Join our community of SUBSCRIBERS and be part of the conversation.
To subscribe, simply enter your email address on our website or click the subscribe button below. Don't worry, we respect your privacy and won't spam your inbox. Your information is safe with us.
The Japanese government has announced that it will tighten border controls for travelers from some countries including Zambia, Indonesia and Kyrgyzstan to prevent the spread of highly contagious new variants of the coronavirus.
In a set of changes to border control measures taking effect today, those arriving from such selected countries will be asked to stay in designated facilities longer and take more coronavirus tests.
Those arriving from Zambia will be newly subject to a 10-day quarantine, and the quarantine period for travelers from Indonesia and Kyrgyzstan will be extended to 10 days from six days and three days, respectively.
Travelers from the United Arab Emirates are asked to observe a six-day quarantine, up from three days.
A three-day quarantine will be newly applied to arrivals from Argentina, Belarus, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Fiji, Libya, Seychelles, Suriname, Paraguay, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Turkey, Venezuela, as well as the Republic of Karelia in Russia, the Russian oblasts of Saratov and Nizhny Novgorod, plus the American states of New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.
A three-day quarantine is requested for travelers from Egypt, reduced from six days.
Three-day mandatory stays at designated facilities will be lifted for arrivals from Estonia, France, Luxembourg, Nigeria, and the U.S. states of Delaware, Kansas, Maine and Minnesota, as well as the Canadian province of Ontario.
Travelers from the countries and regions are still required to undergo a 14-day self-isolation after arriving in Japan, the ministry said.
Zamtel Chief Executive Officer Sydney Mupeta has appealed to Zambians to get fully vaccinated against Covid-19 as the country begins administering another round of vaccines today.
Speaking at OYDC shortly after receiving his second dose of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccination on Thursday, Mr Mupeta said vaccination offers an added layer of protection against Covid-19.
He said it is important that more people receive the vaccinations whilst adhering to Covid-19 protocols in order to allow life and businesses to return to normal.
“It is encouraging that traffic has increased this time around compared with the time I did the first jab, there are a lot more people here now which means there is a general acceptance towards vaccination,” he said
He added, “Yes it is true the vaccination will not give you a 100 percent protection from Covid-19 but it offers an added layer of protection and increases your body’s disease fighting mechanism.”
Mr Mupeta also commended government through the Ministry of Health for roll out the Covid-19 vaccination campaign.
He said vaccine hesitancy should not be encouraged going by the high number of people that have lost their lives due to Covid-19.
Mr Mupeta pledged Zamtel’s continued support to the Ministry of Health in its Covid-19 response in order to supplement government’s efforts.
The Ministry of Health has announced that it will begin administering another round of Dose 1 of the AstraZeneca vaccine yesterday
The Electoral Commission of Zambia has lifted the ban slapped on Patriotic Front (PF) member Chishimba Kambwili not to participate in the election campaign.
On June 30 this year, ECZ announced the indefinite suspension of Mr Chishimba Kambwili, subject to review, from participating in any campaign activities in line with paragraph 11(i) (d) of the Electoral Code of Conduct.
The suspension was due to Mr Kambwili’s failure to adhere to the Electoral Code of Conduct, particularly, the use of hate speech and holding of campaign rallies despite the guidance provided.
However, ECZ corporate affairs manager Patricia Luhanga said Mr Kambwili has shown remorse through the apology he rendered to the Commission.
“Arising from this, the Commission would like to inform the media and members of the public that it has lifted the suspension of Mr Chishimba Kambwili effective midnight today,” she said.
Ms Luhanga said Mr Kambwili is further advised to use appropriate language when conducting any campaigns.
“The Commission would like to reiterate that use of language which incites hatred or violence in any form against any person shall not be tolerated as it contravenes the provisions of the Electoral Code of Conduct. Additionally, going against Commission decision to suspend rallies and roadshows does not only undermine the work of the stakeholders, it also puts the country at risk in as far as the spread of COVID-19 is concerned,” She said
Meanwhile, Ms Luhanga has disclosed that the Commission is also investigating other matters reported in various districts and that the public would be made aware of its findings or decision.
