Monday, March 17, 2025
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Prolonged mining exploration by Anglo-American worry Chief Ishima

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Chief Ishima Sanken’i (vi) of the Lunda speaking people in Zambezi district has expressed concern over the mining exploration that has been going on in Zambezi for close to seven years without results.

Speaking in an interview with the media at the weekend, Chief Ishima said since 2017 Anglo-American has been exploring but no mining activity has been seen.

“We requested them to help us in the upgrading of Kasisi secondary school which is now a full-fledged secondary school.

“They have also done a laboratory which I think is the best and the biggest in Zambezi district but what we want as Zambezi district is the mining because they have been exploring for too long”, he said.

Chief Ishima said there is need for the local people to start benefitting from their natural resources through employment once mining starts.

“As you have seen God has blessed us with a lot of natural resources, talk about minerals, timber and even oil but these people are still exploring and that really saddened us”, he said.

The traditional leader, however said people in the area are grateful for the Corporate Social Responsibility that the company is undertaking in the district but they want more.

The Insanity of Defarming HH: Say he “is not a Christian On Facebook”–1 year in Prison!

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By Kapya Kaoma

The insanity of Zambian courts is appalling. Why sentence a person to one year in prison for calling HH “not a Christian” on Facebook? Is this not a mockery of justice and an attack on democracy? Unless his narcissistic Machiavellianism is tamed, HH’s insecurity will prove costly on the nation. People will revolt to defend their democratic rights–it is just a matter of time.

But this sentence speaks to the rottenness of our judicial system. Which law prohibits one from saying Kapya is not a Christian? And who defines a “Christian,” and how do we prove HH is a Christian? HE is SDA. Yet many SDAs, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Pentecostals, and Christian Fundamentalists wrongly believe the Pope is an Antichrist. This is the reason some Zambian SDA felt insulted when HH met Pope Francis at the Vatican.

Moreover, what constitutes a “Christian” changes based on one’s religious convictions and beliefs. Is holding diverse religious opinions now a crime? Had the judge consulted theologians, for example, the term Antichrist has been applied to individuals, authoritarian regimes, and emperors. So why should calling HH Antichrist, satanist or freemason send people to jail. Worse still, when did claiming one is not a Christian become defamatory? Is HH so sacred to be socially and politically defined? Or is the only one with sacred rights to negatively define others? Pungwa’s curse has been cast upon us; to whatever Pungwa utters, Zambians must shout, “Amen!” Our human rights are being robbed by the same man who promised to uphold human rights and defend democracy–the New Dark Regime indeed!

Yet one doesn’t need to be in Pungwa’s cult to understand where we are headed–a nation without freedom of expression and association. Across the globe, such authoritarian and Machiavellian tactics are engines of political violence–people revolt against psychopaths. Is it not just 9 months ago when UPND cadres and the god of Ballycountry were busy insulting Lungu? Didn’t today’s god of rotten and unjust courts insult Mwanawasa, Sata, and Banda? So why wasn’t it a crime then? One thing has changed–the President’s corruption of courts.

Judges are campaigning to keep their jobs, but they are not stupid either. Like the Inspector of Police, they know that it is wrong to persecute HH’s opponents, but must impress an insecure baby President. Call him a liar, Pungwa, tribalist, ubututu, not a Christian and Antichrist you rot in jail. Instead, call him a saintly Christian for his lies; praise him for setting the price of fertilizer at K250 and for the bag of ubunga you just bought at K50. Thank him for fulfilling his pledge to make fuel K5 and for reducing the prices for basic things. Praise him for performing traditional rituals and working with Seer 1. It is what Christians do–they lie and lie!

Chiluba should be shouting in his grave, “Poor Zambians, what bewitched you? When did you surrender your sovereign rights to freedom of expression and association?” Even during the worst dictatorial rule of the 1980s, the KK regime didn’t arrest people for saying Kaunda was not a Christian. Didn’t we attack Kaunda for his love of Eastern religions? We are now an evil theocracy–the king of liars is a god. Yahweh forbid! We must put an end to this insanity.

