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Tongas are very peaceful and hardworking- RB

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President Rupiah Banda, Tanzanian Jakaya Kikwete and UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema at the Lwiindi Gonde traditional ceremony in Monze.
President Rupiah Banda, Tanzanian Jakaya Kikwete and UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema at the Lwiindi Gonde traditional ceremony in Monze.
Presidents Rupiah Banda and his Tanzanian counterpart,

Jakaya Kikwete, were yesterday among hundreds of people who turned out to celebrate this year’s Lwiindi traditional ceremony in Chief Monze’s area.

Speaking when he officially opened the Lwiindi traditional ceremony, President Banda said Tongas were very peaceful and hardworking people.

Mr Banda called on all Zambians to remain united, adding that this was the only way the country could achieve economic development in both the education and health sectors.

He urged Zambians to remain united and listen to the advice offered by their leaders.[quote]

Mr Banda also thanked Tanzanian President, Mr Kikwete, for having accepted to attend the Lwiidi ceremony at short notice.

And speaking earlier, Mr Kikwete urged the Tonga people to preserve and guard their culture and commended Chief Monze for preserving the Tonga culture in the age of Information, Communication Technology (ICT) and the global village.

Mr Kikwete said maintaining the traditional culture was a big challenge in the age of computers, television sets and other gadgets such as cellular phones, that seemed to be stealing the hearts of young people.

”Our young people tend to spend more time on these gadgets and in the process learn and acquire foreign culture which leads to the degrading of our traditional African culture,” he said.

He said there was need to be vigilant if the traditional culture was to be maintained.

”Please maintain these important traditions. Make sure that the younger people and the educated men and women are fully involved and participate in these traditional ceremonies and ensure that they do not participate like expatriates from Europe,” he said.

He noted that Africans must be proud to participate in their own culture whether they were educated or not.

Mr Kikwete described his participation at this year’s Lwiindi traditional ceremony as revolutionary because Heads of States ended in other countries’ capital cities and rarely in the villages.

”Taking a visiting Head of State to a village to witness a traditional ceremony is something that President Banda deserves applaud. Thank you Chief Monze for agreeing with President Banda and allowing me to witness this ceremony of the Tonga people dedicated to thanking God for the good rains and harvest. I am very impressed with what I have seen,” he said.

And Chief Monze thanked both Presidents Banda and Kikwete for agreeing to grace this year’s Lwiindi ceremony.

He said his desire was to see a ceremony that was not only peaceful but also non-political, adding that this was the reason why he had directed everybody going to attend the ceremony not to put on any clothing with political inclination.

Chief Monze also appealed to government to recognise him as Paramount Chief of the Tonga people in Southern Province.

”I’m the 9th Paramount Chief. I ask government to recognise me as Paramount Chief in this province.

Chief Monze also appealed to his people to work hard and uplift the country in terms of agriculture.

Patron of the Lwiindi Tradition ceremony, Hakainde Hichilema, said collectively, Zambia could address the challenges the country was facing.

And chairman of the Lwiindi traditional ceremony, Rex Matala, urged government to closely monitor the distribution of fertilser under the Agriculture Support Programme (FSP).

He said the coming of two Heads of State to address the ceremony was historical, adding that as long as he remained chairman of the traditional ceremony, he would ensure that the event was not politicized.

Mr Matala further said that traditional ceremonies were not places to show political strength, but were meant to bring people together in unity.

President Rupiah Banda and his counterpart Mr Kikwete have since flown back to Livingstone where they are expected to attend another ceremony that will be held at Chief Mukuni’s palace in Kazungula district.

ZANIS

Zambia, Tanzania First Ladies call for strengthened extended families

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The First Ladies of Zambia and Tanzania have observed that the number of orphans living in Save Our Souls (SOS) villages in Africa could be reduced if the extended family systems were to be re-strengthened.

Mrs Thandiwe Banda and Mrs Salma Kikwete told journalists in Livingstone yesterday that once African families return to the old culture of being responsible enough to look after the children of their dead relatives, the number of homeless orphans would be reduced.

