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Zambian enviroment condusive for enterpreneurs?

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Celtel Zambia Managing Direct David Venn challenged Small and Medium Scale Entrepreneurs to invest in the local market to boost the Zambian economy.

Mr. Venn said it is imperative that the Zambian people, corporate bodies and government have one clear vision and focus on one common goal to expanding the growth of the economy.

Mr. Venn noted that strong economies in the world have grown bigger because of the conducive business environment created and supported by good fiscal government and public private partnerships.

He revealed that Celtel only had 70,000 customers when he took over as MD four years ago in 2004 but now the mobile service provider boasts of over two million clientèle in Zambia.

Meanwhile Government has projected to create over 100,000 jobs this year and attract over US$3 billion through local and foreign investment into Zambia.

Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Felix Mutati says government’s intention is to create more job opportunities for Zambians and strengthen the partnership that exists between government and the private sector.

Mr. Mutati was speaking in Lusaka today during the dialogue luncheon of transformation for jobs.

He said job transformation from amongst entrepreneurs or employment managers is key to economic growth.

Mr. Mutati challenged small and medium scale entrepreneurs in the country to increase capacity on how best to improve the economy of the country.

He said government through the Zambia Development Agency and the Citizens’ Economic Commission has set a good precedent for entrepreneurs to conducting business.

Speaking at the same function, Lusaka Business Consultant and Owner of Lyolds Financial Services Lyold Ching’angu said there is need to unlock the employment graph to achieve wealth creation in the country.

Professor Ching’angu said government should provide a conducive environment for the private sector to easily access capital.

Professor Ching’angu also urged government to create a conducive environment for people in the informal sector to set up their own business.

Increased Levels of Pornographic Flows Worrying, Govt

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Government has expressed concern at the increasing levels of pornographic materials being smuggled into the country.

Information and Broadcasting Services minister Mike Mulongoti observed that such illicit materials do not only contribute to the erosion of the moral fiber of society but also to the rise in the number of sexual offences such as child defilement and rape.

The minister said it was for this reason that his Ministry which is responsible which is responsible for theatre and cinematography, is working hard to put in place legislation that will limit the accessibility and exposure of young people to pornographic materials.

Mr Mulongoti said this in Nakonde yesterday during the destruction of pirated and counterfeit video and audio materials worth over K6bn.

The minister who is also chief government spokesperson, said the destruction of the pirated materials which were confiscated by the Nakonde Anti-Piracy crack squad, was a demonstration of government’s commitment to eradicating piracy in the country.

“It is my since hope that this event will send a signal to those involved in peddling of pirated materials that no matter the magnitude of the vice, government was determined to fight it,” the Minister emphasized.

Mr Mulongoti who was flanked by his Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Nyirenda, added that the occasion was important to his Ministry as a custodian of the Copyright and Performance Rights Act.

The Minister said it was evident from the high monetary value of the confiscated items that a lot of traders were engaged in selling pirated products.

He called for seriousness in the fight against the vice saying government was continuously losing huge sums of revenue from the illegal trade while the copy right owners were also being robbed of the fruits of their sweat.

Mr Mulongo also disclosed that government has started strengthening the Copyright Unit in his Ministry by doubling its budgetary allocation this year in order to step up its anti piracy activities.

The Minister who paid growing tribute to the Nakonde Anti Piracy Crack Squad, however warned the squad members not to fall prey to bribes from the traders.

Information Permanent Secretary, Emmanuel Nyirenda and several other senior government officials’ witnessed the destruction of the pirated materials in Nakonde yesterday.

Cotton farmers promised better reward for their sweat

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Dunavant Zambia limited in Choma has assured farmers of better reward for their sweat in the production of cotton.

The company agriculture manager, Mwendabai Sinyinda says the company was doing a lot to support farmers involved in the production of cotton.

Mr Sinyinda was speaking in Choma today when Dunavant Zambia limited donated a second hand Sarcom truck valued at K50 million to a prominent local cotton farmer and distributor.

The recipient Rollen Lwiindi of Womba area in chief Chikanta, has not only been a cotton farmer but has been distributing seed, chemicals, sprayers, recovering loans and buying seed cotton on behalf of Dunavant.

Mr Sinyinda said Dunavant has given Mr Lwiindi the truck in recognition of his contribution to the improvement of cotton production in the area.

The Dunavant official urged other cotton farmers to take production of the crop as a serious business venture.

