NEVERS MUMBA WRITES:

 POLITICS:
While multiparty democracy entails a tangle between the ruling party and the opposition, it should never slip into unreasonable toxic politics that eventually hurts the ordinary citizen whose interests we claim to represent. Politically, Zambia is in a bad place and headed in a wrong direction. We call on all political players to reconsider our ways and return to responsible politics.

We are all agreed that life has become unbearable for most Zambians, but we must also not behave as though this is the first time Zambia has faced economic challenges. The UPND must not be shy to inform the Zambian people as to the source of our current economic woes and the several interventions they are making to mitigate these economic problems. Effective communication is cardinal in maintaining peace and order in the nation.
Zambians from the four corners of our nation are facing huge social challenges. The cost of living has negatively affected the very weak of our society. Families are disintegrating as a result of social pressures. The youth continue to struggle to find a way they can stay alive under the economically troubled times. Statistics reveal that suicide rate amongst the youth has risen to alarming levels. Jobs are hard to come by. Although these challenges are not only restricted to Zambia alone, it nevertheless contributes to instability in the nation.
The high cost of essential commodities like mealie meal, cooking oil, foodstuffs has aggravated the social status and security of the nation.
Any party in government that finds itself in this situation will face relentless criticism. To day, the UPND continues to suffer the backlash of this anger from citizens but lethally packaged by opposing political leaders.
UPND needs to have an ongoing conversation with the nation and create hope that if we all hold together, we shall see a better tomorrow. UPND must generate hope in the midst of despair. Leaders are dealers in the commodity of HOPE. Beyond hope however, UPND must pull all their resources together and find a short term solution to mitigating the high cost of mealie meal while waiting for a long term solution. THE CURRENT STATUS QUO CANNOT BE SUSTAINED IN 2024.

DEMOCRACTIC SPACE
The health of any democracy depends on the free exercise of the God given Freedom of speech. Freedom of expression. Freedom of religion. Freedom of assembly and association. Right to equal protection of the law.

These are freedoms that must never be denied to any Zambian. These are fundamental rights regardless of political party or tribe. MMD will never abandon its fight for the protection of these rights. We therefore urge government and all state institutions charged by law in safeguarding these rights to do so in fairness and in the fear of the Lord. Any suspension or abrogation of these rights will always fuel instability and lawlessness in the country.

I wish to comment on the mantra, “SHRINKING DEMOCRATIC SPACE.” The UPND government has been accused of having shrunk the democratic space in the nation. We are of the view that this mantra is inappropriately used and a misrepresentation of the current situation. You can only shrink something that was in existence before. In our case, democratic space had been suspended and frozen in the PF era. MMD is ready to testify in any court having been one of the leading victims of suspended democratic space under the PF. In our view, the mantra should be, “UPND please “RESTORE THE SUSPENDED DEMOCRATIC SPACE.” Our assessment is that the freedoms existing now are incomparable to what existed under the PF. Democracy is an ongoing experiment. We cannot claim that all the freedoms are available to everyone at any given time. It is for this reason we must always keep fighting for what belongs to us. Where any of our freedoms are infringed upon, we must raise our voices or take the recourse of the law and go to court in order to stop the injustice.
The MMD shall insist on the full restoration of all freedoms in 2024 as enshrined in our constitution.

Airtel Zambia Spreads love through program dubbed “12 days of Christmas”

 Airtel Zambia Spreads love through program dubbed “12 days of Christmas”

By Daily News Reporter

Through a program dubbed ’12 Days of Christmas” staff of Airtel Zambia across the ten provinces have shared assorted goods with chosen vulnerable old people’s homes and orphanages.

With over K150,000 spent, staff in each province chose one orphanage or home where they took an assortment of goods which included mealie meal, soya chunks, rice, footballs, skipping ropes and washing powder to name but a few.

On the Copperbelt, the staff visited “Face of a Child Orphanage’ in Twapia, Ndola that has 39 children under the matron madam Chingunbe who expressed happiness at the surprise visit from Airtel staff.

