Former High Commissioner to South Africa, Leslie Mbula has urged government to prioritise the Information Technology and Communication (ICT) sector.
Mr. Mbula noted that the sector is an important component of any country’s economic development.
He observed that the ICT sector will enhance Zambia’s social-economic development.
Mr. Mbula has also called on the country’s education system to embrace sciences and mathematics
[ MUVI ]
Four people have been convicted and sent to jail in connection with the Mansa riots.
Police spokesperson, Ndandula Siamana has said in Lusaka that of the 220 suspects arrested, 107 have appeared in court.
Ms. Siamana explained that the four people, who have been convicted, have been incarcerated for various jail sentences.
Those convicted are Frank Mukupa aged 57, Charles Kabangu aged 27, Jackson Kabo aged 32 and Vincent Mulenga aged 26, all of Mansa district.
Meanwhile, in Lusaka, a Rwandese national and his son were yesterday found dead in their shop in Chazanga area.
Ms. Siamana says Police suspect the two could have suffocated to death because a brazier was also found in the shop.
[ MUVI ]
The quartet of high profile ex-Zambia internationals coaching in the Faz Division 1 had mixed fortunes in their respective week 11 matches played over the weekend.
In Division 1 South, Kenneth “Bubble” Malitoli’s side Livingstone Pirates beat Profund Warriors coached by fellow ex-international Evans Sakala 2-0 in Livingstone.
Profund are 14th in the 18-team Division 1 South league on 10 points from as many games played.
Pirates meanwhile are 4th on the table on 18 points, two behind leaders Luena Buffaloes who lost 2-1 away to Paramilitary coached by ex-Zambia defender Happy Sichikolo.
This was Sichikolo’s first match in charge since he was appointed last week to coach the Lilayi-based team.
And in Division 1 North, Fredrick Kashimoto’s Mufulira Police FC drew 1-1 away to Kitwe United in their mid-table clash.
Mufulira Police are 9th on the table on 12 points, eight less than leaders Indeni.
FOOTBALL
MTN/FAZ Super Division
Week 9
21/05/2011
Forest Rangers 0-Power Dynamos 1(Simon Bwalya 90″)
Green Eagles 2(Kelly Chomba 31″, Ian Manda 55″)-Nkana 0
Nakambala Leopards 0-Red Arrows 1(Danny Sibande 25″)
Nkwazi 1(Jeff Lungu 10″)-Kalewa 4(Edward Mwansa 43″, Maybin Ngosa 57″, Boston Mwanza 85″, Percy Bilyoti 90″)
Nchanga Rangers 0-Green Buffaloes 2(Brian Chilando 60″, Buchizya Mfune 73″)
Zanaco 2(Charles Siyingwa 11″, Fabrice Mbimba 49″ )-Konkola Blades 3(Ephriam Banda 27″ 63″, Maybin Chishimba 78″)
Kabwe Warriors 1(Richard Kasonde 33″)-Roan United 1(Graven Chitalu 89″)
22/05/2011
Zesco United 2(Moonga Chilinda 11″ og, Jackson Mwanza 84″)- Lime Hotspurs 1(Lameck Kamfwa 78″)
TABLE
[standings league_id=18 template=extend logo=false]
TOP SCORERS
22/05/2011
Alfred Luputa (Zesco United):6
Dube Phiri (Red Arrows): 5
Kangwa Chileshe (Zesco): 5
Jackson Mwanza (Zesco United):4
Graven Chitalu (Roan United): 4
Moses Phiri (Zanaco): 4
Lottie Phiri (Power Dynamos): 4
Lewis Macha (Nchanga Rangers): 4
Ephriam Banda (Konkola Blades): 3
Simon Bwalya (Power Dynamos): 3
Maunga Kabuku (Kabwe Warriors) 3
Charles Siyingwa (Zanaco): 3
Innocent Mwaba (Zesco United): 3
Lubinda Mundia (Nakambala Leopards): 3
Dears Kakunta (Green Buffaloes):
Liniker Mwikisa (Green Buffaloes): 3
Elson Mkandawire (Kabwe Warriors):3
Webester Mulenga (Nakambala Leopards): 3
Raynold Kampamba (Nkana): 3
Portipher Zulu (Zesco United): 3
Chipili Mungule (Green Buffaloes): 3
FAZ Division One
22/05/2011
Week 11
North
Chambishi 0-Luanshya United 1
Kabwe United 0-Mufulira Blackpool 2
Mufulira Wanderers 0-Mining Rangers 0
