Smuggled mealie meal intercepted in Chililabombwe

Economy

editor

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January 23, 2009

THE Chililabombwe District Joint Operations Committee (DJOC) against smuggling has intercepted over 500 bags of mealie meal which were about to be smuggled into the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the last two weeks.

The committee, which comprises officers from the Zambia Police, the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) and the Immigration Department, has also prosecuted and convicted six people during their intensified operations aimed at curbing mealie meal and maize smuggling.

Speaking when outgoing Coppperbelt Permanent Secretary, Jennifer Musonda, visited Kasumbalesa Border Post, DJOC Chairperson, Richard Kabwe, intimated that the committee had impounded 19 bicycles that were being used by smugglers.

Mr Kabwe, who is also Chililabombwe Police Officer in Charge, said the operations had also resulted into the arrest of 11 prohibited immigrants who have since been handed over to the immigration department.

He said about 300 bags of impounded mealie meal had been auctioned by the magistrates’ court while more court cases involving smuggling were yet to take off.

Last week, the committee impounded two Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) mini-buses for allegedly smuggling mealie meal from Zambia through Kasumbalesa Border Post.

The committee also intercepted a Zambian and a DRC truck after they attempted to smuggle about 70 bags of mealie meal, concealed in cerelac baby food boxes that were being exported from Lusaka to the DRC.

And Ms Musonda commended the officers for their tireless efforts in curbing smuggling which posses a danger on the nation’s food security, saying the ban on maize and mealie meal exportation was still in effect.

Ms Musonda said the Zambian government was scheduled to hold a meeting with their DRC counterparts at which the issue of smuggling will be discussed with a view of finding a lasting solution.

She said the Consul General from the DRC offices in Ndola had officially apologized for the two diplomatic vehicles that were impounded in connection with mealie meal smuggling.

The outgoing Copperbelt Permanent Secretary reiterated the need for neighbouring countries to respect Zambian laws as well as the need for mutual respect and understanding among nations.

ZANIS/ENDS/VM/EB.

Renard Names 20-man Squad for South Africa Friendly

Sports

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January 23, 2009

51

Herve Renard today named his 20-man squad to face South Africa in a friendly international on Tuesday at Super Stadium in Pretoria.

No foreign based players are in the team that is using the warm-up to prepare for the CHAN tournament that is a new Caf tournmaent for exclusively for home-based national team players that will be held in Cote d’Ivoire from February 22 to March 8.

The team includes two out of the four Zesco United players earlier called up for the match by Renard just 24 hour after the defending league champions refused to release any of their players due to their Caf Africa Champions League commitments next Saturday.

Zesco host Mathare United of Kenya next Saturday in Ndola in a Caf Africa Champions League preliminary round, first-leg match.

In the team from Zesco are goalkeeper Jacob Banda and defender Mulenga Nyambe while midfielders Jonas Sakuwaha and Jackson Mwanza have been withheld by the club.

Renard is set to hand first senior call-ups for Chambishi midfielder Patrick Kasunga, Red Arrows striker Aggripa Mbewe and Peter Chilemena of City of Lusaka.

There is also a recall for City defender Oswald Kalamba after four years in the wilderness.

Meanwhile, Zambia on Friday morning lost 3-1 in a training game to Zanaco at Barclays Banks sports complex in Lusaka.

Usually one wouldn’t read too much into such an informal match but it was the lackluster manner in which Zambia played in the first half that got even Renard heated up as he demanded reinforcements from Zesco after being left threadbare when five key players left for trials in Europe this week.

In the match, Zanaco took the lead thanks to two fine free-kicks delivered ala-Ashios Melu by midfielder Zebron Njobvu.

The first one rocketed through Zambia’s wall that looked more porous than a sieve hitting the inside of the post and it went in so fast after it seemed like it grazed the upright and out for touch.

Njobvu’s second, another thundering and accurate shot, accelerated so fast it left Davey Kaumbwa of Green Buffaloes riveted in his position.

