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Chief Mwanachingwala of Mazabuka has advised President Rupiah Banda to avoid being temperamental.
Chief Mwanachingwala urged Mr Banda not to be temperamental because doing so would make him lose focus on taking development to the people.
The Chief has also urged the Opposition to offer constructive criticism to government if Zambians were to benefit from government developmental programmes.
” Some MMD and Opposition officials were issuing statements to provoke the President and I can only advise him not to lose temper because the statements are meant to make him to answer back and lose concentration on national development,” said Chief Mwanachingwala.
The Chief told ZANIS in Mazabuka today.
He said it is sad to note that instead of engaging government in finding solutions to the financial global crunch, the opposition had failed to provide answers to the problems confronting the nation.
He urged President Banda to be careful with some opposition party leaders and MMD’s officials whom he said only want to see his down fall.
Chief Mwanachingwala said President Banda has offered to improve the economy hence the need for Zambians to support his leadership.
Meanwhile, Chief Mwanachingwala has commended Patriotic Leader, Michael Sata for withdrawing the Presidential Petition in the Lusaka high court.
The Chief said the withdraw will help the country move forward.
ZANIS/HC/ENDS/MM
A 38 year old husband of Water Affairs Compound in Lundazi district died in his house after his wife caught red handed committing adultery.
Eastern Province, Police Commanding Officer, Mary Chikwanda confirmed the incident to ZANIS in Lundazi and has since identified the deceased as Jumbani Banda.
Ms Chikwanda disclosed that Jumbani Banda decided to take his life by hanging after his wife found him
committing adultery with an unknown woman.
She after the couple had quarreled the previous night and the wife decided to leave the house,
The late Banda’s body is Lundazi Hospital mortuary pending a postmortem.
Government has applied programmes in the national planning that will reduce gender imbalance.
Western Province Minister Adonis Mufalali said this is in order to promote equal partnership between Women and Men.
Mr. Mufalali said that women need to take advantage and complement Government policies that have been put in place for them.
He also pointed that NGOs need to mainstream their programmes that are going to ensure men’s involvement.
The minister said this in a speech read on his behalf by Western Province Deputy Permanent Secretary Phanuel Chibala during the International Women’s Day Commemoration yesterday.
Villagers in Chipembele ward in Monze district have commended the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIBS) for initiating an HIV/AIDS sensitization program.
The villagers said the HIV/AIDS initiative being implemented through Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS), was welcome in the area as it would help address various issues on the pandemic.
They said that HIV/AIDS was one of the major challenges being faced in the rural areas as very little sensitization had reached the areas.
A ward Councilor, Mr. Hamalengwa said in an interview that the HIV/AIDS sensitization program under ZANIS would go a long way in achieving awareness campaigns on the pandemic in rural areas.
This came to light when ZANIS Monze carried out an HIV/AIDS sensitization program which included showing of videos in the area.
The Councilor also called on relevant authorities in the ministry of information and broadcasting to ensure that such kind of programs and other developmental projects benefiting communities are brought to the attention of the people in order for them to appreciate government efforts.
ZANIS is currently conducting some sensitization program on HIV and AIDS in all districts of Southern province and other parts of the country through showing of videos on the pandemic and community meetings.
The program has since been funded by the ministry with each district receiving a total amount of K10 million for its implementation.
The re-education of Peter Kaumba begun at Konkola Blades today with a 2-0 home win at Konkola Stadium in Chililabombwe over much-fancied Green Buffaloes that saw them go to of the table at the end of Week 1.
Chileshe Kabwe put Blades ahead in the 15th m minute before Chipulu Chileya made it 2-0 on the half hour mark.
It was a positive return to coaching for Kaumba after a 12-month sabbatical from the game.
Kaumba had forgettable three-stint with Zamtel at the start of 2007 before his 7-year turbulent term as Zambia Under-23 coach came to an end last year after two successive 4th place finishes at the All-Africa Games in Nigeria and Algeria.
POWER DYNAMOS
Kaumba’s open day win at the helm of Blades was overshadowed by Mohamed Fathy’s Power Dynamos dramatic rally from 1-0 down against visiting Zanaco to win 2-1 at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe.
