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Kenneth Kaunda Day should not just be a mere formality holiday

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Kenneth Kaunda Day should not just be a mere formality holiday

Ndola clergy Fr. John Emmanuel Kapambwe of the Anglican Church has said Kenneth Kaunda Day should not just be a mere formality holiday but a moment for citizens to seriously learn from the iconic life of Zambia’s founding republic president.

28th April, 2022 has marked the inaugural KK’s Day which was declared by sixth republican President Edgar Chagwa Lungu last year.

KK as he was fondly called served as the first president of Zambia from 1964 to 1991 and was at the forefront of the struggle for independence from British rule.

He died last June at the age of 97.

In an interview, Fr. Kapambwe of Masala Anglican Church in Ndola said people can pick many lessons from the life of Dr. Kaunda ranging from the promotion of peace to being a good family man.

“Dr. Kenneth David Kaunda was a great and passionate advocate of humanism. This means that; his leadership prioritised upholding the dignity of humanity. To protect the values, needs, interests, and freedom of humanity was the vision of his leadership. His vision of humanism on the centre manifested in many life lessons we can learn from his life,” Fr. Kapambwe said.

“The following are the lessons we can learn from his life; the first lesson is Promoter of Love and Peace: Dr. Kaunda’s favourite Scripture was Mark 12:31 ’Love your neighbor as yourself.’ His leadership was based on love for humanity as the most important thing. This is the reason on many occasions he could quote the said Scripture. Dr.Kaunda was a firm believer of Christian values in his leadership and always promoted peace and love. It is important for every citizen to pursue peace. I call upon the Citizens to learn to express their grievances in a peaceful manner. He continued preaching and promoting peace even after leaving office. As we celebrate the life of Dr. Kaunda let us avoid incidents like recent riots by the core boys in the intercity bus station in Lusaka. This also applies to all university students who like protesting by destroying property and other acts of violence can emulate the attitude of Dr. Kaunda,” he said.

“The second lesson is Example of Servanthood Leadership: Leadership is all about willingness to serve others. This is what Dr Kaunda believed in. Dr Kaunda during his reign was able to ensure that people were served in a fair and acceptable manner. Leaders today and the people serving in public offices and many others can emulate the selfless service Dr. Kaunda portrayed. The third lesson is Example Integrity: The leadership of Dr. Kaunda was characterised by Integrity. Integrity is the aspect of doing things in an honest way. As a result of this, Dr. Kaunda believed in governing the affairs of the country in a transparent manner devoid of misdeeds such as criminal activities. Integrity is the aspect that is lacking in both Church and Circular leaders. We have to embrace an attitude of integrity like our founding father.”

“The fourth lesson is Unity: Dr. Kaunda was a firm believer in unity and very passionate about it. He was a unifying factor who brought all the 73 tribes together under the popular One Zambia One Nation motto. He denounced tribalism, hate speech and political violence among other vices. This was a good thing leaders and every Zambian can embrace especially in this time when we are struggling with issues of tribalism and tribal remarks by some leaders, like what we experienced during the previous campaigns of the tripartite elections,” Fr. Kapambwe continued.

“The fifth lesson is Freedom Promoter: Dr. Kaunda was not only concerned for the Freedom of Zambia but the Liberation of Africa as well: Dr. Kaunda assisted to liberate some countries within the continent of Africa. He played a very significant role towards attainment of independence by countries such as Zimbabwe, Angola, Namibia and Mozambique among others. Dr. Kaunda also accommodated people who fled from war-torn countries. These people had even an opportunity to pursue formal education in Zambia. For instance Mr. Emerson Munangagwa, the current President of Zimbabwe pursued all his education in Zambia and he later trained as a lawyer at the University of Zambia. Let us pursue freedom for every individual. As we celebrate this day I call upon all those involved in the abductions of the young ladies working in mobile booths to stop with immediate effect. As a nation let us all fight together against this vice posing a danger to the girl child as well as violation of the rights of movement and assembly,” he added.

Fr. Kapambwe concluded:”The sixth lesson is commitment to family:* Dr. Kaunda was a committed family man and faithful husband. This is the virtue that is lacking in many young people today. In this time when divorce and GBV cases are rampant we can learn from Dr. Kaunda who was able to faithfully uphold the sacrament of Holy Matrimony until death. This Kaunda’s Day Holiday must not just be a celebration for formality. Instead we have to take seriously the lessons that we learn from his life. And this great honour we can give to Dr. Kaunda as we celebrate his life and legacy. God bless Zambia.”

