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Pay back debts, Cifire urges youths

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Sport and Child Development deputy minister, Angela Cifire has called on people that have an opportunity to access government empowerment funds to develop the culture of paying back the money so that other people can benefit also.

Ms Chifire said the culture of paying back borrowed money has the potential to foster development in the country.

The Deputy Minister made the remarks today in Matero when she officiated at the Provincial Youth Easter Conference organised by the Hill Top light House Global Ministries.

Ms. Cifire said government has a way of empowering youths as seen by the creation of the Youth Empowerment Fund whose administration has now been moved to the Citizen Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC).

Ms Cifire added that government has put in place instruments in form of policy framework and a chapter on youth and children in the Fifth National Development Plan whose strategies provide direct interventions for the challenges faced by the youth.

She said the ministry was running programmes such as the Zambia National Service camps for girls and Chiwoko for boys aimed at rehabilitating young people from the streets and equipping them with livelihood skills.

Ms Cifire added that the ministry has provided youth training in productivity and life long skills in 16 youth resource centres to improve young people’s levels of employment especially in the informal sector.

She noted that the government policy was to establish youth centres in each of the 72 districts in the country to ensure that most of the youths are empowered.

Ms Cifire appealed to the youths to take advantage of the opportunities offered by government adding that they need to change their attitude towards life.

She further said that the government doors were open for consultations or information aimed at benefiting the young people.

MP Welcomes Move to Construct Three Footbridges

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Chawama Member of Parliament (MP) Reverend Sampa Bredt, has welcomed the move by government to construct three footbridges on Kafue road saying the development will help to reduce on unnecessary lose of lives.

And Reverend Sampa has said over K40 million of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) has been allocated for the construction of a police post in Missisi Compound.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today, Reverend Sampa said the construction of foot bridges along Kafue road will reduce on the number of people who are frequently killed by vehicles.

She said the construction of the bridges will save the lives of people that the road would have claimed due to road traffic accidents and called on the people to support the project.

She however urged engineers and the Ministry of Works and Supply to do thorough research and planning before constructing the said bridges for them to be user friendly.

Rev. Sampa said although people in her constituency welcomes the construction of the bridges, there is need for the constructors to ensure that the bridge accommodates even the people on wheelchairs, bicycle and wheelbarrows.

She said the footbridges which will be shared between Kanyama and her Constituency will also encourage interaction between the people in the two constituencies.

Meanwhile Rev. Sampa has said over K40 Million has been allocated for the construction of a police post in Missis Compound to tighten security.

She said it was sad that many lives have continued to be lost due to lack of security in the area and has instructed the area councilor to reconstruct a police post.

Rev. Sampa added that she will also build two other police posts in the constituency this year.

The MP said security in Missis and the Constituency as a whole has been the concern of many people in her constituency.

She has however appealed to the Police to do foot patrols in the area to address the problem of criminals.

Missis Compound has had no Police station since 2005 when residents ran amok and demolished the only police station in the area.

Rains delay construction of New Soweto market

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The Lusaka City Council (LCC) says the construction of the new Soweto market has been delayed due to the shortage of cement and the continuous rains that affected Lusaka and other parts of the country recently.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today, LCC Public Relations Manager Chanda Makanta said the construction of the market which started four years ago would have been complete by now if there were no heavy rains.

Ms. Makanta however said the construction works are on course saying the market is expected to be completed by April.

She said the market once completed will house about four thousand marketers trading in different merchandise.

Ms Makanta said the market will be divided into different categories according to the brands traders deal in.

she said only bonafide traders who were removed from the market to pave way for the construction of the same markets will benefit in the allocation of stands in the new market.

Ms Makanta added that the council has the names of the people who are supposed to benefit from the allocation but expressed regret that some people coming from different parts of the country have come in purporting to be traders also.

The project is being funded by the European Union (EU).

EU is also supporting the rehabilitation works of Chilenge, Chelstone and 11 other markets across the country.

