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United Party for National Development, UPND president Hakainde Hichilema
United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema has charged that Zambians feel cheated by the many promises the Patriotic Front made prior to the 2011 elections which it has failed to fulfill.
Mr Hichilema said that it is important that the Patriotic Front governs according to the expectations of the Zambian people. He said that the PF promised to look into the welfare of workers and better the living standards of Zambians among other promises it made to the people during the campaigns.
Mr Hichilema said the reported proposed salary increment of four percent to civil servants is therefore a mockery. He said that it was important that the many promises that the PF made to the people of Zambia are fulfilled.
Meanwhile, Chief Chikanta of Kalomo District has called on all Zambians to assist President Michael Sata and the Patriotic Front-PF Government deliver development. In a statement to ZANIS in Choma today, Chief Chikanta urged all traditional leaders in the province to assist President Sata and the PF government deliver on its promises to the Zambian people.
He said Chiefs must assist the government to implement programmes meant to develop the rural parts of the country. “As traditional leaders in Southern Province we support the fight against corruption and programmes aimed at reducing poverty, employment creation and good governance,” he said.
Chief Chikanta said on September 20, 2011, the people of Zambia gave President Sata a mandate to govern the country for the next five years and that it was only important that all well-meaning Zambians assisted him to effectively fulfil his mandate.
He urged all chiefs in the country to work with the government of the day to foster development in the rural parts of the country.
File: Part of the crowd that converged to meet the Ngambela when he arrived in Mongu
A political Analyst has said that the people of Western Province need to understand the Implications of the content of the Barotseland Agreement. Dr. Alex Ng’oma has told QFM News that the boundaries of the Barotseland go beyond some of Zambia’s borders and has wondered how possible it will be for the people of western province to claim the land in such countries.
Dr Ng’oma who is also a political scientist at the University of Zambia notes that the issue of the Barotseland Agreement is a very sensitive matter which will need to be handled carefully by the parties involved as failure to do so may result in anarchy.
Dr. Ng’oma adds that while the people of western province have a good cause with regards the issue of the Barotseland, there is nowhere in the Agreement where secession is mentioned. He has also urged government to ensure that there is dialogue on the matter to rectify the mistakes that could have been made at the time the Barotseland Agreement was being signed.
Dr Ng’oma has since advised the government to listen to the people of western province on the matter.
Former MMD National Secretary Katele Kalumba said that emotions should not take centre stage in finding an amicable solution on the Barotseland agreement of 1964. Dr. Kalumba has stated that history has molded the Barotseland and the rest of Zambia into one country and that session should not be an option.
He stated that the challenges faced in western province are visible and that it is important that stakeholders look into that. Dr Kalumba says such challenges can be resolved through a budget formula that accommodates some of the developmental challenges faced in western province.
And the Non Governmental Organisation Coordinating Council urge the concerned parties to the Barotseland agreement, the government, the Barotseland Royal Establishment and the people of Western Province, to guide the nation and provide leadership on the matter by resolving the issue amicably and engaging in dialogue through an independent arbitration team in order to bring in level headness to the deliberation.
NGOCC Board Chairperson Beatrice Grillo in a statement released to QFM News said that as the women’s movement they want to place on record that the Mongu riots and killings should not be repeated in the history of Zambia.
Ms Grillo said this is more so given the negative aspects that arise from any conflict where mostly women and children face the brunt of violence. She said that NGOCC urges for serious and urgent dialogue on the matter and that this will require open mindedness by all parties.
She added that the socio-economic challenges at the centre of the stand-off should be a motivator for well meaning advancement of the right to development. Ms Grillo said this must be seen from a broader perspective of moving the country forward.
She further states that NGOCC stands ready to be a part of the dialogue process and will mobilize its members on the ground to bring to the table the real issues that must preoccupy the deliberations.
He says in all this there is need not to forget to embrace solidarity and the One-Zambia, One-Nation spirit that Zambia has nurtured and guarded for long since independence.
And Get Involved Zambia Executive Director Father Bwalya has said that Zambians are praying that through dialogue the issues surrounding the Barotseland agreement will be resolved amicably.
And Father Bwalya has advised the Zambian government and the Barotseland Royal Establishment not to base their dialogue on media reports. Father Bwalya said that relying on media reports, some of which are misleading, will not help resolve the matter.
He said that it is important that the two parties dialogue and maintain Zambia’s status as a unitary state. In an interview with QFM, Father Bwalya stated that people of western province and the rest of the Zambian people have become one people, saying secession might not be the best option.
Visiting DR Congo side St. Eloi Lupopo yesterday concluded their week-long Copperbelt training camp with 2-0 win over MTN Super Division side Nchanga Rangers in Chingola.
