Former Health Minister Joseph Kasonde dies

NDUBI MVULA, Lusaka.
A dark cloud has befallen Zambia's health sector following the death of immediate past Minister of Health Dr Joseph Kasonde.

Current Minister of Health Dr Chilufya Chitalu confirmed the development.

"With a profound sense of regret, I announce the passing on of Honourable Dr. Joseph Mwenya Kasonde, immediate past Minister of Health," Dr Chilufya said.

Dr. Kasonde, 79, graduated with a bachelor degree of medicine and surgery from Aberdeen university, in 1966, and got a Doctor of medicine degree from Oxford university in 1976. 

From 1977 to 1984 Dr Kasonde served as Director of Medical Services, combining this position with that of Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health of Zambia from 1979. 

From 1985 to 1998 he worked for the World Health Organization as Responsible Officer for Research Capacity Strengthening in Developing countries.

He was nominated Member of Parliament and appointed cabinet minister, in 2011, by the late Republican president, Mr. Michael Sata, and reappointed to the same position by President Edgar Lungu.  

He saved until 2016 and he is survived by his wife, Mary, five  children and several grandchildren.

"The Health sector has yet again been robbed of an internationally acclaimed practitioner of medicine. He was a maestro of a doctor; my teacher and a teacher of many, a mentor; a doctor who diligently served the world and the nation; and he laid a firm foundation for reforms in the health sector. 

He Will be dearly missed. Sincere condolences to the wife and family. May His Soul rest in peace" Ministry of Health Hon Dr Chitalu Chilufya.

September, Month of Wine

 

 
NDUBI MVULA, Lusaka.

THE World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has just sounded a gong on the forthcoming global conference to be held in Argentina and it is being held in conjunction with the Ministry of Tourism in Argentina.

This is global conference is all about wine. Yes, wine. It is called the Wine Tourism and is scheduled for September 29 and 30^th 2017.

It comes in the wake of the success of the 1st edition of the Wine Tourism conference which took place in the Kakheti region of Georgia, in September 2016, but this upcoming edition will be held in the Province of Mendoza, Argentina.

The region, known as the heart of Argentine winemaking, accounts for 70 percent of the national production of wine and about 85 percent of the bottled wine sales.

The identity of Mendoza is strongly linked to wine and it is an ideal venue offering participants the opportunity to experience firsthand a variety of wine tourism projects, linking both the public and private actors of the tourism and wine sectors.

Zambia may not be a producer of wine but certainly its citizens do participate in the enjoyment of this sector of tourism, knowingly or unknowingly.

Furthermore, as this second edition falls within the framework of the 2017 International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, the former will be the core overarching theme of the conference.

According to the UNWTO, the International Year aims to support a change in policies, business practices and consumer behaviour towards a more sustainable tourism sector that can contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

One would ask as to what is the link between tourism wine and the SDGs. Well it is noted that the link between wine tourism and sustainability also aligns with the 2030 Universal Agenda for Sustainable Development and the SDGs.

Therefore, the Conference will be dedicated to strengthening the relationship between sustainability and wine tourism, highlighting the valuable role of wine tourism on the sustainable development of tourism destinations.

The Conference will include working sessions taking place in wine tourism venues throughout the province, giving all participants the opportunity to further explore the topics addressed in the sessions and interactively share and exchange ideas.

It is understood that the 1^st event convened over 200 participants including representatives from the Ministries, Destination Management Organizations (DMOS), National Tourism Organizations (NTOS), and tourism experts from nearly 50 countries. 

And it is expected the Zambia’s Ministry of Tourism and Arts will be in attendance of the conference since the country is a full member of the global body the UNWTO at senior level of governance.

Mindful of this, is the realisation that the UNWTO has developed the UNWTO Wine Tourism Prototype that introduces an innovative methodology to identify the existing correlative relationship of the wineries and their surroundings, including their influences on local and regional history, socio-economics and culture.

This relationship created the framework for a product to experience a region through its wineries and the environment in which they have developed.

The wine tourism prototype includes an analysis and diagnostic assessment of the current situation with regard to wine tourism, in comparison with other markets and in the technical design of the tourism model.

In the last decade, wine tourism, has become a key component of gastronomy tourism until being recognized today as an essential segment of the tourism industry.

Many wine regions and tourism destinations have realized that the benefits of wine tourism extend well beyond the cellar door to all areas of the regional economy.

