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Chipolopolo To Know 2022 COSAFA Cup Opponents Next Week

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Chipolopolo will know their 2022 COSAFA Cup opponents next week for the tournament that will be held at the place of their last triumph.

The 2022 COSAFA Cup will be held in Durban, South Africa where Chipolopolo won their last regional title in 2019 under Aggrey Chiyangi.

Chipolopolo coach Aljosa Asanovic will not have to wait long to know his sides 2022 COSAFA Cup opponents because the draws will be made on May 31.

Durban is going to host the COSAFA Cup from July 5-17.

Defending champions South Africa and Zambia will go into the draw seeking a record equaling 6th COSAFA Cup crown.

However, due to Zimbabwe’s FIFA ban, the record six-time COSAFA Cup champions will not be in the draws but would be reinstated should the embargo be lifted before the July tournament.

Meanwhile, Chipolopolo are heading to the COSAFA Cup hoping to redeem themselves following an unprecedented preliminary group stage exit since the event started in 1997.

Kamanga Hopes Stars Will Replicate Club Form in 2023 AFCON Qualifiers

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FAZ president Andrew Kamanga has told foreign based Chipolopolo stars to replicate their good performances abroad when they feature for Zambia.

Chipolopolo is preparing for the June back-to-back 2023 Africa Cup qualifiers.

Zambia will face Ivory Coast on June 3 in their opening AFCON qualifier away in West Africa before hosting Comoros on 7 June at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.

Writing in his weekly column dubbed president’s corner, Kamanga said FAZ expects that foreign based players will join camp early to fully utilize the time that is remaining for preparations.

Kamanga said the association is doing everything to ensure that preparations are on course for the Africa Cup qualifiers.

The Chipolopolo squad is this Wednesday expected to leave for Ghana to prepare for the Ivory Coast match.

“We have been doing everything to ensure that preparations are on course. The local players have clocked a week in camp with the foreign based players expected to join starting from today onwards. With the team leaving for Ghana for an international camp to help acclimatize to conditions in West Africa on Wednesday, we expect that preparations will go a gear up,” Kamanga wrote.

“Most foreign leagues have come to a close, freeing up some foreign based players for national duty. We expect that our players will join camp early to fully utilize the time that is remaining for preparations. It is worth noting that we have seen some great performances from foreign leagues that we hope to see replicated on national duty,” he stated.

Kamanga hailed the Ministry of Home Affairs’ decision to clear Scotland based defender Frankie Musonda to feature for Zambia.

“We have made some steps on the naturalization process of two players identified from the diaspora namely Frankie Musonda (Scotland) and Aime Mabika (USA). The government has Okayed Musonda’s documentation which is a huge step for us but still scrutinizing the Mabika case.”

“Understandably, these circumstances are dealt with on a case-by-case basis and hopefully Mabika can be given the green light to feature for the Chipolopolo. Other countries have utilized this window opened by FIFA to identify outstanding talents that have some roots in some countries to feature for them,” Kamanga added.

Government concerned about the stagnant Production of Tobacco

Government has raised concern over the static production of tobacco in the country, over the past years.

Minister of Agriculture Mtolo Phiri says there is a need to put mechanisms in place that support the increase in production and processing of tobacco in Zambia.

Speaking when he graced the 2022 tobacco marketing season, Mr Phiri said in the 2021 Agricultural season, the country expected to produce about 36.7 metric tons of tobacco which fall far short in comparison to neighbouring countries like Malawi and Zimbabwe.

“To support the increase in production, marketing and processing of tobacco, the government is committed to establishing an enabling policy and operational environment that benefits all stakeholders in the industry, from the farmers to the merchants.” He said.

Mr. Phiri further explained that the legislation that regulates the tobacco industry in the country is old and outdated, adding that it does not meet the aspirations of the sector.

“This state of legislation is of concern to both government and the private sector players. I am delighted to announce that the Ministry of Agriculture, with input from various private players, has made significant progress in reviewing the legislation,” he said.

