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...

By Chali Mulenga LIVINGSTONE – Aspiring Livingstone Central Constituency parliamentary candidate Gracious Dilon Mayangwa has commended President Hakainde Hichilema and Government for releasing K17.8 billion in April 2026 towards public service delivery, infrastructure development, social protection programmes and economic recovery. Mr Mayangwa said the Treasury releases demonstrate Government’s commitment to improving the welfare of citizens and strengthening development across the country, including in Livingstone Constituency. He said the allocation of funds to sectors such as road infrastructure, water development, health, education and social protection will have a direct impact on the lives of ordinary residents. “The release of these funds shows Government’s seriousness in addressing developmental challenges and improving service delivery. Constituencies like Livingstone stand to benefit greatly from these investments,” Mr Mayangwa said. He particularly welcomed the release of K1...

By Chali Mulenga Residents of Livingstone Central Constituency have intensified calls for accelerated development and improved community engagement, with many expressing support for aspiring parliamentary candidate Gracious Dilon Mayangwa ahead of the 2026 general election. The residents, drawn from the transport sector, markets and surrounding communities, said Livingstone continues to face challenges ranging from deteriorating roads and youth unemployment to limited business opportunities and inadequate community empowerment programmes. Speaking in separate interviews, the residents said they are looking for leadership that will maintain close interaction with communities and push for practical solutions to local challenges. Spa Bus Station vice-chairperson and taxi driver Mike Maseka said poor road infrastructure remains one of the major concerns affecting motorists and businesses in the tourist capital. Mr Maseka said damaged roads are increasing vehicle maintenance costs for taxi ...

By Chali Mulenga LIVINGSTONE – Aspiring Livingstone Central Constituency parliamentary candidate Dilon Mayangwa has praised President Hakainde Hichilema for his continued commitment to infrastructure development, saying the policy direction provides a strong foundation for local solutions to emerging urban challenges. Mr Mayangwa said the New Dawn Government has demonstrated political will in addressing national development concerns, but stressed that effective local leadership is now required to translate that vision into tangible results on the ground. “President Hichilema has set a clear development agenda anchored on economic growth and improved service delivery. What is required now is focused and coordinated leadership at constituency level to ensure these programmes deliver for the people,” he said. He said leaders must act as managers and agents of development, ensuring that national policies are effectively implemented to address pressing challenges such as water stress in Liv...

By Chali Mulenga LIVINGSTONE – Aspiring Livingstone Central Constituency parliamentary candidate Dilon Mayangwa has praised President Hakainde Hichilema for creating a stable economic and policy environment, but says there is need for strong local leadership to translate the vision into tangible development outcomes in the tourism capital. Mr Mayangwa said while the New Dawn administration has laid a solid foundation for economic recovery and growth, Livingstone requires “practical managers and agents of development” to unlock its full tourism potential. “President Hichilema has set the tone for economic transformation, but at constituency level we now need effective managers who can implement and deliver results,” he said. Mr Mayangwa expressed concern over what he described as a widening gap between Livingstone’s vast tourism potential and actual economic returns. He noted that the city is endowed with world-class attractions such as the Victoria Falls, the Harry Mwanga Nkumbula Inte...

CHALI MULENGA Livingstone For Abel Chiluti, the journey from a childhood of ridicule to a seat at the decision-making table has been defined by a single, unwavering principle: a person with a disability has the same rights as anyone else. Born with a physical disability on January 12, 1987, in Libuyu township, Mr Chiluti, 38, recalls a childhood marked by mockery from peers and a community that viewed disability as a condition to be pitied rather than one to be understood and accommodated. The second-born in a family of six, he says the challenges extended beyond his personal struggles, placing an emotional and practical burden on his parents, who had to balance providing care for him with raising the rest of the family. “During my childhood, it was not easy because I was being mocked by my colleagues,” Mr Chiluti said in an interview. “At that time, the community looked at disability as a case. So for a person with a disability to interact with able-bodied people, it became something ...

Chali Mulenga  Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism Evans Muhanga says the Livingstone International Culture and Arts Festival (LICAF) is promoting unity and showcasing Zambia’s cultural identity. Speaking as he welcomed Tourism Minister Rodney Sikumba, Mr Muhanga said the festival has attracted participants from all ten provinces and neighbouring Botswana and Zimbabwe. He said the presence of diplomats, including the Botswana Ambassador, reflects the festival’s growing international status. “This festival brings Zambians together to showcase and learn their culture,” he said. “It also shows we are one people despite our diversity.” Mr Muhanga said LICAF now serves as a platform for cultural exchange and regional cooperation. He praised collaboration among Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, saying joint performances highlight shared heritage. He said gastronomy tourism is a key feature, with traditional foods attracting visitors. “You can taste Zambia’s diverse foods during t...

