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Illustration of some counterfeit products - picture by ZCSA Facebook page Jason   Mwanza, a 34 ‑ year ‑ old trader who sells disposable drinks and other food items in Lusaka ’ s John Howard area, has been hearing stories of how the Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) has been clamping down on traders selling counterfeit products on the market. Jason revealed that he became interested and eager to know more about the agency and later decided to check on the internet what the agency does; this is how he came to know about ZCSA. He acknowledged that some of the products which are usually seized and destroyed by the agency were items he previously traded in, a development which made him very careful and vigilant when ordering his goods. It is undisputed that counterfeit products, ranging from clothing and electronics to food and beverages, have penetrated nearly every sector of the country’s economy. Their rise on the local market is fast becoming a serious source of concern. ...

Ministry of Agriculture Chief Engineer -Agricultural Mechanization Joseph Phakati says the government has introduced the Hello Tractor  digital application to enhance monitoring, coordination, and delivery of mechanization  services across the country. Mr. Phakati said the application provides real-time information on tractor location, activity, speed, and fuel consumption, enabling improved efficiency and accountability in the use of public agricultural equipment. “This application gives us real-time reports on where the tractor is, what it is doing, the speed it is moving at, the fuel consumption, and most importantly, the work it has completed in a day,” he said. S peaking during a presentation to civil society organizations  on the Comprehensive Agricultural Transformation Support Programme , a government framework aimed at increasing agricultural productivity , Mr. Phakati noted that the mechanization  agenda is embedded within the programme. Mr. Phakati explai...

Patriotic Front (PF) Chilubi Member of Parliament Mulenga Fube has criticized  a section of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), accusing them of aligning themselves with State House for personal gain and describing them as bamushanina ubwali. Mr. Fube said he is disappointed with what he called the current crop of CSOs, arguing that many outspoken activists went silent or shifted positions after the UPND formed government. “I know that after the UPND took over, a lot of CSOs changed. Those who were once vocal have been appointed to various positions   some into commissions and others into different roles,” he said. He cited activist Laura Miti as an example, claiming she now maintains what he described as a “faint voice” after accepting an appointment as commissioner, adding that he believes this has placed her in a conflicting position. “I was shocked that organisations that previously stood firm are now supporting what the state puts forward. Many NGOs that were loud before ...

Picture by Radio Christian Voice Patriotic Front ( PF ) Chilubi Member of Parliament Mulenga Fube has cautioned students against what he termed the abuse of their space . Mr. Fube said this is because the nation depends on their independent thinking and intellectual diversity. Mr. Fube said students play a critical role in shaping national discourse and the country’s economic future, stressing that it is unrealistic and unhealthy for the student population to hold a single, uniform position on complex national matters such as the Constitution or the cost of living. “It is impossible for all students to speak with one voice on any question. Students are expected to be informed in a manner that enables them to interpret situations objectively,” he said. He questioned the state of student unionism , saying past generations of students were known for their vibrancy and engagement on issues affecting the general public. “Where has unionism gone? In the past, students would differ on issu...

Climate Change Expert Abel Musumali has called on the government to establish a carbon pricing mechanism to help Zambia meet its climate finance goals and international commitments. Dr. Musumali said the country needs to introduce a standard price for carbon , arguing that the current unregulated approach leaves Zambia vulnerable to exploitation. “There must be a standard in terms of how much a ton of carbon is sold for. If Zambia sells a ton of carbon at 20 to 30 dollars, we set a benchmark,” he said. “If we leave it open, someone may buy a ton at five dollars and resell it on the international market at 80 to 100 dollars.” He further proposed that government introduce taxes on plastics and other environmentally harmful products as part of resource mobilization for climate financing . Dr. Musumali said such taxes would compel larger companies and industries to contribute meaningfully to national climate financing efforts. He also stressed the need for greater private sector involve...

Her identity has been protected in line with child-protection guidelines. A  16 year-old girl, whose identity has been withheld for her protection, says she feels deeply let down by her father after he allegedly took a light decision when she was defi led by her 19 year old stepbrother. The abuse occurred when she was 14. I dentified only as Mary, the teenager lived with her three sisters and one stepbrother after her parents divorced. She recounts that that the abuse happened mostly when her stepmother was away from home. Mary said the siblings would play hide and seek and whenever her stepbrother joined the game, he would lure her into a room, remove her clothes and defile her. “We would play hide-and-seek,” Mary said. “When he joined, he would find me, pull me into a room, remove my clothes, and defile me.” She further revealed that on some days, the children were denied food and were beaten by the same stepbrother whenever adults were not present. According to Mary, her stepmot...

For safety reasons, her face has been blurred Fathers are often seen as protectors by their daughters, but this is not the case for 16-year-old  Mary Mwanza  (not her real name), who experienced sexual abuse at the hands of her stepbrother when she was only 14. Mary lived with her father after her parents divorced. Her father, an engineer, moved into a new home with his wife, Mary’s siblings, and his stepson. Mary explained that whenever the adults were away, her stepbrother would mistreat the children and sometimes deny them food. One day, while Mary and her siblings were playing, her then-19-year-old stepbrother isolated her and sexually assaulted her. He threatened her to ensure she stayed silent, and this pattern of abuse left Mary deeply frightened and emotionally distressed. “I wanted to run away because no one believed me,” she said. Another girl living in the household later reported witnessing the incident, but Mary’s stepmother dismissed the claim at first. She only ...