PROFILING ZAMBIA’S RICHEST ENTREPRENUERS

 Valentine Chitalu

Mr. Valentine Chitalu, MPhil, BAcc, FCCA serves as Non-Executive Partner at IZWE Loans, the current MTN Zambia Chairman. Mr. Chitalu has 17 years’ experience in the fields of private equity, privatization, merchant banking, corporate finance, accounting, auditing, development economics, capital markets and business development in transitional economies. He served as the Chief Executive Officer of Zambia Development Agency. Before becoming an entrepreneur in 2004, he served as a Central African Executive Director of CDC (formerly, Commonwealth Development Corporation). Mr. Chitalu joined CDC Group Plc in July 1999, specializing in deals origination throughout Southern Africa and portfolio management in Zambia and Malawi. He served as a Regional Director of CDC/Actis until December 2003. He served as the Chief Executive Officer of Zambia Privatisation Agency, where he was responsible for the divestiture of over 240 enterprises. Mr. Chitalu served as an Executive of African Energy Resources Limited Zambia of Energy Ventures Limited since August 19, 2005. He served as an Assistant Manager at KPMG Peat Marwick and as Manager at Meridien Financial Services. He serves as the Chairman of Phatisa Fund Managers L.L.C. He serves as the Chairman of Kifco packaging. Mr. Chitalu serves as the Chairman of Zambian Breweries Plc.; National Breweries Plc; MTN Zambia Limited; Imara Africa Opportunities Fund; and OVAL Biofuels Limited. He served as the Chairman of Albidon Zambia Limited since 2005. He has been a Non Executive Director of African Energy Resources Limited since August 22, 2006. Mr. Chitalu serves as a Director of AgDevCo and Casa Mining Limited. He serves as a Director of Platmin Congo, Tíona Fund, African Life Financial Services Zambia Limited and InfraCo (UK) Limited. Mr. Chitalu serves as a Non-executive Director of Africa Banking Corporation. He has been a Non-Executive Independent Director of Super Group Limited and a Board Member of African Parks Network. Mr. Chitalu serves as a Director of Zambia Bottlers Limited and Zambian Breweries PLC. He serves as a Non-Executive Director at CDC Group plc. Mr. Chitalu served as a Non Executive Director of Gemfields Plc (also known as Gemfields Resources Plc) since September 1, 2005. He served as a Director of Albidon Limited from April 18, 2007 to May 2011. He serves as a Member of the Technical Advisory Panel of the Public Private Infrastructure Advisory Facility of the World Bank based in Washington. Mr. Chitalu is a Fellow of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants (ACCA) in the United Kingdom and holds a practicing certificate from the Zambia Institute of Certified Accountants. He holds a Master's degree in Development Economics from Cambridge University in the U.K. Mr. Chitalu also holds a Master's degree in Finance and Politics of Development and a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and Finance. He graduated with an M. Phil in Development Economics from Kings College, University of Cambridge in 1987. He holds BAcc, with Distinction from University of Zambia.

Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba

Aka GBM, Geoffrey Mwamba of the GBM Group currently owns and runs Zambia’s second-largest maize mill, a 28-strong luxury bus fleet, a 5 traditional beer brewery, and markets foodstuffs. He also plays the money markets. However, although the son of Zambia’s first African minister of agriculture, this 50-year-old entrepreneur began his business empire with a $1,000 loan from his mother. He is believed to have investments outside Zambia and specifically South Africa. He also owns a fleet of trucks. Among the company he owns are GBM milling, Arizona, Multitrade and New Dawn.

Hakinde Hichilema

Born in 1962, he is not only the leader of Zambia’s biggest opposition political party, UPND, but also a successful business mogul and commercial farmer. His business entities are pervasive in the entire southern Africa and UK. He is one kind of a guy who emerged from humble background in the village of Monze to become one of Southern Africa’s successful entrepreneurs. He holds BA Economics and Business Administration (University of Zambia) and an MBA Finance and Business Strategy (University of Birmingham, United Kingdom).

