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I did not endorse HH- Sata

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Following the launch of the Michael Sata campaign website, a copy website called hakainde.com was also launched.This was according to a Patriot Front spokesperson. The website had on its front page a claim that Mr Sata had endorsed HH.

Mr Sata has since refuted this  claim.” I cannot be a vice to someone who is under five and inexperienced…He has never met me to discuss a government of national unity. It’s a lie.”

Mr Sata further said “In 2006, I had more presidential votes than H.H, I had more MPs than H.H, I had more councilors than H.H . In 2006 when he represented 3 parties, H.H reduced the Mazoka led UPND from 49 to 22 MPs, he reduced FDD from 11 to 2 MPs, he reduced UNIP from 15 to 2 MPs. So what credentials has he got to consider me as vice? If in his eyes I am too old, why then should he consider me for vice? It’s all in his dreams and wishful thinking. We are filling nominations next week and we are very confident PF will form the next government”.

Zambia puts IT to use in October presidential election

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The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) will use biometric data to identify those replacing their lost voter registration cards for the Oct. 30 presidential election.

The ECZ has already established a permanent register, capturing biometric data from voters in the form of fingerprints, said ECZ deputy director of IT Brown Kasaro in an interview.

Fingerprints were collected prior to the 2006 general election, uncovering thousands of duplicate registrations, Kasaro said. Individuals were using multiple National Registrations Cards bearing different names, “either our of ignorance or just out of wanting to cheat,” he added. Despite arguments by opposition political parties in the 2006 elections, Kasaro also revealed that the ECZ will use computers and fax machines to manage results for the upcoming election.

To overcome fears of computer error, the ECZ intends to hold a series of meetings with political parties on the process.

The ECZ hopes to tabulate results at the Mulungushi International Conference Center, Kasaro said, with the Zambian National Broadcasting Corporation airing the proceedings live.

The commission will also use GIS (geographical information system) technology to produce maps in delineating each constituency prior to the election.

However, Zambia Media Women Association coordinator Emelda Yumbe expressed her fears in an interview that computers may be used to manipulate results and rig the election, noting most Zambians are not computer literate.

IDG news service

Chitala threatened to sack Daily Mail employees

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The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today protested over threats from a prominent member of the Zambian ruling party to sack employees of the government-owned Zambia Daily Mail newspaper after they did not publish articles he wrote.

“We protest the intimidation tactics used by M. Mbita Chitala,” said Gabriel Baglo, the Director of the IFJ Africa office. “The Zambia does not need the media environment to be polluted at this painful period in its history. We call on the government, ruling party members and all political party leaders to make sure journalists can work in total freedom during the upcoming race for the successor to the late President, Levy Mwanawasa.”

On August 30, Mbita Chitala, a member of the campaign team of the ruling party’s candidate for the presidency, went to the headquarters of the Zambia Daily Mail demanding to know why stories he sent them were not published.

According to Nigel Mulenga, the acting deputy editor of the newspaper and also the Secretary General of the Zambia Union of Journalists (ZUJ), despite explanations from staff members, Chitala “warned reporters and editors that they risked being sacked because this was ‘a matter of life and death.’”

The IFJ is supporting the ZUJ, which has said that the era of “threats is long gone and we demand an apology from him.”

The IFJ is also calling on the government and the political parties to publicly vow to respect press freedom and editorial independence for all media.

SOURCE : International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)

Wife not interested

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I am a man aged 40 years married to a beautiful woman. We have been married for 11 years now.

The problem has been the issue of Sex. She is what I may term a frigid woman. She does not like sex. Besides me trying to give enough quality and quantity she does not respond in the affirmative.

Recently she had a dental problem and her front tooth was removed. That has been reason enough that she does not want to be kissed. It has now been 1 year No Kiss from my dear wife and I love kisses. What do I do?

Worried Man

Please give mature advise

NCC suspends sitting indefinitely

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The National Constitutional Conference -NCC- has suspended its sitting indefinitely.
NCC Chairman Chifumu Banda says the conference will only reconvene after next months Presidential Election to allow delegates to participate in campaigns.
He told ZNBC news in Lusaka, Tuesday, that after a lot of consultation, the NCC decided to suspend sittings until after the Presidential by-election.
Mr. Banda however, could not say when the NCC sittings will start but stated that the conference will wait for the dates of the next parliamentary sittings before making a new calender.He said this is because NCC does not meet while parliament is in session.
The NCC plenary was supposed to meet this month to consider recommendations made by the three committees which met in July.

