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“Where there is no vision…the people perish…”
(Proverbs 29:18, AMP)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
What is the vision you have for your life? Do you see yourself rising higher? Do you see yourself increasing and growing in the blessing of God?
Friend, if we are going to live the abundant, overflowing life that God has promised us, we have to have a vision for it. We have to see ourselves so blessed and so filled that we overflow on to the people around us. We should have so much joy that others are joyful just being in our presence. We should have so much peace that people just feel calm when they come around us. We should be overflowing in our resources so that we can turn around and be a blessing to others. But it all starts with having a vision for overflow.
I want to challenge you today, start seeing yourself living the abundant life God has promised. Start seeing yourself increasing in influence. As you begin to see yourself in His overflow, you’ll begin to receive His overflow, and you will be able to experience the abundant life He has prepared for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
“Heavenly Father, thank You for desiring to bless me so that I can be a blessing to others. Help me have a vision for overflow. Help me see my life the way You intend for it to be so that I can embrace the abundant life You have promised. In Jesus’ Name. Amen..”
1988 Africa Footballer of the Year Kalusha Bwalya on Saturday assaulted Post Newspapers senior sports journalist Augustine Mukoka at an official Fifa function in Cape Town.
According to today’s edition of South African daily newspaper City Press, Faz president Kalusha confronted Mukoka at the security checkpoint in the auditorium of the Cape Town International Convention Centre for allegedly writing lies about him on the Post back page.
“He (Kalusha) accused me of writing lies about him, referring to a story I wrote about (Zambia national team) players saying he ordered them not to talk to journalists and demanded to know who told me the story,” Mukoka told City Press.
“I then told him this was not a lie and before I knew it he slapped me hard across the face.”
And according to other reliable sources, Kalusha is said to have later said “don’t **** with…” after assaulting Mukoka.
Mukoka said he then went to the Police to report the matter but was asked by Fifa officials to sort out the issue in private with Kalusha after which the latter unreservedly apologized for the embarrassing incident he had just caused.
Two fully grown African bush Elephants in Itezhi-tezhi District have died after being electrocuted.
The incident happened when the two adult male Elephants got in contact with a live 33Kilovolts (KV) ZESCO main power line.
The power line which was hanging low following a heavy down pour caused the electrocution of the mammals.The live wire is the main power supply line from Choma power station to Itzhi-tezhi district.
Zambia Wild (ZAWA) Public Relations Officer Wilfred Moonga said this in a statement to ZANIS in Lusaka, yesterday.
Mr. Moonga added that the accident happened last week just below the Itzhi-tezhi dam in Nkala Game Management Area, bordering the Kafue National Park.
He added that the electrocuted elephants were only discovered dead within six meters from the over hanging live wire.
Mr. Moonga further disclosed that ZESCO has however, replaced the falling pole with a new one to avoid more accidents.[quote]
ZAWA has since removed and secured the elephants tusks and disposed off the carcasses by distributing the meat to the local communities and various government and non governmental organizations operating within Itzhi-tezhi district.
Efforts to get ZESCO spokesperson Lucy Zimba to comment on the matter proved futile by press time as her phone line was constantly engaged.
Labour and Social Security Minister Austin Liato says a good working environment is vital in achieving sustainable economic development for any country.
Mr.Liato says this why government will always remain committed in ensuring that it address all matters pertaining to the development of an effective human resource.
Speaking last night when he officiated at the first Zambia Institute of Human Resources Management (ZIHRM) annual ball in Lusaka, Mr. Liato said there is need for all organizations in both private and public sectors to devise good ways of handling about their staff.
Mr. Liato also urged employers to strive and ensure that they protect the fundamental rights of every employee.
He added that government stands ready to help any employee within and outside the country is given full support in all problems concerning labour.
He further called on all human resources practitioners in the country to be conversant with all the requirements of the law and have necessary tools for their effective implementation of matters about labour for the betterment of the industry.
Earlier, ZIHRM vice President Winner Kanyembo said an efficient and effective labour force is imperative for the country to develop economic and socially.
Mr. Kanyembo also stated that a good human capital management is key to any organizations and industries productivity hence the need to be respected by all.
