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The war that Zambia must fight and win

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File:A dormitory in a boarding school in rural Zambia

By Charles Mwewa(Author:Zambia – Struggles of My People)

Rafeeah Mulla, a Grade Nine pupil at International School of Lusaka,in a Zambia Daily Mail newspaper clip of Saturday, November 5th, 2011 titled, “Zambia, 50 Years from Now,” laments:

Zambia`s current population is thirteen million. I estimate that fifty years from now it may double to twenty-six million; putting enormous strain on our meagre resources, such as food, clothing, hospitals,
infrastructure and so on. To keep up with our increasing population,Zambia needs to have a much larger economic growth rate than it has had in the last fifty years, especially if it wants to enjoy a better
living standard in 2061 which I know we can achieve, if we are really determined.

The astute student goes on and prescribes the parameters necessary to enable Zambia emerge as a strong nation in terms of its economy and democracy: “For us to advance, we need a safe and peaceful country.” Mulla then praises the efforts the country has made in developing democratic institutions and cultural edifices which collectively will and has continued to define Zambia as a free and accommodating nation.

On September 25th, 2011, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon hailed Zambia for setting “an example for the rest of Africa and the wider world about how power can be transferred peacefully.” In fact,Zambia has been transferring power smoothly and peacefully since its creation in 1964. The UN Chief was on record for having chided other African nations to emulate Zambia in allowing democracy to flourish. [pullquote]despite Zambia being placed as one of the favourable recipients of donor aid in poverty reduction programmes,there was nothing tangible to show for it in terms of bettering the lives of the majority poor[/pullquote]

However, as it is often mused, democracy has been a feature of the African social mosaic even in pre-colonial days. The yardstick for measuring democracy in Africa has always been the Westernised concept
of freedom and democratization, which have often been the holding of “free and fair” elections and the nudge for freedoms and other fundamental human rights to be deeply entrenched into the political fabric of the nation. That, truly, is commendable and even attractive at best. But what has been overlooked is the fact that democracy or good governance has not been African predominant problem.

Social and economic indicators in so-called war-torn African states and the peaceful nations are not any different. It will be imprudent to farce that Nigeria, for example which has had a good share of coups
since its independence, lags Zambia in terms of economic development.The 54 states of Africa all have had one aspect of political or military struggle or the other. They all are, to a larger extent,products of a colonial past, a past imbued with tribal disruptions and political insipidity. That said, it cannot be construed as a blame-balm for Africa`s future problems.

The past, notwithstanding, Africa`s biggest problem is poverty, and this has nothing to do with what happened in the colonial or post-colonial eras. Those eras, of course, contributed, but cannot be used as an ante for harangue. In fact, unfortunate events like colonialism should now equip Africa to deal with future problems effectively. Credit must be given to African leaders for trying to run their governments under very difficult circumstances, but more can and must be done. There can never be any excuse for poverty – it dehumanises the soul and pulverises a people`s best intentions.

The current government in Zambia, in the run-up to the September 20th,2011 elections recognised poverty as “Zambia`s biggest problem.” Dr. Guy Scott, now Vice-president of the Republic of Zambia, is on
record as having said that, “ordinary Zambians had been left out of the current growth in the country.” In Zambia, despite the enormous economic spurts boosted by increased copper production, the conditions
of the common person have not changed.[pullquote]Poverty is inimical to a people`s future well-being; it is a
nation`s enemy number one, and as such it must be combatted and defeated at all costs. Corruption, abuse of resources and neglect of industries which have been cited as causes of poverty in Zambia, are,in fact, the symptoms of poverty, and not the causes of it[/pullquote]

This is a norm, so it seems,regardless of which government is in power. Of course, there are those who think, erroneously, that under Kenneth Kaunda Zambia performed very well in economic terms. But this is only a case of short-sightedness, as Kaunda himself was defeated in the elections in 1991 because the people, and the International Financial Institutions,then, observed that the only remedy to the precarious Zambian economic facia was the Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAPs). SAPs had become anathema, a case of throwing the baby with the water.