Shepolopolo Await Fridays 2022 Womens AFCON Draw

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Shepolopolo Zambia coach Bruce Mwape says he is not expecting any surprises in Friday evenings 2022 Women’s AFCON tournament draws.

Twelve teams will go into the draws that will be made in Rabat at 22h30 Zambian time for the WAFCON that Morocco is going to host from July 2-23.

Shepolopolo and nine other teams including South Africa are unseeded.

Three seeded teams will lead the groups and they are Africa’s top ranked side and WAFCON champions Nigeria who are 41st in the World and Cameroon who are second and sit at number 53.

Morocco, who are 78th in the World, are also been seeded as hosts thus relegating Africa’s third best team South Africa who are at number 56 on the FIFA Rankings into the unseeded pots and will now wait to know in which group they will be drawn.

“There are no easy teams at AFCON because all the teams that qualified so we expect the draws to be fair,” Mwape said.

“They are seeded and unseeded teams so we expect everything to be OK with regards the draws.”

Meanwhile, Shepolopolo will be in action just hours before the draws against fellow 2022 WAFCON finalists Botswana at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.

The match will be one of two friendlies against Botswana and the final game will be played on May 2 at Nkoloma.

But both are unseeded and will be hoping not to be drawn against each on Friday to spoil their friendly itinerary.

Shepolopolo are heading for their second consecutive WAFCON after making a group stage exit at Ghana 2018.

Morocco will mark Zambia’s third-ever tournament appearance.

UNSEEDED TEAMS: Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Burundi, Tunisia, Senegal, Botswana, Burkina Faso, South Africa

DRC President to Expected in Zambia for official visit

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DRC President to Expected in Zambia for official visit

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation wishes to inform the Nation that Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo will undertake an Official Visit to the Republic of Zambia on Friday 29th April, 2022.

During the Visit, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia and President Tshisekedi are scheduled to preside over the official signing of a Bilateral Cooperation Agreement between the Republic of Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

This landmark Cooperation Agreement stems from the multi-stakeholder DRC-Africa Business Forum hosted by President Tshisekedi from 24th to 25th November 2021, where President Hichilema delivered a keynote address.

The two leaders acknowledged the need to identify opportunities and facilitate investments to increase Africa’s share of the battery, electric vehicles and renewable energy value chain.

President Hichilema and President Tshisekedi, therefore, agreed to launch a joint Zambia-DRC Battery Precursor Initiative, whose vision is to create a competitive Electric Vehicle Battery Value Chain aimed toward sustainable development and inclusive growth, through the production of battery precursors.

The Zambia-DRC Initiative is in line with the country’s development aspirations to bring about a more diversified and industrialised economy which will contribute toward job creation and the improvement of the Zambian people’s livelihoods, among others.

The Republic of Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo share strong historical bilateral ties and a common border and the two countries actively cooperate in social, political, and economic areas, within the framework of the Joint Permanent Commission of Cooperation.

President Hichilema has underscored the need for Zambia to enhance cooperation with the Democratic Republic of Congo for mutual benefit and it is hoped that this visit by President Tshisekedi will further strengthen the existing bilateral ties between the two countries.

The UPND Government will therefore continue to work with the Democratic Republic of Congo at regional, continental and international levels through the United Nations, the Commonwealth, the African Union, Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR). The strong multilateral cooperation will be based on shared values and principles.

His Excellency President Tshisekedi is expected to depart Luaska after his engagements.

This is according to a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Stanley K. Kakubo, M.P

Napsa Stars Chairman Demands Team Wins 2022 ABSA Cup

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Napsa Stars board chairperson John Chundu has issued a rallying call to the promoted FAZ Super League side to win the 2022 ABSA Cup this Saturday.

Napsa, who have just secured top-flight promotion after a season down in the FAZ National Division 1, face 2021/2022 FAZ Super League champions Red Arrows in the final on April 30 at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.

“Now that we have that weight off our shoulders, it is time for us to concentrate on bagging the ABSA Cup,” Chundu said in his Chairmans column on Napsa Stars’ official website.

“This weekend we face Red Arrows, a team that has been excellent in the Super League. And this is no doubt why they have won the 2021/22 the league title.

“Allow me to congratulate Zambia Air Force-sponsored side for this great achievement.