Vice President George Kunda listens to Labour and Social Security Minister Austin Liato
Vice President George Kunda has returned from Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago in South America were he had gone to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government summit on climate change.
Mr.Kunda , who was accompanied by cabinet ministers and senior government officials, arrived this afternoon at Lusaka’s International Airport.
Speaking to Journalist shortly after arrival Mr. Kunda expressed government’s satisfaction on the Commonwealth Summit on Clinmate Change saying said the issue has become one of the topical issues that should be discussed by all governments.
The Vice President said that there is need for countries to put in place effective mechanisms aimed at tackling its devastation.
Mr, Kunda disclosed that the summit discussed a lot of issues to be included in the forth coming climate change conference in Copenhagen later this month.
Zambia is sheduled to sen a 40 man entourage led by Tourism , Environment and Natural Resources Minister Catherine Namugala to attend the crucial Copenhagan Climate Change conference.
And the Vice President has expressed happiness with number of British companies who expressed interest to invest in the Zambian economy.
Mr. Kunda said despite the negative publicity about the government by sections of the media, many British investors have responded positively to invest in the country’s economic sectors.
He noted that following the Unite Kingdom (UK) – Zambia one day investment forum that was held many investors have shown interest to invest massively in the Tourism, Infrastructure development and Agriculture sectors.
Mr. Kunda further disclosed that many Zambians based in the UK are not happy with negative reports about the Zambian investment climate which do not reflect the correct picture about what is happening in the country.
He said Zambia is a decent country that is making progress in all its areas of development hence the need for the media to report positively.
On the energy sector the Vice President said government is still making consultations on finding a strategic partner to help in the running of Indeni Oil Refinery.
Mr. Kunda said government is still committed to have an effective management of the fuel supply in the country.
He however, noted that government will inform the country once the partner is found.
The UK- Zambia investment forum, whose theme was “Economic Growth through Competitiveness, Diversification and Infrastructure Development”, was attended by Commerce Minster Felix Mutati, Works and Supply Minister Mike Mulongoti and Bank of Zambia governor Caleb Fundanga among others.
ZANIS
Midfielder Stopilla Sunzu will play no further part in this year’s Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup currently taking place in Kenya.
Sunzu, who limped off in Zambia’s opening Group A game against Kenya last Saturday, is now able to walk without the aid of crutches and was expected to be fit for Monday’s quarterfinal match.
However, Sunzu has been advised to take a 10-day rest as a precautionary measure but his injury is said not to be long-term as to rule him out of the Africa Cup final in Angola.
Meanwhile, Zambia were by press time awaiting to know their quarterfinal opponent who was to come from the best third placed team at the end of Saturdays final preliminary round group games.
President Rupiah Banda and his Zimbabwean counterpart going to launch the Chirundu one stop border post in Chirundu.
Business was brought to a standstill at Chirundu Border post as the much awaited commissioning of the Chirundu one stop Border post, which is reportedly one of the busiest border post in the sub region.
Movement of traffic, human and goods alike, was at stand still as early as 08:00 hours in readiness for the opening of the border post separating Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The one stop border post will definitely ease the movement of the goods and human traffic between the two countries, a development that has been hailed by the two governments.
President Rupiah Banda opened the border on the Zimbabwean side while Zimbabwean counterpart Robert Mugabe did the same on the Zambian side.
Afterwards the duo re – affirmed their countries’ regional intergation with Mr. Banda saying the development has come at a critical phase in his country’s economic relationship with other countries for the benefit of the regional trade.
Mr Banda said the opening of a one stop boarder post OSBP, is a milestone in facilitating effective trade in the COMESA region and beyond.
The president further said the region cannot continue to do business without the complete overhaul of infrastructure and harmonization of the trade polices adding that the North – South corridor would be able to meet the challenges of inter regional trade.
He noted that the one stop Boarder facility was born out of the COMESA council of ministers in 2005 in Kigali , Rwanda were it was recognized that the flow of trade in the north-south corridor could be enhanced by establishing a one stop Border post in the Eastern and Southern African region.
The president stressed that making Chirundu a one stop boarder post will ease congestion and will reduce transit times for traders and transporters adding that this will promote efficient flow of goods resulting in increased trade.
