FOCUS ON ZAMBIA: THE LAST THURSDAY POLITICAL THROWBACK

STATE OF AFFAIRS

China’s never ending thirty for mineral resources has helped many southern African countries like Zambia to experience massive economic breakthroughs. With Zambia’s copper been a key export has enabled china to flex its financial powers to acquire the resources, but concerns has risen over China’s recent slowdown or economic crisis which has had a negative impact on many African economies. 

With that in mind, many politicians in Zambia have found that reason enough to make many excuses, but the truth is Zambia’s economic has more to do with poor investment and financial mismanagement to the china slowdown the government attributes its problems to.

Furthermore, with a weak kwacha currency and economy Zambia’s future is definitively uncertain and the government seems not to be in the right position to restore confidence and former glory of the country. And this can be observed in the ‘gambling kind of borrowing’ the government has ventured into and forgetting the most recent national prayers that were done to seek spiritual interference an initiative that the president come up with since Zambia is a Christian nation.

With the above in mind, Zambia’s problems never seems to be ending or getting better, in a matter of months millions of dollars will be needed (borrowed) for elections and to keep the angry electorate and civil servants happy at the expense of a dying economy.

THE AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION

The idea of a new constitution has always been a cry among Zambians with many wanting to limit the powers of the presidency which the considered to be too powerful while other sectors of society wanting the introduction of a bill of human rights. However, the constitution making process was just a source of conflicts between the ruling and opposition political parties who had different motives to satisfy. And even though, military coup d’état are so uncommon in Zambia, I might confess constitutional coup d’état is the new anthem of the day and can be observed in the rejection of clauses that were equally important to those adopted by the so called majority in parliament. And to explain about the constitutional d’état, it’s simply a fashionable 21^st century kind of clinging to power through clauses, referendum and amendment of constitution in favor of the sitting president. In reality this whole process is supposed to be illegal, but since it’s done in a fashionable way, bloodless and without any guns people do not see its dangers.

ADOPTED CLAUSES	REJECTED CLAUSES
50+1 for winning the presidential candidate	Mixed Proportional representation
Running mate	Appointment of cabinet ministers outside parliament
Dual citizenship	Provincial assemblies

And as we cross our fingers in waiting for the Head of state to sign or reject the amendments a lot of reflections must be done by the people, political parties and the Head of state because the outcome of the constitution making process will determine the way forward of the country as a whole. Of course, it is impossible to satisfy all parties involved, but it is possible to put their respective arguments into consideration.

CALL FOR A COALITION GOVERNMENT

Unlike other countries of the world where formation of coalition governments is the norm of the day, Zambia cannot have such because the opposition parties are too weak to pose any serious opposition to the current government. And in the past year,  Zambia has had some coalition or pacts were as two parties coming up together to form one party, but all these coalitions or pacts could not agree on simple issues such as candidates to file on election. With the above in mind, coalitions or pacts in Zambia do not work because they expose the opposition parties’ many unknown and known weaknesses, therefore to avoid such exposure the opposition has to work extra hard to earn the respect and support of the electorates for nothing is impossible.

In conclusion, I believe 2016 is both a good and bad year for Zambian for a lot of activities ranging from elections to redeeming of the economy, awaits the population and all will depend on people’s attitudes towards national development and personal choices in the booth

Merry Christmas and a filled New Year and thank you for reading and commenting the blog throughout the year. For your reading and commenting is what has kept this blog going.

Until next year 2016 God bless. 

Sishumba Musanda

GRAND FINALE: MISS PLUS SIZE INTERNATIONAL

The Miss Plus Size International was indeed the best event that marked the end of 2016 with a huge BOOM, even though the cold winter of -10 degrees did seem like a hindrance in the first place, but that did not prevent the ever blazing students from witnessing history in the making and crowning of the new queen in town.

The excitement of seeing the presenters on stage introducing the contestants for the opening dance was emotional for viewers who chanted  slogans in support of they favorite contestant in different foreign languages. And some could not hold it back other than singing and dancing while watching the fulfillment of an evening of glitz and glamour.  

For this contestant began like a joke between friends would thought of  transformation that could be turned into a major international annual tradition with countless students around Russia vying to be part and parcel of the students’ modelling history in Tambov. Furthermore, the thought of transformation was 'an easy said than to be done', because most people were afraid of the outcome of organizing such an event. Initially, a leap of faith was taken with the help of the University and other dedicated individuals led to the first modeling competition among students some years ago.

With time, many students were willing to come on board and assist in and that might be reason enough, as to why many students from different faculties and members of public embraced the cold winter weather and  showed up to the much talked about event and indeed the event was not short of any entertainment because the contestants displayed character and determination in all what they were doing. And with no doubts, these ladies’ work ethnic will advance their careers, personal and humanitarian goals as they seek to improve the lives of others.

ALL HAIL THE QUEEN

Profile of Miss Plus Size International Name: Martha Ndeshihafela Mwatile Age: 25 years Hobbies: Cooking, dancing, laughing Personal bio: Martha an imaginative and strategic thinker who loves to have a plan for everything not forgetting her many talents such as massaging and cooking no wonder her favorite part of the hostel is the kitchen. Furthermore, Martha has a personal philosophy which can be described by one term empowerment which she attributes to her background and teaching through motivation. A 6th year medical student hopes to become a psychiatrist or psycho-therapist. Quote:’ I am the kind who dress the mood and I like to connect with my clothes or anything that surrounds me’.

