What About the Springboks? South Africans Question Bonus Payouts After Bafana Bafana Awarded R5 Million
South Africans have taken to social media to question why the Springboks were seemingly excluded from the latest round of national team bonuses. This comes after Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie announced new payouts to several national squads.
Many citizens expressed confusion and curiosity over why the world champion Springboks did not feature in the newly revealed bonus structure.
Minister Announces Bonuses for National Teams Speaking during a briefing in Pretoria on Tuesday, McKenzie confirmed that Bafana Bafana will receive the largest share — a R5 million bonus. Other allocations include:
Banyana Banyana – R1 million
Amajita (U-20 men’s team) – R1 million
Proteas Women’s Cricket Team – R1 million
Amajimbos (U-17 men’s team currently at the World Cup in Qatar) – R500 000
McKenzie emphasized that the gesture is aimed at backing teams currently active in international competitions.
Social Media Reactions: “But What About the Springboks?” Many social media users questioned why the Springboks were not included in the bonus announcement, saying the national rugby team should also have been acknowledged given their recent success and global standing.
Others speculated that the Springboks might already be receiving larger bonuses privately, which could explain why their figures were not made public.
WATCH OUT FOR MORE UPND-INDUCED MARKET FIRES IN OPPOSITION STRONGHOLDS
By Sishuwa Sishuwa
Some of us know a lot about what Hakainde Hichilema is doing to try and retain power. We know the “help” that the president sent to Madam Dictator before he traveled for the bloody coronation and what he expects in return. I know the contents of the meeting that Hichilema held last Friday until about 2am and with whom.
Some of us have already seen the asset declarations that Hichilema (and Edgar Lungu) made to the Electoral Commission of Zambia in May 2021 during their nominations for presidency. At the right time, I will publish them. Zambians would then hopefully understand the extent of the president’s involvement in Zambia’s economy, whether his policies are deliberately designed to benefit companies in which he has an interest, and why the president has repeatedly refused to publish the value of his assets despite being elected a platform of accountability and transparency.
Meanwhile, as a strategy of trying to win support in urban areas where Hichilema has grown extremely unpopular, some officials in government have resolved to be setting ablaze a number of markets in opposition strongholds, mainly the Copperbelt and Lusaka, so that they can later be giving handouts to the victims as a show of care from the presidency, whose leader the marketers should thereafter vote for! In fact, the implementation of this strategy is already underway.
The first induced fire took place on the night of 6 September 2025 when Kapalala Market in Ndola was gutted, leaving one person dead and property worth thousands of Kwacha destroyed. Less than a week later, Vice-president Mutale Nalumango appeared on the scene and announced that the affected traders will each receive a bag of mealie meal, cooking oil, beans, and a one-time payment of K1,000 to help them recover from the devastating loss.
The second induced fire occurred earlier this week, on 4 November, again in the night, in Chingola’s Chiwempala Market. This one also saw goods worth millions of Kwacha destroyed. Like the one in Ndola, the cause of the Chiwempala inferno is yet to be established and will likely not be conclusively established. I do know however that senior UPND government officials, like murderers returning to the scene of the crime, are already lining up to go and pledge assistance to the affected victims as a show of care. This is their playbook: induce the fire, claim ignorance about its cause, turn up on the scene and perform care, and hope that the victims, now poorer than before, will vote for the caring government led by our Dear Leader. It is evil what these people are doing. But it is not new.
Remember the gassing attacks that rocked Zambia’s main urban centers in 2020 – that is the spate of highly suspicious incidents involving unknown people spraying gas on unsuspecting victims? Some officials in the current administration, with the help of a few top figures in the security services, were behind ‘gassing’ incidents. This explains why the UPND will never investigate and prosecute the culprits. I do remain hopeful though that the people responsible will one day be made to answer for these crimes.
Meanwhile, Hichilema will later this week dispatch Minister of Sports and Youths Elvis Nkandu to Muchinga Province for ten days to dish out ‘empowerment goodies’ such as balls, bicycles and many other ‘gifts’ from the loving president whom the recipients – the targeted constituency is youths – should thereafter vote for!
Let there be no doubt: Hichilema is losing the next election and he knows it. The information carrying this reality is on his official desk. The frightening part for him is that he is losing to the candidate who for, now, is simply known as “the alternative” or “someone else.” As a result, he is growing extremely desperate and determined to crush anyone, real or perceived, seen to be standing in his path to retaining power. I will write more on this, later this week, when I analyse why Hichilema faces defeat only five years after his election. Suffice to say that Hichilema knew as far back as June 2023 that he will struggle to retain power in 2026 and consequently devised a worrying plan three years ahead of time, one that you can reread in this article on the link below, and which his co-ethnic apologists in academia disputed at the time:
I have a message to President Hichilema: Zambia is not Tanzania. We have a different and distinct political culture. I recognise your fading political fortunes, but if you want to stand a chance to be re-elected, do the right thing, before it is too late. Instead of wasting $10m of your money to hire a political advisory and campaign services firm that you think can help manufacture a victory for you, just remember why Zambians voted for you and honour their trust. Otherwise, fikapwa! source: https://x.com/ssishuwa/status/1986112642763923764 #zambianwhistleblower #ZWB
BREAKING: VALDEN FINDLAY DISOWNS PF & TONSE ALLIANCE MEETING — SHUTS DOORS TO POLITICS AT CHARISMA HOTEL
================================= Edgar Lungu’s close ally and Charisma Hotel proprietor, Valden Findlay through a facebook post on his page has distanced himself from the Patriotic Front and Tonse Alliance meeting scheduled for tomorrow.
Mr Findlay emphasized that he will not allow his hotel or any of his other properties to be used for political gatherings. * Ignore the 2026 on the date in the memo — these people are as confused as headless chickens.*
he writes:
Notice to the public:
I do not know who decided to circulate a public notice about a meeting being held at Chrismar hotel without authorisation from the administration of the hotel or even the courtesy of a prior notice.
Please note that I shall not allow the premise of Chrismar Hotel or any of my properties to be a venue for public political meetings. This is to ensure that the quality of service and the welbeing of our diverse clientele is safeguarded.
Thank you for your support and may this notice serve as an indication for any future enquiries
MAKEBI ZULU PLEDGES TO END LOAD SHEDDING, REVIVE NUCLEAR ENERGY PROJECT
PATRIOTIC FRONT Presidential hopeful Makebi Zulu says his administration, if elected into office next year, has a solution to end load shedding in Zambia.
In a media statement, Mr Zulu explained that his team would restart the nuclear energy project to tackle the country’s energy challenges.
Mr Zulu recalled that the PF, while in government, worked hard to expand hydroelectric power stations such as Lunzuwa, Chishimba, Lusiwasi, Itezhi-tezhi, Musonda, Kariba, and Kafue Gorge Lower.
He emphasised that Zambians have suffered for too long under the burden of load shedding and rising fuel costs.
Mr Zulu noted that families are struggling, as some businesses are closing while jobs are being lost daily.
He remarked that the cost of food and basic necessities has soared.
Mr Zulu highlighted that network communication has been disrupted due to the power crisis.
He criticised the current leadership for failing to offer solutions and instead for shifting the blame.
Mr Zulu argued that they point fingers at everyone but themselves.
He added that they even blame the people they are meant to serve.
Mr Zulu questioned whether these are the same leaders who once promoted the “Dubai formula” and claimed to have ended load shedding within a year.
He pledged that his government would immediately halt the export of electricity.
Mr Zulu insisted that power generated in Zambia must first benefit Zambians.
He affirmed that the nuclear energy project, previously abandoned, has the potential to transform the energy sector and ensure long-term stability.
Mr Zulu stressed that energy is not just about light maintaining that it is about life and economic progress.
He stated that without energy, there can be no meaningful development, further declaring that the time has come to restore power not only to the grid but to the people.
Mr Zulu expressed confidence that together, Zambians can build a nation that works for everyone.
Crown TV Zambia
He writes:
Fellow Citizens,
For far too long, our people have suffered under the weight of endless load shedding and the unbearable cost of fuel.
Families are struggling, businesses are closing, and jobs are being lost every day. The prices of food and basic necessities have skyrocketed, and generally the cost-of-living crisis remains the highest in living memory.
The Load shedding crisis is so perversive that even our network communication has been crippled.
And yet, instead of providing solutions, those in charge choose to point fingers and shift blame. They blame everyone but themselves, even the people they are meant to serve.
But I ask are these not the same people who once paraded the so called “Dubai formula”? That no single drop of rain was needed to generate power? Are these not the same people who proudly declared that they had ended load shedding within a year?
Fellow citizens, I stand before you today to say enough is enough and the pain, damage and this crisis must come to and end.
When we form government next year, our first action will be to review the sector, rationalize the reckless export of electricity.
We will ensure that power generated in Zambia benefits the Zambian people first.
And we will not stop there. We shall revive the nuclear energy project that this government abandoned, a project that has the potential to transform our energy sector, make Zambia a major net exporter of power for the sub-Sahara region and secure power for generations to come.
Because we understand that energy is not just about light, it is about life. It is the driving force of every economy, without it, there can be no meaningful development and progress.
My fellow citizens, the time has come to restore power not just to the grid, but to the people.
Together, we will build a Zambia that works for everyone.
30 days is unfair but I’m okay, we learn every day – Mpundu
Nkana Member of Parliament, Binwell Mpundu, has described his 30-day suspension from Parliament as unfair, saying that similar conduct by some members of the ruling party has not attracted the same disciplinary action.
Yesterday, Speaker of the National Assembly, Nelly Mutti, suspended Mr. Mpundu for 30 days on two counts, contempt of the National Assembly and use of unparliamentary language towards Mongu Member of Parliament Oliver Amutike.
But speaking when he featured on Christian Voice’s Chatback program in Lusaka today, Mr. Mpundu said the suspension has deprived the people of Nkana of representation, adding that the Speaker could have guided him to withdraw his remarks instead of imposing a suspension.
