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BARCLAYS Bank Zambia has asked 141 managers to reapply for positions that have been merged, upgraded and downgraded while others have been completely done away with as part of a restructuring exercise.
Head of corporate affairs Webster Malido said in a statement yesterday that the newly-created positions would be advertised internally and all eligible employees would be at liberty to apply for the available roles.
[pullquote]“As a result, a total of 141 management positions will be impacted by the re-organisation. No unionised colleagues will be impacted in any way as a result of this exercise,” he said.[/pullquote]
Mr Malido said some roles and positions in the business would be impacted by way of being merged, upgraded, and downgraded while some would completely fall away.
“As a result, a total of 141 management positions will be impacted by the re-organisation. No unionised colleagues will be impacted in any way as a result of this exercise,” he said.
Notwithstanding the re-organisation, all employees in impacted roles remain bona fide employees of the bank until the outcome of interviews for the new roles.
He said employees who might opt not to take up any role in the new structure would be offered a voluntary separation scheme.
He said the transformation of the bank was aimed at attaining full potential in all sectors, particularly the consumer market for which it had successfully built the requisite platform.
Mr Malido said it was right that the bank re-organised the way it managed its business because it had changed the way it dealt with customers and employees.
He said the bank in the last few years had undergone transformation which had seen it grow from 17 branches in 2007 to 56 and from 25 automatic teller machines in 2007 to 151.
Mr Malido said the transformation had seen Barclays Bank Zambia double its employment rate to 1,200 employees to date from only 600 in 2006, making the bank one of the leading multinational employers in Zambia.
[ Times of Zambia ]
File:President Banda and FAZ president Kalusha Bwalya watching the Zambia Versus South Africa game in Lusaka
President Rupiah Banda has appealed to the World Soccer Governing Body FIFA to urgently help resolve the problems affecting the administration of football in Zambia.
The President has also called for dialogue between the leaders of the two FAZ executive commitees.
President Banda also said having two parallel FAZ executive Committees is not healthy for the development of football in Zambia.
This is according to a statement released to ZNBC Sport by Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations Dickson Jere.
President Banda has maintained that government will not interfere in the administration of football, but will use available conflict resolution mechanisms through FIFA to try and resolve the wrangles.
President Banda who is also the Patron of FAZ is an ardent supporter of Zambian football and has been instrumental in raising funds for the National team.
And World Soccer Governing body- FIFA- has advised the Football Association of Zambia -FAZ, -to take stern action against individuals who have brought the name of football into disrepute in the country.
FAZ President Kalusha Bwalya said the association has been guided by FIFA to punish anyone who has used the name and logo of FAZ without the approval of the FAZ council.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka Monday, Kalusha also disclosed that FAZ has signed a memorandum of understanding with MTN for the sponsorship of the premier league and national team.
Kalusha further said consultations with Barclays Bank Zambia are continuing on the date for the final between ZESCO United and ZANACO.
The final between the two teams was called off after some teams decided to boycott FAZ premier league games.
In a related matter Police have continued to man Football house, the premises of the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ).
ZNBC Sports found a heavy presence of police officers at the football house Monday.
And Lusaka Police Division Commanding Officer Greenwell Nguni said the presence of Police at Football House should not surprise people.
Nguni said the presence of police officers has been necessitated by the formation of two FAZ executive committees.
Nguni pledged that the Police will work to ensure that the two factions are kept apart and that peace prevails.
Gender activists marching during the launch of the 16 days of activism against gender based violence in Lusaka.
A grade Eleven pupil of Ndola’s Temweni high School was Sunday found dead and police suspect foul play.
Police spokesperson, Ndandula Siamana identified the deceased girl as Mirriam Mumba aged 20 of Chipulukusu township in Ndola.
Ms SIAMANA said the school girl is suspected to have been raped before being murdered.
She said police found under wear, a pair of socks and shoes on the murder scene.
Ms. Siamana said the murder happened in the evening when the girl in the company of friends was on her way to attend a funeral in the neighborhood.
[ ZNBC ]
File:Police officers cordon the main entrance to Football House, which houses the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ).
The battle for control of Faz will face its biggest test when part three of this ensuing saga taking centre stage on Wednesday.
