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The Opposition New Hope Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) President Dr. Nevers Sekwila Mumba and Bishop T. D Jakes of the Potter’s House International Ministries have kick started a food hampers donation program to the residents of Kalikiliki compound of Lusaka District.
In April of this year Dr. Mumba who is also President of the Victory Ministries Int’l kick started the Zambia Shall Be Saved Covid Prevention in Kalikiliki compound of Lusaka. Under this project 500 households were targeted where hygiene hypars were given in a bid to help fight and prevent the Covid 19 pandemic. These hampers included buckets, face masks, hygiene liquid soaps just to mention a few.
Yesterday, Dr. Mumba with the help of Bishop T. D Jakes of the Potter’s House International Ministries kicked off the Zambia Shall Be SAVED feeding program in Kalikiliki compound, which aims to feed over 10,000 residents for an initial period of three months.
Dr. Mumba, who is also former Republican Vice President was in the company of New Hope MMD Chairperson of Transport and Communication Mr. Chaka Zulu and other Senior MMD leaders and Victory Ministries International leaders who included Rev. Abel Thosi, the Vice President of Victory Ministries International.
Dr. Mumba who visited a number of selected Households, where he donated these food hampers said that the Covid 19 had Economically affected the Country.
“The Zambia shall be Saved Foundation in partnership with Bishop T.D Jakes have realized that the negative impact of the Covid 19 pandemic has affected the people of Zambia. Instead of the usual donations of hygiene hampers which we started in April, we have decided to go an extra mile by providing food hampers”, Dr. Mumba said.
Dr. Mumba said that they were targeting to feed over 10,000 residents for an initial period of 3 months by targeting 2000 households which essentially had an average of 5 people per household.
“During our initial Covid Prevention program, we managed to periodically provide hygiene to over 500 households in Kalikiliki compound. Under this Feeding Program, which is a sustainable program, we will be periodically giving out food hampers to at least 10,000 Kalikiliki residents for an initial period of 3 months”, Dr. Mumba said.
And a Mrs. Jane Jere, a beneficiary thanked Dr. Mumba for this gesture.
“Ba Mumba, on behalf of my family, I would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for this gesture. I am a widow who looks after a household of 10 dependents. Like a number of my neighbors, my ka small business has collapsed because of the Corona virus and it has been difficult to feed my family. So your food packages are an answered prayer to not only me but the people of Kalikiliki. May God continue blessing you so that he can continue to use you to help us”, Mrs. Jere said.
Economic and Equity Party President Chilufya Tayali says pupils and teachers are at high risk of contracting the Coronavirus pandemic whose cases are on the increase in Zambia.
Mr Tayali says the Ministers of General and Higher Education David Mabumba and Brian Mushimba must rethink on how they will conduct examinations because things cannot be as usual.
He said if the teachers and pupils from various schools were to be tested, most of them would be found with the pandemic considering the recent high positive cases and mortalities being announced.
“I certainly think we would find a number of pupils and teachers who have contracted COVID-19”, said Mr Tayali.
Mr Tayali said while the Government can emphasize the issue of measuring temperatures, it is clear that, a lot of people have tested positive without any symptoms.
He said while children and teachers can mask up, there are many ways in which they can contract COVID-19 pandemic.
“At school, teachers have to mark books after giving exercises to pupils. Imagine if one pupil has COVID-19 and contaminates the exercise book which goes to the teacher to mark, the teacher will also have to touch other books. This can spread COVID-19”, he said.
Mr Tayali said the time of being in one place is another source of concern saying having pupils and teachers in schools for a long time increases the chance for them to contract COVID-19.
He added that COVID-19 may be with us for a long time, but this is the peak due to weather and has wondered why the authorities would not wait till this cold passes.
The Germany government through the KfW Development Bank in collaboration with UNICEF Zambia has secured K157 million to support the Zambian Government through the National Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Programme to implement a Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Programme in six districts of Luapula Province.
The benefitting Districts include Chiengi, Chifunabuli, Kawambwa, Lunga, Mwansabombwe and Mwense.
The programme will be implemented through the Ministry of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection with support to the target districts and provincial authorities, working in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of General Education.
The programme entitled ‘Enhancing Access to WASH Services in Luapula Province will be implemented over a period of three years (2020-2022) in the target six districts and is expected to benefit an estimated 200,000 people.
Minister of Water Development Sanitation and Environmental Protection Dr Dennis Wanchinga said the ultimate goal of the programme is to reduce the burden of diarrhoeal diseases among children, especially those under 5.
Dr Wanchinga said under the programme, at least 450 existing non-functional boreholes will be rehabilitated, and 340 new boreholes will be drilled and equipped with hand pumps, and ten piped water supply stems will be constructed or upgraded.
He said the programme will also support sanitation and hygiene promotion, and capacity building for communities, districts, and provincial and national staff in planning, programme implementation, the operation and maintenance of WASH infrastructure, and monitoring and evaluation.
