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Zanaco are through to the group stage of the Caf Orange Confederations Cup despite losing 2-0 away to Enyimba of Nigeria in Aba on Sunday afternoon.
Wedson Nyirenda’s side advance 4-2on aggregate after doing the business in the first leg played on July 16 at sunset stadium in Lusaka.
Enyimba secured their home win thnaks to goals from Ekene Iwuorie and Henry uche in the 15th and 51st minutes respectively.
Meanwhile, Zanaco will be making their group stage debut in a Caf club cup competition coming on the back of Zesco United’s feat last year in the Champions League.
Zanaco will be in Group B where they will open their account against FUS of Morocco away during the dates of August 14-15.
FUS eliminated SuperSport United on away goals rule after beating them 1-0 today on the bacvk of a 2-1 loss in Pretoria a fortnight ago.
Another team joining Zanaco in Group B are Haras El Hodoud of Egypt who crushed ex-Zanaco and Zamsure coach Mike Sithole’s Gaborone United 8-1 to advance 8-2 on aggregate to the group phase of the Confederations Cup.
Zanaco will face Haras on match day two when they host the Egyptians on August 28 in Lusaka.
This will be Haras’ third successive group stage outing in the Confederations Cup and are still seeking their first final appearance in the competition.
2007 and 2008 Confederations Cup champions CS Sfaxien of Tunisia completed Group B after beating Petro Atletico of Angola 3-1 in Tunis will to advance via the same aggregate scoreline.
The two teams are locked at 0-0 from the first leg in Luanda played on July 17.
Police in Kafue are holding a 32 year old woman of Kalundu for dumping a baby in a pit latrine after delivering it.
Both police and health authorities at Kafue District Hospital have confirmed the incident to ZANIS today which happened on Wednesday.
According to police, the woman Namachindu Hamalambo gave birth to a baby boy and then dumped him in a pit latrine before running way.
The baby was only discovered by neighbors who heard the cries of a baby from the pit latrine.
Police sources said the baby was then rescued by a combined team of officers and neighbors, and then rushed to Kafue District Hospital.
The woman was only apprehended after members of the same community tipped the police that she had runway and was hiding in a nearby village in Lukolongo area.
The woman is admitted at Kafue District Hospital for medical examinations, and police have since charged her with attempted infanticide and is soon expected to appear in court.
The baby has since been repatriated by the Department of Social Welfare to an orphanage in Lusaka.
In the middle is Sinazongwe district Commissioner Oliver Pelete who is also putting on a hurt after launching the Namafulo Boarder Post ProjectSinazongwe District Commissioner (DC) Oliver Pelete has said that Sinazongwe district has the potential to thrive in tourism because of its geographical location.
Mr Pelete said this in Sinazongwe last night when he officiated at the launch of the Lyawa Lodge.
He said that the opening of the new lodge would help to boost the image of the district as the best destination for tourism.
Mr Pelete noted that tourism has the potential to contribute to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and to improve job security among Zambians adding that the improvement in the hospitality industry in the district will help uplift the living standards of local people.
He urged the Lyawa Lodge owner to give the lodge a competitive advantage in providing better services in the hospitality industry.
And speaking at the same function, Sinazongwe Member of Parliament Raphael Muyanda said Lyawa Lodge is of high standard and thanked the owner for choosing Sinazongwe as the best place for the investment.
Meanwhile, Lyawa Lodge owner, Judy Nakamba said she would work in partnership with the people of Sinazongwe district.
Ms Nakamba said she was proud to associate with Sinazongwe people because the area was good for investment in tourism.
She said for the past three years since she started building the lodge, she has found the people of Sinazongwe to be cooperative and eager to develop the area.
Outgoing Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa Leslie Mbula has reiterated his appeal to Zambians living in South Africa to prepare for their retirement by investing back home.
Mr. Mbula said that there is need for Zambians living in South Africa to invest back into Zambia so that they do not become destitute when their stay in that country is over.
This is according to a press statement made available to ZANIS by Second Secretary, Press Philip Chirwa at the Zambian High Commission in South Africa.
Mr Mbula said it is important that Zambians start looking for land back home where they can invest so that they are well prepared for their return home
He said this in Jonesburg South Africa when the Zambian Association in South Africa (ZASA) hosted a farewell party in his honor last night.
“Whatever little you have find time to look for a place to invest so that during later years and this will surely come you will have something to fall back on” he said.
