PRESIDENT Michael Sata has blamed the failure of previous Constitution-making processes in Zambia on ‘selfish politicians’.
The president has pointed out that the Constitution-making process started way back in 1972 and that no one should blame the National Constitution Conference (NCC) or the Mvunga or any other commissions, but the politicians who have been selfish.

Mr Sata hopes that the team he has appointed to draft the new Constitution would not fail the citizens, this time around, but would work to give them a Constitution that would stand the taste of time.

He said that the Mung’omba Commission produced a good report but that somebody, out of their selfish motives, took it to the National Constitution Conference (NCC) where the document was tampered with.

Speaking at State House when he swore-in some members of the technical committee of experts charged with drafting the Republican Constitution, President Sata said that the team he had appointed was well-balanced and experienced to mould a people-driven Constitution.

“So we as politicians, decided to bring a large crowd. I have been condemned for bringing that large crowd, I have been condemned for not balancing it; but I have balanced it with the brains, the crowd which I have brought here is a crowd of brains,” he said.
He said the team had vast experience more so that it was composed of members that chaired previous review commissions as well as those that served as members.

Mr Sata said that the committee would make its own pattern of work and if it felt the need to split and have others travel to Namibia or South Africa, it was at liberty to do so considering that there was goodwill from the donor community.

“The secretary to the Cabinet and the Ministry of Justice, we should assist as much as we can. We have so much good will from the international community over this and I have told the chairperson that we will not keep any money because when we keep it we divert it to something else,” Mr Sata said.

He said that the committee would open its own account for easy auditing as well as access to the funds whenever need arose to ensure the process was smooth.

The president told the chairperson of the committee, Annel Silungwe, not to be bothered with a referendum as it would not be in the terms of reference.He pointed out that the committee should recommend if there would be need for a referendum.

“If your committee feels there is a contentious issue for which we need the consent of the people, then you will recommend to us and then we shall do that.
If you are going to produce that document, and say you want a referendum, how are you going to frame the questions because I remember that the first referendum of 1969, it was yes or no,” he said.

The members that were sworn-in include Mr Silungwe; his deputy, Julius Sakala; Justice Minister, Sebastian Zulu; former chairperson of the last constitution review commission, Willa Mung’omba and Lusaka Province Permanent Secretary, Charity Mwansa.

Others were former chairperson of the Mvunga Commission, Patrick Mvunga; former NCC spokesperson, Mwangala Zaloumis; Ernest Mwansa; Winnie Sitole; Thandiwe Daka and former permanent secretary at the Ministry of Justice, Eva Jhala.

The rest are Paulman Chungu, from the Law Association of Zambia; Citizens Forum executive secretary, Simon Kabanda; Margaret Munalula; Clement Ng’andu; Chief Luchembe and the legislative drafts person, Andrew Nkunika.

President Sata warned Government officials against abusing public resources which were at their disposal but ensure that they used funds for the good of the Zambian people.

He was speaking when he swore in Muchinga Province Minister, Malozo Sichone; Gender in Development Deputy Minister, Emmerine Kabanshi and other senior Government officials.

“The offices you are going in, there is so much imprest and with the imprest, don’t go and buy too much talk time, don’t go and buy 17 receivers because tomorrow the same people who are buying that talk time will turn against you.[pullquote]For example in one of these UPND newspapers, Times cakuti-cakuti, Hakainde has put a full page advert that Sata has single-sourced Apollo to repair State House.[/pullquote]

“For example in one of these UPND newspapers, Times cakuti-cakuti, Hakainde has put a full page advert that Sata has single-sourced Apollo to repair State House.

Because our Minister of Justice is dead, that’s why he can get away with that lie. I don’t even know where they buy cement,” Mr Sata said.

President Sata also swore-in Amos Chanda, as deputy secretary for Press and public relations at State House; Ms Mwamba Mutale as Permanent Secretary for Gender In Development and Victor Mwamba Peni as public policy analyst at Cabinet Office.

