WestMac Media : January 2015

Saturday 31 January 2015

African Resources Should Belong To Africa, Says New AU Chairman ROBERT MUGABE

"African resources should belong to Africa and to no one else, except to those we invite as friends. Friends we shall have, yes, but imperialists and colonialists no more,”mugabe said, to applause from his peers.

In his acceptance speech, Africa's oldest head of state spoke of the need to guard against foreigners exploiting the continent's mineral wealth and called for more assistance for African farmers.

MALAMBO, BURAK Nominated For Women4Africa Awards UK 2015

The selection of 2015 Women4Africa Awards Uk nominees successfully took place and the successful candidates have since been entered onto the site for public viewing and judging panel to make final decision to which the winners will be announced on the day of the event.

Women4africa is a UK registered organization focused on celebrating and empowering Africa and its women by supporting and celebrating their role in their communities via Conferences, supporting education and Awarding prestigious awards, recognitions and special honours on such women identified and nominated by the public.

PF Should Wake Up, Get More Organized

By William Mwansa

Good character keeps you, gets you going, fights for you, protects you and gets you well acknowledged and respected and again keeps your achievements intact whereas a bad character sells you out of the game no matter how you work hard. To this end good character is direct proportional to solid breakthrough. Therefore, ones achievements are safeguarded by developing a good character. It is easy to lose your achievements once you develop a bad character.

Press Statement: OSF Acting Executive Director Obbious Chikombola On Unity, Love In a Nation

Press Statement

For Immediate Release

As Open Society Foundation, we are at pain to note that tribalism has taken its toil in our country. It seems the elections have left us more divided with postulated hate, division and frustration.

A house divided by it cannot stand. As a country, we should know that we are one people all of us sharing the common dream and aspiration. We are a great family of one people created by God. Our common enemy is not the color of our skin or the place of our birth or the language of our tongue, our common enemy is poverty, corruption, social injustice and inequity that are the war we must defeat and win.

Winners of The Social Media Awards Africa #SMAA 2014

1. Blogger of the Year
Ben Kiruthi @Benkiruthi Kenya

2. Social Media Personality of the Year
Ayari Yassine @yassayari Tunisia

3. Social Media Hero
Michael Hlatshwayo @big_MIKE_ayooba South Africa

4. Facebook Page of the Year
Barefootlaw @BarefootlawUG Uganda

5. Twitter Handle of the Year
Jimi Tewe @jimitewe – Nigeria

6. Influencer of the Year (LinkedIn, YouTube, Google+, Instagram)
The Love Tour KE @slumphotography Kenya

7. Government/Public Sector
Republic of Rwanda Ministry of Youth and ICT Rwanda @myictrwanda

8. Private Sector
DHL Africa @DHLAfrica Kenya

9. Non-ProfiT
Stand to End Rape @StandtoEndRape Nigeria

By Winston Muleba II

The Sixth Republican President of Zambia, His Excellency Edgar Lungu has appointed Inonge Wina the Patriotic Front Party National Chairperson and Chiefs and Traditions Minister in the just recent dissolved Cabinet of the Patriotic Front government as the new Republican Vice President.

Simbyakula Appointed New Justice Minister, Chanda Replaces Chellah

By Winston Muleba II

His Excellency, The sixth President of Zambia Mr Edgar Lungu in his speech during the inauguration ceremony appointed Dr Ngosa Simbyakula with immediate effect as new Minister of Justice.

President Lungu has dissolved late Michael Chilufya's lead cabinet where Dr Simbyakula was serving as Minister of Home Affairs.

Apply: UN Volunteers -Youth Press & Development Organization, Zambia

Deadline: Ongoing

The Youth Press Development Organisation(YPDO) is looking for the expertise of a grant proposal writer targeted at securing funding for running the sporting project and transportation of already donated equipment from USA.

The Youth Press and Development Organisation(Y.P.D.O) is a non profit organisation based in Zambia.

