Luapula Provincial MMD women’s Secretary Sophie Mwansa has re-affirmed that the naming of the Chembe bridge across the Luapula river after President Mwanawasa was done in good faith.

In a press release to ZANIS in Mansa, Ms Mwansa stated that there was nothing wrong in naming the bridge after the republican president as it was a historical norm to name big infrastructure after national leaders.

Ms. Mwansa said the decision by councilors in Mansa to adopt and forward the name to the Ministry of Local Government and Housing must not be criticized because it acknowledged the Presidents’ efforts in realizing the construction of the bridge.

The MMD women’s Secretary said the resolution was justified because naming of structures after people was one way of appreciating and giving respect to past and present leaders.

She noted that naming of structures and sites after leaders considered as heroes was a custom as could be evidenced from names previously given to various infrastructure.

Ms. Mwansa cited the now razed Dag Hammarskjöld stadium in Ndola named after the late UN Secretary General, Victoria Falls in Livingstone, Bennie Mwinga Housing Complex in Lusaka, schools, roads and other places named after current and past heroes.

She said critics of the decision had no no satisfactory grounds.

Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Leslie Mbula, has hailed the role the church is playing in trying to stop the xenophobic violence that has been raging in some South African townships over the past few months, claiming several lives with hundreds of foreigners being displaced.

Mr. Mbula has also thanked the South African government for coming out strongly against these xenophobic attacks on foreigners which started early this year in some Tshawane townships and informal settlements (shanties) and later spread to similar area in Johannesburg.

The High Commisioner was speaking when Pastor Thembelani Jentile of Mamelodi Baptist Church in Tshwane paid a courtesy call on him on Friday.

This is contained in a press statement made available to ZANIS by Second Secretary for Press at the Zambian mission in Pretoria Philip Chirwa.

Mamelodi is one of the areas where early this year several foreigners were killed and others had their shacks burnt by rampaging locals who accused them of stealing their jobs and being involved in crime.

The foreigners involved are mostly those from Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Somalia.

There has been no report of any Zambian being affected by these attacks.

Mr. Mbula said what was happening in South Africa created an erroneous impression that though independent politically, Africans could not live in harmony.

“Having suffered so much under the apartheid era, South Africans need to set an example by showing the world that they are able to live in harmony with others,” Mr Mbula said.

He was happy that high-profile South African leaders like ANC president, Jacob Zuma, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and Minister of Home Affairs, Mrs. Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, have recently come out strongly in condemning the xenophobia attacks.

The High Commissioner said it was important that both the party and govenment leadership in South Africa talked to the leaders of the communities involved in xenophobic attacks so that they (the communities) realized the importance of living in harmony with immigrants.

“Whether it’s Mamelodi, Alexandra or any othe community, the fact is that there are leaders there. We need to talk to these community leaders so that they sensitise their people about the evils of xenophobia,” he said.

And in reply, Pastor Jentile, a South African, said that the church felt sad about what was going on in the country at the moment. It was for this reason, he said, that the Mamelodi Baptist church would soon host a consultative conference involving all the stakeholders in the current conflict with a view to putting an end to xenophobic attacks.

Last Thursday, Mr. Zuma condemned the xenophobic attacks that have characterised tghe violence in Alexandra township north of Johannesburg since the beginning of the week, noting that xenophobia (hatred for foreigners) had no place in a democratic, free South Africa.

Addressing a graduation ceremony at the University of Zululand, of which he is chancellor, in Kwazulu-Natal, Mr. Zuma declared: “Our people should avoid taking out their frustrations owing to unemployment or crime on immigrants. It is Alexandra today and could be another area tomorrow, if we do not deal with the matter now.”

Menwhile, Mrs. Madikizela-Mandela, a senior member of the ANC National Executive Committee, apologised to foreigners who were recently attacked in Alexandra township, where several people were killed and hundreds others forced out of their homes.

“We are sorry. Please forgive us. It is not South African to do this, South Africans are not like this,” she sid, adding that her apology was aimed at the homeless victims and those who were killed or injured in the violent attacks in the township,” she said.

And Mrs. Mapisa-Nqukula declared that her department (ministry) will not deport foreigners just because they were being attacked.

“We will integrate the displaced people back into the comunity. We cannot deport them back to their countries just because they are vulnerable,” she told the local press after a tour of Alexandra.

Opposition United Party for National Development, UPND, says it is geared for the June 29 Milanzi Constituency by-elections.

The opposition party National Chairman, Edward Kasoko, told ZANIS in an interview on Wednesday that his party was confident of winning the elections.

Mr Kasoko, who is also UPND Mwembezhi Constituency MP, explained that this is because the party has given the Milanzi electorate a good candidate.

The opposition party has nominated, Chimwala Phiri, the election that comes up following the death of area MP Chosani Njovu.

He said Mr Phiri, who was former MP for the area from 1996 to 2001, has the experience required to address development problems affecting the people of Milanzi.

And The Movement for Multi-Party (MMD) has adopted Rueben Banda as its candidate in the Milanzi parliamentary by-election scheduled for next month.

