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Zambia on Friday reached the final of the 2019 COSAFA Men’s Under-17 Championship after thumping holders Angola 2-0 in the semi-final at Mpira Stadium in Blantyre, Malawi.
Second half goals by Rickson Ng’ambi and Moses Mulenga sent Zambia to the final.
Junior Chipolopolo will face Mozambique in Sunday’s 14h30 kickoff final at Mpira Stadium.
Mozambique advanced to the final after edging Eswatini 1-0 in the other semi-final played on Friday morning.
Zambia last won this competition in 2017.
Meanwhile, Eswatini and Angola contest the third and fourth match at 11h00 on Sunday.
The Law Association of Zambia says it is deeply perturbed by reports in the media indicating that Minister of Justice, Given Lubinda has stated that he will not comply with the judgment of the Constitutional Court in the case of LAZ vs Ngosa Simbyakula and 53 others, which ordered the former Ministers who had illegally stayed in cabinet after the dissolution of parliament to pay back what they earned during their illegal stay in office.
LAZ says failure to pay would be a violation of the law and has asserted that the unfortunate statements attributed to the Honourable Minister of Justice, if true, are a serious assault on the rule of law and constitutionalism in Zambia and are a recipe for anarchy.
In a statement, the LAZ Council said the rule of law demands that any decision of a court of law must be obeyed by all parties affected by it unless there is a stay of execution of the decision or unless the decision is overturned by an appellate court.
LAZ says it is seriously concerned that such statements are being attributed to the Minister of Justice, who should be in the forefront to champion the rule of law and respect for decisions of Zambia’s legitimately constituted courts.
It said if the statements attributed to the Minister are true, he must resign from his position as Minister of Justice because continuing in office with his stance on the matter would be utterly inappropriate and a perpetual blight on the rule of law in our country.
LAZ has also called on the President to dismiss any serving Minister or government official who is subject of the said judgment of the Constitutional Court and who refuses to pay back because not doing so would be a mockery on the Government’s stated commitment to the rule of law.
The Association has further called on the Attorney General, the Secretary to the Cabinet and the Secretary to the Treasury to ensure that the money that the Ministers were paid is recovered without further delay as the funds belong to the public.
In the meantime, LAZ says it will continue engaging its lawyers in the matter to pursue all lawful avenues to ensure that the judgment of the Constitutional Court is enforced.
But Justice Minister Given Lubinda in a statement reiterated that it would be premature to refund any money to the treasury before the matter involving LAZ and Ngosa Simbyakula and 63 others is concluded.
Mr Lubinda says following the dismissal of the application by the 64 by the Constitutional Court because the lawyer for the respondents omitted to apply for leave to the court for review of the judgement, there is a possibility of the respondents renewing their application.
The Kabwata law maker said the right of the 64 respondents to be heard is enshrined in the constitution.
Mr Lubinda said the 64 respondents will abide by the final decision of the Court after exercising their right to be heard and that as a Minister of Justice it is his constitutional responsibility to uphold the law and defend the constitution.
Speaker of National Assembly Dr. Patrick Matibeni (r) First Speaker of National Assembly Catherine Mugala and Mines Minister Richard Musukwa following the State of the Nation address at Parliament Buildings
Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Catherine Namugala yesterday directed that the word Barotseland be excused in all Parliamentary debates.
Ms Namugala guided that there is no place called Barotseland in Zambia.
She was making a ruling on a point of Order on whether opposition UPND Sikongo Member of Parliament Mundia Ndalamei was in order to refer to Western Province in his debates as Barotseland.
Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development Vincent Mwale had risen on a point of order wanting to know whether the opposition MP was in order to refer to Western Province as Barotseland.
Ms Namugala ruled that the MP was out of order as there was no place in Zambia referred to as Barotseland.
She said Barotseland was a British Protectorate which no longer exists.
She clarified that the Provincial and Districts Boundaries Act Chapter 286 of the Laws Zambia has no place and does not recognize any place called Barotseland.
She further guided that presiding officers have in the past rendered the same ruling in the house and Members of Parliament must desist from using the name.
HH speaking in Washington at the Woodrow Wilson Center.