Dr Wanchinga said the programme will also see the rehabilitation and upgrading of water and sanitation infrastructure in 50 schools and 20 health centres and also support health care waste management systems in health care facilities.
And Germany Ambassador to Zambia Achim Burkart said with a view to following a comprehensive approach that programme has interlinkages to another project in the water sector as well as to food and nutrition security.
Ambassador Bukart said integrated solutions are important guiding principles for Germany´s Development Cooperation to maximize impacts.
Meanwhile, Noala Skinner, the UNICEF Country Representative said access to basic water and sanitation is such an essential part of children getting the best start in life.
She said without these, the lives of tens of thousands of children in Zambia are at risk.
Ms Skinner said for children under five, water- and sanitation-related diseases are one of the leading causes of death.
Minister of Local Government Charles Banda has warned of stern action against Council Officials engaging in illegal land allocation.
Dr Banda has regretted the exchange of words between Matero Member of Parliament Lloyd Kaziya and Matero Ward 28 Councillor Anne Chinyanta over illegal last allocation.
He said the Ministry will not hesitate to discipline all erring officers that will be found wanting.
Dr Banda said the Ministry of Lands and his Ministry will investigate reports of illegal land allocation in Matero Constituency.
He said his Ministry has taken the Matero matter seriously and all erring officers will be brought to book if the investigations reveal any illegalities in the issuance of the land.
Dr Banda said illegal land allocation is posing as a challenge in improving service provision to the people.
He has advised all Council Workers to preserve their integrity and avoid engaging in such illegal activities which are detrimental to the economy.
In a video that has gone viral on social media, Matero Member of Parliament, Lloyd Kazhiya is seen accusing the area Councillor of Matero Ward 28, Councilor Anne Chinyanta of selling land illegally designated to be the road reserve.
In April 1952, a 26-year old man stood before the Northern Rhodesia Chief Justice, who had been asked by the Attorney General to consider whether this young man was ‘a danger to peace and good order’ and whether he had been ‘inciting Africans against Europeans’. The judge was further asked to consider whether he found grounds to recommend to the Governor that the man should be deported. Following two days of court hearings, the young man was solemnly declared to be ‘a danger to peace and good order’, and, after a fruitless appeal to the High Court and eight months in jail in Livingstone, he was deported to England, a country he had previously neither visited nor lived in. That young man was one of the few white men to stand up against white supremacy in Northern Rhodesia. He was a member of Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula’s African National Congress (ANC), and is one of the heroes of Zambia’s struggle for independence. His name is Simon Ber Zukas. He is still living with us today and turns 95 years this monthend. Who is Zukas and how did he end up in prison?
Low-key and totally lacking in self-interest, Zukas is one of Zambia’s most admirable and honourable figures who retains a genuine commitment to progress, democracy and equality, one that is rooted in deep principles and identification with the underdog. Born 31 July 1925 in Ukmerge, Lithuania, Zukas came to Zambia on 26 July 1938 to join his father, a Jewish settler who had earlier migrated to the industrial Copperbelt and established himself as a successful trader. After completing his secondary education in Luanshya and colonial Zimbabwe and serving briefly in the armed forces during the Second World War, Zukas went to South Africa to read for a degree in Civil Engineering at the University of Cape Town in 1947. His time in South Africa, coinciding with the inauguration of apartheid, thrust him into radical student politics where he distinguished himself as a shrewd operator and rehearsed his later confrontations with the colonial apparatus in Northern Rhodesia.
Upon graduation in December 1950, the young engineer returned to Zambia where he learnt of the colonial government’s plans to federate the country with Zimbabwe (then Southern Rhodesia) and Malawi (Nyasaland). Arguing that this would serve the interests of the white settler minority, further disadvantaging the black majority and delaying the attainment of independence, Zukas put aside his professional and personal considerations to join the ANC, the main nationalist movement at the time. Though constituting a risk to his own life, his decision to confront those who perpetuated injustice and become an active participant in the struggle for independence was a statement of his commitment to equality and was in sharp contrast to most whites at the time, whose support for African causes was limited to hushed statements from the safety and comfort of home.
When white settlers and the colonial regime intensified their campaign for the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, Zukas – alongside other young, militant nationalists like Justin Chimba, Reuben Kamanga, Jonathan Chivunga, Nephas Tembo and Abner Kazunga – formed, in April 1951, the Anti-Federation Action Committee, of which he became secretary, and began rallying thousands of Zambians, especially those on the influential Copperbelt, to resist the proposed plans. Noting his growing influence in the nationalist movement, the colonial authorities ordered him to abandon his opposition to the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland and, when he defied the directive, sent him to prison in April 1952. He remained in detention until December that year, when he was deported. But Zukas never turned his back on Zambia. He remained a hugely significant political figure in the nationalist movement, rendering support from London in the form of strategic advice, mobilising considerable resources and serving as the crucial link between the African nationalists in Zambia and their backers abroad.
