These are the results of the 2010 online survey conducted by LusakaTimes to give awards to respective categories decided by website visitors from across the globe. Nominees were based on the top three and winners topped the list.

Personalities

1.  Man of the Year

The Nominees are: Michael Sata, Felix Mutati, Medardo Joseph Cardinal Mazombwe
And the Award goes to: Medardo Joseph Cardinal Mazombwe

2. Woman of the Year

The Nominees are: Dora Siliya, Thandiwe Banda, Esther Phiri
And the Award goes to: Thandiwe Banda

3. Most controversial Zambian in 2010

The Nominees are: Michael Sata , William Banda, Father Frank Bwalya
And the Award goes to: William Banda

4. Most disappointing Personality of the Year

The Nominees are: Kalusha Bwalya, Godfrey Mwamba, Rupiah Banda
And the Award goes to: Godfrey Bwalya Mwamba

5. Most disappointing Political Party

The Nominees are: MMD, UPND-PACT, NAREP
And the Award goes to: MMD

6. Sportsperson of the Year

The Nominees are: Esther Phiri, Jacob Mulenga, Emmanuele Mbola
And the Award goes to: Jacob Mulenga

7. Sports Administrator of the year

The Nominees are: Kalusha Bwalya,Anthony Mwamba, Emmanule Munaile
And the Award goes to: Anthony Mwamba

Institutions

8. Best Government Ministry

The Nominees are: Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Ministry of Education
And the Award goes to: Ministry of Education

9. Worst Government Ministry

The Nominees are: Ministry of Works and Supply, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Home Affairs
And the Award goes to: Ministry of Health

10. Well managed Government Parastatal

The Nominees are: ZESCO, ZRA , NAPSA
And the Award goes to: ZESCO

11. Badly managed Government Parastatal

The Nominees are: Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia, Zambia State Insurance, National Housing Authority
And the Award goes to: Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia

12. Well managed Public Institution

The Nominees are: Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA), Bank of Zambia, Zambia Information Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA)
And the Award goes to: Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA)

13. The most passive Opposition Politician of the year

The Nominees are: General  Godfrey Miyanda, Ben Mwila, Tilyenji Kaunda
And the Award goes to: General Godfrey Miyanda

14. Commercial bank of the year in Zambia

The Nominees are: Standard Chartered Bank, ZANACO, Stanbic Bank
And the Award goes to: ZANACO

15. Best Private Company of the year

The Nominees are: Farmers House PLC, Zambeef Products Plc, MTN Zambia
And the Award goes to: Farmers House PLC

16. Zambian Sports Team of the year

The Nominees are: ZESCO United Footbal Club, Nchanga Rangers Footbal Club, Under 20 National Team
And the Award goes to: Under 20 National team

17. Picture of the year ( click on  URL/LINK to view Picture)

Nominees are:

http://www.postzambia.com/article_image.php?image_type=article&id=3240

http://www.lusakatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Run-for-dea-life…Kafulafuta-MP-George-Mpombo-runs-away-from-the-police-when-he-joined-PF-cadres-at-the-Drug-Enforcement-Commission.jpg

http://www.lusakatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/An-unidetified-woman-looks-at-the-new-Soweto-market-in-fron-of-a-dumpsite-although-the-market-will-open-soon..jpg

And the Award goes to:

http://www.lusakatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Run-for-dea-life…Kafulafuta-MP-George-Mpombo-runs-away-from-the-police-when-he-joined-PF-cadres-at-the-Drug-Enforcement-Commission.jpg

LT Readers/Bloggers

18. Best Zambian Website (*LT not included for ethical reasons)

The Nominees are: www.postzambia.com, www.zambia.co.zm, www.zamnet.zm
And the Award goes to: www.postzambia.com

19. Most hated LT Blogger

The Nominees are: Senior Citizen, Kalos2121, Lady Gaga
And the Award goes to: Senior Citizen

20. Best LT Columns Contributor

The Nominees are: Henry Kyambalesa, Elias Munshya wa Munshya , Patrick Hatontola
And the Award goes to: Elias Munshya wa Munshya

21. Most Missed LT blogger

The Nominees are: Ba Moze, Baby C, Ghost Dog
And the Award goes to: Ghost Dog

22. Most appreciated and respected LT Blogger

The Nominees are: Nine Chale, Mr Capitalist, Senior Citizen
And the Award goes to: Nine Chale

23. Best Quote on LT

The Nominees are:

