Vice President George Kunda has directed the MMD youths on the Copperbelt to be vibrant and defend their national leaders.

Mr. Kunda made the pronouncement yesterday when he led the MMD Copperbelt Card renewal exercise at Lowenthal Theater Hall.

Mr. Kunda said the MMD wanted a very strong youth wing capable of defending the President, his cabinet and the party from critics.

He said it was the duty of the youths to answer to those that were insulting the president and his cabinet.

“We want a very strong youth wing, we want a youth wing that can defend the party and the president. Those insulting the President must be answered by the youth wing, don’t let the President answer, its your duty as youths to defend the president,” he said.

The Vice President further directed all MMD party members to recruit members from other political parties to join the MMD.

He said Copperbelt was critical to the party and that his party wanted by all means to regain its strength in the province.[quote]

“Copperbelt is critical to our party, we want you to explain the good policies of this government to the people so that Copperbelt will slowly be a stronghold for MMD,” he said.

Mr. Kunda directed that, following the card renewal exercise at Lowenthal theatre, MMD members in all the districts in the province must renew their cards.

The Vice President further explained that the cards renewal exercise was delayed countrywide, due to the illness and subsequent death of the former President Dr. Levy Patrick Mwanawasa and the economic global crisis.

[ZANIS]

The MMD in Northern Province has with immediate effect expelled Kasama District Chairlady, Brillian Sefuke, for allegedly campaigning for Patriotic Front candidate in the Kasama Central by-election, Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba also known as GBM.

MMD Provincial Secretary, Sebio Mukuka, confirmed the expulsion of Ms Sefuke in a statement to ZANIS in Kasama today.

Mr Mukuka said the former chairlady was found distributing PF campaign materials and foodstuffs contrary to the party regulations.
He also said Ms Sefuke issued unauthorized statements to the media without following laid down procedures.

Mr Mukuka accused Ms Sefuke of being bitter after she was not picked to contest the Kasama Central seat on the MMD ticket.
He has since warned that the MMD would not allow indiscipline to creep into the party, adding that those who would be found wanting would be flushed out.

Last week, MMD Provincial women affairs secretary, Elizabeth Goma was also expelled from the MMD for allegedly campaigning for the PF in the Kasama Central by-election which is scheduled for this Thursday.

ZANIS

PRESIDENT Banda says Kateshi coffee plantation in Kasama will soon resume operations following Government’s consideration to re-open the scheme.

Mr Banda has since directed Minister of Finance and National Planning Situmbeko Musokotwane to make available funds for resumption of operations at the coffee plantation.

“I want to inform you that Kateshi coffee plantation will be re-opened soon.

Immediately I saw the state of the coffee plantation, I phoned the Minister of Finance to come and see the plantation and this morning he has arrived. So I am assuring you that operations will resume very soon,” Mr Banda said.

The President was speaking in Kasama yesterday at Musenga Basic School at a public rally to drum up support for the MMD candidate Burton Mugala in the Kasama central by-election set for Thursday.

Mr Banda said the resumption of operations at Kateshi coffee plantation will create jobs for the people in Kasama.

The President said Government is concerned about the closure of the coffee plantation, which provided the people of Kasama with employment.

Mr Banda said Government will also find an investor for the coffee plantation.

And Mr Banda said Government has released K400 million through the Ministry of Local Government and Housing for the up-grading of housing units in Kasama’s Musenga area, K1.1 billion for improved water reticulation system and K120 million for the construction of a classroom block at Musenga Basic School.

He said the Ministry of Education has also released K4 million for the purchase of 32 desks and learning materials for the basic school.

“All these projects are being done because of government’s commitment to improve the living standards of people in Kasama district,” Mr Banda said.

The President appealed to the people of Kasama central to vote for the MMD’s candidate for continued development in the area.

Mr Banda said the MMD government is in a hurry to deliver to the people of Zambia and that there is need for the people of Zambia to support the ruling MMD.

“Let us reject people who are telling lies that Government is not doing anything because you have seen what development projects we are doing as government for the benefit of the Zambian people,” Mr Banda said.

The President said he does not doubt that Mr Mugala will deliver to the people of Kasama once elected as Kasama Central member of Parliament.

He said the PF candidate had no capacity to deliver to the people of Kasama.

