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President Hichilema’s Ibamba Farm in Namwala District
President Hakainde Hichilema, accompanied by First Lady Mutinta Hichilema, launched the maize harvest at the couple’s Ibamba Farm in Namwala District on Wednesday, reaffirming his government’s and personal commitment to improving national food security.
Speaking during the harvest, President Hichilema emphasized the importance of transforming Zambia into a self-reliant food-producing nation amid the growing threat of climate change. “We made a commitment to continue being part of the solution towards increased food security in the country,” he said.
The President noted that land previously used for cattle ranching at Ibamba Farm has been diversified for crop production, a shift he said is vital for climate resilience. “With unpredictable weather patterns due to climate change, it is important that we invest in alternative farming activities such as irrigation agriculture,” he added.
Maize harvested from President Hichilema’s farm
President Hichilema set a national target of ensuring food reserves sufficient for at least three years, even in drought-prone periods like the one experienced last season. “Our target is to reach levels where, as a country, we can be food secure for at least three years,” he stated.
He urged citizens to prioritize household food needs before considering commercial sales. “We keep urging citizens to prioritise food security at household levels before considering selling the surplus,” the President said.
In addition to the maize harvest, the President confirmed that wheat has already been planted for the current season, demonstrating a multi-crop approach to agriculture.
Concluding his remarks, President Hichilema encouraged all Zambians to participate in food production. “Eaten today? Thank the farmer! Let’s be food producers and not only consumers,” he declared.
The event underscores the government’s broader agricultural agenda, which includes expanding irrigation systems, increasing support for small-scale farmers, and ensuring that Zambia can withstand global food supply shocks.
President Hichilema and First Lady Mutinta at their farm
A routine drive through Nyimba turned into a moment of reflection and emotional reunion MMD President Dr. Nevers Mumba, who encountered a familiar face from his past—one of his fellow inmates from his 2016 incarceration at Mwembeshi Prison.
Dr. Mumba shared the moving encounter in a public message, recounting how the young man approached him with a broad smile and a heartwarming spirit. “These men protected me and served as my supervisors and guardians,” Mumba said, recalling his time behind bars. “We shared food, prayers, and church services.”
“The reasons behind God’s guidance through certain experiences may be unknown,” he said, “but it is clear that He always guides us, and there is always a purpose.”
The reunion in Nyimba, brief but meaningful, served as a powerful reminder of resilience, forgiveness, and the unexpected ways in which life journeys come full circle.
Mumba, known for his outspoken Christian faith and leadership in politics, described the moment as deeply symbolic. “It affirmed that even the darkest seasons of our lives can bear fruit when we trust in God’s plan,” he said.
The story has since resonated on social media, with many praising Mumba’s humility and reflection on redemption and divine providence.
Following pledges made at the Global Refugee Forum in 2023, Zambia’s refugee policy is making progress towards improving conditions for refugees and their host communities.
When Mwaka Sangwa, 63, first arrived in Meheba refugee settlement in North-Western Zambia in 1993, she never imagined that she would end up spending more than half of her life there. Despite losing her husband and son to conflict in her country, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), she hoped she would be able to one day return there.
Over three decades on, she, along with her children and her grandchildren, have known no other home. The eastern DRC continues to face escalating violence, with little sign of peace in sight. In the last five months alone, more than 400,000 people were uprooted from their homes.
“I was young and energetic when I first arrived here,” recalled Mwaka Sangwa. “We were told that to eat, we need to do farming.”
After being given a piece of land by the Zambian government to settle and grow crops, as well as training in irrigation techniques, crop selection, and pest control, she immediately started planting soybeans and maize.
Over the years, she expanded her farm to 10 hectares and now employs fellow refugees and local Zambians. “Farming is our livelihood,” she said. “When we grow soya, we sell [it] and then buy clothes, food, and pay for our children’s education. The maize from the farm is mainly used for food… and also to pay those who help us with farming.”
Mwaka Sangwa is among more than 110,000 refugees, former refugees, and asylum-seekers, mostly from the DRC, Burundi, Angola and Rwanda, who call Zambia home. Most of them live in agricultural settlements such as Meheba, which are gradually becoming hubs for self-reliance and local integration, particularly in the wake of Zambia’s recent efforts to expand opportunities for refugees.
Restoring hope and dignity
Following pledges made at the Global Refugee Forum in 2023, the Government of the Republic of Zambia launched its first national refugee policy last year with the aim of helping refugees become more self-reliant while also improving socio-economic conditions for the Zambian communities hosting them. The Government also includes integrating refugees into planning for national services, so resources for health, education, and agricultural programmes also benefit refugees.
