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President Lungu to attend late Magufuli’s funeral

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President Lungu to attend late Magufuli’s funeral

President Edgar Lungu is this morning expected to leave for Tanzania to attend the brutal of that country’s late President John Magufuli

State House sources revealed that President Lungu is expected to leave on Monday and return to Lusaka on the same day.

Tanzania’s new president Samia Suluhu announced on Friday that the funeral of Dr Magufuli will be held on March 25.

Mr Magufuli died on Wednesday evening and a requiem mass was held at St Peter’s Catholic Church in Dar es Salaam before the body is taken to Uhuru Stadium.

On Sunday, residents of Dar es Salaam will bid Magufuli farewell at Uhuru Stadium.

His body will then be moved to Dodoma tomorrow and to Mwanza on Tuesday for locals to bid goodbye.

Thereafter, the body will be moved to his ancestral home in Chato for the final interment next Thursday.

Last month, the US Embassy in Dar es Salaam warned that Covid-19 cases in the country had been surging since January.

Most western nations have also advised their citizens against travelling to Tanzania.

Travel increases chances of infection and spreading of the virus, which informs movement restrictions.

No sitting EAC President, for instance, attended the burial of the late Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza, who also succumbed to the virus, in June last year.

President Uhuru Kenyatta was represented by EAC Chief Administrative Secretary Ken Obura, while Magufuli sent Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, who led a 21-member delegation.

Uganda President Yoweri Museveni was represented by the country’s Ambassador, Matayo Kyaligonza to Bujumbura, while President Salva Kiir of South Sudan sent a condolence message.

And given the current third wave of the pandemic, gathering for the funeral could be dangerous to attendants.

The more people interact, the closer in distance the interaction is and the longer the interaction lasts, the higher the risk of spreading the virus.

Health officials have pointed out that many people have contracted the virus through gatherings such as funerals.

In his message of condolences, President Lungu described the late Magufuli as a brother.

“You ran a good race my dearest friend and brother late President John Pombe Magufuli. You were such a great gift not only to Tanzania but the African continent too. Thank you for everything you gave to humanity. RIP.”

“The untimely death of President Magufuli will forever be painfully etched in the collective memory of the People of the United Republic of Tanzania for his selflessness resolve to bring about socio economic transformation and prosperity to his countrymen,” President Lungu said.

“On the regional front, President Magufuli will be remembered for his immense contribution towards the growth of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) through his recent Chairmanship of the regional body. Dr Magufuli was equally passionate about the promotion of the Swahili language through out the SADC region and would go out of his way to teach fellow Presidents the Swahili language during meetings,” President Lungu remembered.

“l also remember Dr Magufuli and I touring the Zambia Revenue Authority offices in Nakonde, and later addressing residents in the border town. He still insisted that he addresses residents in his beloved Swahili. But his emphasis was on developing our two countries whether in rural or urban areas to uplift the lives of our people.”

“To Tanzania ‘s Vice-President, Her Excellency, Mrs. Samia Hassan Suluhu, as we join you in mourning the dearly departed President, the Zambian Government will continue to cherish the friendship we shared which served to further enhance the relations between Zambia and the Republic of Tanzania. Please accept, Your Excellency, our deepest sympathies on this great loss.”

How Will Africa Remember Tanzanian President John Magufuli

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How Will Africa Remember Tanzanian President John Magufuli

By Anthony Mukwita

About five years ago, the African media world was captivated by a new buzz word—What Would Magufuli do? or WWMD.

The phrase of course had been used before in reverence and reference to President Obama and even the Lord Jesus Christ, whenever, people hit a brick wall. Never before, however, had it been so used as a prefix for an African leader, as it did with President John Pombe Joseph Magufuli, the fifth President of the United Republic of Tanzania after he assumed office in 2015.

Media prose from Cape to Cairo and Main Street to High street have today been awash with obituaries of the larger than life African leader, aptly nick-named the Bulldozer by Tanzania´s media due to his brashness and strong desire to get the job done against all odds.

PRESIDENT EDGAR LUNGU REMEMBERS PRESIDENT JOHN MAGUFULI

Personally, I never knew or even met H.E Magufuli so my recollection of the dotted leader, as a keen documentarist of African contemporary history is limited to what I have read and first-hand information from those that knew him such as fellow envoys. Back home, our President H.E Edgar Lungu shared a personal and work relationship with his departed friend whom he nostalgically recalls for a generous donation he (H.E Magufuli) made to Zambia´s agriculture sector, in form of early maturing cashew nut seed variety that is uplifting the livelihoods of Zambians ´kwa hae´ in Western Province and putting money in peoples pockets.

