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Dear All
Have you missed me? This is the revival of the Livingstone biWeekly. Sorry, we are going to lose one newsletter
every other week ... The revival is all thanks to sponsors. All my sponsors are listed at the end of the newsletter.
My header is of the Victoria Falls from the newly-tarred
Botswana Road from the airport through Dambwa. It is a
stunning view and when the spray disappears into the
lowering clouds it is almost magical.
Since my last Weekly it has been the rainy season. It still is
the rainy season. It has not been a good one, but we are
still experiencing some late rains.
I have been in my garden having a great time. Reoganising,
replanting and generally getting dirty. I have had the
company of my kingfishers who continue to entertain.
LIVINGSTONE Problems with rain
When it rains in Livingstone it can bucket down. And all the rainwater has to go somewhere. Livingstone is on sand,
so when the rain gushes down the hillside it takes the top soil with it.
The roads become rivers and after the rain has stopped some of them have become gullies. This was shown
dramatically on a road near my house. The situation has been made worse by the new roads which are channelling
the rain run-off down the drains. Surely we need to make a plan against this.
Our local entrepreneurs are not against making use of the top soil run-off. A lot of it is ending up on the road and
they are out shovelling it up and waiting for a sand truck – good for building. Inyatsi, the road contractor, sent a road
sweeper along one of the new roads in Dambwa to clear the road of sand. This is definitely what the Council needs.
Chickens and dogs
According to reports the Lusaka Council is clamping down on stray dogs. Dogs which are found roaming around the
streets with no sign of an owner will be euthanized. Some people are saying that this is cruel. From my side it is not.
Many dogs in Livingstone scavenge from rubbish tips because they are not fed properly. They are not vaccinated
against rabies. People are afraid to walk the streets. Dog owners have to have a sense of responsibility towards their
dogs and, if they don’t, then it is the dogs who suffer. It is better that they are put down.
Similarly, Lusaka Council has banned the rearing of chickens in residential areas. Three cheers from me too. This year
the flies have been almost uncontrollable. My neighbours have chickens and I know that the flies are breeding there,
coming over to my house and giving me a huge problem. Flies carry diseases apart from being irritating. I have been
forced to put poison around my house just to kill the flies ... and I hate using poison.
There has to be standards in towns in Zambia. Most of the rules governing life in each town are indicated in the
bylaws. Isn’t it time that we revised the bylaws for each town so that life is tolerable for the majority?
ZAMBIA Kangaluwi Mine in Lower Zambezi National Park
Zambezi Resources, a Zambian company started by a big Australian mining company and based (for tax purposes?) in
Bermuda wants to mine in the Lower Zambezi National Park. The area within their licence is shown in red on the
map. (I have tried to take the coordinates from the Zambezi Resources map and put them into the park. I hope I
have it right).
Last year I reported that
the Zambia Environmental
Agency (ZEMA) had turned
down the application by
Zambezi Resources to
mine in Lower Zam stating
that it would damage the
environment. We were all
happy (except possibly the
mining company). In a
surprise turnabout the
Minister of Lands and
Environmental Protection
overturned the decision by
ZEMA and stated that the
mining can go ahead. The
next bit of drama was that Environmental/Conservation NGOs organised themselves to put a court injunction on the
decision by the Minister. And this is where we are now. We await the court decision.
Two of the proposed mines within the licence
area will be open pit. The photograph is a of
open pit mining in Nchanga from:
m.inmagine.com
Mining is an extremely thirsty business with the
‘used’ water having to go somewhere and we
assume that wherever it goes it will end up in
the Zambezi River. No doubt it will be treated
before it enters the river but we have seen
mining pollution in the Kafue River. Can we
protect the Zambezi?
Opposite Lower Zambezi is Mana Pools and
neighbouring safari areas which make up a
World Heritage Site. There were hopes that Lower Zambezi can join in this World Heritage site.
And, what about the noise and dust? The trees and plants will be covered in dust for miles around. Remember that
the rain only comes for a short period between November and March to wash the plants clean. The noise will
reverberate across the Zambezi River into the Zimbabwe. Noise affects the habits of wildlife and as people, we don’t
like it much either.
