Zuu and meat

DSCF0590
Originally uploaded by Matongo Maumbi.

How To Go The Banana Way

SANE

SANE

HERE IS A STORY ABOUT FOUR PEOPLE NAMED SOMEBODY, ANYBODY, NOBODY AND EVERYBODY

THERE WAS AN IMPORTANT JOB TO BE DONE AND EVERYBODY WAS SURE THAT SOMEBODY WOULD DO IT

ANYBODY COULD HAVE DONE IT, BUT NOBODY DID IT

SOMEBODY GOT ANGRY ABOUT THAT IT WAS EVERYBODY'S JOB

EVERYBODY THOUGHT ANYBODY COULD HAVE DONE IT, BUT NOBODY REALISED THAT EVERYBODY WOULDN'T DO IT

IT ENDED UP THAT EVERYBODY BLAMED SOMEBODY WHEN NOBODY DID WHAT ANYBODY COULD HAVE DONE.

So, where do you stand?

Parting Is An Art

This Poem was reproduced by Arthur Garande SJ for the 

1998 Canisius Secondary School Grade 12 Volleyballers

PARTING

It is the art for those who part

Never to start with the last part

I was with you for years so few

yet in my heart you have a big part

yes we are parting

but not in our loving

we are in fact getting more intact

we met to part

so says my heart

but we part to meet

after the great feat

don't let me down

and I won't let you frown

when we finally part

don't break my heart

Leave me with hope

that you will cope

with whatever comes

from your exams

Then we will meet to part again,

for none of us will forever remain

(Heyz I - Third Term 1990)

Love and Time

Love and Time
Once upon a time,
there was an island where all the feelings lived:
Happiness,
Sadness,
Knowledge,
and all of the others, including Love.
One day it was announced to the feelings that the island would sink,
so all constructed boats and left.
Except for Love.
Love was the only one who stayed.
Love wanted to hold out until the last possible moment.
When the island had almost sunk,
Love decided to ask for help.
Richness was passing by Love in a grand boat.
Love said,
"Richness, can you take me with you?"
Richness answered,
"No, I can't.
There is a lot of gold and silver in my boat.
There is no place here for you."
Love decided to ask Vanity who was also passing by in a beautiful vessel.
"Vanity, please help me!"
"I can't help you, Love.
You are all wet and might damage my boat,
" Vanity answered.
Sadness was close by so Love asked,
"Sadness, let me go with you."
"Oh . . . Love,
I am so sad that I need to be by myself!"
Happiness passed by Love, too,
but she was so happy that she did not even hear when Love called her.
Suddenly,there was a voice,
"Come, Love, I will take you."
It was an elder.
So blessed and overjoyed,
Love even forgot to ask the elder where they were going.
When they arrived at dry land, the elder went her own way.
Realizing how much was owed the elder,
Love asked Knowledge,
another elder,
"Who Helped me?"
"It was Time,"
Knowledge answered.
"Time?" asked Love.
"But why did Time help me?"
Knowledge smiled with deep wisdom and answered,
"Because only Time is capable of understanding how valuable Love is."

(Author Unknown)

Love and Time

Love and Time
Once upon a time,
there was an island where all the feelings lived:
Happiness,
Sadness,
Knowledge,
and all of the others, including Love.
One day it was announced to the feelings that the island would sink,
so all constructed boats and left.
Except for Love.
Love was the only one who stayed.
Love wanted to hold out until the last possible moment.
When the island had almost sunk,
Love decided to ask for help.
Richness was passing by Love in a grand boat.
Love said,
"Richness, can you take me with you?"
Richness answered,
"No, I can't.
There is a lot of gold and silver in my boat.
There is no place here for you."
Love decided to ask Vanity who was also passing by in a beautiful vessel.
"Vanity, please help me!"
"I can't help you, Love.
You are all wet and might damage my boat,
" Vanity answered.
Sadness was close by so Love asked,
"Sadness, let me go with you."
"Oh . . . Love,
I am so sad that I need to be by myself!"
Happiness passed by Love, too,
but she was so happy that she did not even hear when Love called her.
Suddenly,there was a voice,
"Come, Love, I will take you."
It was an elder.
So blessed and overjoyed,
Love even forgot to ask the elder where they were going.
When they arrived at dry land, the elder went her own way.
Realizing how much was owed the elder,
Love asked Knowledge,
another elder,
"Who Helped me?"
"It was Time,"
Knowledge answered.
"Time?" asked Love.
"But why did Time help me?"
Knowledge smiled with deep wisdom and answered,
"Because only Time is capable of understanding how valuable Love is."

