THE NORTHERN TOURISM CIRCUIT: Sikumba sets eyes on north, says Kasaba Bay will be restored to glory

MOST times when we talk about Zambia’s tourism, it is not by coincidence that one of the first things [if not the first thing] that possibly pops up is the Victoria Falls in Livingstone.

Simply put, the waterfall, which is one of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) World Heritage Centre’s seven natural wonders of the world, has earned a name for itself.

However, much as the spotlight has been on the Victoria Falls, which is shared between Zambia and Zimbabwe, the country has a lot of sites that, if marketed, can transform the country’s tourism outlook. Such an area is the northern tourism circuit.

Northern circuit is a term used to describe, identify and market the tourism endowments found in the northern part of Zambia encompassing Luapula, Muchinga, Northern and parts of Central province. 

The circuit has a rich and diverse tourism product base, which includes waterfalls, lakes, wildlife, animal sanctuaries, traditional ceremonies, unspoiled white-sandy beaches, cultural heritage and natural heritage sites in almost all the provinces.

In fact, it is also home to beautiful waterfalls which, if well marketed, can receive more visitations from both local and foreign tourists, just like the Victoria Falls – if not even more.

Minister of Tourism Rodney Sikumba, who before his election as Livingstone Central Member of Parliament and consequent appointment as minister was the Livingstone Tourism Association (LTA) chairperson, understands the industry very well. 

As such, he says the northern circuit is among the five tourism development areas, including Livingstone, Kafue National Park, Lower Zambezi and South Luangwa, that Government has identified as key to tourism development.

“To just give you a background, sometime in 2018, the ministry [of tourism] launched what we called the Zambia tourism master plan. It’s a 20-year plan that goes up to 2038, and in that plan, it has spelt out a detailed sequence of events to take place which will speak to the sustainable development of tourism in Zambia,” he said.

Mr Sikumba said of the five tourism development areas, four have already existing and operational tourism packages. He says attention is now shifting to the northern circuit to see how best it can be opened up.

“…for Livingstone, you are talking about the Victoria Falls and the Mosi-oa-tunya National Park. If you look at the Kafue National Park, it has the safari camps and the wildlife, and the same for the Lower Zambezi as well as South Luangwa,” he says.

He adds: “So now we want to complement the four with the fifth, which is the northern circuit. As you may know, it houses a number of waterfalls, outside the Victoria Falls, and I think by my count, we are talking about an addition of 14 waterfalls that we have designated under the National Heritage Conservation Commission (NHCC). 

“The most talked-about waterfalls on the northern circuit would be the Chishimba Falls in Kasama which obviously ranks second after the Victoria Falls in terms of visitor numbers,” he said.

With the main highlight on this particular tourism circuit being the Samfya beach, Government is, among other issues, considering how best the journey on the circuit can be broken down while placing emphasis on developing Kasaba Bay, situated in Nsumbu National Park on the shores of Lake Tanganyika in Northern Province.

The Kasaba Bay is the new dawn government’s iconic project, and Mr Sikumba says Government has given itself a lead time of five years to actualise it.

The area [Kasaba Bay] used to be a retreat facility for first republican President Kenneth Kaunda, who would, on many occasions, go there to relax.

According to Mr Sikumba, Government has secured US$100 million funding from the World Bank that will be used to develop the area and everything surrounding it, in an attempt to attract as many tourists to the area as possible.

“…we are talking about revamping accommodation. But how do you get to that place if there are no proper roads, no proper airstrip? So the complete set-up for Kasaba Bay would look into the airstrip. Past governments have attempted to do it but obviously it never got to see the light of the day, so we are getting back to it,” he said.

“Note that it is in Nsumbu National Park, so we are trying as much to see what we can possibly do to put together a product that will speak to the national park as well as the normal accommodation establishment. We are also looking at opening up the road network within the Kasaba Bay area. It could be from Mporokoso into Nsumbu or from Mbala into Kasaba Bay.”

At his inauguration ceremony in August last year, President Hakainde Hichilema acknowledged the huge role tourism can play in revamping the country’s economy.

He said: “The potential of the tourism sector will soon be realised through the promotion of Zambia and its various tourism endowments as the destination of choice. This will include reviewing visa requirements, building support infrastructure and revising tax rates.”

