President Rupiah Banda has arrived back from the United States of America (USA) were he had gone to attend the 64th regular United Nations (UN) General Assembly.

The plane carrying President Banda who was accompanied by first Lady Thandiwe touched down at the Lusaka International Airport at about 10: 00 hours.

And the President was received at the Airport by Vice President George Kunda, Defense Minister Kalombo Mwansa, Home Affairs Minister Lameck Mangani and Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Ronnie Shikapwasha.

Others were Sports and Youth Child Development Minister Kenneth Chipungu, Energy Minster Kenneth Konga and Deputy Ministers, senior government officials and some MMD party cadres.

Apart from attending the UN General Assembly Mr. Banda and other African Heads of State also attended the 2nd summit of heads of State of Africa and South America in Caracas Venezuela.

From Venezuela Mr. Banda proceeded to Cuba for a three day state visit at the invitation of his Cuban counterpart Raul Castro.

While in Cuba Mr. Banda investitured former resident of Cuba Fidel Castro with an Award of the Order of the Eagle of Zambia first division for his meritorious political, social, and economic services rendered to the people of Cuba and other countries in the world before addressing Zambian students.

Mr. Banda was accompanied to USA by his wife Thandiwe, Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations Dickson Jere, Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande, Tourism Minister Catherine Namugala among others.

ZANIS

The New General Party (NGP) has called on government to expedite the enforcement of the Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) regulations to bring sanity in the organisations.

NGP President Humphrey Siulapwa said in a statement to ZANIS in Lusaka today that it has become necessary to regulate the operations of NGOs in the country following their conducts in the past few months.

He said NGOs in the country have lost direction and their original concept of supplementing government efforts in contributing to national development and instead become anti –government.

Mr. Siulapwa charged that the NGOs have decided to be anti-government while showing their allegiance to the donors who are funding them

He said it is therefore important for the government to quickly enforce the new NGO law to regulate them before they can bring confusion into the country.

He has further called on government not to allow the civil societies who are planning to demonstrate go ahead saying the country should not see a repeat of the Copperbelt University demonstrations where people hijacked and become violent.

Mr. Siulapwa warned that if demonstrations are allowed, people could take advantage to destabilize the country.

ZANIS

Paul of the Bible is a very fascinating man. Before he was a follower of Jesus Christ, he saw Stephen been stoned for his faith (Acts 7:59) and even after they killed him, that never turned people away from following Jesus Christ but more people were still giving their lives to Jesus Christ. He decided to get involved in order to stop this movement (Acts 9:1-5), which was spreading like wild fire.

He got letters from the high priest in order to give him authority to go to Damascus and arrest the Christians to bring them bound to Jerusalem. On the way to Damascus the Lord appeared to him and asked him, “Saul (later on known as Paul), Saul, why are you persecuting me….” and Paul responded and said, “Who are you, Lord?” The Lord said to him, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”

For rest of his life on earth, Paul pursued this question; a quest to know Jesus (“Who are you, Lord?”). Many of us just know Him by head knowledge but we need to have a personal revelation of Him. Even after walking with the Lord for many years, Paul said to the Philippians, “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection…” (Philippians 3:10)

Like Paul we need to ask Him; “Who are you, Lord?” so that we get to know Him for ourselves in a deeper way because that’s the only time we will walk in His power. The Bible says, “They that know their God shall be strong and do exploits (Daniel 11:32).

Jesus Himself said, “Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”- (John 17:3). When Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20). Jesus was not speaking to people who did not know Him, but His followers, just like in Ephesians 3:17. Let Him answer your quest to know Him, like He did for Paul.

Bishop Jeston & Rev. Charity Katebe

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset—rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined]…”
(I Peter 5:9, AMP)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

The very moment you first feel fear, you have to resist it and act against it. If you make the mistake of dwelling on your fears and start thinking about all the reasons why you can’t do what God is telling you to do, then it won’t be long before you develop a negative mindset that will make it much more difficult to overcome.

When God told David to go fight Goliath, the Bible says that David moved quickly toward the battlefield. In other words, he didn’t think about it. He didn’t allow fear to grip his heart and talk him out of it. He just did what God wanted him to do.

So many people today are just sitting on the sidelines of life. They have tremendous potential on the inside, but they keep letting the enemy talk them out of doing what God wants them to do. Every time they get a vision of victory for their life, the enemy brings fear; and they just swallow his lies hook, line, and sinker. Don’t let that be you! Instead, obey quickly. Resist fear and boldly embrace everything the Lord has in store for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

“Father God, today I choose to resist fear. I choose Your Word. I choose Your love. I believe that with You, all things are possible. Thank You for giving me the power to live in victory in every area of my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

Patriotic Front (PF) and MMD cadres were this morning engaged in a physical confrontation outside Shoprite Checkers premise in Kasama.

And alert police officers from Kasama Central police station managed to quell the violence between the two parties.

The fracas erupted when some PF cadres tried to impound a campaign vehicle belonging to the ruling party on suspicion that it was a government vehicle.

