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Zambia’s first female Professor, Hon. Nkandu Luo has paid glowing tribute to President Edgar Lungu for standing for gender equality and equity in the nation.
Speaking Friday on the round table talk in Lusaka, Prof Luo said Zambia had passed the gender equality and equity bill which had now become law.
She said President Lungu had further demonstrated his support for women by appointing a woman, Mrs Inonge Wina as first female Vice President of Zambia.
Prof Luo who is also fisheries and Livestock Minister however bemoaned that women don’t support each other and urged them to be more united especially that society still remains male dominated.
She said many are the times that women are pulled down by fellow women.
“In my constituency in Munali, my fellow women are in the forefront saying we now want a man and yet I have delivered development in constituency. Munali is now a far much better place than it used to be. I have prudently utilized the constituency development fund. I help a lot of orphans to go to school. What I will not do is line up people and dish them money.. That I will not do because its a cause of confusion. If I line up people and give them hundred Kwachas, what about others who won’t recieve a hundred Kwacha? She said.
And Hon. Luo has urged women to love themselves stating if they haven’t done so in the past, to use the occasion of women’s day on monday the 8th of March 2021, to begin to love themselves.
She said women are so important in each aspect of life and that their importance cannot be over emphasised.
She said women’s day is a very important occasion not to protest as women but to celebrate the achievements of women and for women to remind themselves that they still have work to do so that the male gender begins to appreciate the important role women play in society.
On Monday, 8th March 2021, the world will commemorate Women’s day under the theme choose to challenge.
Women’s day is an annual event that has been celebrated worldwide since 1911.
The video of the funeral service of late Zambian nationalist and businessman Andrew Sardanis, who died on 28 February 2021 aged 89. Among the keynote speakers at the event were founding President Dr. Kenneth Kaunda and former South African president Thabo Mbeki.
Napsa Stars coach Mohammed Fathi believes last Wednesday’s league loss at Young Green Eagles has not dented their belief heading into this Wednesday’s CAF Confederation Cup Group B opener in Morocco against holders RS Berkane.
Napsa are currently en route to Berkane on the back of a humbling 3-1 away league loss to struggling promoted side Young Eagles in Kafue.
The result is sixth from bottom Napsa’s heaviest league defeat this season.
“We know where the breakdown is and the players are taking each game separately,” Fathi said.
“And this game has different preparations and mentality and they are ready to fight.”
Napsa’s league form is in contrast to their continental run where they are unbeaten in their debut CAF Confederation Cup campaign.
Meanwhile, the 23-member team left for Casablanca on Saturday afternoon from Lusaka via the Dubai.
From Casablanca, the team will travel north-east near the Algerian border to Berkane.
It will also be Napsa’s debut away trip to North Africa after preliminary stage excursions to Comoros, Mozambique and Kenya.
“It is a long journey, I can’t say what the effect on the team will be but we will assess the players when we arrive after midnight meaning; early Monday morning, and we will see what we can do,”Fathi said.
TEAM
GOALKEEPERS: Philip Banda, Rabson Muchelenganga, Shaban Ohdoji
DEFENDERS: David Owino, Luka Banda, Luka Nguni, Lawrence Chungu, Bornwell Silengo, Amos Simwanza
MIDFIELDERS: Jacob Ngulube, Daniel Adoko ,Dickson Chapa, Danny Silavwe, Aaron Kabwe, Austin Banda,Enock Sabumukama ,Aaron Banda, Simon Chipanama
STRIKERS: Chanda Mushili, Bornwell Mwape, Jimmy Mukeya, Emmanuel Mayuka, Doisy
Backed by GRZ, UN and GCF, Farmer Field Schools are helping Zambia’s small-scale farmers and their communities become better equipped with knowledge and capacity to adapt and turn climate risks into climate resilience
By Moses Zangar, Jr.
For years, Kennedy Chilepa struggled to eke out a living growing maize and cowpeas on his farm in Zambia’s Mambwe District, where crop yields often take a big hit due to severe dry spells and floods, jeopardizing food security.
Chilepa and many small-scale farmers in the country’s east had long relied on traditional farming methods to manage their crops. But such traditional know-how has become increasingly unreliable and are no longer sufficient to cope with a changing climate.
