Easter

We were all looking forward to Easter weekend. For the tourism industry it is a chance to recoup after the lull in visitor numbers since Christmas. But, what we did not expect, after our poor rainy season, was that the clouds would descend and the heaven open. It rained from Friday afternoon, all through Saturday to Sunday morning.

I think you could say that it put a damper on things!

It also meant that one of our inbound planes could not land at the airport. My house is right next to the airport and I heard this huge plane over the house trying to land several times. In the end, it failed and headed to Lusaka. There it re-fuelled and came back to Livingstone. Again it failed to land and had to return to Johannesburg.

I was told that Livingstone airport does not have the necessary equipment to allow planes to land in such a situation. I suppose it is not really necessary for us to install such expensive equipment for the odd occasion we might need it. Our skies are normally clear and sunny. One plane which also arrived was able to re-route to Victoria Falls airport and land there, but this one was too big and the runway at Vic Falls could not take it.

Sadly there were lots of tourists on the plane who spent the night in a hotel in Johannesburg to be brought back the following day

Dear All

This is a view we haven’t seen very often this year - the smoke that thunders.

LIVINGSTONE

Pothole Report

I have been getting complaints from Livingstonians about the state of our roads. So, on my drive home via Kombe Drive, I took some photographs of the road.

These roads were resurfaced prior to the UNWTO in 2013. Now they have potholes.

This last photograph is of the ‘drain’. Can you see it? No, it is impossible because it is full of sand. It has been like that for years. In fact it fi lled up in the fi rst rainy season after the road was constructed - no-one has done anything about it. The drains are there for a purpose - to keep water off the road, thereby prolonging its life.

Our street sweepers, of which there are many, concentrate on the main roads and keep them clean, but these side roads are covered in sand.

I was told some years ago that roads in Zimbabwe were constructed to give them a lifespan of 25 years. These roads are not going to have a lifespan of 5 years. Were they badly constructed? Or was the specifi cation just for 5 years? Whatever the case, we have some decent roads and we should make sure that they last as long as possible. It takes a bit of maintenance.

ZTB and NHCC to have their headquarters in Livingstone

It has been decided by government that Zambia Tourism Board and National Heritage Conservation Commission should have their main base in Livingstone so that they can liaise with each other in the tourism capital. Now that communications are so easy with cellphones and internet, this does seem to be an excellent idea. However, I can remember when NHCC used to have its HQ in Livingstone but moved to Lusaka several years ago. I was told then that the move was for fi nancial reasons. The NHCC was always forgotten because they were not able to visit offi ces in Lusaka to get access to the necessary fi nances to support the organisation. A case of ‘out of sight, out of mind’.

Let’s hope that this does not happen again.

Councils to lose grants

Over the years government has been fi nancing part of the operations of Councils throughout the country by giving them grants. This was seen necessary as government had taken away some of their earning capacity such as the issuance of road tax for vehicles. Also government buildings, as far as I know, do not pay rates.

Now, though, it has been decided that Councils around the country will no longer be given any cash to help them to support their operations.

Fred Sikazwe, Livingstone Councillor and Deputy Mayor: We are going to see some councils struggling especially to pay their workers, but this must however teach them and give them ideas on how to broaden their revenue base. I am aware that Livingstone has grown and the businesses have also increased and we have to capture all properties that are on the rate bill and start getting the revenue to help with the smooth running of the council. ..

Recently there has been a new valuation roll for Livingstone with the tourism properties being hit hard by huge increases in their rates. I am sure that Fred Sikazwe is thinking of the new income from these properties to fi nance their operations.

I do, though, wonder what function Councils fulfi l these days. Councils were a legacy from the colonial era. It seems to me that Government should actually look into the workings of the Councils around the country and decide on their functions and what staff is required to carry out the work.

I think one of the things that I fi nd so frustrating about Council is the bureaucracy. Council meetings are only held once every three months. So, let us say, you need a business licence, it will take at least 6 months before it is approved. The administration accepts the application and the money; the application is added into the huge document which makes up the Council Minutes and Agenda; the Council has a meeting and approves or does not; the minutes of that meeting are not ratifi ed until the next Council meeting in three months ... This, to me, is a hindrance to legitimate business. ... And, how much did all this cost in terms of administration time, printing of the document, sitting allowances for Councillors, etc. And this is just one example. I really think that Government needs to look at the functions of Council and how they can be trimmed to promote the workings of business and the lives of ordinary people of the town.

