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NAMWALA member of Parliament Robby Chizyuka says UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema should be blamed for the continuous defection of party members to the ruling party.
Major Chizyuka said members of the UPND have realised that Mr Hichilema cannot win the forthcoming tripartite elections and the only alternative is the MMD.
He said people have realised that voting for Mr Hichilema will only increase PF leader Michael Sata’s chances of winning the elections and that a lot of people do not want Mr Sata as their president.
“Everyone knows that it is not possible for Hakainde to win the elections, so why should anyone vote for him? The only party which will bring development to Zambia is MMD and that is the reason members are defecting,” Maj Chizyuka said.
He said for the sake of peace and unity, people are resorting to supporting the MMD and not MrSata who they think will cause confusion in the country.
Maj Chizyuka said some UPND members have realised that it is important for them to vote for a president who will bring development to the nation and that president is not Mr Hichilema.
Maj Chizyuka expressed confidence that President Banda will win this year’s elections and there is no need for people to waste their votes on a candidate who will not win.
“As far as 2011 is concerned, RB will win. There is no point putting votes on someone who will not win,” Maj Chizyuka said.
He said the defections to the ruling party from the opposition are a true manifestation of the fact that voters want president Banda to win the elections.
“People do not want Mr Sata and these defections show us that they (voters) are happier with the leadership of President Banda. They are worried about what Zambia will become if MrSata is given any chance,” Maj Chizyuka said.
Maj Chizyuka said Zambia needs a leader who can transform the country’s economy and bring development to the entire nation and not just a few people.
“The country needs someone who will bring unity and peace, not a person bent on perpetuating anarchy by causing unnecessary confusion among the people,” Maj Chizyuka said.
He noted that Mr Sata cannot be entrusted with leading the country because of his bad leadership traits.
Maj Chizyuka said MrSata cannot lead Zambia because he cannot be trusted and he has created a state of confusion because of his support for gay rights.
“In the recent past, MrSata has been advocating gay rights, which is a taboo and citizens should wonder how he can find comfort in supporting such activities,” Maj Chizyuka said.
He said no leader in their right mind can support gay rights which are widely unacceptable among the Zambian people
Faz has summoned Andrew Kamanga and Simataa Simataa to appear before the disciplinary committee.
Simataa confirmed today that him together with faction head Kamanga have been found with a case to answer for bringing the game into disrepute by forming a parallel league structure.
“The Kalu group has summoned myself (Simataa ) and Mr. Kamanga to a disciplinary meeting. The charge is starting a parallel league,” Simataa said.
The Kamanga faction of Saturday evening after the contentious Faz annual general meeting at Mulungushi Rock in Kabwe announced the formation of the National Football League.
14 clubs, 11 from division two and three from division one, have already joined the NFL.
Faz Division One
Week Seven
01/05/2011
North
Chambishi 2-Ndola United 0
Indeni 1-Kitwe United 1
Mining Rangers 0-Prison Leopards 1
Chindwin Sentries 0-Kabwe United 0
Luanshya United 1 -Konkola Mine Police 0
Bresmer 1-Mufulira Blackpool 2
Mufulira Wanderers 3-Kalulushi Modern Stars 0
Lusaka Dynamos 1-Mufulira Police 0
Zesco Luapula-Nkwiza*
*Not play. Nkwiza failed to travel
South
Big Roma 0-Luena Buffaloes 0
Senanga Leopards 0-National Assembly 0
Profund Warriors 0-Lusaka City Council 0
City of Lusaka 0-Riflemen 0
Lusaka Tigers 0- Kafue Celtic 1
Young Green Eagles 1-Kalomo Jetters 0
Livingstone Pirates 1-Mazabuka United 1
Petauke United 1-Nampundwe 0
Paramilitary 1-Freedom Rangers 1
FLASHBACK: President banda with Dr Welani Chilengwe during the launch of the mobile hospitals in Chongwe
By Henry Kyambalesa
A news article which has appeared in the Zambian Watchdog under the title “Each Mobile Hospital to Gobble K450m per Trip on Allowances,” if its content is authentic, is one of the many good reasons why President Rupiah Banda’s decision to buy the controversial mobile hospitals will be recorded in our beloved country’s history as having been a gigantic policy blunder.