ZNBC

East PS evacuated to South Africa for treatment

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Eastern Province Permanent Secretary, Kelvin Kamuwanga, has been evacuated to South Africa from the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) where he was admitted for six days after he collapsed.

Eastern Province Minister, Charles Shawa, said today in Chipata during a media briefing that Mr. Kamuwanga was last Saturday flown to South Africa for medical treatment.

Mr. Kamuwanga collapsed at his house in Chipata on September 7th and was evacuated to UTH where he was admitted until last Saturday when he was flown to South Africa for further treatment.

Meanwhile, Mr. Shawa has thanked the people of Eastern province for their support during the illness and subsequent death of President Levy Mwanawasa last month.

He stated that the turnout of people from all the eight districts for the body viewing ceremony in Chipata was a clear indication that people in the area appreciated the leadership of the late President and wanted to pay their last respect.

And Mr. Shawa has called for peaceful campaigns for October 30, 2008 president by-elections.

He said there was need for people to conduct campaigns peacefully, adding that all political parties should base their campaigns on national issues and not on character assassination.

“Insults and character assassination should not be practiced in the province,” he said.

Woman back after giving birth in transit to Dubai

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A Zambia woman, who gave birth in Addis Ababa Ethiopia in July while on transit to Dubai on a business trip, has finally left that country for Zambia.

Barbara Mushota, 32 was seen off at Bole International Airport by officials from the Zambian embassy in Addis Ababa yesterday.

On July 18th, 2008, Ms. Mushota went into labour when she arrived at Bole International Airport and was rushed from the airport to the nearest hospital by Ethiopian airline officials. She gave birth to twins on the same day. One of the twins, a boy, died after birth but the girl survived and has been in an incubator in Addis Ababa’s Korean hospital for the past two months.

Ms. Mushota told Zambian embassy staff that saw her off at the airport that she was grateful for the assistance and support she received from the Zambian community the past two months.

Acting Head of mission at the Zambia Embassy in Addis Ababa Patrick Ngoma has however, advised women with advanced pregnancies to avoid traveling in order to avoid such incidents.

This is contained in a press statement issued to ZANIS by First Secretary for Press at the Zambian Embassy in Ethiopia, Dorcas Chileshe.

UPND Promises to Reduce Taxes

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THE United Party for National Development (UPND)  launched its presidential campaign with a promise to reduce taxes by increasing the tax free income to K1.5 million.

UPND president, Hakainde Hichilema said  that he had accepted his party’s nomination as presidential candidate in order to continue what late president Levy Mwanawasa had left.

“I accept the nomination for that reason and not to put food on my table. We are in an economic and social war where Zambians should also be investors and not observers,” he said.

Mr Hichilema said when elected into office, UPND would continue with the anti-corruption fight while good governance would be a must if Zambia was to run in decency.

He said corruption would be fought in a professional manner and that there would not be any sacred cows.

He said the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) would be urged to expedite its conclusion.

Mr Hichilema said that when UPND comes into power it would avoid a bloated government for it to run in a more prudent and efficient manner while nominated members of Parliament would be drawn from eight provinces.

He said there was no need to look for political gymnastics but people should look at the future with a clear mind by voting for leaders that would improve lives of the people.

The opposition leader said there should not be promotion of ethnicity in politics because no one chose their ethnic being and that Zambia was one country.

He said his government would provide free education up to tertiary level and medical services would also be free because that was government’s responsibility.

He said politics was a business that required a business approach and to reduce the price of mealie-meal, the UPND government would provide agricultural in-puts as a way of subsidising the sector.

Late UPND leader Anderson Mazoka’s wife Mutinta, former Republican president Kaunda’s son Panji and several MPs, attended the launch.

Times of Zambia

Zambian Airways debt swells to $1.9 million

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The Zambian Airways debt to the National Airports Limited has increased from 1.6 million United States to 1.9 million United States dollars.

The debt is as a result of unpaid air passenger services and other services.

National Airports Corporation Limited Finance Director, Frederick Banda, told ZNBC news, Monday, that Zambian Airways has not communicated on how it intends to off set the debt.

Mr. Banda however, said his organisation has agreed with National Airports that the airline pays passenger service charges weekly to prevent the debt from swelling.

Zambian Airways makes fifty thousand dollars per day in passenger service charges.

As at September 4, Zambian Airways had defaulted payment by three months.

It also defaulted in other services such as ground handling services, aircraft landing and parking services by six months.
[ZNBC]

Weekend Scorecard

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The Zambia Under-20 national team goes into camp on Tuesday to begin preparations for their Rwanda 2009 Africa Youth Championship 2nd round, 1st leg qualifier against Egypt.