In Tanzania, the list of his productive work in over just five years runs like a thread of gold starting from a high-speed rail, hydropower stations, expansion of the Mzee Julius Nyerere International Airport, a port at Dodoma and the revival of the once defunct Air Tanzania, even without local pilots. He will be nostalgically recalled for ´killing´ “Ghost workers” off government payroll that robbed Tanzania of scarce financial recourses that were later to be channelled towards building schools or sinking bore holes for clean water.

THE CASE FOR WRITING MORE LITERATURE ON AFRICAN LEADERS

President Magufuli had a hate love relationship with the western media that likened him to a dictator and often chose to focus on allegations of covid-19 denier rather than his major economic scores that saw Tanzania´s economy race beyond 7pc annually when regional economies slowed down.
President Magufuli to me is a perfect example on why African writers and documentarists must step up to the plate and document their own African stories instead of leaving the task to the west.

If you have any doubt about this, google three or five main western news agencies on President Magufuli and other African obituaries.

HOW WILL AFRICA REMEMBER PRESIDENT MAGUFULI?

President Magufuli is not painted in the good light that his people know him of but with a brush of impunity. I must know because I have written a book on a living President so that others such as John Smith or Andrew James do not distort what we know of our own story. We must control the narrative.

When Africa remembers President John Pombe Joseph Magufuli, I reckon it is important to recall him as a reformist as referred by President Lungu and as “Pan Africanist” as referred to by President Uhuru Kenyatta of Tanzania.

No one leader is perfect but the challenge for African writers must be that of combining the “bitter with the sweet” in order to counter the mostly bitter west narrative because history is written by winners.

Survived by First Lady Janet, children Jessica and Joseph, President Magufuli who started off a career as a teacher and later obtained degrees in chemistry will be remembered for many different things by Tanzanians and beyond following his death at 61 only.

REGIONAL ECONOMIC INTEGRATION

When uplifting African stories and songs are written, President Magufuli shall be in lots of lines of many songs and books. His demise while sad and devastating nevertheless has inadvertently paved way to Tanzania´s first female President H.E Samia Suluhu. Tanzania´s President Pombe shares a number of similarities with the President Lungu, starting from their staunch belief in Christianity, their female vice Presidents (VP Madam Inonge Mutukwa Wina) the frowning upon on same sex marriages and above all, the strong desire for regional economic integration.

President Magufuli and President Lungu of are credited for the establishment of the “One Stop Border Post” between Zambia and Tanzania, two countries that already share the Tanzania Zambia Railways or Tazara spearheaded by founding fathers Mzee Julius Nyerere and Dr Kenneth Kaunda. True pan Africanists to the core.

The US$6million modern border post at Nakonde in Zambia and Tunduma in Tanzania established in 2019 will boost the two countries economy, especially as Zambia gets linked to the port of Dar es Salaam via the same border. Lets not forget an oil pipeline between Tanzania and Uganda under the Magufuli thumb.

ENTER THE FIRST FEMALE PRESIDENT OF TANZANIA

The death of President Magufuli has also seen a huge rise in google searches of Tanzania, with some people especially in the west discovering that Mount Kilimanjaro is in fact in Tanzania and not Kenya.

President Magufuli was born on 29th October 1959 in Chato village and studied science at the University of Dar es Salaam according to official records. I was going to write another chapter, then I asked myself, “what would Magufuli do?” The King is dead. Long live the King.

The Author is the Ambassador of Zambia to Germany and author of the best-selling book, “Against all Odds; President Edgar Chagwa Lungu´s Rough Journey to State House.” This personal essay is inspired by the life and work of the late President of Tanzania H.E John Pombe Magufuli.

Africa Continental Free Trade Area is an opportunity for farmers-ZCF

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Africa Continental Free Trade Area is an opportunity for farmers-ZCF

The Zambia Cooperative Federation (ZCF) says the domestication of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is an opportunity for both small and commercial farmers in the country to access the ready market.

ZCF Director-General James Chirwa said Zambia has the capacity to produce various agricultural products that can be exported across the African continent.

