COMMERCE GAZETTE
P. O. Box 36607 Lusaka - Zambia Tel: +260 211 292 046 Cell: +260 977 872427 +260 955 769767 E-mail: commercegazette@zamtel.zm commercegazette@yahoo.com Web: http://commercegazette.ucoz.com
Contents
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09 NOTEBOOK 06 07 08 08 09
On the cover
Left: Pamela Bwalya, CEO - Millenium Challenge Account Zambia, Maureen Jangulo Dlamini, CEO - Chamber of Mines of Zambia and Judith Mulenga, executive director - ZAMCIVIC
09 09 19 12 12 12 15 27 28
Chikwanda reassures on economic performance CE Liquid Telecom corner Scanner to speed Kasumbalesa boarder efficiency Ecobank courts chines firms LWSC ladies donates to Kafue District Hospital Children’s Ward Where are the women in politics? Gender equality is first step towards sustainable development NATSAVE promoting financial literacy New Lusaka UNICEF Innovation lab to use smartphone app Smart economics embraces gender equality Zamtel women donates to Chilanga’s Mother of Mercy Hospice Finance bank - bounces back & banks’ failure to list - problematic The long struggle for gender Zambian Music Awards 2014 - Big Winners
Editorial Editor:
Sukizi Sichinga
Advertising & Publicity: Creative Group
Layout, Design & Photography: Mutale Chanda Lupili
Contributors: Florence Bupe Mwesu Vunda
Printers:
Mission Press
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t will be foolhardy to say women have not made much progress over the past half century since many African countries including Zambia gained independence.
African women have a lot to be proud of in spite arriving late to the gender and equality table and facing many challenges daily – yet, what is it they have not achieved? At every level in society stands an African woman, we have no less than three women heads of state on the continent, need I name them – Ellen Johnson Sirleaf - Liberia, Joyce Banda - Malawi and Catherine Samba-Panza of the Central African Republic, 2 billionaires, Isabel dos Santos of Angola and Nigeria’s Folorunsho Alakija. In international organizations African women are represented at the Hague by Fatou Bensouda, the first African woman and second person overall to hold the position of chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Zainab Bangura is the U.N. special representative on sexual violence in conflict, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma chairperson of the African Union Commission, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, had worked her way up to managing director at the World Bank, and she is now Nigeria’s Finance minister running the affairs of Africa’s biggest economy. Here in Zambia women have been no less outstanding, fighting for independence along side their men folks. Taking their rightful place in Parliament, the judiciary and at the central bank, they are heading corporate companies and are entrepreneurs; they are in the police and military service, in colleges and schools, and are making an impact locally and internationally as professional artists or sports women. We cannot be more proud of these shining beacons.
FEATURES
10 Why are Zambia’s mining achievements greeted with silence 14 Carrying on through adversity 15 VP tours Itezhi-Tezhi Hydropower Project and ZESCO signs US $163 million loan agreement 20 Kwacha instability a threat to rising cost of living 22 A change of culture 24 The existence some women and girls endure 25 Making a difference 26 Africa’s women Presidents - can they rise to the challenge? 31 The Great Transformation Zambia’s Challenge ahead
REGULARS 03 04 06 16 18 30 30
Editorial Appointments Spotlight on: Totally unacceptable Corporate Eye: Itezhi-Tezhi Zesco Hydro project Economic indicators Jokes Quoted
Just having a Zambian woman in the echelons of power or succeeding economically, earning a living for herself is good enough. This is not to say that women in Zambia have arrived, far from it. Most women are still stuck out in the abyss of poverty, denied education, employment, health care, housing, land, the choice of who to marry and in the most unfortunate of cases denied even their life - due to the rising in violence against them. Zambian Women constitute 50.7 percent of the population, 12.2 percent are aged 19 and 15. In all groups and at every age, women are more likely to live in poverty than men, although rural women are especially disadvantaged with many remaining illiterate and untrained. Concrete improvements in women’s socio-economic and political conditions are needed. Until there is significant cultural change that embraces and promotes women’s equitable access to decision making power and material gain is achieved, the gains made in the past 50 years of independence will not help but ring hollow. Unfortunately, we have a long way to go to reach equality. But fortunately we have come far enough in 50 years to realise that it is in everyone’s interest for women to succeed as it raises the standard of living for the family and Zambia. In this edition of Commerce Gazette, we bring the voices of women in to fore to be heard. The women are leveling the playing field, giving voice to half of Zambia - their fellow women, and letting them know that if they can make it, then women can be it. We applaud them, admire their confidence to speak up and participate in running the affairs of the nation, shaping its destiny and that of society based on nothing but their own merit. Good reading.
Commerce Gazette is published every other month by Creative Group Limited. P. O. Box 36607 Lusaka - Zambia. Conditions of sale and supply: Commerce Gazette shall not, without written consent of the publisher first given, be lent, resold, hired out, or otherwise disposed of by way of trade except at the full retail price of K 10.00 and it shall not be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise disposed of in a mutilated condition or in any unauthorized cover, by way of trade or affixed to or as part of any publication or advertising, literary or pictorial matter whatsoever.
Commerce Gazette 03 Women’s Special Jubilee Edition
Appointments Which development priorities is the UN assisting Zambia’s with? The UN system will work to support Zambia’s sustainable development priorities, including reducing poverty, equitable access to health and other services, and respect for the rule of law and for human rights in accordance with the Universal Declaration.
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We shall steadfastly support Zambia’s highest aspirations in respect of social inclusion and non-discrimination, and your implementation of all the international covenants and conventions to which Zambia has chosen to be a party.
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What is your specific area of priority? I am personally committed to supporting your aims for women and youth, particularly the girl child and adolescents. Where on the international platform has Zambia shown leadership? Zambia has played an exemplary role in the family of nations, in the full spirit of the words of the UN Charter. You have lived in peace and promoted unity among all Zambians. In addition, you have long been, and continue to be, a generous haven for those fleeing violent conflict. You are now taking an innovative and people-centred approach to the sustainable integration of former refugees in Zambia, which may serve as a shining example to others. I also congratulate Zambia on assuming chairmanship of the United Nations Land Locked Developing Countries group. Zambia’s election to that role is testament to the continued confidence Zambia enjoys within the family of nations. What is the next focus of development after the Millennium Development Goals deadline expires in 2015? I trust that Zambia will continue to press globally for a bold and inspiring post-2015 development agenda and I commend the key role Zambia has played to date in leading debate on the future direction of Sustainable Development.
Specs Who: Janet Rogan New gig: United Nations resident coordinator, Zambia Old gig: Senior strategy adviser to the director for Defence and International Security at the Foreign and &RPPRQZHDOWK 2IĂ€FH )&2 8.
What important message would you want to share? The 90th birthday of the first president reminds us of what it means to live a life dedicated to serving the people according to ‘One Zambia, One Nation’. With KK as our example, the UN system in Zambia intends to step up our efforts as a Delivering-as-One team so that we can truly say One Zambia, One Nation, One UN in the service of the people of Zambia.
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ccasion: At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs presenting credentials to the minister, Hon Harry Kalaba MP.
What’s her new job all about? Rogan as UN resident coordinator is the designated representative of the secretary-general in Zambia responsible for managing all UN organizations in the country dealing with operational activities for development and its staff as well as overseeing it financial systems. She must work closely with government, ensure the various agencies are effectively implementing the interests and mandates of the UN in a collegial and accountable manner. Besides her duties as country rep. are they any other areas she will be responsible for? I also have the honour to act as UN Development Program resident representative in Zambia and in that capacity I am delighted to inform you that UNDP will continue to support Zambia’s continued participation in the next phase of the post-2015 dialogue, aimed at achieving fair socio-economic development, promoting democracy and protecting and preserving the rights of all people.
Final Words We pledge to work with the minister of Foreign Affairs and his collegues to develop the next UN development assistance framework for Zambia to guide the work of the UN in Zambia, responding to Zambia’s national priorities as it strives to realise the vision of becoming a prosperous middle income country by 2030. It is particularly auspicious to be taking up this role fifty years after Zambia joined the United Nations as an independent state, in your Golden Jubilee year. Interesting tidbit: Janet began her career in 1986 with FCO in the UK as Desk Officer for Zambia and Malawi. Linguistic skills: Hebrew, a language she learnt prior to her posting in Israel (2005-2008) as consul general and deputy head of mission at the British Embassy in Tel Aviv.
I am committed to increasing U.S. trade and investment with Zambia. U.S. business can play an important role in Zambia’s economic future. I will also serve as the United States’ special representative to the region’s economic group, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), which is based in Lusaka. I look forward to working with COMESA’s leadership to support their efforts to promote intra-African trade, remove trade impediments, and secure favourable conditions for long-term investment, development, and diversification of trade in the COMESA region – all of which can help accelerate growth throughout the region and potentially benefit American companies who do business in the region. Where do you think Zambia is facing a challenge? Although Zambia has a justifiable reputation for peace and stability and a record of commitment to multiparty democracy, over the past year, the United States has expressed increasing concern about human rights and the trajectory of good governance in Zambia. I will encourage Zambians to uphold the standards they have set for themselves on human rights and rule of law, recognizing that democratic principles are in Zambia’s own interest, and central to U.S. policy. I will work to strengthen our partnership to amplify the positive aspects of peace and security and encourage respect for the rights of all people and the institutions of a strong democracy.
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Zambia successfully conducted elections in September 2011 that were generally peaceful and credible and which resulted in the peaceful transition of power. Yet, recent regional byelections have been marked by violence and allegations of abuse of government resources, raising concerns about freedom and fairness.
Specs
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Who: Eric T. Schultz New gig: United State Ambassadordesignate, Zambia Old gig: Deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine (2010 to 2013)
ccasion: Appeared before senate committee on Foreign Relations in the US following his nomination by President Barack Obama to serve in Zambia.
How do you feel about serving in Zambia and why? I would be especially happy to represent the United States in a country with Zambia’s record of peaceful and stable democratic traditions. Zambia lies at the heart of southern and central Africa, a country of stunning beauty that can and should be a model for the continent. For that to happen, Zambia needs to build even further on its democratic achievements. This has been a U.S. government priority, and if I am confirmed, it will remain so. What can you bring to Zambia? I hope my experience in service to our nation has prepared me for this assignment so that if confirmed, I will be able to successfully represent the American people. My service has convinced me of the importance of American engagement in the world and strengthened my belief that effective partnerships require both respect and candor. If confirmed, I will work with the Zambian government and people to deepen our relationship and promote regional stability. It would be my privilege to lead our Embassy in Lusaka as we strengthen this partnership. What business priorities can you assist Zambia with? One of my priorities as Ambassador would be to expand opportunities for U.S. companies as Zambia pushes in the near-term to a status as a middle income country.
04 Commerce Gazette Women’s Special Jubilee Edition
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I will vocally advocate for an open, robust dialogue among political parties, media, and civil society in order to help strengthen Zambia’s democratic institutions. In fact, promotion of democracy has been a part of my career from the beginning. In particular, I have worked to identify and promote development of new generations of leaders in the former Soviet Union and in Africa. A particular emphasis of mine will be supporting young leaders in the public sector, private sector and civil society through the President’s Young African Leader’s Initiative. In addition, a Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact with Zambia focuses on improving access to clean water and sanitation facilities in the capital city of Lusaka entered into force on November 15, 2013. Throughout the course of compact implementation, Zambia must continue to meet the Millennium Challenge Account indicators – in particular, adherence to standards of democracy and governance and respect for human rights for all Zambians, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, faith, or sexual orientation as well as vigilant implementation of sound fiscal policy. I will champion respect for rule of law and the liberties guaranteed by Zambia’s constitution. Any other sectors where Zambia has a challenge with? One of Zambia’s greatest challenges is the crippling burden of disease, including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. More than 12 percent of Zambians are HIV positive. In partnership with Zambia, the United States invests extensively in health assistance programs, including treatment, care, and prevention of HIV transmission as well as building the Zambian government’s own capacity to address the healthcare needs of their citizens through a substantial PEPFAR program. Since the program’s inception in 2004, the United States has contributed roughly $2.25 billion to Zambia to help arrest and then reverse the pandemic’s tide. Today over half a million Zambians are alive because of U.S. HIV/AIDS assistance I will continue to constructively implement our assistance programs, ensure American taxpayers’ funds are spent wisely and effectively, and continue to work in partnership to increase ownership by the Zambian government of health care for all Zambians. What are your achievements in your previous assignment? In all of my previous assignments, American businesses set an example of how to conduct business honestly, without corruption, and they brought jobs to local citizens. As minister Counselor for Economic Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, I led our complicated economic relationship with this key trading partner. Throughout my career, I have been dedicated to building economic ties with other countries and increasing American opportunities abroad, while at the same time upholding our fundamental principles, including ensuring the right of individuals to have governments that represent their interests.
included the poor economic performance of the United States and China negatively impacted Zambia’s commodities purchase that resulted in a slowdown in foreign inflows and has adversely impacted on the exchange rate. Chikwanda says the current levels of external and domestic debt remain below the international thresholds of 40 and 25 percent of GDP, respectively. External debt stood at US$3.2 billion whilst domestic debt stood at K19.7 billion in 2013 or 15 and 16.3 percent of GDP, respectively.
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espite optimism being expressed by government on the economy, the year ahead will be a bumpy ride for the Zambian people if the economy continues at its current performance.
Hon Alexander B. Chikwanda, MP, minister of Finance declared on March 21, that ‘the economy has remained strong and stable’. Indeed, Chikwanda says, ‘The Zambian economy is among the ten fastest growing in the world and among the four fastest in Sub Saharan Africa,’ yet the continued rise in the cost of living, the depreciation of the kwacha against the dollar by more than 14 percent since January 2014 and the drop in copper production have enormously dampened consumer, business, investor and financial sentiment in the country. Even though Zambia is expected to grow by 6.4 percent GDP in 2014 and non-traditional exports growth have increased by an average of 41.9 percent over the past three years, indicating a growth of 23 percent in 2013 that accounted for 32 percent of all total export earnings which in turn increased employment opportunities especially for the youths, unfortunately for Chikwanda, stakeholder’s reaction, especially on government policies, remains the biggest drawback for Zambia’s economy today. The continued favourable economic outcomes have been negated by public and business perception on government’s fiscal, debt and wage management as well as by the apparent volatile atmosphere caused mainly by the consistent retching up of unpleasant political rhetoric against opponents and the current impasse over the constitution. The fiscal deficit increase caused by ‘arrears for fuel and maize subsidies’ and higher than planned wage award averaging 42 to 52.5 percent of domestic revenues in 2013 and 2014, respectively, thereby increasing expenditure from the planned 4.3 to 6.7 percent of GDP and are worsened by the factoring in other personnel emoluments, further increasing the domestic revenues expenditure to over 60 percent. This has caused uncertainty about government’s monetary policy as it implies that high wage levels reduced service delivery to the majority of the population and increased inflation that affects the poorest Zambian. In 2013 inflation was at 7.1 percent but government aims to reduce it to about 5 percent by 2016 according to Chikwanda. Zambia further experienced a decline in its domestic balance of payments that showed a deficit of US$344.9 million compared to a surplus of US$726.7 million in 2012. While extenuating external facts
Among the more welcome pronouncements was the cancellation of the statutory instruments No. 55 of 2013 and No. 33 of 2012 with immediate effect. These regulations, which held high hopes of addressing financial transparency among multinationals, were passed principally to support the implementation of monetary policy however, Chikwanda says challenges surfaced in the implementation of the laws and their cancellation was to facilitate further consultations. Chikwanda made it clear that his optimism about the economic outlook depends entirely on the assumption that government would stick with its outlined Medium Term Expenditure policy for economic growth.
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The Medium Term Expenditure Framework aims to reduce the deficit to around 3% of GDP. This will be achieved by ensuring that spending is within the budget, borrowing is contained to sustainable levels while revenue collection measures will be instituted to increase collection. The reduction in the deficit is consistent with government policy of minimising its domestic borrowing to make available resources for private sector growth.
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Government expects private sector initiatives will compliment its resources to implement huge infrastructure projects embarked on and that it will also safeguard against the administration negating on its fiscal prudence and economic parameters. The uncertainty about government’s monetary policy has preoccupied civil organisations, businesses and investors in the past year to the exclusion of almost all other issues with the exception of the indecision about government’s decision on the constitution. Business obsession with a political environment cannot be ignored. Fear of an unknown policy direction as well as the potential for political crisis is therefore quite reasonably restraining business decisions. Indeed, government’s wishy washy policy decisions and its blatant backing away from moving forward on the constitution making process has been described as ‘suicidal’ by many non government organisations that have pledged to deliberately push for the constitution’s enactment and holt further external borrowing by government. This impasse appears to be leading the two camps over a cliff, creating uncertainty about the peace and conducive atmosphere business is accustomed to in Zambia.
Vital Murmurs
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orld Bank country director for Zambia Dr Kundhavi Kadiresan is among the stakeholders expressing the need for ‘consultation’ and ‘policy direction’ by the current administration, while voicing happiness at the repealing of statutory instruments numbers 33 and 55. ‘The Zambian economy had recently gotten into a difficult situation with a large budget overrun in 2013 and increasing uncertainty about economic policies and direction. This difficult situation is partly reflected in the rapid depreciation of the kwacha and accompanying sense of panic in the markets. ‘Government has also re-iterated its commitment to stay within the 2014 budget and move towards lower fiscal deficits in the coming years. This is going to be hard, considering the large wage award from 2013, the still uncertain direction of the wage bill trajectory, and the ambitious capital investment program.’
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CTR applauded Finance minister Hon Chikwanda’s statement on the state of the economy as long over due ‘to prevent speculations’ which it says has ‘the potential to further destabilise the economy’. ‘While the minister assured the nation of government’s commitment to ensuring fiscal discipline and debt management to prevent further borrowing beyond sustainable levels, the recent upward adjustment of the ceilings on both foreign and domestic borrowing levels is inconsistent with the minister’s pronouncement. ‘Tightening fiscal policy to ensure adherence to deficit levels of 3% of GDP and the upward adjustments of debt ceilings through parliament seem contradictory. To maintain high levels of confidence in the economy, it is important that the government is viewed to be consistent in both word and deed when it comes to economic policy. The role of policy consistency in economic stability cannot be overemphasised. Economic policy inconsistency sends wrong signals to various economic agents whose response can destabilize the economy.’
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he chamber of Mines released a muted statement following the minister’s address on the economy and the removal of the statutory instruments 33 and 55. Beside noting its appreciation Emmanuel Mutati, president of the Chamber spoke of ‘continued consultation’ and that is ‘conducive’ to increasing Foreign Direct Investment.
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he conviction of renowned Zambian musician Clifford Dimba popularly known as General Kanene for the offence of having carnal knowledge of a minor was welcomed by the Non Governmental Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC).
‘We hope that the conviction and subsequent sentencing of General Kanene will serve as a deterrent to other would be criminals who indulge of these evil acts.’ NGOCC said, as an organisation, it was deeply concerned at the ever-increasing sexual cases, ‘particularly’ against women and girls. It said for men to continue abusing innocent and sometimes vulnerable young girls was ‘totally unacceptable and barbaric’. ‘Studies have shown that the effects of sexual abuse of young girls is intense, not only to the victim but to society as a whole.’ NGOCC asked the courts to re-exam the sentences of sexual offenders as they were not deterring offender because cases involving rape had increased. NGOCC promised that it would not relent until sexual offenders were punished. ‘As the women’s movement, we shall not rest until all criminals that sexually abuse women and girls are brought to book.’ Clifford Dimba has since been sentenced to 18 years with hard labour. General Kanene
06 Commerce Gazette Women’s Special Jubilee Edition
Beatrice Grillo , NGOCC
Margaret Chalwe-Mudenda, ZICTA director general
CEC staff making a presentation of the system operations
ZICTA and CEC management listening to the presentation
ZICTA management
I am
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he Board and management of the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) recently toured the CEC Liquid Telecom offices, datacentre and network operations centre. The ZICTA board took the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the operations of CEC Liquid Telecom.
a champion and a challenger
CEC Liquid Telecommunication has now been operational for over two years and is providing much-needed broadband connectivity to mobile operators, ISPs, banks and other corporations. It is an innovative, dynamic and ambitious company and has significantly changed the Zambian telecom market during their short existence. They were the first to provide virtually unlimited broadband capacity within and into Zambia; their entry into the Zambian market has led to increased competition and consequently reduced end-user broadband prices.