Mr. Mbula has also called for unity among the Zambian community in South Africa urging them to embrace the Zambian slogan of ‘One Zambia one nation’.
He also commended the Zambians living in Gauteng for their support to one another as shown by their contribution to help bury one of their colleagues who died there last month.
“As Zambians in South Africa lets be united, let us cooperate. If one has a problem it should be a problem of all of us. Am very proud that Zambians in general and those in Gauteng in particular have lived to that only a few days ago when one Zambian lady died you cooperated to ensure she had a decent burial.” Mr Mbula said.
And ZASA Chairperson Edwin Mununga paid tribute to Mr. Mbula for his generous work during his period as High Commissioner to South Africa.
He described him as the best High Commissioner to South Africa Zambia had sent.
ZASA also presented Mr. Mbula with a golden football and a multipurpose electric cooking pot in recognition as an ardent soccer fan and an exemplary good family man.
In a similar development, Mr. Mbula has commended Zambians living in that country for doing the country proud by keeping away from criminal activities.
He said at another farewell party hosted for him by the Mission Staff in Pretoria on Friday that there was upsurge in violent crime committed by foreign nationals but noted that no Zambian was involved.
He attributed this to the fact that the majority of Zambians residing in that country were either professionals, students or businessmen who were contributing to that country’s economic development.
Mr. Mbula urged the Zambians to keep up the spirit and continue being good ambassadors of their country by respecting the laws of that country.
“Day in and day out the media is full of stories of murders, robberies and other crimes perpetuated not only by South Africans but foreign national as well. The good news is that such foreign nationals have not included Zambians, at least the news has not reported anything to that effect” Mr. Mbula stressed.
The mission Staff also presented Mr. Mbula with a petrol driven lawn mower which they bought through their contributions.
Mr. Mbula has since appealed to Zambians to cooperate with his successor so that together they can score more successes and promote economic cooperation between the two countries.
Will they ever get a slot in the new Soweto Market?
Lusaka City Council (LCC) has warned that it will this week swing into action and remove vendors trading in front of the new Soweto market.
LCC Public Relations Officer, Habeenzu Mulunda disclosed this in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today.
Mr. Mulunda said the New Soweto market will be officially opened in a few weeks and will not look appropriate to open it with vendors trading in front of it.
He urged marketers who have been allocated stores in the new market to move in and start trading within the market.
When asked about the traders that were not allocated stands at the new market, Mr. Mulunda explained that there is a lot of market space in other markets especially markets found in various townships.
He noted that too often people tend to leave the markets and start trading outside giving the impression that there is no trading space and yet there is adequate space.
The New Soweto market was constructed at a cost of about K36 billion.
And Mr. Mulunda also said that the Kafue round about Foot Bridge is nearing completion.
He added that the council is soliciting for an extra K3 billion to put up barriers that will stop pedestrians from crossing the road below the bridge.
The foot bridge is being constructed at a cost of K6 billion.
The council of churches in Zambia has charged that the 2010 NCC draft constitution has failed to meet the aspirations of the Zambians.
The churches said that the draft constitution has failed to meet the aspirations of the people as it has fundamentally departed from the people’s submission as contained in the Mung’omba draft constitution and report.
The churches added that the aspirations of the people are very clear on what they wanted the country’s constitution to look like.
In statement issued in Lusaka this morning signed by the CCZ members, consisting 21 churches, they say that NCC draft constitution has left out certain cardinal and fundamental rights such as right to shelter, food, water, sanitation and environment, and the right to education after basic school level which must be enjoyed by all.
The further noted that the NCC draft constitution has instead of devolving the powers of the president, increased the powers.
The churches further noted that accessibility to the NCC draft constitution has been another constraint in the current constitution making process.
The church also said that the current constitution making process and the NCC draft constitution leaves much to be desired.
They also said that the will of the Zambians as reflected in their submissions to the Mung’omba constitutional review commission has been disregarded with impunity by those charged with the responsibility to defend the aspirations of the citizens.
