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POPULAR Zambian soap Kabanana returns to local television!

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Kabanana actress 'Dainess' spotted at Arcades shopping mall in Lusaka
The drama is set to rekindle its romance with local television viewers when the new season starts on ZTV next month and, according to the producers of the soap, it is hotter and more interesting.
Announcing the news, Savanna Pictures chief executive officer Munyaradzi Hwengwere said the move was part of a broader programme meant to ensure that Kabanana spreads to all parts of Africa.
Savanna Pictures, which is a subsidiary of Savanna Media Centre, produces Zambia’s first soap — Kabanana.
Hwengwere also revealed that his Zambian-based company is also bringing a highly popular reality show, My Own Boss, which is set to enter its third season with auditions due on Thursday.
“Kabanana is a very popular soap in Zambia and it had a successful stint here in Zimbabwe — now we want to make it even better by bringing in Zimbabwean actors into the soap. We have already given the current Nama (National Arts Merit Award) best actor (Dax Jackson) from Fading Pictures a role in the drama.
“We don’t believe that an African programme should have a cast that is confined to one nation. The soap is already on DStv and now we have sealed a deal with ZTV, which means we are getting closer to achieving our goals. Kabanana should be out there competing with the best from Africa,” said Hwengwere.
The fusion of Zimbabwean and Zambian talent is not only confined to Kabanana. Savanna Pictures has bigger plans for the two countries. My Own Boss, the reality show which has had two successful runs in Zambia, will also feature Zimbabwean contestants.
Dubbed the Battle of the Falls (in reference to the sharing of the majestic Victoria Falls by Zimbabwe and Zambia) the reality show will feature eight contestants from Zimbabwe and a similar number from Zambia. The show lasts for 13 weeks.
“This show is almost like The Apprentice except that we are not training someone to be the best employee but to be his/her own boss. For 13 weeks, a mentor who has to be a successful businessperson will give the contestants tasks.
“African businesspeople have a reputation of not wanting to share or pass on information on how they made or make their money. We want to demystify that notion by selecting one businessperson to be the centre of activities in the show.
“Mentors change every year and so this time we are still weighing our options on who should be the centre of attraction together with the brilliant contestants from the two countries,” he said.
My Own Boss is a business reality show which is different from other reality shows in the sense that it actually empowers the youth as has happened previously.
Last year the show got a surprise boost from Zambia’s Citizen Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC), which provided loans of up to US$100 000 for the finalists of the show to start their own businesses.
At the moment the organisers of the growing reality show are only offering US$20 000 as the winning prize — money expected to be used by the winner to build his/her own business.
“We want that somebody who wins the show to be totally empowered or should I say ready to start his/her business by the time the show reaches its climax. We hope that by bringing in Zimbabwe it is going to grow even bigger,” said Hwengwere.
My Own Boss has a minimum age limit of 20 and a maximum of 35, and it requires contestants that are fluent in English and one other national language.
Of the 16 contestants that will be selected from both countries, half will be female.
The auditions in Zambia are already at an advanced stage while local ones start this Thursday in Harare before moving to Mutare, then Gweru and Bulawayo.
Power FM boss Tinashe Chiname and Bernard Mulenga from Zambia will be conducting the auditions while producers of the show will be Hwengwere, ZBC’s Josephine Zulu and Paul Ignatius Gama.
According to Hwengwere, this year’s edition of the My Own Boss is centred on the World Cup soccer showcase to be held in neighbouring South Africa in June.
Hwengwere is a former ZBC chief executive officer who has vast experience in the media industry having worked as an advertising expert and also as a strategic planner.
He says be believes that people from all over the world want African content but it is not available, thus he has made it his goal to ensure that African programmes get to where they are supposed to get to.
Hwengwere says for the industry to grow there is need for Zimbabwean programmes to get back on the screen so that the industry can move forward: “We need our soaps back on screen. That is how the film industry can grow in this country. As producers we need to stop part-timing the cast. This industry is big business.
Savanna Pictures is a fully registered Zambian Company that has positioned itself as a regional content company with satellite offices in South Africa and Zimbabwe.

