“Jock of the Bushveld”, South Africa’s first 3-D movie, set to enchant global audiences with the world’s favourite dog story

Hollywood came to Johannesburg this week for the world premiere of South Africa’s first fully 3-D animated movie, Jock of the Bushveld. And the movie goes on release in Zambia on Friday, July 29, at Sterkinekor cinema, Arcades, Lusaka.

Five years in the making, the film tells the true story of a brave dog’s adventures and is set to enchant global audiences while showcasing South Africa’s burgeoning animation and film industry.

With Hollywood stars Donald Sutherland, Ted Danson, Helen Hunt and Canadian rocker Bryan Adams joining forces with South Africa’s world-class animators, a whole new generation will be thrilled by the dog that brings a little bit of South African heart to fans everywhere.

‘Jock’ has captured the hearts of millions ever since Sir Percy Fitzpatrick first wrote about the plucky dog’s escapades in the South African bush over 100 years ago.

Jock of the Bushveld is directed and produced by South African Duncan MacNeillie. The stellar cast of voices is supported by Nobel Laureate Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu who gives spiritual guidance to Jock as the voice of Tata, while acclaimed musician Johnny Clegg provides the stirring soundtrack. The film’s personalities are dominated by international stars including Donald Sutherland as the movie’s narrator, Bryan Adams voicing Jock, Helen Hunt who is the voice of Jock’s mother Jess, and Ted Danson.

“Jock of the Bushveld gives South Africa an opportunity to promote the development of our film industry and to tell our stories. We are really excited to see this industry continuing to grow and flourish,” said Miller Matola, CEO of Brand South Africa. “We have the skills, expertise, creativity and capacity to create internationally-recognised film and animation right here in South Africa. Possibility, diversity and creativity is what South Africa and its film industry stands for.”

According to Matola, the film is a prime example of how the creative industries can be a source of foreign direct investment for South Africa, who said the country’s skill base, culture and heritage made it uniquely positioned to be a leader in world-class film production. Additionally, the film and television industry is a contributor to overall job creation, generating jobs both directly in the industry but also in support sectors.
Matola concluded by saying that the film and television industry is important to South Africa as it plays a central role in communicating ideas, information and opinions: “On a cultural level, it provides us as Africans with a global forum to tell our stories and demonstrate our excellence to each other and the world. That is why South Africa has identified the film and television industry in our latest Industrial Policy Action Plan as a sector to be grown and supported.”
Jock of the Bushveld premiered in South Africa on 19 July 2011.

FINANCE Bank Zambia has instructed SNB legal practitioners to recover US$4,208,938,28 from Mines Air Services Limited, trading as Zambian Airways and its directors over a debt that they guaranteed.

The debt was guaranteed by the Post Newspaper Limited JNC Holdings?Limited under the signatures of Fred Mmembe, Mutembo Nchito and Nchima Nchito.

According to a letter addressed to the Zambian Airways receiver a Mr Kieran Day of Kenya, the debt has been outstanding and now Finance Bank would like to recover the amounts.”We have been retained as advocates for Finance Bank Zambia in the matter and therefore note our interest.

“FBZ has instructed us to formally demand from Mines Air Services Limited T/A Zambian Airways (in receivership) due payment of US$4,208,938 outstanding balance on accounts held by Mines Air Services Limited,” reads a letter dated July 20, 2011 and signed by Mr Sunday Nkonde and obtained by the Times.

According to the letter the payment has to be made in 10 days from the date of the letter.According to the letter the company through Escrow fuel had a balance of US$2,096,842,68 and US$5,112,095,60 on the main overdraft account.

The amount is less the subject of the case between FBZ and Development Bank of Zambia of US$3,000, 000, 000, 00.

And THE Committee of Citizens says Post Newspapers Proprietor Fred M’membe, Mutembo Nchito and his brother Nchima should honour the debt they owe Finance Bank Zambia (FBZ).

Committee executive director Gregory Chifire said it is only proper that the trio pay back the debt because it can go a long way to improve the lives of Zambians.

