PAPER Chaser, an SMS lottery from Botswana was introduced in Zambia two months ago as Zambia’s first digital lottery where participants stand a chance of winning cash prizes by sending their entry via a text message.

Since the launch of Paper chaser, individuals from various towns across the country have walked away with cash prizes. Paper Chaser continues to run with weekly prizes of K2, 000, K25, 000 monthly prizes and a total grand prize of K150, 000 to be given during the middle of the year. A total of K66, 000 in cash has been claimed by winning participants with the January and February monthly cash prizes of K25,000 going to Schola Mfula of Kasama and Joan Chiti of Ndola.

“The win came at the right time because I had deferred my studies for a semester because I didn’t have the tuition fees, so now I am able to enroll for my next semester” said an ecstatic Chiti when asked how she intends to spend the money. Chiti, a 23 year old resident of Ndola is one of the many people who have been following Paper Chaser on social media and sharing their stories of what they would do with the cash prizes should they win using the hashtag #WhenIWin.

Accustomed to winning, the well-acclaimed musician Brian Bwembya popularly known as Bflow couldn’t resist giving thumbs up to Paper Chaser for believing in the Zambian market and taking a step to empower the locals through the lottery. “I will definitely be the next winner, watch out for my name to show up in the next draw” said a confident Bflow in a conversation with the newest winner Chiti. Bflow scooped many awards last year including the prestigious Mwape Peer Award.

Participants can play the lottery game by texting “paperchaser” to 7808. The public can follow the competition via social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and tune in to Rock FM 96.5 on Friday afternoons at 16hrs when the winners will be announced.

THERE is nowhere to hide anymore. Big corporations that dare pollute our rivers and poison our waters should be held accountable anywhere around the world. A word of caution to big companies, please treat all stakeholders well and be socially responsible.

Polluting our rivers and poisoning the sacred springs of Chingola will result in dire consequences for you. Companies such as Konkola Copper Mines and Mopani Copper Mines now have the added responsibility due to one important fact: the world is watching.

Globalisation now has legal implications for global corporations. As they mine copper in Solwezi and as they dig for gold in Kolwezi, multi-national companies can now be sued for polluting the Kafue River in a London court or in an Alberta court. A Zambian plaintiff who has suffered harm due to the negligent conduct of big companies can now with the click of a button hire a lawyer in London to hold London listed companies to account.

This I believe is what happened in Dominic Luswaniso Lungowe and others versus Vedanta Resources PLC and Konkola Copper Mines, a case which is making its way in London’s High Court of Technology and Construction. This case involves several of our people who are claiming that they suffered various health problems due to KCM’s negligence. Lungowe sued in London and obviously, the London court had to enquire into the issue of jurisdiction and venue: was London the best court to litigate KCM’s alleged misconduct which took place in Chililabombwe’s Kafue River? Before the London court even goes ahead hearing the matter it must satisfy itself that the matter is legitimately before it. Lungowe’s London lawyers needed to convince the London court that the matter was legitimately before it because KCM and its parent company are listed in London and that Lungowe and others stand a better chance at getting justice in London than Lusaka. To convince the London High Court, Lungowe had to bring some legal experts from Zambia to buttress the position that the plaintiffs are likely to receive justice in London. Lungowe’s London lawyers found an expert: Musa Mwenye SC. It is this expert testimony Mwenye gave in the London court that really angered President Edgar Lungu.

Lawyers like Musa Mwenye should not have to suffer for doing their job. Our society should not impute upon the lawyer the misconduct of the lawyer’s client. Lawyers have very difficult tasks to perform in representing clients, both savoury and unsavoury ones. No lawyer should be crucified simply because they were doing their job either of representing a criminal or representing people like Lungowe who are claiming to have suffered severe health problems as a result of the negligent conduct of a London listed corporation. Even if Mwenye were just appearing as an expert witness in London, he should not be made to suffer for helping Lungowe and others find justice in London. The decision to sue in London is a luxury afforded to Zambian citizens in this globalised world. Our citizens should not be demonised for going to London to sue a London listed company that pollutes their drinking water. If our people were to want to sue in a Canadian court, they will find very friendly counsel to help them navigate Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench! In London, Mwenye’s testimony was to the effect that Lungowe and others would stand a better chance at accessing justice in London than they would in Zambia. Musa Mwenye may have been right. But President Edgar Lungu in a sense was justified in demanding better conduct from Mr. Mwenye.