[ QFM ]
File : Some Members of Parliament following proceedings during the official opening of the house
C.D.P Press Statement
The Citizens Democratic Party finds it tragically ironic that the MMD Administration is choosing to abuse its authority granted by our citizens, in attempting to remove the offence of “abuse of authority”, through the revised ACC Act. We applaud the opposing responses to this travesty of a bill that has come from the major opposition, civil-society and private citizens. This action, wantonly defended by the MMD Administration as an apparent “corrective measure” is an ill-conceived diagnosis that has once again demonstrated root problems that will continue to occur as long as our governance system maintains an Executive that has excessive and over-reaching powers. To identify this clause as an impediment to government function is a gross misdiagnosis and shows a willful carelessness by the MMD to not only tolerate, but defend government officers who disregard laid down policy and procedures in the course of their duties. [pullquote] As a party, we have even suggested in our manifesto that Ministers be appointed from outside of Parliament, and should be held accountable for their decisions by appearing before Parliament whenever required to defend or advocate their policy decisions.
[/pullquote]
As the Citizens Democratic Party, our manifesto states and advocates that a clear separation of powers is an imperative if we are to find a permanent deterrent/solution to corruption. Let us summarily consider the path that this proposal will follow in order to come up with a counter-solution:
· A clique of MMD ministers, formulate this travesty of a bill as “the Executive”.
· The bill is tabled before Parliament being “The Legislature” for debate and approval by vote.
· Next is a vote that consists of the originators of the bill (being the ministers with one foot in the Legislature and another in the Executive) and other Parliamentarians. Rest assured that the rest of the MMD MPs and a handful of opposition MPs who harbor ambition to become ministers will vote for this bill in order to appease the powers that be-The Executive.
We urge all up-standing MPs worthy of the title “Honorable” to not only shoot down this proposal by Parliamentary vote, but begin legislating and refining proper policy and procedure for government functionaries that will increase accountability. The Citizens Democratic Party also takes opportunity to highlight and lobby our “Accountability Mission” that sets out to use the House of Parliament as a starting point to over-haul the current mal-system of government by legislating laws that will ensure a clearer separation of powers, and will stop this abuse of power by the over-reaching Executive. As a party, we have even suggested in our manifesto that Ministers be appointed from outside of Parliament, and should be held accountable for their decisions by appearing before Parliament whenever required to defend or advocate their policy decisions. It is only by applying such different and wholesome methods that we will see a positive direction in the governance of our nation- a privilege and service afforded to us by our citizens.
The Committee of Citizens has expressed happiness at the calm political situation in Chifubu constituency where campaigns for the parliamentary and local government elections have heated up.
Committee of Citizens Executive Director Gregory Cifire says the calm in the area is encouraging because it shows maturity on the part of political parties. Mr. Cifire said all parties in Chifubu are peacefully campaigning for their candidates without engaging in any kind of violence or name calling. He said this shows that the parties have learned and improved on public relations a situation he said is good for the security and peace of the nation.
Mr Cifire has since commended the parties participating in the by elections for adhering to the electoral code of conduct and making the campaigns free of
violence. He said the country is likely to witness violence free by elections on 5th August if parties involved continue to observe the electoral code of conduct.
Mr Cifire noted campaigns in the area are issue based. He further added that no political party has imported cadres to Chifubu which he said was also a contributing factor to the free campaigns in the area. Mr. Cifire however called on the UPND/PF pact leaders to resolve their differences surrounding the pact before members of the pact start physical
confrontations.
He explained that there are serious divisions in the pact where the UPND have started de-campaigning the PF a situation he said has potential to bring anarchy in the constituency. He disclosed that some senior members of the UPND are going round Chifubu telling people not to vote for their sister party the PF.
Mr Cifire noted that if the two leaders keep quiet, they will soon lose all their members hence the need for an urgent intervention to end the differences. He said Zambians want to see peace and not violence and that all parties should make sure that they avoid violence in their camps. The Chifubu by-elections are slated for August 5th .
And Vice President George Kunda was yesterday expected in Ndola for a two day working visit to drum up support for the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) candidate in the forth coming Chifubu parliamentary by election slated for August 5.
The Vice President while in Ndola is expected to attend a church service at the Chifubu Roman Catholic church tomorrow morning and later in the afternoon hold a public rally at Kaniki in Sakanya area along Ndola-Mufulira road.
This is according to a statement obtained by ZANIS from the Provincial Administration in Ndola. Mr Kunda is also expected to hold another rally on Monday at Musundu roundabout in Ndola before his departure for Serenje.
Mr. Kunda will be accompanied to Ndola by Local Government and Housing Minister, Eustarkio Kazonga and his deputy Moses Muteteka, Agriculture deputy minister, Allan Mbewe, Labour Deputy Minister, Simon Kachimba, Deputy Minister in the office of the Vice President, Gaston Sichilima and Kabwe District Commissioner Jonathan Kapungwe.
