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El Mukuka, Gaz Mawete and HVMZA join forces on the massive collab track ‘Bosana’

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El Mukuka, Gaz Mawete and HVMZA join forces on the massive collab track ‘Bosana’

Zambian DJ and Producer, El Mukuka once again joins forces with HVMZA and brings in Congolese superstar Gaz Mawete on the brand-new single ‘Bosana’ – out across all digital platforms.

“Bosana is such a feel-good summer track that instantly makes me feel like I’m at a beach club sipping on a cocktail, while dancing in the sunset!” – HVMZA

El Mukuka, arguably Zambia’s top DJ and Producer, teams up with Congolese singer Gaz Mawete who went viral with his song “Olingi Nini” on YouTube, receiving over 5 million plays. Belgian music producer, HVMZA, collaborates with El Mukuka for the 2nd time following the success of their first collaboration “Dame” which received incredible support in South Africa.

“I truly loved working on this song with Congolese heavyweight singer Gaz Mawete. His voice is so incredibly unique in tone and expression! As for HVMZA, this is already our second collaboration and definitely not the last! I love his style! I think ‘Bosana’ has a soulful & emotional touch that reminds me so much of summer sunsets over the ocean.” – El Mukuka

‘El Mukuka – Bosana feat. Gaz Mawete & HVMZA’ is out now across all digital platforms

https://africori.to/bosana

Is KK the Role Model of a Zambian President or is it a Curse of Afroamnersia?

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Is KK the Role Model of a Zambian President or is it a Curse of Afroamnersia?

By Kapya Kaoma

When politicians, pastors and scholars term KK as the role model for a Zambian President, I wonder whether they are under the curse of Afroamnersia. I have grand respect for KK for his post-presidential ubuntu and humility and I join the nation in mourning this son of the Soil. But when people blindly characterize his 27 year reign as exemplary and inspirational, it explains their lack of respect for human rights, the rule of law, the cult of the big man, the politicization of the law enforcement agencies, and the employment of cadres in politics of intimidation–all these characterized the UNIP era during the KK regime. Under the curse of Afroamnersia, politicians’, pastors’, scholars’, and civic leaders’ memories are erased and Dr. Kaunda’s 27 year reign no longer exists.

The historical truth speaks for itself–KK was a deadly dictator and his death should not force us to rewrite history. We ought to mourn and honor KK with the truth–our children must know the facts about our founding President. He was not a Mother Teresa or a Nelson Mandela, but a dictator, whom we called Mankangala, and whose Party UNIP we called “mulilo, uwaikatako apya ( fire, whoever touches it burns). The violence that characterizes our politics today, the empowering of cadres, the misuse of the police, and unaccountability of the president are some of the blessings of the KK regime. We may be ashamed to say it aloud, but we should not shower false praises on our founding President, whose Party UNIP those born after the mid 1980s will never know.

The formation of the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) was due to Dr. Kaunda’s dictatorial decision to outlaw opposition parties in February 1972, which was later made Constitutional in July 1973–something he personally opposed in his 1964 article entitled, “The Future of Democracy in Africa.” He justified his actions on the premise of ensuring rapid development and protecting Zambia from South African and Rhodesian forces. Many people are still repeating this fallacy without questioning. The only problem is, the South African and Rhodesian governments used exactly the same rationale to arrest and torture blacks in their territories. They feared that allowing freedom of speech against the government would destabilize their nations by allowing opposition political views that would have led to regime change in their territories. So why did we oppose them for taking political prisoners like Mandela and Biko, but turn a blind eye to KK for doing the same thing to Kapwepwe and Nkumbula?

The Post-1991 KK was a great man. This is not the arrogant Kaunda, who ruled Zambia for 27 years, but the former president who dedicated his life to serve humanity. We must make this distinction if we are to remain faithful to history. Our children need to know why we celebrated his 1991 downfall and why UNIP, the once acclaimed Party, became irrelevant in Zambian politics to this day. It is because of KK’s dictatorship–people rejected him and went for the unqualified person in Chiluba. As bad and corrupt as Chiluba was, he brought about freedom of expression and democratization that enabled Zambians to speak out against their leaders–something that was impossible during the KK years.