Mr. Mwenye is the past Attorney General of the Republic of Zambia. His client was the juristic person of the Republic of Zambia. He was leader of the Zambian Bar and principal legal advisor to the executive, the legislature and the judiciary. Mr. Lungowe’s London lawyers found it prudent to engage the expert advice of Mr. Mwenye to testify before the London court why it would be difficult for the plaintiffs to access justice in Zambia. It was indeed a coup, a huge conquest for the plaintiffs. Mr. Mwenye, however, as a former Attorney General should have recused himself from going to London. The same justice system in Zambia was his client, how then can he turn himself against the very client he faithfully served for years? Those who serve as attorneys general should know that Zambia’s justice system is their client. They come into contact with both the good and the bad of our system. The AG knows the inner workings and the flaws of their client. It is unconscionable for them to go and spill the beans in a foreign court about the failing of the Zambian justice system. When a former attorney general testifies against the Zambian justice system in a foreign court, it is not general information they are peddling, it is very specific inside knowledge of their former client. Mr. Mwenye could have recommended other legal experts to travel to London. He had a conflict of interest.

After President Lungu’s outburst, Mr. Mwenye issued a comment to the effect that he was trying to make it easier for the poor of Zambia to have access to justice. I am quite flattered by the State Counsel’s commitment to access to justice for the poor. But I am afraid the honorable state counsel might need to direct his energy to the things that could actually lead to better access to legal services in Zambia. Zambia has very few lawyers. It has about 1,000 lawyers in a country of 15 million people. This lawyer to population ratio makes it impossible for the ordinary poor of Chililabombwe to access justice. I call upon Mr. Mwenye to help resolve this lawyer shortage in Zambia by advocating for better pass rates of lawyers at the Zambia Institute of Advanced Legal Education (ZIALE).

President Lungu’s outburst should be taken in context. The President has not really liked the ex-AG from the time Mwenye stood his ground to take away the acting presidency from Lungu to Guy Scott. I do not think Mwenye’s London conduct deserves sanction. I appeal to the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) to ignore calls to discipline Mr. Mwenye. This could as well be a learning opportunity for all Zambians and all those those who might be called upon to serve as attorney general of our republic not to go to London or Calgary badmouthing a former client.

Source: Munshya, E. (2016). When London Calls: Musa Mwenye, legal ethics and politics of client confidentiality. Elias Munshya Blog (www.eliasmunshya.org) (March 24, 2016)

A LUSAKA local court has heard how a man saved his lover as “Zambia Police” in his phone contact book.

This is in a case which Charles Kaluba, 45, of Matero Township sued Nelly Milanzi, 32, of the same Township for divorce. Bride price was not paid.

“She thinks all the women I talk to are my girlfriends, she has been going to my work place to shout and beat up women and accused them of dating me. This is the reason I want to divorce her because I’m tired with this marriage of embarrassments” he said.

Kaluba told the court that his wife doesn’t know how to cook adding that is the reason he why had deserted his matrimonial house.
“My wife only knows how to prepare rice and beans and the rest she is just pathetic, I don’t want to have stomach pains,” he said.
But Milanzi, told the court that her husband was too promiscuous to an extent of texting his girlfriends on What’s App and Facebook every time they are sleeping in their matrimonial house in her presence.

“My husband is a liar, imagine I intercepted a lot of mobile numbers he was saving as ‘grandpa’ ‘Zambia Police instead by their real names. I don’t know why he has been hurting me like this,” she complained.

She added that at one point she wanted to commit suicide by drinking ‘doom’ over her husband promiscuous and violent behavior.

In passing judgement, the court granted the two divorce and asked the complainant to compensate his wife with K9,000.

UPND spokesperson Charles Kakoma says the High Court’s ruling in favour of UPND vice president for administration Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba is a sign that Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini has been applying the law and parliamentary procedures selectively to the advantage of the PF.

Mr. Kakoma said the birds had come home to roost via a court ruling that was setting the record straight.