Mr. Phiri however commended the Tobacco Board of Zambia for its tireless efforts in coordinating the tobacco industry and ensuring that government and the private sector continue to have progressive and harmonious interactions.

And Tobacco Board of Zambia Chief Executive Officer James Kasongo said good weather conditions coupled with the huge private investment and increased demand for the Zambian tobacco at the world market, will continue to take its rightful place in the crop sector.

Mr. Kasongo said if the tobacco industry is well harnessed, it will contribute positively to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and foreign exchange earnings as well as improve the living standards of the people within the tobacco value chain.

Mr. Kasongo said one of the key issues affecting the tobacco industry has been poor registration of growers which has been a recipe for tobacco side marketing and vending impacting negatively the tobacco sponsors in terms of loan recoveries and most importantly affecting the traceability of the Zambian crop.

“To counter this, Tobacco Board of Zambia is working with industry stakeholders and has put in place the electronic farmer registration and booking system (Bright Leaf System) to enhance the farmer registration.

“The system has been linked to the Tobacco Association of Zambia (TAZ) booking system to provide real time data on sales processes on the floor. The system plays a critical role in the traceability of the crop growers registered,” he said.

And Japan Tobacco International (JTI) Zambia General Manager Litiya Matakala said since JTI Zambia’s inception in 2010 there has been a tenfold increase in the company’s operations.

“This has mainly been driven by a focus on developing people, investing in sustainable tobacco production and exploring efficiencies in our supply chain,” he said.

Mr. Matakala said this approach has yielded great results for the local tobacco company, including becoming the first tobacco company in Zambia to gain recognition by the prestigious institute for four years running.

“This award is a clear recognition of our people centric strategy which prioritizes diversity, environmental, health and safety as well as mental wellbeing.

Through contract farming, JTI partners and finances crop inputs for over 7, 000 small scale growers to the value of 8.6 million dollars per annum. Leading to an annual output of over 13 million kilograms of tobacco, valued at approximately US 46.50 million dollars in export revenue,” Mr. Matakala added.

UPND MP’s Statement that 98% of the Civil Servants are PF and should be Fired is Sad-Atonio Mwanza

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The Former ruling Patriotic Front(PF) Media Director Antonio Mourinho Mwanza has said that the statement by United Party for National Development (UPND) Sesheke Member of Parliament, Romeo Kan’gombe that ‘98 per cent of the civil servants are PF and must be FIRED’ makes a very sad reading.

In a statement released to the media, Mr Mwanza said that Mr Kan’gombe’s narrative feeds into very dangerous rhetoric that UPND has been pushing against all those that worked or did business under the Patriotic Front administration.

Mr Mwanza said that the UPND is on a mission to cleanse the whole country of anyone who does not belong to or support UPND, adding that, to them, anyone who is not UPND does not deserve to live, work or do business in this country and that, worse, if you are PF you don’t even deserve to be alive, you should be ostracised and banished from Zambia.

“This is a very dangerous scheme that must be stopped before this country is turned into a one-party UPND Nation,” Mr Mwanza said.

Below is the full statement

ROMEO KANGOMBE MUST STOP SCANDALISING CIVIL SERVANTS ZAMBIA DOES NOT BELONG TO UPND IT BELONGS TO EVERY ZAMBIAN
Monday 23rd May, 2022

The statement by UPND Sesheke Member of Parliament, Romeo Kan’gombe that ‘98 percent of the civil servants are PF and must be FIRED’ makes very sad reading and feeds into a very dangerous rhetoric that UPND has been pushing against all those that worked or did business under the Patriotic Front administration.

The UPND is on a mission to CLEANSE the whole country of anyone who does not belong or support UPND. To them anyone who is not UPND does not deserve to live, work or do business in this country. Worse, if you are PF you don’t even deserve to be alive, you should be ostracised and banished from Zambia. This is a very dangerous scheme that must be stopped before this country is turned into a one party UPND Nation. According to the UPND philosophy Zambia gained its independence the day they won elections in 2021; before that, Zambia was a nation in turmoil and civil strife, the country was a ‘war’ zone until they came to power to give us peace and freedom of expression. How delusional can one be? It’s an insult to our founding fathers who fought for this nation’s independence we all enjoy today and yes, it is a slap on the face of the gallant men and women who fought for the multiparty democracy that gave this same UPND a chance to participate and win an election.