In Southern Province, the staff visited the ‘Holy Family Orphanage’ in Monze which was founded in 2006 and hosts over 500 children.

Airtel Interim Managing Director, Mr. Hussam Baday said as everyone was commemorating the season of giving, it was imperative that companies also give back whatever little to the communities that they serve.

“We have run the “12 days of Christmas program” for the last 3 years and the staff are the ones who choose where to go to share and spread some love and joy. It’s a very humbling experience and we will continue to grow this program each year and have more of our staff involved as they are the ones that drive it,” Baday Said.

 

MIRACLE OF HOPE SHARES FESTIVE SEASON WITH CANCER PATIENTS AT UTH

By Daily News Reporter

 

In their spirit of giving and remembering the needy and sick, Miracle of Hope donated various hampers to Cancer Disease Hospital at University Teaching Hospital (UTH) to help the patients celebrate Christmas in style.

 

Speaking during at the handover ceremony in Lusaka Miracle of Hope Administrative Manager Packsina Mpundu Mupezeni stated that the foundation donated 40 care buckets for the male ward and 50 gift baskets for the pediatric ward.

 

She also said that Miracle of Hope is a none profit making organization which is operating as A Non - Governmental Organization supporting cancer patients and survivors.

 

“This donation will help out especially this festive period when cancer patients as well as survivors are also looking forward to merry even in the hospitals,” Mpezeni said.

 

"Giving is lending to God, and the hand that gives is more blessed than the one that receives, hence the need to promote the culture of giving helping out the needy in society," she encouraged.

 

Meanwhile, Cancer Diseases Hospitals Representative Charles Daka expressed gratitude for the kind gesture shown by Miracles of Hope which he said will put a smile at the faces of the many patients that are also in despair.

“The hampers will go a long way in mitigating challenges cancer patients and survivors from the health facilities face on a daily basis especially food and soaps.” She added.

Airtel Africa registers its 150 million customers.

 Airtel Africa registers its 150 million customers.

By Daily News Reporter

Airtel Africa has registered its 150 millionth customer. Airtel Africa through many areas it has given its services to millions of people access to reliable and high-quality digital and mobile money services, often for the first time. Led by the purpose of transforming lives, connecting 150 million customers is a significant milestone that underscores the company's commitment to enriching the lives of its customers. 

Looking forward, Airtel Africa is focused on further expansion, increased innovation, and continued investments to ensure a digitally empowered future for all.

The growth reflects Airtel Africa’s commitment to reaching more people, with more services, in more places than ever before. By bringing mobile banking, data, and telecoms to underserved communities across sub-Saharan Africa, Airtel Africa is driving financial and digital inclusion and helping to unlock the potential of people, businesses, and societies.

In response to the increased demand for accessible and affordable services, Airtel Africa is continuing to expand its network and invest in the future through fiber and 5G. This is supported by new, best-in-class digital products, services, and content.

Airtel Africa’s Group CEO, Segun Ogunsanya, would like to thank each one of the stakeholders for

their continued commitment and support in helping the company reach this milestone. But as

everyone knows, this is just the beginning of a journey that will see many more milestones in the

coming years.

WATCH OUT NON-COMPLIANT TEACHERS- Dr Mubanga

 

WATCH OUT NON-COMPLIANT TEACHERS- Dr Mubanga

 

By Daily News Reporter

 

The Teaching Council of Zambia (TCZ) has said that it will prosecute all non-compliant teachers effective January 2024.

Speaking to the media in Lusaka, Teaching Council of Zambia (TCZ) Registrar, Dr. Ebby Mubanga said all registered teachers must be licensed as stipulated in the Teaching Profession Act Number 5 of 2013.

And Dr Mubanga said seventy to eighty percent of the 220, 000 registered teachers are licensed while thirty percent are not.

