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Is this the New Dawn of LGBTQ+ Rights in Zambia?

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By Charles Kachikoti

Given that you are the top two elected leaders of the Republic of Zambia, you need to openly and clearly explain why it is that under your watch, in the space of one week, two embassies in Lusaka hoisted LGBTQ+ flags on their premises, and NGOs that promote gay rights held a full conference in Siavonga to strategize on decriminalizing homosexuality in Zambia.

These are crucial matters, especially given that homosexuality is illegal in Zambia; that no previous Zambian government ever permitted organized homosexuality in any space; and that gay rights are a matter that has surrounded the UPND from its opposition days. Here are two reasons why you, President Hichilema and Vice-President Nalumango, need to come out with utmost clarity:

1) In October 2019, online media in Zambia reported that President Hichilema attended a meeting in the resort town of Lake Como in Italy of the Africa Liberal Network (ALN), an organisation which promotes liberal values, including homosexuality (as minority rights). ALN has in its corporate membership 47 political parties and 29 countries in Africa. The meeting is said to have taken place under the auspices of the South African-based Brenthurst Foundation.

2) On October 3, 2019, Colin Stewart, writing in 76crimes.com, reported a statement by UPND youth spokesperson Gilbert Liswaniso: “We as UPND youths we wish to state that despite President HH FULLY supporting gay rights, he remains an elder at the Seventh Day Adventist Church (SDA) and therefore a Christian. President Hichilema is of the view that gays and lesbians are part of us and should be allowed to do what they want. Zambia does not belong to Christians only. We have Muslims, Hindus and many other religions so we should seek to respect people’s choices of what they want to be. As youths of UPND we endorse President Hichilema’s stance and ask well-meaning Zambians to fully respect rights of gays and lesbians people. We stand UNITED for gays and lesbians.”

So far, there is no time that the UPND as a member of ALN has convincingly explained its position on LGBTQ+ rights, and official disclaimers of public concerns have always been vague and roundabout. And there is no time when the UPND leadership ever categorically refuted what Gilbert Liswaniso stated.

It will therefore be proper, honest and sincere for you, President Hichilema and Vice-President Nalumango, to state in clear terms if the UPND supports and promotes gay rights. You need to state clearly whether, now that you are the ruling party, you will now pursue the decriminalization of homosexuality and legalization of gay marriages and all that goes with that. So far, the public evidence from the last one week is suggesting that you have opened the doors and it is a New Dawn for LGBTQ+ in Zambia.

I will present you only 10 questions to digest:

ARE YOU AWARE THAT IF YOU LEGALIZE HOMOSEXUALITY, YOU MUST DECRIMINALIZE PAEDOPHILIA (CHILD DEFILEMENT), CHILD PORNOGRAPHY, CHILD MARRIAGES AND CHILD SEX TOURISM?

Look at the North American Man and Boy Love Association (NAMBLA), which was formed in 1978. It is a child-molesting homosexual group that works day and night to give gays legal access to children who are eight-years-old. This association’s motto is “sex before eight before it’s too late.” Apart from marching in most major homosexual parades across the United States, NAMBLA is working to change laws to allow gays sexual access to children. The name of this association comes from the historical reality that homosexuality is not man-on-man sex, but man-on-boy. Related entities worldwide have the very same goals, even if they fail to come out as categorically and openly as this.

If Zambia embraces gay rights, you must allow homosexuals access to children and decriminalize child defilement, child porn, child marriage and child sex tourism where tourists visit a country to have sex with children.

ARE YOU AWARE THAT ORGANIZED HOMOSEXUALITY IS ANTI-GOVERNMENT AND ANTI-SOCIETY, AND AIMS TO SUBVERT NATIONS?

Have you read the Gay Manifesto, published in the February 15-21, 1987 Gay Community News by Michael Swift. It states in part: “We shall sodomize your sons, emblems of your feeble masculinity, of your shallow dreams and vulgar lies. We shall seduce them in your schools, in your dormitories, in your gymnasiums, in your locker rooms, in your sports arenas, in your seminaries, in your youth groups, in your movie theater bathrooms, in your army bunkhouses, in your truck stops, in your all male clubs, in your houses of Congress, wherever men are with men together. Your sons shall become our minions and do our bidding. They will be recast in our image. They will come to crave and adore us.”

ARE YOU AWARE THAT SLAVE TRADERS BROKE THE AFRICAN MALE’S SPIRIT BY RAPING BLACK MEN ANALLY IN FRONT OF THEIR WIVES AND CHILDREN WHEN THE SLAVES TRIED TO PROTEST?

The rape of men was prevalent in the southern parts of America, Cuba and Spain where it was a huge part of the slavery system and culture. While homosexual rape happened in secret locations and on slave plantations, ‘buck breaking’ or ‘bot bursting’ happened in front of the public or the entire plantation personnel to make the slave feel less of a man. This became standard treatment for botched slave rebellions. The men would first be stripped naked and whipped in the presence of a crowd, and after that, raped by the slave owners or merchants as a warning to other slaves.

The targets were mainly the brave men, leaders in the plantations. To make matters more gruesome and unbearable, the slave owners made the African slave fathers to have sex with each other in front of their families. Or they were raped in the presence of their sons. Many of the men killed themselves or ran away after this. Buck breaking started from ships and continued in plantations as a way of stripping male slaves of their pride and power to protect their families. It was also a way for slave owners to show dominance. Why should we African men now long for anal sex and announce our enslavement and humiliation all over again?

