https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/news-flash--5673692enDocumentaryCopyright Esther Mwananshikuhttps://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/images.spreaker.com/nuvolari-assets/green_square_mic.jpghttps://www.spreaker.com/podcast/news-flash--5673692Thu, 16 Apr 2026 19:06:35 +0000Esther MwananshikuEsther Mwananshikumwananshikue@gmail.comfalseepisodichttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-14-green-dreams-in-lubombo--71377763
The community, largely made up of small-scale farmers, has embraced backyard and cooperative gardening, growing crops such as tomatoes, rape, cabbage, and onions.

This follows challenges caused by erratic rainfall patterns that have affected traditional farming.

Some gardeners spoken to say the initiative has helped reduce the cost of buying vegetables while also providing an opportunity to earn income through selling surplus produce within the community.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/71377763Thu, 16 Apr 2026 19:04:58 +0000Esther MwananshikuResidents of Lubombo Ward in Mazabuka District have intensified gardening activities as a way of improving household food security and income generation. The community, largely made up of small-scale farmers, has embraced backyard and cooperative...
The community, largely made up of small-scale farmers, has embraced backyard and cooperative gardening, growing crops such as tomatoes, rape, cabbage, and onions.

This follows challenges caused by erratic rainfall patterns that have affected traditional farming.

Some gardeners spoken to say the initiative has helped reduce the cost of buying vegetables while also providing an opportunity to earn income through selling surplus produce within the community.]]>538falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-13-special-children-at-siavonga-primary-school-learning-in-a-makeshift-classroom--68375110
In 2022, the government through the CDF committee approved the construction of a 1by 3 classroom block for special learners at Siavonga primary school.

But two years later, the pupils are still learning in a temporal classroom.

Parents through the Parents Teachers Committee Chairperson, Victor Hazemba are calling for help from well-wishers]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68375110Sat, 01 Nov 2025 06:51:32 +0000Esther MwananshikuChildren with Special needs at Siavonga Primary School continue to face harsh learning conditions as they wait for the construction of a classroom block promised under the Constituency Development Fund-CDF. In 2022, the government through the CDF...
In 2022, the government through the CDF committee approved the construction of a 1by 3 classroom block for special learners at Siavonga primary school.

But two years later, the pupils are still learning in a temporal classroom.

Parents through the Parents Teachers Committee Chairperson, Victor Hazemba are calling for help from well-wishers]]>381cdf,conducivelearningenviroment,educationforall,freeeducation,inclusivefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-12-news-flash--64950914
Foam King chief Executive officer Pravin Kumar Patel says the company is committed to giving back to the community under its social comparate responsibility at the same time looking out for the future leaders]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/64950914Tue, 18 Mar 2025 08:51:33 +0000Esther MwananshikuFoam King donates 200 mattresses to be shared among three schools in Siavonga District. Foam King chief Executive officer Pravin Kumar Patel says the company is committed to giving back to the community under its social comparate responsibility at...
Foam King chief Executive officer Pravin Kumar Patel says the company is committed to giving back to the community under its social comparate responsibility at the same time looking out for the future leaders]]>291falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-11-bad-fishing-methods--64421066
However, the fishing industry is on the verge of collapsing as illegal fishing methods such as mosquito nets and explosives to catch fish are slowly harming the ecosystem and depleting the fish population.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/64421066Mon, 17 Feb 2025 18:09:20 +0000Esther MwananshikuFishing is considered to be the primary source of income for many residents in Siavonga District, according to the 2022 census about 90 thousand residents engage in fishing activities. However, the fishing industry is on the verge of collapsing as...
However, the fishing industry is on the verge of collapsing as illegal fishing methods such as mosquito nets and explosives to catch fish are slowly harming the ecosystem and depleting the fish population.]]>308falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/teen-pregnancy-in-siavonga-district--63639331 To put this into context, it is estimated that at least one in every three girls becomes a teen mother by the age of 18. This situation is even more desperate in rural areas where several cultural and social norms continue to act as key drivers for adolescent pregnancy.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/63639331Fri, 10 Jan 2025 16:55:35 +0000Esther MwananshikuTeen Pregnancies are a significant concern in Zambia. According to the 2018 Zambia Demographic Health Surgery about 29% of adolescent girls become pregnant by the age of 18. And by the end of 2023, the Health Management information system still... To put this into context, it is estimated that at least one in every three girls becomes a teen mother by the age of 18. This situation is even more desperate in rural areas where several cultural and social norms continue to act as key drivers for adolescent pregnancy.]]>338falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/substandard-desks--63498269 To this regard, Siavonga Town Council set aside over 3 Million kwacha to supply 2900 desks under the 2023 Constituency Development Funds- CDF with one desk costing K1500.
However, Over half of the supplied Desks by local contractors were reported to be substandards
Shy Hanoongo a local contractor who was also Contracted by the local authority to supply 200 desks attributes the substandard desks delivered to schools to under estimated budget by the local authority.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/63498269Sat, 28 Dec 2024 17:31:30 +0000Esther MwananshikuSchool Desks are an important part of the education system, if the education sector is to achieve it's goal of providing quality education as well achieve the presidential directive of no 'child should sit on the floor by 2025' To this regard,... To this regard, Siavonga Town Council set aside over 3 Million kwacha to supply 2900 desks under the 2023 Constituency Development Funds- CDF with one desk costing K1500.
However, Over half of the supplied Desks by local contractors were reported to be substandards
Shy Hanoongo a local contractor who was also Contracted by the local authority to supply 200 desks attributes the substandard desks delivered to schools to under estimated budget by the local authority.]]>272falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/how-farmers-are-adapting-to-climate-smart-agriculture--63027109
In Siavonga District over 1500 farmers are undergoing training in Smart Agriculture, particularly conservation farming. A farming practice that reduces soil disturbance through reduced or no tillage, preserving soil moisture and reducing erosion.

