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PF member opposes mandate extension for NCC

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Opposition Front Party member in Mufulira has advised government not to condone the request by the National Constitution Conference (NCC) to extend it mandate for 12 months.

Kantanshi constituency secretary Dunacan Mubanga told ZANIS that the NCC is mandated to conclude its deliberations by 2009 and asking for an extension is not justifiable but costly.

Mubanga said holding of the conference has been expensive for the country and this has affected the implementation of developmental programmes such as health sectors during its tenure.

He said the ministry of finance and national planning should not allocate money for the NCC extension at the expense of other national programmes such as health and education.

He advised government not to condone the request by NCC to sit beyond the acceptable period of time as doing so will hurt a lot of people who have sacrificed to have the new constitution.

The opposition official was reacting to the NCC’s request to government to have its mandate extended for 12 months which will mean that its mandate will end in 2010.

The initial mandate is due to end next year in September.

And a civic leader in Mufulira has appealed to the national constitution conference (NCC) committee on local governance to amend the local government act to enable councilors eligible for emoluments at the end of their term of office.

Kafue ward councilor Kenneth Mubanga said since councilors are elected office bearers like members of parliament (MP) and go through the same electoral process they should be considered for gratuity as a token of appreciation for their work.

He said this can only be done if the local government act is reviewed and amended by the democratic governance and local government committee of the NCC.

Councilor Mubanga said was speaking to ZANIS in an interview today.

The Civic leader suggested that the new constitution should also stipulate the conditions of service for councilors.

Councilor Mubanga asked MPs sitting on the local governance committee to support the suggestion by councilors which he said is aimed at ensuring that elected leaders are accorded appreciation for the service rendered to the public and the nation.

He said councilors become destitute after leaving the office despite working hard for the people and the only way to help them leave honorably after is by rewarding them in the same way as MPs.

He noted that councilors do more work in wards than MPs yet they their contribution is not recognized by government because of lack of conditions of service to cater for their retirement.

ZANIS/PS/PK/ENDS

Portray women as contributors to national development, media urged.

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The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has called on media practitioners and society to portray women in their right perspective as contributors to national development.

Press and Public Relations Director in the Ministry of Information Juliana Mwila said it is unfortunate that women especially house wives are still stereotyped despite their significant contribution towards the wellbeing of families and the country as a whole.

Mrs. Mwila called on the media to intensively highlight gender-based ills going on in communities so that both men and women can be protected. She said there is now a lot of importance attached to gender hence the need for those in the information dissemination field to understand new concepts and to enable them inform and educate society.

Mrs. Mwila was speaking in Lusaka today when she officially opened a Gender Mainstreaming workshop for Ministry of Information members of staff. She said the workshop is the first of its kind and will enable Ministry of Information employees understand gender issues.

Mrs. Mwila said empowering Information dissemination with new concepts and trends surrounding gender issues will enable them report accurately and effectively.

And in his presentation, Ministry of Gender and Development Division- GIDD Acting Permanent Secretary, Joe Kapembwa said gender affirmative actions should look at who is affected negatively.

Mr. Kapembwa who is also Director of Economics and Finance in the Ministry said government or law enforcers can not tackle gender based violence without the involvement of the people themselves.

He said the best weapon against gender based violence are the people themselves saying there should be zero tolerance to gender based violence whether done in private or public

PF condemned in Kasama

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The MMD in Kasama District has strongly condemned the opposition Patriotic Front for threatening violence in the District.

The ruling party made the condemnation following threats by some PF members that they would cause destruction to a local Radio Station if it continues to broadcast materials involving Kasama Central Member of Parliament Saviour Chishimba.

MMD Kasama Central Constituency Chairperson Nathan Ilunga said it is illegal for anybody, irrespective of their status in society, to take the law into their own hands.

Mr. Ilunga said if the PF members have any complaints against the operations Radio Mano, they should follow the right channel instead of threatening violence. He urged the police to deal firmly with the PF members who would be found wanting.

Recently, some PF cadres accused Radio Mano Community Station in Kasama of allegedly provoking the party by broadcasting interviews featuring the embattled MP.

The cadres claimed that the MP was allegedly fond of using abusive language while on Radio, thereby injuring the emotions of the listeners.

