Community Radio and Sustainability

By Matongo Maumbi

 There is no known single definition on what a community radio is but at the end of the day, the community is at the heart of all.

In the publication The Healthy Community Radio Station, a "community radio is owned by the community and is answerable to it. Its purpose is public service and development, providing platforms for marginalised voices."

This definition puts most of the community radio stations in their right place in Zambia. There is community ownership and duty to provide a voice for the voiceless – but at whose expense?

 Many community radio stations are crying foul that they cannot sustain their operations. In as much as they would want to be the voice of the voiceless, they cannot afford to do so - for free. It goes without debate that a radio station needs money to operate.

This can bring another question of what makes a community radio station expensive to operate. Some reasons are genuine while others are as a result of poor planning and management.

It is a continued cry by the community radio sector that the broadcasting and frequency fees should be combined and thus brought down. After all, the stations are not in the business for the profit but the service.

Many community radio stations attribute high cost of operation to high utility bills on electricity, fuel, water and communication. Besides all this, some have too big a workforce requiring monthly salaries and gratuities at the end of their contracts.

However, contrary to popular assumption, community radio is not expensive to maintain. The operating cost is pretty low, mostly related to electricity and water bills, spare parts, routine maintenance and office supplies.

A community radio station should pride itself on volunteers, who receive, if any, minimal honorarium, to staff the station. If struggling, it should reduce on full-time workforce or in other words put fulltime staff at minimal. This will save a lot of finances on salaries and benefits.
Management should be trained on how to raise money from local, national and international sources, for example, through donations and other fundraising activities.

With the above in mind, I have a few suggestions on how radio station can reduce their expenses and be more self-sustaining.

Community radio station employees should be encouraged to make it a point that they take care of the equipment as if it were their personal property, as indeed it is. The community radio management should maintain the equipment on a regular basis.

A popular station will be able to generate commercial advertising revenue. It can also generate money from listeners through different categories of membership fees. Benefit concerts for a radio station can be organised, as well as radio sweepstakes or raffle.

Donations, especially for equipment, from funding agencies can also be solicited, since more and more donor organisations are beginning to see the developmental value of supporting radio projects.

Special project proposals can be formulated for donors generated by community radio stations based on local demands for that information and service. Several NGOs and governmental departments will be interested in sponsoring for example health programmes, and some advertisers who feel that a programme reaches out to their target audience will definitely put in money into that programme which in turn generates money for the station staff.

Many struggling community radio stations are broadcasting 24hours a day, which has its own pros and cons. Does the community radio primary target listen to the station at those late hours? My simple answer is a no, but the secondary target could be. Talk of great wear and tear!
I strongly believe that it is more expensive to play music than run programmes? Unless of course if that particular radio station does not buy original music nor not pay loyalties through the Zambia Music and Copyrights Protection Society (ZAMCOPS). Whatever the case, a balance between music and talk should at all times be achieved.
Community radio stations should also look beyond airtime and do other income generating projects where airtime sales are not adequate.

Despite such constraints, these stations are helping to shift the communications balance from a distant voice controlled from the top, to one in which the voices of marginalized and poor populations can at last be heard.

On air, ordinary citizens discuss issues that are central to them, such as gender relations and combating HIV/AIDS. They share farming tips and income generation ideas and explore ways to improve education.

In conclusion, community radio station should air free programmes that they initiate, and not at the expense of promoting another organisation, which is capable of paying. Yes we have that community social responsibility to our community. But to have an NGO or Government department seek free airtime will be too much to ask and so unfair.

To make matters worse, such organisations pay huge amounts to advertise on public funded TV and newspapers. The best that such groups can do is building the capacity of community radio stations. By so doing the radio stations will pick it from there without having to dance to their tune.

And following debates by colleagues, personally I worked for a community radio station for 9years. I left because it was time to move on and face new challenges. However, I have continued to be in touch with community media in my new job and the service continues.

