Sondashi, Sinkamba files in as Sikazwe withdraws

By MacPherson Mukuka

http://macphersonmukuka.blogspot.com/Green Party Presidential Candidate Peter Sinkamba has become the second Presidential candidate to successfully file in his nomination papers for the January 20^th 2015 Presidential poll.

Mr. Sinkamba was successfully accepted as a presidential nominee by the Acting Chief Justice Lombe Chibesakunda after a long wait of about three hours on December 17, 2014

He was successful after Forum for Democratic Alternative Party Presidential candidate Ludwig Sondashi successfully filed in his nomination. 

The delay in Mr. Sinkamba's filing in was caused by the lack of the required number of 200 hundred supporters, but later totaled up after the remaining number of supporters showed up.

And Acting Chief justice Lombe Chibesakunda, who was accompanied by Electoral Commission of Zambia Chairperson Justice Ireen Mambilima, congratulated Mr. Sinkamba for his successful filling in of nomination.

Meanwhile, Mr. Sinkamba has express confidence that his party will form government come January 20^th 2015 because of the strong political campaign he has carried out.

Mr. Sinkamba further explained that the party’s campaign ideology of legalising marijuana should not be misinterpreted by people.

And People’s Redemption Party has withdrawn from the January 20^th, 2015 Presidential election race.

Presenting the decision before acting Chief Justice Lombe Chibesakunda and Electoral Commission of Zambia Chairperson Justice Ireen Mambilima, PRP president Gerry Sikazwe said he has taken the decision because he wants to support the ruling patriotic front.

Mr. Sikazwe who was scheduled to file in his nomination at about 11:30 hours came hours later without any support and made the announcement to the Presidential election presiding officer Justice Lombe Chibesakunda.

On Thursday, 18 December 2014, Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) Leader Edith Nawakwi, National Restoration Party (NAREP)'s Elias Chipimo Jr. and United Poor People of Zambia Freedom Party Leader Alex Muliokela are expected to file in their nominations. 

out of the 11 candidates, Only one female candidate is contesting the January 20, 2015 Presidential Elections. 

Allow Church Members to participate in Politics- ZEC

By MacPherson Mukuka

macphersonmukuka.blogspot.comThe Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) has called on the Church to allow its members to participate in the political process but should not provide a blue print for them as to which political party or candidate they must support.

ZEC Secretary General Cleophas Lungu said the Church should teach principles of a good candidate and leave the choices to the individual faithful.

He charged that the habit by some men and women of God of inviting candidates for church service and providing them with a platform to campaign under the guise of greeting the congregants is unacceptable.

He said Churches must strive to be apolitical. 

Father Lungu said this during the launch of the Christian Churches Monitoring Group, an association comprising 4 faith based organisations entrusted with the mandate of   managing of election results.

Meanwhile Father Lungu has also called on the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to undertake a sound preparation for the forthcoming January 20^th 2015 presidential election.

He said delays in planning may only lead to uncertainties among stakeholders and loss of confidence in the process.

The Catholic Clergy emphasised that ECZ must give election monitors genuine space for effectively monitoring the elections.

He said Monitors are partners in ensuring electoral transparency and that prohibitive cost of access to materials like voter registers and complicated monitor registration and accreditation process can only work to impede the genuine cause of monitoring the elections.

The newly launched organisation in composed of the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ), Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ), The Zambia Episcopal Conference(ZEC) and The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR).

CSPR Launches Walk the Talk: End Poverty Campaign

By MacPherson Mukuka

The Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) says poverty levels in Zambia have remained pervasive in the country with the overall incidence of suffering at about 60 percent while extreme poverty has remained stubbornly high at 42.3 percent.

CSPR Board Chairperson John Lijimu says Western and Luapula provinces have the highest rating at 81 percent in extreme poverty.

Mr. Lijimu has further indicated that the possibilities of Zambia to meet the targets stated under the Millennium Development Goals number one of halving extreme poverty by 2015 are no longer slim but impossible.

