The University of Zambia Students Union (UNZASU) has hailed government for the progress in has made regarding the scrapping of the national student’s bursaries scheme and replacing by the student’s loan facility which will carter for a large number of vulnerable students.
UNZASU president Ali Tankara told ZANIS in an interview yesterday that the move will instil a sense of responsibility in beneficiaries as they will have the onus to pay back the loan.
Mr. Tankara said the loan scheme will benefit a cross section of students ranging from freshmen to in-service students and others wishing to undertake advanced programmes.
He said the current bursaries scheme disadvantages other students who may not be orphaned but are vulnerable as it provided for only students who qualify by means of being orphaned.
Mr. Tankara said the loan scheme will also help improve the standard of the education system not only to students but to the country as a whole.
Last year, government announced that it would scrap off the national students’ bursaries scheme and replaced it by the students’ loan facility.
Government yesterday reported that it has made progress in this area and that the facility will be effective in June this year.
Meanwhile, the UNZASU president has expressed happiness towards government’s completion of renovation works of students’ hostels at the country’s highest institution of learning.
He was optimistic that through the ongoing Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative that will see the creation of 10,000 bed spaces, government will be able to permanently address the student accommodation crisis.
The University of Zambia has for a long time been facing accommodation challenges which the current government is trying to address.
Two Chinese nationals were on Sunday arrested after beating up three Zambian nationals including a security guard of Mulungushi University in Kabwe.
The duo were arrested by the Zambia police around 16:00hrs on Sunday following a tip off from panorama security firm guards who caught the two culprits with the help of the victims.
Efforts to get a comment from central province police commissioner Standwel Lungu failed as he was reported to be in Lusaka attending to other official duties while Police spokesperson Elizabeth Kanjela’s cell phone went unanswered.
A Mulungushi University security guard Henry Natamoyo confirmed the development.
Mr Natamoyo said he received a report around 15:00hrs on Sunday from the workers that the Chinese employers would leave the following day without paying the workers their wages. Because of this information, the Zambian workers decided to demand for their wages.
However,the Chinese contractors decided not to give in to the workers’ demands but opted to physically deal with the workers.
Mr. Natamoyo said when he tried to intervene in the matter he learnt that the Chinese had locked up one Zambian worker in the toilet whom they had brutally assaulted.
Mr. Natamoyo further explained that as he tried to go towards the toilet, one Chinese national blocked him from getting to the toilet in order to prevent him from seeing the assaulted worker.
“After I found the first Chinese, he told me not to proceed to the toilet but I insisted. Then I saw six Chinese nationals brutally beating a helpless Zambian national who was trying to escape from the toilet and I took a video of their brutality using my [mobile] phone.” said Mr. Matamoyo.
Mr. Natamoyo further said that one of the six [and main culprit] named Mr. Chu [commonly known as Yeye noticed his initiative of capturing the incident as evidence, and confronted him kicking him in the leg and he dropped the cell phone thereby distorting the clip.
[pullquote]“He ran after me [like u can see in the video] and kicked me in the leg then my phone fell. He picked it, grabbed my radio and continued kicking me while I was still on the ground until a group of fellow Zambian workers rescued me and helped get my phone and radio back.” explained Mr. Natamoyo.[/pullquote]
“He ran after me [like u can see in the video] and kicked me in the leg then my phone fell. He picked it, grabbed my radio and continued kicking me while I was still on the ground until a group of fellow Zambian workers rescued me and helped get my phone and radio back.” explained Mr. Natamoyo.
And a bricklayer, Samson Zulu confirmed to ZANIS that it was true that it was six Chinese nationals who beat him up.
In his explanation of the incident, Mr. Zulu said that upon hearing that their debtor and employer, Mr. Chu would be leaving [today], he together with his colleagues demanded for their wages worth millions of kwacha from their employer who declined to give it to them for over a month.
Mr. Zulu said they (Chinese) first started with hitting his colleague, Honest Mulenga with a bottle in the head and the other hit him on his hand thus causing deep injuries in the hand and a cut in the victim’s head.
