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10 Reasons why your life will be better if you lose weight
We could all stand to lose a few Kg’s to be more healthy . Here is a list of reasons why
IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH
This is the most important , but often most overlooked as people tend to want to lose weight to look good.
2. REDUCE THE RISK OF HEART DIEASESE AND LIVE LONGER.
Everyone knows that those additional pounds, particularly in the mid-section increase one’s risk for life-threatening diseases. If you have genetic factors working against you already, why add to it with something you can control? Eating healthy and exercising regularly can add an extra year to your life.
3. BE MORE ATTRACTIVE
Whether you are single or married everyone wants to feel attractive to the opposite sex. That’s not too say overweight people are not attractive, but losing some weight will make you feel good about yourself. As they say “If you feel good, you look good.” 4. INCREAES YOUR SELF ESTEEM
When you start to see yourself losing weight, even if it is only a little , you will feel good about yourself and that will be motivated to lose more and live a healthier lifestyle.
5. Take up hobbies you didn’t dare try as an overweight person
Being overweight often keeps people from trying hobbies like modeling, competitive sports, dancing and swimming.
6. Enjoy physical activities with your friends and family more
Running and having fun in outdoor activities with your family is so much easier when you’re not carrying extra weight around.
7. You may become the inspiration for someone else to lose weight and improve their life
Most people know at least one overweight person in their life. You just may be the inspiration to make a life-altering change for them. If you have someone you’d like to help lose weight, try losing weight yourself and become a great example for them. If you have kids, let them see you accomplish your goal and let them reap the lessons you learn from the experience. 8. Get employment in a position that you weren’t comfortable in before
Having a new slimmer body can open new employment opportunities for you. Many positions require a slim physique such as an airline stewardess.
9. losing weight can help you reduce or eliminate the need for medication.
Many conditions that require medication can be traced back to the patient carrying around excess weight. Losing weight often reduces the need for these medications or can sometimes reverse the effects so that they are no longer needed.
10. Not having to keep making this same New Year’s resolution
When you lose the weight, you no longer have “I will finally Lose weight” as your New Year’s Resolutions. It’s a goal you can check off. What a great feeling of accomplishment.
Find out how to start losing that spare tire around your waist in the next article.
THE Lusaka High Court has entered a judgment in default in a case in which President Rupiah Banda’s son, James had sued former Defence minister George Mpombo for libel over his allegations that James was involved in the procurement of arms worth US$100 million from South Africa.
High Court deputy registrar Egipiso Mwansa ordered that Mr Banda recovers against Mr Mpombo his claims as prayed in his statement of claim upon assessment of damages.
This was after Mr Mpombo failed to enter appearance before the court and failed to deliver a defence against the claim.
“Upon the defendant not having entered appearance and not having delivered a defence herein, it is this day adjudged that judgment be entered for the plaintiff.
“And that the plaintiff recovers against the defendant his claims as prayed in the statement of claim upon assessment of damages herein,” reads the judgment.
In his statement of claim, Mr Banda was claiming damages for libel contained in The Post edition of April 19, 2011 where Mr Mpombo claimed that he had left the Government because he did not agree with President Banda’s decision to award an arms supply deal to James Banda’s allies based in South Africa.
Mr Banda contended that Mr Mpombo’s allegations had injured his credibility and reputation and brought him into public scandal, ridicule, odium and contempt.
He was also seeking an injunction to restrain Mr Mpombo, his servants or agents from publishing the said words or other similar words and damages, or footing of aggravated or exemplary damages and any other relief the court may deem fit.
Over 600 UPND members in Monze’s Moomba constituency have petitioned the National Management Committee-NMC against the third term for Hon. Vitalis Mooya.
In a letter dated August 8,2011 and signed by Constituency Chairman Jones Mweemba Mweemba, the members told its NMC that they don’t want any third term for Hon. Mooya.
”We are the voters and party members making the same person to be called Honorable.In this year’s election, we want to excercise our rights and democracy by taking part in the adoption of candidates”,Mweemba said.
Mweemba further disclosed that the party in the area met to discuss their resolution and that every member has agreed to usher in new people espcially women.
