By Mingeli Palata

I seriously don’t know how we got there, the Majestic Casino in Makeni along the Kafue road yet not playing poker like the Chinese fellows stationed not too far from ourselves but just sharing a light moment after a long day’s work. After arguing about who was going to foot the bill, we quickly made our orders, I wasn’t ashamed to order my Charles Glass yet Tafara shyed away and ordered for some good old H2o. I thought that was pretty gay.Talked a little about work.

We quickly got bored with the work related issues and joined the rest of the casino in watching the repeat of the Arsenal VS Aston Villa game and of course to the amusement of all the Manchester United fans including Mingeli, Arsenal lost 2-0 to Aston Villa.

Moving on with the wind to Big Brother Africa, I learned that the Zambian contestant was butchered out but the consolation was that the sensational Zambian songbird Mampi was gracing the show. So we had something to look forward to. Tafara kept on bragging about how much Mampi is the most happening stage performer and how she has really grown lyrically to a point where I was getting irritated. Finally, she did take the stage and I mean everyman would find her moves tantalising, the Zambian way of course, no one does it better, the old exotic  men at Alfa bar will tell you why.

Strangely though, on Mampi’s second performance, Tafara was totally enraged. His bitterness was at levels I could not comprehend. I wondered why he suddenly flipped. I was really getting tempted with accusing him of being jealous because a Zambian was performing at such a big show but little did I know that what this Zimbabwean colleague of mine was going to say next would change my perception of Zambian music.

Tafara was not happy with the fact that Mampi chose to do a Salsa dance, in his view, that was very un-Zambian. My arguments lingered on with every drink that I took but between you and me Tafara struck a nerve and got me listening when he told me that the show has over  10 million viewers and said the Big Brother Show gave Mampi an opportunity to market not only herself but Zambia the real africa. He went on saying that Mampi doing Salsa was in bad taste because the Angolans and the Brazilians do Salsa better anyway. As Tafara spoke further, I began to understand more underlying problem with the Development of Zambian music.

Most of the Musicians who are frequenting the airwaves today, talk of JK, K’Millian and who so ever is playing may have sold a few thousand copies here and there in Zambia, but they have not made it that much outside  Zambia and comparing them to the like of Emmanuel Mulemena will be an insult. The reason is simple, the modern day musicians are trying to copy or imitate a kind of music that is foreign, they are trying to compete with T.I or Leona Lewis and Michael Jackson and think simply singing in vernacular makes their music Zambian. Music and culture are inseparable. Arts, dressing, poetry are all aspects of our way of life and tell volumes about who we are and where we come from. When your music doesn’t say much about where you are coming from and where you are going, do you really go far? If only Mampi could show us those Senga, Lozi, Soli, Luchazi or it is Bemba skills then she could get a contract from a Canadian promoter asking her to do a chain of live shows, not when she is trying to compete with Shakira.

Tafara went on saying that it’s much more about the dressing, the instruments and stage act that tells more about the music. Mampi’s attire did not say much about where she comes. She should take a cue from the number of tourists that come to see our traditional dances, they come to see the way we dress, our music and our performances. All because really, if we dress, sing and dance like them then there is really nothing to talk about, nothing to see.

We cannot talk about successful African musician without talking about the likes of the late Mirriam Makeba, Oliver Mutukudzi, Salif Keita and Yosour Ndour. One thing that you will find in common amongst all these artists is that they sing/sang African music; their music is rooted in the traditions and cultures from which they emanated. Bringing it closer to home, Maureen Lilanda is booked at most corporate functions today because her music is original and tells a story about us and who we are. The Glorious Band hit the scene and made great sells all because they sung original Zambian Music and given a proper promoter I am sure they would break international barriers.

