THIS IS LIFE

By Susan Mwape Having worked in the Civil Society, I have been accustomed to people understanding issues perfectly especially in the place of work, when people are assigned to work in a certain area in an organization, they expected to me able to execute their duties and are trusted so much so that even the decisions they make are trusted and respected. I have come to learn that in most Government bodies it’s the other way round there seems to be a big problem with most civil servants to share information freely they are always scared to release even what can be termed public information. I went to get some information on a regional project from an institution that should be responsible for handling such a project, I was very surprised to talk to the person “in-charge” of this project, he told me that he had a copy of the report but didn’t want to give me a copy or tell me the content because he first had to consult the CEO. What this person didn’t know is that th...

By Matongo Maumbi -Tonga Bull It is really true how farmers are suffering at the hands of these multinational companies and the government giving a deaf ear to their plight.One thing that would surely help (cotton) farmers is the establishment of Farmers' Clubs where they can be having a VOICE unlike the many voices that are there from single farmers. It is high time the farmers set the price for their produce. How can one labour out so much and then someone just comes to set the price for you? It does not make any sense at all. When the Kwacha gained value, inputs were still pegged at the latter value. It's surprising how these companies would want to buy the produce at the current value. This is a profit to them, and BIG loss to the farmers.Our government is also not supportive. It needs to subsidise these farmers for them to compete favourably with the world market.Farmers should get together in their locale, and make decisions that companies shall follow. And not the curren...

By Susan Mwape O ne of the ills of modern society is the recent trend that which has come up among young people and it is that of cohabiting. Most young are living together without the bond of marriage this could either be a sign of independence or of degradation of morals. It makes one wonder what is really is going on, what has made the whole scenario so tolerable, unless it’s a member of your family; there is no need to complain about it. When you question the elderly in our communities they will usual say “children of nowadays”. What if we turn the scenario and say adults of nowadays? Why was it not so common long ago to see young people cohabiting and having children out of wedlock? One angle I would like to look at is the fight for equal rights and female independence, personally I feel men and women should have equal opportunities but at the same time women should also take time to be women and men to be men. Society needs to rea...

By Susan Mwape O ne of the beauties of Zambian culture is usually the display of young girl initiates in different parts of the country. The initiate who a commonly known as the Moye. After being confined for a period from one to twelve months (the choice is made by the parents) the moye will come out for the world to see. Most often she will come out with the sounds of drums and ululations by women who expectantly wait for people to give the girl some money before she displays the beautiful different dance she learnt whilst in confinement. In recent years the number of initiation ceremonies has come down although they are again being popularized, the period of confinement too has been reduced because female children have to go to school so initiation will usually take place during school holidays. When young ladies come of age in most parts of Zambia , they are put in seclusion (confined) for a certain period of time, long ago they would be co...