"The GOAT Media Centre"

.... New Banknotes Reflect National Identity, Enforce Security, and Drive Economic Progress By Francis Maingaila Zambia24 - (31-03-2025) - The Zambian government has unveiled a new series of currency banknotes and coins with enhanced security features, durability, and national identity. Danny Kalyalya, the Governor of the Bank of Zambia, said during the launch that the redesigned currency, known as the Heritage Series, features advanced security measures to curb counterfeiting while incorporating symbols that reflect Zambia’s rich heritage. He explained that the decision to introduce new notes aligns with the constitutional mandate of the central bank to issue currency, a responsibility formally enshrined in the 2016 Constitution. Kalyalya noted that inflation had eroded the purchasing power of the K100 and K50 notes, which were originally intended as high-value denominations for storing wealth. Meanwhile, the K5 and K2 notes have suffered from excessive wear and tear due to fr...

.....ZCSA and ZMDA Collaborate on Vehicle Import Standards By Francis Maingaila Lusaka, Zambia 24 - (March 30, 2025) - The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) and the Zambia Motor Dealers Association (ZMDA) have announced a collaborative effort aimed at improving the safety of used motor vehicles imported into Zambia. This partnership will focus on enforcing the Zambian Standard ZS 560, which mandates pre-shipment inspections to ensure the roadworthiness of used vehicles before they are allowed into the country. Brian Hatyoka, Manager of Communications and Public Relations at ZCSA, stressed the significance of the initiative, stating, "The pre-shipment inspection process is a vital step in guaranteeing that only safe, roadworthy vehicles make it to Zambia. This directly impacts public safety and consumer protection." Tafuna Mumba Phiri, ZCSA’s Director of Legal and Compliance, underscored the importance of collaboration between the two organizations during a stakeholder...

.... A strategic initiative to reduce energy waste and ensure a more sustainable future for the country. By Francis Maingaila Lusaka, Zambia – March 28, 2025 – The Zambian government is intensifying efforts to improve energy efficiency and sustainability through a nationwide push for energy audits, with the Ministry of Energy at the forefront of these efforts. Marvin Mumba, Principal Energy Management Officer at the Ministry of Energy, underscored the pivotal role of energy audits in optimizing energy usage and fostering long-term sustainability across Zambia. He highlighted key initiatives and encouraged academic institutions to incorporate energy audits into their curriculum. "Energy audits are instrumental in evaluating how industries use energy,"  Mumba explained. "Through these assessments, we identify areas where energy is being wasted, aiming to help industries enhance their energy efficiency, cut emissions, and improve their overall operations." Mu...

.... Zambia’s Collaboration with Mission Bambini Saves Lives of Children with Heart Defects By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 – (28-03-2025) - The National Heart Hospital (NHH), in collaboration with its partner Mission Bambini (MB) from Italy, has successfully completed its third Cardiac Camp for 2025, marking a historic milestone as the first bilateral pediatric open-heart surgery camp in Zambia. Dr. Chabwela Shumba, Senior Medical Superintendent at NHH, shared the success of the camp during a media briefing. Held from Monday, May 24 to Friday, May 28, the camp saw seven children undergo life-saving surgeries, with an eighth surgery still in progress. The surgeries focused on children with Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), a congenital heart defect that causes insufficient blood flow to the lungs. "This complex procedure involves four operations in one, providing a critical solution for young patients in need," Dr. Shumba explained. He further emphasized the signi...

.... UPND Dismisses False Claims on Constitutional Amendments By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24  - (27-03-2025) - The ruling United Party for National Development (UPND), alongside key stakeholders, has dismissed misleading claims surrounding Zambia’s ongoing constitutional amendment process, calling for informed and fact-based discussions insists that the proposed changes are aimed at strengthening governance and electoral integrity, not advancing any hidden political agenda. Media Urged to Counter Misinformation Fr. Frank Bwalya, Director General of the UPND National Media Committee under the Presidential Support Programme, has urged the media to play a proactive role in addressing misinformation surrounding the constitutional amendments. Speaking to journalists, Bwalya commended media professionals for their role in clarifying issues and called for greater vigilance in countering falsehoods, particularly those spread through radio and social media. “We appreciate the w...

.... Destroys 5,350 Unsafe Electrical Products By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 - (27 - 03- 2025 )  –  The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) has destroyed 5,350 unsafe electrical products worth K439,900.50 in Lusaka as part of efforts to protect consumers. These products, including adaptors, sockets, and extension cables, were withdrawn after violating compulsory standards and posing risks like electric shocks, fire hazards, and property damage. Brian Hatyoka, ZCSA’s Communications and Public Relations Manager, stated, "We are committed to ensuring only safe, compliant electrical products are available on the market." He emphasized that the Agency will continue to enforce standards and monitor for non-compliant products. ZCSA has stepped up public education and stakeholder engagement to raise awareness about compliance requirements. "We will take strong action against traders selling unsafe products," Hatyoka warned. The Agency urges consumer...

