Geotourism, new area to explore

                                    Mighty Victoria Falls

By NDUBI MVULA, Lusaka

THE United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) defines tourism as comprising the activities of persons travelling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes.

There are also other versions too many to itemise but two can do for now.

And according to Parks and Recreation management, Tourism is defined as a collection of activities, services and industries that delivers a travel experience, including transportation, accommodations, eating and drinking establishments, retail shops, entertainment businesses, activity facilities and other hospitality services provided for individuals or groups travelling away from home.

With all these accepted definitions of the sector, there is yet another brand of tourism that somewhat may seem too far a distance when it exists within the vicinity but not explored for all to appreciate it.

Zambia’s Liaison Officer to the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Percy Ngwira this week takes on an exploration and brings to fold what this brand of tourism is all about.

Dr Ngwira who is also First Secretary for Tourism at the Zambian Embassy in Paris, France introduces this brand as Geotourism.

In his write-up of February 26^th 2018, entitled “Geotourism and Geoparks: Is Africa missing out on this new prospect for sustainable tourism development? Dr Ngwira explains what this sector is all about and how it is harnessed.

He says despite great progress that has been made in Africa in many spheres, debatebly there seem to be always 'the followers' and not 'the leaders' in many things.

Dr Ngwira says geotourism and its product geoparks seems to be 'the new kid on the block'.

However, as usual, Africa including Zambia does not seem to be paying attention to this new wave of tourism phenomenon spreading around the world like world fire.

So far, more than 125 Geoparks have been established around the world with China in the lead having more than 30 Geoparks

“Yet, the whole of Africa we only have one M'Goun UNESCO Global Geopark, in Morocco, quite unbelievable,” he says.

However, Dr Ngwira explains geotourism and geoparks are a relatively new phenomenon and subdivisions of geology and tourism.

Though still in the infancy stage and emerging as tourism niche markets awaiting further development and commercialisation, Dr Ngwira says geotourism and geoparks have been credited as tools for sustainable tourism with credentials to contribute to sustainable tourism development, rural development, local community participation and poverty alleviation.

He notes that the African continent seems to be remaining behind in grabbing the opportunity of prospects presented by this new niche tourism market.

And arguably, if there is a continent under the sun that is blessed with geomorphological features and tourism potential, “it is African”.

“From the spectacular natural beauty of the Drakensberg mountains of South Africa to the ancients pyramids of Egypt, from the cradle of mankind of the Ethiopian rift valley to the rushing sand dunes of the Namib desert, from the world’s best white sandy beaches of the Seychelles to the Historical Gold Coast of West Africa, from the smoke thundering of water spray of the Mighty Victoria Falls to the rich Serengeti plains overflowing with wild animals still roaming the wilderness as it was at the beginning, these are some of the unspoilt wonders that Africa still offers humanity beyond comparison to any other continent,” said Dr Ngwira.

Therefore, Dr Ngwira says the geomorphological and tourism riches of the great continent are unimaginable.

He says in the 21^st century, global tourism development must be ecologically sustainable, and shifting the emphasis from other forms of sustainable tourism like ecotourism to geotourism represents a positive step towards more sustainable global tourism.

“National Geographical Centre for Sustainable Destinations documents that Geotourism is sustainable tourism energised. It sustains, but it can also enhance by means of restorative and constructive forms of tourism that fit the nature of the destination,” he says.

Dr Ngwira further explains that tourist revenue can help to restore historic districts, for instance, and support local craftspeople.

And that it can help to preserve and develop local cuisines, based on distinctively local ingredients supplied by local farmers as well as help to retain traditional cultural celebrations and performing arts that would otherwise disappear.

“It can help to beautify ugly places and enrich poor places. It does those things best when focused on the distinctiveness of a place, avoiding the destructive pitfalls of undifferentiated global mass tourism,” he says.

Dr Ngwira says geotourism development at the local and regional levels must be developed within the context of sustainable local, national and international tourism development.

He says at the local, regional and national levels, development policies, plans and programs, laws and regulations, and marketing, all influence sustainable tourism development.

