Newsbreak

There I was a few days ago boasting about how safe Zambia is compared to the unrest in the surrounding countries. I guess I spoke too soon:

1) Two University of Zambia (UNZA) students shot; one in the chest & one in the shin. Background: students have been rioting because their allowance (from the government) does not take into consideration the inflated prices what with the looming international food crisis. The government refused to increase stipends, students began rioting, and police were brought in to keep innocent passer-bys (motorists) safe. Both injured students are recovering. Neither (apparently) had been involved in rioting; perhaps a situation of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Alvin knew the young man who was shot in the shin as he is a basketball player for the UNZA Pacers. Shame. The government & UNZA certainly need to sort out their issues, if it isn’t an annual riot, it is bi-annual. The investment in post-secondary education does not appear to be serious in light of the recent violence.

2) I’m reading the Zambia Daily Mail Wednesday May 28th & a headline appears “12 Die in accidents”/ while the other daily paper (Times of Zambia) claims “long weekend road accidents claim 13 lives”. One weekend, 12 (or 13) road fatalities; drinking and driving is B-A-D!!! And perhaps not all the fatalities were due to drunk driving, but the rate of intoxicated people driving over the long weekends is shocking to this Canadian girl. We saw one man trying to unearth his Benz from a bus stop as we set out for our early morning run/bike ride on Monday*sigh*

3) Random news: a woman in a shanty compound gave birth to triplets and named them after the two former presidents (Chiluba & Kaunda), and the current president (Levy). She made the front page yesterday; good for her I say, she’s managed to get herself some support from the higher-ups!

4) Another headline: Zambia’s HIV prevalence drops to 14.3%. This information coming from the long-awaited Demographic Health Survey that has provided plenty of numbers, but little analysis. I’m weary of accepting the information since much of the survey was implemented with questionable methodology…but I suppose any small improvements should be celebrated & motivating.

5) A great late-breaking addition: Smoking is BANNED in public places in Zambia- HOLLA. Apparently smokers caught in public places will be fined, or thrown in jail for under two years. I’ll be curious to hear how it is received, I remember it being such a controversy back in Alberta lo those many years ago. But I’ll admit that I’m looking forward to visiting a couple of yummy indoor restaurants if the smoking ban is upheld! Yiippeee