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President Hakainde Hichilema has called for national unity and collective effort in fostering meaningful development across the country. Speaking as the guest of honor at the Builile Traditional Ceremony of the Bwile people in Chiengi District, Luapula Province, the President emphasized the importance of the “One Zambia, One Nation” motto in uniting the country’s diverse tribes for economic growth.
Reflecting on the theme of the ceremony, “Kabwile Ukaya Teka Bwile Ukabwela,” President Hichilema acknowledged the richness of the land, the abundance of natural resources, and the warm hospitality of the Bwile people. He also underscored the significance of traditional ceremonies in preserving cultural heritage, stating that they represent identity, guide way of life, and instill a strong sense of self-respect.
President Hichilema highlighted the government’s commitment to ensuring food security in Chiengi District. As part of this effort, four new agricultural camps have been established following the recruitment of agricultural extension officers to support local farmers. He encouraged farmers in Luapula Province to leverage the region’s abundant rainfall and healthy water bodies to increase food production, noting that the province has the potential to feed the entire nation.
The President announced the government’s plans to upgrade the Kashikishi-Lunchinda road via Kaputa, aimed at accelerating economic activities in the area. He reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to deliver on the promises made to the Zambian people, ensuring that infrastructure projects are completed without fail.
In his address, President Hichilema commended the 47 chiefs from across the country who attended the ceremony, emphasizing that their presence symbolized love, unity, and the spirit of “One Zambia, One Nation.” He expressed the government’s eagerness to work with traditional leaders in achieving tangible economic growth and transforming people’s livelihoods.
The President also urged traditional leaders to monitor Constituency Development Fund (CDF) projects in their chiefdoms, noting that the CDF is a key program aimed at improving sectors such as education, health, and social protection. He informed the chiefs that the government has begun aerial mineral exploration across the country to identify and exploit mineral endowments, which will contribute to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
During the event, President Hichilema praised the people of Luapula Province for producing enough food during the 2023-2024 farming season, helping to feed areas affected by the El Niño-induced drought. He encouraged the province to continue scaling up agricultural activities to ensure national food security.
Luapula Province Minister Njavwa Simutowe and Builile Traditional Ceremony Chairperson David Mutumpa also spoke at the event, echoing the President’s commitment to infrastructure development and praising the government’s initiatives, including the free education policy and the increased CDF, which have significantly improved the country’s economic outlook.
Chief Nkula of Chinsali District and Chief Mumena of the Kaonde people in North Western Province supported the President’s call for unity, emphasizing the need for cooperation among all tribes to achieve meaningful development.
President Hichilema was accompanied by several ministers, including Gary Nkombo, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Felix Mutati, Minister of Technology and Science, and Elvis Nkandu, Minister of Youth, Sport, and Arts, among others.
Once upon a time Laura Miti, Fumba Chama, Sishuwa Sishuwa, O’brien Kaaba and several others, all worked in unison as activists or commentators to kick out of power the Patriotic Front, apparently for their governance failures. That’s as it should be.
Fast forward. The United Party for National Development has won the elections and formed government. Pilato has transitioned from a scruffy-looking critic of government to a dandy fresh-smelling permanent secretary. Miti and Kaaba sit on some government boards. Sishuwa now cuts a lonely figure. His criticisms of the UPND government are now often criticised by Miti and Kaaba as if choreographed to take the sting out of anything Sishuwa says against the government.
Recently, Kaaba was in the centre of a three-way public fallout with ACC boss and the Solicitor General. Kaaba’s cup of frustration apparently reached the brim with corrupt shenanigans involving the ACC boss and state chambers boss. Which shenanigans were averse to the effectiveness of the ACC board on which Kaaba sat.
Solicitor General sues Kaaba for libel – “a published false statement that is damaging to a person’s reputation”.
Kaaba responds, bring it on! He promises to “demonstrate before Court the truthfulness of my assertions”. Naturally, the court will decide which is which, exonerate the character of one and blemish the other. Before sunset, the two are holding hands, smiling ear to ear. The belligerents met over a jar of chibwantu and the legal bout of titans was called off. After all that flamboyant display at the weigh-in! No reason is given.
Laura is unhappy Muchende pulled out too quickly. After exciting her with his weigh-in antics, she had every right to vent her frustration. “I was quite looking forward to him clearing his name of the grave corruption charges advanced against him by the good doctor,” she lamented. From the outset, she’d been Kaaba’s cheerleader. As Miti and Kaaba are close friends or colleagues, one can only believe she had firsthand knowledge of Kaaba’s punching power, impregnable defence, and formidable uppercut to which Muchende stood no chance. She’d be treacherous or reckless to urge a friend into such a fight if she thought he didn’t have a great chance.
Sherlock Holmes would point out the intriguing fact that Miti exempted Kaaba from the blame for backing out of the bout. Because the consent agreement was mutual by both parties, she should have equally put blame on “the good doctor”. Especially we do not know the terms of the agreement, who pleaded with the other, and so on. If Kaaba prostrated before Muchende begging for his life because his charges were baseless or whatever, Miti may have to thank Muchende for sparing Kaaba’s life even at the cost of the cloud of shame now hanging over Muchende’s name due to Kaaba’s potentially libelous claims. Miti saw the agreement damaging to Muchende but not to Kaaba.
