Dear bloggers,

My name is Mulenga (not real name). I grew up in Kabulonga Lusaka.My father was a businessman in the mid 80s to mid 90s. He was quite successful in what he did. I apparently had 6-8 siblings. Lost count through the years. The youngest of my fathers children JJ and I are from the same mother.The rest have different mothers. Most of my brothers and sisters lived with their mothers. My father however supported them.

Having a stranger show up with bags at our house with a claim that he was my fathers child was a normal occurrence in my childhood. Sometimes it was fun discovering I had a “new” big brother. These new big brothers always made my holidays interesting. My mother was never amused though and it was a source, I suspect, of the many quarrels my parents had.

When I was in grade 8 my father started falling ill. At first he would fly out of the country for weeks on end for treatment. Later he turned to Chinese medicine and witchdoctors. As he was spending more and more time from his business his business started failing. His brother used to help run things and I become aware that his brother was actually stealing money but my dad was too sick to do anything about it. My mother also become ill. She deteriorated more rapidly than my father and died within a year. By that time my grandmother had thankfully come to live with us. I was numb to any feelings. My younger brother stopped speaking for a long time. I think he was also very traumatized. He still behaves like he has a few screws missing upstairs to this day.

One by one relatives and friends abandoned our family as my father got worse. As a young man, I had to take care of my father. The big brothers who used to frequent our house were nowhere to be seen now. I was exposed to things a boy of 15 shouldn’t be. I was so disgusted with this man. How was it possible to hate someone and love him at the same time?

I got to know HIV/AIDS intimately if I can say so. It took both my parents. I vowed I would never walk in my fathers footsteps. As years went on I turned to alcohol to numb the pain I had. Soon I found out that women were a welcome accompaniment to the alcohol. Without realising it, I had become my father. I am so disgusted with myself, I drink to numb those feelings of shame. Its a vicious cycle.

Dear readers, this is a letter I wish my cousin Mulenga could admit to himself and write. I have watched him self destruct through the years and become the man he wished he would never become. I have tried talking to him. I’ve even invited him to go to church on numerous occasions. He says church is for losers. I joke that, that’s exactly why I’m inviting him! I pray constantly that one day he will change. Every night I know he is out drinking I pray for him.

Parents your actions will have an impact on your children and grandchildren long after you are gone. Are beer and women with the resultant HIV/AIDS worth destroying so many lives? Think about it.

Ruth

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Deputy Director for Court Operations at Judiciary headquarters, Edward Musona, says courts are not happy to grant divorces.

Mr Musona said in Choma yesterday that courts however grant divorce so reluctantly because of the rebellious and unfaithful nature of people.

Mr Musona said marriage is a voluntary union of one man and one woman for life to the exclusion of all others adding that divorce is not permissible by both law and religions.

Mr Musonda was speaking at a reception for a newly wed couple of Choma, Kasamba and Given Hakamwaya, held at Choma trades training institute.

He said in marriage there may be problems and differences but that these should not lead to the separation of couples.

Mr Musona cautioned the newly wed couple against allowing differences to be the ground for divorce.

ZANIS/CM/Ends/MM

The Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has projected a further reduction in mealie-meal prices but has urged Government to increase its budgetary allocation for it to effectively carry out its mandate of ensuring food security in the country.

FRA executive director, Anthony Mwanaumo, said in Lusaka yesterday that some milling companies were still using their old stock of maize bought at a higher price and they would be expected to reduce the prices of their mealie-meal when they start using stocks bought at a lower price from the FRA.

Dr Mwanaumo was speaking in Lusaka during the recording of “Culture Remodeling” television programme hosted by the Ministry of Finance and National Planning.

He said the FRA has worked out procedures for the release of stock and has effected protective mechanisms to ensure stabilisation and subsequent reduction of mealie-meal prices.

The FRA has reduced the price of a 50kg bag of maize from the previous K63,000 to K55,000.

The agency has also increased maize supply to millers from 30,000 metric tonnes to 60,000 metric tonnes per month.

When the country is not experiencing a maize deficit, the agency supplies the millers with only 30,000 metric tonnes each month. The quantity is half of the total amount of maize consumed nationwide each month.

The agency plans to purchase an additional 163,000 metric tonnes of locally supplied white maize to meet the millers’ requirements and to replenish the strategic reserves.
Dr Mwanaumo said that the agency has 80,000 metric tonnes of maize in its strategic reserves and that it needs more funding for it to operate better.

He said Government’s allocation of K80 billion for the 2008-09 marketing season was a 67 per cent reduction from the previous season’s allocation. In the 2007-08 marketing season Government allocated K240 billion.