Credible research institutions have placed more information than this on the Internet.

ARE YOU AWARE THAT IF YOU LEGALIZE HOMOSEXUALITY, YOU WILL DESTROY MARRIAGE, FAMILY, FATHERHOOD AND MOTHERHOOD AS WE HAVE ALWAYS KNOWN THEM?

Carl Wittman (1943-1986) is one of the early influences behind gay rights. In his 1969 write-up Refugees from Amerika, A Gay Manifesto, dismisses marriage (of males and females) and the family as tools of social oppression and sexual limitation. Under the subheading Alternatives to Marriage, he says: “We have to define for ourselves a new plurastic, role-free social structure for ourselves. It must contain both the freedom and physical space for people to live alone, live together for a while, live together for a long time, either as couples or in large numbers; and the ability to flow easily from one of these states as our needs change. In other words, people should be at liberty to flow into and out of sexual relationships of all kinds without obligation to anyone. At its core, Wittman’s ideology is the very definition of prostitution accepted by society.
If Zambia ends up promulgating gay rights, we will dethrone marriage and elevate prostitution as the ultimate expression of liberty.

In the US and Europe today, it is becoming very difficult for anyone to use the terms ‘man’, ‘woman, ‘boy, ‘girl’ or pronouns ‘he’ or ‘she’. Men who have had no surgical operation have gone to court to be termed ‘woman’. When such males are imprisoned, they are placed with female inmates and pregnancies are happening. They are competing in women’s sports and they are winning. In such societies, women are husbands and fathers in lesbian relationships, and men are wives and mothers in homosexual relationships. Is this the kind of society you want Zambia to become?

ARE YOU AWARE THAT IF YOU LEGALIZE HOMOSEXUALITY, THEN YOU WILL BE ON THE WAY TO LEGALIZING BESTIALITY, NECROPHILIA AND ALL SEXUAL PERVERSIONS CURRENTLY CONSIDERED DISORDERS?

On October 5, 2011, the British newspaper The Telegraph said: “The gay rights movement has moved American society to a point where it at least has to consider legalizing things like polygamy and bestiality.” Because of vehement promotion of gay rights, bestiality (zoophilia) and necrophilia (sex with the dead) are hot topics in western parliaments and other platforms. That is an inevitable outcome of legalizing homosexuality.

ARE YOU AWARE THAT IN THE WEST HEMISPHERE WHERE HOMOSEXUAL RIGHTS ARE RECOGNIZED, THE SOCIETIES THERE HAVE FAILED TO SETTLE WITH GAYS?

The LGBTQ+ movement would have Africans believe that permitting gay rights promotes social harmony and cohesion in society. Yet Forbes.com on November 11, 2021 reported that 375 transgender people were killed that year, the deadliest year for such persons since such matters began to be recorded. The annual global list is released November 20 each year for the Transgender Day of Remembrance. The report, by Jamie Wareham, said the majority of the murders happened in Central and South America (70 per cent). “But like last few years, the most deaths in a single country occurred in Brazil, totalling 33 per cent of global deaths.” Cases from Greece, Kazakhstan, and Malawi were reported for the first time too.

Statista.com observed a consistent increase in transgender murders in the US, with 53 killed in 2021. The Human Rights Campaign reports that in the US at least 26 transgender people were killed in 2018, another 29 in 2017, a total 23 in 2016 and 22 in 2015. This is what has been happening: A man purposes to have sex with a woman he later discovers is actually a man—a number of male lovers have simply lost it and exploded. It is within this context that at least 129 bills against LGBTQ+ were introduced in numerous states across the US in 2017, according to a report by the Human Rights Campaign.

Simply put, introduce gay rights in Zambia and you increase this line of homicides.

ARE YOU AWARE OF AN INCREASED SUICIDE RATE AMONG GAYS IN THE WEST?

Writing in nbcnews.com on April 20, 2021, Dan Avery reported that suicide rates among young people had been on the rise in recent years, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, but gay and bisexual youths were almost five times as likely to have attempted suicide as their straight peers. If the gay lifestyle has raised suicide rates among youths of America in recent years, why should this be promoted to African youngsters who already face numerous personal pressures?

ARE YOU AWARE THAT IF YOU LEGALIZE HOMOSEXUALITY YOU WILL CREATE AN ETHICAL CRISIS AND DESTROY CLARITY OF MORAL THOUGHT IN ZAMBIA?

If we legalize homosexuality and recognize gay rights, our entire ethical sense will be thrown into an irredeemable crisis. When compared to natural heterosexual marriage, gay marriage is not sacred. It has no biblical—or for that matter any other religious—basis for existence as an exclusive and permanent companionship. The nature of homosexuality is that it does not require loyalty and faithfulness in and outside marriage because there is no moral or spiritual foundation for such commitment. Same-sex marriage has nothing to do with offspring, progeny, legacy and destiny. It is self-exclusion and self-expulsion from the normal and natural family tree and therefore from the normal ethics of life.

Homosexuality and lesbianism by nature have no ethics, and have no reason to follow any ethical standards. In their 1978 study, Homosexuality: A Study of Diversity Among Men and Women, published by Simon and Shuster in New York, Alan p. Bell and Martin S. Weinberg established that 28 per cent of homosexual men had more than 1000 partners in their lifetimes; 83 per cent estimated they had had sex with 500 or more partners.