[Zimbabwe The Sunday Mail ]

William Banda sounds warning as Magande escapes beating at MMD card renewal exercise

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The hour has come to...MMD acting Lusaka Province Chairman William Banda addresses a meeting at Kabanana Basic School in Lusaka
MMD acting Lusaka Province Chairman William Banda

MMD Lusaka Province Chairman William Banda has threatened to spill the beans against any National Executive Committee (NEC) members, cabinet and deputy ministers undermining President Rupiah Banda’s leadership.

Mr. Banda said he was aware of some NEC members, Cabinet and Deputy Ministers who do not support President Banda.

Mr. Banda said this during this year’s MMD card membership renewal exercise for Lusaka province.

He said president Banda was in full control as MMD President as well as the sole candidate for next year’s presidential elections.

He assured President Banda that those party members de-campaigning him would soon be sorted out. He said he has since instituted a high powered intelligence unit that would crack down those de-campaigning the President.

Mr. Banda sounded that he wants sanity in the MMD and Lusaka province in particular. Mr. Banda said the 2010 card renewal exercise launched in Lusaka today will provide a platform for the intelligence unit to work flat out in ensuring that President Banda wins the next year’s tripartite polls.[quote]

He appealed to MMD National Chairman Michael Mabenga to stop interfering with erring MMD cadres because the intelligence unit has been instituted to deal with such matters.

Mr. Banda donated a new bicycle and undisclosed moneys to Bertha Mwansa who is former MMD founding member for Women Affairs Chairlady.

Those that were present at this year’s MMD 2010 card renewal exercise are former Republican Vice President Enock Kavindele, former First Lady Maureen Mwanawasa, and former Agriculture Minister Mundia Sikatana.

Others include former Mines Minister Kaunda Lemba-lemba, former Home Affairs Deputy Minister and former Ambassador Libya Derrick Chitala.

Meanwhile, confusion ensued as an unknown MMD cadre threatened to beat former Finance and National Planning Minister and Chilanga Member of Parliament Ngandu Magande following his unwarranted attacks on President Rupiah Banda and Vice President George Kunda.

There was a near punch-up but alert MMD Youth Security Wing managed to thwart the fight amid shouting.

ZANIS

Buffaloes, Assembly Make Bright Starts

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Here is a round-up of day one matches in the 201o Faz Super Division.

2010 FAZ SUPER DIVISION

WEEK 1

13/03/2010

Konkola Blades 2- Nchanga Rangers 2

Promoted Nchanga Rangers rallied from 2-0 in the first half to draw with 9-man Konkola Blades at Konkola Stadium in Chililabombwe today.

Chipulu Chileya put Blades ahead with a brace in the 14th and 35th minutes but the home side were reduced to 9 men before the break after Arnold Malisawa and Morgan Kanjolo were sent-off.

Aubrey Funga scored Rangers first in the 71st minute before one Ignatius Mukota equalized in the 85th minute.

The talented Mukota is returning to local top flight football with Rangers for the first time after four years in the wilderness after a brief and controversial stay in Angola in 2006 where he was fired for indiscipline.

Choma Eagles 1- Power Dynamos 1

Power survived an early scare away to Choma Eagles in their game played at Nakambala stadium in Mazabuka today.

Dominic Ngwira put Choma ahead in the 2nd minute before Power equalized in the 55th minute through Emmanuel Chimpinde.

Choma are playing their home matches in Mazabuka because their regular ground in Maamba is inaccessible after the bridge to the venue was washed away b y heavy rain in the Gwembe Valley.

Nkana 1- Red Arrows 1

Like their archrivals across the Dual-Carriageway, Nkana also rallied to finish 1-1 in their Week 1 game.

Dube Phiri scored the opening goal in the 3rd minute on his return to Zambian football after three seasons away in Angola.

The ageless Douglas Chiwaya equalized for Nkana in the 65th minute.