My question to you folks who proudly say as community radio stations, workers go for months-on-end without pay – do you need to exist if you cannot manage to pay for services rendered? Why are existing? Why haven't the local or business bought into your programming?

In case people forgot, ZESCO is in the business of selling electricity. If that is becoming unbearable, switch to solar power. From what I gather it seems community radio stations are very broke and should declare they are bankrupt.

I wish we could sit on a round table and chart a better way forward for the community radio stations.

---
Matongo Maumbi
Creative South Productions

 Livingstone - Zambia

Livingstone's New But Outdated Roads

In Livingstone, Many dusty and bad roads were upgraded to bituminous level. From a bumpy to a quite smooth road. Journeys were made shorter and vehicles could finally breath a sigh of relief.

The cost of shoddy and unprofessional workmanship is quickly eroding the good works that might have been.

1. The roads were made too narrow, a contrast with the high population density in the areas
2. Footpaths/Sidewalks were only made on one side of the road, contrary to road safety measures for pedestrians and cyclists.
3. Cyclists were not considered.
4. Deep drainages were buried in preference for....I dont know
5. No layby for the many taxis Livingstone is endowed with.
6. The 'tarmac' is too 'thin' and of very low quality. Very uneven surface
7. Drifters are now damaging the side roads as the waters drift heavily unto them.

DRAINAGES

You make the road and when the rain comes you realise there's no drainage. So, what do you do? You break what you made, you dig, more jobs for you

The drainage/water drifter leads into a side road. Now the gravel side road is eaten up. Barricades put to prevent water from draining out! Disaster! Livingstone

Mexico and Burkina Faso official hosts of World Tourism Day 2014 and 2015

Mexico was selected to be the official host country for World Tourism Day (WTD) 2014 and Burkina Faso for WTD 2015. The respective themes will be “Tourism and Community Development” for 2014, and “One billion tourists, one billion opportunities” for 2015.

The announcement was made at the 20^th UNWTO General Assembly (Victoria Falls, 29 August).

Celebrated annually on 27 September, World Tourism Day is the biggest international event in tourism.  Its purpose is to foster awareness among the global community of the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political and economic value. The event seeks to address the global challenges outlined in the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and highlight the tourism sector´s contribution to achieving these goals.

WTD 2013 will be held at the Maldives, centered on the theme “Tourism and Water: Protecting our Common Future”, highlighting the tourism sector´s leadership role and contribution in facing the global water challenge.

 
Useful links:
UNWTO General Assembly
World Tourism Day

UNWTO General Assembly opens in Victoria Falls

The global tourism community gathers this week at Victoria Falls for the 20th Session of the UNWTO General Assembly. Visa facilitation, connectivity and accessibility will be key topics at this Assembly, aiming to advance tourism´s sustainable growth (Livingstone/Victoria Falls, Zambia/Zimbabwe, 24 – 29 August 2013).

Key issues such as visa facilitation, connectivity and accessibility will be in the agenda of the over 120 delegations from UNWTO Members States gathering this week at Victoria Falls. The 20^th Session of the UNWTO General Assembly will also debate the Organization’s Programme of Work for 2014-2015 and elect the Secretary General for the next four years’ period.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon greeted the participants in a video message. “Tourism is an undisputed generator of national wealth, corporate income and local employment. Managed sustainably, it can benefit people and planet alike,” he said addressing the Assembly. “As we work to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and define a post-2015 development agenda, I call on all UNWTO Members and the global tourism community to examine how best to contribute to sustainable development.”

“This Assembly is a timely opportunity for all of us to continue along an encouraging path to drive tourism towards its fullest potential in fostering sustainable economic growth, jobs and development and what better backdrop to do so than here in Africa, a region where we believe tourism can be a true force for good”, said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai.