In the wake of the Euro Crisis in 2011-2012, such theorising has been taken by events. SAPs regime is no longer seen as a panacea to Africa`s, and indeed Europe`s, decaying economic conditions. The two late Zambian presidents, Frederick Chiluba and Levy Mwanawasa, introduced economic liberalism in Zambia. Under this economic framework, the socialistic regime of Kaunda was replaced by one of free-market competition. Those who depended on hand-outs became the real victims of the new economic structure. Kaunda was no longer there to dish out cooking oil, mealie meal and so on.

Under the Rupiah Banda`s regime, people still recognised poverty as the biggest problem. Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) challenged former president Banda to make poverty a priority in the Post of Thursday, March 31st, 2011. And Marylyn Celli, a governance advocate, was bemused that despite Zambia being placed as one of the favourable recipients of donor aid in poverty reduction programmes,there was nothing tangible to show for it in terms of bettering the lives of the majority poor.

Indeed, each year, Zambia and many other African countries, receive aid from donor governments and the
co-operating partners. But poverty, for which majority of these funds is acquired, never seem to rescind; the people are not better than before aid was acquired.

The University of Zambia (UNZA) student body have been challenging governments to explain their plans for ending poverty in Zambia. Kelvin Chitala, one of the UNZA Student Union leaders once said that, “Zambians were in need of a government that would champion poverty eradication countrywide.” This,unfortunately, has been a song for many years since Zambia attained to its political independence.

Zambia has a problem of poverty. According to Marcos Rodrigues, Cuban Foreign Deputy Minister, “Africa has enough talent to solve the continent`s problems.” And what President Michael Sata calls the “fruits of independence” can only be prosperity, which has eluded the Zambian people for over 40 years. Indeed, like former Bank of Zambia Governor, Dr. Caleb Fundanga, said, “Disparities between the rich and the poor will exist,” however, this should not deter the Zambian governments from fighting this scourge.

Of course, corruption is a sister problem to poverty, but poverty supersedes corruption. In many cases, it is poverty which breeds corruption. Curbing poverty is the first step towards eradicating corruption.

African institutions have not been strengthened enough to attain to a system of imbedded checks and balances, like the West have. And the war that must be fought and won should be poverty, even before fighting other national scourges. Poverty is inimical to a people`s future well-being; it is a
nation`s enemy number one, and as such it must be combatted and defeated at all costs. Corruption, abuse of resources and neglect of industries which have been cited as causes of poverty in Zambia, are,in fact, the symptoms of poverty, and not the causes of it.

The cancer that is eating up Zambia is poverty. It must be fought with all the might that government possesses. President Michael Sata and his government must ensure that their fight is the fight against
poverty. The dignity of the people of Zambia depends on it. The future of Zambia relies on it. And the sanity of a people is in pursuance to it. Poverty is Zambia`s enemy number one, and it must be conquered at
all cost!

Lusaka High Court orders Police not to interfere with UPND Sunday public rally in Kanyama

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The Lusaka High court has given a court order to the Zambia police restraining them from interfering with the planned UPND political rally scheduled to take place tomorrow in Lusaka’s Kanyama area at Twashuka Basic School grounds.

This means that the UPND rally will go ahead without the presence of the police.

Mr. Siakalima told QFM news last evening that lawyers representing the UPND had contested the matter in court after the Zambia police Lusaka division attempted to stop the rally from taking place.

Earlier Zambia Police had insisted they will not allow the United Party for National Development (UPND) to hold their scheduled rally in Lusaka’s Kanyama area on Sunday. Police spokesperson Elizabeth Kanjela said the rally had been cancelled for security concerns.

Ms Kanjela said in a statement yesterday that police had formally informed UPND officials and members and advised them not to attend the rally. She warned that police would arrest anyone who would attempt to attend the rally, and charge them with unlawful assembly.

“We therefore advise all those intending to attend not to do so. Whoever will act contrary to this advice will be arrested and charged with unlawful assembly,” Ms Kanjela said.

