Favourite K. Chisi

The Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR), with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has launched the School and Junior Councils Advocates Toolkit , a practical guide designed to equip adolescents with the skills they need to organize and effectively manage student and junior councils across Zambia. The toolkit is much more than just a manua l  it offers young people a platform to raise their voices, participate meaningfully in school governance, and play an active role in community development. Set to be rolled out nationwide, this initiative supports Zambia’s broader efforts to boost youth participation in governance and local development. Developed through extensive research in Lusaka, Katete, and Kafue districts, the toolkit benefited from the insights of teachers, District Education Boards (DEBs), student and junior councils, CSPR staff, and UNICEF. Lead consultant Dr. Aaron Chansa has described the launch as a landmark moment in promoting youth leade...

Picture for illustration purposes only. The actual individuals were not photographed in accordance with their parents’ wishes. In the quiet town of Katete , a medium-sized town nestled at the foot of rocky hills in Eastern Province , Agnes (not her real name) is grasping a second chance at life. At just 16, she dropped out of school after becoming pregnant while in Grade Nine. “I was writing my Grade Nine exams when I became pregnant. After writing , I passed, but my parents had nothing to do with me,” she recalls. For months, her dream of becoming a police officer after completing her secondary education seemed shattered. But today, Agnes is back in Grade 11, thanks to Zambia’s school re-entry policy . Introduced in Zambia in 1997, the policy aims to address high rates of school dropout among young mothers by giving them the opportunity to complete their schooling and achieve their full educational potential. Agness, a policy beneficiary, is advising her peers to prioritize education ...

In a powerful celebration of purpose, partnership, and progress, the Graca Machel Trust (GMT)  and the Zambia Federation of Associations of Women in Business (ZFAWIB)  brought together trailblazing women from across Zambia to mark a milestone: the graduation of 83 entrepreneurs under the Women Creating Wealth programme . From calls to embrace partnerships and scale for the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)  to an urgent reminder to “walk carefully when dealing with human souls” , the event was packed with wisdom, numbers, and inspiration. ZFAWIB Chairperson Maureen Sumbwe   has noted  the need for women to invest in themselves, formalize their businesses, and build networks that last beyond training programs. With over $11.8 million in capital raised by Zambian women  and more than 4,000 jobs created , this was  no t just a celebration it was a call to action. Ms. Sumbwe has underscored the transformative power of partnerships, association, a...

Acquire to Share Foundation has announced plans to construct a community school in Chongwe  District , Lusaka Province, aimed at benefiting hundreds of vulnerable children. Initial estimates indicate that the Foundation will require at least K1 million to commence the project   covering the laying of the foundation slab, construction of initial classrooms, and teacher housing. To raise the required funds, the Foundation, through its Executive Director Mrs. Victoria Yambani, held a fundraising car wash in Lusaka’s Kamwala South  at Splash Car Wash and Barbershop . Mrs. Yambani has reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to uplifting vulnerable groups, particularly children and women, through sustainable empowerment projects. “Our main objective is to contribute to the well-being of children and women,” she said. “While we do assist vulnerable men in critical cases, this particular project is focused on supporting children who have been left behind due to lack of access to...

President of the Traditional Practitioners Association of Zambia (TPAZ), Rodwell Vongo , has described calls to ban sexual boosters known as aphrodisiacs as extreme and ill-advised. Dr.  Vongo has likened the calls for an outright ban to punishing an entire industry of goods and services due to misuse by a few individuals. He drew comparisons with the misuse of licensed firearms and alcohol, noting that the issue lies not with the products themselves but with how they are used. “If someone abuses a licensed firearm, we do not ban all guns. In the same way, if some individuals misuse aphrodisiacs, we should not call for an outright ban,” Mr. Vongo stated. He has underscored the need for sensitization over prohibition , warning that banning such products without providing alternatives would lead to underground use, posing even greater public health risks. Mr. Vongo has also stressed that many people suffering from low libido due to medical conditions such as diabetes and high blood p...