The General Assembly is the main statutory meeting of UNWTO and the most important gathering of senior tourism officials and high-level representatives from around the world. Held every two years, the Assembly is attended by delegations representing Full and Associate UNWTO Members, Affiliate Members, and representatives of other international organizations. (Source UNWTO)

Chivuna Girls Expelled Over Cellphones

St. Joseph's Is A Girls' Secondary School

By Matongo Maumbi

St. Joseph's Secondary School in Chivuna, Monze has 'expelled' three girls for being in possession of cellphones, which are prohibited by the school.

Two other girls, who are in examination classes, have been suspended till time for final exams.

When contact Head Teacher, Scholastica Namangala Banda explained that Parents agreed for such measures to be taken adding that they even signed some documents to endorse it.

Strangely, the affected parents have expressed ignorance but the Head Teacher said it's a learning experience. She said the move would deter other girls from using phones. She pointed out that the school has two cellphones for use by the girls except the girls shun using them.

The Girls were sent away on Wednesday, June 4, 2013 and their parents were not given an audience as per normal disciplinary measure.

"They were found charging their phones at the weekend," explained the source. "The school administration sat on Monday and called the parents to come and pick up their children by Wednesday latest Friday."

Some teachers talked to have expressed shock at the 'expulsion' of the girls which the Headteacher said was a transfer request from the parents.

"It is agreeable that by the rules set by the school, it is not allowed for pupil to own a phone, but the punishment of EXPULSION is far too harsh," said one of the Teachers who sought anonymity.

A lecturer at University of Zambia Nambole Munkombwe reacted: "It sounds harsh but truth be told. These pupils may have been warned a number of times but they thought they would survive. Parents are also to blame for the illegal provisions. It is now the parents who are carrying the burden. They have to find schools for their expelled children."

He adds: "One of the most disturbing items in learning are cell phones. So much time is wasted playing with these pieces of technology. As an educationist, I find cell phones a deterant to good learning."

However, James Asiana Banda argues that "the world has changed now. Schools should be flexible on the use of cell phones. In fact some educators are promoting incorporating cell phones into their teaching. Use of technology in teaching is a great motivator for learning. And cell phones are the readily available technology tools. We need to move on and accept the change."

Hikabwa Decius Chipande, a former teacher at the school, is "concerned with the issues being raised in the other chat of demonizing the headteacher Mrs. Banda. The rules were clearly spelt in the acceptance letters and we have to understand that Chivuna is a mission school - set in that area to primarily serve the local people in Chivuna not us in Lusaka. Such rules help to level the playing fields with kinds coming from Chijanwa, Nkonkola etc. 

"It is because of this discipline that we always go there to plead for places. As a former Chivuna teacher I know that the school deals with such cases in a level headed way. Therefore, I plead with those demonizing Mrs. Banda - who was my teacher at St Pauls Secondary by the way to engage the school in a better way and it is possible that they can reconsider and reinstate the kids."

Chipande further warns that "contacting a minister or whoever will make them (school admin) take a hard stance. My daughter is at St Josephs and if she happens to be one of them I would just accept it and punish her myself because I insist that every-time she leaves for school she must leave her phone."

Namboole concludes that "rules for conducive study are in place and should be obeyed. These rules have been developed over time and have been shown to work. Students should understand when they are being helped. Disobedience deserves to be punished although not as harshly as executed in the current case, but the students knew what was coming if caught and therefore well-deserved."

The question that remains unanswered: Was the punishment the girls received well-deserved?

UNWTO & ATM Ministerial Forum welcomes over 25 ministers as second annual meeting emphasises need for aviation and tourism sector synergy

More than 25 ministers took part in the second annual UNWTO & Ministerial Forum at the Arabian Travel Market with delegates sharing their views on how to work together towards long-term aviation and tourism sector growth.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the event, entitled "Tourism & Aviation: Building a common agenda for growth", was opened by UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai and Mark Walsh, Portfolio Director, Reed Travel Exhibitions, organiser of ATM.

