Andella Chileshe Matthews, Is the reigning Miss Zambia UK. She is 24 year old from Ndola Zambia currently living in London. She is currently finishing her masters degree in Sports Therapy which she loves as she has a great passion for sports. Andella is an ambassador for a charity called Contesa. In the past 2 years they have managed to raise a little over £250,000 where proceeds go towards providing HIV/AIDS and under privileged children with primary education, trade skills, basic meal and shelter in Zambia.
Charity work or helping others that are less fortunate than herself has always been something she has worked towards.
THE Mineworkers Union of Zambia (MUZ) has advised employers against taking advantage of President Sata’s threat to dismiss civil servants who may go on strike to offer workers low wages and poor conditions of service.
MUZ acting president Charles Mukuka said in a statement issued in Kitwe yesterday that MUZ will not agree with employers who seem to take advantage of the ‘heat of the moment’ to offer members ‘funny salary hikes’.
“It is common knowledge that undertakings or employers have unique productivity and unit cost profiles and their ability to pay differs from employer to employer, due to numerous factors. Our research indicates that most companies are generally performing well,” Mr Mukuka said.
He argued that the salary levels are not uniform in all companies and this leaves collective bargaining as the only option to improve salaries for workers.
“And we even wonder how an employee getting K550, 000 can continue surviving if that salary is increased by the current inflation rate of six percent. We fear that the threat to fire civil servants who may go on strike might trickle down to our mining sector,” Mr Mukuka said.
He also dismissed claims that the industrial action that has taken place, or is due to happen, is an attempt by trade unions to blackmail Government. Mr Mukuka said MUZ is taken aback by President Sata’s threats to dismiss workers who will resort to strikes, to compel Government to meet their demands.
[pullquote]“And we even wonder how an employee getting K550, 000 can continue surviving if that salary is increased by the current inflation rate of six percent. We fear that the threat to fire civil servants who may go on strike might trickle down to our mining sector,” Mr Mukuka said.[/pullquote]
He said it should be noted from the outset that while in opposition, the Patriotic Front (PF) campaigned on a platform of putting more money in the pockets of workers and creating jobs. Mr Mukuka said these promises have heightened expectations from Zambians who expect the PF to deliver.
“We would also like to observe that we have in the past commended the PF for promising not to interfere in collective bargaining. However, we feel that directing the bargaining units to match inflation in salary adjustments amounts to interference, as it takes away the guarantee of collective bargaining which is a fundamental right of any bargaining unit,” Mr Mukuka said.
He added: “When this pronouncement was made by President Sata, trade unions started facing unnecessary hurdles during collective bargaining processes as most employers capitalised on this chance to offer mediocre salary raises, regardless of how good their performance may be.”
MINISTER of Information, Broadcasting and Labour Fackson Shamenda has appealed to public service workers to remain patient and allow for the smooth conclusion of negotiations for improved salaries and conditions of service.
Mr Shamenda said workers in the public service should not rush into an illegal strike but wait for Government and public service unions to conclude the bargaining process for new conditions of service.
He said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that Government is doing everything possible to ensure that negotiations are completed before the existing collective agreement expires this monthend.
“I want to assure our workers that we are doing everything possible to ensure that negotiations for improved conditions of service are concluded on time.
“I am also appealing to workers in the public service to remain patient and allow for the smooth conclusion of negotiations for a salary raise and improved conditions of service,” Mr Shamenda said.
He expressed confidence that the negotiations will be completed amicably and on schedule.
Mr Shamenda also warned the workers against going on an illegal strike, reiterating President Sata’s statement that all public service workers who would go on an illegal strike will be dismissed from the service.
“I want to state that any worker who will go on an illegal strike will be fired and any trade union which will allow its members to go on an illegal strike will be held accountable.
“We have to make sure that we conclude the negotiations so that we can prevent industrial unrest in the country,” Mr Shamenda said.
The minister also said he will soon meet trade union leaders to discuss the impasse surrounding negotiations for improved conditions of service for civil servants.
Meanwhile, THE Zambia Federation of Employers (ZFE) has urged Government to create more employment opportunities for young people around the country. ZFE executive director Harrington Chibanda said young people should have access to jobs for them to contribute to the country’s economic development.
Mr Chibanda told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that Zambia has high unemployment levels which he said is an unfortunate development especially for young people.
He said in his inaugural speech to Zambians after winning the September 20 elections, President Sata made it clear that the Patriotic Front (PF) Government would address the high unemployment levels among the youth in the country.
