Remove children from streets by empowering them - chief Mnukwa
By Christopher Miti in Chipata
Mon 03 Feb. 2014, 14:00 CAT
CHIEF Mnukwa of the Ngoni people in Chipata says there is need to remove youths from the streets by involving them in activities that will empower them.
Speaking when he met some officials of an organisation called Zoe Compassionate Zambia, which seeks to empower the local people through training in agriculture related activities, chief Mnukwa said the youth should know that they had a future.
He urged youths to refrain from activities like beer drinking that might ruin their future.
"Let's train people then, we will train a lot of these vulnerable people. When we train youths, then we will remove them from the so called streets. We want beer drinking to be reduced, let the youth know that they have a future," chief Mnukwa said.
And Zoe Compassionate Zambia country representative Stephen Ngwira said his organisation seeks to assist vulnerable families in various ways.
Ngwira said his organisation would strive to work with people of Mnukwa in educating the vulnerable children.
He said the local people should not completely stop taking care of their children after receiving some assistance from his organisation.
Ngwira said through his organisation, some well-wishers such as John Hunt had adopted some families they would be assisting in Mnukwa area.
Labels: CHIEF MNUKWA, CHIPATA
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Chipata police fail to trace riotous Nyau dancers
By Christopher Miti in Chipata
Mon 06 Jan. 2014, 14:00 CAT
POLICE in Chipata have failed to trace the traditional Nyau dancers who are alleged to have smashed windows at Mugubudu police post between Christmas and New Year.
But chieftainess Mkanda of the Chewa people in Chipata says it's not true that she influenced Nyau dancers from her chiefdom to smash window panes at the police post.
Eastern Province police commissioner Grace Chipalila said the Nyau dancers damaged window panes at the police post after one of their members was earlier arrested by the police.
"They smashed nine window panes at the police post and these dancers were sent by one of the chiefs. But as police we are stuck with investigations because we can't identify them (Nyau dancers) because they were in their attire," she said.
But chieftainess Mkanda refuted claims that she had influenced the Nyau dancers to damage the police post.
She said the matter was being exaggerated by the police.
"Issues to do with gule (traditional Nyau dance) are not discussed in public and this story that the dancers destroyed a police post is not true. We discussed this issue and the matter has been resolved.
What happened is something that could have been resolved at the village level but the police exaggerated this issue. I only learnt about this issue yesterday (Friday) when I was called at Mkaika (Chewa headquarters) in Katete for a meeting," she said.
The chieftainess explained that the confusion began when people of Israeli village in chief Mshawa of the Ngoni people and her people from Bauleni village differed because Nyau dancers were not given freedom to move freely.
"I am told what caused the confusion is one man from Israeli who insulted Nyau dancers and some selected Chewa chiefs. After this the locals decided to resolve the issue among themselves and the dancers wanted to come here to report what was discussed. It was during this time that one of the dancers was picked up by police. When I went to check at Mugubudu police post, I was told that this gule had been transferred to Chipata Central police station and I followed until the dancer was released," she said.
Chieftainess Mkanda said only a lock was damaged by the Nyau dancers who wanted their colleague to be released from Mgubudu police post.
"There is nothing that I know about this. I was just told and at the time when a Nyau dancer was being taken to the police post I was in Chipata. But what I can say is that everything has been resolved because we tabled this issue," said chieftainess Mkanda.
Labels: CHIPATA, NYAU
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Chipata's Mboza ward women receive poultry equipment
By Peter Sukwa in Chipata
Thu 26 Dec. 2013, 14:00 CAT
THE government under the Ministry of Gender and Child Development has handed over various poultry and other farming equipment to several women clubs in Chipata's Mboza ward in an effort to alleviate poverty among women in the country.
The equipment which includes 105 small and big drinkers, feeders, five ox-carts and 10 ploughs were donated to 11 women groups at Kasuma Primary School in Kasenengwa Constituency on Monday.
Speaking when he handed over the equipment, Chipata district commissioner Kalunga Zulu, who was represented by district administrative officer, Masautso Banda, said government had decided to empower women in the country to uplift their living standards.
Zulu said that the government through the Ministry of Gender and Child Development had set aside equipment for women groups for their various income-generating activities countrywide.
He said supporting women entrepreneurship activities was one step towards reducing women vulnerability and gender-based violence perpetrated by men in the country.
He said government remains committed to supporting women's efforts in reducing poverty at their individual and households levels in the country.
Acting provincial Gender and Child Development officer, Ariel Tembo, said his office was happy that the government had finally handed over the equipment to women in the area.
Tembo said that it was important that every club must have few men who would assist in strengthening and encouraging women to work hard.
And Mboza women clubs coordinator, William Zulu, thanked President Michael Sata for having a heart for the poor in rural areas.
Meanwhile, induna Muzimakazi of chief Mishoro's area said the chief was happy that government was helping the poor in the community.
Induna Muzimakazi said the PF government had performed wonders in a short period of time they have been in power, which a lot of people never expected.
Labels: CHIPATA, POULTRY, WOMEN
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Love is the only way
By Editor
Sun 21 July 2013, 14:00 CAT
FR Gabriel Nyoni of St Anne’s Cathedral Parish in Chipata says the law of love should be imprinted in people’s hearts.
Fr Nyoni also urges us not to be individualistic and think about ourselves only. We will never be civilised until that time comes, a time when one loves fellow human beings and forgets whatever differences of colour, tribe, creed and all other things that define human beings.
We do not believe in the law of hate. We may not be true to our ideals always, but we believe in the law of love, and we believe you can do nothing with hatred.
The law has made us equal but man has not. And, after all, the last analysis is: what has man done? – And not what has the law done.
The dominant force in our minds is compassion and human affection. And therefore, we call these human qualities spirituality. The words of love we are talking about today come from a Catholic priest, a religious man. But there is spirituality outside of religion. Without accepting a religion, but simply developing a realisation of the importance of love and compassion, and with more concern and respect for others, a kind of spiritual development is very possible for those persons who are outside of religion.
Purifying the mind is not easy. It takes a lot of time and hard work. You need tremendous willpower and determination right from the start, accepting that there will be obstacles, and resolving that despite them all you’ll continue until you have attained your goal.
