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Depleted Zanaco have raided Nkana in a bid to replenish their team after a run of off-season departures.
Zanaco are currently courting giant midfielder Richard Mooka and the swift attacker Rabson Lwambula.
The duo arrived at Zanaco last Wednesday from Kitwe and are expected to compete their moves to the 2009 Super Division champions by Thursday.
Mooka returns to Lusaka after six years away in Kitwe where he first played for Kitwe United after joining them from Lusaka Celtic.
He later played for Chambishi before joining Nkana last year.
Mooka is expected to take the place of his former Kitwe United teammate Trinity Chalanshi who has returned to Konkola Blades together with Maybin Chishimba.
Former junior international Lwambula began his career at Nkana is the right-footed version of Ignatius Lwipa.
Lwambula is expected to take the place of injured Lwipa who is still nursing a long-term injury.
Meanwhile, Zanaco have been hit by a spate of departures in the last two months led by winger Allen Mukuka who has joined Green Buffaloes while goalkeeper Joshua Titima is at Power Dynamos.
Under-23 midfielder Simon Silwimba has joined Bidvest Wits in South Africa while striker Venecious Mapande has moved to Arab Contractors in Egypt.
The prodigal sons return for Zambia on Wednesday evening in Manzini when Dario Bonetti’s side plays its first international match in 2011 in a friendly away to Swaziland.
Golden Arrows striker Collins Mbesuma and Bloemfontein Celtic midfielder Clifford Mulenga once touted as the future of Zambian football have along the way either suffered from poor form or out of favor with both club and country.
The two South African-based players return to the Zambia fold a year after their last call-ups when they were both part of Herve Renard’s team at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Angola.
Bonetti has decided to take a gamble with both players who current enjoy some modest club form as they take this opportunity offered by the Italian with both hands to try to revive their still young international careers.
And Swaziland has a very special place in Mbesuma’s heart against whom he scored his first senior brace in a 3-0 win in the 2005 Cosafa Castle Cup mini-tournament at Woodlands Stadium.
Meanwhile, Bonetti will be looking to start the year on a good note after the end-of-year debacle on December 31 in Cairo when Zambia were thumped 4-0 by Kuwait who went on to suffer a first round winless exit at 2011 Asian Cup in Qatar last month.
Moreover, Bonetti has not tasted victory with Zambia in their last two international matches after earlier losing 1-0 away to Libya in their 2012 Africa Cup Group C qualifier in October.
So like Mbesuma and Mulenga, Bonetti is in need of a redemption song on Wednesday evening in Manzini.
File:Former Patrotic Front secretary general Edward Mumbi
Former opposition Patriotic Front -PF- Secretary General Edward Mumbi has dismissed sentiments and insinuations by Former Legal Affairs Minister Dr. Rodger Chongwe that the ruling MMD will rig elections.
Mr. Mumbi has described the statements as careless, desperate and dangerous to the country.
And Mr Mumbi has challenged Dr. Chongwe who was also Chief Advisor to government to tell Zambians how he advised the government that he served in preparing the rigging of elections.
He said Dr. Chongwe must be responsible enough to guide the nation on how elections are conducted.
Mr. Mumbi also told ZNBC News that Dr. Chongwe has in possession a foreign judgment against Zambia in the sum of 5 million United states dollars which he thought President Banda would influence Government to pay after the 2008 presidential elections.
He alleged that Dr Chongwe supported President Banda because the late president Levy Mwanawasa wrote to him that there was no law that provided or supported registration of such a foreign judgment.
Mr. Mumbi said Dr. Chongwe’s outbursts and anger towards President Rupiah Banda only reflect his profound loss.
He also challenged Dr. Chongwe to tell the nation what happened when he allegedly fled the country.
Zesco United have said defender Nyambe Mulenga will not be part of their Orange Caf Champions League return leg match against Liga Muculmana in Maputo this Saturday.