Chief Mwata Kazembe hoisted on a traditional harmock leaves his palace to grace theUmutomboko ceremony
Vice President George Kunda has reiterated government’s appreciation to traditional values and ceremonies in the country.
The Vice President said in Mwansabombwe, Kawambwa yesterday when he paid a courtesy call on Senior Chief Mwata Kazembe that it was a policy of government to promote traditional ceremonies and respect traditional rulers because of the role they play in governing and developing the country.
Mr. Kunda is in Mwansabombwe to grace this year’s Umutomboko traditional ceremony of the Lunda people of Luapula Province.
The Vice President told the chief that he had been sent by President Rupiah Banda to grace the traditional ceremony because the president himself who wanted to officiate at the occasion was committed with other national programmes.
Mr. Kunda said government is committed to meeting traditional leaders to discuss issues affecting them and their subjects to foster development.
He said although it was the first time for him to pay a courtesy call on the chief at his palace, the two had met before in other foras including the developmental meeting which was recently held in Mansa.
Mr. Kunda said the Umutomboko traditional ceremony has received a lot of international recognition which was a pride to the country.
He said government was happy that traditional ceremonies were now attracting a lot of local and international tourists.
‘This is why we shall continue to promote traditional ceremonies as government,” Mr Kunda said.
And Senior Chief Mwata Kazembe said he was happy that this year’s traditional ceremony was being graced by the Republican Vice President.
Chief Mwata Kazembe said traditional ceremonies were important because they promote cultural heritage.
He said there was hence need for government to support traditional ceremonies because a nation without culture is dead.
The Vice President was accompanied to Mwansabombwe by MMD Deputy National Secretary, Chembe Nyangu, Deputy Minister in the office of the Vice President, Gaston Sichilima, Deputy Local Government Minister, Moses Muteteka, Deputy Agriculture Minister, Allan Mbewe and Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Security, Simon Sichimba among others.
“If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be”
(1 Corinthians 12: 17-18, NIV).
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
In the New Testament, John was baptizing a crowd of people and drawing a lot of attention. Somebody came up and said, “John, are you the Christ or should we keep looking?” Without missing a beat John said, “No, I am not the Messiah.”
See, John knew what he was, but he also knew what he was not. It’s just as important to know what you’re not because if you don’t realize your limitations, you’ll get drawn into areas that may look impressive and may feed your ego, but they are outside of your gifting and calling; outside of what God anointed you to do. Anytime you go outside of your limitations, it will be a constant struggle. Don’t let that be you! Instead, stay focused on what you’re good at. Follow peace in your heart and know your limitations because God has created you just the way He wants you to be!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me. Thank You for choosing me. I ask that You help me to know my limitations. Help me to know my place in the body of Christ so that I can bring glory and honor to You. In Jesus Name. Amen.
West African preacher David Oyedepo (l) arrives in Zambia at Lusaka international airport
2.
West African preacher David Oyedepo (l) arrives in Zambia at Lusaka international airport.
3.
Vice president George Kunda (l) looks on as UNZA vice chancellor Steven Simkanga signs an agreement
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UNZA vice chancellor Steven Simkanga signs an agreement for the start of exchange programme with some Chinese universities.
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United Church of Zambia members during a service at Saint Pauls church in Kabwata
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Some peasant farmers sieving their maize harvest.
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Shoes belonging to deputy of Mines Gabriel Namulambe.
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MMD Lusaka province chairman William going to address party cadres in Lusaka
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MMD Lusaka province chairman William addresses party cadres in Lusaka
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Mines deputy Minister Gabriel Namulambe and State Chief of staff Austin Sichinga queue to greet President Banda at Lusaka City airport
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Former Munali constituency Patriotic Front treasurer Alick Botha leaves the podium after announcing his resignation from the opposition to the MMD at a meeting addressed by William Banda
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Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane and Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Li Quiangmin exchange documents after signing various bilateral agreements in Lusaka
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Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Li Quiangmin signs one og the document on bilateral agreements in Lusaka
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Chief of State Protocol Bob Samakai (r) talks to UNZA vice chncellor Steven Simukanga at State House
Nkana’s easily -combustible fans exploded today in a last 10 minutes of drama at Dola Hill in Ndola in coach Linos Makwaza’s first emotional return to Forest Rangers since his appointment last week that was blighted by a 2-1 away defeat by the fallen Kitwe giants.