Govt Invites Indian Firms to set up a Tax-Free zone

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After giving China a tax free zone, the government wants to create a similar exclusive economic zone for Indian companies to bring “value-addition” to its mining industry. “We have had a long partnership in India, with investments in several areas. But what has been lacking was visibility. This zone will help in improving India’s profile (in Zambia),” visiting Zambian Minister for Commerce, Trade and Industry Felix Mutati said.

He said that the offer was specifically drawn up to mark his visit to India for the fourth India-Africa business conclave. “I have not yet told my president of my decision. But we need to make quick decisions nowadays,” he said, tongue-in-cheek. The government has already approved two multi-facility economic zones being developed by the Malaysians and the Chinese.

“If the Malaysians can do it, why not India, which is a bigger country,” he asked. Malaysia was the first to ink a deal for a multi-facility economic zone (MFEZ) last year, followed by China, which is currently negotiating an agreement with the Zambians.

The minister said that the Chinese planned to invest nearly $900 million to develop the tax-free zone. “We want the Indian zone to be at least $900 million. If it’s smaller, then it will not have the visibility,” he said, adding that 30 sq km land had already been identified in the central province of Kabwe, about 150 km from capital Lusaka, for the special economic zone.

Mr Mutati said that he would like Indian firms to focus on supply of equipment and processing of raw products. “While we have a lot of mining activity, we have to export all the raw materials for processing outside as there is no proper processing plant,” he said.

Pointing out that Zambia was surrounded by eight nations, who were also mineral-rich, Mutati said: “Our neighbours like Congo, Angola and Mozambique also have active mining industries, which could also be catered by this proposed economic zone.”

Currently, India has a share of 50 percent of Zambia’s mining industry, while the Chinese have 15 percent – courtesy Vedanta Resources’ majority stake in the country’s largest copper mines, Konkola, at a cost of $1.2 billion. The total Indian investment in Zambia is estimated to be $2 billion, with capital flowing in other sectors like banking, health and education too.

While he does not foresee India losing its strong position in the Zambian mining industry, Mutati was clear that China’s “whole new way of doing business” in the continent had to be matched by the Indians. “The Chinese start to work behind the scenes, but they come and make a decision there and then. After that, they start to work backward, asking for data on the projects,” he said.

He cited the example of the Chinese MFEZ in his country to illustrate his point. “They have already constructed 30-40 percent of the buildings, but it is only now that they are negotiating an agreement,” said Mutati. Similarly, he said, the Chinese had announced an investment of $1 billion in the mining sector, but were yet to see the land. “Chinese do and assess, while Indians assess and do,” said Mutati.

He was also appreciative of the Chinese strategy to combine their acquisition of licences for resources with development of infrastructure. “In a neighbouring country, the Chinese have offered to build 3,000 km of road in a swap for a mining concession of 20 years,” he said. “Indian firms need to be more aggressive, otherwise they are losing out,” warned Mutati.
Meanwhile, the Tata group is in talks with the government of Zambia to explore iron ore and set up a steel plant in a proposed special economic zone (SEZ) exclusively reserved for Indian companies, Mr. Mutati said. “We will give them (Tatas) a mine, and we are fast,” Felix Mutati said. About 200 sq. km has been identified in Kabwe in central Zambia for the India SEZ, he said. Already, 10 Indian companies have visited the country.

He said that he was already in talks with the Tata Group, which had shown interest in setting up a plant in the proposed zone, while another Indian industrial group will be visiting Zambia next week to survey the site. Mutati said that once Indian firms invested in the tax-free zone, they would act as “marketing tools” to attract more Indian investment in other parts of the economy.

Syamal Gupta, chairman of Tata International Ltd and the Confederation of Indian Industry’s Africa committee, would not confirm Tata’s plans but said: “We are looking at all opportunities. We are exploring for coal, iron ore everywhere in the world.”
About 500 delegates from more than 30 African nations are taking part in a three-day seminar sponsored by the Confederation of Indian Industry.The Tata group, which began its African operations in Zambia more than 20 years ago, has diverse interests in Zambia, including hospitality, agriculture and in the automotive industry.

