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.

QFM

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.

QFM

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.

[ QFM ]

TRANSFORMERS

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

Planet?’”

RATING

BY KAPA187

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.

[Times of Zambia]

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

ZAMIS

President Rupiah Banda has paid glowing tribute all hard working Zambians who have worked tirelessly to build the country in which millions of Zambians can be proud.

On the eve of the Heroes Day and Unity Day, President Banda said Zambia is a role for the world securing on its own independence and determine its future.

” Today, our young people, who make up 68 percent of our population, can look to the futures which are full of possibility,” the President said.

President Banda said this in a statement obtained by ZANIS to mark the eve of the Heroes and Unity Day celebrations signed by his Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations Dickson Jere.

He said Zambians have their ancestors to thank for the opportunity to work and earn a living, to benefit from good education and healthcare, and to enjoy a peaceful society.
Celebrated each year as a national holiday, the two days mark the successes and challenges Zambia has faced in its years since independence, in becoming a place that prizes the values of freedom, security and stability for all people.

President Banda added: “Our past achievements in building a united nation founded on co-operation and mutual support will always be at the heart of what makes Zambia great.

” We must never forget the people – young and old, past or present – who have played a part in making us what we are today.”
ZANIS

National Revolution Party ( NRP ) president Cosmo Mumba has wished his embattled former Secretary General Kelly Walubita Junior success in his political career.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today, Dr. Mumba said the resignation of Mr. Walubita Jr from his party was ” a blessing in disguise” as it has given his NRP party time to prepare for the forth coming tripartite elections.

Dr. Mumba who revealed to ZANIS he was now feeling well and has thus been discharged from UTH said the NRP national executive was not shakened by Mr. Walubita Jr’s move saying the party can only wish its former Secretary General success in his political career.

Mr. Walubita Jr. yesterday announced his resignation from the opposition party which he said has no direction.

He commended his former party President Dr. Mumba for working with him during the period he worked he party as a Secretary General.

Mr. Walubita has since defected to the New Generation Party (NGP) under Humphrey Siulapwa.

“I wish to announce my resignation from the National Revolution Party to join the New Generation Party because the later has no direction and I wish to thank Dr Mumba for appointing me to serve in his party,” said Walubita.

He accused Dr Mumba of not being democratic claiming that he has intention of joining and supporting Patriotic Front (PF) leader Michael Sata.

And New Generation Party President Humphrey Siulapwa has welcomed the former NRP secretary general into his party.

Mr. Siulapwa told ZANIS in an interview that his party is open to all well meaning Zambians who want to make a contribution in politics through his party.

Mr. Walubita said his party is willing to work with all Zambians to ensure that there is development in the country.

Meanwhile, Walubita Junior has appealed to the MMD to conduct a forensic political analysis and be on the outlook for turn coats who are supporting Rupiah Banda.

Mr. Walubita’s sentiment follows former UPND Copperbelt chairperson Luckswell Mututwa’ U-turn to rally behind President Banda when he was in the forefront opposing the ruling part and undermining its leadership.

He said Mr. Mututwa wants favour from the MMD so that the MMD adopt his son, Charles who is contesting the Senanga Central seat on the ruling party’s ticket.

The former NRP-secretary general said the forensic political analysis once conducted will help the MMD to distinguish true blue people and those pretending to be rallying behind them.

And Mr. Walubita has predicted victory for President Banda in this year’s election.

He said the opposition parties are not united and this will give the ruling party a 100% win come election date.

He commended President Banda for his achievements in the two-year period and urged the Zambians to give him a full mandate in this year’s tripartite election up to 2016.

[ ZANIS ]

The mayor of Davao City in the southern Philippines, repeatedly punched the court official, Abe Andres, in the face after he refused to delay the demolition of a shanty compound. The mayor’s actions were filmed by a TV crew and shown on national television. She later arranged for thttp://www.lusakatimes.com/he sheriff to be taken to hospital for treatment.

Mayor Sara Duterte said she is prepared to face charges as a result of Friday’s punching incident involving her and a court sheriff. She faced the media on Saturday as she reported for work amid heavy rains to attend to the needs of her constituents.

“My lawyers will take care of the charges, cases that will be filed,” she said. “I got frustrated with him. What’s the point of all the planning for the demolition if our plans won’t push through?”

Click below to see  clip of the incident.

Go to this link for the reverse angle of the clip . http://youtu.be/3P2-Lv0jLs4