He declined to say how much the agency would need to operate to expectations, but said that the FRA was in dire need of more funding.

“We have 80,000 metric tonnes in strategic reserves…Our stocks are relatively low. You have seen us of late importing and buying stocks from the local growers,” Dr Mwanaumo said.

He said the FRA has learnt something critical from borrowing in order to meet its objectives. This was in reference to the K270 billion that the FRA borrowed for the 2006- 2007 marketing seasons.

“When you borrow, you cannot achieve your desired goals considering that you have to pay back interest. We borrowed K270 billion and at least we managed to pay back the debt,” he said.

Dr Mwanaumo said that the FRA has a storage capacity of 2 million metric tonnes of maize and that it realised K7 billion in the last three years through the provision of market access to farmers.

He said most peasant farmers have improved their livelihoods because the FRA has been able to buy produce.

Dr Mwanaumo said the FRA has proposed a higher budgetary allocation for the next farming season to enable it meet its obligations of ensuring food security.

He said in view of the global credit crunch there was need for increased production and improved market access for the farmers.

He said that Zambia’s maize production capacity was far from being attained.

Dr Mwanaumo said Government must encourage irrigation farming, production of diversified crops and enhance the fertiliser support programme.

He has also noted that Zambia’s crop production belt had shifted from Southern Province to Northern Province.

Dr Mwanaumo said this was why the FRA closed some satellite depots in the Southern Province and opened more in Northern Province.

Daily Mail

Today’s Scripture

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom…” (Proverbs 9:10).

Today’s Word from Joel and Victoria

After Jesus was born, the Bible tells us in Matthew chapter two that Wise Men came from the East to bow before Him and worship Him.  They went to great lengths just to get a glimpse of the child and traveled a long distance for many months, following the star. When they saw Him, they were so overwhelmed.  The scripture says they fell to their faces to honor and worship Him.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.  That means that we should have a reverential honor and respect for Him—just like the Wise Men did.  We are wise when we set everything else in life aside in order to seek Him.  We are wise when we worship Him and give Him everything that we are.  We are wise when we take time to honor Him.  Remember, God is a rewarder of the people who diligently seek after Him.  As you continue to put Him first in all you do, you’ll increase in wisdom and discernment, and you’ll move forward into the life of blessing He has in store for you.

A Prayer for Today

Father in heaven, I choose wisdom.  I choose to put You first and seek You in all that I do.  I honor You and bless Your name.  Thank You for the many blessing You have prepared for me.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.
Joel Osteen ministries

Libya has given Zambia several tractors for boosting food production in the country.

Speaking at the occassion, Republican President Rupiah Banda said Zambia appreciates the friendship and brotherhood Libya has always extended to Zambia.

Mr. Banda observed that mechanized farming is key to addressing the challenges of food production in Zambia.

He said the country was currently in need of mechanical farming equipment such as tractors in order to address the challenges being faced as a result of the global financial credit crunch.

Mr. Banda also noted that government considers agriculture as one of the key alternatives to the mining sector following the fall in copper prices on the world market.

He said government is looking forward to receiving more mechanical agriculture equipment as earlier pointed out by the Libyan government to ensure the whole country benefits from the gesture.

Mr. Banda has since assured the Libyan government that the equipment will be well distributed around the country and be used for the intended purpose of boosting food

production in the country.

Among those that witnessed the official handover were Agriculture Minister Dr. Brian Chituwo, Presidential Affairs Minister Gabriel Namulambe and Special Political Advisor to the President Akashambatwa Mbikusita Lewanika.

Libyan Ambassador to Zambia Khalifa Omar Swiexi said the gesture is aimed at helping to develop the Zambian agricultural sector.

Mr. Swiexi said his country is committed to providing assistance to friendly countries like Zambia through the provision of mechanical equipment such as tractors and other agricultural equipment.

He said the gesture is also a symbol of the long standing relationship between the two countries for the purpose of establishing cooperation and the exploitation of the natural resources.

Mr. Swiexi who described the relations between the two countries as excellent expressed confidence that President Banda and his Libyan counterpart Colonel Muammar Gaddafi would continue to provide guidance in developing and enhancing the already existing relations between the two countries.
ZANIS

Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande has appealed to politicians to desist from making pronouncements that would threaten Zambia’s relationship with other countries and also scare away investors.

Mr. Pande said Zambia had in the past year enjoyed improved cordial relationship with other regional and international countries..

Mr. Pande who is also Kasempa Area Member of Parliament noted that Zambia needed to maintain and further enhance the cordial relations with other countries enjoyed in 2008 if it is to counter the current financial global recession and rising food prices.

He pointed out that 2009 will be a year when the country should witness true nationalists and advised politicians not to use language that would hinder investors and sour relations with other countries.

