First Lady regrets poor staffing levels in rural health centres

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July 11, 2009

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

Miner dies after Copper concentrates collapses at Kansanshi Mines

General News

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July 11, 2009

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A 23-year-old man died on the spot after a heap of Copper concentrates collapsed on him at Kansanshi Mine in Solwezi.

The incident happened as the miners were loading the commodity on a front hand loader using shovels on Thursday night around 21 hours.

One other miner escaped unhurt.

Both Northwestern Province Commanding Officer, Fabian Katiba, and a brother to the deceased, James Nyumbula, confirmed the death of David Nyumbula, of Mushitala compound in Solwezi.

Mr Katiba said Police have launched investigations into the cause of the accident.

He said the body of the deceased is in Solwezi General Hospital mortuary awaiting postmodern and burial on Monday next week.

This is the second death recorded at Kansanshi mine, within 12 months.

Last year, a spotter was crushed by a truck in the mining area.

ZANIS

Wasaja’s Coach Gracious in Defeat

Sports

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July 11, 2009

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Boxing coach Mike Zulu said his boxer Charles “Wasaja” Chisamba did everything right despite losing to Doudou Ngumbu in their WBC International and Africa Boxing Union (ABU) light heavyweight unification fight in France last evening.

Chisamba lost on unanimous points decision to the DR Congo-born French boxer in their unification title bout held in Auch.

Zulu said that that Chisamba had a slow start in the fight that also contributed to the loss.

“The only thing that went wrong was that we lost,” Zulu said.

“Technically everything went fine although he (Chisamba) started on a slow pace.”

27-year-old Ngumbu, who is ranked 11th by WBC, is now undefeated in 20 professional fights after he recorded his 11th victory over 12 rounds.

Ngumbu defeated Chisamba after scoring 120-107, 120-108 and 120-107 on the judges scorecards.

The 37-year-old Chisamba, ranked 34 by WBC, is now on 7 wins, 6 six losses and 1 draw from his 15 professional fights following Fridays defeat to Ngumbu.

Chisamba lost his ABU title just 7 months after claiming the crown following a 2nd round knockout win over Tanzanian Mbaruku Kheri on January 24 at Nationalist Stadium in Lusaka.

2009 Cosafa Cup Uncertain

Sports

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July 11, 2009

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Cosafa still struggling to find a host for the 2009 Cosafa Senior Challenge Cup after Mpumalanga Province in South Africa withdrew their earlier pledge to stage this years tournament.

Cosafa president Suketu Patel told the Southern Africa regional football governing body’s website on Friday that he was still optimistic a new host for the annual tournament will be found for this years event.

“We had a written commitment from the Provincial Government in September last year that they would put on the tournament in 2009 and 2010,” Patel says. “This was reaffirmed telephonically by the Province’s MEC in April, though she has since left office.

“Despite follow-up communication with the Province we have received no further commitment from them and that has put the tournament in jeopardy for this year.

“The situation has meant we have essentially lost eight months in searching for a new host, however, we are still hopeful of finding an alternative for 2009.”

Mpumalanga Province sponsored and hosted the 2008 Cosafa Senior Challenge Cup following the end of a 10-year sponsorship deal with SABMiller.

South Africa are the defending Cosafa Senior Challenge Cup champions after beating Mozambique 2-1 in the final played in Thulamahashe on August 3, 2008.

Loveless Marriage

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July 11, 2009

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Dear bloggers,

I have been married for 5 years but the past 2-3 years I feel I have fallen out of love with my husband. I think the biggest mistake I ever made was accepting to marry him in the first place.I was 24 years at the time recently graduated from UNZA and felt the pressure to marry.Pressure came from relatives who always passed comments at my always being on other peoples wedding line ups.Well, when my then boyfriend of one year felt we should marry I thought it was a good idea.