As a Pan-Africanist, KK was extremely heroic–something reflected in speeches during his funeral from fellow African presidents. Yet as a Zambian freedom fighter, KK forgot those who fought colonialism along with him. He used military force against his opponents and silenced opposing voices with torture and public humiliation. He was the only one who spoke, the rest were expected to listen or else face his wrath. Sadly the use of force on political opponents is something all Zambian Presidents have inherited from the KK regime. Chiluba, Mwanawasa, Banda, Sata, and now Lungu are prototypes of KK–if you worship the big man, you live. If you don’t, you rot in jail or die. If you repent, your charges are immediately dropped. If you resign, charges are brought against you–it is our founding father’s tradition.

It is saddening that we suffer from Afroamnesia whenever Presidents die. Some Zambians may owe free education, and even development to KK, but so would many South African Africans and Zimbabweans do to Botha, Smith and Mugabe. But that does not erase history–their leaderships were brutal. I understand the need to honor KK, but I am tired of lying to our children. When Mugabe died, he became an African role model. The same with Gaddafi, Magufuli, Chiluba, and our own Sata. Is it death or simply the curse of Afroamnersia that makes a African President a role model?

Kaya.

Kambwili demands that HH Apologizes for Missing KK’s State Funeral

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Kambwili demands that HH Apologizes for Missing KK’s State Funeral

Ruling Patriotic Front (PF) Founding Member Chishimba Kambwili has expressed shock by opposition United Party for National Developement (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema’s shunning of the state funeral for late First Republican President Dr Kenneth Kaunda.

Speaking when he addressed the media yesterday, Mr Kambwili said Mr Hichilema’s conduct should be condemned by all well-meaning Zambians and demanded that the opposition leader apologize for his conduct to citizens and the Kaunda family.

Mr Kambwili said that Mr Hichilema’s conduct was “typical of him” as he has publicly vowed to never attend State functions.

“I am extremely shocked that my brother and friend Hakainde Hichilema decided to stay away from the official funeral of Dr Kaunda and claimed that he was not invited…….Like I have said, you will know them by their deeds. What my brother did yesterday is unforgivable. Particularly that he is the biggest opposition figure in the country. When he went to sign the book of condolences, was he invited? No one was invited,” he said.

“He did it because he has vowed never to go and attend state functions. I will leave it for the people of Zambia to judge but this must be condemned. I was not invited but I went because it was too big of a function and because members of the public were invited. That is typical of him. The Zambian people, the Kaunda family, needs an apology.”

Mr Kambwili further mentioned that he tried to advise Mr Hichilema when he was his alliance partner to no avail.

“He has always refused to attend state functions. When we were in the alliance I advised that it is important….because when you become Head of State you will also be inviting other people to come to state functions, he totally refused,” he said.

“He only accepted half way by allowing his cadres to be going for these functions, and unfortunately they only attended one women’s day celebration and that was it. So it is unreasonable and an excellent lie for my brother to claim that he was not invited.”

Mr. Kambwili argued that it was possible for the opposition leader to attend the State funeral with or without an invitation.

“In any case, do you need to be invited to go for a funeral? If you look at the program that was released, it clearly states the arrival of opposition political party leaders, the arrival of the general public…..so are you telling that under the general public one cannot go and attend such an important event?”

“This is the function of the founding father of the nation, funeral of the founding father of the nation were foreign dignitaries came and surely that is the function you can decide to watch on a TV in your living room.”

Former Deputy IG Wynter Kabwiku has died

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Former Deputy IG Wynter Kabwiku has died

former Zambia Police Service Commissioner Wynter Kabwiku has died.

Mr. Kabwiku died yesterday afternoon at COPTIC hospital in Lusaka after a short illness.

ZANIS reports that family representative William Nkemba has confirmed the development in an interview.

Mr. Kabwiku served as Zambia Police Service Commissioner under President Frederick Chiluba’s regime and lectured at the University of Zambia ( UNZA ).

The funeral is being held at his residence in Lusaka’s Chelstone area.

The late Mr Kabwiku is survived by a wife and 6 children.