CAN YOU NAME ONLY ONE TRIBE IN ZAMBIA WHICH HOLDS INITIATION CEREMONIES FOR HOMOSEXUALS AND LESBIANS, AND WHICH HOLDS MARRIAGE CEREMONIES FOR THEM AND PROTECTS HOMOSEXUAL MATRIMONY?

If you cannot, then you have no right to open the doors to foreign powers to pour in their ideas and dismember our cultural essence, and scatter our ethnic sensitivities and sensibilities.

ARE YOU AWARE THAT HOMOSEXUALITY IS TREATABLE?

It is not homophobic to state that homosexuality is a state of being that many gays do exit from and marry and have children. There exist scientific entities that serve to treat homosexuality. One is the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality, also known as the NARTH Institute, a US organization promoting conversion therapy, from its formation in 1992. NARTH considers homosexuality a disorder for which it offers therapy and other regimes that change sexual orientation of individuals who experience unwanted same-sex attraction. NARTH is dedicated to “affirming a complementary, male-female model of gender and sexuality.” NARTH disagrees with the global scientific consensus, the position of the world’s major mental health organizations, and scientific research which show that homosexuality is not a disorder. NARTH has since joined the Alliance for Therapeutic Choice and Scientific Integrity.

ARE YOU AWARE THAT HOMOSEXUALITY IN 2022 IS ABOUT A NATION’S SOVEREIGNTY?

In 2011, the US and the UK warned they would use foreign aid to push for homosexuality to be decriminalized in Africa. In March 2013, the European Union offered financial support for organizations that wish to promote rights of gay people in Zambia. The Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) strongly and flatly rejected the offer and warned the EU against interfering in the internal affairs of Zambia; going as far as demanding an apology from the union. Of course no apology came forth. Almost every time our courts have sentenced homosexuals to jail, western heads of state have phoned our sitting presidents to protest—questioning our sovereignty.

Do not imagine that homosexuality is merely about two men or two women in a room, impacting no one else. It is about subverting a nation and weakening its morality for greater nations to swoop in and control its land and natural resources.

The sovereignty and integral existence of the Republic of Zambia are at stake. I hope you are able to recognize this, our President Hichilema and Vice-President Nalumango.

Britain gives Zambia one billion pounds for SMEs development

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The British government says it has set one billion pounds aside over the next five years to help boost its investment in Zambia.

British High Commissioner to Zambia Nicholas Woolley says government will also help boost Finance for Zambia’s Small Medium Entrepreneurs (SMEs) by 100 million pounds.

Mr. Woolley says the British Government has also increased investment in renewable energy by 500 Million pounds.

He says the partnership is embodied in the UK-Zambia Green Growth Compact signed by ministers during President Hakainde Hichilema’s visit to the United Kingdom in November 2021.

Mr. Woolley was speaking in Lusaka last night at the occasion of her majesty Queen Elizabeth’s 96th birthday and 70th Anniversary rule.

And Mr. Woolley said the British government is impressed that the 2021 General Election demonstrated the maturity of Zambia’s democracy because it was a peaceful transition of party.

Meanwhile, Energy Minister Peter Kapala said Zambia and United Kingdom Government has enjoyed good bilateral relations for a long time.

Mr. Kapala said Britain is one of the major investors in Energy, Agriculture, Mining, Education, Health, Climate change among others.

He pointed out that the investment in the energy sector will contribute to sustainable electricity strategic plan for generation and transmission infrastructure.

Mr. Kapala said the occasion to celebrate the Queen’s birthday and her rule has given the Zambian Government an opportunity to appreciate the long lasting relationship anchored on developmental agenda.

Senior Chief Musele tells Govt not to give title deed to Trident mine

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Senior Chief Musele of Kalumbila District in North Western Province has advised government not to issue a title deed for Trident Mine as the mining giant has failed to fulfill its initial obligations in the area.

This is after the First Quantum Minerals -FQM-operated Mine applied to government through the Ministry of Lands and Natural resources to put thirty-eight thousand hectares for surface rights and five thousand hectares for township expansion on title.

Chief Musele says before the Mine started mining, they agreed on constructing decent accommodation for those who were resettled in 2013 to pave way for mining activities.

Speaking during a community meeting with Lands and Natural resources Minister Elijah Muchima and North Western Province Minister Robert Lihefu, Senior Chief Musele said the land that the mine is seeking to be on title is vast and should NOT be allowed to be in private hands.

And Mr. Muchima said government will not ignore the input of traditional leaders in making key decisions regarding development.

The Minister said government values the input of traditional leaders as they are partners in development.

Mr. Muchima said government wants local people to start benefiting from the natural resources.

Meanwhile, FQM Country General Manager, Kingsley Chinkuli said the mine will continue negotiating with government over its development.

Fashion Joins Chipolopolo Camp

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Chipolopolo’s foreign-based  call-ups has swelled  to eight at the teams Lusaka camp following Glasgow Rangers striker Fashion Sakala arrival who also joined them in  training on Wednesday.

The Glasgow Rangers striker is one of 16 overseas players coach Aljosa Asanovic has summoned for June’s 2023 AFCON Group  H qualifying matches against Cote d’Ivoire and Comoros.

