CHONA’S DAUGHTER EUGOLISES SISTER JUDGE MUYOVWE

BY MOSES WALUBITA

LUSAKA

FOR Kaoli Chona’s father Mathias Mainza Chona, it was love at first sight as eyes came to face with Yolanta Mainza Chona’s beauty when the two were pupils at Chona Primary School, east of Monze District in former Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia).

The two classmates shared the middle name ‘Mainza’. Mainza Chona was classes ahead of Yolanta. He made it his business to convince Yolanta, a daughter of headman Haanamoonga Jeke Malambo of nearby Chiile village in Chief Chona’s area.

Mainza Chona died on December 11, 2001. The tombstone on his grave at Chona village reads: ‘’Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be known as sons of God.’’ He died a day after his wife’s birthday.

Today, one of the couple’s daughter Kaoli Chona eulogises her Late sister Elizabeth Nkombo Chona Muyovwe who was Supreme Court Judge.

Justice Muyovwe was born in 1956 at Haanamoonga village. She went to primary at Chona School and later moved to Chikuni Primary School in Southern Province as a boarder. She did her upper primary at St Mary’s Primary School and secondary school at St Joseph’s in Monze, Southern Province.

Highlighting Justice Muyovwe’s achievements, Kaoli said: ‘’ I am telling the story of a woman who has definitely without debt contributed to the cause of women and vulnerable people in Zambia.’’

Kaoli walked with Justice Muyovwe, saw her tire, struggle, get up, use her own resources and she listened to her dreams.

‘’Mine is the story of my elder sister Justice Elizabeth Nkombo Chona Muyovwe’’, she said.

Justice Muyovwe’s passion for law wasa probably developed by her father Mathias Mainza Chona, first black lawyer in Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia).

Yolanta Chona recalls how Mainza Chona brought Munali Secondary School in Lusaka to a standstill in 1958 soon after returning from law studies in United Kingdom.

Yolanta Chona had accompanied him to his old school and they were taken around the school grounds. Students jostled to view the country’s black lawyer, who had broken the colour bar during British colonialism.

In his book, THEY BUILT ZAMBIA, ZAMBIA’S HUNDRED GRADUATES AT INDEPENDENCE, Yuyi Kwalombota Libakeni recalls that Mainza Chona returned home from his studies in London shortly after he was called to the English Bar in June 1958.

Proudly invited to visit his old school, Munali, Mainza Chona and his wife Yolanta were taken around the school by the principal H.J. Roberts and his wife.

There was commotion as students jostled to view the back native who had broken the colour bar to become the first African lawyer in the country.

In the days that followed students began to consider law as a serious career and profession. Mainza Chona had shown that it was feasible proposition for an African to aim to become a lawyer.

This is what inspired Justice Elizabeth Nkombo Chona Muyovwe to have a passion for law.

Among her rich credentials, Justice Elizabeth Muyovwe was a member of the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) and she became involved in the women’s issues together with prominent lawyers like Charity Mwansa.

Justice Muyovwe sat on the Women’s Rights Committee. The committee realized that there was need for Legal Aid that would look at the rights of women and children.

The committee organized a workshop and what followed a publication of document on Women’s Rights. Together with this committee they began to do some ground work which led to the formation of a Legal Clinic for Women.

Kaoli Chona said: ‘’At first this was just a dream that was on paper and women’s issues at this time were not taken seriously by LAZ. The committee drew up a project proposal which was funded by NORAD. The committee chose Elizabeth as the project leader.’’

Justice Muyovwe resigned from Lima Bank to head the ‘Legal Clinic for Women’. To begin with she had a skeleton staff which consisted of herself and the secretary.

Justice Muyovwe also used volunteer lawyers and student lawyers from Legal Practicing Institute (LPI)to help in handling many cases.

One of the lawyers whom Justice Elizabeth Muyovwe managed to convince to join as Volunteer Lawyer is the prominent woman lawyer Nellie Mutti, currently Speaker of the National Assembly.

Justice Elizabeth Muyovwe dealt with so many cases and met many women who she helped a times it was difficult for her remember.

‘’The money was not much but the satisfaction she found was so great. She saw many women who were without a smile, smile again, some who were depressed revived and some who had almost lost everything regain it’’, Kaoli Chona said.

The year 1996 was notable one for Justice Elizabeth Muyovwe when her husband Charles Muyovwe died. The funeral was taken to his home village in Pemba, Southern Province.