Farmer Field School at Ngambwa camp in Nyimba district listen to the Camp Extension Officer Photo by Turnbull Chama at FAO
Unable to rely anymore on their outdated methods, Chilepa knows one way to save his farm in Ncheka Village is to sign up to the Farmer Field School in his village and learn how climate change impacts their farming and how to adapt to erratic weather.
“At first, it was a difficult decision for me because I didn’t believe in anything called climate change. After participating in the Farmer Field School, I now know the benefits of converting to these new ways of farming are many and they are worth the time,” the 44-years-old said.
EFFORTS TO HELP
To help remedy the situation, a project financed by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the world’s largest dedicated climate fund, is helping small-scale farmers cope with worsening climate change impacts in Zambia. Led by the Zambian Ministry of Agriculture, the Farmer Field School initiative operates under the aegis of a project locally known as SCRALA. The partnership with the government was mobilised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through a coalition involving the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP).
Under the GCF-funded SCRALA project, 76 Farmer Field Schools have since been established in eight districts – Mambwe, Nyimba, Mafinga, Chama, Luangwa, Rufunsa, Chongwe and Chirundu – with each school comprising between 30 to 35 participants. The project has so far trained 2,300 small-scale farmers to locally identified and prioritized adaptation practices and it’s looking to expand the initiative to eight other districts namely, Kazungula, Siavonga, Gwembe, Namwala, Sesheke, Shangombo, Senanga and Mulobezi this year.
Planting FFS demos at Buli camp in Chama district. Photo by Turnbull Chama at FAO
The Farmer Field Schools (FFS) are experimental learning centres designed to foster uptake of best practices. They also aim to train and build capacity of extension officers and provide information to small-scale farmers on agriculture resilience including information on diversification of crops and livelihoods.
The SCRALA project has deployed 15 United Nations Volunteers who are working with farming communities in 16 drought and flood-prone districts – promoting alternative livelihood practices and sustainable farming techniques to fend off climate change and improve food security.
Land preparation of FFS demos at Katangalika camp in Chama district
WEATHER FORECAST
With 20 more automated weather stations added to the existing 68 stations under a previous UNDP-supported project, the Zambia Meteorological Department is taking important steps to give farmers accurate and easily digestible weather information, tailored to specific locations, which will allow farmers to plan better and optimise the planting season.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, the Department holds forums where they share forecasts and agro-meteorological tips on how farmers can prepare for the coming farming season. These improved agro-meteorological tips are giving small-scale farmers the support they need to strengthen resilience and better prepare for more frequent climate shocks.
GAME CHANGER
“I don’t have to wait on rainfall to grow my crops these days. I now harvest two times more from the same field I used to prior to joining the Farmer Field School. My household has enough food to eat and sell,” Kennedy Chilepa said.
Farmer Beauty Sakala, a 59-year-old single mother from Kakwiya Village almost lost interest in farming when she realised that more erratic weather was making agriculture an unreliable source of income. But these days, her garden is green and fertile, and she produces twice as much after joining the Farmer Field School.
“I am now making a living for my family planting vegetables that grow quickly and require less water that can fetch me more money than maize,” Beauty brags.
WOMEN TAKING THE LEAD
Women constitute more than half of Zambia’s population of 18 million people and their leadership in agriculture is increasingly being recognized as key to adapting to climate change in the country. Women make up more than 70 percent of the agricultural labour force in Zambia and play a critical role in enhancing food security and nutrition, as they are the mainstay of agricultural production. They are playing a strong role in adapting new technology, spreading information, and urging action.
Two of those who have stepped up in Mambwe District are Bridget Nyirenda and Mary Mbale. With their histories of dismal harvests plus the knowledge they gained from the Farmer Field School, both women are on the frontline cascading this valuable knowledge to other women farmers in their villages – helping them identify available management options to mitigate climate related risks.
Patricia Munwela of Kazungala District in Southern Zambia has first hand experience on impacts of climate change. She now practices conservation agriculture to safe her crops Photo NAIS
“I am very lucky to participate in the Farmer Field School. I will share the knowledge with as many women as possible so that they too can improve their harvests and make a better living,” Bridget said.
