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HH Consoles Heartbroken Shepolopolo

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President Hakainde Hichilema last night made a phone call to the Zambia Women Team to encourage them following their controversial 1-0 loss to South Africa in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) semifinals.

It was a heartbreaking loss as Zambia conceded a 90th minute penalty in Casablanca after defender Martha Tembo allegedly fouled Jermaine Seoposenwe in the box.

President Hichilema said the team performed well at the WAFCON despite the controversial loss in the semifinals on Monday night.

“Mulimbe ma ladies (stay strong ladies), you have done a wonderful job, mwagwila nchito yaikulu maningi ngako (you have done a very commendable job), you have made us proud, we are proud of you, you have really nothing to apologise about to feel sad about you have done a good job, next time you will be there,” he Head of State said.

President Hichilema also disputed the penalty awarded to Banyana.

“That was a contestable penalty, the goal is a questionable penalty, and I think we should really look into it carefully it was outside the box but you did a fantastic job, you have done a good run up to now, semi-final is good, you qualified to the World Cup (and) we are proud of you and on behalf of all Zambians we are proud of you, feel happy don’t be depressed,” Hichilema said.

“Many people who were watching like us have questions about that penalty but well done, keep the spirits of the girls and the whole team high. You are going to the World Cup, we are all behind you, we will do our best as a government and the people of Zambia are behind you, we wish you well,” the Head of State said.

Hichilema urged Shepolopolo to be calm ahead of the third place play off against Nigeria on 22 July.

“Just play the game you love so much. You love soccer, go out and play and play with your hearts, with your mind, with your body, do what you decided to do as professional soccer players, do just that and we are all behind you,” Hichilema said.

Shepolopolo to Face Nigeria for Bronze

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Shepolopolo Zambia will face Nigeria in the third place playoff of the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup on Friday.

Zambia and Nigeria will compete for bronze after missing out on the final when losing their respective semifinal matches on Monday night.

Shepolopolo succumbed to a controversial 1-0 loss to South Africa who scored a contested penalty in the 90th minute.

Nigeria lost to hosts Morocco on penalties in the second semifinal which went past extra time with a 1-1 score line.

Morocco will now face South Africa in the final on Saturday.

Failure of the Zambian Constitution making process is due to lack of Experts Involvement-Ndulo

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Failure of the Zambian Constitution making process is due to lack of Experts Involvement-Ndulo

A Constitutional Law Expert Prof. Muna Ndulo cites the lack of expert involvement and adoption of a good process as the main drive to the failure of the Zambian Constitution-making process.

Experts play an important role in the formulating process of a constitution as they are fully equipped with knowledge and understanding of how clauses link up in the constituency for this not just a piece of legislation, but a framework document which must have a sequence on various aspects. Prof. Ndulo highlighted this when he made an appearance on HOT FMs Red Hot Breakfast Show.

Prof. Ndulo noted that the inability to realise that there’s actually a role to engage experts who understand and put the nation before anything else in the constitution-making process is one of the major things that has led to the failed Zambia process of putting in place an agreeable and durable constitution.

He added that one of the key things that should happen is to agree on a process with expert involvement that can produce a good constitution that looks at all the viable elements that need to be put in place.

He said that looking at countries such as South Africa and Kenya, what people missed was the critical role that acknowledged constitutional experts played in South Africa and Kenya, in Kenya for example there was a committee of nine experts compromising of both local and international experts who developed a draft constituency taking into account all the views from all stakeholders and once the draft was finalised it was given to the public for comment.

“In the Kenyan process, a draft constitution was prepared by the experts and given to the public for assessment with a given time frame so that it doesn’t go on forever and South African laid down a good process which had a role for experts through an expert committee,” he said

Prof. Ndulo noted that another major problem in the constitution-making process is the process itself, which is as important as the content for one cannot have a good constituency without a good process.

He explained that the idea of setting up commissions and adopting a commission-based process is only good for gathering information, which is why in Zambia today we have an abundance of information in terms of the peoples’ views about the constituency making process which has posed a challenge on how to use the information in order to move forward.

“It doesn’t matter what content you have but if the process is wrong you are going to have disagreements,” he said

Prof. Ndulo further explained the need to conduct a comparative study by looking at successful processes from other countries such as Kenya and try to learn from them as there is nothing wrong about learning from other countries or other processes because this is how you learn and build knowledge.