Upon independence in October 1964, the new government led by President Kenneth Kaunda and his United National Independence Party (UNIP) invited Zukas to return to Zambia. Despite running a successful engineering consulting firm in England, he came back to Lusaka and, in a unique manifestation of patriotism, took Zambian citizenship in October 1965. While he was close to Zambia’s political leadership in the First and Second Republics, Zukas devoted much of his time during this period to establishing and leading his engineering consultancy firms. He offered the young country his professional expertise and was responsible for the structural designs and supervision of major public constructions such as Parliament, State Lodge, University of Zambia (UNZA) School of Mines and the flyover bridge on the Great East Road. The UNIP leadership also regularly consulted him on a variety of subjects and his advice was greatly valued. Further national involvement was expressed through his board membership to state institutions such as Industrial Development Corporation, Zambia National Building Society, National Council for Scientific Research and UNZA Council, on which he served from 1966 to 1990.
After his efforts to persuade President Kaunda and UNIP to abandon the one-party state failed, Zukas, like many Zambians, broke ranks with his friends and joined the drive towards multi-party politics. He attended the Garden House Conference that resulted in the creation of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) in July 1990, was elected as the party’s first Vice-National Chairperson at its inaugural convention in February 1991 and played a leading role in the political revolution that followed. In the founding general elections following the re-introduction of multiparty politics, Zukas easily won a parliamentary seat in Sikongo constituency, Western Province. That he, a white Zambian, achieved that feat in one of the country’s most conservative regions, where he had no roots whatsoever, speaks to Zukas’ nationalist credentials as well as his political skill and ability to convince people of the need for change.
Between 1991 and 1996, under President Frederick Chiluba’s government, Zukas held several ministerial positions and history shows that he stood by his principles, was never afraid to speak his mind, and championed the interests of the poor and disadvantaged. He frequently cautioned his colleagues not to lose sight of the reasons why the MMD was formed and had been given an overwhelming mandate by the electorate. Zukas despised political sycophancy and hero-worshipping leaders. He was almost always guided by pragmatism, his conscience and respect for human dignity. Thus, when the Chiluba government passed the 1996 Constitution, which, among other things, barred Kaunda and Lozi Senior Chief Inyambo Yeta from contesting the 1996 general elections, Zukas, as did Dipak Patel, quit his Cabinet position in protest. His resignation signified that there could be civility in politics and that the principle of collective responsibility could not be sustained when the government was doing wrong. He remains one of very few politicians to voluntarily resign their lucrative ministerial positions in the Third Republic, along with Akashambatwa Mbikusita-Lewanika, Baldwin Nkumbula, Ludwig Sondashi, Rodger Chongwe and Vice-President Levy Mwanawasa.
When Chiluba hatched plans, towards the end of his second term, to amend the constitution of Zambia and seek an unconstitutional third term of office, Zukas joined hands with other progressive forces to oppose the President’s bid. He travelled abroad extensively to canvass support for the Oasis Forum, the grouping of civic associations that championed the campaign against the third term. When Chiluba finally succumbed to political pressure and shelved his plans in early 2001, Zukas was among those who formed the Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) and became its first National Chairperson. He remained active in politics until 2005 when he retired and voluntarily stepped down as FDD chairperson at the age of 80.
Over the past fifteen years, Zukas has continued to speak out periodically on matters of national importance, stressing the need to fight corruption, uphold peace, promote national unity, support media freedom, protect democracy, improve the delivery of social services, reduce (rural) poverty, and scale down the high rate of unemployment. More recently, worried about the negative turn that the country has taken, he joined hands with other concerned citizens to form the appropriately named Our Civic Duty Association, an organisation that seeks to foster good governance, encourage effective management of the economy, and serve as a platform for robust discussion of the most salient policy and national issues.
A teetotal non-smoker who exercises daily and a man utterly at ease with himself, his personal life speaks of temperance, mental and physical discipline and the presence of an equal partner – Cynthia Robinson, whom he married on 30 January 1954 and with whom he has two sons – that has helped him reach such a grand age in an era when lifespans and marriages are increasingly short.
Zukas and Cynthia
As a genuine and dedicated cadre of progressive change, a defender of principle and the public good, and a porter of a moral power earned from selfless service as a foot soldier for freedom, development, democracy, equality and justice, Zukas evinces true citizenship. Ever on the right side of history, he shows us that to live is a state of continual consciousness. While highly approachable and humble, he holds strong political beliefs for which he is prepared to sacrifice privilege. As he attains 95, the young generation of political activists should look to him for wisdom and counsel. He has seen it all in his long and distinguished political career.
