-

September 21, 2020

Malawian President expected in Zambia for an official visit

President of Malawi, Lazarus Chakwera is scheduled to undertake an official visit to Zambia, tomorrow, Tuesday, 22nd September, 2020.

Dr Chakwera will be accompanied by First Lady, Monica Chakwera.

The visit will be the Malawian leader’s first official engagement outside his country, since his election as Head of State in June 2020.

According to a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka by Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Malanji, the Malawian leader will be in Zambia to discuss areas of mutual interest to enhance bilateral relations between the two countries.

“Zambia and Malawi share strong historical bilateral ties and a common border. Our two countries continue to actively cooperate in social, political, and economic areas, within the framework of the Zambia/Malawi Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security and the Joint Permanent Commission of Cooperation, for the betterment of our peoples,” said Mr Malanji.

The Minister said Zambia and Malawi have also continued to collaborate at regional, continental and international levels through the United Nations, the Commonwealth, the African Union, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).

He disclosed that during the visit, Dr Chakwera will hold bilateral talks with President Edgar Lungu at State House and also lay wreaths at the Presidential Burial Site at Embassy Park in Lusaka.

He said the Malawian Head of State is expected to depart for his country immediately after his engagements.

UPND should develop a message of hope for the Zambian people, not Mwakole Slogans

Columns

Chief Editor

-

September 21, 2020

36

UPND should develop a message of hope for the Zambian people, not Mwakole Slogans

By Dr. Lubinda Habazoka

I never want to discuss politics but I think I cannot pass by without commenting on this observation by Hon Nkombo.
I write this in my personal capacity as a citizen and a holder of a voters card.

In football, you can’t blame the tactics of your opponents for the loss of the game because you have no control over which players the opponent plays, the playing system they use among other things. The same applies to politics.

I followed closely the campaign of the UPND during the just ended by-elections. I don’t remember the promise that they made to the people apart from Mwakole and some other things.

When MMD was voted in 1991, we were promised eggs bacon, and milk at breakfast, and the MMD promise put them into power. PF also came with more money into people’s pockets slogan and they formed government.

What the UPND should do is to develop that message of hope for the Zambian people.

You rarely win an election from the opposition by using corruption and Mwakole slogans. Zambians want to hear what an alternative government will do in terms of taxes, job creation, wealth-creating, etc. They want a message of hope.

This weekend EAZ was attacked by one Antony Bwalya or Mumba (UPND) member for its Citizen Entrepreneur Development Program. What my colleague did not know is that the private sector-led initiative has been welcomed by the masses who want to achieve their business dreams. Now when a party attacks such an initiative, the message being sent is that once they form the government, they won’t entertain empowerment programs.

Instead of attacking civil servants and the police as corrupt, Sata would buy breakfast to police officers sent to arrest him. That gave hope to our men and women in uniform that once Sata forms government, he will be their person.

Then also you can’t use macroeconomic figures to explain to citizens that they are suffering. Suffering is felt at the household level. When campaigning, you need to identify issues that really citizens are facing. A woman in Mwansabombwe doesn’t care about Eurobonds. All she wants are roads and clinics and that’s what the other camp is providing. So a new formula has to be developed in order to counter the PF.

Even for this article, I will be insulted. Now when you insult me and I keep quiet, genuine people will sympathize with me and will be scared of your aggressiveness. Zambians after KK want soft leaders.

Zambians are very tricky people. They vote with emotions.

Nkana in Financial Limbo

sports

-

September 21, 2020

1

Nkana insist their 2020/2021 CAF Champions League campaign is not in jeopardy despite a statement from Mopani Copper Mines stating that they will no longer be their principle sponsors.

In a letter dated September 17, 2020 to the Nkana, Mopani stated that it will now supplement the record 13-time Zambia Super Division champions with only a US$15,000 grant and offer them a paltry US$ 6000.00 bonus for winning the 2019/2020 league title.

“Further to our letter of April 27, 2020 and subsequent verbal confirmations of the position in various meetings, Mopani will not be able to provide sponsorship to Nkana FC for the upcoming season. We additionally confirm that the company does not have funds to meet the costs of participation in the CAF,” Mopani stated.