1/2 page advert
CEC Liquid has deployed two routes from Lusaka with one route crossing into Zimbabwe through Chirundu and the second through Kariba. These two routes provide customers with the first fully redundant routing by a single operator within Zambia. The company is contributing to the creation of a knowledge based economy through providing the backbone for higher educational institutions under the Zambia Research and Education Network (ZAMREN). The CEC Liquid Telecommunication fibre backbone is also supporting other national initiatives in the financial sector such as providing connectivity to the national financial institutions.
We are CEC Liquid Telecom and we connect people and businesses in Africa to each other and the rest of the world. Like you, we know leaders always innovate. Recently we were awarded ‘Best Network Innovation 2013.’ But we’re not stopping there. We’ll continue to lead the way unrestrained by convention.
ZICTA board chairman Emmanuel Mpankanta said the Authority was impressed with the performance of CEC Liquid Telecommunication. ‘As a regulator, we shall continue supporting CEC Liquid and other institutions so long they abide by the rules and regulations governing the sector,’ Mpankanta said.
Building Zambia’s digital future www.liquidtelecom.com
Commerce Gazette 07 Women’s Special Jubilee Edition CEC Liquid FPA3 Gazette_Challenger.indd 1
03/03/2014 14:13
Scanner to speed
Berlin Msiska, ZRA commissioner general unveiling the pluck at Kasumbalesa
Kasumbalesa boarder efficiency
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ogistical challenges that have for some time cast a cloud of concern over the inefficient operations in the movement of goods and people at Zambia’s busiest commercial border crossings will improve drastically with the launch and commissioning of the fixed non-intrusive scanner at the Kasumbalesa Border Post.
The newly installed computerised scanner systems will ease the crippling delays witnessed and bring major improvements in traffic flow, safety, saving both time and money.
will facilitate legitimate trade and ‘Thethescanner at same time curb smuggling which has a negative impact on government revenue.
The border post is the entry point on the only main road connecting Lumbashi, the mineral rich capital of Katanga province in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
ZRA commissioner general Berlin Msiska.
With more than 10 million people residing in Katanga province it is a major industrial hub that has made the Kasumbalesa Border Post a strategic location in the south to north corridor.
The commissioner general said Kasumbalesa has been identified as one of the border posts where government intends to implement the ‘One Stop Border Post’ (OSBP).
Regional trade from SADC, COMESA onwards to the North Congo region and beyond has grown in recent decades, making this vital transportation corridor more and more congested.
This will eliminate duplicate security checks of freight that enters common borders by harmonizing their revenue administration systems for the import and export of goods. Under the One Stop Border Post, freight is screened only once, at its initial port of arrival, after which it is free to move across the Zambia-Congo border without the need for further inspections.
Border delays of between five to seven days are commonplace and have caused trucking companies to pay a heavy price in cash, time and frustration, hauling goods between countries.
This is part of ZRA’s broad based modernization strategy to streamline customs procedures, saving time and boosting cross border trade to better serve taxpayers. ZRA is also currently implementing web-based systems ASYCUDA World, an automated system for customs services and tax online for domestic taxes. This automated system will bring the Authority’s customs’ IT system into a new era. Purchased at a cost of K35 million (US$6 million) by government, the new IT system will enable efficient and compatible data exchange between the revenue service and other agencies. It will improve information availability for the private sector and allow ZRA to manage risks more efficiently. Msiska said this initiative is part of ZRA’s efforts to help accelerate private sector growth by creating simple, efficient, and businessfriendly regulations while ensuring public interests are protected.
Michael Liweleya, Ecobank board director with Mr. Pan, counsellor, Chinese embassy, Zambia
Jolone Okorodud, Ecobank MD (centre) with Chinese counterparts
Invited guests
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The Kasumbalesa scanner commissioning is the fifth to be launched in Zambia following similar exercises at Chirundu One Stop Border Post and at the border posts in Kazungula, Katima Mulilo and Chanida, while one mobile scanner is operational at Livingstone Port Office.
Ecobank staff
Alinani Simukonda
Invited guests
courts Chinese firms Scores of companies are looking to benefit from the growth spurred by the foreign direct investment, including Ecobank which is interested in establishing deeper banking links with Chinese firms.
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kyrocketing Asian trade and investment in Africa is part of a global trend that has seen rapid growth in South-South commerce among developing countries over the past decade.
Speaking at a dinner hosted for its Chinese clients, Ecobank board director Michael Liweleya said, the bank wants to deliver better results for consumers and businesses.
As a result, Zambia’s government is determined to increase foreign direct investment with the aim of using it to intensify job creation and promote exports.
‘Ecobank is very keen to build relationships with the Chinese business community many of who are conducting major business in the mining, road and construction sectors by providing tailor made financial and bank solutions.’
As of 2013 more than 500 Chinese companies and enterprises are conducting business in Zambia. Last year Chinese investment was $2.6 billion, creating 50,000 jobs across a broad range of industries that vary in size. Among China’s major investment in the country is the Chambeshi Multi-Facility Economic Zone, which was Zambia’s first multi-purpose economic zone and China’s first business cooperation area in Africa. The zone is home to several Chinese companies and has two industrial parks which offer different functions to meet diverse demands.
08 Commerce Gazette Women’s Special Jubilee Edition
In addition, the bank’s regional and international footprint can facilitate growth of Chinese companies seeking to expand their presence across Africa, operating in 35 countries, more than any other bank on the continent. It also has branches in Europe and the Middle East, Ecobank managing director Jolone Okorodud said. Guests at the dinner included a representative from the Chinese embassy, Chinese captains of industry and leaders in the private sector.
LWSC ladies donates to
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usaka Water and Sewerage Company (LWSC) ladies recently spent a day working together as a team to make a difference in the community. The company’s annual Corporate Social Responsibility initiative saw its women employees reach out to the women in the medical field at Kafue District Hospital for one common goal; to help those in need and appreciate the enormous responsibility the staff has to save lives.
Kafue District Hospital Children’s Ward
This year, LWSC ladies specifically supported Kafue District Hospital’s Children Ward, saying that ‘this is where life starts from’. The initiative was in celebration of International Women day whose 2014 theme: ‘Inspiring Change; Cerebrating God’s favour on 50 Years of Women’s Excellence and Achievements’, underscores the successes women have made by helping enrich the quality of life of the community and preserving a strong social conscience of voluntary service.
Toileteries and goodies
At the hospital during their day on-site the LWSC ladies donated cleaning detergents, window curtains, dust bins, books, an industrial electric kettle and oversaw minor repair renovations made to the bathrooms and toilets including the replacing of lights
bulbs in the ward. In the dormitory, all beds were provided with brand new bedding. Acting deputy medical officer-in-charge, Dr Kaluba Nyangu, thanked LWSC ladies for showing their motherly love in the interest of children who were admitted to the hospital. Kansenje ward councillor, Cleophas Mutale Musonko, also thanked LWSC ladies for supporting the community through their wonderful donations. He said the donations would encourage mothers who bring their sick child to view public corporations like LWSC that are essentially organs of society deploying significant public resources, as working beyond financial considerations. Additionally, Kafue branch manager, David Ngenda, said the company felt duty bound to support its female employees who through their donations help ensure that the company is not perceived as corporate that exist for mere profits, but as wholesome entity created for the good of the society, not just through the provision of water and sanitation services to the people of Kafue district but through community service efforts that improve the quality of life of the communities they serve.
Renovation and cleaning
New bathroom wash basin
New toilet
New blankets
Where are the women
Gender equality
Beatrice Grillo, NGOCC chairperson
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urely, there must be something wrong that less than 90 women are councilors out of an establishment of more than 1,300 countrywide,’ NGOCC chairperson Beatrice Grillo remarked.
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In a nationwide effort to get more women to run for public office, Grillo said the numbers of women participating in politics are heavily disproportionate and there is no excuse for such a big difference 50 years after independence. ‘It is totally unacceptable that the numbers of women parliamentarians has remained very low, just like that of female councilors.’ Grillo said under-representation of women in government undermines the concept of democracy and deprives women of having their interests addressed. That disparity in elected women holding office is believed to lead to why there are fewer laws and policies that benefit women and families. She urged councilors countrywide to deepen the virtues of gender equality and equity by voting for more women to take up decision-making positions, as mayors and deputy mayors in the upcoming elections.
is first step towards sustainable development
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rogress in achieving equality for women and girls is not just an issue of fairness and human rights but is important because so many other areas of development depends on it, United Nations Zambia resident coordinator Martin Clemensson said, during the commemoration of International Women’s Day by the Ministry of Gender and Child Development.
Despite the slow pace, Zambia has made some progress on gender equality indicators in the education and health sectors through improvement of more girls getting into primary school and reducing maternal mortality, respectively. Access to skills and resources required for women to participate fully in economic development will more than double Zambia’s gross domestic product.
Clemensson said countries and organisations with more gender equality perform better and have higher prospects for economic growth. Adding that ‘equality for women is progress for all’.
It has also enacted laws that provide an enabling environment for promoting gender equality and reducing gender based violence. Note worthy is the efforts being undertaken by government to establish ‘fast track courts’.
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Giving women the power to make choices over their lives is one of the first steps towards sustainable development.
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Therefore, if Zambia is to accelerate progress towards meeting the 2015 deadline of the Millennium Development Goals gender equality must be central in its working agenda, Clemensson said.
However, key to reducing discrimination and inequality against women and girls is a mindset change of societal norms and practices that perpetuate these biases. Child marriages that affect over 40 percent of Zambian girls, posing a treat to their lives, health and future prospects should be addressed.
Martin Clemensson, United Nations Zambia resident coordinator
‘It puts them at risk of violence, poverty, HIV and AIDS and complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. It also negatively affects their progression rates to secondary school and tertiary levels.’ Clemensson said harmful practices such as child marriages and gender based violence also have far-reaching effects and implications on the Zambia’s overall progress. Other areas of concern for equity and discrimination in Zambia include Parliament where only 11 percent of women currently participate. This is way below the SADC threshold of 50 percent and MDG target of 30 percent. The numbers of reported gender based violence cases are on the increase with over 10,000 cases reported by the third quarter of 2013 as compared to total 12,924 cases in 2012. Sadly, no country in the world is immune against inequality and discrimination of women and girls.
Commerce Gazette 09 Women’s Special Jubilee Edition
Can Dlamini, Chamber of Mines – CEO, change public perception of the mining sector?
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aureen Jangulo Dlamini is the dynamic new CEO of the Chamber of Mines of Zambia. She is the first woman to lead the Chamber since it was established in 1942 to 1965, and again reestablished in 2000 following the privatization of the mines.
Dlamini is an educator by profession, a graduate of the University of Zambia has a deep passion for teaching, empowering and nurturing people. She believes that education has to be at the centre of Africa’s development drive, if the continent is to fulfill it’s economic potential. An administrator with more than 20 years of experience dealing with all levels of management leading corporate officers of global companies. She has worked in different fields successfully providing strategy and business development expertise. She gained valuable technical and practical skills working in the insurance and banking sectors before joining the Johannesburg Stock Exchange as executive head of Corporate Affairs. Her appointment as chief executive of the Chamber should bring renewed vigour in the staid, male world of mining. She is now offering a gutsy unified voice for the Zambian mining industry giving the mines the opportunity to dialogue and clarify their next steps. As CEO of the Chamber, Dlaminin will lead the policy and lobbying activities of the mines, coordinating the missions of its working groups, and ensuring progress in raising awareness of the sector and its benefits to the Zambian people and economy.
10 Commerce Gazette Women’s Special Jubilee Edition
Q&A with Maureen Jangulo Dlamini In the following interview Dlamini explains the Chamber’s role in mining and answers questions on the sector’s operations Commerce Gazette: Do you have any prior experience working in the mining sector? What motivated you to seek this appointment? Dlamini: No. No experience what so ever. I was head hunted. Thought it would be great to try something really different and so far I am glad I was given the opportunity. Commerce Gazette: As the first woman to head the Chamber of Mines what do you hope to do differently from previous CEOs? Dlamini: I believe my predecessor did an excellent job in running the Chamber. I can only build on the foundation he left. The mining sector is dynamic (so I have discovered). To be an effective Chamber you have to be in tune with what’s happening, socially, economically, politically, technologically etc. So whether you like it or not you will be forced to do things differently because of the ever changing circumstances you find yourself in. One way of achieving this is increasing our interaction with various stakeholders, i.e. government, media, civil society, academia etc. so that we are in tune with what is happening around us. But most importantly we would like to be recognized as the ‘voice’ of the industry. Commerce Gazette: The role of the Chambers of Mines is to promote the interest of its membership how successful has it been in this regard and which areas would you want to improve on? Dlamini: Firstly I believe we need to improve our communication with our various stakeholders. We have developed a communications strategy that will see us holding seminars, workshops, meetings etc. throughout the year to ensure that we are in touch with our various constituents. The Chamber is now taking the lead in policy discussions that affect the industry as a whole. Where necessary we are facilitating meetings between our members and government. We are glad to note that we are communicating more with the government and we are looking to further improving on this. Secondly we would like to see more companies in the sector join the Chamber. Not only mining companies but other companies such as suppliers of mining equipment. The more companies we have in the Chamber the better the industry will be represented. Commerce Gazette: Given the success of the mining sector since privatization in increasing copper production and its huge reinvesting in operations; why is the general perception of the mines negative? Complaints against the mines have included; a. Pollution of the environment in the communities they operate in. b. Lack of synergies within the communities they operate in despite claims by the mines of huge investment in CSR projects. c. Poor worker relationships and conditions of service. d. Lack of real wealth creation opportunities between small and medium entrepreneurs. Dlamini: The mining industry has been the main stay of the Zambian economy for many years. To date, the industry has continued to play this pivotal role and contributes over 75% to the country’s export earnings. The direct contribution includes employment creation, tax contributions to central government and local authorities, and corporate social investment. Most mining companies work closely with local communities through relevant authorities to identify community projects to ensure that these interventions are addressing issues that the communities themselves consider to be important, and not imposed. In addition the mining industry has a huge multi-plier effect in the economy. Recall what happened to towns along the line of rail during the time mining industry slumped prior to the privatization era. Most turned into near ‘ghost towns.’ Looking back, one cannot help but acknowledge just how much life the revival of the mining industry has breathed into our economy. With increased activities in mining, almost all sectors of the economy have come alive, including the service industry. Most mining companies have outsourced procurement of some products and services giving opportunities to contactors to fill the gap. This is obviously aiding income distribution in the economy depending on the entrepreneurial spirit of the citizens. Further, mining companies, particularly members of the Chamber, have demonstrated good corporate citizenship, in the interaction with the communities where they operate, including issues of environmental management. In fact it is safe to say that even old mine sites are now more environmentally friendly than they were before, because of adopting improved methods and best practices. KCM for instance has established a new and modern smelter at Nchanga, while Mopani is upgrading its Mufulira smelter to enable the plant capture about 97% of the notorious sulphur dioxide (SO2) or ‘SENTA’ as it is known in the local mining communities, from pre-colonial days when 100% of the irritating gas was discharged into the air every day. The new mines have been in a better position to design the plants such that they are environmentally friendly, as they are subjected to stringent Social and Environmental Impact Assessment, in accordance with the Zambia Environmental management Agency (ZEMA) and international standards. So you can see that, truly mining companies are doing a lot and are committed not only to achieving financial objectives but also those pertaining to the social license. However, the Chamber and the industry in general is aware that some sections of the society and social partners want the mining companies to do more. Of course, there is always room for improvement in everything we do as individuals and corporates. But we also realize that in some case these calls are influenced by legacy factors. Communities in mining areas, in particular, want the mining companies to inherit benefactor programmes which characterised the ZCCM era. But then circumstances have changed. Hence, there is need for all stakeholders and social partners to exercise caution and patience to allow the industry to grow sustainably. The Industry is concerned about these negative perceptions. To this effect, the Chamber has commissioned an independent study by the International Council of Mining and Metals (ICMM) to establish the total contribution of the mining industry to the Zambian economy. The report of this study will among other things help the industry identify areas requiring improvement, for better stakeholder perception. With regard to employee relationships and conditions of service, I wish to state that our members do comply with existing employment and labour laws, respect workers’ rights and fully support the principle of collective bargaining. Remuneration levels may vary from company depending on the capacity to pay, even then the levels are way above the minimum wage. On the issue of wealth and business opportunities creation, the mining industry plays a pivotal role. It is the wish of the Chamber and mining companies to have a strong and efficient local supply chain, as this will not only assist in the empowering of SMEs but is key to lowering the cost of doing business. In this regard, most
mining companies have deliberate policies to procure supplies and services locally where this is practical. In fact the Chamber is working with the government and other stakeholders to promote the participation of citizens in the economy through an initiative called ‘Zambia local Content Initiative’. Some of the challenges stifling efforts of SMEs to adequately exploit business opportunities in the mining industry include lack of capacity and issues of quality of products and services. Our manufacturing sector is not adequately developed, so most of the suppliers of products to the mines are actually ‘middlemen’, they import these products which they then sell to the mines. This obviously increases transaction costs. However, mining companies have created business linkages with some of the suppliers to give them an opportunity to improve the quality of their products. Scaw Limited is one case in point which some of the mining companies are collaborating with to improve the quality of mill balls, to meet demands of new ore processing. Commerce Gazette: Why are some mines not interested in value addition and what role can the Chamber play to assist them in this regard, if any? Dlamini: Mining is a capital intensive industry involving a number of activities along the value chain, say from extraction to refining. While in the ZCCM days, the conglomerate carried out nearly all activities within its units, now companies tend to identify what activities will make business sense to engage in, depending on their resource base and mandate from shareholders as well as level of strategic competitiveness. It is therefore not surprising that some companies can extract ore and sell it in its raw form to the next player in the value chain because that is what their capacity can allow them, while others go all the way to refining and export of finished copper. Currently most of them are only able to process the ore up to concentrate stage, which they sell to smelter operators locally or abroad. The smelting of concentrates into cathodes is in itself value – addition. The biggest challenge for Zambia is to increase its smelting capacity. In this way it can create a market for our neighbors like DRC. The manufacturing base for Zambia and most countries in the region (aside from South Africa, which produces its own requirements) is very low so the demand for finished products like wires, pipes etc. is low at the moment. Meaning we would have to transport our products long distances to other markets – they become less competitive. Skilled labour and low productivity levels are also a problem and would lead to increased costs of production – again our product becomes less competitive. But this is not to say we do not go for beneficiation – it is a process that has to be well thought out and carefully planned. Commerce Gazette: Numerous stakeholders including cooperating partners and NGOs have documented tax evasive, tax avoidance, transfer pricing and other practices aimed at shifting profits outside Zambia by the mines; How can the Chamber of Mines work with the sector to ensure transparency and better export earnings and revenue collection? Dlamini: We would like to believe that our members are responsible corporate citizens operating within the laws of Zambia and accepted international practices. Mining companies operating in Zambia have a reputation to protect and will not risk the ramifications and fallout from engaging in illegal practices. Zambia has one of the most rigorous metal export procedures and tax regimes. This has now been reinforced with our subscription to the EITI. Metal exports and the revenue collection are very transparent. Commerce Gazette: Are all the Chamber of Mines members committed to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI)? Dlamini: Yes they are very committed, in fact some of them have even incorporated the EITI procedures in their internal reporting systems. Further, they contribute financially to the EITI operational budget. At our recent Mining Gala Awards the ZEITI awarded two of the mining companies who have shown consistency in reporting standards. This goes to show how committed we are as an industry to compliance to EITI standards. We are also in support of the EITI Bill which we believe will increase transparency in the industry. Commerce Gazette: Why are some mining companies failing to provide importer documentation? Dlamini: This is an issue that the Chamber together with its members and ZRA are trying to resolve. Our companies are trying their best to comply with the necessary legal requirements. Copper is a very complex product to sell sometimes. It changes hands so many times before it reaches its final destination. Transactions involving intermediaries are particularly challenging, because the exporting company has no control over subsequent actions. We are hoping however with continued discussions with the relevant authorities we may find a win win solution for all parties involved. Commerce Gazette: Recently, government mandated that gemstones be auctioned locally. Since this pronouncement the largest gemstone mining company - Kagem - in Zambia has recorded record breaking sales revenue. Yet it had resisted this initiative; Would the Chamber of Mines advocate the local auctioning of copper? Dlamini: The move to localize the auctioning of gemstones is commended, going by the positive reports we are getting from government. However, it is doubtful that copper industry could record similar successes. The two industries are miles apart. The gemstone industry is largely, a producer/sellers -market. The sellers have considerable market power/clout. That’s why buyers can travel round the globe in search of quality gemstones. Zambia being a source of one of the world’s best emeralds, could easily establish itself as an international trade centre. On the contrary, copper sales depend very much on what is happening on the London Metal Exchange (LME) and international demand. In this regard, the copper industry, is a buyers’ market. The international buyers call the shots, while producers/seller are plentiful. Chile, Congo name them, Zambia is just one of them; some of them are more efficient and command superior productivity ratings than ourselves. So, for a long time to come we may have to continue taking our copper to international markets where it can sell, other than compel buyers to follow us. Commerce Gazette: To change the discussion besides work, what other interests do you have? Dlamini: I listen to a whole range of music and I enjoy action movies. Commerce Gazette: Thank you for according us this interview.