Love need to be practiced. To do so in all situations will take time, but you should not lose courage. If you wish happiness for others, love is the only way.
If, despite external difficulties or problems, internally one’s attitude is of love, warmth and kindheartedness, then problems can be faced and accepted easily.
By developing a sense of respect for others and a concern for their welfare, we reduce our own selfishness, which is the source of all problems, and enhance our sense of kindness, which is a natural source of goodness.
Inner tranquility comes from the development of love and compassion. One of the principal factors that hinder us from fully appreciating our inter-dependence is our undue emphasis on material development. We have become so engrossed in its pursuit that, unknowingly, we have neglected the most basic qualities of love, compassion, caring and cooperation.
There should be a balance between material and spiritual progress, a balance achieved through the principles based on love and compassion.
Whether we are rich or poor, educated or uneducated, whatever our nationality, colour, social status or outlook may be, the purpose of our lives is to be happy.
Mental peace cannot be injected by any doctor; no market can sell mental peace or happiness. Happiness comes from kindness. Happiness cannot come from hatred or anger. We are trying to get peace or happiness from outside, from money or power. But real peace, tranquility, should come from within. Unless our minds are stable and calm, no matter how comfortable our physical condition may be, they will give us no pleasure. Therefore, the key to a happy life, now and in the future, is to develop a happy mind. And the greatest delight of life is a feeling of being near and necessary to other people.
If an individual human being eventually becomes a nice, calm, peaceful person, then it automatically brings some kind of positive atmosphere, and you’ll have a happy family. Love is the centre of human life.
Love and compassion are the ultimate source of human happiness, and our need for them lies at the very core of our being. A good mind, a good heart, warm feelings – these are the most important things.
But real love is not based on attachments. The kind of love we advocate is the love you can have even for someone who has done harm to you. This kind of love is to be extended to all living beings, and it can be extended to all living beings, including those one considers to be his or her enemies. What’s more, Jesus tells us we must love our enemies – he doesn’t say we mustn’t have enemies - and there is no greater love for a wrongdoer, a criminal than to prevent him from doing wrong, committing crimes.
Love is hard. Compassion and love are precious things in life. They are not complicated. They are simple, but difficult to practice. If you have love and compassion toward all sentient beings, particularly toward your enemy, that is true love and compassion. The feeling of a mother for her child is a classic example of love. For the safety, protection and welfare of her children, a mother is ready to sacrifice her very life.
Human beings are social creatures, and a concern for each other is the very basis of our life together. Love consoles when one is helpless and distressed, and it consoles when one is old and lonely. It is a dynamic force that we should develop and use, but often tend to neglect, particularly in our prime years, when we experience a false sense of security. Since at the beginning and end of our lives we are so dependent on others’ kindness, how can it be that in the middle we neglect kindness towards others?
The more we care for the happiness of others, the greater is our own sense of wellbeing. Cultivating a close, warm-hearted feeling for others automatically puts the mind at ease and opens our inner door. It helps remove whatever fears or insecurities we may have and gives us the strength to cope with any obstacles we encounter. It is the principal source of success in life.
Love and kindness are always appropriate. We all need love in this life. If we have love, there is hope to have real families, real brotherhood, real equanimity, real peace.
The development of a kind heart, or feeling of closeness for all human beings, does not involve any kind of religiosity we normally associate with it. It is for everyone, irrespective of religion, race, tribe or any political affiliation.
There is need to put other first. Our doings and thinkings must be motivated by love and compassion for others. The way to acquire that kind of outlook is to accept a simple fact that whatever we desire is also desired by others. So it doesn’t make sense for one to steal public resources that are meant for the common good of society or to destroy the environment on which all are dependent in pursuit of personal profits. Therefore, genuine love and compassion must be acting on the basis of respect, and the realisation or recognition that others also, just like myself, have the right to be happy. Genuine love and compassion is unbiased, should be unbiased.
To experience genuine love and compassion is to develop a feeling of closeness to others combined with a sense of responsibility for their welfare. And true love and compassion is not just an emotional response but a firm commitment founded on reason.
We would therefore advise all those things which are necessary for human beings who live together – love, compassion, patience, tolerance and so on and so forth.
Labels: CHIPATA, GABRIEL NYONI
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Chinese contractor annoys Sata
By Christopher Miti and Joseph Mwenda in Chipata
Sun 21 July 2013, 14:00 CAT
PRESIDENT Michael Sata has threatened to cancel the contract of the tarring of the Chipata-Vubwi awarded to a Chinese contractor after the contractor allegedly lied to him that the works have reached Paramount Chief Mpezeni's palace. And President Sata said the people of Eastern Province are wise but that they have no leadership.
Meanwhile, Mpezeni says President Sata should be given chance to rule and that he has a national key to development. President Sata, who arrived in Chipata after 12:00 hours went straight to check on the progress of the Chipata-Vubwi Road but was shocked to find that the contractor was not on the site.
"Where is Chinaman? What kind of a contractor is this? He leaves the labourers here and goes to play. I am a contractor and as a contractor you don't leave the site. How can you leave equipment alone? Willie Nsanda, we have not run out of contractors just cancel their contract. They lied that they had reached the palace. Is this the palace?" he asked.
President Sata, who was annoyed, told the driver that was found on site to tell his boss to get to Mchini where he was holding the first rally.
At the rally held at Mchini Basic School, President Sata told the Chinese contractor China Jiangxi that he was not serious.
"What are you doing here? Instead of working, you are here eating. If you are not serious you must go back to China. You are just stealing money from the poor Zambians. Get out of here! Go! Just get out and go back to work," Sata shouted at the Chinese contractor as Chipata residents applauded him.
And President Sata urged the people of Chipata Central to vote for PF candidate Lameck Mangani in Thursday's by-election. He said when Mangani left MMD, he appreciated him by giving the province Chadiza and Vubwi roads.
President Sata said PF had only one member of parliament out of the 19 in the province. He said the opposition members of parliament had done nothing in the province.
"Easterners are very good people. That's where wise people come from. Don't vote for PF. Vote the way you always vote. You like suffering. It's up to you whether you want to move together with me because in
Northern, Lusaka, Luapula, Central, Copperbelt they all voted for us," President Sata said.