He said it was clear now that endorsement of another Presidential candidate was not a basis for expelling a sitting Member of Parliament.

“When Hon. Jack Mwiimbu raised a point of order over the bias of the Speaker in the National Assembly a few weeks back, the Speaker responded “Posterity will judge me”. It now looks like we do not have to wait for posterity; the Supreme Court has done just that for us in the case where Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba (GBM) sought judicial review concerning his expulsion from Parliament,” Mr. kakoma said.

“In July last year when GBM was appointed Vice President for the UPND, the Speaker expelled GBM from Parliament through a point of order on the pretext that he had crossed the floor. What we do not understand is why the Speaker went above the law that regulates the expulsion of Members of Parliament from the National Assembly. There were two cases at the time in which the head of the LEGISLATURE decided to act as judge and legislator, the other involved Hon. Patrick Mucheleka who the Speaker claimed was an innocent by stander in that situation.”

Mr. Kakoma said Mr. Mwamba did not state that he had left PF to join UPND, but rather that he was endorsing HH of the UPND.
He said when Mr. Mwiimbu made that point of order; the Speaker denied his assertion, but that the court ruling had exonerated Mr. Mwiimbu.

“We have observed on several occasions how Speaker Matibini has applied the law and parliamentary procedures selectively to the advantage of the PF. This rests this matter of his perceived bias, which has included UPND MPs wearing PF regalia yet remaining in Parliament even when the party has written to him to expel them. Still posterity has now arrived early for Matibini,” said Mr. Kakoma.

WOMEN in Media 4 Change hosted their second mentorship session themed “Unleashing women’s Potential in Media and Sustainable development through mentorship”.

With one of Zambia’s exceptional Media Entrepreneurs as Guest speaker; Media personalities working in Film, Fashion, print, Television, Radio and new Media were part of a mentorship programme that is aimed at building a Generation of empowered women, championing sustainable development and taking control of their own stories and rebranding the African narrative.

Supported by Society for Family Health under the Maximum Diva Brand, Multichoice Zambia, The Wine shop and the Best Western Plus Lusaka grand Hotel, Namakau Mukelabai based her mentorship talk on how women should learn from one another’s success, uplift one another, take risks, be entrepreneurial, brand themselves and wise up and take care of their Health.

Women in Media 4 Change is an initiative Co-founded by film maker Jessie Chisi and Media Entrepreneur Patience Chisanga with a vision to have women take ownership of their own stories and be part of sustainable development.

MAN of the moment and singer Drimz recently dropped the music video to his song Mpakafye Ubushiku featuring Chef and his momentum isn’t showing signs of slowing down. The Kabwe native was restricted to performing in his home town and the Copperbelt, but thanks to his songs Ama dance yamu lolo, Dolose, No Title, Potential Millionaire and Ireen Mambilima, he has become a national commodity.
Ireen Mambilima is a fan favorite right now, thanks to its radio and club dominancy. It was number one on Copperbelt’s Sun FM for three straight months, a feat no song had achieved there and Drimz says he is overwhelmed by this.

“In today’s world there is so much talent and great songs are released every day but once you have the blessing of being on top never get too excited but work exta hard,” he says. The inspiration behind Ireen Mambilima seems obvious, but Drimz says a great artiste should be inspired by the little things that an ordinary person would not pay attention to.
He also delves deeper to explain the song.

“I admire how calm and collected Ireen Mambilima was during the elections. I was inspired by her level of integrity. In every relationship there is pressure so I am encouraging the ladies to stand firm and fight with dignity in everything, just like ba mayo ba Ireen Mambilima did during the elections.”

If radio play is anything to go by, then Drimz’ other singles, Lolo, the Chef187- assisted Mpakafye Ubushiki and the inspirational Potential Millionaire make him a bankable hitmaker. But his story was not always a musical one. His aspirations were to become a journalist even though he had always wanted to be a foot- baller, up until an injury during trials at a major club ended this dreams.

“I used to play for the Mulungushi University team till I got injured and decided to try singing. At that time I was studying IMIS at the same institution,” he says.

2008 would see Drimz sign with Sling B e a t s where the likes of Roberto and Levins were also building their careers under the mentorship of Drex. But it was his desire to produce music that set him apart. After he learned the craft, he moved back to Kabwe in 2009 and set up Drim-10ment studio where he produced Day-vee’s Love Farmer and Damiano’s Katundu.