“We acknowledge that it would have been very difficult to seek alternative sponsorship in the period of June 2020 due to the impact of Covid-19 therefore, Mopani will provide you with a limited support towards adminiatrive costs in the amount of US$15,000 per month up to the end of the year effective August 2020.”

But Nkana chairperson Joseph Silwamba denied the champions are facing financial limbo.

“Contrary to the information circulating on social media, Mopani has actually supplemented Nkana FC’s funding for 2020 by giving the club additional support commencing the month of August 2020 after the club depleted its allocation for the 2020 financial year mid-way,” Silwamba said.

“Mopani is further assisting Nkana FC ensure that the 13-time Zambian champions fulfill their 2020/21 CAF Champions League engagements by ensuring that the necessary finances and other requirements are sourced.”

Silwamba, though, did not give any figures to back his statement.

“Nkana FC further wishes to announce that more sponsors have joined Mopani in sponsoring the club in different ways and Nkana FC will soon be announcing those sponsors who have come on board at an appropriate time,” Silwamba said.

Teaching of Sexuality Education in Schools gets Support

General News

Chief Editor

-

September 21, 2020

24

Teaching of Sexuality Education in Schools gets Support

National Action for Quality Education in Zambia ( NAQEZ) has supported the teaching of sexuality education in schools.

NAQEZ executive director Aaron Chansa said after careful analysis of the Comprehensive Sexuality Education framework and teaching manuals, they find this kind of education very useful and Important for 21st-century pupils.

“We can’t see anything anti- Christian in these two documents. For the record, this kind of education was prompted by extensive research data indicating alarming numbers of school dropouts due to early pregnancies among primary and secondary school girls. It is also important to state here that before the Ministry of Education adopted the framework for sexuality education, the Church and Civil Society Organizations were part of the validation process,” he said.

Mr.Chansa said for the avoidance of any doubt, the current framework on sexuality education in Zambia provides learners with age-appropriate and scientifically accurate information.

“If well implemented, sexuality education is designed to afford pupils with knowledge on abstinence, culture, Society, hygiene, human development, awareness of peer norms, skills and values which help young ones to become more assertive and careful to address real sexuality matters,”Mr. Chansa said

“In 2011, for example, over 15,000 school going girls fell pregnant. Surprisingly, the majority of these girls who fall pregnant are primary school learners. In 2010, the Population Bureau shockingly revealed that 12% of girls and 16% of boys experienced sex before the age of 15. This sad reality requires some intervention by the school system,” he adds.

“Further research findings clearly showed that there are serious challenges in the Zambian school curriculum on sexuality education. The Southern and Eastern Consortium for Monitoring Education Quality (SACMEQ) report indicated that 60% of grade 6 learners in Zambia did not have adequate knowledge on sexuality education,” says Mr. Chansa.

Ndola City Council Embarks on Solar Street Lighting

General News

Chief Editor

-

September 21, 2020

4

Ndola City Council Embarks on Solar Street Lighting

The Ndola City Council (NCC) has embarked on a solar street lighting project in selected wards of the city at a cost of K590, 582 in the first phase.

The project will be fully funded using locally generated resources under the Ward Development Fund (WDF) and will be implemented in phases in order to address funding and monitoring constraints.

NCC Assistant Public Relations Manager, Waluka Mwaekwa said in a statement issued to ZANIS in Ndola, that the first phase of the project is estimated to cover 3.6 kilometers.

Ms. Mwaekwa explained that the project that kicked off last month, aims to install the solar street lights in at least four wards at a time.

She added that the number of wards benefitting from the project at a given time will increase once the revenue collection increases.

She further said the council has so far completed solar street lighting installations in selected parts of Chifubu ward.

“Works on some selected parts of Kaloko ward are yet to have also started. The next stage of phase one will encompass Munkulungwe and Toka wards as well as completing the works in Kaloko ward,” she said.

She further explained that the Council’s long term goal is to ensure that many more areas of the city are adequately lit using renewable energy-powered street lights.

“We are therefore calling on the community to guard the infrastructure that has been installed, and that which will be installed in the near future, jealously as these installations are a public good and property,” she said.

Ms. Mwaekwa noted that it is important for the communities to remain alert and report any form of vandalism on any public property to either the Council or the nearest police station.

