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May Day pictures
A middle class or peasant life during ZCCM?
By Son Mumbi
Could the life of a person who lived “kuma yard” in the mines during the ZCCM era be seen as middle class? The reason I am interested in this question is because I think it had distinctive elements of peasantry. Let me explain. I lived in the 1980’s with my parents in a large, detached three bedroom villa. Our garden had expansive lawns, where hibiscus and frangipani flowers flourished and was bounded by a well trimmed hedge of bouganvillea. My father a well spoken engineer played golf at the weekends and spent quite a few evenings at the mine club where he indulged in one too many mosi. My siblings and I went to a well funded mine school, where we were taught to convert our African names to Anglicised ones by manner of pronunciation. We read children’s classic story books, ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’, ‘The Oregan Trail ‘etc.
My mother…mmm this is where I get a bit confused. You see, my mother did not need to work, but she engaged in activities reminiscent of a peasant life. For example, every weekend during the rainy season I headed with my mother kuma bala (my father only occasionally joined us). There I helped her clear the field, plant and weed for a harvest of maize, groundnuts and pumpkins. At other times, my mother traveled to Luapula to buy dry fish. I wrapped this fish in newspapers for my mother to sell to people in the neighborhood. I cannot say that my mother is the only one who exhibited signs of peasantry, I did too.
Despite using the wide range of sports facilities that ZCCM provided for my entertainment, I felt drawn to the bush that surrounded the mine town. There, with a small band of friends, I would collect wild fruits Ichenja and Ifungo. Sometimes I would attempt to trap birds using tree gum or in more murderous moods try to kill them using home made catapults “amaregeni”.
My elder sister, who was then listening to Annie Lenox on radio and sported straightened spiky hair was at some point during that era secluded in her room with smoke scented old women who chastened her boldness and beat drums. I eavesdropped as these women taught her about medicinal roots to be found in the bush.
Today, I am struggling to make a living on the Copperbelt, I tried my hand at being a copper dealer but failed to make the cut. In today’s spirit of entrepreneurship, I am now growing sunflowers for vegetable oil in the same bush I played in as a child. My economic activities as a subsistence farmer today would in no doubt make me a peasant, but I struggle to think of myself as only that.
C’belt PF cadres want convention
PATRIOTIC Front (PF) cadres on the Copperbelt have appealed to party president Michael Sata to call for a national convention at which new leaders should be elected.
PF member, Felix Bwalya, said in a statement in Ndola yesterday that the youth on the Copperbelt were floating Chishimba Kambwili and Saviour Chishimba for the party presidency because of their positive vision for the party.
PF spokesperson, Given Lubinda, when contacted for a comment, said people in the party had the right to air their opinions and campaign for their preferred candidates.
Mr Lubinda said it was, however, important that as members campaigned for their preferred candidates, they did not engage in character assassination.
“In a democratic party like ours, what matters is the majority. They can go ahead and campaign, but they should not insult others. No-one will stop them,” he said. [quote]
Mr Bwalya said Mr Sata had denied members their opportunity to democratically elect their preferred members to run the affairs of the party.
He said Mr Sata had outlived his usefulness because he has had his time as a politician and should, therefore, accord young and vibrant members like Mr Kambwili and Dr Chishimba to renew their party’s chances of doing better on the political scene.
Mr Bwalya claimed that the PF was not growing because of the leadership style of Mr Sata and that his chance of ever ruling Zambia had “slipped between his fingers”.
He said Mr Sata’s old age would alienate him from being leader of Zambia.
“Mr Kambwili and Dr Chishimba are our favourites to take over the leadership of our party, we are behind them. We are ready to help with the campaigns,” he said.
Mr Bwalya said the PF was the only party which did not hold elections.
[Times of Zambia ]
Traditional leader urges couples to have at least 10 children
Chief Chitamo the 4th of Serenje District has encouraged couples in his chiefdom to have at least a minimum of 10 children.
Chief Chitamo says this because there is plenty of idle land in his chiefdom which must be utilized for production.
He was speaking during the commemoration of World Malaria Day at Gibson rural health center yesterday.
Chief Chitamo said the population in his chiefdom was too low hence the need for his subjects to produce more children fill up the land.
