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THE Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) has collected over K900 million in non-tax revenue in the last ten months.
The revenue collected so far represents an increase of 16 percent in the collection.
In a statement issued to Smart Eagles this morning, RTSA Acting Chief Executive Officer Gladwell Banda has disclosed that the agency collected total revenue of K985,962,398 from January to October 2019 against K853,097,619 collected during the same period of 2018.
He says the growth in non-tax revenue collection by the RTSA is attributed to the revenue reforms that the government has put in place.
“RTSA is committed to being the lead agency in the collection of non-tax revenues on behalf of Government in a bid to contribute to Zambia’s social and economic growth,” Mr. Banda stated.
Meanwhile, Mr. Banda has stated that the Agency is transforming towards delivering a safer, inclusive and economically enabling road transport system.
He has also revealed that the RTSA has put in place various strategies to enhance and strengthen its road transport, safety, and service delivery mandate to reach out to all road users.
Mr. Banda announced that the Road Transport and Safety Agency would be opening additional Service Centres in selected districts to enhance service delivery.
Napsa Stars coach Mohammed Fathy has described Saturdays 3-2 Lusaka derby home win over Zanaco as important.
Napsa’s victory over the seven-time champions at Woodlands Stadium sees them stay second and cut the gap with leaders and defending champions Zesco United from seven to four points after eleven rounds of matches played.
“I think this was a very good fight, Zanaco is a big team and I think we needed this game to prove to ourselves that we are on the right direction.
It was an important game and very important result ,” Fathy said.
The result saw Napsa, who have just one league defeat this season, still unbeaten at home since the beginning of the 2019 /2020 campaign.
“We have to maintain winning at home we need to keep our position in the league, ” Fathy said.
“We will try and win our games, God knows what will happen in May because we are still in November.”
YOTAM Muleya was only 19-years-old when he died, yet he has a government school and road in the capital city, Lusaka, named after him.
Yotam Muleya Road in Libala stretches along David Kaunda Technical School, joining Independence Avenue to Burma Road.
In Lusaka’s Emmasdale area, there is also a primary school named after him.
Muleya was a long-distance runner who represented Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia) and the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.
He was born and grew up in Mudukula village in Choma where for many years he had been racing with his hunting dogs as a small boy.
After he completed his primary education, Muleya proceeded to Munali Secondary school in Lusaka. He then qualified to Hodgson Training School now Lusaka Trades where he enrolled as an apprentice motor vehicle mechanic in early 1958.
It was at Lusaka Trades that Muleya got noticed as a runner having won a number of races including national competitions.
60 years since his death, many know his name but are not aware of the heroics that earned Muleya a legendary status.
He broke racial barriers and opened a new era in Rhodesian sport when he beat the famous British four-minute miler, Gordon Pirie, by 100 yards in a three-mile race at Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia in December 1958.
On May 27, 1958 thousands of spectators filled the arena to Gordon Pirie win the race as he had always done – he was a world champion.
Unknown 18-year-old Muleya was to take part in the race after almost being prevented by a South Africa-born William DuBois, a dedicated white supremacist who served as chairman of the Southern Rhodesian Amateur Athletic and Cycling Union
“Mister whatever-his-bloody-name-is – this ‘Kaffir’ – has never even sent in a formal application. And if he had, it would have been turned down,” said DuBois who when reminded of Muleya’s record, added scornfully, “We do not count Kaffirs’ performances.”
The association overruled DuBois and declared that Muleya would be allowed to compete but not wholeheartedly as he was excluded when it white competitors were presented to the Governor before the race.
Muleya thus became the first African ever permitted to run in a track meet of the Southern Rhodesian Athletics Association.
As the race got underway in the muddy terrain, Muleya took to the track without shoes.
He kept pace with Pirie and eventually overtook him to win the race by 100 yards and in the process, he set a new Rhodesian record of 14:48.5.