On the outset the UPND must understand that not everyone can or should support them. Zambia is a multi party democracy and people must be free to support any political party of their choice without fear of retribution or fear of loss of work or business.

It is clear that UPND does not understand who civil servants are, let alone, they don’t understand the structure and scope of the civil service. The civil service is the apolitical administrative and management institution of government and it lives in perpetuity beyond any political party or political establishment. UNIP, MMD, PF all came and went but the civil service remained; like wise, UPND will also go but the civil service will remain. So to look at the civil service as an enemy and not an arm of Government’s administration and management that will outlive all political parties and political administrations is to lack both knowledge and foresight.

Who is a civil servant? All public service workers including government administrators, teachers and health workers are civil servants. So according to UPND all the teachers, nurses, doctors, administrators etc that they found must be fired and replaced with UPND cadres. How? What kind of warped thinking is this? Who tells them that this country belongs only to UPND cadres? Does it mean that every party that comes to power must chase everyone and replace them with their cadres? Do they even know that not every civil servant in today’s government was employed by the administration, some were employed by the MMD? Does it mean that everyone now must belong to UPND for them to get employed? This is very backward and dangerous thinking and time has come for UPND to stop this kind of hatred and discrimination against fellow Zambians on account that they don’t belong to their Party.

We are not naive to note that at the heart of Romeo Kang’ombe’s statement that the UPND should fire 98% of the current civil servants is the UPND’s scheme to target and get rid of all the civil servants who come from certain regions. This is not even a secret, everyone knows how this Government is targeting people from certain regions. UPND must get rid of this hatred against fellow Zambians. We are all Zambians whether PF, UPND or any other political party. olitics is a service to the people and should not be reduced to personalities and tribal hegemony.

For their own information, UPND must know that these same civil servants they are harassing today actually voted for UPND.

No Zambian must lose a job or be denied business opportunities based on the political party they support. Instead of harassing them, the UPND must embrace and work closely with our teachers, nurses, doctors and all the other civil servants to push the development agenda for Zambia forward.

Lastly UPND must always remember that they will not be in power forever, one day they will be voted out and their turn to be held accountable for their actions will surely dawn upon them. Let them be cautious in the manner they are treating Zambians.

Issued by
Antonio Mourinho Mwanza
PF Media Director

RUGBY: KPF Dedicate Big Win To Late Club Strongman Manda

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Defending champions Red Arrows have surrendered the National Rugby League top spot after succumbing to a 16-13 loss to grieving KPF away in Kitwe.

KPF battled Arrows on Saturday just five days after putting to rest their club life President Peter Manda, who died recently.

KPF on Saturday moved to the top of the table after beating Arrows at home in Kitwe on Saturday.
KPF, who have one game in hand, sit on 14 points, one point above second placed Mufulira Leopards as at Week Four.

“Dad the boys have done it for you. Today’s game was dedicated to you and for sure they have delivered as they promised to win it for you. Thank you KPF for the honour and the win, smiling down and laughing in his laugh. We will miss you dad at every game,” KPF Chairman Jeremiah Manda remarked after the win over Arrows.

Jeremiah was the son of the late iconic rugby administrator Peter Manda.

Arrows have dropped from first to fifth position as they remain on 12 points.

Meanwhile, Diggers remained third on the table despite beating Lusaka 6-3 to move to 13 points.

In other games, Mufulira Leopards beat Ndola Wanderers 59-03 and Green Eagles overcame Konkola 15-09 Konkola.