Education fundamental to development and growth-Wina

Rural News

Chief Editor

-

September 21, 2020

4

Education fundamental to development and growth-Wina

Vice President Inonge Wina has said that the government has implemented robust policies that have enabled the country to meet key milestones outlined in the countries’ Seventh National Development Plan(7NDP).

And Mrs. Wina says since the Patriotic Front (PF) administration assumed power, the government has opened the doors for more Millions of additional learners to access education.

ZANIS reports that Ms. Wina was speaking in Mongu, Western Province today, when she called on the Nalikwanda District Administration, at Nakanyaa Technical Secondary School.

Mrs. Wina pointed out that the government has also embarked on the construction of more schools both in rural and urban areas to increase access to education for all.

She explained that all the newly constructed schools have the same structures and equipment so that learner’s including those in rural areas have equal opportunities to quality education.

“I am glad that a Secondary school was established here in Nakanyaa, because the area has not had a Secondary School since time immemorial.

The school is a milestone of the government’s commitment to prioritize education especially in far flung areas,” the Vice President stated.

And responding to the challenges itemized by the school administration, Mrs. Wina indicated that the issues will be presented to the relevant authorities for immediate interventions.

“I came to meet the people of Nakanyaa village here in western province and appreciate their challenges, ” Mrs Wina stated.

Meanwhile, Nakanyaa Technical Secondary School, Head Teacher, Likando Musialike disclosed that the institution was opened in March 2017, and has more than 300 learners.

Mr. Musialike indicated that although the school awaits official commissioning by the government, it has already started normal operations.

“We want to thank the government for the state of the art infrastructure and the support that the school has been receiving. However, for it to operate fully, there are some challenges that require possible solutions, among them is the need for the school to be electrified.

“This will help us provide quality education because currently, pupils are not learning certain subjects that need the availability of electricity,” Mr. Musialike informed the Vice President.

The Vice President is on a working tour of western province.

Government to Revise Mines and Minerals Act

Headlines

Chief Editor

-

September 21, 2020

15

Government to Revise Mines and Minerals Act

Acting Mines Director in the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, Brighton Kateka says the government is in the process of revising the mines and minerals Act of 2015 to allow for the proper regulation of the mining industry operations.

Mr. Kateka said one of the issues to be looked at is incorporating of gold as a strategic mineral in the Act so that it is well managed.

Mr. Kateka said this in Solwezi today when he called on North-Western Province Permanent Secretary, Willies Mangimela at his office.

“We also have issues like Zambia is a member of the International Great Lakes Region which has set rules and regulations which are given to us, President Edgar Lungu has already signed with other Heads of State, we need to domesticate these and incorporate them into our Act,” he said.

Mr. Kateka said Zambian contractors have observed and complained that they are not being given sufficient businesses in terms of contracts by the mining companies and therefore, the review of the Act will address such challenges so that people can benefit.

Meanwhile, Mr. Mangimela has called on people and all stakeholders to come through and make their submissions on what they want to be revised in the Act.

He said the revising of the Act has come at the right time when people in the province have been calling for this process and complaining about gaps and weaknesses in the Act.

The team is sitting in Solwezi district to receive submissions from members of the general public, civil society organizations, mining companies and associations, small scale and artisanal mines on the revising of the mines and minerals Act number 11 of 2015.

Lets Talk music :Songwriter and Vocalist James Sakala on songwriting, preparation

Entertainment News

Entertainment Editor

-

September 21, 2020

2

Lets Talk music :Songwriter and Vocalist James Sakala on songwriting, preparation

Songwriter and Vocalist James Sakala Educates us on songwriting, preparation and more.

44,000 Chienge houses to be sprayed to help to combat Malaria in Zambia by 2021

Rural News

Chief Editor

-

September 21, 2020

6

44,000 Chienge houses to be sprayed to help to combat Malaria in Zambia by 2021

Government in Chienge District in Luapula Province is targeting to spray over Forty-Four Thousand Housing Structures during its forthcoming Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) Programme.

The IRS Programme which will be implemented by Ministry of Health, in Collaboration with Vector Link is scheduled to start on 29th September this year.

Confirming the development during a Malaria Taskforce Committee meeting held in the Council Chamber recently Health Promotion Officer at the Chienge District Health Office, Given HATYOKA also revealed that the IRS Programme will run concurrently with the distribution of Insecticide Treated Mosquito Nets.