“We found them drinking and chatting in readiness to leave for Lusaka and humbly asked about our money as we learnt that they were leaving [today] and they told us to see them at some other time but when we insisted, Mr. Wang called me aside.
“ Without realising it was a plan, Mr. Chu hit my shoulder from behind with a bottle and when I fell in agony the six started kicking me all over, strangled my neck and then dragged me to the toilet where they continued with their brutality.” lamented Mr. Zulu.
Mr. Zulu who showed evidence of the strangulation and bruises to ZANIS further said that he only found a chance to flee when the culprits were alarmed that Mr. Natamoyo and the other workers were heading to the toilet.
The perpetrators then later drove off but Mr. Natamoyo called the police and commanded security personnel at the gate not to allow them through thus forcing the perpetrators to abandon their vehicles at the gate and rushed to the main road to try and catch a lift to Lusaka but to no avail.
Two of the Chinese nationals were arrested around 16:00hrs, whilst three initially fled but later appeared at Central Police in Kabwe hours later, trying to bribe the police officers who arrested two.
The main culprit, Mr. Chu, is still in hiding but his whereabouts are allegedly known by the police.
Kasama residents have complained over high mealie meal prices in the area.
And a Kasama prominent businessman Yona Chishimba has appealed to Government to re-introduce the price control board to be monitoring the prices of commodities.
The irate residents stormed ZANIS offices in Kasama to register their displeasure, yesterday.
The resident expressed disappointment at the failure by millers to reduce the prices of the commodity as per presidential directive.
They have since appealed to the local authority to quickly intervene in the matter.
And a Kasama prominent businessman Yona Chishimba has appealed to Government to re-introduce the price control board to be monitoring the prices of commodities.
Mr. Chishimba said this will help stabilize the prices in the country.
He observed that the business communities are taking advantage of the scarcity of certain commodities to inflate the prices.
Mr. Chishimba cited the prices of mealie meal that has remained high resulting in exploitation of consumers.
He said a 25Kg bag of breakfast mealie meal is still selling between KR60 and KR65 while roller meal is still selling between KR40 and KR47 respectively.
Most mealie meal retailers in Kasama have not reduced the prices of the staple food.
Nyirenda quits barely one year gone into a three year deal that started on January 1, 2012.
Zesco secretary Justin Mumba told Zesco’s official website that the club was sad to see Nyirenda leave.
“It’s with heavy heart and sadness that the club would like to announce that the head coach Mr. Wedson Nyirenda has resigned and left the club with immediate effect,” Mumba stated.
Nyirenda leaves Zesco together with his assistant Dabid Chilufya.
Mumba said Tennant Chembo will take temporal charge of the team while a permanent replacement is sort.
“As a club we regret his departure, it must be emphasized that he arrived at his decision on his accord without any undue influence regarding this decision, it should be realized that as a club we have repeatedly backed him to continue leading the club beyond 2013,” Mumba said.
“As a club we have wished him all the very best.
“Wedson has been the club’s most successful coach to date and as a club we acknowledged his contribution by bestowing the honorary membership, the club’s highest honor on him last month.”
Nyirenda won back-to-back league titles in his first tenure at Zesco in 2007 and 2008 including a treble in the former year.
He finished third in his second tenure at Zesco in 2012 on 54 points, two less than Power Dynamos and a further seven behind champions Zanaco whom he coached from 2009 to 2011.
Journalists cover former Zambian President Rupiah Banda’s Press conference
Former President of Zambia Mr Rupiah Bwezani Banda has urged African leaders to consider public good over personal interests if the continent’s democracy is to flourish.
And the former Zambian head of State has been described as a living embodiment of democracy who has shown the continent that there is life after leaving political office.
Delivering a keynote address at a two-day conference titled Elections March 2013: Imminent debates in the event of a Presidential run-off’, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Nairobi today, President Banda said it was important to ensure that democratic systems were respected.
He told a packed conference that included delegates from Sierra Leone, Ghana, Liberia and Senegal that African democracy was taking root and urged the media to highlight electoral success with the same vigour that they reported on failed elections.
The former President also urged young Africans to strive towards creating an environment in which leaders and their followers would not have to worry about retribution if they lost elections to their competitors.