Forest Rangers 1-Lusaka Dynamos 2

Lusaka Dynamos made sure of their first three points after beating Forest Rangers at Dola Hill in Ndola.

Joseph Milanzi put Dynamos ahead in the 20th minute but Kameta Mutambo equalized on 31 minutes.

Milanzi made sure the long trip to the Copperbelt was worthwhile with the winning goal in the 84th minute.

Nkwazi 1-Kabwe Warriors 1

George Lwandamina’s first day on the job finished in dramatic style after a last gasp equalizer from defender Bronson Chama on 89 minutes.

This is after Nkwazi had taken the lead in the 63rd minute through Edward Mwamba.

Roan United 0-Green Buffaloes 2

Aggrey Chiyangi has emerged as frontrunner for coach of the month for March at the rate Green Buffaloes are churning out results.

They are unbeaten in three competitive games since winning the Charity Shield this month and got their league campaign to a bright start with a 2-0 win over hosts Roan United at Kafubu Stadium in Luanshya.

Morgan Hanjeema and Brian Chilando scored for Buffaloes in the 11th and 40th minutes respectively.

City of Lusaka 0- National Assembly 2

National Assembly are the only promoted team to win on day 1 of the new season and are also joint leaders with Buffaloes at the summit of the table.

Assembly outplayed City for most of the game and got their deserved win and took the leads through Moses Phiri in the 26th minute to go 1-0 into halftime.

Ex-city striker Mazuba Mkandawire came off the bench to make sure of the three points eight minutes from time.

Postponed

Zanaco-Zesco United

OUTSPOKEN former Southern province PF coordinator defects to MMD.

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OUTSPOKEN former Southern province Patriotic Front (PF) coordinator Opper Hamiyanze has resigned from the PF and Joined the MMD.
Mr Hamiyanze had resigned along with Provincial PF treasurer Darius Hamusambo. This was during the Southern Province MMD card renewal exercise held in Choma today.
Tourism minister Catherine Namugala and southern province MMD chairman Solomon Muzyamba received the defectors.
Mr Hamiyanze said he had decided to leave the opposition PF and join the MMD because of the many development programmes southern province is benefiting from president Rupiah Banda’s administration.
He said the province had received a lot of tangible programmes making it difficult for the province to continue being controlled by the opposition.
“There are a lot of development projects in the province. There is no point to remain in the opposition,”Mr. Hamiyanze said.
He said he had also decided to resign because of the dark cloud hovering over the UPND/PF Pact especially over who the leader of the pact would be.
He said the there was no need to belong to the UPND/PF pact which was putting members in suspense and dilemma on who its leader was going to be.
He said the pact did not give any hope to Zambians saying only President Rupiah Banda’s administration can stir the country to greater heights of development.
And receiving the two defectors, Tourism minister Catherine Namugala said the MMD was a strong party but called for hard work among party officials in mobilizing the party.
She said there was need to strengthen grass root structures at branch, constituency and district level.
Ms Namugala said the MMD was vibrant party which could not be compared to any other political party.
She urged branch and constituency officials to organize the party in readiness for the upcoming elections next year.

ZANIS

Civil society organizations alarmed and concerned at the arrest of Fr. Bwalya

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Fr Frank Bwalya

The civil society organizations are alarmed and concerned at the arrest of Fr. Bwalya for merely distributing red pieces of paper.

Citizen’s forum executive Director, Simon kabanda has appealed to the Police at Kamfinsa, where Fr. Bwalya is being detained, not to tamper with the rights.

Mr. Kabanda reveals that the police are not allowing anyone to visit Fr. Bwalya, and not to give him food. People who went to Kamfinsa were denied entry to see him and give him some food.

He says that not even father Bwalya’s mother has been allowed to go in to see her son, and to give him some food.

He has condemned this action in strongest terms describing it as unfair.

He has therefore appealed to the Police Command to prevail on their juniors at Kamfinsa to allow people to see Fr. Frank Bwalya and to allow them to give him some food stating that Zambia is not a police state.