One of the senior PF officials even went the extent of warning the Radio station to stop quoting Dr. Chishimba as MP for Kasama Central, saying he usually gets offended when the MP is referred to as such.

Last week, PF officials and cadres alike, rejected the reconciliation of their party leader Michael Sata and Kasama Central MP Saviour Chishimba, saying the matter was purely personal and had nothing to do with them.

Among the senior party officials that rejected the reconciliation of the two leaders were Fedilis Kapoka, a PF Member of the Central Committee, Fredrick Chisanga, who is PF provincial chairperson and Kasama District party chairperson Evaristo Bwalya respectively.

Ends/WS/ZANIS/KSM

Nigeria donates to Zambia

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Nigerian minister of state and foreign affairs Bagudu Airse presents a US$250, 000 donation to vice president George Kunda
Nigerian minister of state and foreign affairs Bagudu Airse presents a US$250, 000 donation to vice president George Kunda

The Nigerian government has given Zambia $250,000 for mitigating the effects of floods that hit the country early this year.

Nigeria has also donated mealie meal, cooking oil and blankets to flood victims, worth more than K200 million.

That country’s minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bagudu Hirse, says his country is concerned with the frequent occurrence of floods in Zambia.

Speaking when he presented the donation to Vice President, George Kunda, in Lusaka Mr. Hirse observed that the floods have had devastating impact on infrastructure, crops and people.

He said natural disasters are a set back as scarce resources are directed at addressing effects of the

VICE president George Kunda arrives at the disaster management and mitigation unit to receive relief donations from the Nigerian government
VICE president George Kunda arrives at the disaster management and mitigation unit to receive relief donations from the Nigerian government

calamities.

And Mr. Kunda paid tribute to Nigeria for supporting Zambia in various fields.

Mr. KUNDA said it is gratifying that Nigeria is concerned with the challenges facing Zambia.

Meanwhile, hunger is looming in Makungwa Ward in Kasenengwa Constituency.

Makungwa Ward Chairperson, Luckson Zulu, said people in the area were now surviving on mangoes and are wondering what else they will be eating when mangoes become off season.

Mr. Zulu called on government to immediately send relief food to the area, adding that, during the previous farming season, most of the farmers did not do well because of the late delivery of farming inputs.

He further appealed to government to sink boreholes in the area. Mr. Zulu said out of 180 villages in Chief Madzimawe’s area, 115 did not have safe and clean drinking water as they lacked boreholes.

He said being a leader in the Ward, people were looking to him as a mouth piece to speak on their behalf to government about the problems they were facing.

Mr. Zulu said the Ward Councilor, Festus Miti, does not know the problems people in Makungwa Ward are facing because he lives far away in Mchini Compound in Chipata and did not often visit his Ward.

VICE president George Kunda and Ngerian minister of state and foreign affairs Bagudu Airse (left) inspect a truck of mealie-meal donated to Zambia by the Nigerian government
VICE president George Kunda and Ngerian minister of state and foreign affairs Bagudu Airse (left) inspect a truck of mealie-meal donated to Zambia by the Nigerian government

And the Office of the Vice President has dispatched a team of officers to assess the hunger situation in areas hit by floods during the last rainy season.

This will enable government ascertain the amount of relief food required for people in the affected areas.

Deputy Minister in the Office of the Vice President, Guston Sichilima, says the officials have also been tasked to assess the damage caused by the recent rains.

He told journalists in Lusaka that the officials left for their assignment over the weekend while others left on Monday morning.

Floods destroyed crops and infrastructure in a various parts of the country during the last rainy season.

Over the weekend, some members of parliament told ZNBC news that their areas are facing food shortages.

They appealed to government to send relief food to the affected constituencies to prevent loss of lives.

ENDS/SM/PK/ZANIS.

African farmers getting raw deal

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The African Union (AU) says it is uncomfortable with over regulation of farmers in Africa and how they are compelled to conduct business when selling  their produce.

AU Vice President Erastus Mwencha has bemoaned that farming was over-controlled by most African governments which dictated conditions on under which farmers trade, saying this denied them opportunities to get the real value for the produce.