HH’s behavior speaks to something we must put an end to; the dictatorship of Kagame has no room in Zambia. It is foolish for judges to persecute people opposed to HH’s self-evident narcissistic Machiavellianism. Imagine if someone else caused the traffic saga against a sitting President in Mongu. Imagine if someone called the President Chimbwi. Imagine if someone called the President stupid. Imagine if someone claimed to receive Intelligence reports before the President. That was in Zambia before the self-promoting narcissistic Pungwa became President. Alas we watch simply because we are informed that the client of Seer 1 is a saint! I don’t have sympathy for such injustices, especially when promoted by courts of law. It is simply an insult to justice! We are not going to be forced to worship an idol in Bally.

In a democratic nation, definition of your opponents is critical to political mobilization. So how else would people define him if freedom of expression with friends on Facebook is curtailed? Inculcating extreme fear in citizens is an autocratic way of HH’s self-protection. Yet I won’t become a satanist by worshiping the Bally idol. Nonetheless, his lies will continue to explode. HH must start building more and more prisons. Millions of Zambians are not bewitched into this judicial corruption–one day, they will revolt violently. Sadly, as more and more people are arrested for expressing themselves, Zambia’s global standing is tarnished. Bally worshipers and the Hichilema Human Rights Commission, however, cannot see this corruption of justice! But soon, they might end up victims of his egomaniac insecurity. Citizens will always find means of clipping Pungwa’s wings–rendering him flight-incapable!

Is it not Bob Marley who sang, “Time will tell. You think you are living in heaven when you’re living in Hell!”

Time will tell indeed.

Mwepu Joins Chipolopolo Camp

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Chipolopolo Zambia captain Enock Mwepu has arrived at the teams’ Ghana training camp and rallied his side to show character against Cote d’Ivoire this Friday.

Zambia visit Cote d’Ivoire on June 3 in an opening 2023 AFCON Group H qualifier in Yamoussoukro.

Kick off will be at 18h00 Zambian time.

The match will flag-off Zambia’s fourth attempt to end an eight-year AFCON dating back to 2015.

“Of course we have disappointed them (our fans) at various times but you know the only way we can achieve our goals is to show unity,” Mwepu said upon arrival in Accra on Monday afternoon.

“So we need them a lot. We need them to come and support us and give us that energy.  

“For us, we know we need to give them what they desire and what they deserve so I think this is the moment when we can bring back those glory days which is the winning mentality  and just make them proud.

“We have to gauge ourselves against a good team like Ivory Coast so that will set the mark. We hope to get a win and make them proud again at home.”

Chipolopolo will leave Accra for Abidjan on June 1.

And Mwepu’s arrival brings to 20 players in camp with three more on their way to join Chipolopolo.

The three are Lubambo Musonda of Danish side AC Horsens, Gamphani Lungu from South African club SuperSport United and Rally Bwalya of Simba SC in Tanzania.

True Justice for Glencore’s Appalling Corruption Will Include Better Tomorrows for Those Hurt Most: Everyday Africans

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Glencore’s penalties to the U.S. alone for violating the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and manipulating commodity prices will total approximately USD1.2 billion

Switzerland-headquartered commodities and mining multinational Glencore Plc has been making headlines lately for all the wrong reasons.

Following prolonged investigations by Brazil, the United Kingdom, and the United States, two Glencore subsidiaries pleaded guilty May 24 to multiple charges of market manipulation and bribery, including corruption related to the company’s oil operations in Africa and South America.

Glencore’s penalties to the U.S. alone for violating the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and manipulating commodity prices will total approximately USD1.2 billion.

According to the investigating countries, Glencore’s corrupt actions included more than USD100 million in bribes to officials in Brazil, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria, South Sudan, and Venezuela between 2007 and 2018.