Mrs Banda observed that in the olden days, Zambians, and Africans at large, used to accommodate children of their close and distant relatives, a culture which is now faced with near extinction.

She noted that SOS villages were doing a good job in looking after homeless orphans, but said their burdens could be made lighter if biological relatives took responsibility of the orphaned children in their families and clans.
She, however, said the problem of orphans and street kids has been exacerbated by economic hardships which many African families were facing today.

Mrs Banda observed that in the wake of such economic problems, SOS villages could provide the temporary but very vital solutions and environment for the growth of children.

And Mrs Kikwete reiterated that the problem of orphans in Africa has been made worse by the ravaging HIV/AIDS pandemic.

She told journalists after touring Livingstone’s SOS Village that a reduction in the prevalence rate and existence of HIV and AIDS would drastically reduce the number of orphans in African countries.

Mrs Kikwete also encouraged the revival of extended family systems, which she said would be a lasting solution to accommodating the would-have-been homeless orphans in Africa.

“In my country, there are 39 million people. If each family got one orphaned child, there would be no orphans in the streets and SOS villages,” she said.
Mrs Kikwete, however, commended the SOS villages for improving the lives of orphaned children in African countries.

African First Ladies have a role under the Organisation for African First Ladies (OAFLA) to campaign against the spread of HIV in their countries in order to provide a solution to the fast-growing number of orphans.

Meanwhile, Livingstone SOS Village acting director, Clarence Mwami, appealed to well-wishers to assist the village in financial, social and material form to help improve the lives of the 118 children at the village.

The orphans, who are kept at the SOS villages are identified by the department of Social Welfare under the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services.
ZANIS

Justifying the role of the Attorney General

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Attoney General Mumba Malila
Attoney General Mumba Malila
By Dr. Chiyaba Njovu

Questioning Judicial Judgements – Justifying the role of the Attorney General

Over the past few months, I have been following with interest the happenings among our learned members of the Judiciary. There seems to be so many Schools of thought in interpreting the law by our learned colleagues and this brings into ridicule the role of the judiciary. How independent can such an uncoordinated team of experts be? Who do we as lay persons believe? Is there any significant merit in the judicial rankings or they can also be interpreted as personal opinions without any reference to legal authorities?

Well, why do I as a layman raise these questions? The case of legal interest to all of us who see our government as an organised system built on principles of professionalism and good governance. I raise this point because I know the role of the Attorney general in government is to guard against legal blunders by our Ministers and other non-legal experts holding constitutional offices. In this regard I was quite impressed with the evidence that was adduced by the Attorney General and his firm statement that the Attorney general’s advice is supposed to be taken very seriously. That to me made a lot of sense and I saw Dora Siliya’s resignation as a positive step towards cementing our belief in our existing legal instruments. I was very impressed that our system has cemented in itself checks and balances that could inspire confidence in our government instruments among the citizenry. dora5

To my surprise, when I read the judgement by judge Musonda after the judicial review, I was taken aback and wondered whether our judicial system has any form of consistence in its instruments of delivering justice. First of all, the Dennis Chirwa tribunal had Supreme Court judges who made their findings clear with their justifications. I thought they were quite thorough and clearly advised government on the dangers of ignoring the Attorney General’s advice.

If my basic understanding of Cabinet is anything to go by, the Attorney General is a non-politician who sits in cabinet for the sole purpose of providing legal advice on all government policy decisions and contractual obligations. It is for this reason that erring Ministers are never sued in their personal capacity but through the Attorney General’s office. Our understanding of this system is based on the fact most Ministers are non experts in law or do not need to possess expert knowledge as a requirement for their appointment. The attorney General is an expert. If these expertise can be overlooked with impunity, then why do we contract such an expert as a constitutional office holder?

This brings the question I would like answered by judge Musonda, if possible, or any legal brains out there. If the Attorney General advises against government committing itself to a particular transaction but his/her advice is overlooked, how do we then handle any consequences arising from such an oversight? Would we expect the Attorney General to defend such a case on behalf of government? What morale standing and conviction would he/she have in defending such a case?

