Zambian Traveller 83

Top global invesTors eye Zambia

your personal copy to take away


Features4-5 Top global invesTors eye Zambia6 Sentinel catalyst for Zambias industrialisation, says Chenda 8-11 Hong Kong12-15 Downtown in Dakar 18-22 Cotonou25 Stagnant World Markets Boost Interest in Africas Big Seven Expo 26-27 Munenga Mulala: The making of a great Zambian young pilot28 Is there a panacea to a competitive mining tax regime? 30-31 57th Copperbelt Mining Agricultural & Commercial Show 32-33 Look to educationto dent poverty34 Whats the point of Khaki35-36 Top Fuel Dragsters38-39 The record breaking railway40-42 Busanga44-45 M&C Repairs large DC motor on site at Konkola Copper Mine

Regulars2-3 Map of Zambia16 Sudoku, Crossword & Quiz46 Birds of Zambia - The White-headed Vulture47 Recipes48 Crossword & Quiz answers Kids Corner

CoverTop Global Investors Eye Zambia

Editor Sean Potter Advertising: Sean Potter Helen Walden George Makulu

Administration: Val Potter

Distribution: Helen Walden George Makulu Moses Chirwe

Design & Layouts: Stan Potter

Contributors:Anthea RowanAnthony DaltonCephas SinyangweChikwe ChilubaDan BoylanDavis MulengaDick JonesFirst Quantum MineralsGethsemane MwizabiGeorge MakuluGodfrey MsiskaHumphrey LombeHumphrey NkondeKansanshi Mining plcKate NivisonKelvin MukupaKonkola Copper MinesLechwe SchoolMopani MiningRoy KausaShapi ShachindaTom CockremT.W. JenkinsWilliam Osborn Zambian Ornithological Society

REpubLiC of South AfRiCASean Potter38 Mandy Road, Reuven 2091, Johannesburg, RSA P.O. Box 82117, Southdale 2135, RSATel: +27 (0) 83 522 0144 Fax: +27 (0) 86 517 5972e-mail: [email protected]

ZAmbiA:Copperbelt:Helen WaldenP.O. Box 22255, Kitwe, Zambia.Tel: +260 (0) 21 2 226 378Cell: +260 (0) 977 746 177E-mail: [email protected]:George MakuluP.O. Box 34537, Lusaka, Zambia.Cell: +260 (0) 976 949 219E-mail: [email protected]

The views expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher, who takes no responsibility for the accuracy or reliability of the information supplied with particular reference to financial data, trading prices and advice given.No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the Copyright owner.

published and copyright by Logivest 42 (pty) Ltd

Website:www.thezambiantraveller.com

March/April 2014Issue No. 83

CONTENTS8 Hong Kong

12 Downtown in Dakar

18 Contonou

40 Busanga

32 Record breaking train

35 Top Fuel Dragsters


your personal copy to take away


March/April 2014 Zambian Traveller2 Zambian Traveller March/April 2014 3

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ZAMBIA

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Entry Requirements: Foreign Nationals require entry visas, which are available at the point of entry.

Vaccinations: Yellow Fever (Compulsory) and Cholera. Anti-malaria precautions are highly recommended.

Foreign Currency: There are no restrictions on the importation of foreign currency into Zambia. The only requirement is that all cash and travellers cheques should be declared through customs at point of entry.

Capital: Lusaka

Driving: Left hand side of the road. Legal driving age is 18 years old. All foreigners and visitors are required to carry an international drivers licence.

Voltage: 240 volts (square pin plugs).

Weight and Measures: Metric system.

Time: Difference 2 hours ahead of GMT.

International dialling code: (+260), Lusaka 21 (0) 1, Ndola and the Copperbelt 21 (0) 2, Livingstone 21 (0) 3.

Airport Departure Tax: International ZMW158.40, Internal ZMW58.00 including Security Tax.

Population: Zambia has a population of approximately 13 million (Census 2010)

Official Language: English

Currency: Kwacha (ZMW)

Major Traditional Exports: Copper and cobalt.

Non-Traditional exports: Primary agricultural and horticultural products, gemstones, timber, electricity, cement and textiles.

Major Imports: Crude oil, chemicals and machinery, iron, steel and manufactured goods.

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Clive Newall, FQM President talks to journalists during an on-spot check of construction progress at Sentinel Mine with 33 representatives

of worlds top investors

Top Global Investors Eye Zambia

A world marvel: The sag mills at the under-construction Sentinel Mine will be the largest in operation in the world when the

mine is commission in July 2014.

as Kansanshi Mine that has paid $2 billion in the last five years.

FQMs Sentinel, projected to produce 300,000 mtpa of copper, is Zambias single largest investment. It is expected to create more than 2000 direct jobs for Zambians, and tens of thousands indirectly, boost diversified growth and open up the western corridor of Zambia.

Newall also envisaged that the $100 million Enterprise, a Nickel deposit can be accelerated once the market conditions became attractive.

A key consideration is the removal of the 10 percent export duty as the deposit is too small to justify investment in a smelter. We are engaging government on this issue as the benefits are mutual.

Norman McDonald, Invesco,Vice-President who was among the 33 representatives of the global top investors observed that FQM practices in Zambia were consistent with balancing the trade-offs between investor interest and responsibility to Zambians.

We have observed that FQM has done well in balancing investor interest and responsibility to host communities and Zambians. That is a key driver for investment to flow coupled by a predictable tax regime.

Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, Goldman Sachs,Citibank, UBS and Fidelity were among the delegation of investors. Others were Credit Suisse, Scotia, Threadneedle, Exane BNP Paribas and Bank of Montreal.

Davis Mulenga is a public relations specialist, and FQM is one of the clients he serves.

Steaming ahead: Part of the construction work at the $2 billion under-construction Sentinel Mine scheduled for second quarter commissioning.

The increasing attractiveness of Zambia as an investor haven recently came into sharper focus when Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and others with investment portfolios worth trillions of dollars jetted into the country for an on-spot assessment.

Top of on their list was the $2 billion under-construction Sentinel Mine at Kalumbila, 150 kilometres west of Solwezi where Philip Pascall, First Quantum Minerals (FQM) Chairman and CEO and Clive Newall, FQM President took them on a conducted tour to inspect the construction progress.

This visit by representatives of the worlds top investors signals investor confidence in Zambia. They manage portfolios running into trillions of dollars. Their presence in Zambia reflects the nation in positive light as

an investor destination., said Newall.

He stressed that: The visit will enrich them with knowledge of the fundamentals that Zambia has put in place to attract greater foreign investment. Of course the key criteria are stability and predictable fiscal policies.

Newall assued the investors that FQM will be on course for commissioning of Sentinel Mine in the second quarter of 2014, indicating that the tax revenue government will earn from the new mine will be in the same order

Top Global Investors Eye Zambia

Cover picture: Philip Pascall with part of the 33-strong delegation of global investors on a conducted tour of the $2 billion under-construction Sentinel Mine by First Quantum.

By Davis Mulenga

March/April 2014 Zambian Traveller6 7Zambian Traveller March/April 2014

Beauty by natureZambian emeralds by Gemfields, the worlds leading

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gemfields.co.uk +44 (0)20 7518 3400

Mila Kunis photographed by Peter Lindbergh

Sentinel catalyst for Zambias industrialisation, says Chenda

The minister, who recently toured the construction site, 150 kilometres west of Solwezi, said that his ministry will collaborate with other line ministries to remove any hurdles to the commissioning schedule set for July 2014.

This will add greater impetus to the industrialisation drive of the PF government, especially that the planned Multi-facility Economic Zone will attract sustainable satellite industries.