(Author Unknown)

My Birthday Bash

 

Nov bash - Chikuni Zambia

 
 
 
 

Do you know me?

 

YOU DON’T HAFFI DREAD TO BE A RASTA

Having long hair has always been a hobby of mine. What better way to keep hair long than to lock it? Yes, locking the hair into great DREADlocks!!

School days were fun. Always wanting to be at loggerheads with the authorities. Unfortunately this never happened the way I wanted it to – to be punished for having extra long hair just like those that hard extra bald head.

I was known as Matrix from the time I was 8years as I was a genius in mathematics. At that time I never understood what matrix meant; only my teacher knew. Thanks to continued education, I got to know about it at senior secondary school.

By the time I was in senior school, I had a massive AFRO hair style – about 31cm long. Matrix had an afro. He came to be known as Afro, but soon he became both – AFROMATRIX. I must admit that I inspired a lot of mates to go the African way. Afros were becoming a tradition in the school.

After school, I got tired and trimmed the hair to the minimum, and trying to maintain a bald head. This didn’t work at all. It’s difficulty waking up every morning and having to comb the hair, style it and all sorts of things. After a few years – in May 2003 – I had my last hair cut.

Within a year my hair was back to it’s normal Afro status. Being inspired by Real Africans Standing Tall Actively, I just found my hair locking. Combing was no longer on the agenda, nature had to take its course. It’s pretty simple to have natural dreads. Have long hair, stop combing it, and keep washing it. And I did just that. Always wash the hair.

Our hairs are natural locks. You don’t need to use chemicals, what for? I pity you who go an extra unnecessary step of applying herbs, chemicals and who knows what to make dreads. Be natural, unless you aint a natural African.

Being a successful broadcaster, I was and am already a public figure. Having beautiful Afro Dreads made me more visible. I enjoyed it while it lasted.

There is a sensational connection with the people when you have dreads. A dreadman is a peace-loving person, and when people met me, all they could naturally do was to smile and greet me – stranger or friend alike.

I remember receiving special treatment almost everywhere I went. I was proud of being African. Being able to share smiles, and some laughter. In my area I was a sole DREADman. And you know what this means!!!

“Are you a rasta?” No am not.

“But you have dreadlocks.” Yes I have dreadlocks. I could ask if they were monks since they had absolutely no hair on them. And after this they understood that am African and proud.

It is a great misconception that having the hair locked is Rastafarianism. It is greatly influenced by it, but I believe it takes a lot to be a Rasta than locking the hair. Just like Morgan Heritage said, “you don’t haffi dread to be rasta. It’s not a dreadlock thing but a conception of your heart.” And many people hide in the name of dreadlocks.

People are bringing a lot of shame to the rasta world simply because they think having dreads is a passport to Rastafarianism. Rastas are peace loving people. They advocate for social change, social justice, unity and love.

People saw this in me, and that is what I meant to do, though not a rasta in that sense.

The only sad thing about having good DREADS and being a broadcaster is that you are no longer a private person. No more privacy. You are in the public lime light. You cannot hide. And since you are always in the open, you have to be the best a human being can be. It’s very easy to be and do good. It uses less energy, and it motivates a number of people that would otherwise have no hope for a good thing on this earth.

Time came when I wanted to have some privacy to myself. Privacy to do what I wanted to do without anyone noticing that am around. I needed to have time to myself. No matter how much people love you, you must always have time to yourself. That’s the only way you can know who you are and what you are here for.

A lot of people get swallowed in the name of doing good for the people, and yet they do bad to themselves and the immediate people around them. This is misplaced pride.

People came to know me as Matongo, the dreadlocked, and not Matongo, son of Maumbi. Now this is dangerous, people no longer know you. What they know is your hair. The hair was definitely not me, but a part of me.

This became a food for thought. As much as it is good to have an ID people associate you with, people have to know the real you. I was losing my real identity – and had to something.

It was not easy after five years to cut very beautiful Gold locks, but it had to happen. 6 Jan 08 was the date that brought back the Matongo Maumbi in me. I cut and archived my locks in my house.

I felt liberated. This is when I came to know who knew me as me, and those who knew me just for the locks.