Success comes with its own pitfalls, but Drimz (real Lota Mandevu) says it has not gotten to his head, neither has it affected his marriage. “I think discipline and self-respect is very important as a public figure. It’s about knowing how to carry yourself in public and being that awesome dad and husband all the time,” he says.

He speaks highly of his wife, whose support he says has been incredible.” I met my wife 9 years ago, even though we married a year ago, so she understands the nature of my work and my hustle. She is so supportive. Sometimes I am called at awkward hours for local shows, sometimes I come home late or in the early hours of the day after a long night of performing, but my wife understands, she’s my best friend and our marriage has got nothing to do with our different careers. She’s a teacher by profession.”

Asked about the name Drimz, he laughs: “Initially my name was dreamer! One of my childhood friends came up with the name and I used to hate it a lot. They derived it from my name Lota which means dreaming.. So after I started doing music I changed it to Drimz which is an acronym for Determined, Resolute, Inspired and Motivated Zambian (DRiMZ)…Also known as Mr Musiq now.”
His salt muli soupu slogan is becoming its own brand, thanks to the T-Shirts he and his team where at his shows

THE Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) has warned all road users against lawlessness during the Easter holiday.

RTSA deputy director for Road safety, Mr. Gladwell Banda said that the Agency had scaled up high way patrols before and during the Easter period to ensure that all road users adhere to road traffic regulations and prevent motorists from causing road traffic accidents.

Mr. Banda said the agency will jointly work with the Zambia police traffic section so as to increase visibility and traffic enforcement on the highways on a 24 hours basis.

“We demand total compliance to road traffic regulations by all motorist and we direct them to observe lower speeds and not to drink and drive, and there will be Zero tolerance to drinking and driving,” Mr Banda said.

He said enforcement officers had been deployed along the high ways across all the ten provinces.

“We will equally set up strategic spot checks for speed management and screening of drinking and driving drivers along the highways,” he said.

He said the agency had drawn up a proactive and tentative enforcement programme that would go beyond the Easter period.

Mr. Banda implored all members of the public to report motorist flouting road traffic regulation by calling the RTSA toll free line 983 or 4141 or call the Call Centre direct line 0211228798 or SMS to 0977636375 with full details of the offence or road accident.

THE Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has arrested over 60 people countrywide for unlawful cultivation and trafficking in cannabis.

Drug Enforcement Commission public relations officer Theresa katongo in a statement stated that the Commission had arrested and jointly charged Benard Ng’andwe, 49, a small scale farmer of Kafula village in Mansa District and Erico Kasongo, 35, a small-scale farmer of the same abode for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis plants weighing 548kg.

“In North-Western Province, the Commission has arrested and jointly charged Stanley kakwala, 38, a small-scale farmer of Lwakela area in Mwinilunga District and Joseph Masumba, 27, of the same area for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis plants weighing 268kg,” Ms. Katongo stated.

She stated that also arrested was Mulundu Samapindi, 33, a charcoal burner of Kamwala area in Kabompo District for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis plants weighing 50kg.

And Ms. Katongo stated that in Northern Province, the Commission had arrested and jointly charged Mbita Filuyela, 28; Joseph Kapite,54, a small-scale farmer and Elisha Sikazwe,30, all of Chipwa village in Mpulungu District for trafficking in loose cannabis weighing 21.2kg.

She stated that all suspects will appear in court soon.

POLICE in Lusaka has gunned down four dangerous criminals in Roma Township.

Police spokesperson Charity Munganga-Chanda in a statement stated that the criminals were gunned down around13:00 hours when Police received information that the criminals who have been terrorizing residents of Roma Township in Lusaka had regrouped in Chibolya compound.

“These suspects have been on the wanted list for a long time. So we made a follow up and upon realising that they were being pursued they started firing at the officers. We fired back and gunned down four of them. We also recovered the Toyota Runx which they were using, one pistol with eight rounds of ammunition, one AK47 with three rounds of ammunition, an axe, a machete and a craw bar,” Mrs. Munganga-Chanda stated.

She stated that the bodies were in the UTH mortuary.