As for the famous Samfya beach, the Ministry of Tourism has been in talks with the local authority to see how best a semblance of a proper beach area can be created on the sandy shorelines of Lake Bangweulu.

Mr Sikumba said: “We have seen a lot of buildings mushrooming in and around the shoreline. We need a clean area and environment and have a particular operator managing the shoreline. That in itself speaks to safety and hygiene around that particular area.”

He said the ministry, through the tourism development fund and other cooperating partners, is now looking to open up the road network to the many heritage sites dotted across the circuit.

It is also hoped that the conference centre currently under construction in Samfya by Workers’ Compensation Fund Control Board (WCFCB) will boost tourism in the area.

“Other than the waterfalls, we also have the Kapishya hot springs, the Shiwa House and many other opportunities. So my team is putting together tourism products that must speak to all these various places. So in the vastness of it, we want people to be breaking their trip. We want people to stay long for them to have a full spectrum of what happens within the northern circuit. You will need a minimum of seven days, and that is exactly what we want to achieve,” he said.

Mr Sikumba also said Government will be looking to giving concessions to private developers with a hunger for profits to manage iconic heritage sites dotted in the region.

“We are saying that we want the private sector to get engaged. The Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Urban Development, will work on minimal infrastructure such as roads,” he said.

He said there is a deficit in terms of bed space in most of the heritage sites in the area. He has since advised locals to look at it as an investment opportunity.

“We want a lot of people to create accommodation. It shouldn’t be brick and mortar. Buy a piece of land, start working on it while the rains are there, mound the arrangement, just build a block of showers, toilets and fence it off. People come to camp and you have a bar area. That is what we are talking about, it’s adventure,” he said.

He has also urged the private sector, especially locals, to get ready to start running most of the facilities that Government may have inadvertently built in the past in its quest of opening up tourism.

This article was also published in the Zambia Daily Mail newspaper of Friday, May 27, 2022.

HAPPY AFRICA FREEDOM DAY: HH's ascendancy brings new dawn of freedom

IN his address to the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September last year, President Hakainde Hichilema spoke so highly of founding Republican President Kenneth Kaunda.

At the time, it was about three months after Dr Kaunda, who was revered among many for his role and contribution in the liberation struggle of many African countries, especially those from within Southern Africa, had died.

Perhaps, it was just right that in his maiden address to the UN, President Hichilema dedicated part of his speech to the man that delivered Zambia from the grip of its British colonial masters.

He said: “...I therefore wish to take this opportunity, on behalf of the Zambian people, to pay tribute to this iconic leader who was fondly known as KK. It is without doubt that the last remaining steward of liberation struggles has left an indelible mark on humanity. Dr Kaunda’s principles, values and contributions towards the ideals of emancipation and independence did not only spread across the African continent, but across the entire globe.

“His untold devotion to peace and unity laid the very foundation for Zambia's stature as a beacon of peace, not only in Southern Africa, but the African continent as a whole. The Zambian Government will therefore, build upon KK’s profound legacy to live in peace and harmony with one another. As we work towards this year’s theme, let us remember the important lessons that Dr Kaunda taught us, especially as we work towards revitalising the UN system.”

But maybe  unknown to Mr Hichilema, his own ascendency to power brought its own kind of political freedom to Zambia as it instilled a sense of hope in many people who were unhappy with the political repression under the previous regime.

At his inauguration ceremony, at the National Heroes Stadium that was attended by a multitude of people, President Hichilema declared: “Fellow citizens, it is a new dawn! The fourth estate, the media will be freed. Time has come for all Zambians to be truly free.”

President Hichilema reiterated that gone are the days when political cadres would take over the functions of public service workers in markets, bus stations, government offices, and other places.

He promised that his administration, which is fondly called ‘new dawn’, will not allow any such disorder, and that sanity will return to all places.

“We will restore the rule of law, general order in our public places and communities, and return our country back to normalcy. Read my lips, no more cadreism!” he said.

Just like Dr Kaunda, Mr Hichilema brought with him political liberation - mostly to those people who felt their mouths had been gagged and couldn’t voice out for fear of victimisation.

He assured: “The days of government workers being retired in national interest for political or unfair grounds, are over. The days of political interference in public institutions and parastatals are over. We must respect, promote and protect the rights of one other.”

