Today Zambia takes on Sudan in the quarter-final encounter. We wish them the best of luck .
A number of musicians have made songs in support of our national team .
Tribal cousins – Chipolopolo 2012
Slap Dee, JK & Ruff Kid –Ba Zambia (Tule Wina Wina)
Mag44, Tio, Pompi & Chungu –Chipolopolo (Africa Unlimited)
General Ozzy, Kabova & Ben Blazer-Zambia Bola
Bikamo Umwela (Chipolopolo) – Macky 2 Ft. Flavaboy
BY KAPA187
The opposition MMD has charged that commerce minister Bob Sichinga is lying that the party printed illegal notes amounting to 3 trillion kwacha prior to the elections.
MMD deputy secretary Chembe Nyangu has told QFM that the allegations being made by the PF government that the MMD printed fake in China are unfounded because there is no proof.
Mr. Nyangu notes that the MMD was a responsible party which could not make any transactions that had the potential to distort the economy which the party worked so hard to build.
Mr. Nyangu adds that the money that was used by the MMD during the campaigns was received through contributions from party members and other well-wishers.
He however, declined to give any details on the matter saying the party leadership is studying the matter and will call a press briefing soon.
Commerce minister Bob Sichinga revealed on Thursday that the MMD government printed fake notes from China which they used to distribute in the villages during campaigns.
Mr Sichinga said that the money was printed in China and was dished out to rural areas to woo voters.
Mr Sichinga went on to say that part of the bogus K 3 trillion had initially been intercepted at NAKONDE Border Post in MUCHINGA Province by Vigilant members of the public.
Mr Sichinga made the disclosure in Kitwe when he addressed members of the business community at a consultative meeting.
Inspite of the massive illegal print of counterfeit money, the PF won the September 20 tripartite elections because the people of Zambia wanted change, Mr Sichinga concluded.
President of Zambia Michael Sata has with immediate effect re-aligned three Government ministries. President Sata has directed the acting Secretary to the Cabinet Mr. Evans Chibiliti to proceed with all the necessary procedures and immediately imeplement the changes.
“I would like to direct that the portfolio of Tourism be transferred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Labour portifolio be transferred from Youth and Sport to Ministry of Information, it shall be known as Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and Labour,” reads the President’s letter to Mr Chibiliti in part.
And the Head of State says the re-allignment has been done to curb statements that alarm the nation and investors alike.
“As a Government, we have to be level-headed and not be seen to be inciting the public. I expect ministers to discourage strikes and lock-outs. Strikes or industrial unrests have a very negative effect on a fragile economy like ours. The same applies to lock-outs,” President Sata said.
“If we are not careful, some of these alarming statements will even destroy the little we have or the little strides we have made economically so far. We know that there are numerous short-comings in almost all sectors but we will not address these shortcomings through threats and being loud-mouthed.”
President Sata said that Zambians expect the Government to handle the problems facing the country with sobriety.
[pullquote]“Policy consistency is a compelling need for all Governments all over the world. As my very final warning, I ask all the ministers not to lead me into temptation.”[/pullquote]
“I am alive to the fact that most of my colleagues that have been appointed as Ministers have no experience in these portifolios. Therefore, I strongly feel its my duty to protect the image of the party, the Government, the people of Zambia and the economy in general,” the President said.
“In my statement of 30th January, 2012, I enjoined and cautioned ministers not to make statements that did not reflect Government policy or which had not been referred to and cleared by Cabinet. Statements on the economy made by ministers that are not the competent channels for the issues they raise are damaging to our credibility as a country.
“Policy consistency is a compelling need for all Governments all over the world. As my very final warning, I ask all the ministers not to lead me into temptation.”
Earlier today, Minister of Labour, Sports, Youth and Gender Chishimba Kambwili reiterated that the law will visit all those companies that are violating labour laws.
Speaking when he featured on the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) radio 2 programme dubbed Workers Voice, the Minister said he was disappointed with the way some employers were treating their workers.
