President Banda was this morning among SADC heads of State and Government who attended the opening session of the on-going SADC extraordinary summit in Windhoek, Namibia.

The meeting is the first SADC summated devoted to regional economic development.

Other leaders who attended the summit include Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe, Amando Guebuza of Mozambique, Joseph Kabila of DRC, Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, Ian Karma of Botswana and host Hefikepunye Pohamba.

And speaking during the opening ceremony of the extraordinary summit, Southern African Development Community (SADC) chairperson Hefikepunye Pohamba called on SADC member countries to take an active role in global economic affairs.
Mr. Pohamba said this is important because it would be easy for the region to chart a clear course of the global economy with certainty.

ZANIS reports that the Namibian President said SADC cannot afford to be a passive bystander in the process of global economic transformation.

He said there was need for SADC member countries to actively help shape the global economic landscape and create better conditions for the citizens.

“We share a common vision for a region that is more closely integrated in line with our commitments as set out in the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP), the Strategic Indicative Plan for the Organ (SIPO) and the various protocol s that our Regional organization has adopted over the years in order to pursue our integration agenda more effectively,” he said.
Mr. Pohamba said today’s summit which has been devoted to the economic development of the region should be seen in the context of leaders’ recognition of the need for active participation in the global economy.

The SADC chair noted that over the years, substantial resources have been spent while many meetings on economic issues have also been held.

Mr. Pohamba noted that as the region looks at the efforts it has made in the last thirty years and to the future, there was need for leaders to remain focused on the fact that whatever they do, the aim at achieving the ultimate goal of improving the living conditions of citizens in the SADC region.

He noted that millions of people in the region have continued to live in abject poverty and suffer from hunger, preventable diseases, lack of access to quality education, health care and other basic amenities.

He said in order to address such challenges and other developmental gaps, there was need for leaders to take actionable decisions at the on-going summit.

“The challenges we face are manifold and indeed, formidable. But, they must be met, so that we may truly translate the vision of our founding fathers into material well-being of our people,” said President Pohamba.

He cited lack of adequate resources from the region and ineffective implementation of decisions taken by the regional body as some of the persistence challenges.
Mr. Pohamba said it was critical that the decisions taken by the leaders in SADC are seriously and effectively implemented for the region to move forward.
He called on SADC leaders to mobilize domestic resources and marshal the necessary political will in order to give concrete meaning to the regional integration agenda.

President Pohamba noted that while foreign funding by development partners has been generous and welcome, dependence on it alone could constrain development efforts.

Meanwhile, Mr. Pohamba has announced that in June this year, a tripartite summit to be attended by Heads of State and Government of SADC, COMESA and the Eastern African Community which will focus on the finalization of the process of establishing the envisaged tripartite free trade area will be held in South Africa.
He said the meeting will also look at the harmonization of trade arrangements among the three Regional Economic Communities, free movement of goods and people, joint implementation of intra-regional infrastructure programmes as well as institutional arrangements on the basis on which the three regional bodies would foster cooperation.

Mr. Pohamba stressed that the establishment of the envisaged Tripartite Free Trade Area was critical towards revitalizing the economies of Southern, Eastern and Central Africa besides being a crucial building block towards achieving the African Economic Community as outlined in the Abuja Treaty.

Meanwhile, President Banda is this afternoon expected to present reports to the closed door session of the Heads of State and Government on on-going mediation efforts in Zimbabwe and Madagascar.

President Banda is the chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation of SADC.

ZANIS

Expelled former ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy MMD chairman for elections Mike Mulongoti has challenged Republican President Rupiah Banda to prove that he is legally ruling the country.

Mr. Mulongoti has said that  President Banda should clear the air on whether he is qualified to rule the country or not.

Yesterday, MMD founder member and former Zambian ambassador to Malawi and Botswana Milton Phiri charged that President Rupiah Banda has been leading the country illegally.

Mr. Phiri said President Banda breached the Republican constitution by contesting the 2008 elections when he was not eligible.

Mr. Mulongoti has however distanced himself that he is behind the allegations brought forward by the former ambassador.

He wonders why his name keeps coming up each time certain allegations are made.

He says he is not a guardian to Mr. Phiri, and has no business in the allegations that were made by the former Zambian envoy.

