17th ANNIVERSARY OF ZAMBIA AS A CHRISTIAN NATION

Second republican President Frederick Chiluba weeping during the 17th anniversary of Zambia's declaration as a christian nation in Lusaka.
Dr Chiluba declared Zambia a christian nation in 1991 when he was elected republican President.
Hitherto, the declaration has remained debatable, with some people saying it should be scrapped because Zambia does not only consist of christians only but other religious faiths as well.
But the sucessive governments have re-emphasised that the declaration shall remain because Zambia has to be anchored on God. Proponents say the declaration has helped to guide Zambia in many areas of human endeavor such as morals, economic and others.
What ever we all think, I suggest we leave this subject for now because there are other urgent and better matters we can pre-occupy our minds with.
I think there is nothing wrong with saying that Zambia wants to anchor its basis on the foundation of God and christian principals.

Dr Chiluba is praying and weeping when Dr Catherine Mukuka (not in picture), one of the pentecostal christians was leading the audience into a moving prayer session.
Dr Mukuka said Dr Chiluba was being pesecuted and abused and that God would not allow that to go on. The prsyer was so moving that Dr Chiluba pulled out his hankerchief broke into tears.

PRAYER MANIA

MEETING OF THE MONTH

Ronnie Shikapwasha (l), Anointed ministeries' Billy Mfula (C) and Dr Frederick Chiluba laughing during the prayers. It is during such moments when Dr Chiluba is seen jovial and happy like this. He says that his life nowadays is shaped around hospitals and courts.

ITS GREAT TO BE HERE!

Chiluba listens to his wife Regina

PRAYER MANIA

Information and Broadcasting Services minister Ronnie Shikapwasha (r) and Kitwe based Bishop Bernard Nwaka beseeching the Lord.

ZAMBIA FOR JESUS

HUNDREDS MOURN FORMER FINANCE MINISTER EMMANUEL KASONDE

The late Emmanuel Kasonde lays in state during the requiem mass at the Child Jesus Cathedral in Lusaka.





THE LATE EMMANUEL KASONDE WAS A VISIONARY LEADER

A MEMORIAL mass was held in Lusaka for the late Finance minister Emmanuel Kasonde at the Cathedral of the Child Jesus in Lusaka.
Archbishop Mazombwe said Mr Kasonde indicated that he did not want anyone to say anything about him during his funeral. This was contained in the late Kasonde’s will. But Lusaka Archbishop Medardo Mazombwe was forced to push in a few praises in honour of the late Kasonde.
Archbishop Mazombwe said he knew Mr Kasonde for 30 years and they would consult each other on many matters. Therefore, he found it hard not say anything about Kasonde.
Lusaka Archbishop Medardo Mazombwe described the late Kasonde as a dedicated catholic.
Mr Kasonde was the first chairperson for the committee to build the Child Jesus Cathedral after the late Pope John Paul laid a foundation stone for its construction in 1989. Mr Kasonde died at Lusaka Trust Hospital on Friday after an illness.
Archbishop Mazombwe hailed the late Kasonde as a dedicated catholic and Christian who has served the people of Zambia diligently.
“The late Kasonde was a man full of ideas, which he shared with others and this cathedral is testimony for it.
“He was a catholic inside out. He was dedicated to church affairs, despite the position he held in society, he remained simple and approachable,” he said.
The funeral mass was attended by Defence minister George Mpombo who represented President Banda, First republican president Kenneth Kaunda, deputy speaker of the national assembly Mutale Nalumango, former vice presidents Enoch Kavindele, Nevers Mumba, Home Affairs minister Kalombo Mwansa and other public figures.
Opposition leaders Patriotic Front’s President Michael Sata and his counterparts from the United Party for National Development Hakainde Hichilema, All Peoples Congress Party’s Ken Ngondo, National Democratic Focus’ Ben Mwila were also present.
Others were diplomats accredited to Zambia, cabinet and deputy ministers, senior Government officials and members of the business community.
Family friend and former Bank of Zambia governor Dominic Mulaisho said the Kasonde was a practical and brilliant visionary.
Mulaisho said the late Mr Kasonde always put the interest of Zambia first.
Mr Kasonde was born on December 23, 1935 at Malole Mission in Mungwi district.
He did his primary education at Malole Primary from 1943 and in 1950 and later went to St Francis Secondary School. In 1953 to 1956 he went to Munali in Lusaka. Upon leaving Munali in 1957, he started work as a labour officer.
In 1958, Mr Kasonde went to study economics at the London school of economics.
In 1967, Dr Kaunda appointed Mr Kasonde as Finance permanent secretary.
In 1971, Mr Kasonde joined the private sector where he established private companies.
He re-joined politics in 1990 and became the MMD provincial chairman for Northern Province and was appointed Finance minister by former President Chiluba in 1993 when he left the MMD to join the splinter National Party.
He bounced back as finance minister when the Late President Mwanawasa appointed Mr Finance minister.
In 2003, Mr Kasonde retired from active politics and served in several positions as a church member.
His wife Rose, three children and eight grand children survive the late Mr Kasonde.