I was pouring myself another drink when Tafara added that the success of Kwaito is because it is original South African Music blended with a bit of modernity and perhaps is the reason why it’s so big here in Zambia whereas the modern Zambian music (without a name) is unknown in South Africa. Very few artists today even know how to play guitars, worse off a piano. I interrupted the Tafara theorem and brought the fact that the South Africans have more resources and sound instruments. Then didn’t this guy make me realise how drunk I was getting! He gave me examples of great artists coming from poor countries, the likes of Oliver Mutukudzi who were able to be carve nicheon the world market by using simple and cheap African instruments and sticking to their roots. He noted that Zambia doesn’t have an industry; there is no proper plan of action for sustainable and viable industry, no statistics, there is a lot of day light piracy, poor artist management, promoters are worse and the list is endless. He said Zambia has a lot of talent and potential to mesmerise the African and international market but certain things had to be put in place.  Just then the bar lady switched to Trace and Michael Jackson’s Thriller was playing; I began to imagine what it would be like if MJ started singing Kalindula. Given a choice, you rather watch him or the Serenje Kalindula Band. That probably explains why in my three years of radio experience I played more American souls/Jazz than Zambian music.

Government has defended its stance to keep the revenue collected from windfall tax in a stabilisation account at the Bank of Zambia.

Finance Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane, says the revenue collected from windfall tax will be used when need arises.

Dr. Musokotwane was contributing to a debate on the report compiled by the Parliamentary committee on Estimates.

He also said government is considering extending the budget circle from nine months to twelve months.

Dr. Musokotwane said he has already communicated to Vice President, Gorge Kunda, about the issue.

Earlier, some Members of Parliament questioned government over the rationale of keeping money raised from windfall tax idle when the country is experiencing difficulties.

Zambezi West MP, Charles Kakoma, said it did not make sense for government to keep the money in a stabilisation account when farmers have no fertiliser.

Mr. Kakoma also wondered why government had engaged into fresh negotiations on the in windfall tax when parliament had mandated it to collect the revenue.

And the Parliamentary committee on Estimates is concerned about the poor revenue collection in the country.

The committee has observed that non tax revenue collection is still ranked lowly by some government ministries.

Chairperson of the Committee on Estimates, Batuke Imenda, says the move has resulted in low income and subsequent failure to implement government programmes.

Mr. Imenda also bemoaned the late release of funds to capital projects such as infrastructure development.

However, Mr. Imenda says the committee is happy that revenue collected from windfall tax has not been used.
[ZNBC]

VICE-PRESIDENT George Kunda has assured that the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) will complete its work by December next year so that the country can have a new Constitution before the 2011 elections.

Mr Kunda said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that the Constitution-making process was a realistic programme which should not be rushed, but expressed optimism that Zambia would hold the 2011 elections under a new Constitution.

“We don’t want to compromise the process by suggesting unrealistic time options. We have to complete the work before 2011, but let us not suggest unrealistic time frames,” he said.

The vice-president, who is also Justice minister, advised Zambians to seriously reflect on the experiences the country had faced in previous years, especially in trying moments, which eventually led to the just-ended presidential election in October.

“We need to think and reflect on the experiences we have faced as we reconsider the Constitution. We are now much wiser and let’s look at the Constitution in such a manner,” he said.

On calls for the NCC to consider adopting the recommendations of the Mung’omba report that a presidential candidate should have a running mate, Mr Kunda said the reaction by the Government was that the Republican president should appoint the vice-president.
He said that there was room for reflection on suggestions made by other people.

He said Zambia should also take stock of what was happening in other countries so that the country could come up with a better Constitution.

Mr Kunda said the last presidential election was costly and Zambians should also consider various aspects, which would go with the re-run when giving suggestions like the 50 per cent plus one for a winning presidential candidate.

“People must be able to reflect on all these issues. The bottom line is that we should do only what is best for this country.

“As we decide as Government on what position we take, we want the people to decide for themselves. As the Government, we shall provide leadership,” he said.

On his vision, Mr Kunda said the office of vice-president held various critical units, which were meant to improve service delivery and reduce poverty.