By: Anthony Bwalya – UPND Member
The recent invitation of Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, leader of the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND), to speak at the Woodrow Wilson Center and address an audience of esteemed leaders from the world of politics and business, is a clear demonstration of the confidence and the highest premium the international community continues to place on his ability to provide leadership at the highest level of government.
The invitation of Mr. Hakainde Hichilema also underlines the desire by the international community for there to take place constructive and productive political and economic change in Zambia, the kind of change that would benefit both the citizens of this country, as well as our international partners.
It is also important to note, that serious investors will always put a heavy premium on sound political leadership that guarantees adherence to the rule of law, consistency around macro economic policy, guarantees a respect for human rights and leadership that is committed to stamping out grand and political corruption as these pose and impose a danger on the credibility and integrity of the investment environment.
The $25bn in active investment pledges are a further unequivocal endorsement of the quality and standard of public leadership the International community expects Mr. Hakainde Hichilema to enforce should Zambians trust his enough to form and lead the next government post 2021.
These $25bn investment conversations should in essence be taking between investors and the PF government of PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu, but that is not the case. And I do not want to leave Zambians in any amount of doubt about why this is not the case – Investors cannot and will not trust their big money projects with the PF government. It will cost investors anything between 10% – 25% on top of the actual investment value to invest in Zambia, owing to corruption and bad business environment managing practices being perpetrated by the PF government.
But what is heartwarming to note, is that Mr. Hakainde Hichilema emphasized to our international friends that while Zambia remains open for business, we seek constructive and actual business partnerships between our local and international investors.
We cannot build long-term resilience within our local economy by settling for 20%.
We need investment partnerships that will substantively enhance capacity and confidence within our local investor community. This is why the UPND is keen to reinvigorate the capacity of our local banking system to fully respond to this strategy by reposition the balance of resources away from government control and much towards individuals, households and SMEs.
As citizens, we must never underplay the value of sound political LEADERSHIP.
Everything rises and falls on it.
Future opportunities for the next generation of Zambians firmly rest on what we will do at the ballot in 2021.
File:Chieftainess Nkomeshya prays for rains during the Chakwela Makumbi traditional ceremony
The latest act by the Minister of Religious Affairs and National Guidance Reverend Godfridah Sumaili only confirms that she lacks common analytical understanding of what religion is, and what it is all about. Some circles of the Zambian enterprise are wondering whether there are any technocrats in her team of experts at the Ministry that could help her analyse issues with a diversity of thought and consideration.
Sumaili’s latest stunts of not letting the Elders of the Zambezi Valley pay homage and consult the Nyami Nyami in whom they believe is appalling. The Elders are ready to challenge the droughts that have affected the Zambezi River, and ultimately the country’s energy sector, which is in slumber and needs an electric shock to wake up. The Elders of the Zambezi Valley have asked though the Ministry of Religious Affairs and National Guidance if they could be allowed to implore the Nyami Nyami and ask for guidance on challenging the drought that has hit the area, but have been denied a go ahead. The Nyami Nyami, the God of the Zambezi River is believed to protect the local people in the Zambezi Valley and give them sustenance in difficult times such as droughts and starvation.
A day of National Prayers should not only be limited to one religious group alone, as Zambia is a multi-religious country and we are all conscious of this, unless we want to pretend and take a populist political stance of continuing to ignore other religions like the African Traditional Religions (ATRs). Therefore, concerted efforts from different religious players must be upheld in times of need, and times of distress like these, when we need whatever Gods we can call upon for help. When Fredrick Chiluba appended his signature to the country’s legislature to declare Zambia a Christian Nation, he was cognisant of other religions existing in our midst. As a result, he declared, Zambia a Christian Nation, but with tolerance to other religions, that includes ATRs. Fredrick Chiluba himself was a staunch believer in both Christianity and ATR, of which both played a role as regards his death and burial rites. Chiluba’s body was taken to Church for the final prayers before burial, which is following in his Christian beliefs. However, a post-mortem could not be performed on his remains following his staunch ideologies in ATR, as advised by an elderly family member. This is a gesture that was accepted by everyone, including Government and the Church.