Earlier, Lusaka police commissioner Solomon Jere said the meeting cannot take place because police have a shortage of manpower after deploying police officers to beef up security at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, where the Zambia national soccer team is playing Uganda for the Africa Cup qualifier today.

But UPND president Hakainde Hichilema said that the move was an act of suppression by the authorities. Mr Hichilema said in an interview that police had no excuse to cancel the meeting because the two events are scheduled for different days.

He wondered why police initially granted the party a permit to hold the meeting, yet they were aware about the match today.

“The football match is on Saturday [today] and our meeting is tomorrow, why should they cancel our meeting on Sunday? This is suppression. Why should we be denied an opportunity to have a rally on Sunday when football is being played a day before?” he asked.

[Zambia Daily Mail/QFM]

Lusaka PF youths condemn MISA

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PF Youths
PF Youths

 

PATRIOTIC Front (PF) youths in Lusaka have backed their Copperbelt counterparts’ stance on the alleged partisan activities by the Media Institute for Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia.

In a statement issued in Lusaka yesterday, PF Lusaka Province youth chairperson Kennedy Kamba said the reaction by MISA Zambia that it condemned William Banda’s alleged attempt to ‘kill’ a journalist to the outside world raises questions.

Mr Kamba wondered why MISA Zambia never issued a statement to the local media as well as it did when the police teargased United Party for National Development cadres at Lusaka Central police station recently.

“Secondly, what is MISA Zambia’s primary interest? Is it to defend a defenceless journalist or an opposition party cadre? It is clear that MISA Zambia lacks credibility. The current free media environment in the country is because of the PF’s good policies and has nothing to do with MISA Zambia,” he said.

He challenged MISA Zambia to be truthful to both the public and its sponsors, Irish Aid, on issues of accountability.

Mr Kamba said MISA Zambia should explain to its donors and the nation why some of its board members have allegedly not been retiring imprest and explain how it has been using donor funds.

“We also know that while MISA Zambia is trying to discredit government, it has been engaging in illegalities by not complying with statutory requirements such as submission and payment of annual returns,” he said.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

UPND challenges ZANACO to explain HH’s account information leak

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Siavonga MP Douglas Siakalima
Siavonga MP Douglas Siakalima

The United Party for National Development (UPND) has challenged ZANACO to explain how information about its leader’s K360 billion wealth found itself in the public domain.

UPND presidential advisor Douglas Siakalima says ZANACO should explain how the information about Mr. Hichilema which is supposed to be confidential found itself in the public domain.

He added that Mr. Hichilema as a client of ZANACO is entitled to confidentiality of his account information.

He stated that the release of information on Mr. Hichilema’s account at ZANACO is likely to cause loss of public confidence in the commercial bank by other clients.

Mr. Siakalima in an Interview with QFM News said that government’s information on how much money Mr. Hichilema has in his account could only have been accessed using state machinery.

He added that it is therefore illogical for the PF government to claim that the document indicating how much wealth Mr. Hichilema has was made available by one of the UPND members of parliament.

Mr. Siakalima has further challenged the government to explain what was seditious was about the document that was circulated to the media indicating how much wealth the UPND has.

And Mr. Siakalima has further wondered why President Michael Sata has started questioning Mr. Hichilema wealth when the economic environment in the country favors entrepreneurship.

He added that President Sata should be seen to be a leader that promotes wealth creation among Zambian citizens rather than pointing accusing fingers on hardworking individuals such as Mr. Hichilema.

QFM

Police to investigate the tearing of the draft constitution in Mongu and arrest perpetrators

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Western Province Zambia Army Commander and next to him Western Province Police Commissioner Fanwell Siandenge following the proceeding to the Barotse National Council in Limulunga Royal Village in Mongu today.

Police in Mongu have begun interrogating leaders of the Barotse Freedom Movement over Thursday’s protest in which some of their members tore copies of the Draft Constitution.

Western Province Police Commissioner Fanwell Siandenge says arrests will be effected once interrogations are concluded.