Mr Kunda said it was his desire to concentrate more on mitigating disasters and, to that effect, he intended to strengthen disaster management.

He said his predecessor, President Rupiah Banda, had left some framework on which he hoped to improve disaster management.

He said funds permitting, he would focus on the fight against poverty by putting up infrastructure such as schools and hospitals

[Times of Zambia]

Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, Ronnie Shikapwasha said reports in The Post newspaper that Government had increased emoluments for the President, constitutional office-holders and senior Government officials were misleading as it had actually reduced the proposals compared to the earlier ones.

He said there was need for Zambians to commend Government as it had reduced the emoluments to 15 per cent in line with the increment awarded to public service workers early this year.
Lt-Gen. Shikapwasha said the recently amended allowance and salary increases for the President had translated into a saving of K250 million per annum.

Lt-Gen. Shikapwasha said the President’s annual special allowance had been reduced from K157,210,523 per annum to K59,194,734 per annum while the annual responsibility allowance of K150 million per annum had been scrapped.

He said in comparison to the earlier proposed increments, the amended emoluments indicated a reduction of over K150 million per annum across the board.

“The reduction should, therefore, be appreciated as an act of sacrifice on the part of the constitutional office-holders.

“The parliamentarians collectively supported President Banda’s statement that the State can not manage to pay the earlier proposed emoluments because of the dwindled coffers resulting from the two major national events (State funeral and presidential election),” Lt-Gen. Shikapwasha said.
He said it was malicious for some sections of the media to further suggest that President Banda passed the salary increments when it was members of all the political parties represented in Parliament who overwhelmingly supported the bills.

Lt-Gen. Shikapwasha said it was wrong for the media to quote Vice-President, George Kunda, as having said Government had sufficient funds to meet the earlier proposed salary increments.
He said Mr Kunda stated in the House that the treasury currently had insufficient resources to cover the proposed emoluments payable to the President in full due to the heavy expenditure Government incurred on the just-ended presidential election and the funeral of President Mwanawasa.
Meanwhile, Lt-Gen. Shikapwasha said reports in The Post quoting Southern Province minister, Daniel Mukombwe, as suggesting that some churches in the country were becoming political agents of genocide were misleading.
He said the reports were incorrect and that Mr Mukombwe only referred to people who were agitating confusion in the country.
The minister said Mr Mukombwe was an experienced politician who understood the important role the church played in national development.
Lt-Gen. Shikapwasha urged those calling for the condemnation of Mr Mukombwe to critically analyse his statement and not rush to conclusions.
“As a nation with established institutions and channels of communication, we should avoid issuing inflammatory statements on unsubstantiated claims.
“Let all those who have chosen to deliberately misinterpret Mr Mukombwe’s statement read the verbatim report from Parliament because as Government, we shall not condemn him over a statement that has been deliberately misinterpreted and taken out of context,” he said.
Radio Icengelo station manager, Father Frank Bwalya, is quoted in yesterday’s edition of The Post as condemning Government and the MMD’s failure to condemn Mr Mukombwe’s alleged negative utterances on the Church.

[Daily-Mail]

It is shameful and un-African to neglect elderly parents and grand-parents on account of ill-health, Southern Province Minister Daniel Munkombwe has said.

And Dambwa North Senior Citizens Organization (DANESECO) president, Saxon Simachembele, has said that the massive wastage of knowledge and skills that goes with retired people is worrisome.

In a speech read for him by Southern Province Permanent Secretary,Darius Hakayobe during the official launch of the Dambwa North and Maramba Senior Citizens Organization, Mr. Munkombwe said
it is a source of deep concern that the rights of senior citizens have continued to be violated daily and added that government is determined to deal with the scourge.

“The abuse of senior citizens is a phenomenon that has been observed by my province and the nation to be increasing and becoming more prevalent in our communities and nation,” the minister said.

