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Zambian homecoming

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By M. Mayuka
“When are you coming home? ”is the oft-asked question uttered by my loved ones in Zambia. After every lengthy phone call the pangs of home sickness burrow their way in and settle themselves for the long haul. Nostalgia creeps slyly into your psyche stoking the dying memories of a happier side of Zambian living. Load shedding, water shortages, corruption are conveniently forgotten and instead days of picking mangoes and guava’s from childhood backyards flood your soul. Tastebuds mildly tingle at the culinary memories of yester year; fried kapenta, chimpapila, kalembula, chikanda, and sweet potatoes, render your usual dinner of pasta bolognaise unappealing. To Zambians at home this might be surprising as the traditional food stuffs they take for granted are readily available in any market worth its weight in maize meal but heartbreakingly these goods are conspicuously scarce in aisle 9 of any supermarket in Australia.

As Zambians living away from home the mundane is missed as much as the extraordinary. Your ears are accustomed to French, Italian, Spanish, Arabic but what you miss is the comfortable humdrum buzz of Zambian vernacular languages being spoken amongst housewives at the market, gaggle of school girls gossiping or business men haggling over lunch. You become increasingly frustrated at explaining to people in your host country the meaning of your name, how to pronounce it with the right emphasis and for the fifteenth time that day you wonder if appointing yourself with an English name, a “real name” would help with introductions in social settings or business meetings.

This is not an unfamiliar existence to the Zambian diasporan and eventually the inevitable question asked of them again, haunts them… “When are you coming home?”. A homecoming tugs at the heart strings but strains the purse strings more. The idea of returning to the comfortable bosom of friends, family, home and country is often tinged with excitement, joy and stress. Yes, stress.

Recently my mother returned home after an absence of six years. The preparations for her trip beforehand made her an intrepid traveller rather than a prodigal daughter returning with glee. She had concerns about the care and status of her ailing parents, the financial responsibilities of said care, the burden of various family issues and generally her lack of knowledge about the living standards in Zambia since the last time she was home.
There is an assumption that a trip home merely requires a return ticket and appropriate spending money. The stark reality is often harsher and confronting. In addition to the various necessary gifts and tokens of appreciation for various friends and relatives (which makes it difficult to stick to a strict twenty three kilo baggage allowance) there is the adjustment to life in Zambia once again. Not everyone is cut out or built for it. Misconception’s by many back at home are based on the idea that those abroad are able to take on single or multiple trips simply by virtue of being overseas and making dollars or pounds.

Zambian diasporans rarely share the difficulties they face in their host countries. Instead they highlight the improved standard of living in their relevant host country yet they gloss over the fact that cost of living is still a concern regardless of where you live. Diasporan living is fraught with stress inducing utility bills, mortgage repayments or rising monthly rent, school fees, health care and everyday groceries.

Zambian’s in the diaspora must endeavour to make it plain to those at home that the grass is not as green on the other side. Both sides of the fence still need to be watered and the water bill paid for. Zambian’s at home must be considerate that their returning counterparts although seemingly flush with overseas success have just as much to worry about. A Zambian homecoming although desired by both sides, carries more weight than the requisite baggage allowance. The next time the question “when are you coming home?” is posed, hopefully there will be a greater awareness and honest dialogue.

Government motivated to improve Zambians’ living standards

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Southern Province Permanent Secretary Gladys Kristafor
Southern Province Permanent Secretary Gladys Kristafor

Southern Province Permanent Secretary Gladys Kristafor has said Government is motivated with the zeal to improve the living standards of its people both socially and economically.

Mrs. Kristafor said it was for this reason that Government through the Sixth National Development Plan (SNDP) planned for rehabilitation of selected roads in the tourist capital, Livingstone in a bid to improve access to the country’s social and economic services.

ZANIS reports that she said this in Livingstone today during the launch of the Livingstone City Township roads rehabilitation programme to be financed with part of the three point eight million Euros (€3.8 million) savings to be realised from the Zimba Livingstone Project Phase 2.

Mrs. Kristafor said the scope of work would cover rehabilitation of four prioritised urban roads with a total distance of 10.6 kilometers out of the targeted 15.40 kilometres which she said included Kaunda, Kafubu, Sichango and Airport roads respectively.

She said rehabilitation of roads would not only uplift the face of Livingstone as a city, but also ease movement of people and reduce vehicle operating costs associated with the poor state of township roads.