To me, this is what has cost our governments huge sums of money at the expense service delivery and I beg our legal brains out there to stand up and advise if such anomalies should be allowed as a norm in our society. I strongly feel that there is no justification for any Cabinet Minister to disregard the Attorney General’s advice and that the Attorney General’s Office is a mandatory constitutional office and not a talk shop. We need to respect our Constitutional Offices irrespective of our position in Society and that must start from our top leadership. I would implore our learned colleagues to stand up and make this call for the benefit of the nation. We need a team of people who can genuinely work together in an honest manner and the case of Dora Siliya vs Mr. Mumba Malila must teach us a lesson. I do not see how Dora Siliya could work with Mr. Malila amicably. This must be redressed and the appointing authority ought to look at this issue in the interest of the nation. Our country cannot afford further litigations and loss of money due to avoidable transactions and yet we are so quick to dismiss service delivery chores with impunity. We need to be magnanimous and bite the bullet when need demands it. Something must give – either we govern through friendships as a nepotistic team or we govern on constitutional provisions and respect for the law of the land.

Create your own world – Kamanga

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School leavers queuing up for police recruitment in Lusaka
School leavers queuing up for police recruitment in Lusaka
Motivational speaker and leadership advisor, Aaron

Kamanga, has observed that unemployment levels were alarming in the country, adding that government alone cannot employ everyone but should provide Skills Training Centres as a stepping stone to self employment.

He observed that young people are the future of any nation, yet 80 per cent of them are not employed and are on the streets while others are drunkards.[quote]

Mr Kamanga challenged the young people to look within themselves in order to create their own world instead of looking for someone to employ them.

He said unemployed youths could use Skills Training Centres and become useful citizens and emancipate themselves from the belief that they could only make it in life if they were in formal employment.

Mr Kamanga was speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday.

He expressed sadness to learn through the media that last week, youths turned in great numbers to get employed as policemen and yet they have good academic papers which they could use otherwise to attain skilled goals.

He said the over 5,000 youths who turned up for interviews were fighting for only 180 available vacancies in the police service because they cannot help develop their talents due to lack of Skills Training Centres.

Mr Kamanga, however, advised the youths not to be frustrated but to believe in themselves, saying employment is not the ultimatum.

The motivator also advised the youths against shunning their dreams, saying it is not too late to improve their ideas, adding that they could create their own opportunities as every person has a gift and talents to develop.

Mr Kamanga said the youths should realize that going to school, college or university does not mean one has to be employed by someone but to use the talents and gifts to develop abilities in life.

ZANIS

New hospital to be built in Lusaka in conjunction with Morning Side Clinic

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MAHTAN Group of Companies chairman, Rajan Mahtan, has disclosed that the Mahtan group of companies have concluded negotiations with the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa for the construction of a fully fledged hospital in Lusaka in collaboration with the Morning Side clinic of South Africa.

He said the project will cost approximately K250 trillion.

He said the hospital project has been commenced to enable Zambians to be served medical requirements with humanity and dignity locally.

Dr Mahtan also revealed that Zambezi Portlands Cement plant in Ndola will start production next month.

Speaking in Ndola , Dr Mahtan, said the impediments that were holding the commencement of operations for the company have been resolved and operations will commence by August 15, this year.

He said the plant will create employment and competition in the cement industry.

Dr Mahtan said the Mahtan Group of Companies, in collaboration with Group 5 of South Africa, has embarked in the construction of over 3,000 houses in Lusaka under which project the civil servants will be given preference in honour of President Banda’s request.

He said the house construction project will cost about K750 billion.

He added that his group of companies through Finance Building Society one of the companies in the group is organising appropriate mortgage facilities for a period of 15 years to enable people acquire house loans.

And Dr Mahtan further disclosed that his Group of Companies will next year complete construction of a shopping mall in Ndola which will consist of cinemas and other social amenities.

