DIVISIONS have emerged in the opposition Patriotic Front (PF) central committee with some members writing to the party secretary general Wynter Kabimba to allow the party leader to take a lot more rest given his health status.

Some members of the central committee are, however, opposed to the idea as it would adversely affect the party.

Some central committee members in a letter to the Mr Kabimba expressed concern at the seemingly ill health of their leader and have asked that the secretariat finds a way of “not over stressing the president with campaigns” ahead of September 20 polls.

The central committee members who sought anonymity told the Times of Zambia in Lusaka yesterday that the concerns that had been raised by the callers on the ill health of the PF leader were genuine as the party was over-stretching Mr Sata through the campaigns.

“This is a matter that we have discussed as a party from the time the president was taken ill in South Africa. The heart condition that he was diagnosed with requires him to have enough rest but because we are so dependent on him for campaigns we are actually over stressing him.

“We have written to the secretary general that they must spare the man and allow other people to spearhead the campaigns so that the President can go when and where it is absolutely necessary. We have asked that people like Mr (Guy) Scott and Given Lubinda should be allowed to be spearheading the campaign,” said the central committee members.

The central committee members, however, said it would be difficult to detach Mr Sata from the ongoing campaign. “Bad as it may sound Mr Sata is PF and PF is Sata so even as we have written this letter we know it will be difficult to get the man out of the campaign. But it is in the interest of the party and all of us that we safeguard his health.

“Zambians already know the man and what we just need is to take him to some provincial centres where he can’t be stressed. We do not want a repeat of what transpired in the UPND where people buried their heads even when it was evident to all. We must accept that the President is not well,” said the source.

On Monday some callers to a Radio Christian voice programme “Chat back” questioned Mr Sata’s state of health after he developed a serious hiccup which almost made him fail to talk.

[Times of Zambia]

The Anti-Corruption Commission -ACC has invited former Patriotic Front Kabwata Member of Parliament Given Lubinda and the Post Newspapers for a meeting, regarding allegations of corruption leveled against Universal Print Group of South Africa.

The commission wants the two parties to provide information on the alleged corrupt activities involving the South African printing firm.

In his letter to Mr. Lubinda and the Post, ACC Director General Godfrey Kayukwa has asked them to assist the commission with detailed information on the allegations.

Mr. Kayukwa says this would allow the commission to professionally pursue the matter.

This is contained in a statement made available to ZNBC News by ACC Public Relations Manager Timothy Moono in Lusaka on Thursday.

Universal Print Group of South Africa has been contracted to print ballot papers for the September 20 2011 general elections.

[ZNBC]

The Patriotic Front (PF) has dismissed the observations of the Economic Intelligence Unit -EIU- , which has continuously stated that President Rupiah Banda and the MMD will win the September 20, general polls.

PF Secretary General Wynter Kabimba says the EIU is an imperialist sponsored organization, whose aim is to protect western companies which have invested in Zambia.

Mr Kabimba says the PF will not be disturbed by the publication’s observations because it has done its ground work ahead of next month’s elections.

He told ZNBC that the PF is a credible party which has managed to field Parliamentary candidates in all the 150 constituencies.

The Economic Intelligence Unit -EIU- says a victory for the opposition Patriotic Front-PF and its leader Michael Sata in the September 20 general elections poses a high risk for Zambia.

This is because of the uncertainty about the policy agenda that PF leader, Mr Sata will implement, citing his alleged indecision on issues like mining taxation.

The August report from the economic analysis organisation, which covers 185 countries, said President Banda’s victory remained the most likely outcome as he would benefit from the advantages of incumbency, the MMD’s formidable electoral machinery and recent maize bumper harvests.

“The elections will be closely contested but are slightly more likely to deliver a victory to the president, Rupiah Banda and the ruling MMD,” the report states.

According to the report, “a Sata presidency would pose certain risks, and that he may not be able to deliver on his campaign slogan of “more money in your pockets” due to fiscal constraints.

It states that Mr Sata’s often justified demands for wage increases could stoke labour unrest, especially in the Copperbelt.

The EIU report says Mr Sata had also been unclear on issues like mining taxation and appeared to be “fairly heavy-handed” in his approach to governance which posed significant risks.

Mr Sata’s nationalist rhetoric, such as an assertion in 2008 that Zambians should hold a 25 per cent or more stake in all companies operating in the country, had created concern among foreign investors

The report states that despite uncertainty over the election results, most Government policy was expected to continue as “public pressure to promote job creation ensures that economic policies stay largely pragmatic”.

It says Zambia was not expected to face any external threats in 2011 up to next year, adding that donors would continue to provide budget support.

