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Vice president George Kunda cheering an MMD dance group
Republican Vice-president George Kunda has said he has video evidence of opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema insulting government leaders and police officers.
Speaking when he addressed Chilanga residents during a campaign rally to drum up support for the ruling MMD party candidate, Keith Mukata, Kunda, a lawyer charged that Hichilema was a violent character who preached hatred in his campaign messages.
“Hichilema is a very violent character, he likes violence, that is why everywhere where there is a by-election, HH goes there to destabilize peace. He insults, we have video evidence of Mr. HH insulting even the police, we have it,” he said.
Kunda said the only thing that Hichilema had learned from his Patriotic Front (PF) counterpart Michael Sata, with whom he has formed a Pact ahead of the 211 general elections, was insulting.
“HH has learnt how to insult from Mr. Sata, these are the lessons he has received from Mr. Sata, So my advice to HH is, leave this violent man Sata,” Kunda said.
Earlier, Kunda urged Chilanga residents to vote for the MMD candidate in the October 25th parliamentary by-election, saying the UPND candidate Captain Cosmas Moono was a reject.
“I want to warn you against voting for Captain Cosmas Moono, he is a reject, Captain Moono served you before and he failed, and Mr. (Ng’andu Magande) took over… So we have brought you a new broom, this is the broom you need here in Chilanga,” said Kunda.
Zambians in Mpulungu, North of the capital Lusaka and Chilanga just in the outskirts, South of the City will be going to the polls to vote for two parliamentary candidates.
This was necessitated by the death of lameck Chibombamilimo in Mpulungu and the resignation of former finance minister Ng’andu Magande as Chilanga MP.
Earlier story
Vice President George Kunda says the UPND’s popularity in the country, is diminishing.
Mr Kunda said most UPND supporters are joining the MMD because they have seen that the opposition party has got no future in the politics of Zambia.
The Vice President also said that UPND Leader Hakainde hichilema would soon be suspended from his party because the party has lost confidence in him.
Mr Kunda was speaking at Munyewu Basic School in Lusaka West during campaigns to drum up support for the MMD Chilanga Constituency candidate Keith Mukata
He said Mr Mukata is a hard working Lawyer who has served his community diligently.
Four candidates are vying for the Chilanga parliamentary seat which was left vacant following the expulsion of Ng’andu Magande from the MMD.
The candidates include, Valeri Bqwalya of NAREP, MMD’s Keith Mukata, UNIP’s Henry Silumesi and the UPND- PF pact Candidate Captain Cosmas Moono.
Chilanga residents go to the polls on October 25.
[ ZNBC ]
Every country has traits and characteristics peculiar to it, whether it be a way of doing something or a way of talking. Before I came to Zambia, I didn’t use the 24-hour clock. It was taken for granted that if you arranged to meet someone at 2:30, in all likelihood you didn’t mean in the morning. Here in Zambia, tell someone you’ll see them at four o’clock, and you’ll get a look of horrified surprise. You have to be specific. It’s not even a question of adding am or pm onto the time, you have to say 16 hours or 18:30. The suffix “hours” is even used when talking of time pre-noon. You might, for instance, arrange a meeting at 10 hours or an appointment at zero-eight-fifteen.
Chances are though, that you won’t be making an appointment: that’s another Zambian characteristic. Want to see the doctor? Just turn up and wait. Sometimes you can be lucky and no one else is there, or else you can join a queue which, more often than not, does not follow usual queue etiquette.
The idea of privacy is also something of an unknown where a visit to the doctor’s is concerned. While explaining your ailment, you may be interrupted by a knock at the door because someone has come to pick up their tablets (these are dispensed from a cupboard in the doctor’s surgery, not a chemist). Or perhaps a salesman has arrived and wants to show the doctor what type of antibiotics he has this month, or maybe it’s the lab technician from the hospital with blood test results and he wants to be paid before he leaves. Though frustrating, it’s not as bad as when you are visiting the gynaecologist for an internal examination and her teenage son comes in to collect his pocket money.
Lack of privacy is not confined to the doctor’s surgery. Beauty salons are usually places of great discretion. Therapists practise behind drawn curtains and most operate a “do not disturb” policy while they are seeing a client. Most ladies don’t want their partners and husbands to know that they have their chins plucked and their moustaches regularly removed, never mind half the population of the town. Not in Zambia.