Mr. Chirwa explained that the time has come for farmers not to depend on the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) to buy their maize grains but to produce for the over 1.2 billion people across the continent.

ZANIS reports that the ZCF Director-General said farmers should grow more crops and add value to their businesses if their livelihoods were to change for the better.

“The domestication of the Africa Free Continental Trade Area by the government is an indication that as farmers, we now have an open market for various goods and services.

For Example, we can grow more maize in the Southern and Eastern provinces as well as enough pineapples in the North-Western and more fish from Northern and Luapula province which can be exported across Africa and make money for our livelihoods,” he said.

And Mr. Chirwa has suggested that government should come up with an industrial development fund that will support small-scale farmers in the production of various crops.

He explained that government can retain the 30 percent shares in the fund during the loan period and later wean off the farmers.

He noted that apportioning certain shares to the government will reduce defaults in remitting the loans and also provide room for technical advice and sourcing of the markets.

Zambia deposited the instruments and accession documents of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) following parliamentary ratification.

The instruments were deposited to the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa by Zambia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union Emmanuel Mwamba, on behalf of Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Malanji on 5th February 2021.

Zambia signed the declaration in Kigali Rwanda in 2018 and the agreement in February 2020.

On 4th February 2021, Zambia’s parliament ratified the AfCFTA agreement.

YALI calls on President Lungu to speedily assent to the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Bill

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YALI calls on President Lungu to speedily assent to the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Bill

The Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) has urged Republican President, Dr. Egdar Chagwa Lungu, to speedily assent to the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Bill which was passed into law by Parliament.

“We are aware that the President is required, within 21 days after the Bill has been presented to him, assent the Bill,” said YALI President Andrew Ntewewe
Mr Ntewewe said the civil society is looking forward to the establishment of the Cyber Security Authority and appointment of inspectors who will help bring sanity to the Cyber space.

“Equally, we want to equally call on the Minister of Home Affairs to speedily operationalize the law after its assent by the President,” said Mr Ntewewe
Mr Ntewewe said many a time good laws to fight modern ills such as terrorism, money laundering and corruption take so long to be made operation but very little is known about our country’s fight against funding and prevention of terrorism.

“This is because, despite the Anti-Terrorism law having been enacted in 2008, little work has been done to put the structures in place that would help combat terrorism,” said Ntewewe.

Mr Ntewewe has called on the Honourable Kampyongo to begin identifying structures that would help to quickly set up the necessary structures under the Bill and emphasised that President Lungu has assured the country that this Bill would be assented.

“The country and its citizens will greatly benefit from having a cyber space which is free of bullying and other associated crimes,” said Ntewewe

Mr Ntewewe said it was even unfortunate that with the proliferation of faceless online media, injury has continued to be caused to people’s reputation with no recourse at all.
“Serious crimes against children and women have been committed using the cyber space and society has a duty to protect these vulnerable groups,” said Ntewewe

Zambia’s envoy calls for extensive trade among African countries

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Zambia’s envoy calls for extensive trade among African countries

Zambia’s High Commissioner to Ghana, Richard Mwanza has called for extensive trade among African countries to help create a single market.

Mr. Mwanza, who is also former ZNBC Director General, said the move would deepen economic integration of the continent to help achieve the objective of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

According to a statement issued to to the media in Lusaka yesterday from the High Commission of Zambia in Ghana, Mr. Mwanza said this during a tour of selected waste management and treatment projects of the Jospong Group of companies in Accra.

He noted that Jospong had proven business successes in the area of waste management and processing, a story that could provide opportunities for Zambian businesses to trade with it.

‘’The opportunity provided by Integrated Recycling and Composting Plant (IRECOP) by producing compost for agriculture and seedling production is of great interest to Zambia as it would help create jobs for the youth in the agribusiness sector,’’ he explained.

He further toured the sewerage systems limited, which is a liquid waste treatment plant of the Jospong Group in Accra, where the Zambian delegation was taken through the scientific process of treating faecal waste and generating biogas for electricity production.

Meanwhile, Managing Director of Sewerages Systems Ghana Ltd, Florence Cobbold said the plant treated over 2,000 cubic metres of liquid waste per day.

Ms. Cobbold added that similar plants are presently under construction in Kumasi, Takoradi, Tema and Tamale to serve other regions of Ghana.

The Zambian delegation later visited Zoompak Ghana Limited and shared ideas on how Zambia could benefit from scientific methods of medical waste treatment to help control infections.