Therefore, it is vital to speedily address any impediments such as land title and electricity for the commissioning to happen on schedule. The direct and indirect benefits are enormous. When the mine becomes operational, it will put more money in peoples pockets.

The minister also cautioned the naysayers, indicating that there was no match between the perceived issues at Kalumbila and what he found on the ground.

I wanted to see the hundreds of displaced people as a result of the construction of the Chisola Dam. I never saw any. Im converted as there is no match between the reports we

Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Emmanuel Chenda has hailed the $2 billion under-construction Sentinel Mine by First Quantum Minerals (FQM) as a catalyst for Zambias industrialisation drive.

From left, Emmanuel Chenda, Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister on a recent tour of the $2 billion

under-construction Sentinel Mine.

By Davis Mulenga

read in Lusaka and what I have found on the ground.

Tristan Pascall, Kalumbila Minerals Assistant General Manager told the minister that the entire construction of the mine was nearly blown away by the hyped displacement of locals that was never there in the first place.

It was by a whisker that we got the project going. If the dam construction had been delayed by a couple more weeks, the whole project would have been blown off course because the mine cannot function without the dam.

Pascall also echoed the ministers sentiment that Sentinel will be a key driver for industrialisation of Zambia noting that sheer size and advanced technology of the mine will put Zambia at the forefront of copper mining.

Everything about this mine is about scale. The sag mills are the largest that will be operational in the world. The rope shovels are gigantic, and one can easily park three Land Cruisers in there. What this shows is that this will be among the largest and technologically advanced mines in the world. Effectively, Zambia will be at par with leading copper producers such as Chile.

On the planned MFEZ, FQMs Kevin Thomas disclosed that the mining company had already attracted investments to a tune of $45 million covering the entire economic waterfront.

The interest to invest in the MFEZ is shooting through the roof, and it would be a huge relief once the land title issue is settled. We have a supermarket, banks and petrol station ready to go up like yesterday with title in place.

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Zambian Traveller March/April 2014 9March/April 2014 Zambian Traveller8

M y arrival in Hong Kong, a world-class city thats successfully combined Chinese tradition with Western customs, was not conducive to a long stay.A friend in the tourism industry recommended

that we stay at the Lee Garden Guest House, which conjured up a picture in my mind of a handsome colonial-type building in a spacious garden. Wrong image!

I had the name and address of the place written in Mandarin for the taxi driver who drove us into Kowloon from the airport, so was very puzzled when he pulled up outside a multi-storey building and pointed to a sign saying Lee Garden Guest House, 8th floor.

We tumbled into the 1930s-era elevator with its concertina door, and a Chinese woman answered the door bell and booked us in. My wife asked: Does your fee include breakfast? She replied: No blekfast you pay now! I handed her the money and we were shown our room. Very compact! It was just big enough for a double bed and a table with a small colour TV that had Chinese-language channels only. There was an interior air-conditioner above the bed and a plastic curtain hiding an alcove with a wash-basin, toilet and shower. In all my travels, I have never slept in a tinier windowless room anywhere in the world, so it was just as well that we arrived with small overnight bags after placing our large suitcases in a locker at the airport!

The next day dawned cool and drizzly and our exploration of Hong Kong began after breakfast at the nearby Holiday Inn.

Despite my initial disappointment, I found several

Richard Rhys Jones discovers sleepy fishing villages, colourful markets, a giant Buddha and the worlds longest suspension bridge

reminders of the colonial influence, including the elegant Government House, home to 24 British governors from 1855 until Hong Kong was handed back to China in 1997. The Hong Kong Police Band no longer sports a royal crest on its uniforms but its members wear kilts and march to the skirl of the bagpipes. Cricket is still played in Chater Garden in Central District and, after a hot day at the wicket, cricketers retreat to pubs that serve hand-drawn pints with fish-n-chips. Taking afternoon tea, the most genteel of English traditions, is also popular in some of the citys leading hotels, though youre just as likely to be nibbling on steamed dumplings as scones with jam and cream.

Another oddball relic is The Boom at Noon when a Hotchkiss QF 3-Pounder naval gun is fired in Causeway Bay park, a tradition going back to 1860. Noel Coward immortalised it in his song about Mad Dogs and Englishmen when he wrote:

In Hong Kong They strike a gong

And fire a noon-day gunTo reprimand each inmate

Whos in late.

Most of Hong Kongs 7 million inhabitants trace their roots back to Guangdong, Chinas southernmost province. But joining them are residents from all around the world. Long serving as a gateway to China, the city is multi-cultural in the truest sense of the word. Its not uncommon for professionals to speak Cantonese among friends, English in the office and Mandarin on business trips.

The best place to grasp the diversity and scale of the city is Victoria Peak, which rises 552 metres

above the sea. We took a Star Ferry from Kowloon Peninsula to Hong Kong Island and caught the red funicular tram (circa 1888) to the Peak observation deck for fantastic panoramic views of the harbour, Lantau Island and the New Territories bordering mainland China where the 100-kilometre-long Maclehose Trail threads across green-clad mountain ranges.

The usual image of this East-West crossroad is of towering skyscrapers, but stretched out behind them are lush tropical parks, exotic flowering plants, and wooded valleys that are home to monkeys, black-eared kites and cockatoos. Hiking the trails is a popular weekend activity, for a meander through rolling hillsides creates a feeling of being a million miles from the city bustle

As for food, the best chefs from all over the world are cooking in the citys mind-boggling 9 000 restaurants (one for every 770 residents). Michelin-star chefs and street-side cooks are dicing and tossing fresh broccoli, choi sum, swordfish, shrimp, tenderloin and other delights in Asias culinary

capital. Cantonese cuisine is most plentiful but it competes with other Chinese dishes like mouth-watering Peking Duck, aromatic tea-smoked Szechuan pigeon and succulent garlic prawns (my wifes favourite). The rest of Asia is also well represented by Thai, Indian and Malaysian curries and do-it-yourself barbecues from Korea and Mongolia. And if spicy, meaty

HONG KONG

MORE THAN JUST A CONCRETE JUNGLEVictoria Harbour is a continuous bustle of cruise ships, freighters, barges, sampans, junks sight-seeing launches and ferries

satay sticks and delicate raw Japanese sashimi are your choice, theyre all here for the tasting.

International matches are a regular attraction in this sports-crazed centre. You could be there when Djokovic plays tennis against Federer, or South Africa and New Zealand clash in the annual Hong Kong Sevens rugby tournament. And if you visit in June you can watch the colourful Dragon Boat Festival, a boisterous event spawned by Chinese legend.

The Museum of History in Chatham Road is essential for history buffs wanting an informative overview of Hong Kongs past. The Hong Kong Story takes you from the Devonian Period 400 million years ago to the 1997 handover to China. Its very well done and an ideal way to spend a couple of hours. The Hong Kong Tourist Association has recognised that culture is a big attraction and provides guides to accompany tourist groups to temples and museums. Apart from the Museum of History there are others like the Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware, the Museum

Long queues of hopeful visitors wait for the red funicular tram to Victoria Peak

Street scene in down-town Kowloon

March/April 2014 Zambian Traveller10 11

of Medical Sciences and the Sheung Yiu Folk Museum.

