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

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 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

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