OVER 1 MILLION SOCIAL CASH TRANSFER BENEFICIARIES TO BE REACHED THIS YEAR

Tuesday…June 28 2022

Government says over 1 Million social cash transfer beneficiaries will be reached by the end of this year.

Community Development and Social Services Minister, Ms Doreen Mwamba has disclosed that the caseload is expected to reach a land mark of 1,027,000 by 31st December, 2022 in accordance with the social cash transfer guidelines

Speaking when she gave a Ministerial statement in Parliament today, Ms Mwamba explained that 646,882 beneficiaries accounts for female headed households,129,100 for households with persons with disabilities while 162,715 is for elderly persons.

The Minister further informed the house that chronically ill and those on palliative care accounts for 31,194, while 3,432 is for child headed households adding that payment of transfers has been predictable and regular as evidenced by payments which are up to date.

“Payments for the months of May and June are currently underway in every district and are expected to be concluded by this Friday, 1st July, 2022. This is important to ensure that household incomes are stable to assist beneficiaries in meeting their immediate needs, invest in assets and avoid negative coping strategies” she said.

She said government has since automated the payment system through the development of the Zambia integrated social protection information system (ZISPIS), which is a gateway for data management and electronic payment system to enhance administration, planning, coordination, transparency and accountability in the management of the social cash transfer programme.

The ZISPIS is also aimed at improving efficiency as well as to ensure real time tracking of resources in order to reach the intended vulnerable households and also provides users with timely, accurate, consistent, complete and relevant information for enhanced decision making.

“The ZISPIS has been piloted in Kitwe and Namwala districts to pay beneficiaries for the January/February and the March/April 2022 payment cycles. In addition, payment of transfers to beneficiaries in the other districts have been processed using the ZISPIS” Ms Mwamba further informed parliament.

Meanwhile, the Ministry has continued to implement the grievance management system, a mechanism that allows community members and other stakeholders channel their complaints relating to the social cash transfer programme and receive timely feedback.

And the Minister further informed Parliament that the Ministry has started the process of revamping the functional literacy programs which aim to improve the literacy levels among the beneficiaries.

The Minister therefore urged all members of Parliament to take time to familiarize themselves with the guidelines which are available in all district offices as well as sensitize their constituencies on the programme.

GENDER VIOLENCE: The Cruelty Of Gender Based Violence In The Eyes Of A South African Woman

“I lost my father at 18 my mother at 19. Lost my son at 30 then my daughter at 33 and I also lost my looks. ‘Yes I was burnt by my baby daddy, yes he killed my daughter; yes he took away my career but above all I choose to rise.

My name is Thembi Maphanga, in 2006 I fell in love with a guy whom we had so much in common and we planned our future together. In 2008 God blessed us with twins, a boy and a girl. Unfortunately, I lost my boy at birth but my daughter survived. We named her Kamogetso. It became very tough and devastating after I lost my boy as a first-time mother. I had to be strong for my daughter who was at the time incubated. I had to bury my son while the other one was in the incubator. My boyfriend, the baby daddy, was still there and very supportive. We went through the loss of our son together.

After a year I started experiencing a problem with my boyfriend. He was abusing me verbally and I would get “impama” (slap) once in a while. I thought that this was just one of those problems that many people that are in relationships come across and that he would soon calm down but instead he continued to abuse me. He threatened to leave me and my child.

On the 12th of March 2010, my friend had a birthday celebration. I was helping with catering so I didn’t want to leave early but he wanted us to leave. As I refused, he dragged me in front of everyone but fortunately people intervened and eventually he left, alone.

When I finally went home, he wasn’t there. He only came back the following morning. He came home and expressed his dissatisfaction with how I had handled the situation.

He then told me he had come to take all his belongings and was moving out. I was so angry that I couldn’t even pay attention to him.

He started moving around the house packing all his stuff. He then came to me after he was done packing, saying we needed to talk in the bedroom. Our daughter came to join us, he then locked the door. He was so agitated that he kept on pacing up and down but still I wasn’t paying attention. He picked up a bottle and I still didn’t pay attention. It was until he threw it on me that I realised what was happening. We started fighting for the matches. That fight felt like a lifetime until he overpowered me and finally managed to strike it. He jumped out through the window, leaving my daughter and me in there to die. My daughter inhaled all that smoke. I also jumped through a window to a tap but not so much I could do because the fire was all over my body until we were rescued by our neighbors.

I woke up in hospital three months later. I was told my daughter had passed two days after the incident due to the severe amount of smoke she inhaled and I could not attend her funeral as I was in a critical condition in hospital. I was hospitalised for six months, that was when South Africa was hosting the Soccer World Cup in 2010. I went through all that trauma while the streets were buzzing with celebration of the soccer World cup.

I spent an entire year at the Mill park hospital being rehabilitated, then I was discharged in 2011. I had to face the world with the new look, I had to accept myself too. I had suffered third-degree burns and 80 percent of my body was burned. After that scenario I felt defeated and invisible. God started directing me because the route I was taking was all new to me, I knew nothing about it. I looked different, asked myself who I was, it was a very tough journey of rediscovering myself but I trusted in God.

My perpetrator was jailed. I went to visit him and I FORGAVE him though he never told me the reasons for his deeds. In 2018 after he was released from jail and a few months later he passed away. I was not happy about the news. Seeking vengeance is never good for anyone at all and it creates this ticking bomb that might just explode anytime.

MAKE PEACE & FORGIVE. ACCEPT WHAT YOU CAN’T CHANGE AND LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST.

Credit:Best Welleh Garlo

Kellys Kaunda

PRESIDENT HAKAINDE HICHILEMA MUST REPLACE THE ENTIRE STATE HOUSE MEDIA TEAM

The Watchdog, run by some members of the President’s media team has taken my article this morning out of context. The lamentations regarding staff turnover after the change of government was made by UPND members on a panel that included Dr. Munshya, who is now High Commissioner-designate to Australia.

Deceitfully, the State House media team left out this fact, typical of how they always covered stories even when they were in the opposition. This line of media communication will not cut it now that you are in State House.

So far, you have lamentably let down President Hakainde Hichilema and the country at large. Responding to my article doesn’t come anywhere nearer what is expected of you. You may hoodwink a few people around you but not any communicator worth his salt.

Here is how you have lamentably failed President Hakainde Hichilema.

When he announced his cabinet along with new ministries, some of which include the Green Economy, did any of you lay out any strategic communication plan to unpack the concept of a green economy and how it is related to climate change policies?

