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First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda is shown copies of the book ‘The Future Has Arrived’ by author Grieve Sibale at the book launch in Lusaka
Former President, Dr Kenneth Kaunda has implored writers and other artistes to effectively capture and reflect Zambia’s rich culture and history through their works.
Dr Kaunda said there is need to explore ways of improving skills in creative writing for authors to fully capture Zambia’s rich culture.
He said this in Lusaka yesterday when he officiated at the launch of a book titled ‘The Future Has Arrived’ authored by Grieve Sibale.
“The few published writers, printers and publishers of literary works that we have in this country have complained of low readership levels for books of a general interest such as novels. We know that many in Zambia read textbooks for the purpose of passing examinations,” Dr Kaunda said.
He said this has discouraged local publishers.
Dr Kaunda said publishers have also complained that imported books are usually cheaper because they are brought in tax-free but locally produced ones are generally more expensive because of raw material attracts import duty.
“The publisher Tupelo Honey Industries has helped us publish Grieve’s works, but all of us must work to improve the situation. We need active involvement of writers as individuals and associations,” he said.
Dr Kaunda urged all stakeholders in book production to engage in effective dialogue with Government to find lasting solutions to the challenges the industry faces.
He said this entails initiating a workable and effective Book development policy with Government.
Dr Kaunda also said while Zambia’s population has been growing, the country has not witnessed a corresponding increase in the number of bookshops.
Dr Kaunda expressed concern at the number of mushrooming bars and taverns while there is hardly any increase in the number of libraries being built.
He, however, urged Zambian authors not to relent in writing.
“Let us continue to write good books and explore the possibility of marketing them through the internet as other writers elsewhere are doing. The 21st century has many exciting and challenging business opportunities which we must grab with both hands if we are to succeed in this highly competitive environment,” Dr Kaunda said.
He described the book as impressive, saying it has appropriately infused traditional adages from across the country.
And Mr Sibale said the book, his fifth, is based on his personal reflections and vision of a better Zambia.
“…He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen…”
(Matthew 28:6, NLT
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
We have a reason to celebrate today because we serve a God who is alive and filled with resurrection power! Not only did He resurrect Jesus from the dead, but He wants to extend His resurrection power into every single area of your life, today!
Maybe you have a dream to get out of debt, pay off your house or be free from that burden of lack; but it looks like it’s impossible. Business is slow. The economy is down. You’ve gone as far as your education allows. But God is saying, “I’m not limited by those things. I’ve got resurrection power. I can give you one break that will thrust you to a new level. I can open up doors that no man can shut. I can bring talent out of you that you didn’t know you had. I can cause people, for no reason, to go out of their way to want to be good to you.”
Your part is to keep believing today knowing that He wants to bring you into supernatural increase. Remember, He is risen, He is alive, and He is faithful to His Word. Trust Him today and let His resurrection power work in your life!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father God, thank You for Your resurrection power at work in my life. Today, I give You my broken dreams, disappointments, failures and setbacks and trust that You will breathe Your life into me. I trust that You have a good plan for my future and are leading me into total victory! In Jesus’ Name.Amen.
SOME opposition members of Parliament (MPs) and councillors in Lusaka have come under attack from residents and members of their party for failing to provide leadership that could steer development in their respective constituencies.
The residents have demanded that the MPs for Munali, Lusaka Central, Kabwata, Chawama and Mandevu constituencies and the councillors should not seek re-election in this year’s polls because there is nothing to show for their term of office.
“Despite some of the MPs and civic leaders claiming they would change Lusaka in 90 days after the 2006 elections, five years down the line nothing has been done,” said Famous Bwalya of Lusaka Central constituency.
He said Lusaka Central MP Guy Scott has done nothing to improve the constituency and that he has allegedly never visited some residential areas like Northmead.
Mr Bwalya said the poor state of the drainage at Northmead market is just one example that proves that the MP has not bothered to work with the residents.
He said a good MP is one who visits every area under his constituency at least twice in a year.
“Parliament does not sit everyday. They go on recess. We know that Parliamentary Committees are there but he can pass through and sit with the people for 30 minutes and listen to them,” he said.