This will also be Fashion’s first assignment under Asanovic after missing the Croats’ March friendlies against Congo-Brazzaville and Benin due to Covid-19.

Asanovic was appointed Chipolopolo coach in January.

“I really wanted to be part of the last two friendlies that I missed due to COVID but I am really happy to be back for the two games.  Very important games,” Fashion said.

“Obviously, these games are very important for us, especially the first one. We just have to have confidence and believe that we can win. We don’t need to doubt ourselves, we need to have trust we are getting from the fans.

“This is the time for us to play in the AFCON and I don’t think we have any excuses to give if we fail.”

Also in camp is the South  African-based trio of  goalkeeper  Toaster  Nsabata and  midfielder  Roderick  Kabwe of Sekhukhune United and  club-less stopper  Mwenya  Chibwe.

Others are midfielder Emmanuel Banda of Swedish club Djurgarden and TP Mazembe defender Tandi Mwape.

Defender Frankie Musonda of Scottish Championship club Raith Rovers and Israel-based forward Lameck Banda were the other players at Wednesday’s training.

Chipolopolo  are set to depart for  Ghana on Thursday  where the other  half of the  16 foreign-based call-ups will  join them for a weeklong transit camp in  Accra  before  heading to  Abidjan on  June 1.

Zambia battle Cote d’Ivoire on June 3 and later return home to host Comoros on June 7.

Matambo leads selected former freedom fighters and other citizens on African Freedom Day

Copperbelt Minister Elisha Matambo on Wednesday morning led selected former freedom fighters and other citizens in commemorating African Freedom Day in Ndola.

Mr. Matambo presided over the ceremony also attended by officers from the armed defence forces in the Ndola Central Business District.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the commemoration, Mr. Matambo underscored the 2022 Africa Freedom Day theme: ‘Leveraging our national resources to boost food security’.

Mr. Matambo pledged the Government’s commitment to prioritising food security to sustain Zambia.

The Copperbelt Minister said the New Dawn Government will sustain small scale farmers as they produce more food than they have been producing before.

Mr. Matambo said small scale farmers are key partners in achieving a healthy national food security for the nation.

“I think the tone has already been set by President Hakainde Hichilema. He is saying in order to achieve food security farmers will this year collect affordable fertilizer in good time. This shows the importance of agriculture to the nation. President Hakainde Hichilema has already set the tone. You saw him coming to officiate at the Agriculture Field Day organised by the Zambia National Farmers Union and yesterday I am sure you saw him having a meeting with fertiliser suppliers so that farmers can have access to fertiliser at reasonable prices. So I think as a province first we can commend the President for showing the whole country how important agriculture is so that we can have good harvest going forward. So as a province I think we are also encouraging small scale farmers like we were in Lufwanyama last week, we want them to do more than they have been doing in the past,” he said.

“We also want to promise the farmers that they should not get discouraged to go in the field to do their best in terms of playing maize or other crops because we are determined to give them good prices just like President Hakainde Hichilema is saying. I also want to encourage farmers not to rush to sell maize to these business men. We don’t even know where they come from. They usually deceive farmers with lower prices. So we want them to be patient so that they can sell their maize and other crops at reasonable prices through FRA (Food Reserve Agency) and other agencies that offer reasonable prices.

Zambia United National Freedom Fighters Association representative Isaac Chileshe said Africa has not yet attained complete economic freedom due to greediness among its leaders.

Mr. Chileshe said by now Africa would have had a common market for all countries had leaders been selfless

“African political leaders should eradicate greediness when they assume leadership roles. By now, Africa should have had a common market for us,” Mr. Chileshe said.

Earlier in his sermon, Zambia Police chaplain Floyd Chinyanta said the nation should preserve resources for future generations.

He said the nation should not waste national resources for the future generation to benefit.

“We should be good stewards of our resources. We should be hard working people that are ready to produce. People that will enhance the farming sector of our country that we help farmers come on board and be able to produce enough not only to feed us this year but to feed us even in the years to come when the rains are not adequately pouring. We should develop proper storage systems for this nation that once we have a bumpy harvest we take care of the grains, we take care of the produce and that we should have preserves such that as we exploit resources we also look at the reservation for future use because we are not the only people that are here. God willingly if Christ doesn’t come there are future generations to come, so let us be mindful of these people coming,” Chaplain Chinyata preached.

President Hichilema lays wreaths at Freedom statue

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President Hakainde Hichilema has led Service Chiefs and Diplomats accredited to Zambia in laying wreaths at the freedom statue to commemorate the Africa Freedom Day.

The President and his entourage arrived at the freedom Statue in Lusaka this morning at about 09:30 hours.

And in his homily, themed Spiritual Freedom, Zambia Air Force (ZAF) Deputy Director Chaplaincy, Colonel Malcolm Nyambe, said that freedom in the spirit is required for God to reveal what he has for the people of Zambia and the rest of Africa.

Col. Nyambe said Zambians survival depends on the people of Zambia having faith in God and in His will for the country.

He noted that the spiritual freedom that Zambia has, has enabled the country to attain political freedom.

” With the political freedom that we have we are no longer where we used to be. We are now able to make choices without being under pressure and we can freely choose our Presidents and other leaders,” he said.

The Colonel further urged Zambians to guard jealously the freedom that the country has enjoyed over the years.

He also advised the nation to remain a resounding example to other countries and to continue been looked at as a haven of peace.