Wine, food, tourism and the arts collectively comprise the core elements of the wine tourism product and provide the lifestyle package that wine tourists seek to experience.

If efficiently developed, wine tourism represents an excellent opportunity for destinations to diversify and enhance consumer´s value.

Back home, a number of wine testing events are conducted on selected places or resorts such as Chaminuka, the Royal Livingstone and a number of pleasure resorts dotted in the country while in South Africa it is almost the norm especially in Cape Town, home to the many vine yards.

Despite Zambia not being a wine producing country, the product is readily available and to a large extent does provide sustainable jobs.

Umutomboko Festival brightens Luapula Expo & Investment

NDUBI MVULA, Lusaka.

THE Luapula Expo & Investment Conference just had to come. It had to come for the purpose of unlocking the vast potential that the province has to showcase to not only the outside world but at home as well.

At home, yes through the concept of domestic tourism which cuts across all forms of human activities, ranging from energy, mining, environment, agriculture, sports, forestry, animal, health, education, leisure and above all religious.

As statistics of over 750 indicate concerning the number of delegates both local and foreign, with the majority being Zambians, it goes without saying that not only is the potential in the natural resources dotted in the area but that people are anxious to visit and experience a different life style.

Like President Edgar Lungu stated when he officiated at the grand opening that success has many fathers while failure is an orphan, true to the word, the just ended Luapula Expo is has attracted many fathers.
He repeated even during the Mutomboko traditional ceremony where he called on other provincial Ministers to emulate what their colleague has done.
“I commend the efforts of the Luapula Province Administration to attract investment and I encourage all of our provinces to learn from your example,” he said.
It is a well known fact that no one in their right sense want to be associated with failure and Luapula Province Minister Nickson Chilangwa had to see to it that what he had embarked on with his team hits the limelight and claims more fathers than become a deserted orphan.
In helping to raise to the banner of success by Team Chilangwa, is former Permanent Secretary in the province Clement Chendela Siame who during his tenure before he proceeded to Ghana for a tour of duty as a diplomat, set in motion the similar investment venture then called Destination Luapula.
The year was 2008 and in this Team Siame, Mr Chilangwa also was part of the brains that wanted to see the province showcase as well as attract investment in various sectors of development. 
“It is so refreshing to see the vision of “Destination Luapula” being re-ignited through the Luapula Expo. Luapula Province minister Nickson Chilangwa has raised the bar of the dream we launched together in 2008. I commend him highly for standing out to make Luapula Destination a reality,” he said according to media reports.
Mr Siame prays that Mr Chilangwa and his administration will be supported to actualise the whole dream of making Luapula the gem of Zambia.
I salute the team that has made this a possibility. Our efforts were not in vain. My vision was to make Luapula Province the most preferred destination in Zambia.” he says.
Indeed the vision had to be fulfilled and carried forward.
Under the theme “Linking Investors to Luapula Province to Unlock the Economic Potential”, it just fitted in so well that almost all the deliberations were centred on the same.
The period was from July 26^th to July 31^st 2017 and areas of interest covered ranged from Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Livestock, Energy, Tourism, Mining and Infrastructure Development respectively.
In this respect, delegates were exposed to all the outlined sectors so that they could pick on what they feel they could spend their money on.
The first outing was for all delegates who had to spend their afternoon and part of the night in Samfya on the rich Samfya Beach where various beach sporting activities were displayed including football organised by the Football Association of Zambia and the provincial administration.
