THROWBACK: WHEN ZAMBIA POLICE APPLIES MINIMUM FORCE TO ARREST AN UNARMED CITIZEN

Today, I have opted to go down the annals of history and share a couple of images from the aftermath of the 2006 general elections in Zambia, depicting the arrest of protestors who took to the streets demonstrating against that election’s outcome. I love photography and photojournalism in particular because it brings out the evidence, motions and emotions that are attached to the matters that affect our daily lives. Photography speaks across language, gender, culture and all other barriers. Therefore, we must embrace and use photography to discuss matters of public concern in our communities. We must use photography to promote transparency and accountability and hold all our leaders (public, private church etc) to account. I am quiet passionate about the photographs here because they show a direct correlation between citizen rights to assembly etc (even to protest) versus police brutality (violation of citizen rights). I remember former Inspector General of Police Ephraim Mateyo (now North Western Province Permanent Secretary) would quip to his contables and sergeants that they are allowed to use minimum force to arrest any suspect or citizens who are not co-operative. For me, Mr Mateyo, together with many other police officers in the service, remains a very good policeman and his statement was often misinterpreted. How do we measure minimum force? Going by these images, can we see the minimum force or perhaps maximum force? Perhaps we are just seeing police brutality. The reality out there is that many men and women in police uniform have deliberately abandoned the ethical and professional standards of policing, while thousands of citizens have continued to suffer the abuse and wanton disregard for the law and people’s human rights. In some communities, the police are loathed with glee because of the unprofessionalism. Many citizens in Zambia view the police as an instrument of brutality, not an avenue through which people must feel secure and both private and public property safeguarded. Look at the lens through which many traffic police officers are viewed, as the most corrupt section of service. Some officers are perpetrators of gender based violence, other are good examples bad drinking habits. Many citizens bolt and other are traumatized upon seeing the police uniform since they view the police regalia as uniforms of brutality. What happens to society when the people who are empowered to protect, serve and save the community become the bad guys? The media, citizens, policymakers and all interested parties have a stake in ameliorating this view of the police. We can amalgamate our efforts from our various backgrounds and re-assert the image of our gallant men and women in uniform. I have done my part by sharing this content!

FILE PHOTO: A unidentified policeman uses the butt of a gun to assault an armed citizen during a public protest in the aftermath of the 2006 general elections in Lusaka's Chaisa Township. 

FILE PHOTO: A unidentified policemen descend on an armed citizen during a public protest in the aftermath of the 2006 general elections in Lusaka's Chaisa Township. 

CITIZEN RIGHTS AWARENESS BEARS FRUIT IN NANJUCHA

Nanjucha, one of the catchment areas where Actionaid Zambia has been conducting local rights programmes is one of the places in the western province of Zambia, where access to water remains a major challenge.

In Nanjucha, citizens are accustomed to fetching water from shallow ponds in the famous Bulozi plains. Others collect water from uncovered wells that provide unsafe water. The time to access water has improved greatly because in the past, an individual would take over 30 minutes to fetch water. The girls and other pupils missed classes because of the hustle of collecting water. 

The education system has not spared by the brunt reality of unclean water. Personal hygiene and provision of health services is a nightmare in the absence of safe water. Many girls in the adolescent age regularly miss class because of the challenge of not accessing water to handle personal hygiene during menstruation. 

BORE AT NANJUCHA

15-year old Precious Susikwana approaches an Indian made hand pump to draw water from a borehole that was sunk with the aid from Actionaid Zambia. This was at Nanjucha Primary School on July 20, 2017. Precious can now access safe water and attend school because of the water, which was not available in the past. 

CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION

Access to lean and safe water was a pipe-dream for pupils at Nanjucha Primary School in Nalolo constituency. For many years, the pupils and other citizens surrounding the school were used to unsafe water from a well. Here, a borehole sunk by Actionaid Zambia shows a modern water pump that provides good water and sanitation. Through local rights sesnsitisation activities in Nanjucha, citizens are now able to engage duty bearers to demand for delivery of social services. 

GOOD WATER AND SANITATION

15-year old Precious Susikwana (l) and 18-year old Lungowe Nyambe captured at a borehole that was sunk with assistance from Actionaid Zambia. This was at Nanjucha Primary School on July 20, 2017. Precious and Lungowe can now access safe water and attend school consistently because of the availability of water. 

