The Close of the Year 2012

The Close of the Year 2012

After two weeks of sporadic shortages of mealie meal, our staple, as Government and millers negotiated over price, some millers have finally agreed to print a recommended retail price on bags (K50 000/GBP6/US$10). It is surprising that Zambian Governments in a less developed country have not been more statist on this, as France only decontrolled the price of bread a little over a decade ago.

This measure has been achieved by appealing to milling companies to reduce their prices after a sharp rise recently. The floor price for the purchase Food Reserve Agency maize was K65 000 for 50kg, this was sold on to the millers for K60 000, in effect a K5 000 subsidy. 

This is another pro-poor policy which contrasts with the austerity programme and attack on universalism by neo-liberal governments in the more developed world. Zambia has managed to attain a growth rate of 7% up from 6% last year.

Substantial investment has been made in the country’s infrastructure, with shovel ready projects, in education, health and mining sectors, while inflation is kept reasonably low. No either/or but both here!!

This positive and continuous improvement has led to some improved social and economic development.

Finally the country has been plagued by an infestation of army worms in many places which could compromise food security if left undealt with. Army worms, also known as cut worms, travel in armies and consume newly germinated maize and grass. Cypermethrin is apparently the spray of choice.

Armyworms and cutworms are actually caterpillars or immature moths that feed on grass leaves and stems, chewing off young plants just above the ground. Mature females moths then lay eggs, on grass which the hatched caterpillars feed on. From the TV pictures seen, it looks quite like the variegated cutworm but I have not heard an etymologic identification made.

The larvae were dark brown in color with yellow stripes. The adult moths were yellowish-brown with black dots along the wings. Mated females can lay more than 1200 eggs in less than 10 days, and eggs are generally attached to the leaf blades or weeds plants. The pupae hibernate and the insect can produce four generations per year, depending on the climatic conditions. The life cycle lasts about 60 days.

Government and UN have helped to supply spray and seed to re-sow areas affected with early maturing varieties so that the harvest is as little affected as possible.

Over this weekend we move towards the nativity and incarnation. Living in the present but hoping for the future, with the coming of Christ, the Child, Messiah and Light of the World.

We continue to pray for rain and a good harvest here in Mwandi. The showers so far have mainly been soft and gentle. The people have cleared their fields and many are now ploughing and sowing maize, pumpkin and groundnuts. Some army/cut worm has been reported. The open-billed storks and egrets have arrived, signs of the coming of the rains.

There is some malnutrition amongst people as for many the last of last year’s harvest has finished and the new maize will not be ready to harvest for another 3 or 4 months.

So, wherever we are this Christmas and whoever we are with, we would ask you to remember the needs of friends and people in different parts of the world and especially the Christian Community in Bethlehem and the Holy Land and those celebrating in difficult circumstances.

Wishing you every blessing  with a joyful Christmas and a good New Year.

Getting to Zero

Saturday, 1 December was World AIDS Day. It was commemorated in Mwandi in the customary fashion. On the Friday evening, a march through the village, ending with an all-age Inter-Denominational Church Service in the Hospital Chapel to remember lost loved ones who died from HIV Aids took place. The march, starting at the MTN cell-phone tower, was led the Boys Brigade Drums, followed by hospital staff, local Church people and the children from the OVC carrying red balloons and smaller A4 posters saying, HIV is going to lose. A banner carried by staff displayed the official message: Zero New Infections, Zero Discrimination, Zero Aids-Related Deaths.

In the Chapel the UCZ youth choir and Praise Team led the worship with appropriate choruses and songs.
The UCZ Deaconess opened in prayer while one of the Pentecostal pastors was the Master of Ceremonies, the Wesleyan Pastor gave the homily and the Roman Catholic Father came straight from Mass for the candle-lighting and moment of silence. The doctor also spoke. Before the blessing, there was a wonderful and moving testimony given by a young woman living with HIV/AIDS. This was a first for us where a person spoke openly and publicly about her status.
The next day we were blessed by rain, so instead of having an outside ceremony at TB Square, the commemoration was held inside, again in the chapel. A former Deaconess, the Hospital Administrator, the UCZ Minister and the Doctor all graced this meeting which comprised of prayers, speeches, dancing, poems, drama and songs.

For the first time, a task force, comprising of young people, employed at the hospital organized and ran both events. It was a resounding success. As one of them said it was like one of these reality TV programmes - The Apprentice, sprang to mind, where you are given a task, a time constraint and then told to get on with it!
Some of the local constraints and challenges the hospital is facing needs to be highlighted. The annual AIDS Relief budget from PEPFAR is being reduced each year but an increasing number of patients are accessing ARVs and requiring care at the same time. The Zambian Government contribution to the budget has to reach 15% of the budget and they are being expected to take over the programme in its entirety in 4 years. There are still many gaps. Our lab machines often lack reagents as none are available at Central Medical Stores. While supplies of ARVs are usually adequate, medicines and drugs for treating opportunistic infections are in short supply or unavailable.
According to some recent statistic published in The Post newspaper on Saturday, the National AIDS Council recorded 69 000 new infections. 27 000 are young people between 15 and 24, and shamefully over 16 000 of them were girls.
The UNAIDS Report for 2012 shows Zambia has reduced new HIV infections by 58% and 80% of them are receiving HIV treatment. The national prevalence rate is just over 14%, but our testing rate is, regionally, one of the lowest standing at 28%.

In another article in the same paper an Italian Professor Paolo Marandola points out that the war against HIV is far from being won. Even if the number of people each year dying from the disease is lower than the number of the newly infected it means the HIV positive population is growing, so prevention is obviously weaker than treatment. Increased access to ARVs is for those with a CD4 count of less than 350. Those HIV positive individuals with a higher CD4 count are still apparently healthy and sexually active.
Resistance and adherence are looming problems that need to be addressed. Neither of these are helped by the current policy of waiting until a lethal disease such as HIV TB or cancer manifests itself then beginning treatment. In response to these problems, universal testing, universal early treatment and universal sex education in schools are suggested even although there will be objections raised about the cost of these steps.
The dream of getting to zero can only be realized if the Zambian people take their destiny into their own hands by owning the response and actively preventing new infections.

A Pastoral Letter: Seeking Justice for All

This summarises the recent pastoral letter from the Council of Churches in Zambia.

In a recent pastoral letter this month called ‘Seeking Justice For All’ the Council of Churches of Zambia met to discuss national issues, governance and the poor in Zambia. These Churches continue to advocate for social justice, peace and development, speaking for the voiceless

As regards politics and government the CCZ was concerned with the apparent direction the Government has been taking recently and it has not always been towards a better Zambia. The well-being of the elite is prioritized, infighting, hostile language and selfish desires appear to take precedence over care for the underprivileged.

The acquittal of those concerned in the corruption case over the theft of billions of Kwacha ear-marked for the health of Zambians is worrying. The Anti-Corruption Commission is considering an appeal. If those who have been released are not-guilty the question still remains: who then took the money?

In Bye-Elections the electorate in the affected constituency should not be threatened with underdevelopment unless they vote for the ruling party’s candidate. People have a right to make a free choice. Similarly the electorate should not be bribed by misusing Government resources, such as relief food and quick-fix development. Campaigns should be undertaken in a clean and non-violent manner.

Finally the CCZ encourages participation in and commitment to the 16 day campaign to reduce gender-based violence. This has an enormous bearing on improving the quality of life, poverty reduction and the enjoyment of an abundant life for many.