Unfortunately, the youth of today have been given such a bad name when it is only a minority of people who are creating social disruption. Most youthful people are motivated and long to do well in everything they do, which means they could be a very important aspect in politics.

Win Upto $2,500 at 2015 Global Dialogue Story-Creating Contest

Deadline: 31st March, 2015

Young people all over the world are invited to come up with original ideas for a short film about HIV/AIDS, sexuality, violence against girls/women, or drugs, alcohol and sex. This could be a fictional story or a true story.

Living With HIV/AIDS Is Not The End Of The World

By Raymond Muwaniri

I met Letwin a mother of 3 in her 40’s living with HIV at a Training for Transformation workshop (stimulate people’s participation and empowering them to analyse causes of problems, challenge forms of injustice, and plan actions to redress the situations) run by Silveira House in Mahuwe, a growth point in Mbire ward 15. After the workshop Letwin invited me to her house to see and photograph her pig project, this is when she proceeded to tell me her story.

By Winston Muleba II, Zambia

“Keep dreaming even when you’re awake” says Yudy Chara.

Chara is a young woman from Columbia with big dreams who was born into a difficult economic situation.

She says since childhood she dreamt of achieving her professional and personal goals in order to improve her family’s economic situation and that of future generations.

“I enjoy reading, listening to music and interacting with people, I am passionate about my work and my life in general,"she says.

Eradicating Poverty through Agriculture

Poverty and hunger are complex problems for which there are no simple solutions. Poverty affects both rural and urban areas, and is associated with social problems such as malnutrition, disease, violence and poor education. The line between cause and effect often blurs as poverty leads to hunger, which leads to violence and conflict, environmental destructions and the displacement of people which in turn lead even to greater poverty and more hunger.

Small Business Infographic – Will Your Startup Business Fail?

If you are looking to start up a business, you need to understand how to minimize the risk of small business failure.

Small business is a risky investment at the best of times, but you can improve your chances of business success by understanding the latest trends in the business world and avoiding the success traps that others fall into.

Here is a great infographic from the team at staff.com that looks at the factors that can lead to business success or failure, as well as looking at some of the recent trends in the best business sectors to launch into.

Saturday 17 January 2015

Father To NAREP President Dies

Former Minister and former Ambassador to Japan and Germany and former MMD Chairperson, Elias Chipimo Senior has died.

Mr Chipimo Senior, the father to National Restoration Party President Elias Chipimo Junior died on sunday in South Africa.

A son and Presidential contender in the forth coming presidential by-election Mr Chipimo Junior confirmed the death of his father on Sunday morning.

“Dad died just after 8:00hrs this morning surrounded by five of his seven children. He died knowing that he is dearly loved and will always be cherished for being the best father his children could have wished for.” he said.

Mr Chipimo junior has since thanked everyone that stood in support, in good wishes and prayer during this very difficult time for their family.

Change Our World for the Better: Careers in Agriculture

“There are still numerous untapped opportunities [in agriculture] for passionate young Africans.” Says Ndidi Nwuneli. Nigerian businesswoman Nwuneli believes that Africa’s agriculture sector “presents unique opportunities for young African leaders who want to serve as change agents on the continent.” Nwuneli co-founded AACE Food Processing and Distribution Ltd. and is a partner in Sahel Capital Partners in Nigeria.

“It’s Time For A Tonga To Rule Zambia” Not Only Retrogressive But A Trifling Remark- Chikombola

Zambia Open Society Foundation has strongly condemned Hon Munkombwe’s sentiments which he altered at a UPND rally in Choma.

In a statement monitored by WM Media Pty. Ltd, OSF Acting Executive Director Obbious Chikombola says since 1964, the republican president is chosen by the people of Zambia regardless of tribe.