Mr. Banda is the Eastern Province MMD secretary.

MMD Information and Publicity Chairman, Ben Tetamashimba said Mr. Banda was among 10 people who had applied for adoption.

He was speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka.

Southern Province Minister Daniel Munkombwe says Patriotic Front president ,Micheal Sata is a formidable force
who should not be written off even if people may not like him.

Mr Munkombwe said in his reconciliation message, Mr Sata clearly indicated that he was not joining the MMD, a
move that clearly showed that he had an honest intention and should not be rejected by anyone.

Mr Munkombwe said this in Livingstone today when Science, Technology and Vocational Training deputy minister Lucy Changwe paid a courtesy call in him at his office.

He said following the reconciliation, the MMD and the Patriotic Front will now face each other in a properly
marked field.

Mr Munkombwe said Mr Sata had realised that it was difficulty to play outside the field hence the move to
reconcile.

Mr Munkombwe described the reconciliation as progressive and appealed to Zambians not to take a
leaf from other African countries where their differences were leading their countries into
problems.

”We should not start learning to have problems. People should not emulate those countries that are in
problems because that is not our tradition. It does not pay to live in isolated political camps,” he
said.

And Science, Technology and Vocational training deputy minister Lucy Changwe said Mr Munkombwe was a veteran
politician whose words of wisdom could go a long way in unifying the country.

Ms Changwe said the government had a huge mandate from the people of Zambia to deliver development and to
ensure that resources are equitably distributed.

She said government was trying everything possible to improve the learning environments in higher institutions.

And Vice President Rupiah Banda has commended President Levy Mwanawasa and opposition Patriotic Front (PF) leader Michael Sata for reconciling after many years of exchanging unkind political words.

Mr. Banda said the reconciliation between Dr. Mwanawasa and Mr. Sata has quenched any prospect of a political disaster, adding that this development entailed that the two would now focus their energies on national development issues.

He said Zambia needed spirit of reconciliation for the posterity of the future.

He said the country has for the first time, scored a huge reconciliation milestone since attaining Independence on October 24, 1964.

“I take this opportunity to express special and indeed ward felicitations to the President Levy Mwanawasa, for the initiative he has taken of rapprochement with the PF leader Mr. Sata. Everybody agrees that this development exhibited by the two leaders, will mean that the country will now focus much of its energies on national developmental issues,” he said.

This week, President Mwanawasa and Mr. Sata held private talks at State House and help a joint press briefing at which they announced that they had put aside all their differences.

The mandate of the Task force on Corruption has been extended indefinitely.

This now means that the Task force will continue pursuing, and executing its duties by investigating cases involving plunder of the Country’s resources.

The latest pronouncements also mean that the Task Force which was instituted six years ago will continue operating in its current form.

The anti graft wing will also source its funding from Central Government.

This is contained in a statement released to ZNBC news in Lusaka by Task force Public Relations Officer, Victor Makai.

Task Force Executive Chairman, Max Nkole thanked government for the decision to extend the mandate of the institution.
[ZNBC]

Dear Jelita,

Its been quite a while,I hope you and the family are fine. I am fine. My twin girls are now 3months old. They are so beautiful.Their names are Clara and Katendi.

I really felt overwhelmed when I learnt I was going to have twins, especially having them so far from home. I was glad when my mother said she would come spend some time with me. Since I was having such a difficult pregnancy my mother decided she send me a Zambian maid to help me cope.

Well Precious arrived when I was 8months pregnant. She was obviously very happy to be in the States. I told her we paid alot of money getting her passport by express, the holiday visa and the airtickets .So I expected her to work hard.Initially she was very hard working and my house was spotless.I even took her to meet some other Zambians here in Chicago. After a month I noticed she was developing an attitude.She asked me to at least give her Sundays off which I agreed.Then she wanted Saturdays off too! I told her the only thing she does on Saturdays was a few dishes and helping me cook food which she also eats.That seemed to piss her off because she then accused me of not paying her the american minimum wage of $6.55/ hour. I was so shocked, firstly I didn’t realise a girl from the outskirts of Kasempa would even know about minimum wage, secondly how dare she after all we went through getting her the passport, visa, airtickets and clothes.
That very day I went into premature labour but luckily my girls were born without any problems. I told my husband in the hospital to send Precious back to Zambia immmediately. I’m told she wanted $5000 compensation for disturbing her life! We just had a good laugh and sent her on her way.

To cut a long story short Precious is back in Kasempa and my mother has been with us the last 2weeks. I guess I just have to put my career on hold and take care of my babies myself. I’m never going to import a maid from home again.
Well bye for now.Greetings to all.

love Womba

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Families have been urged to avoid divorce, streetism and child neglect if the country is to achieve sustainable social and economic development.

The call is from community develoment and social services catherine Namugala.

Ms Namugala says there is need for everyone to treasure and preserve the family as a basic unit of a stable and strong nation.

The minister was speaking when she officiated at this year’s commemoration of the International Day of the Family in Lusaka today under the theme ‘Fathers and Families: Responsibilities and Challenges.”