 Tourism Minister Rodney Sikumba has hailed the 2026 Livingstone International Culture and Arts Festival (LICAF) as a key driver of cultural unity, sustainable development and regional integration. Speaking during the official opening of the two-day festival in Livingstone yesterday, Mr Sikumba — who is also Member of Parliament for the tourist capital — described the event as Zambia’s emerging “cultural heartbeat” and an important platform for promoting heritage as an economic asset. The minister apologised for arriving late, attributing the delay to circumstances beyond his control, and joked that “ministers are never late, they are always delayed,” drawing laughter from the audience. Mr Sikumba said LICAF, which dates back to the late 1990s and early 2000s, has grown into one of the country’s flagship cultural tourism events, showcasing music, dance, cuisine and handicrafts from Zambia and other countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). He said the festival...

By CHALI MULENGA Livingstone, March 7, 2026 CHIEF Justice has warned that sustained attacks on the Judiciary risk undermining the rule of law, eroding public confidence and destabilising the country’s economic prospects. Speaking at the official opening of the Bar-Bench Conference in Livingstone yesterday, Dr Malila said judicial independence remains one of the most critical but misunderstood pillars of Zambia’s democracy, requiring constant protection from unwarranted interference and public hostility. He said the doctrine, anchored in Article 18 of the Constitution, guarantees every citizen the right to a fair hearing before an independent and impartial tribunal, and is central to sustaining democratic governance and economic growth. “Judicial independence is not an abstract ideal but a practical necessity. Without it, the rule of law collapses and public confidence in the justice system is severely weakened,” Dr Malila said. The Chief Justice cautioned that while constructive...

Health workers at Livingstone Central Hospital, now elevated to University Teaching Hospital status, are resorting to methylated spirit to wash their hands amid a crippling water shortage that has forced the postponement of life-saving surgeries and left pregnant women delivering in dire conditions. The revelation came from Patriotic Front (PF) Livingstone Media Director Mr Chilufya Mwewa, who painted a grim picture of the crisis gripping Southern Province’s flagship health facility and the broader Livingstone community. “It’s very bad,” Mr Mwewa told journalists. “In these times, a woman who is pregnant goes to the hospital and during delivery there’s no water. In some cases the hospital is even adjourning some surgeries. The situation is worse.” He added that the water shortage has reached such desperate levels that medical staff are now using methylated spirit – a harsh industrial alcohol normally reserved for disinfection – as a substitute for basic handwashing. Mr Mwewa said the c...

Patriotic Front Livingstone Constituency Youth Chairman Harrison Simakumba has launched a blistering attack on Deputy Secretary-General for Politics Miles Sampa, accusing him of being a habitual opportunist who has repeatedly betrayed the party, begged for forgiveness, and is now illegally claiming the PF presidency. Mr Simakumba, who described himself as the constituency’s youth chairman, said he was compelled to speak out after Sampa held a press briefing a few days ago in which he once again declared himself president of the PF. “To me, I want to call him the president because he is currently our Deputy Secretary-General for Politics,” Mr Simakumba told journalists here.  “He presided over the conference we had. It was a conference of non-empathy. He was one of the organisers and took it to its conclusion.” The chairman said it was “surprising” to hear Sampa later claim in Livingstone that the PF never held any conference.  Yet, Mr Simakumba insisted, structures that broke ...

By CHALI MULENGA Livingstone The student loan application window has opened, and a prominent entrepreneur and businessman in Livingstone is urging young people to take full advantage of it, alongside other government-backed empowerment programmes. Evans Fenete said many youths across the country are missing out on life-changing opportunities due to lack of information or failure to act. “The student loan is an important opportunity for young people who want to pursue higher education but lack financial support. I urge all eligible youths to apply and invest in their future,” Mr. Fenete said. Mr. Fenete, who has built a successful career in business and entrepreneurship, highlighted the IMISEPELA initiative as a platform offering a wide range of opportunities, including jobs, funding, grants, investment prospects, and skills development programmes targeted at youths across the country. He praised President Hakainde Hichilema, saying the head of state “means well” and has put in place se...

CHALI MULENGA Livingstone  The Patriotic Front (PF) has defended the election of its new president, Makebi Zulu, despite his failure to secure a single vote in Livingstone, with the party admitting the outcome exposes deeper structural and organisational challenges. PF media director Chilufya Mwewa said in Lusaka yesterday that while the party respects the outcome of the just-ended convention, the results did not fully reflect the party’s expectations across all districts. Mr Mwewa acknowledged that Mr Zulu polled zero votes in Livingstone, a result he described as being “in the public domain”, and urged the newly elected leader to treat it as a signal of the work ahead in rebuilding the party’s grassroots support. “I will be very honest, the results have not come out the way we wanted in certain areas. The president got zero in Livingstone, and this is public information. It shows there is a lot of work to be done,” he said. He, however, stressed that PF remains united and that th...