“The charge and suspension were based on issues that other MPs also commit in the House,” said Mr. Mpundu.
He noted that several citizens have since advised him to use more refined language when addressing matters in Parliament, a call he says he has taken seriously.
Mr. Mpundu emphasized that his allegiance remains with the Zambian people and will continue to represent their interests passionately.
He further dismissed assertions that he is overly outspoken in the National Assembly, stating that his activism stems from a genuine desire to be the voice of ordinary Zambians.
KELVIN Kaunda says it is laughable that he is being accused of wanting to change the Socialist Party (SP) office bearers when he does not even know where the Registrar of Societies offices are located.
Kaunda says the accusation is not only laughable but also defamatory. Recently, SP leader Dr Fred M’membe claimed he had been informed that Kaunda and others intended to go to the Registrar of Societies to change the party’s office bearers.
Dr. M’membe described the situation as a replay of the PF’s Miles Sampa and Robert Chabinga saga. However, the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security distanced itself, along with the Office of the Registrar of Societies, from the claims.
Followers grill Kalaba for opposing Hichilema’s Tanzania trip
FORMER Foreign Affairs minister and Citizens First president Harry Kalaba has been roasted by his followers for condemning President Hakainde Hichilema’s trip to Tanzania to attend that country’s inauguration ceremony.
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu was declared winner of last week’s election on Saturday with 97.66 percent of the vote amid public protests and reports of violence.
Most opposition leaders, including Kalaba opposed President Hichilema’s attendance because of the controversial manner in which the elections were held.
The former Foreign Affairs minister wrote on his Facebook page yesterday: “SADC declares the Tanzania elections a sham! Ba President why embarrass us like this?”
The comment section which attracted over 3,600 comments came under fire, shaming Kalaba’s thinking.
Thousands of the comments highlighted the strategic importance of maintaining good relations with Tanzania for trade and regional security
“This so called aspiring president is not a businessman. Tanzania has Dar port and all the items including his car came through there but busy criticizing wrongly.,” wrote a follower, Winter Simumba.
“I think he did the right thing Sir. Zambia can not become enemies with Tanzania because of one person. She is now president of that country and HH has no choice but to embrace her for the best interest of the citizens he is presiding over,” wrote another follower.
“The relationship is between Zambia and TZ and not presidents. Whom ever rules Tanzania needs to be embraced at all costs even if it was the opposition that won,” said Chiny Akila.
Others advised the aspiring presidential candidate to understand times and seasons and refrain from criticising “anything” for political mileage.
“Sir, don’t just criticise everything, understand the times and seasons. The President did a good job. Did you hear the timely message he delivered in Tanzania? It was a message of love and peace, one that left Tanzanians, both young and old, quiet and reflective. Tanzania needed that message, and the President was discerning enough to deliver it,” said Cascious Mumba.
“It’s not like she’s gonna rule Zambia too. he was invited and he went kwasila. And this guy was our foreign affairs minister, wow,” Lucas Phiri commented.
“So imwe ba Harry Kalaba if by chance you won next year , Tazania will be your enemy tee?? – Hon H Malambo.
Bwana before posting things, sit down and analyze. Tekulandafye umungulu yama,” wrote Andrew Phiri.
Other commenters questioned the opposition leader if he wanted to go and attend the ceremony on behalf of the President.
“So Kalaba wanted to go instead of HH? Sikufunta uku manje?”
“The speech from own President HH was so adorable. He’s message was to bring peace in this region. His a great figure. Let’s not politicize everything,” stated Given Masumba.
“You were once a Foreign minister and you know how important Tanzania is to us. Even if it’s politics sometimes don’t make yourself look dull especially a person of your caliber and who understands how bilateral relationships work,” explained another follower, Lawrence.
“Who is “us” ine I am not embarrassed.”
“I thought you were once a foreigner affairs minister and you clearly understand how these things work.”
A follower, named Solomon stated that the President attended the ceremony because of the welfare of the people of Zambia.
“Political wise it’s not okay but economic wise it’s okay. if you have the interest of the people at hand even you would have attended remember that you are voted for the purpose of the countries interest.”
“President H H attended the inauguration because that was the best to do for Zambia. We depend much on Tanzania in terms of trade,security etc. Don’t condemn unnecessarily,” said Rodrick Mwansa.
To set the record straight , Hon Miles.B.Sampa has not initiated any lawsuit against Our Acting Patriotic Front President Hon Given Lubinda as reported by certain media houses.
Hon Miles Bwalya Sampa is focused on being part of uniting the party during and after the convention at the end of the month. We welcome and urge all to focus on facts and constructive dialogue .
We must share a common goal and work together towards it in a harmonious and aligned way.
ECZ CAPTURES 1,224,072 MILLION VOTERS, EXTENDS REGISTRATION PERIOD
THE Electoral Commission of Zambia says it has captured 1,224,072 million voters during the first 4 phases of the on-going Mass Registration of Voters.
Addressing the Press at the ECZ Headquarters this morning, Chief Electoral Officer, Brown Kasala said there has been an increase in the number of people turning up to register as voters.
Mr Kasalo said that of the 567,425 newly registered voters during Phase 4, 306,573 were males while 261,395 were males with Copperbelt topping at 179,956 while Muchinga Province has recorded the least number of voters at 67,181 voters.
He also said the ECZ, which has been engaging various stakeholders including the church, traditional leaders and Non-Governmental Organisations, has intensified sensitisation to the public.
He also announced that the exercise, that commenced on 13th October, 2025 and which was set to conclude on the 11th of this month has been extended to February 2026.
Other provinces performance during the first 4 phases are as follows: Eastern-157,780; Southern-157,317; Luapula-127,513; Western-117,344; Lusaka-110,043; Central-103,869; Northern 109,739 and Northwestern-93,330.
I WANT TO KNOW HOW I WAS OMITTED ON MINISTERS REPAYMENTS – KAFWAYA
FORMER North-Western Province Minister Dawson Kafwaya who is among the four ministers that did not repay the money they earned during their illegal stay in office after dissolution of Parliament in 2016, says he would like to know how he and others were omitted on a list of others who were paid for.
And Kafwaya says he is ready to mobilise money and pay for himself in the event that the money he owes the government cannot be paid just like others were paid for.
Last week, Vice-President Mutale Nalumango disclosed that four ministers among them Kafwaya, former Information Minister Chishimba Kambwili, former Labour Minister Fackson Shamenda and Zambia’s High Commissioner to Malawi Panji Kaunda, had not repaid the money which the court ordered them to pay for staying in office after the dissolution of Parliament in 2016.
Zambia’s Parliament ended its week not with policy debate but with a reminder that language can be as explosive as legislation. Nkana MP Binwell Mpundu has been suspended for 30 days, alongside an overlapping 14-day sanction, after calling Mongu Central MP Oliver Amutike “walifulungana” and instructing him to “yateke panshi teyambi molu.” Those Bemba phrases translate to “you are mad” and “put your legs down.” The Speaker ruled the conduct “unparliamentary, unacceptable and contemptuous.”
Speaker Nelly Mutti did not mince words in delivering her decision. “You shall not enter the precincts of the Assembly. You shall not participate in any business or activity of the House. You shall not be paid a salary or allowance,” she stated. Her tone sought to protect the dignity of Parliament, but to the opposition’s online base, this was another episode in a wider complaint: that the Speaker enforces discipline against critics far more aggressively than against ruling party members.
Mpundu’s case did not stop at floor language. A newspaper quote where he allegedly called Parliament “useless” and declared he would never stand again “unless government fires Mutti and her deputies” formed the backbone of the 30-day punishment. The Speaker held that remarks made outside House business still injure the institution. Supporters of the ruling party say the line between free expression and institutional contempt must be patrolled. One UPND supporter wrote on X, “Respect starts somewhere. You cannot call Parliament useless and expect applause.”
Yet critics view the punishment as disproportionate and politically loaded. An opposition blogger responded, “This Parliament fears criticism. If you challenge them, they switch off your mic, then suspend you.” It is a narrative that has grown since 2022: accusations that the Speaker presides with a strict hand toward dissenting voices. The Speaker and her defenders counter with procedure, pointing to the Powers and Privileges Act and long-standing rules across Commonwealth legislatures.
The tension is generational and symbolic. Mpundu, a populist independent who built part of his profile on social media energy and anti-establishment language, represents a strand of politics that leans on confrontation as authenticity. Calling an institution “useless” plays well in online spaces where disruption is a currency. But Parliament, by design, operates on formality and restraint. When the two cultures collide, punishment follows.
The content of Mpundu’s insult also matters. Parliamentarians across parties have complained about rising incivility in the chamber. A senior backbencher told us off record, “There is a growing culture of shouting, taunting, and theatrics. It is creeping in from social media.” To this bloc, the suspension is a necessary boundary. They argue that without consequences, parliamentary debate may collapse into street-corner politics.
Still, the ruling lands inside a wider political climate where accusations of shrinking civic space are already circulating. Suspensions of opposition MPs, contested arrests outside Parliament, and police permit disputes form the backdrop. For critics, each disciplinary ruling sits inside that political frame, whether fairly or not. One political analyst observed, “Procedure is being followed, yes. But the country’s mood interprets everything as power versus dissent.”
For citizens, the episode raises uncomfortable questions. Does Parliament defend dignity or silence critics. Does free speech include insulting the House. And how does a legislature remain authoritative when social media populism rewards provocation over decorum. There are no simple answers. What is clear is that this suspension has become more than a punishment. It is a mirror reflecting Zambia’s broader struggle between institutional culture and political theatre.
The People’s Brief Context aims to explain why a headline matters, where it sits in political history, and how competing narratives shape public understanding. We do not defend or condemn individuals. We seek clarity beyond noise.
