Barclays Miles Ahead and Zambia Safari

Barclays Banks Miles Ahead project has been primed to start. The project aims to raise 100,000 British pounds for a sustainable community development in Zambia. Barclays Bank (BB) has asked customers and other stakeholders to join in this corporate social responsibility Jane Zulu BB fundraising leader disclosed recently.

Zulu said the project is in two parts:

• HIV/AIDS awareness exercise among the youths.
  
• Rehabilitation and construction of a youth resource center.

And it is Livingstone for the fundraiser. …But why not? The “Visit Zambia” campaign focuses on Livingstone town Zambia’s tourist capital. The fund raising activities such as fishing expeditions in September and the “Extreme Miles Day” in October 2005 will be held in Livingstone.

Both activities are colander items on the Zambia safari.

The two activities will attract national and international top executives to participate in various pre-sponsored water sports the likes of whitewater rafting, canoeing safari, bungi jumping, gorge flying, etc. And this is in line with the Visit Zambia 2005 campaign.

“Likumbi Lya Mize” the Zambia Safari

On Friday August 26, 2005 His Royal Highness Senior Chief Ndungu of the Lovale people celebrated “Likumbi Lya Mize” ceremony (day of Mize). The traditional ceremony is held yearly at “Mize” capital to appreciate and recognize the Lovale people. The Zambian president Levy Mwanawasa attended this year's ceremony.

On the Zambia safari calendar “Likumbi Lya Mize” is really a duet celebration. It witnesses the graduation of boys from their circumcision and subsequent long confinement. It also commemorates the annual traditional ceremony. The Lovale people live near the banks of the Zambezi River in North Western Province of Zambia. And that was the site of this ceremony.

It’s the dancers’ colourful traditional wear, the food and the traditional beer that make “Likumbi Lya Mize” all colourful and unforgettable.

At the start of Likumbi Lya Mize Chief Ndungu and his wife arrived into the arena carried on a throne fixed on poles. Shortly after the “Makishi” dancers arrived. These are spirits that live among the dead. So on this day they rose from the graves and meekly trooped in a single file into the arena. They greeted the chief and wished him good health. Just imagine the mark of respect. The spirits greeting the chief!

Recognition Ceremony
The makishi dress in lovely and colourful clothes that cover every part of their bodies. Obviously to prevent recognition. Only their feet are exposed, lest they fail to dance. Remember their job is to entertain the people. They wear masks representing all sorts of things and animals. A makishi will dress to satisfy their wildest dreams in weirdness. The purpose is to represent a particular spirit.

Then all hell broke loose! The dances begun and the people couldn’t hold on. They joined in unison to enjoy the dances with the makishi. This went on the whole day. Finally, when the day ended the makishi left. They crossed the Zambezi River to the western bank. There the dances continued over night

Circumcision Graduation
The following day early in the morning the traditional school the”Mukanda” is burnt to signal the graduation day. The boys who had been kept away from their parents and the rest of the community are returned to their parents as young men. They would have been away for six months learning crafts of a responsible husband. This is their graduation day from the circumcision done at the “Mukanda” the secret compound built for this purpose.

The Lovale are the only people in Zambia who practice male circumcision. The circumcision is held in secret. If you’re found ‘loitering’ near the Mukanda even if by accident the punishment is serious. Forced circumcision may be performed on the defaulting fellow. Be warned, keep away from the Mukanda!

The climax of the day is to witness the hand over of the boy initiates. Before this they will have performed special dances they had learned at the “Mukanda”. Thereafter they take a bath in the Zambezi River and dress up in new clothes provided by their parents.

Next year new boys will opt to be circumcised and Chief Ndungu and his people, the Lovale, will again celebrate the Likumbi Lya Mize… and Zambia safari will be on hand to invite you.

Now the President for Zambia Safari

The president of Madagascar Marc Ravalomanana was on a private visit in Livingstone Zambia from August 19 to 21. President Ravalomanana visited the Victoria Falls to wind down from the rigors of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) summit he attended in Botswana. The SADC conference discussed its future role in Southern African trade, oh and the politics of course.

Accompanied by his wife Lalao and two children the president decided to find out for himself what is Africa’s best kept secret and all the noise about the “Visit Zambia 2005” campaign.

President Ravalomanana travelled by road through Chobe National Park in Botswana into Zambia. The president’s entourage entered Zambia at Kazungula, a border post on the Zambezi River, at a point where four countries of Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia converge. What other place in the world brings four countries into precisely the same manner? Only in Zambia safari Africa’s best kept secret.

The first family was treated to what the Royal Livingstone hotel does best. Butlers reminiscent of Dr David Livingston’s dressing of that time, 150 years ago. The “Royal” is one of the two-hotel ‘combo’ and one of the latest hotel resort closest to Africa’s great waterfall. The Royal Livingstone was designed for a specific purpose. Luxury and comfort to wind down. And besides it has already done that to film stars and presidents!

