THE Kwacha started on an upbeat note this morning. The local unit opened trading at K6.68 and K6.70 per dollar for bid and offer, respectively. By midday the Kwacha, was still bullish against the United States dollar.

The local unit was spurred on in the day by both inter-bank and corporate dollar selling with buyers coming in at intraday lows of K 6.65/K6.67.

The Kwacha by close of market was trading at K 6.61 and K 6.63, up 6 ngwee on the day and is likely to keep a bullish momentum in the short term trading between. This is According to the Bank of Zambia rates as monitored by Mwebantu New Media.

PRESIDENT MICHAEL Chilufya Sata has appointed Amb. Solomon Mbuzi as Zambia’s Ambassador to Russia.

And the President has advised Ambassador Solomon Mbuzi, to execute his diplomatic duties diligently.

President Sata said Russia was a powerful country, hence the call to Mr Mbuzi to discharge his duties prudently while serving in that country.

“I expect you to represent us well. Russia is a powerful country and will always be. Russians will expel you,” President Sata said.

“Congratulations. Russians will sort you (Mr Mbuzi) out. They are not people to play with” cautioned Mr Sata.

And speaking to journalists shortly after being sworn in, Mr Mbuzi said his first task will be to cement and foster the existing bilateral relations between Zambia and Russia.

Mr Mbuzi said Russia is a global power, hence the need for Zambia to strengthen her relationship with that country.

Before this appointment, Amb. Solomon Mbuzi was Zambia’s Ambassador to France.

After the PF’s victory in 2011 elections, Amb. Solomon Mbuzi was nominated as a Member of Parliament (MP) by President Sata and subsequently appointed minister for Eastern Province.

(Picture by State House Press Office.)

LUSAKA-BASED AIRLINE Proflight Zambia has unveiled a ground-breaking social investment strategy in a move that sets new standards in corporate social responsibility (CSR).

This is according to a press statement issued by Langmead & Baker Ltd and made available to Mwebantu New Media.

The company has supported worthy causes and charitable events throughout it 23-year history, but has now formally launched a CSR approach that looks set to become the model for corporates countrywide.

The model was announced on June 5 at Proflight’s annual Women’s Breakfast, this year held at Alliance Française in Lusaka and attended by some 60 high-flying women representing business, the public sector and charitable organisations.

“Proflight Zambia takes enormous pride in supporting charities and other organisations that do great work to help the less fortunate in our society, protect and conserve the environment, or uplift the economic well-being of the country,” said Proflight Director of Government and Industry Affairs Captain Philip Lemba.

As do many companies, Proflight receives a large number of requests for sponsorship, donations and support every year. Dealing with these requests can be difficult and time-consuming, especially in the context of the limited budget that the airline has for supporting such a vast number of worthy causes, explained Capt. Lemba.

But this has now changed after the company spent more than a year formulating a social investment framework that aims to ensure its support to the community is carefully targeted to result in maximum impact in terms of social, economic or environmental returns.

The system is known as a triple-bottom line approach and follows a global standard for corporate giving.

Instead of opting to spread its finite resources thinly, Proflight has instead chosen ten well-respected and deserving local charities to support during the year: APTERS, Project Luangwa, Chikumbuso, Mnkhanya, Insaka, Game Rangers International, the Elephant Charge, Fly Spec, Conservation Lower Zambezi and Barefeet Theatre.

In a departure from its traditional Women’s Breakfast approach, Proflight this year decided to invite representatives from the ten charities to showcase their projects and engage with other potential supporters in an interactive way.
“The aim of the event is to raise the bar and set a new standard in Corporate Social Responsibility, showcasing the extraordinary work of our partner organisations and inspiring other companies to follow suit,” said Capt. Lemba.

The idea is for each invited charity to interact with the guests and show them what the charity does – in practical terms – and how individuals or companies can get involved.

Selection of these projects from such a long list of potential candidates aimed to identify organisations that had a direct connection with each of the domestic destinations to which Proflight Zambia flies: Lusaka, Livingstone, Mfuwe, Lower Zambezi, Ndola, Solwezi, Chipata, Mansa and Kasama.

Every quarter, Proflight Zambia selects a charity at one of its destinations. The current charity is Conservation Lower Zambezi (CLZ) based in Lower Zambezi National Park (Proflight destination Royal and Jeki.) CLZ is a Zambian non-governmental organisation committed to the conservation and sustainable use of the local wildlife and natural resources of the Lower Zambezi; CLZ assists the Zambia Wildlife Authority with domestic wildlife protection as well as promoting environmental education and human wildlife conflict solutions in local schools and communities.

As an example, Proflight recently engaged with APTERS to produce Proflight piggy banks made out of papier mâché to celebrate Youth Day. APTERS – based at the Univeristy Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka – is an organisation that uses old paper to make walking aids, prosthetics and other items to help children with disabilities as a result of cerebral palsy or other diseases.

