An unsolicited gesture to raise a statue for President Edgar Lungu ta his former school Mukuba Secondary School has generated a whirlwind of controversy among his followers and critics.
The statue has drawn comparisons with the infamous Ndola Lion and also the Examination Council of Zambia (ECZ) statues although there has not yet been an official response from State House.
What are your thoughts?
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The exiled opposition leader in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Moise Katumbi, has begged President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is also the chairperson of SADC, to intervene in the ongoing political crisis in his country so it can have free and fair elections.
In an exclusive interview with Times Select, Katumbi, who is in self-imposed exile in Belgium since May 2016 after falling out with President Joseph Kabila, has asked Ramaphosa “to save the people of Congo from the dungeons of hell”.
“Kabila doesn’t want me to return home so I can fill in my nomination form to be an official presidential candidate. The situation in my country is escalating, opposition leaders and supporters are jailed on trumped-up charges, and I believe president Ramaphosa can be our saviour.
“Kabila has called for elections in December this year but we are not allowed to campaign freely as his militia is busy intimidating supporters. Once there is peace in Congo, the whole region would be peaceful. Its internal politics is affecting growth and stability in the region,” he said.
Once there is peace in Congo, the whole region would be peaceful. My country is the second largest country and its internal politics is affecting growth and stability in the region.
The United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution in March this year calling on Kabila’s government to “immediately implement the confidence-building measures in full”.
These include “putting an end to restriction of the political space in the DRC, in particular arbitrary arrests and detention of members of the political opposition and of civil society, as well as restriction of fundamental freedoms such as the freedom of opinion and expression, freedom of the press and the right of a peaceful assembly.”
The wealthy businessman, who also owns one of the richest soccer teams in Africa, TP Mazembe, four-time African champions, claims he is being targeted because of his “overwhelming popularity with the masses”.
He says he was arrested on “trumped-up charges”. He went into self-imposed exile while he was out on bail.
Katumbi was tried in absentia last month with six other people, including a US national, by the Supreme Court of Justice in the DRC. Some of the charges included “harming state security”.
He has been accused of recruiting and arming mercenaries but Katumbi said the US national is not a mercenary – merely a security advisor whom he appointed after his state bodyguards were withdrawn.
“I couldn’t have my security carrying sticks while those who want me dead are armed to the teeth.”
The 53-year-old former governor of Katanga, a mineral-rich region in the DRC, denies all the charges against him, saying they are part of a campaign to prevent him from running for president.
“I am willing to stand for a fair trial but I can’t subject myself to a kangaroo court.”
Last month, 50 members of parliament in the DRC wrote a scathing letter to Kabila claiming that Katumbi’s trial was “nothing but a shame for the highest authority of the state, which you embody”.
The letter added: “Hatred for political adversaries, personal ambition or thirst for power cannot authorise judicial harassment against a citizen. It is difficult to believe in the sincerity of your declarations about holding off democratic elections in our country as long as you have not put an end to all the fake scandals concocted against Moise Katumbi.”
Hatred for political adversaries, personal ambition or thirst for power cannot authorise judicial harassment against a citizen.
Kabila became the president of DRC in 2001 after his father, Laurent Kabila, was assassinated. His term of office ended on December 31 2016 but he has remained in power until the new president is to be elected.
“I am coming to South Africa in a few weeks’ time to plead with President Ramaphosa to come to the rescue of the people of Congo. I would beg him to save the people of Congo from the dungeons of hell.”
Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Khuselo Diko, on Friday said she was “not able to speculate about a meeting that has not been requested”.
Diko said South Africa has helped the people of Congo over the years to bring peace and stability in the region.
“As far back as 1997, South Africa has been assisting the DRC to deal with political and security challenges. Over the years the South African government contributed to the Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development programme in the DRC. This included the training of public servants, police and the army,” she said.
Diko added that South Africa, as a member of SADC, “continues to support the DRC in her effort to consolidate peace, security and stability. In this regard, South Africa with her regional sister countries, supports the current political transition in the DRC, including the country’s preparations for the 23 December 2018 elections.”
Kabila has continued to keep his country guessing over his political plans five months ahead of the crucial elections.
In a state-of-the-nation speech on Thursday that had sparked intense speculation of an announcement, Kabila vowed to stand by the December 23 date for the poll, and “unequivocally respect the constitution”.