Commerce Gazette 11 Women’s Special Jubilee Edition
New Lusaka UNICEF Innovation lab
to use smartphone app
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he Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) notes that since mid February, the kwacha has been depreciating sharply against other convertible international currencies such as the United States dollar. ‘Various sections of society have expressed fears that the weakening of the kwacha will push up the cost of production of goods and services. Already the Central Statistics Office has confirmed that inflation has risen from 7.3% in January to 7.6% in February.’
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he United Nations is opening its latest Innovation Laboratory at its Lusaka UNICEF office to bring together the private sector, academia, and governments to develop solutions for key social issues in child and maternal survival. The Innovation lab, which will be UNICEF’s 15th worldwide is an interdisciplinary team of individuals around the world tasked with identifying, prototyping, and scaling open-source technologies and practices that strengthen UNICEF’s work.
to K7.54, K4.61 to K6.12, per kilogramme. These increases are because of decreased seasonal availability of vegetables. ‘The gradual but steady weakening of the kwacha against major international currencies must be addressed from a comprehensive perspective. While short-term measures to stabilize the kwacha are welcome, there is need to focus on long-term solutions. In addressing root causes of the kwacha’s depreciation, a broad range of factors must be comprehensively considered.’
As a result of the kwacha depreciation, JCTR notes that the Bank of Zambia (BoZ) has tightened the monetary policy by increasing the statutory reserve ratio as well as lending policy rate in order to sustain the local currency. The policy rate was raised to 10.25 per cent from the precious 9.75 per cent, while the reserve ratio was increased from 8 per cent to about 14 per cent.
JCTR urges government to continue diversifying the Zambia’s sources of foreign exchange beyond copper, which has been its main major exports product.
‘Apart from tightening monetary policy, there have been several assurances that developments in the foreign exchange market are closely being monitored so as to keep track for the attainment of an inflation target of 6.5% this year.’
Zambia being a largely importing economy, the continued depreciation of the kwacha will increase the already high cost of living as import costs may be transferred to consumers.
JCTR’s Basic Needs Basket measures the cost of living for the month of February 2014 at K3,616.28, for an average family of five living in Lusaka.
‘Government policies must be seen to be consistent and coherent in terms of drafting, implementation and adherence to set policies, if it is to continue attracting investors.’
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‘This shows an increase of K11.27 compared to the month of January 2014 when the Basic Needs Basket was at K3, 605.01.’
For more information, contact; The Social and Economic Development Programme of The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection, P.O. Box 37774 | Lusaka, Zambia, 10101
JCTR attributes the increase in the Basic Needs Basket mainly to an increase in the cost of vegetables. The cost of dark green vegetables, tomatoes and onions increased, respectively, from K2.83 to K5.21, K4.99
Tel: 260-211-290-410 | Fax: 260-211-290-759 E-mail: basicjctr@jesuits.org.zm | Website: www.jctr.org.zm Location: 3813 Martin Mwamba Road, Olympia Park, Lusaka
UNICEF Zambia representative Dr Hamid El-Bashir made this announcement recently and said trials in Programme Mwana had been very successful in ‘dramatically lower the time it takes for mothers to learn the results of early infant diagnosis of HIV’ using SMS technology. Another innovation U-Report signed-up 40,000 Zambian youths and adolescents to receive free, confidential, and real-time information on critically important issues such as how they can protect themselves from HIV. Smartphone app are used in the innovation lab for quick communication to disseminate vital UNICEF information. UNICEF hopes the lab which will be open to children and youths who want to develop and test their ideas, will produce terrific results help Zambia reach the Millennium Development Goals.
Zamtel women donates to
Chilanga’s Mother of Mercy Hospice
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s part of this year’s commemoration of the International Women’s Day, Zamtel women teamed up to put a smile on the faces of the needy under the care of Mother of Mercy Hospice in Chilanga.
‘As Zamtel women, we are alive to the fact that the Mother
of Mercy Hospice is a community based organisation and has rendered help to thousands of patients over the years. Being a non-profit organization it relies on well-wishers and donations to ensure that care is available to all patients who need it,’
The ‘Zamtel it’ women donated an assortment of goods ranging from clothes, blankets, food stuffs, toiletries and various household goods critical to the smooth running of an institution such as a hospice.
said Betty Sikana, who spoke on behalf of Zamtel women.
The donation was initially scheduled to coincide with the International Women’s Day on Saturday 8 March, 2014, but was pushed forward to Tuesday the 11 of March 2014 due to logistics.
In terms of the actual value, the Zamtel women donated assorted goods worth over K12, 000 and a cash donation of K15, 482 plus a number of clothing items that were not valued, all useful to help in meeting the daily needs of running the Hospice.
This was the noble Zamtel way of making a difference in the lives of fellow citizens, who are less privileged under the commendable care of the Mother of Mercy Hospice in Chilanga.
Zamtel women commended the good works carried out by the Mother of Mercy Hospice in Chilanga to give the much needed care and support to the most vulnerable people in our communities. ‘As Zamtel, we value your efforts, dedication and support that you have continued to offer to the needy among us,’ said Sikana.
Dr Donald Kaberuka
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frican Development Bank president Dr Donald Kaberuka acknowledges that the banking sector is amongst the slowest areas to make progress to give women the opportunity to create wealth. African women are making it on the back of their talents and as long as doors open. This is happening slowly and in an uncoordinated manner and a lot remains to be done. ‘We hear Africa ‘rising’, with all the nuances needed when we use that phrase. It can only rise so far, until both halves of our continent of one billion people have the same opportunities, and are provided with the chance to develop their talents and put them towards creating prosperity for Africa.’ Dr Kaberuka says the women of Africa need financial inclusion, business opportunities, and access to assets and the bank in its new 10-year strategy aims to ‘leave no one behind’. To achieve inclusion, African Development Bank launched its new Gender Strategy for the period 2014-2018 whose aim is make sure gender equality is achieved. The strategy will close the gender gap in property and legal rights and land. It will also help with enhancing skills. The bank has appointed a special envoy on gender to advocate and oversee the process with all member countries using accountability mechanisms.
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D
espite Miriam’s lack of business experience, she threw herself into aggressively acquiring contracts. All went well with her business, but the economic downturn led to financial struggle – her business gradually imploded. Some people thinks that you all of a sudden start making or having lots of money just because your father is president but that’s not so, Miriam says. She never took it for granted that her father’s professional achievements and politically privileged position extended to her. Miriam’s courage to go out on her own in capitalistic fashion speaks to her belief that being an entrepreneur is not only in her DNA but that the journey to success is truly unique to each individual.
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hen Miriam reflects on the late Mwanawasa’s term in office, she is happy and proud of the legacy he has left as president. Among his most notable contributions and development for the Zambian people is his agriculture policy ‘that has led people to know the importance of land and farming’. Now when she looks at her father’s lifestyle, she is in awe of how truly authentic he was and how lucky she was for his wisdom. Miriam says her father always valued agriculture that is why he had invested in farms prior to his presidency where he successfully cultivated commercial crops, including bananas. She recalls a childhood spent at her grandmother’s Teka farm where he took her during school holidays when she wasn’t visiting her mum. She dreams of having the opportunity to fulfill her father’s vision and make Teka farm a successful commercial venture.
Adversity reminds us that while things may be tough, we have so many blessings
She is thankful for her father’s support particularly during her most difficult times. Her father was there to help when her first child, a daughter, was diagnosed with mental retardation. He gave Miriam an allowance and employed a maid to assist with his grandchild’s care. In addition, he built Miriam a house in PHI for which she has yet to access due to family dynamics. Miriam recalls how concerned her father was for his granddaughter and he always wanted to give her the financial stability to secure her future, which is why he built her the house.
Don’t give up. Don’t lose hope Remain strong. Tomorrow is a new day. God’s blessings are all around you, even when you don’t feel them.
During his tenure as president her relationship with her father suffered tremendously and her memories of this time are bleak. Her personal circumstances changed in many respect and she tried to keep up appearances as she was in the public eye. A lot of times when she tried to interact with her father she was hindered by those around him. At some point she didn’t tell him much about her business or worries because she didn’t want to add to his stress.
It’s important that we always remember, this too, shall pass. Miriam Mwanawasa
‘Normally whenever I told him things he would get sick and I didn’t want to make him sick because he already had enough problems to worry about the nation and I could see his health was deteriorating. So, because of that love I had for him I decided not to stress him.’ Her father’s sudden death was unimaginably traumatic for Miriam. She recalls that it was particularly stressful because of all of the speculation and emerging details of his illness and death.
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amilies living in poverty face enormous challenges, but privileged families also have their own obstacles to overcome.
On the surface, the rich and powerful often appear to have little to worry about financially. They seem to have carefree lifestyles which are sustained effortless. Children of politicians, doctors, lawyers, engineers and successful business families, are often expected to emulate their parents. This idealistic expectation puts them under so much pressure to achieve. The pressures faced primarily revolve around academic, professional and social accomplishments. For children whose parents are in leadership positions these pressures are magnified.
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M
ay be not so surprising, Miriam is of the view that her father’s public service came with a huge cost to his personal welfare. Not lost on her is the fact her father died while serving the country. After the death of the patriarch, families do not always communicate easily and the process of inheritances stirs up deep emotions. This has definitely been the case with Miriam. She has been facing something of an impasse over her father’s estate and benefits, having failed to talk through the outstanding issues and find common ground with other beneficiaries. Miriam has left things as they are in order to maintain family unity. Her decision was also influenced by Bishop T.B. Joshua who advised her to let things be. Whether the status quo will hold in the future remains to be seen.
toic and fresh-faced, wearing blue jeans on a lovely sunny Friday afternoon Miriam is the image of a thoroughly unpretentious person. She appears totally composed however, her demeanour shows the smallest signs of uncertainty.
‘We’ve left it to God… We are not depending on that anymore. We’re trying to empower ourselves, work hard and see where the future will take us… ‘I’m very prayerful.’
The firstborn child to the third president of Zambia, the late Levy Patrick Mwanawasa, Miriam has an uncannily resemblance to her late father.
Miriam says she finds joy and solace in God and has placed her faith above everything else.
In this journey called life, we all love smooth waters, but life is not all smooth sailing, sooner or later the waters raise a storm. Therefore, the question is not, ‘when will storms rise? But rather, how will you handle the storm?’
Hearing Miriam speak you understand that her decision was not made out of resentment, anger, jealousy or desperation, but out of love for herself and what inspires her. The path she has chosen is due to her desire to experience a life of joy and meaning. Furthermore, at a conscious level she is aware that a public spectacle is a far cry from the low-key, conservative image long cultivated by her father.
Despite her father’s prominence Miriam’s young life is not unlike the life of many young people. She has struggled to find a place where she feels she belongs. Her life shows the reality that challenges transcend demographics, family income and social status. She reflects on her ups and downs as well as her relationship with her famous father. Miriam and her siblings are the only first children to lose their father during his term in office as president. His death brought an outpouring of emotion from the Zambian people.
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ooking back Miriam says she had a very close relationship with her father. He was a young law graduate, employed and unmarried when she was born on September 30, 1975.
Her aunt, the first-born on her father’s side, raised her from the age of 2 until she was 4, that is when Miriam went to stay with her father until completing her higher education. ‘He was quite strict but in that strictness there was meaning to it. I really wish I had listened to him the time he was still alive. There are certain things he advised me to do that I never followed. I thought he was just being mean to me but actually he meant well. And I miss him for that.’ She recalls facing many challenges at school and after graduating from Kabulonga Girls, Miriam went against the wishes of her father who wanted her to pursue further education in India. Instead, she chose to venture into business following the examples of her late grandfather and aunt, both of whom were successful business people and had left a profound impression on her young mind. Her business of choice was general supplying and this has been her main occupation since 2001. She would supply various government ministries with produce and she also tried her hand at farming, rearing chickens and growing vegetables - mostly beans, for sale.
14 Commerce Gazette Women’s Special Jubilee Edition
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I also believe that these challenges I have passed through are to strengthen me and I know that I’m not the only one who is going through this, there are other people out there. And I’m urging them to be strong because they are not alone. If I, a former president’s daughter can actually go through so much pain what more them? I’m wishing them well and I believe that God will come through for us as women.
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Miriam moved to Luanshya to simplify her life following her father‘s death. She commutes to the capital to visit family and conduct business. She is confident that she will be able to rise above any problems. Every successful person has faced challenges. You have to learn from them and move on. If you’re looking behind, you’re not looking forward. Her future plans involve sticking with her supplying business as well as starting another venture after concluding a course in construction.
VP tours Itezhi-Tezhi
Hydropower Project and
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r Rajan Mahtani, Finance Bank board chairman is a man that can spin a yarn for all it’s worth. During the annual cocktail party to announce financial results of the bank’s year ending 31st December 2013, he was at his finest. Finance Bank’s track record, even more than its end of year record, belies the feat that it maybe the only bank in the world to have been seized by the central bank, sold off to an investor and then returned to its rightful owners, all in under a year. By the normal laws of economics, let alone the banking act, given all these shenanigans going on at the bank, it ought to have collapsed due to the loss confidence by corporates and consumers. Yet two years after retaining control Finance Bank has sailed through the crisis largely unscathed, Mahtani said. ‘My heart is filled with gratitude and thanks giving to our lord Jesus Christ who has sustained, established, granted growth, delivered from jaws of death and total annihilation and now steering FBZ to greater glory for his name.’ He boasted from the podium – and quite justifiable so – that the restoration of the bank’s stature is substantiated by the audits carried out in 2012 and the latest in 2013 that show its growth trajectory and maintain its position as a leading indigenous commercial bank in Zambia. For any doubting Thomas, the devil is in the detail which shows that Finance bank’s deposit base has grown from K1.555 trillion as December, 2012 to K2.1 billion as at 31st December, 2013. Its loan book currently standing at K1.1 billion, while the bank’s asset grew from K1.8 trillion to K2.3 billion and its customer bases has also grown over 150,000 representing a growth of 43% during this same period. Additionally, the bank recorded a profit before tax of K117million and a net profit of K71 million after paying the treasury K42 million in 2013 taxes and K30 million in 2012 by way of corporate tax, less K40 million deferred to 2014 due to IFRS regulations.
‘In any mathematician’s calculations this is far above the sum of $5million,’ Mathani said referring to the ‘pittance’ sum the bank had been sold off for to the investor. Finance minister, Hon. Alexander Chikwanda said Finance Bank was a success story not because of any personal relationship the chairman had with government officials but due to its commitment to national development.
ZESCO signs US $163 million loan agreement
‘We support you not because of your wonderful faces as Finance Bank. We support you because you are a veritable ally in our development endeavour.’ The minister called on Finance Bank and other banks to enhance development by increasing their lending portfolio to the medium and small-scale enterprises particularly the extension of grains to the small-scale farmers. He added that a bank had over the last 3 years raised it’s support to the small-scale farmers from 5, 000 to 20, 000’ and witnessed 100% repayment, debunking a myth that Zambians failed to service loans. Chikwanda stressed that government believed Zambia’s future economic growth lay with developing agriculture which he said banks should support. He joined Mathani in condemning the bank’s sell, a decision he said that was based on ‘fraudulence, lies, deceit, and gimmicks which had one common property, one propensity – unsustainability’. Chikwanda expressed disappointment with foreign banks that had made huge profits in Zambia but were very reluctant to list on the Lusaka Stock Exchange. He made a passionate appeal to the banks to list on the Exchange to inspire accountability and transparency. ‘We are a government who believes in free enterprise and we would not want to be led into the temptation of making listing mandatory by going the statutory route.’
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ice president Guy Scott recently visited the Itezhi-Tezhi hydro power station project in Southern province.
The power station, which is currently under construction, is scheduled for completion and will begin commercial operation in 2015. The Itezhi-Tezhi hydro power station and transmission project consists of the construction, operation and maintenance of a 120 MW base load hydro power plant at the Itezhi-Tezhi dam on the Kafue river and a transmission line to send the power to the Mumbwa and Lusaka West substations. The power station is being built at a cost of $239.05 million, with the transmission line costing an additional $111.36 million. This is the first large scale renewable public-private partnership (PPP) power project in the country. Government granted a 25-year power purchasing agreement to the Itezhi-Tezhi Power Corporation (ITPC), a joint-venture company established by the Zambia Electric Supply Corporation (ZESCO) and Tata Africa Holdings Limited (TATA). During the visit, the vice president met the project management team and senior executives from ZESCO who presented an overview of the existing Itezhi-Tezhi dam and the hydro power project. Itezhi-Tezhi, MP, Hon Greyford Monde, Central province minister Hon Obvious Mwaliteta, in addition to representatives of Itezhi-Tezhi Power Cooperation and the contractors from Sino Hydro were present on the tour.
Hon Alexander Chikwanda, minister of Finance
Dr Rajan Mahtani, chairman Finance Bank Zambia
Mulenga Sata, Lusaka mayor with Hon Silvia Masebo
After touring the infrastructure of the power station Dr Scott handed over a diesel generator to Itezhi-Tezhi hospital on behalf of ZESCO’s as part the company’s corporate social responsibility. Furthermore, he handed over the water treatment plant to the community and commissioned the 33/11KV Kataba substation. In a further development, ZESCO signed a loan agreement worth US$163 million with Nordea Bank AB of Sweden and Standard Bank of South Africa. The loan will facilitate the connection of the entire North Western province to the national electricity grid. ZESCO’s managing director Cyprian Chitundu emphasized the importance of the financing agreement as a milestone that will improve the reliability and quality of electricity to the province, which is currently very poor and is supplied using isolated diesel generator sets, with the cost of procuring diesel in excess of US$6 million annually. The signing of the loan agreement marked the official start of the project implementation process that will begin the construction of the 132KV sub-transmission line totaling 840KM that will link Mwinilunga, Kabompo, Mufumbwe, Mumbejhi, Chavuma, Zambezi as well as Lukulu district in Western province.