When the President made his inaugural speech to the UN General Assembly, did any of you even realize that the man was outlining his foreign policy objectives by rolling out a communication strategy to this effect?

The President set up a public/private dialogue forum, did any of you communicators at State House demonstrate how big this development was in policy formulation and implementation or business/state relations and their relevance to national development?

The President makes one of the most important speeches of his career before the EU parliament, did you demonstrate any knowledge of what that speech meant and how it should be received?

The President has touted the increase in CDF as a major development in Zambia, has any of you media team members demonstrated any knowledge regarding public policy implementation and how this may be communicated to secure a public understanding of what it means?

I can go on and on. This President is way beyond your paygrade. You have scammed the man into believing that you are the right people for the job. Yes, I have the right to be angry because, I alone, can handle the job you have lamentably failed. And believe you me, should this President offer me to run the State House media team, I will accept because I owe it to the Zambian people.

The man you are serving ran an empire in the private sector where merit was the currency of trade. If you think he is not going to realise that his media team is a scam, you are out of your minds. If he chooses to keep you, he has no one except himself to blame should Zambians continue to misperceive his moves.

Why aren’t we millionaires?
By Fisho Mwale
Last week I was ecstatic and proud . A brother of mine from SA sent me an article about a certain James Ndambo, a Zambian multi millionaire( in dollar terms) who is setting up a VIP Executive Jet company. I felt my chest swell with pride because James is a brother of mine . James is one of the most astute businessmen I’ve come across. But his most disarming virtues is his simplicity, his humility and generosity. James’s success in business rests on his ability to rebound from setbacks and embrace the most audacious business challenges and environments. When James was frustrated and harassed in his own country he moved to South Africa where he became a successful entrepreneur. Inspite of vicious Xenophobia. When I migrated to South Africa as “an economic refugee” James took me in and organized my papers as he has done unconditionally for many Zambians.

James decided to conquer DRC when it had a very difficult political and economic environment. He introduced digitalized Customs clearance. He has become one of the most successful businessmen in DRC and Africa.
James tried to do the same in his home country , but because he is Zambian we killed his dream and decided to give the same business to those who are lighter than us, it’s a Zambian thing.

When therefore I received another call from a Chairman of a big public listed company in the UK who asked if I could introduce him to my brother James Ndambo in Kinshasa because he was such an important man in DRC I gushed with pride as a Zambian and someone who knows such a successful home boy.
The question: Would James have succeeded if he had stayed in Zambia?

The Answer: No
The Reason : James would have succeeded but not to the same extent. He could have been a millionaire but not a multi millionaire because our environment and culture is hard and belligerent on our own. We create more conducive preferential conditions for “bazungus” than ourselves. A foreigner is easier seen or met or listened to than a Zambian entrepreneur. It’s a mindset thing. A Zambian in his own country has to work 5 times as hard to be recognized. A simple business example a Zambian running a first class restaurant will hardly get muzungu clients but a muzungu restaurant with even lower standards will be fulu fulu with muzungus and Zambians . For instance check out Rocky Sombe’s CAPELLOS at Lewanika Mall in Woodlands, it’s first class but no Muzungu. We are our own enemies. We still consider having a million dollars as exotic, a miracle or let alone criminal and the reason is because we DO NOT THINK BIG like James Ndambo .
James Ndambo has now set up an airline . The Zambian government has been trying to set up an Airline for the past 5 years . Who is a hero?

The lesson is that as HH said this is now an era for Zambians First. We must allow our own Zambians to built capacity in fuel procurement, in construction , in Farming, in Renewable energy , in financial services , in Real estate development etc. Don’t condemn but encourage don’t pull down but build and those who succeed we must recognize them for making us proud . A Big up to you James Ndambo my own brother.

To the young entrepreneur James Ndambo is your icon. Emulate his resilience , his focus and ability to embrace change and technology but importantly you live in a Global village without borders. If you are too far ahead of your society find one where you will be appreciated. Do not let small minds stop you from being Great.

MOST OF THE TAXIS INVOLVED IN ONLINE CAR-HAILING SERVICES NOT REGISTERED-TAYALI

LUSAKA, 28th June 2022 – GOVERNMENT through the Ministry of Transport and Logistics says it has no intentions to stifle youth innovations of the growth of small and medium business.
This came up as a response to a question by the Member of Parliament for Kantanshi Parliamentary Constituency Honourable ANTHONY MUMBA.

Hon. MUMBA wanted to know;
(a). Whether the Government is aware that compelling online car-hailing services to register with Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) is stiffing youth innovation and hindering the growth of small and medium businesses;
(b). If so, what measures are being taken to ensure that online car hailing services are not adversely affected by the registration process; and
(c). What measures are being taken to enhance electronic communication technology innovations in the transport sector.
In response, Hon. TAYALI said Government’s interest is to ensure that the online car-hailing services operate under a well-defined regulatory framework which is backed by law.

He said the existing regulatory framework was designed for conventional taxi operations and not online ride-hailing operations.
The Minister said applying such regulatory framework to online car-hailing operations has proved a challenge as most of the vehicles registered on the Online Applications may fall off if the law is to be applied strictly.

Further, Hon. TAYALI said Government is undertaking all the necessary consultations with all relevant stakeholders and is in the process of issuing tailor-made regulations to accommodate the operations of online car-hailing operators in Zambia while at the same time ensuring that appropriate taxes are paid to Government.

He said Government will issue Statutory Instruments (SI) that will address these matters.
The Minister also noted that Government will not put a deadline to the consultative process in order to do it right, but will therefore, allow online car-hailing services to continue operating under the status quo until the regulations are issued.
Hon. TAYALI also said Government is cognizant of the role that technologies play in facilitating business development and growth.
He said Government has and will continue to put in place policies and legislation that embrace the use of the Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) in the transport and logistics sector.

The Minister added that Government is in the process of revising the ICT Policy of 2006 and developing the Digital Transformation Strategy and the National Logistics Strategy which imbed the use of ICTs in service delivery.

Issued by:
Original Signed.
NDUBI R. MVULA
PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER

Kellys Kaunda

STAFF TURNOVER WITH THE CHANGE OF GOVERNMENT

Speakers expressed concern at the turnover of staff at home and in foreign missions with the change of each government and the justification thereof.

If you must know, from UNIP to UPND, the narrative has always been the same: they all claim that they are professionalizing the public/civil service. No, it’s just a way in which politicians flex their muscles and give jobs to whoever they want to reward. Do not be hoodwinked into believing that there is anything of substance they want to address – that is being naïve.

WILL STAFF TURNOVER STOP WITH HH?