But, in a long speech enumerating his government’s policies, Kabila did not spell out whether he would seek a new term in office.
The opposition reacted angrily to the speech. “It’s what the Congolese people have come to expect from someone who thinks he’s an eternal monarch,” said opposition lawmaker Claudel Andre Lubaya.
A spokesperson for prominent opposition party the Union for Democracy and Progress said a “muscular reaction”, without elaborating.
Ida Sawyer, Human Rights Watch’s director for Central Africa, said: “Increased pressure is urgently needed to convince (Kabila) to change direction.”
Sawyer left the DRC in 2016 after working in the country for a decade when Kinshasa revoked her visa, apparently over the HRW’s frequent criticism of the rights situation.
Some experts fear the vast, troubled country, which has experienced two major wars in 22 years, could spiral into a bloodbath if the election is postponed or deemed to be fraudulent.
The window for registering presidential bids runs from July 25 to August 8.
A few hours before the speech, the grassroots pro-democracy movement Lucha wrote on its Twitter account that, if Kabila declared his candidacy, “let us all rise up immediately to force him out, as we should have done long ago”.
And if Kabila chooses not to seek another term, “let us continue to demand real elections, which are impossible with him and his CENI (the national election board) in control”, it said.
SOURCE: AFP
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Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will further his outreach to Africa this week, as he visits two key African nations and a meeting of leading emerging economies in South Africa, the presidency said Sunday.
Erdogan will tour South Africa and Zambia after a meeting of BRICS nations in Johannesburg.
The five BRICS countries – Brazil, China, India, Russia and South Africa – are seen by analysts as rising challengers to established Western economies.
Although Turkey is not a member of the BRICS, Erdogan will attend a special session as the current chair of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) at the event.
Erdogan is also said to be due to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on the summit’s sidelines.
Russia and Turkey have formed a close partnership, following an earlier diplomatic rift following Ankara’s downing of a Russian fighter jet that strayed into its territory from Syria.
Ankara is also set to buy the Russian S-400 air defence systems in a deal that has upset its western NATO allies.
Erdogan’s participation in Johannesburg was described as the “first high level contact” between Turkey and the BRICS, by the Turkish presidency.
After the visit to South Africa on 25 to 27 July, Erdogan will head to Zambia on 28 July in what the presidency said would be the first ever visit by a Turkish head of state.
Erdogan has made it a foreign policy priorityto establish new ties with emerging economies in Africa.
Erdogan has visited 20 African countries since he was elected president in 2014.
Ankara is aiming to have a Turkish diplomatic mission in every African country and wants to play a major role in development and trade in the continent.
It will be Erdogan’s first trip to Africa since was re-elected on June 24 for a second term with enhanced powers.
Turkey has established strong military ties with Somalia and deepened its relationship with Sudan, while its presence in West Africais also being felt.
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The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has run into trouble with the police in Chifunabuli District with a disagreement over the ground rules for their planned political rally.
Police turned away Kambwili with his entourage with the NDC contingent raising alarm on the turn of events.
BELOW IS THE NDC STATEMENT:
News Update.
Police Block Dr. Kambwili!
Chifunabuli. 23.07.2018.
The police service in the newly created Chifunabuli District have refused NDC consultant Chishimba Kambwili from holding a public meeting in the area.
This is ahead of this Thursdays Council chairperson local government elections.
Police have told Dr. Kambwili that they have received specific instructions to bar him from interacting with the electorate in Chifunabuli.
There was a near riot in the newly created district as residents refused to be dispersed by police at the venue for the rally ground.
Hundreds of Chifunabuli residents had initially given the NDC leader a thunderous welcome as he entered the area.
Given Chola is the NDC candidate in this Thursdays polls.
NDC Secretary General Mwenya Musenge is expected to issue a comprehensive statement over the matter.
The refusal to hold free campaign meetings is a clear indication that Zambia is slowly drifting into a police state.
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An England based Doctor based in the United Kingdom has offered unconventional insight of the much maligned brain drain.
Dr Charles Ngoma has given a positive spin on the sigma around professionals that trek to other countries and also added the aspect across trade brain drain.
Below are his full thoughts:
BRAIN DRAIN.
I define this as a situation in which a person trained in one particular skill becomes unavailable and cannot offer their skills.
