60% of ZNBC now owned by China.

A Zambian High Court has ruled in favour of satellite pay television company MultiChoice Zambia over the joint venture between the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) and Chinese digital television service provider TopStar Communications.

The joint venture, entered into by the two companies earlier this year, means TopStar owns 60% shares in ZNBC and empowers the company to collect all ZNBC advertising and tower rental revenue for the next 25 years.

TopStar owns 60% shares in ZNBC and empowers the company to collect all ZNBC advertising and tower rental revenue for the next 25 years.

The revenue collected will go towards the servicing of a US$273 million loan secured by the Zambian government from the Export-Import Bank of China for investment in the digital broadcasting networking and the building of provincial studios.

The alliance also paves the way for the rollout of TopStar-branded set-top boxes for digital television and has reportedly resulted in the prevention of over 400,000 subscribers from watching local channels on MultiChoice’s GOtv decoders – despite a longstanding agreement with ZNBC regarding the free-to-air channels.

Although the deal sparked anger among stakeholders, including opposition political parties, the government, through the Minister of Information and Broadcasting services Kampamba Mulenga, said its decision on the joint venture “will never be reversed.”

Following the standoff, MultiChoice Zambia, via GOtv, decided to take the matter to court seeking a declaration that the operation of a public signal network by TopStar is illegal and unlawful.

The satellite TV company also wants the court to grant it an injunction restraining ZNBC from interfering with the local channels airing as free-to-air until the matter is fully determined.

TopStar had applied to the court for the matter to be dismissed because it lacked merit.

However, High Court judge Gertrude Chawatama ruled that the matter should proceed to trial because GOtv had shown sufficient grounds.

Source: Lusaka Times Website.

Picture source: Google images.

Shop for your baby! 

Zambian president fires finance minister

Zambia’s president has fired Finance Minister Margaret Mwanakatwe and appointed central bank deputy governor Bwalya Ng’andu to replace her, the president’s office said. 

The statement, issued on Sunday night, gave no reasons for President Edgar Lungu’s decision and there were no immediate comments from Mwanakatwe, who only took up the post last year, or from Ng’andu.

Ng’andu will take over the management of an economy the International Monetary Fund has repeatedly warned is struggling with high debts and shrinking foreign exchange reserves.

External debt rose to $10.05 billion at the end of 2018, compared with $8.74 billion a year earlier. Zambia is trying to shrink a fiscal deficit that amounted to 7.5% of gross domestic product last year.

The government also faces tensions with miners who say taxes it has imposed will stymie investment and hit output in Africa’s second-largest copper producer.

Ng’andu has previously served as managing director of the Development Bank of Zambia, managing director of the National Savings and Credit Bank and director-general of the Zambia Investment Centre.

He will be sworn in on Monday, President Edgar Lungu’s spokesman Isaac Chipampe said. 

REUTERS 

Zambian Biz - Adastra fruit juice processors (mango juice makers)

Adastra fruit juice processors (mango juice makers). They are based in Mongu and can be contacted via +260977490565. 

Zambian Biz - Nammie’s yummies

Today we share with you another Zambian Biz. If you like this kind of content then make sure to follow us on  Twitter via @topzedbrands and share this post. 

Nammies YUMMIE'S

If you love Cupcakes then you need to get in touch with this Zambian Startup. Nammie's Yummies is open 8am- 5pm on weekdays. DM or WhatsApp 0962560118 for orders. (texts preferred over calls). Please order 3 days in advance to avoid any sad faces.

Find them on Twitter via @Nammiesyummies and on Instagram 

Zambian Biz - Mangishi Doll

Zambian Fashion house powerhouse owner Kapasa Musonda, CEO of Mangishi Doll, has been listed as one of the 2019 Forbes Africa 30 under 30. Mangishi Doll is a fashion brand she started in 2012.

Mangishi Doll was famously in the news in February 2018 for dressing the world-renowned Holywood actor Angela Bassett. 

Zambian Biz - Rose Gold

Makers of "Bespoke Signature Copper-based products produced by local Zambian craftsman."

Follow them on Twitter

Zambian Biz - Ulimusuma Hair Services

Manufactures of:-

1. Satin bonnets and 
2. Satin pillowcases and 

And stockists of various hair products. 

They are an online store based in Lusaka. Who delivers for K30 within Lusaka (CBD) and K50 Country Wide. 

You can call to order from them via 0972128172 or reach us on Instagram or Facebook - Ulimusuma Hair Services.

They retail and wholesale as well.

CONTACT US TO ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS FOR FREE (and reach a global audience!)

 

Zambia to start hippo cull in May despite protests

LUSAKA (Reuters) - Zambia will begin a planned cull of around 2,000 hippos in May, a senior government official said on Friday, reviving a measure put on hold two years earlier amid protests from animal rights activists. 

Zambia says its population of 12,200 hippos is too large for the water levels in the Luangwa river, where most of them live. The authorities say the river can only support around 5,000 of the animals and that relocating them would be too costly.