Mr. Kambwili said his Ministry will work hand in with Trade Unions to ensure that all workers are paid according to the work they do.
He emphasized that all employers who are not giving their workers good working conditions should revise them so as to motivate workers before law takes its course.
Mr. Kambwili who has come under fire from some section of society over his stance to caution investors violating worker right said he will not stop until he see the right thing done.
He said his government welcomes investors but wants them to respect labour laws, pay workers good salaries so that there is a win- win situation between workers and companies.
The Minister who also received reports during the programme of companies like Shoprite, Game Stores and Zam Beef paying little money (K300, 000 per month) said he will soon visit the companies to confirm the reports.
He said he cannot allow companies to continue abusing their workers by paying little monies which he said cannot even sustain them.
Mr. Kambwili stated that he will also not segregate in his tour of companies whether Chinese, Zambian or other companies by other nationalities adding that he wants the best for the Zambian workers.
He also disclosed that he will visit Shoprite on issues of casualisation adding that workers have complained of working for longer than six years without employed on a permanent basis.
“If the previous government was treating you with kids’ gloves, not with this government. I have on occasions visited Shoprite and randomly spoke to workers who have told me that they are contracts on for a year” said Mr.Kambwili.
[pullquote]“If the previous government was treating you with kids’ gloves, not with this government. I have on occasions visited Shoprite and randomly spoke to workers who have told me that they are on contracts for a year” said Mr.Kambwili.[/pullquote]
He stated that the Patriotic Front (PF) government has started addressing the issue of pensioners and all the pensioners are going to be paid in time.
Mr. Kambwili has appealed to the Zambians to support the government in its quest to improve the welfare of employees and to go on zero tolerance of abuse of employees.
And speaking on the same programme Federation for Free Trade Unions of Zambia (FFTUZ) President Joyce Nonde Simukoko has said she is looking forward to the review of Labour laws in the country so that the Labour Unions and government can work properly.
Mrs. Simukoko said the Federation will support the Minister in his quest to bring sanity in the work place adding that her organization does not condone employers abusing their workers.
She stated that it is for the best interest of all workers that companies that violet workers right are closed adding that workers wants to see the government address the issue of labour .
She urged government to make ensure that workers are allowed to join Trade Unions by their employers so as to maintain the flow of information.
ZANIS
Herve Renard says Sudan will be a difficult opponent but that Zambia can ride the wave tomorrow and qualify to next Wednesdays semifinals of the 2012 Africa Cup.
Zambia and Sudan will clash in an 18:00 Zambian time kickoff in Bata in the first quarterfinal match of this year’s Africa Cup that is being co-hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
Renard’s second coming has seen him defy all odds to qualify Zambia yet again to their second successive quarterfinal appearance under his helm.
It has been a turbulent week for Zambia with off-the-field distractions that culminated in Clifford Mulenga’s expulsion after a breaking curfew and camp rules to drink with three other non-regulars and first-team player Hichani Himoonde.
There was also speculation as to why Faz vice president and the teams delegation leader Bonney Mwamelo suddenly returned to Zambia.
“This game is important and we have to go through the next round,” Renard said.
“We are in a good mood we can to do better than 2010 but at the moment we are at the same level and are 90 minutes away from achieving our target now we are in front of the World and we have to do it.”
Victory will see Zambia end their 17-year-long wait to reach the semifinals after finishing third at the 1996 tournament in South Africa.
Renard is expected to start his usual lineup against Sudan whom Zambia beat 3-0 at the 2008 tournament in Ghana in a Group C match but failed to advance to the last eight under Patrick Phiri.
Focus will be on Rainford Kalaba who has been an outstanding influence on the teams’ progression throughout the tournament in their last three matches on their way to the quarterfinals.
Striker Emmanuel Mayuka’s form will be tested against after a dry day against Equatorial Guinea on Sunday in Malabo in their last Group A match that captain Chris Katongo shined in and scored the game’s lone goal to see Zambia top the pool.
