RISE OF PLANETS OF THE APES

The movie starts with Will Rodman (James Franco) on the verge of discovering a cure for Alzheimer’s disease , the animal tests were a success so he  presents his finding to some investors so that they would let him start human trails . Something goes horribly wrong with one of the apes, so the whole program is shut down. Still determined to find a cure , Will not only takes his research home with him (he also adopts an infant chimp(Caesar) that has been exposed to the experimental drug), but he also begins treating his father Charles with the serum.

No real apes were used in the making of this movie, all were humans, filmed and then transformed through motion capture by the effects company, Weta Digital. Who have previously worked on Lord of the Rings, Kong and Avatar.  So no apes were harmed during the making of this movie.

PRO’S

• The CGI was simply amazing they really made Caesar and the rest of the apes come to life and made them display real emotion.
• You really feel for James Franco’s character ,Will Rodman , has he goes to great lengths to try and find a cure for his fathers Alzheimer’s disease.
• It was amazing to see the transformation of Caesar, from somewhat of a house hold pet to the leader of the apes as they rise to freedom
• Andy Serkis, most well known for playing smeagol in the Lord of the Rings Movies , did a tremendous job as Caesar.

RATING

5 out of 5

FAVORITE QUOTE

Caesar: Caesar is home!

Caesar: (Sign Language) Apes alone weak. Apes together strong.

Caesar: (sign language) Am I am pet?

Caroline:  Some things aren’t meant to be changed.

CONCLUSION

If I had to choose one word to describe this movie it would be phenomenal! I thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end. It had incredible acting and CGI work.

In the first half of the movie you can say Caesar is living the good life, but as the movie rolls along and he sees how his fellow apes are mistreated he side with them. The second half of the movie stole the show; the climax was the scene at the golden gate bridge , it was stupendous.

The movie can be said to have some social commentary as it shows a marxist view of the oppressed masses edging towards revolution. Will Rodman (James franco) may feel like he is somewhat of a father to Caesar but he is also represents the “colonial oppressor” .Caesar soon realizes that he is not a near-human but the best of the apes , and takes it upon himself to lead his “people” to freedom.

BY KAPA187

By Gray Soko
The buzz word during the election campaigns has been “ development” but I have some searching questions or observations to make:

• What if we plan a new road and rail network rather than the annual often shoddy repairs? Not only would we decongest traffic and reduce accidents but also provide quicker transportation. Such a network would also open up vast lands that are lying idle.

• What if we stopped looking at the number of second hand cars on our roads as an indication of development and planned to establish vehicle assembly or manufacturing plants? Not only would we create employment but also advance our technological knowhow as we would have to compete with the outside world for quality products and become innovative.

• What if instead of clapping the ears of transporters whose buses ( especially mini buses ) cause so much loss of life through accidents trying to arrive at their destinations on time we looked at developing an efficient and fast public transport system? Who remembers the “rail cars” of the 70s or the mooted underground train systems of years past? Perhaps not too far back, ZCCM tried a rail link within Lusaka ( Matero to Chilenge).

•  What if instead of concentrating on keeping us alive by building more hospitals, clinics and mobile clinics/hospitals and importing drugs and medical equipment we planned to prevent disease, improve the environment , research on drugs and manufacture high tech equipment for use in hospitals? What if we stepped aside and reviewed the training of our medical personnel to make it the best possible? How has Cuba excelled in this field despite being under siege by the USA for so long?

• What if we made our central position on the continent our niche? Make Zambia the air and rail traffic hub of Africa. Make the “landlocked” situation work for us. We seem to have lost Lusaka’s niche for international conferences on African issues. We could even plan for Lusaka as capital for the AU, our generations of peaceful existence being our premium. The Lusaka and Ndola “international airports” are less than provincial airports in neighbouring countries.

• · What if instead of beating our chests on “bumper” harvest, referring to only maize, we develop agro industries to produce maize products like corn flakes which we still import. What if we looked at improving the nutritional status of our children as a goal rather than producing more maize for export. How can we make the school going children from poor families eat better at school ? Is Mount Makulu Research Centre for example adequately funded and are we getting full benefits of its research? Are we giving the other food products that we can abundantly produce adequate attention as we give to getting fertilizer for maize?