HH served/serves on numerous (25) boards of corporate entities including; Chairman of the Board of Directors – Barclays Bank Zambia Plc., Chairman of the Board of Directors – Sun International (Z) Ltd, First Chairman of the Board of Directors, Africa Trade Insurance (ATI) a multilateral Pan African organization based in Kenya, Chairman – Greenbelt Fertilizers Limited, Chairman – Media Trust Fund, Chairman – Export Development Programme II, Chairman – More Beef Zambia, Director – Zambia Investment Limited, Director – Seedco Zambia Limited, Director – African Life Financial Services, Director – Zambezi Nickel (Bermuda) Limited, Director – Westlake Investment Ltd. (Mauritius), Board Member – Zambia Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ZACCI),Member – Zambia Business Forum, Served for seven years on the Coopers & Lybrand’s Africa Governing Board, Served on Coopers & Lybrand’s International’s Governance Committee, Served as Non-Executive Director – Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines (Smelterco) Limited. Others are Pick N Pay, Game Stores, ALS Capital, a bureau de change based in Lusaka, Manda Hill Centre, More Beef Limited, Anglo-American Corporation and Delloitte and Touche. In most these companies Hakainde is either a major shareholder or minority shareholder. He is being tipped to be over K360m.

Hanson Sindowe – CEC Group

Hanson is the Chairman of CEC Plc., co-founder and Managing Director of the Zambian Energy Corporation (Zam-En). Hanson holds an Electrical Engineering degree from the University of Zambia and is a fellow of the Engineering Institution of Zambia. He also holds senior management certificates from Penn State University (USA) and Ashridge College of Management (United Kingdom). He led the Zam-En team in the acquisition of the controlling interest in CEC in 2006.

He sits on the following boards: Batoka Energy Holding Limited, Green Trade Limited, Zambia Energy Corporation (Ireland) Limited, Zambia Energy Corporation Limited, Madison General Insurance Company Zambia Limited, CEC Liquid Telecommunications Limited, Realtime Technology Alliance Africa Limited, Sinazongwe Energy Corporation Limited and CEC Kabompo Hydro Power Limited. Recently CEC Liquid Telecom acquired the full 100% shares in Real-time Technologies.

Mark O'Donnell – Union Gold Group

From selling auto parts to being one of the wealthiest man in the country.  In Construction he runs Velos Enterprises Ltd, Velos Sisk Zambia Ltd; Development: Platinum Gold Zambia and Real-Estate Investments Zambia (Arcades shopping complex, Central Park, Stanbic Head Office, Eureka park, Abacus Square and counting house square); Distribution: Kazuma Enterprises Ltd. The group also runs franchise business with the following brand names: Protea Hotels Zambia, Mica Zambia, and SPAR Zambia Ltd. Other businesses include Kalulushi Clay Bricks Ltd, Kazuma Plastics Ltd, Zambezi Roofing Ltd, Partsworld Ltd, and The Wildlife Shop Ltd.

Constain Chilala - Chimsoro Group of Companies

Constain was born in the Namwala district of southern Zambia. He owns Global Chimsoro farms (which grows maize, wheat, soy beans and cattle), Chimsoro Milling Company, Chimsoro Transport, Chimsoro Polymer (which produces grain bags), a milling company in Zambezi district and Kapiri Mposhi Glass Factory. The man indeed is a farmer and to him agriculture means money and business. He is a self-made millionaire with no dirty tactics attached to his wealth, this is clean money!

Lawrence Sikutwa- LSA Group

He runs a group of company with a brand name “Madison”. Lawrence Sikutwa and Associates Limited was founded in 1995 and is based in Lusaka, Zambia. The group has grown and have subsidiaries such as Madison Life Insurance Company, Madison General Insurance company(MGEn), Madison Aset Management Company(MAMCo), Madison Health Solutions(Mhs), Madison Finance Company, (MFinance) ,Madison Investments Property and Advisory Company( MIPAC), Amalgamated Tourism Investments( ATI). Madison has not brown but it has become a Zambian household name. The group has expanded operations in other countries such as

Monica Katebe Musonda – Java Foods

The high-flying lawyer turned entrepreneur is among Zambia’s crème dela crème entrepreneurs. Before forming her food company, Monica worked in the corporate world for 15 years. She worked with one of Africa’s richest men, Aliko Dangote, as director of legal and corporate affairs at Dangote Group, where she led a project to build a cement plant in Zambia. Dangote Cement Company is now operational and the commodity is on the Zambian market. She now runs Java Foods which manufactures eeZee brand of instant noodles. Monica currently serves on the Boards of the Central Bank of Zambia and Dangote Industries Zambia Limited, and is Chairperson of Kwacha Pension Trust Fund.