Earlier, Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission chairman Ahmed Hassan and Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA) Kenya country director Felix Odhiambo described President Banda as a true democrat who was magnanimous enough to concede defeat in the 2008 Presidential elections, thereby ensuring that Zambia remained a peaceful country.
“The message from President Banda is very pertinent as we go towards elections. Indeed, public good overrides other factors. President Banda understands the dynamics of free and fair elections. We are very grateful for the message you have brought to Kenya,” Mr Hassan said.
And Swedish Ambassador to Kenya Johan Borgstam said he hoped the Kenyan people would learn from President Banda’s experience and prepare well for the Presidential and Parliamentary elections set for 4th March, 2013.
President Banda later addressed a Press conference where he answered several questions regarding what compelled him to accept the results of the 2008 elections and what advice he had for Kenyan politicians ahead of the March elections.
The two-day conference has been organised by the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa in partnership with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, the Kenyan Judiciary and the Kenyatta University School of Law.
Left to right, Former Zambian President Rupiah Banda, Swedish Ambassador to Kenya Joan Borgstam and Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission chairman Ahmed Hassan leave the hall after opening the two-day conference on the Kenya 2013 elections.
Former Local Government and Housing Deputy Minister in the MMD regime, Moses Muteteka, has pleaded not guilty to eight counts of abuse of authority of office and one count of theft.
Mr. Muteteka, who is also Chisamba Member of Parliament, appeared before Lusaka Magistrate Evans Hamaundu at Civic Centre Magistrate Court to take plea.
In count one and two Mr. Muteteka, who is represented by his lawyer James Matalilo, is charged with abuse of authority of office contrary to section 99 (1) of the penal code and cap 87 of the laws of Zambia.
It is alleged that Mr. Muteteka on dates unknown but between January 1 and December 31, 2010 while in Chibombo, being a person employed as Deputy Minister for Local Government and Housing, jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown did abuse the authority of his office by giving two hammer mills he obtained from Gender In Development Division (GIDD) meant for Chisamba constituency to his sisters Eldah Mulongwe and Rosemary Mulongwe respectively, an act which was arbitrary and prejudicial to the interest of government.
In counts three, four, six and seven, it is alleged that Mr. Muteteka on dates unknown but between January 1 and December 31, 2010 in Chibombo, being a person employed as Deputy Minister for Local Government and Housing, jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown abused the authority of his office by giving hammer mills belonging to Chibombo District to Daniel Lyatumba, his grandfather of Mwapwa village of Kapiri Mponshi, his nephew Isaac Paso of Kangalangala village in Kanakantapa area ,Terry Milambo of Chitanta village and Fallace Ctito, his nephew of Kangombe village in Keembe constituency respectively.
This act was said to be arbitrary and prejudicial to the interest of government.
In count five Mr. Muteteka is charged with theft contrary to section 272 of the penal code cap 87 of the laws of Zambia.
Particulars of the offence are that Mr. Muteteka on unknown dates but between January 1 and December 31, 2011 while in Chibombo , jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown did steal one hammer mill Engine Number D 2.1006.07.1100037 and mill number 8146 valued at K21 million (KR 21 000), the property of Chibombo District Council.
In count eight Mr. Muteteka is charged with abuse of authority of office contrary to section 99 (1) of the penal code and cap 87 of the laws of Zambia.
It is alleged that on dates unknown but between January 1 and August 31, 2011 while in Chibombo, being a person employed as Deputy Minister for Local Government and Housing, jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown did abuse the authority of his office by procuring 26, two solar panels, one solar inverter, one solar regulator and one solar battery without following laid down tender procedures, an act which was arbitrary and prejudicial to the interest of government.
In the last count, Mr. Muteteka is charged with abuse of authority of office contrary to section 99 (1) of the penal code and cap 87 of the laws of Zambia.
Particulars of the offence are that on dates unknown but between January 1 and August 31, 2011 while in Chibombo, being a person employed as Deputy Minister for Local Government and Housing, jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown did abuse the authority of his office by directing the Chisamba Constituency Development Committee to purchase six hammer mills from Saro Industries Limited the highest bidder without following the laid down tender procedures, an act which was arbitrary and prejudicial to the interest of government.