•  What if we restructured the civil service hierarchy, which I believe follows the British model up to now to serve us better. Late FTJ once watched reporting time for civil servants and of course saw what we always see, late reporting from top to bottom. One reason is these civil servants did not have any “work” to do so why go early? Maybe up to 80% just report for work but do no work. Pay is assured though, it is not based on productivity but presenteism. Quite often you still get paid even if you are not there. Once in a while we stumble on “ghost” workers.

•  What if we came to terms with what has not worked in terms of local government and boldly implemented provincial administration on carefully determined federal system. Can we seriously say the current provincial ministerial system and district commissioners add value? LPM tried to relook at the district commissioners to be technocrats but the political reward mentality of “it pays to belong to …party)was still strong.

•  What if the districts had counselors appointed on merit rather than elected party cadres who have given themselves the right to curve out land for themselves. What if we had town planning again so that the haphazard “development” is brought to an end? Residential plots on graveyards, houses being built on sewer and waterlines and what should be open spaces or parks. Councils have failed and we cannot be doing the same things that have failed and expect different outcomes.

• What if we made civic and political leaders accountable to those who put them in power by having the “recall” strategy instead of them thinking the offices are theirs to keep for the term regardless.

•  What if we added value to our mineral resources and exported finished products instead of making the invitation of investors to open mines and export raw material and profits thereof such an insatiable ambition. So much employment and technological development would result and the youths in technical colleges will have something to look forward to. What do the geologists, mining engineers, metallurgists, artisans look towards for when the employment opportunities seem so finite.

How I wish there would be such a debate, such a leader with vision for a better Zambia and not be content with “continuity” or the status quo.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“What if some did not believe? Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?”
(Romans 3:3, KJV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

So often, people allow the opinions of others to hold them back and water down their dreams. We have to realize, there will always be critics and naysayers in life. One of the most important things you can learn is that other people don’t have to believe in you in order for your dreams to come to pass. Other people don’t set the limits for your life — you do. It’s not what others say about you that affects your life, but what you say and believe about yourself. In today’s verse, the apostle Paul is saying, “It doesn’t matter if other people don’t believe. Their unbelief is not going to keep me from believing in my dreams.” When God puts a promise in your heart, it’s not up to other people to bring it to pass, it’s up to you! You don’t need everyone to validate you. You have to follow the voice of God for yourself and allow Him to order your steps.

Today, know that God sees the hidden treasures inside of you. He wants to bring those treasures out and make your dreams reality. As you get rid of the old, defeated thoughts and replace them with what God says about you, you will remove the limits so you can live the abundant life God has in store for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, thank You for another day to see Your goodness in my life. Help me to see myself the way You see me. Help me to see the plans You have for me so that I can be empowered by You to fulfill my destiny. I love You and bless Your name today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen

— Joel & Victoria Osteen

Five parliamentary candidates have resigned from the opposition UPND and have since filled in their nominations as independent candidates following the party’s decision to leave them out of adoption.

The five candidates have accused party president Hakainde Hichilema of adopting unpopular candidates he has close relation with.

One of the five candidates Joshua Ng’andu who claims to have been assured by Mr. Hichilema of a possible adoption has charged that the UPND leader will pay the price for imposing unpopular candidates.

Mr. Ng’andu says it is wrong for Mr. Hichilema to accuse the Patriotic Front of being undemocratic when his party has been engaging in under-hand methods to adopt candidates.

He has therefore challenged Mr. Hichilema to tell the nation why in nearly all the 19 constituencies in the province, the party has independents adding that in Mazabuka district alone has four UPND aspiring candidates who are contesting as independents.

Mr. Ng’andu says UPND will this year be buried because its leader has lost direction and preferred to support his old friends whom he says are unpopular.

Other candidates have charged that Mr. Hichilema can no longer be trusted because he has betrayed the provincial executive committee which had earlier recommended candidates according to the desire of the grass roots in their particular constituencies.

Those contesting as independents include, Eugene Munyama and Keith Chemu for Magoye constituency, Shadereck Mwiinga for Mazabuka central and a Mr. Nakanga for Chikankata constituency.

Efforts to get a comment from UPND spokesperson Charles Kakoma and his deputy Cornelius Mweetwa proved futile as both their mobile phones were unreachable by broadcast time.

QFM

In what appeared would be probably the highest number of contenders for plot one for this year’s 20th September polls, the final contestants are down to 10 compared to eleven in 2001.