According to the news, Zambezi Resources has put together a series of mitigating measures which persuaded the
Minister that the mine would be ‘green’. From an article in the Mining Weekly:
“Zambezi (Resources) has the utmost respect for the Zambian legal process and with the hearing now concluded, [the
company] awaits the decision of the presiding judge. Zambezi remains positive about receiving a favourable outcome,
Zambezi chairperson David Vilensky said.
He added that the company was disappointed by the lack of support from the conservation movement, with which it
would like to proactively engage to ensure that the Kangaluwi project, if it was allowed to proceed, was at the
forefront of a new generation of environmentally sustainable mine developments.
Government has stated that the mine will provide thousands of jobs. But this also causes problems. The people who
live and work around Lower Zambezi National Park are mostly subsistence farmers and fishermen. Maybe a few of
them can find low-paid jobs but the majority of the new workforce will come from already trained miners in the
Copperbelt. It has been suggested to me that men will flock to the area to find work. All these people will have to
live and survive somehow as they await the chance of a job. Shanty compounds will sprout up around the edge of
the park and ... where will these men find food? Chances are that the animals in the park will provide ...
From Lower Zambezi Conservation Society
Human wildlife Conflict: Challenges and
mitigation
Human wildlife conflict has been peaked this
month - with crops at a healthy stage,
elephants and hippos have been carrying out
regular raids on farmland in the villages of
Chiawa GMA. Thanks to the International
Elephant Foundation and ZAWA, we have
been able to place a permanent Village Scout
team in the Chiawa communities to respond
to Human Wildlife Conflict. These scout
teams have been battling the elements in
uncomfortable and dangerous situations and
have been performing incredibly well.
Congratulations to all officers!
This month we have also collaborated with
Game Rangers International - Britius and
Noddie from GRI's Kafue Community
Outreach Project visited Stephen Kalio in Mushonganende to learn how to build felumbus - elephant proof granary
stores - for food security for people living alongside elephants.
Workers Compensation Fund wastes money
From the Zambia Weekly
The Workers Compensation Fund has released audited accounts for the past four years (2010-2013). During this
period, the fund raised a total of K508.5 million in assessments (contributions from employers), of which 10% was
paid out in claims to sick, debilitated or dead employees or their relatives. Meanwhile, the fund’s expenditure,
excluding claims, came to K357.2 million, equivalent to 70% of assessments raised. The fund’s nearly 200 employees
accounted for a large part of expenditure, equivalent to 34%of assessments raised, receiving an average monthly
salary of K20,221 in 2013 – five times higher than the national average earnings calculated by NAPSA.
ZIMB ABWE
Victoria Falls Town to become Mosi-oa-Tunya?
Robert Mugabe has declared that he wants to change the name of Victoria Falls Town to Mosi-oa-Tunya. He does not
like the name Victoria Falls because of its colonial connotations. I have considered the name of Mosi-oa-Tunya to see
if this is a good choice for a Zimbabwe town.
Let us set the scene prior to David Livingstone’s arrival in our area – 1850s and before. At the time the people of this
area of central Africa were in a constant state of flux. The people moved villages constantly to find better farming
land; they attacked or were attacked by other clans. The land was wild, full of lions and other predators; there was
also lots of food to be had from wildlife – the people often dug pits to trap them. This area was also full of disease
which killed the people – smallpox, leprosy, malaria. Tsetse flies were all over the land in pockets which stopped the
ability of many people to have cattle and other domestic animals. The people believed in ancestor worship and
witchcraft. But they were tough; they would have to be tough to endure the hardships of their environment.
In 1838 the Kololo arrived in Barotseland (western Zambia) and took over the people there. The Kololo were an
offshoot of Zulu kingdom and were a warrior tribe. However, their king, Sebitwane was a clever man and he reigned
over the people controlling many neighbouring tribes including some in present-day Namibia and Botswana.
Meanwhile in 1840 the Matabele people had taken control of the area around Bulawayo. They were a warrior tribe,
another offshoot of the Zulus in South Africa. The men formed Impis (regiments) which were sent out by their king,
Mzilikazi, to find food by conquering neighbouring tribes and stealing whatever they needed. Mzilikazi was very
warlike. He was considered second only to Shaka Zulu.
The sphere of influence of the Matabele and Kololo rarely overlapped, the Zambezi River forming a border between
the two tribes around the Falls.