“Nobody has answers to everything, we all learn from each other,” he said

He emphasised that in the past the major flow has been the process where the avenue has been using the Enquires Act which was not designed to produce a constitution but rather designed to do enquiries, which is colonial piece of legislation which was used as a means for enquiring.

“For example, if they are disturbances or problems let’s say in mining, you come up with facts where the government takes into account recommendations and decides based on that,” he said

Prof Ndulo added that the Enquiries Act is not a framework for developing a constituency because there hasn’t been any single country that has developed a constitution using this Act because all the countries that have tried using this Act have had the same problem that Zambia has.

He stated that the Constitution making process is not the responsibility of the government alone but for everybody such as the press, political parties and all stakeholders that can help to create an understanding that the constitutional making process is a national matter not a political party issue.

Prof. Ndulo mentioned that political parties must begin to understand that the constitution making process is a national project which needs a framework and not some piece of policy legislation which can be argued about.

“Putting in place a proper framework can enable the Zambian constitution to be done in a year,” he stated

Mutale Nalumango assures Indian investors that their investments in Zambia are safe

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Mutale Nalumango assures Indian investors that their investments in Zambia are safe

Vice President Mutale Nalumango has assured Indian investors that their investments in Zambia are safe, due to the conducive investment climate and political stability that the country enjoys.

Ms. Nalumango says she is aware that the Indian business community has already staked 5 billion United States dollars for investment in Zambia and that such investments will be protected by law.

“Zambia believes in the rule of law and that the Zambia Development Agency mandated to promote investments has power to grant Investment protection agreements.” Ms. Nalumango stated.

The Vice President explained that Zambia is open for business and has great need for more partnerships in various sectors of the economy.

Ms. Nalumango described trade relations with India as strong and in excess of 1 billion United States dollars.

She said India’s economic footprint in the Zambian economy is seen from the over 3 billion United States dollar investment by Indian firms in the country.

“Over US$3 billion of investment by Indian Enterprises have been registered in Zambia in the recent past, with more than US$5 billion already in the pipeline ” said Ms. Nalumango.

The Vice President said this when she addressed the 17th Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) EXIM Bank India Africa Growth Partnership Conclave in New Delhi.

The conference gas attracted over 600 government and business representatives and 500 local firms.

Four African High level leaders are attending the meeting along with 35 government ministers, under the theme, Creating Shared futures.

Vice President of Gambia Badara Joof, Vice President of Mauritius Marie Boissezon, Vice President of South Sudan Riek Machar, and Namibian Deputy Prime Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah are among the high profile African leaders attending the Conclave.

Ms. Nalumango assured that high level engagement that Zambia is well positioned to be the trade and investment hub for Southern Africa , and Indian businesses, due to her strategic location and ease of doing business looking at the country’s comparative advantage over neighbours.

The Vice President said Zambia is in a deed of partnerships to boost the agriculture sector through enhanced value chain to food processing.

Ms. Nalumango told local and international delegates that Zambia’s vast untapped potential in several economic sectors, needs urgent exploration and harnessing in order to grow the economy.

She said Zambia needs investors to set up industries and factories to enhance value addition to what she produces so that the industrialization agenda can create jobs for Zambians and improve their welfare.

“Zambia needs partnerships in strengthening agriculture and food processing value chains” said Ms. Nalumango.

The Vice President said developing the mining and minerals sectors as well as pharmaceutical , tourism, health , education and energy sectors among others remains cardinal to the new dawn administration’s socio-economic transformation agenda.

Ms. Nalumango urged Zambia, African countries and India to take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area to enhance scale-up trade and investment among each other.

She challenged African countries and India to take advantage of the uncertainty created by conflict in Eastern Europe, in order to ensure global food security by growing more food.

“The current global food and fuel shortages resulting in sky rocketing prices, are signs of the urgency for us, collectively, to work together to address the dire situation in some parts of Africa” said Ms. Nalumango.

The Vice President appealed to fellow African and Indian leaders and captains of industries at the Conclave, to explore ways of uplifting youths and women out of poverty, by transforming the economic fortunes of Africa and India.

And opening the conference, India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal assured Africa of his country’s commitment to supporting the continent’s socio-economic transformation agenda.

Mr. Goyal said India’s 17 year development cooperation with Africa under the CII Exim Bank India Africa Growth Partnership has given Africa a platform to build socio economic bridges for the benefit of her people.

The Minister noted that India will continue to work towards deepening and strengthening business ties with African countries based on the unique needs of individual countries.