When a journalist recently asked him about what he wishes for Zambia today, Zukas’s response was as immediate as it was instructive: “My first wish is to go back to real democracy – freedom of gathering, discussion; freedom for people to give their views without fear. That is the sort of atmosphere I would like.” After so many years contesting undemocratic regimes, Zukas surely deserves at least a few years of his life living in a Zambia where there is that kind of freedom he describes.
In a world in which many are driven to show off not just their wealth and power but also their heroism, the numerous sacrifices they had to make and the grand battles they had to fight, Zukas refuses to beat his own drum, repeatedly praising the work of others rather than himself, and he remains extraordinarily modest about his considerable achievements. Zambia has great need of such patriots and active citizens as Zukas, who understand that the essence of life is service. It was as if he was spurred by the words of the Chilean poet and revolutionary, Pablo Neruda, who, in the poem “So is my life” wrote:
“My duty moves along with my song:
I am I am not: that is my destiny.
I exist not if I do not attend to the pain of those who suffer: they are my pains.
For I cannot be without existing for all, for all who are silent and oppressed
I come from the people and I sing for them: My poetry is song and punishment. I am told: you belong to darkness. Perhaps, perhaps, but I walk toward the light. I am the man of bread and fish and you will not find me among books
But with women and men:
They have taught me the infinite”.
May we all attend to the pain of those who suffer, exist for the silent and oppressed, walk towards the light and learn, from Zukas’ life, the infinite! And as he turns 95, may we take a moment to pay a courtesy call on him and unite in singing ‘Happy Birthday, Simon’!
Zambia has recorded six Covid-19 related deaths and 206 new positive cases. This is out of 544 tests conducted in the last 24 hours.
Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya says this brings the number of deaths to 134 and positive cases to over 3,779.
He says the six deaths, with five Brought in Dead cases at Lusaka’s University Teaching Hospital (UTH) and one case in which a patient in Kalulushi died in Hospital.
Dr. Chilufya also revealed that 18 people remain on Oxygen, with two in critical condition.
Speaking during the daily briefing in Lusaka, Dr. Chilufya said President Edgar Lungu is concerned with the increased cases and has directed for enhanced community engagement for behavioral change.
He said President Lungu is concerned with poor adherence to Covid-19 measures, and noted that the Ministries of Local Government, Health and Home Affairs will scale up measures.
Dr. Chilufya said the pandemic has now spread to all parts of the country with at least one district in each province having recorded a case.
And the Minister said over 300 people including staff at Parliament were yesterday tested with results expected today.
He advised citizens to ensure they protect themselves by not making unnecessary movements, saying trends have shown that people with non-Communicable Diseases like Diabetes, Hypertension, Cancer and even HIV are at a high risk of dying.
Nkana coach Manfred Chabinga has demanded that his players jealously guard their newly acquired number one status with nine league games left before the 2019/2020 league title is decided.
The record 12-time champions beat tenth placed Zanaco 3-0 at home in Kitwe on July 22 to go top of the FAZ Super Division log, relegating Forest Rangers to second place on goal difference and tied on 46 points from 25 and 24 games played respectively.
“It means a lot. You know to be on top you just need to focus, you just need to concentrate on the coming games,” Chabinga said.
“The previous games that we played, we had been drawing, this time I think we just need to work on the next opponents so that we don’t lose top slot.
“We don’t need to lose focus; we have been talking about representing the country, these boys are aware, like I mentioned they are pushing hard whatever we are doing, they putting maximum effort.”
Second half goals from Crispin Mulenga inthe 46th minute, Kelvin Mubanga in the 51st minute and Idris Mbombo in the 84th minute saw Nkana jump from 5th to number one.
Nkana visit Red Arrows on August 1 away in Lusaka whom they beat 3-0 in Kitwe last October.
Cabinet has agreed that the country will not be under lockdown, but that all citizens must strictly follow the health guidelines. Cabinet also agreed that sensitisation on COVID-19 must be scaled up.
According to the Cabinet meeting chaired by President Edgar Lungu, Cabinet observed that the numbers of positive cases have continued to rise because citizens have relaxed on wearing face masks, social distancing, washing hands and sanitizing.
Cabinet has called for all Zambians to be agents of change in the protection of lives.
Cabinet has also agreed that the remaining school classes that have not re-opened, including colleges and universities, shall remain closed.
Chief Government Spokesperson Dora Siliya, in a statement issued to ZNBC News this evening says Cabinet will assess how the pandemic evolves before a decision is made on re-opening schools.
Ms. Siliya further said Cabinet made a number of decisions, among them the approval of the Banking and Financial Services (Amendment) Bill, 2020 for publication and introduction in Parliament during the next sitting.
She said the implementation of the Bill, when enacted, will provide for the repayment of funds collected by an unlicensed person.
Ms. Siliya said Cabinet also approved the Public Procurement Bill, 2020 for publication and introduction in Parliament during the next sitting.
Among other discussion were the approval of eleven members of the Board for the Zambia Qualifications Authority.
