Israel based Under-20 striker Conlyde Luchanga joined the team in training this morning and said that he will work hard to break into the first team.

The Hapoel Ra’anana striker was not part of the Cosafa Under-20 winning team and also missed out on the training camp in Spain due to club commitment but will have to fight for a place in a seemingly well settled set up.

In an interview with bolazambia.com at the training ground at Barclays Sports Complex this morning, the 19-year old Luchanga said that he was aware of the competitiveness of the team but will work hard to win a place.

Beston Chambeshi has an array of options upfront where Patson Daka, Fashion Sakala and Luchanga will be part of the competition for the lead attacking role.

“Football is all about hard work; you work hard and prove the coach that is how you fit in the team. I just have to work hard and prove myself to earn my place,” he said.

“I was watching the Cosafa, I saw the team that the guys had, and it was a very good team. I was like when I go I will have to work very hard and earn my place in the first eleven.”

He expressed confidence that a World Cup place was within reach.
“We have a very big chance to qualify to the World Cup because we have a very good team. We are going to the World Cup,” he said.

The team was back to full training after having done their medicals on Tuesday.

Zambia will open its campaign with a fixture against Guinea on February 26 at Heroes Stadium.

Chambeshi has all the pieces with only Daka whose Austrian club Liefreing FC will be in action in the Europa League being awaited over the weekend.

The hosts will be in Group A where they will be with Egypt, Mali and Guinea while Group B has Senegal, Cameroun, South Africa and Sudan in a bunch that will be housed in Ndola.

(SOURCE: BOLAZAMBIA)

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Leading opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema has visited detained Fred M’membe’s wife Mutinta Mazoka-M’membe at Kabwata Police where he accused President Edgar Lungu of giving undemocratic orders to victimize private citizens.

Hichilema was accompanied to the police by his wife Mutinta and Mazoka-M’membe’s mother Mutinta who is a UPND Member of Parliament for Pemba.

The opposition leader said President Lungu was turning the country into an undemocratic state.

“They exercised undue force. Based on the reports we have received, the police acted in a brutal way. They harassed Mrs M’membe, the security guards…this is very unnecessary. The police is getting brutal by the day. This is unacceptable in a democratic. I think its an instruction coming from Lungu and whoever else.

“This is the wife, they are looking for the husband, why harass the wife? You can’t be indifferent to this sort of behaviour being meted on innocent citizens,”

Hichilema has urged Zambians to rise up against the PF government for what he alleges were undemocratic tendencies.

Meanwhile All People’s Congress (APC) president Nason Msoni has charged that the action of the police at Post Newspaper in liquidation editor-in-chief Fred M’membe’s residence last evening was barbaric.

Msoni says what the country witnessed yesterday at M’membe’s residence can only be likened to the infamous Criminal behavior of the Janjaweed militia of Sudan invading and attacking the innocent people of Darfur.

He says state terrorism has no place in a civilized democratic dispensation.

Police are still keeping vigil at M’membe’s residence who is reported to be in Jamaica.

The post Pres. Lungu Is Being Brutal On M’membe’s Wife, alleges Hichilema appeared first on Zambia Reports.

New Vision Newspaper editor Macpherson Muyumba has FAZ officials for a laissez-faire approach to preparation for hosting the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations kicking off in under 10 days.

Muyumba says with the tournament kicking off on February 26, FAZ has performed below average in preparing the country for the event which has attracted eight nations.

“The 2017 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations kicks off on February 26th to March 13 and this FAZ of theirs has not kick started any ads.

“What is wrong with those heads at Football House. Who do they think will do their job? Busy posing at coffee shops but doing no real job. Can u be serious we don’t eat ma pose..sha!,” he stated in a Facebook post.

“We don’t want another Muppet Show kind of FAZ administration at Football House. Even weddings are publicized months before the actual date.”

There has been some feeble effort to hype the event in the last few days with FAZ sending out officials in “UNIP days style” of using a Mobile Public Address system to publicise the tournament.

FAZ has also unveiled more than two mascots for the event. Top artistes Jordan Katembula aka JK, Wille and Mozegator have since released a shoddy piece of work which has been adopted as a theme song while observers suggest a collaboration of Izrael[Exile] and his wife Nalu is a better piece of artwork.

