Chembo is an upcoming Zambian singer/songwriter who is currently based in the UK. I can describe her music as soulful RnB

KAPA187: Welcome to the interview room. So Chembo, I assume you started singing at an early age. When did you become serious about making music and what was your motivation?

CHEMBO: Yes you can say that. The thing that made me start singing was writing, I started writing songs when I was 11/12 and continued this until I was 16 but never really had intentions of singing them myself, then a friend at school after hearing me sing in assembly suggested I start recording, so around that time I went to the studio with my songs and recorded my first song. It was called “what do I know” and I’ll never forget hearing it back and thinking wow, I wanna get better at this.
KAPA187: Is there a main theme in your music or do you touch on various topics?

CHEMBO: I would say with the songs people do hear, like the ones on www.reverbnation.com/chembo the main theme would be boys, I think. Mainly because they say a lot about where I was at the time I wrote them. I write pretty autobiographical so it will always be about where I am at a particular time. But in future releases people can look forward to a change in genre and also deeper issues like life and relationships, but my writing I feel will give a fresh spin on topics widely sang about.

KAPA187: Are all your songs in English, if so do you think that will make it harder make it big in the Zambian music scene?

CHEMBO: Yes all the songs I have recorded to date have been in English, with the exception of “holla at me” which features Trizzo who raps in Nyanja and is amazing at what he does, I feel Zambians can get that song. I have recently written one or two songs fusing English and Bemba/Nyanja. I feel if the music is good then getting onto the scene won’t be that hard but yes the language can help me reach more listeners for sure. I’m still learning so I have room to grow and improve.

KAPA187: Describe how it felt the first time you heard one of your songs on the radio.

CHEMBO: the first time I heard my song on radio it was on Qfm and dj Vinyl was the first dj to ever give me that chance and it was amazing!!! I kept screaming in my house, I was so happy and it was truly surreal. When I was in Zambia in 2010 and I would very occasionally get some airplay, I still had the same buzz; it’s an incredible feeling, always.

KAPA187: Besides music what else are you interested in?

CHEMBO: I’m currently studying to be a performance artist/actor. I love art too and do little illustrations in my free time. I’m really into baking, it’s something that I find quite challenging and intend to get better at. I’m also a guitar student. But my favorite thing to do is blog. I have a blog on www.blackgirlstyle.tumblr.com where people can follow me using Google. Blogging is awesome.

KAPA187: for the people, who haven’t heard your music before, describes your sound in 5 words

CHEMBO: Five words? That’s hard. Umm POP, SOUL, REGGAE, YOUNG, NON-GENRE-SPECIFIC.LOL.
KAPA187: If you could open for any artist on tour who would it be and why.

CHEMBO: I would love to open for Lady Gaga because of her creative open-mindedness, I love people who just DO and don’t hold back. Plus have you seen how dedicated her fans are? It would be great to get people who love my music like that. But at the moment any great artist would be incredible.
KAPA187: What 5 songs are most played on your iPod right now?

CHEMBO: I use my phone for this. 1 is Pour Le meilleur by Lylah. 2 is Pillow talk by Ijahman Levi. 3 is Motivation by Kelly Rowland. 4 is Bad boy by Kano and 5 is Holla at me by Chembo

KAPA18: What is the best advice you have ever got?

CHEMBO: My mum told me once to “Learn everything I possibly can before I decide I want to do music” and to “have a vision for what I want to achieve because there is no point is having sight without vision”

KAPA187: Who inspires you?

CHEMBO: Aretha Franklin is one of those women I listen to and think wow! Zambian Artists like Krytic and Zonefam who are just grinders, having been around them and seeing their work ethic, also Uk artists and friends who go hard in their craft, because I really have the hunger to be great I feel there is inspiration everywhere from the most popular artists to the upcoming

KAPA187: In ten years I will be…….

CHEMBO: Career wise? I’ll be recognized for my music and acting, I’ll still be learning and evolving as an artist. Be an amazing acoustic guitarist too. ha!
I’ll also have a family and be happy and living in Zambia probably.