Mr Chibanda also called on all stakeholders in the country to work closely with Government in creating more job opportunities for young people. He said it is important for Government to partner with various stakeholders in the development process of the country and in improving young people’s living standards.
Meanwhile, Mr Chibanda has urged youths to engage in various entrepreneurship skills for them to earn a living. He said it is important for young people to gain entrepreneurship skills as this will enable them become self-employed.
Zambia today commemorates Youth Day under the theme: “Accelerating youth empowerment for sustainable national development”.
Commerce Minister Bob Sichinga has charged that it is premature to state that the patriotic front has failed to attract foreign direct investment. Mr. Sichinga said that that stakeholders, who are alleging that, are only politicking about the operations of the government.
Mr. Sichinga said that Zambians should not be deceived that employment creations can only be aided by foreign investment. He said that the duty of creating jobs is by Zambians and not foreign investors coming to Zambia.
He said that foreign investment only compliments the job market in the country. Mr. Sichinga has charged that the final target of the Zambian government is to get everyone employed.
Mr. Sichinga has stated that the government is still committed to ensure that employment creation among the youths is enhanced.
And Sichinga has urged youths to develop their entrepreneurship skills rather than relying on formal employment to contribute to economic development.
Mr Sichinga said youths are the cornerstone and main drivers for the growth of the economy. He said Government will ensure that it creates an enabling environment for youths, adding that youths should not only look forward to be given a job but to create employment which would benefit both there livehood and families.
Mr Sichinga said this at the young entrepreneur ’s exhibition at the Ministry of Youth and Sports sponsored by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) under the theme ‘Accelerating youth employment for sustainable national development”.
He said Government will turn the youth skills into tangible benefits for all the people by allocating K11 billion towards the youths in the 2012 budget. Mr Sichinga said the job of the government is to ensure that employment opportunities and an enabling environment for investment are created.
“Government is under obligation to provide employment and investment opportunities because about 68 percent of the country’s population is comprised of the youths,” he said.
He said the government has lined up a number of programmes to benefit the youths, such as decentralisation of company registration, establishment of a micro finance and citizens empowerment fund, among others.
ILO national programme coordinator Evans Lwanga said the organisation has put up empowerment programmes for both women and youths to contribute to poverty reduction and job creation in the country.
He said there is need for decent jobs and livelihood of youths because they have the potential to stimulate employment creation in the country.
“Although the country is facing challenges of creating employment for the youths, there are good initiatives to create decent work such as the one we are witness today (yesterday),” he said.
The young entrepreneurs exhibition and national youth employment development forum attracted 49 young entrepreneurs from different sectors such agriculture, trade, hospitality, technology and manufacturing.
FORMER Minister of Finance Situmbeko Musokotwane says he will support the re-introduction of the Abuse of Office clause when it is tabled in Parliament.
The clause was removed by the MMD government in which he served. Dr Musokotwane, who is Liuwa member of Parliament, told Radio Phoenix yesterday that he supports the decision, if it is meant to enhance the fight against corruption.
“I have no problem with the re-introduction of the clause. Yes, I will support it if it will assist the country to fight against corruption. I have no problem with that,” he said.
And Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Emmanuel Chenda says the re-introduction of the Abuse of Office clause through the Anti-Corruption Bill will enhance the fight against corruption in the country.
Mr Chenda said the Patriotic Front (PF) Government will remain committed to fighting corruption because the vice deprives Zambians of better living standards.
“The PF government is allergic to corruption and as Cabinet ministers, we will ensure that we fight corruption which our colleagues, the MMD, entertained when they were in Government,” Mr Chenda said.
The minister was speaking in Ndola yesterday when he officiated at the farewell church service for Reverend Milton Mulenga at United Church of Zambia (UCZ) Mushili Bethel congregation.
Mr Chenda said the government is determined to improve living conditions through dedication to serving people, as opposed to plundering public resources.
He said the re-introduction of the Abuse of Office clause is an indication that the government is committed to fighting corruption in the country.
Mr Chenda, who is also PF Bwana Mkubwa member of Parliament, said corruption slows down development and worsens poverty.
And Mr Chenda has assured former employees of Ndola Copper Refinery that outstanding payments will be resolved by Government. Mr Chenda also commended Rev Mulenga for the job well done at UCZ Mushili Bethel congregation. The reverend helped to implement many projects for the church.
“Your contribution to this church was outstanding. The congregation here in Mushili will miss your services as you go to Kitwe,” Mr Chenda said.