HAMBA KHALE! (Go well)

Second republican President Kenneth Kaunda during body viewing of the late former finance minister Emmanuel Kasonde.

CATHOLIC RITUAL

Lusaka Archbishop Telesphore Mpundu performs a roman catholic church ritual.

STATE FUNERAL

Zambia Army officers carrying the casket for the late Emmanuel Kasonde. This was a state funeral.

NGANDU MAGANDE

Former finance minister Ngandu Magande (left) during the requiem mass. Mr Magande took over from the late Emmanuel Kasonde as finance minister in the year 2003.

SATA RECEIVES EUCHARIST

Patrotic Front leader Michael Sata, a staunch roman catholic congragant receives eucharist.

Hakainde Hichilema (centre) during the memorial mass.

OLD AND GREY

Dr Kaunda following proceedings during the requiem mass for the late former finance minister Emmanuel Kasonde.
Even if he looks old and grey, it does not means he is deaf and dumb. The late Kasonde worked in different capacities during Dr Kaunda's regime. Mr Kasonde was the first black man to be appointed by Dr Kaunda as the permanent secretary in the ministry of finance in 1967.

Former Archbishop of Lusaka Merdado Mazombwe greets second republican president Kenneth Kaunda during the mass.

ZAMBIA IS NOT PLANNING TO ATTACK ZIMBABWE

Zambia's foreign affairs minister Kabinga Pande (RIGHT), flanked by his counterpart from defence George Mpombo stresses a point during a press briefing to deny allegations that Zambia and Botswana were planning to invade Zimbabwe.

ZAMBIA CAN'T INVADE ZIMBABWE

THE Government of Zambia has denied reports that it has joined forces with Botswana to invade Zimbabwe and forcibly remove President Robert Mugabe from power.
Kabinga Pande is minister of foreign affairs. He said that the report, which was published on http://www.zimbabwetoday.co.uk and dated 7 December 2008 was malicious because Zambia has committed to working within the framework of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) decision in resolving the situation in Zimbabwe.
He was speaking in the capital Lusaka, at a press briefing with his counterpart George Mpombo from the ministry of defence.
Mr Pande said the online report was malicious.
“I wish to add that Zambia is committed to the spirit of dialogue and co-operation which are enshrined in the regional and continental charters to which we are a state party,” he said.
Mr Pande said the government of Zambia believes that peace and stability in Zimbabwe could only be achieved through dialogue among the stakeholders.
Mr Pande said it was not feasible for Zambia to agitate for military invasion in Zimbabwe.
“These provocative insinuations should therefore be dismissed with the contempt they deserve as they are indeed baseless and false,” he said.
He said suspicions were that the website was created by Zimbabweans who were not living in that country.
And Mr Mpombo said that it was unthinkable for Zambia, which worked hard to liberate Zimbabwe to push for regime change through the use of force.
“The allegations are a complete political hogwash and there is no truth in these allegations. Our role is to help Zimbabwe overcome the problems and this is through dialogue and not as a way of military intervention. We can not move away from the SADC position,” he said.
In the article, it is alleged that Zambia’s commandoes at Mushili area of Ndola have been training in joint operations with the army in Botswana with the view of invading Zimbabwe.
The story quotes anonymous sources in Zambia. It adds that Zambians are equipped with AK 47 riffles and rocket launchers.

