By VIOLET MENGO
28/09/2011
EMELIA Phiri, 33, a married woman with four children, a resident of George township in Lusaka, found herself pregnant again. She is scared because she has had three miscarriages which she has been suspecting her mother-in-law of being responsible for, through witchcraft.
She went to her local health centre for antenatal services at 24 weeks. She is one of the 16,000 newly pregnant women seeking antenatal services in the clinics of Lusaka in a month.
Because she did not want anything to happen with her pregnancy, she decided to take an HIV test and to her surprise she was found HIV-positive. When her husband learnt her results, she convinced him to be tested as well, partly because he had become ill several months earlier and was worried. He too was found HIV-positive.
The couple found great help and comfort in the supportive follow-up and counselling for HIV and AIDS and infant feeding that they received at the clinic. Ms Phiri delivered a healthy baby boy weeks later.
After assessing the infant feeding options presented by the counsellor, the couple decided to breastfeed exclusively for six months. The child is currently growing well.
Mary Chakulunta, a 24-year-old married woman with two children, early this year decided to attend Matero Clinic to seek family planning services.
After participating in health education on HIV and AIDS, Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) and the benefits of voluntary counselling and testing, she decided to take an HIV test.
She realised that she could be at risk because her spouse has had extra marital affairs which had strained their marriage considerably.
Ms Chakulunta learnt that her tests were negative, later she tried to convince her husband who also tested and his results were negative. The couple was very happy and is now able to discuss their relationship more openly.
Miriam Daka and Osward Bwalya, a young couple who live together, have big plans to get married and grow old together and so they have much to smile about.
With such big plans, they say, it only made sense to start their journey together by getting tested for HIV as a couple.
“By getting tested together, we will know the truth together from the start,” said Mr Bwalya, a carpenter at Garden market. “It’s a way of showing commitment to one another.”
Against such circumstances, Zambia Emory HIV Research Projects (ZEHRP), a pioneer in couple voluntary counselling and testing has been encouraging couples and partners living together to know their HIV status.
ZEHRP director William Kilembe said couples’ voluntary counselling and testing has been low in Zambia despite the organisation’s continued sensitisation.
Couples are defined by ZEHRP as two people who are married, cohabiting, pre-marital partners contemplating marriage, sex partners, or pre-sexual partners.
Dr Kilembe said couples often won’t test together because of conflicting work schedules or because so many married couples in Zambia live great distances from each other due to work.
He said testing together as a couple actually eases the burden of disclosing results to partners. “It can be a difficult thing to tell your partner your HIV status. But if they are counselled and tested at the same time, and they are together when the results come, that added pressure is taken away,” he said.
Making a presentation at a recent Couple HIV Voluntary Counselling and Testing (CHVCT) at the Hotel Intercontinental, he said couples need to consider VCT as an important component of their life in terms of planning.
Dr Kilembe said the research conducted by the organisation in Lusaka and Southern provinces revealed that there is still a lot needed to be done to encourage couples to test together.
The study showed that from 1994 to 2002, a total of 10,000 couples tested, while in from 2002 to 2007, 15,000 couples tested.
Dr Kilembe said from 2008 to first half of 2011, a total of 14,297 couples tested while during the same period in Southern Province 15, 290 couples tested.
He said as the HIV and AIDS epidemic escalates, it is increasingly vital that services including VCT are provided along with information and education about HIV and AIDS.
“VCT is an important tool for preventing the spread of HIV especially in communities with generalised epidemics. Testing allows couples to know their own status and to evaluate their behaviour,” he said.
Dr Kilembe said a negative test result offers a key opportunity to reinforce the importance of safe and risk reducing behaviours, while the positive test should allow a couple to receive referrals for counselling, care and support.
Dr Kilembe said the low VCT turnout by couples has forced the organisation to enhance its services.
From 2007, ZEHRP has been conducting VCT stand-alone services with influential network agents and leaders such as faith-based organisations, health non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the private sector.
Dr Kilembe said: “From 2008 onwards, integrated services into government clinics are done on weekends; nurses have been trained in Couple Voluntary Counselling and Testing (CVCT). The response has been overwhelming.”
He said integrating CVCT with antenatal programmes is key to identifying many pregnant women who in turn can come with their spouses for VCT.
