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Government has finally come out to give its position on the on going debate on gay rights ignited by UN Secretary General Ban KI Moon. Chief Government Spokesperson Fackson Shamenda has told a media briefing in Lusaka today that the laws of the land are very clear that homosexuality is not allowed in Zambia.
Mr Shamenda says Zambia will therefore not entertain the amendment of the law to allow for the recognition of gay rights. Mr. Shamenda wonders why the issue of homosexuality has become an issue when the UN Chief raised a number of important issues during his visit other than the issue of gay rights.
Responding to questions by journalists Mr. Shamenda said government will not waste time on an issue that is not of importance. He says there are a number of important developmental issue government can concentrate on instead of debating an issue that is guided by the law.
And the information, broadcasting and labour minister says the allegations made by former vice president George Kunda that the country has become undemocratic under the PF government are calculated at attracting sympathy from the international community on former leaders being probed.
Mr. Shamenda says it is evident that Mr. Kunda is panicking and using the baseless accusations to divert attention from the ongoing crusade against corruption. He says the PF government is committed to upholding human rights, the rule of law and constitutionalism, contrary to Mr. Kunda’s accusations.
Mr. Shamenda has since challenged the former republican vice president to cite a case where former leaders have been harassed and arbitrarily charged with offences outside the due process of the law.
Meanwhile, Mr. Shamenda has advised Mr. Kunda to go ahead and involve the Southern African Development Community (SADC) on the matter. He says the PF government will have nothing to hide to SADC because it has all the facts right.
UN Secretary General Ban ki-moon poses for a picture with President Sata.His remarks about respecting Gay rights sparked much controversy in the country
by Mwansa Besa
We are it again. The call by the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon for people to respect gay and lesbian’s rights makes some interesting reading. It is also interesting noting how this call has brought to the fore a wide range of reactions from people from all walks of life. Since time immemorial the issue of homosexuality and lesbianism has always raised a lot of questions and answers not only in Zambia but the world over. History is rich with stories of influential and bright people whose lives took a bad turn when it was discovered that they were gay. Names like Alan Turing arguably one of the greatest mathematicians this world has ever seen comes to mind. Turing’s homosexuality resulted in a criminal prosecution in 1952.This was a time when it was illegal to perform homosexual acts in the United Kingdom. Justine Fashanu a former English player is another case of a good sportsman whose life changed for the worse the moment he came out to be gay. Both men ended up committing suicide.
I am not gay by any means but I support and welcome the call by Ban Ki –Moon because I find no reason in my heart why I shouldn`t respect how other people decides to live their lives. I can only have a problem if a gay person decided to shove his assets into me. Yes that no doubt can result into serious trouble. But if they do it in the privacy of their rooms and the act is between two consenting adults then I definitely have no reason why it should be any of my business. Sometime back I happened to meet one gay person who was open enough to share his experience with me. When I asked him why he was gay, his answer was like “What is the right sexual orientation anyway? And who said it is the right one?” That question caught me off-guard. I couldn`t find any right answers. I thought of pulling out my bible but the realization that I was dealing with someone who was an atheist made me to quickly drop the idea.
Going back in history it is worth noting that most of the persecutions and ethnic cleansings the world has witnessed started as a result of the majority thinking that the rights of the minority were not important. Good examples are the German Jews who suffered at the hands of Hitler and the still ongoing persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh.
Discriminating against gays and Lesbians who also happens to be in the minority is not any different. I think it is important to understand that we humans are complicated beings. What works for me might not work for another person. Hiding behind the bible in order to discriminate against our “abnormal” brothers and sister is not a good solution. Time we preached about love inspite of any differences. Talking about the bible, now I am wondering if that prostitute whom Jesus saved from being stoned could have been stoned if she so happened to be a Lesbian. Could Jesus have had allowed her to be stoned to death?
Discriminating against gay and Lesbian people is not any different from discriminating against people because of their different racial or cultural background because in all these cases the discrimination comes about because people find it a problem to accept what is different. Having had gone to school and worked with gay people, I have never had any problems with them. They are just as caring, hardworking, pay their tax and breathe the same air like any of us. What only makes them different is their sexual orientation. Perhaps I should ask you my fellow bloggers. If your son or sibling was to confront you one day and tell you that he is gay, can you reject or love him less?