FAZ mourns Zambia’s first ever indigenous FIFA referee Bennet Simfukwe

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FAZ mourns Zambia’s first ever indigenous FIFA referee Bennet Simfukwe

The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) President Andrew Kamanga says his Executive is saddened at the untimely death of Zambia’s first ever indigenous FIFA referee Bennet Simfukwe.

Kamanga says death has robbed FAZ of a giant in Simfukwe who he says paved the way for indigenous referees in Zambia to take centre stage.

“The death of Mr Simfukwe has come as a great shock especially that football is running out of great minds that were part of the pioneering period of our game.

“Our thoughts go out to the family as they mourn this great son of the soil, ” said Kamanga.

Kamanga in statement issued to ZANIS sports by FAZ Communications Manager Sydney Mungala, described Simfukwe as a pioneer and giant in refereeing.

“Such deaths remind us of the need to cherish and honour these greats. In a small way we have been unearthing some of these long-forgotten heroes of our game and seek to document their knowledge”, said Kamanga.

Simfukwe was a decorated sports administrator who was bestowed an insignia of meritorious achievement on Africa Freedom Day by President Edgar Lungu in Lusaka.

The presidential honour was in recognition of his contribution to the development of multi-disciplinary sports in Zambia, including football and basketball.

Simfukwe became Zambia’s first indigenous International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) referee in 1967.

He was also Confederation of African Football (CAF) commissioner from 1991-2004 and a Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) match commissioner from 1985-date.

Simfukwe also served as FAZ general secretary from 1990-1993.

The Late Simfukwe was also Association of Zambia (RAZ) chairperson from 1968-1969 and Zambia Basketball Association (BAZ) chairperson from 1971-1984.

He also served as Nkana Football Club chairperson from 1982-1983 and as well as secretary and treasurer from 1988-1990.

Simfukwe captained Zambia’s side to its first All-Africa basketball games in Lagos, Nigeria in 1962 and also served as board member on the National Sports Council of Zambia (NSCZ).

Among the sports he played and officiated are football, basketball, bowling, athletics, tennis, golf and field events such as relay, discus and high jump.

Simfukwe died in Kitwe after a short illness.

All Schools to Remain Closed – Malupenga

Chief Editor
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All Schools to Remain Closed – Malupenga

Government says all schools remains closed while institutions of higher learning will continue offering only online classes as conditions are un-conducive for normal learning.

Ministry of Information Permanent Secretary Amos Malupenga says from preliminary assessments conducted on the readiness of the schools and higher learning institutions to re-open after being closed for 21 days , indicators are that there is need to undertake further preparations and continuous monitoring of the COVID-19 situation in the country.

ZANIS reports that Mr Malupenga points out that following closure of schools on June 17 for 21 days, schools, colleges and universities were directed to implement heightened interventions to further prevent and mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Addressing journalists in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Malupenga, flanked by his Ministry of Health counterpart Kennedy Malama, said government is resolved to keep learners in schools as it continues to respond to the COVID- 19 pandemic in the country.

“We have to strike the delicate balance between saving lives and allowing learning to continue”, said Mr Malupenga.

A detailed countrywide assessment of all learning institutions will be jointly conducted by the ministries of Health, General and Higher Education and the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit ( DMMU ) from 8th to 15th July 2021 to further determine learning centers’ readiness to resume normal operations.

The Permanent Secretary hinted that a decision to re-open schools will only be made after July 15, depending on among other factors the readiness of schools and the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

President Lungu is aware of the negative impact COVID-19 has had on the education sector but that caution is required not to put the lives of leaners, teachers and other staff in schools at risk, said Mr Malupenga adding that government will continue to make decisions concerning COVID-19 based on science and evidence.

Mr Malupenga has since directed all schools, colleges and universities to ensure that they implement the COVID- 19’s five Golden rules adding that managers of learning centres found wanting will be held accountable and penalized.

“Consequently, sanctions from higher authorities will follow those charged with the responsibility to man these institutions that may fail to meet the benchmark for re-opening.

“ The preliminary assessment revealed that some institutions are doing more in observing the five COVID-19 golden rules while the majority have taken a laissez-faire attitude”, said Mr Malupenga.