LuSe No 3 Best in Africa

Standard and Poor (S&P) the world rating agency has ranked the Lusaka Stock Exchange (LuSE) the third best in Africa after Egypt and Ghana. The rankings were based on performance of the stock market last year (2004). But this wonder stock exchange is only eleven years old! …And Zambian tourism is to benefit from the capital raised through LuSE. …

According to the latest of rating of 102 stock exchanges world wide S&P World Stock Markets Fact Book ranked LuSE among the top 25 stock markets.

LuSE general manager Joseph Chikola was pleased, “We are very excited with this recognition by S&P, a world renowned rating agency…” Chikola said LuSe has continued to perform well so far. The stock market index has grown by 35.3 percent in US dollar terms in the last half of this year. With this performance, he said, LuSe is confident to surpass the 71.6 percent growth recorded last year.

“With an active and internationally recognized exchange there is need for companies that have primary operations in Zambia to seek to raise capital on another exchange, say the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) in London, Toronto in Canada or indeed the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE),” he said.

So why not raise your capital to invest in Zambia safari from LuSe? There is some cash you could pick up and use for your investment.

Zambia Safari and the Red List of Species

The World Conservation Union (IUCN) with its headquarters at Gland in Switzerland has compiled a Red List of endangered species. The 2004 Red List of threatened species contains tens of thousands of species. A whopping total of 15,000 species! The Red List is an indicator of the status of the health of world plants and animals.

Why are some species of fauna and flora (animals and plants) endangered to extinction? The answer is simple… Human activity! Man’s action constitutes one of the main threats to endangered species. Rather than preserve the delicate balance of nature that is important to mankind’s survival humans continue to abuse nature. Sadly many species are thus lost and along with them the natural resources that may prove invaluable.

Some of man’s activities meant to achieve one thing are highly dangerous to some species. For instance, agriculture to feed humans, mining of minerals, trade in timber (lumber) and animal products as well as pure greed for the pleasure of sport.

Just think of it. Man goes in the bush to shoot animals for the pleasure of sport. As a result some animals and plants are now extinct. One animal prominent on the Red List is the short-beaked common dolphin that has been reduced by 50 percent in the last 30 to 40 years. Another is the black-browed albatross.

And for Zambia safari the rhinoceros has been exterminated, poached to complete extinction in South Luangwa National Park in the Luangwa Valley where they roamed freely in their thousands only a few short 20 years ago.

In support of conservation Zambia safari has started the restocking of rhinos in the North Luangwa National Park.

Zambia Safari and 2005 Africa Motocross

Zambia Motor Sports Association (ZMSA) last week hosted the 2005 Africa Motorcycle Union (AMU) motocross championships at Eureka Motorpark in Lusaka. This was an African championship in motocross held over three days Friday through Sunday (August 12 to 14). ZMSA vice president Marco Comana announced

And the winners? Head of the South African (SA) team Melanie Jones was proud that SA had successfully defended their title. The 21 top class riders SA used won in all six classes. But then they had to win. You see, SA hosted the world Grand Prix championships at Sun City in mid July. That gave them good practice…so won the AMU championships

Then the motocross enthusiasts took off to enjoy Zambia safari. And why not when they’re already in Zambia?

Sun International Confident of Zambia Safari

Sun International Hotel out going general manager for Zambia Boris Borman is full of confident about Zambia safari. But then Borman knows his stuff. He appreciates the uniqueness and the attraction of the safaris found in Zambia. “We have made Livingstone investor-friendly as all eyes were fixed on Sun International at the time of our investment since Livingstone was perceived to be a high-risk area at that time,” he said.

The Sun International’s newest hotel resort is a ‘combo’ of two hotels built closest to the fairytale-like site at Victoria Falls. The hotel resort company is great at corporate citizenship. They have continued to contribute to the local communities in Livingstone. About US$400,000 has been their social responsibility in the last three years. Wow! Wouldn’t you agree that’s a great show of confidence?

Borman is an architect of a special programme. Sun International has implemented a steady ‘Zambianisation’ policy with 18 Zambians ascending to management positions in the last two years. “We will continue with the programme of getting more Zambians into senior management positions because this is a Zambian registered company. Eventually, even the general manager will be Zambian.”

Says Borman, “One weakness we discovered about Zambia’s tourism industry was that there were not enough facilities to train people to world class tourism standards...”

But for Sun International to upgrade Zambians to management ranks means the country is now acquiring those facilities. Zambia safari is today poised for the challenge of improved tourism. So what gives? Take your pick and invest in Zambian safaris. That’s an opportunity awaiting you.

…And Russell Binks the in coming general manager agrees totally with his predecessor.