NEW SOURCE OF WATER

15-year old Precious Susikwana (l) and 18-year old Lungowe Nyambe captured at a borehole that was sunk with assistance from Actionaid Zambia. This was at Nanjucha Primary School on July 20, 2017. Precious and Lungowe can now access safe water and attend school consistently because of the availability of water. 

POSING AT THE NEW BOREHOLE

Access to clean and adequate water has enabled 15-year old Precious Susikwana (l) and 18-year old Lungowe Nyambe to attend school lessons consistently. In the picture, the two pupils stand at the new water borehole that was sunk with assistance from Actionaid Zambia. This was at Nanjucha Primary School on July 20, 2017.

THE NEW CLEAN WATER SOURCE

Access to clean and adequate water has enabled 15-year old Precious Susikwana (l) and 18-year old Lungowe Nyambe to attend school lessons consistently. In the picture, the two pupils stand at the new water borehole that was sunk with assistance from Actionaid Zambia. This was at Nanjucha Primary School on July 20, 2017.

THE OLD CONTAMINATED WELL

Access to clean and adequate water has enabled 15-year old Precious Susikwana (l) and 18-year old Lungowe Nyambe to attend school lessons consistently. In the picture, the two girls are captured at the abandoned water well that was the only source of water for the entire community. This was at Nanjucha Primary on July 20, 2017. 

OLD CONTAMINATED WELL

Access to clean and adequate water has enabled 15-year old Precious Susikwana (l) and 18-year old Lungowe Nyambe to attend school lessons consistently. In the picture, the two girls are captured at the abandoned water well that was the only source of water for the entire community. This was at Nanjucha Primary School on July 20, 2017.

ACCESSING WATER IMPROVES SCHOOL ATTENDANCE

15-year old Precious Susikwana (l) and 18-year old Lungowe Nyambe captured at a borehole that was sunk with assistance from Actionaid Zambia. This was at Nanjucha Primary School on July 20, 2017. Precious and Lungowe can now access safe water and attend school consistently because of the availability of water

ACCESSING WATER

15-year old Precious Susikwana (l) and 18-year old Lungowe Nyambe make their way to the borehole that was sunk with assistance from Actionaid Zambia. This was at Nanjucha Primary School on July 20, 2017. Precious and Lungowe can now access safe water and attend school consistently because of the availability of water. 

ACTIONAID'S GLOBAL PLATFORM INSPIRES NALOLO YOUTH INTO ACTIVISM

Meet Pumulo Makokwa, a 23-year old youth activist from Kataba area, one of the marginalized wards in Nalolo constituency of Western province.

Pumulo has done professional training in primary teaching and is awaiting deployment by the authorities. For the past months, Pumulo has been mobilizing fellow youths in Kataba ward to participate in development processes that are going on. She got inspired to become an activist after attending a training at the Global Platform Zambia, where she acquired knowledge about local citizen rights, skills and attitudes to fight poverty and injustice and to challenge decision makers and duty bearers.

After the training, Pumulo undertook positive action to contribute to development, especially for young people in her community. With this new attitude change, Pumulo is determined to impart fellow youths with knowledge, skills and attitude to be active citizens through the organisation she co-founded, called Kataba Youth Club.

In addition, the Global Platform innovative training and capacity development unleashed Pumulo’s potential to pursue social change. According to Pumulo, social change is possible when young people amalgamate their efforts and create local activities.

Pumulo hopes that young people in Kataba area could unite and become champions and activists for empowerment. She dreams of a space for youth activism and volunteer programmes where all citizens can work together to bring about social change. 

PUMULO MAKOKWA- YOUTH ACTIVIST

This  is Pumulo Makokwa, a 23-year old youth activist from Kataba area, one of the marginalized wards in Nalolo constituency of Western province. Pumulo hopes that young people in Kataba area could unite and become champions and activists for empowerment. Here, she was photographed at Kataba Rural Health Centre on July 17, 2017. 

YOUTH ACTIVIST ON THE GO...

Pumulo Makokwa, a 23-year old youth activist from Kataba area, one of the marginalized wards in Nalolo constituency of Western province. Pumulo has been mobilizing fellow youths in Kataba ward to participate in development processes. She was photographed at Kataba Rural Health Centre on July 17, 2017. 

TELLING THE CITIZEN STORY

Pumulo Makokwa, a 23-year old youth activist from Kataba area, one of the marginalized wards in Nalolo constituency of Western province. Here, Pumulo gestures during an interview at Kataba Rural Health Centre on July 17, 2017. 