He added that the fight against COVID-19 calls for extra ordinary input from all Zambians in order to curb the pandemic.

And speaking at the same event, Dr Malama denied claims by sections of society that government has allowed public health facilities such as hospitals and clinics to charge for COVID- 19 tests.

Dr Malama said any health personnel charging for COVID-19 tests at government facilities should be reported to management.

Stating that those travelling outside the country will have to pay for a COVID-19 test and certificates, Dr Malama urged the general public to continue adhering to COVID-19 safety measures and guidelines as the pandemic keeps evolving.

He also advised the general public against double masking as it can cause breathing problems .

Late First Republican President Dr Kenneth Kaunda believed in Peace and Co-Existence-Wina

Chief Editor
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Late First Republican President Dr Kenneth Kaunda believed in Peace and Co-Existence-Wina

REPUBLICAN Vice-President Inonge Mutukwa Wina has said that Zambians were remembering late First Republican President Dr Kenneth Kaunda because they considered him as the ‘leader who made their country and created a nation’.

Mrs Wina said this was because Dr. Kaunda was a man who did not only preach peace but believed in it and the peace in co-existence.

Her Honour the Vice-president said this when she featured a live virtual interview on BBC’s Focus on Africa television program with Lukwesa Burak last evening.

She said that Dr Kaunda who had been considered a father of the nation since independence was a tough leader who was very kind and hard working at the same time.

“He wanted all government officials to behave and act as he did. He never touched alcohol and he would not take kindly to any of his officials who were fond of the bottle during work times,” Mrs Wina recalled.

She said that the late president was a believer in christianity and his early upbringing had a strong bearing on his outlook to life.

“As you know his parents were christians missionaries hence he had strong values in his modest lifestyle,” Mrs Wina added.

And when asked about his wish of being laid next to his late wife Betty Kaunda, Her Honour the Vice-president disclosed that negotiations were still ongoing between the government and the family and a conclusion was yet to be reached.

“The issue of the burial site is being looked into and some discussions between the Kaunda family and the government are still taking place as family had always been engaged since the demise of Dr. Kaunda,” Mrs Wina revealed.

And Mrs Wina said that Dr Kaunda never believed in tribalism and he had been preaching against it throughout his tenure of office and even after.

She informed the interview thay the current situation in the country was that tribalism was not really there in Zambia.

“Tribalism is only being promoted by some politicians who want to use tribe as a leverage to get more votes from their regions and this is something that every leader in Zambia is fighting against,” she said.

She has since advised that to ensure that the nation held free and fair elections, there was need to avoid tribal sentiments and hate speeches.

She added that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) was taking a firm stance in ensuring that next month’s elections are free and fair.

Dr. Kaunda embodied the very fabric and foundation that Zambia is built upon – President Lungu

Chief Editor
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Dr. Kaunda embodied the very fabric and foundation that Zambia is built upon – President Lungu

President Edgar Lungu says memories of the late first President Kenneth Kaunda’s tireless efforts in the liberation struggles will forever be etched in annuls of history.

President Lungu notes that Dr. Kaunda embodied the very fabric and foundation that Zambia is built upon, urging people to draw their inspiration from his great works.

He said this in a statement read in his behalf by Secretary to the Cabinet and National Coordinator for E-government Martin Mtonga, during Dr. Kaunda’s Funeral church service in Chipata district of Eastern Province.

President Lungu noted that Dr. Kaunda’s vision for Zambia did not leave out the development of Eastern Province.

The Head of State praised the first President for his great works of which he highlighted on Dr. Kaunda’s strong prong promotion of education for all, the promotion of sports, formation of Cooperatives and the establishment of trade hubs among other sectors.

“ One of the great achievements by the first President was the consolidation and promotion of cooperatives that were introduced in 1966.

This was designed to employ over 2000 workers in Eastern Province, an initiative that contributed to employment opportunities for people across Zambia,” he said.

The establishment of the largest bicycle factory in Eastern Province, the Luagwa bicycle industry, also became a great source of pride for the country.

