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Zanaco hope to make a significant step towards their debut CAF Confederation Cup quarterfinal qualification when they host DC Motema Pembe of DR Congo this Sunday at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.
A point separates third placed Zanaco from the top two in Group C in a tight race to reach the last eight heading into Sunday’s penultimate fixtures.
RSB Berkane of Morocco leads on 7 points and beat DCMP to number one on goal difference while ESAE of Benin has 1 point and out of contention.
Zanaco coach Chris Kaunda, who has won all his four competitive games in charge a fortnight ago, said he is just focusing on the match.
“Zanaco is not looking at the group standings at the moment, our main interest is to win tomorrow’s game,” Kaunda said.
Kaunda led Zanaco to their first Group C win a fortnight against home against ESAE after they had collected three successive draws at this stage.
“This game will be won based on the tactics that the two coaches will apply. The players will have to do the business on the pitch. My team is not under pressure and I am positive that we have done enough work,” Kaunda said.
“I am requesting the Zambian fans to rally behind the team. There is so much at stake for the country to excel in the competition.”
The first leg on December 1 in Kinshasa finished 1-1 after the DR Congo side rallied after in the last twenty minutes to steal a point.
“It will be either difficult or easy because the first game we played against Zanaco was our first game. It will be a crucial game because we are now facing Zanaco at a very different stage. Every player in our team knows why they are here and that is to collect maximum points,” DCMP captain Doxa Gikanji said.
The pressure is on Zanaco to win at home while DCMP have a fairly easy home match in their respective final Group C fixtures.
Zanaco will head to Berkane, who away this Sunday to play ESAE, while DCMP will host the Benin side on February 2.
The Zambian mission in China has assured that there has been no report of a Zambian in that country affected by the corona virus so far.
Since December 2019, China has been hit by a flu causing virus that has been identified as a corona virus.
Zambia’s Ambassador to China, Winnie Chibesakunda has said in a statement issued to Phoenix News said that in the wake of the epidemic, the Zambian embassy in Beijing has been actively in touch with Zambian nationals in Wuhan and other cities across China.
Ambassador Chibesakunda further says the mission has since issued guidelines and an advisory to all Zambians in china detailing necessary precautionary measures to prevent infection among them crowded areas, minimizing travel to affected areas and use of masks when in crowded areas.
She has assured that the mission will continue to engage the Zambian community in china especially students who are spending their winter vacation in china for periodic updates on their welfare.
Ambassador Chibesakunda has since advised Zambians who may need to travel to China during this period to adhere to the safety precautions and others that may be advised from time to time
Here are the winners and losers from the 2019 Zambia Sports Awards handed out on January 24 in Lusaka
=Sportsman of the Year
Sydney Siame (Athletics, Gold Medal 2019 All-Africa Games)
Nominees: Sylvester Mwila (Bodybuilding, Mr. Zambia), Leroy Gomes (Motorsport, National Rally Champion)
=Sports Woman of the Year
Tilka Paljk (Swimming, Silver Medal 2019 All-Africa Games)
Nominees: Lorota Mwango (Chess, All-Africa Games Silver), Ogar Siamupangila (Badminton)
=Team of the Year
Shepolopolo Zambia Women’s team (Football)
Nominees: Zambia 4X100 (Athletics, Mens), Zambia Equestrian Team
=Coach of the Year
Oswald Mutapa (Football, U20& U17)
Nominees: Douglas Kalembo (Athletics),Moodle Chola (Martial Arts)
=Young Sportsman of the Year
Patrick Gondwe (Football, U20)
Nominees: Kalombo Mulenga (Badminton), Fernando Kushal (Swimming)
=Young Sportswoman of the Year
Daisy Skye-Woolley (Archery)
Nominees: Mia Phiri (Swimming), Isabella Luick-Martins (Equestrian)
=Special Olympics
-Sportsman of the Year
Joshua Paliso
-Sportswoman of the Year
Memory Changwe
=President’s Award
Professor Mwamba Kalenga (Posthumous)
=Sports Administrator of the Year
Cornelius Chanda (Bodybuilding)
By Hon. Tutwa S Ngulube MP, Deputy Chief Whip of Zambia.
