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Back Door Doctors

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By Gerald Nkisu Katayi

Chris Ewokor once wrote, “To be addressed as a Mr., Mrs. or Ms in Nigerian social circles means you are a no body. To be a mover or shaker you need to be a chief; or to at least hold a doctorate. Many prominent Nigerians including serving and past political leaders hold one title or another – either traditional, educational, professional or religious. And the trend for acquiring titles is not limited to the political elite. Now you even have armed robbers, corrupt politicians and all sorts of people being chiefs.”

This misconception of titles is not limited to Nigerians only; Africans love titles. To an African title hold a sense of mystery and attract attention. Zambians are also joining the culture of titles. The first president (KK) and second president Fredrick Chiluba are addressed as doctors. But without academic backup. The third president also earned himself the same title. I assume before Mr. Banda leaves office, he will be addressed as doctor. A younger generation in the names of Nevers Mumba, Saviour Chishimba and others are also following this vanity.

People even add things like Mr. “Engineer” to their name; it’s a kind of pomposity. Nelson Mandela, the “Iron lady” Margret Thatcher and President Bush Senior and many others have honorary doctorates; but are never addressed as “Dr.” The reason is honorary degree can not be used as an academic paper which carries title and privileges.

These titles are so pronounced in Zambia because many media institutions are Government controlled, the journalists who work in these institutions serve the interest of the politicians and addressing such as Mr. will seem demeaning. Yet those in private media just play monkey see, monkey do.

This phenomenon of title obsession has not left out the church in Zambia. Few years ago, we had pastors. With time pockets of bishops were ordained. Eventually, apostle and prophets mushroomed everywhere. Biblical and theologically it is correct to go by these titles where necessary. (Ephesians 4: 11-12). Nowadays however pastors are no longer prophets, bishops or apostles. These have become lower titles; the clergy are now going for “Dr.” or “Rev, Doctor).

A named Bishop of Lusaka for two years struggled to raise $2,000 to buy his honorary doctorate but a few months ago he got his paper. But academically, the Bishop is working on his bachelors. His sister a pastor as well goes by “doctor ” without academic credentials.

What are these men and women of God up to? This is a deception at its best, who is fooling who? Why should a man called of God add a phony title to that which is sacred? If doctorate title is desired why not go to school? These preachers love praise from men (John 12:43). They love to be called by prestigious titles.

Jesus rebuked Pharisees and scribes for they loved titles and desired attention from people. He said, “And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted”. His disciples were not to seek to be called rabbi and were forbidden to use the word father indiscriminately. The general teaching is clear. They were not to seek man-exalting titles such as (Dr), rabbi, father, or minister to gain the recognition of men. Disciples of Christ should not exalt themselves but should seek to serve others and leave the exalting to God Himself.

Harnessing Renewable Resources in Zambia: Potential for Higher Power Output

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By Kennedy Simutowe( BSc Eng. EIZ) & Teza Simutowe( BSc Natural Resources)
As man’s demand for power increases, new sources of energy have to be sought to sustain his well being. This energy should be easy to access, affordable, easy to manage and most importantly, self-replenishing so as to preserve the environment.

One of the energies meeting these criteria is wind energy. Winds arise from the uneven heating of the atmosphere by the sun. They have energy within them which can move trees, sands, waters, cause tides and more. Winds at moderate to high speed can rotate turbines. Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy in the wind to mechanical power. This mechanical power can be used for specific tasks including grinding maize, pumping water or transmitting it to a generator to convert it from mechanical power to electrical.

Wind energy is a viable, widely distributed, renewable resource that can be tapped into as economies around the world seek to develop cleaner, more efficient and cheaper energy alternatives. With careful planning and adequate investment, wind farms could take shape in Zambia like they have in other parts of the world.

The harnessing of readily available wind energy could provide an alternative to the highly monopolized power sector. With wind turbine technology becoming cheaper and more efficient around the world, developing economies can take advantage of this resource to provide electricity to settlements that have been left out of the national grid.

Zambia has vast resources of water power which have been harnessed to cater for the nation’s energy needs. The main power utility company, Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) has however resorted to massive load-shedding strategies to balance the demand for power, despite the potential for a higher output. Furthermore, the power utility company has increased tariffs yet again this year in 2010, with domestic clients being the hardest hit after seeing a rise in the residential tariff of 41% from K265 to K373 per kilowatt hour. As this is regressive for a developing economy, an alternative has to be established.

With an average height above sea level of more than 1000 metres, Zambia’s geographical features and location put her in a position to harness the winds that blow across the country with good average speeds year out.

It is against this background that the development of wind farms spanning the country becomes feasible. A wind farm is a collection of wind generators within the same location, used for production of electric power. A wind generator is a machine that maybe looked at as having the reverse effect of a ventilator or fan; it uses air in motion to turn blades whose rotation is transmitted along a shaft connected to a generator, thereby producing electrical energy out of mechanical energy.

The terms wind energy or wind power describe the process by which wind is used to generate mechanical power or electricity.