“When there is surplus of maize, farmers are allowed to export and when there is little, they are not allowed, as the AU we are not comfortable with over-controlling of farmers because they are the ones who suffer when they get a raw deal,” he said.

He called on governments that over regulated farmers to allow them to engage in viable business ventures without any interference which would negatively affect profit margins for farmers.

Mr. Mwencha said this in an interview with ZANIS in Livingstone during a reception organized by the AU Peace and Security Council Retreat at Zambezi Sun hotel.

Meanwhile, the AU Vice President attributed the rising global food prices to a decline in production, high cost of agricultural inputs and reduced investment in agriculture.

He however said challenges arising due to high food prices could be addressed through comprehensive implementation of policies in land and water management, nutrition, technology and provision of fertilizer subsidies to boost production.

“We have a comprehensive agricultural development program referred to as the four pillars formulated to address and implement policies in land and water management, nutrition, technology and provision of fertilizer subsidies to boost production,” he said.

He said such measures would play a significant role in ensuring food security in countries most affected by low production and limited investment in agriculture.

And Mr. Mwencha said infrastructure development was key to sustainable economic development for the African continent because all sectors that made meaningful contributions to positive development depended on availability of good infrastructure.

Govt Secures a $4.5 million loan from ADB

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Kitwe Town Clerk Ali Simwinga has disclosed that Government has secured a loan of 4.5 Million United States Dollars to support the operations of the Nkana Water and Sanitation project.

Mr. Simwinga said in an interview after a full council meeting in Kitwe today that the money which has come from the African Development Bank (ADB) will be used to improve the delivery of water and sanitation services to all the areas under Nkana water and Sewerage Company.

He said the project will address five major components in Kitwe, Kalulushi and Chambishi. He said the components to be addressed were the water supply works, sewerage works and project management.

Mr Simwinga said others were the sanitation, hygiene promotion and education as well as institutional support to Nkana water and sewerage company.

He noted that for this project to succeed their was need for effective and close coordination between and amongst all key stakeholders.

Mr Simwinga called on the council to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the two Towns Kalulushi and Chambishi that are supposed to benefit from the project.

He said the project will run from January 2009 to December 2012. The three towns are faced with a big challenge of providing quality and safe drinking water in most townships.

ENDS/LK/PK/ZANIS.

UNIP pledges to support NCC

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Opposition United National Independence Party (UNIP) Women’s League has pledged support to the National Constitutional Conference (NCC).

UNIP National Women Secretary, Beatrice Kayuni, says the NCC provides an opportunity for the country to fashion a constitution that will stand the test of time.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today, Mrs. Kayuni said the NCC Act number 19 of 2007 should be supported by all well meaning Zambians because it will particularly give chance for the Bill of Rights to be enshrined in the constitution.

She said such a piece of legislation needs to be enshrined in the republican constitution because it will guarantee the rights of vulnerable groups such as women and children.

Mrs. Kayuni said women and their rights advocates should seize the opportunity and fully participate in the formulation of the new constitution to champion the rights of vulnerable groups.

She pointed out that participation in the NCC was all inclusive as members of the public, who are not sitting on the conference, are still allowed to contribute as galleries have been provided for

Mrs. Kayuni has since called on all well-meaning Zambians to support the NCC.

ENDS/AM/KSH/ZANIS

“Shall Zambia Continue Borrowing Without a Debt Management Policy?” Asks JCTR

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This year in October the Debt, Aid and Trade Programme of the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) commended the government for sticking to its debt management objective of raising adequate levels of financing at minimum cost and risk. At that same time, the Zambian Government contracted a new loan of US$8 million from the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) for the rehabilitation of feeder roads in the Copperbelt Province.

Hardly two months later, Government has again signed a US$24 million credit facility with the African Development Bank (AfDB). This loan is a concessional one – meaning that it is payable at low interest and over a long period of time – for budgetary support for 2009 and 2010. This loan also comes less than a year after Government committed itself to a credit facility of US$6 million with OPEC for the rehabilitation of 40 feeder roads on the Copperbelt.

“It is important to recognise that borrowing in itself does not amount to poor economic management or luck of sound development strategy. More so if it is a concessional loan. But what is of concern to JCTR, particularly in the Zambian context is the institutional arrangement under which that borrowing is taking place and the intention of that borrowing,” observes Privilege Haang’andu Programme Officer for Debt at the JCTR.