APTERS were invited to showcase their work at the Proflight breakfast, where they brought paper, glue and paint, and encouraged the guests to roll up their sleeves and try their hand at making their own piggy bank.

“This is the type of interaction we are encouraging to get the audience involved with the charity and truly enjoy learning about these amazing organisations operating in Zambia for Zambia,” added Capt. Lemba.

(Picture by Langmead & Baker Ltd)

FORMER Zambian President Rupiah Banda has commended Malawi for holding democratic and peaceful elections.

This is according to Malawi News Agency as monitored by Mwebantu New Media.

Mr. Banda was speaking on Thursday upon arrival at Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe. He said unlike other elections that are associated with chaos, Malawians voted peacefully and remained calm until the time when the results were announced.

“I would to congratulate Malawians for conducting a very peacefully and also for maintaining calm for good eight days before the electoral body announced the results. This is a sign of maturity and Africa as a whole is impressed with how the country conducted its elections,” explained Banda.

He then wished President Peter Mutharika good health as he leads the country to greater height. Apart from discussing with Mutharika on a number of issues, Banda disclosed that he also has come to console the President and his family on the loss of his brother,” he said

Banda was welcomed at the Airport by Henry Mussa a senior member of the Democratic Progressive Party (DDP).

(Picture by Abel Ikiloni)

THE Zambia Daily Mail reports that Police in Nchelenge have arrested a 21-year-old man of Kasongolika village in Chief Kambwali’s area for allegedly defiling and murdering a one year six months old baby girl.

Luapula province commissioner of police Malcolm Mulenga said in an interview yesterday that Joshua Kalembwe allegedly defiled and murdered the minor on 27th May, 2014.

He said the matter was reported to Nchelenge Police Station by the mother of the baby.

“ The twin daughter was left by the mother, before she was murdered after being defiled by Joshua Kalembwe, aged 21 years, of Kasongolika village in Nchelenge who was left with the girl,” Mr Mulenga said.

He said preliminary investigations into the matter revealed that the mother left her twin daughters with Kalembwe to look after them while she went to collect some groundnuts from the field.

Mr. Mulenga said when she returned home, Kalembwe and her daughter were nowhere to be seen.

The mother informed other in the village who assisted her to search for him.

Kalembwe was found in the cassava field and apprehended. “Upon interrogating him and asking him where the baby was, he revealed that she was under a tree near the tall grass. The people then went to the area and found the defiled child dead. The distance from the house was approximately five metres,” he said.

The body of the baby was then picked and taken to Nchelenge Police Station together with the suspect.

It was later taken to St. Pauls Hospital mortuary. Mr Mulenga said the post-mortem results indicated that the suspect had carnal knowledge of the girl through the anus and during the process; she inhaled dust as she was facing the ground and died out of suffocation.

He said the suspect appeared in court on Tuesday this week.

He is now in remand prison.

THE Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) has noted with regret the uproar raised by some stakeholders in Livingstone and reported in some quarters of the media, over the Authority’s decision to charge K15.12 as Park entry fees to Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park.

ZAWA Communications and public relations officer Mwila Readith Muliyunda has told Mwebantu New Media in statement that the Authority’s decision to charge the park entry fee is based on Statutory Instrument no. 60 of 2007 and is vital for the continued maintenance, improvement and development of the Park, which is one of Zambia’s largest tourism assets.
Muliyunda stated that the general maintenance of the park and the ensuring of security and order comes at a much higher cost to ZAWA than what is being charged.

She said ZAWA had sent a team to conduct a thorough survey within the region and especially among Zambia’s neighbouring countries where it has been established that Park entry fees are mandatory and are paid by every person visiting the Park, whether a local or foreign tourist.

She stated that It was also established that ZAWA is the only institution in the region that was not charging these fees and the charge that the Authority has introduced is the lowest among our neighbouring countries in the region, such as Zimbabwe and Botswana.

“It has been established during verification visits conducted by ZAWA staff during the month of April, 2014 to Zimbabwe and Botswana that prevailing park entry fees charged by ZAWA in Zambia were lower than that of Zimbabwe and relatively the same and in certain instances lower than Botswana. Nevertheless, ZAWA has continued to engage with stakeholders in Livingstone over the matter. “ She said

THE Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has set Tuesday, August 19, 2014, as the date on which parliamentary by- elections for Mangango constituency in Western province will be held.

ECZ Public Relations Manager Crispin Akufuna announced the dates in Lusaka today.

Mr Akufuna said aspiring candidates wishing to contest the should fill in nominations on Thursday July 10, 2014.

The poll comes after the nullification of the election of MMD’s Robert Taundi Chiseke by the Supreme Court on May 19, 2014 due to ‘electoral malpractices.’

Patriotic Front losing candidate Richard Simbula petitioned the election of Chiseke alleging illegal and corrupt practices.

Until the nullification of the seat, Chiseke served as Deputy Minister for Commerce, Trade and Industry.

SIERRA LEONE’S parliament has approved a $200m investment deal with a subsidiary of the Zambia-based Copperbelt Energy Corporation.