Week 4 Results

Kitwe Playing Fields 16-13 Red Arrows

Lusaka 03-06 Diggers

Mufulira Leopards 59-03 Ndola Wanderers

Green Eagles 15-09 Konkola


Presidents League

Kansanshi 03-03 Nkwazi

Nchanga 11-08 Chibuluma

Green Buffaloes 53-00 Roan Antelope

Ladies League

Green Eagles Women Rugby 79-00 Nchanga/Konkola Queens

MONDAYS PRO’S HIT LIST: Fit-Again Mwepu Gives Chipolopolo Boost

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Enock Mwepu return to action gives Chipolopolo a boost while they are UEFA and promotion issues elsewhere to wrap-up as the curtain comes down on the European football landscape for this season.

=TANZANIA
Rally Bwalya played in Simba SC’s 1-1 away draw against Geita Gold FC on Sunday while compatriot and fellow midfielder Clatous Chama remains sidelined with an injury.
Second placed Simba could relinquish the league title on Monday to Young Africans with five games to spare should the latter win at second from bottom Biashara United.

=RUSSIA
Relegated Arsenal Tula ended their campaign with a second successive loss after going down 2-1 at home on Saturday to Ural.
Klings Kangwa played the full 90 minutes but was not on target.

=ENGLAND
-Brighton:
Midfielder Enock Mwepu returned from a three-week injury layoff when he came on as a 79th minute substitute in Sunday’s 3-1 home win over West Ham.

-Leicester City: Leicester finished the season on a high when they beat Southampton 4-1 at home on Sunday to end the campaign in 8th position.
Striker Patson Daka was an unused substitute.


=DENMARK
-Midtjylland:
Midfielder Edward Chilufya played the opening 56 minutes for championship chasers Midtjylland on Sunday and contributed an assist in the league runners-up 3-2 home victory over Randers.
FC Copenhagen has clinched the Danish league title with a match to spare.

-Horsens: Lubambo Musonda is in action on Monday evening away to Fredericia in a match leaders Horsens must win to secure promotion back to the Danish top flight for the first time since 2019.

=SOUTH AFRICA
-Maritzburg United:
Friday Samu played the full 90 minutes but was not on target in Saturday’s 1-0 home win over demoted Baroka.
-Sekhukhune United: Toaster Nsabata was in goal for Sekhukhune in Saturday’s 2-2 away draw while Roderick Kabwe too played the full 90 minutes and contributed an assist.

-Kaizer Chiefs:
Striker Lazarus Kambole came on in the 66th minute of 10-man Chiefs 2-2 home draw against Swallows.
Kambole was not on target nor was his compatriot at Swallows Mwape Musonda who was substituted in the 90th minute.

PUNGWAMANIA: Seems our politics has a tendency to repeat itself

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By Miles B. Sampa,MP

Not sure which small chicken the big eagle from the sky intends to strike on but I have read this script or watched this baskop (movie) before. Seems our politics has a tendency to repeat itself.

2012 President Michael Sata-MCS (MHRIEP) was pushed by sycophants close to his office to ‘sort out’ not only some political opponents, but also some in the Judiciary that was seen to have been ‘bad seeds’ for one reason or another, real or perceived. MCS clenched his mighty fist and invited Judge Chikopa from Malawi to come and head a tribunal to ‘clean’ the justice system.

Turned out to be a big miscalculation made instantly and the tribunal hardly took off. It was interlocutory or preliminary submissions one after another before judge Chikopa’s tribunal could hear even one case. Soon there were injunctions upon injunctions against the tribunal and Judge Chikopa himself much to the annoyance of MCS and his inner circle. Then events overtook events and mwine filimu (main actor) became ill and the rest is history.

10 years later we seem to have part 2 of the same movie now code-named ‘Pungwa tasakamana’. The main Actor, inner circle but this time included in the annoyance with events out of the judiciary are the ‘praise & worship’ acappela singers. The corruption suspects and those in the judiciary perceived to be shielding them will be ‘sorted out by the pungwa’.

They will not see the mighty eagle land from the sky to lift them out of their comfort zones and take them above clouds (police cells or prison). The pungwa may actually have already landed on one political opponent uplifted from Lusaka through the skies to the prisons of Lukulu on the borders of Angola. The Bird is that powerful and fact remains undisputed from past nest holders.