“I have got 26 children and I am remaining with four to make 30. So you should also work hard and produce more because my policy is to have a minimum of 10,” he said amid applause from his subjects.[quote]
And Chief Chitambo has urged people in his chiefdom to pursue adult education so that they could learn how to read and write.
Chief Chitambo has since said he will not appoint illiterate people as Indunas.
He said those seeking to be appointed an Indunas should be able to read and write.
“How do I communicate with such a person or in case I receive a letter from higher offices or even when one is called through a letter. One can not wait for somebody to read for you. So if you can not read or write and you want to become a Induna, forget it,” he said.
ZANIS/KC/CMM/AM/ENDS
Malawian witchdoctor nabbed for illegal entry into the country
The Immigration Department has arrested a Malawian witchdoctor in Nyimba District for illegal entry into the country.
Immigration Public Relations Officer Mulako Mbangweta said the witchdoctor later disclosed to the police that he was hired into the country by an unnamed Zambian man to eliminate someone in the district where a named tribe is currently experiencing succession wrangles.
She told ZANIS in Lusaka today that there is however insufficient evidence for the police to charge him for an offence prompting them to hand over the suspect to the Immigration officers for prosecution.
Ms Mbangweta explained that her department prosecuted the man and found him guilty of illegal entry into the country later charged him a sum of K1 million which he since failed to pay.
She said the man is currently in prison serving a nine month simple imprisonment sentence.
Ms Mbangweta has since appealed to the public not to facilitate illegal entry of foreign nationals into the country as doing so is abrogating the Zambian immigration laws.
She has since warned would be perpetrators of prosecution and stein action against them once they are found guilty.
In another development, the Immigration Public Relations Officer has disclosed that the immigration department last week arrested four foreign nationals for illegal entry and stay into the country.
Ms. Mbangweta said the four include Guinean, Ugandan, Tanzanian and a Malawian who were arrested for various immigration offences.
She said the Guinean and Ugandan nationals were arrested for illegal entry, while a Tanzanian national was arrested for illegal with a 20 year old Malawian student being arrested for both illegal entry and stay in the country.
Ms Mbangweta said the Guinean and Ugandan were both charged K1 million while the Tanzanian was charged K750, 000.
She said the Malawian student was also charged a sum of K100, 000 but failed to pay and was therefore slapped with a one week prison sentence.
ZANIS/PM/CM/AM/ENDS
Traditional leader cheered by the possible re-opening of Albidon Nickel Mine
Chief Naluama of Mazabuka says he is ready to support the Chinese investor who has shown interest to run the closed Albidon Munali Nickel Mine in his Chiefdom.
The chief told ZANIS in Mazabuka today that any investor with meaningful programmes aimed at uplifting the livelihood of the community is welcome in his chiefdom as long as such an investor has been endorsed by government.
Chief Naluama said reports that negotiations between government and the investor have reached an advanced stage has cheered his subjects who had lost jobs at the closed mine.
He said the sudden closure of the mine left families many in financial difficulties as most men in the surrounding community worked at the mine.
Chief Naluama however, urged government to speed up the negotiations and ensure operations resume immediately to avoid the vandalism of equipment.
Meanwhile, Chief Naluama has welcomed the surrender of 1,000 hectares of land to the displaced families by Albidon mine management.
The chief expressed happiness that the mine realised that the land it had acquired was too large for its mining activities.
ENDS/HC/AM/ZANIS
Don’t use the media to promote destructive agendas, Shikapwasha
Zambian journalists today joined their colleagues globally in commemorating the World Press Freedom Day.
The theme for this year is “Potential of the media in fostering dialogue, mutual understanding and reconciliation.”
Speaking during the commemoration, Chief Government Spokesperson Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha said the media should not be used to promote destructive agendas to be abused by its practitioners as this is as bad as abuse of state power.
Lt. Gen. Shikapwasha said the media can either be a force of good or evil hence the need for the media to foster dialogue, mutual understanding and reconciliation cannot be overemphasized.[quote]
Lt. Gen. Shikapwasha, who is also Information and Broadcasting Services Minister, said it is important to develop a media industry that fosters unity and understanding in socio-economic development.
Lt. Gen. Shikapwasha said the media should be a uniting force for the people of Zambia to develop the country in unity of purpose.