“The hippo culling will be done once the hunting season opens in May,” Tourism Permanent Secretary Howard Sikwela told Reuters by phone. 

A contract for the cull was signed in 2015 but was put on hold for further discussion until the cabinet decided last October to revive it, Sikwela said. 

British wildlife charity Born Free, which led the campaign against the cull in 2016, says Zambia’s hippo population was far smaller than estimated. 

“The return of the cull is devastating news. Wild hippo numbers across Africa are under growing pressure.” Born Free said in a statement posted on its website last week. 

According to the charity, there are at most 130,000 wild hippos across the continent. - REUTERS

Tourism PS closes Ndola Casino

The Ministry of Tourism has closed Jacaranda Royal Casino in Ndola for operating illegally.

Tourism and arts permanent secretary Reverend Howard Sikwela has warned that his Ministry would not hesitate to close Casinos operating illegally in the country.

Speaking at his office on Thursday, Rev. Sikwela told Journalists that the Casino was served with the notice and purpose of closure prior to the operation.

And Rev Sikwela said the 20 per cent monthly service charge that casinos were paying to the tourism department will now be paid to the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA), according to a statement issued by tourism and arts public relations officer Sakabilo Kalembwe.

He urged casino operators to be in touch with the revenue authority for any clarifications on how to go about the payments at ZRA.

Zambia Cuts Power From World's Biggest Man-Made Reservoir

Zambia has reduced hydropower production at the Kariba Dam because of rapidly declining water levels at the world’s biggest man-made reservoir that straddles the border with Zimbabwe, the energy minister said.

“We have noted the poor water situation for the Zambezi system necessitating reduction in generation at Kariba,” Matthew Nkhuwa said, without providing further details. Water outflows through the turbines at Kariba, which shows how much power they’re producing, has been cut by 27 percent this month.

The dam has dropped to 43 percent of capacity from 85 percent in October, as inflows from the Zambezi River that feeds it dwindle. Flows at Victoria Falls about 120 kilometers (75 miles) upstream are less than half of what they were a year ago, and near a record low for this time of the year, according to data from the Zambezi River Authority, which manages the dam. Mines in Zambia, Africa’s second-biggest copper producer, account for more than half of electricity demand and any shortages could cut output of the metal.

The Kariba hydropower station is Zambia’s biggest electricity source, with capacity of 1,080 megawatts out of state-owned electricity supplier Zesco Ltd.’s total of 2,337 megawatts. The southern African nation suffered a power crisis with rolling blackouts lasting as long as 12 hours when Kariba’s water levels showed a similar drop in 2015.

‘Very Troubling’

Still, water supplies at other hydroelectric facilities in the country have been favorable, including at Kafue Gorge, the second-biggest power plant in Zambia, Nkhuwa said in reply to emailed questions. These will cover any shortages at Kariba, and the government doesn’t foresee power cuts as a result, he said.

The depletion of Kariba’s waters is “very troubling,” said Will Pearson, a director at U.S.-based advisory company Triskel.

“The levels at Kariba’s reservoir have fallen dramatically in recent months, and the situation will likely exacerbate,” he said by email. “Unlike Zambia’s last power crisis only three years ago, the ability to tap regional markets will be limited by the power shortage hitting South Africa and the arrears Zesco owes for previous emergency imports from Mozambique and to domestic suppliers.”

If there are extensive shortages, this could hit the mining industry and add to the likelihood of cuts to copper production this year, Pearson said. Companies including First Quantum Minerals Ltd. and Glencore Plc operate mines in Zambia. - Bloomberg 

The Kenyan women's national football team

Kenya Women's National football team 

The Kenyan women's national football team, the Harambee Starlets will now focus on their main match against Uganda on April 8 after finishing their international friendly matches.

The Kenyan team, which returned home on Tuesday morning from Lusaka, Zambia, are in high spirits after they crushed their hosts 3-0 on Sunday.

"You must appreciate the high standard of football in Zambia. They pushed us to the limit through the results don't reflect it. They have developed and made strides in women's football so this match was quite significant to us," said head coach Richard Kanyi.

"But I must thank my defence and whole team for playing as a unit. Their conviction is back and we want to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations again," Kanyi added.

Coach Kanyi used the Zambia tie to gauge some of the new blood he was drafted into the team, including Wincate Kaari and Vivian Nasaka who came in for striker Esse Akida and goalkeeper Vivian Akinyi, who are injured.

The Starlets will take a short rest and resume training on April 3 in Machakos.

Seven out of the 24 participating teams are expected to join hosts Ghana for the 13th edition of the continental showpiece scheduled for Nov. 17-Dec 1.

The women's football event will produce the African representatives for the FIFA Women's World Cup with the top three teams qualifying for France 2019. - Xinhua

France Vs Nigeria international friendly on Friday, April 6 at the Stade MMArena, Le Mans.

Super Falcons - Pic credit sportsration.com

The French women team has called up  Bayern Munich, Barcelona, and Paris Saint-Germain stars for their friendly against the Super Falcons of Nigeria.