Dr Kilembe said there is need for a comprehensive, structured and consistent referral system between Couples Voluntary Counselling and Testing and Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission.
Professor of Medicine and Public Health at the Emory University and Founder of ZEHRP Suzan Allen said with Government support in enhancing the lives of the people of Zambia, the CVCT is likely to be a success.
Dr Allen, who gave a presentation of how couples CVCT worked out in Kigali, said Rwanda’s Ministry of Health endorsed testing of male partners in antenatal while weekend programmes were set to accommodate both partners together.
“All parents want the best for their babies,” Dr Allen said. She said knowing one’s status allows couples to better decide their future and to have healthy babies.
She said: “The Kigali process to having a national CVCT programme a success took a lot of commitment from all stakeholders and government.”
It is said that one can really know the partner when you know each other’s HIV status. Testing is an act of love for each other.
She said from the lessons learnt, it is evident that successive implementation depends on support from government, funding agencies and leaders in influential positions in communities and faith-based organisations.
She said there is enthusiasm for CVCT, but tools, resources and political will are lacking . Advocacy and active promotion of couples testing together is critical to creating demand, as most Africans do not know that one partner can be HIV-positive while the other one negative.
Dr Allen said many approaches to HIV prevention and care require people to know their status. The importance of VCT has brought about wider promotion and VCT services.
However, since the majority of countries where HIV has a major impact are the poorest, the lack of resources has meant that VCT is still not widely available in the highest prevalence countries.
For VCT to be prioritised and for resources to be provided, demonstrating the effectiveness of VCT is essential.
ZEHRP has supported the training of health workers and HIV counsellors from public, private and civil society in CVCT.
As a result of the training, a good number of public clinics now target couples testing as part of the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) programme.
Zambia Prevention Care and Treatment (ZPCT) senior advisor Andrew Kumwenda said the organisation has been conducting capacity building among community leaders to enhance couple counselling and testing.
Dr Kumwenda said community sensitisation and mobilisation through the involvement of traditional leaders and other influential community members are vital.
“We have operated in Luapula and we have seen that the involvement of traditional leaders and other community leaders significantly improve couple counselling and testing,” he said.
Society for Family Health (SFH) has been running Partner for Social Marketing (PRISM) which focuses more on couple counselling and testing.
Since 2009 to date, a total of 134,656 couples have been tested in seven districts of Zambia.
The National VCT day this year placed emphasis on getting tested now and together.
The government, civil society and the private sector have been working to enhance and ensure that couples get tested together as this will build confidence and enhance the love for each other.
As they continue in their quest to encourage more couples to come out and test, issues of polygamous marriages need to be addressed because most data collecting tools only require two people.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Doctors Without Borders conduct measles vaccination
By VIOLET MENGO
DOCTORS Without Borders are in Mpika to conduct a mass measles vaccination campaign and Vitamin A supplementation for children between six and 15 years.
The doctors, who were found in Mpika vaccinating children, said the exercise was intended to reduce cases of measles in the district.
Delegation leader Kim Gateii said Doctors Without Borders, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and UNICEF, decided to conduct the vaccination because of the increase in measles cases in the area.
Dr Gateii said four districts were being covered including Kasama, Mpulungu, Chilubi and Mpika, and 500,000 children have been targeted. He said the exercise has been going well and that rural communities have responded well to the exercise.
"Doctors Without Borders have been going through communities vaccinating children against measles and we deliberately extended the age requirement to 15 years so that we cover as many children as possible," he said.
He said the response has been good, except that many areas in the district are far and hard to reach, making the exercise difficult. And Mpika district commissioner Malama Sokoni said the increase in measles cases is as a result of visits from people from the Copperbelt who harvest caterpillars in the district. Mr Sokoni is hopeful that through the mass measles vaccination campaign, a lot of children will be vaccinated.
ENDS
DOCTORS Without Borders are in Mpika to conduct a mass measles vaccination campaign and Vitamin A supplementation for children between six and 15 years.
The doctors, who were found in Mpika vaccinating children, said the exercise was intended to reduce cases of measles in the district.
Delegation leader Kim Gateii said Doctors Without Borders, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and UNICEF, decided to conduct the vaccination because of the increase in measles cases in the area.