Addressing the issue of tourism and aviation Mr. Rifai highlighted that tourism and aviation need to move out of working in silos. "Tourism and aviation are siblings, and have been working together in parallel lines. We cannot see them separate from one another; with 52% of world travellers reaching their destination by air, their growth is intrinsically linked," he added.

The UNWTO address set the scene for the ensuing discussion, which was dominated by the challenges and opportunities facing the aviation sector in the region, with Mr. Rifai touching on the related twin issues of taxation and visa facilitation. "There are visa regimes still belonging to a century that has past. Despite the fact that the UAE and Dubai are leading the way in opening up in terms of visa accessibility, the Middle East is still lagging behind as 70% of people still need visas to enter the region," he said.

HRH Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, President of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities, launched the debate by reaffirming the region's geographical relevance to the tourism sector.

"The Arabian Peninsula has always been a crossroads for different civilisations. These days those roads are in the sky rather than on the ground, and the same role that Arabia has played in the past is now similarly happening with airline networks," he said, adding: "The alliance between tourism and air transportation is very much a non-separable alliance, and it is very important focus on aligning these two sectors to make places more accessible and affordable.

Highlighting the potential of regional cooperation, HE Reem Al Hashemi, Minister of State and Managing Director of the Higher Committee on International Expo Dubai 2020, said: "For mega events, we have to build synergies and expand the traveller experience.  Expo 2020 is not just about Dubai, the region will benefit with visitors going on to explore Muscat or Petra, for example.  We are promoting the region as a whole, expanding the picture, becoming more attractive and appealing - both to visitors but also to other airlines."

HE Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General, Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing of Dubai, used the Middle East as a prime example of how tourism and aviation can work together, and what the rest of the world can learn from the region. "First and foremost, to foster tourism and look to the future, countries and cities should look at adopting open skies policies. The development of airport, attractions, and hotels are all important but the key is to allow airlines to fly without restrictions," he commented.

Participants stressed the need to identify the links between tourism and aviation and set structures where tourism, civil aviation and airlines can work together. Other issues highlighted were the need to extend the principle of liberalization to more and more countries, the opportunities existing for regional cooperation in the Middle East, particularly in view of attracting long haul markets and the importance of aligning tourism objectives with airlines profitability.

Participating in the Ministerial Forum were the Ministers of Tourism of Bahamas, Chad, Egypt, Eritrea, Gambia, Lebanon, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Niger, Oman, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia, Seychelles, Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Tuvalu and Vanuatu, the Director General of the National Council of Tourism and Antiquities of the UAE, the Vice-Minister of Tourism of Azerbaijan, the Assistant Under Secretary of Tourism of Kuwait, the Director General of the Jordan Tourist Board and the CEO of the Mozambique Tourism Authority. Representing the aviation industry were the Vice President of International & Public Affairs of Etihad Airways, the CEO of Dubai Airports and the Senior Vice President, Revenue Optimisation and Distribution, of Emirates Airline.

Concluding Mr .Rifai highlighted the importance of moving this agenda forward. "We have started a debate that has to go on and on. We will carry on at World Travel Market in London in co-operation with Reed Travel Exhibitions after setting a framework today and keep the conversation going".

"The theme of Dubai's Expo candidacy – connecting minds, creating the future - can become that which unites us together – so let's connect our minds, put our thoughts together, and declare that we are on target to handle the issues of the time, and lead the way for the international community."

Agriculture and politics in Africa

By Susanna Thorp, WRENmedia

 

Many major changes are shaping the politics of African agriculture. Food price volatility, large-scale deals by foreign countries and companies, a growing urban population and demographic changes are all having an impact. 

In the abundance of maize stocks,
Zambia is hit by a serious shortage of mealie meal
in certain parts of the country Picture by Bill Owen Fine Art America

Adebayo Olukoshi of the UN African Institute for Economic Development and Planning in his opening keynote speech at a conference on the political economy of agricultural policy in Africa (PEAPA), said despite the challenges, many on the continent see a positive future. If Afro-pessimism was the mood 10 or 20 years ago, could Afro-optimism - or even Afro-enthusiasm - be a better description of the prevailing mood?  