Sierra Leone’s parliament has approved a $200m investment deal with a subsidiary of the Zambia-based Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) Plc, CEC Africa Investments Limited (CECA).

The Power Purchasing Agreement between the government and the CEC Africa Sierra Leone Ltd paves the way for the construction of a new plant.

The agreement was unanimously approved by lawmakers on Friday.

The project, which was first unveiled at the Africa Energy Forum in Barcelona, Spain, last year, will be implemented in phases.

It will be one of the largest private sector investments in Sierra Leone in general and in its energy sector in particular.

Sierra Leone produces one of the smallest quantities of electricity in the world. But the effect of low production is worsened by a severely decrepit transmission and distribution system, in place since pre-independence era.

An upsurge in foreign direct investment following the end of a civil war, especially in the mining sector, has left it further in dire need of reliable power supply.

The hydro-power is largely consumed by huge investment firms which rely on independently sourced energy to supplement their vast needs.

The CECA deal stemmed from an initial agreement between its parent company CEC and the Lebanese-owned TCQ Power Limited based in Beirut, which jointly acquired majority equity in a Sierra Leonean energy firm, Blue Flare Power SL (BVI) Limited (BFP).

The resulting CEC Africa (SL) will undertake the development of the power infrastructure in the form of 128MW of thermal generation capacity.

Employment

The deal also involves investment in related power infrastructure and, in addition, provision of training for the local staff.

The project is expected to be complete in four years from its inception, Attorney General and minister of Justice Franklin Bai Kargbo, told parliament prior to the stamping of approval on the Bill.

He said it was in line with the government’s development agenda, after many studies had warned that the government the risk of a critical energy shortage in the West African country.

Some 200 jobs will be created, the minister added.

He also said Freetown was in urgent need of a 100MW and that the hope was that CECA, whose plant would be erected in the east end of the city, would fill the gap.

The CECA, which is also developing similar projects in Namibia and Nigeria, will act as an independent power producer (IPP) and will sell the power it produces to the National Power Authority.

The company has promised to supply for residential, commercial, government as well as mining consumption.

Its involvement in the Sierra Leone market brings to two the number of IPPs, the first being the Bumbuna Hydro Power Plant which was under expansion as part of an ambitious $700 million project and was set for completion by 2017.

SOURCE: AFRICAREVIEW

ZAMBIA is poised to becoming one of the top three favoured travel destinations in the next 10 years. According to an article carried by the American-based website, ‘Business Insider’, travellers were now looking to lesser-known destinations for their next trip.

This is according to a press statement made available to Mwebantu New Media by the Press Secretary at the Zambian High Commission in Pretoria, Nicky Shabolyo.

The website points out that ‘Love Home Swap’ compiled a list of the top 50 up-and-coming countries to watch, based on data from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). They compared growth figures for each country by looking at the annual growth per year figures for travel and tourism’s direct contribution to the country’s GDP between 2014 and 2024.

The list was dominated by countries in Africa, with Namibia taking the number one spot. Sixteen other African countries made the list, including Zambia at number three, Angola at four, and Cameroon, 16.

Several Asian countries also made the list, including China (No. 5), Burma (No. 7), Cambodia (No. 8), and Thailand (No. 9).

The website says although some of these destinations do not necessarily have the infrastructure ready yet to support tourism, they are building up hotels, restaurants, and shops that cater to foreign visitors and promoting themselves as top tourist destinations.

It says top traditional travel destinations get a lot of visitors each year such that trips to these places can be disappointing experiences filled with crowded tourist sites, over-priced hotels, and bad restaurants.

The website further takes note of Zambia’s seven percent gross domestic product growth rate and describes the country as one of the most peaceful in Africa, making it a popular destination. Visitors can explore a wealth of national parks, along with the stunning Victoria Falls.

‘Business Insider’ also points out that developments in the mining sector have attracted significant foreign investment which in turn has boosted infrastructure and tourism.

Meanwhile, CNN has ranked the helicopter flights at the Victoria Falls in Zambia as the most amazing way to experience Africa from the air.

Forming part of the latest ‘Inside Africa’ coverage, CNN’s Joe Yogerst, says with fully open side doors, the 13-passenger helicopter ride above the Zambezi River is a far-reaching way to experience Africa’s largest waterfall.
The Huey Helicopter Flights at Victoria Falls was measured against 10 other selected aerial activities through which to experience Africa. These are the Private Flying Safari of Namibia and Botswana; the Table Mountain Cableway of South Africa; the Nile High Bungee of Uganda; Skydiving of Kenya, and Climbing the West Face at Mulanje in Malawi.

Others are Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania; Busanga Plains Hot Air Balloon Trip in Zambia; the Microlight Flights over Kruger National Park of South Africa; Cairo Tower of Egypt, and the Tsitsikamma Zipline of South Africa.

