One of the Zambia Red Cross volunteers stands beside a tent erected for floods victims. She was on stand-by to off humanitarian aid to the flood victims.
Friday, 25 January 2008
Is that a Man U supporter???
Is this a Manchester United fan??? This was the first question that struck my grey matter before I took this shot. As a die hard Man U fan, I was not shocked that the European all-times champions have managed to recruit fans even in such remote areas of Zambia.
Wednesday, 23 January 2008
Woman and baby
A woman and her baby in a shack as the rains pour. This was after her house was washed away as well.
Boy peeps
A boy peeps through the door in his makeshift bedroom. This was after his family house collapsed.
Stranded family
Mr Siansungunya (far left) and his family stand in front of a makeshift structure they are staying in after his mud-thatched house collapsed following heavy rains in Sinazongwe.
Schoolboys play
Scholboys play on some culverts that are to be used for the reconstruction of a washed away bridge in Sinazongwe, Southern Zambia.
villagers wade
Villagers from Sinazongwe in Southern Zambia wade in floods to access social and economic amenities, such as school, clinics, markets and crop fields. Southern Zambia is one of the regions that has been hit by floods. Actually, it is almost impossible to drive there when it rains. The area is completely cut off from the rest of the country, and this also makes it impossble for supplies such as medicines.
Friday, 11 January 2008
President Mwanawasa arrives
President Mwanawasa disembarks from his official mercedez benz car to deliberate over the official opening of the Zambia national assembly.
The national assembly is made up of 150 lected members drawn from that number of constituencies. There are also eight nominated members, who are chosen by the President.
There are three major political parties in Zambia's national assembly and these are the rulin Movement for Multiparty democracy (MMD), Patrotic Front (PF) and United Party for National Development (UPND).
The opening of the national assembly signifies the start of a new legislative year where the house debates several motions, approves the national budget and other such business brought to its agenda.
This year's event was charcterised by what journalists have always described as pomp and slendour. This pomp and slendor is usually a horde of traditional dances, a match past and gun salute by the Zambia army.
Journalists and photographers from different news organisations are alwo clamouring for news interviews and pictures.
Soldier salutes
A soldier from the Zambia Army matching past President Mwanawasa (not in picture) during a parade mounted by the battalion.
Cameraman gets wet
Masautso Phiri has problems getting good shots because of the rain during the official opening of the national assembly.
Looking for a good shot
Masautso Phiri from Zambia's national broadcaster ZNBC figeting with his camera during the live coverage of the official opening of rht enational assembly. There were rains during the event and most cameras got wet.
Dancers get soaked
Some dancers from the Zambia national traditional dance troupe brave rains at the national assembly buildings. This is when they were waiting for President Mwanawasa's arrival for them to dance before him.
Dancers at National Assembly opening
Some members of the Zambia national dance troup dance at the National Assembly buildings when President Mwanawasa was entering the chambers to address the House. This was amid a down pour that has characterised most parts of Zambia and Southern Africa.
TIGHT LIPPED
2007 was a great year for me in many areas of human endeavor. Some of these moments I would share on this platform but others, I would rather they remain unkwnon for specific reasons. Particularly, I followed events on the Zambian political landscape with eager.
I also followed President Mwanawasa's statements, pronouncemnets and PICTURES.
In 2007, this was one of the greatest pictures I shot of His Execellency Dr Levy Patrick Mwanawasa State Council.
He opted to remain tight lipped or is it to lock his mouth when journalists fire questions on his twisting wrangles with second republican president Frederick Chiluba.
It was always a pleasure to cover President Mwanawasa, who always came in different moods each time we went to see him off or receive from abroad.
Sometimes he would be in a jovial mood and date the press on the airport tarmac or he would simply by-pass the journalists as if they never existed on this planet. At times, he would become emotional when journalists asked a controversial question, but that is what my job is all about.
But the biggest burden that has continued to irritate me is the horde of security men who block my picture shoot-outs. Most of the women and men do not understand and have refused to understand that photojournalists like myself need to cover the President when he is in public like that. I think there is need for journalists and the security to find ways of co-ordinating their work because journalism at the end of the day suffers the most. And ultimately, it is the public that is starved out of information because the 12 million people of Zambia do not have that opportunity and access to see their Head of State at such moments.
Thursday, 10 January 2008
SALSA DANCE FROM SANDY'S CREATIONS
It is so amazing to see myself in the new year 2008. To me, 2007 was so short such that I could not believe it was over and yet, so many things happened and so many things did not happen on our lists of new year resolutions. We have also lost some of our beloved brothers and sisters, whose souls we ask to rest in peace. But during the same year, most of us were blessed with bouncing babies that have kept us smiling up to now.