HANDS READY FOR PUBLIC SERVICE

After the training in citizen awareness at the Global Platform Zambia, Pumulo Makokwa undertook positive action to contribute to development, especially for young people in her community.  Pumulo Makokwa, a 23-year old youth activist from Kataba area, one of the marginalized wards in Nalolo constituency of Western province. Here, Pumulo gestures during an interview at Kataba Rural Health Centre on July 17, 2017. 

CITIZEN MORE AWARE OF RIGHTS

Pumulo Makokwa, a 23-year old youth activist from Kataba area, one of the marginalized wards in Nalolo constituency of Western province. Here, Pumulo poses for a photograph after an interview at Kataba Rural Health Centre on July 17, 2017.

NARRATING THE STORY OF CHANGE

After the training at the Global Platform Zambia (GPZ)on citizen awareness, Pumulo Makokwa undertook positive action to contribute to development, especially for young people in her community.  Pumulo Makokwa, a 23-year old youth activist from Kataba area, one of the marginalized wards in Nalolo constituency of Western province. Here, Pumulo gestures (l) with Prudence Nswana, GPZ Training Officer during an interview at Kataba Rural Health Centre on July 17, 2017

After the training at the Global Platform Zambia (GPZ)on citizen awareness, Pumulo Makokwa undertook positive action to contribute to development, especially for young people in her community.  Pumulo Makokwa, a 23-year old youth activist from Kataba area, one of the marginalized wards in Nalolo constituency of Western province. Here, Pumulo gestures (l) with Prudence Nswana, GPZ Training Officer during an interview at Kataba Rural Health Centre on July 17, 2017

PUMULO MAKOKWA WANTS TO FLY HIGHER...

Pumulo Makokwa, a 23-year old youth activist from Kataba area, one of the marginalized wards in Nalolo constituency of Western province. She dreams of a space for youth activism and volunteer programmes where all citizens can work together to bring about social change. Here, she was photographed at Kataba Rural Health Centre on July 17, 2017.

NALOLO, CITIZENS AND THE RIGHT TO WATER

Water is critical for sustainable development and the eradication of poverty, hunger and inequality.

Investment and commitment in clean and adequate drinking water and sanitation can yield high returns, as improved access to water and sanitation has many health benefits. In addition, easy access to water saves time. This translates into higher productivity and greater school attendance, as well as other tangible benefits such as convenience and well-being, which can also have an economic impact. 

In Kataba area of Nalolo district, the provision of clean, adequate and safe water has been a challenge for many years. The education system, health facilities and other social services have been affected by the lack of water. Efforts in the past to drill water facilities were not sustainable and citizens had no knowledge on how to demand these services from duty bearers.

In 2016, ActionAid Zambia initiated a local rights programme that started training citizens on their rights and how to demand for services from their duty bearers. This initiative has yielded favourable results as citizens are more aware of their rights. In addition, citizens are able to conduct advocacy and lobbying activities to engage their duty bearers to demand for water.

With the knowledge on their rights, advocacy and lobbying have caused citizens in Kataba to engage the local authority that has drilled a modern borehole and matching hand pump that provides clean water to the health facility in the area.

In the past, patients and their caregivers had to walk almost a kilomere to fetch water from a contaminated river close-by. In addition to the water source provided by the council, AAZ has installed another hand pump at the school adjacent to the clinic where pupils access clean and safe water.

The provision of these sources of water has improved the socio-economic life of people in Kataba. Pupils are able spend more time in class learning unlike in the past when the children would spend more time fetching contaminated water in infested streams.
The following photographs represent the resultant effect of the awareness raising programme in which citizens are now able to engage their leaders to demand social service delivery and other human entitlements. 

ATTENDING CLASS WITH CONFIDENCE

Access to safe water is a major challenge in Kataba area of Nalolo constituency. Before a boreholes was installed at the local primary school, class attendance was poor because pupils spent a lot of time fetching contaminated water from shallow sources along the Zambezi plains. Both public health and personal gygiene were major challenge. the education and health delivery systems were very constrained. In the photograph, Sililo Mufaya (l) and Pumulo Wakunyambo (r ) captured in class at Kataba Primary School on July 18, 2017.

ATTENDING CLASS WITH CONFIDENCE

Access to safe water is a major challenge in Kataba Primary School area of Nalolo constituency. Pupils spent long hours away from class to fetch water. Sometimes, they missed class because of personal hygiene challenges such as when they are on menstruation. In the picture, Wakunyambo Pumulo (front) and Sililo Mufaya captured on their to fetch water from the plains. This was on July 18, 2017.