Time we learnt to respect and embrace people with a different outlook about life. It is also important to remember that these are victimless crimes.
National Restoration Party interim president Elias Chipimo Jr
Chipimo implores Sata to have a strong team of advisors National Restoration Party (NAREP) president Elias Chipimo junior has implored Republican President Michael Sata to put in place a strong team of experts to give guidance to him on his decisions.
QFM News reports that speaking to journalists during a media briefing at the party secretariat in Lusaka today, Mr. Chipimo said his party is concerned with the President’s errors on various decisions which clearly indicate that he does not consult his advisors.
Mr. Chipimo explained that Zambians have higher expectations in the current government and that failure to implement campaign promises will result in people losing confidence in the Patriotic Front administration.
He says government will not fulfill people’s expectations by making realignments and reshuffles at various levels and setting up commissions of inquiry adding that such moves are a sheer waste of public resources.
And Mr. Chipimo has advised the government to offer strong leadership on the controversy surrounding the Barotseland agreement of 1964.
He says government should come up with a solution that will be accepted by all parties involved and ensure that the matter does not threaten the peace and unity that Zambia continues to enjoy.
The opposition leader has also charged that in the Zambian set up, homosexuality is neither accepted nor condoned and that President Sata’s government must stick to biblical principles on the matter.
Rodger Chongwe has fought back to put the record straight in the wake of a Wynter Kabimba dressing down on Monday. The Patriotic Front secretary general, in a television interview with veteran broadcaster Frank Mutubila, did not mince his words when he referred to the chairman of the Mongu riots commission of inquiry as an interested party in the matter.
Dr Chongwe’s commission proposed in its report that the 1964 Barotseland Agreement should be restored to which the PF chief charged that the commission went beyond its terms of reference. Dr Chongwe yesterday said Mr Kabimba should not accuse him of being an interested party in the matter because he was not the only lawyer representing the victims of the Mongu riots.
He said he was merely the lead counsel, voluntarily representing 26 people who were charged with treason after the riots.
Dr Chongwe said Mr Kabimba was in fact one of the lawyers who had equally volunteered to represent the accused.
He punched further: “Mr Kabimba is very much alive to the fact that there was no money attached and therefore, there would be no emotional attachment.”
He added, proudly: “As a Senior or Queen’s Counsel in that matter, I did not receive any money and in fact the matter was never argued in court as the case was withdrawn.”
He even added that his commission was within its terms of reference to recommend the restoration of the Barotseland Agreement.
“There is no evidence that we went beyond the terms of reference which the head of State gave us and besides, we have not yet been told by the appointing authority and Cabinet that we went beyond our mandate,” Dr Chongwe said.
Mr Kabimba, in an interview on Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) had goaded Dr Chongwe, saying he was emotionally involved in the matter as he was one of the lawyers who represented some of the victims of the Mongu riots.
The commission presented its findings to President Sata last Thursday, and the President said he would be reluctant to restore the Barotseland Agreement.
And on Monday Mr Kabimba added a rejoinder: “The issue of the Barotseland Agreement is nowhere in the terms of reference as given to the commission by President Sata.”
To which Dr Chongwe retorted yesterday in an interview: “We have done the work and it’s up to the authority to accept or reject the recommendations,” and that, “there’s no question that one must bear the blame but it’s really best that we wait for Government to state its position.”
He said the role of the commission was only to make recommendations and the decision to accept or reject the report lies with the appointing authority, who in this case is the President. He said the recommendations are not binding and can easily be dismissed if Cabinet and the President felt so.
Dr Chongwe also said the recommendations are not his alone and that it is wrong to attribute the recommendations of the commission to his persona, as there were nine other commissioners.
“Yes, I was and I am still the chairperson of the commission but the decisions and recommendations were not for Rodger Chongwe. All the nine commissioners collectively made the decisions,” he said.
“BitterSweet is derived from the analogy ‘it’s a bitter taste we have when we do not share the gospel and the goodness we possess which only becomes sweet when we share it’ and with whatever we are blessed and endowed with will use to the best of our abilities to bring positive change around us! “
Kapa187: What is Bittersweet?