The City of Lights lives up to its name every evening at 8 p.m. when 40 buildings on both sides of the harbour perform their spectacular Symphony of Lights, and the best spot to enjoy this 15-minute laser show is the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront promenade. The accompanying narrative with lively music is in English on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Another major attraction is the worlds largest seated outdoor Buddha, a 26-metre-high statue unveiled in 1993 at the Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island, site of the new airport. Lantau is bigger, far less crowded and more mountainous than Hong Kong

HONG KONGContinued

Island and the views from the bus taking visitors to the statue are surprisingly rural. This island can be reached by ferry or by road and rail over the 2.2- km-long Tsing Ma bridge, the worlds longest suspension bridge, which links the Chek Lap Kok airport to the city centre.

The small island of Cheung Chau offers a great day trip out of the noisy, crowded city and into a friendly fishing community of boat people and villagers. Here, in a bid to keep down air pollution, buses and cars are banned in favour of little three-wheeled tuk-tuks that nevertheless also spew out noxious fumes.

Getting around is easy in Hong Kong, for you have a choice of the Mass Transit Railway (MRT),

double-decker buses, trams, mini-buses or maxi-cabs. The vessels of the Star Ferry Line, which has been operating for more than 100 years, provide the most scenic and inexpensive mode of travel across Victoria Harbour. Other ferries provide links to outlying islands such as Lantau, Lamma, Cheung Chau and Peng Chau.

On a walk through Central District we noticed building workers climbing bamboo scaffolding on the exterior of skyscrapers under construction and were informed that, even in high-tech Hong Kong, bamboo is strong, flexible and can be erected four times faster than steel.

Another interesting fact is how the ancient Chinese art of Feng Shui (which literally means wind

Passengers on cruise liners like this help swell Hong Kongs annual tourist numbers to an incredible 48 million

One of the many maroon-coloured buses that constantly take sight-seers to the Victoria Peak view site

The 2.2- km-long Tsing Ma bridge, the worlds longest suspension bridge

and water) permeates the city. High-rise apartments and small houses in villages are never built without the approval of a Feng Shui master.

The belief in luck provided by the two elements is so strong that two of Hong Kongs major buildings, the Hopewell Centre and Repulse Apartments, were designed to create harmony with nature. Contractors at the 80-storey Hopewell Centre built a pool over a revolving restaurant to prevent it being consumed by fire-breathing dragons. And the apartment block was given a huge hole in the middle of the building to clear the dragons path.

Hollywood Road and its offshoots in Central are the best areas for antiques and collectibles. Amble among silk carpets, Neolithic pots, Ming Dynasty horsemen and Mao souvenirs that jostle for space next to ornate Qing cloisonn and intricate Chinese wedding cabinets. Street-side vendors will offer you ancient opium pipes, pocket watches and historic photos while the aromas of cedar and lacquer varnish waft from busy furniture shops.

Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui is the place for bargain-price electronic goods, but youll have to know your prices and products and be prepared to haggle. And if mall shopping is your scene, the huge modern malls will leave you speechless. Mall shops are open till late seven days a week and there are street markets that dont get going until 9 p.m. in a city that never sleeps.

Hong Kong is known as one of the worlds most expensive cities and, in keeping with this reputation, dining, entertainment and hotel accommodation are certainly not cheap. The nightly rate for a room only in top hotels is $240. So make sure your credit card is well loaded before you go or youll have to be satisfied with the delights of multi-storey guest houses like the Lee Garden. But please remember that your overnight stay will not include blekfast!


D akar, the capital of Senegal and its chief port, has one of those locations made in heaven. Put your finger on the spot where the ample curve of Africas Sahara coast bulges furthest into the Atlantic, and thats Dakar, on a large peninsular all to itself.

Any way you look at it, this is a highly desirable cross-roads location. Go north for Europe (nearest point, Portugal); go west and you cant miss the Caribbean and the Americas. Travel east into the parched interior for the ancient towns of the Saharan camel caravan trade routes Kayes, Bamako, Djenn, Timbuctu and Sokoto. Sail south along the coast and discover, as the Dakarois are quick to tell you, that this is where the real Africa begins. Taking a local fishing pirogue to any of West Africas other ports is still a risky undertaking. Its amazing to see pirogues with flags from as far away as Ghana bobbing low in the water around Dakars complicated coastline. But flying is definitely quicker, and has been since Dakar was a hub for French aviation pioneers establishing an aerial

DOWNTOWN IN DAKAR -

postal service to South America in aircraft not much bigger than some of todays fishing canoes.

As for the town itself, the intricate shape of the Cap Vert peninsula means that getting your head round the layout of Dakar is a challenge, and not just for first-time visitors. Even taxi-drivers have trouble, especially when the numerous building projects make traffic diversions inevitable. It may

help to imagine a cartoon giraffes head, side-on, with its long muzzle pointing south and its stubby horns aiming at the Americas.

The oldest and most important part is the downtown cheek area, with the port where the mouth would be. Cap Manuel is the tip of the delicate snout the most southerly point of a breezy, scenic promontory on which stands the Palais de Justice, shady avenues of expensive residences and two of Dakars famously well-equipped hospitals.

Stretch the giraffes head shape further to see that rugged Pointe des Almedies, together with the rocky bay-and-beach resort of Ngor, make up the horns head-butting into the Atlantic. The much-visited Pointe des Almedies is actually the furthest western tip of Africa. Conveniently, just below the horns, is the international airport. The mane of the long, straight neck indicates a quite different kind of coast flat, sandy and backed by lagoons, the most famous being the Pink Lagoon where visitors flock to see its waters glow pink with algae growth.

To wrap it up for the giraffes head, theres the Ile de Gore on the sheltered side of the Cap Vert peninsular, looking as insignificant as a leaf dropped by the munching giraffe, and yet this island was the key to Dakars rise to regional prominence.

When the Portuguese arrived in 1444, Cap Vert was already occupied by thriving communities of traders and fishermen, so the newcomers chose instead to fortify and settle offshore on this pleasant island. Within a century, Gore had become the local focus of the transatlantic slave trade, with both the Portuguese and mainland merchants profiting from its horrors. Its museums and historic buildings commemorate the slave trade, and for many visitors, it has the status of a pilgrimage of remembrance. Gore is easily reached by regular ferry (an interesting half-hour crossing in itself) but, once visited, it is never forgotten. Often Gore is the only part of Dakar that whistle-stop visitors see in detail, yet there is so much more to experience in todays cosmopolitan city.

It was the French who finally won the colonial battle and, 50 years after independence, their influence is still much in evidence. The fusion of French ambience, institutions, architecture and education with the vitality of indigenous Muslim desert cultures rich in commercial, musical and artistic traditions is what makes todays Dakar such a vibrant and fascinating place. There are 1.5 million people in metropolitan Dakar, and almost 3 million within the whole conurbation which now reaches the once separate historic port of Rufisque via the south-east coast road. This growing population includes 20,000 French expatriates proud to call it home. Large communities of Lebanese and Moroccan traders, Cape Verdeans and Ghanaians have all added their own distinctive dress-codes, cuisines and music,

West Africas most sophisticated capital city

and the Chinese have now arrived in force. In effect this means that over a quarter (an unusually high proportion) of the entire population of this vast, dry country now lives in greater Dakar. During rush hour in the downtown historic and administrative district of Plateau, or in crowded quarters such Mdina and Gueule Tape, it can certainly feel like it.

Many of Dakars landmarks can be easily covered by a half-day city tour or strolling down its central boulevards and avenues bearing familiar names from the past General de Gaulle, Louis Pasteur, F.D. Roosevelt, Georges Pompidou . . . Not far from the Place de lIndependance are two huge markets, Sandaga and Kermel. Sandaga is noted for its colourful arrays of quality textiles, imported designer copy fashion goods and wonderfully spicy local food. An army of teenage guides, paid a percentage by canny traders, are only too willing to help locals and tourists alike through the maze of stalls towards the best deals (further tips expected).

