ELECTION observation is a valuable tool for improving the quality of elections. This is because observers help build public confidence in the honesty of electoral processes. The nation is entering the final stretch towards the August 13 general election and the arrival of international and regional election observer missions should be welcomed with confidence, openness and the assurance that democracy flourishes best under the light of public scrutiny. The presence of observer missions from European Union, those that will be coming from Southern African Development Community (SADC), African Union, Commonwealth and other international organisations is not an intrusion into Zambia’s sovereignty. Rather, it is an affirmation that the country’s democratic journey matters beyond its borders and that the conduct of its elections contributes to the strengthening of democratic governance across the region and the continent. EU’s Election Observation Mission has already begun engaging a broad spectrum of electoral stakeholders, including...

Veep says teaching cornerstone of national development OLIVER CHISENGA Mansa VICE-PRESIDENT Mutale Nalumango has challenged teachers to reject complacency and embrace their role in shaping the nation’s future through quality education, professionalism and exemplary conduct. Addressing teachers during a meeting with civil servants on Sunday, Mrs Nalumango, a trained teacher, reminded educators that every profession in society begins in the classroom. “You cannot afford to be lazy or complacent because you shape the nation. The responsibility you carry on your shoulders to mold engineers, lawyers, presidents, and every other professional places a great obligation on you to conduct yourselves with integrity and work diligently.” Mrs Nalumango said teachers play a central role in determining the quality of future leaders and professionals, urging them to reflect on the kind of society they are helping to build. “If we want to deliver for our nation, we must work hard. As teachers, let...

CATHERINE BWALYA Choma FORMER Southern Province Minister Edify Hamulale has welcomed Food Reserve Agency (FRA)’s K347 per 50 kilogramme floor price for maize for the 2026 marketing season. Dr Hamukale said in a statement yesterday that K347 per 50kg bag is welcome because it represents only a marginal K7 increase on last year’s price. “This means food prices will remain stable and predictable over a long time,” he said. Dr Hamukale, however, appealed to FRA to double its purchase target to avert future food shortages. He said that while the price is acceptable, FRA’s current target of 500,000 metric tonnes is too low, considering Zambia’s consumption and looming climate risks. “I wish to recommend that the FRA increases the purchase target from 500,000 metric tonnes to at least 1,000,000 tonnes of maize this market season,” Dr Hamukale said. He said Zambia’s annual maize consumption stands at about 3.5 million metric...

CATHERINE BWALYA, CHISHALA MUSONDAChoma, Livingstone KALOMO once again demonstrated why it remains one of UPND’s safest political bastions yesterday, as thousands of enthusiastic supporters thronged an interactive community engagement where President Hakainde Hichilema stepped up his campaign for more than five million votes in the August 13 general election.Residents from across the district, including youth, women and the elderly, began gathering at the venue hours before the President’s arrival, creating an electric atmosphere that reflected Kalomo’s enduring political bond with Mr Hichilema.The excitement was heightened by performances from popular musicians Roberto, JK, Wile, Mozegeta and Aqualaskin, who kept the crowd entertained with energetic performances. Supporters sang, danced and waved UPND regalia, while motorists travelling along LusakaLivingstone Road sounded their horns in solidarity as they passed the venue.When President Hichilema arrived shortly after mid-day, he was greeted with deafening cheers and chants of “Daddy Chololo” from the jubilant crowd.Kalomo is home...

CUSTOMERS can now pay with their preferred mobile wallet at Shoprite stores across Zambia, giving them more choice at checkout and a simple, convenient way to complete their purchases. Mobile money adoption continues to surge in Zambia as consumers increasingly move from traditional payment methods to digital transactions. The number of active mobile money wallet payments nearly doubled to 17 million between 2020 and 2025, while transaction values increased by 743%. More than three-quarters of Zambian adults now use mobile money, up from 58% in 2020. In response to this shift, Airtel Money, MoMo from MTN and Zamtel Money are now accepted as payment methods in Shoprite stores for everything from weekly groceries to Shoprite Money Market services, including airtime, data, electricity purchases, and gift cards. “As the way customers transact continues to evolve, we want to ensure they have access to secure and convenient payment options that meet their...

MARY LEMBA Lusaka PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema is favoured to retain the presidency in Thursday’s general election, with the United Party for National Development (UPND) given a 70-80 percent chance of securing an outright first-round victory, according to a new analysis by the Public Affairs Research Institute in Africa (PARIAfrica). The analysis puts the likelihood of a second round at 15-25 percent, citing opposition fragmentation and organisational weaknesses as key factors giving the ruling party an advantage. The pre-election briefing, titled Zambia’s 13 August General Election: Assessing the Route to the Presidency, is authored by Southern Africa Coalition for Democracy and Accountability executive director Blessing Vava and Masosote Institute for Political Economy director Tamuka Chirimambowa. The analysis, published on August 8, 2026, shows that President Hichilema is favoured to cross the mandatory 50 percent threshold, although it cautions that the reasoning behind the projected victory is not as straightforward as incumbent...

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MATHEWS MALAZIKA Lusaka TO ENHANCE the handling of green criminology, the National Prosecution Authority (NPA) has established an Environmental and Wildlife Crime Department. Director of Public Prosecutions Gilbert Phiri says creation of the department is one of the huge achievements for NPA in the last five years. “Environmental and wildlife crime was lowhanging in terms of income for this country. We have created this department so that we have more specialisation. “As you know, Zambia has huge extractive industries that impact the environment,” he said. Mr Phiri said the last five years has been a busy period for the authority, as the institution has rebranded to enable it to be people-centred. He said the authority has improved its stakeholder engagement, adding that NPA is being moulded as an institution for the future. “We have reformed the institution and brought in professionals. The institution now has a new board that has...