GOVERNANCE activist David Kapoma says Zambians who had their hope in President Edgar Lungu’s stewardship are almost lost and feeling abandoned.

In an open letter to President Lungu, Mr. Kapoma stated that even though President Lungu was facing many challenges, he was not alone as many Zambians were facing even bigger challenges.

“Many people who had their hopes in your stewardship are almost lost and feeling abandoned in a wilderness we have created for ourselves. Sir we have not helped you enough as citizens. Those who support you Sir agree and support you whenever you make a decision. Good or Bad. When you made a good decision to increase electricity tariffs and make them cost effective, they supported and when you made a wrong decision to reverse such a good decision, again they supported you,” Mr. Kapoma stated.

“The minister of education announced the scrapping off of meal allowances for the students and your people supported it and when that was reversed they supported. Mr. President I am almost sure that even you yourself must be getting surprised some times when those that support you agree with you on certain decisions. It must be very confusing for a leader in your position Sir to tell if your people are supporting you on merit or simply to please you and keep their positions. Mr. President I feel for you and I know this is not an easy feeling if at all you feel confused sometimes.”

Mr. Kapoma stated that the country had experienced unexplained shortage of fuel and mealie meal.

He stated that there was also a shortage of electricity and that Zambians were now used and adjusted to it.

Mr. Kapoma stated that the currency was still performing very bad against international currencies and that the country was spending more than what it was making thereby borrowing excessively.

“Violence and intimidation among political party cadres is the order of the day. Our civil servants do not have a pay day anymore as it used to be sometime back. The war on corruption is almost lost. Cadres from both the opposition and ruling party have taken over the show and they do whatever they feel like doing including committing crimes in the presence of the police. Sir our police force has become toothless and can’t be professional anymore due to paranoia,” Mr. Kapoma stated.

He stated that the amended constitution stated among other things that a citizen of Zambia had a right to a decent meal.

Mr. Kapoma stated that it was unfortunate that most of the people were going without a decent meal with some of them not having shelter, thereby spending nights in the cold.

“Being a lawyer Sir I am sure you know that this is a violation of human rights according to the very constitution your able office made law. Sir many Zambians especially those close to you can’t say and will never say what I am saying because they are afraid, while others have to protect their jobs. It is a case of seeing which side of the bread is buttered. Mr. President, Zambians are no longer at ease because they know they deserve better than this,” Mr. Kapoma stated.

He stated that President Lungu’s government was doing very well on infrastructure development and that he commended on that.

“Mr. President I finally want to appeal to you to ensure that the country is united before the next general elections. Our political cadres don’t need to crush every time they meet. Don’t allow this to happen when you are still the father of our nation. I know you can put a stop to this lawlessness Mr. President. You are EQUAL to the TASK. I ask that you embrace a bipartisan approach to our problems as a nation. Our Job Mr. President is to ensure that we give you enough support as you do your best in moving our country from the pits of poverty,” Mr. Kapoma stated.

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu says Zambians must behave in a Christian-like manner during the Easter festivities.

According to a statement released by President Lungu’s special assistant for press and public relations Amos Chanda, President Lungu has called for love, unity, and individual responsibility among all Zambians during this period.

“President of the Republic of Zambia has called for love, unity and individual responsibility among all Zambians during the Easter festivities. As the holiest period on the Christian Calendar, the President says all Zambians must behave in a Christian-like manner, especially given the country’s special status as a Christian Nation,” Mr. Chanda stated.

Mr. Chanda stated that according to the Head of State, all must strive to give practical expression to the country’s proud declaration of itself as a Christian Nation.

He stated that Zambians must live as one people, one Nation, loving one another as Jesus taught us.

“The Head of State says during a politically competitive period ahead of the August 11 general elections, all Zambians must use the sanctified occasion of Easter to spread messages of peace and avoid any irresponsible behavior that promotes violence and unnecessary acrimony,” Mr. Chanda stated.

“Motorists and all road users must exercise maximum care to avoid traffic accidents due to dangerous driving induced by alcohol. Police and all other authorities tasked to enforce law and order on our public roads are urged to do their best to maintain road safety during the Easter holidays.”

