Louisa wins continental title

LOUISA Josephs Chingangu, who was early this year removed as Miss Zambia 2017 after some misunderstandings with the franchise owners, last month  won the continental award of Miss Africa at the Exquisite Face of the Universe beauty pageant held at the National Theatre in Accra, Ghana.
The Exquisite Face of the Universe is a world beauty pageant with its focal point being on the promotion of African culture and tourism.
The pageant brings beauty queens between the ages of 18 and 27 years from Africa, Asia, Europe, America and Australia with strong passion for benevolence and development to compete for an ambassadorial crown.
The winner of the crown becomes the global ambassador who promotes the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) around the world.
The overall winner for the pageant is Miss USA Jacka Saldana while the First Runner-Up was the Miss India and the Second Runner-Up was the Miss Pakistan.
This pageant usually spans about 14 days bringing together high-profile dignitaries, including government functionaries, members of the diplomatic corps, investors, corporate institutions, tourism officials, traditional authorities, audiences from the diaspora and the whole world.
The occasion creates an avenue for capacity development, integration of ideas and evolution of creative strategies that bring about empowerment for the promotion of business and social development.
Other winners at the pageant include Miss Congeniality – Miss Lebanon; Best Evening Gown – Miss Puerto Rico; Best in Talent – Miss Belgium; Best National Costume – Miss Ghana; Exquisite Face of the Universe, Top Model – Miss Sao Tome & Principe; Miss America – Miss Dominican Republic; Miss Europe – Miss Georgia; and Miss Asia – Miss Laos Asia.
Winners in the Eco-Tourism Arts & Culture categories are Miss Russia while Miss South Africa and Miss Poland were the First and Second Runners-Up.

Ndangwa J. Mwittah

Name: Ndangwa John Andrews Mwittah
Date of Bith: December 12, 1987
Place of Birth: Kabwe, Zambia
Parents: Andrew George Mwittah & Josephine Wamuneo
Status: Married
Spouse: Siphiwe Sowi Munsaka Mwittah
Children: Jermaine Andrews Mwittah, Danicca Andrews Mwittah and Jamaal Andrews Mwittah
Profession: Journalist
Education: Dip. Journalism, Public Relations and Advertising

I am a handsome and sexy award winning Zambian Journalist, Blogger, Communications Expert and also Professional Photographer with many years of writing experience. I have worked for a number of organisations, both private and also public - among them Zambia Daily Mail, Times of Zambia, the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) and also Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia Chapter as a Research Assistant.

I am a fine writer, and my strengths are in development Journalism and also Photography. I have a knack for human interest Feature stories - those that we can all relate to.

So ndiye so, let's get reading and commenting.

Want to send a nude? Think twice!

NDANGWA MWITTAH

NOT too long ago, social media was littered with a story that went viral of a Rwandan businesswoman.

The woman, who at the age of 35 declared that she was going to contest for the Rwandan presidency, had a rude ‘shock’ welcome on her presidential bid when on Friday, May 5, 2017, nude photos of herself leaked and did the rounds on social media.

We all know how social media thrives on such stories.

The photos, which are still making rounds on several platforms, I must say, show the woman completely naked, with striking poses in different positions inside a house.

Coming back home, here in Zambia, there was also a story that equally found itself trending on social media of a civic leader on the Copperbelt who ‘accidentally’ sent a picture of her topless self to a WhatsApp group.

She said the picture was sent by mistake.

Again, not too long ago, there was another story that made rounds on social media of a 30-year-old man, who said he is a resident of Choma. The man wrote to the editor of a named online publication asking for help about his cheating girlfriend.

Apparently, his girlfriend of many years and a student at a named medical school in Lusaka had been sending nude pictures of herself to his best friend. That was one thing she had never done for him.

These are just examples of something that many people like doing – sending nude pictures to one’s loved ones.

This is actually a common thing, especially on social networking platforms such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. It is very common among those in long-distance relationships.

Well, to all those who are doing it, there’s some news for you.

The Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) says this practice is illegal. No matter how much love or affection you may have for a particular person, ZICTA says it is wrong to send any nude pictures of oneself to their loved one, or indeed to anyone.

The ramifications are many, actually. Let’s take, for instance, the case of the Rwandan woman. The ‘mistake’, even though she may not have seen it that way at the time, has come back to haunt her. It may even put her business and political career at risk.

ZICTA acting executive director Patrick Mutimushi categorises the trend as pornography and recently advised that all those who do it to “keep the fire burning” with their loved ones should restrict it to their bedrooms. Rightly so, in fact!

