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Kapeya urges UCZ to embrace holistic ministry

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Lusaka businessman Robert Kapeya has urged the United Church of Zambia (UCZ) to embrace a holistic approach to ministry by encouraging church members to participate in agricultural activities and other initiatives that improve their livelihoods. Mr Kapeya said the church should go beyond worship and preaching to address the spiritual, social and economic needs of its members through initiatives such as agriculture, education and healthcare. Speaking during the induction of Reverend Mulenga Mulumbwa as UCZ Music Evangelism and Discipleship Coordinator at St Margaret’s Church in Kaunda Square Township, Lusaka, Mr Kapeya said music, evangelism and discipleship were interconnected and essential to the church’s mission. He said music was a powerful tool for spreading the gospel, touching hearts and reaching more people with the message of salvation. “Leadership in church is not merely about holding a position or occupying an office, but it is about serving God’s people, nurturing sp...
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Kasambo Urges ZESCO to Ease Power Purchase Agreements for Local Investors

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Mpongwe West Member of Parliament Emmanuel Kasambo has urged ZESCO to simplify access to power purchase agreements (PPAs), particularly for Zambian-owned businesses, to accelerate investment in electricity generation and support the country’s target of producing 10,000 megawatts under the Grow Zambia agenda. Speaking during his maiden speech in Parliament, Mr Kasambo has warned that bureaucratic delays in approving power purchase agreements could discourage investors and undermine efforts to increase electricity generation. He said reliable power was critical to achieving national production targets in agriculture, manufacturing, livestock and tourism, noting that irrigation, beef and sugar processing, and hotel operations all depended on adequate electricity supplies. Mr Kasambo said ZESCO should make it easier for qualified local companies to secure PPAs, particularly those that had acquired land, obtained title deeds and conducted feasibility studies for electricity generation...
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Mulwanda pledges to boost fisheries, mining and infrastructure in Mweru

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UPND Mweru Member of Parliament Lesley Mulwanda has pledged to prioritise fisheries, agriculture, healthcare and infrastructure development while pushing for investment in the constituency’s untapped mineral potential. Delivering his maiden speech in the National Assembly, Mr Mulwanda identified overfishing, poor road networks and limited access to healthcare, electricity and clean water as key challenges requiring urgent attention. He pledged to promote sustainable fishing methods, fish farming and fish restocking on Lake Mweru to address pressure on fish stocks caused by overfishing and the use of undersized nets. Mr Mulwanda also committed to helping farmers access inputs and markets, promote value addition to cassava and diversify into crops such as maize, soya beans and wheat, as well as cattle rearing. And Mr. Mulwanda has also committed to improving school infrastructure, keeping girls in school and expanding skills training opportunities, including lobbying for a skills...
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Zambia calls for Climate-Resilient health systems ahead of COP31

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Zambia has called on African countries to integrate health emergency preparedness into their national climate action plans ahead of the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31), as the continent faces growing public health threats linked to disease outbreaks and climate change. Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Administration Dr Kennedy Lishimpi said the health sector needed to be positioned to access climate financing and strengthen its capacity to prepare for and respond to emergencies. Speaking in Lusaka when he officially opened a regional meeting on Health Emergency Preparedness, Response and Resilience on behalf of Health Minister Roma Chilengi, Dr Lishimpi urged countries to ensure health priorities were included in their climate plans. “We need to look at what we are presenting at the COP31 so that we begin to position ourselves as health sectors in our countries to be able to access some of that funding ...
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SADC warns of more than us$20 billion decline in health funding

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The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has warned of a further decline in health funding estimated at more than US$20 billion, calling for innovative financing mechanisms and stronger regional cooperation to sustain healthcare services across Africa. SADC Head of Health Dr Lamboly Kumboneki said African health systems had depended heavily on donor funding for the past 40 years, making it necessary for countries to develop sustainable and self-reliant financing strategies. Speaking at the ongoing Regional Economic Communities (RECs) Coordination Meeting, Dr Kumboneki said the anticipated funding shortfall should prompt countries to rethink how they finance healthcare rather than simply replacing one donor with another. He called for the implementation of strategies to advance Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the integration of health systems to ensure people continue accessing essential medicines and services. Dr Kumboneki also emphasised the importance of cooperat...
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Mulwanda sees Luapula becoming Zambia’s next Copperbelt

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Mweru Member of Parliament Lesley Mulwanda says Luapula Province has the potential to become Zambia’s next Copperbelt if ongoing geological surveys identify viable mineral deposits and attract investment into the region. Mr Mulwanda, a geologist by profession, says Mweru and neighbouring Nchelenge remain largely unexplored, particularly in terms of detailed geological mapping, despite indications of mineral potential. He was reacting to President Hakainde Hichilema’s address during the opening of the 14th National Assembly, in which the Head of State said the government was nearing completion of the national geological mapping programme aimed at supporting mineral exploration and attracting investment. Mr Mulwanda says the high-resolution geophysical surveys conducted in his constituency could help identify geological structures that may contain mineral deposits, providing investors with the information needed to assess mining opportunities. “Luapula, especially Nchelenge and M...
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Mulwanda commends FRA for improved maize payments

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Mweru Member of Parliament Lesley Mulwanda has commended the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) for improving the maize buying and payment process this year, saying farmers are receiving their money faster compared to previous seasons. Mr. Mulwanda says the 2026 marketing season has so far progressed smoothly, with farmers receiving payments through mobile money within days of delivering their maize. “This year they’ve been very organised. Our people have delivered the maize to the depots, and within two, three days they are paid. The mode of payment has also improved,” Mr. Mulwanda said. He said the shift from cash payments had also reduced the risks associated with farmers carrying large sums of money, particularly in rural areas where motorcycles are commonly used for transportation. Mr. Mulwanda said the previous system, which relied on cash and later bank payments , presented challenges for farmers, including long queues and delays at the only available bank in his constituen...
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