In the article, it is revealed that EACH mobile hospital, which consists of 7 trucks, will require more than 36 personnel per visit of 2 weeks in any given rural area, including medical doctors, nurses, clinicians, laboratory staff, surgeons, pharmacists, and support staff.
And it is estimated that K450 million will be spent in allowances on EACH of the 36 or so mobile hospital personnel over a period of 2 weeks, an amount which does not include expenses on fuel, oil, spare parts, maintenance of the 7 trucks, and so forth, especially after the two-year initial contract with the Chinese supplier of the mobile hospitals. Also, the amount does not include the monthly salaries of the 36 or so mobile hospital personnel expected to serve on EACH of the 9 mobile hospitals.
All these expenditures are in addition to the US$53 million secured from the EX-IM Bank of China to purchase the 9 mobile hospitals from the China National Aero Technology Import and Export Corporation, and which will need to be repaid over a period of 40 years.
Besides, it is irresponsible, wasteful and unwise for President Banda to buy mobile hospitals which are unacceptable for the following reasons:
(a) They are likely to last only a few years, given the poor state of roads in rural areas;
(b) There are a lot of rural communities today where there are no motorable roads;
(c) It will be very difficult to control the potential abuse of the mobile facilities and their contents;
(d) There will be a high potential for cohabitation and/or marriage breakdowns among nurses, doctors and other personnel who will be assigned to work away from their families;
(e) For a healthcare system that is already understaffed, the assignment of well over 324 personnel to the 9 mobile hospitals will lead to greater levels of stress among health personnel at existing hospitals and other permanent healthcare facilities in the country; and
(f) The mobile hospital personnel will inevitably be subjected to deplorable conditions, including the lack of proper lodging, bathing and toilet facilities, and will be disposed to deadly diseases like malaria.
As any genuine development economist would advise, loans, if there is really a pressing need to obtain them, should ideally be used to support the production and/or exportation of tradable goods. However, the US$53 million loan would still have made sense if it was secured to cater for the following:
(a) Provision of free healthcare for all Zambians;
(b) Construction of more permanent healthcare facilities nationwide;
(c) Provision of adequate medicines, medical equipment and ambulances;
(d) Financing of research designed to find cures for HIV/AIDS, cancer, tuberculosis, and other deadly diseases; and/or
(e) Hiring, retention and training of health personnel.
The mobile hospitals are, by and large, ideal for a country that is at war. For Zambia, they are a luxury we can clearly not afford.
No doubt, the procurement of such temporary facilities is going to be the most conspicuous case of misapplication of resources by a Republican president thus far. It is a clear case of misplaced priorities! Sooner or later, the President and/or members of his inner circle will be crossing national borders for medical treatment or check-ups after wasting the US$53 million on mobile hospitals!
And President Banda and the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) want to continue to rule Zambia beyond 2011 after committing the country to such kinds of loans appropriated on worthless projects!
The US$53 million deal has all the characteristics of an attempt by President Banda to use the mobile hospitals as a campaign tool for the 2011 general elections, designed to woo voters in rural areas. He could win the Republican presidency, but he won’t be there to personally make a contribution to the re-payment of the loan!
And how does one explain the prominence of single-source procurement by the President during the short period he has been in office, if it is not to reap personal or political benefits from the deals involved? What is the use of having a procurement authority and technocrats in government ministries whose function is merely the acquisition of machinery, equipment and services that are prescribed by ministers or State House?
There is a need for Chinese government officials to guard against encouraging President Banda to borrow lavishly from their country’s state companies to finance projects which are conceived without consultation with Parliament and/or the Zambia Public Procurement Authority. They will do well not to participate in such furtive schemes if they are interested in cementing the existing cordial relations between their country and the people of Zambia.
Five more years of an MMD administration is, clearly, the last thing the majority of Zambians will ever wish for; they have suffered enough over the last 19 or so years of MMD reign.
We, therefore, need to put personal, ethnic, religious, and partisan interests aside and give the mandate to Comrade Michael Sata and the Patriotic Front (PF) to form government later this year and hope that they will work to break the socio-economic decay and backwardness which has haunted our beloved country over the last 19 or so years of the MMD administration.
In this regard, I wish to ask all those who teach our children, those who take care of the sick, those who extract and process copper and other minerals, those who provide transport services, those who create goods and services in the private sector, those who sell products in open markets and retail outlets, those who work in the civil service, those who serve orphaned and vulnerable children, and those who are currently unemployed to join and participate actively in this endeavor.