Also discussed was the approval of a twelve-member Board of the Copperbelt University Governing Council in accordance with the provisions of the Higher Education Act No. 4 of 2013.
Ms. Siliya said Cabinet felt the need to have in place the Board as currently, the Copperbelt University is operating with an interim Governing Council which has resulted in delays in making timely policy decisions.
She further said Cabinet approved a fourteen-member Council of the Mulungushi University Governing Council in accordance with the provisions of the Higher Education Act No. 4 of 2013.
Ms. Siliya said Cabinet also approved the revision and extension of the implementation of the New Financing Strategy for the three public universities for the period 2021 to 2025.
Also approved was the ratification of the Revised Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Certificates, Diplomas, Degrees and other Academic Qualifications in Higher Education in African States in order to promote academic freedom.
This is meant to strengthen and promote inter-regional and international co-operation in recognising qualifications.
Road Development Agency (RDA) Board Chairperson Samuel Mukupa has urged engineers in the road sector to come up with road designs that will stand the test of time.
Mr. Mukupa said this when he visited the RDA Lusaka Regional office where he was briefed on the progress made on selected road projects.
He said it is important to carry out quality rehabilitation and construction of roads so that the Zambian people get value for their money.
And Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) Board Chairperson Cornelius Chipoma wondered why roads being rehabilitated do not last long, saying there is need for researchers and engineers to carry out a study on the matter.
And National Road Fund Agency -NRFA- Board Chairperson Christabel Banda noted that despite limited resources, there is need for road sector agencies to maximise the monies available for quality road works.
Meanwhile, RDA Lusaka Province Regional Manager Pandeki Chabala disclosed that the agency has from January to June been given 1.5 million Kwacha to carry out emergency works on selected roads.
Mr. Chabala said of the monies received, 1.2 million kwacha was channeled to maintenance works on the Great East road.
Western Province has benefited from the reduction in mealie meal prices, following the country’s maize bumper harvest for the 2019/2020 farming season.
In Mongu, a 25-kilogram bag of breakfast mealie meal, whose retail price had gone up to 180 Kwacha is now selling between 118 and 130 Kwacha.
ZANIS reports that roller meal is selling at between 90 and 125 Kwacha from the previous 155 Kwacha.
The Western Chamber of Commerce and Industry has since appealed to the business community to be considerate when fixing of prices for products.
Regional Coordinator Fred Mulozi says the business community should consider the fact that products like mealie meal when highly priced can have a negative impact on the economy.
Mr. Mulozi further appealed to institutions such as the Zambia National Farmers Union to be giving guidelines when it comes to pricing in the agri-business.
He however welcomed the reduction in the prices of mealie meal prices across the province and has since thanked all the sectors involved in dealing with the staple food for the move.
Kitwe United have reclaimed top-spot in the FAZ National Division 1 after a beating National Assembly 1-0 on Thursday afternoon at Queensmead Stadium in Lusaka.
This rescheduled Week 23 match was delayed by 24 hours due to the reported late arrival of Kitwe United’s Covid-19 test results.
On the pitch, right winger Motela Mulambya scored the goal in this lunch-time match as Chingalika overcame “The Parliamentarian”.
The win sees Kitwe open a one point lead with 48 points from 24 matches, relegating Prison Leopards to second position.
Meanwhile, Assembly stay put at number 10 on 28 points from 25 matches played.
Kitwe last Saturday lost 2-1 to Police College in a match played at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
The Buchi Boys’ next match is against Zesco Shockers on Saturday in Mongu.
The United Party for National Development (UPND) has said that the party president Hakainde Hichilema is on record to have opposed the actions taken by the late President Michael Sata to degazetted His Royal Highness Chief Mwamba (Henry Kanyanta Sosala) of the Bemba people. [ Lusakatimes 2014 article where HH showed his support for Chitimukulu Kanyanta Manga II click here]
In a statement released to the media, the party said that it sincerely hoped that His Royal Highness Paramount Chief Chitimukulu Kanyanta Manga II was being misquoted by individuals with ulterior motives and ill-will to national unity, harmony and belonging together, as one people under our national motto of One Zambia, One Nation, and one nation, one people.
Below is the full statement
As already noted in our media brief yesterday, on the reported sentiments by Mwine Lubemba, His Royal Highness Paramount Chief Chitimukulu Kanyanta Manga II, that President Hakainde Hichilema is plotting to dethrone him once elected in the office of President of the Republic of Zambia. President Hichilema has consistently maintained the posture of non interference of government in internal traditional affairs of all chiefdoms across Zambia. These facts are in the public domain and consequently anyone can freely access the information.
However, due to passage of time and people easily forgetting these plain facts, and due to the fact that PF, in its usually modus operandi of peddling lies and consequently weaving a narrative that will suit its desperation to recover its speedily dwindling political fortunes, as UPND, we are compelled, though reluctantly, to bring out the facts and let the people of Zambia judge President Hichilema and the United Party for National Development.
