PROMOTING CONGRATULATIONS ENERGYTO JOURNALISTSDIPLOMACY IN WHO THE WON LOCAL 2020 MARKETREA MEDIA AWARDS
O
RECENTLY, the Rural
NE of the most sen-
Electrification Authority (REA)
sitive markets world hosted the over 2020 is the REA commodity Media Awards where market. journalists To be specif- from ic, energy different market media is one of the topographies most sensitive won markets Awards if in not different the most categories. sensitive in a modern society. Therefore, Arguably, this week’s it is virtual- article is ly premised impossible on to congratulating run a modern the economy journalists without who won energy the be it Awards electricity and or commending petroleum. It all is a the multibillion-dollar journalists who participated industry in and Zambia covered meaning REA through that billions out 2020. of United States Dollars ex- change hands every year.
For this reason, the stakes are extremely high and attracts different shades of players which include speculators, in- vestors, opportunists, policy makers, Rural electrification traders, refiners, is mon- ey mongers and transporters
crucial to the attainment of the
to mention but a few. Because
United Nations Sustainable
of high volume of cash gener-
Development Goal number
ated through retail segments,
7 (UNSDG 7) which calls for
the sector is also vulnerable to
universal access to clean,
illicit activities in that it is easy
affordable and sustainable
to front a petrol station for illicit
energy for all by 2030.
activities.
Government through the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) with support from bilateral donor community has relentlessly continued to electrify rural areas in line with National Development Plans. There is unprecedented grid extension and grid
Journalists who stand a good chance of scoping a REA Media Award embark on early preparations pursue a sustained focus on nuances of categories as a plank for achieving total success.
Saturday
2020
25 intensification April, projects which have
“
been completed and others at different stages.
There are many off grid projects 3) Impact of rural electrification on
completed and underway. The entire off environmental conservation
Because of high stakes, com- markets. Therefore, energy di- tives abound in this market and of discerning vexatious issues
grid landscape has shifted to another
mercial and public interest from plomacy is not just concerned some fights are actually proxy which can destabilise relations
level. There are also many sites for different stakeholders; often with managing international re- fights world over. 4) Rural electrification before they materialise initiatives and en- pulling mini hydro in different power plants; directions some is already lations but also local stakehold- It is because of the vulner- sure proactive result-oriented equally developed high. and As commissioned. a typical com- Chiefs’ ers from an energy perspective ability factor, that principles 5) Rural electrification engagements. financing in modity palaces market, throughout margins the country are have with a view to fostering sus- often used in stabilizing Zambia inter- Effective stakeholder rela- Hats off to the following journalists for usually been electrified razor thin. in one To add way on, or another tained energy security. national relations are being tionship is also concerned with winning the 2020 REA Media Awards: these with only margins a small are fraction regulated. remaining. Part In of the reason is that just borrowed and implemented 6) Private sector managing participation good things in rural which Franklin Tembo Jnr from ZNBC for
And line with because REA public work plans, interest the is remaining one stakeholder can cause hav- in the local energy markets electrification to are in going Zambia on among stakehold- winning the CEO Award, Clive Kalunga high, palaces political will also involvement be electrified is before oc and untold misery in the manage stakeholder relations. ers so that they continue to from are Prime now TV and being Luyando domesticated Hamwaala also end at of stake. this year. This market looks market place. In this market, Each stakeholder is encouraged 7) Rural electrification happen and technologies are improved up. from and ZNBC implemented for winning in Best the Television energy simple, With easy an incredible to grasp, rural organize electrification stakeholders feel vulnerable to to use these principles when and re- energy Its efficiency. about allowing good things Journalist sector Award hence (News) the concept 1st and of en- 2nd and roll out, balance dedicated but it’s work actually force a and one another. It is this vulner- lating to one another. Any mar- to happen, continue to be hap- Prize ergy respectively diplomacy. while Lackson complex milestones market achieved, place. the In REA some story ability has which makes it easy to ginalization of a stakeholder Therefore, stories pening are and expected forestall undesirable to Makodza Energy from ZANIS diplomacy was recognized fosters jurisdictions, not fully been proxy told fights especially are rife among take one another as captives. I can lead to significant be challeng- well calibrated developments and when analysed from happen- under trust, same transparency category. Charles and respect Mucholo, and urban ransom dwellers taking although frequent. significant can unpack and elucidate how es and havoc when through they react. the REA ing prism, among very other good issues. When Justine for Kawisha each other. and Prince Energy Kapital diplo- all interest Because has of been high ignited stakes so and far. While each stakeholder can take cap- Each stakeholder has alignment power in with effective REA thematic stakeholder areas must manage- from macy ZNBC. fosters energy security. public the evidence interest, is the speaking concept for of itself tive among each other are open to all individual its journalists own right. and be harvested.