He has further called on head teachers in all schools to ensure that teachers are compliant by getting registered and licensed.

Dr Mubanga has also clarified that the list circulating on social media in Kawambwa, sent by the Kasama TCZ office, is not a recruitment list but a list of non-compliant teachers in the district.

“A list of non-compliant teachers was sent to all districts so that all districts would check on the compliance status of its teachers. So, when the list was picked up by a member of public in Kawambwa, they associated the list with recruitment but that has nothing to do with recruitment but everything to do with compliance of teachers under the teaching council of Zambia,” Dr Mubanga said.

He has urged all teachers in public and private schools in all 10 provinces to remain professional at all times and ensure that they are compliant and understand the government's policies and programs.

ANTHRAX CASES DROP

 ANTHRAX CASES DROP

 

 

By Daily News Reporter

 

Minister of Health Sylvia Masebo has said that the country has recorded a reduction in the number of Anthrax cases.

And Ms Masebo added that the Ministry is working with the Ministry of Livestock has ensured sustained sensitization to promote and support mitigation measures.

And commenting on the Cholera situation in the country, Ms Masebo said that Lusaka Province has recorded 74 new cases in the last 24 hours bringing the total cumulative cases to 1, 669.

She said 4 deaths were also recorded bringing the total to 46, while 69 patients were discharged and 110 patients were still admitted in the last 24 hours.

She further said that Eastern Province has recorded one cholera case which was a death.

The new recorded cases bring to the total of 2,552 national cumulative cases since 26 th January 2023 when the disease broke out.

The national cumulative death cases stand at 64 meanwhile the case fatality ratio is at 2.5%.

She assured that the government's commitment to containing the Cholera situation in the country by the end of the year.

“Government is putting in place measures to curb the situation.

She called on Zambians to stay alert by adhering to the mitigation measures and to visit a health center upon noticing diarrhea,” Masebo said.

 

VSO AND STANDARD CHARTERED BANK SUPPORTS YOUTHS IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAMMES

 VSO AND STANDARD CHARTERED BANK SUPPORTS YOUTHS IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAMMES

By Daily News Reporter

 

Enhancing Youth Entrepreneurship and Employment (EYEE) Project Implementation Lead - Eswatini, Zambia and Zimbabwe, and through the support from the government under the Ministry of Youth Sport and Art, EYEE has trained youth in different skills.

 

EYEE the project which is one of the three entrepreneurship and employment interventions of standard Chartered Foundation supported futuremakers project is fully operational in three countries namely Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

 

Speaking at the close out programme for the youth entrepreneurship and employment in Lusaka, VSO Project Manager Mr Angel Mutale ensured the youths that VSO will ensure that more funds will be sourced to support other youths from the training that are currently rendering the many youths under their tutorage.

 

He added that the fund which will be sourced it will give youths an opportunity to access affordable financial services in order to standout and grow their businesses.

 

Mr. Mutale further said that the purpose of the initiative was to make the young people start servings, and borrow the same money through servings.

 

"We are humbled with a lot of testimonies from beneficiaries that have ventured into different types of businesses through empowerment which is offered to them," he noted.

 

And Standard Chartered Bank, Futuremakers initiative Ms. Christine Matambo said the Bank is contributing massively in job creation and giving Entrepreneurship programmes to women and youths in the country and also to economic growth and development.

"As a bank we have targeted groups such as women and youths in their businesses, and participate to the growth of the economy through such programmes," Matambo said

 “As a socially responsible bank, we are driving impact through our Future makers programme by collaborating with our partners to implement community-oriented initiatives that tackle societal challenges and help local communities to cope and thrive,” Matambo said.

Ms. Matambo explained that the Future makers’ programmes by the bank were anchored on three pillars: Education, Employability and Entrepreneurship.

 

She added that the bank had four active programmes under Future makers namely, SC Women in Tech (WiT), Youth to Work, Enhanced Youth Entrepreneurship and Employability (EYEE) Programme and the Goal programme.