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President Edgar Lungu says he will not relent in empowering youths in the country.
President Lungu was saying this in Sefula area of Mongu District when he inspected the 14 Million Kwacha fish pond project embarked by 12 youths.
The President pointed out that his government has put up numerous measures of empowering the youths in the country through the financial support such as the fish pond project.
And the Baroste Royal Establishment (BRE) representative induna Namuyamba Dominic Lisulo called on government to use the youths in charge of the fish pond project as an example to other youths in the country.
Induna Namuyamba noted that the fish pond project will empower the district through job creation and food security.
The Sefula Fish Pond project has been embarked by 12 youths in Mongu District.
And Sefula fish Pond Representative Mushokabnji Wamui called on youths to desist from blaming government for unemployment.
THE Zambian Roads & Highway Safety Group (ZRHSG) and the Road Safety Ambassadors (RSA) are urging road users in Zambia to help reduce road traffic accidents this festive season by ensuring strict adherence to prescribed speed limits, road rules and regulations and utmost respect for other road users.
Every year a large number of road traffic accidents usually occur during the festive season due to increased activities on our roads and increased intake of alcoholic beverages leading to over excitement during the festive season by many road users.
Our belief is that accidents could be avoided if every vehicle on our roads is worthy before one embarks on a journey and that the one tasked to drive is a qualified and competent driver – more so if the whole family is travelling in one vehicle – and understands the limitations of their vehicle.
Drivers must ensure all those in the car have their seat belts on, especially children, throughout the journey and be on the look-out for pedestrians who might cross the road in a drunken state.
The festive season is during the wet rainy season. Many roads usually have pools of water and visibility is also poor. To improve on visibility of their vehicles, motorists are advised to switch on their parking or fog lights during the day while cyclists are encouraged to have reflective jackets all the time.
Plan your journey to be undertaken during the day and avoid or reduce night driving as most roads are not equipped for night driving.
One of the basic driver tasks is to follow the road and read road markings and signage as guidance during one’s driving on the roads. Drivers need improved ability to read both long-range and short-range road guidance signs for them to be able to drive comfortably and safely during this festive season.
Lane markings for night traffic in use today in Zambia do not meet acceptable levels of visibility and safety and as such when driving at night on our dark roads, it is often quite difficult to see the direction the road is taking because most road markings are non-reflective and do not provide sufficient long-range road guidance.
The research done in Europe showed that the number of errors committed by drivers at night is 70% percent higher when driving under poor road markings compared to driving under reflective and enhanced road markings.
Larry Mweetwa, a Zambian national living in the UK was on Friday ordered to leave Zambia within 48 Hours by the Immigration Department in unexplained circumstances.
According to the Deportation Order, Home Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo declared Mr. Mweetwa’s presence in Zambia as inimical to the country’s interests.
Mr Mweetwa, an outspoken member of the UPND was in Zambia for his Christmas holiday, visit his family and help mobilise people to register as voters in Mbabala Constituency where he intends to contest as Member of Parliament.
He also holds dual nationality with that of the U.K.
Mr Mweetwa confirmed his deportation on his Facebook page described the experience as sad.
“It’s with a sad heart I share my ordeal. I went to Zambia to spend Christmas and also assist in mobilising voters in Mbabala constituency. When I reached at the boarder I paid visa fees $50 and toll gate fees $50 and the immigration cleared me and stamped my passport and gave me 30 days to stay in the country because I was using a dual nationality passport,” he explained.
“So later I asked my agent to deliver my BMW I was using and rushed to Livingstone general hospital for a medical emergency and also to send money to our constituency to hire trucks to take our people to register as voters. I was later called by the senior immigration Officer, a Mr. Mwansa that they are sorting out a ka small issue regarding my passport. To my surprise I was told my visa has been cancelled due to noncompliance to immigration regulations! when I asked them what was wrong with my passport I was told nothing was wrong.”
He stressed that he was issued with a visa which he paid for and the Department of Immigrations stamped his passport and gave him 30days to be in Zambia and that he complied.
“How can you deport a citizen of the country?” he questioned.