Mr Banda noted that Chirundu’s strategic location of trade between Southern and Eastern Africa and its gate way between two busy regions is ideal as a pilot site for the One Stop Boarder Post OSBP control programme.
He however noted that the boarder will is expected to serve as a model for other one stop boarder posts in the region.
And President Mugabe says the one stop boarder post will lead to the accelerated harmonization of COMESA, SADC and EAC integration programmes.
Mr Mugabe noted that the establishment of a one stop boarder post will stimulate economic activity with improvement of infrastructure and smoothen traffic on both sides .
He appealed for development and cooperation partners to join Zambia and Zimbabwe in the development of Beitbridge into a one stop boarder post to compliment efficiencies at chirundu and trunk North-South routes.
He also appealed to member state in the North – South Corridor to also priorities the establishment of the one stop boarder post to smoothen trade in the region.
And speaking earlier Japanese Ambassador to Zambia Hideto Mitamura said a one stop boarder post is important as it will promote economic development in Africa.
The ambassador noted that this will generate growth and reduce poverty in the region adding that this will accelerate economic development and promote the growth of African countries.
He said the Japanese government is grateful to see the completion of Chirundu one stop boarder adding that it is important for economic development in the region.
The ambassador noted that once a one stop boarder post becomes operational, delays will fall adding that this will reduce costs for businesses and increases their competitiveness by ensuring that products reach faster.
Meanwhile COMESA, Director of infrastructure Development Amos Marawe said the creation of a one border post will limit the duplication of border agency interventions in the region.
Mr Marawe added that the one border post at chirundu is leading forward for creating other single border stops , not only for this regions but for the Africa as a whole .
He noted that the one stop boarder post is making a positive and important contribution to the realization of Africa’s integration ambitions.
Mr Marawe noted the need for the central corridor and the eastern community to to take the lead as the COMESA region has taken the lead to ease aid to trade between countries in the region.
Lusaka City Council (LCC) has said that it is doing everything possible to lessen the problem of floods in the city.
Council Assistant Public Relations Manager Mulunda Habeenzu said the Council is working to ensure that Lusaka has a proper drainage system.
Mr. Habeenzu told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that the local authority understands and knows that a blocked drainage system is the root cause of floods in some areas of Lusaka.
The Council Assistant Public Relations Manager said the Council is doing everything possible to maintain and unblock drainages but that members of the public have continued to throw garbage in the drainage systems hence blocking the drainages.
Mr. Habeenzu said the indiscriminate throwing of garbage has made it difficult for the Council to maintain drainages.
He said members of the public should learn to dispose off garbage in designated areas and not in the drainages if the situation is to be arrested.
Mr. Habeenzu further called on members of the public to supplement the local authority’s efforts of unblocking drainages in the city by supporting the program in their respective areas.
Mr. Habeenzu however pointed out that the Council will not hesitate to deal with people found throwing rubbish in drainages.
He also thanked some communities in the city who have taken the initiative to mobilize themselves in supplementing the local authority’s efforts of unblocking drainages in their areas.
With the onset of the rains some areas in Lusaka have already started experiencing floods with some members of the public accusing the Lusaka City Council of allegedly failing to maintain and unblock drainages in the capital city.
Editor’s Note
Below is amateur video footage taken using a cellphone on 1/12/09 at 17:32 on Freedom way showing the poor drainage system in Lusaka.
Kulima Tower Enterprising boys took advantage of the situation and cashed in on the floods by transporting men on their backs across the pool of water while most women just braved through water.
The Lusaka City Council (LCC)has allocated K 3 billion towards the construction of a shelter at the Kulima Tower bus station.
LCC Public Relations Officer Henry Kapata confirmed the development in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today that the council had allocated the resources for the project and that it will strictly follow tender procedures in awarding the contract.
Mr. Kapata said everything is on course to start works at the bus station despite several anomalies that had occurred delaying the project.
He said the LCC would soon advertise in the papers on the tender adding that those interested in carrying out the project should be on the lookout.
Mr. Kapata said construction works are expected to start immediately after a successful bidder is chose.