Muleya became an instant hero as joyful spectators, black and white alike, bore him from the track in triumph on their shoulders, with one white tobacco farmer stating: “He may be black, but, by God, he’s a Rhodesian.”
Officials presented Pirie with a plaque to mark his visit and he brusquely handed it over to Muleya.
Muleya’s victory was reported in the popular American magazine Sports Illustrated as making “a nice crack in Rhodesia’s grim racial barrier.”
Muleya’s appearance not only broke the color bar, but his performance led to an educational exchange grant in the United States.
On 16 November 1959, Muleya and, white track star, John Winter, the Southern Rhodesian quarter-mile champion, set off on 3-month scholarships at the Central Michigan College from Salisbury Airport.
They arrived in the United States three days later and were scheduled to take part in their first sports meet on 23 November 1959 at East Lansing. They started off for East Lansing in the morning accompanied by American athlete Leroy Zimmer and a driver.
At 8:30 AM with the highway slippery and visibility reduced due to thick fog, their vehicle collided with another car near Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. Muleya, Winter, Zimmer and the driver of the vehicle were seriously injured while the two occupants of the other vehicle died in the crash.
Doctors unsuccessfully attempted to save his life and Muleya died that same evening while Winter died five days later.
Muleya’s remains were transported back home and after the church service at Sikalongo mission, he was buried in his home village.
He was given a state funeral and his younger brother Jesse represented the family at the open-air memorial service which was held at Hodgson Technical College.
“I lost my nephew in October this year, he was 5 years old . The way UTH Cancer Ward treated our case as well as the things we saw and experienced there has shaken my faith in God because in the end I believe its God who had the final say.
Everything was so slow from diagnosis to blood transfusions, medication, such deplorable and inhumane service . I witnessed a kid who moaned and groaned in pain for 2 whole weeks day and night before succumbing to death. Our patient who happens to be a twin was in stage 4 cancer. There was no morphine available for pain relief and it took them weeks to prepare his chemo. I don’t even know why they bothered because it only made his suffering far much worse. He died screaming.
There is so much death at the Cancer hospital at UTH, I don’t even understand what purpose it serves. Apparently there’s only one Oncologist to attend to hundreds of patients and most of them don’t stand a chance of survival.
I am still trying to get over the pain I experienced. It wasn’t just about our boy but every single patient and bedside carer who go through hell waiting even years to receive treatment and hope. I haven’t seen anyone who had survived the Acute Bay. Counseling sounds like a joke. The blood bank is full of anarchy and there’s a bunch of frustrated staff.
We got so much more love and support from other patients and their families. They were there for us and helped us out of the hospital at 23hrs when we finally had to leave. They just don’t prepare you for the progression of the disease and how bad its going to get. No child should die screaming in pain. The Ministry of Health in Zambia is a joke. All they care about is clean sheets and scrubbing floors.”
Patriotic Front Media Director Sunday Chanda has said that opposition political parties are scared and panicking over President Edgar Lungu’s candidature for the 2021 general elections because they know that he will win without a doubt.
Mr Chanda said that a campaign by a consortium of opposition party leaders to discredit and stop President Lungu’s candidature, by appealing to the Patriotic Front (PF) Party to find an alternative candidate if it is to win the 2021 polls.
Mr. Chanda wondered why the Opposition political party leaders have become interested and supportive in ensuring PF’s assured electoral victory in 2021.
The PF Media Director further said this in a statement to media that if President Lungu is a weak candidate for 2021 then the opposition should celebrate and not worry.
Mr. Chanda has wondered why the Opposition is spending so much sleepless nights and money to push for regime change within the PF, an act he says shows desperation.
Below is the full statement
OPPOSITION SCARED OF THE ECL CANDIDATURE; THEY ARE PANICKING!