President Lungu therefore expressed confidence that the only way to honor Dr. Kaunda’s legacy is by emulating his character and great works, in addition to the need to love one another.

“As I have said to all your compatriots across the breadth of the country, let us honor the vision and noble works of our founding father by upholding the values and ideas by which he lived,” President Lungu told mourners in attendance.

And the son to the first President Panji Kaunda continued to fall for peace, love and unity just like his father preached.

Colonel Kaunda stressed the need for the leaders of today to emulate the principles of Dr. Kaunda and other founding fathers by rebuking tribal hatred.

Noting that this will help strengthen a better Zambia which has been cited as a beacon of peace by other countries, Col. Kaunda reminded that this was evident by yesterday’s attendance of various heads of states, government and Non-Governmental Organization and representations who traveled afar for Dr. Kaunda’s state funeral.

“If surely you love Dr. Kaunda as you put it, stop the tribal hatred that has taken dominance in the country. Because without peace love and unity, then we are destroying a peaceful Zambia that our fore fathers struggled for,” Col. Kaunda stated.

Meanwhile, Chipata United Church of Zambia Acting Bishop Collins Luleya encouraged Zambians to learn from Dr. Kaunda’s legacy , worth emulating.

Reverend Luleya said that people need to build a legacy by seeking God first in order to leave great lessons to the young generations.

The clergyman however noted that as people strive to build a legacy, they should not triumph on the others especially those the weak.

“Dr. Kaunda advocated for a lot of good things and he will be remembered for many years to come,” Rev Luleya stated.

Eastern Province becomes the eighth region yesterday where Dr. Kaunda’s body has been taken across the country for citizens to pay there last respect before burial in July 7, 2021 at Presidential memorial park.

Zambia’s First Indigenous FIFA Referee Simfukwe Dies

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Zambia’s first black FIFA referee Bennet Simfukwe has passed away.

Simfukwe died in Kitwe after an illness.

Below is a FAZ statement on his passing:

FAZ MOURNS SIMFUKWE
The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has learnt with deep shock the death of the first ever indigenous FIFA referee Bennet Simfukwe.
Simfukwe who was a decorated sports administrator was bestowed an insignia of meritorious achievement on Africa Freedom Day by President Edgar Lungu died in Kitwe.
The presidential honour was in recognition of his contribution to the development of multi-disciplinary sports in Zambia, including football and basketball.
FAZ President Andrew Kamanga says football has been robbed of a giant who paved the way for indigenous referees in Zambia.
“The death of Mr Simfukwe has come as a great shock especially that football is running out of great minds that were part of the pioneering period of our game,” Kamanga says.
“Such deaths remind us of the need to cherish and honour these greats. In a small we have been unearthing some of these long-forgotten heroes of our game and seek to document their knowledge.”
He adds: “Our thoughts go out to the family as they mourn this great son of the soil.”
Simfukwe’s colourful accolades include becoming the first indigenous International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) referee in 1967.
He was also Confederation of African Football (CAF) commissioner from
1991-2004 and has been a Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) match commissioner from 1985-date.
He also served as FAZ general secretary from 1990-1993, Referees
Association of Zambia (RAZ) chairperson (1968-1969) and Zambia Basketball Association (BAZ) chairperson (1971-1984).
He was also Nkana Football Club chairperson from 1982-1983 and the same club’s secretary and treasurer from 1988-1990.
Simfukwe also captained Zambia’s side to its first All-Africa basketball games in Lagos, Nigeria in 1962 and has also served as board member on the National Sports Council of Zambia (NSCZ).
Among the sports that he played and officiated are football, basketball, bowling, athletics, tennis, golf and field events such as relay, discus and high jump.
Simfukwe died in Kitwe after a short illness.
For and on behalf of:
FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF ZAMBIA
Sydney Mungala
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

Kabaso Chongo Fired-up For COSAFA Cup

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Kabaso Chongo has arrived in the Zambia 2021 COSAFA Cup camp in Lusaka and declared the team means business in their bid to retain the regional title for a record-equaling sixth time.

The TP Mazembe defender and Chipolopolo captain trained with his teammates on Saturday in Lusaka after arriving from Lubumbashi on Friday afternoon.