He said the shopping mall will be completed in the next 18 months.

The Mahtan group of companies include Finance Bank, Finance Building Society, Professional Insurance and Professional Life Assurance among others.

The company sponsored the presidential luncheon held in honor of the Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete who was in the country to officiate at this year’s Zambia International Trade Fair in Ndola yesterday.

In attendance were President Rupiah Banda and his wife Thandiwe, cabinet ministers, Security chiefs, senior government officials and members of the business community from both Zambia and Tanzania.

ZANIS

Malaria cases in Zambia have reduced by 66%

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mosquitoGovernment’s strategy to working with partners and communities has led to a positive response to reducing malaria by 66 per cent in the country.

Ministry of Health Spokesperson, Dr Kamoto Mbewe, said the world health assessment has proved that malaria has reduced in Zambia.

Dr Mbewe said government has worked very hard with its partners while the community has responded well to reduce the number one-killer disease through effective measures, such as taking the right drug, to treat the diseases.

Dr Mbewe added that more people in the country have resorted to using mosquito nets, especially the treated ones, hence the good result of reducing malaria.

Dr Mbewe, said this in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today.

He pointed out residue spraying in most residential area has contributed to mosquitoes dying, hence reducing the transmission of malaria.

Dr Mbewe also said the use of effective drugs, such as coartem has also reduced malaria cases because it works very effectively.

Dr Mbewe said earlier, people were using chloroquin which later became resistant, resulting to increased malaria cases and loss of lives.

He also commended the Malaria Control Centre for a deliberate policy to reduce malaria through free distribution of treated mosquito nets in most urban and rural areas, with specific interest to expectant mothers and under five children.

Dr Mbewe said to reduce a disease such as malaria, it is always important for government to work hard with its partners, while the positive response from the community makes everything easier.

Dr Mbewe said it is important to keep the figures low so that few malaria cases can be recorded, and expressed optimism that malaria could be eliminated.

He observed that if people unite, even the cases of HIV and AIDS would reduce drastically and the war against it would be won.

ZANIS

Eight feared dead on lake Bangweulu

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At least eight people are feared dead after the boat they were traveling in capsized on Lake Bangweulu in Samfya district.

Reports reaching local police say the eight were part of the 16 passengers who were on board the paddled banana boat.

Among those feared dead is Saviour Kayope, aged over 50 years, younger brother of Valentine Kayope, who served as a cabinet minister during the second republic.

Luapula Province acting Police Commanding Officer, Muweswa Wakwinji, confirmed to ZANIS the tragedy which occurred on Saturday afternoon.

Mr Wakwinji said the boat was traveling to Isenga on the shores of Mbabala, and most of the passengers were fish mongers who were traveling with their children.

He said there are no records to indicate the exact number of passengers who were on the boat, but the four survivors contacted by police said there were about 16 people on board.

So far, three bodies, of a grade 11 school girl, a woman aged 34 and her six-year-old son, have been retrieved.

Mr Wakwinji identified the school girl as Given Mulubwa of Katanshya village in chief Kasomabangweulu’s area; the 34 year old woman was identified as Esnart Malama of Shoni village in chief Mibenge’s area who was travelling with two of her young sons, Isaac and James Mwanawumo, aged six and four respectively. Issac’s body was retrieved by police yesterday.

The police chief said the other eight passengers remain unaccounted for, but the search by police and some members of the community has continued.

Willaim Chisapa a relative of Saviour Kayope, who was on the boat when it capsized, told ZANIS that the family is already holding the funeral because they have lost hope of finding him alive.

“All we are waiting for is to retrieve the body. As you can see we are already holding the funeral here,” Mr Chisapa said.

And Annie Malama, a relative of the 34-year-old woman traveling with her sons whose bodies were retrieved, said she had six relatives on the boat.

Ms Malama, who was found at Bangweulu water transport where police were launching the search, said she had two sisters on the boat – Esnart Malama with her two young children, and Jennifer Mwansa, 33 who was also traveling with a six year-old daughter.