.... The latest 2024 Index bribery Payer index highlights growing concerns over corruption, particularly in local governance and the management of Constituency Development Funds (CDF). Lusaka, Zambia – March 26, 2025 The 2024 Zambia Bribe Payers Index (ZBPI) Survey Report has raised alarm over a disturbing trend in the country’s corruption levels, particularly within the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) projects. The report, launched by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in partnership with Transparency International Zambia (TIZ), reveals a significant rise in bribery, intensifying the urgency of tackling corruption at all levels of governance. Patrick Kangwa, the Secretary to the Cabinet, led the launch of the ZBPI Report 2024 and expressed serious concerns over the rising bribery rates. According to the report, bribery has increased from 10.1% in 2022 to 15.3% in 2024, showing a worsening trend in both the public and private sectors. “This is sad reading,” Kangwa remarked ...

.... Collaborative efforts to enhance education and ensure sustainable development By Francis Maingaila ♥️  Lusaka, Zambia – The Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) held a national engagement meeting under the Voice and Accountability Project on March 26, 2025, to enhance accountability in Zambia’s education sector. The event, held at the Mulungushi Conference Center, brought together key stakeholders, including government representatives, civil society organizations, donor agencies, and community leaders.  The primary goal was to review and validate findings from the project’s monitoring activities conducted in Zambia’s Eastern and Western Provinces. The meeting focused on data from the Social Accountability Scorecard, Outcome Harvesting, and Impact Surveys.  The findings play a crucial role in aligning community-driven monitoring efforts with national education priorities and informing future policy decisions.  They are integral in ensuring that local education service deliver...

... Govt Fires Back: 80,000 Jobs & $60M Saved Is No Politics but Progress, Govt Sets Record Straight By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia - (25-03– 2025) - Minister of Information and Media Cornelius Mweetwa has dismissed opposition claims that the government has failed to deliver on key promises, citing major achievements in employment creation, agriculture reforms, and governance. Speaking at a media, Mweetwa outlined the administration’s progress while accusing critics of misleading the public for political gain. Mweetwa stated that the government has created over 80,000 jobs across key ministries. The Ministry of Education recruited 46,000 teachers, while the Ministry of Health employed 20,254 health workers between 2022 and 2024. Additionally, 10,949 officers were recruited into the Ministry of Home Affairs, including police, immigration, and correctional officers. The Ministry of Agriculture also enhanced service delivery by equipping extension officers with motorbi...

... The organization supports the proposed amendments but stresses the importance of ensuring diverse groups, including women, youth, and persons with disabilities, are fully included in the process. By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 – (24-03 -2025)– The Non-Governmental Gender Organizations Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has welcomed the proposed constitutional amendments programme but has urged the government to ensure the process is transparent and inclusive to reflect the aspirations of all Zambians. NGOCC Board Chairperson Beauty Katebe told journalists at a media briefing that it was important to facilitate a broad consultative process with stakeholders before making definitive statements on the matter. She noted that NGOCC, as an umbrella organization representing 111 non-governmental, community-based, and faith-based organizations, had convened a consultative meeting on March 29, 2025, in Lusaka to establish a collective position. “At our membership consultative meet...

The ruling party reaffirms its commitment to progressive constitutional amendments, stressing democratic values. By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia – (23-03-2025) – The United Party for National Development (UPND) has strongly rejected criticism of constitutional reforms and dismissed opposition claims regarding the constitutional review process, reaffirming its dedication to democratic governance, transparency, and public involvement. In a press briefing, UPND officials, including Frank Bwalya, Director General of the UPND National Media Committee under the Presidential Support Programme, Mark Simuwe, UPND Media Director, and Consultant Oliver Shalala, addressed concerns raised by the opposition, particularly regarding their participation in the constitutional debate. Refuting Opposition Claims: A Commitment to Fair Governance Frank Bwalya opened the briefing by rejecting the opposition's allegations of secrecy and manipulation in the constitutional review process. He s...

... As Citizens and interest groups.clash.with  political leaders over proposed reforms for wants of consultations By Francis Maingaila Lusaka, Zambia24 - (21-03-2025) - The ongoing uncertainty surrounding Zambia's constitutional amendment process has sparked a heated debate, with key stakeholders expressing concerns over conflicting government statements regarding the existence of a draft constitution. Earlier, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mulambo Haimbe, indicated that a draft constitution existed, only to be contradicted by Minister of Justice, Princess Kasune, who asserted that no such document had been finalized. According to Josia Kalala, Executive Director of the Chapter One Foundation, this back-and-forth has left many questioning the transparency and legitimacy of the constitutional reform process. Kalala also suggested that the timing of the proposed constitutional amendments has raised alarms, warning that aligning the reforms with the...