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President Rupiah Banda will Saturday leave for Kitwe on the Copperbelt where he is scheduled to commission mobile health services.
President Banda is also expected to commission Ndeke Village mini hospital, which will offer health services to over fifteen thousand people.
The ultra modern mini hospital has maternity, child health wings, laboratory and voluntary counseling and testing services.
The President’s Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations Dickson Jere told ZNBC News in a statement on Friday that the President will also officiate at the launch of the eye care campaign at China Sino-Zam in Kitwe.
Mr. Jere said each of the mobile hospital units will be managed by a team of medical experts.
Government bought mobile hospitals to improve the provision of health services in the country as it builds permanent structures.
Currently, government is building one hundred and twenty-five health posts across the country.
President Banda has so far this year alone commissioned Mumbwa District Hospital, Lusaka mobile health hospital, Central Province Health Unit and Kapiri Mposhi District Hospital.
Other district hospitals are being built in Choma and Lusaka.
President Banda is of the view that every Zambian citizen should have access to quality health care services.
President Banda’s government has placed the provision of quality health services to Zambian households as one of the priorities on its commitment to helping citizens lead healthy lives
The African Parliamentarians Network Against Corruption (APNAC) has welcomed the arrest of former Minister of Defence George Mpombo for alleged theft by public servant and forgery.
APNAC Zambia Chairperson Given Lubinda and the Secretary General, Eileen Imbwae in a Statement signed by the two and made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today, said the arrest of Mr. Mpombo would give him an opportunity to prove his innocence.
They said Mr. Mpombo’s arrest would also enable him to tell the nation the truth about the allegations raised in the Auditor General’s report at the time he was Defence Minister.
Meanwhile,Mr. Lubinda and Ms. Imbwae appealed to Government to act on the Auditor General’s reports and recommendations from the law enforcement and oversight agencies while suspected erring officials were still in office.
The duo further advised law enforcement agencies to equally take action when suspects were still serving officers.
They noted that acting against officers and officials after they have left office could be seen as politically motivated.
Mr. Lubinda and Ms. Imbwae reiterated their organisation’s position to support and commend interventions aimed at curbing corruption in the country to ensure that public funds were protected and used for everyone’s benefit.
Patriotic Front leadership in Luapula has suspended its Provincial Women Secretary Cecilia Lubungo for allegedly being spotted chatting with friends from the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD).
Ms Lubungo is accused of having been seen chatting with MMD members during a meeting in Mansa organised by the then Change Life Zambia Executive Director Father Frank Bwalya and Simon Kabanda.
This is according to a letter of suspension dated March 16, 2011, signed by PF Provincial Chairlady Elizabeth Miyanda and made available to ZANIS in Mansa.
The letter also alleged that Ms Lubungo was involved in the distribution of money and alcohol sachets locally known as tujilijili two months ago with the intention of destabilising the meeting organised by Fr Bwalya and Mr Kabanda.
Ms Lubungo is also charged for sharing a seat with some people believed to be MMD members while travelling to the Valley, north of Mansa.
And Luapula Alliance for Political Parties against AIDS and Poverty (LAP-PAP) to which Ms Lubungo is a member has condemned her suspension describing it as malicious.
Alliance Provincial Chairman Wisdom Mpelembe said the move by PF to suspend Ms Lubungo for allegedly chatting with MMD members should be condemned in the strongest words possible.
In a statement to ZANIS, Mr Mpelembe said the PF’s decision to suspend Ms Lubungo was a clear testimony that the PF leadership was founded on dictatorial grounds.
He wondered what was wrong for Ms Lubungo to shake hands with MMD members.
He explained that LAP-PAP was a consortium of all political parties in the province adding that even if Ms Lubungo was seen in the company of MMD members it was because they interacted in the alliance.
He said the PF leadership alleged that Ms Lubungo was also seen boarding the same vehicle with MMD members on February 28 and March 1 this year.
Mr Mpelembe said there was nothing wrong in seeing Ms Lubungo boarding the same public transport with MMD members.
He said it was unjustifiable to suspend Ms Lubungo on this ground as the type of transport she was alleged to have boarded with MMD members was public.
He wondered why PF should politicise everything including gestures that promoted unity among people.
Mr Mpelembe also said it was wrong for PF to victimise its members that interacted with other political players.
He said unity must be encouraged among people despite their political affiliation.
He urged people not to be detracted by PF actions.
The Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) in Eastern Province says it is dismayed by Patriotic Front (PF) Provincial Chairperson Lucas Phiri‘s allegations that President Rupiah Banda is dividing traditional leaders in the region.
Provincial Secretary Ezekiel Mtonga said that allegations levelled against the President in the Post Newspaper were untrue because President Banda has remained in the forefront of promoting unity and peace among all traditional leaders not only in Eastern Province but throughout the country
He stated that the Head of State also appreciates the two Paramount chiefs Gawa Undi and Mpezeni for their guidance and leadership qualities.
He said this in a Press Statement made available to ZANIS in Chipata this morning.
Mr Mtonga stated that the MMD appreciates the non partisan stance of chiefs on political affairs saying they should be applauded for their wisdom and support on developmental matters.
He noted that President Banda enjoys good relations with traditional leaders in Eastern Province .
Mr Mtonga said this can be seen from the many accolades that the President is receiving from traditional leaders for promoting unity and development in their areas.
He challenged Mr Phiri to identify chiefs who are disrespecting Paramount Chiefs Mpezeni and Gawa Undi.
Mr Mtonga said it is not true that chiefs in the province have no respect for the two Paramount chiefs and wondered how subordinate chiefs can belittle their senior chiefs.
He advised Mr Phiri to stop practising cheap politics as he has already failed the people of Chipangali constituency and Eastern Province for the 15 years he served as area MP.
Mr Mtonga advised the PF Provincial Chairperson not to engage traditional leaders in politics saying their stance of being non partisan should instead be promoted for the country to continue enjoying existing peace and stability.
And Mr Mtonga stated that MMD remains steadfast in the region such that it will ensure President Banda and candidates that the party will field in this year’s election win convincingly.
File: UPND deputy spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa (R)
The United Party for National Development (UPND) has condemned the Patriotic Front (PF) for what it terms as under hand methods of poaching its members.
UPND deputy spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa said that the party is disappointed with the PF for the tactics they are using to make the members of the former pact partners to defect to the PF.
Mr. Mweetwa claims that the PF is this afternoon in Choma district offering 100,000 kwacha to members of the UPND who will surrender the membership cards at a public rally.
He said that it is a pity that the PF is using corruption to gain support in the UPND stronghold. Mr. Mweetwa expressed his disappointment to QFM news this morning.
He said that it is also disappointing for the party that condemns corruption to be engaging in graft.
He said that this shows that if the PF forms government, they will be corrupt as can be seen from the type of politics they are practicing.
Toyota Zambia has invested three million United States dollars to expand the Copperbelt branch operations facility that will create employment for 66 Zambians
Group leader Africa Strategy Planning and Business Group Automotive Department Yoshitaka Shinhara said during the re opening of the refurbished Toyota Zambia Copperbelt facility in Kitwe last night that the Copperbelt Province was one of the most important promising markets in Africa.
Mr Shinhara said his company was positive that it would not only give Toyota customers the satisfaction but also contribute to Zambia’s development.
ZANIS reports that he said because of this Zambia especially the Copperbelt had one of the most important and promising market in Africa hence Toyota’s decision to further invest about three million US dollars to expand the Copperbelt facility.
He also expressed gratitude to the Zambian government for the deep concern shown to victims of the massive earthquake and Tsunami which hit Japan last month claiming thousands of lives.
At the same occassion, speaking on behalf of Commerce Minister Felix Mutati, District Commissioner Mac Donald Mtine said it was a pleasure that Toyota had been able to identify a niche market in the industry that was indispensable to the development of commerce and trade in the country.
Mr Mutati said Government hoped that Toyota would grow and become a major force in attracting investment into actual assembly of motor vehicles in Zambia .
He said Government would remain committed to promoting local production of vehicles as evidenced by the attractive incentive packages it had provided in the last few years.
Police have assured people wishing to attend the Kuomboka Ceremony this weekend in Mongu in Western Province that the situation will be calm and peaceful as usual.
Western Province Police Chief Fabian Katiba told Journalists at a press briefing in Mongu today that security measures have been put in place and those wishing to attend the ceremony will be protected by Police.
ZANIS reports that Mr. Katiba said all Zambian citizens and foreign tourists should have freedom of movement, and those causing fear on innocent people would be visited by the law.
The Police Chief reassured people travelling to the Province that the duty of police was to protect, and no officer would forment violence at the ceremony.