Wind energy is fast becoming a reliable energy resource in Europe and other parts of the world including Denmark, the USA, Germany, Canada, and Japan.

A well developed network of wind farms could significantly reduce the unit price of electricity due to increased competition and wider access to power. The new capacity would enable power utility companies to lessen their load and thus eliminate the need for load-shedding. Municipally administered wind farms could generate revenue for local authorities while providing cheaper, easily accessible power to the less privileged communities in Zambia. For the environment, wind energy is another clean, environmentally friendly resource. It compares in cleanliness to hydro power. A move in this direction would encourage utility companies to continue providing power to the nation while seeking even more green technologies.

Wind energy undoubtedly has a great potential to be developed in Zambia and across the Southern African region as a whole. The first commercial wind farm in South Africa was commissioned in May of 2008, near Darling in the Western Cape. Similarly, Zambia can embark on wind power development.

Harnessing this renewable resource is also in line with Millennium Development Goal No. 7 of ensuring environmental sustainability while providing cheaper, cleaner energy to areas currently without power or locations too remote to include on the national network. In order for Zambia to keep abreast with the energy demands of the 21st century, various stake holders, including government ultimately have to commit themselves to this goal among others.

‘Britain misleading Zambians on FJT’

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THE Committee of Citizens (CC) yesterday said the British government is misleading Zambians by distancing itself from the prosecution of second Republican president Frederick Chiluba after using funds from the State institutions such as the Serious Frauds Office to finance the court process.

In a media release in Lusaka yesterday, CC executive director Gregory Chifire accused the British government of lying to the Zambian people because it was public knowledge that Britain provided funds through the Taskforce on Corruption to prosecute Dr Chiluba and his co-accused.

He said it was clear that the British government was deeply involved in this matter and their technical advisors persuaded the Taskforce on Corruption to commence this process in the London High Court.

Mr Chifire was commenting on a statement by the Public Affairs Office on Friday that the United Kingdom did not have any role to play in the prosecution of Dr Chiluba but that the Zambian Government was the one that was pursuing him.

“We are surprised by the Press statement from the British High Commission issued on Friday August 27, 2010.

“The attempt by the British government to disassociate itself now from the London judgment amounts to hypocrisy. In our view, the statement is crafted to merely play with words so that they can lie to the people of Zambia,” Mr Chifire said.

He said it was public knowledge that during the fight against corruption, the British government provided technical and financial assistance to the Taskforce on Corruption.

“Therefore, the decision to commence a civil case against former president and others in the London High Court began as a process to support the investigations Serious Frauds Office and other private investigators hired such as OVAG were doing in the United Kingdom,” Mr Cifire said.

He said as a result of the British government’s involvement, the Taskforce on Corruption through the Attorney General, obtained from the London High Court a world freezing order on November 17, 2004.

Mr Chifire said the order was obtained to recover the perceived plundered assets and that when no assets were recovered, the order was turned into full fledged legal suit to claim from the defendants the same money they couldn’t find.

He said the British High Commissioners in Lusaka, both the current and previous ones had made numerous public statements on the matter and the fight against corruption.

In most cases the public statements ignored the rule of law and prejudiced these court cases.
[pullquote]“Similarly, there is no reciprocal treaty between Zambia and the United Kingdom to recognise court judgments between the two countries,” Mr Chifire said.[/pullquote]
Zambians will remember that a member of the royal family, the Duke of Gloucester, Prince Richard, visited Zambia during which time London High Court judge Peter Smith was delivering his judgment on May 4, 2007 in London.

He said it was around the same time that Prince Richard issued a statement supporting the London Judgment and castigated Dr. Chiluba accusing him of corruption.

“It was uncharacteristic for any member of the royal family to issue such a disparaging statement,” Mr Chifire said.

Mr Chifire said he was also shocked that the British government was making wild claims regarding the London Judgment in relation to the asset recoveries when the truth was that the Belgium apartments were handed over to the Taskforce on Corruption and yet they belonged to the Zambian Government.

“The property was bought on mortgage by a company created by the Intelligence and was handed over to the Taskforce on Corruption in 2002. So how could these assets have been the subject of the London judgment whose process started in 2004-2005? How could Government recover its own assets?” Mr Chifire wondered.

He said the British Government claims that millions of British Pounds were recovered from Attan Shansonga when the truth was that a mutual agreement was made by the London Court and Mr Shansonga who sold his shareholding in Lunsemfwa Hydro Power Station worth K1.8 billion to pay for his legal fees and repatriate the difference to the State.

He said that it was difficult to bring Mr Shansonga, who is also a British citizen, to Zambia since no extradition treaty exists between Zambia and the United Kingdom.

“Similarly, there is no reciprocal treaty between Zambia and the United Kingdom to recognise court judgments between the two countries,” Mr Chifire said.