”This idea has been supported by many UPND members from all the wards of the constituency.Attached hereto is a list of over 600 party members against the third term.We will be looking forward for the quick response before announcement of adopted candidates”,Mweemba added.
Meanwhile,Mweemba said the party is behind Monica Mainza,a woman who beat Hon. Mooya during the preliminaries.
He has also accused Hon. Mooya of bribing some of the party officials by buying them suits in return for votes.
”It is true and we have information that some of the constituency and district officials were bought suites they wore during the interviews.I was the chairman during the interviews and Hon. Mooya lost to Ms. Mainza who is the prefered candidate because she stays with the people and knows what is good for the constituency”,Mweemba said.
And the constituency chairman said the party will not vote for its leader Hakainde Hichilema if Hon. Mooya is adopted to re-contest the Moomba seat.
”Our party leader Hakainde Hichilema risks losing elections in Moomba constituency if Hon. Moomba goes for the third term because we will not campaign for him.Hon Mooya has failed the people of Moomba and everyone is questioning our leader as to why he is not told the trueth about Hon.Mooya”,he added.
The two men who recently purported to be Bishops from the Living water church international-Sesheke branch have been sentenced to two and half years in prison with hard labour by Monze magistrate court charged on three counts of obtaining goods by false pretence contrary to section 309 of the penal code chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.
Appearing before magistrate Davis Chibwili was Lewis Chewe 40 and Clifford Chisha 31, both of plot 1044 Chawama compound house number 10942/320 in Lusaka.
Particulars of the offence in count one are that Lewis Chewe and Clifford Chisha on July 2,2011 in Monze, jointly and whilst acting together with intent to defraud, obtained buiding materials valued at about K6 million from Cecin Munenga of Classic General Dealers by falsely pretending that they will pay for them using a valid cheque when infact not.
In count two,Particulars of the offence are that Lewis Chewe and Clifford Chisha on July 2,2011 jointly and whilst acting together with intent to defraud, obtained 100 X 50kg empty bags altogether valued at K2.4 million from Armed Adam by falsely pretending that they will pay for them using a valid cheque when infact not.
And in count three,Particulars of the offence are that Lewis Chewe and Clifford Chisha on July 9,2011 jointly and whilst acting together with intent to defraud, obtained 100 single blankets and 2 double blankets altogether valued at about K7.6 million from Armin Moomba by falsely pretending that they will pay for them using a valid cheque when infact not.
The two accused persons pleaded guilty when they appeared for plea and admitted to the charges.
In their mitigation, Lewis Chewe told the court that he is on Anti-Retroviro Therapy and both asked for the court’s leniency considering that they are married and bread winners in their families.
However, in his judgement, magistrate Chibwili said being first offenders, the two accused persons are entitled to some leniency but regretted that the offence committed has become prevelent in Monze community where crooks such as the accused are using the name of God in vein and to disadvantage hard working members of the community.
Magistrate Chibwili said the courts will not look kindly on those who wish to behave in the manner that the accused did and sentenced them accordingly.
In count one,both accused persons have been sentenced to two and a half years in prison with hard labour with effect from July 2, 2011.
In count two and three, Clifford Chisha has been sentenced to two and half years with hard labour with effect from July 2, 2011 and his sentences in count 1,2 and 3 will run concurrently.
Meanwhile, the court has discharged Lewis Chewe in counts 2 and 3 after state prosecutor Akamonwa withdrew the charges in terms of section 88a of the CPC.
The Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) says that Zambia still has alarming levels of poverty despite the country having recently recorded an economic growth of over 40 percent.
CSPR Executive Director Patrick Mucheleka said that the 6.5 GDP growth recorded in the country between 2005 and 2010 does not correlate with the levels of poverty that are currently looming in the country.
Mr Mucheleka said that the growth benefits of the economy are only being felt by rich people and not the less privilleged people living in the rural areas of the country.
”It is sad that most Zambians especially in rural areas are walloping in abject poverty despite government’s claims of improving the economy.Iam calling upon government to massively take development to rural areas where social amenities still remains a challenge”,he said.