“However, this should not intimidate us as NAPSA Stars. We have also been great in our Division One league and reaching this far in the cup competition is no minor feat.

“It is for this reason that I urge each and every one in the team to fight and get us the ABSA Cup this weekend as we face Arrows at Nkoloma Stadium.

“The stadium set for us for this final will not favor us, but let us not dwell on that. It is a local derby and we need to show up.

“We have been underdogs throughout this competition and we must continue to put in the extra work to continue shocking everyone.”

Both sides are former winners with Napsa lifting it in 2012 when they were promoted after a 21 absence from the FAZ Super League.

Napsa later finished runners-up in 2017 after losing 2-1 to Zanaco.

Meanwhile, Arrows replaced Napsa as champions in 2013 but have only just returned to the competition for the first time since then in this year’s edition.

Gary Nkombo should step Down, says PF as the urge Human Rights Commission to go beyond Condemnation

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Gary Nkombo should step Down, says PF as the urge Human Rights Commission to go beyond Condemnation

The opposition Patriotic Front (PF) has demanded that Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Gary Nkombo should step down as a Minister on his own accord.

In a statement made available to the media, PF acting Secretary-General Nickson Chilangwa said that if Mr Kombo does not step down on his own, the party will be left with no choice but to escalate the matter further, without spelling out the specifics.

Mr Chilangwa said that his party refused to accept what it described as a half-hearted apology that Gary Nkombo, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development has rendered, adding that Mr Kombo was forced to apologise out of public outrage and not because he is remorseful for what he described as his sadistic behaviour against the poor woman and her children.

Mr Chilangwa also said that the Minister did is criminal and is punishable by law, saying that according to Articles 15 and 18 of the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia, subjecting a person to inhumane or degrading treatment is a criminal offence.

Mr Chilangwa said that the Section 231 of the Penal Code, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia states that: “Any person who unlawfully, and with intent to injure or annoy another, causes any poison or noxious thing to be administered to, or taken by any person, and thereby endangers his life, or does him some grievous harm, is guilty of a felony and is liable to imprisonment for a period not exceeding fourteen years”

Mr Chilangwa said that, as a Minister, it is his duty and responsibility of Mr Nkombo to protect the poor and the weak, especially women and children against any form of abuse or ill-treatment.

Mr Chilangwa further said that, instead of destroying the source of livelihood for our poor mothers brewing Kachasu, the UPND Government should engage them and offer alternative sources of income-generating activities.

Mr Chalangwa also took a swipe at the Human Rights Commission for merely condemning the vile behaviour of Mr Nkombo, saying that falls short of the expectations of the Zambian people.

Mr Chilangwa urged the Commission to not just end at issuing statements of condemnation; they must take appropriate legal action against the minister to make him an example to others that such wanton abuse of human rights shall not be condoned.

Garry Nkombo broke the Law-LAZ

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Garry Nkombo broke the Law-LAZ

The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has said that the actions of Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Honourable Gary Nkombo, in which he was seen ordering a woman and her children to drink the illicit traditional brew known as “kachasu” which the woman is accused of illegally brewing and selling are not only illegal but constitute a form of pre-emptive punishment against the woman, without subjecting her to the judicial process.

In a statement released to the media, LAZ said that the Minister is not an authorized officer for purposes of enforcing the provisions of the said Statute as defined under Section 2 of the Act, and as such, it was not within his mandate to purport to enforce the provisions of the Act.

LAZ has since urged

PRESS RELEASE BY THE LAW ASSOCIATION OF ZAMBIA CONDEMNING DEGRADING AND INHUMANE TREATMENT OF A WOMAN AND HER CHILDREN BY THE MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT HONOURABLE GARY NKOMBO

The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) is deeply concerned with the contents of a video circulating on social media depicting the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Honourable Gary Nkombo, MP carrying out an operation with Lusaka City Council Police officers. In the short video, the Honourable Minister is seen ordering a woman and her children to drink the illicit traditional brew known as “kachasu” which the woman is accused of illegally brewing and selling.

The Minister is heard in the video, accusing the woman of trying to “kill” other people’s children in an apparent vengeful justification for his ordering the said woman and her children to drink from a cup containing the said substance.

While LAZ does not condone any activity from any person which is contrary to the provisions of the law, LAZ expects that Government and all its officials, Ministers included, to obey the laws of the land even when dealing with citizens accused of breaking the law.