Mr. Goyal said India is one of Afric’stop 5 trade and investment partner as reflected in the increase of India’s investment portfolio in Africa to over 75 billion United States dollars in the lady few years

The Minister said India is drafting a new 25 year development cooperation and partnership plan that will provide the framework for India’s future economic and development partnerships support to Africa.

Mr. Goyal said India wants to review the current development cooperation and partnership when it clocks and reviews its 75 years of existence.

Namibian Deputy Prime Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah called on Africa to desist from exporting raw materials.

She said Africa must strive to add value to her raw materials and get value for her exports in order to have more resources at her disposal to develop the continent and eradicate hunger.

Gambia’s Vice President Badara Joof appealed to African countries to support each other in various development initiatives and partnership in order to change the socio-economic landscape of the continent.

India Exim Bank Managing Director Harsha Bangari said her bank remains committed to supporting Africa’s development trajectory.

She said Africa has continued to remain a good business partner of India and the Bank is keen on taking the development partnerships to new heights.

India Exim Bank has over the last decade financed major infrastructure development projects in Africa and Zambia particularly the multi-million dollar Lusaka decongestion project.

Director General of the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) Chandrajit Banerjee called for the establishment of manufacturing partnerships with African countries.

Mr. Banerjee said it is imperative that new partnerships are forged to support Africa’s manufacturing base that will continuously supply India with the needed raw materials and processed commodities.

The conference which runs from July 19 to 20, is expected to provide a platform for India and African countries to dialogue over trade partnerships and strengthen bilateral ties and economic opportunities.

Vice President Mutale Nalumango is expected to hold bilateral talks with her Indian Counterpart Venkaiah Naidu and the four African Vice Presidents attending the Conclave.

Ms. Nalumango is later expected to visit developmental projects and appreciate India’s medical tourism success story.

ZANIS/ENDS/CB/CKT…………………………………..DRY

Congolese living in Mokambo riot over ZESCO’s decision to cut their power over unpaid bills

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Congolese living in Mokambo riot over ZESCO’s decision to cut their power over unpaid bills

Congolese living in Mokambo Town near Zambia’s Copperbelt Province have rioted over Zesco Limited’s reported decision to cut power supply to their locality over nonpayment of bills.

The rioting Congolese on Monday morning stoned a Nakonde-bound bus belonging to Power Tools Logistics on Pedicle Road near Mufulira.

Copperbelt Police Commanding Officer Sharon Zulu has confirmed that the bus had its rear windscreen shattered by stone-throwing Congolese who also burnt tyres on Pedicle Road.

Ms. Zulu said so far the situation has calmed down and no casualties have been recorded apart from the reported damage caused to the bus.

She said facts on the ground are that Zesco, who had been supplying power to Mokambo in DR Congo, stopped due to nonpayment of electricity bills by a contracted company called SNEL.

“Malicious damage, reported at Mokambo Police Station by Male Ernest Tipoti a driver for Power Tools Transport Company to the effect that on 18/07/22, at around 07:00 hours near Mokambo Market DRC a Power Tools bus bearing Reg. # BCA 7848 which was on its way to Nakonde had a shattered rear windscreen which was damaged by unknown Congolese Nationals along Pedicle Road in Congo DRC,” Ms. Zulu narrated.

“Brief facts of the matter are that, Zesco has been supplying power to Mokambo DRC but due to nonpayment of electricity bills by a Company called SNEL which is an agent of Zesco on the DRC side to utility Company here in Zambia and in this case being Zesco, It’s alleged that the top management directed Zesco Mufulira to cut off power at DRC Mokambo,” she said.

Ms. Zulu added:”This action angered the Congolese Nationals at Mokambo DRC hence protesting because of not having power for three days by burning tyres on the Pedicle Road coupled with throwing of stones at oncoming motor vehicles. Out of this riotous behavior, the bus in question had its rear windscreen shattered. The Congolese authorities at the border were engaged. So far the situation has calmed down and no casualties apart from the damages reported. The Zesco management Mufulira is yet to see the way forward to have the matter sorted out; unfortunately instructions from superiors are being awaited.”

10 arrested for looting Form Company mattresses in Kitwe

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10 arrested for looting Form Company mattresses in Kitwe

Police in Kitwe have arrested ten suspects who looted and stole U-Rest Form Company mattresses after a truck flipped over near the Rail Crossing opposite St Anthony Compound in Kitwe.

Copperbelt Province Police Commanding Officer Sharon Zulu has confirmed the incident in Ndola today adding that the incident took place yesterday.

