Friday 16 January 2009

PRESIDENT BANDA OPENS PARLIAMENT

THE 10th session of the National Assembly opened in Lusaka at the ceremony, which was officiated by President Rupiah Banda.
His wife Thandiwe and other government officials accompanied Mr Banda to the National Assembly.
The opening ceremony was characterized by traditional dances, a fly-past by the Zambia Air Force and a 21-gun salute, which was mounted by the Zambia Army.
This was the first time President Banda was officiating at the National Assembly since he was elected President in October last year.
The motorcade escorting President Banda arrived at the National Assembly at 10:00, in a majestic fashion where some security officers rode on horses.
President Banda proceeded to the saluting dais where the Zambian national anthem was sung and a 21-man gun salute observed. President Banda also inspected a guard of honour as the Zambia Air Force flew overhead.
Speaker of the National Assembly Amussa Mwanamwambwa and his wife Catherine joined President Banda and First Lady Thandiwe to proceed into the National Assembly.
There were traditional dancers lined up along the staircase and President Banda occasional waved at the dancers.
President Banda proceeded to sign the visitors’ book in the Speakers’ chambers before entering the main chamber of the house to give the opening speech.
When he entered the main chamber, parliamentarians cheered the grand entry as Mr Banda and other officials were ushered to take up their seats.

PRESIDENT BANDA ARRIVES




President Rupiah Banda emerges from the presidential vehicle.



President Rupiah Banda's motorcade enters parliament buildings with security officers on horse-back. It was a majestic entry.



Some of the security officers who escorted President Banda to the National Assembly on horse-back.

MAJESTIC WALK




Vice president George Kunda and deputy speaker of the National Assembly Mutale Nalumnago walking into the National Assembly buildings.



Zambia Army Commander Isaac Chisuzi emerges from his Mercedez Benz car clad in a ceremonial military attire.

LUSAKA MAYOR





Lusaka Mayor Stephen Chilatu listens to his Aid de' Camp.

JUDGES




Judges making their majestic walk into the Parliament buildings.

ZAMBIA ARMY PARADE




A Zambia Army Soldier on parade leading other sentries.

LIKUMBI LYA MIZE DANCER





Mimosa Lindhl of Finland was among the Likumbi Lyamize dancers at the opening of Parliament this year. Mimosa mesmerised a lot of guests because as a European, she was able to perform the traditional dance with such much prowess. She is so talented and added colour to the local dance troupe. Whe I spokes to her, Mimosa was so confident and so open that she enjoyed the dance.

LIKUMBI LYA MIZE DANCERS





President Rupiah Banda inspecting a guard of honour.

Saturday 3 January 2009

I THANK YOU!

It is now certain that we all crossed into 2009. I was hesitant about writing this message before the New Year. I do not know why my instincts refused me to hit this keyboard and say this message.
Now that we are here, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you people who have made this website what it is. I am not going to mention anyone's name because the list is endless. I do not want to leave out anyone’s name because this has the potential to make those I may leave feel unappreciated.
I can say the list of people I can mention spurns from The United State of America, South America, across Africa, Asia, the United Kingdom, Russia, the middle and far east, Australia and the number of hits and support here is Zambia is quite gigantic. I am sure you will be able to agree with me when you click and look at the cluster maps located on the left hand side of the blog in red dots. It is true that the world has indeed become smaller!
2008 was a great in all aspects of human endeavor according to me. We may have had one or two challenges but this is life and we as human beings must stand up and face the reality.
On this blog, I received a lot of support, encouragement. I enjoyed reading the comments, contributions, compliments and complaints, especially when I delay my updates. I appreciate for all the criticism on me from those great observers. I have growm in my own right and this year will be another scene all together.
I have scores of e-mails from last year and I have, hitherto, not managed to respond to all of them because they number is overwhelming. I am still responding to all of them and I want to pay particular attention to each and every one of the e-mails and their specific requests.
What I would like to say is that let us continue building this place and making this blog a real platform for debate.
I salute all of you picture monger addicts (located in the left hand side of the blog), those who have not registered to follow this blog and indeed many others who continue to contribute in their status of anonymity. I also would like to welcome new visitors.
I want to end here because in one of the languages here in Zambia, they advise not to speak too much in the presence of the King because you may end up insulting him.
May the Lord bless you and all the best!

NEW YEAR'S EVE IN LUSAKA

People celebrate christmas in many different ways.
It is the same with New Year. However, I have been made to believe that there are two major activities that pre-occupy people on either christmas or New Year.
I have observed that it is either someone is at church or they go and find some place where they could be with friends or and family and party. This particular activity is the one that is largely associated with alcohol drinking.
Well, on New year's eve, I did a round roving in Lusaka and the results where quite interesting. I went to different places including churches, night clubs, homes and shopping spots.
I will let the lens of my camera tell the story!

CARRYING THE LIGHT INTO THE NEW YEAR


CONGREGANTS at Cathedral of the Child Jesus during the candle light session on New Year's eve.

DR DAN PULE


Reverand Dr Dan Pule standing on the palpit and preaching at his church, Dumanis on New Year's eve.

PICTURE MONGERS??


Angela Nyirenda's funs jostling to shoot pictures of her with mobile phones during the launch of her latest album 'Zambian girls'.

GUZZLERS


Some night revellers perched on some object watching Angela Nyirenda performing (in the background) during the launch of her latest album 'Zambian girls'. There was a lot of food and drink at this party.

DRESS TO IMPRESS AND DANCE WITH CONFIDENCE


A lady on the dance floor at Polo Grill.

MATCHING INTO THE NEW YEAR


A youthful couple glued to each other on the dance floor at Polo Grill on New Year's eve in Lusaka.

OPENING UP FOR 2009


An unidentified lady dancing during the Fresh Sounds and MTN sponsored party at Barclays sports complex on New Year's eve in Lusaka.

BOTTOMS UP!


Some ladies dancing to RnB music on New Year's eve.