Global Voices

English

The world is talking, are you listening?

Mr. Ndhlovu explains the purpose of his book in the last pages. He states that he was motivated to write this book because pastors and politicians who had been abusing the Christian faith to advance their personal agendas had disillusioned him.

Munshya wa Munshya reviews Gershom Ndhlovu's new book titled The Declaration of Zambia as a Christian Nation: Blessing or Curse?.

Do you know who Zambia's gossip girl is? Read Neelika's post on Africa is a Country blog:

We’ve grown to love serious reportage coupled with compromising photographs and cheeky headlines, such as “Kambwili grabs Roan golf club, turns it into grazing field for his cows,” replete with a stock image of the enormously pot-bellied Sports Minister Chishimba Kambwili, and a story supplied by ‘concerned citizens’ detailing how he appropriated the Luanshya-based Roan Antelope club to feed his crew of cows and goats.

Our Africa is a project which lets children across Africa film education and jobs in their countries the way they see them.

Tom from Seeing Red in China has two interesting posts about the perception of Africans in China on China's presence in Africa. The second post is a follow-up discussion by his friends from Zambia, Zimbabwe and Ghana.

Gamelmag would like to know how many African women are online: “Firstly, we need to be able to place a figure on the actual number of active female Internet users. Next, we should figure out the factors that inhibit women's use of the web and finally put in measures to reverse this trend.”

Alumanda Shakankale blogs about Zambia's leading stand-up comedian: “Finalist in the MNET talent show “Stand up Zambia” Chibwe is no stranger in the international spotlight. He has performed at different forums locally and internationally.”

Gershom Ndhlovu blogs about Zambia's new president: “You got to love Michael Sata, Zambia’s fifth president, or hate him—for his abrasiveness bordering on rudeness tinged with crude language—and now as head of state, disregard for protocol.”

Zambian Economist asks his readers, “Should Tujilijili be banned?”: “Tujilijili is a strong alcohol sold in a sachet for about K1, 000 [Zambian Kwacha] per sachet. The alcoholic content is over 40 per cent, equivalent to whiskey and other known spirit brands like vodka and brandy.”

Dramatic Elephant rescue in Zambia: “The Kapani Lagoon is a source of drinking water for the animals of the area, as well as the place to go for a relieving mud bath. Unfortunately though, a young calf was unlucky enough to get stuck in the mud when visiting the lagoon recently. The calf’s cries attracted her mother who rushed to her rescue, only to get stuck in the mud herself.”

Gershom argues that presidential immunity in Zambia must be limited to the term of office: “With the revelations coming out regarding the conduct of Zambia’s immediate former president Rupiah Banda in his three short years in office, it is increasingly becoming necessary for people to demand that Mr Banda be stripped of his immunity just like it happened to Zambia’s second president, Frederick Chiluba.”

Ethan explains why the world need to watch Zambia: “There’s a danger that we miss a major story here: democracy is taking root in Africa and spreading rapidly. Nations like Zambia, which survived autocratic rule and then dominance by one party are now seeing democratic change.”

Kalaki's corner is a political satire on current events in Zambia in the form of a weekly story: “Spectator Kalaki, aka Roy Clarke, came to international attention in January 2004 when he wrote a story about a foolish elephant. This story was read by the then president of Zambia, Levi Mwanawasa, who saw himself in the elephant, leading to a deportation order being issued against Kalaki. The subsequent legal battle led to Kalaki achieving fame and fortune and a wide readership, for which Kalaki remains eternally grateful.”

A Zambian woman has been arrested in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for wearing ivory bracelets, Gershom Ndhlovu reacts: “Only elephants, and no one else, should wear ivory. As such, not only the Ethiopian authorities should arrest Zambians wearing ivory bangles on their territory, Zambians should also play their part for as long as elephants and elephant products remain on CITES Appendix III.”

Follow live updates of the long awaited Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) Annual General Meeting:”Kalusha [FAZ President] is calling for security now as Livingstone based Mr Kasoka is leading the petitioners. Its total confusion…. Zambia Police officers are now in.”

Zambian Economist reacts to reports that the Zambian president pleaded for funding from a supposedly non-partisan Foreign Service: “This should be considered an abuse of office. The President has turned the foreign service into a funding pot for his re-election campaign.”

Gershom wants the two main opposition parties in Zambia to stop pretending that there is a pact: The UPND/PF, or is it the PF/UPND, Pact has squandered the people’s goodwill with which it was welcomed when it was announced just over two years ago. Truth be told, this political alliance between the two opposition parties is going nowhere.”

Potpher Mbulo argues that Zambia is rich but poor: “mean, Zambia is greatly endowed with minerals, fertile land and fresh water yet it is gifted with bad culture.The reality on the ground is that more than 80% of Zambians live below the poverty datum line.”

Christmas Art and Design Show took place in Lusaka, Zambia last Sunday: “Never had Lusaka seen anything quite like it! Sunday December 5 dawned grey and cloudy in Lusaka. Undeterred the exhibitors at the Christmas Art and Design Show began putting the finishing touches to their stands.”

There is a place for every business in Chingola, Zambia in Google Map: “Google has populated the city of Chingola Zambia Google map. It includes business addresses that Google collected from existing directories. If a business in Chingola has previously listed in a local directory, chances are it has been included.”

Miss Bwalya interviews Zambian author Theresa Lungu about her book Twilight in the Morning: “I did a phone interview with her to acquaint myself and others with her life and work. I hope you find this informative as I did.”

Do you know the Mobutu Prize of Corruption International? “The first nominee is the King of Ethiopia, His Excellency King Haille Gleedie, who sold the entire national food reserve to buy his wife those diamonds.’
‘Hurray!’ shouted the crowd. ‘What courage! What sacrifice!’”

Zambian Economist update on the call for government to reintroduce the windfall tax in Zambia: “As the momentum gathers, with many pushing for this to be an electoral issue, we shall keep this post regularly updated.”

An example of community entrepreneurship in Zambia: “Four of our entrepreneurs started a community store with their loan money. By combining their loans, they were able to hire another member of their village to build them a shop – now not only are our entrepreneurs benefiting off this co-op, but Steven (the builder) was provided with a job as well.”

Steps to be taken to reverse domestic violence in Zambia: “The second change is the need for special domestic violence courts. It appears that our courts may not fully realise the special nature of some of these cases, especially the cultural and economic angles. We need to experiment with tailored judicial proceedings.”

What is wrong with Zambian culture?: “It used to be that Zambians prided themselves on their very identity. Those things that made us uniquely a part of the Southern hemisphere of Africa. We tied ourselves into the historical travels of the Bantu and the Mfecane migration of those bolting from Shaka's terrorism.”

Bling introduces Zambian singing sensation Salma Dodia: “Salma Dodia's big break came when she featured on JK's Kapiripiri which has been a major hit in Zambia this year.”

Linking African securities markets: “Technology is the driver of securities exchanges around the world – currently there are big battles for supremacy in a range of markets and disclosure and clearing and settlement after the trade are also coming to the fore. Africa should be no different.”

African Capital Market News will blog live from African Stock Exchanges Association conference (10-12 November, Zambia): “There will be scope for important interviews and news, blogged live from the conference meeting in Livingstone, Zambia and giving the world insight into running news of Africa’s booming securities exchanges for bonds and equities…”

Has governance improved in Zambia?: “Well, sort of but its difficult to be sure. According to the latest Ibrahim Index Zambia has moved up just two places in the rankings. It has moved from position 18 in the 2009 index to position 16 in the 2010 index (2008/9 data).”

Rakesh Katal recounts the joys and challenges of working with communities in rural Zambia.