It’s interesting how suddenly people do not notice am around unless I mention so. My mind is free, but I don’t know for how long I can live without my long hair, and maybe dreads.

One thing am happy about is that I have isolated those that only associated with me ‘cos of the dreads. What I have are people that know me, with or without dreads. Even my girlfriend is at peace with me now. I no longer cause that public attention to the people.

It’s been a number of months since I cut, and I have been cutting every month or so. It seems I just can’t move away from having long hair. I feel the locks are coming back soon. I don’t know what to do and I know what to do. What do I do?

I enjoy whipping people with dem locks. We shall see what happens. Don’t advantage of things and people just because you are dreadlocked, let things and people appreciate what comes from a Real African Standing Tall Actively.

The next time you see me with dreads, don’t ask me why I have them back – I love them…………

Chikuni hosts Tonga music festival

By Katwishi Bwalya in Monze
Friday September 26, 2008 [02:00] (from www.postzambia.com)

AN All Tonga Music Festival last weekend attracted 105 bands drawn from across Southern Province.

Hosted by Chikuni Radio Station of Monze, the ninth edition of the annual event started on Friday with entertainment performances ending late on Saturday.

The evergreen Amayenge Ensemble pitched up as special guests for the event.
There were 12 categories set out during the show.

With the overwhelming rich traditional number of performing bands, there was every reason for music lovers to be part of the show.

Thousands of people from across the country thronged Chikuni Village in Monze, the hub of the weekend activity, graced by District Commissioner Joyce Nondo.

Despite the fact that the event was a competition involving Southern Province bands, participants ensured the best Tonga traditional performances were on display.

Apart from being a musical show, organisers also added a fashion parade in showcasing the rich culture of the Tonga people.

Richard Chiimbwe took part in the event taking a claim in the Kuyabila category.

Yet it was young Manyepa Junior who stole the limelight when he was called to perform the kuyabila.

The-15-year-old social commentator captured the attention of people in the audience when he delivered a tribute song to late president Levy Mwanawasa.

Manyepa’s special display was captivating, thought-provoking and left members of the audience yearning for more.

Other bands that took part in the competition included the Katete Assemblage while Enoch Mbongwe scooped the Kalumbu category.
Emerging Cultural Artists Support Programme (ECASP) expressed delight to be associated with the festival.

ECASP executive director Melody Couvaras said the festival would boost tourism and highlight important aspects of the Tonga culture.
Couvaras said her organisation will soon be going round the nine provinces in the country to promote traditional local music.

“By next year, we are exploring cultural music in other eight provinces of Zambia and we have great plans to market and develop it at local and international level because we want the youth in this sector to be empowered,” Couvaras said.

SOURCE: The Post

Tonga festival attracts 100 bands

Monday, 11 August 2008
THE Radio Chikuni-organised Tonga Music Festival set for next month in Chikuni, Monze has attracted over 100 acts with the promotions manager saying preparations are on course for the annual festival, now in its ninth year.

Matongo Maumbi told Times Entertainment in Lusaka during the week that the response from musicians has been overwhelming resulting in them registering 104 bands instead of the 95 that they had initially planned for.

“We hope all will turn up for the event. What has been interesting from the registration point of view is that people are now more willing to play the traditional kind of music. We have registered musicians beyond the normal categories that we always have. This is what we term the special category.

“We realised a number of people had music that was otherwise not in the 11 categories that we had earlier recognised. This year people have come forward with interesting kinds of instruments that thousands shall have a chance to see during the concert,” Maumbi said from Radio Chikuni.

For entertainment, the concert will have groups that have established themselves on the local market such as Gonde Culture and Nsabata, Katebe, X Bass, Chibweze and possibly one from a popular radio serial drama team - Gama Cuulu.

”Like in all the events we have organised, sponsorship has been a challenge and this will make it more difficulty and challenging for us to organise the event in the near future. {But} we have received confirmation that the Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services will be our Guest of Honour. We are honoured as a station to have the minister grace the occasion which has proved to be the biggest traditional music event in the country, if not the southern African region,” he said.

The theme for this year’s event is Muwezyi Kozwa Kobula, whose simple translation is that as an experienced hunter goes out hunting, he at times comes back without a kill. “This should be the same with the musicians. We are continuing on the idea of self-sustainability. When a child learns to stand on its own, it should always remember that not all is smooth.