Winner on Saturday will stay in Bata for the semifinals to be played on February 8 where they will play winner from the last quarterfinal on Sunday between Ghana and Tunisia that will take place in Franceville in Gabon.
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Former finance minister in the late president Levy Mwanawasa’s Government Ng’andu Magande says he was too busy with the country’s problems to concentrate on the privatization of ZANACO.
QFM News reports that appearing before the Sebastian Zulu commission of inquiry this morning, Mr Magande who is believed to be the architect of the ZANACO privatization said Zambia was facing many economic problems at the time for him to concentrate on the sale of the bank.
He has however admitted signing the final sale and purchase agreement for ZANACO.
Mr Magande said it would not have made sense for him to preside over a transaction that only involved a few million dollars.
He says among the issues that kept him busy at the time were issues to do with debt burden Zambia was encountering.
Mr.Magande has since denied influencing the privatization of ZANACO.
And Juvelis Tembo told the commission of inquiry that while he was the chairperson of the negotiating team on the sale of ZANACO he was not involved in the bidding process.
He also stated that the sale of 49 percent shares in ZANACO was never discussed.
QFM
President MICHAEL SATA Sata has with immediate effect, withdrawn the appointment of Paxton Wilombe as new District Commissioner for Mpulungu.
Mr Wilombe will be redeployed.
President Sata has also withdrawn the appointment of the substantive District Commissioner Mande Chapewa who was appointed in November last year.
The President has further ordered that the office of the District Commissioner in Mpulungu remain closed until further notice.
This follows concerns raised by some people against the appointment of Mr. Wilombe as District Commissioner for Mpulungu.
Northern Province Permanent Secretary EMMANUEL MWAMBA told ZNBC news in a statement that the president has however, cautioned the people of Mpulungu to be tolerant and not act in a tribal manner.
Mr MWAMBA said the president has warned government and party officials not to undermine or frustrate his appointments or actions.
Following the appointment of Paxton Wilombe as DC for Mpulungu, some members of the PF in Mpulungu staged a demonstration on Thursday 2nd February alleging that Mpulungu will not be led by a party member from Mbala.
They also alleged that the party in the district should be allowed to nominate a member from Mpulungu who should be appointed as a District Commissioner.
ZNBC
Former First Lady THANDIWE BANDA was this morning interrogated by a combined team of investigative officers over the running of the multi billion Kwacha MPUNDU Trust in LUSAKA.
Investigative Team Spokesperson CHARITY CHANDA said the Former First Lady Cooperated and answered to all the queries.
Mrs CHANDA said investigations into the matter are still going on.
The former first lady was accompanied to the Police Force Headquarters in LUSAKA by her lawyers SAKWIBA SIKOTA and PATRICK MVUNGA.
Meanwhile, Former President RUPIAH BANDA has lashed out at the Police and described reports suggesting that his son HENRY is on the run as total lies.
Mr BANDA said the Police have never contacted his son over the investigations they are conducting.
He said reports suggesting that HENRY is hiding in KENYA are false.
Mr BANDA said this when he addressed MMD cadres who had gone to offer solidarity to his wife that they should NOT be worried because the former first Lady and HENRY are innocent.
He said some people are misleading President MICHEAL SATA over the on-going investigations.
Meanwhile, Police have arrested and charged Former Mines Minister MAXWELL MWALE for theft by Public servant.
This is connection with twenty bicycles which were meant for small scale miners.
Mrs CHANDA said Mr MWALE has been released on police bond but will appear in court on Wednesday next week.
And the Investigative Team has summoned former Zambia Air force Commander ANDREW SAKALA.
Lt. Gen. SAKALA is still being interrogated at former Task Force on Corruption Offices in Woodlands.
And the Investigative Team has summoned former Zambia Air force Commander ANDREW SAKALA.
Lt. Gen. SAKALA was by press time still being interrogated at former Task Force on Corruption Offices in Lusaka’s Woodlands area.