Dr Gateii said four districts were being covered including Kasama, Mpulungu, Chilubi and Mpika, and 500,000 children have been targeted. He said the exercise has been going well and that rural communities have responded well to the exercise.
"Doctors Without Borders have been going through communities vaccinating children against measles and we deliberately extended the age requirement to 15 years so that we cover as many children as possible," he said.
He said the response has been good, except that many areas in the district are far and hard to reach, making the exercise difficult. And Mpika district commissioner Malama Sokoni said the increase in measles cases is as a result of visits from people from the Copperbelt who harvest caterpillars in the district. Mr Sokoni is hopeful that through the mass measles vaccination campaign, a lot of children will be vaccinated.
ENDS
Bangweulu Wetlands projects to improve locals welfare
By VIOLET MENGO
11/06/2011
THE Bangweulu Wetlands Projects, a partnership of the community, Government and the African Parks, is improving living standards in the Bangweulu plains through sustainable management of the game management area.
The project covers six chiefdoms, namely Senior Chief Kopa, Kabinga, Chiundaponde, Chitambo, Nsamba and Chief Bwalya Mponda.
The project's goal is to make Zambia a tourism destination of choice through the national Protected Areas System. Project co-ordinator Craig Reid said the aim of the project is to find sustainable means of financial resources for locals, which will translate into better living conditions.
Mr Reid said by working with the community and the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA), which is the lead organisation, the Bangweulu Wetlands project has built bridges, staff houses and has contributed to improving the quality of health.
Mr Reid said the Bangweulu plains hold one of the largest Black Lechwes in the world and if well managed would help to improve tourism in the country. The project is a partnership of the community, Government and private sector. I
ts emphasis has been infrastructure development and so far, houses for all its staff have been built, some bridges have been repaired and support to health and education in the Bangweulu Wetlands has been enhanced.
"We still need to do a lot of sensitisation so that the community can fully accept and become more aware of their benefits," he said.
District commissioner Malama Sokoni said locals should exercise patience with their expectations from the project because it is a long-term project whose benefits will spill over to other sectors of the economy.
"My appeal to communities is to exercise patience as this project gets rooted. We have an opportunity to expand the tourism sector because of the Black Lechwe, which the project is trying to promote, so we have to give them time to do this work," he said.
Mr Sokoni said the Bangweulu Wetlands project is trying to improve and protect wildlife for the good of communities and contribute to growth in other sectors of the economy, including road rehabilitation, health and education infrastructure development.
Mr Sokoni also said the project has already created employment for some community members.
ENDS
11/06/2011
THE Bangweulu Wetlands Projects, a partnership of the community, Government and the African Parks, is improving living standards in the Bangweulu plains through sustainable management of the game management area.
The project covers six chiefdoms, namely Senior Chief Kopa, Kabinga, Chiundaponde, Chitambo, Nsamba and Chief Bwalya Mponda.
The project's goal is to make Zambia a tourism destination of choice through the national Protected Areas System. Project co-ordinator Craig Reid said the aim of the project is to find sustainable means of financial resources for locals, which will translate into better living conditions.
Mr Reid said by working with the community and the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA), which is the lead organisation, the Bangweulu Wetlands project has built bridges, staff houses and has contributed to improving the quality of health.
Mr Reid said the Bangweulu plains hold one of the largest Black Lechwes in the world and if well managed would help to improve tourism in the country. The project is a partnership of the community, Government and private sector. I
ts emphasis has been infrastructure development and so far, houses for all its staff have been built, some bridges have been repaired and support to health and education in the Bangweulu Wetlands has been enhanced.
"We still need to do a lot of sensitisation so that the community can fully accept and become more aware of their benefits," he said.
District commissioner Malama Sokoni said locals should exercise patience with their expectations from the project because it is a long-term project whose benefits will spill over to other sectors of the economy.
"My appeal to communities is to exercise patience as this project gets rooted. We have an opportunity to expand the tourism sector because of the Black Lechwe, which the project is trying to promote, so we have to give them time to do this work," he said.
Mr Sokoni said the Bangweulu Wetlands project is trying to improve and protect wildlife for the good of communities and contribute to growth in other sectors of the economy, including road rehabilitation, health and education infrastructure development.
Mr Sokoni also said the project has already created employment for some community members.