We all agree that Livingstone Council is keeping our town clean with a whole bunch of street sweepers every day. And I know that this is providing much needed employment but, surely, a machine would be much more effi cient.

Meanwhile from the Daily Mail:

Deputy Minister of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Davies Mwango has castigated Livingstone City Council (LCC) for selling land that is not authorised by Government.Mr Mwango wondered why the local authority has been giving pieces of land that was not gazetted by Government as plots.He said this in Livingstone on Monday during a fact-fi nding mission to de-gazette Dambwa forestry where over 3,530 people applied for plots in 2012.The applicants have, however, not been given the plots because the land is a forest reserve and not yet de-gazetted.“Government is concerned with the council’s habit of allocating plots to residents without consulting relevant authorities such as water utility companies and my ministry.“It is unfair for the council to advertise for plots and get money from poor residents without fi rst getting clearance,” Mr Mwango said. ...

The Sobek StoryBob Meyer

The war in Zimbabwe ended in 1979. By that time it had pretty much destroyed tourism in both Livingstone, Zambia and Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. In an effort to lure the tourists back there was a familiarization trip organized in March 1981 for travel agents to acquaint them with the Victoria Falls area in hopes that they then would book their clients to come to here.

The bus containing the travel agents stopped on the bridge over the Zambezi River so that everyone could get out and admire the view upstream of the Victoria Falls. One of the agents however, Rich Bangs of Sobek Expeditions, turned his attention to the view downstream instead. Sobek was not only a travel agency but also a whitewater rafting company which specialized in rafting rivers which had never been navigated before. He studied what would later be called Rapids #1, #2, and #3 and decided that the Zambezi could be rafted.

Over the next few months in a display of organizational genius Rich managed to secure the cooperation of both the Zambia and Zimbabwe governments as well as Zambia Airways, Pan Am, and ABC TV to back a “fi rst descent” river trip by Sobek on the Zambezi River. Obstacles to the expedition included not only the immense rapids but crocodiles and landmines left from the war. At the time it was generally thought such a venture was impossible and would end in certain death.

The expedition took place in October 1981. It included Richard and fellow Sobek owner John Yost. Together with Jim Slade, Skip Hoerner, Joy Ungicht, Dave Shore, John Kramer and Neusom Holmes it was a “Dream Team” of whitewater rafting experts. The descent was documented by ABC TV and televised internationally.

Much of the action centered around Rapid #5. There is a misleading left to right current which pulled Dave Shore’s paddle boat over the monster size pour over rock and into the gigantic hole behind it. A year later I was similarly fooled on my fi rst attempt at # 5 and found my boat going into the same huge hole. Jim Slade, however, accurately evaluated the currents that day and guided his boat fl awlessly through the route they named the “ten kwacha tightrope” thus skirting the danger of the pour over. His run was photographed and later appeared on the cover of Sobek’s Adventure Book catalog. Whenever I see that photo I still marvel at the skill and “water reading” ability he displayed that day on a river which had up to that time never been rafted.

Sobek began offering a one day trip featuring Rapids #1 through #10. There was little interest in the trip because it was not considered to be safe. That started to change in Sept 1982 when 40 members of the Lusaka Rugby Club joined Sobek for a one day trip. The day was a huge success and word of mouth began to spread. It soon became reputed that the trip was not only safe but outrageously exciting and fun. Over the next few years Sobek’s rafting trip on the Zambezi became very popular. Sobek’s guides worked hard to always maintain safety and our record was impeccable.

Sobek’s activity on the Zambezi attracted the fascination of whitewater enthusiasts around the world. Adventurous and talented whitewater rafting guides from many counties wanted to raft the Zambezi. Sobek was able to “cherry pick” top guides from other rafting companies to come to Zambia and work as Zambezi guides. The size of the rapids offered new challenges to the raft guides. The opportunity to raft major rapids like #4, #5, and #7 on a daily basis allowed Sobek’s guides to develop “cutting edge” skills in rowing the rafts. Guides learned to be profi cient in motivating and directing their passengers to quickly execute the “high side” maneuver in response to the huge waves and “holes” in the rapids in order to avoid fl ipping. Still it was common for boats to fl ip and it became necessary for the guides to perfect skills which allowed them to quickly recover and fl ip the boat back “right side up”. Rafting the Zambezi became well known as one of the world’s great adventures.