Ms. Zulu said the truck was being driven by Clement Katungu aged 52, of House No.2050 Kabushi Compound Ndola reported to the police that some residents of St. Anthony and Kandabwe Compound stole 201 mattresses in different sizes.

Ms. Zulu further said police officers who were on patrol responded, and recovered a few mattresses.

“However, reinforcement was called and about 70 more mattresses were recovered. Recoveries are still ongoing and 10 suspects have been arrested,’’ she said.

She named the suspects as John Kabuswe aged 27, of House No 1495 and Roswell Chishimba, aged 30 of House No 1495 both of Bulangililo compound Kitwe, Aaron Jere aged 25, of House No 2333 Chimwemwe T/Ship Kitwe, Joseph Kalale aged 42 of House No. 95 Twatasha Compound Kitwe and Joseph Sakala of No fixed Abode.

Others include Joseph Daka aged 38, of unmarked House No St Anthony Compound Kitwe, Joseph Kabwe aged 18, of House number 1495, Chola Dewine aged 19 of House number 14 95 both of Bulangililo compound Kitwe, Geshom Chibesa aged 40, of House number 1145 Luwangwa Township Kitwe, Saviour Musonda aged 30 ,of Unmarked House No St Anthony Compound Kitwe.

The unruly residents from nearby compounds looted and stole mattresses of different sizes and make all valued at K184 153 property of U-Rest Foam Company of Ndola.

She said a docket of the case has been opened and investigations are still ongoing.

And in another related development police recorded a case of theft which occurred between July 15, at around 22:00 hours and July 16, 2022 at around 05:00 hours at Stars-cape Hotel, Ndola.

This is in a case in which Svensson Karl Magnus aged 61, a Swedish national of unknown house number along Ingalate Avenue, Chelstone Lusaka reported that three unknown females stole from him.

Part 1 (a): Economic and financial challenges of Zambia’s value addition

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Part 1 (a): Economic and financial challenges of Zambia’s value addition

By Edward Chisanga

Last week ended rather miserably worrisome for Zambians. It was when the World Bank made a public announcement that Zambia has been reclassified to low-income status from lower-middle-income. That is not good news for Zambians, especially those that use deceit to paint a picture to citizens that the economy is ok. In Africa, there’s a growing tendency to ostracize citizens that speak negatively about the economy no matter how objective. Research and statistics used by local Zambians and foreign experts to explain the Zambian economy is the same. Yet, the local readership often pour cold water on information coming from the former while extolling and believing one from the latter. So, the World Bank today confirms what we have been saying as Zambians.

When last week I began a colloquy about value addition which our leaders are trying to achieve, two responses from readers similarly said that value addition should begin from within Zambia. I had shared the status of Zambia’s manufacturing as a starting point for the colloquy. They perhaps have a point. But that does not mean that I should not share my views about export value addition because I have heard our leaders talk about the need to export value-added products. So, each Zambian has the right to bring to the table any related topic on value addition: Local or international. As an expert on international trade, I prefer export value addition topic. So, in my second contribution, I focus on explaining value addition and economic and financial aspects related to it.

Explaining value addition

I begin by stating that value addition is simply the stage of reaching a processed product. For example, it is a value-added product when raw copper is converted into cups for drinking water, plates for eating, spoons, folks, knives, bracelets, metal trays, copper tumblers, allied copper strip, air conditioning copper tubes, copper clad steel wire, and there are many industrial products made from copper which are found largely in developed or emerging countries. Zambia’s leadership wants the business sector to export to DRC processed products from raw maize, fruits, vegetables, groundnuts, pumpkins, etc instead of exporting them in raw form.

Challenges of value addition

Unfortunately, value addition is founded on a strong not feeble national economy. The foundation of manufacturing is a relatively large, robust and flourishing economy. In turn, a good economy facilitates a country’s integration in the global economy of value chains and networks. Dani Rodrik once wrote, “The marginalization of Africa in world trade is entirely due to the slow growth of African economies.” It is the same for value addition. Entrapped in a small economy, not growth-spurting, neglected for many years and with a falling economic status, attempting to implement value addition is like chasing a black cat in a dark room and blind-folded.

The World Bank may have used several economic indicators to consign our economy into its unpleasant position amid stunning peeve and dismay of citizens. But it was unnecessary for the verdict to come from outside. We, Zambians saw it coming many years. Statistics show that the writing on the wall said that the economy was heading towards an abyss. Figure 1 below shows a period of 2000-2020 in which GDP annual average growth rates had strong variations. First, an encouragingly good period of growth from 2000-2010 and second, a stunning reversal depicting a continuous downturn all the way to 2020 when growth gushed into minus.

