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Namwali Serpell has won the UK’s top prize for science fiction, the Arthur C Clarke award, for her first novel The Old Drift, which judges described as “stealth sci-fi”.
The Zambian author’s debut tells the stories of three families over three generations, moving from a colonial settlement by Victoria Falls at the turn of the 20th century, to the 1960s as Zambia attempts to send a woman to the moon, and into the near future.
A mix of historical fiction, magical realism and sci-fi, Serpell saw off competition from authors including previous winner Adrian Tchaikovsky and Hugo best novel winner Arkady Martine to take the prize.
Originally established by the author Arthur C Clarke with the aim of promoting science fiction in Britain, the award goes to the best sci-fi novel of the year.
Chair of judges Andrew M Butler called The Old Drift “an extraordinary family saga that spans eras from Cecil Rhodes to Rhodes Must Fall, and beyond”, praising it for “interrogat[ing] colonialism from within and point[ing] to the science fictionality of everyday events”.
“The Old Drift is, as one of our judges put it, ‘stealth sci-fi’, with inheritance and infection at its heart,” said Butler. “Our pandemic-ravaged world reminds us how connected our world has been for the last century or more – and this book points to the global nature of science fiction.”
Last year’s winner of the prize, Tade Thompson, called The Old Drift “the great African novel of the 21st century”.
“At last, a book that acknowledges that the African lives with the fantastic and mundane. At last, an African book of unarguable universality,” said Thompson.
“Serpell has created something specifically Zambian and generally African at the same time. The Old Drift is everything fiction should be, and everything those of us who write should aspire to. Hats off. A well-deserved win.”
And President Lungu took to Facebook to congratulate Serpell on the achievement.
It is heartwarming to learn that a Zambian writer Namwali Serpell has won the UK’s top prize for science fiction, the Arthur C Clarke award, for her first novel ‘The Old Drift’. I believe that this recognition is a great endorsement for writers of Zambian origin or stories from a Zambian inspired context. This is also a motivation for other writers and artists,” President Lungu said.
Government has handed over livestock to Sinda District women clubs meant to improve their livelihoods.
Minister of Livestock and Fisheries Nkandu Luo explained that the programme is focused on empowering women because they are likely to pass on the wealth to others.
Professor Luo announced that the programme of empowering women clubs with livestock is also meant to change the mindset of people towards the new ways of feeding animals such as the cultivated pastures as opposed to communal feeding.
“We have a programme in our ministry where we are growing pastures in which you should all participate,” she said.
Prof. Luo was speaking when she addressed women at Sinda and Kapoche constituency offices where she handed over chickens and goats to the clubs.
And Prof. Luo also mentioned that that programme will also target the youths so that they are kept busy away from bad vices such as beer drinking.
She advised clubs to balance representation by including 15 percent women, 30 percent youths and 20 percent men.
She explained to the recipients of the chickens that the birds they were receiving were cross-breeds meant for multiplication of wealth and not meant for cooking.
“These chickens you have been given can hatch up to 100 eggs in a short period of time, so there will be nothing that will be thrown out from the chickens or goats, not even feathers or skin, as all those can be sold for cash money,” she said.
And speaking earlier Chief Nyanje of the Nsenga speaking people thanked government for the empowerment.
Chief Nyanje called on government not to leave out women as they play a major role in the community and at household level.
“Don’t leave out women because they are hardworking especially in clubs,” he said
And Florence Banda one of the beneficiaries from Kachamukana village whose club received chickens thanked government for the livestock empowerment.
“These chickens can help us with money through meat sells and egg sells,” said Ms Banda.
She also called on fellow beneficiaries to take care of their livestock in order for them to realize the benefits.
Minister of Tourism and Arts Ronald Chitotela has urged Zambian Universities to emphasize on the need to prepare graduates to start entrepreneurship instead of advancing to seek employment.
Speaking when he featured as guest lecturer for the Executive Masters of Business Administration at University of Lusaka (UNILUS) yesterday, the Minister said graduates must open their minds for new ventures including those in the tourism industry that come with good incentives from government.