During the administration of the Late Sixth Republican President, H.E. Mr Michael Chilufya Sata (MHSRIP), President Hichilema took it upon himself as a national leader to initiated freely, without favour or ill-will a possible discussion with President Sata, on is that were concerning to many Zambians on the direction the new PF government was taking on traditional affairs in the country. They was a growing animosity and antagonism by the new government then towards the Royal Highnesses around the country. This unhealthy and potentially destabilizing stance of the PF government was causing consternation in the nation.
Sometime in 2013, President Sata had degazetted His Royal Highness Chief Mwamba (Henry Kanyanta Sosala) of the Bemba people. However, sometime in mid 2014, after Bashilubemba had chosen Chief Mwamba (Henry Kanyanta Sosala) to become Mwine Lubemba, Paramount Chief Chitimukulu, and before his installation to the Chitimukulu throne, President Sata stopped the chief’s ascension to the throne by deploying heavily armed police officers at the palace.
Prior to his installation as the Mwine Lubemba, the Chitimukulu on 25 January 2015, events been spiralling out of control and on a path towards a showdown and possible confrontation with Bashilubemba. President Sata had declared that Henry Kanyanta Sosala should not masquerade as Paramount Chief Chitimukulu of the Bemba people, and told that much to the Daily Nation. “I have not recognized him. I degazetted Sosala as Chief Mwamba in 2013 and he cannot therefore be crowned as Paramount Chief Chitimukulu.” President Sata charged when he called the Daily Nation on 13 May 2014. President Sata said it was wrong for the newspaper to continue referring to Sosala as Chitimukulu when he was not recognized by way of a gazette notice authorized by the President.
Earlier in 2014, President Hichilema, having followed closely the happenings in Bemba land, in Lozi land, Chewa land, and other chiefdoms that were falling foul with the PF administration, and taking cognizance of the law of the land governing traditional affairs, the Chiefs Act, President Hichilema wrote to the President then (letter is provided below, that was leaked to the media by the PF government then), to provide guidance and calling on government to immediately cease interfering in traditional affairs in the country. President Sata retorted to President Hichilema’s letter telling Mr. Hichilema to appoint Henry Kanyanta Sosala as his Chitimukulu if he so wishes.”
That is why even today, President Hichilema’s position has remained consistent. For example, his opposition to the proposed Bill 10 amendments of repealing Article 165 on the Institution of chieftaincy and traditional institutions, of the Constitution, substituting it with extremely dangerous clauses that will rob the Institution of chiefs in our land of the deserved independence and respect. Suffice to say, if Bill 10 was what was attaining at the time President Sata degazetted Henry Kanyanta Sosala as Chief Mwamba, we wouldn’t be discussing this today. He wouldn’t have ascended to the Chitimukulu throne. However, President Hichilema is delighted to put it on record, that though the installation was delayed for over one year, in the good providence of God, on 25 January 2015, His Royal Highness was officially installed as Mwine Lubemba, His Royal Highness Paramount Chief Chitimukulu Kanyanta Manga II, the 38th Chitimukulu, and had the distinguished honour and pleasure to be in attendance and witness the colourful coronation ceremony.
As UPND, we sincerely hope His Royal Highness Paramount Chief Chitimukulu Kanyanta Manga II is being misquoted by individuals with ulterior motives and ill-will to national unity, harmony and belonging together, as one people under our national motto of One Zambia, One Nation, and one nation, one people.
The Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) has increased water allocation for electricity generation in Zimbabwe and Zambia following improved water inflows into Kariba Dam.
This means Kariba Hydro Power Station is set to increase output, which is good news to industry as power supply is one of the key enablers.
Adequate power supply might result in reduced power imports thereby saving the country the much needed foreign currency.
In a statement, ZRA chief executive officer Engineer Munyaradzi Munodawafa said water levels at Kariba Hydro Power Station was increased by four billion cubic meters (4BCM) after a review of the hydrological outlook.
He said the additional water allocation would be shared equally between the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) and Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (Zesco), adding that the authority will continue to monitor the hydrological outlook at Kariba.
“Following a review of hydrological outlook at Kariba undertaken at the end of the second quarter of 2020, the authority has since increased the water allocation for power generation operations at Kariba by 4BCM,” said Eng Munodawafa.
The water levels at Kariba Dam, which reached a peak of 481,30 metres on the 30th of June have, however, started receding with the recession expected to continue until the next rainfall season.
“This is an upward review of the combined water allocation for the year from 23BCM to 27 BCM. The Authority will continue to monitor the hydrological outlook for the Kariba catchment and water levels at the Kariba Dam,” he said.
The rehabilitation works at Kariba Hydropower Plant were completed in 2018 resulting in the plant’s installed capacity improimproving to 1 050MW from 750MW.