No, this cancer is way too advanced for any politician to do anything about it. You can rest assured that anyone who has gone and going now into government – at home or into foreign service, is coming back with the change of government.

ARE APPOINTMENTS NOW BEING MADE ON MERIT UNLIKE IN THE PAST?

That is a typical arrogant statement made by every appointing authority in this country. Politicians, supported by their sympathizers, want to claim the technical ability to define what merit means. The truth is that most people that lose their jobs with the change of each government deserve to remain in their positions. While in government, I was privy to the qualifications and competencies of my colleagues. Without exception, everyone recalled was very qualified for the jobs they held. Therefore, they won’t find it difficult to find jobs in other countries or the private sector.

CADREISM

Everyone being appointed by UPND, like their predecessors, is labeled a cadre, a pejorative term intended to look down upon the person even if the dictionary definition of the term simply refers to a professional or technocrat. Once labeled this way, you are marked and become politically vulnerable.

IS HH REALLY THE NEW DAWN?

Party supporters and sympathizers of the UPND really believe that there is a new dawn in Zambia. First, it is not a new dawn just because someone says that. At best, this is a mere political slogan like the hour has come. If you really want this to be a new dawn (and I would like it to be), educate yourself in matters of public affairs and provide HH with checks and balances every step of the way. This business of believing that Bally will fix it, will inevitably lead into unnecessary political heartbreaks.

Believe you me, President Hichilema does not know all there is to be known about fixing this country’s problems. So, do yourselves a favor: stop being a cheerleader and assume in your hands the destiny of this country.

NOT TRUE THAT NEW GOVT HAS SHIFTED THE ACC TO STATE HOUSE. IT HAS NOT BEEN SHIFTED TO THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT, RATHER IT HAS BEEN THERE EVEN UNDER THE ECL REGIME FROM 2016

THE impression being created that the new dawn government has shifted the Anti-corruption from unknown office to the office of the President and State House to be specific is false and to large extent political malice.

Gazette No 836 of 2016 placed the *Anti-corruption Commission, Anti-finnacial and Economic Crimes Commission, CSC, HRC, JSC, LGSC, TSC, ZCSC, ZPSC, ZSIS under the Office of the President.

Clearly, under the revoked Gazette Notice No. 836 of 2016 to pave way for the new Gazette Notice No 1123 of 2021, the office of the President housed the Anti-Corruption Commission and other agencies above outlined.

In essence, the office of the President had the following statutory bodies under its charge under the Gazette Notice No 836 of 2016

Anti-corruption Commission, Anti-finnacial and Economic Crimes Commission, CSC, HRC, JSC, LGSC, TSC, ZCSC, ZPSC, ZSIS among others.

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) and elections still remain in the Office of the Vice-President even under the new Gazzette Notice No. 1123 of 2021 but reporting to the President since the Electoral Commission of Zambia Act mandates it to do so.

The Honors and Awards which was housed under the Office of the President under the old Gazette Notice No 836 of 2016 has now been shifted to the Office of the Vice President.

So before people are mislead others and accused the President HH and his Govt of shifting the ACC to his office with a narrative that he wants to control the ACC, i thought, as a governance guru, put the records very straight like a Lozi man’s unironed jacket.

The truth is that ACC from 2016 has been housed in the office of the President.

What we need is to find a smart way of making these institutions independent by devising a transparent way of identifying, recruiting, ratifying and terminating people heading these offices.

I submit

McDonald Chipenzi

A 20 year-old man held a goodbye barbecue party after agreeing to end his life by assisted suicide due to his deteriorating health condition.

Eric Coulan, from Fort St John in British Columbia, Canada held the farewell party last month and will now die on his own terms after a blockage in his intestines doctors couldn’t diagnose ruptured in 2020 and gave him sepsis.

Compared to 2020, Couland is now a pale shadow of the bright young mechanic he once was.

Coulan spent much of his childhood taking medication for abdominal pain which caused him severe discomfort.

But despite trying seven different hospitals across Canada, doctors were unable to diagnose him, beyond saying he had suffered a blockage.

The issue reached the climax years ago when Coulan became so sick that he had emergency surgery to remove part of his lower intestine.

During the surgery the surgeons couldn’t locate a blockade in the intestine which ruptured causing sepsis and since then his life has only depreciated.

He even carries a colostomy bag around with him and will now use Canada’s Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) law to end his life painlessly by taking drugs administered by a doctor or nurse.

Speaking to CJDC: ‘There’ll be an end to suffering. I suffer all day long. I’ve been in a four walled room for a very long time and I’ve just had enough.’

He recalled: ‘I went in to emergency and got a bed right away and that night (it) ruptured and (I) got put in a coma for I can’t remember how long.’

After coming around, Coulan was told the only hope of a possible recovery was to have six organ transplants – which medics claimed had never been attempted before.

Even then, doctors warned there was only a 50 per cent chance of recovery, Coulan said. They have not been able to give him a prognosis for how long he might survive in his current condition, but Coulan said life is too painful to endure.

He held a farewell barbecue on May 22, but has yet to decide when he’ll kill himself

Coulan explained: ‘I will go when I am ready. It is not when I am sick. It is not when they pull my medications. It is when I am ready.’

Canada’s Medical Assistance In Dying (MAID) law was enacted in 2016 to offer adults suffering severe illness help to die painlessly.

Participants must be over 18 and live in Canada. They must be suffering from a grievous and irremediable medical condition which is severe and cannot be reversed.

Patients must give informed consent of their decision, and it must be independently witnessed.

The Supreme Court’s decision which officially overturned Roe v. Wade, declaring that Americans no longer have a constitutional right to abortion, has led to a huge spike in demand for birth control, emergency contraception, and abortion pills.

According to Daily Mail, women and parents have been stockpiling options over fears they might not be able to have access to family planning resources.

Some clinics have reported a fourfold increase in appointments, with nonprofit organization Just the Pill handling 100 requests in the hours after the decision.

Katie Thomas, 42, said she purchased pills for her 16-year-old daughter after learning that abortion would become illegal in the state.

She told The New York Times: ‘Just the thought of something happening to my daughter, whether by force or by her choice, and there’s an unwanted pregnancy, I want to be able to handle that.

‘If I need to handle that on my own, then I will.’

She said she had already been stocking up on the emergency contraceptive Plan B in case her son, 21, and his girlfriend would ever need it, and she bought more on Friday.

Lauren Frazier, a spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood Southeast in Atlanta, said calls have increased about concerned women wanting to know how many pills they can stockpile.

Hey Jane, a start-up providing telemedicine abortions across six states, said website traffic soared 1,000 percent on Friday and patient demand doubled after the court decision.