[pullquote]“Parliament does not sit everyday. They go on recess. We know that Parliamentary Committees are there but he can pass through and sit with the people for 30 minutes and listen to them,” he said.[/pullquote]
Mr Bwalya said in this year’s elections he will not support Dr Scott or any of the councillors who are in the limelight for sharing plots and not enhancing development of the city.
Mrs Acquilline Kalunga of Luangwa township, also in Lusaka Central Constituency, said she has never seen Dr Scott in the residential area.
She urged women and youths not to vote for an opposition MP because they do not care for the people.
“From the debates in Parliament I can tell that opposition MPs have never appreciated the development projects undertaken by the government that mean well for the Zambian people.
“Does being an opposition MP mean never appreciating good things done by Government, such as rejecting the constitution and mobile hospitals?” Mrs Kalunga asked.
Mandevu township resident Ruth Moyo said she is not going to sit and see things go wrong without doing anything.
“My vote will speak for me. I want to see meaningful development come to Mandevu. Having an MP who is just vocal on attacking Government has not helped the people of Mandevu at all. Politics is about talking and working for the people,” she said. The Mandevu MP is Mrs Jean Kapata.
Mrs Elizabeth Nachalwe of Chawama said their MP, SampaBredt, has failed them and should not stand because she will not get their vote.
[pullquote]“My vote will speak for me. I want to see meaningful development come to Mandevu. Having an MP who is just vocal on attacking Government has not helped the people of Mandevu at all. Politics is about talking and working for the people,” she said.[/pullquote]
Mrs Nachalwe said she has never heard Reverend Violet Sampa-Bredt raise her voice in Parliament to express the needs of the people of Chawama in terms of infrastructure development, health services or road rehabilitation.
“We have seen for ourselves that areas where MPs are from the MMD there is development because the MPs speak for the people.
“One example is Chongwe where we have seen a number of schools being built and they have a big district hospital now because their MP does not just speak but pushes and looks for donors to finance different projects,” she said.
[pullquote]“One example is Chongwe where we have seen a number of schools being built and they have a big district hospital now because their MP does not just speak but pushes and looks for donors to finance different projects,” she said.[/pullquote]
Mrs Nachalwe, who is a PF member, said Government waits for an MP to present the needs of the people in his area before they can work together.
She said MPs should also source for funds from donors.
Kaunda Square Stage One businessman Patrick Bwalya, who lives in Ng’ombe township, said he treks between two constituencies – Munali and Mandevu – but has not seen the two MPs or even their councillors. The Munali MP is Mumbi Phiri.
Mr Bwalya said the problem is that people intending to be MPs do not even understand their role and end up promising people wrong things.
He said there is a communication breakdown between MPs and councillors and they do not work together despite most of them belonging to the same political party.
[pullquote]He said there is a communication breakdown between MPs and councillors and they do not work together despite most of them belonging to the same political party.[/pullquote]
Mr Bwalya said he had been living in Kaunda Square since 1983 and has not seen councillors working with MPs.
Mr Watson Mtonga of Mtendere township said the opposition MPs will leave no legacy to talk home about in the five years they have served.
He accused their MP, Mrs Phiri, of being arrogant and that she does not listen to the concerns of the people.
Mr Mtonga said a number of concerns, such as the poor state of roads, have not been attended to in Munali, especially in Mtendere and Kalikiliki.
He urged Zambians to vote wisely in this year’s elections.
Mazabuka Central member of Parliament Garry Nkombo
THE United Party for National Development (UPND) has charged that it would be politically tragic for Zambians to vote and usher into State House the Patriotic Front (PF) because the opposition party has exhibited strange and odious social and moral traits.
The UPND says openly supporting homosexuality to win a political vote is not only a spiritual sin but a moral and political abomination.
Mazabuka Central member of Parliament Garry Nkombo said PF president Michael Sata should never be allowed to get anywhere near the presidency because the man needs political and spiritual cleansing.
Mr Nkombo said in an interview in Mazabuka that Mr Sata should embark on a programme of cleansing himself before he can ask Zambians to vote for him.
