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Zambians to get a fair share of their resources- Magande

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Government has disclosed that extensive work has been done towards the development of an optimal fiscal and regulatory regime for the mining sector.
Finance Minster Ngandu Magande says only a few ‘final touches’ remained before the 15 member team concluded its work whose outcome would be announced in the 2008 national budget.

Mr. Magande said at a press briefing in Lusaka today that an optimal fiscal and regulatory regime once put in place would ensure that Zambians got a fair and equitable share of their resources..

He added that the regime would also enable the mining companies get an appropriate return on their investment.

The Minister stated that governments objective is to have a strong and robust mining sector with a fiscal and regulatory regime that is efficient and attractive to investors.

“With this kind of regime , I do not see any need for Development Agreements (DA) in the future because all the intents and purpose of which the investors want DA shall be provided in the framework,’; he stated.

Mr. Magande said the status of the negotiations on the mining agreements, the principal should be the case for all other sectors in the economy.

He said because of the concessions under the Development Agreements (DA) with the mining companies, contributions are not consistent with the revenues being made by the mining companies.

The Finance Minister said it is clear from their contributions that there is inequality in the sharing of revenues from the country’s major resources.

He stressed that the mining companies should contribute more to government in order to fulfil the stated purpose of the DA which are to secure the maximum benefit and adequately contribute to the advancement and social and economic welfare of the people of Zambia.

“This clearly demonstrates the lopsidedness of these agreements and under such circumstances, it is extremely difficult for the government to continue signing further Development Agreement on the same terms,” he said.

Mining companies are this year projected to earn about US$3.5 billion of which only 10 percent (US$198 million) will be paid to government in tax contributions.

Due to rising copper prices on the international market, mining companies in the last two years, earned US$1.6 billion and US$3.1 billion respectively while US$26 million and US$76 million was paid to government as taxes.

Government had appointed a team, comprising technocrats from government ministries and departments to renegotiate the Mining Development Agreements (DA) because of the stability clauses in the DA.

The teams mandate was however extended so that they could also come up with an optimal fiscal and regulatory regime for the sector for the future.

The team chaired by Secretary to the Treasury Evans Chibiliti has undertaken consultative visits which include major mining countries such as Chile.

The team had also engaged international consulting firms from Norway and the USA purely to assist them with an international perspective and best practices on the matter.

Findings by the team revealed that Zambia’s fiscal regime comparable to other mining countries has the lowest effective tax rate in the mining sector.

Zambia’s effective tax rate under the DA regime stands at 31.8 percent, while Zimbabwe was at 41.3 percent, South Africa at 43.4 percent and Angola at 53 percent.

At International level, Zambia still has the lowest effective rate followed by Peru with rate of 39.7 percent.

Writers attack Zimbabwe omission

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A group of writers has criticised European and African leaders for not putting Zimbabwe and Darfur at the heart of an upcoming summit. The writers, who include Vaclav Havel and Nadine Gordimer, said the two crises should be on the agenda of next weekend’s EU-Africa summit in Portugal. In an open letter, they called the omission “political cowardice”. Also, the US has announced new sanctions on Zimbabweans close to the country’s President, Robert Mugabe. The US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Jendayi Frazer, said the travel and financial sanctions were aimed at 40 people who were close to Mr Mugabe. About six people are facing financial restrictions and US travel bans have been placed on another three dozen people. “Given Mugabe’s escalated use of violence, the United States will be imposing additional sanctions against the worst perpetrators of the regime’s brutality,” Ms Frazer said. She said 2007 had been the worst year for human rights abuses in Zimbabwe. ‘Morally impoverished’ The upcoming EU-Africa summit in Lisbon has been overshadowed by the threat of British Prime Minister Gordon Brown to stay away if Mr Mugabe attends. Britain, other EU countries and the US accuse Mr Mugabe of economic mismanagement, failure to tackle corruption and human rights violations that have led to soaring inflation and chronic food shortages. In the Sudanese region of Darfur, four years of conflict have driven more than 2m people from their homes and led to an estimated 200,000 deaths. The group of more than dozen prominent writers said millions of Europeans and Africans would expect Darfur and Zimbabwe to be at the top of the agenda of the summit. “What can we say of this political cowardice? We expect our leaders to lead, and lead with moral courage,” the writers’ said in an open letter published on Tuesday in newspapers in Europe and Africa. “When they fail to do so they leave all of us morally impoverished.” In addition to Mr Havel and Ms Gordimer, Gunter Grass, Roddy Doyle, Tom Stoppard, Jose Gil, Colm Toibin, Wole Soyinka, Mia Couto, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Gillian Slovo, Ben Okri and JM Coetzee also signed the letter. [BBC]

