SPICE FM 91.1 Kabwe

17/03/2026

OXFAM ROLLS OUT CHOICE PROJECT IN KABWE TO BOOST REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SERVICES

The Oxfam Southern Africa Cluster has officially launched the Comprehensive Health Options Through Innovative Community Engagement (CHOICE) Project in Kabwe, aimed at strengthening access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, particularly among vulnerable populations.

The launch event, held at Pilgrim’s Lodge, was officiated by Central Province Minister Mwabashike Nkulukusa, represented by Assistant Secretary Brave Mazuba, who described the initiative as both timely and critical.

Mr. Mazuba said the programme comes at a pivotal moment when Zambia is making strides in improving health outcomes but continues to face disparities, especially among adolescents and young women.

He explained that the CHOICE Project, funded by Global Affairs Canada, is a gender-transformative initiative designed to enhance bodily autonomy and expand access to SRH services.

“The programme will address key gaps through improved access to contraception, enhanced reproductive health education, and empowering young women with the knowledge and resources to make informed decisions,” he said.

Mr. Mazuba noted that the project will be implemented in both Central and Southern Provinces, targeting districts such as Chisamba, Chibombo, Namwala, and Itezhi-Tezhi.

He further raised concern over adolescent health challenges, revealing that Zambia records approximately 12,000 pregnancies among school-going girls annually. He added that despite high levels of sexual activity among adolescents, uptake of modern contraceptives remains low, increasing vulnerability to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

Mr. Mazuba also highlighted systemic challenges affecting the health sector, including shortages of trained health workers, limited youth-friendly services, and inadequate medical supplies.

However, he commended the Government under President Hakainde Hichilema for prioritizing sexual and reproductive health through frameworks such as the National Health Strategic Plan and the Adolescent Health Strategic Plan (2022–2026).

He emphasized that the CHOICE Project will complement government efforts by expanding youth-friendly services, strengthening community awareness, and addressing social and cultural barriers.

Mr. Mazuba called for enhanced collaboration among government institutions, civil society, traditional leaders, and communities, stressing that sexual and reproductive health is not only a health issue but also a matter of human rights, development, and gender justice.

Meanwhile, Oxfam Program and Policy Manager Faith Simukoko Minja reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to tackling inequality and poverty across Southern Africa.

Mrs. Minja said Oxfam operates in countries including Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe, working closely with vulnerable communities and local civil society organizations.

She added that globally, Oxfam is a confederation of 20 organizations collaborating with over 3,000 partners in more than 75 countries.

Mrs. Minja disclosed that the CHOICE Project will be implemented in partnership with key organizations such as the Planned Parenthood Association of Zambia, Young Women’s Christian Association Council of Zambia, Southern Africa AIDS Dissemination Service, Women in Law and Development in Africa, and IPAS.

She revealed that the seven-year programme, running from 2025 to 2031, is funded at a cost of 108 million by Global Affairs Canada and is expected to directly benefit about 160,000 people, with over 241,000 others benefiting indirectly.

Mrs. Minja added that the initiative will be implemented in Zambia, Malawi, and Zimbabwe, with key interventions in Central Province focusing on districts such as Kabwe, Chisamba, and Chibombo.

She said the project will target 60 health facilities and 60 schools across the three countries, including 27 in Central Province alone.

Mrs. Minja also expressed concern over rising teenage pregnancies, citing the Ministry of Education’s 2024 statistical bulletin, which indicates that Zambia records over 12,000 teenage pregnancies annually.

She stressed the urgent need for comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education and improved access to services to effectively address the growing challenge.

BY: Sunford Mulenga SPICE FM 91.1 Kabwe NEWS

17/03/2026

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17/03/2026

WEATHER UPDATE: 🌧️⛈️🌩️

*ZAMBIA LUNCHTIME WEATHER REPORT: TUESDAY (17/03/2026)*
*FORECAST FOR THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING: TUESDAY (17/03/2026)*

*Luapula, Northern, Muchinga, Eastern, Central, Lusaka, Copperbelt and Southern Provinces including the northern parts of Northwestern province:*
Mainly cloudy and warm with rain and thunderstorms. Maximum temperature will range between 24°C and 31°C. The evening will be mainly cloudy, slightly windy and mild with isolated rain and occasional thunder.
*Western Province including the western parts of Northwestern provinces:*
Mainly cloudy and warm with a chance of isolated showers and thunderstorms. Maximum temperature will range between 27°C and 33°C. The evening will be partly cloudy, slightly windy with a chance of isolated rain and thunderstorms.