Mwape Mumba : Bittersweet is a duo made up of Mwape Mumba and Kapembwa Wanjelani who are creative artists and among the many talents are also poets, and for the love of the art decided to put together Bittersweet Poetry. We do almost the same kind of poetry though mine is heavy on the rhymes and Kapembwa’s is kind of easy on the rhymes. Genres range from life experiences to abstract writing. Kapa187: How long have you been working together and what was the inspiration to start Bittersweet Poety ?
Mwape Mumba : We were at St Clements Secondary School in Luapula 2001. We both took literature in English. We started by writing songs about the hard knock life of boarding school experiences and we would sit around in a circle make a beat box and free style some lyrics. Kapembwa Wanjelani had a book that he kept documenting what he wrote. So I decided to have a book were I documented my ideas about life and its experiences in my quest to try and understand life. But we started seriously sharing poetry in 2007 when we were at UNZA at the Chi-alpha fellowship.
Mwape and Kapembwa Bittersweer founders
It was observed that there was little being done towards the promotion of the Art of poetry in Zambia. Less publicity and very few events and have been organized for the expression of poetry, whereas people in attendance and participating have always been overwhelming. We came up with the Bittersweet poetry show to create a platform for poets. To have people express themselves and talk about all issues, encourage, inspire, tickle and enlighten the society
Kapa187: Are zambians appreciative of poetry ?
Mwape Mumba : Zambians are very appreciative of poetry and with the coming of bittersweet it’s like something that’s been missing that a number of Zambian have been looking for. And it’s safe to say that we are satisfying that hunger. The response has been so overwhelming and we plan on taking poetry in Zambia to another level. We plan to visit other parts of Zambia and eventually the world over.
Kapa187: When was the first Bittersweet Poetry show?
Mwape Mumba : The first Live Bittersweet Poetry Show was on the 6h of August 2011 at the La Gondola Restaurant at Arcades upstairs (a 50 sitter) to our surprise it was packed the following shows people had to go back on the door as they were fully packed. We decided to take it down stairs 120 sitter which was filled to the bream. The response has been overwhelming and currently only funds limit us to getting a much bigger place. We have a Group on Facebook called BitterSweet Poetry Zambia and it’s almost got a thousand.
Kapa187: What is the ultimate goal of the Bittersweet poety sessions.
Mwape Mumba : Put Zambia on the Globe producing the best poets in the world, revamp the reading and writing culture that taps into an individual’s creative genius, and through poetry preserve and showcase our rich culture. Poets now can come up and showcase their work and be heard our motto being “the unspoken voice alive” We’ve had people asking when will be going into the other provinces to have a Bittersweet Poetry show there. Poetry as an expressive Art that grows one’s self esteem. This enables an individual to better express themselves, thereby building a strong character that is not easily persuaded by peer pressure. This then reduces the number of youths engaging in wrong vices. Poetry is a very entertaining as well as an educative Art; hence we aim to capture a large audience from different walks of life from educational institutions to corporate companies. Bringing the young and the old together therefore bridging the gap between the older and younger generation. Just like it used to be in the village every one gathered sited around the fire gaining wisdom and knowledge from the elders as they spoke.
Kapa187: What do you think is the biggest misconception about poets and poetry.
Mwape Mumba : Poetry from childhood we been taught to do it in a certain way throwing hand gestures saying “aids oh aids, you took my mum, you took my dad” we’ve grown up thinking that’s all there is to poetry but to be a poet you are a wordsmith, you know how to control emotion and bring it out in such a way to enable the listener experience the emotion. From the testimonies we’ve gotten from the people that have attended the show they say they’ve never seen poetry expressed in such a way.
Kapa187: Is poetry something that you can make a good living of off .
Mwape Mumba : Poetry is a respected and a very elevated art and is very important in every aspect of life we use words. In business you have to put words together to prove to a customer to buy into the product and try it. So you can write poems for mega successful websites, write zingy ‘poems’ for advertising, write poems for manufactures, write custom poems for people sell to them via the web, hire an editor and publish your own book, get a degree /masters and get a job teaching creative writing, perform at events etc. to mention but a few.
Kapa187: Individually what have been your biggest achivements and disappointments since you started doing poetry.
