BEHOLD THE KINGS ROYAL TOUR: Litunga in historic touchdown in Livingstone

HISTORY of the Barotse royalty has repeated itself, thanks to the just ended Southern Province Tourism and Investment Exposition that was held in Livingstone, from September 14 - 21.

Perhaps you might be wondering, what history?

It was the return of the Litunga of the Lozi to Livingstone, 72 years after the then Litunga, Lubosi Imwiko I who happens to be the father to the current sitting Litunga Lubosi Imwiko II, last visited the tourist capital.

Make no mistake however, the two visits, though in similar fashion had somewhat different purposes.

Whereas the purpose for Litunga Lubosi Imwiko I ceremonial royal travel to the tourist capital was to meet with King George VI and Queen Elizabeth at the Zambezi Boat Club in April 1947, his son’s was to grace the 5th Zambezi International Regatta, a curtain raiser to the expo.

And it was spectacular.

The Litunga who arrived in the tourist capital aboard a Zambia Air Force plane at the Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport was accorded a welcome befitting his royal status.

The Lozi paramount chief, who was accompanied by Western Province Minister Richard Kapita and Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) prime minister Manyando Mukela and members of the royal family was received by Southern Province Minister Edify Hamukale and some senior Government officials.

Among the notable officials were permanent secretary Mwangala Liomba, his deputy Kennedy Mubanga and Chief Chikanta, Chieftainess Sekute and Chieftainess Choongo.

Of course, there was also a crowd of people, most of them clad in traditional Lozi attires such as the Siziba and red head gear for men and Musisi for women.

The town which was literally brought to a standstill with lots of spectators who wanted to catch a glimpse of the Litunga was littered with people wearing red berets, a distinct colour among in the Lozi identity, especially during ceremonies.

He made a stopover at the Civic Centre where a procession was held. Everyone knew that the next day, there was going to be a flotilla called Kupuwana [loosely translated as playing on water], which was to be the epitome of his five-day royal visit to Livingstone.

And, no, no one would be blamed for mistaking it for the Kuomboka traditional ceremony of the Lozi which has not taken place for two years in a role due to low water levels in the Zambezi floodplains.

It is similar, save for a few distinct features such as the type of the royal boat and number of paddlers.

Kupuwana is a distinct water ceremony the Litunga undertakes when on an official or ceremonial tour of duty, different from the annual Kuomboka or Kufuluhela traditional festivals.

Instead of the Nalikwanda, it was the alternative but equally spectacular Indila boat used.

The difference between the two is that the latter doesn’t have an elephant statue on top and is smaller in size with about 60 paddlers while the former is much bigger with over 300 paddlers and with an elephant effigy on top.

In recorded history, this was the third time the Litunga had traveled to Livingstone on the mighty Zambezi River in a Kupuwana procession.

The only other time he did so in Kupuwana style, was in 1925 when King Yeta III came to meet with the Prince of Wales and the 1947 royal journey undertaken by King Imwiko I.

Isaac Mukelabai, a Lozi based in Livingstone could not hide his excitement. “As we are celebrating right now, we are happy as Lozis and we know that this day in Livingstone is a big day for us, especially that we haven’t had the Kuomboka [traditional] ceremony in two years,” he said.

Another one Sandra Lubinda added: “We have seen that culture and tradition is still there. Even in our homes, we must imitate what our parents were teaching us a long time ago.”

Erstwhile Zambia Tourism Agency (ZTA) board chairperson Peter Jones who was instrumental in bringing the Litunga to Livingstone said the visit added colour to the expo and regatta and had some positive impact on the economic outlook of the tourist capital.

“It’s a huge thing for Livingstone city. I see this as a re-launch in some way for tourism, especially in the area of domestic tourism which we have seemingly failed and I see this as a way of keeping the tradition going,” he said.

He added: “...that is exactly what we are doing at the exposition. We are trying to bring in new investors in the province.”

The Litunga’s water trip which lasted for close to two hours started from the Sekute monument in the Mosi-oa-tunya National Park.

The area is quite historical too.

“This is a place where white settlers had first settled. They were attacked by mosquitoes and most of them died of malaria. They are buried here,” Kennedy Sekute, a historian shared.

The Indila took off at exactly 11:29 hours accompanied by other smaller boats acting as ‘sweepers’ while other tourists viewed the ceremonial event from the comfort of speed boats.

