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Zambia capable of becoming developed – President Banda

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President Rupiah Banda's motorcade when he arrived to officiate the remembrance ceremony in LUsaka

President Rupiah Banda says Zambia is capable of becoming a developed country if the Zambian people have confidence in what they do.

And President Banda says Zambia has got a lot to learn from Brazil, a nation that was under-developed to an industrious nation it is today.

Mr. Banda observed that the world is watching Zambia in what she is doing but expressed confidence that Zambians have the ability to turn around things using the abundant resources available.

Mr. Banda says Brazil has developed tremendously in her key sectors of the economy such as bio-fuels to become an industrious nation to what it is today largely because of the unity, hard work, huge investment in key sectors of the economy as exhibited by the Brazilians.

Mr. Banda was briefing Journalists in Lusaka today shortly before he departed for Brazil at the invitation of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

He said there is need to invest in the agriculture, education, health and infrastructure for Zambia to rise to greater heights.

“The whole world is watching us as a country and what we have done. For example in Brazil, we are interested in bio-fuels in that country as you maybe aware that Brazil was under developed but has became an industrious nation within a short period of time,” Mr. Banda said.

He further noted that Zambia and Brazil enjoy warm and cordial relations which have lasted for many years now.

He said that though, he as a Head of State is receiving accolades from the international community on Zambia’s achievements, there is more to be done to propel the nation forward.

[pullquote]President Banda has said that PF/UPND pact leaders Michael Sata and Hakainde Hichilema who have been condemning his trips abroad would also be traveling if given an opportunity to be head of state.[/pullquote]

President Banda said Zambia needs to invest more in the agriculture, aviation, education and health sectors of the country.

He disclosed that while in Brazil he would take an opportunity to open up linkages and woo Brazilian firms to invest in Zambia to help the nation develop.

He further said that government will bring a number of airlines in the country as well as expand the Lusaka International Airport to transform and improve on it.

Meanwhile, President Banda has said that PF/UPND pact leaders Michael Sata and Hakainde Hichilema who have been condemning his trips abroad would also be traveling if given an opportunity to be head of state.

Mr. Banda said his travels to other countries have greatly benefited the nation and they were a result of Zambia being recognized and respected by the international community like Brazil and not of his own making.

“Any respected country will be invited and this is exactly what Brazil has done and I’m happy that my colleague President Lula da Silva has invited me because he promised that before he leaves office he would invite me to visit there,” the President said.

And Mr. Banda says he has also been invited by South African President Jacob Zuma in December, this year as one measure of strengthening the bilateral ties that exist between the two countries.

Mr. Banda will be in Brazil for a four-day reciprocal visit, following the invitation by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who visited Zambia in July this year.

While in Brazil, President Banda will among other things tour Dedini, a company which is the largest bio-fuel equipment producing company in the world.

President Banda will also address a Brazil-Zambian business forum which will be held in Sao Paulo.

He will on Thursday hold talks with his counterpart, Lula da Silva, in Brasilia, the capital city of Brazil, and might later meet the President-elect.

Mr. Banda will also pay courtesy calls on the president of the chamber of senate and the president of the chamber of deputies and the Supreme Court.

The Zambian and Brazilian government will also sign at least two agreements in different fields.

Mr Banda’s advance delegation includes Minister of Foreign Affairs Kabinga Pande, Minister of Mines Maxwell Mwale, Minister of Livestock Bradford Machila and Deputy Minister of Commerce Lwipa Puma and other senior government officials.

President Banda is expected to return home on Thursday evening after concluding his visit.

ZANIS

Taxation Regime for Mining Companies

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luanshya copper mines (LCM)

By Henry Kyambalesa

Of late, the taxation of mining companies operating in Zambia has become a highly topical issue. Currently, the mining companies are reportedly taxed as follows:

(a) 3% mineral royalty on income (that is, earnings) from copper sales;

(b) 30% corporate profit tax on profits declared after deducting costs and mineral royalties;

(c) 15% variable profit tax on all taxable income (that is, profits) earned that exceed 8% of copper sales;

(d) Deduction of 25% of expenditures on machinery and equipment from taxable income per year once a mining project starts operating;

(e) 15% income tax on foreign companies and expatriate consultants providing services to locally based mining companies; and

(f) Mining companies cannot deduct from taxable income on a profitable mining site its capital expenditure on another mining site.

