NATASHA IS MISS ZAMBIA: 25-year-old finally gets her hand on ultimate crown

TWENTY-FIVE year-old Natasha Mapulanga was crowned as the new Miss Zambia, seven years after missing out on the crown in 2014.

For getting the ultimate crown, Natasha will represent Zambia at this year’s Miss World pageant.

The international relations and development analyst student, who was Second Runner Up in 2014, took over the title from her predecessor Vanessa Chinyemba after being chosen as the most impressive of the eight other participants at a colourful ceremony that was held at the Best Western Plus Hotel on Saturday, June 11, 2022.

Joyce Mwansa, 26, a laboratory technologist was picked as the First Princess while 26-year-old marketer Naboonga Mulenga walked away with the Second Princess title with 22-year-old entrepreneur Celine Mbunda settling for Miss Personality.

But in order to make it to the top five, the girls first had to impress the five-member jury in the four categories – Introduction, tradition, Zambian colours and evening wear.

The jury consisted of former title holders Elizabeth Mwanza, Mwangala Ikacana, Winfridah Mofu and entrepreneur Wika Kawina and fitness trainer Makungo Muyembe.

During the evening wear category, the nine contestants were reduced to five – Natasha, Naboonga, Celine, Taonga Kanyanta, 26, and Joyce.

As is tradition, the contestants, during the question and answer session, Natasha was asked by Elizabeth on what she aspires to be and why. In

response, she said: “I would aspire to be someone that adds value and inspires positive change in society.”

However, it was the confidence in Naboonga’s response when asked by Wika how she would define the current status of Zambia with regard to religion, politics, and the economy that excited the audience. It was a tough question.

The pageant was hosted by television and radio personality Michelo ‘Michie’ Malambo, who also happens to be a former Miss Zambia title holder herself.

Apart from the crown and an assured participation at the Miss World pageant, Natasha walked away with a year's supply of Swiss Arabian perfume, K50, 000 Mozo TV voucher, monthly supply of Movit and Sho’dor products, a brand new Mercedes Benz E20 to be given after successfully participating in the Miss World pageant and a cash prize of US$4000 to be paid to her within the year.

Others who made it to the finals are Taonga Kanyanta, 26, a science laboratory technologist; Nancy Mwansa, 20, a student and model; Febby Ngandwe, 25, a student and agro-entrepreneur; Eutray Simwatachela, 23, a front desk operator; and Venus Vlahakis, 24, a student.

Other past winners of the Miss Zambia title are Elizabeth Mwanza, Tukuza Tembo, Alice Banda, Cynthia Kanema, Precious Mumbi, Winfredah Mofu, Katanekwa Matundwelo, Christine Mwaba, Michelo Malambo, Mwangala Ikacana and Vanessa Chinyemba.

Reigning Miss Botswana Palesa Molefe was also in attendance at the grand finale that was also being televised on Mozo TV, Crown TV and other selected Zambian TopStar Channels while in Uganda it was on Capital TV, GH1 TV in Ghana and on Kiss TV in Kenya.

Soon after, musicians T Sean, Jae Cash and Pharaoh were tasked with the sole duty of entertaining the audience. As always expected, they never disappointed.

This article was also published in the Zambia Daily Mail newspaper of Saturday, June 18, 2022.

AU SUMMIT, ZAMBIA IS READY! History shows Lusaka has been key to many international events

WITH the successful completion and commissioning of the US$65 million Kenneth Kaunda wing at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka early this month, it is safe to proclaim that Zambia is back to hosting high-level international meetings.

More so, it is this same 2,500 seating capacity conference wing that was recently commissioned by President Hakainde Hichilema that is going to host the 41st Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union (AU) and the 4th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting (MYCM) of the AU and the Regional Economic Communities (RECS) next month.

This AU summit that is expected to have a total of 14 heads of state and over 8,000 foreign delegates will be held from July 14 to 17, 2022.

Now, that’s a huge number – and Zambia is ready!

Well, at least that is what Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Stanley Kakubo indicated recently. He said the Government is committed to ensuring that Zambia successfully hosts the much-anticipated summit, which is expected to build the country’s image.

“My further appeal to the private sector is for you to consider sponsoring some of the budget outcomes that we shall incur. Benefits to be accrued from the summit will include boosting tourism and uplifting of the country’s image,” he said recently.

This will not be the first time Zambia hosts such a high-powered summit, and it shouldn’t be a big hassle pulling it off.

