President Lungu’s Opening of Victoria Falls in Pictures
Zambian youths need Change; not a ‘FIX’
By Christine Musole
When you fix something it breaks, you fix again, again, again and again and it still breaks. A broken system can’t be fixed and is not sustainable. And that is what capitalism and capitalist oriented parties have been doing to our country, and this has lead us nowhere but to deep poverty, hopelessness, and never-ending human suffering. But what we the youth in Zambia want is change, and true change and transformation in its real tangible sense, not a ‘Fix’.
The Zambia the youth want, desire, dream of, long for, can not be attained through fixing. The Zambia the youth deserve needs committed leadership grounded in the people’s ideology that serves the struggling masses; that struggles for a better transformed Zambia and tomorrow. We also need a leadership that truly involves the youth, that is true to our realities; a leadership with a vision to change and transform the education system, our universities, the agriculture sector, the health sector, mining, and create more jobs for us. Today, despite the degrees and diplomas to our names, a number of us continue to languish on the streets.
The Socialist Party brings to the table, a leadership with a wealth of experience, with a vision and knowledge to truly transform and change, and redirect this country and give us back the pride and smile we once had.
The game of fixing, the promises of fixing things will take this country nowhere. It will be the same circle of capitalist oriented approaches that yeild similar results we have seen before i.e. only uplifting a few bwanas here and there, and leaving the rest of us behind; the majority of us wondering what happened; and back again to the same circle of poverty, hunger and frustration. We need to truly look to alternatives!
The Socialist Party is clear about the change it proposes under the humble leadership of Dr. Fred M’membe. The SP is putting forward a vision to qualitatively change this country and move it back on track. Our change agenda (also detailed in our soon coming manifesto) speaks to how we will ensure free health care, free education, transformation of peasant agriculture, new approaches to mining and the mining sector that takes a diversified approach, and in all these sectors creating multiple jobs for many Zambians.
We invite the youth, including young women to join the revolutionary movement with a change agenda!
The Author is a Socialist Party Youth in charge of political education. The Socialist Party is led by Fred M’membe and Cosmas Musumali
CEC, Zesco Opt for Arbitration
The end of the bitter war over the future of the Bulk Supply Agreement which expired last month, Zesco and Copperbelt Energy Corporation have commenced the process of arbitration with the hope of settling their deep-rooted differences.
At the end of March, Zesco proceeded to terminate its Bulk Supply Agreement with CEC over a tariff dispute, effectively ending a 20-year business relationship.
But in a notice to Shareholders, CEC says arbitration matter with Zesco is in process and remains under adjudication.
“Shareholders are referred to the cautionary announcement, dated 27th September 2019, issued by the Board of Directors of CEC informing the market that CEC was in receipt of a notice of intention to arbitrate from Zesco Limited, pursuant to the Bulk Supply Agreement and Article 3 of the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules 1976, resulting from ZESCO’s claim that CEC has failed to pay money due to them for electricity supplied under the BSA,” the notice read.
” The amounts outstanding relate to the supply of power by CEC to Konkola Copper Mines Plc. Zesco’s other cited ground is its disagreement with a statement in CEC’s 2018 annual report relating to the contingent liability arising from the 2014 Energy Regulation Board electricity tariff increase specific to the mining companies, which the mining customers have legally contested and were granted a Court injunction, pending the determination of the matter by the High Court for Zambia.”
Why a Marshall Plan for Africa might be Dead Aid too
By Caesar Cheelo, Senior Researcher-Macroeconomics at ZIPAR
Recently, world-renowned author and Zambian economist Dambisa Felicia Moyo wrote an article in the Economist on a “Marshall Plan” for Africa, where, in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, she U-turned from her acclaimed book on Dead Aid.
Dambisa’s change of heart was somewhat unexpected given her strong critique of foreign aid over a decade ago. Nonetheless, her new arguments are quite intriguing, enlightening and provocative. She now propositions the proverbial West – mainly America and Europe – to provide greater aid to Africa, including direct cash transfers to African households to alleviate the COVID-19 crisis. She covers several key issues that Africa and indeed the world should take time to reflect on and debate.