And Mr Siandenge has warned Barotse activists against pushing their luck too far by engaging in activities that have potential to disrupt peace and unity.

He has warned that people found wanting will face the wrath of the law because no citizen is above the law.

Mr Siandenge has also warned people of Western province to resist schemes of some individuals pursuing political motives.

A group of Barotse activists on Thursday tore copies of the draft constitution at the door step of the District Commissioner’s office.

And Mongu central Member of Parliament Nathaniel Mubukwanu has called for the arrest of Barotse activists who destroyed copies of the draft constitution on Thursday.

Mr. Mubukwanu who is Youth and Sport Deputy Minister has said that the mere act of destroying copies of the constitution amounts to a serious offence because the document is government property.

He told ZNBC news in a telephone interview that the action by the Barotse activist is inexcusable.

The Member of Parliament also notes that no one is being forced to participate in the constitution making process.

Mr. Mubukwanu has warned perpetrators of Thursday’s actions not to take government’s patience too far.

And PF youth leaders in Lusaka have demanded the arrest of people who tore copies of the Draft Constitution in Mongu on Thursday.

Lusaka Province Youth Chairman Kennedy Kamba has said that the party is disturbed by the conduct of the Barotse activists.

Mr. Kamba has told ZNBC news in Lusaka that actions of the Barotse activists border on treason.

[ZNBC]

Magande ready to provide facts on RSZ Concession Agreement of 2003

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FORMER Minister of Finance and National Planning Ng’andu Magande
FORMER Minister of Finance and National Planning Ng’andu Magande

Former Finance Minister, Ng’andu Magande has called on President Michael Sata to constitute a commission of enquiry into the Zambia Railways Concession Agreement of 2003.

Magande who signed the agreement on behalf of government, says he is ready to give information regarding the concession, once called upon.

He says as a former custodian of government property, he is obliged to put the record straight.

Mr. Magande has told ZNBC news that it is important for government and the public to know and understand issues surrounding the concession agreement.

And Railway Systems of Zambia Chief Executive Officer, Benjamin Even has said his organization is committed to discussing and clarifying the various issues over the concession agreement.

Mr. Even has told ZNBC in a statement that his organisation will respect the process to be determined by the government.

On Wednesday, President Michael Sata directed newly appointed Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba to revisit the Railway System Concession agreement.

ZNBC

New videos by Chiko Wise and Bobby Jay

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Chiko Wise released a video for the song “Shintwala” that features Afunika 

Bobby Jay released a video for the song “Vene Bakamba”(Ma Fans) .

By Kapa187

President Sata dares RSZ to sue him , confers State Counsel (SC) title on Wynter Kabimba

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President Michael Sata has dared Railway Systems of Zambia to go ahead and serve him with writs of summon.

On Wednesday, President Sata directed Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba to use all legal means at his disposal to return Zambia Railways to the rightful owners the Zambians.

President Sata says he is aware of the threats and is patiently waiting for the writs of summons.

And President Sata has instructed Justice Minister Winter Kabimba to ensure that problems being faced by prisons in the country are addressed.

He notes that it is difficult for justice to prevail when the Justice department is operating in a deplorable condition.

President Sata says there is need to ensure that citizens do not fear the law but instead need to be protected by the law.

He was speaking at Statehouse this morning when he bestowed Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba with the honor of State Counsel.

And speaking when he received letters of credence from three foreign envoys accredited to Zambia, President Sata cautioned diplomats in the country not to interfere with the country’s internal politics.

President Sata has also advised diplomats to change their habit of visiting him at Statehouse without following the right procedure of going through the ministry of foreign affairs.

The three envoys that presented their letters of credence are Somalia’s Mohamed Hassan Daware, Sifamu In-umoru Momoh of Nigeria and German’s Bernd Finke.

And speaking when he presented his credentials, Germany Ambassador to Zambia, Bernd Finke disclosed that a group of German businessmen is in the next few months expected in the country to explore more investment opportunities.