The consortium of civil society organizations is therefore going to hold a press conference on Sunday 14 March 2010 to communicate with the public on this issue of the arrest of Fr. Frank Bwalya.

Father Bwalya was arrested by Kitwe police and detained at Kamfinsa Remand Prison for allegedly flashing red cards against President Rupiah Banda and the MMD government.

Father Bwalya in an interview with QFM during this week questioned what offence there in giving the MMD government a red card.

QFM

RB directs MOF to release funds for youth facilities countrywide

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President Rupiah Banda at Youth celebrations

PRESIDENT Banda has directed the Ministry of Finance and National Planning to make resources available for the construction of youth resource centres countrywide.

The President has further directed the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry and the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) to work closely with the Ministry of Sport, Youth and Child Development to establish youth business incubators alongside the Multi-facility Economic Zones (MFEZ).

He said this will be a sure way of nurturing young people’s businesses.

Mr Banda issued these directives in Lusaka yesterday during celebrations to mark Youth Day.
This year’s theme is ‘Stronger Partnership for Sustainable National Development’.

“Zambia needs to build at least five youth resource centres annually for us to be able to adequately cater for the over 300,000 youth that leave the school system at grades seven, nine and 12 levels,” President Banda said.

He also appealed to corporate institutions countrywide to fulfil their corporate social responsibility by supporting government in the construction of youth skills development centres.

President Banda said government is encouraging the promotion of entrepreneurship and self-employment among the youth graduating from universities, colleges and youth resource centres.

He said young people need access to credit to set themselves up in business.

Mr Banda said currently, most micro-financing initiatives in the country have difficult conditions, making it almost impossible for young people to access finance for investment.

He said government has this year released K5 billion to the Ministry of Sport, Youth and Child Development for promoting youth enterprise development.

Mr Banda said it is envisaged that the youth will be able to access less costly finance for investment, which will enable them to contribute positively to wealth and employment creation.

“I, therefore, challenge all the youth countrywide to come up with viable business proposals so that they can access this money and create their own business,” he said.

Mr Banda directed the Ministry of Sport, Youth and Child Development to prudently manage the fund and ensure that the problems that affect constituency youth development funds are not replicated.

He said government is determined to make the youth a force behind Zambia’s economic and social development.
Mr Banda said government has come up with a number of innovative programmes that are intended to transform youths into responsible and productive citizens.

He said government will scale up skills training, especially for the disadvantaged youth, in order to create opportunities for them to access and harness their own skills to improve their livelihood.

President Banda said government views young people as an important resource for the development of the country.

He said the challenge is to create more opportunities for youth to harness their own skills and resources to improve their quality of life.

Mr Banda said government is determined to provide more resources and create opportunities for youth through high and sustained economic growth.

He said despite the global crisis, Zambia has done well in managing the economy.

“Last year, we achieved an estimated growth rate of 6.3 percent, one of the highest, in the history of this country.”

President Banda said his government is determined to consolidate on the gains of last year.

“This year, we expect even stronger growth in the economy than in 2009. All international financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank have praised the remarkable resilience of our economy. This is something that we must all be proud of,” he said.

He said government will this year focus more on infrastructure development, especially in improving schools, health facilities and roads.

Mr Banda said this will not result in immediate or increased material consumption, but will be critical in laying a strong foundation for the development of human and physical capital in the country.

“This year’s theme challenges all of us to ensure that the youth are actively involved in the development process. Zambia cannot achieve and sustain meaningful socio-economic development without the active participation of young people who are the leaders of tomorrow,” he said.

President Banda said occasions like youth day celebrations should not just be seen as a formality but a crucial event that calls for strong partnership among all key stakeholders in the development of the youth.

He commended co-operating partners and private institutions for partnering with government in supporting youth programmes.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

Father Bwalya arrested

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Father Frank Bwalya (L) listening to proceedings during Bishop Mpundu's press briefing in Lusaka

POLICE in Kitwe yesterday arrested Change Life Zambia executive director Frank Bwalya for conduct likely to cause breach of peace.

