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.