“They lied that I was born in UK yet in the same passport it’s clear I was born in Choma kwa Macha. I demanded them to refund my $100 they refused and a Mr. Mwansa made sure he chased me from the boarder that I go and wait on the Botswana side.”
He continued, “I want to put it clear here that I have no problems with the rest of the Immigration staff at Kazungula, they are the best and they even invited me to eat lunch with them. I know my wonderful brother Mr. Mwansa is working hard under trying and challenging moments in our country.”
Mr Mweetwa said his lawyers are on this case and he will avail further details later.
Zambia Athletics Association (ZAA) president Elias Mpondela is elated by his re-election at the elective annual general meeting held in Lusaka on Saturday.
Mpondela beat his only challenger Samuel Matete by 51-25 votes at the Mulungushi Conference Centre.
In a post election interview, Mpondela who has been at the top of ZAA for 22 years, said the association need experienced leaders.
He also promised to work with former 400m hurdles world champion Matete.
“After Covid19 you need a leader that is tested,” Mpondela told journalists.
‘Samuel is my friend, he is going to be part of us. He will be part of the technical side of things so he is part of the family,” he added.
Captain Bernard Bwalya was elected ZAA vice president with General Secretary Davison Mung’ambata going unopposed.
The vice General Secretary is Maureen Kolomwe and Komani Ng’ambi was elected treasurer.
Committee members are Jeddah Phiri,Getrude Gamela, Moses Phiri and Proper Tandabala.
The position of party president in Patriotic Front (PF) is vacant, a prominent lawyer and 2021 Presidential aspirant, Kelvin Fube Bwalya, has revealed.
Mr. Bwalya, commonly known as KBF said President Edgar Chagwa Lungu’s mandate as PF president expired in 2019 when he served his five-year term.
In an interview with Diamond TV live program, Mr. Bwalya also maintained that the current PF central committee also has no mandate as its tenure of office expired in 2014.
It was for this same reason that some of us announced our intention to contest for the position of president of the PF,” he said.
Mr. Bwalya explained that the PF elected President Lungu at the party’s general conference as party president in 2014. He said according to the PF constitution the party president shall hold office for five years. As such, president Lungu’s term of office ended in November 2019.
“We have a vacancy in the party president position. This is why some of us have come out in the open to take up the leadership of the party,” he said.
Mr. Bwalya who reiterated that he was still a bonafide member of the PF, declared his readiness to lead the party and nation to prosperity.
President Edgar Lungu has noted that Western Province is endowed with a variety of natural resources that must be harnessed to transform the province into a major economic hub and contribute more significantly to the economic growth and development of the entire country.
President Lungu says Western Province is a strategic province endowed with arable land suitable for the cultivation of cashew nuts, rice, timber and cassava, among others.
He says the province also has water bodies that can make aquaculture thrive as well as a rich culture, which increases its potential in tourism as it hosts the famous Kuomboka ceremony, the Sioma waterfalls and national parks.
The Head of State said this in Western Province yesterday afternoon when he graced the Patriotic Front Provincial conference in Western Province.
“This function is not just about electing Provincial leadership but it is a bonding ceremony that endears the party leadership with the rest of the party membership. This function is a catalyst for grassroots membership mobilisation for our people-driven party,” the President said.
And President Lungu has observed that the PF’s past, present and future successes can neither be sustained nor surpassed without embracing the virtues of discipline, humility, unity, collective effort, persistence, resilience, and faith.
He cautioned members of the party not to allow the progress achieved so far, to make them become complacent and lose the desire to want to do much more for the Zambian people. Delegates at the Patriotic Front Provincial conference in Western Province
The Head of State added that the work for the Patriotic Front of serving the Zambian citizenry is not yet finished and that there is still much more that needs to be accomplished.
“We must avoid doubt, divisions, inaction, and refuse to give in to the temptation of putting our self-interests above the interests of other people and the nation. As a party and as a nation at large, we have a responsibility to rise above whatever may confront us,” he emphasised.
