MONZE MOTOR RALLY ATTRACTS 15 DRIVERS

Rally to feature gravel stages covering 91.68 kilometres

By Francis Maingaila ♥️

Lusaka, Zambia24 — 21-10-2026 — About 15 drivers are expected to compete in this weekend’s Monze Motor Rally, which will test their skills on gravel roads over a total distance of 91.68 kilometres.

The rally has received a major boost from Afrivert Energy Zambia Limited, which has committed about K300,000 towards the event and pledged to continue sponsoring it for the next three years.

Company director Martin Chaikatisha said the rally would be free of charge this year, giving more people, especially Monze residents, a chance to watch the competition.

He said the company was proud to support an event that had been part of Monze’s sporting life for four decades and continued to give drivers from across Zambia a chance to showcase their talent.

Chaikatisha said Afrivert Energy’s support was also a contribution to the country’s development drive under the Grow Zambia Agenda launched by President Hakainde Hichilema.

He challenged the Zambia Motor Sport Association to consider taking the 2027 Zambia International Motor Rally to Monze, assuring the association that Afrivert Energy would fully sponsor the event.

Chaikatisha said the town was growing, with new shopping malls, hotels and lodges helping to strengthen its capacity to host a major international competition.

Zambia Motor Sport Association president Sam Chingambu thanked Afrivert Energy for its continued confidence in the association, saying the sponsorship had given organisers another opportunity to stage the rally in Monze.

Chingambu said the event was particularly special because it coincided with Zambia’s Independence Day celebrations, giving motorsport fans another reason to celebrate the country’s independence.

He thanked the company and its team for supporting the rally and giving the association an opportunity to host the event.

Monze Motor Club Vice-President Technical Bright Malambo said the club also wanted to take motorsport in the area to another level by securing its own land for rally events and attracting international competitions to Monze.

Malambo said the club hoped to host President Hichilema in 2027 during one of its national or international rally events.

He said the club needed continued support from sponsors, government institutions and other well-wishers to turn its plans into reality.

“We want to secure our own piece of land where we will be hosting our rallies,” Malambo said.

He said hosting an international rally would give the club an opportunity to grow beyond national competitions and raise Monze’s profile in motorsport.

Malambo thanked Afrivert Energy Solutions for sponsoring the national rally, saying the company had played an important role in making the event possible.

“Without your support, commitment and love for the sport, this event would not have become a reality,” he said.

He also thanked government institutions, local councils, the Zambia Police and other stakeholders for helping the club organise its events.

Malambo said Monze Motor Club was one of three motor clubs in Zambia and the only one in Southern Province registered and recognised by the Zambia Motor Sport Association.

On the competition itself, Kapunza Mbeviya said drivers would first take part in two qualifying stages before the main rally, with all stages running on gravel roads.

He said the ceremonial start would take place at Monze Golf Club at 13:00 hours, followed by qualifying stages at 14:00 hours.

Sunday’s programme would feature three stages, each run three times, Mbeviya said.

The first stage, Monanganhu, is located about 10.69 kilometres south of Monze town, with the route then heading north. The second stage, known as Rainbow, will also be run three times.

Mbeviya said about 15 drivers had entered the competition, among them Jeffrey Chulu, King Junior, Watson Kaola and Charles.

The rally is scheduled for this coming weekend, coinciding with Zambia’s Independence Day celebrations.