About 60 paddlers were seen paddling the boat with Mr Liomba being one of them. As this was happening, the river bank was filled with many spectators who were witnessing what they were calling the 'mini Kuomboka ceremony.'

The Indila carrying Litunga docked at the Zambezi Boat Club at 13:15 hours much to the delight of the people.

The event was a run up to the 5th Zambezi International Regatta which was next on the Litunga’s itinerary, the following day.

It too was held at the Zambezi Boat Club - a place with many memories and ties to the Lozi kingship.

Adding to those fond memories, he too planted a tree there, the same way his predecessors did.

And in his own hand-writing in the visitor’s book at the Boat Club, the Litunga wrote: “I am delighted today for the opportunity to add yet another chapter to the extraordinary history embedded in the records at the Zambezi Boat Club magnificent work that must be supported by all of us, thank you.”

Earlier, the Litunga visited the site within the Boat Club where his father, Lubosi Imwiko I and King George I of the British Empire met at the Zambezi Boat Club and unveiled a plaque alongside the one his father did.

In a statement through his prime minister Manyando Mukela, the Litunga said he was grateful to all those who facilitated his visit to Livingstone. “For us as the people of Barotseland, this is a rare opportunity to be here and this history should be permanent. We are grateful,” he said.

He added: “To us it is a natural occurrence after our people endured moving on the boat [the Nalikwanda] from Western Province to here carrying our King, Lubosi Imwiko I to meet King George,” he said.

45-year-old Mataa Mubiana described the ceremonial event as magnificent and entertaining. He said the ceremony which attracted people from various places and tribes helps to foster and promote cultural ties.

Mongu based photojournalist Wasamunu Mubita said the ceremony symbolises unity. “The ceremony shows that we embrace one Zambia one nation [motto] regardless of [different] tribes. The ceremony has been done in Southern Province and not Western Province so there’s also a culmination of cultures,” she said.

The Litunga wrapped up his royal visit by attending mass at Saint Theresa Catholic Church on Sunday and visits to Victoria Falls whose local name is Musi-oa-tunya which means the smoke that thunders in siLozi and the Jewish Museum at the Railway Museum.

He said the presence of little water at the Victoria Falls is a manifestation of the reality of climate change.

“His Majesty the Litunga Lubosi Imwiko II visited Victoria Falls today, following many visits before. He has been struck by the exceptional little water falling over the rocks,” Ngambela Mukela wrote in the visitors book at the falls.

This article was published in the Zambia Daily Mail Newspaper on 13, September, 2019. You can find it on this link http://www.daily-mail.co.zm/litunga-in-historic-touchdown/

WALKING SAFARI, NO STROLL IN PARK: my first hand experience of Mosi-oa-tunya wilderness

Examing Impala droppings.

GOING on a walking safari always sounds like a crazy idea, a don’t-tell-my-mama activity. So what was I doing on a bus heading to the Mosi oa Tunya National Park in Livingstone last Tuesday?

Zambia’s smallest national park, the Mosi oa Tunya that is, is endowed with a lot of natural beauty in form of wildlife, and adventure activities to get one’s adrenaline pumping.

Courtesy of my wife, Sowi, who works in the tourism industry, I have indulged in hair-raising activities such as white water rafting, rode on the back of a full-grown elephant, walked with lions and cheetahs, and I have even done the gorge swing, as well as the zipline across the Batoka Gorge.

But nothing quite prepared me for what I was about to experience that Tuesday afternoon.

A walking safari is surely no walk in the park. But yet there I was, in the park, on a nature walk, inspired somewhat by an unfortunate event.

I was undertaking the venture 10 days after celebrated tour guide Chiinga Siavwapa was killed by an elephant in the same park.

The tour guide had taken a tourist on a bird watching walking safari when an angry jumbo charged. Despite his vast experience in the bush, and with wild animals, he had no room to escape.

His death shed a new spotlight on the dangers of walking safaris. I spoke to Chiinga’s widow, Nina, who worked with her late husband as tour operators, and she arranged an afternoon nature walk for me.

I invited my workmate, Chali Mulenga, who reluctantly tagged along. At 14:30 hours on a hot Tuesday, we set out, picked up by our tour guide Chiwele Mweete.