‘’Kalulu tapusuka mipya ibili,’’ is a Chibemba proverb which can literally be translated as: ‘’The hare does not escape the burning plains twice.’’ The actual lesson is that no one should take his lucky for guaranteed or push one’s lucky star too far.
“Now to our surprise, when we thought a golden opportunity had occurred for a Bemba to rule us, a tree fell on our foot,” lamented one of the Bemba traditional councilors known as bashilubemba. In other words, the Bembas have shot themselves in the foot.
It has since become clear that President Michael Sata has ruffled the Bemba kingdom and fallen out of favor. He has drawn much blood and needs to suture the gaping wood before it becomes cancerous and spreads to his own party. His interference in the kingship of the Bemba is so offensive that an outraged Bemba council is prepared to die for its king.
If Sata does not gazette Henry Kanyanta Sosala as Paramount Chief Chitimukulu, and make peace with him, bashilubemba, who comprise Bemba chiefs and influential elders (bachilolo na bakabilo) will sink the already rocking Patriotic Front boat, and president Sata’s 2016 re-election bid will go down the drain. When he’s out and done, bashilubemba will declare him a pariah, and caution him never to step a foot in Mpika—remember KK?
The Bemba council has made it categorically clear: “Bashilubemba fye ebakwata amaka ukusonta imfumu neshamfumu” [The Bemba council is the only assemblage empowered to appoint a paramount chief and other chiefs]. This is in accordance with the Bemba tradition, and has been from time immemorial. The decision of the council is unquestionable. No one, in the more than forty exogamous matrilineal clans (imikowa), has a right to object, including Sata who belongs to the mushroom clan out of which a chiefdom was carved by Bemba princes, putting the Bisa in line of a distant succession to the paramountcy.
It has become apparent that the president is against the installation of the current paramount chief. He will not gazette a man who, according to him, has been “masquerading as Senior Chief Mwamba,” a man who has confessed that, as Chief Mwamba, he did not undergo “the traditional initiation as required by the Bemba tradition.” Bashilubemba think this is a ploy. Rumor has it that the president prefers young brother of Professor Nkandu Luo, Bob, who is from the Bisa cluster. This unilateral intention is at odds with the customary laws of inheritance because Bob is not a mwina ng’ona, a special type of clan that is a pathway to succession. Umwina ng’ona has to be a son of a woman, and not a man, who belongs to the Bena ngo’na. If the president appointed him, he would have overlooked this fact.
The die is cast. The question is who will blink first in this highly explosive wrangle? Will it be Sata, a suave tactician adept at the use of theatrics? Many a time he has astounded us with his ability to walk on fire and emerge unscathed. Will he brazen his way out of this and make bashilubemba cow, stoop to instinctive obedience and for the first time in the history of the Bemba chiefdom, nullify the appointment of a chief picked in accordance with the Bemba tradition? Or, will bashilubemba stand their ground and force the president into submission, castigate him, demand an apology, and make him swallow his ego and bow before Chitimukulu Henry Kanyanta Sosala? Still, will Sata, known to be unpredictable, raid the palace and arrest bashilubemba and the paramount chief for insubordination?
In all this kerfuffle (yes, kafwafwa is an English word), the loser is Sata. It has become evident that he’s better an opposition leader than a president. Before he was elected he was tenacious, indefatigable, imposing, convincing, omnipresent, timely, and often splendid. As president he is irresolute, lackadaisical, and complacent. Hallowed with the aura of incontestable authority, he has become the colossus who never admits to being wrong; one who takes people for granted; one who makes choices based on his ideas and judgment, and who thinks his actions have no consequences because they are a matter of prerogative.
Well, the interference in the Bemba chiefdom at the level of paramount chief is unprecedented and could have dire consequences. What the president is forgetting is that he owes a life-time allegiance to the Bisa tribe that falls under the suzerainty of paramount chief Chitimukulu. As a subject of the Bemba kingdom, the moral and practical rightness of his actions is beyond his presidency. If things went really bad between him and the paramount chief, he would tarnish the name of his family.
He must also not forget that he owes gratitude to the Bemba people for putting him in State House. The president and his PF were ushered into power, in most part, by Bembas. By the 2010 census, the population of Northern Province was 1,759,600, predominantly Bemba. Luapula Province had a population of 958,976. Add the population of the Copperbelt 1,958, 623 of mainly Bembas, and a large number in Lusaka (population 2,198,996), and you have the largest ethnic group in the country.
In the 2011 election, the majority of the Bemba people voted PF. The president’s ingratitude has brought about discontent and resentment in the Bemba kingdom. Bembas in every riding have not taken kindly to the way he has publicly defamed, antagonized, humiliated, and dishonored their current paramount chief. Their infuriation began when Sata refused to recognize him [paramount chief] as Senior Chief Mwamba and informed the press to shun him. They are further riled by the president’s failure to attend the burial of the previous Chitimukulu, something they regard as highly disrespectful. Further, they are incensed that he has continued to subject the paramount chief to ridicule by refusing to gazette him.