Kitwe United 1-Mufulira Police 1
Zesco Luapula 0-Ndola United 0
Indeni 1- Nkwiza 0
Lusaka Dynamos 0-Prison Leopards 3
Chindwin Sentries 2-kalulushi Modern Stars 0
Bresmer United 2-Konkola Mine Police 1
[standings league_id=19 template=extend logo=false]
South
Big Roma 1-Lusaka Tigers 1
Riflemen 0-Kalomo Jetters 0
Livingstone Pirates 2-Profund Warriors 0
National Assembly 1-Nampundwe 0
Paramilitary 2-Luena Buffaloes 1
Senanga Leopards 2- Freedom Rangers 3
Petauke United 0-Lusaka City Council 0
City of Lusaka 2-Mazabuka United 1
Young Green Eagles 1-Kafue Celtic 0
[standings league_id=20 template=extend logo=false]
President Rupiah Banda has directed the Ministry of Education to monitor private schools to ensure they provide quality education.
President Banda said parents pay huge sums of money for their children’s school fees and that the quality of education provided should be of high standard.
He was speaking when he officially opened Horizon Primary and High school in Lusaka on Monday.
Mr. Banda has also urged parents to take keen interest in the learning process of their children.
He explains that parents should know their children’s strengths and weaknesses.
President Banda says the move helps in the formation of character of their children.
And President Banda says Government will continue investing heavily in the country’s education sector.
He says this is because education is a pre-requisite to addressing economic challenges.
Earlier, Turkish Ambassador Ahmet Arba said the opening of the school will contribute to the needs of Zambians.
And Horizon Educational Trust PTA Chairman Leslie Mbula has asked the Turkish Governmet to send more Science, Mathematics and ICT teachers to Zambia.
Mr. Mbula says this is because Science, Mathematic and ICT are key to the development of Zambia.
And Turkish University Chancellor Serif Ali Tkalan says his country decided to open a school in Zambia because of the country’s peaceful environment.
Meanwhile, Horizon Educational Trust has awarded First Lady Thandiwe Banda with an honorary certificate.
President Banda received the certificate on behalf of the first Lady.
ZNBC
Mbita Chitala has charged that the 20 year rule of the Movement for Multi party democracy MMD government is this year coming to an end.
Dr. Chitala, one of the brains behind the formation of the MMD says that it is clear that the MMD has no chance of returning power after the 2011 elections.
He says that the democratic tendencies in the MMD have been done away with because of the leadership being provided by party president Rupiah Banda.
Dr. Chitala has noted with regret that the MMD has adopted the UNIP strategy that is not tolerant in the way its leading the country.
He says that the MMD should not be confident that they will win this year s election in an easy way.
He recalls that the failure for the country to have a new constitution marked a vote of no confidence for the MMD.
Dr. Chitala, a former Libyan ambassador to Zambia, has further stated that the Patriotic Front would be a better government that the current one.
The former ambassador vowed to continue campaigning for the opposition Patriotic Front because he has studied their manifesto and agrees with what the opposition party stands for.
He said there is nothing sinister about him supporting the PF as he is only seeking to see a better Zambia just like the many suffering Zambians.
[QFM]
The Government’s economic policies of attracting new investment as well as enabling re-investment among existing companies are the reasons Zambia’s economy is set to continue expanding, an economist has said.