On 16th December 2018, a consortium of leading opposition political parties called an Alliance agreed to work together to stop President Edgar Chagwa Lungu’s 2021 candidature. These included UPND’s Hakainde Hichilema, ADD leader Charles Milupi, then National Restoration Party leader Elias Chipimo, NDC consultant Dr Chishimba Kambwili, PeP’s Sean Tembo, late People’s Party leader Mike Mulongoti, Republican Progressive Party leader James Lukuku, and representatives of New Labour Party and the People’s Alliance for Change.
Almost exactly one year later, the Opposition is still scared and panicking over President Edgar Chagwa Lungu’s name on the ballot box in 2021. The campaign by the Opposition to discredit and eventually stop President Lungu’s candidature, by appealing to the Patriotic Front (PF) Party to find an alternative candidate if it is to win 2021 is now in overdrive.
One does not have to be a genius to understand that the Opposition is not interested in PF winning the 2021 elections! This is an opposition that specializes in antonyms. For example, the Opposition calls PF Government’s infrastructure-led development as underdevelopment, and the roads connecting rural and urban areas as bad because they cannot eat roads. Since the Opposition majors in antonyms, the opposites; what they are actually saying is that if the PF proceeds with President Lungu’s candidature, PF will not lose, but will win the 2021 elections.
The above is so because; when did the Opposition become interested and supportive of ensuring PF’s assured electoral victory in 2021? Why is the Opposition spending so much time and money to plant this story in the media to push this very agenda? If President Lungu is a weak candidate for 2021, why should the Opposition worry and panic, instead of celebrating? If President Lungu is a weak candidate for 2021, why is the Opposition – having forsaken patriotism – busy discrediting Zambia’s image to the world? If President Lungu is a weak candidate for 2021, why is the Opposition celebrating national misfortune such as the negative effects of climate change, which led to:
(a) Poor rains in the 2018/2019 rainy season, resulting in significantly lower electricity generation and distribution (load shedding);
(b) Poor farm yields resulting in high food prices including of mealie meal, and
(c) The above, in additional to other external factors, combined to adversely affect Zambia’s economic performance – as it would to any country.
Perhaps, the real question is; why is the Opposition sacred and panicking about a President Lungu candidacy in 2021?
Here is why: President Lungu does not govern without a goal or as one who beating the air, borrow from the Bible. His goal is the actualization of the 7NDP towards Vision 2030, that is, transforming Zambia into a “prosperous middle-income country by 2030”. As a result, and sadly, Zambia has an Opposition that is bereft of credible policy alternatives besides them trying to paraphrase or repeat the same policies, programmes and projects already espoused in the 7NDP being implemented by the PF Government under President Lungu. Exposed by their lack of sound policy alternatives and their zero capacity for constructive criticism, they have resorted to politics of character assassination as their backbone, instead of discussing substantive issues. This is an Opposition banking on deception, national misery and more adverse climate change effects, just to win an election.
President Lungu’s PF Government is driving the national developmental agenda in line with the 7NDP five (05) strategic areas, namely: “Economic Diversification and Job Creation”; “Poverty and Vulnerability Reduction”; “Reducing Developmental Inequalities”; “Enhancing Human Development” and “Creating A Conducive Governance Environment for A Diversified and Inclusive Economy”. Therefore, besides what the PF Government is already implementing, the Opposition has failed to come up with anything concrete plans outside the abovementioned? If the Opposition has any concrete alternative plans outside what the PF Government is already implementing as highlighted above, what are those plans then?
The above explains why the Opposition in Zambia has resorted to antonyms, character assassination and lies!
It is only yesterday, Friday 22nd November, 2019, that UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema lied to the public that ZCCM-IH and IDC overpriced the purchase of Mushe and Superior Mealing, respectively.
Mr. Hichilema’s tweet read as follows: “ZCCM-IH & IDC bought these two milling companies. The two were valued at $3.1 million but they were purchased at $17 million, effectively $13.9 million above their value. This money belongs to tax payers and would have been used to buy essential drugs for 93,000 citizens.” Source: https://t.co/AaYijpnH2A
Mr. Hichilema wanted to deceive the masses by misrepresenting facts. He is being a liar. As the adage goes, Mr. Hichilema is “entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts!”