Zambia Police Service Spokesperson Esther Mwata Katongo says that the recent suspension of Political Parties from not holding political rallies and road shows by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) is still in effect.
Ms Katongo warned that Political parties found wanting will face the law accordingly.
She appealed to officers that have been deployed countrywide to be alert and ensure that no political party holds rallies and road shows.
Ms Katongo told ZANIS that political parties should adhere until a time when the suspension is lifted.
“Officers deployed to police elections should be alert and ensure that no political party holds rallies until such a time when the suspension shall be lifted,” Mr Katongo said.
She appealed to all Political parties to comply and stop the further spread of the COVID-19 virus.
‘’Those found going contrary to the guidelines spelt out by ECZ should be dealt with sternly,” Ms Katongo noted.
Recently ECZ suspended campaign rallies and road shows, as they are supers readers of COVID 19 pandemic.
Zambia goes to the polls on August,12 ,2021 with 16 Presidential candidates participating from different political parties in the general election.
One Acre Fund Zambia is this farming season targeted to help 16 thousand small scale farmers with farming skills from the current 14 thousand from three districts in Central Province.
One Acre Fund Government Relations and Policy Officer, Ramona Phiri, disclosed that the organization is in the process of scaling up more farmers in the 2021/2022 farming season.
Ms Phiri said the organization will also expand its services from the three district where the programme has been implemented to the entire central province.
She disclosed that the organization has been working in Chisamba, Chibombo and Kapiri Mposhi and intends to expand to the rest of the province starting with Luano district.
“Currently we have a little over 14, 000 farmers. So, for the next farming season we are hoping to capture at least 16, 000 small scale farmers,” Ms Phiri said.
“And as you should know this by the way we are now expanding out of the three districts that we have been operating in which are Chisamba, Chibombo and Kapiri Mposhi. So, now we are going into Luano which is a big thing for us,” she said.
Meanwhile, Ms Phiri observed noted the COVID-19 pandemic has limited interactions with farmers thereby disputing activities.
“Right now is a very difficult time for us. As you may be aware we deal with farmers and much of our activities involve interaction with farmers,” she observed.
She however noted that the organisation understands its contribution to the economy of Central Province and cannot afford to slacken because of the COVID-19.
Kalumbila district Health Office in Northwestern province has started dispensing the second dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to individuals that got the first dose.
Kalumbila District Health Director, Chiluba Kabalika confirmed the development to ZANIS that over 500 people that got the first dose are expected to receive the second dose.
Dr Kabalika stated that individuals who got the first dose from other health centres should present their vaccination cards so as to have the details verified in the system.
“We have commenced administering the second dose of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine and our priority are individuals that got the first dose of the vaccine,” Dr Kabalika said.
“For those that received dose one from outside Kalumbila and are due for dose two, they are welcome to get it within Kalumbila if they reside here,” Dr Kabalika said.
She acknowledged that the health office has received overwhelming response as evidenced from the number of people requesting for the vaccine.
“The demand is high because the cases have become severe…during the administration of the first dose, we experienced a lot of apathy which may have been as a result of myths and false information,” she said.
Chipolopolo on Thursday made an embarrassing start to their COSAFA Cup title defence with a 2-1 loss to Lesotho at Nelson Mandela Bay.
Fielding Zambia’s strongest lineup at a COSAFA Cup since 2007, Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic’s side dominated a first half but did it in off-tune fashion.
It was also an unacceptable defeat especially that Lesotho had lost 3-1 to eSwatini in their opening Group A match on Tuesday.
Justin Shonga put Zambia ahead in the 28th minute when he finished of a Gampani Lungu rebound.
Shonga’s goal came six minutes after he saw his header from Roderick Kabwe’s free-kick come off the beam.
Zambia then went onto the break with what was a seemingly promising lead.
However, a sign that things would not go according to plan for Zambia manifested themselves in the 65th minute with two sitters missed in succession.