Dr Ngwira advises that the three main principles of sustainable development which can also be applied to regional geotourism development planning are its concentration on ecological, social and economic issues.

“Therefore, geotourism will only be sustainable where there are benefits for the host community, and these may be social and or cultural, and environmental and will not necessarily be confined to economic benefits,” he says.

As the motto for Zambia Tourism Agency “Zambia, Let’s Explore”, it goes without saying that in this journey of marketing the country to the whole-wide-world, exploring all means sustainable at hand is the key.

NGONI Cultural Museum Opens

                                    Nsingo Community Museum in Feni Village, Chipata.

By NDUBI MVULA, Lusaka

SITUATED right at the centre of Feni Village of Chipata, home to the Paramount Chief Ngwenyama Nkhosi yama Nkhosi Mpezeni IV is the newly launched Nsingo Community Museum.

And any visitor to the village cannot miss the site of this venue that houses the most prestigious historical information that would enrich anyone with an interest in history of the Ngoni people and their culture.

Acting Tour Guide at the new museum, Lloyd Banda who is also an artist and has contributed some of the rich material for every visitor’s appreciation is always at hand to walk you through the path of how this once-upon-a-time warring tribe travelled from South Africa and settled in Eastern part of Zambia.

Mr Banda, an articulate tour guide welcomes visitors with a broad smile and straight away commences the journey of the Ngoni people who came with and have maintained the Nc’wala traditional ceremony commemorated once a year in February at Mtenguleni the Ngoni headquarters.

He starts the journey with the genealogical tree of the Ngoni which stems back to the 1500 AD when it was led by Nanaba going by the title of Jere who was followed by Loyanda, Mangangati, Hlatshwayo and in 1818 to 1845 the last to use the title Jere was Zwangendaba.

After the Jere title, came that of Mpezeni I and the first in the line was Ntutu Jere who ruled from 1845 to 1900, then Chiloa Jere from 1900 to 1941 as Mpezeni II followed by Pontino Jere from 1941 to 1981 as Mpezeni III.

The current Mpezeni IV is David Njengembaso Jere who has been on the throne since 1982. Under his reign is the Ngoni Royal Establishment which comprises Inkhosi yama Nkhosi Paramount Chief Mpezeni IV, Nkhosi (Senior Chief) Nzamane who resides at Mfumbeni village, Nkhosi Gogo Madzimawe of Mtenguleni village and Nkhosi Mishoro of Dingeni village.

Othyers are Nkosi Maguya of Ngiyelo village, Nkhosi Sairi of Chimpinga village, Nkhosi Kapatamoyo of Thondweni village, Nkhosi Mshawa of Kutcheni village, Nkhosi Chinyaku of Ndina village and Nkhosi Mnukwa of Chikenkhe village.

Attending this years’ Nc’wala traditional ceremony, Zambia Tourism Agency Tourism Promotions Manager-in-charge of Trade Justin Mbanga described the annual event as rich and electric, to an extent that it creates and enriches everyone’s appetite in terms of knowledge be it young or old.

Mr Mbanga says the ceremony also plays a vital role in the promotion of domestic tourism as can be witnessed the magnitude of Zambians that flock to the City of Chipata to not only have a glimpse of the ceremony but participate from Feni to Laweni the dormitory at Kampala village and ending up at Mtenguleni.

“From what we are witnessing, I must state that domestic tourism is at its best and this can be seen not only here at the Nc’wala but at almost all the traditional ceremonies that we have in the country. Zambia is very rich with its culture and traditions which attract thousands of Zambians each time there is a traditional ceremony,” he says.

As a seasoned expert in tourism promotion, Mr Mbanga strongly feels that the establishment of the Nsingo Community Museum adds yet another rich flavour to the ceremony as it provides further more detailed information for the visitors who after witnessing the event would love to carry with them memories.

He adds that the memories could be in form of souvenirs such as videos depicting the entire stretch of the ceremony to other Ngoni mementos of their time at the Nc’wala or better still their visit to the Ngoni land.