Anderson Kambela Mazoka, together with his colleagues founded the United Party for National Development (UPND) 23 years ago on the promise of a better Zambia - a Zambia which is united and prosperous.

“...a Zambia that guarantees basic needs for all its citizens. In which the fundamental human rights and property of its citizens are protected. Today [August 24, 2021], we begin our journey towards realising this dream. I stand before you today, humbled and filled with gratitude, for your trust in a simple village boy who you have made the seventh President of the Republic of Zambia,” he said.

President Hichilema who has, on many occasions spoke about how the controversial Public Order Act has been stifling democracy dedicated his ascendancy to Presidency to all the citizens, especially the youths who turned out to vote in great numbers.

Mr Hichilema himself, is no stranger to political brutality under the Public Order Act. He, and a number of other political players, past and present, had their own share of the ugly side of this piece of legislation, which many Zambians want repealed.

His election, coupled with the smooth transition of power that followed [from Mr Edgar Lungu to Mr Hichilema], showed the world the resilience of Zambia’s democracy. However, he reaffirmed that power belongs to the people.

“The people decided it was time for change and today, we can boldly say, change is here! …to you we pledge a better democracy where your voices and rights will freely be exercised,” he said.

President Hichilema’s ascendance to power comes with a promise to promote national unity, rule of law and good governance.

The new dawn promises to focus on social inclusion and not exclusion as provided for in the republican constitution. It says it will endeavour to promote the principle of separation of powers among the three arms of government in order to enhance good governance.

This means that the executive shall not, in any way, interfere in the work of parliament or the courts of law.

Political scientist and University of Zambia lecturer Evans Daka has described the election of President Hichilema as a ‘second liberation’ for Zambians because people’s liberties and human rights have been restored.

Mr Daka says in the past, a number of human rights were infringed upon by not only Government officials, but by party cadres too.

“Considering that we are in the African Freedom Week and coming from an election that may as well be as good as a second liberation, it is important to reflect on the struggles that our forefathers made,” he said.

He adds: “Previously, things were not okay in terms of governance because people were not free to move and say certain things. But we are seeing some improvements now and we are just hoping that we can continue on this path.”

Another political scientist, Joe Ndambwa urges that as President Hichilema continues on his liberation path, it is important for Zambians to remember what the forefathers fought for and not deviate from them.

“We have seen the commitment from the President [Hichilema]. Even the way he has been making his appointments, you can tell that he is sticking to the core values of those that fought for our freedom.

“The political atmosphere has improved from the previous 10-year rule of the Patriotic Front. But also, as we reflect on this important day (Africa Freedom Day) and week, our forefathers also wanted economic liberation and the new dawn has promised to give it to us. We hope this will be actualised,” he said.

Musyani Sichone, also a political scientist, says the election of President Hichilema was important for Zambia as the country needed a new start and return to normalcy.

This article was also published in the Zambia Daily Mail newspaper of May 24, 2022.

HOPE FOR MEDIA LAW REFORMS? About President Hakainde Hichilema gracing high level media indaba

SIMPLY put, President Hakainde Hichilema is not media-shy – and he has proved this with not only the two press conferences he has had, but also the recent media indaba that he hosted.

President Hichilema graced the indaba to interact and engage with journalists who were toasting their day – the World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) – just the previous day.

Getting a whole head of State to grace the WPFD commemorations has never been an easy feat – save for the fact that former President Edgar Lungu officiated at last year’s commemorations at the Freedom Statue.

The fact that he accepted the invitation and spent half the day there should mean something, at least, especially for all media freedom rights activists and advocates.

The indaba, which was held on May 4, 2022 at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka, was part of the activities to commemorate WPFD, whose theme was: ‘Journalism under digital siege’.

Mr Hichilema said with the liberal operating environment his government has created for the media, there should be professional and factual reporting. He also said his administration is a friend of the media and he wants this friendship to be used to improve the media sector.

“The country is in need of media contribution. It will be difficult to improve conditions of service in the media if the economy is not doing well,” Mr Hichilema said.

He said Government will not stand in the way of the media but will work with journalists to advance their profession. “With the freedom, some are creating headlines based on falsehood. Is that how we should use the freedom? You are missing what was happening 10 months ago when journalists were abused?” he asked.

