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

PRESIDENT Banda has taken a swipe at Kasama Mayor Fidelis Chishoma for suggesting that he (the President) was not welcome in Kasama and Northern Province as a whole.

Mr Banda said Mr Chishoma must have been misquoted when he said President Banda would not be welcomed in Kasama, because as Head of State, he is free to visit any part of Zambia.

“I feel for the mayor because he is always here each time I come to Kasama. But today, he has opted to stay away following his statement that I will not be welcomed. But I wish he was here to see the magnitude of people that have come to welcome me,” Mr Banda said on arrival at Kasama Airport.

Mr Banda wondered why the civic leader had issued such a reckless statement when he knew that people would welcome the President.

Mr Banda jokingly said being Ngoni by tribe, he was free to visit Northern Province because Bembaland was his home.

“The mayor was dreaming because this is my home, and I cannot fear to come, even if he was misquoted in one of the tabloids saying I will not be welcomed,” Mr Banda said.[quote]

Mr Banda also said the tabloid newspaper lied last week when it published a picture showing a traditional leader smearing powder on PF president Michael Sata as a sign of support for the opposition party leader.

Mr Banda said he had contacted the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services to enquire about the traditional leader that was shown in the picture, and he was told that such a traditional leader does not exist.

“You can see how desperate Mr Sata has become,” Mr Banda said.

Earlier, Northern Province Minister John Chinyanta wondered why a civic leader could dare the Head of State in such a manner.

“This is what it means when you have civic leaders that have nothing to do but want to dare the Republican President. I wish he was here to see for himself the number of people that have come to welcome the President,” Mr Chinyanta said.

[ Zambia Daily Mail]

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“The Lord had said to Abram, ‘… I will bless you … and you will be a blessing to others.'”
(Genesis 12:1-2, NLT)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Have you ever worked toward a dream, but felt worn out by the uphill climb? At times like this, you need encouragement–someone to remind you about what it will be like when you get to the finish line. God created us to need each other. You may be facing challenges that you can’t overcome on your own; having a friend to walk with you in love can get you through those times. In the same way, you have something to share with others to help them along their journey. God has blessed your life in times of need, and He loves it when you turn that around and start to bless others. You can encourage others in their dreams and cheer them on as they go. When you believe in people, it gives their faith a boost. Your love and acts of kindness may be just what they needed to push on to victory.

Encourage someone today. Share in the dreams God has given them. As you seek to love and bless others, you will start to notice others encouraging you. Be grateful for the people God has put in your life. Praise Him for the help He supplies when you need it most and for opportunities He gives you to share in the successes of people around you.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

“Heavenly Father, thank You for the people who are there to love and support me. Make me aware of opportunities to bless and encourage others. Help me to reflect Your love in everything I say and do. In Jesus’ Name. Amen”

The Chinese Collume Coal Mine (CCCM) General Manager Cai Yue Zhong has bemoaned that lack of market for thousand tonnes of processed coal he says would be wasted if not purchased.

Mr Zhong told ZANIS in an interview that with the onset of the rains 20 thousands tones of Fines and five thousand tones of Peas and Nuts coal brands would be destroyed if not marketed.

He said in the past one week, customers have been failing to buy coal from the mine resulting in the reduction of coal production.[quote]

He said the mine has had difficulties in selling the Fines as most customers were only interested in buying the type of processed coal that has Peas and Nuts.

“We are worried that with onset of the rains our coal will be wasted after investing so much in its production,” Mr Zhong said.

He appealed to government to assist in convincing Zambian companies that were buying coal from Zimbabwe to start buying from them.

Mr. Zhong said the workers were the most affected with lack of market because their income per month was reduced.

The General Manager noted that at times workers were told to be on break when the market for coal was affected because they could not keep on producing when they can’t sell it.

Maamba Collieries (MCL) Plants Manager Famous Kabwe also confirmed that the problem of market for Fines was also affecting them.

He said most companies such as Larfurge were getting their Fines from Wankie Coal Mine in Zimbabwe.

Mr. Kabwe said few companies in Zambia that were using Fines in their furnaces such as Ndola Lime were also getting it from Zimbabwe.

ZANIS