Mr Chitotela stated that graduates must pay attention to Presidential pronouncements and National Budget Presentations that form government positions on where best to invest.
“It is ‘old school’ to think that investing in tourism is only for foreign financiers considering that the government has opened up opportunities for local Zambians to invest in the sector,” he said.
The Minister challenged the students to search for any Zambian that has created wealth out of earning a salary.
Mr Chitotela noted that there is a need to turn to entrepreneurship for the betterment of the economy and the Zambian people’s livelihood.
The Minister said the University of Lusaka is a true model of a Zambian business model that needs to be supported as it offers free enterprise training to students.
And UNILUS Vice-Chancellor Pinalo Chifwanakeni said the tourism sector has more to offer if young people started considering investing in it.
Professor Chifwanakeni noted that countries like Israel have benefited more and their economies have been strengthened by foreign exchange earnings by advertising religious tourism.
He said Zambians could grow more out of the various knishes of tourism offing.
Prof. Chifwanakeni emphasized on the need to look to Northern Tourism Circuit for tourism investments.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Ministry of Tourism and Arts Public Relations Officer Sakabilo Kalembwe.
The committee probing illegalities in land allocation in Kitwe has concluded receiving oral and written submissions from residents. The committee was yesterday carrying out field visits in the areas that have been cited for illegal land allocations as part of the investigations.
Several Kitwe residents had turned up in huge numbers to make their submissions to the committee which was chaired by Adam Jere. During the hearings which started its sittings on Monday last week, councillors, agents and some council employees were mentioned to be responsible for the illegal allocation.
However, it was difficult for some residents to clearly state the names of people who sold them pieces of land.
It was also observed that most of the people that were making submissions were from Ndeke presidential area and Mindolo- North and were seeking offer letters for their parcels of land.
And speaking in an interview, Mr Jere said the committee has an insight into the problems of land illegalities in Kitwe. He said the committee allocated three days for public hearings and submission of reports.
“Today, we are doing fieldwork. We want to check what is on the ground,” he said.
The Committee is expected to finalize its business in Kitwe today.
The tragic death of Daev, one of Zambia’s most creative and talented singers, in a road traffic accident is a devastating loss. I am terribly sad for Zambia. We have lost a huge talent. Daev had his unique gentle way of singing – he actually could sing, as unlike the majority of “musicians” these days. Most importantly, Daev demonstrated that freedom of expression is a powerful right. When fully owned and expressed, it has potential to change the world.
There is an important lesson from the death of Daev. We know this musician today and are mourning his death because he expressed himself; he did not end up singing in his shower or church, or some other private space. Depending on how we live our life, it is only when we die that we become truly immortal. We are resurrected by other people through our creative works.
Daev knew that it is not enough for one to have a talent. One must apply it publicly or in ways that enhance the lives of others. He used his talent to give himself to the public in a permanent form, even at his young age. He created a record, a permanent record. 50 or 200 years from now, what evidence would exist that show that we once lived? This idea of life on a safe side, of not offending, of being on the “right” side, is incredibly stupid.
Some would say my legacy is my children. But it is not enough to have children because they are their own people. Nobody bothers about children unless they are the children of Kenneth Kaunda, but nobody cares about the children of Kaunda’s children. Who knows the children of Panji Kaunda, for instance?
We must take life a little bit more serious in this country of my birth and refuse to celebrate mediocrity or incompetence as a virtue. We must create. Humanity is about creating. And what is the value of creativity if it is not being shared?
There ought to be something that we live for beyond the routines of life that are created by other people for us: wake up, eat, go to the toilet, go to work, fight for hierarchy or power, have sex, drink beer, produce children, and die. But there is no creative agency to these things. Many of them are biological, with very little creative input from us. The true legacy of human beings is their creative works, publicly shared. That is how individuals like Jesus Christ or Karl Marx made their name and how their works, because they were publicly shared, remain a mark for generations. There were many people in the time of Christ or Marx who were intelligent, but they did not express themselves in permanent form. They did not write. They did not publish. They did not sing. They did not design. They did not…That is why we don’t know anything or much about them.