He said in Lusaka yesterday that it is surprising that the trio have not paid their debt when they have been calling on others, including government, to be transparent in their dealings.

“Development Bank of Zambia (DBZ) money is the people’s money and when people borrow from banks, it is only prudent that they pay back so that others can benefit from the same resources,” Mr Chifire said.

Mr Chifire said the trio should also tell the nation what they did with the money they borrowed from FBZ because it would appear that the finances were not put to good use.

He said the money which the trio borrowed can go a long way in boosting the economy if put to good use.

“US$4 million when properly invested can contribute to economic growth. Therefore, it is only imperative that the money is paid back,” Mr Chifire said.

Mr Chifire said the Mr M’membe and the Nchito brothers should not be politicise the matter because it is purely commercial.

FBZ is demanding over US$4 million from Mr M’membe and the Nchito brothers of JCN Holding Limited, as outstanding balance held by the defunct Zambian Airways at the bank.

Efforts to reach Mr M’membe proved futile at press time.

[Times of Zambia]

President Banda has reiterated that he will only announce the election date when all logistics are in place, to avoid election hiccups.

President Banda said this when he addressed a mammoth rally at Comet Grounds in Kabwe yesterday that Zambians should judge the MMD based on the achievements it has scored.

President Banda said he will not succumb to pressure and make a premature announcement before all logistics are in place.

“They want me to announce the election date but I have said that I will not make that announcement until all logistics are in place because we are trying to avoid hiccups during polls,” Mr Banda said.

He said he wants Zambians to express themselves through free, fair and peaceful elections.

Mr Banda also Zambians to vote for the MMD in this year’s general elections based on its record of achievement which has transformed the country economically.

“I urge you all Zambians to judge us by what we have done for the country. Do not listen to what the opposition is saying. We want to continue to build on our achievements,” he said.

Mr Banda said the MMD is building schools, hospitals and health centres and rehabilitating and constructing roads across the country from Livingstone to Chililabombwe.

He said the ruling party is determined to ensure that Zambia is self- sufficient in food supply and will continue to provide farming inputs for the country to maintain bumper harvests.

“We’ve been able to record bumper harvests in agriculture for two consecutive years and we are building more houses, hospitals, health centres and roads. These are the things people want to have in their communities and my party will continue developing the country,” President Banda said.

He said when Government embarked on a countrywide rehabilitation of roads from Livingstone to Chililabombwe, some opposition parties opposed the idea without acknowledging that the project is meant to benefit Zambians who want better highways.

Meanwhile, President Banda has challenged the Patriotic Front (PF) to tell the nation what happened at its convention if it is a democratic party as it claims to be.

He said the nation is disappointed with the PF for barring the public media from covering its convention.

“At the MMD convention we held here in Kabwe, we invited all media houses, including those who have specialised in calling me names. Even today, they’re here, young journalists are covering us,” he said.

President Banda said the MMD has managed to change leadership because it is a democratic party and said he would not run for leadership again after 2016.

“I guarantee you that if you elect me in the coming elections, I will relinquish my presidency at the end of my term because I come from a democratic party,” Mr Banda said.

He warned Zambians not to make the mistake of electing Mr Sata because if elected, he would want to die as President and democracy will be destroyed.

Mr Banda said Mr Sata is a vicious person who does not deserve votes in this year’s elections.

On housing empowerment, President Banda said he will not be intimidated by critics and will continue to empower Zambians because he has a contract with them.

He said the various programmes he is implementing such as housing empowerment are merely a fulfilment of the contract Zambia gave him when they elected him in 2008.

“I have a contract with the people of Zambia, which will only end after the elections, and if I win, I will continue. I will remain obedient to you,” Mr Banda said.

The President said he will not rest until Zambians are empowered with houses and land.

“It is only natural that if someone wants to win an election, they have to work for the people. The opposition is now becoming jittery because I have fulfilled most of my campaign promises,” he said.

He said it is out of desperation that the opposition is now claiming that he comes from Malawi and yet he has been a leader since 1964.

“We want this year’s election to be enjoyable. Candidates should talk about facts and what they have done for the people, not name-calling,” he said.

