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Chief Sinazongwe of the Tonga speaking people has reaffirmed his desire for the Sinazongwe Constituency to produce a Member of Parliament for the ruling Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD).
The chief said he continue to advocate and seriously persuade his subjects to vote for the MMD candidate at Parliamentary and Presidential levels, respectively.
Chief Sinazongwe said this when Southern Province Minister Elijah Muchima paid a courtesy call at his palace yesterday.
And the provincial minister told the traditional leader that he has in the recent past been equally persuading the electorate in the area to elect an MMD member of parliament in this year’s elections.
“I am seriously persuading young people in the district to produce a MMD Member of Parliament in this year’s tripartite elections,” Mr Muchima said.
He said people in the district must realize that for change has and they need to join the MMD.
The noted that people in the district will be excited with the governments’ decision to award a contract to a Chinese investor to work on the Bottom road.
He said the bottom road is the heart of the Tonga people and it will grateful once government works on it.
Mr. Muchima said government is channeling developmental programmes to very parts of the country so that people will have money in their pockets.
He said was grateful for the chief’s gesture to support the ruling party to ensure that gets seats in Southern province during this year’s elections.
Vice president George Kunda meets Chongwe MP Sylvia Masebo
Vice President George Kunda says the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) would not take for granted the nationwide support that Zambian citizens have rendered to the ruling party.
Mr. Kunda said the ruling party will instead reciprocate by developing the country.
Addressing a rally at Masase Basic School in Serenje District yesterday,Mr Kunda said that the MMD enjoyed countrywide support hence it would ensure that it fostered development in all parts of the country.
ZANIS reports that he said the hardworking nature of the MMD government under President Rupiah Banda had earned it massive support unlike some opposition political parties which only commanded pockets of it.
Mr Kunda told the gathering that that he was confident that President Banda would emerge with a landslide victory in this year’s election because MMD was not sectarian but a party of national character.
‘’The people of Zambia know that the MMD doesn’t stand for tribalism.We are a party of national character,’’ he said.
During the same meeting,the Vice President who is also Serenje’s Muchinga Constituency assured that he would engage the Zambia
Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) General Manager to ensure that Masase Basic School is electrified.
Mr Kunda noted that the national grid was a kilometer away from the school hence electricity would easily be installed.
Speaking at the same rally, MMD Central Province Deputy Chairperson George Kangwa announced that the Provincial Executive Committee ( PEC ) had resolved that the Vice President would not undergo the adoption process as candidate for Muchinga Constituency but would be unopposed.
Mr Kangwa stated that the party in the Province will write to the National Executive Committee (NEC) to inform it of the decision.
He said that any move to challenge the decision would be deemed as indiscipline adding that Muchinga Constituency Chairperson had already been instructed not to accept any entries during the adoption process.
Earlier, the Vice President visited Masase Health Post which has been constructed by Ministry of Health at a cost of K250 million.
Serenje District Medical Officer Dr Tiza Mfune told ZANIS that the health post which caters for about 4 000 people was opened last week.
Before the health post, the local people have been travelling long distances to seek medical treatment.
THE Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) has released US$71million to the National Road Fund Agency (NRFA) to finance the upgrading of five major roads in Zambia to tarmac level.
The released amount is part of the US$262 million DBSA has loaned the agency for works on five priority roads namely, Chipata-Lundazi,Kalulushi-Lufwanyama, Kabompo-Chavuma, Mumbwa-Landless Corner and Senanga-Sesheke, three of which form part of the Trans African Highways route running from Cape Town to the DRC’s Katanga Province and beyond.
NRFA spokesperson, Alphonsius Hamachila said in a Press release yesterday that by developing the road infrastructure in Zambia, areas of high economic potential normally out of reach would become accessible and attract potential investors in agriculture, mining, tourism as well as unlock other opportunities for industrial developments.
The road projects being financed under the DBSA loan agreement link up parts of Eastern, Western, North-Western and Southern Zambia to the Western side of the North -South corridor hence opening up more economic trade routes with Angola, Botswana, DRC, Malawi, SouthAfrica, Namibia and Zimbabwe.
He said in Western Province, the road project under construction was the 221-km Senanga-Sesheke Road with a contract sum of K780billion.
This road project forms a vital link in respect of shortening the distance between Lubumbashi and Walvis Bay via Solwezi, Mongu and Katima Mulilo.
Mr Hamachila said in North-Western Province, the road project being funded under the DBSA loan is the 239 km of the Kabompo-Chavuma Road at an estimated cost of K290 billion.
He said in Central Province, the selected road project is the 115km stretch of the Mumbwa-Landless Corner which is being upgraded to a paved road at a cost of about K180 billion.