The most interesting experience I had in this regard was when another client turned up while I was having my legs waxed. I was told that she had made an appointment before I had (appointment? What appointment?) and therefore would I mind waiting outside for a moment. So, covered with little sticky bits of wax, I removed myself to the waiting area. The client, who was a young girl of 13 or 14, went inside to have her armpits waxed, while her mother apologized profusely to me. I eventually had my turn again, and when leaving the salon was surprised to see the mother and daughter still there. They had been in no hurry at all and were waiting to have tea with the beautician!
The idea of keeping quiet during play performances, musical concerts and church services is also a foreign one, as people talk on their phones and greet each other with apparently no sense of where they are or who they may be disturbing. The chewing of gum is a national pastime, at all times and in all places. My partner, who is a teacher, had to ask a parent to remove a piece of gum from her mouth as he couldn’t understand what she was talking about.
Zambia is indeed a country of contradictions. The driving is horrendous, and yet drivers hoot at each other for the smallest misdemeanors. Everybody has a mobile phone, yet no one rings you back, even though they say they will. And despite all the emphasis on getting the time exactly right, everybody is constantly late. Whether it’s a 12- or 24- hour clock, we’re on African time here.
Do you have an expat experience you’d like to share? Email no more than 1,000 words to [email protected]
Inspector General of Police Francis Kabonde addresses a press briefing in Lusaka
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Inspector General of Police Francis Kabonde, talks to spokesperson Ndandula Siamana before addressing a press briefing in Lusaka
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Justice Kafusha is a Zambian who has been in Denmark for 20 years now and works as an IT Technician for an Energy Company named Vattenfall, in the Town of Odense(Justice requested to share his picture with bloggers)
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Some Enumerators for the 2010 census being deployed in readiness for the programme from the Ministry of Finance and National Planning Offices in Mongu.
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Some Enumerators for the 2010 census
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One of the dormitories that was burnt at Kabunda Girls Secondary school in Mansa
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KABUNDA Girls Secondary School in Mansa District has been gutted. The inferno swept through the school Dormitories leaving three pupils hospitalised. The fire started around 22hrs on Saturday and destroyed students' Books, Clothes Groceries and other school materials. Here, grade 12 pupils Angela and Frida, mourning because they lost all their belongings
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Some of the dormitories at Kabunda Girls Secondary school that was gutted at the weekend.
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Some of the dormitories at Kabunda Girls Secondary school that was gutted at the weekend.
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Chief Government spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha, First republican president Kenneth Kaunda, second president Fredrick Chiluba and his wife Regina and Lusaka District Commissioner Christah Kalulu singing a hymn during this year’s independence interdenominational church service at The Cathedral of the Holy Cross
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First republican president Kenneth Kaunda addresses the audience at this year’s independence interdenominational church service at Cathedral of the Holy Cross
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A choir band singing during the independence interdenominational church service at The Cathedral of the Holy Cross
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Chief Government spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha, First republican president Kenneth Kaunda, second president Fredrick Chiluba and his wife Regina and Lusaka District Commissioner Christah Kalulu follow proceeds during this year’s independence interdenominational church service at Cathedral of the Holy Cross.
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Several church leaders join the congregation in singing a hymn during this year’s independence interdenominational church service at Cathedral of the Holy Cross
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First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda shares a light moment with former President Frederick Chiluba while Chief Government spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha looks on
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Chief Government spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha greets first Republican President Kenneth Kaunda
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First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda , former president Fredrick Chiluba and Chief Government spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha walking out of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross
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Different members from various denominations after attending this year’s independence interdenominational church service at Cathedral of the Holly Cross
Commerce minister Felix Mutati
The Zambian government has finally signed the long awaited Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (IPPA) with Itezhi tezhi Power Corporation for the development of the 120 Mega watts Itezhi tezhi power station.
The signing of the agreement will see the development of the power station at a total cost of 270 million United States dollars.
The Itezhi tezhi power project is an initiative of Tata holdings and ZESCO limited.
Speaking at the signing ceremony Commerce Minister Felix Mutati said Zambia would never achieve its set target with low supply of power.
He said the country needs constant and reliable power supply for it to achieve targets such as the vision 2030.
Mr Mutati noted that government is working round the clock to ensure that it addresses the power constraints that the country is going through.
Mr Mutati added that government has targeted to connect about 50 percent of homes in Zambia to the national grid in five years time.
And Zambia Development Agency ZDA chairman Luke Mbewe has called on various investors to come and invest in Zambia.
He said it is such investments that are indications that Zambia’s economy is a business friendly environment.
President Rupiah Banda yesterday flagged off the outstanding construction works on the K1.25 trillion Mongu-Tapo-Kalabo Road and underscored Government’s commitment to reducing poverty in the country through infrastructure development.