At a time of deep cuts to global humanitarian funding, Zambia’s inclusive policies aim to help forcibly displaced people take control of their lives, be free from aid dependency and meaningfully contribute to the economy of the country and the communities hosting them.
Meheba refugee settlement, a large expanse of agricultural land, covers 684 square kilometres and is located in the mining district of Kalumbila. It has been a safe haven for displaced people since 1971. Many of them, like Musole Mufwinda, an Angolan former refugee, were born there. Musole grows vegetables such as cabbage, okra, and sweet potatoes, which he sells locally.
“I had parents who taught me that life would be better if you got into farming,” he said. “That is how I started farming. And as I sold the crops, I could see the benefit they were talking about. Last year, I successfully grew cabbages and sold the harvest. From the proceeds, I purchased a motorbike, and it is helping my family.”
A model for sustainability
To improve access to sustainable energy and increase agricultural production for both refugees and their host communities, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is working with the Zambian government to provide access to sustainable energy at all three refugee settlements in the country. UNHCR and partners like Caritas are also working with farmer cooperatives made up of refugees and host community members to set up value-addition centres in the settlements. The centres provide services such as storage, processing, packaging, and refrigeration that improve productivity and increase access to local markets, including value chains linked directly to the mining industry.
“We are currently getting fruits and vegetables from refugee [farmers],” said Priscilla, Community Relations Officer at Golden Camp Solutions, a private catering company that serves employees of Lumwana copper mine. “We are looking at a ton of cabbage a week and about 500 kilograms of tomatoes. There is no difference between a refugee [supplier] and a regular supplier.”
On a recent afternoon, Musole filled a sack with freshly harvested cabbages, loaded them onto his motorbike, and drove through the lush green fields in his neighbourhood for about five minutes, to reach one of the value-addition facilities where he put the cabbages in a solarized cold storage unit until he can take them to the local market.
“Zambia continues to lead by example – showing that when refugees are included from the onset of an emergency, the benefits are shared by all,” said Preeta Law, UNHCR’s representative in Zambia. “We see families rebuilding their lives with dignity, but we also see thriving local markets, new opportunities, and stronger food systems. In a time of constrained global funding, Zambia’s model reminds us that inclusive policies are not just the right thing to do, they are a smart, sustainable investment.”
As the sun faded into the sky after a productive day of weeding a section of her farm, Mwaka Sangwa began walking home, carrying a large hoe on her shoulder. “I feel very happy in my heart because I can support my family,” she said.
A large, excited ululating crowd had gathered and created a circle in the middle of Seleta village in Chief Magodi’s area in the Lundazi district of the Eastern Province of Zambia. In the middle of the large circle was a famous figure. I was 6 years old, and I was anxiously moving around the outer edges of the standing crowd trying to have a glimpse of the famous figure. Hundreds of adult legs were blocking my view and the view of many of us children as I tried desperately here and there to see. I failed to see the famous figure. The figure was Elesina or Lenshina as us the Tumbuka called her. The figure was Alice Lenshina Mulenga. This was in 1960 when she was touring her congregations, including at my father’s Seleta Village where converts had built a Lumpa Church Temple.
In August 1964 I was 10 years old. My family lived at Dzoole Primary School north of Chipata. My father, mother, brothers, and sisters were worried. There was tension, sadness and anxiety in our Tembo family of 9 children. For days we did not know whether we would see our second oldest 15-year-old sister Christina alive. For days there was news on the radio and many rumors that a religious war had broken out in our home district west of Lundazi including my mother and father’s Chipewa and Seleta villages. Over a total of six hundred people in our two villages alone may have been burned in their grass thatched houses, killed, and massacred. Our sister Christina at the time was attending Kanyanga Catholic Mission Girls Boarding School which was right in the heart of the religious war. That school was about ten miles or 16Kms. from our two villages. The tension was unbearable as we waited every day for what seemed like days on end. My sister came home barefoot, haggard with the only dress she was wearing. The Northern Rhodesia army had fortunately evacuated her school.
Excitement about the book
These are the reasons why since August 1964 61 years ago, I was very excited recently to buy the book: The Conflict Between Alice Lenshina Mulenga and 1964 Government. Even though I have read a great book by John Husdson, “A Time to Mourn: A Personal Account of the 1964 Lumpa Church Revolt in Zambia”, 1999, and I have gained some information about the Lumpa Church civil war over the years, there are still so many things I do not know or understand about that deadly Zambian civil war.
