CHALI MULENGA

Livingstone

 “Having a vision when undertaking a business is paramount in the growth of any business interest,” attests a determined 47-year-old Clement Banda, a Kupempha Mwanzeru General Dealers proprietor. 

In a spirit of Zambia being a land of possibility beyond ones geographical heritage, Banda born and bred in Katete District of the Eastern Province is now a household entrepreneur in the Southern Province.

Married since 1999 and graciously blessed with five children, Mr. Banda’s Kupempha Mwanzeru General Dealers specializes in manufacturing peanut butter and milling maize into Zambia’s staple food-mealie meal.

 “Though, I produce quality peanut, I am still waiting for Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, through the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) to help me break through into international market. I had made the initial linkages but the ZDA has not been very helpful in ensuring that I get my produce outside the country,” an impatient but optimistic Banda prayed.

Banda is confident of making a niche beyond the Common Market for East and Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Great Lakes region as Kupempha Mwanzeru General Dealers has successfully exhibited at district, provincial and national shows.

Despite having a humble education, Mr. Banda urges Zambians to remain determined as academic excellence cannot deter optimistic individuals from becoming respectful entrepreneurs.

“I produce quality peanut recognized by Zambia Bureau of Standards ((ZABS). I want more supports to build business brand. I believe that the most effective way to success is to increase Kupempha Mwanzeru General Dealers’ capital, as we have diversified into production of mealie meal, a commodity, which has no hidden costs,” said Banda, currently operating from Libuyu Market, a stone through from Livingstone’s Central Business District.

Banda is open to mentoring new entrants and is ready to train others on how to become small scale entrepreneurs beyond the manufacturing sector.

Banda is indebted to seed money which the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Child Development provided, as   it supplemented the purchase of equipment machine with which Kupempha Mwanzeru General Dealers now use to produce peanut.

Banda did his primary school in Serenje and Kapiri Mposhi districts of Central Province, before moving to Zambia’s capital city of Lusaka to write a Grade Seven exam.

“I failed to qualify to grade eight and decided to go to the village in Katete district of the Eastern province and begun farming. The following year, I managed to reseat my grade seven examination and qualified to grade eight. I wrote grade nine examinations but he failed to qualify for grade 10. At this point, I took my second shot at farming and trading in farm produce between Lusaka and Katete,” recollects Banda.

Not that he is complacent, but one of the factors that contributed to Banda not doing well at school was the long distance to school compounded by a divorce which his parents had.

“It used to take me one hour to reach school every day so at time we used to jog to school so that we can reach there on time, I had to change school as my parents were working for the Zambia National Service (ZNS), and entity that frequently had them transferred to a new post.

I used to sale sweet potatoes, groundnuts and maize, on the roadside, selling sugar cane, sweet potatoes at Lilanda market, within Lusaka’s Matero Constituency in my journey as an entrepreneur,” recalled Banda

Before venturing into a personal manufacturing firm, Banda did learn the art of machine repair in several enterprises that offered the then Katete born and bred land apprenticeships.

“I even learnt how to make 12 volts batteries, a feat arising from an inspiration to become a mechanical engineer. I recall helping my brother to become an electrician and wielding machine expert,” reminisced Banda.

In addition, Banda used to transport Irish potatoes from Livingstone to Lusaka, a trade he has learnt from the previous company which had employed him.

As an optimist, Banda later left Lusaka resolved on investing time and energy in peanut butter and cooking oil manufacturing, a desire which blossomed when a Kupempha Mwanzeru General Dealers got registered on Thursday 23rd July 2009, and in 2010, met someone from the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Child Development, who intimated that government could offer financial support.

Banda was encouraged to go for training and at the same meeting took an opportunity to market his manufacturing venture.

“I opted to invest in a cooking oil and peanut butter manufacturing enterprise; as I saw it as a gold mine idea.

I applied for a K90, 000 loan from the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Child Development to acquire manufacturing equipment.  Authorities approved K20, 000 as seed  money. We made a workable plan with team managers and commenced manufacturing of peanut and cooking oil.