And, as I said in my introduction of a colloquy on Zambia’s value addition, a dwindling manufacturing value added in the economy, from 36% in 1992 to 8% in 2020, and in absolute values of less than $ 2 billion is not only a bridge too far but on a thorny road for the bare feet of the majority of citizens. The fragile and drifting away economy is not helped by the self-approbation yet unfriendly financial system.

Commercial Banks in Zambia have no strong record of supporting value addition. Often, the flamboyance portrayed by their CEOs of what they’re doing to support the private sector does not match with reality on the ground. Despite public pronouncements of goodwill by banks, the private sector perceives commercial banks as unhelpful. They’re not alone. UNCTAD has written a lot about them. In 2013 Trade and Development Report, it states, “The financial system in most developed and developing countries fails to adequately channel credit towards productive investment in the real sector. Reform at the national and global levels is needed, not only to improve financial and economic stability but also to ensure that sufficient investment finance goes into productive activities and helps developing countries address the new development challenges that have emerged in the post-crisis environment.”

Value addition takes long and needs a strong foundation

President Kaunda’s nationalization-led manufacturing may have taken a short time to realize. But market-led manufacturing may take long. That’s why we must own up and bask in the truth and realities of life. Writes Fergus Hashimoto, “The industrialization of Europe was a process that took centuries. It was preceded and accompanied by many scientific discoveries and by changes in society that included a growth in knowledge and everyone learning how to read, write and do arithmetic.” Mr. Hashimoto’s list of characteristics or factors that make industrialization work are often ignored in Africa and replaced by big things like physical infrastructure, investment, technology, etc. Notwithstanding their importance and necessity, they matter. Or rather, a combination of both does. On the policy side, “duty free importation of manufacturing machinery, tax holidays and favorable local prices for products to be processed” are often cited as essential needs by Zambia’s private sector.

We urgently and unsparingly must build a foundation first of a robust, large and growing economy, juxtaposed with other elements already mentioned. With this foundation, it is much easier to catalyse structural transformation among countries, incentivize them to shift from resource and low technology-based economies to more diversified, high-technology content, high product sophistication, and knowledge-based economies.

Lemmy Kajoba warns successful candidates in the recent teacher recruitment

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Lemmy Kajoba warns successful candidates in the recent teacher recruitment

The Inspector General of Police Lemmy Kajoba warns successful candidates in the recent teacher recruitment against falling prey to unscrupulous people who are in the habit of swindling members of the public of their hard-earned money, especially during the clearance of Non-Criminal fingerprints.

In a statement issued Mr Kajoba noted that the fingerprints clearance certificate is duly issued by the Zambia Police Service and members of the public (Candidates) are advised to go by the ensued guidelines where fingerprint must be lifted from any nearest Police Station from the area where successful candidates reside.

He added that successful applicants are required to pay through the Commercial Bank money amounting to K84.00 at their local place and a Government receipt will be issued by the Zambia Police Service upon producing of a deposit slip of K84.00 from the bank which will be attached to the fingerprints lifted and sent to Zambia Police Service Headquarters for further processing after which the forms will be sent back for collection at the point of submission.

Mr Kajoba highlighted that all necessary forms have since been dispatched and as such, no one is expected to pay any money at a Police Station. There is no express fee attached to this process.

“As Zambia Police Service we will continue to ensure that we carry out our work in a professional manner at all times. You are therefore again advised to go to any nearest Police Station for further guidance,” he stated

On the 15th of July, 2022 the government through the Ministry of Education published names of successful applicants in the teachers recruitment exercise where 30,496 were recruited.

Vice President Mutale Nalumango arrives in India

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Vice President Mutale Nalumango arrives in India

Vice President Mutale Nalumango says Zambia is seeking investments that will support the country’s economic transformation agenda through its economic diplomacy.

Ms Nalumango said her mission to India is to woo investments and enhance trade between the two countries.

Speaking to ZANIS upon arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport, in New Delhi, The Vice President stressed that India is an important partner to Zambia’s economic transformation crusade

” Our coming here fits in very well with the new dawn agenda..as a country we have gone into economic diplomacy, it does not matter where we go, we must fit in this part, and we are here to meet the captains of industry and see which to take home” said Ms Nalumango.

The Vice President said the new dawn administration is looking to assure current and future investors that Zambia is the best investment destination in Africa.