Enters the nemesis. Sishuwa saw things differently from Miti. Kaaba’s own name was muddied and in dire need of redemption. Kaaba was intimidated, bribed into silence, had no proper evidence in the first place, or persuaded to ceasefire by party or tribal elders. Citing public interest, Sishuwa thinks Kaaba was wrong to enter into the agreement and should avoid entering into similar agreements. Miti won’t take this one lying down. How dare you attack the good doctor, your colleague and equal, a board member at my Alliance for Community Action?
Miti finds faulty Muchende’s pull out but is okay with Kaaba’s. It takes two to tango. If Kaaba is the principal, Muchende is complicit. If Muchende is the principal in the agreement, Kaaba is complicit. Either way, they fall together. But by Miti’s dodgy logic, Kaaba remains with his integrity unblemished. One can’t help but ask Miti, as Andy Dufresne asked the corrupt prison chief in Shawshank Redemption, “How can you be so obtuse? …. Is it deliberate?”. But such is Miti. If Lungu said 2+2=5 he’d be a fool. But if Hichilema said 2+2=5, he’d be wise.
How can you accuse Kaaba of being motivated by tribalism? Well, Miss Miti, tell us the true motivation and shame the Devil. But wait, Sishuwa never said that. He offered disjunctive permutations. One or two or three or four. None, farfetched. Possibly all two, three, or all of them as the disjunction is inclusive rather than exclusive. Ethnicity is the principal organising principle in Zambia or Kenyan politics. Hichilema’s UPND is a reincarnation of Nkumbula’s ANC and PF of Kapwepwe’s UPP. Any ideological differences are secondary, incidental, and superficial.
Sishuwa doesn’t just pick the ethnicity possibilities out of thin air. He supports it robustly with Michela Wrong’s It’s Our Turn to Eat: The Story of a Kenyan Whistleblower that eerily and ominously anticipates UPND’s Zambia. Mwai Kibaki’s movement and electoral success rode on the anti-corruption banner. Like Hichilema’s. Both are keen to maintain the appearance of anti-corruption angels. Both achieve this through appointing mostly members of their ethnicity to the ACC, and the Governance and Ethics department in the Kibaki case. Both presidents are surrounded by tribesmen and those from cousin or ethno-political auxiliary groups, “with a few opportunistic ethnics tagging along for the ride.” In addition to giving some pretence of inclusivity. A few token outsiders can come in handy as useful idiots.
Anyone who reads Wrong’s book with an open mind will see the parallels and prophecy. Miti should read it. Even with a closed mind, one will see how the Kikuyu wazee forming the kiama – a council of ethnic elders, are in the thick of every corruption scandal. They manipulate young John Githongo and attempt to dissuade him from betraying the tribe by whistleblowing on the Kikuyu government. Put simply, ethnicity and corruption form a very tight knot.
Therefore, to highlight the possibility of an ethnic explanation for Kaaba’s sudden withdrawal is sensible. It is neither tribalistic nor does it commit any ad hominem fallacy. Not all ad hominem reasoning is fallacious. To call Miti “Amai Doti” is clearly ad hominem abusive, even if a counter to Miti’s own personal attacks on opposition leaders who include Saboi Imboela and Fred M’membe.
Sishuwa did not commit any ad hominem fallacy in so far as ethnicity is a potentially relevant consideration. It is immaterial whether Kaaba and Sishuwa are colleagues or academic equals. By thinking Sishuwa should not make certain guesses about Kaaba’s premature withdrawal, Miti reinforces Sishuwa’s guess regarding how Kaaba’s silence was bought. Some people, in fact, many people, think that tribesmen should not call each other out, at least not publicly. In the same way, Miti seems to appeal to collegial relations as reason not to call out possible wrong-doing.
Perhaps Sishuwa omitted an important possibility. Kaaba is one of the budding legal scholars in Zambia. Among his growing publication profile is a book on law of evidence in Zambia. So, when such a legal mind stands on an anthill and thumps his chest that he has a mountain of evidence of Muchende’s corruption, it is very likely there is a mountain of evidence. (For months now, Lusaka lawyer, Frank Gwaba has been complaining and daring Muchende over corruption). However, it may be this is corporate evidence of the ACC and not of Kaaba in his personal capacity. Going ahead with such evidence may potentially constitute professional misconduct that may attract possible censure from LAZ.
Under this scenario, the rational thing for Kaaba to do morally and for personal preservation is what he did. Kaaba has written intermittently about holes in Hichilema’s fight against corruption. This is laudable. It’s not Kaaba’s or Gwaba’s fault that Hichilema chooses to take Muchende’s side, for obvious reasons. Hopefully, the Muchende agreement does not incapacitate Kaaba in doing so in the future. What now?
Miti’s ACA was hyperactive and scathing against the PF. Sustained campaigns were mounted against perceived corruption and human rights abuses. Now ACA is subdued and confined to issuing sporadic, casual, if timid, statements about reports of corruption by the UPND. It seems clear that ACA is too close to the UPND with its director or board members being on boards and whatnot in the ruling government. This personal closeness compromises the organisation’s ability to offer effective and reliable checks and balances.