The President added “Let’s encourage the spirit of hard work and innovation and foster peace within our party. United we stand, divided we fall. Let us embrace the power of collective action and faith, to overcome the challenges of our time,”
President Lungu has further advised his party members not to allow the lies, fear mongering, and divisive words of what he called prophets of doom to poison their minds, weaken their patriotism, sever their solidarity and to also bring havoc to the nation.
He urged the party to refuse to fall into the trap of cynicism, tribalism and regionalism tactics used by those who wish to go back to old strategies used by colonialists of divide and rule by putting one tribe against another.
“We must prevent this colonialism mindset from taking root in us and in our children today and not tomorrow for tomorrow may be too late. Let us all adopt a nationalistic approach that sees the nation first before the tribe that sees and pursues the benefits of society above self-interests.
President Lungu also urged the participants to let the Western Province Party Conference be symbolic of a new beginning for the Patriotic Front in the province as well as the rest of the country.
He advised the gathering to congratulate each other and offer hands of friendship to those who will not make it after the results are announced.
Delegates at the Patriotic Front Provincial conference in Western ProvinceDelegates at the Patriotic Front Provincial conference in Western ProvinceDelegates at the Patriotic Front Provincial conference in Western ProvinceDelegates at the Patriotic Front Provincial conference in Western ProvincePresident Lungu opening the Patriotic Front Provincial conference in Western Province
Chief Chibwika of the Lunda speaking people in Mwinilunga district of North-Western province has clarified the delay to issue gold panning licences to cooperatives in his chiefdom.
Speaking during a courtesy call by Home affairs Permanent Secretary Masiye Banda and his provincial counterpart, Willies Mangimela recently, Chief Chibwika said the delay to issue gold panning licences to twenty cooperatives in his chiefdom was because the panning certificates were issued in areas without mineral potential.
“The manner in which they were issued was not in the way that it will benefit the local people because they were issued in areas where there is no potential”, he said.
Chief Chibwika said an agreement with the minister of mines to hold on to the certificate until the ministry sends personnel to amend the irregularities.
“So upon scrutinizing and verifying that they were in a wrong place we agreed with the honorable minister with his entourage that we should not issue those certificates”, he said.
The traditional leader said issuing the certificates without the amendments would have caused more problems because people were going to discover that they were taken far away from potential areas with minerals deposits.
And North-Western Province Permanent Secretary, Willies Mangimela said it is unfortunate that such allegations could be made about the chiefdom but assured the chief that the misinformation will be rectified.
“It is unfortunate that there were such statements but they can be corrected”, Mr Mangimela said.
He said he was aware of the challenge around the licenses but expressed happiness that the matter will be settled when officers from ministry of mines are on the ground.
Information Permanent Secretary Amos Malupenga has reiterated the need for the media to disseminate information that is accurate and unbiased. Mr. Malupenga says the media fraternity is key to national development and that people across the country depend on the media to keep them informed about various national issues.
He said the media therefore is expected to present stories right to the highest professional standards.
The Permanent Secretary was speaking in Lusaka yesterday when he officiated at the media mentorship class organized by Uplift Media under the theme “Addressing Misinformation Hands-on”.
Mr. Malupenga noted that misinformation is one of the serious challenges that media professionals must help to cure by distinguishing themselves from those masquerading to be part of the profession.
He said the theme is timely as the whole world grapples with the challenge of fake news as a result of advancements in technology which has given rise to various social media platforms.
“I am glad that this mentorship programme is meant to teach young professionals how to collect, report, edit and disseminate objective balanced information,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary added that the media career is a noble profession because of the immense impact, influence and power it has on the lives and general wellbeing of the people.
“This means that those who choose to pursue this profession must ensure that they acquire the requisite training and have a fair understanding of issues that impact the lives of people who depend on them to make informed decisions, “advised Me. Malupenga.
Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary noted that the media industry in the country is inhibited by several factors such as inadequate regulation, lack of a level economic playing field and lack of transparency of ownership.
He added that non- utilisation of the media as a platform for democratic discourse, inadequate skills among media practitioners and inadequate media development related infrastructure is among other challenges affecting the development of the industry.