In terms of Section 34(1) of the Liquor Licensing Act No. 20 of 2011, the manufacture or production of any alcoholic drink without a licence is prohibited. Further, Section 34(2) of the same Act prescribes a fine where a person is convicted of the offence.

However, we note that the Minister is not an authorized officer for purposes of enforcing the provisions of the said Statute as defined under Section 2 of the Act, and as such, it was not within his mandate to purport to enforce the provisions of the Act.

LAZ strongly condemns the Honourable Minister’s actions, which are not only illegal, but constitute a form of pre-emptive punishment against the woman, without subjecting her to the judicial process. This is contrary to the presumption of innocence enshrined under Article 18(2) of the Constitution. Additionally, the humiliating conduct amounting to degrading treatment or punishment is expressly prohibited under Article 15 of the Bill of Rights as guaranteed by the Constitution.

It is the view of LAZ that the actions of the Honourable Minister undermines the Rule of Law and Constitutionalism in the country. We, therefore, urge government officials to desist from executing their functions in an arbitrary manner, but instead execute their official duties within the confines of the law whilst respecting rights of the citizens of this country.

Dated this 27th day of April, 2022.

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Sokwani Peter Chilembo

The President has no powers to waive any Oath of Office-Sinkamba

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The President has no powers to waive any Oath of Office-Sinkamba

Green Party President Peter Sinkamba has said that in the Laws of Zambia, there is no provision which provides for the request the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) is making to the Republican President Hakainde Hichilema to lift the Oath of Office.

In a statement posted on his social media page, Mr Sinkamba said that the Oath of office requirement is provided by Article 260 of the Constitution of Zambia 2016 and that this provision does not empower the President to waive the oath after it has been administered.

Mr Sinkamba said that the President has no powers to waive any Oath of Office, adding that a witness who appeared before JCC is protected against any punishment for testimonies they make to the commission, provided those statements are truthful.

Below is the full post

ANOTHER ILLEGAL ACT IN THE MAKING BY DPP: NOW SHE WANTS THE PRESIDENT TO DO AN ILLEGAL ACT
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I have come across a copy of the letter dated 25th April 2022, purported to have been written by the embattled Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Lillian Siyuni to the Chairperson of the Judicial Complaints Commission (JCC).

In this letter, the DPP informed the JCC that she is unable to respond to numerous complaints against her before JCC because she is constrained by her oath of Office. She has further informed the Commission that she had written to President Hakainde Hichilema to give her authority to clear the allegations being levelled against her.

In essence, what the DPP is requesting the President is to lift the Oath of Office. The tricky part about the request the DPP has made to the President is that in the Laws of Zambia, there is no provision which provides for such a thing.

The Oath of office requirement is provided by Article 260 of the Constitution of Zambia 2016. This provision does not empower the President to waive the oath after it has been administered.

The other law that provides for taking an Oath of office is the Official Oaths Act Cap 5 of the Laws of Zambia. This Act mandated every person assuming a public office, member of the House of Chiefs, and presidential appointee, to take an Oath of Office and such other oath, as prescribed, before carrying out the duties of the office.

Section 11 of the Act provides that the President may by statutory instrument specify any office to which a person appointed, elected or nominated, shall not act or perform duties of that office unless he has taken and subscribed to the Oath of Office; require any person, before performing the duties of any other office, to take and subscribe, any oath prescribed in this Act before the official specified in the instrument.

Nowhere is it stated in the Act that the President may waive the Oath of Office after it has been administered. Therefore, if it is true that the DPP has written the President to waive the Oath of Office, then what she has done is to request the President to carry out an illegal act. For, the President has no powers to waive any Oath of Office. I will be shocked if President will fall into this shrewd trap.

As a senior lawyer, the DPP should know that every witness that appears before JCC is subjected to take an Oath to tell the truth. A witness who appeared before JCC is protected against any punishment for testimonies they make to the commission, provided those statements are truthful. In fact, the Judicial Code of Conduct Act also provides for the holding sessions in camera.

So, the DPP does not need any other protection but that which is provided for by the Judicial Code of Conduct Act. I repeat what I said earlier: instead of complicating her life further, I urge her to resign. She will be more dignified if she resigned now than be thrown out after attempts to bruise everyone along her way. This remains my humble advice to her.