He said homosexuality is an abomination that any morally upright political leader should abhor and condemn.
“It is an abomination and Mr Sata should cleanse himself before he can ask Zambians to vote for him. Mr Sata has openly said he supports homosexuality and all Zambians heard him. He has not even denied it,” Mr Nkombo said.
He said the PF has been comprehensively inconsistent in a lot of national matters adding that it was one of the reasons that led to the collapse of the PF-UPND Pact.
[pullquote]The scenario is that we are going to share votes in this election year. People know what is good for them and what is not. If ever one expected defections, they should have happened when President Banda was here,” Mr Nkombo said.[/pullquote]
Mr Nkombo said the UPND knew from the start that the PF was not sincere in the alliance and that the party had been scheming to ambush its partner with the dissolution of the pact.
He said that the PF was shocked that the UPND was wide awake when the death of the alliance was announced.
And Mr Nkombo has said the PF and a named daily tabloid have formed a pact that is working at scandalising other political leaders.
Mr Nkombo said it is clear that the PF and the tabloid are pursuing an agenda that is against the majority of the Zambians.
He said the tabloid has been channeling propaganda for the PF and that it has worked hard to rebrand Mr Sata but with little success.
Mr Nkombo said the newspaper and the PF have been lying about defections in Southern and Western Provinces but that Zambians have seen through the propaganda.
“It is clear that Zambians have seen through the lies being propagated by the PF and the newspaper. The defections are all stage managed. The scenario is that we are going to share votes in this election year. People know what is good for them and what is not. If ever one expected defections, they should have happened when President Banda was here,” Mr Nkombo said.
And Southern Province MMD chairman Edgar Keembe has said the PF has been faking defections because the opposition political party has realised that it cannot win any election.
Mr Keembe said in a separate interview that the people of Southern Province can never vote for Mr Sata and the PF.
He said it is not politically possible for the PF to suddenly become the most popular party in Southern Province when barely two years ago the party was at the tail end in the last election.
[pullquote]The truth is that although the MMD has not mustered complete support in Southern Province, it is illogical to assume that the PF could suddenly be the most popular party in the province.[/pullquote]
He said while the MMD has not mustered complete support of Southern Province, it is utopia for the PF to cruise past the ruling party and the UPND.
Mr Keembe said the PF popularity has hugely been damaged by the propaganda one newspaper has been churning since 2008.
“The most publicised defections are fake and stage-managed. The truth is that although the MMD has not mustered complete support in Southern Province, it is illogical to assume that the PF could suddenly be the most popular party in the province. The PF is giving the said defectors money and the same people come to tell us that they are being bought to defect. There is a lot of goodwill from the people and change in the province is coming,” Mr Keembe said.
Chief Government Spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha has urged the church to intercede for President Rupiah Banda as he leads the nation to more prosperity.
Chief Government Spokesperson Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha
Lieutenant General Shikapwasha says President Banda needs God’s guidance in his concerted efforts of emancipating Zambian people, economically.
He said President Banda’s administration remains committed to working with the church as a valuable partner in the development of the nation.
Lt Gen Shikapwasha, , who is also Information and Broadcasting Services Minister, further said as the country heads towards the Presidential and general elections, the church has a divine role to pray for peace, love and unity among the Zambian people.
The Minister was speaking when he officially opened the 12th Annual Iron Men Conference organized by the Living Waters Church International in Lusaka yesterday.
“We are one nation and one people. Let the church continue to preach the message of love and brotherhood among the people of this wonderful and great nation,” he said.
He noted that peace is a seed that is deeply embedded in the heart of every Zambian and hence the need for the church to preach peace for that seed to grow.
Lt Gen Shikapwasha, who himself is a clergyman, said the onus is on the church to ensure that it prays unceasingly in order for the country to abate any pre or post election violence.
And speaking on the occasion, Lt Gen Shikapwasha said the Iron Men Conference is an important initiative as it seeks to equip men with various skills and capacities necessary in overcoming the various challenges of life.
The Minister said homes, the church and society need men of salient attributes that are able to conquer the giant challenges of life.