Finally, I wish to advise President Banda to re-assign the mobile hospitals to Zambia National Service (ZNS) camps in the 9 provinces after incorporating the functions of the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) that is currently vested in the Office of the Vice-President into the functions of the ZNS. They (the mobile hospitals) could be appropriately used during natural and man-made disasters, and during outbreaks of infectious and deadly diseases like cholera.
Information and Broadcasting Services Deputy Minister Angela Cifire
Information and Broadcasting Services Deputy Minister Angela Cifire has urged journalists in the country to be ethical in their reporting ahead of the polls this year.
Ms Cifire says journalists play a critical role in society hence the need for them to report ethically and objectively during the 2011 general elections.
She was speaking during the commemoration of the Press Freedom Day in Chipata district of Eastern province.
Ms. Cifire said ethical reporting during the elections by the media will also help the electorate to make informed decisions and choices.
She said this would in the long run strengthen journalists’ call for media self regulation which government also desires to see happen in the near future.
The information deputy minister noted that government believed in the media as a key partner in national development and this was because they media ensured that people had access to information that enabled them to participate in national matters.
Ms Cifire reaffirmed government commitment to see the growth of the media by providing an enabling environment for them to operate freely.
She stated that Zambia has seen a number of new radio and television stations and newspapers being opened up countrywide.
And Chipata Press club board chairman Golden Banda urged the media not to be driven by politicians in their coverage ahead of this years elections.
In a speech read on his behals by his patron, Timothy Nyirenda, Mr Banda said this could ignite tension and cause as politicians would want issues to be reported a their preferred.
He also advised journalists to be truthful saying if reported issues were not true and it could lead to the country losing the peace it had
been enjoying since independence.
Meanwhile, Chipata Press club vice chairperson Lubasi Mutafela bemourned the meagre salries that journalists got.
Ms Mutafela noted that journalist both in the private and public media are poorly paid saying this compromises their work especially when handling corrupt sources.
Government says construction works of a K 31.2 billion one-stop-border at Nakonde in Northern Province, will resume this month.
Nakonde district commissioner (DC ) Billy Silwimba disclosed this in Nakonde today in an interview with the Zambia News and Information services (ZANIS) in Nakonde today.
Mr. Silwimba said all is set for an Israel based construction company, Zambia Border Crossing Company Limited, to resume construction works at Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) customs yard. He added that 600 new jobs will be created for the lo.
” 600 new jobs will be created in the border town as the construction works commences adding that 257 jobs for skilled labour will be available for all Zambians when the new one-stop-border starts operating, ” said the area DC.
The district commissioner who reiterated President Banda’s government’s commitment to job creation, said it is the State’s desire that living standards for all Zambian citizens improves for the better.
“Government has not neglected the project. We wanted to find a strategic partner to help us finish the project and now we are set to commence the works,” said Mr. Silwimba.
Mr. Silwimba said as a corporate responsibility, the construction company will construct a modern high school for the community of Nakonde.
The company will further part away with a total of K500 million each year for community projects in the border town.
Construction of a K 31. 2 billion kwacha one-stop-border at Nakonde was suspended in January last year.
Zambia Border Crossing Company Limited has been awarded the contract to finish the project under the Private Public Partnership (PPP).
Meanwhile, a Chinese company Wuhan Kaidi Holding Investments Company dealing in bio-fuels is set to embark on the multi billion kwacha investment programme in Nakonde district this month.
District commissioner Silwimba disclosed this in an interview with ZANIS in Nakonde today.
Mr. Silwimba said the project located west of Nakonde in Ndigidi area of Chiwanza ward will offer 4000 new jobs to the Zambian people.
Mr. Silwimba said the company will be increasing its work force each year as it expands.
Zambia Police Spokesperson, Ndandula Siamana-more police officers deployed to Mansa
The Zambia Police Service in Lusaka have recovered three motor vehicles and arrested six suspects of Lusaka in connection with a number of aggravated robberies that have rocked the city.
Zambia Police Service spokesperson Ndandula Siamana confirmed the arrest of the six and the recovery of motor vehicles and an assortment of house hold goods.
She said the police also recovered a pistol and an air gun.
“We have recovered three vehicles in Lusaka both unregistered, we have also recovered an air gun, a pistol and have arrested six suspects who have since been charged with aggravated robbery,” Siamana said.