⚡️“Dammed If You Do”: ZESCO Faces $5 Million Fine for Overdrawing Kariba Waters A rant by Rev Walter Mwambazi So, last evening a colleague sent me a report from the Herald, a Zimbabwean publication stating that ZESCO is being fined that tear inducing amount of $5m and thus got stunned! How could this have happened? Whilst we suffer great pressure over 3 hours of power a day, here we are with this on top of everything else we are already suffering as a country.
If you ask me, I suspect the fault lies squarely with the “brilliant idea” of supplying 12 hours of continuous power to the high density neighborhoods who use more power than any of our residential areas combined.
So, what happened? Questions rise over accountability, oversight, and the fragile balance of the Zambezi River. The Breach That Broke the Bank As it stands, ZESCO is facing a hefty US$5 million penalty after exceeding its allocated water usage at the Kariba Dam – a vital hydropower reservoir shared with Zimbabwe. The Zambezi River Authority (ZRA), which governs water allocations for both countries, confirmed the breach and issued the fine in late October 2025.
And what shocks me is that it seems to have just flown under the radar, or perhaps I missed the memo? Kaya mweh! According to ZRA, each year, it allocates a total of 30 billion cubic metres (BCM) of water for hydropower generation at Kariba, split evenly between ZESCO and the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA). But ZESCO’s operations reportedly surpassed its 15 BCM share, triggering regulatory consequences. ♂️
⚠️ How Did This Happen? The overuse appears to stem from a mix of operational urgency (give extra to the high density residencies) and internal oversight failures:
Power demand pressure: Zambia has faced recurring electricity shortages, especially during dry seasons. ZESCO may have ramped up generation to meet demand without recalibrating its water usage.
Monitoring gaps: If ZESCO’s internal systems failed to track real-time water consumption accurately, the breach could have gone unnoticed until ZRA’s audits caught it. 梁
Communication breakdowns: Misalignment between ZESCO’s operations and ZRA’s regulatory updates may have led to misinterpretation – or neglect – of the water limits. How this happens, only God knows!
️ Who Was Supposed to Be Watching? The Zambezi River Authority, jointly owned by the governments of Zambia and Zimbabwe, is tasked with monitoring and enforcing water usage at Kariba. While ZRA does not generate electricity itself, it sets annual allocations and conducts periodic inspections.
However, ZRA’s oversight relies heavily on data reported by the utilities. If ZESCO’s reporting was delayed or inaccurate, ZRA’s enforcement mechanisms may have lagged – raising concerns about the robustness of its monitoring systems.
吝 Who Bears the Blame? ZESCO holds primary responsibility for breaching its allocation. The fine reflects a serious regulatory infraction with ecological and operational consequences. ZRA shares accountability for ensuring compliance. If its systems failed to flag the breach early, it signals a need for stronger enforcement and real-time tracking. Governments of Zambia and Zimbabwe may also face scrutiny for underfunding ZRA or failing to equip it with the tools needed for effective oversight.
What’s at Stake? Kariba Dam is not just a power source – it’s a lifeline for millions across Southern Africa. Overdrawing water risks damaging the dam’s structural integrity, disrupting downstream ecosystems, and worsening regional energy insecurity.
This incident underscores the urgent need for: ✍ Transparent water governance ✍ Real-time hydrological monitoring ✍ Cross-border accountability mechanisms
Bottom Line I honestly do not know how ZRA and ZESCO can find themselves in such a quandary. It speaks volumes about what I always sing about on my page — mediocrity as a running standard. We as a country have reached such terrible levels of operational inefficiency that it will have to take a disaster to see transformation.
This, ladies and gentlemen is UNACCEPTABLE. We are without excuse. As I always say… First time — it’s a mistake Second time — it’s a decision Third time and beyond — it’s culture!
This ZESCO crisis — this is what it is now — is a classic manifestation of culture. Ad that is why even HH with all his business acumen and brilliance, has reportedly admitted failure to contain and manage this situation. So shameful!
⬆️ NEWS DAY | PF’s Makebi Promises Nuclear Pivot to End Load-Shedding Crisis
Patriotic Front presidential contender Makebi Zulu has placed energy at the centre of his 2026 pitch, promising to revive Zambia’s nuclear programme and immediately halt electricity exports if elected. His message is blunt: Zambia’s power crisis is a leadership failure, and PF knows how to fix it.
In a statement, Zulu argued that “Zambians have suffered for too long” under rolling blackouts, rising fuel costs, and soaring food prices. He described an economy strained by shuttered businesses, job losses, and household stress.
He linked connectivity disruptions and basic service instability directly to the energy squeeze, saying the crisis is not only about light but “about life and economic progress.”
Zulu accused the current administration of deflecting responsibility instead of providing solutions. He questioned whether those who once celebrated the “Dubai formula” and claimed to have ended load shedding in one year can now credibly ask citizens for patience.
His critique draws on public frustration, sharpened last week when President Hakainde Hichilema acknowledged government failure in addressing energy needs.
To distinguish PF’s plan, Zulu pledged an end to power exports, saying “power generated in Zambia must first benefit Zambians.” He committed to restarting the nuclear energy initiative shelved after the 2021 transition, arguing it has “the potential to transform the energy sector and ensure long-term stability.”
He pointed to the PF legacy of hydro expansion, citing Lunzuwa, Chishimba, Lusiwasi, Itezhi-Tezhi, Musonda, Kariba, and Kafue Gorge Lower as proof of capacity to build generation assets.
Behind the rhetoric sits a battle over credibility. PF governed during years of heavy infrastructure investment but left office amid debt strain and public mistrust. The UPND inherited constrained fiscal space and climate-driven hydropower pressure, yet its promise to diversify and stabilise supply has lagged. Both narratives are now on trial before voters.
Zulu’s nuclear promise marks a strategic escalation in the campaign narrative. It plays to industrial ambition, national pride, and voter fatigue with cyclical power shortages. It also raises practical questions about financing, timelines, technical readiness and international regulatory coordination.
Nuclear is long-horizon power; Zambia’s pain is immediate.
Zulu says the time has come “to restore power not only to the grid but to the people.” The political voltage around energy is rising fast. As winter approaches and outages persist, this is no longer a policy debate.
It is the battleground on which trust, opportunity and authority will be contested.
Archdiocese of Lusaka Press Statement on Resurgence of Bill Seven (7)Again!
Proverbs 31: 8 -9 “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.
We wish to express our deep concern and unequivocal opposition to the government’s continued pursuit of Bill 7 under the guise of Constitutional Amendments and the recently constituted Technical Committee.
We are gravely troubled by the government’s persistent disregard for sound counsel and legal precedent in this matter. It is important to reiterate that both the people of Zambia and the Constitutional Court have clearly and consistently indicated that the current constitutional review process lacks legal foundation, Despite this, the government has chosen to proceed with an initiative that is widely perceived as illegitimate and self-serving.
We reaffirm the position previously articulated by the Presbyteral Council of the Archdiocese of Lusaka: this process does not reflect the collective will of the Zambian people.
Rather, it appears to be driven by narrow interests, with the state apparatus seemingly held captive by an individual intent on advancing personal ambitions at the expense of national integrity.
In any functioning democracy, such actions, undertaken in defiance of constitutional norms, would warrant serious crutiny and accountability. The Mushabati-led Technical Committee, by accepting its mandate under these circumstances,r isks being complicit in process that undermines the democratic and constitutional gains Zambia has made over the years.
We therefore appeal to the conscience of the members of this committee to reconsider their involvement. History has not been kind to those who have betrayed the public trust for personal or political gain. The Church urges all well-meaning citizens and institutions to reject this constitutional misadventure.
Furthermore, we are deeply concerned by the erosion of institutional independence and the apparent politicization of key governance structures under the current administration. The timing of this initiative, less than seven months before the dissolution of Parliament and the general elections, raises serious questions about its intent and legitimacy.
We maintain that there is no urgent need to amend the current Constitution. What is urgently needed is a government that respects the rule of law, upholds transparency, and embraces accountability.
The present administration has demonstrated a troubling disposition toward selective justice and political manipulation, which renders it unfit to lead such a critical national undertaking.
The decision to set November 13th, 2025, as the final deadline for submissions to the Technical Committee on Drafting Amendments to the Constitution aises serious concerns. Such a compressed timeline is grossly inadequate for gathering the broad, inclusive, and meaningful input required to shape a truly people-driven Constitution.
Rushing this process risks undermining further its legitimacy and alienating the very citizens it is meant to serve At a time when the nation is grappling with severe economic hardships, marked by relentless load shedding and an escalating cost of living, the government’s prioritization of constitutional amendments appears both ill-timed and misaligned with the urgent needs of the population.
The current approach diverts scarce national resources and attention away from crises that are eroding livelihoods and public confidence. Rather han accelerating constitutional changes under constrained timelines, the government would do well to redirect its focus toward the country’s immediate economic challenges.
Establishing a dedicated technical committee to address critical issues such as energy stability and economic relief would be a far more responsible and responsive course of action.
The people deserve a Constitution born of genuine participation, not haste, and a government that responds to their most pressing struggles with clarity, compassion, and commitment.
In light of the above, we reiterate our firm stance: the constitutional amendment process as currently constituted is unlawful, ill-advised, and detrimental to the common good. It is ourbconsidered view that this initiative is a veiled attempt to entrench a de facto one- -party state.
We call upon all citizens of goodwill to stand against this effort and to safeguard the democratic values that define our nation.
Actress Regina Daniels has finally spoken publicly following the recent drama surrounding her family, her marriage to politician Ned Nwoko, and the petition circulating online related to her brother.
In a video she said was recorded around 5 a.m, Regina explained that she has barely been able to sleep due to the emotional toll everything has taken. She described the situation as overwhelming and said her family has been going through a lot behind the scenes.