Mrs. Kristafor said this was part of the change that had been instituted by President Rupiah Banda alongside more mines, shopping malls, empowerment programmes and infrastructure development among others.

The Permanent Secretary urged members of the public to support Government efforts by safeguarding infrastructure that had been put in place and preventing vandalism.

Speaking earlier, Livingstone Town Clerk Vivian Chikoti said the massive infrastructure development had helped the city expand rapidly resulting in many new houses being built in the last 15 years.

Ms Chikoti said the infrastructure development had improved the revenue base for the local authority in terms of rates, adding that the soaring number of tourists boosted chargeable revenues for Livingstone City Council.

She was confident that the current rehabilitation works would play a major role in improving the welfare of residents and tourists.

Road Development Agency (RDA) Southern Region Engineer, John Nyawali warned members of the public to desist from posting political graffiti on road signs as doing so prevented motorists from getting life saving information provided by the signs.

Mr. Nyawali reiterated Government’s policy objectives of providing, maintaining and improving the road network to ensure improved accessibility and reduced road transport costs.

He revealed that the rehabilitation works would be undertaken within a period of five months.

ZANIS

William Banda will face the ICC – Luo

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Munali Patriotic Front aspiring candidate Nkandu Luo
Munali Patriotic Front aspiring candidate Nkandu Luo

The Patriotic Front has vowed to ensure that Lusaka Province MMD chairman William Banda is tried at the International Criminal Court once it forms government.
Patriotic front Munali aspiring parliamentary candidate Prof Nkandu Luo says the PF government will not tolerate the violent behavior being exhibited by Mr. Banda.

She wonders why the MMD have continued to tolerate the behavior of its Lusaka province chairman when it is an open fact that he is behind the violence in the country.

Prof. Luo says the violent behavior of Mr Banda if allowed to continue has the potential of bringing war to the country.

She has indicated in an interview that days are numbered for Mr. Banda stating that PF will take action against him when it forms government.

QFM

All Africa Games: Sunday Set For Track and Field

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Zambia’s track and field representative on Sunday enter the fray of the All Africa Games in Maputo on Sunday.

And Karate who were dogged by their controversial selection of coach-player Munyarazi Mangaba into the three-man team at the All Africa Games have joining boxing out of the tournament.

Meanwhile, Rachel Nachula will represent Zambia in the 400 meters while Prince Mumba will run in the 800 meters.

Meanwhile, the Zambia netball team won its first match at the All Africa Games after beating fellow wild card entry Tanzania 46-42.

Zambia’s win in the round-robin event comes after 61-31 and 48-38 defeats to Uganda and Kenya respectively.

Chess, Judo, Badminton and Swimming are the other events Zambia is eyeing for medals at the All Africa Games.

Police warn and caution William Banda

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File:MMD Lusaka province chairman William Banda

Police have recorded a warn and caution statement from MMD Lusaka Province chairman William Banda in connection with the violence that took place in Chongwe last Saturday.

Lusaka province police commanding officer Mhlakeni Zulu told journalists in Lusaka this afternoon that Mr Banda has been warned and cautioned for proposing political violence contrary to section 91, Sub section 1A and C of the laws of Zambia.

Mr. Zulu has however said the MMD provincial chairman has denied the allegations adding that the police will continue with their investigations on the matter.

He has since reiterated his warning to political cadres against engaging in violence saying the police will not condone any act that has the potential to disturb the country’s peace.

And Mr. Banda who was in the company of his lawyers Sunday Nkonde, Obden Kabwe and Robson Malupenga appealed to Zambians to have confidence in the police service adding that violence should not be supported at all costs.

Mr. Banda’s legal representative Sunday Nkonde said it is unacceptable for the media to malign certain individuals without proof.

Meanwhile, opposition Patriotic Front cadres were seen passing by church road while chanting party slogans when Mr. Banda was being interviewed by the police.

The move angered the MMD provincial leadership who verbally confronted a plain clothed police officer over the same, while a cadre only identified as Tembo started communicating with an unknown person on phone calling for reinforcements of MMD cadres in ten buses to be sent to the police station to deal with the by PF cadres.

He was however stopped by a fellow MMD cadre.

QFM

Nchanga Stadium to Host Zambia-Libya Game

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Zambia’s final 2012 Africa Cup Group C game against Libya will be played at Nchanga Stadium and not Ndola Stadium.