SEEKING JUSTICE FOR ALL

Proverbs 21:7 and 8

Towards Seven Decades of Christian Unity and Service

(1945 – 2012)

THUS FAR THE LORD HAD LET US

1 Samuel 7:12

A PASTORAL LETTER

NOVEMBER, 2012

1.0 Preamble

We, the Heads of Churches under the umbrella of the Council of Churches in Zambia met on 7^th November, 2012 to reflect and to deliberate on a number of matters pertaining to the livelihood of the people in Zambia especially the poor. We also took time to interrogate national issues as we see them unfold in the nation which have direct bearing on the well-being of our country Zambia and impact negatively on the lives of the Zambian people. We also deliberated on governance issues in general.

We continue to reaffirm our role in the Nation as people who advocate for social justice, peace and development and as such we intensely endeavor to protect the interests of the majority of the voiceless people in Zambia. Our inspiration always comes from the prophetic voice according to the word of God. We believe we are obliged to bring to the nation an enlightened Christian opinion on issues affecting the spiritual, physical, social and well-being of Zambians and we offer a holistic ministry for human dignity informed by God’s truths and God’s desire that all may live a life of abundance.

2.0 State of Politics in Government

2 Sam 23.3b-4 “……. He who ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. And he shall be like the light of the morning when the sun riseth, a morning without clouds, as the tender grass spring out of the earth, by clear shining after rain.” (2 Sam 23.3b-4)

The Council of Churches in Zambia continue to believe that the government still has good will from the people of Zambia. The same good will Zambians exhibited during the last general elections when the Government was ushered into office in September, 2012. We hasten to say, however, that we are concerned with the direction in which the Government is leading our Country Zambia. This concern has been prompted by the way the Government has set itself to repeat all the things that the Zambians said they did not appreciate in the previous governments. This trend is a threat to the aspiration of the Zambian people who had hoped to see new dispensations, new ideologies, new work ethics, new values and new focus on the improvement of the lives of the people. People believed the promise of a better Zambia.

So far indications are that not much has changed as we continue to see concentration on the well-being of the leaders rather than the led. The leadership wrangles, in full view of the nation, perpetuated by very senior members of Government are an indicator of lack of vision, insight and discipline in the government ranks. The hostility and the language used are destructive. This state of affairs is disheartening and should not be tolerated by the party in government. Zambians are not interested in wrangles of people jostling for positions, but only want to see proper and long lasting development in the nation as they were promised before the elections. The wrangles are only taking away people’s confidence in the government. We call upon the President to bring these wrangles to an immediate stop. The news on conflict in our media should be replaced with plans of where and how the government intends to develop Zambia and lead her out of her poverty. This is the basic reason that the Zambians voted the current government into power; to bring long lasting development that takes precedence over all personal, selfish desires of individuals.

3.0 Fight Against Corruption

2 Peter 2:19 – While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

The acquittal of Mr Henry Kapoko and his accomplices is very suspect in our view to say the least. This takes away the confidence that people have in the government to effectively fight corruption. This is not the first time that a high profile case has just fizzled out of the face of the earth. We want to encourage the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC), who have expressed that they would appeal this case, to boldly go ahead and do it in a way that it will be a water tight case. The Zambians would like to see the case dealt with to its logical conclusion. It concerns the loss of billions of Kwacha meant for the well-being of Zambians and for the case to be disposed off in the manner that it has been is very sad and very suspicious. This case, if not properly determined will only erode confidence of the people who generously provide the resource for the betterment of the people of Zambia especially those living with HIV/AIDS. The question we are asking is; if Mr Kapoko is not the embezzler then who is? This case must not be allowed to just go away. Someone must be held responsible for the disappearance of the money meant for development.

4.0 By-Elections

Mathew 5:9 – Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God.

We have noted the tendency by the new government to use the same language that has been used over the years to intimidate Zambians during the elections, to frighten the electorate into submission with statements like “we shall not bring development to this place if you do not vote for our candidate”. This type of campaign messages is erroneous and unacceptable. Many people in Zambia contribute to the national resource basket in terms of paying all kinds of taxes and therefore whether they vote for one party or another they are all entitled to development because they are all Zambians. Governance issues are not the same as party issues. Government’s role is to develop the country on behalf of all Zambians. Politicians must take note that all people have the right to freely elect leaders of their choice as this is their constitutional right and should not be deprived of their livelihood because they voted for a different party.

Misuse of government resources, just like before, continues unabated. The sudden appearance of relief food, quick fix development belongs to the past and is not expected of the Government which promised Zambians new type of politics.

The Council of Churches is encouraged with the campaigns in Mufumbwe. It is our prayer that these by-elections will proceed and conclude in a non-violent manner. All parties who are taking part in the elections must exercise maximum maturity, self-control, self- restraint by all means. We are encouraged by the political parties demonstration of maturity in Mufumbwe which has been done in a non violent manner so far. We have said this before and we say it again that we will not accept members of parliament who to go Manda Hill riding on the blood-soaked backs of poor innocent Zambian due to selfishness and impunity of some politicians. We will accept nothing short of clean politics for a change in this country.

5.0 Gender Based Violence

Ephesians 4:31-32 – Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice. And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

The Council of Churches in Zambia will participate together with other stakeholders in the forthcoming 16 days of activism through a worship service, TV and radio programmes, bible studies, youth indabas. This occasion we believe provides a good platform for the church fraternity to show commitment to reducing Gender based violence which has become endemic in the nation. We, therefore, call upon all our member churches to ensure that they all participate in their various locations in this important programme. It has become imperative that we join forces with the government and other stakeholders to fight this ugly phenomenal in our country. As a church we should ourselves take serious steps in embracing GBV programmes in all our churches. This requires that we not only participate in the 16 days of activism but that we make it our business to put this matter on top of our programmes as it has a huge bearing on the improvement of quality of lives for the people, reduction of poverty and enjoyment of dignity for all as God intented it to be.

We wish all Zambians well.

Signed by: The Rev Suzanne Matale

General Secretary

For and on behalf of the Heads of Churches of CCZ member-churches

Lozi Names Part 3

We have just returned from furlough in Scotland. During our leave we were blessed by the birth of two more granddaughters. Our granddaughters have also been given the Lozi names: Sepo, Matauka and Lieto which are listed below. I have listed in a summary all the enquiries concerning the meaning of names to the blog from this year in alphabetical order for ease of reference.