For an oasis of calm and cool after a truly African experience, follow the Boulevard de la Rpublique for a stop at the Cathedral, named Sacr Coeur after its Paris counterpart, but designed with a courteous nod to traditional architecture. Inevitably, la Rpublique leads on to the handsome white Presidential Palace

Atlantic view and new mosque, from the Western Corniche

Dakarois are known for their commercial instincts

Ngor beach resort, a favourite for water sports

Back street market, central Dakar

Kate Nivison

14 March/April 2014 Zambian Traveller 15

complete with photogenic guardsmen in their red tunics and distinctive tall hats. This prime wooded site overlooks the pleasant Plage des Enfants (Childrens Beach) and the Eastern Corniche.

A taxi ride south from here is invaluable for the sea views along the Eastern Corniche, including Gore Island. The Corniche then loops round rocky Cap Manuel and heads back north as the Western Corniche for more wide-open vistas of fishing boats braving the Atlantic rollers. This elegant, palm-lined route has a surprise all its own one of the strangest sights to be found anywhere along the African coast, or possibly anywhere. How to describe this extraordinary presidential brain-child? Standing on a 100-metre hill overlooking the Atlantic, is a gigantic metallic statue of a barely clothed man, woman and child. A clue to its sheer size is that it was built quite deliberately to be slightly taller than New Yorks Statue of Liberty. Called African Renaissance and opened in 2010, it was put together by the North Koreans from imported 3cm-thick bronze sheeting and cost around US$ 27 million. Strangely, the man is holding the child out to the Americas, while the woman seems uncertain what to do about it.

The scale of this apparition dwarfs puzzled visitors, whether local or international, as they gaze up almost 50 metres to the mans head. Inside it is a viewing room for 15 people, reached by an expensive lift.

They say the view is good, although no better than from a plane coming into the airport not far away. People are mad at it, frowned the guide, adding with an almost Gallic shrug, It does not even look African!

Maybe every capital should have its landmark folly, but Dakar has no shortage of other monuments to its historical, religious and cultural status in the region, whether its for music, dancing and nightlife, fashion and shopping, or traditional artefacts and modern artwork. In the square nearest the imposing Grand Mosque is a silvery metal modernist statue of a prancing horse called Maalaw, the favourite steed of a legendary Senegalese warrior. The Museum of Dakar, renowned for its ethnographical collections, has been renovated, and the nearby Village des Arts houses the finest work of regional artisans, including an exhibition of a local speciality sand painting. Sand, in an amazing variety of natural colours, is mixed with sap from the iconic baobab tree to produce unique and durable export-quality pictures.

The famous Paris-Dakar Rally may have moved elsewhere, but international film, arts, and music festivals abound, celebrating among others, the rhythms of Youssou NDour, one of the citys favourite sons who now has presidential ambitions. Overlooking the ocean further along the Western Corniche is one of Africas newest, largest and chicest venues, the Sea Plaza Shopping Mall. This South-African

designed, state-of-the-art retail and eating palace is convenient for a selection of high-end hotels. But for a less rarefied sampling of sea, sand, water-related fun and local dining, try the resort area of Ngor. A sea-food lunch overlooking wooded Ngor Island under blue desert skies quickly explains Dakars popularity with travellers in search of year-round sun and a unique cultural signature, and also among the discerning Senegalese themselves. In fact the city itself, with its commercial bustle, new projects and creative buzz is its own best monument to the regions authentic African Renaissance.

DOWNTOWN IN DAKAR Continued

Famous Red Guard at the Presidential Palace, Dakar

Stylish fountain monument to a legendary heros horse

The shady grounds of the Presidential Palace, DakarAncient Baobab, the national tree of Senegal, outside the Village des Arts

March/April 2014 Zambian Traveller16

How to play SudokuYou have to fill in the missing numbers on the grid so that each horizontal row, vertical column and 3 x 3 square contains the numbers 1 to 9 without leaving out or repeating any number.

Solution on page 48

answers on page 48

General knowledGe Quiz1. A mandrill is what type of creature?2. An abalone is what kind of animal?3. Who starred in Doc Hollywood?4. Which initials did rapper Hammer lose?5. Which record label did Michael Jackson first record on?6. Which sitcom was about an army hospital in Korea?7. Which type of animals have more teeth, reptiles or mammals?8. Which Sinatra song manages to rhyme a line with shy

way?9. Who became the first woman US Secretary of State?10. What did Elizabeth I have removed from her palaces when

her hair thinned and her cheeks hollowed?11. What seductive World War I spy had a daughter named

Banda who was also a spy?12. What flying ace averaged a kill every 11 days between

September of 1915, and April of 1918?13. Percy LeBaron Spencer invented what in 1945? 14. What type of animal is a Tasmanian Devil?15. During World War I what kind of gas was used in the

trenches?16. Which lady had a Lovely Daughter, according to Hermans

Hermits?17. When caterpillar changes into an adult butterfly what is the

change called?18. Inspector Slack was always on the case with which amateur

sleuth?

answers on page 48

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la Victoire to the monumental Place de lEtoile Rouge (Red Star Square), a relic of Benins unhappy eighteen-year espousal of Marxism. Wedged between the Avenue de la Victoire and the Lagune is Cotonous largest market, Dantokpa all twenty sprawling, bustling, steaming hectares of it. Theres another huge market on this side of the


Its become something of a clich to advise visitors new to West Africa to expect the unexpected. But when it comes to Cotonou, the largest town and commercial capital of the Republic of Benin,

certain things can be taken for granted. The first is that it will be situated on a narrow, low-lying coastal plain fringed by long beaches and marshy lagoons, as are most West African ports. In fact Cotonou itself stands on a large sand spit, backed by shallow but extensive Lake Nokou. The site is bisected north-south by a canal (known confusingly as the Lagune de Cotonou, dredged in French colonial time as an outlet for the lake into the Bight of Benin to ease rainy season flooding.

The second given is that the traffic will be hairy-scary, especially for entire families sharing a motorcycle or zemidjahn (pronounced zemi-john) with their shopping. With only two road bridges crossing the Lagune, there are invariably serious bottlenecks for east-west transport. A third certainty is that someone will very soon mention either the slave trade or voodoo (the correct name of this officially recognised religion being Vodun), since both are highly

COTONOU BENINS COLOURFUL COMMERIAL CAPITALBy: Kate Nivison

significant aspects of the history and culture of the town, and indeed the whole country. In all these respects, Cotonou does not disappoint.

Now for some unexpecteds. Who would imagine that not far from the centre of town, you could really believe you are in a Far Eastern floating market, complete with large straw hats and sunshades, being punted along among piles of bright fruits

and vegetables by gossiping, bargaining women? Or that in the early 1700s, the Kings of Dahomey who ruled this area founded an army of women soldiers who were expected to fight to the death? As King Guzo (of whom more later) explained to them in a strikingly motivational speech: When you go to war, if you are taken prisoner you will be sacrificed and your bodies will become food for vultures and hyenas. French accounts from as late as the 1890s speak of 4,000 fanatically brave virgin warriors in three brigades, by this time dubbed Amazons by the invading colonial powers. The last of these remarkable women died in retirement in 1974.