Mythologies like the Nyami Nyami should be given space to co-exist with other religions and local communities, as long as the believers in that ideology are convinced that it exists and influences their ways of living. Belief is something very personal, and should never be rebuked by using another belief that seems superior to the other. The Jesus and the Nyami Nyami mythologies both border on personal beliefs and conformity to one’s social space, thus none should be superior to the other.
Unfortunately, the Jesus mythology was plucked from another cultural space and context, and used wrongly as ‘the gospel’ to declare the superiority of Western value systems in most parts of Africa. This was done while demonising the ATRs as dark rituals while portraying Africa as a religious tabula rasa without any prior religion before western ‘civilisation’. What is universal in all societies under the Sun is that no society has ever existed without religion or without God, or something they believe in as superior to humanity. This view is against the common perception advanced by the early missionaries that colonised the African mind and found Africa to be without any form of religion, and way detached from God.
The aforementioned position still exists in most colonised African minds, and unfortunately, it has moved to another level of ‘Christian Papaism’ where the poor Africans are exploited in the name of the Gospel according to the Christian doctrines. This kind of exploitation of the poor in society will just be changing in form and strategy unless critical thought and action is engaged through a deliberate decolonisation process. A deliberate decolonisation process that could counter the human consequences resulting from the control and abuse of the colonised mind and ways of living. Suddenly, Africa has filthy rich Gospel giants feeding on the poor colonised minds in the name of the Jesus Mythology. Unless institutions like the Ministry of Religious Affairs and National Guidance, organises their affairs, and act with critical thinking and take control, religious confusion and misunderstanding in Zambia, and Africa generally will prevail. This application of critical thought to the way of living by the institutions in charge, such as the Ministry of Religious Affairs and National Guidance will give back what Christianity and other foreign religions have taken away from Africans. That is to say, ATRs, which were, and still are a functional and useful apparatuses in the daily lives of African societies.
Just like the Mutomboko, Likumbi Lya Mize, Shimunenga, Incwala and the Kuomboka events, to mention but a few, the Nyami Nyami mythology falls within the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), which is an important factor in maintaining cultural and religious diversity in the face of growing ‘glocalization’. UNESCO recognises and upholds all these heritages for the benefit of the future generations despite attempts by the colonial powers to demonise and eliminate them. Behind all the aforementioned events that includes the Makishi and the Gule Wamkulu fames etc, there is a host of ATR rites that must be understood, and appreciated without being demonised and rebuked by using another mythology. An understanding of the ICH applications of different communities helps with intercultural dialogue, and encourages mutual respect for other ways of life. The harmony between tribal factions in different public occupations such as politics could actually be encouraged through mutual acceptance and practice of various ICH programmes. Thus, Sumaili’s lack of understanding of such ICH programmes within local communities in Zambia, and instead intimidating the believers is quite unfortunate. If anything, the Zambian school syllabus in Religious Education, and other Social Sciences should focus more on such important local resources than romanticising foreign material day in, day out.
For as long as Zambia remains in Africa, its people shall appreciate a unique African identity and culture embodied through religious diversity. After all, religion is culture, and culture is religion. Religion is part of the fibre of society, hence it is deeply ingrained in social life, and it is impossible to isolate and treat it as a different phenomenon from culture. That is where the colonised African mind misses the point, when it separates religion from sociocultural norms obtaining in the daily lives. For example, when members of a family or clan gather together to perform some traditional customs in relation to a wedding or funeral, that is in itself a religious activity already, but a colonised mind takes it otherwise, as just a traditional custom. The Asians such as the Chinese and the Japanese rejected the Jesus mythology, and are doing just fine in their own understanding and practice of religion, as the backbone of their culture. It is common knowledge that Asia’s resistance to western culture and religious imperialism has led to their breakthrough in today’s advancement in technology and global economy. Thus, in Zambia, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and National Guidance should be converted to the Ministry of Religious and Traditional Affairs since the two entities are not inseparable. The National guidance aspect is a responsibility of every Ministry as regards their roles, and as established in the Ministry’s protocols. I. e the Ministry of Defence will guide the Nation on defence issues, while the Ministry of Education will guide the Nation on issues bordering on Education etc.