And speaking earlier, Rev Mulenga appealed to Government to ensure that suspected corrupt leaders are investigated. Rev Mulenga said theft of public resources retards development, hence the need for culprits in the MMD government to face the law.
On Wednesday last week, Minister of Justice Sebastian Zulu presented the Anti-Corruption Bill to Parliament to repeal and replace the Anti-Corruption Act of 2010 and allow for the re-introduction of the Abuse of Office clause.
VICE-PRESIDENT Guy Scott says Government has no immediate plans to increase mining taxes but that it expects China Non-Ferrous Corporation Africa (NFCA) Chambishi mine to pay its dues and respect workers.
And Dr Scott has warned that the authorities will not compromise on environmental protection and resettlement of families who will be displaced by NFCA’s planned development of the US$832 million South East Ore Body project.
Speaking shortly before touring NFCA mine in Chambishi yesterday, Dr Scott said the Patriotic Front (PF) Government expects NFCA to pay taxes to enable it to build social infrastructure including roads, hospitals and schools.
“We expect the company to pay tax. In China, when you don’t pay tax, they get cross with you and the PF Government will also get cross with you if you don’t honour this obligation. We are not talking about increasing taxes but we want you to pay what is due to Government,” Dr Scott said.
He also said the PF Government expects workers to benefit from the profits which the mining company is making, in terms of wages.
“I want everyone to work in harmony. Harmony is a good Chinese concept. Management has to respect the rights of workers and follow standard procedure when resolving disputes because workers are human beings who must be respected. But also, we don’t approve stealing by workers,” Dr Scott said.
Dr Scott also warned that Government will not compromise on environmental protection and the resettlement of families who will be affected by NFCA’s development of the South East Ore Body project.
This was after NFCA Chambishi mine deputy chief executive officer Zhou Liang raised concerns that the Zambia Environmental Management Authority is delaying to approve the development of the environmental impact assessment for the project because Hybrid Poultry Farm is concerned that this will negatively affect its business.
Dr Scott said he will soon convene a meeting with all the parties involved to chart the way forward.
“It is clear that I have to convene a meeting with all interest groups. We will not compromise on environmental issues and the resettlement of residents. If you are trying to convince me in the absence of other parties, it will not work,” Dr Scott said.
NFCA chairman Tao Xinhu, who spoke through an interpreter, said NFCA will invest over US$800 million in the ore project which will create 5,000 jobs.
“This project will further strengthen relations between Zambia and China and enhance Zambia’s development,” Mr Tao said.
And Mr Zhou said the NFCA will spend US$260,000 to resettle the families which will be displaced by the project in Mukulumpe and Twashuka areas. NFCA has also donated an ambulance to Kalulushi hospital, an 80 kilowatt generator and a motor bike to Chambishi clinic, all valued at K465 million.
Dr Scott was accompanied by Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication Yamfwa Mukanga, Copperbelt Minister Davies Mwila and Deputy Minister of Mines Richard Musukwa.
Low turn out of fans is reported to have characterised the public viewing of the Africa Cup trophy in the mining town of Chingola.
Unlike in Choma,Livingstone,Ndola and Kitwe where scores of fans turn out to catch a glimpse of the converted trophy only a handful of people took time to view the cup in Chingola.
The low turn out forced Konkola Copper Mines who spear-headed the program in the mining town to sponsor announcements on local radio stations in a bid to create awareness.
By 13:00 hours, KCM sponsored radio announcements were still running and publicising that the AFCON trophy was in Chingola.
On Monday, the AFCON Trophy will be in the Solwezi.
File: Police escort PF and UPND youths during the youth day match past.
Opposition UPND youths have boycotted tomorrow’s national youth day celebrations in all parts of the country.
National Youth Chairman Likando Mufalali announced the boycott at a media briefing held at the party secretariat in Lusaka on today.
Mr. Mufalali said that UPND youths will instead concentrate their energies in doing community work.
And MMD Copperbelt Provincial youth Chairman Chiko Chibale has instructed all the youth organs of the party in the province not to take part in youth day celebrations on Monday.
Mr. Chibale said that the MMD youths will not take part in tomorrow’s celebrations in protest of the alleged persecutions of its party leaders by the PF government.
He said that the party in the province has observed that the fight against corruption is selective and only target former MMD leaders.
Mr. Chibale has told ZNBC News that Monday’s boycott is just the beginning of many actions.
He says MMD members will continue boycotting national events if the alleged harassment continues.
But Patriotic Front Lusaka District Youth Secretary, Jeff Chiyenge said that it is unfortunate that youths from the opposition MMD have boycotted the youth day celebrations.
