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SUSPECTED Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) has broken out in southern province and over 25, 000 animals are at risk of getting the disease. Southern Province Permanent Secretary Edwin Zumbunu has confirmed the development but could not give further details on the matter and referred all queries on detailed information to the provincial veterinary officer. However, Mr Zumbunu said that the Government has released K 20 million to address the problem immediately. “I can confirm that there is an outbreak of FMD in Livingstone and Kazungula districts, about K 20 million have been released towards the same programme to control the diseases. Mr Zumbunu said the ranches that are near Livingstone had been affected. And Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) in Livingstone –Kazungula has called the government to be more proactive by ensuring the ministry is well funded. ZNFU Livingstone –Kazungula chairperson, Ruth Henson said that there is lapse in the vaccination of the animals on FMD ...

by Chali Mulenga The Governments of Uganda, Zimbabwe and Ghana says they are impressed with the mutual competition and cooperation that exist between the Zambia and Zimbabwe countries and described as a classic mutual case. Uganda minister of tourism professor Ephraim Kamuntu said that the classic mutual competition that would exist especially during the 20th Session of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) general assembly to be held in 2013 in the tourist capital. Livingstone city in Zambia and Victoria Falls town in Zimbabwe will next year co-host the 186 member countries UNWTO general assembly at which more than 2, 000 delegates across the world are expected to attend. Speaking in an interview in Livingstone, the minister said the a result of the mutual cooperation it would be easy for the two countries to jointly host the UNWTO meeting and called for the removal of border barriers between the two countries. “The two countries should develop part...

By Chali Mulenga The Commonwealth governance advisor, Dr Roger Koranteng has called for concerted efforts in the fight against corruption in Africa. Speaking at the close of the 2nd commonwealth regional Conference for heads of anti corruption agencies in Africa at sun hotel in Livingstone. Dr Koranteng said that there is need for concerted efforts as corruption affects the vulnerable in society. “If there is corruption it affects the vulnerable the women, children that will suffer the consequences of the corrupt acts,” he said. Dr Koranteng said that the anti corruption agencies are the voice for the vulnerable thus the need to stamp out corruption. Commonwealth governance advisor said the fight against was against the powerful in the society thus the need to know the fight against is national duty. “It is not about a salary but it is call for national assignment because the anti corruption agencies deals with the ugly and the dirty,” he said. “You should learn more than ...

By Chali Mulenga  Minister of foreign affairs and Tourisms, Zambia Given Lubinda said that the hosting of the UNWTO would have a great impact on tourism in Africa. Speaking, at dinner hosted by the Zambian ministry of tourism at Sun hotel on Monday night, on the eve of the singing of the golden book and trilateral agreement hosting agreement, which was attended by diplomats and other high government ranking officials, he said the meeting would give the desired boot to the growth of the tourism. He said that not only would the two countries benefit but the region would benefit especially the Kaza Park - African Game Reserve KAZA (Kavango–Zambezi Transfrontier), the world's largest conservation area straddling Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. He said that the two countries would strive to host a successful UNWTO meeting and that this and the signing of the long awaited agreement would signal the start of a lot of work. “Zambia and Zi...

by Chali Mulenga Deputy Minister of Education, science vocational training Prof. Nevelyn Wilombe has called on teachers in the country to upgrade themselves academically whenever they get the opportunity to do so. The minister was addressing teachers after touring David Livingstone High in Livingstone on Thursday he explained that no District Education Board should stop teachers from upgrading themselves as they need more competent skills to march with the ever changing trends. “Teachers should not leave when there is no replacement for them as the children will suffer,” Prof. Wilombe said. “Teachers are very important and their contribution to quality employable education should be encouraged for the benefit of the pupils,” the minister added. Prof. Wilombe urged the teachers to show competes and hard work as pupils tend to take on teachers attitudes towards their school work. “If you are always late and do not prepare for your lessons to help better educate the pu...