He said Dunavant Zambia was committed to empowering farmers that continued to be loyal and dedicated to the ideals of partnership in cotton growing.

Speaking at the same function, ministry of agriculture crop officer for Choma, Ben Makayi commended Dunavant for coming with up the initiative of rewarding had working farmers.

Government will no longer issue contracts under FIDIC – Simbao

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Government says it will no longer issue contracts under the International Federation of Consultants (FIDIC) because the country does not benefit from the institution.

Officiating at a consultative workshop on the status of the Zambian construction industry, in Lusaka today, Works and Supply Minister Kapembwa Simbao said Zambia does not subscribe to the institution and therefore no more contacts will be issued under FIDIC conditions.

Mr. Simbao said FIDIC conditions cannot work for Zambia because the European environment and resources are different from those obtaining in the country.

He said there is need to embrace contracts that the government and people of Zambia understand and suit them.

Mr Simbao noted that government has never failed to pay for any project saying the contractors themselves have failed to present convincing certificates for payments.

He also cautioned contractors to provide quality service to the nation and not to be driven by the lust for money.

Mr. Simbao warned that any contractor who is found guilty of perpetuating corruption will not only face the wrath of the law but will also be blacklisted from undertaking any government works in future.

He added that advance payments have since been stopped because some contractors disappear after being paid leaving the work unfinished.

Mr Simbao further said discussions will be held to clarify how many contracts a single company should handle at once.

Speaking earlier, National Council for Construction, NCC, chairperson Francis Ndilila

urged contractors to strictly adhere to the provisions in the contracts they are awarded in order to deliver according to government’s expectations.

And Special Assistant to the President for Policy Implementation and Monitoring Jack Kalala expressed concern at the low levels of patriotism among contractors.

Mr Kalala called on contractors to have the interest of the nation at heart each time they are awarded a contract to build a road, bridge or any other infrastructure.

He said use of sub-standard materials and shoddy work are tantamount to theft of public resources.

ZRA collects K300bn per month in Nakonde

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The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) in Nakonde is collecting a total of K300 billion through various taxes per month.

Nakonde acting ZRA Commissioner George Siame disclosed this when Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Mike Mulongoti toured ZRA offices in Nakonde yesterday.

Mr Siame said despite the many challenges the Authority faces; it is able to collect an average of K2 to K3 billion per day.

He cited transit fraud as one of the major challenges ZRA faces in maximizing its revenue collection in the border town.

Mr Siame however assured the business community and traders using Nakonde border post that ZRA has put in place measures to ensure quick clearance of goods.

Finance minister Ng’andu Magande recently announced a K13.76 trillion national budget for K2008, 70% per cent of which is to be sourced internally.

And Mr Mulongoti urged ZRA staff to serve government with patriotism in order to enhance the country’s revenue base.

Mr Mulongoti was in Nakonde to officiate at the destruction of multi-billion kwacha pirated products.

Egypt beat Angola to reach semis

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Hosny Abd Rabou celebrates his fourth Nations Cup goal
A penalty from Hosny Abd Rabou and a goal from Amr Zaki put holders Egypt through to the semi-final of the Africa Cup of Nations to meet Ivory Coast.

Abd Rabou converted his third spot-kick in Ghana on 20 minutes after Angola's Andre Macanga handled in the area.

Manucho hit back shortly after with a 25-yard thunderbolt to equalise in a scintillating game in Kumasi.

But another defensive error from Kali allowed Zaki to score when he met a cross with his chest on 38 minutes.

It was hard luck for the plucky Angolans who showed technique and tenacity for much of the game, not to mention fireworks from Manchester United's Manucho.

However, the pedigree of the champions, who have not lost in the Nations Cup since 2004, proved too strong for Luis Goncalves' men.

606: DEBATE
Manucho's superb in the air, magnificent on the ground and sublime in his natural play

RKS

Mohamed Shawky unleashed a low shot from 30 yards to test Angola keeper Lama on seven minutes, though the opening period was cagey with both sides cautious and slow in their build-up play.

Egypt's Emad Moteab dragged a shot wide from 15 yards out as the Pharaohs started to increase the pressure, before going close again when a cross from Ahmed Fathi flashed across the face of goal.

Manucho's thunderbolt could not save Angola from their fate

The pressure earned Egypt a penalty on 20 minutes when Macanga handled the ball when charging down an Aboutrika free-kick from just outside the area.

With some Angolan players lucky to stay on the field after harassing the Japanese referee, Abd Rabou kept his calm to shoot inside the bottom-left corner and notch his fourth goal of the tournament.