Faz confirmed today that the game scheduled for October 8 will be played in Chingola.

A Faz technical inspection team led by general secretary George Kasengele visited the newly build 40,000 sitter arena said that the playing surface and peripheral areas were yet to be completed.

“We have no alternative but to take the game against Libya back to Nchanga Stadium in Chingola,” said Kasengele.

Zambia will head back to Nchanga where they last played on June 5 where they beat Mozambique 3-0 in their fourth Group C game.

Opinion poll confirms my assessment-Katele Kalumba

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PARAMOUNT Chief Mpweto of the Bwile people in the Democratic Republic Congo talks to sub-chief (Natende) Dr. Katele Kalumba during the ceremony
File: PARAMOUNT Chief Mpweto of the Bwile people in the Democratic Republic Congo talks to sub-chief (Natende) Dr. Katele Kalumba during the ceremony

Former MMD national secretary Katele Kalumba says the prediction by Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) tipping President Banda to win the September 20 election confirms his analysis that President Banda will win the forthcoming elections.

Dr Kalumba said in an interview from Chiengi on yesterday that his forecast that President Banda will win the poll is based on a computer assisted political mapping, developed by Harvard University Professor Michael Reich.

“I do in principle agree with the poll projection that Centre for Policy Dialogue executive director Dr Neo Simutanyi has released. It reflects by and large to some extent my own political mapping I have been sharing with some of the MMD party leaders, which is also quite broad-based,” Dr Kalumba said

He said according to his political mapping, the most significant variable affecting the performance of all political parties is the economy. Dr Kalumba said the MMD under President Banda’s leadership has been consistent and steadfast in maintaining positive economic indicators.

“On account of that, the general sentiments in the market, particularly rural markets have been positive. People are satisfied that they have food and disposable income after selling their produce,” Dr Kalumba said.

He also said President Banda’s administration has been consistent in its policy messages and has not been seen ‘flip flopping’ like Mr Sata. “The inconsistencies in PF policy have been quite remarkable. The United Party for National Development has been hurt in public perception by its misplaced faith in the PF and it did not have time to improve public confidence,” Dr Kalumba said.

He also said the lower and middle-income voters in both the rural and urban areas have not been hoodwinked by emotionally-charged statements about quick-fixes on policy issues, because they have seen the tangible developments under the MMD.

“The lower and middle-income voters have seen the improvements in road, education and health infrastructure including mobile hospitals which the MMD has effectively defended,” Dr Kalumba said.

He also said his political mapping indicates that the majority Zambians feel secure under President Banda’s leadership.

[pullquote] He also said there has been what he described as a ‘burnout’ in perceived PF strongholds of Lusaka, Copperbelt and Luapula provinces because the people feel that Mr Sata can only excite them but cannot win this year’s elections.[/pullquote]

“People feel that President Banda will be a more secure hand as President of the State because they can trust him with the instruments of force like the army, air force and other security wings, without causing catastrophic circumstances. But most people cannot say that about Mr Sata. They feel insecure with him and he has not shaken that perception at all.

“There is some sense that if Mr Sata came into power, he will create an environment of instability and not peace and reconciliation,” Dr Kalumba said. He also said there has been what he described as a ‘burnout’ in perceived PF strongholds of Lusaka, Copperbelt and Luapula provinces because the people feel that Mr Sata can only excite them but cannot win this year’s elections.

On UPND president Hakainde Hichilema, Dr Kalumba said Mr Hichilema is not yet ‘ripe’ for the challenge of leading the nation and needs to be tested a bit more.
He, however, said Mr Hichilema has potential to become President in the future, not this year.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

Zambia among three best performers

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AN International Business Monitor has ranked Zambia among three Sub Saharan African countries set to out perform economically, regardless of global challenges.

The Business Monitor International names Ghana and Mozambique as the other countries to post strong performances in 2011, along with Zambia.

According to the BMI Africa Monitor, Southern Africa, Angola, Botswana, Cameroon, Gabon and South Africa are likely to suffer the most in a worst-case scenario for the US and euro zone economies.

The BMI monthly regional report also forecasts that Zambia’s real Growth Domestic Product-GDP expansion will be above seven per cent for this year and 2012.

It says high copper prices and improving productivity in the mining sector will help Zambia maintain strong growth rates.

