By Anthony Bwalya – UPND Member

They will not want you to hear this, but the real total public debt has now eclipsed our national Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Here is rundown of disclosed public debt so far: External = $10.23bn, Internal: Guarantees = $1.2bn, Securities = K60.7bn, Domestic arrears = K20.2bn, VAT refunds = K22bn.

The aggregate of these liabilities is just a few notches shy of $20bn, while our real GDP, if we factor in exchange losses associated with a dipping Kwacha will not beat $26bn as at December 2019. The public are cautioned to be extremely weary of further undisclosed debt, especially from China, as well as debt held by our various parastatals. This is why the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) must be as transparent as possible in making public the aggregate debt figure attributable to SOEs.

All the foregoing taken into account point to a debt mountain that is now above 100% of our GDP.

We are here today because the PF’s claim to superstardom has been a poorly orchestrated infrastructure development narrative whose funding has been nothing short of dubious, while the workmanship across many of our public projects has been woefully poor.

Let us be clear: Zambians want good infrastructure for development. But Zambians want these to be executed sustainably, to the extent that the projects should be able to yield the required return to be able to pay off it’s associated debt money. Zambians also want quality workmanship, as opposed to substandard, cheaply acquired works who lifespan falls way short of the life of the debt associated with these projects.

And this has been the failure of the PF around infrastructure development. They have failed to project fund sustainably and they have failed to ensure quality workmanship across many of the projects.

This is nothing short of criminal and economic espionage against the Zambian people.

Today, the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) are saying the PF owes close to $2bn in VAT refunds, while an aggregate $10bn has been sucked out of the local economy in local borrowing. The tragedy of this story is that only a very small fraction of this debt money has actually gone into productive areas of our economy. One only has to take a look at successive Auditor General’s Reports, FIC and other barometers to draw the conclusion that much of this money has actually been stolen!

And thanks to the duplicity and conniving conduct of PF leaders, including State House, Zambians will now have to pay a very heavy price for the poor, selfish decision making of the PF government.

We have to be weary, that a vote for the PF in 2021 will be an endorsement of what has been their diabolical inability to do a very simple job – to take care of Zambians.

We need to have a new and honest national conversation around social and economic reforms. For example, how have the PF allowed NAPSA to continue sitting on piles of cash while consistently failing to pay retirees’ benefits? How has the PF continued to allow President Lungu, the Veep and government Ministers to enjoy health tourism services abroad, while lying to Zambians that they are making “massive, unprecedented” investments in the health sector?

And how has this tinkering, inept PF government allowed for the rule of law to be applied selectively to different citizens and societal stakeholders, leading to the creation of a class society?

What a joke of a government!

The foregoing sits at the heart of the poor and general lack of community development across our vast country.

The macro economy is broken and it has sucked the life out of the micro economy.

In 2021, we must be bold and decisive and not blink in booting the PF out of power.

We cannot afford another lost 5 years. We simply cannot. The damage will be impossible to undo in our lifetime.

Former England Rugby Union International and World Cup winner Jason Leonard has been knocked sideways by the quality of locally produced Kaleza football boots.
The popular Z-12 boots made by Zambeef division Zamleather are already scoring hits with players across the country.
Now they have caught the attention of the sporting legend, who is founder of the Atlas Foundation, a non-profit organisation imparting life skills and values such as education, teamwork and discipline to children in underprivileged areas in 16 countries around the world.
He was so impressed that his foundation bought 60 pairs of the boots to distribute to youngsters in Zimbabwe.
During a visit to Victoria Falls recently, Zamleather presented him with the customised Atlas Foundation boots, and Leonard found himself on the front cover of African Business Network magazine giving the boots the thumbs-up.
“The leather rugby boots were nothing short of world class, and Jason was delighted with the quality and the brand of the leather boots which will be used for all matches and key training practices. It would make sense that all further orders go through you so that this quality boot takes its place across many more clubs and schools throughout Africa and other regions,” said tour organiser Sue Anderson.
“The Kaleza Z-12 boots were borne from the desire to have a sports boot on the market that is designed, manufactured and packaged locally as well as suited to our terrain, and is not only affordable but of international quality,” said Zamleather General Manager Richard Franklin.
“It is important for us to be involved at the grassroots as a local sports shoe brand, as a way of reinforcing our commitment and also to communicate the values of quality, discipline and determination among the upcoming generations. It is possible for Zambia to produce quality in terms of talent as well as other products and that is what value addition is all about for us here at Kaleza and Zamleather,” noted Mr Franklin.
Over the years, Zamleather, through Kaleza, has lent its support to little leagues and community initiatives by donating football boots and footballs. It supports the NGO Alive and Kicking, an HIV/AIDS and malaria awareness project, whose stitching centre is based at the Zamleather premises in Lusaka.
Zambia’s leather industry holds much promise, and growth in the sector can be spurred by building markets for local finished leather products that ride on value addition, added Mr Franklin.
“What we need is for local entrepreneurs to look at leather as a readily available natural, local product that provides infinite business opportunities for value addition to our local hides,” he explained.
Zamleather operates the country’s largest operating tannery, with subdivisions that produce protective clothing and safety boots, Zamshu school and sports shoes, and wet blue hides and finished leather material that can be used for upholstery.
“Africa, and the world at large, is striving for a green industrialisation through the use of local raw materials with a view to zero waste. Zamleather embodies this principle in that it takes raw hides from the Zambeef Group’s beef division, adding value,” said Mr Franklin.
One product fast gaining popularity in local sporting circles is its line of Kaleza Z-12 football and Astroturf boots. From the onset, Kaleza models were made to stand out on the market in more ways than one. First released in 2013 they have since gained a reputation on football pitches across the country as the Zambia’s quality affordable lightweight football boots.

