REMEMBERING PRINCESS DIANA

TODAY marks exactly 18 years since the death of Diana the Princess of Wales. On Sunday August 31, 1997, Diana, her companion Dodi al Fayed and their driver Henri Paul were killed in a car crash in Paris, France while trying to escape the paparazzi.

Lady Diana's tragic death not only shocked the UK but the world at large. I was only 17 when this tragedy happened but I still remember that day so vividly like it was yesterday. I had just arrived home that fateful Sunday afternoon when my baby sister broke the news to me. When I heard the news, it was as though time had stopped. I could not believe the sadness and pain I went through in that moment. It was like receiving the death of a very close relative or friend.

But perhaps this could be the reason Diana was referred to as the People's Princess. Her sympathy and kindness were always sincere and people reciprocated her feelings. Lady Di's life in many ways resembled the fairy­tale about but it is worth mentioning that Diana did a lot of charity work. She personally visited the terminally ill in many countries of the world, led a campaign in animal protection, against AIDS and inhuman weapons, in particular, against anti­personnel land mines.

Princess Diana was one of the first high profile people to be photographed embracing HIV/AIDS patients, helping to remove the stigma attached to the disease. Her tireless work with AIDS organisations and children's charities leaves a lasting legacy, while the Diana Memorial Fund set up in her memory has raised 100 million pounds to date.

HEAL THE WORLD

TODAY the late King Of Pop Michael Jackson would have celebrated his 57th birthday.

I'm not sure about you folks, but my all time favourite MJ song is Heal the World from his 1991 hit album, Dangerous.

In my view, this song encompasses everything. Musically, it is beautiful and I don't think there is a songwriter alive who doesn't wish they had written this song. The lyrics are amazing. It's perfect and I will speak for many when I say the message in this song is how we want the world to be.

Happy Birthday MJ. May your legacy live on.

Maya Angelou: Poet Extraordinaire!

ANYONE who has been inspired, challenged, and sustained by the written word will agree with me that the death of celebrated US author, poet, actress, philanthropist and civil rights activist, Maya Angelou, 86, is a sad development.

Maya Angelou was indeed an epitome of a phenomenal woman. She won three Grammys, spoke six languages and was the second poet in history to recite a poem at a presidential inauguration.

But what really stands out to me most about Maya Angelou is not necessarily what she has done or written or spoken, it’s how she lived her life.

By the time she reached 40 she had been a professional dancer, prostitute, madam, lecturer, activist, singer and editor. She had worked with Martin Luther King and Malcolm X, lived in Ghana and Egypt, toured Europe with a dance troupe and settled in pretty much every region of the United States.

We all can learn a lot from the life of this absolutely wonderful, inspirational woman. She taught self strength, honesty, love, respect, belief and moved through the world with unshakeable calm, confidence and a fierce grace.

Maya was an iconic figure of faith, perseverance, fortitude, and peace. Literary giant. Advocate of women and all equality. Maya is not just the United State's jewel, she is the world's precious soul.

Maya Angelou once wrote, "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

We'll certainly never forget how you made us feel, Maya.

Rest in peace Dr. Maya Angelou. We all know however, that great people don't die. They live through their words from generation to generation.
Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone provided by Airtel Zambia.

The Amazing Story Of Stephen Sutton

THE name Stephen Sutton may not ring a bell to most fellow citizens.

Stephen was a British blogger and charity activist known for his blog "Stephen's Story" and his Teenage Cancer Trust charity for the aid of teenagers with cancer.

Stephen, from Burntwood in Staffordshire, England, was first diagnosed with bowel cancer aged 15, and was told in December 2012 that his condition was incurable.

Stephen passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of Wednesday May 14, 2014 aged 19.

The most amazing thing about Stephen's story is how this young man courageously faced his illness.

Sutton, who initially set himself a target of trying to raise £10000 for the Teenage Cancer Trust, raised more than £3m for charity after his story was publicised.

Hundreds of thousands of people around the world have supported his fundraising efforts for the Teenage Cancer Trust since he posted a picture of himself in hospital in April with a goodbye message as he thought he was nearing death. Among them was Prime Minister David Cameron.

