"The GOAT Media Centre"

A fresh team assumes responsibility for steering the construction industry. By Francis Maingaila Lusaka, Zambia24 – (18-06-2025) - The National Council for Construction (NCC) Board of Directors was inaugurated during a ceremony held on Wednesday, 18th June 2025, at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka. The event was officiated by the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Eng. Charles Milupi, MP. Speaking at the official induction ceremony, Milupi described the appointments as a deliberate call to national service, emphasizing that expectations from the Zambian people, through President Hakainde Hichilema, remain high. “Your selection is not by chance; it is a deliberate call to duty and an expression of the trust that the people of Zambia, through the Republican President, have placed in you,” he said. Milupi underscored the urgent need for durable, safe, and cost-effective infrastructure— including roads, schools, hospitals, and housing— t...

Combining academic excellence with cutting-edge infrastructure and global recognition. By Francis Maingaila Lusaka, Zambia – 19 June 2025 Texila American University Zambia (TAUZ) has been awarded Tier 1 status by the Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZAQA), placing it at Level 10, the highest classification on the Zambia Qualifications Framework. The announcement was made during a press conference in Lusaka, where Vice Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Ajay Poddar described the recognition as a major endorsement of the university’s academic standards. “This ranking confirms the quality and relevance of our academic programmes and our role in Zambia’s higher education sector,” Prof. Poddar said. He announced that TAUZ has introduced two new PhD programmes in Public Health and Management, which have already enrolled students. The programmes are aimed at strengthening research capacity and leadership in the region. The university has earned international recognition, including accreditation from the ...

Combining academic excellence with cutting-edge infrastructure and global recognition. Combining academic excellence with cutting-edge infrastructure and global recognition. By Francis Maingaila Lusaka, Zambia – 19 June 2025 Texila American University Zambia (TAUZ) has been awarded Tier 1 status by the Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZAQA), placing it at Level 10, the highest classification on the Zambia Qualifications Framework. The announcement was made during a press conference in Lusaka, where Vice Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Ajay Poddar described the recognition as a major endorsement of the university’s academic standards. “This ranking confirms the quality and relevance of our academic programmes and our role in Zambia’s higher education sector,” Prof. Poddar said. He announced that TAUZ has introduced two new PhD programmes in Public Health and Management, which have already enrolled students. The programmes are aimed at strengthening research capacity and leadership in the region....

Media Trained to Protect Survivors of Gender-Based Violence By Francis Maingaila Lusaka, Zambia24 – (19 June 2025) - The National Legal Aid Clinic for Women (NLACW) has called on journalists across Zambia to embrace gender-sensitive and legally sound reporting to safeguard the rights of women, girls, and children. At the conclusion of a three-day media training workshop held at Exotic Hotel in Lusaka, NLACW Executive Director Mandy Mandy highlighted the pivotal role the media plays in amplifying marginalized voices, raising public awareness, and advancing justice. “The media serves as a vital partner in the pursuit of social justice. By adhering to ethical and accurate reporting standards, journalists empower communities with knowledge about their rights and hold duty bearers accountable,” she stated. This training, funded by Sida, the Swedish development agency, aligns with NLACW’s 2025–2029 Strategic Plan, designed to enhance legal literacy and broaden access to justice for vulnerabl...

Media Trained to Protect Survivors of Gender-Based Violence By Francis Maingaila Lusaka, Zambia24 – (19 June 2025) - The National Legal Aid Clinic for Women (NLACW) has called on journalists across Zambia to embrace gender-sensitive and legally sound reporting to safeguard the rights of women, girls, and children. At the conclusion of a three-day media training workshop held at Exotic Hotel in Lusaka, NLACW Executive Director Mandy Mandy highlighted the pivotal role the media plays in amplifying marginalized voices, raising public awareness, and advancing justice. “The media serves as a vital partner in the pursuit of social justice. By adhering to ethical and accurate reporting standards, journalists empower communities with knowledge about their rights and hold duty bearers accountable,” she stated. This training, funded by Sida, the Swedish development agency, aligns with NLACW’s 2025–2029 Strategic Plan, designed to enhance legal literacy and broaden access to justice for vulnerabl...

