PRESIDENT HICHILEMA LEADS NATIONAL THANKSGIVING FOR GOD’S BLESSINGS, RAINFALL, AND THE FARMING SEASON

…FORECASTS ABUNDANT HARVEST

This afternoon, President Hakainde Hichilema led the nation in a heartfelt thanksgiving ceremony, expressing gratitude for God’s blessings, the rainfall, and a fruitful farming season, while urging the country to boost food production.

Delivering an inspiring address, the President underscored the sovereignty of God over Zambia and commended farmers for their abundant harvests in the previous season.

“So far, it is the Lord who has brought us this far, and we will continue to place our faith in Him. God will guide us to where we need to be.

“We gather today to thank God for His mercy, and for the rains He has bestowed upon us,” he stated.

President Hichilema expressed appreciation to God for guiding the nation safely through the recent drought.
He acknowledged that, under God’s guidance and through cooperation between government, the church, and civil society, the country was able to feed its people, with no loss of life to hunger

He reflected on the drought, describing it as a wake-up call for the government to embrace new approaches.

“When the drought struck, we declared a national emergency. It taught us valuable lessons, particularly the need to diversify our energy sources, moving beyond reliance on hydroelectric power to alternatives like solar. God has blessed us with rivers, lakes, and underground water, which we must now use to advance irrigation agriculture. We cannot define our agriculture solely by rainfall,” he said.

The President highlighted the New Dawn UPND administration’s vision to support year-round food production through irrigation farming.

He called on citizens to seize the opportunities presented by government initiatives such as the Farmer Input Support Program (FISP), the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), and the Enhanced Agriculture Support Program to engage in agriculture and food production.

President Hichilema also encouraged Zambians to shift their focus from spending to investing, avoiding unnecessary expenditures and instead channeling resources into future-yielding investments.

He reiterated the importance of national unity, stressing that Zambia’s progress is greater when united.

“We can achieve so much more when we are together than when we are divided. Let us stay true to the motto: One Zambia, One Nation,” he declared.

The President also thanked the church for organizing the thanksgiving prayers.

The event was attended by First Lady Mutinta Hichilema, Vice President Hon. Mutale Nalumango, and several Cabinet Ministers.

(C) THE FALCON

Zambia Must Cut Dependency on Donor Aid, Embrace Self-Reliance—Haabazoka

Economist and former Economic Association of Zambia (EAZ) president Dr. Lubinda Haabazoka has issued a bold call for Zambia to enact legislation limiting donor funding tied to external conditions, warning that continued reliance on foreign aid undermines the country’s sovereignty and self-development.

In a strongly worded statement titled “Reclaiming Our Sovereignty and Resources: A Call for Self-Reliance,” Dr. Haabazoka emphasized that while the fight against corruption must remain a national priority, the larger issue is Zambia’s overexposure to conditional aid and exploitation of its mineral wealth by foreign investors.

“We are constantly paraded as thieves over amounts of money that are equivalent to the value of one tipper of sugilite,” he said. “Yet we welcome foreign investors with open arms, allowing them to extract our resources and return with crumbs that come with strings attached.”

Haabazoka argued that Zambia’s development must be anchored in its own resources, warning that foreign direct investment (FDI) without strict value-retention policies only deepens dependency and underdevelopment. “In countries like China and Russia, you cannot just donate without approval. Here, we have become too comfortable receiving without questioning,” he said.

He referred to this phenomenon as the “donor curse,” a concept likened to the well-known “resource curse” in economics, where abundant natural wealth paradoxically fuels poverty and corruption. “Donor dependency stifles local innovation and independent thinking. It has created a dangerous comfort zone that weakens our national resilience,” he explained.

Dr. Haabazoka further called the ongoing decline in donor support a “blessing in disguise,” saying it offers Zambia a unique chance to reset its economic compass. “Now is the time for drastic measures. We must begin to fully account for our natural and human resources. Aid has never been a key variable in any of the national development models I’ve created,” he stated.

The economist noted that many African countries, including Zambia, have sufficient untapped potential to drive their own growth if the right policies are implemented and enforced. “We must wake up and embark on a painful but rewarding journey of self-driven development. Just as our anthem says, we must be strong and free not perpetually beholden to donors.”

Dr. Haabazoka was careful to separate his argument from any defense of mismanagement, stating unequivocally that corruption remains one of Zambia’s most pressing threats. “Corruption must be dealt with decisively. Those who steal from the public must face the harshest penalties possible because corruption is the enemy of progress,” he affirmed.

As Zambia faces mounting scrutiny over the misuse of aid including the recent withdrawal of $50 million in annual U.S. health assistance Dr. Haabazoka’s remarks come as a timely provocation, urging policymakers to rethink the nation’s financial and development trajectory.

