about what is taking place in other parts of the country.
Mr. Malupenga says all community radio stations willing to
expand their coverage area should start preparing their equipment.
He said this is because government is in the process of putting in place the Independent Broadcasting Authority -IBA.
He says a well informed citizenry will make informed decisions which will help government serve them better.
And Mr. Malupenga has reassured media practitioners in the country that government will never interfere in their operations unless they go beyond what is allowed by law.
He says the Independent Broadcasting Authority -IBA and the Freedom of Information law might be in place before the end of the year.
He says the law will help enhance the operations of the media.
He was speaking on a special programme on Oblate Radio Liseli in Mongu.
Joe Simwaba AKA Misty Radio is the first born of three, two boys, one girl. ” I call myself Misty Radio because am all music, hence i compare myself to the radio clouded in misty, u can’t see the radio itself but only the music. ”
He is 25year old Zambian male Rapper, a Diploma holder in Insurance and a 2011 best student award winner inNational advanced Certificate in Insurance awarded at the 30th Graduation Ceremony held by Zambia Insurance Business College Trust( ZIBCT) at Mulungushi Conference Centre awarded by the Insurance Institute of Zambia(iiz). He completed High School in 2005 at Pemba High School in southern province.
“Currently i just completed my first nine track album entitled KULI MAI( To my mother) which am trying to promote right now. This album was produced by Jerry Fingaz, T-Sean( K-amy studio) & V.I.K from SSV Studio and it features Zambia’s renowned musicians i.e. Alpha Romeo, Choklet, Romario-chikonko & Tommy D.”
Kapa187: What made you decide to get serious about making music?
Misty Radio: What made me decide to get serious into making music is talent, passion and already established artists namely Choklet and Batu who encouraged me to sell my talent after discovering that i have what it takes to make it in the music industry after featuring choklet on my first ever song to record which is a hit song entitled “What kind of love is this” and is part of my album. My musical talent takes back to 1994 back in the village where I was staying with an uncle who was a guitarist and taught me how to play a guitar and we used to sing in church, to me it makes miracles especially when you pull the right strings.
Kapa187: You have a Diploma in Insurance , so is music the career you want to pursue or is it more of a hobby?
Misty Radio : From my stage name Misty Radio, am all music and music is something I can’t do without, to me music is an addiction and I don’t mind making it a career because I don’t want to leave this world as though I just entered a shop for window shopping, I want to do something for my country, I want to put my country on the map, I want to touch one soul before I die and I want to be remembered as a chapter in this country rather than a sentence because music is the most effective channel through which you can spearhead the fight against HIV/AIDS, CHILD ABUSE, GENDER BASED VIOLENCE, CORRUPTION etc.
Kapa187: What makes you stand out from other artists ?
Misty Radio: I mark myself out of my fellow artists because in my music I bring out real issues and my music carters for all age groups unlike other music a parent can’t fill free listening to in the presence of the kids.
Kapa187:.What can your fans expect from your album?
Misty Radio : With you my fans I feel am loved by the best, with you I have been blessed , and with you am above with the rest, please continue supporting me I won’t disappoint you, look out for my album : KULI MAI (To my mother) this the album you can’t afford not listening to, my album is the best as it features Choklet, Tommy D, Romario-chikonko and Alpha Romeo. produced by the best i.e Jerry fingaz, T-Sean & V.I.K. To my newly acquired fans and prospective fans am more of your property when you smile am happy.
Kapa187: What challenges have you faced and overcome in your music career.
Misty Radio: Lack of respect for artists in the sense that we are not appreciated much for our works, can you imagine a radio station without music, A TV station without music but when you take your music for air play people look at faces, it shouldn’t be like that, let’s work together for a better zambia. My main challenges has been promoting my music which is very difficult without a promoter and with scarce resources, therefore I want to take this opportunity to say am looking for a promoter or manager urgently. There is a lot of talent out there but without promotion they are nothing.
Kapa187:.How did you feel the first time your performed your music live and how was the response.
