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Zambia on Thursday beat Zesco United’s junior team on their penultimate day of training as they begin to windup their preparations for Saturday’s 2016 CHAN qualifier against Mozambique.
Chipolopolo beat the Zesco juniors 5-0 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium where they will host Mozambique this weekend in a final round, first leg qualifier.
Striker’s Winston Kalengo of Zesco and Conlyde Luchanga of Lusaka Dynamos scored a brace each while Red Arrows midfielder Paul Katema added the fifth goal.
“They created a good number of chances although they didn’t put them away but I am sure they scored enough,” Zambia coach George Lwandamina said.
“We played Young Zesco for obvious reasons because of the resilience in the boys, the perseverance they don’t give chances. They were motivated by just play Zambia.”
Lwandamina added that the team was ready for Saturday.
“They (The fans) have to rally behind the team. We need the 12th man, that is all we need from them we have done the physical part and now we need their support,” Lwandamina said.
Meanwhile, Mozambique landed at midday Thursday in Ndola for their weekend date against Zambia.
“We prepared for not an easy match but that we can come out with a favourable result in the return leg in Maputo,” new Mozambique coach and ex-Mambas defender Mano Mano said upon arrival on Thursday at Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe Airport in Ndola.
“If we we can come out with a draw in Zambia it will be a big plus.”
Higher Education Minister Michael Kaingu has alleged that the burning of his lodge in Choma was an act of arson. Speaking at a Media briefing in Lusaka today, Dr Kaingu said that he wants the police to investigate the matter in which Kozo lodge, which belongs to the Kaingu family, was recently burnt to ashes.
Dr kaingu said that he suspects the fire was started by political activists in the area who do not want him to work with the PF government.
Dr Kaingu said that the burning is both tribal and political.
Dr Kaingu said that the business was built over a period of 18 years and the torching of the place was shameful.
Dr Kaingu further said that there was no way a small fire can burn all the rooms at the lodge, before adding that the fire was properly organized to torch all the rooms.
General Education Michael Kaingu’s Kozo Lodge
Meanwhile, Dr Kaingu has appealed to the Copperbelt University (CBU) lecturers to be patient as Government is studying recommendations from the interim council.
Dr Kaingu says his Ministry cannot make any decision hastily without consulting relevant stakeholders. The Minister said this following CBU lecturer’s threats of going on strike.
Dr Kaingu said he should not be held at ransom over the matter as he was seeking to make a decision that will be favorable to all parties involved.
Dr said he could not stop the CBU lecturers from going on go-slow but that the action will lead to a closure of the university by themselves.
A woman from Muyombe in Mafinga district, who is attending the on-going Women Exposition, last night delivered a baby unaided at Tecla Lodge.
In an interview from Kalingalinga Clinic where Maita Mutambo and her baby boy were admitted for observation, the mother of four said she did not expect to deliver because medical staff in Muyombe assured her that she was far from her delivery date.
Ms. Mutambo said she was taken by surprise when she went into labour during the night and had no choice but to deliver the baby on her own at the lodge.
And Gender Minister Nkandu Luo presented a hamper to Ms. Mutambo at Kalingalinga Clinic this afternoon.
Professor Luo said as much as the birth was eventful and surprising, Mutambo’s story exemplifies the resilience of women.
The baby has since been named Expo Chagwa after President Edgar Lungu who opened the women’s Expo at Mulungushi International Conference Centre on Tuesday.
And Kalingalinga Health Centre Officer-In-Charge Phidelina Kunda said both the mother and baby were out of danger and were by press time earmarked to be discharged.
Steven Kampyongo
Government has sourced 8 million euros from the German government to rehabilitate and expand infrastructure at Chalimbana Local Government Training Institute in Chongwe District.
Minister of local Government and Housing Steven Kampyongo disclosed the development today when he commissioned a K2.1 million hostels block at the tertiary training facility.
Mr Kampyongo said the funds will help improve infrastructure and increase the training programmes offered at the Institute.
The recently appointed Minister of local Government and Housing said the commissioning of the hostels is a manifestation of government’s commitment in providing better infrastructure for training students in the local government sector.
Mr Kampyongo stated that the decentralization policy will only be achieved with a human resource cadre with capacity equal to the task required for provision of better services.