Most of what makes Cotonou the town it is today lies to the west of the Lagune, and that includes the older port area, the train station, the Commissariat Central, most of the embassies and banks and the inevitable Place de la Revolution (although not the French one). France is distantly echoed in many place names the Avenue de la Rpublique leads from the Nouveau Pont (New Bridge) via the Avenue de

Zemidjahns (motorcycles) are a main feature of the traffic

Governors House, Old Portuguese Fort, OuidahPart of the old commercial port, Cotonou

Remembering the Slave Trade; Gate of No Return on the Bight of Benin shore

lagoon at Cocotiers, and plenty of smaller ones. The best Fetish Market (for traditional medicine and Vodun-related goods) is near the old port, where there is also a photogenic sculpture park.

No surprise that the old port is approached by the Old Bridge (Pont Ancien), which struggles to shoulder its cargo of articulated trucks, taxis, zemidjahns and hand-carts across to the Avenue Clozel. This route passes the Roman Catholic Cathedral, in the unexpected class only because its startling, horizontally striped red and white tile-work exterior makes a popular photo stop. Nearby is the Central Mosque a reminder that almost a quarter (and growing) of Beninois are Muslims. Around 27% belong to some form of Christian church, of which there is a considerable variety, including Roman Catholics (7%). Avenue Jean Paul II was named to honour this popular popes two visits, and the last pope also visited twice. In time for Pope Benedicts 2011 visit, the International Airport was renamed after Benins Cardinal Bernardin


Cocotiers market to the west of the Lagune de Cotonou

Mural of the Python Cult Priestesses in procession

Python Cult devotees sing a welcome Shrine of the Sacred Pythons, showing the Circle of Life

Gantin, a good friend of his. The late cardinal was the highest ranking Catholic prelate Africa has produced, and certainly the only one to have an international airport named after him. Parallel to Avenue Jean Paul II and to the beach is the Boulevard de la Marina where many of the better hotels and restaurants have a prime location, with plenty of fresh seafood on the menu.

Venturing east of the Pont Ancien through the industrial zone and suburbs will eventually lead to Porto Novo, which is not only what its name suggests, but also the seat of government, and so officially the capital of Benin. Only three hours further east is the Nigerian border, a somewhat

COTONOUContinued

porous affair where cheap petrol is smuggled into Benin by kamikaze motorcyclists and various other means, to fuel the huge numbers of zemidjahns, many of which double as taxis on Cotonous hectic streets. The main reason for their enormous popularity is economic; motorcycles used to cost around US$ 3000, but thanks to the arrival of Chinese-made models, thats now down to US$ 700.

Hopes are that Porto Novo will become a viable alternative to overcrowded Nigerian ports such as Lagos for trade with Benins hinterland which includes landlocked Burkina Fasa, Niger and even distant Mali. At this point its worth remembering that the

name Cotonou actually means river of death, which is said to relate to the now canalised river being used to bring slaves to the coast from the interior. It could equally reflect the persistence of malaria in the marshy lagoons, but it was certainly the slave trade more than any other which dominated this coast for centuries.

Cotonou itself was only a fishing village for most of that time, and it was the port of Ouidah (or Whydah as it was then known) that was the centre of slaving activity. So it is to Ouidah that many visitors will go to see what survives of the old Portuguese Fort and similar mementoes of that dreadful time. Ouidah is only an hours drive west from the centre of Cotonou, and makes a memorable half/full-day excursion. What truly shocks is the admirable and often painful honesty with which local involvement in the slave trade is depicted. Should anyone doubt it, heres another quote from the fearsome King Guzo or Gizo (of Amazon fame) who in 1840 told the British (by this time doing their best to stop it) that hed do anything for them except give up slavery: The slave trade is the ruling principle of my people. It is the source and glory of their wealth. The mother lulls the child to sleep with notes of triumph over an enemy reduced to slavery. Visiting the museum at the fort,

followed by the newly rebuilt Gate of No Return on the shore where the slaves were loaded onto ships for the Americas is a sobering experience all round.

Ouidah is also widely publicised as the spiritual home of Vodun (aka Voodoo) and the main attraction here is the Sacred Forest of Kpass, reputed to be the home of the Python Cult still very popular in Benin. Entry is through a carved wooden entrance gate where priestesses perform a welcome dance. The Python Shrine is reached by well-kept paths meandering through groves of impressively large and obviously very old rainforest trees, and enlivened by larger-than-lifesize statues of Vodun gods and animals. Beside the shrine is a coloured

carving of a python swallowing its tale a symbol of the eternal cycle of life. The shrines live-in pythons (large but not poisonous and defanged anyway) may not always be at home to visitors, but an audience with a Vodun priest can usually be arranged, along with some drumming, and dancing from the white-aproned priestesses.

A quite different kind of excursion, and a welcome escape from Cotonous hectic traffic, is to the stilt village of Gonvie on the northern shore of Lake Nokou. A gentle boat ride across takes about an hour, and it is here that you find floating markets and scenes more reminiscent of Vietnam or Thailand. With a population

of around 20,000, Gonvie claims to be the largest of its kind on the continent. Even young children are out poling canoes, and its sometimes called the Venice of Africa. Although it falls a little short on Renaissance palaces and baroque churches, theres a lot of variety in styles and building materials, from tiny split-plank-

Sacred Forest entrance gate

Zambian Traveller March/April 2014 23

Traditional Calendar symbols in bold appliqu work

Cotton wall map showing the site of Cotonou on the Bight of Benin

and-thatch dwellings on wobbly mangrove poles to brightly painted streets of balconied residences and shops with tiled or pan roofs. Planked walkways form precarious links between the settlement clusters among watery creeks often clogged with the glossy leaves and lilac-flowered spikes of water hyacinth.

Here, or in any of the numerous craft markets, look out for vividly coloured cotton appliqu wall hangings. Theses local specialities, especially the ones featuring a hefty Amazon carrying away a hapless male victim,

make truly unique souvenirs of Cotonou.

COTONOUContinued

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25March/April 2014 Zambian Traveller24 Zambian Traveller March/April 2014

Africa is fast becoming the New Frontier, bucking the trend of stagnant world markets. Its population of almost one billion people comprises a rapidly expanding middle class with ever-increasing wealth and disposable income. There is a growing demand for a wider variety of products, foods and flavours, with more overseas and local suppliers eager to oblige.

Africas Big Seven (AB7), the continents largest food and beverage trade show, is now the most effective networking and business opportunities platform for manufacturers, producers, and suppliers to tap into Africas vibrant new markets. AB7 and the co-located SAITEX (Southern African International Trade Exhibition) expo take place from 22 to 24 June at Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand, South Africa.Earlier Show Dates

This years AB7 and SAITEX show dates have been brought forward a month sooner, to the third week in June, says John Thomson of Exhibition Management Services, organisers of AB7. This provides our overseas clients with more time to act on business leads from the show, and also accommodate our many Muslim exhibitors and visitors who wish to observe Ramadan. Larger Global Interest in AB7

Theres even greater interest in AB7 this year, with exhibitor enquiries from afar afield as Mexico, Poland, the Baltic States, and the Commonwealth of Independent States in Asia, continues Thomson.

Nearly 1 000 exhibitors from 45 countries took part in AB7 and co-located SAITEX in 2013, including the BRICS nations, Brazil, India, Russia and China. The show also had exhibitors from the UK, Malaysia, Pakistan, Spain, Thailand, Zambia and Zimbabwe, as well as Nepal, Lithuania and Vietnam. Over 16 000 visitors from 50 countries attended the 2013 event, including visitors from 27 African countries.Success Stories

A big AB7 success story from 2013 is McKinley Chocolates, a small chocolatier based in the eastern Free State. As a small rural company, the response we had was astounding, says co-owner Gavin Boyd. We had inquiries from five airlines, four national hotel chains and six international hospitality groups. We are definitely coming back this year!