Over the years living with him has become a struggle.I find every excuse to be away from him.He is generally a good man but I feel sometimes we have nothing in common anymore.Ok I’ll say it, he bores me to tears.I would love to get out more,visit different countries,visit game parks etc.Even taking a trip to Livingstone to see the Victoria falls to him is an issue.I swear even RB has more spunk than my husband!

Recently my brother was going to Tanzania to pick up a Japanese car and I jumped at the idea to go with him.I planned to visit one of my friends living in Dar es Salaam.My friend promised to take me on a site seeing trip to Mount Kilimanjaro.This was a chance of a lifetime but my husband vehemently refused saying it would be a waste of money. I went to Tanzania anyway.Its not like I couldn’t buy my own air-ticket.I’m as financially sound as he is.I had so much fun especially seeing mount Kilimanjaro.I met some nice people in Tanzania who I felt I shared more interests with than my husband.I extended my trip because my friend wanted to show me around. I felt so alive and had so much fun.I dreaded coming back to my dreary house.

My husband was cross but I didn’t let him dampen my spirits.Luckily we do not have kids so I think that makes it easier to walk away from this marriage.

My aunties think I should stick it out and one day I’ll grow to love him but hey life is short and I’m not getting any younger! I want to go places, achieve my hopes and dreams, perhaps one day meet someone more intellectually stimulating than my husband.It aint cutting with this dude.My trip to Tanzania opened my eyes.There are people out there with similar goals and interests like me.Why should I playhouse with this man who bores me tears.

So what do you think should I divorce him and get it over with or stay with him,learn how to make chikanda for him as he wants me to and hope that someday by some miracle my love for him will be rekindled.I’ve never wanted to carry the label divorced woman but ya ya ya ya ya I don’t know what to do.

Yours,

Lady M

Chinese delegation in Zambia for feasibility studies on the stadia to be constructed

Sports

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July 11, 2009

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A Chinese delegation has arrived in the country to conduct feasibility studies for the construction of three stadia in Zambia.

Speaking on arrival at the Lusaka International Airport, delegation leader Jin Meikang assured the Zambian government that the stadia to be constructed would of international standards and their lifespan would be over 50 years.

Mr. Meikang, who spoke through an interpreter, said the stadia would have a seating capacity of over 50,000 spectators.

The stadia to be constructed by the Anltui Foreign T-conomil Construction Group would located in Ndola, Lusaka and Livingstone respectively.

And Government says Zambia will learn a lot from China in the area of construction and engineering from such undertakings.

Ministry of Sport, Youth and Child Development Chief Planner Henry Kapacha, who was on hand to receive the delegation, said government is indebted to China through the gesture shown by that country to help Zambia have modern stadia.

Mr. Kapacaha reiterated government’s commitment to developing sports infrastructure in the country.

Recently, Sport, Youth and Child Development Minister Kenneth Chipungu accompanied by his Permanent Secretary Susan Sikaneta were in China to negotiate for the construction of modern sports infrastructure to which the Chinese government has favorably responded.

ZANIS

Reduce the cost of banking in Zambia- Fundanga

Economy

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July 11, 2009

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Bank of Zambia Governor Dr. Caleb Fundanga

Bank of Zambia (BOZ) Governor Caleb Fundanga says it is

important for commercial banks in the country to operate in a manner that supports growth and development of the country’s economy.

Dr. Fundanga said it was therefore important for commercial banks to lower the cost of banking and offer attractive banking services to the public.

The Central Bank chief said the general cost of banking services in Zambia should be made affordable to the general public.

He was speaking at the foundation laying stone ceremony of the new Stanbic bank offices in the Show grounds in Lusaka.

Dr Fundanga noted that the investment that is being made by Stanbic bank would have a positive impact on the economy due to the evident linkages that infrastructure development has on various sectors of the economy.

He pointed out that the repositioning by the bank is one way of ensuring that there is healthy competition in the banking industry.

Stanbic bank chief executive Ben Kruger said Stanbic is committed to service the people on the African continent.

Mr. Kruger said Stanbic is an African Bank that has a unique understanding of African business.