When I read Dambisa’s well-articulated article, my first reaction was: wait a moment, other than the COVID-19 outbreak, what has changed in Africa? Has the corruption and political elite State capture of yesteryear in many African countries now been sufficiently resolved to assure prudent use of aid resources? Operationally, how would the West pull off direct cash transfers to households while sidestepping Governments? How should the West handle the real economic diplomacy risks of being seen to undermine the sovereignty of State and polity? These questions remain…
Dambisa motivates the Marshall Plan for Africa on three counts, morality, migration and influence.
Regarding the morality argument, I quite agree that to save African lives, particularly given the persistently high levels of poverty, inequality and vulnerability, much more health support from the international community will be needed. However, Dambisa estimates that US$135 billion would be too little and US$1 trillion would be more in line with the scale of the problem, albeit on the ambitious side. She further reports estimates that 1.2 billion people in Africa (virtually everyone) will get inflected with COVID-19 by end-2020 and 3.3 million possibly dying from the pandemic. In contrast, as of 6th May 2020, Zambia had recorded a cumulative total of 146 COVID-19 cases, with 4 deaths (3% of total compared to a world average of 7% deaths), 101 recoveries (69% compared to 33% globally) and only 41 active cases (28% compared to 60% globally). The remarkable recovery rate over a relatively short 48-day period since the first COVID-19 case was confirmed on 18th March highlights strong possibility of considerably lower health burdens in some African countries than the world average. The point here is that we must be careful to estimate the scale of the COVID-19 problem in Africa as accurately as possible based on data.
The second motivation is that migration is potentially a big Africa-wide risk for the West in the event of inaction. This idea seems to perceive Africa in a rather monolithic – one size fits all – manner. For instance, given the barrier of geography, it is hard to imagine that much of Southern Africa can embark on a great migration that poses a major migration problem for the West…
The third reason for the Marshall Plan, influence, is a big and controversial issue. The influence argument encourages Western aid actions towards counteracting the growing geopolitical influence and footprint of China in Africa. Essentially the argument is that: “America needs to lead” and “The economic harm of doing nothing may be costlier than intervening”. This is worth some reflection.
To start, Dambisa rightly pointed out the trade, investment and aid relations that China is using to woo Africa. She gives some striking statistics of Chinese exports to Africa reaching US$90 billion in 2018 and foreign investment inflows from China into Africa averaging about US$5.4 billion. One curiously missing statistical insight relates to Africa’s indebtedness to China. The recent China-Africa Research Initiative (CARI) dataset (http://www.sais-cari.org/data) suggests that over 2010-2017 Africa borrowed US$14.9 billion per year on average from China. Surely, with this dispensation, large chunks of Western aid assistance to Africa would be lost as African debt service payments to China. Granted, the IMF and World Bank have orchestrated a debt service moratorium (standstill) by the G20 countries, China included, for the rest of 2020. However with this debt relief being a fleeting interim measure by nature, the West would be ill-advised to marshal a Marshall Plan for Africa.
Moreover, before COVID-19, China may already have been too far ahead in the game for America and friends to make any meaningful geopolitical counter-plays during COVID-19. As Forbes magazine (https://www.forbes.com/sites/wadeshepard/2020/02/28/how-beijing-is-losing-support-for-its-belt-and-road-initiative/#7f8b61112199) puts it: “The [Chinese] Belt and Road is a $900 million/$1 trillion/$5 trillion dollar initiative spanning 65 countries, 60% of the world’s population, 75% of energy resources, and 30% of GDP”. Arguably, the West can surmise that it already lost the current round of the geopolitical battle for the world, Africa included, before the COVID-19 outbreak.
Interestingly, the advocacy for the Marshall Plan for Africa is premised on quite a few phrases like “the West may prevent Africa from pivoting further towards China”, “A Western aid project would be a counterweight to China’s influence and may pay itself back in… the West’s interests” and “the risks of inaction are great, too: … [including] pushing the continent closer to China”. Simply put, the West is Africa’s savior and China the villain. Treading carefully given that the West is by no means a homogenous group, Dr. Arikana Chihombori Quao’s strong views on France’s relations with its former colonies in Africa come to mind. In one of her most poignant statements, on YouTube
She argues that, economically, France still controls 14 of its former African colonies through a document signed at independence, so-called the Pact for the Continuation of Colonization. This pact, according to Dr. Quao, mandates the former French African colonies to remit 50-60% of their bank reserves to the Central Bank of France. The francophone African countries can apparently apply to borrow 20% of their own reserves at commercial interest rates. Meanwhile, France invests the bulk of the proceeds – reportedly approximately US$500 million per year – in the French stock market. And for every US$14 billion that France extracts and invests in this way, it realizes returns upwards of US$300 billion. Assuming this is true or at least partially true, subject to confirmation of the reported formal arrangements and the numbers, is it China or France that is the greater evil for Africa?