Nkandu:We Are Looking Into Mabika’s Chipolopolo Case

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Sports Minister Elvis Nkandu insists there is progress in defender Aime Mabika’s naturalisation process to see if he can play for Chipolopolo in competitive matches.

Mabika’s application is dragging a week after his central defensive partner and English-born defender Frankie Musonda’s application was cleared and will be part of Chipolopolo’s 2023 AFCON qualifying campaign in June.

The duo made their Chipolopolo debut in March in Zambia’s 3-1 friendly win over Congo-Brazzaville in Turkey.

“I have received a lot of queries in my inbox from people asking me about Mabika. Yes I know there are a lot of countries that want players that are connected to them to play for their national teams but we must do the right thing,” Nkandu said.

Mabika was born in Zambia in 1998 to DR Congo parentage and spent the first eight years of his life in Zambia before his family moved to the USA where he currently plays for MLS club Inter Miami.

Musonda on the other hand has a Zambian father and an English mother.

“We have to follow the law and as Government we will make sure we do the right thing,” Nkandu said.

“The journey of a thousand miles starts with one step. Today, we have Frankie Musonda, tomorrow we can have Mabika but we are a Government of laws, so we have to follow the law.”

There can never be true freedom when people are failing to meet the basic needs of life

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By Harry Kalaba President of the Democratic Party(DP).

Dear countrymen and women, every year on 25th May, the continent takes time to commemorate Africa Freedom Day. A day when we remember the sacrifice of our forefathers and how they fought and in some cases sacrificed their freedom and life to liberate the continent of Africa. Notable Pan Africanists like Kwame Nkrumah, Ben Bella, Seko Toure, Leopold Senghor, Anwar Sadat, Haile Selassie,Kenneth David Kaunda, Mzee Julius Kambarange Nyerere, Mzee Jomo Kenyata, galvanized the collective effort to spur the emancipation of Africans from the yoke of their colonial master.

In Zambia, the history of our liberation was written with the blood and toil of the likes of Harry Mwanga Nkumbula, Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe, Alexander Grey Zulu, Daniel Lisulo, Fines Bulawayo, Solomon Kalulu, Simon Chisha Kalaba, Mama Julia Chikamoneka, Joseph Mutale, Mama Mary Fulano, James Chapoloko, Kapasa Makasa, Mama Chibesa Kankasa, Lawrence Katilungu, Herbert Matoka and many others who took it upon themselves to fight for the liberation of mother Zambia.

The 2022 Africa Freedom Day is one that calls for serious reflection as it is happening on the backdrop of a government that is intent on reversing all the gains that the country made on 24th October, 1964. We are faced with a situation where the New Dawn government is keen on handing back the nation to the colonial masters in the name of attracting investors. We have a situation where government is intent on reversing all the gains the country has earned over the years by allowing for reverse colonialism to thrive again. The handing back of KCM to Vedanta, giving of concessions to foreign mining companies at the expense of supporting citizens to enjoy decent living are just but a few examples one can point at.

The events of the last couple of weeks have also shown that the New Dawn government has made a resolve to not just disregard the moral fabric of the nation but to completely obliterate the order of nature in clear breach of the Penal Code in Chapter XV Section 155 C. This government has taken a position that is clearly misaligned to the African values of marriage being between a man and a woman. The government seems to negate the sacrifice by our forefathers that was intended for Africans to enjoy freedom from any negative vice including being coerced into following traditions and values that have had a negative impact in the countries where the promoters of the same values come from. Same sex marriage is not just foreign to Africa and Zambia in particular but also goes against the order of nature and is forbidden under the Zambian constitution and yet the New Dawn government seems to be keen on letting it thrive as a way of appeasing their political sponsors.

While the nation is fighting to fend off the moral aberration by the New Dawn government, the citizens are also fighting to find ways of addressing the biting hunger that seems to be compounded by government’s failure to come up with tangible solutions in addressing the poverty challenge that most people are faced with. They can never be true freedom when people are failing to meet the basic needs of life. We are concerned that the dignity of our people has been eroded owing to their failure to care for their loved ones.

There can never be true freedom when people are failing to meet the basic needs of life. It is my prayer that as we commemorate this year’s Africa Freedom Day, we will call to order the New Dawn government and get them to commit to meeting their campaign promises of a cheaper cost of living for the people of Zambia. True freedom will only be actualized when the wealth of this country is given back to its citizens both economically and morally.

I thank you and wish you God’s continued blessings and protection.
Let’s Believe Again!!!

Lone lion spotted in Chirundu

Panic and anxiety arose among villagers in Chirundu Town’s Kapululira area when a lone lion appeared unannounced, yesterday.

The panic-stricken villagers who in their bid to safety away from the beast proved an effective weapon to scare away the beast much to the detriment of officers from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) alerted about the beast’s presence in the area.

Chirundu District Commissioner Patrick Kasambila who confirmed the development however expressed displeasure with the behaviour of some villagers from Kapululira area were a lone lion was spotted.

Mr. Kasambila said yesterday officers from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) were alerted of the presence of the lion near the Michael Chilufya Sata Bridge commonly known as “Pontoon” but before the officers tried to kill the beast, villagers started making noise hence scaring the lion which ran away.

“ The officers arrived on the scene on time but could not shoot down the beast for fear of injuring onlookers who wanted to catch the glimpse of the beast.