He stressed that the country’s economic growth figures do not tally with the poverty statistics which currently stand at 85 percent in the rural areas and 34 percent in urban areas because of lack of government funding to the key sectors of the country.
Mr Mucheleka pointed out that as long as the people are not put first on the agenda of the government the poverty levels of the country will continue to rise to unexplained and untold levels.
He explained that government should take deliberate measures to ensure that there is equal distribution of wealth among the people of Zambia. He also said that government should ensure that it aligns economic growth to poverty reduction if all Zambians are to benefit from the country’s wealth creation.
And the Civil Society for Poverty reduction has called on the government to learn from the Australian government move of introducing super tax on its mining sector so as to improve the country’s service delivery.
”Australian government has done extremely well especially with the super tax on its mining sector and we as CSPR urge our government to emulate our partners in the development of their economy from their own resources which has atrickled down to the rural masses”, Mucheleka said.
He said Government should get back to the discussion table with the country’s key stakeholders and reconsider reintroducing the Windfall tax to the Mining sector so as to enable the country raise its revenue base.
Patriotic Front-President Michael Sata has successfully filed his nomination for the Presidential contest ahead of the September 20 elections.
Mr Sata lodged his nominations before Returning Officer and Chief Justice Ernest Sakala at 13:15 hours.
Justice Sakala declared Mr Sata’s nomination papers valid.
The PF leader accompanied by his wife Christine Kaseba, arrived at Supreme Court at 10:15 hours.
Mr Sata was given a thunderous welcome by thousands of his supporters who besieged the Supreme Court premise.
There was almost a commotion as the jubilant multitude scrambled to catch Mr Sata’s glimpse.
Police however managed to keep the situation under control.
Court workers also keenly watched Mr Sata’s procession before and after the PF leader filed his nominations.
And addressing his supporter after filing his nomination Mr Sata declared that the PF is ready to contest the election.
Mr Sata implored his supporters to resist provocation but instead focus on non-violent campaign.
He stated the police service should shoulder the burden to deal with violent campaign.
Mr Sata says the police is working under difficult circumstances to maintain peace and order in the nation.
And New Revolution Party President COSMO MUMBA has withdrawn from the 2011 Presidential race.
Mr MUMBA says he has decided to withdraw because the opposition political parties want to spoil the vote.
Mr MUMBA says the other reason for withdrawing from the race is because he believes his time to contest the Presidency is in the 2016 elections.
He however says he will announce the party that he will support in the September 20 polls.
Mr MUMBA was speaking to journalists at the Supreme Court shortly after having a brief meeting with Electoral Commission of Zambia officials.
Mr. MUMBA arrived at the Supreme Court at five minutes after ten hours on Tuesday accompanied by his wife Matha and five officials but without party carders.
He was due to lodge his presidential nomination before Justice Ernest Sakala, who is the returning officer for Presidential elections.
And the Zambia Direct Democracy Movement (ZDDM) has withdrawn from the presidential race and endorsed the candidature of President Rupiah Banda.
ZDDM Coordinator Edwin Sakala in a statement released to QFM says he has since notified the Cheif Justice on his party’s intention to withdraw from the Presidential race.
He says his party is confident that president Banda will win the forthcoming elections.
Mr Sakala who was suppose to be his party’s presidential candidate says he will instead vie for the Lusaka central seat.
He says his party is not after power but rather to introduce Direct Democracy which in their view will make all political parties to work together openly as already is happening at the ZCID.
Mr Sakala who was suppose to file his nominations tomorrow has since urged all the other parties which have not yet filed in their papers to follow his party’s example by endorsing Mr Banda.
The Lusaka High Court has dismissed the petition by the Patriotic Front -PF- to restrain President Rupiah Banda from filling nomination papers for the September 20 general elections.
Judge in Charge Jane Kabuka dismissed the PF Petition following the Preliminary issues raised by the defence lawyers.
Judge Kabuka has ruled that President Banda, who is the subject of litigation, is not party to the proceedings.