Striker Kamundele Ngunga and midfielder Riccardo Musetti scored for the Lubumbashi side.
Lupopo are preparing for this weekend’s CAF Confederations Cup first round return match against South Africa’s Black Leopards who won the first leg 4-2 in Polokwane.
The Tuesday friendly came a day after Lupopo had beaten Roan United 2-0 at Luanshya’s Kafubu Stadium.
The Congolese side begun the Copperbelt tour with a friendly against FAZ Division One North outfit Kitwe United which ended in a 1-1 stalemate at Garden Park.
And after playing three friendlies on the Copperbelt, Lupopo Zambian right back Osward Kalamba said his side is now ready to overturn the 4-2 deficit in Lubumbashi and eliminate Leopards from the Confederations Cup.
An unprecedented blend of real-life heroism and original filmmaking, Act of Valor stars a group of active-duty U.S. Navy SEALs in a film like no other in Hollywood’s history. A fictionalized account of real life Navy SEAL operations, Act of Valor features a gripping story that takes audiences on an adrenaline-fueled, edge-of-their-seat journey. When a mission to recover a kidnapped CIA operative unexpectedly results in the discovery of an imminent, terrifying global threat, an elite team of highly trained Navy SEALs must immediately embark on a heart-stopping secret operation, the outcome of which will determine the fate of us all. Act of Valor combines stunning combat sequences, up-to-the-minute battlefield technology, and heart-pumping emotion for the ultimate action adventure film-showcasing the skills, training and tenacity of the greatest action heroes of them all: real Navy SEALs.
PROS
Great action scenes
CONS
poorly developed characters , you do not get emotionaly attached to any of the charaters.
The acting was very stiff and monotonous
the storyline was predictable
FAVORITE QUOTES
Agent Morales: If you’re not willing to give up everything, you’ve already lost.
Agent Morales: When your time comes to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song, and die like a hero going home.
CONCLUSION
Lovers of action movies will really enjoy this one . But if you are looking for a well acted , gripping story then you will be disappointed. ,Ultimately, the film’s greatest asset, the real life Navy SEALs (and their insight), create a strange mix of successes and failures that at times enhance the experience and on other occasions don’t translate very well from reality to film.
President Michael Sata has sent a message of condolences to the Bemba Royal Establishment following the death of His Royal Highness, Mwine Lubemba, Paramount Chief Chitumukulu XXXV11 (37th) of the Bemba people. This is according to a media release from State House made available to the media this afternoon.
President Sata said it was with great sadness that he learnt of the death of Mwine Lubemba, Paramount Chief Chitimukulu Chilufya Mwango Chitapankwa III, who died at Lusaka’s University Teaching Hospital (UTH).
The President described the late Chitimukulu as a true statesman who served his people and the country with distinction.
“I have no doubt in my mind that, this loss will be deeply felt not only by the Bemba Royal Establishment at Mungwi but by multitudes of Zambians both within the country and abroad,” President Sata said.
“On behalf of the people and the Government of Zambia, I wish to extend my deepest condolences to the Bemba Royal Establishment for this deep loss. We pray that the Almighty God grants the royal family and the establishment fortitude and strength during this sad time.”
President Sata appealed to the Bemba Royal Establishment to promote peace and ensure harmony during the long year period of mourning.
The late Mr. Ackson Chilufya Mwamba ascended to the throne in 2007 and was officially recognised as Paramount Chief Chitimukulu on 7th May 2007 through Statutory Instrument No. 36 of 2007.
He became officially known as Chitimukulu Chilufya Mwango Chitapankwa III. Before he became Paramount Chief Chitimukulu, he served as Chief Mpepo of Mpika district.
A traditional ruler has ordered the Kapiri Mposhi District Council not to displace his subjects from their farmlands in his chiefdom.
Chief Nkole of the Swaka speaking people said the claim for part of the land of his chiefdom by the council is illegal adding that the local authority should not proceed to evicting his people from the land.
The Chief revealed that the council has repossessed a 15 Km radius size of land from his chiefdom and was threatening to evict his subjects from the land in question.
In a statement to ZANIS today the Chief said he had not surrendered the said land to the government and accused the council of illegally grabbing part of his chiefdom land.
Chief Nkole stated that his subjects who are currently settled on the land were legally given the farm plots.
“I have never signed anywhere that I have given land to the state so do not displace my people from their farms on this land because those are their permanent farms given to them with permits”, Chief Nkole said.
He warned the Council to stop interfering into land issues in his chiefdom and not to undertake any land development works in the area without his permission.