Copperbelt police commanding officer Antonneil Mutentwa confirmed the arrest of Father Bwalya, who is former Radio Icengelo station manager.

“I can confirm that we have arrested Fr Bwalya for conduct likely to cause breach of peace and we have since taken him to Kamfinsa State prison.

“He was distributing red cards to youths who took part in today’s (yesterday) Youth Day celebrations at Kaunda Square in Kitwe,” Mr Mutentwa said.

Mr Mutentwa warned of stern action against people who want to destabilise the peace that the country enjoys.

“We shall not sit idly and watch some Zambians destabilising the peace that our country is enjoying. We are ready for any trouble-makers and we will deal with them accordingly,” he said.

Mr Mutentwa said Fr Bwalya will appear in court on Monday.

And Kitwe district commissioner Macdonald Mtine took a swipe at the opposition Patriotic Front (PF) youths who wanted to disrupt Youth Day celebrations.
Mr Mtine rebuked the youths, who were carrying a boat, which is the PF political symbol.

“I saw someone with a red card, and some youths almost disrupted the peaceful event. We must put our political differences aside when we are celebrating important events like this one,” Mr Mtine said.

[Zambia Daily mail]

Farm worker accidentally killed

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POLICE in Livingstone have arrested a former Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) employee for shooting dead a worker at his farm when he was trying to chase baboons from his maize field.

Southern Province police chief Lemmy Kajoba confirmed the incident in an interview in Livingstone yesterday.

He said the incident happened on Wednesday between 13:00 hours and 14:00 hours, when Raymond Simanga of farm number 2659 near Maramba River, went to his field on his usual routine to chase baboons that had been raiding his fields.

As he reached the field, he heard some noise in one direction where he shot two bullets with the aim of scaring away the baboons.

After that, he heard someone shouting and when he went to check, he found one of his workers who was only identified as Greenwell moaning in pain.

Mr Kajoba said the two bullets both hit Greenwell of Maramba Township.
He said the first bullet hit him on the right arm while the second one hit him on the pelvis which led to excessive bleeding.

Mr Kajoba said someone who heard the shots notified the police using a 991 toll free line and when the anti-robbery squad was sent to the farm, they found the victim bleeding excessively.

Greenwell was rushed to the hospital where he later died and the body is now lying in Batoka Hospital Mortuary awaiting postmortem.

Mr Simanga was later arrested and is currently detained at Linda Police Station to help with investigations

In Kapiri Mposhi, police have launched a manhunt to track down a 42-year-old man who fled after having sex with his 19-year old daughter.

Central Province police chief Simon Mpande said in Kabwe yesterday that Gilbert Malambo of Mubana Village in Chief Chipepo’s area had carnal knowledge of his biological daughter on March 7 this year and ran away after people discovered what he had done to his daughter.

He said a Mr Kuswa Muteniwa, 49, of the same village reported Malambo to the police and when he heard about it, he bolted.

[Times of Zambia]

Kenya opposes proposal for one-time ivory sale by Tanzania and Zambia

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Tracking the wounded elephant to its death bed was easy for the ranger. Hit by a poison arrow, the huge mammal could only drag its hind leg, creating a wide gash across the bush.

Poachers’ footprints were all around the kill, but the hunters did not have time to remove the valuable ivory tusks before Mohamed Kamanya’s team of armed rangers arrived. Instead, the emotional task fell to the rangers, who cut off the tusks so they could not be sold.

Beginning this weekend, the international community will debate proposals from Tanzania and Zambia to allow a one-time sale of ivory to clear out stockpiles. Kenyan officials are warning that if sales are approved in neighbouring countries, elephant poaching will soar.

“We totally believe that any experiments to allow partial lifting of (the) international ban in ivory trade stimulates elephant poaching and leads to ivory laundering,” the Kenyan Wildlife Service’s Patrick Omandi said. “Indeed there has been an increase in poaching across the entire continent, with some countries losing their entire population.”