“ The behaviour of the villagers as unfortunate as the lion wandered to nearby Farao village where it was reported that it killed four goats, “ he said.

Mr. Kasambila stated that despite this, the wildlife officers have continued to track the beast.

By midday today , goat caucuses were found in the area indicating that the lion is still within the radius of Kapululira, Jordan and Farao villages respectively, he added.

He advised the villagers to avoid walking at night and in tall grass to avoid being attacked by the beast.

Recently, the Department of National Parks and Wildlife said there is likelihood that the number of lions on the loose in Kafue district could be more than two.

Department of National Parks and Wildlife Director, Chuma Simukonda confirmed, saying the lions escaped from Lower Zambezi National Park, in search of food.

Dr Simukonda further disclosed the latest foot prints of the lions indicate that the lions were last in Shimabala area near the toll gate.

And a resident of Kapululira, Collen Kambanje appealed to wildlife officer to intensify their patrols in Kapululira, Jordan and Farao in order to kill the beast.

Ms. Kambanje said the villagers in Kapululira, Jordan and Farao are living in perpetual fear of being attacked by the beast that is wandering within the radius of the said areas.

She explained that the villagers in the mentioned areas were scared of even going to their fields for fear of being attacked.

Energy Minister commends UK for continued bilateral assistance

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The government has commended the United Kingdom for the continued technical and financial support in various sectors of the economy.

And British High Commission to Zambia Nicholas Woolley has applauded the government for its commitment to provide free education.

Minister of Energy Peter Kapala says Zambia has benefited from the technical and financial assistance from the UK in the areas of health, education, agriculture, mining and energy among others.

Mr. Kapala indicates that the Zambian government is keen to elevate the bilateral relations to greater heights through trade and industry and advance the promotion of peace and good government and support democratic rights such as freedom of expression.

In the energy sector the UK government is supporting the government in the development of a long term electricity support plan which will be an investment sustainable development plan for clean and cheap energy.

The minister said this when he officiated at the celebration of the 96 th Birthday of Queen Elizabeth the Second today in Lusaka at the British’s High Commissioners’ Residence.

‘’As Zambia joins the rest of the Commonwealth nations in Celebrating the Queen’s birthday, we would like to appreciate you for the friendly relations that we share with the United Kingdom based on long lasting relations.

“ Zambia continues to benefit from technical and financial assistance from the UK through the foreign commonwealth, Including health and education, agriculture, Mining and energy private sector development, environment ,water and sanitation, good government and social protection,’’ he said.

And British High Commission to Zambia Nicholas Woolley has applauded the government for its commitment to provide free education.

Mr.Wooley said his government is backing the free education policy through a multimillion pound programme supporting access to education for thousands of vulnerable girls mostly in the rural areas of the country.

He noted that this is a demonstration of commitment to giving women and girls the opportunity to achieve their full potential and contribute to Zambia’s economic development.

‘’We support the government’s commitment in ensuring that the girls have access to sexual and reproductive health information and services to prevent teenage pregnancies and help girls stay in schools.

“ In our efforts to support Zambian ranger counter poaching and the illegal wildlife trade. In fact in addition to this training the UK soldiers are undertaking this work in Kafue National Park and are currently raising money for the Chunga Primary School in Kafue, Central Province by running six consecutive marathons around Lusaka National Park,’’ he said.

Workers Compensation Fund to increase compensation from K150 to K400 minimum, per month

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The government has approved the recommendation of the Workers Compensation Fund Control Board to increase monthly payments for injured workers from K150 to K400 minimum, per month.

The decision follows professional advice through an actual valuation of the Workers Compensation Fund in accordance with the standard actuarial principles.

This indicates that the Fund has a healthy funding level of 325% percent with the value of assets standing at 2.4 billion Kwacha against liabilities of 743 million Kwacha.

Minister of Labour and Social Security Brenda Tambatamba says adjustment is in line with section 86 of the Workers Compensation Act no. 10 of 2019 of the laws of Zambia which permits the Board to increase amounts payable under the Fund.

Speaking at a media briefing in Lusaka, Ms. Tambatamba noted that this is to compensate the beneficiaries for the increase in the cost of living.

She however bemoaned the previous minimum benefit levels which remained low not meet the expectations of the injured workers in terms of levels of coverage and benefits.

“The social security reforms by government are not only aimed at improving benefits but also expanding the scope and modernizing the occupational injury scheme as well as remove ambiguities,” Ms. Tambatamba indicated.

This is in line with the new dawn government’s transformational agenda of changing the Workers Compensation Fund Control Board into a proactive work injury scheme that responds to the needs of beneficiaries, she said.

The Minister implored the Fund to maintain a steady increase of the benefits to adequate levels by re-modeling the investment strategies.

She said this should be to respond to the contemporary investment environment so as to optimize returns in line with President Hakainde Hichilema’s directive during the 2022 International Labour Day celebrations.

Also present at the media briefing was the Workers Compensation Fund Control Board Chairperson Emmanuel Mbambiko who took note of the Ministers concerns and requests, regarding the transformation of the institution

Zambia Airways helps in boosting local tourism

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Zambia Tourism Agency (ZTA) says the establishment of the national airline, Zambia Airways has contributed significantly to domestic tourism.

ZTA Acting Chief Executive Officer Chavunga Lungu says the national airline’s competitive pricing has worked in favour of domestic tourism.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS, Mr Lungu said the airline servicing domestic routes has also contributed greatly to local tourism.