Mulongoti challenges FTJ over allegations

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CHIEF Government spokesperson, Mike Mulongoti, has asked former President, Frederick Chiluba, to prove allegations that Government departments have been directed to close accounts with the Zambia National Commercial Bank in preference to Finance Bank. Mr Mulongoti, who is also Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, said in a statement yesterday that Dr Chiluba was telling lies that Government departments had been requested to transfer their insurance policies from the Zambia State Insurance Corporation to Professional Insurance Corporation which, like Finance Bank, is owned by Dr Rajan Mahtani.

“Why sink so low? As for management of public finances, it is common knowledge that this Government is open and transparent in its dealings,” Mr Mulongoti said.

“Mistakes will be made and since it is human beings involved, you can’t expect angelic behaviour,” he said.

He said this was the reason there was greater disclosure of wrong doing in the current Government than was the case in the previous administration.

Mr Mulongoti said the fact that Dr Chiluba had been found liable of theft of public funds by a London court and was still appearing in court for other cases, was evident of how bad his regime was.

He said millions of dollars were not only misappropriated by Government officials but were also stolen by some former leaders who were now masquerading as angels.

The minister said it was “surprising that even when he was in the intensive care unit, Dr Chiluba still engaged in mudslinging and noise-making against Government.”

He said each time Dr Chiluba came from hospital, he chose to provoke the government leadership and the MMD instead of using the “little energy he remained with for recuperation.”

“We would like to see him recover completely so that the issues surrounding his participation in the plunder of national resources could be cleared and have him rehabilitated as a good citizen once again,” Mr Mulongoti said.

He said as former president, Dr Chiluba should consider this time as a period to rest and enjoy his retirement rather than contesting for popularity.

He also said it was absurd for Dr Chiluba to say President Mwanawasa’s Government should not claim and credit for the projects initiated by the previous administration.

He said Dr Mwanawasa’s Government carried forward the projects and implemented them successfully.

“What Dr Chiluba should know is that it is not enough that an outgoing administration leaves certain programmes in place, but that the success of such programmes is dependent on the policies and effectiveness of the new administration,” Mr Mulongoti said.

He said in matters involving foreign investment, what counted most was the confidence investors had in the new administration.

He said there was every reason for the current Government to claim credit for the mushrooming projects in the mining and manufacturing sectors in the
past six years.

The minister said mining and other industries that had sprung up in the last six years were as a result of the good policies Government had put in place and the confidence that had been instilled in investors.

“When Dr Chiluba came into power in 1991, he found a number of projects initiated by Dr Kaunda’s regime which included schools, hospitals and roads.

These were good and Government maintained and expanded on them,” he said.

Mr Mulongoti said the coming of President Mwanawasa into power instilled fresh confidence in investors.

The minister said while it remained the MMD’s policy to divest Government of commercial business, Dr Mwanawasa’s administration had acted with caution to ensure that the privatised companies continued with their businesses, retained workers and contributed to the national treasury through tax.

Mr Mulongoti said this policy, coupled with increased focus on attracting foreign investors, had taken Zambia to a new level of confidence that resulted in major investment inflows in new mines and manufacturing.

He said it was true that some of the current successful mining projects in the country might have been initiated during Dr Chiluba’s Government

[Daily Mail]

Critical shortage of transport hit Sinazomgwe health centres

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Critical shortage of transport has hit Sinazongwe health sector as the entire district has no vehicle to service the health centres.