The tournament will kick be played at Heores Stadium in Lusaka and Levy Mwanawasa in Ndola.

The post New Vision Boss Blasts FAZ Over Poor Publicity For Under-20 Tournament appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Zanaco Football Club arrived in Rwanda yesterday to fulfill their second leg of the preliminary round of the CAF Champions League.

The has set up base in the capital Kigali.

Zanaco has carried with them Under-20 trio of Fashion Sakala who signed for Spartak Moscow on Monday, Boyd Musonda and Mangani Banda.

Numba Mumamba’s team is tied at 0-all with APR of Rwanda from the first leg played at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka on Saturday.

The game will be played at the Amahoro Stadium on Saturday with the bankers having the onerous task of doing away from home what they failed in their backyard.

Full Team:

Goalkeepers: Rachar Kola, Toaster Nsabata, Mangani Banda

Defenders: Ziyo Tembo, George Chilufya, Lee Ngoma, Taonga Bwembya Chongo Chirwa, Peter Jacob Banda, Andrew Kwiliko

Midfielders: Richard Kasonde, Augustine Mulenga, Attram Kwame Boyd Siame Musonda

Strikers: Fashion Junior Sakala, Saith Sakala, Kennedy Musonda, Ernest Mbewe.

(SOURCE: Bolazambia)

The post Zanaco Arrive In Kigali For CAF Fixture appeared first on Zambia Reports.

The Football Association of Zambia has finally appointed a Communications Manager filling the hitherto vacant position by Desmond Katongo.

Katongo steps in the void left by Nkweto Tembwe who jumped ship in the aftermath of the 2016 FAZ elections that saw Andrew Kamanga defeat Kalusha Bwalya for the top job.

The Evelyn Hone College trained journalist is better known from his days in the production team of the Mpila Zambia show that ran on SuperSport and ZNBC.

Below is the full statement:

The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) is pleased to announce that Mr Desmond Katongo has been appointed Communications Manager. He joined the national football governing body on 16th February, 2017.

Prior to joining FAZ, Mr Katongo worked as Communications Officer for Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR).

He is well known for producing a football television show called “Mpila Zambia” which was broadcast on SuperSport and the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) until 2012.

He also worked as a Communications specialist for BioCarbon Partners. He holds a Diploma in Journalism and Public Relations from Evelyn Hone College of Applied Arts and Commerce.

(SOURCE: BOLAZAMBIA)

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The predicament that former Post Newspapers in liquidation Managing Director Fred M’membe finds himself is very much of his own design. He has spent his life believing that he was invincible after having taken on one government after the other.

It did not help that he went to bed with Michael Sata’s Patriotic Front government which ultimately proved his own downfall as he fell in love with the goodies that came with sleeping with the government. He was allowed to default on tax obligations with impunity. That unfortunately is a well known narrative.

There could be a catalogue of how many lives he has racked through his at times scurrilous editorials. Perhaps Frederick Chiluba remains his greatest kill through a well orchestrated editorial crucifixion. Everything else about this story is well known but the manner the law enforcement officers are going about crucifying him would simply create a legend out of him.

What was the circus about having to mobilize an entire troop to go to war with a defenceless woman at M’membe’s Nangwenya road residence? The police or the entire intelligence network ought to have known that M’membe was out of the country? Unless they are about to confirm our fears about their ineptitude! Or maybe everything else was merely a calculated move to take advantage of his absence and harass his wife Mutinta whom the law enforcement agencies have lingering ‘beef’ with over the manner she outsmarted the legal system to register and operate the Mast Newspaper that is a copycat of the Post Newspaper.

Lest we forget, nothing is really calculated in these ends. Have they not already got enough from M’membe after taking away his most prized possession-The Post? Should there really be any justification to go into the man’s bedroom with that killer punch?

Excitement in handling the Post Newspapers case could lead to a possible disaster. They have handed provisional liquidator Lewis Mosho his dream kill but he risks bungling it if at every turn he is raising alarm? In any case Mosho can hardly qualify to liquidate anything in a civilized society. Do they really expect that a man who has built his empire over 25 years from his kitchen will gladly walk to them and lay his entire assets before them? Can they be this naive? Do they expect him to do their work?