“Without the knowledge to cope with this ever-changing weather, one can die of hunger. We really needed this knowledge to help us beat bad weather and grow more food,” Mary said.
These farmers have proved the most open to trying new ideas to deal with climate-stress – even when they have been taunted for attending training sessions. The knowledge gained from the hands-on group learning and on-farm demonstrations enables farmers to make their own locally specific decisions about crop management practices.
“This has resulted in sustainable development benefits, as these vulnerable farmers and their families have seen increases in income and enhanced food security, leading to health and environmental co-benefit,” said Turnbull Chama who coordinates the SCRALA Farmer Field School initiative under FAO.
EMBRACING FIELD-BASED LEARNING
Approximately 90 percent Zambia’s rural population depend on rainfed agriculture for a living, making them highly vulnerable to more extreme weather associated with climate change, agricultural experts say.
The goal of the SCRALA project is to improve farming yields, reduce poverty and bolster food security in a country where, during times of peak production, up to 60 percent of the country’s staple crop, maize, is grown by small-scale farmers, according to government figures.
Zambia continues to witness an increase in both the frequency and intensity of climate and weather shocks, resulting in more rural households being locked in the poverty cycle, particularly small-scale farmers. Experts say this trend will continue and likely get worse through the rest of this century.
A happy Milimo
This indicates that more investment needs to go into adaptation options that ensure farming systems in the country are resilient to these extreme events, and allow for diversification of livelihoods that include livestock, fisheries and development of the agricultural value chain, agricultural experts say.
Songowayo Zyambo, the Ministry of Agriculture Permanent Secretary, is confident such grounded, field-based learning will help farmers adapt to the country’s shifting climate.
“The current farmer to extension worker ratio in Zambia stands at about 1000:1; and this is against an ideal and internationally recommended ratio of about 400:1. Therefore, in an effort to improve extension service delivery, the Government of the Republic of Zambia, has been promoting the formation of Farmer Field Schools, as this is an innovative approach that groups farmers together, in order to increase the coverage of extension service delivery,” Zyambo said.
Grace Milimo, a smallscale farmer in Gwembe District aspires to be a commercial farming photo by Moses Zangar Jr
In spite of this affirmative action, agriculture analysts say major facets of gender inequalities still exist, especially among rural women employed in the agriculture sector, who constitute 76 percent of the agricultural labour force. These include women’s limited access to and control over productive resources, services and markets.
“As the largest service provider in the UN system supporting countries on climate change adaptation and mitigation, UNDP will continue to partner with the Government of Zambia, the private sector and other UN agencies on this defining issue of our time on a wide range of interventions, including strengthening resilience at grass-root level to help sharpen the ability of small-scale farmers, mainly women to make critical and informed decisions that render their farming profitable and climate-smart,” says Lionel Laurens, the UNDP Resident Representative in Zambia.
BREAKING THE CYCLE OF POOR HARVESTS
In the face of increasingly unpredictable weather, adapting to climate change is an important step in helping small-scale farmers avoid future losses and adopt innovative and tailor-made methods to make their farming sustainable, efficient and economically profitable.
Farmer John and his children pose for a photo before his yields in Gwembe District. Photo Moses Zangar Jr.
For many of Zambia’s long-struggling small-scale farmers like Chilepa, Beauty, Bridget and Mary, the Farmer Field School approach, a GCF-funded initiative supported by a UN coalition led by UNDP with FAO and WFP in partnership with the Government of the Republic of Zambia, offers hope that they might break the cycle of poor harvests, thereby transforming climate risks into climate resilience.
Note: The author is Communications Specialist for the Environment Unit at UNDP Zambia.
A couple reaps the benefits of Conservation Farming in Western Zambia. Photo by Moses Zangar Jr
Newly appointed UPND Deputy Secretary-General for politics, Patrick Mucheleka says it is disheartening that enemies of doom could accuse the largest opposition political party in the country, the UPND of being ‘undemocratic’.
Speaking on Muvi TV’s Special Interview last evening, Mr Mucheleka stressed that the recently-held extraordinary elective General Assembly by the UPND was a reflection of the face of Zambia’s ethnic and cultural composition.
Mr Mucheleka also dispelled rumours that the just-ended intra-party elections were doctored to favour a few select individuals.
