Dear Bloggers,

I would please like you to advise me on what to do. My husband died in 1995, and from that time I have been unable to claim his Group Life insurance. The first time I inquired I was told it couldn’t be paid because the company he worked for (then Premium Oils Industries) was owing in premiums. Then the company went into liquidation. At Zambia State Insurance I was told it was a non starter.Please can someone out there advise me as to what to do to get the money.

Yours Widow in distress

GOVERNMENT has increased salaries for all health workers by 100 percent, Minister of Labour, Sport and Youth Chishimba Kambwili said in Ndola yesterday.

He said the pay rise will boost morale among health workers across the country.

“Today , we have increased the salaries for all our health workers by 100 percent, so when the PF government says it is putting more money into people’s pockets, we mean business and we are serious,” Mr Kambwili said.

The minister was speaking after visiting Morganite Limited. He said Government is concerned about the poor salaries many workers get across the country.

Mr Kambwili said the salary increment for health workers is an indication that Government is committed to improving salaries for civil servants, as promised during election campaigns.

And in another development, Mr Kambwili has ordered Morganite Limited general manager Stanley Kampo to report to the ministry next Tuesday.

The minister said Government is concerned with reports that Mr Kampo abuses workers and insults them.

“First of all, I am shocked that the person we are talking about is a Zambian and honestly, how can he do that to fellow Zambians? I want him next Tuesday at my office so that he can answer the allegations,” Mr Kambwili said.

[pullquote]“Today , we have increased the salaries for all our health workers by 100 percent, so when the PF government says it is putting more money into people’s pockets, we mean business and we are serious,” Mr Kambwili said.[/pullquote]

He was speaking at Morganite Limited after paying a surprise visit to the company. The minister also ordered management to engage a human resource manager to help the company with personnel issues. Mr Kambwili said management should also allow workers to form a union.

And workers complained about the poor salaries offered by management. One worker said the pay slip does not indicate the housing allowance paid to workers and that they have not had a salary increment for the past four years.

Meanwhile, PRESIDENT Sata has asked Minister of Finance Alexander Chikwanda to explore ways of doubling remuneration of Zambian doctors as a way of putting more money in their pockets and improve health.

Mr. Sata also said rural health centres in the country are in a deplorable state and it is important to improve the doctor to patient ratio by having more doctors attend to patients in rural centres.

“I am pleading with the Minister of Finance,” President Sata said. “We have to find ways of doubling salaries for doctors to beat others in the region, so that we can attract our doctors back.”

If the doctors wages are doubled, a junior Zambian doctor from the University of Zambia could take home about K10 million which is still less than their colleagues in Nambia and South Africa.

President Sata said this at State House yesterday after he swore in a deputy minister, a permanent secretary and ambassadors and high commissioners.

He regretted that it has taken long for some ambassadors and high commissioners to take up their positions despite being appointed as far back as October last year, because of the poor record previous office holders left behind and urged new diplomats to exhibit exemplary behaviour.

[pullquote]“I am pleading with the Minister of Finance,” President Sata said. “We have to find ways of doubling salaries for doctors to beat others in the region, so that we can attract our doctors back.”[/pullquote]

Mr Sata said it is important to have more doctors in the country to improve the health profile of citizens and make sure the PF manifesto is implemented.

The President’s directive is in line with the Patriotic Front campaign promise to improve the health sector by facilitating the building of vital infrastructure that will deliver primary healthcare as close to the people as possible.

In its manifesto on human resource, the PF says it intends to improve conditions of service to minimise the brain-drain.

It also plans to “rehabilitate and expand existing health training institutions to increase the number of graduates”.

Recently, President Sata announced an ambitious plan to erect some 650 health centres countrywide to make health care more accessible.

He said the new health posts are lined up as follows: 98 in Southern Province while Central Province will have 52 and Western Province will have 62 new health posts.

Mr Sata said new health posts will bring with them the benefits of boosting the construction sector and consequently job creation during the construction phase, plus greater access to health, especially in rural areas.

Northern Province will have 107 new health posts while North-Western Province will have 74. Lusaka Province will have 27, Luapula 63, Eastern 68 and Copperbelt 87.

The President said the health posts and residence facilities will be equipped with solar systems, equipment and furniture, hand pumps, medicines, dressing materials, electricity and running water.

President Sata also instructed the Minister of Health Dr Joseph Kasonde to step up the recruitment of health personnel both locally and abroad to ensure that the new health posts are adequately staffed.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

A SOLWEZI man has reportedly deserted his wife, a mother of two sets of twins and triplets, who is now struggling to take care of the family.

Miriam Masonde, 39, of Kandemba township in Solwezi who gave birth to triplets late last year said her husband, Greyard Kanyala, disappeared from home a few months before the triplets were born.