For us, AB7 was truly successful, says John Mahasha from food processing and canning company Apol Foods. We had enquiries from the Middle East, Ghana and the Ivory Coast, and followed up on 17 positive business leads for our company. The show also gave us opportunities to meet other players in our industry, and meet like-minded business people.

The South African National Halaal Authority exhibits at AB7 to create awareness around Halaal produce in Africa, according to Executive Officer Solly Mahomedy. We handled numerous questions regarding how to go the Halaal route and received 25 leads last year, mostly from overseas countries like China, Poland, Iran, Pakistan and India wanting to export their products to local companies here. We are busy advising our clients that we will be at AB7 2014 and look forward to seeing them at our stand again!

AB7 is a very positive show, says Dillon Greef of Smart Way Foods, a manufacturer of chilli mixes in assorted flavours. The company produces half a million bottles a day. By the third show day, we had filled the fourth leads book; AB7 is the perfect platform for meeting our perfect target audience! exclaims Greef.

AB7 2014 takes place from 22 to 24 June 2014 at Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand, Johannesburg.More About AB7 and SAITEX

To watch a video of SAITEX and AB7, go to www.youtube.com and type in the top search window: Saitex & Africas Big Seven.

For more information contact Lineke van der Brugghen, Exhibition Management Services.

Tel: +27 11 783 7250. Fax: +27 11 783 7269. E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.exhibitionsafrica.com

With over 16 000 exhibitors to AB7 and SAITEX last year, exhibitors could access a huge market.

STAGNANT WORLD MARKETS BOOST INTEREST IN AFRICAS BIG SEvEN EXPO

McKinley Chocolates stand was a hive of activity at AB7!

Exhibitors from every continent showcased their products and services at Africas largest food and beverage event.


F lipping the pages of a borrowed in-flight magazine, young Munenga Mulala suddenly found a picture that would remain stuck on his mind and shape the destiny of his life for years to come.

It was the picture of an aircraft cockpit, the cabin where the pilot sits and operates from. It was so glamorous, colourful with so many dials and things to look at, recounts Munenga.

From that time on, I got convinced that this is the best job in the world (for me) and the aspect of wanting to get in the skies and fly the aircraft from one point to the next gave me that motivation and it grew from strength to strength.

In the ensuing days, everything around him seemed to only evolve around aircraft. He suddenly developed a profound interest in watching planes in the sky and in listening to their sounds as they flew past Munengas family house in Kabwata Estates.

He would get glued for hours on end to every episode of such drama television series as Steve Duncanes Tour of Duty whose story line evolved around an American infantry platoon during the Vietnam

By Nebert Mulenga

War. The Tour of Duty series were characterised by heavy presence of helicopters.

That was in the 1990s when Munenga born on May 21, 1980 was growing up as a primary school pupil at Lusakas Lotus primary school.

Fast-forward that to 20 years later: the 33-year-old man is now walking his dream and fast losing count of the times he has handled planes and graced the skies as a pilot.

Thanks in part to Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) Plc, which after spotting the young mans determination, supported him

to undertake his aviation studies in South Africa, where he recently graduated with a commercial pilot license.

The tale of his proverbial rise from walking the ground to flying the skies has been one embedded in determination, focus and hardworking. Growing up in a country where aviation is little-appreciated and virtually a closed-up field in relation to society, there were very limited prospects from which he could draw inspiration.

He recalls that throughout his childhood, every person he approached for advice gave him more reasons why he should give up on his dream than those who encouraged him to embrace and nurture the dream. And the absence of a national airline, following the demise of Zambia Airways, did not help matters.

It was so painful for most part, where you have this drive but are more or less cocooned in this atmosphere where its always impossible, (you are) always being discouraged, remembers Munenga.

Most people I met and spoke to, who were former employees of

our national flag carrier (Zambia Airways), would always advise to say just choose other careers that would be worthwhile and pay you well.

But Munenga refused to give up. In fact, he says, the more discouragement he received, the deeper the desire grew to pursue his dream. On completion of high school education at Kamwala secondary school in 1999, he passed with distinctions in pure sciences and mathematics.

His parents naturally pushed him to apply for a place at the University of Zambia, where he was accepted in 2000.

I was accepted in the School of Humanities after my parents forced me to apply. But my heart was not fully convinced because I never wanted to pursue any other form of education apart from that which would make me a pilot, says Munenga, who still lives with his parents in Kabwata Estates.

Financial challenges would later bar him from taking up his place at the countrys highest learning institution. But in looking back today, he reckons it could have

been fate manifesting in lack of finances.

It was at that point that he decided to step out of the cocoon and start hunting only for opportunities that would put him on the path to realising his dream.

I immediately tried to enlist with the Zambia Air Force as an officer cadet since I knew they had the capability of helping me to become a pilot owing to the fact that its their specialisation. But due to undisclosed reasons, I was not picked. I tried for a further two times the following two years but I couldnt make it, he explains.

His opportunity finally came when the Department of Civil Aviation advertised for assistant air traffic controllers, a position that would see him stationed at the former Lusaka International Airport helping in controlling aircraft, offering safety guidelines and advising air crews on weather conditions.

This was the closest alternative I had to flying because I was like a pilot (but) on the ground. I thought it was going to be very easy for me to transition from (being) an

air traffic controller into the cockpit as a pilot because the similarities between the two are so overwhelming.

At some point, you literally go through the same type of training, except that the pilot has to go in the air and do the respective practicals. But the air traffic controller sits on the ground, he says.

Being stationed at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport meant coming into close contacts with planes and flight crews almost on a daily basis. It was during this time that he started gathering information on the kind of schools where one could train to become a pilot.

Munenga says with the help of relatives and friends, he started a serious programme of saving any little income that came his way. In two years, he had saved up to US$16,000 from which he sponsored himself to an aviation school in South Africa, where he graduated with a Private Pilot License (PPL).

But then, he was grossly limited in terms of the aircraft he could handle with a PPL, which only entitles the holder to fly privately-owned planes. To be able to fly commercial and chartered planes, Munenga needed to upgrade his qualification to a Commercial Pilot License (CPL). But the cost was prohibitive.

The cost of commercial flight training was far beyond me. I needed over $20,000 (about K110,000) and there was no way I was going to raise that money, states Munenga.

It was then that he approached Mopani

MUNENGA MULALA: THE MAKING OF A GREAT ZAMBIAN yOUNG PILOT

Copper Mines Plc for sponsorship. After assessing his commitment to the dream, the mining company accepted to sponsor him.

According to MCM chief executive officer, Danny Callow, the decision to fund Munengas dream was part of the companys long-term commitment to supporting and empowering ambitious Zambian youths.

Sponsoring someone for a flight training programme is unprecedented but is a manifestation of our deep-rooted desire to make a difference in the lives of the people around us, says the CEO, whose company is a leading mining employer with over 18,000 workers.

It is our policy to look at not just empowering the mining (host) communities but also those outside these communities like Munenga. So, we looked at the young mans determination, drive, ambition and potential; it was these qualities that persuaded us to make this significant investment into his life.

For Munenga, who returned to Zambia in January 2014 after graduating with a CPL from the African Union Aviation Academy in Mafeking, gracing the skies today no longer exists just as pictures in borrowed in-flight magazines and Tour of Duty television drama series.

It is his very lifestyle.