The monthly bulletin adds that this will be boosted by growth in agriculture and manufacturing sectors.

The BMI further predicts that Zambia will see its growth surge to 7.3 per cent due to a flurry of Foreign Direct Investment-FDI, robust copper production and strong agricultural output.

Business Monitor International is a leading, independent provider of proprietary data, analysis, ratings, rankings and forecasts covering 175 countries and 22 industry sectors.

ZNBC

Five in Court over murder of Mansa businessman

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Five people charged with the murder of a Mansa businessman Wilbroad Chishimba in Luapula Province during the April riots in the area have appeared for trial in the High Court sitting in the district.

Before High Court Judge Timothy Katanekwa sitting in Mansa yesterday were Paul Musamba, Judith Chama, Idah Kabwe, Mukonde Chali and Peter Chama.

ZANIS reports that this is after the matter was committed for trial by the Subordinate court of the second class in Mansa district to the high Court.

During trial, the Prosecution called a 17- year-old-boy of Musumali Village in Mansa to testify in the murder of his uncle, Chishimba who was killed in the riots.

Augustine Muneka is now crippled after allegedly being beaten by the same mob that killed his uncle.

On that fateful day, the witness told the Court that a mob of people led by Paul Musamba, one of the accused, went to his uncle Wilbroad Chishimba’s house shouting on top of their voices saying, “Today he is also going to die.”

The witness who said he was only able to identify three people told the court that his uncle was dragged from his house to a place where petrol was poured on him causing him to be burnt.

He also told Judge Katanekwa that he lay unconsciously for a week bleeding from the nose and mouth after being stoned at the back of his head by the accused persons.

He said those who beat him up had mistaken him for Wilbroad Chishimba’s elder son Ranger Chishimba.

When cross examined by the Defence Lawyer, why his statements were conflicting with what he had said earlier, the witness responded that there was no way he could tell lies to the court after all that he went through during that period.

He added that before the incident happened, he was physically able and was going to school and walking on his own, but that he was unable to walk and go school any more, a situation he said he could not tell lies about.

At this moment the witness’s statement sent his relatives who were in court to tears.

Another witness, John Muneka 38, the younger brother to the deceased, said even though he was not there at the death of his elder brother and only saw him at the mortuary he still remembered when his father told one of the accused Paul Musamba that he was a bad person.

Mr Muneka told the court that the family was going through a difficult time during that period for no one could even greet them for fear of being victimised by the rioters.

The witness said this, after he was asked by Defense Lawyers as to why only relatives of the deceased were testifying in court.

The matter continues today.

ZANIS

Shangombo’s developments in Pictures

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1.

Food Reserve Agency traditional (local) depots in Shangombo
Bumper Harvest: Food Reserve Agency traditional (local) depots in Shangombo

2.

Food Reserve Agency traditional (local) depots in Shangombo district
Food Reserve Agency traditional (local) depots in Shangombo district

3.

Almost complete Newly constructed Shangombo district hospital’s administration block
Almost complete Newly constructed Shangombo district hospital’s administration block

4.

Newly constructed Shangombo district hospital’s administration block
Newly constructed Shangombo district hospital’s administration block

5.

Newly constructed Shangombo hospital’s administration block
Newly constructed Shangombo hospital’s administration block

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Under COnstruction Shangombo District Hospital Medical services block which include, a kitchen, laundry room
Under COnstruction Shangombo District Hospital Medical services block which include, a kitchen, laundry room

7.

Under construction Shangombo District Hospital Medical services block which include, a kitchen, laundry room among others
Under construction Shangombo District Hospital Medical services block which include, a kitchen, laundry room among others

8.

Shangombo District Hospital Medical services block which include, a kitchen, laundry room among others
Shangombo District Hospital Medical services block which include, a kitchen, laundry room among others

9.

Under construction Shangombo district council middle class staff houses at a total cost of K1 Billion
Under construction Shangombo district council middle class staff houses at a total cost of K1 Billion

10.

Under construction Maternity, Children, Female and Male wards at Shangombo district hospital
Under construction Maternity, Children, Female and Male wards at Shangombo district hospital

11.

Newly constructed Maternity, Children, Female and Male wards at Shangombo
Newly constructed Maternity, Children, Female and Male wards at Shangombo

12.

Newly constructed Maternity, Children, Female and Male wards at Shangombo district hospital
Newly constructed Maternity, Children, Female and Male wards at Shangombo district hospital

13.