Speaking in Kalabo yesterday, President Banda said his aim was to work hard to ensure that poverty was reduced in all parts of the country as soon as possible.
“My aim is to reduce poverty in the rest of the country and I will do so in every part of the country without discrimination.Western and the entire country,” he said.
President Banda told the crowd of people that attended the groundbreaking ceremony at Tapo, 34 kilometres from Mongu, that the financing of the road would be done through a concessional loan from China.
“Government is determined to ensure that the project is completed in good time. Above all, the Government will ensure the road is of high quality to stand the test of time,” he said.
He said the Mongu-Kalabo Road project was of great importance to the country as it would connect Zambia to Angola, thereby facilitating easier movement of goods to that country.
“You will recall that in 1966 the Government of the Zambia decided to construct a road that would connect the country to the neighbouring countries of Congo DR and Angola.
“It was only in 2002 that a contract between Government and Consolidated Contractors Company of Kuwait was signed to construct the 74 kilometre bituminous road between Mongu and Kalabo at a contact sum of US$39.7 million,
“Unfortunately during the 2003/2004 rainy season, high floods were experienced which caused some sections of the embankment and a number of culverts on the 34 kilometre stretch of the flood plains to be washed away,” he said.
The president said he was however, happy to be in Kalabo yesterday to witness the resumption of the construction works on the road which would cost K1.25 trillion.
“On average the cost of building a tarred road in the rest of the country is K5 billion per kilometre, here because of the complicated terrain it will cost K60 billion per kilometre,” he said.
Mr Banda thanked the Chinese government for accepting to finance the road project to be undertaken by Chinese company, AVIC International.
He said Government is determined to ensure the Mongu – Kalabo Road is completed within the stipulated timeframe.
Mr Banda said donor countries supported the country because the Zambian people were peaceful and deserved the help.
He said he was aware there were some grievances but that these should be resolved amicably.
Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane said the groundbreaking ceremony was a demonstration of the Government’s commitment to develop infrastructure.
He said once completed the road would open up the country to Angola and the rest of the world.
“We have seen roads being constructed, schools, hospitals and clinics. The country will remember you (President Banda) as a leader that provided infrastructure,” he said.
Works and Supply Minister Mike Mulongoti said he was happy that President Banda was fulfilling his campaign promises to the people of Western Province by working on the Mongu-Tapo Road.
Road Development Agency (RDA) board chairperson Luambe Mondoloka said the agency had so far secured 40 bailey bridges for incorporation in the Mongu- Kalabo Road.
He said because of the scarcity of resources from the treasury, a loan had to be obtained from Exim Bank of China to finance the road construction.
Western Province Minister Sikwebele Mwapela said the people in the province were happy with the many projects the Government was undertaking.
“It is the desire of the people of the province to give you another five years so that you can move the country forward,” Mr Mwapela said.
[ Times of Zambia ]
One of the dormitaries that was burnt at Kabunda Girls Secondary school in Mansa
Fire has swept through Kabunda Girls High School on the outskirts of Mansa in Luapula Province, leaving four dormitories burnt, three pupils admitted to hospital and millions of Kwacha worth of girls’ property lost.
The inferno started on Saturday night around 22:00 hours as the girls were sleeping before it spread rapidly to the four closely-knit hostels, prompting the girls to scamper for their safety and leaving behind everything they owned.
“I have completely nothing as you see me. This chitenge (wrapper) I am wearing together with the top (blouse), I just picked from what my friends were throwing away.
‘‘I lost everything,” mourned Hellen Bwalya, a grade 12 pupil, as she struggled to stand properly in some over-size patapata slippers.
Mansa District education board secretary Valerie Mulwanda, who confirmed the incident, said the cause of the fire was yet to be established although initial investigations indicated it could have resulted from a suspected electrical fault.
[pullquote]“I have completely nothing as you see me. This chitenge (wrapper) I am wearing together with the top (blouse), I just picked from what my friends were throwing away.
‘‘I lost everything,” mourned Hellen Bwalya, a grade 12 pupil, as she struggled to stand properly in some over-size patapata slippers.[/pullquote]
Ms Mulwanda described the damage to the school as “extensive” saying only 96 of the 468 pupils at the all-girls boarding school had not lost any property as their dormitory did not catch fire.
“We have three girls still in hospital.
‘‘Their condition is stable. They are Theresa Makungu, Lillian Chungu and Constance Mbewe,” Ms Mulwanda told the Times in an interview at the school, some 15 kilometres west of the Mansa District administrative centre.
The affected girls lost clothes, books, beddings and other personal belongings, giving rise to calls for the school to be closed immediately.