First Lady Esther Lungu has urged youths to desist from being used as tools of political violence. Mrs. Lungu says it is not right for politicians to use youths to promote violence in whatever form.

She noted that most of the politicians promoting violence have had their time adding that they must allow youths to positively mature into leaders.

Mrs. Lungu told ZNBC News in Kitwe that a bigger part of the Zambian population is made up of youths hence the need for them to play a meaningful role in governance.

Mrs. Lungu said that she was also concerned that women and the girl child in Zambia have continued to face gender-based violence and sexual abuse.

The First Lady was in Kitwe to lobby for support to enhance service delivery at the Kitwe teaching hospital and donate to two service organizations.

Meanwhile, President Edgar Lungu has warned that there is no need for violence in politics, adding that innocent people are killing themselves while the politicians remain comfortable in their homes.

The President said that no politician, including himself, is worth dying for.

President Lungu implored parents to inculcate values that teach young people that there is no need for violence and said that he has instructed his party members to be peaceful and go out in communities to spread the good policies of the party.

The President was speaking when he addressed a meeting at Kaoma Resource Centre grounds, at which several members from the opposition also defected to the ruling party.

Kanchibiya Member of Parliament Martin Malama yesterday moved a private member’s motion seeking Parliament’s support to ban political parties and organisations that support Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender rights in Zambia.

And tempers flared among Opposition Members of Parliament after Mr. Malama mentioned that the UPND is among the 30 political Parties that are affiliated to the African Liberal Network.

Mr. Malama who laid a copy of African Liberal Network- ALN – Constitution and other documents on the floor of the House said the UPND was a member of the Network.

He explained that to join the Network, Party President, Secretary-General and International Relations Chairman need to sign the constitution.

Mr. Malama said Zambians cannot allow political parties to introduce Liberal values in the country, which seeks to allow Homosexuality.

He said that no one inclusive of the Church and Chiefs across the country can allow such values to be inculcated into the country.

Mr. Malama said that Zambia is a Christian Nation and people must not subscribe to such liberal values.

Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition Jack Mwiimbu said a similar pattern of accusing political opponents that they supported gay rights, failed in the past.

However, First Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Catherine Namugala had a tough time trying to calm the two sides as Mr. Malama debated.

The motion however lapsed because of time.

About 380 members of the United Party for National Development (UPND) have defected to the Patriotic Front in Kaoma’s Chitwa ward.

And speaking when he received the new members, President Edgar Lungu who is also PF party President, encouraged the new members to feel free and join in the country’s developmental agenda.

And President Lungu further urged voters in Chitwa ward to turn up in numbers in tomorrow’s Council Chairperson By-elections, to vote for the PF candidate Ngebe Ngondo.

Speaking during a public meeting at Chitwa Primary School today, in Kaoma constituency, the President also urged the residents not to involve themselves in acts of violence, adding that PF is a peaceful party.

President Lungu also lashed out at individuals who are fond of blocking development were it is most needed.

The President has assured the people of Kaoma that he will work closely with Ms Ngondo, once she is voted in office, in order to continue with the desired developmental progress.

The President also reminded party members to ensure that they welcome and work with new members, in order to strengthen the party structures in the area.

And PF candidate Ngebe Ngondo has promised to work with the people of Kaoma and government once voted into office, towards ensuring that all developmental projects lined up are delivered.

Meanwhile Sub Chief Josephat Situnya of the Nkoya speaking people appealed to government to upgrade the local school which has been neglected for years.

He expressed optimism that the voting of a PF candidate will lead to the overall development of the area.

Tomorrow Thursday October 10, 2019, Kaoma District goes to the polls to vote for a new Council Chairperson.

Candidates from three political parties are contesting the seat, namely Maseka Chuulu of the United Peaceful and Prosperous Party (UPPZ), Austin Muneku of the United Party for National Development (UPND) and Ngebe Ngondo of the Patriotic Front (PF).

Higher Education Minister Dr Brian Mushimba says his Ministry has noted a growing number of reported cases of sexual harassment in institutions of higher learning against female students by Lectures.

Dr Mushimba’a comments follows a month long investigation by the BBC cases of sexual harassment of female students in Nigeria and Ghana in what has become to be known as #SexForGrades scandal.

In a statement, Dr Mushimba said the Ministry has in the recent past, noted with grave concern, the growing number of reported cases of sexual harassment in institutions of Higher Learning against female students by those entrusted with the responsibility of protecting and nurturing them.

“As a Ministry, we wish to encourage these students not to feel constrained to report cases of sexual harassment immediately, as a matter of urgency. It is only through such reports that immediate interventions and actions can be taken and victims protected and perpetrators severely punished,” Dr Mushimba said.

Dr Mushimba said the Ministry of Higher Education condemns, in the strongest terms, this harassment of students in universities and colleges.

He has since directed that all forms of harassment must cease as the Ministry and Government has zero tolerance to such vices.

Dr Mushimba has further warned that those identified as perpetrators of these vices will be brought to book under the full extent of the law.

He further stated that harassment of any form, especially sexual, has no place in institutions of Higher learning as these institutions are the epoch of human development and that is why these vices will be dealt with severely under a new enhanced surveillance program against these vices in universities.

The Minister has assured the victims of the Ministry’s total support and the creation of a safe environment through which to report sexual harassment.

According to the Zambian laws, Criminal Sanctions are provided under the Penal code and a person convicted of Sexual harassment is liable to imprisonment for a term not less than 3 years.

Dr Mushimba has directed all heads of institutions not to protect perpetrators of sexual harassment as doing so is a serious offence and in the same vain urged protection of the victims at all costs.