And at the rate they were cheering on creditors to enlist their claims against The Post Newspapers with the provisional liquidator even their golden kill could end up as bunch of sand in their mouths.

They will wake to find out that everything else that they grabbed was marked out against debts and guess who will be the winner? Our high flying liquidator Mr Mosho will be smiling his way to the bank having happily seen off what could be his kill of a lifetime.

The law enforcement agencies need to do more than just some prime time arrests and deliver real results. Otherwise this show may ultimately defy the script.

Good Day!

The post Opinion: Scattered Approach Could Bungle M’membe’s Case appeared first on Zambia Reports.

President Edgar Lungu has given his full backing to his under fire Patriotic Front Secretary General Davis Mwila.

Mwila has just survived a public bashing over his remarks in Kabwe on the party being the controller of bus stations and markets with Luapula province chiefs going for him alleging that he has failed.

Former Copperbelt province Minister Mwenya Musenge has also gone for Mwila saying that he has failed to mobilize the ruling party.

However, President Lungu says Mwila was not going anywhere off the secretariat as he had just got on to work in that office.

He wondered whether the people that were calling for the dismissal of Mwila wanted to be his replacement.

“Why should we judge him so soon? He has only been in that office for a short time. Do they want to replace him? How do chiefs come in?” he quipped.

“Anyway, I am still with Davis Mwila until I find him doing wrong.”

Mwila succeeded Davies Chama who was appointed defence minister after the August 11, 2016 elections.

The post Pres. Lungu Gives ‘Militiaman’ Davies Mwila Full Backing appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Zanaco Football Club today will have to win to rescue their faltering CAF Champions League dream when they face APR of Rwanda.

The two sides are tied at 0-all going into the second leg of the preliminary round after the bankers were held in their own backyard.

With perhaps unfair comparisons with Zesco United’s soaring run last season in the same competition the bankers has the onerous task to win over doubters that they are worth flying the country’s flag on the continental front.

Crying about departed players and the pool of unregistered foreign players who missed the deadline will not do the bankers any favours nor the cry baby antics about a bad training pitch.

Zanaco will have to do the business on the pitch on foreign soil against the proverbial all odds and keep a respectable face among its fans.

The trident of Fashion Sakala, Aubrey Funga and Boyd Musonda will have to deliver on foreign soil what they failed on home terrain.

APR will be feeling at home at the Amahoro Stadium but it is Zanaco who could steal the show if they hit the net.

Having not conceded at home the bankers could tuck the tie away with anything from a scoring draw or an outright win.

An imminent first round tie lies in wait with George Lwandamina’s Yanga who carry a healthy first leg win from their first leg tie against their Comoros opponents.

But the bankers have to worry about APR before they start thinking about meeting Lwandamina in the next round.

The match kicks off at 15:30 (CAT)

(SOURCE: Bolazambia)

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A Catholic priest has observed that the unprecedented number of mushrooming universities in Zambia is compromising the quality of tertiary education.

Fr Patrick Chilambwe, the Vice Chancellor of the Zambia Catholic University, says in the absence of a framework to deliver quality education, most higher learning institutions are falling short.

BELOW IS THE STATEMENT ISSUED BY ZCCB COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER MWENYA MUKUKA

Vice Chancellor of the Zambia Catholic University (ZCU) has observed that plurality of Universities without a framework has continued to be a challenge on the quality of tertiary education in the country.

Fr. Patrick Chilambwe said that when the country has a too many higher learning institutions there should be a frame work to regulate quality of education being delivered.

“When you have so many institutions of higher learning, there must be a framework to ensure that that what matters is not the number, but the quality of education being offered. And I am sure that quality is a challenge the education system is facing in Zambia. We are however hopeful that in the coming few years this will be addressed,” he said.

And Fr. Chilambwe has said the Catholic Church strongly believes that education in its truest sense is about giving people orientation, direction and true meaning of life.

He said that it is about opening minds to life long search for wisdom adding that it is deeper than information giving because enables people to be proactive, be in control of their lives and broaden economic, social and other opportunities.