ZAMBIA has been selected as one of the African countries from which University of Limpopo of South Africa plans to recruit students as part of a crusade to expand its base of international students.

This is according to a press statement made available to Mwebantu New Media by the Press Secretary at the Zambian High Commission in Pretoria, Nicky Shabolyo.

A team of academic staff from Limpopo will be in Zambia next month to hold meetings with various schools across the country during which they will show case what the institution has to offer as well as discuss the available incentives for prospecting students.

Director of International Affairs at Limpopo University, Dr Hlulani Mabasa, said in Pretoria that his institution was impressed with the academic performance and general conduct of the current Zambian students and wanted to give more opportunities to Zambians as part of the university’s strategy to also raise its international profile. 12 Zambian students are currently studying at University of Limpopo.

Dr. Mabasa was speaking when his team met First Secretary for Education at the Zambian High Commission in Pretoria, Mrs. Emmerentiana Bweupe. He was accompanied by Recruitment Practitioner, Ms. Busisiwe Makwerela and Recruitment Assistant, Ms. Pamela Maseko.

He said the university will also visit schools in three countries in West Africa, another three countries in East Africa and six others in the SADC region.

Dr. Hlulani said the expansion of the institution’s base of international students was in line with the university’s motto of ‘Finding Solutions For Africa’.

“We believe we can only find these solutions from the knowledge sharing point of view. We believe we can achieve this by bringing a cross-section of people in one place. So in all that we are doing, we are answering the question in our motto,” he explained.

“We have been impressed with Zambian students currently at the university and we thought of attracting even more because we believe they are best suited to help us raise our international profile,” he added.

Dr. Hlulani said the university was targeting students at both ‘A’ Level and General Certificate level of education.

University of Limpopo offers courses from undergraduate right through to PHD level. Some of the courses are in the Schools of Medicine; Health Care Sciences; Health Sciences; Pathology and Pre-Clinical Sciences; Languages and Communication Studies; Social Sciences; Education; Law; Economics and Management; Agriculture and Environmental Sciences; Mathematical and Computer Sciences; Accountancy; Molecular and Life Sciences, and Oral Health Sciences.

And Mrs. Bweupe said Zambia had a huge population of people seeking university education and that the programme embarked on by the university would help to address the issue.

She thanked University of Limpopo for considering Zambia as a worthy partner in the exercise and assured that the Mission in Pretoria will help in facilitating the visit to Zambia by the university.

(Picture by Nicky Shabolyo)

THE Lusaka Magistrate Court on 15th May 2014 sentenced a 40 year old man of Matero in Lusaka to 36 months imprisonment with hard labour for corrupt practices involving K 1, 500. 00.

Lusaka Magistrate Boniface Mwiinga found Bright Mukuma of House number 4705B Mulongoti Road, Matero, Lusaka guilty of Corrupt Practices by Private Person contrary to Section 20(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 38 of 2010 as read with section 14 (3) (e) of the interpretation and general provisions Act Chapter 2 of the Laws of Zambia.

Details of the offence are that Mukuma on dates unknown but between 1st January, 2012 and 16th February, 2012 in Lusaka being a private person, whilst acting jointly and together with Jusiyele Banda, a Customer Service Assistant at Public Service and Pensions Fund, and other persons unknown corruptly solicited for and actually received K 1,500. 00 cash gratification from a certain Mervis Daka as an inducement or reward for the duo for having processed Terminal Benefits for her late husband, a matter of transaction concerning the Public Service Pensions Fund, a public body.

Mukuma and Banda were arrested by the Anti-Corruption Commission in February 2012 and charged with Corrupt Practices by Private Person and Corrupt Practices by Public Officer respectively, contrary to the Laws of Zambia.

Meanwhile, Mukuma’s co-accused, Jusiyele Banda was acquitted of the charges.

THE ZAMBIA POLICE SERVICE Reports that two people have died in two separate accidents along Kafue road in Shimabala area. The accidents happened on 7th and 8th June respectively.

The first accident involved a Jeep Reg. No. ABH 1591 driven by Vitalis Masopo of Kafue. The vehicle which was being driven from Lusaka to Kafue hit into a pedestrian identified as Godwin Chibesa as he was trying to cross the road. Masopo has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving, bonded and will appear in court soon.

The second one involving a Toyota Hiace minibus Reg. No. ALJ 4186 left one person identified as Patrick Mukwasa dead after over turning due to excessive speed. The minibus which had 16 people on board was coming from Kafue to Lusaka.

The driver of the minibus is currently on the run and a manhunt has been launched for him. The injured were rushed to Kafue district hospital while the bodies of the deceased are lying in the mortuary at the same hospital awaiting postmortem.

THE ZAMBIA POLICE SERVICE is investigating the death of a suspect at Vubwi Police Station on Saturday.

Maxwell Banda aged 17 who was facing a charge of Conduct Likely to Cause the Breach of Peace was found hanging from a burglar bar of the cell window where he was detained.

He is suspected to have committed suicide on 7th June, 2014 around 19:45 hours at Vubwi Police Station.