History shows and tells us that this has happened before, and it can happen again. Here is why!

Zambia, in September 1970, hosted the Third Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement where a preparatory meeting of Foreign ministers drafted a number of resolutions which were considered by the Summit Conference.

Then republican President Kenneth Kaunda (late) opened the conference by underlining non-alignment as “the natural choice at the time of increased hostility created by ideological conflicts in the bipolar world”.

The conference was organised in the context of the development of the policy of Détente, which in fact led to relaxing tensions between the Soviet Union and the West, yet this increased cooperation among superpowers potentially excluded the space for the initiative of Third World countries. It was organised six years after the conference in Cairo, something regarded as the longest period between the two conferences. 

Now, the location for this particular conference was in part selected in order to support Zambia, whose sovereignty and borders at the time were threatened by Rhodesia and apartheid-era South Africa.

It was at this conference that the “Declaration on Peace, Independence, Development, Cooperation and Democratisation of International Relations” and the “Declaration on Non-Alignment and Economic Development” were adopted. 

Fast forward to August 1979, the country yet again hosted the Fifth Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Thirty-nine countries are recorded to have attended this high-level meeting that took place at Mulungushi International Conference Centre after a great deal of hesitation from then British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who had never been to Africa before.

In fact, it is believed that she did not trust the African leaders, and having the meeting in Lusaka, just next to Rhodesia where the nationalist leaders there were agitating for majority rule, made her extremely uneasy.

It is said that Thatcher tried to persuade Queen Elizabeth that it would not be safe for her to travel to Lusaka to officially open the conference. Unfortunately for her, she did not succeed and when she came down, she ended up dancing with Dr Kaunda. 

Among the issues that were discussed at the conference included the situation in Rhodesia, the armed conflicts in Indo-China, the global growth of the refugee problem, the situation in Cyprus and southern Africa. The highlight, however, is The Lusaka Declaration of the Commonwealth on Racism and Racial Prejudice and a special declaration condemning apartheid.

It is this same meeting that led to the Lancaster House Conference, which eventually paved way for majority rule and the independence of Zimbabwe in 1980.

In July 2001, the country hosted the Summit of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) that is today regarded as the ‘birthplace’ of the African Union.

The summit, which was also attended by then United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, saw the launch of the African Union. “This summit holds a great promise for Africa’s peoples – the promise that it will be remembered for launching the African Union, and setting the continent as a whole on a firm path to peace and development. 

“But this promise will not be realised easily. Unless it is pursued with singular determination by you, Africa’s leaders at the beginning of the 21st century, it will not succeed. This historic effort will require leadership, courage and a willingness to depart from the ways of the past, if it is to do for Africa what the European Union has done for Europe,” reads his speech in part.

After a transition period, the African Union replaced the OAU in July 2002. In 2004 the AU’s Pan-African Parliament was inaugurated, and the organisation agreed to create a peacekeeping force, the African Standby Force, of about 15,000 soldiers.

Going by these and many other past scores and successes, coupled with the recent infrastructure development drive, it is safe to indeed proclaim that the country is ready to host the Mid-Year Coordination Meeting.

And some briefs about this upcoming summit are that it will mainly focus on the status of regional integration, while the 55-member Executive Council will meet prior to the Mid-Year Coordination Meeting to prepare documentation and also discuss the budget of the Union for 2023.

It will bring together the bureau of the Assembly of the AU, the Regional Economic Communities, the AU Commission and the Regional Mechanisms.

It is also associated with the institutional reforms of the AU, particularly the pillar on managing the business of the Union efficiently and effectively, at both political and operational levels, and was instituted by an Assembly decision in 2017, and the first such meeting held in July 2019 in Niamey, Niger. 

This article was also published in the Zambia Daily Mail newspaper of Friday, June 17, 2022.

IS ROAD USAGE BETTER WITH LESS CHECK POINTS? It was not uncommon for some corrupt officers to openly tell motorists to 'cough up'

THERE is no doubt that roadblocks obviously exist for a worthy cause – which is mainly to ensure the safety of all road users. But three checkpoints on a seven kilometre stretch is but just an inconvenience to not only motorists, but passengers too.

Whereas the scenario may have been similar in other parts of the country, the one above is what it felt like to drive from the Hybrid round-about to town on the Great East Road.

Traffic police officers would mount a checkpoint at the Marshlands area, near the University of Zambia. A few yards away, another group of traffic officers would be near the Munali round-about.