Mwape Mumba : Goal – Put Zambia on the Globe producing the best poets in the world, revamp the reading and writing culture that taps into an individual’s creative genius, and through poetry preserve and showcase our rich culture. Poets now can come up and showcase their work and be heard our motto being “the unspoken voice alive” We’ve had people asking when will be going into the other provinces to have a Bittersweet Poetry show there. Poetry as an expressive Art that grows one’s self esteem. This enables an individual to better express themselves, thereby building a strong character that is not easily persuaded by peer pressure. This then reduces the number of youths engaging in wrong vices. Poetry is a very entertaining as well as an educative Art; hence we aim to capture a large audience from different walks of life from educational institutions to corporate companies. Bringing the young and the old together therefore bridging the gap between the older and younger generation. Just like it used to be in the village every one gathered sited around the fire gaining wisdom and knowledge from the elders as they spoke.
Kapa187: How do can poets from around the country get in-touch with you and be part of the Bittersweet sessions ?
Mwape Mumba : Poets and individuals interested in Poetry can contact get in touch with us on Email: [email protected], or call: 0977312817, 0963293469, and 0977438767. We are on Facebook BitterSweet Poetry Zambia.
Kapa187: The Bittersweet poetry show is staged in lusaka at La Gondola , do you have plans of expanding to other parts of zambia.
Mwape Mumba : Currently we are putting things together to have poetry shows around the country and also visit schools, talk about poetry and its benefits as well as highlight some vices that young people go through and how to use poetry and creative writing to fight bad habits, peer pressure and grow up into responsible productive individuals as we believe in empowering the younger generation and availing/providing a platform for the expression of poetry.
Kapa187: What has been the biggest achievement and what challenges do you face .
Mwape Mumba : Bittersweet Poetry is a Registered Arts body with National Arts Council. Setting up the Live Bittersweet Poetry Show and having people like Hon. Given Lubinda, Roy Clark, Mubita Nawa come through to grace the occasion and setting up the website have been big achievements for Bittersweet. It has not been smooth sailing as the shows have been organised in our own capacity without any financial support.
That’s a great drawback we are currently experiencing all these plans to take poetry to another level are constrained by the luck of funds. As a registered arts body we calling on companies and organisations that can fund this idea while their product/service will be publicised and marketed to a target audience while they are associated with supporting and spreading the art of poetry in Zambia.
The website was recently finished www.bittersweetpoetry.com were poets can log in and create accounts so that its easier to track their poems and works. And I can confidently say that the website has had views from the globe over especially Canada, North America, Russia, and Zambia we hope to put Zambia on the map using poetry.
POEMS
Yvonne Sishua AKA Winter (Poet) –Lies Through Eyes So Sweet To The Ear aka His Lies
Edwina-I kissed a Boy
Mag44-Boy
J-Bus-Chipadzua+fire extinguiser
Joseph-Lyrical Grafiti-Ode For An Iris
Pictures of Bittersweet Poetry show
Pompi ‘the African Eagle (Singer, Poet
Scarlet So Good (Singer)
El-face AKA the Risen Reason(Rap Artist)
Kapembwa (Anchor, Poet)
Aston (Violinist)
This Saturday at 19hours La Gondola restaurant its happening. K30,000 (Free Snacks).
This is a very good initiative to promote poetry in Zambia , it needs sponsorship from both private and public sector to help reach all parts of Zambia and expose the talent.
Siavonga Area member of parliament Kennedy Hamudulu says President Michael Sata and the stakeholders to resolve the controversial realignment of Chirundu and Itezhi-tezhi districts, respectively.
And the Chirundu Catholic Church Youths has condemned the Police in the area for not issuing them a permit to have a forum where they intended to discuss on the advantages of the realignment of Chirundu by President Michael Sata.
Mr. Hamudulu said that the stakeholders had a meeting in Choma recently where they discussed the issue amicably.
He said it was now up to the president and them to decide.
He said that the Chiefs were against the realignment of Chirundu by the president because they were not consulted on the matter.
Mr. Hamudulu spoke this in a telephone interview with ZANIS.
The MP added that the tradition leaders have demanded the president to rescind his decision as it would bring peace to the people of southern province.
“We have heard elsewhere where people have voiced out sentiments against some presidential orders and they have reversed but why not here ?, ” he complained.