She named another relative as Majorie, aged 27. Ms Malama said she fears for the lives of the other four family members who have not yet been found.

Meanwhile Mr Wakwinji has observed that there is need for police and water transport authorities in the district to strengthen the safety measures among private passenger boat operators.

“It looks as though there are no regulations and owners of the private boats operate without taking into consideration safety measures. Authorities here should help to register these boats and ensure that they follow all safety measures including the carrying capacity of their vessels which is not the case at present,” he said.

ZANIS

The Weekend in Pictures

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1.

Motor rally fans are mesmerised by speeding cars that left them in a cloud of dust during the 2009 Zambia motor rally in Chisamba
Motor rally fans are mesmerised by speeding cars that left them in a cloud of dust during the 2009 Zambia motor rally in Chisamba

2.

Tree top...Some revelers 'perched' on the branches of a tree to get the best view of rally cars during the 2009 Zambia international motor rally in Chisamba
Tree top...Some revelers

3.

An unidentified lady watching speeding Muna Singh's car.
An unidentified lady watching speeding Muna Singh

4.

Azin Ticklay negotiating a curve during the 2009 Zambia motor rally in Chisamba.
Azin Ticklay negotiating a curve during the 2009 Zambia motor rally in Chisamba.

5.

Officials examine a bashed car for one of the rally drivers during the 2009 Zambia motor rally in Chisamba.
Officials examine a bashed car for one of the rally drivers during the 2009 Zambia motor rally in Chisamba.

6.

Muna Singh (l), his navigator Dave Sihoka raise hands after popping champaigne upon winning the 2009 Zambia international motor rally
Muna Singh (l), his navigator Dave Sihoka raise hands after popping champaigne upon winning the 2009 Zambia international motor rally

7.

Assorted crafts for sale at the Lusaka Sunday Market
Assorted crafts for sale at the Lusaka Sunday Market

8.

Assorted crafts at the Lusaka Sunday Market
Assorted crafts at the Lusaka Sunday Market

9.

Malegeni sales at the Lusaka Sunday market
Malegeni sales at the Lusaka Sunday market

10.

Lusaka Sunday Market
Lusaka Sunday Market

11.

Pictures for sale
Pictures for sale

12.

Lusaka Sunday Market
Lusaka Sunday Market

13.

A raging fire along the Great North road in Chisamba where rally drivers were battling it out during the 2009 Zambia motor rally
A raging fire along the Great North road in Chisamba where rally drivers were battling it out during the 2009 Zambia motor rally

14.

Luapula permanent secretary Jazzman Chikwakwa on the business end of a road repair machine on the Mansa Kashikishi road.
Luapula permanent secretary Jazzman Chikwakwa on the business end of a road repair machine on the Mansa Kashikishi road.

15.

Members of a pentecostal church during a fundraising walk on the great north road near Chisamba.
Members of a pentecostal church during a fundraising walk on the great north road near Chisamba.

16.

Party time... Some Lusaka residents take time off their busy schedules to interact during the weekend.
Party time... Some Lusaka residents take time off their busy schedules to interact during the weekend.

17.

President Rupiah Banda chatting with Under-14 soccer players from Chiparamba academy before they left for Sweden
President Rupiah Banda chatting with Under-14 soccer players from Chiparamba academy before they left for Sweden

18.

World Health Organization Goodwill Ambassador on Leprosy Yohei Sasakawa, examines sores on Robert Nangondo's feet, a leprosy patient at Liteta general hospital in Chibombo
World Health Organization Goodwill Ambassador on Leprosy Yohei Sasakawa, examines sores on Robert Nangondo

19.

An unidentified youth on a 'drinking spree' during the 2009 Zambia motor rally in Chisamba
An unidentified youth on a

Note from Webmaster: To the mature blogger PLEASE accept our sincere apologies for allowing the kids, who went on rampage on this thread with insults last night to carry on the way they did.To you kids hope you enjoyed yourselves because you will surely be banned from viewing this site if you continue with your uncultured language.