Aside from the 20,000 cash provided by the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Child Development, Banda received a K3, 000 credit from a business partner to order Mongu rice, for resale.

Unfortunately, his friend disappeared with the money and though the matter was reported to the police and the ministry, the public resources rent by government are yet to be recovered.

“The theft of my seed money did not deter me from venturing into this dream of manufacturing,” says Banda, who like a proverbial phoenix bird resurrected a dream and now employs five people, and children in the production company.

“I have trained a number of people, groups of men and women in the making of peanut but community leadership in cooperatives have failed and prosper as entrepreneurs,” laments Banda, citing Coronavirus (covid 19) pandemic as worsening the plight of indigenous entrepreneurs. 

 “Being a manufacturer in the wake of COVID 19 and unreliable power supply to the small and medium enterprises is one of the biggest challenges that is being faced,” Banda cried.

Making reference to the New Normal, Banda said covid 19 had brought in a reduction in purchasing power as most people are grappling with high income inequality, high unemployment and heightening poverty.

Banda’s wife is names are Nelly Banda her last name is a family, whom he met in Lusaka and later travelled to Livingstone where they settled.

Their first born is Ireen who is 20 years old she has managed to complete school in 2019, she is married and has one child.

She resides in Lusaka and the skill if manufacturing   peanut has not been transferred to her.

And the second born is Margaret, who is 18 years old and she is in grade 10, she is also active in the business.

The third born in Happy who is 16 years old he has transferred most of the skills to him as he is the only boy child, who is doing grade eight.  He helps in the production especially when not in school.  

The fourth born is Zangiwe who is 14 year old and doing grade six

 And the last born is Taliya who is eight year old and she is at preschool.  She does not participate in the production of peanut maybe when she grows older.

Banda says his wife has been supported of his business but due to ill health of having blood pressure she does not participate actively in the peanut making.

 The packing of his peanut is 1 kilogramme, 375 grammes , 275 grammes 210 grammes and 130 grammes.

From the hammer mills that he is running at Libuyu market he mills both breakfast, super roller meal and roller meal.

He also offers wielding services to those that would want it using a homemade wielding machine he made.

Banda urges the people that would get money from the government to put to good use as the same money as managed to transform his life by being focused and sticking to his vision.

He still encourages the people in cooperatives to ensure that they are always accountable as it is the only way they can make their business grow and contribute to the development of the country.

It is clear that the small medium enterprises are the driving force of the country’s economic as they can help the country to beat COVID 19.

Katete born and bred Kupempha Mwanzeru General Dealers feeding Livingstone.

 End

 CHALI MULENGA
 Livingstone

Till death do us apart; this partnership will not die, is a matrimonial cliche that has been publicly proclaimed by couples.

Though a monotonous proclamation, 70-year-old Morden Silunyange and 68-year-old Priscilla Tamara Mhango - Silunyange soldier till the inevitable; if not likely finish line defined by death of a spouse.
 
Mr. Silunyange a septuagenarian born in 1950, and sexagenarian Mhango-Silunyange at 68 was born in 1952, more than a decade before Zambia attained independence from British colonial rule on Saturday 24th October 1964.

Like the proverbial keeping together, as a couple,  is cemented through  praying together and ensuring that unity of purpose is kept alive through being in emotionally and physically touch at all times.

The Silunyange's attest to prayer being a corner stone of their enviable 46 year marriage.

Morden Silunyange and Priscilla Tamara Mhango-Silunyange  have been graciously blessed by eight children; four boys and four girls.

A nostalgic Mhango narrates that she met Silunyange at Naminyanga mission secondary school in 1969.
 The school was coeducation school, Mhango was a talented netballer and Silunyange is talented footballer.
 She said they were at the dining hall as at the school both boys and girls used to eat together.
 She said Silunyange was his senior at school.
“It took us some time to say I love you to each other’s, we were last group sit for form two, as we also sat for form three examinations,” Mr Silunyange said.

