In-Depth Stories

By TROY MUKUPA Kasama, Northern Province - Chileshe Chepela Special School, a Kasama-based institution run by Catholics, has undergone a transformative change thanks to the Munobe Accountants Charity Fund (MACF)'s generosity. 📸 BEFORE.... The school, home to 153 pupils with diverse disabilities, previously faced significant challenges in accessing basic necessities like clean water and sanitation facilities. 📸 AFTER... MACF's intervention has brought relief and hope to the pupils and staff. The organization refurbished a school block, donated teaching and learning materials, and installed a 5,000-liter water tank to provide clean water to the pupils. The total cost of the donation is worth K55,000. 📸 New Water Tank According to MACF Board Chairperson Anxious Chileshe...

Petauke, Eastern Province - The Tonse Alliance, led by Hon. Given Lubinda, held a rally in Petauke, drumming up support for their candidate, Simon Banda, ahead of the forthcoming by-election. Given LUBINDA The rally, which drew a number of enthusiastic supporters, was part of the alliance's efforts to mobilize support for Banda, who is facing stiff competition from other political parties. In his address, Hon. Lubinda urged the people of Petauke to rally behind Banda, citing his impressive track record and vision for the constituency. "Simon Banda is the right candidate for Petauke," Hon. Lubinda said. "He has a proven track record of delivering development projects and empowering the local community. Let us unite behind him and ensure that he emerges victorious in the ...

The Zambian government has moved to reassure citizens that the recent 90-day pause on US foreign aid will not disrupt the country's HIV treatment medication supply. According to a statement from the Ministry of Health, Zambia has a sufficient stockpile of life-saving medicines to last five months, with an additional 14 months' worth of stock already ordered. The US government's decision to pause funding for international development programs, including those in Zambia, was announced on January 20, 2025. However, the Ministry of Health has confirmed that a waiver has been issued to exempt humanitarian support, including health-related initiatives. "We will continue working with the American government to understand and define what the package under health includes," said Dr. Georg...

By TROY MUKUPA In a move that demonstrates his commitment to the welfare of his constituents, Chipangali Constituency lawmaker Andrew Z Lubusha has gifted his constituency a brand new 30-seater bus. This generous gesture is part of Lubusha's efforts to fulfill his campaign promises and improve the lives of the people of Chipangali. Hon. Andrew Z Lubusha According to Lubusha's Facebook post, the new bus will supplement the existing transportation fleet, providing comfort and convenience for the constituents as they travel to various activities and occasions. "We are mindful of our promises to the people of Chipangali and we are determined to confront head-on all the issues affecting the Constituency," Lubusha stated, emphasizing his dedication to delivering on his promises. ...

Britain has warned Rwanda that its involvement in the escalating conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) could jeopardize over $1 billion in annual aid. Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have captured Goma, a city of two million, despite international calls for a ceasefire. The UK and other Western nations accuse Rwanda of supporting the rebels, a claim Kigali denies. British Foreign Minister David Lammy warned that Rwanda’s actions threaten its aid, including £32 million ($39.8 million) from the UK, stating that violations of territorial integrity cannot be tolerated. The conflict in the DRC has resulted in significant humanitarian concerns, with thousands displaced and many more affected by the violence. The international community has called for an immediate ceasefire an...

By TROY MUKUPA The Zambian government has announced that it cannot intervene to stop the termination of CAMNET TV's channel on DSTV and GOTV platforms. This decision comes after a thorough investigation by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), which found that the termination is a contractual matter between CAMNET TV and MultiChoice Africa Holdings. The controversy began when Mrs. Victoria Chiluba, the widow of CAMNET TV's founder, Pastor Moses Chiluba, appealed to President Hakainde Hichilema to save the channel from being removed. However, the Ministry of Information and Media, led by Permanent Secretary Thabo Kawana, has concluded that there is no legal basis for the government to intervene. According to a statement issued by Mr. Kawana, the ...

.....as South Africa loses 13 peace keepers...President Paul Kagame Wrote; Paul Kagame I held two conversations this week with President Ramaphosa on the situation in Eastern DRC, including earlier today. What has been said about these conversations in the media by South African officials and President Ramaphosa himself contains a lot of distortion, deliberate attacks, and even lies. If words can change so much from a conversation to a public statement, it says a lot about how these very important issues are being managed. A few important clarifications for the record:1. The Rwanda Defence Force is an army, not a militia.2. SAMIDRC is not a peacekeeping force, and it has no place in this situation. It was authorized by SADC as a belligerent force engaging in offensive combat operati...

The fundamental difference between an insurance scheme and a public health fund lies in their scope and structure of benefits. An insurance scheme is designed to provide specific, limited coverage based on the contributions of its members. Conversely, a public health fund operates on a broader scale, aiming to provide universal health services without necessarily tying benefits to individual contributions. THE CORE PROBLEM: UNLIMITED COVERAGE Globally, insurance schemes are built on a delicate balance between contributions and payouts. For NHIMA, contributions are primarily sourced from formal sector employees and their employers, supplemented by voluntary contributors. However, the absence of defined limits on benefits has disrupted this balance. Members and their dependents can acc...