The Ndola club on Monday released Mulenga for Zambia duty after pressure from Faz ahead of national teams friendly against Swaziland on Wednesday evening in Manzini.
“Mr Nyambe Mulenga will not be part of the team this weekend in Maputo,” club secretary Justin Mumba said from Maputo on Tuesday.
“Since it looks like a friendly is more important than a qualifier, we will do without him.”
Nyambe has since been replaced by fellow defender Kunda Mushota and the former left for Swaziland this morning with two other players Jimmy Chisenga and Kennedy Mudenda from Red Arrows and Power Dynamos respectively.
Meanwhile, Zesco coach Fighton Simukonda was expected to name his final 18-member team at the end of Tuesday’s final training session in Lusaka before departure for Mozambique tomorrow.
The team has been camped in Lusaka since Monday preparing for the match on a synthetic surface at Independence Stadium.
Zesco currently enjoy a 3-0 lead over Liga Muculmana and need a draw in Maputo to qualify to the first round of the Caf Champions League.
File:A youth in business -cashing in on Tujilijili (brandy or gin packed in small sachets)
Government gets a lot of revenue from Liquor sachets commonly known as ‘Tujili Jili’,a Provincial Local Government Officer has said.
Mr.Hamulyata who was explaining why it is difficult for Government to enforce the liquor Act which regulates the sell and consumption of alcohol disclosed that is very difficult to ban ‘Tujili Jili’ because it gives Government a lot of money in taxes.
He has however said the Ministry of Local Government is still in discussion with Zambia Revenue Authority to find a way of regulating the sell of the Sachet beers.
However Southern Province Youth and Child Development Officer,Gibson Muyaule expressed concern over the rampant alcohol abuse among teenagers because of the influx of Sachet Beers in the community.
He said this in an interview with Radio Musi-O-Tunya .
In a related development,Provincial Health Officer for Southern Province,Dr Lutangu Alisheke said the Ministry of Health in the Province has come up with a strategy to help the Council maintain public health in the Country.
He said the Ministry of Health hopes to build capacity to enforce the public Order Act which the Council has failed to utilize.
He said the Ministry of Health would use Article 295 of the laws of Zambia to ensure there is no sell of alcohol to people below the age of 18,and that illegal trade of liquor such as Shabeens will be done away with.
President Banda confers with US assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson (r) and American Ambassador to Zambia Mark Storella at State House
PRESIDENT Banda has called on the United States of America to invest in Zambia because the country is one of the most attractive investment destinations in the world.
Mr Banda has also appealed to the United States government to help Zambia improve its infrastructure, especially the road network, to meet the demands of a growing economy.
The President was speaking at State House on February 7 when visiting Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jonnie Carson paid a courtesy call on him.
He called on the American business community to invest in sectors such as mining and agriculture.
President Banda said the country’s economy has continued to grow, and there is need to improve the road network.
“We would like to re-open the country to meet the growing economy,” he said.
Mr Banda said his government is grateful for the financial support the US continues to give Zambia from time immemorial, particularly that which has made it possible for Zambia to channel its resources towards other development programmes.
He said Government is particularly grateful for American aid in the health sector, especially in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
“This has made it possible for us to use our meagre resources for other development requirements,” he said.
Mr Banda also paid gratitude to the support the American government has continued to render to the Judiciary, which is held in high esteem.
“As a democratic country, we are proud of our Judiciary,” he said.
The President said the American government has continued to support Zambia in many sectors, and the Zambian government is looking forward to the warm relations, which have existed since 1964, to grow even stronger.
And Mr Carson said he is hopeful the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum scheduled to take place in June this year will attract a large number of the American business community.
He said the forum, expected to take place in Zambia, will put the country in the spotlight in particular, and Africa as an emerging market to invest and expand trade.
Mr Carson also hoped the forum will attract a large number of American officials.
He said America also looks forward to working with the Zambian government under programmes such as Feed the Future and Climate Change, which are important to both countries.