At the indaba, Mr Hichilema, who also encouraged the media to revive press clubs to promote diversity of news in communities, directed his ministers to be available to the media when called upon because they have an obligation to do so.

“I will emphasise this point at Cabinet. They (ministers) have an obligation and duty to communicate,” Mr Hichilema said.

It is his receptiveness to the media that has cheered and given hope to media bodies that have been fighting for media rights and freedom policy reforms. It has undoubtedly given them hope that, maybe, just maybe, the long awaited bills such as the Access to Information and Zambia Media Council Bill which proposes self-regulation, will be enacted into law.

Joy Chula is WPFD local organising committee chairperson. She says President Hichilema’s recent show of willingness to engage the media creates a conducive environment for journalists to operate in.

“However, our sincere hope is for the ZAMEC bill on media self-regulation to be tabled in the next sitting of Parliament. We want this to be implemented as quickly as possible. There are other statutes that require reform and we are currently working on identifying which ones can be submitted for repeal or amendment to be in line with what has been proposed by the media,” she says.

Ms Chula adds: “We as the media are expecting these reforms to be undertaken as soon as possible. We have seen governments come and go, making assurances which have not come to fruition. We are expectant, going by the President's pronouncements, but we wait to see these being approved by the new dawn administration. Steps in terms of engagements are being taken and we hope this will culminate into the desired goal of media law reforms in Zambia.”

Media Liaison Committee (MLC) chairperson Enock Ngoma is optimistic that regular engagements with the head of State will result in positive results for the media fraternity.

“…will not only enhance communication but also a clear understanding of what the media wants to see in terms of media development, editorial independence, press freedom and above all, ensuring human rights are protected,” he says.

Mr Ngoma adds that the regular engagements will ensure that things move fast. “For example, we need the ZAMEC (Bill) to become law this year. We need the ATI (Access to Information) to also become law and there are several other pieces of legislation that need to be amended or repealed such as the Independent Broadcasting Authority, Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation and Publications Acts. With the President, at least he can intervene and engage relevant ministries.

“Going forward, we would like to see pronouncements being actualised. Issues of press freedom for example should be clearly stated in the republican Constitution because pronouncements by word of mouth are not binding. In the event of change of government, no one will talk about pronouncements, but if things are in black and white, then they can be respected,” he says.

Mr Ngoma says there is already some progress in terms of independence of the media and he hopes to see the ATI and the ZAMEC bills being taken to Parliament this year.

Zambia Media Women Association secretary Mwazipeza Chanda says President Hichilema's pronouncements at the media indaba have given an assurance that a free media space remains a priority.

“Law-making in Zambia is not driven by the President's office but by the various stakeholders. Various media stakeholders have been in constant consultation with Government wings to have the ZAMEC Bill enacted, but other media related issues have not been addressed for several years. Restrictions related to the Public Order Act, Cyber Laws and Access to Information continue to affect how journalists work,” Ms Chanda said.

Bloggers of Zambia founder, Richard Mulonga says President Hichilema’s high-level dialogue with different actors in the media gives hope for press freedom and media law forms.

Mr Mulonga said such platforms are a good because they allow the President to make clear media policy statements. 

“However, what we require are pronouncements that are backed by practical actions and movements towards media law reforms. The President may be tolerant and benevolent in this regime to the extent of providing an environment for media to operate freely, but he is just an individual.

“This is why we need issues of press freedom and freedom of expression and access to information to be guaranteed and protected by law and guided by policy, not verbal pronouncements by an office bearer who is also limited by term of office,” he says.

This article was also published in the Zambia Daily Mail newspaper of May 17, 2022. You can find it on this link http://www.daily-mail.co.zm/about-hh-gracing-high-level-media-indaba/

Minister of Youth, Sport and Art Elvis Nkandu talks 'new dawn' youth empowerment

ZAMBIA’S population is largely made up of young people, with the youth – those between the ages of 18 and 35, constituting 36.7 percent of the total national population.

As such, it has become imperative for Government to critically invest in the youth as a means of addressing the challenges they face if the country is to have meaningful and sustainable development.

This is because the youth form a large part of the productive population of Zambia’s economy.