Luapula province permanent secretary Dr Buleti Nsemukila could not conceal his happiness at the large turnout as he welcomed some delegates who had gone on a sunset cruise to view the rest of Samfya beach and Mbabala island on Lake Bangweulu.
Dr Nsemukila revealed that the provincial administration intends to make Samfya the home for all kinds of beach sports due to its endowed rich and clean sand beaches along the shores of Lake Bangweulu.
The visit to Samfya culminated into a welcome cocktail for delegate spiced with entertainment by the Lima Jazz Band and renowned folklore musician Pontiano Kaiche.
Samfya turned into a melting pot where all, new and old friends converged and shared their various experiences as they would be in the area for a week-long exploration of what Luapula province had to offer.
“We would like to make Samfya the venue to beach sports such as beach football, beach volleyball and any other related sport. One day we will invite Oxford and Cambridge to come and have the regatta (water rowing) on Lake Bangweulu and not always on River Thames ion England. And already an investor wants to put up an 18-hole golf course on Mbabala island,” he says.
The following day delegates boarded two buses and departed to various destinations of their interest. The tourism and energy team started with Mumbuluma Falls situated 33km from Mansa town.
After an up-close interaction with the waterfalls, the team proceeded to Nchelenge for a more exciting and memory set encounter with the place once used by the slave traders as a stop-over base for slaves from Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire) to the Indian ocean.
Upon arrival, a number of boats that included two marine boats operated by the Zambia Army Special Forces were arranged and the team left for a 65 kilometre journey on water to explore what lied beyond that large expanse of water.
First to arrive at the Kilwa Island were the two marine boats, on one of which the author was, and did not pay homage to the traditional leader His Royal Highness Chief Nshimba as per tradition.
Kilwa Island is an island on Lake Mweru and that it was known to the Arab and Swahili traders of ivory, copper and slaves who used it on the lake as a base at one time.
Kilwa Island was the first trading area that the Portuguese took over on their quests to control trade in Africa.
In Tanzania where the name Kilwa is adopted means ‘Place of Fish’ and it has UNESCO listed ruins that visitors go to explore that tell the story of centuries of coastal history.
However, as the firs team concluded their tour of the caves, came the other delegates who had visited Chief Nshimba who even gave them traditional tour guides to lead them to the caves.
When all was said and done, it was time to get back to the Nchelenge, all the delegates on other boats that visited the Chief left while our two marine boats delayed for almost an hour because one boat developed a low battery and required boosting.
As the marine officers frantically worked on starting the other boat, little was known that there was yet another boat that missed the correct path and went exploring the other side ending up making round trip of the vast Island .
By that time it was after 18:00 hrs, a team that included former Zambia Tourism Authority public relations manager Caristo  Chitamfya, despite having been diverted to a far flung place still demonstrated more determination and zeal as they chanted that they had been exploring the other side of the island which some did not reach.
However, under the spirit of “Zambia, Let’s Explore”, Luapula provided or laid bare the very best of its rich natural and cultural tourism sites.
What with the Mutomboko festival which came up as the culmination of the week-long investment tourism graced by President Edgar Lungu, had also Paramount Chief Mpezeni of the Ngoni people of Eastern Province.
Colour, pomp and spleandour as well as cultural soothing to both regular and first time visitors to Mwansabombwe characterised the rich annual cultural event, and further enriched the Luapula Expo & Investment Conference.
Luapula did it big time and who is next?