Yes all those suspected to have stolen from public coffers or were masters of corruption should be prosecuted without fear or favour. Those found guilty should be jailed actually so as to deter those in the current and future governments from engaging in the same vice at the expense of saving the majority of poor and vulnerable in our society.

It is true that corruption in public service offices cannot be fought with kids’ gloves. Actually, in some Asian countries, it is punishable by life or capital sentences.

Let’s, however, learn from history and not allow the corruption fight to repeat itself in a negative way at the expense of the majority of well-meaning Zambians and all arms of its government wings namely the Executive, Judiciary and Legislature.

Unlike ‘Mpali ‘on pay channel DStv, ‘pungwa tasakamana’ soap is showing free on ZNBC and I like many Zambians, are watching with keen interest to see how and if the eagle will capture the small chicks.

Ultimately Corruption must be defeated in Zambia and so far so bad since Independence in 1964.

Author is an MP for Matero Constituency and Chairman of APNAC (Africa Parliamentarians Network Against Corruption)

Government called upon to curtail selling high potent spirits on the open market

Alcohol Concern Zambia (ACZ) is calling on the government to strengthen legislation to curtail the sale of high potent spirits commonly known as tujilijili or junta from the open market and the streets.

ACZ is concerned that the selling of these high potent spirits has become wide spread across the country and contributing to the high consumption of alcohol among young people, yet like any other alcoholic beverages, these high potent spirits are supposed to be sold from registered and regulated outlets in accordance with the Liquor Licensing Act Cap 17 of the Laws of Zambia.

Currently the Liquor Licensing Act is being flouted with impunity across the country and the selling of alcohol in the street is now being seen as normal and acceptable. This is detrimental to public health policy and the welfare of many young people and adults in the country taking advantage of the easy availability and access to buying these alcoholic beverages.

Current measures where council officers acting under the Liquor Licensing Act occasionally make swoops on street vendors and Kachasu brewers are unsustainable as they care often a one-off event conducted overtime and covering a limited geographical area.

To make matters worse, most councils and municipalities do not even have the requisite manpower to enforce such measures as a means to curtail illegal alcohol sales.

Adding to this concern is the proliferation of many different brands of high potent alcoholic beverages being sold on the market resulting in alcohol abuse becoming common place among the youth.

Alcohol abuse may lead many youth and young adults becoming alcohol dependent and exposed to mental health disorders including taking to alcohol induced aggressiveness and violence, criminal tendencies, self-harm and sometimes suicidal thoughts and attempts. Heavy drinking from an early age is also impacting young people’s ability to make rational decisions. Many well-endowed and talented young people have dropped out or abandoning their education or employment because of the impact of alcohol on their mental health.

The issue of alcohol abuse has left many parents and family members traumatized on seeing their children’s potential and prospects decapitate in front of their eyes while many marriages have broken up leaving children destitute.

The youth are particularly vulnerable to alcohol abuse and if this trend is left unchecked it has the potential to negatively impact on the country’s economic transformation agenda as the human resource (youths) to drive development would have been destroyed by alcohol abuse.

Vice President Mutale Nalumango expected in Indonesia

Vice President Mutale Nalumango is expected in Indonesia, to attend the Seventh Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).

ZANIS reports that the event will be held at the Bali International Convention Centre and the Vice President is expected to join several International delegates who will be present to deliberate on the latest progresses, developments and innovations in disaster management.

The Seventh Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction is being organized and convened by the United Nations (UN) office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and hosted by the Government of Indonesia.

The 2022 Global Platform will be held under the theme: From Risk to resilience, towards Sustainable Development for all, in a COVID-19 transformed world.

And United Nations (UN) Chief Communications Officer for UNDRR, Janet Elsworth says the UN body is happy that Zambia has sent a high level delegate in its Vice President Mutale Nalumango.

“We are very delighted to host the Vice President of Zambia here in Bali, this shows how Zambia attaches great importance to issues of global disasters,” she said.

Ms Elsworth notes that the Global Platform takes place at a critical time, seven years from the adoption of the Sendai Framework and just over two years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This global crisis has exposed how underlying vulnerabilities and inequities have catastrophic consequences for the most exposed across the world. Prevention and the risk reduction agenda are essential if we are to achieve a sustainable future for all,” she added.