On the Copperbelt Province, the road project to be paved is the 60km of the Kalulushi-Lufwanyama Road (yet to be contracted) at an estimated cost of K130 billion and in Eastern Province, it is theupgrading of the remaining 91 km of the Chipata-Lundazi Roadand 15 km of selected urban roads in Lundazi at a cost of K97billion.
Zambia is a key transit country in the North -South Corridor as itsits in between borders of eight countries in the region.
And Government has launched the start of construction works foran alternative road from Maamba through Masuku to Choma which will beundertaken at the cost of K2.9 billion.
The construction works, which started on Saturday at the weekend, arebeing be undertaken by the Rural Roads Unit (RRU).
Southern Province Minister Elijah Muchima said the Maamba-Masuku-ChomaRoad would be more beneficial particularly in an event that the existing Maamba-Batoka Road developed a problem.
Speaking on Saturday afternoon during the commencement of constructionworks for the road, Mr Muchima said the new route would stimulate economic activities in various areas.
Out of the total K2.9 billion, Maamba Collieries Limited (MCL) would contribute K1.8 billion.
The Zambian Government would contribute K1.1 billion towards the road project.Mr Muchima said the Government’s contribution would be through theequipment that it had made available through the RRU.
He said the Government had sourced K13 billion for bridges inSinazongwe District that were previously washed away by heavy rains.
Mr Muchima said the MMD Government would ensure there wasinfrastructure development in Zambia such as roads which were important to national development.He said President Rupiah Banda was ready to deliver development to thepeople in the country.
He praised MCL for partnering with the Government on the project as well as for commencing the production of coal.
Sinazongwe District Commissioner Oliver Pelete said people in the districtused to get worried whenever it was rainy season as the area used to be cut off from the rest of Zambia because of heavy rains.
Mr Pelete said each time the bridges were washed away, it was always difficult for the people of Sinazongwe District to travel and get essentials outside the district.
MCL chief executive officer Kalunga Mumba said his company was part ofthe community and that it was not taking away the resources but also giving back through its community projects.
Mr Mumba said by being part of the Masuku-Choma Road, the mine wantedto prove that it could also do the road as a responsible corporate entity.
RRU provincial engineer Edward Ntinda said Government was committed tothe project and praised the Maamba Collieries Limited for partnering with the State to construct the Masuku-Choma Road.
Forum for Democracy and Development FDD leader, Edith NawakwiBy Dr. R. Mtonga
Zambia’s nascent democracy is coming of age very rapidly.
As a young nation at 47 years of age this year, Zambia is a long way from ripening and reaching the ultimate in democracy.
It is a well-studied and indisputable fact that the vast many Zambians alive today do not even have the slightest memory of life before independence in 1964.
Very few indeed remember what it was like to live under British Imperial domination and let alone how the struggle for independence was conceived, orchestrated and won.
Oddly, though, the historical archives are replete with the heroics of the freedom fights, the majority of whom are nameless and faceless.
A visit to the Zambian National Archives or the Lusaka Museum will fully repay the labour in that regard.
Doubtlessly, the fleeting passage of time has entombed some of the precious landmarks in Zambia’s match to freedom.
Names of the gallant sons and daughters of the soil connected to Zambia’s political liberation are forever etched onto the colours of the national flag.
One would run out of space and time to catalogue heroes and heroines that put their pride, lives and limbs on the firing line to secureZambia’s dawn as a proud nation.
Among luminous names that come to mind effortlessly are Julia Chikamoneka, Robert Chiluwe, Mpundu Mwape, Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe, Nalumino Mundia, Munukayumbwa Sipalo, Humphrey Mulemba, Reuben Kamanga, Alexander Shapi, Alexander Grey Zulu, Mama Kankasa, Mary Fulano, Chieftainess Nkomesha, Christine Mulundika, Zenia Ndhlovu, Joshua Simuyandi, Daniel Munkombwe, Ludwig Sondashi, Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula, John Mwanakatwe, Kenneth David Kaunda.
This starry host of foot soldiers dismantled the British Imperial hegemony with resoluteness and selflessness.
It is clear that many women in Zambian politics, ancient and modern played and have continued to play a crucial role in shaping Zambia’spolitical destiny.
This fact, though rarely appreciated, can be seen not only on the fading pages of Zambian political history, but also in the current skirmishing manouevres to increase the number of women in politically-sensitive decision-making roles.
Many women, and rightly so are asking for more political space to show-off their wares.
In terms of political party hierarchies, however, not many women have seen the upper echelons of power.