The matter has since been adjourned to 18th and 19th February this year for commencement of trial.
Mr. Muteteka is already appearing before senior principal magistrate Aridah Chuulu for theft of motor vehicles.
Trial in the case where opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema is charged with fabrication of false news with intent to cause fear and alarm to the public failed to commence today.
This was because his lawyers applied for an adjournment when the matter came up for commencement of trial before Lusaka Chief Resident Magistrate Joshua Banda today.
Mr. Hichilema’s lawyer Sakwiba Sikota applied for an adjournment so that his team could obtain instructions from their client.
Mr. Sikota told the court that in view of the High Court ruling to refer back the matter to the magistrate court despite citing constitutional issues that are likely to arise during prosecution, the team hoped that the same shall not be used as stay for the proceedings in this matter.
He told the court that his team was not ready to proceed with trial today because they were waiting for full instructions from their client upon knowing the status of the matter.
This was despite the state prosecution team being ready to begin trial today. The prosecution team did not however object to the defence’s application.
A Ms. L.M. Phiri, who was leading the state prosecution team, stated that considering that the dates for trial were set last year in December, the adjournment should be short.
In passing ruling on the application, Magistrate Banda directed that the case comes up tomorrow for commencement of trial.
Mr. Hichilema 50, is facing one count of fabrication of false news with intent to cause fear and alarm to the public contrary to section 67 (1) (2) of the penal code and cap 87 of the laws of Zambia.
It is alleged that Mr. Hichilema on June 11, 2012 did orally publish statements in which he said the PF had signed an arrangement with militia of Sudan to train PF youths.
Mr. Hichilema was quoted as saying “Prepare for trouble, do you know what is going on in Darfur? Do you know what is going on in Abyei? Do you know what is going on there? Killings!” statements which are likely to cause fear and alarm to the public.
He was accompanied to court today by his wife Mutinta, his lawyers Sakwiba Sikota, Keith Mweemba, Martha Mushipe and other opposition political party sympathisers.
Ndola Mayor Davies Chiwela has said plans are underway to design and build a new Ndola City Centre near the Levy Mwanawasa stadium.
And Mr. Chiwela has indicated that his council will embark on rehabilitating all stadiums in the city and upgrading them to the level of the Levy Mwanawasa stadium.
Mr. Chiwela told ZANIS in an interview in Ndola at the weekend that the project of building a new Ndola city Centre will be established through the Private Public Partnership (PPP).
He said the site for the new town centre has already been identified on the Ndola and Mufulira road.
He said the new town centre will have modern shopping malls, hotels, intercity bus terminus and other social facilities.
Mr. Chiwela, who also said the civic centre will also shift to the new town centre, explained that this development follows the construction of the ultra modern Levy Mwanawasa stadium which he said has added beauty to Ndola.
And Mr. Chiwela has said his council will embark on rehabilitating all stadiums in the city to the standard of Levy Mwanawasa stadium.
He said Musa Kasonka stadium will be rehabilitated while Dag Hammarskjold will be reconstructed following President Michael Sata’s directive.
The Dag Hammarskjold stadium has not been rebuilt for more than a decade after it was destroyed for reconstruction.
MMD Provincial Secretary for Eastern Province Lugomo Phiri has passed a message of solidarity to party leader Nevers Mumba following his weekly arrest.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS over the weekend, Mr. Phiri said MMD cadres in the province were sorry over the weekly arrest of their president and that they will strongly stand by him in this difficult moment.
He also urged MMD parliamentarians to show maturity and stand by him.
Mr. Phiri also expressed concern over calls arising for Dr Mumba to step down as MMD party president.
And Mr. Phiri has also advised all MMD MPs serving as Deputy Ministers to decide which political party they wanted to support.
He warned that the party would deal with those that had continued to support the PF government as they did not support the democratic ideals of the party which took them to parliament.
“The MMD will not spare the MPs who seem to be members of two political parties,” he said.