Zanaco took the lead in the 43rd minute through Zambia midfielder Henry Banda as the visitors looked like they were set to exorcise their ghosts of March 15, 2008 when Power beat them 5-0 in a Week 1 game at Sunset Stadium in Lusaka.
Fathy’s side refused to roll over and die and replied with a 49th minute equalizer through striker Elson Mkandawire before defender Perry Mubanga sealed the 3 points for Power in the 76th minute.
The win was the third successive competitive victory for Power under new coach Fathy who led them to the Charity Shield win last weekend.
The Egyptian-born coach is already under-pressure to prove his worth after a difficult 12-month stint at Kabwe Warriors last season.
CHOMA EAGLES 1- FOREST RANGERS 0
Prolific striker and sometime Zambia international Aubrey Zulu resurfaced in the Faz Premier Division just months after his ex-club Green Eagles where demoted when he scored the games lone goal in Maamba for sister club and promoted Choma Eagles against visiting Forest Rangers.
KABWE WARRIORS 0- NAKAMBALA LEOPARDS 0
Levy “Chabby” Chabala begun his third reign as Warriors coach with a scoreless home draw against Weston Mumba’s promoted Nakambala Leopards at Railway Grounds in Kabwe.
Postponed:
City of Lusaka-Chambishi*
Lusaka Dynamos- Roan United*
Young Arrows- Red Arrows**
Zamtel- Zesco United**
*Cancelled due to Nchanga Rangers appeals case to the Faz council over their relegation to Division 1 north after the Faz tribunal in February overturned an appeals committee ruling that went in Rangers favor of their survival in January.
** TBA
Red Arrows this afternoon record an important home win in the Caf Confederations Cup when they defeated Nigerian side Ocean Boys 2-0 at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.
Arrows were in control from beginning to end against an Ocean Boys who failed to leave up the top billing that has preceded Nigerian sides that have hit our local pitches.
The hosts took the lead in the 3rd minute of the first half through Timothy Mbewe before defender Richard Phiri made it 2-0 twenty five minutes later.
The two sides play their final leg decider in Abuja during the weekend of April 4-5.
Meanwhile, in other international matches played today, Malawi Under-17 arrived an hour later for their junior friendly international against their Zambian counterparts at Nakambala Stadium in Mazabuka to win 2-0.
Malawi were using the match as part of their build-up for their participation in the Algeria 2009 Caf Africa Under-17 Championship that kicks off in Algiers on March 19.
MMD youths in Ndola have given MMD NEC Members Elias Mpondela and Sebastian Kopulande a 24-hour ultimatum in which to resign or face their wrath.
Led by MMD Ndola District Youth Chairman Patrick Nyasulu, the youths said they are seriously disappointed with the remarks made by the two NEC members during a Radio Phoenix, live radio programme “Let the people talk” yesterday.
Mr Nyasulu, who was accompanied by Cornelius Chitukwa, Gehane Ntaimo and Alex Mabanga all members of the district executive committee,said two senior leaders have been associated with the MMD for a long time and that it is immoral for the two to speak as they spoke.
He said the youths in Ndola are calling for their immediate resignation from the party because they have out lived their usefulness.
He further charged that the youths were also aware that the two NEC members are working in collaboration with a few bad eggs in the NEC who want to bring down the party and President Rupiah Banda.
The youths have vowed that if the two do not resign they will be forced to take the law into their own hands and have the two sorted out.
Mr Nyasulu said the cleaning exercise of the MMD party is underway and in top gear and advised that all disgruntled members should leave the party before they face the wrath of the youths, who he said are geared to defend the name of the party and its President who is also republican head of state.
Gender and Women Affairs minister Sarah Sayifwanda says it is government’s goal to deepen women’s participation in the economy.
Ms. Sayifwanda said it was government’s desire to encourage more women to participate in the growth of the national economy.
She said this in Lusaka today, when she officiated at a Zambia Breweries (ZB) organised meeting for women at the Mulungushi International Conference Center.
The minister said that government also appreciates corporate entities like ZB Plc who plough back their profits into communities.
Ms. Sayifwanda urged other corporate companies to emulate Zambian Breweries Group so that they can help make Zambia a better place to live in.
