Posts in category: Uncategorized

Wearing masks, social-distancing, staying home: Those preventive measures were least likely to be followed by Canadians who were least informed about how best to stop the spread of COVID-19 during the pandemic.

A 27-YEAR-OLD man of Mkushi district has died after the vehicle he was driving overturned and hit into a tree. Stephen Simwaba was driving along the Great North Road in Mkushi district, when the fatal road accident occurred. Mkushi Town Council Public Relations unit which confirmed the tragic accident said it occurred yesterday around 23:30 […]

NORTHERN Province Education Officer Mulambwa Nawa says government has released about K7.3 million to rehabilitate schools in the province.

Mr Mulambwa said the money was released to rehabilitate 72 classroom blocks dotted across the province which were damaged in 2022 and 2023.

He said many schools in the province were built many years back which makes them prone to disasters.

“In a space of two years, the Province has recorded a number of schools which have blown off roofs especially during the rainy season,” he said.

He however expressed happiness that government has been addressing the challenges that schools face using the disaster component of the constituency development funds (CDF).

 And Kasama Mayor Theresa Kolala said the component of disaster management under CDF has helped to roof damaged classroom blocks at Mubanga Chipoya and Munkonge schools in the district.

Ms Kolala said the local authority has also used part of the disaster component to fix the blocked sewer system at Chambeshi market.

“We had an emergency at one of our biggest markets in Kasama which is Chambeshi market which had a challenge with sanitation,” she said.

“As we speak the marketers are operating in a conducive environment after the sewer system was worked on using the disaster component of the CDF,” she added.

She says the disaster component of the CDF is yielding positive results in eventualities which need immediate action. – ZANIS.

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Preterm babies given a supplement with a combination of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids have better visual function by the age of two and a half. This has been shown by a study at the University of Gothenburg.

Researchers at the University of Florida College of Medicine have discovered how common age-related changes in the blood system can make certain colon cancers grow faster.

SUSPENDED in – form striker Fashion Sakala is a notable absentee from provisional Chipolopolo team that has been named to prepare for the final Africa Cup of Nations Group H qualifier against Comoros. Sakala is on song since moving to Saudi Arabia earlier this month but will not be with the team after accumulating back […]

By Bernadette Deka-Zulu (PhD Researcher – Public Enterprise)

IN the realm of project management, the adage “if you fail to plan, you propose to fail” resonates with unwavering truth. This wisdom holds true not only in our personal lives but also in the intricate tapestry of a nation’s development journey. 

Imagine, if you will, a country navigating the tides of progress without a well-orchestrated development plan – the implications are profound. 

In the case of Zambia, a beacon of potential in southern Africa, a blueprint named Vision 2030 stands as a testament to the nation’s aspirations, backed by specific short-term plans like the Seventh and transitioning into the Eighth National Development Plans. 

These plans serve as compasses, guiding the country towards its goals through meticulous strategies, defined objectives, and well-choreographed timelines. 

Just as in any strategic initiative, the cornerstones of success lie in prudent planning, allocation of resources, and relentless monitoring. 

The story we aim to weave here delves into the art of strategic management, unearths the challenges that often mar strategic plans, and illuminates the avenues through which Zambia can stride towards achieving its development dreams.

Strategic management: A beacon in the development journey

At the core of any thriving organisation, whether governmental or corporate, lies strategic management – a dynamic process of planning, monitoring, analysis, and assessment. This process is instrumental in aligning an entity’s goals and objectives with the ever-evolving operational and business landscapes. 

Changes in these environments call for a constant evaluation of strategies to ensure they remain relevant, effective, and aligned with the overarching objectives. In Zambia’s context, this process emboldens the country to dissect its current state, formulate strategies, execute them with precision, and scrutinise their efficacy – a meticulous choreography towards development fruition.

Navigating the complex choreography

Within this intricate dance of strategic management, several critical factors emerge as guiding lights to thwart the potential collapse of strategic initiatives. A crucial pitfall is the embrace of unrealistic goals or the absence of focus and resources. 

A consensus underscores that strategic plans must zero in on a manageable number of well-defined goals, objectives, and programmes. Equally imperative is the allocation of sufficient resources to effectively traverse the terrain set forth in these plans.

The symphony of communication and clarity

Effective communication emerges as another pillar upon which the success of strategic initiatives rests. Just as a symphony’s harmonious resonance hinges on the conductor’s clarity, the scope of a project must be communicated with precision to stakeholders, team members, and the entire organisation.