Ms Masonde, who visited the Daily Mail offices in Solwezi recently, said before the arrival of the triplets, she already had two sets of twins aged 20 and seven.

According to Ms Masonde, her husband has never communicated with her or any member of the family since he left home and his mobile phone has been switched off.

And Solwezi-based Multi-Dimensional Christian Ministries founder and pastor Jane Kumoyo has decided to adopt the ‘fatherless’ triplets after learning that their father abandoned the family last year.

Pastor Kumoyo, who is also the contracts manager for Mr Clean, a leading cleaning company in the country, said she will take care of the triplets.

Pastor Kumoyo coincidentally met Ms Masonde at the Daily Mail offices at Provident House in Solwezi where the latter went to seek assistance from well-wishers, through the newspaper.

“We will solicit for clothing and food for the babies from well-wishers and I will have to buy some of the requirements myself,” she said.

Multi-Dimensional Ministries is a small and newly established entity but is already supporting 85 orphans and 30 elderly men and women in Chief Mumena’s area in Solwezi.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

Former Deputy Transport and Communication Minister in the late president Fredrick Chiluba’s government has charged that government decision to reverse the sale of ZAMTEL to LAP Green of Libya is misplaced.

Mr Ndlovu has further accused President Michael Sata and some cabinet ministers of making decisions on a matter they have no knowledge of.

He said that it was not too late for the PF government to swallow its pride and accept that government has no capacity to run ZAMTEL and should instead put it in private hands, either under LAP Green or any other investor.

He said that was a fact that nationalization of any parastatal company is never a solution for Zambia’s economic situation.

Mr. Ndhlovu said that the decision taken by government to take back the telecommunications company will put it in a fix in terms of competing favorably with the other two mobile service providers.

And Former Minister of Finance Dr. Musokotwane has expressed shock at government’s move to reverse the sale of seventy five percent of LAP green shares in Zamtel.

He also wondered why government was rushing to accept the Sebastian Zulu led commission of inquiry on Zamtel and further doubted its transparency.

Dr. Musokotwane said that it was surprising for one to say that the telecommunication company was undervalued when the Zambia Development Agency-ZDA said the valuation was good.

He expressed fears over the reversal of Zamtel saying that the move will be costly to the country once the matter is taken to court.

And Former ZAMTEL workers who were laid off after the alleged fraudulent sale of the parastatal company have called on government to re-employ them or pay them their full terminal benefits.

The workers who have broken their silence also accused the previous administration of threatening them for demanding to be paid their dues.

Josephine Mulenga one of the workers gathered to give solidarity march to President Sata for reversing the sale of Zamtel urged government to investigate the manner in which they were laid off.

She says many workers who had served the institution for over five years were only paid five million kwacha.

And Victor Mulenga called on the National Union of Communication Workers-NUCW President Patrick Kaonga not to pretend that he is happy with government’s move when he was part of the people who betrayed workers.

QFM/MUVITV

The Bank of Zambia has commenced the process of procuring the rebased currency. Bank of Zambia head of Public Relations Kanguya Mayondi has disclosed in a statement to QFM that once the rebased currency is procured and delivered by the printers and minters,it will be issued to circulate side-by-side with the existing currency for a period of time.

Mr Mayondi has said that this is to allow for an orderly withdrawal of the existing currency.

He said that during the period over which the existing currency and the new currency will be circulating side-by-side,providers of goods and services will be required to display prices in both the existing and the new currencies.

He explained that for example if the price of a loaf of bread costs K3,500, the provider of bread will display the price of bread as K3.50 and K3,500.

Mr Kanguya said that the general public should continue using the existing bank notes in their daily transactions until such a time that the new currency is issued in circulation.

And the Bank of Zambia has clarified that the rebasing of the Kwacha does not change the value of the currency and the purchasing power.

A national currency is rebased due to the need to address costs associated with an accumulated loss in the value of a currency that undermines its basic function as a store of value, medium of exchange and measure of value.

The loss of value is typically as a result of high inflation rates over a prolonged period of time.

QFM

President Michael Sata has directed the Zambia Police to provide maximum security to Paramount Chief Mpezeni of the Ngoni people in Eastern province.

This follows alleged threats of violence against chief Mpezeni from Chiefs Madzimawe and Zamane after he openly called for the lifting of former President Rupiah Banda’s immunity to allow him to clear himself against the corruption allegations.

The President said that Paramount Chief Mpezeni just like any other citizen has a right to speak out on issues affecting the Zambians.

President Sata said that he may consider revoking the recognition of Chiefs Madzimawe and Zamane should they continue threatening violence against Paramount Chief Mpezeni.

President Sata has since asked the minister of Justice Sebastian Zulu to write to the two subordinate chiefs warning them against their unlawful activities.
Paramount Chief Mpezeni has described as malicious the Internet story that alleged that President Michael Sata had died.