George Narder

Goege Narder is the Swiss-born Zambian who arrived in the country in 1963. He trained and qualified in Italy before heading to Zambia to form on the largest electrical company that this country has ever witnessed, Electrical Maintenance Limited. Apart from that he owns other real estate properties around Zambia.

Friday C. Ndhlovu

He is the man at the helm of Investrust Bank Plc. Prior to his journey as an entrepreneur he was ZANACO Managing Director, later formed Investrust Bank in 1995. Apart from being a founder member and chairman of Investrust, he also owns a number of properties within Zambia. He also served on LUSE Board.

David Nama – Dana Holding Group

David Nama is the chairman and CEO of Dana Holdings. He is a very devoted Christian and sits on Kaniki Bible College. Business wise he own a group of 7 conglomerates: Dana Services Limited, Proxy IT Company, Danatrac, Dana Investments, Goshechem, Terotech Construction, Danachem SA and Lodge Serenity.

Lukonde L. Chaibela

THE POLITICAL RHETORIC BEHIND FREE EDUCATION POLICY

The 2015 National Budget proposes to spend ZMW 9, 433.33 (20.20%) on our education sector. This amount is not sufficient enough to carter for our growing demands in the education sector.

Our education sector needs a lot of funding as it is struggling right now. But I do comprehend that allocation can’t be increased abruptly as it need thoroughly planning. It can be done gradually and sequential so as to accommodate other sectors as well.

Right now as a country, we don’t have sufficient schools and universities to accommodate the rising school leavers. This is being experienced both in rural and in urban areas although in rural areas its very high compared to urban. As a country, we are faced with this crisis for long time now. 50 years down the line, we are still struggling with the crisis of proper education facilities! This has devastating impact on the economy of the country at intellectual level. Contemporary Economics tells us that no country can develop without proper human capital – intellectual capital.

Previous Governments concentrated on building more primary and secondary schools than tertiary education. That’s not a problem but they lacked foresight of having high demand of school leavers and inadequate tertiary places. Currently, this country has only 3 universities ( Mulungushi, CBU, UNZA). Technically and truthfully speaking, these universities have evidently failed to accommodate the rising number of secondary school leavers. My fellow youths are mushrooming the streets as they been denied access to education which can enhance their lives.

With inadequate education infrastructure that we face as country now, what we need is to build more education infrastructure (schools and universities). The issue of human resource (teachers) is another challenge our education sector is facing. But one step at a time. What is of significant right now is to have the right infrastructure in place to deal with the crisis at hand. It’s gratifying to note that the current government has embarked on building a number of university projects (Chalimbana, Mukuba, Robert Makasa, King Lewanika – construction to start in January and Luapula Universities) and schools. Although these Universities are not sufficient to carter for future growth of our education, it’s a step in the right direction in resolving the crisis that we are facing. I would urge the government to continue building schools and universities until such a time we have enough to carter for everyone and the cost of “access to quality education” becomes cheap.

As things stand, we have a lot of mushrooming universities and colleges that does meet the required stands. These private-owned tuntemba colleges have come in to bridge the gap that our government has failed. Most of them lack proper infrastructure and human resources, and unfortunately contribute immensely to poor education standards that our country continue to obtain.

The free education policy issue (up to tertiary level) right now is a political rhetoric coming from our politicians. This doesn’t hold any water at all as it is unrealistic considering the many challenges our education sector. This can only come in after we have built enough schools and universities. Having free education up to university can be a huge burden on our national budget right now. And for that matter the 2015 Budget doesn’t have the capacity for that. Our politicians should be telling us how they will finance such kind of policies rather than just making mere pronouncements that are unrealistic currently. Even now, with free education which is up to grade 7, the government still faces many challenges when it comes to funding our primary and secondary schools.

The government should also increase the Ministry of Education budget allocation to build more schools and universities and not finance free education. The issue at hand can only come in after we have built enough schools and universities, say in the next 10-25 years from now.

Having said that, it would be nice to see our politicians refrain from making careless pronouncements of education as it is not feasible right now. Populist policies should be rejected as they are a sign of mediocre leadership.