Sinazongwe District Health Director Dr. Kebby Musokotwane confirmed the development that at the moment the district is depending on transport from other government departments which is mostly not convenient.

He said it was difficult to operate without transport and conduct all health activities.

Dr. Musokotwane said the only vehicle that the District was using is too old and it is mostly on break down.

Currently the district Land Cruiser is on break down and Dr. Musokwatwane said the district office has sent some one to buy the spare parts in Lusaka.

He said the provincial health office and the Ministry of Health was aware of the shortage of transport in Sinazongwe district.

One of the vehicles that Sinazongwe District health uses has stayed for about 30 years and the other one is about 10 years old.

The entire Sinazongwe district has no ambulance to attend to emergence or to be used for referrals.

Zambian Intellectuals slowing down HIV/AIDS campaign

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Sinazongwe District HIV/AIDS Task Force Coordinator (DATF) has said most educated people’s fear to come for Voluntary Counseling and testing (VCT) is hindering the combating of the deadly HIV/AIDS pandemic in the country.

 

Mr. Lester Nambale said in Sinazongwe at an HIV/AIDS discussion that most intellectuals find it difficult to go for HIV test for fear of their position in society, their peers, and their family.

 

“Intellectuals want to hide their real self for fear of their peers, this attitude is killing them, they have to change it if we are to slow down the rate of HIV infections,” he said.

 

A Nurse in charge of VCT at Maamba Hospital Martin Muloongo said the response for people coming for VCT from

Maamba Township was poor.

He said most people in the

Maamba Township fail to come for VCT while those from low income groups in the villages were the ones making use of the VCT clinic at the Hospital.

Mr. Muloongo said the response from women was encouraging while men are not too willing to come for VCT.

Maamba Hospital Clinical Officer Kelson Lungu noted that people should change their attitude to reduce the HIV/AIDS pandemic which is spreading so fast.

Mr. Lungu said the continued attitude of people to ignore the problem of HIV/AIDS would worsen the already high levels of the pandemic.

 

“First an individual must examine himself and change the attitude if we are to reduce the HIV/AIDS rates,” Mr Lungu said.

The National HIV/AIDS/ STI/ TB Council (NAC) publication states that despite the effort to hold leaders accountable in 2006, progress in halting HIV is failing to meet the targets.

The publication adds that over 25 million people have been lost of HIV/AIDS through out the world and 4.5 million people were infected with HIV in 2006.

Courtesy of  ZANIS

 

 

Sata adamant on NCC

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 PATRIOTIC Front (PF) president Michael Sata says the National Constitution Conference (NCC) Act is

a surbordinate law and his members of Parliament (MPs) will not be compelled to attend the conference.
Mr Sata said yesterday at a Press briefing that although Government was saying that the NCC Act was law,

it was at the same time subordinate to the Constitution, which was the supreme law of the land.
He said it was not mandatory for all MPs to be part of the NCC because there were no sanctions for

 those that may choose not to attend.
He said MPs were subject to the discipline of their political parties and that those who elected them had

the right to withdraw them from Parliament.
He said under the NCC Act, the Secretary to the Cabinet was just given discretion of inviting MPs and that

the PF would say ‘bye’ to any MP who would attend the conference that was supposed to come up with a

new Constitution.
He said although the Speaker of the National Assembly could expel a member on disciplinary grounds, he could

 not punish an MP for not attending the NCC.
He also announced that the body of the late Kanyama MP Henry Mtonga would arrive today at 13:00 hours and

burial would take place in Lundazi.
Courtesy of Times of Zambia

Laracuente-Bruce say sorry

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Wanda Bruce, Manager for defeated American female boxer Belinda Laracuente who lost to Esther Phiri apologised for un-sportsmanship remarks, made Saturday. Both Bruce and Laracuente said unpalatables after the lose on a split-points decesion of 2-1 to Esther in an eight round bout. Bruce who was in Laracuente’s corner during the GBU Super-Feather-weight title bout at Woodlands stadium said the two became emotional after the result was announced. She was speaking to ZNBC Sports in an interview. Bruce said the bursts during a ZNBC TV interview shortly after the contest were uncalled for. Laracuente said she will grab the belt from Esther by a convincing knock-out during a re-match set for March next year. She commended Zambians for the support during her stay. GBU Match Commissioner, Caleb Kuya has commended the three judges and the referee for their professional conduct during the contest. Refering to the out-bursts of Laracuente and Bruce after the fight, Kuya said in Boxing, a Challenger must convincingly win a champion, to grab the belt.

