Heritage Party (HP) President, Brigadier-General Godfrey Miyanda says he can never support Patriotic Front (PF) President, Michael Sata.

General Miyanda has cited many reasons for his position, some of which he says are very sensitive.
He says among them is Mr Sata’s accusations in 2008 that the Heritage party was bribed by the MMD.

General Miyanda has told MUVI TV news in an exclusive interview that he still feels hurt and injured by Mr Sata’s comments.

He has further noted that nothing has been done by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) even after his formal complaint.

But PF chairperson for local government, Given Lubinda has said Mr Sata is not seeking for general Miyanda’s endorsement.

Speaking on behalf of Mr Sata, Mr Lubinda has explained that the PF leader would rather seek the endorsement of the Zambian people.

MUVI TV

Opposition Patriotic Front (PF) Member of Parliament for Kalulushi Constituency has urged the electorate in the area to vote for President Rupiah Banda in this year’s elections.

Speaking to ZANIS in Kalulushi yesterday, Mr Anton Simama said there is need for electorate in the area to vote for President Banda who he said has brought in various development activities not only in Kalulushi but the entire country within a short period of time.

Mr. Simama explained that although he was an opposition PF parliamentarian, he was currently working with the MMD government that has facilitated various development projects that are visible for all to see.

He described the ruling MMD as a winning party because of the development that President Banda brought to the area.

President Banda’s administration recently initiated a construction programme of constructing 420 small, medium and low cost houses in the district in collaboration with the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) and so far 100 houses are already constructed.

Mr. Banda’s government was also engaging a contractor to tar the economically viable Kalulushi – Lufwanya road.

[ ZANIS ]

Security agents in Siavonga yesterday intercepted and impounded a banana boat carrying ten Eastern African prohibited immigrants who entered Zambia illegally.

The prohibited immigrants were in a group being ferried to unknown destination for Human Trafficking.

Siavonga District immigration officer in charge Mr.Willson Matoka confirmed the development in an interview with ZANIS, today.

Mr. Matoka said the ten prohibited immigrants were found bundled in the banana boat which was coming from lower Zambezi River yesterday around 11 : 00 hours.

He said the immigrants have since been screened and detained at Siavonga police station.

They will appear in court soon.

The immigration department has so far nabbed hundreds of prohibited immigrants mainly in Lusaka, Nakonde and Siavonga after entering the county illegally.
[ ZANIS ]

The United party for national development (UPND) has formed a secret alliance with the MMD aimed at de-campaigning the patriotic front leader Michael Sata, QFM has been informed.

Sources close to QFM have stated that the alliance has been dubbed secret, away from public eye were the two political parties have agreed that PF should not form government.

It has been learn that part of the door to door campaign that the UPND has been conducting is aimed at de-campaign the PF president Michael Sata, stating that the PF government will legalize same sex relationships.

QFM news has also learnt that the secret alliance between the MMD and UPND will never go public, but will merely be working underground.

Sources further say that the alliance started after wrangles in the defunct PF/UPND pact emerged.

But UPND national youth coordinator Brian Hapunda has dispelled such reports saying that the UPND is far beyond such type of politics.

Mr. Hapunda has described such reports as mere speculation meant to undermine the party in the eyes of its members and supporters.

Mr. Hapunda explained that the UPND has never entered into any alliance with the MMD.

He says that the UPND does not see any reason to enter into an alliance with a party that has destroyed the country in the 20-year rule it has ruled Zambia.
[ QFM ]

President Rupiah Banda has launched the K470 billion re- development of Finance house in Lusaka by the Zambia National Building Society.

The Central Arcade Development project will house a 1 000 capacity automated parcade, a hotel, banks and offices.

The Project which has been financed by the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) is expected to create over 1 000 jobs once completed in 2013.

Speaking during the launch, President Banda urged the National Building Society to ensure they fulfill their mandate of empowering Zambians through well priced housing finance.

President Banda said that home ownership must be encouraged in the country and advised the National Building Society to revive its core business to reach out to a greater number of Zambians.

He also urged NAPSA to ensure that the social security funds are invested wisely for the good of retirees in Zambia.

And president Banda has called on Zambians to support his projects, as this will help the country attain the Vision 2030 of becoming a middle-income country.

And Labor Minister Austin Liato said that allegations in the private media that there was a Kenyan investor involved in the project are untrue and aimed at discrediting the President.

Mr Liato said that the project by the two parastatals is a sign of attractive and conducive business environment that President Banda’s government is providing.

Meanwhile, Zambia National Building Society Board chairperson Joyce Simukoko says the project will have a positive impact on the economy and increase revenue for the Government.

And NAPSA Board chairperson Dominic Mbangu said that his institution will recover its resources within 20 years.

And President Rupiah Banda has said that government is looking for more money to pay retirees benefits.

The President says this is in addition to the K300 Billion released last week to settle retirees benefits. Mr Banda said that government is aware of the challenges retirees are facing in the country.

He said that it was unfortunate that some retirees have continued to suffer. The President was reacting to a plea by the Three Lecturer’s Unions at the University of Zambia who are asking government to settle the outstanding K400 billion arrears.

ZNBC

After 25 years of history-making, life-changing television, Oprah hosts the finale of The Oprah Winfrey Show.

The most famous talk show host has decided to end the show to focus on her production company. Monday kicked off the three-part finale series that included Tuesday’s “Surprise, Oprah! A Farewell Spectacular” at the United Center in Chicago.

Oprah opened her final episode by describing how she got from her start to how the show has gained the success it has today.