Anyway, it is so great that we are here and still moving on. Last night, Jan 8, 2008, I spent most of my evening at a new pleasure resort in Lusaka called Sandys Creations. This is a nice place with cool and fresh air. It is so luxurious and exotic. It is a centre for family entertainment and outings. It has everything including a conference centre for those corporate events and such other facilities. I was at Sandys Creations not for a family outing or conference. I was invited to the place for the launch of Toyota Zambia's launch of its L200 Toyota version. I enjoyed the picture shoot-out but I enjoyed most the salsa dance, which has become quite popular in Zambia now. There many people at the event and these included former and current government ministers. Diplomats, former service chiefs, journalists, businessmen and women, clowns, some Zambian singers and many people from different walks of life. Look at some of the salsa images and happy new year.
Anyway, it is so great that we are here and still moving on. Last night, Jan 8, 2008, I spent most of my evening at a new pleasure resort in Lusaka called Sandys Creations. This is a nice place with cool and fresh air. It is so luxurious and exotic. It is a centre for family entertainment and outings. It has everything including a conference centre for those corporate events and such other facilities. I was at Sandys Creations not for a family outing or conference. I was invited to the place for the launch of Toyota Zambia's launch of its L200 Toyota version. I enjoyed the picture shoot-out but I enjoyed most the salsa dance, which has become quite popular in Zambia now. There many people at the event and these included former and current government ministers. Diplomats, former service chiefs, journalists, businessmen and women, clowns, some Zambian singers and many people from different walks of life. Look at some of the salsa images and happy new year.
Wednesday, 9 January 2008
Breath taking dance
The salsa dancers showing the audience a breath taking dance. The man on the far right almost jumped on the dance floor because he could not hold himself back.
Posing for photo
Salsa champion Zodwa Khumalo (left) and runner-up Astridah Hamuyamba pose for a picture.
Relaxing after a dance
Zodwa Khumalo (left) and her counterpart Astridah Hamuyamba resting after a salsa dance at Sandy's Creations. This girls can swing their bodies.
Sunday, 16 December 2007
MOSI CUP FINAL
Zesco United Football club have this time around kissed the dust after failing to clinch their fourth cup victory in 2007. This Team hailing from Zambia's mining town of Ndola on the Copperbelt has put such a splendid performance this year by way of securing three local cup titles 
to their name. The three tiles are the BP cup, Coca-cola Cup and the Local Premier League, KCM (Konkola Copper Mines sponsored).
On Saturday December 15, 2007, I had the pleasure of seeing Zesco go down to Red Arrows, who are being sponsored by the Zambia Air Force.
Although I support neither Zesco nor Red Arrows, I think Red Arrows was a better side after all.
The two teams were at par after each scoring two goals in 90 minutes. This led to post match penalties but Red Arrows proved too good for Zesco. Even international play maker Rainford Kalaba seemed to be no where on the pitch.
CAPTION-Zesco’s Jonas Sakuwaha tumbles to the ground as Red Arrows’ Joseph Zimba goes away with the ball during the Mosi Cup final match played at Mkoloma Stadium in Lusaka on Saturday December 15, 2007. Red Arrows won 3-2 on post-match penalties.
to their name. The three tiles are the BP cup, Coca-cola Cup and the Local Premier League, KCM (Konkola Copper Mines sponsored).On Saturday December 15, 2007, I had the pleasure of seeing Zesco go down to Red Arrows, who are being sponsored by the Zambia Air Force.
Although I support neither Zesco nor Red Arrows, I think Red Arrows was a better side after all.
The two teams were at par after each scoring two goals in 90 minutes. This led to post match penalties but Red Arrows proved too good for Zesco. Even international play maker Rainford Kalaba seemed to be no where on the pitch.
CAPTION-Zesco’s Jonas Sakuwaha tumbles to the ground as Red Arrows’ Joseph Zimba goes away with the ball during the Mosi Cup final match played at Mkoloma Stadium in Lusaka on Saturday December 15, 2007. Red Arrows won 3-2 on post-match penalties.
MOSI CUP-Rodgers Kamwandi and Banda Stanley at par.
Red Arrows’ Stanley Banda and Zesco’s Rodgers Kamwandi at par during the Mosi Cup final match played at Mkoloma Stadium in Lusaka on December 15, 2007. Red Arrows won 3-2 on post-match penalties.
Rodgers Kamwandi blocks Staley Banda.
Zesco’s Rodgers Kamwandi blocks Red Arrows’ Stanley Banda during the Mosi Cup final match played at Mkoloma Stadium in Lusaka on December 15, 2007. Red Arrows won 3-2 on post-match penalties.
Kunda Mushota butts Simon Lupiya
Zesco’s Kunda Mushota (left) butts Red Arrows’ Simon Lupiya on the head during the Mosi Cup final match played at Mkoloma Stadium in Lusaka on December 15, 2007. Red Arrows won 3-2 on post-match penalties. Picture By RICHARD MULONGA.