He said government would like to see increased media participation that includes positive criticism of government and its institutions.
He said the media has great potential which needs to be explored in order to make the media a platform for dialogue and a vehicle for understanding.
Lt. Gen. Shikapwasha said the media must seriously examine the role they can play in inter-cultural dialogue and mutual understanding by eradicating hatred, ignorance and prejudices.
He said the media should utilize its potential to engage every Zambian to contribute to the betterment of Zambia as opposed to keeping them engaged in politics of hate.
Lt. Gen. Shikapwasha said the media can do this if journalists develop high ethical standards. He said only a vibrant, independent, pluralistic, inclusive and fair media can contribute to dialogue and understanding.
Lt. Gen. Shikapwasha has said they are too many slave wages in the private media industry. He said this is tantamount to abusing workers rights.
Speaking earlier, Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia chairperson Henry Kabwe implored government to desist from mere political rhetoric and implement the media law reforms.
Mr. Kabwe said it was unfortunate that government has been slow in enacting media law reforms.
ENDS/PM/AM/ZANIS
Government orders the demolishing of a clinic in Mazabuka
Mazabuka District Commissioner, Tyson Hamaamba has ordered the demolishing of the new structures at Itebe clinic due to poor workmanship and use of sub-standard materials.
The structures have been condemned by engineers from the ministry of works and supply and Mazabuka Municipal Council.
Mr. Hamaamba has since directed health authorities not to pay the contractor until engineers and building inspectors are content with workmanship and the quality of materials used.
He said the named local contractor who was awarded the K150 million contract should demolish and restart the construction of clinic at his own expense.
Mr. Hamaamba also instructed government engineers and building inspectors to closely monitor and supervise the contractor.
He said as leader of government operations in the district, he would not allow any contractor to do shoddy works as government was spending colossal sums of money to invest in infrastructure development.
He said it was disappointing and frustrating to note that while government is putting much emphasis on empowering local contractors by awarding them contracts, the workmanship of some local contractors was poor.
Mr. Hamaamba said government would not hesitate to blacklist poor performing contractors.
And Contractor, John Kantumoya told ZANIS in Mazabuka today that he would abide by government’s directive to demolish the structures.
Two weeks ago, Magoye Member of Parliament, Bennie Mweemba also called for the razing down of the of the structures due to poor workmanship.
ENDS/HC/AM/ZANIS
Briefcase maize traders invade Chikankata
Chikankata Member of Parliament, Munji Habeenzu has pleaded with farmers in Mazabuka’s Mapangazya area to stop selling maize at give away prices because government will in the next few days announce the floor price of maize.
Some farmers in the area are selling a 50 kilogramme bag of maize at K 18,000.
Mr. Habeenzu said selling maize at low prices would make it difficult for the farmers to buy farming inputs during the next farming season.
He told ZANIS in Mazabuka today that farmers have ignored calls to stop selling maize to unscrupulous maize traders who have invaded Chikankata constituency.
Mr Habeenzu noted that the prices being offered to farmers by the unscrupulous businessmen are far below the reasonable price.
He said the high influx of briefcase maize traders in Chikankata would result in some farmers being swindled if the trend was allowed to continue.
ENDS/HC/AM/ZANIS
Government commends the Church for supplementing its efforts
Government has commended Caritas Kasama, a Catholic Faith Based Organisation for its positive contribution in the fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Northern Province.
Northern Province Permanent Secretary Mwalimu Simfukwe observed that Caritas Kasama through its Home Base Care programme has been in the forefront in supplementing Government efforts of alleviating the suffering of people infected by HIV.
He was speaking in Kasama yesterday during a Work Exhibition and Gallery Walk at Moto Moto Pastoral centre organized by Archdiocese of Kasama Home based programme.
Mr. Simfukwe noted that it was evident from the work that the Archdiocese of Kasama was doing through Caritas Kasama that the role of the Government and the Church can never be separated.
He has since called for a strong partnership between the Government and the Church if the country is to attain greater heights.
Mr. Simfukwe said the fight against HIV/AIDS required a multi sectoral response from all stakeholders if it was to be won.
He expressed happiness that Caritas Kasama has established links with other stakeholders in its efforts to reach the community with messages on Counseling and Testing which he described as cardinal in the fight against the pandemic.