Mr. Katiba added that those without intentions to attend the ceremony should remain at their homes than going to the ceremony to cause violence.
He said no activities or meetings would be held in the district on the day of the ceremony.
More than six hundred police officers have been deployed to Western Province to maintain peace and order.
The ceremony which is an annnual ceremony celebrated by the Lozi speaking people with the Litunga moving from the flooded plains to higher land takes place tommorrow and is expected to be graced by Vice President George Kunda.
KITWE and Copperbelt residents are under siege from a crime gang with a menacing name—the jerabo unit. I thought sharing space with a criminal gang in itself is a bad thing. I never imagined the gang would be so daring as to storm a kitchen party and make off with money and gifts.
But lo, they did just that last Sunday as a young bride was basking in the glory of hosting family and friends at a bridal shower at Kitwe Basic school. I think that is just so unacceptable and we can’t have gangs acting with such impunity.
It shows that the gangs feel accepted by their communities, otherwise they would not be so blatant about their deeds.
I am told the name jerabos is a corruption of the English term jails boys, convicts who have left jail and mobilised idle youths to rise against their communities. This is a serious problem which we cannot afford to take lightly.
The reason the jerabos have gained this level of notoriety is because we seem to have a tendency as a society in general to glorify wrong-doers. If you go round Kitwe and the Copperbelt, the jerabos are the new kids on the block. In some circles, they are heroes or some kind of cult figures.
You cannot put criminals on a pedestal and treat them like demi-gods. That is totally wrong. It is such attitudes which elevate gangs to high places where they do not deserve to be. We are making the work of the police extremely difficult by glorifying criminals.
[pullquote]I am told the name jerabos is a corruption of the English term jails boys, convicts who have left jail and mobilised idle youths to rise against their communities.[/pullquote]
Ten years ago, we had no clue about the jerabo unit but now, they are literally ruling Kitwe and some Copperbelt towns, which situation should never have been allowed in the first place. The tragedy is that we knowingly or unknowingly mould these gangs and make them almost acceptable.
It is evident that over the years, we have been developing a culture of embracing thugs and looking down on orderliness and the rule of law. Otherwise where do thugs get the impunity to storm a kitchen party and literally turn an orderly gathering upside down?
Tragically, many of us do not realise that criminal gangs are our own creation. We hear of gangs being formed and we applaud them all the way. We laugh about their deeds and before we know it, we have created a monster.
I know that the jerabo unit is probably no match for the Copperbelt police crack squad headed by Dr Martin Malama but the truth is the police could have had more restful nights if communities did not get entertained by thugs making the lives of some people difficult.
[pullquote]It is evident that over the years, we have been developing a culture of embracing thugs and looking down on orderliness and the rule of law. Otherwise where do thugs get the impunity to storm a kitchen party and literally turn an orderly gathering upside down?[/pullquote]
I know that sometimes recreation can be in short supply but cheering thugs is the last thing we should ever do because we all end up being terrorised by the same monsters we unwittingly create.
I don’t care whether one of the jerabos was jilted by the young lady whose bridal shower the gang stormed. That is no justification for thuggery. What has the dumping of one man got to do with all the women who lost their handbags containing valuables?
This is not to say the thugs should have specifically targeted the girl or her family. I mean she had a choice. No one should be bamboozled into marrying anyone. There is absolutely no justification for anyone to harbour criminal thoughts for being ditched.
It might be painful to be dumped because we know men and their ego problems but what does it benefit a man to mobilise a gang to attack innocent women just because a woman has made a democratic choice to marry someone else? Who knows, maybe the story of a jilted lover could have just been cooked up to justify a criminal act.
There is no end in sight to the ‘ingenuity’ of thugs. They can do anything to justify their thuggery but they can’t fool all the people all the time. They know and everyone knows that there is absolutely no justification for criminality.
[pullquote]It might be painful to be dumped because we know men and their ego problems but what does it benefit a man to mobilise a gang to attack innocent women just because a woman has made a democratic choice to marry someone else?[/pullquote]
Nobody can stand in court and plead justification for robbing someone. A wrong is a wrong, there is no way of justifying it. What we are reaping now from the jerabos are the seeds we have been sowing over time.
We have created fertile ground for gangsters and it would appear that if we don’t move swiftly to change our attitudes, the worst is yet to come. How do you explain the conduct of a group of thugs invading a bridal shower? This is unprecedented and it should not be tolerated.
