Chishimba has resigned from the party and relinquished his seat, saying the current political system has failed Zambians.

Mr Chishimba said in Ndola yesterday that he had decided to quit partisan politics to champion the formation of a new movement whose aim was to usher in a new crop of youthful political leaders in the country.

He said the 20 years of the MMD-led political pluralism had failed to realise the amount of development attained during the 10 years of the United National Independence Party rule from 1964 to 1974.

He said during a media briefing at his residence in Ndola’s Kansenshi area that a new movement to be called “The Saviour Chishimba Plan to Reclaim Zambia’s Independence” was set to spearhead a new political dispensation in the country.

Mr Chishimba charged that the only way Zambians could have their dreams realised was by bringing in a new crop of national leaders because the performance of the players in the current political arena was disastrous.[quote]

He has written to PF president Michael Sata and Speaker of the National Assembly Amussa Mwanamwambwa informing them about his resignation as party member and MP, respectively.

“In this digital era, I can no longer be part of a political system where only few leaders live in luxury. I stand down as MP and my association with the PF comes to an end. I would like to thank the people of Kasama and God almighty for supporting me.

“We only have two options, it’s either liberty for Zambia or death. It’s time for the country to change for the better. The time for depending on tired politicians for national salvation has failed us as a people,” Mr Chishimba said.

He said he is a member of the Bemba Royal family of Chitimukulu and a family of freedom fighters who are all synonymous with sacrifice for Zambia.

He said he was not ready to be part of the growing political elite while the majority of Zambians continued living in abject poverty.

“To bring about change we do not need political party partnerships but people to people partnerships. The era of politicians directing the people instead of the people directing politicians should come to an end,” he said.

He said that political party pacts based on tribal and regional groups were not capable of meeting the expectations of the Zambian people because they could not last and had no room in modern-day Zambia.

In a letter dated July 1, 2009, Mr Chishimba thanked Mr Sata for helping him understand the status of Zambian politics and the opportunity to contest a parliamentary seat on the PF platform.

“Now the spirit of the living God tells me it is finished and there is nothing I can do, but to obey. I hereby submit my resignation from the Patriotic Front effective 27 July 2009. Kindly let me know if there are things that I have to clear from the party and you as my leader.”

Meanwhile, PF spokesman Given Lubinda said the party was not ready to accept Mr Chishimba’s resignation before be formally resigns on July 27 because there was a possibility that he could backpedal on what he had announced.

“Knowing my young man he could be driven by emotions and hyper-frustrations. As a party we will wait for what will happen once the emotions come down.

“Currently, he is still our MP until that date comes. We cannot remove someone from the noose before there is an attempt for one to be hanged,” Mr Lubinda said.

[Times of Zambia]

The New Generation Party, NGP, has called on striking University of Zambia, UNZA, lecturers to reconsider their position and resume work.

Party President, Humphrey Siulapwa, says there is need for lecturers to go back to work as their action is likely to impact negatively on the academic welfare of the of students at the highest learning institution.

Speaking in Lusaka today at a media briefing, Mr. Siulapwa said he expected lecturers to understand the effects of the current global economic crisis on Zambia’s economy.

He suggested that lecturers suspend their action until when the national economy stabilises in view f the global recession.

He said workers in the country should learn to sacrifice, adding that most governments and organizations in the world are reducing costs in order to cope with the global economic recession.

Mr. Siulapwa said his party will not sympathise with lecturers that will fail to report to work as directed by government, should disciplinary action be taken against them.

He added that the law stipulates that any public service worker is liable for dismiss is he stays away from work for 10 consecutive days.

He, further, warned that young people in the country will not sit back to watch unjustified work stoppages at the expense of their welfare.[quote]

UNZA lecturers have been on strike demanding improved conditions of service, and government has responded by offering them a 5 per cent pay rise.

And The New Generation Party has advised politicians to desist from politics of insults for the sake of national posterity.

NGP President, said that the heightened levels of politics of insults and disrespect among politicians is likely to affect the country’s good governance system.

He said there is need for persons aspiring for presidency to respect the incumbent office of the President for it to be dignified.

He explained that good governance can only be achieved through mutual understanding and tolerance which he said were lacking in the country despite it been the corner stone for development and prosperity.

Mr. Suilapwa has charged that the United Party for National Development, UPND, and the Patriotic Front, PF, pact has nothing to offer but create confusion on the political scene.

He said to this effect his party is not threatened saying the pact is bound to fail due to the difference in ideologies and manifestos between the two parties.