Speaking when he featured on Radio Phoenix’s Let the People Talk programme recently, Mr Mutimushi said there is no exception to the laws governing pornography.

He said: “Pornography is clearly illegal, so whether you are sending to your loved ones and trying to keep the fire burning, you might as well find a way of doing that; if it’s between the two of you! I am not saying it is right, illegal is illegal, whether it’s the loved one trying to express their love, go and do it in your room as a way of burning fire together or whatever it is,” he said.

Indeed, what is illegal is illegal. The law states clearly that it is illegal for anyone to transmit, produce, or to have in possession any pornographic materials. The issue is really an aspect of one’s dignity.

So, if you are thinking of sending ‘them’ a nude picture tonight, you must think twice before doing it. You never know who receives it or what they decide to do with all the nude pictures you send them once you decide to end your relationship.

Who knows, it might just as well fall into wrong hands. Anything is possible these days.

So ndiye so! The next time they ask for a nude photo, tell them to come see it for themselves. It’s actually better to be safe than sorry. Don’t you think so?

Stop poaching, save Kafue lechwe

The author is a Zambia Daily Mail correspondent.

ZAMBIA’S Vision 2030 is anchored on a firm recognition of sustainable environment and natural resources management principles. Therefore, its aspirations to transform Zambia into a middle-income country cannot be realised without the sustainable management of the environmental assets which include water, soil, climate, forests, fisheries, minerals and wildlife.
In fact, wildlife plays a key role in tourism development. But over the years, wildlife tourism has continually come under threat. The Kafue Flats, shared between Southern and Central provinces, has not been an exception.
The animal population in this game management area has significantly reduced over the years.
The Kafue Flats is home to the Blue Lagoon and Lochinvar national parks. It is endowed with abundant wildlife, which include a number of mammals, birds and reptiles of global conservation concern.
For instance, it is home to the Kafue lechwe, which is a unique and most dominant animal in the Kafue Flats. The species is classified as a rare endemic antelope, and for that, it is even listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to its status. It is regarded as a protected animal in Zambia. But the rate at which its population keeps reducing is disturbing, to say the least.
According to the 2015 population survey reports by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW), the population of the Kafue lechwe, which is predominantly the most abundant species numerically in the park, has significantly declined to about 28,000 from over 250,000 back in the 1930s.
The current statistics suggest that approximately 1,000 Kafue lechwe are lost due to poaching every year, whereas the Blue wildebeest population is on the periphery of extinction – the entire Kafue Flats only has one wildebeest, and it’s female.
The species is as good as extinct.
Other big game such as hippotami, buffalo, zebra and kudu remain vulnerable to poaching, whereas, according to other latest figures, about 40 percent of large mammals that used to be found in the Lochinvar National Park have all gone extinct.
These include big cats such as lions, leopards, wild dogs, cheetah and also prime big game such as eland, sable, roan antelopes, waterbuck, hartebeest, puku and warthog.
Other species of conservation concern in the Kafue Flats include globally threatened species of birds such as the wattled crane, grey crowned crane, and several species of stork, pelicans, including the Zambian barbet. Just like the lechwe, this bird which is depicted on the K1 coin is endemic to Zambia.
Unless something is done to protect wildlife, many more species in the Kafue Flats will be extinct in no time.
With these numbers, one would therefore understand why Southern Province Minister Edify Hamukale has literally taken it upon himself to fight poaching in the area he says he grew up from.
As he rightly observed, there is need to, among many other things, intensify the policing and monitoring of illegal activities in the Kafue Flats game management area, allow wildlife officers to operate at toll plazas with sniffer dogs, institute control measures aimed at recovering illicit firearms currently owned by local communities within the conservation area and maybe also institute a temporary ban on hunting of wildlife, particularly the Kafue lechwe in the Kafue Flats.
Other measures being floated by Dr Hamukale include engaging the private sector and community-based organisations to introduce initiatives that promote alternative livelihoods, prohibit the carrying of any domestic dogs and guns to cattle posts located in the Kafue Flats, and also control human encroachment on the wildlife habitat that is critical for the survival of the Kafue lechwe and other globally threatened species of birds.
What is crucial is to promote mainstreaming of conservation awareness and education in the education system (syllabi) and activities for the younger generation in public schools.
What happened to those wildlife conservation radio programmes we used to grow up listening to? Perhaps, now would be the best time to have them re-introduced, as rightly observed by Dr Hamukale.
There should also be an even more aggressive campaign against poaching and illegal trafficking and trade in wildlife products and a sense of individual and collective community action towards wildlife and environmental stewardships and sustainable utilisation.
A small boy of something like 12 years old was asked which meat is tastier between that of a cow and game meat. And without even wasting time to think through his answer, he excitedly said bush meat was by far tastier.
It wasn’t shocking because the innocent young man is but just a beneficiary of proceeds of crime – but of course, he doesn’t know that because of lack of knowledge.
For as long as the problem isn’t tackled from the grass roots, the country will continue to lose precious game to poaching.
But of course, in order to sufficiently fight the scourge, Central Province and all government wings and departments mandated with the core tasks of protecting, managing and also conserving natural resources must equally step up efforts to ensure that the species in the Kafue Flats and indeed all over the country are protected.
So ndiye so, let's stop poaching and save the Kafue Lechwe.