She states that on this ground, any adverse decision on him amounts to the breach of rule of natural justice.
This is in a matter, where the PF sought an injunction to prevent President Rupiah Banda from contesting the September 20 elections because his parents were allegedly not Zambians.
Prior to the ruling, Defence Lawyers submitted that the action be dismissed.
They argued that the High Court has no jurisdiction to preside on controversies on Presidential qualifications.
The Defence lawyers submitted that any controversy on the Presidential qualification is the preserve of the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, MMD national Secretary Major Richard Kachingwe has welcomed the High Court ruling.
Major Kachingwe says President Banda will therefore file in his nomination papers on Wednesday to contest the Presidency.
He says the PF’s move to drag President Banda to court on parentage issues is part of the party’s scheme to destabilize the nation.
Major Kachingwe was speaking in an interview with Journalists at the High Court on Tuesday in Lusaka.
But the Patriotic Front -PF- says it will appeal to the Supreme Court against the judgment delivered in the High Court over President Rupiah Banda’s parentage.
PF Secretary General Wynter Kabimba says the Judge misrepresented herself when she threw out the case.
Mr Kabimba was speaking to ZNBC News in Lusaka on Tuesday.
The ruling Movement for Multi-party Democracy-MMD in Monze central constituency have been left in limbo after learning that their adopted candidate to stand as a councillor in Monze central ward (Patricia Howes) failed to produce her voters’ card in preparation for filing in nominations.
Monze district MMD secretary Mrs. Florence Banda confirmed the development this morning saying Ms. Howes has no voters’ card and cannot be allowed to stand.
Mrs. Banda said the party is looking for another candidate to fill the gap as Ms. Howes is not not eligible to stand.
‘Yes its true that our adopted candidate Mrs. Patricia Howes failed to produce her voters’ card in readiness for nominations and its sad that this has happened that way’,she said.
‘The party has other candidates to look upto before the nomination day and I would like to urge all our party members not to be disturbed by the turn of events’, Mrs. Banda added.
She further refuted claims that the party is divided over the development and claimed that the party is poised for victory as a sellabale candidate will be found soon.
‘Its not true that the party is divided over the matter despite the electorates having their prefered candidates’,she added.
‘There is only one seat for one candidate and we will support whoever is adopted’,Mrs. Banda said.
File:UPND vice president Richard Kapita and spokesperson during a press briefing in Lusaka
United Party for National Development-UPND vice president for administration Richard Kapita said it is unfortunate that the two officials-Geoffrey Beene and Edward Kasoko have resigned but added that the party remains strong enough to win this year’s elections.
Kapita who addressed journalists in Lusaka on Monday said that the UPND will shame the defectors and its opponents by winning the presidency through Hakainde Hichilema and also winning a large number of parliamentary seats.
He said the two are just frustrated because they have been rejected by the grassroot structures in their areas adding that UPND adopted only those candidates that were proposed by its grassroots.
‘The two former MPs have decided to defect because they were not adopted to re-contest their seats in this year’s elections.The party democratic as it is , will only adopt candidates who have received support from the grassroots’, he said.
‘Its sad that the two have taken the action personal, but the party is above individuals and we respect their decision and wish them well’,Kapita added.
The UPND Vice-president for administration was reacting to Immediate former Itezhi-tezhi parliamentarian Geoffrey Beene who resigned from the UPND to join the ruling MMD.
Addressing a press briefing in Lusaka yesterday, Beene who was not re-adopted to contest the Itezhi-tezhi seat said his defection has been prompted by what he termed as UPND’s undemocratic tendencies.
Beene said the MMD is the only democratic party in the country and added that he will support the ruling party’s adopted candidate for the Itezhi-tezhi seat David Diangamo who is also his uncle.
He said he will commit his efforts to ensuring that Diangamo scoops the seat during the tripartite elections on 20th September.
‘I will use everything means possible to ensure that the UPND does not win the Itezhi-tezhi seat and I will compaign for my uncle(David Diangamo) and the MMD for president Banda to continue with his good policies’,Beene said.