ENDS
Reduced poaching attributed to Bangweulu Wetlands project
By VIOLET MENGO
11/06/2011
MPIKA District Commissioner Malama Sokoni has attributed the reduction in poaching in the district to the new Bangweulu Wetlands Project which has been implemented to manage game in the district.
Mr Malama said in Mpika that the district has recorded a reduction in poaching due to the enhanced law enforcement put in place by the Bangweulu Wetlands project.
The project that has been in existence for the past two and a half years is targeted at improving the lives of communities through better management of natural resources. It is a partnership of government, private sector and the community.
The district commissioner said poaching levels were high in the past, which called for law enforcement to be a priority through the good organisation of the scouts and other partners involved in the project.
Mr Malama said he has seen a lot of changes taking place since the project started and added that the project's continuity mostly depends on the communities' response.
"All our communities need for now is patience if they are truly interested in yielding real benefits from the project. We have already seen its contribution to the health, education and road network in the few years of its existence," the district commissioner said.
And Bangweulu Wetlands director Craig Reid said the efficiency of the scouts has improved through intensive training and refresher courses like parade drills, physical training musketry, navigation and tactical patrols.
It also focused on emergency first aid, law, communication system, report writing and data collection. Mr Reid said in 2010, the team performed well with over 8,600 patrol man days conducted.
"Seventy-five suspects were arrested and over five tonnes of bush meat, 16 firearms and other equipments confiscated. Additional firearms supplied to the project through Zambia Wildlife Authority, there is still a shortfall, which remains a constraint on patrolling activities, Mr Reid said. He said despite the efforts and successes of the law enforcement team, poaching remains at worrying levels.
ENDS
11/06/2011
MPIKA District Commissioner Malama Sokoni has attributed the reduction in poaching in the district to the new Bangweulu Wetlands Project which has been implemented to manage game in the district.
Mr Malama said in Mpika that the district has recorded a reduction in poaching due to the enhanced law enforcement put in place by the Bangweulu Wetlands project.
The project that has been in existence for the past two and a half years is targeted at improving the lives of communities through better management of natural resources. It is a partnership of government, private sector and the community.
The district commissioner said poaching levels were high in the past, which called for law enforcement to be a priority through the good organisation of the scouts and other partners involved in the project.
Mr Malama said he has seen a lot of changes taking place since the project started and added that the project's continuity mostly depends on the communities' response.
"All our communities need for now is patience if they are truly interested in yielding real benefits from the project. We have already seen its contribution to the health, education and road network in the few years of its existence," the district commissioner said.
And Bangweulu Wetlands director Craig Reid said the efficiency of the scouts has improved through intensive training and refresher courses like parade drills, physical training musketry, navigation and tactical patrols.
It also focused on emergency first aid, law, communication system, report writing and data collection. Mr Reid said in 2010, the team performed well with over 8,600 patrol man days conducted.
"Seventy-five suspects were arrested and over five tonnes of bush meat, 16 firearms and other equipments confiscated. Additional firearms supplied to the project through Zambia Wildlife Authority, there is still a shortfall, which remains a constraint on patrolling activities, Mr Reid said. He said despite the efforts and successes of the law enforcement team, poaching remains at worrying levels.
ENDS
Mpika DC Sokoni bemoans illegal fishing
By VIOLET MENGO
11/06/2011
MPIKA District Commissioner Malama Sokoni has bemoaned the use of illegal fishing methods in the district. Mr Sokoni said many people use mosquito nets for fishing leading to the depletion of fish in most rivers and lakes.
He charged that some residents use mosquito nets for fishing while other use them as wedding dresses. "The district received a total of 65,000 mosquito nets from the Ministry of Health (MoH), these are not being used to sleep under, but fishing and depleting the small fish that is growing, "the DC said.
He said illegal fishing is a concern to the district which has embarked on an education campaign to address the problem though the exercise has not yielded any positive results
Mr Sokoni said it is naturally difficult to get people change their mindset if an activity like fishing is their only source of income and livelihood. "We are also looking at alternative means to income generation like agriculture so that these people whenever there is a fish ban can have alternative means of survival," he said.
The people of Mpika mostly depend on fish and hunting and this makes any exercise meant to improve the management of fish and game hard. Mr Sokoni said ZAMBEEF has also come on board to train communities on the best fishing methods in selected areas of the district. A total of 60 community members in Kopa village are undergoing training in fish management.