ZANIS

Vice President George Kunda challenged to act

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July 11, 2009

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The Citizens Committee (CC) is calling for the reduction of

the number of delegates to the National Constitution Conference(NCC). Committee Executive Director Gregory Chifire pointed out that paying delegates who have since concluded their work is an unnecessary drain on national coffers.

Mr.Chifire has challenged Justice Minster George Kunda to act on the matter.

Mr.Chifire says the move is meant to be a costing saving measure in the face of the global economic downturn.

Mr. Chifire told ZANIS in interview in Lusaka that there is no need for government to continue spending colossal sums of money on a bloated number of NCC delegates at the expense of national development.

He suggested that only committees that are still seating should be allowed to continue while those that have concluded their set mandate should not continue to draw allowances.

He said financial difficulties facing many countries have not spared Zambia thereby affecting many developmental efforts.

He said this is why government should come up with a clear policy on the issue of paying NCC delegates as the policy will assist government scrutinize the payment of allowances to NCC delegates.

Mr. Chifire further added that as much as the constitutional making process is important to the national development other activities should also be given equal opportunities of funding.

The NCC has concluded debates for over 15 committees that were mandated to consider different clauses from the Mung’omba draft constitution.

ZANIS

Kasama council instructed to remove street vendors

Rural News

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July 10, 2009

9

Northern province Minister, Charles Shawa, has instructed the Kasama Municipal Council to remove vendors from the streets to achieve the objectives of the Keep Kasama Township Clean project.

Mr Shawa expressed concern that street vending is compromising the hygiene standards in the district. He said the council should enforce measures that mandate street vendors to relocate and operate from designated markets.

Mr Shawa said this when he inspected New Town market in Kasama.
He also appealed to vendors to consider moving from the streets to designated areas where they could sell their merchandise in an orderly manner.

He also appealed to marketeers to apply for loans from the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission to boost their business activities.

Mr Shawa said people should be allowed to trade in conducive market places provided by the council to preserve a clean work environment and avoid outbreaks of communicable diseases.

Earlier,marketeers at Kasama New Town market complained that their vegetables, fish and other items were not selling at the market as compared to the streets.

In response, Mr Shawa said customers are not yet used to the market but that they would eventually start buying their items once they know about it.

He advised that marketeers should keep their toilets and the market place clean as a measure to improve on their health and hygiene at their work place.

ZANIS

Two fishermen drown in Serenje

Rural News

Guest Editor

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July 10, 2009

7

Two fishermen drowned on Wednesday, as they were fishing on Lake Lusiwasi in Serenje district.

Both Serenje District Commissioner Stanley Chibwana and the District Council Secretary Yaphet Simpamba confirmed the incident to ZANIS.
He said villagers in Nansala area retrieved one body while the other is still being searched for.

Mr. Simpamba told ZANIS that he received the report about the death of the two people last evening.

Mubiana Sibandi, a Fisheries Officer stationed at Nalubi, said of late a strong wind has been blowing over the lake causing dangerous waves.

ZANIS

NICA Condemns Killing of Suspected Female Witch

General News

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July 10, 2009

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The National Initiative for Citizen’s Awareness (NICA) has strongly condemned the beating up of two women by a mob of Kitwe residents on suspicion that the duo were witches.

NICA president Kelvin Sampa described the actions of the mob as barbaric and unacceptable.

Mr. Sampa has since appealed to the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) to include laws that would punish witch doctors that prescribe unorthodox means to their clients.

He said there is also need to spearhead sexual and gender based violence campaigns by local communities in order for them to understand the importance of laws and human rights.

Mr. Sampa urged relevant authorities to arrest and charge the culprits for murdering one of the woman and attempting to burn her body.

The NICA president has since warned citizens in the country to desist from taking the law into their own hands as doing so will equally result in their prosecution.

An unidentified woman in Kitwe was on Thursday beaten to death by an angry mob who also attempted to burn her body on allegations that she was practicing witchcraft.