‘Victimised’ Nakacinda is innocent – Kabimba

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‘Victimised’ Nakacinda is innocent – Kabimba

ECONOMIC Front president Wynter Kabimba has acquitted PF information and publicity chairperson Raphael Nakacinda of his offence.

Nakacinda, a former minister of the then Ministry of Water Development Sanitation and Environmental Protection, is currently detained in Solwezi for allegedly linking President Hakainde Hichilema and the people of Bweengwa in Monze west to ubututu.
He was picked up by police at his home in Kafue on Monday, April 25, 2022.

In a statement, Kabimba, a former Minister of Justice in president Michael Sata’s government, says Nakacinda is being intimidated by the police.

Kabimba added that the police intimidation of Nakacinda is not that he lied but because he expressed himself in Icibemba, a language that President Hichilema “does not competently understand.”

Kabimba has since told President Hichilema that ubututu means backwardness, ignorance or primitivity, and not stupidity or foolishness as the President said at a media conference at State House on Monday.

The opposition leader has also blamed Vice-President Mutale Nalumango, who is from the Bemba ethnicity, for not rising to defend “her native language and vocabulary.”

“Anyway, she (Vice-President Nalumango) has to keep her job at the expense of justice and victimisation of innocent citizens like Nakacinda,” said Kabimba.

Nkombo abused his power and position as a leader to victimize a vulnerable woman-Womens Lobby

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Nkombo abused his power and position as a leader to victimize a vulnerable woman-Womens Lobby

The Zambia National Women’s Lobby (ZNWL) condemns the harassment of a woman and her children by the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Mr Gary Nkombo, during a raid on brewers of Kachasu, an illegal alcoholic brew.

In a statement released to the media by the organisation’s National Chairperson Ms Daisy Nkhata Ng’ambi, ZNWL said that Mr Nkombo abused his power and position as a leader to victimize a vulnerable woman and that this is not acceptable conduct by a leader.

ZNWL said that while it acknowledged that the brewing and sale of Kachasu are illegal and do not by any means support it as a business, they are quick to add that, they do not believe that it was necessary to humiliate the woman and others found selling the brew, especially in full view of cameras and onlookers.

Below is the full statement

ZNWL CONDEMNS THE HARASSMENT OF THE WOMAN AND HER CHILDREN BY LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT MINISTER GARY NKOMBO

The Zambia National Women’s Lobby (ZNWL) condemns the harassment of a woman and her children by the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Mr. Gary Nkombo, during a raid on brewers of Kachasu, an illegal alcoholic brew.
Mr. Nkombo who was in Garden Compound, forced a woman who was found brewing the highly potent Kachasu brew to consume it and further forced her children who were present to do the same. The Minister’s actions are a violation of human rights and an endangerment of the children. The Minister’s actions put the health of the children at risk by forcing them to drink the ilicit brew.

Mr. Nkombo abused his power and position as a leader to victimize a vulnerable woman and this is not acceptable conduct by a leader.

We acknowledge that the brewing and sale of Kachasu is illegal and do not by any means support it as a business. However, we do not believe that it was necessary to humiliate the woman and others found selling the brew, especially in full view of cameras and onlookers.

We believe that part of the solution to addressing the problem of the illicit brewing and sale of Kachasu should include massive sensitization of both the brewers and consumers of Kachasu, in addition to offering alternative income-generating activities. Further, offences such as the brew and sale of illicit brews are already provided for in the law and therefore proper channels must be followed in dealing with perpetrators.

We, therefore, hope that such a show of power and callousness will not happen again especially involving children, who cannot be held accountable for the offences of their parents.

Daisy Nkhata Ng’ambi
ZNWL National Chairperson

A typical Day of a Rural African Woman

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A typical Day of a Rural African Woman

By Prince Bill M. Kaping’a Political/Social Analyst

A cock can be heard crowing in a distance. It repeats the sound insistently as if to remind the villagers their ‘honeymoon’ is over…….and now is the time to wake up and confront the new day with all of its several challenges! The woman arouses herself from bed……..well, several stacks of sticks arranged on a stand. She does so carefully……..making sure not to disturb her husband who seems to be still in contention with the dead.

As she leans to lift off the baby, she grimaces in agonizing pain……the stitches from her cesarean delivery that produced the bouncy baby haven’t quite healed. She peeps into the other hut which the rest of their kids share……they are all in there sleeping soundlessly.