(L)William B Nyirenda, S.C.
H.E. Ana Maria P. Morales Brazilian ambassador to Zambia with Hon Emerine Kabanshi
FBZ directors, Patrick Chamunda and Tom M.D. Mtine with Dr Mumba Kapumpa
Eletel Networks TE AB of Sweden successfully bid for the project contract that has a delivery period of 24 months. ZESCO managing director Cyprian Chitundu and Nordea Bank senior relationship manager and vice president, Christina Rydegran, signed the loan agreement. Hon Charles Zulu, minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development, Charity Mwansa, permanent secretary Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development and Katema Mutale ZESCO Board chairman were present. Mbile Vukovic, Zesco director Legal and company secretary, Nordea director for Export and Project Finance, Marie Vetland and Standard Bank head ECA Finance, Mining Energy and Infrastructure, Greg Fyfe witnessed the signing. Once completed, these projects will significantly increase Zambia’s power supply, which at the moment stands at 1,800 megawatts. This increase in electricity generation, transmission and distribution will reduce the power deficit of 568 MW that has resulted in the erratic supply of electricity, which is managed through load-shedding at peak times.
Mrs Mahtani with invited guests and FBZ staff
Invited guests
The Itezhi-Tezhi hydro power station and the connection of North Western province to the national electricity grid will enhance energy security in Zambia and contribute to reduce poverty by providing much-needed energy to households, commercial and industrial customers complementing Zambia’s fast-growing economy growth and social development. The projects will create skilled and unskilled job opportunities during construction and the operation phases when completed.
Patrick Chamunda
Willie Nsanda, RDA chariman with Esther Phiri, former Zambia female boxing champion
The electricity surplus generated from the both projects is expected to also address power shortages in the Southern Africa region including the Angolan grid. This will transform Zambia into a regional powerhouse for electricity exports and create opportunities for telecommunications business using optical fiber. In addition, they will generate revenue for ZESCO and Zambia. Invited guests
The new hydro power supply will reduce an equivalent amount of electricity greenhouse gases emission that would have been generated using fossil fuels by supplying green renewable and clean energy.
Commerce Gazette 15 Women’s Special Jubilee Edition
ZESCO Dev
Arrival of the vice President at Itezhi-Tezhi with Central Province minister Obvious Mwaliteta.
Senior management
Handing over the diesel generator at Itezhi-Tezhi hospital.
Dr Scott hands over the water treatment plant to the community
Men at work - Itezhi-Tezhi Power Station
Men at work - Itezhi-Tezhi Power Station
VV
Men at work - Itezhi-Tezhi Power Station
Vice President’s tour of the Itezhi-Tezhi Power Station Project. In the middle is ZESCO MD Cyprian Chitundu explaining the work progress to Dr. Scott as Synohydro and Tata representatives listen on.
Vice Vice President President m m
Commerce Gazette 14 Women’s Edition
VP tours Itezhi-Tezhi Zesco Hydro project & signing ceremony between ZESCO Ltd, NORDEA bank of Sweden & Standard bank of South Africa
velopments
Charles Charles Zulu, Zulu, energy energy deputy deputy minister minister
Marie MarieVetland, Vetland, Noredea Noredea bank bank -director director Export Export & & Project Project finance finance
Cyprian Cyprian Chitundu Chitundu ZESCO ZESCO MD MD
Dr Scott with hon. Greyford Monde, area MP for Itezhi-tezhi
Sino hydro contractors
Dr Scott commissioning the 33/11kV Kataba substation.
Marie Marie Vetland, Vetland, Noredea Noredea bank bank -- director director Export Export & & Project Project finance finance shake shake hands hands with with Cyprian Cyprian Chitundu Chitundu ZESCO ZESCO MD MD during during the the signing signing ceremony ceremony between between ZESCO ZESCO Ltd, Ltd, NORDEA NORDEA bank bank of of Sweden Sweden & & Standard Standard bank bank of of South South Africa Africa
Mbile MbileVukovic, Vukovic, Zesco Zesco director director Legal Legal // company company secretary secretary
Sub station
ice ice President President with with Obvious Obvious Mwaliteta, Mwaliteta, Kafue Kafue MP MP (left) (left)
Greg Greg Fyfe Fyfe -Standard -Standard Bank Bank head head ECA ECA finance, finance, ministry ministry of of Energy Energy & & Infrastructure Infrastructure
ZESCO ZESCO senior senior management management ZESCO ZESCO staff staff
Swedish Swedish embassy embassy representative representative Stakeholders Stakeholders
Stakeholders Stakeholders
meets meets Itezhi-Tezhi Itezhi-Tezhi residents residents
Henric HenricThornberg, Thornberg, senior senior advisor advisor to to Standard Standard Bank Bank Group, Group, Sweden Sweden
ZESCO ZESCO stakeholders stakeholders
15 Commerce Gazette Women’s Edition
March 2014 updates
7.7
2014
Composite Source: CSO, Prices Statistics, 2014
The Monthly Inflation Rate
80.8 7.6 7.4 7.8 9.7 7.3 7.7 7.9 6.1 6.1
114.1 8.6 8.0 9.4 9.2 9.7 7.6 9.6 8.4 7.6
82.4 5.0 4.4 4.5 3.8 4.4 6.3 6.7 5.9 6.2
58.1 9.8 10.8 8.4 11.3 13.1 13.7 13.3 11.9 13.8
12.9 2.4 2.4 3.0 2.9 3.4 4.0 4.1 3.0 2.8
13.8 2.9 3.9 3.9 5.2 6.9 5.9 5.2 5.5 6.4
3.4 6.9 8.1 7.7 7.5 7.5 7.9 7.0 6.5 8.3
49.7 6.2 6.6 6.8 6.5 6.8 7.3 6.2 4.9 4.9
26.6 11.2 11.4 10.7 10.7 11.1 12.5 11.8 10.9 10.8
2014
Contributions of different Items to overall inflation
Of the total 7.7 percent annual inflation rate recorded in March 2014, food and Non alcoholic beverage products accounted for 3.9 percentage points, while non-food products accounted for a total of 3.8 percentage points.
Percentage Points Contributions of different items to Overall Inflation ITEMS Food and Non-alcoholic beverages Alcoholic beverages and Tobacco Clothing and footwear Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other fuels Furnishings, Household Equipment, Routine house maintenance Health Transport Communication Recreation and Culture Education Restaurant and Hotel Miscellaneous Goods and Services All items
February 2014 3.9 0.2 0.5 1.1 0.5
March 2014 3.9 0.2 0.5 1.0 0.5
0.1 0.7 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.0 0.2 7.3
0.1 0.8 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.0 0.3 7.7
Source: CSO, Prices Statistics, 2014
Total 1000.0 0.2 1.2 0.6 0.9 0.4 0.7 0.7 0.4 0.0 0.3 0.9
Food 534.9 -0.9 1.2 0.7 0.4 0.4 0.8 0.8 0.3 -0.3 0.3 1.2
Non-Food 465.2 1.4 1.1 0.5 1.3 0.3 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.2 0.3 0.6
0.9 0.5 1.3
0.8 0.6 1.3
1.0 0.4 1.2
January February March
Source: CSO, Prices Statistics, 2014
0.9
0.4
7.7
0.7
1.6
0.7
0.3
2.1
0.6
0.6
0.3
0.8
7.6
0.6
1.6
0.7
0.4
2.1
0.5
0.3
0.8
0.3
7.3
0.7
1.2
0.6
0.3
2.2
0.6
0.4
0.8
0.4
7.1
0.7
1.3
0.6
0.2
2.3
0.5
0.3
0.8
0.3
7.0
0.7
1.4
0.5
0.2
2.3
0.4
0.2
0.9
0.3
6.9
0.6
1.5
0.6
0.3
2.3
0.4
0.2
0.8
0.3
7.0
0.7
1.6
0.6
0.3
2.2
0.3
0.2
0.8
0.3
7.1
0.7
1.6
0.6
0.3
2.2
0.4
0.2
0.9
0.3
7.3
0.8
1.4
0.6
0.3
2.3
0.4
0.3
0.9
0.3
7.3
0.7
1.5
0.5
0.3
2.2
0.4
0.3
0.9
0.2
7.0
0.6
1.6
0.5
0.2
1.9
0.4
0.2
0.9
0.2
6.5
0.6
1.7
0.6
0.2
1.8
0.3
0.2
0.9
0.3
6.6
0.7
1.7
0.5
0.2
1.9
0.4
0.2
1.0
0.3
6.9
Dec ‘13
Source: CSO, Prices Statistics, 2014
Changes in Inflation Rates for Provinces
The annual rate of inflation increased for Central, Copperbelt, Luapula, Northern /Muchinga, Southern and Western provinces. The annual rate of inflation decreased for Eastern and North-Western Provinces. Northern/Muchinga Province had the highest annual rate of inflation at 9.7 percent, followed by Western Province at 9.2 percent. Central Province had the lowest annual rate of inflation of 6.2 percent in March, 2014.
Provincial inflation Rates over one month Provincial Price inflation Rates Province February 2014 Central 6.1 Copperbelt 7.5 Eastern 8.4 Luapula 6.4 Lusaka 7.4 Northern/ Muchinga 9.4 North Western 9.8 Southern 7.2 Western 9.1
0.3
Oct ‘13
Education
Recreation & Culture
Communication
Transport
8.2 5.6 4.8 3.8 4.9 5.3 5.5 6.4 6.8 5.3
February March April May June July August September October November December
0.6
April ‘13
15.2 5.1 6.0 5.5 6.5 6.6 6.8 11.0 12.2 13.9
Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other fuels Furnishings, Household Equip.., Routine Hse Mtc Health
Alcoholic beverages & Tobacco Clothing & footwear
534.9 7.1 6.8 6.5 5.9 6.0 6.2 5.9 7.5 7.6
Miscellaneous Goods & Services
1000 7.3 7.1 7.0 6.9 7.0 7.1 7.3 7.6 7.7
Restaurant & Hotel
Jul ‘13 - Jul ‘12 Aug’13 - Aug’12 Sep ‘13 - Sep ‘12 Oct’13 – Oct’12 Nov ‘13 - Nov ‘12 Dec ‘13 - Dec’12 Jan ‘14 - Jan ‘13 Feb ‘14 - Feb ‘13 Mar’14-Mar’13
Food & Non-alcoholic beverages
All Items Weight
2013
2.1
Nov ‘13 `
Month on month Inflation Rates: Food and Non Food Items, 2009 (2009 = 100) Period
0.3
Jan ‘14
The food monthly inflation rate for March 2014 was recorded at 1.3 percent compared to 0.6 percent recorded in February 2014 while the non-food monthly inflation rate for March 2014 was recorded at 1.2 percent compared to 0.4 percent recorded in February, 2014.
Weight
0.7
Feb ‘14
The monthly inflation rate for March 2014 was recorded at 1.3 percent compared to 0.5 percent recorded in February 2014.
Annual Inflation Rate: CPI Main Groups
1.7
Mar ‘13
The annual rate of inflation decreased for Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels; Health; Communication and Education.
0.7
Feb ‘13
Between March 2013 and March 2014, the annual rate of inflation increased for Food and Non - alcoholic beverages; Alcoholic beverages and Tobacco; Furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance; Transport; Recreation and Culture; and Restaurant and Hotel.
Period
Provincial Contribution to overall Inflation
Source: CSO, Prices Statistics, 2014
Movements in Annual Inflation Rates for CPI Main Groups
All items
Mar
7.6
Western
Feb
7.3
Southern
Jan
7.1
North Western
Dec
7.0
Northern / Muchinga
Nov
6.9
Lusaka
Oct
7.0
Provincial Contribution to Overall Inflation
Lusaka Province had the highest provincial contribution rate of 7.7 percent recorded in March, 2014. Copperbelt Province had the second highest provincial contribution of 1.7 percentage points. Luapula and North -Western of 2.1 percentage points to the overall annual inflation provinces had the lowest contribution of 0.3 percentage points each.
Luapula
Sept
7.1
Source: CSO, Prices Statistics, 2014
Eastern
Aug
7.3
138.35 138.4 142.49 134.83
Copperbelt
July
7.3
137.22 136.32 140.25 133.59
Northern/ Muchinga North Western Southern Western
Central
June
7
Non-Food 465.15 6.3 7.1 7.2 6.9 7.8 7.6 7.4 7.3 7.4 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.8 7.7 7.8
Mar ‘14
May
6.5
Food 534.85 7.6 6.7 6.0 6.1 6.3 7.1 7.1 6.8 6.5 5.9 6.0 6.2 5.9 7.5 7.6
Sep ‘13
April
6.6
Total 1000 7.0 6.9 6.6 6.5 7.0 7.3 7.3 7.1 7.0 6.9 7.0 7.1 7.3 7.6 7.7
March 2014 134.86 138.28 142.31 136.33 138.91
Aug ‘13
January February March April May June July August September October November December January February March
February 2014 133.86 136.83 140.33 135.53 136.68
July ‘13
Period Weight 2013
8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Mar
Province Central Copperbelt Eastern Luapula Lusaka
The annual non-food inflation rate also increased by 0.1 percentage points from 7.7 percent in February 2014 to 7.8 percent in March 2014.
Province
Percentage
Annual Inflation Rate, March 2013 to March 2014
Provincial inflation indices Provincial Contribution to overall Inflation
June ‘13
The overall index went up to 138.67 in March 2014 from 128.81 in March 2013. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures changes over time in the general level of prices of goods and services that households acquire for the purpose of consumption, with reference to the price level in 2009 (i.e. base year 2009 =100).
The Annual Food and Non-food Inflation Rate
The annual food inflation rate for March 2014 was recorded at 7.6 percent compared to 7.5 per cent recorded in February 2014. This shows a 0.1 percentage point increase.
May ‘13
Inflation increases to 7.7 percent
The annual rate of inflation, as measured by the all items Consumer Price Index (CPI) for March 2014 was recorded at 7.7 percent compared to the 7.6 percent recorded in February 2014. This means that on average, prices increased by 7.7 percent between March 2013 and March 2014.
Source: CSO, Prices Statistics, 2014
National Average Prices of Selected Products
March 2014 6.2 7.6 8.1 6.7 7.4 9.7 9 7.8 9.2
A comparison of retail prices between February and March 2014 shows that, the national average price of a 25 kg bag of breakfast Mealie meal increased by 0.3 percent from K72.31 to K72.55. The national average price of a 25 kg bag of roller Mealie meal increased by 1.3 percent from K56.82 to K57.54. The national average price of a 20 litre tin of Maize grain increased by 5.4 percent from K32.93 to K34.72. The national average price of 1 kg of Rape (vegetable) decreased by 1.4 percent from K3.52 to K3.47 between February and March 2014. The national average price of a 50 kg bag of Cement decreased by 0.9 percent from K74.40 to K73.74.
Source: CSO, Prices Statistics, 2014
JCTR BASIC NEEDS BASKET: LUSAKA - March updates 2014 (A) COST OF BASIC FOOD ITEMS FOR A FAMILY OF FIVE IN LUSAKA
(B) COST OF ESSENTIAL NON-FOOD ITEMS
Commodity Mealie meal (breakfast) Beans Kapenta (dry) Bream (dry) Beef, mixed cut Dark green vegetable Tomatoes Onion, large Cooking oil (2.5 Ltrs) Bread wheat, refined floor, baked Sugar Milk (fresh) Tea, powder (250g) Eggs Salt Sub Total
Charcoal (90 Kg bag) Soap (Lifebouy) Wash soap (Boom) Jelly (e.g. Vaseline) Electricity (med. density - fixed) Water & Sanitation (med. cost - fixed) Housing (med. density - 3 bedroom) Sub Total
KR Quantity Total 70.14 2 x 25Kgs 140.28 21.37 107.52 101.59 29.36 7.47
3 Kgs 2 Kgs 1Kgs 4 Kgs 4 Kgs
5.41 4 Kgs 8.78 2 Kgs 35.96 3 litres
Kwacha
64.11 215.04 101.59 117.54 29.88 21.64 17.56 43.15
4.98 1 loaf/day 149.40
15.64 6 Kgs 5.54 4x500ml 12.83 1Kg
46.92 22.16 51.32
9.50 2 Unts 4.57 1Kg
19.00 4.57
125.00 180Kgs
Amount K
(C) SOME OTHER ADDITIONAL COSTS Item Kwacha Education
February 2013
K3,645.44
Grades 8-9 (User + PTA/year) Grades 10-12 (User + PTA/year) School Uniform (grades 8-12)
4.93 4x400g
19.72
March 2013
K3,616.18
11.54 1x500ml
11.54
April 2013
K3,593.60
372.00
372.00
May 2013
K3,625.20
June 2013
K3,684.46
210.00
210.00
July 2013
K3,638.42
August 2013
K3, 581.13
September 2013
K3,536.69
October 2013
K3,575.37
November 2013
K3,557,81
December 2013
K3,538.54
1,750,000
Total for Basic Needs Basket 1,044.06
250.00
3.04 10 Tablets 34.40
Totals from previous months
1,750.00
2,643.66
3,687.72
K400.00 – K600.00 K650.00 – K1, 300.00 K90.00 – K200.00
Health (clinic) Registration (book) Self referral (Emergency Fee) Mosquito Net (private)
K3.00 - K5.00 K 5.500 K30.00 – K120.00
Transport (bus fare round trip) Chilenje-Town Chelston -Town
K9.00 K9.60
Fuel (cost at the pump) Petrol (per litre) Diesel (per litre) Paraffin (per litre)
K9.91 K9.20 K6.83
(D) A COMPARISON OF COSTS (in Kwacha) OF BASIC NEEDS ACROSS ZAMBIA IN NOVEMBER
January 2014
K3,601.01
Lusaka
Kasama
Mansa
Ndola
Monze
Chipata
Kabwe
February 2014
K3,616.28
3,605.01
2,276.68
2,247.85
2,889.81
2,211.73
2,219.32
2,518.74
This survey was conducted on 27th February, 2014 by the Social & Economic Development Programme of the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection. Average prices were calculated on the basis of prices gathered from retail outlets at Northmead, Shoprite (Cairo Road), City Market, Chawama, Chainda, Kabwata, Matero and schools, clinics/hospitals and filling stations around Lusaka. The March Basic Needs Basket is approximately US$580 based upon the exchange rate of K6.3627 per US$ prevailing on the day of data collection. Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection, P.O. Box 37774, 10101 Lusaka, Zambia Tel: 260-211-290-410 Fax: 260-211-290-759 E-mail: basicjctr@jesuits.org.zm Website: www.jctr.org.zm Location: 3813 Martin Mwamba Road, Olympia Park, Lusaka
18 Commerce Gazette Women’s Special Jubilee Edition
Natstinag vfineancial literacy promo
The financial literacy exhibition was followed by knowledge sharing workshops that covered all the 10 provinces of Zambia with an estimated 20,000 participants. Financial experts wanted to motivate and encourage not only youths but also adults to explore new opportunities in finance and to improve their interaction with financial institutions and educationalists. Natsave held a series of one-day workshops across their provincial centre branches that included Lusaka head office, Chipata, Kasama, Kitwe, Mansa, Mongu and Solwezi branches targeting students from these towns who gathered to listen to presentations. Natsave believes that through financial literacy education, it is expected that students will be equipped for life’s financial decisions; will know the
variable rate
compound interest
Cephas Chabu, NATSAVE MD with staff
For example, Natsave has developed an incredibly useful tool for girls; The ‘Girls Dream Savings Account’ provided in partnership with an NGO, Population Council, as they conduct their Adolescent Girls Empowerment Program (AGEP). It is a financial education program for only ten thousand girls who have been selected to participate in this pilot project until it is rolled out in mass. However, to inspire all of Zambia’s young boys and girls to have access to a savings account Natsave has developed another financial tool the ‘Minor Savings Account’. This has customised features to fit the abilities and needs of younger customers.