Perceptions of corruption count a lot in presidential elections. Perhaps, for Miti, a corrupt UPND with whom she’s friends, is better than a PF comeback in whatever form. She knows pointing out UPND corruption and lack of transparency aids the opposition, some of whom she loathes. She’d rather abet or ignore UPND corruption than indirectly improve chances of electoral success for the opposition. In contrast, Sishuwa seems not to exhibit such narrow partisan partiality, as human and fallible as he is. It can be a discomforting to those who will act noble when their personal interests align with ethical values but will abandon the values at the slightest conflict between abstract ideals and personal interest.
The Energy Minister, Makozo Chikote, held a press briefing to address the nation on the current energy situation, highlighting the challenges and measures being implemented to manage the country’s power supply.
This week, the available power generation remains at an average of 890 megawatts, significantly below the installed generation capacity of 3,777 megawatts. The national peak demand stands at 2,400 megawatts, leaving a power deficit of 1,510 megawatts. To mitigate this shortfall, ZESCO Limited, along with other traders, is importing 496 megawatts of power from the region. However, this still leaves a net deficit of 1,014 megawatts, resulting in over 12 hours of power rationing across the country.
In a bid to increase power supply, President Hakainde Hichilema officiated at the groundbreaking ceremony for the US$400 million Maamba Collieries Phase II project, which is expected to add 300 megawatts of thermal power to the national grid.
The water levels at the country’s major reservoirs, including the Kariba Dam, continue to decline. The Kariba Dam currently holds only about 10% of usable water for power generation, with a high utilization rate required to meet demand. With ZESCO’s water allocation at Kariba nearing depletion, the power deficit is expected to increase by 300 megawatts. Additionally, scheduled maintenance at Maamba in September 2024 is expected to cause another 135 megawatts deficit, leading to an extension of power rationing hours to 17 hours daily starting September 1, 2024.
To alleviate the situation, ZESCO has secured 168 megawatts from ESKOM of South Africa and is negotiating for an additional 50 megawatts from the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), expected to commence by August 21, 2024.
On the issue of tariffs, ZESCO is currently importing power at a cost of US$12.6 cents per kilowatt-hour, while the local regulated tariff stands at US$4.1 cents per kilowatt-hour. The government is consulting with various stakeholders to design a tariff mechanism that will allow ZESCO to recover its costs during this period of drought response.
In addition, the government, through ZESCO, has launched a net-metering initiative, encouraging citizens and businesses to participate. ZESCO has provided a list of recommended equipment on its website to ensure access to quality, reliable, and compatible technology options. The Energy Regulation Board (ERB) has also approved step-by-step guidelines for net-metering to ensure transparency and fairness.
To further support the energy sector, the government has approved additional incentives for solar, geothermal, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) equipment. The Rural Electrification Authority (REA) continues to allocate more resources toward off-grid and on-grid solar projects in various communities to reduce the burden on the national grid. In August, REA completed three more solar mini-grids: a 60-kilowatt grid in Mpidi, Zambezi district; a 100-kilowatt grid at Chilubi Hospital in Chilubi district; and a 70-kilowatt grid in Chieftainess Mwanya, Lundazi district. This brings the total number of operational solar mini-grids developed by REA to 13.
The Energy Minister assured the nation that the government remains committed to addressing the energy challenges and ensuring a sustainable power supply for the country.
President Hakainde Hichilema has assured Mumbwa residents that government will soon start rehabilitation works on the old Mumbwa road, which links the district to Kabwe.
ZANIS reports that President Hichilema says the road which provides a shorter route to Kabwe has been in a deplorable state for a long time.
Speaking when he addressed a gathering at Kaunda square grounds, the President said government remains committed to enhancing development in the country.
“We increased the Constituency Development Fund which has taken development to the grassroots, we reintroduced the free education policy and we are constructing a number of schools and health facilities across the country,” he said.
The Head of State also directed Central Province Minister Mwabashike Nkulukusa and Mumbwa Member of Parliament, Credo Nanjuwa, to ensure the construction of a police station and reconstruction of the veterinary office which was gutted down by irate residents in a protest last year are implemented.
“We want to ensure that the much needed services are delivered to our people,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Head of State said government is ready to deliver agriculture inputs ahead of the 2024/2025 farming season urging farmers to plant early as the country is expected to receive adequate rains.
Mr Hichilema noted that unlike in the 2023/2024 farming season, the country is assured of adequate rains and a good season.
“We have been told that we shall receive normal to above normal rains, we need to prepare and start planting in good time,” he stated.
President Hichilema also urged eligible youths to acquire National Registration Cards (NRC) for them to benefit from government’ social protection programmes such as the Social Cash Transfer and CDF.
“Government is offering many programmes aimed at reducing hunger and poverty, and those eligible can only benefit if they have NRCs,” he said.
The Head of State noted that youths can only participate in elections if they acquire the national identification document and the voter’s card.
And Mumbwa Central Member of Parliament, Credo Nanjuwa highlighted that Mumbwa has witnessed improved developments in the three years of the new administration being in power.