He said community members will be trained in the management and sustainable use of fish. Mr Mulenga said ZAMBEEF also provided an ambulance to the Kopa health Centre which is also being managed well.
"About 60 community members will be trained and the exercise is meant to improve the daily lives of the people through improved nutrition and food security.
ENDS
ENDS
11/06/2011
MPIKA District Commissioner Malama Sokoni has bemoaned the use of illegal fishing methods in the district. Mr Sokoni said many people use mosquito nets for fishing leading to the depletion of fish in most rivers and lakes.
He charged that some residents use mosquito nets for fishing while other use them as wedding dresses. "The district received a total of 65,000 mosquito nets from the Ministry of Health (MoH), these are not being used to sleep under, but fishing and depleting the small fish that is growing, "the DC said.
He said illegal fishing is a concern to the district which has embarked on an education campaign to address the problem though the exercise has not yielded any positive results
Mr Sokoni said it is naturally difficult to get people change their mindset if an activity like fishing is their only source of income and livelihood. "We are also looking at alternative means to income generation like agriculture so that these people whenever there is a fish ban can have alternative means of survival," he said.
The people of Mpika mostly depend on fish and hunting and this makes any exercise meant to improve the management of fish and game hard. Mr Sokoni said ZAMBEEF has also come on board to train communities on the best fishing methods in selected areas of the district. A total of 60 community members in Kopa village are undergoing training in fish management.
He said community members will be trained in the management and sustainable use of fish. Mr Mulenga said ZAMBEEF also provided an ambulance to the Kopa health Centre which is also being managed well.
"About 60 community members will be trained and the exercise is meant to improve the daily lives of the people through improved nutrition and food security.
ENDS
ENDS
Tembo Construction guru in making
By VIOLET MENGO
THE First time he set his feet in the city from the village was when he was accepted at the Copperbelt University (CBU) but Liver Tembo cares less about his background because today he is a proud owner of two companies.
No-one ever thought that Tembo could have a workforce of 27 with branches in Botswana, South Africa and Zambia from his two companies namely the Zambian Business and Construction News and L.T and Associates, where he is the founder and managing director.
It never crossed to Tembo's mind when he was leaving Eastern Province that one day he would be a voice for the voiceless in the construction industry. However, when he trekked from the countryside into the city, that is CBU, he was scared of being robbed following a warning from his mother to be careful of city tricksters.
"My first time to be in the City was when I was accepted at CBU. However, when I visited the city for the first time I pretended that I knew the place for fear of the tricksters I was warned of by my mother while in the village," he says.
Tembo possesses a Bachelor of Science in building, has a certificate in engineering economics for project managers and certificate in project management. He is a member of the Association of South African Quantity Surveyors.
"I am also a member of Botswana Institute of Quantity Surveyors and at the same time a member of South African Institute of Arbitrators and currently pursuing Masters in International Construction Management," he says.
Tembo, who was born on July 31, 1961, describes himself as a hard worker and a fighter who is set to transform the construction industry in Zambia. He says he hails from Eastern Province where he did his primary and secondary school at Chizongwe Secondary School and completed in 1977.
He later proceeded to CBU where he was among the first group to graduate in the School of Environmental Science with a bachelor of science in building in 1985. In his 3rd year at the university, Tembo obtained a scholarship from Apollo Enterprises Construction Company for his remaining two years of study.
He was the first student to acquire a private scholarship in his group when all others were depending on Government bursary scholarship. Upon completing his studies in 1985, he joined Apollo Enterprises as an assistant quality surveyor where he worked for a year later joined a company in Kitwe.
"I also worked for Lendor Burton Construction where I was a contracts administer from 1987-1989.At the time my main duties were to manage the project for the rehabilitation of the Kafue Gorge power project," he says.
In 1989, he rejoined Apollo Enterprises as a principle quantity surveyor responsible for Southern Region based in Lusaka. His duties included management of all projects in southern part of Zambia. After gaining more experience, Tembo left for Bostwana where he worked for Kerbot Construction for a year before he started his first company- Liver Tembo and Associates.