She said the recovered household goods and motor vehicles were recovered in a police operation which began on April 27 and that the affected areas were Chinika, Kanyama, Longacres, Chadleigh, town centre and Ng’ombe areas.
Ms Siamana named the suspects as David Kandata, Michael Phiri ,Edward Mwasuka all of Chipata compound and Herbert Banda, Peter Phiri and Peter Chisanga of Ng’ombe all aged between 20 and 40 years old.
She said one vehicle was stolen from Kalundu and two from Chadleigh and that among the recovered items were 25 television sets of which two are plasma, three fans, assortment of shoes and eight radio cassettes.
Other items recovered are 4 amplifiers, 12 DVD’s, 3 deep freezers, 10 iron sheets and 45 tires.
First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda recently celebrated his 87th birthday. Above, Dr Kaunda cuts his birthday cake during the launch of a book, ‘The Future Has Arrived’, which was written by author Grieve Sibale (right).
2.
Communication and transport Minister Geoffrey Lungwangwa who was the guest of honor at this year's labour day celebrations in Mongu inspects the Civil Servant's on the parade
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Civil Servants from different parts of Mongu District march during the Labour Day Celebrations in Mongu
4.
A mangled car after an accident at the Church road and Nasser road traffic lights in Lusaka
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An accident at the Church road and nasser road traffic lights in Lusaka
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Police officers trying to control Andrew Kamanga supporters who were protesting after the vote of no confidence motion was tossed out of the agenda during the association’s annual general meeting in Kabwe recently
7.
Confusion at the FAZ AGM as police try to restore order
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Police officers trying to control Andrew Kamanga supporters who were protesting after the vote of no confidence motion was tossed out of the agenda
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Burial of western province police chief Fabian Katiba
10.
The widow of the late western province police chief Fabian Katiba
11.
Indiscriminate selling of alcoholic beverages in public places in Lusaka has continued to be a source of concern for authorities seeking to curb underage beer drinking. Here, vendors sell Tot packs and opaque beer by the roadside on Freedom Way
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Vendors selling Tot packs and opaque beer by the roadside on Freedom Way
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Banana vendors sleeping along the corridor on Lumumba road in Lusaka
Andrew Kamanga is interviewed after the annual general meeting by his faction in Lusaka yesterday
The National Football League (NFL) proponents have until 5th May 2011 to register for the new soccer confederacy structure. This was one of the resolution made yesterday when the 13 pro-NFL clubs met at a meeting held in Lusaka at the at the National Sports Development Centre.
The meeting further agreed to operationalise the NFL by 7th May 2011 when the registration process is complete and a sponsor is found. The new NFL will be administered by the Andrew Kamanga-led FAZ faction Interim Executive.
The formation of the NFL comes in the aftermath of last weekend’s FAZ Annual General Meeting (AGM), which failed to resolve the differences in local soccer administration. One delegate to Saturday’s Football Association of Zambia-FAZ Annual General Meeting in Kabwe described the meeting as an embarrassment to the outside world.
Mofya Chisala who was also aspiring FAZ Vice President said the meeting dented Zambia’s football image. Chisala said the failure to table the vote of no confidence motion has spelled doom for Zambian football. He said there was no transparency in the manner in which the vote of no confidence was withdrawn.
Chisala said the non inclusion of the vote of no confidence motion denied Zambians an opportunity to address the wrangles that are surrounding soccer administration in the country.
And Some Soccer fans in Lusaka have expressed concern over the decision by FAZ to withdraw the vote of no confidence motion at Saturday’s Annual General meeting.
The fans say it is unfortunate that FAZ could accept a single club to withdraw a motion which has been seconded.
They also said the Kalusha Bwalya led executive should have allowed the motion to pass for the sake of developing football in the country.
The fans said the confusion surrounding the FAZ AGM is a clear indication that people are not in favour of the Kalusha Bwalya led executive.
Some fans said it is time the Kalusha Bwalya executive stood aside and pave way for others to take over the running of football in the country.
Meanwhile, Sports Minister Kenneth Chipungu said he will only be in a position to comment on the outcome of the FAZ AGM on Tuesday.
And when contacted for a comment National Sports Council of Zambia General Secretary Rodgers Phiri said the council is still compiling a report on the matter
ZAMTEL has reduced its international call rates to high traffic destinations by more than 50 percent effective today, May 3, 2011.