Caritas Kasama Director Fr. Nicholas Kaliminwa said the Catholic Church was committed to partnering with Government in the fight against the HIV and AIDS pandemic.
Fr. Kaliminwa said the church’s involvement in the Home Based Care programme which started about 12 years ago in Ndola Diocese followed a realization that most bed space in hospitals were taken by AIDS patients.
He said through the home based care programme the church was trying to ensure that people infected with HIV were looked after in their homes where they can also receive love.
Fr. Kaliminwa revealed that the Archdiocese of Kasama was running 18 Home Based Care sites in eight Districts in Northern Province.
He said the Archdiocese of Kasama was the only Diocese in Zambia running a home based care programme in prisons.
The home based care programme has over 2,500 clients with 900 on Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART).
ENDS/HM/AM/ZANIS
Minor dies after being defiled
A 12 year-old girl of Chama District, in the Eastern province, who was allegedly defiled by her uncle, has died.
Chama District Victim Support Coordinator Lackson Zimba confirmed to ZANIS that the minor died yesterday in Chama district hospital.
Mr. Zimba said the girl, who was a Grade 5 pupil, died a few days after being admitted to the hospital following the defilement.
Mr. Zimba told ZANIS that the girl had informed the police that she had for a long time been repeatedly defiled by her 24 year-old uncle who looked after her.
She had narrated to police that the uncle threatened to kill her if she told anyone about the defilement.
She narrated that her uncle was a very violent man adding that at one time when she tried to fight him off he fractured her shoulder.
An X-ay taken at Chama District Hospital revealed that she suffered a broken collar bone.
The uncle has since been arrested and charged him with defilement contrary to section 138, cap 87 of the laws of Zambia.
ENDS/MK/AM/ZANIS
Rejoice in the Difficult Times
Today’s Scripture
“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation”
(Romans 5:3-4, NLT).
Today’s WORD from Joel and Victoria
Did you know that the way you handle your adversities has a huge impact on your success in life? If you shrink back, choose to get bitter, and lose your enthusiasm, then you are allowing the difficulties of life to bury you. You are allowing hardship to keep you from your God-given destiny. But if you choose to keep pressing forward with a smile on your face, rejoicing even in the hard times, you are allowing God’s character to be developed inside of you. You are setting yourself up for promotion.
Did you know that the only difference between a piece of black coal and a priceless diamond is the amount of pressure that it’s endured? When you stand strong in the midst of the trials and difficulties in life, when you allow God to shape and mold your character, it’s like going from a piece of coal to a priceless diamond. Those difficulties are going to give way to new growth, new potential, new talent, new friendships, new opportunities, new vision. You’re going to see God develop your life in ways that you’ve never even dreamed!
A Prayer for Today
Father in heaven, thank You for giving me strength to overcome every obstacle in life. I choose to rejoice no matter what may come against me because I know You are working all things together for my good. Thank You for developing Your character in me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Joel Osteen Ministries
ENPPI Advance Despite Mauling by 10-Man Arrows
10-men Red Arrows came close to causing drama on a rain drenched Saturday afternoon at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka when they beat Egyptian side ENNPI 3-0 only to bow of the Confederations Cup 4-3 on aggregate.
It was a carnival filled atmosphere at Nkoloma as Arrows attempted the almost-impossible to try and overhaul 4-0 deficit with temperamental Zambia coach Herve Renard hired to try and help steer the hosts to that Herculean feat.
“We are proud to beat an Egyptian team and I respect Egyptian football and with the win we are proud of Zambian football,” Renard said.
“Red Arrows showed that they did not finish second on the table for nothing last season with the way they played today.”
Arrows started off on a shaky note as ENPPI dominated with their early swift pace but the hosts held out led by an inspired goalkeeper Daniel Munyao.
Arrows took the lead against the run of play through Timothy Mbewe who scored the first of his three goals on the day when he whipped in a free kick in the 39th minute from outside the box.
Mbewe added another goal a minute after the hour-mark just after Under-17 starlet Jimmy Chisenga was red carded for dissent by Alfred Ndinya of Kenya.
The second goal came after Mbewe stole the ball from Mozambique international defender Mano from halfway inside ENPPI’s area to round goalkeeper Essam Mahmoud-again after a relentless offensive sortie from ENPPI.