The 2022 Global Platform is expected to provide a unique and timely opportunity for all participants to showcase the importance of international solidarity and cooperation, as well as discuss ways to tackle underlying risk drivers both locally and globally.

One dies, several others injured in RTA

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An 18 year old man of Katima Mulilo compound in Sesheke district, in Western province has died after a vehicle he was travelling in with his friends was involved in a road traffic accident at Katima Mulilo bridge.

Western Province Police Commanding Officer, Fwambo Siame disclosed the information and identified the deceased as Caleb Matakala aged 18 years old, of Katima Mulilo compound, who died at Yeta district hospital.

ZANIS reports that Mr Siame said among the injured is Jonathan Kasemuka, 22, also of Katima Mulilo compound, who sustained serious head injuries and has since been referred to Lewanika General hospital in Mongu, stating that his condition is critical.

Others who sustained deep cuts and general body pains are Brian Mwendoi aged 25, Mukowa Siyanga aged 24, Sitali Songiso aged 20, and Edward Siasopo aged 23, all of Katima Mulilo compound in Sesheke district.

He further disclosed that the accident happened at around 02 hours on May 21, 2022, after a Toyota Sprinter registration number AUB 1316 driven by Nyambe Nyambe aged 29, of Senanga district hit into two oxen, which were being headed by Ngombo Mubita, of Inyambo compound in Katima Mulilo.

The four, including the driver, are under observation at Yeta district hospital.

Meanwhile, residents of Sesheke district are appealing to the relevant authorities to quickly reinstall lights at Katima Mulilo bridge before more lives are lost.

The body of Caleb Matakala has since been deposited at Yeta district hospital mortuary awaiting postmortem and burial.

Freedom fighters call for strengthened national unity

Zambian Freedom fighters have appealed for strengthened national unity in order to grow and develop the country economically.

National Chairperson for the Freedom Fighters Association, Bessy Chanda says it is the desire of the association, that the country stands together and grow the nation, through obedience, hard work and discipline, just as they did, when fighting for the country’s liberation.

Speaking in an interview in Lusaka, Ms Chanda noted that people are enjoying the freedom today, which others died for, while others remained disfigured due to the wars, adding that this should be a wakeup call for all Zambians.

“Things were so bad such that black children used to go to dilapidated schools, and sat on the floor, while schools for the whites were so nice well painted and they had desks.” Ms Chanda said.

Ms Chanda recalls that even when seeking health care services, the white people were treated with outmost care and had their own high profiled section, while the blacks received very poor medical care.

She further urged Zambians to cherish the Africa Freedom Day, adding that it is a celebration for the struggle that was overcome by the country’s forefathers.

And Lusaka Chairperson for Freedom Fighters Paul Phiri explained the importance of national unity through the “One Zambia One Nation” slogan which goes beyond tribal or regional boundaries.

President Hakainde Hichilema is expected to officiate at this year’s Africa Freedom Day celebration, which falls on Wednesday, May 25, 2022, under the theme, “Leveraging on National Resources to Boost Food Security.”

African freedom struggle was never about corruptly accumulate wealth for leaders and their families

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Veteran politician Vernon Johnson Mwaanga says the African freedom struggle was never about fighting to gain access to state resources in order to corruptly and speedily accumulate wealth for leaders and their families.

Speaking ahead of this week’s Africa Day to be commemorated on Wednesday, Dr. Mwaanga said it is time Africa critically remembered where it has come from.

He said despite Africa being endowed with an abundance of minerals and other valuable natural resources, which are the envy of the world, many times these resources have been wasted in the past.