He said he was saddened to hear the president that he could liken his rule to the colonial masters.
“He was saying that when the colonial masters did this… no one protested , but by then there was no democracy unless if he say his ruling is under the colonial masters,” he said.
The MP observed that the majority of people who were supporting the realignment of Chirundu were PF cadres who just came in the district recently and not the indigenous people of Chirundu.
“ Let the indigenous people of Chirundu talk about this realignment and not those who have just come two days because they have nothing to contribute,“ he said.
Meanwhile the Chirundu Catholic Church Youths has condemned the Police in the area for not issuing them a permit to have a forum where they intended to discuss on the advantages of the realignment of Chirundu by President Michael Sata.
Chirundu Catholic Church Youth chairperson Tadeo Chinoi complained that the move by the police was not good as it did not allow the youths to express their views over the realignment of Chirundu
Mr. Chinoi said that the youths had invited some senior MMD officials to take part in the discussion over the realignment of Chirundu district and the officials were just waiting for the confirmation from the police.
Government has urged University of Zambia students to go back to class because the water situation at the institution has normalized. Education Permanent Secretary Mirriam Chinyama has warned the students the university is likely to close if the class boycott goes beyond three days.
Mrs Chinyama says this is according to the current University Senate regulations. She was speaking to ZNBC news in Lusaka. Mrs Chinyama said that UNZA management is currently discussing with the Disaster Management unit on how best to respond to similar emergencies.
And Government has said that it has plans to build more tertiary institutions across the country. Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and Early Childhood Minister John Phiri has however said that there is need to improve on existing institutions before embarking on constructing new ones.
Dr. Phiri was speaking in Lusaka on yesterday when he addressed University of Zambia -UNZA management and UNZA Students union over the students demonstration on water problems at the institution.
Meanwhile, UNZA Vice Chancellor Stephen Simukanga said that the institution will soon increase the diameter of the current sewer system in the short term. Professor Simukanga further says the institution has plans to replace water pipes in an effort to improve sanitary conditions.
Meanwhile, Copperbelt Province Permanent Secretary Christopher Mutembo undertook a tour of the Copperbelt University (CBU ) to inspect the damage caused by the rainstorm, last Friday.
And Copperbelt University acting Deputy Vice Chancellor Dr Shadreck Chama says the CBU Management will appreciate any assistance that government and concerned stakeholders will render to the institution for repair works.
Mr. Mutembo said government was saddened by the destruction as it would mean rechanneling the money that was meant for extension of structures at the institution to the damaged ones.
“Government will quickly intervene in the repairing of the damaged structures to ensure that the academic calendar is not disturbed, “ he said.
He further said that a detailed assessment of the damage will be conducted to ascertain whether the cause of the destruction was due to poor workmanship on the new structures or a natural cause.
Mr. Mutembo estimated costs of repairs at the Institution will be included in the budget for the Typhoid Combating programme in Mufulira District where government is working at containing Typhoid which broke out early this month.
And Copperbelt University acting Deputy Vice Chancellor Dr Shadreck Chama said the University Management will appreciate any assistance that government and concerned stakeholders will render to the institution.
Dr Chama, who could not give the total cost needed to repair the damaged structures, said the institution will also conduct an assessment to ascertain the cause of the damages and the cost that will be needed to repair the three structures.
And following the destructiveness of mother nature, the 2012 Academic calendar for the Copperbelt University has been deferred.
This is aimed at ensuring complete repair works caused by last week’s hailstorms.
The storms damaged structures such as the new female hostel block, the new School of Business Complex and the Graduation Shelter.
The country’s second largest tertiary institution was scheduled to open next week on the 4th of March.
This is contained to a Statement issued in Kitwe today by the Copperbelt University office of the Registrar.
Three buildings at the Copperbelt University over the weekend had their roofs blown off by a heavy down pour that occurred in the city.
File: President Banda's chief Chikuwe explaining the Former President's nationality
Police IN Chipata District have been put on high alert to control any threat at Chipata General Hospital where the some staunch Chewa speaking people are performing their rituals.
This follows the untimely death of Chief Chikuwe whose body is laying at the hospital mortuary.
ZANIS reports Eastern Province Minister Charles Banda confirming the development in an interview.