The petitioners won part one on Friday with their emergency council meeting that was attended by most of the legitimate members of the Faz council who boldly elected a new parallel executive committee led by Andrew Kamanga.
On Saturday, embattled Kalusha Bwalya and his team dug-in in the trenches of Kabwe with a litany of questionable councilors.
Some delegates sighted at the Kabwe ECM right under the eye of an unsuspecting Fifa official included known rowdy supporters and non-executive affiliate members who have even been rebuked by their respective clubs and associations in the national press.
Despite that, Kalusha won part two after Fifa backed his administration as the sole legal entity they will recognize to run the game in Zambia.
And on Wednesday, the two groups take the battle to the field of play with the petitioner’s bloc declaring that the Super Division will resume on December 1 with the rescheduled week 19 game between Zanaco and Green Buffaloes.
However, Kalusha Bwalya at a press briefing today said as far as he was concerned the league was over and he will deal with the “rogue” administration within the powers vested in him for also using the Faz logos and masterheads illegally since Friday.
Should Buffaloes and Zanaco turn up to play on Wednesday at Sunset Stadium in Lusaka, it will be a significant turning point so far in the battle for power of the Zambian football.
The petitioners have the backing of the Referees Association of Zambia Welly Chikuka who is a member is part of the Kamanga executive who were not represented by any high profile member of the men in black in Kabwe on Saturday.
Kamanga needs success of the field of play on Wednesday to strengthen his credibility or the November revolution will find itself on the ropes.
The Citizens Forum has accused government of harassing Patriotic Front (PF) leader Michael Sata following his summoning for questioning in Lusaka.
Last week the Drug Enforcement Commission summoned Sata over the $100,000 he is alleged to have given Change Life Zambia executive director Father Frank Bwalya.
Citizens Forum executive secretary, Simon Kabanda said allegations by the former PF general secretary, Edward Mumbi against Mr Sata that he gave the money to Fr Bwalya to de-campaign the MMD government amount to cheap propaganda and harassment against the PF leader.
Mr. Kabanda added that government’s quick reaction to Mr. Mumbi allegations against Mr. Sata only goes to show government’s injustices in applying the rule of law.
He said that the same government has dragged its feet in investigating how former republican president, Dr. Fredrick Chiluba obtained $8 million.
Mr. Kabanda explained that government has been quick to push the$ 100, 000 case against Mr. Sata but failed to pursue $8 million case of former president Chiluba with all the evidence available.
Meanwhile, Mr. Kabanda has charged that the Drug Enforcement Commission is responsible for the violence that took place at their offices last week involving PF cadres.
He said blaming the cadres for the tear-gas is wrong and irresponsible because the DEC are the ones who alarmed the situation.
[ QFM ]
The State has closed the case where Inktech Managing Director Mathew Mohan and two others are charged with the murder of Lusaka businessman Sajid Itowala.
And Lusaka Supreme Court Judge Gregory Phiri, sitting as High Court Judge, has set February 14, 2011 as date for handing in of written submissions ahead of the Judgement.
Judge Phiri said the date for Judgement in the matter will also be set on February 14.
State Advocate Benson Mpalo had earlier informed the court that the state had closed its evidence in rebuttal.
This was after African Gases Limited Executive Director Phillip Pumbwe concluded his testimony in the case.
And Mr. Pumbwe testified that African Gases Limited had no business dealings with Mathew Mohan and no payments were made to him.
Mr. Pumbwe, however, told the court that his company had business dealings with Mohan’s father, a Mr. J.C Mathew.
He denied ever signing a forest contract where Mohan was also made to sign as a witness.
[ ZNBC ]
Some pupils wade in water during the start of the rainy season in Lusaka
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Some flooded houses and yards during the start of the rainy season in Lusaka
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The Lusaka district hospital nears completion along the Great East road
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The Lusaka district hospital nearing completion along the great east road
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Former First Lady and Tourism and Environment Deputy Minister Vera Tembo (r) with United Nations resident coordinator Kanni Wignaraja (c) and Food and Agriculture Organization representative Noureddine in Lusaka
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Cardinal Medardo Mazombwe when he arrived from Italy where he had gone for an installation ceremony by Pope Benedict
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Princess Nakatindi Wina (l) and her husband Sikota Wina before a press briefing at their residence in Lusaka
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Princess Nakatindi Wina (l) talks to her husband Sikota Wina during a press briefing at their residence in Lusaka
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Workers working on the Kulima Tower bus station shelter. The station has been closed to pave way for the works.