Egypt will host Zambia on Friday, September 27 in the first leg with the return leg will follow a fortnight later.

28 players  are expected to report to camp under head coach Oswald Mutapa on Tuesday to begin preparations for the final round qualifying phase for next years Rwanda tournament.

Zambia qualified to the final qualifying stage after a 3-0 aggregate win over Mauritius in July following a 2-0 victory in the  away return leg.

Egypt on the other hand dispatched of Zimbabwe in the last round with a 6-0 aggregate win after a 5-0 home leg victory before winning again  away via a 1-0 score line.

WEEKEND SCORECARD & TOP SCORERS CHART

2009 Algeria Caf Africa Under-17 Cup 1st rnd, 2nd leg

14/09/2008

Windhoek

Namibia U17* 0- Zambia U17 0

Namibia qualify 4-2 on PP after scoreless results over two legs.

Faz Premier League

Week 22

14/09/2008

Lusaka Dynamos 0- Kabwe warriors 1 (Emmanuel Mayuka 42)

13/09/2008

Nkana 0 -Zesco United 2(Maybin Mwaba 55″ pen,  86″)

Young Arrows 1(Chomba Ngandwe 57″)-Power Dynamos 1(Simon Bwalya 23″)

Green Eagles 1(Tresford Mhango ?”)-Red Arrows 1(Aggripah  Mbewe?”)

Chambishi 1(Sanida Zulu 90″)- Zanaco 1(Rogers Kola ?”)

City of Lusaka 1(Abudi Sakala 59″)- Green Buffaloes 1(Jeff Zimba 83″)

Roan United 2(Joseph Soko 29″, Douglas Muwowo 39″)- Nkwazi 0

Nchanga Rangers 2(Boyd Chanda 59″, george Chilufya 62″)- Konkola Blades 2(Felix Sunzu jnr 13″, Trinity Chalanshi 86″)
Faz Division 1
Forest Rangers 5 Medical 0

Kitwe United 4 Muchindu 0

Mufulira Wanderers 0 Blackpool 0

Afrisport 2 Ndola United 0

Lime Hotpsurs 0 Prison Leopards 1

Kalewa 1 Zamtel 1

Chindwin 1 Indeni 0

Tazara Express 3 Mining 2

South

Nakambala Leopards 1 Riflemen 0

Lusaka City Council 2 Lusaka Tigers 0

Young Green Eagles 0 Choma Eagles 1

Young Buffaloes 1 Lusaka Celtic 0

Nampundwe 0 Profund Warriors 2

Zamcoal Diggers 1 Livingstone Pirates 1

National Assembly 1 Mazabuka United 0

Kambuku vs Kalomo Jetters (not played)

Petauke United vs Chilanga Heroes (not played)

2008 BP Top 8 Draws

Qaurterfinals

20/08/2008

-Trade Fair  Grounds, Ndola

Kabwe Warriors- Young Arrows

Zesco United- Power Dynamos
-Woodlands Stadium, Lusaka

Green Buffaloes- Zanaco

Lusaka Dynamos- Konkola Blades
Semifinals

11/10/2008

Nchanga Stadium (Chingola) & Nkoloma Stadium (Lusaka)
Final

08/11/2008

Nchanga Stadium, Chingola
TOP SCORERS

After games Played 14/08/2008

LEAGUE, INTL & CUP:

Emmanuel Mayuka (Kabwe Warriors): 12

Roger Kola (Zanaco): 11

Francis Kombe (Power Dynamos): 9

Mathew Macha (Nchanga Rangers): 9

Chomba  Ng’andwe (Young Arrows): 7
Aubrey Zulu (Green Eagles): 7
Reuben Tembo (Green Buffaloes):7

Kelvin Mumba (Roan United): 6
Patrick Kabamba (Nkana): 6
Kruger Mwansa (Young Arrows) : 6

Chipulu Chileya (Konkola Blades): 5
Judge Mkandawire (Young Arrows): 5
Chisi Mbewe (Red Arrows): 5
Nicholas Zulu (Zesco United): 5
Timothy Mbewe (Red Arrows):  5
Chileshe Kabwe (Konkola Blades): 5

Simon Bwalya (Power Dynamos): 4
William Njobvu (Lusaka Dynamos): 4
Jonah Sakuwaha (Zesco United): 4
Lottie Phiri (Zesco United): 4
Sebastian Mwansa (Green Buffaloes): 4
INTERNATIONALS

(10/08/2008)