Jimmy Njobvu could have made it 4-0 but his curling shot in the 73rd minute came off the right-angle of the woodwork.
Renard then rose of the dugout in a show of emotion to rouse a packed Nkoloma into a deafening roar to try and help fuel Arrows hopes of a shock upset.
Mbewe completed his hat-trick in the 90th minute when he thundered in a long-range shot to give Arrows a respectable end to their Confederations Cup campaign.
Renard was cheered by Arrows fans after the match after the French connection came close to motivating the airmen to making dramatic news headlines on Sundays back pages.
Simukonda Speechless After Zesco Win
Zesco United’s historic Caf African Champions League group stage qualification has left coach Fighton Simukonda speechless following Saturdays feat.
Zesco qualified to the Caf African Champions League group stage following a 2-1 on aggregate win over Malian club Djoliba by the same score line following a dramatic rally today at the Trade Fair Grounds in Ndola.
The Ndola sides qualification to the group stage of the lucrative continental club cup championships ends an elusive 13-year wait for Zambian clubs to reach the pool stage where US$950,000.00 prize awaits the eventual winner.
“Am too excited to celebrate and am just happy that we won and am the first Zambian coach to take a Zambian team to the group stage,” Simukonda said, who has been on the job since taking over from the successful Wedson Nyirenda this past February who left to coach Zanaco after back-to-back league titles with Zesco.
Zesco secured their group stage berth after rallying from 1-0 down in the first half with two second half goals.
Janvier Abouta put Djoliba ahead with a 41st minute header but Zesco replied in a space of 10 minutes after the hour-mark through Lottie Phiri and Enoch Sakala in the 66th and 76th minutes respectively.
Incidentally 27 years ago in Djoliba’s last meeting against a Zambia club, they also took the lead away before Power Dynamos mounted a comeback beat the Malian club 2-1 to advance on aggregate via the same margin in the old Caf Cup Winners Cup.
No Zambia club since the Caf changed the African Champions League format in 1997 has a Zambian club managed to qualify to the group phase of the tournament.
Five clubs came close at the second round pre-group stage led by Mufulira Wanderers who were eliminated by Zamalek in 1997 and later Power Dynamos were shown the door by Manning Rangers of South Africa in 2008.
Mamelodi Sundowns and Zamalek knocked out Nkana in 2000 and 2002 respectively while two-time African club champions Enyimba booted out Red Arrows in 2005.
Meanwhile, Zesco now await the final second round matches to be played tomorrow before the draws are made by Caf this week and the composition of the Ndola sides opponents in their debut pool campaign is known.
The African Champions League group stage kicks on during the weekend of July 17-19.
Zambian parents told to keep a close watch on their daughters
Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Leslie Mbula has warned Zambian parents to keep a close watch on their daughters so that they are not lured into South Africa where they may be forced to work as sex slaves.
Meanwhile, Mr. Mbula has appealed to the Zambian Association in South Africa (ZASA) to help in registering Zambians living in South Africa so that the mission has a proper record of the Zambian community in South Africa.
According to a statement released in Lusaka today by Second Secretary for Press at the Zambian Chancery, Mr. Mbula was speaking when a four-man delegation of ZASA officials led by its chairman Daniel Mundea called on him at the Chancery today.
Mr. Mbula said the mission did not have a proper record of the Zambian community living in South Africa because many of them were not registered.
He expressed concern at the increasing number of young Zambian girls who were getting stranded in South Africa because they have no passports and no means of sustaining themselves.
Mr. Mbula said girls as young as 15 years old were being smuggled into South Africa by truck-drivers supposedly for the purpose of finding them jobs but in reality the younger girls are forced to work as sex slaves.
He disclosed that a few luck ones had managed to escape from their “bosses” and reported themselves at the mission.
Mr. Mbula said the girls forced into the sex trade are at risk of contracting the dreaded HIV/AIDS disease adding that such girls also run the risk of getting killed.
He said parents could put a stop to such unnecessary risks if they kept track of their daughters’ whereabouts.
The Zambian envoy said police and other relevant authorities should be alerted whenever teenage daughters disappear from home.
ENDS/PM/AM/ZANIS