“Education goes beyond the getting of knowledge. It is for an application of the dignity of each and every member of society. The Catholic education believes that education is vital for the integral development of the people in social, economic, cultural, spiritual, political and religious spheres,” he noted.

And the ZCU Vice Chancellor said that there cannot be true and authentic development without well-educated citizens.

“There cannot be true and authentic development without well-educated citizens, therefore education is not a privilege for a few people but is basically a fundamental right for each and every citizen of any given country,” he noted.

Speaking when a conducted Holy Mass at Zambia Catholic University (ZCU), Mass Communications Faculty in Lusaka on Friday, 17th February, 2017, Fr. Chilambwe re-echoed Pope John II’s message that education is above all the communication of Christ and helping to form Christ in the lives of others.

“Education is not a commodity, even if Catholic schools equip its graduates with enviable skills, but rather a Catholic school sets out to be a place of human person and of human persons adding the Catholic University should be grounded on the community of people who believe in Jesus Christ,” he observed.

He further said that specific the purpose of a Catholic education is for the formation of students who will not only be good citizens of today but also for the world to come.

Issued by Mwenya Mukuka
Communications Officer
Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops

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Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) life president Edith Nawakwi has expelled longserving party member Chifumu Banda.

Chifumu Banda recently announced his intention to challenge Nawakwi for the top post.

The FDD leadership is holding a press briefing at which Chifumu Banda’s expulsion has been announced.

This is a developing story

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UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema yesterday took time to observe Sabbath as is his tradition. He was joined by his wife Mutinta and a host of top UPND officials that included Secretary General Stephen Katuka.

BELOW IS HICHILEMA’S MESSAGE FOLLOWING THE OBSERVANCE

This morning with my wife Mutinta, our party Secretary General Mr. Stephen Katuka and other party members; attended a church service at Woodlands Central SDA Church.

There is always joy in the house of the Lord and we implore each one of you to take time and worship the Lord in truth.

We also enjoyed being in the company of children who we happily joined in singing praises to our Lord, God almighty.

Zambia is a Christian nation and in our case, we are determined to ensuring that we become a true Christian nation both in words and deeds.

Blessed afternoon country men and women,

God Bless our country & Happy Sabbath.

The post Hichilema, Wife & Senior UPND Members Observe Sabbath appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Zambia’s envoy in the CAF Champions League, Zanaco, has qualified to the first round of the competition after beating hosts APR at Stade Amahoro in Kigali on Saturday.

The Zambian champions defeated the Rwanda champions 1-0 courtesy of a 17th minute goal from defender Taonga Bwembya.

Bwembya made continental debut with an impact that gave Zanaco, who drew goalless in the first fixture, a lifeline in the competition.

Zanaco will face George Lwandamina’s Young Africans Of Tanzania next month.

Meanwhile, Zesco United will swing into CAF Confederations Cup action with a date against a Burundi outfit.

The post Zanaco Reach CAF First Round After Win In Rwanda appeared first on Zambia Reports.

POST Newspapers Limited provisional liquidator Lewis Mosho who is working with state agents to stop Fred M’membe from challenging the liquidation matter in court is now eyeing a small printing press at the latter’s house.

During the raid at Dr M’membe’s house on Friday, police officers who were sent to effect a questionable search in the absence of the celebrated journalist stopped the printing of The Mast and ordered all printers to leave the printing room and kept them under house arrest for a day.

And on Thursday, the police went back for a search where they indicated that they needed to establish the ownership of the small personal printing press.

But yesterday, some police officers went back in the company of some mechanics and attempted to dismantle the printing press in the absence of the lawyers.

However, Dr M’membe’s security officer stopped them from doing so and advised that no property should be tampered with in the absence of the lawyers.

A few hours later, another group of officers went back to view the small printing press and left.

And in the afternoon, Mosho, who is instigating the schemes to arrest M’membe and his lawyer Nchima Nchito on alleged personation charges, viewed the printing press in the company of police officers to ‘identify’ it.

Police sources have disclosed that Mosho, working with his State House allies, ordered the arrest of Dr M’membe and Nchito.

This follows the move by Dr M’membe to challenge the liquidation of The Post newspaper in court.

