Mukupa Writes

  By Linda Mupemo, Jinhua - China      The late President Kenneth Kaunda was       celebrated at the China-Africa Youth Festival Zambia's founding President Kenneth Kaunda has continued to receive accolades the world over three years after his demise.  The late Dr. Kaunda was a renowned Pan Africanist who immensely contributed to the liberation struggle of Zambia and  many other countries on the continent especially those in Southern Africa. As a  patriarch of African independence, Dr. Kaunda provided solidarity and refuge for liberation movements which later saw countries such as Angola, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe win the war of independence against their colonial masters. During his reign, Dr. Kaunda who was also fondly known as KK engaged in strategic international partnerships aimed at promoting social economic transformation in Zambia. Good Governance Africa Natural Resource Researcher Vincent Obisie - Orlu says Dr. Kaund...

By Linda Mupemo   The Mwomboshi dam was funded by the World Bank Chileleko Choolwe had not spared his sweat cultivating maize this farming season. It was never obvious that the lack of adequate rains would be his worst enemy.  It is now March and clouds of gloom surround Mr. Choolwe; drying and dying crops. He stands by his maize field staring at his near lifeless crops. As he touches their crispy leaves, thoughts of a poor harvest race restlessly through his mind. “My crops are stunted and drying up; I am worried about my harvest. Moreover, I do not have money to buy more farming inputs for replanting,” he laments. Mr. Choolwe is one of the farmers practicing rain-fed agriculture in Chisamba District in Central Province who are grappling with crop failure owing to the poor rainfall pattern.  Since the onset of the 2023/2024 rainy season, the climatic condition of the area has been punctuated with dry spells, signifying adverse effects of climate change.   ...

By Linda Mupemo, Beijing  2024 CIPCC Fellows  As the 2030 agenda for sustainable development deadline draws near, United Nations (UN) member states are intensifying their efforts aimed at achieving the 17 goals. The People's Republic of China is one of the few countries that have achieved Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number one which focuses on eliminating extreme poverty.     China Anti- Poverty Research Institute Professor Wang Sangui states that the Chinese Government succeeded in lifting over 800 million people out of poverty by 2020, ten years ahead of the UN schedule.  The Asian country has equally made headways with the provision of clean and affordable energy, promoting industrialisation,  innovation and quality education among other goals.  Having realised the vital role international cooperation plays in advancing development and global impact, China is strengthening partnerships with various sectors of the international community ...

By Linda Mupemo China's Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi -Picture by  Xinhua News China  has implored African countries to explore developmental plans suited to their national conditions.  China 's Minister of Foreign Affairs  Wang  Yi said African countries need to keep their destiny firmly in their own hands. ZANIS reports that Mr. Yi said this during a press conference for the 14th session of the National People's Congress (NPC) which was held in Beijing.  Mr. Yi also reaffirmed  China 's commitment to a shared developmental future with Africa. He said  China  will assist Africa in building capacity for self-driven development and modernisation.  "Africa should not be marginalised.  China  stands ready for trilateral and multilateral cooperation on the basis of respecting the will of Africa.  China  will continue to stand firmly with African brothers and support an Africa that is truly independent in thinking an...

By Linda Mupemo 2024 CIPCC Fellows during the opening ceremony  More than 100 Journalists from 90 developing countries across the globe have commenced their training in development communication and diplomacy in Beijing China.  The four-month training is being conducted by the China International Press Communication Centre (CIPCC) and has attracted Journalists from Latin America, Asia and Africa including Zambia among other parts of the world.  CIPCC Director Yu Lei said the training is expected to improve cooperation between China and countries from participating media organisations.  Mr. Lei said the CIPCC will hold lecturers on China's social economic development, diplomacy, culture, science and technology.  CIPCC Director Yu Lei  " As participants of this media programme, you will be trained in latest media trends and you will be later attached to Chinese media organisations. Additionally, we will organise symposiums with relevant departm...

By Linda Mupemo Climate change is one of the greatest challenges countries are facing world over.  Its adverse effects ranging from droughts, floods, food insecurity and water scarcity affect women and men disproportionately.  Women and girls face a greater challenge of coping with the harsh impact of climate change because of social and cultural factors which make them lack access to information and resources on climate change resilience.  According to a report by the United Nations (UN) Women which was launched at the 28th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), climate change may push up to 158 million women and girls into poverty by 2050.  The report further indicates that 232 million women and girls are likely to face food insecurity due to the situation.  This calls for increased programmes whose objective is to build the capacity of women and girls to adapt to changing clima...

By Linda Mupemo L- R Oxfam Zambia Country Representative Yvonne Chibiya, Canada's Minister of International Development Ahmed Hussen, Chisamba District Administrative Officer Isaac Simwanza and Chisamba District Adolescent Health Focal Point Person Veronica Moonga   In conservative Zambia , it is a challenge for most parents or guardians to discuss matters of sexuality with their children. Considered a taboo in many circles, the topic is off limits for many, resulting in an information gap with regards to sexual health for many adolescents.  Little wonder most vulnerable populations such as adolescents, women and persons with disabilities have had scanty knowledge on their Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR). This has,  in turn,  led to rampant teen and unplanned pregnancies, poor reproductive health seeking behaviour and sexual violence among other vices.   Martha Phiri, an Adolescent Health Peer Educator at Liteta District Hospital in Chisamba Distric...