He stated that that the more than 30 percent of women representation of women in the numerous portfolios in the UPND were a reflection of the party’s adherence to numerous protocols that call for gender balance in key decision making organs of political parties in the country.
He says it was laughable that certain sections of Zambian society expected the UPND to conduct intra-party elections in an unhazardous manner when it was evident that Zambia had slid into a Police state.
And Mr Mucheleka says the UPND wasn’t in any alliance with questionable individuals such as Steve Nyirenda of the National Restoration Party (NAREP) and disposed of National Democratic Congress (NDC) leader, Chishimba Kambwili, but the people of Zambia!
He says Zambians were yearning for meaningful change to restore the country’s lost economic fortunes and heritage.
Mr Mucheleka has also described as a “detrimental scheme of disfranchising” Zambians through the manipulation of the voter register which has seen a reduction in the number of registered voters in the so-called opposition strongholds, saying the UPND was confident that the registered voters in PF strongholds would vote for the opposition this August.
He says the habitual flashing money like tree leaves and grass by known PF cadres would not aid the PF in holding onto power permanently.
He observes that recent sentiments by Vice President, Inonge Mutukwa Wina that those splashing huge stacks of money to the public was a sign the those in the ruling party had lost touch with reality and a slap on the face of innocent Zambians.
Two districts in Muchinga province have been earmarked to benefit from the 200-Million United States dollars World Bank funded rural roads connectivity project of upgrading roads in selected districts around the country.
Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, Vincent Mwale said in Muchinga Province, Chinsali and Shiwang’andu districts have been selected to benefit from the project of upgrading roads to quality standards.
Mr. Mwale who was speaking when he paid a courtesy call on Muchinga province Minister Malozo Sichone in Chinsali today, charged that Government will continue to prioritize road infrastructure development throughout the country in order to enhance safe transportation of goods and services on improved roads.
“I wish to also mention that other districts such as Isoka and Nakonde will benefit from the project in the second phase which will start in the second quarter of 2021 under the same project funded by the World Bank and the Government of the Republic of Zambia,” he added.
Mr. Mwale further mentioned that government will ensure that the Chama-Matumbo and the Chama- Lundazi roads are completed in due course in order to connect Muchinga and Eastern Provinces with a modern road network.
And Muchinga Province Minister Malozo Sichone appreciated government for considering the province in the rural roads connectivity project, where Chinsali and Shiwang’andu districts will be the first to benefit.
Mr. Sichone said the upgrading of roads in the province will economically benefit the people, especially in the effective transportation of goods such as farm products on time and thus make challenges of good transportation a thing of the past.
“As people of Muchinga, we are very grateful to President Edgar Lungu for addressing issues of infrastructure with urgency,” he said.
The Provincial Minister further appealed to the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure to quickly work on the Nakonde-Kanyala road which has been in a poor state for many years, lamenting that people in the area have been complaining about the state of the road for a long time.
Mr. Sichone also called on the Minister to treat the recently collapsed bridge that was washed away by heavy rains in Mafinga with immediate urgency.
And in response to both appeals, Mr Mwale assured the provincial minister that a solution will be found as both situations are matters of emergency.
Mr Mwale was in Muchinga Province check on the progress of roads and Infrastructure projects.
A critical shortage of safe drinking water has hit Shamutamba and Twengelele area in Chikankata district of Southern province.
The two communities are walking 5 kilometers to draw water to the nearest water points.
Shamutamba community representative Scavier Mazila complained to ZANIS that members of community are forced to walk a distance of more than five kilometers to have access to clean drinking water.
He said the area has no enough boreholes to cater for the growing population and appealed to government to drill more water points
“Life has been difficult for us here due to lack enough boreholes in Shamutamba area”, he cried.
He appealed to government to drill more boreholes in Shamutamba area in order to alleviate water crisis in Shamutamba in Chief Naluama.
Minister of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental protection Raphael Nakachinda has disclosed that phase one of the 40 million United states dollars Water project in Luapula Province has reached 41 percent.
The Minister says the Project which is being implemented in two phases will see over 200 000 people in four Districts namely Mansa, Samfya, Kawambwa and Mwense have access to clean and safe water once completed.
