EAGLE’S EYE ON KARIBA DAM

…A tour to world’s wonder site

BY MOSES WALUBITA

LUSAKA

ONE of the seven principles of the eagle by Bahamian evangelist Myles Munroe is the leadership principle which the eagle possesses on vision.

In the first place, leadership is influencing others to join in the pursuit of a vision for the future. Without vision, there is no leadership.

But the vision required for effective leadership is not just mere wishes you would like to see come pass. A strong vision is built from a sense of purpose - a need you strongly want to see solved, or a reality you feel obligated to create, according to leadership expert Dr Munroe (now late).

On November 14-15, Zambia Institute of Public Relations and Communication (ZIPRC) had a Continuous Professional Development (CPD) training programme in Siavonga with Information and Media Permanent Secretary Thabo Kawana as guest of honour.

During the training, ZIPRC requested for a tour of the Kariba Dam to understand the current water situation, which has been affected by the drought.

The tour was a joint venture between the Zambezi River Authority, ZESCO Limited, the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) and the Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU).

At the workshop held at Savee Beach Resort, a presentation was made on ‘’Navigating Energy Challenges Posed by Low Water Levels at Kariba Dam.’’

The low water level is affecting ZESCO power generation at Kariba North Power Bank in Siavonga District, Southern Province of Zambia.

Kariba North Power Bank’s senior manager Cephas Museba said due to low water level as result of drought currently ZESCO at Kariba North Power Bank is at 59 centimeters of live water for power generation and one turbine is in operation out of six and operating at 110 megawatts (MW) instead of 180 megawatts (MW) normal operation.

ZESCO has recorded an increase of five centimeters of water in the first two rainfalls. He explained that if the rain continues the way it has started, water levels may increase at Lake Kariba.

The Kariba Dam rehabilitation project started around 2019 with the aim of prolonging the life span of the Kariba Dam that was built around 1958 funded by European Union, World Bank and other partners.

Kariba Dam rehabilitation project was undertaken in two phases but happening at the same time. Phase one was the reshaping of the dam foundation and plunge pool as it had developed cracks due to erosion and was worked on by Razel Bec, a French company.

Phase two of Kariba Dam rehabilitation project was to work on the spill gate by the French company.

The purpose of the Kariba Dam rehabilitation project was to address the hazard that would have caused loss of many lives in the Lower Zambezi River covering Chirundu, Kafue and part of Lusaka.

In his book, RHODESIA AND NYASALAND LANDS AND PEOPLES (1961), Colin Black writes that a wall 420 feet high and nearly half a mile wide tamed one of Africa’s greatest rivers.

According to Colin Black, it had been apparent that the two Rhodesias-Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia) would have to use their potential resources for hydro-electric power if their economic progress were to be maintained and then accelerated.

The former British territories belonged to the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland which lasted from 1953 to 1963.

After many investigations Lord Malvern, Prime Minister of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland told the Federal Parliament in 1955, that the Government had decided to proceed with the Kariba project.

On January 1, 1960, the first power from Kariba flowed to Northern Rhodesia’s Copperbelt. Sir Roy Welensky was the last Prime Minister of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.

And on November 14, 2024, opening ZIPRC’s workshop on Ethics and Professional Responsibility programme, Zambia’s Information and Media Permanent Secretary Thabo Kawana said it is imperative that all practitioners in public relations (PR) and communication comply with ZIPRC Act. No. 11 of 2022.

The Act provides clear legal guidelines to govern the profession. Every individual either employed or practicing PR and communication in Zambia should be registered with ZIPRC and must possess a valid practicing certificate issued by the institute.

Ethics and professional responsibility is the backbone of every profession. It guides individual organisations to a higher standard of conduct.

Mr Kawana said: ‘’Today’s programme reflects the dedication of ZIPRC in elevating standards of public relations and communication practice in our country.’’

Government recognises the indispensable role that strategic communication plays in transforming Zambia’s landscape. Communication and PR is not simply a means of information sharing.