Her experience as a widow opened her eyes to the importance of the work she had done for women. She no longer only sympathised with them but she became part of their struggles, as she understood what they went through.

She was left to look after four children who were still school going. The tasks she had done with her husband she now had to do alone.

‘’It was a long struggle’’. Kaoli Chona said.

In 1998, the Government of the Republic of Zambia through the Office of the Vice President honoured Elizabeth Muyovwe a High Court Judge. Among the Judge’s other tasks was being appointed as Vice-Chairperson of the Lands Tribunal - and again she enjoyed this as the cases were mostly for disadvantaged people and it prepared Elizabeth Muyovwe for the bench.

Eulogising the sister, Kaoli Chona said Justice Elizabeth Muyovwe never left either a woman or man wounded. She helped pick up them up. The Judge was the ‘Good Samaritan’.

She said: ‘’The Legal Clinic contributed to the recognition in Zambia that women were human beings who had rights. The formation of the Victim Support Unit of the Police is as a result of institutions like the Legal Clinic.’’

On January 16, 2002, the Secretary General of the United Nations and the Government of Sierra Leone, announced that eight Judges had been appointed to serve on the Trial Chamber and the Appeals Chamber of the Special Court which would have its seat in Freetown.

Justice Elizabeth Muyovwe was one of the two women appointed. One of the criteria used to select the Judges was integrity.

‘’I believe my sister Justice Elizabeth Nkombo Muyovwe should be honoured’, Kaoli Chona said at Lusaka West home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 *UNEP HINTS AT CREATING AFRICAN INSTRUMENT ON ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS*

By Daily News Reporter 

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) stated that there are ongoing discussions about creating an African instrument on environmental rights.

UNEP Deputy Director of the Law Division Andrew Raine, further said there are already 2,116 specialized environmental courts and tribunals in 67 countries, urging Zambia to establish an Environmental Court.

Mr Raine said the institutions will help advance environmental justice by equipping judges with specialized knowledge.

This Mr Raine was speaking during at the Environmental Protection Day (EPD) 2024 organized by the Centre for Environment Justice (CEJ) in Lusaka.

Mr. Raine highlighted the importance of environmental rule of law, which he described as having two main components such as good laws and good implementation.

Mr Raine added that they is need for fair and clear laws, public participation, access to justice and information, accountability, coordinated mandates, and effective dispute-resolution mechanisms.

Mr. Raine also mentioned the potential of specialized environmental courts to advance environmental justice.

He said despite global geopolitical tensions, countries are coming together to address environmental issues through multilateral agreements, such as the international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution and the global biodiversity framework.

Mr. Raine said the human right to a healthy environment is recognized in the legal frameworks of 160 countries and regional treaties like the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

Meanwhile, Ministry of Green Economy and Environment – Director Environment Godwin Gondwe, representing Ministry of Green Economy and Environment Permanent Secretary Douty Chibamba, highlighted the mounting pressures on the environment and the global forces threatening communities, urging a collective commitment to enforcing environmental laws and best practices in stewardship to secure a sustainable future.

Mr. Gondwe also noted that since its inception, the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment has provided guidance and technical support to enhance programming and governmental protection efforts.

He praised the Centre for Environment Justice (CEJ) for its significant contributions over the past four years, including convening key stakeholders to discuss urgent environmental issues.

Mr. Gondwe expressed pride in the progress made and encouraged continued efforts to bring together key actors for environmental justice.

He also addressed the increasing environmental challenges posed by chemicals, solid waste, hazardous waste, industrialization, and mining, calling for urgent corrective actions to manage and remedy these issues.

Mr. Gondwe stressed the importance of strengthening environmental monitoring, law compliance, and enforcement mechanisms, and called for active participation from all stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, and communities.

He further urged the private sector to invest in green technologies and sustainable businesses and emphasized the need for inclusive development that prioritizes the voices of marginalized groups.

THEY IS NEED TO ADDRESS ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL INJUSTICES* GREEN PEACE AFRICA 

 By Daily News Reporter 

Greenpeace Africa - Director of Communications Nanfadima Cisse has called for the creation of specialised environmental courts and tribunals to help communities seek redress to environmental harms.

Ms Cisse said justice must be at the forefront of addressing current global challenges.

She emphasized the importance of international collaboration, noting that they work closely with climate justice movements and people from around the world towards achieving social justice and integral ecology.