Mr Mbanga says the Nc’wala traditional ceremony has now moved to another level of appreciation owing to the establishment of the museum which is an added value and prays that all other traditional ceremonies establish open museums which can be visited even when the ceremony is not there.

In supporting Mr Mbanga’s point of view, is Chipata Day Secondary School teacher Elizabeth Mzumara who equally feels that the opening of the museum enriches the traditional ceremony further.

“This is fantastic. A museum of this nature adds more value to the ceremony which in the past began would end when the event was over until a year later. But with the museum in place, the dissemination of this rich culture will be appreciated throughout the year,” she says.

Ms Mzumara also says the museum brings to the fold a source of information for the pupils and other researchers which is a hands-on.

For pupils, Ms Mzumara says as a Teacher of Literature in English and Geography, she is planning to a trip to Feni village for the purpose of exposing the pupils the rich tourism news which also has a niche in history, geography and Literature.

“In my Geography lessons, there is a lot on tourism and my pupils will definitely benefit. Such visits to historical places find a permanent place in a pupils mind and helps them to remember during exams and beyond,” an excited Ms Mzumara says.

And former Chipata Central Member of Parliament Matthews Mwale could not hide his gratitude to note that the Ngoni Royal Establishment decided to put in place a museum which will not only enrich the knowledge base for the local people but will also benefit all visitors to Chipata who want to know more about the rich Ngoni culture.

Mr Mwale notes that knowledge is power and no individual should be starved of knowledge as it is the most precious commodity that every person should posses.

As the welcome remarks to the ceremony are announced by the master of ceremonies: “Bayete...Ngwenyama

Bayete...Ntulo

Bayete...Ndabazithe

Bayete...Inkhosi yama Nkhosi”

Let it be not a habit but a desire for anyone visiting Chipata starting from this years’ Nc’wala to include the Nsingo Community Museum on the itinerary failure to which your tour of duty to the Ngoniland will be incomplete.

Mujajati Says Patients have rights and responsibilities

                                          HPCZ Registrar Dr Aaron Mujajati

HEALTH Professional Council of Zambia Registrar Dr Aaron Mujajati says every patient has a right and responsibility under the Patient’s Charter currently in existence with the Council.
Dr Mujajati said the charter will soon be rolled out in all major local languages adding that the charter focuses on the rights that patients have as well and responsibilities.
“We have a charter at the Council that talks about the patients’ rights and responsibilities. What we have discovered is that it is not well distributed,” he said.
Dr Mujajati said the Council has since translated the Charter in local languages and will be distributed countrywide so that people could own it and understand their rights and responsibilities in sofaras as their health is concerned.
He said the patient has a right to be treated without any discrimination by health workers, right to informed consent, right not to be abused as well as right to access to medical records and right to confidentiality.
And on right to confidentiality, Dr Mujajati said this right is sacred in the sense that a medical officer cannot go against a patient’s demand even where one demands that their health record should not be shared with their spouse.
He said the issue of confidentiality is a very serious issue attracts serious sanctions from the Council on the health worker if they decide to abuse it.
Dr Mujajati was speaking on Radio Phoenix programme during the week.
He also said even as patients, they are reminded by the Charter on their responsibility of say keeping appointments, fulfil financial responsibilities as well as respect other patients.
“Patients have the responsibility not to vandalise property n health centres. The biggest worry is abuse of health care workers by either patients or relatives especially verbal which sometimes it gets violent,” he said.
He has called on the patients to desist from such acts but urged that when they feel their rights being violated, they should table the matter with the Council which can take up action against such a health worker.
On the issue of access to quality health care, Dr Mujajati said all should be looked at on an equitable manner and not only carter for those with money and leave out those without because on the platform of health all are equal.
“On the platform of health we are all equal. There is equity on the platform of health ideally,” he said.
As for the issue of shortage of health workers, Dr Mujajati said on globally, sub-Saharan region has 3 percent of the required health personnel as a region and access to financing is one percent of the required to deliver health care services hence a huge challenge in the sector.
He however, commended the Ministry of Health saying it has a robust programme to cover the gap as can be seen by government’s programme of training more health workers.
“We have a massive shortage of health workers and we recognise it but should never be given as an excuse to lower the standards. We must always strive to maintain the standard of care,” he said.
And on moonlighting by some health workers whose conduct may endanger the health of the patients as well as affect the operations of the health centre, the Council gets worried and expects the affected health institution to submit the matter before the Council for action on such a health worker.