“The scope of this criminal bribery scheme is staggering,” said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams for the Southern District of New York. “Glencore paid bribes to secure oil contracts. Glencore paid bribes to avoid government audits. Glencore bribed judges to make lawsuits disappear. At bottom, Glencore paid bribes to make money – hundreds of millions of dollars. And it did so with the approval, and even encouragement, of its top executives.”

Staggering is a good word to describe the extent of Glencore’s corrupt behavior. We would add infuriating. What Glencore did is illegal, immoral, and completely unacceptable. It does not reflect the normal business dealings of the oil and gas industry. And, for the record, the African Energy Chamber has never solicited or accepted a single monetary contribution from Glencore.

What’s more, we strongly believe that Glencore’s dealings in African countries should be closely examined on a local level, and African officials who accepted bribes should be held accountable. Investigations should be opened, and Glencore should be forced to come clean about the full extent of its corrupt business dealings, after all Glenore is a member of the Norwegian-based Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). Though based on its years of corrupt actions, Glencore should be suspended as an EITI supporting company.

And, finally, everyday Africans — the ones hurt most by corruption’s toxic effects — must receive justice.

Troubling Double Standards

We find it ironic that EITI, which has campaigned against African countries joining the initiative, still has Glencore as a member — especially if you consider the fact that Glencore’s involvement with EITI began while the company was engaging in the very behavior EITI strives to eradicate.

“Glencore has been a supporter of the EITI principles of transparency and accountability since 2011,” EITI’s website states. “Long a supporting mining company, Glencore has also been an active member of the EITI Working Group on Transparency in Commodity Trading, supporting the development of voluntary reporting guidelines on the buying of oil, gas and minerals from governments. The company believes countries that transparently and effectively allocate natural resource wealth for the benefit of their communities have the potential to attract greater, more responsible and longer-term business investment.”

It’s stunning. How can Glencore believe in these ideals and advise on transparency when it is one of the most corrupt companies in the oil and gas industry?

The EITI board chair, Rt Hon Helen Clark, has issued a statement about Glencore and expressed concern about the company’s actions. But she goes on to call upon Glencore to apply its lessons learned to its ongoing work with EITI. There is no mention of consequences.

Imagine if this was an African country; imagine the international community’s response. It wouldn’t stop with penalties and expressions of concern. Not only would the company be fined, but the management teams would be fined and in jail. We’d comment on the likelihood of EITI suspending the African company’s status as a supporting member, but since EITI has resisted African involvement, it’s moot.

This double standard is unjust. It sends the wrong message to Africans.

Create Light Out of Darkness

Corruption has been the scourge of African countries for far too long. It curtails individual freedoms and fosters poverty and instability. Corruption harms individuals and communities. It kills hope.

That’s why we are calling upon the U.S. government to use the USD1.2 billion in penalties Glencore is paying to empower Africans. They’re the real victims of Glencore’s malfeasance and mistakes.

Glencore’s penalties should go to organizations like Power Africa, a public-private partnership formed by the U.S. to help address energy poverty in sub-Saharan Africa — a goal shared by the African Energy Chamber. Glencore’s corruption and state capture have undermined efforts to make energy poverty history. Directing money to Power Africa will help change living conditions for more than 600 million people in sub-Saharan Africa who currently go without reliable electricity.

A portion of the penalty payment also could be directed to Prosper Africa, another U.S. program. Prosper Africa strives to empower African businesses with market insights, deal support, and solutions that can help strengthen business climates. Its goals are to create jobs and foster shared prosperity. Supporting this program would be a great way to have a positive impact on African people and communities.

Another recommendation: African countries need trillions of dollars to finance their transition to renewable energies in support of international climate goals. Earlier this month, the African Petroleum Producers Organization and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) signed a memorandum of understanding to create an energy bank that will not only ramp up much-needed private sector investments in African oil and gas projects but also raise revenue for renewable energy projects.

Directing a portion of Glencore’s penalty payments to the African Energy Bank is an excellent opportunity for the U.S. to empower African countries while supporting international climate objectives.