With a total of 6 beauties who battled it out on the catwalk last night, the winner walked away with a compound prize including cash and other things. Running under the theme,’ Beauty. Intelligence. Plus size’, yesterday marked the first time the Miss Plus Size Tambov International was hosted under that theme. With contestants going through various dress categories including, traditional, high fashion casual and elegant gowns

NAME OF COUNTRY
Martha Ndeshihafela Mwatile	Miss Plus Size Tambov International 2015
Natalie Thokozani Tanyanyiwa	1st Princess
Hendrina Lazarus	2ND Princess
Aily Nangolo	Miss Personality
Hendria Lazarus	Miss Punctuality
Martha Ndeshihafela Mwatile	Miss Public Choice

The Miss Plus Size International is courtesy of Miss International Student Tambov, the most prestigious student competition dedicated to showcasing student beauty and intelligence. Until, next year the founder of the pageant Miss Margaret thanked her team ( Mo, Rania Christabel 'summerline' , Benjamin, Chima and Manga) and assured us of more beautiful events in the future, before she extended her message of praise to the brave contestants and viewers who embraced the cold weather to be apart of the event.

MISS PLUS SIZE INTERNATIONAL: STRAIGHT OUTTA TAMBOV PART 2

On Monday evening after my last class of the day, I took the opportunity to attend the rehearsals of the Miss Plus Size International and I was impressed with the commitment of the participants and I kept wondering where the draw they motivation after such a hectic day. And after a long time of observation, I discovered a lady who kept repeating instructions tirelessly with a sharp voice and with time I learnt that the lady with the sharp voice is all about serious business even though, she shared light moments with the participants, commitment and focus is what really described her ever actions.

At this moment, I believe calling her the "Naomi Campbell of Tambov" is an under-statement that lacks in all aspects of what she has achieved. Margaret has established herself not only as a model, but a mentor who is giving mentor-ship to many ladies. Among her many achievements is the Miss Tambov International Pageant which has proven to be a success and has since attracted much speculation among students in Tambov and Russia as a whole.

And it’s no doubt, that this year's Miss Plus Size International will receive massive recognition due to the commitment of her team that includes the talented young lady Mo who has assured and encouraged the participants about the success of this pageant. Even though, she hardly receives recognition for her many roles she plays in the buildup of events such as this one, do not underestimate her ability to host and organize events and indeed she is a force to work with. And in the fashionable society of Tambov Mo has created herself a reputation as a medical student, socialite and fun person to be around.

EVENING OF GLITZ AND GlAMOUR

For now all is set for the grand finale on the 28^th of December and for a 350 rubles ticket you will be able to witness history in the making because Miss Plus Size International is the ‘must see’ event of the month and year respectively. And this years’ event starts at 18hours at the beautiful Dinamo Economic Institute concert hall and ‘red carpet’ photo shoots and moments starts at 17hours, therefore if you want to enjoy an evening and event of glitz and glamour then do not miss and come on time to lender full support to your favorite contestant. 

NAME OF CONTESTANT	COUNTRY
Aily Nangolo	Namibia
Faith	Nigeria
Hendrina Lazarus	Namibia
Sophie Sikobizahora	Swaziland
Rania	Morocco
Martha Ndeshihafela Mwatile	Namibia
Natalie Thokozani Tanyanyiwa	Zimbabwe

In additional, the models are ready to showcase what they have been preparing for and  to find out more about the likes, dislikes and personal biographies for our 7 beautiful finalists who are competing for the title on the 28^th December, then visit our Facebook page at ‘MISS international Students Russia’ to like and view their respective profiles. And remember, liking the video of your favorite contestant will enable them to winning a trip to the beautiful city of Voronezh with the Founder of the Pageant.

Beauty. Intelligence. Plus Size

MISS PLUS SIZE INTERNATIONAL 2015

 Beauty. Intelligence. Plus Size

Are you a beautiful and inspiring woman who wants to prove to the world that you can be plus size and confident? Then join one of the world fastest growing movement which is PLUS SIZE, INTELLIGENCE AND BEAUTY.

BACKGROUND

This pageant celebrates and educates plus size students the importance of loving self and feeling comfortable of who you are and how you are. Even though, this pageant is one of its kinds among the international students, it is important to observe that quality won’t lack because this pageant will present itself as a platform for plus sized ladies to make a statement of their presence and beauty.

Furthermore, this pageant celebrates beauty openly in a non-judgmental environment and shows that a part of the world does really appreciate curves. And most importantly, it serves as a reminder to the rest of the world that we are not intimidated by the continuous pressure from the media to fit into a certain size label to be deemed acceptable in society. And of course, not everyone wants to be a size zero hence this pageant is here to prove that there is life after a size 18.

UNDERSTANDING THE PLUS SIZE PAGEANT

For we live in a world that openly criticizes and rejects plus size ladies and no one is there to stand up against such hush reality, therefore we are here to change the perception of the world that only acknowledges and sees fit beauty as slim and nothing else. We this initiation of this pageant, the world know that it is possible to be plus size, intelligent and beautiful.

We at Miss Plus Size International do not encourage or promote obesity, we purely provide a platform for the plus size women of Tambov and Russia to showcase their beauty on a catwalk that has previously been reserved for slimmer sisters.