CHIPATA District Women’s Lobby Group has castigated village headmen in Kasenengwa Constituency urging their subjects not to vote for any women candidate as a parliamentarian during this year’s polls alleging that women have failed them in the past.

Last Tuesday, more than 54 village headmen drawn from senior Chief Nzamane, Madzimawe, Mishoro and Chiefs Chikuwe issued a statement that they would not support any woman to contest for Kasenengwa parliamentary seat.

Senior Chief Nzamane’s representative, headman Kapachika said they would not support any woman who is going to be adopted.

Former first lady Vera Tembo is the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP) for Kasenengwa Constituency.

Chipata District Women’s Lobby Group chairperson, Diana Tonga said in Chipata yesterday that the statement by the headmen condemning female parliamentarians was unfair to the women.

Ms Tonga said it was unacceptable for village headmen to start demonising female parliamentarians ahead of the 2011 tripartite elections.

She said women parliamentarians have never failed but have performed extremely well than their men counterparts.

Ms Tonga said there were a lot of men who had failed to perform in their positions as MPs.

“The statement by some village headmen in Kasenengwa Constituency that female candidates should not be supported during the elections is not fair, I took it to be a very strong statement. Women have also performed exceptionally than some male counterparts,” Ms Tonga said.

She said the village headmen should learn to support female candidates in order for Zambia to meet the 30 per cent mark for women representation in decision-making positions as required by the Southern African Development Community Protocol.

Ms Tonga said her organisation was currently training women and encouraging them to run for various positions in this year’s elections. Ms Tembo declined to comment.

The Patriotic Front (PF) has threatened to ‘sort out’ Chanda Chimba III over his television programme “Stand Up for Zambia” which is aired on the national broadcaster ZNBC.

And PF Secretary General Wynter Kabimba has condemned the recent acts of violence among MMD and PF cadres in Lusaka.

PF vice president Guy Scot said the party is saddened by Mr. Chimba’s continued attacks on its party president Michael Sata which he said is meant to discredit him.

Mr. Scot said at a press conference in Lusaka today that was also attended by party cadres and leaders that the party will sort out Mr. Chimba for his attacks.

He has, however, expressed displeasure with the courts entering a nolle prosequi against two Chinese managers at Collum Coal Mine in Sinazongwe who allegedly shot at some mine workers last year.
Mr. Scot argued that it was not right that the case was discontinued for lack of evidence when the workers were purely shot at and injured.

And PF Secretary General Wynter Kabimba has condemned the violence by his cadres saying that the party does not condone any form of violence from its members.

He said the party wants to be a peaceful political party which will attract and accommodate everyone with positive ideas.

Mr. Kabimba has meanwhile stated that his party will fight back against any attacks from the MMD.

“If PF members are provoked by the MMD cadres as was the case in the Kamwala incident they have the right to defend themselves against such thuggery and we have sufficient numbers to execute such a campaign successfully,” he said.

He has also stated that the party will implicate government and the MMD over any harm that will befall its president following reports of planned of abductions.

Mr. Kabimba has also condemned hate speeches by some organization against its leader Michael Sata.

He said there is need to stop this act as it has resulted in fights in other countries.

[pullquote]“If PF members are provoked by the MMD cadres as was the case in the Kamwala incident they have the right to defend themselves against such thuggery and we have sufficient numbers to execute such a campaign successfully,” he said.[/pullquote]

Meanwhile, Former UNIP Secretary General Reverend Alfred Banda has announced his resignation from the former ruling party to join the PF.

Rev. Banda who resigned from UNIP and was heading a UNIP revival forum announced his resignation together with MMD Kabwata constituency Secretary Emmanuel Chanda at the press briefing in Lusaka today.

He said he decided to resign because he feels the PF is the only progressive political party.

ZANIS

Labour and Social Security Deputy Minister Simon Kachimba says people elected as union leaders should not use their positions to frustrate investors and those in management.

Mr. Kachimba says union leaders should contribute to the growth of their companies and ensure productivity continues.

He added that dialogue should be the direction which unions must take as opposed to work stoppages.

ZANIS reports that Mr. Kachimba, who was speaking to union representative at Lafarge Plc in Chilanga yesterday, said when the company makes losses and decides to start retrenching workers, union leaders will have no one to blame but themselves.

He said the role of unions should be part of management and contribute to the
efficient running of companies.

Mr. Kachimba said government’s role is that of coming in as a mediator when management and workers fail to reach a conclusion.

He also appealed to management to sensitize workers on reasons why it has decided to retrench
workers.

Mr. Kachimba said government is aware that management has laid out plans to reduce the work force at Lafarge and it is important that workers are prepared adequately for the exercise.

He said although government is discouraging the practice, if certain factors are contributing then it has no problem.

The labour deputy minister also commended Lafarge plc for having taking safety of workers as a priority.

He said it was gratifying that the company has been recognized internationally for its safety standards.

And Company Managing director Fola Esan thanked the minister for having found time to visit the plant and discuss with the workers’ representatives.

He said it was pleasing that the company has managed to create a good working relationship with government.

Mr. Esan said the company is also happy with the investment climate it is enjoying saying Larfage has continued to enjoy conducting its business and is doing fine in the country.

He said management will ensure that it addresses some of the labour issues that have arisen so that the workers’ morale does not affect productivity.

Mr. Esan explained that the plan to retrench some workers started last year with the Ndola plant where the company has since downsized the workforce.

He said factors such as modern machinery and technology which the company is using in its production does not require more people as it is now self automated.