ZNBC
The UNHCR is not forcing Rwanda Refugees to repatriate.In a statement issued to Lusakatimes the UNHCR Zambia said it continues to pursue durable solutions for refugees in light of the protracted nature of the refugee situation in Zambia and the imminent cessation of refugee status for Angolans and Liberians – 30 June 2012, for Rwandans – latest by 30 June 2013 and in the future for Burundians.
UNHCR can never be involved in forced return but does facilitate voluntary repatriation of refugees, said UNHCR Representative in Zambia,
Ms. Joyce Mends-Cole.
Large-scale organized repatriation of Angolan refugees since 2003 allowed the return of approximately 77,400 – including the 2,400 who returned in the latter half of 2011. Others have gone entirely on their own or through spontaneous assisted repatriation – approximately another 3,700. From 2007 – 2010, more than 43,000 Congolese refugees returned to DRC, of whom 9,246 returned in 2010.
More than 3 million Rwandans have returned home, including from Zambia.
With regard to Rwandans, following extensive consultations with countries hosting Rwandan refugees, the country of origin and an in-depth analysis of the changes that have taken place in Rwanda since large numbers of refugees were forced to flee their country as a result of different episodes of inter-ethnic violence between 1959 and 1994,the genocide of 1994 and its aftermath, and the renewed armed conflict that erupted in north-western Rwanda from 1997 to 1998, UNHCR considers that the refugee status of Rwandan refugees who fled between 1959 and 31 December 1998 can be brought to an end, in accordance with the ‘ceased circumstances cessation clause’ in the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1969 OAU Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa.
The application of the ‘ceased circumstances cessation clause’ is an end point of a comprehensive strategy, which includes promotion of voluntary repatriation, local integration of individuals who qualify under the respective asylum countries’ national laws, and a process leading to exemption from cessation of refugees who are found to have a continued need for international protection or compelling reasons arising out of previous persecution for not being able to return to Rwanda.
UNHCR is recommending countries of asylum, including Zambia, to invoke the ‘ceased circumstances cessation clause’ in respect of Rwandan refugees who fled their country of origin between 1959 and 31 December 1998, latest by 30 June 2013.
Refugees who fled after 1998 retain their refugee status. Countries hosting Rwandan refugees are at different stages in their implementation
of the aforementioned elements of the comprehensive strategy. The 30 June 2013 latest deadline has thus been agreed upon to give all countries of asylum sufficient time to, for example, implement exemption procedures in which individual applications from Rwandan refugees, who feel it is not safe for them to return, are examined. This means that individual Rwandans may have their status ceased at different points,between now and 30 June 2013, depending on where they are in the voluntary repatriation, local integration or exemption process.
In Zambia, Rwandan refugees who feel that it is not safe for them to return to Rwanda were invited last year to submit individual applications for exemption from cessation. The majority of Rwandans registered as refugees in Zambia applied for exemption, and most of these applications are still in the process of being reviewed and determined. UNHCR has observer status in the exemption procedure and continues to provide guidance and advice to the decision makers in that procedure, on the application of the criteria for exemption in the context of the Rwandan situation. UNHCR also continues to advocate for local integration for those refugees whose best durable solution may be to remain in Zambia. Acceptance for local integration is solely within the purview of the Zambian Government.
As of 31 December 2011, there were 4,659 Rwandan refugees registered in the Mayukwayukwa and Meheba refugee settlements and in urban areas.
MMD chairperson for Legal Affairs George Kunda has alleged that some senior Patriotic Front (PF) officials want Vice-President Guy Scott to vacate office on grounds that his parents were not Zambians.
But PF secretary general Wynter Kabimba has dismissed Mr Kunda’s claims.
Commenting on Mr Kunda’s allegations, Mr Kabimba said it is absurd for the former Vice-President to allege that there are some senior PF members backing calls for Dr Scott to leave office.