Stephen did not only manage to inspire a nation to donate to a good cause but also made millions of people around the world to appreciate and make the most of their lives, to be positive and brave in the face of adversity.

This young man also taught the world that life isn't about how long we are here but what we do with the time that we get. Whilst his life was far too short, he achieved some tremendous goals than most of us can achieve in a dozen lifetimes.

What an amazing person this young lad was. He was indeed a true inspiration and if more people had his wonderful attitude to life, then this world would be an infinitely better place.

Stephen has done so much to help with the fight against cancer and to bring to the attention of so many people, young and old that this disease has no respect for age, gender or creed.

His attitude towards his life and his illness has inspired not just me, but many, many people around the world to look at their lives in a different way.

The courage and grace shown by this young man in the face of a battle he knew he was never gonna win is inspiring and should both give hope to those in need and bring shame to those of us who are forever complaining about our lot in life.

To Stephen I say, thank you for making such an impact and for being you. You were, are and will continue to be an inspiration to millions.

You'll always be remembered as a brilliant human being and a complete and utter legend who made a difference.

May Stephen's gentle soul rest in peace and his family be comforted in the knowledge that he has truly made a difference to this world.

To you the reader I say, Stephens race is run but we must continue in the hope that just a little of his strength and generosity rubs off on us all so that we can learn to help others as he has done.

Perhaps then we might all leave behind a small addition to Stephen's wonderful legacy.

Rest in peace Stephen, your legacy will be carried on by those who have been inspired by your story.

End Of An Era

DROPPED jaws and stunned faces characterised the Mercedes-Benz Superdome for WrestleMania XXX when the unthinkable happened on The Grandest Stage of Them All Sunday night: Brock Lesnar attained the Holy Grail of WrestleMania feats and ended The Streak.

I'm quite upset and still in shock. And it's not the fact that The Undertaker lost that upsets most. It's who he lost to.

Brock isn't a wrestler. He is a part timer, and him breaking the streak is a direct disrespect to the likes of Kane, Triple H, Shawn Michaels and CM Punk among others.

And I don't care whether Brock Lesnar is "The Beast Incarnate". To have a once a month wrestling piece of stool like Brock Lesnar defeat The Undertaker was about the most disgraceful way to end the streak.

If that was going to happen then it should have been done by a wrestler who has been there and devoted their time to WWE and who wrestles every week.

The Authority could have got any wrestler and I mean anyone but Lesnar to break the streak!

The streak has been so instrumental in giving WrestleMania that intriguing component that the WWE Universe has been having for this Pay Per View.

This WrestleMania would have gone down in history as the greatest of all time for the fact that Daniel Bryan and The Yes Movement finally had their dream come true.

But no one is going to really remember WrestleMania 30 for Daniel Bryan overcoming the odds and finally having his moment.

People will remember WrestleMania 30 for The Undertakers streak ending and the stunned and shocked looks on everyone's faces as it ended.

I made a promise that if The Authority allow Brock Lesnar defeat The Undertaker at WrestleMania, I quit watching wrestling altogether. I'm not going back on that promise.

Yes, I've been a wrestling fan if not addict since the early 90's. Being a long term wrestling fan and seeing this sport flourish in the 90's and Taker being "The Man", I'll be upset and frustrated for quite some time. I don't think I will enjoy wrestling like I've always done.

I feel WWE should have allowed The Deadman retire a winner. How pathetic of WWE to end an era like that. On Sunday April 6, 2014, WWE screwed WWE Universe. Professional wrestling just died on Sunday night.

And with that said, I have officially resigned from watching WWE.

Long live The Undertaker. Long live Deadman and Rest In Peace WWE!!!