Chiwele is Chiinga’s nephew, and he bears a striking resemblance to his late uncle. He was donning a Larimer mens cotton safari hat, which could not hide his long dreadlocks. Our driver Evans Sikalinda was the same driver who drove Chiinga and his client to the edge of the park on that fateful day.

Chiwele and I examining Giraffe droppings.

When he asked me how I felt going on a walking safari, I could not hide my apprehension. I was nervous.

Evans was doing his best trying to calm our nerves. “Don’t be scared,” he said. “You will be just fine.” Chiwele told us about the behaviour of wild animals and what to do and what not to do when in the park.

He warned us against using the camera flashlight when taking pictures of wild animals.

“These animals get irritated by the camera flashlight and the camera shutter sound,” he told us.

We picked two rangers on our way, one of them armed with an AK-47 riffle.

The gun somewhat gave me some comfort. But even then, I had to ask the ranger, Emmanuel Mudenda, if it had enough bullets.

Before entering the park, we had to sign an indemnity form. Whatever would happen to me thereafter would not be the responsibility of the safari company, Savannah Southern Safari.

At that point, pictures of my wife and children flashed in my mind. I also noticed from the form, that eight days had passed with no activity for the safari company. Chiwele handed each of us a bottle of water. “You will need it,” he said.

We took off for the starting point of the nature walk, and before we even got there, we came across some giraffes. “You can take pictures if you like,” said Chiwele. “Giraffes are naturally shy animals but one thing you must never do is stand behind it.”

Giraffes have one of the most powerful kicks capable of killing a lion. Chali came out of the vehicle and took a number of pictures before jumping back. We reached the starting point at exactly 15:11 hours, and there was more pep talk.

“We are going to walk in a line. The ranger will be in front, I will be next and so on,” Chiwele said. At this point, I was the one to be at the tail end of the line.

“But don’t worry, you are equally safe,” Chiwele assured me. The nature walks usually take about three hours.

The sun was punishing, and I wondered whether the one bottle of water I was given was going to be enough. But my greatest fear was encountering the elephants. We were in their territory, as evidenced by the number of broken trees.

A few metres into our safari, we came across a heap of dung which Chiwele identified as Giraffe droppings. “These are so hard that artists at the curio market even make necklaces out of them,” he said.

There were a number of birds singing in the surrounding trees, and distinct among them were those of a white-browed sparrow weaver and the hornbill - the hornbill is Zazu from The Lion King movie.

Viewing Rhinos

Chiwele is a walking encyclopaedia with vast knowledge on each of the birds. “The white-browed sparrow-weaver is a predominantly brown, sparrow-sized bird found throughout central and north-central southern Africa. It is found in groups of two to 11 individuals consisting of one breeding pair and other non-reproductive individuals,” he explained.

It is a clever bird which is strategic when building its nest. “If you look at those nests, you will be able to tell that the wind is moving from this direction to such a direction. They don’t build where the wind is blowing from, they always build on the other side with so much reliance on the tree to block the wind to protect their nests,” he said.

The Sparrow weaver was Chiinga’s favourite bird. We then spotted a herd of about 12 zebra’s, and not too far from them was a herd of wildebeests. They were near a solar-powered water borehole which provides water to the animals in the dry season.

We tried to get closer to the zebras, but the more we did, they would look at us warily before retreating. “They are shy animals, too,” said Chiwele. Within the same vicinity, we spotted a warthog.

About an hour into the walk, I was beginning to get tired and had already finished my bottle of water. I was becoming worried about my energy levels. How would I run in case of danger?

Suddenly, Emmanuel, our ranger, stooped to ground to examine something. “This is a rhino’s footprint,” he announced. His next announcement sent chills down my spine. “They are close,” he said.

Emmanuel is a veteran ranger. He joined the Department for National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) in 1989. Chiwele then told us that we were near a point where animals come to feed on supplementary food provided by the DNPW. Yes, there is also relief food for wild animals.

“But during the rainy season, because grass is plenty, you would not find these animals here. You would have to walk for many hours, tracking them,” said Chiwele.

When we reached the feeding spot, we found three white rhinos and eight wildebeests feeding on the supplements provided by the DNPW. At this point, Emmanuel instructed us to stop and stand still in a queue as we observed the animals.

As if they had been bullied away from the food, the wildebeests suddenly took off leaving three white rhinos alone. 