Mr Nanjuwa disclosed that the district has seen 98 community projects and that 89 clubs and cooperatives have benefitted from the CDF grants and loans in the constituency.
He also noted that 13,000 vulnerable households are receiving cash under the Drought Emergency Cash Transfer in Mumbwa District.
Earlier, United Party for National Development (UPND) District Chairperson, Maybin Kalambwe also appealed to government to rehabilitate the Mumbwa-Kabwe and Mumbwa-Kasempa roads.
President Hakainde Hichilema has commissioned the 600 Million United States Dollars Sinomine Kitumba mining project in Mumbwa District, Central Province.
President Hakainde Hichilema has commissioned the 600 Million United States Dollars Sinomine Kitumba mining project in Mumbwa District, Central Province.
President Hichilema said the ground breaking of the copper cathode production at Kitumba Mine demonstrates government’s dedication to revitalizing the mining sector and delivering jobs and economic growth.
Mr Hichilema said the mine project will come with a 50 Megawatt solar power plant that will be integrated into Zambia’s main electricity grid.
He added that the investment is expected to create over 2,500 direct and indirect job opportunities to the local people.
“This investment will help span multiple sectors including infrastructure, agriculture, education and health signaling a new chapter in the bilateral relationship between the two countries,” he said.
Mr Hichilema also cautioned Members of Parliament, civic leaders, traditional leaders and others charged with responsibility, to deliver all projects which they are in charge of and ensure that they are completed.
“Zambians expect us to better their lives through growing the investment portfolio like the Sinomine Kitumba mine project,” he said.
And Sinomine Kitumba Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Wang Pingwei said during the construction phase, the company will conduct additional geological exploration, which include increased drilling to increase the copper resource volume and resource grade.
Mr Pingwei added that based on exploration results, the company will consider increasing investment in a timely manner to expand production and capacity.
He also added that the company plans to construct a 50-megawatt solar power plant and integrate it with Zambia’s national electricity grid.
“The project is expected to create approximately 2,500 direct and indirect job opportunities and through this initiative such as donations and dedicated funds and skills training, we aim to improve healthcare, education and living standards for local residents,” he said.
Earlier, Minister of Mines and Minerals Development, Paul Kabuswe said President Hichilema has been implementing several measures to revitalize the mining sector from the time he came into office.
Mr Kabuswe noted that the fighting between mining investors has been delaying development in most districts which have mineral resources.
“I was assigned by the President to bring to an end the fighting between investors and to inform them that they should withdraw all cases from courts of law and here we are today, celebrating this groundbreaking,” he said.
[ZANIS]
President Hakainde Hichilema has accorded an official funeral to the late former First Lady Maureen Mwanawasa, who died on Tuesday, 13th August, 2024.
President Hichilema has also declared Monday, 19th August, a day of national mourning in honour of the late former First Lady.
This is in recognition of the Late Dr. Mwanawasa’s contributions to humanity when she served as First Lady from 2002 to 2008.
Secretary to the Cabinet, Patrick Kangwa, said in a statement that the late former First Lady supported the vulnerable of society through the Maureen Mwanawasa Community Initiative.
Mr Kangwa said the Late Former First Lady will be put to rest on Monday, 19th August, 2024 at the Leopards Hill Memorial Park, in Lusaka.
He stated that the official funeral programme will be preceded by a Requiem Church Service at the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross, at 10:00 hours.
Mr Kangwa further advised that during the period of national mourning which will be observed from 06:00 hours to 18:00 hours, all activities of entertainment nature on both radio and television should be suspended while flags must fly at half-mast.
He added that members of the public intending to attend the official funeral should adhere to the preventive Public Health measures as given by the Ministry of Health to prevent spread of diseases.
Lombe Chali, the wife of Petauke Central Member of Parliament Emmanuel Banda, has been arrested and charged with aiding her husband’s escape from lawful custody. The arrest occurred on August 9, 2024, following Mr. Banda’s escape from custody while he was admitted to Chipata General Hospital on August 4, 2024.
In addition to Mrs. Chali, two police officers and three prison warders have also been arrested and charged in connection with the escape. Police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga identified the officers as Phineas Mfungwe, Benson Kabole, Moses Sakala, Nathan Mbao, and Musa Spider Zulu.
Mr. Hamoonga stated that all six individuals have been released on police bond and are expected to appear in court soon to answer to the charges brought against them.
The police spokesperson emphasized that the police remain committed to upholding the law and ensuring that anyone who breaches it, regardless of their status or position, is held accountable.
The upcoming court appearances will determine the legal ramifications for those charged in connection with this incident.
US tennis professional player Cole Conner interacting teenagers during his tour of Zambia last year.
Former Zambian tennis star Sydney Bwalya’s charitable organization, Love-40, epitomizes his desire to give back to the sport that has shaped his life. A former Davis Cup player and touring tennis professional based in Dallas, Texas, Bwalya is dedicated to helping the children of Zambia receive the proper equipment to learn and play tennis.
His deep love for the sport and commitment to his homeland led him to create Love-40, with the goal of introducing tennis to underprivileged children in Zambia. Through his charity, Love-40, Bwalya aims to improve the lives of Zambian children by introducing them to tennis and providing ongoing instruction.