Chibamba Kanyama said as a result of these policies, more investors would want to come into the country, while those in existence would re-invest to expand their organisations.
Speaking in an interview in Lusaka, Mr Kanyama said the current regime was attracting high levels of investment because the Government has taken a pro-active stance of marketing the country away from the traditional Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) origination from countries in Europe to emerging nations that were experiencing astronomical growth patterns, mainly India and China.
“There has been a fine balance between attracting new investment and enabling re-investment among existing companies.
Unlike in previous years when concessions and focus by Government were towards those investing for the first time, the current Government has given equal or even deeper attention to existing investors.
This has worked very well for Government because it costs more money to attract a new investor than it does enabling an existing investor to re-invest and expand.
Whereas new investors may seek tax relief for a period up to five years, existing companies that bring in new capital will not have this tax relief,” Mr Kanyama said.
Mr Kanyama, who is also Zambia Breweries Corporate Affairs director, said that his firm had injected more than US $75 million in the past three years, saying it was much higher than what some new investors might have brought into the country.
He said that the $75 million investment would immediately result in high Government revenue in the medium to long term.“It also means, therefore, that the bird in hand is better than the one in the bush.
What this Government has done is to give a stronglistening ear to the needs of local investors and in the process enabling them to grow in the long term; this is the best strategy ofsustaining economic growth,” Mr Kanyama said.
Mr Kanyama said that there has been times that Government has taken a gamble by providing for trade-related tax relief to existing companies in the hope of recouping it in the long term. Such a measure, he said takes a highly focused and pragmatic Government to achieve.
In the case of Zambian Breweries, he said the firm had urged the Government to look broadly at the fiscal factors.
He said that traditionally, governments only want to get as much revenue from a company as possible without focusing on the bigger picture.
“Fortunately, and in a win-win approach, the Government now appears to have struck a fine balance between maximisation of revenue, while at the same time understanding our model to broaden the tax base through the value chain.
In other words, whereas we seek to pay more taxes each year, we feel the real gain for Government is to enable a company like ZB, and others following the same model, to expand,” Mr Kanyama said.He said in the brewery industry for instance, owing to Government’s policies, a number of associated companies are beingborn, such as barley farms.
He said from the creation of such associated companies, Government would still be able to earn revenue.“This should also allay accusations that multinationals want to pay as little tax as possible.
On the contrary, multinationals seek long term economic stability and growth through value-chain expansion,” Mr Kanyama said.
Mr Kanyama, therefore, urged the Government to remain focused on the path it has taken as the country’s future remains brighter for economic growth, wealth for households through employment and further attraction of new investment.
[Times of Zambia]
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THE MMD has described Patriotic Front (PF) leader Michael Sata’s failure on Saturday to pay a courtesy on the Lozi King, the Litunga, in Western Province where he was holding campaign meetings as lack of respect for chiefs in the country.
Mr Sata, who held campaign meetings in Mongu on Saturday, angered the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) because of his failure to pay a courtesy call on the Litunga.
Several Mongu residents also expressed disappointment with Mr Sata’s behaviour to recognise the Litunga.
MMD spokesperson Dora Siliya said Mr Sata’s failure to respect significant role chiefs played signified that he would even forget about the traditional rulers if he came into power because he does not care for them.
In an interview yesterday, Ms Siliya said MMD was not surprised with Mr Sata’s actions to disrespect the Litunga and that such behaviour revealed he was a misplaced leader who should not be accorded national responsibilities.
She said chiefs played a critical role in promoting unity and peace in the country and that it was for this reason President Rupiah Banda and his MMD Government had continued to work closely with all traditional leaders.
“We are not surprised with Mr Sata’s behaviour because he has always been like that.
He cannot be entrusted with leadership responsibilities and now Zambians know what type of a leader Mr Sata can be,” said Ms Siliya.