Honourable Jack Mwiimbu is telling blue lies when he says delimitation can happen without Bill number 10. According to the 2016 Constitution that cupped the number of MPS to 156.
Both bill number 10 and delimitation involve amendments to the constitution. The similarity is that Both Census and Delimitation happen in 10-year intervals. A Bill that fails cannot be brought back in the same session. So if Bill 10 flips and flops now you cant bring it back before the house in this session in short before 2021.
ECZ will equally have to wait for another 10 years.
Unless we in power agreed to amend article 68 alone where will the UPND get the two-third, which they don’t have now to amend the number of MPs in the constitution? The MPs will remain 156.
They are committing political suicide and will regret shooting down bill 10.
We the PF want the number of women and in parliament to increase. We also want the costly number of Mayoral bye-elections to stop.
The UPND has no idea that they have trapped themselves because both Bill number 10 and Delimitation of constituencies will involve amending or in bemba language changing the constitution. According to Article 79, an amendment to the constitution will surely require a two-third majority.
As we speak neither of us has it. It will be dull to think the PF will support the UPND UPND delimitation immediately after they shoot bill number 10.
The answer here lies in the UPND swallowing the bitter pill and biting the bullet. What gives Hon Mwiimbu confidence that delimitation that involves constituencies will happen even if they don’t have a two-third in the house.
We must be factual and agree to resolve national matters without misleading the public. The UPND has clearly trapped themselves and that is why they are saying withdraw the bill let’s sit down again.
As PF we have refused to remove the Christian Nation clause and to include gay rights in the Bill and are sure that if it means flipping let the bill flop without introducing gay rights and satanism.
United Party for National Development President Hakainde Hichilema has urged the Government to immediately release unconditionally released Bishop Joseph Khazila of Life Gospel Cathedral Ministry of Chingola.
According to the UPND President, Bishop Khazila and his Son were arrested during a live interview with a local Radio Station in Chingola on 23rd January 2020 for holding dissenting voices.
“This is what we have persistently told our citizens in the past, that the PF is stonewalling all avenues of free speech, association, and assembly, in order to scare citizens to silence and submission, to dictatorship and corruption,” Mr. Hiichilema said.
Mr HIchila said that his party is alarmed that the PF Government is now extending its intolerance to Religious leaders who are on the frontlines to Christian advocacy, and the preaching of the Gospel, in order to spread fear to dissenting voices.
Mr Hichilama further said that the arrest of a man of God, in a Christian nation, that has a dedicated day for prayer is simply unbelievable.
“It’s remarkable that they don’t use the same speed to arrest corrupt and thieving PF government and party officials and their collaborators, ” Mr. Hichilema said, before adding that PF must learn to be tolerant to views that do not agree with their own.
According to reports, Life Gospel Cathedral Ministries owner, Bishop Joseph Kazhila had been arrested for making inciting remarks and fueling anger and fear on both Radio broadcasts and on his Facebook page.
The Bishop is expected to appear in the Chingola Resident Magistrate Court soon.
The Embassy of Zambia in Stockholm has invited the business community in Sweden to take advantage of the numerous investment opportunities that have remained unexploited in Zambia.
Speaking to about 40 senior executives from top-ranking Swedish companies at the weekend, Charge D’ Affaires at the Zambian Embassy in Stockholm, Mr. Nicky Shabolyo, invited the entrepreneurs to exploit the potential in the Zambian energy, manufacturing, infrastructure, agriculture and tourism sectors.
Mr. Shabolyo was speaking on the theme: Green Cities and Sustainable Solutions at a seminar organised by the Sweden – Sub-Saharan Africa Chambers of Commerce (SSACC) in conjunction with the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The seminar is part of preparations for a business mission to Zambia in April this year which will be led by SSACC.
Mr. Shabolyo said Zambia recognised that the companies represented at the event were among those which have helped Sweden become one of the dominant economies in the world and that Zambia was looking forward to collaboration with them to help bring about sustainable development.