Regina also noted that a petition involving her brother against Ned Nwoko is currently circulating online and has gained a significant number of signatures within a short time.
The part that has sparked the most conversation is Regina referring to Ned as her “ex-husband”, a term she used while speaking emotionally about her children and their future.
She made it clear that her children are her priority, and she will raise them and provide for them regardless of how things unfold.
Regina also strongly addressed those dragging and !nsult!ng her mother, Rita Daniels. She said her mother does not deserve the negativity being directed at her and that people should stop involving her mother in what is currently happening.
She insisted that her mother has played a meaningful role in her life and continues to support her.
Israel’s Minister of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, Amichai Chikli, has lashed out at New York’s mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, labelling him a “Hamas supporter” and urging the city’s Jewish residents to move to Israel following his election victory.
“The city that once stood as a symbol of global freedom has handed over its keys to a Hamas supporter,” Chikli wrote on X. He further claimed that Mamdani’s views were “not far from those of the jihadist fanatics who, 25 years ago, murdered three thousand of its own people,” referring to the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington.
Mamdani, 34, who is set to become New York’s first Muslim mayor when he takes office in January, has campaigned on making the city more affordable and inclusive. In recent months, he has spoken out against antisemitism and Islamophobia, both of which he has personally experienced.
A strong supporter of the Palestinian cause, Mamdani has previously described Israel as an “apartheid regime” and condemned the ongoing war in Gaza as “genocide,” remarks that have sparked controversy and anger among some in the Jewish community.
Chikli warned that “New York will never be the same again, especially not for its Jewish community,” claiming the city was “walking, eyes open, into the abyss into which London has already plunged.” He concluded his post by inviting “the Jews of New York to seriously consider making their new home in the Land of Israel.”
Mamdani’s landslide win came despite intense criticism from business elites, conservative media figures, and even former U.S. President Donald Trump, who made a last-minute intervention in the race on Tuesday, accusing the incoming mayor of being a “Jew hater.”
Come For Night Of Turnaround: Jailed Prophet Magaya Tells Followers, Insists Trials Are For Benefit Of His Spirit Prophet Walter Magaya has urged his followers to attend the upcoming Night of Turnaround, declaring that his current legal troubles are part of his spiritual journey. Speaking through an audio message shared on the PHD Ministries WhatsApp group, Magaya said his detention and pending trial were necessary for the “growth and sanctification” of his spirit.
The embattled preacher has been in custody since his dramatic arrest on Saturday, 1 November 2025, at his prayer mountain. He faces five counts of rape and 13 counts of fraud. His wife, Tendai Magaya, was granted bail of US$500 (R9,600) by Harare regional magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa on Monday, 3 November 2025.
However, the magistrate ruled that she had no jurisdiction to grant Prophet Magaya bail in the rape case as it is classified under the Third Schedule of serious offences.
A Spiritual Test, Says Magaya Despite his incarceration, Prophet Magaya managed to address his flock directly. In an audio message circulated on the PHD Ministries WhatsApp group, the spiritual leader framed his ordeal as a divine test. He passionately appealed to his followers, assuring them that his suffering was for a higher purpose.
In his message to followers, Prophet Magaya described his ordeal as a divine trial that would ultimately strengthen him and his ministry.
“I am carrying a big cross right now which is necessary for growth and deliverance of your life. Come for the Night of Turnaround,” said Magaya.
“The trial I am facing is for the benefit of my spirit, sanctification, and uplift.”
Magaya was fasting and praying in the days leading up to the annual event, which is scheduled for Friday, 7 November 2025, at PHD Ministries headquarters in Waterfalls, Harare.
Night Of Turnaround To Go Ahead Despite the arrest of their leader, PHD Ministries has confirmed that the Night of Turnaround will proceed as planned. The event, one of the largest on the church’s calendar, has historically drawn thousands of followers from countries including South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, Mozambique, and Namibia.
PHD Overseer Admire Mango said postponing the event was never an option. He told H-Metro,
“The Night of Turnaround will go ahead, regardless of our leader’s current situation,” said Mango.
“We respect the laws of our country and await the course of justice. This is a phase beyond our control but we trust that God is in complete command.”
Mango further encouraged the congregation to remain steadfast in faith and continue praying for Magaya’s freedom.
On Sunday, senior church leader Timothy Marasha delivered a sermon inspired by Luke 4:1, reminding congregants that even Jesus faced trials before fulfilling his mission.
US Senator Ted Cruz has said that he will soon identify the Nigerian officials sponsoring the “Christian g£nocide” in the country.
Cruz released a video across his social media accounts, addressing the insecurity in Nigeria.
He thanked Trump for designating Nigeria a “country of particular concern” over the k!lling of Christians by Boko Haram.
Cruz added: “There is no country on earth that Christians are more pers3cuted than Nigeria.”
In the caption, Cruz wrote: “I’ve been pushing legislation to designate Nigeria a CPC and to impose sanctions on the Nigerian officials responsible.
“Thank you to President Trump for his leadership in imposing the designation, and more broadly, for f!ghting to stop the murd3r of Christians in Nigeria.
“Now we should take the next step and hold Nigerian officials accountable. I intend to be very explicit about who they are in the coming days and weeks.”
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has met with ZANU-PF candidates who lost in the 2023 House of Assembly elections, now serving as shadow MPs, at his Sherwood farm in Kwekwe. The meeting was aimed at hearing their concerns and reinforcing their role in maintaining party visibility and cohesion ahead of future elections.
The engagement followed a letter from one of the Bulawayo-based shadow MPs requesting resources to sustain ZANU-PF’s presence in his constituency outside the formal campaign period. The MP argued that consistent visibility would help the party gain traction and avoid last-minute mobilization.
Sources within the party described the meeting as a rare and strategic gesture of leadership, with Mnangagwa demonstrating his commitment to inclusivity and unity. “The meeting between our First Secretary and losing MPs holds significance for several reasons. It shows efforts to maintain party unity and reinforces the mantra of leaving no one and no place behind,” said one insider.
The gathering was also seen as a move to prevent defections and ensure that all members feel valued, regardless of electoral outcomes. It provided a platform for the president to discuss key policies and align shadow MPs with the party’s broader vision, including the goal of achieving an upper middle-income economy by 2030.
Attendees were given space to express grievances and share ideas that they might not be able to raise in Parliament. The meeting also served as an opportunity for ideological reinforcement, with Mnangagwa reaffirming ZANU-PF’s core values and offering guidance on the party’s stance on critical national issues.
Sources said the president provided philosophical grounding and mentorship, helping MPs navigate leadership roles, internal party dynamics, and strategic decision-making. The session also addressed conflict resolution and coalition-building within the party.
One MP who attended the meeting, speaking anonymously, praised Mnangagwa’s approach. “We would like to thank our First Secretary and President for such an engagement. He has shown that support for the party comes from all corners. He has built trust and strengthened his relationship with party members. Well done, Mr President.”
Al-Nassr of Saudi Arabia star and captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, has offered a powerful endorsement of United States President Donald Trump, labelling the Republican leader as someone who can “change the world.”
The Portuguese superstar made the comment during a recent, candid interview with commentator Piers Morgan, stating:
“Donald Trump is one of the guys that can help to change the world.”
Ronaldo’s praise for the US President comes after Trump began his second term in office this year. The 79-year-old has already taken significant, often controversial, steps affecting nations across the globe since regaining power.
CRISTIANO RONALDO: President Trump is "one of the guys that can help to change the world."pic.twitter.com/q2lWrPehvU
The United States is scheduled to be one of the three co-hosts for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, alongside Canada and Mexico. The tournament will be held across 16 cities, with the host nations facing the immense task of organizing the expanded global event.
Ronaldo’s comments about Trump and global influence were reportedly made after Morgan questioned him about a signed Portuguese national team jersey he had sent to President Trump earlier this year, which bore the message: “playing for peace.”
China has introduced major changes to how property is divided in divorce, marking one of the most significant shifts to its family law in years.
The Supreme People’s Court has amended the Marriage and Family section of the Civil Code, moving away from the long-standing practice of splitting marital property evenly.
Instead, assets are now awarded based on who actually paid for them or can prove financial contribution. Property given by parents or owned before marriage stays with the original owner.
This means a spouse won’t automatically receive half of shared assets unless they can show they contributed to buying them.
Non-financial contributions, such as stay-at-home childcare and household work, no longer carry the same legal weight they once did.
Officials say the previous 50/50 rule sometimes encouraged “divorce for profit,” especially in cases where one partner had significantly higher earnings or assets.
By tightening the rules and reinforcing the 30-day cooling-off period required for mutual-consent divorces, the government hopes to reduce impulsive separations.
Early figures from the first quarter of 2025 show divorce filings down by about 24 percent compared to the same period last year.
Authorities expect the divorce rate to settle between 1.8 and 2.0 divorces per 1,000 people by 2027.
The change forms part of China’s fight to curb reducing population and low birth rates.
Governor of California Gavin Newsom trolled U.S. President Donald Trump early Wednesday morning following massive Democratic electoral wins.
Democrats swept key races all over the country, wiping out the GOP in Virginia, holding New Jersey, winning statewide races in Georgia, and triumphing in dozens of legislative and local races. In California, voters passed Newsom’s plan to hit back against Trump and the Texas GOP by redistricting to compensate for the Republican scheme.
Newsom celebrated the wins by taking to X, where the White House had posted ahead of the election, “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
President Donald Trump suffered a series of devastating blows on Tuesday night as Democrats swept key races all over the country, wiping out the GOP in Virginia, holding New Jersey, winning statewide races in Georgia, and triumphing in dozens of legislative and local races. But on Wednesday morning, he clarified that none of it was his fault.
In fact, according to him, the main reason Republicans took a beating is because he wasn’t on the ballot to lift them up.