It is clear that the bad state of roads, especially in the agricultural parts of our country, is a major setback to the development of the agricultural industry in Zambia and therefore may need financing to improve them. In this time of rising food prices (maize), no greater need could be perceived than that of focusing on the improvement of the road infrastructure in order to promote agricultural productivity.

As has been said severally, the prospective economic future of this country largely depends on concrete transformation of its incredible agricultural potentials.

Although borrowing may not be avoided, it is fundamental and a matter of great urgency that Zambia puts in place a Debt Management Framework to guide her practices of loan contraction and the management of the borrowed resources. The pre-HIPC experience of reduced investment resources is still fresh to the Zambian people and any continued borrowing under the current laws has the potential to take the country back to those pre-HIPC experiences.

It is important that Zambia moves into a situation where borrowing happens within a sound institutional and policy framework that will provide proper guidance as to the need for borrowing and the timeframe within which the borrowed resources are applied to avoid incurring unnecessary additional costs.

The JCTR would like therefore to remind the new Government, particularly the Minister of Finance and National Planning of the promise that was made by his predecessor to look into reforms of the debt laws. The Government cannot keep promising without acting, the debt stock is quickly swelling, with current estimates putting it at over US$2 billion. The JCTR and collaborators, continues to call upon Government to FINISH THE WORK it promised to the Zambian people by making sure a Debt Bill that will cushion Zambia from a possible debt trap is enacted.

For more information contact:
Debt, Aid and Trade Programme, Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection
P.O. Box 37774, Lusaka, Zambia: Tel: +260 211 290410
Fax: +260 211 290759, Email: [email protected] Website: www.jctr.org.zm

Loan applicants demand their down payments back

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SCORES of clients who applied for loans under the Copperbelt Youth Forum (CYF) micro-finance facility are demanding refunds of the down payments they made after failing to access the funds for close to 12 months.

When contacted for a comment the fund’s national coordinator, Alex Mutale said his organisation was genuine and had no intentions of swindling its clients.

“Our aim is to empower Zambians and we have so far spent K2.4 billion which was accessed by 500 people from different parts of the country. Those doubting us are free to engage the police to investigate us because we have nothing to hide,” Mr Mutale said.

He said his organisation was working in collaboration with the ministry of Youth Sport and Child Development, which was providing the much needed moral support.

The clients have, however, appealed to the Inspector General of police to launch investigations into the activities of the organisation.

The applicants from seven provinces applied for loans, whose amounts ranged from K5million and K50 million under a countywide youth driven micro-finance facility.

Loan applicants were compelled to pay 10 per cent of the loan amount as security fee and another down payment of eight per cent of the loan amount for administrative costs.

The affected people who include youths, widows and some rural farmers said in separate interviews that they had been swindled through the down payments that they paid as part of the condition to access the loans.

Loyce Tembo, who made a down payment of K1.8 million with the hope of accessing a K10 million loan in April said she was on a number of occasions told that her application was successful and that money was deposited in her account but there was nothing after she checked.

“I was later issued with a cheque which bounced and they told me that I will be put on the list of the next group to be paid but up to now I am still waiting to access the loan,” Ms Tembo said.

Nelly Phiri, who has over the last five months been frequenting CYF offices in Ndola said the youth, widows and other underprivileged people who struggled to raise the 10 per cent of the loan amount as down payment would not rest until they got refunds.

“Instead of assisting us they are now contributing to worsening our situation by holding on to our hard earned cash. The authorities should do something to compel these people to do what they promised the people after getting the down payments,” Ms Phiri said.

Manfred Mulyunga, a farmer from Mukonchi area in Kabwe said hundreds of disappointed beneficiaries who applied for loans since February now wanted refunds of the down payments that they made.
Mr Malyunga said the Government should intervene and ensure that desperate people were not swindled.
[Times of Zambia]

Govt wont reduce fuel prices this month

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THE anticipated reduction in the pump price of fuel, which was expected this month, is likely to delay because the reserve facilities in Zambia are still filled with fuel imported by Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), the Government has said.