Mugabe expected in Livingstone tomorrow

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Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe is tomorrow expected to join his Zambian counterpart, Rupiah Banda in celebrating the Lwiindi Lo Kuzyola Mukuni Ngombe ceremony of the Toka Leya people of Livingstone in Southern province.

President Banda and President Mugabe will be among hundreds of people that are expected to attend the ceremony.
This is according to the programme released by the Southern Province administration.

The two Presidents will join Chief Mukuni, government and MMD officials in commemorating the Mukuni Ngombe Lwiindi at Simukale shrine.

President Banda will later deliver a speech at the ceremony, which takes place a day after the Lwiindi Gonde ceremony of the Tonga people of Monze district.
President Mugabe will leave for his country on Wednesday morning.

Today, President Banda held private talks with his Tanzanian counterpart, Jakaya Kikwete at Royal Livingstone hotel during which the duo discussed various issues, among them the operations of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (Tazara).

Minister of Transport, Geoffrey Lungwangwa, his tourism counterpart, Catherine Namugala and Presidential Affairs Minister, Ronald Mukuma, were part of the closed door meeting on Tazara.

The two Presidents also attended the Lwiindi Gonde ceremony in Monze district.

Yesterday, President Banda and President Kikwete officially opened the Zambia International Trade Fair in Ndola before they flew to Livingstone for bilateral talks and attendance of the Lwiindi Gonde ceremony in Monze.

President Banda, who is in Livingstone for a three day working visit, returns to Lusaka on Wednesday, July 08, 2009.

ZANIS

Create Laws to curb mushrooming of “family political parties”

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Presiding officers offloading ballot boxes at Lusaka Civic centre during the 2008 elections in which votes were split between the 4 participating political parties
Presiding officers offloading ballot boxes at Lusaka Civic centre during the 2008 elections in which votes were split between the 4 participating political parties
The Anti-Voter Apathy Project has proposed to government,

through the Registrar of Societies, to create an independent body to be looking at the formation of new political parties.

AVAP Programmes Officer, Richwell Mulwani, said this will put to a stop the mushrooming number of political parties in the country.

Mr Mulwani said the current law where political parties are registered together with NGO’s by the Registrar of Societies, has resulted in the mushrooming of political parties in the country.[quote]

His comment comes in the wake of the official launch of yet another political party called the Forum for Democratic Alternatives (FDA) by former Works and Supply Minister, Ludwig Sondashi, in Kitwe yesterday.

He told ZANIS in Lusaka today that the body should, among other things, be tasked to monitor political parties and ensure that they meet the requirements before they could be registered.

Mr Mulwani said some political parties that were being formed in Zambia do not have the people’s backing and were only there to cause vote-splitting among the major parties.

He further appealed to the National Constitution Commission (NCC) to adopt a clause in the draft constitution that would allow a political party to have more than one thousand members before it could be registered.

He said having this type of laws in the constitution would automatically bar many of what he called family political parties that were just formed when few people came together.

Mr Mulwani said the constitution should be tough on formation of new political parties, adding that all of them should have members in all the 72 districts of the country before they are registered.

He also said political parties should have proper values and ideologies to enable them continue in existence even once a leader of a group resigns from them.
He suggested that leaders of different political parties should ensure that they provide their followers with vital information concerning the party constitutions to enable them make informed choices.

Mr Mulwani has, meanwhile, castigated Leftist Progressive Party Secretary General, James Lukuku, for disowning his party and joining Dr Sondashi’s new party.

He said people should not be allowed to form political parties anyhow, hence the need to have strong laws to prevent similar situations where parties are formed and abandoned.

ZANIS

I want to go to State House to enjoy – Sondashi

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Ludwig Sondashi
Ludwig Sondashi
Former Minister of Works and Supply Ludwig Sondashi has

said he wants to go to State House to enjoy himself. He said this in Kitwe when he launched his political party to be called the Forum for Democratic Alternatives (FDA).