“You’re the drivers of the Swedish economy. You’re the ones that have helped make the economy of this country what it is today. And we feel privileged this morning as this gives us an opportunity to position ourselves and hopefully get you to do to Zambia what you have done and continue to do to Sweden,” Mr. Shabolyo said.
Among the companies represented were ABB Power Grids, Advanced Aerobic Technology AB, Appy Lda, Azelio, Bombardier, Confidere Sverige AB, Conscious Invest, Hexicon, Hunterhex, Kommerskollegium, Lars Thunell, LFV Aviation Consulting AB, LGSM, ND Power, and Nordomatic. Others were Pontarius AB, SAAB Group, Scania CV AB, Sebastian Hellman EV, Siemens Turbo Machinery, Sitlab AB, Sweco, The First Advisory, UD, Unipower, Voith Hydro AB, Wayout International AB, and Wedholms AB.
Mr. Shabolyo pointed out that demand for renewable energy in Zambia has seen significant growth in the recent years as the market explores alternative sources in order to reduce reliance on hydro power which has been the major source.
He said Zambia’s major source of electricity has been hydro and that demand has been growing at an average of about three per cent per annum mainly due to the increased economic activity in the country especially in the agriculture, manufacturing and mining sectors. He observed that the situation has been compounded by recent dry spells which have made it impossible for the country to generate electricity at full capacity.
“So given this background, increasing investment in capacity for energy production, will be a sure sustainable solution to our energy challenges. Adequate electricity throughout the year will also help us attain sustainable development as it will have far reaching positive effects on the performance of the other sectors.
He told the audience that last November, the Zambian Cabinet, approved the Revised National Energy Policy in order to guide the development and management of the energy sector.
“Among other objectives, this is meant to encourage the growth of solar, wind, waste-to-energy, geo-thermal, and other forms of alternative energy. And this effort is in the light of challenges experienced in times of droughts compounded by the increased demand for energy in the country.”
Mr. Shabolyo pointed out that there was huge potential in solar projects in Zambia which had over 3,000 sunshine hours annually, geo-thermal plants, biofuel energy projects, and hydro-power in the northern parts of the country.
He further pointed out that a number of municipalities in Zambia were grappling with waste management which Sweden had effectively managed by utilising it in generation of energy and manufacture of various recycled products.
“We can obviously benefit by collaborating with Swedish companies which are renowned in this technology. We invite you to work with us so that we can explore possibilities of setting up mini-power plants using waste to generate energy,” Mr. Shabolyo said.
He noted that Swedish companies that recently embarked on a US$1 billion lithium-ion battery manufacturing project, could consider setting up a base in Zambia where cobalt, a major component in battery manufacturing, was in abundance.
Lithium batteries are projected to be in high demand in the near future considering the growing interest to shift to electric vehicles by most countries.
Mr. Shabolyo told the audience that apart from energy, the Zambian government has identified infrastructure, manufacturing, tourism and agriculture as the sectors that had the greatest potential to help Zambia attain sustainable levels of development.
He urged the business community to explore the five sectors further in order for them to know how they could best help create a win-win situation for themselves and Zambia.
The Embassy and SSACC are working on another seminar which will involve a more streamlined group of companies that will eventually travel to Zambia in April.
And Deputy Head of the Africa Department in the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Fredrik Folkunger, who was impressed with the large turn-out of participants, encouraged the Swedish companies to take advantage of the opportunities that were available in Zambia.
Mr. Folkunger noted that the need for investment and sustainable solutions in Zambia was substantial at the moment especially that Swedish companies were skilled in sustainable solutions which were critical to Zambia.
And SSACC president, Åsa Jarskog urged the business community to make use of her organisation whenever they were planning to invest in Zambia as it had established an effective network which would help quicken the process of setting up investment in Zambia.