Mr. Lijimu has alleged that Government has failed to provide sufficient opportunities for citizens to meaningfully engage in national development process.

He said inadequate budget information and restrictions on public participation make it difficult for citizens to engage in exacting accountability form the leaders and representatives.

Mr. Lijimu adds that this has created a situation where citizens are cut off from meaningful decision making process that could be critical in realising the development agenda in Zambia and setting priorities for eradicating extreme poverty.

Meanwhile, Mr. Lijimu has disclosed that his organisation has launched a campaign dubbed WALK THE TALK: END POVERTY, with the aim of bringing to light the views and the voice of people living in poverty on issues that Government should take in alleviating their poverty situation through efficiency in budget execution and improved service delivery, especially in the agricultural sector.

UK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO OPEN IN ZAMBIA

By MacPherson Mukuka

Zambia’s commerce and trade Industry is unquestionably headed for massive growth in the next years if all the local and foreign companies succeed in setting up their investment in various parts of the country.

The United Kingdom has is already putting up plans to bring its business men and women into the country to set base of their respective companies.

British High Commissioner to Zambia James Thornton says Zambia is among the many ideal business destinations for the UK because of its favorable economic and political environment…

Mr. Thornton said this during the 2^nd UK trade Mission business meeting held on Thursday 13^th November, 2014 in Lusaka.

Meanwhile, Government has welcomed the plans by the British Government to set up the British Chamber of commerce in Zambia.

Commerce, trade and Industry Minister Robert Sichinga say there is need for more foreign business houses to set base in Zambia.

Mr. Sichinga was however quick to mention that Government is putting much emphasis on value addition as it is a critical component for employment creation.

Mr. Sichinga further indicated that Zambia has enough land that requires to be invested on by way of setting up huge industries such as the Multi facility economic zones.

Meanwhile UK trade and Investment Director of Investment projects Ajay Desai said Zambia has proved to be a stable nation for investment by UK companies.

The commerce industry in Zambia has steadily grown over the years; however, one particular component that has been more of a hindrance to an excessive growth is the exportation of raw materials.

It is probably the reason why government is insisting in value addition as a way of improving the revenue base for the country.

WORLD VISION ZAMBIA EMBARKS ON A CHILD HEALTH TARGET IMPACT STUDY

By MacPherson Mukuka

World vision Zambia in collaboration with Johns Hopkins University and the has embarked on a five year Child heath targets impact study designed to measure the impact of world vision’s maternal, neonatal and child health and nutrition programmes on the health of mothers, babies and children.

Speaking during the baseline dissemination meeting for the study held in Lusaka on 29^th September, 2014, World Vision Zambia, Maternal, neonatal and child health Regional Coordinator Martha Mwendafilumba says the study’s long time benefit will be that it will help mothers to develop lifesaving abilities especially during their pregnancy stage adding that world vision would want to see a community which is well vest with health.

Mrs. Mwendafilumba has however bemoaned the high number of illiteracy levels among the rural populace as well as the shortage of community health workers.

She said much as the Organisation has invested in production of health materials as way of communicating to the rural community, a number of them cannot read and therefore understanding the information remains a problem.

The Coordinator further stated that it is therefore inevitable and imperative to engage community volunteers who will try to mobilize the mothers in the respective community and share information.

Meanwhile, World Vision Zambia Associate Director for grants Acquisition and Technical Support Rose Zambezi says some of the interventions that the study will provide will include training of volunteers on the importance of the early access to antenatal care which they will later transfer to expectant mother.

Mrs. Zambezi says most mothers delay going to seek for antenatal services quite late due to lack of information.

She said the engaging community volunteers will definitely be of help because the volunteers are closer to the mothers.

Mrs. Zambezi further stated that engaging the community volunteers is one way of complimenting government’s efforts in delivering quality health services to the rural community.

The study covers four countries which include Cambodia, Guatemala, Kenya and Zambia.

