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“Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings…”
(Proverbs 22:29, NIV)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
Too often, it’s easy to get stuck in a rut, doing the same thing the same way over and over every day. But if we are going to live at our absolute best, we should constantly be growing and sharpening our skills. We should strive to learn and grow every single day because when you stop learning, you stop growing. When you stop growing, you stop living.
What are you doing to stretch yourself? What are you doing to improve your skills? Don’t get trapped into thinking that “good enough” is good enough. You are created for more than just average. Today is a new day, and there are new heights for you to climb. Pursue what you love and keep developing that area of your life. Take a class or find a mentor that will help you live skillfully. As you do, you’ll rise up higher and higher. You will stand before leaders and rulers, and you’ll live the blessed life God has in store for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
“Father in heaven, today I choose to rise out of mediocrity. I choose to give my very best to everything I do. Teach me to live skillfully so that my life is a continual praise to you. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”
Local Government and Housing Minister Benny Tetamashimba
Local Government and Housing Minister Benny Tetamanshimba died in the Lusaka University Teaching Hospital last evening. This is according a news report from local radio station QFM.
Mr.Tetamashimba has been admitted in the intensive care Unit of the country’s University Teaching Hospital (UTH) after he was flown back from South Africa where he went to seek medical treatment.
Government spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha confirmed that local government minister Ben Tetamashimba has passed away at 19 hours on Saturday.
On Friday, Chief Government Spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha disclosed that Mr. Tetamanshimba was recovering well and urged people in the country to pray for the Minister’s speedy recovery.
“Teta is picking up from his illness. I urge the people of Zambia to pray for the Minister and wish him a speed recovery,” Lt-Gen Shikapwasha said on Friday.
Lt-Gen Shikapwasha also said government would keep updating the nation on the health of Mr. Tetamanshimba.
And the MMD in Southern Province has described the death of Local Government and Housing Minister Ben Tetamashimba as a fundamental loss to the party as it had lost a fearless member.
Southern Province MMD Chairman Solomon Muzyamba said the party in the province was very heartbroken at the passing on of Mr Tetamshimba as he was not only a luminary but also a torchbearer of nationalism in the country.
Mr. Muzyamba said Mr Tetamashimba was a very fearless leader who never hid his true vision and belief irrespective of the consequences to him adding that he always put the nation first in all he said and did.[quote]
He said Mr. Tetamashimba will particularly be missed in the MMD where he was a troubleshooter and had the political answer to every political problem.
Mr. Muzyamba noted that Mr Tetamashimba was a friend of many and a pain in the necks of the dishonest adding that he will be greatly missed by all.
And AMICAALL has postponed the 53rd Annual Conference of the Local Government Association of Zambia and the 6th AMICAALL General Assembly.
Local Government Association of Zambia President Charles Mumena said the conference that was scheduled to take place from September 7 to 11th has been postponed to December 7 and 11 of this year following the death of Mr. Tetamashimba.
Mr. Mmumena has since extended the association’s condolences to President Rupiah Banda and the bereaved family on the passing on of Mr Tetamashimba.
Meanwhile, Information and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary, Emmanuel Nyirenda has said the funeral gathering for the late Minister of Local Government and Housing Benny Tetamashimba is being held at House Number 345, Independence Avenue, next to the official residence of the Chief Justice Enerst Sakala.
President Banda addressing Chipata residents when he arrived at Chipata airport
President Rupiah Banda has called for hard work, patriotism and efficiency in the country.
The President said this at Mkaika during the celebration of the Kulamba traditional ceremony of the Chewa people in Katete today.
The ceremony attracted hundreds of people from Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and other countries. In his speech, President Banda emphasized that for development to take place in the country, there is need for hard work, patriotism and efficiency.
President Banda said Government would continue to support cultural activities such as the Kulamba traditional ceremony which is a cultural heritage that plays a central role in the socio-economic development of any society.
The President further assured the people of Eastern Province that Government would continue supporting the agriculture and other sectors.
He assured the gathering that Government had already disbursed fertilizers and other farming inputs to all the districts in readiness of the next farming season.
Speaking during the same function, Mozambican Minister of Education, Inais Bonfacio Ali expressed his gratitude to be part of this year’s Kulamba traditional ceremony.