The School of Medicine of the University of Zambia turned 50 on 21 July 2018. Prof Nkandu Luo, a Microbiologist, spoke on behalf of the government at the celebratory dinner and called upon all Zambian trained doctors to return and serve their country as a way of giving back. I personally know of no Zambian trained doctor who has no sympathy for the state of Medical training and healthcare services in Zambia today. What the Prof doesn’t realise is that ‘brain-drain’ has very wide ramifications. She herself is brain drained by joining politics when she could be teaching Microbiology in the ubiquitous medical schools that are short of lectures, but she is in politics feeding cadres for more votes. Others have been engaged in the civil service far removed from the areas of technical expertise. There are university trained teachers who are working for NGOs like World Vision, putting up water pumps in the villages when schools are short of teachers.
Brain drain does not happen only when people leave their country and serve elsewhere. In fact, I would argue that that is not brain drain at all. Prof Kelly Chibale in South Africa is doing fantastic work as a Chemist, work that will eventually benefit Zambians. He would not have been able to achieve so much had he remained at Kafironda manufacturing explosives for the mines! Prof Ali Zumla is a world leader in TB and has only reached these heights working in London. His work has benefited Zambians and the whole world. These are just a few examples. Furthermore, Zambians in the diaspora are contributing to the economy of Zambia through the remittance of millions of dollars every year. I have written about this before.
We should move away from this idea that people are only doing good if they are stuck in the country. In my own case, I well remember doing nothing for hours on end each day because of broken down equipment which no one is bothering to repair. It is far much better to be abroad and doing what one loves, albeit serving other people, than being in a morale-sapping environment serving no one but yourself. Every day, you just wait for the clock to hit 16:00 so that you can zoom off to private practice or other money making activities.
No matter how one looks at it, we are all serving for a living. Free market capital means that the highest bidder always wins. The bid may not even be the salary, but just the overall conditions, be it weather or peace and quiet without political interference, or just the fact that one feels appreciated for what they are doing.
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The politics of maize pricing has reached the Presidential desk with the President Edgar Lungu speaking for the farmers.
President Lungu his tour of Eastern Province to make his views known on the subject.
President Edgar Lungu told a rally in Eastern Province that the K65 maize floor price is not a very fair price and that it will be adjusted upwards.
Speaking at a rally at Mafuta Primary School to drum up support for PF Chipangali district council chairperson candidate Million Tembo today (Sunday), President Lungu said the K65 is not a very fair price.
“I read in the newspaper that the price has been pegged at K65, I had told the minister of Agriculture to consult stakeholders like the Zambia National Farmers Union, small scale farmers and everyone concerned before they set the price. When I spoke to the minister last night I was told they were given a range, there was a minimum figure and a maximum figure but FRA settled for K65, I don’t think it’s a very fair price,” he said.
President Lungu urged the stakeholders in Chipangali to sit and agree on where the district administration would be located.
He also met four Chipangali chiefs.
President Lungu had since concluded his three day campaign tour of
Eastern Province.
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The Zambia Under-17 national team conclude their Group B games today (Tuesday) at the on-going Cosafa Castle Cup in Mauritius with a high stakes game against fierce rivals South Africa at the Francois Xavier Stadium.
Both teams are tied at four points with South Africa ahead on superior goal difference.
Zambia has won one match and drawn another just like their opponents in today’s match.
Coach Tenant Chilumba’s lads have been improving as the tournament has progressed and will be expected to step up even higher today against South Africa.
Chilumba will count on the striking partnership of Enock Sakala junior and Vincent Kalinda to do damage to the South Africans.
Zambia has also some creativity in Benson Simwanda and Lasmond Phiri while skipper Alex Mwiinga has been providing link play between the midfield and defence.
At the back the towering Morgan Botha and Vincent Chate will be in central defence with Billy Maipenzi and Bernard Bwalya completing the set up while Phillip Malunga is expected to start in goal.
Kickoff for the match is at 15:00 hours local time (13:00 hours Zambian time).
The match will be beamed live on pay television channel Kwese Sports.
Only the winners of the group will qualify to the semifinals while one more spot will be available for the second best team across three groups.
Zambia are the defending champions having lifted the trophy last year in Mauritius.
The winners of the 2018 edition of the Cosafa Castle Cup will automatically qualify for the Tanzania 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
(CREDIT: FAZ Media)
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The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has set the ground rules for the July 26 mayoral election and also other ward elections.