Mr. Esan also said the company has decided to downsize the number of casuals and other supporting staff whose work can still be carried out by other workers in order to make the company more efficient and productive.

He disclosed that not more than 70 workers will be retrenched by April this year.

ZANIS

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Be devoted to one another in love…”
(Romans 12:10, NIV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Think about the people God has placed in your life. They’re not there by accident. God brings people to you for a purpose. We should live with this awareness that, “I am here to add value to people. I am here to help them succeed.” Don’t go around always thinking, “I wonder what that person can do for me. I wonder what they have to offer.” No, we should have the attitude, “What can I do for them? How can I help them come up higher? Can I teach them something I know? Can I connect them with someone who can help them?” Don’t make the mistake of going through life ingrown. Instead, be a dream releaser. Use your talent, your influence and your experience, not just to accomplish your goals, but to help release a dream in someone else.

Remember, there is nothing more rewarding than to lay down at night knowing that you helped someone else become better. You not only fulfilled your purpose for that day, you did your best. It may have just been a two-minute phone call where you encouraged someone; but when you live as a dream releaser, you’ll see your own dreams come alive as well!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, thank You for equipping me to be a blessing to others. Show me ways to be a dream releaser and help others to rise up higher. Help me to use my influence to encourage others and honor You always. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

— Joel & Victoria Osteen

Proprietor of the Zambia – Botswana coach services Willie Nsanda has warned the MMD party cadres against trying to cause confusion at bus stations by claiming ownership.
Mr. Nsanda says markets and Bus station should be free from political interference because they service the public and not political parties.

Mr.Nsanda also noted that the MMD government should ensure that their political cadres are stopped from causing commotion at the bus station adding that business owners will not allow cadres to disturb their businesses.

He added that should the government fail to intervene in the matter the business owners will do whatever it takes to protect their investments.

Recently, MMD cadres in Lusaka announced that they had taken charge of the bus station in the city so as to restore sanity.
[ QFM ]

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) says it will continue with its delimitation process despite the constitution of Zambia bill failing to pass through the second reading in Parliament.

ECZ Public Relation Manager, Chris Akufuna says the ECZ will continue sitting as a delimitation commission to review constituency boundaries but will not effect an increase in the number of constituencies.

“Following the failure of the constitution of Zambia bill to go through the second reading in parliament as require by article 79 of the constitution, the electoral commission of Zambia wishes to inform the public that it will continue sitting as a delimitations commission to review constituency boundaries with effecting an increase in the number of constituencies,” he said.

He stated that the commission will also continue receiving submissions on the numbers of constituencies in the remaining districts in order to have a complete database for future use.

Mr. Akufuna said this in a press statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today.

He explained that the delimitations sittings were made to collect information on how stakeholders wanted to have the number of constituencies increased from the current 150 to 225.

Mr. Akufuna said the programme for the delimitation sittings in the rest of the provinces still remain the same.

He has since advised the public to prepare their submissions in readiness for the sitting.

ECZ has so far sat in Lusaka, North Western, Copperbelt, and Central provinces.

ZANIS

Speaking when he launched the facilities at the newly constructed Chongwe District Hospital today, President Banda said more than 8.7 million Zambians across the country will benefit from the newly launched mobile hospitals.

Mr. Banda said the MMD government is determined to continue improving the health sector in the country for the benefit all Zambians.

ZANIS reports that the President stressed that the mobile hospitals will play a vital role in reducing maternal mortality rates in the country as health services will be brought closer to the people even in areas not easily accessible to people.

He noted that health services in the country are provided in two modes which include static health posts, clinics and general hospitals as well as mobile hospitals.

He said the two modes complement each other in the health delivery.

Mr. Banda said government has constructed hospitals, health posts, and health centers across the country for the benefit of the people.

The President further said that government is constructing 125 more health posts across the country in addition to building more District Hospitals in all the 9 provinces of Zambia.

He named the District hospitals constructed by government as Chongwe, Chadiza, Chama, Chavuma and Chiengi district hospitals.

He said others are Samfya, Lufwanyama, Lumwana, Lundazi, Namwala, and Serenje to mention but a few.

President Banda said that government was optimistic that by 2016 there will be District hospitals in all the 73 districts of Zambia.

President Banda also said government was constructing A general hospitalS in Choma and Lusaka.

He disclosed that the new Lusaka General Hospital will be officially opened by May this year.

Mr. Banda hailed the Chinese government for the assistance being rendered to Zambia including the purchase of mobile hospitals.

He stated that the new mobile hospitals will be supplied to all 9 provinces of Zambia.

The equipment consists of X-ray, laboratory, dispensary unit, power and water units and living quarter unit and the out patients department.

He disclosed that in each mobile hospital which will be supplied to provinces, there will be four Chinese Doctors to assist the local medical personal especially in Surgical, maternity and nursing.

President Banda also stated that government has procured 17 Marin Clinics and 12 Boats to be used in areas which are only accessible by water such as in Western and Luapula provinces.

And President Banda has said government intends to open a second school of medicine in Ndola in a bid to improve human resources in the health sector.

And speaking at the same event, Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Li Quingmin said the mobile hospitals will go a long way in uplifting people’s lives in rural areas.

Mr. Li said President Banda should be appreciated for his initiative to purchase mobile hospitals.

He said China will not relent in partnering with the Zambian government especially in the health sector.

He stated that the bilateral relations between the two countries which he said dates back to many years should continue for the benefit of the two country nations.

[ ZANIS ]