*Outcome of the meetings between Zambia and Zimbabwe to discuss the rehabilitation of the Kariba Dam Successful- ZRA*

By MacPherson Mukuka

Zambezi River Authority Chief Executive, Munyaradzi Munodawafa says the outcome of the meetings between Zambia and Zimbabwe and the Cooperating Partners to discuss the rehabilitation of the Kariba has been successful.

Mr. Munodawafa says a number of issues relating to implementation were discussed which paves the way to ensure the rehabilitation works are adequately funded.

He said this in a statement at the end of a series of meetings between the Cooperating Partners and officials from the two Governments over the past three weeks.

Also welcoming the conclusions of the evaluation meetings by the Cooperating Partners, EU Head of Delegation to Zambia, Gilles Hervio confirmed that he was pleased with the progress that has been made so far in the preparatory work to ensure that the rehabilitation works are done in a timely manner to avert a power deficit in future.

Meanwhile African Development Bank Country Representative Freddie Kwesiga stated says he is impressed with the great team work and sense of urgency by the technical teams of the financing institutions and ZRA.

He said that the team has shown that working together among Cooperating Partners can achieve greater development results.

He added that the rehabilitation is important in that it will also secure an already constrained generation capacity in the southern African region.

And World Bank Group Country Director, Kundhavi Kadiresan, said the Organisation is pleased that the intensive work that the technical teams have been doing in the last few years has finally come together with this program of rehabilitation for the Kariba dam.

She said Reliable power generation is needed to meet the ever increasing demands of the region.

Ms. Kadiresan added that the work between Zambia and Zimbabwe on the Kariba rehabilitation has paved the way for further collaboration on harnessing energy sources between the two countries so that transformational changes can be made in the lives of the people in the sub-region.

And Swedish Sweden’s Ambassador to Zambia, Lena Nordstrom, says the consequences of a dam failure would be a serious setback for efforts to reduce poverty and to the impressive economic development of Zambia in recent years, adding that making swift rehabilitation of the dam is the only available course of action.

The Kariba Dam and Hydro-Electric Scheme (HES) was constructed across the Zambezi River between 1956 and 1959 and has been central to energy security and supporting economic development in both Zambia and Zimbabwe.

After 50 years of operation serving the Southern African Region, the Kariba Dam now requires rehabilitation works for its continued safe operation. A failure to invest in the timely rehabilitation of the dam will result in the gradual degradation of key dam safety features to a level below international standards. Therefore, this rehabilitation project, which represents the culmination of a series of in-depth technical studies over the past few years, is absolutely crucial, and will restore the full safety of the dam.

 

88th Agriculture and Commercial Show

By MacPherson Mukuka

Zambia has all it takes for an overwhelming economic boom. The human resource, Good Climate and natural resources are all here to be trapped.

The Government of Zambia has prioritized agriculture because of its potential to serve as an engine for achieving broad based economic growth, diversifying production, increasing incomes and improving national and household food security.

Every last week of July to the first week of August of every year, Zambia host one of the most expensive Agriculture show piece on the African Continent the Agricultural and Commercial Show.

The show also offers a platform for cultural exchanges regionally and internationally, which is a catalyst for development for any country.

This year’s ACSZ will be hosted under the theme: 2014 breaking new ground, with the sub theme, commemorating 50 years of Zambia’s independence.

On Friday July 25^th, 2014… I had an opportunity of interacting with some of show society members to find out how far the preparations have gone.

A tour was conducted around the show premises to check on the new developments before heading to the boardroom for a meeting with the society president.

Out in the field, Society Vice President Ben Shoko took us through some of the works that were taking shape in the ground… the new car park was the first place we visited.

Show goers are simply at the heart of the society, to this reason, the satellite bus stations introduced 3 years ago; have been maintained as Mr. Shoko explained further on this.

The society has also added two new outlets to allow show goers move freely without stamping on each other, Mr. Elliot Mhende, society chairman for development explained more on the safety movement of show goers.

The society other interest is on livestock, it provides a platform for livestock farmers to show exhibit their animals.

Dr. Benson Mwenya is a chairperson in charge of livestock; he explains the changes that have been made in the livestock section.