There is dissatisfaction among some segments of Zambian society that this taxation regime does not provide for adequate contribution of tax revenue by mining companies to the country’s coffers, and that the government should not have shelved the idea of a “windfall tax,” which would have provided for a charge on the sales of copper for every US$0.50 increase in the price of copper per pound on international copper exchanges.

The government, however, wishes to maintain the existing taxation regime in order to foster the development of the mining industry.

Clearly, the two arguments are both reasonable. But since the 20-year development agreement signed between mining companies and the Zambian government is still valid, it may not be possible for Zambia to devise a new taxation regime for mining companies without losing its credibility in the eyes of potential foreign investors. Besides, there is a risk of legal action by mining companies against the government if it seeks to institute changes to the terms of the contract.

It is always a good idea to honor contractual obligations. We still have 17 or so years to think about negotiating a new contract with mining companies. We can start thinking about negotiating a contract which will increase the mineral loyalty from 3% to 5%, reduce variable profit tax from 15% to 13%, leave the other tax provisions at current rates, and without the contentious windfall tax.

We could also provide for a mining company to deduct from taxable income on a profitable mining site its capital expenditure on another mining site in order to induce the re-investment of profits by mining companies on Zambian soil.

There is, of course, no doubt that these suggestions are going to provoke unsavory comments from those who wish to extract more tax revenues from mining companies. But more government revenues from mining taxes or any other source will not likely culminate in meaningful improvements in our people’s lives if we cannot avoid wasteful spending on unnecessary expansion of ministerial and deputy ministerial positions, excessive number and staffing of our foreign missions, excessive and costly foreign trips by the Republican president, and on sinecures like the position of District Commissioner.

In fact, additional tax revenues will just be swallowed up by expenditures on the increase in the number of parliamentarians from 158 to 280 members that is recommended by the National Constitutional Conference, and on repayments of loans secured to buy the controversial mobile hospitals and the like!

We need to go through government expenditures line by line, program by program, agency by agency, department by department, and ministry by ministry in order to eliminate unnecessary application of public resources. The savings to be realized in the process could be invested in improving education and training, healthcare services, infrastructure, and agricultural production and food security, among other essential projects and programs.

In passing, we need to be mindful of the potential for foreign companies to engage in what is referred to as “transfer pricing” when devising a taxation regime for such companies—that is, a pricing strategy which a multinational company may employ to manipulate its intra-firm transfer prices by using its transnational network of affiliates in order to achieve a revenue-shifting effect and thereby cope with high corporate taxes, high import tariffs and/or restrictions on dividend repatriation in a host country as follows:

(a) Over-pricing finished, intermediate and capital goods transferred to subsidiaries in high-tax countries so that its profits in these countries are reduced or eliminated and shifted to subsidiaries in low-tax countries;

(b) Under-pricing finished, intermediate and capital goods transferred to subsidiaries in high-tariff countries (except in the case of specific tariffs) in order to reduce customs duties to be paid; and/or

(c) Over-pricing finished, intermediate and capital goods transferred to subsidiaries in countries where dividend repatriation is restricted so that its income is unscrupulously siphoned out of such countries in the process.

CAF Overlook Zambia Late 2015 Bid

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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has overlooked Zambia’s late bid and revealed that only two nations now remain in the bidding process for the 2015 and 2017 Africa Cup final despite DR Congo withdrawing from the race.

DR Congo has withdrawn from the 2015 bid leaving South Africa and Morocco for the race to stage in the next two Africa Cup tournaments.

The announcement comes after the Football Association of Zambia announced a week ago at a press briefing in Lusaka that they were bidding for the 2015 finals.

“The DR Congo communicated their withdrawal in the race for the hosting rights of the two tournaments through a correspondence to the CAF,” CAF said in a statement today.

“Morocco and South Africa remain as the contenders for the rights to stage the 30th and 31st editions of the continent’s showpiece soccer event.

“The Executive Committee of CAF will meet in the last week-end of January 2011 to announce the winners of the respective editions.

“The three countries had submitted their applications prior to the September 30, 2010 deadline.”

Explain Levy foundation objectives, Maureen told

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Former First lady Maureen Mwanawasa

LATE president Levy Mwanawasa’s first born daughter Mirriam has called on the Registrar of Societies to deregister the recently launched Levy Mwanawasa Foundation if former first lady Maureen does not explain the clear purpose and objectives of the organisation.