He said the development is meant to allow the late Chief’s subjects time to perform their rituals as they mourn their traditional leader.
“We need to ensure that there are no disturbances to allow the Gule Wamukulu which will be performing dances from today till the day when the body will be taken to his farm in readiness for burial,” he said.
He was speaking to journalist shortly after the arrival of the body of chief Chikuwe’s body at Chipata General Hospital mortuary this afternoon.
Mr. Banda noted that President Michael Sata has directed the full participation of government at the funeral of Chief Chikuwe.
And a spokesperson for the Chewa people, Lucas Phiri has advised residents and people who may wish to see how the Chewa people mourn their traditional leaders to do so in a decent manner.
Mr. Phiri who is also Patriotic Front (PF) Provincial chairperson said people should not regard the traditional practice as a form of entertainment but as a way of mourning a traditional leader.
“For this reason, I appeal to people to keep a distance and not join in the performances because only those authorized to do so will be allowed,” he said. He however stated that traditional practice will not disturb other funerals as they will be halted each time other mourners come to collect bodies of their deceased.
Meanwhile, the body of the late Chief Chikuwe of the Chewa people who died at the university Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka arrived yesterday in Chipata district, Eastern Province.
The Body of the chief which arrived at Chipata airport at 12:15 hours aboard a Zambia Air Force (ZAF) plane and was received by provincial minister Charles Banda, Permanent Secretary Hlobotha Nkunika, Chief Chanje, Chieftainess Mkanda , members of the Chewa royal Establishment and several other government officials.
The late Chief Chikuwe whose real names are Shadreck Thengo Tembo died at the age of 81 yesterday, February 27 at the UTH following stomach complications.
He is survived by four wives, several children and several grandchildren.
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.
President Michael Sata today visited Defence Minister Geofrey Mwamba’s wife, Chama, who is admitted to Milpark Hospital in South Africa.
President Sata who was accompanied by Mr. Mwamba, Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations George Chillah and other Government officials arrived at Listeria Airport aboard the presidential challenger at 10:45hrs.
After an hours’ visit to Mrs. Mwamba, Mr. Sata left the hospital and departed for Lusaka from Lanseria airport at about 13:00 hours.
And speaking shortly after the visit, President Sata said he had asked a Zambian doctor Dorothy Kasonde to liaise with her South African counterparts to see if Mrs. Mwamba’s medical condition can be treated using facilities in Zambia.
He also asked Dr. Kasonde to liaise with her colleagues to see if Mrs. Mwamba’s medical condition can allow for her to fly, adding that he expected a response by the end of the day.
Mr. Sata says he has left Mr. Mwamba in South Africa to allow him attend to his wife.
President Sata says he was cheered that Mrs. Mwamba was able to talk after doctors briefed him that she was unable to do so in the morning.
The President thanked the South African Government for having facilitated his movements while in that country.
Mrs. Mwamba has been admitted to Milpark Hospital for close to a month.
This is contained in a statement issued to ZNBC News in Lusaka t by First Secretary for Press at the Zambian Mission in Pretoria Patson Chilemba.
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.”
Preparations for this year s’ kuomboka ceremony have reached an advanced stage.
ZANIS reports the ceremony’s Kufuluhela committee’s Publicity and Information chairman Shalala Simushi said preparations for this year’s kuomboka ceremony are held every Sundays and open to the public.
Mr. Simushi said that the definite date for ceremony has not yet been set but stressed that the date will be announced soon.
Speaking at the same interview, the committee’s vice-chairman Kumoyo Siyanga said that the committee is facing various financial challenges as the funds raised to date are inadequate.
The committee has thus appealed to government, the cooperate world and the general public to help sponsor the ceremony.
Mr. Simushi further stated that the total cost of the budget is 630 million kwacha. He said the committee has put up fundraising activities in order to raise the money.
He further stated that the activities which include the walking according to the traditional beats which will be held on the 17th of march and the traditional dress competition to be held on the 24 of march are open to the general public.
Mr. Siyanga said their expectations for this year s’ kuomboka are high and they wish to have a successful and colorful ceremony.
Zambia National Soccer team Goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene
Business came to a standstill in Mkushi, yesterday, when they noticed that 2012 Africa Confederation Cup ( AFCON ) hero Kennedy Mweene was in town.