Beene becomes the second UPND member to resign in two days following Edward Kasoko who resigned after he learnt that the party had not re-adopted him to re-contest the Mwembeshi seat.
File:National Restoration Party president Elias Chipimo junior and his vice Charles Maboshe
National Restoration Party -NAREP- president Elias Chipimo Jr. has become the fourth Presidential candidate to successfully file in his nomination for the September 20, tripartite elections.
Chief Justice Ernest Sakala declared Mr Chipimo’s nomination papers valid yesterday.
Mr Chipimo was accompanied to the Supreme Court by his Vice President Charles Maboshe and Secretary General John Phiri.
And addressing Journalists at the Supreme Court Mr Chipimo pledged that NAREP will conduct issue based campaigns.
He says his party has outlined its key values which aim at improving the country’s economy.
Mr Chipimo has also called on the media to be impartial in its coverage of campaigns in the run up to the general elections.
[ZNBC]
KAPA187: How did you come up with the name Rizen Rizon?
Rizen Rizon : Basically when one listens to my music it has so much more to do with who we are and our identity. One morning, in the early hours, I was meditating on a jeremiah 1:5. In this portion of scripture God tells Jeremiah he knew him even before he was born and he set him apart. God is not unfair that he’d choose to have a plan for him and not others. The conclusion is that God has a plan for us all as purpose for our living a reason if you may. We are alive and sustained too to accomplish that reason. I believe everyone has it. But you can never know your reason or purpose unless you align yourself with the one who created us and has a plan for us. If we don’t know this our purpose is dead or dormant we are living in search of life when we should be living life. I have come to know my purpose, my reason it was dead but now it’s alive and risen. So am living my purpose, hence rizen rizon.
KAPA187: What made you decided to do gospel influenced hip hop as opposed to mainstream hip hop.
Rizen Rizon: I believe there is something more I can bring to the table as a human being.Like I said earlier am not just living and living and living in search of life. If I gotta rap I need to be talking about something tangible and fruitful something that will stir someone into their God given purpose. Something so huge it has an impact on their life eternal. There is something more to human kind, we are always searching for something. We are always looking for something big out there. I found it. I experience God daily. He is someone everyone needs. I want to usher young people into God’s hands with my talent where they can find the fullness of Joy and that sense of completion.
KAPA187: Do u listen to “secular” hip-hop, what is your opinion about it.
Rizen Rizon: No I don’t unless am just somewhere like a bus and I can’t do anything about it. Secular Hip Hop was my love once upon a time. I know just how much it messed me up with alot of twisted ideas doctrines that I came to learn about and see clearly when I switched over to the other side. How, women are looked at, the focus on the good life when in actual sense the people involved in itself are struggling with their own self just makes me leave it all completely. I’d rather seek after truth, something real and tangible. I don’t wanna listen to someone talk about drugs, girls, a good time and self identification or exaltation, get caught up in it and when am alone I still struggle with issues and with myself. That’s not helping. My life is a life and not a patched up body, it matters. Therefore I don want to get funny ideas for a mortal who too seeks salvation from himself. Someone who does not understand himself cannot show you how to understand who you are. Such reasons make me stay away from secular music all together not just hip hop. I loved Hip Hop. I did.
KAPA187: Which artists locally and internationally inspire you?
Rizen Rizon: My biggest inspiration is flame. I have met him twice I have had the blessing of a privilege of being on radio with him twice when he visited Zambia, it was a blessing. Second is Lecrae and the Tedashi. Locally my biggest inspiration is blessington he is an R&B/ hip hop artist. A great worship leader too.
KAPA187: Holy hip hop is not as popular as mainstream, what do you bring to the table that will make people want to listen to your music?
Rizen Rizon: The biggest thing I bring Is Jesus really. I think He is the single biggest thing I can bring. His Love, unlimited, the hope in him, salvation are just so pivotal. From an artistic point of view, I think people will be listening to someone who is diverse in style, anointed with wisdom and someone who is ready to break it down as it is, speaking to the point.
KAPA187: When will your album, ‘detox’, be out and what can people expect from it.