The Last Thing Our Energy Sector Needed

Glencore’s actions come as a blow to Africa’s oil and gas energy. At a time when the African Energy Chamber is trying to show the world the good that oil and gas operations can achieve in our continent, we hope those who follow the news about Glencore understand that they are far from the norm in our industry.

Frankly, we are dismayed that businesspeople who come from free and democratic societies think the best way to operate in Africa is to engage in corruption.

The African Energy Chamber advocates for free-market solutions in Africa, but free markets cannot exist without the rule of law. Free markets cannot exist unless we ensure the right kind of actions take place.

We cannot tolerate a company that puts profits ahead of integrity or serves itself with no regard to the detrimental effects of its actions.

Glencore represents the very worst of the oil and gas industry and it will be excluded from African Energy Week Oct. 18 -21 in Cape Town, South Africa. There are many, many energy companies committed to doing good in Africa. They are the companies we want to work with to help build a brighter future for Africans

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.SOURCE
African Energy Chamber

Luapula set for a multi-million Kwacha Cannabis Farm to be run by Zambia National Service

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Zambia National Service says plans are under way to put up a multi-million kwacha Cannabis farm in Luapula Province.

Zambia National Service Commander Lieutenant General Maliti Solochi says land for the establishment of the farm has already been identified in Mwense District adding that modalities are being considered towards the establishment of the farm.

Speaking when he called on Luapula Province Minister at his office today, Lt General Solochi disclosed that the traditional leadership has already released land where the cannabis farm will be established.

“This farm will be an industrial one as it will not only end at cultivating the cannabis but it will also process it so that we can add value to it,” said Lt. Gen Solochi.

He observes that Luapula Province has very good climate and that the command will explore more areas where they can put up various farms for Agricultural activities.

Lt General Solochi added that his defence wing intends to start a fish farming project in the Province adding that plans have advanced on the number of fish ponds to be set up.

“We want to utilise the available natural water resources which Luapula has by venturing into fish farming through the putting up of big fish ponds like we are currently doing in Chanyanya,” He disclosed.

Luapula Province is of great interest to the Zambia National Service hence , the Defence will continue to explore ways ensuring that it contribute to the country’s food security.

And Luapula Province Minister Derricky Chilundika observes that the coming of Zambia National Service in the Province will boost the agriculture sector.

Mr Chilundika observed that with Zambia National Service coming in the province, the potential of the region will be realized.

“Luapula can be the country’s food basket, due to its potential which has remained untapped, all that is needed is to have more investments in the agriculture sector hence your decision to expand your activities in the Province is most welcome, as it will go a long way in realised the potential,” he said.

Mr. Chilundika points out that the Provincial administration is ready to work with the Zambia National Service in improving agriculture activities in the Province.

100 teen pregnancies recorded in the first quarter in Chipata

Chipata District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) Gabriel Chutu says 100 teenage pregnancies were recorded in the first quarter of 2022 in Chipata District.

Mr Chutu says in the same quarter, the district also recorded 25 early marriages of which five involved young boys.

Speaking to ZANIS in an interview today, Mr Chutu said the District Education Office (DEO) recorded a number of 42 girls re-entered into school after giving birth under the same period this year.

Mr Chutu said a total of 180 other dropouts were recorded of which the 94 dropouts were girls.

He said that under the first quarter, his office recorded 439 pupils re-entered into school of which 239 were female.

Mr Chutu said his office is working with various stakeholders in the district to effectively ensure that it protects young girls from early marriages and teenage pregnancies as well as promote Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) among adolescents.

“We support girl’s menstrual hygiene by ensuring that sanitary towels are provided at school,” he said.

Mr Chutu said his office is also implementing the re-entry policy in order to give opportunity to the girl child of getting an education during pregnancy and after giving birth.

“We implement the re-entry policy into school by allowing girls who fall pregnant to be learning until such a time that the pregnancy advances, that’s when we give the maternity leave and allow them to come back later after they have given birth, “he said.