Mr Carson said the success of a nation depends on its commitment, which Zambia has shown.
He said Zambia must continue maintaining the strength of its democracy, and ensuring services are delivered to its people.
“The partnership between Zambia and America has been possible because of the excellent relations that have existed between Washington and Lusaka,” he said.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
Dario Bonetti is likely to get a defensive boost tomorrow with the prospect of Zesco United defender Nyambe Mulenga joining the squad in Mbabane.
Zesco say they have agreed to let release Nyambe to play for Zambia on Wednesday in a friendly game against Swaziland despite the Ndola clubs Orange Caf Champions
League commitments this weekend away in Mozambique.
Nyambe will travel with two other home-based players who were on standby for the Swaziland friendly.
Power Dynamos midfielder Kennedy Mudenda and Jimmy Chisenga from Red Arrows are both due to join the rest of the team that left today on Tuesday.
Eight players left this morning for Swaziland with another half of European and South African-based call-ups linking up with the team in Johannesburg on Monday.
Meanwhile, Zesco have switched camp from Ndola to Lusaka en route to Maputo on Wednesday ahead of this weekend’s Caf Champions League preliminary round return leg match against Liga Muculmana.
The ministry of Education has announced that the school curriculum currently under review will be ready by March next year.
Minister of Education Dora Siliya says a team of experts will formulate the new syllabus once the review of the curriculum has been concluded.
She told journalist at a media briefing in Lusaka, Monday that the school curriculum is being reviewed to incorporate entrepreneurship and Information Communication Technology-ICT- skills.
Ms Siliya explained that government is of the view that school leavers should have entrepreneurship and ICT skills when they complete school.
The minister said this will enable school leavers become self employed because of survival skills they will have acquired at school.
And Ms Siliya said her ministry will play a critical role in the implementation of the Sixth National Development Plan -SNDP.
She said under the plan government intends to build more schools in the next five years.
The Sixth National Development Plan was officially launched by President Banda last week Friday.
[ ZNBC ]
A traditional dance troupe in action at the Mulungushi international conference centre
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Lusaka singer Mampi captured in action in Lusaka
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Lusaka singer Mampi captured in action in Lusaka.
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Lusaka singer Mampi's news costume
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Maiko Zulu and his wife- Sister D in action during the Esther fight
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Traditional drummers at work during a performance in Lusaka
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Zambian gospel singer Nathan Nyirenda plays the keyboard as he sings one of his popular songs mwemakufi.
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An avid soccer fan captured with memorabillia and paraphinalia during the game between Manchester United and Blackburn Wolves at a pub in Lusaka's Matero township
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Mongu residents arrested for Mongu riots entering a bus which they use to transport them to court
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A youth in Kuku looks at children wading in the flooded township after school
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Community Development deputy Minister Friday Malwa and his wife captured in Lusaka
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Former State House press aid Richard Sakala and wife Enid during the LIONS club International dinner dance in LusakaNational Milling Corporation managing director Peter Cottan and his wife
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Lusaka district Commissioner Christa Kalulu with former president Kenneth Kaunda in Lusaka
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Lusaka LION club member Charles Nachidze as master of ceremonies during the LIONS club international dinner in Lusaka
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The new American Embassy building in Lusaka east
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The famous Mayela night club in Kalingalinga township where scores of Lusaka residents spend their nights out
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Some residents of Lusaka shopping for second hand clothes in Kalingalinga township.
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Some Lusaka residents walk past heaps of gabage in the central trading district
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Some Lusaka residents walk past heaps of gabage in the central trading district.
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American Ambassador to Zambia Mark Storella about to give an interview to reporters in Lusaka
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Some diplomats accredited to Zambia during the launch of the sixth national development plan by President Banda in Lusaka.
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Some permanent secretaries dancing during the launch of the sixth national development plan by President Banda in Lusaka.