It is expected that abortion pills will become the focus of many legal battles in the states to outlaw abortion.

So far, 13 states have already imposed new laws, with Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Missouri completely banning them with no exceptions for rape or incest.

In a statement on its website, Just The Pill said it is ‘undaunted by the Supreme Court decision and will continue to bring care to the people who most need it. We are here for you.

‘You can still get care from us in Minnesota, Montana, Wyoming and Colorado. Let us know if you need help with travel arrangements and costs.’

Medical abortion is still authorized by the Food and Drug Administration for the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. It requires a woman takes two drugs 24 to 48 hours apart to cause contractions similar to a miscarriage which expels the fetus, causing heavy bleeding.

A CBS poll released on Sunday showed that majority – 59 percent – of Americans and 67 percent of women disapproved of the court’s ruling, which has since sparked protests in several cities.

Johnny Depp is reportedly set ‘to return’ to Pirates of the Caribbean and is in talks with Disney about a ‘$300 million deal’ after his defamation trial win against Amber Heard

Depp, the major lead in five Pirates movies over the past 15 years, was dropped from the franchise in 2018 after the release of Dead Men Tell No Tales.

But a source told Poptopic that the actor, 59, has been in talks with Disney about a ‘$300 million deal’ after winning his defamation trial again Amber Heard.

The insider revealed that Disney are interested in patching the relationship up with Depp and have recently reached out to him.

They said: ‘They reached out to the actor prior to his defamation trial against Amber Heard and asked whether he would be interested in returning for another pirate film or two.

The source added that another project is in the works for Disney Plus. They said: ‘The deal is reportedly for Johnny Depp to return as Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean 6 and a spin-off Disney Plus series about the early life of the Captain of The Black Pearl.’

They continued: ‘What I can tell you is that the studio has already penned up a draft for a film about Jack Sparrow so they are very hopeful that Johnny will forgive them and return as his iconic character.’

The source said that the media house is working on a ‘$301 million deal’ to coax Depp back soon and are also reportedly adding a ‘sizeable donation’ to a charity of Depp’s choice as a gesture of goodwill.

The Edward Scissorhands star previously told the jury he would not work with Disney again after he was scrubbed from the sixth Pirates movie.

His legal team claims Depp lost out on a $22 million payday after Heard published her Washington Post op-ed in 2018 that didn’t identify Depp, but clearly branded him as a domestic abuser.

Depp said he felt as if he was ‘guilty until proven innocent.’

The actor sued Heard over the op-ed she wrote, describing herself as ‘a public figure representing domestic abuse.’

The jury found in Depp’s favor on all three of his claims relating to specific statements in the 2018 piece.

The jury found Depp should receive $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages, but the judge reduced the punitive damages award to $350,000 under a state cap.

Heard has said she plans to appeal the verdict as she teeters on the brink of bankruptcy.

A source close to the Aquaman star claimed the 36-year-old actress was ‘broke’ that she ‘considers her career in Hollywood over’ and ‘has nothing to lose’ following a disastrous few months.

Heard admitted through her lawyer that she cannot afford the $8.3 million in damages awarded to Depp.

Lawyers for Johnny Depp and Amber Heard have now failed to reach a last-minute agreement that might have seen the damages the actress owed to her former husband be reduced, following their six-week defamation trial which ended earlier this month.

Instead, the judge in the trial made the jury’s award official on Friday with a written order for Heard to pay Depp $10.35 million for damaging his reputation by describing herself as a domestic abuse victim in an op-ed piece she wrote.

Judge Penney Azcarate finalized the verdict as she entered a judgment order into the court record after a brief hearing in Fairfax County Circuit Court. Neither Depp nor Heard were present.

She also ordered Depp to pay Heard $2 million, the jury’s award on her counterclaim that Heard was defamed by one of Depp’s lawyers.

Attorneys for both Depp and Heard were unable to reach a last-minute settlement which now means there may be a costly and lengthy appeals process.

In three weeks, the case will move to the Court of Appeals of Virginia during which time both parties will have 30 days to file a notice of appeal.

(Celebration time) The Republican President Hakainde Hichilema. Twamilombela ichi Suma kuli Lesa . By Kings Malembe Malembe

Welcome to the champions league!!!

As MMF family today we celebrate our champions league coach and manager HH7

They say the foolish look but the wise observe. I have heard people say Bally wakaso,tapela,tasowela and so forth, the list goes on.
I know these words are expected especially from a society that is sadly accustomed to donations and always receiving. Boss tulishenimo,tuchekelenimi this has been the culture created over the years and we have been reduced to a society solely dependant on begging. In fact nefyama donations as members of Parliament and ministers just remove them. Let the money be in the systems like CDF.
Friends! personally, I have observed the shift and change of mindsets of late were people have gone back to work, as evident with the culture the President is trying to inculcate in us.
Note that, always giving a poor man gifts only solves the problem short term and blocks his ability to think and work hard in the long term for he does not need money but ideas.

Congratulations to you Mr President for showing us the way.

Friends! There is no pride in begging. Be it international begging or local.
The we can do it our selves is the way to go friends.

How do we enter the championships league *the big leagues* with a begging mentality? The big leagues are for hard workers…
Government:
= We also celebrate your leadership and your no *carderism* policy. I know there are people who might say it’s just for show and for a while. My word to you Sir, is that fake it till it becomes real and continue showing leadership by constant communication . Even God only managed to take the Israelites to the promised land through the constant and effective communication.

“A closed mouth is a closed destiny “they say.

Imagine today I Kings Malembe Malembe being able to have a show in a government building freely without being disturbed, harassed nor being not able to get a venue due to the powers exercised by an invisible hand.

Mr President we are grateful for the peaceful environment you are creating for every Zambian even for us who did not vote for you and known to be affiliated with the former regime. This is truly the definition of leadership.
Government:
3. We celebrate you for keeping the peace despite you losing all those times you did. You went back to campaigning and not resorting to getting power through guns and throwing stones as witnessed in some other countries were the loosing parties have chosen violence and thus causing division and the disrupting the peace of the people.

OUR CELEBRATION IS BASED ON THE OBSERVATION AT A DISTANCE AND AS PATROTS. IT IS NOT FOR JOINING THE PRAISE TEAM, NO! THE WIN OF THE PRESIDENT, IS THE WIN FOR ALL OF US AND SO HIS FAILURES.

As MM family twamilombela ichisuma kuli *Lesa

MY ENCOUNTER WITH COLLINS NZOVU

By Chibamba Kanyama

I was privileged to be part of the Government-Public and Private sector delegation to Helsinki, Finland recently. Bridges limited was supported by the Finish Government via AGS.