He however, explained that the Mosquito Nets will only be distributed in areas where the IRS Programme will not be conducted.

“As a District we have some problematic areas in terms of Malaria cases, and there are some which are performing fairly well,” Mr Hatyoka said.

The Health Promotion Officer identified area with high incidences of Malaria in Chienge District as Kapako, Puta, Lambwe Chomba and Lambwe Chikwama.

And Mr Hatyoka explained that the IRS Programme will strictly adhere to the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) regulations on the handling of the Chemicals that would be used.

He further said all the people who will be engaged as Sprayer Operators are currently being trained on how to conduct the exercise.

Mr. Hatyoka added the Spray Operators are also being sensitised on the COVID 19 Pandemic and are expected to follow all the set Ministry of Health Guidelines the IRS Exercise.

Mr Hatyoka also appealed to the general public to cooperate with Spray Operators when visited at home and to also adhere to COVID 19 Guidelines.

“We are all privy to the fact that the COVID 19 Pandemic is here in the Country, prevention starts at the individual level and as such we have to all comply to regulations,” he said.

And Statics at the Chienge District Office indicates that in the Firsts Quarter of 2019 the area recorded 14,867 while in the First Quarter of 2020 the cases stood at 18,909. This marks an increase of over 44,000 Malaria cases.

The IRS Programme is drawn from the Zambia National Malaria Elimination Strategic Plan 2017-2012(NMESP) which aims to combat Malaria in Zambia by 2021.

Poor agriculture performance in Mitete displeases Vice President

Columns

Chief Editor

-

September 21, 2020

9

Poor agriculture performance in Mitete displeases Vice President

Vice President Inonge Wina has expressed disappointment at the levels of production in the agriculture sector in Mitete District in Western Province.

Mrs. Wina observed that Mitete District is one of the areas that receive enough farming inputs under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) but that government through Farmer Reserve Agency (FRA) does not access any maize from the place.

Speaking when she met with the District Administration at Muyondoti Secondary School in Mitete District of Western Province, Mrs. Wina implored the relevant authorities in the area to effectively coordinate farming activities.

She observed that even after discovering that the area had already received farming inputs, preparations for farming activities have not yet started which she wondered whether the District Agriculture Extension Officers were doing their job.

Mrs. Wina pointed out that government has placed District Commissioner in districts, so that they can run programmes in their areas.

“We expect local solutions across districts to be initiated by district administrations, because Lusaka is very far from here hence we rely on DC’s to preside on districts who are in charge of expanding production.

“We want to see local farmers engaged in crop diversification so that they can always have enough for consumption. DMMU will not always have resources to food here, that is why government implements various programmes for self-sustenance among rural people,” the Vice President indicated.

She implored the District Administration to find lasting solutions that will ensure that farmers are able to transport their yields and sell to FRA in order for them to increase their finances.

Meanwhile, Mitete District Commissioner Nayunda Mukwamataba disclosed that the district has already received farming inputs for the 2020/2021 farming season under FISP.

Mr. Mukwamataba noted that the district has 400 farmer beneficiaries under FISP of which 270 have already deposited part of their contributions.

He however indicated that farmers are not able to sell to FRA because of lack of reliable transportation and storage facilities in the district hence most of the yields are consumed at household level.

“Your Honour, as of September 7th, 2020, I can reliably inform you that Mitete District has already received farming inputs for the next farming season.

“The district has received 60 metric tonnes of urea, 70 metric tonnes of D-Compound, and 250 by 10 kg bags maize seed.

“From this, we are expecting a balance of 150 by 20 kg bags of maize seed and 200 by 20 kg bags of groundnuts,” Mr. Mukwamataba disclosed.

The DC added that the district has not been left out from other government programmes such as the social cash transfer and the Food Security Pack among others.

And in the health sector, he noted that three health posts out or of six allocated to the district have been constructed.

And later when the Vice President met with traditional leaders in the area, Chief Akabati of Lucanana Nyala area thanked government for not leaving out the district in its developmental agenda.

Chief Akabati however outlined some challenges which included the need for a boarding school in the area so that pupils from far areas can stay in school even on a weekly basis.