The report states that there could only be suspensions of aid if evidence of corruption and mismanagement emerged.

“Zambia is expected to remain on good terms with other countries in the region, underpinned in part by its membership of two regional trade blocs, the Southern African Development Community and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa,” the report states in part.

ZNBC

CARDIO

The first part of the Ultimate work out plan series is cardio exercise.  Cardio is very important whether you want to lose weight , build muslce or just improve your health in general. These types of exercises are easy and fun to do.

There are a lot of benefits to doing cardio , such as;

 TOP  Cardio exercises

RUNNING

Running is the most popular cardio exercise. It does not require any equipment and people of all ages can do it. It keeps your heart rate up , burns a lot of calories and basically keeps you fit.

Before you start you start running you should make use of these tips:

• Do some light exercise to warm up , such as jogging in place , to warm up your body.
• Stretch for about 5 to 10 minutes to maintain muscle flexibility.
•  Keep the exercise program light during the first week. Slowly increase speed and distance on the succeeding weeks.

Boxing is considered as one of the best cardio work outs . You do not necessarily have to have an opponent , just by doing the pre-match exercise  you will really get a good work out. The equipment that is required is ; heavily padded leather boxing gloves and boxing shoes. Punching bags and appropriate clothing are also required.  If you do not have the equipment , and you are not a member of any gym , its ok , you can do “shadow boxing”( boxing with out the equipment against an invisible opponent)  in the comfort of your own home.

The work out is as follows;

• The first step in getting into this workout is to have interval running. It consists of sustained, intense running for a set time and distance. This will condition the body for boxing.
• Do a 10-minute basic resistance endurance training. This will emphasize the level of speed, endurance, and strength.
• Do a 5-minute drill, combining multiple punches and defensive work.
• Do a timed rounds punching light to heavy bags , or punching the air fast if you do not have a punching bag.
• Cool down by doing a 5-minute stretching to stabilize the heart beat.

SWIMMING

Swimming is a good exercise for strengthening the muscles . Swimming involves nearly all major muscle groups. It is considered one of the best whole body workouts. Strokes like freestyle, backstroke, and breaststroke use abdominal, gluteals, biceps, quadriceps, triceps, and hamstring muscles  The equipment needed are a swimsuit and of course a swimming pool.

• Swimming routine, like any other physical fitness activity, should start a warm up. you can jog in place to get your heart rate up.
• For beginners, it is wise to start slowly and increase their limits as they become stronger.
•  A 30-60 minute swim is good enough for starters, this can dramatically reduce the risk for diabetes, strokes, and heart disease.

Swimming has a lot of variations. For beginners, Freestyle is the best technique to start with. This is the most popular, fastest, and easiest stroke.

The next articles will be concentrated on working out specific parts of the body.

BY KAPA187

United Party for National Development (UPND) youths in North-Western Province have urged Mr Sata to withdraw from the presidential race because of his failing health.?

Provincial youth chairperson Victor Lumayi said yesterday that judging from the manner the PF leader spoke at the rally in Solwezi on Tuesday, it was clear that he was unwell.

?“I attended the rally and I think that Mr Sata’s supporters should accept that he is unwell. Most of us who attended the rally can testify that he did not look too well even from the way he was speaking. The best would be to ask him to step aside,” he said.

Mr Sata only spoke for about 20 minutes and ordered that the national anthem be sang, signalling the end of the rally.

He said he had gone to Solwezi because some people were spreading rumours that he was sick and could not stand.

“I’m not sick, those saying so are just lying,” Mr Sata said. The PF leader arrived at the Solwezi showgrounds at 15:50 hours and immediately the audience was led into singing the national anthem, after which some provincial leaders were introduced to the crowd.

After short remarks by Mr Sata’s campaign manager Willie Nsanda, a Chanda Kasolo and Samuel Mukupa, the PF leader was called to address the expectant crowd.

And some civil society organisations have said Mr Sata’s family is not being fair by allowing him to contest the presidential polls when his health was failing.

?Forum for Leadership Search (FLS) and Leadership in Development (LID) have both advised Mr Sata to withdraw from the campaigns for the sake of his health.?

FLS executive director Edwin Lifwekelo said the PF members should ask their president to take leave to avoid risking his health further.

“Campaigns are very stressful and in his current state of health he will not manage. This is why he could only manage to stand for only 20 minutes and ended the rally in Solwezi.

“This is unsual for Mr Sata and those that are forcing him to contest the presidency are pushing him too much,” Mr Lifwekelo said.?

LID executive director Moses Kalonde said Mr Sata should not just vie for presidency to please some people at the expense of his health.

[Times of Zambia]