He said Mozambique respects chiefs and traditional leaders because they help in the development process.
Mr. Ali said traditional ceremonies are a platform for the exchange of ideas and the fostering of unity.
And speaking on behalf of Malawian President Dr. Bingu Wamtharika, Malawian Minister of Local Government, Dooal Gondwe said that Zambia and Malawi have worked together for a long time and continue to share many ideals of common interest.
He described the ceremony as a unifying factor for Mozambique, Zambia and Malawi.
He said the ceremony was not for celebration only, but a springboard for the development of the three countries.
Government has said it will investigate reports that MUVI TV and some private radio stations are circumventing the provisions of their broadcasting licenses by illegally using digital satellite technology to broadcast countrywide.
In a press statement, Chief Government Spokesperson Lt. General Ronnie Shikapwasha said, according to broadcasting regulations, all Free-To-Air broadcasting licenses granted so far state the frequency, power and limitations, while those granted satellite based broadcasting licenses may not at the same time take on broadcasts that are limited to defined geographical areas.
Genral Shikapwash further said, so far only four terrestrial broadcasting licenses have been granted, all confined to specific areas of transmission.[quote]
The Minister named the stations as follows;
. MUVI TV, one frequency of 2 Kilowatts restricted to broadcasting within Lusaka.
. Copperbelt Broadcasting Services, one frequency of 2 Kilowatts restricted to Ndola.
. MOBI Television, 2 Kilowatts restricted to Lusaka, and
. CBC, 2 Kilowatts restricted to Lusaka.
The Minister explained that the only ones whose Satellite based television broadcasting licenses allow them to go countrywide are Multi-Choice Zambia, My Television, GTV and MOBI TV.
General Shikapwasha who is also Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services said, any station that is broadcasting outside the provisions of the provisions of the license, whether for testing technology or not, constitutes an offence and may have their licenses revoked.
He made it clear that there are three types of Free-To-Air radio broadcasting licenses being issued, which he categorized as, Commercial, Religious and Community Radio Stations.
He further said there are two more, namely Terrestrial and Satellite based transmission.
Yesterday ZANIS reported that viewers in Kasama on Tuesday 1st September, 2009 started watching MUVI TV via Free-T-Air Satellite.
A Sales representative at Strong Technologies the owners of My TV told ZANIS today no permission was required to put MUVI TV on My TV bouguet because it is Free-To-Air.
The MMD says former First Lady, Maureen Mwanawasa, is free to contest the party and republican presidency in 2016.
MMD Acting Spokesperson, Mike Mulongoti, says the ruling party is democratic and gives equal opportunities to all members to contest any positions including the presidency.
Mr. Mulongoti told ZNBC news that members are free to make such indications although there is still a long way to go before the 2016 elections.
Mrs Mwanawasa has been quoted in Friday’s edition of the Times of Zambia news paper as saying she will contest the 2016 polls.
The former first lady said for now she will support the candidature of President Rupiah Banda.
She said her decision to contest the 2016 presidential elections has been driven by her passion to lead Zambia.
Mrs. Mwanawasa also dismissed rumours that she is a wealthy woman.
President Rupiah Banda has castigated opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema for inciting the donor community to with-hold funding to Zambia.
Mr. Hichilema is allegedly inciting the donor community to withhold their support because the fight against corruption is being mishandled.
The President Banda said it was important for the opposition leader to realize that Zambia is faced with a lot of challenges which require support from donors.
He cited challenges in areas of road infrastructure, education and health as some of those requiring assistance.
Mr. Banda expressed regret that Mr. Hichilema, who is also co-leader of the PF/UPND pact, can incite donors not to release funds to Zambia forgetting that he was still under the leadership of the MMD government.
The President said Mr. Hichilema lost elections and he would lose the forth-coming 2011 presidential elections because his behaviour showed that he has nothing to offer to the Zambian people.
Mr. Banda advised the UPND leader to think twice than inciting donors and unnecessarily criticize government even when it was delivering services to the people.
“Mr. Hichilema should know that he is under the control of the ruling MMD and whether he likes it or not, inciting donors to rise against my government entails that the UPND will also suffer. Zambia needs funds to address and fix the infrastructure in this country,” he said.