Going further up, before finding another checkpoint at the Zesco head office, one would have most likely passed the traffic officers with a mounted speed trap that is usually mounted in the Northmead area, near the Manda Hill foot bridge.

Now, that was not only a nightmare, but also an inconvenience to both motorists and the passengers. The road blocks on every street corner were grinding traffic to a halt, and inconveniencing citizens. Most importantly, it was becoming a breeding ground for corruption.

It was not uncommon for some corrupt officers to openly tell motorists to ‘cough up’ before being allowed to proceed.

All this, leading to the question of whether or not, the road blocks were serving their intended purpose or they had just become an easy route for some Zambia Police officers to make a quick buck.

Noticing  this and barely a month in office, Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Jack Mwiimbu in what may as well be his first deed as minister, ordered that there be no road blocks mounted for the sole purpose of syphoning money from motorists when police officers are broke.

Mr Mwiimbu said only designated security check points would exist on the roads. He said government realised that the random snap traffic checkpoints were inconveniencing the motorists and traveling public.

He said: “Instead, government has emphasised to maintain the police security check points dotted across the country and also underlined motorised patrols on public roads particularly in the urban areas.”

The banning of these random traffic checkpoints was necessitated by the numerous complaints from members of the public that traffic road blocks were too many and that in several ways hampered the delivery of goods and services to the people.

“Apart from that, government also acted swiftly to address the many complaints and speculations from motorists and the general public that traffic officers were receiving bribes from motorists,” clarified Mr Mwiimbu in a response to our press query.

He states that the misconduct of motorists on public roads was one aspect that government introspected about and the idea of enhancing motorised patrols by the Zambia Police Service traffic section and the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) was recommended to deal with any erring motorists.

It is hoped that the move will mitigate misconducts on public roads. Mr Mwiimbu does not think that the move will affect government’s revenue collection in form of fines.

He states: “The fines which are collected by the traffic section of the Zambia Police Service are legally provided for under the Criminal Procedure Code Sec. 221. All the police security checkpoints and the motorised patrols of the Zambia Police traffic section are still effecting the fines on erring motorists and all those driving defective motor vehicles on public roads.”

He adds that the whole idea was to apart from reduce the inconvenience on motorists and curb on the alleged corruption by some officers, continue collecting the revenue on behalf of the government.

Mr Mwiimbu is also calling for a mindset change among motorists for carnages on the roads are to be reduced. He says investigations have shown that excessive speed is the leading cause of fatal road accidents.

“Allowing traffic snap checkpoints may help less on addressing accidents and misconduct on public roads. Government has realised that there is an urgent need to help change the mindset of most motorists through sensitisation campaigns on their part to begin to observe road signs and where possible, avoid over speeding” he states.

It is for this reason that, in order to enhance road safety, government through the Zambia Police and the RTSA intends to step up sensitisation programmes. Mr Mwiimbu further reveals that government shall soon commission the safe city project which has seen security cameras in all provincial centres and some border towns, once all the works are completed.

He says all this, is in an effort to enhance not only road safety, but also the general safety of the public. “Once commissioned, the project shall completely change the way investigations are done in Zambia, and definitely enhance the safety of our people and their property.”

As is obviously expected, this decision sits very well with the Bus and Taxi Owners Association of Zambia (BTOAZ) and also the Commuters Rights Association of Zambia (CRAZ).

BTOAZ national spokesperson Amis Daudi says bus operators were most times inconvenienced, leading to loss of revenue. He says, even with the ban on random roadblocks, motorists should comply and observe all road traffic related rules.

“Having a lot of road blocks doesn’t help things at all. It just used to consume a lot of time for the drivers. What is important is road safety and not policing,” he said.

Mr Daudi adds that road safety enforcement officers should resort to use of technology such as camera to monitor and enforce road traffic laws.

“That way, traffic will be flowing smoothly and all vehicles with defects can always be intercepted at designated road blocks or even at some toll plazas,” he said.

With the same tone, CRAZ president Aaron Kamuti said the random checkpoints never served their intended purpose. He said most officers were using them to enrich themselves.

“We are also appealing to the Zambia Police to consider removing the checkpoint at 9 Miles. It is just causing congestion and damaging the road at that point. If they cannot take it back to Kabangwe where there is a concrete slab, let them just remove it altogether because repairing that part of the road will be expensive,” he said.

The mandate to mount road blocks by the police service is provided for under the Road Traffic Act No. 11 of 2002.

This article was also published in the Zambia Daily Mail newspaper of Tuesday June 14, 2022.