“As we mark another Africa Day, previously known as Africa Freedom Day, it is critically important to remember where our continent has come from. Yes, we defeated colonialism and apartheid and as a result, we now have 56 sovereign states on the continent. It is a time for us to reflect on where we have come from, where we are now and where we want to be. The struggle for independence was never easy. Leaders involved like Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia, Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, Jomo Kenyatta of Kenya, Julius Nyerere of Tanzania, Kamuzu Banda of Malawi, Ahmed Sekou Toure of Guinea, Modibo Keita of Mali, Nelson Mandela of South Africa, Amical Cabral of Guinea Bissau, Ahmed Ben Bella of Algeria, Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula of Zambia and many others, were great nationalists and visionaries. They carefully guided the struggle for national independence in their respective countries. They were not alone. They worked with men, women and youth who also sacrificed tremendously to support the struggle for independence and freedom. It was their wish to see Africa develop and defeat poverty, to see better education, health and shelter facilities,” Dr. Mwaanga stated.

The former minister in the MMD regime regretted conflicts that have continued in some parts of Africa.

“Africa is endowed with an abundance of minerals and other valuable natural resources, which are the envy of the world. Regrettably, a lot of time and resources have in the past been wasted on internal conflicts and military coups, which have set our continent back many years. Lack of commitment to freedom for African citizens, human rights, failure by some countries to embrace democratic values and youth unemployment have become a time bomb. Rural to urban migration is over burdening essential services in towns and cities,” Dr. Mwaanga said.

“When I asked the first President of Ghana and staunch African nationalist, Kwame Nkrumah in Conakry, Guinea, when I paid him a four hour courtesy call in 1970, as to what worried him most about the future of the African Continent, his response was very direct. He said:”Young man, I worry that some leaders who come after our generation of visionaries will betray the people and abandon the spirit of service to the country and people we stand for. They will embrace corruption and work to enrich themselves, their families and friends.”What foresight great foresight.Indeed in many of our countries, it is very common to see those who have only served in government for a short time becoming inexplicably wealthy within a very short period of time, while many who fought for freedom and served in government for much longer periods live either modestly or in poverty. That is because they understood the key fundamental reason for the freedom struggle – which was to bring dignity to fellow citizens. *The freedom struggle was never about fighting to gain access to state resources in order to corruptly and speedily accumulate wealth for leaders and their families, which is what we unfortunately witness so often in many parts of our continent,” Dr. Mwaanga observed.

He charged that in some countries, corruption has been so entrenched and normalized.

“In some countries, corruption has been so entrenched and normalised that it is seen as being abnormal to hold a senior position in government and yet not be corrupt. The settling in and self orientation of some newly appointed government leaders now involves not in exploring how best they can serve their fellow citizens, but prioritising and actively looking out for money making opportunities. Sadly, this is done without any self restraint or even the slightest shame. The African Union has adopted a zero tolerance approach to military coups and many African countries now hold free, democratic and transparent elections, where citizens freely choose their local and national leaders. Issues of corruption, bad governance and lack of respect for human rights, inability to achieve sustainable levels of economic growth remain unresolved.”

“High external debt has become a major burden and is not sustainable. Internal Conflicts remain unresolved in a number of African countries. The Department for Conflict Prevention Management and Resolution, based in the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, appears to wait until people start killing each other before intervening. That is not what was originally intended. The Preventive part of this mechanism is supposed to be used much more often, to pre-empt looming conflicts. Let us remember and honour Africa’s freedom fighters for the selfless sacrifices they made to free our continent from slavery, colonialism and apartheid,” Dr. Mwaanga stated.

He continued:”Let the history of Africa’s struggle be systematically and carefully recorded, so that our children can learn about it in schools, colleges and universities. Africa has achieved a lot since the formation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 1963 – now renamed the African Union (AU), notwithstanding its dark side. But much more needs to be done to liberate itself from poverty, bad governance, improve human rights, improve economic performance and create a better future for all. Most of all let the true love of our people and selflessness in our approach be an important part of our leadership style.”

Fashion Finally Ends Rangers Season With Silverware

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Fashion Sakala and Glasgow Rangers made up for some heartbreak this season by finally winning some silverware to end a rather modest 2021/2022 Scottish campaign.

Rangers on Saturday beat Hearts 2-0 in the Scottish FA Cup final at Hampden Park.

