The Zambia for Empowerment and Development (ZED) has disclosed that it will officially launch its party on October 17, this year where it is also expected to unveil its full team.

ZED Interim President Fred Mutesa disclosed the development in an interview in Lusaka today.

Dr. Mutesa said the date was finally arrived at after consultations with the provincial leaderships in the eight provinces of the country where the party has so far been established.

He said the official launch and the unveiling of the party’s leadership has however delayed because of the provincial tour the party had embarked on after its formation in June this year.

“The Party was supposed to be officially launched this September but we have delayed because we were still conducting provincial tours of which we have so far being established in eight of the nine provinces in the country and are only remaining with Southern Province” he said.

Dr. Mutesa has further disclosed that the party will not take part in any parliamentary and local government by- elections slated for October 15 this year.

He however said the party will only decide if they will contests in future by-elections after the official launch although it has already resolved to contest for the 2011 general polls.

Dr. Mutesa added that the ZED party will hold its convention in the last quarter of next year after putting things in place in readiness for the 2011 general elections.

Dr. Mutesa said the party is also encouraged by the support it has received around the country since announcing its formation in June this year.

Dr. Mutesa said the party will work for the common good of the ordinary citizens in the country.

He said his party remains focused on extending citizens to political, independence and social empowerment.

ZANIS

The Lusaka City Council (LCC) says it will demolish structures built under ZESCO high voltage pylons.

LCC, Public Relations Officer Henry Kapata disclosed in an interview in Lusaka today that the council will in future demolish the structures near ZESCO high voltage pylons.

Mr Kapata said the Council will move in and demolish all structures that have been built under ZESCO pylons in Lusaka because the structures were a danger to property and human life.

He said the council has noted rampart illegal land allocations in Lusaka, by suspected MMD cadres hence the need for the council to move in and stop the act.[quote]

He said it is illegal for anyone to build under ZESCO pylons and the council will not allow the situation to continue.

Mr Kapata said the council has since, issued the residents with notices of demolitions adding that the council will this week visit the illegal structures to asses the situation.

Some residents in Lusaka’s Chawama compound and traders at Soweto market, have continued building permanent structures under ZESCO high voltage pylons despite numerous calls from ZESCO and the council to desist from the vice.

ZANIS

GOVERNMENT has advised local authorities against turning the recently purchased hearses into income generating vehicles.

Acting Minister of Local Government and Housing, Bradford Machila said in an interview that the hearses should provide a service to communities.

He said the money raised from hire charges of hearses should be channelled towards maintenance costs of the vehicles.

“I want to appeal to councils across the country that they should not use hearses to generate income for council operations because the vehicles were purchased to provide a service to communities.

And there are some communities in rural areas who cannot afford to pay for usage of the hearses,” Mr Machila said.

He said the K300,000 charge which he mentioned should not be a uniform fee because not all communities can afford such an amount.

Mr Machila said councils should allow communities to use the hearses with or without paying the K300,000 charge in full because government procured the hearses to provide a service to communities.

“The K300,000 is the maximum and, obviously, some communities cannot afford that. The hearses were purely purchased to provide a service, but they need to be maintained,” he said.

Government recently procured 100 hearses from China which have since been distributed to all 72 districts.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

Government has advised My TV, registered for broadcasting license purpose as Trong Technologies, and any other satellite broadcasting licenses based in Zambia, that it is illegal to provide a platform for broadcasting for radio and television stations whose frequencies are restricted to specific areas.

This according to a press statement issued in Lusaka today by the Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services and Chief Government Spokesperson Lt. General Ronnie Shikapwasha

General Shikapwasha further said it has come to the attention of Government that My TV has entered into contract with MUVI TV to broadcast nationally through My TV’s satellite broadcasting system, programmes by MUVI TV which has its [quote]own broadcasting license.