Then Manucho demonstrated why Sir Alex Ferguson was so keen to bring the Angolan to Manchester United, when he out-muscled Sayed Moawad before sending a 25-yard screamer over a flailing Essam Al-Hadari to draw the teams level with 27 minutes gone.

But just as the Palancas Negras (Black Antelopes) were dominating play, Kali failed to clear at the near post from Fathi's cross, allowing the ball to continue across the area and bounce off the body of an on-rushing Zaki for Egypt's second on 38 minutes.

Only seconds after the start of the second half Manucho had a glorious chance to equalise once more for the south Africans when he ran onto a headed pass from Flavio, only to push his shot agonisingly wide of the far right-hand post from just inside the area.

The impressive Lama thwarts another Egyptian attack

The game was now a scintillating affair, and though both teams showed attacking creativity and intent and it was Angola who were proving the more dangerous, when Manucho again caused the Egyptian defence to fret when his 15-yard shot was saved on 60 minutes.

Then Egypt hit back when Aboutrika passed into Zaki on the edge of the area, whose deceptive flick found Moteab in the area only for Lama to pull off a brave and vital save.

With 25 minutes left and the game finely balanced the action was end-to-end, when Moteab forced another great save from Lama with a crashing shot from half way inside the penalty area.

Egyptian captain Ahmed Hassan replaced an injured Zaki as Hassan Shehata looked to maintain the Pharaohs' lead by killing the tempo and hitting on the break, as Fathi did when he tested Lama from the right wing with a stinging 20-yard shot.

As the game wore on Angola's attacks became more desperate and the Egyptians maintained their composure to see out the game and progress to meet hotly-tipped Ivory Coast in Thursday's semi-final in what is a repeat of the 2006
[BBC]

Cameroon battle into semis

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Four-time champions Cameroon will face hosts Ghana in Thursday's semi-final after an extra-time finish from Stephane Mbia knocked out Tunisia.

Mbia knocked in Jean Epalle's flick on in the 92nd minute, after his header in the first half gave Cameroon the lead.

Geremi's free-kick from close to 30 yards extended the Indomitable Lions' lead before Tunisia's Chaouki Ben Saada hit back with a free-kick of his own.

Yassine Chikhaoui struck from close in on 81 minutes to force extra-time.

The quarter-final in Tamale was a fascinating game as fine goals and a never-say-die attitude from both sets of players forced tactical changes from old-hands Roger Lemerre and Otto Pfister.

Stephane Mbia puts Cameroon in the lead

Cameroon narrowly deserved the win, but Lemerre's Tunisia showed great composure and ability throughout to force the Indomitable Lions to play 120 minutes before they could claim the victory.

Lemerre started with Chikaoui and Francileudo Dos Santos leading his attack but it was Cameroon that had the first chance of the match.

Samuel Eto'o worked hard to keep the ball in play from a long pass, Geremi then jinked and crossed to the far post where Jean Makoun headed wide from ten yards.

606: DEBATE
The Lions roar again!!! Never count them out. Kudos to Tunisia though - they fought hard!

darkanddom

Though much of the early play was scrappy and dogged with fouls, Cameroon, spear-headed by Eto'o, were looking dangerous on the break.

The breakthrough soon followed when Arsenal's Alexandre Song swung a deep-cross to the far post allowing an unmarked Mbia to head into an empty net on 18 minutes.

Geremi added to the lead ten minutes later when he nonchalantly curled in a direct free-kick from close to 30 yards, over the wall and into the right-hand corner of the goal.

Tunisia's game plan had been undone and Cameroon were threatening to run riot, until Ben Saada showed he could compete with Geremi when he whipped in a free kick of the highest quality from 25 yards to confound Idriss Carlos Kameni and give his side a foothold in the game.

Lemerre's men were in the ascendancy when Dos Santos turned to rattle the bar with a rasping shot from inside the area with four minutes remaining in the half.

Chikhaoui's late finish forced the game into extra-time

Ben Saada pounced on the rebound and hit a first-time shot only for Kameni to show fantastic reflexes to save low down.

Tunisia started the second half brightly when the deceptively quick Chikaoui burst through the Cameroonian back four and forced a desperate tackle from Atouba to prevent him from a one-on-one with Kameni.

A frenetic period followed from the Tunisians as the side from north Africa tried to force an uncomfortable pace on Cameroon.

