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NGOCC WANTS GENDER EQUALITY AT HEART OF GROW ZAMBIA AGENDA

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Gender lobby wants President Hichilema to address women’s economic opportunities, GBV, education and energy security when he opens new Parliament By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 — 7 October 2026 — The Non-governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) wants President Hakainde Hichilema to place women and girls at the centre of the Government’s development priorities when he opens the First Session of the Fourteenth National Assembly on Friday. NGOCC Chairperson Beauty Katebe said the organisation expects the President to explain how women and girls will benefit from the 10-10-5-3-3-1-1-1 Grow Zambia Agenda. Ms Katebe said economic growth would only have meaning if its benefits reached all citizens. “Growth only means something if all citizens, especially women and girls, share in it both in intent and practice,” she said. NGOCC said women produce much of Zambia’s food but continue to face challenges in accessing land, finance, irrigation and markets. The organ...
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STOP THE SPLITS, PROTECT WORKERS

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Labour leaders call for stronger union unity, better protection for young and informal workers as Government pushes for decent jobs and social dialogue By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 — 7-10-2026 — The Government and labour movement have called for stronger protection of workers and greater unity within trade unions, warning that fragmented representation could weaken workers’ bargaining power and leave young and informal workers more vulnerable to exploitation. Speaking in Lusaka during the commemoration of the 2026 World Day for Decent Work, held under the theme “Young Workers Organize for the Future,” Labour Commissioner Given Muntengwa, representing Ministry of Labour and Social Security Permanent Secretary Zechariah Luhanga, said Zambia’s drive to create employment must go beyond increasing the number of jobs to ensuring that the jobs created are sustainable, productive and protect workers’ rights. Mr Muntengwa said this meant linking employment creation to skills d...
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UPND TOLD TO TAKE GROW ZAMBIA TO THE PEOPLE

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HH MPAKA 2031 People’s Alliance wants party structures to explain how the President’s 10-10-5-3-3-1-1-1 agenda will benefit ordinary households By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 — 6 October 2026 — The HH Mpaka 2031 People’s Alliance has urged UPND structures to go into communities and explain how President Hakainde Hichilema’s Grow Zambia 10-10-5-3-3-1-1-1 agenda will translate into jobs, businesses and higher household incomes. Alliance chairman Fabian C. Mutale says the economic targets risk remaining largely a political message if ordinary Zambians are not shown how they can participate and benefit from them. Mr Mutale says UPND members, party officials, MPs, councillors and mobilisation teams should begin holding ward-level meetings to explain the opportunities linked to the targets. He says the message should be taken beyond Lusaka and into communities such as Masaiti, Mkushi, Petauke, Choma and Mwinilunga. “The question being asked however is: ‘How do I benefit?’” ...
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VERIFY, REPORT, DON’T TAKE SIDES

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Kawana urges journalists to remain impartial as Communications and Information Centre deploys 54 media professionals for nationwide by-election coverage By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 — 6 October 2026 — The Communications and Information Centre (CIC) has deployed 54 journalists and media professionals to different parts of the country to bring voters and the wider public first-hand coverage of the by-elections, from the campaign trail to the counting and announcement of results. Speaking during the dispatch of the journalists, Ministry of Information and Media Permanent Secretary Thabo Kawana reminded the media that elections can be tense and that journalists must not allow themselves to become part of the political contest. Mr Kawana urged journalists to remain impartial, check facts before publishing and remember that their job was to tell the public what was happening rather than take sides. He said journalists should be the eyes and ears of society, giving citizens...
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NO SALARY, NO TEACHING

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UNZA unions pledge not to back classes until September salaries are paid as workers protest delayed pay, unpaid benefits and lack of access to medical care By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 — 6 October 2026 — Three University of Zambia (UNZA) unions have pledged not to back the resumption of classes until their members are paid their September salaries, escalating pressure on authorities to resolve the university’s worsening financial problems. The unions have taken the position as university workers continue to complain about delayed salaries, unpaid benefits, non-remittance of funds and difficulties accessing medical services, with the workers saying the financial problems are no longer confined to individual employees but are beginning to affect the operations of unions, access to healthcare and the wider functioning of the university. University of Zambia Lecturers and Researchers Union (UNZALARU) president Prof. Andrew Phiri said workers should not be ashamed of deman...
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TEACHERS MUST HELP FIGHT ALCOHOL ABUSE

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NDC calls on teachers to help protect young people from the growing abuse of strong liquor By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 — 5-10-2026 — The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has called on teachers to use their influence in schools to help fight alcohol abuse among young people, warning that excessive drinking is putting the lives and futures of some school leavers at risk. NDC Secretary General Kennedy Siyanda made the call as Zambia joined the rest of the world in commemorating World Teachers’ Day under the theme “Standing with Teachers: 60 Years of Protecting the Profession, Advancing its Status and Shaping our Futures.” Siyanda said teachers remained important change agents whose work went beyond classroom teaching to shaping the character and future of the country’s young people. “As a party in the UPND Alliance, we say thank you to all Zambian teachers for being change agents and for the sacrifices you make to nurture citizens under your care in different schools...
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CHEAPER CREDIT, COSTLIER FUEL

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CSPR says fuel price increases could weaken the benefits of the Bank of Zambia’s MPR cut and put further pressure on households By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 — 5th October 2026 — The Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) has welcomed the Bank of Zambia’s decision to cut the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) from 13.25 percent to 10.75 percent but warned that higher fuel prices could weaken the benefits of cheaper credit. CSPR Executive Director Isabel Mutembo Mukelabai said the 250-basis-point reduction was timely because inflation had fallen to 6.1 percent in September, within the Bank of Zambia’s target range of 6–8 percent. Mukelabai said the lower MPR could gradually reduce borrowing costs and help businesses, farmers and other productive sectors access cheaper financing. She said cheaper credit could support business expansion, employment and economic activity if it reaches productive sectors quickly. However, Mukelabai said the benefit of cheaper credit could be weakened...
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