She said Zambians should not take Mr Sata as a serious leader because he had shown that he could do nothing to improve the welfare of traditional leaders if elected as president.
After receiving condemnation for not paying a courtesy call on the Litunga, Mr Sata yesterday went and paid a courtesy call on Mukwae Mbwanjikana but this infuriated the people even more.And the people of senanga have described Mr Sata as a leader full of rhetoric.
The people spoken to after Mr Sata’s rally in Senanga yesterday said they were shocked that Mr Sata had nothing to talk about apart from making wild allegations which he would not substantiate.
This was after Mr Sata had alleged that the MMD had allegedly registered foreigners from Zimbabwe, Angola, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo as voters in this year’s elections.
The people were also surprised that Mr Sata could lie to the people of Senanga that President Banda had been in office for 20 years when in actual fact the president had only been in office for the past two years.
In his speech, Mr Sata claimed that President Banda had allegedly failed to develop Western Province in the past 20 years he had been in office.
At the same rally, former Sports minister William Harrington who is eyeing Senanga Constituency on the PF ticket was booed when he tried to claim that he was capable of developing the area if elected.
And a former UPND official Nabiwa Imikendu who recently defected to the PF complained to the people for not responding to the PF slogan at the rally.
Earlier, before the rally, taxi drivers queued at Moto Moto Villa where Mr Sata was having lunch to be given money for 20 litres of fuel meant to go round Senanga and transport people to the rally.
[Times of Zambia]
The Drug-Enforcement Commission (DEC) has arrested a 41-year-old businessperson of Maramba Township in Livingstone for trafficking in more than 300 kilogrammes of cannabis.
DEC public relations manager John Nyawali said Mubita Kekelwa was arrested from his house as he was preparing to transport the contraband to Namibia.
DEC has also arrested a 23-year-old businessperson named as Kenneth Zuzi of Malota Township in Livingstone for trafficking in cannabis.
Mr Nyawali said Mr Zuzi was found with more than 200 balls of loose cannabis which he was selling and he was a major supplier of cannabis in the township.
Meanwhile, 500 kilogrammes of cannabis was seized in the last seven days country-wide and 95 people arrested in connection with the psychotropic substance.
Among those arrested was a 33-year-old Tanzanian national who was found with 22 rolls of Malawian gold, a type of cannabis well-known for its high potency.
Mr. Nyawali said Juma Hussein Shaban was arrested from Chililabombwe town centre after being trailed from Kasumbalesa border on his way to Namibia from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Others arrested were a grade nine pupil of Sesheke High School, who was found with an undisclosed quantities of cannabis.
[ Times of Zambia ]
The MMD in Lusaka has dispelled allegations that party spokesperson Dora Siliya insulted Catholic bishops in Mpika recently when she toured development projects in the district.
MMD provincial information and publicity secretary Greenock Lupambo said in a statement that allegations that MsSiliya insulted the clergy in Mpika are not correct.
Mr Lupambo said on the contrary, Ms Siliya said good things about the Catholics and how they are working closely with the government of the day.
“It is however surprising to learn from some sections of the media that she used abusive language. The truth is that she never uttered any abusive language. What she did was just to comment on homosexuality, a subject which is ungodly and against the Zambian laws,” he said.
“Why is it that out of 600 clergymen in the Catholic church, only seven of them are busy decampaigning the MMD government. If they continue they will just bring the name of the Catholic Church into disrepute,” he said.
Mr. Lupambo said it has become apparent that the seven bishops are the only ones calling for change of Government, leaving everyone to wonder what makes them think that change is inevitable.
He has challenged the bishops calling for change of government to leave the pulpit and join the political arena.
Mr. Lupambo said the role of the clergy is to win back lost souls, not to call for change of government every Sunday.
[ Zambia Daily Mail ]
Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) member Nason Msoni has charged that revelations by former Ambassador Milton Phiri that President Banda is not qualified as Republican President should not be ignored.