I know that attitude change does not happen overnight. It takes some time but we would do well to start now. We should stop giving tacit approval to vices, until they develop into something unmanageable.
It does not help us to start trying to do something about criminality when it is already out of hand. I am glad that the Copperbelt police chief is in no mood to brook any nonsense. DrMalama has sent out a clear message that he intends to cage the jerabos and send them where they belong—to prison.
We need sanity in our communities. We are already plagued with social problems and we cannot afford to invite more ills. We should loathe crime from the very beginning. Crime gangs are formed within our own communities and we know exactly who is involved but we usually just turn a blind eye to them until they attack us or our own children.
[pullquote]What example are the jerabos setting for young people who are easily influenced by what they see in their neighbourhoods? With the high rate of unemployment, it is easy for youths to look up to criminal gangs.[/pullquote]
We don’t all have to be Dr Malama to reject crime. I believe every citizen has a responsibility to protect themselves and those around them from vices. Dr Malama is merely showing the way by refusing to treat gangs with kid gloves. That is as it should be.
If we keep nodding the conduct of thugs, we will have more gangs and life will be unbearable. It is best to nip the problem in the bud right now. This thing of cheering law breakers should come to an end.
I think the directive from the Minister of Home Affairs for the jerabos to be brought to book immediately is helpful. It shows some political will to contain crime and I just hope and pray that the mob which traumatised peaceful women at a kitchen party in Kitwe is brought to justice.
What example are the jerabos setting for young people who are easily influenced by what they see in their neighbourhoods? With the high rate of unemployment, it is easy for youths to look up to criminal gangs.
This is why this problem should be curbed right now. We are sitting on a time bomb which we can only ignore at our own peril.
ZAMBIA is spending US$2.5 million (K11.8 billion) for promotion and marketing tourism with the hope of earning between US$300 to US$350 million from tourist arrivals this year.
And the Zambia Tourist Board (ZTB) is likely to launch the new rebranding of Zambia next month at the Durban Indaba in South Africa.
ZTB chairperson Timothy Mushibwe said the board will receive about US$2.5 million (K11.8 billion) in 2011 from Government for the promotion and marketing of Zambia as a tourist destination and is targeting to attract one million tourist arrivals.
“We are hoping to attract one million visitors this year because on average, the arrivals are 825,000 with each tourist spending about US$200 and spending between two to three days. So it is likely that after we carry out all the programme activities, it is estimated that US$300-US$350 million will be earned in the sector and we hope to convince them to stay more that three days.” he said.
Mr Mushibwe said this in an interview in Mfuwe on april 13 after the reopening of Chichele Presidential Lodge.
He said Government has done incredibly well in supporting and funding tourism marketing and this has revived the board’s aggressiveness compared to the past when the money was insufficient.
“For the first time in the history of ZTB, Government has committed close to US$2.5 million from January to December for marketing purposes alone,” he said.
He said Government is committed to supporting and making tourism a vibrant economic sector and this is why it is being pushed to become the second economic sector to help develop the country.
Mr Mushibwe said currently, the board is running a road show in South Africa and Namibia to showcase Zambia’s unique products.
He said the board has also invited the private sector to join it to market their products and services.
Mr Mushibwe said ZTB, until recently, had been lagging behind in terms of marketing effectiveness due to lack of resources.
“We need to reach a position in Zambia that once we promote and market the country, there is a correspondence of quality of services that can complement and support that marketing effort,” he said.
He said ZTB considers SA an important source of tourism, hence the road show happening in SA to attract more tourists.
On rebranding of Zambia, Mr Mushibwe said the board made recommendations on the new brand to Government and is waiting for Government’s response.
“We are hoping that the minister gives us blessings and launch the rebrand at the tourism regional indaba in May while in Zambia it can be done at any of the fairs as soon as possible,” he said.
He said the rebranding process had gone very well with 5,900 entries received from various entities that participated in designing the logo.
THE Human Rights Commission (HRC) has launched investigations to establish if the photographer who took a picture of Mwiya Sihope at Lewanika General Hospital in Mongu got permission from the subject, as not doing so would be an infringement on his rights.
HRC chairperson Pixie Yangailo said yesterday the commission wanted to know if Mr Sihope, aged 70 years, gave consent to the photographer to take a picture with a bare body.
Ms Yangailo said HRC officers in Mongu had been to the hospital and would soon go to the police and the local prison to establish some facts before issuing a comprehensive statement.