“‘TRUMP WASN’T ON THE BALLOT, AND SHUTDOWN, WERE THE TWO REASONS THAT REPUBLICANS LOST ELECTIONS TONIGHT,’ according to Pollsters,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.
He did not specify what he was quoting, or who the “pollsters” in questions were.
This comes hours after Trump posted a strange, cryptic warning as the poll results began to come in, proclaiming, “…AND SO IT BEGINS!”
Among the key races Trump devoted a lot of attention to were the New Jersey governor race, where he heavily promoted Jack Ciattarelli, and the New York City mayor’s race, where he has repeatedly attacked Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani as a “communist” and urged voters to back his former longtime foe Andrew Cuomo over him.
Riley Moore, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, has said that China has no right to dictate America’s foreign policy. Moore made the statement while reacting to China’s criticism of U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat of military action in Nigeria, which Trump described as a measure to “protect Christians from persecuti0n.”
On Wednesday, Mao Ning, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that “as Nigeria’s comprehensive strategic partner, China firmly opposes any country using religion and human rights as an excuse to interfere in other countries’ internal affairs and thre@tening other countries with sanctions and force.”
In response, Moore dismissed China’s position in a post on X, calling the Asian nation a communist autocracy. “President Trump is absolutely right to defend our brothers and sisters in Christ who are suff3ring h0rrific pers3cution, and even martyrdom, for their faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” Moore wrote. “China will not dictate our foreign policy to us, and we will not be lectured to by a Communist autocracy that recently arrested 30 Christian pastors for their faith and throws ethnic minorities in concentration camps.”
The confrontation underscores growing tensions between Washington and Beijing, driven by competing visions for global influence. While China has become the leading trading partner for many African nations, its foreign policy, under President Xi Jinping, is guided by principles such as mutual respect for sovereignty, non-aggression, non-interference, and peaceful coexistence.
By contrast, U.S. influence on the continent has been strained in recent years due to foreign aid cuts, tariffs, and internal political divisions. The U.S. State Department maintains that American foreign policy must serve national interests, asking of every initiative: Does it make America safer, stronger, or more prosperous?
Meanwhile, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the European Union (EU) have both reaffirmed their support for Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, urging the international community to stand by countries in the region in their fight against terr0rism.
YOU WERE WITH YOUR MOTHER IN YOUR GRANDMOTHER’S WOMB.
The egg that became you is older than you are, and that’s not just science. Long before you were born, before your mother even finished her Grade Seven exams or learned how to cook nshima properly, the egg that would one day become you was already waiting inside her. Women are born with all the eggs they will ever have, millions of them tucked away like bags of maize in a granary, waiting for the right season. By the time your mother was a teenager, that number had dropped, but your egg was still there, patient, like a farmer waiting for the rains.
Now, your father’s contribution to the story was a very different affair. Sperm is made fresh, like fritters sizzling in hot oil at the market, quick to appear, quick to vanish. It doesn’t wait around for years; it’s produced in weeks, maybe a couple of months at most. So when the great meeting finally happened, your mother’s egg was a seasoned veteran, aged like a calabash of mabisi left to ferment just right, while your father’s sperm was more like a bottle of Fanta, bubbly, energetic, and gone in a flash.
This means that when you think about your beginnings, you’re not just the product of one moment. You’re the result of decades of waiting on one side and a sprint on the other. Your egg was already present when your mother was playing waida or skipping rope with her friends, when she was fetching water, when she was dreaming about her future. And then, one day, it was chosen, released, and met its match.
So yes, the egg that formed you is older than you, and in a way, older than your father’s entire contribution. It’s a reminder that life is both patient and impulsive, ancient and immediate. The egg waited for decades, the sperm rushed in, and together they pulled off the greatest collaboration of all time: you.
A family has been torn apart after a jealous girlfriend allegedly set a married couple and their one-year-old baby on fire. The horrific attack, which occurred eight days ago in Matopo, has now claimed a second life, with the husband succumbing to severe burn injuries at the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH). This tragic development follows the death of his wife, 23-year-old Melissa Ndlovu, who passed away last Thursday from catastrophic burns. The couple’s one-year-old child remains in a critical condition, fighting for life in the intensive care unit at the same hospital.
The alleged perpetrator, identified as Florence Ndlovu from Ntabazinduna, is wanted on two counts of murder and remains at large — evading a police search that the grieving family claims is inadequate.
A Family’s Anguish And A Plea For Justice The family of Melissa Ndlovu say they are frustrated and heartbroken. They allege that police in Matopo have failed to provide updates on the investigation into the attack that claimed both Melissa and her husband’s lives.
A family member, who requested anonymity, expressed their dismay:
“We are devastated and want answers. We feel let down by Matopo Police, who we feel are not doing enough to track down the suspect. We have heard nothing from them about what is being done.”
The family say they are still awaiting clear communication from the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) on what steps have been taken to locate the suspect, who vanished after the incident.
A Community In Shock As A Fugitive Remains At Large The brutality of the attack has shaken the Matopo community. Witnesses and reports allege that Florence Ndlovu, who was romantically involved with the husband, doused the family with petrol before setting them alight.
According to a report by Ezra Tshisa Sibanda, the shocking incident unfolded at a mine in Matopo. Sibanda said the woman allegedly poured petrol on Melissa, her husband, and their baby before igniting the flames.
“She poured petrol all over the body of Melissa, her husband, and their one-year-old toddler. The three were taken to United Bulawayo Hospital where Melissa was pronounced dead. The husband and baby remained in intensive care,” he said.
A Baby Clings To Life Amidst Unimaginable Loss The couple’s one-year-old baby is the sole survivor of the horrific fire. The child remains in the intensive care unit at UBH, where medical staff are battling to save the infant’s life.
A Tough Test Ahead As Magaya’s trial looms, questions remain about how the legal case will affect the ministry’s reputation and the turnout for the Night of Turnaround. Still, his followers appear determined to rally behind their leader, interpreting his arrest as a test of faith rather than a downfall.
A man followed his wife for 40 minutes only for them to arrive at a motel where she was apparently meeting another man.
In a viral video, a man followed his wife who he has been married to for 13 years after he suspected her of cheating.
After following her for 40 minutes, she finally arrived at a motel where she was apparently meeting her lover.
When asked by the husband what he was doing there and who she was meeting with she gladly answered that she was meeting with somebody and the husband does not know him.
In a follow up question, she also admitted she has been cheating on him.
“For 13 years we’ve been together. Who the hell is it?” the husband asked as he loved in closer on her.
“Look at all the shit that you done put me through,” she exclaimed as she began to get defensive. “13 years look at all the stuff that I’ve been through with you.”
“Are you gonna stand here and keep the camera in my face or can I go finish doing what I was doing?” she asked him.
The video has caused mixed reactions online. While some console with the woman, others feel the wife is right especially since the husband could not defend her allegations
California voters handed Democrats yet another victory on an already action-packed election night, passing Proposition 50.
The ballot measure, passed and championed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, is a response to President Donald Trump’s push for GOP-controlled states to rig their congressional district maps to give themselves extra seats and eliminate Democratic representatives — plans which have already been passed in Texas, Missouri, and North Carolina.
Under Proposition 50, the state’s nonpartisan redistricting commission is temporarily suspended until the next Census, and a map is passed that seeks to eliminate five Republican congressional districts in California.
The measure was supported by a number of lawmakers and groups that generally oppose partisan gerrymandering, as an emergency measure to prevent Republicans from being able to block voters from voting out their majority in next year’s midterm elections.
NFL star Stefon Diggs, who is expecting a baby with Cardi B, revealed the s£x of the unborn child ahead of the upcoming birth.
Speaking with PEOPLE at the 2025 CFDA Fashion Awards, the New England Patriots wide receiver, 31, opened up about his baby on the way with pregnant rapper Cardi B, revealing the s3x of their little one and what he’s most excited to do when the newborn arrives.
“It’s a boy. That’s enough for me,” he tells PEOPLE. “I can’t wait to make him do push-ups and sit-ups and run around.”
Elsewhere at the event, Diggs spoke with Extra and shared that he and the Am I the Drama? artist were expecting their baby together “real soon.”
“It’s supposed to happen real soon, so wish us both luck,” he told the outlet.
Cardi, 33, first revealed in an interview on CBS Mornings back in September that she’s pregnant with her fourth child, due before her tour launches in February.
“I’m having a baby with my boyfriend, Stefon Diggs,” Cardi B told anchor Gayle King, in a pre-taped interview.
Responding to King’s messages of congratulations, Cardi born Belcalis Almánzar — expressed her thanks and shared, “I’m excited.”
“I’m happy,” she said. “I feel like I’m in a good space. I feel very strong, very powerful that I’m doing all this work — but I’m doing all this work while I’m creating a baby.”
The Grammy winner, who shares kids Kulture, 7, Wave, 4, and Blossom, 13 months, with estranged husband Offset, also praised Stefon for empowering her to go after her goals.
“He makes me feel very confident,” she continued. “Feeling safe is feeling confident, feeling like you could do it. And it makes you feel like you could take over the world.”
The lawsuit alleges there to be “voluminous information” proving Drake is benefiting from fake streams on Spotify. Spotify is facing a new class action lawsuit accusing the company of turning a “blind eye” to “mass-scale fraudulent streaming.” According to Rolling Stone, the filing alleges that Drake has been profiting from “billions” of fake streams as a result. The lawsuit lists rapper RBX as a plaintiff in the case, both individually and “on behalf of other members of the general public similarly situated.”
“Every month, under Spotify’s watchful eye, billions of fraudulent streams are generated from fake, illegitimate, and/or illegal methods,” the lawsuit alleges, arguing that the situation “causes massive financial harm to legitimate artists, songwriters, producers, and other rightsholders.”
The filing explains that Spotify pays out royalties through a “streamshare” model, in which all streams are grouped together. Payments are later made out by calculating a percentage to determine each artist’s share of those total streams. In turn, the lawsuit argues fake streams would devalue the payout to smaller artists.