Meanwhile, Institute Principal Frank Kunda said the institution will offer quality training in research, consultancy and local government training.
And Monica Phiri, who spoke on behalf of the students, said students will guard the hostels jealously and keep them clean.
Government has embarked on an ambitious programme of implementing the decentralisation policy with the ultimate aim of improving service delivery and taking power to the Zambian people.
Kitwe giants Nkana want to quickly forget the ending 2015 FAZ Super Division campaign and look forward to better fortunes next season.
With three matches left to play this season, Nkana are eighth on the table with 34 points from 27 matches.
In an interview in Kitwe, club vice chairperson Patrick Ndhlovu admits that Kalampa have performed badly this season.
The 12-time league kings have so far posted 11 defeats, seven draws and nine wins.
“This is a season we want to forget quickly. We had many challenges after the departure of many key players and re-constructing the team was not easy,” Ndhlovu said.
“During the mid-season break we re-enforced our squad with some good players but gelling is still a challenge,” he noted.
He said Nkana are already looking forward to the 2016 season.
“Next season we want to go back to the top where we belong. Nkana is not supposed to be on number eight.I think next season we will do better,” Ndhlovu said.
He also hailed club supporters for rallying the team even though it has failed to meet their expectations.
“We want to thank our supporters for always being there for the team even in tough times.”
Davies Banda Gemstone Tress manufacturing shows finished product to Commerce Minister Margaret Mwanakatwe during the valuation additional programme for miners
Government has $120 million in form of Value Added Tax -VAT- refunds to various mining firms in the country as at September 30th 2015.
Commerce Minister Margaret Mwanakatwe said that Government was trying hard under very difficult circumstances to sustain mining operations in the country.
Ms Mwanakatwe has further dispelled assertions from the Zambia Chamber of Mines that inconsistent Government policies are to blame for the challenges in the mining sector.
Ms Mwanakatwe said this in kitwe today during a KPMG breakfast meeting with members of the business community called to discuss the 2016 national budget.
Ms Mwanakatwe said as much as government is encouraging diversification, government cannot ignore the contribution of the sector to the country’s Gross Domestic Product GDP that now stands at 70% per annum.
And Zambia Chamber of Mines said that the process of open dialogue between government and the mining sector was vital.
Chamber president Nathan Chishimba further urged government to come up with realistic policies in curbing challenges in the mining sector.
FILE: President Banda with Secretary to the cabinet Joshua Kanganja before he left for Livingstone to open the Zimba road
Former Secretary to the Cabinet Joshua Kanganja has died. Chief Government Spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili has confirmed the sad development to ZNBC News.
Mr. Kambwili says Dr Kanganja died in India on Wednesday morning after a long illness.
He says Government will dearly remember Dr. KanganjA for his contribution to the civil service.
Dr Kanganja was until 2011 Secretary to the Cabinet.
Many observers have noted that the Zambian economy has collapsed. After carrying out a careful independent assessment, It is clear that Zambia is undergoing a serious economic meltdown.Prices have doubled in a few weeks. We have decided to partner with many NGOs and other external international sympathisers in carrying out mass youth recruitment.
We are tired of sitting idly by while the economic turmoil continues to eat us alive. We keep going to elections year after year but things only seem to get worse. We want change and we want it today.We can not let another child perish because of malnutrition whilst others charter very expensive jets to fly around the world. We can not sit idly by whilst the generation of many years ago continues to plunge us in failure with unrealistic budgets. Politicians continue to cheat the masses and promise a better tomorrow , but tomorrow never comes. 1991,1996,2001,2006,2008,2011 , 2015 and now 2016. We still wait.
They blame all political failures on everything else but themselves. Ladies and gentlemen ours is not a global problem, nor is it an African problem. It is a Zambian problem. 50 years ago Zambia was better off than South Korea, Portugal and nearly all other African countries, but today we languish in abject poverty. Politicians who jump from one party to another keep promising manna but alas they are the same people. They only change their outer garments.Ladies and Gentlemen if there was ever a time to care it is now. Posterity will judge us harshly, our children and grandchildren will judge us as a generation of failures who failed to act.