Both shoppers, shop owners, workers and soccer fans alike thronged the government administration offices in the central business district of this small Zink mining town to catch a glimpse of Mweene.
Mweene had travelled to Mkushi where he officially received two cows, among them a bull and 250 hectors of land by his Royal Highness Chief Kanyesha of Mkushi district at his royal palace.
The handover of property which took place at the chief’s royal establishment attracted many soccer fans who chanted victory songs as they demanded a hand shake with a Chipolopolo hero.
Chief Kanyesha told Mweene that he honoured him at the semi-finals because he saw victory coming to Zambians through him and the Chipolopolo players.
He however advised Mweene to put his gifts to good use and not to sell it to investors because it was his gift to him for his hard work.
He further assured the AFCON hero of his total support in the development of the land, adding that he would keep increasing the amount of land if he works hard.
And Mweene told ZANIS sports in an interview that there were very few people who are privileged to be honoured in the manner the traditional leader has honoured him.
He said the 250 hectors of land was a special gift to him which he will treasure and never sale it off to any investor.
He said he owed great gratitude to chief Kanyesha’s generosity, and that he was greatly inspired by the chief’s farming activities which move him to start utilizing the land as soon as possible.
Chipolopolo goal keeper said he was very grateful to Central province permanent secretary Edwin Zumbunu who worked tirelessly to necessitate smooth communication between him and the chief, before he finally received his land and two cows.
Chipolopolo team doctor Joseph Kabungo commended the chief for his credible gesture of honouring Mweene.
“ One day these footballers will have to retire and the gifts we are witnessing today, are a great preparation for the future of a player,” he said.
He further told ZANIS sports in an interview that Mweene’s humility, respect, and hard work owned him victory and made him reach where he is today.
Kennedy Mweene was accompanied by central province permanent secretary Edwin Zumbunu and Chipolopolo team doctor Joseph Kabungu.
The technical Committee drafting the Republican constitution is not able to publish the first draft constitution in the last week February as earlier indicated.
This has been attributed to overwhelming volume of work for those drafting the new constitution.
Technical Committee Spokesperson Simon Kabanda says his team will however, endeavor to complete the first draft by June, 15.
Mr Kabanda says the final draft constitution will be published after hosting the national constitutional convention.
He was speaking at a media briefing in Lusaka on Wednesday.
Mr Kabanda says the final draft will be ready for presentation to President Michael Sata and the public in 2012.
He says the referendum commission will there after resume responsibility.
Mr Kabanda has appealed to stakeholders and the public to exercise patience and allow the committee to produce a good document that will stand the test of time.
And various stakeholders who attended the press conference say the delay in the publishing of the first draft is acceptable.
The stakeholders insisted that the technical committee should be given sufficient time to produce a good document.
Zambia Congress of Trade Unions President Leonard Hikaumba says it is important that the new constitution is all inclusive.
And Anti Voter Apathy Executive Director Richwell Mulwani says the technical committee should work hard and produce a good document.
Ex-Faz vice president Emmanuel Munaile says he will challenge Kalusha Bwalya for the Faz presidency at elective annual general meeting on March 31 in Kitwe.
Munaile told a press briefing at Chitah Lodge in Lusaka today that winning the Africa Cup has not taken away any problems in Faz.
“I have decided that I am going to contest in the forthcoming election for the big position of FAZ president and the reason for that is with the team that I am leading is that we need to bring change the way football is being run at the moment,” Munaile said.
Munaile said he promises to address the contentious subject of the proposed autonomous National Football League and to address funding for both teams and training in the lower league.
He also congratulated Zambia for winning the Africa Cup for the first time in its history.
“To a soccer fan it is right that they say that the current executive must continue because all they want is you to perform and the question I want to pose to you is that is winning the Africa Cup has it changed the problems that FAZ is currently going through or has been going through?” he said.
“The Africa Cup has been won truly but have we addressed the issues that brought about a lot of problems that we are all aware of before the Africa Cup I think it is critical that those challenges are addressed then we will say yes.
“But as things stand the Africa Cup is a good thing but it does not take away the problems that the football fraternity especially those in administration of football have been going through.”
