Chairman's Report 2008
for the year 1st July 2007 to 30th June 2008
(presented to the Zambia Society Trust AGM on 4 December 2008)
The people of Zambia were devastated when they heard the late President Levy Mwanawasa had suffered a severe stroke on June 29th while attending the African Union Summit in Egypt. He was admitted to hospital in Paris, but never gained full consciousness and died on August 19th, aged 59.
President Mwanawasa
Levy Mwanawasa became Vice President in 1991 when the MDC (Movement for Democratic Change) came to power, but stood down in 1994 resuming practise as a lawyer. He was elected President in 2001 and again in 2006. He was respected greatly for promoting decency and honesty in politics, also for fighting against corruption in all its forms. He allowed freedom of the Press, and was one of few African leaders who spoke out publicly against the Government of Zimbabwe, accusing Robert Mugabe of turning his country into a 'sinking Titanic'.
On October 30th Zambia elected Vice President Rupiah Banda as President. He gained 40.1% of the vote ahead of Michael Sata who received 38.1%.
I record also the passing of Elijah Mudenda, aged 82, who gained an MA at Cambridge in Plant Genetics following a BA at Fort Hare, South Africa. He was the son of Chief Macha, and like other Tonga children cared for cattle while attending primary school. He became Minister of Agriculture, later for Foreign Affairs, then Prime Minister in President Kaunda's government. He was the second black Zambian to receive a degree from a British University. We were friends for many years, meeting last two months before his death.
The year reported today ended prior to the downturn of the global economy, Zambia's progress continued. More mines opened, others increased production. Kabwe, Zambia's first, re-opened producing lead, zinc and vanadium again. It was a major reason for extending the railway north from the Falls in the early 1900s. The mine was visited by the Prince of Wales in 1926.
The prices of copper, at US$9,000/tonne, and cobalt remained high. A mine near the Munali Hills commenced production of nickel. Lumwana in the North West, potentially a very large copper mine, was about to commence active mining when its 20 MVA transformer caught fire, delaying production temporarily. Uranium for nuclear power is likely to be mined near Siavonga. The railway is being built to Lumwana, and will be extended to link with the Benguelu line in Angola, providing a shorter route to the Atlantic. Mining companies have agreed voluntarily to increase royalty payments from 0.6% to 3%. Beef and sugar production have increased because of greater in-country demand. Kaleya Smallholders, Mazabuka, have signed an agreement so supply the EU with Fair Trade sugar, like the bee-keepers of the North West.
Higher prices for minerals and cancellation of about 85% of Zambia's multilateral international debt have continued to benefit Education and Health. Now health centres have an adequate supply of essential medicines and dressings.
Through international grants about one third of Zambia's 1.6 million HIV positive patients, at a stage to benefit from anti-retroviral therapy, receive them free. This leads to a new lease of life, often they return to full time work, enabling them to care for their children. There is hope again; increasing numbers are presenting for Voluntary Counselling and Testing, including many prior to marriage.
Malaria control has improved through widespread introduction of mosquito nets and more effective anti-malarial drugs. A research centre has opened at Macha Hospital in conjunction with the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, USA, helping to test the value of new drugs, and their effects on the community's health.
On the downside there were floods in 43 of the 75 Districts last rainy season, so the maize harvest was down, especially in the Southern and Eastern Provinces. A serious problem is the frequent cuts of electricity supplies because of higher demand throughout Southern Africa. Also ZESCO's financial situation is critical: prices were increased. There is a pressing need, both in townships and rural areas, for adequate water supplies. Sewage disposal leaves much to be desired in many places.
The Trust assists partners in Zambia who help the poor, especially Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children (OVCs). Also it is involved in well targeted initiatives to improve health, education and the acquisition of skills likely to benefit communities.
Boys from Chainda
(photo courtesy Anna Dixon)
Nine Orphans' support programmes received a total of £16,400, an increase of £3,400 made possible by specific donations and more fund raising efforts to enable the children to attend school and/or provide a nourishing meal each day.
A total of £7,712 was allocated to 14 bursars undergoing training within Zambia, mainly one to two year courses on completion of secondary school (Grade 12). Four postgraduate doctors training to be specialists received a total of £1500 for textbooks. A similar sum was granted to other health workers for short in-service courses. APTERS was given £2000 towards providing mobility aids for handicapped children, and £2200 allocated for footballs, netballs and the cost of sending football kits to selected schools.
Amongst generous donors and fund raising efforts were our President Frank McGovern's Golf Charity Day, Ann Leslie's Reading and London Marathons, also Brighton and Malton Rotary Clubs.
All members of the committee in the UK and the Education sub-committee in Lusaka fulfilled their responsibilities, for which no claims were made except the cost of producing the monthly News from Zambia and Zambia News Extra, the annual report, cards and prints for sale, postage and stationery. Eileen Hamilton resumed work as Treasurer; Jo Herkes continued as Secretary; Anne Fraenkel wrote excellent newsletters and much improved the website. We are delighted to welcome Andrew Rose as Treasurer from 2009. He is an Accountant, who worked in Ndola for Deloittes from 1985-88.
We are very grateful to Mr Anderson Chibwa, the High Commissioner for Zambia, our host today, and his staff. We congratulate Mr Chibwa on being granted the Freedom of the City of London.
We look forward to hearing today from Mr Alistair Harrison, formerly British High Commissioner to Zambia on the subject 'Zambia in 2008'.
James Cairns OBE FRCS
4 December 2008