Chairman's Report
Organisation of Zambians Living In Western Australia (OZALIWA)
Chairman's Report
Contents
- Introduction
- Brief History
- - Founding Members
- - Constitution & Objectives
- - Incorporation
- - Summary of Activities since incorporation
3. Current Status - OZALIWA 2008.
- - Current Executive Committee & Membership
- - 2008 Action Plan
4. Challenges
- - Promoting Unity among Zambians
- - Raising Paid-up memberships
- - Breaking of the Law by some Zambians
- - Fund raising for 2008 Activities
- - On-going identification & serving the needs of Zambians in WA
- Future Aspirations
- - Raising 100% awareness among Zambians of existence of OZALIWA
- - Registering 80% of Zambians living WA
- - Achieving Associations objectives
- - Promoting Zambian/Australian Partnerships
- Conclusion
Introduction
This report gives an overview of the organisation of Zambians living in Western Australian (OZALIWA) since its formation in 2005. It gives a brief history and presents a summary of activities that have been organised by OZALIWA from 2005 to date. It pays special tribute to the Founding Members and to the Zambian High Commissioner to Australian, HIS Excellency Godfrey Simasiku for the continued support.
The report high lights the 2008 Action Plan and shares some of the challenges that the association has encountered along the way. OZALIWA has a history, continues to live today the ideals of its founding members enshrined in its Constitution and anticipates a great future for Zambians living in Western Australia, culturally, academically and economically. OZALIWA believes the Zambian/Australian partnership in raising leaders and law abiding citizens in Western Australia is an ideal worth living for and deserves support from well meaning Zambians and Australians. We believe it's the responsibility of OZALIWA to live Western Australia a better place than we found it in promoting unity among Zambians & Australians. OZALIWA activities outlined in this report have all been financed through membership fees and funds raised from participating in Edith Cowan University Orientation Program.
As at 31st December 2007, OZALIWA bank balance statement reflected: $650.75
OZALIWA fully paid-up membership as at 31st December 2007 stood at 45 members, with a Registry member data base of 204, comprising of international Zambian students and Zambians working full-time in WA with Permanent resident status.
- Brief History
The formation of OZALIWA Inc was inspired by a number of Zambians (Founding Members) living in Perth, following the realisation that there was need for an association in WA, that would bring Zambians together to achieve the following objectives:
- - Identify and serve the needs of Zambians living in WA
- - To promote the Zambian Culture
- - To foster co-operation between Zambians and other communities in WA
- - To establish & maintain a means of communication between Zambians living in WA and Australian institution on social-cultural, spiritual, intellectual & economic matters
- - To provide a forum for the dissemination & debate of information and knowledge about matters of interest for Zambians living in WA.
- - To nurture, promote, develop and protect the interest of Zambians in WA
(Source: The Rules & Constitution of Zambians Living in WA, Section 3)
This report acknowledges the inspiration and contributions of the following Founding Members:
- o Ms Nalishebo Meebelo
- o Ms Aki Noyoo
- o Mr Sailota Phiri
- o Mr Stephen Sikazwe
- o Mrs Peggy Katontoka
- o Mr Billy Katontoka
- o Mrs Joyce Chibuta
- o Ms Chanda Chibuta
- o Maka Sikazwe
- o Mr Wilson Chalwe
The above named worked together, developed the Constitution and on 31st August 2005, Organisation of Zambians Living in Western Australia Inc (OZALIWA) was incorporated (Registration Number A1012361L), under Associations Incorporation Act 1987 (Section 9: 1), Ministry of Fair Trading, WA. Below is a chronological summary of activities and events that OZALIWA has been involved in since its inception:
- 5th October 2005: OZALIWA Interim Committee voted in Office. Served office until 26th Jan 2008. The Interim Committee mandate was to establish a strong foundation of OZALIWA organisational structures and realise the objectives of the association based on the Constitution.
- 6th November 2005: OZALIWA endorsed by Zambian High Commissioner to Australia, HIS Excellency Godfrey Simasiku.
- 14th April 2006: Hosted "Zambians Living in WA Easter Get-together Party" at Lake Monger Park. This event was held with the view of:
- o Promoting the Zambian Culture
- o Fostering co-operation between Zambians and other communities in WA
- 22nd June 2006: OZALIWA opens Bank Account with Commonwealth Bank. Opening Balance: $58.60 (See Bank Statements).
- 30th July 2006: OZALIWA registered as Community based Organisation, Non-profit Organisation, with ABN # 56 178 155 276, Tax File Number # 848 819 683
- 6th September 2006: Hosted Zambian High Commissioner to Australia, HIS Excellency Godfrey Simasiku's visit to Perth.