but for space. In ment Journalists is in who place, stand stakeholders a Other Energy journalists diplomacy who does won not the 2020 use energy rural community diplomacy beneficiaries, has been tak- urban any case, it institutions in both electronic Therefore, and print unpacking good and chance un- of do scoping not resort a REA to issuing Media threats REA violence Media Awards or rely include; on threats Christopher as a
has happened before ing communities centre stage and and the driven national as at large and is likely to continue unless derstanding the power balance let alone public threats. way from of 5FM, achieving Prudence certain Siabana out-
media fraternity in Zambia since 2017. Award embark on early preparations and Chishi a separate agenda out of broad energy diplomacy is improved and gravitas of each stakehold- When effective stakeholder comes. Radio Phoenix, Every stakeholder Macdonald plays Mayaba rely on media reports and road shows The Awards are meant to encourage pursue a sustained focus on nuances from principles of international rela- upon within local market. er is at the core of any effective engagement road shows are in a role and understands the role
regarding how the rural communities are and celebrate sustained media of categories as a plank for achieving from Byta FM, Kelly Njombo, Francis tions. Because it is virtually im- A captive is generally some- stakeholder engagement plan. place, there is no captive tak- and feelings of one another and
being positively impacted by REA. commitment and support
This for REA’s plan must be well success. thought Without doubt, it is a worthwhile Lungu, Mike Mugala, Violet Mengo and
possible to run a modern econ- one one who has been confined ing of one another. There is this includes consumers. Energy
Indeed, the REA story cannot be omy without energy, an entire and may be efforts freed to upon increase meeting access out to and electricity rolled out in cosine to pursue. The following are the Priscilla Mwila all from Zambia Daily Mail,
line with mutual respect for the feelings diplomacy can be used as tool to
fully told without testimonies, road economy can get ruined if en- certain conditions. in rural areas When in line you with proactive national categories; although subject to change Fredrick Mwansa and Linda Mupendo
engagement sched- of each stakeholder and acted put one another at ease.
shows, sustained media coverage, ergy diplomacy is not handled cannot maneuver development or do plans. what As part ules. of My the every year: from Zanis, Charles Tembo from Daily
observation is that upon without ambushing or
documentaries, advertisement and well both locally and abroad. you want, fundamental you are as intent good of a the most program, stakeholders in our mar- Star and Nkombo Kanchemba from
arm-twisting tactics. Because Johnstone Chikwanda is an
marketing among other avenues. To
Because of their efficacy at captive. And the because Awards of also the sen- honour ket excellency do not have for dedicated a) Best Media Institution Coverage Times of Zambia.
stake- of the damaging consequences energy expert and a Fellow of
this end, the media is a very important sustaining international rela- sitivity of the investigative market, ramifica- and fact driven holder journalism managers to champion Award Congratulations to all of you and those
which can be caused by mis- the Engineering Institute of
partner in crafting and reporting tions, the principles of interna- tions can be in a severe country depending where rural and areas manage are being other stakeholders. who participated are well recognized. It
aligned stakeholder manage- Zambia, a PhD candidate at
achievements being scored and how tional relations are now being on the timing included and intention in energy of transition Stakeholder efforts. It managers is conduct b) Best Print Media Journalist Award is my hope that in the next edition, we
ment processes, some princi- Johnson University, Knoxville,
rural communities are being positively entrenched within local energy captors. Believe not easy me but you, it is cap- being done research and and stories must be capable will see more female winners and entries
ples of international relations Tennessee, USA impacted with traditional and renewable are being changed for the better. c) Best Radio Journalist Award from many more media houses both energy products. Hence, the REA Media Submissions for Award consideration (Private and Public) electronic and print. Thank you for telling Awards. are expected to cover broad themes as the REA story.
The goal of the REA Media Awards is contemplated by the REA Act No. 20 of to raise the visibility and profile of rural 2003 as follows: electrification efforts in Zambia through a system of recognising media houses and individual journalists that report on rural electrification in Zambia. The Awards
Energy diplomacy puts stakeholders at ease”
1) Rural electrification policies in Zambia 2) Contribution of rural electrification to rural development d) Best Community Radio Journalist Award
e) Best Television Journalist Award- Documentaries
15 f) Best Television Journalist Award- News
g) Best Photography Award h) Best Overall Award i) CEO’s Award.