AKAFUNA They are troubling themselves

AKAKANDA One who doesn't spoil - a trusted person

AKAMANA One who cannot finish

AKAMANDISA They cannot make me a hero. Respect and dignity are earned

AKATOKWA You will need something in the future

AONGOLA If they strengthen me. Challege to enemy to show real courage

ETAMBUYU One who swears by Mbuyu

IKACANA Small one

ILUKUI Fierce one

IMUTOWANA Finder

INONGE Complaints

KALIMA Cultivator/Farmer

KALUMIANA Little Man

KANETA Little fighter

KASIKU Born at night

KAWANA 1. Finder 2. Small dish

KETIWE Chosen

KUNYIMA From the past

KUSIYO Pertaining to rank

KWALOMBOTA To follow them

LIETO Born en route

LIKANDO Suffering

LIKEZO Acts, Deeds

LIMPO Gifts

LISELI Light

LIWAO Sun or day

LIYWALI Bad Day

LUBASI Family

LUBINDA Stubborn, Argumentative

LUNGOWE Beauty

MASALISO Consolation

MASINGE Roofing sheets

MATAUKA The lost one

MBANGWETA He'll swear in my name

MBUYOTI Blessing

MEEBELO Place of anger or a manner in getting angry

MONDE Born in the first quarter of the moon

MOOTO Soft one

MUBUYAETA - PUMULO Resting one cf PUMULO

MUCHIMAEZI Karanga name

MUHAU Grace

MUIMUI Bad one

MUITUMWA Someone for whom something is sent

MUKATIMUI Bad woman

MUKELA The one who came

MUKUBESA One who plays with you

MUKUMBUTA Hermit

MUKUNGU Hippo path or tunnel

MULIWA One who is eaten

MULIWANA One who finds it

MUNALULA Cruel one

MUNGANDI Village near Kalabo

MUSA Mercy

MUTTAU Large Lion Lion Clan name

MUUKA The returnee

MUYATWA One who has been judged

MUYOYETA Redeemer

MUYUNDA Peeper

MWAKA 1.Year 2. Beloved

MWALA The onlooker

MWANALUSHI Born in the bush

MWANGALA Joy cf TABO

MWANGANA Someone who meets someone or something

MWENDA Traveller

NAKUBYANA One who eludes you

NALIKENA Pure

NALUMINO Cursed one

NAMAKAU Many hoes.

NANDEMA Weight

NANDILA One born on the way or path

NAWA Good company

NAWINA One at a women's gathering

NDANGWA I am bound or reconciled

NEO - LINEO Gift - Gifts (Setswana)

NJELWA The poor one

SAASA He is not there. There is nothing.

SABOYI Pertaining to a bad situation

SANALUMBA Belonging to the one that praises

SEPISO Promise

SEPO Hope

SIBESO Plaything

SIMATAA Bad-tempered

SIMATE Blessing (from mati)

SINKA Stop or block

SITUMBEKO Act of igniting

SIYOTO 1.I don't know him. 2. A soft thing cf MOOTO

SONGISO Deceiving Object

TABO Joy cf Mwangala

TAWILA Welcomed from afar

TEBUHO Thanksgiving

TWEMBUCI On our own

WABEI Born under bad circumstances

WAMBULAWAYE One who has nobody of their own

WAMUKWAMBA Born during quarrels

WAMULUNGWE Born at night or in a time of trouble

WAMUN'UNGO Born in a turmoil

WASAMUNU The one who is something belonging to someone else

YAMBOTO Discussion, Current affairs

AVERAGE, MINIMUM AND LIVING WAGES

The Zambian Government has recently raised the minimum wage. This is not before time, as the cost of living continues to rise, making Zambia one of the most expensive countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.

It is good, too, that this rise appears to be non-negotiable. There have been the predictable complaints about stifling investment and threats of redundancy from the usual suspects - agri-business, construction, the mines and the Employers’ Federation.

Annual inflation is around 10%. According to the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection, the JCTR’s Basic Needs Basket’s (BNB) for June 2012 total amounts to K3, 395,660 for an average family of five living in Lusaka. See www.jctr.org.zm

The new basic wage, although an improvement, is woefully inadequate. Another JCTR survey shows that low incomes and high living costs make it impossible for people to save any money. In fact, it is even worse, as families all over the country are reducing the number of meals they eat, to eke out family income, so that they can reach pay-day. By raising the tax threshold to K2m or $400, the Government has helped to take many low-wage earners out of the tax bracket.

The minimum monthly wage for domestic workers has increased from K256 000 ($50) to about $105 (K525 000). The wages of other workers - such as shop assistants, farmworkers, and construction workers, will increase from $50 to $220 (K1 100 000).

Almost two thirds of the Zambian population of 13 million people live on a dollar or less a day, and only around 500,000 people are employed by the formal sector, according to the country's Central Statistical Office.

However, with these recent measures, Zambia seems to be giving a nod in the direction of the post-war Beveridge ideal of full-employment, something that was the political consensus here in Britain until the 70s, when tackling inflation became more important than decent jobs for the working population. Now, casualisation, short-term contracts and minimum-waged jobs are the norm.

Since inflation reduces the value of money, neo-liberal governments and the financial sector wish to control it tightly. As a result, we are now beginning to see: greater poverty, a wider gulf between the rich and poor, and the smallest amount of disposable income for many since the 1930s, as people lose their jobs and have their pensions cut.

  Here in Scotland, Members of the Scottish Parliament, MSPs, are trying to ensure that private companies who work for public organisations pay their staff a "living wage" to help those many families who suffer from “in-work poverty”. Child poverty campaigners reckon that 60% of Scottish children live in such households.

The lowest paid worker for the Scottish government now earns at least £7.20 an hour. MSPs want this to be the case for all workers from private firms on contract to the government. £9 billion is spent by Scottish authorities to pay for services provided by private companies, but between a quarter and third of these workers earn less than the living wage.

To make the living wage a condition of any government contract, may breach European Union law some complain. However, European Law is not the Law of the Medes and Persians yet, and should not be used as an excuse to stop doing what is right.

  The Joseph Rowntree Foundation reports that a couple with two children now need to earn £36,800 a year to have a "socially acceptable" standard of living in Britain. This has increased by one third in 4 years, due to rising childcare costs, food prices, utility bills and transport costs, combined with cuts to benefits.

The minimum income standard (MIS) study was commissioned by the Foundation and undertaken by Loughborough University. Its main finding was that increasing numbers of people in Britain live below what is an acceptable standard of living. This MIS standard includes earning enough to eat a balanced diet, run a car and heat a house.

A couple with two children each need £18,400 a year.
Single people need £16,400 a year.
A single parent with a child needs £23,900 a year.
A pensioner couple need £12,000 each.

Like the JCTR basket, the breadline is not being considered, but instead a level of income that is required for an acceptable standard of living.

Childcare has risen by nearly a third since 2008.

Travel:
Bus fares have doubled in 10 years.
Public transport has been cut, so for a family with children, a car has become essential.

The minimum weekly amounts for “socially acceptable” life essentials are listed below.

Childcare: £147.85
Beds and bedding: £3.29
Garden equipment: £0.66

Meat: £18.08
Vegetables: £11.27
Snacks: £3.65

Parent social activities: £30.00
UK holiday: £18.52
Birthday gifts: £8.42

Car: £60.25
Public transport: £12.38
Cycling: £1.40

(Based on a couple with two young children with a weekly income of £685).


All this talk about minimum wages, living wages, MIS or BNBs in Scotland, Britain and Zambia leads on to the question: "What is the world's average wage?". The United Nations' International Labour Organization (ILO) recently had a go at working it out.
First, they worked out the total wage bill for every country in the world. To do that, they took the average salary from each central statistics office, and multiplied that amount by the number of earners in each country. Unfortunately, the data covered only 72 countries and only formal wage earners were counted - not the self-employed or people on benefits, so in some countries the data is incomplete. Then they added the total wage bill for each country, and divided that by the total number of earners in the world. That gave an average salary of $1,480 (£928) a month, which is almost $18,000 (£11,291) a year.

The ILO then used a specially adjusted exchange rate called Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) dollars. One PPP dollar is equal to $1 spent in the US. This is because it is cheaper to live in some countries than others. In other words, it takes account of what dollars can buy in each particular country, compared with the United States.

Some Average Salaries in PPP$:

Luxembourg:  $4,000 Monthly; $48,000 Yearly
US & UK: $3,000 Monthly; $37,000 Yearly
Bulgaria: $1,500 Monthly; $18,000 Yearly
Tajikistan: $225 Monthly; $2,700 Yearly

The world average comes to $75 a day for a 20-day working month - but a third of the world's population lives on less than $2 a day, and no account has been taken of child labour, pensioners, children and stay-at-home parents, and the self-employed. The number of self-employed is also huge. In developed countries, about 90% of working people are paid employees, but that figure is much lower in many developing countries.