Mr. Chanda stated that as Zambians celebrate the extraordinary life of the risen Christ, there was need to remember that this was an important time for reflection and bondage with families who often times suffer long periods of their loved one’s absence as they do their duty.

POLICE in Ndola have arrested a 47 year old man of Old Twapia in Ndola for allegedly stabbing his wife with a knife to death following a marital dispute.

Copperbelt province commissioner of police Charity Katanga confirmed the incident which occurred on Friday around 20.00 hours at house number 5 in Ndola’s old Twapia.

Ms Katanga identified the deceased as Mercy Bwalya,35, while the suspect is Augustine Chisenga.

She said Ms Bwalya sustained deep cuts on her back and chest and that her body is currently lying in the Ndola Central hospital mortuary awaiting postmortem.

“There is an incident of murder in Twapia where a woman was allegedly stabbed with a knife to death by her husband after they quarreled over an unknown reasons.The suspect is currently in custody,” Ms Katanga said.

Ms Katanga said Chisenga has been charged with murder and he will appear in court soon

ZAMBIAN Breweries’ unique role in the growth of the economy was recognised this week when the company hosted a site visit to its operations by international parliamentarians.

The team of Parliamentarians, who were attending the 2016 International Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting in Lusaka, came out loud and clear in their enthusiasm for Zambian Breweries’ commitment to local procurement, local investment and job creation through the construction of its US$32 million maltings plant in the Lusaka South Multi Facility Economic Zone (LS-MFEZ).

“This is a very good and big investment and I am happy that this malting plant will create jobs for people. The private sector should participate even more than it is participating now because I believe that the power of a nation is in its private sector. I will very happy to see this investment succeed,” said German Member of Parliament Dr Bernd Fabritius.

His sentiments were shared by Mexican Congresswoman Barcena Vargas, who added through her interpreter, Jose Eduardo Alejosrodas: “It is a pleasure to see the progress that Zambian Breweries is making with this plant. It is certainly a well-executed project.”

Ezekiel Sekele, Zambian Breweries Corporate Affairs Director was on hand to give the visiting parliamentarians a tour of the plant.
“SABMiller is one of the major non-mining investors in Zambia. The unique nature of our business is our recognition of our role in the agricultural value chain. We are a trusted partner and look for support from the government to help drive our contribution to economic growth. Our role is to broaden the appeal of beer and stable policy helps drive that growth,” said Mr Sekele.

“For instance, the recent reduction in excise tax has contributed significantly to the malting plant project. It is such supportive action from the government that enables us to initiate and accelerate our investments,” he added.

The delegation spent the afternoon touring Zambian Breweries maltings plant where they heard about the important role that the company plays in the agriculture chain, buying barley from local farmers as they key ingredient for beer, as well as maize, sorghum and cassava.

Construction work on the new factory is at an advanced stage, and will enable the company to process locally grown barley into the malt base for brewing the company’s Mosi and Castle beer.

The plant will enable Zambian Breweries to add value within Zambia to barley – all of which is bought from local farmers in Zambia. Currently the company exports its barley to Zimbabwe for malting and then imports it back to Zambia.

The barley will be stored in ten massive 1,500 tonne-silos, each 32 metres high, which involved the country’s largest single pour of concrete – 1,800 cubic metres – for their foundations.

The company’s multi-million dollar investment in the malting plant is part of the group’s wider commitment to long-term investment in Zambia.
This year’s 134th IPU Assembly attracted close to 1,400 parliamentarians including speakers, MPs and clerks of parliament.

MUSIC fans have come out loud and clear in their enthusiasm for this year’s Mosi Lager Zambian Music Awards, with record numbers of nominations for the prestigious event.

The highlight of the music industry calendar had attracted 101,741 nominations from the public by the time submissions closed last week – more than double the number received last year.

“We are overwhelmed by the response of the public to this year’s Mosi Zambian Music Awards. The number of nominations exemplifies the passion and love people have for Zambian music and it brings us great joy to facilitate, in partnership with the National Arts Council, the expression of this passion,” said Mosi Lager Marketing Manager Nomonde Donsa.

Final nominees will be announced at a media event in Kitwe on March 31, from when public voting starts to select the winners who will ultimately perform at Mosi Day of Thunder in Livingstone.