THE Ministry of Finance has commenced preparations for the 2015 National Budget and the 2015 to 2017 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF).

Ministry of Finance Public Relations Officer Chileshe Kandeta said in a media statement released to ZANIS that government wants to make wide consultations on the budget formulation process.

He said the Ministry is inviting the public to make submissions on issues related to Tax and Non Tax Revenue matters for government consideration in formulating next year’s budget.

Mr Kandeta said the public have been given two months in which to participate in the budget formulation process and hoped that youths, women groups, the private sector and other stakeholders will submit their views before the deadline of July 31st 2014.

He said government wants to continue with the path of wealth and employment creation, and poverty reduction which have set the country on robust economic development.

Mr Kandeta said government will continue to streamline taxation and create an enabling environment for job creation and wealth generation for the Zambian people.

BELOW IS THE FULL STATEMENT

2015 BUDGET – MOF INVITES PROPOSALS FROM YOU ALL

The Ministry of Finance wishes to invite members of the public to submit proposals on tax and non-tax policies for the 2015 National Budget and the 2015 to 2017 Medium Term Expenditure Framework [MTEF].

The submissions will be used as key inputs in formulating the 2015 National Budget. The proposed format of the proposals to be submitted to Ministry of Finance is as follows:

1. Clearly outlined III. expected impact; a. Proposed measure, b.
Justification; and c. Expected revenue impact (i.e. gain or loss).

2. All proposals on improvement of tax administration must clearly outline anomalies/challenges in current statutes which are proposed to be corrected and justify expected improved outcomes, especially in revenue collection; and

3. Contact details [Phone, Email, Fax, and Postal Address] of the proposer.

The consultation period ending 31st July, 2014 has been set to ensure that all citizens, including the youth, women groups, the private sector, and all other stakeholders and interest groups participate in the formulation of the
2015 Budget and the 2015 to 2017 MTEF.

The Ministry of Finance is therefore, making an earnest appeal to the public to embrace this gesture so that consultations on the 2015 National Budget are broadened in line with the Government’s Policy to streamline taxation and create an enabling environment for employment creation and wealth formation for all.

SUBMIT PROPOSALS BEFORE 31st July 2014 TO:

The Chief Budget Analyst [R]
Ministry of Finance
Budget Office
4th Floor Room 504
P.0. Box 50062,
LUSAKA

EMAIL CONTACTS:
chileshe.kandeta@mofnp.gov.zm
Vestina.banda@mofnp.gov.zm
Isaac.munjunga@mofnp.gov.zm

MMD President Nevers Mumba has concluded the tour of Central Province with a call to civil servants to ‘cast away the demon of fear’ that has gripped them since the Patriotic Front took over office in 2011.

And the opposition leader has called on Zambians to stop being amused at the wrong things obtaining in the country because they will one day wake up to a rude shock as the current administration will stop at nothing in order to maintain power.

Dr. Mumba who started the tour of the province from Mkushi and was accompanied by Provincial Chairperson Sydney Chisenga, Provincial Chairlady Idah Ngoma and later joined by National Youth Chairman Howard Kunda observed that civil servants are so afraid of PF leaders.

He said it is regrettable that civil servants are scared of PF officials when the opposite should be the case as the PF was elected into office by people hence they should be afraid of them.

Dr Mumba said the level of fear in Zambia is shocking as almost the entire nation seems to be afraid of President Sata and his Government as if they are not the ones who elected them into office.

He observed that the opposition needs to deal with the current situation expeditiously and protect their existence in the country.

“Through you I want to confirm that there is a spirit of what we call in Church as a demon in the country which is the demon of fear that has entered the civil service, it’s a demon of fear that we have never had in this country since independence. The only time we used to have it was towards the end of the rule of UNIP but now the fear by those people that work in the offices is the fear of death because they are scared of losing their jobs. It is a demon of fear that we must deal with as political parties,” Dr Mumba said.

He added, “When you are dealing with a demon, what do you do? You cast it out and when you want to cast a demon, you don’t run but you deal with it face to face. This spirit of fear that has engrossed Zambians which has made people scared of President Sata and the PF is a demon that must be cast out now.”

Dr Mumba continued, “I have dealt with a lot of demons in my life, demons of snakes, demons of lions and even this demon that is in government will be cast out,” Dr. Mumba said as he addressed officials from Kapiri district who had struggled with police to be given a permit to have an indoor meeting.

He reiterated that the Police is not the enemy of the people but that the politicians in Government are the ones who do not want their failures to exposed to the public and would want to hang on to power using undemocratic means.
Dr Mumba warned that the demise of the opposition in Zambia is inevitable if the opposition does not take the bull by its horns and demand that the PF gives them back their liberties.

He added that the ruling party is feeding on the fear of the civil servants and the general public hence the need for opposition leaders to be more fearless as they are the people who should speak for the suffering masses in the country.