Paramount Chief Mpezeni said politicians should learn to practice politics responsibly by discussing real issues that can contribute to the welfare of citizens and development of the nation and not issues that can destabilize and bring anarchy into the country.

ZANIS reports the Paramount chief was speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Chipata yesterday.

And Paramount Chief Mpezeni stressed the need for the police to get to the bottom of the issue and ensure that the authors of the story are brought to book.

He wondered why the trend had continued saying this was not the first time that people were spreading such ill rumours about the highest office in the land.

“The police should put an end to such falsehood because it will continue, this rumour was there even before his election when it was alleged that he had collapsed in Mongu,” he said.

The false story appeared on Wikipedia website recently. It alleged that President Micheal Sata had died. However , State House described the story as false and malicious.

Meanwhile, Paramount chief Mpezeni has appealed to government to quickly pay the 150 farmers who are still being owed money by the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) for the purchase of maize sold to the agency last year.

Paramount Chief Mpezeni expressed worry that farmers may not have enough yields in the 2011/12 farming season because they have not been able to procure farming inputs.

“Some of them have not even been able to send their children to school because they entirely depend of farming and they only get money once in a year after the sale of maize” he said.

And chief Jumbe of the Kunda people in Mambwe district has also complained about lack of payment to farmers by FRA for the purchase of maize in the 2010/11 farming season.

Chief Jumbe said it is sad that some farmers have failed even to cultivate their fields saying they may not produce enough grain in this year.

Chief Jumbe has since appealed to government to quickly address the situation to assis t farmers in the area.

ZANIS

MMD chairperson for legal affairs George Kunda has U-turned on his earlier intentions to take Vice-President Guy Scott to court over his parentage.

Mr Kunda, who is the immediate past Vice-President, says he will not take Dr Scott to court because he wants Zambians to debate the matter and judge for themselves.

He said this on Sunday evening when he featured on a Muvi Television programme dubbed ‘The Assignment’.

“I do not want to take this matter to court because I want Zambians to debate and make up their minds,” he said.

He said as far as he is concerned, Dr Scott should be dropped from the position of Vice-President and be replaced by someone else.

Mr Kunda said President Sata should consider appointing Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs Inonge Wina as Vice-President.

“I hear they want to appoint Ms Inonge Wina. This decision can help because maybe she can help resolve issues surrounding the Barotseland Agreement,” Mr Kunda said.

Mr Kunda claimed that Attorney General Mumba Malila’s explanation on Dr Scott’s status in government was mere propaganda.

Mr Malila recently stated that Mr Kunda’s claims that Dr Scott is not eligible to be Vice-President was baseless. The Attorney General explained that according to the Constitution, Dr Scott is eligible to act as President.

And Mr Kunda disclosed that he has ambitions to become republican President. He however said he has to consult Zambians on the matter and God willing, he can run in future. Mr Kunda also condemned the creation of new districts by President Sata. He said it is wrong for the President to create new districts without consulting the grassroots.

Lilllian Elidah Daka-Mumba is a professional chef . She was born in Lusaka ,Zambia, raised in Sweden, studied in Switzerland, and worked in France .

She has working experience in Sweden,Zambia, France and Switzerland.

She is a Foundation Degree holder in Culinary Arts established at Cesar Ritz Culinary Arts Academy. she got a Membership certificate from the French association “Devoir du champignon”

KAPA187: What made you want to be a professional chef instead of a more traditional career such as a doctor or lawyer?

Lillian: I grew up in Sweden and through my three years of college, I got to do law, and such subjects, but they never quite fascinated me. After I graduated from college, I took time off to decide what I really wanted to become and realized that I love cooking and I can make a living out of it.

 KAPA187: Has your family always been in support of your decision?

Lillian: my mother at first was quite doubtful that” Why do you want to become a chef? You can be an economist, or anything because of your good grades”, but it is something that I decided to do and become and like everything else I do, I make the best out of it and do my best. I managed to persuade her. Through my actions and determination

 KAPA187: What do you think is the biggest misconception of professional chefs?

Lillian: That question depends where you come from. In Europe and the western world, being a chef is just like any other profession and we obtain the respect because here they understand the value of a chef, the amount of work and strain it has and this is due to that eating in restaurants and out has been a culture for so many decades.

In Africa, they are a few chefs, most of them are cooks and that’s where the difference is. In Africa being a chef is considered low educated and not such a good option and I can’t blame them, they are not so many culinary schools, great hospitality schools either and eating out in restaurants has just gotten popular recently, before people would not go out that much.

 KAPA187: What is your favorite food to eat and favorite to cook, why?

Lillian: I am quite picky with foods, but I love the classical Italian, Pasta Bolognese, Lasagna also baby pork ribs and delele, ifishashi, Swedish meatballs, smoked salmon , . I love a bit of all the foods; it represents me because I have a bit of every country.