Dundumwezi MP hails Government for road project

UNITED Party for National Development (UPND) Dundumwezi member of Parliament (MP) Edgar Sing’ombe says people in his constituency are happy with Government for embarking on the upgrading of the road leading to the area to bituminous standard.

Mr Sing’ombe said Government should also consider putting up more telecommunication towers to ease communication as the area only has one tower which only covers a radius of two kilometres.

He said putting up more telecommunication towers will ease communication among health care providers at clinics and hospitals.

“Right now we have a challenge. For someone to just make a phone call to the hospital for an ambulance, you have to struggle looking for network. We would be glad if we are considered since we heard that the Ministry of Transport and Communication will soon be putting up such towers across the country,” he said.

Mr Sing’ombe said more roads need to be worked on in the area and Kalomo as a whole.

“The roads are pathetic but we are happy that there is one that is being talked about. We have a bridge that is almost collapsing on the Bbilili Road and also the Chikanta-Kalomo central road is in a deplorable state,” he said.

He said Southern Province Minister Edify Hamukale should help lobby Government to address various challenges facing the people of Kalomo district.

And Dr Hamukale said Dundumwezi will not be left out of the programme of installing telecommunication towers across the country.

He said Southern Province is among those areas that will benefit from the exercise that is scheduled to commence soon.

Medical circumcision: Hamukale’s experience

WHEN the call from the provincial administration here in Choma came that Southern Province Minister Edify Hamukale wanted to meet with journalists at his office, it wasn’t surprising.

In fact, some of us here were excited, especially knowing how the flow of news gets slow here.

Dr Hamukale is naturally a media-friendly person. 

The journalists, both from public and private media organisations, convened in his office, armed with their tools that ranged from notebooks, voice recorders and also video camera, ready to capture whatever pronouncement the provincial minister was about to make.