The Mississippi native’s show started back in 1983 when as “AM Chicago”  and was later named “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” It was nationally broadcast in 1986.

“I started out with a jerrycurl and a bad fur coat,” said Oprah. The talk show host told her fans how she hosted her first show without an audience . She said she brought in a few chairs and filled the show with staff from the building and people on the street that she “bribed with donuts and coffee.”

Today, Oprah’s show has become one of the most successful talk shows in history. It has made Oprah one of the richest African Americans of the 20th century and she was once the world’s only black billionaire.

“From day one Chicago, you took me in,” she said to her audience in the finale episode. Soon after she started the show something shifted and Oprah said it went from just a job to more. Oprah then told the audience that she always wanted to be a teacher and became one to the biggest classroom, though sometimes she was the teacher but mostly everyone else taught her.

“This will be our last class from this stage,” said Oprah.[pullquote]Everyone has a calling, and your real job in life is to figure out what that is and get about the business of doing it,” she said. “You have to know what sparks the light in you so that you in your own way can illuminate the world. … Wherever you are, that’s your stage, your circle of influence. That’s your talk show, that’s where your power lies. … You have the power to change somebody’s life[/pullquote]

With no guests or surprise for this episode, Oprah decided to dedicate her final episode to sharing what her audience taught her over the years.

She began sharing her most touching videos beginning with an episode involving a woman who felt people’s energy. After the episode Oprah kept a plaque on her wall that quoted the guest and asks each person to “Be responsible for the energy they bring.”

She went on to share other touching moments of past guests including sexually abused men who all first unveiled themselves on “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”

She also thanked her fourth grade teacher Mrs.Dunkin, who appeared back in 1988 too, who Oprah said “first validated her,” and made her feel like she “mattered.”

“You and this show have been the great love of my life,” Oprah said to viewers as the final show came to a close. ”I won’t say goodbye but say, until we meet again.”

In a special episode that aired Wednesday as part of a three-part farewell, a slew of celebrities and even more fans came together to pay tribute to the most famous talk show host in history.  The star studded lineup included Tom Hanks, Dakota Fanning, Jerry Seinfeld, who performed a routine, Madonna, Tom Cruise, Halle Berry, Beyonce, John Legend, Jamie Fox, Dr. Phil, Stevie Wonder, Patti LaBelle, Aretha Franklin, Rosie O’Donnell, Usher and Stedman Graham.

“This last hour is about me saying thank you; it is my love letter to you,” she said. “I want to leave you all with the lessons that anchor my life. Every day that I stood here I knew that this was exactly where I was supposed to be. There was many a day I came to work tired, but I showed up because I knew that you were waiting, you were waiting for whatever we had to offer. That’s why I never missed a day in 25 years.”

Over the course of 60 minutes Wednesday, Winfrey inspired laughter, but it’s also fair to say that she simply felt the need to inspire. The 57-year-old media mogul told her viewers she hoped they would take what she’s given them and turn their everyday lives into their own personal stage, to realize they also have the power to affect and change lives.

“Everyone has a calling, and your real job in life is to figure out what that is and get about the business of doing it,” she said. “You have to know what sparks the light in you so that you in your own way can illuminate the world. … Wherever you are, that’s your stage, your circle of influence. That’s your talk show, that’s where your power lies. … You have the power to change somebody’s life.”

The other lesson the show has taught her, she said, is how important it is to grasp the concept of your own worth. “The show has taught me that there’s a common thread that runs through all of our pain and suffering: unworthiness,” Winfrey said. “We can all block our own blessings because we don’t feel inherently good enough or smart enough or pretty enough. The show has taught me that you’re worthy because you were born and you are here. You’re being here, and being alive, makes you worthy. You alone are enough.”

And, of course, if you want to still hear from Oprah, you can. She said during the finale that her new e-mail address is [email protected]. “It’s the personal e-mail account for all of you,” Winfrey said, adding if there’s something in your inbox from that address, it’s from her directly. “I want you to know that what you have to say matters to me.”

In the end, Winfrey said her departure isn’t bittersweet, but rather “all sweet and no bitter.”

“Every single day I came down from my makeup room, I’d offer a prayer of gratitude for the opportunity to have done this work. To be embraced by all of you, it’s one of the greatest honors a human being can have,” she said.

“Many of us have been together for 25 years. … So I thank you all for your support and trust in me. I thank you for tuning in every day. … I won’t say goodbye, I’ll just say, ‘Until we meet again.’ ”

[Long Island News;CNN entertainment]

Oprah Winfrey has been a great inspiration to Lusakatimes and we wish her all the best in the next chapter of her life

Investigations into alleged illegal land allocation among Lusaka City Councilors have revealed several irregularities.

As a result of these allegations, Local Government Minister, Brian Chituwo, on 21st January this year, suspended the council and further ordered for an investigation.

The councilors are alleged to have shared among themselves, the majority of plots in the Lilayi housing project.

And Dr Chituwo yesterday told Journalists in Lusaka that after the investigations, glaring irregularities were unearthed.

Dr. Chituwo has added that he will next week make public the details of the report on the investigations.

[ MUVI ]

Tourism Minister, Catherine Namugala has advised the people of Chiawa to resolve their land wrangles in collaboration with their traditional leaders.

Ms. Namugala says it is important that traditional leaders and their subjects dialogue whenever there is a problem between them.

Chiawa villagers have written a public letter in which they’re expressing concern over a community, they allege, has been sold by the traditional leadership.

In the letter, the villagers are further claiming that the respective camp was sold to a named foreign investor without their knowledge.
[ MUVI ]