She commended Zambian Breweries for the approach they have taken of opting to empower the women adding that it was more sustainable than advancing them with money or loans.
Zambian Breweries Group Managing Director, Mr. Pearson Gowero said his company believes that long term success of any company is irrevocably intertwined with the success of the community it operates in.
Mr. Gowero said it is for this reason that his company has been a trend-setter in corporate social responsibility programs in the country for many years.
He said the seminar was further proof of the company’s commitment to Economic and Social development in Zambia.
Government has given a grant amounting to K396 million to various youth and sports organisations in the country and has pledged continued support to organisations that look after the welfare of children.
The grant which is divided in three categories with the sports department getting K110,468,000.00 for 8 sports institutions, Child department K46,750,000.00 for 21 institutions and the youth department K239,166,000.00 for its 27 institutions country wide.
Youth, Sport and Child Development Minister Kenneth Chipungu said the grant is aimed at creating and promoting dialogue between youth institutions and government.
Speaking when he met stakeholders from different youth Non Governmental organisations (NGOs) in Lusaka yesterday, Chipungu said government recognized the role that young people play towards the national development and therefore it will continue supporting efforts intended to develop the youths.
He noted that institutions such as Orphanages, Empowerment clubs, Community youth clubs, Sports clubs and other child care organisations should be given support by all.
He said these organizations supplement government’s efforts in reaching out to the vulnerable groups in society.
The minister explained that through these NGOs, government would be able to effectively monitor Child, youth and Sport development in the country.
Chipungu noted that there is need for all stakeholders to be involved in issues concerning child development if the country is to achieve sustainable development.
He added that if children are well developed they are likely to contribute to the Socio-Economic development of the country.
Meanwhile the Minster has urged all the organisations that have received the grants not to be complacent but to work hard and generate more resources for their operations.
Chipungu pointed out that in this time of global economic crunch, government cannot manage to provide all the needed resources for the operations of all NGOs in the country wide.
He further called upon the recipients to ensure that the grants save the intended purpose of uplifting the living standards of people in the country.
Beneficiary organisations are the National Youth Development Council (NYDC), National Sports Council, Girls and the Boys Brigade, SOS children Home, Cheshire Homes, Chiota Empowerment Club, Young Women Christian Association (YWCA) Chilenje transient home among others.
Opposition Patriotic Front, PF, Kabwata Member of Parliament, Given Lubinda, says he would not be intimidated by some political party cadres, who are using Constituency Development Fund, CDF, to create confusion in the constituency.
Mr. Lubinda said Kabwata is among the constituencies in the country that have utilized the CDF towards the intended projects.
He vowed not to be threatened by ultimatums being issued by the cadres of a named party over CDF.
He explained that the Lusaka City Council, LCC, is better placed to explain the utilization of the funds through its annual reports.
He urged the concerned people to check the statements of Account for CDF from the ministry of local government and housing or LCC.
He explained that the funds are managed by LCC and not the Parliamentarian as he has no access to the funds apart from helping identify beneficiary projects.
He, however, indicated that CDF was inadequate to finance all development projects in Kabwata Constituency.
Some residents in Kabwata Constituency have threatened to pass a vote of no confidence in Mr. Lubinda if he does not explain how CDF has been utilised in the constituency within two weeks.
Yesterday scores of Kabwata Constituency residents in Lusaka demonstrated against member of Parliament, Given Lubinda for allegedly failing to help improve roads, water and the drainage facilities in the area.
The residents marched from Kabwata Basic School to Kabwata market to show their displeasure against their MP whom they said should ensure development in the area.
Kabwata youth representative, Ellium Kapalamula said during the demonstration that the townships in the constituency had poor drainage systems, no clean water and roads were almost impassable.
The group gave Mr Lubinda 14 days in which to react to their demonstration.
“We have given Mr Lubinda 14 days to react to our demonstration, failure to that we are going to follow him to his constituency office and declare him no more in this area,” Mr Kapalamula said.
He said that Mr Lubinda had not done much for the constituency since the time he was first elected in 2001.
Mr Kapalamula, however, wondered where the Constituency Development Fund was taken since the funds were meant for the constituency.