But the Indomitable Lions remained unfazed and were happy to sit back and soak up the pressure while trying to capitalise on the kind of breakaway chances that fell to Eto'o on 71 minutes, when only a superbly timed tackle from Rahdi Jaidi prevented the lone striker from causing further damage.

Tunisia seemed to have run out of steam with ten minutes remaining, until persistence on the right flank played in Chikaoui who fizzed a first-time shot into the goal.

Cameroon had a glorious chance to steal a late win when Mohamadou Idrissou crossed to the far post only for Epalle to arrive too late to apply the finish and prevent the game from going into extra-time.

But within minutes of the restart Mbia reacted swiftly in the area to Epalle's flick on, with a crisp finish inside the near post to reinstate Cameroon's lead.

Tunisia would still not lay down though and a succession of corners and half chances had Cameroon's fans biting their nails until the very end.

[BBC]

Cholera breaks out in Kitwe

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SUSPECTED cholera has broken out in Kitwe’s Ipusukilo township where residents have been drinking water from shallow wells following the closure of water kiosks by Nkana Water and Sewerage Company (NWSC) for non-payment.

And 64 houses in various townships in Kitwe have collapsed following torrential rains in the district.

The two-developments came to light yesterday during a district disaster management meeting held at the district commissioner’s office.

District director of health, Chikafuna Banda, said three people were currently admitted and were under observation at the District Health Management (DHM) cholera centre while three others had been discharged.

Dr Banda said during a district disaster management meeting, chaired by district commissioner, McDonald Mtine and attended by Town Clerk, Ali Simwinga that the report on the outcome of the tests to determine whether it is actual cholera or not was still being awaited.

He said the possibility of the cases being cholera could not be ruled out as people in the township were drinking contaminated water from shallow wells.

Dr Banda said NWSC closed down water kiosks in the township after residents refused to be paying a fee of K50 per 20-litre container.

“People in Ipusukilo are drinking contaminated water after NWSC closed down water kiosks and the water table level has risen. We are currently treating three people from the same township for suspected cholera,” he said.

Mr Mtine said it was regrettable that people should be refusing to pay K50 for water when they were spending more money on beer.

NWSC, however, agreed to immediately re-open the kiosks after Mr Mtine and Mr Simwinga pleaded with the company to do so on the assurance that a formidable committee would be tasked to sensitise residents to start paying for water.

And Mr Simwinga said as at yesterday, a total of 64 houses had collapsed in the district.

He, however, said that most of the collapsed houses were unapproved structures built in illegal settlements.

“Most of these houses which have collapsed are in fact, not approved structures under the country and planning Act,” Mr Simwinga said

Mr Simwinga said so far only a 15-year-old child of Kamatipa township was injured when the house collapsed.

The affected townships include Ipusukilo, Racecourse, Kamatipa, Kawama and Zamtan.
Meanwhile, the cholera situation in Mwense has been normalised following intensive sensitisation in the area.

Mwense District Commissioner Moses Kasumpa confirmed in an interview yesterday saying all the 12 people that were admitted had been discharged.

“At the moment, there have been no reports of cholera. The situation has normalised,” he said.

{Times of Zambia]

Married, pregnant girls on increase in Sinazongwe

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Sinazongwe district education office has expressed sadness at the high number of School girls getting married and being pregnant.

Sinazongwe District Acting Education Board Secretary (DEBS) Sitwiinda Sikabanga revealed stunning results at a workshop held for headmen at Sinazeze that 128 girls were married in 2007 from January to December while 87 girls were pregnant.

Mrs. Sikabanga told the gathering that included village headmen from Chief Sinazongwe area and Senior Chief Mweemba that 99 married girls were recorded from the 43 government Schools in the district and 83 three pregnancies.
[ZANIS]
She said out of the 36 Community Schools in the district 29 girls got married while four had pregnancies.

“Where is the problem? What is causing the girl child to stop Schooling, it is all our duty to address this difficulty of girls failing to go to School because parents give them extra jobs at home while teachers continue teaching,” She said.

Mrs. Sikabanga said some parents stop their girls from going to School to look after their ailing mothers and helping them to cultivate.

She noted that long distance to Schools was another factor that was hindering girls to go to School because they fear men to attack them on the way and they lack role models.

Sinazongwe District Commissioner (DC) Laiven Apuleni said government does not take pleasure in seeing girls failing to complete School because the scenario was outdated and retrogressive.
Mr. Apuleni said it was painful to observe that girls were failing to go to School when the parents had a duty to ensure that they encourage them to get educated.