Mr Silunyange said “when she came at school I was in form three and she was in form one”.
“I even played in the national team, I was a friend to her cousin, who introduced me to her. I did a background check on her using the head girl, who indicated to me that she is a good girl,” Mr Silunyange said.
“He introduced me to me to her and we greeted each,” he said.

Mr Silunyange said said she realised that she a daughter of reverand and knew that coming from such a setting she is a good girl.
“We used to over night prayers at school we prayed for what we wanted. we prayed that we would like spend the rest of our lives together. We cemented our friendship. We made a vow that we would marry but that we would remain chaste, however there was some kissing, he said.
 Mr Silunyange said every body at the school knew about the relationship  and that they never took the short of testing the fruit.
“We left school without having sex and we kept the vow she was staying in Lusaka and while I was in Livingstone because of the football that I participated in I got a h job with ZSIC in Lusaka,” Mr Silunyange said.
“We continued with our journey accordingly to the vow.
 In December 1971 he left school and  in 1972 she also left school,” he said.
He started work in 1972, and in 974 the got married.
 He said it was not easy for him to keep the vow on his part as they were a lot of temptation in the office.
“I had the biggest challenge at the office I don’t know maybe its the looks that contributed.
 As a footballer I had a lot of challenges to keep the vow.
 I ended up having Glenda in my struggle of keeping the vow and however I could not time my wife about it until after some years in our marriage, she was born in 1973,” Mr Silunyange said.
Mrs Silunyange said that she didn’t know about that he had a child until she had a third born.
 She said he informed that he had not told her because he feared that she would break up with her.
The couple continued with their lives until in 1987 when she failed her examinations.
Modern said men are always men who are in the battle field.

Mrs. Silunyange implored boys to always exercise care as girls more often than not keen on offering 'non existent' promises.

He heard about my previous affairs," said Mrs Silunyange.

“If I was not a God-fearing person, I would have packed (died), but my belief through the Lord Jesus Christ has kept me, men are men, they have children out there from mistresses,” Mrs. Silunyange said.

Mr. Silunyange said his father-in-law was hard on him and a 'hard nut to crush' but an uncle to his wife intervened.

Mr. Silunyange said he was counseled by the elders of the church which has consolidated marital friendship in the last 51 years.

“When I saw that he was being pursued by other women I continued to pray for him. I then moved from Lusaka to Mazabuka," said an appreciative Mrs.
Silunyange.

Mrs. Silunyange days God has continued to answer their prayers and put everything in God’s hands.

"Men are always in danger without the prayers of their wives. He can be gone with the wind, due to deceptions, but do not leave your marriage for someone else even if they are problems,” she said.  

Mr. Silunyange said couples should not engage in physical fights, as he regretted slapping his wife once.

"In 1978, when my mother was at home. I regret hitting her on the neck, but we have reconciled moved on and are in both word and deed a happily married couple,” Mr Silunyange said.

Mrs. Siluanyage said she grow up on her father’s farm near Twikatane.
“I used to play netball until, I was five months pregnant. There is need for couples to always have common interest in their marriages,” recollected Mrs. Silunyange.

An ardent golfer, Mrs. Silunyange resigned from National Assembly after a seven-year-employment-tenure.

To paraphrase, late Zambian Musician, Paul 'Bauze-Ngozi' Nyirongo, it was a 'Telephone or Cellular Phone Love' as her husband lived in another town, a trend that was not accepted then.

Secondly, during the United National Independence Party (UNIP) Government of former First Republican President, Dr. Kenneth David Buchizya Kaunda,  couples 'people' were not allowed to work in the same company.

In December 1982, Mrs. Silunyange started work with ZANACO in Mazabuka after a previous stint with the National Assembly of Zambia.

In 1987, her husband was again transferred to Livingstone and likewise requested  to lodge one as well which was considered in the affirmative.

It was during a similar transfer in 1989 that she delivered a baby her employer approved a maternity leave.  

However, I was granted three leave days I could not take it as the baby had grown.