Hatyoka says the Agency invoked Compulsory Standards Act to restrict expired alcohol from circulation  By Francis Maingaila LUSAKA, June 18, 2025 – The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) has seized 282 crates of expired Mosi Light beer from a distributor in Ndola, valued at K78,960.00, in a targeted enforcement action to protect consumers and uphold national safety standards. Acting on a tip-off from a resident of Pamodzi Township, ZCSA inspectors discovered the expired clear beer being sold in breach of Zambian Standard ZS 430 and the Compulsory Standards Act No. 3 of 2017.  The confiscated products have been officially restricted and are awaiting disposal in accordance with legal provisions. ZCSA Manager – Communications and Public Relations, Brian Hatyoka, warned that entities found supplying expired or non-compliant goods will face legal consequences.  He urged the public to report any suspicious or unsafe products covered under compulsory standards to the nea...

NLACW Strengthens Legal Literacy for Women Through Media By Francis Maingaila LUSAKA, Zambia24 – (16-06-2025) - The National Legal Aid Clinic for Women (NLACW) is amplifying its efforts to enhance legal awareness among women, particularly those in underserved communities, by collaborating closely with media professionals to promote responsible and informed reporting on issues affecting women’s and children’s rights. During a engagement with journalists, NLACW executive director Mandy Manda underscored that understanding legal rights is crucial for women to confidently report cases of gender-based violence, property disputes, and inheritance conflicts.  “Access to information is essential for women to assert and protect their rights,” she stated. Enhancing Media Reporting and Public Education Manda stressed the need for media practitioners to familiarize themselves with recent legislative changes, especially the Children’s Code Act and the Anti-Gender-Based Violence Act of 2011, whi...

Simuwe emphasizes the need for order, respect, and national healing. LUSAKA, Monday, June 16, 2025 — The ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) in Lusaka has called for national unity and calm as the nation mourns the passing of former Republican President Edgar Chagwa Lungu. UPND Media Director Mark Simuwe told journalists after signing the book of condolences at Belvedere Lodge, the official funeral home for the late president, that this is a time for reflection, not political rivalry. “As human beings, we are all headed in the same direction. In times like these, we must set aside our political differences and unite as Zambians,” Simuwe said. “We gather with a just cause — to mourn our departed leader with peace and dignity. This is not a time for political point-scoring or divisive rhetoric.” Simuwe delivered a message of condolence on behalf of the UPND to the Patriotic Front (PF) and its alliance partners, a gesture many have interpreted as a demonstration of politic...

... The Training modules are a tailored skills development by the national quality infrastructure (NQI) to enhance competitiveness under the Lobito Corridor project. By Francis Maingaila ♥️  Lusaka, Zambia24  – (June 15, 2025) -The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) and its partners have developed 13 training modules to build the capacity of over 40 agriculture-focused Cooperatives and SMEs in North-Western Province, under the Lobito Corridor Trade Facilitation Project aimed at positioning local producers for success in local and international markets ZCSA Manager for Communications and Public Relations, Brian Hatyoka, confirmed in statement issued on Sunday that the training content was finalized during a one-week workshop held in Chisamba involving officials from the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), the Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS), and the Zambia Metrology Agency (ZMA). "The 13 modules span key ...

Chinese companies now account for over half of Zambia’s foreign direct investment By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 (14 June 2025) — Zambia has recognized the growing contribution of the People’s Republic of China to its economic development, with Chinese companies now accounting for over 50 percent of the country’s total Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). This milestone reflects the deepening economic partnership between the two countries. The announcement was made during the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE) in Changsha, Hunan Province, where Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet for Finance and Economic Development, Mr. Siazongo D. Siakalenge, spoke on behalf of Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Hon. Chipoka Mulenga.  His remarks came at the Hunan Entrepreneurs-China Africa Economic and Trade Promotion Matchmaking Conference, which fosters business ties between African countries and Chinese investors. Mr. Siakalenge noted that between 2022 and 2024, Zambia’s ex...

.... Bright ideas are emerging across Zambia, but institutional support and funding remain dangerously inadequate. By Francis Maingaila Lusaka, Zambia24 – (14 June 2025) - Impact Hub Lusaka has trained more than 4,000 students from technical institutions in Lusaka and the Copperbelt in financial literacy and entrepreneurship, under a programme aimed at addressing youth unemployment and supporting innovation among young Zambians. The initiative, known as the Financial Education for Economic Transformation programme, is being implemented in partnership with Financial Sector Deepening Zambia (FSD Zambia), CIDA, and the Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA). In an interview, Cecilia Zimba, Managing Consultant at Impact Hub Lusaka, said the training has so far reached learners in TEVETA-affiliated institutions and is intended to equip them with the necessary tools to start and manage small businesses. “We have trained over 4,000 students and capaci...