In the aftermath of Mr. Hichilema’s lies, IDC has clarified that as a matter of fact; “Mushe and Superior Milling (76%) were valued at $13.221m and purchased at $6.908m. Effectively both were bought at over $6m below their valuation. Valuations were done by independent enterprise and asset valuation experts. @IDC @ZCCM-IH we believe in integrity and professionalism.”
Sadly, this is an Opposition presenting itself as an alternative. An Opposition of deception and antonyms. An Opposition of lies which late President Levy Patrick Mwanawasa warned us about concerning Mr. Hichilema in his book, “Levy Patrick Mwanawasa: An incentive for posterity”. This Book was written by Mr. Amos Malupenga and edited by Professor Fackson Banda. The book on pages 211-212 gives some candid insight of late President Mwanawasa on Hichilema’s duplicity saying:
“The problem Mr. Hichilema has is the fact that he wants to cheat, to mislead, to show that he is what he is not. His understanding of politics is that it doesn’t matter; you can cheat, provided you get your goals!”
This is not the first time Mr. Hichilema is telling lies aimed at injuring public confidence in the economy. For example, he lied about ZAFFICO being sold to the Chinese.
We even wonder where Mr. Hichilema is getting this sort of courage to even talk about acquisition of assets considering his controversial past? We wonder why he is declaring himself winner of the 2021 election two years before the election is called, which will be his political retirement?
Our response to Mr. Hichilema is that we are not like him. President Lungu will not sell public assets for his personal gain. President Lungu will not sell public assets in order for him to become majority shareholder as was the case with a number of companies associated to Mr. Hichilema during privatisation. President Lungu will not betray the confidence of the Zambian people.
Once again, we are making a passionate appeal to the Opposition to embrace issue-based politics and not cheap lies and antonyms. We are also asking them to be ready for President Lungu’s name on the ballot paper in 2021. It is a no brainer that President will be the strongest contender in the next election.
Artist impression of the Copperbelt International Airport
FARMERS who were displaced from the land where the Copperbelt International Airport is being constructed in Ndola, have demanded compensation from Government.
National Union for Small-Scale Farmers Executive Director, Ebony Lolozhi demanded the release of the money to 25 farmers so that they could promote their livelihoods.
He was reacting to the Auditor General’s Report that revealed that K1, 215, 416 meant for farmers in the area was spent on unrelated activities by the Copperbelt Administration.
Mr Lolozhi said farmers should be compensated immediately because they had been displaced from the land that used to sustain their livelihoods.
He explained that when the land was repossessed by Government for the construction of the airport, an agreement was made with the farmers that they would be compensated.
He said Copperbelt Permanent Secretary Bright Nundwe’s explanation that the money could not be given to the farmers because they did not have title deeds, council offer letters among other documents was unacceptable.
Mr Lolozhi said when Government was entering into an agreement with the farmers such issues had already been noted.
Mr Nundwe was put to task over the K1. 2 million meant for displaced farmers at the New Ndola International Airport by the Parliamentary Accounts Committee on Wednesday.
THE Zambia Roads & Highway Safety Group has noted with dismay the uncoordinated road closures in Lusaka as a result of various road works taking place within the city that are leaving most motorist stranded.
The Zambia Roads & Highway Safety Group has also noted that these road closures do not provide alternative routes or detours for the motorists, especially those that are new to Lusaka such as tourists and visitors.
“The Zambia Roads & Highway Safety Group urges the Zambia Roads Development Agency, the Road Transport and Safety Agency and the Lusaka City Council to compel the construction companies to map up alternative routes for every road they close during their road works. We also demand that all busy roads closed should be worked on day and night to lessen the duration of their being closed,” says Group Admin Mthoniswa Banda.