The Jospong Group of Companies is one of the most diversified holdings companies in Ghana with operations in other African countries.

The company has business interest in about 14 sectors, with its biggest operations in waste management, ICT, banking, automobile and equipment.

Kapiri PF endorses Lungu for general conference

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Kapiri PF endorses Lungu for general conference

The ruling Patriotic Front ( PF) in Kapiri Mposhi district has endorsed President Edgar Lungu as a sole presidential candidate at the party’s forthcoming general conference.

And Kapiri Mposhi Constituency PF aspiring candidate

has urged members seeking to be adopted on the party’s ticket in the 2021 general elections to remain loyal to the party even when their applications are not positively considered.

Kapiri Mposhi constituency PF chairman Francis Katongo said President Lungu has shown exceptional leadership to run the country.

Mr. Katongo explained that President Lungu should be retained as the country’s President to continue with his development agenda which has benefited the Zambia during his tenure of office.

“As Kapiri Mposhi, we have endorsed President Lungu as a sole candidate to give him chance to complete his development agenda and the numerous developmental projects he has initiated,” Mr. Katongo said.

And nine aspiring candidates have applied to be adopted for candidacy as Member of Parliament (MP) on the ruling PF ticket in Kapiri Mposhi constituency.

Mr. Katongo said six others have applied seeking adoption on council chairperson position on the PF ticket in the district.

Meanwhile, Kapiri Mposhi constituency PF aspiring candidate Brian Nkolola has implored members seeking to be adopted on the party’s ticket in the 2021 general elections to remain loyal to the party even when they are left out.

Mr. Nkolola said party members should remain loyal to the party and support whoever would be adopted.

Speaking when he successfully filed in his application for adoption as MP, Mr. Nkolola pledged his loyalty to the ruling party and President Lungu even if he is not adopted to stand on the party’s ticket in the 2021 general elections.

Mr. Nkolola pledged to rally behind anyone who would be adopted and urged other aspiring candidates to do the same.

“I have been applying to be adopted as MP for sometime now… this is not the first time and I have remained loyal to the party,” Mr. Nkolola said.

And Kapiri Mposhi District PF Secretary, Austin Chisosa said the overwhelming number of applicants vying for adoption on MP, council chairperson and councillor positions is a sign that the ruling party was still preferable in the district.

Mr. Chisosa disclosed that on average, the party has received five applications seeking adoption on each seat for councillor in the area.

“We have an overwhelming number of applications on each seat and this goes to show how attractive and preferred the PF is in the district,” he said.

UN chief calls for forest conservation

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UN chief calls for forest conservation

United Nations Secretary General António Guterres has called for concerted efforts in preserving and reversing the degradation of forests and other ecosystems globally.

Mr. Guterres said at least 1.6 billion people worldwide depend directly on forests for food, shelter, energy, medicines and income.

He said forests also provide habitat to 80 percent of all known terrestrial species, many of which are at risk.

ZANIS reports that the UN Secretary General said this in statement availed to ZANIS in Lusaka today.

“Forests filter the air we breathe and the water we drink. They regulate our climate, absorbing one-third of the global greenhouse gasses emitted each year. Today, more than one million of the planet’s estimated eight million plant and animals species are at risk of extinction,” he said.

The UN Secretary General pointed out that deforestation should be averted as it increases the risks of infectious disease outbreaks and pandemics.

He has since urged all governments to take quick steps by partnering with international and civil society organisations and individuals in addressing the environmental challenges facing the planet.

Mr. Guterres further called on all stakeholders in environmental protection to plant seeds for a sustainable future by committing to restore forests for the benefit of the people and the planet.

The International day of Forests is being commemorated today under the theme, ‘Forest restoration that will build a better future’.

Denounce politics of violence, UCZ urges Zambians

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Denounce politics of violence, UCZ urges Zambians

The United Church of Zambia (UCZ) in Northern Province has urged Zambians to denounce politics of violence and division ahead of the August 12, 2021 general elections.

UCZ Northern Presbytery Bishop, Maybin Mulenga said the church will not support political parties and individual politicians that will perpetrate violent and divisive activities during the campaign period.

Bishop Mulenga made the remarks during the induction service of Reverend Agness Zimba at Kasama’s UCZ Emmanuel congregation.

He said Zambians are yearning for political leaders that will enhance socio-economic development while promoting peace and tolerance in the nation.