The book: The Conflict Between Alice Lenshina Mulenga and 1964 Government opens the very first sentence in Chapter One in a simple, plain, but dramatic way. “Alice Esther Mulenga died at 18:00 hours Zambian time on 24th October 1953 at Kasomo village of chief Nkula, Chinsali District, Northern Province of Zambia”. (p.1) The book goes on to describe how she resurrected from the dead in front of her grieving mourners. She then reported that she had received instructions from God and Jesus Christ. This is Alice Lenshina Mulenga’s dramatic beginning of perhaps the most influential spiritual and religious leader in Zambia in her short 25 years of life.
The book describes how Lenshina from her small modest Kasomo village established very strict moral and religious edicts as she successfully built the Lumpa Church that eventually had thousands if not at least a million followers. She had followers and congregations in the Northern Province around Chinsali, Luapula Province, Lundazi in the Eastern Province. Eventually she had followers in Livingstone, Lusaka, and all the way to the Copperbelt towns.
Historical Foundation
The historical foundations of the leadership of the Lumpa Church and the politically vital United National Independence Party (UNIP) in Zambia’s fight for independence from British Colonialism was deeply embedded in Chinsali in Chief Nkula. “The former Vice President Simon Kapwepwe and Alice Lenshina Mulenga were grandchildren of the great Chief Nkula, where also the first President of the Republic of Zambia Dr. Kenneth Kaunda was found among them as grandchildren of Chief Nkula”. (p.29)
This is among the many fascinating details of the rise of Alice Lenshina and how she was so closely related to the two influential UNIP and other leaders in the struggle for independence: Kenneth Kaunda and Simon Kapwepwe. She even blessed them as they moved forward in the struggle against colonialism.
What started the Civil War?
What ignited the worst deadly religious civil war in Zambian history in August 1964? The civil war started with conflicts between competing and clashing demands of the members of the United National Independence Party (UNIP) and members of the Lumpa Church. What may have started as personal individual disagreements between individual Lumpa church and UNIP
members escalated to beatings, killings, arson, violence, revenge murders and civil war. Alice Lenshina and her top leadership escaped to Angola. Thousands of Lumpa followers fled to seek refuge across the Congo or Zaire border. The new independent UNIP Kaunda government apprehended Alice Lenshina in Angola and put her in detention without trial for many years. She was released in Lusaka with restrictions. She died in 1978.
Book Strength
This book is very useful for Zambians or anyone who already had some knowledge about the tragic religious civil war in Zambia in August 1964 just as Zambia was gaining her political independence. I personally learned from the book as it answered some of the questions I had about Alice Lenshina and the deadly war between local UNIP members and her Lumpa church members. For example, I never knew that Alice Lenshina, President Kaunda, Simon Kapwepwe, and UNIP leadership together tried very hard to stop the fighting and establish peace in the villages in the affected areas. There was tremendous human suffering and death both in the villages and in the bushes many people had escaped to in fear and many died of hunger and illness in the bush. The book does describe the disintegration of the Lumpa church after the civil war. I had heard so much in my own villages about “Zione” and “Kamtola” and how some of my relatives had converted and gone to join the church at Kamtola at Zion. Survivors returned to my villages and quietly resettled.
Famous Hymn
There is a famous Lumpa Church hymn that we used to sing that I have always remembered from childhood. The beginning was:
Leader: Natulongane wonse!!!!
Congregation: Natube bana bacine………
But over the last 65 years since 1960 when I was 6 years old, I had forgotten the rest of the lyrics. I was relieved when I was able to sing again and complete the rest of the hymn as the author was able to reproduce all the lyrics of the hymn.
Natulongane bonse tube bana bachine twiba ngabalwani balya balechusha imfumu
Nefwe ngatwalishuka mulwani alipimpa
Aletufumya kuli tata
Translated:
“Let us meet together Faithful children, we should not be like Enemies who made the Lord suffer.
We are lucky Enemies are still following to separate us from God, Amen!”
The regrets I have are many. I wish I could read the findings of the commission of inquiry into the Lumpa church and the civil war. I wish I could read it as I am sure it is at the National Archives in Lusaka. I wish I had already been trained on how to conduct research in the 1960s and 70s; I would have been able to interview President Kaunda, Simon Kapwepwe, and Alice Lenshina to find out exactly what happened.