Mutembo, man on Zambia's Freedom Statue

NDUBI MVULA, Lusaka.
FROM the wine tourism scheduled for Argentina this month, a walk down memory lane looks ideal to just focus on the almost forgotten treasure this country and cherishes day in, day out.
This is freedom and peace. Freedom from the colonial York or bondage and peace to govern and manage national affairs without any hindrance. This did not come freely but at high cost as some individuals collectively and as a group sacrificed their lives.
Therefore, this week, in the journey to explore tourism beyond the Victoria Falls. the focus is on one Zambian whose image today stands firm and solid as a symbol of freedom at the Freedom Statue.
Born in 1936 in Mbala, Mutembo and his twin brother, Arnold, got involved in the political struggle against the colonialists in Northern Province at the age of 18 in 1954.
They dropped out of school after their father's death and joined the political struggle led by Robert Makasa and Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe.
In 1957, having already made his impact in Northern Province, suffering imprisonment and beatings in the process, Mutembo, along with seven others were sent to Kenya where Dedan Kimathi was leading a rebellion against the colonial rulers. Their mission was to learn how to carry out their own rebellion back home and upon return, Mutembo worked closely with
Kaunda and Kapwepwe, following them on their campaign trail.
Before Kaunda and others would speak, Mutembo would go on stage first to tell the crowds how bad the colonial government was hence the importance to fight for independence.
On October 24, 1958 at Kaunda's house number 394 in Chilenje, the young freedom fighter got his pet name "Zanco" and it was also here that the unborn nation was christened. The meeting named the anticipated ‘new’ nation. Kaunda and Kapwepwe proposed the name "Zambia" over "Zambezia" as they had been chanting, "Zambia, Zambia!" It sounded very nice and they all started dancing like little children.
The motto “One Zambia, One Nation" was also coined at the same meeting which also marked the birth of the Zambia Africa National Congress (ZANC).
Early 1960s, Kaunda wrote a letter to the governor, Sir Arthur Benson, to protest against a clause in the constitution that gave Europeans an upper hand in the legislature. Mutembo took up the task to deliver the letter to Government House (now State House).
"I have a message from President Kaunda," he announced when he met the governor. On his way out, however, he was arrested and tortured. At about 15:00 hours that day, he was taken to Kaunda's office in Chilenje where he was celebrated as a hero.
About 03:00 hours the following day, Mutembo was taken to Cairo Road where he climbed a tree with a megaphone to denounce the new constitution. At 06:00 hours, he started proclaiming his message, but was soon surrounded by police who threatened to shoot him if he did not get down. He was arrested.
Today, the tree still stands opposite the Main Post Office and later came to be known as "Zanco Tree ".
Mutembo appeared in court after having been involved in a political brawl in Matero. He had been badly beaten in the fight and lost two of his front teeth, a mark he still bears. When the judge asked him to demonstrate to the court how he had been beaten, the young freedom fighter walked across the courtroom from the witness box and, reaching where one of the prosecutors - a white man - was standing, and punched him in the face, giving him a bloody nose.
His action was a blatant show of rebellion in the face of the colonial government. At the end of the trial, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison plus four lashes for punching the prosecutor. He was sent to Livingstone State Prison where he was held in chains.
While in prison, Mutembo was forced to witness executions of three black men accused of murdering a white man.
Kaunda visited Mutembo and negotiated his transfer to another cell. He was transferred to Mukobeko Maximum Prison in Kabwe.
On December 31, 1963 - with independence now imminent - Sir Evelyn Hone, the last governor for Northern Rhodesia, asked Kaunda for a symbol the new nation would be known by. Would it be the Victoria Falls or perhaps the Muchinga Escapement, or any other natural resource. Kaunda, however, had other ideas. Kaunda and the United National Independence Party (UNIP) leadership had chosen Mutembo to be the symbol of the new nation.
Later that day, Mutembo drove with Sir Evelyn Hone in his official vehicle with a mounted police escort down King George Avenue (now Independence Avenue ) to Police Force Headquarters.
At Force Headquarters, after being interviewed, he was taken to a room where 18 military officers stood with guns at ready. He was then handcuffed to a chain and ordered to break free or get shot.
Shockingly, he pulled so hard and broke the chains in full view of soldiers and photographers who took photos of what seemed like magical power. It was from these photos that the Freedom Statue would be crafted by casting experts.
The governor, Sir Evelyn Hone, raised his hands and announced, "You are now the symbol of the nation."
At the end of the ceremony, Mutembo was made to swear on the Bible and drove with the governor to his residence where he stayed for four days.
On 5 January 1964, Mutembo was taken to a house about two kilometers from Government House where he stayed for the next few months with white police officers guarding him and was given people to prepare his food. The house is at 6 Nalikwanda Road in Woodlands. It is now private property which has been converted into a pre-school.
Mutembo was also given an official vehicle - a Land Rover station wagon – bearing the initials of his status "SNNRG" (symbol of the nation Northern Rhodesia Government) and a Union Jack.
In March 1964, he was summoned to Government House by Sir Evelyn to go on a trip with him to Abercorn, now Mbala where he was given a piece of land as a token in recognition of his status. The five-hectare plot sits in an area which saw the last combat of the Second World War. Mutembo stayed in Mbala until October 17, 1964, when the colonial government sent a plane to bring him back to Lusaka and it was on the plane that Mutembo had his first glimpse of the Zambian flag.
A week later, Zambia got its independence on 24 October 1964. On that day, Mutembo stood a few metres from Kaunda and Queen Elizabeth II.
After the ceremony, Sir Evelyn Hone handed Mutembo over to Kaunda as the symbol of the nation.
A statue was made depicting the scenario when Mutembo broke the chains in 1963. On October 23, 1974, during the celebrations of the 10th Anniversary of Zambia’s independence, the Freedom Statue was unveiled and became a symbol of Zambia's freedom from the British colonial regime, and has earned its place on some of the country's most important articles, including its currency. The statue is a reminder of Zambia's fight for freedom. It is displayed at the Government Complex along Independence Avenue in Lusaka.
It is at this statue where the laying of wreaths takes place every Independence Day in memory of the fore-fathers who died during the struggle. Story Courtesy of Bismark RT.