By Dr. Lawrence Mwelwa A tree without deep roots is easily blown away by the wind. So too are nations built on weak foundations, swayed by the storms of corruption, greed, and short-term power struggles. Africa, a land of immense wealth and untapped potential, has stood at the crossroads of destiny for centuries. Yet, while some nations rise, others remain shackled by extractive institutions—systems designed not to empower the people but to enrich a few at the expense of many. In Why Nations Fail, Acemoglu and Robinson argue that nations succeed when they build inclusive institutions—systems that allow their people...

By Bratelli Lupokoma Greetings once again from the Matenda Facilitating Epidemic Zone (MaFEZ), the home of Ba Zungu Tobacco (BZT) and the Big Kashiki family. It has been more than a week since the jaw-dropping spooky revelation, but the nation is still trying to come to terms with the discovery of a skeleton tucked away in a room on a bed -complete with beddings and all, at a house in Lusaka’s Garden Compound. The remains belonged to a husband, whose wife living in the same house with three adult children, insisted he had passed away from “natural causes” and that...

By Bratelli Lupokoma Survey Findings Show Nearly 15% of Zambian School Children Smoke. Happy new year and greetings from the Matenda Facilitating Epidemic Zone (MaFEZ), the home of Ba Zungu Tobacco (BZT) and the Big Kashiki family! The year has started on an exciting note with the recently published Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) for Zambia. In case you missed it, GYTS is a nationally representative school-based survey of students in grades associated with ages 13 to 15. Findings of the survey conducted by the Ministry of Health in conjuction with the World Health Organisation and CDC reveal that 15...

By Bratelli Lupokoma Hello reader! My name is Kashiki. I am thrilled to be afforded a column in the Rainbow Newspaper. Let me give you ka free leakage: there is nothing ‘rainbowish’ about me, as half the people that associate with me as per manufacturers instructions usually end up in ashes. In simple terms, I kill half the number of those that befriend me. Im sure by now you must think I am a bit of an oddity. I admit i am quite weird actually, but don’t worry, I’ve been normalised – or rather, my existence has been cleverly crafted...

By Thokozani Dlamini SADC-Goundwater Management Institute (GMI) Communication and Knowledge Management Institute Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems on the planet, providing essential services that benefit both nature and human life. In the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, wetlands play a critical role in supporting biodiversity, regulating water cycles, and offering livelihoods for millions of people. Wetlands provide a range of vital services, including water purification, flood control, and carbon storage, making them crucial for environmental sustainability and climate resilience. They support diverse wildlife habitats, enhance agricultural productivity, and offer recreational opportunities. The focus on “Wetlands and People”...