The Head of State was speaking this morning, shortly before departure for Katete where he is scheduled to attend the Kulamba ceremony at Paramount Chief Gawa Undi’s palace.
And President Banda has advised diplomats accredited to Zambia against issuing bad statements.
President Banda said the Zambian government will have an audience with the US Government to iron out issues adding that diplomats should use the proper channels of communication.
Mr. Banda’s statement comes following US Ambassador to Zambia Donald Booth’s that donors were not satisfied with the manner Zambia was fighting corruption, especially the acquittal of former second Republican President Dr. Frederick Chiluba.
Meanwhile, President Banda has said Mozambican President Amando Guebuza who was expected to attend the Kulamba ceremony, will be represented by his Education Minister.
Mr. Banda said his Malawian counterpart Dr. Bingu Wa-Mutharika has confirmed his attendance at the ceremony.
The President was seen off at the Lusaka City Airport by Vice President George Kunda, Cabinet Ministers, senior government and MMD party officials.
Chief Government Spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha has disclosed that Local Government and Housing Minister Benny Tetamanshimba and Home Affairs Deputy Minister Misheck Bonshe who are admitted at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) are recovering well.
And Lieutenant General Shikapwasha has urged people in the country to pray for the two Ministers for a speed recovery.
In interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today, Lt-Gen Shikapwasha, who is also Information and Broadcasting Services Minister said Mr. Tetamanshimba and Mr. Bonshe are feeling much better.
“Teta is picking up from his illness while Mr. Bonshe is feeling much better. I urge the people of Zambia to pray for our two Ministers and wish them a speed recovery,” Lt-Gen Shikapwasha said.
Mr. Tetamanshimba, who was earlier evacuated to South Africa was brought back and has since been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at UTH while Mr. Bonshe is also admitted there.
He said government will keep updating the nation on the health of the two ministers.
Meanwhile, the National Revolution Party (NRP) President Cosmo Mumba has accused government of not updating the nation on the health of the Minister of Local Government and Housing Benny Tetamashimba’s condition.
In a separate interview with ZANIS, Dr. Mumba said the Minister of Health Kapembwa Simbao, should inform the nation on Mr. Tetamashimba’s condition because the nation wanted to know how he was doing.
Dr. Mumba has since appealed to President Rupiah Banda to allow Mr. Tetamshimba to take a rest from his duties when he is discharged from hospital.
He said handling both the ministerial position and politics was a lot of work and requires one to have enough rest.
Four children of the same family in Kalabo district have been burnt to ashes after the house they were sleeping in caught fire believed to have been caused by a candle.
Western Province Police Commanding Officer Vael Muzwenga confirmed the incident that occurred yesterday in an interview with ZANIS in Mongu today. He added that the children were burnt to ashes around 21:00 hours.
Mr. Muzwenga named the deceased as Munyunga aged 8, Mampi 6, Mundia and Purity Kandei both aged 3 of Yuka area in Kalabo district.
He said the parents were sleeping in a separate house and the house that caught fire was for the girls. The fire was noticed by a passer by.
Local authorities and Police that rushed to the scene failed to retrieve the bodies.
Malawian High Commissioner to Zambia Chris Mugogo and two others were last evening involved in a road traffic accident on the Great East Road in Chipata.
Eastern Province Commanding officer Mary Chikwanda who confirmed the incident to ZANIS in Chipata today, said the accident happened on Thursday evening near Madzi Moyo.
Ms. Chikwanda named the two others as Rodgers Phiri 27 who is the driver and Banda Baudqa 31 a passenger, both of Lusaka.
She said it is believed that Mrs. Mugogo and two others met their fate when their car Registration number 28 DC 52Z failed to negotiate a corner near Madzi Moyo.
Ms. Chikwanda said the victims were rushed to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) yesterday for treatment.
She said the condition of the High Commissioner is stable and that she is responding well to treatment.
Ms. Chikwanda however said the condition of Mr. Phiri and Mr. Banda is bad due to the injuries they sustained.
She added that the accident was caused due to over speeding.
The Malawian High Commissioner was traveling to Chipata for the Kulamba traditional ceremony of the Chewa people of Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique.
Chief Government Spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha has labeled Post Newspaper Editor In-chief Fred M’membe a ‘coward’.