ZAMBIA READY FOR AU SUMMIT: High-level meeting will be held at the recently built and constructed Kenneth Kaunda International Conference Centre

AS Zambia readies to host the 41st Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union and the 4th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting (MYCM) of the AU and the Regional Economic Communities (RECS) next month, preparations have reached an advanced stage.

The high-level meeting, which will be held at the recently built and commissioned US$65 million Kenneth Kaunda International Conference Centre in Lusaka from July 14 to 17, 2022, is expected to attract a total of 14 heads of state and over 8,000 foreign delegates.

The meeting will focus on the status of regional integration, while the 55-member Executive Council will meet prior to the Mid-Year Coordination Meeting to prepare documentation and also discuss the budget of the Union for 2023.

The Mid-Year Coordination Meeting brings together the bureau of the Assembly of the African Union, the Regional Economic Communities, the AU Commission and the Regional Mechanisms. It is aligned to the institutional reforms of the AU, particularly the pillar on managing the business of the Union efficiently and effectively, at both political and operational levels.

It was instituted by an Assembly decision in 2017, and the first such meeting was held in July 2019 in Niamey, Niger.

To ensure that all is going according to plan, an African Union Commission delegation, led by the AU Commission’s Deputy Chief of Staff Ambassador Tordeta Ratebaye was recently in the country to engage with Zambian officials on areas such as: COVID-19 regulations, facilities, legal, protocol, security, communication and publicity, information systems, and procurement.

“As the secretariat of the AU, the Commission works closely with member states, and we are in Lusaka with our experts to support Zambia in the organisation of the 4th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting. We are happy with what we have seen so far,” stated Ambassador Ratebaye in a statement obtained from their website.

President Hakainde Hichilema, who recently commissioned the 2,500-seater conference wing, also assured the 35th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, that Zambia is ready to host the mid-year coordinating summit this July.

Delivering his maiden speech from the Nelson Mandela Hall, Mr Hichilema said Zambia looks forward to receiving heads of state to the summit, with warm hospitality.

“Your Excellencies, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, Zambia is ready to host the mid-year coordinating summit this July. We are looking forward to receiving you to our country,” Mr Hichilema said.

So far, it looks set and ready for the meeting.

The African Union is a continental body consisting of the 55-member states that make  up the countries of the African continent. It was officially launched in 2002 as a successor of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU, 1963-1999).

The successful hosting of the meeting will contribute to uplifting the country’s image on the international map. To ensure that all goes well, without any hitches and lapses, President Hichilema has constituted an organising committee comprising cabinet ministers to spearhead the successful hosting of the meeting that offers an opportunity to showcase Zambia’s hospitality and readiness to receive high-level delegations.

The hosting of the meeting is also viewed as a huge tourism boost. It offers an opportunity for the resuscitation of the tourism industry, which is just recovering from the devastating effects of the coronavirus pandemic. 

The Mid-Year Coordination Meeting will not only raise the country’s profile on international travel industry, but also stimulate interest as a destination of choice for holiday and global conferences and conventions.

The meeting is aligned to the commitment by the African Union heads of state and government to the development and integration of the continent, as articulated in Article 3 of the Constitutive Act of the African Union, which sets out the key objectives, including accelerating the political and socio-economic integration of the continent and promoting sustainable development at the economic, social and cultural levels, as well as the integration of African economies.

In January 2017, as part of the African Union Institutional Reforms, the heads of state and government adopted a decision on managing the business of the African Union efficiently and effectively, at both political and operational levels. 

They decided that in place of the previously convened June/July summit, the Bureau of the African Union Assembly would proceed to hold a coordination meeting with the Regional Economic Communities, with the participation of the Chairpersons of the Regional Economic Communities, the AU Commission and Regional Mechanisms. 

In 2013, member states of the African Union agreed upon “Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want”, working towards an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its citizens, representing a dynamic force in the international arena. 

Just like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this (Agenda 2063) is the blueprint and master plan for transforming Africa into the global powerhouse of the future. It is the strategic framework for delivering on Africa’s goal for inclusive and sustainable development and is a concrete manifestation of the pan-African drive for unity, self-determination, freedom, progress and collective prosperity pursued under Pan-Africanism and African Renaissance.

In line with this vision, the Mid-Year Coordination Meeting between the African Union, the Regional Economic Communities and the Regional Mechanisms and the meetings of the African Union Executive Council and the Permanent Representatives’ Committee will focus on various priority areas that include, but are not limited to, budget of the union, multilateral cooperation, structural reforms, theme of the year, elections, and the status of regional integration in Africa.