Criticisms
This book reviewer is a highly trained expert who has faced, and continues to face, the difficult challenges and agonizing circumstances for conducting meaningful research in Zambia and publishing books for 45 years ago since 1980. I am reluctant to spend too much energy dwelling on the criticisms of the book. There are many things that could have been done better. Sixty-seven pages is too short. Doing some of those things would challenge and require whoever the critics are (including this reviewer) to carry the button from the book author to conduct deeper research themselves in 2025 in order to answer more questions that arise from the book. But I am thankful that I have knowledge that I did not know before I read this book. I am very grateful to the author Mr. White Mulantwishika Phiri and the publishers.
Judge Emelia Phiri Sunkutu Suspended Over Conduct Concerns
Lusaka, Zambia – May 28, 2025
High Court Judge Emelia Phiri Sunkutu has once again been removed from the bench following a Judicial Complaints Commission (JCC) recommendation, reigniting debates over judicial accountability in Zambia.
The suspension, announced by State House and effective immediately, marks the second time Justice Sunkutu has been sidelined over misconduct allegations. A seasoned legal figure with over a decade on the bench, she currently oversees the Mansa High Court and previously served in Ndola. Her academic pedigree including law degrees from the University of Zambia and the UK’s University of Lancaster contrasts with her contentious professional trajectory, which includes prior roles as a State Advocate and legal manager at the Environmental Council of Zambia.
Her first suspension in 2013, under President Michael Sata’s administration, came alongside that of Judge Timothy Katanekwa amid undisclosed misconduct claims. Though the outcome of that tribunal was never made public, Katanekwa’s subsequent 2023 suspension and now Sunkutu’s repeat disciplinary action—suggests systemic concerns. Legal insiders note that her name has resurfaced in JCC files multiple times, with complaints citing delayed rulings and procedural irregularities.
Notably, three successive presidents Sata, Lungu, and now Hichilema have endorsed suspensions against her, dispelling notions of political targeting. “When administrations of different stripes take the same action, it signals a conduct issue, not a conspiracy,” remarked a Lusaka-based legal analyst.
President Hichilema’s administration has suspended or dismissed at least seven judicial officers since 2021, framing the moves as housecleaning for a more credible judiciary. Critics cry overreach, but proponents argue that tolerating misconduct undermines public trust.
As investigations proceed, Justice Sunkutu’s case underscores a hard truth: even the highest legal minds must answer for their professional conduct. The Zambian judiciary, it seems, is no longer a sanctuary for the untouchable.
Vice President Mutale Nalumango inaugurated the Third African Implementation and Partnership Conference on Water (PANAFCON-3)in Lusaka, delivering a keynote address that underscored Zambia’s commitment to water security and sustainable sanitation across the continent.
Speaking on behalf of President Hakainde Hichilema, Vice President Nalumango emphasized the critical role of water and sanitation in Africa’s development agenda. She highlighted the necessity for bold investments, regional cooperation, and innovative financing mechanisms to ensure equitable access to clean water and dignified sanitation for all Africans.
“We must champion water and sanitation as engines of fiscal stability, job creation, and peace,” President Hichilema stated in his message, calling for a blend of public and private financing embedded in national budgets and development plans. He stressed that addressing the water and sanitation crisis is not merely a technical challenge but a test of Africa’s collective resolve.
The conference, held at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre from May 27 to 29, 2025, brings together African leaders, regional bodies, development partners, and sector stakeholders. Under the theme “Assuring Inclusive and Climate-Resilient Water Security and Sanitation for the Africa We Want,” the event aims to shape the post-2025 Africa Water Vision and Policy.
Vice President Nalumango reiterated Zambia’s dedication to enhancing inclusive transboundary and international water cooperation at all levels for peace and shared prosperity. She also highlighted Zambia’s implementation of several programs and projects related to water supply, sanitation, and hygiene interventions, including the establishment of the Zambia Water Investment Programme and the Blue Economy Strategy.
The conference also featured remarks from EU Ambassador to Zambia and COMESA, Karolina Stasiak, who acknowledged the challenges in sustainable water resource management in Zambia, particularly in rural areas. She noted the EU’s collaboration with the Zambian government through the Nexus Energy and Water Programme for Zambia (NEWZA) and support for revising key national policy instruments.
Minister of Water Development and Sanitation Collins Nzovu welcomed the African Union’s choice of “Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems” as the AU theme for 2026. He emphasized that the Implementation Framework emerging from PANAFCON-3 must be bold, actionable, and grounded in the lived experiences of African communities.