Sobek’s ability to raft the Zambezi was predicated on two factors. One was the ability of the Zambian porters or “highsiders” to carry the boats into as well as back out of the Zambezi gorge. The other was the skill of the Sobek guides. There was a strong sense of mutual admiration between the “highsiders” and the guides. Several of the “highsiders” showed a particularly strong interest in everything that the guides did and they were chosen to receive guide training. In February 1984 on instruction from Rich Bangs I began the Zambezi Whitewater School with Alick “Kulu” Banda, Saimon Sakala and Elias Sakala as students. In 1986 Sobek sent Alick and Saimon to California where they attended the OARS whitewater school and worked as guides on the American River for Vic Mclean’s Whitewater Rafting. In 1986 they began working as guides on the Zambezi. Later fi ve Zambian guides went to Siberia in the Soviet Union to represent Zambia in the fi rst International Whitewater Championship competition. The basis was set for Africans to work as whitewater guides.

In 1985 a Zimbabwe company, Shearwater, served notice that they were going to begin offering rafting trips on the Zambezi. Sobek was concerned that they would take away some Zimbabwe clients from us. We were far more concerned that Shearwater had zero experience and zero training in whitewater rafting and would be inclined to hurt or injure their passengers. Sobek had worked hard to establish the Zambezi’s reputation as being safe for rafting. It was unacceptable that a new company might possibly injure their passengers and harm that reputation. Sobek’s Zambezi manager Charlie Ross made the decision to have Sobek’s guides train the guides for their new competitor, Shearwater. This set the basis for whitewater rafting to begin from the Zimbabwe side.

By 1987 Sobek decided to exit the Zambezi as a raft trip operator. The Zambezi rafting operation was sold off to Zambian interests and continued to operate as Sobek Zambia Ltd. I stayed involved for two more years as Sobek Zambia operations manager to facilitate the shift from an American to a Zambian company. In the early 1990’s Charlie Ross managed Sobek Zambia. As a travel agency Sobek continued to make bookings for rafting trips on the Zambezi but overall after 1987 the Sobek era was over.

I know that I am not alone in believing that the Sobek era on the Zambezi was an important and wonderful time for many of us who were involved. We established whitewater rafting as an industry in Zambia and Zimbabwe. We developed new skills which were required for safely rafting the Zambezi. We passed those skills on to others so that nearly 30 years after Sobek’s departure whitewater rafting on the Zambezi is still fl ourishing. We are proud of what we did and what was accomplished.

ZAMBIAMazabuka Accident

Over Easter a truck carrying people lost control in Mazabuka and went straight through the traffi c lights in Mazabuka, crashing through the fence of Shoprite and then into the shop. It happened at night around 1am. 18 people were killed, according to a report in Lusaka Times. They were travelling to Lochinvar to buy fi sh.

This is not the fi rst time that Shoprite has been hit by vehicles because it is at a right angle in the road, with the road coming down a fairly

steep hill to the corner. Surely this is the time for the authorities to think about re-routing the road. It is far too dangerous a corner to be on a main trunk road.

Those lives should not have been lost.

Elephants Return to LivingstoneSandy Simpson

The more observant of you may have noticed an increase in shiny tapes appearing around the city. The Green Rural African Development (GRAD) team have been busy repairing elephant deterrent systems, just in time for the early return of elephants.

GRAD hasself-funded all work in the Livingstone area for over 2 years, aiming to reduce Human Elephant Confl ict by preventing animals accessing community farmland. Sounds like a simple concept, but in reality preventing these immensely intelligent animals from utilising corridors they’ve accessed for hundreds of years is a huge challenge.

The essential component in achieving this goal is special refl ective tapes that emits a wide spectrum of light, creates a loud noise, and in electrically powered systems also carries 9000 volts.The latest electrically powered system is proving most effective at deterring elephants and also preventing vandalism, the main problem we face especially in urban areas.

We are set to face a challenging year as late, insuffi cient rains blight maize and crops countrywide. Not only are farmers facing a drought, but also elephants have returned a month early hoping to raid crops and fend off their hunger.

It’s crucial we act now if we are to protect the remaining farmers whose land currently lies outside our protective fencing. We are asking you or your company to generously support our efforts to assist subsistence farmers and help conserve wildlife; both are inevitably set to face unimaginable hardship this season.

You can contact us either on 0979 040 666 or email info@gradinternational.org for more details.