In Zambia, most people are self-employed or work as independent farmers, and less than 20% of workers are salaried. In the same report, ILO Global Wage Report 2010/11, the PPP$ minimum wage for Zambia was given as $77 per month or $924 per annum, which is not the same as the average, but nonetheless it gives a good idea of the starting threshold. In 2011, Zambia was surprisingly awarded middle income status by the World Bank, with an annual Gross National Income per capita of $1160, even though the average national wage remains under $100 per month.

GREGOR & SARAH’S WEDDING

We have been out of circulation recently.

Last Wednesday, we set out as the vanguard of the Waddell Clan’s outing to North Wales and Chester, for Gregor and Sarah’s wedding.

We took over 2 holiday houses near Wrexham for a week. Ruairidh and Lucy had arrived on the Tuesday from Zambia, and caught up with Gregor overnight in Chester before moving to be with us. Fiona had already flown home to Australia. Their second baby is due on 19 September.

Keith, Ida and Mubita left Edinburgh and went through to Catriona’s and Kirsten’s to pick up some of their katundu. They would be travelling down the next day with Stuart and baby Iona and what with prams and other infant impedimenta, their boot would be packed tight.

We continued comfortably down the M6, then M52, and finally to the North Wales Expressway to Rossett. We took a short break at a service station outside Lancaster, where Keith was bombed by a gob of guano from a low flying bird of the air. This we took as a good augury for the forthcoming nuptials!

We met up with Sarah, Gregor, Ruairidh and Lucy, and had a convivial family supper at a local inn that evening.

On Thursday, we got ready for the Glasgow contingent who arrived in the afternoon. Another expedition that afternoon was taking Lucy and Mubita shopping for shoes without the benefit of reins, or the pushchair, which was still to arrive from Dubai. Ida suffered a similar misfortune with her luggage both on the way to Washington and on the way back. So it is not just on the Jo’burg – Livingstone run these things happen.

On Friday, Gregor had the day off, so he came to join us for his last day and night of bachelorhood. It was good spending time in the Church, Northgate in Chester, seeing the creative and artistic way Sarah and Gregor had decorated the sanctuary. We helped to decorate and prepare the hall for the reception. That evening we organized a braai for both families.

On the Saturday, the maids of honour withdrew to Chester to visit the hairdressers and to dress, while the groomsmen and lady arrived at our house to get ready. Ruairidh was best man and Kathy and Anthony, both from Auchencruive student days, were together with Sarah’s sister’s husband, Paul, and the others. It was a kilted affair, reflecting the groom’s Scottish extraction. Other than a thunderstorm over lunchtime and the non-arrival of the groom’s family taxi, the wedding was a relaxed and laid-back event. The Church was full of family, friends and their children, including the confetti elves; Mubita, Leo, Nancy and Lucy.

The service was made especially personal and memorable through the warm message delivered by Brian, the vows led by Dave, the readings by Sally and Keith, and the prayer offered by Laurence and Bethan. This was followed by canapés and champagne while the photos were underway. The Bride and Groom then arrived at the reception for the vegetarian buffet. An English Country Dance Band provided the music for the ceilidh, held in the Church building, after the meal. The cake was cut and served during the interval. The last dance took place, the bride and groom left and those remaining returned the seating in the sanctuary to order for the Sunday Service.

We had a good family time on Sunday, with various comings and goings. After breakfast, Stuart, Kirsten, Iona and Catriona all left for Glasgow. We had Mum and Dad around for lunch, and Gregor and Sarah for supper. The newly-weds left on honeymoon on Monday. We drove Ruairidh and Lucy to Manchester airport on Tuesday evening. They are now safely back in Australia. We arrived back in Edinburgh, a week after leaving.

On Friday we had an interesting lunchtime spot at St John’s Episcopal Church, as part of the Festival of Spirituality and Peace. As part of the World Church in Action, we were invited to take part in a conversation about our work in health and education at Mwandi, sharing about our faith and how this was connected to social justice, development and peace. The Convener of the World Mission Africa & Caribbean Committee, Rev Dr Russell Barr, chaired the discussion. We appreciated seeing some friendly faces from World Mission as well.

On Sunday we were invited back to Callendar Kirk. We took part in the service and had the opportunity to let the congregation see how important teamwork was in our work, and the commitment it required to work together with others at Mwandi, in the Church, the hospital, schools and wider community. We were able to show a PowerPoint simultaneously, to reinforce this. It was good to meet up with old friends there afterwards, and enjoy some special fellowship over lunch.

TURNING THE TIDE TOGETHER

XIX International AIDS Conference

With over 20,000 other participants, Marjorie, Chrisie and Ida gathered in Washington at the XIX International AIDS Conference, for a series of meetings, speeches and other sessions which told of the challenges and successes, the questions and responses in both the lab and in the field. We should be proud that the Church of Scotland, as part of its Mission, has a programme that focuses on HIV prevention, that is working to end discrimination against HIV patients, and that advocates research and investment to make treatment available to all those who need it.

Sunday 22 & Monday 23 July 2012

The M&E Session before the opening was useful in showcasing a solar powered laptop, used for collecting and processing data in remote rural areas.

At the opening, we learned that Zambia’s infection rate has decreased and that more people are able to access ARVs than previously. These are new infections being treated and we are not just treating those waiting in the queue. Proper adherence should ensure people living with HIV can enjoy a more normal, fulfilling and longer quality of life.

Treatment is a form of prevention. This is especially true in the case of PMTCT. If all HIV+ mothers receive ARVs, then the risk of transmission to the child is minimal. Malawi has already gone down this road with good results (Option B+). Zambia is being encouraged by WHO to follow suit. In doing this, the 2015 goal mentioned at the faith-based conference should be reached.

Related to this, is the necessity to upscale our outreach to youth. Too many do not know their status, this is not helped by their exclusion from adult programmes. That is why, at Mwandi, our provision of a Youth-Friendly Corner (and the appointment of a Youth Co-ordinator) has been so important. It will continue to provide quality care, education, testing and easy access to ARVs, for this important segment of the population in the catchment area. Only through this, can stigma be addressed and help offered by peer educators.

The Food Security Session showed how hospitals can work closely with nutritionists to improve the diet of patients. The Nutrition Department prescribe donated food to patients based on their BMI.

However, a significant challenge to be faced is ‘leakage’, ie. the numbers tested and found positive amongst babies, children, youth and adults are far greater than those who actually commence treatment.

On the Sunday afternoon, a large crowd gathered near the Washington Monument as part of the Washington ‘Keep the Promise’ March. Andrew Young and Rev Al Sharpton gave inspiring speeches, setting the stage for some further introspection.

It was also good to see the AIDS Memorial Quilt, that was started by gay rights activists who wanted to make certain that their friends who had died of AIDS would not be forgotten. The quilt is now the largest community art project in the world, and is a poignant testimony to love, peace, and hope.  There are men, women and children from every continent, remembered in the panels. It is a wonderful and moving memorial to those who have died, but also a celebration of life.

Tuesday 24 July 2012

Hilary Clinton addressed the plenary session on Tuesday. The first item after that was entitled ‘Science to Public Health’, and discussed the tools necessary to end the epidemic. An AIDS-free generation was the ultimate goal. There was a moral responsibility to ensure this.