Poaching of elephants has risen seven-fold in Kenya since a one-time ivory sale was approved in 2007 by CITES – the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species – for four African countries, the wildlife officials say. Last year 271 Kenyan elephants were killed by poachers, compared with 37 in 2007, Omandi said.

Tribesmen have lived among wildlife for centuries in Tsavo East, a huge expanse of wilderness where some 6,000 elephants live. But park officials say those locals are increasingly turning to poaching. An average set of tusks can net $2,000 or more locally – a huge sum to an impoverished rural family in an area where seasonal rains have failed the last five years, ruining crops and spreading hunger.

Kenyan officials are particularly angered that Tanzania wants to sell its ivory stocks. Kenya and Tanzania share a long border where parks like Kenya’s Masai Mara and Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park intertwine. As Omandi likes to point out, elephants carry no passports, and cross the border freely.

At the CITES meeting in Qatar from March 13-25, Tanzania is asking the 175 members to allow it to sell almost 200,000 pounds (90,000 kilograms) of ivory. It noted in its proposal that its elephant population has risen from about 55,000 in 1989 to almost 137,000, according to a 2007 study.

Zambia wants to sell 48,000 pounds (21,700 kilograms) of ivory. Zambia says its elephant population of 27,000 is steadily increasing.

While populations might be healthy in those two countries, Omandi warned that populations elsewhere in Africa are being driven to extinction. Sierra Leone, in northwest Africa, lost its last elephants in December, and Senegal has fewer than 10 left, he said.

In its proposal, Tanzania argues that trade in elephant products is essential to conservation.

“Human-elephant conflicts are growing and the view by the communities is that elephants are a pest. Elephant products such as ivory picked up from the wildlife management areas could increase the value of elephants to those communities and this can only result in the community appreciating elephants more,” the proposal says.

Critics of the proposal point to poaching practices that drove down Africa’s elephant population from 1.3 million in 1979 to about 600,000 in 1989, when CITES banned the ivory trade, and say that poaching has surged since the 2007 ivory sale approval.

“I believe the risk of the sale is enormous,” Samuel Wasser, the director of the Center for Conservation Biology at the University of Washington said. “If the current situation continues unabated, poaching is going to continue to rise. This will negatively affect many countries, not just Kenya and Tanzania. Effort needs to be put into stopping poaching, not arguing over whether we should have more sales.”

Omandi said African ivory is used to make rubber stamps and necklaces in Asian countries like China and Japan. Some consumers buy the tusks whole.

Though the majority of the ivory trade ends up in Asia, the United States also has an internal ivory market, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. From 1989 to 2007, the number of seizures of illegal ivory made by the service accounted for about 30 per cent of all reported seizures in the world.

The U.S. has not yet said whether it will vote to allow the sales. The Fish and Wildlife Service said it is waiting for a ruling from a CITES panel of experts.

In Tsavo East National Park, three-quarters of the 500 park staff are security personnel trained in paramilitary techniques, said Senior Warden Yussuf Adan. Last month, a team of rangers got into a shootout with six poachers, one of whom died of wounds from the exchange, he said.

“We think if the Tanzanians are allowed to sell their ivory stock, even the poachers in Kenya would be motivated,” Adan said. “They would know it’s easy to kill in Kenya and cross to the other side and sell.”

[THE ASSOCIATED PRESS]

Hastings Bwalya Spars In the Big Lights

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Hastings Bwalya
Zambia's Hastings Bwalya with Floyd "Money" Mayweather Jr after sparring session at Mayweather's gym-PHOTO Courtesy of Anthony Mwamba

The Zambia Amateur Boxing Federation (ZABF) has said it is happy that former Africa amateur welterweight champion Hastings Bwalya has began sparring with high profile pro-boxers in the USA.

Bwalya recently sparred with Floyd Mayweather Jr in Las Vegas as the American prepares for his May 1 WBA Super World Welterweight title fight against holder “Sugar” Shane Mosley in Nevada.