Soon, we heard the ground rumbling. More rhinos were running to join the feast. Chiwele allowed my colleague, Chali, to take pictures, but with caution.

Another set of three rhinos came running. Two playful juveniles almost startled me. They seemed to be sizing each other for a fight. Chiwele signaled that it was time to move to a safer position. The gun the ranger was carrying is not meant to shoot down animals, but poachers.

So what happens if the rhino charges at us? "We can slowly walk to that log there and lie behind it,” said Chiwele, pointing to a spot a few metres away. Well, I wasn’t as convinced the log would stop a charging rhino.

The only animal armed rangers are allowed to gun down is a charging buffalo. According to the ranger, this is because unlike other animals, a charging buffalo never holds back. The eight rhinos were later joined by another rhino which was walking slowly with its four months old calf.

“You have now seen all the white rhinos there is in Zambia,” said Chiwele. The white rhinoceros or square-lipped rhinoceros is the largest extant species of rhinoceros. It has a wide mouth used for grazing and is the most social of all rhino species.

“No one really knows where the white rhino's name comes from, although it is said to come from the Dutch word ‘wijd’,” said Chiwele. Chiwele, who appeared to be in his late 20s, was trained by his late uncle and has been conducting such walking safaris for six years now.

“I am used to it and I love it,” he said. He said Savannah Southern Safari will continue with Chiinga’s legacy. “He was a lover of nature and we have resolved to carry on with his vision as a family,” he said.

Our walk in the park ended with very dusty shoes and our bodies drenched in sweat. Evans was waiting to pick us up. We had our snacks before leaving the animal kingdom.

Would I go on another walking safari? Definitely.

This article was published in the Zambia Daily Mail Newspaper on 29, September, 2019. You can find it on this link http://www.daily-mail.co.zm/walking-safari-no-stroll-in-park/.

Southern Expo: Ooze of investment hope as event attracts US$2 billion to go towards economic development

LOCAL organising committee chairperson for the just ended Southern Province Tourism and Investment Exposition Richard Mbewe labeled it the ‘mother of all expositions’. 

His thought was in line with the fact that they had been to all the other expositions and seen how they were organised - from there, lessons were learnt on how to make the South exposition even better.

“We saw how our friends organised their expositions and we picked a lot of ideas from there and from all of them, we are hosting ours,” he was quoted as saying. 

And rightly so, perhaps, the exposition which was held from 14 - 21 September at the Royal Livingstone Golf Club attracted over US$2 billion worth of investment pledges. 

The investment pledges were in different sectors of the economy which include tourism, mining, agriculture, transport and energy among others.

This came to light during the official opening of the expo at which letters of intent were read from different investors.

The official opening and signing ceremony was graced and witnessed respectively by President Edgar Lungu.

A memorandum of understanding between Mashonaland West Province of Zimbabwe and Southern Province to twin the two provinces was also signed by the ministers in-charge of the two provinces. 

The investment pledges signed at the event include a US$1 billion construction of shopping malls and a five star hotel, US$ 200 million construction of a hotel, golf course and convention centre by the Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants (ZICA), US $1 million in uranium exploration and mining, US$500, 000 in the transport industry by Benash Transport.

Benash is a South African based company with its headquarters in Johannesburg and operates in South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Benash marketing director Ashton Maistry said the company which will be known as Apex Hauliers will comprise of 95 percent Zambian shareholding and is in need of local based client partners to help boost wealth creation through the transport sector. 

“We have recently invested into the Zambian market and opened up a sub division for Benash transport called Apex Hauliers.

We have invested half a million dollars that was the initial investment to the Zambian market,” he said.

Others are US $30 million investment pledges by Sable Limited, US $11 million by Maamba Collieries Limited in the energy sector and K500, 000 in the manufacturing and distribution of building materials sector.

Dragon Construction Materials (DCM) on the other hand is setting up a K5 million investment company in Choma aimed at contributing to the growth of the textile industry in the region.

“For us as a company, we want to ensure that we invest in the country and our next step is to ensure that we open other offices in various parts of the country,” said DCM southern region manager Likando Mwiya.

The company which also trades as the Herocean Group with operations in Tanzania, Mozambique, Rwanda and Congo is a comprehensive trader and supplier of building materials and specialises in various profiles of roofing sheet products.