Meanwhile, Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) on the Copperbelt has advised party president Nevers Mumba to drop his arrogance and listen to calls from members the grass root level.
And MMD members on the Copperbelt have expressed concern over the party’s failure to earnestly convene a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting requested for so as to address challenges that have led to the party’s near down fall in recent months.
MMD Copperbelt chair person Joseph Chilambwe said in an interview yesterday that Dr Mumba should focus on the views of members at grass root level rather than those of top officials who openly declare their support for the MMD leader.
“What we want is for our party president to listen to what people are saying at the grass root level because that where the votes come from, those top officials who are coming out in the open supporting him have no idea of what’s happening at the grass root levels,” he said.
Mr Chilambwe observed that this is the more reason why a number of prominent members had defected to other political parties which better understand the need embrace members at grass root level.
Mr Chilambwe further expressed concern over the party’s failure to effectively convene a NEC meeting to address some of the challenges facing the ruling party.
He thus urged the party’s leadership to put their house in order and quickly constitute a quorum which will help resolve pending issues in the party.
LUAPULA Province Minister Benson Kapaya about to set ablaze fishing nets confiscated during the patrols to control fish ban by the Village Management Committe spearheaded by Senior Chief Puta of the Bwile people in Chienge District
The national fishing ban, which runs from 1st December to 1st March every, has this time around been received with mixed feelings by fishermen in Mongu district of Western Province.
Siyoto Likezo, a fisherman, claimed that the Patriotic Front (PF) promised during its 2011 pre-election campaigns not to enforce the fish ban in the province once elected into power.
Mr. Likezo said now that the PF in power has not scrapped off the fishing ban, it should consider reducing the period from three months to two months.
He said many people in the province depend on fishing and selling fish for their survival.
Mr. Likezo told ZANIS in an interview that he was a bread winner for his family and he suffers a lot when the fishing ban is in effect.
He noted that he makes more money in fishing than in growing crops.
He said fishing should be an ongoing activity saying that breeding of fish could even take a month or two.
Every year, government enforces a fishing ban from 1st December to 1st March the following year to allow fish to breed.
According to the Fisheries Act of 2011 of the laws of Zambia, it is an offence to carryout fishing activities or to be in possession of fish during the fishing ban.
Government prosecutes all offenders and if convicted they are liable to a fine or imprisonment.
And Luapula Province Minister Benson Kapaya has called for concerted efforts in the enforcement of the fish ban in the province.
Brigadier General Kapaya made the call when Community Development, Mother and Child health Minister Joseph Katema paid a courtesy call on him at his office.
He said he had witnessed fishermen in over 30 canoes at Kasenga when he was coming from his tour of the northern part of the province who were busy fishing regardless of the period being that of the fish ban.
He said it was important for everyone to observe the fish ban in order to let the fish to breed and replenish its numbers during the breeding season.
General Kapaya said he had also seen a young man selling fresh fish by the road side when he was coming from Chienge district who only took off quickly when he saw the flag on his vehicle.
He said if some fishermen have the courage to display and sell fish by the road side, it shows that there should be a lot of fish than was being sold away elsewhere.
And Dr Katema said he was in the province to explain to the health staff and community development and social welfare workers the policy shift and direction under the PF government that they will now be under one ministry except the hospitals which will remain with Ministry of Health.
He said all the clinics, health centres and all the health staff who provide primary health care including the district medical offices and staff will be under his ministry.
He said the ministry of health will only be tackling complex secondary and tertiary health care cases referred to the hospitals and that will give them enough time to attend to serious cases and reduce on referrals abroad for specialised treatment.
FILE: Some of the Tujilijili consignment that was surrendered at Kitwe Civic center by a named distributor in Kitwe
Muchinga Deputy Permanent Secretary Jewis Chabi has directed the police and local authority to immediately combat smuggling of the banned potent alcohol known as Tujilijili into Mpika district.
Mr Chabi said in an interview yesterday the illegal importation of the banned alcohol by some traders was regrettable was would not be allowed.
“As a Government, any form of beer matching Tujilijili is not allowed as long as they are packaged in same sachets. We are engaging the police and council immediately to search traders stocking and selling the banned product. We will ensure they are brought to book,” he said.