The Zambia Roads & Highway Safety Group observes that these uncoordinated road closures have led to a lot of traffic jams, increased late comings at work or meetings and are forcing those with tight schedules to jump the queue and drive on the shoulders of the roads and on the wrong lane just as to get to their destination fast there by increasing the chances of road accidents and bashing of pedestrians using the sidewalks.
“Most major roads are being worked on right now and there are a lot of closures. However, there is no guidance as to what alternative roads one can use to reach their destination. Our appeal to Lusaka City Council is to improve road guidance signs that tells visitors into Lusaka new alternative routes one can use to get into Chelston, Avondale or Airport when coming or entering the City from the Kabwe direction or short cuts to Kabwata Chilenje, Woodlands or Kabulonga Mtendere when entering Lusaka from the Kafue direction. Rings roads and short cuts to public institutions like the University Teaching Hospital, High Court, Government Offices, University of Zambia and major shopping malls or townships need to be identified and signage put up,” says Group Admin Mthoniswa Banda.
The Zambia Roads & Highway Safety Group is confident that once all roads detours are announced before hand and alternative roads indicated, Lusaka will have less congestions and frustrating driving as motorists will plan their journeys well in advance so as to reach their destination on time and in good health.
The Zambia Roads & Highway Safety Group (ZRHSG) is an online group with over 1,700 road safety ambassadors and is for sharing experiences and knowledge on road safety and defensive driving on Zambian roads by road experts, professional drivers and other road users including passengers and pedestrians. The Group discussions will help identify road safety issues, bad policies and bad road designs requiring improvement by Government and its road safety agencies such as RTSA, RDA, NRFA, ZP and local councils.
Every week, the ZRHSG will produce a statement summarising the group discussion and sharing this opinion with Road Safety agencies and other policy makers so they improve Zambia’s Road Safety.
Last weekend my son in grade 5 at Martin House boarding school in Chisamba opened up to me that he was beaten every night.
The Bully is another boy in his class and sleeps on the same bunker bed with him.
He continued that he does not allow him to sleep on top when rules are that they alternate. Where dows he punch you? ” Anywhere, in the head or stomach”
What do you do when he beats you? ” I just cry or just keep quite”
Why have you not told your teacher or the principal? ” He said he would come beat me even more if I ever told on him”.
That was so traumatic to hear. I felt like driving to the school, summon the father to the bully boy and punch both in their stomachs at once.
I allowed myself to cool down and only called the school Principal Mr Robby Swanepol last night. He had no clue this was going on. He promised to call me back in the morning.
He just call now and informed me he had summoned and interviewed both pupils and established that it is true one pupil was abusing the other.
He stated that he has since written a ‘Final Warning Letter’ letter to the Bully pupil and any one more such complaint on him from any pupil, he would be Expelled.
I commend the Principal Mr Swanepol for his quick and decisive approach in dealing with the matter.
I share so all parents of Lusaka City can counter check with their children and ensure they are not victims of bullying like my son has been.
Kids or pupils overly subjected to bullying tend to loose confidence in themselves and lead to poor academic grades and haze future career prospects.
School Headmaster and Teachers; we entrust our children into your care. Please curb bullying in your various schools.
If any of the parents in Lusaka City may need my intervention on matters of pupil bullying, please note that I am available to help out.
A joint operation by Lusaka City Council (LCC) Legal Services Committee, Health Committee, and Zambia Police, on Friday night, closed 33 bars for operating outside the law.
The team conducted a night operation in selected parts of Munali, Kabwata, Mandevu and Matero Constituencies.
Public Relations Manager George Sichimba
Confirmed this to Smart Eagles that a joint night operation was undertaken to check on compliance with the laws and regulations relating to liquor trade in the city.
Mr Sichimba said the operation started at 22:30 hours last night and ended at 02:30 hours this morning.