ECZ Public Relations Margaret Chimanse said that official results will only be transmitted from the central polling point with the Assistant Presiding Officers signing the Gen 20 form.
“The announcement of the official results form (Gen 20) will be the official result of the polling station and will be issued to the political party agents, monitors and observers present,” Chimanse stated.
“These measures have been taken in order to avoid stakeholders using polling station stream results as the final result of the poll and in turn sharing incorrect results.”
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Centre for Young Leaders in Africa (CYLA) Communications Director Gerald Chiluba says his organisation has taken advantage of the peace accord signed by the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) and the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) to come up with a road map on how to completely eradicate political violence in the country.
And Lusaka Province UPND Youth Spokesperson Otis Bwalya has pledged his party’s commitment to the peace accord which he described as a step in the right direction.
Meanwhile Edward Siwale of the PF observed that youths were being used as tools of violence by political parties because they did not know their role.
Speaking when the trio featured on Hot FM’s Talk on Monday radio program Chiluba known for being leader of the reneged Youth wing of the former ruling party-MMD Diehards said his organisation is sceptical that the accord will produce the desired results as it is seemingly a repeat of the same things done in the past hence their interest to design a road map to ensure that the scourge is eradicated for good.
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The Zambia Under-17 national team has been booted out of the 2018 Cosafa Castle Cup capping a nightmare 48 hours of youth football after the Under-20 were also eliminated from the Niger 2019 qualifiers.
Zambia suffered a 2-1 loss to South Africa ending their interest in the tournament they won last year.
The defeat also means Zambia cannot compete for the Tanzania 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
Zambia got their goal through Vincent Kalinda while South Africa hit back through Thando Butelezi and Boitumelo Radiopane to top Group B.
Coach Tenant Chilumba’s side have left the tournament after drawing 0-0 with Mozambique, defeating Lesotho 1-0 and losing 2-1 to South Africa.
The results for the junior teams are an anti-climax to last year’s form that saw Zambia win the Under-20 Africa Cup and Cosafa Under-17.
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United States of America President Donald Trump and his Russia counterpart Vladmir Putin have tabled the crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo insisting on a measure that will allow the unconditional return of popular opposition leader Moise Katumbi.
Trump and Putin discussed the importance of DRC leader Joseph Kabila creating an enabling environment for all candidates, particularly Katumbi who is politically targeted and is in exile.
The two top world leaders have asked President Kabila to allow anyone wishing to contest the presidency to freely participate in the December 23, 2018 polls.
Former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs during the first Bush Administration Herman Cohen has told VOA that the DRC crisis was one of the topics discussed by Trump and Putin with particular emphasis the safe return of Katumbi.
Cohen says Trump and Putin also tabled nuclear weapons and the situation in Syria.
Meanwhile, the Voice of America reports that opposition parties in the Democratic Republic of Congo have called on President Kabila to step down ahead of elections in December but ruled out boycotting the poll.
In an exceptional move, five parties signed a joint statement setting out demands ahead of the December 23 presidential vote, whose outcome is crucial for the sprawling, volatile DRC.
“We are not going to boycott the elections because we have known from the very beginning that this is the ruling party’s plan, to push the opposition into boycott the elections,” said Delly Sesanga, a supporter of exiled opposition leader Moise Katumbi.
The statement — issued two days before the start of a two-week registration period for presidential candidates — called for “free, democratic and transparent” elections.
It said the elections had to take place without Kabila as a candidate and without the use of electronic voting machines, which the government controversially wants to deploy.
It was signed by five parties, including the traditional mainstream opposition, the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), as well as by parties led by Katumbi and Jean-Pierre Bemba, an ex-vice president and former warlord recently acquitted of war crimes by the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
Kabila has been at the helm of the largest country in sub-Saharan Africa since 2001, presiding over a mineral-rich country with a reputation for corruption, inequality and unrest.
He was just 29 when he took over as president from his father, Laurent-Desire Kabila, who was assassinated by a bodyguard.
Dozens of people have been killed in protests since late 2016, when Kabila was scheduled to stand down at the end of his second elected term, technically the last permitted under the constitution.
Kabila has kept power thanks to a constitutional clause enabling him to stay in office until a successor is elected.
On Thursday, Kabila delivered a state-of-the nation address that had caused wide speculation that he would announce whether he would run again, but no such big declaration was forthcoming.