Last year, the ZMAs had a total of 34 categories divided into the populist and technical industry clusters and they received more than 39,000 nominations. While all genres are music are still eligible for nomination the awards have been simplified to 18 broader categories this year.
Winners of the fifth Mosi Lager Zambian Music Awards will be announced at a glittering ceremony on April 28, 2016 in Lusaka that will bring together the nation’s best performers, producers and artistes for a celebration of all genres from Kalindula to hip-hop, and from RnB to rap.
For the first time ever the awards will also be followed by the Mosi Day of Thunder music festival in Livingstone on April 30, where Mosi Lager Zambian Music Awards wll be booked to perform, in a move that aims to widen audience participation of the annual celebration of music, arts and culture.

The awards are sponsored by Zambian Breweries in a partnership with the National Arts Council of Zambia and with support from the Zambia Adjudicators Panel and Zambia Association of Musicians.

This year’s awards will focus on 18 categories, culminating the in Mosi Lager Song of the Year accolade. Other categories will honour the best lifetime achievement, live recording – album, lead guitarists, bass guitarist, keyboard player, drummer, song writer, studio music producer, RnB/dance hall, hip-hop / rap, traditional/Kalindula album, female radio DJ, male radio DJ, new/upcoming artist, female artist, male artist and best album.

MILES Sampa media reports regarding the Democratic Front’s withdrawal from the orange alliance with National Restoration Party and 4th Revolution are true.

In a statement, Mr. Sampa who is Democratic Front leader said his party remained committed to seeing the nation through to progressive governance and economic development.

“I would like to confirm media reports regarding the Democratic Fronts’ withdrawal from the tripartite Orange alliance with NAREP and 4th Revolution. As a party, the DF remains committed to seeing our nation through to progressive governance and economic development,” Mr. Sampa stated.

“The DF will continue to pursue its vision through seeking partnerships with associates committed to a common agenda for a better Zambia. On behalf of our DF members, I would like to thank president Elias Chipimo and president Eric Chanda and wish them well in their future endeavors.”

But governance activist David Kapoma said the breakdown of the Orange alliance should serve as a lesson to other political parties considering forming alliances ahead of this year’s polls.

Mr. Kapoma said thorough checks and consultations must be done by all political parties before entering any alliance to avoid such embarrassments.

He said the breakdown of the Orange alliance was as a result of lack of extensive consultation by its member political parties.

“The alliance was rushed and lacked a strong organisational base that would have guaranteed its success,” he said.

Mr. Kapoma warned that all the alliances that will be formed without a clear vision and purpose ahead of this year’s polls risk collapsing like the Orange alliance.

Mr. Kapoma advised politicians to be patient and avoid entering alliances whose vision and mission is not clearly set.

UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema says Zambians should preach against violence during and after Easter.

In a statement in Lusaka, Mr. Hichilema called upon the nation to reflect on how to embrace each other in difficult times such as these.

“We would like to wish the Country a happy Easter period especially that we are a Christian nation. We also would like to state that unity of purpose must be upheld during and after this period because as a country that believes in God, we must do as our creator commands us to do so,” Mr. Hichilema stated.

“Further let’s use this period to preach against violence while identifying solutions to numerous challenges that our blessed Country is embroiled in. We are a Christian nation, and our life must not only be Christ like but indeed believers with faith.”

Under My Umbrella, by the nature of its products, is a seasonal company. Who wants to think about sitting in the garden when it is pouring with rain? Then comes April and they have a surge of clientele who have remembered how glorious it is to be outside and entertain friends in the garden. So, UMU are gearing themselves up for the influx of clients and giving you more and more reasons to go and check them out!

This year they have a much bigger range of furniture including the now very popular modular corner seat, the queen sized day bed for inside and outside, the beautiful bar and bench for elegant eating and drinking and a host of new colour ranges.
Now they are housing TANA AFRICA at their showroom – beautiful crocodile and ostrich handbags and belts, travel bags and clutches! You may wonder why a furniture showroom would come together with this type of company? Well the reason is that TANA AFRICA have been supplying UMU with leather for their ottomans and bar stools for years and with both companies offering high end goods and having similar customers, why not?