“ Like the name ‘Iron Men” suggests, I believe the conference seeks to mould men into iron characters of faith so that no matter the storm, you will remain rooted in our Lord Jesus Christ”, he said.
He commended Living Waters Church International for coming up with such a programme saying government appreciates initiatives like Iron Men Fellowship which impact positively on the spiritual, social and economic wellbeing of citizens.
And Presiding Bishop of Living Waters Church International Blessington Malenga said the aim of the fellowship is to mentor and equip men with life skills that will enable them to rise above the various storms of life and assert their role in the home, church and society.
Dr Malenga, also stated that the church has committed itself to pray for peace ahead of the tripartite elections.
He said the church will also pray for social, economic and spiritual revival in the country
Kansanshi Mines PLC, in Solwezi district of the Northwestern Province, has refuted accusations by sections of society in the area that it is mistreating its workers.
But Anti Voter Apathy Project ( AVAP ) Executive Director Bonnie Tembo confirmed the reported abuse of Zambian miners saying in most instances, the unfortunate miners working at the gold section of the mine especially, are abused before knocking off.
Speaking to ZANIS in a telephone interview, today, Mr Msiska said that the reports of workers’ abuse at the country’s biggest mine were untrue.
He said Kansanshi Mine PLC is a renowned international mining company that is determined to maintain international standards of mine operations, one of them being looking after workers’ welfare.
” We are very responsible as Kansanshi Mines. Yes we mine gold. And we are proud to say that we are up to date with paying Tax to the national treasury, but we do not abuse our workers,” Mr Msiska said.
However, Mr Tembo said that it is true that Zambian mine workers at Kansanshi Mine were being abused by management at the Solwezi based mine.
The AVAP Executive Diriector told ZANIS in a walk in interview in Lusaka , today, that he came back from Solwezi where his organisation held a voters exercise meeting.
He said some of the participants during the same meeting had complained that either themselves or their relatives and friends working at the mine were abused by Kansanshi Mine PLC management.
Mr Tembo said local mine workers in the country will continue to expirience labour at the hands of new mine owners as long as government continues detouching itself from owning some of the mines in the country.
Pointing to concerns being expressed by local stakeholders alleging that the mining industry has not benefited ordinary Zambian citizens, Mr Tembo emphasized that as long as there is no government ownership of the mines, ordinary Zambians should not expect to benefit from the current mining activities in the country.
Zesco United failed to make good of home advantage today when they were held to a scoreless draw by six-time African club champions Al Ahly a the Trade Fair Grounds in Ndola.
The end of the road could be near for Zesco in this year’s Caf champions League unless they can cause a historic upset in Cairo in a fortnight’s time in the second round, return leg where no Zambia club has ever won a Caf club cup match.
The first half was a see-saw affair with very little in terms of major goal action.
There was an antithesis in terms of tactics with the diminutive Zesco players preferring the long and high balls while Al Ahly, despite their imposing stature, kept the ball on the floor.
Zesco were reduced to 10 men in the 75th minute after exhausting their substitutes when striker Alfred Luputa limped off just minutes after the team lost defender Billy Mwanza also due to injury and was replaced by Rogers Kamwandi.
However, Zesco did have chances despite their numerical deficiencies on the pitch when Clifford Chipalo and Kamwandi missed in quick succession in the 82 minute with acres of space that would have seen the take a vital goal away to Cairo.
Zesco kept up the pressure with striker Jackson Mwanza’s point-blank range header saved by Mahmoud Aboul-Saoud in the 87th minute before Portipher Zulu shot went marginally high two minutes later.
Zambia Police Spokesperson, Ndandula Siamana-more police officers deployed to Mansa
THE Zambia Police Service has refuted a story carried by The Post in its Thursday edition that police officers shot dead two people during a four-day riot which resulted in the death of five people following rumours of suspected ritual killings.
The riots caused damage to property and looting of goods worth billions of Kwacha.
Police Service public relations officer Ndandula Siamana said no police officer was allowed to carry firearms as they went on duty to quell the riots.