A highly motivated tennis coach with 16 years of experience in college, university, and club-level tennis, Bwalya currently serves as a tennis professional at the TBarM Racquet Club in Dallas. He believes that tennis can be a powerful tool for social change, teaching discipline, resilience, and hope.
Since its inception, Love-40 has provided young Zambians with tennis equipment, professional training, and mentorship, focusing on juniors who have limited access to resources. With the help of well-wishers, Love-40 has been shipping tennis equipment to Zambia.
Bwalya is grateful for the continued support from TBarM management and donors, which has contributed to the success of the Love-40 organization. “Your generosity has enabled us to empower children in Zambia and work towards making them responsible citizens. You truly make a difference for us, and we are extremely grateful,” he says.
Bwalya’s vision is to create a generation of Zambian tennis champions who excel both on the court and in life. “Growing up in Zambia, I saw firsthand how sports can shape a child’s future. With Love-40, we aim to give every child the opportunity to dream big and achieve greatness through tennis,” Bwalya says.
Under his leadership, Love-40 has continued to expand its outreach, touching the lives of many young athletes in Zambia. His organization’s work not only aims to develop tennis skills but also to instill values that will guide young players throughout their lives.
Bwalya began playing tennis at the age of eight. Coached by his father, Adrian (late), he emerged as one of the top junior players in Africa and reached No. 295 in the world International Tennis Federation (ITF) junior rankings as a teenager. He became a stalwart on the Zambian Davis Cup team from 1995-2001, including stints as the team’s playing captain in 1998 and 2001.
Before being named to the 1997 Davis Cup team, the indomitable Bwalya won both the Zambian Closed and Open Championships. Bwalya migrated to the U.S. in 2000, accepting a tennis scholarship at Barton County Community College in Great Bend, Kansas, at the age of 25. In his debut season at BCCC, Bwalya guided the school to a second-place finish in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Championships. He was named to the ITA/NJCAA All-American team in 2000 and 2001.
Two years later, he transferred to Washburn University in Topeka and played No. 1 singles and doubles for the Ichabods. Bwalya inspired the Ichabods to qualify for their first NCAA Division II National Championships.
To date, Bwalya remains Zambia’s winningest Davis Cup player ever, with 22 match wins in singles and 10 in doubles. He reached as high as the 1100s in the ATP rankings, playing in several ITF Futures and Challenger events in and around Africa.
Luanshya District Commissioner Oncemore Ngonomo has disclosed that the HIV prevalent rate in Luanshya currently stands at 8. 1 percent and Copperbelt Province is at 11.9 percent.
He said the 8.1 percent for Luanshya is out of the 11.9 percent prevalent rate for the Copperbelt Province.
Mr Ngonomo said that according to the Zambia Population Base HIV/AIDs Impact assessment of 2021 out of the ten provinces in Zambia, Copperbelt Province is at number four.
” Out of ten, we are number four, we are not doing well,” he said.
He said that the district has 96 percent of people knowing they are living with HIV and knowing their HIV status and 96 percent of people confirmed with HIV are on treatment, and 94 percent people who are on treatment are virally suppressed.
” As a province out of estimated two hundred and forty three thousand, hundred fifty people living with HIV we have two hundred and twenty eight thousand five hundred and sixty one people currently on treatment,” he said.
Mr Ngonomo who was speaking during the commemoration of 2024 HIV Testing and Counseling day in Luanshya also said there is need to intensify HIV/AIDS testing and counseling services in all health facilities and promote HIV/AIDS prevention care and support.
He further said it is crucial for every Zambian to get involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS if Zambia is to achieve the target of ending HIV/AIDS by 2030.
“Ladies and gentlemen the dawn government will not leave any one behind in the national response to HIV, this therefore applies that delivering HIV/AIDS related prevention and treatment services requires a holistic approach that addresses the needs of hardest hit population,” Mr Ngonomo said .
He said that evidence continues to show that the new HIV infections are on the rise among the young people aged between 10 and 24 years in Zambia.
He noted that investing in adolescence and young people was important adding that health intervention remains a key priority for the UPND Government as majority of young people in the country continues to face health challenges.
Nearly 38 years ago, Hakainde Hichilema stood in the square at the University of Zambia (UNZA), proudly receiving his first degree—a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Business Administration. Today, he returned to the same hallowed ground, this time to accept an honorary Doctorate of Business Administration (Hon. D.B.A.), a recognition that has stirred deep memories of his time as a young student.
Reflecting on that momentous occasion years ago, President Hichilema recalled the pride of shaking hands with Zambia’s First President and then-Chancellor of the University, Dr. Kenneth David Kaunda. He expressed his heartfelt gratitude to UNZA for bestowing such a significant honor upon him, underscoring the emotional resonance of receiving this award where his academic journey began.
UNZA, a venerable institution, holds a special place in the history of Zambia and beyond. It has produced four graduates and one lecturer who went on to become Presidents of their respective nations. Among its distinguished alumni are the late President Levy Patrick Mwanawasa, immediate past President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe, and President Hichilema himself. Additionally, the late President of Namibia, Dr. Hage Geingob, once served as a lecturer at this prestigious institution.