Constructed Maternity, Children, Female and Male wards at Shangombo district hospital
Constructed Maternity, Children, Female and Male wards at Shangombo district hospital

14.

Another View Maternity, Children, Female and Male wards at Shangombo district hospital
Another View Maternity, Children, Female and Male wards at Shangombo district hospital

15.

Almost complete Middle cost Doctors houses in Shangombo District
Almost complete Middle cost Doctors houses in Shangombo District

16.

Another under construction Middle cost Doctors houses in Shangombo District
Another under construction Middle cost Doctors houses in Shangombo District

17.

One of the low cost Nurses houses in Shangombo District
One of the low cost Nurses houses in Shangombo District

18.

Low cost Nurses houses in Shangombo District
Low cost Nurses houses in Shangombo District

19.

People waiting to be attended to at a Mobile Hospital in Shangombo
People waiting to be attended to at a Mobile Hospital in Shangombo : Picture Courtesy of ZANIS

20.

Medical staff attending to patients at a Mobile Hospital
Medical staff attending to patients at a Mobile Hospital : Picture Courtesy of ZANIS

Mobile Hospital rolls into Shangombo to the thrill of residents

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Mobile hospital coming to a town near you- Shangombo residents waiting outside the mobile clinic

Government through the Ministry of Health has continued to receive praise from the general public for bring quality health services closer to the people.
The initiative to purchase Mobile Hospitals has cheered many people in the country and the people of Shangombo District in Western Province are
no exception. Over 300 people who have received treatment in the last three days have expressed gratitude towards government for the good gesture.

Speaking on behalf of the many grateful residents, Nomai Nooyo a 36 year old man who regained his sight after surgery said in Shangombo today that he was very happy with the mobile hospital service because it will improve the well being of many people who cannot afford to travel in search of medical services.

“These hospitals are very important in areas like ours here because not everyone has money to access health service from here to Mongu not to even talking about going to Lusaka, that is why am very happy to see them in Shangombo today” he said.

Mr. Nooyo said remote areas like Shangombo have many people seeking modern health services hence mobile hospital could not have come at a better time than this.

AND Western Province Mobile Hospitals supervisor, Dr. Kazuma Seke said about 2811 people have received treatment from the mobile hospitals in three districts in the province so far.

Dr. Seke named the districts as Lukulu with 1500 patients, Senanga with 1011 patients and Shangombo in which services are still being offered
with 300 patients in three days.

Shangombo residents patiently waiting for Mobile Hospital services at in Shangombo District in Western Province

He said the service has received overwhelming attention from the general public as people are travelling long distances just to access the service.

Speaking earlier, Shangombo District Commissioner Masheke Kabayo praised government for taking keen interest in ensuring that health services are brought closer to the people.

Mr. Kabayo said the services will reduce the agony people from rural areas face in accessing professional and modern health services.

He said the Mobile Hospitals have since been welcomed by the community adding that this is as a result of government’s good policies.

ULTIMATE WORKOUT PLAN – SHOULDERS

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SHOULDERS

It doesn’t matter how big your chest and biceps are, if you have narrow shoulders you will appear to be weak and tiny.

For men, wide shoulders will make you look tall, broad, and powerful. google Dwight Howard , which man wouldn’t want shoulders like his?

For women, hard toned shoulders will help you appear sleek and sexy. No man wants their woman to have soft, squishy or flabby shoulders.

How to Get Strong Shoulders

Firstly, chest and back are two muscle groups that are important to train, when training for stronger shoulders. The chest, shoulders, and back form the core of your upper body strength.

No one developed great shoulders by focusing on dumbbell side raises or shoulder pressing on machines. The compound exercises that involve your whole body will be most effective at building big, strong shoulders. Isolation exercises will be necessary, but only for developing super strong rotator cuffs.

NOTE: As always , if you go not have access to gym equipment , be innovative and use everyday house hold items , such as water bottles filled with sand , or water.

BEST SHOULDER EXERCISE

STANDING OVERHEAD PRESS

 

The military press is in the same level with squats , dead lifts and bench presses , as one of the mandatory exercises for all serious body builders. If you are not overhead pressing you are not really lifting. This is the ultimate compound pressing exercise for your shoulders.

To set up: Lift the weight up to your shoulders to start the exercise. . Grip the bar 2-3 inches outside of shoulder width.