Access to safe water is a major challenge in Kataba Primary School area of Nalolo constituency. Pupils spent long hours away from class to fetch water. In the picture, Wakunyambo Pumulo (front) and Sililo Mufaya captured on their to fetch water from the plains. This was on July 18, 2017.

Access to safe water is a major challenge in Kataba Primary School area of Nalolo constituency. In the photograph, Wakunyambo Pumulo (l) and Sililo Mufaya (r ) carry buckets as they make their way to fetch water at the nearby river. This was on July 18, 2017.

GOING TO DRAW WATER FROM A SHALLOW WELL

Access to safe water is a major challenge in Kataba Primary School area of Nalolo constituency. In the photograph, Wakunyambo Pumulo (l) and Sililo Mufaya (r ) carry buckets as they make their way to fetch water at the nearby river. This was on July 18, 2017.

DRAWING WATER FROM A SHALLOW WELL

Wakunyambo Pumulo (l) and Sililo Mufaya (r ), pupils at Kataba Primary school tapping water from a contaminated shallow well outside their school because Kataba area lacks clean and safe water. This was on July 18, 2017.

DRAWING WATER FROM A DIRTY WELL

Wakunyambo Pumulo (l) and Sililo Mufaya (r ), pupils at Kataba Primary school tapping pick up their containers before setting off to collect water from a nearby shallow well. This was on July 28, 2017.

DRAWING WATER FROM A SHALLOW WELL

Wakunyambo Pumulo (l) and Sililo Mufaya (r ), pupils at Kataba Primary school tapping pick up their containers before setting off to collect water from a nearby shallow well. This was on July 28, 2017.

DRAWING WATER FROM A DIRTY WELL

Wakunyambo Pumulo (l) and Sililo Mufaya (r ), pupils at Kataba Primary school tapping pick up their containers before setting off to collect water from a nearby shallow well. This was on July 28, 2017.

GOING TO DRAW CLEAN AND SAFE WATER

PUMPING SAFE WATER

Access to safe water is a major challenge in Kataba Primary School area of Nalolo constituency. But following local rights sensitization activities, citizens have meaningful engagements with the council, resulting in the sinking of a borehole that supplies safe water to Kataba Primary School and the surrounding community. In the picture, young Sililo Mufaya (r ) and Wakunyambo Pumulo (l) collect water from the communal borehole. This was on July 18, 2017. This was on July 28, 2017.

COLLECTING SAFE WATER

Access to safe water is a major challenge in Kataba Primary School area of Nalolo constituency. But following local rights sensitization activities, citizens have meaningful engagements with the council, resulting in the sinking of a borehole that supplies safe water to Kataba Primary School and the surrounding community. In the picture, young Sililo Mufaya (r ) and Wakunyambo Pumulo (l) collect water from the communal borehole. This was on July 18, 2017. This was on July 28, 2017.

HAPPY WITH SAFE WATER

Access to safe water is a major challenge in Kataba Primary School area of Nalolo constituency. But following local rights sensitization activities, citizens have meaningful engagements with the council, resulting in the sinking of a borehole that supplies safe water to Kataba Primary School and the surrounding community. In the picture, young Sililo Mufaya (r ) and Wakunyambo Pumulo (l) after collecting water from the communal borehole. This was on July 18, 2017. This was on July 28, 2017.

HAPPY WITH SAFE WATER

Access to safe water is a major challenge in Kataba Primary School area of Nalolo constituency. But following local rights sensitization activities, citizens have meaningful engagements with the council, resulting in the sinking of a borehole that supplies safe water to Kataba Primary School and the surrounding community. In the picture, young Sililo Mufaya (r ) and Wakunyambo Pumulo (l) after collecting water from the communal borehole. This was on July 18, 2017. This was on July 28, 2017.

CHATTING AWAY

Sililo Mufaya (r ) and Wakunyambo Pumulo (l) in a conversation after collecting water from the communal borehole at Kataba Primary School. This was on July 18, 2017. This was on July 28, 2017.

DELIGHTED AT THE NEW SOURCE OF WATER

Young Sililo Mufaya (r ) and Wakunyambo Pumulo (l) captured at the new source of water at kataba Primary School. This was on July 18, 2017. This was on July 28, 2017.