Felix Katongo (Stade Rennes,France): 4

Emmanuel Mayuka (Kabwe Warriors) 4

Roger Kola (Zanaco): 3

Christopher Katongo (Arminia Bielefeld, Denmark): 3

Francis Kombe (Power Dynamos): 1

Rainford Kalaba (Gil Vincente, Portugal): 1

William Njobvu (Lusaka Dynamos) 1

Kennedy Mudenda (Power Dynamos): 1

James Chamanga : 1

Jacob Mulenga (Chateauroux, France): 1

Chiwanki Liyainga (Young Arrows): 1

Clifford Mulenga (Bidvest Wits, South Africa): 1

Government abandons Zambian students in Russia

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The government has in the last six months failed to give students  allowances, deserting more than 400 students based in Russia.Thus leaving them to face the savage winter on their own without financial or material help. In a bid to buy school materials for the new academic year that opened two weeks ago,students both male and female have engaged in various activities to raise money. It is well know that the Russian law does not allow foreign students to work in Russia. This has lead to some students going to extreme measures to make ends meet.

According to a 2007 survey Moscow was found to be the most expensive city in the world, to live in. The students complained that their meager allowances, even when the government remembers to send them, are hardly enough to sustain them especially in the harsh winters.

“The average cost of living in Russia is approximately $600 per month and our government only manages to give us $200 per month which is paid after every 4 months. Every time our payments are delayed by at least a month. We tried to forge these complaints to our government but they have been giving us a blind eye and deaf ear. Officials from the Ministry of Education came some months ago only to come and comfort us and not minding our empty stomach,” said one student, who preferred to remain anonymous lest the government withdrew its sponsorship from him.

The students also lamented that they are given $10 equivalent for accommodation whilst current prices for accommodation facility’s range in price from $170 – $800 depending on the university and location. They are thus forced to lodge in dilapidated accommodation facilities.The students feel cheated as they where initially given the impression that accommodation is free.

“Is it just an adage that accommodation is free to lure the rabbit out of its hole or we are fed wrong information right from the start?” asked one of the students. The students however, emphasized that they never wished or required to live in luxurious hostels at the expense of the Government but only decent facilities.

“Why not just build better universities at home than sending us here in winter colleges so that we freeze broke! Please help us guys before we become beggers in Russia. Five months no money and snow!” cried another student.

The students are pleading with Government to look into the hardships they are facing. They request for the government to review the contract it has with the Russian government.

“We appeal to the stakeholders to foster amendments in the contract to better serve the welfare of students.”

State and Standard Chartered Bank partner to develop SMEs

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Standard Chartered Bank Zambia PLC Managing Director Muzinga  Melu says  the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are central to the growth of the Zambian economy.

Ms Melu says in recognition of this, Standard Chartered Bank, in partnership with government has made the development of the SME sector a priority.

She noted that the as part of the strategic positioning, the bank has SME banking units in 13 key markets across Africa including Zambia.

Ms Melu was speaking at the launch of the “Africa SME month” in Lusaka today.

She said as an international bank, Standard Chartered Bank intends to leverage its international expertise by introducing new innovative products and services into the Zambian market.

Ms Melu  cited the  SME trade corridor project as one such initiative designed to assist SMEs conduct cross boarder business across standard  chartered bank’s unique international  network of over 70 markets.

And Standard Chartered SMEs General Manager Mwansa Mutati said the bank will be launching several new products and services for its customers in Africa.

SMEs in Africa currently account for 30-60 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

UPND launches campaign

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UPND president, Hakainde Hichilema, has pledged to govern Zambia prudently once elected president.

He says he will ensure that public resources are put to good use.

Mr. Hichilema also says there is need to sustain the social and economic gains, which the country has recorded over the last few years.

He was speaking in Lusaka, Monday, when he officially launched the UPND campaign for the Presidential election scheduled for October 30.

Mr. Hichilema also thanked the Zambia Defence Forces and Zambians in general for giving President Mwanawasa a befitting state funeral.

Many Lusaka residents turned up to listen to the UPND leader during the launch, held at the Mulungushi International Conference Center.

Zambia goes to the polls on October 30, in a presidential by-election, which is coming after the death of President Mwanawasa on August 19.

ZNBC

New Zimbabwe born!

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A new Zimbabwe is born after the Southern African country’s political parties on Monday officially adopted the country’s historic power-sharing agreement formalising the establishment of a government of national unity in that country.

The landmark agreement comes as a result of facilitation efforts by President Thabo Mbeki who was tasked by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to mediate talks between Zimbabwe’s three main political leaders.