While it is desirable that the international community rallies together to save lives in African, the COVID-19 crisis must not be the blackmail letter attempting to coerce the West into increasing aid to rebuild the African economy. Rebuilding Africa should be Africa’s job. Thus, perhaps COVID-19 is an opportunity, not for more economic aid, but for leaving Africa alone for a moment so that, if necessary, she can go into incentive care on the economic front. Maybe it is only after experiencing the full devastation of economic mismanagement, corruption and other vices perpetrated by our political leaders that Africa’s citizens will finally hear the wakeup call that pushes us into making radically different political and economic choices, which break the continent from the past. This, and not more aid or more debt accumulation will save Africa.
Ultimately, a Marshall Plan for Africa is quite possibly dead aid, just like other forms of aid.
174 new COVID-19 Cases Recorded in Zambia, bringing the total to 441
Zambia has recorded 174 new COVID-19 cases, the highest since the outbreak, over a period of 72 hours after test results from Nakonde come in, bringing the new cumulative total to 441.
Speaking at the latest media briefing today, Health Minister Dr. Chitalu Chilufya said the new cases are from tests conducted on May 9th and 10th include 126 recorded in Nakonde and 29 on the Copper belt Province, among others. The Minister said that the numbers include truck drivers, the staff at points of entry and health workers.
Dr. Chilufya further said that of the new cases 66 are truck drivers, hence the movement of trucks being considered as a key factor, fueling the spread of the virus and noted the need to ensure stringent measures in managing the movement of trucks in the country.
Dr. Chilufya, however, stated that Lusaka has not recorded any case from the over 300 tests done and no discharges have been recorded, but said that all patients quarantined are in stable condition and none of them, is on a ventilator.
The Minister also observed that some of Zambia’s neighbours are influencing the pandemic like the DRC and Tanzania having high numbers recorded so far, and called for re-looking at cross border collaboration between Zambia and its neighbours.
Dr. Chilufya also advised citizens to stay home and observe the health guidelines given as part of avoiding the further spread of the virus following many districts across the country recording cases.
Dr. Chilufya said positive Covid-19 cases are expected to peak in about three months adding that Africa’s mortality rate from the pandemic has not reached its peak.
The latest numbers also include 5 cases in North-Western and 14 in Central Province.
Zambia has so far done over 10 600 tests with 7 deaths recorded and 117 recoveries and discharges.
President Lungu Opens Victoria Falls
President EDGAR LUNGU has opened the Victoria falls to the public which was closed due to the outbreak of Covid 19 pandemic.
President LUNGU says he wants key sectors of the economy running whilst observing the new normal of following Covid 19 health guidelines.
The President also said government will give incentives to sectors such as tourism in order to help it grow and sustain the available jobs.
He said the minister of finance will be briefed on which reliefs to give to the tourism sector.
President LUNGU also toured some hotels in Livingstone in order to appreciated the challenges faced by the sector.
The head of state was briefed that hotels in Livingstone were incurring losses because there are no tourists to book rooms and other facilities.
Later the head of state had his lunch at Chrisma Hotel restaurant where social-distancing was observed.
President LUNGU said he decided to have lunch at a restaurant in oder to show his support to the hospitality industry which has been hardly hit by the pandemic.
And tourism minister Ronald Chitotela says the President’s decision to open up the sector will help save many jobs.
Mr Chitotela assured President Lungu that the sector will adhere to the new normal.
Meanwhile Livingstone tourism Council representative Rodney Sikumba says the council is grateful to government for responding to their request of opening up the tourism sector.
Zambeef sells its Sinazongwe Farm to Chinese firm for US$10 million
Zambeef has announced that it has completed the sale of its Sinazongwe farm for US$ 10 million to Chenguang Biotech Agri-Dev Zambia Limited, a subsidiary of the Chenguang Biotech Group Co. Limited of China.
This was after Zambeef received final outstanding amount of U$ 6million from Chenguang this month after the initial payment of Us$ 4million.
