PATRIOTIC Front (PF) president Michael Sata has dropped former Chimwemwe member of Parliament (MP) Willie Nsanda and former Zambia Federation of Employers chairperson George Chabwera from contesting in next month’s general elections in the on-going chaotic adoption process.

According to PF sources, Dr Chabwera and Mr Nsanda, alongside outspoken former Munali MP Mumbi Phiri, were not among the 150 applicants who were given adoption certificates by PF secretary general Wynter Kabimba on Saturday evening after two days of arguments by the national executive committee chaired by Mr Sata.

The candidate who was favoured by the grassroots members to contest the Mandevu seat, Philemon Nyirenda has since broken ranks with Mr Sata and decided to contest the seat as an independent candidate.

This was after NEC adopted former MP Jean Kapata.

This is according to information made available to the Times shortly after the meeting on Friday night when it was decided that Ms Phiri could not win any election in Lusaka.

The PF NEC held protracted meetings that ended around 23:00 hours on Thursday, Friday and part of Saturday when they reconvened and the debate was finalised.

In Chipata Central, Mr Sata’s party adopted former deputy minister of Works and Supply Lameck Mangani while Leonard Banda would contest in Petauke Central where the ruling party has MMD spokesperson Dora Siliya.

First Republican president Kenneth Kaunda’s son Kaweche would contest in Malambo Constituency where the MMD has former Mines minister Maxwell Mwale and Lambwe Kachali would contest in Chama North Constituency on the PF ticket.

Boniface Botha would contest in Chasefu Constituency while Evans Ngoma would contest in Lundazi Central, with Clement Mwale being the candidate for Lumezi.

Former Petauke District Commissioner George Zulu is the PF candidate for Luangeni while Caroline Mwanza would contest in Kapoche.

Nkandu Luo was given a certificate to contest in Munali despite facing wide rejections from the grassroots organs that had preferred former Lusaka Province chairperson, Erick Chanda.

[Times of Zambia]

PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda national campaign committee chairperson Boniface Kawimbe has said former parliamentary chief whip Vernon Mwaanga is still part of presidential national campaigns and that he will be more visible when the public rallies start in the next few days.

Dr Kawimbe said allegations that the MMD had sidelined the veteran politician were incorrect since Mr Mwaanga is still a member of the ruling party.

He said there was no confusion at the national campaign cantre and that a programme had been designed to ensure door-to-door campaigns were launched, apart from the public rallies.

Dr Kawimbe said the ruling party had procured adequate bicycles to help ward officials with the door-to-door campaigns while about 80 per cent of the campaign materials had been distributed throughout the country.

He said media reports recently that the MMD national campaign committee was missing Mr Mwaanga were malicious because there was an intense campaign programme for all members.

“Let me assure you that Mr Mwaanga will be more visible when the campaigns start. He is a member of the MMD and very useful to the party,” Dr Kawimbe said.

Dr Kawimbe said the MMD decided to invest in the bicycles to ensure wide reach to the rural areas.

Meanwhile, President Banda is expected to travel to Chipata in the Eastern Province to hold a public rally on August 13.

The president said he wanted to address the people of Chipata and thereafter more public rallies would take place.

[Times of Zambia]

FDD leader Edith Nawakwi has successfully filed her presidential nominations. She is one of at least 17 aspirants vying for the Republican presidency during the 20th September general elections this year.

After filing in her nomination, Ms Nawakwi told journalists that the country is ready for a woman President.
Ms Nawakwi was accompanied by the women movement under the Non-Governmental Organisation Coordinating Committee –NGOCC.

Meanwhile, Zambians for Empowerment and Development President, Fred Mutesa has also successfully filed in his nomination.

Earlier in the morning, United Independence Party (UNIP) Presidential aspiring candidate Tilyenji Kaunda has successfully filed in his nominations for the September 20th, 2011 elections.

Mr. Kaunda arrived at the supreme court accompanied by his wife patience and other party officials

Returning officer for presidential nominations chief justice Ernest Sakala declared him as an eligible candidate for the 2011 elections after Mr. Kaunda successfully meant all the requirements.

MUVTV

President Rupiah Banda has said that he will go ahead and file in his presidential nominations on Wednesday this week at the Supreme Court.

This is despite efforts by the opposition Patriotic Front Party of trying to block him on the basis that one of President Banda’s parents is not Zambian as required by the Zambian laws.

President Banda told journalists in Lusaka today when he visited the campaign centre for MMD that being born in Zimbabwe to his Zambian parents does not strip him of his Zambian citizenship.

He added that Mr. Sata has known him for a long time and has wondered why the PF leader has only risen now to question his parentage.

The President noted that efforts by the opposition PF to bar him from contesting this year’s elections are an indication that the opposition has already conceded defeat in ths year’s elections.

And President Banda has urged his party members to work hard to ensure that the MMD wins this year’s election in a fair manner.

He added that the MMD has done its best to deliver development to the Zambian people and that it is up to them to make their final decisions on the governance of the country.

Meanwhile, UPND national chairman has defected from his party to join the ruling MMD.

Edward kasoko who was welcomed to the MMD by president Banda said he will announce to the public the reasons for his defection in the next 2 days.

QFM

United Independence Party (UNIP) Presidential aspiring candidate Tilyenji Kaunda has successfully filed in his nominations for the September 20th, 2011 elections.

Mr. Kaunda arrived at the supreme court accompanied by his wife patience and other party officials at about 10:40 hrs this morning.

Returning officer for presidential nominations chief justice Ernest Sakala declared him as an eligible candidate for the 2011 elections after Mr. Kaunda successfully meant all the requirements.

And speaking after the nominations, Mr. Kaunda said his party once voted into power will ensure that it gives the people a new constitution within the first six months of its rule.