Although 17 parliamentary candidates had earlier indicated they would battle it out through the ballot for state house this year, the filing in of nominations closed on Friday with only ten candidates.

Of the seven out of the race, some failed to raise the 2-hundred pre-conditional numbers of supporters, while others pulled the plug at the eleven hour for various reasons but largely due to inability to raise supporters or K10m presidential nomination fee.

The filing of nominations which started on Sunday 7th August, closed Friday 12th August at the Supreme Court in Lusaka, and saw duly nominated presidential candidates also declare assets.

Chief Justice Ernest Sakala has officially announced the names of the party leaders that have successfully filed in valid nominations at the close of the period as:

Candidate Party

1. Tilyenji Kaunda UNIP
2. Edith Zewelani Nawakwi FDD
3. Dr Fredrick Mutesa ZED
4. Elias Chipimo Jnr NAREP
5. Hakainde Hichilema UPND
6. Ng’andu Magande NMP
7. Rupiah Bwezani Banda MMD
8. Charles Milupi ADD
9. Michael Sata PF
10. Godfrey Miyanda HP

Political parties whose candidates pulled out of the race failed to raise the required number of supporters are:

11. Dr Cosmo Mumba NRP
12. ZDDM
13. Bishop Steven Mwale PRP
14. ZCP
15. RCP
16. ZPP
17. UNP

Bishop Stephen Mwale’s PRP had earlier requested the Electoral Commission of Zambia to defer the party’s filing of presidential nominations from Wednesday to Friday, which was granted.

But by close of nominations at 16 00 hours on Friday, PRP still failed to raise the required number of supporters and crashed out of the race.

Other parties fell through due to what appeared to be technical issues such as similarities in symbols and cited lack of time to redesign and circulate the same to members countrywide within six days of in of nominations, and later on campaigning ahead of the polls.

With the three political parties: ZPP, RCP and PRP that were scheduled to file in their presidential bids on Friday unable to meet numbers, the Supreme Court enjoyed quietude all day till nominations closed at 16:00 hours after the last candidate PRP finally pulled out.

Chief Justice Ernest Sakala thanked all candidates who have successfully fined in for the presidential.

Justice Sakala has also thanked cadres for their peaceful conduct during the nomination period which begun on 7th August, and commended the media for their cooperation.

ZNBC

Former UPND immediate past Pemba Member of Parliament David Matongo has resigned from the party.

And UPND Spokesperson Charles Kakoma says Mr Matongo has left the party because he was not adopted to re-contest the Pemba seat.

Mr Matongo who was until his resignation was also UPND treasurer General says he has left the party because the senior leadership in UPND has lost faith in him and hence his decision to leave in peace.

He says he is hopeful that UPND will reciprocate his gesture and discuss national development issues and not characters.

Mr Matongo says in his letter of resignation made available to ZNBC News in Lusaka that time has come for him to pursue other endeavors.

And Mr Kakoma says it is clear that Mr Matongo was never a true believer of the ideals of the party from the beginning in view of his action.

President Rupiah Banda says opposition political parties questioning the source of funding for the MMD Campaign must also disclose their sources.

And President Banda says he is happy to be in Chipata after being exposed to ridicule, and lies from the Opposition.

President Banda says his visit to the Eastern Province will give him a chance to explain issues to the people of Chipata in particular.

He says that even after declaring the election date, the opposition has continued to look for issues to get rid of his Presidential candidature.

President Banda says the MMD is confident of wining the elections, especially after holding its first campaign rally in Chibombo on Thursday which he has described as a success.

President Banda was speaking to journalists upon arrival at the Chipata Airport on Friday.

President Banda who arrived at about 16:25 hours is accompanied by first lady Thandiwe Banda, former Parliamentary Chief Whip Vernon Mwaanga, former Vice President Enock Kavindele and United Liberal party President Sakwiba Sikota among others.

The President was received at the airport by Eastern Province Permanent Secretary Eularia Mwale, Inspector General of Police Francis Kabonde, senior MMD and government officials.

And President Banda says the MMD is confident all its adopted parliamentary and local government candidates have successfully filed in their nominations.

The President hopes the opposition has also managed as some parties had not released their list of adopted candidates for the September 20, polls.

President Banda is in Eastern Province where he is on Saturday expected to hold a public rally at Chipata Golf Course.

On Sunday, President Banda is expected to hold another rally in Mfuwe.