Chali Mulenga

CHALI MULENGA Livingstone MINISTRY of Education Permanent Secretary for Technical Services Kelvin Mambwe has described Zambia’s Catch-Up intervention as a key strategy for improving foundational literacy and numeracy, saying the programme is already showing positive results in public schools. Dr Mambwe said this in Livingstone after monitoring implementation of the remedial learning initiative alongside a delegation from India and education partner VVOB. The team visited two schools where they observed lessons and interacted with teachers and learners participating in catch-up classes designed to help pupils attain expected competency levels. “The impression that we have gotten is very impressive. We are able to see children who are slow learners catching up, able to read and write and able to do simple arithmetic, which is very important,” Dr Mambwe said. He said the programme targets learners struggling with literacy and numeracy by strengthening foundational skills needed for progre...

 A 35-year-old woman of Lukupa Village in Chief Mapanza's area is in police custody for allegedly sexually exploiting a 17-year-old boy whom she cohabited with as husband and wife for over six months. Southern Province Commanding Officer Moono Namalongo confirmed the arrest, saying the matter was reported at Choma Central Police Station on June 16, 2026, at approximately 13:10 hours by the juvenile's 54-year-old father. The complainant alleged that between November 30, 2025, and June 16, 2026, the suspect took his son into her home and kept him as a partner. Mr Namalongo said the father repeatedly engaged the woman and advised her to release the boy, who is still a child under parental care. However, the suspect allegedly refused, prompting the matter to be reported to the police. Upon receiving the report, police officers visited the suspect's residence but found that the juvenile had left for an unknown destination. The suspect was apprehended and interviewed. During the ...

By Chali Mulenga The Professional Teachers’ Union of Zambia (PROTUZ) has commended Government for creating conditions that have enabled teachers to access larger loans, saying the development has the potential to improve livelihoods if members use the funds prudently. PROTUZ Secretary General Kangwa Musenga said teachers can now access loans ranging from K200,000 to K300,000 annually, describing the development as a positive move that could help transform the welfare of teachers. Dr Musenga said the union was pleased that many teachers who previously struggled to access meaningful credit due to existing debt burdens were now beginning to benefit from improved borrowing opportunities. “Even now teachers can get K200,000 or K300,000 a year in loans. Is that not a good move?” Dr Musenga said. He urged teachers to put the money to good use and invest in activities that would improve their economic standing rather than diverting the funds to non-productive ventures. Dr Musenga said access t...

  By CHALI MULENGA  Independent Kazungula Town Council chairperson candidate Osward Siansundi has pledged to use his experience in local government to spearhead development and improve service delivery in the district if elected. Mr Siansundi said his priority would be to provide leadership, unite residents and ensure development projects funded through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) benefit communities across the district. "My wishes for the people of Kazungula are that we move to another level of development. The position of council chairperson is about providing leadership, bringing hope to the people, bringing peace and bringing everyone together so that we achieve our common goals," he said. Mr Siansundi said he would work closely with the district's Members of Parliament, councillors, traditional leaders and council management to ensure development projects are successfully implemented. "What I intend to achieve together with my colleagues, the MPs for...

By CHALI MULENGA AN independent aspiring candidate for Kabila Ward, Christopher Siyundan Malumbe, has pledged to prioritise access to clean water, electricity, bridge construction, economic empowerment and land title deeds if elected into office. Mr Malumbe said the five areas would form the cornerstone of his development agenda aimed at improving the living standards of residents in the ward. Speaking in an interview, Mr Malumbe said inadequate access to basic services continues to hinder socio-economic development in many parts of the ward and requires urgent intervention. "My primary focus will be on water, electricity, bridge infrastructure, empowerment programmes and title deeds. These are critical issues affecting our people and they require immediate attention," he said. Mr Malumbe said access to clean and safe water remains a challenge in several communities and pledged to work with relevant authorities to expand water infrastructure. He also said electrification of u...

By Chali Mulenga LIVINGSTONE – Aspirants and officials from the National Reconciliation Party of Unity and Progress (NRPUP) have called on voters in Livingstone to elect leaders capable of addressing service delivery challenges and representing their interests effectively ahead of next year's general elections. Speaking during a mobilisation meeting in Livingstone, Dambwa Central Ward aspiring councillor Dennis Chisanga said the area urgently needed additional schools to reduce overcrowding and improve learning conditions. Mr Chisanga said some pupils were walking long distances to access education while classrooms were accommodating between 80 and 90 learners, making it difficult for teachers to provide quality instruction. “There is need for more schools in the ward. Children should not be moving long distances to access education. The classrooms are overcrowded and learners are failing to concentrate. We also need more toilet facilities in schools,” he said. Livingstone Mayor Ge...

By CHALI MULENGA Former United Party for National Development (UPND) official Friday Nkonde has resigned from the ruling party and announced his intention to contest the 2026 local government elections as an independent candidate for Kariba Ward in Livingstone's Maramba Constituency. In a resignation letter addressed to the UPND Livingstone Branch Chairperson dated June 21, 2026, Mr Nkonde said he had decided to exercise his constitutional and legal right to seek election as an independent candidate. "Please accept this letter as a formal notice of my resignation from the United Party for National Development (UPND) effective immediately," Mr Nkonde stated. He thanked the party for the opportunity to contribute to its mission and achievements but said it was time for him to pursue a different political path. Speaking in an interview, Mr Nkonde said his decision was driven by what he described as the failure to complete key development projects in Kariba Ward. He cited unf...

CHALI MULENGA Livingstone Shafik Hospital Director Grace Shafik has called for stronger community involvement in supporting Livingstone University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), saying collective action is key to improving healthcare delivery and sustaining the institution’s service to the public. Ms Shafik said this during the donation of chairs to the hospital’s neonatal unit, where she expressed pride in her association with the facility, noting that she was trained and previously worked there. She said the hospital remains a community asset that requires continued support from former staff, residents and stakeholders to enhance patient care and working conditions. “I am so proud of this place. Being one of the staff trained here gives me great joy to see the commitment being demonstrated by the nurses and management,” Ms Shafik said. She said her decision to contribute was motivated by efforts already being made by hospital staff to improve service delivery, adding that even small contr...