Other candidates expected to file in their nominations are FDD’s aspiring presidential candidate Edith Nawakwi and Zambians for Empowerment and Development (ZED)president Dr. Fred Mutesa.

Meanwhile, The Zambia Rainbow Coalition (ZRC) has expressed concern at the systematic attempts by some quarters of society to scandalize and undermine the country’s electoral process.
Speaking at a media briefing in Lusaka today, Coalition President Cleophas Phiri says such maneuvers will threaten national security and compromise the credibility of the electoral process.

Mr. Phiri has therefore the urged the Electoral Commission of Zambia to be steadfast and not succumb to the ill intended pressures.

He has cited the printing of ballot papers in South Africa, the parentage clause and the capability of the electoral commission to conduct free and fair elections as issues raised to undermine the electoral process by alleged enemies of the country.

Mr. Phiri has since appealed to the Civil Society organizations that will monitor this year’s elections to ensure that they vest their members with the electoral procedures and code of conduct in order to report results with professionalism, honesty and responsibility.

ZRC is a pressure group determined to defend the public good through advocacy and campaign for better laws and policies to govern the country.

QFM

CAPTAIN AMERICA : THE FIRST AVENGER

Captain America: The First Avenger is based in the 1940’s during World War 2.  Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) ,who is horrified by the atrocities of the Nazi’s in Europe , want to enlist into the army and serve his country. Due to his sicklyness and frailty he is rejected.

He volunteers to participate in an experimental program that turns him into the Super Soldier known as Captain America. As Captain America, Rogers joins forces with his best friend, Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) and Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) to wage war on the evil HYDRA organization, that is led by the villainous Johann Schmidt /Red Skull (Hugo Weaving , you may know him as Smith , from the Matix).

PRO’S

• Chris Evans portrayal of Steve Rogers , the skinny , sickly , weakling with the heat of a lion . Was awe inspiring .
• Hugo Weaving was born to play a villain . He brought the character of the sinister Johann Schmidt/Red Skull to life. He had , arguably, the best performance in the movie.
• The CGI work was exceptional , as they believably  turned Chris Evans into a 90 pound weakling . The action scenes were also excellently executed.

CON’S

• The “final battle” between Captain america and Red Skull could have been better.

CONCLUSION

After waiting  the whole year for this movie . I can say , while being an incredible movie, i think i set my expectations too high. It didnt reach the level of excellence that X-men: first class did , but it was definitively the second best super hero movie of the year.

It is a nice mix of adventure ,  rambunctious action and a little bit of romance.  A must watch ,whether you are a fun of super hero movies or not.

RATING

FAVORITE QUOTES

Steve Rogers / Captain America: Why me?

Dr. Abraham Erskine: Because a weak man knows the value, of strength. Knows the value, of power.

Dr. Abraham Erskine: Whatever happens, stay who you are. Not just a soldier, but a good man.

Peggy Carter: How do you feel?

Steve Rogers / Captain America: Taller.

BY KAPA187

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“God is with us; He is our leader”
(2 Chronicles 13:12, TLB)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Is God your leader today? Do you allow Him to lead you in every area of life? A lot of times, people set out in a direction of life, or they make decisions and then “look around” to see where God is. They try to fit Him into their schedule, but really, He should be in charge of our schedules. Or, they ask God to bless their decisions when, instead, we should follow His ways because His ways are already blessed!

Today, instead of incorporating God into your day, ask Him to lead your day. Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and mind and see if there are any areas you need to submit to Him. Remember, He is with you and He is for you. When we allow Him to order our steps, when we seek Him first and follow Him as our leader, then nothing can stand in our way! Go out in victory today knowing that He is ordering your steps.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, thank You for going with me and leading me into victory day by day. I choose to trust and rely on You, knowing that You have a good plan for me. I know that Your ways are higher, and so I submit myself to You in every area of my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

— Joel & Victoria Osteen

[Joel Osteen Ministries]

Confusion over the adoption of parliamentary candidates in the Patriotic Front has continued with youths in Munali constituency rejecting the adoption of Professor Nkandu Luo.

Munali is the latest seat where cadres have rejected the party’s preferred candidates.

In Kalulushi former Mine Workers Union of Zambia President Rayford Mbulu has been rejected, while candidates for Chifubu and Bwana Mkubwa in Ndola have also been rejected.

The youths from Munali who stormed ZNBC Saturday morning prefer Eric Chanda who they say is the best candidate to win the seat.

The youths were led by Kalingalinga ward Publicity Secretary, Jackson Chilufya and Vice Treasurer, Christopher Chanda.

The two ward officials have told ZNBC News that Eric Chanda has worked with the people at the grassroots and deserves to contest the Munali seat.

The PF has concluded its adoptions but is yet to publicly announce its candidates.

On Friday, cadres from Kalulushi Constituency on the Copperbelt protested against the adoption of Ryaford Mbulu as the parliamentary candidate.

The cadres who stormed ZNBC Kitwe studios gave the party leadership a two day ultimatum to reverse its decision over the adoption of Mr. Mbulu.

But PF Secretary General Wynter Kabimba has maintained that the decision of the party central committee is final.

Mr Kabimba has described the youths as indisciplined and not genuine members of the party.

PF Vice President Dr Guy Scott also lambasted the cadres that protested over adoption of Kalulsuhi candidate Rayford Mbulu and accused them of not being genuine members of the party.

Dr Scott also accused ZNBC of being hostile and said it was not true that PF Members could go to ZNBC to protest against the adoption of Mr Mbulu.

He told ZNBC News in Kitwe in a telephone interview that the alleged PF cadres that stormed the ZNBC studios in Kitwe were not members of the PF.

He said genuine PF members could not go to ZNBC for coverage.

[ZNBC]