“As Zambia Open Society Foundation, we wish to condemn Hon Munkombwe’s sentiment at a UPND rally in Choma in strongest terms possible. In the history on our nation from 1964, the republican president is chosen by the people of Zambia regardless of tribe and regionalism of where they come from, it is in this vein that we find the statement that “It’s time for a Tonga to rule” trifling, retrogressive and out of place in the modern politics.” he says.

Day Two, CBU Students Misses Sessional Exams

By Winston Muleba II

Some Copperbelt University students including those in final years have missed 2014/2015 exams for two days now.

It is alleged that the affected students have not paid a threshold of 80% required tuition fees, others have not even done course registration due to lack of finances to meet the required minimum threshold.

The sessional examinations begun on monday and affected students have since missed the exams they were supposed to write on monday and tuesday respectively.

Youths Renounce Political Violence, Election Not A Time For Persecution

By Obbious Chikombola

Election period should not be a time of horror and tyranny rather it should be a time to reflect on the needs of the country and the society. Our ideals should inspire all of us both candidates and electorates to protect our sovereign state and its people.

Condoms Demand Outweigh Food Demand in Road Construction Sites

By Sitembile Siwawa, Lusaka
OVER 72,000 condoms are distributed to each road construction site every month to meet the high demand though they remain in short supply at the source.

According to Youth Cultural Promotion Association executive director Beck Banda, the demand for condoms is high in areas where road construction works are taking place.

One Dead Body Successfully Retrieved from Kafue River in Kitwe

One dead body out of the three individuals that drowned in the Kafue River in Kitwe was successfully retrieved on tuesday.

A dead body which was floating amid the high current at the bank of the Nkana Water Sewerage Company Dam, which the Kitwe fire brigade failed to retrieve was retrieved by Zambia Army Commandos from Ndola.

Apply for the Study of the United States Institutes (SUSI) for Student Leaders on Women’s Leadership

Deadline: January 12,

Are you an undergraduate student leader at a university or college in Zambia? Would you like to enhance your leadership skills in the United States? Please apply.

The U.S. Embassy seeks qualified Zambian women to apply for the Study of the United States Institutes (SUSI) for Student Leaders on Women’s Leadership. SUSI Student Leader programs are intensive short term academic programs whose purpose is to provide groups of undergraduate student leaders with a deeper understanding of the United States, while simultaneously enhancing their leadership skills.

Larry Page, Google's CEO has emerged as the 'business person of the year' for 2014, edging past the likes of Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, according to Fortune magazine.

Page, who is Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and co-founder of Google, came on top in the 20 global corporate leaders' list compiled on the basis of various factors including company's performance, leadership style and total shareholder returns, the magazine said while bringing out its list.

Jay Rox drops the first single and music video off his forthcoming sophomore album

Jay Rox of the Zone Fams has dropped the first single and music video off his forthcoming sophomore album. The Zambian artist’s new track titled “Auto Pilot” was produced by Zamba (for Music Out of Africa).

The video shot in Lusaka was directed by Tommy Banda of MT Productionz.

Sunday 4 January 2015

Is it still taboo for a woman to carry condoms?

By Contributor

People have superficially become more ‘open’ about sex, but our core beliefs and attitudes haven’t really changed.

If a female is carrying a condom in her bag does that make her a ‘slut’ or ‘easy’? If a male carries a condom does that make him a ‘stud’?

DID YOU KNOW? Lack of higher education leaves millions of young people out of decent work in developing countries

ILO study shows that the lack of post-secondary education in lower and middle-income economies leaves the majority of young men and women stuck in vulnerable and informal employment.

Shalala: second prize winner of the 2014 Africa Fact Checking Media Awards

By Winston Muleba II, Zambia

Aspire to reach your potential by competing with people who you think you can’t beat says Paul Shalala.

Shalala is a young journalist and blogger who is based in Lusaka and works for the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation as a Reporter.

“Am a news person and everything about me is about news. I read a lot of literature, newspapers and books. I watch a lot of TV programs especially news, documentaries and history programs. I also like making friends to hear what the common man is thinking and talking about. Am also a dot com baby. I spend most of the time on Twitter and Facebook trying to get latest news and find out what is trending across the world.” he says.