Zanaco right-back Michael Bwalya sneaked in one goal in-between his club mates set-piece brace with a long-range drive to beat Kaumbwa.

City striker Makundika Sakala headed in Zambia’s consolation after the restart in which Renard’s side put up a much-improved display through they again lacked any character in attack.

And Faz communications officer Erick Mwanza said the team leaves for South Africa on the eve of the match on Monday.

Meanwhile, South Africa have managed to secure the services of all their players for Tuesday match.

According the The Star newspaper, all the South Africa Premier Soccer League and SAFA have agreed to postpone all of next Wednesday evenings league matches to a date to be announced later.

Goalkeepers: Jacob Banda (Zesco United),Davy Kaumbwa(Green Buffaloes),

Defenders: Elijah Tana (Clubless), Sanida Zulu (Chambishi), Perry Mubanga (Power Dynamos), Dennies Banda, Oswald Kalamba (Both Green Buffaloes), Mulenga Nyambe (Zesco United)

Midfielders: Henry Banda (Zanaco), Lawrence Pondani (Young Arrows), Kebby Hachipuka (Green Eagles), Patrick Kasunga (Chambishi), Stanley Banda (Red Arrows), Kennedy Mudenda, Simon Bwalya, Joseph Sitali (All Power Dynamos),Allen Mukuka (Nkana)

Strikers: Agrippa Mbewe(Red Arrows), Elson Mkandawire Elson Peter Chilemena (City of Lusaka).

Over K1.1 trillion needed to meet the national water demand

Economy

editor

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January 23, 2009

56

Low-cost housing water supply and sanitation project

Over K1.1 trillion is required to implement projects to satisfy the water demand for the country.

Local Government and Housing Deputy Minister Lwipa Puma, who confirmed the development in Parliament today, said over K1.1 trillion was needed to improve water reticulation in the country in line with the Fifth National Development Plan (FNDP) and the Vision 2030.

Dr Puma was responding to a question raised by Mazabuka Central Member of Parliament Garry Nkombo who wanted to know what the water consumption for the country was and how much money was required to satisfy water demand in the country.

The local government and housing Deputy Minister further said that government had started working-out modalities aimed at improving water reticulation in the country.

He said the move to start implementing water projects was aimed at enhancing service delivery in the water sector as water consumption was increasing in the country.

Dr Puma however could not state when government through his ministry will meet water demand to satisfy the needs and aspirations of people in the country.

ZANIS/TK/AM/ENDS

MPs risk being imprisoned-Mwanamwambwa

Headlines

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January 23, 2009

68

SPEAKER of the National Assembly Amussa Mwanamwambwa exchange notes with President Rupiah Banda

Speaker of the National Assembly Amusa Mwanamwambwa says any member of the National Assembly who will be found guilty of divulging information to the media will either be suspended or imprisoned for the period not exceeding 12 months or a fine.

Speaking in Parliament today, Mr. Mwanamwambwa said he is concerned with the behavior of some MPs who are giving out information contained in the proceedings to the media before tabling them in parliament.

Mr. Mwanamwambwa further said that he is concerned of some reports that he is receiving that some members of parliament giving out information contained in the proceeding before tabling them in the house to the media saying doing so was losing and diminishing the standards of the house.

He explained that Standing Order 15 of the National Assembly Act states that the Clerk should have custody of all votes or proceedings and that violation to the Standing Order 15 is gross contempt of the house and parliament respectively.

Mr. Mwanamwambwa said parliamentary documents must be treated confidential to the public until the proceedings are tabled before the parliament.

He warned that Members of the National Assembly who would be seen to be giving information to the media will be subjected to libel should there be remarks of defamation uttered from the public.

The Speaker further said that rushing to the media before proceedings are tabled in the house constitutes contempt of the house as Act 89 of the Constitution Cap 1 mandates all Members of Parliament to take an oath in order to preserve the constitution of the country.