Lukonde L. Chaibela

MICHAEL SATA: ZAMBIA'S POLITICAL LION

This article is principally dedicated to Michael C. Sata, our former president who died on 28^th October while on a medical checkup in London, UK.

Michael or Sata (as he was fondly called by many Zambians) became a household name for his political style. Although I may not be able to articulate whole of his political life, I will be able to provide Sata’s political style as I understand and how it changed Zambia’s politics.

President Sata’s political career began in the eighties during the UNIP (led by Kenneth Kaunda) era just after Zambia got independence. Following independence, he worked his way up through the rough-and-tumble rank-and-file of the ruling United National Independence Party (UNIP) to the governorship of Lusaka in 1985. As Governor, he made his mark as a man of action with a hands on approach. He cleaned up the streets, patched roadways and built bridges in the city.

When UNIP lost election in 1991 to MMD (under the leadership of Chiluba) after the introduction of multi-party politics in Zambia, Sata found himself in the MMD camp. During his time in MMD, he held different post such as Minister of Labour, Minister of Health, Local Government and Minister Without Portfolio. Not only did he hold public offices but he found to be among MMD’s party structures as if he was a founder of MMD. It was during his time in MMD that the name Michael Chilufya Sata became a household name due to his hard-working attitude and loquacious political style.

During Chiluba’s third term bid campaign Sata was by then MMD Chief Executive Officer (Secretary General - SG) and fought hard for Chiluba, but only to be disappointed by Chiluba and MMD NEC who refused to pick him as the party’s President for 2001 General Elections. It was at this time Sata fallen out of bed with the MMD and went on a solo political path to form his party, Patriotic Front party – 2^nd October, 2001. He formed the Patriotic Front (fondly known as PF) three months before the 2001 general elections. During that year’s elections the PF did not do well and only managed to get only one MP by the name of Joseph Katema, Chingola MP. Joseph Katema is the current Minister of Information and Broadcasting. Since 2001, it was a long journey for Sata.  He lost elections in 2006 (Levy Mwanawasa) and 2008 (Rupiah Banda). During his time in opposition Sata became very famous by championing for the rights of poor.

President Sata spent 10 years in opposition, and during his time in opposition he changed how opposition political parties operate. He became one opposition leader who made sure that both the Mwanawasa and Banda’s government become more accountable to their decisions. He usually questioned the decisions of the party in power and how those decisions will impact the ordinary Zambians. His political rhetoric was concentrated on the poor and both Mwanawasa and Rupiah’s decisions affected them. He was a communicator! President Sata was an ordinary politician who was easy to go by and very quickly to read the political mood. He used to mingle a lot with ordinary Zambians freely and listen to their problems. He became attached to ordinary Zambians thus accumulating overwhelming support. He understood the paramount concept in politics: Politics is local. He understood that the majority electorates are ordinary and not intellectuals. His 10 years in opposition was part of his political learning curve. He learnt and changed how, not only Zambian politics but African politics at large should be conducted. To this effect, he was even invited by the Oxford University, African Studies Department to give a lecture on African Politics. President Sata’s political career was full of action, and his nickname, Cobra - Man Of Action befits him very well. President Sata’s strongest political tool was his ability to quickly understand the political mood. He had a political acumen that no Zambian politician to date has ever had. Not even Chiluba can match him. His charisma to influence people contributed as well (His sense-humor is great!). He was influential and vocal. He was one kind of politician who was not delusioned by the media but was concerned of people’s problem and how they affect them in their everyday lives. He understood that politics (and as a politician particularly), is to possess the mind of a capitalist. The mind of identifying the needs of the people and speak to them in their (people) own language; the language they can easily understand. He had a rare political acumen and I believe emerging leaders in politics will learn from his type of politics. His shrewdness of politics can’t be found on the political landscape right now. None of our polical competitors can match President Sata’s political shrewdness, including his ministers. He was a political capitalist. On the other side of the coin, he was a hard-working leader. During his 3 year tenure as President, we saw how his government embarked on the ambitious infrastructure development. His infrastructure programme will go definitely go a long for mother Zambia. Universities, hospitals, roads, bridges and schools are being built. And once these projects finish, Zambia will witness a hike in economic activities that will take this country forward. He is an action-oriented politician. And his sense of humor was incredible!