By Winston Muleba II

Tonga’s have been painted to be champions of tribalism in Zambia yet they are just like any other tribe in Zambia.

Are you Kaonde, Lunda, Lozi, Ngoni, Bemba, Lamba, Lenje, Chewa, Nsenga, Tumbuka, Luvale, Namwanga, Aushi, Chishinga ,the list is endless that consider Tonga’s to be tribal? Wake up and change for better.

Birthday Gifts You Shouldn’t Give Your Man

By Silas Nyanchwani

This article is as much about birthdays as it is about gifts.

A good gift not only requires some level of thoughtfulness. It needs to be otherworldly. Some women are stingy, even the loaded ones. So as we start the year, here are my guidelines on how to give gifts. For starters, try your best and surprise him, either in timing or the nature of the gift itself.

The $100 Million Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme – an annual programme of training, funding and mentoring, designed to empower the next generation of African entrepreneurs – is now open for entries through its application portal http://www.tonyelumelufoundation.org/teep.

Sunzu Relinquishes The Arm-Band, Kalaba Becomes New Chipolopolo Captain

Chipolopolo midfield genius Rainford Kalaba is the new captain of the team.

Kalaba has taken over from Stopilla Sunzu who has voluntarily relinquished the arm band, saying he wants to concentrate on his core responsibility as a defender for the team.

Speaking at a brief handover cerrmony in Coach Honour Janza's room this morning, Stopilla said he was grateful that he had been given such a big responsibility especially that his reign was during the qualifiers for the 2015 Africa cup series.

And new Skipper Rainford Kalaba emphasised the need for collective responsibility saying though he would be the one to wear the arm band he recognises that the other senior players are captains in their own right. Senior players present at this ceremony were James Chamanga, Kennedy Mweene, Vice captain Nathan Sinkala and Davies Nkausu.

Kenyan student, blogger jailed for calling President Uhuru Kenyatta an "adolescent president"

A Kenyan student has been sentenced to a year in jail for insulting President Uhuru Kenyatta on social media.

Alan Wadi Okengo, 25, alias lieutenant Wadi, must also pay a fine of $2,200 (£1,400), or serve a second year.

Deadline: January 25, 2015

The World Genesis Foundation invite Youth around the world to take part in the 2015 UNESCO Worldwide Multimedia Competition. Think creatively, and answer the question, The “Year of Light” focuses on the topic of light and light sciences and its applications; but it is the human curiosity that underlines the vision which brings light to the hearts of humanity. What kind of light-based innovation would you propose to promote sustainable development and meet the needs of a global challenge such as energy, education, agriculture, or health?

By Staff Reporter
The discoverer of SF-2000 has dismissed allegations suggesting that he is using the Sondashi Formula (SF-2000) as a campaign strategy to win people’s votes.

A Zambian, Dr Ludwig Sondashi discovered the SF-2000 in the year 2000. It is also alleged that the medicine was assessed for safety and was found to have no toxicity to normal MT4 cells and was found to be non-toxic.

Dr Sondashi who is the President for Forum for Democratic Alternatives further says SF 2000 is a God given medicine meant for Zambians living with HIV/AIDS.

He is also among other presidential candidates racing for plot one in the forth coming January, 20th presidential by-election.

Top 10 Things To Never Do On Facebook When You’re In A Relationship

By Mbali Ntuli

A happy and healthy relationship is based around a few rules, yes your Facebook account is your account we know that but now you’re in a relationship; you’re a part of something that represents you and your partner.

Masebo, GBM rally behind HH

By Winston Muleba II

Some Patriotic Front party members have opted to throw their weights on UPND presidential candidate Hakainde Hichilema in the forth coming presidential by-election.

Among other PF members who have endorsed the candidature of HH include Sylvia Masebo and GBM.