Mr. Nakachinda revealed that 27 million United States dollars out of the total amount of the project will be spent on the Mansa and Samfya works while the remaining amount will cater for Mwense and Kawambwa as phase two.
Speaking when he called on Luapula Province Minister at his office, mr Nakachinda said the project for Mansa and Samfya is progressing well while the contract for Mwense and Kawambwa which is in phase two is yet to be awarded.
“As a Ministry we are confident that once the project is completed a lot of people in the Province will have access to safe and clean water and that is the desire of the Republican President Edgar Lungu, ” he said
He further disclosed that his Ministry is implementing another project in Nchelenge and Chiengi Districts apart from 152 boreholes which have been drilled in the Province.
He added that 7 water scheme projects have also been done in the Province as part of government commitment to ensuring people have access to clean and safe water in the country.
And Luapula Province Minister Nickson Chilangwa stressed the need to establish the Luapula water Authority.
The Minister noted the importance of protecting the Luapula River just as the Zambezi River is also protected.
“There are a lot of human activities taking place along the Luapula River and therefore there is need to regulate how these activities are done,” he observed.
Mr Chilangwa reiterated that the Province will continue to work closely with the Ministry of Water Development so that the Luapula water Authority is actualized.
And the Minister observed that the Water projects being undertaken in the province will enable the water utility company become economically viable.
Minister of water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection is in Luapula Province to tour some of the water Projects in the region.
The issue of us joining alliances or pacts keeps on coming up. We have explained and explained our position on this issue but it keeps coming up ceaselessly.
For us, it is not about quick and easy political fixes just to enable us win elections. For us, there is no choice between being principled and unelectable; and electable and unprincipled. We should win because of what we believe in.
A complex era such as this requires principles more than ever. It requires a lot more awareness. Political deals, alliances or pacts are worthless if they are not inspired by noble, selfless sentiments. Likewise, noble sentiments are worthless if they are not based on correct and fair arrangements.
We have chosen to defend certain principles that are of tremendous value at a time of confusion and opportunism in our country, a time when many politicians are feathering their own nests. We will cooperate with other political players to address problems which affect all of us. But we will not be part of these alliance circuses going on.
Nobody should think that things are going to be easy. We must be prepared to meet difficulties. We have difficulties right now, and we will have even greater ones in the coming days, weeks and months, even if we do things the right way – and we should do them the right way, even if it calls for our greatest efforts. We have to cope with the objective problems of the situation prevailing in our country, the increasing number of restrictive and repressive measures this corrupt, intolerant, cruel and tyrannical regime takes against us.
Nothing great ever came easy; nothing good ever came easy. The struggles, challenges, and obstacles that it takes to succeed in life is what makes success more valuable. Nothing great comes easy, and nothing easy can ever equate to greatness.
Working hard on a goal is really the only way to reach it. The results won’t be overnight, nor would it be easy. Aside from being patient, investing a lot of time and effort is needed. It’s true that nothing great ever came that easy. Often times, it would take so much work and patience in order to succeed. Hard work and focus is the only way to reach a goal.
In most cases, results won’t come easy or happen overnight. It’s true that nothing great ever came that easy. Often times, it would take so much work, patience and dedication. And we shouldn’t give up. The path to victory is filled of obstacles and challenges. We just need to find solutions and keep on struggling.
Lots of hard work and time need to be invested – nothing great ever came that easy. A life of ignoble ease which springs merely from lack either of desire or of power to strive after great things, is as little worthy of a nation as of an individual. I admire a person who embodies victorious effort; who has those virile qualities necessary to win in the stern strife of actual life. It is hard to fail; but it is worse never be have tried to succeed. In this life we get nothing save by effort.
Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much because they live in the grey twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.
The state our country is in calls for not for the life of ease, but for the life of strenuous endeavour. If we shrink from the hard contests where we must win at hazard of our lives and at the risk of all we hold dear, then the bolder and stronger will pass us by and will win for themselves the domination of our country.
Let us therefore boldly face the life of strife, resolute to do our duty well; resolute to uphold righteousness by word and by deed; resolute to be both honest and brave, to serve high ideals, yet to use practical methods. Above all, let us shrink from no strife, moral or physical, provided we are certain that the strife is justified; for it is only through strife, through hard and dangerous endeavour, that we shall ultimately win.