Courtesy of ZNBC

Zambia U20 ease past Seychelles

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On a dark day for Zambia football following death of Kabwe Warriors coach Arnold Mtonga over the weekend, two of his protégés inspired the Zambia Under-20 national team to an emphatic 7-1 win over Seychelles this afternoon here at KaNyamazane stadium in Mpumalanga.

Mtonga died on Sunday in a road traffic accident in Kabwe just eight months after taking charge at Warriors from Levy Chabala.

Meanwhile back to today’s game, Seychelles took shock 2nd minute lead as Zambia looked lax that saw Ian Mellie slotting in the opener leaving George Lwandamina’s boys stunned.

However, Zambia quickly recovered from the early setback.

Influential striker Emmanuel Mayuka who was one of Mtonga’s key strikers in his tenure prior to his tragic death equalized in the 9th minute to score the first of his two goals of the day.

Three minutes later Judge Mukandawire made it 2-1 as the Zambia comeback begun after he finished off a rebound from Michael Katongo’s earlier effort.

Mayuka could have added his second in the 23rd minute with a cheeky lob over Seychelles goalkeeper Julio Toulon but Kevin Qatre was quick to clear the ball before it crossed the line.

Then enter Warriors playmaker Henry Banda.

Banda’s cross from wide on the right found Mayuka who rifled in from the near left post to make it 3-1.

Mayuka could have dispatched at least five more chances had he been more composed in front of goal in the opening half.

Banda on the other hand was turning soul provider for Zambia who needed an emphatic score line to help keep them in the hunt for a semi-final place on Friday in a very tight Group B.

His cross in the 28th minute found Red Arrows winger Simon Lupiya in front of the goalmouth who headed in the ball to make it 4-1.

Judge Mukandawire too was a benefactor of Banda’s vision and craft and the Arrows striker headed in Zambia’s 5th on the half-hour mark to see Zambia go 5-1 into the break.

Seychelles threatened after the break but Zambia stayed firmly in control with55th minute entrant Musonda Munaile, son of ex-Zambia and Zanaco player Emmanuel Munaile, showing some promise with some good passing and vision in the middle of the park.

I will no longer keep quiet, says FJT

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Former President Frederick Chiluba today declared that he would hit back at any attacks on his person, character and the way he ran government between 1991 and 2001.

Dr Chiluba says he has for a long time ignored attacks aimed at discrediting him and his administration, mainly from the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD), the party which he led from 1990 to 2002.

He said he was tired of tolerating indifferences that were diverting his attention from real issues, but were instead creating an impression that he destroyed the nation during his one decade regime.

Dr Chiluba was speaking today at his residence in Lusaka during a press briefing tailored to reactions by President Mwanawasa, Minister of Information Mike Mulongoti and Deputy Minister of Finance, Jonas Shakafuswa on issues he raised on November 25th, this year at the Lusaka International Airport when he returning from his routine medical review in South Africa.

On his arrival at the Lusaka International Airport on November 25, this year, Dr. Chiluba asked for confirmation from government on rumours that ministries and government departments have transferred their bank accounts from the Zambia National Commercial Bank, a parastatal to Finance Bank, which is a private bank.

Dr. Chiluba also asked government to explain rumours that it directed biggest parastal companies namely Tazama, ZESCO and Indeni to close their insurance policies at Zambia State Insurance Corporation and move to Professional Insurance, a private company.

He also said the New Deal administration of President Mwanawasa was merely reaping the fruits of the economic policies which he initiated.

Dr Chiluba told journalists that he would now begin to respond to issues raised against him in order to establish the truth and clarity, adding that his continued silence in the face of incessant attacks on his person has been misconstrued.

“So the days of keeping quiet are over and anyone pointing a finger at my administration or me should expect a quick response,” he said.