The Sinazongwe sale proceeds will be used to pay down Zambeef’s debt and thus reduce gearing and interest costs.
Net proceeds after payment of various regulatory and other professional fees/costs) are expected to be USD9.25 million.
“As previously announced, the disposal of Sinazongwe Farm is a manifestation of the group’s stated strategy to focus on its core business of producing and retailing cold chain meat and dairy products and stock feed,” Zambeef said in a statement.
Sinazongwe Farm is located in the southern Zambezi valley along the northern shore of Lake Kariba, approximately 70 km south-east of Choma town.
The farm previously owned by government was acquired by Zambeef in 2003 for approximately USD2.3m from the Zambian government.
Sinazongwe Farm is made up of three land parcels, all on title deeds comprising a total land area of approximately 2,549.8 Ha. of which approximately 1,815 Ha is developed.
The main crops grown on the Farm are soya beans and wheat.
Zambeef Chairman Dr. Jacob Mwanza justified the transaction saying the disposal of Sinazongwe Farm is in line with the Group’s strategy of focusing on its core business of the production and retailing of cold chain meat and dairy products and stockfeed.
Dr Mwanza added that the Group’s largest, most efficient and most profitable farming estate is Mpongwe Farm adding that to have four farming estates very far apart from each other is costly, inefficient and administratively cumbersome.
Sinazongwe lies between 300m and 900m above sea level and cover a total area 4,964 square kilometre while Zambeef’s farm covers 2,549.8 Hectares.
The Chenguang Group is a listed company on the Shenzhen stock exchange with 22 subsidiary companies and is one of the world’s leading producers and suppliers of natural plant extraction for paprika oleoresin, capsicum oleoresin and marigold oleoresin.
The Chenguang Group also manufactures natural pigments, natural spice extracts, essential oils, natural nutrient and medicinal extracts and protein.
DRC asks Zimbabwe to mediate over border dispute with Zambia
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has approached Zimbabwean President Mnangagwa to mediate in its long-standing border dispute with Zambia in his capacity as Chairman of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.
DRC and Zambia have had misunderstandings over one part of their common 1 600km border, the latest arising from a late 1980s attempt to demarcate the frontier with beacons.
There was a treaty which was signed in 1989 by the then Presidents Kenneth Kaunda and Mobutu Sese Seko where there were beacons put along the border.
Zimbabwe was mandated by SADC to ensure the maintenance of peace, security and rule of law within the region.
DRC special envoy Marie Nzeza on Monday met President Mnangagwa at State House to brief him on the situation.
Defense and War Veterans Affairs Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Sibusiso Moyo, Commander Defence Forces Phillip Valerio Sibanda and other senior Government officials attended the meeting.
Addressing the media after the meeting, President Mnangagwa said both countries were seeking SADC’s intervention.
“A special envoy from my brother Tshisekedi of the DRC briefed me on the situation in DRC, in particular in relation to the current Covid-19 pandemic and how they are tackling it. There is also the security situation where DRC and Zambia want the organ on Defence and Politics to look at a small matter which is existing between the Republic of Zambia and DRC,” President Mnangagwa said.
The DRC envoy, who is the country’s Foreign Affairs minister, refused to shed finer details on the matter, saying she was not at liberty to share what was discussed.
Minister Moyo explained dynamics informing the special envoy’s visit.
“Zambia and DRC have got a borderline which is 1, 600 kilometers long and as a result of that, it has had some different forms of misinterpretation of where Zambia was and ends. There was a treaty which was signed in 1989 by the then Presidents Kenneth Kaunda and Mobutu Sese Seko where there were beacons put along the border.
‘‘There was a conflict at one of the border areas and they have decided to approach the organ on Defence and Security so that this can be resolved peacefully in the spirit of SADC,” Minister Moyo said.
Under a strict and founding African Union policy, colonial frontiers remain in place unless otherwise agreed without dissent.
The occasional border disputes, such as between Nigeria and Cameroon and between Botswana and Namibia, have all arisen because of ambiguities or incomplete information in a colonial treaty.
Muchinga Province Minister happy with high level of compliance during the temporary closure of the Nakonde border
Muchinga Province Minister Malozo Sichone is happy with the high level of compliance during the temporary closure of the Nakonde border.
