The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) has today launched the 2011 MISA Zambia annual Media awards.

Speaking during the launch, MISA Acting Chairman Nalumino Nalumino told Journalist at the press briefing that the annual media awards are aimed at promoting professionalism among Journalist and Media institutions.

ZANIS reports Mr Nalumino has stated that MISA will also honour institutions and individuals that have significantly contributed to a free and independent media in the Country.

He said a free media is an important prerequisite that creates an enabling environment for the media to be professional in its line of work.

Mr Nalumino disclosed that with this arrangement, deserving Journalists stand a chance to win between 2 and 3 million kwacha respectively.

The categories of the awards are those covered on Radio, Television and Print Media which include issues such as best Energy reporting, best HIV/AIDS reporting and MISA freedom award.

All the award categories will give a deserving journalist K2 million except the MISA Freedom award which carries a K3 million prize.

Meanwhile the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has also introduced an award for the best Elections reporting while Zambia Information Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA) has also introduced an award for the best reporting on Information Communication Technology (ICT).

The stories to be considered for the awards should have been published between 1st January 2011 and 31st December 2011 and the submission of the reports closes on 13th March 2012.

ZANIS

President Michael Sata has expressed his condolences to the Lewanika family over the death of their mother Mrs. Namaya Lewanika. The late Mrs. Lewanika, who was the mother to Ambassador Inonge Mbikusita – Lewanika and Mr. Akashambatwa Mbikusita – Lewanika, among others died this morning at Lewanika General Hospital in Mongu.

President Sata has learnt with a deep sense of sadness, the unfortunate demise of the late Mrs. Lewanika.

“On behalf of the Government and people of the Republic of Zambia and indeed on my own behalf, I wish to express our most sincere and deepest condolences to the bereaved family,” the President said.

“We commiserate with the bereaved family and join them in spirit, prayerful reflection, and beseech the Almighty to grant them solace and fortitude to bear this great loss. May the soul of the late Mrs. Lewanika rest in eternal peace.”

United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema has labeled President Michael Sata a flip flopping President.

Mr Hichilema in a statement released to QFM News says President Sata has changed positions on many national issues such the windfall tax, street vending and now the Barotseland agreement.

He says it is President Sata’s past statements, his alleged flip flopping habits and his deafening silence on UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon’s advocacy on gay rights that is worrying.

Mr Hichilema has demanded that President Michael Sata gives the nation his position and that of the PF on gay rights as advocated for by UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon who visited the country last week.

He says the UPND believes that as an African and Christian nation, Zambia has no place for gay rights.

He explains that the scriptures and the country’s culture which are a guiding light are clear on the matter.

Mr Hichilema further states that the country’s existing laws do not allow for this practice,adding that as Africans, culture which is protector of morals does not permit this practice.

He adds that UPND believes that for civility and national stability to continue in Zambia, gay rights must remain outlawed.

QFM

Get Involved Zambia Executive Director Father Frank Bwalya has advised the Patriotic Front government not to entertain homosexuality in the country as propagated by UN Chief Ban Ki-moon who was in the country recently.

Father Bwalya says the government should instead listen to the voices of the people basing their arguments on the status of Zambia as a Christian nation.

Speaking in an interview with QFM, Father Bwalya says Get Involved Zambia agrees that people of homosexual orientation need to be loved and respected but states that it opposes calls to recognize gay rights in Zambia.

He says all that people need to do is to distinguish between homosexual orientation and homosexual acts.

Father Bwalya has since expressed optimism that government will not condone recognizing homosexual acts in the country as it is shameful.

And African Union implementation team member Joseph Chilengi has called on the Zambian Government to allow debate on homosexuality.

Mr. Chilengi says it is also important for the Zambian stakeholders to understand the motivation behind the United Nations and western nations’ push for developing countries to respect gay rights.

Mr. Chilengi adds that the Zambian government should ensure that debate on the issue of gay rights is exhausted before issuing any statement on its position.

He notes that debate on gay rights is a sensitive matter which should be handled with the caution it deserves.

QFM
Mr Chilengi adds that it is important that Zambia comes up with a position that will be acceptable both locally and internationally.

Foreign Affairs and Tourism Minister Given Lubinda has said there were tremendous socio-economic benefits that accrue from tourism development such as wealth creation, revenue generation and rural development among others.

Mr. Lubinda said government supports efforts of the private sector which are aimed at sustaining the growth of the tourism industry in the country.

He said this in a speech read for him in Livingstone today by Foreign Affairs and Tourism Permanent Secretary Ambassador Peter Kasanda during the official launch of David Livingstone Bicentenary 2013.

Mr. Lubinda stressed that 2013 would be an important year for Zambia as it would celebrate the bicentenary of David Livingstone and host the 20th Session of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) General Assembly.

He expressed confidence that the two major events would attract more visitors to the country.

He has since encouraged the private sector to reach out to as many stakeholders and partners as possible to ensure success and increased tourist traffic to the country.

Mr. Lubinda further called on the corporate world to support tourism development as part of their corporate social responsibility.

“I would like to urge the corporate world to support tourism and rural development as part of their corporate social responsibility even as government through the tourism marketing arm- Zambia Tourism Board (ZTB), will continue to participate in preparations for the bicentenary celebrations,” he said.

He noted that Dr. David Livingstone’s commitment and legacy to mankind was huge hence the world still celebrated his dedication to exploration, medicine, education and the eradication of slavery.

And speaking earlier, British High Commissioner to Zambia James Thornton said he was impressed that the Zambian government wanted to remember Dr. Livingstone as a great explorer who took exceptional interest in making Africa known to Europeans.

Mr. Thornton said Dr. Livingstone inspired many missionaries to come to Zambia adding that this contributed to the country’s current Christian status.

He said he was impressed with some of the ideas put forward by the David Livingstone Bicentenary Organizing committee such as the medical exchange between Livingstone and Scotland, cultural exchange between schools in the United Kingdom and Zambia and academic conferences on Dr. Livingstone among others.

Mr. Thornton, who arrived in Livingstone yesterday, is also scheduled to meet government officials and tour operators before returning to Lusaka tomorrow.

ZANIS