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Part of the traffic congestion along Freedom way because the Kulima Tower bus station has been closed for rehabilitation works. The traffic jam gets worse during prime time
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President Rupiah Banda with farmers during the launch of the planting season in Mumbwa
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President Rupiah Banda on a tractor during the launch of the planting season in Mumbwa
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President Banda receives a present from Non Ferous Mining African Chief Executive Officer Wang Chunlai in Chambishi during the weekend
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Patriotic front leader Michael Sata and his cadres arrive for questioning at the Drug Enforcement Commission office in Lusaka
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Police in riot gear cordon off the Drug Enforcement Commission offices where Patriotic Front president Sata was being interrogated
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Opposition Patriotic Front cadres chanting party slogans outside the Drug Enforcement Commission offices where president Sata was being interrogated
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Patriotic front cadres bolt for dear life after police fire tear gas at the unruly crowd outside the Drug Enforcement Commission offices in Lusaka
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A Patriotic Front cadre bolts for dear life after police fire tear gas at the unruly crowd outside the Drug Enforcement Commission offices in Lusaka
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A cloud of tear gas engulfs the entrance to the Drug Enforcement Commission where Patriotic Front cadres were throwing stones because their leader Michael Sata was being investigated
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Lusaka District Commissioner Christa Kalulu receives cement donated to the Disaster Management and Mitigation United by Chinese Huchang Investment
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Huachang Infrastructure Engineering Limited managing director Juan Chunlong talks to Lusaka District Commissioner Christa Kalulu after his firm donated 100 bags of cement
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Gender Minister Sarah Sayifwanda talks to United Nations Development Programme Country Director Viola Morgan during the launch of 16 days of activism against gender based violence in Lusaka
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A woman carries a placard during launch of the 16 days of activism against gender based violence in Lusaka
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A woman carries a placard during the launch of the 16 days of activism against gender based violence in Lusaka.
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Finance and Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane (c), Health Minister Kapembwa Simbao (r) and United States Ambassador to Zambia Mark Storella shake hands after signing the HIV Partnership Framework plan
File:A youth in business cashing in on Tujilijili (brandy or gin packed in small sachets)
A 40 year old man of Buyantashi Village in Milenge District has died after consuming excess locally brewed beer known as katubi and some sachets of spirits popularly known as Utujilijili.
Buyatanshi Village headman Justine Chimese named the deceased as Jonas Mumba of Bayantashi Village.
In an interview with ZANIS at the graveyard during the burial in Buyantashi village yesterday, headman Chimese said Mumba died on Saturday morning in Shitambuli village after drinking a lot of locally brewed beer, katubi, and some sachets of utujilijili.
Headman Chimese, who is also the brother in law to the deceased narrated that Mumba went to Shitambuli to do his work as a blacksmith.
He explained that on Friday, the deceased, accompanied by his friends, went to a beer house to drink the locally brewed beer, katubi.
The headman said his brother in law, however, opted to take some sachets of utujilijili in addition to the katubi he took after which he was taken to one of his relatives’ house when he got too drunk to spend the night.
Headman Chimese narrated that the following morning on Saturday, one of the relatives to Mumba realized that, the now late, had overslept and went to wake him up but discovered that he had become too weak to move.
He said the relatives then fed Mumba with some porridge of which he only took a bit and he was left to rest, but they later found him unconscious and he died.
The body was moved to Buyatanshi village for the funeral and the burial.
File:President Banda greets MMD cadres at Ndola airport, Zambia
Sitting tenants of Ndola Itawa National Pensions Scheme Authority (NAPSA) flats have submitted a petition to President Rupiah Banda requesting him to intervene in the pricing of the flats which have been pegged between K120million and K195 million.