“As a church, we will not support political parties that will engage in politics of violence and division ahead of this year’s general elections. What we want to see is peace and development,” he said

He has since urged youths to reject politicians that want to use them for selfish reasons and violence.

He further appealed to government and those aspiring for political leadership to spearhead youth empowerment to help young people to become self-reliant.

Meanwhile, Bishop Mulenga has called for the critical scrutiny of beneficiaries of empowerment programmes if their intended purpose was to be achieved.

“To my dear youths, if they give you stones to throw at others, reject them and tell them to give you skills and empowerment. But for these programmes, the selection of beneficiaries should also be done in a proper way,” he said.

And Lukashya Member of Parliament George Chisanga said government will continue to work with the church to better the lives of people.

Mr. Chisanga said government remains committed to ensuring that Zambians, especially youths and women, benefit from its empowerment initiatives.

He reiterated the call for youths not to be used as tools of violence ahead of the August 12, general elections.

Mr. Chisanga has since pledged to work with the church to promote peace and political tolerance.

“The government shall always recognize the church as a key partner in the development process and promotion of peace and co-existence,” said Mr. Chisanga

Earlier, Reverend Zimba said she will strive to grow the congregation spiritually and numerically while imparting knowledge and skills that will help vulnerable members of the church to earn a living.

Good Covid-19 results, but let’s not relax-Chanda

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Good Covid-19 results, but let’s not relax-Chanda

Zambia has continued to record a reduction in the number of Covid-19 cases in the past few disease surveillance weeks.

Minister of Health Jonas Chanda said only one Covid-19 related death has been recorded in the last 24 hours in the entire country and 176 new cases out of 4,764 tests conducted.

Dr. Chanda said this brings the cumulative number of confirmed cases recorded to date to 86,449 since the pandemic broke out in Zambia a year ago.

He disclosed that this brings the cumulative number of Covid-19 related deaths recorded to 1,179.

He has since advised members of the general public to remain adherent to the public health guidance of the country in order to maintain the gains made in halting community transmission of Covid-19 as indicated by the positivity rate.

Dr. Chanda has however warned that the reduction in the Covid-19 positive cases must be received with caution as there are still daily variations with some provinces consistently reporting positivity rates above the national average.

He noted that the surveillance teams continue to record clusters of cases around the country, some of whom are asymptomatic.

He explained that although scientific evidence suggests that asymptomatic case transmit the virus to significantly fewer people than those who are symptomatic, the fact that these infections tend to largely go undetected still pose a significant health risk.

Dr. Chanda said this is asymptomatic cases are more likely to remain within the community rather than isolated thus further spreading the virus.

‘’In order to maintain the gains made, we must continually adhere to public health guidelines at individual, household and community levels and strengthen our screening and testing capacity to ensure that we break the chains of coronavirus transmission and halt the spread of the virus,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, Dr. Chanda commended the Zambia Immunisation Technical Advisory Group for its input and guidance regarding the planned Covid-19 vaccine acquisition and deployment programme.

The minister said the information provided by the team of experts has been crucial for further decision making by Cabinet as the country plans to integrate the vaccination pillar as a permanent feature of Zambia’s response strategy it is approved.

‘’As we continue to closely monitor the evolving epidemiology in the countries that have made progress in their vaccine roll-out, we note that attaining good vaccine coverage is essential for herd immunity,’’ said Dr. Chanda.

President congratulates new Tanzanian President

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President congratulates new Tanzanian President

President Edgar Lungu is confident that the new President of Tanzania Samia Hassan will continue with the socio-economic transformation agenda embarked upon by late President John Magufuli.

President Lungu expressed optimism that Mrs. Hassan will carry on the mantle of economic growth which has seen Tanzania graduate to a middle-income economy.

In a statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka by Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations Isaac Chipampe today, President reassured the new Tanzanian President of the Zambian government’s support and firm commitment to enhancing fraternal relations between the two countries.

“Your Excellency, as you assume the responsibilities of this higher office, I wish to reassure you of the Zambian government’s support and firm commitment to enhancing fraternal relations between the two countries,” said President Lungu.

He added that Zambia was committed to continuing interacting and exchanging common positions on issues of mutual interest at the regional and international for a with Tanzania.

Dr. Lungu has since congratulated President Hassan following her swearing-in ceremony as the first female president of that country on Friday, March 19th 2021.