“Twasebana pafula we have been embarrassed too much,” he said. “It is time to reclaim our dignity and build a nation that stands on its own.”

May 12, 2025
©️ KUMWESU

ZAMRA ARRESTS, A PR STUNT — SP YOUTH LEAGUE

Lusaka… Sunday May 11, 2025 — The Socialist Party (SP) Youth League has accused the government of using the recent arrests by the Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA) and police as a public relations exercise aimed at diverting attention from alleged corruption within the ruling UPND.

In a statement issued by the party’s National Youth League Secretary, Stanley Muba’sa, the arrests were described as an attempt to project a false image of accountability following revelations made by the United States Ambassador to Zambia, Michael Gonzales.

The ambassador had previously raised concerns about the looting of medical drugs, a revelation that, according to Muba’sa, has embarrassed and exposed the Zambian government.

Mr. Muba’sa said the fight against corruption in Zambia could not be genuine until President Hakainde Hichilema publicly declared his assets and dismissed senior officials implicated in serious scandals, including Solicitor General Marshall Muchende.

He further stated that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) had failed to provide findings on these issues and had not named ministers suspected of wrongdoing.

According to the Socialist Party Youth League, the government was thrown into panic following the US ambassador’s remarks, holding as many as 33 meetings without taking action to halt the alleged looting.

Mr. Muba’sa likened the lack of access to life-saving drugs due to corruption to crimes against humanity, equating it to terr0rism and műrd£r.

The statement condemned ZAMRA for trying to restore public confidence through arrests that were not targeting the actual culprits.

It further asserted that both the US and the Zambian public had lost trust in the government, contending that any visible actions were only meant to intimidate political opponents rather than address real issues such as the rising cost of living.

Mr. Muba’sa called on ZAMRA not to allow itself to be used by politicians to protect those within the current administration.

He insisted that the institution should pursue the actual perpetrators involved in the theft of US-donated medical supplies.

“The fight against corruption turned into a fight for corruption,” Muba’sa stated, pointing to what he called the President’s failure to act decisively against those within his inner circle accused of misconduct.

11th May 2025

PRESS STATEMENT

MINISTER OF ENERGY URGES TRADITIONAL LEADERS TO GIVE UP LAND FOR SOLAR ENERGY INVESTMENT

Minister of Energy,  Makozo Chikote, has called on traditional leaders across the country to support the government’s efforts in promoting renewable energy by making land available for the development of solar power plants in their chiefdoms.

Mr. Chikote noted that the construction of solar energy projects presents a timely opportunity to diversify Zambia’s energy sources, reduce the electricity deficit, and unlock socio-economic benefits at the local level. He emphasised that solar plants will not only improve electricity access but also create employment opportunities and foster rural development.

“I urge our esteemed traditional leaders to take advantage of this opportunity by availing land for solar projects. These investments will drive development in their chiefdoms, provide clean energy, and create much-needed jobs—especially for our youth,” said Mr. Chikote.

He reiterated the government’s strong commitment to expanding access to alternative energy sources, which is in line with the broader national energy mix strategy. The Minister added that the government remains focused not only on addressing the electricity shortfall but also on delivering meaningful job creation across the country.

“As part of this agenda, we continue to encourage private sector investment in renewable energy across all provinces. The participation of traditional leaders is key to ensuring that communities benefit directly from these developments,” he said.

Mr. Chikote further reaffirmed the Ministry’s dedication to meeting the presidential directive to add 1,000 megawatts of electricity to the national grid by 2025.

“In line with President Hakainde Hichilema’s vision, the Ministry of Energy is working tirelessly to meet the 1,000-megawatt target by the end of 2025. This can only be achieved through collaborative efforts involving government, the private sector, and our traditional leadership,” he said.

He concluded by calling on all stakeholders to seize the opportunity to reshape Zambia’s energy future and contribute to sustainable, inclusive development.

Issued by:

Bob Sianjalika

Principal Public Relations Officer.
MINISTRY OF ENERGY

FRA EMPLOYS OVER 14,000 PERSONNEL AHEAD OF CROP MARKETING SEASON.

THE Food Reserve Agency says it has employed 14,280 personnel ahead of the 2025 crop marketing season.

Speaking during a media briefing, FRA Board Chairperson Suresh Desai says these include satellite depot clerks, security guards and casual workers.

Mr. Desai says the personnel will undergo training to prepare them before they start buying crops.

He says FRA will soon announce the buying prices for maize and rice for the 2025 crop marketing season.

Mr. Desai says as part of the preparations, the FRA has already distributed about 14 million empty sack bags in readiness for the season.

He says as the crop marketing season begins, over 1,000 depots will be operational.