That said, today, 18th October should be a day of National Prayer for all the religions that exist in Zambia. The day should not only be accorded to the Christians, but to all that believe in whatever God or gods they embrace. Let the Elders of the Zambezi Valley pay homage to the Nyami Nyami and ask for the rains and a good harvest. After all, in whichever way the prayers are done, whether in the Stadium, the Church, the Mosque, the Synagogue, at State House or at the Kariba Dam, there is no tangible evidence that the prayers are answered or not, it all dwells on the personal beliefs of the individuals involved in the prayers. So, let everyone participate without any intimidation or demonisation. Let the Nyami Nyami be consulted too. Zambezi River is the backbone of the Zambian life and living, let it flow, let the Gods of the Zambezi River act now. Amen!
By Kabanda Mwansa
The author is a Zambian social commentator and PhD research fellow in the faculty of social sciences at Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences
Zambia Catholic Chaplaincy UK Parish Priest Fr. Henry Mobela, has urged Zambians both home and away to live as one big family.
And Bread of Life Church International United Kingdom will join Zambia in observing the National Day of Prayer, Fasting, Repentance and reconciliation, set for today.
The day of prayer will be held under the theme “Receiving Times of Refreshing from the presence of the Lord through Reconciliation with one another and the environment for a prosperous Zambia.”
Commenting on this year’s National Day of Prayer, Fr. Mobela who is the current Zambian Parish Chaplain said Zambians, as a people need to love and forgive each other as they are members of one family which is Zambia.
And Fr. Mobela further called on Zambians in the Diaspora to participate in making it possible for reconciliation to become a reality in the nation by being their country’s ambassadors who should be in the forefront to promote and project a good image of the country.
“Violence and economic challenges are a result of human conflicts or misuse of one’s rights which may affect others in the community. How do we deal with these challenges then? As believers we go the Scriptures, the word of God where Jesus challenges us to reconcile with one another and with creation”.
“For reconciliation to take place there is need for humility. Therefore, as the Nation prays for peace and reconciliation, we are all encouraged to pray for peace and prosperity in our country. Every Zambian should feel that there is something that they can contribute to our country that can bring about true reconciliation between people and creation or environment for us to enjoy the fruit of our prosperous nation. We need to seat together with open minds and hearts sharing and listening to one another and coming up with solutions that emphasise the common good,” he said.
And Bread of Life Church International United Kingdom Pastor in charge Austin Makota said there was strength in unity and called on Zambians to embrace love, peace and harmony.
“As we pray for Zambia and our leaders. We pray that God grants them wisdom. God will Refresh, Renew and Restore our nation. The atmosphere of the Nation will change as more and more people will unite for one cause. There is coming a great move that will shake our Nation and return things to the original owner- God. All things will be restored,” prayed Pastor Makota.
Issued by: Abigail Chaponda (Mrs.)
First Secretary | Press and Public Relations
Zambia High Commission in the United Kingdom.
Power Utility Company Zesco has announced there will be increased load shedding countrywide from 19th October 2019 for a period of 12 days due to the limitation of power generation.
This follows the taking out of service of one generating unit at Maamba Collieries Limited Power Station which developed a fault on 15th October 2019.
During the period of the shutdown, generation at Maamba Collieries limited will be scaled down to 50 percent of the dispatchable capacity, according to the Public Relations Department.
The Company said that to mitigate the shortfall during the shutdown period, additional load management of up to three hours will be implemented in order to prevent over generation beyond the recommended levels at Kafue Gorge and Kariba North Bank Power Stations.
Zambian defender Christopher Munthali has begun settling down at his new Lebanese topflight side Akhaa Ahli Aley FC.
Munthali last month joined Ahli on a one year deal from FAZ Super Division side Kabwe Warriors.
The experienced defender has previously played for Power Dynamos, Nkana and Buildcon.
‘I am very happy to make this move. I have always wanted to make a move outside but some local clubs used to block me,’ Munthali said from Lebanon.
‘Settling is easy. I am just following instructions from the coach and I need to work hard. I have come here to play football. I am settling down well here,’ he said.
Munthali said language and cultural differences won’t hinder him from excelling in Lebanon.
‘Language is a challenge but the good part is that the coach uses English and some players from Brazil and Portugal and food is not a problem,’ Munthali said.
He believes the Lebanese league will help him break into a bigger league.