Argh, today’s Zambia disgusts me, sometimes. Many of us are not living meaningfully. We are just there, occupying spaces, breathing free air, fitting in routine roles. What are we giving to the world that is distinctively us? What are we expressing in some permanent form? It is our expressive thoughts either through our music, artworks, or literary works that show the essence of our value to the world. It is the only lasting proof that we once lived. The future belongs to creators, because when we all die and someone in the future wants to know something about 2020, they would turn to the outward expressions of our thoughts, to the thoughts of those who lived in this moment and shared their creations publicly.
There is something about creative works that give of us. But we are so hostile to thinking or to those who think, who create, and share their output publicly that we would rather shut them up. This is why we ended up worshiping other people’s God. Come to think of it, the Bible is simply a collection of novels. If we do not express ourselves, we run the risk of extinction. Those who try to prohibit those who give outward expression to what they think, to who we are, are actually a threat to our future. What is distinctive about us? That is why we get offended by a few people who express themselves.
Let us offend. Publicly. Let us disturb. Let us confront. Let us retain the innocence of children. It is a mistake to lose that innocence and gag ourselves unnecessarily. We have become way too comfortable with the purposeless lives we lead. In one sense, we are the living dead. In the entire nation, very few contribute or create anything that will outlast us. We have not developed as a country, as individuals or continent, because the heavy lifting is left to a few. There ought to be more to life, but we have settled for being all round irrelevant, waiting to die. That is a very sad way to live, to die.
May Daev rest in power. It remains my conviction that the relevance of death lies in its impact on those that live.
President Edgar Lungu, has noted with concern insinuations from some quarters of society that he has directed the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to abandon the current voters’ register and to introduce electronic voting in an effort to disadvantage the opposition in the 2021 elections.
In a statement made available to the media by Press and Public Relations Special Assistant to the President Isaac Chipampe, President Lungu said the ECZ is an independent and autonomous Electoral Management Body, empowered under Act No. 35 of 2016 to make regulations providing for the registration of voters and for the manner of conducting elections among other functions.
He has reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to ensuring the independence of the ECZ, or indeed any other Constitutional body.
President Lungu stated that he would not sanction any acts that would usurp the powers of the ECZ.
He added that under his leadership, he has allowed and will continue to allow Constitutional bodies like the ECZ to operate autonomously and independently.
“I therefore find it absurd that some citizens continue to claim that I am directing the Electoral Commission of Zambia to change voter registration methods to mine and the ruling party’s advantage,” said President Lungu.
President Lungu added that even he and the ruling party are uncomfortable with some of the newly introduced methods but he is restrained to comment because his words may be seen as interference in the operations of the ECZ.
He further added that he does not want the electoral process to be marred in controversy and prays that the pols would be free and fair before, during and after voting.
Copperbelt Minister Japhen Mwakalombe has urged authorities in Luanshya District to quickly put in place safety measures at the mine dumpsite to save people’s lives from accidents.
This was after the provincial minister learnt of the accident which happened at the dump site on Friday where one person died while two were injured.
Mr Mwakalombe said there is need to put in place safety measures to protect people at the mine dumpsite.
The minister said government understands the challenges people are going through to fend for their families.
He said the poverty situation has been worsened by the Coronavirus pandemic which has seen many people out of employment.
Meanwhile, Mr Mwakalombe advised the people of Luanshya to form Cooperatives in order to benefit from the empowerment programs government is rolling out throughout the country through various ministries.
And speaking earlier, Luanshya District Commissioner Patrick Maipambe informed the Minister that 16,704 people have obtained National Registration Cards (RNCs) in the just ended mobile NRC issuance exercise against a target of 18,000.
He added that the district has received farm inputs for farmers and the vulnerable farmers saying distribution is scheduled for next week.
Six people have died in a fatal road accident in Mwense District along the Mwense-Mansa road in Luapula Province.