Mrs. Samia Suluhu Hassan was sworn-in as President of Tanzania on Friday, 19th March, 2021 following the passing on of President John Magufuli last week on Wednesday, 17th March, 2021.

Tanzania is currently observing 14 days of national mourning and flags are flying at half-mast in honour of the late President.

Born in 1959 in Chato, North-West Tanzania, late President Magufuli studied chemistry and maths at the University of Dar es Salaam and worked as a teacher.

He was first elected as an MP in 1995, became cabinet minister in 2000 and elected as President in 2015 and 2020 respectively.

Kambwili’s Apology Appropriate for this Period-Fube

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Kambwili’s Apology Appropriate for this Period-Fube

Chilubi Member of Parliament Mulenga Fube has commended opposition embattled National Democratic Congress (NDC) leader Chishimba Kambwili for unreservedly apologizing to President Edgar Lungu over unwarranted statements.

Mr. Fube observed that the apology from Dr. Kambwili should not be despised by people because it comes at a time when Christians across the world are in self-introspection and reflection ahead of the Easter period.

“Speaking as a Catholic, we are in Lent, which is a time of reflection and reconciliation leading to the commemoration of Easter. So what Dr. Kambwili has done resonates well with Christian principles,” he said.

Kasama that the decision by the opposition leader is also in line with the country’s national values that promote peace, forgiveness and co-existence.

The Chilubi lawmaker has since urged politicians in particular and the Zambian people in general not to debate Dr. Kambwili’s apology saying accepting it or not is a preserve of the President Lungu and Mr. Valden Findlay.

“This apology is directed to the President and Mr. Findlay, they are the only ones to approve or to disapprove, not anyone else. There is no desperation but only morals in line with our national values,” he said.

Last Thursday, Dr. Kambwili pleaded with both President Lungu and businessman Mr. Findlay to find space in their hearts to forgive him for insinuating that they were engaged in drug dealing.

Nathan Sinkala: Chipolopolo Must Deliver

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Midfielder Nathan Sinkala has joined the Zambia camp in Lusaka and declared they must defy the odds in their defining 2021 AFCON Group H qualifying dates this week against Algeria and Zimbabwe.

Chipolopolo are rock bottom of Group H on 3 points after winning one and losing three games.

Botswana is third on 4 points and Zimbabwe second with 5 points.

Defending AFCON champions Algeria lead on 10 points and just have a top-two Group H classification matter to take care of after qualifying with two games to spare.

“These two games are very important for us because we have missed the last two AFCONS so we have to give all that we have in these two games,” Sinkala said.

The first hurdle will be on March 25 in a penultimate Group H home game against Algeria at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.

Algeria beat Chipolopolo 5-0 away in Blida on November 14, 2019 in their opening Group H game in which Sinkala played the full 90 minutes.

“I am ready and looking forward to the game,” Sinkala said.

“As you are aware, Algeria is a big team so we just have to remain focused and work as a team because when we went there in the first leg and they beat us.”

Thereafter, Zambia will visit Zimbabwe on March 29.

Davies Mwila invites Chishimba Kambwili to rejoin PF

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Davies Mwila invites Chishimba Kambwili to rejoin PF

The ruling Patriot Front (PF) has extended an olive branch to former Roan Member of Parliament Chishimba Kambwili to rejoin the Party.

PF Secretary General Hon Davies Mwila says the ruling party is more than ready to welcome Mr. Kambwili should he consider going back to the PF.

Speaking when he addressed Party officials and aspiring candidates at Moba Hotel in Kitwe today, Hon Mwila said it was the desire of the party that Hon. Kambwili goes back to the PF as he is one of it’s founding members that worked hard and suffered for the party.

“His brothers and sisters are in PF, we told him that were you are going they are not going to accommodate you because they are not part of you,” Hon. Mwila said.

The PF Secretary General said the ruling party will have no problem working with Mr. Kambwili as they know his strengths and weaknesses.

And Hon. Mwila has directed party officials and members to go out and ensure that they bring back those that left the part for various reasons to ensure that President Lungu and the PF win the August 12 general elections with a landslide victory.

He has further urged party members and those aspiring for various positions to concentrate on mobilizing the party to ensure that President Lungu retains his presidency.
He charged that the legacy of the party is with the president hence the need for members to ensure that they maximize on President Lungu’s votes.