Mr. Msoni says it is prudent for the MMD to seek for true and honest answers from President Banda who he says has several times admitted and stated that he was born in Zimbabwe.
The MMD member has added that what appears to be more serious is the allegation that both his parents hail from outside this country.
He says these allegations puts in danger the sovereignty and security of this country.
Mr. Msoni further says it is shocking that people who are not bonafide citizens of this country should cling to power and fight for the presidency of this country at all costs.
He has reiterated his call on the MMD to start searching for the alternative candidate adding that it is obvious that if anyone files an injunction against President Banda, it could complicate chances of the party in retaining power.
QFM
THE United States government has urged election observers to respect the authority of the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ).
United States ambassador to Zambia Mark Storella said effective monitoring of elections demands that electoral laws are followed and that civil society organisations, as election observers, carry out their task professionally.
Mr Storella said in a statement released in Lusaka over the weekend that the US government would only work with civil society organisations which observe elections in a non-partisan manner.
He expressed gratitude for the gesture shown by Government to invite both local and international election observers to monitor this year’s tripartite elections.
Mr Storella said Zambia has an impressive history of conducting free and fair elections and to support the electoral process in the country, civil society organisations and all stakeholders should follow the laid down procedures.
“It is important for all stakeholders to respect the law and proper procedures to preserve peace in the electoral process which reflects the will of the Zambian people,” MrStorella said.
He said the ECZ has the authority to count ballots and election observers can only use the official results as posted by the commission to make independent tallies.
Mr Storella said observers should wait for the ECZ to make an official announcement of the results before releasing their own analyses of vote counts.
He said the US government will continue to support the democratic process in the country and that the American people would like to see Zambia cement its reputation for being a leader of democracy, peace, and stability in southern Africa.
And JERRY MUNTHALI reports that insinuations that the ruling party plans to conduct its PVT at a cost of K27 billion in this year’s tripartite elections are works of daydreamers, MMD national secretary Richard Kachingwe says.
Reacting to reports that the ruling party plans to spend K27 billion on its own PVT exercise in the general elections, Major Kachingwe said yesterday that the ruling party respects the rule of law and cannot conduct PVT to usurp the powers of the ECZ.
“It is baseless for anyone to suggest that we will conduct PVT. We are a party of laws, we respect the laws of Zambia and we respect the law that established the Electoral Commission of Zambia,” he said.
He said the MMD will not do anything to undermine the authority of the ECZ.
“We have never discussed it at any forum because we respect the ECZ and we have confidence in them. The so-called source of this information is a blatant liar because this is not in our circles,” Maj Kachingwe said.
The article was carried by The Post quoting sources suggesting that the ruling party is planning to carry out its own PVT and intends to spend over K27 billion on the exercise.
“Which sources are they talking about? I am the chief executive of the party and I have no idea whatsoever what they are taking about. We have a new national executive committee and elections fall under honourable Gabriel Namulambe who is chairman of elections. He has been busy with other tasks at national and party level,” Maj Kachingwe said.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
SOME civil society organisations have said it is shameful for Caritas Zambia, a Catholic Church organisation, to organise and help the Patriotic Front (PF) on the campaign trail in Western Province.
Leadership in Development executive director Moses Kalonde has challenged Mongu Caritas Zambia director, Nathaniel Mubukwanu to openly join active politics instead of using the organisation to champion his alleged political agenda.
He said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that Caritas Zambia is contradicting its role by being partisan.
“If Caritas Zambia wants to get into active politics, they should just join politics and stop confusing people that the institution is a non-governmental organisation trying to help the needy,” Mr Kalonde said.
On Sunday, sources revealed that Caritas Zambia allegedly organised Mr Sata’s campaign meetings in the province.
Committee of Citizens executive director Gregory Chifire said it is sad for Caritas Zambia to side with the PF when it is supposed to help the needy.