Energy and Water Development Minister, Kenneth Konga said in an interview that the country had a lot of fuel, which was imported by the OMCs and cheaper crude oil whose ship recently docked in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, could not be pumped to Zambia.

The fuel pump prices are expected to be reduced because the crude oil was bought at a cost of US$53 million compared to the last consignment’s $85 million following the fall in international crude oil prices.

Mr Konga said TAZAMA Pipelines would only start pumping the crude oil into the Zambian facilities once the current stocks had finished.

“The crude oil is still in our storage facilities in Dar-es-Salaam because we are waiting to finish the current stocks in Zambia. This is because the OMCs imported a lot of fuel which has led to surplus,” he said.

The minister said the Government did not put a limit to the quantity of finished products that the OMCs were supposed to import and that this had led to surplus.

[Times of Zambia]

MMD hold fundraising dinner dance

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President Rupiah Banda and First Lady Thandiwe prepare to cut a cake

President Rupiah Banda has called for unity and an end to the squabbles in the MMD.He said this when he graced the “Meet the President” fund raising dinner dance organised by the MMD’s treasury department at Lusaka’s Mulungushi International Conference Centre.

Mr Banda said during the MMD ‘Meet The President dinner’ at Mulungushi International Conference Centre on Saturday night that political infighting could only lead the party to self-destruction.
Mr Banda said he had noted with dismay the continued squabbles among senior party members in the Press and that the trend was worrying him.
“Please let’s stop it and work as united. Why is it that senior members rush to the Press to discuss party matters?” he asked.

President Rupiah Banda and First Lady Thandiwe dancing during the fundraising dinner
President Rupiah Banda and First Lady Thandiwe dancing during the fundraising dinner

He said the party went through a democratic process to elect a presidential candidate following the death of president Mwanawasa.
“Yes, we learnt lessons when our president died and the party had to choose a presidential candidate at short notice. But that is not a basis of the current infighting,” he said.
The President urged the members of the party to show that they were able to handle internal differences behind the scenes.

Mr Banda commended the friends of the party who rendered both financial and material support for the campaigns.
He urged contributors not to tire from helping the party and that The MMD party would again knock on their

Zambia's top clowns Difikoti and Bikiloni entertaining guests during the MMD fundraising dinner in Lusaka on Saturday night

doors for help during the next elections.

Mr Banda also urged Vice-President, George Kunda, Cabinet and deputy ministers to work with the friends of the party so that it was not just a one-sided relationship.

President Banda further commended the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) for having organised a free, fair and transparent election in October.
He said even the international election observers and monitors unanimously endorsed the election as having been held in a free, fair and transparent atmosphere.

“The time frame for organising the election was too short but the ECZ managed to weather the storm. I say to them, keep it up. You have made us proud,” he said.

Comedian Bob Nkosha on stage acting as a prostitute called Dolika at the MMD fundraiser dinner dance
Comedian Bob Nkosha on stage acting as a prostitute called Dolika at the MMD fundraiser dinner dance

Mr Mabenga said the fundraising venture was also an important event for MMD members to reflect on how the party performed during the presidential election.

Meanwhile, several business houses and individuals, including Mr Banda yesterday made various monetary pledges to the MMD.
Mr Banda handed in a cheque of K10 million, while Mr Kunda pledged K5 million. Jonque Mining Company and China Geo Company pledged K50 million each.
Lamise, Nisco, Handyman’s Paradise and two other companies teamed up and pledged K50 million.
Zanaco Bank pledged K25 million, Pine Roads General Contractors K20 million, Zamanita K10 million, Nyiombo Investments K10 million, Plant Agric Services, K10 million and Finance Bank K10 million.
Friends of Kafue constituency pledged K7.5 million, Communications and Transport Minister, Dora Siliya, K5 million, Zambia Revenue Authority workers (ZRA) K5 million, Lusaka Province Minister, Lameck Mangani K2 million and Information and Broadcasting Minister, Ronnie Shikapwasha K2 million.
Others were Zambezi Source Lodge K2 million, Mr Mabenga a cheque of K1 million and Zambia Association with Persons with disabilities K1 million.
Local Government Minister, Benny Tetamashimba donated K1 million cash, Agriculture Minister, Brain Chituwo, K1 million, Akashambatwa Mbikusita-Lewanika K1 million, Sports Minister, Kenneth Chipungu K1 million.
The Indonesian Counselor in Swaziland pledged US$2,000 while Zambians leaving in Swaziland plaged US$1,000.

