Aliko Dangote- Panacea to Africa’s problems

The entry of Dangote industries into the Zambian market is a clear manifestation that Africa should start to focus on embracing African innovations, creations and investments. The introduction of Dangote cement on the Zambian soil is not only timely but exposes the very ills that have engulfed the sector that has lobbied millions of country men and women that have belaboured to put up decent structures. We have for a long time been subjected to exploitative prices by the existing cement manufacturers, who seemingly have connived with the powers that be to steal from their poor populations especially in the recent years where the country has witnessed unprecedented infrastructure development. Suddenly, the prices of cement have drastically fallen following the grand entry of Dangote cement on the local industry. Since time immemorial, Nigeria has been synonymous with crookedness on the continent yet the very situation Zambia has been looking for is emanating from this very country. Let me hasten to mention that the Dangote investment in Zambia was lately heavily engaged in frustration by some cash few hungry people, mostly in government that threw all manner of accusations for the investment to collapse but the company officials remained resolute in pursuit of their aspirations. Culturally, Africa has never been known to a pioneer or facilitate development since its inception, as tribes, brothers and communities have always risen against each other. Development in Africa came with the visitors but seemingly, African entrepreneurs such as Aliko Dangote are reshaping the destiny of the continent through the massive investments littered across. He is currently, aggressively expanding his investments or business empire across several African countries like Zambia to ensure that the continent develops its export potential from what is predominately import driven economies. It is therefore my hope that Dangote be used, as a model of solving African challenges using indigenous resolutions. For Zambia, this could be an opportunity for local business men and women to start doing it rather than merely dreaming. However, this should be in conformity with the political administrators of our times to ensure they facilitate an enabling environment in embracing local investments. Government should be able create and facilitate an enabling environment for opportunities to invest in all spheres of life rather than political patronage, as the case seems to be in the road sector. Zambia really needs to build its millionaires to ensure that the country benefits to the fullest and curtail the dependence syndrome on multi-national institutions that seem to be milking us our resources.