“What we need in our party are leaders who are fearless , leaders who are strong and not afraid of the police because where we have reached, Mr. Sata and his Government won’t be giving us permits, as am speaking to you we have cancelled a rally in Kabwe because they refused to give us a permit.”

He added, “What the PF want is for them to be campaigning and us not campaigning when elections come we find our committees have only six or five members because we don’t meet but it will not happen under my watch as MMD leader if they want to kill us for fighting for our liberties and freedoms let them do that.”
Dr Mumba said he personally does not have a problem with the police.

“The police are facing serious problems. They are heavily under paid, poorly dressed, their equipment is insufficient and yet they are the ones being used to fight us, the people trying to help them, they are our people but they are tied by the current regime who are using them as tools.”

Dr. Mumba has urged Zambians to stop being spectators in the running of the country’s affairs as it belongs to them.
The MMD leader who was on a fact finding mission as well as reorganizing the party in the Province visited several constituencies including Chitambo where he had time to pray for the sick at one of the oldest health institutions in the country and a hospital he said was dear to him because it was his birth place, Chitambo Mission Hospital.

Dr. Mumba also visited Muchinga, Mkushi North and South, Kapiri and completed his tour with Kabwe where the trip was supposed to culminate into a public rally but the police denied them a permit forcing the MMD leader to resort to an indoor meeting with his party officials.

THE Lusaka City Council (LCC) has sent a final warning to defaulters owing the Council close to K1 billion to pay up
or face legal action.

The LCC is owed millions of Kwacha in rates, rent and billboards that has accumulated over a period of time.
Assistant Public Relations Manager, Brenda Katongola said the Council has since given tenants occupying its properties in Lusaka’s Ibex Hill, a 21-day ultimatum which elapses today (Tuesday, 10th June) to pay up or face eviction.

She said the Council has also sent warning letters to other defaulters to pay up or come 1st July, the civic authority will send bailiffs to help the institution recover the monies owed to it.

“The Council is owed a lot of money in unpaid rent and rates by various institutions and individuals and from billboards over a long period of time. Paying rent and rates is mandatory by law. This time we are not encouraging defaulters to pay, but we are warning them. We sent out letters to tenants occupying the few remaining Council houses in Ibex Hill on 21st May, 2014 to pay up, failure to which they will be evicted. Some tenants are owing the Council more than K100,000 in unpaid rentals,” Ms. Katongola said.

Ms. Katongola said the Council will not allow illegalities to hamper its efforts of providing quality service delivery and warned defaulters with outstanding amounts in rates, rent and billboards to pay for the civic authority to deliver on its mandate.

“People need to honour their obligations and pay what they owe the Council for us to offer quality service delivery to the community and also for us to be able to function effectively.

“Come 1st July, bailiffs will pounce on the defaulters. This is in a bid to generate revenue for the council especially that people have failed to honour their obligations even after reminders were sent out.

Apart from sending bailiffs, we will also start taking defaulters to the courts of law for the necessary action to be taken,” she said.

ZAMBIA AND SPAIN will be signing an MOU on Tourism Cooperation with a focus on tourism infrastructure development and investment.

This came to light when Minister of Tourism and Arts Hon. Jean Kapata MP met with the Spanish Secretary of State for Tourism Ms. Isabel Maria Borrego Cortes on the sidelines of the 98th UNWTO Executive Council held in Santiago de Compostela Spain. The two government officials discussed a number if issues related to tourism investment, tourism marketing and increasing the Spanish tourists to Zambia.

This is according to a statement issued by UNWTO Liaison Officer for Zambia in Madrid, Spain,Percy Mabvuto Ngwira

Ms. Cortes informed the Hon. Minister that in 2013 Spain started getting out of recession and many Spanish people can afford to take long haul holidays again. Though restricted by the language Zambia is a beautiful and peaceful country that we would encourage our people to visit, Said Ms. Cortes.

In response Hon. Kapata appreciated the meeting and informed the Secretary of State for Tourism that Zambia is amazed oh how Spain benefits from tourism and would want to learn a lot. “I am quite impressed at the level of tourism development in your country and as Zambia we will be most grateful to learn from you”, said Hon Kapata. She appealed to Ms. Cortes to help in encouraging Spanish business people to come and invest in Zambia. She said the Zambian government has developed very good investment opportunities for foreign investors. “ We need your people to come and invest in infrastructure, in hotels, lodges transport business and so on, as government we stand ready to welcome your people and ensure that they get return on their investment” Said Hon Kapata.

Ms. Cortes welcomed Hon Kapata’s invitation and promised that her Ministry will draft an MOU that will be sent through the Zambian Embassy in Paris for the Zambian government consideration. Hon Kapata thanked the Secretary of State for Tourism for such a commitment and said she will be looking forward to receive the MOU.

Spain retook the number three spot in inbound tourists in world tourism in 2013, overtaking China by luring a record 60.6 million international visitors. But France remains the world’s most popular country for visitors. Foreign tourist arrivals surged by 5.6 per cent in the year, the government announced in January, boosting the Eurozone’s fourth largest economy after a long, job-wrecking recession.