Zesco Investment Powers Zambia Safari

By 2010 Zesco , a Zambian electricity supply company, will increase its power generation capacity to 4500 Megawatts (MW). This increase is more than 60 percent and will also increase power for Zambia safari .

This is possible because many Zambian rivers are suitable for harnessing hydroelectricity.

Senior manager, public relations Monica Chisela said the increase in power out put from the current 1,608 MW to 4,500 MW would make Zambia sufficient in electricity. This will increase consumer access from 22 per cent to 50 per cent. That’s more energy to support economic development and the Zambian tourism too!

The central location of Zambia in south-central Africa is a strategic advantage. Power can be generated for export to the region. And the anticipated regional power deficit in 2007 will be prevented. “We are preparing ourselves for this deficit both locally and internationally to take advantage of the central location and be able to export,” said Ms Chisela.

The planned rehabilitation works involve the up rating of the generation capacity at Kafue Gorge power station and at Kariba North Bank power station.

The new projects are the construction of new hydroelectric power stations:

• One in Kafue Gorge Lower in conjunction with Sinohydro of China at a of cost of US$120 million.
• Another at the Itezhi-tezhi dam with the assistance of Farab of Iran (US$600 million).
• And the installation of two new generators at Kariba North Bank.

Ms Chisela said the design details, implementation and construction of the Kafue Lower, were expected to commence early 2006 while the expected completion for the Itezhi-tezhi project is estimated for 2008/09.

…And what is the good news? The Victoria Falls power station is a sacred “cow.” It will not be touched. That’s because the Victoria Falls area is the cradle of Zambia safari and a world heritage site. And all conservationists can have a field day!

Tourism Investment for Zambia Safari

The Zambia safari’s wildlife estate consists of 19 national parks and 34 game management areas. That’s a whopping 30 percent of Zambia’s 752,614 square kilometers. In this estate there are not less than 749 bird species and over 200 species of mammals recorded… and the counting continues!

Zambia’s local government and housing minister Sylvia Masebo said this to the Nagoya Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Japan during the Expo 2005.

Investment opportunities are huge. “For example, of the 19 national parks only four have been developed, thereby presenting investment opportunities in the remaining 15 parks.” Masebo also mentioned that other “opportunities also existed in adventure activities such as white water rafting, bungee jumping and abseiling…

With the low population to land ratio of 15 people per square kilometre Zambia is sparsely populated. The country has tracts and tracts of empty land… That’s why the slogan, “teeming wildlife in pristine wilderness..." So it makes good business sense to invest in Zambia because of the abundant unexploited, natural and cultural resources.

The liberalised economy has brought positive macroeconomic environment. The interest rates and inflation levels are on the downward trend…not common in Africa. The low custom tariffs and the political stability since independence in 1964 make Zambia a safe and secure investment destination. Add to that a developed financial service, banking and a stock exchange. And in addition there are no foreign currency exchange controls making Zambia just about the only country in Africa.

Masebo said more opportunities for investment in Zambian tourism existed in the provision of first class accommodation for top class hotels, lodges, camps and restaurants. And the Zambian government encourages the principle of Private-Public Partnership.

Livingstone’s Descendants And Zambia Safari

British Airways (BA) has donated four return air tickets to the Livingstone Events Organisation (LEO) to enable two of Dr Livingstone's descendants to travel to Zambia for Zambia safari in November 2005. Dr Livingstone discovered the mighty Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, on November 16, 1855. Now, that’s 150 years ago!

And LEO chief executive officer Frederick Mwendapole has disclosed that most of the heritage places in Livingstone have been rehabilitated and renovated for the Visit Zambia 2005 campaign. Already other activities such as the centennial celebrations of the Victoria Falls Bridge and Livingstone city have taken place. These were the April activities.

Mwendapole said British Airways had agreed to sponsor Dr Livingstone's descendants, with their spouses from UK to Zambia to enable them participate in the centenary celebrations. According to the Livingstone Centenary Celebrations 2005, the 150 years anniversary of Dr Livingstone sighting of the Victoria Falls celebrations would be held on 15th and 16th November in Livingstone.

LEO has managed to locate two of Dr Livingstone's great grand children Dr David Livingstone Wilson and Dierdre Nyasa Rolf Livingstone. Dr Livingstone's descendants and their spouses would be in the country for five days and Tongabezi Lodge had offered to host them. They have the honour to sample Zambia safari.

LEO is organising monthly events as a build up to the November celebrations. The Zambia Safari Carnival Celebration “Train” is on the move…

"If the events are successful then they will be held annually. For instance the Livingstone golf club will celebrate a centenary in 2008. And 2010 is a centenary for the first air link from Livingstone to Johannesburg. There will also be the World Cup…” and tourists may enjoy Zambian tourism before the start of the world’s most popular game in South Africa…or perhaps visit after the games in order to wind down.