When David Livingstone arrived in the area he met Sebitwane, king of the Kololo, in present-day Botswana. It was
Sebitwane who assisted David Livingstone on his travels through central Africa. When, in 1855, David Livingstone
returned to the area, Sebitwane had died and his son, Sekeletu was now king. It was Sekeletu who organised the trip
for David Livingstone to the great falls on the Zambezi River. The Kololo people called these falls, in their language,
Mosi-oa-Tunya.
David Livingstone renamed the falls ‘Victoria Falls’. In his journals he mentions the name Mosi-oa-Tunya and states
that he has renamed them in honour of the then British Queen. Because his stories were published the name Victoria
Falls has stuck and has worldwide renown.
By 1864, after 24 years in power, the Kololo people lost control; the Barotse people retook their throne. They were
then known as the Lozi. Interestingly they took on the Kololo language. So the name Mosi-oa-Tunya is part of
present-day Lozi language.
In my opinion the name of Mosi-oa-Tunya is a purely Zambian name which comes from the Lozi people. It is part of
our history. Is it suitable for a Zimbabwe town?
Water Spout over Lake Kariba from Matusadona. Photo:
Roger de la Harpe
http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2014/03/13/incredibly-rare-tornado-sighting-over-lake-kariba/
A trip through Hwange
In February Josh and I took a quick trip through Hwange. It had been raining for days and, even the morning we set
off, it had been raining. We headed to the border, took the road to Bulawayo, turning off to Sinamatella after
Hwange Town. The rivers were flowing.
Such a change.
The Sinamatella River in front of the camp
was full as it sped towards the Zambezi
River. In the morning the spate had
finished, only pools remaining.
The good news about Sinamatella is that
there is now a shop and the restaurant is
being renovated with the hope that it would
be open later in the year.
This time of year is the
time to enjoy all the
little things. The
tortoises were out and
about. We enjoyed
the antics of the
squirrels and
mongooses.
Wildlife between
Sinamatella and Main
Camp
was
difficult to see – it was probably elsewhere in the
park. The road was bad in places as the rain had
washed sections away. Big puddles were negotiated.
The dams were full and overflowing.
We sat at Nyamandlovu for about an hour enjoying
the scene. A few animals were relaxing in the long
grass with their tails flicking from side to side. No stress to eat –there was enough for all.
We stayed overnight at Main Camp and then continued our journey to Harare. We decided to take the short cut
between Lupane and Kwekwe. Big mistake. After about 1½-2 hours travelling we came to a river (Shangani, I think)
and the bridge had been washed away. There was nothing for it but to return the way we had come and go via
Bulawayo. I wonder when it will be fixed. In the meantime, don’t go that way ...
NAMIBIA
Erindi Private Game Reserve
Erindi is a private game reserve about twice the size of Lochinvar NP in Zambia. It is home to a wide variety of wildlife
and is a popular destination for visitors to Namibia.
The owners want to sell it. At first it was offered to the Namibia government so that it could be added to their
portfolio of resorts. It seems, though, that the owners want to sell quicker than the slow wheels of government
grind. A Chinese investor is keen to buy.
Politics is also entering the fray with one politician stating that he
feels that the reserve should be made into a resettlement area
for the descendents of the Herero people who were displaced
during conflicts 100 years ago when the Germans took control of
the country.
Most of us, I am sure, hope that government can put a bomb
under the chairs of their administrators so that they get the
transaction done and it becomes another Nambian resort.
From The Namibian
ONE Africa Television founder and group chairman, Paul
van Schalkwyk has died in a plane crash
He was 58.
Aircraft Accident Investigation director Captain Erikson
Nengola, who confirmed the crash, said the award-winning
photographer and businessman died on Saturday afternoon
just 75km from the Ondangwa airport near the Etosha
National Park.
... Nengola said that the wreckage of the crash was
discovered this morning and the cause of the accident is still
to be determined. “We are currently investigating as we do not know what might have caused the aircraft to crash,”
he said.
Van Schalkwyk, who is a celebrated photographer and filmmaker in Namibia, is renowned for his work both locally
and internationally, having received more than 50 awards for his photography work.
From: yathin.com/wordpress/2014/03/11/storms-
over-etosha
It has been fantastic here during the last couple of
weeks. There have been big storms nearly every day.
It’s such a different place from last year when the
rains failed. The whole place is now a brilliant shade
of green and there are giant herds of springbok and
zebra everywhere. Stopping at a deserted location
and watching the storms come is a wonderful feeling.