He said the affected bars were found operating outside stipulated hours contrary to the Liquor Licensing (Permitted Hours) Regulations of 2012, for noise pollution and admitting underage patrons.
Mr Sichimba said the law stipulates that bars and bottle stores (retail liquor) must open at 10:00 hours and close at 22:00 hours.
He said the only exempted establishments are night clubs, hotels, lodges, Guesthouses, Restaurants, boarding houses, camps and camp sites which can sell liquor at any time to clients who are lodging with them and people that are buying food with regards to restaurants.
He expressed Sadness that some establishments dealing in liquor are not operating within the law hence the operation to check on compliance levels.
He said during the operation, seven people were apprehended, out which three were apprehended for selling liquor without a licence, two for obstruction of officers from carrying out official duties and two for suspected underage.
He added that the apprehended suspects were handed over to Chelstone Police Station for further action.
And Committee Chairperson, George Daka warned that people operating liquor establishments should always abide by the law to avoid inconveniences.
He said the local authority will not relent in its quest to bring sanity in the city.
Councillor Daka observed that with the coming of the festive season liquor traders usually disregard the law and the expense of making more money while consumers also became excited.
He said the season situation usually comes with so many complaints from residents affected by nuisances such as noise pollution and underage patronage.
“We are aware of the fact that some liquor traders tend to engage in illegal activities during this period but we will check them out,” he warned.
Councillor Daka also reminded patrons that it is their responsibility to make sure that they only patronise bars and night clubs that are licenced to avoid being inconvenienced.
Other members of the joint committee were Councillors Longa Chiboboka, Moses Bwalya, Patrick Mwansa, Chilando Chitangala, Sylvester Mulenga and Tasila Lungu.
Others were Councillors Ruth Phiri, Douglas Tembo, Adrian Banda, Francis Bwalya, Makungu and Jonas Phiri.
Napsa Stars moved within four points of leaders Zesco United after the champions 100 percent start was halted by Green Eagles.
Zesco’s nine match winning start to the season came to an end today when Green Eagles held them to a 0-0 home draw.
The highlight of the game pitted Green Eagles coach Aggrey Chiyangi who is Zambia trainer against his Chipolopolo technical advisor George Lwandamina who is Zesco coach.
Zesco stay top on 28 points but see their lead cut from seven to four points.
This after Napsa beat Zanaco 3-2 in their Lusaka derby at Woodlands Stadium.
This game see-sawed well into the 90th minute when Doisy Soko scored his debut goal for Napsa in the 5th minute before Moussa Souleymanou equalized in the 27th minute.
Collins Sikombe put Napsa 2-1 into the break on the stroke of half-time but Roger Kola restored parity in the 6 3rd minute.
But Luka Banda had the final say in the matter with the winner for Napsa in the 81st minute.
Napsa have 24 points while Zesco edged forward slightly on 28 points.
But Napsa are not comfortable in second with Red Arrows within a whispering shout at number three on 23 points.
Arrows hand the fortune of a Jeff Chanda own-goal to thank for after beating townmates Nkwazi 1-0 at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.
Arrows are third on 23 points while Eagles are sixth on 15 points after the draw with Zesco.
Nkana are fourth on 20 points after eleven rounds played.
Prince Ndoyi has called on stakeholders and the public at large to critically interrogate the principle behind the appointment of Simon Miti to two government positions as Secretary to Cabinet while working at STATE HOUSE.
The young politician has come to the defence of President LUNGU’s decision to appoint Simon Miti to two senior government portiflolios, whereas he has described the decision as a killing two birds with one stone.
Ndoyi who commended the News Diggers editorial team for being fearless and a voice of reason, observed that the issue regarding Dr Miti’s appointment raises eyebrows on face value but that it is one that benefits both the Presidency and Cabinet.
He said before the two positions were separated it used to be one which he said only goes to straighten the argument that the current scenario is better than appointment of two different individuals.