The DRC has never known a peaceful transition of power since
it gained independence from Belgium in 1960. Some experts fear it could spiral into wide-ranging conflict once more if the present political crisis is not resolved.
The UN Development Program (UNDP) placed the DRC 176th out of 188 countries on its Human Development Index published in March 2017.
The watchdog Transparency International ranked the country 156th out of 176 countries in its 2016 corruption index. It was ranked 154th out of 180 in the Reporters Without Borders’ 2017 Press Freedom Index.
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The Patriotic Front and the UPND took another step toward mending their animosity with a joint briefing at the former’s secretariat.
Youth leaders from both parties followed up their meeting on Friday where they renounced their violent ways to pave way for a peaceful campaign for the July 26 mayoral elections.
PF Youth chairperson Steven Kampyongo took a front role and committed his party to a long term peaceful process for the two rival political parties.
The UPND had deputy youth chairperson Munji Habeenzu who is also former Chikakanta Member of Parliament committing the opposition political party to peace.
Both the PF and opposition UPND have reiterated their resolve to discourage their members from using of military regalia in a bid to promote peace and unity among party cadres.
It was also emphasized that two political parties allow the councils to run the markets and bus stations without any political interference.
PF Deputy Media Director Antonio Mwanza read out the resolutions that stated that the two parties will form a steering committee that will look at ending political violence and promotes peace and unity between the two parties.
The two parties have also indicated that all the people who have been arrested on tramped up charges should be released as the two parties continues to foster peace and unity in the country.
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Zambia has continued scoring high on diplomatic relations on the globe with another top international dignitary heading to Lusaka.
Over the weekend President Edgar Lungu will be hosting Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan adding to the diplomatic traffic in Zambia’s way.
United Kingdom’s Minister for Africa, Harriett Baldwin will be visiting Zambia [25-26 July] to see how the UK can strengthen its partnership with Zambia by supporting growth and poverty reduction and working towards shared prosperity.
Minister Baldwin will hold meetings with Her Honour the Vice-President, Inonge Wina and the Minsters of Foreign Affairs, Finance and Energy.
During her visit, Minister Baldwin will sign the Energy Africa Compact and announce 406 million Kwacha of new UK development assistance. This funding will support the growth of the sustainable energy sector, giving a boost to local businesses and providing millions of Zambians with reliable, affordable energy.
Speaking ahead of her visit, Minister Baldwin said:
“I am looking forward to my first visit to Zambia, where the UK enjoys so many strong bilateral relationships, whether with Government, communities or businesses.
“It will be a great opportunity to highlight the ways in which we can work together for a healthier, safer and more prosperous future for both our countries.”
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All the pieces are now in place for Rhumba Maestro Koffi Olomide to get on with his shows in Lusaka after the globally recognisable star jetted in the country.
Olomide has been mired in legal controversies over his alleged violent conduct that has had him declared persona non grata in Kenya and other countries.
In Zambia he found himself on the wrong end of the law after allegedly kicking a freelance journalist back stage at Pamodzi Hotel.
The Ministry of Home Affairs however rolled the red carpet for the Congolese star disclosing that Olomide was not a wanted man.
Olomide arrived in the country at 01:00 hours at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport aboard Kenya Airways.
He is scheduled to have shows in Lusaka and the Copperbelt.
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President Edgar Lungu has shaken up the Zambia Air Force command appointing Major General David Muma as ZAF Commander and Kapotwe Chintu as deputy.
ZAF commander Eric Chimese has been sent on an indefinite leave.
The shakeup is the major overhaul conducted by President Lungu since taking over power.
Chimese has been ZAF Commander since President Lungu assumed office in 2015 although he was appointed under late President Michael Sata.
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President Joseph Kabila is pushing the Congo into chaos, members of the opposition have stated.
This follows President Kabila’s failure to publicly declare he will not contest an illegal third term that is on the cards.
A consortium of opposition political parties in the Democratic Republic of Congo have issued a statement accusing President Kabila of choosing chaos over peace for the country.
President Kabila is barred from seeking a third term having served out his two term five each mandate.
The DRC leader has been in power for 17 years having taken office in 2001 shortly after his father was assassinated.
President Kabila has since illegally extended his stay in office by two year but mounting pressure has forced him to call an election for December which many observers still doubt was as credible as a democratic election should be.