President Sata said Mangani left MMD government because it was barren and that he went to PF which was not barren. He said he knew all the problems that Chipata was facing.
"The people of Eastern Province were wise during the biblical times but this time this wisdom is gone. You have nice hills but people are not looking good. Children look like old people like me," President Sata said.
He said Mangani should come so that he could change things.
President Sata urged the people of Eastern Province to change.
"At our first meeting, I received 106 defectors and one councillor. They have left MMD. It is up to you to change," he said.
President Sata said because of lack of leadership in the province, people were selling maize in Mozambique and Malawi.
"In Eastern Province we have a railway line which comes from Malawi and we have a bicycle factory. There are so many things that can be done here but need leadership. If you choose a leader here everything will come. Easterners are wise but the leaders like money. I hope Mangani, you have seen how your relatives are suffering," President Sata said.
Meanwhile Mpezeni, who attended the Mpezeni Park Square rally, urged the people to give President Sata chance to rule the country.
He said President Sata was a leader for all Zambians. Mpezeni said his friendship with President Sata started a long time ago.
He urged the people to work with President Sata's government if they wanted development. Earlier, National Revolution party leader Cosmo Mumba urged the people to vote for Mangani. Mumba urged the people not to listen to ABZ leader Frank Bwalya.
Labels: CHIEF MPEZENI, CHINA, CHIPATA, MICHAEL SATA
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Phiri accuses 'myterious group' in Chipata of violence
By Christopher Miti in Chipata
Wed 17 July 2013, 14:00 CAT
CHIPATA Central MMD candidate Reuben Mtolo Phiri says there is a mysterious group of supporters that put on his party's regalia when engaging in violent activities so that they portray a picture that his party is violent. Featuring on a special Electoral Commission of Zambia programme yesterday,
Phiri alleged that the violent group was from Lusaka. He said there was no need to bring people from Lusaka to Chipata.
"There is no need for us to bring people from Lusaka and from other areas to come and cause confusion in our town. I am urging all political parties to desist from this because this can become a source for violence. Those people we bring in our town have no regards for this town. When you bring people from outside they have no emotional attachment to the properties and they will just come and destroy our properties and go back to their towns," Phiri said.
He urged the electorate not to exchange their voters cards with chitenge material. Phiri said the electorate should report the people who ask for voters cards to the police. He urged the people of Chipata to ensure they vote in the by-election slated for July 25.
"We have over 50,000 voters here but last time (in 2011) about 26, 000 voted. Please let us go and vote so that the person you want can be taken back to Parliament. Your anger is not enough, exhibit it through a vote; your sorrow is not enough exhibit it through a vote. That is my plea to the people of Chipata," Phiri said.
Apart from Phiri, other candidates contesting the seat are PF's Lameck Mangani, UNIP's Elina Nyirenda, Narep's Kazembe Daka and Jean Nkunika an independent candidate.
Labels: CHIPATA, POLITICAL VIOLENCE, REUBEN MTOLO PHIRI
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Chipata man gets 4 months over marijuana
By Christopher Miti in Chipata
Wed 17 July 2013, 14:00 CAT
COMMENT - No one should spend one day in jail for the possession of hemp. The so-called 'war on drugs' bloats the legal system with non-violent offenders, and takes away prison places for violent offenders, making society more violent. And most of all - most of the so-called illegal drugs can be had over the counter. The world's bigges opium dealer is not Khun Sa in the Iron Triangle, but Glaxo Wellcome in Tasmania. That is where all the legal opium comes from.
I quote from the GlaxoSmithKline website: "1999: With over 700 growers and more than 10,000ha under cultivation, Glaxo Wellcome is firmly committed to consolidating and expanding its role in the world market." End the drug war, end the hypocrisy and the mass incarceration of non-violent offenders. - MrK
THE Chipata Magistrates' Court on Monday sentenced a Chipata resident to four months imprisonment with hard labour for trafficking in psychotropic substances.
Before resident magistrate Sanford Ngobola was Whyson Mphande who was convicted after the prosecution called two witnesses.
Mphande was arrested by Drug Enforcement Commission officers on May 15, 2013 after they found 18 grammes of marijuana in his yard.
According to court records, after a tip off, DEC officers went to search Mphande's house but could not find the marijuana.
The officers only found the 18 grammes of the marijuana when they extended the search to the outside yard.
Mphande however told the court that he was not the owner of the marijuana and that he suspected foul play.
The convict could not call any witness other than himself when he was put on his defence.
In mitigation, Mphande said he was a married man with four children.
He said his house was burnt and that he had borrowed money to buy maize to assist his family.
But magistrate Ngobola said the case that Mphande committed was a serious one and that the sentence could go up to 25 years.
He said the four months sentence was with effect of the day of arrest.
Labels: CANNABIS, CHIPATA
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Rupiah can flee - Scott
By Moses Kuwema and Christopher Miti in Chipata
Sun 07 July 2013, 14:01 CAT
VICE-PRESIDENT Guy Scott has defended the cancellation of Rupiah Banda's passport because the 'chap' can disappear. Vice-President Scott said the government didn't want to look stupid if Banda disappeared from Zambia like his son Henry.
"The problem that we have is that we have a chap Banda who is facing charges… we have a chap whose son is being sought by the police for the last 18 to 20 months and has not appeared in Zambia and has not answered any callout. They have not even made his whereabouts known.
Do you consider them a flight risk or not? I think it is only reasonable to say let us think about this thing and let us not let him disappear or go and start campaigning against us from outside like he is doing with Robert Amsterdam. They go to South Africa in order to hold a press conference against the PF. Or they write articles in newspapers against the PF in America," he said.
"We must take all factors into consideration. We will look stupid if he went off to some conference in Tanzania on smart partnership and we never saw him again. We will feel embarrassed. He is not locked up. He is free in Zambia but the question of leaving the country is a complicated one. It is not a simple one."
Featuring on Chipata's Breeze FM on Friday, Vice-President Scott said people should not confuse the cancellation of Banda's passport by the Ministry of Home Affairs with the court's order to have the passport returned to the former president after it was surrendered as a condition for bail.