On a more cautious note, Olukoshi warned that this enthusiasm may mask the challenges ahead. However, he also argued that we should not think of smallholder farmers as being simply passive recipients or victims of policy and political changes. Agricultural politics is not just for high-level discussions, he stated, change often comes from below.

On day two of the PEAPA conference held between 18-20 March in Pretoria, South Africa, a strong call for “donors to go home” was made in the plenary session on CAADP (the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme). “African economies are growing at 4-5% so they have plenty of fiscal resources. 

If donors pulled out, African governments would have to respond by investing more in agriculture,” said Hans Binswanger-Mkhize of the University of Pretoria. However, echoing arguments made by Olukoshi in his keynote, the CAADP plenary panel emphasised that even if more resources become available, this would not necessarily lead to more investment in agriculture. 

“Agriculture is seen as a potential black-hole,” said Mandivamba Rukuni, director of the Policy Development Trust in Zimbabwe. “We have to convince banks and ministries of finance that their support will trigger more wealth; that for every dollar invested, a return of two to three dollars will be achieved.”

During the three days of the conference, organised by the Future Agricultures Consortium and the Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies, politics and agriculture were discussed and debated in sessions on food prices, seed systems, extension and land, amongst many others. 

Whilst progress has been observed in some quarters, farmers are still faced with a structure of incentives loaded against small-scale agriculture, inherited from colonial times and consolidated during the post-colonial period. 

But as stated by Olukoshi in the opening session, “It is a mistake to think that rural communities are voiceless or docile.”

However, for civil society organisations (CSOs) to be more successful in engaging in agricultural policies in Africa, it was stated that CSOs need to “get out of their comfort zone and must invest more in connecting to other players in this process.” Greater successes would be achieved if diverse CSOs, including NGOs, farmer organisations and social movements, worked together and with academia to create a bigger space for engaging in policy processes.

In the closing session of the conference, Lindwe Sibanda of FANRPAN (Food and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network) remarked that the time was certainly right to discuss politics - but talk must also be translated into action. Engagement of policymakers was required, perhaps by taking experiences from countries to regional communities, as well as looking at ways to hold politicians and others to account.

Abash Paid-For Tuitions Part 1

By Matongo Maumbi

Education is said to be the greatest link to literacy. I say education is one way of milking your mind out to suit those that are cheating or is it teaching you!

Likezo Muyoyeta debating during the
 African Schools Debating Championship in RSA 

My favourite era in my life was my first grade when I seldom went to school and even when I did, I seldom got into class to learn. Only I know how I did my homework without being in class. Oh I hated anyone who forced me to go to class.

I did all sorts of tricks just not to be in class - locking myself in the toilet/bathroom, hiding behind sofas, climbing wardrobes, hiding under drainage culverts, hiding my books, dirtying my uniform and just anything else that would keep me out of class.

It didn't take long for me to start liking school - somewhere in my third grade. I just made it a point that no girl should surpass me in any exam, and when they did, I worked extra hard to make sure am the best in class. Wow, where did I lose that touch!! When I qualified to go to Canisius, it was all boys and I just relaxed.

The point I am coming to now is the motivation my teachers gave me in my secondary school years. That personal couching which made each of us be a part of the class except in instances where one just hated the subject or worse off the teacher.

Every August at Canisius Secondary School, grade 12s were accorded a two-week study break. This was meant to give chance to teachers and pupils have extra lessons on subjects they still found hard to comprehend. Great teachers such as Peter Ng'andu 'Level' (RIP) for History, Uncle TG Matesamwa (RIP) for Principles of Accounts, Sitali (RIP) Sciences and Halale for mathematics accorded us their time, for free so that we  could fully understand the subject contents.