Simon Choombe is among the farmers benefiting from the training, he has been cultivating maize for almost 10 years and he is ready to go the smart way as the drought left him with reduced crop yields.

With the rain season drawing near, Mr Choombe has started land preparation using the knowledge gained.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/63027109Wed, 27 Nov 2024 10:24:45 +0000Esther MwananshikuAs the world grapples with climate change, climate smart agriculture is being promoted. In Siavonga District over 1500 farmers are undergoing training in Smart Agriculture, particularly conservation farming. A farming practice that reduces soil...
In Siavonga District over 1500 farmers are undergoing training in Smart Agriculture, particularly conservation farming. A farming practice that reduces soil disturbance through reduced or no tillage, preserving soil moisture and reducing erosion.

Simon Choombe is among the farmers benefiting from the training, he has been cultivating maize for almost 10 years and he is ready to go the smart way as the drought left him with reduced crop yields.

With the rain season drawing near, Mr Choombe has started land preparation using the knowledge gained.]]>334falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/how-loadsheding-is-affecting-smes--62789867 According to The Zambezi River Authority-ZRA's recent report, only about 7.61% of water allocated for power production is remaining, resulting in reduced power production and in turn longer loadsheding hours.
The on going long hours of loadsheding has left Small and Medium enterprises- SMEs in Siavonga District struggling to survive.
The district has over 10,000 SMEs who contribute about 40 to 60 percentage of the district's total revenue and employing approximately 50 to 70 percent of the district's workforce.
The SMEs that range from lodges, restaurants, saloons, Barber shops among others are now reported to be losing over 70% of production forcing others to cut down on their work force while others are completely shutting down.
Join me as I talk to SMEs and learn how prolonged power cuts is affecting their businesses.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/62789867Mon, 18 Nov 2024 17:06:56 +0000Esther MwananshikuZambia is fully dependant on hydropower and is now facing a major power crisis in history, with some parts of country going over 24 hours without power. According to The Zambezi River Authority-ZRA's recent report, only about 7.61% of water allocated... According to The Zambezi River Authority-ZRA's recent report, only about 7.61% of water allocated for power production is remaining, resulting in reduced power production and in turn longer loadsheding hours.
The on going long hours of loadsheding has left Small and Medium enterprises- SMEs in Siavonga District struggling to survive.
The district has over 10,000 SMEs who contribute about 40 to 60 percentage of the district's total revenue and employing approximately 50 to 70 percent of the district's workforce.
The SMEs that range from lodges, restaurants, saloons, Barber shops among others are now reported to be losing over 70% of production forcing others to cut down on their work force while others are completely shutting down.
Join me as I talk to SMEs and learn how prolonged power cuts is affecting their businesses.]]>345falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/pending-shutdown-of-kariba-north-bank-power-station--61230651https://api.spreaker.com/episode/61230651Sun, 01 Sep 2024 16:28:26 +0000Esther MwananshikuSmall Business owners in Siavonga District have expressed concern over ZESCO's announcement of shutting down Kariba North Bank Power Station by mid-September223falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/animal-human-conflict-in-siavonga-district--61072399https://api.spreaker.com/episode/61072399Sun, 18 Aug 2024 18:35:13 +0000Esther MwananshikuSiavonga District is located along the Lower Zambezi River and Lake Kariba and the main economic activities for residents are fishing and gardening. However, wildlife is also searching for water and food resulting in increasing reports of Animals...329falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/keeping-girls-in-school-success-story--60986159https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60986159Sun, 11 Aug 2024 12:59:45 +0000Esther MwananshikuIn a world where millions of girls are denied access to education, keeping girls in School (KGS) is one programme making a difference and changing lives.311falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/how-marketeers-at-siavonga-main-market-feel-about-the-street-lights-instilled-by-the-local-authority--60838271https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60838271Sun, 28 Jul 2024 17:01:03 +0000Esther MwananshikuStreet Lights are an important part of infrastructure providing safety and security for drivers and other road users. Siavonga Town Council instilled street lights and marketeers at Siavonga main Market are happy with the development.327falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/water-challenges-facing-small-scale-livestock-farmers--60755965https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60755965Sun, 21 Jul 2024 08:12:13 +0000Esther MwananshikuA devastating drought has left livestock farmers and residents in Siavonga District struggling to access water.315falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/menstrual-taboos--51377920More in this report]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/51377920Sun, 25 Sep 2022 18:15:57 +0000Esther MwananshikuIn a quest to make menstruation a normal fact of life, Visionary students initiative VSI and partners are working to raise awareness on menstrual hygiene and to break taboos surrounding menstruation. More in this reportMore in this report]]>236falsefull