Misty Radio : The first time I performed my music, it was very amazing because I managed to move the audience and every one gave me a round of applause when I took off the stage followed by signing of autographs, it was that moment I felt everything was possible. This was at Muvi TV Kid Star fundraising show held at Kamwala high school in 2010. Am now looking forward to have a series of performances as a way of promoting my music among them mother’s day following my poplar video KULI MAI which will start playing today on Muvi TV & ZNBC TV2 & 1 respectively.
Kapa187: How was the experience of making your video , what was the concept behind it.
Misty Radio: My experience was good because I enjoy doing what I like the most but it was hectic and expensive to bring everyone that featured in the video together as well as finding a suitable venue. The concept behind the video was basically to show appreciation to the women or mothers out there for the hardships they go through in raising up their children, the care, love and support, for that I thank God for their lives. To all the mothers I love you all & I can’t forget, may God bless you abundantly, some women go for abortion but mum kept me for nine months in her womb, raised me up, today am standing tall because of her, KULI MAI SININGAPONTE. The video features a public figure, Alice Banda commonly known as Amai Mfumu Chidano from the first episode of Banja a local production drama for Muvi TV.
Kapa187: Where do you think zambian music will be in 10 years ,and your career in particular.
Misty Radio :We are on the right track and we are taking Zambian music to greater heights, in ten years time Zambia will never be the same again.
Kapa187: Any last words to your fans…
Misty Radio : To my fans and prospective fans I need your help more than ever to help me bring Zambia alive and Zambia’s dream to reality by putting Zambia on the map and a Zambia free from child abuse, free from HIV/AIDS, free from gender based violence as I am a voice to the voiceless. Look out for my album KULI MAI buy a genuine CD, stop piracy. From deep down my heart, I love you all.
Finally I just want to say thanks to you for the recommendable job you are doing in promoting us artists keep it up I salute you. Thanks also goes to all the DJs, the media and everyone for the support may God bless you. To my fellow upcoming artist education is the key to success , music should come second.
THE Private Sector Development Association (PSDA) has called on the Government to create thresholds for Zambian and foreign contractors as a way of building capacity for local companies.
PSDA president Yusuf Dodia said in an interview that the Zambian contractors needed to get a push from the Government through letting smaller tenders be left strictly for local contractors while leaving the bigger ones open for all.
Mr Dodia said one of the challenges being faced by most Zambian contractors was the inability to handle large-scale contracts which subsequently ended up in the hands of foreign companies.
He added that Zambian contractors would have to start growing but that challenge would only be overcome if Government put up deliberate policies intended at building capacity.
“Local companies are definitely disadvantaged in terms of getting real big Government contracts because of capacity challenges. This is where Government needs to come up with thresholds that would help Zambian companies get contracts.
“A threshold of K10 billion should not be open tender but for local contractors and anything above that should be open, this will see Zambia build capacity and create more jobs and wealth for Zambians,” he said.
He said by so doing, Government would be creating a good business environment which was supporting the growth of local enterprises.
Mr Dodia said the threshold would help spur local business and the money to be made by local contractors would be re-invested within the country and thereby help other sectors of the economy to grow.
Asked on calls by the Zambia Chamber for Commerce and Industry that local companies should also get tax holidays that foreign investors enjoy, Mr Dodia said what was more important was for the Zambian companies to be given preference as a boost.
He said Government through the Zambia Development Agency should indentify companies with vast potential in various sectors and help them become sustainable through tax holidays.
Republican president Michael Sata has today led thousands of the youth in commemorating youth day celebrations.
President Sata was joined by government ministers and members of the diplomatic corps among the invited guests.
Zambia is commemorating youth day under the theme accelarating youth empowerment for sustainable development.
Meanwhile a 24-year-old man of Livingstone has received a Youth Day gift from President Sata, which will help him to deal with a medical condition that has almost crippled his body.
Robiana Muketa suffers from spina bifida which is a birth defect that involves the incomplete development of the spinal cord or its coverings.