XAVIER CHUNGU ON K500 MILLION FINE

FORMER Zambia Intelligence chief Xavier Chungu brandishes the ruling MMD symbol when he was sandwiched by armed police officers who escorted him from the Lusaka magistrate court where he wen for court proceedings.

XAVIER CHUNGU HAS BEEN FINED K500 MILLION FOR GOING IN EXILE


FORMER Zambia Security Intelligence chief Xavier Chungu has appeared in a Lusaka magistrate court where he was ordered to pay K500 million or in default face a maximum of six months imprisonment with hard labour
This is for Contempt of Court after Mr Chungu skipped court proceedings when he went into self-exile fours years ago.
In mitigation, Chungu’s lawyer Nicholas Chanda said the only reason Chungu stayed away from Court proceedings was because he had intelligence information that his life was in danger and had to do something to avoid regret.
During the court proceedings, Mr Chungu remained calm in the accused box. He looked firm and walked with confidence when leaving the court room and smiled occassionally. He was heavily guarded by the state police who were in both uniform and plain clothes.
Mr Chanda said the intelligence information indicated to be true and that was how his client decided to preserve his life and has now come back.
He said Chungu had not come back through the State and that his coming was not a myth or secret.
Mr Chanda said Chungu decided to present himself to the authorities and that the State did not effect an arrest on him.
Mr Chanda said it was not Chungu’s intention to disregard or abscond from Court proceedings without cause when he had attended other cases diligently in the past.
Mr Chanda also appealed to the Court to be lenient with Chungu on the bail amount because by Zambian standards, it was too exorbitant and that the global economy had affected everyone. He said his client had not earned asets for a long time.
High Court registrar Jones Chinyama made the order after Chungu who was re-arrested last week.
“Under section 132 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC), the Court was required to demand the recognizance sum that was granted or order a term of imprisonment,” Mr Chinyama said.
In his ruling after hearing both parties, Mr Chinyama said that Mr Chungu was in breach and therefore the Court would proceed to pass its ruling in provision with the law.
“I order a forfeiture of K500 million in 14 days from today (Tuesday) inclusive of weekends or in default six months Imprisonment with hard labour which is in line with the provision of the law,” he said.
Mr Chinyama said the reason why bail was granted to Chungu four years ago was to enable him enjoy the comfort of coming from home and not to give him an opportunity to run away from Zambia.
Mr Chungu has remained in custody until the K500 million was paid to the court.
Mr Chinyama said the reasons for Chungu’s absence from Court proceedings were anonymous to the Court and that the Court would not have let him leave because court proceedings were disrupted as a result. The magistrate said Chungu’s conduct was unacceptable.
Earlier, State prosecutor Fred Malambo told the Court that Chungu was granted bail on March 14th 2003 to the sum of K500 million in his own recognisance with two sureties.
But on June 1, 2004, Chungu jumped bail when he was supposed to appear before Court. This made he prosecutors to apply for a bench warrant, which was issued and remained in force until Chungu was re-arrested after four years.
Court adjourned Chungu’s case hearing to December 22.

XAVIER CHUNGU

Mr Chungu making an exit from the Lusaka magistrate Court.

CHUNGU LEAVING LUSAKA MAGISTRATE COURT

Mr Chungu going to board a motor vehicle outside the Lusaka magistrate court after court proceedings.

MEET THE PRESIDENT FUNDRAISER

President Rupiah Banda and First Lady Thandiwe dancing during the MMD meet the President dinner at the weekend.