The Vice-President said the cancellation of Banda's passport was totally different from the court order for the return of his passport.
"Don't confuse the two things. The court ordering the return of his passport which was surrendered to the court as a condition of bail and the cancellation by the Minister of Home Affairs of his diplomatic passport which is a matter subject to appeal and I think you have got 14 days in which to appeal and the minister has 14 days in which to explain. So the two things are different."
Vice-President Scott however, said the matter involving the cancellation of Banda's passport was being considered.
"Personally, I hope the conclusion of investigations will be that it is okay for him to travel," he said.
Meanwhile, Vice-President Scott said the PF has been telling opposition members of parliament not to resign from their political parties to join his party but instead work with them as ministers.
He said the PF had been avoiding by-elections as much as possible but that by-elections caused by the nullification of elections could not be avoided.
And paramount Chief Mpezeni of the Ngoni says the government should not give chance to the opposition to get rid of them.
Speaking when Vice-President Scott, who was accompanied by defence minister Geoffrey Mwamba, home affairs minister Edgar Lungu, foreign affairs minister Dr Effron Lungu, provincial minister Malozo Sichone and PF Chipata Central candidate Lameck Mangani paid a courtesy call on him at his Ephendukeni palace on Friday, Mpezeni urged the PF to do their best while in power in terms of service delivery.
"Don't give chance to your competitors to get rid of you. So make sure you give the best when you are in power. Don't give a chance to your enemy. When you enter the ring, don't give chance to your opponent, you have to guard. It is the same even here, don't let the enemy take advantage and say other things. So far you are doing well and the people that are seeing are able to appreciate, it is only the opposition who are complaining," he said.
Mpezeni also called for peaceful campaigns ahead of the July 25 by-election.
"If you kill a person, it means you have killed me. Arrest whoever is going to come with this bad habit of killing people. You know that we need clean game. We don't want anyone to be hacked with a panga like what occurred in other areas. Play your politics in a peaceful manner and let whoever wins the election do so in the right way," Mpezeni said.
Mpezeni also urged the government to consider declaring Feni a district and Chipata a city.
He also called for the expansion of the Great East Road, saying there were a lot of accidents on the road.
Labels: CHIPATA, GUY SCOTT, RUPIAH BANDA
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Chipata has trooped to PF with a bang, says Scott
By Staff Reporters
Fri 28 June 2013, 14:01 CAT
VICE-PRESIDENT Guy Scott says people of Chipata have trooped to PF with a bang. And Lameck Mangani says his works in Chipata Central speak volumes.
Meanwhile, UNIP candidate Elina Nyirenda says she has high chances of scooping the Chipata Central seat.
Addressing PF members after he escorted Mangani to file his nomination papers, Vice-President Scott said there was need to join Chipata and Eastern Province to the rest of Zambia.
He said the people of Eastern Province could not be left alone.
Most aspiring candidates that were not picked by the PF like Hanif Badat, Moses Mawere, Pilila Jere, Hanile Jere were among the people that accompanied Mangani.
And Nyirenda said she would be a good servant for the people of Chipata.
"I am young with fresh ideas and I think we should do away with recycled politicians who don't help our society in any way. So I am looking forward to helping the people of Chipata Central," Nyirenda said.
About five people were expected to file nomination papers before returning officer Michael Ngulube.
By press time only MMD's Reuben Mtolo Phiri, Mangani and Nyirenda had filed their nominations.
NAREP and an independent candidate Jean Nkunika were still being awaited.
UPND spokesperson Charles Kakoma says the UPND's decision not to field a candidate in the Chipata Central by-election was purely a party strategy and not a way of rallying behind the MMD.
Addressing MMD cadres who had gone to drum up support for the MMD candidate for Chipata Central, Nevers Mumba announced that a UPND official, a Mr Chuzu, had informed him that Hakainde Hichilema would support the MMD and would not field a candidate in the by-election.
But MMD deputy secretary Chembe Nyangu said Mumba's statement was based on information received from UPND officials in Chipata Central at the 11th hour.
Nyangu also said the MMD had "put out" plans to adopt a Mr Kangwa as its candidate in Solwezi East.
"That is the way to do things because if we keep fighting amongst ourselves, we just lose it to PF," said Nyangu.
Labels: CHIPATA, GUY SCOTT, LAMECK MANGANI, PF
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There is no real opposition in Zambia, says Mambo
By Ernest Chanda
Mon 17 Sep. 2012, 13:10 CAT
BISHOP John Mambo says opposition political parties should remove the burden of losing an election and focus on contributing to national development. Agreeing with Catholic diocese of Chipata pastoral coordinator Fr Andrew Chenjerani Phiri's view that some people still find criticism in the middle of good things, Bishop Mambo who is Chikondi Foundation president said
the opposition should view itself as part of government."This is why some of us are being accused of having been bought by the government because we don't just open our mouths for the sake of it.
Do we really have to keep quiet where we see government doing well? Should we look for faults even when they are not there? Is that what we call opposition? No. Zambians wanted a change of government and God granted that to them. Now, if you bear a child today, should you start criticising it for every step it takes even before the child grows?" he asked.
Bishop Mambo said the opposition should put an election loss behind and focus on the future.
"The opposition is part of government because in a democracy they are always viewed as a waiting government. They should not always carry the burden of losing an election for all the five years their colleagues are in power. They should put that behind and strategise for the next election by putting reasonable pressure on the government to perform. They should remind the government that you promised this and that to the people. And this should be done with realistic facts, not expecting government to move mountains within a few months of being in power," he said.
Bishop Mambo however said the only problem facing Zambia now was the fact that the country lacked real opposition.
"Most of our opposition parties do not even warrant to be called a pressure group. They are still consumed by anger and bitterness resulting from losing last year's elections," said Bishop Mambo.
Delivering his sermon during morning mass on Radio Maria recently, Fr Phiri said those in leadership should be aware of energy drainers and energy generators.
He said other people always thrive on negative things even in the midst of good.
"Those of you who are in leadership get this; there are energy drainers and energy generators. There are people who are going to criticise even a good thing because that's their nature. Such kind of characters even in a meeting they are going to have their hands up and they will be asking questions without providing alternatives and answers. Critics will always criticise and if you ask them they will say, this can't be," said Fr Phiri.