Zambia is trying to attracting investment from nations such as Malaysia, Singapore and India. Anil Agarwal-promoted Vedanta Resources Plc., which is set to buy additional stake in the country’s Konkola mines, is one of the largest investors in Zambia’s metal and mining sector, valued at more than $1 billion.

Police launch investigations on 42 construction companies

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Police has launched investigations into the case where 42 construction companies have been cited for alleged shoddy works and barred from government tenders.

Inspector General of Police Ephraim Mateyo says two teams headed by two assistant Commissioners of Police Maxwell Nzoe and Lubinda Situmbeko have since been constituted to head the investigating teams.

This follows President Mwanawasa’s directive that no contracts should be awarded to the 42 construction firms whose names were submitted to the law enforcement agencies for investigations for alleged shoddy work on government contracts early this month.

Mr. Mateyo revealed this during a press briefing in Lusaka today.

He added that the police teams will work in collaboration with other security wings such as the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Drug Enforcement Commission during the investigations.

Mr.Mateyo said the two groups will be dispatched to various parts of the country to investigate the allegations and submit a report to government.

And in his Easter message, Mr Mateyo has called on the public to play an integral part in enhancing compliance of the road traffic to reduce road carnage.

He said police presence will be increased during the holidays as people tend to drink more and travel a lot.

Mr. Mateyo has however acknowledged that the crime rate in Zambia has dropped to considerable rates.

China to play Zambian music

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China’s Director General in the department of International Cooperation, Ma Xuming pledged to assist ZNBC broadcast some of its programs on China Central Television Station (CCTV).

Mr. Xuming said the ministry of Information in China is ready to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with its Zambian counterparts for technical and training support in order to educate and effectively disseminate information between the two countries.

He said the Chinese people appreciate programs from Zambia especially Zambian music adding that it would be great if it was televised on CCTV.

Government has commended China for its continued technical and training support to Zambia.

Information and Broadcasting Services Minister, Michael Mulongoti thanked China for assisting government to acquire transmitters and equipment which has enabled the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) to effectively disseminate information on radio and television.

Mr. Mulongoti said this in Lusaka today when the visiting Chinese delegation led by Ma Xuming paid a courtesy call on him at his office.

Mr Mulongoti who is also Chief government Spokesperson called for continued support and exchange of information between the two countries to improve the media industry.

He said people in Zambia and China need to share and learn about each other’s culture and economic developments in order strengthen their ties.

Mr Mulongoti further appealed for assistance from China in the upgrading of television equipment adding that most of it is obsolete.

Economic boom in North West increases HIV/AIDs

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North-Western Province Deputy Permanent Secretary, Nkolola Hazemba says there is urgent need to scale up HIV/AIDS preventive activities in the Province due to the increase in economic activities.

Mr. Hazemba said a lot of people from different places with various backgrounds have trekked to the province due to booming activities thereby posing a lot of challenges in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The Deputy Permanent Secretary said this when he officially opened a one-day stakeholders consultative meeting on ”Development of the HIV Prevention Strategy” organized by National AIDS Council (N.A.C),in Solwezi today.

Mr.Hazemba implored all players to reflect on God’s plan for sex adding that it was intended to perpetuate the human race and not to be abused.

He warned that it was therefore wrong for people to abuse this gift of God by indulging in activities outside plans of the almighty.

Mr. Hazemba urged all participants from various sectors to prepare HIV prevention strategies that were inclusive of different interest groups for them to stand the test of time.

Speaking at the same meeting, N.A.C HIV Preventive Team Group Vice-Chairperson, Florence Mulenga said Government through N.A.C had embarked on a process to develop an evidence based HIV prevention strategy that was simple and actionable.

Ms Mulenga said with such actionable evidence based prevention strategy, the country hoped to achieve the Millennium Development Goal(M.D.G) number six on HIV/AIDS.