Times of Zambia

Food for thought

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Ever wondered why you are where you are today? Well a major contribution to your current status is your attitude.

Winston Churchill once said “The optimist sees opportunity in every danger; the pessimist sees danger in every opportunity.” Attitude is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than what people do or say. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill.

Some may say; “if I had a good job I would have a good attitude.” Isn’t it more truthful to say that if a person had a good attitude they would increase their chances of getting a good job?
Thomas Jefferson once said nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal while nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.

What is a good attitude?

It’s a way of thinking positively that says:

* I can control my life and achieve my goals.
* I am responsible for the choices I make.
* My past does not matter; I can change my future.

Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.
You cannot control what happens to you, but you can control your attitude toward what happens to you and in that, you will be mastering change rather than allowing it to master you.

James Truslow Adams said Seek out that particular mental attribute which makes you feel most deeply and vitally alive, along with which comes the inner voice which says, “This is the real me,” and when you have found that attitude, follow it.

How to sell yourself to others

The best way to sell yourself to others is first to sell the others to yourself. Check yourself against this list of obstacles to a pleasing personality: interrupting others; sarcasm; vanity; being a poor listener; insincere flattery; finding fault; challenging others without good cause; giving unsolicited advice; complaining; attitude of superiority; envy of others’ success; poor posture and dress.

Learn to be assertive, not aggressive. Be nice to everyone. That doesn’t mean letting other people take advantage of you, but it does mean looking for ways to get what you want (win) without forcing the other person to lose.
It is possible to find win-win solutions to almost any situation (yes, there are exceptions, but they’re rare), but most of us need to learn how. We were raised on the idea of competition, where in order for me to win, you have to lose. In order for me to pass you have to fail.What we need to learn now is that we don’t have to play by win-lose rules — you can change the rules! People can only hear you when they are moving toward you, and they are not likely to when your words are pursuing them. Even the choice words lose their power when they are used to overpower. Attitudes are the real figures of speech.

Life is 10% what happens to me, and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you … we are in charge of our Attitudes.

The copper boom is over,what are you going to do?

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(Repeat)

each man for himself
Each man for himself

By Son Mumbi

The recent copper boom has been short lived. From about 2005 when there was massive reinvestment in the mines and speculation of more, the Copperbelt and Lusaka saw a proliferation of all manner of mine suppliers- Robin Hood copper recyclers (stealing from the mines dump to sell to ‘venture capitalists’).There was a boom in trade with Dubai, China, Dar es Salaam.We saw an increase in  property investment, transport and prostitution (Solwezi notably).  And boy did it boom! A check on the social spots of the Copperbelt town of Kitwe and one was likely to meet all manner or businessmen and a few businesswomen.

There were excursions across the border into Congo and into the new wild west of Zambia, North Western Province to get villagers to dig for copper using crude tools and haul 50kg bags of ore on the backs. Stories of copper truck hijacks became the norm. The Chinese where the villains of the show. While a not too close look revealed that other country nationals were the villains also, namely  Australians, South Africans and Zambians  too! Pot-bellied Zambians and Afrikaners with attractive mistresses to swing
around the town with sleek 4 by 4’s.They lounged around the popular night spots with very attractive mistresses, who if times had really been good, might have been walking the cat walk. Well that is all coming to an end!

My advice to all local mine suppliers, transporters, copper labour exploiters, start farming now. The good times are coming to an end. A global economic depression is inevitable. Forget about joining an NGO and stealing aid money for a ‘poverty’ project, there will be no money for Africa from the West.Not with increasing poverty levels in America and Europe; they will look to their own first. Forget migration, it will only get harder for you to get in, you won’t get past the British Embassy.

Local businessman, with the loot you have left from copper ‘gains’ invest in a low energy consuming tractor to help you cultivate the land, not  the new set of shiny wheels you have been contemplating. Do not grow maize, fertilizer subsidies only come during election period. Grow sweet potatoes,groundnuts and soybeans. Practice plant rotation, yes you remember it from secondary school production unit.Plant indigenous trees, keep hardy chickens. Avoid goats and large herds of cattle, they overgraze, but you might want to keep a few pigs, they are not picky about what they eat. To avoid energy problems, go solar, forget about that diesel generator you were planning to buy in Dubai.