"I started without any capital, instead I was doing freelance consultancy services. After realising that there was so much work in Botswana most local contractors could not have a fair share of business because of lack of experience," he says.
Since the formation of the company, L.T and Associates has developed niche market in contract auditing, direct project management, building surveying, quality surveying with major clients being Botswana government, Kingdom Finance and FNB Botswana.
Tembo has also keen interest in property development having acquired some properties in Botswana where is he currently developing a 36- unit block of flats.
He says as an achiever, he does not believe in failure hence, decided to relocate his business to Zambia to be a voice for the voiceless of the small-scale constructors. He says the problems in the Zambian construction sector which then favoured foreigner constructors at the expense of the local, were an opportunity for his company to penetrate the local market.
"I believe that where there is a problem, there is a business opportunity. It is sad that as Zambians we like to complain and talk but I have chosen to act each time I am faced with a challenge," he says.
He says instead of complaining along with other constructors and key players in the sector, his company is focusing on offering solutions. He says currently the sector is being hampered by financial muscle which most local constructors fail to raise in bid, performance and advance payment bonds each time they are awarded a major contract.
"This has made most companies fail to participate effectively in the sector because they cannot afford to raise the initial finances required," he says.
To this effect, Tembo is planning to set up a first Public Private Partnership (PPP) consortium in Zambia whose aim is to spear head property development through PPP scheme.
"In the next three years, I will set up the consortium company which will help drive the sector by allowing more participation from the locals who have been marginalised for a long time," he says.
He says Zambia offers opportunities in construction projects through PPP but Zambians are not taking advantage of good government policies hence, all the PPP projects are currently being handled by foreign firms.
"It's time to educate enterprising Zambians to take full advantage of the economic growth instead of spending time blaming the Government," he says. One wonders if Tembo took advantage of the economic boom,,."Yes I did. As you know I'm not only in construction but in media as well following my establishment of the second company in 2010."
He says the idea of starting a newspaper started in 2004 while he was in Botswana where he first got interested in the media business. He set up his first newspaper called Construction and Property Review in 2004 which was a fortnightly newspaper focusing on construction and property news.
The paper did not last long. It only managed to run six issues and nose dived. The main season for stopping was be that we could not get sufficient advertising to support our publication as the readership was small," he reflects. This setback did not shut his dream of owning a newspaper.
Tembo decided to open an office in Zambia in 2009 after realising that the local economy was doing well and the construction sector was growing at a fast rate.
"By mid June 2010 I realised that Zambia was the best place for me to realise my long time dream of investing also in the media industry hence, on 1st November 2010, I launched the Zambian Construction News which was later changed to Zambian Business and Construction News which is a weekly publication," he says.
He says the newspaper currently has a monthly turnover of K300 million with a countrywide circulation. Talking about his family, Tembo says he is the first- born child in a family of six his father being Joseph and mother Tissah Tembo.
He got married to Miriam, with whom he has four children namely Tissah, Chikumbutso, Tokozile and Towera. Tembo commended his family for being supportive in his business ventures adding the family is key in ensuring that the business stands the test of time, especially in this era where other people care less about one's vision and dreams.
ENDS
THE First time he set his feet in the city from the village was when he was accepted at the Copperbelt University (CBU) but Liver Tembo cares less about his background because today he is a proud owner of two companies.
No-one ever thought that Tembo could have a workforce of 27 with branches in Botswana, South Africa and Zambia from his two companies namely the Zambian Business and Construction News and L.T and Associates, where he is the founder and managing director.
It never crossed to Tembo's mind when he was leaving Eastern Province that one day he would be a voice for the voiceless in the construction industry. However, when he trekked from the countryside into the city, that is CBU, he was scared of being robbed following a warning from his mother to be careful of city tricksters.
"My first time to be in the City was when I was accepted at CBU. However, when I visited the city for the first time I pretended that I knew the place for fear of the tricksters I was warned of by my mother while in the village," he says.
Tembo possesses a Bachelor of Science in building, has a certificate in engineering economics for project managers and certificate in project management. He is a member of the Association of South African Quantity Surveyors.
"I am also a member of Botswana Institute of Quantity Surveyors and at the same time a member of South African Institute of Arbitrators and currently pursuing Masters in International Construction Management," he says.