Digital Migration may spell TV blackout for Zambia-Costa Mwansa

Zambia like many other developing countries is racing against time to meet the much-anticipated deadline for migration or transition from analogue to digital broadcasting. Come June, 17th, 2015 Zambia will be plunged into television blackout that will surely affect many viewers or simply the majority of our people. This is simply because millions of viewers will be caught up in a scenario that will see television sets unable to work. This is so because Zambia, in 2006, as a signatory agreed, along with more than 100 other countries in the International Telecoms Union (ITU), to stop transmission of television signals in analogue format and move to new internationally acceptable digital standards. Unlike many African countries, Zambia has not set its domestic target for the transition and subsequently, disaster, manipulation and panic is apparent. It might be a situation of too little, too late for the country whose digital migration prospects are threatened by the lack of clear implementation mode to facilitate the smooth transition owing to an elusive and uncoordinated publicity from all stakeholders to curtail consumer uncertainty, as the deadline draws near. The International Telecoms Union (ITU) has in no uncertain terms rejected a proposal by some African countries to have the deadline extended further after a lobby by African Union (AU). This came to light at the recently held 8th Ordinary Session of the General Assembly of the African Union of Broadcasters held in the Senegalese capital, Dakar. This means that impact might be punitive and costly for Zambia and other parts of the continent that seem alien to the digital migration. Ironically, Zambia had even failed to meet the set target by the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) deadline of 31st December, 2013 on digital migration but then Permanent Secretary, Amos Malupenga was optimistic that the June, 17th target was to be attained. We must be an ambitious country that believes so much in miracles and not preparations for something we had been fore warned. Mr. Malupenga had also indicated of the partial migration due to financial challenges that year. The question now is; has that been achieved? Worst still the country has been conducting the dual illumination (Which means the running of analogue and digital side by side) until 2015. Accordingly, SADC roadmap for digital broadcasting migration was that all member countries were supposed to migrate from analogue to digital broadcasting on 31st December, 2013. This is a fallacy in my opinion because the country should have switched off the analogue signal earlier than anticipated to prepare the people like Kenya and Tanzania have done despite their teething problems. Yes the struggle has been there but at least something has been achieved especially the outstanding issues. Admittedly, there will be confusion in our country. How will people dispose off their televisions that will not be in conformity with the formats? No one seems to be providing the answers……….. There has been no activity built around the transition or migration stages for Zambia that I am aware of. As technical, as it may sound, this global initiative is a reality and that your television set or mine come June, 17th will have no access or pick digital signal, as they will require a “digital adapter” popularly known, as a decoder or set-top boxe required to service every household. However, distribution for these magic boxes that comes with immense benefits will be challenging to many operators either public or private, as people might be subjected to counterfeit products due to the anxiety around it. The switch over presents with it immense benefits and opportunities for the viewer like you and me in the long term such, as • Digital Television Broadcasting will offer sharper; brighter picture, and reduced interference. Viewers will also enjoy improved sound quality. • More choice: Digital signals take up much less bandwith and therefore more channels can be broadcast. This will facilitate diverse for the Zambian population including the youth, women and farmers among others. • More access: The Set Top Box (STB) which will be used to receive the digital signal also has the capability to interface with devices such as a cell phone, memory card or internet modem. This will provide viewers with access to many more services and information. • Better viewing pleasure: With analogue you are only able to have standard definition television. With Digital Broadcasting High definition television is possible . High Definition Television is the premium version of digital television, offering picture and sound quality which is much better than today's analogue television. The reason is that it offers up to twice the vertical and horizontal resolution of a traditional analog (PAL) signal. The higher resolution picture is particularly suited to large screen television displays. This means that the benefits of HDTV are particularly noticeable on larger screen sets and when using projection equipment. HDTV will be in widescreen format and provide cinema-quality viewing with Dolby surround sound • Electronic Program Guides (EPGs): Electronic Programme Guides (EPGs) are a feature of digital television broadcasting that come fitted in the Set Top Box. An Electronic Program Guide (EPGs) can be used by viewers to navigate between channels, identify the currently screening program and the next program ('now and next') on each channel. More sophisticated EPGs can be used to set reminders for program viewing, provide a short synopsis of the content of programs, identify programming in advance for several days, search for programs by genre, and provide access to some enhancements among others. • Better utilization of frequencies: A digital signal carries much more data than an analogue signal. Therefore, more than one channel of television programs can be broadcast at the same time. This is known as multi-channeling. This efficient utilization of channels reduces the number of frequencies required for the broadcasting sector. Can the potential disaster be averted at this late hour, certainly not but something can be done to lessen the impact especially if the government admits the existing shortfalls takes the bull by its horns and moves all out to engage all stakeholders both public and private to join forces and act for the good of the country and its citizens. Television remains a huge platform of information dissemination with great influence on citizens and in this modern day and age the medium cannot be denied to the citizens in a country like Zambia which is building on its democratic credentials. For now let’s wait and see. Costa Mwansa is a General Manager of Zambia's privately owned Muvi TV