The tenants who submitted the appeal letter to one of President Banda’s private secretaries at Ndola’s International Airport yesterday before his departure for North-Western Province, said they were making a passionate appeal to the president because the current price was unaffordable.
A one bed roomed flat had been pegged at K120 million while a four bed roomed flat was going at K195 million.
Spokesperson for Itawa NAPSA Tenants Association Baldwin Chatupa said the flats were not worth the price because they were in a deplorable state and had not been rehabilitated in a long time.
Mr Chatupa said the decision by NAPSA to price the 82 flats highly was against the MMD Government’s policy of home ownership empowerment.
“We are, therefore, making a passionate appeal to you your Excellency Sir to intervene in this matter like you have ably and decisively intervened in the sale of the flats of our neighbours at the Itawa council flats and Chinese complex,” he said.
He said the sale of the Itawa council flats and the Chinese complex housing units had benefited the people with the majority being widows and the unemployed.
“We the residents of NAPSA flats have unanimously resolved to rally behind your leadership and support you in the 2011 elections,” he said.
He commended President Banda for his leadership capabilities and integrity because of his ability to deliver and this could be attested by the re-opening of the mines, construction of the roads, schools, clinics and hospitals taking place in different parts of Zambia.
Education Minister Dora Siliya
Education Minister Dora Siliya has challenged parents to take a keen interest in knowing the kinds of books their children are reading for the country to produce a cadre of educated citizens that appreciates and feels proud of their nation’s culture and heritage.
Ms. Siliya said it is imperative that parents play a role in the education of their children for the country to produce disciplined, responsible and hard working citizens that can contribute positively to national development.
The Education Minister said this in Lusaka last evening when she graced the launch of a book entitled Icisalwa Maasaka by Dr Pardon Mwansa that has been approved by the Ministry of Education for use as a literature book for secondary schools in the country.
Ms. Siliya said it is important that parent’s obligation to their children’s education does not just end at paying school fees but ensure that such education also imparts values that are acceptable to society.
She said government will in the next three years be able to produce education space for about 1.3 million children to afford every child an education.
Ms.Siliya also stated that government was concerned about the reading culture in the country and will continue to fight for an improvement in that area.
She said government has over the years continued to increase allocation of funds to the Ministry of Education towards the purchase of reading materials to fight illiteracy.
Ms. Siliya said government desires to produce competent graduates, adding that books are at the centre of the realization of that dream.
She stated that Zambians must write their own stories and commended Dr Mwansa for writing his book in local language.
She urged him to translate the book into other Zambian languages to afford an opportunity to other Zambians from other tribes to read and enjoy the book.
Ms. Siliya also commended the publisher of the book, Maiden Publishing House for going an extra mile in resuscitating the industry and affording Zambians are opportunity to write books.
Speaking earlier, Author of the book Dr Pardon Mwansa said he decided to write his book in a local language for Zambians to appreciate and be proud of their heritage and culture.
Dr. Mwansa said it was important that Africans and Zambians in particular write their stories in their mother tongue if there were to uphold the tradition and culture.
He described his book as an emotional, interesting and a must read saying it depicts social challenges that every individual goes through.
And Maiden Publishing House Managing Director Christine Kasonde disclosed that her publishing house will publish at least one book in a local language every year.
Ms. Kasonde said this is because her organization realizes that local languages play an important role in curbing illiteracy among citizens in the country.
Patriotic front cadres bolt for dear life after police fire tear gas at the unruly crowd outside the Drug Enforcement Commission offices in Lusaka
Patriotic Front (PF) members of Parliament have condemned their president Michael Sata for ferrying cadres to the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) offices where they fought running battles with the police.
And UNIP secretary general Jemima Banda has said Mr Sata is a failed politician who has outlived his usefulness and now wants to use the Barotse Agreement to get votes from the people of Western Province.
Speaking in separate interviews in Lusaka yesterday, Mwense (MP) Jacob Chongo, his Luapula and Kawambwa counterparts Peter Machungwa and Elizabeth Chitika respectively, said that it was wrong for Mr Sata to ferry cadres when he was appearing for a personal issue.
Mr Chongo said when an investigative wing calls a political leader, such a leader should realise they were called in their individual capacity and not as a political entity.