Mr Chutu said his office also links girls who are vulnerable or whose families are financially disabled to organisations which give school requisites.

Mutati calls for resumption of post bus services

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Minister of Science and Technology, Felix Mutati has implored the Zambia Postal Services ( ZAMPOST) to win back public confidence by initiating a number of income-generating ventures.

Mr. Mutati has also directed the corporation to resume operations of the post bus services he says still remains the people’s choice in the country.

Mr. Mutati said this in Ndola today during the official launch of E-Zampost and Zampost money, products introduced by the corporation.

“ There is an urgent need for Zampost to embrace smart partnerships by designing a business model that will help to generate revenue, “ said the minister.

Zampost should also strive to be the centre for all government services by creating a one stop convenient place where all public services will be accessed.

Mr. Mutati said as government remains committed to supporting the corporation, management must ensure that the institution gets back to being a reliable partner for delivery of government social services

“A refreshing morning where we are witnessing change and Zampost is a trusted brand. Zampost should save every Zambian including those in rural parts of the country,” he said.

And ZAMPOST Post Master General Brighton Ngoma said the corporation is changing the way it conducts business.

Mr. Ng’oma said the launch of the two products is part the transformation agenda the corporation has embarked on.

Mr. Ngoma added the e-commerce Zampost platform is world class standard that will allow citizens conduct business in a conducive.

He disclosed that like other mobile money operators, the corporation will soon be doting its booths across the country.

Evelyn Hone College driver jailed 1 year for defaming President Hakainde Hichilema

A DRIVER at Evelyn Hone College has been sentenced to one year imprisonment by the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court for alleging that President Hakainde Hichilema is a disbeliever in Christ.

Andsen Zulu, 46, who was facing a charge of defamation of the President failed to prove that the Head of State is atheistic and admitted bringing his name into ridicule.

Zulu on April 29, 2022 with intent to bring the name of the President into hatred, ridicule or contempt published defamatory matter on his Facebook page alleging that “HH is a member of the anti-Christ so we can’t get surprised.”

Appearing before magistrate Chrispine Hampungani, Zulu who pleaded guilty to the charge of defamation of the President, said he did not intend to bring the Head of State into contempt.

Asked if he had lawful justification to defame President Hichilema, the convict denied, saying he was only having a simple conversation with his friend Mohammed.

Magistrate Hampungani convicted Zulu upon his own admission of guilt.

In his mitigation, Zulu begged for the court’s mercy, saying he never meant his word neither did he know his comment would attract a serious offence.

In his judgement, magistrate Hampungani said Zulu’s actions brought the President’s name into disrepute, especially on Facebook to which many people have access.

“To deter would be offenders, I hereby sentence you to one year imprisonment with hard labour effective today. Leave to appeal is granted within 14 days if you are disatisfied with the judgement of this court,” said magistrate Hampungani.

I have been against Gayism and that stance has never changed-HH

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President Hakainde Hichilema has said that the government is not propagating gay rights in the country as is being portrayed by some sections of society.

President Hichilema said that he has from the days of opposition been against gayism and the stance has never changed, adding that government is not propagating for gay rights and has been truthful on the matter.

President Hichilema has since urged Zambians to refrain from giving attention to things that do not matter but focus on unity.

President Hichilema was speaking during the Church Service of Attorney General, Mulilo Kabesha’s Wife Rachael at the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka.

And President Hichilema has called for unity in families as he speaks about Zambia being a Christian nation.

The President said the life of Reverend Kabesha should inspire everyone to live a life of truthfulness that impacts many lives.

And the widower Mr Kabesha in his tribute to his wife of over 30 years described her as his inspiration and thanked God for giving him the opportunity to have shared his life with her.

Mr. Kabesha, who is also Bishop at the Church of God, thanked President Hichilema, the Government and all that have rendered support to the family during the bereavement of his wife.

And, the Children to the deceased who could not hold back their tears as they eulogized their mother, described her as a beacon of peace.