QFM

Bittersweet Poetry : Poems of the week by Alastair Wallace ,Lee Stewart ,Patrick Nakalonga

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HER WAY AROUND (Script off; DRUGS, ALCOHOL AND BAD HEALTH) by Alastair Wallace

She stood in front of me

She understood my wants and needs

She took my arms and knees

She mistook my food for feed

 

Indeed She saw me, I touched her and her neck twist

She gave a sigh, a breath I failed to resist

The sweat on her curves is something no man could miss

She started to say words that made me be… Be!

 

Betrayed by her bodily fluids

Sipped them drop by drop until I felt stupid

A feeling I enjoyed feeling until it got me ruined

I emptied her body while she emptied my soul… slow

 

Agony is finding your life completely obliterated at the bottom of a bottle

But I love her

She taught me the social life

She gave me the night lights

She showed me that courage is a shot of scotch

Beer or whiskey, bear with me if the times right… But I love her

 

Even after she throws me away and calls me a Has-Been

With a headache and she whispers “grab an aspirin”

Two days of my life wasted on a night

Two days she took away from my life

 

I Guess Alcohol Has Its Way Around

I have been around

WE NEED SOME SOUL SEARCHING… THE TIME IS NOW!

 

 

THE SILENT TRUTH by Lee Stewart

You prefer that silent I stay,

The truth you cant handle or obey,

Though happy to live a life of slavery,

Life is too political.

Where now is there sanctuary,

Without obstacle.

 

By the truth down you feel dragged,

Its easier to believe the lie the trap,

Lazy minds fight me yet wont fight back,

The noose they live by.

You too might as well make a pact,

So yourself can self apply.

 

To the world torture chamber,

Increasing hardship and the danger,

Will you rest your head in a manger,

When your homeless too.

Would you happily sleep with a stranger,

There’s believing in the government for you.

 

And when your religions come to fail,

For you believe the material world has the right to sail,

Its ship of slaves who work tooth and nail,

Do their cries too upset?

For when you try to silence out my wail,

I too am subject.

 

Bills need paying so does the tax,

You know what I’m saying yet ignore the facts,

To continue your miserable life that lacks,

Value and equality.

Here comes the law with unworthy maths,

You’re now sold property.

 

Live aye for a time you will,

Wanting more from life yet stand still,

Sit and wait to be killed,

While others die.

What a fine world you’ve all helped to build,

Sick am I?

 

Disgusted too would serve fit,

How can you say life is what you make it,

Blindly letting go of all that’s sacred,

Do slaves have a choice?

Surely God didn’t give us the world for them to rape it,

What have I but my voice.

 

My word my chance to rise,

To speak the truth that ignites,

A volume to which you close your eyes,

The worlds made me sick.

At all the suffering pain and lies,

How are you well in a world that’s toxic.

 

Ignorance is bliss oh is it now,

You’re stronger yes so deeper you plough,

Without a care or even how,

Today came to be.

To your masters I will not bow,

God walk with me.

 

I’ll spin a tale a record new,

Of the truth a classic which to,

The spirit of the earth can sing for you,

Of hope and faith.

From the heart where love gives us our due,

A new road I’ll pave.

 

I’ll go with God and you your sins,

My own world I’ll walk into the heavens,

Continuing to believe love can make a difference,

While you fools take chase.

After gold and sex with serpents,

A sad disgrace.

 

For each and all I’ll say a prayer,

To the slain and to the slayer,

The innocent the lost and self betrayer,

When God does come.

May evil be vanquished and from its deepest layer,

Gods will be done.

 

And at that by God not by man,

Not he who builds hope with sand,

Or he who foolishly casts his hand,

Over the world whole.

Should God the great creator command,

Please save my soul.

 

 “D” By Patrick Nakalonga

Drawn with no Duress, but simply by the Desire to Deliver, he Descended from heaven to be Delivered in a most Demeaning fashion. He was Dipped in water and the spirit came Down upon him in the form of a Dove as a sign that the battle to Defeat the Defeated and bridge the Divide had begun.