With the baby safely strapped on her back, and armed with a hoe and an axe, of course, she stoops and exits the house to find her way to the field leaving her husband snoring loudly, behind. It’s still dark outside save for the shimmering moonlight. She stops at her usual spot to cut a twig that she uses to brush her teeth.

That tradition was bequeathed to them by their forefathers…….what was the point of even wasting money on toothbrushes and toothpaste when the practice kept her teeth white and free from bacteria. She didn’t even have to worry about soap like folks in the city as she’d simply have to fetch some leaves and rub them on her body before pouring water on herself and voila……all the dirt is gone!

An hour later, she’s at her mini cassava plantation. She stops to admire the work of her hands before securing the baby in the shade amongst the shrubs. The only time her husband has been to the field was once or twice to check on progress.

“The field is coming up nicely my dear wife,” he couldn’t hide his excitement, his eyes almost popping out of their sockets. “This field shall soon be the envy of everyone in the village. Well done my love!”

He had pulled her into the bush, asked her to spread her chitenge on the ground, and made love to her like never before! That steamy encounter had resulted in their 7th child in their 10-year marriage.

“My child…..keep on giving him more children and he won’t leave you for another woman,” she recalled the words of her departed mother as she got down to work.

Who knows maybe her husband wouldn’t be lured to that other woman at the other end of the village and just surprise her with another visit to admire her work. Perhaps they could sneak away from the baby and make another child like they did the last time. She must always keep her man happy. In no time, she is furiously extricating the stubborn weeds and systematically applying additional soil to the mounds. She’s put herself to work like one possessed……..only breaking off once or twice to take a sip of water.

Around midday, she’s alerted to hissing sounds in the direction of the baby. She freezes with trepidation, knowingly. She carefully lifts her feet to investigate. It’s a big one…….it’s standing knee length high with its iconic hood flared out as it slicks its tongue in and out!

Seemingly enchanted by the strange creature, the baby throws its tiny hands around as if attempting to grab it but the cobra ducks and positions itself at another angle……ready to strike!

As if on cue, the woman reaches to the ground to find an object but the serpent is fast for her! It lowers itself to the ground as swift as lightening and slithers away. Her heartbeat is palpitating spasmodically. She sweeps the baby off the ground and straps it on her back. It didn’t matter anymore whether the husband would be calling or not. She quickly gathers tubers of cassava on a chitenge along with firewood and balances the same on her head to dash back home.

All of a sudden the voice of the baby pierces her ears as it tries to free its tiny hands and throw them around in protest. She hasn’t fed that day, the mother remembers. She reaches for one of her breasts and thrusts it into its mouth but the baby spits it and cries even more! There’s no milk…….the mother has equally been starving herself. She tries the other breast……..the right one that doesn’t seem to disappoint. The baby suckles on it feverishly……..to the point of biting off her tit.

As she gets closer home, she could hear the animated voice of her husband in a heated argument with his friends……drinking mates if you like as they were obviously squatting around a calabash, as was always the norm, as they took turns sipping off the traditional beer using a single straw.

“There comes your wife Zandonda…….” one of the men observes brusquely, his voice slurred.

He staggers to help her put the load to the ground as he utters something incomprehensible.

She takes time to gather the firewood and make a fire before darting off to the river…….to wash the dishes and fetch water for household consumption as well as soak the cassava in the river. This will have to be left in the water for the next 3 days until it’s ready to be dried up before grinding it into a fine powder. She remembers to take a quick shower just in case…….

By the time she returns home, the men have long retreated to their abodes. She finds her man waiting for her in their hut which they share with their chickens, rabbits, and goats! In keeping with the instructions of her late mother, she drops her clothes to the ground and joins him in bed.

Rest assured she’s fulfilled her obligations as always the dutiful wife, she excuses herself to make them lunch. She grabs a pestle and goes ahead to pound the cassava into a powder before preparing nshima with the caterpillars she picked along the way.

Their other kids, aged between 6 and 11, are back from school or hanging out with friends in time for lunch.

They gather on a reed mat for lunch as the man takes the stool. The chicken…..which is the leftover from the previous night is reserved for the man alone. The others have to make do with the caterpillars and cassava leaves.

“That’s why I love you my wife……” the man says as he crushes a bone like a hyena. “ We can never go hungry like this……you are always working so hard and yet the other woman is always demanding money for food.”

Let’s celebrate the rural woman. This is the pain they’ve to endure day in and out without complaining.