KAPA187: How can your fans contact you, and listen to your music?

CHEMBO:
Facebook: chembomusic
Twitter: Chembomusic
Thank you for the interview, I appreciate the opportunity.
THE MUSIC

She made her first video for the song “Sugar honey ice tea” last year. It’s a nice, simple, artistic, creative video. The song its self is one of those you put on repeat, lay back and listen to over and over again.

SUGAR HONEY ICE TEA VIDEO

Holla at me is more up tempo . “if you want some holla at me ” she says in the chorus. It features Trizzo rapping in Nyanja. It’s a nice song to dance to in a club or in your bedroom.

Holla At Me

By KAPA187

By Daimone Siulapwa

OVER the past few months, the talk has been mostly on Mbita Chitala and Mike Mulongoti, who only a few months ago, seemed to be men woven in the ruling MMD linen before falling out of favour with the MMD.

Chitala is a former Ambassador to Libya while Mulongoti is a former Minister of Works and Supply, who at some point also served as Chief Government spokesperson. It was not long that these two men were seen defending the MMD policies in a way that seemed like their next breath depended on that very act.
But times change, or rather human beings change, and the two are now among the staunchest critics of the government and President Rupiah Banda. The two can say whatever they want to say as the justification for their change of stance, but one thing is clear, it is driven by what they can get personally from the other end. Added to that is personal vengeance, nothing more nothing less, for it is clear that ideologically, the two seem not to have any problems with the MMD policies which they have been defending for the better part of two decades.

For that very reason, it is advised that these two men, at best, be ignored by right-thinking citizens of this country who want to see this poor nation move forward economically, politically and socially.

But then, that is not all, there is another section that we need to be guard against – we are talking about the so-called Patriotic Front ‘rebel’ Members of Parliament. These MPs fell out of favour with the PF following their decision to participate in the National Constitutional Conference (NCC), a decision which was against their party (or Michael Sata’s stance).
The decision to attend the NCC forced the party to expel them, and as things stand now, they are only clinging to their positions through a court injunction. The interpretation of this court injunction, in an ideal situation, would be that these MPs do not want to be forced out of their party. In other words, these are members who would not find comfort anywhere else other than the PF, the party they believe best represents their interests and that of the nation.

But going by the conduct of these individuals, it is quite clear that they do not believe in the PF policies and programmes at all. The injunction they sought which has kept them in Parliament to date has more to do with protecting their personal fortunes than anything else.

Put simply, they fear that their expulsion from the PF will make them lose out on the gratuities that MPs are expected to receive at the end of their current terms in Parliament.

However, these MPs claim that their differences with the PF stem from the fact that the party leader is dictatorial in nature, and for them, they have simply refused to give in to him. In other words, they have no problem with the policies of the PF as a party, but the leadership skills of its leader.

Assuming this was indeed true, what is the best action that these PF MPs ought to have taken? The best was to go the way Zimbabwe’s Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) faction led by Professor Arthur Mutambara undertook.

After differing with Morgan Tsvangarai, they simply walked out and formed their own party. They took this move knowing very well of the risks involved which included starting all over afresh. The same can be said about the Congress of the People (COPE) which broke away from South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC) following the recall of Thabo Mbeki. In other words, in a democracy, this is what people do when they differ on some fundamental issues. And differing with the party leader on his leadership skills as have the PF ‘rebel’ MPs is very fundamental.

The only way they can justify their stay in the party is under the pretext of trying to reform the party from within. But going by their conduct since their falling out, it is quite clear that they are not trying to fight from within. These are people merely waiting for Parliament to dissolve and then get their gratuity after which they will move to another party.

These MPs, led by Luapula MP Peter Machungwa and his Matero counterpart Faustina Sinyangwe, have been behaving more like MMD than PF members since their falling out. In fact, they have been more vocal in defending MMD policies than the MMD members themselves. The result or evidence of this lies in the fact that one of their kith and kin Besa Chambaka, who is Bahati MP, has been rewarded with an appointment as Luapula province Minister by President Rupiah Banda.

