Media

MAIKO PRETORIA BOUND

Fair Play for Africa regional Ambassador Maiko Zulu is this week expected in World Cup hosting South Africa to assist in the development of a communication video and to attend a Fair Play For Africa dinner at which South African President Jacob Zuma is expected to be present.

In a letter to Maiko, Campaign Manager Wole Olaleye said in part:

“The objective of the video is to support creating awareness around the challenges of health care services and financing in Africa. The video will also act as a lobby to pressure African governments to improve delivery of health care services and to appeal to the supporting donor countries to improve on their contribution to health provision in Africa. To reach our targeted audiences and our goals with this video, endorsements from Fair Play ambassadors are essential and indispensable.

It will be a pleasure to have you participate in the video shoot as well as to participate as Fair Play Ambassador in a high-level reception dinner to welcome a delegation from Liverpool Football Club who are in South Africa to support the Fair Play for Africa campaign.

This event is being hosted together with the British High Commission, Pretoria; Oxfam GB; and UK aid- Department for International Development from 18h00 – 20h00. The President of the Republic of South Africa, His Exellency Jacob Zuma is among the dignitaries expected at the event”

Last Saturday, Maiko was the major act at the annual Bob Marley celebration concert where he called on the Zambian government to stop evacuating political leaders to foreign hospitals for treatment at the expense of improving health care services for Zambians. Recently, Vice President George Kunda returned from South Africa’s Morningside Clinic which has for long been a topic of discussion in Maiko’s music. A video of Zulu’s “Morningside” track is available on Youtube.

In an interview today, Maiko said he was greatful to be given the opportunity to advocate on behalf of Africa and would use every opportunity to blow the wistle against all forms of injustices especially in Africa.

PRESS FREEDOM VITAL TOOL FOR DEMOCRACY – ZULU

Reggae musician and freedom of expression activist Maiko Zulu has outlined the need for a free media in Zambia if the country is to remain democratic.

Commenting on the state’s move to regulate the media through a statutory instrument, Maiko said government control of the media will result in misinformation and mistrust in the nation. He also warned of further escalation in brutalization and intimidation of journalists by arms of government and political organisation.Zulu commended Republican President Rupiah Banda for condemming violent acts against media personel.

He called on the president to do more than just condemning, but rather follow up on the acts of intimidation and bring the culprits to book. Maiko has also called on media bodies to speed up the creation of a self regulatory framework to guide the media in Zambia.

Zambia has in the recent past witnessed the beating of journalists from both private and government run media. Some of these acts of violence have been in full view of senior government leaders and police officers.