“News from America through Exodus Director Anthony Mwamba on the performance of Zambia’s boxing export Hastings Bwalya reveals that he has been assisting Floyd Mayweather Jr in Las Vegas  in the preparation for the forth coming fight with Shane Mosley,” ZABF president Stephen Simpemba said in a statement today.

“They did five rounds and the Mayweather team is impressed with the Zambian boxers who is trying to make the name in the USA. This information has impressed ZABF and is an indication of Zambian boxing going a long way.”

Bwalya turned pro last August and immediately crossed the Atlantic to set-up base in Las Vegas.

The 25-year-old has so far fought two professional fights and is at 2-and-0 with his debut victory officiated by the highly celebrated American boxing referee Kenny Bayless on October 17 in a 1st round knockout over Ivan Ibarra in Las Vegas.

2010 Faz Super Division Week 1 Fixtures

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Here are the fixtures for the opening week of action in the Faz Super Division for 2010.

2010 FAZ SUPER DIVISION

WEEK 1

13/03/2010

Konkola Blades- Nchanga Rangers

Choma Eagles- Power Dynamos

Nkana- Red Arrows

Zanaco- Zesco United (Postponed)

Forest Rangers-Lusaka Dynamos

Nkwazi-Kabwe Warriors

Roan United-Green Buffaloes

City of Lusaka- National Assembly

Zambia Army arrives to connect isolated Sinazongwe district

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The Zambia Army has arrived in Sinazongwe district to commence the works on the washed away bridge and culverts along Maamba/ Batoka road which resulted in the cutting off the entire district from the rest of the country.
Sinazongwe district District Administrative Officer (DAO) Sokoloku Daka confirmed the arrival of the Soldiers that came yesterday and have already mounted their camps in readiness for the work to start.

Mr Daka said works on the Sikalamba Bridge at Sinazeze Township is expected to start today.

He said the Road Development Agency (RDA) together with the help of the army is also expected to work on the collapsed culvert at Mweezhya near Maamba Township.

On 5 March heavy rain completely swept away a temporal bridge along Maamba/Batoka road leaving a deep gully and cut off the district from the rest of the country.

And Mweemba Area Development Association (MADA) Edson Sikalongo said it was unfortunate that the RDA gave a routine maintenance to Ruabex Construction Company without including the cost of rebuilding bridges and culverts on a road that is 41 years old.

Mr Sikalongo noted that government has a clear vision on maintaining the roads but the RDA which is the implementer has failed to do any credible work on Maamba/Batoka road.

“It is unfortunate and most unexpected to give a road that is 41 years old a routine maintenance whose cost does not include bridges and culvert,” Mr Sikalongo noted.

He said the blame by RDA that culverts were damaged as a result of vandalism amount to only 50 percent while the 50 percent was as a result of the agent’s failure to inspect the road.

Sinazongwe district has been cut off for the past one week and most essential commodities especially food stuffs have been increased.

Zambian Youth Day Celebrations—The Hopeless Youth

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A Kaponya at Kulima tower

By Wesley Ngwenya

Today March 12, 2010 is youth day–A day we celebrate the youthfulness, share our inspirations and visions for our future. Every year, however, the meetings across the country are characterized with propaganda, useless political speeches and no inspirations whatsoever.

There is very little to celebrate for the many youths in this country. The youths in Zambia are unemployed and less empowered. Walk through the streets of Katondo in Lusaka and you will see how they are just hanging out and trying to sell something for a meal. There are those that are now selling on our main roads of Church Road, Independence Avenue and Great East Road. Unemployment is very evident for everyone living in this country and yet our leaders turn a deaf ear to it.[quote]

There will be many speeches all around the country. Most of them will be the same self glorified speeches on how the government is doing this and that, blah blah blah. Give me a break, the government in this country has little or no feasible programs for the youths. The youths in this country need employment, the youths in this country need access to healthcare, the youths in this country need access to empowerment funds. In simple terms the youths in Zambia simply want to live. Can the government provide those instruments to enable us live?

