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Government has spent about K 13.9 billion for procuring a 4×4 tractor and plough for farmers in Nalikwanda constituency in Mongu District.
Area Member of Parliament Professor Geoffrey Lungwangwa disclosed the development in an interview with ZANIS in Mongu yesterday.
Speaking before the handover, Mr. Lungwangwa said the equipment was bought after the constituency development fund (CDF) committee working with farmers decided to buy a 4×4 tractor plough using the (CDF) money in order to revamp agriculture production in the area.
He said government also offers subsidized fertilizer and seed to all farmers in order to improve agriculture production and make people earn more income to support their families.
Mr. Lungwangwa added that the next phase of development in the area will focus more on women, youth and farmers who will be empowered through cattle farming, chicken rearing and other activities that will make people in the constituency benefit.
He added that government is implementing a number of developmental projects in Nalikwanda constituency and cited some of them as the construction of new schools, clinics, improving feedier roads and clearing of canals.
Mr. Lungwangwa further said that people of Nalikwanda will soon be connected to communication so that more people can access network on their phones.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia ( ECZ ) has called for a free and reliable media to effectively report elections issues.
ECZ Deputy Director for Voter Education Jocelyn Mubita says the media industry plays a vital role in elections process hence the need for it to be free and objective in the coverage of all actors in the electoral process.
Ms. Mubita further challenged the media to provide fair and accurate information during campaigns for the public to have informed information.
Ms. Mubita said this when she opened a Muvi TV in house training on ethical election reporting at the private broadcasting station’s offices, today.
She noted that it is only when the media is independent that that it will be able to provide people with accurate information about the electoral process.
“The media forms and shapes the perceptions of the public about issues elections and politics inclusive. Hence the media should be well informed in order for them to be able to give accurate information.
” For instance, the media should take keen interest in election issues to be conversant with what goes on exactly and report objectively and actually to the public, ” she said.
The ECZ Deputy Director for Voter Education has also urged the media to play a watchdog role and protest the public interest in the elections.
She said this is because the media industry has got power to stop malpractices in the electoral process through their watchdog role. The watchdog role should help on protect public interest and encourage peaceful conduct of elections, she said.
The ECZ Director has for this reason challenged reporters to report on real issues than concentrate on personalities of candidate.
Ms. Mubita also disclosed that the ECZ has embarked on the training of media personnel across the country ahead of the 2011 general elections.
She said training is intended to equip the media personnel to better understand their role in the electoral process.
President Banda and daughter Temwani reads the Bible when he attended mass at Saint Joseph’s Kanyama parish in LusakaFirst Lady Thandiwe Banda yawns during a church service at Saint Joseph’s Kanyama parish in LusakaPresident Banda and First Lady Thandiwe present their offertory to Father Gabriel Mwanamwelye during a church service at Saint Joseph’s Kanyama parish in LusakaPresident Banda interacts with parishioners at Saint Joseph’s Kanyama parish in LusakaPresident Banda lays a wreath on Dr Chiluba’s tombZimbabwean prime Minister Morgan Tsivangirai about to lay a wreath on Dr Chiluba’s tombPrime Minister of Zimbabwe Morgan Tsivangirai captured after the burial of Dr ChilubaFormer president Kenneth Kaunda lays a wreath on Dr Chiluba’s tombFormer Lusaka archbishop Emmanuel Milingo and wife Maria Sung at Dr Chiluba’s funeralDemocratic republic of Congo President Joseph kabila about to lay a wreath on Dr Chiluba’s tombDr Chiluba’s children lay wreaths and praying his tomb during burial in Lusaka
Patriotic Front (PF) leader Michael Sata has been re-elected unopposed as president at the party’s first convention since its formation in 2001 and has predicted that this year’s general elections will be held on 27th August.
This comes as the country still awaits the announcement of the elections date by President Rupiah Banda.
MUVI TV’s reports that Mr Sata says he has been reliably informed that the polls were initially set for 11th August before being shifted to 27th August.
The outspoken opposition leader was speaking today when officially opening the PF national convention at Mulungushi University, in Kabwe.
At least 3,500 delegates are attending the convention, during which the party will also elect its national leadership.
Meanwhile, journalists from the public media have been barred from covering the convention.
And Mr Sata has accused government of misusing the public media.
He has told the PF convention that public media has lost its vision of informing, educating and entertaining.
Meanwhile, first republican president, Kenneth Kaunda was among several dignitaries, who attended the official opening of the PF convention.
Others were the ambassadors from Britain and the United States of America.
Chief Chizela of the Kaonde speaking people of Mufumbwe district has advised his subjects to preach messages of peace, love, tolerance and reconciliation ahead of the 2011 tripartite elections.
Chief Chizela said all his subjects need to co – exist to avoid tribal conflict and possible violence.
He said that there is no chiefdom or nation that can prosper without peace.