Dr Sondashi said his children and wife, Virginia, have been suffering ever since he resigned as Cabinet minister from the previous governments.[quote]

“I want to go to State House to enjoy with my wife and my children because they have suffered following my resignations from previous governments.

I want my wife to be first lady also,” Dr Sondashi said

He said his wife rebuked him on several occasions when he resigned from his positions in government but that he assured her that one day he would make it to State House.

Dr Sondashi however clarified his statement after a Mr Nyereti wondered why the former minister had formed his party just to go and enjoy himself in State House.

“I am the only one who is ready to reduce my presidential powers when I am elected in 2011,” Dr Sondashi said.

He said the FDA would bring Zambians together and that the republican presidency would rotate from one province to another to discourage tribalism.

Dr Sondashi admitted that he was one of the leaders who created the problems that the country is currently going through and that he will not retire from active politics until he changes the situation obtaining in the country.

Dr Sondashi said he is confident that his party will remove the MMD from power in the 2011 elections.

He said it will be difficult to join the Patriotic Front (PF) and United Party for National Development (UPND) pact because of differences in ideologies with his political party.

Dr Sondashi, however, said he can only join the pact if he is allowed to become its president and lead it into the 2011 general elections.

And FDA Kafue organiser Trust Chitonge denounced PF president Michael Sata and UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema, saying they had no capacity to turn around the country’s economy.

Mr Chitonge accused Mr Hichilema of failing the country during the privatisation of some parastatals and that there was no way he can manage the affairs of the nation.

He also accused Mr Sata of failing to make any meaning contribution in the previous governments he served.

Mr Chitonge urged people to rally behind the FDA in 2011 if they wanted a better future for their children.
[Zambia Daily Mail]

CCJP supports purchase of hearses

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The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) in Mazabuka has supported the controversial purchase of hearses by government.

CCJP Mazabuka Co-ordinator, Simon Musune, told ZANIS in Mazabuka yesterday that the purchase of the hearses should be supported because it is meant to help lessen transport problems faced by mourners, especially those from poor families who cannot afford to hire transport.

Mr Musune said it is sad that some people are opposed to the purchase of hearses when some members of society were using bicycles and even bare hands to carry the coffins to the grave yard.
He said his organisation is in full support of the government’s decision because the programme is targeting the poor.

Mr Musune urged Zambians to develop a culture of supporting government when it has initiated good policies which are aimed at improving the livelihood of disadvantaged communities.

He urged Zambians to employ constructive criticism and desist from engaging in destructive criticism which is only meant to derail implementation of policies.

Meanwhile, Mr Musune has prodded government not to withhold salaries for public service workers who took part in the strike action.
He said such a move will only demotivate the workers.

He said the fact that the workers have agreed to go back to work meant that government should also reciprocate by addressing the concerns raised by the workers.

Mr Musune observed that taking such a drastic action might force the staff to resort to industrial unrest.
He has, however, commended President Banda for pardoning the workers who had gone on an illegal strike.
ZANIS

Mazabuka to get first government High School

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Authorities in Mazabuka have secured land where a government sponsored high school will be built.

Mazabuka Town Clerk, Ekan Chingangu disclosed the development to ZANIS in Mazabuka yesterday.
Mr Chingangu said management at the Zambia Institute of Animal Health (ZIAH) has agreed to surrender part of the institute land for the school project.

He said the local authority remains committed to supporting government’s efforts meant to promote the education sector, especially that the council has hatched an ambitious programme to attain city status by 2015.

Mr Chingangu said the council will do all it can to ensure a high school is built in the town centre to increase the enrollment of pupils.
He said the massive investment being recorded in the district requires people who are educated in order to implement the development agenda for the district.

Mazabuka district has no go government high school and the situation has made it difficult for education authorities to adequately post pupils progressing to grade 10 because of lack of space.

The only mission schools have rejected the government policy to scrap the lower grades at high school, claiming doing so would compromise education standards.

ZANIS

Attendance of RB and Kikwete at Lwiindi a blessing – Chief Monze

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President Rupiah Banda and his Tanzanian counterpart, Jakaya Kikwete, arrived yesterday in Livingstone for talks on Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority (Tazara).