In his inauguration speech on August 24, 2021 at the National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka, President Hakainde Hichilema acknowledged the important role of youths in the economy. He said the high level of unemployment among the youths, which is currently sitting at 22.63 percent, is of great concern to his government. He said: “…and this will be high on our agenda to address.”

Similarly, at the ceremonial opening of the first session of the 13 National Assembly on 10^th September 2021, President Hichilema said in order to harness the potential of the country’s youthful population towards national development, his government will create opportunities for job and wealth creation.

He said this will be complemented by changing the mind-set and culture of the young people so that they could appreciate their value and attain their fullest potential.

“We want our youth to refrain from engaging in unproductive activities. We will also upscale resource mobilisation to sustain the youth empowerment programmes. In addition, we will create specific preferential public procurement programmes targeting the purchase of goods and services from youth owned enterprises,” he said.

In its manifesto, the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) identified lack of youth participation in decision-making as one of the major challenges the country was facing.

“…as well as the lack of youths and people with disabilities in political leadership, business leadership and decision making positions. [The] UPND has observed some trends in the barriers to women, youths and people with disabilities’ equal participation and representation in politics, commerce and decision-making,” it reads in part.

Nine months in power and the new dawn administration which, like administrations before, has identified among others, youth empowerment as a tool for job creation, is already in high gear on it.

Minister of Sports, Youth and Arts Elvis Nkandu who recently announced new guidelines of the empowerment initiative, says the new dawn administration is planning to create about two million formal and informal jobs between 2022 and 2026.

He says it is for this reason that it is coming up with its own National Youth Policy which will align with the party manifesto.

With the 8^th National Development Plan draft already approved, the new dawn administration held a two-day national youth indaba, to get views from youths across the country on what their desires are.

“For us, the National Youth Policy, which at this point is at formulation stage, is number one to actualising our aspirations for the youths. We are also coming up with a National Youth Development Strategy which will run from 2022 to 2026. The strategy will spell out all these job opportunities for the youths,” he says. 

Simply put, the new dawn administration will take a different approach.

“The second step is that we are going to go to provincial centres to get the views of the people on the National Youth Policy that we are formulating. Mind you, we already announced the new youth empowerment guidelines. We are doing it differently this time around,” he says.

He adds that the ministry has delayed to effectively implement the empowerment scheme because some guidelines were prohibitive.

“We want young people to be able to leverage on something and that’s why we are rolling out these empowerment programmes. So far, we have launched the new guidelines and I am impressed with the response from the youth so far. A lot of them are calling me to make inquiries. That is what we want,” he says.

In the new guidelines, beneficiaries of the youth empowerment scheme will be listed on the Credit Reference Bureau to reduce risks of defaulting by borrowers, a situation that government is trying to avoid.

Government has so far, recovered K21 million from the youth empowerment scheme since September last year. The resources will be channeled towards other empowerment programmes to enable more youths to benefit.

 “This time around, application forms for empowerment will be approved by different approval committees, at various stages of the process. The first category of empowerment will range between K100, 000 to K300, 000, the second level will range from K300, 000 to K500, 000,” he says.

Mr Nkandu adds that the third level will involve an amount that is more than K500, 000, out of which 20 percent will be paid in cash as operational costs.

He said every cooperative that wants to access funds should not have less than 30 members while differently abled people will be given priority in different forms of empowerment.

“This is the agenda that the new dawn government has. We are making accessible that which the youths could not access previously. We are teaching young people to stop relying on handouts and know that they have to work,” he says.

Mr Nkandu says government is providing an enabling environment for youths to thrive.

He says unemployment levels among youths, which are currently high, will drastically reduce by the end of the year, thanks to the recruitment of 30,000 teachers and the over 11,200 health personnel.

“Bear in mind also that we are yet to recruit personnel in the defense and security wings. Plus many other informal jobs will come in form of contracts through the Constituency Development Fund projects,” he says.

According to the Vision 2030, Zambia is aspiring to transition from a low to middle income country by the year 2030 – and youth participation and inclusion has been identified as key in actualising it.

This article was also publishing in the Zambia Daily Mail newspaper of May 3, 2022. You can read it on this link http://www.daily-mail.co.zm/upnd-vision-of-empowering-youth/