In a statement released by the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) Public Relations Officer Fedrick Mubanga said the accident happened around 07:00 hours today.
Mr. Mubanga said the accident happened after the driver of a Zhong Tong Bus registration number AIB3978 belonging to VIDA Logistics Transport driven by Kedrick Simusokwe lost control while avoiding to hit a pothole and in the process killed Winstone Kalemfu who was riding a motorbike which was coming from the opposite direction.
“Accident investigations by the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) indicate that due to the impact, Kalemfu and five other passengers died on the spot, while 14 others including the driver sustained serious injuries and 19 had minor injuries,” he said
Mr. Mubanga said the bus had a shattered windscreen, depressed roof while the motor bike was extensively damaged.
The Agency has since cautioned motorists particularly Public Service Vehicle (PSV) drivers to observe speed limits and obey traffic regulations and laws.
Mr Mubanga said the Agency is monitoring driver behavior of all PSV and those found wanting, risk having their licenses revoked as provided for in the Road Traffic Act No.11 of 2002.
Patriotic Front Chairperson for Copperbelt Province Nathan Chanda has warned party members in the province to stop making pledges which they cannot fulfill.
Mr Chanda said the habit of making pledges they cannot fulfill should come to an end as the trend was dragging the name of the ruling party and the President into disrepute.
Mr Chanda who is also Luanshya Mayor said it is evident that the PF government has worked hard and has managed to deliver development to all corners of the country saying no member should jeopardize what has been achieved.
And the Mayor has disclosed that Luanshya has received some funding for rehabilitation of roads in the Central Business District and Townships.
He also disclosed that the government has also released K50, 000 for the empowerment of marketeers and bus drivers in his District.
He was speaking when he called on Copperbelt Minister Japhen Mwakalombe on his way to the marriage ceremony of Chief Machiya’s nephew which was held in Luanshya yesterday.
And responding to Mr Chanda’s sentiments, Copperbelt Minister Japhen Mwakalombe said government has done its part by keeping its campaign the people of Zambia.
Mr Mwakalombe observed that some of the developmental projects in his province include the new Copperbelt International Airport under construction which will boost tourism and contribute to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Mr Mwakalombe added that the newly commissioned Kafulafuta Water project is another project that will benefit about one million people as well as boost industrialisation in the province.
He said water is as important as electricity in the production cycle.
Minister of Home Affairs Stephen Kampyongo has urged citizens to turn up in large numbers and acquire National Registration Cards (NRCs)in the on-going Phase two of the mobile NRC issuance exercise.
Mr Kampyongo explained that his ministry has suspended the police report requirement for those who lost their cards in order to ease the process of acquiring the national document.
He emphasized that acquiring an NRC comes with numerous benefits such as the identification as the citizen and eligibility to take part in the electoral process.
The Home Affairs Minister said this when he attended the induction ceremony of Reverend Penius Mbewe at Matero’s Reformed Church in Zambia (RCZ) Congregation in Lusaka.
“The phase two of the mobile NRC registration is exercise is ongoing, I urge you all to take advantage of and register so that you are counted as a citizen of this country. Aside that, we are decentralizing the offices to Chelstone, Matero, and Chawama so that we decongest the head office and the Boma office. We have removed the police report requirement so that you do not pay anything for the document,” he counseled.
The Home Affairs Minister who later toured Muchinga ward 24 in Matero constituency to appreciate the progress of the exercise, pointed out that his ministry will within this week provide the digital machines to expedite the process of mobile NRC issuance in the five provinces.
Mr Kampyongo who is also Shiwang’andu Member of Parliament called on the church to continue praying for President Edgar Lungu in his quest to take the country to great heights.
“As the church continue praying for President Lungu so that God showers him with more wisdom to take this nation to high levels even amidst COVID-19 period. For some of us who have the privilege to serve in his government, we can attest how humble he is and we all need to pray for him as he spurs the social and economic development of the country,” Mr Kampyongo said.