Mr. Mulongoti adds that President Rupiah Banda should take a leaf from US president Barrack Obama who produced his birth certificate following questions on whether he was born in the United States or not.

Mr. Mulongoti said this in an interview with QFM this Morning.

QFM

RYAN LESLIE

Ryan Leslie has recently become one of my favorite RnB singers/producers. I wasn’t really a fan of his until I listed to his second album “Transition”. That is what I can consider a perfect album. All the songs are written, produced, arranged and engineered by Mr. Leslie himself. The album is said to be inspired by a lady whom he met during a rehearsal for a show at New York’s S.O.B nightclub.

The album that got me

Transition review

Stand out track: Something that I like

If you have never listened Ryan Leslie I would suggest you listen to “something that I like”. Leslie shows some diversity in this song, by both rapping and singing. That’s not say he is the best rapper, but merely tells listeners not to put him in a box. It has a smooth mid tempo beat and a funky baseline. Pasha t comes in with the third verse adding that extra something to the song.
What really stands out on this album is his production and arrangement, as the album to flow nicely from track to track. “You’re not my girl” is radio friendly and was made for the dance floor with its 80’s synths and harps.
His lyrics may seem simple and straight to the point, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. In “All my love“, lyrics like “I want to give u all my love/ even if I don’t have all your trust” are simple but so effective.
The bonus track could have been left off the album as “I choose you”, while somewhat mediocre, is a perfect way to end the album.

Brief history of the man

At the age of 14, Leslie got a perfect score on his SAT’s. He applied to prestigious universities such as Stanford, Yale and Harvard. He was accepted to Harvard where he graduated at the age of 19 with a degree in Political science and macroeconomics. During his stay at Harvard he devoted a lot of time to creating and developing music. He spent many hours perfecting his craft.

Sometime after his graduation, as he continued working on his music, he got a 30 day internship with a producer named Younglord. Within a week a produced a song that would be performed by Beyonce, called “Keep giving your love to me”. Sean “Diddy” Combs was impressed with his production and offered him a management contract.

He was later offered the chance to have his own imprint under Universal music group. It is called Next Selection and his first artist was Cassie. Leslie wrote and produced Cassies break out record “Me & u”.

Leslie plays a number of instruments and produces all of his own song. Here is a video of the making of one of his hits “Addiction”

Making of Addiction

What’s he doing now?

Leslie has worked with and produced hits for a number of artists such as Fabolous, Lloyd Banks, Britney spears, Mary j Blige, and numerous others.

He is currently working on his third album tentatively titled les is more. The lead single for the project is “Glory”. He raps about how he is underrated but is determined to “…spill my guts so I could get my glory”

Glory Video

Other notable songs that may appear on the album are, “beautiful lie” and “Joan of arc”

Early this year Leslie performed “beautiful lie” in Paris.

Beautiful Lie Performance

By Kapa187

The National Restoration Party (NAREP) has predicted an increase in corruption if the MMD government is voted back into power in this year’s elections.

NAREP president Elias Chipimo Junior told QFM that the MMD government has completely failed to curb graft which has led to increased levels of poverty in Zambia.

Mr. Chipimo has also condemned the move by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) to drop money laundering charges against former Western Province Permanent secretary Ikanuke Nooyo.

He has described government’s commitment to fighting corruption in the country as a non starter.

The DEC dropped charges of laundering amounting to K46 million, through unretired imprest against Mr. Nooyo adding that the money has been recovered from his gratuity.

The NAREP president says it is unfortunate that government is letting loose those who pay back resources obtained through corrupt practices without prosecution.

He explains that the gesture shown by the commission clearly demonstrates how selective the law is being applied in the country.

Mr. Chipimo has further said once voted into power, his government will ensure that corruption in all systems of governance is eradicated and perpetrators will be brought to book

GOVERNMENT has unearthed a scam in which some top Patriotic Front (PF) officials in Chingola’s Mushishima area are allegedly trying to corruptly acquire ZCCM-IH houses following President Banda’s directive that outstanding balances on the units be written off.

This was brought to light when Chingola district commissioner Tobias Maliti addressed over 200 residents at Mushishima Basic School yesterday.

“Government has unearthed a scam in which some top PF officials in Kabungo ward wanted to take advantage of people in the settlement by buying the houses through corrupt means. Some of them started giving the houses to their daughters and other family members at the expense of the deserving sitting tenants,” Mr Maliti said.