MY weekend was punctuated by a trip to the Mulungushi international conference centre in Lusaka where the ruling MMD hosted a meet the President fundraising dinner.
Earlier, I had a busy day writing stories, shooting and editing pictures. I spent a lot of time also researching for paper on the role of the media in advocacy. I would be presenting this paper to participants during a training workshop on community based environmental health advocacy in Lusaka this week.
People from different walks of life attended the event. It was characterized by what some people call pomp and splendor. It was so cozy as well. The buffet was great and the cash bar was also good.
The master of ceremonies was radio personality and Kitwe based Flava FM chief executive officer Chishala Chitoshi, also called Gesh.
He punctuated the evening programme with dance, song from bands like the famous Amayenge. There was also stand-up comedy.
Sensational and budding singer, young Trina who hails from the Copperbelt town of Ndola tickled our ears with her singing prowess. She just made the evening an outstanding occasion especially on a Saturday like that one.
But a large portion of the entertainment programme was stolen up by clowns Difikoti and Bikiloni who made everyone sit on the edge of their seats because they wanted more comedy.
I remember Difikoti and Bikiloni staging a ‘quiz’ session and one of the questions they asked Homes Affairs minister Kalombo Mwansa was “Zimbabwe got its independence in 1980, where? Dr Mwansa was caught unaware, but he said the question was mind boggling and demanded for another one.
Difikoti and Bikiloni also asked President Rupiah Banda the same question. They continued to call His Excellency the President awisi Duniya (father of Duniya).
The audience was wrong when they thought their ribs would be saved from further torment because Bob Nkosha’s time on the stage just added more misery to the condition. I am yet to find out whether someone did not crack their ribs from laughter that night.
His mere appearance and gestures was enough recipe to cause laughter, which can place a crack on the ribs.
Nkosha appeared from the backstage draped in a jean skirt and a matching top with a pair of slippers dragging on his feet. His lips were ‘painted’ red.
Gesh introduced him as Dolika who scheduled to leave for South Africa to participate in a tourism exhibition. So he had to do a pre-departure interview for Dolika to give us a de-brief on her trip. I don’t have the guts to go into these details because I do not want to crack my ribs further.
Later in the night, veteran politician Vernon Mwaanga’s latest book, The longest sunset was auction at K550, 000.
The President and First Lady Thandiwe took to the dance floor and showed us their dancing gimmicks as some Zambian tunes played.
The President’s departure from the venue at about 11PM ended the programme but the beats continued raging. At the time of my departure, the raging sounds were emitting the lyrics of James Cotton in a song called, “digging my potatoes”. I spotted politician Akashambatwa Mbikusita-Lewanika on the stage. From the way he danced, I think he was trying to prove that he has remained a good dancer, despite age catching up with him.

PRESIDENT RUPIAH AND THANDIWE BANDA ABOUT TO CUT A CAKE

TRINA

Zambia's budding music sensation Trina sing. Trina was a runner up during the idols east Africa show that was screened on DSTV recently.

IS THIS A MAN OR WOMAN

BOB 'DOLIKA' NKOSHA

Is this a man or a woman?

DOLIKA NKOSHA

Bob Nkosha dressed as a female on stage, brandishing the MMD party symbol.

CHISHALA CHITOSHI AND BOB NKOSHA

Gesh and Bob Nkosha (Dolika) on stage. The stage was decorated with a big placard of Zambia's fouth President Rupiah Banda.

DIFIKOTI AND BIKILONI

The two clowns are arguably among Zambia's top comedians. They put up a splendid show during the MMD meet the President dinner. Difikoti and Bikiloni sprung into stardom on MUVI television channel. They have continued to present programmes on the television station.

CHISHALA CHITOSHI INTERVIEWS DOLIKA

Copperbelt based Flava FM chief executive officer Chishala Chitoshi interviewing Bob Nkosha who was acting as a Dolika, prostitute during the MMD meet the President dinner dance at the weekend.

CHILENJE DRIVERS SLAM THEIR BRAKES

STRANDED MILLIONAIRES

STRANDED COMMUTERS

16 DAYS OF GENDER ACTIVISM IN ZAMBIA

TIMES OF ZAMBIA employees participating in a march-past during the launch of the 16 Days of Activism against gender violence in Lusaka.