Mr Banda said he hopes Zambians are watching educative programmes like Stand-Up for Zambia which are helping to expose the real characters of people like Mr Sata.

Last night (Thursday) I watched Stand-Up for Zambia, and I am glad we have such programmes which bring out the true character of Mr Sata,” he said.

Mr Banda said the MMD is determined to carry its campaigns across the country so that the ruling party can defend the economic and developmental gains.

At the same rally, UNIP secretary general Jemima Banda and 147 members of the United Party for National Development (UPND) in Kabwe defected to the MMD.

Mr Banda urged MMD members to embrace all the people who are joining the ruling party because they have the democratic rights to join the party.

“These people are merely exercising their right. We don’t expect any genuine MMD members to discriminate against new members,” he said.

He also said MPs from the Patriotic Front, UPND, UNIP and other opposition political parties who have been adopted to stand on the MMD ticket should be supported because their decision to work with the ruling party is meant to unite the country.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

A new political party the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) has been formed.

Announcing at the launch of the party at Lima guest house in Lusaka’s Garden Compound yesterday, party president Bishop Stephen Mwale said the new party will provide the best leadership to the satisfaction of Zambians.

Mr. Mwale said the PRP was formed in 2006 before it was registered in 2007 and called on Zambians to support the new party that will provide good leadership to all the electorates.

He said the PRP will add value and strength so that it shows to the Zambians about what it means to be a Christian nation.

Mr. Mwale said the party will work with the Church, medical fraternity, educationists, and traditional leaders to begin to change the nation for the benefit of Zambians.

He disclosed that the party’s main duty will be to reduce poverty when it begins to preside on the country’s national affairs.

Mr. Mwale appealed to Zambians to support his party as the country goes to polls within two months.

He said Zambians should be careful in the manner they choose leaders if the economic gains achieved so far should be allowed to continue.

The Non Governmental Organizations Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has expressed disappointment at the low number of female parliamentary candidates that have been adopted by the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) stand in this year’s elections.

NGOCC Executive Director Beatrice Grillo says that it is sad to learn that the ruling party has adopted only 19 women out of the 148 parliamentary candidates a number which is far below the SADC and AU gender protocols to which Zambia is a signatory.

Mrs. Grillo says she expected the ruling party to set a good example to other political parties by adopting more women candidates.

Mrs. Grillo says that the failure by MMD to meet the SADC and AU protocols in its adoption of female parliamentary candidates is a mockery to the women of Zambia who constitute 51% of the population.

In a statement made available to QFM today, Mrs. Grillo recalls that since independence, the number of women elected to hold positions of decision making in the political arena in this country has not recorded significant progress due to the low adoption of women at political party level.

She noted that the situation should not be left unchecked and acceptable to the women of Zambia adding that what the ruling party has demonstrated in its adoption process it will be difficult for other political parties to adopt more women.

The NGOCC board chairperson believes that the ruling party has a lot of women who have the credentials to become members of parliament but are not being accorded equal opportunities to participate in this year’s election as candidates.

Meanwhile, the Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) has expressed concern that the ruling party has failed to set a good example of ensuring that more women are adopted to contest this year’s tripartite elections.

FODEP has also observed that the MMD has not adopted any persons with disabilities to contest any constituency based seat.

FODEP executive director McDonald Chipenzi says his organization that is also concerned with the lack of deliberate but effective strategies and mechanisms among political parties aimed at improving women participation in elections.

Mr. Chipenzi says that in as much as political parties desire to field candidates with winning muscles to contest elections in various constituencies, it is imperative that the participation of vulnerable groups, such as women, youths and persons with disabilities, in elections is not compromised.

Mr. Chipenzi has hoped that other political parties who have not yet started the adoption process will seriously consider adopting more women and other vulnerable groups to contest either local government or parliamentary seats in this year’s elections stating that his is the only way Zambia will promote inclusive democracy.

QFM

Dr. Kaunda said today that peace should be preserved as an election is the only means that human beings have the mandate to elect leaders of their choice.