Ms Nalumango pointed out that India is a leader in value addition and Zambia wants to tap into that expertise and grow the economy.

“We are here to attract our colleagues from India so that they can come home and invest,” said Ms Nalumango.

The Vice President noted that India has progressed and can help Zambia turn around her economy through investments and partnerships in various economic sectors such as agriculture, textiles, processing, manufacturing among others.

“Value addition, these are the things India has done …we need them in so many fields. Whether you go into processing, manufacturing, that is what we want, whether you go into pharmaceuticals, we need them home, ” said Ms Nalumango.

Ms Nalumango said the government is creating a conducive climate for undertaking any business .

She warned against campaigns of distracting investors as doing so will jeopardise government efforts of poverty reduction and job creation .

The Vice said it is important that Zambia starts setting up factories in various economic sectors like India has done in order to meet the socio-economic needs of Zambians.

“It’s time we started having factories of that nature so that we can manufacture products like drugs that we need,” observed Ms Nalumango.

Ms Nalumango said the government will negotiate with India on best ways of addressing the trade imbalance between the two countries to meet equity .

The Vice President is accompanied to India by Minister of Small and Medium Enterprise Development Elias Mubanga and Permanent Secretaries for Administration Lilian Kapusana and Mervis Nkhomeshya for Resettlement, and other senior government officials.

Ms Nalumango was received by the Joint Secretary Puneet Kundal from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.

The Ministry of Local Government Approves bursary-applications worth K1.2 million for selected secondary boarding schools

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The Ministry of Local Government Approves bursary-applications worth K1.2 million for selected secondary boarding schools

The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has approved bursary-applications worth K1.2 million for selected secondary boarding school and skills training in Ndola’s Bwana Mkubwa Constituency under the 2022 Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

Ndola City Council Public Relations Manager Rebecca Mushota has confirmed that the Ministry of Local Government has approved six successful secondary boarding school bursary applications and the bursaries are worth K6, 000.

Ms. Mushota said the approved skills development bursary applications are 273 worth K1, 240, 810.

Meanwhile, the Ministry has approved nine carryover community projects under the 2021 Kabushi Constituency CDF.

“The approved bursary applications are worth over K1.2 million. The Ministry has approved six successful secondary boarding school bursary applications and the bursaries are worth K6, 000.The approved skills development bursary applications are 273 worth K1, 240, 810. The Bwana Mkubwa CDF Committee received 12 secondary boarding bursary applications, out of which, six were selected and 700 skills training bursary applications out of which 273 were successful,” Ms. Mushota revealed to journalists in Ndola.

“The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has also approved three successful community projects for Bwana Mkubwa under the 2021 CDF. The projects are worth K1, 532, 028.43.A total of 30 community project proposals were received out of which, and three were selected. Meanwhile, the Ministry has approved nine carryover community projects under the 2021 Kabushi Constituency CDF. The total worth of the projects is K1, 439, 076.47.”

Ms. Mushota concluded:”The Kabushi CDF Committee received 17 community project proposals out of which nine were successful. The Ndola City Council will continue updating the residents on the various CDF processes.”

Shepolopolo Suffer Controversial WAFCON Semis Defeat

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Shepolopolo Zambia failed to reach the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup final following a controversial 1-0 loss to South Africa in the semifinal on Monday night.

It was an heartbreaking loss as Zambia conceded a 90th minute penalty in Casablanca.

South Africa’s Linda Motlhalo scored a 90th minute penalty after Martha Tembo allegedly fouled Jermaine Seoposenwe in the box.

VAR confirmed Tembo’s foul.

Motlhalo stepped forward to beat Zambia keeper Catherine Musonda.

It was a game of two halves with Zambia dominating the opening half and Banyana controlled the last 45 minutes.

Meanwhile, Zambia will fight for third place against the losers of the second semifinal tie involving Morocco and Nigeria.

It makes No Sense to Give Tax Breaks

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It makes No Sense to Give Tax Breaks

By Fred M’membe President of the Socialist Party

There is really no need to be in a rush to give away our minerals to foreign transnational mining corporations for next to nothing. Anglo American, Anglovaal, Glencore, Vendata and other mining corporations are interested in our minerals because there are gigantic profits to be made now and in the future.