Zambia will not move an inch in 100 Years: Change Mindset

Zambia might not move an inch in the next 100 years if no serious introspection is taken into account. The country has literally been in reverse gear in the last fifty years. The productive generation of our times has not been inspirational at all inclusive of the writer. The generation has been material driven at the expense of national pride and devotion to one's country. Zambia with a few graduates and individuals with humble education at independence witnessed unprecedented levels of development and terms like corruption were none existence on the jaws of the citizens of a once flourishing country but this has now become a lifestyle and generally acceptable. Several people go unpunished for their crimes in this country because no one just seems to care.Our leaders are ever trooping to and from the courts of law; the moral fiber of our society is ever deteriorating. Additionally, fifty years on after so many graduates in the country, the country is languishing in high poverty levels. It was always embedded in the altar of my heart that education was a key to success nevertheless, is this so for Zambia? Corruption has become a metaphor of a once cherished society where hard working was a corner of our society, upon, which we built our strong foundation, as a people. We, as a people have created so many shortcuts to success especially among the productive group of our society. Our wealth creation and accumulation is overtime and cannot be explained or justified. Just even our quest to adopt a people driven constitution is donor driven, what would have happened if our founding fathers and many more civil rights activists had mortgaged their aspirations, thoughts, ideals and those of their people to their donors? Surely, independence would not have actualized. As Zambia marks yet another memorable day on its calendar in remembering the contributions and efforts of the young people in the last fifty years, honestly, there has not been any significant progress in the welfare of an average youth in the country, our existence, as a generation is rough but what have we done to improve the status quota, as a generation? In the midst of blazing guns and bombs coupled with numerous challenges did our people just fold their arms to watch the country generate in unabated slavery? No, the very challenges that our forefathers faced was enough motivation to justify their quest for an independent nation, where freedom and liberty shall prevail over everything, as is the case now. Youth Day, What was new? Maybe, the only thing was good looking Minister of Youth, Vincent Mwale and Acting President Ngosa Simbyakula. Undoubtedly, it has now become difficult for young people to appreciate the existence of the day owing to numerous challenges that continue to cloud their immense contribution. Unlike fifty-years ago, many young Zambians are a shadow of themselves and fail to blossom for what they are destined for, as they continue to grapple with unemployment despite their academic qualifications. Employment creation is now merely a promissory note from those charged with the responsibility to do so. Additionally, the perennial youth celebrations are more rhetoric and short of incentives to address the challenges that young people of today face. There is no hope or inspiration to propel this generation a platform to positively contribute to the development of the country thus rendering young people mere spectators in key sectors of the economy if that loan award is based on political patronage. Our education curriculum still remains archaic and does not take into account modern survival trends such, as establishment of enterprises to grow the economy. This should be quickly worked on to ensure active participation of the young people to refuel the wheels of the declining economic prospects. I mean entrepreneurship. African governments have shown that they have no capacity to create employment overtime. We are crying about our local currency not performing so well when huge investments are the hands and armpits of the foreigners. We are literally dancing to their tunes when it comes to the exchange rate. We can only term ourselves “economic refugees” in our own country. Economic emancipation remains key for Zambia through the productive generation. What serious innovations have surely emerged out of the Universities and colleges, as a solution to the ever increasing unemployment levels? I am sure none, we have no testimonies of our own, as a nation from these innovations…….. Young people nowadays are being employed, as agents, aggressors and conveyors of violence and mere political stooges, this is primitive to say the least. The focus world over at the moment is more about competition of ideas in technology, fashion, sports and not guns or stone throwing. Political independence was long achieved by our forefathers and economic emancipation is crucial to get our people out of the poverty doldrums, a responsibility which squarely lies on the young people, as a productive generation. What do we have to show our prospective generations, as achievements? The record for our failure, as a generation is too huge to bear. Zambia, the land of plenty yet so poor! Watch out the next article on digital migration