Mr. Sichone is also impressed with what the Ministry of Health staff has done so far during the temporary closure of the border, to stop the further spread of COVID-19.
The temporary closure of the Nakonde border has entered day two.
Mr. Sichone, who is in Nakonde to supervise the lockdown, also visited Chiyanga and Ntindi settlements located at the border.
He, however, expressed disappointment over the behaviour of some people using motorbikes to sneak in and out of the neighbouring border town of Tunduma to do various businesses.
Meanwhile, Mr. Sichone has announced that 50 fuel tankers marooned at Tunduma, a border town in Tanzania, will be allowed to pass through the border alongside trucks carrying essential goods such as drugs and food.
Inonge Wina praises Disaster Management Unit for accounting for all COVID-19 Donations
Vice President Mrs. Inonge Wina has hailed the Ministry of Health and the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) for ensuring that all donations received from the general public towards COVID-19 are well accounted for.
The Vice President says the two institutions have exhibited high levels of accountability in the management of COVID-19 donations in terms of receipts and disbursements.
“This includes financial and material donations currently the office of the auditor general has stationed 16 auditors at DMMU and the Ministry of Health to work with internal auditors in ensuring accountability of all donations.” Mrs. Wina stated.
She has further thanked the Auditor General for expeditiously and diligently ensuring accountability of all resources received both at DMMU and at the Ministry of Health.
She has also directed the DMMU National Coordinator Mr. Chanda Kabwe and Permanent Secretaries at the Ministry of Health to publish in the media a schedule of all donations received.
She said this will build confidence in the Zambian people that the donations received are being used accordingly.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Wina has directed the Ministry of Health and DMMU to ensure that all pupils in examination classes have reusable face masks as they resume classes on June 1st, 2020 as directed by President Edgar Lungu.
“As President Edgar Lungu directed that examination classes be reopened on the 1st of June and that all pupils be given reusable face masks. I emphasize that the Ministry of Health and DMMU must ensure that these reusable Masks are ready for all the pupils, please liaise with the Ministry of General Education.” She stated.
And Further, the Vice President has urged the two institutions to engage local tailors in the manufacturing of face masks.
She has since directed all district administrations to identify women and youths in tailoring, to undertake the exercise.
Mrs. Wina was speaking when she gave a statement on COVID-19 response activities at DMMU today.
And speaking earlier, DMMU National Coordinator Mr. Chanda Kabwe disclosed that Zambia has received support from the World Bank to the time of USD$1.4 Million for the construction of a world-class emergency center with the new technology.
He said the technology will link the Ministry of Transport and Communication’s meteorological department, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
This was after Mrs. Wina toured the DMMU’s call center which is also dealing with the disasters and the COVID-19 response.
Amos Chanda walks free as State enters nolle prosequi
The State has entered a nolle prosequi in a case where former presidential aid Amos Chanda and two others were dragged to court on allegations of corrupt practices.
The matter which had undisclosed reasons had Walid El Nahas, the former director of Intelligence Mobility Solutions (IMS) jointly charged with Mr. Chanda, and former Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) chief executive officer Zindaba Soko on allegations of corrupt practices and being in possession of 21,000 USD.
When the matter came up this morning, state prosecutor Sipholiano Phiri told Chief Resident Magistrate Lameck Mwale that the state was discontuing the matter against all three accused persons through a nolle prosequi.
“The matter was scheduled for continuation of trial. However, the court was informed that the state has discontinued the matter against the accused persons through a nolle prosequi. We are most obliged,” Phiri said.
Magistrate Mwale said in light of the nolle prosequi entered by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), he had discontinued proceedings against all the three accused persons and discharged them all.
Chanda who has maintained a low profile since his resignation as State House Press Attache when contacted for a comment expressed relief.
And when asked on what next Mr. Chanda laughed away and would not give a response.
Mr. Chanda resigned as State House Spokesperson on June 6th, 2019 stating that he was considering pursuing other political careers.
His resignation came as a shock to many who speculated on reasons for his resignation.
On November 14th 2019 the Drug Enforcement Commission arrested Mr. Chanda and charged him with corrupt practices by public officer and receiving property suspected to be proceeds of crime all of which the state has today entered into a nolle
Olympic Youth Development Centre Turns 10 Years
The Olympic Youth Development Centre in Lusaka has clocked 10 years of operations.