And lastly, if you are going to have multiple partners, marry them under traditional polygamous arrangements, and stick to those that you do marry. Be open about it, sly sneakiness won’t do you any good when things are falling apart. Besides, honesty is the best way to get the co-operation of your wives for that extra labour. By being open and sticking to your partner or partners you also minimise the risk of contracting HIV, drugs may get very expensive when things fall even further apart.

If the above is all too much, I recommend an honourable death, volunteer your services to the SADC peace-keeping mission for the DR Congo, Laurent Nkunda is guaranteed to kill you, but at least you would have done one good service, to possibly enter heaven. Isn’t that what most Zambians want judging from the proliferation of pastors in every conceivable social setting, even public transport.

Zesco United Faces Difficult Start to 2009- Nyirenda

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Zesco players lift the barclays cup trophy
Zesco players lift the barclays cup trophy

Zesco United coach Wedson Nyirenda predicts a very challenging 2009 season after securing another double this year.

Zesco on Saturday collected their second honor of the year after retaining the Barclays Cup with a 1-0 win over Power Dynamos via a 10th minute Jonas Sakuwaha goal at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka on Saturday.

The Barclays Cup win comes just days after Zesco successfully defended and wrapped-up the league title with two games to spare last Wednesday when they beat Nchanga Rangers 1-0 in a Week 29 game at the Trade Fair Grounds in Ndola

“Next season won be an easy season for us if you look at the fixture list with Champions League football to play as early as January 30 so their will be no time between now and then to rest,” Nyirenda said in a

Police officers man handle an unrully soccer fan
Police officers man handle an unrully soccer fan

post-match interview at woodlands after beating Power.

“It will be a difficult season to try and keep players form and we will just have to work out a mechanism to give each player a breather.”

Meanwhile, Nyirenda said Zesco was looking forward to another good year in both the league and cup and also for a much improved outing in Africa.

Zesco face Mahare United of Kenya in the preliminary round with winner over the two legs booking a 1st round date with 1985 Africa club champions cup runners-up Africa Sport of Cote d’ Ivoire.

Power Dynamo's Francis Kasonde and Zesco's mulenga Nyambe fight for the ball during the barclays cup final match played at Woodlands stadium in Lusaka
Power Dynamo's Francis Kasonde and Zesco's mulenga Nyambe fight for the ball during the barclays cup final match played at Woodlands stadium in Lusaka. Zesco won 1-0
Zesco's Mathias Chikwete tumbles to the turf under pressure from Power Dynamo's Kennedy Mudenda during the Barclays cup final match played at Woodlands stadium in Lusaka. Zesco won 1-0
Zesco's Mathias Chikwete tumbles to the turf under pressure from Power Dynamo's Kennedy Mudenda during the Barclays cup final match played at Woodlands stadium in Lusaka. Zesco won 1-0

Nkana docked three points

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Nkana have been docked three points for causing abandonment of their Week 25 match away to Nkwazi last week on November 19 at Edwin Emboela Stadium in Lusaka.

Faz disciplinary committee chairperson Sunday Nkonde said the punishment will see Nkwazi handed the 3 points and a 2-0 win.

Nkana have been found guilty for causing the abandonment of the match after referee Wellington Kaoma awarded Nkwazi a late penalty five minutes into injury time with the two teams level at 1-1.

The ban will also see Nkana assistant coach Fewdays Musonda including players on the bench William Chinse and Stanley Mumba fined for their part in the incident after coming on the pitch without authority.

Musonda was fined K1.5 million for his part in the incident and issued with a final warning while Chinse and Mumba were each slapped with a K2 million fine.

Nkonde said the two players must play the fine within 14 days or will remained banned from playing any competitive games.

The ban leaves Nkana in a precarious situation in their battle to avoid relegation just a season after returning to the top flight after a 4-year hiatus.

Nkana are currently 2nd from bottom of the table in 15th place on 30 points from 29 games after the ruling and next weekend face 7th place Young Arrows at home in their final league match of the season.

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