Mirriam said yesterday that it was wrong for the former first lady to allegedly continue riding on her father’s name by trying to blind Zambians that she embraced her step- children when infact not.

She said she was not consulted when she was made one of the board members on the foundation, which was launched after this year’s second memorial service for the late president.

The purpose and objectives, Mirriam said, had not been explained and that Mrs Mwanawasa hand picked the board members with her (Mirriam) and Patrick being mere board members while her daughter Chipokota had been made one of the signatories along side former State House Press aid Jack Kalala and Constantino Hangala Chimuka who was the executor for the late president’s will.

But when contacted, Mrs Mwanawasa said Mirriam was free to go to court if she wished but that she should instead sue the executor of the will and not her.

She said she could not say anything at the moment for fear of being perceived as if she was trying to defend herself, as she was an accused person in this issue.

Mirriam said as the first born daughter to the late president, she should be respected and recognised when it came to issues concerning his father but this had not been the case.

“What my stepmother did was to launch the Levy Mwanawasa Foundation and put Patrick and myself as just mere board members while her daughter Chipokota is one of the signatories. I demand that I should also be one of the signatories so that I should also know how the funds that will be channelled to the foundation by the donors will be used, failure to which the Registrar of Societies should deregister it.

“There is need for us to know the purpose of the foundation. I am advising her not to take advantage of the situation because I know her political ambitions,” she said.

Mirriam said she was not consulted before being picked as one of the board members and that she was only called to go and attend a meeting where she learnt that the foundation had been launched and that she was one of the board members.

She challenged Mrs Mwanawasa to tell the Zambians what had happened to the Maureen Mwanawasa Community Initiative (MMCI) and challenged the former first lady to revamp it if she meant well for the Zambian people.

Mirriam said she would not allow her stepmother continue riding on her late father’s back with the aim of enriching herself.

“Where is MMCI today? Why can’t she revamp the MMCI if she really means well for the people of Zambia? Why go and form the foundation whose purpose and objectives are not known? The donors will be putting money in that foundation and as the first born daughter, I will not be able to know how the funds will be used especially that I am not one of the signatories,” she said.

She also challenged Mrs Mwanawasam to release the keys to the house purchased for her (Mirriam) at Lusaka’s PHI by Dr Mwanawasa in 2005.

Mirriam said she attended the meeting in which Maureen herself confirmed that the late president had purchased a house for her(Mirriam) at PHI but was surprised that the former first lady could not release the keys to date.

Mirriam’s aunt who only opted to be quoted as Inonge also confirmed having attended the meeting in which Mrs Mwanawasa mentioned about Mirriam’s house at PHI.

She advised the former first lady to ensure the children were given what was rightfully theirs.

Mirriam also advised Maureen to release the title deeds for the shops, which used to be owned by her late grandfather Patrick in Chisamba and Namwala.

She wondered why the former first lady continued holding on to the title deeds, which were not in her name.

She was also disappointed that out of all the three farms, Mipacima also known as Teka farm and Shakabunda, both situated in Masaiti and Palabana in Chongwe, Mrs mwanawasa had not released any of them. Mipacima farm was the abbreviation for Mirriam, Patrick, Chipokota and Matolo.

“Imagine my stepmother is also holding on to the title deeds for my late aunt Violent’s farm in Chisamba. Aunt Violet was the first born in my late father’s family and she died just after my father resigned as vice-president. Let her give these title deeds back to us as the Mwanawasa family. She should give the title deeds to aunt Evelyn, the late father’s only surviving sister so that we know what to do with them,” she said.
[ Times of Zambia ]

Listen to Zambians on reducing trips – RB advised

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United Party for National Development (UPND) has advised Republican President Rupiah Banda to listen to Zambians for him to reduce trips.

Mr. Hakainde Hichilema said that it is a pity that as the President has decided to increase his travels despite calls from Zambians to reduce on flying out of the country.

Mr. Hichilema observed that the President is disturbing his neighbours and other Presidents cannot tell him that because of diplomatic relations.

President Rupiah Banda is on Monday expected to leave for Brazil for a three-day State Visit at the invitation of the out-going President of the Federative Republic of Brazil Luiz Inancio da Silva.