Mr Chifire said it was wrong for the British High Commission to demand that a London Judgment be recognised in Zambia when no legal instruments existed to permit such a matter.
[ Times of Zambia ]

Govt satisfied with road works in Mwinilunga

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Government has expressed satisfaction with the road works on the T5 international road linking Mwinilunga district to Angola.

Local government and Housing Deputy Minister, Elijah Muchima, told ZANIS in an interview shortly after inspecting the road works in the area.

Mr Muchima, who is also Mwinilunga West MMD Member of Parliament, said he is pleased with the progress made so far.

Mr Muchima hoped that the road works would be completed before the onset of the rainy season.

He urged the North Western provincial administration to continue supplying the contractor with fuels on time so that the project is not delayed.

The Deputy Minister advised the contractor to consider stationing some road equipment from Jimbe border post so that road works can also commence from Jimbe.

Meanwhile Mr Muchima has implored locals leaving along the T5 international road to report any theft of fuel to the police or District Commissioner’s office.

He told locals that government has spent huge sums of money in repairing the T5 international road hence the need for the community to guard the road project jealously.

Mr Muchima warned that government would not hesitate to deal with whoever will be found selling fuel meant for the T5 international road works.

And commenting on the operations of Mwinilunga community radio station, Mr Muchima said there is need to extend the radio frequency so that the entire district is covered.

He explained that information could only reach the masses once the frequency is extended to other chiefdoms in the district.

Mr Muchima noted that currently the radio station was covering limited chiefdoms leaving out others.

He also appealed to well wishers to come to the aid of the station and assist it to improve its operations.
[ QFM ]

‘Pact leaders ignorant on mobile clinics’

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Example of a Mobile Hospital recently donated to Zambia

LOCAL Government and Housing Minister Eustarckio Kazonga has said the leaders of the pact formed by the United Party for National Development (UPND) president and Patriotic Front leader are exhibiting ignorance by criticising the acquisition of mobile hospitals which will benefit the majority people in the rural areas.

Dr Kazonga said the acquisition of the mobile hospitals would boost the operations of the health departments in all the local authorities in the country and called on Zambians to avoid being cheated by opposition leaders and Kafulafuta MP, George Mpombo who had been condemning the acquisition of mobile hospitals.

Zambia and China have already signed an agreement for the provision of US$53 million loan to acquire mobile hospitals to serve rural communities.

Dr Kazonga said the acquisition of mobile hospitals had been ignorantly politicised but that people on the ground were excited about the development.

The minister said local authorities struggled in the past to mount preventive measures against waterborne and other diseases because patients had to be transported to hospitals to conduct research.

Dr Kazonga said Mr Sata and Mr Hichilema had continued to mislead Zambians without giving them proper facts.

He said he had personally conducted research on how the mobile hospitals had been used to deliver quality health care to the people in countries where the system had been implemented.

Dr Kazonga said local authorities had a responsibility to improve the road network in places that were not accessible to ensure that mobile hospitals reach all parts of the country.

The minister said condemning the acquisition of mobile hospitals because of the poor road network was merely meant to politicise the acquisition of mobile hospitals because it would make the Government popular.

Dr Kazonga said the Ministry of Health would work with provincial and district health authorities to ensure maximum use of the hospital hospitals.
[ Times of Zambia ]

Banda’s trips to yield 2,000 jobs

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Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane

FINANCE and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane has said about 2,000 jobs will be created at the new Kafue Lower Gorge power station which is part of the benefits from President Rupiah Banda’s trips abroad.

Dr Musokotwane said people advancing politics to development issues must conduct a research and establish the many benefits that President Banda’s trips were bringing to the nation.

In an interview in Lusaka yesterday, Dr Musokotwane said China Development Bank (CDB) offered to provide US$1 billion (787 million euros) for a planned hydroelectric station in Zambia and proposed a Chinese company to develop the project which is part of the benefits from the presidential international trips.

Civil society leaders sympathetic to the opposition political parties have condemned President Banda’s trips abroad claiming that they were costly.

Dr Musokotwane said it was not possible for the country to attract investors if the President would sit in State House through out his life because his job was to develop the country.

The minister reminded critics that President Banda met with the president of CBD, Jiang Chaoliang on one of his foreign trips at which the State-owned bank said the Beijing-based Sinohydro Corporation would develop the $1.5billion Kafue Gorge Lower power station.

Dr Musokotwane said more growth prospects would be recorded with continued meetings that were taking place each time the President traveled abroad.

He said following President Banda’s trip to Turkey, a team of investors had already been to Zambia to enquire in what areas they could invest in.

Dr Musokotwane said Turkish Airlines would operate between Lusaka and that country and that apart from the benefits of having to travel directly, there would be jobs created for Zambians.

“Opposition leaders must avoid cheap politics. We traveled to Turkey recently and investors have been coming to explore various areas of interest and more jobs will be created,” Dr Musokotwane said.

The minister said the economic growth being recorded had resulted from efforts that include trips abroad and that the Kafue Gorge Lower power station would boost electricity generation in the country.

