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Kuomboka for all Zambians – Kunda

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Vice President George Kunda
Vice President George Kunda

VICE-PRESIDENT George Kunda says the Kuomboka traditional ceremony is for all Zambians and has urged the people of Western Province to reject anyone seeking to divide the region.

And Western Province Minister Richard Mwapela says there is nothing sinister about Mr Kunda gracing this year’s ceremony slated for today because it is not the first time that a Vice President has officiated at the event.

Speaking on arrival at Mongu Airport on April 15, Mr Kunda also urged Mongu residents to be careful with The Post newspaper because it is allegedly trying to divide Zambians by sowing seeds of discontent in the nation, especially in Western Province.

“Reject lies that are written in The Post and let them practise professional journalism,” Mr Kunda said.

He said the Kuomboka is about peace and unity and that Government uses the ceremony to share development ideas.

“The Kuomboka is about promoting tourism and there are a lot of tourists who come here for the ceremony. We want to develop it even more. It is our ceremony and it is for all Zambians.

“When I received the letter from the President, I was so excited because, although I have seen the Kufuluhela ceremony, I have never seen the Kuomboka and this is my chance to see the Kuomboka,” he said.

He said a Catholic priest who was recently quoted in The Post as saying Mr Kunda is not welcome in Western Province is just preaching hatred.

Mr Kunda said The Post has been trying to create an impression that Patriotic Front president Michael Sata is popular in the province but what the newspaper does not know is that it is not possible to sell Mr. Sata there.

“You can’t sell that product in Western Province,” he said.

Mr Kunda said The Post wanted to discourage him from going to the province because the newspaper and its political allies know that whenever he travels countrywide, he has an opportunity to tell people the truth about Mr. Sata’s character.

He said before the tabloid formed a partnership with Mr Sata, it scandalised the PF leader and described him as corrupt, violent, sadistic, dangerous and vulgar; and that all the crimes he committed were published in its past editions.

Mr Kunda said Government is just being factual in its replies to attacks from Mr. Sata and the PF.

He said Mr Sata has no capacity to develop Zambia and that the PF’s manifesto is not a blue print for the country’s development because Government is already doing what is contained in the document.

Mr Kunda said the PF has deliberately omitted its stance on homosexuality in its manifesto and that some people and NGOs are attacking President Banda and his government because of zero tolerance to homosexuality and lesbianism.

He said since Mr Sata has declared himself a Catholic fundamentalist, the PF leader does not tolerate other churches and beliefs.

“These are dangerous ideas because fundamentalism is unconstitutional. Our Constitution recognises freedom of worship and freedom of conscience,” he said.
Earlier, Western Province Minister Richard Mwapela said the region has been peaceful because of President Banda’s leadership. Mr Mwapela thanked traditional rulers in the province for their efforts to ensure peace and development in the area.

He said enough security measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of all people who will attend the Kuomboka today. He said some people peddling lies about Mr Banda’s decision to assign Mr Kunda to grace the ceremony are trying to alienate the people of Western Province from the rest of Zambia through careless remarks.

Mr Mwapela said the MMD has continued to enjoy massive support in the province because of the unprecedented development projects being implemented by Mr Banda’s administration.

He assured Mr Kunda that the ruling party will get the same support it got in the 2008 Presidential elections.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

President Banda assures Zambian investors of fair treatment

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President Banda with CPD Properties managing director Charles Davy at the launch
President Banda at the launch

President Rupiah Banda has said his government will at no time discriminate against any foreign or local investors wishing to invest in Zambia.

And President Banda has called on investors to invest in the country because of the enabling investment climate put in place by Government through the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry.

Mr. Banda says the principal law governing the development of multi-facility economic zones and industrial parks does not discriminate against any investors.

Mr. Banda was speaking in Lusaka yesterday when he officially launched the 104 hectare multi-dollar Roma Industrial and Commercial Park.

“The principal law governing development of multi-facility economic zones and industrial parks does not discriminate between foreign and local investors. It is my conviction that multi-facility economic zones and industrial parks should cater for both local and foreign investors.

“All investors both local and foreign will have equal opportunities to invest in any of the zones being developed in the country,” Mr. Banda said.

The Park originates from Russia and is aimed at diversifying investment and development opportunities in eight other African countries including Zambia.

[pullquote]“All investors both local and foreign will have equal opportunities to invest in any of the zones being developed in the country,” Mr. Banda said.[/pullquote]

The Roma Park which is a joint venture between foreign and local enterprises will have its own commercial and residential units, shopping mall, office complex, ware house and filling station.