*HIGHEST TEMPERATURE RECORDED YESTERDAY: MONDAY (16/03/2026)*
Zambezi 33°C, Mfuwe, Kalabo, Senanga and Mongu 32°C, Chinsali and Livingstone 31°C, Mpulungu, Isoka, Kafironda, SMKIA, Lundazi, Mumbwa. Kafue Polder and Sesheke 30°C, Kawambwa, Kabwe MET and Magoye 29°C.

*_Produced by the Zambia Meteorological Department,*
*_Ministry of Green Economy and Environment._*

17/03/2026

EXPIRED DRINKS, ILLEGAL KONYAGI SACHETS SEIZED IN KABWE CBD CRACKDOWN

The Kabwe Municipal Council (KMC) has confiscated a range of expired beverages and illegal alcoholic products during routine inspections conducted in the central business district.

In a statement issued by the local authority, Public Health Inspectors revealed that the operation led to the seizure of several expired soft drinks and lager beers that were still being sold to unsuspecting members of the public.

The Council also removed sachets of Konyagi from the market, citing non-compliance with legal packaging requirements. The sachets fall below the minimum permitted volume of 250 millilitres for alcohol packaging, rendering them illegal for sale and distribution.

The seizure was carried out in accordance with the Food Safety Act No. 7 of 2019 and the Public Health Act Cap 295, which empower Public Health Officers to remove unsafe or unlawful products from circulation to protect consumers.

The local authority has since urged members of the public to exercise caution when purchasing food and beverages, advising them to buy only from reliable and verified suppliers. Consumers are also encouraged to check expiry dates and ensure products are certified by the Zambia Bureau of Standards.

Meanwhile, shop owners and traders have been reminded of their obligation to stock and sell safe, genuine, and properly certified products in order to safeguard public health.

The Kabwe Municipal Council further warned that inspections will be intensified across all markets in the district, and any traders found selling expired or illegal products will face legal action.

SPICE FM 91.1 Kabwe NEWS

17/03/2026

17/03/2026

*TUESDAY, MARCH 17TH 2026.*

*FOURTH WEEK OF LENT.*

*FIRST READING*
I saw water coming forth from the temple, and all those were saved to whom the water came.

*A reading from the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel (EZEKIEL 47: 1 — 9, 12)*

In those days: [The angel] brought me back to the door of the temple; and behold, water was issuing from below the threshold of the temple towards the east (for the temple faced east); and the water was flowing down from below the right side of the threshold of the temple, south of the altar towards the east. Then he brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me round on the outside to the outer gate, that faces towards the east; and the water was coming out on the right side. Going on eastward with a line in his hand, the man measured a thousand cubits, and then led me through the water; and it was ankle-deep. Again he measured a thousand, and led me through the water; and it was knee-deep. Again he measured a thousand, and led me through the water; and it was up to the loins. Again he measured a thousand, and it was a river that I could not pass through, for the water had risen; it was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be passed through. And he said to me, “Son of man, have you seen this?” Then he led me back along the bank of the river. As I went back, I saw upon the bank of the river very many trees on the one side and on the other. And he said to me, “This water flows towards the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah; and when it enters the stagnant waters of the sea, the water will become fresh. And wherever the river goes every living creature which swarms will live, and there will be very many fish; for this water goes there, that the waters of the sea may become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes. “And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.”

*The Word of the Lord.*

*RESPONSORIAL PSALM*
Taken from Psalm 46: 2 — 3, 5 — 6, 8 — 9 (R.) 8

And the response is;
*R/. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.*

God is for us a refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in time of distress:
so we shall not fear though the earth should rock,
though the mountains quake to the heart of the sea. *R/.*

The waters of a river give joy to God’s city,
the holy place, the dwelling of the Most High.
God is within, it cannot be shaken;
God will help it at the dawning of the day. *R/.*

The Lord of hosts is with us:
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
Come and behold the works of the Lord,
the awesome deeds he has done on the earth. *R/.*

*GOSPEL ACCLAMATION*
Psalm 51: 10a, 12a

*Glory and praise to you, O Christ.*
Create in me a clean heart, O God; restore to me the joy of your salvation.
*Glory and praise to you, O Christ.*

*GOSPEL*
“At once the man was healed.”

*A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (JOHN 5: 1 – 16)*

There was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Hebrew called Bethzatha, which has five porticoes. In these lay a multitude of invalids, blind, lame, paralyzed. One man was there, who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him and knew that he had been lying there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is troubled, and while I am going another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your pallet, and walk.” And at once the man was healed, and he took up his pallet and walked. Now that day was the sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who was cured, “It is the sabbath, it is not lawful for you to carry your pallet.” But he answered them, “The man who healed me said to me, ‘Take up your pallet and walk.” ’They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your pallet, and walk’?” Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. Afterward, Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse befall you.” The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him. And this was why the Jews persecuted Jesus, because he did this on the sabbath.

*The Gospel of the Lord.*