PANAFCON-3 continues to serve as a pivotal platform for fostering partnerships, inspiring change, and driving investment in sanitation and hygiene across the continent
A delegation from Germany, dealing with technology and innovations, is in Zambia for a skills exchange.
The delegates are attending the Germany-Zambia Digital Innovation Forum (GIZ-DIF) courtesy of ZICTA and organised by the Ministry of Technology and Science.
Opening the forum in Lusaka , Minister of Technology and Science, Felix Mutati, said digital literacy coupled with knowledge and skills is a major challenge faced by Zambian innovators.
Mr. Mutati revealed that digital literacy currently stands at 31 percent and needs urgent redress especially in this digital era.
Mr. Mutati however said government recognises the critical role which ICTs play in attaining sustainable development.
He stressed that this is the more reason why the government has migrated to providing electronic platforms to respond to the global digital trends.
Speaking earlier, Germany Ambassador to Zambia, Annie Wagner-Mitchell, called for strong linkages in the information, communications and technology (ICT) sector between her country and Zambia.
Ms. Wagner-Mitchell said skills transfer is vital for attaining a win a 50-50 balance through innovations and technology.
As Zambian women continue to take up space across politics, business, media, and entrepreneurship; a new era of self-definition and shared celebration is taking shape. That spirit came alive at the Brutal Fruit Spritzer Saturday Brunch, hosted in the tranquil setting of Foxdale Forest on the weekend.
The invitation-only event brought together some of the country’s most influential women and digital creators — including Mwaka Halwindi, Alina The Alchemist, Olivia Tutu, Bombshell and Anita Mwiinga together with thirty prize-winners and their guests—each bringing their bestie — attended as special guests of Brutal Fruit, following a competition held earlier in the month.
With curated experiences designed to honour the “modern muse” — a woman who is present, powerful, and poised — the brunch unfolded as an expression of feminine energy. From a gourmet brunch – with brunch boxes deliciously prepared by award-winning Chef Kat – to Brutal Fruit Spritzers and live music by Becky and top DJs including Ms Selfie, Nia B, Amma and My Boyfriend the event embodied both joy and unapologetic elegance.
But beyond the aesthetics, it was the conversations that set the day apart. A live influencer panel sparked honest dialogue around identity, ambition, and the invisible pressures women face when stepping into their power. Guests were also invited to write personal reflections on an ‘Affirmation Tree’ — a powerful visual centerpiece filled with messages of self-worth, healing, and hope.
Zambia is currently the second-largest market for Brutal Fruit globally, and this event formed part of the brand’s ongoing commitment to empowering the country’s women with spaces that are aspirational yet authentic. beautiful and deeply real.
The opposition Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) has strongly condemned the proposed constitutional amendments by the UPND-led government, calling them a calculated scheme to extend President Hakainde Hichilema’s grip on power rather than a genuine effort to promote national development.
Speaking in Kabwe, FDD spokesperson Anthony Chibuye urged citizens across Zambia to resist what he described as political manipulation disguised as legal reform. He argued that the draft Constitution Amendment Bill of 2025 is neither inclusive nor developmental but simply a tool for political survival.
“This proposal is designed to serve the interests of a select few,” Chibuye declared. “The same President who danced on the grave of Bill 10 is now trying to reintroduce similar provisions, proving how inconsistent and opportunistic this administration truly is.”
Chibuye emphasized that the current economic hardships in Zambia, from overburdened healthcare systems to decaying education infrastructure reflect misplaced government priorities. He expressed concern over a ballooning public wage bill and rising expenditure, which he believes will worsen if the number of MPs increases as proposed.
“How can we even consider expanding Parliament when we can’t adequately fund hospitals or schools?” he asked. “This government is failing to provide for its people, yet it wants to accommodate more MPs, complete with hefty salaries and allowances.”
One of the key proposals under scrutiny is the idea of integrating Members of Parliament into local councils a move Chibuye said would create confusion and violate the principle of separation of powers. He warned that allowing MPs to double as councillors would concentrate power in dangerous ways.
“There must be institutional independence,” he stated. “If a minister who is also an MP sits in a council meeting, what role exactly are they playing as lawmaker, executive, or local planner? It’s a governance mess waiting to happen.”
Chibuye further accused the government of trying to sneak in amendments under the guise of inclusion, such as adding representatives for women, youth, and persons with disabilities, without committing to genuine empowerment. He challenged President Hichilema to reveal how many appointees in his administration are under the age of 35 or from marginalized groups.