President Sata was greatly touched by Muketa’s condition and has immediately directed Ministry of Health permanent secretary Peter Mwaba to evacuate Muketa to UTH for an analysis of his illness which should be treated abroad if need be.
President Sata said Government stands ready to facilitate and fund Muketa’s treatment abroad, if medical experts at UTH recommend so.
This is contained in a statement issued in Lusaka yesterday by special assistant to the President for press and public relations George Chellah.
“As a parent, it breaks my heart to see a determined and focused child like Robiana going through such excruciating pain and misery due to a debilitating medical condition.
“It is for this reason that I have instructed the Ministry of Health permanent secretary to show leadership and promptly activate the referral system, to ensure that we do all we can to extend a helping hand to this young man,” Mr Sata said.
And Muketa has thanked President Sata for evacuating him for specialist treatment.
Muteka said in an interview at Livingstone General Hospital shortly before being evacuated to Lusaka that he is happy that First Lady Christine Kaseba responded positively to the appeal he made to her a few days ago.
He said President Sata’s intervention shows that he has a heart for the people.
“I feel very good that there are people who can help,” said Muketa.
He said his family could not afford the cost of treatment but is now happy that the family is getting some help.
Muketa’s cousin Tance said President Sata’s directive is the best gift Muketa has received on Youth Day.
Andella Chileshe Matthews, Is the reigning Miss Zambia UK. She is 24 year old from Ndola Zambia currently living in London. She is currently finishing her masters degree in Sports Therapy which she loves as she has a great passion for sports. Andella is an ambassador for a charity called Contesa. In the past 2 years they have managed to raise a little over £250,000 where proceeds go towards providing HIV/AIDS and under privileged children with primary education, trade skills, basic meal and shelter in Zambia.
Charity work or helping others that are less fortunate than herself has always been something she has worked towards.
THE Mineworkers Union of Zambia (MUZ) has advised employers against taking advantage of President Sata’s threat to dismiss civil servants who may go on strike to offer workers low wages and poor conditions of service.
MUZ acting president Charles Mukuka said in a statement issued in Kitwe yesterday that MUZ will not agree with employers who seem to take advantage of the ‘heat of the moment’ to offer members ‘funny salary hikes’.
“It is common knowledge that undertakings or employers have unique productivity and unit cost profiles and their ability to pay differs from employer to employer, due to numerous factors. Our research indicates that most companies are generally performing well,” Mr Mukuka said.
He argued that the salary levels are not uniform in all companies and this leaves collective bargaining as the only option to improve salaries for workers.
“And we even wonder how an employee getting K550, 000 can continue surviving if that salary is increased by the current inflation rate of six percent. We fear that the threat to fire civil servants who may go on strike might trickle down to our mining sector,” Mr Mukuka said.
He also dismissed claims that the industrial action that has taken place, or is due to happen, is an attempt by trade unions to blackmail Government. Mr Mukuka said MUZ is taken aback by President Sata’s threats to dismiss workers who will resort to strikes, to compel Government to meet their demands.
[pullquote]“And we even wonder how an employee getting K550, 000 can continue surviving if that salary is increased by the current inflation rate of six percent. We fear that the threat to fire civil servants who may go on strike might trickle down to our mining sector,” Mr Mukuka said.[/pullquote]
He said it should be noted from the outset that while in opposition, the Patriotic Front (PF) campaigned on a platform of putting more money in the pockets of workers and creating jobs. Mr Mukuka said these promises have heightened expectations from Zambians who expect the PF to deliver.
“We would also like to observe that we have in the past commended the PF for promising not to interfere in collective bargaining. However, we feel that directing the bargaining units to match inflation in salary adjustments amounts to interference, as it takes away the guarantee of collective bargaining which is a fundamental right of any bargaining unit,” Mr Mukuka said.
He added: “When this pronouncement was made by President Sata, trade unions started facing unnecessary hurdles during collective bargaining processes as most employers capitalised on this chance to offer mediocre salary raises, regardless of how good their performance may be.”