Rizen Rizon: Detox is out august 2011. What most people expect from it is a straight message that Jesus knows how dirty we all are but he is there to clean us up. Its slogan is that sin is a towing so we get it out. For people who are tired of sin, addicted to drugs, sex ,masturbation, alcohol, porn this album is like a solution. I have been down some crazy roads so I put my heart and mind into this project by the Power of The Holy Spirit.
KAPA187: How do you spend your free time?
Rizen Rizon: Am a TV series freak so i watch them alot. Am mad about soccer too so weekends when am off church it goes down.
KAPA187: What has been your biggest achievement to date?
Rizen Rizon: Wow that’s a trick question. It depends on how one measures success. I measure success in terms of how much my life ministers to others. How much people see me represent God and are blessed. So my biggest achievement is being looked at as a positive role model in my society, and having been made ambassador for dance for life international in Zambia. Besides that am blessed to have my music on dasouth.com, and my music having been featured on mix shows on holyculture radio in the states, not to mention everywhere the music went out there. But with my mission in mind I rarely base success on the music but the impact.
KAPA187: Is there anything that you have done that you immediately regretted?
Rizen Rizon: So much stuff I must say. Sometimes we do stuff not knowing the consequences sometimes we just do stuff to feel accepted and to please others. Such is life. But thank God I know how crazy Jesus loves me regardless of my shortcomings. He took me in in the most challenging times of my life even when he knew I’d sin against him the next moment. He has so much faith in me and we been walking together from strength to strength. I regret so much but I don’t feel condemned or dwell in the past. Am a new person the past is the past. Romans 8:1
KAPA187: You did a song called tiyende pamozi , what is it about it.
Rizen Rizon: It is a peace song for Zambia. Talking about so much stuff. First it talks about citizens, youth in particular being mute never so many issues as they spend so much time on irrelevant issues like drinking. It saddens me that a shot of alcohol in zed costs the same as a lolly pop or 5 chewing gums and sold at the same place a kid would go and buy sweets. And our youth just get high without work, without enforcement of legislation that governs this. It talks about leadership, abit of corruption and most importantly unity. It’s a lil dynamic.
KAPA187: Where do you see yourself in the next few years?
Rizen Rizon: Doing a lot of God’s work in zed and running rehabilitation centres.
THE MUSIC
Tiyende Pamodzi
Is a song encouraging peace and unity
LIGHT CLUB
It has a nice energetic beat , that you can dance to, but not in the night club , in the Light club!! “A place better than Vegas , better than the theater of dreams . The light Club” . Blessing 10 adds an addictive chorus to this wonderful song.
CHILI CHE
Another stand out track is Chili che
His album Detox will be out on the second week of september. make sure you get a copy.
Zambian musicians Kings performing at Club Zone Cafe in Lusaka
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Zambian musicians Romaria performing at Club Zone Cafe in Lusaka
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Zambian musicians Slap-Dee performing at Club Zone Cafe in Lusaka
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Mobilizing Access to Maternal Health Services in Zambia country manager Abdul Badru (left), Zambia White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood Chairperson Rosemary Kabwe (center) and Panos Southern
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Mobilizing Access to Maternal Health Services in Zambia country manager Abdul Badru (left), Zambia White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood Chairperson Rosemary Kabwe (center) and Panos Southern1
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Toasting the signing of the safe motherhood memorandum of understanding in Lusaka
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-PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda meets the Chairman of Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth of the United Kingdom, Lord Vestey when he paid a courtesy call on him at State House
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-PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda meets the Chairman of Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth of the United Kingdom, Lord Vestey when he paid a courtesy call on him at State House
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PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda confers with Chairman of Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth of the United Kingdom, Lord Vestey when he paid a
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Inspector General of Police Francis Kabonde greets representatives of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Zambia
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KASAMA District Commissioner (DC) Felix Mwansa crossing Mulilansolo stream on cement culverts during Chambeshi Market foot Bridge inspection in Kasama
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A Kasama Resident Chanda Bwalya crossing Mulilansolo stream that connects Malama Basic School where Chambeshi Market foot Bridge will be constructed