The late Gwendoline Konie tried her hand at this and failed lamentably to attract votes.
She was in fact humiliated so much so that her influence was akin to a negative stain on the political fabric of Zambia.
Her resounding failure is only conspicuous by contrast. General Godfrey Miyanda, arguably Zambia’s most unprecedented “nearly-presidential material;” could easily have shed tears for Gwendoline had it not been for the fact he was mourning for himself at the time when late president Levy Patrick Mwanawasa took all before him to the dish washers! In modern times, one Edith Nawakwi has arisen with the clouds.
She was thrust into the lime-light during the glory-days of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD).
Hitherto an unknown marketeer at Northmead Market, Nawakwi soon became a force to reckon with by Kenneth Kaunda’s United National Independence Party (UNIP).
Nawakwi, a tough-talking doyen of the MMD, was a darling to many that had been baying for change to the chagrin of the UNIP die-hards.
Come 1991, Nawakwi, a bosom member of Frederick Chiluba’s inner circle was among the few women cabinet ministers. She was the first Third Republic minister of Energy and Water Development.
Later, the Nawakwi scored another first as the first and one of the youngest ministers of Finance in Zambian history.
Nawakwi also served as minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives.
The dizzy heights that Nawakwi had scaled in the MMD in those days, however, came to an unceremonious and abbreviated end with the Frederick Chiluba’s ill-advised and ill-fated unconstitutional third-term bid managed and orchestrated by Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, currently the self-anointed and sole owner and leader of the amphibious Patriotic Front Party.
Nawakwi was among the 19 MMD bigwigs that took the walk of honour, aided and abetted by the cunning King Cobra the then minister Without Portfolio and Chiluba’s chief praise singer, alongside late General Christon Tembo, and others to form the Forum for Democracy and Development.
Nawakwi’s light continued to shine in FDD as the first-ever female vice-president of a political party in Zambia.
History was still onher side as she later became the president of FDD via Munali as a member of Parliament, a seat she won against many odds.
This proud daughter of Chief Nawaitwika’s village is a true-firebrand in her own right.
The current FDD president is here today aspiring for Plot One. The question, therefore, that begs an answer is; has the hour come for the combative Nawakwi to take over the mantle from the larger-than-life Rupiah Bwezani Banda of the MMD? Many readers will agree that wrestling power from the formidable and almost indomitable RB and his MMD jagger-naughts will take more than wishful thinking.
RB is currently a favourite to retain power. He is heads-and-shoulders above his rivals.
All doubting Thomases need only wait for the election results announcement by the chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Zambia Justice Ireen Mambilima, when the moment comes, to confirm this assertion.
Nawakwi seems to be relying on gender to woo votes. It does not seemlikely though that the women of Zambia are minded to throw their choice into Namakwi’s basket.
The Women’s Lobby Group, with a faltering membership, is not a force to talk about. Nawakwi is better advised to look elsewhere for votes.
The men folk on the other hand seem not ready to lend their weight to a female presidential candidate this voting term.
The name Nawakwi is not heard even in hushed tones at watering holes.
Many would rather retire to their beds than consider Nawakwi a topic worth its salt in political terms.
The students, from the look of things, do not seem to have set their sights on Nawakwi either.
One would be excused to think that Nawakwi is more of a political orphan than a serious contender in this year’s tripartite elections.
Nawakwi’s political platform of note, the media, unfortunately will not be taking part in the 2011 presidential elections.
The current laws do not allow institutional or college voting. The law needs to bechanged to accommodate this and it appears a bit late for Nawakwi to push her luck through this channel.
It must be granted that Nawakwi must be allowed to enjoy and exercise her right to aspire for any political office in the land as she hasdone in the past.
After all Zambia is a democracy. Just for the avoidance of ignorance, this year’s elections are not forthe faint-hearted or fat-witted but for men of stamina.
Boys and girls this time round will do better as cheer-leaders and not contenders. Standing vertically at 178 centimetres or nearly six foot, Nawakwi is well and truly blessed with a good physical height.
But even with that metric or imperial measurement in her favour, it will be a tall order for her to land the job at Plot One. It will, therefore, be foolhardy for Nawakwi to throw her hat into these elections alone as she will, as it were, be committing political suicide by falling on her own sword.
The good news, however, is that Nawakwi has many options still open toher.
She would either go back to the drawing board or join hands with other political groupings with a shouting chance.
Nawakwi could also endorse one or other of the potential presidential candidates or standin Munali or Isoka East constituencies as a parliamentary candidate.
Nawakwi as a farmer and business woman could alternatively go greenand contribute from those angles too.
