A month ago on the 25th January Lusakatimes published a story on Cardson Kabwe a 25yr old medical student studying in Russia. Cardson was diagnosed with heart disease which required urgent surgery. The Zambian embassy in Russia advised Cardson Kabwe to go back to Zambia, where chances of him ever having surgery were slim.

After the article was published on Lusakatimes there was an outcry from well meaning Zambians who castigated the Zambian government for quickly sending sick politicians to South Africa for treatment but ignoring this young promising future Zambian doctor.Lusakatimes readers stood in solidarity with Cardson and pledged to help  raise the funds for his heart surgery.

Lusakatimes is pleased to announce that the latest bank details show that a total of $6500 has been deposited in Cardson Kabwe’s VTB bank account. The paypal account set up by www.mwape.com (which is also shown on Lusakatimes)  collected $ 2 771.67. In total Zambian well wishers have raised $9271.67 for Cardson Kabwe to undergo a life saving heart surgery.

Cardson has been overwhemed by the response and would like to give his heartfelt gratitude to all those who have supported him financially, supported him in prayer and  those who provided moral support.

Cardson has been  referred to a military hospital where the total cost of the operation is cheaper and comes to approximately $11000. Procurement of high quality valves from the US and delivery to the hospital will  cost $5 000, then pre-surgery tests and the operation, another ( $6 000 approximately).
He has to procure the valves without fail by the end of this week. The hard cash is availible and he is in the process of ordering them.
The doctors will operate on him when he pays half of the cost for the operation (about $3 000). After the operation, he will pay the remaining half. Support from everyone all around the world has been overwhelming.

Cardson is confident that by the time he comes out of the operation all the funds will be available. It has been a tedious fight but things are looking  well for Kabwe. Every little amount donated counts and makes a difference.Please continue making donations either through the paypal account or his personal bank account( details found on the Cardson Kabwe link at the top of the Lusakatimes homepage)

All this has shown the true heart of  Zambia.Cardson Kabwe was faced with an impossible situation. His sponsors and the the Zambian embassy gave up on him and were ready to send him on the next plane to Lusaka. However, he was surrounded by a group of friends- Zambian students in Russia who believed if they stood up for a just cause regardless of what obstacles stood in their way they would overcome.Though the Zambian students in Russia often face delays in receiving their meagre allowances they pledged to give whatever they could to help their colleague have this surgery.  After reading about Cardson Kabwe, Zambians all over the world pledged to help raise the funds.This shows that we do not always need politicians, government or donors to change a situation.May Zambians continue in this spirit of unity to effect change in peoples lives and indeed our beloved country Zambia.Like the Zambian Students in Russia may we use obstacles in our paths as stepping stones.

Today’s Scripture

“He Who sits in the heavens laughs” (Psalm 2:4, AMP).

Today’s Word from Joel and Victoria

Can you get a picture of God laughing in the heavens? Right now, God is on the throne. He’s not mad. He’s not worried about the economy. He’s not upset with you and me. What’s He doing? God is full of joy and laughing on the throne. It goes on to tell us in Psalm 37 why He’s laughing, because “He can see the destruction of the enemy coming.” In other words, the reason God laughs is because He knows the end of the story. He knows the final outcome. The good news is that you and I win. God always causes us to triumph!

Imagine you’re watching the Super Bowl, but you already know the outcome. You already know who is going to win. No matter how far behind the winning team falls, no matter how bad it looks for them, you wouldn’t get upset. You wouldn’t be worried. Why? You’ve got inside information. You know the final outcome. That’s what God is saying to us today. When it gets tough and things don’t look like they’re going to work out, we know with God, we are on the winning team! You can laugh with Him today knowing that He has favor, strength, and victory for you in every area of your life!

A Prayer for Today

Father in heaven, I choose to rest and trust in You. Thank You for bringing victory in every area of my life. Give me opportunities today to share Your joy and love with the people around me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Joel Osteen Ministries

The Foundation for Justice, Integrity and Fairness (FAJIFA) in Northern Province has advised politicians to find better ways of resolving their differences than using the press to settle scores.

