By
NDUBI MVULA, Lusaka.
AS earlier stated on many a platform, Tourism
Minister Charles Banda is on record of calling on all departments under his
ministry to devise means and ways of marketing Zambia’s rich and pristine
natural sites.
It is a well fact that heritage
resources have the potential to contribute the national economy what with the
importance that go with the cultural and natural resources dotted around the
country.
Cultural and natural heritage
conservation is based on a multidisciplinary knowledge base, drawing strategies
and actions from diverse array of stakeholder groupings.
In the past recent years, government
embarked on the provision of basic infrastructure at some of the site among
which are the Victoria Falls, Mumbuluma Falls, Kalambo Falls,
Lumangwe/Kabwelume Falls complex, Chinyunyu Hot Spring, Zambezi Source,
Chishimba Falls, Ntumbachushi Falls among others.
NHCC Executive Director Collins Chipote
once said during the Luapula Expo 2017 that with the basic infrastructure and
the recent construction of roads leading to the heritage sites, there has been
positive increase in both domestic and international tourists at most of the
sites.
However, to achieve all this and attract
more visits to the sites there is always need to have a working team that would
help provide guidance in the marketing strategies desired.
“For the Commission to achieve its goals
as defined, there is need for the Board to provide leadership, policy
direction, and resource mobilization for conservation programmes. Heritage has
the potential of funding its own activities,” Mr Banda said.
And the new board members are Professor
Imasiku Nyambe as Chairperson, Dr Liya Nawa Mutale (Permanent Secretary in the
Ministry of Tourism and Arts, Mr David Musoma, Mrs Josephine Bwalya Muchelemba,
Mr Abel Kafula, Mrs Ireen Muyenga Kakompe, Mrs Hazel Mafwenko Zulu, Mr Clifford
Chishala and Mr Collins Chipote.
“We need to start looking away from
Victoria Falls to other heritage sites in terms of site development and
promotion,” he says.
In doing this, Mr Banda says there is
need to regard issues to do with the opening new avenues for generation of
income away from the usual entry fees to heritage sites by making concessions
relating to private sector investment in tourism and infrastructure at heritage
sites a reality.
He says the creation of partnerships
with various stakeholders in heritage conservation, protection and promotion.
Mr Banda noted that heritage promotion
should be done in such a way that it is appreciated adding that doing so will
eventually increase the number of visitors to the various sites.
He further said even if Government is
working on some of the challenges being faced by the Commission, the Board will
need to work hard and lobby the private sector for investment in heritage sites,
lobby for increased support to the sector from the cooperating partners,” he
urged.
He further noted that the Commission
provides a link between the past, present and future, thereby promoting
national identity through the preservation of Zambia’s heritage and ensuring
sustainable utilisation of the heritage resources.
Mr Banda emphasised that heritage is a
public good, essential for national identity, national cohesion, employment
generation, education and cultural, religious values and increasingly
Government’s across Africa anticipate that the heritage sector must create job
opportunities and uplift undeveloped areas.
However, the framework for heritage in
Zambia is defined by the NHCC Act, Cap 173 of the Laws of Zambia which
established the NHCC and provides for definition and protection of both the
central and natural heritage resource.
The Board is now in place and from the
look of things, there is no honeymoon but to get on the work and hype the
awareness through cooperating partners such as the Zambia Tourism Agency.
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