President Sata indeed changed our politics. He was a serious political competitor and was passionate about politics. He had passion in his political career, he loved what he was doing. His political life changed a lot of people not only ordinary Zambians but even those who want to embark on political career too. He was an influential political figure on the Zambians landscape.

Lastly, I would want to state that President Sata was a POLITICAL LION. He feared nothing along his journey. He defeated all his enemies on the political battlefield and became victorious. He possessed the gene of Champions who never give when it’s hard. He shown us how to live life to the fullest, how to achieve dreams in life and how to impact people’s lives. He was a great soldier but most essentially a POLITICAL LION! May His Soul Rest In Peace. Go well My President, until we meet again.

By Lukonde L. Chaibela

Reference:

Zambian-Economist - http://www.zambian-economist.com/2011/05/michael-sata-special-lecture-at-oxford.html

Patriotic Front - http://www.pf.org.zm/index.php/about-pf/background

The Telegram - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/zambia/8777561/Michael-Sata-the-Victoria-station-sweeper-turned-Zambia-presidential-hopeful.html

Wikipedia – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Sata

THE RISE OF NGOs IN AFRICA: WHAT IS THEIR CONTRIBUTION?

Lukonde L. Chaibela, May 2014.

From early as 1980s till now we have seen the boom of NGOs in Africa and their contribution to the continent. The number of these NGOs keep rising and their area of interest differ from one organisation to another, as some they are Christian-based, poverty-reduction, human rights advocates, democratic dispensation advocates, humanitarian etc. NGOs are synonymous with the issues of development, good governance and economic growth in Africa.

In this paper, the author will try to pen-down the pros and cons of these NGOs and their contribution to the face of Africa.

The links between non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and trade unions run deep. It was civil society activism, led by trade unions, which paved the way for the rise of NGOs after the WWII. Funding of these NGOs comes in from all quarters. Simply NGOs are a complex mishmash of alliances and rivalries, charities and businesses, radicals and conservatives.

For the past decade Africa has witnessed an influx of NGOs, both locally and internationally, and have both created negative and positive change. Most of the NGOs that have planted their feet in Africa are from Western countries specifically, USA, Canada, UK and other European countries. Today NGOs distribute 10%-20% of all aid transferred to Africa, the US government transfers about 40% of its aid programs via NGOs (Manji and O’Coil, ibid). The question we should ask ourselves as Africans is: Are NGOs a good force in Africa or they are failing their promises? Perhaps, the most important question should be: Are NGOs playing a pivotal role in changing the face of Africa or they are just a proxy being used to advance western influence?

PROS AND CONS OF NGOs

PROS/MERITS OF NGOs

In Africa, there are certain NGOs that play an important role and have contributed massively to the transformation of the lives of many indigenous people, both young and old; boys and girls. There are certain organisation such as Camfed which centered at the uplifting girl-child education and they offer scholarships to the girls they sponsor. There are also other NGOs that provide access to medical services such Malaria, TB and AIDs. These organisations provides free access to medical services and have contributed a lot a lot in areas where African governments have no capacity to reach. Organisations such Global Funds have contributed immensely in that area. NGOs are a rapid response unit to humanitarian disaster not only in Africa but also the world at large. Members of these unique organisations put their lives at risk by operating in torn-war areas by providing services to poverty stricken individuals e.g. South Sudan, Somalia etc. Simply put: NGOs operate swift in crisis stricken countries than African governments does. NGOs have closed the gap between the rich and poor when it comes to justice by providing the poor with access to justice. NGOs in this angle provide citizens who are incapable of accessing justice, since justice in Africa is for the rich and not poor. Poor citizens in Africa have less or no access to the justice system as their trials takes long and some jailed unfairly without being heard in the courts of law. Justice is only for the rich or politicians (as in the case of Zambia where there is fast-track court cases for politicians). These NGOs that advocate for equal access to justice have come in and filled this gap. There are also other NGOs like Habitant for Human who provides housing to less privileged individuals where the governments have failed to do so. NGOs have become an important instrumental in the 21^st century, they chip where the government has failed to provide the service to the citizens or where the government is acting careless and failing to account to the citizens.