Labels: CHIPATA, JOHN MAMBO, OPPOSITION
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Zulu urges increased fertiliser subsidy
By Christopher Miti in Chipata
Mon 11 June 2012, 13:23 CAT
LUANGENI independent member of parliament Charles Zulu says poverty can meaningfully be reduced at household level if small-scale farmers access farming inputs. And Chipata East Block Agriculture Show Society chairperson James Mathotho says the PF government should consider increasing the fertiliser subsidy to eight bags per farmer.
Officiating at the Chipata East Block Agriculture and Commercial Show under the theme "Building on today's prosperity" at Kalunga Farmers Training Centre on Saturday, Zulu who is also energy deputy minister, said most of the poor yields by small-scale farmers could be attributed to the non-availability of farming inputs.
"However, I would like also to urge you farmers to equally adopt technologies that are conservative in nature so that the effect of high demand of fertiliser against what is available is reduced. As you are aware, our environment has changed over time due to climate change," Zulu said.
He said climate change was a matter that the farmers should learn to live with because it would remain there and had adversely affected them.
"We need to take up a wholesome approach in our farming if we are to remain productive. Climate change does not mean only having inadequate rains, but it can be late coming of rains, more than enough rains, drought or high temperatures. To this effect, crop diversification and conservation agriculture should be taken up seriously because these can help in adapting to climate change," Zulu said.
He encouraged the people to take keen interest in planting trees due to high deforestation owing to many developments that were taking place.
Zulu said cutting down of trees had greatly contributed to climate change.
He urged the farmers to extend their effort to livestock production.
Zulu also explained to the people the many developmental projects that were taking place in Luangeni.
And Mathotho appealed to the government to provide a market for crops other than maize.
He said Zulu, as area member of parliament, should play a key role in ensuring that the farmers had ready market for crops such as soya beans.
Mathotho further appealed to the government to work on the road network in the area.
"We would like you to continue with the good works you are doing, but being our parent, we also like to appeal to you to ensure that health centres that are under rehabilitation are completed. We would like to commend the government for the Fertiliser Input Support Programme. We asking government to increase the subsidy to eight," said Mathotho.
Labels: CHIPATA, FISP
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Chipata farmers body salutes social auditing
By Christopher Miti in Chipata and Fredrick Mwansa in Itezhi-te
Mon 09 Apr. 2012, 13:27 CAT
CHIPATA District Farmers Association (CDFA) coordinator Virgil Malambo says the
involvement of citizens in the monitoring of public resources is critical. During the launch of CDFA's community social auditing project recently, Malambo said it was important to do social auditing in the communities, especially on projects funded by public resources.
"Social auditing is important so that we look at how the resources funded by public funds are being implemented. As CDFA, we strongly believe that the engagement of the community, the engagement of the citizens is critical when it comes to monitoring of public resources, be it social, be it political, be it economic projects; without the community you cannot do anything," he said.
Malambo said CDFA would always involve the community in its programmes.
"We are all leaders wherever we are coming from, representing the community, and the community is expecting us to do the right thing. So let's do our best as community leaders," he said.
Malambo said the project, which is funded by the Embassy of Finland under the Fund for Local Cooperation, had an overall developmental goal of promoting transparency and accountability in the management of public resources.
He said the process of social auditing would address not only issues of transparency and accountability but also enhanced community participation and better service delivery, thereby promoting good governance.
Malambo said the CDFA-Embassy of Finland project initially focuses on the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
Chipata district commissioner Masautso Banda said the government would work with different stakeholders in promoting transparency and accountability in the management of public resources.
Banda commended CDFA for taking a holistic approach to addressing the structural causes of poverty and supplementing government efforts in poverty reduction among the people.
Labels: CHIPATA, TRANSPARANCY
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Crop subsidy to be extended to other crops other than maize-Guy Scott
TIME PUBLISHED - Sunday, February 26, 2012, 5:56 pm
Vice President Guy Scott says government will consider subsidizing the production other crops other than maize. Dr Scott says this is in an effort to promote crop diversification in the country.
He explained that government has been subsidizing maize production at the expense of other cash crops. The Vice President was speaking on Saturday night when he met the business community in Chipata.
Dr Scott has also called on the business community to supplement government’s efforts of creating jobs for the people.
And Local Government Minister Nkandu Luo says local authorities are not yet ready to implement the decentralization policy.
Professor LUO says councils need capacity building if they are to effectively implement the decentralization policy.
Meanwhile, Traditional leaders in the Eastern Province have pledged to work with the Patriotic Front government in developing the country.
Paramount Chief Mpezeni of the Ngoni speaking people says chiefs have an obligation to work with the government of the day.
The traditional leader said this at a breakfast meeting through his representative Chief Nzamane in Chipata on Sunday morning.
Paramount Chief Mpezeni hosted a breakfast in honour of Vice President Guy Scott and his delegation.
And Dr. Scott says government is serious about restoring the authority of traditional leaders.
And Chieftainess Nkomeshya of the Soli people expressed concern about a circular, which was issued last December indicating that no government official will be invited to be guest of honour at traditional ceremonies.
She explained that traditional ceremonies are a fora, where both government and traditional leaders discuss issues.
But Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs Inonge Wina says government is ready to dialogue over the matter.
[ZNBC]
Labels: CHIPATA, DECENTRALIZATION, GUY SCOTT, MAIZE, NKANDU LUO
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MoH commissions cancer-screening centres in Chipata, Katete
By Christopher Miti in Chipata
Sun 05 Feb. 2012, 13:01 CAT
HEALTH minister Dr Joseph Kasonde says there is need to strengthen laws that prohibit tobacco use, especially in public places. And the Ministry of Health has commissioned two cancer screening equipment at Chipata General Hospital and St Francis Mission Hospital in Katete.
Meanwhile, a person living with cancer Amy Sikazwe says there are a lot of myths surrounding cancer diseases in society. Officiating at the World Cancer Day commemoration in Chipata yesterday, Dr Kasonde said there was special effort that was being made to stop those that smoke in public.