The Hon Minister of Green Economy and Environment Mr Collins Njovu led the delegation. He was the 10th Minister under the new regime with whom I have had close encounters, lasting several hours through which I provided my honest assessments on a number of issues.

Being with Mr. Nzovu for a week,
residing in same hotel, riding in same bus every day, having joint meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner); holding preparatory meetings daily -gave me some useful insights about the calibre of these ministers. Some of these insights are worth sharing.

I appreciated the way the Minister managed the whole assignment/mission in Finland; gave it utmost seriousness to the extent those of us from the private sector felt the intensity of engagement. We had early preparatory meetings where he expected all of us to be on time; further requiring from each one of us to state our objectives for the day and possible take-aways. He demanded that we all got to all appointments on time (we were apparently NEVER late to any of those back-to-back meetings; even those out of town). The way he engaged intellectually and diplomatically at every meeting, most of them involving Finish Ministers was top notch (Between 2006 and 2013,
I accompanied ministers on aimilar missions; and I found this one to be at another level). Above all, the kind of leadership the Minister provided to the whole team was an indication government is not treating these foreign trips to be ‘business as usual’.

Interestingly, my learnings from my experience with Mr. Nzovu is what I found with nearly all the other ministers I have so far engaged (I am yet to meet a few more out of their own request). The Ministers are highly focused on getting value for the country from every engagement. My view is that the ministers have been overshadowed by the strong personality of President Hakainde Hichilema but they take after him in the way they remain focused on issues and how they articulate them. I have, as a consequence, understood for the first time why it took the President quite long to put his cabinet together. Given another one year, the country will begin to fully understand the calibre of these ministers.

I remain happy that I am not part of the system but consulted from time to time to render my independent advice on a number of issues. As long as these officials remain focused on issues of national interest, I pledge my support, even if provided by way of constructive criticism. May God bless them.

Chibamba Kanyama.

PLANS TO ESTABLISH ZAMBIA NATIONAL DEFENCE UNIVERSITY STILL UNDERWAY

Zambia Army Commander Lieutenant General Sitali Dennis Alibuzwi has revealed that plans to establish the Zambia National Defence University are still underway. He said the Zimbabwe National Defence University will be one of the institutions that is scheduled to be benchmarked during the process of establishing the University.

General Alibuzwi was speaking today at Army Headquarters in Lusaka when he received a delegation from the Zimbabwe National Defence University who are in the country on a study tour.

He said that the process to establish the Zambia National Defence University had faced some challenges in the past, but that the challenges were being addressed.

“The process has been slow; but with a number of (Zambian) Officers you have trained from your college there, we will be able to make it,” General Alibuzwi said.

He said Zambia and Zimbabwe enjoy strong bilateral and historical ties that date back to pre-colonial period. He added that the Zambia Defence Force cherishes the cordial relationship it enjoys with the Zimbabwe Defence Force.

“I am certain that the study tour of Zambia will foster our relationship so that we can explore more areas of military co-operation based on mutual understanding of our needs,” General Alibuzwi told the Zimbabwean delegation.

He pointed out that a number of Zambia Defence Force Officers have trained in Zimbabwe at strategic and operational levels of warfare. He hoped that training exchange programmes between Zambia and Zimbabwe will grow from strength to strength in the quest to prepare Senior Officers for higher responsibility in the Security Sector as well as Public Policy Affairs.

And the Zimbabwe National Defence University Commandant, Air Vice Marshal Michael Moyo said Zimbabwe cherishes the relationship it has with Zambia. He said the bond between Zambia and Zimbabwe is very strong, and is highly cherished by both countries.

He said Zambia shed blood for the liberation of Zimbabwe, and that the bond between the two countries will forever be cherished.

Meanwhile, Malawi Defence Force has thanked the Zambia Defence Force for helping it establish its Defence Command and Staff College.

Speaking at Army Headquarters today when he paid a courtesy call on Zambia Army Commander, Malawi Defence Command and Staff College Commandant Brigadier General Luke Mwetseni Yetala said Zambia has experience in running a Defence Command and Staff College, and that it is one of the countries Malawi is relying upon to share its expertise.

And Zambia Army Commander Lieutenant General Sitali Dennis Alibuzwi assured the Malawi Defence Command and staff College Commandant that the Zambia Army will render every possible support to help in developing the College.

Credit: Zambia Army

State Counsel (SC)
By Dickson Jere

President Hakainde Hichilema has today conferred the Rank and Dignity of State Counsel (SC) on Justice Minister Mulambo Haimbe and therefore took Oath of Office at a swearing-in ceremony at State House. This is just a second step in becoming State Counsel – the Minister will now await for a Call-Day to be admitted to the Inner Bar by the Chief Justice to complete the process. Congratulations are in order to my friend Hon. Haimbe for taking what we call “Silk” in legal parlance. He will henceforth be required to wear Silk gowns and long ceremonial wigs! His legal fees, when he goes back in private practice, will be higher than the rest! More money in his pocket.
It is an well deserved achievement!

The law – Legal Practitioners Act – permits the President of Zambia to appoint not more than three State Counsel every year. Those intending to be State Counsel apply and there is a process of vetting which includes the Law Association of Zambia and the judiciary. Ideally p, candidate must be someone who has distinguished himself in the practice of law.

However, the law also provides that certain office holders should be conferred with the rank and dignity of State Counsel. These are Attorney-General, Solicitor-General and Director of Public Prosecutions. Before the law changed, holders of these offices were never entitled by right to be SC – that is one Chilupe who served as Attorney-General under the Frederick Chiluba government was never SC. Debate abound whether this should be continued or not but suffice to note that Attorney General is leader of the Bar and therefore makes sense for office holder to be SC.

By convention , only litigation lawyers have ended up being conferred with the the SC title. This has triggered debate as to whether an accomplished legal scholar – without Courtroom experience – should also be entitled to be admitted as State Counsel. We have renowned lawyers such as Muna Ndulo who has taught so many and his books are must read for every law student at undergraduate. Should such be entitled to be State Counsel? What about those who have practiced law in-house as corporate lawyers or indeed company secretaries and have contributed to the growth of law and jurisprudence in Zambia?

You see, State Counsel is senior most position within the legal fraternity. It takes precedence over the other lawyers and you are accorded the highest respect – and State Counsel cannot appear alone but with junior counsel as part of mentorship. So what happens when a State Counsel is appointed Puisne Judge? Should they carry the title? Judiciary hierarchy of precedence is different from lawyers. Whilst lawyers follow State Counsel and number of years at the Bar, the judiciary follow seniority of the Court. Simply, a judge State Counsel in the High Court is junior to a Judge non-State Counsel in the Supreme Court.