NGOs have consistently, stepped up to plate to expose corrupt leaders, tyrants, counter powerful multi-national corporations, advocate for the poor, stand up to powerful African governments. Besides that NGOs create employment for the locals thus eradicating poverty and contributing to national development. They better the lives of the down-trodden individuals, those the government and elites neglect. It is the NGOs who have been penetrating remote areas of Africa to provide food, clothes, water and sanitation to the local people where governments have failed and have no capacity. They supplement government efforts.

Certain NGOs like ActionAid help governments to monitor tax evasion perpetuated by multi-national conglomerates as in the case of Zambia where they challenged Illovo Sugar subsidiary Zambia Sugar for not declaring their actual profit figures and the issue of China Non-ferrous Corporation for not remitting actual tax to the government. In April 2011, Mopani Copper (subsidiary of Swiss-based Company Glencore) mines based in Mufurila district in Copperbelt province in Zambia was accused of dodging tax. In Zambia, right now they are a core component compelling the government to release the draft constitution.

CONS/DEMERITS OF NGOs

Despite their activities, Africa still posts a disheartening picture of economic stagnation, poverty and under-developed.

It has been widely viewed that NGOs are a proxy to spearheading western interests rather than doing their sole job. Their role has been put on suspicion and linked to that of early missionaries to Africa who, it claimed, were used as instruments of subjugation to colonial masters.

There have been reports of some NGOs conniving with the media and together they represent Africa to be the poorest continent despite the stride African governments are making in terms of development. Some of these NGOs have moved from non-profit entities to profit making entities. They demand certain taxes to be exempted so as to make their work much easier. In Zambia, just recently the minister of finance just signed a statutory instrument that will compel NGO to tax on imported vehicles etc.

Some NGOs have been accused of lacking accountability for the funds and how they spend them. Most NGOs are money and leisure spinning entities that buy 4X4 and hold numerous unproductive seminars like the Zambian civil servants.

There is also an outcry that whilst NGOs tell us that they fight poverty, poverty in certain African countries have ballooned over the years despite having NGOs claiming that it is reducing.

Some NGOs have been accused of not having any regards towards the African culture as they have gone to the extent of even promoting what has been considered in African set up as disgusting or uncouth western norms such as homosexuality in the name of human rights. And countries who don’t support these “disgusting” values and norms have suffered massive financial withdraw from both NGOs and western governments who tend to fund these NGOs. Simply put it into context: NGOs have a particular interests that they intend to advance.  In countries like Ethiopia and Somalia NGOs have been criticized on not doing enough to help eradicate poverty as they tend to simply live lavishly lifestyles. This is the main reason some scholars and commenters have continued to question the role of NGOs in Africa.

CONCLUSION

No doubt, NGOs are helping Africa a lot but what needs to be known is their role in Africa. Their impact in some areas is minimal. The question that needs to be asked is: Are these NGOs really helping the image of Africa or they are just parading the extreme poverty remote areas of Africa to the outside world so that those running these NGOs can amass more wealth at the expense of impoverished children in Africa? NGOs needs to be challenged and respect the values and norms of Africans. They shouldn’t stop violating these values. I look forward to the day when Africa will stop receiving aid from these western NGOs because it has the capacity to feed itself. The continent is rich in its mineral deposits and other resources. African can do better.

REFERENCES

1.    NGOs and Africa’s Development & Economic Growth, Ogechi Njoku, 2006

http://iijd.org/PDF%20Files/Ogechi_Njoku__NGOs_and_Africa__with_IIJD.pdf

2.    Mining firm under fire over tax payments in Zambia http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2011/apr/15/mining-firm-tax-payments-zambia

3.    ActionAid's revelations on Zambia Sugar misleading: http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=30245

THE CASE OF VEDANTA RESOURCES - KCM

It is very shameful to note that KCM's Chairman Anil Agarwal can mock the Zambian people over the profits he has been making after the acquisition of Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) from Anglo-Americans in this video here http://www.lusakatimes.com/2014/05/13/video-vedanta-boss-saying-kcm-makes-500-million-profit-per-year/. This man is mocking us and this entails that us as #Zambians and #Africans at large should wake up from the slumber and prevent vultures from rooting/plundering our resources. This is purely daylight robbery and it has to be condemned with the strongest terms it deserves. Surely, after making profits of excess of $500m plus a billion while KCM is failing to:
1. Increasing the miner's salary;
2. Contribute to infrastructure development (roads, buildings, etc) of Chingola, Chililabombwe, Kitwe and Nampundwe. There is no corporate social responsibility. Period
3.To pay mining suppliers as they keep on fabricating lies that they have operational cost challenges.