The multi-sport facility was opened on May 11, 2010 by ex -republican President Rupiah Banda and former International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge.
OYDC has hosted numerous international and regional events including 2012 Africa Youth Zone 6 Championships.
It has also been a camping venue for Zambian athletes in transit for major international events.
Zambia’s senior and junior national teams and club’s use the facilities artificial football pitch to practice for foreign assignments on similar surfaces.
“The past ten years have been tremendous to us as we have witnessed a number of athletes who train from our facilities participate in competitive games such as Olympic Games and other regional games with some coming back home with medals,” OYDC CEO Fredrick Chitangala said.
OYDC has since its inception been home of junior sports programmes with the flagship initiative being the Teulings Sports Challenge sponsored by Coen Teulings, Chairman of the Merifin Capital in Belgium.
The Teulings Sports Challenge covers disciplines from football, tennis, volleyball, beach volleyball, swimming and taekwondo.
“In 2018 we were conferred with a ‘Medal of Honour’ by the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 for our immerse contribution to sport development in the region. Not only that the OYDC Zambia in 2019 was recognized as a high performance centre by the Association of Sport Performance Centres (ASPC) based in Spain and subsequently became a member of the organization. We couldn’t attain all this without the unwavering support from everyone who uses our facility and see that the OYDC Zambia is always hive of activities,” Chitangala said.
Mosi day of thunder 2020 cancelled – relaunches as a one-off collaboration edition
Zambian Breweries has with deep regret and sadness announced the cancellation of this year’s 5th Edition of the beloved Mosi Day of Thunder Music festival in Livingstone, which was due to take place on 23rd May. This is in compliance with the restrictions on large social gatherings put in place by the Government of Zambia in order to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.
“This was not an easy decision but we have to put the safety of our community first. Around the world, festivals, sporting events and community celebrations are being cancelled or postponed due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19; and ours should not be an exception. It is a collective responsibility to fight the spread of this pandemic and we trust that our consumers will understand this as a joint effort to protect our community.” said Zambian Breweries Country Director, Jose Moran.
Zambian Breweries in collaboration with R&G Events will now host a solidary event in Lusaka dubbed “Mosi Day of Thunder – Collabo Edition” on 10th October 2020 at The R&G Arena in Lusaka focused on raising funds to create relief to the city of Livingstone and the tourism and arts sector impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. “It is in our DNA to bring people together for a better world and recognize that the local and international tourism industry required significant assistance to rebuild and that is why we have decided to donate part of the proceeds from this event to this Pro-Livingstone Tourism and Arts Fund.”
While this event is a corporate social initiative to generate funds to support the tourism industry of the vibrant city of Livingstone and home of the mighty Mosi-oa-Tunya, Zambian Breweries will maintain the promise of celebrating the best of local talent with local artists Mampi and Chef 187 joining the previously announced lineup featuring Slap Dee, Macky 2, Jay Rox, Yo Maps, Mic Burner, Magg 44, Natasha Chansa and Dope Boys including the country’s leading DJs. As an unfortunate outcome, the guest artist Sampa The Great will not perform at the event due to a clash in her scheduled dates. However, South African guest artist DJ Prince Kaybee will still perform at the event among the exciting list of local artists.
The sixth edition of the Mosi DOT will return to Livingstone in 2021 as per festival tradition and will endure to be a showcase of Zambian talent on the country’s biggest musical stage.
Mr. Moran further urged the public to adhere to the measures put in place to prevent the spread of the coronavirus until it is safe to socialize once again. “We will continue to unite people through music and find ways to connect with the community during this trying time. Our upcoming series of Mosi online music experiences to be launched this week will be innovative and exciting activities to keep our consumers entertained while they stay at home” he added.
Ticket refunds for those that bought tickets for this year’s Mosi Day of Thunder edition for Livingstone will be available at Computicket in Shoprite outlets, starting Friday 15th May, 2020. For more details, visit the Mosi Premium Lager Facebook Page.
Diversification of the Zambian economy: Airport ideas for Zambia Tourist Board
By Aristide Bance
I came across an article on the 10th of May, 2020 written by Benedict Tembo titled “ Who owns Victoria Falls? “ The opening lines were as follows:
“Victoria Falls is ours, not yours, Zambia tells SA, but tourism experts blame poor marketing for confusion.”