The company has slashed call rates to destinations frequently called by most subscribers including India, China, the United States of America, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, South Africa and Tanzania.
Chief commercial officer Amon Jere says Zamtel has decided to pass on the reduction benefits directly to its customers in line with its company policy to provide affordable communication solutions.
“Effective tomorrow, May 3, 2011, our customers will be able to enjoy reduced international call rates to selected high traffic destinations by more than 50 percent.
“We have realised that communication has become a basic necessity, much like food and water; we are committed to providing affordable communication solutions that will enable Zambians to stay in touch and do business affordably,” Mr Jere said.
He said this in a statement released in Lusaka yesterday.
Mr Jere cited the United Kingdom, where customers used to pay K58 per second, but will now be paying K25 per second, representing 57 percent reduction.
“Let me give you another example, for calling India, customers used to pay K20 per second, but starting tomorrow, they will only be paying K9 per second, representing 55 percent reduction,” he said.
When calling China and the United States of America, customers used to pay K20 per second, but they will now enjoy 50 percent reduction by calling at K10 per second respectively.
And Zamtel has reduced its broadband internet services by between 20 to 34 percent with immediate effect.
In February, Zamtel reduced its internet bundle offer to make the service more affordable and help increase national internet penetration in Zambia.
Zambia is ranked amongst countries with the lowest internet penetration in sub-Saharan Africa currently estimated at below 10 percent.
The telecommunication giant slashed its internet modems from K230,000 to K130,000 in a quest to contribute to national development efforts through universal access to information and telecommunication technology.
FORMER republican Vice-President Enoch Kavindele has urged Zambians to give President Banda a full term of office because he has exhibited good leadership qualities for the two years he has been in office.
Mr Kavindele said although Mr Banda is just completing a term for late President Mwanawasa, he has performed well in terms of development, and Zambians must vote for him in the forthcoming presidential and general elections.
He said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that President Banda deserves a full term for development projects spread across the country to continue.
Mr Kavindele said Mr Banda is a credible leader who has dedicated himself to national development and meeting people’s needs.
He said there is more infrastructure development in North-Western Province than there was in the past.
Mr Kavindele said the province has been face-lifted through the good leadership of Mr Banda, who he said will perform even better if given another term of office.
“Having visited North-Western Province last week, I have given President Banda a plus for developing the province, and I have endorsed him for the presidency in this year’s tripartite elections,” he said.
Mr Kavindele urged people in the province to give President Banda massive support in appreciation of what he has done for them.
He said if Mr Banda is voted into power this year, he will perform wonders in terms of development in the whole country.
Mr Kavindele has said people should not oppose economic development, but give President Banda support for the continued development in the country.
He said Mr Banda has a vision for this country, the reason he has managed to complete the projects left by President Mwanawasa while initiating his own.
Mr Kavindele said everyone has seen the country moving towards prosperity under the able leadership of Mr Banda.
He said this has been evidenced by a number of schools and hospitals being built across the province.
First Lady Thandiwe Banda has advised women to take greater responsibility of educating their children on the country’s political issues to prevent them from falling into traps of violent politicians who were only bent on causing war and destablising peaceful in Zambia.
Speaking when disbursed K40 million towards the empowerment of Women clubs in Katuba constituency in
Chibombo district yesterday, Mrs Banda urged the people of Katuba to critically analyse presidential candidates and vote for the one who exhibited virtues of love, respect, humility.
ZANIS reports that She said the leader should be selfless and who would be able to take Zambia forward in development.
On the donation, the First Lady said out of the 60 registered clubs in the constituency she was empowering 40 of them with K1, 000,000 for each club.
Mrs Banda assured that the remaining 20 registered clubs which did not benefit from the funds would equally be empowered. She said the purpose of her visit to Katuba was to convey a message of Love and peace to them.
At the same occassion, Chibombo District Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) Chairlady Catherine Mululu commended Mrs Banda for exhibiting care to Katuba women through financial support donated to the 40 clubs.
She disclosed that the district had four women associations and 260 clubs among which 60 were registered.
And in a separate interview with ZANIS, District MMD Chairman Harodi Chandalala refuted MUVI TV clips shown on Thursday last week which featured people purported to be MMD officials defecting to the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND).
Mr Chandalala assured that no one from the ruling party in Katoba constituency had resigned to join UPND and that those who were lined up as MMD defectors were expelled from the party in 2009 following the expulsion of area Member of Parliament Jonas Shakafuswa.