Then he quipped: “Now, I don’t know whether I should say this in front of Joy Sakala.” He said this in reference to a Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) cameraperson who was standing in front of him with her video camera pointing at him.
At that point, we then wondered what this particular press briefing was all about.He continued joking that if it were up to him, he would have felt more comfortable saying whatever he wanted to say before male scribes. But he is not that gender-insensitive and perhaps understands that today’s newsrooms aren’t either. He wittingly went on regardless, of course with a little humour to publicly declare that he had been under the knife.“I wish to publicly declare that I am circumcised. It looks very clean and I am bad news. I am just urging boys not to shun it [circumcision] because of peers,” he said.Dr Hamukale, whose wife is a nurse at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH), did not, however, disclose when he went for the surgical operation, which takes less than ten minutes. He said he decided to go public with the hope of encouraging people and to demystify the myths surrounding Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC).
Indeed, there are a lot of myths. Others believe that circumcision reduces the chances of having children. Others also fear to be among the few cases of an operation gone wrong, while others are made to believe that they should be as they were born – any alteration on their body is regarded as sinful and against biblical teachings.But all those are mere myths. Dr Hamukale says in accordance with Government’s policy of employing preventative measures in disease control of HIV/AIDS and also cervical cancer, boys must not shun male circumcision, more so when the benefits outweigh the risks based on mere falsehoods.Before throwing the challenge onto his fellow law-makers and ministers, the provincial minister, who has since made himself available for any adverts aimed at championing the cause, says the exercise is in fact beneficial.“Consult your partners even. Fortunately for me, my wife is a nurse, so it was a lot easier. Well, who are we to refuse? Because it’s your wife’s toy anyway, so it makes sense that you consult her,” he says. He adds, “At least I also got to know my HIV status since before the operation, you are counselled and tested.”Dr Hamukale is of the view that if more prominent people come out to speak openly about male circumcision, a lot of people would be encouraged to follow suit.Well, at least he won’t have to worry about his deputy permanent secretary, Douglas Ngimbu, because he always does that at every public function he officiates.Mr Ngimbu, who hails from North-Western Province, says the practice which in his native is literally a must for all boys, does not only promote hygiene, but also plays a great role in protecting oneself against sexually transmitted diseases and it helps prevent cervical cancer in women.“I am a champion for medical male circumcision. I always spare time to talk about MC. It is very important that every man and boy does it because the benefits are just too many,” he says.The Ministry of Health has circumcised over 40, 000 men and boys across the country in the second phase of the on-going voluntary medical male circumcision campaign. Over 140, 000 boys and men were circumcised in the first phase.Ministry of Health permanent secretary for administration Kennedy Malama was recently quoted in the media as saying that the ministry intends to circumcise well over 162, 450 boys and men in all the 10 provinces in the campaign.All this is in an effort to reach zero new infections and ultimately end AIDS by the year 2030.“We have currently circumcised 45, 000 men and boys. For the April campaign, our target was 108, 002 and we managed to circumcise 147, 682,” he was quoted as saying.The Ministry of Health has dispatched health personnel to set camps at health centres and health posts to not only circumcise people, but also sensitise and educate them on the benefits that come with it. One such health centre is Makoka Rural Health Centre in Chibombo district.“In just within three days of setting up camp, the team here has counselled, tested and circumcised 45 boys and men in the on-going campaign. What’s even better is that these people are coming on their own. We expect the number to increase as time goes on,” says Zapali Mwittah, a community health assistant at the clinic.She says before the surgical operation, people are also tested for HIV and those found with the virus are put on treatment, as per new government policy of ‘test and treat’.In Choma, five health facilities have since embarked on a one month intensified campaign for HIV counsel, test and treat during which males are being encouraged to seek voluntary medical male circumcision services.“We are encouraging a lot more men to take up this bold step because it goes well with the new approach that Zambia has taken in the fight against HIV/AIDS,” says Carlistus Kayuunga, the district health director.The World Health Organisation (WHO) says medical male circumcision reduces the risk of female-to-male sexual transmission of HIV by approximately 60 percent. Since 2007, the WHO and UNAIDS have recommended voluntary medical male circumcision as an additional important strategy for HIV prevention, particularly in settings with high HIV prevalence and low levels of male circumcision, where the public health benefits will be maximised.Fourteen countries in eastern and southern Africa with this profile have initiated programmes to expand male circumcision, Zambia being one of them. Medical male circumcision offers excellent value for money in such settings.It saves costs by averting new HIV infections and reducing the number of people needing HIV treatment and care.A one-time intervention, medical male circumcision provides men life-long partial protection against HIV as well as other sexually transmitted infections. It has been considered as part of a comprehensive HIV prevention package of services and is being used in conjunction with other methods of prevention, such as female and male condoms.

No Plastic Day, one bag at a time

A CLEAN and healthy environment is in the interest of all citizens. The failure to use plastic bags responsibly means that the parties involved in the production value chain – manufacturers, importers, distributors, retailers and consumers – are denying Zambians their right to a clean environment.