“Zambia Airways were clever when they were coming in. They decided to be servicing some of these routes where we have our natural endowments and people would want to travel to these particular places,” he said.

The national airline commence operations on 01st December 2021 from its hub in Lusaka to domestic destinations of Livingstone and Ndola. The airline currently has frequency of five and six times a week to Livingstone and Ndola, respectively.

The airline will introduce additional domestic routes to Mfuwe and Solwezi and add regional destinations, Johannesburg, and Harare, to its network within the first quarter of 2022.

Zambia Airways (2014) Limited is the flag carrier of the Republic of Zambia with its hub at Kenneth Kaunda Airport in Lusaka. It is established in accordance with the shareholder’s agreement signed between the Government of Zambia through Industrial Development Corporation Limited (IDC) and Ethiopian Airlines Group in August 2018 where IDC owns 55% while Ethiopian Airlines Group (ET) owns 45% of the shares.

And Mr Lungu said there has been an improvement in domestic tourism adding that there is now wide acceptance for local tourism products.

Pointing out that statistics were still being tabulated, and would be ready next month , Mr Lungu however expressed optimism that when statistics are fully compiled, they will show an upward trend regarding domestic tourism.

“Yes there has been an improvement, an upward trajectory we believe as Zambia Tourism Agency. This is on the premise that the numbers that we saw in 2021 and 2020 that supported the hospitality industry was actually domestic tourism.

“ More than 60 percent of the tourism business was sustained by domestic travelers,” he said.

Farmers to import agricultural machinery at zero rate

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President Hakainde Hichilema says his administration is putting in place measures aimed at promoting value addition in the country.

President Hichilema points out that the new dawn government has put in place incentives so as to allow farmers to import agricultural machinery for value addition at zero rate.

Mr Hichilema said this when addressing journalists shortly after attending the Zambia National Farmers Union ( ZNFU ) symposium at Mulungushi international Conference centre.

“Yes government is putting in place incentives for farmers to import agriculture machinery for value addition at almost zero rate,” He said.

It is the new dawn government’s goal to turn Zambia into a producing, processing and distribution center for the local and regional market.

Government for this reason is slowly changing the narrative of exporting raw materials as is the case in the mining sector.

The President noted that Zambia has all the natural resources required to produce goods and services.

“Zambia should be a production, processing and distribution center for the local and regional market.”

And explaining that the zero rating of agricultural machinery is aimed at encouraging productivity, Minister of Agriculture Mtolo Phiri indicated that government primarily wants to grow the country’s through increased productivity in the agriculture sector.

However, Mr Phiri stressed that government alone cannot grow the country’s economy hence calls to work with the private sector closely.

The Agriculture Minister has since thanked President Hichilema for accepting to engage with suppliers of fertilizers during the symposium at Mulungushi International Conference centre.

And ocal Journalists have been challenged to be truthful as they discharge their duties by ensuring that they carry factual stories so as to make Zambia the most favourable investment destination.

President Hichilema told journalists during the symposium that irresponsible reporting only dents the country’s image and scare away would be investors.

President Hichilema at  the Zambia National Farmers Union ( ZNFU ) symposium at Mulungushi international Conference centre.
President Hichilema at the Zambia National Farmers Union ( ZNFU ) symposium at Mulungushi international Conference centre.

Earlier, In a bid to lower the cost of food in the country, President Hakainde Hichilema says his administration remains committed to address challenges being faced in the agricultural value chain.

And President Hichilema notes that high fertilizer prices is one of the major barriers that need to be addressed to ensure reduced food prices.

Mr Hichilema explains that his administration will work with key stakeholders among them farmers and fertilizer suppliers to ensure that the prices of fertilizer are reduced and make it readily available.

“ Availability of the commodity will attain if local manufacturing is promoted and supported, “ he says.

The President said this to journalists after an engagement with Fertilizer Suppliers at a Symposium organized by the Zambia National Farmers Union ( ZNFU ), in Lusaka, yesterday.

He said he will continue to engage ley partners in revolving challenges in the economy and those being faced by citizens that will in turn address the high cost of living especially food.

“This is our new way of working, we shall and continue working together and unlock any challenges that we face in our economy, in our communities, food issues and the availability of it,” he said.

He noted that his administration is dedicated to growing the economy and creating job opportunities for the Zambians in order to better their lives.

“In everything we do our first core is to better the lives of the people, create jobs for somebody, we have challenges now in the agriculture sector, to ensure that we do not drop the ball on production of various produce to satisfy the local market and exports, “he explained.

The President further urged the farmers to enhance their production capacity and ensure that there is food security in the country.

And Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) president Jarvis Zimba commended President Hichilema for devising effective policies that promote the agriculture sector in order to assure food security in the country.

Mr. Zimba explained that President Hichilema has shown political will in addressing issues that affect production of food.

He added that currently various stakeholders are trying to come up with measures to resolve the issue of low productivity and the cost of production so that the prices of fertilizer are affordable.

The current prices of fertilizer are too high for small scale farmers to afford, hence the need to address the matter.

He said this is why the Symposium has been held so that government, together with farmers and fertilizer suppliers can find an amicable solution to the challenges.

In a bid to lower the cost of food in the country, President Hakainde Hichilema says his administration remains committed to address challenges being faced in the agricultural value chain.