“Whenever a political leader is called by the investigative wing in his individual capacity, he should avoid ferrying cadres. Nobody is stating that Mr Sata has done anything wrong, they want a clarification. Why carry the cadres when it’s a personal matter?” Mr Chongo said.
He said there was no need for cadres to accompany or be ferried to DEC offices, as the issue of the US$100,000 was not a PF matter but a personal issue involving Mr Sata.
Mr Chongo said he feared what kind of state Mr Sata would run if elected president considering that he was exhibiting violent traits.
“He is not in power but what more if he has instruments of power, we need to see more of these so that the Zambians know the kind of leader that the PF president is,” Mr Chongo said.
Ms Chitika said it was wrong for a political leader to involve a political party in personal matters, noting that the issue of the US$100,000 was Mr Sata’s personal issue and, therefore, should not involve the PF.
“The point is that what is happening now is not a party issue. It is something personal and what is important is for Mr Sata to go there in his individual capacity and not to involve the party,” Ms Chitika said.
She said if lives had been lost, Mr Sata would have been to blame. Ms Chitika said that opposition leaders seeking political office should desist from engaging themselves in acts that could cause turmoil in the country.
Her Luapula counterpart, Dr Machungwa said leaders aspiring to lead the nation such as Mr Sata should not undermine law enforcement agencies as doing so would compel them to respond with firmness like what happened on Thursday.
Dr Machungwa said DEC and other security wings are meant to protect every citizen and as such when politicians dare them, Zambia would lose law and order.
“Those aspiring to be national leaders should leave the security wings to operate smoothly because if they intimidate them, they will react with firmness. Political leaders should, therefore, educate their cadres to respect law enforcement agencies and their work,” Dr Machungwa who is the spokesperson of the PF rebel MPs said.
He said Zambians should ensure that they defended the peace they had continued enjoying since independence. The MP said it would not help for people to take the law into their own hands.
Meanwhile, UNIP secretary general Jemima Banda has said Mr Sata is a failed politician who has outlived his usefulness and now wants to use the Barotse Agreement to get votes from the people of Western Province.
Mrs Banda said Mr Sata was becoming so desperate for power that he was trying to use anything to get to State House and that his recent talk on the Barotse Agreement was just one of his populist statements that Zambians should ignore with the contempt it deserved.
Mrs Banda said in an interview yesterday that it was sad that the PF leader was always trying to use divisive ways of getting into leadership, instead of proving to the Zambians that he was a quality leader who was ripe to rule the country by articulating issues of national unity and development.
Mrs Banda said she could not continue to support the wrong things that some opposition colleagues were doing because he was patriotic, mature and objective politician.
She said UNIP would continue to be objective and mature by giving credit where it was due, instead of being perpetual critics of the Government.
“When the Government does something good, we should give credit where it is due, but if it does something wrong, we should provide solutions to where the Government has gone wrong, instead of insulting it in the media. As UNIP, we shall maintain our objectivity and we will not support anything rubbish just because we are from the opposition,” she said.
“I strongly believe the MMD is the only party at present which could deliver to the people of Zambia, hence I am cautioning Zambians not to be excited with calls for change of Government.
[ Times of Zambia ]
MMD chairperson for elections Mike Mulongoti has warned party members seeking to contest various positions not to use tribes to advance their political ambitions.
Reacting to remarks attributed to MMD Western Province chairperson Simasiku Namakando that tribal politics in the ruling party would divide it, Mr Mulongoti said members should campaign across tribes.
“We are in a time where intra-party democracy must be seen to be working. The habit of running for positions on the basis of tribal groupings is unfair and unnecessary. People should campaign across tribes,” Mr Mulongoti who is Works and Supply Minister said.
He said it was wrong for any party member to use tribe to boost their campaigns for positions.
[pullquote]“We are in a time where intra-party democracy must be seen to be working. The habit of running for positions on the basis of tribal groupings is unfair and unnecessary. People should campaign across tribes,” Mr Mulongoti who is Works and Supply Minister said.[/pullquote]
“Those who are competing for elective office must never look for excuses for not focusing on their campaigns. I refuse to be used as such,” Mr Mulongoti said.