The president can’t read the tea leaves from the infusion. He can’t see the irreparable damage he is causing his political career and future. He can’t see that the lamentations of bashilubemba have been heard throughout Bembaland and are drawing sympathy and solidarity for the paramount chief. He does not know that the paramount chief is now in a position to fight back—that he is already fighting back. It is his lack of an avenue for the expression of his displeasure at the president that has led to the audio tape being covertly released on the Internet and other media.
Let me comment on the audio tape. The sound is so crisp it could only have been handled by a professional. There is no loss of quality in the voices of speakers like Ba Masembe, and Chief Chimba. They were speaking in the microphone inches away. Each speaker’s pitch, volume, and rhythm, conveys a clear denunciation of the president. And the fact that not one of bashilubemba has come forward to deny or condemn the audio tape is a clear testament that the recording was done with the full knowledge and permission of bashilubemba.
What does all this mean? It means that bashilubemba have risen against the president for attempting to desecrate the Bemba traditional laws of succession. They want to publicly and courageously express their contempt for him. They want to show him that they are impregnable. They want to assure their subjects around the country that they are diligently performing their duty of protecting the Bemba chiefdom. They are asking the Bemba people to rally behind the new Chitimukulu. Also, they are intimating that they may withdraw support of the president and his party in future elections.
In other words, bashilubemba have put their indelible stamp on the Bemba kingdom, for better or worse. They are tough men with profound influence. They believe they have a mandate from their people and see themselves as defenders of the kingdom. If they choose to withdraw support for the president, they will do so with tremendous backing. This possibility is inwardly welcomed by political opportunists within the PF party. Some, including confidants of the president, see this as a window of opportunity to succeed him. They are praying that he does not append his signature and gazette the man he has rejected so they can exploit the mess for their political gain.
President Sata’s trial of strength is his own making and has come too soon in his reign. The paramount chief succession cockup and the latest fiasco between the “endorsers” and “successors” have weakened him. The latter underscores the deep divide in the PF party….. And if the president does not gazette the new paramount chief Chitimukulu, Bembas will be crossing over to other parties. In the end, the crocodile would have wrecked the boat.
N.B Field Ruwe wrote: The die is cast. The question is: who will blink first in this highly explosive wrangle? Will it be Sata, a suave tactician adept at the use of theatrics? Anyway, we finally reconciled with President Sata and to seal the reconciliation, he honoured me during Zambia’s 50 years anniversary. However having gone through such terrifying experiences I now believe that the only solution to avoid repetition is: PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE .(TO BE CONTINUED)
United Party for National Development(UPND) has denied reports in the Daily Nation that the party has resolved to dethrone Chitimukulu as soon as they step into the corridors of power.
In a statement to the media, the party said that they will not directly respond to His Royal Highness Paramount Chief Chitimukulu Kanyanta Manga II’s reported sentiments in the media through the media, but have placed themselves at the disposal of Chief Chitimukulu to summoned them for a candid discussion on the concerns raised.
Below is the full statement
As UPND, we try our best to skirt around from engaging our Royal Highnesses everywhere publicly. We hold them in high esteem as custodians of our diverse cultural diversity and as key partners in our holistic development agenda for Zambia. This includes even those who may be harbouring hatred against us and our leadership.
UPND, as a political formation, with a strong and committed membership that spreads across our country, are therefore perturbed to read words attributed to Mwine Lubemba, His Royal Highness Paramount Chief Chitimukulu Kanyanta Manga II in today’s edition of Daily Nation newspaper (Wednesday, July 22, 2020. Vol 6 Issue 2659). If he surely said those words, we then don’t know exactly where this is coming from. We wish to appeal to His Royal Highness not to allow himself to become a tool of people with ulterior motives meant simply to divide our people through discredited and debunked tribal labelling.
As UPND, we are a political formation that reflects a multi-ethnic, multi-racial, multi-cultural and multi-religious character of our nation. We firmly believe in our national motto of One Zambia One Nation, not as a mere slogan to deceptively hide behind, while festering divisions through fomenting tribalism. We hold the motto, as taught by our national founding fathers (and mothers) as the rallying cry for national unity to drive holistic development equally and equitably to all our people across Zambia without fear, favour or ill-will.
Furthermore, we will not directly respond to His Royal Highness Paramount Chief Chitimukulu Kanyanta Manga II’s reported sentiments in the media through the media. We hold him in high respect as one of our Royal Highnesses. We are at his disposal to be summoned to address his concerns candidly as is befitting his status in society.
We will always respect Traditional leaders because they have a serious role in people’s livelihood, as they are there to use their respected voice which is always appreciated to facilitate and guide their subjects for sustainable development and foster unity.
We have in the past demonstrated our commitment and love to some of our traditional leaders in the country, at the time we felt they were neglected and not respected by the government.