But Ms Mulwanda declined to comment on the prospects of closing the institution and called for pupils to remain calm.
“We are aware that most of them (pupils) have lost their books. They have lost personal properties like mattresses and bedding, but we are advising them to continue studying in groups, to continue revising.
“They should be calm and stick within the institution. Grade 12s have already started writing and they need to continue,” she said.
By mid-day yesterday, some hostels whose roofs crumbled during the inferno were smouldering while most pupils could be spotted walking about the school premises in groups of fours and fives, recounting the happenings of the previous night with vivid desolation.
The outer premises were littered with girls’ burnt garments such as bracelets, wrist watches and neck chains.
A heavy presence of armed police officers was on site to provide security as Government officials from the provincial administration kept coming in turns to check on the extent of the damage.
“We shall soon be informed of what step to take. Otherwise, it (the fire) has really devastated us.
“We are not sure of the cause as yet, but the pupils are saying they just saw a spark from one of the hostels, and that’s how the fire started,” said school headteacher, Stella Mambwe.
[ Times of Zambia ]
President Rupiah Banda has said he was saddened by the accident involving a Zambia Air Force plane that carried his advance party to the Nsakwa Yaba Kaonde traditional ceremony in Kasempa at the weekend.
He said at Solwezi Airport yesterday that he felt depressed by the accident in which Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane, Works and Supply Minister, Mike Mulongoti and their counterpart at Community Development and Social Services, Michael Kaingu escaped unhurt.
The crew and passengers including State House chief of protocol, Bob Samakai and senior State House private secretary, Differ Mulimba were not injured, but the plane was damaged after careering off the runway upon landing.
The accident happened at Mukinge Mission Airstrip on Saturday around 11:00 hours.
“I was very sad and felt depressed, it could have been worse; I am sure they were traumatised though they showed bravery,” Mr Banda said, before he left for Mongu in Western Province.
And President Banda, who on Saturday graced the Nsakwa Yaba Kaonde traditional ceremony, said although massive investment was pouring into North-Western Province, much more needed to be done.
He said there was a lot of infrastructure development in the province, but the Government was still not satisfied with the progress made so far.
The president warned against misapplication of resources, saying it was a crime for anybody to do so.
Meanwhile, Mr Banda said during the traditional ceremony that his Government was working hard to construct and improve infrastructure in education and other sectors in the entire province.
He said the major works included Kanyama Boarding High School in Mwinilunga, which is under construction at a cost of K44 billion, Kayombo Boarding High School in Kabompo, under construction at a cost of K33 billion, and Chavuma Boarding High School, costing K27 billion.
He said a number of construction projects were underway around the province and included the D 181 Kamatete and Mulonga-Kalobwe roads connecting farm blocs in Kasempa and Solwezi, respectively.
Meanwhile, Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Ronnie Shikapwasha said a board of enquiry would be set up to investigate the cause of the accident, according to ZNBC News monitored in Ndola last evening.
[ Times of Zambia ]
The Ministry of Community Development and Social Services has pledged K5.5 million for the construction of permanent structures and Nsakwa yaba Kaonde traditional ceremony venue at Kaimbwe in Kasempa district.
Community Development and Social Services Minister, Michael Kaingu made the pledge at Kaimbwe in Kasempa district yesterday during the official launch of the Nsakwa yaba Kaonde annual ceremony by President Rupiah Banda.
Mr. Kaingu has also given the Nsakwa yaba Kaonde organizing committee K1.5 million as an appreciation for organizing such a successful ceremony that had gathered Kaonde chiefs from Central and North-Western provinces.
Meanwhile, Mr. Kaingu has implored the Nsakwa yaba Kaonde committee to remain non-partisan but urged them to support the government of the day so as to enhance development in various sectors.
He particularly urged women to support President Banda’s administration and form clubs so that they are empowered from funds allocated to them through his ministry.
Speaking at the same occasion, Nsakwa yaba Kaonde national patron, Kabinga Pande who is also Foreign Affairs Minister and Kasempa Member of Parliament urged the Kaonde chiefs to continue the spirit of unity and avoid dragging Nsakwa yaba Kaonde into politics.
Vice president George Kunda is welcomed to Solwezi by civic and government officials
Zambia Council for Social Development (ZCSD) Executive Director, Reverend Malawo Matyola has charged that Republican vice president and justice minister, George Kunda has failed to give leadership on the national constitution formulation process.
Reverend Malawo said that it was unfair for government to keep quite over the constitution when huge sums of money were invested in the process.