NATSAVE PR unit attending to a customer
NATSAVE PR unit attending to the public
Similarly, Natsave is working with other agencies such as the Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) to disseminate financial education materials to adult Zambians on the ‘NATSAVE’ and ‘Bunjimi’ Asset Plus loan facilities that customers can access from the bank after establishing a savings relationship and reputation with it. Natsave through the asset loans is able to assist clients who wish to acquire farming inputs such as tractors, irrigation systems, tillers and more. The range of financial literacy efforts that Natsave has pulled together in such a short period of time shows its effectiveness and efficiency. As financial literacy becomes more firmly established among Zambians, Natsave is hopefully it will enhance the overall level of savings.
credit limit
NATSAVE PR unit at the Levy Junction
credit mortgarge rate compound interest
fixed rate
Godfrey Musukwa (center) with NATSAVE PR unit attending to a customer
credit limit
variable rate
credit limit
credit mortgarge rate
fixed rate
Annuity
Since the inception of financial literacy in July 2012 by government, the strategy has been to promote financial inclusion in Zambia, with the objectives of having a financially educated population and to improve knowledge, understanding, skills, motivation and confidence among Zambians to help them secure positive financial outcome for themselves and their families.
Its primary strategy is to provide financial information when people make big life decisions, such as savings for college, for personal and school needs and to buy assets.
debit
The event commemorated annually in March during the Global Money Week, was this year celebrated under the local theme ‘Saving – A better life through savings’. It was kicked off with a one-day exhibition were various banks and non-bank financial institutions participated by engaging passersby at the Levy Junction mall to learn about financial literacy. Natsave used the occasion to teach youths and adults about their services and products.
questions to ask to make smart financial decisions; and will be provided with the knowledge and skills enabling them to become good savers so they can secure and improve their financial well-being.
Annuity
he National Savings and Credit Bank is devoted to teaching young Zambians about personal finance and the world of business by participating in the financial literacy week - an initiative of the Bank of Zambia.
debit
T
Commerce Gazette 19 Women’s Special Jubilee Edition
GAME Changer
Doing Well by Doing Good
W
omen are generally thought of as gatekeepers of a higher moral authority. Individually they remain marginalized, yet when women band together and speak up those who have dominated the scene always feel threatened. Judith Mulenga gives that delicate impression when you first meet her. But that is until she starts talking about her work. In no time you realize that she is a straightforward speaker, who doesn’t beat about the bush and you are left in no doubt as to exactly where she stands on an issue. Judith has so much passion when she talks about children’s rights that you can’t help but realize that they really are close to her heart. You realize that Judith is full of energy, motivation and enthusiasm. She is a powerhouse who wants to get the job done. She is the executive director of the Zambia Civic Education Association (ZCEA), an organization set up in 1993 to promote democracy and justice in Zambia following the dawn of multiparty politics. It protects fundamental rights and freedoms. In 2002, ZCEA changed it focus to concentrate on children’s rights, in line with the United Nations and African Charter on human and child rights, civil and political rights and on economic, social and cultural rights. Judith oversees of the organization’s day-to-day business matters, championing the fight for children’s rights by directing programs to tackle issues which help further their development.
Trained as a teacher, Judith analyses state and national legislative action through the lens of an advocate, educating policy makers and others who work on issues pertinent to children. Judith advises on developments of children’s rights in the political arena, demystifying the political process and encourages the personal participation of parents, guardians, policy makers and other like-minded organizations countrywide and abroad, and of course children, themselves. It is worth noting that the Central Statistical Office 2012 Preliminary Labour Force Survey report shows that 57.5 percent of Zambia’s population are young children aged 19 and below. ‘They,’ Judith says, ‘are the majority citizens of this nation.’ Judith says, what’s more profound than their numbers is the realization that for the first time in the history of Zambia’s constitution making process, on the dawn of its 50th independence celebration, children’s rights were finally given special attention in the bill of rights by the technical committee drafting the Zambian constitution appointed by President Michael Sata. ‘This means that for the first time children in Zambia are acknowledged in their own right as citizens with a unique identity worthy of equal social inclusion to adults and are entitled to the same degree of respect as them.
T
he contradiction of children having rights, despite being minors beholden to their parents or guardian, underscores the importance to respect every person and may explain why the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is the most widely adopted human rights document in history. Zambia ratified the Convention on November 6, 1999 soon after reverting to multiparty democracy, a year after the UN general assembly adopted them on November 20, 1989. On November 29, 1991, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child was adopted by the African Union and ratified by Zambia on December 10, 2008. It replicates many of the right in the convention but is more specific to the values and aspirations of African people Judith says. Since ratifying the convention 25 years ago, Judith says, the well being of children is not guaranteed because Zambia has not directly incorporated the convention into the domestic laws, policies and practices to protect them and to ensure their development. ‘There is a disparity between what is in the legal framework and the lived life of the children.’ This means that a child cannot rely directly on the provisions of UNCRC in court, although it does have some persuasive weight. ‘However, if children rights were in the constitution they are guaranteed’, Judith says. The full implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is better served under a constitution. This is among the reasons why ZCEA joined the coalition of organisations working to secure a new constitution for Zambians.
‘There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.’ Nelson Mandela
This change, Judith says, is an important shift from when children were considered their parent’s responsibility until they became adults before law.
Table 1: Total Population by Age Group and Sex, Zambia, 2012 Age Group
Total
Male
Female
Zambia Total
14,365,719
49.3
50.7
100
00-04
2,428,499
49.8
50.2
16.9
05-09
2,122,544
49.1
50.9
14.7
10-14
1,977,638
51.6
48.4
13.7
15-19
1,746,791
50.2
49.8
12.2
20-24
1,318,150
46.3
53.7
9.2
25-29
1,057,771
45.7
54.3
7.4
30-34
908,801
48.5
51.5
6.3
35-39
737,534
52.2
47.8
5.1
40-44
555,432
50.1
49.9
3.9
45-49
397,869
50.6
49.4
2.8
50-54
313,694
48.2
51.8
2.2
55-59
233,407
50.0
50.0
1.6
60-64
185,094
48.6
51.4
1.3
65+
382,495
46.8
53.2
2.7
Source: CSO, Labour Force Survey, 2012 Table 1: from the 2012 Labour force survey
20 Commerce Gazette Women’s Special Jubilee Edition
Percentage Share
Judith says children are the most vulnerable and voiceless people in any society, even those born in high income nations, by virtual of being a child they are dependent on adults for everything therefore their protection must be paramount. The insight by Nelson Mandela asking society to reflect on how it treats its children must be the preoccupation of everyone Judith says, but more so parents who are their immediate nurturers and government because of its responsible to uphold everyone’s human rights. Zambia must reflect honestly on whether it’s doing its utmost to protect children’s total well being. Judith does not believe so, and points to recent high-profile cases of child abuse reported in the media where a musician unrepentantly defiled a school girl and another
case where the father not only defiled his seven year daughter but had the audacity to ‘share’ her with his friend. ‘There is something sick about that. Society is full of child abuse where are our values? Children are seen as objects,’ she says. ‘There is a serious problem with the exposure of children to violence. Despite media reports, I am concerned about insufficient awareness and information on the ill-treatment and abuse of children, including sexual abuse, both within and outside the family, and the lack of measures and mechanisms to prevent and combat it consistently. Children in Zambia are abused with impunity on a daily bases because their parents and guardians are unaware that they are infringing on their rights Judith says. Name calling reduces children’s selfesteem and beatings affect their dignity and safety. ‘We had a focused discussion with the children and we ask them ‘in which place are you very safe?’ Where do you expect children to feel very safe? Judith asks. ‘Home right? But they said at the church, because there we are not beaten or shouted at. The next safe place, they said was the streets. The last two were a home and schools.’
‘We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today.’ Stacia Tauscher
‘The constitution is the law, but what is happening on the ground? We haven’t bothered to build a protective environment for children. The law is supposed to be accompanied by attitude change.’ Judith says, government is suppose to promote the rights that the law protects as the primary duty bearer that is responsible for disseminating information to everyone as specified by Article 42 of the Convention. However, this responsibility is largely left to NGOs, who despite their limited resources to reach the whole nation, complement government efforts by holding forums on child protection in communities. ZCEA promotes children’s rights through Child’s Rights Clubs in schools and distributes, pamphlets, magazines and manuals for children, their teachers and facilitators. It also raises awareness through media.
‘Children, after all, are not just adults in-the-making. They are people whose current needs and rights and experiences must be taken seriously,’ Alfie Kohn
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he key issues at the heart of the constitution debate and the potential impact of the change it has to improve the lives of all children under 18, through securing the necessary reforms in Zambia’s laws, policies and services. It will help children escape poverty, improve everyone’s future quality of life and more so begin the journey to move low income children into the middle class thus achieving middle income status for Zambia. Really, there is no way that Zambia can become a middle income nation by 2030 if approx. 56% of the population (18 and below) hardly have their rights acknowledged by the constitution - the fundamental law of the land. Judith advises politician especially the Finance minister Alexandra Chikwanda and the Justice minister, Wyter Kabimba to stop politicizing the discussion on the constitution. While rights have been afforded to children through judicial interpretation, to emphasize why the constitution is cardinal to child rights she explains that in 1999 an appeal was lodged before the High Court concerning the case Banda v. The People. The appeal was aimed at challenging a sentence handed down by a Magistrates’ court where the magistrate had ordered that Banda, 19, a juvenile be given ten strokes with a cane after
being convicted for damage to property. The High Court ruled that corporal punishment, as a sentence handed down by a court flies in the face of the constitution as it was in direct conflict with Article 15 of the Zambian Constitution which is the supreme law of the land. The High Court declared null and void all corporal punishment as a sentence imposed by a court, as it was unconstitutional. Therefore corporal punishment cannot be handed down as a sentence by any court in Zambia. As a consequence of the Banda decision, corporal punishment in prisons and schools was also repealed. We therefore have little to be smug about in Zambia in the arena of children’s rights, despite much more attention being accorded to them in recent years and several major improvements in education, health and law children remain marginalized.
‘Overcoming poverty is not a task of charity; it is an act of justice. Like Slavery and Apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings. Sometimes it falls on a generation to be great. YOU can be that great generation. Let YOUR greatness blossom.’ MANDELA
Government and the constitution making process WALK THE TALK
The price of poverty aint success
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he experience of growing up in Zambia today is very difficult, with children’s daily lives devastated by hardship, poverty and severe disadvantages that include the lack of sufficient food, education, health care and the ever rising costs of living, which is not helping the most vulnerable children and their families or even those earning the lowest incomes, Judith says. ‘If the poverty levels and food security are not guaranteed, this is a disturbing state of affairs. How is the average family of eight going to afford a 25kg bag of mealie meal that costs between, K70 (according to JCTR) or K80 and even higher depending on your location in the country?’ She asks. The inability for poor families to afford the basic food needs directly impacts on their children’s fundamental right to life Judith says and adds that with the maternal mortality ratio in Zambia at 591/100,000 live births, there is nothing to celebrate over the reduced mortalities recorded recently as deaths remain excessively high. The UN MDG Progress report of 2013 says ‘the maternal mortality ratio improved from 649 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1996 to 483 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2010. This is a lot higher than the MDG target of 162.3 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2015. Zambia is off track to achieve the Millennium Development Goal number 5 Poor children are at high risk and do not have timely access to the full range of quality services essential to their development. Judith says children must have access to high-quality early childhood development programs, the returns on which have been well documented and widely recognized. Children and their families must be assured their core needs will be met through access to a comprehensive safety net. Failure to follow through on these costs Zambia dealing as child grow.
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s evidenced by the emotional debates, and outright defiance to government that patience is required in the constitution making process and that it is still committed to a referendum, the public appetite of the people for change and the enactment of a new constitution is also clear. The current constitution making process was an undertaking by government to fulfill the Patriotic Front party’s election campaign pledge that they would review the current 1996 amended constitution in 90 days.
As President Michael Sata strives to make a mark in his first term, and overcome a widespread feeling of disappointment on past failed constitutional reform processes, on November 16, 2011 he appointed the technical committee on drafting the Zambian constitution to review the recommendations and draft constitutions of previous constitution review commissions in order to draft a constitution that would, not only reflect the wishes and aspirations of the people of Zambia, but also stand the test of time. During the constitution-making process, the committee was mandated to consult widely, with local and international experts. The participation of members of the public and stakeholders in the constitution-making process was done through various consultative fora and conventions, such as district consultative forum and provincial, sector groups and national conventions.
focus there is to see that children’s rights were included in the bill of rights.’
‘The demand to know why the constitution making process has stalled touches the raw nerves of some government officials who lash out and accuse NGOs of having hidden agendas. Such sentiments are not new and are expressed each time there are debates on national issues. The resistance and hostility within some government circles is obvious to dissenting voices,’ Judith says. ‘However we will not relent, nor will we be intimidated, we are not doing this work for our stomachs.’ Judith is incensed that politicians can stoop so low as to accuse NGOs that have stood up for the constitution against the wrath of more that three government administrations of being motivated by self interest or money.
‘Our work is open it is not hidden. It’s there out on the table. ZCEA produces annual reports with audited financial statements to account for all funds received from donors who facilitate our works.’ She advises Chikwanda and Kabimba that if they are working for their stomachs, NGOs are not. Their stance on the constitution has been consistent over the years and is not driven by any shallow agenda beyond the interests of Zambians to have a just constitution that will hold government accountable to the people.
Representing the child rights organisations Judith participated in the sector group conventions. ‘Our
Commerce Gazette 21 Women’s Special Jubilee Edition
A change
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early everyone agrees that it’s critical for cities to grow. Their growth deepens social progress and industrialization. Yet, the trouble with rapid city urbanization is the little space it gives municipalities to address its ‘fast’ growth. Over the past two decades most urban growth in Zambia has happened in an abrupt unplanned manner. Those unsightly buildings you thought the city authorities would one day tear down, suddenly became legitimate housing and gained government recognition. And before you know it, your community begins experiencing water scarcity and sanitation constraints due to the unforeseen increase of people in these unplanned settlements. Currently, Lusaka has a population of 2.3 million people, of which 70 percent reside in peri-urban areas. The existing water and sanitation infrastructure catered to approximately 134,000 people and dates back to as far as 1954. United Nations 2013 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) report says the proportion of the population without access to an improved water source worsened in urban areas in Zambia from 11.8 percent in 2006 to 15.3 percent in 2010.
‘This increase is partly attributed to rapid urbanization and growth of slums and unplanned settlements in Lusaka, as this is the only province which showed a decline in access to safe drinking water between 2006 and 2010,’ the report says. This has resulted in the unplanned neighbourhoods often becoming susceptible to water-borne diseases. Women and children suffer the brunt of the disease burden and many more are lumbered with the responsibility of drawing water for their homes. This leaves women little time to earn a living or carry out other responsibilities while many children’s education has been totally or partially disrupted as a result of poverty and performing these essential chores for their family. Pamela Kasese Bwalya, the CEO of Millennium Challenge Account - Zambia (MCA Zambia) explains that the core problem of Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company Limited (LWSC), the entity responsible for providing water and sanitation services within the city, has been its inability to provide an efficient water and sanitation service to Lusaka residents because of its outdated infrastructure that has not been rehabilitated for the last 30 years.
Since utility companies were state owned entities and government was suffering from serious trade deficits which had enormous implications on its budget, income, and its abilities to honour loan obligations to bilateral and multilateral partners, LWSC among other parastatals companies suffered from the malaise curtailing funding. The policy difficulties government was facing from the two financing institutions coincided around that period, with a major shift in global economic thought; which viewed state intervention in critical sectors of the economy, to neoliberal economic thought that preferred the deregulation of markets and their unfettered operation, Shang-Quartey says. This thought became dominant in the IMF and World Bank and influenced structural adjustment austerity packages that they prescribed not only to Zambia but to other struggling African economies at that time.
In order to improve progress on meeting the MDG target 7, which aims to half the proportion of the population without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation by 2015, government undertook national water reforms and created commercial water and sewerage utility companies. LWSC was setup as a commercial entity in 1998 and has slowly recorded successes and challenges in providing water and sanitation services. Among its success is its transformation from a loss making company in 2003, to a highly profitable one. It is no longer a liability to government and has improved the quality of its service, but like most utility companies in the country LWSC cannot embark on an expansion of its infrastructure as it lacks financing and capacity. In fact, in 2008 LWSC’s mandate was extended to cover all of Lusaka province, including the councils of Chongwe, Kafue and Luangwa as the newest shareholders of the company further stretched its limited resources. The Lusaka City Council (LCC), the local government entity responsible for managing Lusaka’s drainage infrastructure, faces a similar lack of investment to its drainage infrastructure, but what has become even more apparent over the years as the city has struggled with floods is that the existing drainage system was never adequately developed to begin with. Faced with the burden of the capital city lacking adequate water supply and coupled with the increased water-borne diseases threat, government submitted the Lusaka Water Supply, Sanitation and Drainage (LWSSD) project to the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) for consideration in 2010. This initiative taken by government to partner with the U.S. government’s MCC and transacting through the Millennium Challenge Account Zambia (MCA-Zambia) has the full support of LWSC and the LCC.
World bank and IMF austerity - got us here
Leonard Shang-Quartey, policy analyst, Water and Health, Integrated Social Development Center (ISODEC) Ghana, examining the historical basis of why governments and the utility companies failed to invest in their essential infrastructure of water and sanitation for such a long term says the problem is slightly more complex than simply a lack of policy and long term strategy that is regularly cited as one major cause of insufficient progress in the sector. While this maybe true today, this was certainly not the case 30 years ago when most water utilities began experiencing serious operational constraints due to World Bank and IMF policies, he says.
22 Commerce Gazette Women’s Special Jubilee Edition
This point is fundamental and cannot be divorced from any comprehensive analysis of the access deficit in the water and sanitation sector as well as to other essential services sectors provided by government. The austerity measures enforced by the World Bank and IMF, Shang-Quartey says, resulted in deterioration of facilities, poor conditions for staff and a mass exodus of expert staff. In the face of the resulting difficulties, only one option for the government remained - the option of full cost recovery and of privatisation. This sealed the expectations of any funding for the sector as investors found the water sector highly risky to invest in because the consumers were mostly poor and profits compared to the infrastructure investment required in the sector were marginal if at all.
The utility companies, including LWSC, performed poorly in the ensuing years that followed.
A new chapter – MCC Compact signing
Overall, Zambia has made progress in increasing access to improved drinking water since 1990, but the rate of progress is too slow to achieve the Millennium Development Goal target of 25.5 percent by 2015. The proportion of the population without access to an improved water source decreased from 51 percent in 1991 to 36.9 percent in 2010. At global level the water target was met five years ahead of schedule. On 10 May 2012, government signed a five-year $354.8 million compact with the MCC towards the LWSSD project, says Bwalya. The compact will help in addressing LCC and LWSC’s most binding constraints to economic growth, as the grant will invest in the infrastructure of water, sanitation and drainage. In excess of 1 million Lusaka residents will benefit from the infrastructure expansion with the key recipients being the residents of the poorest city areas. Launched in 2004, MCC pushes the boundaries of how aid is delivered and it is different from most other U.S. government federal grant in that it focuses on investment rather than aid to enhance economic growth and reduce poverty. Programmes are designed to ensure sustainable progress even after MCC funding has ended.