Others are operationalisation of the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, and also the division of labour between the member states, AU and the Regional Economic Communities.

This article was also published in the Zambia Daily Newspaper of Friday, June 10, 2022.

EMPOWERING WOMEN WITH ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS: Eagles Ladies Club embarks on intensive fish, chicken smoking training

IF there is one thing that the Zambia National Service (ZNS) Eagles Ladies Club prides itself in, is the ability to ensure that its women are empowered enough not to be too dependent on their husbands’ income.

This is obviously premised on the assumption that a wife, who according to the teachings of the Bible is her husband’s helper, could be able to play and fulfill the biblical role with ease, once empowered – and in this case, economically.

The club which was previously known as ZANASE Ladies Club before changing to Eagles Ladies Club, has been doing this for a long time. Some of the previous works it has done, include donating to the underprivileged in society and also to a number of orphanages.

Its long held belief is that every Zambian has an inescapable duty to make the lives of the underprivileged in society better. The club membership is made up of both civilian and uniformed female officers, living in the ZNS camps.

In its continued quest to make sure that the Eagles Ladies are those that add great value, to not only their homes, but also society, the club recently turned its attention to Chanyanya ZNS military camp in Kafue district.

For the women here, Precious Simasiku couldn’t tell their tale any better.

“Imagine a scenario where as a wife, you have no source of income apart from your husband’s salary. If it finishes, it means there won’t be any other money in the house and it becomes a problem to even buy things like cooking oil,” she says.

In order to change the scenario as explained by Mrs Simasiku, which may be relatable in most households, the Eagles Ladies in partnership with Impact Hub, embarked on a three-day intensive skills training programme for the Chanyanya ZNS camp Eagles Ladies.

The skill they learnt is fish and chicken smoking. It is hoped that the business that will be established around the acquired skill, will be viable and empowering enough to lift the women from a life of struggle.

The training culminated in a total of 63 women graduating, at a ceremony that was graced by Minister of Community Development and Social Welfare Doreen Mwamba.

“I am obviously overjoyed,” says Mrs Simasiku. “We shall make sure it progresses. The way we used to live is that, even if there is no money for cooking oil in the house, we would just sit and wait for our husbands to provide. But with this skill, we can use it to earn a little money, enough to supplement our husband’s earnings, for those small basic needs in a home.”

The practice of ‘smoking’ food has existed for many years. The exact story behind the discovery of this process is not entirely clear, but it is understood that it was one of the earliest techniques to help preserve meat and fish. Today, this technique is largely all about enhancing its flavour and colour - and when it’s done right, the results are said to be superb.

But looking at its market, Eagles Ladies Club patron Angela Solochi says the club is committed to supplement government’s poverty reduction drive at both community and household level.

“Through selfless and collaborative efforts of our various partners and stakeholders, today we have a team of enterprising women that is ready to be a major player in the food value chain not only in Kafue but beyond,” she said.

Mrs Solochi is confident that the business they are establishing around the acquired skills will be viable and empowering enough to lift the women from lives of struggle.

“The decision [to train the women in fish and chicken smoking] was arrived at after undertaking a market sounding survey which revealed very encouraging results,” she said.

Theresa Mutaka is the one that was conducting the training. She says the skill is sufficient to propel the women to financial stability, if taken seriously. “It was a wonderful three days and I am confident that they will put the skill to good use,” she says.

The three day training started on May 25 and ended on May 28. Impact Hub chief executive officer Eunice Siakachoma said there is no better way to celebrate an African woman’s freedom than training them a life skill that benefits many.

“This is how these women here have decided to celebrate Africa Freedom Day. An independent woman is a free woman and there is no better way to tell that story than empowering them and knowing too well that a lot of people are going to benefit from the knowledge,” she said. 

Ms Mwamba on the other hand commended the Eagles Ladies for the gesture. She has also challenged the ladies to make sure that the Eagles Ladies’ smoked, packaged and branded fish and chickens will be on the market – especially Choppies who have expressed willingness to stock them.

Zanaco Bank has pledged to offer free financial literacy to the group. This is in order to enable the women manage both the business and funds properly.

“We are in a hurry to serve as an inspiration to many other women groups. Government therefore challenges you to quickly put to enterprising use what you have been imparted with,” she said.

Ms Mwamba has since appealed to the ZNS command to consider allocating a portion of land to the enterprising club which can be utilised for various enhanced productions.