 KAPA187: How important is it to have a good education before becoming a chef.

Lillian: Being a chef requires an education! I obtained my higher Swiss Diploma and foundation degree in Culinary Arts at the Cesar Ritz Colleges in Switzerland. That is the difference between a chef and a cook, Cooks rarely need to go to school but chefs do. I have had to learn marketing, people skills, certificates in hygiene, nutrition, law, and service. Nowadays few establishments will hire you if you do not have a culinary education. Culinary is the academic word for cooking. There are different types of chefs, pastry chefs, cold kitchen chefs and etc. People normally mistake being a chef means being a baker, pastry chef and chocolatier, no it is not. They all have quite the same foundation but you will always need experience or education to obtain the needed skill to work within the part of the kitchen you want.

 KAPA187: Give an example of a menu that you would prepare for this particular season in Zambia .

Lillian: Given that it is the beginning of the year and in Zambia we have a lot greens I would prepare

Amuse Bouche

Air dried ham with dried Zambian mango chutney.

Appetizer

Bruschetta of tomato, onions and basil, topped with Mozzarella cheese

Main Course

Pork with wild mushroom sauce and roasted potatoes

Dessert

Poached pear with mango ice-cream

KAPA187: What do you do to stay educated about new trends?

Lillian: Read hospitality magazines look at what other chefs are doing, Ask my readers and supporters on what they would love to read about and have recipes on. I also observe the growth of the cultural populations and influences in our society

 KAPA187: What do you do to insure the quality of the food going out to customers?

Lillian: have a well prepared menu with good working personnel. Detailed upon last minute, food served and held at the right temperature. Using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Great food presentation and a smiling service team.

 KAPA187: Having worked in many countries, how do you feel professional zambian chefs compare with the rest of the world.

Lillian: I do have the highest respect for any Zambian, or African chef no matter the education because I know it is not easy and it takes a lot of courage and heart to do what we do. Zambian chefs are not on the world map yet and cannot compete with the other international chefs, and that is not their problem it is because the hospitality education does not have that form of education for chefs and also even looking at restaurants in Zambia we are not there yet but we are getting there.

 KAPA187: What have been your best and worst moments in your career.

Lillian: There are a few moments, When I started writing for one of the biggest newspaper in Zambia, I was 19 years then, the youngest author and now I am a bit grown and still writing. The whole nation has gotten to see the other way of my cooking.

My graduation, and when I opened my own catering company, Twaala Catering.

Worst. The moments that I cried because it was either too difficult or I got underestimated for being a woman but now I have learned, never ever cry.

 KAPA187: What 3 things do you consider to be your strengths.

Lillian: My academic skills because it is EVERYTHING one needs to obtain, academic wise in one package. I have always been taught to be humble and to respect people. Discipline is my biggest strength because as a chef we have three addictions. Alcoholic, drug or workaholic and I have seen people do drugs, drink at work but I never ever done this, but I can say that I am indeed a workaholic. I got one addiction.

 KAPA187: Tell me something you would like to learn or improve upon.

Lillian: I would love to improve my speed, work with more chefs and become extremely detail orientated and more patience.

 KAPA187: You know 8 international languages, which ones are they and how has that helped you in your career.

Lillian: Bemba, Soli, Nyanja, Swedish, French, Spanish, English, Norwegian (The last ones are a bit similar to each other) It has helped me tremendously. When I started working in Switzerland and France our dishwasher spoke Spanish and he helped me with the language barrier. I can speak when I’m home in Zambia. Swedish helps with German as well. It has helped me a lot to connect and socialize with people. I can now work and communicate with one of the best chefs in the world which happened to be French.

 KAPA187: Do you have any hidden talents?

Lillian: I love writing and photography. I am an artist…culinary artist. I love being creative and this has helped me with my other passions and also ventured into other businesses.

 KAPA187: What advice would you give someone who wants to begin a career in culinary arts?

Lillian: You have to love what you’ll do and know what you want. It will be long hours, exhaustion ,be ready for that. Be open-minded, and courageous. It is not a competition with others, always compete with you and strive to become better and greater. I wish you all the best and hoping to work with you very soon and if you have any questions visit my Facebook page.: http://www.facebook.com/#!/LillianElidah

Here is some of the food you can expect from her:

Nshima and beef stew

Chicken salad in pesto sauce

Mashed potatoes and fried mince beef

Chicken skewers

Home made Kapenta with cumin and lime

New York Cheesecake

Lillian is an inspiration to other young women , she is multi talented and apart from being a chef she is also :

• the executive producer for the cookshow ” Cooking with LillianElidah.”
• Food Writer for The Post, Zambia.
• Managing Director for EZM magazine
• C.E.O and founder for L.E.D.M, a fast growing management and consultancy agency with over three companies.
• Executive chef and supervior for Twaala Catering and events.

BY KAPA187