And President Hichilema notes that high fertilizer prices is one of the major barriers that need to be addressed to ensure reduced food prices.

Mr Hichilema explains that his administration will work with key stakeholders among them farmers and fertilizer suppliers to ensure that the prices of fertilizer are reduced and make it readily available.

“ Availability of the commodity will attain if local manufacturing is promoted and supported, “ he says.

The President said this to journalists after an engagement with Fertilizer Suppliers at a Symposium organized by the Zambia National Farmers Union ( ZNFU ), in Lusaka, yesterday.

He said he will continue to engage ley partners in revolving challenges in the economy and those being faced by citizens that will in turn address the high cost of living especially food.

“This is our new way of working, we shall and continue working together and unlock any challenges that we face in our economy, in our communities, food issues and the availability of it,” he said.

He noted that his administration is dedicated to growing the economy and creating job opportunities for the Zambians in order to better their lives.

“In everything we do our first core is to better the lives of the people, create jobs for somebody, we have challenges now in the agriculture sector, to ensure that we do not drop the ball on production of various produce to satisfy the local market and exports, “he explained.

The President further urged the farmers to enhance their production capacity and ensure that there is food security in the country.

And Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) president Jarvis Zimba commended President Hichilema for devising effective policies that promote the agriculture sector in order to assure food security in the country.

Mr. Zimba explained that President Hichilema has shown political will in addressing issues that affect production of food.

He added that currently various stakeholders are trying to come up with measures to resolve the issue of low productivity and the cost of production so that the prices of fertilizer are affordable.

The current prices of fertilizer are too high for small scale farmers to afford, hence the need to address the matter.

He said this is why the Symposium has been held so that government, together with farmers and fertilizer suppliers can find an amicable solution to the challenges.

The government commences consultations for 2023 National Budget and the 2023-2025 MTEF

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The government through the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, has commenced preparations for the 2023 National Budget and the 2023 to 2025 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF).

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Finance and National Planning Acting Secretary to the Treasury, Danies Chisenda announced that the Ministry of Finance and National Planning will be conducting broad-based consultations on the 2023 National Budget and the 2023 – 2025 MTEF to facilitate interactive preparations.

Mr. Chisenda said that a considerable consultation period of up to 30th June, 2023 has been set so that many stakeholders are involved in an open and transparent process.

He therefore urged members from both the public, and private sector, civil society and other stakeholders to submit tax, non-tax and expenditure proposals, for review and possible inclusion in the 2023 National Budget and the 2023 – 2025 MTEF.

Mr. Chisenda indicated that the National Budget and the MTEF are important economic policy tools which help to shape the direction of economic policy and other development priorities.

“The Ministry is confident that the set period will create considerable room for citizens, including the youth, women groups, the private sector, public sector, and all other stakeholders and interest groups to participate in the formulation of the 2023 National Budget and the 2023 – 2025 Medium Term Expenditure Framework,” Mr. Chisenda stated.

He stressed the importance of citizen’s participation in the budget formulation process to ensure that the Government and stakeholders move together in streamlining taxation and creating a conducive policy environment for business.

Mr. Chisenda advised that detailed guidelines on submissions of tax and non-tax proposals for the 2023 National Budget and the 2023 – 2025 Medium Term Expenditure Framework, will be published on various media platforms.

Meet Kabwe Town’s only female Councilor Yvonne Muntemba

32-year-old Yvonne Muntemba is the only female ward councilor in Kabwe District of the Central Province.

Kabwe District has 29 ward councilors.

On the road to becoming David-Ramushu Ward Councilor, Ms. Muntemba, a trained teacher, overcame many challenges ranging from inadequate campaign finances to criticism by fellow women.

She was elected as David-Ramushu Ward Councilor during the 2021 General Election held in August.

Her passion toward contributing to the development of her low-income community motivated her to become a civic leader.

Councilor Muntemba wants to be part of the solution to challenges affecting people in David-Ramushu Ward.

“When you have stayed in a ward and you see that development is not coming you feel like, let me also try and come in to do the needful. We of course have been intimidated, especially that we are women, especially that we don’t have money,” she said in an interview in Kabwe.

The civic leader said challenges did not stop her from becoming a leader in her community.

“I can assure you that I stood with men who had money but the passion for the people motivated us. Of course we had challenges of money and campaign materials but some organisations like NGOCC helped us,” Councilor Muntemba said.

She highlighted her vision for David-Ramushu Ward.

Councilor Muntemba wants to ensure that her ward has a secondary school and clinic in the next five years.

“I have got a vision; I want to be the voice for the voiceless, talking about the youths and women. By the time my five-year term will end we shall have a secondary school and fully fledged clinic in the ward,” she said.

“We don’t have a clinic in David-Ramushu Ward. We don’t have a clinic and people trek to Kasanda and Makululu to access health services, which are far from where they live. So we need a clinic,” she added.

Councilor Muntemba is not under pressure despite working in a council chamber dominated by men.

“I am not under pressure as I serve the people. As I am speaking by now we will have our police post opened soon. We are also clearing drainage in the ward with the help of youths.”

Councilor Muntemba wants to see more women taking up leadership roles.

“We need to have more women to participate in leadership or politics.”

She concluded:”Women are not supporting each other much to be honest if I had not been strong, I was not going to win the elections. I would not have been a councilor today if I didn’t have thick skin.”