Mr Chabi said the dealers trading in the potent alcohol did not have valid documents to import the product into the country and that Government was losing revenue because the commodity was being smuggled into the district.
In Mpika, the 35 alcoholic volume per cent potent alcohol branded Konyagi, a 100 mls sachet which is a product of Tanzania Distilleries Limited, was being sold at KR5 (K5000) at Crystal Palace.
Mr Chabi said the dealers trading in the banned beer did not have importation documents to show that they were engaged in genuine business and that Government would do every thing to ensure that the health of the people was protected from the destructive nature of the beer.
[pullquote]“As a Government, any form of beer matching Tujilijili is not allowed as long as they are packaged in same sachets. We are engaging the police and council immediately to search traders stocking and selling the banned product. We will ensure they are brought to book,” he said.[/pullquote]
“When I finish talking to you I will call the Town Clerk and police to ensure that a check is conducted immediately. Now that you have brought that issue to my attention we will ensure that the culprits face the law. Even if the beer was allowed, Government was losing revenue and away from revenue, the issue is illegal,” he said.
He said a similar product was spotted in Nakonde after been imported from Malawi after alert public officers swiftly moved in to curb the smuggling of the banned product into the country.
“These products are also sold on the streets by some vendors and they are coming from Nakonde after being smuggled into the country some people and mostly truck drivers,” said a marketer who wished not be identified.
In Kapiri Mposhi, the banned alcohol Kallu Mama with 37.5 alcoholic Volume per cent packaged in 60 mls sachets was being sold at the main trading market by most youths to people known to them at KR3 (K3000)
The potent alcohol is brewed by Gold Spirits Zambia Limited of Kabwe.
“They can not sell you the beer especially that you appear strange. They only sell to people they are familiar with. The youths exchange money with the beer undercover like the way they sell drugs for fear of prosecution,” said a bus operator.
Government banned the beer last year amid massive public outcry.
NORTHERN Provincial Minister Col. Gerry Chanda second (right) shaking hands with National Technical Committee team leader to Northern Provincial Constitution Conference Dr. Rodger Chonwe outside the conference hall at Nellas Lodge in Kasama after the official opening
The second round of the provincial convention on drafting the constitution has opened in Muchinga Province and Western Province with a call on delegates to avoid taking rigid positions if the country is to come up with a good constitution that will stand the test of time.
In Muchinga, Muchinga Province Minister Charles Banda said the Patriotic Front (PF) government decided to employ the bottom up approach in the constitution making process in order to incorporate the aspirations of Zambians.
Mr. Banda was speaking when he officially opened the Muchinga Province constitution making convention in Mpika today.
He implored delegates to apply themselves fully and put aside personal and partisan interests if the process is to retain legitimacy.
Mr. Banda further urged delegates to put forward the views of the ordinary people which they submitted in the first draft constitution.
Earlier, Muchinga Province Technical Committee Leader Reuben Lifuka said the committee has scored a number of milestones since it was appointed by President Michael Sata in 2011.
[pullquote]It is of absolute necessity that you, therefore, put aside your personal interests and work for the common good of our people as you deliberate. [/pullquote]
Mr. Lifuka has however acknowledged that a lot of work still needs to done before a final draft is produced.
He said the technical committee has so far adhered to the terms of reference as provided by government in line with the submissions of Zambians in the previous constitution review commissions and similar processes.
The second rounds of provincial conventions are taking place simultaneously in Muchinga, Western, Northern and Luapula Provinces respectively.
This follows the successful holding of similar exercises in Central, North-Western and Copperbelt provinces late last year.
NORTHERN Provincial Constitution Conference Nation Technical Constitution Committee team leaders Dr. Rodger Chongwe (right) delivering his official opening remarks to Northern Provincial Constitution delegates at Nellas Lodge in Kasama today with Northern Provincial Minister Col. Gerry Chanda (left)
And in Mongu scores of people from a cross section of society today turned up for the official opening of the Western Province Constitution Convention, with area Permanent Secretary Bert Mushala urging delegates to put personal interests aside in their deliberations.