Despite claiming the use of bots and fake streams is a prominent issue on the platform, the lawsuit only names Drake specifically. It claims Spotify already “knows or should know” about a substantial amount of information that can prove the Toronto rapper has been profiting from bot accounts. However, he is not listed as a defendant in the case, nor is he accused of any criminal conduct.
The plaintiffs are seeking a jury trial to determine compensatory and punitive damages. The filing alleges rights holders have been defrauded out of “hundreds of millions of dollars” as a result of the alleged actions of Spotify.
While Drake isn’t a defendant in the Spotify case, he is facing another class action lawsuit alongside Adin Ross and the online casino, Stake. The filing accuses the group of allegedly promoting illegal and predatory gambling.
SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | Pretoria’s R2.23 trillion (approx. $128 billion USD) Integrated Resource Plan 2025 sets out to halve the country’s reliance on coal and add more than 100 gigawatts of new clean power, which is more than double of its current clean energy capacity, by 2039. The blueprint marks one of the country’s most ambitious energy overhauls in decades and would yield jobs and boost its energy sovereignty.
While unveiling the plan in late October, Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa referred to it as “the biggest investment programme of the post-apartheid era,” adding that the government will “add 105 gigawatts of new generation capacity.”
The new IRP outlines a historic shift in South Africa’s power mix: cutting coal’s share from 58% to 27% while ramping up renewables, gas and nuclear. It proposes 11 gigawatts of solar, 7.3 gigawatts of wind, 6 gigawatts of gas-to-power and 5.2 gigawatts of nuclear, plus new storage and a clean-coal demonstration plant. By 2039, total installed capacity is expected to reach 105 000 megawatts, more than double Eskom’s current output.
At the heart of the strategy lies a tension: cutting emissions without collapsing coal towns or the national grid. However, analysts argue the process, while politically charged and financially uncertain, is feasible.
“The energy sector is a highly political space,” argues Princess Mthombeni, founder of Africa for Nuclear. “Every president wants to leave their mark on policy. Under Zuma the plan had 9 500 megawatts of nuclear; under Ramaphosa it dropped to 2 500. Now we’re back to talking about nuclear again.”
The 2025 update revives a long-stalled nuclear agenda, positioning it alongside renewables and gas in what the government calls a balanced energy mix. Past litigation had halted earlier procurement efforts, with civil-society groups challenging Section 34 determinations that move projects from plan to implementation. The new IRP seeks to clear that uncertainty.
“For years, nuclear vendors and investors looked away because there was no clarity,” Mthombeni says. “Now that the policy is confirmed, partners can start preparing sites, logistics, and financing. That’s the first real step.”
For Pretoria, clarity couldn’t come sooner. Eskom’s ageing coal fleet is buckling under decades of neglect and R400 billion in debt, while load-shedding has battered small businesses and investor confidence.
“The IRP 2025 is a clear investment roadmap,” according to Eskom CEO Dan Marokane. “It signals to investors and citizens that South Africa has a focused pathway to reach NetZero inclusively and allows Eskom to play its role in a reformed power market.”
The IRP aims to retire 8 000 megawatts of coal by 2039, but without firming capacity from gas and nuclear, supply gaps could widen. Mthombeni insists the mix must balance decarbonisation with industrialisation. “Energy isn’t just about switching on the light,” she says. “It’s about roads, housing, logistics, and development.”
She points to Egypt’s El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant as an example: “Five years ago there was nothing there. Today, it’s the biggest construction site in Africa, 200 companies, 34 000 people employed. That’s what mega projects do.”
Egypt’s 4.8-gigawatt El Dabaa plant, built by Rosatom at US$30 billion, will soon be twice the size of South Africa’s Koeberg station near Cape Town, whose two reactors supply about 1 900 megawatts. South Africa’s IRP sets out 5 200 megawatts of confirmed nuclear capacity, with another 4 200 to follow under a forthcoming Nuclear Industrialisation Plan. Sites at Duynefontein and Thyspunt have been identified pending environmental approval.
“These projects transform communities,” says Mthombeni. “When we say industrialisation, that’s what we mean; housing, transport, factories, training.”
To critics worried about nuclear safety or waste, she cites South Africa’s long record of safe management. “We’ve tracked every drum of waste since the 1960s,” she says. “No other energy sector manages its by-products so carefully.”
Industry experts welcomed the renewed nuclear stance. Dr Bismark Tyobeka, chair of the Ministerial Expert Panel on Nuclear, said the IRP marks “a return to the fundamentals of domestic nuclear capability,” calling the approach “ambitious but pragmatic.”
Globally, over 70 reactors are under construction, and even the United States has revived nuclear as a clean-energy option. Mthombeni argues that it gives South Africa a chance to lead rather than lag.
The IRP’s R2.23 trillion investment, about $128 billion, isn’t government spending but investor opportunity. “Vendors bring their own financing models,” she notes. “Rosatom covered 85% of Egypt’s costs. South Africa can attract similar partners without overstretching public funds.”
Cabinet, in its mid-October communiqué, said it had “approved the final draft Integrated Resource Plan (2025),” describing it as “a R2.23 trillion investment that will define South Africa’s energy mix for the future.”
The plan also revives small modular reactors (SMRs), compact nuclear units once pioneered under the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor programme, shelved in 2010. “We had a gem,” Mthombeni reflects. “Politics won over engineering. But now the world is building what we started.”
If revived, SMRs could power inland provinces without seawater access, easing grid strain and supporting industrial hubs in Mpumalanga and Limpopo.
Together with gas-to-power projects and renewable corridors, they could give South Africa the flexible base it needs for a stable transition. Across Africa, the ripple effects could be transformative. Coal still provides roughly a quarter of the continent’s electricity, much of it from South Africa. A credible transition could tilt investor appetite toward renewables and hybrid systems across the Southern African Power Pool. The International Energy Agency projects two-thirds of Africa’s new power this decade will come from renewables, but the IRP’s mix of renewables, nuclear and gas adds a distinctly African twist, one that values reliability and industrial growth as much as emissions.
Whether Pretoria can deliver is another question. Political turnover, court challenges and Eskom’s debt all pose risks. The IRP will be reviewed every two years, a cycle that can refine the plan or derail it.
Still, the blueprint marks a bold return to planning in a sector long defined by crisis management.
“The world is watching,” says Mthombeni. “We have the skills, the sites, and the science. What we need now is decisiveness.”
Adama Barrow was sworn in on 19 January 2017 at the Gambian embassy in Dakar, Senegal, not inside The Gambia.
Former President, Yahya Jammeh, refused to step down after losing the December 2016 election. Because Jammeh still controlled key state institutions and the situation in Banjul was unsafe, Barrow took the oath of office in Dakar under the protection of ECOWAS. Soon after Jammeh went into exile, Barrow returned to The Gambia and assumed office normally.
The ELECAM, CONSTITUTIONAL COUNCIL all under Paul Biya say he won the election, while original results from polling stations gave Issa Tchiroma Bakary the urge over Biya.
Tomorrow Paul Biya will be sworn in as President.
Will Issa Tchiroma Bakary also organise his swearing in event as Adama Barrow did while away from home?
Cameroon government has yet to digest the fact that before closing in on Tchiroma at his residence, he had left. What they considered house arrest turned to out to be an empty house, as loyal forces had taken him out to Yola, neighbouring city of Adamawa, Nigeria.
THERE’S A WIND OF CHANGE SIMILAR TO THAT OF 1991, 2021 – KBF
ZAMBIA Must Prosper President Kelvin Fube Bwalya says there is the same wind of change in the country as that of 1991, 2011, and 2021.
And Bwalya, a member of the Tonse Alliance, says the alliance does not believe that the current ECZ can deliver a credible election.
Meanwhile, Bwalya has advised other Tonse Alliance members to come to the negotiating table with honesty if they are to trust each other.
He said this when he appeared on Crown TV’s ‘Hard Ball’ programme.
When asked if he felt a wind of change similar to that of 2021 and 2011, Bwalya responded in the affirmative, adding that the atmosphere and pressure were the same as those of 1990 and 1991.
“Yes, I do. Maybe I can take you back to the wind of change of 1990 and 1991 with MMD. It’s the same thing, same feeling, same atmosphere, same pressure, same gravity, and the same speed. We have a government today which I think has brought a lot of misrule. It has also brought a lot of economic hardships on the Zambians but, more importantly, it has swayed away from its original promises, its original ideas, and it has put a lot of Zambians under serious economic hardships,” he said.
“So, the Zambians are feeling the pain, the cost of living, food prices, and that is beginning to be a topic of discussion everywhere you go: on minibuses, at barbershops, in the markets, at chilanga mulilos, kitchen parties, you name it. Zambians are always talking about, ‘What can we do?’ When you begin to hear that, just know that something is cooking somewhere, and that’s where we are going.”
Asked if the opposition was strong enough to unseat the UPND next year, Bwalya again responded in the affirmative, adding that it was possible if they united.
“Yes, I think if we put our heads together and if we are able to unite with one purpose and envisage the Zambia that we are trying to liberate, yes, we can unseat the UPND, and we are going to do just that. The problem we have now with the UPND is that it is playing with a lot of laws, it is playing with a lot of well-established institutions, and indeed it is trying to undermine democracy using institutions which it is coming up with. It is trying to change or amend the Constitution in certain regards. All these are signs of a government in panic, a government in desperation, and a government that has lost track. So because of that, as the opposition, we are very, very happy to see the UPND panicking,” he said.
When further asked if the Tonse Alliance believed that ECZ can deliver a credible election, he responded in the negative, accusing the commission of attempting to rig.