Mr. Mwanamwambwa warned that any future violation of parliamentary rules and Laws will constitute stern action as it was the only way of restoring dignity and standards in the house.

He said stern action will include suspension of any Member of Parliament seen divulging information contained in parliamentary proceedings and votes before tabling them in the house as Act 87 provides privileges of the house without undue influence from the public.

Mr. Mwanamwambwa has since called on Members of Parliament to maintain rule and order in order to preserve the dignity and standards of the august house.

ZAMIS/TK/AM/ENDS

Over 3000 miners laid off

Economy

editor

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January 23, 2009

48

About 3,072 workers have lost their jobs in the country’s mining sector due to the global economic and financial crunch.

Mines and Minerals Development Minister Maxell Mwale says 345 workers were laid off at Bwana Mukubwa while 1,716 and 1,011 workers lost their jobs at Luanshya and Chambeshi respectively.

Presenting a ministerial statement on the global financial crisis on the mining sector, Mr. Mwale said the mining sector, which expanded considerably due to the prudent government policies and the high metal prices on the world market, faced a lot of challenges that resulted in job loss.

He cited the inadequate power supply, apprehension over the new fiscal regime and the global economic crunch as some of the challenges that resulted in job loss in the mining sector and low demand for mineral commodities.

Mr. Mwale said despite the various challenges, the sector recorded growth of 4.9 percent in 2008 as compared to 3.6 percent growth recorded in 2007.

He said the sector recorded growth mainly due to the increase in copper and cobalt production.

Mr. Mwale said copper production stood at 480,901 tonnes as at October 31, 2008 which represented an increase of 3.6 percent higher than the 462,083 tonnes produced in 2007 during the correspondence year.

He further said that exploration projects in the mining sector have also been severely affected as the projects have no revenue streams and that there are mainly dependent on the stock exchange and loans from Banks for financing.

ZANIS/TK/AM/ENDS

1st Lady Thandiwe emphasizes need for decent accommodation

General News

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January 23, 2009

96

FIRST Lady Thandiwe Banda following proceedings

First Lady Thandiwe Banda says there is need to create awareness about the importance for adequate and decent shelter for the poor in society.

Mrs. Banda said the need for decent accommodation for all is important because access to shelter is a Human Right.

She was speaking at the Habitat for Humanity and Standard Chartered Bank building project in Chazanga today.

Speaking earlier, Habitant for Humanity National Director Petronella Shiaka said her organization will continue to build more houses for the less privileged in society.

Ms Shiaka noted that Zambia’s housing problems have been compounded by one of the world’s most devastating diseases, the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

She observed that 70 percent of urban population in Lusaka has continued to have no access to affordable and quality housing.

And Standard Chartered Bank Managing Director Muzinga Melu said the bank in partnership with Habitat for Humanity will also build eight houses in order to plough back to the community despite the global financial crunch.

ENDS/AH/AM/ZANIS ……

Access Bank Zambia targets children

Economy

editor

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January 23, 2009

70

Access Bank Zambia limited has embarked on a product promotion drive aimed at encouraging parents to open bank accounts for their children who are below the age of 14.

Access Bank Commercial and Consumer Banking Officer Isabel Chengo says there is need for parents to prepare for the future of their children by opening savings accounts for them.

Ms Chengo says with the current global economic crunch people should consider saving as the way they can prepare for the future and overcome economic problems.

In an interview with ZANIS shortly after presenting an account number to six year-old Maria Kuwani of Lusaka.

Ms Chengo explained that Maria is the youngest account holder with K1, 000,000 in her account which will accrue an interest of three percent per annual.

She stated that parents should explain to their children on the importance and the benefits of banking.

And Maria’s grandmother Josephine Mehl bemoaned the lack of interest in saving among youths in the county.

Mrs. Mehl noted that there is need for parents to ensure that they install a culture of saving in their children.