ZICTA commits to championing Zambia’s digital transformation agenda

The Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) has reiterated its commitment to championing Zambia’s digital transformation agenda by promoting cost-reflective and affordable pricing for internet and other ICT products and services.

ZICTA Acting Director-General, Pethel Phiri, said ZICTA continues to promote universal access to ICTs by not only providing connectivity to unserved and underserved communities, but by also implementing various regulatory measures aimed at ensuring that ICT products and services on the Zambian market are affordable to consumers.

In a statement issued by ZICTA Corporate Communications Manager Hanford Chaaba, Mrs Phiri indicated that internet affordability was central to the attainment of a fully[1]fledged digital economy.

She explained that while Zambia was ranked 6th in terms of data affordability within the region, more should be done to improve the ranking and ultimately facilitate wider digital adoption.

Mrs Phiri said this when the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) paid a courtesy visit to her office during their fact finding mission to establish diplomatic internet data corridors from the undersea cables into Malawi in order to reduce the cost of internet in that country.

Leader of the delegation and MACRA Director General, Daud Suleman, stated that the Government of Malawi was keen to achieve digital transformation, and underscored the critical role of data in the overall transformation process.

Mr. Suleman said the internet data prices in Malawi are comparatively higher than the Zambian prices, and has attributed the high prices to his country’s geographical positioning resulting in high IP-transit and international bandwidth costs.

He added that there was a need for key infrastructure to support the surge in demand for data services, and that establishing dedicated internet corridors into Malawi from other neighbouring countries in the region is vital to addressing the high cost of internet.

Mr. Suleman said Malawi identified Zambia as a key strategic partner in this fact finding mission because of the two countries’ shared historical and cultural heritage as well as the similarities in regulatory as well geographical demographics.

ZICTA Acting Director General welcomed the initiative by MACRA and committed to a continued spirit of mutually beneficial cooperation and collaboration between the two institutions.

In 2017, ZICTA and MACRA signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at enhancing ICT and Postal cross border collaboration between the two countries.

Abolish TV Levy and introduce Education Levy instead, advises NAQEZ

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The National Action for Quality Education in Zambia has proposed the abolition of TV Levy and replace it with an Education Levy.

Organisation Executive Director Aaron Chansa says having an Education Levy will be more beneficial to Zambia than the TV tax.

Mr. Chansa has argued that the proposed introduction of the Education Tax will heavily resource the education sector and create the necessary base for the much needed economic take off.

We are of a considered view that having Education levy will be more beneficial to Zambia than the TV tax. The proposed tax will heavily resource the education sector and create the necessary base for the much needed economic take off,” Mr. Chansa said.

“With more than 1.5 million desks needed in schools,more than 100,000 teachers wanted in schools,more than 150,000 houses needed for teachers ,more than 3 millions Computers required for use in schools, inadequate funding to some schools,with critical shortages of classroom spaces ,the great need to improve conditions of service for teachers and the urgent need to adequately finance higher education, the New Dawn Government will have to “bite the bullet” and make this monumental, popular and futuristic decision,” he said.

Mr. Chansa said Zambia is struggling to sustainably develop because of the poor quality of education.

“And the education sector is acutely funded because successive Governments have deliberately ignored the fact that no country has ever developed with poor quality of education.Zambia is facing great difficulties in attaining most targets of Sustainable Development Goal number 4 because the education sector gets less than 20% of the national budget.”

He added, “As a Country ,we are remaining with only eight years to go before facing the world to account for the Vision 2030. The nation now has a golden opportunity to make the the right decision through the 2023 National budget.”

“We, therefore, strongly appeal to the Republican President Mr. Hakainde Hichilema and the Minister of Finance ,Mr Situmbeko Musokotwane to seriously consider introducing Education Levy. This will be for the good of our Country.”

Kings Kangwa Joins Serbian Champions

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Chipolopolo Zambia midfielder Kings Kangwa has joined Serbian champions Red Star Belgrade.