The traditional leader explain the performance for many learner’s is very low because they have to cover long distances to get to school which disturbs their concentration because they are usually tired.

He added that Muyondoti Primary School needs electrification so that pupils can also take other classes such as ICT.

“Madam Vice President, we thank you for visiting Mitete District especially Muyondoti area. We are happy to mention that government has included us in its developmental plans and the evidence is visible. Our children cover long distances just to attend school, hence we are requesting that our school can be turned into a boarding school. Pupils can be attending weekly boarding so that they have time to learn properly. The school also lacks a laboratory and has no electricity, thereby denying them the chance to take certain subjects that require electricity,” Chief Akabati stated.

He also bemoaned the lack of communication between civic leaders and traditional rulers, saying that it’s hard for government to know the challenges on the ground.

UPND announces the defection of two Senior FDD officials

Feature Politics

Chief Editor

-

September 21, 2020

13

UPND announces the defection of two Senior FDD officials

The United Party for National Development (UPND) has announced the defection of two senior party officials from Edith Nawakwi’s Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) who have since joined UPND.

The two, who include FDD’s Chairperson for Agriculture, Emack Kaoma and Tourism Committee chairperson, Harriet Mukololo cited poor leadership and lack of policy direction from the Party President, Edith Nawakwi as the reasons for ditching the Party.

In her speech, Ms Mukololo, who thanked Ms Nawakwi for allowing her to serve as Chairperson for Tourism portfolio under the FDD, challenged Ms Nawakwi, who has waged a relentless privatization war against President Hichilema to shift her attention from the privatization issue which she oversaw as then Finance Minister, to the more recent economic hardships facing Zambians.

She stated that she was ashamed to identify her self with the FDD because the party has no structures and policy direction, saying that each time she went to mobilize her party on the ground, people questioned her mental sanity for supporting a party that was being run like an NGO.

“The FDD has no structures and its policy direction is not clearly defined. The party has no structures on the ground, people on the ground wonder whether am normal upstairs. If I go to the Secretariat, they tell, ‘awe mayo! Niba Nawakwi fye abene’,” she stated.

In affirming his decision to join the UPND, Mr Kaoma stated that it was a relief for him to ditch the FDD, a Party because it has deviated from the ideals and values on which it was founded.

“I now feel a heavy load has been removed from my shoulders because the FDD that I belonged to has moved from its ideals and values. I want to be on the right side of history. My heart has always been for the people and I feel the vision for the UPND fits in well. I believe, together, we shall end the suffering of this country,” he charged.
And UPND Secretary General-SG-Stephen Katuka, in his welcoming remarks called on the old party members to embrace the new members, stating that there was neither old or new member in the UPND.

He also encouraged the old UPND members to embrace the new members, stating that there were no old or new members in the UPND and that those joining the party would add a lot of value and help the party form Government.

“You are warmly welcome to the UPND family. If you have any issues with anybody, please feel free to come and see me. I lead an open door policy. In the UPND, in my father’s house, there are many rooms. The UPND is a Party of choice. In this Party, there are no new members. When you join this party, you are as good as the old members,” he said.

Stephen Katuka welcoming FDD's ourism Committee chairperson, Harriet Mukololo — Stephen Katuka welcoming FDD’s ourism Committee chairperson, Harriet Mukololo

FDD's ourism Committee chairperson, Harriet being welcomed by UPNDMukololo — FDD’s ourism Committee chairperson, Harriet being welcomed by UPNDMukololo

Zambia records the lowest COVID-19 positive rate

Health

Chief Editor

-

September 21, 2020

9

Zambia records the lowest COVID-19 positive rate

Zambia has recorded the lowest COVID-19 positive rate since the outbreak of the pandemic in March this year.

The 4% positive rate was recorded after the country only recorded 61 new COVID-19 cases out of 1,581 tests conducted in the last 24 hours, bringing the cumulative number of cases to 14,231.

Health Minister Dr. Chitalu Chilufya who was speaking during the latest COVID-19 update announced the development with a call to ensure that the positive trend continues by exercising total compliance to the health guidelines.

Dr. Chilufya who attributed the development to enhanced adherence to safety measures such as wearing masks and enhanced public health measures said the approach now will be to enhance the fight in the communities in order to significantly reduce the transmission rate.