The prices of copper and cobalt are set to rise dramatically, and so are their profits. Here’s why:

It takes 180 pounds of copper to make a Tesla or other electric vehicle. This is five times the amount of copper needed to make a combustion engine motor vehicle. It takes 450 pounds of copper to build a normal house, once you include electric appliances, wiring and fixtures. If you put solar panels on it that will take another 100 to 150 pounds of copper wiring. A solar farm used to generate energy requires five times the copper it takes for an equivalent natural, coal, or nuclear power plant.

  1. If we are going to turn our cars into electric vehicles, we are going to need a lot more copper over the next ten years.
  2. If we are going to build houses for all the millennials – the largest generation on the planet – we are going to need a lot more copper.
  3. If renewables, such as wind and solar power, are used to build those things and supply energy then we are going to need a lot more copper.

This red metal is sometimes called Dr Copper because it has an uncanny ability to predict recessions and economic booms. The reason for this is that we unlikely to go into recession when we are in a building boom, whereas we are more likely to when we are not.

Industry, factories, homes, appliances and cars, all require copper, and that is never going to change because, if you look at the periodic table, you will see that there is no alternative to copper, except for silver. Silver conducts electricity better than copper but because it is so expensive it will never serve as a viable replacement. Plus, global copper reserves are estimated to be around 870,000,000 tonnes, whereas silver reserves are put at 530,000 tonnes.

Let us take this conversation further. Statistics show that 20 percent of the world’s population uses 50 percent of its copper; 13 percent of the population has no electricity; three out of four people on the planet – 75 percent – don’t have access to a car; so, if the 80 percent of the world that doesn’t currently use that much copper starts to do so as a result of increased energy needs – by buying appliances, electric cars, building houses and so on – then we will see a significant increase in the demand for copper. The price of copper, even though it has risen, will be so much higher when that demand increases.

And there is another factor. The EU has reacted to Russia’s war with the Ukraine by feverishly moving towards renewable energy, which, as we said above, requires five times the amount of copper as other energy sources. This will also spur the demand for electric vehicles. While recycling can meet up to 35 percent of current global copper consumption, we don’t have enough copper to recycle to satisfy increased renewable energy demands, plus, it takes a long time to bring copper mines online – around five to 10 years to market.

The upshot is that the demand for copper is going to increase significantly and so is its price. Under these circumstances, it doesn’t make sense to give tax breaks and other unnecessary incentives to transnational mining corporations. Why would we do that? We certainly would not be acting wisely. I can think of no reason why a government would do it, unless it was out of acting out of ignorance or corruption.

I’m ready for a by-election if my seat is nullified by the courts-Joseph Mulanji

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I’m ready for a by-election if my seat is nullified by the courts-Joseph Mulanji

Patriotic Front (PF) Kwacha Member of Parliament Joseph Mulanji has declared that he is ready for a by-election if his seat is nullified by the courts.

Mr Malanji, the former Foreign Affairs Minister, is challenging High Court judge Kazimbe Chenda’s decision to annul his election on grounds that he does not have a Grade 12 certificate.

Losing Kwacha parliamentary candidate Charles Mulenga has asked the Constitutional Court to dismiss incumbent Mr. Malanji’s appeal against the High Court’s decision to nullify his election because the plea allegedly lacks merit.

The Constitution Court is expected to decide this case this month.

Speaking when congregating at Kitwe’s Ipusukilo Catholic Church in Kwacha Constituency on Sunday, Mr. Malanji said he believes the people of Kwacha are ready for a by-election.

The MP said he has dedicated himself to serving the people of Kwacha Constituency diligently.

Mr. Malanji also highlighted some of the developmental activities he has facilitated in Kwacha Constituency since he was first elected in 2016.

“Ba munyinane mwalemona quarterly naleisa mukumitandalila nomba lelo mwalimona chiwa alipitapo pa nsansa shesu. Lelo techamutatakuya. Lesa tufwaya ulufyengo nangu panono pantu efyo icipingo chitila chita kumwinamupalano efyo wingatemwa akucitila. Bamuyinane ukukwata umutima na Lesa alasonsekelapo. Mwalishiba mu Cibemba batila ifunda talicenjela uucenjela mwine we funda. Bushe mwalimonapo saladi ileya ati ine teti njitike? Utina ukwitila salad mwine aisendele tefyo? Pantu nangu li vote line nga cakutila batila iyo seat nullified tuye ku by election bushe tatuli ready for by election? (We are ready people responds),” Mr. Malanji said.