M.D.G number six focuses on combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases with targets such as halt and begin to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS by 2015 and halt and begin to reverse incidences of malaria and other major diseases by 2015.

State launches National Food and Nutrition Policy

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Government has launched the National Food and Nutrition Policy aimed at achieving sustainable food and nutrition security in the country.

Speaking during the launch in Lusaka today, Health Minister Brian Chituwo stated that the policy will also incorporate nutrition issues into developmental programmes and provide for monitoring of all nutrition interventions.

Dr. Chituwo said the policy was timely because malnutrition remained the most public health problem and biggest contributor to child mortality which is a major challenge in attaining the Millennium Developing Goals on Child health.

He noted that addressing child health through nutritional security is a key health priority as stated in the’Fifth National Development Plan (FNDP).

Dr. Chituwo observed that according to the latest Demographic Health Survey, the current statistics for children aged below five years indicate that 28 percent are underweight, 5 percent are wasted and 47 percent are stunted.

He said the under-five malnutrition levels are still high and the country requires robust strategies through a multi sectoral approach to adequately address them.

He added that government will facilitate the implementation of the policy measures by creating an enabling socio-economic environment to ensure that the rights to adequate food and to be free from hunger and malnutrition are realized.

Dr. Chituwo also said his Ministry is spearheading the development of a degree programme in food and nutrition at the University of Zambia in a bid to have adequate trained staff.

He said the Ministry has established an office to address the double burden of under-nutrition and over-nutrition which results in obesity.

And Ministry of Education Director of planning and information Felix Phiri commended the Ministry of health for launching the policy saying his ministry will incorporate the policy in the curricular at all levels of learning .

Adams wont be dettered by racial remarks against him

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Football Association of Zambia (FAZ)’s Presidential aspiring candidate, Hanif Adams says he is not bothered by racial remarks being done against him by his opponents.

ZANIS Sports reports Adams, who is also Lusaka Dynamos proprietor, saying that no amount of racism shall derail him from achieving his goal of leading the next FAZ Executive committee.

Adams said the racist remarks don’t bother him or affect his campaign in any way because he knows who he is as he was born and bred in Zambia.

Adams said an interview, Thursday, that for this reason he has advanced his campaign trials with the latest being one in Mazabuka, today.

He said that he has so far received positive response from the various affiliate clubs in the provinces he has visited in his campaigns.

He said sympathizers have given him encouragement and assurance that he was the right man for the FAZ top seat.

The Lusaka Dynamos proprietor said he is so far keeping a positive attitude towards the election adding that he was hoping for the best results in the elections he said would be tough.

To round off his campaigns, he will tour Kabwe and Chipata districts on Monday and Tuesday,respectively.

Adams said that he will, on Friday which is the day before the election, hold a press conference in Lusaka at Club Infinity to present his manifesto.

30 Companies tender for share in Maamba mine

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Thirty foreign and local companies have tendered for shares in Zambia’s major coal supplier to its copper mines, a senior industry official said on Wednesday.

Joseph Chikolwa, chief executive officer of ZCCM Investments Holdings, which wholly owns the Maamba Collieries Ltd mine, said tenders would close on March 28.

“We do not have a fixed percentage to give to the successful bidder but we have decided to leave it open for negotiation with the successful bidder depending on the value they are going to add to Maamba Collieries,” Chikolwa told Reuters.

“In terms of the response, we have had over thirty interested parties expressing interest to submit proposals so we can say the response has been very good.”

He declined to name the companies.

ZCCM Investment Holdings (ZCCM-IH) plans to inject $12 million into operations of the Maamba Collieries Ltd. as it seeks permanent equity partners.

Maamba produced about 600,000 tonnes of coal per year in the 1980s, but years of undercapitalisation have led to a fall in production.

Maamba mine has seen production slump in recent years due to undercapitalization and operational losses.
Maamba Collieries has 78 million known coal reserves to last over 70 years while the coal mine has capacity to produce up to one million tones of coal per year, officials say.