Speaking at Mongu College of Education yesterday, Mr Mushala advised the participants to instead put the people’s common good before theirs as they deliberated.
Mr Mushala said for the Constitution-making process to maintain its legitimacy and to produce a document which would stand the test of time, there was need to ensure that the province played its part in recommending changes to the First Draft Constitution which they deemed necessary.
“It is of absolute necessity that you, therefore, put aside your personal interests and work for the common good of our people as you deliberate. Your major responsibility as delegates is to represent even the views of members of our communities who could not be accorded an opportunity to attend this convention,” he said.
Mr Mushala added that it was imperative that the delegates approached the convention with the seriousness and open mindedness it deserved by fully applying themselves and ensuring that District resolutions as well as vernacular comments received were carefully considered.
[pullquote]“With all what has been done so far, the content of the Final Draft Constitution is entirely in the hands of all of us Zambians. It is, therefore, important that this convention and similar consultations clearly indicate the people’s aspirations.[/pullquote]
He observed that it was the first time in the history of the country’s Constitution-making process that Government took a bottom-up approach in the Constitution-making process.
Speaking earlier, Technical Committee on Drafting the Zambian Constitution chairperson Annel Silungwe said the overwhelming turnout was a demonstration that all stakeholders considered the Constitution-making process important and one deserving everyone’s support.
“It is gratifying to observe the overwhelming interest shown by most Zambians in the Constitution-making process. This is as it should be, after all Constitution-making is a process which should bring all key stakeholders together in order to chart the future of the nation.
“The turn out at this convention is a clear testimony that all stakeholders consider the Constitution-making process important and one that deserves the support of all well-meaning people,” he said.
Justice Silungwe reiterated that the Technical Committee had recorded several milestones since it started its work on December 1, 2013, but that a lot more still remained to be done before the final Draft Constitution was produced.
“With all what has been done so far, the content of the Final Draft Constitution is entirely in the hands of all of us Zambians. It is, therefore, important that this convention and similar consultations clearly indicate the people’s aspirations.
“It is important for all delegates to realize that the task you are playing in this convention is historical. You are here to represent the millions of Zambians and we are confident as a Technical Committee that you will take this honour seriously.
Justice Silungwe repeated his assurance that the Technical Committee would strictly adhere to the people’s aspirations and wishes of the citizenry in coming up with the Final Draft Constitution.
“Our collective hope is that this time around, Zambians will be given the Constitution that truly will stand the test of time,” Justice Silungwe said.
In Luapula, Luapula Province Minister Benson Kapaya has urged delegates to the Luapula province convention on enacting the Zambian constitution to put aside their personal interests when deliberating in the convention.
ZANIS reports that Brigadier General Kapaya said detaching personal interests from deliberations will allow delegates to represent the Zambian people in the constitution making process diligently.
He said this in Mansa today when he officially opened the Luapula province convention on enacting the Zambian constitution today.
He said delegates should participate fully in deliberations because the quality of the constitution will depend on how they discuss the input of the people of Zambia.
[pullquote]“It is important for all delegates to realize that the task you are playing in this convention is historical. You are here to represent the millions of Zambians and we are confident as a Technical Committee that you will take this honour seriously.[/pullquote]
Brig. Gen. Kapaya has also disclosed that the convention will also consider the vernacular comments from the public in all parts of the province.
He said the comments have since been translated into English and analysed by the provincial facilitation team.
Speaking earlier, Vice Chairperson of the Technical Committee on Drafting the Zambian Constitution Julius Sakala said the committee was overwhelmed by the response from the people towards the constitution making process.
Dr. Sakala said the committee will strictly adhere to wishes and aspirations of Zambian people in coming up with the final draft constitution.
He was hopeful that Zambians will this time around be have the constitution that will truly stand the test of time.
And Dr. Sakala said it was important for all delegates to realise that the role they were playing in the convention was historical.
He said the technical committee was confident that the delegates will take the convention seriously and apply themselves fully to the task at hand.
Zambia’s envoys in the CAF Confederation Cup Power Dynamos are in to Western Province for a week long training camp.