Mr. Suilapwa, further, stressed that it will be difficulty for the two parties to bring their ideas together as the UPND believes in a democratic system of governance and also has some of its members attending the National Constitution Conference, NCC, while the PF has a different approach on the matter.

He further noted that the majority of Zambians want change than just removing the MMD from power, which he said was the major objective of the pact.

ZANIS

SOUTHERN Province Minister Daniel Munkombwe has castigated school authorities of Chibwe Basic School in Mapanza, Choma for allowing the 450 pupils to share 15 desks.

Mr Munkombwe has also ordered the District Commissioner Liven Apuleni to probe the matter and provide a report in a week’s time.

A visibly upset Mr Munkombwe gave the directive on Friday when he officiated at the handover ceremony of two boreholes at Chibwe and Katowa basic schools.

The boreholes have been donated by the Anglican Church in Zambia and the Garber Leadership United Methodist Church in New Bern, North Carolina in the United States of America.

Mr Munkombwe wondered why the school authorities have been quiet about the plight of the children and only brought this matter up during the handover ceremony of the boreholes.

He was reacting to a plea by Chibwe Basic School deputy head teacher, Musa Simaimbula, to well wishers and Government for desks.

Mr Simaimbula said his school was in dire need of desks and houses for teachers.
The school, which has 13 teachers, has only five houses.

Chief Mapanza, too, wondered why the school authorities did not inform him about the matter for him to raise it with the relevant authorities.

Mr Munkombwe said that if the head teacher was unable to handle the matter, she should leave the running of the school to those capable of doing so.

“If the head teacher is not worth leading this school, why should such a person be here? There is serious weakness in leadership in this school and as minister in charge of the province, I do not want to be associated with failure because I have never been a failure in my life,” Mr Munkombwe said.[quote]

“There is something sinister here and I want to have a detailed report on the matter soon,” he said.

Mr Munkombwe commended Anglican Church in Zambia bishop, David Njovu, for attracting the attention of his American friends from Zoe Ministries who have responded favourably to help alleviate the suffering of the people.

Bishop Njovu said the two boreholes cost US$10,000. He commended Zoe Ministries for raising the money.

Zoe Ministries representative and delegation leader, Robert Littleton, said he hoped that through the fellowship, people would taste the living water that Jesus Christ talked about in the Bible.

{Zambia Daily Mail]

TODAY´S SCRIPTURE

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever” (Psalm 23:6, NKJ)

TODAY´S WORD from Joel and Victoria

As a believer in Jesus, did you know that goodness and mercy are following you? God´s grace and favor are chasing you down! But if you live with a cloud of condemnation over you, if you surround yourself with negativity, then you are putting a barrier between yourself and the blessings of God.

So many believers today miss out on what God has in store for them because they live like they´ve got a dark cloud over their heads. They´re always talking doom and gloom, living in condemnation. But when you open your heart to receive what God has for you, that cloud is lifted and all that´s left is His goodness and mercy!

Instead of living in guilt and shame, God desires that you walk in His love and forgiveness. Make the decision today to let go of condemnation, let go of the past through forgiveness, let go of self–defeating behaviors, and embrace His goodness and mercy! Let His favor surround you like a shield so you can live the life of victory He has in store for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, I humbly come to You today asking that You remove anything in my heart that would keep me from You. Give me a heart of forgiveness so that I can move forward into all You have for me. In Jesus´ Name. Amen.

Joel Osteen ministries

First Lady, Thandiwe Banda, says poor staffing levels in health institution has negatively impacted on the delivery of quality services.

Speaking when she made donations at Madzimwe rural health centre in Kasenengwa constituency in Chipata this morning, Mrs Banda said health centers especially in rural areas were faced with the challenge of poor staffing levels and poor infrastructure.

She also said shortage of drugs and other facilities required in the operations of the medical staff should be improved as a measure of enhancing quality service delivery in the sector.

Mrs Banda called on other stakeholders to partner with government to address challenges confronting the health sector.

She also donated an assortment of goods which included blankets, disinfectants and food supplements to Chizongwe clinic in Chipata central constituency, Mushawa rural health center in Chipangali constituency and Kanyanja rural health post in Luangeni constituency.

Meawhile, a representative of Chief Madzimwe, Ishmael Ngoma said the health center is faced with a shortage of drugs and lack of adequate manpower.

Mr Ngoma stated that there is only one nurse working at the health catering for a population of 11, 000 people in the area.

He has since called on government to employ people to assist the nurse to meet the health problems in the area.

ZANIS