‘My target is to play in a bigger league. This is a stepping stone as I begin my professional career.”
Munthali won the 2013 Cosafa Cup with Chipolopolo on home soil.
Conservationist Nsama Learns has appealed to the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Authority whose mandate is to protect Zambia’s wildlife species to make the ecological assessment report public for review on whether Langani and Kiwisoko private ranches in Chisamba and Kazungula are suitable for the habitation of the Black Lechwe.
And Ms Learns has further appealed to the department to permit interested parties to conduct independent assessments to verify if indeed the two establishments have the same ecological environment as that of the Bangweulu wetlands.
She said as conservationist whose objective is to Care for Nature, she is extremely worried and disturbed by the mention of Chisamba and Kazungula because these areas lie in ecological regions of Zambia that have been experiencing no to less rainfall due to climate change.
“We all know for sure that climate change affects healthy functioning of ecosystem therefore it will be relieving to see what safeguards have been recommended in the report in case of drought or heat waves because the specie in particular is semi aquatic and feeds on aquatic plants”, she said.
She said the Black Lechwe loves water and when threatened, they stand in deep water completely submerged leaving only their nostrils exposed.
Ms Learns said the Black Lechwes are good swimmers and they run faster in water than dry land which is why in the dry season they migrate for up-to 80 kilometers in search for flooded areas.
“Surely Zambians my concern is not from without, this is not just any other antelope like impala, Kudu, sitatunga, sessebe or water buck, we are looking at a one kind of rare breed which we can’t treat like flying ants’ inswa nangu inshunkonono which appear and disappear from nowhere! This is a IUCN Red List specie”, she added.
Ms Learns said she is spending sleepless nights wondering how the animals felt when they just arrived in the new habitat tired and exhausted from the long journey wondering whether they found water immediately.
“Remember the first time you left your parents, sisters and brothers to go on holiday, that grave feeling of loneliness or when you first shifted from the area where you grew up, how long it takes to adapt, days, months and years will pass but still your dreams will take you back where you grew up”, Ms Learns lamented.
“If anyone is feeling my pain and that of the 80 Lechwe you are welcome to read the report and visit their new home to ensure they are safe. As for now I will continue praying for their safety”, she added.
Doctors from the University of Virginia pose for a picture with the UTH Cath Lab team after a day in the operating theatre
University of Virginia Cardiac specialists led by US based Dr.Sula Mazimba and Dr Scot Lim have over the last week been conducting rheumatic valvular heart disease screening as well as performing percutaneous valvular interventions at the University of Zambia Teaching Hospital (UTH). The program has been a collaboration between the ministry of health of Zambia, University of Virginia and UTH. Dr Mazimba a graduate from the UNZA School of medicine and now an associate professor at the University of Virginia led the advanced heart valve team to Zambia for these specialized interventions for patients with valvular heart diseases.
Some cardiac patients in Zambia with very advanced valvular heart diseases have historically been sent abroad for surgical interventions. Rheumatic heart disease leads to reduced quality of life and premature death due to heart failure. Besides treating patients with these procedures, the program was also aimed at facilitating skill transfer on valvular interventions to the local cardiac team led by Dr Lorrita Kabwe.
Dr.Mazimba said his team had been seeing patients with severe rheumatic mitral stenosis and had performed 5 percutaneous ballon interventions. They were hoping to come back to help more patients who were not identified on this trip. Rheumatic heart disease is a late complication of rheumatic fever, which results in severe scaring and narrowing of the heart valves. With a now fully functional cardiac catheterization laboratory at UTH, patients with severe valvular heart disease previously sent out of the country for treatment, can be considered for treatment locally.
L-R Dr. Sula Mazimba, Dr.Kelvin Simpamba and Dr.Scott Lim pose for a picture with their patient, Mrs Chuulu after a successful percutaneous valvular procedure at the University Teaching Hospital Lusaka.
Democratic Party President Harry Kalaba has alleged that the Patriotic Front is distributing blank National registration cards in its resolve to rig the 2021 general elections.
Mr Kalaba told a media briefing that the PF has so far distributed 50 000 blank National Registration Cards in provinces they consider their strongholds and 10 000 in provinces considered to be opposition strongholds.