“I assure President Rupiah Banda to expect 100% vote in Katoba constituency and that there is no record of defectors to UPND”, Mr Chandalala said.
The first Lady was accompanied to the area by second Lady Ireen Kunda and some Ministers’ wives.
Twenty-five minutes before midnight on Sunday night, President Obama made an announcement that the American people had waited almost ten years to hear.
“I can report to the American people and to the world, that the United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of al-Qaida and a terrorist who is responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent men, women and children,” Obama said.
Osama bin Laden has been the world’s most-wanted terrorist since more than 3,000 people were killed in al-Qaida’s attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001.
Mr. Obama said he was briefed last August on a possible lead to bin Laden’s location. He said the terrorist leader had been hiding in a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan.
The president said he authorized a mission last week to “get Osama bin Laden and bring him to justice.”
Mr. Obama said a small team of Americans Sunday carried out the operation on the compound.
“After a firefight, they killed Osama bin Laden and took custody of his body,” Obama said.
The president acknowledged that al-Qaida will continue to pursue attacks against the United States, and he warned Americans to remain vigilant.
“I have made clear, just as President Bush did shortly after 9-11, that our war is not against Islam, because bin Laden was not a Muslim leader. He was a mass murderer of Muslims. Indeed, al-Qaida has slaughtered scores of Muslims in many countries, including our own.”
Mr. Obama said counterterrorism cooperation with Pakistan helped lead U.S. forces to bin Laden. He said he called Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari to notify him of bin Laden’s death. The president said Pakistani officials agreed that this was a “good and historic day” for both nations.
Mr. Obama also called former President George W. Bush, who was president on September 11, 2001, and who launched the U.S. war on terror. In a written statement, Mr. Bush called bin Laden’s killing a “momentous achievement” and a “victory for America.” He said “No matter how long it takes, justice will be done.”
Osama bin Laden was born March 10, 1957 to a wealthy family in Saudi Arabia.
When the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979, bin Laden joined the Afghan mujahedin Islamic fighters. Several years later, he used his wealth to form his own militia force, later called al-Qaida, Arabic for “the base.”
In 1996, bin Laden declared a holy war against the United States, which he accused of looting the natural resources of Muslim nations and helping Islam’s enemies.
While hiding in Sudan, bin Laden is said to have plotted attacks on the U.S. military in Somalia and Saudi Arabia. He also orchestrated the 1998 bombing of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.
Within weeks after the September 11, 2001 attacks, the United States led a coalition that overthrew Afghanistan’s Taliban government, which had refused to turn bin Laden over to the U.S.
For almost ten years, U.S. soldiers and intelligence officers combed the mountainous area along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, trying to find bin Laden.
Shortly before President Obama announced that bin Laden had been killed, a jubilant crowd gathered outside the White House, chanting, cheering and singing.
Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department has put its embassies on alert and warned Americans of possible al-Qaida reprisal attacks.
Kate Middleton arrives with her sister Philippa Middleton to the West Door of Westminster Abbey
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The dress the world wanted to see: Kate's silk and ivory gown had been a tightly guarded secret before the wedding day
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Trailing train: Kate Middleton descends the steps of Westminster Abbey with her father Michael on her left
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Prince William and his wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge wave from the balcony of Buckingham Palace after the Royal Wedding
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Dressed to impress: Kate and William with their young attendants (clockwise from top left) Lady Louise Windsor, Tom Pettifer, Billy Lowther-Pinkerton, Margarita Armstrong-Jones, Eliza Lopes and Grace van Cutsem
Chief government spokesperson Lt Gen Ronnie Shikapwasha featuring on during Radio Phoniex Programme LET THE PEOPLE TALK
Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Ronnie Shikapwasha will today grace the World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) National Stakeholders Conference to be held at Mulungushi International Conference Centre (MICC)in Lusaka.
Lieutenant General Shikapwasha is on Tuesday also expected to flag off a match past to commemorate World Press Freedom Day from “On the Run” at Northmead Service station to Mulungushi Conference Centre at 13:00hrs.
Tomorrow’s Conference is scheduled to start at 08:00 hours and will culminate into the World Press Freedom Day the following day.
The Conference is among other topical issues expected to discuss matters affecting the Journalism profession in Zambia, especially pertaining to election reporting and Journalism ethics.