General Shikapwasha explained that whilst satellite based broadcasting stations can broadcast their programmes nationally, they are not permitted to take on their platform, broadcasts made by other stations licensed in Zambia whose frequencies are restricted.

The Minister said, as a result of the above explanation, it is a contravention of their licenses to provide a platform for restricted broadcasting licenses to extend their services all over the nation.

General Shikapwasha cautioned My TV and all other stations to end the illegal broadcasts immediately, or else have their licenses revoked if they do not take heed.

ZANIS

Zambians have been urged to support President Rupiah Banda in his efforts to find solutions to the effects of the financial global crunch.

Second Republican President, Frederick Chiluba’s Spokesperson, Emmanuel Mwamba said this in Mazabuka when he featured on Mazabuka Community Radio’s LIVE WIRE PROGRAMME yesterday.

Mr. Mwamba said Zambians should give the President time to address economic issues confronting the nation and avoid being negative.

He said it is sad to note that since President Banda was elected into office, Zambians have not given him time to respond to the challenges facing the country except to frustrate him by negatively criticising his administration.

Mr. Mwamba said Zambians should count themselves luck to have a President with a degree in economics.[quote]

He said President Banda was among the first Africans to receive a degree in economics in the 1950s and can help revamp the economy once given the support.

Mr. Mwamba also said the support for President Banda by Dr Chiluba is purely on principle.

Meanwhile, Mr. Mwamba says Dr. Chiluba failed to attend the memorial service for the late President Levy Mwanawasa because he had travelled to Mazabuka to visit his sick sister who was admitted at Chikankata hospital in Mazabuka.

Mr. Mwamba said he personally represented Dr. Chiluba and adequately informed Republican President, Rupiah Banda and former First Lady, Maureen Mwanawasa whom he said accepted the apology.

The Spokesperson was forced to clarify Dr Chiluba’s absence following concerns raised by callers who accused the former President of having celebrated the death of the late President Levy Mwanawasa.

ZANIS

The Obligation

When Jesus was about to leave the earth, he left a commission with his disciples, to go into all nations to preach the gospel. The gospel is simply good news and good news is supposed to be shared. Many have taken up the challenge to share this good news. What is more important to God is that this good news must be shared. The channel through which this good news is shared is secondary in as far as the importance of getting the gospel out. God has used a donkey before in order to convey His message to Balaam (Numbers 22: 28). Jesus also talked about even the stones crying out, if His disciples kept silent (Luke 19:40).

Paul being inspired of the Holy Spirit in Philippians 1:15-18 said, “Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, not sincerely…, but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice.” So the Church that one goes to is not as important as getting the truth of the Word. Jesus had the custom of attending the synagogue (congregating) – Luke 4:16 even though some hypocrites where there.

The important thing for the one that hears what has been preached, despite who has preached is that they must go and search the scriptures to find out whether these things are so. Just like the people of Berea in Acts 17:11-12, they did not believe on face value but went and searched the scriptures for themselves. Many Christians trust whatever their Pastor says. If one has a person relationship with Christ, he/she must search for him/herself no matter what their Pastor says.

The practical things that will help you keep your fervency in the Lord are as follows: Purpose in your heart what you are going to do (Daniel 1:8), while living away from home. Schedule a time for personal prayer and study of the Word, Find a small group of people whom you can share fellowship with. Many people join big Churches and get lost in the crowd. Even if you join a big Church, join a small group for the sake of participation and openly talk about your relationship with Christ. If you can find somebody you can be praying with that helps greatly. Of course not someone of the opposite sex, if not related. Better careful than to be sorry.

If keeping your personal relationship with Christ is not working for you, may be you should consider going back home where it was flourishing (Matthew 18:9). It is better to sacrifice the goodies of the developed countries than to lose your soul (Matthew 16:24-27). We know this is a hard saying but how important is your faith? What are you willing to give up for it?

Bishop Jeston & Rev. Charity Katebe

www.royalglobalchurch.org