Edgar Lungu: Pace Setter

I have been reluctant to comment on the alleged collapsing and subsequent hospitalization of his Excellency, Edgar Lungu following the anxiety that has engulfed the entire episode since Sunday during the women’s day celebrations at Heroes Stadium. Initially, the prompt response on the Health Status of President Lungu by State House has been timely unlike in the past where it has been shrouded in secrecy to say the least. Secrecy creates a lot of tension, distrust, divisions- constitutionally and politically, a situation the president seemingly does not wish to subject Zambians to. The presidency is a public and national institution thus the need for the country to get prompt briefs to whatever happens to the office even just a mosquito bite. Therefore, honest updates help the country quench prospective gossip and speculation. We must admit that politics is a stressful profession and president Lungu has had one strenuous schedule since his ascendency to the office of President having travelled to Mfuwe for a working Holiday and Chipata for the recently held Nc’wala among many engagements home and abroad. President Lungu is a pace setter, who doesn’t get sick? Because even cars do break down without giving you any indication that it will do so in a few minutes. Sickness is not something we wish for ourselves, not even for our worst enemies. As long as we remain mortal, sickness and diseases will remain part and parcel of our lives and the President is human to get sick. Nevertheless, President Lungu should be commended for his magnanimity to openly admit he was not feeling well. Additionally, his love for the country is admirably inspiring having put his country before self even in difficult times. He is truly a rare breed in African politics. If you tell people your ailments, you get medicine for it and that there is intensified prayer for the healing of a Head of State. The country has not been subjected to helicopters picking the head of state from the heroes’ stadium and rushing him to an unknown destination like it has been done before. The nation might not see the benefits and results of his actions of being transparent over his health condition but they will surely manifest soon or later. Admittedly, the health of a president surely has a bearing on so many things such, as the performance of a currency, which has been limping for some time now. Secondly, his aides deserve praise for not holding him hostage and subsequently not subjecting him to physical torture by hiding him from the public like some rogue handlers have done in the past demeaning the sickness of the head of state. I saw him myself at Maina Soko military in his ever jovial mood unlike in the past where we were told the president is jogging in the streets of London or that he is attending a routine medical checkup. Watch out for Nchito Yasila!!!

Only Your thumb remains with You, Let’s vote wisely…

The euphoria that accompanies the festive season has finally disappeared and reality has dawned, as we get back to our normal daily lives especially that this month, our children are returning to class, the biggest headache being schools fees and other requisites. I however, believe that settling bills will not be the only headache for many Zambians, as they have been presented with an opportunity to elect their sixth Republican President following the demise of a sitting leader, Michael Sata. As usual, their desires of choosing their leader have been granted by the constitution to ensure a smooth transition of leadership for the second time in less than six years. President Levy Mwanawasa was the first Zambian leader to have died while in office in 2008. Admittedly, Zambia has undergone serious stormy moments but praise to God for His enduring mercies that the country has remained united and overcome such stormy moments. Off course another test is here, in a week’s time, a new leader will have to emerge. The campaigns presently have heightened among the eleven participating political parties currently, doling out few Kwachas, bags of rice, cooking oil and other food staffs to the poor. The poor are always told by the country’s Electoral body, Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) that they have the right to vote, yet they don’t have the right to recall their non-performing leaders once elected except to wait for an election term to expire. This question always comes up on the basis that most leaders behave as bosses once elected as opposed to what they say before being elected, to serve the people with humility. It is in this vein that some scholars argue that Democracy is slavery in its literal sense especially in African sense because it does not seem to work for the ordinary citizens. I hope you will not cast your vote on expediency terms such as tribal, race or resources you may have received from those aspiring to leadership especially that it is not a guarantee for your development but rather a sell out to your perpetual poverty. I have of the opinion that t

here has never been true leadership in Zambia. I believe the country has been led by ‘chancers’ and it is time to put in place true leadership that will change not only individual outlook but policy as well. Use your card wisely come 20th January 2015.