Ms. Cisse pointed out that the global conversation is focused on transition, referencing COP28 in Dubai where nations committed to moving away from fossil fuels.

She stressed that Africa needs a comprehensive transition in its food systems, energy sources, and development models, which have historically hindered progress.

Ms Cisse was speaking during the 2024 Environmental Protection Dialogue (EPD) organized by the Centre for Environment Justice (CEJ) in Lusaka.

She expressed concern that Africa is being overlooked despite the “leave no one behind” mantra.

Ms Cisse said as COP29 in Azerbaijan approaches, she called on affluent industrialized nations to embrace their moral responsibility and commit to creating an ambitious and expansive climate finance framework.

She said this framework should empower African nations to implement mitigation and adaptation strategies to avert further loss of life and property.

Ms. Cisse highlighted the ongoing climate crisis in vulnerable communities, noting the loss of land and resources.

She urged African leaders to establish a common goal and agreement for a global system shift, insisting that polluters must be held accountable.

 

REPEAL NGO BILL INTO LAW OF 2022 AND REPLACE NGO ACT OF 2009-CNGO(MR.MWILU)

 

“we are deeply concerned by the prolonged delay in the signing of this bill into law……… Mr. Mwilu

 

By Daily News Reporter

 

The current position of the signing of the 2022 NGO Bill into law to Repeal and Replace the NGO Act of 2009.   It hampers the progress of numerous initiatives and creates uncertainty and instability within the NGO sector, which is essential for addressing various socio-economic issues across the country.

 

The Council Non Governmental organizations (CN GOs) Executive Director Roy Mwilu stated that According to the four staged roadmap provided by Ministry of Community Development and Social Services (MDSS), there are three more steps that the Bill needs to go through before it is introduced in Parliament after cabinet Approval.

Mr Mwilu also concerned that similar road maps have been drawn before and they amounted to nothing.  And that some number of Bills have been introduced to Parliament overtaking the NGO Bill that has been under review for the past fifteen years. 

Has further urged the Ministry of Justice to get a clear understanding on why the Bill has to undergo so may reviews without ever being introduced to parliament.

 

By prioritizing the timely repeal and replacement of the 2022 NGO Bill,it will foster an environment that nurtures the growth and success of NGOs, enabling them to continue making invaluable contributions to the society.

 

In future we may we hope to hold peaceful provincial solidarity matches, press statements and other form of advocacy, including escalating the concerns to the Republican President if this is what it calls to bring to the attention of those that are supposed to prioritize the importance of the repealing and replacing the 2009 NGO ACT.

 

The 2022 NGO Bill will Promote Transparency and Accountability and  the NGO Bill establishes clear guidelines that will improve the transparency and accountability of NGOs, which is critical for maintaining public trust and ensuring that resources are used effectively.

By signing the 2022 NGO Bill it

Reaffirms, it’s Commitment to Civil Society and also it will signal administration’s commitment to supporting civil society and recognizing the vital role that NGOs play in the democratic and development processes.

 

Mr. Mwilu also noted that by delaying signing the 2022 NGO Bill it will Addressing Legal Uncertainties which will create

 a legal vacuum that affects NGOs’ ability to plan and execute their projects, potentially leading to disruptions in crucial services and interventions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HAPPY LAND RESORT TO BOOST TOURISM SECTOR

“This investment is a great opportunity for the community to experience the tourism sector ….” Dr. Mulenga.

By Daily News Reporter,

Speaking during the launch of Happy Land Resort in Chongwe district, Happy Land CEO Dr Joseph Mulenga stated that this investment it will promote tourism sector by creating tourism activities in the district.

Dr. Mulenga added that such investment create jobs for local people to reduce lack of employment and lack of creation activities in the area.

Happy Land Resort which is within Happy Land for creations was constricted at a cost of $10 million.

And Dr. Mulenga further urged the Ministry of Tourism to work with local investors to boost local investment in areas of interest.

Meanwhile Chongwe District Commissioner Dr. Evans Lupiya added that through local investment in the district it will increase GDP, economy in the tourism sector also improve Tourism activities.

Dr. Lupiya stated this investment will preserve the natural and culture heritage for future generations.

And Dr. Lupiya urged all local investors to continue working together by ensuring that this establishment succeed in the long term.

Also by ensuring that Happy Land Resort to serve as beacon of excellence hospitality within Chongwe.