President Banda is scheduled to leave on Monday morning via Ana andgol his visit is aimed at enhancing bilateral and trade relations between Zambia and Brazil.

File: President Rupiah Banda
File: President Rupiah Banda

After the State Visit to Brazil, President Banda will proceed to Gaborone, Botswana where he is due to chair the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Troika Heads of State Meeting of the Organ on Politics, Defense and Security Cooperation to be held on November 19, 2010.

President Banda last week traveled to Namibia for the Caprivi Link Inter-connector Inauguration Ceremony at Katima Mulilo’s.

Mr. Hichilema has since advised the president to at least settle down and concentrate on the domestic challenges.
[ QFM ]

Be honest, PF Mps tell Inonge Wina

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PF supporters led by party vice president Dr Guy Scott during nominations in Mpulungu
PF supporters led by party vice president Dr Guy Scott (FIle Picture)

Patriotic Front (PF) members of Parliament (MP) have challenged party national chairperson Inonge Wina to be honest and recognise the good works that President Banda is doing for the country.

Speaking in separate interviews, PF lawmakers for Mwense, Jacob Chongo, Luapula Peter Machungwa and Kawambwa’s Elizabeth Chitika said that there were numerous development projects that the president was undertaking as well as running the country effectively.

Ms Wina was recently quoted as saying President Banda was the worst among the heads of State that had held the presidency.

Mr Chongo said there was no justification for Ms Wina’s assertions as she could not offer substantiated evidence to justify her statements.

“It is without justification to say that President Banda is the worst. She is just politicking and wanting to demonise the president. They can’t provide the facts,” Mr Chongo said.

He said if Ms Wina wanted to see the worst president, they should just allow PF president Michael Sata to run the country for a week and would see the opposition leader was the worst head of state to run Zambia.

Mr Chongo said to claim the president’s association with second Republican president Fredrick Chiluba would haunt Mr Banda was wrong because in 2006, the PF won popularity because Dr Chiluba supported the opposition party.

“The popularity of Mr Sata was because of Dr Chiluba associating himself with the PF and so there is nothing wrong with him associating with President Banda,” Mr Chongo said.

Ms Chitika said it was hard for her to believe that Ms Wina, whom she regarded as an educated person could utter such remarks simply because the PF’s leadership was totally against President Banda.

“For sure, Ms Wina can see what’s going on in infrastructure development. She is saying the president is the worst simply because of group thinking. That is the belief of the PF and so they do not see anything good from the current leadership,” Ms Chitika said.

Ms Chitika said there were many development projects that President Banda has initiated as well as completing the ones started by his predecessor Levy Mwanawasa.

“There are so many things that have been done in road infrastructure, health, education and as opposition, when things are being done fine let us say so and not to criticise,” Ms Chitika said.

Dr Machungwa said it was difficult to comprehend Ms Wina’s statement as she did not provide facts.

“Those are the kinds of politics which are difficult to comprehend because there is no data and no logic other than discrediting the president to make him unpopular and make their leader popular,” Dr Machungwa said.

Dr Machungwa said the comments by Ms Wina were cheap politics that could not take the country anywhere saying there was need for the opposition to offer objective criticism.

He said the opposition should be offering alternatives to the Government and not to perpetually insult the country’s leadership. He said such acts were taking the country backwards.

Dr Machungwa said on the contrary, President Banda has managed to offer guidance and proper leadership to Zambia. Even in the face of the 2008 financial crisis, Mr Banda ensured the economy was not adversely affected by providing sound economic direction and policy.

League Boycott Enters Week Two

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Another week came and went as silence cut s swatch across venues in the Super Division.

For the second week in a roll, no Super Division matches were played despite reports that teams will play their final Week 30 games on Saturday.

There was even speculation swirling in Kitwe on Saturday that Power Dynamos had traveled to Lusaka on Saturday to face Zanaco.

However, Power officials denied this saying Power didn’t travel.

In Chingola, Nchanga Rangers waited in vain for Red Arrows who never showed up.

Meanwhile, all eyes are on Wednesday November 17 when the Zambia Premier League have said they will resume their league and cup commitments as long as Faz agrees to their unconditional return to action and quashes all pending and disposed of cases of docked points.