MCA - The job at hand
The current demand for water in Lusaka is 370 million litres daily while LWSC has a production capacity of 258 million litres. This leaves a shortfall of 112 million litres daily. Bwalya says, MCA will assist rehabilitate LWSC’s core water supply network and see the upgrading of its main plant - the Iolanda water treatment plant in Kafue including its distribution and the transmission lines. Iolanda water treatment plant is 42 years old and is operating at around 80 % of its design capacity. The water plant facilitates that will be rehabilitated and expanded include; Chelston water supply network which distributes water service to Mtendere, Kamanga, and the new residential areas of Kwamwena and Ndeke-Vorna Valley; and the Central water supply network which distributes water service to Ng’ombe, SOS East and Chipata settlement. Improving the core water network will also address ‘non-revenue water’, this simply means water that is unaccounted for and goes to waste as a result of the network’s dilapidated state and leakages will be reduce, says Bwalya.
‘45% of water is lost in this way and we want to reduce it to 25% by the end of the project.’ Bwalya explains that while the compact does not facilitate the supply and installation of pre-paid water meters - a responsibility that is carried out by LWSC – their installation is one of the conditionality’s signed in the compact which is based on sustainability and aims to curtail revenue loss that arises from fixed flat rate billing, illegal connections and the inefficient use of water by consumers. Government also agreed to install pre-paid meters at all public institutions as a way of continued support to financially strengthening LWSC and LCC in revenue collection. However, a few institutions like the Chelstone police and the army barracks remain on post-paid and discussions are on going to move them to the pre-paid system. By 2013 the total number of pre-paid water meter connections exceeded 117,000. Construction of water kiosks is on going, including the drilling and equipping of commercial boreholes in unplanned settlement. They totaled over 126 last year. Two new water reservoirs will be constructed in Lusaka under the compact to further secure water supply. Bwalya further explains that to mitigate the risk of a slow down or reversal of the ongoing sector reform efforts, the compact includes a ‘Sustainability Agreement’ with operational, financial and sector milestones tied to funding disbursements to ensure ongoing reforms continue. The sustainable agreements include the ‘conditions precedent’ or what any business person would call ‘deal breakers’ in that had government rejected these conditions, Zambia would have not have been a party to any MCC partnership. By agreeing to the conditions precedent the compact’s entry-into-force (EIF) was signed15 November 2013 and will expire November 18, 2018, five (5) years to date. Zambia is unlikely to achieve the MDG target of 13 percent by 2015 says the UN. It could be that when the choice is between prioritizing water or sanitation, water comes up top. This could explain why sanitation it is a small component of the compact. Bwalya says the commitment involves the rehabilitation and expansion of Chelston and Kaunda Square sewer sheds to increase the capacity of the sanitation treatment ponds which aim to stop sewer overflow, especially during the rainy season. Booster pump stations will also be rehabilitated in Chilanga, Chelston, Salama while a new pump stations will be constructed in Kaunda Square.
The truth of the matter is unnerving
‘Of particular concern is the peri-urban area of Mutendere where we want to connect the households to waterborne sewer system. This involves extending the main sewer system in order to expand household sanitation connections. Mtendere residents will be the biggest beneficiaries of this project because they will have a comprehensive package of both individual household water and sanitation connections.’ Bwalya says the focus on Mutendere is deliberate and the decision was made on expert advice due to the very important role it plays in the supply of clean water. She explains that because Mutendere sits in a water recharge area, where water is naturally captured underground, most of Lusaka city’s borehole water originates from there including 11% of the water that is supplied by LWSC. The engineers cautioned that because most residents in Mutendere use pit latrines, if nothing is done to change the current status quo the underground water source would be contaminated. This revelation highlights why it is important to harness an integrated and balanced approach to managing water supply that recognizes the interconnection of land use from surface to ground water quality. The UN MDG stats are equally revealing saying a total of 73.1% of all households used pit latrines with or without slab in 2010 and only 13.1% of Zambians have access to flush toilets, with the highest proportion found on the Copperbelt. ‘There is a huge infrastructure component on drainage,’ Bwalya says. Mapping out the areas earmarked for rehabilitation that includes the notoriously popularly Bombay drain running from Libala South, through parts of the Kamwala trading area, along Lumumba road, City Market, Intercity Bus Terminus, Lamya House, Evelyn Hone, Zesco through to Northmead, Garden compound and ending into the Ngwerere Stream. Insufficient maintence and inadequate drainage infrastructure has reeked havoc on the city exacerbating endemic flooding that has had negative health impacts, caused endless traffic jams, accidents and shortened business and working hours for residents. Part Two continues in the next issue of Commerce Gazette
Commerce Gazette 23 Women’s Special Jubilee Edition
D
uring this year’s International Women’s Day Dr Kaseba touched on the multiple issues concerning women and girls.
Among her most noteworthy commitment was meeting youths at the Youth Mentorship Programme where she discouraged young girls from dropping out of school because of early pregnancies.
First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba with students from Lusaka High School
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very day, somewhere on this universe a young girl wakes up feeling scared and fearful. Her well-being is not hers to determine. She may or may not be aware that she will be married off that day. Either way, her opinion in this matter is of no consequence. Those who matter have already made this very personal decision for her. And her only role in this affair is to accept her fate. For many children, mostly girls this is their reality, can you imagine that? The projection is that 140 million young girls will have been married in this way by 2020, if the current rate recorded from 2011 is sustained, says the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Of the projected sum, 50 million will be less than fifteen years old. The current reality is that 39,000 girls are wed daily, totaling to 14.2 million annually who marry too young. To give you a prospective of just how prevalent this practice is, imagine if every Zambian were to put themselves in the shoes of a young girl that is married off before 18, only 165,719 lucky people would escape this trauma given that the nation’s population stands at 14,365,719, million. To make the reality of this dilemma hit home, don’t count yourself among the ‘lucky Zambians’ that would escape being married off early unless you live in a rural district governed by a traditional leader where most early marriages occur. Amongst the data available on early marriages in Zambia is the 2007 UNFPA sub-analysis survey that indicated two out of five girls (about 42%) are married before their 18th birthday. This unfortunately places Zambia among countries with the highest prevalence of child marriages in the world. The paradox is that Zambian law forbids marriage below the age of 21, yet many girls are married even at 13 years due to customary laws. Government has put in place institutions like the Victim Support Unit under the
It is heartbreaking to know that 42% of Zambia’s minor girls enter early marriages however, the pain is worse when you witness some girls in the cities throw away the opportunities that education can provide, especially that many of their rural peers do not even get this chance in life.
Zambia Police Service which focuses on cases of gender based violence as well as the Ministry of Gender responsible for enforcing and implementing the gender policy that child early and forced marriages impede.
Not surprising, Dr Kaseba, expressed sadness that between 15 to 19 % of schoolgirls fall pregnant and expose themselves to HIV/AIDS needlessly, further decreasing their prospects of a bright future.
According to UNFPA, ‘families and girls themselves may simply not know that laws against child marriage exist, and enforcement of the laws is often lax. Laws also vary widely, and exceptions are made on different grounds, most commonly when parents or other authorities, such as a judge or community elder, grant their consent’.
Rather, she encouraged the teenagers to set goals that would secure their futures and advised them to work together as a team motivating and protecting each other, to achieve their ambitions. Dr Kaseba asked the teachers to help the teenage students set goals and individual targets to identify their career paths and committed her office to following up 10 pupils from each school attending the Youth Mentorship programme to make sure they accomplish their objectives. This is important as there are more young people than ever in the world today. In Africa, over 30 percent of the population is between 10 and 24. Young people make up nearly 40 % of the total number of unemployed people globally. The Youth Mentorship Programme falls under Junior Achievement, which is the world’s largest organization dedicated to educating students about workforce readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy through experiential, hands-on programs. Economic Summit (AWES) fundraising lunch hosted at Government House recently. Dr Kaseba said the stereotyping of women as simple roadside vendors and the tendency to under estimate the role that women play in economic development nationally was unfortunate.
It is no wonder that Zambia has taken a lead to stop this gruesome practice by launching a 3 year campaign in 2013 under Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs that was officiated by First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba, in Luangeni village in His Royal Highness Nkhosi Yama Nkhosi Ngwenyama Chief Mpezeni’s chiefdom, which has the highest incidences of child, early and forced marriages.
She acknowledged women’s hard work and achievements despite their limitations to accessing financing due to illiteracy and their inability to secure collateral needed by banks to expand their businesses. Dr Kaseba said the directive to the Ministry of Lands to empower women with land by President Sata was welcome.
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In keeping with efforts to empower women and girls Dr Kaseba visited Kalomo in Southern province, where she also launched a pilot training project to train headmen and community leaders in curbing gender based violence (GBV).
he First Lady said women’s contributions to the economy in any country and in particular in Zambia should be recognized.
She expressed these sentiments in Mazabuka while officiating at the Women’s Day commemorations and reiterated them during the African Women’s
This year, the official United Nations theme for International Women’s Day is; ‘A promise is a promise: Time for action to end violence against women’. Across Zambia, women united to bring greater awareness and advocacy to their plight while celebrating their many accomplishments.
And she also applauded the Bank of Zambia’s efforts to increase financial literacy and banking services for women in rural communities. The summit organised by the Ministry of Gender in partnership with the African Development Bank (ADB) and other stakeholders, will bring together African women and other global decision makers to agree on how to accelerate women’s economic empowerment on the continent.
AIDS in Africa is indispensable as they raise massive awareness and are able to lobby for more funding from partners. The assembly which was hosted under the theme ‘Zero new infection of HIV through access to health services for mothers and children’ saw OAFLA president, First Lady of Chad, Hinda Deby Itno, sign a memorandum of understanding with the African Union commission, represented by the Social Affairs commissioner, Dr Mustapha Sidiki Kaloko to further reinforce the partnership.
HRH Chief Chikanta welcomed Dr Kaseba and committed himself to effectively spreading awareness about gender-based violence, early girl child marriages and advocating on concerns affecting women and the girl child in his kingdom. According to UNICEF, globally, ‘one out of every three women has been physically or sexually assaulted, or otherwise abused in her lifetime’.
She warned the teens to stay away from negative vices such as child marriages, early pregnancies, drug abuse and prostitution.
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ddressing the opening session of the 13th General Assembly of the Organisation of African First Ladies against HIV and AIDS (OAFLA), Dr Kaseba stressed the importance of not relenting in fighting the spread of the disease. ‘We have to get to zero HIV infections, we have to save our women.’ Anti-retroviral drugs have averted 6.3 million HIV and AIDSrelated deaths, but new infections continue to rise, and declines have stalled in many countries. Dr Kaseba said the role the first ladies play in reducing HIV/
Kaloko applauded the success in the reduction of HIV infection through the Campaign for Accelerated Reduction of Maternal Mortality in Africa (CARMMA) which showed that HIV/AIDS infections have decreased up to 50% in some countries. In many countries, population growth has outstripped supply of health workers despite governments’ efforts to increase their numbers. 91 percent of maternal deaths occur in 58 countries that face critical health worker shortages. Yet, significant progress in maternal and child health and family planning has been experienced over the past couple decades. The under-five mortality rate fell by almost half between 1990 and 2012. OAFLA was established as a collective voice for Africa’s most vulnerable people, women and children infected and affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
Dr Christine Kaseba (right) with fellow OAFLA First Lady delegates at the AU
24 Commerce Gazette Women’s Special Jubilee Edition
Female Education whose work is centred on women and girls’ education and a cause she enjoyed working on. Her administrative career took off when she was appointed at Diakonia as a finance and administration officer. She worked mostly with capacity building of partners. In the absence of her boss, Somba was responsible for the all office functions. Unfortunately her manager, Docas, passed away and Somba was offered an interim position in anticipation of the office closing due to its projects coming to term. However, it was soon realized that Diakonia work’s still has relevance in Zambia especially that it is experiencing strong economic growth due to improved copper sales.
Sombo says councils are responsible of local service delivery and expenditure. She says they too should be scrutinized to see which sectors are being developed and if the monies released by the treasury are spent as allocated. Councils upholding municipal laws that include maintenance of streetlights, city cleanliness, soil and water quality safety checks to ensure no contamination and garbage collection including providing public facilities such as markets and bus stations among other responsibilities.
mong Diakonia’s determinate factors to continue its work in Zambia are concerns that despite this growth the situation hasn’t changed for ordinary people. Poverty is widespread in rural areas and affects mostly the women and youth.’ To improve the living standards of its citizens, government has been under ever-increasing pressure to raise as much tax revenue as possible. The money is needed to bolster its capabilities to fight poverty.
‘I think that if only a few people ask questions whoever is accountable becomes complacent and they think that ‘well, we can just go on, it’s just a few voices, forget them.’ If we can get a large number of people asking questions then it makes people that are supposed to be accountable think twice before they act in a particular way.’
Sombo confirms that reports indicate Congo has overtaken Zambia as the number one copper producing nation in Africa. However she argues that whether Zambia is placed first or second in copper production is irrelevant, what is relevant is how it has used the resources from copper to enhance life for the majority of citizens.
Among the institutions that Diakonia works with is Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) that trains local residents to track budgets apportioned to their district through the national budget. CSPR’s Northwestern province members residing in Wisdom compound in Solwezi were able to notice after getting the tracking training that money was released annually to their local authority to sink boreholes in their community but this was never done. When the residents brought this discrepancy to the council official’s attention the boreholes were sunk.
Rather than accuse anyone, Sombo says Diakonia is urging everyone to explain more. For many years companies faced relatively
‘Diakonia wants to see more citizen participation in local development. A sustained momentum of people participating on issues of public
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‘As government has more money to spend people should be involved in the budget process to advise on the priority areas they wish to see developed, to increase accountability and to make sure that projects are executed accordingly.’
Sombo says citizens should be informed on government’s and corporates primary responsibility. In mining cities such as Solwezi, people are confused and believe that the mining company is responsible for creating jobs and wealth. She says government should quickly resolve land ownership wrangles, loss of land for farming and deforestation and the public should be informed that government is responsible for the provision of good roads, hospitals, schools, prisons and security. Mine companies have an obligation to ensure their operations do not pollute the water and air, force citizen off their land, cause physical damage to houses and create unsafe health effects on people.
Companies under fire for tax avoiding - offshore profits
ave you ever noticed that in any family, group or situation there seems to be one or two people who dominate the dynamics and do not follow the herd?
You might have noticed that tax remittance to the Zambian government has increased making it less dependent on donor funds.
They have your own thoughts, ideas, beliefs, behaviour and personality. They also have an impact on other people who defer to them and allow them to take the lead in decision and consensus making. For the average young person, the relentless spectacle of being in-charge is a duty demanded upon them by elders. It can be overwhelming and it maybe something unfamiliar. For Sombo Chundu, it was the norm. ‘From the time that I was young I would always take up little leadership roles in the home and on reflection this contributed to shaping me. I was raised in a home where I was very free to talk and I would actually represent my siblings during family discussions. We had our own government in the home and I was the spokesperson,’ Sombo jokes. One of her earliest memory was being entrusted with small but significant tasks by her father. Among her most profound experience was collecting money from the bank on his behalf, drawing up a shopping list and purchasing groceries for the home. Her parents’ trust boosted her confidence and instilled integrity of character. At school Sombo worked hard, pursued leadership positions and was either class captain or the deputy. She was deputy head girl before graduating and class representative in college. Her willingness to lead was a sign of things to come. Sombo is an accountant by profession, certified by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) following the completion of her NATECH studies from Chingola School of Accountancy. Having attained her MBA from Heriot-Watt University, she has both financial and management skills. This qualifies her to move between roles, industries and sectors. Sombo says if the youths are the future leaders of Zambia then it is important to nurture their leadership skills sooner rather than later. ‘As long as we think that their time will come later and we should shut them up now because their time will come later then we are not being of service to them. How do we expect them to lead then when we are not even giving them any opportunity to be in leadership now?’
Working at Diakonia-Zambia
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oday, Sombo is Diakonia-Zambia country manager, she performs many roles working with organizations to ensure their activities and projects achieve the organisation’s goals and that its resources are used effectively. Through her work Sombo is an advocate for human rights, democracy, social and economic justice and governance. Diakonia works with local partner organizations to carry and implement projects. It only provides institutional and financial support in line with its belief in people’s equal value and the right of all people to a dignified life. Therefore, Diakonia strives to raise awareness and works with decision makers to bring change and development for everyone by empowering people to demand what is rightfully theirs. In the early years of her career, Sombo’s work was centred towards her profession as an accountant. Her first job at Chloride Zambia in Kitwe and subsequent appointments at Copperbelt Health Education Project, Campaign for Female Education were solely in the finance department as an accountant. Her advocacy involvement began while at Copperbelt Health Education Project where she was exposed to advocacy training in Mozambique and which she became involved in various campaign work carried out. This continued when she joined Campaign for
little scrutiny on their tax contributions, but both citizens and a wider range of stakeholders are asking more questions now. Greater tax transparency is required. Multinational companies and those working in the extractive industries are advised to fall in line with changing public sentiment as having a better and broader discussion about tax helps everyone. However, many multinational companies remain resistant to public and political pressure to end tax avoidance. Evidence of a serious shift in the culture of tax evasion is not yet available. What has become evident lately is corporate resentment at the public’s reaction against their tax avoidance practices. Multinationals, mostly mining companies have gone on a media offensive explaining that they are operating within tax laws. They explain that taxes are an incredibly complex subject whose intricacies have yet to be understood by the public, especially in the extractive industry where huge capital investments are required to keep the mines profitable. Sombo points to the international study carried out by Diakonia in partnership with Swedwatch that showed how four multinational companies (Sandvik, Atlas Copco, SKF and Ericsson) behaviour regarding tax payments in Zambia. The report concludes that while their tax action is perfectly lawful, what is morally dubious is that there is no information on how these companies handle tax planning in Zambia, nor is this information available in the companies’ annual reports. ‘None of the companies were willing to disclose figures on their earnings and tax payments in Zambia.’ It would seem that going beyond profits to enrich the quality of life of the community in which these multinationals operate - not through corporate social responsibility but - by them paying their fair share of taxes is still a concept some companies operating in Zambia fail to appreciate.
A sight for sore eyes – accountability needed
M
ining cities are a sight for sore eyes Sombo says. They show none of the prosperity expected from areas that contribute the most taxes to the Zambian economy.
Civil society organizations have continued ‘making noise about corporates evading tax’. For companies avoiding to be labeled as tax evaders, ‘reputation’ is driving them to modify their behaviour and some are issuing more detailed information about their tax-planning activities.
concern ensures that the government and corporates are accountable.’
The constitution and democracy
A
mong the area of most interest to Sombo in her work is ‘democracy’.
A report on the state of political governance in Zambia entitled ‘Non State Actors - Building Democratic Culture in Rural Communities’ that was launched last year impressed upon her the importance of being clear and precise on matters of public interest. Concerns on the public order act, the constitution, women’s participation in governance and the NGO act could not be sugar coated to placate anyone including the authorities. ‘If we can get a whole lot of people to understand that the leaders that have been put in places of authority are accountable to the people then at least we’ll be making progress.’ Sombo says ideally people in positions of authority should not be told what they are supposed to do because they already know their obligation. The issue of making a new constitution is a lot to do with people being accountable; if people have said they are going to do certain things then they should do them and if they don’t, then they should explain why not. Nor should they expect the people to keep quiet as a result of their failure to uphold their word? While Zambia has a functioning constitution, if the people have a problem with it and want to make amendments or enact a new one no one should prevent them from doing so. The process should not be used as a means of suppressing their wishes because Zambians more than anyone else have the ability to make decisions in their own best interest. Sombo says she was impressed with a delegation of 5 members of parliament from Sweden, representing 5 political parties who visited Zambia last year under the auspices of Diakonia. Her interaction with them revealed the high regard they place on representing their constituents professionally despite their different opinions. She expresses the desire to see Zambian members of parliament put the concern of their electorate before partisan and personal interests.