“We have to work extra hard to make it easy for ourselves at the COSAFA Cup. The guys that will be picked to start must play with their hearts because we have an objective to achieve,” Kabaso said.

Kabaso is one of nine foreign-based call-ups summoned for the COSAFA Cup that South Africa is hosting at Nelson Mandela Bay from July 6-18.

He joins a high-powered lineup of call-ups who include Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene, strikers Justin Shonga of Cape Town City, Amazulu’s Augustine Mulenga,  Polokwane City midfielder Salulani Phiri and Roderick Kabwe of Black Leopards plus SuperSport United forward Gamphani Lungu.

Goalkeepers Mwenya Chibwe of Polokwane and Bradley Mweene of Portuguese fourth tier club AD Sanjoanense complete the roll of foreign-based COSAFA Cup call-ups.

But Kennedy Mweene and Chibwe are due to join the team when it lands in South Africa on Monday.

Zambia is in Group B where they will play Malawi, Comoros and Madagascar.
The defending COSAFA Cup champions face Comoros in their Group B opener on July 7.

Zambia is hoping to join record winners Zimbabwe on six senior COSAFA Cup titles.

PF warns members supporting Independent candidates

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PF warns members supporting Independent candidates

Patriotic Front Secretary General Hon Davies Mwila has charged that the party will not hesitate to take disciplinary against officials and members who are supporting independent candidates.

Hon. Mwila has since advised party officials in Kalabo district of Western province not to be cheated by independent candidates that they have the backing of the party and President Lungu.

Hon. Mwila stated that the only people who have the blessings from the party are its official adopted candidates.

Speaking when he addressed party officials and adopted candidates at Kalabo Trades Training Institute, the PF Secretary General urged party officials to report any independent candidate campaigning using the Party’s name and material to the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ).

“The party has made it’s position on this matter very clear; we have our own adopted candidates and those are the people you are supposed to work with not anyone claiming otherwise,” Hon. Mwila stated.

“So if you are supporting an independent candidate you must leave the party or you will be kicked out because you are going against the party’s official position,” he added.

The PF Chief Executive Officer charged that the party cannot continue lossing in Kalabo hence it’s decision to adopt candidates who will deliver and maximize the presidential vote.

And Hon. Mwila is hopeful that the PF will for the first time win parliamentary seats in Western province as it is evidently clear that region is no longer a UPND stronghold.

Meanwhile, the Kalabo PF district executive committee has assured the PF Secretary General that the Committee will work extra hard to ensure that they win 80 percent of the total registered voters in the district.

President Lungu urged to stop the planned re-opening of schools

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President Lungu urged to stop the planned re-opening of schools

Calls advising government against re-opening schools amidst the rising cases of Covid-19 in the country have heightened with Kids Alive Zambia , appealing to President Edgar Lungu to stop the planned reopening of schools by the ministry of general education.

Kids Alive Zambia Country Director Chantry Mweemba says there is need for the Head of State to intervene to avoid a national COVID- 19 calamity if schools were left to open.

ZANIS reports Mr Mweemba saying in a statement today that re-opening schools will endanger the health and safety of thousands of school children.

“We remain concerned that a decision that may endanger the health and safety of thousands of children and their teachers across the country has been made by government through the ministry of education on the backdrop of alarming COVID- 19 statistics,” said Mr Mweemba.

He noted that since schools closed over two weeks ago, school children could have been exposed to the virus and would become super spreaders once schools re-open.

Mr Mweemba said it is thus imperative that President Lungu intervenes and stops any attempts of re-opening schools and ensure that safer measures, guidelines are put in place to guarantee safety of school children and the learning environment.

Recently, a statement purported to have been signed by Ministry of General Education Permanent Secretary Jobbicks Kalumba went viral on social media indicating that schools will reopen on July 8, 2021.

The development attracted concerns by sections of communities and civil society who demanded that government reconsiders its stand to re-open schools in view of rising cases of COVID-19 whose records by yesterday stood at

Six Teacher Unions have advised government against reopening schools amidst the rising cases of Covid-19 in the country.