Recently, President Hakainde Hichilema called on chain stores to stock more local products in an effort to help boost local businesses and grow the local industry for onward job creation.

This article was also published in the Zambia Daily Mail newspaper of Monday, June 6, 2022.  

MISS ZAMBIA 2022: Elizabeth gives out ultimate compliment

IF you are a model and Elizabeth Mwanza gives you a thumps up, then just know that you should consider it as the ultimate compliment.

The Miss Zambia 1992 winner says she is impressed with the calibre of models the country is producing now.

Speaking last Saturday at the Miss Zambia fashion show, to mark the end of the three-week boot camp for the 2022 Miss Zambia finalists at The Best Western Plus Hotel, Elizabeth, who is also national director for the pageant, said the current crop of models come with so much.

“They come as powerful individuals,” she says. “Women who are ready to make a change in other people’s lives, who are willing to make the Miss Zambia a stepping stone to make themselves a bigger and a better brand.”

The Miss Zambia beauty pageant will take place next Saturday at the Best Western Plus Hotel. Last year, it could not take off due to disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic, which was at its peak then.

“Nowadays, the women are very smart,” Elizabeth adds. “A long time ago, we entered pageants because we just wanted to be a Miss Zambia. But now, they come and they say, ‘I want to make a change’, and they mean it because they don’t come as a blank slate. They have a lot to offer in terms of who they are, what they are doing, what they have done and what they intend to offer in the future.”

This year’s Miss Zambia finalists are Celine Robine Mbunda, Taonga Kanyanta, Eutray Simwatachela, Febby Ngandwe, Venus Mary Vlahakis, Joyce Mwansa, Nancy Mwansa, Natasha Mapulanga, and Naboonga Mulenga.

During the boot camp, the finalists were trained and mentored in business, economy and also culture.

“They’ve had an incredible time, great experiences,” Elizabeth says. “They have been mentored in basic discipline which has been incredible, they have been mentored in beauty, fashion and anything you can think of.”

The fashion show was held under the theme: ‘Beauty Within.’ 

Elizabeth is encouraging Zambians, especially young women, to be proud of the beauty within them.

“I think this is definitely a new era for us, Africans,” she says. “We no longer hide behind the European ecstatic’s of who we are in beauty, in terms of our hair, our faces, and our body. As it is now, as an African, you can stand alone as an African star without changing who you are.”

This article was also published in the Zambia Daily Mail newspaper of Sunday 5, June 2022.

SHEKHINAH SUITS PERFECTLY: South African songstress, Afro Red toast Ultimate Experience at Nightjar

IT was a hive of activities at The Nightjar Bar and Restaurant at Eastpark Mall, just next to The Music Club, last Saturday.

First it was the Ultimate Original Glenlivet Experience where customers were taken through what could be called a whisky sensory experience with live music by renowned jazz band, the Afro Red and some free tasting of The Glenlivet whisky.

Then, South African songstress Shekhinah, best known for her song, Suited, was in the house. And from what she gave in her performance, it is clear that she was perfectly suited for the occasion.

Now, The Glenlivet is a single malt, double matured Scotch whisky. From the Speyside region of Scotland, it is first matured in traditional, then American oak casks. The latter barrel imparts notes of vanilla and gives the whisky its distinctive smoothness. 

This classic single malt has a rich and fruity taste with a long, creamy and smooth finish.

The Glenlivet brand ambassador from South Africa, Sean Tantsi who was on hand to showcase the history of the whisky, made sure that everyone, including those with little to no knowledge about whiskies felt its greatness on all the five senses, the whisky entices – sound, taste, smell, sight and touch.

That is obviously something that needs no introduction to all those that love this hard drink anyway.

Leading up to the main event, The Nightjar used to host this experiential event for a straight six weeks, every Saturday.

And at the climax of it all, Shekhinah, who arrived in the country on Saturday afternoon, lived up to expectation. Before her set that lasted under an hour, the Afro Red Jazz band made sure there was no dull moment in the building.

The audience was kept entertained with their expertly executed covers to a number of great songs that ranged from both local to international.

That is why, by the time Shekhinah, the 27-year-old singer from Durban was making her way to the stage at around 22:00 hours, the groundwork had already been done for her – the people were already in the party mood.

Who would blame them anyway, when in the house, was an artiste who has continued to establish herself as an important voice in contemporary pop and urban RnB following her exploits on Idols South Africa not too long ago? By that, the frenzy that nearly ensued following her entrance in the building was not only expected, but also understandable – she is simply loved.