“I have tried hard since 2002 when President Mwanawasa came to office to be quiet and allow the new deal government which I considered my own to operate with little or no distractions but all such efforts have only yielded mistrust”, he said.

Dr. Chiluba quoted from the Bible in the book of John 8:32 and Hosea 4:6 saying, “You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free” and “My people perish for lack of knowledge” respectively.

The former president said it was now time to make ‘lively’ noise, quoting Proverbs 18:21, “It is Godly to speak wisely.”

He denied having neglected first President, Kenneth Kaunda’s family after they left office in 1991.

And Dr. Chiluba said Zambia could have significantly recorded development in some areas if the K88.2 billion reported in the Auditor General’s report to the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) as having been misappropriated between 2002 and 2005 was spent on developmental projects.

A total of K12.7 trillion was reported to have been registered as irregularities during the same period.

The former president also said there was much more corruption under the current administration that before, despite the current government being said to be operating on the principles of zero tolerance to corruption.

On the mining sector, Dr. Chiluba said the Anglo America corporation was intending to come back to Zambia because of high copper prices obtaining on the market and not because of good policies by the Mwanawasa administration.

Dr. Chiluba observed that although his administration had weaknesses, it also scored some successes which Zambians must recognise and appreciate.

He said some of the projects that were being undertaken and completed by the new deal administration were initiated by his administration.

“Let us appreciate each other’s contribution to the development of our country. We should not blame our failures on other,” he said.

Access to education by girl-child, still a challenge – Sinyinda

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Government has called upon its partners in the education sector to examine commitments made in all education policy documents.

Education Deputy Minister Clement Sinyinda said time has come for Government and its partners in the education sector to renew pledges made and to see how much progress has been made in meeting the year’s objectives on education.

Mr. Sinyinda said there should be tangible evidence to show that challenges in accessing and completing school faced by the vulnerable children, especially girls, have been resolved.

He revealed that issues of girls’ education in terms of access and completion rates still pause a great challenge.

Mr. Sinyinda was speaking in Lusaka today at the official opening of the 5th Campaign for Female Education-CAMFED Zambia Annual General Meeting.

Speaking earlier, CAMFED Chairperson, Esther Sinkala also expressed concern at the challenges still being faced in educating the girl child.

Mrs. Sinkala called upon stakeholders in the education sector to uphold quality service delivery in the sector.

And CAMFED Executive Director Barbara Chilangwa who spelt out the achievements made by CAMFED said CAMFED has reached 100 percent target in Luapula and Western provinces.

In his message of solidarity, a visiting delegate from Tanzania, Dadi Kolimba said education for a girl is a long term investment capable of eradicating poverty among countries in Africa.

And another delegate from Zimbabwe, Usher Mande called upon stakeholders in the education sector to put the interest of the child first in whatever they do.

Woman loses quadruplets at birth

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A 31- year -old expectant mother of Bin farm in Mazabuka, Southern Province yesterday wept uncontrollably when nurses at the District Hospital informed her that all her four babies she delivered had died due to suffocation.

Getrude Choonya who was rushed to Mazabuka hospital around 10 hours in the morning delivered one baby at the farm which died while three died at the hospital soon after delivery.

Mrs Choonya who was seven months pregnant was however asked to accept the death of her four babies by fellow expectant mothers admitted to the maternity ward.

Mazabuka District Hospital Administrator, John Zimba confirmed the development today.

Mr Zimba said the babies were delivered dead because of the delay by the woman to seek medication attention. The babies were delivered at an average weight of One Kilogramme.

He said, Mrs Getrude Choonya who last month was referred to Mazabuka District Hospital for scanning after staff at Kaonga clinic discovered that she was carrying twins, decided to ignore medical advice and went back to the farm where she engaged in cultivation of maize and tomatoes.

Mr Zimba however described the condition of Mrs Choonya as stable.

Esther wins but…

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Esther Phiri yesterday retained the Global Boxing Union super featherweight title on a split-point decision but only few may agree that the verdict was fair as America’s Belinda Laracuente was a trifle better and could claim glory as well.