"Whenever, my husband was transferred I would remain behind just for a few weeks and would join him later," said Mrs. Silunyange.
 
Since retiring from ZANACO, she has focused on developing a family farm.
 
Mr. Silunyange recollects going to the club as a couple and enjoying life.
“I was always busy with football we used to live stay flat.
Mr. Silunyange said his wife was a Senior Secretary at Parliament and later found work at the Zambia National Commercial Bank (ZNCB), which has since rebranded as  ZANACO.  

Mrs. Silunyange eventually retired in 1996, a year after her husband left formal employment in 1995.
Mr. Silunyange reminisced  that whilst at the Zambia State Insurance Corporation (ZSIC),  they would always travel together as couple, more so as as his wife is sports enthusiast.

"We are now ageing, and lack the physical and emotional strength to attend sporting events but continue to pray as seeking the grace of the Almighty God, through the Lord Jesus Christ helps bond a marriage.
People must not give up easily in their marriages on account of a third person person causing confusion, but remain steadfast through distancing themselves from such obstacles," counseled, The Silunyange's chorused.

Mr. Silunyange said as a young and energetic couple they played tennis and golf together, and since retiring focus is on farming at their small-holding in Kasiya area.
Mr. Silunyange said they have 21 grandchildren and at the moment there are a couple of great grand children in the offing.

"I became a  happiest person the moment I married my wife life, and believe our strength is a consequence of God's grace," reminisced Mr. Silunyange, pointing out that he has learnt to be careful in life as one can easily be influenced at community and workplace level.

Mrs. Silunyange said it is unfortunate that most of young people in present-day Zambia, do not listen to advice and rather heed without question viewed advanced by peers.  
 “You have to always cry to God for help, as at times you may think to yourself that maybe, I made a mistake but with prayer you will be surprised how a perceived problem goes away,” Mrs. Silunyange said.

She said marriage is life-time journey that will always have 'pot holes' which can easily be resolved through dialogue.
She said it is important to always forgive other people.
She said life is not meant to be smooth.
“The main key in a successful  marriage is creating an environment in which  communication is present as a lack of it on the basis of either a man or a woman failing to calmly resolve a misunderstanding will hurt a relationship. One cannot justify men failing to show remorse, on account of being a head of a household” Mrs Silunyange admonished.

Mrs. Silunyange says being silent in a marriage is dangerous as such a couple will not amicably resolve conflicts. You can not live in one house, share a room and roof, yet fail to talking to each other.    
Mr. Silunyange echoed his wife's view on the import of 'Frank Talk' among couples.
“Where two different people with a diverse background, tie the knot as wife and husband,  differences and quarrels can not be wished away  and easily resolve our differences,” he said.
 Life is not always smooth sailing; you have to endure all sorts of difficult developments as a couple,” Mr Silunyange advised young couples.
End

PROTUZ urges schools to be innovative in new normal

THE Professional Teachers Union of Zambia (PROTUZ) has called on the schools to use their industrial and home economic departments is making personal protective equipment for the themselves and the community at a fee in wake of COVID 19.

PROTUZ, Director Public Relations and International Affairs Brian Mwila said this will reduce the economic shocks on the schools in post COVID 19 period.

Mr Mwila said this in a statement issued that there is need to not only look at COVID 19 in a negative lens but also see it as an opportunity (s) for economic diversification.

 “We encourage our teacher members especially those from the departments of Industrial Arts and Home Economics to venture into the manufacturing of Personal Protective Equipment and supply to various institutions and individuals of course at a fee. This will ultimately help reduce the anticipated economic shocks in the post COVID 19 period,” he said.

Mr Mwila said teachers should take a leading role in developing entrepreur skills and live a better life in the post COVID 19 period.

He thanked the teachers for positively responding to the call on reopening of examination classes during this period of the deadly Coronavirus pandemic which the country and the world is grappling with even without proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to prevent them from catching the virus.

Mr Mwila noted that this is being a patriotic and brave response cannot go without commendation.