She said the photographer and the publishers, the Post Newspaper, should have considered implications of exposing nudity to the general public.
The Post edition of Wednesday, April 13, 2011 carried a picture of Mr Sihope with a bare body on the front page.
Ms Yangailo said a professional photojournalist or photographer should have covered the upper part of Mr Sihope’s body leaving the amputated leg for the picture instead of exposing him to the public in the manner the newspaper did.
“The message could have been sent by just showing the leg unlike exposing the old man’s body to the public like that, which is against human rights,” she said.
She said the picture was sensitive and was likely to injure the cultural sensibilities of Mr Sihope’s family.
The Committee of Citizens also expressed concern over the picture, with executive director, Gregory Chifire saying in a statement on Wednesday that it was not only misleading but also alien and unacceptable to Zambia.
Mr Chifire said the publication of the picture showed how low the Post had sunk ethically, morally and professionally in pursuit of its political agenda.
He advised the newspaper to desist from using innocent and unsuspecting Zambians to advance its well-known political agenda.
He said the Post raised no medically-proven connection between the patient’s condition and his detention and that if the picture was taken from hospital, the paper neglected to clarify matters with hospital medical authorities.
“The fact that they did not do so showed that their story was fuelled by ulterior motives. Contrary to the story, medical records we have accessed show that the patient referred to has been an out-patient for a chronic illness long before his detention,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Zambia Police Service refuted the story in the Post linking the amputation of Mr Sihope’s right leg to his detention in connection with the January 2011 riots in Mongu sparked by disagreements over the Barotseland Agreement.
Inspector General of Police Francis Kabonde said in a statement released on Wednesday evening that when Mr Sihope was released from detention through a nolle prosequi, he had both legs.
Mr Kabonde said Mr Sihope was admitted to Lewanika General Hospital for asthma-related complications, which later made medical authorities to amputate his right leg.
He said information obtained from the hospital showed that Mr Sihope had been an out-patient undergoing treatment for chronic asthma.
He had developed wet gangrene on both legs and subsequently admitted to the hospital.
Mr Kabonde said that was the condition that led to Mr Sihope’s leg being amputated last Friday.
He appealed to the media to refrain from publishing inflammatory and unsubstantiated stories that could make people react negatively, leading to a breakdown in law and order.
PRESIDENT Banda will today launch the Roma Industrial and Commercial Park, which is expected to generate more than 4,000 permanent jobs once fully developed.
The park is one of the multi-facility economic zones and industrial parks Government is establishing around the country and will, in the construction period, provide up to 2,000 jobs.
This is contained in a statement issued in Lusaka on April 14 by special assistant to the President for press and public relations Dickson Jere.
“The project, which is a joint venture between foreign and local entrepreneurs, is in line with President Banda’s pledge to diversify Zambia’s investment and development programmes with the objective of promoting value addition to the economy,” Mr Jere said.
He said the park will have its own residential and suburban living places, commercial units, shopping mall, office complex, warehousing, filling station and many more facilities, and is designed to become one of the first mixed-use developments in Zambia.
Mr Jere said President Banda has continued to stress his commitment to creating an environment in which Zambians will have jobs which will eventually contribute to better standards of living for all citizens, regardless of which region they come from.
“The Roma Industrial and Commercial Park provides yet more tangible evidence of the President’s unfailing determination to build tomorrow’s Zambia in which employment opportunities are made available for nearly every Zambian,” he said.
GOVERNMENT has invested over K130 billion in the education sector in Western Province, Minister of Education Dora Siliya said in Petauke on April 14.
Ms Siliya said in an interview that Government has spent over K80 billion, out of K130 billion, on the construction of basic schools in Western Province, which has the highest number of basic schools being constructed in the country.
“This is the cost of the infrastructure that has been put up. The MMD is developing the whole country, President Banda is President for all,” she said.
She said at basic school level, Government has completed three schools in Sesheke at a cost of K9 billion while four schools in Mongu have been built at a cost of K15 billion.
Ms Siliya said the construction of three schools in Kalabo is progressing well at a cost of K15 billion while two schools are being built in Shangombo at a cost of K11 billion. Ms Siliya said five schools in Senanga are being constructed at a cost of K15 billion.
The high schools under construction include Lukulu, Mwandi, Nkaanya, Mayukwayukwa and Libonde at an average cost of K28 billion each. She said the MMD government has made education a priority.