Ms Namugala said the theme was appropriate in view of the crucial role fathers are supposed to play in caring and providing for their families.

She noted with concern that although some fathers are in gainful economic activities, they do not take care of their families but instead abuse them emotionally and physically.

Ms Namugala said fathers should get involved in all domestic chores such as what the children will eat, their school work and escorting their wives to antenatal clinic.

The minister hoped that through the commemoration of this day, all stakeholders including government, religious groups and individuals will promote and carry out programmes on the family that stress the specific role of fathers for the betterment of the family and the nation as a whole.

She said on its part, government has put in place policies and programmes aimed at enabling families to effectively functuion.

The programmes include micro-finance, the public welafre assistance scheme, social cash transfer, food security pack and social security schemes.

Ms. Namugala noted that the problem of child delinquency and children taking to the street is partly as a result of the missing role of fathers.

The minister pointed out that the theme seeks to highlight the importance of fathers in the context of development because fathers are critical in establishment of stable families needed for national development.

She added that the institution of family is the first and most important socializing institution where shelter and security is to be found when facing difficulties in life.

She urged fathers to ensure that they get involved in all matters pertinent to family and not leave all family matters to the women folk.

And Speaking earlier at the flag-off march past at the main Lusaka post office, Deputy minister in the ministry of community development and social services Elijah Muchima said some fathers fail to provide adequately for their families not because they cannot afford to but because of irresponsible behavior.

Mr. Muchima observed that instead of spending the money on the welfare of the family certain fathers engage themselves in unnecessary expenditures and the family in the end suffers.

He challenged the people who gathered at the flag-off ceremony to ensure that there is solidity in their families as this is key to national development.

Meanwhile, Morgan Chilufya 32, father of two said it is unfortunate that some fathers chose to neglect their families for unnecessary activities which cause families to suffer.

The ministrty of health has warned of stern action against health personnel who send away patients when they fail to pay medical fees.

Ministry of Health Spokesperson, Canisius Banda says the ministry is alarmed at the high number of patients running to media houses to seek financial assistance from well wishers for medical treatment.

Dr Banda has blamees management in public health institutions who he says are failing to apply government policies and resources on the treatment of patients who cannot afford to pay medical fees.

In an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today, Dr Banda explained that government has put in place Cost Sharing Exemption Policies in public health institutions to assist members of the public who cannot afford to pay for treatment.

He said government abolished medical user fees in 54 rural districts, but as for urban districts such as Kabwe Kitwe and Lusaka where user fees are still in force, a Cost Sharing Exemption policy has been put in place to assist people who cannot afford to raise the medical fees.

Dr Banda said the ministry of health expects managements in all public health institutions to follow the laid down criteria in qualifying members of the public who can be placed on the exemption policy.

President Levy Mwanawasa has lifted the suspension of MMD Lusaka Province Chairman, Geoffrey Chuumbwe.

Announcing the lifting of the suspension of Mr Chuumbwe to ZANIS in Lusaka today, MMD National Chairman Michael Mabenga said Dr. Mwanawasa, who is also MMD President, unconditionally accepted the apology from Mr. Chuumbwe who was suspended some three weeks ago.

Mr Mabenga revealed that in his letter to Mr Chuumbwe copied to Mr. Mabenga, MMD National Secretary Katele Kalumba dated 8th May President Mwanawasa said he decided to lift the suspension of Mr. Chuumbwe because of the manner in which he put his statement.

MMD National Chairman, revealed that President Mwanawasa was against acts of violence expressed by Mr. Chuumbwe just like he condemned China for delivering arms at the time when the Southern African country was facing political instability.

Mr Mabenga said Dr. Mwanawasa noted that Mr Chuumbwe as a leader should know that the strength of a President is in dialogue and not violence.

Mr Chuumbwe will, therefore, resume duties as MMD Lusaka Province Chairman.

Meanwhile, a Church organisation has described Patriotic Front Leader Michael Sata’s meeting with President Levy Mwanawasa today at State house as a demonstration of biblical principles.

Independent Churches of Zambia Board chairman Reverend David Masupa said the church was happy to see president Mwanawasa and Mr Sata reconcile in the interest of the nation.

Reverend Masupa said Mr. Sata has been a critic of president Mwanawasa since 2001 and that it was now time to work together in developing the country.

In an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today, Reverend Masupa commended President Mwanawasa for embracing Mr Sata as a compatriot in the development of the country.

He noted that the reconciliation between the two opposing leaders was a showcase to the outside world and a true reflection of biblical principles based on the bible teaching on forgivingness.

Reverend Masupa further said the reconciliation should not only be between the two Leaders but also between the PF and the ruling MMD government at large.

Reverend Masupa said the church was sick and tired of seeing political leaders insulting each other saying the country now needs a new culture of politics aimed at benefiting and developing the country.

PF Leader Michale Sata today met President Levy Mwanawasa at State House where they held a closed door meeting before addressing the press.

An atmosphere of reconciliation was demonstrated with both leaders expressing their willingness to meet again and discuss national issues.