“Let’s sustain the positive trend by following the 5 golden rules and let this not lead to complacency as we inevitably return to the new normal,” he said and commended Zambians for their consistency in wearing masks which he said he has witnessed in many parts of the country.

Dr. Chilufya further reminded various stakeholders especially in the education sector to ensure children are protected from COVID-19 even as schools reopen tomorrow.

And speaking at the same event, Ministry of Health Director of infectious diseases Professor Lloyd Mulenga clarified that children below the age of 5 should not wear masks but should be provided with a loose cloth over their nose in order to aid easy breathing.

He however said that even children below the age of 5 are possible carriers of the virus hence the need to ensure they are protected and subjected to regular checkups.

HH is used to interviews in which he prepares questions himself-Makebi Zulu

Headlines

Chief Editor

-

September 21, 2020

47

HH is used to interviews in which he prepares questions himself-Makebi Zulu

MALAMBO Constituency Member of Parliament Hon Makebi Zulu has reacted to reports that UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema on Saturday chickened out of a ZNBC interview in which he was supposed to clear himself from serious allegations surrounding the privatization of national assets.

Hon Zulu who is also Eastern Province Minister says that Hakainde has no answers to the allegations leveled against him.

He adds that Hakainde can not manage to answer questions on Sunday Interview because the questions are not prepared by him saying his used to interviews in which he prepares questions himself.

” It will be embarrassing for him to respond to questions he has not framed”,he said.

The Malambo law maker has further observed that Hakainde is used to stage managed interviews hence refusing the ZNBC interview.
“That is the trouble of being used to choreographed interviews,you can not face professional people on a television interview”Hon Zulu said.

Five times Zambian Presidential election loosing Hakainde was supposed to feature on ZNBC Sunday Interview by at the last minute,he chickened out.

Zambians are demanding answers from Hakainde on the role he played in the privatization process.

There are strong allegations that Hakainde as Consultant and Evaluator, grossly profited from the privatization process by under-valuing state assets, selling state assets to himself and his associates, failing to declare commercial interests and failing to make disclosures in assets that he was interested in or his associates.

Hakainde, as lead Consultant and Evaluator for the Zambia Privatisation Agency (ZPA)was involved in the sale of Musio-O-Tunya Intercontinental Hotel, the sale of ZCCM non-core assets such Lunsemfwa Hydro and ZCCM Power Division(CEC) of sold to 5 ZCCM Executives.

As CEO and Managing Partner of Coopers & Lybrand and later Grant Thornton, Hakainde was liquidator of the agriculture Bank, Lima Bank that had various assets including farms.

His firm also appointed Christopher Mulenga as Receiver Manager for RAMCOZ in Luanshya, a process marred with allegations of plunder and excess looting.

Rhodasi Mwale wins the 2020 Kalemba Short-Story Prize

Entertainment News

editor

-

September 20, 2020

8

Rhodasi Mwale wins the 2020 Kalemba Short-Story Prize

Rhodasi Mwale has been announced as the winner of the 2020 Kalemba Short Story Prize for her short story, described as “quirky” by Judges.

The USD1000 award is for the best work of original and unpublished short fiction in English by a Zambian writer .

Mwale won for If It Ain’t Broke. The story revolves around a protagonist struggling with depression and mental problems.

“Dr Theo assured me, in a stern, noncommittal tone, that the world wasn’t out to get me and that my children weren’t monsters sent to torment me,” she writes. “He scribbled a prescription and shuffled me out of his offices as fast as he could that I felt rejected. Had it come to this? Even a man I paid to listen wasn’t interested anymore. It was time to find a new doctor.”

A Biomedical Scientist and student of infectious diseases at the University of Zambia, Mwale, 31, remembers fondly “curling up on a bean bag in the library, in Grade 3, reading illustrated volumes of the Adventures of Tintin. In Grade 5, I read Eleanor Hoffman’s Mischief in Fez, and it has stayed with me since.”

On winning the prize, “just being shortlisted is everything because it means that I do belong on the African market. There is such a profundity to African literature that I’ve always felt that my voice is a tad too informal, my prose too simplistic for the market.”
A native of Kabwe Town, Mwale will be presented with the award at a special ceremony to be held in Lusaka in October.