Zambia's 2025 School Clubs Lead the Way in Promoting Consumer Rights and Market Ethics By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 – (12-06-2025) - The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA), in collaboration with the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), has launched the 2025 School Club Activities to promote product safety, consumer awareness, consumer protection and product safety awareness among pupils, empowering them to become informed consumers and advocates for fair market practices. ZCSA Executive Director Gerald Chizinga, speaking at the launch in Lusaka, said the initiative seeks to equip learners with knowledge on identifying unsafe products and understanding their rights as consumers. “This project is not just about enforcing standards—it’s about protecting the well-being of our children by ensuring the products they use are safe, reliable, and compliant,” Mr. Chizinga said. The initiative will leverage CCPC’s existing school club network to introduce ...

Key agencies collaborate to build skills for trade and market access By Francis Maingaila ♥️  Lusaka, Zambia24  - (11-06-2025) - Four key government bodies under the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry have not only committed to equipping Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with crucial skills to harness the benefits of the Lobito Corridor Trade Facilitation Project but also pledged to accelerate SME development along the corridor.  This initiative aims to unlock new opportunities for trade and economic growth that could redefine Zambia’s regional trade landscape. At a training module development workshop held in Chisamba, Humphrey Nkobeni, Chairperson of the SME Training under the Lobito Corridor Trade Facilitation Project, explained that the Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA), Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS), Zambia Metrology Agency (ZMA), and Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) are working in unison to empower entrepreneurs—particularly ...

Phiri says legal gaps and weak enforcement leave persons with disabilities unprotected and marginalized By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24  - (11-06-2025) – The Zambia Federation of Disability Organisations (ZAFOD) has raised alarm over the absence of concrete and enforceable disability inclusion frameworks across various government ministries and public bodies, describing it as a manifestation of institutional discrimination. Addressing participants at a disability inclusion sensitization workshop, ZAFOD Programme Officer Jethro Steven Phiri questioned the commitment of government systems to genuinely safeguard the rights of persons with disabilities.  He observed that although Article 123 of the Constitution prohibits discrimination, it falls short of offering targeted protection for persons with disabilities—leading to their marginalization. “If a ministry lacks structures that foster and uphold the rights of persons with disabilities, then we are institutionally shut...

As Ms Earth Slams  Plastic Crisis Response By Francis Maingaila ♥️  Lusaka, Zambia24, - (July 5, 2025) — Zambia is grappling with a deepening plastic pollution crisis, and critics say the government’s response amounts to little more than environmental theatre — hollow rituals that do nothing to stop the plastic from piling up. Speaking during World Environment Day commemorations in Lusaka on Saturday, Ms Earth Zambia, Kena Chibuye, delivered a powerful and pointed critique of what she called “short-lived, performative efforts” that fail to address the root causes of the problem. “Despite the passion displayed during these commemorations, the commitment to action fades almost immediately after the event,” Chibuye said. “Plastic continues to choke our streets, markets, and water bodies. What we’re doing is simply not enough.” Her remarks underscored a growing frustration among environmental advocates, who say that speeches, marches, and public pledges are not translating into sustained a...

ZCSA says “We Will Not Allow Zambians to Be Poisoned for Profit” By Francis Maingaila Lusaka, Zambia24 (7 June 2025) - The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) has sounded the alarm over the continued presence of unsafe and substandard food products on the market, vowing to take firm action against traders and manufacturers in a habit of putting profit before public health. In a statement released on its official Facebook page to commemorate World Food Safety Day, observed under the theme “Food Safety – Science in Action”, the agency stressed that no economic gain justifies endangering Zambian lives. “Unsafe food can cause severe illness, permanent injury or even death, particularly among vulnerable groups like children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems,” the agency said. ZCSA reminded the public and all industry players that no food or beverage covered under compulsory standards should be placed on the market without approval. Products such ...

Queens Gate College opens to train Zambia’s next generation of healthcare heroes By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Chibombo, Zambia24 - (06-06-2025) - Queen’s Gate College of Health Sciences, a private medical training institution, has officially opened its doors to the public, marking a significant milestone in Zambia’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the health sector through education and ethical leadership. This initiative targets the country’s critical shortage of healthcare workers, particularly in rural and underserved areas. At the launch, Mr. Sydney Nalube, Director of Teacher Education and Specialised Services, described the college as a “national asset” and a “sanctuary of knowledge.”  He emphasized its role in training clinical officers and health professionals dedicated to serving Zambia and the wider region. “This is not just a ribbon-cutting event. It is the birth of a training ground that will shape how young Zambians think, act, and transform their communities,” Nal...