This is contained in a statement made available to ZANIS by WPFD Organising Committee Chairperson Amos Chanda in Lusaka yesterday.
Other discussions will focus on this year’s Global theme for World Press Freedom, “21 st Century media: New Frontiers, New Barriers “and the local theme, “Ethical Reporting for a Free and Peaceful Electoral Process”.
Mr. Chanda said the key speeches will be delivered by Lt General Shikapwasha who is also Chief Government Spokesperson, United Nations Population Fund (UNPFA) Representative Duah Owususarfo and Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) Director Priscilla Isaacs who will discuss “the Role of the Media in Election; Electoral Code of Conduct, Rights and Responsibility”.
Mr. Chanda disclosed that other speakers at the Conference will include Elizabeth Mweene Chanda, a lecturer in Mass Communication at the University of Zambia who will look at ‘Ethical Reporting for the 21st Century Media: New Frontiers new Barriers,”
The the final Conference presentation is expected to be made by Mukeya Liwena, Radio Lyambai station Manager who will discuss “21st Community Media: Challenges and Opportunities.
Science, Technology and Vocational Training Minister Peter Daka says Government will not allow indiscriminate termination of jobs and marginalisation of women based on gender by employers.
Mr Daka has also said that Government will not tolerate organisations that are in the tendency of employing expatriates for the jobs that can be done by Zambians.
Speaking in Mansa yesterday when he addressed workers during this year’s Labour Day celebrated under the theme ‘Creating Secure Employment with Employment, Equity and Human Dignity’, he said Government has put in place strategies and policies aimed at providing secure employment in line with the theme.
Mr Daka stated that Government will ensure that there is safe and dignified work for women employees, as this will guarantee that no female employee will be dismissed from work on the basis of being pregnant or child bearing.
He stated that for the first time in the history of this country Government has set minimum standards for this category of employees adding that under CAP 268 of the Industrial and Labour Act, it will ensure workers are from indiscriminate termination of employment.
On international firms that employ expatriates at the expense of Zambian professionals, Mr Daka said the MMD government under President Rupiah Banda is going to set restrictions on the job positions which should be taken by expatriates.
He said Government will only allow the positions of Chief Executive Officer and second position to go to expatriates, but middle management jobs will be reserved for Zambian professionals.
“This government will not allow companies to bring people from abroad to do jobs that Zambians can do. Zambia is renowned to be a resource centre, with people of good education background and qualifications to run these companies,” he said. “We will not allow companies to bring professionals from abroad. For the CEO and second position, yes, we can allow that but we will ensure certain positions must be given to Zambians,” Mr Daka said.
He underscored that Government appreciates that foreign investors bring economic development to the country, but observed that such investment must ensure that local manpower is utilised.
Speaking at the same occasion, Zambia Employers Federation representative Dr Chitalu Chilufya called for continued social dialogue between employers and employees as one better practice of curbing confrontational bargaining.
Dr Chitalu said the federation of employers will always endeavour to promote social dialogue among its affiliates because it is through this process that workers can meaningfully engage management.
He said that social dialogue has the potential of leading to creation of sustainable enterprises, a prerequisite of stable and secure employment.
He said unnecessary confrontational engagement can be avoided between employees and employers once social dialogue is appreciated as a continuous process and not just as a means of engagement during actual collective bargaining process.
He said this is because continuous social dialogue between employees and employers can help to cement good working relationship and create understanding of the business dynamics in an organisation.
Dr Chilufya said the federation of employers is also optimistic that the Sixth National Development Plan (SNDP) will deliver on Infrastructure development that will attract local and foreign investment thereby creating employment and contributing to meaning levels of poverty reduction.
At the same event, Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) Trustee Sifuniso Nyumbu said there is need for consistency and coherence in the promotion of decent work in the country.
Mr Sifuniso said decent work should not just be a matter of consistency, but of coherence by refocusing national development to make decent work a central policy objective.
He noted that ZCTU has identified a clique of unscrupulous employers who have taken advantage of the high unemployment levels to subject workers to cruel conditions knowing that workers are desperate for employment and will not complain.
He also said that some employers are being driven by greediness to scale down staffing levels in their companies and in the process subject a few workers to overwork.
Mr Sifuniso said this behaviour is inhuman and exploitative, adding that ZCTU and all stakeholders should not accept the practice to continue.