The game was decided in extra-time following a scoreless 90 minutes thanks to goals by substitutes Ryan Jack and Scott Wright in the 94th and 97th minute.

Like the scorers, Fashion too was a substitute and came on in the 105th minute.

The triumph comes four days after they lost in the UEFA Europa Cup final on May 18 to Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt 5-4 on post-match penalties following a 1-1 result in another extra-time duel in Sevilla.

Rangers also failed to defend their league title finishing second to Celtic and also lost in the League Cup final last November.

Meanwhile, Fashion now prepares to travel home for Chipolopolo duty for June’s 2023 AFCON Group H qualifiers against Cote d’Ivoire away on June 3 in Abidjan and Comoros at home on June 7 in Lusaka.

Government will soon reveal the constitutional amendment roadmap-Haimbe

Justice Minister Mulambo Haimbe has said that government will soon reveal the constitutional amendment roadmap after cabinet approval to ensure a speedy review of the constitution.

Mr. Haimbe told a local radio station Phoenix that the government is currently conducting consultations with stakeholders and receiving submissions on possible changes to the country’s supreme law.

The justice minister has since urged all stakeholders to continue with their submissions to ensure all concerns and lacunas in the constitution are adequately addressed.

Further, Mr Haimbe said that while government understands the urgency in amending the constitution, the process must be protected to ensure consensus.

Mr Haimbe said that the government is also seriously considering a one-off amendment of non-contentious clauses and that will require all key stakeholders to be involved in this undertaking.

Kapiri Mposhi receives soya bean processing plant

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The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has empowered a Kapiri Mposhi based agricultural Small Medium Enterprise (SME), Vaps Zambia Limited Company, with soya bean processing equipment worth K 2.8 million.

The equipment supplied as a matching grant through the Enhanced Smallholder Agribusiness Promotion Program (E-SAPP) being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, has been provided to set up a soya bean processing plant to support small holder soya bean farmers with ready market in the district.

Inspecting the processing plant which is already in production, IFAD Country Director, Ellemson Muyangana explained that, IFAD has committed USD 20.1 million of which a substantial allocation will go towards providing grants in form of agricultural equipment and implements to small scale farmers across the country.

Mr. Muyangana said this is meant to support small holder farmers in agribusiness for them to graduate from subsistence to the commercial farming bracket.

He observed that with a rise in the annual soya bean production of which about 90 percent is produced by small scale farmers soya bean processing equipment is critical to enhance the crop’s value chain for small holder farmers.

“To catalyse the soya bean agribusiness sector, we have been giving out matching grants in form of agricultural equipment and implements to support small holder farmers so this particular enterprise has gotten K2.8 million to be invested in soya bean processing and storage facilities and this enterprise will work with 350 small scale soya bean farmers who are supplied with inputs and then they supply to this enterprise which is going to process and sale to the broader market,” he said.

And E-SAPP Country Director, Boniface Mulenga said over 350 soya bean small scale farmers are expected to directly and indirectly benefit from the processing plant.

Mr. Mulenga disclosed that through the partnership with VAPS Zambia Limited, farmers received input packs and altogether planted over 140 hectares of soya beans with an expected yield of 3.5 tonnes per farmer in the 2021/2022 farming season which is expected to feed into the processing equipment.

He stressed that the programme targets to stimulate an increase in soya bean production among small holder farmers from one hectare to five hectares per farmer within the three year project implementation window.

” We are hoping that by the end of the third year of the project, these farmers will increase their hectarage thereby increasing the volume of soya bean production and increasing their income. Partnering with Vaps Zambia Limited which will provide ready market for soya beans from farmers as it will need feedstock to process the soya bean into cooking oil and stock feed,” Mr. Mulenga said.

Meanwhile, Vaps Director, Preston Nkhoma said his enterprise provides technical skills on soya bean production best practices to its follower farmers for improved agricultural outcomes.

“Vaps provides inputs and is an off taker of the soya beans for 140 farmers. Our target is to have at least 350 farmers on board and we pay them cash promptly and they don’t need to incur transport costs to go and sale their produce,” Mr. Nkhoma said.