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Some cabinet Ministers during the launch of the sixth national development plan by President Banda in Lusaka
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Commerce Minister Felix utati shakes hands with Indian High Commiassioner to Zambia Ashok Kumar during the Zambia India business forum in Lusaka
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President Banda talks to some diplomats accredited to Zambia
The Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) has appealed to activists calling for the restoration of the Barotseland Agreement to be peaceful and learn to tolerate opposing views.
ZEC, a group of Catholic bishops, said in a statement released yesterday that the activists should commit themselves to peaceful means in their advocacy and should tolerate people with different views on the subject.
The bishops said while it was the right of the activists to organise and associate with anybody, it was important to respect the rights of other people who did not belong to the groupings and may have different views on the subject.
“We appeal to the activist groups, particularly the Linyungandambo, Barotse Freedom Movement, Movement for the Restoration of Barotseland Agreement and the Barotse Patriotic Front to commit themselves to peaceful means of advocating for their demands,” the statement reads in part.
It said all stakeholders in the matter should commit to peace by refraining from violence, intimidation or use of force as a means of achieving their objectives.
The bishops said dialogue was the best way forward.
The bishops did not blame any particular party for the violence that took place in January this year in Mongu but called for a lasting solution to remove tension in Western Province.
[pullquote]“We appeal to the activist groups, particularly the Linyungandambo, Barotse Freedom Movement, Movement for the Restoration of Barotseland Agreement and the Barotse Patriotic Front to commit themselves to peaceful means of advocating for their demands,” the statement reads in part.[/pullquote]
They said although they realised the duty of the Government to maintain law and order, it was important not to use live ammunition on the public again.
The bishops appealed to President Rupiah Banda to exercise his prerogative to release those detained in connection with the violence in Mongu in January this year.
They also said the Government should address perceptions that Western Province was sidelined in matters of development.
The bishops said they acknowledged efforts by the Government to take development to the province and called for more development programmes.
They said diocesan groupings, deaneries, parishes and small Christian communities should use every opportunity available to preach, promote and to be witnesses of peace and unity.
File: Road Development Agency managers inspect the Mongu Kalabo road
THE Government has described former prime minister in the UNIP administration Malimba Masheke as a liar for claiming that Western Province is the poorest region in the country because it has allegedly been neglected.
Minister of Finance and National Planning Situmbeko Musokotwane said General Masheke, who was a Government leader for many years, failed to influence development projects such as the roads from Mongu to Kalabo and Mongu to Sesheke which the Rupiah Banda administration was now spearheading.
Gen Masheke said at a Press briefing in Lusaka yesterday that there was little attention paid to Western Province which he claimed had become the poorest region in Zambia.
He was flanked by former minister of Communications and Transport William Harrington, former secretary to the Cabinet Sketchley Sachika and former Southern African Development Community parliamentary forum secretary general Kasukwa Mutukwa.
But Dr Musokotwane said Gen Masheke, Dr Sachika and Mr Harrington failed to deliver development to the province when they held senior positions in the Government.
He said the Government in this year’s national Budget had provided K586 billion for various infrastructure development, which was higher than before when the province was receiving about K50 billion per year.
Dr Musokotwane said the K586 billion did not include the money held by ministries such as Education, Works and Supply, and Agriculture which had their own allocations for projects in the province where huge sums of money were being spent.
The minister asked Mr Harrington to tell the nation what he did when he was minister of Tourism and later Communications and Transport for him to support the statement that the province was poor.
He also said Dr Sachika held the influential position of secretary to the Cabinet and did nothing for the people of Western Province while President Banda’s administration had constructed several schools, health centres and boosted agriculture.
Dr Musokotwane said the province was under-developed because some former leaders such as Gen Masheke failed to provide a proper foundation for socio-economic advancement.
The former prime minister also accused the Government of torturing suspects arrested in connection with the confusion that erupted last month in Mongu over the Barotseland Agreement.
He said the suspects, who had been transferred to Mumbwa, would not have access to legal representation and care from their relatives.