Augustine Mulenga tame shot was poorly cleared but even more criminal was Gamphani Lungu’s rebound shot in front of an open goal that he instead astonishingly elected to fire wide.
Lesotho then sensed a weakness and tuned on the pressure with Tumelo Khutlang giving Zambia’s defence a torrid time after briefly testing the waters earlier in the first half.
Khutlang set up Motebang Sera for a brace in the 69th and 88th minutes to hand Lesotho their first COSAFA Cup win over Zambia since the 2000 quarterfinals in Maseru that they won 3-1 on post-match penalties following a 0-0 draw.
Chipolopolo now face eSwatini on July 10 in a match they must win with Botswana and South Africa to come thereafter in an uphill battle to retain their COSAFA Cup crown.
The printing of Mayoral and Council Chairperson ballot papers by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) is now complete.
ZANIS reports that ECZ Director for Electoral Operations Royd Katongo confirmed the development in Dubai today.
Mr Katongo said the printing company has now started the process of stapling and binding the ballot papers for the combined 116 councils, cities and municipalities.
“Today we confirm that there is progress on the printing of Mayoral and Council Chairperson ballots which have been completed by the printer. What is remaining is stapling, cutting and packaging them according to each respective polling station and district,” Mr Katongo said.
Mr Katongo also said the printing of national assembly ballot papers was progressing well for the 156 constituencies, as well as the presidential ballot papers that were signed off for printing yesterday.
He however indicated that the Commission has since resumed the verifying of local government ballot papers in readiness for printing which was suspended to pave way for the presidential and national assembly ballot papers.
“We had suspended the verifying of the local government ballot papers as they were bulky whose remaining number is 1,099 wards out of total 1,858 wards in the country. This excludes those that have gone through unopposed and have cases of deaths or resignation. So far, we have verified 759 wards,” he stated.
Mr Katongo also said the printing of other election material such as the results announcement forms and posters has also commenced.
“Printing of the famous GEN 20, the form used by polling officers to announce results has started and as well as posters for stations. The posters are different languages for respective districts,’’ he disclosed.
The Senior Electoral Officer said the Commission will ensure it prints adequate materials which will be sufficient for use during the elections.
Mr Katongo explained that all election material that require security features are being printed by the Al Ghurair Company in Dubai owing to its capacity and experience in security feature printing. ECZ Vice Chairperson Emily, Commissioner Ret.Maj,Gen.Vincent Mukanda and ECZ Legal Counsel Bob Musenga during media briefing
And ECZ Head of Procurement Dabson Mwale revealed that other than the contract awarded to the Dubai based firm, the commission has spent over K40 million on Zambian based companies for printing of other non-security election materials.
“If anything, the commission has contracted over 10 Zambian companies to provide ECZ with materials which have been used since the voter registration started last year. To date K40 million has been spent on local companies who printed election materials that do not require security,” Mr Mwale said.
Among some material being printed by Zambian companies include, posters, brochures, electoral regulations braille and sign language.
Meanwhile, ECZ Vice Chairperson Emily Sikazwe announced that the United Party for National Development (UPND) has sent another party representative Richard Njolomba who initially was supposed to have joined the team from the initial commencement of the monitoring of ballots in Dubai.
Dr Sikazwe however said the other representative, Linda Nkonde will now have to withdraw as the guidelines set out by ECZ is that only one representative is supposed to join the monitoring team.
She said the commission wishes to have other political parties witness the process of printing the ballot papers in Dubai.
The printing of ballot papers commenced on Monday July 5, 2021 by Al Ghurair Printing Company, which was awarded the US$3.6 million contract by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) and is expected to have the materials printed by the end of July, 2021.PF Vice National Chairperson Davis Chama(left) and ECZ Commissioner Ret.Major.Gen Vincent Mukanda check on printed ballot papers
Zambia Airports Corporation Limited (ZACL) says works on Lusaka’s new Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA) are nearing completion.
ZACL Managing Director Fumu Mondoloka has told ZANIS in an interview that the project will be complete within this quarter.