To press: starting with the weight resting on your upper chest and shoulders, press the bar up in front of your face, extending the elbows just short of lockout. Return the weight under control to your upper chest to complete the rep.

Precaution

Do not bounce, use your legs, or use your hips to get the weight up, as this would be a push press.

Variations: standing, seated, push press, dumbbell press.

Dumbbell Lateral Raise

How its done;

  1. Stand up with your torso upright and a dumbbell on each hand being held at arms length. The elbows should be close to the torso.
  2. The palms of the hands should be facing your torso. Your feet should be about shoulder width apart. This will be your starting position.
  3. Keeping your arms straight and the torso stationary, lift the weights out to your sides until they are about shoulder level height while exhaling.
  4. Feel the contraction for a second and begin to lower the weights back down to the starting position while inhaling.
  5. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Precaution

  •   Keep the palms facing down with the little finger slightly higher while lifting and lowering the weights as it will concentrate the stress on your shoulders mainly.

 

Variations: There are many variations for this movement. For example you can perform the exercise sitting down on a bench with or without back support and you can also perform it by alternating arms; first lift the right arm for one repetition, then the left, then the right, etc.

 

Seated Dumbbell Press

  1. Grab a couple of dumbbells and sit on a flat bench or a bench that has back support on it as you place the dumbbells upright on top of your thighs.
  2. Lift the dumbbells up one at a time by using your thighs to bring the dumbbells up to shoulder height at each side.
  3. Rotate the wrists so that the palms of your hands are facing forward. This is your starting position.
  4. As you exhale, push the dumbbells up until they touch at the top.
  5. After a second pause, slowly come down back to the starting position as you inhale.
  6. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Variation:

  • You can perform the exercise standing or sitting on a regular flat bench.
  • You can also perform the exercise as Arnold Schwarzenegger used to do it, which is to start holding the dumbbells with a supinated grip (palms facing you) in front of your shoulders and then, as you start pushing up, you align the dumbbells in the starting position described on step 3 by rotating your wrists and touch the dumbbells at the top. As you come down, then you would go back to the starting position by rotating the wrist throughout the lowering portion until the palms of your hands are facing you. This variation is called the Arnold Press. However, it is not recommended if you have rotator cuff problems.

 

 

BY KAPA187

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MMD in Chienge accuse PF of violence

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The Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) in Chienge District has accused the Patriotic Front (PF) of using violence to intimidate MMD supporters.

MMD Chienge Constituency aspiring Member of Parliament (MP), Cosmas Mpampi says supporters of PF aspiring MP Gen Benson Kapaya recently beat up a pregnant woman in Lupiya area after they found her hanging an MMD flag.

Mr. Mpampi said the woman is complaining of stomach pains and that the MMD are making arrangements to take her to St Pauls Mission Hospital in Nchelenge for screening.

ZANIS reports that he said that other incidents involving PF members provoking and intimidating MMD members happened in Lambwe Chomba area where they tore up MMD Flags and President Rupiah Banda’s Posters in Mununga area.

Mr. Mpampi has called on the PF leadership to restrain their cadres from making unwarranted provocations and instead concentrate on issue based campaigns.

Efforts to get a comment from PF leadership by press time proved futile as they were reported to be in the field campaigning.

Meanwhile, Mr. Mpampi has declared that the MMD will carry the day in Chienge on 20th September poll day.

He said the MMD has taken a lot of development to the area such as electricity, construction of Schools and the current building of a High School and a District Hospital.

The MMD candidate said the MMD Government has also developed the Agriculture Sector in Chienge because of its good policies such as early provision of farming inputs and the purchasing of crops at good prices by the Food Reserve Agency (FRA).

Once elected, he said he will ensure that the high economic potential of the area is tapped into in order to develop the area further.

Mr. Mpampi revealed that Chienge has resources such as Copper, Cobalt, Manganese, Gold, Emeralds, Salt and Spring water which will be used to set up mines and processing industries to develop the area.

And United Party for National Development (UPND) Chienge Constituency aspiring Member of Parliament, Welly Musonda has expressed confidence in winning the seat.

Mr. Musonda, who described himself as a man of the soil said he stands a better chance of representing the people of Chienge because he has lived in the area since 1971 when he was born unlike his opponents who are not even aware of the challenges facing the area.

He said once voted for he will lobby for turning of the Kashikishi-Lunchinda Road from a gravel road to a tarmac road.