Tuesday also saw the opening of the Global Village, which is the focal point for science, medicine, civil society and the wider community. It is a noisy, vibrant and colourful area, with an eclectic array of fringe events and activities.

In the afternoon, an interesting session took place, on the critical and growing role of the faith community in treatment and advocacy, to increase the political will to fight AIDS locally, nationally and internationally. Access, dignity and inclusion are all part of our work for justice. Other meetings Ida attended dealt with developing community support and capacity, remuneration for Home-Based Care workers, and finally Prevention, which brought Tuesday to a close.

Wednesday 25 July

The Wednesday Plenary opened with research on the HIV vaccine and highlighted the effect of the epidemic on children, adolescents and women in particular. Women account for over half the 34 million people living with HIV worldwide, and the rate of infection is twice the male rate in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Ida spent a lot of time learning about finances and the efficient use of funding. She listened to DFID and Global Fund discuss the effect the present financial crisis was having on funding. Other areas of interest were scaling up PMTCT, and learning about the demand and supply side of pharmaceuticals. Ida was honoured to be able to speak about how policy-makers' decisions, and their implementation, affect people at the grassroots level.

Thursday 26 July

The plenary dealt with the dynamics of the epidemic, in particular, contexts with groups most vulnerable to infection, including sex-workers. Expanding testing and treatment, while at the same time ensuring greater adherence and prevention, were some of the approaches suggested. The Global Fund held more public sessions on:  political commitment, resources and pricing; a sub-Saharan session on the cancellation of Round 11 grants, and finally a meeting called "The Next Five Years", which outlined the strategic direction and future hopes.

Friday 27 July

The final day’s plenary was concerned with co-infections, including TB and other non-communicable diseases, such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes. We heard that the cost of treating a patient in Zambia is $200 per year. The closing session was addressed by a series of politicians and international worthies, and ended with a keynote address by Bill Clinton.

The XX International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2014) will convene in Melbourne 20-25 July 2014.

One especially memorable highlight for Ida was greeting Kenneth Kaunda on the escalator. He was going down as Ida was going up. We don’t know who was more surprised - Ida, seeing the First President, or Kenneth, being greeted by Ida so far away from home, in a Washington DC Conference Centre in the Lozi manner (Kukandalela)!


Ida Waddell and Marjorie Clark

Thanks to the Church of Scotland for their financial and logistical help to make attendance at this conference possible for Ida. Thanks, too, to her old friend, Megan. It was a good time of spiritual, personal and professional development. It was useful and enjoyable spending time with colleagues, and also meeting and speaking with other people from the diverse communities involved in the fight against the epidemic – science, advocacy, faith, politicians and vulnerable populations.

Faith and HIV

Friday, 20 July 2012

The Interfaith Pre-Conference on HIV took place at Howard University in Washington from the 20 and 21 July. Howard University is historically a black college whose graduates played a large part in the Harlem Renaissance and the Civil Rights Movement. Famous alumni include Justice Thurgood Marshall, Stokely Carmichael and Andrew Young, former Ambassador to the UN.
The conference brought together hundreds of religious and community leaders, faith-based representatives, young people and people living with HIV from all over the world under the common theme of health, dignity and justice. I attended this with Marjorie Clark, the Church of Scotland HIV/AIDS Programme Coordinator and Chrisie Morrison, the Communications Officer, from Signposts International.

The first session outlined the faith community’s challenges and opportunities in their work and how to address issues such as stigma,  the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and global funding both during the main conference and on our return home.

From the wide choice of follow-up workshops I chose one on Faith & Stigma organized by the Lutheran Evangelical Church on best practices for building a radically-inclusive faith community. A panel discussed how to help end stigmatization and to develop a welcoming, knowledgeable Church supportive of PLWHA. Stigma needs to be continually challenged in churches and congregations as well as in government and the work-place. Education of lay leaders and the clergy and counselling and conversations around policies that fuel stigma is vital. We, in the UCZ, have needlessly lost too many Church workers through stigma already.

The Lutheran Church invited the Church of Scotland delegates to a reception that was addressed by a Representative from the Global Fund who outlined briefly the new procedures to be undertaken for applying for funds and how they would be disbursed in the future. I commented on how difficult it was to be efficient and effective stewards in the present system, when funding came late and had to be spent quickly.

Later in the afternoon I attended the Catholic Relief Services workshop on addressing the nutritional needs of malnourished clients in HIV programs and making the best use of limited resources. This was useful as we have been recipients of the Guild’s New Hunger Programme. Our response to the unprecedented numbers of malnourished, chronically ill adults was with food assistance programs to affected households through community-based targeting. This was done by supporting the hospital feeding programme and needy patients after discharged, similar to a ‘Food by Prescription’ (FBP) model that focuses on the individual’s nutritional needs as part of their HIV care and treatment program.

The latest development is the nutrition assessment, counseling and support (“NACS”) framework which promotes the “nutrition assessment and counselling for all HIV clients, supported by specialized commodities for rehabilitation as required.” For the integration of NACS into HIV care and treatment services and for it to work, it will require careful consideration of our budget, clients, staffing capacities and infrastructure. The workshop gave an overview of the components of NACS, the thinking behind NACS and a useful look at a more cost-effective design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.


Saturday 21 July 2012

Today at the morning plenary we were reminded that universal access to prevention, treatment, care and support was supposed to be realized by the end of 2010. However, presently only 50% of people needing anti-retroviral treatment (ART) have access to it. Studies have shown that successful treatment can prevent new HIV infections and the UN pledged to end vertical transmission of HIV by 2015.

The further scale-up of ART and access to affordable ARVs for adults and children still seems to be a challenge especially as regards long-term funding. There appear also to be patent and trade-related issues. A possible solution mentioned was the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) as one concrete way to facilitate long-term treatment in resource-poor settings in the future.

As was mentioned above there is an exciting plan to eliminate new HIV infections in children and to keep these mothers alive. This was the final workshop I went to. Mission Hospitals are in the frontline in the battle to eliminate new HIV infections in children as well as reducing maternal mortality. Our program for prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) have good practices that provide comprehensive services according to the 4-pronged approach as outlined in the UNAIDS Global Report. Only if our doctors, midwives and other health workers continue to provide good antenatal, obstetric and post-natal care will maternal mortality be reduced.

Finally, in the closing sessions speakers made it is clear that more needs to be done to address the social injustices exposed by HIV and AIDS, including poverty and gender inequality. Faith communities and faith-based organizations can reach most easily those most affected by HIV. In addition to spiritual guidance, we also provide community-wide health, education and social services inspired by our faith that seeks equality, dignity and justice for all.

Out of Africa

We left Livingstone to go on furlough on the Pronet flight to Lusaka on 11 June. These flights now allow the same weight allowance as international flights, so there is no need now to fly to Europe via Johannesburg or Nairobi. Up until now these two airports had enjoyed a cosy duopoly, as the two regional hubs, feeding intercontinental flights out of Africa. The only direct flight from Zambia to London was by BA and their fares were not always the cheapest. We always felt guilty flying South to Jo’burg only to fly North again. Although monetarily cheaper this was increasing our carbon foot-print considerably. The Zambian Government have the objective to renovate the airport in Lusaka so that it can hold its own as another hub with a greater number of direct intercontinental destinations.