Her story beat five others to win the prize including, Chowa Chikumbi, A Silent Cry; Vanessa Nakayange, I’ll Keep You Safe; Samuel Zimba, Junta or Divorce; Mukuka Nkunde, Daze and Otensia Kapinga’s After the Storm.

A total of 231 stories competed for the 2020 Kalemba Prize, now in its third edition.

The judging panel, chaired by acclaimed and award-winning Zambian novelist (Patchwork), Ellen Banda-Aaku observed that the stories that ended up in the top six were heartbreaking and poignant in different ways; a disgruntled housewife takes the opportunity to go back and change her life; a drunk husband opts to stay with a cheating wife as an excuse to stay drunk; a young woman’s father sides with her after she commits murder; a woman finds the courage to stand up to an abusive husband; rain churns up painful memories, and a mother covers up her daughters’ abuse to save the family.

“These top six stood apart in that they showed something more; a flair in writing, a fresh voice, emotiveness, an unusual twist,” said Banda-Aaku.

“If It Ain’t Broke was a clear winner. In this quirky written story, the narrator draws the reader in from the start with a fresh, honest voice about the state of their mind and life,” said the judges. “The mentally depressed protagonist is in a situation we have all been in at some point – the state of being discontented with our lives. The moral of the story is one most of us are aware of but perhaps need a reminder.”

Banda-Aaku was joined on the panel by award-winning South African writer, Masande Ntshanga (Triangulum, The Reactive) – winner of the 2013 PEN International New Voices Award and a finalist for the 2015 Caine Prize; the youthful Rwandan-Namibian author, Remey Nagmidje, (The Eternal Voice of One) and Mali Kambandu, winner of the inaugural 2018 Kalemba Prize for her story, A hand to hold

Mwale who also writes under the name, Dhasi Mwale, has several fictions coming up including her debut novel, Note Worthy by Belonging Books. Other works are scheduled to appear in The Scarlet Leaf Review and Bewildering Stories.

An alumnus of Highbridge Secondary School, Kabwe, Mwale names Paul Cohelo as one of her major literary influences.

The Kalemba Prize is a home-grown initiative celebrating Zambian writing. It is funded and administered by Ukusefya WORDS, publishers of the national bestselling book, Insoselo na Mapinda.

The 2021 Kalemba Prize will open later in the year.

CSOs launch Citizens Petition on Privatisation

Headlines

Chief Editor

-

September 20, 2020

49

CSOs launch Citizens Petition on Privatisation

A consortium of Civil Society Organizations has today launched a campaign to petition President Edgar Lungu to institute a commission of inquiry into the privatization process of national assets.

The CSOs who include the National Youth Anti Corruption Movement (NYACM) , Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) and the Zambia Institute of Governance and Civil Liberties Advocacy Platform seeks to collect up 20,000 signatures before delivering the petition to President Edgar Lungu on Friday the 25th of September, 2020.

Speaking on behalf of the other CSOs at a media briefing, YALI President Andrew Ntewewe said the National Citizens Petition calls for setting up an inquiry-based on the Inquiries Act Chapter 41 section 2 of the Laws of Zambia.

A fortnight ago, YALI petitioned Chief Justice Irene Mambilima to institute a commission of inquiry on privatization but the Chief Justice has advised YALI to take the petition to the office of the president has he is the only one with authority to do so.

The CSOs said it was gratifying that those who participated in the negotiations for the sale of national assets have also shown willingness to account for their roles in privatization.

Mr. Ntewewe said Zambians deserve answers from those who unjustly benefited and enriched themselves from the sale at the expense of Zambians including former miners and their children who are now living under abject poverty and untold misery.

Mr. Hakainde Hichilema has long been said to have sett up Sun International Zambia which bought the Rainbow Lodge and Mosi O Tunya Hotel in Livingstone at the value of $6.5 million against the highest bid of $20 million bid. Mr. Hichilema negotiated on behalf of the Zambian Government for the sale of these assets to his company without declaring interest in the sale.

The citizen’s petitions has since been signed by 585 persons at the end of the launch on Sunday. The Petition is being run on ChangeDOTorg and SurveymonkeyDOTcom web platforms. The Petition has also been circulated to various parts across the country for signing among marketeers, students, ex-miners, farmers, workers in the tourism industry.