After all feeding the poor isnobler than presiding over them or entering a race the Nawakwi will gloriously and lamentably lose.
This is not a threat; it is a timely advice to Nawakwi. May the dead remain silent.
TWELVE PEOPLE died on the spot while 25 others were injured after a 26-seater Toyota coaster minibus lost control and plunged into Chifubu Stream in Ndola’s Chifubu Township yesterday.
Both Copperbelt Province Police Chief Martin Malama and Ndola Central Hospital Public Relations officer, Sheona Chalimbana confirmed the accident which happened around 15:30 hours yesterday.
Dr Malama said the driver of the bus, registration number ACH 349 escaped from the accident scene and that police have since launched amanhunt.
He said there were 45 people on the bus including children who fellowship at Reformed Church in Zambia (RCZ), Chifubu Congregation.They were returning from a church expedition in Luanshya where they had gone last Friday.
Dr Malama said some people were still missing as a combined team of police officers and fire brigade only managed to rescue 25 and retrieved 12 bodies but added that the search operations had continued into last night.
He said that police were also investigating the cause of the accident and would issue a comprehensive statement soon.
Ms Chalimbana said that two people had been admitted to the IntensiveCare Unit (ICU) and described their condition as critical while 25 had been admitted to the Surgical ward.
She said among the dead were four females and eight males but could not release the names of the dead as the hospital was still compiling the list and informing the relatives to the deceased.
And Copperbelt Province Permanent secretary who rushed to Ndola Central Hospital upon receiving the news of the accident, said government would help the bereaved families with funeral arrangements.
He consoled the relatives of the deceased and those who had their relatives admitted in hospital outside the casualty wing.
And one of the victims admitted to Ndola Central Hospital, Judy Sakala who had accompanied the youths on the expedition as a Brigade Officer said that it was suspected that the steering wheel had locked making the driver to lose control of the bus.
[Times of Zambia]
An epidemic is looming at Livingstone’s Town centre market popularly known, as the Zimbabwe market.
Some marketeers at the trading site have complained of poor sanitary conditions, a situation which has further been compounded by lack of water supply.
The marketeers told MUVI TV news that market authorities must come in and address the situation before an outbreak of cholera.
But when contacted, market chairperson, Shebby Mushabati attributed the situation to inadequate finances.
Mr. Mushabati explained that the market committee does not have enough funds to sufficiently address the problem.
He also complained of poor water supply, which he says is contributing to poor sanitation at the market.
[ MUVI ]
President Rupiah Banda is scheduled to officially open the fifth African International Institution for Peace Through tourism Conference -IIPT in Lusaka on Monday.
President Banda on Friday said Zambia’s hosting of the fifth African International Institution for Peace Through tourism Conference a second time will enhance efforts to put the country on the world tourism map.
President Banda says the IIPT in Conjunction with the United Nations Tourism Organisation and the Asia -Pacific Tourism Association has given central place to issues of climate change which has had a major impact on the tourism sector globally.
Mr Banda further expressed Zambia’s total support for the UN climate change interventions.
This was contained in a press statement released to ZNBC by Special assistant to the press and public relations Dickson Jere.
Delegates to the 5th International Institute for Peace through Tourism African Conference have started arriving into the country.
Zimbabwe’s Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Walter Mzembi was the first to arrive into the country on Sunday.
Deputy Minister of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources Vera Tembo met Mr. Mzembi at the Lusaka International Airport.
And Mr. Mzembi said on arrival that drought is a threat to food security in the SADC region.
He says there is need for SADC Member States to start channeling more investments into irrigation to address effects of drought.
The Tourism African conference, which is aimed at showcasing models of best practices in addressing effects of climate change, opens in Lusaka on Monday.
[ ZNBC ]
MMD Spokesperson Dora Siliya has castigated PF Leader Michael Sata for using youth to fan violence and disrupt MMD rallies in Kasama in Northern province.
Ms. Siliya says the violence being perpetuated by the PF youths is proof of the opposition political party’s character.
She says Mr Sata is also spreading rumours that government will not buy this year’s agricultural produce from farmers.
Ms. Siliya says the MMD government will ensure that the entire crop harvested this year is bought because President Rupiah Banda is committed to the agriculture sector and the welfare of Zambians.
And Ms Siliya says Mr. Sata’s trailing of the MMD into Northern Province will not yield any results because the people in the area have vowed to support the ruling party in this year’s general elections.
Ms Siliya who also Education Minister says the MMD tour of the Northern Province has been fruitful and that the MMD is confident that the people will support President Banda in this year’s election.
She also says PF counselors in the province are upset with their Members of Parliament that have been abusing the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and enriching themselves.