Tembo, who was born on July 31, 1961, describes himself as a hard worker and a fighter who is set to transform the construction industry in Zambia. He says he hails from Eastern Province where he did his primary and secondary school at Chizongwe Secondary School and completed in 1977.
He later proceeded to CBU where he was among the first group to graduate in the School of Environmental Science with a bachelor of science in building in 1985. In his 3rd year at the university, Tembo obtained a scholarship from Apollo Enterprises Construction Company for his remaining two years of study.
He was the first student to acquire a private scholarship in his group when all others were depending on Government bursary scholarship. Upon completing his studies in 1985, he joined Apollo Enterprises as an assistant quality surveyor where he worked for a year later joined a company in Kitwe.
"I also worked for Lendor Burton Construction where I was a contracts administer from 1987-1989.At the time my main duties were to manage the project for the rehabilitation of the Kafue Gorge power project," he says.
In 1989, he rejoined Apollo Enterprises as a principle quantity surveyor responsible for Southern Region based in Lusaka. His duties included management of all projects in southern part of Zambia. After gaining more experience, Tembo left for Bostwana where he worked for Kerbot Construction for a year before he started his first company- Liver Tembo and Associates.
"I started without any capital, instead I was doing freelance consultancy services. After realising that there was so much work in Botswana most local contractors could not have a fair share of business because of lack of experience," he says.
Since the formation of the company, L.T and Associates has developed niche market in contract auditing, direct project management, building surveying, quality surveying with major clients being Botswana government, Kingdom Finance and FNB Botswana.
Tembo has also keen interest in property development having acquired some properties in Botswana where is he currently developing a 36- unit block of flats.
He says as an achiever, he does not believe in failure hence, decided to relocate his business to Zambia to be a voice for the voiceless of the small-scale constructors. He says the problems in the Zambian construction sector which then favoured foreigner constructors at the expense of the local, were an opportunity for his company to penetrate the local market.
"I believe that where there is a problem, there is a business opportunity. It is sad that as Zambians we like to complain and talk but I have chosen to act each time I am faced with a challenge," he says.
He says instead of complaining along with other constructors and key players in the sector, his company is focusing on offering solutions. He says currently the sector is being hampered by financial muscle which most local constructors fail to raise in bid, performance and advance payment bonds each time they are awarded a major contract.
"This has made most companies fail to participate effectively in the sector because they cannot afford to raise the initial finances required," he says.
To this effect, Tembo is planning to set up a first Public Private Partnership (PPP) consortium in Zambia whose aim is to spear head property development through PPP scheme.
"In the next three years, I will set up the consortium company which will help drive the sector by allowing more participation from the locals who have been marginalised for a long time," he says.
He says Zambia offers opportunities in construction projects through PPP but Zambians are not taking advantage of good government policies hence, all the PPP projects are currently being handled by foreign firms.
"It's time to educate enterprising Zambians to take full advantage of the economic growth instead of spending time blaming the Government," he says. One wonders if Tembo took advantage of the economic boom,,."Yes I did. As you know I'm not only in construction but in media as well following my establishment of the second company in 2010."
He says the idea of starting a newspaper started in 2004 while he was in Botswana where he first got interested in the media business. He set up his first newspaper called Construction and Property Review in 2004 which was a fortnightly newspaper focusing on construction and property news.
The paper did not last long. It only managed to run six issues and nose dived. The main season for stopping was be that we could not get sufficient advertising to support our publication as the readership was small," he reflects. This setback did not shut his dream of owning a newspaper.
Tembo decided to open an office in Zambia in 2009 after realising that the local economy was doing well and the construction sector was growing at a fast rate.
"By mid June 2010 I realised that Zambia was the best place for me to realise my long time dream of investing also in the media industry hence, on 1st November 2010, I launched the Zambian Construction News which was later changed to Zambian Business and Construction News which is a weekly publication," he says.
He says the newspaper currently has a monthly turnover of K300 million with a countrywide circulation. Talking about his family, Tembo says he is the first- born child in a family of six his father being Joseph and mother Tissah Tembo.
He got married to Miriam, with whom he has four children namely Tissah, Chikumbutso, Tokozile and Towera. Tembo commended his family for being supportive in his business ventures adding the family is key in ensuring that the business stands the test of time, especially in this era where other people care less about one's vision and dreams.
ENDS
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