Speaking earlier, RCZ Synod Moderator Edwin Zulu urged the congregants to take advantage of both mobile NRC issuance and Electoral Commission of Zambia online voter pre-registration exercise.
Professor Reverend Zulu noted that the Reformed Church in Zambia has a lot of young people in all its over 200 congregations who should as well take part in all the affairs of the nation.
Prof Rev Zulu called on the youths to ignore all misleading information about voter registration and seize the opportunity to register.
“As I remind you all that we need to continue observing the health guidelines under the new normal, let us also take advantage of the ongoing mobile NRC registration exercise and the ECZ online registration since a lot of members in all the congregations are young people who are from the digital urge and should seize this opportunity without listening to those peddling lies about the noble undertaking,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, the newly inducted Matero Resident Minister Penius Mbewe hailed President Lungu for providing a favorable environment for the church to operate in spite of the COVID-19 shocks.
Rev Mbewe further thanked government and the Reformed Church in Zambia for the relentless support to his mission in all the last four congregations he has served.
Phase Two of the mobile NRC issuance exercise that commenced on 10th September is currently taking place in Southern, Western, Muchinga, Central and Lusaka Provinces.
Phase one was done in Luapula, Northern, Eastern, North-Western and Copperbelt Provinces ran for 40 days and concluded on the 9th of September, 2020.
President Edgar Lungu has reiterated that Zambia will continue to foster and deepen strategic partnerships with the international community to consolidate mutual ties and cooperation.
And President Lungu says the government will also continue to engage respective countries through deliberate enhancement of cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
ZANIS reports that the Head of State said this when he received letters of credentials from Rwanda new High Commissioner to Zambia Amandin Rugira, and Germany Ambassador Anne Wagner-Mitchell at State House in Lusaka today.
“…I wish to re-affirm the Zambian government’s continued commitment to enhanced relations and cooperation, at bilateral and multilateral levels, with both Rwanda and Germany, for the mutual benefit of the people of our countries, ‘’ said President Lungu.
The Head of State noted that Zambia and the Federal republic of Germany have enjoyed outstanding bilateral relations for many years, as reflected in the significant support accorded to Zambia over 50 years.
President Lungu further noted that the areas of cooperation and focus have been water and sanitation, good governance, renewable energy, agriculture, and nutrition, which are of utmost importance to the people of Zambia.
President Edgar Lungu receives a letter of credence from Germany Ambassador to Zambia Wagner-Mitchell at State House
President Lungu praised the German government for the continued generous support accorded to Zambia’s socio-economic development.
“The German government continues to assist Zambia bilaterally, and as part of the European Union (EU), in time of great need. This includes helping Zambian farmers mitigate the negative effects of drought, the social cash transfer programme, the renewed scaling up of nutrition efforts of the national food and nutrition commission and importantly, Zambia’s COVID-19 response,” added President Lungu.
The Head of State has since called for increased German investment in Zambia following the impressive establishment of the huge commercial farming project by Amatheon Agri, in Mumbwa District of Central province which President Lungu has since visited.
Germany’s Ambassador Anne-Wagner Mitchel, said her country remains committed to enhancing bilateral relations and cooperation to help Zambia foster her development process.
Dr Wagner-Mitchel stressed that her country will continue to support Zambia’s tourism sector, water and sanitation, food security and conservation, and renewable energy.
“ Germany’s friendship is also evidenced in her continued support as seen in her response to drought and climate change and commitment of over 550 million Kwacha for Zambia’s COVID19 response,” Ambassador Wanger –Mitchel stated.
While praising Zambia for her warm hospitality, the German envoy noted that the country is an anchor of peace and heaven for refugees in the region and hoped that Zambia can continue to play a significant role in promoting peace and security.
President Edgar Lungu talks to Rwandan High Commissioner to Zambia Amandin Rugira after he presented his letters of credence at State House
Dr Wagner-Mitchel assured President Lungu that Germany will continue to support the agriculture sector and assured a strong presence at the next Agritech exhibition in Chisamba, whose edition this year could not be held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
She said Germany is keen to observe Zambia’s next general elections.