Copperbelt Province has been allocated 14 mini hospitals and two first level hospitals out of the 115 and five level one hospitals that will be constructed across the country.
Health Minister, Jonas Chanda says the construction of the mini and first level hospitals on the Copperbelt will start from Kitwe where only 42 clinics and one Teaching hospital are providing health services to over two million people.
Dr. Chanda said the 14 mini and two first level hospitals in Kitwe will be constructed in Kamatipa, Zamtan, Buchi, Kamitondo, and Chimwemwe.
He added that others will be Chawama mini hospital in Chingola’s Chiwempala Township while others will be in Chambishi in Kalulushi.
Dr. Chanda said other areas such Kawama East in Mufulira, and Kaloko, Katondo, Chifubu, Chipulukusu, and Jacaranda in Ndola will each have one mini hospital.
Maposa and Mpatamatu in Luanshya and Mukumpu in Mpongwe districts have also been considered.
Dr. Chanda intimated that government with support from the United Kingdom Export Financing will spend a total of 300 million United States dollars on the projects countrywide.
He also disclosed that the project includes construction of staff accommodation, equipment for and training of members of staff at each health facility in Kitwe will have four mini and two level one hospitals in Kitwe.
Dr Chanda announced this during ground breaking to pave way for the construction of Chimwemwe level one hospital in Kitwe today.
He noted that hospital in Chimwemwe will enhance provision of quality health care services not only in the district but the entire country.
Dr. Chanda said 32 out of 115 mini hospitals have already been completed and are operational countrywide while 46 sites are under construction with 37 sites whose works are yet to commence.
“The Patriotic Front government under the able stewardship of President Edgar Lungu is resolved to attaining the universal health coverage without leaving anyone behind. One of the key pillars to achieving this, is to reduce the distances our people cover to access health services,” Dr. Chanda said.
Dr. Chanda who is also BwanaMkubwa Member of Parliament said completion of the mini and first level hospitals will reduce cases of infectious diseases such as HIV, TB and Malaria.
“To address the health infrastructure gap created by a mismatch between growing population and available health facilities, the PF government therefore embarked on a robust quantitative and qualitative infrastructure development program since assuming power in 2011,” he said.
Dr. Chanda has since called on District Health Directors to strictly ensure that land is preserved to allow expansion of health facilities.
And speaking earlier, Kitwe District Commissioner, Chileshe Bweupe said the district has a higher population and require adequate health facilities.
Meanwhile, NMS Infrastructure Limited Director of Business Development Alistair Johnston, confirmed that works will start once the team is assembled in the district.
And Kitwe District Health Director, Goerge Mukupa said the coming of mini hospitals and one district hospital will decongest the Teaching Hospital which is currently overwhelmed by huge numbers of people.
Health Minister, Jonas ChandaHealth Minister, Jonas ChandaHealth Minister, Jonas ChandaHealth Minister, Jonas Chanda
President Edgar Lungu says government will continue looking to the Church for spiritual and moral guidance as well as other issues of national development.
The President has also reiterated that government will continue to work with the Church in efforts aimed at uplifting the welfare of the country and the political landscape by making sure that peace is upheld in the nation.
The Head of State was speaking in Lusaka yesterday when he graced the 20th Anniversary celebration for the Bible Gospel Church in Africa (BIGOCA).
President Lungu further urged the Church to remain united and make sure that they pray for the nation against violence especially that the nation is heading to the general elections.
“Pray for harmony and brotherhood in the nation and condemn violence. We need peace and unity before, during and after elections. Those who are perpetrators of violence do not belong to me. I despise violence and will always side for peace,” said the Head of State.
President Lungu has also advised the Zambian citizenry against engaging themselves in fighting back when provoked saying that the best thing to do is to involve the police and allow them to take charge of the matter.
“If you are provoked call for the police. Do not fight back. When someone provokes you on anything don’t say I will fight back, no, call out for the police,” he advised.
And the President has called on the Church to help government fight issues of Gender Based Violence (GBV), child marriages and corruption.