The zeal and determination to see to it that all pupils got good results motivated the teachers for free consultation whenever we would approach them. We also had that passion and brilliance of being in class to learn and not be spoon fed.

14years down the line, things have totally changed. Tuitions have become the order of the day, and worse off parents have to pay the teachers huge sums of money to have their children learn what they otherwise MUST learn in class.

The tuition system has invaded ALL schools in Zambia such that parents take it that that is the best way to have their children educated. Do we really need these paid for tuitions? Are we in for the business or the education?  

The good old days of dedicated teachers are a thing of the past. Gone are our days when dedicated teachers taught in the classroom and that was sufficient for the us to prepare for exams. When I was not sure of anything, my teacher would passionately offer to help me catch up either at school or at home. 

I like the stance taken by the Minister of Education in Kenya, Mutula Kilonzo, who has put it point blank that strong disciplinary action will be taken against any public or private school ignoring the directive abolishing holiday tuition.

"Professionally, extra coaching or tuition is given to learners who show weakness in certain subjects. Such learners need remedial teaching to compensate the lapses they suffer from in learning ability, compared with their classmates. This is what constitutes remedial teaching and does not involve payment by parents.

"This is part and parcel of the calling of a teacher. It is in fact a violation of the teachers' code of ethics to either provide extra tuition to such learners at a fee and/or, decline to provide it when payment is not forthcoming," he said.

How I wish the Minister of Education in Zambia would rise and utter such words instead of mere politicking insulting those in schools. Sha!

THE PROS of TUITIONS

• ·         A pupil is able to gain extra knowledge which he otherwise failed to learn in class.
• ·         Maximizes the pupils' time taking them away from vices
• ·         Pupils are able to study as groups to exchange knowledge, and test each other's ability through past questions.
• ·         Education becomes a thing for ALL and not just the rich

THE FLIP-SIDE

• ·         Parents are more financially burden as the tuitions of today are expensive.
• ·         Child proper learning becomes overshadowed by parent's desire to have good results no matter what
• ·         Pupils get pressured too much leading to social problems
• ·         Creativity and dedication from teachers is only seen where there is that extra money.
• ·         Best tips on exams are left for such tuitions as a marketing gimmick.

For the time-being, I end here as I gather more ammunition, and to give you room to argue or cement my argument....TB

Smoking Vs Livelihood - Which Way Forward?

By Matongo Maumbi,

Tobacco kills almost five million people each year. If current trends continue, it is projected to kill 10 million people a year by 2020, with 70% of those deaths occurring in developing countries. Tobacco also takes an enormous toll in health care costs, lost productivity, and of course the intangible costs of the pain and suffering inflicted upon smokers, passive smokers and their families.

In May 2003, the member countries of the World Health Organization adopted a historic tobacco control treaty, the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which has the potential to reduce this terrible toll.

Zambia signed the treaty to be party to the FCTC in 2007 but has lagged behind in putting to effect the recommendations under the treaty.

The FCTC is encouraging governments to increase tax on tobacco and related substances so as to discourage would-be smokers and those that are already in the habit. Is it the nation's well-being or the nation's wealth that counts here? Certainly the nation has to have a healthy citizenry so that they become much more productive.

The objective of the FCTC is "to protect present and future generations from the devastating health, social, environmental and economic consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke." The Preamble of the FCTC recognises the need for countries to give priority to their right to protect public health, the unique nature of tobacco products and the harm that companies that produce them cause.

Tobacco tax increases are encouraged in the FCTC, but the Zambian Government is doing the direct opposite. The treaty states that "each Party should take account of its national health objectives concerning tobacco control" in its tobacco tax and price policies. The treaty recognizes that raising prices through tax increases and other means "is an effective and important means of reducing tobacco consumption by various segments of the population, in particular young persons."

The momentum after signing was good because just a year later, in April 2008, Zambia passed on a law that prohibits smoking in public places but its implementation leaves much to be desired as local authorities are finding it very difficult to do so.