And President Lungu said Zambia admires the significant strides that Rwanda has made in Information Communication Technology (ICT) and other key sectors of the economy.
The president said Zambia looks forward to working closely with Rwanda to finalise negotiations on the draft agreements on cooperation in double taxation, agriculture, visa exemption, immigration, education and tourism, among other areas.
President Edgar Lungu talks to Rwandan High Commissioner to Zambia Amandin Rugira after he presented his letters of credence at State House
President Lungu said Zambia looks forward to hosting the 7th session of the Zambia-Rwanda joint permanent commission of cooperation, to advance the collaboration between the two countries as soon as the COVID -19 pandemic situation allows.
He further assured that Zambia looks forward to participating in the forthcoming commonwealth summit in Kigali to be held next year.
“At the multilateral level, we look forward to working closely with the republic of Rwanda to advance, among others, the United Nations’ 2030 agenda for sustainable development and the African Union’s agenda 2063, in order to create the “Africa we want”, President Lungu pointed out.
Rwanda High Commissioner, Amandin Rugira said his country appreciates the existing bilateral relations between the two countries and pledged to strengthen them for the benefit of the two peoples.
The envoy thanked President Lungu for the land given to Rwanda to build offices for its mission and hoped the size of the land could be increased.
And President Lungu hoped that Germany and Rwanda will collaborate with Zambia and the rest of the world to help combat the COVID 19 pandemic which has caused socio-economic disruptions globally.
Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development Vincent Mwale has invited Indian companies to consider Zambia as the best destination for investment in infrastructure development.
Mr. Mwale said opportunities exist in the energy, roads, health, and tourism sectors through various financing models such as public to public, public-private partnership (PPPs), and equity financing.
He has praised India for financing infrastructure such as the 650 health posts dotted around the country, Mahatma Gandhi International Convention Center, and the Lusaka Roads Decongestion Project.
Mr. Mwale said this in a speech delivered on his behalf by his Permanent Secretary Danny Mfune during the 15th Confederation of Indian Industry- CII – Exim Bank Digital Conclave on India Africa Project Partnership during a virtual Session on “Fast-Tracking Africa’s Infrastructure Development.
The Minister said financing for infrastructure remains a challenge in as much as Africa recognizes the need to fast track infrastructure development.
Mr. Mwale stated that Zambia is confident that Indian companies that have shown interest to invest in Zambia will soon actualize their investments.
The Housing and Infrastructure Development Minister says Zambia has a comparative advantage for investment because it is a peaceful country enjoying cordial relations with its 8 neighboring countries and beyond.
Zambia’s High Commissioner to India Judith Kapijimpanga attended the virtual conference.
This is contained in a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka by First Secretary for Press at the Zambian High Commission in India Bangwe Naviley.
Minister of Mines and Minerals Development Richard Musukwa says President Edgar Lungu is committed to transforming Sinazongwe District and the rest of Southern Province into the bread basket of the country.
Mr Musukwa says the President is working hard to transform not only the mining sector in Sinazongwe but other sectors that include agriculture and livestock.
He said Southern Province is being prioritised by the head of state on his Government’s development agenda.
He stated that President Lungu is keen to improve the livelihoods of people in the region hence the continued provision of various empowerment programmes for women and youths.
The Minister said government is also aware that Southern Province has a number of pastoral farmers hence its commitment to enhancing access to water for livestock through dam construction and rehabilitation.
The Minister who was in Sinazongwe District to commission the US$2 million state of the art surface miner equipment at Maaamba Collieries limited has since tasked the district administration in Sinazongwe to ensure that President Lungu’s development agenda for the district and Southern Province at large is achieved.
Mr Musukwa also commended Maamba Collieries for investing in equipment which not only enhance safety for the workers but also increase productivity.
Meanwhile Sinazongwe District Commissioner Sheena Muleya informed the minister that the Presidential Empowerment for youth and women in the district was progressing well.