According to some statistics, over one trillion plastic bags are produced every year with less than one percent of them being recycled.
Further research has revealed that it takes roughly about 10 to 1,000 years for one plastic bag to fully break down. In short, plastic has a long lifespan.
This long lifespan causes land pollution as landfills are burdened with non-biodegradable plastic bags – they are also extremely light, which makes it easy for wind to carry them to different places such as rivers, dams and drainages which, in turn, results in further pollution of water and most commonly drainage blockage.
Whereas burning of a plastic bag or indeed anything plastic causes not only air pollution but also poses a health risk, there are also other problems that arise from their use and mostly their disposal.
These include groundwater contamination and even soil infertility as argued by agriculturists, through plastic bags that find their way deep into the ground.
These are but just a few of the many threats posed by plastic bags.
In June 2008, China imposed a total ban on the use of plastic carrier bags from shops, but instead encourages paper bags.
Whereas in Africa, countries such as South Africa, Morocco, Uganda, Somalia, Rwanda, Botswana, Kenya and even Ethiopia also have total bans in place, Zambia, however, is still yet to come up with a piece of legislation to that effect.
While the lawmakers are still pondering the move, Food Lover’s Market, a leading chain store, has taken a step.
It has introduced a ‘No plastic bag day’.
How will it work exactly?
On this day, all Two Brothers, Food Lover’s Market stores, will not be dispensing free plastic bags at the tills.
Instead, customers are encouraged to carry with them their own bags – be it plastic bags or reusable shopping bags. A limited number of free paper bags and cardboard boxes will be made available on that day.
“In the event that we have customers that would rather opt for plastic bags, they will be on sale for K2. This is a proactive step to limit any negative consequences of our day-to-day operations and raise awareness towards the pollution and waste caused by plastic bag usage,” says Anne Nyirenda, a sales and marketing executive for the store.
Similarly, some retail outlets in Singapore have what they call ‘Bring your own’ plastic campaign, also aimed at curbing environmental degradation.
The only difference with the Singaporean stores is that there is an incentive in form of discounts for anyone that turns up with their own plastic bags.
Ms Nyirenda says as the store constantly seeks new innovations to create a positive environmental impact, it understands and embraces its responsibility to run its business in the most sustainable way possible.
The first of such a day was on September 19, 2017.
“We are enthusiastic that ‘No plastic bag day’ will be synonymous with our brand and our intentions are to make it a regular event,” she says.
“While plastic bags are yet to be banned in Zambia, our aim is to lead by example through giving our customers the tools and support that they need to create a positive environmental footprint through this bold step,” she says.
There has been calls from some sections of the public to effect a total ban on the use of plastic bags.
A Livingstone-based conservationist, Benjamin Mibenge, recently called on Government to consider coming up with a law to ban the use of plastic bags in Zambia.
“These plastics are a major contributor of refuse in the waste and Government should come up with a policy to ban it,” he was quoted as saying.
The Wildlife and Environmental Conservation Society of Zambia (WECSZ) is also among those calling for a plastic bag ban.
“Given the background of the effects of increased and indiscriminate use of plastic bags, there is a need to ban plastic bags to avoid further health and environmental effects,” says Joseph Chikolwa, the president of the society.
Mr Chikolwa adds: “However, to successfully enforce this, there is need of a process that will help identify alternative measures for plastic bags.”
Edward Mwang’amba, another conservationist, says, “In one neighbouring nation, in supermarkets the buyer is asked if they want or need a plastic carrier bag and it is charged. So those who are ‘wise’ will not get the plastic bag, and they get to save their cash and will have their own carrier or recycled plastic carrier bag. If it costs me, maybe I might be a bit more responsible.”
Currently, there is no law to ban the use of plastic bags in Zambia although there is an Environmental Management Act (EMA) No 12 of 2011 which is silent on the use of plastics. What it suggests in Section 58 (4), however, is a reduction in the thickness of plastics.
“When you look at syringes in hospitals, water tanks, big water pipes in PVC form, they help, so it is not correct to say plastics must be banned but the packaging type, which mostly happens in supermarkets,” says Chrispin Simwanza, principal inspector at the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA).
The agency has, however, drafted the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy which will compel producers of plastic materials to remove them from the environment for proper disposal.
Under the EPR policy, producers will have significant responsibility to ensure that post-consumer products such as plastic bottles are treated or disposed of properly.
Or simply put, perhaps we should start paying for these bags again.

Social ills dominate Lwiindi discourse

TRADITIONAL ceremonies are an important aspect of any culture. Such events, usually celebrated annually in Zambia, reflect the true identity of a people as they continue to remind everyone of where they come from.

And Zambia, a country with 72 tribes, has a rich cultural background and history. Most of these tribes have traditional ceremonies.

They are a reflection and a celebration of traditional Zambian culture. There are more than 20 annual traditional ceremonies in Zambia, manifesting customs, social life, rituals, oral history, material and spiritual culture, and if you have the opportunity to attend one, please do. 

They provide a valuable insight into a traditional culture that has been passed from generation to generation.

Among the most common ceremonies include the Kuomboka for the Lozi, Umutomboko for Lunda people, Nc’wala (Ngoni), Likumbi lya Mize (Kaonde), Ubuilile (Bwile), Kulamba (Chewa), and Lwiindi ceremony of the Toka Leya of Livingstone.

The Tonga people of Chief Chikanta’s chiefdom have one which they call Chungu Lwiindi traditional ceremony.

It’s a four-day ceremony which is not only held to celebrate the traditional culture of Chief Chikanta’s subjects, but also aimed at paying homage to the ancestors and gods for agricultural yields.

Bear in mind that Kalomo is one of the highest producers of maize – owing to the rich soils it is endowed with. This year’s ceremony, which was held from October 4-7, was graced by Southern Province Minister Edify Hamukale who represented Vice- President Inonge Wina.

There was something particularly unique with this year’s ceremony. It was attended by 11 chiefs from other provinces, symbolising unity and precisely what many people have been calling for at traditional ceremonies.