President Banda is accompanied by First Lady Thandiwe Banda, Presidential Affairs Minister, Ronald Mukuma and other senior government and MMD officials, while President Kikwete is accompanied by his wife, Salma Kikwete.

The two Presidents are then scheduled to leave Livingstone for Monze at 10:00 hours to attend the Lwindi Gonde ceremony.

Chief Monze of the Tonga People in Monze district of Southern Province says President Rupiah Banda’s and his Tanzanian counterpart, Jakaya Kikwete’s presence at this year’s Lwiindi traditional ceremony tomorrow will be a demonstration of love, respect and unity between the people of the two countries.

The visibly happy traditional leader pointed out that it has never happened in the history of the Lwiindi ceremony to have two Heads of States attending the ceremony, saying what will be witnessed tomorrow will be the first of its kind.

The traditional leader said he loves President Banda very much, noting that President Banda is more than welcome in the district.

The two Presidents are expected to go for game viewing in the afternoon in Livingstone before meeting for dinner at 19:30 hours.

The Tanzanian President will leave for his country on Tuesday at 09:30 hrs in the morning.

ZANIS

Infrastructure development key- Kikwete

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kikwete-rbTanzanian President, Jakaya Kikwete, has pledged commitment to strengthening the good relationship between Zambia and Tanzania which was founded by the first Zambian President, Dr Kenneth Kaunda and the late President of Tanzania, Julius Nyerere.

Mr Kikwete said his country will remain committed to ensuring that the investments in Zambia’s Tazara railway line, Tazama Oil Pipe line and the Zambia Tanzania high way were enhanced.[quote]

He said this at the official opening of the Zambia International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Ndola yesterday.

Mr.Kikwete said infrastructure development was key to economic development in the two sister republics because it could reduce the high costs of production, transportation, transaction and value-addition to goods and services.

He acknowledged that a poor transport system was a barrier to efficient flow of business trade in goods and services between the two countries.

Mr Kikwete called for unwavering support for the North/South Corridor initiative because of the abundant benefits that would accrue to the participating countries.

He said once infrastructure was developed in the North/South corridor, it would add value to the volume of trade in goods and services being handled in the corridor trade area.

Mr Kikwete said there were issues needed to be resolved in the areas of Nakonde and Dar-es-Salaam port which should enhance the warm relations of the two sister countries.

The Tanzanian Head of State said there was also need to enhance trade between the two countries because currently trade was US $20 million which was too low going by official statistics although there was a lot of trade captured by official figures.

Mr Kikwete also called for enhanced visits and meetings between Zambia the chamber of commerce of his country with their Zambian counterparts in order to exchange ideas and innovations in doing business.

Mr Kikwete called on Zambians to take interest and participate in the trade fairs in Dar-es-salaam in his country.

And Zambia’s Commerce Minister, Felix Mutati, pledged commitment to ensure that innovation, creativity and enterprise were used as survival keys for business to overcome the negative effects of the global economic meltdown.

Mr Mutati said government would focus its infrastructure development priorities on Kasumbalesa border, the Kitwe/Chingola road and the Ndola International Stadium in the next twelve months.

And Zambia Trade Fair Board Chairman, Phesto Musonda, said trade fairs were an opportunity to showcase trade opportunities that existed in participating countries.

Mr Musonda said it was time to build business relationships and learn from what others were doing and share innovations.

He observed that transport and communications sectors were key to any sustainable development to any given economy.

Mr Musonda said Zambia could not be handling 21st Century challenges with infrastructure that was built to handle 20th century problems.

He added that investment in hydro-power stations for the country was also a challenge that needed serious consideration because of the volume of increased demand following economic development in the country in the recent years.

The ZITF chairman called for enhanced private public partnerships in handling such huge developmental projects which he said government cannot do alone.

Mr Musonda observed that rail transport was one huge potential which would bring good economic benefits to the countries involved because it was environmentally friendly while fuel consumption was economical

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