“Helps us to fight corruption in the country. It’s astonishing that the people who have destroyed the economy are the ones singing about corruption. Let us revisit the approach to corruption fight. Tell us where we went wrong, if its institutions failing us, lets inform them, if it’s the people, let’s educate them,” he stated.
The President also urged the clergy, women and the youth within the Church to come up with multipurpose cooperatives to benefit from the Churches Empowerment Initiative that was recently launched.
He observed that Christians are part of the Zambian citizenry who should also benefit from the governments empowerment programmes.
“Christians cannot sit back and look at others benefiting. They need to come on board and equally benefit from the empowerment programmes. Just as they are members of the Church, they are also members of the country,” said President Lungu.
The Head of State also observed that the COVDI-19 pandemic has not spared the places of worship and urged the Church not to relent in following the health guidelines.
“The Church have not been spared for COVID-19. It is imperative that you take advantage of the health guidelines that have been given by the Ministry of Health,” he urged.
Meanwhile, President Lungu noted that government recognises the many developmental programmes that the Bible Gospel Church in Africa have implemented in the country aimed at improving the livelihood of the people.
“Let me express my gratitude for the developmental projects you have implemented for improved wellbeing of the people among them being installation of boreholes that have enabled people in rural areas to have access to clean water as well as a health post in Nyimba district in Eastern province. And I urge you to continue so that other Churches can emulate you,” the President said.
And BIGOCA Overseer Archbishop Peter Ndhlovu said his Church will continue to work with the government of the day and will also continue providing checks and balances as well as guidance where needed.
Archbishop Ndhlovu who thanked President Lungu for gracing the 20th anniversary celebrations for his Church noted that the celebrations shows how faithful God has been to the Church.
He further expressed gratitude to the Head of State for not closing the Church during this time of the second wave of the COVID-19.
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu is welcomed by Archbishop ,Dr.Peter Ndhlovu during the 20th anniversary celebration of Bible Gospel Church in Africa(BIGOCA)in Lusaka PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu with Minister of National Guidance and Religious Affairs ,Godfridah Sumaili read the bible during the 20th anniversary celebration of Bible Gospel Church in Africa(BIGOCA)in Lusaka.
Kitwe United’s FAZ Super Division stay is looking very precarious after losing for a four successive league game on Saturday.
Chingalika fell 1-0 at Garden Park to visiting Green Eagles as their search for an elusive first league win of the 2020/2021 season continues after 21 games played on 8 points with thirteen matches left for them to save their souls.
Eagles’ defender Warren Kunda’s superb glancing header off an Emmanuel Mukosha free-kick in the 33rd minute to hand Eagles their first 3 points in three games in which period they managed to collect 2 points.
The result put ninth placed Eagles on 28 points and back in the Confederation Cup qualification race and now sit three points behind third placed Forest Rangers who are tied on 31 points with Buildcon and Kabwe Warriors in the top five.
Eagles ‘ win comes just four days after they were crushed 3-1 at home by Green Buffaloes.
Meanwhile, 12th positioned Buffaloes failed to build on that victory in Choma following a 2-1 home loss to Nkwazi in Lusaka.
Friday Samu equalized for Buffaloes in the 53rd minute after Crawford Mwaba had given Nkwazi the lead.
But Christopher Zulu ensured Nkwazi got the 3 points in the 68th minute.
Buffaloes have 22 points while Nkwazi are five points ahead at number 10.
FAZ SUPER DIVISION
WEEK 21
06/03/2021
Kitwe United 0-Green Eagles 1
Green Buffaloes 1-Nkwazi 2 07/03/2021
Forest Rangers-Young Green Eagles
Power Dynamos-Red Arrows
Lumwana Radiants-Lusaka Dynamos
13h00: Prison Leopards-Indeni
15h00:Kabwe Warriors-Zesco United POSTPONED:
Napsa Stars-Buildcon
Zanaco-Nkana WEEK 19
10/03/2021
Power Dynamos-Prison Leopards POSTPONED:
Lumwana Radiants-Nkana
Zesco United have an opportunity to open a four-point lead on the 2020/2021 FAZ Super Division table on Sunday when they visit Kabwe Warriors.