Charge D’ Affaires at the Zambian Embassy in Stockholm, Mr. Nicky Shabolyo (centre) during a panel discussion at the seminar in Stockholm with senior executives of top Swedish companies at the weekend. The other panelists were (L-R) Mr Ola Parnevall, Regional Sales Manager Africa, Metrum; Mr Stefan Borsos, Business Director Africa, Voith Hydro; Angola’s Ambassador to Sweden, His Excellency Mr Apolinário Jorge Correia, and Head of Project Exports & International Procurement in the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Lennart Larsson. Sweden-Sub-Saharan Africa Chamber of Commerce president, Ms. Åsa Jarskog, listens in.Top business executives following deliberations at the seminar hosted by the Sweden-Sub-Saharan Africa Chamber of Commerce, and the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs for various Swedish companies in StockholmCharge D’ Affaires at the Zambian Embassy in Stockholm, Mr. Nicky Shabolyo, speaking at the seminar with senior executives of top Swedish companies in Stockholm
Mongu residents in Western province have commended opposition Socialist Party (SP) for providing free adult literacy programmes.
And one of the beneficiaries of the Fred M’membe literacy programme said it was a great achievement for people who were unable to read and write to attain such skills later in their years of life.
One of the teachers, Paxina Imikendu said the Fred M’membe literacy campaign programme being spearheaded by the party leadership of Dr M’membe had been received with enthusiasm by the residents.
She said the literacy programme deserved commendation as it offered comparative advantage over all capitalist formations in the country.
Imikendu encouraged the Socialist Party to continue providing such services to the working class for the betterment of the country.
She further expressed her satisfaction that people in their advanced ages were able to learn how to read and write after undertaking the literacy programme.
“But as I’m speaking to you now, they are even able to select letter (A) from the card numbers, so to me I say there is really great progress from the learners under this Fred M’membe literacy company program. My word of encouragement to the people of Mongu especially adults is that they should continue coming to attend the lessons becauses it is for their benefit in order to know how to read and write,” she said
Health Minister Dr. Chitalu Chilufya has said that the World Health Organization has classified Zambia as low risk in regard to the Corona Virus that has broken out in China’s Wuhan City.
He said his Ministry has been notified about the novel virus whose outbreak has been widely talked about on social media and other media platforms in the last couple of days.
He said though Zambia is not in the high-risk bracket, the Ministry of Health through its disease intelligence wing(ZNPHI) has intensified surveillance at all points of entry, including the use of thermoscanners for temperature monitoring on all arrival passengers.
He said further that all points of entry staff have been oriented on standard case definitions, travel history assessment and symptoms of the illness.
Dr. Chilufya said health security is top on the list of priorities for the Patriotic Front Government, under the impeccable leadership of His Excellency, Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu.
He said the novel Corona virus causes a respiratory illness with common signs and symptoms including respiratory distress, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.
“In severe cases, it causes complications such as Pneumonia and may lead to death particularly in those with compromised immunity or other underlying diseases.
” I wish to assure you that the nation is safe from the Corona virus. No case has been detected in Zambia. We are working collaboratively with our counterparts at China CDC and WHO to keep us updated on the outbreak. We shall keep you informed as the situation evolves, ” he said.
Dr. Chilufya said this at a media briefing at Ndeke House this evening
Zesco United coach George Lwandamina says the onus is on his team get their first Group A win this Saturday when they host Premiero de Agosto of Angola at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola in their penultimate game the 2019/2020 CAF Champions League.
Zesco are winless in Group A after four games played with just 2 points heading into the final home game.
They trace their last CAF Champions League victory to September 28 when they beat Young Africans of Tanzania 2-1 at the same venue to advance to the group stage.
Furthermore, Zesco have collected just one point from two Group A matches in their worst league round campaign since their debut qualification in 2009.
“There is integrity to protect and we will go into this match to play to win. We have not been going in games to lose, you can’t go into a match to lose but it has just been very difficult for us,” Lwandamina said.
“The side of the angle that we have been coming from saw us going down but we still have to fight to come out of this cocoon and try to protect the integrity of the club and even of individuals, like players themselves and ourselves as technical staff.
“So, it will be an interesting game and I am sure we will be able to stand up and be counted.”
Zesco and Agosto drew 1-1 in the first leg Group A meeting in Luanda on November 31.