Mr Kalaba said the PF are resolved to rig the 2021 polls and currently the mobile registration is underway in Muchinga, Central, Copperbelt, Luapula and Northern Provinces.
He said a desperate regime that has nothing to offer the Zambian people, the Patriotic Front despite not funding the National Registration, Passport and Citizenships office, have found the money for the mobile registration which is underway in some parts of the country.
And Mr Kalaba has warned that voting for the PF is a disaster in waiting and has challenged Zambians not to vote for them for a better future.
He said the PF must be taught a lesson in 2021 because they have no idea on how to resolve the many challenges facing the nation.
But PF Media Director Sunday Chanda said the claims by Mr Kalaba a sign that he has conceded defeat before the 2021 polls are even held.
He said with the many developmental projects being implemented in the country, PF does not need to distribute 50 000 NRCs to rig the election.
The President of the Republic of Zambia, His Excellency, Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Mr Filippo Grandi, holding talks at State House
The Zambia’s President Edgar Lungu, and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Mr Filippo Grandi, held talks at State House in Lusaka yesterday. The visit to Zambia is part of the High Commissioner’s visit to Southern Africa and it is his first visit to Zambia.
During the discussions, President Lungu thanked UNHCR and other co-operating partners for the support they continue to render to the Government in admitting and providing protection to refugee and using a comprehensive approach to their refugee response striving towards legal, social and economic inclusion.
The President underlined that Zambia will continue to have an open-door policy towards refugees, but emphasized that the provision of assistance and services to refugees has to be a joint responsibility. “There has to be burden- and responsibility-sharing with the international community. We appreciate the support we have received from co-operating partners, until now but we still we need more support,” said President Lungu.
President Lungu welcomed the UNHCR chief’s visit as it will help to acquaint Mr. Grandi with the challenges in the refugee programme in Zambia, especially now that the Government is entering into a phase of stabilizing the Congolese refugee response. President Lungu also expressed optimism about the prospects for peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Mr. Grandi expressed his gratitude for President Lungu’s commitment to an open-door policy towards refugees. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees affirmed the Organization’s commitment to continued support to the Government of Zambia by advocating for resources for the refugee programme that can benefit both refugees and refugee hosting areas.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees welcomed the fact that Zambia is embracing the Global Compact on Refugees as a progressive and landmark document ,which will contribute to ensuring sustainable solutions for refugees, former refugees and host communities in a holistic manner.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees thanked the Government and people of Zambia for having made strides on local integration of former Angolan and Rwandan refugees, but emphasized the need to accelerate the process.
He assured the President that he will call on the international community to continue to support Zambia in order to close this chapter.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees was accompanied by UNHCR ‘s Regional Director for Southern Africa, Mr. Valentin Tapsoba, the UN Resident Co-ordinator, Dr. Coumba Mar Gadio and the UNHCR Representative to Zambia, Ms Pierrine Aylara.
The UNHCR chief will visit Mantapala Refugee Settlement in Luapula Province on Friday.
Zambia currently hosts over 84,553 refugees and other persons of concern mainly in Meheba Settlement, in North-Western Province, Mayukwayukwa in Western Province and Mantapala, in Luapula Province.
Transport and Communications Minister Hon Mutotwe Kafwaya
Transport and Communications Minister Hon Mutotwe Kafwaya has said that bus drivers play a critical role in the promotion of sustainable public transport system.
Speaking when he met bus drivers in Lusaka, Hon Kafwaya said his ministry is in support of the recent directive by President Edgar Lungu to both the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) and the Zambia Police Service to ensure that there is sanity on the roads by way of conducting patrols.
“We are in full support of His Excellency President Edgar Chagwa Lungu’s directive to RTSA as it is timely. We don’t want to lose lives on the roads when we have a chance to avoid them. You drivers have families, equally passengers have families. No one wants to lose a loved one,” he said.
Hon Kafwaya also advised RTSA officers not to harass drivers in the name of bringing sanity on the roads but that they should collaborate well with them.
The Transport and Communications Minister said bus drivers are a very important stakeholder in the public transport sector hence the need to work closely with them.
He added that President Lungu has made it clear that his administration will not leave anyone behind in the quest to develop the country.