The six teacher unions include the Zambia National Union of Teachers (ZNUT), Secondary Schools Teachers Union of Zambia (SESTUZ), and Basic Education Teachers Union of Zambia (BETUZ).

Others are the Professional Teachers Union of Zambia (PROTUZ), the National Union of Public and Private Educators of Zambia (NUPPEZ) and the United Teachers Union of Zambia (UNITUZ).

The unions have insisted that schools remain closed subject to review after a period of 21 days.

Speaking on behalf of other union leaders, BETUZ General Secretary Henry Sinkala notes that it is illogical for government to call for the reopening of schools at a time when the pandemic has worsened than it was during their closure.

According to a circular from the Ministry of General Education, which it could neither confirm nor deny, schools are to reopen and resume with classes on July 8 2021.

Security to be heightened on Monday during the public viewing of the late Kenneth Kaunda’s cortege

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Security to be heightened on Monday during the public viewing of the late Kenneth Kaunda’s cortege

Lusaka Permanent Secretary Elias Kamanga says security will be heightened to ensure observance of the COVID-19 health guidelines during the public viewing of the late Kenneth Kaunda’s cortege and church service at woodland stadium on Monday.

Mr Kamanga says all gates will be shut once the Stadium ,the venue for the church service, has adequate numbers to allow social distancing in line with the health protocols.

ZANIS reports that the Permanent Secretary said during a media briefing this morning that this is intended to avoid crowding in view of the swelling cases of COVID-19 adding that entry to the stadium will be restricted to people who will be masked up.

“ All people who will be lined up on designated routes where the funeral party will pass should be masked-up, “ he said adding that: ‘ those who will not have face masks will be sent back.”

He said that police and Defence forces will be on the lookout to ensure that all health protocols are adhered to.

The Permanent further advised residents of Lusaka to stay at home to avoid crowding which he said poses a threat of spreading covid-19.

He also stated that a health surveillance team will be stationed at that stadium to ensure that the health protocols are followed.

He stated that the procession will be live of ZNBC television and other official social media platform thereby advised people to watch the proceedings in the comfort of their homes.

And Mr Kamanga has warned that political party regalia will not be allowed at the Provincial public viewing of Dr Kaunda’s body.

He stated that all political parties heads at Provincial level have be invited to the occasion.

Dr. Kaunda’s body arrives in Eastern Province

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Dr. Kaunda’s body arrives in Eastern Province

The Body of first Republican President Kenneth Kaunda has arrived in Chipata District of Eastern Province for a Provincial Church service and body viewing.

The Zambia Air Force ( ZAF ) plane carrying the remains of Dr. Kaunda touched down at Chipata Airport at 10:20 hours.

Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet and National Coordinator for E-government Division Martin Mtonga, Home Affairs Permanent Secretary Masiye Banda, Eastern Province Permanent Secretary Veronica Mwiche and his son Colonel Panji Kaunda , among others, were on hand to receive the body.

Others included Dr. Kaunda’s daughter Cheswa Kaunda, alongside with the Defense Force team among other government officials, the clergy and civil society.

The body of Dr. Kaunda is in Eastern Province to give mourners in the region a chance to pay their last respects .

A church service and body viewing will consequently be conducted in honor of the late president.

While in Chipata, the cortege carrying Dr. Kaunda’s remains will pass through designated points where residents in the district will have a glance, before making its way to David Kaunda Stadium for a church service.

Earlier, the body of late President Kaunda departed from Lusaka City Airport at 08:55 hrs.

Yesterday, a State Funeral Service was held at Lusaka’s show grounds main arena in honor of Dr. Kaunda.

The State funeral proceedings was led by President Edgar Lungu and attended by several international Heads of States, International Organizations Representatives and several high profile delegates, his family, defense wings, senior government and members of the public.

Over eight heads of African states, governments and International Organisations among other dignitaries were in attendance.

Among these included South Africa’s President Cyrial Ramaphosa, Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo , Namibian President Hage Geingob and his Mozambican counterpart Filipe Nyusi.

Others were President Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi, Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi, Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa and former President of Tanzania Jakaya Kikwete .

They have flown back to their respective countries.