- January/February 2007: Participated in Edith Cowan University's (ECU) Orientation Program and raised $1012.50 for OZALIWA Account. In establishing partnership with ECU, the association demonstrated its ability in:
- o Identifying & serving the needs of ECU Zambian students on an on-going basis net-working with new students & old students, "bud-friend" arrangements, taking keen interest in the welfare of Zambian students
- o Fostering co-operation between Zambians and other communities (Universities) in WA
- 12th February to 4th March 2007: Hosted visiting Zambian Gospel Musicians (Ephraim Mutalange, Rechael Nanyangwe & Harold Chaala). OZALIWA organised performances at University of Notre Dame, New life Christian Community Church - Fremantle, Bethany Church - North Perth & at Kelmscott Church of Christ. Through organising Zambian gospel music performances OZALIWA realised it's objectives of:
- o Promoting the Zambian Culture
- o Fostering co-operation between Zambians and other communities in WA
- April to November 2007: Identified & serves the needs of Zambians:
- o Provided reports to High Commissioner, HIS Excellency Godfrey Simasiku, Zambian Embassy in Japan on Zambians in Custody (Imprisonment of some Zambians who had broken the law)
- o Maintained communication between Zambians in Custody and Education Providers.
- o Provided moral support to Zambians in need on social-cultural, spiritual, intellectual & economic matters
- o Acted as a forum for the dissemination & debate of information and knowledge about matters of interest for Zambians living in WA.
- o Nurtured, promoted and protected the interest of Zambians in WA
- 1st December 2007: Hosted "Zambian Bash"
- o Promoted the Zambian Culture
- o Fosteed co-operation between Zambians and other communities in WA. Friends (non-Zambians) were invited and welcome
- 26th January 2008: Held the first Annual General Meeting (AGM) to elect an Executive Committee.
- OZALIWA 2008
The 2008 Executive Committee comprises:
Chairperson : Mr Davies Chibale
Vice - Chairperson : Ms Mwaba Mwaba
Secretary : Ms Constance Dewan
Vice - Secretary : Mrs Chileshe Kanangu
Treasurer : Mr Martin Maliti
Vice - Treasurer : Mr Wilson Chalwe
Committee Members: Ms Nalishebo Meebelo
Mrs Agnes Nsofwa
Ms Joshua Mwambazi
Mr Andrew Kasiya
Fully paid Membership/renewals as at 29th Feb 08 totalled 31 Members
2008 Action Plan: Complete By
- o July to December review OZALIWA Constitution 31st December 08
- o Form Sub-Committees 30th June 08
- o Development of Website 31st July 08
- o Member Mobilisation On-going
- o Zambian Ball 25th October 08
- Family-friendly Function
- Challenges
This report has high-lighted OZALIWA success presented in the
chronological summary of activities/events above. Below are some
of OZALIWA challenges:
- o Raising of finances to fund OZALIWA activities to achieve association objectives
- o Increasing the fully paid - membership to meet at least 80% of registered Zambians on database
- o Achieving 100% awareness of the existence of OZALIWA to new students and relocating Zambians to WA
- o On-going effective identification and serving the needs of Zambians living in WA.
- o Dealing with Zambians who break the Law
- o Successfully implement the 2008 Action Plan.
- Future Aspirations & Conclusion
In this report the Organisation of Zambians Living in Western Australian (OZALIWA) has summarised where its coming from, its current status and what it intends to achieve this year. The past success are comforting, however, the challenges are like a stumbling block. 2008 Executive Committee comprises founding members, mature and young Zambians who are committed to realising the objectives of the association. The Executive Committee is determined to successful implementation of 2008 Action Plan through vigorous membership drive campaigns, writing of funding proposals to stakeholders, investment of current funds to achieve greater "Return On Investment" (ROI) and application of sound project management drawing on Management skills of its Executive Committee Members.
The Executive Committee understands OZALIWA Constitution and its objectives. Effective realisation of the association's objective is grounded in member's commitment to honour the ideals of the Founding members, coupled with un-wavering consular support that the association continues to receive from the Zambian High Commissioner to Australia and conducive freedom of association environment created by Australian people.
OZALIWA will continue to support multi-cultural policies of the Australian government and net-work with other communities to "make real"; Australia the best place to live!
OZALIWA does not claim to be "God's gift" to the Zambian & Australian community living in WA, but rather it is the gift IT HAS DECIDED TO BE TO THE ZAMBIAN & AUSTRALIAN COMMUNITIES THROUGH ITS VOLUNTARY COMMUNITY SERVICE.
Davies Chibale
2008 OZALIWA Chairman