“PACT is DEAD”

“Statistics are like bikinis, what they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital”

“We are not interested in the same old speeches every year when all you do is change the dates on the same old speeches,” Joyce Chabala, wife of the late Efford Chabale at 2010 Gabon Disaster Memorial

And the Award goes to: “We are not interested in the same old speeches every year when all you do is change the dates on the same old speeches,” Joyce Chabala, wife of the late Efford Chabale at 2010 Gabon Disaster Memorial

24. Best Joke told on LT

The Nominees are:

By Yaba
A Licensed Counselor was conducting a group therapy session with four young mothers and their small children….
“You all have obsessions,” he observed. To the first mother, he said, “You are obsessed with eating. You’ve even named your daughter Candy.” He turned to the second Mom. “Your obsession is with money. Again, it manifests itself in your child’s name, Penny.” He turns to the third Mom. “Your obsession is alcohol. This too manifests itself in your child’s name, Brandy.” At this point, the fourth mother gets up, takes her little boy by the hand and whispers, “Come on, Dick, we’re leaving.”

By Pa Zed:
“Picture 14. Ba Simataa, is that a face towel hanging from the pocket? (jacket). Teti mwashitako a descent handkerchief? Mwalitusebanya ku Zurich uku mwaile!!

By Nkalanda
Gring gring: elo..who is this?
Kasengele: bena kalu, this is K

Kalu: ah K nauchinja fone number?
K: Ndimundoti abena Great! fone taileleka ukulila. Mufwile mwabwela pa lusaka
Kalu: ahaaa is everything ok?..what now
K: abena king cobra baingilamo mu wrangle nabo and I cant argue with this man..you know him well also
Kalu: Abena K not ukubaposako amano abena sata..Ba vice president ba kunda na ba RB has assured me ati all will be fine. Blatter nao ebele ati FIFA wont act so we are safe mudala.
K: That’s great news bena Kalu
Kalu: I almost forgot. Tell the nation on Monday that we are planning to host the world cup also apart from AFCON Cup. That will distract them. Let me know how the response goes.
K: Great idea! I will call the press conference on monday then.
Kalu: Great job K

And the Award goes to: Nkalanda

25. LT blogger with best analytical skills

The Nominees are: Mr Capitalist, De Ja Vu, Smooth Criminal
And the Award goes to: Mr Capitalist

Webmaster’s choice Award

26. Best story teller on Lusakatimes

The award goes to Digga.

Here are two stories by Digga that kept bloggers and LT staff alike mesmerized

1st story

You know.. the thing that annoys me even more is that on the other hand , that con of a mine Lumwana has just announced $198 million dollars in Operating Profit of the 9 months to December 2009!!!!.. and paid ZERO, ZILCH , NADA , “0? in taxes because they 1) offset huge Capital Allowance credit that will run for several more years 2) other tax concession.. I spent 5 days on the mine this January, and I tell you I wanted to cry.. There is no brick a mortar structure at all. all Offices, house etc are either Prefabricated structures imported from South Africa or 20 foot or 40 foot containers converted to offices..
and I mean the whole mine including the prefabricated houses under the so call Lumwana housing scheme that they are mortgaging to staff. There is NO TARRED ROAD in the whole of the mine and mine town ship area (with the prefabs) I mean no a metre of BITUMEN / Molasses TAR.. ITS ALL GRAVEL and mud like a farm. There is no SMELTER only a SIEMENS CONCENTRATOR. In the plant area the grinds the ore from the BALL MILL into Concentrate .. thats the plant – thats it..
Then from the Concentrator, the COPPER CONCENTRATE ( POWDER) is loaded into 100 waiting ZALAWI Trucks mostly for Export straight tot the USA.. Apparently because of the Uranium content, KCM or MOPANI are is not buying the Lumwana concentrate, only Chambishi Mines (Chinese) is buying some… I was so angry .. and like that was not enough I went to the General Offices (where MD admin are) and almost collapsed when I saw a big black sculpture at the entrace that had both hands of a person clasped together in a THANKYOU and in the middle of it read “””Lumwana mine officially opened in Nov 09 by his Excellency Rupiah Banda President of Zambia”””” Nalefwaya uku pena.. and right next to it was a normal Plackard that had Mwanawasa’s Official Opening.. I mean what ???? I almost threw up.. and when the guys on the mine told me the mine expansion plans I wanted to cry..
They really have none apart from a Uranium processing facility.. none.. They have no plan to set up a SMELTER.. There’s none in the next 7 years at least- forget a refinery and so have no plan to produce Copper bars .. Cathodes they call it for export or sale to Manufacturing companies like ZAMEFA in Zambia that make wires etc.. I so so annoyed I tell you.. We’ve been hoodwinked and we let them.. I will not even talk about the CHINGOLA to SOLWEZI road that bent my TYRE RIMS.. THIS IS NOT AN INVESTOR: WE dont need this.. In this day and age WE ARE EXPORTING CONCENTRATE.. and at that concentrator they separate the diamonds, Gold from the copper.. and the metals are flown out by plane to buyers..
I’m not racist or xenophobic at all but you will not find a ZAMBIAN in a Management position whether its for Lumwana or the several CONTRACTOR Firms (Camp Management Firms, Construction & Civils) and there are many many non citizens doing simple jobs (like tyre mending, equipment supervisor) we used to do for many years in our rich Copper mining history.. Apparently they say the Zambia’s Mining Labour Market (all miners in Zambia) dont have the Acumen, required experience and skills to manage of supervise operational tasks in a “20th Century Mine”.. How or why did Mangani (Home affairs) issued all those work permits for jobs that can be