Commerce Gazette 25 Women’s Special Jubilee Edition
African’s African’s Women Presidents H
Can they rise to the challenge
alf a century after independence, women’s time may have come. We didn’t think it was possible, but men have finally been dethroned as the only gender to rule in African politics.
The lady who first accomplished this feat is no push over either. Since her success there are now three African women serving as heads of state in their respective countries. Africa’s fore fathers, the giants of times past might be fascinated and amazed to learn that each woman took office in times of extreme chaos and transition. Political analysts note that women are more prone to access institutions traditionally reserved for men during crises, a fact noted by historians and collaborated by events that have transpired with the emergence of the current women leadership in Africa and other parts of the world. Africa’s current female heads of states have come from the bottom fighting all the way to the top. Their leadership has been achieved on merit through sweat and plain old fashion intelligence. Today the number of women in national legislatures worldwide is slightly more than 21% says the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), a Geneva based organisation says in its latest ‘Vital Signs’ report. The average percentage of women in parliament in sub-Saharan Africa is 22%, while the Middle East and North Africa have the lowest numbers worldwide at 16% together with countries in the Pacific.
Six of the 10 parliaments with the highest share of female representation are in developing developing countries. countries. African nations rank impressively among the top 25 nations, with the parliaments parliaments of of Angola, Angola, Mozambique, Rwanda, the Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda having having strong strong female female representation. IPU says, ‘Despite slow progress, the world today has the first-ever example of a woman-dominated woman-dominated national legislature: Rwanda, with almost 56% representation since 2008 and 57.5% in in 2013. 2013.’’ However, Rwanda remains the exception rather than rule since most nations still have have aa long long way way to to go to achieve equal political participation and the trends show gender equality in national national legislatures legislatures may not be realized until 2068 if women enter parliament annually at the current rates, rates, the the report report says. says. 16 African countries have passed parity laws including Rwanda. They reserve aa percentage percentage of of parliamentary seats for women. Nevertheless, true equality requires societal change. change. In many parts of the world, cultural expectations and socioeconomic factors put significant significant limits limits on on the political opportunities for women. If women are to realize their nearly boundless boundless potential, potential, we we must remove these obstacles and more effectively empower them.
That same year Sirleaf successful re-contested her election for a second term against formidable opposition opponents, Winston Tubman and his running mate, soccer-sensation George Weah. Her election brought with it much expectation based on her personal and professional credentials. She has worked for the World Bank, United Nations Development Programme and Citibank. A Harvard-trained economist with vast business and economic experience, Sirleaf has the task of rebuilding a country left in tatters by her predecessor Charles Taylor, a warlord who traumatised the nation with 14 years of brutal civil war. Taylor has since been convicted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity and war crimes, including murder, rape, slavery and the use of child soldiers.
E
llen Johnson Sirleaf or ‘Ma Ellen,’ as Liberians call her is the President of Liberia and was elected Africa’s first female head of state in 2005. She has won acclaim for turning around her war-torn nation. Her efforts to ‘secure peace in Liberia, promote economic and social development and strengthen the position of women’ won her the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011, jointly won with two other women.
J
oyce Banda, Malawi’s President has shown strength of character amid very trying times as some of her ministers and civil servants have been implicated in a massive corruption scandal with media reports claiming sums between $30 to $50 million having been robbed from the government treasury. Caught between irate donors and deteriorating economic prospects that rank Malawi 170th out of 187 countries on the Human Development Index 2012, Banda sacked her entire cabinet following the embezzlement scandal. A forensic audit carried out by international investigators backdated to 2005 revealed that the theft of $30 million occurred within six months of her second year in office, from April to September in 2013. The audit revealed rampant corruption under her administration. The scandal nicknamed ‘Cashgate’ has left Malawians seething with anger as Banda heads to a tough elections battle May 20. Confidence in her leadership has been shaken. Banda became Malawi’s first female president in April 2012, succeeding Bingu Wa Mutharika who died suddenly from a heart attack. Mutharika’s autocratic policies triggered a full blown economic crisis that left Malawi bankrupt, causing fuel queues, power cuts and wide spread hunger and hardship due to foreign exchange shortages. Mutharika used police to harass opponents that culminated in the shooting to death of 20 demonstrators.
Sirleaf has been credited with getting the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund to writing off more than $4.9 billions dollars in debt and negotiating for debt relief from other international creditors. She has attracted foreign investors, built schools and hospitals and maintained an annual growth rate of 6.5% during her first term. Yet, Sirleaf’s popularity has waned at home as progress has not been fast enough. Among her critic’s biggest complaint is her As revelations of the fraud became public, police announced the arrests of government officials and the recovery of tens of thousands of dollars in cash from their car boots and homes. The corrupt official used a central computerised payments system to pay supplies for goods and services that were never delivered. The audit revealed that transactions were performed across 11 government bank accounts and were later deleted from the system. Donors who fund 40% of Malawi’s revenue withheld $150 million in budget support last year in response to the fraud. Malawi is ranked 91 out of 175 countries on Transparency International’s 2013 Corruption Perceptions Index, down from 37th, the year before. Despite Malawi prioritizing agriculture as the most important sector of the economy, employing about 80% of the workforce, the UN reports that approximately 1.8 million people are faced with hunger and more than a 10th of Malawi’s population will require food aid this year. If Banda can overcome this stain of bad governance and win reelection, her redemption lays in how she achieves her long-term vision to eradicate poverty through job creation by supporting Malawi’s private sector growth in five strategy areas that her administration has identified as: energy, mining, infrastructure, tourism and agriculture. Ultimately, Joyce Banda’s legacy will forever be intertwined with her fight against corruption.
Banda, an award-winning gender activist and successful entrepreneur, ascendance to power was seen as a turning point for the better for Malawians. She won acclaim in the West for promising to clean up corruption and taking austerity measures to bolster the economy, devaluing Malawi’s currency by 50% in efforts to meet IMF conditions of fiscal management.
‘If I do not win the elections
As a result of the devaluation, inflation rose, the cost for food and fuel increased causing widespread protests and diminishing her popularity in Malawi.
she said.
26 Commerce Gazette Women’s Special Jubilee Edition
because I was fighting corruption, I am very comfortable with that,’
failure to keep her campaign promises of electrifying electrifying the the capital capital city, which is lit by generators. In fact, there is no no power power plant plant to to provide electricity throughout the country. Other complaints include slow water pipe repairs repairs and and aa lack lack of of urgency to execute and rehabilitate dilapidated roads, roads, the the seaport, seaport, infrastructure and Liberia’s international airport, airport, Roberts Roberts Field, Field, to to allow it to handle international flights. Unfair granting of large land concessions for forestry, forestry, mining mining and and agriculture without consultation with communities communities who who live live there there has raised criticism from NGOs who view Sirleaf’s Sirleaf’s pledge pledge to to review review these agreements as insincere due to the absence absence of of aa clear clear land land tenure policy. 6 years after Sirleaf’s first term critics attribute her poor poor performance performance to her bloated government that spends more on on administrative administrative capital than on economic development and social social welfare welfare of of Liberians combined. This has curbed her ability to to create create jobs jobs and and reduce poverty on one hand, while it has increased increased corruption corruption nationwide, on the other. With vast international aid and investment flowing flowing into into Liberia, Liberia, many critics believe her government should have have done done better better in in restoring services and rebuilding the infrastructure. infrastructure. Seemly undaunted by her detractors, Sirleaf now now aa seasoned seasoned politician recognizes rebuilding Liberia will take generations. generations. Facing Facing her final term in office her priorities remain the reconstruction reconstruction of of the nation’s weak infrastructure and electricity grid, grid, and and pushing pushing to to meet the eight millennium development goals by by 2015. 2015. When all is said and done Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s Sirleaf’s greatest greatest contribution to Liberia is her restoration of sustainable sustainable peace peace to to Liberia, as she says, ‘without it, it is hard to achieve achieve other other goals.’ goals.’
The long struggle
for gender equality
‘… ‘…We Weare arewomen womenfighting fightingfor foraagreat greatidea; idea;that thatwe wewish wishthe thebetterment betterment of of the the human human race, race, and and that that we we believe believe this this betterment betterment isis coming coming through through the the emancipation emancipation and and uplifting upliftingof ofwomen.’ women.’
C
Emmeline Emmeline Pankhurst, Pankhurst,1913 1913
onveying onveying congratulations congratulations to to women women and and girls girls in in Africa Africa on on the the 103rd 103rd International International Women’s Women’s Day, Day, chairperson chairperson of of the the African African Union Union Commission Commission Dr Dr Nkosazana Nkosazana Dlamini Dlamini Zuma Zuma says says the the struggle struggle for for equal equalrepresentation representationfor forwomen womenisisfar farfrom fromover. over.
Zuma Zumasays sayswomen’s women’spolitical politicaland andeconomic economicrepresentation representationisisstill stillless lessthan thanaaquarter quarterdespite despite over over aa century century of of gender gender equality. equality. At At the the same same time time women women are are entering entering the the informal informal sector sector in in unprecedented unprecedented numbers numbersand and are are working working under under poor poor conditions conditions for for very verylow lowwages. wages.
C
atherine atherine Samba-Panza Samba-Panza became became interim interimleader leaderof ofthe theCentral CentralAfrican AfricanRepublic Republic(CAR) (CAR)in inJanuary, January, aa position position she she will will only only hold hold for for aa year year as as she she organizes organizes new new election election by by February February 2015 2015 and and for for which which she she cannot cannot re-contest. re-contest.
With With just just 22 months months in in charge, charge, she she heads heads what what isis described described as as Africa’s Africa’s most most failed failed and and forgotten forgotten state. state. Her Her immediate immediate task task is is to to halt halt the the revenge revenge killings killings being being carried carried out out by by Christians Christians on on Muslims Muslims and and ‘putting ‘putting people people to to work’ work’as as quickly quickly as as possible. possible. Predominately Predominately Muslim Muslim rebels, rebels, known known as as seleka, seleka, toppled toppled President President Francois Francois Bozize Bozize last last March. March. Killings Killings and and abuses abuses carried carried while while they they were were in in power power led led to to the the creation creation of of aa mainly mainly Christian Christian self-defence self-defence militia militia known known as as‘anti-balaka’ ‘anti-balaka’.. Bozizé Bozizé assumed assumed power power in in aa coup coup in in 2003. 2003. He He then then delayed delayed the the 2010 2010 election election indefinitely indefinitely before before fleeing fleeing the the approaching approaching seleka. seleka. In In the the 10 10 months months when when seleka seleka leader leader Michel Michel Djotodia Djotodia installed installed himself himself as as CAR CAR president, president, human human rights rights violations violations reached reached unprecedented unprecedented levels levels shocking shocking the the world. world. Djotodia Djotodia quit quit power power January January 10 10 amid amid mounting mounting international international pressure. pressure. Violence Violence escalated, escalated, the the clashes clashes displaced displaced more more than than 11 million million people, people, and and an an estimated estimated total total of of 2,000 2,000 people people have have been been killed. killed. Amnesty Amnesty International International has has described described the the situation situation as as‘ethnic ‘ethnic cleansing’ cleansing’.. Addressing Addressing the the media media after after her her election election Samba-Panza Samba-Panza isis quoted quoted as as saying, saying,
‘Everyone must answer for their actions. A number of
individuals have done terrible things. They will answer for these acts, I won’t be protecting any bandits or crooked politicians or agitators who have led the country to the situation we have now. I won’t be protecting anyone, everyone will answer for their actions before the international tribunal’..
Dlamini Dlamini Zuma Zuma says says Africa Africa Agenda Agenda 2063 2063 framework framework which which isis aimed aimed at at transforming transforming the the continent, continent, will will pay pay attention attention to to women’s women’s access access to to capital capital and and other other factors factors of of production production such such as as land, land, as as well well as as ensuring ensuring that that infrastructure infrastructure development, development, industrial industrial development, development, job job creation creation and and promotion promotion of ofintra-Africa intra-Africatrade tradeare aregender gendersensitive sensitiveand andseek seekto toempower empower African African women. women. The The African African Union Union has has declared declared2014 2014the theAfrican AfricanYear Yearof ofAgriculture Agricultureand andFood FoodSecurity. Security.This This isis aa positive positive development development as as long long as as practical practical ways ways are are found found to to invest invest in in farming farming that that will will reduce reduce the the need need for for food food imports imports and and increase increase agribusinesses agribusinessesto tobecome becomeaamajor majorexporter exporter of of value-added value-added goods, goods, since since women women are arethe themajor majorlabour labourforce forcein infood foodproduction. production. ‘We ‘We have have made made progress progress through through the the millennium millennium development development goals, goals, but but for for Africa Africa the the greatest greatest lesson lesson learnt learnt was wasthat thatthese thesegoals goalscould couldnot notbe bemet metfully, fully,without withouttransformation. transformation.‘‘ As Asaaresult resultof ofthis thisfailure, failure,Dlamini DlaminiZuma Zumasays, says,Africa Africahas hasmade madetransformation transformationthe thefoundation foundation of of the the Common Common African African Position Position on on the the post-2015 post-2015 development development agenda agenda with with the the mainstreaming mainstreaming of of gender gender and and women’s women’s empowerment empowerment throughout throughout all all pillars pillars and and goals goals of of the the development development Agenda Agenda 2063. 2063. Among Among the the African African Union’s Union’s most most ambitions ambitions goals goals isis its its aspiration aspiration to to stop stop all all wars wars on on the the continent. continent.
‘
Last Last year year we we pledged pledged that that by by 2020 2020 we we shall shall silence silence all all the the guns. guns. And And yet, yet, in in Southern Southern Sudan Sudan and and the the Central Central African African Republic, Republic, we we have havesituations situationswhere wherewomen womenand andchildren childrenonce oncemore moreare arethe themain main victims victims of of conflict. conflict.
’
Dlamini Dlamini says says the the inclusion inclusion of of women women in in political political structures, structures, security security sector sector reform, reform, peacemaking, peacemaking, conflict conflict resolution resolution and and post-conflict post-conflict reconstruction reconstruction isis critical critical to to silencing silencing guns. guns. To To ensure ensure aa more more proactive proactive approach approach towards towards mobilizing mobilizing women women into into aa powerful powerful movement movement for for peace peace and and development development on on the the continent, continent, the the African African Union Union announced announced the the appointment appointment of of aa special special envoy envoy on on Women, Women, Peace Peace And And Security Security at at the the January January 2014 2014 Summit. Summit. Beyond Beyond the the wars, wars, the the continued continued high high levels levels of of violence violence against against women women remain remain aa major major concern concern Dlamini Dlamini Zuma Zuma says. says. She She urges urges governments governments to to ensure ensure protection protection for for women women by by creating creating adequate adequate and and responsive responsive mechanisms mechanisms and and legal legal frameworks frameworks where where women women can can freely freely and and respectably respectably report report violence violence and andseek seekredress. redress.
Within Within CAR CAR Samba-Panza Samba-Panza is is seen seen as as politically politically independent, independent, with with no no links links to to any any of of the the warring warringfactions. factions. Her Her January January 20 20 election election has has generally generally been been welcomed welcomed by by most most of of her her country’s country’s political political parties parties and and other stakeholders. Born in Chad to a Cameroonian father and a Central African mother, Samba-Panza other stakeholders. Born in Chad to a Cameroonian father and a Central African mother, Samba-Panza attended attended university university in in Bangui Bangui and and then then in in France France studying studying corporate corporate law. law.
Description Description
Prior Prior to to her her assuming assuming the the presidency presidency she she served served as as mayor mayor of of the the capital capital Bangui, Bangui, before before that that she she was was active active with with the the Association Association of of Women Women Lawyers Lawyers in in Central Central Africa Africa (AFJC). (AFJC). The The AFJC AFJC isis specialized specialized in in the the fight fight against against female female genital genital mutilation mutilation and and other other forms forms of of violence violence against against women women victims victims in in CAR. CAR. She She also also served served as as aa human human rights rights trainer trainer with with Amnesty Amnesty International’s International’s Africa Africa program. program. She She further further served served as as the the co-chair co-chair of of the the national national dialogue dialogue arranged arranged to to organize organize aa new new constitution constitution and and arrange arrange elections. elections.
Worth Worthnoting noting
21.3 21.3
Only Onlytwo twocountries countriesin inthe theworld worldhave have over overhalf halfwomen womenparliamentarian, parliamentarian, Rwanda Rwandaat at63.8% 63.8%and andAndorra Andorraat at50% 50%
46 46 Countries Countries
25 25
Account Accountfor formore morethan thanaaquarter quarterof ofall all women womenMPs MPsglobally globallyand and14 14of ofthese these countries countriesare arein inAfrica Africa
Board Board membership membership
15 15
Seat Seaton onFortune Fortune200 200companies companies boards boards
Samba-Panza’s Samba-Panza’s task task to to stabilize stabilize CAR CAR isis immense immense and and far far outweighs outweighs any any job job she she has has faced faced before before as as she she is is starting starting with with nothing. nothing.
Land Land
11
The Thesad sadtruth truthisiswomen womenown ownLESS LESS than than1% 1%of ofland landin inAfrica Africawhich whichowns owns 60% 60%of ofthe theworld’s world’sunused unusedarable arableland land
CAR CAR has has never never had had any any public public institutions institutions of of any any note. note. With With aa population population of of 4.6 4.6 million, million, the the country country has has no no trained trained army army or or police police force. force. France France has has deployed deployed 2,000 2,000 troops troops to to support support aa 6,000-strong 6,000-strong African African Union Union peacekeeping peacekeeping mission. mission. Secretary Secretary General General Ban Ban Ki-moon Ki-moon has has recommended recommended aa force force of of nearly nearly 12,000 12,000 soldiers soldiers and and police police officers officers to to be be deployed deployed immediately immediately to to protect protect civilians, civilians, but but troops troops will will not not arrive arrive for for six six months. months. He He has has also also requested requested for for civilian civilian specialists specialists to to rebuild rebuild state state institutions. institutions.
Agricultural Agricultural workforce workforce
75 75
Agriculture Agricultureisisaakey keyeconomic economicdriver driverof of wealth wealthcreation creation
Loan Loan
15 15
Access Accessto toassets, assets,capital capitaland andinfrainfrastructure structureare arelimited limitedfor forwomen. women. Dlamini Dlaminisays saysNigeria’s Nigeria’ssuggestion suggestion that thatthe theAU AUadvocate advocateand andengage engage banks banksand andfinancial financialinstitutions institutionsto to earmark earmark30% 30%to toagricultural agriculturallending lending for forwomen women
About About half half the the population, population, 2.2 2.2 million million are are in in need need of of humanitarian humanitarian aid. aid.The TheUnited UnitedNations Nationshas hasappealed appealed for for $550 $550 million million to to try try to to meet meet the the needs needs of of about about 650,000 650,000 people people driven driven from from their their homes homes by by militias. militias. But three months after the United Nations declared its highest level of emergency for the But three months after the United Nations declared its highest level of emergency for the Central Central African African Republic, Republic, the the organization organization has has received received only only 16% 16% of of the the requested requested funding. funding.