Mr. Musonda said the other priority will be for him to ensure that more people in area have access to electricity.

Chienge District has four aspiring Parliamentary candidates, MMD’s Cosmas Mpampi, PF’s General Benson Kapaya, UPND’s Welly Musonda and an Independent candidate, Allan Chansa.

Zambia goes to the polls in 11 days time.

ZANIS

Mines Ministry set to issue out 800 mining licences

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MORE than 800 mining licences will be issued this year due to constant growth in the Zambian economy and the surging mineral prices, the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Development has said. As at September 5, 2011, the ministry had granted 1,387 small and large scale mining licences.

In an interview in Lusaka yesterday, director of mines Billy Chewe said an increase in the number of mining licenses was a result of the good economic policies. Mr Chewe said the attractive copper prices had also contributed to the growth in the mining activities in the country.

He said the growth in the number of licenses were expected to push up the mining activities and that a total of 800 mining licenses were currently being considered. Mr Chewe said about 55 mining licences were issued out for large scale mining operations.

He said with regard to the period under review, the Government granted 552 prospecting large scale licenses which would enable the investor’s carryout exploration works. “All these figures cover the period up to September 5, 2011 and we currently have between 800 and 900 mining application pending to be processed,” he said.

Mr Chewe said two mineral processing licenses were issued and 197 small scale gemstone mining licenses were also granted for mining activities. He said because of more investment in the mining industry, the Government had given out 48 artisans mining rights which give the right to local people to mine on an artisanal basis in an area not exceeding five hectares, for a period of two years non-renewable.

Mr Chewe said for large scale gemstone, nine licenses were issued which allows the holders to carry out mining operations over an area, not exceeding 400 hectares for a period of not more than 10 years. He said in effort to empower the local people, the ministry had given out approximately 320 small scale mining licenses and this relate to areas not exceeding 400 hectares and have a duration of 10 years renewable.

For small scale prospecting licenses about 204 were granted as at September 5, 2011 but Mr Chewe said the Government would continue to cancel licenses that fail to comply with the mines and minerals act. “I cannot give you the exact figures of how many licenses we have canceled so far but it is a good number of them and you must understand that a good number of them are being considered for renewal while at the same time others are expired,” Mr Chewe said.

[Times of Zambia]

Lusaka residents cheered by service at new hospital

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President Banda having a chat with the nursing staff of the new Lusaka general Hospital
President Banda having a chat with the nursing staff of the new Lusaka general Hospital

RESIDENTS in Lusaka have said they are enjoying first-class healthcare delivery at the recently-commissioned Lusaka General Hospital.

The residents who thanked President Rupiah Banda in random interviews at the new facility said the hospital had enabled them access quality healthcare within their localities. Ruth Chilufya, who delivered her child in the early hours of yesterday, said the staff at the institution were professional and efficient in attending to patients.

Ms Chilufya said the rate of infant mortality in the country will reduce because of Government’s interventions in the health sector. “I am happy with what I have seen here. It is beautiful and the service is excellent,” Ms Chilufya said.

Mulenga Njavwa expressed gratitude to the Government for considering the people especially those from Chongwe who now frequented the hospital because of its proximity. He said Chongwe residents were happy that a hospital which boasted of ultra modern equipment had been brought to their door steps.

I am happy that we have such a big hospital at our door steps, we don’t have to go all the way to UTH now,” Mr Njavwa. Andrew Chali said the new hospital was truly a sign that the Government was committed to ensuring that health services were taken to the people as close as possible.

Mr Chali said president Banda should be given chance to govern the nation so that more hospitals and clinics can be constructed in all the districts to beef up the existing ones.

Hospital medical superintendent John Kachemba said so far the hospital had attended to over one thousand patients in the two months it has been in operation and has performed over 97 operations.

He said the second line hospital was fully operational with all the departments having been adequately staffed.

Dr Kachemba said the hospital offered both surgical and medical services with all the critical departments boasting of the latest equipment in the treatment of various ailments. “We have a bed capacity of up to 159 and have the latest state of the art facilities in terms of equipment in all the departments,” Dr Kachemba said.

He said most of the clients at the hospital were from the surrounding areas which included Munali, Mutendere, Chelstone and Chongwe. Dr Kachemba said the operations were going on smoothly with a steady flow of patients.

[Times of Zambia]

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