Mukumbuta NawaTalama

I AM HERE TO MAKE A CHANGE. 😎😎😎

[Mukumbuta NawaTalama @Mcoolnawa]

@BuyoyaJonah Well done Jonah. Thank you!.

[Mukumbuta NawaTalama @Mcoolnawa]

@6lvkmoriarty Lord, please, even just a C. 🤣
You'll be OK.

[CTPD Zambia @CTPDZambia]

Africa faces twin crises today – fiscal and health. Global funding cuts threaten programs that save millions of lives. Infectious diseases persist, while non-communicable diseases rise. Half of Africans still lack access to essential health services. Out-of-pocket costs push 150M+ people into deeper poverty.
But the solution is in plain sight. ✅
Taxing tobacco, alcohol, sugary drinks & junk food means:
1️⃣ More revenue
2️⃣ Better health outcomes
3️⃣ Lower healthcare costs
Smart taxation = healthier people + stronger economies
#HealthTaxes #SmartTaxes
Read more👇 https://t.co/krDeaByQYF

[Distant Relative @LankyObserver]

1. Between your integrity and money, choose principles first. No amount of money makes up for a dirty reputation and a dead inside.

2. Do not divulge to others what you were trusted with in private on falling out with someone.

3. Never forget or neglect your family.

[CTPD Zambia @CTPDZambia]

📌Open Letter-To His Excellency President @HHichilema
#KWENYUTheTobaccoControlBill

[Sampa Kabwela @ukusefya]

UN opportunities – and why Zambians should apply more

By Sampa Kabwela

The UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Office in Lusaka is looking for an Intern–Economic Affairs. Eligible candidates include final-year bachelor’s students, master’s students, or recent graduates (within the last 3 months). Please note: it’s an unpaid internship.

I have fond memories of ECA. It’s where I started my UN career back in 2011.

Back then, many Zambians outside the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, economists, statisticians, and the international community had never heard of ECA or UNECA. In fact, I hadn’t heard of it myself until I saw a job advert… which I ended up getting. My role was specifically to increase ECA visibility and expand its network of stakeholders.

What is ECA?

ECA is part of the UN Secretariat. This makes it different from UNDP, UNICEF, FAO, ILO, and others, which are UN agencies, funds, or programmes. They are all part of the UN family, but they operate differently. Unlike agencies that work directly with communities or implement projects on the ground, ECA works primarily with governments, offering technical expertise on policy, especially in socio-economic development, industrialization, mining, and agriculture, among other areas. This explains why the public is often unaware of ECA’s work, they don’t distribute grants or run grassroots projects. Their role is technical, and policy driven. ECA opened its Regional Office in Zambia in 1966 which covers the entire southern Africa. Its headquarters is in Ethiopia.

To raise awareness of ECAs nascent and little-known internship programme, I built ties with the Economics Department at UNZA, then headed by Dr. Masiye (I wonder if he’s still there). Very quickly, applications started coming in, even from other universities. We once landed a very sharp intern from St Eugenia University, a brilliant economist and statistician in the making. We also began inviting students to ECA events and the annual launch of our flagship publication, The Economic Report for Africa.

On unpaid internships

The UN Secretariat does not pay interns. Some agencies do, as they have more flexibility than the Secretariat. This has been a long-standing and controversial issue, with many accusing the UN of exploiting young people, by offering unpaid positions. Others have argued that unpaid internships perpetuate inequality and tend to benefit financially privileged students who can absorb the costs. The debate reached global headlines in August 2015 when a young intern, David Hyde, camped in a tent near the UN offices in Geneva because he couldn’t afford accommodation. He was a graduate from new Zealand.

The UN’s position is that internships provide valuable exposure to the UN system, hands-on experience, and a strong CV that can open doors for future careers. I can stand witness to that. Several of 'my' interns went on to secure high-profile positions, and some wrote back to express their gratitude. I personally know two who are now leaders in the banking and development sectors.

That said, I fully agree that unpaid internships with no transport or meal allowance, bothered my conscience greatly. Most of our interns could hardly afford transport money, some walked to our office in Longolongo Road. As staff members, we pooled personal resources and contributed enough to give each of the five interns per cohort K1,500 every month.

Years later, ECA introduced a fellowship programme. It offered $3,000 per month for six months and was open to all African graduates with a master’s degree.

Zambians don't apply

The part that struck me most, and what prompted this post, is the lack of ambition (or maybe interest) among Zambian graduates. This fellowship was based in Lusaka, yet out of over 100 applications, only three were from Zambians, and two of those were from Grade 12 certificate holders shooting their shot. In other words, there was only one qualified Zambian applicant. Most applications came from Zimbabwe, Kenya and Nigeria. The three fellows selected were from Zimbabwe, Uganda, and the sole Zambian applicant.

Years ago, I applied for a specialized programme at the United Nations University in Tokyo, designed for young professionals. I was the first Zambian student in a programme that had been running for over a decade. When I arrived at my current job, I was told I was the first Zambian since the office opened in 2001. And I remained so for four years.

Maybe things have changed now, but I would still encourage more Zambians to apply for opportunities anywhere, in the same numbers as our African peers. For the last seven years, I pass through Dubai every six weeks and, I have not once met a Zambian working there. I am sure there are Zambians working there, but clearly not as many as Ugandans, Kenyans, Congolese, Ethiopians, Sudanese and others.