Mr Kunda has maintained that Dr Scott is constitutionally not qualified to hold the office of the Vice-President because of his parentage.
He said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that the MMD has received overwhelming support from some senior PF members who want Dr Scott to relinquish his position.
Mr Kunda said Dr Scott should vacate office so that the people who are qualified can take over the position.
“Our position as MMD is that Dr Scott does not qualify to hold office. We don’t want him to waste our time by taking him to court. He should vacate office as soon as possible before we hammer him with court cases.
“Why has he never been appointed by President Michael Sata to act as President? The reason is very simple. The man does not qualify to hold the office of the Vice-President,” he said.
Mr Kunda said the PF has a lot of qualified people who can take over Dr Scott’s position.
“Why is it that the Minister of Finance Alexander Chikwanda is the one who acts as President in President Sata’s absence, when Dr Scott is in the country? ” Mr Kunda said.
Mr Kunda has also charged that the recent constitution of commissions of inquiry by President Sata is a clear indication that the PF government will soon nationalise all the major former state-owned companies privatised by the former MMD government.
He said the commissions are a waste of tax payers’ money.
Mr Kunda said it is unfortunate that President Sata has continued to appoint commissions of inquiry to probe the sale of some former state-owned companies.
He alleged that all the commissions of inquiry have a predetermined outcome which will affect the country’s investment portfolio.
“Our worry is that there is no continuity in the governance of the country. When the PF came into office, they promised that there will be no disruption in the governance of the country. But now they have introduced the socialist way of governance.
“All these commissions of inquiry are predetermined. We are aware that after Zanaco, the PF government will move to the mines,” Mr Kunda said.
He urged the PF government to come up with clear and deliberate policies to enhance investor confidence.
Mr Kabimba said the PF is one of the best disciplined party in the country and that Dr Scott is still enjoying support from all party members.
“We are a disciplined party and we are all behind the appointment of Dr Scott as Vice-President. He has worked very hard for the party and contributed to bringing it to where it is now. Dr Scott is very loyal to the party and the President and this is the reason why he was appointed Vice-President,” he said.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
LABOUR Minister Chishimba Kambwili, who has recently made headlines in the papers, yesterday said the plight of Zambian workers is something he is ready to die for because it is close to his heart.
The abrasive minister, whose statements have sometimes riled sections of the diplomatic corps, and raised red flags among some investors, added that his intentions are not to chase investors.
“Jesus the Son of God was crucified for doing the right thing and people do not like me because what I am doing is the right thing,” he said.
The minister said if he has to “die” to give Zambians a decent wage, respect and a better life they deserve, then so be it.
Mr Kambwili said he feels that he has been deeply misunderstood by people who say he has a habit of intimidating, threatening and even bashing investors during a Hot FM live radio programme called the Hot Seat.
“Those who are condemning me for doing the right thing I am not worried,”Mr Kambwili, a former Copperbelt businessman, said and added: “I have nothing against the investors, it would be useless for me as a minister to chase the investors.”
Mr Kambwili vowed to continue his highly publicised controversial tours as soon as he completes the “paperwork” on tours undertaken thus far.
He appealed to ambassadors working in Zambia to help him by sensitising the investors from their countries to operate within the law singling out the Chinese envoy for his appeal.
“The Chinese ambassador and me had a very good meeting on Wednesday and he has invited me to the acrobatics at Government House today (yesterday) and we agreed on the mistakes that have been made,” Mr Kambwili said.
He also disclosed that he has made up with the Chinese doctor whom he last week exchanged fingers with as both the minister and the doctor got infuriated by “finger-pointing” during a discussion that did not go very well.
He said as a minister, he has the power to revoke the work permit of any foreign investor and no-one can stop him including the President.
He said the President has made it clear: “We want investment and we respect it but not at the expense of beating our people and giving them slave salaries.”
He warned employers, employees and everybody to “watch this space” as he liberates the Zambian labour fraternity from oppressive employers he did not name.