“Proportional representation sounds good, but what’s the actual impact?” he asked. “Three representatives for people with disabilities in Parliament won’t transform the system. It’s window dressing.”
Another controversial clause in the proposed bill would allow ministers and MPs to remain in office up to 90 days before an election a reversal of the current practice where Parliament is dissolved three months prior to the vote. Chibuye said the timing of this change raises red flags.
“It’s becoming clear that the President is preparing for a difficult re-election,” he claimed. “These changes are not about good governance. They’re about stacking the deck.”
The FDD also accused the UPND of engineering by-elections in recent months to consolidate parliamentary numbers ahead of the constitutional amendment vote. Chibuye urged lawmakers, particularly independents and disillusioned PF MPs, to reject the bill and “put Zambia first.”
“This is not the time for political calculations,” he said. “It’s the time to defend democracy. Parliamentarians must decide whether they stand with the people or with a regime increasingly looking to entrench itself.”
Chibuye concluded by calling for an independent, participatory constitution review process not one dominated by the ruling party. He stressed that the law must reflect a national consensus, not partisan ambition.
“Zambians deserve a constitution that protects them, not politicians,” he said. “We’ve been down this road before with Bill 10. Let’s not be fooled again.”
Constitutional Overhaul or Power Play? Hichilema’s Reforms Draw Fury
Lusaka — It takes a special kind of political amnesia to oppose a constitutional amendment while in opposition, only to embrace its mirror image once in power. Yet here we are. President Hakainde Hichilema’s administration, which once railed against the excesses of the Patriotic Front’s infamous Bill 10, has now tabled its own sweeping constitutional changes bearing an uncanny resemblance to the very provisions it once decried.
The government insists these reforms—mixed-member proportional representation, an inflated Parliament (from 156 to 256 seats), and altered appointments for constitutional officeholders are about inclusivity and progress. But forgive us if we don’t join the standing ovation. When a leader who built his reputation on democratic principles suddenly pushes through major constitutional changes just a year before elections, skepticism isn’t just warranted it’s necessary.
Makebi Zulu, a constitutional lawyer and PF official, put it bluntly: “This isn’t reform; it’s a rigging mechanism disguised as democracy.” One can’t help but marvel at the irony. The man who once positioned himself as the guardian of Zambia’s democratic ideals now stands accused of weaponizing them.
And let’s talk about timing. Why the rush? Civil society, opposition parties, and even the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops have all questioned the urgency. Is this really about national development or about locking in political advantages before 2026?
Anthony Chibuye of the FDD cut to the heart of the matter: “While Zambians queue for mealie-meal and hospitals run out of drugs, this government’s priority is to create 100 more MPs?” Indeed, where is the evidence that a bloated legislature translates to better governance? Or is this simply a patronage scheme disguised as reform?
Former MP Sensio Banda went further, accusing the government of sidelining civil society and traditional leaders a curious move for an administration that promised transparency. “This isn’t consultation; it’s imposition,” he said. And he’s right. If these reforms were truly about the people, why the top-down approach?
Then there’s the claim that these changes are necessary for delimitation despite new constituencies like Senga Hill and Mafinga being created under existing laws. So, what’s the real motive? Could it be, as some suggest, a quiet effort to redraw political boundaries in the UPND’s favor?
The opposition must unite against what can only be described as an immoral power grab. At a time when Zambia is drowning in debt and hunger, expanding Parliament is not just tone deaf it’s reckless.
President Hichilema, meanwhile, has been conspicuously silent on the details, leaving his ministers to spin this as “modernization.” But Zambians are not fools. They remember his past rhetoric. They see the contradictions. And they will judge whether this is genuine reform or just another case of “rules for thee, but not for me.”
Zambia’s democracy stands at a crossroads. The coming months will reveal whether this administration is truly committed to progress or merely to preserving its own power. The choice, as always, will be history’s to make. But for now, the writing on the wall is clear: this isn’t reform. It’s a test and Zambians are watching.
By Benedict Tembo
COPPER Queens captain Barbra Banda has made history at National Women’s Soccer League side Orlando Pride by scoring the first-ever hat-trick in the club’s history in a 3-1 win over the Utah Royals on Friday.Captain fantastic Banda provided the fireworks as she scored all the goals in a 3-1 win over the Utah Royals.
The club says on its website that after 10 seasons of having multiple two-goal matches for players,Banda finally netted the first-ever hat trick in Orlando Pride history.“Oh, and she did it all in the first half in their game versus the Utah Royals,” Austin David, the club’s Digital Content Manager wrote.