France will host the Super Falcons of Nigeria in an international friendly on Friday, April 6 at the Stade MMArena, Le Mans.

Head Coach has Corinne Diacre has called up 23 players to prosecute the friendly against the Falcons and later against Canada on Monday, April 9.

Diacre retains the 23 players that participated at the She Believes Cup and won a bronze medal.

A statement of the French Football Federation (FFF) website said, “coach Corinne Deacon summoned twenty-three players to play two international matches at the beginning of April in France. They will be gathered from April 2nd at CNF Clairefontaine.”

France is currently ranked fifth in the world while the Super Falcons are ranked 38th.

France Women's Team - Pic credit  clintgist.com

The last meeting between the Super Falcons and France was a group stage fixture at the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany which Nigeria lost 1-0.

Goalkeepers: Karima Benameur, (Paris FC), Sarah Bouhaddi (Lyon), Solène Durand (Guingamp)

Defenders: Julie Debever (Guingamp), Laura Georges (Bayern Munich), Sakina Karchaoui (Montpellier), Amel Majri (Lyon), Griedge Mbock Bathy (Lyon), Ève Périsset (Paris Saint-Germain), Wendie Renard (Lyon), Marion Torrent (Montpellier).

Midfielders: Charlotte Bilbault (Paris FC), Élise Bussaglia (Barcelona), Maéva Clemaron (FC Fleury 91), Aminata Diallo (Paris Saint-Germain), Kadidiatou Diani (Paris Saint-Germain), Amandine Henry (captain) (Lyon).

Forwards: Viviane Asseyi (Marseille), Valérie Gauvin (Montpellier), Eugénie Le Sommer (Lyon), Marie-Charlotte Leger (Montpellier), Ouleymata Sarr (Lille), Gaëtane Thiney (Paris FC).

Super Falcons team list for France friendly

Goalkeepers: Onyinyechukwu Okeke; Chiamaka Nnadozie

Defenders: Josephine Chukwunonye; Ngozi Ebere; Faith Ikidi; Ugo Njoku; Osinachi Ohale; Glory Ogbonna

Midfielders: Rita Chikwelu; Ngozi Okobi; Ini-Abasi Umotong; Ogonna Chukwudi

Forwards: Francisca Ordega; Desire Oparanozie; Courtney Dike; Esther Sunday; Anam Imo

Missing from the Super Falcons 17-woman list is reigning African Women’s Footballer of the year Asisat Oshoala who was stopped by her club Dalian Quanjian. - Pulse Nigeria

37 Zambian athletes to compete at Gold Coast 2018

Photo Credit - www.embracing2018.com

Although Zambia joined the Commonwealth in 1964, it had already made its first appearance at the Commonwealth Games in 1954. 

Zambia’s first gold medal came at the Christchurch 1974 Commonwealth Games when Lotti Mwale won the men’s light middleweight division in boxing. Zambia won two bronze medals at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, in boxing and judo. 

The Zambia National Olympic Committee was formed in 1964 and is responsible for Zambia’s participation in the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth Youth Games.

A total of 37 athletes will represent Zambia at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. According to a final list released by the National Olympic Committee of Zambia (NOCZ), the athletes will compete in eight disciplines – swimming, badminton, table tennis, athletics, boxing, squash, rugby and bowling.

Team Zambia has a total of 10 female athletes
out its 39* representatives  - Source results.gc2018.com

The Zambian government is reported to have set aside a total of 1.6 million kwacha for the participation of athletes at the Commonwealth Games in Australia. These are important games for Zambia as our rugby sevens team will be making its debut. The Commonwealth Games will be held from April 4 to 15. 

It has been reported that "over one million tickets have been sold and that, it is estimated the Games will attract 672,000 visitors."

The opening ceremony will start at 7:00pm Gold Coast time at the Carrara Stadium, that is normally used as a venue for Aussie rules football. The venue will host the athletics events during the Games. Australia is expected to spend around AUS$2bn (making it the most expensive games ever), on the games. It is the 5th time Australia is hosting this event. It is also a historic game as it is the first time women have the same number of events as men.

*The final list is reported to have 38 athletes. 

Sources: 

www.gc2018.com

www.daily-mail.co.zm

cnn.com

More about Zambian Sport

The Queen's Baton visits Zambia

Some of Zambia's reps at the 2018 Commonwealth Games

Tilka PALJK - Swimming [Photo Credit - amazonaws.com]

Rugby Sevens Team [Photo Credit - Zambia Sevens Twitter Account

Boxing - [Photo Credit - oydc.org.zm]

Benny Muziyo - Boxing [Photo Credit - cloudfront.net]

Ogar (left) and Evelyn SIAMUPANGILA - Badminton [Photo Credit - times.co.zm] 

Chongo Mulenga - Badminton [Photo Credit - www.badzine.net]

Sydney Siame - Athletics [Photo Credit - konbini.com]

Want to know more about Zambia at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games? Click here