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Hands Off the Sata Name

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The Sata family name belongs to the nation, not party ambitions; turning a national legacy into a campaign tool dishonours Zambia’s history. Lusaka, Zambia24 — (6-4-2026) - Popular Hilda Sata, sister to the late 5th president Michael Chilufya Sata, has criticised former Patriotic Front (PF) Deputy Secretary General Mumbi Phiri for attempting to politicise her grandson Chilufya Sata, warning that the Sata family name should not be exploited for party ambitions. “Chilufya is not a tool for settling scores. It is shocking that a senior political figure would involve the grandson of my late brother in politics,” Sata said. She rejected claims that the Patriotic Front (PF) is a family-run party. “When President Sata passed away, the family did not block anyone from contesting the presidency. PF is for the people of Zambia, not one family,” she said. PF was never conceived as a private estate to be inherited or controlled by a select bloodline. Sata said the party was built as a mass p...
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Factories Reopen, Union Seeks Power

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Over 2,000 workers reinstated, but production still constrained by energy shortages By Francis Maingaila ♥️  Kusaka, Zambia24  - (4-04-2026) - Factories that shut down in 2025 across Central Province have resumed operations, with more than 2,000 workers returning to their jobs, the Mines, Contractors, Factory and Allied Workers Union has announced. Union president Nkweto Kasonka told journalists at a media briefing that the closures, which affected about 15 companies, had disrupted production—particularly in the manganese sector—and led to significant job losses. “Last year we experienced a serious challenge where a number of companies were forced to shut down, resulting in thousands of workers losing employment,” Kasonka said during a media briefing. He said following engagements with government, authorities assured stakeholders that the situation would be resolved and operations restored. Kasonka confirmed that most of the affected companies, including those in Kabwe and other parts ...
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CSPR Demands Fair Fuel Policy

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Mukelabai urges the government to disclose fiscal impact of fuel measures and warns policy ignores needs of low-income families By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24  -- (02-04-2026) --- The Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) is demanding a fair fuel policy, urging the Government to ensure its response to the current fuel crisis protects low-income households, remains transparent, and safeguards the country’s fiscal stability. CSPR Executive Director Isabel Mutembo Mukelabai says the decision to zero-rate Value Added Tax and suspend Excise Duty on petrol and diesel, while necessary, ignores the needs of the poor by excluding kerosene, a key source of energy for many rural and low-income families. She noted that the measures were introduced after a special Cabinet meeting chaired by to mitigate the impact of rising global oil prices linked to the . CSPR said the policy disproportionately benefits urban consumers, while the rural poor face sharp increases in kerosene pric...
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Malaria Threatens Health and Economy

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Half a million Zambians affected; EMC seeks K10 million for prevention programs By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia – (02-02-2026) - Malaria continues to pose a severe threat to both the health of Zambians and the national economy, the End Malaria Council (EMC) has warned, calling on government, private sector, and development partners to intensify efforts to eliminate the disease. Speaking at the EMC 2nd Quarter Board Meeting, Malcolm Chabala, Advocacy and Communication Chairperson , highlighted the devastating impact of malaria. “In 2025 alone, 1,219 people died from malaria. Every day, we record an average of 25,532 cases, with three to four deaths daily . Everyone is at risk from a single mosquito bite,” Chabala said. He emphasized that the disease affects more than just health. “Each malaria episode results in an estimated two and a half days of absenteeism , reducing national productivity and weakening the economy,” he said. Chabala reported that the EMC achieved all plann...
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New Push Against Malaria

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World Vision, End Malaria Council Join Forces to Eliminate Malaria in Zambia By Francis Maingaila ♥️  Lusaka, Zambia24 – 2 April 2026 – Zambia is intensifying its push against malaria as World Vision Zambia and the End Malaria Council formalise a partnership to strengthen malaria prevention, treatment, and community awareness, particularly in rural areas where the disease continues to claim lives daily. The partnership was cemented through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during a high-level engagement attended by government officials, private sector leaders, and international partners from across Africa. Marc Nosbach, National Director for World Vision Zambia, highlighted the organisation’s strong presence in over 64 districts across all provinces. Through its programmes and VisionFund, its microfinance arm, World Vision currently reaches more than 2.1 million people under its strategic plan. “This collaboration is exciting because it allows us to deepen engagement in commun...
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Paint Safety Law Coming Soon

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ZCSA steps up enforcement, finalises mandatory requirements as public health protection takes centre stage By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia – (April 2, 2026 ) --- The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) says a paint safety law is coming soon as it steps up enforcement efforts and finalises mandatory requirements aimed at protecting children from lead poisoning and safeguarding public health. According to dtatement issued by Onishias Maamba, ZCSA Executive Director Gerald Chizinga said the agency is at an advanced stage of introducing a compulsory standard that will limit lead content in paint to 90 parts per million (PPM), in line with Zambian Standard ZS 1185. Mr. Chizinga said the move is intended to reduce the availability of toxic paints on the market, prevent lead exposure and create a level playing field for manufacturers. “Activities on declaring ZS 1185 as a compulsory standard have reached an advanced stage. We therefore appeal to all stakeholders to support ...
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Lusaka–Manzini Route Begins

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Direct Flight Cuts Travel Time and Expected to Connect Passengers, Offering Faster, More Convenient Travel and Increasing Visitor Numbers By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 — (01-04-2026) -- A direct flight from Lusaka to Eswatini’s capital, Manzini, has officially been commissioned, cutting travel time and expected to connect passengers through faster, more convenient travel while increasing visitor numbers between the two countries and across the region. The launch, described by officials as a historic milestone, comes after years of planning and high-level discussions that began in June 2022 during a state visit by Zambian leaders to Eswatini. The new route is expected to significantly reduce travel time, eliminate the need for long layovers in third countries, and provide a seamless travel experience for businesspeople, tourists, and students. Hon. Sikumba Zambia’s Minister of Tourism, Rodney Sikumba, emphasized that the initiative is anchored on opening up the skies an...
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