The Chief said this in a speech read on his behalf by organising committee chairperson Rabson Kayombo during the 26th Ntongo traditional ceremony in Mufumbwe yesterday.
He said it was regrettable that Mufumbwe district where his chiefdom lies recorded the highest levels of political violence during the April 2010 parliamentary bye-election, adding that this should not be allowed to happen again during the forth coming elections.
And Officiating at the ceremony, Energy Deputy Minister Mwendoi Akakandelwa commended Chief Chizela for denouncing violence which he said was detrimental to national development.
Mr. Akakendelwa reiterated government’s assurance that the forthcoming polls will be held under a peaceful atmosphere.
He furthermore urged farmers in the area not to sell their produce to unscrupulous businessmen at a cheaper price but later export it at exorbitant prices.
The minister noted that this trend will only deny incomeand the much needed food security.
Mr. Akakandelwa said government is committed to buying all the maize from farmers adding that a Food Reserve Agency (FRA) shed to be used in storing agricultural products has been constructed in the district.
The Ntongo ceremony is where Chief Chizela tastes the first harvest and thanks God for the rainfall and harvest.
[ ZANIS ]
The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia says it is disappointed with the Patriotic Front (PF) for barring journalists from the State-owned media.
Journalist from the state owned media, namely Times of Zambia, Zambia Daily Mail and Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation, were barred from covering the party’s first General Conference, which begun today in Kabwe.
MISA Zambia chairperson Daniel Sikazwe says that while his organizations appreciates the reservation that the PF has with the reporting of the State-owned media that should not be reason enough to bar them from covering the PF General Conference, which has attracted lots of interest from all sections of society in the country.
Mr. Sikazwe says that the research indicates that the barring of the journalists from the State-owned media has been endorsed from high up in the PF hierarchy.
He says that his organization condemns the selective accreditation of journalists to all public functions because it amounts to censorship.
Mr. Sikazwe has since appealed to the PF leadership to immediately rescind its decision and to permit the State-owned media to cover this historical General Conference.
He says that MISA hopes that the PF leadership will heed to the advice and do the right thing for the sake of democracy and freedom of the press, which the PF professes uphold dearly.
Meanwhile, Patriotic front leader Michael Sata has revealed that the patriotic front will ensure that it puts in place mechanisms that will prevent the MMD from rigging the elections.
PF leader Michael Sata says that the patriotic front will not allow the MMD to rig the elections in any way.
[pullquote]Mr. Sikazwe says that the research indicates that the barring of the journalists from the State-owned media has been endorsed from high up in the PF hierarchy.[/pullquote]
Mr. Sata says that the PF will among other this deploy a number of election monitors in most parts of the country.
Mr. Sata speaking today at the opening of the PF general conference in Kabwe stated that the PF is geared and ready for the election.
Mr. Sata has further called for democracy at the PF national convention.
And Mr. Sata has stated that the MMD government has failed to run the affairs of the country.
Mr. Sata says that says that Zambians should vote wisely as the date of the elections approaches.
The general conference was monitored on hot fm radio in Lusaka this afternoon.
Zesco United on Sunday drew away to Green Eagles at Kanzinze Stadium in Maamba.
The defending league champions finished scoreless in this delayed Week 4 game as Zesco begin to clear their backlog of league games in the midst of the mid-season break.
Zesco remain sixth despite the draw on 20 points from 10 games with three matches in hand.
Fighton Simukonda’s team will host 3rd placed Konkola Blades this Saturday at the Trade fair Grounds in a Week 7 fixture.
The patriotic front first ever general conference was opened with the party president Michael Sata calling for unity among the party members.
Mr. Sata says that the holding of the convention in Kabwe’s rock of authority is a symbol of unity among the party members.
Mr. Sata says that it is also a symbol of shared vision, which has seen the number of members of the political party increasing, now standing with over 700 registered members.
The patriotic front leader added that the PF will remain committed in practicing intra party democracy as one of the main priorities of the party.
Mr. Sata has called on the members of the patriotic front members to vote for leaders who are compassionate.
He warns against people who are plunders and undemocratic people.
And Mr. Sata has paid tribute to first republican president Kenneth Kaunda for the contribution he has made in the country.
Mr. Sata says that Dr. Kaunda has made Zambia were it is today, despite some of his infrastructure being abandoned by the MMD government.
A female youth member of the UPND tries to give flowers to Hichilema at Lusaka international airport
United party for national development youths says they are not shaken by party national youth chairman Joe Kalusa’s defection to the ruling MMD.
UPND National Youth Coordinator Brian Hapunda says the party respects Kalusa’s decision as he is merely exercising his constitutional right to belong to any political party of his choice.
Hapunda says the youths in the party are not worried as the party is an institution that stands on firm structures of operation and not individual centered.