According to the opposition, the passion that President Kabila claims to have for the DRC is that of driving the country towards chaos, notably by obstructing the electoral process.
“The opposition calls on the Congolese people to put an end to Joseph Kabila’s criminal passion for the Congo, which is driving the country into chaos and obstructing by all means, including the use of Article 64 against any attempt to maintain power in violation of the constitution and to establish a new dictatorship in our country,” Delly Sesanga read a joint statement.
The opposition took the opportunity to reiterate its demand for the release of political prisoners.
Sesanga said there was a need to clean the electoral register urging authorities against using the voting machine which have widely been condemned as rigging tools.
Among the members of the opposition present were was Martin Fayulu, Jean-Marc Kabund, Eve Bazaiba, Delly Sesanga and Jean-Baudouin Mayo.
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Patriotic Front (PF) mayoral candidate Miles Sampa is headed for a landslide victory with six constituencies already counted.
Sampa is cantering away with 79, 158 votes from the count done in Chawama, Kabwata, Kanyama, Lusaka Central and Matero constituencies.
His closest rival Kangwa Chileshe of the UPND is miles behind on 39, 172 while PAC’s Mundia Mukubesa has amassed 8, 279.
Results for Constituency Mandevu are being awaited.
Lusaka Mayoral Race Final Results Counted so far:
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The Patriotic Front’s Milse Sampa has been confirmed as the new Lusaka Mayor after polling 81, 936 while his closests rival ngwa Chileshe of the UPND got 36, 753.
Mundia Mukubesa of the People’s Alliance for Change managed 7, 741 while Saboi Imboela of the NDC 2, 645.
The Lusaka mayoral seat fell vacant following the death of incumbent Wilson Kalumba.
Sampa swept across the seven constituencies of Lusaka with an overwhelming result that leaves no doubt where the balance of power in Lusaka lies.
FINAL FOR LUSAKA
FROM THE SEVEN LUSAKA CONSTITUENCIES.
Chawama – PF10,361 upnd 3,900
Kabwata – PF 9,166 upnd 5,628
Kanyama – PF 9,617 upnd 7,109
Lusaka central – PF 7,565 upnd 4,663
Matero – PF 17,012 upnd 4,600
Munali – PF 12,717 upnd 6,636
Mandevu – PF 15,566 upend 4517
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The Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has revised upward the price of maize to K70 kwacha from the earlier announced 65 kwacha for the purchase of a 50 kilogram bag of maize in the grain marketing season that starts on 1st august, 2018.
FRA’s swift action follows an outcry from stakeholders with the Head of State also noting the displeasure.
It was on the basis of this profound mandate that the FRA announced the 2018 Crop Marketing Arrangements as an annual requirement. The announcement of the price of Maize at K65 per 50kg bag specifically received mixed reactions from various stakeholders which necessitated further consultations.
FULL STATEMENT
The Board and Management of FRA have in consideration of the price band emanating from the analytical process of price determination employed by the Agency decided to review the price of Maize upwards with consideration of the following factors:
That the price;
iii) Should not disadvantage other market players
The prices of the other Designated Crops remain the same as follows:
TOTALS 512,100
The FRA being one of the players in the market intends to purchase only 500,000 Metric Tonnes of Maize, representing 21% of the 2018 National Maize Crop Forecast of 2.3 million metric tonnes, therefore the above prices are FRA prices and not Government floor prices, hence farmers are encouraged to negotiate for better prices with other market players who may buy the larger quantity of the what has been produced.
I would like to remind the farmers in the targeted areas to continue to prepare as guided in the 2018 Crop Marketing Modalities and the marketing season still opens on 1st August 2018.
Thank You
JOE SIMACHELA
BOARD CHAIRMAN
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Patriotic front Secretary General Davies Mwila has remained humble in the face of a resounding victory in the mayoral election on Thursday.
Mwila has commended the efforts of the youth on both sides that has seen them issue a communique renouncing political violence.
“I want to commend PF National Youth Chairman, Steven Kampyongo, and the UPND youth leadership for spearheading the signing of the peace agreement to end political violence in Zambia,” he said.
The former Chipili Member of Parliament is hopeful that the communiqué will be supported by all well-meaning Zambians in order to maintain peace and unity in the Country.
“Our Party President Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu is looking forward to the forth coming president’s summit under the auspice of the Zambia Centre for Inter-Party Dialogue” he said.
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