Dr Musokotwane said the total cost of the project was about $1.5 billion and that China had already pledged to secure the funds and this would help in reducing electricity blackouts in the country.

Construction of the 600-megawatt project is due to begin next year but studies and preparatory works will start before the end of the year.

The Chinese bank has also pledged to provide financing of up to $1.4 billion for various projects, including the Kafue Gorge station.

He said more jobs were being created in the country while more foreign companies were opening up as a result of trips abroad.

Dr Musokotwane explained that Luanshya Copper Mines would have long closed if heads of State were not traveling outside Zambia to create friendships with foreign governments and donors.

He said the value of Presidential trips were difficult to measure and urged Zambians to avoid politicising good initiatives.

[Times of Zambia]

Govt to continue investing in infrastructure – RB

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President Rupiah Banda embraces his Malawian counterpart Bingu Wa Mutarika

PRESIDENT Banda says Government will continue investing in infrastructure development as it is key to economic progress and a means to achieving the Vision 2030.

Mr Banda said his Government will ensure that the national budget leans towards key infrastructure development to facilitate various progressive agendas.

The President was speaking to journalists in Chipata last Saturday at a dinner.

“I think we have to move forward because our people are growing tonnes and tonnes of maize. No wonder we need a good road infrastructure. So we would like to invest in more road infrastructure,” Mr Banda said.

He said this is in anticipation of the increased copper production and other economic activities in the country.

And Mr Banda said there is need for the country to invest in its human resource.

He said Government will continue prioritising and investing in the education sector because an educated society can effectively run the country.

Mr Banda urged the youth to be patriotic and take interest in the affairs of the country to achieve development.

“If we are trying to develop the economy, ourselves as Zambians should be educated first. We think education is key as we go forward. We think that we should invest in all these sectors to achieve the vision 2030,” he said.

Meanwhile, stakeholders and residents in Chipata have welcomed the successful establishment of the Chipata-Mchinji rail line.

Eastern Province Chamber of Commerce, Trade and Industry chairperson Timothy Nyirenda said the business community in the province is delighted with the development.

Mr Nyirenda who is former Kasenengwa member of Parliament said the newly commissioned rail line will facilitate cheaper transportation of agriculture produce and other bulk materials.

He said in an interview that farmers and businesspersons are delighted with the successful completion of the rail line because they expect cheaper imports of various inputs especially from the Far East.

“The entire business community in Eastern Province is excited about this development because we have a lot of maize, cotton, tobacco and other cash crops which have to be exported. Our agriculture inputs can also now come through Nacala from the Far East,” Mr Nyirenda said.

[pullquote]“If we are trying to develop the economy, ourselves as Zambians should be educated first. We think education is key as we go forward. We think that we should invest in all these sectors to achieve the vision 2030,” he said. [/pullquote]

He observed that the rail line has subsequently land linked Zambia and Malawi creating an alternative and shorter route to the port of Nacala in Mozambique.

He appealed to the railway service provider Central Eastern African Railway (CEAR) to consider providing frequent services of a goods train saying most people are looking forward to cheaper transportation of various goods.

“We are looking forward to the full operations of the train service and our own docking yard in Nacala and I am glad that President Banda mentioned this,” said Mr Nyirenda.

And CEAR commercial agent Ziyauddin Daya said the company will soon start transporting clinker (for cement manufacturing) to Larfarge cement in Blantyre in Malawi

Mr Daya who is Ziah’s Construction managing director, the company which was involved in the construction of the rail line, described the Chipata-Mchinji rail line as a dream come true for the business community and residents of Chipata.

“We are also in talks with mining companies and they are interested in transporting copper by rail, so they are just waiting for our rates and they could be serving about US$20 per tonne,” he said.

Mr Daya commended Government for committing funds to the multi billion project which was started in the 1970’s.

Chief Madzimawe of the Nsenga people of Eastern Porvince said his subjects are happy with the completion of the railway line.

The Chief said in an interview that the railway line will help elevate the economic status of Chipata.

“I can foresee a lot of infrastructure development, even the city status we have been talking about can now be realised because these are some of the issues that are taken into consideration.

He said the rail line will also serve Government substantial amounts of money towards road maintenance.

On Friday, President Banda commissioned the Chipata-Mchinji railway line.

MMD will scoop the 2011 presidential elections, UPND Youth Chairman predicts

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FLASHBACK: A female youth member of the UPND tries to give flowers to Hichilema at Lusaka international airport

UNITED Party for National Development (UPND) youth national chairman Joe Kalusa has predicted that the MMD will scoop the 2011 presidential elections because the pact has lost credibility and direction.

He said at a press briefing at Providence Guest House in Kitwe yesterday that unlike the ruling party which had a viable programme before it ousted the UNIP government, the pact has nothing in place except to issue disparaging remarks against each other.

Mr Kalusa noted that leaders of the pact were failing to explain to the vulnerable citizens how they are going to put money in the pockets if they came to power, likening them to a chicken without a head.