Chinese Government to construct dedicated Public Health Laboratory in Zambia

 

Chinese Minster of National Health and Family Planning Commission Dr Li Bin (left) speaking during the bilateral meeting with Zambian counterpart Dr. Chitalu Chilufya in Beijing, China. Picture By Stanslious Ngosa.

By NDUBI MVULA, Lusaka

THE news that the Chinese Government intend to construct a dedicated National Public Health Laboratory in Zambia that will serve both as a national and Southern African regional reference laboratory, is no mean achievement in sofaras upgrading the health sector is concerned. 

This gesture of the multi-million facility will enhance the detection of high risk pathogens (infections) using modern techniques. 

Zambia’s Minister of Health Dr Chitalu Chilufya was in Beijing, China where he held bilateral health cooperating meetings with his counterpart Dr. Li Bin who is Chinese Minister of National Health and Family Planning Commission.

Dr Li said establishing the National Public Health Laboratory will serve as reference facility for the Africa CDC Southern Africa Regional Collaborating Centre.

She believes that close collaboration between the two countries will assist the building of Africa CDC and strengthen African countries capacity for public health services. 

Dr Li said a strong public health workforce is critical to the Institute’s ability to achieve its mission and meet the public health needs of the Zambian population; therefore, China will also assist in capacity building for both short and long term through training health professionals and Scientists at Masters and PhD levels. 

She said China will provide experts to work with Zambian counterparts over a period of time to transfer skills and knowledge to technical staff at the National Public Health Institute. 

Dr Li said China will also help Zambia attain one of her legacy goals of eliminating Malaria by 2030. 

According to Head Communications & External Relations at the Ministry of Health Stanslous Ngosa, Dr Li said China will provide the expertise to fight malaria, as doing so will further enhance the bilateral health cooperation between the two countries.

And Dr Chilufya expressed gratitude with the Chinese Government’s gesture to help Zambia strengthen her health systems. 

He said the gesture will cement and take bilateral relations to another level beyond business but brotherhood. 

Dr Chilufya said the support to the health sector will contribute to the attainment of Universal Health Coverage. 

He said capacity building in emergency response and surgery as well as provision of surgical equipment and supplies will significantly improve the health systems. 

Dr Chilufya is happy that China is ready to provide technical and material support in setting up a robust Information System that will enhance effective surveillance and outbreak response system through the construction of the laboratory. 

He also thanked the Chinese for showing interest to support various fields of nuclear science to improve electricity supply, medical treatment, irradiation processing and manufacturing of medical supplies among others. 

Meanwhile, one of the Chinese leading pharmaceutical companies, China Sinopharm International Corporation has partnered with the Ministry of Health to construct the vaccines and Medicines Company in Zambia. 

The construction works will start as soon as the technical discussions are concluded and Memorandum of Understanding is signed. 

Some of the vaccines to be produced include yellow, bOPV, HepB (birth Dose), IPV, Sabin Strain, Rota (3-Valent) Measles and HPV. 

Mr Ngosa said a Zambian delegation led by Zambia National Public Health Institute Director Dr Victor Mukonka, are on a 10-day bilateral technical discussions on areas of collaboration and cooperation with the China CDC. 

“The delegation is also learning from the Chinese experience in dealing with epidemic preparedness, response and strengthening the surveillance systems,” he said.

Others on the delegation include Dr Kunda Musonda Head Laboratory Systems and Networking, Dr Muzala Kapina, Head National Surveillance and Disease Intelligence and Dr Andrew Silumesi Director Public Health at the Ministry of Health. 