Ms Siamana said in a statement issued in Lusaka on April 22 that the Police command deployed 300 officers in Mansa to beef up the existing local manpower and that no person was shot dead by police officers who were maintaining law and order in the area.
She said 220 people were arrested in connection with the riots in Mansa and will be charged with offences ranging from murder, unlawful assembly, rioting, theft and malicious damage to property. The suspects will appear in court soon.
And the Police have intensified both foot and motorised patrols within local communities and on highways countrywide during the Easter Holiday.
Inspector General of Police Francis Kabonde said in a statement released in Lusaka on April 22 that the police will not relent in ensuring that law and order are maintained in the country during and after Easter.
“We will pursue those breaking the law so that law-abiding citizens enjoy a peaceful holiday,” Mr Kabonde said.
He urged members of the public to co-operate with the police who have been deployed on the streets to help prevent road traffic accidents.
Mr Kabonde urged motorists to observe road signs, markings and speed limits to avoid accidents and show courtesy to other road users.
MMD acting national Scretary Chembe Nyangu stretching
MMD deputy national secretary Chembe Nyangu has said President Banda will not be pressured to announce the election date as he would do so at the right time.
Mr Nyangu said in an interview in Lusaka on April 21 that Mr Banda will announce the polling date when the time comes.
“Announcing the election date is the prerogative of the President and no-one should pressure him to make this announcement,” he said.
Mr Nyangu said previous Presidents were not pressured to announce the polling date because this is a privilege of the Head of State which has been in place for a long time.
He said Mr Banda will not announce the election date for the sake of pleasing certain people.
“The MMD and Mr Banda will not make decisions to please a few individuals who do not even appreciate the developments the party has initiated.
These people, especially some Catholic bishops, do not appreciate anything. Even if Mr Banda announces the date today, they will still criticise the decision,” Mr Nyangu said.
He said Zambians should respect Mr Banda’s administration and its decision not to hastily announce the polling date.
And Mr Nyangu said it is sad that Ndola Catholic Bishop Alick Banda has failed to appreciate President Banda’s directive to write off outstanding balances on over 3, 386 housing units on the Copperbelt.
He said Bishop Banda can afford to criticiseMr Banda’s decision because the church accommodates him for free.
“Bishop Banda’s comments are unfounded and unfortunate. We expect people like him to support initiatives intended to promote the welfare of the needy,” Mr Nyangu said.
He said it is unfortunate that Bishop Banda does not want to support Government’s decisions intended to empower poor people.
Mr Nyangu said Bishop Banda’s comment is a clear indication that the clergyman does not care for people, especially the needy
Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) intends to spend US $ 295 million to sink a syclinorium shaft at its Nkana mine site in Kitwe .
MCM chief executive officer Emmanuel Mutati said with this investment, the mining company is expecting to increase its production and extend the life span of the mine by another 25 years.
Mr Mutati said this when he briefed deputy mines minister Jazzman Chikwakwa on the current projects the mine intends to under take.
He said this project once commissioned in the first quarter of 2015 will create about 600 jobs.
Mr Mutati said Mopani has to inject $295 US to extend the mining operations which would have closed by 2015 if there was no investment.
He stated preliminary works on the sinking of the shaft has started and actual works would commence next year.
ZANIS reports that the syclinorium shaft will be operating at 1, 200 level below surface and is expected to produce 115 million tonnes of ore per year.
Mr Mutati also told the deputy minister that the MCM will invest about one billion United States dollars into the Nkana smelter in the next five years as way of improving its capacity.
He said there has been an overwhelming need to invest in the smelter because the new mining firms such as Kansanshi bring its copper ore for processing at MCM.Mopani Copper Mine in Kitwe
He added that operations at the North Shaft at Nkana mine site will close in three years time but will not have any bearing on the mine operations since it is a small shaft producing 500,000 tonnes of ore per year.
Mr. Mutati said Mopani has made a capital investment of 1.2 billion dollars in its operations since it started mining activities at Nkana and Mufulira mine sites.
And Mr Chikwakwa said government was happy with the massive investment at MCM.
He said government has a responsibility of consolidating peace in the country so that the investment is secured and sustained for the future.