Lt. Gen Shikapwasha, who is also Information and Broadcasting minister, has challenged Mr. M’membe to surrender and avail himself to the Police or law enforcement agencies like Post News Editor Chansa Kabwela has done, rather than hiding.
He hailed Ms Kabwela ,who is facing pornographic charges, as a brave woman for her co-operation with law enforcement agencies.
“M’membe is a coward. Why hide instead of facing the judiciary. His News Editor Chansa Kabwela is therefore brave…..I challenge him to avail himself to the police than to frustrate and waste time for judiciary,” he said.
Lt-Gen Shikapwasha, who was speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today, said police and other law enforcement agencies are on high alert to arrest Mr M’membe.
On September 2 2009, Lusaka Chief resident Magistrate Charles Kafunda issued a bench a warrant for the arrest of Mr. M’membe who was by press time still at large.
Zambia have arrived in Algiers ahead of Sundays 2010 World/African Cup Group A qualifier against host Algeria in Blida.
The team left France just before midday on Friday and took a 1 hour 30 minute flight from Marseille to Algiers where they landed in the Algerian capital at 12:30 Zambian time.
And two players joined up with the team in Algeria today.
Goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene of South African club Free State Stars and the Chinese -based attacking midfielder James Chamanga linked up with the rest of their Zambia team mates in Algeria today.
MONDO LEAVES LUSAKA DYNAMOS
Wesley Mondo has left Lusaka Dynamos less than a season in charge to take up an appointment in Botswana.
Mondo, who joined Dynamos at the start of this season, is said to be replacing another Zambian-born coach at Mochudi Centre Chiefs.
He is set to replace Beston Chambeshi who guided Centre Chiefs to 2nd place in the Botswana league last season and maiden league title in 2008.
Chambeshi has since returned home and this week joined Power Dynamos as assistant to Fodson Kabole.
Dynamos long-time assistant Luka Siame will take charge of the Queensmead side for the foreseeable future.
And their will be only one Faz Premier League game this weekend that will see City of Lusaka host Zesco United in a rescheduled Week 17 game at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka.
EVICTED: 61 monkeys removed from State House to the Munda Wanga Botanical Gardens in Chilanga under an operation code named ‘Shining Example.’ The mokeys are captured at Munda Wanga adapting to the new environment. Picture courtesy of Munda Wanga Botenical gardensPresident Rupiah Banda being welcomed by Libyan Secretary(Minister) of higher Education and scientific research Abdolkabir Alfalikry on arrival at Metiga Military Airport in Tripoli,Libya for the Special session of the African Union(AU) assembly on the consideration and resolution of conflicts in AfricaPresident Rupiah Banda walks abreast Libyan Secretary(Minister) of higher Education and scientific research Abdolkabir Alfalikry on arrival at Metiga Military Airport in Tripoli,Libya for the Special session of the African Union(AU) assembly on the consideration and resolution of conflicts in AfricaPresident Rupiah Banda shares a light moment with his Zimbabwean counterpart President Robert Mugabe during the official opening of the Special session of the African Union(AU) assembly on the consideration and resolution of conflicts in Africa held at shahabport in Tripoli, Libya.looking on is the Zimbabwean Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi(centre)Some delegate following proceedings during the SADCOPAC meeting in LusakaA peasant farmer waiting for buyers to buy his maize crop in PetaukeA truck is stuck because of over heating along the Great East RoadA view of a place called Luangwa along the Great East Road where many businesses occurA wide view of the roadside at Katete in Eastern ProvinceA woman selling wild fruits called Masau at Luangwa along the Great East RoadAn artists selling woven artifacts at Luangwa along the Great East RoadAn unidentified pedestrian walks along the Great East Road reading writings at the welcome billboard in SindaBoutique...A clothes shop at Nyimba district along the Great East RoadPresident Rupiah Banda's 2008 campaign billboard still hanging at Luangwa along the Great East RoadOops! ...Another billboard from President Banda's 2008 campaign still hanging in KateteRoad works along the Great East Road have are up beat such as this stretch near NyimbaTransport by bicycle is common in Nyimba. Here a husband ferrying his wife on two wheelsEastern Province Minister Isaac Banda ( l) inspects culverts in Katete made by Hua Chang construction which has been engaged to repair feeder roads in Katete and Chipata districtsWelcome to ChipataEastern Province Minister Isaac Banda amd other officials inspect VIP arena in the shelter where the Kulamba ceremony will held this weekendSome people dancing during the Cell Zee Amabondi promotion draw in Lusaka
Chief Matanda has urged government and traditional leaders in the country to discourage traditional practices that accelerate the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Chief Matanda said as long as people do not give up certain beliefs and attitudes such as sexual cleansing the HIV/AIDS pandemic will still remain a problem in society.