The velds stretch on for as far as the eye can see and
one can see storms building and approaching from
great distances. ...
Camp Chobe
I have found a new lodge – Camp Chobe. It is near
Ngoma Gate in Namibia. Maybe keep it in mind if
you are travelling that way.
UGANDA
RECALL OF WORLD BANK LOAN DEALS SERIOUS BLOW TO UGANDA’S TOURISM AND WILDLIFE SECTOR
From Wolfgang’s column
The announcement on Friday by the Managing Director of the World Bank, that a loan of over 90 million US Dollars
lined up for Uganda, from which in particular the tourism and wildlife sector, and specifically the national Hotel and
Tourism Training Institute were to benefit, has been halted has dealt a heavy blow to plans to revive the hotel school,
support tourism marketing activities and benefit the wildlife sector.
‘This is a very serious development for us’ said a regular source on Saturday, when discussing the issue before
continuing ‘It is not that our government was not warned of a fallout over those recent bills targeting homosexuals
and wearers of miniskirts. Even you wrote some weeks ago of the potential for decampaigning us as a destination and
it seems the response was sharp and swift. Whatever our politicians are trying to tell us why they made these laws, it
is not in conformity with the concept of human rights and the right to choose one’s partner in life, or how to express
oneself through fashion. Those politicians are deluding themselves if they think they got away with it. For once we all
know those laws will now be tested before the Constitutional Court of Uganda. I would not be surprised if the court
overturns the laws on constitutional grounds. However, the damage is already done and all those plans for the school
in Jinja, for the Uganda Tourism Board and for UWA are now all in suspense. We in tourism are again made the punch
bag and suffer because of what government did, and for two decades for what government did not do, which was to
facilitate tourism marketing and support the sector beyond those one off actionisms which benefits, in hindsight, is
now completely disputed. ...
TANZANIA
TANZANIA TO LAUNCH ELEPHANT CENSUS ACROSS THE NORTHERN CIRCUIT
From Wolfgang’s column
Following the elephant census carried out late last year covering the Selous and Ruaha – which came back with
devastating results about a very sharp drop in elephant numbers – have news emerged that the Tanzania Wildlife
Research Institute will shortly commence a similar census covering the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Manyara and
Tarangire. Supported once again by the Frankfurt Zoological Society and other development partners, this census is
seen as crucial to establish current game counts and then respond vis a vis added protective measures where
numbers have gone into steep decline. FZS donated equipment worth over 200.000 Euros to the research institute,
including vehicles, generators, camp equipment and computers used to correlate the information from the field.
Tanzania has been under close scrutiny over the commercial scale slaughter of their elephant which for instance in
the Selous saw a reduction from the 2007 count which spoke of between 65 – 70.000 elephant to just over 13.000 in
the survey carried out last year, a damning indictment of the current government’s turning a blind eye for too long to
the problem of poaching.
Only recently did TANAPA in conjunction with KWS conduct a survey in the Taita Taveta / Tsavo West / Mkomanzi NP
area, which also showed a decline compared to the last census a few years ago.
Following the London Conservation Conference which discussed wildlife crimes, there have been soothing noises
from Dar es Salaam and increased commitment to fight the poaching gangs, but only time will tell how words will, or
will not, turn to action. Watch this space.
RWANDA
TOURISM ARRIVALS IN RWANDA UP BY 6 PERCENT WHILE REVENUES RISE BY 4 PERCENT
From Wolfgang’s column
Figures released by the Rwanda Development Board’s Tourism and Conservation Department confirm the continued
trend of sectoral growth in tourism, as arrival numbers in 2013 rose by 6 percent to 1.137.000 visitors while earnings
in the sector rose by 4 percent to now 293.6 million US Dollars.
This makes tourism once again the leading economic sector ahead of agriculture, namely tea and coffee, with
indications that 2014 will also show a growth again.
(Zambia stated that it had 917,000 tourist arrivals in 2011. Rwanda is a small country of 26,000 sq km, whereas
Zambia is 753,000. Rwanda does not have our diversity of wildlife. Its main attraction is the gorillas. So, if Rwanda
can achieve such incredible results after its genocide 20 years ago, where are we going wrong in Zambia?)
THE SMILE A Pessimist
What's the definition of a pessimist? A pessimist is a well-informed optimist.
Have a good two weeks.
Gill