"By smoking in public, make it necessary for those that are innocently present in that public to seek medical attention...Control of alcohol consumption is something again that belongs to us as individuals. The government shall endevour to promote healthy lifestyles and regular exercises," Dr Kasonde said.
He said the role of government, particularly his ministry, was to create an enabling environment for public awareness on cancer through public health programmes and community sensitisation.
Dr Kasonde said his ministry would promote a focused and integrated approach to disease prevention so that it does not only focus on infections but also remember the increasing rise of cancer.
He urged the general public to take interest in cancer by promoting healthy lifestyles for prevention of the disease and regular screening.
"In this case I am pleased to say that we have had a team here and in the last few days there has been a screening exercise provided by a team of cancer experts. They saw 883 people...Those checked for breast cancer were 459, those for cervix were 387 and those for prostate were 27. Those that have been diagnosed and assisted in getting treatment were 38 out of the 883 which is about four per cent," said Dr Kasonde.
And Sikazwe, who gave a background on how she was diagnosed with cancer, said they were a lot of myths about the disease in society today.
She said one of the myths was that those that are diagnosed with cancer would die from the disease.
Sikazwe said some people think that cancer was contagious.
"They are a lot of stories about cancer. People end up going to witchdoctors, people end up going to wrong places to look for medicines when they are actually delaying. What is critical is if cancer is discovered early, if it is diagnosed early it can be treated like you see me here and you can get well so we should not delay by going kumang'anga (witchdoctors)…," said Sikazwe.
And briefing the press on Thursday ahead of the World Cancer Day commemorations that fell yesterday, acting Eastern Province medical officer Dr Francis Bwalya said the two centres would be used to screen people for various cancers.
"The minister Dr Kasonde is going to commission this equipment that has been procured by the ministry with assistance or in partnership with Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia and this equipment is going to be installed at Chipata General and St Francis Mission Hospital," he said.
Labels: CHIPATA, EASTERN PROVINCE, HEALTHCARE, KATETE, MINISTRY OF HEALTH
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Meeting on Chipata council impasse fails to take off
By Christopher Miti in Chipata
Wed 28 Dec. 2011, 13:20 CAT
CHIPATA Municipal Council has postponed a meeting aimed at resolving the impasse between town clerk Golden Banda and unionised workers who are calling for his removal.
Zambia United Local Workers Union (ZULAWU) Chipata branch vice-chairperson Cephas Phiri confirmed the development in an interview yesterday. Phiri said he had learnt about the postponement of a meeting through a notice that was written by council's director of administration.
"We are surprised to see that the director of administration had put up a notice that the meeting had been cancelled. We are surprised because the director of administration cannot involve herself in this matter because we had lodged our grievances to the mayor and the provincial local government officer. I am still waiting for my chairman to come so that we can see his worship the mayor to get a clarification over the same," Phiri said.
Asked about his suspension, Phiri said he never received his suspension letter because it was taken to him in the night.
"I refused to get the letter at 20 hours on Thursday and I said I will get it the following day but up to now, I haven't received it. So as far as I am concerned, I am not on suspension until I receive that letter," Phiri said.
He said the union was not aware that the town clerk and the director of finance had been summoned to Lusaka.
Unionised workers were calling for the removal of the Chipata town clerk and top management officers who they accuse of having failed to run the council in an effective manner.
The workers accused the council of not remitting workers contributions to insurance companies and Local Authority Superannuation Fund (LASF).
They also allege that the town clerk got over K40 million during his trip to Cameroon when the council was faced with financial difficulties.
But Banda told journalists last Thursday that the allegations levelled against him were baseless and that the workers were being incited by former top management officers who were transferred from the council.
He said he found the LASF problems when he became town clerk.
Banda said his trip to Cameroon was sanctioned by Cabinet.
Labels: CHIPATA, CHIPATA MUNICIPAL COUNCIL, ZULAW
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Karonga-Chitipa road delayed by one more year
By Felie Mzumara, Nyasa Times
November 29, 2011
Malawian authorities have conceded that people in northern districts of Karonga and Chitipa will have to wait a little longer before they can start taking pleasure in smooth travel between them.
This follows fresh revelations that the 106kms long Karonga-Chitipa Road which government reported that it would be ready for usage next month, December, will not be completed as planned.
This is the second time completion period had been extended by the contractor. First government told Malawians, particularly the enthusiastic citizens of the two districts that the long awaited road would be ready by mid 2011.
Construction at work on Karonga-ChitipaRoad
Malawi’s Roads Authority (RA) Public Relations Officer Portia Kajanga said the further delay in completion of the highway had been as a result of fuel shortage that has hit the country and has not spared Karonga where the contractors’ base is.
“We will not be completing this year as was earlier planned. Instead we have set 31st October 2012 as the date when we think all works will have been completed,” said Kajanga.
“The main challenge has been fuel. When you are working with such type of big machinery with huge engine capacities you need thousands of litres of fuel to run them and we cannot cope with the current fuel situation,” she added.
China has pumped about US$70 million, which is around 10 billion Malawi Kwacha for the road project which is being constructed by the China Road and Bridge Corporation.
Since the start of fuel crisis, Kajanga said, there has been slow progress on the project but was hopeful that come October 2012, mobility problems for the people of Karonga and Chitipa will be history.
The publicist said so far about 77 percent of the whole project had been completed with all the 12 bridges ready.
Once completed, people in the two districts will ululate and celebrate because all the country’s three governments have been promising the road but never fulfilled their pledge.
The 106km long road connects Karonga Boma with Chitipa Boma and passes through Kayelekera Mines Turn-Off, Wiliro and Tondola Trading Centers. It then proceeds to Kamyala Boarder Post in Zambia.
The road is greatly expected to improve economic activities of the people, particularly farmers who will easily access markets in the two districts. It will also boost cross border trade between Malawi and Zambia.
In the past, a drive between Karonga and Chitipa used to take more than five hours but upon completion of the road, motorists will only take an hour and some minutes.
China took over construction of the road from Taiwan in 2008 after Malawi dumped the Taipei Government for China.