done by Locals? Zambians we need to wake up!!!.. We can Own and run the these mines. We have the skills and experience.. We NEED TO BE SERIOUS!!!!!

2nd Story

( Digga’s initial comments to a story on a robbery)
#2 Slumdog shalaz…. ma ma ma ma … my brotha not ZP police mwana… I’ve enough respect for C5.. believe me.. I’ve witnessed 1st hand their wrath and modus operandi.. We were all diving for cover in our offices opposite Fire station across Evelyn hone… trust me.. you’ll hear soon that bandits have been gunned down..
The only problem is the EXTRA JUDICIAL kiiling that they do.. but ZP I’ve enough respect.. especially after Mateyo and the late Wazakaza N’guni… The way ZP CID(C5 & flying squad ) Operate.. it’s a scipt out of a movie.. As we speak.. probably a dragnet has been set up u to Kapiri.. they operate with Intelligence.. They are patient. they even wait for months till their moment.. my guess is those crimminals are trying to leave town with their heist cause they know the’ve been circled. I’ve have little faith in GRZ but massive respect for POLICE force when it matters when things are serious.. no judges, no warning shots.. THEY gun down and parade your body for all to see.. PICS in newspapers and then throw ur carcass at back to C5 Nissan Hardbody van, with excited guys waving AK’s weaving through traffic to General Hospital mortuary.. Then the disappear.. They wear masks in operation.

The story

7# Nine Chale 2007 October.. Nali pa job pa LSK.. aka celo fye around 8:30… people even crossing the road walking past Fire station from the Traffic lights at that Evelyn hone T-junction.. There was a lot of traffic as usual in the morning RED.. The traffic lights hit Red.. 20 seconds later.. a few screams, a car then raved.. two shouts after that.. then the AK47 rang 4 warning shots.. Our office is upstairs and along the road so everyone then turned to see what was happening.. You know.. from no where up 5 cars coming from all directions cut the road, with armed police -some in ZP gear acrobatically jumping out of moving vehicles.. moving into a cordon..
A car blocked by traffic then bashed the car in front.. 3 Armed bandits jumped out.. stopped the car going down Makishi road to Nothmead…At that same moment our very own anti robbery squad rang I think up 7 warning shots.. and took aim at the car.. while the C5 units prepared for the chase.. Other units that were on foot unassuming jumping into the back of speeding Nissan hard body in chase.. But I’ll tell you after the 2nd AK shot the whole office dived for cover.. there are guns and there are gun shots. but that of the AKmilitary assault rifle is deadly, deafening-a scary thing.. All this happend in a space of two minutes and seven cars chased down makishi.. 15-20 minutes later.. The C5 boys were standing on top of a convoy of 3 hard white hardbodys lights fully beamed, sweepng the road like presidential motorcade back up the road to same traffic lights then truned left headed for UTH.. much to the stunned somewhat muted applause of the passers and people standing around and others that had come to listen to the action that happend 20 minutes earlier.
kabovas whistled as three piled bodys lay at the back of the not in a hurry C5 bad *** team.. lights full beam. hazards on… was crazy.. we told that story for days… So those bandits trying to speed away in the car they highjacked had their tires shot just before Northmed total filling station and careered off the road.. They got out and tried to run.. but were taken out swifty shot in the back , buttocks by sniper guys in the on rushing hard body..
off course people watching at the scene split.. Ephraim Mateyo was on news then explaining the operation and that for months they tracked the gang who were headed to kamwala to rob Finance Bank.. Tabangala pa Zed ba anti robbery and armed special forces. A career of armed robberies does not pay in Zambia.. At least you wont live long enough.. Uke pushe that gang that terrorised the Copperbelt 3 year ago. Those chaps were killed in a major operation..Inspector General Ephraim Mateyo even warned before the operation began.. people thought he was joking.. the amazing thing is a week later a group of wanted chaps actually truned themselves in saying they would rather go to jail and not be killed by the C5 knowing thats what would happen.. though there are new criminals back on the belt I see kabwe now as well. but the current IG is uninspiring.. just arrests Chansa Kabwela
C5 … so called .. Is the special anti robbery/terrorist squad unit in the Criminal Investigations Dept of the Zambia police.. the name comes from the numberering of their Office door at Zambia police HQ.. They are in room C5..