Mr Mondoloka says works on the state of the art new passenger terminal are almost done and that the entire project now stands at 92 percent complete.
The Managing Director said once complete, the airport will be a hub for the Southern African region in line with the National Transport Policy.
“We are doing a lot of work towards that aspiration, we hope we can make it a fitting tribute to the man it is named after,” Mr Mondoloka said.
Currently, the airport which is the largest in Zambia has a capacity of two million passengers per annum and is expected to increase to about six million once commissioned.
Leading airlines both local and international, including Air Tanzania, Rwanda Air, SA Airlink, Ethiopian Airlines, Emirates, CemAir and KLM in partnership with Kenya Airways operate out of this airport.
The new airport which is being constructed at a total cost of 360 million United States dollars by China Jiangxi Corporation will house a new passenger terminal, a hotel, Rescue and Fire Services Station, Air Traffic Control Tower, Presidential Pavilion, Cargo Terminal, a Shopping Mall and an Office Complex.
The United Party for National Development (UPND) in Eastern province says the party is ready for fresh parliamentary nominations in Kasenengwa constituency slated for Monday next week.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) yesterday announced that it will hold fresh nominations on July 12 for the Kasenengwa parliamentary seat following the death of the UPND candidate Titus Miti about two weeks ago.
UPND Provincial Chairperson Johabie Mtonga confirmed to ZANIS today that the opposition political party is ready and will find a candidate to file nominations for the parliamentary seat.
Mr Mtonga said the party suffered a setback following the death of the UPND candidate, Titus Miti but has since assured the members of the party that a credible replacement will be found.
He has since urged party supporters in Kasenengwa to continue being united and support whoever the party will adopt to carry on with the vision left by the late candidate.
Mr Mtonga said the party will only announce the name of the adopted candidate on the nomination day, due to various political reasons which he could not disclose
Democratic Party’s(DP) President Harry Kalaba has outlined ideas on how his opposition party aims to bring improvements for residents of Mkushi District.
Mr. Kalaba stated this during his one hour program at Mkushi Community radio station, aying that his party is a serious contender for the forthcoming August 12th general elections.
He said that his party acknowledged that poverty and unemployment are amongst the pertinent challenges that were confessed by residents of this District.
He said that in view of this, DP had plans to facilitate for serious investments of industries such as manufacturing, adding that the aim would be to generate many formal jobs in the District.
Mr. Kalaba said that private sector is crucial in DP’s ideas of economic recovery, saying that there would be much positive impact by broadening the labour base as well the tax base through facilitation of many large and medium scale investments.
He did however point out that his party has set its major objective on addressing what he termed as the huge disparity between the rich and the poor.
He said that if elected, his DP would work towards addressing this social-economic issue by adhering to what he called as a pro poor vision of creating many jobs in order to reduce poverty.
“We still maintain that our party is pro poor because our plans are aimed at benefitting the poor ultimately”, he said
Mkushi District Fisheries Officer (DFO) Chisomo Phiri says the district has recorded an impressive increase in aquaculture in the area, over the past two years.
Mr Phiri told ZANIS in an interview that there has been a significant rise in the number of farmers who have expressed interest and are practicing fish farming as a livelihood since 2018, saying that there are currently 112 registered aquaculture farmers in the district.
He said that the district has recorded a progression rate from 78 farmers in 2018, 84 in 2019, and is now currently having about 112 on record for 2021.
He explained that the Zambia Aquaculture Enterprise Development Programme (ZAEDP) contributed to this increase, after funding 25 of the 28 farmers who registered in the 2019-2020 period.
Mr Phiri also explained that the increased response was also aided by the keen interest shown by traditional leaders, saying that Chief Shaibila is among the practicing aquaculture farmers.
He further highlighted notable areas in the district where fish farming is widely practiced, naming areas such as Kasalamakanga, Matuku, Miloso and Lilanda.
He said that the boost presented by the ZAEDP is having positive impact as individual farmers, youth groups, as well as other special interest groups such as persons with disabilities have benefitted from this programme through facilitation from the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC).