Nkombo should have handed over the Kachasu woman to the authorities

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Nkombo should have handed over the Kachasu woman to the authorities

Ndola clergy Fr. John Emmanuel Kapambwe of the Anglican Church in Masala Township has called on the Human Rights Commission to seriously look into the matter in which Minister of Local Government Gary Nkombo forced a woman and her children to drink illicit local brew called Kachasu.

Mr Nkombo yesterday raided the townships and destroyed liters of Kachusu that were being brewed at the time and alleged that the drink was responsible for destroying many lives.

The Minister was seen in a video that has gone viral on social media forcing a girl child to drink Kachasu on camera.

Speaking in his personal capacity as a concerned citizen, Fr. Kapambwe branded Mr. Nkombo’s action as totally inhuman or barbaric.

Fr. Kapambwe said the Mazabuka Central Member of Parliament should have handed over the erring woman to law enforcement agencies as opposed to forcing her and the innocent children to drink Kachasu.

“I have seen the video that is trending on social media platforms involving Hon. Garry Nkombo, Minister of Local Government, commanding a lady and her children to drink Kachasu. This action is totally inhuman or barbaric. In the first place I acknowledge that the lady in question was wrong because the law of the land forbids the brewing and selling of Kachasu. However, the Minister handled the matter in a very unprofessional way,” Fr. Kapambwe stated.

“Firstly, the Minister Honourable Nkombo knows that people who go against the law of the land must be handed over to the right authorities to deal with matters. So he would have handed over the lady to the relevant authorities. Secondly, why force the children of the said lady to take Kachasu? I do not think the lady who sells Kachasu forces the children in the community to buy Kachasu, they buy willingly. Then abusing the children for the sin of the mother was totally wrong,” he said.

”The law of the land forbids substance abuse and the minister is busy facilitating the abuse by forcing the lady and the children in question to drink Kachasu in the name of discipline or enforcing the Law. The intention might have been good but the approach was absolutely inhuman. I condemn it in the strongest possible terms. I therefore; call upon the Human Rights Commission to look into the matter. The community does not expect such unprofessional behavior from the Minister who is supposed to lead by example to others,” Fr. Kapambwe added.

Mobile phone operators advised to be alert against criminal elements

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Mobile phone operators advised to be alert against criminal elements

Kabwe Mayor, Patrick Chishala, has advised mobile money booth operators to be on high alert against criminal elements.

Mr Chishala says it’s unfortunate that young entrepreneurs especially females earning a living from mobile money booths are the centre of abductions that occurring in some parts of the country.

ZANIS reports Mr Chishala said in an interview in Kabwe today, that the reported abductions of booth operators in Lusaka in the recent past should not be treated as isolated.

“ Mobile money booth operators must be very alert and report any suspicious patronage at their sites to the police and other relevant authorities, “ said the mayor.

He further observed that because of proximity from Lusaka, criminals could easily relocate to Kabwe and attack unsuspecting booth operators.

Mr Chishala has also urged the police in the municipality to increase patrols around the booths, the Central Business District (CBD) and communities to curb crime.

In the recent past , the country has witnessed a number of kidnaps among mobile phone operators such as 22 year old Pamela Chisupa an Airtel Booth operator who has disappeared for almost two weeks.

Inspector-General of Police, Lemmy Kajoba says his officers have launched investigations into the disappearance of Chisupa.

Mr Kajoba said the police are probing the whereabouts and circumstances surrounding Pamela Chisupa’s disappearance on April 13, 2022 in Lusaka.

President Hichilema lacks the experience to run government business, it’s Training on Job

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President Hichilema lacks the experience to run government business, it’s Training on Job

Democratic Party (DP) President Harry Kalaba has said things have not been moving well under the New Dawn government because President Hakainde Hichilema lacks the experience to run government business.

“Things have not been moving well because it is a one-man show and it is job training for him (President Hakainde Hichilema). This is when he is learning a lot of things. It is only true and I have said this without malice. It is the first time he is working in government. He might have done some privatisation as a consultant in the 1990s but being part of the executive this is the first time the president is doing it. So yes it is a job on training and there is no malice in that. I have never been a president as well but I have a lot of governance knowledge because you need to know how the government operates even as you assume the office of the president then you are going to know where to start from,” Mr Kalaba said.