And Ms Siliya has called on the PF Leader to disclose to the public how he managed to acquire so many houses.
She said that PF leader must explain the Merzaf Housing Saga.
Ms. Siliya says the PF leaders want to taint President Banda and his family as corrupt when Mr. Sata acquired so many houses in unexplained circumstances.
Meanwhile, Ms Siliya says the MMD has unveiled a scam in which Caritas Zambia and the PF are promoting violence to destabilize the MMD.
Ms. Siliya says Caritas Coordinator for Isoka Mulozi Sichone who she says is an aspiring candidate for Isoka West went to plead with police to release the youths who were arrested on Saturday after they tried to destabilize an MMD rally.
She says the action is proof that the organisation is hiding behind the church when in fact they are supporting the opposition PF.
Ms. Siliya says no amount of intimidation will deter the MMD from delivering development to all parts of the country.
She praised the police in Northern Province for acting swiftly to restrain and arrest the violent PF youths.
[ ZNBC ]
Zesco United will host MAS of Morocco in the Caf Confederation Cup third round first leg at the month-end.
The Ndola side drew MAS from the historic Moroccan city of Fez following the draws made on Sunday afternoon at Caf headquarters in Cairo.
This will be Zesco second Arab opponent in Caf club competition this year after Egyptian Al Ahly ejected them from the Caf Champions League two weeks ago.
Zesco will host MAS in the first leg on May 28 at the Trade Fair Grounds in Ndola and later travel to Fez a fortnight later.
Winner over both legs qualifies to the Confederation Cup group stage that kicks off in July.
Zesco were relegated to the Confederation Cup after their failure to qualify to the Caf Champions League group stage.
Opposition Patriotic Front leader Michael Sata says the PF is ready to welcome any member of any political party to the party.
Mr. Sata says the party will consider any member who intends to join the opposition on their merit.
In an interview with QFM, Mr. Sata says even chief government spokesperson Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha and vice president George Kunda are welcome to join the opposition Patriotic Front if they decided to do so.
The PF Leader says it is for this reason that the party has no membership cards hence putting it on a strong position.
A 15 month old infant of Kakubo Village in Chongwe District has drowned in a shallow well after she slipped into it while she was playing with her friends.
Elder sister to the deceased girl, Sharon Siyanzile confirmed the death of the toddler yesterday.
Ms Siyanzile explained that her young sister drowned around 12: 00 hours while playing near the shallow well with her friends.
She further explained that her young sister wouldn’t have died had her friends’ quickly informed elderly people who were nearby to rescue her.
Ms Siyanzile added that her young sister’s friends instead rushed to inform the toddler’s parents who were far away along the Great East road hence by the time they reached the well, the girl had drowned.
Efforts by her parents and sympathizers to rescue the girl were in vain as she had already died due to water intake and suffocation.
Ms Siyanzile said the body is lying in Chongwe District Mortuary awaiting postmortem and subsequent burial.
Songbird Muriel Mwamba releases new CD ‘Ubufi Bulabwela’
Zambia’s longstanding songbird and award winner, Muriel Mwamba, has released her first CD single entitled Ubufi Bulabwela ( a lie rebounds ).
The song is the first release from her forthcoming album, Lesa Alomfwa.
Muriel, who is based in the United States of America, will soon release four more tracks. The songs are avalaible for purchase on CD Baby and will shortly be available on Amazon, itunes, and Rhapsody on the internet.
The song Ubufi Bulabwela was written and produced by Muriel Mwamba and co-produced by fellow Zambian Angela Hayes, an inventor living in the UK. It has a pulsating Afro- rhumba beat sure to get a listener dancing all the away.
“For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, He will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you”
(2 Corinthians 9:10, NLT)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
When Jesus sent His disciples out to heal the sick, meet their needs, and share the Gospel, He told them, “Give as freely as you have received” (Matthew 10:8). In other’s words, God has given you everything you need to do what He’s called you to do in this life. He has equipped you to be successful and has empowered you to overcome in this life. He’s given you seed to sow in order to have an abundant harvest in your future. You have what it takes!
God has placed seed in your hand today, but in order for that seed to produce, it has to be planted. It has to be watered. It has to be fertilized. Today, ask God to show you where to plant your seed. Make sure you are sowing in the right ground and tending to the seed He has given you. Remember, God has a good plan for your future. He has plans to bless you and increase you. Today, you have what it takes to move forward and receive the blessing He has prepared for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father in heaven, thank You for equipping me for every good work. Thank You for giving me good seed to sow! I invite You to guide my every step by Your precious Holy Spirit. Thank You for choosing me to be a part of Your plan. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