He said that Zambian’s have been left and kept in the dark over the constitution for a long time now. He also noted that failure to allocate any resources to the finalization of the constitution was a silence that was making people suspicious on whether the legal framework will really be ready before 2011 general elections.
Reverend Malawo reminded government that it was the tax payers money that was devoted to that process and it was not right to just keep quite about the process when people were anxiously waiting to know the progress.
He said that the only way Zambians will appreciate the efforts of government was if they made their operations transparent for everyone.
The reverend complained that ever since the draft report was presented to the Mr Kunda, government has been quiet and that very soon the document might begin to gather dust on the public office shelves.
Collum Coal Mine Shaft two which the angry mob removed the iron sheet during the riots on Friday after the Chinese nationals shot 10 miners including one onlooker in Sinazongwe district
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Chinese Directors for Shaft two and three at Maamba Hospital visiting the Miners who were shot by the two Chinese Nationals . Left in red is Sinazongwe District Commissioner Oliver Pelete
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One of the victims shot at by the Chinese Nationals Wallen Muntanga 28 at Maamba Hospital ward
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The Collume coal miner who was shot at by the Chinese national Alfred Nsenuka 24 in Maamba Hospital ward
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Wisbon Simubulo 25 at Maamba Hospital ward
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The damaged wall fence by the angry miners after the shooting incident
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Villason Mwanamusiya 24 at Maamba Hospital ward
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One of the victims shot at by the Chinese Nationals Ruaben Siakalumbwe 22 at Maamba Hospital ward
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Madinda Siamubotu 27 at Maamba Hospital ward
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Brighton Sikafunu 21 at Maamba Hospital ward
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Bowas Syapwaya and Ward Sianaine at Maamba Hospital ward
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One of the victims shot at by the Chinese Nationals Boston Munakazela 21 at Maamba Hospital ward
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Miners waiting for their salaries outside the Chinese Coal mine shaft two while police monitors their movements
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A mob of miners outside the Chinese Coal mine shaft two waiting to go in to get their salary after the riot on Saturday
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Chinese Coal mine miners waiting to get their money through a window after the riots calmed down on Saturday at shaft two
Zesco United maintained a four-point lead at the top of the Super Division table after beat Forest Rangers 4-1 in their Ndola derby at the Trade Fair Grounds on Saturday.
Fighton Simukonda’s side is on 54 points with three games to go before the end of the season.
However, it was Forest who got the game rolling when Frazer Mwelwa put the visitors ahead in the 41st minute.
Clifford Chipalo replied with the equalizer for Zesco two minutes later to see the two teams go 1-1 into halftime.
John Chingandu scored the first of his two goals on 53 minutes before Zesco struck again two minutes later through striker Humphrey Luputa.
Chingandu completed his brace in the 69th minute to see Zesco complete back-to-back league wins over Forest and end the latter’s nine-match unbeaten run under coach Hector Chilombo.
Meanwhile, Nchanga Rangers returned to second placed after a 3-0 win over relegation-bound National Assembly at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka.
Defender Moses Mulambi opened scores from the penalty in the 38th minute and Lyson Siakonga added two more goals in the 59 and 89th minutes.
The Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) has acknowledged that the fight against corruption is far from being won.
ACC Girector General Godfrey kayukwa said the commisiion is committed to ensuring that the levels of the vice are reduced and further called on youths to get on board.
Mr Kayukwa was speaking in Lusaka during the send off ceremony for the schools (ACC) club members.
Mr Kayukwa said youths play an important role in fighting and alleviating corruption and called on them to join in as ambassadors to the community.
He bemoaned the commission’s challenges in receiving funds from government adding that with the coming on board of department of the international development (DFID), more improvements would be made in funding ACC School clubs.
[QFM ]
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work”
(2 Corinthians 9:8, NIV)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
What is it that you have need of today? Remember, we serve a God of abundance. Our God is always more than enough. No matter what is on your “plate of life,” God wants to empower you with His grace.
One meaning of the word “grace” is God’s good will, loving-kindness and favor. His grace, His good will is what keeps us. His favor strengthens us and causes us to increase. The wonderful thing is that He’s already extending that grace to you right now; all you have to do is open your heart and humbly receive it by faith.
Notice in this verse that when He pours out His grace on you, you will have all that you need at all times…that’s living in abundance. And when you are living in abundance, you are equipped to pour out that goodness and blessing on those around you. Abundant grace leads to abundant living, and abundant living leads to abundant giving! Today, receive His grace because it abounds to you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father in heaven, today I humbly come before You. I surrender my heart, my will, mind and emotions to You. I ask that You pour out Your grace on me today and equip me for every good work. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
