Make cancer checks routine, State urged

By MUKOSELA KASALWE THE former Lilanda Sub Clinic building which is being rehabilitated with funding from Zambian Breweries will not only host my office but produce a lot of innovative and creative minds like filmmakers, says Patriotic Front Kapwepwe 25 councillor Mr Salubusa Patrick Salubusa.

Mr Salubusa said the contractor, Vortech Construction, was on site and that on October 1, 2017 Kapwepwe Entrepreneurship Centre ( KEC) would be commissioned and start to respond to alcohol abuse as well as drug abuse, early marriages, crime, poverty and unemployment in the community.

He said apart from film and drama, the centre would commercialise musical talent with the likes of versatile musician James “Chamanyazi” Ngoma, who is a resident of Kapwepwe Ward agreeing to be teaching music.

Mr Salubusa said part of the equipment from his media house, Saulos Media Productions, would be based at the KEC.

Mr Salubusa known for his role in the “Ifyabukaya” ZNBC radio drama, said music producer cum filmmaker Willy Banda (aka Willy Jinx), also a resident of Kapwepwe Ward, would specialise in music videos.

He encouraged youths and women in the area to utilise the platform to produce movies of high quality and sale to media houses such as Zambezi Magic.

“I have decided that the former Lilanda Sub Clinic building which is being rehabilitated with funding from Zambian Breweries will not only host my office but produce a lot of innovative and creative minds like filmmakers,” Mr Salubusa said.

Mr Salubusa expressed confidence that being an entrepreneur, artist and councillor he had the necessary experience to provide direction in the successful running of the centre as a community project as well as a business.

He said it was important to ensure that the skills and talents of youths and women in Kapwepwe Ward were commercialised.

Mr Salubusa said renowned filmmaker and trainer Jessie Chisi, a product of Matero Girls Secondary School which is on the border between Kapwepwe Ward and Muchinga Ward, had agreed to be part of the project as a filmmaking lecturer.

He said another resident of Kapwepwe Ward 25 and a renowned fashion designer Charity Mwanza would be in charge of costume for the films apart from using the same centre to teach youths and women tailoring and designing.

He said about five sewing machines had been organised for the project. Mr Salubusa said other trainings at the centre would include food production, entrepreneurship, business administration and waste management. He said under waste management emphasis would be placed on recycling and make people know that waste could be turned into money. Mr Salubusa said carpentry, metal fabrication, plumbing and bricklaying would also be offered in collaboration with other institutions. By MUKOSELA KASALWE

GOVERNMENT should consider carrying out cancer screening a routine feature around the country because early detection is key to curb the scourge, says cancer activist Sphiwe Benasho.

Every year, the Sphiwe Benasho Foundation advances its impact in community by raising community awareness and fundraising activities to support cancer activism.

The second annual Pink Ribbon Walk, a solidarity initiative against cancer took place over the weekend and attracted more than 200 participants which included top celebrities such as James Sakala, Mwaka Katongo, Twezi, and Charity Mutonga among others.

Health practitioners such as doctors, nurses, care givers and cancer survivors were amongst the participants.

Ms Benasho urged the government to consider carrying out cancer screening weeks to cover the whole country like other disease prevention measures for polio immunisation.

The cancer activist said early detection against cancer was important if the scourge would be minimised.

“Government should consider having cancer screening weeks that will cover the whole country just like other disease prevention measures like polio immunisation. Early detection is key to have high chances of curing cancer,” she said.

Ms Benasho thanked sponsors of the event such as Zambia Breweries, Stationery world, Kaur Fashions, Fortress Media, East Park and Levy Mall for joining in the fight against cancer.

She said proceeds of the event would be utilised to help with cancer awareness in remote areas.

Sphiwe Benasho Foundation focuses on continuously making a positive change in the lives of women and children in various areas including; supporting wellness, health, educating and restoring hope to those affected by numerous challenge.

Matero’s Kapwepwe Ward councillor Patrick Salubusa said he supported the Foundation for its good cause to raise public cancer awareness and help cancer patients.

Mr Salubusa said the walk was beneficial as it promoted fitness, social interaction and cancer awareness.