He further said that the council was aware of the difficulties commuters and bus drivers face at the bus station adding that construction works will be completed by the end of the year.
Bus drivers and commuters have over the years lamented over the lack of shelter at Kulima Tower Bus Station.
President Rupiah Banda has called for high standards of quality education to provide a rich Human resource for the country’s development.
Mr. Banda said it was imperative that the country develop quality human resource with quality skills, and positive attitudes towards work which would translate into enhanced patriotism and commitment to Zambia’s development agenda.
The President said this in Lusaka today during the third graduation ceremony of Cavendish Institute of Research and Development.
He stressed that the country requires creative, innovative and educated people in order to develop the critical human capital needed for the knowledge-based economies of the 21st century.
Mr Banda said such attributes can only be produced by the nature of the education system in the country, which he said had to be relevant and responsive to national priorities and aspirations.
“My government expects all tertiary institutions like universities to strive to attain excellence in human resource development, in service training, corporate training, and consultancy and research if they are to make positive contribution to socio-economic agenda in Zambia”, he said.
The President was glad to learn that Cavendish University Zambia provides a quality learning environment and has adequate and competent staffs that are supported by an efficient and effective management system.
And speaking earlier, Cavendish Zambia Vice Chancellor Katrina Salati said Cavendish University Zambia was part of a global network of universities and colleges with education services that are of universal standard.
Ms Salati said her institute was committed to contributing to Zambia’s development agenda through offering quality education.
She said her university believed that to develop the country needs educated men and women to spearhead the growth and development of the economy of the country.
Meanwhile , President Banda has challenged local universities to make research as top priority of their agenda, saying locally generated research provide solutions to the many vexing problems the country faces.
Mr Banda however cautioned education providers to adhere to regulations to ensure that they do not allow haphazard establishment of institutions especially universities with poor standards, adding that students should have value for their money.
Speaking at the same function, the President particulary thanked Cavendish University for providing quality education in Zambia . He implored the graduates to work hard and make education their asset and investment.
Mr Banda said it was through education that the gradates had acquired that would help them to make positive contribution to the advancement of the nation.
He advised them to uphold good behavior as they enter the society, saying for them to be successful in all their endeavors required not only hard work but also self discipline.
Local Government and Housing minister Eustarckio Kazonga says Senior Chief Bright Nalubamba’s unwavering support for the opposition PF-UPND pact, as in a named tabloid, yesterday, is not only divisive but also untimely.
Dr Kazonga says in a statement to ZANIS, yesterday, that Chief Nalubamba is a traditional leader whose role is to unite his subjects and lead them towards a common goal.
He noted that it was now common knowledge that traditional leader’s subjects have different political opinions and affiliations.
The minister said that chief Nalubamba has alienated himself from the subjects that do not share his political inclinations.
” The chief is openly saying that he is only a chief for those subjects who support the PF-UPND pact. This is a dilemma because other subjects have been left without a chief, considering that the Ila people of Namwala district can only have one chief at a time,” he said.
The minister said the declaration is also untimely in the sense that elections are still a long way adding that it will be counter-productive for the chief to preside over a divided chiefdom all the way to 2011.
” Government would like to appeal to chiefs to desist from reducing themselves to the level of being party cadres, ” he said.
The minister said partisan politics are divisive by nature adding that they should never be entertained by respectable chiefs.
Dr Kazonga said Chief Nalubamba should learn a lesson from other chiefs, who are quarreling with their subjects for taking a perceived partisan stance over national issues.
ZANIS
Officers sampling the type of soils found on Chete Islands
The Zambia Wild Life Authority (ZAWA) Regional Manager for Central Region Marinah Sibbuka says a management plan would be design to attract investment in Chete and Sekula wildlife sanctuaries within Lake Kariba in Sinazongwe district .
Ms.Sibbuka said the plan to be be put in place was intended for government, private sector, and international agencies to develop them into tourist attraction centres.
She called for concerted efforts among stakeholders to ensure that the natural heritage of Chete and Sekula wild life sanctuaries within Lake Kariba was maintained.
The ZAWA Regional manager said this in Sinazongwe, today, at the close of a four days workshop on the preparation of the general management plan for Chete and Sekula islands.