Not only that.

Chief Chikanta, being a change champion, made sure that the ‘theme’ and indeed all aspects of the ceremony were centred on curbing the three social ills – early marriages, gender-based violence and poverty – that many have been identified as a nuisance.

She may not have been there in person, but that in itself couldn’t go without mention from Mrs Wina.

“The Government, through His Excellency President Lungu, recognises the important role that traditional leaders play in matters of governance, culture and rural development. The government is pleased to note the tremendous efforts his royal highness and his subjects are playing in curbing child marriages and gender-based violence within his chiefdom,” she said in a speech read by Dr Hamukale.

In fact all the 11 other chiefs who were accorded a chance to say a word or two, came to speak one language – ending child marriages, gender-based violence and fighting poverty.

“All these chiefs you are seeing here have taken keen interest in fighting these social ills. We have collectively realised that if we don’t tackle poverty, we might as well forget about strides in the fight against early marriages, gender-based violence and also HIV/AIDS,” said the host chief in his opening remarks.

He was very brief. “We are all concerned about early child marriages. That is why we are putting our heads together as chiefs by uniting,” said Chief Nkula of Chinsali district in Muchinga Province.

Speaking in the same tone, Chief Moonze of the Tonga people of Monze district hailed Chief Chikanta for his mentality of always putting his subjects’ interests first.

“He does not backtrack on his words. This issue of child marriage has been a thorn in the flesh for a very long time. It’s time we stood up and said enough is enough,” he said.

He ended by calling on parents to also “teach good morals in their children at all levels”. Other chiefs who were in attendance and spoke include Chief Ndake of Nyimba, Chief Madzimawe (Chipata), Chieftainess Waitwika (Nakonde), Chieftainess Mukanda (Chipata), Chieftainess Kawaza (Katete), Chieftainess Choongo (Monze), Chief Liteta (Kabwe), Chieftainess Mweenda (Chikankata), Chief Chona and a representative of Chief Chiwala (Ndola).

Chief Cooma (formerly known as Singani) of the Tonga people of Choma district was represented by his Ngambela, former minister of General Education Michael Kaingu.

The traditional leaders are working in partnership with the Zambia Centre for Communication Programmes (ZCPC/Kwathu) in programmes aimed at ending child marriages. They have also partnered with Musika in a number of programmes aimed at alleviating poverty, which has been identified as one of the key drivers of social ills.

And also, in her closing remarks, Mrs Wina said, “You are all aware that chiefs are custodians of customs and traditions. It is our hope that traditional ceremonies continue to serve as a platform to promote peace and unity despite our religious, political or social affiliations.”

And exactly just that is what this year’s Chungu Lwiindi traditional ceremony stood for. While addressing the social ills, it had a face of unity to it. More so for the fact that it was attended by 11 other chiefs and that politics of any nature had no place there.

“We don’t want to see anything clad in any party regalia here. We have all come here as Zambians to celebrate,” the announcer kept reminding the people gathered.

For sure, no party apparel was sited at the ceremony – not even anywhere near the arena. It is a four-day long ceremony, but the main events, such as speeches usually happen on the final day. But for the natives, day two of the ceremony is of huge significance to them.

It is on this day that the royal clan gets to visit the late chiefs’ burial grounds. The current Chief Chikanta is the 14th. It is also on the second day that agro-dealers and other service providers arrive at the arena to set up and display their services. Business booms too.

“I have come from Kalomo town (about 109 kilometres) to come and sell second-hand clothes here. This is how we normally take advantage of such traditional ceremonies,” said one trader only identified as Mweemba.

He was also selling solar- powered lamps.

Coming back to the festivities.

There was plenty of entertainment too, in form of acrobats, a blend of traditional and modern-day musical performances from local cultural dance troupes and also modern- day up-and-coming local artistes. There was also plenty to eat and drink for everyone at this year’s Chungu traditional ceremony.

Putting shine on Dundumwezi

DUNDUMWEZI, was a little-heard-of place until the 2016 general elections. After that, it made headlines and became almost a household name.

The reason: it produced one of the most shocking electoral results for the incumbent President Lungu. 

The opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema got 30,810 votes while President Lungu got a paltry 252.
Mr Lungu did not sound bitter about the few votes he was given by the people here, saying: “If I didn’t get those 252 votes in Dundumwezi, I wouldn’t have gotten the 50 percent plus one.”But that did not stop the negative publicity about Dundumwezi. President Lungu, however, emphasised the fact that Dundumwezi should not be isolated or left behind in development.
Dundumwezi lies 107 kilometres from Choma, 109km if one is going there from Kalomo. It is highly productive in agriculture.The constituency, whose name the locals say is an adulteration of “Dundumwenze”, which can loosely be translated as a male mountain, is situated in Chief Siachitema’s area, south-west of Kalomo.It is a hard-to-reach, underdeveloped constituency with a poor road network. In the rainy season, the road to Dundumwezi usually becomes impassable.And yet, that is not the only communication challenge facing the people of Dundumwezi. It is hard to find a phone network signal in the constituency, and some residents have devised ingenious ways to get a signal on their phones, such as climbing a tree standing on an anthill to gain more altitude.“Sometimes, we feel neglected as the people of Dundumwezi. We lack basic infrastructure and necessities such as hospitals, schools, and proper roads,” said a teacher at a local school.
But there is hope on the horizon for the people of Dundumwezi.In an effort to improve telecommunication in Dundumwezi, network towers are being erected at four sites in the constituency. “I am grateful for the four towers, but they will only answer for like 60 to 70 percent of the challenges of our communications troubles,” says Dundumwezi member of Parliament Edgar Sing’ombe.He adds: “Ideally, I would have loved to have six communication towers in the constituency because we have a lot of people [and] as a result, we fail to communicate between rural health centres and hospitals,” he says.Since 2006, when he became MP, Mr Sing’ombe has been pushing for mobile phone connectivity. One of the biggest challenges he faces is the disbursement of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).“As an MP, I don’t have any other funding apart from CDF. But if that money is taking forever to come, and when it does, it is not coming in full, we will be having problems,” he says.Mr Sing’ombe says a number of projects in the area have stalled and others have not even taken off because of the unavailability of the funds.He also decries the fact that he is not directly involved in approving projects to be funded through CDF. But he still counts a number of successes.Mr Sing’ombe has sunk a number of boreholes to improve people’s access to clean and safe drinking water. He has also undertaken a number of projects such as classroom blocks in Kasukwe ward, Sichimbwali in Kamuka and another one by three classroom block at Muchindu.A mother’s shelter at Bulyambeba rural health post is also in the pipeline. President Lungu in July this year launched the Kalomo-Dundumwezi, Itezhi-tezhi-Namwala road project. Construction works have since started and will cost US$18.78 million.There are also plans to construct the Nkandanzovu bridge in an effort to ensure that rural areas were more accessible.“The rain season is coming soon, these are some of the things we need to look at otherwise, we will be cut off,” he said.Solar hammer mills have been installed in Kasukwe, Mikata and Omba in an effort to ease people’s lives. Mr Sing’ombe is also lobbying for the construction of the Nanyemu dam and the Kalomo–Chikanta road.  EDUCATION: Dundumwezi has seen primary schools such as Habulile, Kasukwe and also Nkandanzovu upgraded into secondary schools, in order to improve education infrastructure and access to quality education.

AGRICULTURE: Dundumwezi is well-known for maize production. In fact, Kalomo district, where the constituency lies, is the second largest producer of maize in the country, and this constituency accounts for a large portion of that. But there are now efforts to encourage production of other crops, as well as boosting poultry and livestock production. With the help from Care International, land has been identified for vegetable production, and training in vegetable production, poultry and livestock management.

HEALTH: In terms of health, the constituency has received four health posts out of the 650 health posts Government is building across the country. “In 2011, President Sata assured us of these health posts, so far, we have four. We need boreholes now,” says Mr Sing’ombe. Mr Sing’ombe also wants Dundumwezi to be connected to the national electricity grid.

Bill Muleya dreams of being accountant

IT IS the final term on the school calendar and some pupils will do anything to pass an exam. Some will do so with the help of their parents. 

Everyone knows about leakages. But 17-year-old Bill Muleya is at ease.

Bill, in Grade 12 at Choma Secondary School, is aiming to get anything below 10 points. His dream is to become an accountant.

“I know my performance isn’t that good but I can also safely say that it isn’t as bad either,” he says. “I know the areas I need to work on for me to achieve my dream of becoming an accountant.”

Some of the subjects that Bill says he needs to improve in are maths, English and science. “I am even going for tuitions because I know that I have very little time left before the onset of exams,” he says. “I don’t even want to think of the temptation of using a leakage because I know it is of no good in the long run. I don’t want to be stuck in the future because I used a leakage in Grade 12.

“It is always better when you study and do it by yourself because that way, you will be able to monitor your progress.”