Meanwhile, Mr Silungwe assured the nation that his committee will do the best it can to produce a sound Constitution.
“Zambians should expect the best from us. We are yet to discuss the time frame but the Constitution will be ready before the end of next year,” Mr Silungwe said.

Long before he even met Shrek, the notorious fighter, lover and outlaw Puss in Boots becomes a hero when he sets off on an adventure with the tough and street smart Kitty Softpaws and the mastermind Humpty Dumpty to save his town. This is the true story of The Cat, The Myth, The Legend.

PRO’S

• Great animation ,Dreamworks studio at its best.
• Antonio Banderas was perfect as the voice of Puss in Boots.
• Lots of funny moments for the kids to enjoy.

CON’S

• There was an unnecessarily long “dance off”  scene that really added nothing to the plot.
• The story was too predictable

FAVORITE QUOTE

Puss in Boots: Fear me if you dare!

1. Humpy Dumpty: You got any idea what they do to eggs in prison? I’ll tell you this. It ain’t over easy.
2. Ohhh Cat: OOOOHHH!

1. Jill: Is it true a cat always land on its feet?
2. Puss in Boots: No! That is just a rumor spread by dogs!

CONCLUSION

If you are a fan of the Shrek movies you will enjoy this one. I would have preferred  the spin-off to be about Donkey , but i guess Puss in Boots has a more interesting back story .

It had some silly humor but thats what you expect from a kids movie. Its a nice family movie for the holiday season.

RATING

3 out of 5

BY KAPA187

THE ruling Patriotic Front (PF) says the victory in the two Parliamentary by-elections held this week is a clear indication that the Zambian people have started appreciating the policies of the PF administration.

The PF has also challenged the MMD/UPND pact to explain how they won the Chongwe parliamentary seat in the September Presidential and General elections following the heavy defeat they suffered in Monday’s by-election.

Commenting on the PF’s victory in Chongwe and Nakonde, party chairperson for local government and housing, Given Lubinda, said the triumph was a testimony that Zambians appreciated policies of the new Government.

He said in an interview yesterday that the two Parliamentary seats previously held by the MMD party were easily scooped by the PF due to the confidence that the electorates had in President Michael Sata’s leadership.

The victory by the PF in the two by-elections brings the total number of elected members of Parliament to 62. The PF also has an additional eight nominated MPs.

Mr Lubinda, who is Information, Broadcasting and Tourism minister, said Chongwe and Nakonde residents wanted to benefit from various development policies the PF Government was implementing, hence they decided to elect PF MPs.

“As PF, the victory in these two constituencies which were held by MMD is a clear indication that the ruling party is now growing from strength to strength.

“This victory means PF is on the move and Zambians are appreciating policies that this new Government is putting in place, hence people in those constituencies, this time, around decided to vote for PF,” he said.

The Chongwe parliamentary seat was scooped by Sylvia Masebo while the Nakonde seat went to PF’s Abel Sichula.

The Magoye seat was scooped by the UPND candidate Oliver Mulomba.

Mr Lubinda said Zambians elected the PF Government because they knew President Sata was a capable leader to transform and uplift their livelihood after suffering for many years.

“Zambians are happy with the 2012 National Budget because it aims to put more money into their pockets. This is why they also decided to elect new PF MPs to take development to their areas,” he said.

And in a separate interview, PF national chairperson Inonge Wina said the MMD should learn a lesson that the use of underhand methods to win elections was bad for a democracy and should refrain from such actions.

[Times of Zambia]

The commission of inquiry into the Mongu riots of January 14, this year on Thursday morning took former vice president George Kunda to task over what role the former government played in the riots.

The commission wanted Mr. Kunda to explain why the former government allowed the police to use live ammunition.

However, Mr. Kunda opted to submit before the Roger Chongwe commission a statement he presented to parliament on February, 25 on the Mongu riots.

The former vice president then refused to respond to other questions referring to the statement he issued in parliament.

At some point tempers rose as Mr. Kunda accused some commissioners of having taken a position on the matter.