Meanwhile, Zesco will close their campaign away to Group A leaders TP Mazembe on February 1.
About 140 residents of Chingola were this morning rushed to various health centers across the district after their houses were last night spread with unknown chemicals by unknown people.
According to Radio Phoenix, Chingola Mayor Titus Tembo said reports from various clinics and hospitals in the District indicate that criminals are now spreading the yet to be known chemical for unknown reasons.
Mr. Tembo said health authorities have confirmed receiving and treating victims.
The Chingola Mayor has noted with concern that despite intensified security, criminal activities in Chingola have persisted.
Meanwhile in Kitwe, the current volatile security situation on the Copperbelt has forced trading places such as Chisokone Market to close earlier than usual.
According to Association for Vendors and Marketeers President, Abel Chikwa, the market is now closing by 18:30 hours instead of the usual 20:30 hours.
Mr. Chikwa told Phoenix News that marketeers are losing out on business as they are forced to knock off early for fear of being attacked while clients are also equally shunning the markets beyond 18:00 hours due to suspected ritual murders in Chingola with fears that the situation is spilling into Kitwe.
He says the loss of business cannot be quantified yet but was quick to mention that markets have more business between 17 and 21 hours as this is the time most customers in the formal sector knock off and buy from the traders.
The Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition Alliance has urged the government to provide financial support to the Lunga District Administration to start unlocking the water channels leading to the district.
The CSO-SUN has also urged other stakeholders to come on board and help the government in sourcing for funds to unblock the water channels.
CSO-SUN Country Coordinator Mathews Mhuru says maize and Cassava fields in Lunga District have started flooding caused by unblocked water channels in the region resulting in crops being submerged.
Mr. Mhuru said his engagement with the Authorities in the District has established that the Lunga District Administration requires K160 000 to run a dredger to clear the channels especially in Chief Kasoma Lunga’s area which is the most affected area.
He has warned that failure to attend to this situation will result in increased levels of hunger in the District and reverse the gains the country has made in fighting malnutrition.
Mr. Mhuru said with the people of Lunga having been among the most affected by hunger last year, he expects them to start asking for relief food as early as March this year as they would have harvested nothing.
“The impact of the floods on agriculture was more felt in Lunga District last year as 38,000 people had houses and crop fields submerged following a continuous downpour. This situation is likely to repeat this year if the water channels are not unblocked”, he said.
And Chief Kasoma Lunga also confirmed that flooding has impacted negatively on the agriculture sector as the crops are usually submerged in stagnant water during the rainy season.
The Traditional Leader said Cassava and maize no longer grow because of the water except for rice which is also failing to grow due to huge water volumes as a result of flooding.
PF Lusaka Province Secretary Kennedy Kamba has reacted angrily to media reports questioning his source of funding for the mansion he has built in New Kasama.
Mr Kamba says he takes great exception to malicious and unfounded allegations meant to tarnish his name, for whatever reason by The Mast Newspaper in their editorial comment of today, headlined; ‘The Time has come for the PF to Leave Government’.
In this Editorial Comment dubbed Our View, The Mast Newspaper has reacted to Mr Kamba’s media statement which he issued a few days ago, where he was expressing his dismay by some doomsayers in the opposition, especially the UPND, who are so much preoccupied with malicious attacks on the PF government and want to sway the minds of the people by claiming that the government has failed and the only way out is the change of government.
Mr Kamba says he has no problems with The mast challenging his point of view or political beliefs, political philosophies or indeed his political association but he has every problem with The Mast getting personal and going to extremes of accusing him of being a scared man who has amassed wealth, that being in power has changed his lifestyle from being a nobody and having nothing to being a rich man, living in a big house with a swimming pool.
He said the Mast has gone further to accuse him of siphoning taxpayers’ money and that he has amassed wealth suddenly now through what they have termed ‘all sorts of supply contracts with government.
“They have further said ‘Without power, Kamba may be prosecuted for corruption and made to account for his wealth. These malicious and unfounded allegations are hurtful, extremely unacceptable and only meant to divert attention from real issues and try to ridicule me in the eyes of the right-thinking Zambians out there”, Mr Kamba lamented.