Mr Chiyenge said that this is promoting anarchy. He said that the PF has information that some MMD youths are being ferried to the southern province for the planned demonstrations over the re-alignment of districts.
Mr Chiyenge has since called on the law enforcement agencies to move in and arrest all those championing confusion. Mr Chiyenge was speaking in an interview with ZNBC News in Lusaka on today .
And Mr Chiyenge has wondered why the MMD youths are so bitter about Former President Rupiah Banda’s immunity issue. He said that if Mr Banda is innocent let him prove it in court.
Mr Chiyenge has since called on Parliament to remove Mr Banda’s immunity so that he can defend himself in Court.
Opposition UPND Leader Hakainde Hichilema has supported youths in Southern Province who intend to protest on Monday on the national youth day.
Mr. Hichilema said that UPND youths in the region have a democratic right to air their grievances and has urged them to go ahead.
He was responding to questions from Journalists at the party secretariat in Lusaka today. Mr Hichilema said that young people should not be suppressed by authorities such as the police when they want to forward their concerns to Government.
However, the Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes-Saccord- has called on youths who intend to protest in Southern Province tomorrow not to go ahead with their planned action.
Saccord Information Officer Obbie Chibuluma said that youths should refuse to be used by people with selfish political agenda.
Mr Chibuluma said that it is important that necessary channels are used in airing any possible grievances with the government.
He was speaking in an interview with ZNBC news in LUSAKA today.
Mr Chibuluma has stressed the need for dialogue as an amicable way of resolving any political rifts.
Some youths in Southern Province have allegedly been hired by some politicians to demonstrate during the youth day celebrations as a means of protesting the recent re-alignment of Itezhi-Tezhi and Chirundu Districts.
Police have since deployed re-enforcement to quell the possible unrest that might arise from the planned protest.
When ex-biker-gang member Sam Childers (Butler) makes the life-changing decision to go to East Africa to help repair homes destroyed by civil war, he is outraged by the unspeakable horrors faced by the region’s vulnerable populace, especially the children. Ignoring the warnings of more experienced aide workers, Sam breaks ground for an orphanage where it’s most needed-in the middle of territory controlled by the brutal Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), a renegade militia that forces youngsters to become soldiers before they even reach their teens. But for Sam, it is not enough to shelter the LRA’s intended victims. Determined to save as many as possible, he leads armed missions deep into enemy territory to retrieve kidnapped children, restoring peace to their lives-and eventually his own.
PROS
Gerard Butler gives one of his best performance of his career showing his power, passion, emotion and strength.
Very gripping story line .
CONS
Some of parts seemed to fast forward without proper explanation.
It lacks balance . we never discover what Childers’ enemies are fighting for, or much about the background of the conflict.
CONCLUSION
It is based on a true story about one man trying to make difference, it is a heartbreaking, inspiring and action-packed drama. It will leave you feeling like you need to do more to help people.
“If we allow ourselves to be full of hate, then they’ve won. We must not allow them to take our hearts.”
IN the wake of reports that youths in Southern Province are planning to protest the realignment of districts, over 100 police officers have been deployed to the province to maintain order during Youth Day celebrations tomorrow.
Inspector- General of Police Stella Libongani said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that the officers will ensure that peace and harmony prevail during the celebrations.
President Sata recently annexed Chirundu to Lusaka and Itezhi-tezhi to Central Province as part of the Patriotic Front government’s decentralisation policy.
But some sectors of communities in Southern Province have viciously opposed the move, which they feel is intended to disadvantage them economically and politically.
The authorities have, however, insisted that the re-alignment is intended to enhance development and devolution of power.
It is believed that some people want to take advantage of Youth Day celebrations to mount a demonstration against the government.
Ms Libongani urged officers to be professional in their operations, adding that the police condemn any form of violence which can cause instability in the country.
She warned that anyone found wanting will be dealt with by the law.
Meanwhile, Ms Libongani has encouraged women to work hard and occupy their rightful places in their communities.
She said this during a working breakfast hosted by Standard Chartered Bank at Lusaka’s Southern Sun Hotel. She said women must be focused and become exactly who they want to be.
“Women should not be afraid to work with men, but persevere all the time,” Ms Libongani said.
And Standard Chartered Bank chief executive officer Mizinga Melu advised women to interact with people who will help them to build their lives. Ms Melu said women should aspire for higher position the same way men day
MINISTER of Sport, Youth and Child Development Chishimba Kambwili
MINISTER of Sport, Youth and Child Development Chishimba Kambwili has said that Government will not allow marketeers to leave designated trading places to sell their merchandise on the streets.