Bill, a third born in a family of five, was inspired by his neighbour, Lesa Phiri, who now works for one of the major commercial banks in town, to become an accountant.

“When I look at him, I get inspired because he is doing very fine and that’s what’s prompted me to consider taking that path,” he says.

While his parents, Chrispin and Exildah Muleya, wish for him to follow his older brother’s route to go and study in the far East, which has become fashionable nowadays, Bill’s heart is set on the University of Zambia (UNZA).

“My brother is studying economics at a university in China and that’s where my parents want me to go,” he says.

But he is not fazed.

For now, all that he has set on his mind is to see off secondary school with good grades, without the help of a leakage whatsoever.

New lease of life by a simple tricycle

FOR some, living with a disability and still having to cover a distance of well over two kilometres could be a daunting challenge.

Worse off if you are a girl, on crutches and the only physically challenged pupil not just in your class, but the entire school.

This is the life of 12-year-old Emmy Ng’ambi, a Grade 6 pupil at Choma’s Grace Muchangana Christian School.

Little Emmy’s disability is with her left foot. “I was born this way,” she says.

“I don’t know what condition it is, but I have been walking on clutches ever since I can remember,” says Emmy, who is Davies and Vivian Ng’ambi’s only child.

There are a lot of people with disabilities such as Emmy’s. She hopes to one day become a medical doctor.

On the flip side, there is also Frederick Muleya, a man living with a disability. Mr Muleya, in his forties, is married and has a daughter. 

He is confined to a wheelchair. 

But even then, he has not let his disability get the better of him.

Speaking relatively good English, Mr Muleya, who lives in Choma’s Kachacha township is a businessman who sells fish.

“I have a small business which helps me to support my family. I sell Kapenta and fish which I order from Siavonga,” he says.

Other than being disabled, one thing he shares in common with Emmy is that both have old and worn-out vessels that aide their movements.

That is why Emmy, who was in fact in her school uniform had to leave class and rush to the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD) office in Choma when she heard that there was an organisation that had come to donate 50 tricycles.

“My grandmother just told me to come here as quickly as possible,” she says. In the same manner, Mr Muleya too had to leave whatever he was doing and rushed to the centre. The two were not the only beneficiaries.

Neither were they the only ones there to witness the donation of the 50 tricycles worth over K82,000 by New Life Centre, a ministry of the United Methodist Church based in Kitwe on the Copperbelt.

Other people that came on old and worn-out wheelchairs were given the new vessels to aide their movements.

What’s even better is that they do not need to pay someone to be pushing them, as was the case for Mr Muleya, who always had to spare an extra money to pay someone to push him into town. “With this, at least I can move on my own,” he says.

What’s even better is that it has some kind of room for luggage. “In here, I can even be putting my things as I conduct my business without inconveniencing anyone,” he says.

However, Mr Muleya needs to keep his old wheelchair because he would need it when making trips to Siavonga where he orders his merchandise.

“The wheelchair can easily be put into a car, but with the tricycle, because of its size, it can’t,” he said.

Simply put, this one gift made the disabled mobile and independent.

The tricycles made with the help of a United States of America-based organisation – Good Will Foundation -were received by Southern Province permanent secretary Sibanze Simuchoba.

New Life Centre director Josephine Mbilishi said the donation is the church’s way of preaching the word of God and helping the needy in society.

“We believe this is the best to preach the word of God. We are the feet and hands of Jesus on earth and we must be seen to do his works. It is our belief the tricycles will make our brothers and sisters mobile and independent as they can now move freely,” Ms Mbilishi said.

Mr Simuchoba said Government is grateful to church organisations that supplement its efforts by addressing matters affecting citizens, especially the vulnerable and orphaned.

He said the church should work with the government of the day in helping the needy in society.

Mr Simuchoba said Government appreciates churches that physically help the needy and not those that encourage people to stop taking anti-retroviral drugs and other medicines.

“This is true help because it can be seen and touched. For me this is a true work of the church because it is an answered prayer to these people who were unable to move on their own,” he said.

Mr Simuchoba said prayer without physical assistance is incredulous for the church to continue preaching without physically helping the vulnerable and orphaned people in society.

Ruth Munkombwe is ZAPD provincial coordinator. She has called on other institutions to emulate the gesture by New Life Centre and help the disabled people in society.

“We have a lot of people with different disabilities. If only a lot more people could come on board and support us the same way these have, it would be nice,” she said.

What impressed her was how quickly Mrs Mbilisi responded to her plea. “It wasn’t even difficult. The whole thing (request) has taken about less than two weeks. We are really happy. These people are happy here too,” she said.