She said saving money was one of the ways children could contribute to the economic growth of nation.

Mrs. Mehl has since called on other parents and guardians to take advantage of the new bank product and ensure that the future of their children was secured by opening bank accounts for them.

ZANIS/MM/AM/ENDS

This week in Pictures

Photo Gallery

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January 23, 2009

127

Mercy Lengali, Faith Mwape's mother at the University Teaching Hospital — Mercy Lengali, Faith Mwape

Seven months old Faith Mwape from Mufulira is booked for an operation at the University Teaching Hospital this week for surgery to remove a parasite growth on her back

President Rupiah Banda on his way to Libya

PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda with vice president George Kunda when he arrived from Libya at Lusaka international airport

POLICE Commanders cheering during a workshop for senior police officers in Lusaka

Labour and Social Security Minister Austin Liato (c) with his new deputy minister Simon Kachimba (r) and permanent secretary Ngosa Chisupa after the swearing-in ceremony at State House

Incoming Korean Ambassador to Zambia Oh Jae-Hack proposes a toast to President Rupiah banda at State House after he presented his credentials

President Rupiah Banda meeting with Russina Ambassador to Zambia Boris Malakhova and his mother Zinaida Malakhova (l) at State House

Convicted former head of state should not forfeit his gratuity, NCC

Headlines

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January 23, 2009

132

The Executive Committee of the National Constitutional Conference-NCC- has rejected recommendations that a convicted former head of state forfeits his gratuity.

The committee decided to strike out Article 137 5C after a heated debate on Thursday morning.

The NCC members with opposing views only toned down when Justice Permanent Secretary, Getrude Imbwae intervened with a legal interpretation.

Ms Imbwae explained that accrued rights of any individual can not be taken away unconstitutionally.

She said the relevant criminal laws would fully deal with erring individuals without necessary attaching their accrued rights such as gratuity and pension.

Earlier, NCC commissioners Vincent Mwale, Edwin Sakala, Daniel Munkombwe, Richard Kapita and others opposed the provisions of Article 137 5C.

On the Other hand, Commissioners Mukondo Lungu,, Reverend David Masupa, Pastor Peter Mulenga and Mwiya Limata supported the forfeiture of gratuity.

[ZNBC]

Proof of Govt Correspondence on Cardson Kabwe-the ill medical student

Health

editor

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January 23, 2009

156

The letter in part
Urgent Request For a Ticket: Kabwe Cardson

Reference is made to minute ZM/5/1 dated 10th December,2008 on the above subject matter.

You will recall,Your Excellency, that on 18th Novenmer, 2008 you requested for urgent financial support for the same student and attached a medical report. The bill on the medical report amounted to about US$ 19000. While the request was still in process, a new request to purchase the ticket for Mr.Kabwe was made.

Since the later was a better option and easier to handle, we procured the ticket and sent it through your office.Unfortunately, the student has not traveled sighting complications of the operation and the related costs.

Apparently ,the University Teaching Hospital Management has responded to our request for professional advice on Mr.Cardson Kabwe, a student based in ST Petersburg,Russia.The response is attached herewith for your information and onward transmission to the student.The support to Mr.Kabwe largely depends on the professional advice as reflected in the letter.

You may advise the student accordingly.

The letter in part
Re Request For Professional Advice on Mr.Cardson Kabwe A Zambian Student Based in Russia
Refer to above subject matter.
We would like to inform you that University Teaching Hospital does some open heart surgery but the waiting list is long.

It is rather difficult to give an opinion on a patient who has not been physically seen by ourselves.

Also be informed that even if the patient was to receive treatment in Russia, an adhoc committee on treatment abroad sitting will be necessary.