Banda got on the board early thanks to a ball from Ally Watt, got her second after some hustle on a backwards pass by the Royals and netted the third after a great long ball from Haley McCutcheons speed down the line helped open up space for Banda in the box as the Zambian sprinted into the 18-yard-box, jumping on the cross from Watt and opening the scoring in style.
The second came from a classic Banda hustle play. A back pass by Utahs Janni Thomsen was picked off by Banda, who sprinted into the box, dribbled around Royals keeper Mandy McGlynn and scored her second with ease.
Her hat trick-clinching goal came just a minute later. Haley McCutcheon picked out some space forward and chipped a ball over the defensive line for Banda to run on.With space and time and a full head of steam, there was no stopping Banda as she got into the box and blasted a powerful shot that McGlynn couldnt keep out, sealing her first hat trick in purple.
Orlando Pride Head Coach Seb Hines on Banda and her hat trick:” “She is a constant threat. It was three different types of goals which was pleasing to see. She has been waiting patiently and been getting half chances but no real clear-cut opportunities. I was really pleased with her and obviously it is the first hat trick in Pride history and that has been a long wait for that opportunity, but she took it well. Credit to her being patient and scoring the goals that we needed.”
Banda, impressed by the win said:” “It was a fantastic match after coming off of the loss. We wanted to win this game so we were going to do whatever it takes. We left everything on the field to get the maximum three points.”
On scoring the first hat trick in Pride history, Banda said “I have been working hard and keep working hard. I couldn’t have done it without the help of my teammates and our staff. I wasn’t sure if I was going to make it but I am so proud of the team.”
On the different types of goals she scored, Banda said “I was a little surprised because they gave me so much space. I am just so happy for the goals. In the last three games I didn’t score so I really wanted to today. I had to try my hardest and I wanted to score so bad so I am happy for the goals.”
A 45-year-old security officer in Kasempa District has been murdered while attempting to assist a woman who was crying for help in the early hours of Sunday, May 25, 2025.
North Western Province Police Commissioner Brighton Siwale has confirmed the incident, which occurred around midnight within Kasempa township on Sunday 25 May 2025 and was reported to Kasempa Police Station at 09:00 hours by the victim’s father.
This was in a statement issued by North-Western Province Police Commanding Officer to Zambia News and Information Service (ZANIS) in Kasempa District.
Mr Siwale disclosed that the deceased who was on duty at Janki Enterprises, responded to distress calls from an unidentified woman who was shouting after a man alleged to have stolen K20 from her.
He added that as the deceased attempted to intercept the fleeing suspect using a different route, a witness, Davison Soko, 36, who was walking nearby, later heard the victim cry out.
Mr Siwale further disclosed that the suspect was tracked to a guest house, where he was found hiding under a bed in Room 8 and positively identified by a witness.
Markets may be in a celebratory mood after President Trump’s latest reversal on threatened tariffs against the European Union, but this kind of erratic policymaking is not a sign of economic strength. It’s a growing liability.
That’s the warning from Nigel Green, CEO of global financial advisory giant deVere Group, as European stock index futures gained after Trump said he would extend the deadline for the EU to face higher tariffs.
The bloc had been facing 20% tariffs under the reciprocal rates announced in April, and a temporary pause took the rate down to 10% until July 9.
Futures on the Euro Stoxx 50 rose 1.6% on the development.
“Trump’s flip-flopping on major trade issues is undermining America’s standing as a trusted commercial partner — with long-term consequences that go far beyond short-term market gains,” says Nigel Green.
“Trump blinked — again — and the markets cheered. But this isn’t tactical manoeuvring, it’s inconsistency dressed up as strategy. Allies see it. Rivals see it. Investors should be paying attention.”
This week, Trump backtracked on plans to hit EU car imports with sweeping new tariffs, walking away from a threat that has loomed large for months. It follows a pattern that’s become familiar. Announce harsh trade measures. Stall. Backpedal. Repeat.
Earlier this month, The White House confirmed a deal struck in Geneva that will see US tariffs on Chinese goods drop from 145% to 30%, with China reciprocating by cutting its own duties from 125% to 10%.
Nigel Green continues: “The world’s largest economy is behaving in ways more typical of emerging markets in crisis — not the anchor of global commerce. For businesses trying to plan, that’s a nightmare. For global supply chains, it’s chaos. For long-term investment, it’s a deterrent.