Esther was slower and could hardly match the body language, technique and sheer power of Laracuente, the Zambian’s only real test since she entered the international arena last year.

Laracuente was sharper, cleverer and more aggressive that an ordinary eye could have given her at least five out of the eight rounds at Lusaka’s Woodlands Stadium.

“It’s a shame, I beat the girl on points because I scored more as I was very aggressive.

I feel it’s very unfair,” Laracuente said.

But her manager Wonder Bruce summed it up in crude language: “The girl (Esther) got embarrassed and everyone saw that her face popped up while my girl was just fine.

Losing is not a problem but not when you lose unfairly.

“Let her (Esther) come to America and we’ll teach her how to fight.

This is bush…t,” an upset Bruce said.

Greeted to a deafening roar when she entered the ring, Esther whose record improved to 7-1-1-1, received four big rights in the opening round but had a good finish.

Her left jab was not as fast as it has been known and the American kept her face behind her fists, making it difficult for Esther to penetrate.

But she ended the round with a strong one-two combination that seemed not to bother Laracuente who danced and darted in the ring.

Esther’s guard was poor and she was exposed in the second round when the American put her on the defence with quick combinations.

The Zambian improved in the third round as she turned the aggressor, landing her trademark hooks that made the American begin to know the quality of her opponent.

A relentless push forced Laracuente to drop her guard, but Esther could not finish her off and the round ended at par.

The fourth and fifth were equally even but Laracuente was steadier, closing down the champion and delivering body punches to weaken the Zambian.

Esther was scathed in sixth round as a strong right ensured her face responded, swelling on the right in a slugfest that left both boxers exhausted.

Laracuente danced and teased Esther as sweat dripped down the bodies of the women whose fight was, by far, the best of the day.

“It was a good fight and she is a very good boxer.

Now I need to rest because I have other things to do,” Esther said, surely needing a rest.

In supporting bouts, Kennedy Kanyanta registered his presence in the professional ranks after he knocked out Mpundu Mutale in the third round of the scheduled six in a bantamweight non-title fight.

The 2002 Commonwealth gold medallist showed he was a classical boxer, with his ring antics and body swerves which Mutale had no answers for.

Devastating blows left Mutale dazed and was rescued by referee Felix Phiri who stopped the fight in the third round.

In the Global Boxing Union (GBU) cruiserweight elimination fight, Douglas “Buster” Chilembe also knocked out Raymond Onyango of Kenya in the third round of the scheduled six rounds.

Chilembe went for the killer punch and he saw an opening in the face of the Kenyan whom he punished until his corner threw in the towel.

That fight was followed by drama as former national heavyweight champion, Joseph “Ramos” Phiri lost on unanimous points to Osward Shabani of Tanzania.

Phiri was content not throwing any punch and there was no way he could have won the fight against a seemingly more accomplished Tanzanian.

In other bouts, Emmanuel Simbeye knocked out Mubiri Taribu of Kenya in the fourth round while Floyd “Six” Chongo struggled to outpoint a sluggish Osward Menono who had no attribute of a boxer.

Abias Silupumbe was given what looked like a false verdict against Nelson Banda in the lightweight non-tile fight while in the women’s contest; Roydah Mushukano beat Maggie Ligililani on a split-point decision.

Times of Zambia

Leadership cardinal in HIV/AIDS fight

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A senior Government official says the involvement of leadership at all levels, in the fight against HIV/AIDS is cardinal.

Mansa district commissioner Moddy Chola said with this scenario there is a possibility of attaining significant achievements towards combating the pandemic.

The District Commissioner said since the advent of HIV/AIDS, significant advances in response towards the fight have been achieved through strong anfd committed leadership hence the need for their involvement.

Ms. Chola said this on Friday night when she officiated at this year’s World AIDS Day interfaith candle light memorial service and launch of the ‘Rode to Hope’ a video on Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART) at Catholic Cathedral in Mansa.

”Since the begining of the HIV/AIDS epidemic significant advances in the response towards it have been achieved through strong and committed leadership hence there is need for us leaders at all levels to join the crusade agaisnt the pandemic,” said Ms. Chola.