27. Government Minister  easily  reachable and close to the people

The award goes to Hon Dora Siliya because she keeps her facebook page upto date and interacts with online Zambians and responds to comments and e-mails

CHIEF Government spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha says Government has been vindicated by the revelation that Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata was part of a 1992 committee of eight ministers which concluded that the Barotse Agreement was stale and illegal.

Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha said in an interview on January 10 that the people of Zambia should now know that Mr Sata is not a reliable person.

Gen. Shikapwasha said when Mr Sata was in authority, he did not even want to consider the restoration of the agreement which he is now advocating.

He said Mr Sata should be honest enough to tell Zambians that he is just looking for votes.

Former PF secretary general Edward Mumbi said at a press briefing on Sunday that on October 22, 1992, the committee of ministers met a delegation led by the Ngambela and members of the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) to discuss the agreement.

“Mr Sata has been telling people that he can solve the problems of those calling for the restoration of the Barotse Agreement. We have always told Zambians that Mr Sata is not to be trusted. As Government, we have been vindicated because Mr Sata has continued telling falsehoods,” he said.

When contacted for comment, Mr Sata refused to say anything on the matter, insisting that he should have been contacted earlier.

Mr Mumbi said at the press briefing that Mr Sata’s committee arrived at the conclusion that the Kaunda government’s appointment of the Litunga as member of the Central Committee was among the events which affected the Barotseland Agreement.

Mr Mumbi said the committee observed that the Chiluba government had been in power barely 12 months and the agreement referred to was signed in 1964 and abrogated in 1969 through a constitutional amendment.

The committee of ministers noted that since 1964, a lot of events had taken place in Zambia.

It further observed that the 1969 referendum, which took away property rights and was fully supported by all Zambians including the people of Western Province, was one of the events which gave Dr Kaunda’s government authority to abrogate the 1964 agreement.

The committee also observed that the replacement of the 1964 constitution and the subsequent appointment of the Litunga tended to affect the status of the Barotseland Agreement of 1964.

Mr Mumbi said Mr Sata’s committee slowed down Government’s attention to the agreement and finally put it to rest with another letter dated August 18, 1993.

“It is Government’s position that we cannot negotiate this agreement on the following grounds: Our further inquiries show that no judicial process was commenced by the royal establishment or any other party aggrieved by the proposed amendments in reasonable time. It is our position that the demand is stale, as it has been overtaken by events and is no longer legal,” the letter reads in part.

Mr Mumbi, who displayed both letters, also challenged Mr Sata to explain to Zambians why he asked then President Chiluba to drop the recognition of the Litunga in 1996.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

Government has warned people distributing leaflets inciting Lozis to rise against other tribes for refusing to support calls for secession that they will be cited for treason.

Police in Mongu have stepped up investigations to establish the authors of leaflets containing seditious material encouraging Lozis to rise against other tribes.

The situation in Mongu has escalated in the last few days, with one of the pro-secession groups threatening to expel all non-Lozi-speaking people from Western Province by January 14, for refusing to support their cause.

Inspector-General of Police Francis Kabonde has warned that those perpetrating violence in the province will be arrested and charged accordingly.

Western Province police commanding officer Peacewell Mweemba said the police have intensified investigations to identify the authors of the fliers which are being dropped in all the districts of Western Province.