Zesco could benefit from second place Zanaco’s inactivity this weekend with whom they are now seemingly engaged with in the start of a two-horse race for the 2020/2021 league title.
Zanaco who are a point behind Zesco on 36 points are on break because opponents and Week 21 guest Nkana are heading to Egypt this Sunday for their CAF Confederation Cup Group D opener against Pyramids on March 10 in Cairo.
The onus is clearly now on Zesco to conjure a victory in Kabwe this Sunday knowing very well that, despite Zanaco’s status, the number two side still enjoys healthier goal difference.
“I think Zanaco has been consistent in the second round, they have been picking up points which is giving us competition so we have to compete because Zanaco has been scoring so many goals so we are trying to catch up in terms of goal difference between us and them,” Zesco coach Mumamba Numba said.
Zesco travel to Kabwe looking to become the first FAZ Super Division team this season to garner five successive league wins.
The Ndola side joined Prison Leopards as the only sides on four straight wins this season following last Wednesday’s 4-1 home victory over Lumwana Radiants.
Zesco will also be hoping to complete a double over Warriors after beating them 2-0 in the first leg on November 21 in Ndola.
But Zesco will head to Godfrey “Ucar” Chitalu Stadium without midfielder Kelvin Mubanga who scored a brace in that first leg win.
Also out is defender Clement Mwape who has joined Mwila Phiri on Zesco’s injury list.
Meanwhile, victory in Kabwe will set-up a potentially explosive showdown when the league returns from the international break on April 3.
Zesco will host Zanaco that weekend after the latter humbled them 3-1 in the first leg on November 25 in Lusaka.
Morocco and Zambia are poised to build on positive relations to promote further development, trade, and diplomacy.
Both countries’ representatives announced their desires for further cooperation on Friday during the inauguration of Zambia’s new representatives in Morocco.
Zambia’s Foreign Minister Joseph Malanji and Nasser Bourita, Morocco’s Minister of foreign affairs, African cooperation and Moroccan expatriates, attended the event welcoming the new officials to their post.
From today, Zambia will be represented in Morocco’s capital by Ambassador Eliphas Chinyonga as well as Consul Kelvin Malisase who will head Zambia’s consulate in Laayoune.
The new diplomatic missions intend to build on positive relations and improve interactions between Morocco and Zambia, as well as promote trade and development.
The two African nations have been working together intensively over the few past years to increase economic activity.
These efforts have resulted in a 25% increase in bilateral economic activity, which the two friendly nations are keen to extend even further.
The new diplomatic missions, which were originally opened in October, will improve dialogue between the country and enable further cooperation on key issues.
As a sign of positive relations, Zambia again emphasized its “active support” for Morocco’s diplomatic efforts surrounding the Western Sahara issue.
Zambia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Malanji stated that relations with Morocco were “solid” and that Zambia supports the “legitimate positions of Morocco.”
Nasser Bourita added that “we often exchange on our bilateral relations and on regional issues, especially within the African continent and within the framework of the African Union.”
Today’s diplomatic formalities additionally served to dispel rumors surrounding Zambia’s consulate in Laayoune.
Algerian media had reported that Zambia had withdrawn its consulate in Laayoune, something Zambian officials simply described as “false.”
UK based Galileo Resources has signed an agreement to divest the Star zinc project to local Zambian firm Siege Mining.
As per the deal terms, Siege Mining will pay $200,000 for the large-scale exploration licence in addition to $550,000 for taking an ownership stake in the project.
The Zambian mining firm will also acquire Galileo’s exploration data in relation to the Star Zinc Project.
Galileo will also be paid a royalty by Siege Mining on potential zinc sales from the project, based on the zinc grade.
Galileo chairman and CEO Colin Bird said: “The Star Zinc project is a small but high-grade deposit situated in the expanding outskirts of Lusaka in Zambia in relative close proximity to housing, schooling and social amenities.
“The project lends itself to highly selective mining in a small area and as such is suitable for a small-scale community project involving artisanal mining operations and sorting of ore off-site.”
Siege Mining is in the process of securing licences required to undertake mining activities within the Star zinc project area.
Galileo said that the divestment will allow it to focus on exploration activities in Botswana.
The firm has 15 licences in the Kalahari Copperbelt.