He pointed out that whilst other party members are leaving the party for greener pasture, a multitude of other well meaning citizens who share the dream of a better Zambia have continued to join the UPND.
He says it is unfortunate that despite being independent for 47 years, citizens in the country have continued to wallow in extreme poverty owing to failed economic policies by the MMD government.
Hapunda has since urged youths in the party to continue selling the candidature of party president Hakainde Hichilema as there is no doubt he is the best leader for the country.
Director Micheal Bay brings the third installment of Transformers ,Dark of the Moon.
The movie starts with the war between the Autobots(good guys) and the Decepticons(bad guys) , on the mechanical planet of Cybertron , at its climax. In a last stitch effort to save their planet, the leader of the Autobots tries to escape in a ship with some precious cargo, but crashes on the moon.
Decades later , the Autobots find out the humans never told them about the ship on the moon and its cargo , the Decepticons also find out about it and a battle to save Earth ensues .
Shia Labeouf(Sam witwicky) displayed some good acting , I was impressed by his frustrations with getting no recognition for his achievements. The pain when he is interviewed for a mailroom job, but declares he has saved the world twice is a genuine moment of humanity. And him feeling like he has to compete with his girl friend’s rich boss Dylan( Patrick Dempsey)
PRO’S
The opening scenes about the “truth” about the US/Russian space race were awesome. They get you hook to the movie from the beginning.
The action sequences were extraordinary, brilliant visual effects really brought the scenes to life.
The robots felt more like characters than in the previous films. Especially with the betrayal of one of the Autobots ,you could feel the emotion (…that’s if robots have feelings)
The ending scenes in which, Chicago was turned into a war zone, were spectacular .
The inclusion of a human working with the Decepticons was a good twist.
CON’S
There should have been stronger dialog between Optimus Prime and Sentinal Prime.
The inclusion of Carly , played by Victoria Secret model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley , was not necessary , yes her character was entertaining , but she was just there for ‘eye candy’
CONCLUSION
In my opinion this is not only the best Transformers movie , but the best of this year’s summer movies!
The visual effects were simply stupendous! The transformations were clearer and more realistic. The story line was thrilling and you couldn’t guess what would happen next.
FAVORITE QUOTES
Optimus Prime: “You may lose your faith in us, but never in yourselves.”
Optimus Prime: “Everything humans know of our planet we were told had been shared.”
Simmons: “Years from now there are gonna ask… ‘where were you when they took over the
UNITED Liberal Party (ULP) president Sakwiba Sikota has said MMD Parliamentary chief whip Vernon Mwaanga’s analysis on the most possible outcome of the 2011 presidential elections indicating that President Rupiah Banda will win the presidency with a wide margin reflects his accuracy in the previous elections.
Mr Sikota said Mr Mwaanga’s statement should be taken seriously and that people who had followed his analyses in the past would agree that all his projections had come to pass.
Mr Mwaanga, during a media briefing at his residence on Thursday said President Banda was set to win with a higher margin than in the previous election on account of the gains he had made in Lusaka and Copperbelt provinces that had resulted from the positive MMD Government’s poverty alleviation policies.
Mr Sikota said the analysis should serve as a wake-up call to the opposition parties to work extra hard although it was too late.
He said Mr Mwaanga’s honest opinion stems from the fact that he made it clear that some areas would be scooped by the opposition unlike other analyses which make blanket statements that a particular party would lead everywhere in the country.
“Zambians should look at the past record of Mr Mwaanga in producing these analyses. It would be folly to ignore and dismiss Mr Mwaanga’s predictions.
“What is refreshing is that he does it honestly by admitting where his party will lose,” Mr Sikota said.
He said experience in politics and his track record as a political analyst made Mr Mwaanga one of the best people to give guidance in terms of how the political parties were performing in their campaigns.
[pullquote]“Zambians should look at the past record of Mr Mwaanga in producing these analyses. It would be folly to ignore and dismiss Mr Mwaanga’s predictions.
“What is refreshing is that he does it honestly by admitting where his party will lose,” Mr Sikota said.[/pullquote]
Mr Mwaanga, in his analysis, said United Party for National Development (UPND) was likely to retain Southern Province with President Banda emerging in second position just like in Lusaka and the Copperbelt provinces which would be won by Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata with Mr Banda coming on a strong second.
The veteran politician said he had always produced analyses before elections and that all the final results of his statements had been in line with his predictions while the ones produced by The Post Newspaper had always been wrong, including the one done in 2006.
He said President Banda would win with run-away margins in Eastern, Western, North-Western and Central provinces where Mr Sata would come in a distant third, to make him a big loser.
He predicted that Mr Sata would only come second in Eastern Province.
Mr Mwaanga said on the Copperbelt, President Banda would be second only in the urban areas but would win in the rural parts of the province.