Mr. Munkombwe said government is determined to deal with the scourge by preparing the Senior Citizens Policy, the Senior Citizens Legislation and the Senior Citizens Regulations to ensure that the
rights of senior citizens are protected and safeguarded fully.

“I ask you to prepare a senior citizens policy that will guide development for the elderly and provide for legislation and regulations which will stop such practices as elderly abuse and senior citizens neglect and abuse of the rights of senior citizens,” Mr. Munkombwe said.

The minister said although Zambia is a relatively youthful country in comparison with European countries, it still needs its elderly citizens.

“This is because the youth are impulsive and not as patient as the elderly. “We need not abuse the elderly because of their massive contribution to the development of the nation,” he said.

The minister said the new deal government strongly supports senior citizens through Non Governmental Organizations and promotes initiatives that promote self-reliance and self-help among senior citizens.

“We need to support senior citizens to be able to support themselves because it is only then that they will be able to support their children and grand children,” he said.

And Dambwa North Senior Citizens Organization (DANESECO) president, Saxon Simachembele, has said that the massive wastage of knowledge and skills that goes with retired people is worrisome.

Mr. Simachembele said the non-existence of government programmes to go along with retirement has contributed to massive wastage of skills and knowledge among retired people.

He said there is need for government to establish a register and pool of retirees whose skills and knowledge in any particular field can easily be accessed whenever required by any public or private
organization.

Mr. Simachembele said retirees are faced with numerous challenges that include looking after orphaned children owing to the HIV/AIDS pandemic, and added that retired people have little chance of participating in income-earning activities.

“Let me highlight that problems faced by senior citizens are legendary. It is in this light that our organization was formed,” he said.

The said the newly launched organization would create economic opportunities as it would create employment and that members will accrue other economic benefits.

Mr. Simachembele has called on government to cooperate by providing guidelines of how to access capital equipment and easy-term financing to ensure the uplifting of living standards among senior citizens.

ZANIS/ENDS/MM/EB.

Government has projected price reduction end of 2008 following the procurement 90 metric litre at the cost of US $ 53 million.

And government says it has embarked on a construction and rehabilitation of two (2) million litre-storage infrastructure for petroleum strategic reserves in each provincial centre across the country through a tendering process.

Presenting his his ministrial statement in Parliament , Thursday, Energy and Water Development Minister Kenneth Konga said the projected low fuel prices will also be due to next month’s favourable exchange rate he hoped would be favourable.

He said prices of oil on the world market have reduced from US$140 to US$60 or less per barrel.

He said government has envisaged a subsidizing mechanism that would be administered by the National Union Pricing Programme (NUPP) under the National Energy Policy where fuel would be sold at par (same) in both rural and urban areas.

Mr. Konga disclosed that the construction and other rehabilitation works at Chipata, Mongu, Mansa and Livingstone depots were expected to be completed in February, 2009.

Mr. Konga revealed that government has signed a 2-year contract with an International Finance Company to supply crude oil 30 to 45 days in advance as it has learnt lessons in the past where the country was plunged in fuel crisis.

The Minister said at Indeni in Ndola, government has bought a US$2 million 40 metric litre depot for diesel but was quick to point out that the government has put in place measures to curb the possible shortages that rocked the country in the recent months.

He explained that variation in fuel market prices were done on detects of demand and supply and that lack of adequate bulk fuel storage depots were a limiting factor.

And on electricity, the Energy Minister said load shedding will continue because of the shut transmission line that collapsed at one of the major power stations.

Mr. Konga said government working with ZESCO is rehabilitating the generators so that they normalise soon.

He added that construction of smaller power stations from across the country has started at Kalungwishi at cost of US$780 million to produce 210 Mega watts (MW); Itehzi-tehzi 120MW (US$270m); Kabompo 34MW (US480m) Kariba North Bank Power Extension project 360MW (US$312m) and Kafue Gorge Lower Station 750MW to cost close to US$2 billion respectively.

ZANIS/KC/ENDS/MM