From Lusaka we flew to Dubai because from there we could fly directly to Glasgow. The city of Dubai is a modern man-made steel and concrete confection built around the combustion engine and cheap fuel. A small port and fort at the mouth of a tidal creek, whose main economic activities historically were trade and pearl-fishing, Dubai was gradually transformed over the past 50 years. Out of the desert sand grew a city based on oil and using the oil money funded a huge construction industry, real estate, tourism and financial services. This has led predictably to the customary greed, property speculation and sleaze you find everywhere.

It is a city of contrasts. Along the banks of the creek are the towering skyscrapers, housing banks and diplomatic missions. They look down on the traditional forts and buildings of the old Dubai. In the malls and the souks, designer labels, white kanduras and black abayas are found side by side. In the harbour, the abras and dhows are berthed alongside the luxury yachts, lavish liners and super-tankers.

The Metro, Monorail and buses run alongside and compete with taxis – the most common form of public transport. The climate is hot and arid with an uncomfortable humidity at this time of year but inside everywhere is air-conditioned. In the shopping centres crass consumerism and consumption prevail with opulent boutiques, gold, jewellery and bling stores, all manner of electronic shops, international renowned supermarkets and department stores crammed with food, clothes and goods from a host of world-wide sources. As regards eating out you can choose from the familiar fast-food chains all the way up to Michelin-starred fine dining. The cuisines available are mainly European, Asian and Arab.

Constitutionally Dubai is an absolute monarchy tempered by a written constitution, a hard-nosed oligarchical family business alleviated by the tribally-rooted Bedouin custom of face to face meetings with the customary authorities and leaders. This society and its economy are serviced by legions of foreign guest-workers of diverse races, languages, cultures and classes who amount to 85% of the population. Of these 70% are Asian and 2/3 of them come from the Indian sub-continent. Our three bus and taxi drivers were either Indian or Pakistani; the chambermaid was Filipino. Most of these Asian workers undertake the menial and manual tasks that locals and others shun.
These people are often exploited and live in hostels, euphemistically rejoicing in the name of ‘collective labour accommodation’, remitting a large proportion of their wages home.

Despite the Arab Spring elsewhere in the region, there has been little meaningful reform in Dubai, and media content that might upset cultural or political sensibilities is carefully monitored and controlled. Any political activism or dissent is vigorously discouraged.

We overnighted in Dubai and caught the plane to Glasgow the next day. We arrived at lunchtime and were met by Stuart who took us to see Kirsten and Iona. Iona, our second grand-daughter, had been born the day before at the Southern General or the “Suffering General” as Glaswegians affectionately term it.

Just before we left Lusaka Ida texted Kirsten to ask if all was quiet with the baby and it was. However, when we got to Dubai, Ruairidh phoned to say that Kirsten had given birth to a little daughter and all was well . It is shows how interconnected our world now is. Ruairidh phones us from Zambia to tell us in Dubai that we have a new granddaughter born in Scotland! Catriona Eilidh is her official name but will be called Iona to distinguish her from our own Catriona. She was a bit jaundiced so had to go back in to hospital for a few days but was soon released again so Ida went through to Glasgow to help Kirsten get established with the new baby. All is now well with Iona growing well and putting on weight. Catriona is going to help her sister now she has finished school. We moved her into her flat, in believe it or not Waddell Court, yesterday and spent the day with Kirsten, Stuart and Iona.

We are safely and comfortably settled in our furlough house. It is in a beautiful situation. At the front we look out onto the Braid Burn that flows through the Craigmillar Golf Course on the side of Blackford Hill and behind us we have the Braid Hills. On a clear day we look over to Arthur’s Seat but the continual rains, drizzle and mist have obscured it for most of the time. Although living in part of Edinburgh we are not entirely cut off from the bush and wildlife. There is an amazing amount of the Scottish urban variety from our window, we have seen deer, doos (pigeons), pheasants and rabbits and a large grey heron who apparently successfully fishes the Braid Burn when it is not in spate.

Retreat

All the Church of Scotland Mission Partners and their families based in Malawi and Zambia recently met together at a lodge outside Livingstone for a three day Retreat – a wonderful time of contemplation, conversation and celebration. A number of us are ecumenical appointments shared by both the Church of Scotland and Methodists. This event was well-planned and organized by Jennie and George, the African and Caribbean Secretary and outgoing Africa Committee Convenor at World Mission.

We arrived from all the airpots on the Thursday afternoon at the venue situated in Mopani forest, a few miles inland from the Victoria Falls, a quiet, idyllic and restful spot. Though, saying that, we were woken each morning by the roars of the lions from the neighbouring plot where lions are being bred for later reintroduction to the wild.

This time out was reminiscent of that time we read of in the Bible, when the early Church just after Pentecost enjoyed a special time of fellowship and sharing, teaching and the breaking of bread together. We were able to get to know each other better and support and encourage one another, a time of both stimulation and refreshment. Despite the age range there was a good family atmosphere.

There were good times where we ministered to each other during twice daily devotions, Church on Sunday and an intimate family Communion Service where we felt very close to God and one another. We are now used to worship in the vernacular so it was good to have this time in English only.

There were good social times as well, a meal out, visiting the local game-park together and the Victoria Falls (Mosi-oa-Tunya – the smoke that thunders). The highlights were seeing the rhinos with the ZAWA Scouts and all getting soaked at the Falls.

The retreat ended all too quickly on the Monday morning but all were convinced of its value and wanted a similar event again in the future.

A Healthy Constitution

This week, on Wednesday, as a supplement in ‘The Post” newspaper, the draft of the new Zambian Constitution was published. It is considered by many to be a progressive document and seems to be enjoying fairly widespread support. It is very similar to the one that appeared a few years ago which Senior Chief Inyambo Yeta, who along with others were instrumental in drafting. That document was unfortunately amended beyond all recognition by a previously appointed national constitutional council.


A major concern here in Western Province is that still no recognition is given to Barotseland’s historical role in the formation of the Republic of Zambia. However, as in other democratic constitutions, there is the clear separation of powers. These have been distributed amongst the executive, the judiciary and the legislature to create checks and balances and to ensure accountability to the people.


The new constitution entrenches a Bill of Rights with more rights for women, children, youth, the disabled and the elderly than before and includes affirmative action in certain areas of discrimination and lack of equity. There are also guaranteed economic, social, and cultural rights and a constitutional court. This court would deal with human rights, governance and election issues. A strengthened Human Rights Commission would also be provided with powers to redress human rights violations.


A number of Articles would be entrenched rights and difficult to change. In the past Amendments to the Constitution had been used by some incumbent Presidents to ‘fix’ opponents. To elect the President a 50 per cent plus one vote is required. The Vice President would now need to be elected as a running mate and no longer appointed.


Other proposals are a proportional representation system of electing MPs instead of the present Westminster-style first past the post elections. Cabinet ministers may be appointed from outside the National Assembly. There would be greater devolved and decentralised government at Provincial level. To ensure greater impartiality, traditional rulers and chiefs would be barred from actively participating in party politics.


There will now be a public consultation process lasting 40 days at district, provincial and national level. Local communities through schools, churches and other social groupings are invited to comment. Finally the amended document will be put to a national referendum.


The draft Constitution has also been posted on the website, www.zambianconstitution.org, for people to read and comment on.


On a personal note we are pleased that dual nationality would be permitted, meaning that Mubita could keep his Zambian citizenship which he lost after being adopted by us.


On Saturday 14 and Sunday15 April the UCZ here in the Western Presbytery had a weekend of prayer and fasting to intercede for the Church, Western Presbytery, Western Province, the Zambian Government and the Barotse Royal Establishment focusing on peace and unity.