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NDOLA OFFICE Mobile Numbers

Ndola Airport 0955 431522P.O. Box 73435 0966 780453Ndola, Zambia 0955 882992Tel: +260 212 620172 0977 787803Fax: +260 212 614216 0955 788541E-mail: [email protected]

LUSAKA OFFICE Mobile Numbers

Tel/Fax: +260 211 221025 0977 705698 0955 775769 0979 251284

Norman McDonald, Vice-President of Invesco, a Canada-based investment firm was emphatic that: Investment in mining is skewed towards countries whose mining tax is competitive with the rest of the world.

Is Zambias mining tax competitive with the rest of the world? Unanimously, the answer would be in the negative from the mining operators. They argue that the effective tax rate in Zambia is 48 percent, making it one of the highest tax rates in the world.

Mining companies pay a Mineral Royalty Tax (MRT) at 6 percent on revenues. After deducting the MRT, an additional 30 percent Profit Tax that reflects revenues minus the cost of producing copper is deducted. Along with the PT, a Variable Profit Tax (VPT) of up to 15 percent is also charged on profit.

Disconcerting for the mining companies are calls from civil society and other interest group to extract more tax from the mines.

The latest prescription of improving tax collection to developing nations by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation Development (OECD) could hold the key to a sustainable solution of increasing benefits from the mines while keeping a competitive tax regime.

Though the OECD report is given against a backdrop of helping developing countries identify alternative sources of funding for development in light of decreased donor support, it provides gems that could help Zambia with the conundrum of mining taxation.

The report highlights examples where investing in improved tax administration and collection resulted in positive returns, even in most challenging governance environments. Cited in the OECD report is El Salvador where USAID for tax reform has allowed the Central African country to boost government revenue by $350 million annually.

The encouraging results should add greater impetus to government efforts of improving tax administration and collection. Currently developing nations, including Zambia collect less than 14 percent of their gross domestic product (GDP), on average.

To meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the United Nations (UN) estimates countries domestic revenues have to constitute at least 20 percent of GDP.

Davis Mulenga is a public relations specialists. He writes in his own personal capacity. His views neither represent the views of the publisher nor the clients he serves.

Norman McDonald, Vice-President Invesco, a Canada-based investment firm, talks to reporters during the tour of under-construction

Sentinel Mine by the worlds largest investors

op-ed

Is there a panacea to a competitive mining tax regime?

is there a panacea to a competitive mining tax regime? The significance and relevance of the question was amplified when 33 representatives of global investors who included Goldman Sachs, Merrill Lynch and Credit Suisse recently took an on-spot check of Zambias attractiveness as an investor haven.

By Davis Mulenga

this year will be no different. So we would like to welcome you all to our 57th Copperbelt Mining Agricultural & Commercial Show 2014 so do come and have a good and worthwhile visit to Kitwe on Zambias Copperbelt in this the countrys jubilee year.

W.J. Osborn MBEChairman - CACSS


zaminexCopperbelt Mining agriCulture and CoMMerCial show

For Catalogue Advertising: Sean Potter

e-mail: [email protected]: 00270 83 522 0144

or Helen Waldene-mail: [email protected]

Cell: 0026097 774 6177

For Stand Bookings: Karen ONeilTel: 00260 212 238011 / 238012 / 239064Fax: 00260 212 238013Cell: 00260 966 783075e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected] Box 20944, Kitwe, Zambia

28TH MAY - 1ST JUNE 2014KITWE ZAMBIA

28TH MAY - 1ST JUNE 2014KITWE ZAMBIA

T his year is Zambias 50th Anniversary of Independence and on this the 57th Copperbelt Mining Agricultural & Commercial Show we have chosen the theme Sustainable & Environmentally Responsible Development Beyond Zambias Jubilee.

The economy of the country continues to grow and there is a lot of development in many sectors and it is vital that the momentum is sustained. It is however equally important that this growth is managed in an environmentally responsible manner both in the present time as well as into the future.

Our Show continues to go from strength to strength and we are confident that this year will be another great year. We will have a good mix of exhibitors from various

57th Copperbelt Mining Agricultural & Commercial Show28th May 1st June 2014

sectors of the economy and we will be looking to attract business visitors from all different industries and commercial enterprises so that serious business and interaction can take place during the trade days of the Show.

We will also have a great deal of entertainment for the general public during the weekend which will be aimed at all family members.

We already have over thirty confirmed bookings for exhibition stands and we plan to exceed last years figure of one hundred and twelve standholders and we have the capacity to do this. So please if you want to exhibit your products and services to a wide audience, then contact the Show Manager to avoid disappointment.

Our Show administration has always prided itself on its hospitality and excellent business facilities and

ZT - GENERAL KINGSLEY 2/5/14 11:27 AM Page 2

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Further credence is borne by the K75 million 1,200desk school at Kabitaka to cater for learners from pre-school to O level, with the phase one for 360 alreadyopen.

In the area of teacher support training, FQM is runningKansanshi Quality Improvement Programme (KanEquip)to improve the capabilities of teachers at the cost ofK7 million.

The catalogue goes on to include a university bursaryscheme exclusively for Zambians, adult literacy andsupport to tertiary institutions. The investments by FQMin education are borne out of our conviction thatbenefits from the nations minerals must flow toZambians in a significant and sustained manner.

Investment in education is one meaningful and tangibleway to achieve that goal because if every Zambia waseducated they would be better off in many aspects.

There are many scientifically grounded arguments insupport of our view. For example, a highly educatednation broadens the tax revenues for government,

increases savings and investment and leads to a moreentrepreneur society. Furthermore, the nations wealthis attributed to better education, and so is stronggovernance and participation of citizens in the social,political and economical system.

According to Sara Lafrance, a renowned educationist,there is recognition that education becomes anindispensable factor in developing human capital foreconomic growth.

As result, FQM also may have made a grounded decisionin making education a top area of investment in itsCSR programmes. As statisticians put it, if one outcomeseems overwhelmingly preferable, take it.

The author is FQM CountryManager. He was the first Zambianto command the combined armedforces, and served in the Zambiangovernment as a minister anddiplomat.

Opinion

The investments by FQM in education are borne out of our convictionthat benefits from the nations minerals must flow to Zambians in asignificant and sustained manner.

Apprentices at the FQM-inspired three-year apprenticeship programme at Solwezi Trades Training Institute (SOTTI).

ZT - GENERAL KINGSLEY 2/5/14 11:27 AM Page 1

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The wager is increasingly getting on top of the agendain the private sector, and First Quantum Minerals (FQM)has chosen the course that there is an infinity of aninfinitely happier and more prosperous life to gain withbetter education.

Consistent with that view, we have invested more thanK300 million in various initiatives to complementgovernment efforts in revamping the educationstandards in Zambia.

Alex Ngoma, Deputy Minister of Education, Science,Vocational and Early Education, who I recently shareda platform with when my company handed over 360books valued at K165,000 to the University of Zambia(UNZA) School of Mines, also contends that addressingthe challenges of education at all levels early learning,primary, secondary and tertiary arguably representedthe biggest opportunity to create more sustainedprosperity in Zambia.

The minister said that education is the cornerstone ofany nations development, and had an inducement tothe private sector: It goes without saying that growthand profitability of any organisation depends on howwell skilled and innovative its workforce was.

It turns out that the ministers inducement wassomething FQM had already enthusiastically embracedin its corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes.One such example is the Kwambula (ignite in Kaonde)Apprenticeship Programme, run in conjunction withthe Ministry of Education at the Solwezi Trades TrainingInstitute (SOTTI). The programme, with a budget ofK10 million, is geared to close the artisan skills gap inpower electrical, metal fabrication and boiler making.