“The News Diggers Editorial was insightful and thought provoking and it’s good to question some of these decisions especially that these are senior positions in governmeht. However, the principle issue is whether there is any oversight or breach of the Constitution in doing so? Is there any incompliance to rules within the civil service regulations for one to hold two positions that are appointive in nature? The answer is a BIG NO.
“As a matter of fact, the two roles used to be one back in the days until they were separated. If we listened attentively, President Lungu when swearing Dr Simon Miti at State House he made it categorical that he will be working from State House more often. That meant to signify that he holds the view that one person who works in his office daily best understands his position on matters and his vision overall would best serve as head of the civil service that merely implements his vision.
“This current scenario works better because the Secretary to Cabinet is yet the same person whose the Presidency’s Principal Secretary meaning there won’t be two versions of one story.”
He noted that there is need to narrow the gap with bureaucracy and that having Dr Miti doubling on two positions helps the civil service and the presidency work hand-in-hand.
“This way the civil service and Presidency now work hand in hand. He is more at an advantage to advise appropriately because he well understands the position of the President on matters as well as the position on the ground in terms of the public service. You will be killing two birds with one stone. We must narrow the gap or bridge the gap with bereaucracy. It all depends with the thinking of the Presidency with what works well. It’s his prerogative, other Presidents in future may see it differently and may apply different wisdom but I agree totally with the wisdom behind maintaining Dr Miti in these two responsibilities.”
Ndoyi further noted that it is not the first time an appointed government official has held two positions citing Gorge Kunda who worked as Vice President of the Republic as well as Justice Minister in the MMD government among others.
He said the position of Secretary to Cabinet has more than 6 positions who are equivalent to deputies hence the question of efficiency does not arise.
“Also note that this is not the only position and scenario where one office bearer has two functions including one function junior to the other, remember the late George Kundu SC among others. He was Vice President and Minister of Justice.
“Secretary to the cabinet has more than one deputy in fact his job’s functions are equally devolved into several other roles that are at level of his deputy. The Secretary to the Cabinet basically has over 6 individuals to the equivalent of his deputies that have his devolved and separate functions to play.”
Former Republican President Rupiah Bwezani Banda has called for re-organization of the Zambia national soccer team.
Mr. Banda says the recent streak of losses by the soccer team was frustrating to soccer fans.
He said continuous losses by the senior national soccer team was an indication that Zambia needed to engage an expatriate coach.
Mr. Banda, who is also former FAZ vice president and foremost football administrator said recent results showed that local coaches could not cope with expected football standards.
He mentioned that Zambia should not shy away from engaging an expatriate coach if the nation was to turn its fortunes adding that Zambia needed to work harder as football was the most loved sport in the country.
Mr. Banda noted that there was too much politics in the running of football in the country which was affecting the game.
He has since appealed to people politicizing football in the country to stop
Mr. Banda also congratulated the Shipolopolo for the good game the played.
He was speaking in South Africa when he met Zambia’s High Commissioner to that country Major General Jackson.
The Centre for Trade Policy and Development (CTPD) has followed with keen interest the events unfolding in relation to the intended Kangaluwi Copper Mining Project in the Lower Zambezi National Park.
The Kangaluwi Project is an initiative of Mwembeshi Resources Limited, which was granted a large-scale mining license for a period of 25 years in March of 2011.
The site of the intended mining activities is the Kangaluwi area situated in the Lower Zambezi National Park, which covers about 977 km (roughly 25 percent of the national park).
However, the open-pit mining activities will likely occupy a larger area to accommodate employees, storage equipment and piling of tailings or the earth in order to reach copper ore.
Environmental and mining experts predict that full-scale mining activities could cover up to 50 percent of the Lower Zambezi National Park, which is an ecologically sensitive area. As an extractive industry, mining activities will inevitably cause severe damage to the environment and disrupt the ecosystem of the Lower Zambezi National Park.