Farewell to Princess Nakatindi

The Rev Manda, Mrs Manda, Ida and I set out on Saturday morning to Nawinda, the country residence of Princess Nakatindi, who had died after a heart operation on Maundy Thursday in hospital in South Africa. Nawinda is about 10km north-east of Mwandi. Her body had been flown to Lusaka a week later to a State Funeral at the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross. She was accorded this honour in recognition of her contribution to democracy and national development. She also gained the sobriquet ‘the People’s Princess’. After the service in Lusaka, she was flown to Sesheke for burial at home.

We arrived in the midst of all the final preparations for the interment and found seats under one of the marquee and tarpaulin shelters. We sat down on some chairs which had yet to be set out in rows, our neighbours were siziba-clad, red-bereted indunas from the Barotse Royal Establishment.

Already gathering as well were the Mwandi Church choirs, the UCZ, Catholic and New Apostolic. The political cadres were assembling too, the men dressed in chitenge shirts and the women wearing chitenge wraps all in their party colours . Interestingly the Movement for Multiparty Democracy, the Patriotic Front, United Party for National Development each had its own choir and they were rehearsing too.

The digging of the grave in the family cemetery about 200m from the house was underway and interestingly much of the manual work was undertaken by trusted prisoners in their green fatigues from the jail at Sesheke who worked together with the Army, Airforce, Police and National Service personnel, who in turn were advised by indunas. A kayatwa, used at royal burials but echoing the temporary shelter made of reed mats used by herdsmen and paddlers in open country was being made. This would be put over the coffin and buried as well. In the meantime we were served a bread roll and hot sweet tea, a welcome breakfast, as we chatted to other mourners and acquaintances.

The Church had lent all its pews for the occasion, they had been collected by an army truck earlier and were now being unloaded. It was discovered that the lectern had been forgotten. Ida and I dashed back in the car with the Church caretaker, Mr Ndopu, to pick it up. By mid-day all the seating arrangements according to precedence and protocol had been completed and we awaited the arrival of Senior Government Officials, Members of the Cabinet and Parliament and other politicians.

The burial service began around 1500h as the Princess’ body, coffin draped in the Zambian flag, was carried by military pall-bearers, accompanied by the Airforce Brass Band to the entrance porch of the house where it was placed for the body-viewing. This is a custom where everyone present at the funeral may file past the body to bid the deceased a final farewell. The body-viewing must have taken the best part of an hour.
The Minister officiating at the burial was Major (Rev) Malcolm Moffatt Nyambe, the Airforce Chaplain, based at Livingstone. The programme began with a hymn and prayer followed by the lowering of the coffin into the grave and the committal. A firing party released three volleys in salute.Each choir was then given the chance in turn to perform, during the proceedings. After the burial came the laying of wreaths, this was led by Mr Sikota Wina, the widower.

Then came the eulogies, the first was given by the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Mr Felix Mutati, then came the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism Given Lubinda, who represented the President. Mr Lubinda is a nephew to Mr Wina.
Also in attendance was Mrs Mazoka, the widow of Anderson, the first President of UPND. The programme closed with the Benediction.

Princess Nakatindi Wina , nee Mirriam Mbololwa Nganga, was born on 15th February 1945 to Yuyi Nganga and Princess Nakatindi Yeta. She was the first of eleven children and is also a cousin to our Senior Chief Inyambo Yeta. She took the name Nakatindi after her mother’s death in 1972. The name Nakatindi comes from matindi - the islands of grass that break off from the river bank when the water is high.

She attended Barotse National School in Mongu and Maramba Girls Secondary School in Livingstone. She then studied accounts at Evelyn Hone College and later studied Business Administration in Britain. In 1967 she married Sikota Wina, they were a devoted couple and had 5 children together.

A freedom fighter, she was the first female Member of Parliament after independence in UNIP but became a founding member of the MMD whose victory at the polls in 1991 brought about the end of the one-party state. Elected as the member for Sesheke, she served as Minister for Tourism, then Community Development in the Chiluba Government but was unjustly detained without trial for over a year following the alleged coup attempt in 1997. She bore no grudge against Dr Chiluba for this and freely forgave him.

As a fearless democrat, advocate of gender equality and women’s emancipation, she boycotted sessions of the Africa Union Parliament because of the lack of female representation and participation in that body. She was a strong voice for the poor and down-trodden and finally served as UPND MP for Kanyama, an impoverished compound in Lusaka.

She is survived by her husband and five children.

Dialogue

On Monday the Lozi Prime Minister (Ngambela), Clement Sinyinda, was reported by ZNBC to have said that the Barotse leadership has opted for dialogue with the Zambian Government in the interest of peace and unity. He hinted that a surprising but amicable settlement was in store.

Barotseland had been declared an independent State last week by the Barotse National Council (BNC). This had followed claims of the continuing abrogation of the Barotseland Agreement of 1964 by successive Zambian governments with ensuing neglect and underdevelopment. The BA of 1964 was the Agreement that brought Barotseland and Northern Rhodesia together to form independent Zambia.

The Zambian Justice Minister Sebastian Zulu also interviewed said the Zambian Government is keen to resolve this matter and to keep searching for a peaceful solution.
The First Zambian President, Kenneth Kaunda, who originally signed the Barotseland Agreement of 1964 on behalf of the Zambian Government, appealed to all involved to cooperate and safeguard peace and harmony in the country.

Three church bodies, the Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC), Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) and the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) have also called on the Government to create conditions that would facilitate meaningful dialogue and reconciliation among the people of Western Province.

They suggest using the recently-published Chongwe Commission of Inquiry’s Report as a basis for the dialogue. The Church leaders said Government had vacillated and skirted around the issue of the Barotseland Agreement for far too long and it was a problem that would not go away. The Government should engage the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) in serious and sincere dialogue on the issues surrounding the Barotseland Agreement of 1964.

With goodwill on both sides, a win-win solution is possible but labelling people as traitors, anarchists or secessionists would only lead to further radicalization and fail to create the necessary conditions for reconciliation. People should use a language which would build up and not destroy.The Government certainly had a duty to maintain law and order and to protect life and property but this duty should be exercised using judgement, sensitivity and due diligence.

The Churches also appealed to Barotse activist groups, particularly the Linyungandambo, Barotse Freedom Movement (BFM), Movement for the Restoration of the Barotseland Agreement (MOREBA) to consider giving dialogue a chance. There was no political issue that could not be resolved through dialogue, so the Church was appealing to all involved to support initiatives which would lead to unity, peace and reconciliation in the country.The Church offered itself as a go-between as it had done previously with the constitutional impasse which eventually led to multi-party democracy in 1991.
Finally they commended the people of Western Province for holding the recent BNC meeting in a transparent and peaceful atmosphere

On Thursday, we celebrated International Women's Day here in Mwandi and throughout Zambia. It is a day when the world comes together to celebrate the achievements of women.
The Socialist Party of America in 1909 –(yes, there is such a thing!) instituted the first Women's Day following protests against oppression, unfair pay, working hours and the right to vote. Over the years women and men have gathered around the world to stand in solidarity and campaign for the rights of women.
Women still do not receive equal pay. They are underrepresented in the global business and political spheres. Even within the Church women are not offered an equal platform. In many places women are still denied the opportunity to further their education. Violence against women is commonplace and far too often ignored. Though changes and developments have taken place over the past 100 years, more still needs to be done.