He said it was unfortunate that they were parents in the district who still think a educating a girl child was waste of time.
“Those beliefs are outdated, disturbing, and retrogressive, we will never bring development to the district as there is no country that has attained development without educated people,” Mr Apuleni said.

Headman Wilyson Chiyanika said there was a tendencies of men enticing girls when their breasts starts growing and it was resulting in the high number of girls getting pregnant and married.

Headman Victory Mwiinde of Mutambo village in Senior Chief Mweemba said there should be continuous education for parents to be encouraging their girl child on the importance of going to School.

Sinazongwe District Standards Officer Dyason Syabwanta said parents should take advantage of the government policy of retaining back girls who get pregnant while at School to avoid disturbing their future.
Sinazongwe District Standards Officer Benson Zemba said parents should also help in maintaining the standards of Schools to provide a safe learning environment for pupils.

RDA strengthens monitoring of contractors

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The Road Development Agency (RDA) has strengthened the supervision of contractors who are awarded contracts to rehabilitate roads in the country.

RDA Head of Public Relations Loyce Saili said all contractors who do shoddy works risk losing their contracts.

Ms. Saili was reacting to concerns by Chiawa residents’ that Agente Contractors who are working on the 134 kilometer stretch of the Chiawa central road have done shoddy works.

She said the contractor has a four year contract, which commenced in June last year, and will have to replace the culverts that have been washed away following heavy rains that the country has continued to experience.

Ms. Saili also called on Chiawa residents to understand the scope of work that the contractors are doing on the road before they condemn them.

She explained that Chiawa central road is under the Output Performance Based Roads Contracts, which runs for four years, with the first six months set aside for light rehabilitation works on the road.

Ms. Saili added that the contractor is expected to continue carrying out maintenance works on the road until the four years elapses.

She said the RDA will only pay contractors who perform according to the Agency’s expectations.

Workers at Nitrogen Chemicals stage peaceful demonstration

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Workers at Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia today staged a peaceful demonstation and stormed the office of the Kafue District Commissioner Mr. Michael Bwalya demanding to be paid their four months salary arrears.

The workers also demanded that government should makes its stance known on the future of the company.

Hundreds of workers, who gathered at the DC’s office and were accompanied by Zambia police officers, wondered why government has not released money to the plant so that workers salaries are cleared.

They said it was surprising that the ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, which they fall under, is not telling them the truth as to what is happening to their money.

One of the workers, Mr. Robert Musanje said life for workers in Kafue Estates has becaome deplorable and families are facing hardships because of the non payment of salaries for the last four months.

He said it was not right for government to use a company to produce fertilizer and fail to pay for the commodity.

The workers also expressed shock that government did not provide any funds for the company in this year’s national budget.

They said government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives last year promised the company that it would budget K58 billion for recapitalization but that this is not the case.

The workers have vowed to continue assembling at the district commissioner’s office until government pays them their four months unpaid salaries.

They said it would be even better if government can privatise NCZ and pay the workers their terminal benefits instead making them suffer.

But Kafue District Commissioner Michael Bwalya appealed to the workers not to use violent means of expressing their grievances to government.

He commended the workers for staging a peaceful demonstration instead of wrecking havoc in the community.

He said government is aware of the problems at the plant and is doing everything possible to sustain NCZ and its operations.

Mr. Bwalya said it was unfortunate that the ministry of Agriculture has failed to handle matters at the plant properly and appealed to the ministry to find a solution to the problems th company was facing.

Mr. Bwalya assured the workers that he will personally see to it that worker’s problems are addressed and salaries are paid soon.

Judge concerned with defilement cases

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Justice Ernest Mwanamwambwa has expressed concern over the increased cases of defilement.

Justice Mwanamwambwa said despite the amendment which was made on September 28, 2005, on defilement, some men have continued to engage in the act that involved children under the age 16.

Justice Mwanamwambwa said that for the past eight to 10 years there has been an increase in reported cases of defilement, which prompted the judiciary to make amendments to the Law dealing with defilement.

He was speaking at the opening of criminal sessions of the High Court in Chipata today.

“The changes were made on September 28, 2005, which amended the Penal Code, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia, but before the amendment there was no minimum sentence for defilement”, he said.

Justice Mwanamwambwa said before the amendment there was no minimum sentence for defilement as sentences ranged from One day to a minimum of life improsonment.