The Higher Education Authority (HEA) has reaffirmed the vital role that private universities and colleges play in advancing equitable access to tertiary education in Zambia. HEA Director of Quality Assurance, Dr. Martin Mushumba , said  with public universities operating at full capacity, private Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have become indispensable. He  has disclosed that private institutions absorb over 15,000 students annually , thereby easing pressure on state institutions and significantly expanding the country’s enrolment capacity. “Today, private HEIs enrol over 42 percent  of Zambia’s tertiary students, creating pathways for learners previously excluded due to geographical and socio-economic barriers,” Dr. Mushumba said. He has noted that private institutions have brought education closer to underserved communities, particularly in Southern, Western, Eastern, and Luapula provinces , where public universities were previously non-existent. In these regions,...

Ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) aspiring Mayor for Lusaka, Rev. Dr. William Njombo , has called on party members to deepen grassroots mobilization efforts and take full advantage of empowerment opportunities through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). Speaking during the launch of three new UPND branches in Lusaka Central’s Lunwa Ward , Dr. Njombo has commended the local leadership for their commitment and growth. “I was delighted to join the Lusaka Central Constituency and Lunwa Ward teams. These new branches are a testament to our party’s expanding reach, and I encouraged members to recruit widely and serve with diligence,” he said. He has reaffirmed both his personal support and that of the broader UPND leadership, stressing that the party’s strength lies in its community structures. Dr. Njombo has also urged members to utilize CDF programs , including skills bursaries, loans, and grants, to uplift themselves and their communities. “In line with President Ha...

The Higher Education Authority (HEA) has called on prospective students to verify the legitimacy of higher learning institutions and the accreditation status of their study programmes before enrolling. HEA Corporate Communications Officer Birbal Boniface Musoba says it is vital for students to check whether an institution is registered and whether the programme is accredited, to avoid wasting time and money. “The most important thing is to verify the institution with us before you enroll,” Mr. Musoba advised. “It’s not just about losing money , once you lose time, you can’t get it back.” Speaking when he featured on ZAMCOM Radio  in Lusaka, Mr. Musoba has further advised the public to visit HEA’s website at hea.org.zm  or use its social media platforms (Facebook, X [formerly Twitter], Instagram, LinkedIn @HEAZambia) to verify institutions and programmes. The authority can also be reached via email at info@hea.org.zm . “For private institutions, the law mandates that they displ...

Syngenta East and Southern Africa Managing Director, Given Mudenda, has reaffirmed the company's commitment to environmental stewardship through a groundbreaking pesticide container recycling initiative. Mr. Mudenda who also serves as Chairperson of CropLife Zambia and sits on various regional boards of CropLife Africa   said Syngenta began the project years before Zambia introduced legislation on pesticide container management. “We didn’t wait for the law. We started this out of a sense of responsibility and sustainability,” he said. “T he initiative began with collecting empty pesticide containers from seed companies and has since grown into a national program. In partnership with CropLife and other major agrochemical firms like Bayer and BASF, Syngenta has helped establish drop-off centers where farmers can return used containers ,” Mr. Mudenda said.   He said t hese are cleaned and recycled into useful products including plastic pools for tomato growers, reducing the need ...

The Centre for Peace Research and Advocacy (CPRA) has strongly condemned a viral video circulating on social media showing cadres at the Patriotic Front (PF) Secretariat chanting “No Tonga Song,” calling it a dangerous display of tribal hate speech. CPRA Executive Director Cliffton Chifuwe, has warned that such rhetoric threatens Zambia’s national unity, social cohesion, and long-standing peace. Mr. Chifuwe has  also expressed deep concern over remarks made by Socialist Party President Dr. Fred M’membe, a key figure in the PF/Tonse Alliance. While visiting the PF Secretariat, where a parallel funeral gathering has been set up to mourn the late President Lungu, Dr. M’membe allegedly stated: “ These are bad people, let us not vote for them in 2026.” He said such comments   especially during a period of national mourning   are highly irresponsible and risk inflaming tribal divisions. “This is not a moment for political opportunism. It is a moment for unity and emotional rest...