He said the MP was told about the complaints from his people but he ignored them, adding that sometimes he blamed the Government just because he was coming from an opposition party.
Speaking at the same occasion Kabwata resident representative, Elizabeth Zulu said children were unable to go to school after heavy rain because of poor drainage systems and roads.
Ms Zulu said the area councillors and Mr Lubinda were elected to represent the people and help them solve problems.
She said she had been to Lusaka City Council on the situation in the area but she was told to inform the area councillors and the MP.
Ms Zulu said the councillors and Mr Lubinda were informed about the problems but had not responded.
She said the people would not remain quiet until they saw progress in Kabwata constituency.
The National Initiative for Citizens Awareness (NICA) has mobilised 300 youths from various communities to carry out a cleaning activity at the Old Leopards Hill Cemetery.
NICA President Kelvin Sampa says in a statement to ZANIS that his organisation has mobilised the youths mainly from the ruling MMD for the activity which will start at 09: 00 hours, Sunday.
Mr Sampa said the activity is in accordance with President Rupiah Banda’s challenge, in his 2009 Youth Day Celebrations speech, for youths to be innovative.
He said it is for this reason that his organisation has come to realise that youths should take a leading role and show the nation that they could come together for national development.
THE NICA president said his organisation is spearheading the project with the support from Chines Associations based in Zambia.
The project is the first of its kind in the country. Many a cemetery in the country remain unkempt and with over grown grass as often times the bereaved families rarely find time to tend cemeteries of their deceased loved ones.
Mr Sampa expressed his hope that his organisation’s initiative would enable other groups and organisations to emulate.
ZANIS/MM/ENDS/MM
The Zambia and Chinese governments have signed a 150 Yuan loan contract for the construction of a new stadium in Ndola.
Finance and National Planning Minster Situmbeko Musonkotwane signed on behalf of the Zambian Government while Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Li Qiangmin signed on behalf of his government.
And Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Company of China has been engaged to carry out the 26 months construction project.
Speaking at the signing ceremony in Lusaka today,Dr. Musonkotwane expressed happiness that China has continued to show its continued support towards infrastructure development in Zambia.
Dr. Musonkotwane noted the project which is expected to start by June this year has come at right time when many of the local people are losing jobs due to global economic meltdown.
He said it is for this reason that government is pleased as the project will not only improve the sports standards in the country but will also cushion the impact by creating more job opportunities for the local people.
He urged the business community in the country to take advantage and boost their businesses by building more infrastructures such as hotels, lodges and shops around the stadium.
And at the some ceremony Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Li Qiangmin retaliated his government commitment towards infrastructure improvement in Zambia.
Mr. Li said despite the economic hardships that most of the countries are facing in the World, China will ensure that it implement all the projects that it has started.
He further assured the Zambian government that work will be done according to schedule by the engaged constructor.
And in Mumbwa district, a Chinese Mining Investment Firm has donated K10 million towards the development of infrastructure at Nangoma High School .
Senior Chief Shakumbila of the Sala People disclosed to ZANIS that a Chinese Firm called common Resources Holdings (CRH) donated the money towards the expanding the infrastructure of the school.
The Chief said that he was happy with the assistance made by the investors, adding that Traditional Leaders appreciated efforts that aimed at propping up education in Chiefdoms.
He said the management of the firm had informed him that they were still prospecting for minerals in his chiefdom, and that more donations could follow after the commencing of production.
And Mumbwa District Commissioner Dowell Chilimboyi said the donation was illustrative of the private public – Partnership (PPP) that was needed in complementing government’s efforts towards improving the education sector in rural areas.
Mr. Chilimboyi urged other investors in the district to emulate common Resource Holdings Firm adding that much could be achieved if government and the private sector worked together in developmental projects involving education infrastructure.
Government has observed that the rapid dilapidation in sports facilities has greatly contributed to juvenile delinquency in the country.
Lusaka Province Permanent Secretary, Stephen Bwalya, said lack of investment in sports infrastructure development and lack of recreation facilities in the country has deprived many youths of the chance to explore their talents.
Mr. Bwalya said this when he officiated at an Inter-denomination youth tournament held at Matero Boys Secondary School in Lusaka yesterday..