He said that the Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata’s popularity is diminishing because of his alleged vulgar language.

And UPND youths have given the PF/UPND pact a one-month ultimatum within which to tell the nation how they intend to make a difference if they form the next government in 2011.

Mr Kalusa advised the pact leaders not to focus their attention on removing President Banda without any programme on how to develop the country.

[pullquote]Mr Kalusa noted that leaders of the pact were failing to explain to the vulnerable citizens how they are going to put money in the pockets if they came to power, likening them to a chicken without a head.[/pullquote]

He regretted that while the ruling party is busy campaigning throughout the country through various developmental programmes, pact leaders are busy quarrelling among themselves

He said pact leaders are too selfish to convince the majority that they will do better when, in the unlikely event that the MMD government was voted out of office.

Mr Kalusa said the pact youths are demanding an immediate release of the pact manifesto and programme for national development.

He said the youths also want the leaders to come up with committees that will look at the modalities of picking the presidential, parliamentary and local government candidates apart from resolving how government portfolios will be shared by the two partners.

They claimed that at the moment leaders at lower organs of the pact have no regulations to guide them.

[pullquote]Mr Kalusa regretted that while the UPND leader punished major Robby Chizyuka for issuing alleged inflammatory statements against the party, Mr Sata keeps quiet when his subordinates like Mwenya Musenge, Guy Scott and Wynter Kabimba provoke the UPND.[/pullquote]

Mr Kalusa stressed that the working relationship between Mr Sata and Mr Hichilema whom he claimed to be a better candidate because of his vibrant age and economic experience, is not conducive to sustain their “marriage of convenience”.

He said the two leaders should tour the country and jointly address the nation on their plans for the country if they are genuine partners instead of going different ways.

Mr Kalusa regretted that while the UPND leader punished major Robby Chizyuka for issuing alleged inflammatory statements against the party, Mr Sata keeps quiet when his subordinates like Mwenya Musenge, Guy Scott and Wynter Kabimba provoke the UPND.

Mr Kalusa alleged that because the PF leaders do not respect the UPND, they have already picked a candidate to contest the Mpulungu by-election, against the memorandum of understanding signed by the two partners when the pact was formed.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

Mr Kalusa noted that leaders of the pact were failing to explain to the vulnerable citizens how they are going to put money in the pockets if they came to power, likening them to a chicken without a head.

MMD’s Quest for Statutory Media Regulation

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By Henry Kyambalesa
The continued push for statutory regulation of the media in Zambia is a clear indication of the fact that we are currently being ruled by the most arrogant, stubborn, snobbish, elusive, and tyrannical leaders like Ronnie Shikapwasha, George Kunda and Rupiah Banda. One wonders why government leaders would be so adamant about statutory media regulation in the face of so much opposition to the idea!

They have clearly shown us that they represent their individual and partisan interests rather than the common interests of Zambians at large. And it is shameful that they are trying to portray the support for such legislation from a segment of the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) cadres as a national clamor for the contemplated legislation! No one outside the MMD would, in his or her right frame of mind, support the enactment of legislation designed to control all media operations in the country.

As Fr Pete Henriot has lamented, “If the current operations of ZNBC-TV are to be a guide for what that control might mean, then I fear we are in for the death of free electronic media. And of course, we can also see what it might mean to have government-mandated control of the independent printed press by simply observing what ‘reporting’ means for the State-owned and government-controlled press.”

[pullquote]And Shikapwasha’s arrogance in this regard is undermining the confidence Zambians have in former military officers’ leadership qualities. We have had so many ministers of Information and Broadcasting Services since independence and only during his tenure of office have we experienced incessant calls for statutory media regulation.[/pullquote]

The kind of strict control which the MMD government has maintained over public media institutions is characteristic of socialist states and dictatorships. So, we can conclude that we are actually being governed by a clique of despots masquerading as democrats!

And Shikapwasha’s arrogance in this regard is undermining the confidence Zambians have in former military officers’ leadership qualities. We have had so many ministers of Information and Broadcasting Services since independence and only during his tenure of office have we experienced incessant calls for statutory media regulation. I am even reminded of the following observation made by Comrade Kenneth D. Kaunda about the military mind:

“With certain brilliant exceptions, the military mind is not adept at the arts of politics. It knows little of the compromises, accommodations and persuasion which underlie political decisions. Because the military leader must have an unquestioning conviction that he knows what is best for those under him, he is prone to translate this possibly unwarranted self-confidence into the political sphere with disastrous results, for there are no representative mechanisms through which he can be curbed.”

Citizens’ clamor for freedom of expression and of the press has been loud and clear. They are wary of the current situation whereby large segments of the mass media are state-owned, under tight controls by the government of the day, and the virtues of individuals’ rights and freedoms are subordinate to those of the ruling party and the state.

There is really no need for statutory regulation of the media which Shikapwasha and his colleagues in the MMD are contemplating. What the government needs to do is to operationalize the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) in order for the broadcasting media to be regulated by an independent body, and to enact the Freedom of Information (FoI) Bill and make it possible for journalists to access information that is vital to both the media and members of the public.