Furthermore, the great news for you is that on every UMU order in April, they will give you a free TANA AFRICA phone cover in a choice of crocodile or ostrich worth over K1000! UMU will also be at Sandy’s Creations on 23rd April displaying their new ranges as well as their umbrellas. Come and see them then.

Find UMU and TANA AFRICA on: Kalunguti Road, Leopards Hill, Lusaka, Zambia / +260 979 097 517 / umuzambia@gmail.com / or on Facebook: Under My Umbrella

POLICE has recorded a total of 210 Road Traffic Accidents during this year’s Easter period from 24 to 29 March ,2016.

Police deputy spokesperson Rae Hamoonga in a statement stated that Police last year recorded 291 indicating a 31 per cent reduction in Road Traffic Accidents.

“During the same period we recorded a total of 15 Fatal Traffic Accidents compared to 21 last year.This indicates a 28 percent reduction in fatal road accidents compared to 2015 statistics,” Mr. Hamoonga stated.

He stated that on fatalities, Police recorded 21 in 2016 compared to 49 recorded during the same period in 2015 indicating a 57 per cent reduction this year in fatalities compared to last year’s Easter period.

Renowned Gospel Musician Nathan Nyirenda is aspiring to run for public office as a Member of Parliament on the ruling Patriotic Front ticket in Lusaka ‘s Munali constituency in the forthcoming August 11 Elections.  Nyirenda disclosed during Easter that the decision is in response to Republican President Edgar Chagwa Lungu‘s call for young people and Christians to join him in politics.

“I have been expressing my passion for the country through music, but I am now availing myself to be directly involved in the governance of our beautiful country Zambia”, says Nyirenda.  The award winning Mwemakufi singer and composer further says he would like to contribute towards the tremendous development efforts that His Excellency the President Edgar Chagwa Lungu and the Patriotic Front are making.

Nyirenda says it is time for the young people to direct their energy towards national development and not violence.
He has urged politicians not to use the youths as tools of violence but pass on their wisdom and build great leaders which the country is in desperate need of “says Nyirenda.

“The time for the youth has come to develop this nation, no to violence but yes to peace and development,” says Nyirenda.

POLITICAL parties yesterday committed to ending political violence through various political leadership structures as a way of addressing violence in the country.

The 18 political party presidents met yesterday on March 29, 2016 at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka to discuss the issue of political violence as Zambia prepares for the August 11, 2016 elections.

The indaba was facilitated by the three Church Mother bodies namely Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ), Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) and Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC).

“The indaba unanimously affirm the following over and above all other interests: Committed to ending political violence through various political leadership structures as a way of addressing the issue starting from the party structures and amongst political parties,” Archbishop Telesphore Mpundu who read the communique said.

He said the meeting was concerned with the unfair application of the Public Order Act by the Zambia Police in targeting political party supporters negatively.

Archbishop Mpundu said the meeting agreed to end the use of perceived military regalia alongside machetes and pangas saying that they had played a role towards fanning violence.

He said political parties committed to curb the use of weapons so as to eliminate fear and intimidation.

“Agreed to use existing leadership structures in various political parties to encourage members to desist from violent acts, thus strengthening a culture of political dialogue and tolerance within and amongst political parties,” Archbishop Mpundu said.

He said the meeting agreed to depoliticise the markets, bus stations and other public places in the country in order to allow for all Zambian to enjoy their use freely.

Archbishop Mpundu said the meeting was aware that the media had contributed to the polarisation of political parties through its conduct, and that they recommended initiation of a platform for dialogue to encourage positivity and inclusive coverage of all political parties.

“Agreed that the political party leaders refrain from the use of hate speech and offensive language especially against each other to avoid political violence. Leaders of political parties believe that there is need for interactive platforms to meet as political leaders to establish healthy relationships,” he said.

Archbishop Mpundu said the meeting recommend that political party leaders agree to hold a follow-up meeting before the elections as a way of keeping the momentum created in addressing political violence through the meeting called by the Church.

“In view of the above we the political party leaders present shall endeavour to advocate for a violent free political environment ahead of this year’s elections as a way of expressing our political tolerance for the development of the country,” said Archbishop Mpundu.
Political party leaders that attended the indaba included PF President Edgar Lungu, UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema, FDD leader Edith Nawakwi, MMD president Nevers Mumba among others.