ZAMBIA joined the rest of the world in commemorating the 16 days of Activism against Gender violence.
Scores of people from different walks of life participated in a march-past to raise awareness against gender-based violence.
In Lusaka, the gender activists marched with raised placards displaying messages against gender violence.
Vice president George Kunda joined the marchers and addressed them with a to expedite the process of auditing legislation to assess the extent to which the provisions of the convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women.
Mr Kunda was presenting a message from President Rupiah Banda.
This was at the Mulungushi international conference centre.
In Mr Kunda reminded the audience that Governments remained commited to the fight against gender-based violence.
He said discussions by both the ministry of Justice and the Gender in Development division regarding the proposed Bill on gender-based violence were on schedule and that the Government would present it to Parliament.
Explaining the measures that the Government was implementing in the effort to eradicate gender violence, Mr Banda said the vision 2039 prioritised the protection of human rights, especially those of women and children.
Mr Kunda also said the Fifth National Development Plan (FNDP) prioritised the domestication of various human rights instruments which Zambia subscribed.
The theme for the 16 days of gender activism was “Human Rights for Women-Human Rights for All in Zambia”.
“For my administration, the theme is challenging us leaders to critically reflect on our legislation, policies and programmes in so far as they relate to the rights of women,” he said.
Mr Kunda said Government placed the protection of the rights of all individuals on the
He said even if the constitution provided for the protection of the rights of all individuals, there were concerns raised by various stakeholders that the rights of women had not been adequately addressed.
He said Government thought it fit to enact the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) and the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) Act to enable the people of Zambia to create a constitution that represented their views and those that will protect all the citizens.
He said it was his belief that gender issues and other pertinent issues raised during the consultative process would feature more prominently in the new constitution.
Home Affairs minister Kalombo Mwansa was also present. He said there were a lot of challenges in the fight against gender based violence hence a lot of work needed to be done.
Dr Mwansa urged all Zambians to get involved in the fight, as all citizens were potential victims of the vice.
But United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) resident representative Macleod Nyirongo said Zambia like many other countries in the world was still experiencing an increase in incidences of gender-based violence.

Mr Nyirongo said the Zambia Report of the Convention on the Elimination of All forms of discriminations indicated that violence against women and children was still on the increase.
“The number of reported cases of defilement rose from 306 reported cases in 2000 to 1511 cases in 2005. Likewise, reported cases of rape increased from 198 in 2001 to 308 in 2003,” he said.
Pixie Yangailo is the chairperson for the Human Rights Commission. She said millions of women and girls were currently being tormented day and night simply because of their gender, which was bad.
She said despite an array of international human rights standards having been adopted and acceded to by nearly all nations of the world gender-based violence had refused to go away.
Non Government Organisation Coordinating Council chairperson Marian Munyinda called for the quick domestication of various international convention related to the protection of women’s rights in the country.
Our current demand to open up unconditional debate on the Bill of Rights, within the NCC, still stands, Munyinda said.

ANNA CHIFUNGULA WINS ACCA AWARD

Ms Chifungula admiring the ACCA award.








ANNA Chifungula, Zambia's Auditor General has won the prestigious 2008 ACCA Achievement Award.
Ms Chifungula received the award on Thursday November 20, 2008 in the United Kingdom.
Presenting the award trophy to her workmates in Lusaka, Ms Chifungula said she was proud of the recognition because it showed they had been able to demonstrate professionalism.
Ms Chifungula dedicated the award to her office in order to boost morale for all employees to work harder.
"It is always good to win such awards on behalf of the office.
"I would not have been singled out by the ACCA as an outstanding individual witout your dedicated efforts. I am humbled by this recognition," she said.
She remained jovial, but articulate during the ceremony.
Ms Chifungula said her auditors worked under tough conditions but have remained objective, truthful, fair and in their quest to contribute transparency and accountability in Zambia's national development agenda.
"We now have a team of professional staff though there are only 68 qualified ACCA holders as compared to the number when I joined this office," she said.
The winners of this year's ACCA Achievement Awards were announced at ACCA's annual International Assembly dinner which took place in London on Thursday 20 November, 2008.
The awards, which recognise individuals who have made a contribution to the development of the global accountancy profession, were presented by ACCA's president, Richard Aitken-Davies and vice-chairman of PricewaterhouseCoopers, Sir John Stuttard.

AH.... WHAT DO WE HAVE HERE....

MS Chifungula trying to read out scribblings placed on top of the award.

BIG SMILE

Ms Chifungula is smiles in front of the ACCE award.

ZAMBIAN SUPER MODELS

This is a clown posing as a model, but on this stage where this man is cracking our sides from has also accommodated some of Zambia's budding and upcoming models.
I got shots of our young models who will soon change the modeling scene with trendy stuff.
Go on guys, do the best that you can and make us proud.