Passage of legislation relating to freedom of information and the operationalization of the IBA would, accordingly, be accompanied by rules and regulations by which media institutions would be expected to operate. Among the functions of the IBA, for example, would be to promote broadcasting standards and codes of ethics and practice.

Besides, existing laws and regulations provide the necessary checks and limitations on the operations of media institutions and journalists in the country. The Penal Code (introduced in 1931 and amended in 1990), for example, defines the following as criminal offences: sedition and defamation (Chapter 191), defamation of the President (Chapter 69), and defamation of foreign princes and the publication of false news that incites fear or violence or damages the national security of the country (Chapter 67).

Other pieces of legislation which provide additional regulation of media operations in Zambia include the following: the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation Act (1987), National Broadcasting Corporation (Amendment) Act (2002), Theatres and Cinematograph Exhibition Act (1929), Criminal Procedure Code Act (1933), Radio Communications Act (1994), Printed Publications Act (1994), Information and Communications Technologies Act (2009), and Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (2009 ).

In fact, self-regulation is the best form of regulation which can promote high standards in the media that is recommended under international law, not statutory regulation.

In all, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is one of the government ministries which need to be abolished. It is a liability to tax payers. Its functions can be effectively and efficiently be performed by the Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA), the office of the Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations, public relations units in government ministries, and MMD’s information and public relations units.

There is also a need to open up the Zambia Daily Mail, Times of Zambia, Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC), and the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) in order to make it possible for all segments of Zambian society to articulate their needs, demands and aspirations through them. We should not allow the government to continue to maintain a monopoly over the use of public media institutions. It is high time we made it possible for all segments of Zambian society to gain fair access to such institutions!

In the medium term, there will be a need to break up the public media through privatization.

The role of a free press in the creation of a system of governance in which accountability, transparency, rule of law, and public participation in governmental decision making cannot perhaps be overemphasized. We should not expect our multi-party democracy to function effectively without such a system of governance.

The effective checks and balances we seek to introduce into our system of government are not possible in a political setting where the government is a prominent player in the fourth estate – that is, the media. On the other hand, members of the private media need to be professional and responsible if they are to play an important role in exposing abuses of power and deficiencies in governance. They, for example, need to avoid statements or actions that are demeaning, inflammatory and/or harmful to others.

[pullquote]The role of a free press in the creation of a system of governance in which accountability, transparency, rule of law, and public participation in governmental decision making cannot perhaps be overemphasized. We should not expect our multi-party democracy to function effectively without such a system of governance.[/pullquote]

Press freedom carries with it a great deal of responsibility on the part of journalists; it is, therefore, important to remember that other societal members have fundamental and constitutional rights which need to be safeguarded, too. In shorthand, a journalist’s freedom to report on any given issue ends where societal members’ rights also come into play – such as the right to privacy. It is also essential for journalists to guard themselves against the temptation to engage in speculation and rumor-mongering.

In passing, we all expect the functions of the mass media in our beloved country to include the following:

(a) To serve as a watchdog to the three organs of government – that is, the judiciary, the legislature and the executive;

(b) To inform the public about issues which are of national interest;

(c) To serve as a medium of communication that guarantees free and open debate and discussion among members of society;

(d) To influence public opinion through impartial, balanced and fair analysis of issues that are of national interest; and

(e) To serve the economic system through sponsored advertisements designed to bring buyers and sellers into contact with each other.

First lady Thandiwe presents K30m for distribution in Mpika

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NORTHERN province deputy Permanent Secretary Micah Zyambo (r) welcomes First Lady Thandiwe Banda at Nakonde Basic School when she arrived in Nakonde district

First Lady, Thandiwe Banda, has presented K30 million for distribution to about 500 women’s clubs in Mpika district. Mrs. Banda said she has an obligation to care for women and children in the country.

Mrs. Banda said more needs to be done to empower women and that her assistance to various women groups can go a long way in contributing to the development of the nation.

Speaking in Mpika district to mark the end of her seven day tour of Northern Province, Mrs. Banda thanked the well-wishers for supporting her efforts to serve the women folk and the vulnerable children in the nation. Mrs. Banda said she appreciated the warm reception accorded to her by the traditional leaders and the Northern Province Administration.

The First Lady expressed happiness that peace and unity prevailing in the nation and urged the nation to continue cherishing these two aspects in the country.

And speaking at the same occasion, Mpika District Commissioner Mwamba Sokoni said Government would soon send enough equipment to the district for use by the small scale farmers as a pilot scheme aimed at increasing food security in Mpika district.

Mr. Sokoni said last year, Mpika district harvested enough maize to feed the whole country for one month and disclosed that this year, the district has recorded a bumper maize harvest enough to feed the nation for three-months. He added that the district is geared to become the bread basket of the whole of Zambia.