“The coal at Maamba can be used to help solve the power deficit the country and the (southern Africa) region is currently facing,” said Chikolwa.

Govt. concludes process of purchasing bullet proofs

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Government has completed the process of purchasing bullet proofs for police officers to increase their security while on duty.

Home Affairs Minister Ronnie Shikapwasha disclosed this in an interview with ZANIS today.

Lt. Gen. Shikapwasha said the police officers’ duty to secure the nation is a sacrifice and government will do everything possible to ensure that their lives are safeguarded.

The Minister was responding to calls from the Human Rights Commission for government to increase the security of police officers who mostly work at night.

Lt. Gen. Shikapwasha also disclosed that government will spend about K3 billion to reconnect 40 police houses in Lilayi that have had no electricity for weeks.

He said government is currently working on the process and the houses will soon be reconnected.

He further added that government has commissioned the construction of 500 housing units for police officers in Livingstone, Chipata, Kasama and Ndola.

Lt. Gen. Shikapwasha stated that the sites for construction have already been handed over to the contractors for the commencement of construction.

He said the housing units are expected to be completed by December 31, this year to pave way for the next batch of 1000 housing units in other parts of the country.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Home Affairs has floated tenders for the construction of boarder post infrastructure in Northern, North Western and Western provinces.

Lt. Gen. Shikapwasha also said government will this year complete construction of border infrastructure at Kanyala border post in Eastern province that was started last year.

He said the border posts are expected to effectively aid operations of all the border staff.

DEC rounds up illegal drug trafficers

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The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has arrested two Somali nationals, a Congolese and several Zambians for trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

In a press release made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today, DEC Public Relations and Press Liaison officer Rosten Chulu said the Commission arrested Audi Maxamad 36 and Saynab Gelle Hasha 42 both Somali nationals residing in Ndola’s Ndeke Township for trafficking in 10 bundles of Mira weighing 4.2kg.

Also arrested is a Congolese national Kasongo Mulembwe 36 of 6 Choma avenue, Parklands, in Kitwe for trafficking in three bottles of Lignocaine weighing 0.36g.

Mr. Chulu said that the Commission has arrested MacLean Mwanza Sibeso a businessman of 960 Kanyama Site and Service for unlawfully trafficking in 1010 tablets of Diazepam weighing 170g.

He added that the Commission in Kasama conducted a joint operation with the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) in Fiseya village where Leinondi Chasaya 45 a headman of the village was arrested for trafficking in 59.52kg fresh cannabis plants and being in possession of one shot gun with three rounds of ammunition including five empty cartridges.

Others arrested in the same operation include Anthony Chinguse 38, a peasant farmer of Fiseya village for trafficking in 65.90kg of cannabis and Kabwe Chakolokotwa 32 of the same village for trafficking in 41.35kg of cannabis and being in possession of three shot guns.

Mr. Chulu added that officers also managed to seize 165kg of cannabis in the same area and 30kg of cannabis in Kalungu area in Nakonde District saying the two suspects believed to be the owners of the contraband are on the run and that a manhunt has since been launched.

He said in North Western Province the Commission has arrested Felina Samutondu 61 of Kapenda Kabulamema Village for trafficking in 13.024 of cannabis seeds and loose cannabis.

Also arrested is Chinyemba Maybin 23 of Zambia compound in Solwezi for trafficking in 1.5kg of cannabis and Charles Kalyata 33 of Kawanda in Kabompo for trafficking in 409kg of cannabis.

Mr. Chulu also said in Southern Province DEC has arrested Kelvin Silombwana 28 of Kazungula Victim camp site for trafficking in 326kg of cannabis while in Luapula the Commission has arrested Joseph Kabwe 41, a traditional doctor for trafficking in 650kg of cannabis.

All suspects will appear in court soon.

New Chinese mining company coming

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A major Chinese mining company, Zhonghui Mining Industry, Zambia Limited is to be established on the Copperbelt province.