Speaking when he paid a courtesy call on Kitwe mayor Chileshe Bweupe on Thursday, Mr Kambwili said street vending is a worldwide problem which needs to be controlled.
“We can come up with Saturday markets or any other market day but not every day trading on the streets. Shoprite is one company whose business is being negatively affected and yet it contributes a lot of money to Government in taxes,” he said.
Mr Kambwili said there is need for traders to make use of designated trading facilities instead of selling their commodities on the streets.
He was also shocked that the Formular One road rehabilitation project in Kitwe is not doing well, saying the project is working well in Luanshya where he is member of Parliament for Roan.
And Mr Bweupe said developmental projects are on course in Kitwe but expressed disappointment on poor road infrastructure, street vending and illegal taxi operators.
Mr Bweupe said there is need to work on township roads and other infrastructure in Kitwe.
He told the minister that he had received reports that Shoprite management has complained of loss of business due to street vendors who are selling their merchandise on the door-steps of the supermarket.
The girls and boys performing the Tonga traditional dance in Sinazongwe district
A CHIEF in Choma district in Southern Province has called for an immediate halt on all activities that promote HIV and AIDS and the introduction of traditional schools as a tool for fighting gender-based violence (GBV).
Chief Singani says negative vices such as (GBV) has for a long time contributed to the increase of HIV and AIDS in the country as it promotes disintegration of families.
The traditional leader, who led a group of headmen and women from Singani HIV and AIDS Prevention Project, said this in Chikuni area when the group visited Mukanzubo Culture Women’s Association.
He said there is urgent need to find a lasting solution to issues related to GBV if women and children are to be protected.
Chief Singani attributed the rampant increase in GBV in his chiefdom to lack of traditional schools for youths commonly known as gobelo.
The chief said traditional learning centres known as gobelo helped to build people’s positive mental attitudes towards life, unlike the modern schools which dwell much on theory.
Chief Singani said modern schools have not targeted the character aspect of an individual, hence the rampant increase in GBV as well as HIV and AIDS cases.
“People of olden days never used to put on clothes, and most of their parts were exposed but there wasn’t this kind of behaviour by men of nowadays because of lack of strong teaching from gobelo,” he said.
He called on all Tongas to support the reintroduction of traditional schools in order to fight GBV and AIDS.
Chief Singani said the embracing of Western culture has hampered efforts to promote traditional schools as they are shunned.
And speaking at the same function Mukanzubo Women’s Association director Yvonne Ndaba said her group is determined to take up the challenge in Southern Province.
Ms Ndaba revealed that her organisation is also targeting teachers training colleges in the province for students to pass the information on to the children they will be teaching after graduating.
“We believe respect and discipline hold everything. That is the reason we have embarked on this programme so that we restore the rich Tonga culture,” he said.
Meanwhile, Choma Children Development Project co-ordinator Conwell Haademu assured Chief Singani of his organisation’s support in the fight against HIV and AIDS in his chiefdom.
Mr Haademu said his organisation has embarked on the fight against HIV and AIDS in Singani chiefdom through the support of Brethren in Christ Church.
File: MMD youths singing songs during youth day in Lusaka
With only a few days before the March 12th youth day celebrations opposition Movement for Multi party Democracy-MMD youths in Lusaka Province have vowed not to take part in this year’s event citing unfair treatment.
Zambian youths will on March 12th 2012 celebrate their day and various activities are put in place. The day brings together youths from various sectors of society and political parties.
The MMD youths say they have suffered persecution at the hands of ruling Patriotic Front-PF youths.
MMD Lusaka Province youth Chairperson Watson Mtonga claims that former ruling party youths’ are not protected hence the decision to shun the event.
He said that some MMD youths have even shunned their homes due to the continuous persecution and harassment from the PF and police.
Mr. Mtonga added that PF cadres are likely to attack MMD Youths on the material day.
Meanwhile, MMD has expressed concern over the increasing number of industrial unrest in the country. MMD Spokesperson Dora Siliya says the continued trend of industrial unrest in the country is worrying.
Ms. Siliya says government needs to quickly come up with a solution to stop the trend. The MMD Spokesperson has called for the need to ensure that there is stability among the country’s workforce if the economy is to record some growth.
Ms. Siliya on the other hand advised government to honour its campaign promises of creating more jobs for the youths.
And Ms Siliya has revealed that preparations for the MMD upcoming party convention are progressing well. She said the party convention will usher new leaders into office.