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KASAMA District Commissioner (DC) Felix Mwansa inspecting Choba Bridge under construction which has gobbled K125 Million
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Opposition UNIP supporters wave placards at the Supreme Court grounds when their party leader Tilyenji Kaunda filed in his nomination papers in Lusaka1
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Opposition UNIP supporters wave placards at the Supreme Court grounds when their party leader Tilyenji Kaunda filed in his nomination papers in Lusaka
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Opposition UNIP president Tilyenji Kaunda files in his nomination papers to Chief Justice Ernest Sakala at the Supreme Court in Lusaka
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Opposition UNIP president Tilyenji Kaunda shakes hands with Chief Justice Ernest Sakala when he filed in his nomination papers at the Supreme Court in Lusaka
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Opposition UNIP leader Tilyenji Kaunda arrives at Supreme Court to file in his nomination papers in Lusaka
PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda flags off the 2011 campaign for his party MMD during the occasion of the dissolution of the National Assembly at State House
By Henry Kyambalesa
President Rupiah Banda’s 7-point plan launched recently as his platform in his bid to seek another term of office is a joke at best. In this regard, Mr. Banda and the MMD intend to deliver development for all Zambians through a 7-point plan aimed at:
(a) Increasing agricultural production and food security for all Zambians;
(b) Building better schools for our children;
(a) Creating a better health service for our people;
(b) More jobs for all our people;
(c) Building quality infrastructure throughout the country;
(d) Reinforcing equal opportunities for all by providing access to productive resources such as loans, land and training; and
(e) Sustaining and strengthening democratic governance.
I am afraid the 7-point plan does not provide any hope for the majority of Zambians who are currently wallowing in abject poverty. The plan is nothing more than a wish list of open-ended projects and programs without any specific time frames when citizens should expect to see concrete and tangible results. We have had such wish lists from the time we attained political independence in 1964.
Besides, the plan does not address any of the issues which are at the core of our beloved country’s socio-economic decay and backwardness, such as poverty, hunger, ignorance, illiteracy, disease, unemployment, disadvantaged children, crime, corruption, moral decay, public news outlets which deliberately glorify the MMD and its leaders while demonizing and stigmatizing opposition political parties and their leaders, the continued existence of the party and its government phenomenon, a failed constitution-making process, a political system that is characterized by electoral violence, and so forth.
More than ever before, Zambia needs sound long-term planning that is balanced with the needs of our generation because in the long run, to paraphrase the famous economist John Maynard Keynes, we are all going to be dead! For this reason, there is a need to have a schedule for implementing part of a political party’s set of short-term and medium-term projects and programs designed to strike a balance between our needs and expectations, and the needs and expectations of future generations. Such a schedule should, of course, not include recurrent projects and programs like investments in transportation infrastructure.
The following is a good example of a schedule for implementing some of our beloved country’s projects, programs and policies:
Soon after Inauguration:
Appointment of a smaller number of Cabinet Ministers and Deputy Ministers; abolition of the position of District Commissioner; abolition of examination fees in formal education; abolition of TV licensing and related levies; incorporation of the functions of the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) that is currently vested in the Office of the Vice-President into the functions of the Zambia National Service (ZNS); detachment of the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) from the Ministry of Agriculture and conversion of the Agency into an autonomous body in order for it to perform its duties without any political meddling or manipulation, and which should incorporate the functions of the Public Welfare Assistance Scheme currently administered through the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, including the Social Cash Transfer Scheme; and removal of public assistance to chiefs from the office of the Republican president and placed under the auspices of the Ministry of Local Government.
January 2012:
Privatization of the Zambia Daily Mail; turning of the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) into a public broadcaster not controlled by the government; start the process of operationalizing the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) in order for the broadcasting media to be regulated by an independent body, and of enacting the Freedom of Information (FoI) Bill in order to make it possible for journalists to access information that is vital to members of the general public; and reduction of Zambian foreign missions whereby 1 foreign mission would serve a cluster of countries, appointment of diplomats, and re-assignment of countries and regions to be covered by each mission; and creation of a fund for assisting orphanages.