Back to Haimbe.
It appears precedence is being created by convention that a lawyer minister of Justice should also be State Counsel. This was started in the PF administration when Justice Minsters Wynter Kabimba, SC and Dr. Ngosa Simbyakuka, SC were conferred the title of SC. It makes sense from the point of view that Minister is “first among equals” in the ministry and therefore cannot be boss of two State Counsel when he is also senior lawyer!
Congratulations to the newest Silk in town Hon. Mulambe Haimbe, SC, MP

LET US CELEBRATE JAMES NDAMBOS OF THIS WORLD

“He is a philanthropist that loves his country”

By Correspondent

We must celebrate our own successful entrepreneurs unconditionally. In the next few days all roads lead to Choma for an event whose magnitude has never been seen before. At least 3000 people of extraordinary means and backgrounds will converge to party , celebrate and spend. The economy of Choma will definitely benefit from the high intensity tourist event. The focal point of this event will be one James Ndambo .

This name has been reverberating in our ears for the past few months and will reach a crescendo as the main event unfolds probably to hysterical proportions. Therein lies the danger for James Ndambo . Our society does not easily embrace success or good works without suspicion.

Questions abound….
How did he make his money?
Why is he doing this?
Does he want to be President?
Is he a Satanist?
Is he Zambian?
Who is his sponsor?

In the next few months James Ndambo will be vilified and not praised or applauded.

The worst backlash will be from politicians and pseudo praise singers who will see in James Ndambo a person flaunting his wealth to shame others who claim to be millionaires and have not provided any meaningful developments in their villages or towns where they come from.

From the time James Ndambo became a businessman 30 years ago, he has built clinics. Hospitals, schools, roads, Churches. He has helped individuals with medical bills, he has helped widows and orphans . He has helped fellow entrepreneurs in trouble. James has not only done this in Zambia but wherever he has been. In English he is called a Philanthropist .

James is now a marked man in our society because his good deeds makes others look like talkers and just people who show off. James has shown us that no matter how much money you make or cattle you have you can only eat so much, you can only drive one car at a time , you can only live in one house at a time but you can share your wealth and uplift others so that you receive more blessings.

Let us celebrate James and many others out there who are successful .

Zamtel up for sale, foreign equity partner found A senior official at state run telecoms firm Zamtel has revealed that government has put the company up for sale.

Acting Zamtel Chief Executive Officer Joshua Malupenga told a special virtual staff meeting last week that government has already found an equity partner to run the company.

Mr. Malupenga did not disclose the name or origin of the equity partner but stated that it was a foreign firm.

The meeting was held two days after Science and Technology Minister Felix Mutati revealed during a tour of Zamtel House that the entity was loss making and that government had no intentions of recapitalising the company.

A source who attended the meeting explained that the meeting was convened to brief workers and explain the implications of Mr. Mutati’s statement.

“The meeting was cordial but tense. The Acting CEO went straight into subject and told us that a decision had already been taken and we have to be ready for the changes that will come with the new equity partner. Job losses are inevitable,” the source said.

The source revealed that according to Mr. Malupenga, government wants the new equity partner to come in before the August first anniversary of its reign.

“The target is August, they want the process quickened because Zamtel is making losses and is now a burden,” the source added.

Mutati recently disclosed that Zamtel is a loss-making venture with about 90 percent of its revenue being utilized for administrative expenses.

Mr Mutati said government will however, not recapitalize Zamtel because it has other priorities it intends to spend its resources such as funding the teacher and health-workers recruitment, Constituency Development Fund and youth empowerment.

Mr Mutati said estimates show that Zamtel currently needs a sum of US$265 million in order to survive as a company by way of investing in its co-networks, infrastructure and other business support services.

Mr Mutati said this is in exception of a staggering debt of around K3 billion and the over $500 million owed to Lapgreen, without taking into account other liabilities.

He said Zamtel as a company has a deficit on working capital of around K1 billion with its balance sheet unable to support programs such as maintenance of current infrastructure, expansion and modernization, a key issue requiring to be addressed urgently.

Mr Mutati said no matter how well-written a letter requesting funding may be, government is unable to finance Zamtel because there is no resource envelope at Ministry of Finance.

He said Zamtel now needs to find an answer to its insolvency beginning with where it will find the $265 million required for survival.

He said the Minister of Finance has his hands tied for him to begin financing Zamtel’s operations as he has to deliver value to the people.

“If it means we need to cut some limbs in order to save the life of Zamtel, so be it because that is where the solution for Zamtel lies. Let’s not take it as an easy conversation” the minister told Zamtel Acting Managing Director Joshua Malupenga.

Television host and actor, Nick Cannon has said that he has “failed miserably” at monogamy.

41-year-old Cannon who spoke to Shelley Wade of New York City radio station 94.7 The Block, admitted he hasn’t always been faithful but is hopeful he will settle down eventually.

The rapper who is expecting a baby with model Bre Tiesi and is rumoured to have another one on the way with Abby De La Rosa, the mother of his youngest twins said;

“I’ve failed miserably so many times at monogamy and relationships.

“But God ain’t done with me. We’re gonna figure it out.”

Wade pressed Cannon to elaborate on what the “deciding factor” would be in returning to the altar, quipping, “because you don’t have a problem getting women, for sure.”

Responding to Wade’s follow-up query, Cannon joked, “I’ve probably had a few mid-life crises.”

He added;

“I’m liking the man that I’m growing into. And I feel like [I’d marry] someone who will understand me and can stand by me … where they’re weak, you’re strong.

“And if I can ever find somebody who knows how to hold me down through all my madness, through all my chaos and toxicity, that’s probably somebody I could rock with for life.”

There’s an impressive range of names that crop up in Cannon’s storied romantic entanglements; from his relationship with Christina Milian in the early- to mid-aughts, to a brief fling with none other than Kim Kardashian in 2006, to a whirlwind romance with Mariah Carey in 2008 that quickly escalated into nuptials that same year.

His marriage with the “Fantasy” singer, 52, is his only one to date. In 2011, the now-ex-couple welcomed fraternal twins Monroe and Moroccan.

Since finalizing his divorce with Carey in 2016, however, Cannon has apparently taken to rapid-fire date-cycling through a series of various women — and has fathered numerous additional children.