Investing a further K6 million in improving the physicalinfrastructure of schools and teachers houses at ninebasic schools in Solwezi also represents FQMs appetitefor an improved education system.

Op

inio

n

ere are the stakes the most staggering conceivable: On one hand, more happinessand prosperity with better education. On the other, infinite cycle of poverty. But to which

shall we incline?By General Kingsley Chinkuli

Look to educationto dent povertyLook to educationto dent poverty


Zambian Traveller March/April 2014 35March/April 2014 Zambian Traveller34

A nybody who doesnt know what khaki is has had their eyes shut for too long. But for those of you who have (had your eyes firmly closed), its a fabric woven of either a sort of swampy green or a rather grubby beige. The word khaki comes from the Persian khak meaning earth or dust coloured. (Not wrong there then). You can blame Brigadier Sir Harry Burnett Lumsden for its adoption by westerners; his British regiments began wearing it in the mid-1800s in India. By 1885 all British troops stationed in India sported it in preference to previously worn white. Donned by soldiers during both Boer wars and by the Americans during the Spanish American War, it became de rigueur for military uniforms.

Right, so that explains its origins. And I can quite understand why a soldier, who needs to shuffle stealthily on his tummy through the undergrowth during battle, must wear it (mainly so hes not seen by his similarly khaki-clad enemy which strikes me as a pretty good reason to dress oneself head to toe in the stuff).

But it doesnt explain why tourists to Africa have developed such a zealous fondness for it? Why do they wear it? Not because its cooler than ice-cold white, certainly. Because it doesnt show the dirt? Possibly. It looks dirty before youve even put it on! Because theyre going for a game drive and want to creep up on the wildlife, unseen? Hardly: not when theyre crammed into a black and white mini van with a zillion camera shutters clicking paparrazi-style alongside 23 other vehicles similarly occupied and engaged. Even if their khaki uniforms rendered them invisible to animals, I reckon theres a pretty good chance that the pride of lion, herd of elephant, cheetah and cubs might spot the fleet of vehicles surrounding them, get up and disappear, out of sight. Which means the wearing of khaki was a waste of time.

And whats with the zips? Zips at the tops of sleeves, zips in the bottoms of trousers, zips in their ridiculous hats (which they button up on one side so that their left ears get really badly sunburned). Zips halfway up trousers so that the wearer can turn longs into shorts (what do they do with the bits they unzip? Put them in their camera bags? Or stuff them into one of the millions of pockets that adorn the same pair of trousers: pockets to the rear, at the front, halfway down, above and below their zips).

The number of pockets rivals that of zips; theyve even got pockets in the backs of their multi-zipped jackets. The backs! What are they, contortionists? Have you ever tried to reach around to your back as if getting something out of a pocket located between your shoulder blades? Simply not do-able!

Do you ever wonder what they do with their safari outfits when they get back to the Home Counties or the American Midwest? Im sure they never wear it once theyve left the continent. Have you ever seen anybody in Tesco dressed as if jungle-bound? I certainly havent. What a waste, dont you think, especially when it was (judging by the creases suggesting recent liberation from cellophane packaging) bought brand new for their African holiday.

Sometimes I feel a trifle mean as I cant help but chuckle when I find myself sitting alongside ranks of visitors to a game park all dressed identically in pea green. (Except for my daughters, who are brilliantly attired in offensive game-repelling Barbie pink).

I suppose its the excuse visitors give back home for not spotting a leopard. Those noisy little girls dressed too loudly (too loud all round frankly) for the bush. Nothing to do with the other 23 vehicles, of course, which rather gave not to say chased the game away.

Have you ever wondered what the fastest thing on earth was? This is a very difficult question to answer as there are so many different variables, land, sea or air? Human, animal or machine?

Both scholars of all things fast and those people possibly a little more ignorant, can argue for ages with different viewpoints rendering different opinions. But when it comes to the fastest acceleration on the planet, hands down the king has to be the Top fuel dragster.

Called Top Fuel because these cars are run on a mix of approximately 90% nitromethane and 10% methanol (also known as racing alcohol) rather than conventional petroleum as we know it. These cars are purpose-built for drag racing, with an exaggerated layout that in some ways resembles open-wheel circuit racing vehicle. However, top fuel dragsters are much longer, much narrower, and are equipped with large wheels on the back and small wheels in front, all in order to maximize their straight-line acceleration and speed.

When it comes to out and out number crunching, the thought of what these poor drivers (or should we rather call them pilots) go through in these very short spaces of time is nothing short of terrifying, and the only thing going through more torture than the 4G suffering driver, is the engine! Under full throttle, a dragster engine consumes 7 litres of nitro per second, the same rate of fuel consumption as a fully loaded 747 but with 4 times the energy volume. The supercharger takes more power to drive than a standard hemi engine develops. Dual magnetos apply 44 amps to each spark plug. This is the output of an arc welder in each cylinder. At stoichiometric (exact) 1.7:1 air/fuel mixture (for nitro), the flame front of nitromethane measures 3900 Celsius. Spark plug electrodes are totally consumed during a pass. After 1/2 way, the engine is dieseling from compression-plus the glow of exhaust valves at 760 Celsius. The engine can only be shut down by cutting off its fuel flow. If spark momentarily fails early in the run, unburned nitro builds up in those cylinders and then explodes with a force that can blow cylinder heads off the block in pieces or blow the block in half. To exceed 483 kph in 4.5 seconds dragsters must accelerate at an average of over 4Gs. But in reaching 321 kph well before 1/2 track, launch acceleration is closer to 8Gs.

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71174 Multotec Gold/Copper H ad_Zam_trav.indd 1 2013/07/30 3:01 PM

Be part of the team operating one of the largest copper mines in the world. With investment of over $2 billion dollars, First Quantum Minerals is creating new and exciting employment opportunities for people in the north-west of Zambia.

Were developing three new mines, located 150km west of Solwezi, collectively known as Trident. Sentinel, a copper mine, is the first of them to be commissioned and is on schedule to begin operations in the middle of 2014. When its fully operational it will produce in the region of 300,000 tonnes of copper per year.

To support the lives and livelihoods of our employees at Sentinel, their families and the local community were also investing in a brand new town. Not simply a town for the mining community but a new economic zone that will attract businesses and residents in great numbers. A town open to all.

With the new infrastructure, facilities and opportunities it offers, we hope to attract the best local talent for Sentinel. Weve already begun our search for the right people to receive industry-leading training for specialist roles.

Our ultimate goal is creating a success story in the region. One that leads the mining industry and helps to maintain Zambias strong economic growth record of the past few years. One that has a lasting positive impact on peoples lives.

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CHALLENGING MOTIVATING REWARDING

Were offering major opportunities at Sentinel for dedicated people who want to build something great with their careers and lives. So if you have experience in mining, geology, engineering metallurgy or fleet maintenance, visit our website to discover more about the opportunities we have now.

Sentinal ad 230x324 AW.indd 1 27/01/2014 09:55

If all the equipment is paid off, the crew worked for free, and for once NOTHING BLOWS UP, each run costs US$1000.00 per second. Dragsters reach over 483 kph per hour before you have read this sentence.Did you know that the nitromethane-powered engines of NHRA Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars produce approximately 7,000 horsepower, about 37 times that of the average street car? that an NHRA Top Fuel dragster accelerates from 0 to 100 mph in less than .8-second, almost 11 seconds quicker than it takes a production Porsche 911 Turbo to reach the same speed? that an NHRA Top Fuel dragster leaves the starting line with a force nearly five times that of gravity, the same force of the space shuttle when it leaves the launc

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Zambian Traveller 83