The PF cadres harassed the driver of the vehicle in question and later grabbed his car keys but MMD cadres retaliated and a fight ensued.

After a fierce struggle, some cadres from the ruling party retrieved the keys for their campaign vehicle.

However, no one was injured in the fracas.

And police officers, who arrived at the scene several minutes later, dispersed the unruly party cadres from Shoprite premise.

The police later kept vigil at the shopping centre until the situation was calm.

Meanwhile, MMD campaign manager in the Kasama Central by-election Charles Shawa has condemned the behavior of the PF cadres’ who wanted to impound a campaign vehicle belonging to the ruling party.

Mr Shawa said it was unfortunate that the PF were trying by all means to cause tension ahead of the October 15 Kasama Central by-election.

He said there was no need for PF cadres to cause panic among members of the public when the vehicle at the centre of the controversy was stuck with MMD campaign posters.

Mr Shawa told ZANIS today that the MMD has avoided provocative acts from the opposition camp by concentrating on issued based campaigns.

He advised the PF leadership to restrain their cadres’ from engaging in violent acts in order for the Kasama Central by-election to be held in a peaceful atmosphere.

ZANIS

Vice President George Kunda says President Rupiah Banda’s administration is on track in implementing late president Levy Mwanawasa’s legacy.

Mr Kunda says the some policies and government programmes left by the late president Mwanawasa are being followed by President Banda to address the plight of chiefs welfare by improving their palaces and providing transport.

He said government is determined to work with chiefs to develop the country in Tourism, Education and the health sector to change donor dependency.

Mr Kunda said this in Chibombo today when he met traditional leaders in Chibombo at the district council chambers.

He urged chiefs to rise to the occasion and work with government to reduce donor dependency.

The Vice President is in Chibombo to grace the 2009 Kulamba Kubwalo traditional ceremony of the Lenje people.

Chief Litete, Chipepo, Chitina, Chibale, Mungule attended the meeting.

Mr Kunda is accompanied by Deputy Minister of Community Development and Social Services Moses Muteteka, Energy Deputy Minister Allan Mbewe and Justice Deputy Minister Todd Chilembo.

Central Province Minister Danny Lumbama and senior government officials welcomed the Vice President in Chibombo district.

ZANIS

POLICE yesterday arrested nine motorists among them two Patriotic Front (PF) Members of Parliament (MPs) for honking.

Mandevu MP Jean Kapata and her Munali counterpart, Mumbi Phiri were arrested with seven other motorists after they were allegedly found honking in Lusaka following the resolution by 17 Civil Society Organisation (CSOs) to do so in protest against former President Frederick Chiluba’s acquittal.

Police service spokesperson Bonny Kapeso who confirmed the arrest said the nine were in police custody awaiting court appearance next week.

They were charged with conduct likely to breach public peace and unnecessary hooting contrary to the Laws of Zambia.

Mr Kapeso said the motor vehicles belonging to the suspects were impounded by the police.

He said the idea of hooting was disturbing, threatening and inconveniencing to other motorists who were likely to be distracted and cause accidents.

Mr Kapeso warned that the police service would next Friday be more organised and urged peace-loving motorists to stay away from the planned honking.

Hooting was mostly concentrated in Lusaka’s Cairo and Chachacha roads although police were placed in strategic areas in the town centre. No honking took place on the Copperbelt.

Meanwhile, MMD youths in Lusaka have condemned some donors and civil society organisations for planning to honk and engage other activities to discredit the Government.

MMD Lusaka Central Constituency youth publicity secretary, Elijah Manda said in an interview in Lusaka the planned demonstrations were not aimed at Dr Chiluba’s acquittal but at denting President Rupiah Banda’s leadership.

And chiefs In Luapula have advised all those accusing Mr Banda of facilitating the acquittal of Dr Chiluba to stop and instead respect the court’s decision.

In a statement to ZANIS in Mansa yesterday, incoming Provincial Chiefs Council Chairperson, Chief Chisunka said the traditional rulers feel Dr Chiluba had suffered enough humiliation and tribulation since he was charged with the cases eight years ago.

The chiefs cautioned all those planning to demonstrate against Dr Chiluba’s acquittal not to extend the demonstrations to Luapula Province because people there were not in support of such demonstrations.

And The Copperbelt Welfare and Environmental Protection Association has said it is appalled by sentiments and actions of the 17 civil society organisations and some diplomats to bring down a legitimate Government.

Association president Sydney Njamba said in a statement that he was particularly worried that the NGOs were promoting activities which could lead to anarchy

[Times of Zambia]

Luapula Chiefs have described as false and malicious, assertions that the traditional leaders were not in support of the appointment of Luapula Provincial Permanent Secretary Jazzman Chikwakwa and Provincial Minister Boniface Kawimbe.

The traditional leaders have since assured government that they will work with and support the leadership of President Rupiah Banda in the Province.

Luapula Province Council of Chiefs Chairman Chief Chisunka said the traditional leaders in the area were geared to work with Mr. Chikwakwa and Dr. Kawimbe because the two leaders were direct envoys of President Rupiah Banda whom they fully support and whose development programs they appreciated.

