Chali Mulenga

The Estrol Meleki Foundation has outlined ambitious plans for 2025 as it builds on the success of its Pad-A-Girl Campaign, a program dedicated to improving menstrual hygiene for girls in underserved communities.  Executive Director Estrol Meleki Mwape says the new year offers an opportunity to expand the initiative’s reach and deepen its impact.   “This year, we aim to reach more underserved areas, foster stronger partnerships, and advocate for policies that make menstrual health a priority,” Mwape said.  “Our mission remains ensuring that no girl is left behind because of limited access to menstrual products or education.”   The foundation’s 2025 agenda includes broadening its distribution of reusable and disposable menstrual pads to more schools and communities.  Education will continue to play a central role, with plans to increase awareness about menstrual hygiene and address the stigma often associated with menstruation.   “Education is ...

 The Justice for Southern Truck Drivers Union has called on the Zambian government to abolish the 90-day limit on business permits for foreign truck drivers, arguing that the policy has caused widespread job losses within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.   Union spokesperson Mr. Bernard Ndabambi described the restriction, enforced under the Immigration and Deportation Act No. 18 of 2010, as discriminatory.  He noted that similar laws do not exist in other SADC countries.  “Why has Zambia chosen to implement such a punitive measure when our neighboring nations do not impose such limits?” Mr. Ndabambi asked.   The 90-day limit has led to penalties for drivers who overstay, ranging from 15,000 kwacha in the past to 12,000 kwacha, and now 4,500 kwacha.  Mr. Ndabambi criticized the fees as unfair and unnecessary, emphasizing that Zambian drivers face no such restrictions in neighboring countries.  “These penalties are puni...

 **Livingstone Bishop Calls for Peacemakers in Christmas Message**   **Livingstone, Zambia** – Livingstone Bishop Valentine Kalumba has called on Christians to be peacemakers this Christmas, urging reconciliation and compassion as pathways to building stronger communities. Speaking during the Christmas Vigil Mass at St. Theresa’s Cathedral, Bishop Kalumba reminded the congregation of their role as agents of peace.   "The message of Christmas encourages us to be peacemakers," the Bishop said. "We should make amends with those we have wronged and work toward creating a community based on love and understanding." He emphasized that true peace is more than the absence of conflict—it is a deep sense of well-being that comes from empathy, compassion, and Christ-like love.   Bishop Kalumba highlighted the humble birth of Jesus as a profound lesson in humility and divine purpose. "When we think about the Nativity scene, we remember how simple and modest Jesus'...

Dr. Clement Andeleki, Member of Parliament for Katombora, has strongly criticized previous governments for their neglect of the region’s educational infrastructure, claiming they intentionally left communities without proper support to create a generation of uneducated and disillusioned citizens. "The previous governments failed to invest in education because they wanted our children to grow up as junkies or criminals," Dr. Andeleki asserted. "There was no focus on their future, no care for their well-being." Dr. Andeleki’s remarks came as he welcomed President Hakainde Hichilema to Katombora for the third time in a single year, marking a significant shift in government attention to the region. He highlighted the tangible progress the current administration has made, particularly in the education sector, where over 7,000 desks have been provided to local schools. This is part of a larger investment of more than 7 million kwacha aimed at improving the learning envi...

Zambia National Building Society (ZNBS) Director of Banking and Mortgages, Mwansa Kapeya, praised the Livingstone Land Project as a milestone in advancing Zambia’s housing agenda and fostering public-private partnerships.  He highlighted the project’s provision of secure, strategically located land in Livingstone, which enables diaspora investments in housing, tourism, and commercial ventures.  Mr. Kapeya emphasized Zambia National Building Society’s commitment to providing tailored housing microloans for lower-income households to promote inclusivity and bridge the housing gap.   “This initiative is a shining example of what we can achieve through collaboration. Together, we can reduce housing poverty, empower communities, and build a stronger Zambia,” he said.   The project, launched by the Zambia Diaspora Organisation, aims to address the housing deficit while fostering economic growth and national unity through diaspora investments.  It involves th...

The New Heritage Party (NHP) has accused the UPND-led government of financially persecuting Zambian-owned businesses while offering favorable treatment to foreign companies. The opposition party claims the government is using tax holidays and other incentives to favor non-Zambian businesses, while imposing harsh penalties on local entrepreneurs. According to NHP, the government is exploiting state institutions, including the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA), the police, and other agencies, to intimidate and silence citizens. The party cited the case of Spax Mining, a Zambian-owned company that was fined five million Kwacha for tax evasion, while foreign mining firms continue to benefit from tax exemptions, costing the country billions in lost revenue. NHP also criticized the government's treatment of small businesses, including mobile money operators and market traders. It claims that excessive council fees and the destruction of trading booths in major cities like Lusaka, Livings...

 Shaping Zambia's Infrastructure: The Vital Role of Quantity Surveyors in Addressing Construction Challenges** Zambia’s construction industry, valued at USD 5.5 billion in 2023, faces deep-rooted challenges, and Dr. Francis Mwape Ndilila, Managing Partner at Ndilila Associates, Architects & Project Managers, is calling for urgent change.  "The industry is suffering from inefficiency, time and cost overruns, and compromised quality," Dr. Ndilila said at the recent Zambia Institute of Quantity Surveyors (ZIQS) conference. He drew a compelling analogy: "The construction industry is like a symphony orchestra.  Architects, engineers, and quantity surveyors must play in harmony to deliver a successful project."  But too often, professionals work in silos, leading to fragmented results.  "When professionals don’t share ideas and information, projects suffer," Dr. Ndilila emphasized.  He advocates for an integrated approach, where professionals from all di...