Joreck Chishika

The Zambia Wildlife Authority, Southern Regional Offi ce Regrets to Announce the Death of Mr.Joreck Chishika who was the senior wildlife ecologist for Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. Mr. Chishika was Involved in a Fatal Road Traffi c Accident on Monday March 30, 2015.

Kafue Train Accident

Our new Livingstone-Lusaka train was hit by a truck while going over the road at the level crossing in Kafue. The truck was carrying more than 30 people on the back. Five of them died on the spot and four were taken to UTH with serious injuries. A report says that the driver was listening to loud music and speeding ... He ran away after the accident ...

Zambia Development Agency

Zambia’s only Port- Mpulungu Port is braced for expansion and as central Africa’s Regional Hub of Commerce and Industry

With only £50,00 Mpulungu Port in Northern Zambia’s shores of Lake Tanganyika was established in 1925. ‘’ Mpulungu Port became a reality. Today Mpulungu Port is braced for expansion and as central Africa’s Regional Hub of Commerce and Industry.’’

Like anywhere in the world, water is one of the greatest gift of natural resource God has given to mankind and all living things. Long before this encounter local people around this central African lake (Tanganyika) regarded the vast waters a source of fi shing as an occupation to date. As the world turned Western interests discovered Lake Tanganyika and fought its domination, Germans, British and Belgian powers fought for the control of the lake, a war which ended in favour of Britain and Belgium.

Germans dominated the region and ruled Tanzania (German East Africa). They kept pushing further south of lake Tanganyika up to Kasama the (Provincial Headquarters of Northern province of Zambia) up to Chambeshi Bridge. They were told to lay down arms and go back to Germany as the First World War was declared over. Guns of war are still displayed at Chambeshi Bridge and Kasama Government offi ces.

The Northern Province Commissioner Mr. J. H. Venning based at Mbala (Abercorn), the Provincial Headquarters then, casually remarked while having a picnic ‘’Wouldn’t this make a good place for a habour’’?

Sir Herbert Stanley the Provincial Governor instantly replied ‘’How much would the project cost’’? ….’’Well, I think I could fi x it up for about £50,000.’’ Venning suggested ‘’Go ahead’’ the Governor authorized. That’s how the only Zambia Port of Mpulungu became a reality.

Today Mpulungu Port and Lake Tanganyika is the focus of economic attention by regional governments and some international organisations. However, this region is a hot cake for investors as a gate way to East and central Africa.

Tourism investments are awaiting serious international investors along the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Western Tanzania and Northern Zambia shores who all share Lake Tanganyika.

While regional governments and international organisations with the Habour Infrastructure Development Investors have a bigger steak to explore in commerce and industry.

Mpulungu Port for instance, need New Modern Hotels, Restaurants, Regional Passengers Ferries and Cargo - Ships and other tourism related facilities along the shores of the lake in order to boast tourism to the region. Employment for many will follow in due course.

Lake Tanganyika is a Tourism Magnet Potential to rival any other place in the world, given it’s warm waters, Golden Sand Beaches and fi shing Picnics which attracted Mr. J. H. Venning and Sir Herbert Stanley to establish Mpulungu Port in Northern Zambia’s Lake Tanganyika Por.

Meanwhile, Africa Development Bank (AfDB) has come on board to fund the expansion of Mpulungu Harbour in Northern Province at the cost of US$3 million to cater for increased cargo to the Great Lakes region.By Evance Chanda

Wildlife Camp, South Luangwa

Did you know: Recent studies have proven that zebras have a sense of humour. Equine researchers, who followed these striped animals in various National Parks across Africa noted that zebras will often smile when confronted with stimuli such as baby elephants, mating baboons or giraffes drinking water. They have also found that zebras stimulated by farting noises, animals from other species tripping over or even tourists wearing zebra-striped clothing will laugh out loud without pointing at the intended subject. Conrad Cooke, photo

Wilderness Safaris, Kafue NP

Brad Leontsinis tells us these wild dogs had just seen their bushbuck kill stolen by lions on the Busanga Plains. And all they could do was stand and watch...

What an amazing capture Brad!

Signage

As you know, I love signage – on the roads and in our parks.

When tourists arrive to travel around our country it is very comforting for them to see signs telling them where they are and how far they have to go. It was, therefore, heartening to see that Game Rangers International has been secured a donation for signage in Kafue National Park.