I hope that the above information will be of help

Corruption and Morality

Headlines

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January 23, 2009

86

By Philos Zambianos ([email protected])

Corruption: Noun

– Lack of integrity or honesty (especially susceptibility to bribery); use of a position of trust for dishonest gain

– Inducement (as of a public official) by improper means (as bribery) to violate duty (as by committing a felony)

I must admit that I did not quite expect the controversy that erupted from my earlier article here on corruption and morality. As I read the comments on it, I was amused, intrigued and irritated. The people that irritated me are the ones who did not bother to fully read and understand my article in context. In this group are those who claim (among other things) that I am corrupt, I encourage corruption or have succumbed to it, not to mention the censorship freaks.

All the people who argued against the thesis of the article did not address its central argument of morality application in the context of force. It is important to be fully conscious of this foundational issue if you are to argue intelligently. I would like the naysayers to state what is logically wrong with the principle that when another person uses force against you, the obligation to follow the normal rules of morality is no longer applicable with respect to that specific situation. In other words, how can you talk about morality when the conditions for “normal morality” (i.e. absence of force) no longer exist?

If Angola sends troops to invade Zambia, would it make sense for us to sit and be butchered because it is supposedly immoral to send our fighter planes to bomb our neighbour (with the loss of innocent lives)? Imagine if that was the logic used during the time of Hitler, Mussolini and the Japanese. In times of peace, it would obviously be immoral and wrong to bomb Angola. So the idea that corruption is wrong, no matter what the circumstances, is obviously senseless (and rather silly) when you understand it from the angle of force.

Just south of our border, we have a tinpot despot called Robert Gabriel Mugabe who has turned Zimbabwe into a personal chiefdom where he rules supreme. The SADC and African Union leadership has failed miserably to sort him out but they keep claiming that “African problems need African solutions”. What stupidity! The situation there no longer falls under the normal rules of morality because Mugabe does not respect human rights and is using force against his own people.

So I find it ludicrous that Morgan Tsvangirai, Thabo Mbeki and other hopeless African leaders keep advocating going back to the negotiation table to talk endlessly while people are starving and dying everyday. What nonsense! Mugabe needs to be overthrown by all means necessary including (but not limited to) nationwide street protests, full-blown economic sanctions, expulsion from SADC and AU, invasion by other countries or covert assassination plot funded by the American CIA and British MI6.

I know a certain person that bought a piece of land for farming but could not obtain title deeds to the land for over ten years (this is not an exaggeration). More than half of that period was during Levy Mwanawasa’s tenure by the way. Their file kept getting lost or the person who was signing the papers was attending a workshop or there was a funeral for some director, etc. This person steadfastly refused to pay any bribes and they paid dearly for it because during that period, they could not develop the land for fear that it could get repossessed anytime since it was legally not theirs. They suffered many economic hardships as the money they had earmarked for their farming projects ended up being used for living expenses. They even ended up selling some of their property just to get by.

The idea that I am succumbing to corruption when I am being held to ransom just does not make sense. I reiterate that when force is used against you, it no longer makes sense to talk about morality. I had a Nigerian Christian friend who had to bribe people in his country just to get a visa to go study in England. He would not have got it any other way no matter what he did.

I am amused at how naïve people can get when they talk about how we can easily eradicate corruption in Zambia. They fail to realise that the whole corruption thing is an “ecosystem” to borrow a word from one of the comments on my earlier article. Firstly, the police are corrupt so how do they even arrest offenders? The courts are full of underpaid overworked people. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is also staffed by people that can be bought. As we learnt from the era of former president Frederick Chiluba, Ministers and even presidents can be totally corrupt. How do you kill an entire ecosystem like that? By praying and confessing to God? Give me a massive fat break!

One question I wish everyone to ponder is whether paying someone at the passport office to get a passport in one day is wrong. Think about it. How long should it take to produce a passport? There is nothing complicated about it. It is just a bunch of papers, ink and plastic put together by a machine. So why should it take a week or a month to get a passport? Did you know that it takes less time to produce a brand new Mercedes Benz S-Class car with thousands of complex parts than it takes to produce a Zambian passport?

