MUKANGA SAYS NATIONAL AIRLINE TO BE LAUNCHED BEFORE END OF 2014

Minister of Transport, Work, Supply and Communications Yamfwa Mukanga says Government will soon announce the establishment of the much awaited national airline.

Mr. Mukanga says unlike in the past administration that only talked about re-introducing a national airline, the Patriotic Front government is serious about it and before the end of 2014 it will be done.

He said the only remaining final part to re-introduce the national line is the final decision by Cabinet which is studying the modalities currently.

NDUBI MVULA reports that Mr. Mukanga was speaking during a press briefing in Livingstone adding that he said the PF administration is eager to see the project gains ground.

He added that once Cabinet passes its final decision which can be any day before June, cooperating partners have already been sourced and acquiring of the planes will not be a problem.

Mr. Mukanga says currently Government is busy refurbishing the existing airports so that they meet international standards and compete favourably.

Zambians Are Safe in Washington State Disaster - Ambassador Palan Mulonda

Zambia’s Ambassador to the United States Palan Mulonda says no Zambian has been affected by the deadly landslide that struck Washington State early this week.

Ambassador Mulonda says the Zambian Mission working with the Zambian community in Arlington, Washington has established that all nationals are safe.

This is in response to a press query posted to First Secretary for Press and Public Relations Patricia Littiya.

NDUBI MVULA reports that Ambassador Mulonda said the mission has been in contact with the community representatives since the landslide struck and that Zambians known to be living in the area have all been accounted for and their property has not been damaged.

Ambassador Mulonda commended the Zambian community in Washington State for supporting the Embassy in the aftermath of the landslide to ensure that all Zambians in the area are safe and accounted for.

Livingstone Town to Remember Scottish Explorer - Dr. David Livingstone

Tourism

By NDUBI MVULA

THE David Livingstone Bicentenary and Livingstone 2013 (DLBL 2013) have released a provisional calendar of events and festivals to take place throughout the 2013 as the Tourist Capital celebrates the 200 years birthday of Scottish missionary and explorer Dr. David Livingstone.

Liaison officer for the DLBL 2013 Fred Mwendapole confirmed the development saying Livingstone is preparing to be the hive of activities next year with a whole range of exciting, fun and colourful events and festivals between March 19^th through to November 16, 2013.

He said under the community projects there are cultural and business links between the United Kingdom, Zambia and the United States of America and would include a medical exchange between Livingstone General Hospital and Scotland.

Also on the cards are two-way education packs for local schools and other charitable and sustainable projects.

“We will have motocross Enduro Rally in March and also within the same month on 19^th we will have the Gala event to be commemorated on the very day when David Livingstone was born, 200 years ago in 1813,” he said.

Mr. Mwendapole said from March 20-24 there will be an International Visual Arts and Crafts Exhibition from the countries that David Livingstone visited on the continent as well as the food eaten in the respective countries adding that this will be followed by an International Cultural Festival.

“In April, we have an International Academic Conference looking at the Imperial Obsessions David Livingstone, Africa and world history: a life and legacy reconsidered. This will be jointly hosted by the London School of Economics, UK; The Livingstone Museum, Zambia and the David Livingstone Bicentenary, Livingstone,” he said.

At the Victoria Falls, Mr. Mwendapole said there will be the 60km Zambezi Gorge Ultra Marathon Train Run with the finishing point in view of the waterfalls and also on May 1, it will be the Livingstone Memorial Day as it marks the date when David Livingstone died in 1873 after spending half of his life exploring the African continent.

Other event on the cards are mountain bike cross-country race, African Freedom Day to be graced by Zambia-Scottish songstress Namvula Rennie who has collaborated with Maureen Lilanda and kadialy Kouyate of Senegal will give visitors an intimate, uplifting and searching journey spiced with jazz as she explores stories of love, life, belonging and wanderings.

“Beautiful music she will give out. Namvula is a great new star. We also have the National Traditional Dancing Competition, fishing competition, National contemporary music competition, music and theatre festival, 4WD motor rally and canoe challenge,” he said.

Mr. Mwendapole said the grand finale in November is expected to attract senior government officials the general public and all the visitors within and outside the country.

“Grand finale on November 16^th will have the river events and memorial on Livingstone Island. This is the date that David Livingstone first viewed the Water Falls, from Livingstone Island. We are planning something special to round off the bicentenary celebrations, “he said.