He said in the Bemba-speaking areas of Northern Province, Mr Sata was expected to win but would lose in all non-Bemba speaking areas such as Chimbamilonga, Senga Hill, Isoka East and West, Nakonde, Mpulungu, Kaputa and surrounding areas.
Mr Sata would win in Luapula Province by a small margin but the race would be tight against President Banda because of the gains he had recorded in the area.
He said President Banda’s rise in popularity had resulted from the schools, hospitals, clinics and roads which were being ignored by opposition politicians and yet people in the rural areas were able to see them.
Mr Mwaanga said Mr Hichilema would emerge second to President Banda in Western and North-Western provinces.
Information and Broadcasting Services Deputy Minister Angela Cifire
Luangeni Member of Parliament Angela Cifire says youth empowerment as an integral tool for fighting poverty and unemployment in the country.
Ms Cifire, who is also Information and Broadcasting Service deputy minister, said it was for this reason that government developed a Youth Fund to act as vehicle for promoting enterprise development and self reliance for the youths.
The MP was speaking during the handover of cheques to various youth groups in Luangeni Constituency yesterday.
Ms Cifire explained that government has since released K 5billion to enable young people access the funds as empowerment fund to contribute to job and
wealth creation in the country.
She implored youths to form organisations and come up with viable projects that can be funded from the K 5 billion that government has released.
And speaking at the same function on behalf of other recipients, Nyama-Bende Young Farmers Club chairperson, Khuzyo Zulu praised government for setting aside K5 billion to empower the youths through the empowerment fund.
Mr Zulu assured Ms Cifire that all the beneficiaries will use the funds according to their respective business proposals.
He explained that the beneficiary clubs are engaged in various income generating activities arranging from gardening to livestock rearing enterprises among many others.
Government says it acknowledges that inadequate finances is a major operational challenge for the National Arts Association of Zambia ( NATAAZ).
Lusaka Province Permanent Secretary Daniel Bowasi however said government through collaborative efforts will work out a mechanism that will increase the budgetary allocation for NATAAZ activities in the province.
Mr. Bowasi was speaking in Chongwe yesterday during the National Arts Association of Zambia (NATAAZ) Lusaka Province junior Performing arts festival.
He said all efforts must be put in place in order to ensure that all technical capacity of the participants are developed into tangible results.
The Permanent Secretary said government is working very hard to try and see how the creative industry is developed so as to contribute to the GDP of the country.
He implored all the teachers and pupils to link NATAAZ with Education Broadcasting Services.
He said the consistency in hosting NATAAZ is an assurance to government that the Association has the capacity to sustain the emerging challenges in the creative arts of the province.
Mr. Bowasi further commended the committee for the achievements in 2010, saying they have performed all activities with pride.
He said the achievements are a clear indication of what commitment and good leadership can achieve.
Mr. Bowasi pointed out that government has put in place a legal frame work which is conducive for the development of the arts in the country.
And Provincial Education officer for Lusaka Alice Nzala urged all the participants to aim higher that last year at the national NATAAZ festival.
She said discipline is key and a Pillar in the attainment of set goals in the creative arts
Renowned Congo DR musician Mbiliu Lukombe Managu alias ' Bilia Bel
A renowned Congo DR musician Mbiliu Lukombe Managu alias ‘ Bilia Bel ‘ over the weekend visited the funeral House of late President Fredrick Chiluba in Kabulonga to pay her last respects.
The renowned rhumba maestro was accompanied by her dancing queens and local Disc jockey cum musician Suke Chile and at the funeral house at about 103:0 hours where she encouraged Mrs Chiluba to look to God for strength in this trying times.
She said the untimely death of the former President had greatly touched a number of Congolese musicians and the entire neighbouring nation as a whole.
Ms Mboyo who spoke in French said Zambia has lost yet another great leader who should be remembered not only to Zambians but the entire Africa and the world over.
She said the late President Chiluba was a true democrat who brought peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo and may African nations adding that Zambia has lost a pillar of democracy.
Ms Mboyo further stated that although late president Dr Fredrick Chiluba is gone, many people will remember him for great works he has done for Zambia and many African Countries.
The musician is in the country at the invitation of the Tourism Board of Zambia ( TBZ ) to mark the organisation’s new image launch last evening. She however insisted to visit the funeral house before leaving the country.
The Board’s Public Relations Manager Caristo Chitamfya also attended.
Ms Mboyo who spoke in French said Zambia has lost yet another great leader who should be remembered not only to Zambians but the entire Africa and the world over.
She encouraged the widow Regina Chiluba to look up to God in this trying moment and have courage to soldier on with life and looking after the orphans of the late President.
She said the late President Chiluba was a true democrat who brought peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo and may African nations adding that Zambia has lost a pillar of democracy.
Ms Mboyo further stated that although late president Dr Fredrick Chiluba is gone, many people will remember him for great works he has done for Zambia and many African Countries.