Mr Kambwili has come under fire for various incidents starting from intervening in salary negotiations to berating employers during his tour of Copperbelt companies prompting some anti-donor sentiments at one point.
State House this week issued a statement asking ministers and other Government officials to refrain from issuing statements that are not backed by policy.
ATTORNEY-GENERAl Mumba Malila has asked the Lusaka High Court to dismiss LAPGreen Networks Limited’s application to compel Government to reverse its decision to unilaterally take over 75 percent shares in Zamtel.
And High Court Judge Albert Wood has ordered the transfer of LAPGreen’s matter from the commercial list to the general list because the case does not involve business transactions, as it is about a judicial review.
LAPGreen has applied for judicial review before the High Court and is seeking an order of mandamus (a command) to compel Government to reverse its action of unilaterally taking over 75 percent shares in Zamtel, which belonged to the Libyan telecommunications company.
The company is also seeking an order of certiorari to urge the High Court to quash the decision by Government to unilaterally and unlawfully reverse the sale of 75 percent shares.
But Mr Malila said: “There is nothing exceptional about this case which would justify the applicant (LAPGreen) to commence this action without exhausting the procedure provided for under section 5(2) and 11 of the Lands Acquisition Act.
“Our contention is that this is an attempt by the applicant to disrupt the administrative process. In short, this action is prematurely before the court and it should, therefore, be dismissed with costs.”
He said this in the skeleton arguments in opposition to summons for leave to apply for judicial review by LAPGreen Networks Limited filed in the High Court on Wednesday.
He said LAPGreen has rushed to court without first exhausting all the procedures laid down in the Lands Acquisition Act.
The Lands Acquisition Act requires the claimants to lodge their claim with the minister and to present any claim to the court, only within six weeks after the publication of the notice in the Government Gazette.
Mr Malila said LAPGreen rushed to court even before the publication of the notice in the Government Gazette, contrary to the provisions of the law.
He said it is only after such procedure has been exhausted that LAPGreen can commence proceedings before the court.
Mr Malila said Government followed the right procedure when it acquired the 75 percent shares in Zamtel, contrary to LAPGreen’s claims that its action is illegal.
The Libyan telecommunications company is also seeking an order of prohibition to prevent Government from interfering in the 75 percent equity interest of LAPGreen in Zamtel.
It is also seeking a declaration that the procedure by Government to reverse the sale of the 75 percent shares in Zamtel was unfair, contrary to the rules of natural justice and unlawful.
LAPGreen is also seeking a declaration that the report by the investigations committee (Commission of Inquiry) which Government based its decision to reverse the sale of Zamtel on, is not binding and is unlawful because the committee was not appointed according to the Inquiries Act.
This is according to a notice containing a statement in support of ex parte application for leave to apply for judicial review filed in the Lusaka High Court by Corpus Legal Practitioners on behalf of LAPGreen on Wednesday.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
President MICHAEL SATA has strongly warned Chief MADZIMAWE to desist from issuing threats of violence against Paramount Chief MPEZENI.
The President has also threatened to withdraw and revoke Chief MADZIMAWE’s recognition if he doesn’t refrain from issuing threats and derogatory remarks against the Paramount Chief.
The threats came in the wake of Paramount Chief MPEZENI’s calls for the removal of former President RUPIAH BANDA’s immunity.
According to documents obtained by ZNBC news in LUSAKA today, President SATA said the threats and conduct of Chief MADZIMAWE are in violation of the traditional leader’s duty under the Chiefs Act.
Mr. SATA also reminded Chief MADZIMAWE that the Head of State has powers to prohibit any erring person from any specified area if his presence is prejudicial to the maintenance of public order in such area.
The President also warned that he will have NO option but to withdraw the chief’s recognition if he continues issuing threats against Paramount Chief MPEZENI or any other person.
President SATA said he would consider whether Chief MADZIMAWE’s presence in the chiefdom would be prejudicial to the maintenance of public order to necessitate his removal.