Income from foreign tourists hit record levels, too, a significant contribution to the Spanish economy, which has just emerged from five years of stop-start recession that left the nation with a 26-percent unemployment rate. Spending by international tourists in the first 11 months of 2013 surged by 8.7 per cent from the same period in 2012 to 55.9 billion euros ($76 billion), according to government figures.

The top destinations in Spain in 2013 were Catalonia, which drew 15.5 million foreign visitors, or 25.7 percent of the total, followed by the Balearic Islands such as Majorca with 11.1 million international arrivals, or 18.3 per cent of the total. Spanish tourism industry association Exceltur predicts the tourism industry will grow by 1.8 per cent in 2014.

THE Minister of Tourism and Arts Hon. Jean Kapata MP has met with World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) President and CEO David Scowsill on the sidelines of the 98th UNWTO Executive Council Meeting held in Santiago de Compostela Spain.

This is according to a statement issued by UNWTO Liaison Officer for Zambia in Madrid, Spain,Percy Mabvuto Ngwira.

Mr. Scowsill congratulated Hon Kapata on her new portfolio and welcomed her into the tourism industry. He further hailed the Zambian governments policy on tourism development which is private sector driven. Mr. Scowsill said the tourism industry is much dependent on the private sector and Zambia’s policy is in the right direction. The two discussed a number is issues related to tourism development and the role of the private sector.

Hon. Kapata thanked Mr. Scowsill for having taken time to meet with her. She informed the CEO that the Zambian government has continued to place tourism industry as an important economic sector that will contribute to the overall development of the country.

She said her government and the Ministry of Tourism in particular will continue collaborating with international organizations such as WTTC and the UNWTO in order to ensure that the country develops sustainable tourism that will create more jobs and offer business opportunities to the local people.

The Hon. Minister asked Mr. Scowsill to consider coming to Zambia to hold a discussion with the Zambian tourism private sector in order to stimulate the need to work together with the government in the development of tourism. Mr. Scowsill said WTTC stands ready to work with the Zambian government and the Zambian tourism private sector at any time and he promised to come to Zambia as soon as the official invitation was sent to him.

The two further discussed the proposal by WTTC for Zambia and Zimbabwe to co-host the WTTC Regional symposium in 2016. In response the Hon. Minister said this was a good idea and would not be a difficult thing in the sense that Zambia and Zimbabwe just successfully co-hosted the 20th UWNTO General Assembly last August. She informed the CEO that the proposal is still with the technocrats from Zambia and Zimbabwe as soon as they finish evaluating the proposal and submit their recommendations the two countries will inform WTTC accordingly.

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is the forum for business leaders in the Travel & Tourism industry. With Chief Executives of some one hundred of the world’s leading Travel & Tourism companies as its Members, WTTC has a unique mandate and overview on all matters related to Travel & Tourism.

WTTC works to raise awareness of Travel & Tourism as one of the world’s largest industries, supporting 260 million jobs and generating 9 per cent of world GDP.

WTTC advocates partnership between the public and private sectors, delivering results that match the needs of economies, local and regional authorities and local communities with those of business, based on:

1. Governments recognising Travel & Tourism as a top priority
2. Business balancing economics with people, culture and environment
3. A shared pursuit of long-term growth and prosperity

The Council regularly sets Strategic Priorities with a view to identifying those issues which most impede the operation or development of the sector.

THE HUMAN Rights Commission (HRC) director Ms. Florence Chibwesha says the HRC is saddened by the reported violence against a named Post newspaper reporter, who was allegedly beaten up over the weekend by police officers.

Human Rights Commission director Florence Chibwesha said in a statement issued in Lusaka made available to Mwebantu New Media.

Ms Chibwesha stated that the Commission condemns in the strongest terms the alleged harassment of the journalist by the police. The repeated battering and beating of journalists in line of duty should be stopped by responsible organs to ensure that the rights of journalists are protected. Such acts of law enforcement officials does, in fact, pose a threat to the rule of law and democracy in this country and should, therefore, not be allowed to continue.

She said the Commission is concerned that there does not seem to be an end to violence against journalists even after it has been widely condemned by different sections of the society. The Commission is deeply concerned about the continuing trend of attacks on journalists by law enforcement officers, politicians and other members of the society which is a violation of freedom of expression and the right of journalists to carry out their duty to inform the public freely.

“The Commission has noted with great concern that there have been a number of instances when journalists and other media personnel have been harassed in connection with their work not only by the police, but also by other members of the society. These include the issuing of threats and intimidation of community media workers who have aired programmes on critical issues or matters considered as sensitive. Radio Mano, Isoka Radio, Kasempa Radio and Hot FM Radio are some of the radio stations that have been reported to have faced harassment of their media workers during the year.” Ms Chibwesha said.