In Zambia they keep telling us that they are making losses and when ActionAid talks about mining companies invading tax, our Veep and other GRZ ministers trashes the talk and favour the people who are rooting/plundering our resources that are supposed to enhance the living standards of the majority of Zambians living in poverty.
There is too much docility among our leaderships/politicians. They side with these multinational firms simply because they support their political campaigns financially, and mostly benefit together with their families and close friends whilst the majority of poor Zambians remain in abject poverty. Surely, how can you sell the biggest copper producer in ‪#‎Africa‬ for $25 million rather than the $400 million asking price. Someone benefited from this deal and he has to be held accountable. Even if he is dead, let all those who were involved in this whole transaction be brought to book.
Has the schools, hospitals been built and the lives of the Zambians improved after the sale of the mine?? Yes he was trying to save the jobs for Zambians but duping the majority of them (Zambians) including the August House (Parliament) which most Zambians hold in high-esteem as the house of intellectuals and leaders is very dangerous and unacceptable. This is the main reason he even refused to allow the Norwegian Government to help curb tax invasion because he simply knew the cards he was playing.
My appeal is for His Excellency Michael Chilufya Sata to do something about all this transaction now that evil deeds of Vedanta Resources have been exposed. The company is still managed by the same Vedanta Resources, so its incumbent upon the government of the day to do something. Also GRZ should invite the Norwegian government (and others who are willing to help) on board to verify/validate that the figures/data these mining/multinational firms are presenting to the Zambians are of truthful in nature and equates to the reality on the ground!! The Norwegian Government is very much willing to help audit these mining/multinational giants so that Tax fraud is curbed!!
Zambians will continue suffering if we continue with this docility amongst the citizens and mostly the leaders (politicians in particular) who have been appointed as resource managers of this great country.
We can do better as a country. The taxes KCM is supposed to remit can have a large impact on the lives of many Zambians. Firms like KCM, Zambia Sugar, Mopani Mining among others that have been mentioned to be invading Tax are the ones making life difficult for the ordinary Zambians. They are the ones contributing to the deficit of ARVs in Hospitals, they are the ones making the government to borrow in excess, they are are the ones contributing to infrastructure deficit of this great country. The companies should be taken head on so that they remit tax that reflects their true books and not cookery figures. I further implore the government to put up laws that can allow transparency in these multinational firms; laws that will provide a fair play and not exploiting the other player. Our politicians have a responsibility to safeguard the interests of the Zambians and not conniving with the capitalists (Businessmen) to milky this country. If President Sata loves this country, let him stand up and defend what belongs to Zambians and make KCM accountable by paying a fair share of their profits to Zambians.
I say again, we can do better to improve this country.
Cry my beloved country Cry ‪#‎Zambia‬

Achieving Continuous computing in Zambia

Continuous computing is defined as the continuous access to computing resources such as social media, email, blogs and other web-based resources or tools. In a digital world, people communicate using digital devices such as laptops, smartphones, media players, camera phones and other separate devices. Digital life makes everything simple and better.

Zambia’s access to computing resources is limited and only less than 5% of the people have access. This simply entails the government has not invested so much in science and technology.

Things are changing and computing is making things possible, consider the way we work (using different types of software applications to do tasks that were previous considered to be tedious, hence achieving higher levels of productivity); the way we communicate with our beloved ones, family and friends (using tools such as social media, internet-based tools such as BBM, WhatsApp etc.), how we learn or obtain information about a certain place we want to visit (using four Square) etc. I mean the usage of technology is vast, and mostly is being spearheaded by the usage of internet with the right infrastructure in place. Technology in Zambia is being driven by the private sector especially the telecommunications sector which is investing heavily in the usage of latest technologies. For the IT sector to grow in Zambia, it needs the intervention of the government, the government needs to set out priorities among them which should be the promotion and investment in science and technology. The benefits of science and technology are profound and cannot be compared to any other discipline be it economics, business etc.

Below I will propound and expound about two enabling technologies that can help to make Zambia a digital economy, so that it become a continuous computing country.