From Game Rangers International:

GRI - Kafue Conservation Project would like to thank Bangweulu Taxidermy, Neon Signs and the Honorary Wildlife Police Offi cers for KNP’s new park entry sign.

This is the beginning of an exercise to ensure all park entry roads are suitably signposted so that people are aware of the rules and fees applicable when entering Kafue National Park.

African Parks in Bangweulu

The story of a Shoebill attack ...

Staring intently and patiently into the water... waiting for a fi sh to come up for a gulp of air.

And Strike! Without a moment’s hesitation the shoebill launches itself onto the fi sh with all its force.

With the fi sh secured by the sharp hook of the bird’s bill, the artful process of extracting it from the swamp vegetation starts, using its wings for traction and balance.

It is thought that part of the reason for the shoebill’s strangely shaped, wide bill, is to allow it to shake out extra vegetation without letting go of its catch. Here it has caught a snake catfi sh.

Photographs by Megan Loftie-Leaton

David Ngwenya for Birdwatch Zambia

David lives near Bangweulu and spends his time saving birds which have been caught in snares.

Muwe Lodge, South Luangwa

and while baby sleeps, a patient mum and family wait, knowing they are always welcome here . . .

ZIMBABWEKariba Wildlife TrustELEPHANT ATTACK 15 March 2015 Tragic consequence once again

KAWFT was alerted to a person having been attacked by an Elephant early on the Sunday morning by a Nyamhunga Resident and immediately contacted Parks and Wildlife.

Sadly this person was killed and our deepest sympathy goes out to the family and friends.

We then received a number of reports that dogs along with their owners were chasing the Elephant for quite a way who then became frantic and angry.

Parks details on the ground were also advised of this by people in the area.

This is again the ongoing confl ict between Humans, domestic dogs and Wildlife and again very sadly and unfortunately every time innocent lives pay for other peoples misconduct as in this case yet again, a completely innocent person and 2 elephants lost their lives due to this.

Whilst on site Parks and Wildlife dealt with 3 dogs.

All efforts should again be directed at those provoking these animals and the lack of discipline within some of the community. Education within the schools and within the residential areas needs to again be addressed and to be pressed home by the Authorities.

There have been suggestions that some form of community service punishment should be agreed as a standing punishment to instill knowledge of the consequences of selfi sh acts like this. Parks and Wildlife as well as KAWFT have on numerous occasions intervened with Youth whilst they have been provoking wildlife and unfortunately they think it is a big joke.

Authorities have advised there will no longer be continual reminders regarding dogs being kept within their properties or on leashes when off their properties.Dogs seen hunting with or without their owners or running about on the roads or in the bush without leashes will be dealt with accordingly and immediately.

Provoking Wildlife by any means, be it with stones, tyres or dogs will be dealt with by the Authorities.

Mana Pools ElephantsThis is the famous shot of one of Mana’s elephants reaching up for his favourite food ... the fruit of an acacia ...

© Lensman - Lennart Hessel Photography

— with Zane Engelbrecht and Fisher Ngwerume at Mana Pools.

CHILLI “GUN” HELPS PROTECT CHIRUNDU’S ELEPHANTSWild Zambezi

A chilli pepper solution which is said to be 50 times stronger than Tabasco is central to a new conservation project aimed at preventing the elephants of Chirundu being destroyed as pests.

Elephants which have become habituated to human settlement in and around the border town have, over the years, become a nuisance, regularly raiding dustbins and houses for food and sometimes causing a great deal of damage to property. Seen as a danger to human life, they have, in the past, often been shot as “problem animals” by the Parks and Wildlife Management Department.

However, last year a new approach to solving this problem (and at the same time sparing the lives of the elephants) was implemented by a group called the Chirundu Elephant Programme, spearheaded by Aaron Young using technology developed by Mike le Grange, a Zimbabwean expert in human-wildlife confl ict. Nic and Iona Coetzee, owners of Jecha Point Fishing Lodge just downstream of Chirundu became involved. Not wanting the local elephant population to be destroyed, they developed what, on the surface, seems to be a simple plan: chase the “problem” animals out of town using a specially-developed “gun” which fi res a strong deterrent spray of chilli-pepper oil, until they get the message and stop coming back.

The implementation, however, turned out to be not quite so easy. No sooner had one lot of elephants been “moved on” than another group of young bulls took their place! To create a “virtual barrier” around the town which the elephants know they must not cross without being “chillied”, sometimes involves up to 19 hours of overnight patrolling!