By Chali Mulenga Non Governmental Coordinating Council (NGOCC) Provincial Liason Officer Faith Simukoko has bemoaned the ever increasing number of early marriages in southern province. Speaking in an interview in Livingstone, she revealed that the leading towns in the province in terms of early marriage for young girls are Livingstone and Kalomo. “It is very difficult to empower women if they lack proper education as education is very important in the empowerment of women for the future,” she said. Ms. Simukoko said each year the number of girls dropping out of school keeps increasing. “The most worrying area where rampant cases of early marriages are being reported is Sinkobo area in Livingstone where one of the local head teachers complained of the alarming trend,” she stated. She noted that the matter needs to tackled as soon as possible by all stakeholders especially the traditional leaders. “It quite a saddening thing, as we are talking about the empowerment of wo...

By Chali Mulenga   THE government says it will not tolerate civil servants that are engaging in active politics as they are frustrating government programmes and the Patriotic Front (PF) has directed all government departments in the country to ensure that they have a copy of the their party manifesto. Southern Province Obvious Mwaliteta has said that his office has received reports that they are civil servants that want to participate in active politics. He was speaking in Livingstone when the Patriotic Front (PF) Secretary General, Wynter Kabimba paid a curtsey call on him at his office in Livingstone, he said that theses same civil servants want to even contest the parliamentary seat in the province. Mr Mwaliteta said the even PF government would not allow this kind of conduct and urged them to step down. “A lot of these same civil servants are frustrating the efforts of the Government and the best they can do is to resign their positions,” he said. Mr...

By Chali Mulenga in Pemba district. Two traditional leaders in Southern Province who fall under the newly created Pemba district have commended President Michael Sata for answering to the people of that area’s plight by making Pemba a district. Senior Chief Moyo and Chief Hamaundu said that the people of Pemba were very happy with the President’s decision to create Pemba as a district because it has been the cry of many people in the area. Speaking during the stakeholders meeting which was held at Christ the King Parish Hall in Pemba on Friday and Chaired by Southern Province Minister Obvious Mwaliteta and the provincial permanent secretary Edwin Zumbunu, Senior Chief Moyo said that the people of Pemba have received the creation of the district without misgivings. “We have received this decision without any misgivings because people will start receiving developments direct from government” Chief Moyo said. Chief Moyo said that Choma which used to be the district Boma w...

By Chali Mulenga THE government says it will not tolerate civil servants that are engaging in active politics as they are frustrating government programmes and the Patriotic Front (PF) has directed all government departments in the country to ensure that they have a copy of the their party manifesto. Southern Province Obvious Mwaliteta has said that his office has received reports that they are civil servants that want to participate in active politics. He was speaking in Livingstone when the Patriotic Front (PF) Secretary General, Wynter Kabimba paid a courtesy call on him at his office in Livingstone, he said that theses same civil servants want to even contest the parliamentary seat in the province. Mr Mwaliteta said the even PF government would not allow this kind of conduct and urged them to step down. “A lot of these same civil servants are frustrating the efforts of the Government and the best they can do is to resign their positions,” he said. Mr Mwalit...

By Chali Mulenga Patriotic Front (PF) Secretary General Wynter Kabimba has maintained that his party which ascended into power after 2011 general election will endeavor to raise the standard of living for the poor. Mr. Kabimba says that the PF Government has the mandate to uplift the lives of the poor who he said were the majority who voted for PF in 2011. He observed that Zambians deserve better living conditions which they lacked for the past 20years when the MMD was in power. Speaking when he toured some markets in Livingstone on Friday, Mr Kabimba said that the PF lead government will ensure and is optimistic of fulfilling its promises of improving the living standards of the poor. “The PF government is pro-poor and we will do everything possible to better the living standards of people trading in these markets stands,” Mr Kabimba said. Mr Kabimba, who described Libuyu market as refugee camp expressed displeasure at the unsanitary state of trading places in the mark...