The Devil was Daring and Disrespectfully Diabolical in his plan to Dethrone his majesty. He Debuted his Deception by Divulging Data to the blinded Damsel called Eve. She Digested the forbidden Delicacy that Disqualified man from his Destiny. Drenched in sin and Dealt a swift punishment, man was Discarded from the Divine’s paradise but not Disowned by the one true Deity.

Like Daniel in the Den, man was thrown among the wild, but he Did not let us get Devoured. All this courtesy of a life that seemed Delectable when the woman was Duped by the Debonair Demon to Delve into knowledge unknown. Man became Dilettante as a result of his failure to be Demure and thus became Devoid of his Decorous unveiling and was now worthy of God’s Diatribe.

God wanted man to be Dextrorotatory so he Drew us close through the lamb that had nails Driven into the form he was Draped in. Through the sacrifice of his flesh, we were Delivered.

By Kapa187

Uganda Arrive For Zambia Clash

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Uganda have arrived ahead of tomorrow’s Africa Cup qualifier against Zambia.

The Cranes landed at 09:30 at Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport on a Air Uganda MD87 plane.

Uganda coach said at Kapwepwe Airport that he was hoping for a positive result against Zambia.

“Zambia are the champions of this continent and rightly so and we shall give them the utmost respect,” Williamson said.

“They have a very talented coach we expect a very, very tough game.”

These guys are the champions and if we don’t play as well as we can it will be a very difficult for us.”

The Scotsman comes armed with a respectively good record against both Zambia and coach Herve Renard.

Uganda beat Angola 3-0 in Kampala in Renard last game in charge of the Palancas Negras two years ago during a 2012 Africa Cup qualifiers.

Zambia were also held to s scoreless draw by Uganda in a friendly played in Kampala in August in what was Renard’s successors Dario Bonetti’s first game in charge.

The Zambian spirit in Pictures

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1.

Police officers asking a PF cadre to back-off from the Supreme Court entrance
Courteous-Police officers asking a PF cadre to back-off from the Supreme Court entrance

2.

LIKUMBI Lya Mize dancers, including Mimosa Lindahl (c) from Finland entertaining guests
Accomodating-LIKUMBI Lya Mize dancers, including Mimosa Lindahl (c) from Finland entertaining guests

3.

childlabour
Strong-AN unidentified child labourer spotted at Buseko market ferrying large bags of stock feed in Lusaka

4.

mobjustice
Just-AN instant justice mob mating out punishiment on a man suspected of pickpocketing along Freedom Way in Lusak

5.

unemployed youth
Perservance- unemployed youth

6.

Power hungry -Tug of war… two toddlers fight for the ball during weekend games in Lusaka

7.

Humour-President Sata hoists the AFCON trophy at State House while Former President Rupiah Banda shares a light moment with First lady Christine Kaseba

8.

Creative:Two women using a mosquito net to catch fish in Mongu. It is illegal to fish using a mosquito net

9.

Family-A Sinazongwe fisherman with his children on Lake Kariba

10.

Football lovers-A football fans being painted in national colours

11.

Multitasker-A policewoman on horseback salutes

12.

Destiny-A Proud Zambian moment ,Africa cup of nations 2012

13.

Dare-devils- Safety wasn’t an issue as the these fans clambered onto a billboard….the only thing on their minds was catching a glimpse of the Chipolopolo buys and the AFCON trophy

14.

Not too fussy about regulations-Soccer fans run to the aircraft  carrying the Chipolopolo Boys on arrival at KK International Airport in Lusaka

15.

street vending in cha cha cha road
Resourceful-street vending in cha cha cha road

16.

Supportive- Former President Banda comforts Vera Chiluba

17.

marketeer
Hardworking – A marketeer cycling to market

18.

workshop
Bureaucratic – Civil Servants attending a workshop

19.

quarrying
Informal employment-Some people in Lusaka engage in illegal quarrying to earn a living

20.