“As you may be aware, last month my ministry launched the Media Development Policy which is aimed at addressing the above mentioned challenges. The policy will also ensure that the basic right to receive and impact information as stipulated in the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia, is enhanced further,” Mr. Malupenga indicated.
He added that the Media Development Policy will promote professional capacity building that underpins freedom of expression, pluralism and diversity.
And Uplift Media Chairperson Penipher Nyirenda said her organisation is working with communities to provide free media building.
Mrs. Nyirenda added that among other things, Uplift Media also provides mentorship to inspire people who wishes to join the media profession.
Long serving Zambia Amateur Athletics Association President Elias Mpondela has been re-elected as President of the Zambia Athletics Association. Mpondela was re-elected as President after pouring 51 votes against his opponent Samuel Matete who got 25.
Mpondela has been at the helm of ZAA for 22 years becoming the longest-serving President of the Association.
Last year Mr Mpondela disclosed that he will leave the Association when the time is right.
Mr Mpondela who has been at the helm of ZAAA since 1998 says time for him to pass the mantle to someone else will come, without disclosing when that time will be, adding that the Association has put in place a robust succession plan.
Mr Mpondela said there are already a lot of Zambians that are lining up to replace him.
“The time is coming, everything has time and we already have a lot of people lining up to take over,” Mr Mpondela said in an interview.
Mr Mpondela said he is very proud of the achievements he has scored in his 21 year reign at the Association.
And Davison Mungambata has gone through unopposed as General Secretary.
A movement for voter sensitization has been launched in Muchinga province so as to end voter apathy in the region.
The movement has come up as a result of the province being among other provinces in the country recording the highest voter apathy and lowest voter registration.
Speaking during the launch of the movement for voter sensitization last night in Chinsali district of Muchinga province, Paramount Chief Mpezeni said the traditional leadership has decided to be part of the movement in order to boost the voter turn up in 2021 to 90 percent in the country.
Chief Mpezeni said he is optimistic that the sensitization will succeed as it will continue to work even after the elections next and will only stop after the minds sets of people have charged.
He said it is important for everyone to fully participate in the electoral process for the betterment of the nation saying acquiring a voters’ card is an important tool that can be used for change.
“You can use the voters’ card to usher in a responsible leader that will improve the nation therefore, let us register in numbers as well as turn up in masses to voter come not year august,” he added.
He encouraged all traditional leaders to continue educating every Zambian on the vices of voter apathy.
The Paramount Chief said this through Senior Chief Madzimawe during the launch of the movement last night at Chinsali Girls School Hall.
And speaking when he graced the event, Muchinga Province Minister Malozo Sichone, said the movement is a step in the right direction and is commendable.
Mr Sichone said this in a speech read on his behalf by Chinsali Member of Parliament Kalelwe Mukosa.
He said the movement will help the public to understand their rights and responsibilities by being well informed and fully participate in the electoral process.
“To the MVS lets ensure that we discourage youths from being used us tools of violence at all times and the use of bad language”, he added.
And several residents among them traditional leaders and the clergy were last night crowned as MVS ambassadors for Muchinga province.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has called on the local authority in North-Western province to remove people encroaching the Solwezi airport to avoid possible accidents.
CAA Acting Board Chairperson, Patrick Nswana implored on the council to engage people who have settled in the airport premises as any accident with an aircraft may attract international attention and create problems for the regulators.
“I’m appealing to the council to give superiority to the title holder of the land but as they do that let them engage them peacefully so that they understand that it is good for them,” he said.
“Any mishap that involves an aircraft attracts international reaction,having them there, we might be sitting on a time bomb because you know airport places are very dangerous,” he added
Mr Nwansa expressed concern over a church which is sitting at the threshold of a run way, making it dangerous in case any aircraft overshoot.
Mr Nwansa said this when he and his entourage paid a courtesy call on North-Western Provincial administration in Solwezi yesterday.
Meanwhile, CAA Director General, Gabriel Lesa noted that moving the airport may cost even more than relocating the communities as building the runway is very expensive.
“In deciding the relocation of the airport, a lot of time should be given, to do a runway would cost too much money because the construction of a runway is one of the biggest costs of the airport… but for a few individuals and churches it should be easier to compensate them if need be to at least preserve the current asset that we have”, he said.