The BRE has advised people in Western Province not to listen to people who want to cause disunity using the Barotseland Agreement.

Induna Ngambela Litiya said on ZNBC TV that calls to divide the country should not be entertained. He said the talks on the agreement are progressing well with Government.

He said in an interview on January 9 that the police have refused to give the groups a permit to hold their meeting in Limulunga.

A group calling itself Linyungandambo has also threatened the King of the Lozi, the Litunga.

The threats to expel non-Lozi-speaking people and attack the Limulunga palace, the royal home of the Litunga, are contained in leaflets the Linyungandambo has been circulating in Mongu.

But the Mbunda Traditional Association has vowed to defend its people and the Litunga from the insurgence advocated by the Linyungandambo.

On Friday, the BRE distanced itself from the group’s activities and condemned the people calling for Western Province to secede.

Linyungandambo is a group working with the Barotse Freedom Movement and the Movement for Restoration of Barotseland Agreement to agitate for the secession of Western Province.

“This serves to warn the following: Mbundas, Maluvales and other tribes that they should start preparing to leave Barotseland by January 14th 2011, when we shall secede from Zambia,” one of the fliers says.

Cheke Cha Mbunda Cultural and Writers Association spokesperson Maxwell Kalukango condemned the threats by the Linyungandambo to attack the Mbundas and other tribes.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

President Rupiah Banda has predicted that Zambia would one day grab the African Cup title. Addressing soccer fans who turned up to have a glimpse of the President and the visiting Chinese Premier, President Banda predicted that the Africa Cup was coming to Zambia in-light of the earmarked construction of the modern stadia in the country.

Mr Banda observed that Zambia merely participated in the continental tournaments but failed to deliver and grab the Cup because both the people and the Chipolopolo Boys including many other players were not motivated owing to poor infrastructures in the country.

“Africa Cup title will be crowned to our country, be rest assured, he said. The happy-looking Banda told the fans to support Government in its programs of developing football including other sports disciplines in the country.

The president was speaking today when he laid a foundation stone at the location where the state of art Lusaka Independence Stadium is to be constructed with the help of the Chinese government at a cost of US$94 million with a capacity to hold 50 000 people.

Officiating at the ground-breaking ceremony in Lusaka today which was also witnessed by visiting Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu President Banda said Government had initially desired to start constructing the Lusaka modern stadium using local resources but that it was unable due to inadequate funds.

ZANIS reports that the President noted that in the past, Zambia had difficulties to host international sporting tournaments because of poor infrastructure existing in the country but that once the project was completed, the country would equally be able to host international events like South Africa which hosted the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

He commended the Chinese Government for helping Zambia build three modern stadia in the country; in Ndola on the Copperbelt which is expected to be completed by June this year, the planned Lusaka stadium and the third in the tourist capital, Livingstone.

The President urged the Zambian people against vandalism of the infrastructure saying it was detrimental to national development and appealed for support to the Shanghai Construction Group, the contractor that had been assigned to build the Lusaka modern stadium. The construction works for the Lusaka stadium is expected to last 30 months.

Speaking earlier, visiting Chinese Premier Hui Liangyu disclosed that the construction of stadia in the country would make Zambia a shining example in Africa in terms of ‘modern and quality’ infrastructure works.

Mr. Banda reiterated that the assistance China had rendered to the Zambian Government had helped deepen bilateral co-operation as a symbol of friendship between the two countries.

He said China was proud to take part in Zambia’s socio-economic development which had continued to exist for the past 47 years of diplomatic ties.

At the same occasion, Zambia’s Sport, Youth and Child Development Minister Kenneth Chipungu said the construction of the stadia in Zambia once completed would mark a mile-stone in improving the sport especially football in the country.

Mr Chipungu said that the assistance Zambia was receiving from China had enabled Government to be committed in the area of sport and he echoed President Banda’s remarks that once the stadia was completed this would allow Zambia host continental games.

Vice President George Kunda, Zambia’s Ambassador to China Joyce Musenge, Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Li Qiangmin, some diplomats accredited to Zambia, Cabinet Ministers, their Deputies as well as Permanent Secretaries from various Government line Ministries including senior Government officials from China witnessed the ground breaking ceremony.

The Chinese Premier later proceeded to visit Johnken Estate Limited, a Chinese-owned farm in Chisamba, Central Province.

The visiting Premier is expected to depart Zambia tomorrow after completing his scheduled business.

