"The GOAT Media Centre"

NPA, LISWMC join forces to hold waste offenders accountable as Lusaka’s waste crisis takes a legal turn By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24  -- 4-08-2026 --- The Lusaka Integrated Solid Waste Management Company (LISWMC) is joining forces with the National Prosecution Authority (NPA) to hold waste offenders accountable, as the fight against illegal dumping and environmental crimes takes a legal turn. The partnership, formalised through a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), will strengthen the prosecution of offences such as illegal dumping, vandalism of waste management infrastructure and failure to comply with solid waste management regulations. Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Gilbert Phiri said the move marks a new approach in dealing with Lusaka’s waste challenges, which have for years been treated mainly as a municipal management problem rather than a criminal justice matter. Mr Phiri said the continued dumping of waste in communities, blocking of drainage...

Advocates of Declaration of Zambia as Christian Nation call for peaceful polls, respect for results, and responsible leadership By Francis Maingaila ♥️  Lusaka, Zambia24 — 3-08-2026-- The Advocates of the Declaration of Zambia as a Christian Nation have urged political leaders and citizens to prioritise national unity, peace and integrity as the country prepares for the August 13 general elections. Speaking during a press conference in Lusaka, organisation chairperson Billy Mfula said Zambia was bigger than any political party and urged citizens to place national interests above political affiliations. Mfula said political parties were temporary, but the country remained permanent, adding that all Zambians had a responsibility to protect peace before, during, and after the elections. “Before we belong to any political party, we are first and foremost Zambians. Zambia is greater than any political party. Political parties come and go, but Zambia remains,” he said. He cited previous admi...

International tourist arrivals fell 6.6 percent in the first half of 2026 as geopolitical tensions, rising travel costs and disruptions to global air travel weighed on the sector, although the Ministry of Tourism expects a stronger recovery before year-end. By Francis Maingaila Lusaka, Zambia24 -- 3 August 2026 — Zambia's tourism sector recorded a slower first half of 2026 as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East disrupted global travel. Despite the setback, the Ministry of Tourism expects the sector to recover in the second half of the year. Ms. Nelly Banda Chewe, Principal Public Relations Officer at the Ministry of Tourism, said Permanent Secretary Mr. Evans Muhanga told journalists that international tourist arrivals reached 1,033,284 in the first half of 2026. This was a 6.6 percent decline from 1,106,559 recorded during the same period in 2025. Ms. Banda Chewe said Mr. Muhanga attributed the decline to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. He also cited higher f...

Mupapa Wood Is Turning Local Resources Into World-Class Products Through Innovation, Craftsmanship and Sustainability By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia — August 2, 2026 — For years, Zambia has been known mainly as a producer and exporter of raw materials, with finished products often coming from abroad. A growing number of local businesses are now changing that narrative by adding value to Zambian resources and creating goods that can compete on the global market. One company leading this shift is Mupapa Wood, a Zambian enterprise that has grown from a timber manufacturing business into an operation spanning quality furniture production, skills development, forest management and environmental protection. The company's journey reached a major milestone at the 98th Zambia Agricultural and Commercial Show, where it won First Prize for Small-Scale Industry — an achievement that has strengthened its confidence to pursue bigger opportunities at home and abroad. Recognition Th...

NGOCC says reopening of Cancer Diseases Hospital radiotherapy unit restores hope for patients, especially women, while urging sustained investment in accessible cancer care By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24  -- 2-08-2026 -- The Non-governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has commended Government for recommissioning the Radiotherapy and Imaging Section at the Cancer Diseases Hospital in Lusaka, describing the move as a major milestone in restoring specialised cancer treatment services after a five-year closure. NGOCC Board Chairperson Beauty Katebe said the reopening of the facility marks a significant step towards easing the challenges faced by cancer patients who, for years, had to endure prolonged waiting periods, costly referrals abroad or limited access to specialised treatment. She said the restored facility, which has the capacity to serve up to 60 patients a day, will help ensure that more Zambians receive advanced cancer care within the count...

Gender body says attacks against female candidates undermine efforts to increase women’s leadership and calls for issue-based campaigns ahead of August 13 elections By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24  -- 1-08-2026 -- The Non-governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has warned political leaders against statements and actions that could silence women in politics, saying President Hakainde Hichilema’s remarks against independent Mwandi parliamentary aspirant Iris Kaingu risk undermining efforts to promote women’s participation in leadership and discourage young women from contesting elective positions. In a statement issued on Saturday, August 1, 2026, NGOCC Board Chairperson Beauty Katebe said the organisation was concerned and disappointed by what it described as disparaging remarks made by President Hichilema against Ms. Kaingu during his campaign trail in Mwandi, Western Province. Ms. Katebe said the comments were particularly concerning because Ms. K...