The comedian shares children with model Brittany Bell (son Golden, 5, and daughter Powerful Queen, 1), and DJ Abby De La Rosa, 31 (9-month-old twins Zion Mixolydian and Zillion Heir). He also fathered a son with singer Alyssa Scott, 28, though the baby tragically died of brain cancer at just 5 months old.

Additionally, Cannon is also expecting with model Bre Tiesi, 31, and is rumored to be the father of another baby with De La Rosa, who recently announced she’s pregnant again.

Meadow Walker is sharing her own abortion story after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on Friday June 24.

Reacting to the ruling, the 23-year-old daughter of late actor Paul Walker revealed she had an abortion in 2020, at the onset of the pandemic.

Taking to her official social media handle, Meadow shared a lengthy letter to speak out against the decision that strips away women’s human rights of accessing safe abortion. Walker began by writing, ”Today marks a huge setback in history- a profound injustice to women across the United States. There are countless women who have struggled with making the decision to have an abortion.”

The 23-year-old candidly revealed that she got an abortion during the pandemic and fears that many women will now suffer the consequences of moving to another state to get an abortion. ”I too have battled with the choice but in 2020, when the world was collapsing during the pandemic, I sought an abortion.”

Adding that the decision was ‘personal and private’, Meadow further continued, ”I was lucky enough to have a great doctor who supported me through the debilitating process- with their help, I am able to be the happy and healthy person I am today. Now, knowing even more women won’t have the opportunity to seek safe termination and choose their bodies first is absolutely heartbreaking. In a world that constantly marginalizes females, this feels like the biggest assault of them all.”

Paul Walker?s daughter, Meadow reveals she had an abortion amid Roe v. Wade ruling

She concluded on a strong note resonating with thousands of people who are now protesting against the decision by writing, ”Banning abortion doesn’t prevent abortions, it prevents safe abortions.”

The model isn’t the only celebrity who has shared her abortion story after the Supreme Court’s decision.

Abortions have been legal in the United States for almost 50 years under the premise that it’s a person’s protected right to choose what to do with their body.

States now have the power to pass their own laws surrounding abortion, and Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri and South Dakota have already banned the procedure since the decision was announced two days ago.

Eliminating Political Opponents Through The Illusion Of Truth, The Case Of Dr. Chitalu Chilufya!

…as a report by a Parliamentary Committee confirms that the “Honeybee Scandal” was a hoax.

By Mpandashalo Mwewa.

Lusaka – 26th June, 2022.

A report by the Parliamentary Committee on health, community development and social services for the First Session of the Thirteenth National Assembly led by the UPND Member of Parliament for Lukulu East Constituency, Hon. Dr. Christopher Kalila, has stated that Government did not procure defective medical supplies.

The Committee toured selected pharmaceutical manufacturing companies and public health institutions in Lusaka, Central and Copperbelt Provinces in order to appreciate the challenges that the players in the industry were facing, as well as the quality and availability of medical supplies in public health institutions.

Arising from the tour and subsequent stakeholder meetings, the findings of the Committee, according to the report, indicate that:

“On the quality of medicine and medical supplies received, the stakeholders in the public health facilities visited informed the Committee that the medicine and medical supplies received were safe as the World Health Organisation and the Zambia Medicine Regulatory Authority had certified them fit for public consumption, save for the cotton wool received at Ndola Central Hospital, which was under quarantine.”

This is in stark contrast to unverified reports which were circulated by propaganda tabloids stating that the Ministry of Health had procured from Honeybee Pharmacy expired drugs, defective gloves and leaking condoms worth US$17m as the Committee reiterates that all the procured drugs and medical supplies were tested and certified to be safe.

Also Read: Zambia’s pharmacovigilance cannot permit procurement of expired drugs. Link: http://bit.ly/3HV3b6w

“Repeat a lie often enough and it becomes the truth”, is a law of propaganda. Among psychologists this is known as the “illusion of truth” effect. There was nothing truthful about this story and this write-up seeks to set records right.

The Honeybee scandal started with false allegations that Honeybee Pharmacy Limited (Honeybee) was paid USD$17,000,000. However, the contract was awarded based on good faith and trust because government, through the Ministry of Health (MoH), had no money. Honeybee took the financial burden for all the medical kits supplied to the Zambian government. It supplied 5,000 medical kits at a net worth of USD$3,990,700.

The MoH did not award such a contract to only Honeybee, it had awarded various contracts relating to the supply of health kits within the same emergency supply contract involving two other suppliers which were, Pharmanova and Artemis. These two entities failed to supply without upfront payment leading to the MOH later cancelling the two contracts.

Pharmanova’s contract was worth USD$3,554,100 and Artemis was valued at USD$14,139,450. Honeybee’s priority was the health and safety of their fellow Zambian citizens and provided the medical kits, yet, they were defamed and slandered in the media. Oddly enough, the Auditor General’s report did not mention the contracts awarded to the other two entities who had not supplied any medical kits.

It is evident that the omission was part of the scheme to mislead the nation into believing that Honeybee was single-sourced in a falsified $17m transaction that never happened, with Honeybee being used as a pony in a politically motivated arsenal directed at the former Minister of Health, Dr. Chitalu Chilufya, by his rivals within and outside the government.

Also Read: Honeybee Pharmacy Ltd’s response to malicious media and PAC allegations sponsored by business competitors. Link: http://bit.ly/2MOG7xV

This case could help President Hichilema clean up the compromised, and now, completely rotten backbone of the Law Enforcement Agencies. The nation now knows that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) was manipulated in Dr. Chitalu Chilufya’s case! And whoever manipulated the former ACC acting Director General, Rosemary Kuzwayo, to have Dr. Chitalu Chilufya tried in the court of public opinion, must have been powerful enough to have touched other oversight institutions in the similar manner.

Consequently, the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) and the Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) must be thoroughly investigated especially that in the recent past, they have made sensational headlines on falsified reports.

Just why would the News Diggers back unsubstantiated reports by ZABS and Zambia Medicines Regulations Agency (ZAMRA) when its mandate should compel it to question how ZABS tested supposedly defective products without testing equipment, so as to provide the public with verifiable objective content as per our journalism standards?

Also Read: Honeybee Scandal deepens as two ZABS employees who were forced to fake lab results resign. Link: http://bit.ly/2LeFjlH

As for ZABS, just what laboratory did it use in the Honeybee scandal, if any? I had earlier reported that Adeshwnar Meditex PVT. Ltd, one of the suppliers of Honeybee’s contents of the medical kits, questioned the veracity of ZAMRA’s statements on the tests conducted by ZABS.