President Hichilema at the University of Zambia
In his acceptance speech, President Hichilema dedicated the honorary doctorate to the cause of advancing graduate employability, inclusive development, and the fight against social inequalities, unemployment, and poverty. He urged the private sector and UNZA alumni to collaborate with the government in delivering quality higher education in Zambia, emphasizing the importance of public universities adapting to changing circumstances to ensure effective governance and continued excellence.
The ceremony was not just a moment of personal reflection for President Hichilema, but also a call to action for the entire nation to invest in the future of its youth and the quality of its higher education system.
President Hakainde Hichilema says the exploration of the country’s mineral endowment is critical in the development of the mining sector.
President Hichilema said the mapping of mineral endowment is an important ingredient in driving the country’s national development.
The Head of State said this when he launched the country wide high resolution aerial geophysical survey. He pointed out that the mapping exercise will be used to bring order in the mining sector as opposed to people mining illegally.
President Hichilema noted that the country’s rich resource endowment should benefit everyone and not a few selected individuals.He indicated that the government will only be able to know what mineral sits in a particular region before forming joint partnerships with would-be investors.
The Head of State stated that the mineral exploration will also be used to determine how much underground water is in the county.
President Hichilema said from the findings, the government will be able to invest in irrigation so as to avert hunger in the wake of the drought.
He urged Zambians to ignore people fond of fabricating lies alleging that the government has sold the mineral worth of the country to foreigners.
And speaking at the same event, Lusaka Province Minister, Sheal Mulyata said the launch of the aerial geophysical survey is crucial in determining the country’s full mineral potential.
Mrs Mulyata noted that the mineral mapping exploration will provide the government with information on the mineral endowment in all the ten provinces.
She expressed optimism that the launch of the mineral mapping exercise will greatly contribute in reshaping the future of the mining industry in Zambia.
And Xcalibur Smart Mapping Chief Executive Officer, Andres Blanco Grasa thanked the government for entrusting the company with the responsibility of generating the mineral mapping data.
Mr Grasa said the data to be generated during the national mineral mapping exercise will be of high quality.
He explained that the technology to be used in the exercise is being used for the first in Africa and Zambia will have the best mineral data mapping compared to other African countries.
Mr Grasa assured the government that his company will train some Zambians as part of skills transfer in the interpretation of mineral data.
Meanwhile, Minister of Mines and Minerals Development, Paul Kabuswe thanked President Hichilema for providing the leadership towards the launch of the mineral exploration exercise.
Mr Kabuswe said this is the first time that mineral mapping has been done in Zambia since 1972 saying the mineral mapping exercise will enable the government know what mineral deposits are found in different parts of the country.
Mr Kabuswe pointed that the mineral mapping exercise is meant also to bring order and sanity in the mining sector.
He said some scrupulous people took advantage of the absence of a mineral map to engage in illegal mining activities.
Mr Kabuswe commended President Hichilema for the prudent policies his government is putting in place as they are yielding the desired results.
ZANIS
Government says Cabinet Office is working in collaboration with the family of the late Former First Lady, Maureen Mwanawasa on burial arrangements.
Secretary to the Cabinet, Patrick Kangwa, said a detailed funeral programme will be released once the burial arrangements have been concluded.
Mr Kangwa stated that the funeral gathering will be held at the late Mrs Mwanawasa’s residence in Roma Park in Lusaka.
He said Dr Mwanawasa aged 61, died last evening, August 13, 2024, at Maina Soko Medical Centre in Lusaka, after an illness.
The Former First Lady was the widow of Zambia’s third Republican President, Levy Patrick Mwanawasa.The late Mrs Mwanawasa served the country as First Lady from 2002 to 2008.
The Zambia Gold Company (ZGC) has approved a K42 million budget dedicated to remedial works at the Kasenseli Gold Mine in Mwinilunga District, North Western Province. This initiative is part of the preparations for the mine’s reopening, which follows a suspension of operations in 2021 due to a spate of fatalities linked to illegal mining activities.
Guy Phiri, Chairperson of the ZGC Board of Directors, announced that the mine is slated to be fully operational by next month. The reopening is expected to create approximately 500 jobs, with ZGC emphasizing the prioritization of local employment opportunities.
Phiri highlighted the importance of ongoing dialogue with the Chibwika Royal Establishment, stressing that the company is committed to integrating the local community into the mining operations. “The government is keen on the reopening of Kasenseli Gold Mine because gold has the potential to significantly enhance the economic welfare of the country,” Phiri stated.
ZGC Chief Executive Officer Joseph Lungu reinforced the company’s commitment to safety and legal compliance in the mine’s operations. He noted that one of the key compliance measures being undertaken is the relocation of the gold processing plant, which is essential before the mine can resume full operations.
The reopening of Kasenseli Gold Mine marks a significant step in Zambia’s efforts to leverage its gold resources for national economic development, with a strong focus on community involvement and safety.