Labels: CHIPATA, MALAWI, ROADS
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Life in compounds frustrating - Girasoli
By Masuzyo Chakwe
Wed 26 Oct. 2011, 15:50 CAT
LIFE in the compounds can be very frustrating, says Archbishop Nicola Girasoli. Delivering a homily at Saint Paul's Parish Church in Lusaka's Chipata compound on Sunday, the Vatican Ambassador to Zambia said there was a lot of frustration in the compounds due to lack of jobs, electrical problems and poor sanitation.
Archbishop Girasoli said there was also overcrowding, making it very uncomfortable for many houses, especially in the rainy season.
"The temptations and the challenges in a compound are very strong and some of us may be tempted to choose and to do wrong things. Be strong and avoid bad ways. Especially you my dear young people, be strong. Say no to alcoholism and sexual promiscuity. Avoid behaviour that can compromise your health and your future. Act always according to the Lord, and to the Gospel. The Parish is here in this compound to give and to strengthen your hope. Be hopeful and patient, life will change…," Archbishop Girasoli said.
He also said this year's 47th independence anniversary celebrations were very special because they followed closely the peaceful tripartite elections held on
September 20, where Zambians elected a new President and a new government.
Archbishop Girasoli said in democracy, peaceful political changes were always a sign of growth and maturity.
"Let us pray that our government leaders will interpret and fulfil the expectations of changes that Zambians expressed with their votes, keeping unity and peace as the pillars of our democracy. Dear brothers and sisters in this feast of 47th year of independence, while we are in celebration of our freedom, and we look at the past at the glorious days which brought freedom to this Zambia, but we are also called to look forward with hope, working together for building a better and a greater Zambia, and committing ourselves to do our best to contribute to eradicate poverty and help those in need," he said.
And Archbishop Girasoli said this year's theme for the World Mission Sunday was based on the two great commandments of love: to love God and to love one's brothers and sisters.
"To love God means to belong to Him, without mediocrity, without any measurement. To love means to overcome any kind of indifferent attitude towards our brothers and sisters. In fact, we are called to love God through our brothers and sisters because God is in and with them. They are, as all of us, children of God," said Archbishop Girasoli.
Labels: CHIPATA, NICOLA GIRASOLI, POVERTY
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Chipata 'mourns' Rupiah regime
By Joseph Mwenda and Christopher Miti in Chipata
Sun 18 Sep. 2011, 13:55 CAT
PARAMILITARY police officers in full riot gear yesterday struggled to control thousands of Chipata residents who filled up the central business district in a march-past organised to signal the end of President Rupiah Banda's regime.
This happened when PF Chipata Central parliamentary candidate Lameck Mangani and his entourage marched from his residence in Moth to Mpezeni Park near Kapata Market where he addressed his supporters. The procession forced shop owners, marketeers, cyclists and taxi drivers to abandon their businesses and join in what was termed as a revolutionary march-past.
As the jubilant multitude walked past the Great East Mall, shoppers in all the shops went out to witness the largest ‘crusade' ever witnessed in Chipata.
The situation caused a huge traffic jam as both lanes of the Great East Road were overtaken by the procession.
After close to an hour, riot police officers armed with teargas canisters, launchers and short buttons then came rushing towards the scene and tried to disperse the PF supporters.
This did not work as PF officials confronted them with a four-hour police permit that was granted to them earlier.
The procession then went on with heavy police presence attracting some shop owners in Chipata's downtown area who could not resist the ecstatic mood brought about from chants of "we want change" by the people.
Police officers who were deployed to control the situation watched helplessly as the PF supporters took over Kapata Market bus station currying a mock coffin of President Rupiah Banda.
At Mpezeni Park, Mangani briefly addressed the supporters, thanking them for what he described as massive support rendered to him during his campaign trail.
"On Tuesday, please let's go in numbers and show Rupiah Banda that Chipata has changed. Let's show him that people want change and his time to retire has come. After you vote, remain at the poling station, sleep there until all the votes have been counted," said Mangani.
Labels: 2011 ELECTIONS, CHIPATA, EASTERN PROVINCE, LAMECK MANGANI, MMD, PF, RUPIAH BANDA
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Chipata gives Lameck Mangani a heroic welcome
By Christopher Miti in Chipata
Thu 14 July 2011, 14:00 CAT
FORMER works and supply deputy minister Lameck Mangani yesterday brought Chipata town to a standstill. And Mangani says there is nothing personal between him and President Rupiah Banda except that Zambians are fatigued with the MMD and want change.
Mangani, who last week resigned from the ruling MMD, arrived around 09:05 hours at Chipata Airport aboard a Proflight plane. He was received by hundreds of both PF and MMD members led by PF Eastern Province chairperson Lucas Phiri. There were also Ngoma and Chimtali dancers at the Airport.
After greeting his sympathisers and supporters who were drawn from all parts of Chipata Central Constituency, Mangani’s motorcade which was made up of more than 60 taxis and a number of light trucks and other vehicles started off for his house in Month area.
The journey that normally takes about 15 minutes lasted close to two hours because of the amount of traffic. Traffic police officers who had mounted a roadblock near Chimzele Farms on the Airport Road watched in surprise as Mangani’s entourage passed.
Many people, with the majority being known MMD members, raised the PF symbol throughout the long procession from the airport to Mangani’s residence.
Chipata district MMD chairperson Sinoya Mwale who recently claimed that Mangani was not a factor in Chipata was spotted watching Mangani’s entourage near Chizongwe turn-off.
And many civil servants were seen raising the PF symbol as Mangani’s entourage drove through the town centre.
Initial plans by MMD to diffuse the whole procession proved futile as they were outnumbered.
At Saturday market, a pocket of sponsored MMD cadres raised a banner with words “RB nafuti nafuti” but they were overwhelmed by Mangani’s group.
Other people who stood by the road side near Chipata Motel said the government had changed from Eastern Province.
“A Rupiah aweleko tyala ndale za lero sazazikwanitsa, abaita beka mabvuto aba (Rupiah should come back because he is not going to manage modern politics because he has invited problems on his own),” some of the people said.
At around 11:05 hours, Mangani arrived at his residence with over 300 supporters.
Right, cyclists join Mangani’s entourage at Chimzele farms
The ‘we want change’ and Don’t Kubeba’ slogans became more pronounced at Mangani’s residence.
Plain clothed police officers and some intelligence officers were seen on the periphery of Mangani’s residence.