The police sources confirmed that Mosho wanted Dr M’membe arrested immediately and that the command had sent them to search his house and to find charges.

The source further narrated that Mosho was also targeting lawyers from Nchito & Nchito who had been retained by Dr M’membe to challenge the liquidation.

“The whole issue has been sparked by the move to challenge the liquidation. He (Mosho) feels that giving an opportunity to Fred [M’membe] in court over the liquidation will be a mistake. He feels that this matter has already gone past redemption and The Post should never be allowed to recover. We understand that he will not allow Fred to have a say in court on this matter,” said the source.

“That is why when you hear the tone from his end, it’s that of wanting to conclude this matter and sell Post assets. So State House has been engaged on this matter and there is a go ahead from there to have Fred and the Nchito brothers arrested. These [lawyers] are believed to be the ones who are keeping Fred going, so the idea is to keep them busy with the arrest.”

Source: The Mast

The post Mosho Fails To Grab M’membe’s Printing Press In An Attempt To Cripple The Mast appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Opposition UPND cadres yesterday whipped Patriotic Front cadre Max Chongu and left him bleeding.

Chongu was only saved by a police officer in the vicinity who fired shots to disperse angry opposition supporters.

The former television reality star had earlier in the day launched what he said was a campaign to retain President Edgar Lungu in power in 2021.

“First stop over southern province trip. Wapya UPND as long as I was taught by WILLY NSANDA be rest assured come 2021 you losing again,” he posted on his Facebook page.

President Lungu is expected to seek another term in office, a decision observers argue is unconstitutional.

Max Chongu has been parading himself in campaign regalia for an election that is more than 50 months away.

His political drama seems to have riled UPND supporters who descended on him Saturday night.

“UPND Thank you so much am humbled with your attacks I thank that brave policeman who fired shots but remember days are numbered

“Jnr Maffia has to get stitches am upset. But its fine UPND you have won for now,” he posted on his Facebook page.

The post UPND Cadres Whip PF Cadre Max Chongu appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Fourth Republican president Rupiah Banda celebrating his 80th birthday today.

President Banda should be looking back at his life with joy having served the country since he was in his 20s.

A freedom fighter, a diplomat, FAZ vice-president, first soccer supporters group Bola Bola founder, boxing promoter, Member of Parliament [Munali], Governor, Vice-President and Republican president, president Banda has diligently served the country from the lowest to the highest level.

Today, we join him and his family to celebrate not only his birthday but his gallant service to mother Zambia.

Enjoy this moment RB. A happy birthday to you.

The post Happy 80th Birthday RB appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Former television personality Kachanana Simate has offloaded a moving tale on social media in which she reveals how an ex-supervisor during her days at ZNBC derided her complexion and dental formula.

She says the supervisor told her she had a “disgusting dental formula”, “was too dark in complexion” that it required double the normal light to view her image and that her high pitch voice was “very irritating”.

The singer, who is making her mark with nude performances, says she was broken to the bone.

“i slept in bed for 2days, didnt care about work. only getting up 2 bath and eat. the bathing was painful… why did God make me this way. I hated God. i loathed him for making me a joke. for giving me a talent in a field i did not fit in. Why God? is this a joke? i hate u. and i cried again. i hate u God,” she narrates.

Kachanana says she was forced to visit a dentist to help realign her dental formula.

BELOW IS THE FULL NARRATION POSTED ON KACHANANA’S FACEBOOK PAGE

one day my boss at the time at znbc called me into her office. she seemed angry i wasnt sure why. i had tried all manner of ways 2 make my work as perfect as possible but it never pleased her… she told me these words;
i dnt knw who u knew or wat u did for u 2 b employed here. u are not tv material. u are so ugly. yr skin is so dark yr the lighting pipo struggle 2 light yr skin, your teeth are so disgusting i feel like puking… u talk too much on tv and yr voice is so high pitched, its irritating. you dont deserve 2 be here. you are too ugly for tv yr skin is too dark for tv… she went on like this for 1hr45min. within that one sided conversation, some things were so painful 2 hear i would zone out and zone back in to find her still expressing her hate for all about me… until the then head of studio technicians knocked on her door. he had come to tell her that the presenter of the next live show had not showed up. it was me. she released me in that state of mind 2 go and do a live tv show. when i walked out i was so weak i walked into the next office. thankfully a friend was seated in there.
i cried.