Former home affairs minister Mkondo Lungu says the action taken in Mongu which led to the shooting of two people and over one hundred arrested was taken as a result of the reports received from the security wings.

[ZNBC]

Four Chinese nationals arrested in Luanshya last week and charged with defiling Zambian girls, have been denied bail.

Magistrate Chitundu Kalungu says the accused are free to apply for bail at the High Court pending trial set on December 5.

A defence lawyer from Nkana Chambers applied for bail on behalf his clients submitted that the accused persons are of fixed abode and granting them bail will not in any way prejudice the prosecution.

The lawyer says in the bail application that his clients are willing to abide by all the conditions which the court has put in place.

Last week nine under-age girls alleged that they were sexually abused by the four Chinese in exchange for money.

The accused appeared in court on Monday this week, charged with defilement.

Copperbelt Deputy Police Commissioner Milner Muyambango says the number of girls who were allegedly defiled has reduced to seven from the initial nine.

Mr. Muyambango has explained that the police have no evidence that the other two girls were sexually abused.

[ZNBC]

Sympathizers of former Labour Minister Austin Liato brutally descended on journalists at the Lusaka Magistrate Court on Thursday.

The assailants who were in the company of suspected MMD cadres led the onslaught on journalist after Mr Liato appeared for plea.

Meanwhile Mr. Liato has pleaded not guilty to the charge of receiving stolen property.

This is after Mr Liato took plea before Chief Resident Magistrate Joshua Banda.

Particulars of the offense are that Mr Liato between September, 1 and November, 24 allegedly received 2.1 billion Kwacha knowing it was feloniously obtained.

He has however been granted 50 Million Kwacha cash bail with two working sureties in their own recognisance.

Mr Liato has also been ordered to surrender his passport to the court as part of the bail conditions.

Magistrate Banda granted Mr Liato bail following an applications by defence lawyer, Nelly Mutti.

Ms Mutti contended that Mr Liato’s charge was bailable and that he was of fixed abode.

Mr Liato is remanded in custody until he fulfills the bail conditions.

[ZNBC]

For the movie, Warrior, Tom Hardy had to get into the shape of his life to play the character of Mixed martial arts fighter Tommy.

Hardy used an unorthadox training method to bulk up fast. his trainer said “Throughout the day you need to send constant signals to your body, so that it adapts in the direction you point it in. It’s better to do 10 press ups every hour than 100 in a single burst. If you do things often enough, your body adapts for the task you set it, and you evolve.”

These exercises four times a day – when you wake up, at lunchtime, when you get home from work/school and before bed. It should only take about 20 minutes, but don’t rush. Use light weights and move slowly through the exercises, concentrating on perfect form. Start by doing it in the morning and evening, and then gradually add the other sessions in. If you want to pile on muscle as soon as possible, you’re going to have to get used to working out little but often. “Remember,there are no shortcuts.”

THE WORKOUT

The circuit

Perform these 3 exercises back-to-back

sets of 10 reps, then 7 reps, then 5 reps, then 3 reps, each with no recovery time between each movement

Press-ups

• Perform the first set with your hands shoulder-width apart.
• For the next set, do it with your forefingers and thumbs forming a ‘diamond’ shape below your chest.
• For the third set, have your hands wider than shoulder-width apart.
• And for the final set, ball your fists and rest on your knuckles.

 

Shoulder flies

• Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a  dumb bell in each hand, palms forward.
• Raise your arms through 180 degrees, maintaining your palm position, until your fists meet above your head.
• Lower to the start position.
• To increase difficulty, up the weight or stand on one leg

 

Dips

• Sit on the ground, legs straight in front of you, and grab the seat of a chair with your hands behind you (fingers pointing towards your body).
• Keep your back straight and push down on the chair to raise your backside off the floor until your arms are extended.
• Lower yourself until you are almost touching the floor. That’s one rep

 

The Bridge

• Gain back flexibility, a powerful neck and massive core strength. Only move on to the next level when you are confident of your strength, or you risk a neck injury.
• Stage 1
• 
  
• Lie on a mat, with your feet on the ground, knees bent.
• Lift your hips off the mat.
• As you do this bring your hands to your ears, palms on the floor, fingers pointing to your feet.
• Do 10 reps, then 7 reps (counting 1 at the top), then 5 reps (counting to 3 at the top), then 3 reps (counting to 5 at the top).