The traditional rulers were reacting to accusations that they do not support the provincial administration leadership of Mr. Chikwakwa and Dr. Kawimbe on the premise that the two leaders are outsiders as they do not come from Luapula Province.

Chief Chisunka said the allegations that the chiefs in the area are not in support of the two provincial leaders bordered on tribalism and were bent on creating disunity amongst the traditional leadership in the province.

The traditional leader said the speculations were aimed at promoting tribalism and hatred which in turn negated development.

“Those speculations that we are not in support of Mr. Chikwakwa and Dr. Kawimbe because they are not from here (Luapula) are aimed at destroying the good relationship we have with the government of President Rupiah Banda and we shall not condone such statements,” Chief Chisunka said.

He said that both Mr. Chikwakwa and Dr. Kawimbe have made headways in reconciling the traditional leaders with government through various visitations to all the chiefs in the province.

He said it would not do for the two leaders to be judged because they do not come from Luapula Province.

“We have had Permanent Secretaries and Ministers who come from this area but have failed to represent us effectively, so what we need are good leaders from any part of this country not only locals,” the Chief said.

ZANIS

The Forum for political parties, which includes National Democratic Party, Zambia Direct Democracy, PUDD and ZADECO intends to hold a peaceful demonstration next Monday at the British High Commission in Lusaka.

The demonstration is aimed at protesting against alleged interference by High commissioner,Tom Carter, in Zambia’s internal affairs.

Forum Chairperson, Edwin Sakala, says the parties have already written to the police, seeking a permit to hold the demonstration.

Mr. Sakala told ZNBC news that parties are not happy with Mr. Carter’s remarks over the acquittal of former President, Frederick Chiluba.

He said the diplomatic community in Zambia must respect the country’s judiciary.

And tthe Christian Coalition has accused civil society organizations planning to demonstrate over former president Fredrick Chiluba’s acquittal of trying to destabilize the country and please the donor community.

Coalition Youth Chairperson, John Mwendapole, said in a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka today that their motive is purely to disturb peace in the country and please donors who want to see Chiluba imprisoned for their own reasons.

Mr Mwendapole charged that the civil society organizations have demonstrated from the reasons advanced that they are not even interested in the peace of the country.

He said when they are very important issues such as slave wages offered by some investors and street vending among others, the organisations have kept quiet adding that it shows they are not representing the ordinary people.

He has therefore called on peace loving Zambians to ignore the civil societies planned demonstration over former president Chiluba’s acquittal.

Mr Mwendapole said there is need to believe in the integrity of the judiciary and in the principal that one is innocent until proven guilty.

He called on Zambians not to be swayed by what he termed mafia groups that want to take over the powers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

ZANIS

Konkola Copper Mines (KCM), a company of Vedanta group in copper business is the largest copper producer in Zambia. The company is equally committed to bringing social and economic empowerment in the region. Recently KCM has been focusing towards Luano community.

Chingola’s Luano area is about 22 km from the town centre and its main community occupation is farming. The economic condition of the community living in Luano are far from being satisfactory. The community struggles to just manage the basic necessities like salt, money for milling their maize and paying the school fees. Most of the members of this community are not connected to the national power grid and have lower literacy levels and poor road network. The biggest challenge is to find exactly what may suit the targeted community and the general climate for the projects. Yet there is nothing that may perfectly suit this rural community than farming projects.

To avoid creating any dependency, KCM spent over K53 million (more than USD 10,000) to source 300 goats for 100 families on condition that they pass on the first offspring to other needy families belonging to the same cooperative and who are on the waiting list. The goat passing-on project is aimed at reducing poverty levels among the non-mining community of miners.

One would wonder how KCM identified such a remote community under its corporate social responsibility (CSR) project. KCM manager for CSR Ms. Sampa Chitah explained that KCM had been working with the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to help in finding the needy communities. This has helped in breaking the chains of dependency. Over the years, the animals reproduce, leading to a greater supply of surplus products for the generation of income.

Ms Chitah said the Luano goat draft project was among many programmes KCM has undertaken. Others are sustainable livelihood programmes, mentorship of widows of former miners and support rendered to Mutende and Luwi orphanages.

The sustainability of the projects was highlighted by Chingola veterinary officer, Mr. Peter Kabungo, who urged farmers never to break the chain of recipients because through the draft goat project, the people of Luano could help families to become accountable to each other and restore their dignity and self-respect.

Dr. Kabungo said Government is happy with KCM’s quick response to the call made at the Copperbelt Agriculture and Commercial Show in which the Government appealed for diversification as noticed from the theme ‘Productivity in Adversity’. He said this was a call to diversify overdependence from copper to other minerals and agriculture for sustainability.

Dr. Kabungo also added, in conclusion, that stakeholders and the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives should ensure that the farmers are helped with the needed chemicals and the Ministry of Agriculture in the district is to be in constant touch with the farmers.