The Board Chairperson said the FRA remains committed to paying farmers and transporters on time.

He added that the storage capacity to store the new crop for this year’s season is about one million metric tonnes.

Meanwhile, Mr. Desai has refuted claims by some individuals that the maize the government bought from Tanzania has not been brought into the country.

Mr. Desai says 180,000 tonnes have already been transported into the country out of the 195,000 tonnes the government bought.

It’s not too late for HH to ‘love back’ USA
…and get a shot at saving 1.3 mln Zambian lives after the fact

By Amb. Anthony Mukwita

11th May 25

There’s been a raft of mixed reactions since America’s Ambassador to Zambia H.E Michael Gonzalez announced that Uncle Sam was icing $50 million of its health aid package to Zambia last week amidst accusations of theft.

I was among the first people as an International Relations analyst that got into the cross-hairs of this raging debate, as Amb. Gonzales stated that up to 1.3 million Zambian lives hang in balance as a result of the annual aid freeze. He wept.
In a top news interview on the widely followed Diamond TV interview on Friday, I opined that the number of lives at risk were way way too many to just look the other way.

I said in diplomacy, from my education and actual practice, the door is never closed, it could be re-opened anytime for a better solution, meaning that President HH had an opportunity to revisit whatever differences he has over this sensitive matter with Uncle Sam.

I still stand by my opinion as a trained diplomat because like I said during the interview, diplomacy is all about ‘talking and talking and talking and talking’ until two sides of differing parties agree on everything or make concessions.

I believe today like I believed yesterday that if the Don HH put on his white gloves today, he could sit with Uncle Sam rep Gonzales and bring back that K1.4 billion to Zambia and save 1.3 million lives.
Reconciliation is what my entire life as a diplomat, an Editor in Chief, a business partner and family man, anyone that knows me beyond political lenses will attest to this. I don’t mind losing a battle of right or wrong if it leads to serenity.
In fact dozens of my columns always end with ‘make love not war’ and I add, ‘no one wins when everyone is losing’ in the game of governance and economic development.

Let’s face it, Zambia is a poor rich country (64% poor people out of 20mln), it needs aid from Uncle Sam and other partners before it gets its economic house in order sooner rather than later but in the interim, we have people depending on aid from abroad for health reasons.

We are caught between a hard place and a hard place.

SO WHAT MUST ZAMBIA DO?

In a stand-off like the one we are in with Uncle Sam, my advice which maybe counts for nothing is that the Don H has a key to unlock the life saving aid back on track, he is the boss.

Seas part when he gives the word, he has shown that he can do it when he puts his mind to it, for some of us, we just pen ops-eds, the heavy-lifting is left to those that call the shots, the mighty elected.
The gun manufacturer does not want a war to end because it ices his profits just like big Pharma does not want a cure to terminal diseases because if a cure is found they don’t make money.
A political identity benefitting from the Don H does not want to see a reconciliation with ECL.

A cash-hungry lawyer does not want a rich client to settle a case because she stops getting paid.

But when discussing resolutions in diplomacy, we inevitably have to discuss what went wrong, like I said candidly on Diamond TV, it doesn’t mean we concentrate on apportioning blame. Only God can judge me now.

Ba PK Chishala the professor of Zambian folklore music once crooned, “abatoba amayanda ilingi fipuba fye…ilingi in ba chibombebombe ilingi in ba jeneral worker. Bakaboyi batoba amayanda bengi ye. Bwana talipo kasahala kaletoba…”
So we have a choice as a nation, do we continue fighting or reconcile and make love not war? What’s your position?
I always say ‘make love not war’ and my appeal to Don HH and all you out there that are more intelligent than I am, ‘war, what it is good for? Absolutely nothing.”
Ba Don H can make some decisive decisions and save the 1.3 million Zambians that risk the ‘sound of silence’ or in English ‘death.’

If he just acts on the concerns the Americans have raised we can be good again, a win win for both, I am not talking total compromises.
That is what I was labouring to say in my interview on Diamond TV, reconciliation, not escalation.

I have no doubt the Don wants to end the impasse ahead of the 2026 polls, he gains an easy 1.3 million votes in my view if he saves these lives and wins back love from the USA.

The makers of “We are the World”, Quincy Jones ‘et al’ had a placard outside the studio for all the mega stars such as the King of pop Michael Jackson and others—leave your ego at the door.

‘Ine nalanda kwena epompelele’ and in my view, ‘I am the most flawed man on earth right now’ so you can take my two ngwe with a bucketful of salt but I still believe that only the Don H can stop the rot right now because he is the Don.