For the uninitiated, what this means is that these MPs are waiting for Parliament to be dissolved and for the MMD to hopefully adopt them as parliamentary candidates in the forthcoming general elections. In other words, for them, it is about what they can personally get out of a given arrangement. In this case, aligning themselves with RB and disparaging Michael Sata, their supposed party leader.

Now just like PF leader Michael Sata ought to be wary of characters like Mike Mulongoti and Mbita Chitala, who are seemingly showing him support for what is obviously personal gain, the MMD should likewise be cautious. These are people ready to support a particular candidate in the morning, a different one at noon, yet another in the evening, and another at mid-night and again another at dawn.

These people are a danger to our society! They do not deserve another chance. If the ‘rebel’ MPs feel that the leadership of RB is way better than that of Michael Sata, then they should resign their membership and jump ship. They should not worry about the cost of the by-elections; it is us the tax payers who will bear the costs. It is the price we have to pay for the multi-party democracy we were calling for. On the other hand, if they agree with the PF policies and only disagree with the leadership style, then they are still free to break loose and form their own party much the same way the MDC and ANC comrades did.

Otherwise, these people deserve to be discarded, just like Mbita Chitala and Mike Mulongoti. In any case, some of these only joined the PF after being rejected as candidates on the MMD ticket in 2006. This simply means that these characters are willing to take any action to secure their personal fortunes.

A sad scenario indeed for a country which proclaims to be in a hurry to develop!

Aluta Continua!

FORMER Patriotic Front (PF) Secretary General Edward Mumbi has said PF leader Michael Sata has now resorted to using the language of callboys because he has no campaign platform which he can use to gain and hold the confidence of serious-minded Zambians ahead of the 2011 elections.

Mr Mumbi said the callboys language which Mr Sata was now using should make the PF leader’s sympathisers to doubt his caliber to provide quality leadership like President Rupiah Banda had done in the last two years he has been in office.

He was reacting to a story in some sections of the media where Mr Sata was quoted telling Lusaka residents to get geysers that the MMD Government had brought, but “don’t Kubeba.”(Don’t tell them)

He said Mr Sata was shaken with the achievements made by the ruling MMD and President Banda because he was aware that the MMD had set the stage for victory in the 2011 elections.

“Mr Sata may think don’t kubeba is against the ruling MMD, but he will be shocked that the same don’t kubeba works against him. People may be saying do not tell the PF that we have turned against them because of their hooliganism,”

“Looking at what the ruling MMD under President Banda has done, I can safely say the ruling party is set for victory and this is why even Mr Sata is shaken. He is shaken, but instead of campaigning on issues that will help him gain and hold the confidence of the electorate, he has resorted to using the language of callboys. The man is totally stuck and the only issue he has is to explain to the Zambians his support for homosexuality,” he said.

He said Zambians should realise that Mr Sata was totally blank and had no platform on which to base his campaign because everything he would want to tell the people that he would come and do, had already been done by President Banda.

Mr Mumbi also said if Mr Sata was elected as Republican president in the 2011 elections, he would easily get rid of the rich traditional culture of Zambia and replace it with the culture of homosexuality and lesbianism.

He said, unlike some opposition leaders who attend some traditional ceremonies together with President Banda or Vice-President George Kunda, Mr Sata has never attended any traditional ceremony to show regard for Zambia’s traditional culture.

Mr Sata was a very bad leader and that it was not coincidence that whoever had worked with him, was complaining about his dictatorial kind of leadership.

He said even those misled Zambians who think their lives would improve if Mr Sata became Republican president would live to regret because PF and Mr Sata had no plans for Zambia.

Zambians, especially youths would live to regret in an unlikely event that Mr Sata was elected because the PF leader had no plans for the country while the governance of the country would overnight become dictatorial rule.