An enterprising youth selling ground nuts on the sidelines of the Youth Day march past
Enterprising- A woman selling ground nuts

21.

Self belief-Some entreprising youths engage in carpentry at Mandevu market in Lusaka.

22.

Social- Some Lusaka residents take time off their busy schedules to interact during the weekend.

23.

Cheerful-A woman with a big smile captured carrying food from a take away near the Zambia-Mozambique border

24.

Sensational-Female boxing champion  Esther Phiri shows of her medals

25.

Responsible-Children collecting water at a hand drawn pump

26.

laugh
Love to laught-Split your sides with laughter… Two men laughing at jokes made by a couple of clowns in Nyimba

27.

Traditional- A group of women going to deliver Matebeto to a would be husband

Zambia Daily Mail enters agreement with Iran

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The Zambia Daily Mail and Tehran Times have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in which the two newspapers will share contents in their publications.

Tehran Times is a daily newspaper published in Iran.

The MoU was signed in Lusaka yesterday between Zambia Daily Mail managing director Isaac Chipampe and Tehran Times director general Reza Moghadasi.

The two companies have agreed to reprint each other’s editorial content at no cost provided that the reprinted material is credited.

The agreement, which is effective yesterday, will run for three years and is subject to renewal upon expiry.
The Zambia Daily Mail and Tehran Times have also agreed to support each other’s staff by assigning them to either country to gather information in technical and other aspects to improve their skills and widen their scientific knowledge.

Zambia Daily Mail managing director Isaac Chipampe said the MoU is great news as the two newspapers, operating in different regions, will benefit from news and features that they may not have come across.

“As Daily Mail, this is a milestone, and as you know there is so much news in Iran and the Middle East that we shall benefit from. We are also anxious that as time goes on, our journalists will have short stints at the TT and they, too, can come and have a feel of Zambian journalism,” Mr Chipampe said.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

MISA Zambia dismisses claims of being a political appendage

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File picture: PF youth marching in Independence road 2009

MISA Zambia would like to dismiss claims by the Copperbelt Province Youth Secretary Kabwe Chanda alleging that the institution has abandoned its core role of promoting media freedom and has instead started operating as an appendage to political interests.

MISA Zambia would like to state from the onset that it does not align itself to any political party but focuses on promoting and championing freedom of expression, media freedom and access to information.

We believe that this criticism is meant to divert its attention from the recent sad developments around media freedom and freedoms of expression violations including the harassment of UNZA radio and Hone FM.

[pullquote]

We would like to put it on record that the PF Government is one of the beneficiaries of MISA Zambia platforms. Before the PF assumed office, the party was featured on MISA Zambia programmes when they could not access the public media

 

[/pullquote]Accusations of this nature, however are not new to MISA Zambia as such was the similar scenario under the MMD regime. Last year the late former Vice-President George Kunda accused MISA-Zambia of being biased and were accused of supporting PF.

We would like to put it on record that the PF Government is one of the beneficiaries of MISA Zambia platforms. Before the PF assumed office, the party was featured on MISA Zambia programmes when they could not access the public media.

Infact the PF director of media and publicity who is also a former MISA Zambia employee Chanda Mfula can attest to this.

The nation and the PF Government are free to check the MISA-Zambia website where media alerts indicate the various statements the institution has issued each time there are issues of harassments of journalists, the recent one being for UPND member William Banda where he beat up a scribe.

We would like to urge the government to fully implement media law reforms to provide for media freedom by fully implementing media law reforms and also repealing pieces of legislation that impede freedom of expression, media freedom and access to information which are critical cornerstones for good governance and an efficient democratic system.

MISA Zambia Chairperson
Nalumino Nalumino

Barotseland Activists tear up draft constitutional booklets in Mongu

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File picture: Youth Protesting in Mongu

Over 60 irate Barotseland Activist yesterday stormed Mongu District Administration Office and tore up over 500 copies of the Silozi draft constitutional booklets.