The deputy minister said the mining industry has a future that needs a stable government to continue creating conducive environment for the mines.
He said the investment at MCM has demonstrated that it has the capacity to sustain the mines and advised mining firms to blend local and foreign investment in their operations.
Former Church of God overseer Bishop John Mambo has charged that the gesture by president Rupiah Banda to write off outstanding balances to over 3000 housing units will not influence the voter outcome.
Bishop Mambo says that it is not the first time that a ruling government is showing a gesture to the Zambians when the country will be heeding to the polls.
Bishop Mambo says that the issue of the housing units on the Copperbelt should not be politicized as is the case at the moment.
In an interview with QFM radio, Bishop Mambo stated that the president should be commended for the goodwill he has shown to the residents of the Copperbelt.
He added that if the Zambians want change of government, it will take place despite the perceived inducement by those in power.
He observes that the current political environment indicates that Zambians cannot be influenced by any political gift.
He has however observed that president Banda’s move on the housing units has been done at a wrong time.
He wonders why the president never took such an action some time back, but had to wait for the elections period to make his gesture.
President Rupiah Banda and First lady Thandiwe Banda yesterday hosted an Easter luncheon at state house for the Visiting Veteran United States constructive surgeon Joseph Clawson.
Dr Clawson , who is in the country at the invitation of President Banda, has been conducting surgical operations at Beit Cure Hospital in Lusaka and he will be living the country on Saturday back to the United States.
President Banda expressed appreciation to DR Clawson that he was able to accept his invitation to conduct surgery in Zambia.
Dr Clawson was accompanied by Beit Cure Hospital ( BCH ) board chairperson Larry Kalala , Nero Surgeon Dr Kachinga Sichizya and Dr Cannius Banda.
President Banda said during his visit to BCH this week that he was touched by what he saw on CNN Television channel where Dr Clawson was shown performing a complicated surgery operation on a child patient at the same hospital.
It was during the same visit that the Head of State decreed that government was going to take over payment of the health institution’s Doctors and nurses’ salaries.
The BCH management has all along dependant on well wishers and donors to pay salaries for its workers.
Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) has advised government to heed to the Oasis Forum’s advice of relieving republican vice president George Kunda off his duties.
TIZ President Rueben Lifuka says Mr. George Kunda, who is also Justice Minister, should take responsibility for the failed constitution as he has been at the helm of the whole process that was widely unaccepted by society.
Mr. Lifuka says the failure by to take responsibility will give an impression that public resources can be wasted and no one can be held accountable.
In an interview with QFM, Mr. Lifuka says TIZ still stands by its early call on Mr. Kunda to resign as his resignation will send a strong signal to anyone who will take charge of the constitution making process that it is a serious national process which needs to be addresses in a non-partisan manner.
Recently, the Oasis Forum demanded the resignation of republican vice president George Kunda for failing Zambians on the constitution making process and advised government to constitute a lean committee to deliberate on the Mung’omba draft constitution to see the way forward.
The Patriotic Front has described the extension of the suspension of the Lusaka city council as witch hunting.
Patriotic front chairman for local government and housing Given Lubinda says it is unfortunate that the local government has extended the suspension.
MR. Lubinda questions the motive behind the LCC suspension adding that government has a hidden agenda.
He states that the extension clearly reflects that the MMD government has entered the witch hunting phase in the run up to the elections.
Mr. Lubinda has since expressed confidence that the truth will come out despite government’s attempt to witch hunt political opponents.
He has further wondered why the minister of local government and housing has extended the suspension of the council when he earlier stated that investigations will take about 60 days.
In January this year, Minister of Local Government and Housing, Brian Chituwo announced the suspension of the council following reports that the local authority has been involved in some land allocation scams.
Dr Chituwo said Government decided to suspend LCC to pave way for investigations into the alleged illegal land allocation.
The Lusaka City Council has been accused of illegally allocating land to itself without following the law governing the allocation of land.
Out of 102 plots, the councilors got 45 plots, 10 plots were given to the Mayor while the deputy Mayor got five plots and members of the public were only allocated 11 plots.