“Each time Trump changes course, the market celebrates like it’s good news. It’s not. It’s just the absence of another self-inflicted wound. Meanwhile, the reputational damage quietly builds.”
The deVere CEO goes on to add: “The message to trading partners is clear: the US cannot be relied upon to stick to its word. Agreements are temporary. Threats are frequent. Policies are dictated not by strategy, but by short-term optics.”
Meanwhile others are moving on. The EU is deepening trade ties with Latin America and Asia. China is cementing influence through the RCEP trade bloc. US allies are signing deals that exclude Washington — not because they want to, but because they have to.
“The world is building a Plan B — a future where the US is too unpredictable to anchor global trade,” says Nigel Green. “That’s a seismic shift.”
This week’s reversal on EU tariffs should be a wake-up call. It’s not a signal that things are back on track. It’s confirmation that America’s trade posture is being rewritten week by week, depending on headlines, polling, and market reaction.
Nigel Green says investors must now factor in a new reality: the US, once the poster child for rules-based global trade, is veering into something dangerously close to transactional nationalism.
“This has implications far beyond the auto industry or bilateral deficits,” he warns. “It’s about whether the world sees the US as a reliable place to do business. Right now, many are beginning to doubt it.”
Foreign direct investment into the US has slowed sharply since 2018, according to data from the Peterson Institute. At the same time, America’s share of new international trade agreements is shrinking. Allies like Japan, Australia, and the UK are strengthening ties elsewhere.
“Trump’s latest EU pivot may have given markets a temporary sugar rush — but the global economy is increasingly moving on without America at the center,” concludes Nigel Green.
Kalaba Slams Government’s Economic Messaging: “Zambians Are Tired of GDP Rhetoric”
Lusaka, Zambia – Veteran politician and former Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba has launched a scathing critique of the government’s portrayal of economic progress, dismissing recent narratives around Zambia’s GDP growth as misleading and out of touch with the lived realities of ordinary citizens. His remarks, aimed squarely at officials who tout economic figures as signs of national prosperity, signal mounting frustration among opposition leaders over what they call “statistical spin.”
Speaking at a public forum, Kalaba directly challenged recent claims by Ministry of Finance officials that Zambia’s economy is growing steadily, citing mining exports and optimistic GDP forecasts. “The mining sector contributes over 70 percent of our export value, but in terms of GDP, it’s only around 12 percent,” he noted. “So how can anyone say the sector is thriving?”
Kalaba’s critique centers on what he sees as a disconnect between projected growth and actual developmental outcomes. While Zambia’s macroeconomic indicators may show slight improvements, he argues that those gains have not translated into better livelihoods, job creation, or poverty reduction particularly in rural and underserved communities.
“These numbers are not helping anyone on the ground. Zambians are tired of figures,” Kalaba said. “You hear someone saying, ‘Last year the GDP was 2.5%, this year it’s 3.4%, and next year it’ll be 6%.’ But what do those percentages mean for someone who can’t afford a bag of mealie meal?”
The critique appeared to be aimed at Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane, whom Kalaba accused albeit indirectly of presenting inflated optimism. “Those GDPs of his are not helping us,” Kalaba quipped, prompting applause from attendees at the event.
His comments come as Zambia continues to recover from a prolonged debt crisis and grapples with economic headwinds including inflation, currency fluctuations, and a persistent youth unemployment rate. The government has pointed to structural reforms and international support, including a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), as evidence of a country on the mend. But critics argue that reforms have disproportionately benefited elites and foreign investors while leaving ordinary citizens behind.
A major point of contention, Kalaba noted, is the mining sector itself. While foreign mining firms receive generous tax incentives and policy concessions, their economic impact remains limited when measured by contribution to GDP or employment creation. “Incentivizing foreign corporations without ensuring real local benefits that’s a failed strategy,” he added.
Economists and civil society organizations have echoed some of Kalaba’s concerns. Though GDP remains a critical measure of national output, experts argue that it often fails to capture inequality, quality of life, or grassroots economic resilience. “Growth must be inclusive,” says economist Dr. Mirriam Banda. “If your GDP is rising but your people are getting poorer, then you’ve misread your own success.”
Kalaba’s remarks reflect a broader opposition narrative that seeks to reframe Zambia’s economic debate around equity, dignity, and accountability. Rather than championing abstract economic milestones, he called on the government to address core needs such as education, healthcare, rural development, and access to affordable commodities.
“There’s a difference between economic figures and economic justice,” Kalaba said. “We must stop hiding behind percentages and start delivering results that people can feel in their homes.”