And in other news, Faz president Kalusha Bwalya is said to have met the petitioners on Saturday to discuss the way forward in avoiding holding parallel emergency council meetings with the two camps scheduled to hold them on November 27 in Kabwe and November 26 in Lusaka respectively.

Kabanda worried with Zambia’s political mood

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Citizens Forum, Executive Secretary, Simon kabanda has described Zambia’s political mood ahead of the polls next year, as saddening.

Mr. kabanda said politicians have failed to base their campaigns on developmental issues as the people have called for.

“The political leaders have continued to engage in attacking each other at the expense of discussing issues as expected by the people of Zambia,” Mr Kabanda said.

Mr. kabanda noted that the political scenario entails that political violence would never be avoided.

He said challenged politicians to exercise restraint and engage in meaningful politics thereby set good grounds for the next years polls.

Mr Kabanda stated that it would not yield anything if politicians fail to deliberate issues efficiently and to inform Zambians what they have in store after next year’s poll than finding it more interesting to insult each other.
[ QFM ]

Power in Perspective

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TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise shall continually be in my mouth”
(Psalm 34:1, NKJV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

It’s easy to get focused on what’s wrong in life, what we don’t have, and how big our obstacles are. If we’re not careful, we’ll lose sight of all the good things God has done. We’ll take for granted our family, friends, health and the opportunities God has blessed us with. We’ll get so busy and stressed out that we won’t appreciate the gift of today. What’s happened? Our perspective has gotten off.

Perspective is all about how we see a situation. There’s power in your perspective because you will draw into your life what you constantly meditate on. Business may be slow. The economy may be down. The wrong perspective is, “I’ll never make it. It’s just too much.” The right perspective is, “God is supplying all of my needs. He said He would prosper me even in a desert.”

Today, I encourage you to evaluate your perspective. Choose to lift your eyes to God the Father no matter what is happening in your circumstances. Remember, as you set your perspective in the right direction, your life will follow. When you keep an attitude of faith and expectancy, you open the door for His blessing in every area of your life!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, I choose to bless You at all times. I declare that You are faithful! I lift my eyes to You because You are the source of my help, strength and joy forevermore. Thank You for leading and guiding me for Your glory. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

— Joel & Victoria Osteen

RB impresses KK

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Presidential Affairs Minister Ronald Mukuma unveils a plaque at the Cavendish University ground breaking ceremony in Kafue - Copy

FORMER Zambian leader Kenneth Kaunda has said he is impressed with President Rupiah Banda’s achievements in the education sector.

Dr Kaunda, who is chancellor of Cavendish University, said this when he officiated at the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a modern campus in Kafue yesterday.

“In my humble view, this is a clear indication of the president’s support for the education sector in our country,” Dr Kaunda said.

He said about 4,000 students were currently studying at the university and the population had continued to grow. The university continues its bid to become a world-class institution.

Dr Kaunda said the institution intended to recruit students in the southern African region once the construction of the infrastructure was completed in Kafue.

The Kafue premises would have the capacity to accommodate 8,000 students. It has been constructed at the integrated centre that would have modern houses, a shopping mall and a mini-stadium. He hailed the Government for intensifying its efforts for the public-private artnership.

Meanwhile, Vice-President George Kunda has said the Government will continue with the provision of education to foster development in the country. In a speech read for him by Presidential Affairs Minister Ronald Mukuma, Mr Kunda said the Government intended to meet parameters set by the Vision 2030 which seeks to turn the country into a mid-income one.

Mr Kunda said the continued effort to improve education was a tribute to the late president Levy Mwanawasa.
He said the commercial centre would revive the economy of Kafue and expressed confidence that the institution had become a true partner of the Government.

Mr Kunda said the Government had given Cavendish University land and support to demonstrate its commitment towards the public-private partnership. He said the ideals of President Banda would remain timid because the infrastructure being constructed would stand for many years.

Mr Kunda urged management to avoid resting until the construction was completed to ensure that the project stood up within the set time. The construction of the new ultra-modern institution is expected to be completed in five years.
Also present at the ceremony was Education Permanent Secretary James Mulungushi and several other Government officials.

Cavendish University chairperson and vice-chancellor Ketrine Salati said the institution would remain a major player in the provision of education in the country.

The university was set up in Zambia in 2005 and offers various post-graduate, undergraduate, diploma and certificate courses in many disciplines, including law, project management, administration, public relations and man y others.