The leaders received standing ovations as they entered the International Conference Centre at the Rainbow Towers Hotel to sign the agreement.

The ceremony was attended by hundreds of party members, diplomats and African Union (AU) and SADC representatives who cheered as the agreement was signed as optimism grows that the economic and political crisis in that country might finally be resolved.

Mr Robert Mugabe remains President of Zimbabwe; Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai is to become Prime Minister and MDC faction leader Arthur Mutambara will hold the post of Deputy Prime Minister under the terms of the agreement.

Regarding the country’s cabinet, Mr Tsvangirai’s MDC and another MDC faction will together have 16 seats, while President Mugabe’s Zanu-PF will hold the remaining 15, Mr Mbeki said.

The chief mediator told the delegates they had travelled a long road to reach such a stage.

Faced with mounting global pressure, runaway inflation and economic crisis, the leaders agreed that there was a need to work together towards an inclusive government, which is the closest the leaders could agree on in terms of a power-sharing accord.

The deal, which was announced last Friday, drew praise from all over Africa and beyond.

President Mbeki was thanked by the leaders on Monday for his patience and effort in seeking to resolve the crisis caused by the contentious presidential election earlier this year.

SADC Chairman for Organ of Politics, Defence, Security and Co-operation, King Mswati thanked him for his uniting efforts to strike the peace deal.

“Mbeki has worked tirelessly to make this day possible and it is for this reason that the parties must make this government of national unity work,” said King Mswati.

Negotiations started at the end of July, but stalled over the allocation of executive power between Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai. The two have been bitter rivals for a decade.

Mr Mugabe has been in power since independence from Britain in 1980.

The country and it’s people have been facing turmoil. In August, the country’s Central Statistical Office said inflation was at 11.2 million percent, the highest in the world.

A third of its 12 million citizens have fled and most of those who remain survive on barely mealie-meal porridge.
The economic crisis has destroyed Zimbabwe’s currency and made it difficult for Zimbabweans to buy basic commodities, electricity, fuel and medicines.

The business community has welcomed the signing of a political agreement between Zimbabwe’s ruling ZANU – PF and the Movement for Democratic Change(MDC).

Analysts said in an interview that the political impasse was to blame for the current economic woes hence cooperation between Zanu-PF and MDC was the answer to Zimbabwe’s turnaround programme.

Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce past President Mariah Hativagone said the political settlement would help attract investors into the country and boost business confidence in Zimbabwe.

She said the business sector would support the initiative shown by the politicians to ensure Zimbabwe came out of her problems that had pushed inflation to record levels.

” We are pleased and happy that the two major parties have reached an agreement,” she said.

“Everything will now begin to take shape. The signing will create a lot of stability in the economy and lure back investment in the country,” she added.

National exams postponed due to elections

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The Zambia National Union of Teachers (ZNUT) has welcomed the decision taken by government to postpone by a week the grade seven and twelve examinations.

ZNUT Secretary General, Roy Mwaba said it would have not been fair and conducive to allow pupils in examination classes to undergo examinations during voting in the forthcoming Presidential by-election.

Mr. Mwaba said this in an interview with the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) in Lusaka today.

He noted that currently there is political anxiety in the country on who takes over as President adding that it is only wise that government has priotized the holding of elections.

“We recognize that the issue of hosting elections is of national importance as examinations. But as a union, we understand that government had to priotise the elections,” Mr. Mwaba said.

Mr. Mwaba however appealed to the Ministry of Education to ensure that the distribution of examination papers is done systematically as the exercise will be done at same tine as the distribution of election materials.

He further called on government to ensure that it pays allowances to teachers who will be engaged at polling stations during the Presidential by-election.

“Government should ensure that it motivates the teachers who will be engaged in the by-election by paying them allowances”.

“As a union we also feel that classrooms should not be used as polling stations as this will disturb the preparations of examinations, as we have to arrange the desks a week before the exams,” Mr. Mwaba said.

The Ministry of Education last week announced the changes to the 2008 examinations time tables for grade seven and twelve while the grade nine time tables remain unchanged.

The revision in the time table followed the declaration of October 30th, 2008 as the date for the presidential by-election.

The presidential seat fell vacant after the death of Dr Mwanawasa on Tuesday, 19th August, 2008, at Percy Military Hospital in Paris, France.

Dr Mwanawasa’s second term and final five year term of office was due to end in 2011.

The victor in the Presidential by-election will serve the reminder of the late Dr Mwanawasa term before being subjected to another national election if he/she is re-adopted by the sponsoring party in 2011.