“With respect to the subject mentioned, we are not in agreement with the allegations put by ZAMRA on the supplied Latex Examination Gloves, and we do not accept the two Test Reports issued by ZABS. In fact, we seriously doubt if Sampling Standards & Inspection protocols provided under ISO 11193:2008, have been followed at the time of conducting the Tests by ZABS. Our company is GMP, CE S& IS0 13485-2016 Certified, with Exports to more than 40 countries and an In House State of Art Laboratory. Our goods have to pass through the entire test Parameters mentioned under ISO 11193:2008 protocol before leaving our factory premises,” read Adeshwnar Meditex Pvt. Ltd. statement that has was availed to me when I was Eagle One – Zambia Editor In Chief.

There’s enough proof that politicians lack political will to outrightly curb the scourge or my investigation on the Honeybee scandal would have reached someone’s table. With a clearly defined unbiased political policy on the eradication of corruption, civil servants would be scared to engage in corruption activities.

The evidence on the table clearly shows that the “Honeybee Scandal” was a hoax that was aimed at:

1. Fixing Dr. Chitalu Chilufya who was widely seen as a potential replacement for the former Republican President Edgar Lungu owing to his efficient and effective handling of the pandemic. Of all the PF infights that we witnessed, this was the largest battle.
2. Discredit Honeybee Pharmacy thereby forcing the then Patriotic Front led government into canceling Honeybee’s contract with hopes of having the cancelled tender awarded to the pharmaceutical Cartel in Zambia.

Also Watch: Dr. Habasonda on Zambia’s former Health Minister, Dr. Chitalu Chilufya’s arrest. Link: http://fb.watch/dT99IxN9op/

But probably of great interest is reflecting on who has benefitted from fighting Dr. Chitalu Chilufya, extinguishing his political career by those who could not face him at the table of finding solutions to our various socio economic development challenges.

Now that the dust has settled, it’s time for Zambia to shift its attention to Dr. Chitalu Chilufya’s achievements in the health sector, the missing leadership that has now plunged the sector in a national health crisis. Politics should not be a self preservation tool but a vehicle for development.

Also Read: The Health Sector in Zambia will never be the same because of Dr. Chitalu Chilufya. He played a significant transformative role to the successes scored in the sector. Link: http://bit.ly/3QKAU6S

Source: Woodpecker’s Digest.

©2022 Eagle One Zambia, Inc.
Journalism for social change

NEVERS MUMBA TWO TERMS EXPIRES, HE IS AN ORDINARY MEMBER OF THE MMD

MMD loyalists want Nevers Mumba to step aside

By DOROTHY CHISI

MMD party loyalists say they want sweeping changes in the party’s top brass and have called on president Nevers Mumba to step aside.

Leader of Operation Save Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) Gunston Sichilima said plans for the party’s convention must be expedited and a new leader elected.

Mr Sichilima who was speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka yesterday alleged that Dr Mumba’s tenure expired on May 25, 2022 and no one should go round with the mantle of leader before the convention is held.
“ We are aware that Dr Nevers Mumba has been bragging during his meetings with party officials that the court cases which are currently running involving him and others on party leadership wrangles and the contempt of court are not going anywhere,” he said.

He said that it was only the highest organ at the convention that the amendments of the party constitution could be changed.
He also warned the UPND of entertaining Dr Mumba’s overtures of wanting to work with the ruling party.
Mr Sichilima said Dr Mumba was the only leader under MMD who had never held a convention where new leaders could be ushered into office.

And Rev Silvia Nawa the immediate past national mobilisation chairperson under Dr Mumba’s faction said MMD was not for auction to the highest bidder.

Rev Nawa said the party was a movement whose tenets were embedded in its party constitution.
She said members had the right to demand for what was enshrined in the party constitution and Dr Mumba had no right to drag the party into any alliance with any party.

When contacted for comment to address some of the accusations raised against him Dr Mumba referred the Sunday Times to the national spokesperson.

“That is an old story but let the national party spokesperson respond to you,” he said.
The spokesperson Cephas Mukuka said Mr Sichilma’s concerns lacked merit and verity.
“What is he talking about? We held a convention last year. Our next is slated for 2026 and this is too early to start talking of 2026. and for your information the MMd has had a historical working relationship with UPND for a long time.

“Sichilima must face reality and accept Dr Mumba as our president. Besides, Sichilima is not even our member,” Dr Mukuka added.

ZAMBIA WILL ONLY DEVELOP IF WE CELEBRATE OUR OWN MILLIONAIRES

Seen Mr Ndambo Ndambo trending. Got to meet him in my capacity as Mayor. We discussed partnership in modernizing the Chibolya street goats and pigs abattoir. He was willing to invest in a state of the art cold storage in partnership with LCC on electronic payments of bills. It was not popular with cadres and the big wigs that backed them. They preferred cash payments of all council bills. Lol. Despite majority Councillors approving and as was the case with all initiatives we brought up, it was blocked and nothing got implemented.

I have met Bill Gates before and at the time the World’s richest man. Then in 2019 got to meet Mr Ndambo Ndambo and now reading he is Zambia’s richest man.

In my meetings with both, one thing still resonates with me. They are very down to earth. Bills Gates was taking hand written notes as I spoke, Mr Ndambo not only welcomed me at his office door but had his entire team of staff (mostly whites) attend our board room meeting. He kept referring to me as Sir and had to remind him that he was my senior citizen and it was me to call him Sir.

After our official meeting, he invited my entourage for lunch at his home in the lavish suburb of Rosebank or Sandton I think. His wife, all children and their spouses interacted with us on a very good meal except there was no ‘tu French wine’.

A devoted Christian and family man he is. He had his businesses politically destabilized in Zambia 🇿🇲 some 20 years ago or so. Little did they know they were transplanting him into neighboring countries to grave them with his business acumen.

Every attempt to reinvest in Zambia gets thwarted and one hopes this time around Zambia will get to benefit from his vast business investments and get to create additional jobs for our youths.

His company (Africa Union) has partners with Congo DR to manage the scanning and electronic payment systems for most of their borders in Congo DR. I have always wondered why ZRA cannot partner with his company to modernize the chaotic Kasumbalesa border which to my estimate Zambia loses about $2M worth of revenue on a daily basis.

I wonder how many Ndambo Ndambos are out in the diaspora and not entered their own Zambian market because they get frustrated back.

Mr Ndambo is currently one of the ‘Big Boys’ of Africa and well known and respected by the AU. Yes he travels by his own jet if that’s a measure of being wealthy.
Let’s cerebrate our own millionaire before we can embrace foreign ones.

Together We Can
MBS26.06.2022