…Against all odds, the Mbala-based women are at the forefront of fighting climate change through beekeeping
By SIMON MUNTEMBA
In the remote village of Kalambo, under Chief Zombe of Mbala District in Northern Province, Zambia, where erratic weather patterns are limiting livelihood options for vulnerable communities and exacerbating poverty levels, the women have taken up beekeeping to diversify incomes and fight climate change.
Erratic weather conditions induced by the El Niño phenomenon have continued hitting Zambia’s rain-fed areas, posing serious threats to the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers, including women and girls who are disproportionately affected.
As subsistence farmers who relied on rain-fed agriculture for years, life became hard for the women in Kalambo Village when crop yields and production reduced drastically because the skies, once generous with rain, had become stingy, leaving their fields parched and barren.
Tired of living in abject poverty at household and community levels, the women took the challenge into their own hands by venturing into the male-dominated beekeeping sector.
In May 2021, 25 women and girls in the village, which is about 170 kilometers from Kasama, the Provincial Headquarters, formed Mushili Women’s Club with the sole purpose of finding solutions to challenges stemming from climate change impacts and bailing themselves out of the bondage of extreme poverty.
“Frustrated by always bearing the burden of erratic weather patterns, we decided to do something to solve our unending problems. We unanimously agreed to form a club (Mushili Women’s Club) in 2021,” says club chairperson Catherine Nanyangwe.
The club nestled 100 beehives in locations that conserve critical wildlife habitats.
This initiative has been made possible because of the technical and financial support from the Zambian Government through the World Bank-funded Transforming Landscapes for Resilience and Development (TRALARD) project.
The TRALARD Project, implemented by the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, seeks to improve natural resource management and support vulnerable communities to better adapt to climatic risks prevalent in selected districts of the northern region of Zambia, namely Luapula, Northern, and Muchinga Provinces.
Ms. Nanyangwe stated that the club received K803,659 (about US$32,000) as start-up capital in October 2022 from the TRALARD project to venture into their proposed beekeeping project, as well as goat rearing and gardening.
To ensure sustainability of the investment, she said all club members were trained in modern beekeeping, including honey collection, processing, and value addition techniques, as well as in conservation farming.
“In addition, we used part of the funds received to drill the first-ever solar-powered borehole with the installation of a water reservoir tank to support our gardening activities. Besides, it is also a source of clean and safe drinking water for the entire community, and cases of diarrheal diseases have drastically reduced in the village. As a club, we are now growing a variety of vegetables throughout the year using animal manure, which means generating surplus income and increased profits,” Ms. Nanyangwe said with a smile as she pointed at the solar-powered borehole.
These activities have offered women some source of income to strengthen food security and improve their livelihoods, a stark contrast from the past when they had no sustainable economic activities to support their families.
In the recent past, members of Mushili Women’s Club, like other women across the region, suffered an outsized burden of climate change, largely due to gender inequalities. A solar-powered borehole drilled and installed by the women’s club is providing clean and safe drinking water for the entire community. Photo by Simon Muntemba IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON WOMEN AND GIRLS
According to a report on the Regional Gender Action Plan for Eastern and Southern Africa (2024-2028) by the World Bank Group, the majority of women across Southern Africa face unequal economic opportunities and an inequitable burden of the socio-economic consequences of poverty.
Despite being actively engaged in agricultural activities, women in the region have less access than men to credit, land rights, extension services, and generally face disenfranchisement within the community, impairing their productivity and most likely constraining their capacity to adapt to climate change.
In many parts of the world, women hold traditional roles as primary caregivers in families and communities, and as the main providers of food and fuel, they are more vulnerable when flooding and drought occur. The United Nations estimates that 80 percent of those displaced by climate change are women.
During droughts, traditional gender roles cause girls to suffer disproportionate education disruptions, creating higher risks of child marriage. For instance, girls are compelled to walk long distances to fetch water at the expense of studying.
Due to increased deforestation, women are equally forced to cover longer distances in search of firewood.
Mushili Women’s Club member Judith Nakazwe, 18, narrated that she and other girls in the village walked long distances to fetch water at the expense of studying during their junior secondary school time.
“Unfortunately, when the final grade 9 examination results were announced, my results were bad. I am even ashamed to tell you that I failed lamentably. And because my uncle who was sponsoring me died that same year, out of frustration, I dropped out of school in grade 9. I couldn’t make it to grade 10. Along the way, I got married, and the rest is history,” said Nakazwe, a young mother of one.
Nakazwe’s experience mirrors what is happening across the region where gender inequalities, fueled by societal norms and defined gender roles, affect not only females’ exposure to hazards but also limit their resilience and adaptive capabilities.
Like in many parts of the world, women in the region bear the greatest burden of the erratic changes in weather patterns, as they are the mainstay of agricultural production.
“In the province, poverty is high and economic opportunities for women, in particular, are severely limited. This is why my Government, in collaboration with the World Bank, has prioritized financial and technical support to women’s groups to enable them to engage in diversified livelihoods and improved farming practices,” says Northern Province Deputy Permanent Secretary, Lewis Mwape.
Meanwhile, District TRALARD Project Operations Officer Chiindi Chiputa disclosed that over K34 million had been disbursed as grants for livelihood activities to 46 groups, including Mushili Women’s Club in Mbala.