1.    Internet access: digital society is all about information sharing, and that information sharing comes about with the help of access to private networks and public network mostly the internet. Continuous computing requires the continuous sharing of information and knowledge. The cost of internet access in Zambia is exorbitant, therefore, there is a need for government intervention and compel ISP players reduce the price drastically. We need people to have continuous access to the resources via cheap internet so that life can be easier and do work out of the convention offices. An investment in the internet infrastructure should take precedence. Government should also start giving incentives to the ISPs the same way they do to the investors in the mines, thus promoting continuous computing and investment in science and technology. What is essential is more collaboration with the use of internet. We need to have cheap internet broadband with fast speed. We need our airports, bus stations like intercity in Lusaka, KMB in Kitwe to have internet hot spots, places like shopping malls need to have hotspots as well; not forgetting rural remote areas such Shangombo, Mporokoso etc. What we seek is continuous computing where people are able to access web-based resources wherever, whenever and anytime! Zambia need inexpensive internet access, and not what are subjected to at the moment. The government through the ministry of transport and communication (ZICTA) should look into this issue. Imagine with inexpensive internet access, how students from higher learning institutions will be able to do a lot of research. With cheap internet access, conventional telephones calls can be eliminated with the use of IP technologies such as Skype and Vonage which offer cheap and free voice and video calls. Holding of conference via the use of internet technologies can be the order of the day. Inexpensive internet access is a required. We need people to do a lot of e-payments anytime. People should be able to do a lot of inter-banking transactions via e-banking. With cheap access to the internet we shall a lot of creativity among computer programmers, and IT starts-ups will definitely emerge.

2.   Inexpensive, Wireless Computing Devices: Continuous computing requires access devices and mostly its wireless devices. These devices can mostly be Smartphones, Laptop, Tablets, PDA, Web-Cameras, video recorders, voice recorders, MP3 Players, pagers, GPS receivers, instant messaging and other separate devices. They are all supportive of social computing. Currently in Zambia, these devices are expensive and only a few elites are able to manage leaving out the majority poor. Anyway, thanks to MTN Zambia who recently launched the cheap internet access phone to enable more people get connected to the internet. I would also like other players in the sector to follow suite and introduce cheap internet access phone so as to carter for all the citizens regardless of their social status. Cheap digital devices will enable access to the internet thus making communication more cheap and affordable to the ordinary Zambians. We need more of such initiatives in Zambia. The government should also take the leading role and push for industry players to reduce the price of these devices. We have also witnessed the penetration of Chinese smartphones on the Zambian market which are cheaper compared to the western phones such as Nokia, iPhone and alike. Apart from phones, the price of laptops in Zambia should also come down drastically. The government should remove taxes for the importation of new computing resources and not second hand. We can make Zambia a hub of technology in Southern Africa. By removing certain taxes, it means we are enticing the technological giants to come and invest in Zambia by setting up assembly plants, which will result in job creation and poverty reduction. Technological vendors in Zambia should reduce the price of laptops, desktops and servers. Wireless laptop is one of the resources that can be able to access web-based applications thus making computing more social.

Continuous computing allows people to share knowledge, experiences, creations, schedules, and locations. The most common is the sharing of interests over social networking sites. The fallacy is that social networking sites are just made of people who are connected by a shared object. The experience of computing is phenomena and it’s the greatest invention of the 21^st Century. The two trends discussed above can shift and bring computing far closer to our everyday life or experience. “We have seen how social software can give us new ways to tap into the collective wisdom of the people in our social groups. But that’s one consequence of continuous computing. On a personal level, for example, the portable devices that sustain the information field are more respectable to our bodies and are perambulatory nature.” laments Wade Roush (MIT Technology Review, 2005).  Digital connection should be almost anywhere. I believe in the next 5 years Zambia will be a digitally connected country where even when on the beaches of Siavonga or lake Bangweulu, I will be able to connect with people back in Lusaka and when my boss request for certain information, I can send over to him like at the speed of lightening (Its greasing data).

Continuous-computing applications also mesh with lives by understanding our preferences. With continuous computing, you can synchronize all your activities with friends, family and colleagues. A lot of Zambians will be able to read news anywhere using smartphones and other digital devices. We can do it, we can digitalize our lives as well just like our western world friends.

Technologies change the way we work, live, love, play, think and feel.

References

MIT Tech Review: Social Machines

Lukonde L. Chaibela

Email: longanjela@gmail.com