The other challenge that has been in enforcing the ban on smoking in public places is the non-availability of smoking zones in offices or just any other place. Smokers believe that if they are smoking in open space, then they are not affecting anyone around them as the wind will blow away the smoke.

AND to add salt to the challenge on the ban, tobacco farmers recently attending the Intern-ational Tobacco Growers Association (ITGA) Africa Regional Meeting in Lusaka Zambia have strongly opposed proposals by the World Health Organisation's (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) that threaten the region's econ-omies.

According to a story by The Financial Gazette of Zimbabwe, the declaration came from agricultural leaders from Kenya, Malawi, So-uth Africa, Tanzania, Zam-bia, and Zimbabwe.

The FCTC now recommends, among other things, that governments phase out tobacco farming by limiting ­­­the land where it can be grown and endorsing the dismantling of all bodies relating governments with growers-such as the tobacco boards-thus putting farmers' livelihoods at risk while failing to offer an economically viable alternative crop.

At the Zambian meeting, all tobacco growing countries were urged to defend the interests of tobacco farmers that provide employment and income for thousands of African farmers and their families by rejecting the draft policy recommendations for Articles 17 and 18 and urging other governments to reject the draft recommendations, as long as they just aim to destroy the tobacco farmer's livelihoods.

Articles 17 and 18 focus on the provision of economically sustainable alternatives to tobacco growing and protection of the environment. Very little research on alternative, economically viable crops has been undertaken and as the group recognises, any future research will require lengthy time trials.

However, the FCTC has now put forward unreasonable and absurd measures to phase out tobacco production, without offering the vast African producers that heavily rely on tobacco any viable fall-back solutions."

The meeting also observed that the working group responsible for these proposals known as the working group for Articles 17 and 18 is being driven by health officers with little to no real world knowledge of agriculture , tobacco farming , or the challenges faced by farmers and farm workers living in rural areas.

"The working group should be reminded that the FCTC has acknowledged that the tobacco farming community should be involved at every stage of policy development and implementation. Yet it has failed at any time to meaningfully consult farmers or the associations that represent them and their interests on specific, detailed, and credible options to other viable crops, ignoring the reiterated offers of co-operation by growers organisations from all over the world," ITGA said.

ITGA also called on governments to request the working group for Articles 17 and 18 to revise its draft policy recommendations, to seek input from tobacco farmers' organizations and agricultural policy specialists on specific, detailed, and credible options for diversification with alternative crops.

The association which represent millions of farmers and tobacco workers and countless tobacco farming communities in Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe refused to accept the FCTC systematic discrimination of tobacco growers.

"All tobacco farmers, farm workers, and farming communities should acti-vely and collectively def-end their land, their jobs, and their livelihood from efforts to deny the right to produce the legal crops that better assure their economic prosperity and we should remain actively engaged in opposing these proposals," ITGA added.

Since the adoption of the FCTC, the ITGA has argued that these measures will have disastrous social and economic consequences without making any difference to peoples' health.

In spite of ringing the alarm bells, the ITGA's request for a seat at the table has been rejected, dismissing farmers as "interferences".

Nonsmokers must be protected in workplaces, public transport and indoor public places. The treaty recognizes that exposure to tobacco smoke has been scientifically proven to cause death, disease and disability. It requires all Parties to implement effective measures to protect non-smokers from tobacco smoke in public places, including workplaces, public transport and indoor public places -- evidence indicates that only a total smoking ban is effective in protecting non-smokers.

The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) is the first treaty initiated by the World Health Assembly, the governing body of the World Health Organization (WHO). Negotiations began in October 1999 and concluded on March 1st 2003. The FCTC was adopted at the World Health Assembly on May 23, 2003 and is now open for signature and ratification. TB

(with excerpts from Framework Convention Alliance and Tobacco Information & Prevention Source – TIPS)

Maid Of Honour

By Matongo Maumbi,

There has been growing outcry from all corners of the country on the latest increase on the minimum wage for domestic workers, aka MAIDS. How could the minister give them 100% plus when us we only got 14%? The maid does not deserve such a pay cos she does nothing in the house!