[Times of Zambia]

Bumper harvest has brought challenges to farmers – CSPR

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The Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) has observed that though the bumper harvest the country has recorded has brought excitement to the government, it has brought its own challenges to the farmers.

CSPR Executive Director Patrick Mucheleka said it is disturbing to see farmers countrywide still not paid for the maize they supplied to the Food Reserve Agency.

Mr. Mucheleka wondered how poverty levels in the country could be reduced if the farmers do not get the benefits of their hard work.

He added that it is important that farmers are paid for their hard work to make the bumper harvest meaningful.

Speaking to QFM in an interview, Mr. Mucheleka further stated that government should have planned well for the bumper harvest to record total success.
[ QFM ]

The Week in Pictures

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1.

A man searching for cellphone reception by hanging his phone under a tree in Nantanga area in Itezhi-Tezhi District

2.

First republican president Kenneth Kaunda dancing with a woman from the Zambia national dance troupe

3.

A 2010 Census enumerator doing her work in Sinazongwe district

4.

A Family in a remote village in rural Zambia

5.

A machine clearing the drainage in Lusaka's Kamwala area. Kamwala area is one of the townships which is flooded during the rainy season

6.

Vice president George Kunda inspects drainage rehabilitation works in Lusaka

7.

Some Chiefs pose for a photograph before a workshop in Lusaka

8.

ZESCO LTD engineers inspecting power pylons at Kafue Gorge station

9.

A woman with disabilities shows how to make hand made products in Lusaka

10.

Boys waiting to be circumcised at Itezhi -Tezhi district hospital

11.

Some mothers waiting for their children to be circumcised at Itezhi-Tezhi District Hospital

12.

A hot spring in the Kafue flood plains in Southern Province

13.

The Kafue river

14.

An view of Cairo road in Lusaka captured from the Bank of Zambia building.

15.

Some Lusaka residents going about their business along Cairo road

16.

Bank of Zambia Governor Caleb Fundanga and head of public relations Kanguya Mayondi during the central bank's quarterly media briefing

17.

Livestock Minister Bradford Machila (r) toasts with Angolan Ambassador Pedro De Marias Neto during Angola's national day in Lusaka

18.

Vice President George Kunda shakes hands with Africa Peer Review Mechanism lead panelist for Zambia, Professor Amos Sawyer during a courtesy call at his office in Lusaka

19.

Presidential Affairs Minister Ronald Mukuma unveils a plaque at the Cavendish University ground breaking ceremony in Kafue

20.

Chibolya compound women residents gathered at the borehole to find solution to the water problem that has hit Itezhi-Tezhi district

21.

Water problems affecting Itezhi-Tezhi district. Chibolya compound residents are crowding one borehole to draw water

22.

A girl going to fetch water

Central province gets 168 cattle

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Government has distributed 168 cattle to 28 farmer groups in Central province under the cattle restocking program to alleviate poverty among the people.

Central province Permanent Secretary Denny Lumbama who disclosed this in Kabwe yesterday also said 663 goats under the poverty reduction program (PRP) are yet to be distributed to 35 farmer groups in the province.

Speaking when he officially opened a two day livestock management program under PRP spearheaded by the department of community development and social services (CDSS) Mr. Lumbama said the program would gobble a total sum of K650 million.

All the 14 constituencies received six heifers each which would be passed on to others as they multiply. The program is being conducted by the veterinary department is to orient the farmer groups how to keep goats.

This is part government’s continued efforts to reduce poverty through supporting Poverty Reduction Programme (PRP ) such as pass-on-projects in the rural areas.

The Permanent Secretary has challenged small scale farmers in the province to be committed by participating actively in all activities that aimed at empowering them economically and socially.

” The objectives of such important programs were to improve nutrition status through milk and goat meat, increase household income through sell of goat milk and meat and many others, ” he said.

He reminded them that the goats they were going to receive was an additional venture to the various income generating activities that they were already doing and therefore there was need to ensure they activities became viable for them to benefit from such programs.

Mr. Lumbama urged the participants to ensure they passed-on the goats in transparent manner by inviting government officials during the pass-on celebrations.

The beneficiaries of the distribution includes farming clubs and area associations from Mumbwa, Serenje, Mkushi, Chibombo, Kabwe and Kapiri Mposhi Districts, respectively.