It’s hard work, but the effort is paying off. Aaron Young reports that not a single Chirundu elephant has had to be “destroyed” in the past year. Elephants are fast learners and extremely intelligent. They have learned to recognise the “chilli-pepper” vehicle on duty in town, and will not come near it. But if they see it parked at Jecha Point, just a few kilometres away, where they know there is no threat, they will happily ignore it!

Elephant found shot in BwabwataNew Era

An elephant was found dead at Muit’jiku village of Kavango East in the Buffalo core area of Bwabwata West last Friday.

Muit’jiku is located in Bwabwata West National Park in Mukwe Constituency in Kavango East.The elephant carcass was allegedly found by villagers who then informed the police at Divundu.

It was discovered on Friday morning at about 06h00 and was believed to have been poached. An initial police investigation found two gunshot entry and exit wounds in the carcass which made investigators suspect it was illegally shot.

The elephant had its tusks intact as the poachers appear to have hurriedly left the scene of the poaching after they were suspectedly disturbed. ...

Mo Ibrahim Prize

President Hifi kepunye Pohamba has been named as the winner of the 2014 Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership. Established in 2007, the Ibrahim Prize recognises and celebrates excellence in African leadership. The Ibrahim Prize aims to encourage leaders who fully dedicate their tenure of offi ce to surmount the development challenges of their countries, improving the livelihoods and welfare of their people and consolidating the foundation for sustainable development.

Announcing the 2014 Ibrahim Laureate in front of an audience of the diplomatic community, civil society representatives and the media at a press conference in Nairobi, Salim Ahmed Salim, the Chair of the Prize Committee said:

President Pohamba’s focus in forging national cohesion and reconciliation at a key stage of Namibia’s consolidation of democracy and economic development impressed the Prize Committee. His ability to command the confi dence and the trust of his people is exemplary. During the decade of his Presidential mandate, he demonstrated sound and wise leadership. At the same time, he maintained his humility throughout his Presidency. ...

The Ibrahim Prize is US$5million award paid over 10 years and US$200,000 annually for life thereafter. ...

Hifi kepunye Pohamba is the fi rst person to have received the prize since 2011. It has been awarded only three times previously: to Mozambique’s Joaquim Chissano (2007), Botswana’s Festus Mogae (2008), and Cape Verde’s Pedro Verona Pires (2011). During the intervening years, the Prize Committee found no suitable president.

NAMIBIA

Another Port for NamibiaFrom Namibia Observer

Government has budgeted N$22 million in the next three years for research and development work on Namibia’s potential third port located at Cape Fria in the Kunene region. The development of the port forms part of Government’s development programmes contained in the estimates of expenditure released by the minister of fi nance last week when he presented his maiden budget speech to parliament.

The project will receive N$10 million annually in the next two fi nancial years and a further N$2 million in the 2017/2018 fi nancial year. In conjunction with research and development on the envisaged port, Government will also spend N$2.4 billion in the next three years for the development of the Cape Fria-Katima Mulilo railway line.

Namibia Ports Authority (NamPort) CEO Bisey Uirab confi rmed the possibility of a third port to be developed at Cape Fria, located in the Skeleton Coast National Park in northern Namibia. Uirab said the ports authority had been tasked by the Ministry of Works and Transport to commission a full feasibility study based on the results of a pre-feasibility study.

A tender notice for the feasibility study is expected in mid-2015.

“The feasibility study itself will cost several tens of millions of Namibian dollars. The development of the actual port with supporting infrastructure such as roads, railway lines, schools, clinic, power supply, water supply etc., will cost tens of billions of Namibian dollars, but these fi gures can only be accurately estimated during the feasibility study itself,” Uirab said in an interview.

As to the purpose of the potential third port, Uirab indicated that this would only become clear as soon as the 24 month long feasibility study has been completed.

“At this stage it is expected that the port will cater for bulk mining product exports from Northern Namibia, such as iron ore.” ...