I am single and I do not need a maid per se. But listening to people go on selfishly on how the maid enjoys a lot of privileges at home just made realise how shallow thinking most of these are earning more money are.

I understand the cry of many and I appreciate it very much such that I pity them for having to be told that maids deserve better. The arguments that come are that the maid eats, baths and does everything from THE HOME, and even watches DSTV. 

That is very true and she very much deserves all that and even better. If it bothers you so much, it can help that you disconnect your DSTV service so that she no longer has to watch AND your children to having nothing to entertain them. Don't allow her to cook so she does not eat AND your children have nothing to eat as well. She should not bath so that no matter how much she bathes the children, they will still carry some dirt on them.

It's a bitter thing to accept by the stingy selfish so called employers but for the majority, and actually ALL, maids, this is what they deservedly need to earn and more. They have strong bonds with the children they are left to care for. 

I call them Maids Of Honour. They are honourable because the children get to learn a lot of things by socialising with the maids, the house gets to be cleaned by the maids, your husband's clothes get to be washed and ironed by the maids, there gets to be some one at home.

I sample two comments that have been posted on facebook (in protest):

looking for a washing machine before my maids approach me for increament. at least i can do the ironing on a daily basisWith this new minimum wage thing,maids will be employing maidsto look after their children

You can clearly tell how UNWELCOME this move by government is. And I hear of some who have already fired their maids who have finally demanded their fair share. 

Some have even taken great offence at this and wrote to maids:

Dear Domestic Worker,
With respect to the new minimum wage, your usage charge for DSTV, Food (breakfast, lunch and any snacks), water for your bath and electricity for charging your phone IN MY HOUSE will be at a cost of ZMK 250,000 per month. Please note that this will be recovered monthly from your new minimum wage.
Regards

And a Patrick Muzumbwe on Facebook wrote:

The Central Government should first create employment opportunities before increasing salary wages for general workers.This will cause more unemployment because employers will be employing less to combat the minimum wage increase.

I agree in totality with   My Frustrated Brotha:

We complain when Zambians are abused in mines, we complain when the shop workers are underpaid, we strike when our employers do not increase our pay, however, we forget the injustice that goes on in our very homes. Maids have no unions to speak on their behalf. No one hears their voices and nobody asks their opinion. Let us be honest, the reasons we have maids is so our lives can be a lot easier. Maids are usually expected to work six days a week. This is usually in an average household of six people. She is expected to wash for each individual, cook the meals, if there is a baby, babysit and do all the other chores the madam does not have time for. It is not an easy thing. Personally doing my own laundry is hell and if someone can do it on my behalf that is such a relief. Incredibly people still find a way to make their job insignificant and seem like a by the way thing that we can all do without if we choose.

Refusing to upgrade the pay of the Maids Of Honour only results from one who does not acknowledge the role that the maids play in the homes. If you so much do not want to pay the 522pin, at least you can pay 520pin and live with a peace of mind knowing your children have someone with them at home.

And as the Minister said, if you are aggrieved and can prove that you cannot afford to pay for such after declaring all your income, then please approach the ministry. Do not prey on the vulnerability of the many maids around the country. We are learned so that we help them out.

A domestic worker is a person who works within the employer's household. Domestic workers perform a variety of household services for an individual or a family, from providing care for children and elderly dependents to cleaning and household maintenance, known as housekeeping. Responsibilities may also include cooking, doing laundry and ironing, food shopping and other household errands. Some domestic workers live within the household where they work.

Government recently increased the minimum wage for domestic workers from K250,000 to K522,000 a move which has been received with mixed feelings from maid employers.

Mind you this is only a minimum, you may pay more or don't get one at all and note the difference. TB