The minister noted that as chairperson for elections, it was his duty to give guidelines to allow for fair play, party constitution legality as well as equity.
Mr Mulongoti said he had to ensure that deadlines as far as time was concerned were observed and beyond that there was nothing else.
And Mr Mulongoti has said the party would go ahead with provincial conferences once it had harmonised its programmes with President Banda’s schedule.
Mr Mulongoti said the party was trying to work out a schedule that would enable President Banda as party president officially open all the nine provincial conferences.
Meanwhile, the MMD Lusaka District choir has expressed its sadness at some party members who are working against provincial chairperson William Banda.
Choir chairperson Nelia Sakala said in a statement that Mr Banda had managed to transform the ruling party in Lusaka.
“With the coming of Mr Banda, our party has been reconstructed and we have taken control of Lusaka District in all political terms as we continue to establish a firm ground,” Ms Sakala said.
She appealed to President Banda to institute investigations about the parallel structures formed against Mr Banda.
[ Times of Zambia ]
The majority of the time when you come across a baboon he is resting, feeding, socializing or traveling. This is especially true of adults
Social behavior in baboons is complex and individuals communicate in many different ways. As I have mentioned in earlier articles grooming is a very important social activity that creates and maintains social bonds between individuals. Another form of social behavior seen most often among young baboons is play.
In our Kinda baboon group in Kasanka National Park the small ones are very precocious. Tumbling, climbing, jumping, chasing, wrestling and mock biting. I never grow tired of watching them. It is exciting to watch the new infants start to gain independence from their mothers and play with one another. We have four small infants that are very similar in age, Nona, Oliver, Robin, and Kamikazi. In July they were clinging to their mothers. Now they are climbing trees, hanging from branches and interacting with older infants and juveniles. From the pictures and this video clip you can see how much fun they have.
Three young infants born within weeks of one another play and climb together
Play behavior allows young baboons to practice adult behavior and form close bonds with other individuals in their age-classes. Bonds created by individuals at young ages grow stronger with time an remain through adulthood.
Anna Weyher Click here to access Kasanka Baboon Project Website
Coming next: meet our team and our baboons. We have managed to name a number of group members and their personalities are showing through.
Zambia attacking midfielder Chisamba Lungu is out of this year’s Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup due to injury.
Lungu has suffered a right foot injury that he sustained on Saturday during Zambia’s opening Cecafa Group A against Tanzania that Zambia won 1-0 at the National Stadium in Dar-es-Salaam.
The Russian-based player has his right foot encased in a Plaster of Paris and his healing process is expected to take at least six weeks.
Meanwhile, Zambia coach Dario Bonetti said he is satisfied with his teams win but they could have done better.
“When you play away from home it is difficult,” Bonetti told Tanzanian newspaper The Daily News in a post-match interview on Saturday.
“Tactically we were fine. The difference was the quality of the players. We can do better.”
Zambia face Burundi on Tuesday in their penultimate Group A match in Dar-es-Salaam.
President Rupiah Banda has expressed profound sorrow at the deaths of 17 passengers, including two babies in a road mishap along the Great North Road.
In his message of condolences to families of the accident victims, President Banda said government is deeply saddened by the tragedy which could have been avoided.
Mr. Banda urged motorists to drive with caution and consideration for other road users, to minimize deaths through road accidents.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Press and Public Relations Unit at State House.
The President has appealed to motorists to be patient on the roads during the rainy festive season, noting that traffic accidents tend to increase during this period of the year.
And the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) said human error was the cause of the accident which claimed 17 lives on the Kabwe-Kapiri road.
RTSA Deputy Director Martin Mbangu told ZNBC that there was human error on the part of the driver of the light truck which hit into the fuel tanker.
Mr. Mbangu said the agency records a higher number of accidents involving light trucks ferrying people and advised motorists to be cautious on the road.
He has also cautioned motorists not to be excited during the festive time, as a lot of accidents are recorded this period due to drunken driving.
On saturday 17 people died in a road accident involving a light truck and fuel tanker on the Kabwe Kapiri road.
BARCLAYS Bank Zambia has asked 141 managers to reapply for positions that have been merged, upgraded and downgraded while others have been completely done away with as part of a restructuring exercise.