i couldnt tell her why… dear God where 2 even start from… but she was there comforting me. time was ticking. in 5min i had 2 b live. i went to the bathroom washed my face i couldnt look in the mirror… then i walked 2 the studio. 1minute to the show i was failing 2 read my script. 20 seconds countdown.

i did what i always did, say a prayer, smile with that disgusting smile and started the show. all went well, guests were happy audience was happy but me, i was miserable. i drove home.

i slept in bed for 2days, didnt care about work. only getting up 2 bath and eat. the bathing was painful… why did God make me this way. I hated God. i loathed him for making me a joke. for giving me a talent in a field i did not fit in. Why God? is this a joke? i hate u. and i cried again. i hate u God.

on the third day, just like Jesus i rose again. ok what can i do? the teeth were my fault due to sucking my thumb into my teens. i remembered someone recommending this dentist… i went to see her… Dr Njai. she had a talk with me and during that talk i just started crying. she said she understood… how could she? she had perfect teeth and a light skin. she told me it wasnt like that all her life. she showed me how she had fixed her own teeth…. i was now amazed… dentist fixing yr own teeth??? i had dentist phobia but i put that aside. she put wires in my mouth i was to where them for the next six months but i could take them off during my shows. i went home… six more months of ugly duckling life. i looked in the mirror at my skin. i remembered a girl i went with at school.. much darker than me but she was the prettiest in class… hmmm God doesnt make mistakes. i watched some videos of me on tv, no, God didnt make a mistake with that voice either. i am sorry God. after 4months dr Njai removed the wires she was supposed 2 put new ones for the next three months… it wasnt a perfect smile but it was way better… i didnt even want the rest of the treatment… imperfection creates character. i was happy. i usually dont pry into pipos personal life but i checked out ba bosses life, she was miserable in her personal/romantic life… elo for good reason. her misery she was projecting on me… so i should be miserable with her. Ha! i will never allow anyone to downgrade the works of God again. i am perfectly me.last night was booked to perform for 1hr, i performed for 4 and made more money, because the audience wouldnt leave and wanted more and more…. meanwhile other miserable human beings were on facebook participating in a “roast” of me, 90% of which was how ugly they think i am becoz i am dark lol i wonder if there are any white pipo criticised for being to white… anyway…i feel sorry for u. I pray u will find the inner peace and personal acceptance and Joy i have found. Becoz to this day and any day forward… no amount of hate from a human being shall ever phase me. thankyou.
God Bless.
#NanaFire
#QueenOfQueens.

The post Singer Kachanana Pens Touching Tale; Ex-Boss Demeaned Her Over “Complexion” & “Dental Formula” appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Lusaka lawyer Dickson Jere has joined Zambians in celebrating fourth Republican president Rupiah Banda’s 80th birthday. Fondly referred to as RB, the statesman celebrated his milestone with grandchildren, friends and other members of the family at his New Kasama home.

Jere says RB deserves the highest recognition Zambians can offer for his illustrious contribution both in public service and private life.

BELOW IS JERE’S WRITE UP

Happy 80th Birthday President!

By Dickson Jere

Rarely do we see people hit the age of 80 these days.

And when one reaches that milestone, there is cause to celebrate. My former boss, mentor and parent, President Rupiah Bwezani Banda, is 80 years today! (19/02/17)

As I join in celebrating his birthday, I wish to state that the 80 years of this oldman has been a rollercoaster but a fascinating and admirable one. He has had an illustrious career both in public and private sectors. The man has served the country in a number of lofty positions and yet his humility is admirable. He served as Zambia’s top diplomat but has always refused to be called “Ambassador”. Even with the honourary Doctorates conferred on him by universities, he still refused to be addressed as “Dr”.

“Those titles are irrelevant to my life. Who can doubt that I was Ambassador? Call me RB,” the man would often tell us.

Rupiah Banda is an Economist educated at Lund University in Sweden and holds a Masters Degree from Cambridge University in the U.K. Even at his old age, he has not divorced himself from books and I often discuss latest books on the market with him.