By Chali Mulenga THE Patriotic Front (PF) Secretary General, Wynter Kabimba has urged the people in Livingstone to vote a PF candidate as voting for some in the opposition is not beneficial. Addressing PF cadres in Shungu ward in Livingstone on Thursday, hesaid the people in Livingstone have lagged behind in development because they always voted for the opposition. He reminded the people that they were always in the opposition. Mr Kabimba said the PF does not want corruption as it does not contribute to development. He said the people in Livingstone voted for Sakwiba Sikota as Member of Parliament but he never delivered development to the people. He said instead he ended up enriching himself by buying vehicles whilst leaving the people in poverty. Mr Kabimba said the people should change the way they vote by voting for the ruling party. “PF president Michael Sata has sent me to see how the people are suffering,” he said. He urged people to vote for the PF and th...

 by Chali Mulenga PATROTIC front (PF) Secretary General Wynter Kabimba has observed the party was growing at a fast pace in the southern province. He said that his political experience had taught that him that what he had seen in Livingstone as at no doubt the party would scoop the upcoming elections. Speaking during a media briefing in Livingstone at Courtyard hotel, he said that the tours had proved to him that the party is strong in the province and that from his own judgment the party would scoop the Livingstone seat. “The PF does not buy off the people but it would continue to persuade the evangelization of the party must continue,” Mr Kabimba said. “A lot of people want to join the party but they don’t know where to go,” he said. He said it shows that some levels of the party is invisible leadership of the party must be visible. Mr Kabimba said the people must hear you preaching about the party every day. The party members are duty bound. He urged the ...

Children are precious and he who does a good deed for a child and blessed by God was the main message from the Commissioner of Police in Southern Province Brenda Mutemba at Lubasi Home. Mrs. Mutemba said this yesterday when police made a donation of assorted items at Lubasi Home in Maramba which looks after 43 children. Among the assorted items was mealie meal, cooking, blankets and detergent paste. Mrs. Mutemba who spent some time talking to the children advised the children that the police is there to protect them and not harm them and so they should not be afraid of the police. She read from scripture where the disciples of Jesus where arguing amongst themselves as to who is was the greatest among them and Jesus picked a child and said the kingdom of heaven is meant for such as these. She further said the police were showing their love to the children as Jesus did in the bible. And Assistance Coordinator Christina Mutikitala stated that the donation was a blessing as the home ...

SOUTHERN Province Obvious Mwaliteta has urged tourism operators in the country to come up with affordable packages for Zambians to stimulate domestic tourism. Mr Mwaliteta noted that tour operators were charging very high thereby making most Zambians fail to access tourism services in their country. He said some tourism packages such as boat cruise, animal encounters, helicopter flights and bungee jumping among others were very expensive for ordinary Zambians to access. Mr Mwaliteta was speaking at Sizzler Restaurant in Livingstone yesterday after participating in a Livingstone Press Club fundraising walk to raise money for the World Press Freedom day celebrations in the tourist capital on May 3, 3012. He noted that most tourism packages had become a preserve for foreign tourists as most local residents could not afford such services. “Tourism products and services should be enjoyed by both local and foreign tourists hence we want operators to come up with affordable pric...

The Vice -President Guy Scott‘s wife Charlotte has commended the Patriot Front (PF) government for adopting a policy that focuses on early child hood education. Mrs Scott was speaking in an interview yesterday, on the sidelines of the occasion of the handover, of the early education centre to Maramba women’s club, at Maramba community centre in Livingstone. The vice president’s wife said that the new policy on early childhood education is very important in the country as it focuses on the young learners.   Mrs Scott said that it is that it sad that most of the infrastructure has been run down in the country where early child hood education should take place.   She said there is need to rehabilitate the infrastructure of most of these centres that had not been worked on. “The classroom is being repainted and it looks very beautiful, as you can see I have some black paint on my hands as I was painting the black board,” she said. “We brought some women from the p...