Mr Chifire said Caritas Zambia management should resign because it has failed to be non-partisan.
Forum for Leadership Search executive director Edwin Lifwekelo said Caritas Zambia’s involvement with the PF confirms fears that the organisation wants to use the pulpit to champion its political agenda.
Mr Lifwekelo said Zambians should be wary of Caritas Zambia which has allegedly taken a dangerous stance of active politics.
And the House of Chiefs said it is sad that PF president Michael Sata failed to pay a courtesy call on the Litunga.
House of Chiefs chairperson chief Madzimawe said it is displeasing that Mr Sata failed to see the Litunga, especially if it is established that he did not even attempt to make an appointment to meet him.
“If the Barotse Royal Establishment has complained that he did not go before it to let it know of the reason he has gone to Western Province, then I think it is not right,” he said.
He said as political leaders step up their campaigns ahead of the forthcoming general elections, they should not overlook traditional leaders.
“Those vying for political office should humble themselves and be welcomed by traditional leaders of the areas in which they go to campaign,” Chief Madzimawe said.
Meanwhile, Western Province Minister, Richard Mwapela says people in the province have not forgotten that Mr Sata betrayed them over the Barotseland Agreement of 1964 when he served in Cabinet.
Mr Mwapela said from Mongu yesterday that MrSata and then Legal Affairs Minister Rodger Chongwe opposed the BA when the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) raised the issue during former President Frederick Chiluba’s reign.
“Mr Sata and Dr Chongwe were part of the ministerial committee which concluded that the Barotseland Agreement is stale and that the government should not recognise it. That statement is still fresh in the minds of the people of Western Province and he (Mr Sata) should know that the people of Western Province still remember that,” Mr Mwapela said.
He said MrSata allegedly wants to use the Barotseland Agreement to gain political mileage in the province but the people know his initial stance over the issue.
He, however, said MrSata’s alleged trick of attempting to use the agreement for political expedience will not work because the people know that he does not even recognise the BRE’s authority.
Mr Mwapela said it is unfortunate that the PF leader is counting on the agreement to garner support in the province when he initially opposed the BRE, which was the signatory to the agreement through Litunga Sir Mwanawina Lewanika.
He said the people of Western province should not be misled by Mr. Sata’s inconsistency on key national issues.
Mr Mwapela said before the 2006 general elections, MrSata promised to drop all charges against DrChiluba if voted into power.
He said the PF leader has now turned against Dr. Chiluba just because of the latter’s support for President Banda and his administration.
Mr Mwapela said the people who attended the PF leader’s rally at Blue Gums ground merely wanted to catch a glimpse of him and that he should not believe that they will vote for him.
He urged the people of Western Province to rally behind President Banda.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen.”
(James 5:7, NLT)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
God has put dreams and desires in every person’s heart. But most times, there’s a season of waiting involved. Maybe you’re waiting for a relationship to improve; waiting to get married; waiting for a promotion; or waiting to overcome an illness. Much of life is spent waiting. But there’s a right way to wait and there’s a wrong way to wait. Too often, when things don’t happen on our timetable, we get down and discouraged or anxious and fretful. That’s because we’re not waiting the right way.
Notice that today’s verse doesn’t say if you wait, it says as you wait. The fact is we’re all going to wait. It goes on to say that we should consider how the farmer waits — patiently and eagerly. We’re not supposed to sit around discouraged; we’re supposed to be hopeful, positive and full of expectancy!
Today, no matter what you are praying for, expect things to change in your favor. Today could be the day that God turns it all around. As you wait with patience and expectancy, you’ll open the door for God to move. He’ll fight your battles, and you’ll see that abundant harvest He’s promised in every area of your life.
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father God, today I choose to wait expectantly for You. I trust that You are working behind the scenes on my behalf. I put my trust and hope in You knowing that You have good things in store for my future. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
— Joel & Victoria Osteen
© Lusaka Times