Before leaving Mpika for Mansa, the First Lady paid a courtesy call on Chief Chikwanda and also visited Lwitikila Girls High School.

The First Lady is expected to return to Lusaka after ending her tour of Luapula province on September 5, 2010.

QFM

Where is LAZ’s Integrity?

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LAZ President Steven Lungu

By Kahlatswayo Cele

Given certain conditions, one as an individual, may choose, concerning a rotten apple, whether to eat it wholly, cut off the rotten portion and proceed to eat only the unaffected portion or simply throw away the whole apple into the rubbish bin, whatever the case may be. However, one as an individual has no basis whatsoever, concerning the same apple, if certain conditions prevail, to impose what a whole people should do with it. It would suffice, if one had a genuine public concern, to simply warn the public about the true state of the apple!

On the surface details, Mr. Stephen Lungu, the current President of the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ), despite the seemingly bona fide appeal, is unfairly selective as to what he intends the public to know what their ‘Professional opinion’ is when commenting on the plunder case surrounding allegations against former Zambian President, Dr. FTJ Chiluba, in particular, with regard to what LAZ’s obligation is to the public. If LAZ’s main and honest concern is to serve ‘public interest’ then the public deserves from them unobtrusive, unbiased, fair and balanced amount of commentary.

Regarding Justice Hamaundu’s London Court Judgement, on one hand, LAZ via Mr. Lungu, chooses through the media to announce what it conceives to be Its obligation and duty to ‘public interest’, but on the other hand , forgets that, for instance, of equal public concern and interest, and of significant bearing on the overall case, is LAZ’s position regarding the allegations of professional misconduct against the lawyer who had been the leading advocate for the prosecution.

As far as certain sections of the public are concerned, this Lawyer had allegedly been given room to ‘usurp the powers of the DPP’, giving reason to believe that the whole process of justice was circumvented, putting to question the very motive underlying the investigations and as such the very credibility of the case. LAZ appears to have deliberately avoided this issue.

This is the aspect underwritten in their (LAZ) selective public comments. One wonders the sapience in choosing to be so selective as to risk to be seen to be biased.

To follow Mr. Lungu’s inference to ‘public interest’, it should not be left out of the arena by LAZ what their stance is concerning the allegations of misconduct against this leading figure, in retrospect of the whole process, which in many peoples opinion, is of significant ‘public interest’. Over this matter, they have remained ostensibly mute. This is the obvious and deductable premise for this article.

Mr. Lungu in publicly attacking and making sweeping statements against the decisions of the Judiciary does incredible injustice to LAZ’s reputation as a non partisan Professional body and risks plunging the nation into a constitutional crisis. He has brought unnecessary suscpicion over what LAZ really stands for in its current make-up.

LAZ as a Professional Body has the obligation to dispel suscpicion by tapering their public statements with Professional integrity, not feeding fire to the flames, as they do when they publicly attack Judge Hamaundu’s judgement. They have, however, been evidently quiet concerning some of the ‘hanging’ issues which could potentially impact public opinion.

It appears inordinate yet selective, how on their part (LAZ), pop in and pop out, choosing only when it is convenient to make public what their ‘Professional opinion’ is, deliberately it would seem, using latitude, to stir and influence the public towards their stance, denying the public vital knowledge to make informed and independent conclusions. This is not in line with the spirit and aim of statutory mandate Mr. Lungu alludes to when he toes this ‘public interest’ line.

It is not the aim to impugn anyone. However, this inconsistency in LAZ at best could be downright naivity, to the extent of exploitation, at worst professional impudence on the part of Mr. Lungu.

[pullquote]It appears inordinate yet selective, how on their part (LAZ), pop in and pop out, choosing only when it is convenient to make public what their ‘Professional opinion’ is, deliberately it would seem, using latitude, to stir and influence the public towards their stance, denying the public vital knowledge to make informed and independent conclusions. This is not in line with the spirit and aim of statutory mandate Mr. Lungu alludes to when he toes this ‘public interest’ line.[/pullquote]

Where can one draw the line?

As far as LAZ is concerned, what determines that one aspect of the case is of ‘public interest’, requiring their specific public comment, and another is not? The whole approach LAZ has taken is uninspiring, removing rather than adding to the process of justice.

It is easy to sense obscurity as to what ‘public interest’ is, in as far as what Mr. Lungu understands his institution’s mandate to ‘public interest’ is. But, this is also the platform and basis on which it seems, Mr. Lungu and disgruntled elements in LAZ, choose to launch their insidious campaign from. Otherwise, why is Mr. lungu being so selective in his comments?

What is this ‘Public Interest’? Is it not Justice. Mob justice? Most people can understand to a great extent if these lopsided comments and attacks come from sections of the private media who ‘play to the gallery’ by the very nature of their engagement, but for a Professional Body such as LAZ to engage in the same, is inexcusable. Perhaps one could blame the nature of ‘Part-time’ arrangement LAZ office bearers operate under such that they do not give total and due dillegence to the issues that confront them and as a result, this ineptitude. Compare the effort and concern the Justice Hamaundu gave to page his 200+ judgement report only to be questioned via a single paged document prepared and drafted overnight. What insolence!