June 2012:
Start improving infrastructure in schools, colleges, universities, ZNS camps, and vacated refugee camps; and creation of a fund for assisting local organizations which cater to the needs of handicapped citizens.
September 2012:
Start providing free seeds and fertilizer for 2 consecutive years; start upward revisions of compensation packages for employees on government payroll; and mass enrolment (on a voluntary basis) of street kids and other pan-handlers into skills training programs at ZNS and vacated refugee camps.
January 2013:
Reductions in PAYE, value-added tax (VAT) and interest rates designed to stimulate economic growth and job creation; payment of all due retirement benefits owed by the government; free healthcare without inhibiting the operations of private healthcare providers; free formal education (up to Grade 12); abolition of Grades 7 and 9 elimination examinations for all school children; provision of scholarships to Grade 12 students who would obtain a Division 1 in order for them to pursue studies at locally based institutions of higher learning registered in Zambia; and provision for low-interest government loans for Grade 12 students who would not obtain a Division 1 to make it possible for them to pursue studies at locally based institutions of higher learning registered in Zambia.
June 2013:
Appointment of an ad hoc task force consisting of at most 30 citizens who do not currently hold leadership positions in non-governmental organizations (NGOs), political parties, religious institutions, the labor movement, the legislature, the executive, the judiciary, the civil service, and the House of Chiefs. The terms of reference for the task force should be to identify and examine contentious issues, errors and inconsistencies in: (a) the 1996 Republican constitution; and (b) the draft constitutions of the Chona Constitution Commission, the Mvunga Constitution Review Commission, the Mwanakatwe Constitution Review Commission, the Mung’omba Constitutional Review Commission, and the National Constitutional Conference.
Moreover, the task force could be required to prepare a draft constitution based on its findings. It could be given 1 year to complete its work, and its output could thereafter be tabled for comments by the citizenry.
January 2014:
Start the implementation of home ownership schemes for the police and all civil servants, provision of low-cost rental housing units for low-income families nationwide, management of a home-ownership scheme for low-income families to be financed through low interest mortgages, and rehabilitation of shanty townships; and start improving infrastructure in resettlement schemes nationwide.
June 2014:
Carry out a comprehensive assessment of progress made in the implementation of projects, programs and policies cited above, and take corrective measures where necessary over a period of 2 years.
September 2014:
Revert to the provision of a seed and fertilizer subsidy at 50%.
06-07/08/2011
North
Konkola Mine Police 1-Chambishi 0
Chindwin Sentries 1-Bresmar United 1
Kalulushi Modern Stars 2-Prison Leopards 0
Nkwiza 2- Ndola United 1
Kitwe United 2-Zesco Luapula 0
Mufulira Police 0-Mining Rangers 1
Kabwe United 2-Mufulira Wanderers 1
Mufulira Blackpool 1-Luanshya United 1
Indeni-Lusaka Dynamos*
*Not Played
South
Kafue Celtic 0-Big Roma 0
City of Lusaka 1-Young Green Eagles 0
Mazabuka United 2-Lusaka City Council 1
Senanga Leopards 1-Petauke United 0
Freedom Rangers 1-Luena Buffaloes 1
National Assembly 0-Paramilitary 0
Nampundwe 0-Profund Warriors 2
Riflemen 1-Livingstone Pirates 0
Kalomo Jetters 2-Lusaka Tigers 0
National Movement for Progress Party President Ngandu Magande
National Movement for Progress Party President Ngandu Magande has filed in his nominations for republican President.
Mr. Magande who arrived at the supreme court at 14 50 Hours was accompanied by his wife Joyce, Secretary General Logan Shempile and other senior party members.
Chief Justice Ernest Sakala declared Mr. Magande’s nomination valid at about 16 19 hours this afternoon.
And Mr. Magande has thanked the media for its continuous support.
He told Journalist shortly after being declared that his party aims at making Zambia a prosperous country.
Mr. Magande also says he is not worried about the issues that too many presidential candidates will split the votes, because he is in the race to win.
On day, two of the Presidential nominations, six candidates have since lodged in their bid to lead the country.