This came to light today when a Chinese delegation comprising officials from the Export-import Bank of China (Exim) and Zhonghui mining group, paid a courtesy call on the Vice President, Rupiah Banda at his office.

Mr. Banda said government is happy with the coming of Zhonghui Guohua Industrial Group Company Limited.

He said Zambia and China has for a long time shared warm relations, adding that government would ensure that these relations grew even stronger.

Mr. Banda said the coming of the new mining company emanates from the visit of President Levy Mwanawasa to the China-Africa Summit and the reciprocal visit of Chinese President Hu Jintao last year.

And Exim bank Executive Vice President, Liu Liange said China’s cooperation with Zambia and the African continent was based on mutual friendship.

Mr. Liange, who is the Chinese delegation leader, said Exim bank was interested in advancing China’s economic policy in Africa.

The meeting was attended by Minister of Mines and Mineral Development, Kalombo Mwansa, Minister of Energy and Water Development, Kenneth Konga, Minister for Presidential Affairs, Cecil Holmes and Bank of Zambia Deputy Governor, Denny Kalyalya among others.

Konkola Blades Replace Mwila

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They were losers and winners in the search for coaches in the top-flight so early in the new season.

Lusaka Dynamos for starters have lost in their protracted bid to hold on the coach Oswald Mutapa who oversaw a good run last season that saw them finish 6th after mounting a strong challenge to finish in 2nd place.

Mutapa’s employers Zambia Police decided to deploy him back to his old club and Dynamos’ promoted city rivals Nkwazi who are sponsored by the service.

The development will leave Dynamos under the care of Lucas Phiri and Joel Kabemba for the foreseeable future.

It is still unclear whether Mutapa will travel to Kitwe away with the Police outfit to face Power Dynamos on Good Friday in a week 2 fixture.

Elsewhere, Konkola Blades have confirmed they have appointed a new coach in the form of little known Chewe Mulenga.

The 41-year-old former Blades player takes over from Charles Mwila who was sacked last Sunday after six months on the job.

This will be Mwila’s first coaching experience in Zambia after managing teams in Zimbabwe and Botswana since retiring as a player in 2004.

Mulenga, who also played for Green Buffaloes and Kabwe Warriors, has coached Masvingo United of Zimbabwe and TAFIC of Botswana.

He has also played for Zimbabwean clubs Highlanders, Amazulu and Railstars.

Mulenga’s first day on the job will be on Good Friday when Blades travel to Railway Ground to face Kabwe Warriors.

Blades are 13th from one game played after losing 2-1 in their league opener to Buffaloes last Saturday in Chililabombwe.

Elsewhere, Power will confirm on Thursday whether they will play their home game against Nkwazi at their Arthur Davies Stadium home ground, club officials have stated.

Arthur Davies is undergoing renovations that will start with its open wing spectators
area before works shift to the grandstand.

Once works are complete, Arthur Davies will be the first football venue with all-bucket seating in Zambia and will maintain its current 15 000 spectator capacity.

38 clubs in Southern Province back Kalusha

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Thirty eight (38) football teams in southern province have thrown their weight behind Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) vice president Kalusha Bwalya’s aspiration to take over the organisation’s top seat.

ZANIS sports reports the clubs’ spokesperson Opper Hamiyanze saying in a statement released in Choma , Wednesday, that the teams still stand by their earlier declaration made in Livingstone to back Kalusha.

Hamiyanze said the clubs in the province maintained that they are resolved to support Kalusha adding that nothing will change their resolution.

He said the teams believe that ‘ Great Kalu ‘ has vast experience appreciated world over and that his connections with the outside world can take Zambian football to another level.

He said once elected as FAZ president, Kalusha Bwalya has the potential of introducing football colleges to produce quality Zambian football professionals fit for big clubs such as Chelsea and Arsenal.

Outgoing FAZ president Teddy Mulonga and Lusaka Dynamoes proprietor Anif Adams have also announced their intentions of challenging for the FAZ hot seat during the FAZ AGM on March 29