Sometimes the youths in this country are to blame for the perpetuated cruelty against us. We seem to be shortsighted and want instant gratification. We are taken advantage by politicians who use us so they can get what they want. We dance for them, we throw stones for them, we tell lies for them and do many other unthinkable things for them. We even reject our own fellow youths and instead decide to choose leaders who are three generations ahead of us. What is wrong with the Zambian youths?

If we are to become economically independent then we need to be free thinkers. We, as youths, need to start thinking about our future collectively. It does not make sense for us to be dealing with the same issues for more than four decades now. Let us start addressing the issues that affect us as youths today. When we do that then a lot of issues will start falling in place. We shall have the right leaders in place. We shall have the right policies formulated. We shall have the right laws passed. As we pass this March 12 celebration let us rethink our strategy in addressing the issues that concern us.

To all our leaders, we are sick and tired of the usual politicking at every event. Can we please make this year’s youth celebration a different one? We can make a difference by giving our youths the much needed hope. We need to restore hope and faith in the youths. We need to energize them so they can start thinking fresh things. To all my fellow youths I wish you all happy youth day. Stay strong and stay safe. Adios. [email protected]

President Banda implored to have a plan for youths

Entertainment Editor
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President Banda
Republican president Rupiah Banda has been urged to have a proper plan to deal with the problem of unemployment among the youth in the country.

In the message to mark this year’s youth day, which falls today, Southern African Center for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes SACCORD Executive Director Lee Habasonda says government should not use the youth day to politicize issues but find solutions to problems affecting the youth.

He said a large number of young people have remained unemployed and wallowing in poverty, while government has continued to ignore their plight.

Mr. Habasonda said it was disappointing that the political parties have continued to use the youths to push their dirty agendas through violence.

He adds that the republican president should work to address the challenges facing the young people in the country.

He said President Banda should learn from first republican president Dr. Kenneth Kaunda who had plans for the youths in the country.

Mr Habasonda noted that if Dr. Kaunda had failed to plan for the young people, the country would have not been where it is today.
QFM

SLEEPING ON DUTY

editor
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Gen shikapwasha dozing off. Source - the POST

By Chanda Mwenya
‘Do not doze in public, lest you fart’, so goes one Zambian saying. After seeing the picture of Hon Rev. Lt Gen. Ronnie Shikapwasha dozing in parliament, I was not worried for the Gen doing anything of that sort in his slumber. I was furious because he was sleeping on duty while time was ticking towards his allowance and his gratuity from the hard-earned tax payers’ money. What was even more annoying is that the sleeping honourable is a full cabinet minister whose ministry is blemished with questionable media reforms.

Well, apart from security guards, many workers have been fired for sleeping on duty. About Hon Gen Shikapwasha there could not be better evidence than that picture to call for the govt to relinquish him of his duties for sleeping while parliament was in full session.[quote]

How much issues of national importance did he miss in his sleep? Could parliament or the nation have been surprised if the honourable suddenly woke up from his slumber only to propose that ZNBC be sold or that he was standing for presidency in 2011?

I presume we know that our conscious go into some kind of hibernation in our sleep, so much that we don’t not have full control of our senses-Thank God the honourable doesn’t mumble in his sleep, otherwise parliament would have heard some senseless mumbling.

Nonetheless, the image of the sleeping General can only help us to understand why development does not come to same of our constituencies; we can not expect a sleeping soldier to win war for us.

Perhaps we need more adjustment to the structure of our parliament than kicking out sleeping members. The question we may need to ask is; what disciplinary action has been taken by the Speaker of the House following the General’s snoozing feat.

As we vote in the forth coming by-elections and get closer to tripartite general elections, lets us evaluate and elect people who will be able to effectively represent us. Parliament is the highest platform for policy formulation and should be no place for people with bad sleeping habits.

Perhaps being an ordained man of God, the sleeping General was not dozing but meditating about the suffering of the people of Zambia especially the homeless flood victims in Lusaka.

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