Club coach Beston Chambeshi said Power travelled to Mongu on Saturday.
Before the Mongu trip the 2012 Faz Super Division runners-up had been holding pre-season at Ravens Country Club in Kitwe.
Power will face Angola’s Recreativo da Caala in the Confederation Cup preliminary round next month.
The first leg tie is scheduled for 15 February at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe.
Stopilla Sunzu has headed to England to attend a medical and agree terms with Reading.
TP Mazembe confirmed on their official website that Sunzu will be away for at least four days.
“Indeed, Sunzu is in Reading for tests after an agreement between TP Mazembe and the Zambia Federation,” Mazembe president Moses Katumbi said.
Sunzu did not travel with the team to Nelspruit on Sunday from Ndola and went straight to England after Zambia’s 0-0 friendly game against Norway on December 12 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
The defender is due to rejoin the Zambia team in Nelspruit on January 19, just two days before th African champions opening Group C match against Ethiopia at Mbombela Stadium.
PATRIOTIC Front (PF) secretary-general Wynter Kabimba says the PF government will overhaul the education system by making local languages more prominent in the curriculum and doing away with the colonial style of education.
Mr Kabimba said the current education system is still steeped in colonialism and Government would put an end to that.
“Our education system has a colonial hang-up…we want to change that,” he said.
Mr Kabimba said this during a meeting with school managers from over 20 government schools in Mazabuka on Saturday.
He said the current education system does not meet the challenges of a third-world country.
“Our education system does not meet the demands of a third-world country. We are producing students who are not relevant to the needs of our country,” Mr Kabimba said.
He wondered why Zambians should insist on using English as the medium of communication when the country is rich with many languages.
“It is the policy of the PF to revive vernacular languages because a language gives us identity,” Mr Kabimba said.
He said the PF wants pupils aged 10 and above to focus on what they are good at, instead of studying subjects which are irrelevant to their skills.
“We need artisans to develop this country. We cannot all be lawyers or doctors. That is why the PF wants to tap into human potential at a young age,” Mr Kabimba said.
[pullquote]“Our education system does not meet the demands of a third-world country. We are producing students who are not relevant to the needs of our country,” Mr Kabimba said.[/pullquote]
Mr Kabimba said there is a deliberate effort by colonial masters to kill native languages.
“A language gives personal and cultural identity. Teachers have a duty to teach children vernacular languages.
“It is the policy of the PF to revive vernacular languages because our languages give us a sense of identity,” Mr Kabimba said.
Mr Kabimba said he is not proud to use English as a medium of communication.
“I use Sala when talking to my children in my house, because English is a foreign language,” Mr Kabimba said.
Mr Kabimba said he is proud that when he started school in Livingstone, he was taught Tonga and later on he learnt Lozi.
“I speak these local languages fluently because I was taught to speak them while I was young,” he said.
[pullquote]“We need artisans to develop this country. We cannot all be lawyers or doctors. That is why the PF wants to tap into human potential at a young age,” Mr Kabimba said.[/pullquote]
Mr Kabimba said he finds it strange that some people even brag that they speak English better than indigenous languages.
Meanwhile, Mr Kabimba says there’s no compromise of discipline in the party. Mr Kabimba says discipline in PF is paramount because no one is bigger than the party.
Mr Kabimba, who is also Minister of Justice, was speaking on Saturday in Mazabuka during a radio programme called Live Wire on Mazabuka Radio.
And Mr Kabimba says most Zambians are concentrating on discussing individuals at the expense of development.
“Let’s learn to debate Development Issues, not personalities because there are many people who are suffering out there,” Mr Kabimba said.
Some callers wanted to drag Mr Kabimba into discussing the fate of Minister of Foreign Affair Given Lubinda.
“Our primary duty and priority is to tackle the poverty which Zambian people are facing, not to discuss personalities,” Mr Kabimba said.
He urged people to rally behind the PF government so that it can deliver development.
“Support the PF with or without Wynter Kabimba. The PF wants this country to be better and if Zambia does not develop under Michael Sata, we can forget about development,” Mr Kabimba said.