“ I’m warning the council to stop interfering in my chiefdom land boundaries because their claims that I have given 15 Km radius land to the state is false. They should let my people stay in harmony on this land”, Chief Nkole said.
[pullquote]“ I’m warning the council to stop interfering in my chiefdom land boundaries because their claims that I have given 15 Km radius land to the state is false. They should let my people stay in harmony on this land”, Chief Nkole said.[/pullquote]
This is also contained in a letter to the Council Secretary, Venture Kafula and copied to among others the Commissioner of Lands, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Traditional and Chiefs Affairs and Central Province Permanent Secretary.
But Kapiri Mposhi District Council has refuted claims from Chief Nkole that the local authority has grabbed land from his subjects.
Council Secretary, Venture Kafula said the council has just applied to the Royal Highness asking for the land in question and has not proceeded to evicting the settlers because the Chief has not yet consented to the request.
Mr Kafula said the council intends to acquire the land for developmental purposes and widening its jurisdiction boundaries.
The Council Secretary argued that the local authority has just taken over the administration of the land on which government recently constructed the District Hospital, a Girls Technical School and Mushimbili Dam.
“We can’t grab traditional land without the approval of the Chief we follow the procedure that’s why we have applied to him for consent and we are waiting for him to approve”, Mr Kafula said.
Luapula Province Permanent Secretary Gabriel Kaunda has been dropped and another person to take over from him has been appointed.
Mr Kaunda announced his contract termination as Permanent Secretary for Luapula Province this morning during a briefing with heads of government departments in the province in the provincial conference room.
He said he was grateful for the cooperation that he received from heads of government departments during his brief five months stay as a top civil servant in the province.
He said he was winding up his business today and will be travelling to Kasama tomorrow to start a new life.
He said the new Permanent Secretary will be reporting next week and hoped that the heads of government departments will give him the required support as they did during his five months stay.
Meanwhile Luapula Province Minister has called for monthly meetings with heads of government departments in order for the province to move together and speak with one language regarding the developmental agenda of the province.
And the Disaster Management Unit Regional Officer Hambai Mweetwa advised that there was need to create a platform where heads of government departments could find it easy to brief provincial administration on what they were doing so that even when meetings for briefings are called provincial administration will have known the progress on most of the projects in the province.
Mr Mweetwa made the proposal in the light of several government provincial heads who were not being accorded easy access to the Permanent Secretary and were ending up being blocked by the secretary from seeing the outgoing Permanent Secretary for briefings on progress made to some projects in the province.
File: PARAMOUNT Chief Mpweto of the Bwile people in the Democratic Republic Congo talks to sub-chief (Natende) Dr. Katele Kalumba during the ceremony
Former MMD National Secretary Katele Kalumba says emotions should not take centre stage in finding an amicable solution on the Barotseland agreement of 1964.
Dr. Kalumba has stated that history has molded the Barotseland and the rest of Zambia into one country and that session should not be an option.
He states that the challenges faced in western province are visible and that it is important that stakeholders look into that.
Dr Kalumba says such challenges can be resolved through a budget formula that accommodates some of the developmental challenges faced in western province.
MINISTER of Sport, Youth and Child Development Chishimba Kambwili
The Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) has written off all electricity bills incurred by Luanshya residents who were affected by the closure of Luanshya Copper Mine.
This came to light yesterday when Roan Member of Parliament Chishimba Kambwili addressed a public meeting in his constituency at Chaisa complex grounds.
Mr. Kambwili explained that the move came about after a thorough discussion with the Energy Minister.
He noted that at a time the mine was closed, a lot of people were out of employment making it difficult for them to settle their electricity and other bills.
ZANIS reports that Mr. Kambwili was, however, quick to urge the residents to pay their outstanding bills as the mine is now open and people have gone back to work.
[pullquote]Mr. Kambwili also directed ZCCM to ensure that all the people who bought mine houses are given title deeds by September this year.[/pullquote]
He also emphasized on the importance of people paying their electricity bills saying it enables the utility firm run efficiently.
Mr. Kambwili also directed ZCCM to ensure that all the people who bought mine houses are given title deeds by September this year.
To a packed house at Boston University on April 2, President Rupiah Banda made a strong defense for democracy as the African Presidential Center’s new President-in-Residence. In his opening salvo Banda said, “For democracy to flourish there must be a continuing stream of individuals of integrity and ideas with promise. There must be room for a new generation of leaders to rise to solve the next generation of problems. If democracy is going to be secure in countries like Zambia, if development is going to take root; old leaders can’t cling to power or attempt to consolidate it at all costs.”