Those who live in grass houses should not throw stones

It is unjustifiable for one who cannot be sued to sue in the name of proving innocence. This clearly justifies why Zambia needs a new constitution to ensure that the document does not only protect those in authority but meets the aspirations of the very people it aims to protect. It is a long held view that the current constitution gives the sitting President too much powers, a view which has now been proved by the President appearing in court where even court decorum could not be respected and their honor were at a loss on how to handle the incumbent. I have always said politicians should always look beyond there interest, as regards the national constitution and President Micheal Charles Chilufya Mwango Sata has an opportunity to give us a document that stands the test of time and not that, which propagates confusion and anarchy to say the least, as is currently the situation. We should all admit including State House that the current constitution falls short of our aspirations, as a country thus needing treatment. If his excellency was an individual like he was in the opposition, the highlight of the article the subject of alleged defamation would not have been on him, as an individual but because of the nature of the office he holds criticism is inevitable. Additionally, lack of public engagement through different avenues such news conferences has been elusive for the last three-years at State House. My earnest appeal therefore to the country's leadership should be about serving the integrity of its people rather than public image build up at our expense. What are the answers to the Kwacha, which has taken a walk now at K6.7 to a dollar, Konkola Copper Mines Saga, Zambians need inspiration leadership, overcome their daily challenges. I also want to thank Malawian Outgoing President, Joyce Banda for providing the continent with the joke of the year for claiming that she been rigged out of office. This is unprecedented for a sitting President in Africa and the digging of her heels on the ground is not a solution. Views expressed here are purely personal

ZAMBIA: A Country without a future

At the height of Zambia’s independence, young people were an epitome of hope and a new beginning but as the country celebrates its fifty years since the end of the colonial rule they have been become a shadow of themselves.The prospects of young blossoming Zambia had been anchored on the very existence of our young generation to facilitate the country’s development. They beamed with hope to lead the rest of the generations to the Promised Land, a land of milk and honey. However, fifty-years after our young people are wallowing in abject poverty and unemployment, a daunting nightmare. Today’s young people face a real and increasing difficulty in finding decent work.The Central Statistics Office reported that unemployment is a more serious problem in the young age groups of 12.-14 (19.9 percent); 15-19 (22.6 percent); 20-24 (20.8 percent) and the 25-29 (13.9 percent). Zambia's President, Michael Sata’s pledge to the electorate that his administration would create jobs for young people three-years ago still remains mere political rhetoric simply put jobs are not forthcoming.The least Zambian youths have come to accessing jobs is through statistics promulgated by Government officials yet the promise of creating jobs for Zambia's most productive age remains elusive for now.Therefore, many young people have failed to find justification in celebrating “Youth Day.”As we reflect on this year’s Youth Day in the Jubilee year, the role of the young people should be properly dignified, as regards to their contribution to the economic emancipation of their country. Additionally, the country’s educational sector should be overhauled to be able to meet the challenges of the modern times in making young the existence of the young people more economically sustainable.Therefore, entrepreneurship is fundamental for a country in sustaining the gains of an emerging economic powerhouse in the region, we are proving to be. Entrepreneurship education facilitates an informed citizenry among young people, who in turn can establish their own institutions and create employment to absorb those roaming the streets. I also wish to commend comrades, who were recently arrested for petitioning the powers that be over the constitution during the youth day celebrations in Lusaka. As much, as I sympathize with the governing political party that Zambia does not need a constitution, I am comforted with the fact that many of these people that shot down the constitutional road-map are in their evenings of their times and understandably their action is justified, as they have been webbed to colonial tactics of suppressing their own people. How do you justify the arrest of someone for merely expressing themselves? Zambia deserves better especially that it is a democratic society where people should be tolerate of other people’s views. This country does not belong to one political party, as we are made to believe. The Zambia Police Service should also stop exhibiting double standards having allowed the governing political party cadres match in the streets of Lusaka several times without any hindrance.The best thing the Police should do is to arrest those who have wasted our tax payers’ resources in funding the process they did not believe in unlike innocent who are merely preparing their future as the future is only certain for those who prepare for it today and you get arrested for merely defining the future you wish to have? Furthermore, the police action amounts to a violation of human rights and Freedom of expression, which is well engraved in our national constitution. Clearly all these things will one day sure haunt us, as a country that suppressed its youth in an attempt to sustain our tummies. This is the Zambia we wanted to see at the reintroduction of multi-party politics? Worse still, to arrest innocent youths and undress female youths who were only celebrating their day while PF cadres are allowed to put on military uniforms during youth day. Is it true that young people are the future leaders of tomorrow? Do they really belong to the future? Happy Belated Youth Day