Mr. Pande was speaking in Kasempa in an interview with ZANIS at the end of his six days inspection of developmental projects in his constituency.

And Mr. Pande has called upon the media to double its efforts in their reportorial duties and help the country conquer the negative global trends that are hampering economic and social development.

Mr. Pande said the media should be objective in its reporting so that it does not derail efforts aimed at serving the country from being totally submerged in the financial and food crisis.

Meanwhile, Mr. Pande has described 2008 as one of the best years that Kasempa district had embraced a number of developmental projects.

He cited the soon to be commissioned community radio station, the construction of the Kasempa-Mumbwa and Kasempa-Kaoma roads and the construction of a number of schools and clinics as some of the many developmental efforts the people of Kasempa would remember 2008 for.

Mr. Pande however said the district will in 2009 focus on completing some projects which were embarked on in 2008 and to prioritize food production.

Earlier, Kasempa District Commissioner Henry Shantolo commended private and Non-Governmental Organisations for their continued efforts to work with government to develop Kasempa District.

Mr. Shantolo said the district is expected to record a boom in business once all roads are worked on.

ENDS/ZANIS

THE ceremonial opening of the third session of the 10th National Assembly will take place on January 16, 2009.

Clerk of the National Assembly, Doris Mwinga, said this in a statement issued in Lusaka yesterday.

Parliament adjourned sine die on November 28, 2008, to allow members of Parliament to go to their respective constituencies and take part in farming with their electorate.

The House considered a total of 160 questions, 19 motions to adopt sessional committees, six ministerial statements, 23 annual reports from various Government institutions and three bills which came for re-consideration and adoption of the supplementary budget for 2008.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

JAILED former Ministry of Health permanent secretary, Kashiwa Bulaya, has filed a notice of appeal in the Supreme Court against his conviction by Lusaka High Court for corruption and abuse of authority of office.Bulaya has also applied for bail pending his appeal in the Supreme Court.

According to the notice of intention of appeal filed in the Supreme Court by his lawyer Mumba Kapumpa yesterday, Bulaya appealed to the Supreme Court against the upholding of his conviction by the High Court on December 26, 2008.

On the grounds of appeal, Bulaya argued that the High Court erred in law and fact by not fully dealing with the constitutional issue of a fair trial under Article 18 of the republican Constitution.

Bulaya said he raised this issue before the trial magistrate High Court deputy registrar, Edward Musona, and it formed part of the grounds for appeal to the High Court.

Bulaya said the High Court erred in law and fact when it found that he orchestrated the supply of Elixir 9 to the Ministry of Health and approved payment for it as a controlling officer.

He stated that the prosecution proved the case of abuse of authority of office when in fact he had left the public service when Elixir 9 was supplied to the Ministry of Health, signed for by other officials and not him.

Bulaya also argued that Supreme Court judge, Marvin Mwanamwambwa, who sat as High Court judge, erred in law and fact when he upheld the order of the trial court of seizure of properties under section 41(C) of the Anti-Corruption Act.

He said this was without due regard given to the evidence on record that the said properties were acquired long before he was alleged to have committed the offences for which he was charged.

Bulaya said further grounds of appeal would be furnished upon perusal of the appeal case record and judgment of the High Court.

He also applied for bail pending his appeal in the Supreme Court.

Bulaya said he was a former permanent secretary with fixed abode and definite family roots and responsibilities in Zambia.

He said this demanded that he had no intentions of leaving the court’s jurisdiction as his appeal was being processed if granted bail.

Bulaya said on January 2, 2009, he filed a notice of intention to appeal in the Supreme Court and preliminary grounds of appeal against his conviction.

“I am, therefore, applying for bail pending the hearing of my appeal on such terms and conditions which the court shall deem appropriate and I pledge to abide by them as I have done before,” Bulaya said.

He said he had continued to abide by conditions of the bail and that when the case started, he availed himself to the Task Force on Corruption and the court.

Last week, the Lusaka High Court upheld a five-year sentence slapped on Bulaya by the Magistrates Court for corruption and abuse of authority of his office.
Judge Mwanamwambwa dismissed Bulaya’s appeal when he sat as High Court judge.

“I uphold the conviction and this appeal has no merit. I also uphold the seizure of assets,” Justice Mwanamwambwa said.

He said corruption was an offence in the class of crime for financial gain and the rationale for forfeiture was to make the crime non-profitable.
“He (Bulaya) must go to jail now,” Mr Justice Mwanamwambwa said.

On January 27, 2007, Mr Musona jailed Bulaya for five years with hard labour on three counts of corruption and abuse of authority of office.

[Zambia Daily Mail]