He said Mr Sata has already exhibited bad leadership through his inconsistences and he should not be entrusted with the authority of Republican presidency because he would easily put the Zambia’s economy and security at risk.

Meanwhile, Anglican Church in Central Africa has re-affirmed its stance against the practice of homosexuality.

Anglican Province of Central Africa overseer Albert Chama said in Kitwe at the weekend that the church would continue to make it clear that it would not condone homosexuality.

Archbishop Chama said the church wanted to ensure every member in the province was aware of its stance on the subject.

He said the church should not be misunderstood when it interacted with the rest of the Anglican community around the world, some of whom could have allowed the practice.

“We have made it very clear even to churches around the world that we interact with that if there are any members or priests that practice homosexuality, they should keep them away from us,” he said.

Archbishop Chama said it was not an issue that the church would shift its position and that the Anglican community in Zambia and the rest of the province should be assured.

The Anglican Central African Province comprises Zambia, Malawi, Botswana and Zimbabwe.
[ Times of Zambia ]

The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) says it has arrested two pastors from Bethel City Church in Lusaka for being in possession of over 70, 000 US dollar counterfeit notes.

DEC Public Relations Manager John Nyawali disclosed in a statement to ZANIS that the two pastors, Pastor Collins Kashingwa, 31 and Pastor Nkambe Chasha 29 were arrested from Ody’s filling station along great east road after they were found with a total of 77, 200 US dollar of counterfeit notes.

Mr. Nyawali stated that the two clergymen who ministers at Matero congregation of the Bethel City Church had the counterfeit notes on their bodies and wanted to sell them to unsuspecting members of the public.

He said the two pastors had the counterfeit notes in hundred dollar bills.

And Mr Nyawali also revealed that DEC arrested an employee of Ministry of Agriculture in Solwezi for being in possession of counterfeit notes.

He said the suspect named as Charles Manjimela, a driver, was arrested from town centre along Cairo road in Lusaka after a long trail.

Mr. Nyawali said all the suspects have been detained in police custody awaiting commencement of trial.

[ ZANIS ]

At least 15 people yesterday in the morning narrowly escaped death when a mini-bus they were in overturned after a tyre burst on the Great East Road in Lusaka.

The accident happened near University of Zambia footbridge when the mini-bus, which was coming from Kaunda Square hit into a street-light pole after a tyre burst.

Just last week, a 3rd Year University of Zambia student died at the same spot after being hit by a speeding car
[ MUVI ]

SOME Ndola and Lusaka residents have welcomed Zesco’s countrywide installation of free solar geysers.

The residents have since urged the opposition against perceiving this as a political campaign because it will benefit all households regardless of political affiliation.

In Lusaka Paul Kabinga hailed the project saying it would go a long way in reducing on the expenditure of electricity.Mr Kabinga said that for a long time now, people had been consuming a lot of electricity by boiling water using electricity.

“This is a good initiative because we will cut electricity and save for sale to other industries like the mines that consume a lot of power,” he said.

George Zulu of Kabulonga thanked Zesco for introducing the geysers saying the intention was of great benefit to the country and the Zambian populace.

“If we want to save electricity it is vital that Zesco takes this initiative, we have abundant sunshine and yet we do not utilise it, so it is a good thing and we must support it fully until it’s fully implemented,” he said.

President Rupiah Banda recently launched Zesco’s electricity power supply initiatives for residential customers throughout the country aimed at providing reliable supply and cutting bills by close to 40 per cent.

In Ndola, Steven Chipindi said the decision to introduce the free geysers would be helpful to the majority of the people who spent a lot of money on charcoal, firewood and electricity charges.

Mr Chipindi said the distribution of the geysers was a clear demonstration of President Banda’s commitment to bettering the people’s lives within the short term that he had been in office.

He said through his hard work, President Banda had managed to come up with initiatives which had helped change people’s lives.
[ Times of Zambia ]

Vice President Goerge Kunda has commeneded ZESCO Limited for its impressive social responsibility work citing the construction of a high school in Siavonga at a cost of K 8 Billion Kwacha.