And North-Western Province Deputy Permanent Secretary, Emmanuel Chihili has commended the Civil Aviation Authority for ensuring safety and security at the airports.
“Previously, you could do anything at the airport, others could even play football but it is not there anymore, which is a good thing”, Mr Chihili said.
North-Western Province Deputy Permanent Secretary, Emmanuel Chihili meeting CAA officials led by The Acting Board Chairperson, Mr. Patrick NswanaNorth-Western Province Deputy Permanent Secretary, Emmanuel Chihili meeting CAA officials led by The Acting Board Chairperson, Mr. Patrick NswanaNorth-Western Province Deputy Permanent Secretary, Emmanuel Chihili meeting CAA officials led by The Acting Board Chairperson, Mr. Patrick Nswana
I am greatly alarmed at reports of government selectively issuing out NRCS under the cover of darkness in Muchinga Province particularly in Mansa Milenge, Mwense, Nchelenge, Chienge and other Districts of Luapula Province. What is disturbing is that these cards are being issued to minors at a time when the process of issuing the national identities was halted in Southern Province and other parts of the country on flimsy grounds.
This flagrant, lawlessness, impunity and the utter disregard for our constitution by those vested with institutional power to lead, is watering away our values and pride as a decent nation. It’s deeply troubling that the custodians of law and order, Home Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo, and Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja are silent and seemingly tolerating and encouraging lawlessness and the rule of the jungle, in this country. This is totally unacceptable.
If people lose faith in law enforcement, there will be a natural riposte that will precipitate a parallel framework that people may resort to using, in order to protect themselves and their way of life. The likelihood that these two systems will clash and subsequently create anarchy in the country is now becoming more evident, unless Minister Stephen Kampyongo and Inspector General Kakoma Kanganja hold fast to the profound tenets of the rule of law today, and not tomorrow.
The shocking video footage of minors being issued with NRCS in the dead of the night in Luapula Province while denying other citizens the same right elsewhere in the country, undermines the electoral process and is recipe for a deeply disputed election in 2021, that will further divide and weaken the nation.
As a citizen and a traditional leader, it’s within the realm of my rights to demand for an immediate explanation from Hon. Stephen Kampyongo MP, to explain how his officers are issuing out NRCs to minors and why this should be carried out under the cover of darkness. I also demand an explanation from Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja if there are no laws being broken due to such activities, and why the perpetrators of such lawlessness are not being brought to book.
The Author is a Senior of the Leya people of Kazungula, Livingstone and Zimba Districts and all the Bene Mukuni.
Zesco United are the 2020/2021 “Christmas Champions” after results on Saturday ensured they will lead the table into the New Year.
Zesco, who return to action on January 9 after the Christmas break, took the symbolic title after second placed Buildcon failed to reclaim the number one spot on Saturday from them.
This is after Zesco took the overnight lead on Friday following a 0-0 away draw at Green Eagles in Choma.
Buildcon lost 1-0 away at Presidents Stadium in Kabwe to in-form promoted side Prison Leopards to sustain their second successive league defeat.
David Obashi’s 9th minute goal sent Prison to 3rd from 4th on 17 points, one behind Buildcon and two adrift of Zesco.
This was Prison’s third successive league win.
Lusaka Dynamos replace Prison at number four following a 1-0 away win over promoted Indeni in Ndola.
Chipolopolo striker Collins Sikombe scored the lone goal there in the 35th minute.
Dynamos have 16 points while Indeni are 8th on 12 points following a second straight league loss for Dabid Chilufya’s side.
At Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka, Forest Rangers drew 1-1 with hosts Green Buffaloes.
Forest rallied through a Quadri Kola 28th minute equalizer after veteran Chipili Mungule put Buffaloes ahead in the 16th minute.
Seventh placed Forest have 13 points from seven games with four matches in hand but have been denied the prospect of usurping Zesco with just one rescheduled game to come for them on December 30, again in Lusaka this time to Napsa Stars.
Buffaloes are 14th with 10 points after eleven games played.