FAJIFA acting Vice President Evaristo Chongo said in Kasama that the recent attacks on the Presidency by expelled Mpulungu Member of Parliament Lameck Chibombamilimo and Katuba Constituency MP Jonas Shakafuswa were unfortunate.

He said the expelled duo should have found a better way of expressing their grievances over government’s action on them instead of making threats in the media.

Mr. Chongo has particularly challenged the former Energy Deputy Minister to go ahead and spill the beans if that was in public interest.

He further said it was wrong for Mr. Chibombamilimo to think that just because he used his personal resources to campaign for President Banda, then he cannot be disciplined.

Mr. Chongo said those serving in public offices should know that their positions where not personal to holders as they were meant to serve the interest of the people of Zambia.

President Banda relieved the two ministers of the duties in his administration for indiscipline. The President action was followed he ruling MMD National Executive Committee (NEC)expulsion of the two on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, FAJIFA has reacted sharply to a recent statement by a Clergy advocating for Chiefs’ participation in active politics as long as they had the necessary qualifications.

Mr Chongo said his organization was against chief taking part in active politics saying such a move will compromise their integrity.

He has since appealed to the National Constitutional Conference to include a clause that will bar chiefs from taking part in active politics.

Mr. Chongo observed that allowing Chief to participate in partisan politics will create a conflict of interest as they rule over subjects with diverse political affiliation.

ZANIS/HM/ENDS/MM

President Banda yesterday paid tribute to former President Kenneth Kaunda for his foresight in having a hydro electric power plant erected at Kariba.This was when he launched the US$400 million Kariba North Bank power extension project in Siavonga which will see electricity generation at the station increased by 360 mega watts.

The plant which is currently being rehabilitated and up-rated from 600 to 700 mega watts generation capacity will be built within the existing Kariba North Bank Power Station.

The new project will involve the installation of an additional two generators with a total capacity of 360 Mega watts which will bring a total installed capacity at Kariba North Bank to 1080 Mega Watts.

Mr Banda said at the launch that government recognised the important role the development of infrastructure played in the quest to create wealth and improve the livelihood of the people.

The plant is being constructed by Sinohydro Corporation of China.

Mr Banda thanked the Chinese government for facilitating the provision of 85 per cent of the cost of the project through the China Export and Import Bank .The Development Bank of Southern Africa is providing the rest of the funds.

He said the completion of some of the projects in the upgrading of smaller power stations would enable the country to meet the millennium development goals (MDGs) and the Vision 2030.

Other projects being implemented are Kafue Gorge Lower hydro power station, Kalungwishi and Itezhi tezhi.

Mr Banda said the Itezhi-Tezhi hydropower project of 120 mega watts would cost Government $200million.

He said the 210-mega watts Kalungushi hydropower project would cost about $400 million.

Mr Banda said his government had been emphasising the need to build more power stations as well as rehabilitate and expand existing plants.

Minister of Energy and Water Development Kenneth Konga said an increase in the electricity tariffs this year to cost effective levels may invite investment in the sector.

He said he expected Zesco to improve its performance and service delivery.

Zesco managing director Rhodnie Sisala said the project was not only important to Zambia but to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.

European Investment Bank representative David White said hydro power stations were an asset, not only to the country in which they were built but also to the entire region.

Chinese ambassador to Zambia Li Qiangmin said the launch of the project was a great moment in the history of relations between China and Zambia.

The Dora Siliya tribunal has been informed that the minister had no power to cancel a duly awarded contract for the supply and installation of a Radar system at the Lusaka and Livingstone airports.

Purchasing and Supplies officer in the Ministry of Communications and Transport,Isaac Mukupa, disclosed this during the continued sitting of the tribunal in Lusaka yesterday.

Mr. Mukupa said Ms. Siliya had no authority to cancel the tender award because she is not part of the procurement system for the ministry.

He further submitted that Ms. Siliya did not follow the right procedure when she notified the Zambia Public Procurement Authority of the cancellation of the tender.

Mr. Mukupa said he was not aware of any instructions from the minister to the permanent secretary over the cancellation of the tender.

Meanwhile the petitioners’ lawyer Winter Kabimba has subpeoned Mr. Mukupa to present to the tribunal the two documents related to the tender.

The documents are the internal memorandum relating to the procurement of the Radars.
[ZNBC]