It is heartwarming that with such grants, members of Mushili Women’s Club are determined not to be beaten by the impact of climate change but to be at the forefront of efforts exploring alternative avenues.
As extreme weather conditions creep up, the fight to stop climate change is truly a matter of life and death for them. They have waged a spirited fight against persistent climate change through beekeeping. The club also drilled the first-ever solar-powered borehole with installation of a water reservoir tank to support their gardening activities throughout the year. Photo by Simon Muntemba BEEKEEPING OFFERS REAL PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS
Beekeeping is a promising income-generating activity for many rural households, as it directly and indirectly contributes to the income of households and the economy of the nation.
“Our lives have been transformed ever since we started the beekeeping business. In our first harvest, we made K30,700 (US$1,180) profit. Beekeeping has improved food security and the nutritional status of our families. Unlike in the past, we are now able to have decent meals and support our families,” testifies a visibly happy Mushili Women’s Club secretary, Mervis Chanda.
In addition, beekeeping, according to the Global Journal of Melittology published in 2019 by the University of Kansas, is an important practice that can help people adapt to and lessen the effects of climate change.
In forested areas that are experiencing the impacts of climate change, it is possible to diversify from agricultural-based livelihoods to others, such as beekeeping, that allow farmers to continue generating income while maintaining the resilience of the environment and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
By incorporating beekeeping into their agricultural systems, farmers have the potential to create more resilient ecosystems while simultaneously mitigating the impacts of climate change.
“Bees are significant pollinators and, as such, play a crucial role in the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem health. We can assist in preserving healthy ecosystems that are better equipped to absorb carbon and minimize the effects of climate change by supporting beekeeping and fostering the growth of pollinator-friendly plants,” says Dr. Ackson Phiri, a lecturer at Zambia Forest College.
In an interview, Dr. Phiri, who is a renowned bee expert, adds: “Bees feed on nectar in flowers, and since they carry pollen on their hairy legs when collecting nectar, they pollinate crops like sunflowers, mangoes, legumes, and pawpaw. Good pollination increases crop yields and consequently improves food security.”
Indeed, as evidenced by testimonies given by members of Mushili Women’s Club, beekeeping offers numerous benefits, including providing income opportunities for individuals, especially women who wish to engage in sustainable practices.
It is also interesting to note that club members have remained resilient in the use of indigenous local knowledge to adapt to climate change. The club used part of the funds received to build a goat house and stocked it with 45 goats. THE USE OF LOCAL KNOWLEDGE TO ADAPT TO CLIMATE CHANGE
Indigenous local knowledge refers to the unique knowledge and practices of native communities embodying traditional lifestyles relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.
It is generated by the community over a long period of time and enables them to know some form of indicators that are used to predict weather patterns, as well as to understand and live within their environments.
For example, most of the rural areas in Zambia do not have automated weather stations, hence communities rely on indigenous knowledge for weather predictions and make informed decisions on their adaptation to climate change and variability.
Janet Mulenga, a member of Mushili Women’s Club, explains how she is able to predict weather patterns: “A drought season is characterized by a high prevalence of some kind of special insects, especially those in the family of caterpillars.”
Ms. Mulenga, 73, adds: “A normal season in terms of rainfall patterns will display a combination of the following weather patterns: there will be plenty of fruits, normal wind direction, hot summers, and the appearance of black ants just before and during the rainy season.”
Moreover, the threat of losing crop diversity due to climate change has spurred members of Mushili Women’s Club to establish a network of community seed banks that preserve local, drought-resistant varieties of crops such as sorghum, millet, and legumes.
The club members combine traditional seed-saving techniques with modern storage technologies to ensure the preservation of genetic diversity in the face of changing climatic conditions.
To this end, the success story of members of the club engaging with indigenous knowledge to combat climate change is one of hope, innovation, and cultural revival.
From their success, it is also evident that when supported, women and girls have the potential to contribute significantly to environmental sustainability, food security, and adaptation efforts.
The Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) has so far delivered 220 metric tonnes of relief maize to Luangwa District.
District commissioner, Luke Chikani, says the district has been allocated 160 metric tonnes of relief maize in addition to the earlier 60 metric tonnes allocation.
The District Commissioner said this when he monitored distribution of the 160 metric tonnes of relief maize in the district.
He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to ensuring that the livelihoods of the people in the country are safeguarded.
“Your President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema cares for you, despite the drought, the government is ensuring that no one dies of hunger,” Mr Chikani said.
He further assured the people that the government is opening Food Reserve Agency (FRA) outlets in all wards in the district.
Mr Chikani explained that FRA outlets will ease the access of maize by community members.
The District Commissioner cautioned the beneficiaries to utilise the commodity for the intended purposes.
“Do not sell the maize, please use it for consumption,” he stressed.
Representing the beneficiaries, Headman Kapyanyika, Cecilia Phiri, and Dominic Njobvu thanked the government for the gesture.
“May God continue to bless our President, He has saved us from hunger,” they said.
20% of the relief maize is meant to benefit the chronically ill, women and child headed households, the aged, persons with disability, and other vulnerable persons, while 80% is meant for food for work.