[ ZANIS ]

ZPL Sets Conditions To End League Boycott

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The Zambia Premier League (ZPL) has said it is willing to end its match boycott if Faz meets three conditions.

ZPL chairman Kephas Katongo has said the Super Division clubs, who are boycotting league games against the Kalusha Bwalya-led Faz executive which they term as illegal after four executive members quit on October 1, are willing to resume action on November 17.

“We wish to state that in the national interest the Super league clubs are prepared to resume the playing of matches, league and cup effective Wednesday, 17 November under the following conditions: 1. That we revert to the status quo with regard to the league standings prior to the boycott which commenced on 10 November, 2010 involving the rescheduled match Zanaco versus Green Buffaloes,” Katongo said in a statement.

Katongo added that Faz should nullify all disciplinary matters and that those pending be stopped and should also unconditionally allow all Super Division teams to fulfill their league and cup obligations.

“All disciplinary matters heard should be nullified and all impending disciplinary matters in relation to the boycott should be stopped henceforth,” Katongo said

“…that all Super Division team must be allowed unconditionally to fulfill their remaining league fixtures.

“The decision to resume the league has been taken in the spirit of give and take and we trust that the Football Association of Zambia will respond in the same spirit.”

The Super Division boycotted Week 29 games and a rescheduled Week 20 game involving Zanaco and Buffaloes that has seen all teams that failed to travel or host or both staying away docked points.

The teams were due to play their final round of Week 30 games this weekend.

Laptop computers affect mens fertility

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Is something burning, or are you just computing again? New research published in the medial journal Fertility and Sterility (Nov 2010) reveals that laptop computers can roast a man’s testicles to the point where sperm production (and quality) starts to drop.

To conduct the study, researchers placed temperature sensors on the scrotums of 29 men, then asked those men to use laptop computers on their laps. It didn’t take long before scrotum temperatures rose to levels known to damage sperm production — just 10 to 15 minutes of computing time.

Staying cool means staying fertile

Testicles are supposed to stay cool. And I don’t mean “wow, that’s cool” but rather that they are supposed to remain a degree or two below body temperature in order to maximize sperm production. When the testes get too hot — even with as little as a one degree Centigrade rise in temperature — sperm production starts to fall. Using a laptop computer on your lap can cause temperatures to rise by 2.5 C in one hour, according to this research.

And the men in the study didn’t even notice the rise in temperature, by the way. Probably because they were too busy updating their Facebook pages with comments like, “Check it out, I’m actually getting paid to roast my nuts for the advancement of science!”

In the world of temperature-sensitive sperm production, 2.5 C is equivalent to a scrotum barbeque cook-off. And all it takes is a little laptop computing to send temperatures soaring.

Cooling pads didn’t help

Surprisingly, even using a laptop cooling pad didn’t help, researchers reported. Scrotum temperatures still rose just the same.

Reuters reported that Belkin International, Inc., makers of laptop computer cooling pads, “…did not wish to comment on the new findings.” (http://www.reuters.com/article/idUS…)

No surprise there. This is dangerous territory for marketers. After all, there’s really no way to spin this story in a positive direction. Even if Belkin unleashed ads such as, “Feeling the heat? We keep your scrotum cool,” they would be hit with complaints about lewd marketing tactics.

It turns out the biggest determining factor of whether a laptop computer heats up your testicles is your leg position while computing. I’m not making this up: Researchers found the best position was to spread your legs wide while computing in order to dissipate heat and cool your man-crotch.

Stay cool, dude

The bottom line in all this, guys, is that when it comes to your testes, hot is bad, cool is good. Keep things “breezy” down there, in other words, and you just might have children one day.

And for all the women reading this who have men you’re trying to conceive with, you might explain to them that in addition to fried foods and pharmaceuticals damaging sperm quality, now they have to worry about where they’re holding their laptop computers, too. If you catch your man with a computer on his lap, shove some ice packs down the front of his shorts until he gets the message. I guarantee you this will get his attention.

Because men who can’t keep their junk cool are actually practicing a form of laptop birth control. Although the drop in sperm quality from laptop heat isn’t considered permanent, it’s technically a form of short-term sperm suppression. Sort of like soaking your sack in a hot tub for twenty minutes (hopefully with the rest of your body along with it).

[Naturalnews.com]

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