Red Star confirmed the 22-year-old midfielders signing on Sunday from Russian club Arsenal Tula.

“Zambia international Kings Kangwa will join us on a four-year contract from Arsenal Tula. The 22-year-old playmaker will arrive to Belgrade and put pen to paper as soon as he returns from international duty, “Red Star said in a brief statement.

Kangwa leaves demoted Arsenal Tula after three years at the club whom he joined from FAZ Super League side Buildcon.

MONDAY PROS HITLIST: Mweene Wins Nedback Cup

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Cup joy and heartbreak characterized the weekend for some of our foreign –based stars at their respective clubs.

=TANZANIA
Midfielder Rally Bwalya was a second half substitute on Saturday in Simba SC’s 1-0 loss to arch-foes Young Africans in the Azam Sports Federation Cup semifinal.
The result sees Simba heading into close of the campaignwithout silverware and certain to abdicate their league crown to the latter.

=DENMARK
Midfielder Lubambo Musonda heads for 2023 AFCON qualifier duty with an extra spring in his step following Horsens’ promotion to the Danish top flight.
Lubambo came on in the 63rd minute of the Division 1 champions’ 1-1 home draw against Hvidovre on Sunday.

=SOUTH AFRICA
It was also Cup weekend in South Africa where goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene was in goals for Mamelodi Sundowns who beat Marumo Gallants 2-1in the 2022 Nedbank Cup final at Rustenburg.

=USA
Defender Aime Mabika played his third game back from a three-week injury layoff when he came on as a 76th minute substitute in Inter Miami’s 2-1 home win over Portland Timbers on Saturday.

Patience Chisanga-Mayer calls for concerted efforts in implementing free sanitary product access for all women and girls, as Zambia commemorates World Menstrual Hygiene Day

Patience Chisanga-Mayer calls for concerted efforts by the government, civil society and private sector in implementing free sanitary product access for all women and girls, as Zambia commemorates World Menstrual Hygiene Day.

Patience Chisanga-Mayer, the Co-Founder of Menstruation and Mentorship Matters, who is a 2015 Mandela Washington Fellow, and Global Shaper Alumni, under the World Economic Forum has called on the government, civil society organisations and the private sector to stop foot dragging on having open conversations around menstrual hygiene, sexual and reproductive health policies for adolescents and young adults.

Mrs. Mayer said that it is unacceptable that as the world commemorates World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2022 under the theme ‘making menstruation a normal fact of life by 2030’, over 40% of girls are reported to drop out of school with one of the reasons being inadequate provision of menstrual hygiene management products that do not allow all girls to attend school fully with dignity and comfort during their menstrual period.

“Period poverty is real in Zambia and Africa as a whole. Millions of young girls and women still do not have access to menstrual hygiene products or facilities for menstrual hygiene management, which is an impediment to women and girls in fully participating in economic and academic activity.” Says Patience Chisanga-Mayer, the 2021 Luanshya Member of Parliament losing candidate.

“As a country we forget that MHM contributes to school absenteeism and other gender disparities in Zambia. Can the government and all cooperating partners collaborate in ensuring that we rewrite our story and empower women and girls with consistent supply of free sanitary wear. Doing this will also help removing the stigma surrounding menstruation and acknowledge that it is a basic normal bodily function. The same way we have condoms readily available in public places is the same way we should be seeing sanitary wear being distributed in this country. In the 2016-2017 budget we had a budget allocation for this area, but government failed to implement MHM projects. Government does have the resources but they just don’t know how to implement the free distribution,” Patience Chisanga-Mayer added.

The Youth and Women empowerment advocate has commended the UPND government for increasing the Constituency Development Fund and sees this as an opportunity for the local communities to allocate reasonable resources to purchase Menstrual hygiene products. She has encouraged the Government to engage the private sector and civil society organisations to invest in providing Menstrual Hygiene Management products amongst the poorest as a long term Corporate Social Responsibility Programme.