Meanwhile, Red Arrows snapped out of a five-match winless run with a 2-0 home victory against newcomers Young Green Eagles.
Paul Katema in the 3rd minute, and Felix Bulaya in the 82nd minute, were 9th positioned Arrows’ corners to hand The Airmen their first league win since November 7 when they beat Prison 1-0 away in Kabwe.
On Sunday, 5th placed Zanaco have an opportunity to go second on 18 points should they beat visiting Lumwana Radiants at Nkoloma Stadium.
Sixth placed Power Dynamos will go 4th on 17 points if they beat 12th positioned Kabwe Warriors at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe.
WEEK 11 RESULTS & FIXTURES
18/12/2020
Green Eagles 0-Zesco United 0 19/12/2020
Green Buffaloes 1-Forset Rangers 1
Red Arrows 2-Young Green Eagles 0
Indeni 0-Lusaka Dynamos 1 20/12/2020
Zanaco-Lumwana Radiants
Power Dynamos-Kabwe Warriors 27/01/2021
Kitwe United-Napsa Stars
Nkwazi-Nkana
Copperbelt Province Permanent Secretary, Bright Nundwe has hailed the Zambia National Service (ZNS) for taking up the initiative of running a shoemaking factory in Ndola.
Mr Nundwe was impressed with quality of shoes being manufactured when he toured the factory in the city’s industrial area.
Mr Nundwe commended ZNS for always being exceptional in their works throughout the country citing the areas of agriculture, security, and road works among others.
“ZNS is always smarter in the manner they deal with things. They have ventured into several economic activities in the country and Copperbelt in particular,” Mr. Nundwe said.
He added such initiatives have a blessing from government because they can help government to save a lot of money the country has been spending on the importation of footwear among other products.
Mr Nundwe noted that the products also have potential to increase foreign exchange in the country and help to strengthen the local currency when exported.
And ZNS Officer Commanding for the shoe manufacturing factory, Bright Chanda said the concept was birthed in the early 1990s but only got actualized six months ago when the government bought the shoe factory from MALAR industries at a cost of K3.3 million.
Major Chanda said the factory is able to produce 80-100 shoes per day with 8 working hours but has the potential to produce up to 1500 – 2000 shoes per day.
He disclosed plans of purchasing modern equipment and machines to enhance productivity and further improve skills development for the workers.
Major Chanda said the factory endeavours to become the major supplier of military, safety and school footwear in the country and possibly the region.
The Zambia National Men’s Network for Gender and Development (ZNMNGD) has bemoaned the increasing number of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases involving assault and murder despite recently commemorating the 16 days of gender activism.
ZNMNGD National Coordinator Nelson Banda said the recent case involving the Chitambo College of Nursing students calls for people’s input to curb such cases.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS, Mr. Banda said the growing number of GBV cases is fast evolving into a national crisis that must be quickly addressed.
“Just when we were coming from the commemoration of the 16 days of gender activism then such a case happens. This is an indication that we need to take the fight against GBV seriously by putting more effort in sensitizing the public,” he said.
He added that the right to life, freedom of thought, expression and equality before the law are being compromised by acts of GBV.
Mr. Banda noted that the reports of women experiencing some forms of physical or sexual violence is a hindrance to the country’s development which should come to an end.
He added that such acts are hindering the attainment of gender equality and the realization of the social and economic goals of Zambia.
“That’s why we are calling for men and boys to seek counseling services when pressed with serious emotional challenges which are not good for their health.
And a Ndola resident Mwenya Mwamba has called on youths in the county to always seek counseling, guidance whenever they feel depressed.
Mr. Mwamba noted that cases to do with GBV and suicides amongst young people were on the rise citing depression as one of the reasons.
He has called on parents to get involved in their children’s lives to prevent them from committing such bad acts.
“These young children think that they are grown-ups and seem to make their own decisions which should not be the case. Parents should be involved in these young people’s lives so that lives are not lost or crimes are not committed,” he said.
Early this week, a young man identified as Kaluwayo Mwika committed suicide after allegedly murdering his girlfriend Mapalo Masiku aged 21 who were both students at Chitambo School of Nursing.