The theme this year is 'Empower women - End hunger and poverty.' Time was spent remembering the many women around the world who have made a difference and continue to do so, the mothers, daughters and wives whose works have challenged and changed the world.

Yesterday the Zambian Government announced that for the first time the Gender Department would become a full-scale Ministry with a Cabinet seat. This follows in the wake of a number of women being promoted as Heads in various areas of the Public Service. The Police Inspector General, some Provincial Police Chiefs and Director of the Anti-Corruption Commission are the most prominent recent appointees.

Mothering Sunday was celebrated last Sunday on 4 March 2012. The UCZ theme was The Transformed Woman Impacts Community based on Romans 12:2, Matthew 27:55-6 and Acts 16:14-16. Ida was asked to preach at Mwandi this year. She stressed that the need for female education goes hand in hand with spiritual transformation. For the transformed woman the community is an extension of her family and home. Jesus’ ministry was supported by transformed women, individuals in their own right.
The love and care for orphans is part of the role as is standing against child labour and trafficking. Defilement, early marriages abuse and violence are unacceptable to the transformed woman. She supports victims of gender-based violence (GBV) and their struggle for justice.
Lydia was a good example of a woman opening her house to help and support Mission Work. Aquila and Priscilla’s was a joint-ministry, important in a Christian marriage, working together to share the Gospel. The Transformed Woman impacts her community by allowing God to use her strengths and gifts to extend the Kingdom.

Finally on Friday afternoon last week the World Day of Prayer Service took place at Mwandi. This event grew out of the 400 women who attended the Edinburgh World Mission Conference in 1910. The Day of Prayer is now a worldwide and ecumenical movement celebrated in over 100 countries.

Participants are encouraged to:

Pray for the whole world and its interdependence
Be enriched by other Christians from different denominations and cultures
Take up others’ burdens and pray with and for them
Become aware of talents and use them in service to others

Prayer and action are inseparable and have an immeasurable influence in the world.
This year’s Order of Service was prepared by the Christian women of Malaysia with ‘Let Justice Prevail’ as their call for prayer. The Readings were from Habakuk 1:2-5, 3:2&17-19 who persistently questions God about injustice and receives an answer that God will act. The New Testament Readings were from Matthew 5:6 & Luke 18:1-8 tell us that God’s justice, righteousness and mercy are inseparable. The Prayer of Confession acknowleged the sin of our indifference to the injustice and unrighteousness we see around us.
Next followed a refection from a brave Malasian social worker who fought for the cause of justice amongst the poor and oppressed concentrating on modern slavery, euphemistically called “trafficking” There followed a challenge on our response to stand up together to help change this situation. (Locally, there are two boys from rural Shangombo at the moment living at Sesheke police station who were rescued as they were about to be trafficked to South Africa.)

2013’s service will be written by the Christian women of France using the text ‘I was a stranger and you welcomed me’.

Prayer points:
We were asked to remember:

Christians in Malaysia who speak out for justice
Victims of human trafficking, oppression and injustice
Wisdom and courage for governments and leaders to act justly
Organisations working for a fairer world – Fair Trade
Migrant workers that they are treated fairly and with respect
The poor, the homeless, the hungry
People affected by HIV/AIDS

Living Abundantly

Although Zambia is still 67% covered by forest, concern continues to be expressed at the high rate of deforestation and calls have been made for swift action to address the situation. Since 1990 forest cover has fallen from 52.8m to 49.4m hectares in 2010. There are dwindling timber resources, especially in State and the traditional community managed forests where huge investments are required to replace timber at the rate at which it is being exploited. At present 61% of the forests are community-owned, 24% by the State and 15% by private companies and individuals.

With sensible investment in the local timber industry, a considerable contribution can be made to the development of the Zambian economy. A multi-billion Kwacha furniture factory has been recently opened in Ndola, and the timber industry had great potential to contribute to the country's GDP, if properly and sustainably managed. Illegal timber dealers have contributed greatly to the dwindling of timber resources, and they keep Zambia in the position of a producer of raw materials whose resources have value added outwith the country. Much of the illegally cut timber is hard wood and smuggled out in its raw state. Unfortunately it is only a small greedy elite that benefit at the expense of the communities in which the trees grow. A more stringent monitoring system is needed to stop these illegal activities and keep things in check.

Forestry and all the associated activities, from honey, to nuts, fruits, charcoal and firewood are vital to Zambia's socio-economic development and if managed properly and could create a substantial number of jobs especially for the rural population and this would help to reduce the high poverty levels found there. The UCZ, itself, runs a honey project. It would be ironic if Zambia, country blessed with so much forest cover, in the future, becomes an importer of timber. Malawi’s deforestation and the Caledonian Forest are examples of what can happen over a very short period of time.

The World Bank has just approved a US$50 million credit to improve the productivity of livestock production for targeted female and male smallholder producers in rural Zambia. This is another example of the shift to diversify the economy, from too heavy a reliance on copper mining in industry and maize production in agriculture. It seeks to move a number of successful subsistence farmers to a more semi-commercial status. The project aims to benefit 390,000 female and male smallholder producers in the targeted areas who rear cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and poultry. It is estimated that one million livestock farmers could indirectly benefit from improved control of animal diseases and increased animal numbers. This effort to increase the role of small livestock farming and to diversify agriculture production should help to raise Zambia's GDP, and also raise the standard of living in rural areas and lead to the creation of more permanent and sustainable jobs.

The Mwandi UCZ Agricultural Project and the Mwandi Community Fish Farm were featured last Saturday on the ZNBC Evening News, releasing fingerlings back into the Zambezi to help replenish fish stocks for local subsistence fishermen.

Here the river is rising but the associated flooding in the bush has not reached its usual levels. It has been an average year in our area so far. However, we are being told Southern Africa should brace itself for more heavy rains and floods until the end of this rainy season. Meteorologists warn that tropical cyclones could shake the eastern coast of Southern Africa during March and April.


Despite a late start to our rainy season, much of Southern Africa received heavy rains in late December, which led to some localised flooding. The blame for this placed at the door of La Nina. This is opposite to El Ninõ, which is caused by a warming of waters in the western Pacific which brings drought to southern Africa. Madagascar, Mozambique, South Africa and Angola have all had floods in the past month.
The number of people directly affected by the heavy rain, high winds and flooding caused by two major storms is estimated at 119,000.The gates at Cahora Bassa Dam on the Zambezi are already opened with people living along the lower Zambezi basin and in the Buzi, Save and Pungue basins being sent to higher ground. The Kariba Dam opened its spillway gates of in early January to release pressure on the dam wall. Across the water from us, Namibia has set contingency plans in motion in the Caprivi Region, which is prone to annual floods.
Now finally storms of the political kind: The Mongu Commission, mentioned in earlier postings, recommended this week that the Government should re-instate the 1964 Barotseland Agreement and that it should be part of the new Constitution, but President Sata appears reluctant for the Government to do this.
The Commission also found that the continued denial by the police to allow public meetings violated the rights of assembly and free expression by people in Western Province. Paragraph 7 of the Agreement had also been clearly breached. This concerned the Zambian Government’s financial responsibility to treat Barotseland fairly and equitably in relation to other parts of the Republic. Failure to deal with this had led to high poverty levels and frustrations.
As a result many people were demanding that Western Province should secede from the rest of Zambia because of their growing frustrations at underdevelopment. The committee recommended that dialogue be used in dealing with the agitation to secede, something the previous administration did not do. The Zambian Government should involve the traditional leadership and other key stakeholders to promote national unity. The report would be widely published in the media so that Zambians understood its contents.