Mr Kunda said as Zambia’s economic growth rate continues to be sustatined at 7 percent per annum, it is important for the utility electricty company to expand the power supply to mining companies and other industries as well as her suppy for exports to other countries.

He said it was pleasing government that ZESCO has embarked on a project to increase power supply at Kariba North Bank at a cost of 400 Million United States Dollars and two other projects at lower Zambezi and Itetshi-teshi in Southern Province respectively.

The Vice President said this at Lusiwashi Power station in Serenje today where he addresed the public rally. It was at the same venue where he officially announced his candidature as MMD parliamentary candidate for Muchinga Constituency in this years elections.

He said ZESCO management should ignore criticisms emanating from the opposition leaders who were not happy that Government was helping the poor in society.

The Vice President further commended ZESCO and the Rural Electrication Authority ( REA ) for doing a a good job, adding that the two entities should connect schools , health posts and Chief’s palaces to the national grid.

He said so far, Government has electrified Chieftainess Serenje’ s palace in Srenje district in Cetral Province.

And the Vice President says figures accusing the MMD government of being corrupt were just jealous because of the good works the of President Banda’s administration has so far done for the people of Zambia.

Ealier , the Vice President toured Lusiwashi Basic School where a new teachers house was nearing completion and assured the school headmaster and the people present that Government would assist in having the house completed.

Mr. Kunda said in addition,, a 1 by 3 classroom block would be construcetd at the school using the CDF drawn from Muchinga constituency.

He urged the local people to contribute 25 percent by moulding burnt blicks, assuring the people that the stracture would be finished within a shortest possible time.

Mr Kunda stated that Government would also provide desks, cement,roofing sheets, doors, windows and other necessary materials for the school.And Vice- President Goerge Kunda also donated two footbals at Muchinga Community School.

The Vice President Goerge Kunda utilised the opportunity to verify his voter card details at Musumani Basic School.

And Yersteday, the Vice president filed in his application for adoption as as aspiring MMD Member of Parliament for Muchinga Constituency.

The Vice President was accompanied by Central Province Minster Ackimson Banda, MMD party Provincial Party Members and his senior Private Secretary Kenneth Ngosa.

Meanwhile, The Vice President has donated three(3) footballs to a youth club in the area ,in addition to donating a set of jerseys.

He also donated three footballs to Lusiwashi Basic School as well as a set of jerseys much to the delight of the pupils.

ZANIS

MEDARDO Cardinal Mazombwe says the Catholic church is not at loggerheads with Government and has no intention of differing with the authorities.

Cardinal Mazombwe said only a few individuals in the church are antagonising government and the church will not be distracted by the individuals in its mandate to do the will of God.

“There are certain individuals who have chosen to be what they are, no matter what you tell them. We will continue to preach love and those who have chosen not to follow God’s commandments will face God’s judgment,” Cardinal Mazombwe said.

He said this shortly after he conducted mass at Saint Faustina Catholic parish in Lusaka yesterday.

Cardinal Mazombwe said individuals in the church who may be perceived to be fighting Government may fall but the church will continue, as it is a creation of God.

Cardinal Mazombwe encouraged parishioners to show mercy to those who offend them.

And in a Homily earlier, Pope Benedict XVI’s Apostolic Nuncio to Zambia Nicola Girasoli said it is important for Christians to show tolerance and promote reconciliation.

“This can only come about when Christians exercise mercy and forgive those who offend them,” he said.

Ambassador Girasoli appealed to Christians to grow in mercy.

“Especially you parishioners, you really need to grow more and more in Christian mercy. To forgive as Christians means we are supposed to be ready to forget,” he said.

Before conducting mass, Archbishop Girasoli blessed the Garden of Hope containing a symbolic tomb for Jesus.

Those who attended the blessing of the garden included Chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo of the Soli people of Lusaka province.

Last month, President Banda denied attacking the Catholic Church, saying the church is made up of individuals who support the party and others who do not support it.