With just a keyboard player and a drummer for her set, Shekhinah expertly performed like a pro that she is.

Saving the best, in this case her most popular song Suited for last, she performed about eight songs before calling it quits, with a toast to a glass of The Glenlivet 12 Years.

And, oh! Everyone that was in attendance walked away with a present, the same way they were welcomed with a drink at the door. If you ask me, it was worth every penny.

This article was also published in the Zambia Daily Mail newspaper of Saturday, June 4, 2022.

THROWBACK THURSDAY: Winter cuddles reduce GBV cases in Livingstone

LIVINGSTONE district records less gender based violence related cases in the cold season as opposed to summer, says Non-Governmental Organisations Coordinating Council (NGOCC) district coordinator Christine Mutema.

She said there is likely to be an increase in the number of such cases now that the cold has ended.

Ms Mutema who is also Young Women Christian Association (YWCA) district para-legal officer said a recent survey conducted here recently revealed that the reduction in the number of cases during the cold season is due to the intimacy that is usually triggered as a result of the cold weather.

She said in July this, her office received a total of 15 gender based violence related cases compared to three that were recorded in June.

"A survey that we conducted here recently revealed that, starting from April to July month end, we record few cases. The people we interviewed said during this cold season, couples reconcile, they don’t fight. We only have a rise in the cases anytime after the cold season. We even anticipate a rise starting from August up to March next year," she said.

Ms Mutema said the men interviewed during the survey said due to the heat, they spent most of their time out and only return to their homes at night or in the early hours thereby causing the fights and quarrels.

"For June, we only had three cases, one of wife battering and two for child support but July we had a lot of them," she said.

She said generally, Livingstone records a high number of gender based violence related cases because people have now known where to report.

"It’s not like before where we could record only two or three cases a month, now we have something like 10 to 15 cases of gender based violence because they have broken the silence and known where to report and also known their rights," she said.

She said of the 15 cases recorded in July, three were of elopement involving ladies of ages 17 to 18, one of property grabbing and the rest being wife battering.

"Out of these cases, we have managed to help our clients. The widow whose late husbands house was sold by his relatives got her house back after we engaged the police and we also counselled and reconciled some couples that were fighting. So that is a plus on our side," she said.

This article was also published in the Zambia Daily Mail newspaper sometime in August 2018.

THROWBACK THURSDAY: of courageous Lungu assenting to a people-driven constitution

EVEN with the fact that his ascendancy to power was one that was least expected, even by him, President Edgar Lungu has pledged to leave a legacy befitting to make future generations proud.

Infrastructure development is at the core of his administration. Notable among them is the Lusaka – Ndola dual carriage way, the new Ndola International airport that is under construction and also the Lusaka Specialised hospital, among others.

But none supersedes the feat he pulled off on the January 5, 2016 at the Heroes National Stadium when he put pen to paper, to assent to a piece of legislation that would eventually reduce his powers, which he didn’t have issues with by the way.

“I have no qualms about reducing presidential powers because it is not about me, but about all of us today and posterity,” he said as he addressed the multitude that trooped to the stadium to witness the ceremony.

In his own words, president Lungu said: “the reduction of presidential powers, achieves the aim of ensuring that power is commonly distributed through subjecting leadership to legal restraint that replaces the rule of men with the rule of law.”

The day of assent was also declared a half working day by government, a gesture that lent credence to the importance of the assenting process itself and to also show how historic the achievement was in the constitutional making process which had divided the country in recent years.

French ambassador to Zambia Emmanuel Cohet marked the occasion as a landmark in the political life of the country.

"The assenting of the bill marks a significant milestone for the people of Zambia. The next step is the referendum which will be held in August which we hope will also be a success," Mr Cohet was quoted as saying.

Alex Ng’oma, a political analyst applauds President Lungu for being courageous enough to assent to a constitution bill that his predecessors had for a long time avoided.

He says despite the debate currently going on resulting from the same piece of legislation, President Lungu will be remembered as “one of the most democratic” leaders Zambia has seen.

“You see, that piece of legislation is very cardinal to the democratic dispensation of the country. Even with the debate around it, it offers a breath of fresh air in the many new clauses it came with such as the running mate and also the 50% plus one,” he said.

Constitutional development in Zambia can be traced back to the British colonial times, especially from the beginning of the 1950s.