“Unfortunately, at the rate we are going, we don’t [believe so], I’m sorry to say, because the leadership is failing. I have just told you, Mwangala Zaloumis stood in front of your cameras as well in Mumbwa flagging off this process. She has failed to deliver on the ground. If you are not ready, why did you announce it? That’s failure. Now, if we see that, some of us with experience, and we are telling you there is a problem here because this is leading to that, and that will lead to this end product, we know what’s going on,” Bwalya said.
“But we also have information that in some regions, voter registration never really stopped; it was continuous. Why is that? Again, we are saying that is rigging. We cannot have this, and we must be serious, we must be fair to all Zambians. You cannot skew voter registration to favour certain places, it can’t happen. And we will not allow it. With more evidence coming, we might be forced to litigate. So I’m making a passionate plea to our Electoral Commission Chairlady, Mwangala Zaloumis: do the right thing, because if you don’t, tomorrow the law may visit you.”
Meanwhile, Bwalya advised other Tonse Alliance members to come to the negotiating table with honesty if they are to trust each other.
He added that the alliance will use the “PLM formula” as a strategy, which will be concluded before the end of the year.
“Maybe you should take down these letters, PLM, that’s the formula. The first thing that we are going to do within Tonse in our discussions is that we are going to find a special purpose vehicle within Tonse. We need a political party which is registered at the Registrar of Societies, which is compliant at the Registrar of Societies, and which has no problems at the Registrar of Societies, to be the special purpose vehicle under which all Tonse members are going to fall. That’s the ‘P’ purpose vehicle. ‘L’ we look for leadership within Tonse; this is not a preserve of one political party, it has to be by consensus. ‘M’ the message. We’ve got a timeline; before the end of the year everything will be done. I can’t be telling you everything in terms of strategy, we can’t. UPND is all over the show; you know how they operate,” said Bwalya.
“I have said this before and I’ll say it here: I’m assuring the Zambians, we do have differences of opinion, we have some hot heads, we have some strong heads, but it is not insurmountable. This is not something we haven’t done before. Some of us are experienced enough, we know. When you bring forces together, there is friction, it is normal, and we shall resolve these things. To my alliance members and other people within Tonse, and others who need to come and join us, we need to come to this talking table with honesty so that we begin to trust each other and have one common purpose, to get the UPND out of power because of the misrule and the economic hardships that they have presented to the Zambians.”
Zambian businessman based in South Africa, Joseph Willa Mudolo has joined the Patriotic Front presidential race by paying the requisite fees.
Mudolo paid the Expression of Interest fee of K200,000.00 and the proposed nomination feee of K50,000.00.
On Sunday 2nd November, 2025, the Central Committee Meeting resolved that it would hold an elective General Conference and opened up all positions for contest and campaigns.
Aspirants to be Members of the Central Committee are expected to pay a fee of K1,000.00.
Mudolo will join Mporokoso MP, Brian Mundubile, Lunte MP, Mutotwe Kafwaya, former Minister of Livestock, Greyford Monde among others seeking to lead the Party.
In his letter of expression of interest to stand as PF President Mudolo wrote;
“It is with great humility and a profound sense of duty, I wish to officially express my intention to stand as a candidate for the position of Party President at the forthcoming PF General Conference scheduled for 29th November 2025.”
” I make this submission with deep respect for our party’s constitution, our leadership structures, and the invaluable sacrifices of our founding members and supporters across the nation.”
“The Patriotic Front has an enduring legacy as a mass movement for ordinary Zambians, a champion of inclusive development, and a defender of democratic principles.”
“Today, our country stands at a critical moment — a period that demands renewed leadership,unity of purpose, and a bold vision to restore hope, economic prosperity, and national dignity. I am fully committed to contributing to this next chapter of transformation.:
“My vision aligns with the founding ideals of the Patriotic Front — anchored in people-centered development, national sovereignty, economic empowerment, and strong social protection.
I am prepared and ready to offer a leadership that unifies generations,advances modern governance principles, and drives industrialization, innovation, and job creation. Zambia deserves a future full of opportunities for every teacher, farmer, youth, worker, entrepreneur, and civil servant; a future where all citizens can prosper with pride and dignity.:
“I am fully prepared for this responsibility. I have undertaken strategic consultations across our structures, and I have listened carefully to the voices of our members, communities,and national stakeholders. The feedback is clear — our people seek a disciplined”
WHY WERE MUSEVENI, RUTO, KAGAME AND MNANGAGWA ABSENT DURING HASSAN’S INAUGURATION?
By Kelly’s Kaunda
Some commentators have suggested that leaders such as Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, William Ruto of Kenya, Paul Kagame of Rwanda and Emerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe didn’t attend Tanzania’s inauguration of President Hassan to signal their displeasure with the human rights violations associated with the recent election.
Zambia’s Hichilema, they argue, on the other hand, legitimized the violations by attending.
First, when invited Heads of State decline invitations to a function of another Head of State or send representatives, this could be interpreted in various ways, among them, a deliberate snub intended to communicate some unstated displeasure.
This is often symbolic and could easily be dismissed by the country on the receiving end as inconsequential.
The country on the receiving end could, at some point, choose to retaliate in equal measure.
Regarding the suggestion that the absence of such leaders as Museveni, Ruto, Kagame and Mnangagwa could be linked to human rights violations observed before, during and after the elections in Tanzania, I find this argument incredulous.
Given the human rights record associated with each of the leaders in question (whether proven or not), if they shunned the inauguration to demonstrate their solidarity with the victims, I would say these leaders are bluffing because they are just as guilty as their Tanzanian counterpart.
These leaders, like most of their counterparts in Africa, have no moral authority to preach human rights to Hassan.
To push the narrative that their absence was their protest at what happened in Tanzania, commentators are demonstrating desperation for examples to shore up their analysis.
The human rights culture in Africa is so poor, so bad, it is a mockery to its victims to think that symbolic gestures such as inauguration boycots could ease the pain.
Africa requires deep-seated political and legal reforms along with a revolutionary change in the quality of her leaders if the human rights culture is to change for the better.
Unfortunately, in most countries, governments are becoming increasingly authoritarian and autocratic thereby shrinking whatever small democratic space there has been.
The few voices of protest available are speedily crashed as fear spreads among the rest of the people.
As quickly as the protests begin, they subside followed by silence with only the voices of the ruling party left in the dominated media space.
So, look for another explanation for Museveni’s, Ruto’s, Kagame’s and Mnangagwa’s absence at the inauguration.
..as the Police refuse to withdrawal earlier complaint made by Acting PF President, Given Lubinda against Zumani Zimb
Lusaka- Wednesday, 5th November 2025
Police at Woodlands Police Station yesterday charged and arrested former State House Special Assistant to the President, Zumani Zimba.
Zumani was charged with offenses related to cyber crimes and theft of identity.
Lusaka lawyer,Kambwa Aongola, presented both the complainant, Patriotic Front Acting President Hon. Given Lubinda and Zimba to have the matter formally withdrawn.
Earlier and after the duo’s reconciliation, the letter was written and signed by Aongola to withdraw the matter.
However when the two were summoned to appear to formally withdraw the case, the investigating officer stated that they will proceed to charge and arrest Zumani based on Lubinda’s complaint as the matter was a suspected crime, a matter between the State and the accused person.
Zimba remains in police custody at Woodlands Police Station.
HH HAS NO CREDIBILITY TO STAY IN STATE HOUSE – KBF
ZAMBIA Must Prosper leader Kelvin Fube Bwalya says President Hakainde Hichilema has no credibility to stay in State House because his time is up.
Bwalya adds that if President Hichilema cannot answer how the average Zambian is supposed to develop under current conditions, he should just keep quiet.
KBF was responding to President Hichilema, who was urging Zambians to shift from the culture of constant complaining to one of action.
President Hichilema said many citizens miss out on opportunities right under their noses because they focus too much on complaining.
In an interview, Friday, Bwalya said President Hichilema lived in a Utopian world where he thought Zambians were at the same level as he was.
“For anybody to develop, those countries that you see developing, those countries that you see having an idea developed from scratch, it is because the basics are satisfied. They are not worried about essential commodities, they are not worried about electricity, they’re not worried about the price of fuel moving from point A to point B. It doesn’t make sense. I think my friend lives in a very Utopian world.
In his head, he thinks the level where he is, that’s the level where the average Zambian is. He shouldn’t think like that as a leader. You should take yourself to their level and ask yourself: how is this average Zambian able to think, first of all, and how is he capable of developing this which I’m asking him to develop? If you can’t have that answer, just shut up, don’t insult Zambians. Tell the President to shut up and come up with ideas himself of solving the problems,” he said.
“When he was in the opposition, he made it seem so simple. He was saying, ‘if you can’t reduce the price of mealie meal, cooking oil, sugar, salt, whatever, you have no credibility of staying in government, you have no credibility as a leader to be in State House.’ Tell him today, he has no credibility to stay in State House, his time is up. So those comments he must not direct them to the poor Zambians. He should let Zambians suffer with us, but in 2026 we are chasing him out.
Giving up quickly? Has he seen the women who wake up at 04:00 in the morning to go to Soweto to wait for their orders? Has he seen the women at Chisokone market waking up at 04:00 to go and get their orders somewhere in Mtendere market, somewhere in Twapia in Ndola? Does he know how they survive? Have they given up on life? No, the Zambians don’t give up, they’re giving up on him because he’s a liar. He lied to them and they’ve realised that his lies are not working”.
Bwalya noted that the right question to ask the President was what opportunities he had presented to Zambians.
“I think the right question to ask the President is what opportunities has he presented to Zambians? Because that’s very fundamental. It’s like he’s saying Zambians cannot be creative, Zambians are not capable of industry or manufacturing, or the artistic world, they don’t develop themselves. That’s a very unfortunate statement to come from the Head of State when his government has not given the Zambians any opportunity to develop themselves.