The rest are Prof Aaron Mweene University of Zambia School of Veterinary and Dr Modest Mulenga Director Tropical Diseases Research Centre.

As Government keeps the promise and acting on it in the provision of quality health facilities, the construction of the multi-million dollar vaccine manufacturing plant expected to be the main and biggest hub in the sub-region truly positions Zambia as the best destination of choice for investment.

Lafarge Zambia Plc enhances waste management

 

By NDUBI MVULA, Lusaka

LAST week, Local Government and Housing Minister Vincent Mwale announced that his ministry is expected to issue a Statutory Instrument (SI) on solid waste management with plans to creating a company with a mandate that will handle issues of garbage.

Mr Mwale announced yesterday that the SI should put in place guidelines in the handling of all waste to curb the trend of indiscriminate waste disposal by individuals, households and business entities.

This should be taken as a serious wake-up call.

A wake up call, not only for the local authorities in the country but for individuals who value the aspect of a clean and healthy environment.

To this extent, some organisations or companies have taken up the task in response to Government’s in sofaras waste management is concerned.

 Lafarge Zambia Plc is one such company that has taken up the challenge. And the company Communications and Corporate Affairs Manager Glenda-Masebe-Kamalata explains why the cement firm had decided to take waste management.

The project is called Geocycle.

She says Lafarge Zambia Plc is part of the LafargeHolcim, a leading global building materials and solutions company in the world.

Ms Masebe-Kamalata says the world’s challenges, in terms of resources, nature and people, require a global and coordinated effort.

“That is why LafargeHolcim has implemented a sustainable strategy aimed at contributing to the attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

She says the company is committed to implementing a waste management programme in Zambia in line with the lafargeHolicm Geocycle function.

She further says the firm has created an integrated waste management plant that will be used to provide alternative raw materials and alternative fuel for cement manufacture as well as enhance the environment management of the community.

The Geocycle project is LafargeHolcim’s waste management component which has been in existence for the last two decades in more than 61 countries worldwide, Zambia inclusive.

The initiative started in 2017after a realization that waste management in Zambia is challenge for Municipalities and Government.

“Geocycle aims to contribute to effectively improving the quality of life of the members of our workforce, their families and the communities we operate in. A clean and healthier future that humanity can realize by minimising and repurposing waste remains priority,” she said.

On how the project will benefit the company and the surrounding areas, Ms Masebe-Kamalata says the social and environmental challenges the world is facing are more critical than ever.

She says the newly adopted United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement on Climate (COP21) have created a new framework for action for everyone, including regulators, companies and citizens.

“This is the reason Lafarge Zambia Plc has embraced the Geocycle project in a bid to manage waste t in the country as whole,” she said adding “Lafarge has also lined up strategies of partnering with the local councils in managing waste and this has reached advanced stages.”

She explains that one of the strategies will include processing waste which will contribute to cleaner environment in the communities hence providing a lasting solution to waste management which has been a huge challenge for the community.

In addition, Ms Masebe-Kamalata says the neighbouring communities will benefit from the collaboration with the local councils in proactively coming up with waste management resolutions.

And that in ensuring that there is alternative use of fuel in the cement production process, the Geocycle project will offer a more sustainable solution.

Ms Masebe-Kamalata says while the Geocycle project will facilitate the waste management in collaboration with local councils and the communities, the systems put in by the local authority will govern the entire process in that the communities will still be mandated to pay their disposal fee for the collection of their waste to the designated waste collection companies.

“Lafarge Zambia Plc has made a commitment to create shared and sustainable value for all stakeholders. This means, Lafarge Zambia Plc shall act as a responsible partner with all its stakeholders to contribute to effectively improving the quality of life of the members of the communities around its operations,” she said.

She says Lafarge Zambia Plc will make contributions related to the environment that include clean-up campaigns, tree planting, other environment related voluntary programs projects such as those for the preservation of nature.

Geocycle project will process with both domestic (Municiple solid waste) and industrial waste and this will be done after careful analysis of the constituents of each waste stream.