Western Province Patriotic Front (PF) Member of the Central Committee Joseph Mulyata has died.
Both Western Province PF Chairperson Bright Kufuka and PF Mongu Central Constituency Chairperson Yowano Chisambwe confirmed the development with ZANIS in Mongu this morning.
“We have learnt with great shock about the untimely death of our member of the central committee, Joseph Mulyata who passed on this morning in Lusaka,” said Mr Kufuka
Mr Kufuka has described the death of Mr Mulyata as unbelievable and a big blow not only to the party but to the entire province as he once served the people of Western Province as a Member of Parliament in the MMD regime.
“It is painful because we have lost a hardworking man who was always willing to extend a helping hand to anyone that needed assistance,” he added.
Mr Kufuka has since called on the party to be strong and remain united during this difficult time.
He said the death of Mr Mulyata has come as a shock to everyone in the province they did not know about his sickness.
“These are hard times as it is written in the Bible that God has his own time and there is a reason for everything on earth, now that our big brother is no more, the only best way to honor him is by remaining united and remember one another in prayer,” said the PF Provincial Chairperson.
Mr Kufuka has since sent his heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased and has wished them God’s blessings and comfort as they go through a difficult time.
And Patriotic Front Mongu Constituency Chairperson Yowano Chisambwe has confirmed that the finals of the ongoing Inter-Wards Sports Tournament at Mongu Main Stadium that were being sponsored by Mr Joseph Mulyata and was scheduled to end today has since been cancelled.
“I regret to confirm that the Joseph Mulyata Inter-Wards Football tournament has since been cancelled due to the demise of the main sponsor, who died this morning at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka,” confirmed Mr Chisambwe.
He further disclosed that Mr Mulyata died of heart attack in the early hours of today, adding that funeral arrangements will be announced later.
Meanwhile, Mongu Press Club has also described the death of Mr Mulyata as shocking and disturbing news to the media fraternity in the province.
“He had cordial relationship with the media and he was very instrumental in ensuring that the World Press Freedom Day was well coordinated and celebrated in the province,” Said Mongu Press Club Vice Chairperson Lloyd Kapusa.
Transport and Communications Minister Hon Mutotwe Kafwaya has warned both drivers and transport operators who are spearheading the illegal manoeuvres to stop work next month to abandon their plans.
Hon Kafwaya says the law is clear about how a strike can be conducted in Zambia.
He explains that anyone in doubt about the provisions of the law should not hesitate to contact the Ministry of Labour.
“It has come to my attention that there are truck drivers who are sowing seeds of discord in the transport sector by calling on their fellow drivers to conduct a work stoppage on the 19th of October 2020. No driver in Zambia has authority to give instructions to other drivers in respect of work stoppages. No driver has authority to discipline other drivers in Zambia, this is anarchy and cannot be tolerated,” he said.
“The mandate to maintain law and order is a domain of the Ministry of Home Affairs, via the Zambia Police Department and in this case the Traffic Section working in collaboration with the Road Transport and Safety Agency.
His Excellency, Dr Edgar Chagwa LUNGU, President of the Republic of Zambia, places tremendous importance on the transport sector.”
He further added that this is due to its criticality in the facilitation of economic development.
“As such, as Government, we cannot allow anyone to sabotage the operations of the sector.In view of the foregoing, I now challenge RTSA as follows:(1) The law is clear on how to deal with drivers who misconduct themselves in the process of delivering services; and (2) The law is clear on how to deal with transport operators who fail to institute conditions of service which promote sanity in the sector. Accordingly, RTSA should exploit those opportunities in the provisions of the law to deal sternly with any lawbreakers,” he indicated.
“Finally let assure the travelling and general public that Zambia is a country of laws and that no one is above the law. As such, there is no illegal work stoppage in the transport sector on the 19th of October 2020, as any such work stoppage can only occur in accordance with the provisions of the law. Should there be any lawbreakers forcing drivers and/or transport operators not to operate on the said date or indeed any other day, Zambia Police will be on hand to deal with such illegalities.”