The truth is that the officers at the passport office (registration card office, road traffic, lands department, etc.) deliberately slow down things so that people get frustrated and offer to pay them to fast forward the process. Even if there is an express service, it is still useless if it takes days. So if I pay some clerk K300,000 and get my new passport in one day (which is actually the “normal” time it should have taken in the first place), is that really corruption?

Mondo Appointed Lusaka Dynamos coach

Sports

editor

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January 23, 2009

17

Wesley Mondo has been appointed as Lusaka Dynamos new coach.

Mondo will replace Fighton Simukonda who last week joined Zesco United
in the same capacity in a pre-season that has seen coaches upstaging
players in the customary migration that is characteristic during the
run-up to the new campaign.

This will be the ex-Kalulushi Modern Stars and Zambia Under-20 coach
Mondo’s fourth club coaching appointment in a space of nine years
whose previous postings include Kabwe Warriors and City of Lusaka.

Mondo later coached Zanaco and Zesco where he was replaced by his
former assistant at City Wedson Nyirenda, now at the helm at Sunset
Stadium where he returns as head coach after previously being number
2.

Meanwhile, Dynamos’ new coach takes charge of a side whose top-flight
future is uncertain.

This follows Nchanga Rangers controversial and successful appeal to
stay up after being granted points from a Week 16 away match against
Chambishi that ended 1-1 after the hosts allegedly used unregistered
players that saw them swap positions with Dynamos for the number 12
demotion slot.

Elsewhere, Zesco returned home on Thursday from the week long training
camp in Tanzania where they drew in all three of their club
international friendly matches against Young Africans, Simba and
Rikuv.

Zesco host Kenyan side Mathare United in a Caf Africa Champions League
preliminary stage 1st leg match at the Trade Fair Grounds in Ndola
next Saturday.

4 Zambian universities secure berths at Zain Africa Challenge season 3

Sports

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January 23, 2009

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Cool intellect, witty humor and edge of seat moments characterised this year’s Zain Africa Challenge (ZAC) season 3 National Qualifying Tournament (NQT) as eight Zambian universities engaged in a ‘fierce’ battle of wits to represent Zambia at the prestigious ZAC championship festival in Uganda.

The participating universities at the qualifiers held at Cresta Golf-view Hotel last Monday were the eight government accredited eligible universities from across the country namely: AIBT (Lusaka), CBU (Kitwe), Cavendish (Lusaka), Copperstone (Kitwe), Northrise (Ndola), UNZA (Lusaka), Zambia Adventist (Monze) and Zambia Open (Lusaka). At the end of the tournament it was CBU, UNZA, Northrise and AIBT (in no particular order) that emerged as the top four and subsequently securing themselves the four slots reserved for Zambia at the finals in Uganda next month.

Announcing the winners, Zain Zambia Managing Director David Holliday said: “Everyone is a winner in the Zain Africa Challenge. The other four universities that will not advance to the finals in Kampala will each get US$1000 for the university and US$100 dollars each for the participating students and coaches in educational grants.

“In the entire competition starting from the country national qualifiers like one held today, to the championship finals in Uganda, Zain Group is awarding nearly US$1,000,000 in total cash, travel grants and educational materials.”

And Mr. Holliday added that: “This programme highlights Zain’s commitment to developing the youth. They are the future of Africa and we want to give them more opportunities to develop their talents.”

And in a congratulatory speech, Minister of Education Professor Geoffrey Lungwanga commended Zain for coming up with the initiative. He called for united efforts in improving the lives of the people and urged corporate institutions to emulate Zain.

He also advised the students who will be traveling to Uganda to take advantage of the tournament saying: “Some of you will be flying out of Zambia for the first time and this will no doubt add to your exposure…You will learn more about other universities. But as you go through all this, my government’s appeal is that you sell your universities to students from other countries and also take time to sell Zambia as a tourist destination as you are our ambassadors.”