“We have noticed with great concern the slow pace at which government is distributing PPEs to schools for use by both teachers and pupils,” he said.

Mr Mwila commended head teachers for their efforts in ensuring that their schools meet the required minimums to have them opened for examination classes.  

 He appealed to government to expedite the distribution process of PPEs as the union continues supplementing its efforts by providing reusable face masks to teacher members.

“It should be noted that COVID 19 is not only a health issue but also an economic and social one. Since its inception, we have seen business houses closed and people being advised to observe social distance.

 No doubt, this pandemic will leave a negative impact on the socio-economic sphere of teachers and the nation at large,” Mr Mwila said.

End

Tourism benefits trickling down to education

NDANGWA MWITTAH and CHALI MULENGA, Livingstone
WHAT started as a village tour of Simoonga in the tourist capital, Livingstone, was later to bring benevolent tourists that would give a ray of hope to underprivileged children.
Hundreds of underprivileged children are now attending school at no fee, thanks to the Livingstone culture of getting tourists to visit villages to acquaint themselves with the way of life of poor rural communities.
It just took two generous tourists to give a major facelift and financial boost to a once-upon-a-time small school in the village that now has 400 pupils and 19 members of staff.
The school has continued to touch the hearts of foreign tourists, some of whom return to volunteer as teachers in a village located about 17 kilometres from Livingstone, along the Livingstone-Sesheke road.
In a nutshell, that is the story of Simoonga Thandizani Trust School, located on the Livingstone-Sesheke road.http://epaper.daily-mail.co.zm/

woman human trafficks two children from Zimbabwe to Zambia

THE magistrate's court has committed a 22 year old woman to the High
Court after finding her guilty of stealing two children from a market
in Harare, Zimbabwe thereafter trafficked them across the border to
Livingstone.

This is in a case Yvonne Nyirongo is charged with two counts of human
trafficking.

In the first count he trafficked a six year old child and in the
second count, he trafficked 10 year old child.

Evidence before chief resident magistrate Willie Sinyangwe said is
that on the material period, Nyirongo travelled to Harare, Zimbabwe.

Whilst in Harare, she travelled to Matipisa market, where she was
staying, she saw two girls, whom she enticed with jiggies.

She then went with the children to the bus station where she boarded a
bus to Bulawayo then connected to Livingstone.

The mother of the children discovered they were missing and they
reported the matter to Matipisa police station, Zimbabwe.

Where it was explained that the ten year old was carrying a six year old.

Nyirongo went to God Knows area in Dambwa Site and Service township,
she approached the boyfriend Boyd Chipeka, whom she informed that she
had given birth to her child and needs child support.

Chipeka asked her why she had not informed him about the pregnancy.

Chipeka arranged for a family meeting to discuss the matter.

It was during the meeting of the two families that it discovered that
the two children had been trafficked from Zimbabwe.

She was conveyed to Livingstone Central Police with the children where
she was detained to help with investigations.

The police in Zimbabwe were informed and the parents, they travelled
to Livingstone, where they identified the two children.

Nyirongo was then charged and arrested for the subject offense of
trafficking, she admitted the charge.

She had no justifiable to traffic the children into Livingstone.

Nyirongo told the court that the facts were true and correct.

And magistrate Sinyangwe said having heard the facts of the case, he
would convict her accordingly.

National Prosecution Authority advocate Michelo Sibwani said she is a
first offender.

And Magistrate Sinyangwe said the minimum mandatory sentence is beyond
his sentencing powers, he would therefore commit her to the High Court
for sentencing.

He said in the meantime she would be remanded in custody.

End

careless driver fined K3,000

THE High Court has fined a-34-year-old driver K3, 000 for causing the death of a person who was lying on the road.      

This is in a case, Innocent Mubita is charged with causing death by dangerous driving.

Evidence before High Court Judge Kenneth Mulife is that on August, 5, this year, in Livingstone, around 00:00 hours.

Mubita was driving a Toyota corolla bearing registration number AJB 776 on Nakatindi road.