She noted that that without a general management plan Chete and Sekula islands would become a series of uncoordinated programmes and if not guided management direction could be on ad-hoc basis.
The Regional Manager pointed out that the management plan would provide information about the islands to local communities, government, donors and politicians who make important decisions about protected areas.
The workshop noted that the Islands has a lot of animals such as elephants, buffalos, Kudos, Hippos and Crocodiles on the shores of Lake kariba, and different species of birds that have remained undisturbed since the islands came into existence.
Participants had a chance of visiting the islands were they witnessed no human activities in the area apart from Sekula islands were fishermen park their rigs used in catching Kapenta.
The kapenta fishing rigs that are parked on Sekula Island
Chete and Sekula islands were gazette as bird sanctuaries under the statutory instrument of 1982 to protect and conserve the diverse wildlife resources, and the area’s eco-system for economic recreation, educational, and scientific purposes.
Chete and Sekula become islands when Lake Kariba was built from 1955 to 1958 and covers a distance of 12 Kms from Sinazongwe Township in Chief Sinazongwe area.
The newly appointed Zesco Board of Directors and Management have set a twelve months ultimatum in which to see tangible impact in the supply and distribution of power countrywide.
Zesco Board of Directors chairman, Songowayo Zyambo, said it is disheartening to note that distribution of power to customers has been ineffective due to factors that include obsolete cable networks and unreliable power supply.
To this effect, Mr Zyambo has implored Zesco management to look for resources to ensure diesel power generation is done away with in the country to ensure reliable supply and distribution of power to customers.
Mr Zyambo, who is heading the Board of Directors on the familiarization tour of the Livingstone Zesco power station, said there is need to put all areas, such as Kaputa in Northern Province, on the national grid.
He observed the need for optimally and reliably supply and distribution of power to customers twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week at top quality.
“The Board of Directors has learnt that there is need to do a lot of work on supply and distribution of power so Zesco management should bear in mind that customers come first and are the best judge,” he said.
He said the new Zesco Board and Management were focusing on neglected areas to ensure quality distribution and supply of power.
Mr Zyambo observed that obsolete underground cable net is impeding the distribution of power.
He said areas such as Lusaka have rotten underground cables, and expressed worry that more frequent power faults and failure would be experienced especially in the rainy season.
“It is disheartening to note that the distribution network cannot take power to customers despite power being produced because cables are faulty and rotten,” he said.
The Board of Directors is on an orientation tour of Zecso installation following the appointment in April this year.
Mr Zyambo said the board has undertaken the tour in order to have a visual orientation and inspection of Zesco installations in the country.
He further said that the board has adopted an interactive approach with Zesco employees and management in order to appreciate their concerns and to ensure equality and fairness.
Mr Zyambo said the tour also involves taking an on the spot check of reports that Zesco management make and to listen to employees on the grassroots in order to map the way forward.
Zanaco’s speedy winger Allan Mukuka has been recalled to replace striker James Chamanga at the on-going Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup tournament in Kenya.
Mukuka is expected to fly out Friday evening in time for Zambia’s quarterfinal match on Monday.
Chamanga returned back to his Chinese base at Dalian Haichang on Friday for pre-season training.
This is after inspiring Zambia with three goals in 2-0 and 1-0 wins over Kenya and Ethiopia respectively in the teams last two Group A matches.
Meanwhile, Zambia finished top of Group A with a 6-0 demolition of Djibouti on Friday at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi.
A hat trick from City of Lusaka forward Kennedy Chola handed Zambia an easy win over Djibouti who have failed to win a single match, or score a goal, at this year’s tournament.
Chola scored in the 3rd 49th and 85th minutes.
Zambia were 2-0 up in the first half with striker Felix Sunzu scoring his sides second on 31 minutes while Zanaco defender Charles Siyingwa helped himself to a brace in the 65th and 80th minutes.
Herve Renard’s side await tomorrow to know whom they face in Mondays last eight tie.
This serves to inform you that Lusaka Times website will not be available from midnight Zambian Time (00:00 am ZMT) to (06:00 am ZMT). This is to facilitate the addition of new features to the website. Any inconvenience caused is deeply regretted