The construction of an ultra-modern police station in Siavonga is nearing completion with 90 percent of works already done.
The new facility will also accommodate officers from the Immigration Department, as well as the Drug Enforcement Commission, who will also have offices at the facility.
District Commissioner, Ephraim Mwanjawanthu has told ZANIS in Siavonga today, that people in the district are extremely grateful to the government for its efforts to modernize police operations.
Mr Mwanjawanthu says that the current police station has limited office space and also lacks some other vital facilities, making it difficult to have more police officers sent to the district.
He said apart from the construction of the new police station, the government is also building staff houses for the officers, in order to boost the working morale of personnel, under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
And Woodlock Construction limited, the contractor handling the project, is confident of winding up the works as soon as all materials are delivered on sight.
Site Foreman, Sinya Nyambe told the District Commissioner, that only minor works are remaining to complete the project, and make it ready for handover to government.
The Mwansabombwe Town Council has closed down 12 churches for non-adherence to COVID-19 prevention guidelines.
This was after a combined team of inspectors from the local authority, Ministry of Health and Police conducted an inspection at the premises, to check on compliance levels.
In a statement made available to ZANIS in Mwansabombwe, Council Public Relations Officer Glenda Nachinga explained that the 12 churches were closed for non-compliance to the COVID-19 health guidelines.
Ms Nachinga said during the inspection, it was discovered that some church members including leaders, did not wear face masks while other churches were overcrowded, making social distancing impossible.
She noted that the team of inspectors further discovered that some churches did not even have in place adequate hand washing facilities while others were found congregating beyond the stipulated time.
Ms Nachinga said the churches affected will only be allowed to congregate after meeting the stipulated health guidelines.
She further revealed that the inspectors also took time to educate church members on the need to strictly adhere to the guidelines.
And Ms Nachinga said the Town Council will continue the compliance checks with the view to promote a mindset change among community members.
UPND President Hakainde Hichilema greeting former Mozambican President Chisanu at The funeral church Service of the late President Kenneth KaundaUPND Leader Hichilema greeting RB The funeral church Service of the late President Kenneth KaundaPresident Lungu at the Church Service of the Late President Dr Kenneth KaundaThe funeral church Service of the late President Kenneth KaundaThe funeral church Service of the late President Kenneth KaundaPresident Lungu and First lady Esther LunguPresident Lungu and First lady Esther LunguPresident Lungu at the Church Service of the Late President Dr Kenneth KaundaFirst Lady and Col Panji KaundaThe arrival of the body of the late President Dr Kenneth Kaunda for BurialThe arrival of the body of the late President Dr Kenneth Kaunda for BurialClergymen blessing the grave of the late President Dr Kenneth KaundaLowering the casket of the late President into his resting placeLowering the casket of the late President into his resting placeLowering the casket of the late President into his resting placeThe Firing of the 21 gun salute accorded to President KaundaThe Zambia Air Force Fly past at the burial of the late President Kenneth KaundaPresident Lungu laying a wreathFirst Lady Easther Lungu Laying a wreathFormer Mozambican President, His Excellency Joaquim Alberto Chissano at the to laying wreaths at Dr Kenneth Kaunda’s resting placeFormer Mozambican President, His Excellency Joaquim Alberto Chissano at the to laying wreaths at Dr Kenneth Kaunda’s resting placeFormer Mozambican President, His Excellency Joaquim Alberto Chissano at the to laying wreaths at Dr Kenneth Kaunda’s resting placePresident Lungu meeting UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema at the Funeral of the late President Kenneth KaundaPresident Lungu meeting UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema at the Funeral of the late President Kenneth KaundaThe laying of wreaths at the resting place of the late President Kenneth KaundaThe laying of wreaths at the resting place of the late President Kenneth KaundaThe laying of wreaths at the resting place of the late President Kenneth KaundaThe deploying of the Tombstone with a wrong birth day dateThe Tombstone with a wrong dateThe corrected dates on the stoneThe corrected dates on the stone