He continued: ”So when people say it is a job on training it is not because the president is going in the office of president for the first time he is going in government for the first time. I said earlier, that the president is only getting to understand what he was saying before he got elected and now are two different things because he didn’t understand that there was a yellow book which tells you that there is a budget. He didn’t understand that now he is beginning to understand that. Is there any malice in that? The president must learn to understand that the cabinet office, especially the secretary to the cabinet, is the person that should be close to him because he is the one that will tell him how the government operates, how it should operate but typical of the president it’s a know it all attitude.”

“Yesterday (Monday) he said he is coming here. He is coming on Hot FM and we hope you will take good care of that gesture which the president made. These are some of the issues which you should ask him; to say you said all these promises that you did. Why didn’t you fulfil them?” Mr Kalaba added.

Meanwhile, Mr Kalaba has observed Zambia is losing huge sums of money from the mines over the alleged failure to religiously monitor the quantity and type of minerals mining firms were exporting.

Mr Kalaba said currently there is no system in government that thoroughly counter-checks the quantity and type of minerals mining firms were exporting.

There is a wide belief that mining firms have been under-declaring their exports or profits made from mining in the country.

Other reports suggest that mining firms especially in the North-Western Province have been mining and exporting gold, diamonds and cobalt in the name of mining copper.

Featuring on a Hot FM radio show, Mr Kalaba said there is a need to set up a body that would strictly monitor the activities of mining companies in a bid to improve Zambia’s benefits from its mineral resources.

“How would Harry Kabala have done it? For me, I would have done it very differently. I would have insisted on creating a body that was going to deal with the mines because right now the amount of money we are losing as a country as a result of that financial seepage in the mines is huge. It is huge. I would have said why is it that KCM (Konkola Copper Mines) or why is it that Mopani, Lumwana, and Kansanshi will export our minerals without any government official counterchecking? They will just give us reports that this is what we have exported. Ninshi twabasuminishisha to be doing that? Just why? Cibeleshi that is not right. Why have we allowed such kind of behaviour? Why?” Mr. Kalaba said.

“For me I would say first of all there will be nothing like giving you tax holidays now we want to see the exact exports that you are doing. That is why a body called MEMACO ilya iyaliko mu UNIP is very important because there was no ore that was being exported without them certifying that this is the exact quantum, this is the exact ore we are exporting because today they can tell you we are exporting copper when they are exporting cobalt. They can tell you they are exporting cobalt when they are exporting emerald. They can tell you they are exporting manganese when they are exporting gold or diamond. We have let it loose and yet we are going to borrow money from the IMF. We are going to borrow those monies when we can just put our foot down,” Mr. Kalaba said.

Buildcon Dent Zanaco’s Top Four Hopes

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Zanaco failed to consolidate their stay at number four on the FAZ Super League table after losing away to Buildcon on Wednesday in a rescheduled FAZ Super League Week 25 fixture.

The 2020/202 runners-up lost 2-0 away at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola to 10th placed Buildcon.

Lubinda Mundia put Buildcon ahead in the 14th minute and Christopher Chola added the final goal in the 30th minute.

The result now sees Zanaco, who drop to fifth, exchange places with Nkana on goal difference and tied on 49 points heading into the final day of the season on May 8.

Shepolopolo Face Botswana in Two Women’s Friendlies

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Shepolopolo Zambia have entered the second day of training camp in Lusaka ahead of a two-match friendly appointment against Botswana this weekend.

Zambia will host their fellow 2022 Women’s AFCON finalists at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka on April 29 and May 2.

“There is a lot that we want to see from the players, especially the new ones,” coach Bruce Mwape said.

Mwape will only have his home-based players available for the friendly games, a huge number of them fringe call-ups.

“We want to expose them so that they get that experience in international games. The few areas we are looking at is the striking force and the central defence- especially upfront where we only have (Lubanji) Ochumba who has matured recently,” Mwape said.

Meanwhile, the first friendly will come barely six hours before the 2022 Morocco draws are made in Rabat late on Friday evening.

There is a possibility the two unseeded teams could be drawn in the same group of the 12-team, three group tournament that Morocco is hosting from July 2-23.

Cameroon, defending champions Nigeria and Morocco are the seeded teams thanks to their Woman’s FIFA Rankings and status as hosts for the latter who will headline the groups.

Shepolopolo  are  heading to their second straight WAFCON since Ghana 2018 where they made a group stage exit but this will be their third tournament appearance overall.

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