Mr Harrington said the treason accused had merely asked for the recognition of the Barotseland Agreement and were not pressing for the secession of Western Province.
But Home Affairs Minister Mkhondo Lungu, in an interview in Lusaka yesterday, said Gen Masheke was not telling the truth because all the suspects were under the care of
prison officials.
Mr Lungu said food was being provided for the suspects while legal representation had adequately been addressed.
He said the matter about the treason suspects was in court and urged Gen Masheke, Mr Harrington and Dr Sachika to stop commenting on it because if they were arrested they would start attacking the Government.
The briefing was attended by Kabwata Member of Parliament (MP) Given Lubinda, PF chairperson for mobilisation Charles Banda, former Mandevu MP Patricia Nawa, PF chairperson for legal affairs Edgar Lungu and Barotse Royal Establishment spokesperson Oliver Saasa.
File: MMD vice national secretary Micheal Mabenga (l) .
MMD national chairman Michael Mabenga has advised the people of Western Province not to be hoodwinked by Patriotic Front (PF) leader Michael Sata’s hypocrisy over the Barotseland Agreement because the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) is actively discussing the matter.
Mr Mabenga said in an interview yesterday that talks are going on regarding the problems in the Western Province.
“The Barotse Royal Establishment called for a Barotse National Council last week. The Barotse National Council comprises all the chiefs in Western Province and all stakeholders that should talk about the issue…this has been held and we are waiting to hear how they will proceed,” Mr Mabenga said.
He said Mr Sata knows nothing about the operations of the BRE and is displaying ignorance by commenting on the Barotseland Agreement.
Mr Mabenga said the BRE knows the steps to take over the problems in the Western Province.
“How can Mr Sata say that for the PF, the honouring of the Barotse Agreement is a matter of urgent necessity? He is on record as having said it is a non-starter when he was a senior Cabinet Minister,” Mr Mabenga said.
Mr Sata is quoted by a local tabloid as having said that for PF, the honouring of the Barotse Agreement is a matter of urgent necessity and not political expedience to win an election.
“Mr Sata is a hypocrite. We know the schemes that he is playing and people must not be hoodwinked by this hypocrisy,” Mr Mabenga said.
He advised the people of Western Province not to forget the disparaging attacks that Mr Sata made against them.
“We also know how he treated the people of Western Province who wanted to stand as members of Parliament when he was MMD national secretary in 1996. I am able to testify and call upon all those who stood as MPs because they heard the words Mr Sata uttered.
“I want to tell the people of Western Province not to be taken for a ride. We will not accept this kind of hypocrisy. The Barotse Royal Establishment is taking a clean path on this, let us not listen to these lies and the hypocrisy from this man,” Mr Mabenga said.
“Isaac planted crops in that land and the same year reaped a hundredfold, because the Lord blessed him”
(Genesis 26:12, NIV)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
One time Isaac was in a famine. There was a great drought in the land, but Isaac went out and planted crops right in the middle of that famine. It didn’t make any sense, but somehow in that same year of drought, the Scripture says, “Isaac received 100 times what he had sown because the Lord blessed him.”
What’s interesting is that when Isaac got blessed, the people around him, the Philistines and his friends all of the sudden got jealous of him. They were fine as long as he was broke. As long as they were at the same level, it was no big deal. But when he stepped up to a new level, when he began to wear his blessings well, the Scripture says, “The Philistines hated Isaac.”
Maybe you’ve noticed this in your own life. When you start to do better, the people around you don’t celebrate. They become jealous. But you can’t allow the attitudes of others to hold you back and cause you to live in mediocrity. Instead, when you’re blessed, brag on God! Shake off the criticism of others and receive His blessing. Wear it well because when you honor Him, He will continue to increase and promote you all the days of your life!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father God, thank You for every good and perfect gift that You have poured out on my life. In humility, I choose to wear my blessings well. I won’t shrink back at the criticism of others; but instead, I will walk with You forward into the life of blessing You have prepared for me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