50 years ago Zambia was better off than South Korea, Portugal and nearly all other African countries, but today we languish in abject poverty. Politicians who jump from one party to another keep promising manna but alas they are the same people. They only change their outer garments
We encourage all well meaning Zambians to join our cause. A cause for basic human decency, a cause for respect for humanity. It is time as a people, we quit standing by as mothers crush stones around Kalingalinga because we have no political will to support them, its time we quit standing by and laughing at blunders of politicians because the hunger in our stomachs doesn’t get the joke. Its time we stopped standing by , and watched the vast arable land go uncultivated , year in , year out losing out on millions. Its time we stopped standing idly by as we watch Zambia import everything, including pies, fish and chips, as foreigners grab all the little income we amass. Its time we quit standing idly by and watched taxes being wavered on corporations whilst individuals are highly taxed. Its time we quit playing the game of politics. Its time for the people to take over.
We shall soon announce the roadmap at a press briefing. We refuse to be second class citizens in our motherland. The Zambia we have lived by, the Zambia our fore father’s fought for, the Zambia where every man woman and child had access to food, proper education,clean water, proper healthcare care. A Zambia were tribal and cultural diversity united us. A Zambia were success was NOT dependent on who you know but by what you know. A Zambia were a man was judged by the content of their character, a Zambia were people didn’t experience ridiculous price hikes. A Zambia were people were not slaves of foreigners who have enslaved their workers. Thats the Zambia we fight for. That is the Zambia we will die figting for.
We urge all citizens to support the revolution. Regardless of age, political affiliation, tribe and so on because what we have on our hands is bigger than you and me. It is about the bigger picture. We will issue a roadmap in due course. Long live the Republic of Zambia.
Once again part of the Lechwe Trust art collection has come out of its cocoon to adorn the foyer at the United States Embassy in Lusaka.
This is the first time the American government is hosting Zambian art at its relatively new embassy after the American Center (in Lusaka) hosted a series of important exhibitions during the pinnacle of pioneering Zambia’s contemporary art scene.
The current display at the American Embassy somewhat brings the nostalgia of the late 1970’s and the early 1980’s when a dynamic crop of artists emerged.
It was just the beginning of a second decade after the country’s independence; the memories of the freedom struggle and the euphoria that followed after political freedom was fairly fresh.
Noticeably, art deals with social, religious, political and aesthetic expression of a society at a given time.
The Lechwe Trust art collection has effectively chronicled Zambian culture only shoved in a container because the anthology has no permanent gallery.
However, even the few works on display at the American Embassy takes the viewer into the avenues of Zambia’s social and political journey.
I was filled with melancholy to view works of fallen artists such as Godfrey Setti, Friday Tembo, Shadrick Simukanga and Lutanda Mwamba, among other departed artists.
Lutanda, a multi-talented printmaker ,died recently leaving a legacy of some of the country’s best prints.
“Beer party”, a sculptural work by the late Friday Tembo radiates his creative footprint that is in many collections at home and abroad.
Friday, a quarry miner-turned-sculptor, was a versatile self-taught artist who employed ebony wood and other mixed medium to form some ethnic inspired-sculptures.
Somewhere in the exhibition there is a display with pencil drawings by the late Shadrick Simukanga.
Shadrick’s skill in still-life drawing was exceptional. In the current exhibition his self-portrait is displayed among other portraits of fellow artists that he probably did as a pastime.
His major drawing commission was to draw the Zambia Army commanders for their Lusaka headquarters.
A discourse on Zambia art can never be complete without the mention of artists such as Henry Tayali, Flinto Chandia, Elisha Zulu, William Miko, and Aquila Simpasa and the likes of Dabson Njovu and Eddie Mumba.
The Lechwe Trust collection has the works of these celebrated artists, who are among the best talent to have come out of this country.
While some of their great works have been collected abroad, Lechwe Trust has strived to retain most of Zambia’s best art.
However, the importance and value of our cultural heritage chronicled by Lechwe Trust can effectively be appreciated in a permanent gallery.
Meanwhile, the Americans will continue having a glimpse into the Zambian cultural Panorama.
FILE: Southern Province Teachers marching during the World Teachers Day which fell today under the theme,” Empowering Teachers, Building Sustainable Societies,”.