Also just remember the words of Henry Kissinger, ‘it’s a dangerous thing to have America as an enemy but yet even more fatal to have America as your friend.’
The divisions in Zambia today are so many they sit in households.

Let’s think of the people that could die if this dog fight doesn’t end when the answer lies in a peaceful end. No one wins when everyone is losing.
Listen to the most flawed man in Zambia. Me.

Amb. Anthony Mukwita is an International Relations expert and Published author.

UKA IS NOT BREAKING APART, WE’RE PLANNING FOR 2026 WITH MAJOR PARTIES – KATEKA

11 May 2025

UNITED Kwacha Alliance (UKA) member Chishala Kateka says the alliance has been engaging with opposition parties such as Zambia We Want, UNIP, Socialist Party and Tonse alliance, to work out a solution for 2026.

In an interview, Wednesday, Kateka, who is also New Heritage Party president, said for UKA to actualise its plans for Zambians, it needed to get into government, hence the alliance’s decision to link itself to other opposition parties.

“[As] UKA, in order to do what we set out to do, we need to get into government, we need a platform upon which we can take the solutions that we have for Zambia and for Zambians and actualise them.

There’s no point in having all these good…

CREDIT: Newsdiggers

Lusambo loops Mutati into his defence

JAILED former Lusaka province minister Bowman Lusambo has listed Minister of Technology and Science, Felix Mutati as a to witness to help weave him out of this protracted legal battles.

Lusambo hopes Mutati’s court testimony will help solidify his innocence claims in a case where he is being prosecuted on two counts of possession of properties reasonably suspected of being proceeds of crime.

The Bulldozer is already on his defence on the case but says he will call four witnesses to prove his innocence.

Through his lawyer, Charles Changano, the former Kabushi lawmaker informed the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court that h4 wanted Mutati to come and testify before court.

He said the summons are not yet served, but he will serve on him to come to court and testify.

According to court documents, Lusambo on a date unknown but between May 1, 2015 and December 31, 2021 in Lusaka, jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown, allegedly possessed property number F/609/E/44/B/9, comprising of a single storey four (4) bedroom dwelling house, guest wing, gazebo and a car shed located in Chamba Valley-Lusaka, property reasonably suspected of being proceeds of crime.

In count two, it is alleged that Lusambo on a date unknown but between May 1, 2015 and December 31, 2021 in Lusaka, jointly and whilst acting together with others unknown did possessed an incomplete block of six (6) flats, constructed on property number F/609/E/50 in Chamba Valley Lusaka, properties reasonably suspected of being proceeds of crime.

Meanwhile, a defence witness, Kapumba Franklin Zimba,46, an Evaluation Surveyor in private practice said Lusambo’s house was over valued, it was supposed to be K8.8 million and not K13.5 million as government surveyors put it.

Zimba said the print out of the house by government surveyors from the Ministry of land relied upon had a mistake.

He said according to the government report, the extent for farm 609 which the subdivision Lusambo has title to the land extent is stated as 0.8920 hectors.

Zimba stated that he found out that Lusambo’s farm 609 in Chamba Valley where his house is, holds an hector of 0.0892 and not 0.8920.

He said the government surveyors omitted a zero in front of eight and put zero at the end.

“I established that there was an error in the measurements by the government surveyors, so where you have an error in hectors it means what you have as market value is fraud.”

“In this particular case the error in the land estate has been overstated meaning the market value of the property has also been overstated,” he said.

He said to cure the error that everyone was operating on, he indicated the property number of Lusambo’s farm where he holds time, and also the three additional property numbers the development was carried out.

And when asked in cross examination if he found any errors or flaws in the manner government surveyors arrived at the reinstatement value. He responded in the negative.

“As I indicated earlier, I was supposed to bring four witnesses but only managed to bring one, I apologize, I want to summon and bring my witness, Felix Mutati, I failed today, but I will try, we are asking for an adjournment,” Changano said.

The court granted an adjournment and set June 2, 2025 for continued defence.

By Lucy Phiri

Kalemba May 10, 2025

CSOs IN KITWE CALL FOR TWO-TERM LIMIT FOR MPs

Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Kitwe District on the Copperbelt Province are calling for a constitutional amendment to limit Members of Parliament (MPs) to a maximum of two terms in office.

The organisations argue that such a move would enhance democratic governance, promote leadership renewal, and prevent the consolidation of power by long-serving lawmakers.

Speaking to Mafken News, Democratic Governance and Human Advocate (DEGHA) Programs Officer Victor Chilufya emphasized the urgency of the proposal, saying that limiting the tenure of MPs would help usher in fresh perspectives and strengthen public accountability.

Echoing similar sentiments, Change Mindset Zambia Executive Director Geoffrey Musonda, highlighted the broader benefits of leadership renewal.