The angry mob that was lead by famous Barotseland activist Mulasiwkanda Chazele tore the booklets in front of the district commissioner’s office and were shouting and insulting the district commissioner stressing that Barotseland would not participate in any constitutional consultations of the Zambian constitution.

“We have told you to leave us alone, we are no longer a part of Zambia therefore this draft constitution consultative process is not part of us, Masipa ahao” (your faeces in English) one of them stressed whiles tearing a booklet.

Meanwhile, Mongu District Commissioner Morris Litula told Journalists at the scene that the draft constitution booklets torn in front of his office are suspected to be the ones that were distributed to the palace, the Kuta and area Chiefs in the district.

Mr Litula however said the constitutional consultative process will still go ahead because Mongu just like other districts in Western Province are still a part of Zambia.

“What I can only say for now is that the consultation process still goes ahead, because these are not the only copies we submitted in the district and we are still in Zambia” said the DC.

And when contacted for a comment veteran Barotseland activist Mulasikwanda Chazele refused to talk to the media in the presence of ZANIS saying he did not trust government media.

“I will not give any statement in front of these ZANIS people they are government and I don’t trust them, last time I gave them a story and I saw it on ZNBC they were showing my picture but the voice that was speaking was not mine” alleged Mulasikwanda.

PF accuse MISA of losing the plot and urge donors to cut the funding to the organisation

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MISA-Zambia Chairperson, Daniel Sikazwe
MISA-Zambia Chairperson, Daniel Sikazwe

THE Patriotic Front (PF) on the Copperbelt says it is disappointed that some media bodies have allegedly abandoned their role of promoting media freedom to champion political interests.

The party has called on donors to re-consider their financial support to such organisations, saying they are overstepping their bounds.

Provincial youth chairperson Kabwe Chanda says Zambians are concerned that the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia has remained mute on the assault of Muvi Televison cameraperson Lloyd Kapusa.

“Donors are funding a façade for a political establishment, which is fighting the PF government to achieve aims that have nothing to do with media freedom,” Mr Chanda said, “there is no doubt that in its current form and leadership, MISA Zambia lacks the necessary credibility to support meaningful media reforms in this country.”

But MISA vice-chairperson Nalumino Nalumino has dismissed the claims, saying the institution shall not play politics with anyone.

Mr Kapusa was assaulted by William Banda, the special advisor to the United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema.

Mr Kapusa, however, opted to settle the matter outside court after Mr Banda offered to pay him K30 million even though the case, which is now against the state, has not been withdrawn from court.

Mr Chanda said unlike in Mr Kapusa’s case, MISA was quick to condemn police when UPND cadres were tear-gassed in Lusaka.

“MISA Zambia’s anti-PF stance is very well documented. Prior to last year’s elections, this organisation chose to ignore the PF’s concerns about the abuse of the public media by the MMD, but when PF barred ZNBC from covering its national conference because of such concerns, MISA Zambia was quick to condemn the PF,” Mr Chanda said.

He said MISA Zambia has not publicly commented on the alleged defamatory documentaries by Chanda Chimba III against President Sata, and The Post managing editor Fred M’membe.

He said donors must reconsider funding MISA Zambia because they are not carrying out their mandate objectively.

Mr Chanda said donors such as Irish Aid must take interest in knowing how their funds are used at MISA Zambia and reconsider their partnership with the organisation.

“It is public knowledge that for a long time, several annual audit reports have revealed serious financial mismanagement in MISA Zambia. I challenge MISA Zambia to come out clean on these concerns,” he said.

But Mr Nalumino said in an interview yesterday that MISA had issued a statement on the assault of Mr Kapusa which was widely circulated and copied to the regional office.

He said it is not true that MISA has remained mute on the issue, saying it cannot comment further because the matter is in court.

On calls for donors to reconsider funding MISA, Mr Nalumino said the institution is accountable and transparent in its dealings and that donors are privy to the details of its expenditure.

“MISA is an organisation of integrity…We are accountable for the funding the organisation receives,” Mr Nalumino said.

[Zambia Daily Mail]