Parliamentarians Parliamentarians
Percentage Percentageof ofwomen women representation representationworldwide worldwide
Commerce Gazette 27 Women’s Special Jubilee Edition
C
onsider most Zambia on television Government performance see their favo
But, withou showstoppe
Who too
Slap Dee w ‘The Busines album, Main Best HipHop two categor Best RnB alb
Judy won album and A New Artist. T and Pilato re Collaboratio Year for ‘Kum
Pantience and Namakau, media personalities
Mampi
Tivo Shikapwasha with Lulu Hangala
B-flow’s ‘Vo Dancehall a won for Bes ‘Fellowship’ Mount Sinai Sakala Broth album for Amayenge C Best Band aw
Salma Doldia
Salm
Nabwalya Bwalya Vlahakis, ZNBC TV producer/host
Eve Banda, LiF magazine
Roberto
Moses Nyama - Radio Q.fm proprietor, DJ K-Smash and Zach Chavula for radio hot87.7 fm Ben Blazer
Able Chungu Msuka with wife
Mag44
Shyman
Pompi
lawrence thompson, local film producer Dr. Clive Chirwa
28 Commerce Gazette Women’s Special Jubilee Edition
Maureen Lilanda, Mumba Yachi and Tolo
Zambia Music Awards 2014
Big Winners
ered the music industry’s prestigious accolade, the an Music Awards aired live n February 22 from the New t Complex with unforgettable es for music fans who got to vorite artists honoured.
ut a doubt, the evening’s er was Roberto, who showed
out during his stage performance done in acappella accompanied by a violin. Mampi, Salma, Scarlet, Judy and Cleo Ice Queen made a splash on the red carpet. The Zambian Music Awards are nominated and voted for by the public, to honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the music recording industry, without regard to album sales or chart position.
ok home the most gold this year?
won three awards, his album ss’ won for Best Mainstream nstream Male Artist and for p/Rap album. Roberto won in ries for Best Song Writer and bum for ‘My Name Is’.
Best Female Mainstream Alphonzo aka Muzo for Best The trio of Chef 187, Afunika eceived two awards for Best on on a Song and Song of the mwesu’.
oiceless Woman’ won Best album while Keith Kapembwa st Reggae Artist. Uncle Rex’s won Best Jazz album and i for Best Choral album. The hers won Best Live Recording ‘Born In Matero’ with the Cultural Ensemble scooping ward.
Afunika won for Best Niyatu album and James Chamanyazi won Best Kalindula album for ‘Anthi Ndiwo’
B’Flow recieves award for best Dancehall artist
Mariane Chigwedere recieves an award for best female radio dj
In the gospel category, Karen received the coveted Best Female Gospel Artist, Magnum 44 won Best Gospel album and Pompi won for Best Male Gospel Artist. DJ Creejay won for the Best Club DJ and radio 4 DJ’s Lady MC (Marian Chigwedere) won Best Female Radio DJ with DJ Dazzle winning Best Male Radio DJ.
Slap Dee recieves award for best Hip-hop album of the year
On the technical awards Ben Blazer won for Best Studio Sound Producer.
Danny Chiyesu recieves an award on behalf of late Fr. Mihar
DJ Duzzle recieves award for best male radio dj
In addition, the Zambian Music Awards, honoured the late Fr Miha with the Lifetime Achievement Award, post humously, recognizing that he had made creative contributions of outstanding artistic significance to the music industry in Zambia.
DJ Cre-Jay recieves award for best club dj
James Chamanyazi recieves best Kalindula album award for ‘Anthu ndiwo’
Mt Sinai choral leader receives award for best choral
ma Dodia perfoming
Chef 187 receiving an award for best song of the year, ‘Kumwesu
Afunika recieves an award for best Niyatu album ‘Chimusebo’ while his manager looks on
Mumba Yachi , winner fo the Best Traditional Music Album, ‘Mokambo’
Keith Kapembwa recieving an award for best reggae artist
Karasa
Karen receiving an award for best gospel female artist
Ruff Kaida
Judy receiving an award for best R&B female artist Macky 2
Roberto receives awards for best R&B album and best song writer
Commerce Gazette 29 Women’s Special Jubilee Edition
Jokes Employee Bonus
Bubba
Faced with hard times, the company offered a bonus of K1000.00 to any employee who could come up with a plan to save money. The bonus went to a young man in accounting who suggested limiting future bonuses to K100.00
Bubba was bragging to his boss one day, ‘You know, I know everyone there is to know. Just name someone, anyone, and I know them. ‘Tired of his boasting, his boss called his bluff, ‘OK, Bubba how about Tom Cruise?’
Weight loss
‘Sure, yes, Tom and I are old friends, and I can prove it.’ So Bubba and his boss fly out to Hollywood and knock on Tom Cruise’s door, and sure enough, Tom Cruise, shouts, ‘Bubba! Great to see you! You and your friend come right in and join me for lunch!’
Two friends were talking together over a cup of coffee. They started talking about business and one of them said, ‘It seems like all I do at the office is fight with Mwape, I’ve been so down lately, I’ve lost 15 pounds.’ ‘Why don’t you just leave the job then?’ asked the friend. ‘Oh! Not yet, I’d like to lose at least another 10 pounds first!’
Confidential fax
Although impressed, Bubba’s boss is still skeptical. After they leave Cruise’s house, he tells Bubba that he thinks Bubba’s knowing Cruise was just lucky.
Manager: ‘Do you know anything about this fax-machine?’
‘No, no, just name anyone else,’ Bubba says.
Staff: ‘A little. What’s wrong sir?’
‘President Obama,’ his boss quickly retorts.
Manager: ‘Well, I sent a fax, and the recipient called back to say all she received was a blank page. I tried it again, and the same thing happened.’
‘Yes,’ Bubba says, ‘I know him, let’s fly out to Washington.’ And off they go.
Staff: ‘How did you load the sheet?’
At the White House, Obama spots Bubba on the tour and motions him and his boss over, saying, ‘Bubba, what a surprise, I was just on my way to a meeting, but you and your friend come on in and let’s have a cup of coffee first and catch up.’
Manager: ‘I didn’t want anyone else to read it by accident, so I folded it so only the recipient would open it and read it.’
Difference A man went to face an interviewer. Board of directors asked him, ‘Tell the difference between ‘COMPLETE’ and ‘FINISH.’ The man replied, I am clarifying with an example, ‘When you marry a right person you are ‘Complete’ and when you marry the wrong one you are Finish.’
Robbery attempt Bwalya, Banda and Kwekwe get twisted at the local pub one night and conspire to rob the local bank. Drunk as they are, they try and rob the place but are too drunk to pull it off. As the alarms scream, they leg it out of the bank and down the alley. Hot on their heals are the cops, responding to the alarm. As the three drunks round a bend, they spot a cats and dogs home and jump over the fence into the kennel yard. They see three burlap sacks lying on the ground and they each crawl into an empty bag. The cops leap over the fence behind them and spot the three bulging sacks on the ground. One cop kicks the first sack and then Bwalya says, ‘Bark! Bark!’, ‘Ah, must be a dog!’ says the cop and he kicks the second sack. Banda says, ‘Meow!’ and the cop nods his head, exclaiming, ‘must be cats!’ and turns his focus on the last sack, kicking it sharply. Kwekwe cries out, ‘Potatoes!’
Well, the boss is very shaken by now, but still not totally convinced. After they leave the White house grounds, he expresses his doubts to Bubba, who again implores him to name anyone else. ‘The Pope,’ his boss replies. ‘Sure!’ says Bubba. ‘My folks are from Germany, and I’ve known the Pope along time.’ So off they fly to Rome. Bubba and his boss are assembled with the masses in Vatican Square when Bubba says, ‘This will never work. I can’t catch the Pope’s eye among all these people. Tell you what, I know all the guards so let me just go upstairs and I’ll come out on the balcony with the Pope.’ And he disappears into the crowd headed toward the Vatican. Sure enough, half an hour later Bubba emerges with the Pope on the balcony. But by the time Bubba returns, he finds that his boss has had a heart attack and is surrounded by paramedics. Working his way to his boss’ side, Bubba asks him, ‘What happened?’ His boss looks up and says, ‘I was doing fine until you and the Pope came out on the balcony and the man next to me said, ‘Who’s that on the balcony with Bubba?’
Drunk husband
Drunken charity
One night, a drunk comes stumbling into a bar and says to the bartender: ‘Drinks for all on me including you, bartender.’ So the bartender follows the drunks orders and says: ‘That will be K7.00 please.’ The drunk says he has no money so the bartender slaps him around and throws him out. The next night the same drunk comes in again and orders a drink for everyone in the bar including the bartender. Again the bartender follows instructions and again the drunk says he has no money. So the bartender slaps him around and throws him out. On the third night he comes in, the drunk orders drinks for all except the bartender. ‘What, no drink for me?’ replies the bartender. ‘Oh, no. You get violent when you drink.’
A wife was in bed with her lover when she heard her husband’s key in the door. ‘Stay where you are,’ she said. ‘He’s so drunk he won’t even notice you’re in bed with me.’ Sure enough, the husband lurched into bed none the wiser, but a few minutes later, through a drunken haze, he saw six feet sticking out at the end of the bed. He turned to his wife: ‘Hey, there are six feet in this bed. There should only be four. What’s going on?’ ‘Nonsense,’ said the wife. ‘You’re so drunk you miscounted. Get out of bed and try again. You can see better from over there.’ The husband climbed out of bed and counted. ‘One, two, three, four. You’re right, you know.’
The job A young man, hired by a supermarket, reported for his first day of work.
The luggage
The manager greeted him with a warm handshake and a smile, gave him a broom and said, ‘Your first job will be to sweep out the store.’
A businessman was having a tough time lugging his lumpy, oversized travel bag onto the plane. Helped by a flight attendant, he finally managed to stuff it in the overhead bin. ‘Do you always carry such heavy luggage?’ she sighed.
‘But I’m a college graduate,’ the young man replied indignantly. ‘Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know that,’ said the manager. ‘Here, give me the broom, I’ll show you how.’
‘Women have come up with a different attack on men through the way they dress. These are huge problems. So as these judicial reforms are happening, men should also be considered .’
Dr. Solomon Jere
deputy inspector general of police Speaking before the parliamentarians committee on legal affairs said the violence had become more vicious and the judiciary reforms should consider improving the current statutes The Post | 21 January, 2014
‘No more,’ the man said. ‘Next time, I’m riding in the bag, and my partner can buy the ticket!’
‘A lot of them came and surrounded me and there were pictures being taken as you may expect. It was just like a ‘cimbuya’ kind of thing and it wasn’t like i was fondling everyone; she is the only one. Actually, I just pulled saying ‘twamene utu tumaziba, na mwana sanganyonke (a baby can’t even suckle from these little breasts); and you know there were photographers all around. Otherwise, for whatever happened, I am sorry.’
Pontiano Kaiche Folk music singer
Commenting on the picture which was taken of him pulling the nipple of an old woman at the Nc’wala ceremony, which angered Ngoni Royal Establishment and Paramount chief Mpezeni The Post | 4 March, 2014
30 Commerce Gazette Women’s Special Jubilee Edition
Getting back to Thornton, he pondered whether capping interest rates and increasing capital requirements for banks, will raise the amount of money available or ensure Zambian companies borrow at sensible rates as the most effective ways of achieving local wealth creation. He added that investment in education to develop high-calibre local management will achieve lasting development impact. Competent managers are likely to scale-up local businesses to expand into neighbouring countries and further across the regional and abroad, a practice that is still rare among indigenous companies. It is imperative that poor and isolated rural areas also access education and other public goods to develop. Thornton said Non-traditional exports have been rising in the last eight to ten years diversifying away from copper mining which has been the main driver of phenomenal economic growth and has helped Zambia regain it’s lower middle income status that it held in the 70s. We are all aware that Zambia’s overdependence on natural resource wealth and the related commodity prices is not a very sustainable route to growth due to price fluctuations in the international market, making the country’s incomes highly volatile. Championing British interests, Thornton spoke the need for Zambia to encourage more private investment across many sectors. Over the years British business with Zambia has waned mainly due to its historic relationship which was not entirely favourable to Zambian interests. of
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he British Council held its third ‘Shaping Our Future’ conference in Lusaka. Speaking at the official opening British High commissioner, James Thornton, gave an interesting dialogue on increasing foreign investment, creating employment and wealth particularly in rural areas where communities are poor and most vulnerable to all sorts of inequities that entrench poverty. Thornton confirmed an already known datum that ‘only’ Zambians can determine their future. What was most interesting about his conversation is the challenge of how Zambia is tackling broader economic development and how to find solutions across key sectors, especially that it has not exploited its human ingenuity to bring sustainable progress to the masses so far. ‘Zambia needs to consider broadly what sort of economy it wants to have twenty years from now… what conditions need to be put in place to encourage the development of such production.’ With government reviewing the Sixth National Development Plan, Thornton like most Zambians expect a clear development agenda and a set of specific sustainable development goals.
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overnment has a fundamental role to provide opportunity and incomes for all. Government’s 700% increase in the funding for the social transfers scheme is a step towards attainment of this dream.
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Rural communities lack lasting sustainable activities and rely on rain-fed agriculture as their primary source of income and hence have livelihoods that are poorly linked to the growth sectors of the economy. As a result, three quarters of the rural population live in extreme poverty and remain vulnerable to weather and food price shocks. ‘This has resulted in a striking gap between the rich and poor. The benefit of economic growth is accruing to the middle classes mostly living in urban cities. ‘They need to be able to improve their farming techniques, and sell their produce... Not just because there is a moral imperative to help those who are in most need. But because there are massive economic gains to be made by giving them even basic opportunities.’ Moving the conversation to business Thornton said other countries have entrepreneurs who have really made it big. He pointed to Aliko Dangote of Nigeria, named the richest African and black person in the world whose net worth is US$25 billion, the bulk earned trading in cement, sugar and flour. Dangote recently announced plans to build a private oil refinery in Nigeria and his cement factory is expected to start production in Zambia on the Copperbelt towards the end of this year. ‘There seems to be very few companies of any size that are owned by indigenous Zambians. I am not sure why that is. What is it that will help small Zambian companies grow into large ones?’ Thornton’s observation of wealth creation among individual Zambians is timely. Rhetoric of wealth creation is commonplace but try getting any note worthy Zambian to admit to being wealthy or disclosing their worth and you will hit a brick wall. Most Zambian CEOs shy away and are tongue-tied about disclosing their income due to real and historical fears of persecution or even prosecution on suspicion that their wealth is ill gained. Despite audits and disclosures of financial records becoming the norm many Zambians never discuss personal worth.
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owever, the reality is very few if any Zambians can compete with the entrepreneur prowess of billionaires like Dangote and Nigeria’s Mike Adenugai, whose estimated net worth from oil and telecoms is US$4.6, Nigeria’s newest billionaire Abdulsamad Rabiu, 54, whose net worth is US$1.2 with interests in sugar refining, cement production, real estate, steel, port concessions, manufacturing, oil gas and shipping, Sudanese born ex-mobile telecommunication billionaire Mo Ibrahim whose net worth stands at about US $1.1; Patrice Motsepe, South Africa’s richest black man and its wealthiest self made entrepreneur and black billionare with a net worth of US$2.9 gained by investing in old mines which he turned profitable; Ethiopia’s Mohammed Al Amoudi with a net worth of US$15.3 made from oil, assets include hotels, gold mines and leather factories. He is currently diversifying his wealth by investing in farming in Ethiopian with hope of exporting locally grown food. Egypt’s Nassef Sawiris ,CEO, Orascom Construction Industries (OCI), has the most valuable publicly-traded company and is worth US$6.7 billion.
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any people including Zambians still think Oprah’s the only black female billionaire however, it may surprise you to know that only two other black women are listed in the billionaire club. Both are Africans, Isabel Dos Santos whose net worth is US$4 billion is Angola’s first daughter. She earned her wealth from holdings in publicly traded European companies, largely from lucrative stakes in telecoms (Unitel), financial services (Banco BIC), media (Zon Optimus) and oil firm (Gap GPS -0.36% Energia) among other ventures. Isabel is now planet earth’s richest black woman. Yes, even surpassing the mighty Oprah. Isabel’s wealth was until recently earned from traceable transactions, listed above. However, lately speculation that her father, President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, may have stake in some of her more current business interests have surfaced. TV mogul, Oprah Winfrey still ranks as America’s only black female billionaire and is the second wealthiest black woman in the world after Isabel. Her net worth is US$2.9 billion. Not surprising that Nigeria now has its first female billionaire, Folorunsho Alakija whose net worth is $2.5 earned from her oil company Famfa Oil.
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witzerland is Zambia’s major export destination purchasing 35.2 percent of cathodes and sections of cathodes of refined copper. China at 25.5 percent, Congo DR at 9.3 percent, Singapore at 6.2 percent and South Africa at 6 percent round off the top five major export destination. However, Asia countries are the largest market for Zambia’s total exports with China the dominant export country in the region. SADC, COMESA and the EU made up the top four regional export markets with Britain the dominant market for total exports beyond copper. Thornton said Zambia must compete with many countries such as China and Vietnam, including its neighbours to attract foreign investments that are highly sought after by many governments that are struggling to create additional jobs in their nations. However, Zambia’s small market size remains its major challenge coupled with diminishing mining returns in the long term Thornton said. Therefore investments promoting manufacturing for exports should be its major focus. Aware of its market size challenge, Zambia already views itself as a frontier for profits and investments not only in Africa but worldwide. Its current export drive and market access through the COMESA, SADC, EAC tripartite window have already increased and with a combined population of over 600 million people whose combined GDP is at 1.3 trillion US dollars, the region presents a huge markets for Zambia’s exports. Given its tranquility since independence in 1964 and commitment to multi-party democracy it presents a incomparable investment climate compared to some of its neighbours in the region. Zambia has indicated its desire to broaden its economic development to priority sectors that include; manufacturing, agriculture and agro-processing, energy, construction, tourism, and information communication technology – ICT. Beyond mining it is looking at mineral processing. Government intends to spend about US$ 6 billion over 5 years in road construction on the Link Zambia 8000 project aimed at transforming Zambia into a land linked country to eight neighbours and beyond, which is a critical component to its aim of becoming a transit hub and link to the wider Africa market. Other incentives for foreign investment are available and government remains committed to reducing red tape while the current administration will have to do more to address recent uncertainty on policy and security of investment said Thornton. His concerns on the political tension in the country has been repeated by some investors and civil society organizations. Thornton’s concerns about investor’s recruit of staff, reasonable severance packages and excessive restrictions on work permits for expatriates are not key determinants of foreign investment which is mandated to work within the labour and immigration laws of the country they invest in. In fact, nations such as China which has restrictive human rights laws and internet practices continues to attract as much FDI as other less restrictive nations. Of course the attractiveness of the Chinese market is higher than a country like Zambia but nonetheless these are not impediments to investment.
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or sometime now investors from the West have lobbied for easier immigration procedures for their staff to work in developing countries under the guise of ‘cutting red tape’ while their own visa procedures are drenched in it. Recently, Britain was forced to withdraw a ‘pilot’ proposal that would have subjected visitors (tourists) from six ‘high-risk’ Commonwealth countries - India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nigeria and Ghana - to pay a surety of about K28,503 (£3,000) for a visa. The fee would be forfeited if these nationals did not return home or overstayed. The plan was to eventually extend it to all visa types, including work and student visas, with an exemption for EU visitors who do not require visas.
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he proposal was denounced as racial discrimination and aroused strong feeling among Indians living in Britain, the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Indian Workers Association. When India warned of economic consequences and that it might reciprocate Britain withdrew the proposal. The Hindu reports that this decision could be linked to ‘Britain’s desire to push for easier investment norms for foreign investment in the insurance and financial sectors’, as well as, warning about reduced small and medium-sized south Asian companies bringing their business to Britain. Thornton’s conversation on governance urging ‘government services to be delivered effectively, with constant vigilance to ensure there is no wastage or syphoning-off of tax revenue,’ is sound and genuine advise. Going by past and recent action significant development remains elusive due to misuse of government funds. High-level, as well as mid and lower level corruption remains a persistent challenge. Empowering individuals and communities to influence the quality, efficiency and accountability of public services leads to better services, greater community benefits and more of the investment getting to where it is most needed.
Commerce Gazette 31 Women’s Special Jubilee Edition
CONNEXION