Ms Siliya, who is also MMD spokesperson, said some media houses and the opposition are bent on creating a rift between President Banda’s government and the Western Province.
“They are criticising a government that is busy developing the country. Even the people of Western Province can see through the ill intentions of the opposition,” she said.
She said President Banda’s leadership has also been making efforts to ensure that the country has a good road network, citing the K1.3 trillion Mongu-Kalaboroad under construction.
CHIEF Government spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha has said the launch of Zambia Media Council (ZAMEC) has not been approved by Government.
Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha said this on April 14 after MISA Zambia held a press briefing to announce that the launch of ZAMEC will be held on World Press Freedom Day (May 3).
“As Government, we have not been consulted over the launch of ZAMEC,” Gen Shikapwasha said.
He said if MISA launches ZAMEC, it means they have nothing to do with Government. Gen Shikapwasha said MISA Zambia is creating confusion by not consulting Government over the launch of ZAMEC.
“Launching ZAMEC without Government’s approval will show that the government does not have any position on the media,” he said.
Gen Shikapwasha said negotiations for the launch have not come to a conclusion for ZAMEC to be launched. He said that if MISA goes ahead to launch ZAMEC on World Press Freedom Day, Government will advise media houses to have nothing to do with ZAMEC.
Gen Shikapwasha has advised MISA Zambia not to launch ZAMEC to avoid confusion, saying MISA should wait until negotiations come to a conclusion.
FORMER MMD national secretary Katele Kalumba has advised Zambians to be wary of some developed countries which believe in the philosophy of changing government because they can use any method at their disposal to ensure the opposition wins this year’s tripartite elections.
Dr Kalumba said in an interview on April 14 the youth should support President Banda because he is the only mature and experienced leader capable of withstanding the pressure from some developed countries which believe that there must be change of governmnet if a particular political party stays in power.
“We cannot fall prey to the philosophy of government change at any cost. I would like to counsel Zambians to be wary of those who believe in the change philosophy who can use any method like changing electoral procedure and rules, infiltrating churches and creating false opposition through sponsored civil society organisations,” Dr Kalumba said.
He warned that those advocating change have a variety of institutions they can use to create an impression that the people of Zambia do not want their government or ruling party to continue in office.
“We must be wary of such things, and we must talk about them when we notice them. The philosophy of change of government is not about democracy, it is about controlling small powers. I am not suggesting conspiracy but strategic interests in Zambia,” Dr Kalumba said.
He congratulated President Banda on scooping the MMD presidency at the party’s national convention.
“It is not an imposition, it is the way the membership reads the party and the leadership maturity that President Banda has exhibited.
[pullquote]“When the late President Mwanawasa came to power, he had issues with the former president, Dr Chiluba, and that takes away from the country. But President Banda is taking over the MMD in a civilised manner, with no quarrels or beef with anyone,” Dr Kalumba said.[/pullquote]
“President Banda is in the best position to be the leader of the party because he has no scores to settle with anyone,” Dr Kalumba said.
He said the change of leadership in 1991 was not smooth because there were many issues between former President Frederick Chiluba and Dr Kenneth Kaunda.
“When the late President Mwanawasa came to power, he had issues with the former president, Dr Chiluba, and that takes away from the country. But President Banda is taking over the MMD in a civilised manner, with no quarrels or beef with anyone,” Dr Kalumba said.
Zambia today recorded their first ever win over Angola at all levels in basketball competition in their formality penultimate Africa Zone 6 Under-16 Championship game in Lusaka.
And South Africa were this evening crowned new Zone 6 Under 16 champions after defeating Mozambique in a nail-biting final played at the Olympic Youth Development Centre.
Noah Mabutwe’s side beat outgoing champions Angola 58-49 with Dingani Hara contributing 19 points.
Mabutwe said he hoped the Zambia junior team will build on their historic win for the future.
Meanwhile, South Africa rallied after trailing in the opening three quarters against Mozambique to lift their first Zone 6 Under 16 championship title on the second attempt.
South Africa, who finished runner-up in the last tournament to Angola, beat Mozambique 77-76 in a riveting final to win their debut Zone 6 junior title.
The tournament comes to an end tomorrow with Zimbabwe boys facing Botswana boys at 17:00 in the first of two matches on Friday.
Second placed Mozambique girls on 5 points face Zambia on 4 points in the final match of the tournament at 19:00 in the formers battle to pip leaders Zimbabwe on 7 points to the female crown.