Others are 400 houses, 20 office building, and 30 ware houses and will create over 4,000 jobs.

Mr. Banda said it is imperative that Zambia promotes activities that have a scope for private sector development to accelerate economic growth.

He disclosed that Zambia has greatly benefited from a number of new investment developments this year which demonstrates that the country has an international appeal as an investment destination.

The President thanked the shareholders of Roma Industrial and Commercial Park for taking a bold step of investing in Zambia.

“I take this opportunity to urge others who have not yet decided to quickly make up their minds as Zambia is now becoming a choice for investment,” President Banda said.

And speaking earlier, CPD Properties and Renaissance Development Manager for Africa Arnold Meyer commended President Banda’s administration for setting up a conducive environment for investors.

Mr. Meyer said Zambia is a haven for not only peace but good investment in the sub-region.

And Communications and Transport Minister Geoffrey Lungwangwa said Zambia has under the leadership of President Rupiah Banda recorded massive economic development.

Professor Lungwangwa said the launch of Roma Park is clear testimony of government’s commitment to the transformation of Zambia’s economy and wealth creation.

ZANIS

Dario Annexes Junior Teams

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Dario Bonetti has extended his football realm to the Zambia under-23 team.

Bonetti said at a press briefing in Lusaka today that all men’s youth teams will be under his edict.

“I supervise all national team because I am head coach,” The Italian said. “In future I would want to sit on the bench.”

Bonetto’s proclamation reopens the case of his relationship with under-23 coach Lucky Msiska.

The two fell out over creative differences after the 2010 Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup in Tanzania where Zambia was eliminated by Ethiopia in the quarterfinals.

Meanwhile, both the senior and Under-23 teams have qualifying engagements during the weekend of June 3-5 in Africa Cup and Olympic qualifiers at home and away respectively.

Bonetti will after facing Mozambique in June at Nchanga Stadium not have any senior team engagement thereafter.

However, the Under-23 will play their return leg Olympic return leg qualifier against Algeria two weeks later at home tentatively set for Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe.

And so fans will be waiting with baited breath as this will open up the prospect of Bonetti’s involvement in that match.

Zamtel is intact- Managing Director

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The President is on the conducted tour by Lap Green Group Chief Commercial Officer Hans Paulsen
FLASHBACK: Lap Green Group Chief Commercial Officer Hans Paulsen (L)

Zamtel Managing Director has said that that the telecommunications company is intact despite the freezing of Libyan assets in Zambia.

Hans Paulsen said that Zamtel is not affected by the freezing of the Libyan assets, and that operations of the company have continued normally.

Mr. Paulsen stressed that the Zambian government being a shareholder, with 25 percent stake in the company is overseeing the business of the company.

The Zamtel managing director stated that his team is working round the clock to ensure that the company remains relevant.

Amid controversy and public disapproval of the privatization of Zamtel, the Zambian Government in July 2010 sold 75 per cent of the state-owned fixed-line phone operator to Libya Africa Investment Portfolio (LAP) for $257 million.

Zambia owns the remaining 25 per cent of the shares.

LAP Green Network is a component of the Libya-Africa Investment Portfolio, which is part of the Libyan Investment Authority, the sovereign wealth fund for the North African nation.

Mr. Paulsen made the remarks during a media briefing in Lusaka this Morning.

QFM

RB to commission Ndeke Village mini hospital tomorrow

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President Rupiah Banda is welcomed by Kapiri Mposhi residents

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

ZNBC

APNAC welcomes Mpombo’s arrest

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APNAC Zambia Chairperson Given Lubinda
APNAC Zambia Chairperson Given Lubinda

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.

ZANIS

PF Provincial Women Secretary suspended for chatting with MMD friends

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PF

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.

ZANIS

President Rupiah Banda not dividing traditional leaders in Eastern Province-MMD

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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.

ZANIS

UPND accuses PF of buying defectors

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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 injects US$3m into CB facility

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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.

Western Province Police Chief assures people of a peaceful Kuomboka

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Kuomboka
Kuomboka

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.

ZANIS

Curb rampaging Jerabos

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Some Kitwe residents in the centre of town

By Pauline Banda

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 targets for a million tourists arrivals to earn $350m

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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.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

HRC probes Mongu amputee’s picture

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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.

[Times of Zambia]

RB to launch Roma Park

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President Banda is
FLASHBACK: President Banda

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.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

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