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]

Zambia’s revenue from exports will probably increase 40 percent to $10.2 billion this year from a year earlier, with copper exports climbing 46 percent.

According to the Bank of Zambia (BOZ) fortnight update, the forecasts are based on copper exports increase by 46 per cent.

Copper exports revenue are projected to increase from 5.7 billion dollars last year to 8.4 billion dollars this year.

The central bank has noted the higher volumes of copper shipments as well as the obtaining international commodity prices for copper.

An increased trade surplus has also been projected and quoted at $4 billion from $2.55 billion

Patriotic Front (PF) President Michael Sata has assured the people of North Western Province of better lives if voted into power in the forthcoming tripartite elections.

Mr. Sata said the people of Solwezi did not require to be put in the mines data base for them to be employed saying this will be the thing of the past once he is voted into office.

ZANIS reports that Mr. Sata said this when he addressed a rally to introduce PF Solwezi Central aspiring candidate Newton Malwa at Solwezi showgrounds yesterday.

He also pledged to improve the working conditions of officers in the Defence and Security wings by providing decent accommodation and transport.

The PF leader denied assertions by some sections of society that he was sick and can not run for presidency.

He told the crowd that he was in the province to prove to people that he was in good health.

Mr. Sata appealed to Solwezi residents to vote for Mr. Malwa because he was a local person who understood their problems.

ZANIS

President Rupiah Banda says MMD has deliberately adopted young candidates so that the young generation begins to prepare to take over the leadership of the nation.

Mr. Banda says there is need to groom the youths for leadership roles in the country.

The President said this when he introduced some MMD candidates to the people during the flagging off of the tarring of the KASAMA-MPOROKOSO road on today.

He has urged some youths to aspire for leadership roles other than waiting to impose themselves during elections. Mr. Banda has further urged citizens to elect the MMD based on its good performance record.

KASAMA central MMD candidate Chilekwa Munkonge says some youths are ready for leadership roles.

And President Rupiah Banda has officially flagged off the tarring of the four hundred and twenty billion kwacha Kasama-Mporokoso road. Mr. Banda has also commissioned the newly tarred Kasama-Luwingu road constructed by Sable construction at a cost of K190 billion. Speaking during the commissioning President Banda declared that time is now ripe to rebuild and transform the country.

The President pledged more development in all sectors of the economy once re-elected. The president was speaking at a joint ceremony held at Itamina road junction in Kasama on Wednesday.The president urged Zambians to reject politicians campaigning on tribal lines because all Zambians are one people.

And Road Development Agency-RDA chairperson Luambe Mondoloka, says Sable construction has been awarded the contract for the Kasama – Mporokoso road based on good performance.

And speaking at the same ceremony, Former Commerce Minister Felix Mutati, said that the new road will unlock the economic potential of the entire province once completed. Mr. Mutati has thanked President Banda for his dedication to Zambia’s development agenda.

The project involves the tarring of the one hundred and fifty kilometer stretch between Kasama and Mporokoso. Sable construction has already moved on site.

ZNBC

United Progressive Party-UPP- leader Saviour Chishimba has ditched his party and joined the ruling MMD.

Dr Chishimba who is also former Patriotic Front Kasama MP, has called on all well meaning citizens to reject attempts by some politicians to wrestle power from President Rupiah Banda at all costs.

Announcing his defection at a ceremony where President Banda commissioned 60 newly built houses for the police in Kasama Northern Province, Dr Chishimba said he wants to work with the ruling party in uplifting the welfare of the people.

Dr Chishimba says President Banda has performed well and deserves to be re-elected.

At the same function, former Kasama PF Mayor, Sebastian Chipope and Heritage Party Province Vice Treasurer Grace Chisanga Chinunda also defected to the MMD citing good leadership and progressive policies.

And in receiving the defectors, President Banda says he is happy that Zambians of all age groups are de-nouncing their ties with the opposition to join the MMD.

Mr Banda says defectors should be embraced by all MMD members because politics is a game of numbers.

The President says the MMD’s good policies and leadership are attracting well meaning Zambians to the ruling party.

Meanwhile, Three senior Patriotic Front-PF members have defected to the ruling MMD citing tribalism and corruption in the opposition party.

Bwacha constituency aspiring candidate Mable Ngulube says she has left the PF because the party is not gender sensitive in there selection of members of parliament.

Ms Ngulube says the party is a one man show which does not respect the tenets of democracy.

Speaking at the Same occasion Nyimba aspiring candidate Justin Mumba accused the PF leader of being a dictator who refuses to allow free selection of members of parliament.

Mr Mumba says Mr Sata wants candidates who donate huge sums of money to the party.

He says the party picked someone else despite him winning the elections at ward, constituency and provincial levels.

And PF founder member Gillian Jere says she has resigned on moral grounds after witnessing the poor adoption process.

But PF secretary general Wynter Kabimba says the adoption of candidates was thorough in a bid to remove members who were not loyal to the PF.

ZNBC

First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda is expected to be discharged from Hospital in Namibia by Thursday this week.

Health Spokesperson Dr. Kamoto Mbewe says this is according to the progress report by the medical team sent to Namibia to review Dr Kaunda’s condition.

Dr Mbewe says Dr Kaunda has made steady progress.

Government on Monday dispatched a team of medical experts to assess the condition of Dr Kaunda.

The team of health experts that are in Namibia include Dr Kaunda’s Former personal physician Professor Chifumbe Chintu, Director of Emergency and mobile health services Welani Chilengwe and University Teaching Hospital Director Luckson Kasonka.

[ZNBC]