She stated that the Commission is concerned that attacks targeted at journalists can threaten the protection and promotion of human rights in the country as it creates limitations on press freedoms and freedom of expression which in turn contribute to the erosion of human rights and the public’s rights to information. Journalists and the media have a duty to inform the public and the public has a right to receive information and requires an enabling and secure environment to optimally enjoy this right. This environment should and can only be provided by the state as the duty bearer. Therefore, continued violence against Journalist is a threat not only to freedom of expression but the right of the public to information about what is happening around them. The government and Zambia Police have to ensure that the handling of journalists is carried out in compliance with human rights standards, in particular, as concerns respect for freedom of expression and press freedom.

“The Commission urges law enforcement officials to thoroughly investigate the incident and bring the officers involved to book. The Police should not hinder journalists from doing their job and conveying the truth to the public, while demanding that freedom of thought and expression is upheld as guaranteed in the Bill of Rights part 3 of the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia 1991 (as amended in 1996).” She said.

EARLIER on this year, I wrote an article that was titled “New Year, New You!” Unfortunately this article didn’t see the light of day as the year sort of moved on without it. But I go back to it now because its half year and we all ought to take stock of what we have done thus far. If you have met your goals then good on you but if you haven’t, you still have plenty of time to rectify.

As for me the New Year brought in a new ME with new objectives, targets, goals and dreams. I started 2014 by taking stock of 2013. I am usually very specific about what I want to achieve be it in a job, in school or in a specific time period. 2013 was no different. I went in there with specific goals, objectives and targets. Obviously, not everything went according to plan because after all, God’s timing is the best. Right?

2014 has so far been an amazing year with one black dot on my white cloud. My mother in law, my mother, my friend, Yanakulu Cheleka passed away on 22nd May 2014. When my husband called to say mum had passed, I felt the life slowly seeping out of me. I knew I needed to get out of the office as fast as I possibly could because I didn’t want to break down in front of my work colleagues. Once I jumped into the taxi however, the flood gates opened. The poor taxi man didn’t know whether to pull over and hug me or just to hold my hand all the way to Yanakulu.

I knew I needed to be strong for my husband and my siblings in law but my heart was literally breaking at the thought of not hearing her say “iye mwe”. My kids and I made it a point to visit Yanakulu every other weekend and knowing that this outing had now come to an end was devastating.

In order to be strong for my husband, children and in-laws, I knew I needed to have a coping mechanism and I needed one fast! I chose to cope by celebrating Yanakulu Cheleka’s life instead of mourning her death. This is a woman who had such a strong and positive influence on my life and marriage. Yanakulu had lived a full life having birthed 11 children. She was survived by 9 children, 23 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. We were all blessed to have had her in our lives for as long as we did.

As a daughter in law, I am forever grateful to have had a mother in-law who became a friend. I am grateful that we loved each other so much that I could drop the “in-law” and from the bottom of my heart and in every sense of the word be able to call her mother.

I am grateful for all the times that my husband and I took the kids to Mbala and we spent time as a family, breaking bread and telling stories of how she met Yasikulu Cheleka and their lives as a young married couple. I am grateful for the inspiration I got from knowing that the two had been married since 1955 until Yasikulu’s passing in 2012.

I am grateful for the influence she had on her son – my husband. They had a close relationship and her influence on the man he has become is mind blowing. She taught him to do the right thing whether or not someone is watching. He tells me stories of when she would tell him to enjoy himself as he went out partying but to remember that as much as she was not around to watch him, he was around to watch himself and only he would suffer the consequences of his choices.

What are you grateful for? Think about it a minute! My “grateful” list is long but I will only touch on the most important.

I know that I am grateful for the man I married – the love of my life. He may not be perfect but he certainly is perfect for me. I am grateful that he truly believes in me and pushes me to take up challenging opportunities and to be the best that I can possibly be. I am even grateful for all the girls that wish they could have him because they constantly remind me what a gem I have. I am grateful for my children. Hearing their voices and feet pitter pattering in the house as I wake up is the most amazing feeling in the world.

I am grateful for my mother. My BFF. If you don’t have a good relationship with your mother, I implore you to rectify that. No one looks out for you more than your mother. She is the one person who wants the best for you because that is what completes her circle.

I am grateful for my siblings. Though we may fuss and fight sometimes, we always come round and have each other’s back. I remember growing up and my brothers beating up people who they thought had offended me. They beat up first and asked questions after. My sisters will drop what they are doing to watch my kids, sometimes for weeks. They are always there when I need time out and when my husband and I need honeymoon time.

I am grateful for my siblings in law. They are the best one can ever ask for. They have my back. I know I can always count on them, regardless. While most people think in-laws are monsters, my set of in-laws is God sent.
Many a time we tend to forget to be grateful to God. I challenge you today to list all that you are grateful for. Go on! Do it! Even though “I’m just saying”.

God bless you.
Interact with me on mutintamusokotwane@outlook.com or face book – Mutinta Musokotwane-Chikopela.