The Basic Education Teachers Union of Zambia has clarified that it has not yet concluded negotiations for the 2016 conditions of service and salaries for its members.
BETUZ Spokesman Kabika Kakunta said no teacher union has signed a new collective agreement with Government yet.
Mr. Kakunta said negotiations are still ongoing and is hopeful that they might be concluded by October 27th 2015.
He has since called for calm among teachers as the process progresses.
‘We have received a lot of inquiries from your members regarding the news that civil servants have been awarded new salaries. The position is that the development does not apply to teachers as we are still negotiating,’ Mr. Kakunta said.
Government yesterday awarded two civil service unions and three health sector unions 9 to 29 percent and 9 to 28 percent salary increments respectively for 2016.
A security man on guard at the ZESCO LTD Kafue Gorge power station
THE Zambian Government may pay US$350 million more to the highest bidder in the construction of the 750MW Kafue Gorge Lower Power Station that will cost US$1.46billion, in a contract award that has left officials baffled.
The highest bid for the project that was processed in 2013 was US$1.48bn and the lowest bid was US$1.08bn both of which were from Chinese companies.
The company that has won the bid has a poor record of performance having been expelled from Botswana where it failed to meet targets and was subsequently forced to leave the project.
What has however baffled the officials is the manner in which the tender was conducted.
The tender for the project attracted 5 companies all of which met the pre-qualification conditions. But soon after and without any prior notification new post-qualification criteria and requirements were introduced in the bidding documents which were different from those of the pre-qualification phase. The new demands eliminated two of the world’s largest construction companies in civil engineering. The remaining conditions favoured only one company which subsequently was awarded the tender.
However, among the companies disqualified is one of Chinas largest hydro electric construction company with a turnover of US$200bn which bid for the project at US1.38bn. The losing companies wrote to the Zambia Public Procurement Authority protesting the breach of rules and advised government to halt the process until an investigation was undertaken. This advice was ignored.
But when contacted for a comment permanent secretary in the Ministry of Energy Emelda Chola promised to investigate the matter, saying she would come back after consulting because she was not at the Ministry when the tender was processed in 2013. Officials from the Ministry of Energy and Water Development confirmed to the Daily Nation that the companies that bid for the tender were all top ranked companies with worldwide construction experience.
“Zambia Public Procurement Authority was petitioned not to go ahead with the evaluation process because there was a contestation which needed to be resolved immediately but the process could not stop.
“The fact is that the nation will lose US$350million if this deal is allowed to proceed to the highest bidder. It’s with a heavy heart that we are blowing this out today because the same amount of money can be used to construct two more 200 mega watts hydro power stations,” one of the contractors said.
The officials said if the tender was re-evaluated, the nation would save about US$350million which could be channeled to other developmental projects such as roads, schools, hospitals and agriculture.
Chief Singani of the Tonga speaking people of Choma district in southern province has called on his subjects to turn up in numbers and participate fully in the national day of prayers declared by President Edgar Lungu.
Chief Singani said he is keen to lead his subjects in prayers on October 18th 2015 at a church that the chiefdom has agreed to hold prayers together.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Choma today, Chief Singani said the President’s declaration of October 18 as the day of national prayers clearly demonstrates his commitment to lead the country in love which is a Christian virtue.
He said he and his subjects will support the prayer arrangement relentlessly regardless of political affiliations.
“I have called on all my subjects to take the day of national prayers seriously and participate fully by putting their political affiliations aside”, he said.
Chief Singani said prayer is an important aspect of a leader because leadership comes from God.
He has however praised President Lungu for displaying Godly qualities which have moved him to declare October 18 as a day of national prayer a situation he described as uniting.
Chief Singani said varying political affiliations will not hinder his subjects from heeding the President’s call for national prayers because it is an act of God meant to unite all Zambians.
Meanwhile, Choma Ministers Fellowship Executive committee member Pastor Chilufya Mulesu said the day of prayer has come at the time when the country really needed it.
Pastor Mulesu said prayer is what the country needs to succeed in various developments being undertaken by government.
He said the call for a national day of prayer is a communication from God that Zambians need to uphold the values of a Christian nation.