Chief MADZIMAWE is alleged to have threatened to physically sort out Paramount Chief MPEZENI over his calls for the removal of the former President’s immunity to facilitate his prosecution for alleged plunder of national resources.
ZNBC
FIRST Lady Christine Kaseba says she will use her orientation visit to the Netherlands’ Epe City Council to market Zambia as a foreign investment destination and lobby for donor funds to improve the health care system.
Speaking in an interview on arrival at Schiphol Airport yesterday, Dr Kaseba, who is here at the invitation of Epe City Council, said she accepted the invitation because it is beneficial to Zambia.
“I thought it would be a nice opportunity to market Zambia and help the government, although I am not in Government, to see how investors can be attracted to Zambia,” Dr Kaseba said.
The First Lady was received by Ape town clerk Vincent Smit and Zambia’s Ambassador to the European Union, Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg Inonge Mbikusita-Lewanika, before she was driven to Epe.
She is accompanied by Ministry of Health child health specialist Penelope Kalesha-Masumbu.
And in attempt to raise donor funds for the anti-measles campaign, Dr Kaseba will give a lecture to the Rotary Club here.
She said President Sata is keen on improving public health and taking medical services closer to the people, which is why his Government recently decided to increase the number of health posts.
“A lot of countries are decreasing aid, but with a bit of a push, they may consider increasing the allocation,” she said.
She said measles cases seem to be on the rise in Zambia, which is why the country needs more funds to do a successful campaign against the disease.
Dr Kaseba hopes that Dr Kalesha-Masumbu, a child health specialist, will be able to bring out child-health challenges during her interaction with cooperating partners in The Netherlands.
“We hope that the tour will help us to mobilise funds to decrease the rising rates of measles. We need partnerships with NGOs and we hope that the Rotarians will fit into our strategic plan at community level,” Dr Kaseba said.
And Dr Kaseba and her entourage hope to learn from the Dutch Medical Equipment Distribution Centre, an institution that assembles and refurbishes medical equipment, how its technology can be adapted to the Zambian situation.
She said medical personnel in Zambia need a conducive working environment, not only in terms of better remuneration, but medical equipment too.
The First Lady is also championing the twinning of Zambian towns with major towns in The Netherlands.
Luanshya mayor Nathan Bwalya, Lusaka deputy mayor Theresa Funga, and Livingstone town clerk Vivian Chikoti are in the First Lady’s entourage to learn from the Dutch local government system, which has a viable social care programme.
The First Lady, who proposed the twinning of Luanshya and Epe prior to her trip to the Netherlands, hopes that if implemented, the initiative will strengthen the visibility of Luanshya and bring about socio-economic development in the district.
“I hope that Luanshya will take this opportunity to start expanding as a town,” she said.
And Mr Smit said Epe looks forward to a fruitful orientation visit by Dr Kaseba and her entourage to the local political structure and procedures of a typical Dutch municipality.
“We hope she will tell a good story about The Netherlands when she returns to Zambia,” he said.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
Faz life member Luxon Kazabu believes the rating of Zambia as outsiders before the Africa Cup commenced has helped the team to perform well at the tournament.
Kazabu said the rating of Zambia as pre-tournament under-dogs motivated the players to put up a good display at the 16-team competition.
“The underdogs tag has helped Zambia to perform very well at the Africa Cup, when you are rated as underdogs no one pays attention to you and in the process you hammer them,” he said.
Kazabu said so far he was impressed with the performance of Chipolopolo at the AFCON.
“The boys have done very well so far and one hopes the team will keep the momentum,” the Nkana Parliamentarian added.
Kazabu observed that this year’s Africa Cup is open suggesting any team can win the tournament.
“Tournament favorites Ghana and Ivory Coast are not posing a threat to any team hence any team can win the cup,” he said.
Zambia face Sudan in the quarterfinals this Saturday in Bata hoping to qualify for their first last four place since 1996 in South Africa where they won bronze.
© Lusaka Times