Southern Province Minister Edify Hamukale said there was overwhelming goodwill and willingness among local and foreign investors to invest in the province as evidenced by oversubscription at the expo by over 1000 delegates.

Dr Hamukale said the provincial administration had initially targeted 1000 delegates which doubled. "This demonstrates the eagerness by more people in sharing President Edgar Lungu's vision in accelerating development," he said.

What’s even better is that traditional leaders in the region are ready and willing to receive the investors.

Indaba Agriculture Policy Research Institute (IAPRI) executive director Chance Kabaghe said traditional leaders in Southern Province have been equipped with negotiation skills to negotiate investment deals in their chiefdoms.

"This has been a successful exposition because we have been able to attract investments of US $2billion in the energy, agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, real estate and mining sectors," Mr Kabaghe said.

The other thing expected to excite the people of Southern province is Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) plans to develop a multi-facility economic zone in the region.

ZDA director general Matongo Matamwandi disclosed these plans here in an interview, citing Monze as a potential site for the construction of the economic zone.

The multi facility economic zones are a vehicle Government is utilising to drive industrialisation.

“In Southern Province, we are looking at one where the geo-thermal project will be in Monze. We are thinking we can create a lot of activities there. We are also looking at the Royal Monze project which will put up a university and hospital,” he said.

Multi-facility economic zones offer incentives and attract the needed investment opportunities aimed at facilitating national development and Southern Province is viewed as a key player in driving the country’s development agenda.

“We can utilise tourism multi-facility economic zone so that we can attract more tourism investment because the tourism sector plays a critical role in the growth of the economy,” said Mr Matamwandi. 

Mr Matamwandi said the country offers attractive investment incentives for both local and foreign investors. The expo officially opened with a call by President Edgar Lungu to actualise the investment pledges into tangible investments.

The head of State said Southern Province has massive natural resources which have remained untapped but can now attract investors through the exposition.

Mr Lungu urged the provincial administration in the region to learn from the Luapula Province administration who are actualising significant investments from the pledges during their expo.

The President said expos should not be talk shows but yield tangible results and impact positively on the economy of the country. "I believe this expo will trigger unprecedented investments in the province and the country at large.

The time is now for you to make that business decision to invest in Southern Province and Zambia at large," President Lungu said. 

 The expo which attracted over 2000 delegates was being held under The theme: "Accelerating development through value addition and diversification". 

President Lungu said the theme resonates with Government's development plans and that it is his administration's desire to open and develop all the ten provinces in the country.

He said Government has put in place measures to create value addition to grow the economy. President Lungu said Government will continue to provide a favourable and conducive environment for all businesses to thrive. 

"It is time to work together because we are One Zambia One Nation. I am delighted that Southern Province home of the mighty Victoria Falls has put up this event after other expos.

The expo is timely because it is an opportunity to market the province as a tourism destination, mining and agriculture and other sectors," President Lungu said.

Minister of Commerce Trade and Industry Christopher Yaluma said Government will ensure that all small and medium enterprises present at the expo are supported to grow their businesses.

And they were a lot. Some exhibitors from all the 13 districts in Southern Province came to showcase what the province is endowed with.

“Southern Province has a lot of these Tamarind trees which we can make jam and drinks from. You can also make juice from the famous baobab fruits that are dotted everywhere in the province,” said an elderly woman exhibitor from Zimba.

Kalomo Town Council public relations officer Charity Chaiwila also called on investors to consider investing in the district in areas of tourism and also agriculture.

“Remember, we were the largest producers of maize in Zambia but because of the poor rains, we did not not do well. But we have plenty of agricultural opportunities in Kalomo,” she said. 

Did you know that Buya Bamba potatoes are grown and packaged in Kalomo?

“This is what we are most proud of as Kalomo. Not many people know this but Buya Bamba which is found literally everywhere comes from Kalomo. That should give you an idea of how fertile the soil is,” she said.

Ms. Chaiwila said the Bbilili hot springs is also another area that could be exploited. Mr Yaluma said the expo presents opportunities to create linkages between small and bigger enterprises to foster economic growth.

Nonetheless, as Dr Hamukale clearly noted, the exposition marked a new era for the transformation of lives in Southern province.

“We hope through the expo that the province will improve and increase its gross domestic product,” he said.