Pastor Mulesu has however invited all Choma residents to attend the district prayers to be held at the Choma Pentecost assemblies of God in Riverside where Southern province Permanent Secretary Sibanze Simuchoba is expected to grace.
FILE: LUAPULA Province Permanent Secretary Boniface Chimbwali dancing with a member of Chilikuli iwe drama group at Mansa General Hospital during the open day celebrations
Luapula Province Permanent Secretary Boniface Chimbwali has observed that there is need for libraries to adapt to global changes if they are to remain relevant.
Mr Chimbwali says there is need for libraries to move away from the traditional library that only emphases on hard copy and but adapt to new trends in information like the use of e-books and e-granary digital library.
The Luapula Province Permanent Secretary pointed out that the world today has become dynamic and every human is changing in some way hence, the need for libraries to change and suit the prevailing situation.
ZANIS reports that Mr Chimbwali said this in speech read for him by Mansa District Administrative Officer Evans Sikabbuba during the launch of the National Library Week in Mansa yesterday.
He bemoaned the underutilisation and lack of appreciation for libraries by not only the public but learners too.
The Luapula Province Permanent Secretary said libraries are important institutions which every learner should utilise because it is through libraries that learner performance can be enhanced.
He added that it is important for the public to use the library saying libraries play a key role in the social and economic lives of all since it is a storehouse of information.
Speaking at the same function Luapula Province Senior Education Officer Chansa Chibesa reminded learners of the importance of using libraries saying once they befriend books it would be easy for them to succeed.
Mr Chibesa has since called on the people to develop the culture of reading adding that success is easy when one uses a library.
And Debora Kapula a pupil at Fodina Pandeli School observed that learners need libraries if they are to compete favourably.
Kapula said reading can break any barriers in society saying a well-informed individual will find it easy to do any venture in life.
She has since called on government to restock libraries with books and provide internet services in libraries saying most libraries have out-dated books and no internet.
Kafue Steel Plant has laid off more than 200 workers as a result of increased load shedding which has affected its production.
Speaking when Special Assistant to the President for Project Monitoring and Implementation Lucky Mulusa toured the plant yesterday, Company Technical Executive Director Julius Kaoma says this is from a workforce of 1,000 workers.
He says the company’s production has been reduced from 10,000 to 3,000 tonnes per month.
Dr Kaoma has since urged government to look into the challenge of power which is affecting the steel industry in the country.
And Government has been urged to encourage the use of Zambian produced steel in major infrastructure projects being undertaken.
Kafue Steel Plant Managing Director, Biswajeet Chowdhury says there is need to protect the local steel industry.
He says the company is determined to make a significant contribution to the development of the broader Zambian economy.
And Special Assistant to the President for Project Monitoring and Implementation Lucky Mulusa has assured Kafue Steel that government will ban the importation of steel in order to protect the local industry.
Mr. Mulusa says the Government understands the great challenges the steel industry is currently facing.
File picture:Give us a bribe…Traffic police officers confront a public service bus driver at Longacres in Lusaka
Zambia Law Development commission (ZLDC) research Officer Otema Musuka has urged the public to contribute and make submissions on the review of the road transport and safety Act during the public sittings going on across the nation to ensure that it stands the test of time.
Mr Musuka said the review of the road transport and safety Act should respond to the issues of human rights, road safety and jurisdiction.
Speaking during a briefing of heads of Government departments and community leaders in the Kabwe council chamber, Mr Musuka said the review is expected to define the responsibilities of key stakeholders in road safety to mitigate overlapping.
File: A traffic policeman attending to a motorist at a roadblock near Chikankata in Mazabuka.
“I want to take up this opportunity to urge the public to make submissions during the review of the road transport and safety Act on issues around check points, road blocks, jurisdiction, also the issues to do with the fines and the fast track court”, Mr Musuka said.
He said coordination among all road safety players is key to enhance confidence in all road users across the nation.Mr Musuka said it is important to understand the process of road
safety and the regulations around that and investigate the processes and procedures followed and how they are employed.
“As a commission we are not only looking at RTSA locally, we are also taking best practices from other jurisdictions, South Africa or elsewhere that have got similar systems because we are a
commonwealth,” Mr Musuka said.
Police officer manning the police check point known in some circles as officers ATMs