Ms. Chola said leaders in society were distinguished by their action, innovation and set personal examples when confronted by challenges.

She described leaders as not often those found in highest offices but that leadership equally existed at family and communal levels.

The Government Official observed that making leadership the theme of the World AIDS Day which fell yesterday, December 1 would inspire many to fight HIV/AIDS within the range of different groups and networks at local and international levels.

Zambia voices concern over US sanctions against Cuba

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Zambia has appealed to all member States of the United Nations to support the call for the immediate ending of the economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba.

Zambia says it has repeatedly called on the United States of America (USA) to lift the economic embargo against Cuba because this has a direct negative impact on the principles of free trade and navigation.

Zambia’s Ambassador and Permanent Reprersentative to the United Nations (UN), Lazarous Kapambwe said this when addressing a 62nd Regular Session of the United Nations General Assembly on the topic Necessity of Ending The Economic, Commercial and Financial Embargo imposed by the United States of America Against Cuba.

In a Statement availed to ZANIS in Lusaka, Ambassador Kapambwe pledged Zambia’s committment to strengthening of universal respect of international law in conduct of all forms of relations among sovereign.

The Ambassador said Zambia had noted with appreciation the report by the Secretary General contained in the document entitled ”Necessity of Ending The Economic, Commercial and Financial Embargo imposed by the United States of America Against Cuba”.

”We believe that this report has provided us with an objective and clear analysis of the negative impact arising fromthe sanctions against Cuba”, He said.

Ambassador Kapambwe said Zambia maintained that the Helms Burton legislation violates the sovereignty of Cuba and is a breach of international law and not in line with the principles of the United Nations Charter, among them, the sovereign equality of States, non interference in their internal affairs and freedom of international trade and navigation.

In addition, he said the Secretary General ‘s report vindicates the position consistently held by the Assembly over the years, that the embargo against Cuba hurt the innocent people, particularly the most vulnerable who are women and children.

Despite the hardship caused by the sanctions, he said Zambia notes that the Cuban people have become more determined and united in defence of their country’s sovereignty, welfare and dignity for which they have sacrificed so dearly.

He further assured that based on the information compiled by the Secretary General in his latest report, Zambia will vote in favour of the draft resolution because of its firm belief in the sanctity of the charter of the UN which binds member States.

Saturday Football Wrap-up

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The Zambia Under-20 teams hopes of a dream start to their Cosafa Under-20 Championships ambitions suffered a setback on Saturday after drawing 1-1 with Angola in Mpumalanga on Saturday.

Zambia laboured to beat an jaded Angola who arrived just 12 hours before kickoff due to protracted flight delays from Luanda.

And it was Angola who took a 1-0 lead into the break thanks to a 43d minute goal from their German based striker Tobias.

Kabwe Warriors striker Emmanuel Mayuka broke his Under-20 duck with the equalizer in the 50th minute as both sides laboured for most of the game on the artificial pitch.

“We were tired and conceded a silly goal against Zambia but both teams still have a chance of qualifying,” Angolan coach Felium Remeu said after the game.

Both teams are on 1 point each while Namibia lead on 3 points after they crushed Seychelles 6-1 in the other Group B match on Saturday.

Tomorrow, Zambia face Seychelles while Angola take on Namibia in matches both teams penultimate pool fixtures that they need to win to keep their semifinal dreams alive.

And in the Mosi Cup, Zesco United stayed firmly on course to defend their Mosi Cup title after a 1-0 semifinal win over Konkola Blades at Nchanga Stadium on Saturday.

Rainford Kalaba’s goal was all that Zesco needed to book a second successive Mosi cup final meeting against Red Arrows.

Arrows beat National assembly 4-1 at Nkoloma stadium in Lusaka on the same date.

Zesco beat arrows 2-0 in last years final played at Woodlands stadium in Lusaka.

Zesc are chasing a 4th Cup honor of the year after winning the league, Coca Cola Cup, Charity Shield.

However they could bag another Cup next Saturday should they beat Chambishi next weekend in the final of the Barclays Cup.

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