After a tour of close to an hour, we walked back to the boardroom for a meeting with Murray Anderson, society president.

In his statement, Mr. Anderson disclosed a sum of about 11 Million Kwacha will be spent during this year’s show. He said 5.1 Million Kwacha will go towards the hosting of the show while an additional 6.2 Million Kwacha has been channeled towards infrastructure development.

The Show will also be celebrated under a sub theme: commemorating 50 years of Zambia’s independence, how then has the show performed in the last 50 years?

The Agricultural and Commercial Show has become a leading Southern African region meeting place. Lusaka been capital City, also harboring the Headquarters for COMESA, and as such all member states find the show as a focal point to enhance and evaluate all their economic activities both current and future.

So far 17 countries, have confirmed their participation at this year’s 88^th Agriculture and Commercial Show.

The first show was held in 1919 and has been held every year thereafter with the exception of the years 1921, 1941 to 1946 because of the first and second world war, and in 1966 as well due to Rhodesia's Unilateral Declaration of Independence the previous November, which led to the occupation of a large part of the Showground by the aircrew of the Royal Air Force.

The venue of the show has changed six times from the Kafue River Bank site to a temporary site in Lusaka, where the National Institute of Public Administration stands. In 1951 it moved to its permanent location in the present day showground.

GIVE BUSINESS EVENTS MORE COVERAGE- KATEMA URGES LOCAL MEDIA

By MacPherson Mukuka

The role the media plays in informing the masses is widely appreciated by almost every reader, listener and viewer that is for newspaper, radio and TV.

However, there is one area of reporting which many news followers have come to realize that it has not been given enough coverage compared to other areas.

Business news is said to have been sidelined by most media organisation and personnel for reasons not well known.

Zambian media is one of the many that has been cited for not giving the prominence it deserves.   

For this reason and others, a Media organisation Partners Group organised has launched a media award in business reporting with the aim of promoting the coverage of business news.

The Competition dubbed Young Zambian Journalist Business reporters will run annually and calls for participation in writing on business and economic issues from all pen and paper lovers, regardless of their profession.

Speaking during the launch of the awards and subsequent awarding of the competition’s first winner in Lusaka, Information and broadcasting services Minister Joseph Katema says local Journalists have chosen to report more on political issues than Business.

Dr. Katema has further stated that Government is not interested in politicking but developing the nation hence his call on the media practitioners in the country to report more on business and economic issues.

And Swedish Ambassador to Zambia, Lena Nordstrom whose embassy hosted the finalists for one week says there is a clear indication that reporting on business helps country win the heart of investors as there get to have information about the business trends in the country they want to invest in at their finger tips.

And partners’ group chief executive officer Jonathan Kays has hailed government for creating conducive business environment.

Meanwhile, professional insurance managing director Geoffrey Chirwa says there few Zambians that have the knowledge and appreciation of how this country is doing economically and what they can to contribute further and positively to the success story and to the benefit of all Zambians.

The Media award which is the first in the country has been presented to 23 year old David Ngenda whose winning article was about the internet. The award includes a full paid trip to Sweden for 4 days.

GOVERNMENT HAILS SHOW SOCIETY

By MacPherson Mukuka

The Agriculture and Commercial Show has proved to be one of the most effective tools suitable for passing Agricultural information from experts to farmers.

Government has equally recognised and appreciated the roll the Show Society is playing in fulfilling its agenda on Agriculture.

Agriculture and Livestock Minister Wilber Simusa says Government relies on the Show society to help transmit and actualize government’s desire and make it a reality.

Mr. Simusa said this when he paid a courtesy call at the society offices at the ongoing 88^th Agriculture and Commercial show.

Mr. Simusa further says there is need for total participation from all stakeholders ion the Agriculture sector if the country is to fully benefit from it.

The Minister later toured some stands in the Pioneer hall where all the ten Provinces under the Ministry of Agriculture are exhibiting their agricultural products.