ZANIS

Second Printing press to be erected in Kasma

General News

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July 10, 2009

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Government is set to erect a second rural printing press in Kasama to facilitate the printing of both vernacular and Daily newspapers.

Information and Broadcasting Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Nyirenda disclosed the development in Kasama when he called on Northern Province Minister Charles Shawa at his office.[quote]

Mr Nyirenda said the printing press which will be under the Zambia News and Information Services was part of government’s programme to take printing facilities closer to the people.

The PS expressed confidence that the setting up of the printing press in the province will encourage local production of newspapers to enhance information dissemination.

He said his office has already started the procurement process of the equipment and appealed to the Provincial administration to assist by ensuring that the plans and bill of quantity for the building are prepared with minimum delays.

And Northern Province Minister Charles Shawa has commended the Government for the initiative saying it will empower the local people with the necessary information.

Mr Shawa said access to timely information was cardinal for people to make informed decisions.

He observed that although there was a lot happening in the province, very little was being captured by the national press.

The Minister has also appealed to the public to change their reading culture if the new facility to be set up by government was to be of any benefit.

He said it worried him a lot to see people using newspapers which contain a lot of useful information as wrapping paper.

Mr Shawa has also urged the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting services to provide ZANIS with suitable water transport for their Chilubi and Mpulungu offices.

The Minister said Government was concerned with the increasing number of people who are perishing on lake Bangweulu.

He noted that the two water bodies in the province were volatile which required suitable water transport to safeguard lives.

The Permanent Secretary was in the province to lay ground work for the setting up of the second printing press.

ZANIS

FODEP backs the united Africa concept

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July 10, 2009

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The Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) says a united Africa is a long-term solution to the continent’s underdevelopment.

FODEP President Stanley M’hango however, says the process towards a unity African government should be gradual.

Mr. M’hango said the formation of the United States of Africa would translate into greater investment in-flow onto the continent.

Mr. Mhango noted that Africans would further benefit from the free movement of people, goods and services.

He also said the quest to have a seat in the United Nation’s Security Council would receive better hearing if Africa spoke with one voice.

Mr. M’hango said the continent would be harmonized through cultures, religions and customs by promoting the spirit of coexistence in diversity.

He was speaking in Lusaka today when he made a presentation to the parliamentary committee on security which is chaired by Kawambwa Patriotic Front (PF) Member of Parliament (MP) Elizabeth Chitika Mulobeka.

ZANIS

Police hunt for a witchdoctor

Rural News

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July 10, 2009

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Police in Siavonga have launched a man hunt for a named witchdoctor that allegedly administered medicine to two sisters who later died.

Sources at Siavonga police station told ZANIS in an interview today that they were taking frantic efforts to apprehend a Lusaka based witchdoctor who is said to have given medicine to the two sisters.

The sisters, Esnart Mujae aged 38 and Sabeta Mwanja 46, both of Simasanga village in Siavonga district died on Wednesday after receiving and taking the medicine given to them by the witchdoctor.

The witchdoctor was in the area treating sick people.

A medical report from Siavonga district hospital indicated that the two died of suspected poisoning.

And village headman Stanley Simasanga confirmed to ZANIS that the two sisters had been sick hence they sought treatment from the witchdoctor.

Headman Simasanga said the witchdoctor gave the two sisters some powdered medicine, assuring them that they would be cured once they drunk it.

He disclosed that the witchdoctor prescribed the same type of medicine to the sisters one of whom had a mental problem and another paralyzed legs.

He said the witchdoctor was paid the sum of K200, 000 and three chickens for the prescribed powdered medicine.

Headman Simasanga explained that immediately after taking the medicine, the two sisters started complaining of abdominal pains and later started vomiting and developed diarrhea, a situation that led to their death.

He said the bodies of the two sisters were later taken to Siavonga hospital where medical authorities pronounced them dead and took them to the brought in dead section.

Headman Simasanga charged that the witchdoctor fled the village after news of the death of the two sisters reached him.

The bodies will undergo a postmortem before burial takes place.

ZANIS