Hon Kafwaya emphasized the need for RTSA to intensify road patrols to ensure that road traffic rules are observed by motorists.
“Another reason I came here to meet you, my colleagues, is to tell you that you are free to engage me on anything that is affecting you. We are in these offices to serve you our people. You should have access to me and my team,” he told the bus drivers.
He also encouraged bus drivers to complement the government’s efforts in keeping the surroundings clean.
“The President launched the Keep Zambia Clean, Green and Healthy Campaign aimed at maintaining our surroundings. This is not the program for the President alone but for all of us including your bus drivers and the passengers,” he said.
Hon Kafwaya implored the bus drivers to ensure that they join in the cleaning exercises that occur every last Saturday of the month.
The bus drivers were from Kulima Tower, Millennium, Lumumba and City Market.
Zambia Catholic Chaplaincy UK Parish Priest Fr. Henry Mobela, has urged Zambians both home and away to live as one big family.
And Bread of Life Church International United Kingdom will join Zambia in observing the National Day of Prayer, Fasting, Repentance and reconciliation, set for today.
The day of prayer will be held under the theme “Receiving Times of Refreshing from the presence of the Lord through Reconciliation with one another and the environment for a prosperous Zambia.”
Commenting on this year’s National Day of Prayer, Fr. Mobela who is the current Zambian Parish Chaplain said Zambians, as a people need to love and forgive each other as they are members of one family which is Zambia.
And Fr. Mobela further called on Zambians in the Diaspora to participate in making it possible for reconciliation to become a reality in the nation by being their country’s ambassadors who should be in the forefront to promote and project a good image of the country.
“Violence and economic challenges are a result of human conflicts or misuse of one’s rights which may affect others in the community. How do we deal with these challenges then? As believers we go the Scriptures, the word of God where Jesus challenges us to reconcile with one another and with creation”.
“For reconciliation to take place there is need for humility. Therefore, as the Nation prays for peace and reconciliation, we are all encouraged to pray for peace and prosperity in our country. Every Zambian should feel that there is something that they can contribute to our country that can bring about true reconciliation between people and creation or environment for us to enjoy the fruit of our prosperous nation. We need to seat together with open minds and hearts sharing and listening to one another and coming up with solutions that emphasise the common good,” he said.
And Bread of Life Church International United Kingdom Pastor in charge Austin Makota said there was strength in unity and called on Zambians to embrace love, peace and harmony.
“As we pray for Zambia and our leaders. We pray that God grants them wisdom. God will Refresh, Renew and Restore our nation. The atmosphere of the Nation will change as more and more people will unite for one cause. There is coming a great move that will shake our Nation and return things to the original owner- God. All things will be restored,” prayed Pastor Makota.
Minister of Mines and Minerals Development Honourable Richard Musukwa
Minister of Mines and Minerals Development Honourable Richard Musukwa has reiterated that the suspension of the new procurement method at Mopani Copper Mines still stands.
Mr. Musukwa said that the new procurement method called “Mopani’s contractor optimization programme,” disadvantages Zambian Citizens and is contrary to the law, adding that the new proposed procurement method has lapses which still need to be addressed by the Mining firm.
“Government will not allow Mopani to disadvantage local contractors and suppliers at the expense of foreign contractors, therefore I expect that a procurement process be put in place which conforms to the law.”
He said this in Lusaka when Mopani Copper Mines management called on him at his office.
Mr. Musukwa added that Government will not allow the setting up of contracting and supplying offices in foreign countries including registration condition requirements which disadvantage Zambian companies and propels foreign owned companies.
“I will not allow a situation where Mopani wants to push locals in the corner in their own country. The Mining giant should instead deliberately build capacity in local Zambian contractors by giving them high profile contracts”.
Earlier, Mopani Copper Mines acting Chief Executive Officer John Chiwele assured the Minister that his firm will continue working with contractors and suppliers.
Speaking during the same meeting, Mine Suppliers and Contractors Association General Secretary George Jere said Mopani did not consult stake holders before implementing the optimization programme.
Mr. Jere said no impact assessment was done and Mopani should clearly state whether they want to work with local contractors or not.
On 4th October, 2019 the Mines Minister suspended Mopani’s contractor optimization programme.