[pullquote]What is this ‘Public Interest’? Is it not Justice. Mob justice?[/pullquote]

With this attitude, it is easy to understand why our governance and democracy system sometimes gives way to be seen as ‘mere metaphor’ for when it is absolutely expedient and imperative to give confidence and credence, the players are engaged in mere rhetorical and impressionable activity. LAZ has certainly not given their best effort in this matter despite the influence they want to exert.

Therefore the conjecture that Mr. Lungu is in complicity in using LAZ as a platform and tool hijacked for political and/or other agenda for certain interested elements is not far fetched. Their manner of comments on the ‘London Court Judgement’ has certainly raised genuine concern over their professionalism (lack of it). LAZ as a professional body must avoid to be seen to be taking sides if it is to remain credible and above reproach.

Every case in the public courts is of significant impact and influence, as are the decisions out of them, which are the basis or outcome of Judicial precedence, differing only in degree.

State too lenient to fight graft

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Alliance for Democracy and Development Charles Milupi

The Aliance for Demcoracy and Development ADD president, Charles Milupi has charged the ruling movement for Multi Party Democracy MMD government has been very lenient with those abusing public resources.

Mr. Milupi says that government needs to responsibly send a clear message to everyone engaging in corrupt activities by taking decisive actions.

Mr Milupi indicates that the auditor general should not be made to seem rhetoric just because government is not willing to act on the ills revealed.

He says that once government begins to take action against all those found wanting, those who have consistently brought Zambia’s name into disrepute will learn the lesson.

He however notes that if the republican leaders and all those in authority decide to take lightly, the highlights given by the AG’s office, corruption will remain as the order of the day.

Mr. Milupi says that action needs to be seriously taken against all those found to be guilty of abusing their office and power.

He says that every Zambian should be devoted to ensure that every resource meant for the benefit of the general citizenry is used transparency and accounted for.

QFM

Blessed Wherever You Go

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TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all His commands…you will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country”
(Deuteronomy 28:1-3, NIV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Do you want to experience more of God’s blessing in your life? Living in obedience and integrity is the key that unlocks the door to His abundance. When you put God and His Word first place in your life, the Bible says you’ll be blessed in the city and in the country—you’ll be blessed wherever you go!

This chapter in the Bible goes on to say that you will be so blessed that you will lend and not borrow. Can you see yourself in that position? Can you see yourself living in that kind of abundance?

See, God doesn’t want you to be living with a barely-get-by attitude. We don’t serve a barely-get-by God; our God is more than enough! He wants you to have more than enough to meet your needs and be a blessing to the people around you.

I encourage you today to make room in your life for the blessing of God. Choose to live in obedience to His Word. Choose to follow His commands. As you do, you will rise up higher and live the abundant life God has for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, thank You for Your hand of blessing on my life. I choose today to put You first in everything I do. Help me to walk in integrity and follow Your commands so that I can honor You always. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

– Joel & Victoria Osteen

MMD to expell Magande and Mpombo before the party Indaba

Entertainment Editor
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Kafulafuta Member of Parliament George Mpombo

The Movement for Multi party Democracy (MMD) says it will get rid of former of former Finance and National Planning minister Ng’andu Magande and his former defence counterpart George Mpombo before it holds its national convention.

MMD National Chairman Michael Mabenga said Mr Magande and Mr Mpombo will be gotten rid of from the party before the national convention is held.

He said the party is working on expelling the two Members of Parliament before the convention takes place.

Asked as to whether this is a gimmick to block the two parliamentarians from challenging for the MMD presidency, Mr. Mabenga said the duo do not qualify to contest for any position in the party because they have violated so many party regulations.

He added that Mr Magande and Mr Mpombo have no place in the ruling party following their attacks on President Rupiah Banda and the MMD national leadership.

Mr Mabenga noted that the ruling party requires six to seven billion kwacha to hold its national convention successfully.

Mr Mabenga, however, failed to disclose how much the party has raisd so far.
[ QFM ]

Boy, 14′ drowns in Lusaka’s Chalala area

Entertainment Editor
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A 14-year boy of Chalala’s Rockfield area died yesterday after drowning in a dam in Lusaka.

The boy, identified as Patrick Chiyesu is said to have drowned at around 12 hours this afternoon.

The grandmother to the deceased, Miriam Banda, explained that at around 16 hours on Saturday the boy was still in the dam, only referred to as the eastern query, for over three hours before any rescue works could begin.

This is because the only people who could have helped the boy demanded for k300, 000 from the family who did not have it at the time.

Later the family members managed to mobilize the required resources and handed it over to the group of boys who managed to get the boy out of the dam.

There was an officer on the scene but he could not make any statement on the occurrence.

The boy who was single orphan, is said to have only moved to Lusaka from Kafue, yesterday.
[QFM ]

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