And Mr Mugala said once elected as MP, he will deal with the problems of water and security in Musenga area.

He appealed for support from the people of Musenga to develop Kasama.

“I have been with you the people of Musenga and you know what we have done together as a community. Do not listen to what the opposition are saying against me because you know me very well,” Mr Mugala said.

After the rally, the President proceeded to the school grounds where he planted a tree to support the learning institution’s tree planting project.

Mr Banda said he was happy to have planted a tree at the school and hoped that more people will support the project.

“I want this project to grow as you are aware we announced the tree-planting programme. We asked (former President) Dr Kaunda to support the project as we deal with the climate change issues,” Mr Banda said.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

CHIEF Chitimukulu of the Bemba people has urged the electorate in Kasama Central constituency to vote for MMD candidate Burton Mugala.

And the chief has warned he will not entertain political parties promoting tribalism in his chiefdom.

Meanwhile Chief Chitimikulu has taken a swipe at the opposition Patriotic Front (PF) for what he called culture of insults and disrespect for those in authority.

When President Rupiah Banda called on him at his palace yesterday, Chief Chitimukulu called for peaceful campaigns and urged the electorate in Kasama Central to vote for Mr Mugala in the October 15 parliamentary by- election.

“I am just praying that the ruling MMD candidate wins this by-election. Iam blessing your campaign and call on the voters to vote for the MMD candidate,” the chief said.

He said the people of Kasama Central should vote with one heart especially that the Government through President Banda had put up many developmental projects.

He said the people should be careful and avoid following political leaders who had been blindly leading them into the opposition, which had no capacity to offer any development to the country.

Chief Chitimukulu who pledged total support to President Banda’s Government said he would not be forced to support opposition political parties that were not in Government as it was a policy for chiefs to support the Government of the day.[quote]

On tribalism Chief Chitimukulu warned he would not tolerate those promoting the vice in the province because he was chief for all the people regardless of tribe.

He said freedom fighters had fought for freedom of the nation not for one tribe and wondered what those advocating tribalism would achieve at the end of the day.

“As chief, people should know that I represent all the people regardless of tribe and I must warn here that I will not entertain political leaders coming here to bring confusion by encouraging tribal politics which will not take Zambia anywhere,” he said.

And President Banda told the chief that he was happy with the reception from the people of Kasama.

Mr Banda said he was happy that Chief Chitimukulu had condemned tribalism, which was being fanned by some political parties. He was also happy that the chief had denounced violence.

[Times of Zambia]
The president was also happy that the chief’s health had improved since the last time he saw him.

As in last week’s article (Acts 9:1-5), when Paul asked the Lord Jesus, “Who are you, Lord?”, the Lord answered him, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting,” and the next question was, “Lord, what do you want me to do?” In both instances he called Jesus Christ, Lord. He acknowledged His supreme authority and was ready to be subject to Him. In Luke 6:46, Jesus marveled and said, ”But why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?”

In this article we will dwell on Paul’s second question. We believe it could have two implications. The first is, what do you want me to do immediately and the second could mean, what do you want me to do in life. If you have chosen to be on pursuit to know Jesus and the power of His resurrection, then this is the next stage in your life, to know what He wants you to do. This does not mean that you will stop everything until you know the “will of God.” We believe that knowing the “will of God,” starts with simple obedience to what He has already reviewed in His word, such as “love your neighbour as yourself,” “Forgive one another…,” “Be holy…,” “Give and it shall be give…,” “No work, no eat,” and many other simple instructions. Why should God entrust us with ‘bigger’ plans that He has for us, if we cannot obey the day-to-day instructions that He has given us (Luke 16:10).

As Paul lived to hear the Lord answering this question, we must also endeavor to hear the answers to our personal question, “What do you want ME to do?” We have for a long time listened to what we and others want us to do but it’s time to hear from the Lord, of His plans (Jeremiah 11:29). Paul had made up his mind to live for Christ as long as he was on earth (Philippians 1:21) and was concerned about the needs of others (Philippians 1:23-24). This position can only be attained by the knowledge we have of the Lord and so the love of God will compel us to live for others.

We are living in a day and time where it’s all supposed to be about ‘me, myself and I.’ We must repent and come back to the place where we can live for others and in so doing, we do it to the Lord (Matthew 25:44-45).

By Bishop Jeston & Rev Charity Katebe