Late former President championed rights of workers MARY LEMBA Lusaka PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has described Zambia’s second head of State Frederick Chiluba as a fearless champion of workers’ rights and multi-party democracy whose legacy continues to inspire the country’s democratic journey. In a speech read for him by Vice-President Mutale Nalumango during the 15th memorial service at the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross yesterday, President Hichilema said Dr Chiluba dedicated his life to serving the nation as a trade unionist, politician and head of State. The President said Dr Chiluba’s determination to fight for the country’s return to multi-party democracy transformed Zambia’s political landscape and laid the foundation for the democratic dispensation the country enjoys today. He said the former head of State is also remembered for empowering citizens through various initiatives, such as housing, transport and support for small businesses. “Many remember Dr Chiluba as a President who,...

JOHN CHAAMBWA Lusaka ZAMBIA Revenue Authority (ZRA) has donated 1,200 units of 20-litre cooking oil seized from smugglers to various hospitals and charitable institutions in Lusaka. The cooking oil, which was declared fit for human consumption by the Lusaka City Council public health unit, was distributed to 12 institutions yesterday. The donation was presented by ZRA acting director executive support Laban Simbeye, who represented Commissioner General Dingani Banda. “This gesture sends a very strong message to those who involve themselves in smuggling activities, that smuggling doesn’t pay. They lose the goods, including the vessels used in the act,” Mr Banda said. The donation was made under Section 204 (1)(A) of the Customs and Excise Act, Cap 322 of the Laws of Zambia, which allows for donation of forfeited goods for use not involving sale. The institutions that benefited are University Teaching Hospitals, which received the largest allocation of 280 units,...

MARGARET CHISANGA Lusaka THE month of July has been special for Music lovers, who have been treated to some good Jazz every Wednesday and Thursday at Lusaka’s Bo’Jangles, under the umbrella of the annual ‘Taste The Jazz Festival’. After four weeks of celebrating this rich musical heritage, the special Jazz sessions will culminate into the Grand Finale this Sunday, July 26th at Bo’jangles Kenneth Kaunda Mall in Lusaka. The highly anticipated Grand Finale brings together an impressive lineup featuring Uncle Rex & Band, Zambian Brass Quintet, Optimistiq featuring David Andish, Afro Red Band, and Mumba Yachi & Mathews Tembo. Throughout July, music lovers have packed the venue every Wednesday and Thursday to enjoy performances by the Zambian Brass Quintet, Maureen Lilanda & Band, MC Jackson, Nathan Nyirenda, and Mumba Yachi with Mathews Tembo. Now in its fourth annual edition under the theme “Roots & Rhymes,” the festival has continued to...

MARGARET CHISANGA Lusaka Merck Foundation has provided more than 2,600 scholarships for healthcare providers from 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved specialties.Many of the alumni have become the first specialists in their countries, helping to transform the patient care landscape across Africa, Asia, and beyond.This was shared when the Merck Foundation Chairman, Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp and Chief Executive Officer Rasha Kelej, together with First Ladies from 12 countries inaugurated the 13th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2026.“I am pleased to share that, of the 2,600+ scholarships provided by Merck Foundation, more than 800 scholarships have been for healthcare providers in the fields of Fertility, Embryology, Sexual and Reproductive Medicine, Clinical Psychiatry, Women’s Health, Urology, Laparoscopic Surgical Skills, and Family Medicine,” Dr Kelej said.Merck Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany.It conducted the 13th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2026 on 18th and 19th June,...

MARGARET CHISANGA Lusaka   THE Zambia International Trade Fair, (ZITF), held every year in Ndola, on the Copperbelt province, holds a special place in the hearts of many visitors. During this week of networking events and business meetings, many find time to spend special moments at the Munda Wanga Mini Zoo. The Ministry of tourism, which sets up several stands to highlight the different projects under the ministry, also ensures that visitors have an opportunity to view and interact with nature through setting up of the Mini Zoo. Through the Department of National Parks and Wildlife, a miniature of the renowned Munda Wanga Wildlife Sanctuary is set up at the Zambia International Trade Fair Grounds. During Trade Fair Week, visitors had an opportunity to see the Ostrich, Zebra, Vultures and other variety of animals. And of course, the King of the Jungle, the Lion and his Lioness were in available...

GOVERNMENT has started distributing the K10 million that President Hakainde Hichilema gave to the 2,300 traders who lost their goods in an inferno at Chiwempala market. Fire swept through the market in November last year, leaving assorted goods worth millions of Kwacha destroyed. The situation made President Hichilema to pledge a K10 million so that it can be given to the traders to restart their businesses. Chingola District Commissioner Howard Kamwandi said in an interview yesterday that the distribution of the money to the affected traders has started following the release of the funds by President Hichilema. Mr Kamwandi said the affected traders are each receiving between K2,500 and K40,000 depending on the losses they incurred during the inferno. “We are happy that we have started distributing the money that President Hichilema gave to the traders in helping to revive their businesses,” he said. Mr Kamwandi said the beneficiaries were...

CHOMBA MUSIKA, CHAMBO NG’UNI Lusaka, Kabwe PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has declared five days of national mourning in honour of former Vice-President Guy Scott, whose death at the age of 82 has triggered an outpouring of tributes from across Zambia and the southern African region. Dr Scott, who served as Zambia’s Vice-President from 2011 to 2014 under the late President Michael Sata, died on Wednesday after an illness, bringing to an end a distinguished political career that spanned several decades…. Source link

A UNIVERSITY is built on a simple but sacred covenant, which is that knowledge must be earned, truth must be pursued and excellence must be recognised only after it has been demonstrated through years of study, research, teaching and intellectual contribution.Once that covenant is broken, the damage extends far beyond lecture theatres and graduation ceremonies; it erodes public confidence in qualifications, diminishes genuine scholarship and weakens the foundations upon which national development depends.It is for this reason that Higher Education Authority director general Professor Kazhila Chinsembu’s uncompromising condemnation of individuals who falsely present themselves as professors deserves more than passing attention.By describing such individuals as “academic criminals”, he has deliberately elevated what some may dismiss as a matter of titles into what it truly is; an assault on the integrity of higher education itself.Far too often, society has treated the misuse of academic titles as a harmless vanity or an...

Transformational Tourism development project identifies key areas for development MARGARET CHISANGA Ndola ZAMBIA’S natural assets — its wildlife, forests, rivers, and landscapes — are among the most valuable on the African continent and this wealth should be transformed into real, bankable economic opportunities for investors and communities nationwide. This process of transformation is being delivered through the USD100 million ‘The Green Resilient and Transformational Tourism Development Project’ (GREAT-TDP), a project under the Ministry of Tourism. During a presentation in Ndola at the 2026 International Trade Fair in Ndola, GREAT-TDP Head of Communications, Sylvia Kapungwe, shared that the GREAT-TDP is a USD100 million World Bank investment that operates across all provinces of Zambia. “The different ways through which the investments are made accessible include Marching grants, Infrastructure development and Market Growth and promotion. Through Marching grants, the GREAT-TDP provides financial support for nature-based businesses, CBEs, and tourism MSMEs across all provinces....