 

 

Stage 2

• Push to the extended position from stage 1.
• Press through your hands, lift your shoulders off and allow your head to tilt back so the top of it rests on the floor.
• Push from your heels onto your toes.
• ALL your weight should go through your toes and hands, NOT your head.
• Follow the rep count as before.

Stage 3

• As your flexibility increases, rest 90% of your body-weight on your hands, and allow your head to carry 10%.
• Slowly increase this session by session until you can carry more weight on your head than your hands.
• Rep count as before. Warning: do not rush or you risk damaging your neck.

Stage 4

• When you are able to carry all your bodyweight through your head, raise into the bridge position without using your hands for support.
•  Keep them close to the side of your head in case they are needed for stability, and perform the same set/ rep count as before

Stage 5

To be performed ONLY when stage 4 is easy.

• Assume the extended bridge from stage 3, holding a light barbell across your chest, or a 2kg dumbbell in each hand. Perform 5 bench-press movements (or 5 chest flies with the dumb-bells).
• As it gets easier, increase the weight

Abdominal workout

This develops core strength and the size and power of your abs from the top to the bottom. Again, start with stage one and increase the difficulty as you get stronger.

Stage 1

• Lie on a mat, with your legs together, hands clasped behind your head.
• Lift your head and shoulders and hold.
• Then, tighten your abs and lift your legs.
• Lower to the start position.
• Do sets of 10 reps, then 7, then 5, then 3

Stage 2

• Perform the movement from stage 1, then, at the top of the position, bend your knees and pull them in to touch your elbows.
• Then straighten your legs and lower back to the starting position, flat on the mat. Do set/reps as before.

 

Stage 3

• Perform the movement from stage 1, then, at the top, pull your knees in to touch your elbows – but, don’t bend your legs.
• Much harder, right? Move your legs back to the start, then lower everything back to the mat. Do sets/reps as before.

Stage 4

• Take an 8kg kettlebell and push the tip of your left shoe through the handle.
• Wrap your right foot around to hold it in place, then perform the movement from stage 1 with the kettlebell weighing your legs down. Do sets/reps as before.

BY KAPA187

 

Community Development, Mother and Child Heath deputy minister Jean Kapata has said women parliamentarians will lobby Government to make all cases of violence and defilement against women and girls non bailable.

Ms Kapata said the women Parliamentarians would table a private member’s bill in parliament to compel Government to make all cases of violence against women and girls to be non bailable.

Ms Kapata was speaking when she and other officials from her ministry donated assorted cleaning items to Kalingalinga Health Centre and also cleaned Female wards at the Health Center to commemorate 16 days of gender activism. “People that engage in cases such as defilement with young girls are a menace to the public and should not be allowed back in the community but locked up,” she said.

She said the Patriotic Front (PF) Government has intensified its progammes to empower women in income generating activities, agricultural input and financial literacy programmes. “It is believed that with this assistance women can be self sustaining and reduce on unnecessary conflict in a home over the usually limited resources thereby creating an environment of peace in a home,” he said

She said her ministry attaches great importance to the role that women and mothers play in creating a peaceful environment. Ms Kapata urged the community to ensure that violence against women and children was discouraged as it compromises their health and affect their potential to contribute more effectively in homes and the community.

She said the visit to Kalingalinga Health Centre was aimed at demonstrating solidarity for women and the importance of supporting good health in women as opposed to violence which in most cases compromised the health of women and children and hindered peace.

And the ministry permanent secretary Elwyne Chomba said to alleviate challenges that led to violence, there was need for both men and women to live in harmony and solve problems and obstacles in a peaceful and non-violent manner.

[Times of Zambia]