Now for development to occur in a country, what are the driving forces? One, electricity, two, petroleum products. So, if electricity is not there, how are the SMEs going to go and do their business? The same people that he wants to grow, the same people that he wants to show development and creativity, how are they going to do their business without constant supply of electricity and at an affordable rate?” asked Bwalya.
“How do you blame the Zambians? This is the kind of thinking which I think, with the greatest respect, the President must revisit. Secondly, how does the President expect the Zambians to be creative or indeed to develop themselves, when his government has put up repressive laws and the atmosphere in the country is not conducive for such development? People are worried by basic food commodities, basics of life.
What is the price of mealie meal today? What is the price of an average bottle of cooking oil? A packet of sugar? Even at the market at Soweto, how much do people go and buy vegetables for? Tomatoes, Onions? So, when people are worried by the basics, how do you expect them to be concentrating on development or coming up with ideas which are going to be creative? That is why Zambians are complaining”.
LAW DOESN’T DEFINE WHAT CONSTITUTES AN INSULT, SEAN TEMBO ARGUES
SEAN Tembo has asked the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court to refer the matter where he is charged with using insulting language to the High Court for determination of a constitutional question, arguing that the law does not define an insult.
Tembo submits that the offence, contained in Section 179 of the Penal Code, is not defined, and therefore offends Article 18(8) of the Constitution.
In this matter, Tembo is facing two counts of Use of Insulting Language Contrary to Section 179 of the Penal Code, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
Allegations in count one are that Tembo, on August 27, 2023, in Lusaka, did use insulting language, stating, “Bally apa akangiwa kuipa. But mu 2026 ngati bantu bafuna kuvotela chipuba chinangu, it’s fine, SET can wait for 2031.” The said words were referred to the President of the Republic of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema.
In count two, allegations are that Tembo, on October 17, in Lusaka, did use insulting language, stating, “Bally is selling a few bags of ZNS mealie meal using Shoprite, hoping to create a perception of low price is equal masturbation.” The words were referred to the President of the Republic of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema.
When the matter came up before Chief Resident Magistrate Davies Chibwili, Monday, the State informed the court of the application that was filed by Tembo on September 9, 2025.
In September, Tembo’s lawyer Tresford Chali applied that the matter be taken to the High Court, stating that the Penal Code does not define what constitutes an insult.
“Your Honour, Articles 18(8) of the Constitution states: ‘No person shall be convicted of a criminal offence unless that offence is defined and the penalty is prescribed in a written law.’ Section 179 of the Penal Code states: ‘Every person who uses insulting language or otherwise conducts himself in a manner likely to give such provocation to any person as to cause such person to break the public peace or to commit any offence against the person, is liable to imprisonment for three months or to a fine not exceeding four hundred and fifty penalty units or to both,’” the application read.
“Your Honour, it is clear from above that the Penal Code does not define what constitutes an insult. What may be an insult to one’s culture may not be to another. The Affidavit in support shows how a State witness in this ongoing trial, PW1, failed to distinguish between what constitutes insulting language, which is criminalized under Section 179 of the Penal Code, and what constitutes disrespectful language, which is not criminal. Your Honour, Criminal Law marks the legal boundary of individual liberty. Offences must be defined clearly so that people know what is and what is not prohibited. Therefore, it is necessary to consider exactly what conduct is prohibited by a criminal offence”.
Chali further said the ongoing criminal proceedings against Tembo should be stayed pending determination of the constitutional issue by the High Court.
“We pray that this matter be referred to the High Court for the determination of the constitutional question which has arisen, that the offence of insulting language, contained in Section 179 of the Penal Code, is not defined, and therefore offends Article 18(8) of the Constitution. We also pray that the ongoing criminal proceedings against the accused be stayed pending determination of the constitutional issue by the High Court. We shall forever humbly pray,” read the application.
In response, the State said they were saddened by the application but were ready to give oral submissions.
“We are saddened to receive the application by the defence filed on September 9, 2025. I received this application a month ago. So, I was waiting for the court’s guidance because they just filed. I have gone through the application, and I can respond. I am ready to respond now,” said the State.
However, Magistrate Chibwili adjourned the matter to today, for the State to respond to the application made by Tembo’s lawyer.
“Because of this application, the witness will be excused until we deal with this matter. I will give you today so that you can make your submission tomorrow. I am going to adjourn the matter to tomorrow for continued trial,” said Magistrate Chibwili.
PF MUST STOP EXPLOITING EVEN THE DEAD FOR POLITICS!
Lundazi MP. Mrs.Brenda Nyirenda’s statement is a disgrace using Edgar Lungu’s death for cheap political mileage is pure insanity. Zambia has moved on, and the people deserve better leadership, not emotional manipulation, and therefore, finds her statement Childish and Dishonest.
To claim that the government has failed to provide leadership over the burial of former President Edgar Lungu is nothing but a childish and dishonest political gimmick. I think she should ask Mr. MAKEBI Zulu of why the body of former president Mr. Lungu Edgar has remained in the Mortuary since June 5th.
Let’s be real the PF exploited Edgar Lungu even when he was alive. They misled him during his presidency, feeding him lies that he would win the 2021 elections when some of us boldly told him he would lose miserably. Instead of accepting the truth, they called us names. Now, even in his death, they are shamelessly trying to use his lifeless body for political gain. That’s not leadership that’s madness! I didn’t expect such a statement from Madan Brenda,there are some crazy individuals within the PF who can sink low but not her unfortunately she has proven herself to be among those questionable characters within the PF administration.
It’s the same group that has been misleading the Lungu family not to cooperate with the government. And now that they’ve realized the people of Zambia have moved on, and there’s no sympathy vote to ride on, they’ve turned around to attack the very government that has spent massive resources to ensure Lungu receives a dignified burial.
Let’s get serious is Madam Nyirenda suggesting that even the South African government was foolish when it prepared its security wings to help repatriate ECL’s body? The truth is, some politicians in this country are completely disconnected from reality. They’ve lost every sense of decency, direction, and national respect.
The Government of the Republic of Zambia has made significant efforts since June 5th to repatriate the body of former President Edgar Lungu. Yet, the PF has shamefully stood in the way, blocking the process and creating unnecessary drama around a man who deserves a dignified rest.
It’s disturbing to see some individuals using this tragedy to push their own presidential ambitions while holding on to the body for political bargaining. This is not leadership it’s moral decay!
We must learn to be sincere, especially when a life is lost. Death should never be turned into a political weapon. What we are witnessing from the PF is beyond shameful it is a deep lack of respect for the nation and for the legacy of the late former president himself.
Let the man rest. Let Zambia move forward
Stop playing politics with death. Zambia deserves better.
Sikaile C Sikaile Katombola Constituency Independent Aspiring MP for 2026
MORNING WIRE | PF Convention Month Opens With Fractures, Fear & Calculated Posturing
The Patriotic Front enters November not as a unified opposition force, but as a party negotiating survival. Its first convention since losing power is a test of muscle, loyalty and money, and the stakes are visible in the behaviour of its leaders and operatives. The drama began inside the Central Committee on 2nd November, where raised voices and near-fights exposed the fragility behind the public declarations of unity.
Witnesses inside the Lusaka meeting told us tensions erupted when a faction attempted to push for an outright endorsement of Given Lubinda as party leader. One member present described the atmosphere bluntly:
“This was not a meeting. It was a battlefield.” Another senior official said “Chairs were almost flying. The party almost split in that room.”
The defeat of the endorsement attempt forced PF toward a convention, but with bruises and resentment intact.
On 3rd November, Acting Deputy Secretary General Brenda Nyirenda stepped out to steady the optics. She made a calculated appeal to government over Edgar Lungu’s still-delayed burial. “We are ready to help them handle the Lungu issue,” she said.
“It is painful not to lay a former president to rest.” But she also made clear the burial will not delay internal change.
“We will not use this tragedy as a scapegoat. We are moving forward.” Her tone signaled vulnerability and resolve, a deliberate play to show discipline without denying grief.
The convention’s nomination window opened the same day. On 4th November, Johannesburg-based businessman Willah Mudolo paid his K200,000 fee and added a K50,000 donation.
He framed his bid around unity and urgency, saying “We cannot risk another five years of this government. Let us work together. Let us save our country from ruin.”
In a follow-up statement after meeting Given Lubinda in South Africa, Mudolo doubled down: “I reaffirm my commitment to the PF. This is about unity and transformation for 2026.”
Yet party intelligence points to a different frontrunner: Brian Mundubile. A PF provincial organiser put it plainly: “Mudolo talks to Facebook. Mundubile talks to structures.” Inside PF, patience and history matter.
Mundubile has neither the flash nor the foreign accent, but he has ground loyalty. A Central Committee member explained the quiet support: “He understands the party. He has never abandoned the field.” That silent network remains Mudolo’s biggest obstacle.
Meanwhile, the burial of Edgar Lungu remains the emotional and symbolic fracture. Nyirenda called it “a national embarrassment,” while insisting dialogue with government can end the standoff.
A former minister sympathetic to Lubinda sharpened the tone privately: “Nobody wants a corpse politics campaign, but we cannot pretend it has not weakened us.” There is a truth in PF circles: the party that once marched under Lungu now cannot bury him, and that vulnerability shapes morale and power plays.
Money is the other silent variable. PF set a lean budget, capped delegate numbers and imposed high candidate fees. Those are signals of strain in a party once powered by state resources. One provincial youth chair said it bluntly off-record: “We used to eat big. Now we pay to compete.”
The party’s future leader will inherit a movement running on memory and hope, not government levers and contracts.
This convention carries echoes of 2014, but context has shifted. Then, PF fought inside the State House shadow. Now it fights in opposition with litigation, factional wounds and a shrinking war chest.
A veteran PF strategist summarised it crisply: “If this process collapses into violence, we finish. If we come out clean, we live to fight 2026.”
The calendar is fixed, the emotions raw, and the question clear: can PF produce coherence, or does it produce crisis?