Dr. Kaunda died on the 17th of June, 2021 and will be put to rest on the 7th of July, 2021 after the tour of the ten provinces is completed.

Sadly, UPND was founded on a tribal cradle-Sunday Chanda

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Sadly, UPND was founded on a tribal cradle-Sunday Chanda

By Sunday Chilufya Chanda

Buumba Malambo’s sentiments leave a bitter taste in the mouth. But she deserves more sympathy than anger because she is a victim of UPND and Hakainde Hichilema’s tribal ideology. Sadly she has been schooled to believe that UPND is a “Tonga” Party and every Tonga owes it a vote! Wrong!

Sadly, UPND was founded on a tribal cradle. These are hard truths being raised in love. Sadly, the culpable often find it difficult to stomach and digest hard truths. This is particularly so when they are uncompromisingly and heretically entrenched in their error. Rather than examine the truth, they swiftly turn their reflex defence into attack screaming “victimisation” as they vilify those citing their erroneous ways.

As an act of respect for Dr Kenneth David Kaunda’s commitment to “One Zambia, One Nation”, an ideology uniting Zambia’s 73 tribes, we expected the UPND leader to publicly denounce Buumba Malambo’s remarks but he will not because UPND is a poisoned tribal chalice.

In the words of late Mozambican President Samora Machel “For the nation to survive, tribe must die”.

But Buumba is only reinforcing a multitude of indisputable facts exposing the tribalism and regionalism at the core of the UPND DNA, that also forms the tap root of Hichilema’s political existence.

These truths have been well documented far and wide facts.

For example, in his book  “Institutions and Ethnic Politics in Africa”  Daniel N. Posner documented UPND’s entrenched Tribalism when he recalled UPND’s Tribal campaign in the Mbabala Constituency by-election of February 2000. I quote:

“The UPND candidate Emmanuel Hachipuka faced two other Tonga candidates. The fact that they were all Tonga both by tribe and language did not stop Hachipuka from implying that he was the only “real” Tonga in the race. “Tonganess” he (Hachipuka) suggested, derived not from a candidates own background but from a candidate’s party affiliation: he reckoned that since he was the only candidate running on the ticket of a Tonga party, he was the only true Tonga candidate”. End of quote.

It is worth noting that it was not anybody else but UPND that labelled itself a “Tonga Party” and Buumba Malambo has been schooled to think and believe as such.

To be “Tonga” according to UPND was to be UPND, and by the same token to be UPND was to be “Tonga”. This is where Buumba Malambo is coming from and the reason she cannot be reprimanded by Mr Hichilema.

It is a pity that Hichilema goes out of his way to make Southern Province synonymous with a single political party. For him as far as he and UPND are concerned, all Tonga’s are by birth and by default UPND and under an obligation to make him President.

However, we all know that there are good and bad people in EVERY tribe. Thankfully, Hichilema’s tribalism is NOT reflective of all Tongas.

Tongas are good people and they contributed immensely to the independence of our country and its establishment as a nation state. Zambia’s freedom and eventual unity arising out of the “Choma Declaration” would not have been possible without the magnanimity of the great Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula.

What of the great Mainza Chona? Chona and other nationalists broke away from the ANC and, in October 1959, and Chona became the first president of the United National Independence Party (UNIP), the successor to ZANC.

Chona, like Nkumbula was Tonga, yet he chose to support Kenneth Kaunda – a non-Tonga. What would OUR Father Mainza Chona make of today’s tribally inclined UPND and its leader?

We could spend the whole day highlighting the exploits of other great national patriarchs arising out of Southern Province. What would great Tonga patriarchs Elijah Haatuakali Mudenda; Samson Mukando; Kebby Sililo Musokotwane make of the “only a Tonga can lead UPND” or Buumba’s mantra?

What would they make of Hichilema’s insincerity? They would truly speak the truth in love and call him out.

So instead of burying their heads in the sand, Hichilema and his tribally configured UPND must confront their tribal roots, embrace change and reset.

Kwamana!

The Author is Patriotic Front Parliamentary Candidate for Kanchibiya Constituency in Muchinga Province

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