Mr Kamba says he is not interested in dragging anybody to court and should not be forced to do so if this kind of slander continues but emphasised that everything he owns, all the businesses he has engaged in since 1994 when he left Kitwe Boys Secondary School.
He said he can account for it because it is out of his own sweat and labour.
“I have been involved in politics to serve and not to eat taxpayer’s money. I am not in government myself, and I have never been in government but I have been a businessman who works for himself to fend my family and many other Zambians who look up to be for survival and empowerment”, he added.
“My record in business is traceable. Who doesn’t know that I have been selling assorted liquor with shops dotted around Lusaka before even the PF formed government? People know where to find me even in Kamwala, COMESA, Intercity and all those places. With the help of God, my businesses started booming in the MMD days, way before the PF formed government. On the Copperbelt, my company was doing various maintenance services at Mopani Copper Mines and records are there to show that I was doing all these businesses in the MMD days”, he said.
Mr Kamba said the little that he has in his life is all about hard work adding that his family has seen him through.
He has appealed to The Mast Newspaper to stop such malicious attacks on him and discuss politics and issues that affect Zambians.
“I believe in the PF and its manifesto And I believe the fact that through unity and hard work, inspired by good and sound economic policies of the government of President Edgar Lungu, Zambia is getting better and Zambians will vote for the PF in 2021 because it is a trusted leadership”, he has said.
Government has released K 4 Million towards the construction of the 113 kilometre Musaila-Lubwe Kasaba road in Luapula Province.
Housing and Infrastructure Development Minister Vincent Mwale says the money is part of the K520 Million total cost of upgrading the road.
Mr Mwale has assured the people of Chifunabuli district in Luapula Province that construction works on the road project which stalled because Government owes the contractor, BSBK Limited of India will resume this year after the rainy season.
The Minister was speaking at his office when he met the Ng’umbo Development Coordinating Interim Committee who were led by Chifunabuli Member of Parliament Ponde Mecha.
“We are aware that this road project started a long time ago but it has stalled due to lack of money. Let me assure you that my ministry is committed to complete this project. This week we have paid the contractor K4 Million but because of the rainy season, the contractor has told us that he cannot resume work but instead he will use the money he has received to pay off some of his suppliers”, Mr Mwale has said.
The Minister assured the committee that in four months’ time there will be visible progress in the construction of the road.
And Interim Committee Chairperson Professor Charles Mwape said despite the project being awarded in 2015 the contractor was last seen working on the project in 2018.
Professor Mwape said the stalled works have raised concern among the people of Chifunabuli district and surrounding areas.
Government awarded the contract of upgrading the 113 kilometer Musaila-Lubwe – Kasaba road to BSBK Limited of India in 2015 at a cost of K520 Million.
The works include installation of 77 culverts on the road.
This is according to a statement issued to the Media by Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure Development spokesperson Jeff Banda.
Premiero de Agosto coach Dragan Jovic is wary of Saturday’s 2019/2020 CAF Champions League Group A opponents Zesco United despite the homesides’ recent bad run of results.
Zesco hosts their Angola opponents in a penultimate Group A match at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola after a rough start to 2020 that began with four successive losses that ended on January 22 with a 2-1 derby away league win over Buildcon at the same venue.
Agosto and Zesco, who drew 1-1 in the first leg Group A meeting in Luanda on November 31 , are winless in the league round on 2 points each and their quarterfinal interest could end tonight in Egypt should second placed Zamalek, on 7 points, beat leaders TP Mazembe who have 10 points.
“I think that we and Zesco are in the same position because we are now dependent on the result between Zamalek and TP Mazembe,” Jovic said.
“But we have come here to have a good match and we will do everything to win but obviously it will be difficult because Zesco is a good team.
“We already saw that after the draw in the first leg in Luanda but our team is prepared for a very good game.
“Zesco won their last game 2-1 and I think Zesco are at the moment still in good form and it will be difficult for us.”