Communication is a powerful tool that shapes public perception, fosters understanding, and strengthens the connection between leaders and citizens.

 As Zambia strives for sustainable economic growth, effective communication becomes even more essential, enhancing transparency, inspiring confidence, and driving participation across all sectors.

Mr Kawana is aware that ethics in public relations and communication is about adhering to key values such as honesty, openness, loyalty, fairness, integrity and straightforward communication.

However, there are some cases where PR practitioners fail to uphold these principles because they are not part of decision-making processes and therefore, end up ‘’covering up things’’ for organisations.

In other words, they are called upon to repair damages which could have been avoided if they were part and parcel of decision-making.

He urged PR practitioners and their management teams to consider elevating PR and communication functions.

 MARK TAMBATAMBA: 

THE TEACHER-CUM POLITICIAN

MOSES WALUBITA

MARK Mwika Tambatamba was a passionate traditionalist, educationist and a disciplinarian. He educated his children and many of his extended family members.

While the Chinese say: ‘’A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step’’, Tambatamba appeared to have been inspired by the Kaonde proverb which says: ‘’Lweendo ntaangi, lubule ntaangi lwalaala’’, literally translated to mean: ‘’Any journey is about a leader, if it has no leader then it won’t be undertaken or successful’’.

His brother Mukombo Jonathan Tambatamba recalls: ‘’He took leadership seriously in whatever he did at family, village, district and national levels.’’

A baby born breached in Kikaonde carries the name of Mwika. Mark Mwika Tambatamba was a breached baby born on April 28, 1928 in Kasempa in North-Western Province of Zambia. He was the first born.

 Mark Mwika Tambatamba’s father was Mukombo Tambatamba from Kanyakula Village where he later became the headman Kanyakula after retirement from government where he was the head messenger for Kasempa district.

Mark Mwika Tambatamba’s mother was Sambaliya Tambatamba from Ngambo Village. Being matrilineal, Kaonde children inherit the clan of their mothers.

Mukombo Jonathan Tambatamba says all Kaonde chiefs are based on clans. While Mark Mwika Tambatamba’s father was from the goat (Bena Mbuzhi) clan his mother Sambaliya Tambatamba was from the mushroom (Bena Kyowa) clan and a princess in senior chief Kasempa’s royal establishment.

As such, Mark Mwika Tambatamba was a possible candidate to inherit the senior chief Kasempa’s throne when it became vacant at some point but opted not to be considered.

Mark Mwika Tambatamba was a traditionalist who supported the royal establishment very well.

One of the key contributions to the senior chief Kasempa’s royal establishment and the very people of Kasempa was his pioneering of the ‘’Juba ja Nsomo’’ traditional ceremony for the Kaonde people of senior chief Kasempa.

 Mark Mwika Tambatamba was married to Lyness Tambatamba and had nine children.

The current Minister of Labour and Social Security Brenda Mwika Tambatamba is the first born.

 Brenda Mwika Tambatamba is Member of Parliament (MP) for Kasempa, the same constituency that her father led and also the first woman MP for the area.

In an interview, Mukombo Jonathan Tambatamba said: ‘’Mark Mwika Tambatamba served Kasempa Constituency from 1973-1988, a period of 15 years is todate the longest serving Kasempa MP.’’

Freedom fighter and former Member of United National Independence Party (UNIP Central Committee Bautis Kapulu remembers Mark Mwika Tambatamba as a humble person and hard working.

Kapulu first Mark Mwika Tambatamba in Luapula Province where he served as District Secretary for Mwense when Kapulu was privileged to serve as Minister of State.

‘’I did not stay long’’, Kapulu recalls.

The two politicians were reunited when Mark Mwika Tambatamba served as Kasempa MP and Kapulu was UNIP Central Committee Member in charge of North-Western Province.

Mark Mwika Tambatamba’s humility was shown during the official opening of the Solwezi Teacher Training College in North-Western Province when he stood up to interpret for Joshua Munkena who was Governor for Kasempa District.