One of the most remarkable characteristics of Rupiah Banda is his persistent call for everyone in his vicinity to join him for a meal whenever it is served regardless of their status.

“tiyeni tilye (let’s eat)” is his famous phrase, which became his nickname when was President. (He is not aware about this!)

He would call bodyguards, drivers, gardeners, cleaners and his aides to join him for a meal. Off course, everyone would scamper for fear of breaching protocol, but to the annoyance of the President.

“Driver ni muntu na yeve (Driver is a person also)”, RB would often say when told that drivers cannot join him on the table as it would be serious breach of protocol.

One of his greatest weakness, even at 80, is his ability to trust people, even those who betrayed him. He believes in loyalty so much that one wonders how he mingles with his enemies freely with his trademark smile.

“Ni vao ivo (it’s their own problem,” is his instant answer when asked what he was doing with someone who openly insulted him or betrayed his trust.

At 80, the man has lived his life. He has had his fair share of shortcomings, just like any human being. He may have also stepped on people’s toes, who still hold him in contempt and may not see his good side. That notwithstanding, I sincerely believe he is qualified for the highest medal in Zambia -the Grand Commander of the Eagle – for his contribution to the country from the time he was a freedom fighter up until now. I know he personally would not want this kind of honour but I think he deserves it. As a country, we need to honour our heroes while they are alive!

Last week, he came through my office and we talked about his big birthday but his take was that he wanted it low key.

Happy birthday Zambia’s 4th President!

Below are position he held:
⁃ President of the Republic of Zambia
⁃ Vice President of the Republic of Zambia
⁃ Minister of Foreign Affairs and Member of Parliament for Munali constituency
⁃ Minister of State for Mines and Mineral Development
⁃ Ambassador to Egypt
⁃ Ambassador to Washington
⁃ Permanent Representative to the United Nations
⁃ Senior Governor of the City of Lusaka
⁃ Chief Executive Officer of National Agriculture Marketing Board
⁃ Vice President of the Football Association of Zambia
⁃ Chairman of the Chiparamba Soccer Academy
⁃ UNIP representative to Ethiopia (during independence struggle)

The post Dickson Jere Toasts To RB’s 80th Birthday appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Zambia Under-20 coach Beston Chambeshi has rolled out his 21 bullets that will do duty at the Total Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations.

And the Local Organizing Committee has unveiled the mascot named Nkwazi for the U-20 tournament.

Chambeshi unveiled the final team at a media briefing held at Football House this morning with the Minister of Youth and Sports Moses Mawere in attendance.

Zambia will open its campaign next Sunday with a match against Guinea at Heroes Stadium.

Group A of the tournament will be held in Lusaka comprising the host Zambia, Egypt, Mali and Guinea while Group B will be in Ndola and has Senegal, Cameroun, South Africa and Sudan.

Tickets will be sold at Shoprite outlets across the country and Post offices with the prices ranging from K10, K20 and K200.

Top four teams at the tournament will grab a ticket to the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Seoul.

Zambia has been to the world cup twice in 1999 under Patrick Phiri and 2007 under George Lwandamina.

FULL TEAM:

Goalkeepers: Mangani Banda (Zanaco), Samson Banda (Zesco United), Jim James Phiri (Circuit City);

Defenders: Moses Nyondo (Nkana), Prosper Chiluya (Kafue Celtic), Benson Chali (Forest Rangers), Solomon Sakala (Kabwe Warriors), Shemmy Mayembe (Zesco United), Edward Tembo (Gomes);

Midfielders: Sydney Phiri (Gomes), Chrispine Sakulanda ( Mufulira Wanderers), Harrison Musonda Chisala (Nkana), Enock Mwepu (Napsa Stars), Kenneth Kalunga (IFS/Denmark), Mumba Mwape (Getafe/Spain), Boyd Siame Musonda (Zanaco);

Strikers: Conlyde Luchanga (Hapoel Ranaana/ Isreal), Fashion Junior Sakala (Zanaco), Emmanuel Junior Banda (Esmoriz/ Portugal), Edward Chilufya (Mpande Youth), Patson Daka (FC Liefering/Austria)

(SOURCE: Bolazambia)

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MISA Zambia has condemned the police raid on former Post Newspapers Limited in liquidation Fred M’membe’s residence and taking away some printing equipment.