Cheetah Conservation Botswana

It’s so rewarding when we get positive feedback from farmers who want to coexist with predators. Here’s a play by play of a conversation we had with a local farmer last week.Farmer: We would be happy for you to come onto our farm to do work, but please will you take those cheetahs off our farm - they’re killing my sheep and I am sick to death of them.CCB: I’ll do you one better than that. If we take the cheetahs off your farm, more will just come in and replace them and you may continue to have problems. What we can do though, is put your name down on our waiting list to receive a livestock guarding dog that we’ve trained at our facility. Once they’re trained, we can bring it to your farm, place it with your sheep, and it should protect your sheep from predators for as long as it lives, which could be over ten years.Farmer: Yes, of course you’re right. That would be great! Please put my name down on the waiting list!

Hooray for livestock guarding dogs!

BOTSWANA

BELGIAN CYCLIST GROUP EXPRESSES INCREDULITY OVER HOTEL PAYMENT TERMS

A group of 15 Belgian cyclists, who have come to Uganda to follow in the footsteps of last year’s Brussels Airlines’ cycling event, expressed their consternation when they were told by the Hotel International on Muyenga Hill in Kampala that their cash payment to secure their rooms was no good and that the owners insisted on payment via Western Union. Further digging revealed that apparently do the owners not trust the managers who in turn do not trust their staff. It appears that should in fact cash be received and receipted, there are doubts across the hierarchy of this hotel that the money would still be there intact the next day and not vanish into thin air overnight. ...

SOUTH AFRICAN VISA REGULATIONS COME UNDER FIRE FOR CUTTING OUT TRAVEL AGENTS

Travel agents in Kenya are said to be perplexed about an emerging regulation for Visa applications by Kenyans wishing to travel to South Africa. The Nairobi based VFS Global – Information Desk South Africa Visa Application Centre in fact confi rmed a few days ago that the required hotel bookings, applicants must show to qualify for a Visa, cannot be done through a travel agent or one of the common hotel booking platforms like www.jovago.com or www.bookings.com but must be done directly with the hotel. The news, when broken, has gone viral in a matter of days, prompting a series of comments from both applicants as well as from known travel agents entirely unfi t to be repeated here, which speaks to the strength of sentiment Kenyans being to develop against South Africa’s Visa policy. ‘I know you have another opinion but it is time to retaliate against such rubbish. If we want to travel to Namibia or another nearby country and have to travel through Johannesburg, we must apply for a transit Visa. That is costly and time consuming. Applying for business or tourist Visa also cost a lot of money for processing so when they say the Visa is free it is a big fat lie because when you pay so much for processing it is a scam. Please expose them on your blog’ said a regular Nairobi based source clearly unhappy that travel between African states continue to face bigger and bigger hurdles and in some cases now is as diffi cult as travelling to Europe, the UK or the United States. ‘Some people who need to travel to South Africa, for instance to attend the graduation of their kids they sent to study there, are not computer literate. They rely on us agents to make bookings for them, for their tickets, for hotels and even for transport arrangements. It is what we travel agents do. It is hard to understand why South Africa should insist for hotel bookings to be made directly by the client? Have they ganged up with hotels to deny us travel agents some little commission? It mind boggles and defi es logic!’ wrote a travel agent in Nairobi, insisting on anonymity and no wonder for that considering that being ‘sanctioned’ by the South African bureaucrazy – pun fully intended – vis a vis future business relations. The African Union, COMESA, SADC and other trade blocs in Africa have repeatedly called on member countries to make travel within Africa easier and remove such non-tariff barriers but it is obvious now that some countries are stubbornly refusing to comply and instead make obtaining Visa more diffi cult, while Africa’s people continue to suffer as they wait for Visa free travel across the continent to become a reality. Watch this space.

EAST AFRICA NEWS FROM WOLFGANG THOME

France decrees new rooftops must be covered in plants or solar panelsThe Guardian, UK

Rooftops on new buildings built in commercial zones in France must either be partially covered in plants or solar panels, under a law approved on Thursday.

Green roofs have an isolating effect, helping reduce the amount of energy needed to heat a building in winter and cool it in summer. They also retain rainwater, thus helping reduce problems with runoff, while favouring biodiversity and giving birds a place to nest in the urban jungle, ecologists say.

The law approved by parliament was more limited in scope than initial calls by French environmental activists to make green roofs that cover the entire surface mandatory on all new buildings.

The Socialist government convinced activists to limit the scope of the law to commercial buildings.

The law was also made less onerous for businesses by requiring only part of the roof to be covered with plants, and giving them the choice of installing solar panels to generate electricity instead.

Green roofs are popular in Germany and Australia, and Canada’s city of Toronto adopted a by-law in 2009 mandating them in industrial and residential buildings.

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