Meanwhile, Society Vice President, Ben Shoko says the Society is overwhelmed with remarks by the Minister.

He adds that the society acts as a meeting place where linkages for all Agriculture stakeholders are created.

Mr. Shoko, who also shower convener, says the society never saw itself to be so close to Government to receive such commendations.

He has described the remarks by the Minister as motivation to the society to work even harder.

The 88^th Agriculture and Commercial Show which closed on Monday 4^th August has been commemorated under the theme: 2014, breaking new grounds and commemorating 50 years of Zambia’s Independence.

Over 17 countries across the globe participated at this year’s event.

WORK PLACE WELNESS POLICY ON HIV/AIDS ON COURSE- CHIBIYA

By MacPherson Mukuka

In the early years of HIV/AIDS, stigma and discrimination were a common agenda in many places where an HIV positive living person was identified.

Victims of the deadly Virus became a laughing stock because of the manner in which the virus attacked them.

It is stigma and discrimination that to some extent contributed to some victims failing to cope with the situation, with a number of them dying of depression as they lived in denial.

The manner in which HIV/AIDS attacks its victims has a negative effect of the productivity levels as victims become weak.

It trying to support and promote employee wellness in all aspects, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock launched an HIV/AIDs and wellness policy a few weeks ago.

But as they say, unless it is implemented, a policy is just a document, in this regard, the breakfast show team caught up with Ministry of Agriculture HIV/AIDS focal point person Remy Chibiya at the ongoing 88^th Agriculture and commercial, to find out on the way forward after the launch of the policy.

Mr. Chibiya explains that the committee will be training the some members of staff of how it wants the policy to be rolled out.

He adds that his fellow employees have welcomed the launch of the policy and are looking forward to seeing how it will be mainstreamed.

He further states that the committee will ensure that the people are sensitized and informed on the dangers of stigma and discrimination and that everyone is treated equally regardless of their status.

Mr. Chibiya stress out that his committee will take advantage of the Agriculture and commercial show to pass on the information to farmers through extension officers.

And one of the employees has expressed happiness at the launch of the policy saying that it will at least help a number of workers in the ministry to be aware of their health.

Some of the Programmes that are already taking shape in rolling out the policy are distribution of condoms at the workplace, and the current exhibition of information about HIV/AIDS and wellness programmes at their stand in the Show grounds.

We only hope that this campaign on HIV/AIDS and wellness in the Ministry of Agriculture will be a stepping stone for breaking new grounds.

ZICTA APPOINTS CATHERINE PHIRI AS CHILD ONLINE PROTECTION CAMPAIGN AMBASSADOR

By MacPherson Mukuka

A Campaign against child online abuse in Zambia has taken a centre stage.

Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (Zicta), the initiators of the crusade dubbed child online protection has moved forward by appointing Zambia’s Boxing Champion Catherine Phiri as Movement Ambassador.

Speaking shortly after the unveiling of Catherine Phiri, at the just ended 88th Agriculture and Commercial Show, Zicta Board Chairperson Emmanuel Musonda says the authority has taken recognizance of Catherine’s achievement and wants to build her from there by appointing her ambassador.

And in receiving the appointment, Catherine Phiri says she will work closely with the Zambia Children and educate them on the safety use of the internet.

Catherine has further called on parents to educate their children about the good and bad part of the internet.

Meanwhile Oriental Quarries Operations Manager Christopher Malunga says Catherine’s appointment as Child Ambassador has shown to the cooperate world that she is a disciplined sportswoman.

And Catherine’s Coach, Mike Zulu has expressed happiness at the step Zicta has taken to appoint Phiri as a Child Ambassador.

ZICTA has embarked on a nationwide campaign to protect children against unsafe use of the internet and other ICT devices.

Catherine’s appointment may not have come at a better time than this when the WORLD Boxing Council (WBC) silver bantamweight champion has won the hearts of Many Zambian’s with the majority been the young ones.

We hope that she will use her career and appointment wisely to help build both her and the young ones who look up to her as a role model.