The game was halted with four minutes left of the match during a last nine minute period in which all three goals in the match were scored.
Nkana took the lead through striker Evans Kangwa in the 81st minute to raise Makwaza’s hopes of bragging rights against Forest who unceremoniously fired him after three winless games at the start of the season with one club official branding him “Mr. Defeat.”
Forest rallied three minutes later when former Zambia striker Owen Kaposa equalized before he won a penalty in the 86th minute that was later converted by Peter Banda before all hell broke loose and the game was halted for 10 minutes.
Police allegedly fired shots in the air to try and calm the temperature at Dola Hill before the game resumed with emotions still high until the final whistle but the commotion continued and the law later made over half a dozen arrests in the process.
The pressure will shift to Wusakile on Monday when Nkana host Green Buffaloes in a delayed Week 14 game in what is expected to be a tense situation after three successive defeats and two losses on the trot for Makwaza since taking over the helms a week ago.
Meanwhile, there was some civilized drama up in Chililabombwe at Konkola stadium where Konkola Blades dispatched Zesco United to their first league defeat of the season.
Patrick Kasunga put Blades ahead in the 25th minute but Nicholas Zulu leveled scores two minutes after the break.
Felix Sunzu Junior scored his third goal in as many goals with the winner in the 79th minute.
Zesco remain at the top of the table on 34 points but enjoy a narrow two-point lead over Nchanga Rangers who beat Roan United 2-0 away in Luanshya today thanks to goals from Chileshe Kabwe and Ignatius Mukota.
Power Dynamos remained a close third on 31 points following a 1-0 win over Kabwe Warriors at Arthur Davies stadium courtesy of a 30th minute goal from Luka Lungu.
The Kapenta fish operators from Sinazongwe have bemoaned that the industry is collapsing owing to high number of illegal fishing vessels being thrown on the Lake Kariba .
Maaze Holdings Director Johann Jordan said there are about 1000 vessels for catching Kapenta on the Zambian side of Lake Kariba while the Fisheries department has issued about 715 licences.
Mr Jordan pointed out that the Kapenta industry which is the largest employer of people from Siavonga to Sinazongwe district in Southern Province is threatened.
He said the stocks of kapenta on the Lake is depleting because people were throwing their vessels on the lake without licences and there is no control from the Fisheries department.
Mr Jordan disclosed that people were fishing anyhow in the breeding areas and the Kapenta catches have drastically reduced.
He said the poor people would be affected once the price of kapenta was increased because of its scarcity.
The Maaze holding Director who has been in the Kapenta industry for so many years said some people with illegal fishing vessels were allegedly stealing Kapenta from other people’s vessels.
He said the fisheries department charged with the responsibility of preserving the fishing stocks were not conducting patrols on the lake adding that previously they were conducting them together with Kapenta operators but they have stopped.
“There is no control in the Kapenta industry, people are fishing any in the breeding areas and there are no road blocks to curb the theft,” Mr Jordan said.
He explained that according to the Southern African Development Community’ (SADC) protocol, Kapenta operators are supposed to be producing 50000 tones of kapenta per year for sustainability of the species.
He said at the time of signing the protocol the Zambians had about 230 vessels for catching Kapenta while Zimbabwe had 260.
It was also agreed that to increase the number of vessels on the lake a study had to be conducted to ensure the sustainability of the industry.
LakaFish Director John Hutchison said the SADC protocol also indicated that only 500 vessels were to be allowed on Lake Kariba for the industry to be sustainable but that limit has been abandoned and people own illegal fishing vessels.
Mr Hutchison said they were worried because once people lose their jobs their families and dependants would be affected.
He said he suspects there is some political influence attached to the increase of fishing vessels on the lake which is threatening the sustainability of kapenta stocks.
The Lakafish Director who has been fishing for over 18 years said the department of fisheries should release information concerning their study of the Kapenta stocks on the Lake which has allowed them to issue so many licences to the Kapenta operators.
Mr Hutchison said he was not worried about the number of vessels on the lake as long as it is based on the study and the system is sustainable.
Another Kapenta Operator Dodo Sindaza said the influx of Kapenta fishing vessels should be controlled.
Mr Sindaza called for coordination among the fisheries department and the Marine department under the Ministry of Transport and Communication to ensure that sanity was brought to the Kapenta industry in the valley.
He said most people have found it easy to enter the Kapenta industry without following the right procedures which is threatening the industry.