The Zain Africa Challenge is part of Zain’s corporate social responsibility efforts targeting education and represents just an extension of Zain’s corporate commitment to “A Wonderful World” for their customers. It is Africa’s first ever televised academic competition involving universities in which Zain operates.

This year’s Africa Challenge marks season three and has been extended to include three more countries from last season’s five. The three countries joining Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia are Ghana, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. The extension has also seen more Zambian universities taking part. While season two saw two universities (CBU & UNZA) represent Zambia, four universities (and possibly five) are expected to fly the Zambian flag higher thereby increasing the chances of bringing the grant home.

While it is a trend for most organizations to donate to needy institutions, Zain Africa Challenge is contributing to the development of universities through creative means that not only ensure infrastructure improvement through grants but also enable the students get exposure and interact with their counterparts from other universities in Africa.

All participating universities and students walk away with grants. The grants are based on each university’s final standing in the knock-out tournament. This season’s top prize at the finals in Uganda is $50, 000 educational grant while the participants for the winning university (students & coach) each win $5000 worth of educational grants.

The questions in this fast-paced quiz programme cover a wide range of topic areas including: history, science, African culture, geography, literature, music and current events. Additionally, Zain Africa Challenge highlights the excellent educational opportunities at African universities with videos and student profiles.

The tournament will be broadcast on national television in all the eight countries taking part in the tournament.

Govt spends K6.6 Bn on Chiefs’ vehicles

General News

editor

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January 22, 2009

80

Government has spent K6.6 billion on the procurement of 150 vehicles for chiefs in the country.

Local Government and Housing Deputy Minister, Lwipa Puma, who confirmed the development in Parliament today, said another K4.9 billion will be spend on the procurement of 136 vehicles for the remaining 136 chiefs in the country.

Dr Puma said out of the K4.9 billion, government has so far sent K1.3 billion towards the procurement another consignment of chief’s vehicles from Japan.

He, further, said the remaining funds will be sent to Japan soon to ensure that all the chiefs received vehicles this year.

Mr Puma was responding to a question raised by Mfuwe MP, Mwimba Malama, who wanted to know how much government has spent on the procurement of vehicles for chiefs in the country.

Dr Puma also disclosed that government was buying chiefs vehicles on a loan basis adding that government will recover loans from chiefs’ subsidies over the period of five years.

ZANIS/TK/ENDS/SJK

Zambian youths lack maturity, Joyce Nonde

Headlines

editor

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January 22, 2009

114

Federation for Free Trade Union of Zambia (FFTUZ) President, Joyce Nonde has challenged the youths in the country to stand up and be proactive if they are to take up positions in politics.

Mrs. Nonde said the youths in the country are not given leadership position because they are dormant and luck understanding on issues.

She said young people need to be proactive and change there attitudes and face the challenge in order to be leaders.

Mrs. Nonde said politicians need maturity but that most youths in the country lack that and are therefore used by politicians for violence purposes.

And the Global Justice Zambia has implored politicians in the country to learn from America and groom the youths if Zambia was to develop politically, economically and socially.

Global Justice Zambia Executive Director John Phiri also said Zambia risks being in a leadership crisis if youths were not groomed to take up political leadership in the country.

He said there is need for old politicians in the country to groom the new generation that could push the country forward.

He said for a long time now, youths have been used by older politicians only as agents of violence and political hooliganism.

Mr. Phiri said this in an interview with ZANIS at the American centre after giving a presentation of his observation of last year’s United States historical election where he represented Zambia as an international election observer.

He said there was need for politicians to invest in the youths, who are future leaders, adding they should only involve them in issue based politics.

He said politicians should put in place a deliberate policy that will ensure that the youths were prepared for leadership transition.

Mr. Phiri added that politicians should not look at the youths as threats but as partners in the development of the country.

He said the United States has shown the world, including Zambia, that investing in young people will result in social, political and economic development.

ZANIS/GP/KSH/ENDS.

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