He said sports development should be encouraged because it acts as a catalyst for fostering peace and national development at all levels.
He added that government stands ready to partner with the private sector in the developing sport in the country.
Mr. Bwalya has since implored the church and civic leaders to incorporate sports in their extra curricular activities in their church activities for the young people.
And Victory Ministry International Bible Church Youth coordinator, Alex Katongo, said the objective of the tournament wais to evangelize to the youths through sport.
Mr. Katongo said the church will continue to organize such tournaments, which act as a platform for disseminating information to the youths on behavioural change.
Earlier Lusaka Province Sports coordinator Doris Mulenga said such tournaments keep the Youths away from vices.
A combined team of Chinese and Zambian investors is currently conducting feasibility studies in Northern Province on the possibilities of establishing a US$ 3 billion bio-diesel joint venture project.
Traditional rulers in Northern Province have expressed willingness to provide large portions of land for the project, which is likely to create employment for the local people.
Speaking in Kasama recently during a meeting with heads of Government departments attended by the investors; Commence Minister Felix Mutati said there was need to attract more investors to create job opportunities for the local people.
Mr. Mutati said Government was working hard to ensure that it creates a conducive environment for both local and foreign investment.
The Minister expressed hope that the project which is aimed at creating massive out-grower schemes for bio diesel would be well received by the province failure to which it will be moved to another province.
Delegation leader from the Private Sector Development Reform Programme, Lovemore Simwanda said Bio-mass development PLC, a Zambian company and Wuhan Kaidi holdings of China, plans to invest about US$ 3bn in the bio-fuel project in Zambia.
The investment is expected to create about 50,000 job opportunities for the local people.
He explained that the team which was targeting five districts in Northern Province was looking for land in excess of 700,000 hectors where to set up plantations for the extraction of bio-fuel.
He said the land which was being looked at was that which had been degraded through massive cutting of trees.
Chief Chitoshi and Mukupa Kaoma of Mporokoso district have expressed willingness to provide land for the Bio Diesel project if their areas are found suitable for the project.
The Chiefs told ZANIS in separate interviews recently that they were ready to sit down with the investors so that they could discuss how best the project would benefit their subjects.
They observed that they have been longing for investment which would help to improve the living standards of people in their chiefdoms.
The districts targeted are Nakonde, Isoka, Chinsali, Mporokoso and Luwingu.
Red Arrows, Zesco United and the Zambia Under-17 national team all take to the field in an action packed weekend of football.
Arrows and the Under-17 team are in action on Saturday at home while Zesco are on the road away in Cote d’Ivoire.
At Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka, Arrows hosts Ocean Boys of Nigeria in a Caf Confederations Cup 1st round, 1st leg match.
This will be Ocean Boys first ever trip to Zambia for the club that was formed in 2002 before winning the Nigeria league in 2006.
While Arrows began their Confederations Cup campaign with a preliminary round 7-0 aggregate win over Mundu of Zanzibar, Ocean Boys enjoyed a bye in only their second outing in Africa.
Ocean Boys last African campaign ended in a 1-0 preliminary round aggregate defeat at the hands of Kallon FC of Sierra Leone in the 2007 Caf Africa Champions League after a scoreless home draw.
And on the same day down the road in Mazabuka, the Zambia Under-17 side take on Malawi Under-17 in a junior international friendly at Nakambala Stadium.
Malawi face Zambia in a preparatory match ahead of their participation in the Algeria 2009 Caf Africa Under-17 Championships that kickoffs on March 19 in Algiers.
Meanwhile, Zesco make the first Caf club competition visit to West Africa when they face Africa Sports in Abidjan on Sunday afternoon in a Caf Africa Champions League 1st round, 1st leg match.
Like Arrows West African opponents, Africa Sports enter the fray in the 1st round on bye while Zesco arrive in Abidjan after qualifying from the preliminary stage 5-1 on aggregate.
Zesco travel to face Africa Sports minus striker Enoch Sakala who is serving a one-match ban while loan-signings from Lusaka Dynamos defender Hichani Himoonde and midfielder Josphat Nkhoma are expected to make their debuts after recovering from injuries.
Top scorer Clifford Chipalo on three goals in the competition so far is in the team.