MMD SUFFERS FROM POLITICAL CANCER

THE statement by People’s Democratic Party (PDP) President George Mpombo that no amount of political tinkering will redeem MMD made an interesting read.
It’s just this past Friday when I met Mr Mpombo in person for the first time at Ndola’s Mint Cafe situated at Jacaranda Mall.
A very close friend of mine had sought an audience with Mr Mpombo and asked me to accompany him.
In the 45 minutes my friend and I spent with Mr Mpombo, I remember him saying something to us that made me liken what is happening in the former ruling party to a person who is drowning.
Those who have studied the art of swimming refute the claims that rip-currents pull people under. It’s not the case.
People drown because they panic, become exhausted, and are not a strong enough swimmer to at least tread water.
Panic makes you fight the current and exhaust yourself. In a crisis of any kind, staying calm lets your survival instincts tell you how to survive. On the other hand, panic paralyses the mind and body, often sealing your fate.
This is exactly what is happening in the MMD. The MMD has been in a panic mode even before Rupiah Banda got elected as President of this country.
I am sure we all remember how the MMD prior to the 2008 presidential by-elections hired foreign image-builders for their candidate which we all know never worked.
If MMD managed to win the 2008 presidential by-elections it’s only because they chose to ride on the legacy of the late president Levy Mwanawasa (MHSRIP).
And who has forgotten how in trying to hoodwink the electorate, the Rupiah-led regime embarked on speedy developmental projects just before the September 2011 tripartite elections?
This is the period we saw words like “unprecedented” given a whole new meaning.
MMD as a party has done so much public relations damage it will take a miracle to save them from annihilation.
What amazes me is the stubborn attitude from certain members of this party.
If the MMD have no ears to listen to the cries of those who don’t want to see the MMD go into oblivion, they will be made to listen in some other way.
MMD is suffering from a cancerous tumour that destroys not only itself but also everything else around it.
No amount of cosmetic surgery will help to redeem or beautify MMD’s soiled image and the sooner its leaders realise this better for the party.

What A Gloomy Weekend For Soccer Fans

THIS past weekend, Sunday to be precise, had been a gloomy one for soccer fans and Zambian football in general.

The day started with the news of the untimely death of former Zanaco coach Keegan Mumba and ended on a worst note when our envoys in the CAF Confederation Cup Zesco United Football Club and CAF Champions League representatives, Nkana FC, got eliminated from their respective competitions despite the former defeating Ghana’s Medeama Sporting Club 1 – 0 in the return leg of the second round played at Mwanawasa Stadium.

Nkana on the other hand suffered one of its worst defeats at the hands of Egyptian giants Zamalek in Cairo.

It understandable to lose to a team like Zamalek. But there is losing with dignity and losing 5 - 0 really borders on national embarrassment.

Moreover the Egyptian league was in recess at some point due to political turmoil in that country. Zamalek is not expected to be so high up there to beat Zambia’s champions 5-0. That kind of outclassing is for real amateur opposition. Orlando Pirates beat Zamalek in Egypt so what excuse can our local league champions give?

I personally don't accept that scoreline from the best of our league. It's very embarrassing. I am very disappointed with my team Nkana. The mediocrity they displayed on the pitch on Sunday left me wondering whether  they really know that their bread and butter depend on delivering positive results.

Perhaps it's about time someone reminded our local players that it's not the gate takings in our local league that pay their salaries. They should know that allowances they get come from other people's sweat.

Ours is not the English Premier League where funds are generated from everywhere. Here they have to perform so that they go somewhere and make money for their future.

And now I'm beginning to think Chritopher Katongo was right after all. I think Katongo is now being vindicated.

Our local players lack consistency. They lack the character to fight for the betterment of their future.
Our current crop of players also lack in terms maturity, exposure, mental strength, tenacity, discipline and experience to play at the international level.

And I'm not only directing this at Nkana FC players but every player in any sport in this country.

These things are cardinal and we should trivialize them at our own peril. Yes being young and skillful is an added advantage but it's not enough. Confidence is something that's built over time through properly arranged systems. Players should be well fed to gain proper physical statures.

As a Kalampa fan I can only wonder what my team will do differently when they get a chance to redeem themselves in the Confederation Cup when they go into the knock-out round draws.

And let me send my heartfelt condolences to the family of the late Keegan Mumba and the Zambian soccer community.

Mumba was one of Zambia’s most dynamic coaches and it is a great loss not only to the football fraternity but the country at large. May his soul rest in peace.