I admit the job market, both local and international, is tougher and more competitive than ever before. I know so because all my applications in the last three years have been unsuccessful. I must add that this is a new and traumatic experience for me. But opportunities, however small, still exist across all sectors.

No has never killed anybody

When it comes to seizing opportunities, I live by the advice of a Kenyan friend, Jacinta, whom I met at university.

���Let’s just apply, Sampa. The worst they can say is NO, and no has never killed anybody.” (Read that in a Kenyan accent!)

With that, I encourage all eligible students and graduates to apply for this internship. Never let the sun go down on a good opportunity. https://t.co/Z8rWnGHuEM

[Adaeze, The Tired. @Adaezae_1]

Congratulations Arike! Making pap is no easy feat. This is not just an achievement—it is a testament of your dedication and commitment to gelatinization of amylose and amylopectin to give smooth consistency. Looking forward to seeing more of your gelatinized creations 🥂👏

[⚡︎ @_sorrengailll]

your body also reacts to the right person. your appetite increases, your skin becomes beautiful, your lip color becomes colorful, and your stomach is always comfortable

[stressed @onlystresstoday]

Have you ever felt so disgusted about how u let a person treat u when u know u knew better

[David @Justtdavid_]

Catching feelings when they're just being nice shows Lack of Love from home.

[Mukumbuta NawaTalama @Mcoolnawa]

@FarrukhSaah @UHASGhana Well done, Farrukh! 👏

[Mwanza @BaZedy22]

Sometimes you don't even need to be upset or angry but just be done like done. Tell yourself this is the last time someone will ever treat me like this chapwa then close that door.

[Mukumbuta NawaTalama @Mcoolnawa]

This is a huge win for public health. It may seem as " efforts to raise domestic revenue" but the ripple effects on public health 🙌. Well done. This is progressive!!!

[Dingindaba Jonah Buyoya @BuyoyaJonah]

GOVERNMENT MOVES TO IMPLEMENT HIGHER TAXES ON ALCOHOL, BETTING IN PUSH FOR REVENUE

By Dingindaba Jonah Buyoya

Government has announced a wave of new tax proposals targeting alcohol, betting, cigarettes, sugary drinks, and investment earnings, as part of efforts to raise domestic revenue for its K33.6 billion supplementary budget for 2025.

Finance and National Planning Minister Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane presented the proposals to Parliament on last week, alongside Supplementary Estimates No. 1 of 2025. He stated that the measures are intended to strengthen domestic resource mobilization without resorting to excessive borrowing. Today, he expanded the supplementary estimates before parliament.

Among the standout proposals is a plan to increase excise duty on spirits and wines from 60% to 80%, and to revoke the current 40% excise duty suspension on clear alcohol, replacing it with a 50% excise duty. In addition, excise duty on cigarettes will rise from K452 to K750 per 1,000 sticks.

The betting industry, which has seen rapid growth in recent years, will now face a new 10% excise duty on betting services, as government seeks to formalize and tax the sector more aggressively.

Soft drink importations are also targeted, with a proposal to double excise duty on non-alcoholic and sugary beverages from K1 to K2 per litre.

Investors in government bonds are not spared, as the Finance Ministry plans to raise the withholding tax on interest from government securities from 15% to 20%, potentially affecting returns for both individuals and institutions.

Dr Musokotwane told Parliament that the new measures are expected to contribute K3.9 billion in additional revenue, while another K1 billion will come from regulatory levies collected by agencies such as the Energy Regulation Board, Civil Aviation Authority, and others.

The supplementary budget itself prioritizes allocations for fuel arrears (K11 billion), debt servicing (K8.5 billion), agriculture (K6 billion), and social services including education infrastructure and cash transfers.

Parliament today heard the supplementary estimates through the Expanded Planning and Budgeting Committee. These adjustments are expected to take effect this new month of July.

[Distant Relative @LankyObserver]

I see this raised some dust, as it inevitably will. If we fancy ourselves intellectuals, which I like to think we try to be, we mustn't shy away from reasoned argument. Yes? Come now, let us reason together, as the Prophet Isaiah invites.

Here is more on what I meant.

[Thread]

[Mukumbuta NawaTalama @Mcoolnawa]

@olumuyiwaayo @a_erioluwa This!!!

[Mukumbuta NawaTalama @Mcoolnawa]

@elonmusk @grittyfitty see the landing.

[Mukumbuta NawaTalama @Mcoolnawa]

@scholarshipcsc @ScholarshipfPhd @grittyfitty

[Wezi Mhone @WeziVMhone]

Activism: The advocacy for public health safety is top priority. Many people are dying due to tobacco related illnesses that’s why I’m glad @CTPDZambia is relentless in the pursuit for our leaders to sign the tobacco control bill. In life, Nothing is more important than HEALTH!!!

[Mukumbuta NawaTalama @Mcoolnawa]

@GHS @grittyfitty Ssebo, you might want to interest yourself in this.

[Mukumbuta NawaTalama @Mcoolnawa]

@selfstyledking @Rovertlogistics Nice! What about between Kampala and Lusaka?