The traditional leader said this when Mansa District Commissioner Chibwe Nsakasha who is on a familiarization tour of the district paid a courtesy call on him at his palace yesterday.
Chief Matanda urged his subjects and village headmen to refrain from acts that raised the HIV/AIDS infection and transmission rates.
He challenged all village headmen to take a leading role and get tested for HIV/AIDS to know their status as this will encourage their subjects to do the same.
Chief Matanda is an ardent HIV/AIDS activist in his chiefdom and was recently presented with a certificate for bravery and willingness to test for HIV/AIDS at a mobile Counseling and Testing (CT) activity conducted by the Peace Corps in his chiefdom.
He has also played a leading role in ending stigma and discrimination against HIV infected people in the area.
Police in Northern Province are investigating a case in which a male inmate died in mysterious circumstances while in police custody at Makasa Tazara Police Station in Mungwi district.
And two police officers are reported to have fled to neighboring Tanzania for fear of being lynched by the irate residents of Makasa.
The two officers were on duty when the incident happened.
Police Sources revealed that the male suspect died in the early hours of Tuesday this week while in police custody.
They said the deceased, aged 35, was arrested and put in custody pending a court appearance.
Police sources said when people got wind of his death they ganged up with machetes and other weapons intending to shatter the police station.
But quick action by Mungwi police saved the situation from culminating into chaos.
The sources said the case has since been handed over to Tazara Police in Kasama for further investigations adding that the deceased’s body is lying in Kasama General Hospital awaiting postmortem and subsequent burial.
FORMER first lady Maureen Mwanawasa has declared that she will contest the 2016 presidential election but will for now support the candidature of President Rupiah Banda for the 2011 polls.
Mrs Mwanawasa has also called on the public to respect the decisions of the judiciary, saying insistent attacks on recent judgments were ultra vires the ideals of a democratic country that demands separation of powers.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Times, Mrs Mwanawasa said she now felt that she was ripe to take over the mantle of the high office of president.
She said, however, that she would only contest the presidency in the 2016 elections because her party, the MMD had already settled for President Banda as the candidate for the party in 2011.
“I want to make it very clear to the nation that I am an MMD member and I therefore subscribe to the rules and regulations. As a party, we have already made a decision to rally behind President Banda as sole party candidate for the 2011 elections.
“I have offered myself and I will be available to stand as president in the 2016 presidential elections, not now. I would like all those who doubt my capacities to give me a try, this country is now ready for a female president,” she said.
Mrs Mwanawasa said she had a great passion to lead Zambia and that it was important for any country to have a good reservoir of good and well-trained leaders alongside those in power.
She said good governance was like running a football team whose fans depended on players in the starting line up while also having a well-equipped and trained line up of substitutes on the bench who should rise to the occasion when the need arose.
She, however, said those in privileged positions such as herself and those serving in Government should never think they were the best because some of those among the substitutes could do even better.
Mrs Mwanawasa also said she wanted to dispel rumours which suggested that she was an immensely wealthy woman, adding that contrary to such views, she was a noble person who was also subjected to stringent financial regulations by her late husband.[quote]
On corruption, the former first lady said the judiciary should be allowed to work professionally without interference from the public because doing so would erode public confidence and respect.
She said the fight against corruption, which her late husband had a passion for, should not be misconstrued as having been a personal fight against any one individual but one that was wholesome to ensure that development trickled to the poor.
Mrs Mwanawasa also said she was ready to take up any appointment to work for the people of Zambia.
Meanwhile, three MMD provincial executive committees have said they are still consulting party structures before stating their positions on whether the party should hold its convention before the 2011 elections.
Five provinces have already petitioned the national executive committee not to hold the convention because President Banda had been adopted as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2011 elections.