Mubita was driving from eastern direction to the western direction whilst Sidney Kazembe lying on the road struggling to stand up and walk.

On the fateful day, Herbert Mulamfu found Kazembe lying on the road on the other lane.

Kazembe was struggling to stand up and move away from the road.

Mulamfu decided to stop and help Kazembe and whilst doing that Mubita appeared driving at high speed heading in the western direction.

 Mulamfu then signalled to Mubita by flashing his lights towards him so as to alert Mubita of what was going on but Mubita ignored him.

Due to Mubita’s failure to read the traffic situation even when he was signalled to stop and also failure to reduce his speed, he ran over Kazembe who was in the other lane.

As a result of Mubita’s actions, Kazembe sustained a fatal injuries was rushed to Livingstone Central Hospital by Mulamfu where he later died.

The matter was reported to the police, who visited the scene.

A sketch plan not to scale was drawn by sergeant Kebby Samalumo of Livingstone Central police and Mubita was apprehended.

A post mortem examination by Dr Taras of Livingstone central Hospital revealed that the cause of death to be internal bleeding due to rupture of the liver.

Road Safety and Transport Agency conducted an examination which revealed that the cause of the accident could not be attributed to any vehicle mechanism failure nor system malfunction.

In mitigation, Legal Aid Board lawyer, Martin Mankinka asked the court to be lenient on his client as he is father of four children.

He said he is remorseful for having caused the death of Kazembe.

And Judge Mulife said he has considered the mitigation and that he is first offender who deserves leniency.

He said the offence is prevalent and there is loss of life so he would punish him to deter others.

Judge Mulife said he would fine him K3, 000 or default three months simple imprisonment.

He ordered that his driving license should be suspended for six months.

He also reminded him to appeal to the court of appeal if he was not satisfied with the sentence.  

 End

man kills wife

THE High Court has sentenced a-65-year-old farmer to eight years imprisonment with hard labour for killing his wife, whom he had lived with for 20 years, after a domestic dispute

This is in case Charles Hampekema, who is also a builder, of Chisekesi, Chabota section, Monze, is charged with manslaughter.

On April, 22, this year in Monze, he unlawfully caused the death of Prisca Mwiinga, when the matter came for plea, Hampekema told the court that he had understood the charge and admitted it.

Evidence before high Court judge Kenneth Mulife is that on April, 16 this year, Hampekema came back from his usual drinking spree where he had gone.

He found the wife whom they had been married since 2002, and they used to have often arguments after Hampekema comes back from a drinking spree.

On the material day, the wife was selling her merchandise at the road side near home whilst her husband sat next fixing his axe with a hammer.

It was during this time that an argument broke out and a fight ensued.

In the process Hampekema took a hammer and hit her on the head, she got injured.

She got swollen and continued to be nursing her injuries at home.

The condition worsened and she was rushed to the hospital and where her condition got worsen and she eventually died.

The brother to the deceased reported the matter to the police and he was apprehended.

In mitigation, Legal Aid Board, lawyer, Lora Macha said he is remorseful for having caused the death of his wife for 20 years, whom they had 12 children and with 10 grandchildren.

Mrs Macha said his youngest is eight year old, who depends on him.

She said her client being a farmer can contribute the food basket development.

Mrs Macha said he is traumatized for his action of having caused the death of his wife, which is punishment as he prays for leniency from the court.

And in sentencing him, judge Mulife said this offense of manslaughter is prelevant in southern province.

He said this offense is Gender Based Violence (GBV) which is a danger to the women or girls in the province and government has put in a lot of efforts in curbing the vice.

Judge Mulife said the court have a duty to ensure that GBV is suppressed in the province through deterrent sentences, which should send a message to society.

"You must be taught on how to prudent as at your age you should be an example in society by doing things in the right manner, he said.

“I will send you to prison by sentencing you to eight years imprisonment with hard labour and it is effective from 2 May, 2019 when he were first place in custody,” he said.

 End