Police spent the latter part of last week camped at M’membe’s residence that they searched and had arrested his wife whom they detained for 48 hours.

On Saturday police went with a folk lifter to canter away the printing press for The Mast Newspaper that is housed in the car park of the M’membe residence.

Police went away with some parts of the equipment alleging that it belongs to the closed Post Newspaper.

Law enforcement agents sealed the Post Newspapers printing offices that are along Lumumba road where the printer for the closed institution is housed.

Police have mounted a scattered approach to fishing out anything they imagine is owned by The Post Newspapers.

Below is the statement issued by MISA Zambia vice chairperson Elizabeth Chanda:

For Immediate Release

Sunday, February 19, 2017.

MISA condemns state police seizure of Mast Newspaper equipment, raid on M’membe’s residence and calls on Zambians to stand for the freedom of the press

MISA Zambia condemns, in the strongest terms, the action by the state and police actions to suppress the Mast Newspaper in addition to the earlier harassment and assault of Mutinta Mazoka-M’membe during an attempted search in the absence of her husband five days ago.

MISA is concerned that the state fight is no longer about the closure of the Post Newspaper instigated by the government and the Zambia Revenue Authority, but now a war to close down any media house deemed to be critical.

There is no connection between The Post Newspaper in Liquidation and The Mast Newspaper owned by Mutinta Mazoka and we seriously urge the State and the Post Newspaper Liquidator to stop the unwarranted moves to destroy Dr M’membe and any critical private media.

As MISA, we are appalled by this high level of hypocrisy being exhibited by the state, that while the Justice Minister has indicated to the Zambians that the Access To Information (ATI) Bill will presented to Parliament, government is diametrically opposed to media freedom and development, and freedom of expression going by its sensitivity to criticism or dissenting views.

In a democracy such as Zambia, the critical mass of the people should not be subjected to monolithic, biased news singing praises to the government, unleashing propaganda against channels of independent voices especially that Zambia claims to be a model democracy in Africa.

Zambia has actually lost credibility as a country with a flourishing media industry due to state and police appetite to clamp down and muzzle the media. MISA is further disturbed that the gagging of the media appears to be a war targeting Dr. M’membe-a private citizen and his family, while President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has paid a blind eye, with the police seemingly appetised to inflict pain on private citizens.

The events of the past few days are evidence of pure state brutality against which all Zambians must now stand. It is worth noting that elections are over, and we should as a country be focusing on how to reunite the country and not the vindictive attacks we are witnessing on a daily basis.

It is further disturbing that while the Ministry of Information is calling for professionalism in the media industry, government agencies are bent on closing down independent media voices, and this is anathema.

We therefore demand that government forthwith stop the illegal and vindictive efforts to uproot the printing press of The Mast Newspaper which they intend to execute on Monday after failing yesterday. As MISA we wish to warn government and police that this level of brutality and gagging of the media will soon backfire and the day of reckoning will soon come. We urge all Zambians to stand for and defend the freedom of the media. This war is beyond Dr. M’membe, Mutinta Mazoka and the Mast; it is an attack on our fundamental freedom of expression as citizens. We should not, as citizens therefore, detach ourselves from this state sponsored brutality against the media as it has the potential to infringe on us all.

Elizabeth Mweene Chanda

Vice Chairperson,

MISA Zambia Chapter

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Zamtel has sacked its chief executive office Dr Mupanga Mwanakatwe for alleged poor performance.

A statement issued by the quasi government telecommunication company announces “the separation was a mutual agree”.

However, sources reveal that Dr Mwanakatwe, who is husband to Commerce minister Margarete, did not perform to expectation.

“Zambia Telecommunication Company Limited wishes to inform the general public tat Dr Mupanga Mwanakatwe Chief Executive Officer has separated from employment with the company by mutual agreement effective 18th February 2017,” the statement reads.

Zamtel has been a loss making entity, but attempts to sell it to a private company was reversed by the Patriotic Front government of the late Michael Sata.

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