Following the dissolution of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland in 1963, a new constitution based largely on the Westminster model was designed at independence in 1964. The constitution that resulted from the negotiations at Lancaster house was conceived in a multi-party political dispensation.

Among its bill of rights, every person in Zambia, regardless of race, place of origin, political opinion, colour, creed, or sex shall enjoy fundamental rights and freedoms.

But in 1973, Zambia became a one-party state with the justification being that it was a practical way to prevent ethnic rivalries and promote national unity.

The independence constitution was largely viewed as a colonial vestige which many leaders that followed promised to either change to one that truly reflected the aspirations of the Zambian people.

In 1969, a referendum was held which gave power to the legislature to amend the constitution and consequently, on 30th March, 1972, President Kenneth Kaunda appointed the Mainza Chona constitutional review commission.

After 18 years of one-party rule, the people of Zambia demanded change consistent with the “wind of change” that was blowing across the continent. Government then went on to reform and amend the 1973 constitution by repealing article 4 to allow for the return to multi-party politics.

Government also announced its intention to make comprehensive amendments to the constitution, and consequently, appointed the Patrick Mvunga constitutional review commission. However, the 1991 constitution that followed the Mvunga commission was perceived as a transitional one to meet the immediate demands of the multi-party system. Thus, on 22nd December, 1993, two years after the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) came to power, late president Frederick Chiluba appointed the John Mwanakatwe constitutional review commission.

The commission made many recommendations, amongst others, that a presidential candidate must receive 50 percent plus one of the valid votes cast for the candidate to be declared winner among others.

But again, government rejected most of the commission’s recommendations.

Then late president Levy Patrick Mwanawasa went on to appoint the fourth constitutional review commission, which was chaired by Mr Willa Mung’omba.

Significantly, the Mung’omba constitutional review commission which in the main sought to super-impose a constituent assembly over parliament.  But government rejected it on account of the constitution of Zambia vesting the legislative power of the republic solely in parliament, among other reasons.

In 2010, another attempt to amend the constitution was entered into.  Again, the attempt to enact the constitutional amendment bill adopted by the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) failed because the bill could not garner the two-thirds parliamentary majority required at second reading.

When the Patriotic Front ascended to power in 2011, it undertook to deliver a constitution in accordance with the wishes of the Zambian people.

Thus, on 16th November 2011, the late president, Michael Sata, appointed the Silungwe Technical Committee on drafting the Zambian constitution whose terms of reference included examining the recommendations of all previous constitutional review commissions in order to ensure that the proposed constitution took into account the views of the people.

On 23rd October, 2014, the draft constitution was tabled before the national assembly as “an Independence anniversary gift” to the Zambian people, but it too failed to go through.

Among the various issues that many people demanded and which have been provided for in the constitution amendment bill, include the election of a president with over 50 per cent of the valid votes cast and the provision of a running mate to a presidential candidate.

The bill also provides for the establishment of the constitutional court and the court of appeal, the implementation of a devolved system of government and the general strengthening of accountability among the various organs of the state.

There have also been persistent calls for dual citizenship, especially from Zambians living abroad. The new constitution provides for that.

It has also removed the uncertainty associated with the date of elections by clearly stating that the general elections shall be held on the second Thursday of August in an election year.

In the same vein, Zambians would know in advance who the successor would be, should the office of the Republican President fall vacant for one reason or another, as the vice president who is now elected alongside the president as a running mate automatically takes over.

Contentious clauses such as the parentage clause have been removed.

The new constitution amendment bill has also seen the provision for the rights and obligations of political parties and the establishment and management of the Political Parties' Fund;  revision of the provisions relating to the Executive in order to, among other matters, provide for the election of the Vice-President of the Republic as a running mate to a presidential candidate in a presidential election and the appointment of Parliamentary Secretaries in an effort to enhance good governance.

Other reforms include the revision of the provisions relating to the Judiciary in order to provide for the establishment of the Court of Appeal and the Constitutional Court and revise the jurisdiction of the superior courts.

On December 15, 2015 in Kasama, president Lungu may have said that, “under the new Constitution, when it comes I shall sign it with eyes closed because that is what Zambians wanted”, but January 5, 2016 told a different story.

He appended his signature to the piece of legislation that Zambians had cried for, for many years with so much ease and ‘open eyes’.

He will undoubtedly go down in the country’s history as the one that gave the people that which they had for a long time been crying for – a legacy to be remembered for many years to come.

This article was also published in the Zambia Daily Mail newspaper, sometime in November 2017.