It’s akin to setting the stage for a grand performance – a comprehensive, clear, and detailed stage that leads to a standing ovation when the final curtain falls.

Counting the costs and unveiling the data

The spotlight also falls on cost analysis – a spotlight that can reveal unforeseen costs, both financial and operational. A misstep here, and a project can spiral into a financial abyss, impacting not only the bottom line but also customer satisfaction and the overall reputation of the organisation. 

Additionally, the role of accurate, relevant data is paramount. Just as a choreographer relies on music to craft dance moves, project planners require accurate data to mould their strategies. Incomplete or misconstrued data lays the foundation for failure, akin to a dance choreography gone awry due to the wrong musical notes.

Empowering teams and flexible roles

In this symphony of development, the roles of the individuals involved must be both defined and flexible. While it’s imperative for every team member to understand their part in the performance, there must also be room for adaptation. 

An unwavering adherence to initial plans, devoid of any consideration for feedback or changing circumstances, often leads to discord and disharmony within the ensemble.

Resourcing the future and the symphony of efficiency

Resource planning emerges as a linchpin. Just as a symphony orchestra depends on each musician, a project relies on its resources. Misjudgements here can reverberate through the project, creating a cacophony of delays, increased costs, and overall inefficiency. Efficient utilisation of resources, coupled with real-time data, ensures that the melody of success is played to its full potential.

The finale: Celebrating the strategic symphony

In conclusion, the role of strategic planning and management in national development cannot be overstated. Just as a well-rehearsed symphony delights its audience, a meticulously crafted strategic plan ensures the harmonious execution of national goals. 

The stages of planning, execution and monitoring pave the way for proactive responses, reduced uncertainty, improved operational efficiency, and, ultimately, the realisation of developmental aspirations. 

As Zambia navigates its path towards progress, let it be known that every plan, every strategy, every note played, is a step towards the crescendo of prosperity. 

The adage, “failing to plan is planning to fail,” takes on a profound resonance – a reminder that in the orchestration of development, every note, every beat, counts towards the symphony of success.

bernadettedekazulu@gmail.com 

PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has emphasised the importance of the Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) summit as a pivotal opportunity to enhance coordination efforts across Africa. He stressed that such collaboration will enable a more robust response to global, social, political, economic, and environmental challenges. Addressing the 15th BRICS summit being held at […]

By NATION REPORTER 

POLITICIANS and traditional leaders need to coexist in order to wipe out various economic challenges the country was facing, Socialist Party President Fred Mmembe has said.

Dr Mmembe said that politicians alone could not drive the country’s developmental agenda and therefore needed the help of traditional and religious leadership to come on board.

He said politicians alone could not manage out poverty levels they are in and for 60 years the country had been ruled by politicians but that problems were deepening.

Dr Mmembe said this when he attended mass with Paramount Chief Chitimukulu and the Litunga in Kasama yesterday.

“This is history because two of our traditional leaders congregated together with revolutionary leaders, and my call is for us to work together for the benefit of the country,” he said.

He said that politicians were not the only leaders in the country and that other stakeholders needed to jump on board.

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By NATION REPORTER 

THE Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) has said the high cost of living is detrimental for the poor and vulnerable citizens because it has widened the existing inequalities among those living in the poor bracket. 

CSPR executive director Faides Tembatemba says the escalating cost of living has negative effects on the poor and vulnerable citizens as it has worsened existing inequalities and made it more difficult for vulnerable populations to meet their basic needs and improve their quality of life.

According to the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) monthly Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket for  July, the cost of living for a family of five, for the month in Lusaka stood at K9, 301.18 in comparison to the recorded figure of K9, 047.31 in January 2023.

Ms. Tembatemba said due to the high levels of inequality, the government’s reported progressive track performance on economic management and social policy have had little to no impact on poverty and vulnerability on both rural and urban households. 

“All the recorded successes are now drowning in the high levels of unemployment and poverty,” Ms Tembatemba said.

She said what was also disheartening was that some senior government officials had continued to mock the poor whenever citizens and interest groups raise a red flag on how life was becoming expensive for both the middle working and non-working class.

Ms Tembatemba said it was high time the government came up with a comprehensive and well-coordinated approach to reducing poverty in Zambia.

Ms. Tembatemba said government should not lose sight of the fact that poverty and vulnerability reduction in line with the 8th National Development Plan, was an important benchmark for economic transformation.

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