President Banda also stressed that there is a role for the Western world to play in furthering democracy in Africa, but that it is important for the West to take its cues from African leadership. Using the example of recent events in Mali to make his point, Banda pointed out that “sometimes there are unintended consequences.” He went on to explain that NATO’s arming of rebels in Libya has played a part in the overthrow of Mali’s President Amadou Toumani Touré by Tuareg fighters who have moved into Mali following the fall of Qaddafi.
President Rupiah Banda is the Eighth President-in-Residence at Boston University’s African Presidential Center. As President-in-Residence, President Banda follows such notables as former Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda, President Q. Ketumile Masire, former president of Botswana, President Antonio Monteiro, former president of Cape Verde, and Mo Ibrahim prize-winner President Festus Gontebanye Mogae, former president of Botswana.
Banda will fill the role of President-in-Residence at Boston University through the fall. In addition to his responsibilities at BU’s African Presidential Center, President Banda will also conduct lectures at schools that are part of the Center’s Collaborative, including Morehouse College, Elizabeth City State University, the University of Dar es Salaam, and the University of Ghana, Legon. He will be traveling within the United States and Africa to discuss his experiences as President, trends of democratization, and the current state of African politics. He will also join other former heads of state at the African Presidential Center’s upcoming African Presidential Roundtable, to be hosted at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, May 23-25, 2012.
The African President-in-Residence program is an initiative of the African Presidential Center at Boston University and is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The African Presidential Center has taken an unprecedented approach to studying democratization and free-market reform in Africa. Through this residency program for former democratically elected African leaders, the African Presidential Center provides a forum for sharing the insights and expertise of past and present heads of state and government. The African Presidential Center’s other initiatives include its internationally renowned African Leaders State of Africa Report, as well as its annual policy forum, the African Presidential Roundtable.
Federation for Free Trade Unions of Zambia (FFTUZ) National Executive Secretary Lyson Mando says the Patriotic Front government should prove to Zambian people who voted them into office that they are different from the MMD government.
Mr. Mando says it will be pointless for workers to continue having the same old complaints under the PF government which they had during the regime of the MMD.
In an interview with QFM, Mr. Mando says government needs to take the ongoing negotiations with public service unions seriously for salary increments and improved condition of service because the PF campaigned on the basis of putting more money in people’s pockets.
He has however called on workers in the country to be a little bit patient with the PF government because it is operating on a budget that it found in place.
FAZ Division One North side Chambishi coach Benjamin “Kawilo” Chilongo has declared that his team is this year winning promotion to the Super Division.
Chilongo joined Chambishi in January after helping Prison Leopards finish third in the 2011 Division One North campaign.
In interview,Chilongo said he has assembled a good side capable of winning promotion to the elite league.
“This year we are going to the Super League. We are looking forward to finish either on position one or two only,” he said.
However,the ex-Nkana trainer predicted a tough season.
Chilongo cited demoted teams Kalewa and Lime Hotspur as some of the teams that are going to make the league competitive.
“The league is going to be tough, teams demoted from the Super League like Kalewa and Lime will make the league very competitive,” he added.
“We will treat all the games as they come. And we need the support from our fans,you know football is a collective sport,” Chilongo stated.
File: Home Affairs Minister Kennedy Sakeni (l) and his colleague for Justice Sebastian Zulu take to the dance floor during the International Women's Day march past
Government has welcomed the decision by the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) to drop secession calls and engage in dialogue on issues surrounding the Barotseland Agreement of 1964.
Home Affairs Minister, Kennedy Sakeni says the development is a big relief not only to government but to all peace loving Zambians.
Mr. Sakeni told ZANIS in a telephone interview in Lusaka today that government is happy with the development and commended the BRE for taking the stance.
He said the stance has been taken in the spirit of reconciliation and give and take which he said will promote peace and co-existence.
Mr. Sakeni noted that being confrontation would have resulted in the breakdown of communication between the two parties adding that this would have also led to lawlessness in the country.
The Minister has also commended the Ngambela, Clement Sinyinda, who he said is a good politician interested in peace.
Mr. Sakeni has since called for the use of dialogue in resolving contentious issues which he said will help in maintaining peace in the country.
He said it is the duty of all Zambians to help maintain the peace and stability the country has enjoyed since independence and promote co-existence.
Mr. Sakeni’s comment follows news that the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) has with immediate effect stopped any agitation for secession and has instead opted for dialogue with the Government in the interest of peace and national unity.
Ngambela Sinyinda is quoted to have said that the nation should brace for a “shocking” amicable settlement to the impasse that was created after the declaration of Western Province as an independent State last week.
The Barotse National Council (BNC) last week in Limulunga resolved that Western Province should secede from the rest of Zambia.