He said some PF top officials are scrambling to buy the houses.

Mr Maliti said authorities have grabbed the house that PF Kabungo ward councillor Richard Katebe allocated himself and the property has been given to the sitting tenant

He said it is disappointing that individuals who have been criticising President Banda for empowering the vulnerable with housing are now trying to use corrupt means to acquire the houses.

“We are not saying PF members cannot benefit from the houses because they are also Zambians. What we are against is a situation where PF officials are taking advantage of their positions in certain areas to disadvantage other Zambians.

“These are the same people who condemned President Banda for empowering Zambians with houses, yet they are now in the forefront trying to benefit from the houses,” Mr Maliti said.

He said President Banda will continue implementing prudent policies to eradicate poverty in the communities.

He advised the PF not to politicise development programmes.

Mr Maliti warned that he will firmly deal with individuals who will use corrupt means to acquire houses in Mushishima.

But Mr Katebe said he has not benefited from the houses, and that he does not live in the area.

He said it is unfortunate that some people are trying to tarnish his image through accusations that he is trying to corruptly acquire houses.

Mr Katebe also said it is important for opposition political parties and Government to work together to develop the country.
[ Zambia Daily Mail ]

MMD Lusaka Province Chief Information and Publicity Secretary Greenock Lupambo has advised first Republican President Kenneth Kaunda son , Panji, to emulate his father’s peace stance.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS, yesterday, Mr Lupambo said there was need for Colonel Kaunda to emulate his father’s spirit of creating peace with all.

He said the MMD is saddened by Col. Kaunda’s continued attacks on the MMD party and government in general instead of building peace among Zambians like his father.

Mr Lumpambo said the MMD in general was grateful to Dr Kaunda for appreciating and recognizing the leadership of President Rupiah Banda.

He noted that the media statement attributed to Dr. Kaunda cannot go without comment adding that all statesmen and eminent people should always appreciate their national leaders such as President Banda.

“Dr. Kaunda is a peace loving leader, He abhors wars and he is a peace maker, “ he said.

Mr. Lupambo told ZANIS in Lusaka today that President Banda has managed to deliver development throughout the country due to the peace that is preached by the first Republican President since independence in 1964.

He observed that without peace and unity, no development would ever take place in the country.

“Therefore, we want as many peace loving citizens as possible to follow and emulate Dr. Kaunda’s resolve in maintaining peace and stability through allegiance to government of President Rupiah Banda,” noted Mr. Lupambo.

He said the peace from loving citizens is contributing alot in bringing about national development.

ZANIS

PATRIOTIC Front (PF) president Michael Sata yesterday disowned former Works and Supply minister Mike Mulongoti and Zambia’s former ambassador to Libya Mbita Chitala saying he found it hard to understand the two.

Mr Sata said in Lusaka yesterday that Mr Mulongoti and Dr Chitala are some of the human beings who are very difficult to understand. He was responding to a question from the presenter of Hot FM’s radio’s Hot Seat live phone-in programme on whether his party is willing to accept the two who have declared support for the PF by campaigning for Mr Sata.

“Mr Mulongoti and Dr Chitala teamed up with former President Chiluba to dissect and shred me when I left the MMD in 2001. They did the same in 2008. They did everything they could do but they failed,” Mr. Sata said.

“We have a big problem in this country. The biggest problem we have is to understand human beings. Among the human beings who are very difficult to understand are people like Mike Mulongoti and to a certain extent people like Mbita Chitala,” he said.

He said even during their campaign for President Mwanawasa, the duo worked against him but still failed to achieve their aim.

And the MMD has described Mr Sata’s statement that Mr Mulongoti and DrChitala are difficult people to understand, as an indication that the opposition leader does not want to work with them in this year’s general elections.

“If I understand that statement correctly, it means Mr Mulongoti and Dr Chitala are not welcome in the PF,” MMD national secretary Richard Kachingwe said yesterday.

He said Mr Sata’s statement on the duo is strong and should serve as a warning to Mr Mulongoti and Dr Chitala whom he said are trying to advance their hidden political agenda using the PF.

Major Kachingwe said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that Mr Mulongoti and Dr Chitala will pay a heavy price for being unprincipled political leaders as well as for resigning from the ruling party.