He said Zambians must continue to love one another and preserve the peace that the freedom fighters fought for during independence.

Dr. kaunda said it would stupid for any one to fail to maintain peace during election campaigns.

According to the news Monitored on Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC), Dr Kaunda said Zambians should learn to co-exist despite their political differences.

President Banda says defence forces belong to a noble profession which requires them to be loyal to the country and the government of the day.

Mr. Banda says 2011 is a critical year for Zambia and as such men and women in uniform are expected to remain steadfast, focused and resolute in defending the country.

The President was speaking in Kapiri Friday morning when he officiated at a pass out parade of one thousand 1-hundred and 90 recruits for intake 32 at Lukanga Army battle training area.

Mr. Banda assured the men and women in Uniform that government will ensure that the Defence forces are not left out from the positive economic developments the country is enjoying.

President Banda also praised the defence forces for helping alleviate the suffering of civilians during floods that hit some parts of the country last season.

And Army Commander Lieutenant General Wisdom Lopa says the army has not been left-out by the unprecedented levels of development taking place in the country.

General Lopa says the Army has benefited from the Housing empowerment programme with housing units constructed for officers.

He has also appealed to graduating soldiers to remain non-partisan and support the government of the day.
[ ZNBC ]

The tremor shook the walls and trees in the town centre including villages; Luubwe, Musungwa, Chilyabufu and Masemu around 15:59 hours.

Some residents in Mahungu in Luubwe area in chief Musungwa’s chiefdom ran out of their houses in panic.

Just two weeks ago, strong tremors shook Mozambique and part of Zimbabwe.

The District Disaster Management Committee -DDMC- which carried out a quick assessment has not reported any injuries or substantial damage apart from cracks in some mud houses.

Mr. Shikapwasha also said the adopted Members of Parliament that have been re-adopted under the MMD performed to the expectation of the people and the new ones will be added to the winning team.

He said people should expect the higher performance in the national economy than now once the MMD party bounces back into power.

Mr. Shikapwasha who is also Information and Broadcasting Minister said this in Lusaka yesterday.

United party for national development president Hakainde Hichilema has charged the calls for the resignation of Law Association of Zambia president Musa Mwenye to resign are uncalled for.

Mr. Hichilema says that the calls are uncalled for, stating that the LAZ president was right when he observed the running of the public-media.

Mr. Hichilema says that it is public knowledge that the coverage of the public media works against the majority Zambian people.

He says that pointless to start calling for the resignation of Mr. Mwenye when he was speaking on behalf of the majority Zambians.

Today Times of Zambia reported that a DIE-Hard for RB national coordinator Bowman Lusambo had given Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) president Musa Mwenye a 48-hour ultimatum to come out in the open or resign over the alleged professional misconduct of trying to put undue pressure on the judiciary.

Mr Lusambo said that his organisation would organise demonstrations against Mr Mwenye if he failed to resign.

“We are giving Mr Mwenye a 48-hour ultimatum to come out in the open over allegations of serious professional misconduct that have been revealed by the former secretary general of the Patriotic Front (PF) Mr Edward Mumbi. If he doesn’t resign we shall petition LAZ and organise demonstrations.

“As Die-Hard for RB we are very disappointed with Mr Mwenye over the statements he has been making which are clearly linked to some opposition party,” he said.

He said going by his recent statement, it was unprofessional for Mr Mwenye to try and put undue pressure on the judiciary when he was representing Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) who have sued Chanda Chimba III and Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC).

“This is totally unacceptable and unprofessional conduct by the president of LAZ. We are aware that some of the LAZ members are very unhappy about the misconduct of Mr Mwenye because he is putting its name in ridicule” he said.

And Mr. Hichilema has described the on-going campaigns in northwestern province as a success.

Mr. Hichilema says that it is clear that most Zambians are ripe for change in the coming elections.

He says that the UPND has received overwhelming response in the campaigns they are conducting nationwide.

The UPND leader in an interview with QFM from Northwestern province this morning, Mr. Hichilema has called Zambians to voter for credible leaders in this year’s election.

QFM