Vice President George Kunda has said the Patriotic Front and United Party for National Development (PF-UPND) pact is in a state of paralysis and is bound to collapse any time.
Mr Kunda said as a result of the confusion in the pact, people are leaving the pact parties in large numbers to join the ruling Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD).
The Vice President was speaking today when he addressed Mansa residents who welcomed him at the airport before he proceeded to Mwansabombwe to officiate at this year’s Mutomboko ceremony.
He urged MMD members across the country, especially those in Mansa were the party has started gaining strength, to take advantage of the confusion in the pact to unite the ruling party.
“You must be united and take advantage of the confusion in the pact to strengthen our party, the ruling MMD,” Mr Kunda said.
He charged that as a result of the confusion in the pact, UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema has even stopped being seen in public as he has gone into hiding due to shame.
“We are not reading about him anymore since they started quarreling with Michael Sata. Because of shame, HH has gone into hiding.” The Vice President said
Mr Kunda further said that PF leader Michael Sata does not like the people of Luapula, as he has been suspending MPs in the province from his party and has also been insulting the royal highnesses in the area.
He appealed to the people of Luapula to continue rejecting Mr Sata and his party as he has no respect for the traditional chiefs.
Mr Kunda encouraged MMD members in the province to promote unity in order to strengthen the party instead of endorsing suspensions.
He said the suspension of party members is not good for the MMD as a party and has appealed to the party membership in Luapula province to desist from the practice.
“Just here I saw one poster saying we are tired of suspensions. This shows that people are tired of suspensions,” He said.
Mr Kunda noted that MMD as party must lead by example in desisting from suspending its members to encourage unity in the ruling party.
“For us in MMD we must lead by example, especially here in Mansa where we are gaining strength. We must be united in this province and throughout the country behind President Rupiah Banda.” he said.
He called for pro-activeness among party members to forestall any confusion in the party by reporting any provincial member identified to be fermenting disorder.
Mr Kunda assured the people of Luapula that government will continue supporting the hosting of the Mutomboko traditional ceremony because it is a traditional ceremony of international recognition and provides an opportunity for government leaders to share developmental ideas with the people of the province.
And speaking earlier, Luapula Province MMD Provincial Chairman, Emmanuel Chungu appealed to government to work on some important roads which have not been worked on.
He also said that government should find quickest ways to address the plight of former Mansa batteries workers who have not been paid their dues since the closure of the battery company in the early 1990s.
File : Peasant farmers selling part of their maize harvest
President Rupiah Banda says the zeal of Zambian farmers to produce food and cash crops was very encouraging.
Speaking after touring a number of stands in the Lusaka Show Grounds this morning, President Banda said he was impressed with what he saw on exhibition in different stands today.
“This is something that is very encouraging. It is encouraging to see people especially in provincial stands producing so much food,” he said.
He said the production of over 2.7 million metric tones of maize this year was an indication that Zambia was on the right track in terms of food security and economic development.
President Banda said in order to sustain such development, there was need for Zambians to be united and uphold the peace which the country has been enjoying since gaining political independence 46 year ago.
And President of Malawi, Bingu Wa Mutharika, said Zambia has tremendously improved its agricultural activities over the years.
Professor Wa Mutharika said Zambian farmers have also improved the packaging of their farm products, which he said will create a lot of markets for them.
“I came to this show ground a long time ago when I was Secretary General of COMESA. But now there is great improvement. I would say keep it up,” he said.
Earlier, President Banda and President Bingu Wa Mutharika, separately toured various stands which included Lima Hall housing exhibits of agricultural products from all nine provinces of Zambia, ZAMSEED, Workers Compensation Fund Control Board, ZAIN and Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC).
Other stands the Presidents toured are Malawi and Kenya stands in the Jubilee Hall, Zambia Chamber of Small and Medium Business Association (ZCSMBA) Environmental Council of Zambia, Energy Regulation Board (ERB), Bankers Association of Zambia, and Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives.
The rest are SAROS Agro Business, Conservation Farming Unit under the Ministry of Agriculture and ZAMBEEF.
Some ministers and other senior government officials accompanied the two presidents on the tour of stands.
The two Presidents are scheduled to officially open the 84th Zambia Agricultural and Commercial Show this afternoon.
This year’s show is being held under theme ‘Sustainable Development’.
Hundreds of local companies and over 15 countries are exhibiting at this year’s Agricultural and Commercial Show, which opened its doors to the public two days ago and closes on Monday, August 2nd 2010.