In the article, it is also outlined by Mr. Tembo that South African tour operators have taken advantage of the fact that Victoria Falls is one and half hours by air from Johannesburg and through sleight of hand advertising, promote it as one of its own tourism hotspots.
The very same way Zimbabwe has beaten Zambia to the Victoria Falls; South Africa has seen the weakness in the Zambia Tourist Board and their marketing will and have taken to basically stealing the Mighty Victoria Falls under our noses.
I had to set a premise of this article before I could start on the idea I just thought of. The Zambia Tourist Board (ZTB) is free to take the idea if they feel it will add value to their operations. We are currently battling Covid-19 as a global pandemic and many sectors of the global economies are suffering. One sector being the tourism sector. The global pandemic has forever changed the world we live in and what we do after this is very crucial to jump starting any country’s economy. The tourism industry has felt the wrath and may add fuel to fears of travelling but nonetheless, there are people who will want to travel more after the pandemic is gone. The Zambia Tourist Board should take advantage of the new Kenneth Kaunda International Airport being constructed, as it is to become an Airport City. The board can establish a mini museum at the ultra-modern facility to show case Zambia’s tourist attractions. I have not been to the Livingstone Airport but that one can serve as a good ground to showcase the Tourist Capital’s biggest asset, the Mighty Victoria Falls. The creation of such museums is a job creation strategy, which may lead to diversification of the Zambian economy.
I am not suggesting that the Zambia Tourist Board start with a mega big museum, as I know issues of budget and money may come into play. The board can start small and build up on that blueprint. I have come through the airport gates in Lusaka with a number of my foreign friends and what these people want to see is more than the two boutiques and memorabilia shops that the airport has currently. Making the new Kenneth Kaunda International Airport into an Airport City means having an array of activities to choose from. Being at the airport waiting for a flight should not be a punishment. Another idea that the Zambia Tourist Board can have is just a simple International Tourist Bureau where people can book for local transport and get information about the city they are in. For the International Tourist Bureau to be functional, the board can simply transfer and replicate their daily activities. It is a pity to land in Lusaka at the international airport and not have a simple information booth that can provide one with information. This, if executed properly has the potential to create jobs because there is an informational element in it and technology can also be incorporated.
As the frenzy of having shopping malls in Zambia is still at its height, I know there are going to be shopping malls at the Airport City, but having other amenities at an airport can help in the international ranking of an airport. The Zambia Tourist Board can also have a cultural centre in similar fashion as a museum in a bid to highlight the Zambian life. A good example of where this has been implemented is the Incheon International Airport in Seoul, South Korea where the Traditional Korean Cultural Experience Zone offers a taste of Korean Culture. At this centre, tourists can make traditional crafts, such as Hanji, traditional Korean paper, or Dancheong, paintwork on wooden buildings and tourists can try for Korean clothing and accessories and pose for a photo. As a tourist, one can also take part in a musical performance.
Another initiative that the Zambia Tourist Board can look at is embracing the technological era by making use of an e-book library, which tourists can utilise and maybe buy books at good prices. This is taking into account that nowadays, people travel with reading tablets and may want books on the go.
In conclusion, the Zambia Tourist Board should become more aggressive and not waste time fighting other aggressive marketers who are also in the game. The ball is in your court, Zambia Tourist Board, take the bull by its horns and control your own destiny.
People in Lusaka seem not to care about the importance of adhering to the Coronavirus measures
Flash buses proprietor Ismail Khankara has called for collective responsibility that will help the government fight COVID-19 successfully, noting with concern that most people in Lusaka seem not to care about the importance of adhering to the Coronavirus measures, citing lack of social distancing and failure to mask up.
Speaking when he featured on ZNBC during the COVID-19 program, Mr. Khankara who is also the Association of Indian Community in Zambia board member said the government is in an awkward situation as a result of the pandemic and requires the full support of the citizens.
“Government is between a rock and a hard place and initially I wanted to shut down the business but I understand the President’s predicament and his desire to keep the economy running for the sake of the poor,” he said.
He said the President is doing everything possible to ensure the economy continues to run but requires that people mask up, ensure social distancing and other measures so that progress is not retarded.
And Mr. Khankara has said he is making sure his workers are supporting the health guidelines and said he has gone further to put disinfection facilities so that all the buses are disinfected for the sake of the traveling public.