ZANIS

Patriotic Front (PF) leader Michael Sata has been exposed as being part of a committee of cabinet ministers that recommended that the demand for the Barotseland Agreement of 1964 was stale and no longer legal.

According to PF former Secretary General Edward Mumbi, the expose’ indicates that Mr. Sata is one of the eight cabinet ministers that were not agreeable to the restoration of the Barotseland Agreement.

Mr. Mumbi said in 1992, former President Dr Frederick Chiluba appointed a committee of eight cabinet Ministers including Mr Sata to discuss the Barotseland Agreement in 1992 who brought a report disfavouring the Barotse Agreement.

Mr. Mumbi, however, said the committee to which Mr. Sata was a part of misdirected Dr. Chiluba by recommending that the Agreement has been overtaken by events and needed no attention.

The former PF Secretary General produced two letters to Journalists in Lusaka yesterday as proof that contain the committee’s position, stating grounds why government could not negotiate the Agreement.

Mr. Mumbi noted that Mr. Sata is therefore not the right person to talk about the Agreement because the PF leader was part and parcel of the committee that killed the Agreement.

He said the PF leader should instead apologize to the Litunga and the people of Western Province in general for misleading Dr. Chiluba over the document.

And Mr. Mumbi has challenged Mr. Sata not to hoodwink the people of Western Province because he threatened to de-recognize the Litunga when he was Health Minister in 1996.

Mr. Mumbi told Journalists at a media briefing in Lusaka yesterday that Mr. Sata wrote a letter to then President Frederick Chiluba to have the Litunga’s Chieftainship recognition dropped.

Mr. Sata could not immediately be reached for comment as his mobile phone was off by press time.

But PF Spokesperson Given Lubinda told ZNBC that he could only comment on matters that have occurred after the birth of the party and not before.

[ ZNBC ]

Editors note: This article was wrongly published twice.We  apologize for any inconvenience caused.

Copperbelt MMD Task Force Chairman Joe Malanji has since praised the students for exhibiting maturity by choosing to support the MMD.

Mr. Malanji said the defectors have made a wise decision to endorse the candidature of Mr Rupiah Banda for this year’s general elections.

He is further advising young people in colleges and universities to analyse all leaders before choosing the presidential candidate to support in the 2011 tripartite elections.

And Copperbelt Vice Provincial Chairman Frank Ng’ambi has challenged the defectors to be the genesis of real change on the Copperbelt.

Mr. Ng’ambi said the Copperbelt has lagged behind because of poor leadership exhibited by the opposition who are fond of opposing everything that government does.

Mr. Ng’ambi says the country has received massive development under the leadership of president Rupiah Banda and is heartened to learn that the students have decided to support the president and his government.

[ ZNBC ]

Zambia and China have this afternoon signed two agreements on economic and technical co-operation. The agreements will see Zambia benefit from Chinese grants and interest free loans.

Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane signed on behalf of Zambia, while Chong Quan who is the Vice Commerce Minister of China signed on behalf of his country.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Vice President George Kunda and visiting Vice Prime Minister of China Hui Liang

The two countries also signed two Memorada of Understanding to strengthen their agriculture sectors.

Agriculture Minister Eustackio Kazonga signed for Zambia while China’s Vice Minister of Agriculture Niu Dun signed for his country.

The other MoU was signed by Zambia Development Agency Chief Executive Officer Andrew Chipwende and Chairman of the National group of China Liu Shenli.

And Vice President George Kunda has said that China provides opportunities to many areas which are critical to Zambia’s economic development.

Mr Kunda said Prime Minister Hui’s visit to Zambia will create further channels of co-operation and enhance bilateral relations.

And Mr Hui said Zambia and his country have continued to enjoy long standing mutual and cordial relations.

Meanwhile President Rupiah Banda and visiting Chinese vice Premier Hui Liangyu are this afternoon expected to officiate at the ground breaking ceremony for the construction of a multi-billion Kwacha Lusaka stadium.

The ultra modern sports facility, to be built next to the old stadium, will be the second the Chinese government will construct, after the Ndola Stadium which is expected to be completed later this year.

In the last five years, the Zambia national soccer team has been playing its home games at Konkola Stadium in Chililabombwe after the grand stand at Independence Stadium was demolished to pave way for a new structure.

The independence stadium has not been operational after it was declared unfit by the world football governing body FIFA.

ZNBC