In attendance was His Excellency Kenneth David Kaunda, President of the Republic of Zambia at the time, who commended Mark Mwika Tambatamba for his humility despite being a Cabinet Minister.

Kapulu worked with Mark Mwika Tambatamba at Lusaka Province as Provincial Secretary for two years until change of Government in 1991 following general elections which ushered in the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD).

Kapulu says: ‘’That is the man (Mark Mwika Tambatamba) of humble character’’

Mark Mwika Tambatamba did his primary school at Mutanda Mission School in Kasempa District.

Upon completion of Standard 6 upper he went to Kitwe Teacher Training College on the Copperbelt to train as primary school teacher.

When he completed he was posted to Kasempa Primary School where he rose to the position of head teacher.

During his time as head of the school, Mark Mwika Tambatamba supported freedom fighters, high ranking UNIP officials such as UNIP President Kenneth David Kaunda, Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe and Matiya Ngalande.

In the early days of Zambia’s Independence, Mark Mwika Tambatamba was sent to Australia by government for further studies in recognition of his hard work.

When he returned from Australia, he was promoted to the position of inspector of schools. He briefly worked in Kasempa before being transferred to Lusaka in 1967 in the same position.

In 1973 after so much pressure from the people of Kasempa he retired from the civil service to pursue a political career with limited resources.

Mark Mwika Tambatamba contested the Kasempa parliamentary seat as an MP.

He won the seat with a massive vote margin as a second area MP. In 1975, he was appointed as Minister of State for Mines and Industries by President Kenneth Kaunda.

Among Mark Mwika Tambatamba’s key positions was that of Minister of Information and Broadcasting. The construction of the Mass Media Complex on Alick Nkhata Road in Lusaka was being done under his tenure as Information Minister.

His passion included education. Kasempa Boys Secondary School was built during his term as MP.

Mark Mwika Tambatamba died on August 11, 1992 in Lusaka and was buried four days later at Kasempa’s Kamilonga Royal Cemetery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 TOO MUCH OF MUSHROOMING OF PRIVATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES IN THE HIGHER EDUCATION SECTOR -PRO KAZHILA 

By Daily News Reporter 

"THE MUSHROOMING OF PRIVATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES THAT HAS NOW MARRED OUR SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION IS A DIRECT CONSEQUENCE OF OUR LACK OF RESPECT FOR LAW AND ORDER...........

Speaking to the media in Lusaka Higher Education Authority (HEA) Director General Professor Kazhila Chinsembu stated that the new regulations which the authority is implementing does not target only the private higher education institutions but also with the public universities and colleges,

"For this month we will start with CBU Auditing and next month UNZA because this has led to lack of respect for law and order in the education sector," Prof Kazhila said.

Prof Kazhila said that due to this of respect for law and order some faith-based and youth-based institutions have abrogated the law by enrolling students that do not meet the minimum entry requirements,

"All those institutions that have gone against our regulations will be deregistered we need to respect regulations that govern higher education because we are a government of laws not of Men so watch out," Prof Kazhila said.

Prof Kazhila also noted that those mushrooming institutions have started providing titles such as doctorate,PHDs which are not recognized by the Authority especially faith-based and youth-based institutions.

"You will find out that someone has been offered a PHD or Doctorate degree from the church and is called Doctor or Professor without our recognition and you can't claim to provide opportunities to youths or anyone by breaking the law,by evading higher education Act and also by making them cheat their way into college," Prof Kazhila added.

He has further urged the clergy to desist from the temptations of dishonest assuming and misappropriating to themselves the revereda academic titles of doctor and professor, regardless of pastor or bishop of the church. 

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"You are pastor or bishop of the church, how will enter heaven when you stole the academic title of doctor or Professor?," Prof Kazhila has warned.

Prof Kazhila also added that with due respect of our royal highnesses it's noted that some respected chiefs that wear doctoral graduation gowns and regalia need to follow the law and order of the HEA.