“Mr Sata’s statement is an indication that the opposition leader doesn’t want to work with these people. Mr Mulongoti and DrChitala will pay a heavy price for being opportunistic,” he said.

“It would appear these people wanted to form a faction within the ruling MMD but they failed. My advice to them is to come back and rejoin the party at branch level. The party is open as long as they come back and apologise for what they did before they were expelled,” Maj Kachingwe said.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

President Rupiah Banda says his administration is not siphoning public funds from Government for the ruling MMD campaigns as alleged by the opposition.

And President Banda has urged Zambians to judge for themselves on who is a mature and upright leader to steer national development between him and opposition PF leader Michael Sata.

In addition, Mr Banda has denied allegations that he is attacking the catholic clergymen.

Speaking to journalists at the Lusaka International Airport, today,shortly before departure for the SADC summit in Windhoek, Namibia, President Banda categorically denied the opposition’s accusations that his administration was abusing public funds to fund ministers’ trips in all provinces for the ruling MMD party campaigns.

Mr. Banda affirmatively refused to be drawn into ‘cheap administration’ by the opposition saying this is because Government and the MMD party are two different entities operating independently.

He added that though 2011 was an election year for Zambia, his administration is going to ensure that development flourishes in all sectors of the economy.

He castigated Mr. Sata for suggesting that the K1 trillion loan meant for roads is meant to hoodwink the Zambians.

Mr. Banda advised the opposition leader that his Government working with other cooperating partners is a creative one with a vision and focus to steer development across the country and that funds meant for projects could be sourced way possible.

“ We have started building the roads and hospital and you cannot run a Government only in the budget you have to be creative and sit with other stakeholders to find cash and build projects.

” We are going to the polls we should remain focused well co-ordinated as we embark on these projects. It is not hoodwinking people as Mr. Sata thinks,” he said.

Mr. Sata accused President Banda of hoodwinking the Zambian electorate on the K1 trillion loan for roads and hospitals suggesting that there is no budget for that.

He challenged scribes in the country to verify their stories before publishing them and desist from getting half baked information.

“….Abuse of public funds… there is no way l can give cash and give it to the party because the party has got programs. l have never collected or given money to ministers and l can’t do that because there are programs of raising money and not in that manner.

” You as Journalists can go to Permanent Secretaries in these provinces or indeed any other authority to verify facts with valid documents because this is what is expected of you and your fellow Journalists in other countries do,” he said.

And President Banda has also denied that he is attacking the catholic clergymen.

Mr. Banda stated that catholic priests and bishops have got the fundamental right who to support or not maintaining that some are in good books with him and Government in particular.

“It is not true that l attack the catholic people but l can tell you that there are those who support us and not,” he said.

On his trip to Windhoek, Namibia where he has gone to attend a two-day Extra Ordinary Summit of the Southern Africa Development Community-SADC, President Banda said the region is concerned about events in Madagascar and Zimbabwe.

He assured that a lasting solution would be found as the Heads of State were meeting to discuss the matter and a report would come out on Zimbabwe.

“We have always been concerned about the peace in some in Madagascar and Zimbabwe but we shall discus on Madagascar we will be making a report on Zimbabwe as you know we recently had a summit in Livingstone where we agreed the report was coming…,” he said

President Banda who is Chairman of the SADC Organ on Defence and Security Cooperation expressed optimistic that the SADC region was moving close to the table for attaining peace that would bring about change in the affected countries.

Mr. Banda is tonight expected to brief the SADC Summit on the progress made in the implementation of the Global Political Agreement in Zimbabwe and the Peace Mediation Process in Madagascar.

The SADC Summit has been called to discuss issues pertaining to regional peace and security following the SADC Troika Organ Summit which Zambia hosted in March.

SADC Chairman and Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba was mandated to call for an Extra Ordinary Summit to discuss issues agreed at the Livingstone Troika Organ meeting.

The SADC Summit will discuss progress towards the implementation of a joint Free Trade Area among the African regional blocs that include COMESA and the East African Community.

President Banda is accompanied to Namibia by Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande, Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Felix Mutati and other senior government officials.

Mr. Banda was seen off at the Lusaka International Airport by Works and Supply Minister Gabriel Namulambe, Energy Minister Kenneth Konga, Secretary to Cabinet Dr. Joshua Kanganja, Defense Chiefs and senior Government officials.

[ ZANIS ]