Lower Zambezi National Park is a priority tourist destination with its abundance of wildlife species and vegetation as well as conservation value being that it is considered to be the western arm of the East African Rift Valley.
Tourism is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the Zambian economy and vital to the government’s economic diversification policy.
CTPD Executive Director Isaac Mwaipopo is concerned about the intended mining activities and urged the government to cancel or revoke all pending and existing licenses in the Lower Zambezi National Park.
Mr. Mwaipopo says CTPD is encouraged by the statement that was issued by the Minister of Tourism and Arts, Ronald Chitotela to the effect that the mining operations by Mwembeshi Resources were still subject to an environmental impact assessment report and that no mining activities were currently permitted.
“CTPD has however taken note of the sentiments expressed by Senior Chief Mburuma of the Nsenga-Luzi people. Chief Mburuma urged the government to allow the mining activities in order to create jobs and secure livelihoods for his people. As an organization focused on the development of pro-poor trade and development policies, CTPD is concerned primarily with the well-being of the communities and the impact that various policies and government decisions have on the day to day lives of Zambians, “Mr. Mwaipopo said.
He stressed that the concerns raised by the traditional authorities are valid in the wake of the decline in the country’s economic growth which between 2016 and 2018 averaged 3.5 percent per year compared to 7.4 percent between 2004 and 2014.
“According to the World Bank, Zambia has one of the highest inequality gaps in the world such that the economic growth has characteristically benefitted a small segment of the urban population,” Mr. Mwaipopo said.
Mr. Mwaipopo noted that Rural communities remain largely marginalized, bearing the brunt of the unemployment rate currently at 7,15 percent and susceptible to promises from unqualified investors, issues which must be addressed.
He said that whilst CTPD maintains its stance against mining activities in the Lower Zambezi National Park, all stakeholders, and interested parties should continue to engage in dialogue and reach a mutually beneficial consensus.
“CTPD concurs that whilst tourism should be the primary economic driver in relation to the Lower Zambezi and other national parks, efforts should be made by the government to ensure that the industry is driven by Zambians and in so doing guarantee a trickledown effect to the local communities,” He added.
Mr. Mwaipopo also observed that the National parks in Zambia are spotted with secluded luxury camps managed by foreign multinationals and private individuals.
“The luxury resorts and camps cost upwards of USD 500 a night on average, making the facilities largely inaccessible to the majority of Zambians and hindering local tourism. This is itself an impediment to the growth of the industry and a loss of revenue and potential employment creation”, he noted.
Mr. Mwaipopo strongly urges the government to firstly continue engaging with traditional authorities and develop effective strategies that strike a balance between sound investment and opportunities for rural communities.
“In addition, there is a need (through consultation and dialogue) to develop interventions aimed at increasing local participation in the tourism sector”, he said.
President Lungu flanked by his political adviser Kaizer Zulu departing for America
Police in Lusaka have opened a docket in a case where President Edgar Lungu’s Political Advisor Kaizer Zulu caused an accident in Ibex Hill and beat up the driver of the School Bus he hit into.
Zambia Police spokesperson Esther Katongo has confirmed that Mr Zulu reported himself to Simon Mwana Kapwepwe Police under which the area where the accident happened falls.
Mrs Katongo said the matter is however being handled by Woodlands Police who went to the scene first and Mr Zulu is expected to report himself to Woodlands Police where the docket is.
Mr Zulu was on 19th November involved in a traffic accident which occurred along 1st street road in Ibex Hill.
Involved in the accident was Denis Musopelo of Mtendere East aged 35 who was driving a Toyota Hiace mini bus registration number BAF 9274 whose damages are right front door and right side door.
The accident happened when Mr Zulu who was driving a Toyota Land Cruiser registration number AJD 8961 was over taking improperly and hit into a Toyota Hiace which was turning right and the Land Cruiser fell in a drainage.