PROFIT+ Supports Agric Led Growth

Market systems development approach in Zambia supports agriculture led growth for small scale farmers.
Production, finance and improved technology plus (PROFIT+), a $24 million USAID project supports farmers to increase production and reduce poverty.
Under this initiative, opportunities for farmers in agri-businesses are created to increase productivity and access high value markets, which at the same time allowing private sector investment in specific value chain.
Focusing on improved smallholder productivity, greater access to markets, trade and increased private sector investment, PROFIT+ is fostering economic growth, especially for women.
The project leverages private sector participation that sustains value chain competitiveness and creates economic growth.
“The project engages private sector partners to supply value chain solutions and out-grower schemes that emphasizes permanent transfer of knowledge, information and resources to rural areas,” Ivy Manyuka, PROFIT+ Gender Focus person.
Harmonizing profit driven private sector interest and that of small holder farmers was raised as a concern but the two square off using extension service models not to manipulate the small scale farmers.

Research On Food Choices

On day one of the INGENEAS Global Symposium in Lusaka, one of the thematic sessions featured Emily Lloyd, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health U.S. Borlaug Global Food Security Fellow.
In 2016, Emily conducted a research in Mbala, Northern Zambia on what is important to rural Zambians in the foods they produce and consume.
The outcome of the qualitative research brought out salient issues pertaining to gender, nutrition based on the food choices that that people make.
The researched participants revealed that they make food choices based on their food values which are themselves influenced by the contexts in which they live. These include cost, gender and age dynamics,
According to Emily, each person’s influencing factors and values were perculiar because they are shaped by cultures, economies, life experiences, preferences and other people.
“For example, in high-income countries, people tend to value convenience and taste while in low- and middle-income countries people often prioritize cost and nutrition. Few food choice motives studies in sub-Saharan Africa have been conducted to date,” she said.

INGENEAS SYMPOSIUM CLOSES IN LUSAKA

The Integrating Gender in nutrition and Agriculture Extensions Services (INGENEAS) Symposium has closed in Lusaka after three days of deliberations.
The symposium which opened in Lusaka on Monday, January 23, 2016 drew participants from various regions of the world including the USA, Europe and many African destinations. Former Agriculture Minister of Zambia chance Kabaghe closed the event with a call for serious investment in extensions services as well as serious integration of gender issues in agriculture, nutrition and extensions services.
According to Kabaghe, issues of gender and extensions services in Zambia are not critical issues, hence the lukewarm service delivery that currently characterises the system.
The symposium was exploring ways in which matters of gender can be infused in agriculture extension services with the view of bridging the parities that obstruct the participation of women in the services identified.

BACK ON THE BLOG WITH PHOTO STUDENTS

I am delighted to be back on this space, after a long spell that saw me doing several erands, both locally and elsewhere.
I have enjoyed looking at many photographs and interacting with photographers. I am glad to mention that for sometime now, I have been mentoring several students of journalism in Lusaka. These students are taking photojournalism as one of their subjects. Our journey in photography and photojournalism in particular has been a wonderful experience. It has been a challenge in many cases as well since I have had to mentor individuals from the basics of photography and photojournalism to producing photo-stories.
The journey has been challenging because I have been dealing with some of the individuals who have never pressed a shutter button or seen through the viewfinder.
However, the results have been wonderful and encouraging. The students have a great passion for photography and visual storytelling. We say that there is no bad picture on photography and this is what is coming and we are putting a lot of context in our work. We do hope our critics would find lots of meaning in the work being produced by these passionate students.

Mary Nakamba who dropped out of school because she has to fetch water for her ailing grandparents captured in a pensive mood at her home in Lusaka’s Kuku Township on April 27th, 2014. Photo By LEWIS CHANGWE.

I will be sharing some of the photographs on this platform as a way of showcasing the talents for these upcoming shooters. Lewis changwe is one of my students who has shared his photo above.
We are currently in the pre-planning stages for a photo exhibition in Lusaka and we are going to look for any partnerships for us to turn this event into a quarterly activity.
We to encourage more people to take photography and just to allow a lot of people in Zambia tell stories and to express themselves more critically through pictures.
Photography and photojournalism has become an important aspect of self expression. People and journalists in particular are enjoying their expression of expression and press freedom respectively more than ever before and this has been exacerbated by new technologies such as digital gadgets and the internet.
For now, enjoy viewing some of the pictures from our team and if you are in Lusaka, look out for this gang and be sure to see us soon at one of the shopping malls.

Zambian athletes captured during the official opening of the SADC Fifth edition of the Under 20 Zone Six Games at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.