Friday, 7 December 2007
COMESA MARKET GUTTED IN LUSAKA
GOODS worth millions of Kwacha were lost when fire swept through the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) flea market in Lusaka on Thursday night.
Some of the burnt goods included textile products, cellular phones, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and food items.
According to eye-witnesses, the fire started around 19:00 hours from a suspected electric fault.
When I rushed to the market, I found scores of marketeers trying to rescue their property from the raging flames.
Many marketeers who could not save their goods from the fire wailed uncontrollably as they watched the timber-constructed structures transform into ashes.
There was also a flurry of armed police officers who were protecting the burning goods from thieves. The police had surrounded the market.
There was commotion because marketeers jostled to save their goods from the burning shops. Thieves also wanted to take the opportunity to steal but the police kept running after those embezzling other people’s property.
Efforts by the Lusaka fire station personnel to quench the fire proved inadequate once again because their low water pressure engines went dry so rapidly.
But even with re-enforcement from the Zambia Air Force (ZAF) and National Airport Corporation (NAC) fire engines, the flames that had engulfed a better part of at the flea market by 23:00 hours proved hard to put out.
At about midnight, the fire remained uncontrolled and the ZAF and NAC engine had not returned after going to refill the water tanks.
At this point, the police cordoned off the burning market to prevent pilferage and any possible danger because most shop owners were attempting to top the fire using bare hands.
Some of the burnt goods included textile products, cellular phones, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and food items.
According to eye-witnesses, the fire started around 19:00 hours from a suspected electric fault.
When I rushed to the market, I found scores of marketeers trying to rescue their property from the raging flames.
Many marketeers who could not save their goods from the fire wailed uncontrollably as they watched the timber-constructed structures transform into ashes.
There was also a flurry of armed police officers who were protecting the burning goods from thieves. The police had surrounded the market.
There was commotion because marketeers jostled to save their goods from the burning shops. Thieves also wanted to take the opportunity to steal but the police kept running after those embezzling other people’s property.
Efforts by the Lusaka fire station personnel to quench the fire proved inadequate once again because their low water pressure engines went dry so rapidly.
But even with re-enforcement from the Zambia Air Force (ZAF) and National Airport Corporation (NAC) fire engines, the flames that had engulfed a better part of at the flea market by 23:00 hours proved hard to put out.
At about midnight, the fire remained uncontrolled and the ZAF and NAC engine had not returned after going to refill the water tanks.
At this point, the police cordoned off the burning market to prevent pilferage and any possible danger because most shop owners were attempting to top the fire using bare hands.
Take a look at some of the images from the inferno.
NATIONAL AIRPORTS CORPORATION FIRE ENGINE
The scene at Comesa market was not short of drama. This fire engine from the National Airports Corpration could not spill out its water contents almost ten minutes after it arrived. Why?? No one knows, but all that we could was the crew fidgiting with the hoses and hearing the raving engine. People were glad that it finally spilled out the water, though not adequate.
For me, its that the engine is not serviced and something must have ceased inside.
ZAMBIA AIR FORCE FIRE TENDER
The Zambia Air Force fire crew re-inforced their ill-equipped counterparts from Lusaka City Council but that action did not do much to stop the fire. This fire engine ran dry so quickly and the difference it made almost amounted to nothing. What amazed at some point was that, it took over an hour for this engine to coma back from the water collection point after going to refill. Is this efficiency or is this crew prepared for such an emergency?
CROWD WATCH HELPLESSLY
This is part of the crowd that was blocked from entering the market. These people had only to watch from a distance when their market and its structures was crumbling into ashes.
LUSAKA POLICE CHIEF IN ACTION
This is Mr Greenwell Ng'uni. He is the police for Lusaka district. He was at the scene, making sure that all the police officers did their work. He was issuing orders. It was a tough time for the police because there were also many people hovering around the market, trying to get an opportunity to grab something from the burning shops. I was told a number of such people were arrested.
MAN WAILING
It was not only women who cried like babies. Even men too!!
This man, who spoke mostly in swahili could not help holding back his tears. He must have lost millions of Kwacha (the Zambian currency) in that makeshift shop. He arrived at the scene only to find it collapsing and everything was gone.
LORD SAVE US!!
These people seem to be asking for devine intervention to stop the fire. The horde of marketeers were left helpless, watching the fire burning their goods because the local fire crew could not manage to stop the inferno.
The flames were quite fearce and raging.
Woman wailing
This woman continued to wail for a better part of the night while the market was being reduced to ashes.
I found scores of people wailing and crying uncontrollably like babies after they realised that their goods, which is a source of livelihood has been reduced to ashes.
I found this woman wailing on top of her voice and there was no one's shoulder to lean on because everyone needed the same pillar of strength.
The Comesa market on fire.
This part of the market on fire. Some of the marketeers trying to get some pictures from their mobile phones after helplessly failing to quench the flames.
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