President Banda, who was speaking in a message read for him at the ordination of the new Bishop of Mongu Evans Chinyemba, said at no time has he attacked the church and accusations that he is against Catholics are not true.

MMD national secretary Richard Kachingwe recently announced that the MMD was ready and willing to dialogue with the Catholic church to iron out misunderstandings.

Major Kachingwe said the differences were not necessary as they could easily be resolved at a round table.

And KANYANTA KATONGO reports that St Ignatius Jesuit Community Superior Father Charles Chilinda has urged political parties to emulate President Banda’s stance of not attacking the church.

Fr Chilinda said yesterday that Mr Banda’s position is welcome because it is good for the maintenance of peace and unity. He also said it is important for political parties to reconcile and pave way for development.

Fr Chilinda was speaking in an interview yesterday after mass at St Ignatius parish in Lusaka where he read the pastoral letter issued by Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) president Bishop George Lungu last month.

It was agreed that the letter would be read in all Catholic parishes on ascension Sunday which fell yesterday.

Fr Chilinda said the church would continue preaching peace, love and unity.

“I urge politicians to reconcile as a sign of peace and unity. Reconciliation and forgiveness is the only medicine for peace and unity,” he said.

Fr Chilinda said the church exists to promote a strong relationship with Government and that the Catholic church will voice its opinion but will not side with any political party as it stands for truth and love.

The pastoral letter said, among other things, that the Catholic teaching does not promote homosexuality because the act is unchristian.

“Homosexual acts are seriously wrong and sinful. Under no circumstances can homosexual acts be approved,” he said.

The letter said the fact that the Catholic Church makes a distinction between the homosexual act and homosexual orientation or inclination does not amount to promoting homosexuality.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

First Lady Thandiwe Banda has urged all Cultural Associations countrywide to uphold progressive traditional values and practices that promote good governance.

And the First lady has advised the different traditional ceremonies’ organisers throughout the country to consider combining their ceremonies of similar languages and purpose.

Senior Chief Ishindi of the Lunda people of Northwestern Province on his part says traditional ceremonies represent and explains one’s cultural background and identity.

Mrs. Banda said it is important for the cultural organisations in the country to be in the forefront of promoting values such gender equality, care for the extended family, respect,and care for the elderly.

The First Lady pointed out that if traditional values are embraced, it will no doubt promote development of the communities and the nation at large.

She said traditional ceremonies are good platforms for the promotion and preservation of the folklore and indigenous knowledge.

Mrs. Banda said through traditional ceremonies, children, adolescents and tourists alike are able to assimilate the country’s customs, music, dance, and cultural practices of ethnic groupings.

The First Lady said this in a speech read on her behalf by Community Development and Social Services Deputy Minister Donis Mufalari .

This was during a fund raising dinner dance for the Lunda Cultural Association at the Taj Pamodzi Hotel in Lusaka last evening.

This is in readiness for this year’s Lunda Lubanza ceremony, in Zambezi District.

Speaking at the same function, Senior Chief Ishindi of the Lunda people of Northwestern Province said traditional ceremonies represent and explains one’s cultural background and identity.

The Senior Chief also noted that traditional ceremonies were also a source of cultural practice that brings people together and unites them as one.

Senior Chief Ishindi commended government for the support it has been rendering towards for hosting of the Lunda Cultural Traditional Ceremony.

And LUCAZ Chairman Albert Kayeyi disclosed that K 30 million was needed for the Association to successfully host this year’s Lunda Cultural Traditional Ceremony on August 20.

Mr. Kayeyi said the main objective of the Lunda Cultural traditional ceremony was to uphold customs, culture,and economic development.

Meanwhile, the First lady has advised the different traditional ceremonies’ organisers throughout the country to consider combining their ceremonies of similar languages and purpose.

Mrs. Banda said by combining the ceremonies of similar languages and purpose, it will ensure effective utilization of resources.

The country has over 73 tribes and ethnicity each with its unique customary and tradition practices and ceremonies.

[ ZANIS ]