“Ba munyinane ishi inchito mwatupela teshakuletelako amasange ni incite iikalamba sana. Ukufuma apo mwa mvotele mu 2016 intantiko ne Milimo iyo nabikile na mwebene mwalimoma ati kwena balieshako. Ilyo nalelanda ati pano pa Church umusebo ukesafika balemona abantu kwati bufi. Bushe tyre mark tayafika?Maternity tulepanga pa Ipusukilo Clinic. Nombaline twalaisaula. Ku Bulangililo has built a maternity wing if it were not for the confusion (petition issues) I would have already opened. I engaged friends. I play golf with, that here in Bulangililo and Kwacha we don’t have a filling station. Now are you not seeing the filling stations in Bulangililo and Kwacha Townships? You have seen our works here in the community. We have committed ourselves to being your servants,” Mr. Malanji said.

Mr. Malanji, who was accompanied by Kitwe Mayor Mwaya Mpasa, donated K70, 000 to the Church.

He announced that of the K70, 000 donations K50, 000 will go toward the procurement of Church pews at the Parish and K20, 000 to the Church choir.

Government reiterates its commitment to promoting digital literacy

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Government reiterates its commitment to promoting digital literacy

Acting Smart Zambia national coordinator Luke Mate has reiterated government’s commitment to promoting digital literacy and accessibility of electronic services especially for public service workers.

Mr Mate states that government is aware of the transformative power of technology in education and how it can play a critical role in achieving sustainable development goals.

In a speech read on his behalf by Smart-Zambia, Director Digital Government Services, Nkula Mwanza , Mr Mate emphasized the need to ensure that digital literacy is blended in teacher training to enhance service delivery in all sectors.

Speaking during the training of trainers for teachers development programme-digital literacy and blended teaching in Chilanga, the Acting Smart Zambia National Coordinator noted that a total of 3,200 teachers across the country will be trained in digital literacy.

The programme will address multiple ICT basic and intermediate requirements in the teaching fraternity.

“Our vision is to roll out the programme to the rest of the eligible teachers and other sectors of society to ensure a digitally literate and transformed Zambia,” he said.

He further commended for sponsoring the programme which is where Digital Skills foundation is developing the skills of the teachers.

And ZCAS vice Chancellor, Douglas Kunda observed that capacity building in ICT at every level is critical in the realization and right to education as well as the freedom of expression which everyone is entitled to.

Prof. Kunda said that lack of access to the internet has led to concerns of pupils being misinformed, as most activities are happening online and they do not have adequate means to participate which makes them feel left behind.

“Such initiatives will bridge the gap in terms of development,” he said adding that the COVID–19 pandemic highlighted the importance of ICT learning in Zambia.

And Digital Skills foundation founder and CEO, Anneijn Perrin said the training which is intended to improve service delivery among schools will help develop critical thinking among learners.

Ms Perrin noted that the training will see pupils become more critical and improve their reasoning as opposed to memorizing what they learn.

She stated that 30 teachers will be imparted with the skills in a period of five days.

“They will be expected to train other teachers and this will be done online,” she said.

Poor Credit Rating limiting Africa’s economic growth

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Poor Credit Rating limiting Africa’s economic growth

Chairman of the Specialized Technical Committee on Finance, Monetary Affairs, Economic Planning and Integration, Raymond Nazar says poor Credit Rating has become a limiting factor for African states to access the international capital markets for public investment and funding of national budgets.

Mr Nazar said this during the 5th Ordinary Session of the Specialized Technical Committee on Finance, Monetary Affairs, Economic Planning and Integration in Lusaka today.

Mr. Nazar said the Credit Rating Agencies have become gatekeepers to African accessing capital and that African countries are less likely to be upgraded compared to other regions, especially with the onset of COVID-19 which has seen 21 countries being downgraded and only 2 being upgraded.

“Unfavorable credit rating or a negative rating outlook has the potential to undermine growth and economic stability. Historically, African Sovereigns are mostly less likely to be promoted from the B into the BB category compared to other regions even after accounting for improvements in the macro fiscal environment and the willingness of African governments to service debt” he said.

He has since tasked the STC to come up with policy options geared towards accelerated economic recovery through creating cheaper sources of funding including reduction of the influence of the existing credit rater.

Mr. Nazar further tasked the committee to come up with policy options that will help to crack down Illicit Financial Flows IFFs, which he says denies Africa about US$80 billion yearly as reported in the 2020 United Nations Conference on Trade and Development UNCTAD report.

“Furthermore, aged old challenges i.e Illicit Financial Flows that denies Africa of some US$80 Billion yearly per the 2020 UNCTAD report as well as climate change.” he added.

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