He said the 2005 amendments set the minimum sentence for defilement at 15 years improsonment adding that the same minimum sentence was set for rape and indecent assault.

“In my view Courts should impose sentences far above the minimum of 15 years, such long sentences that are meant to achieve three main objectives. One is to keep the culprits away from society so that they do not repeat the offence,” he said.

The second was to aim at warning people with similar intentions, to desist from indulging in defilement of children while the third was to register societies disapproval towards defilement.

Justice Mwanamwambwa noted that before the amendments, defilement was only confined to men who had canal knowledge with girls below the age of 16 years adding that it now also covers women who indulge in the same act with boys below the age of 16 years.

Justice Mwanamwambwa disclosed that the second major change that was brought about by the September 2005 amendment was child trafficking.

Before the amendment child trafficking was not an offence, which on conviction, attracts a minimum of life improsonment for ordinary child trafficking but that when a child is trafficked for sexual purposes, it attracts the minimum sentence of 20 years imprisonment.

He said the amendment also introduced a new criminal offence in relation to the girl children and women known as sexual harassment under Section 137A (1) of the Penal Code.

He has also advised women to leave within their limits at wouk places and institutions of learning.

And Eastern Province Prisons Commanding officer Aaron Katota said a total number of 1,124 cases would be dealt with.

Senior superintendent Katoka said a total number of 534 cases were from Chipata, while Petauke and Katete had 177 and 134 respectively.

He said other cases to be dealt with from Lundazi and Nyimba district were 136 and 143 respectively.

Health department in Mufulira receives four vehicle

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The ministry of Health in Mufulira district has received four vehicles from the recently procured vehicles by government.

Mufulira District Commissioner Dyford Muulwa told ZANIS in interview today that the district is grateful to government for allocating the vehicles to the department of health in the district because transport has been a challenge in health service delivery in the district.

He said the four vehicles will service the two government hospitals, Kamuchanga District hospital and Ronald Ross General Hospital.

Two of the vehicles will be used as ambulances for the hospitals while the other two will be utility vehicles for Ronald Ross Nursing School and the district health office.

Mufulira district government hospitals have been operating without reliable ambulances for the last five years and this raised a lot of concern from both the district development coordinating committee and the general public, who complained over the use of a staff minibus at an ambulance.

Schools closed in Shangombo due to floods

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About seven schools have been closed in Shangombo district and about 6,500 households require emergency food due to floods that have hit the district.

This was disclosed by Shangombo district council chairman Mr. Mathew Mabuku during a district disaster management meeting held at Nangweshi farm training centre over the weekend.

Mr. Mabuku named the closed schools as Kaungamashi, Beshe, Nalushulu, Mwanzi Lisilu, Kashukwa, Shilukoma and Kapoola basic schools.

He said that most areas are not accessible and the Matebele-Shangombo road was in a terrible state adding that it will soon be cut off again at Mboiwa.

Mr. Mabuku has since urged villagers living on Sitoti and Mbeta Islands to quickly shift to the upper land before the islands are submerged by floods.

On food security, he appealed to the Provincial Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (PDMMU) to quickly assist the displaced people and the affected schools.

The chairman ruled out any harvests in agricultural fields along the Matebele and Silowana plains as most of them were totally submerged and destroyed by floods caused by heavy rains.

Shangombo is cut off from Mongu by road and the pontoon at Kalongola ferry point has since been closed until the end of the rainy season.

Most teachers are in debt, SESTUZ

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The Secondary Schools Teachers Union of Zambia (SESTUZ) has observed that most teachers are borrowing from micro finance institutions in order to supplement their meagre salaries.

SESTUZ Secretary General Emmanuel Zulu said this in an interview with ZANIS in Kabwe today adding that government needed to look into the issue seriously.

“If you look at most of the teachers payslips you see deductions from institutions like Bayport, Microfin, Natsave and all these other banks, which is an indication that what they are getting is not enough,” he said.

He hoped that more resources would be allocated to teachers salaries after negotiations, which are still going on.

He, however, commended the government on the efforts it is putting through to improve old structures of schools and the building of new ones.

Mr Zulu said that schools in rural areas were the most hard hit as they were mostly built in the 60’s and had old furniture or none at all.

“Another area of concern is teachers accommodation in rural areas, most of the schools have no accommodation and some houses are even dilapidated,” he said.

He said that good structures of schools would not improve teachers morale if the conditions were not improved because even as they are teaching they should be motivated.

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