Other cadres were heard saying, ‘A Mangani awelako kuntchito ku Lusaka (Mangani has come back from work in Lusaka).
And in an interview at Chipata Airport, Mangani said there was nothing personal between him and President Banda except that Zambians were fatigued with the MMD and wanted change.
“In politics members of the same family can choose what they want to be. People should not take it that there is a fight between me and President Banda,” he said. “The way I look at politics of this country… a lot of things have changed.
Our party MMD has been in power for 20 years and you can see for yourself that there is fatigue among the people. This is not because of any problem with anybody but people would want to see a new system altogether.”
Mangani said in a democracy, people had the right to choose what they wanted for themselves.
“If you see that things are not okay, you have an option to go to the political party of your choice. The movement of people from one political party to the other does not suggest any betrayal,” Mangani said. “This is a democratic right of every citizen to choose a party of his or her own choice.”
Mangani said he had a lot of sympathizers from all the political parties but he would declare openly whenever he decides to join any of the political parties.
On claims from some MMD officials that he was not a factor in Chipata, Mangani said people would know whether or not he was a factor after the forth coming elections.
Meanwhile, 21 members of the recently dissolved MMD Chipata Central constituency executive committee have defected to PF.
Former constituency vice-chairperson Dauzen Mwanza confirmed the development in an interview yesterday.
Labels: CHIPATA, LAMECK MANGANI, MMD, PF
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Praying for peaceful elections
By The Post
Thu 07 July 2011, 04:00 CAT
Why should so many of our people be concerned about peace during and after this year’s elections? On Saturday, there was a walk for peace procession in Chipata. What was it for? What necessitated it? To what should be attributed this fervent effort of our religious leaders and their congregations?
Simply to a reality: the reality that the nation is in danger, the reality that the nation is threatened. True as it is, difficult as it is, this knowledge should not discourage anybody.
It is a reality that we need peaceful elections. It is also a reality that there is a group of people who do not want to lose power at all costs and are ready to manipulate the electoral process to keep themselves in office. In stating this, we do not lie nor exaggerate. We have never lied to the people and above all, we will never withhold realities from the people.
As we approach this year’s elections, we must express concern regarding the frightening high levels of intolerance, intimidation, malice and lust for power.
In the present atmosphere of fierce competition and an unbridled character assassination campaign that Rupiah Banda and his minions are waging against everyone who they believe do not support them or is a political opponent, we need to remind the nation of the noble goals of elections. From a Christian point of view, the noble goals of elections aim at the promotion of the common good and the service of all the people.
Rupiah and his minions seem to view elections as a fight for survival and not a competition to serve. They have confused elections with a battlefield where the aim is to destroy the other.
We need to remind them that elections are for the good of our people and our country, and not for a political survival of Rupiah and his minions or of the MMD as a political party. If they understood this, they wouldn’t be doing the things they are doing that are necessitating our people to have walks for peace during and after this year’s elections.
If the spirit of the primacy of the common good were to animate Rupiah and his minions, no one would fear for peace during and after this year’s elections; we wouldn’t be seeing the slander of political opponents that we are forced to watch and listen to on ZNBC television and radio every day, the libel we read about every day in the Times of Zambia, Zambia Daily Mail and the other irregular publications they churn out that leave the public dismayed and disheartened and afraid of what these elections might bring.
We agree with Bishop George Lungu that in an election, peace can only be sustained when elections are free and fair.
And indeed, such elections should not just be said to be free and fair but should actually be seen by everyone to be so – to be free and fair.
And as Bishop Lungu has aptly put it, this means creating a level playing ground for all stakeholders and making the entire electoral process as transparent as possible. But to have peaceful elections, certain conditions have to prevail, have to be put in place in our country and indeed in our hearts.
There ought to be a conducive atmosphere. All key stakeholders have to agree on the conditions under which elections are held. And all the contestants have to conduct themselves in a manner that does not put others at an unfair disadvantage. There ought to be transparency in everything concerning the elections, apart from the casting of the ballot itself.
This is so because democracies thrive on openness and accountability, with one very important exception: the act of voting itself. And parallel vote tabulation must be put in place so that citizens are confident that the results are accurate and that the government does, indeed, rest upon their consent.
When the elections are over, the losers must accept the judgement of the voters. But this is only possible if the elections were conducted in a manner that is free and fair and is seen by the citizens to be free and fair. Where this is absent, peace is threatened.
And it is this absence of what can be said to be conducive atmosphere, an atmosphere that can be seen to satisfy the conditions required for the holding of peaceful, free and fair elections.
Anyone who watches ZNBC and listens to the lies, malice, slander, calumny, hatred that Rupiah and his colleagues are sponsoring against their political opponents would easily come to a conclusion that peace is threatened and needs to prayed and worked for to avert an impending crisis.
Slander is not an acceptable way to campaign. And this is made worse by the fact that the institutions that are being used to slander and malign others are state owned ones, they are institutions financed by the taxpayer. This type of abuse cannot be accepted in any decent society.
And those who engage in such activities need to be taught a lesson – there should be no impunity. And at the end of the day, they will leave these institutions with very huge defamation claims. It is clear that they will not be able to legally defend the libel suits that will arise from the material they are broadcasting and publishing.
But they don’t seem to care because the money will not come from their pockets and by the time these suits crystallize, those running these institutions will be somewhere else. Libel suits in this country take a long time to conclude – three to four years – but the time comes when they are concluded and damages and costs have to be paid. This will certainly be an abuse of taxpayer’s money.
We therefore urge all our people to vote according to their conscience, in accordance with the highest human values without allowing themselves to be pressured or dictated to by threats, bribes, self-interest and so on and so forth. We also urge our people to reject violence in the strongest terms.
They should respect truth and their political opponents. They should learn to be tolerant with people who have different political opinions and affiliations. People can differ without being subjected to defamation, character assassination, lies, calumny.
To Rupiah and his minions, we would like to remind them that they cannot talk about free and fair elections while the present situation persists, and we challenge them to rectify this threat to our future, immediately. It is only that way that, after elections, Zambia will remain united and peaceful.
Labels: 2011 ELECTIONS, CHIPATA
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