The PF Secretary General has in the last two days been addressing Party officials and aspiring candidates in Lusaka, Central and Copperbelt provinces on the adoption guidelines.

Hon. Mwila has been accompanied by newly elected Lusaka Province PF Chairman Kennedy Kamba, national mobilization Secretary, Brian Mununka, PF Deputy Media Director Antonio Mwanza and Secretariat Director of Operations Alick Tembo.

Traditional leaders urged to make centres for GBV cases

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Traditional leaders urged to make centres for GBV cases

North-Western Province Permanent Secretary, Willies Mangimela has encouraged traditional leaders to establish one stop centers for Gender Based Violence (GBV) in their respective chiefdoms so as to enhance a coordinated multi-disciplinary management of cases.

Mr Mangimela said the establishment of the centers will enable services such as continued psychosocial support for the survivors which he said is paramount in reducing vulnerability of men, women, boys and girls to be provided at community level.

He said this in Solwezi today in a speech read on his behalf by the Deputy Permanent Secretary, Emmanuel Chihili during the official opening of the Start Awareness Support Action GBV multi-disciplinary training for traditional Leaders and service providers.

“It is also important that communities have some safeguards for prevention of child abuse through establishment of some committees such as Anti-GBV and child protection,” he said

Mr Mangimela said a community that tolerates GBV will affect the development of the nation as survivors my not realize their full potential and contribute positively to national growth.

He said government appreciates efforts by stakeholders of training traditional leaders in matters of addressing gender based violence in their respective chiefdoms.

Speaking earlier Zambia Centre for Communication Program (ZCCP) Regional Coordinator, Ian Kapongo said his organization considers traditional leaders as key partners in fighting GBV as cases are more pronounced in traditional setup.

“We are more interested to work with traditional leaders because they are custodians of tradition hence need to involve them as key partners to fight the scourge. We are aware that our royal highnesses are already doing something to end this bad vice,” he said.

Meanwhile, chief Mumena of the Kaonde speaking people of Kalumbila district has described the interventions by ZCCP and KWATU programmes of fighting GBV with involvement of traditional leaders and communities as timely.

Chief Mumena said there is still a lot of shame and stigma that goes with GBV in communities which needs to be addressed.

“We have also realized that early marriages are another concept of GBV,” he said.

Chief Mumena has called on police victim support unity and other organisations dealing in matters of GBV to make community sensitization an everyday routine by working with committees established at chiefdom levels.

ZESCO to set 330KV transmission in Western

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ZESCO to set 330KV transmission in Western

Zambia Electricity Supply Company (Zesco) says the company is scheduled to set up a biggest 330KV transmission line in Western province.

Speaking during a stakeholder’s engagement meeting in Senanga district, Zesco Senior Manager Dr Elestina Mwewa said the coming of the project to the province is a game changer as it will boost the power supply.

“The project is called Sesheke-Mongu-Shangombo 330 transmission line will also give an opportunity to those in rural areas to be part of the national grid.

Dr Mwewa said the project will generate power from the Ngonye Hydro power station then connect to the national grid.

“This project will facilitate the connection of the Ngonye hydro power station to the national grid,” She stated.

Dr Mwewa further noted that the country is no longer experiencing load shedding and the recent power blackout in the province was due to a technical fault.

“The power blackout that was experienced on Tuesday night to Wednesday morning this week affecting Senanga, Sioma, Mongu and other districts was due to a fault along the Sioma and Senanga route and our officers quickly attended to it. Until further notice we do not have load shedding,” he noted.

Meanwhile, Acting Senanga District Commissioner Dr Likambi Kambinda called for efficiency in the implementation of the project in the district.

“The coming of the project is an important undertaking and it is good that Zesco has started stakeholder’s engagement which is vital for the smooth implementation of the project,” Dr Kambinda said.

And Zesco Western Province Regional Manager, Silvester Chumanya said the current power demand is not sufficient hence this project will lessen the burden of power connections.

“We want to have power for everyone even those in rural areas will be connected,” Mr Chumanya said.

Meanwhile, Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) Induna Kalonga of the Limulunga Kuta called on the people in the district to support the project.

Induna Kalonga said the BRE working with government wants to ensure that people’s livelihoods are improved through various investments.

ZANIS reports that a team from Zesco is touring districts in Western province as part of the stakeholder’s engagement towards the implementation of the 330 KV transmission project.

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