“Despite the roughness of society or things, the child should always get up and move forward. Sustainability calls for perseverance and hard work. We hope the message has really got to the people. Initially we used to feed the musicians, then started giving them some money for food and this year we have completely cut on all the support,” Maumbi says.

The station was over-burdened with funds being spent on the event and as such would like the musicians and the general public to take full charge of the event with it just being a coordinating body.

More information click CHIKUNI RADIO

Transportation when things are hard - Chikuni

 

Zambia's Revised Visa Fees - The Implications....

The Implications of Zambia’s Revised Visa Fees in the Tourism Sector

Tourism Council of Zambia

March, 2008 from The Livingstone Weekly

1. Background

Business success, whether at the industry level, or the level of the individual entity, depends on the quality and competitiveness of a combination of: product, location, service delivery and price. A survey of international tour agents conducted during research for this paper suggest that Zambia’s tourism sector is performing well on at least the first three of these four criteria - Zambia is seen as an expensive destination - at the national level.

However, two conditional statements on Zambia’s tourism pricing are required to place this statement in context:

firstly, Livingstone and the south-western tourism circuit and some elements of the Lower Zambezi and South Luangwa tourism areas, are linked into cross-border tourism circuits and the South African supply chain and are more price sensitive than internal tours and are subject to some market resistance from Zambia’s rising prices. This is now being emphasised with the apparent re-emergence of Zimbabwean tourism; and the cost of carbon taxes, departures taxes, fuel levies, visas and the like is increasing the ancillary cost component of holidays to southern Africa to a level where clients are now aware of and sensitive to these additions.

Tourism is now recognised as an important contributor to the economy and has been formally placed as one of four key pillars of growth driving the Fifth National Development Plan. In spite of recent economic skewing created by the exceptional price of Zambia’s base and precious metal exports and associated mining investments, the tourism sector is performing quite competitively with critical regional tourism markets – especially Botswana, Tanzania, Namibia and even Zimbabwe (which it is now starting to show signs of recovery).

The medium term (1999 to 2006) moving average for total visitor arrivals has increased from 8.2% to 9.4% per annum; following a significant 13.2% increase in 2006 to 756,860 visitor arrivals (2007 data are not yet available). The 2006 growth rate exceeds the World Tourism Organisation data for both sub-Saharan Africa and Africa as a whole. Perhaps even more important is the exceptional 17.7% increase in holiday tourist arrivals in 2006 (over 2005 arrivals), to 242,358, or 32% of all arrivals.

These figures should be seen in context – they are more than three times higher than growth rates in the early 2000’s – and confirm that Zambia is now on the tourist map. Current arrivals trends suggest that Zambia will achieve between 1.4 million and 2.0 million arrivals by 2015 (see Figure 2). This will probably generate between 450,000 and 650,000 holiday tourist a year by then.

But to put Zambia’s progress in perspective it is worth noting that Zimbabwe achieved in excess of 2 million visitor arrivals in the 1990’s.

Where do Zambia’s tourists come from? In 2005 Southern Africa was the most important source area for holiday tourists, providing 38% of holiday arrivals, with Europe next with 31%, the Asia Pacific region providing 11%, the Americas 10%, and the rest of Africa another 10%.

This changed dramatically in 2006 with the share of European tourist arrivals increasing by 39% to 37% of the market; American arrivals by 66% (to 14%) and Asian/Pacific arrivals by 13% (to retain 11% of the market). Simultaneously, and significantly, the southern African market share has fallen from 38% to 31% (with a reduction in approximately 3,000 tourists). What has changed?

Data collected from the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources, 2008
all suggest that after many years of hard work Zambia’s tourist industry is beginning to take off. It is at this critical point that the potentially damaging 2008 budget adjustments to the visa regime have been introduced.

2. Issues from the New Visa Measures

This paper examines the issues as an objective risk assessment of possible impacts on future tourist arrival patterns and revenue streams. And also possible constructive modifications to the visa measures. The paper is based on data from the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources, official publications from the Immigration Department and a Tourism Council of Zambia questionnaire that was circulated to principal tour agents around the world that serve the Zambian market.

The principal issues are threefold:

Zambia is on the brink of major tourism growth - and unnecessary regulatory, or other changes can interrupt, or even reverse, the momentum achieved;

the introduced visa fee increases apply to and directly affect Zambia’s principal off-shore source of tourists – the United Kingdom; as well as a large and rapidly growing market source – the United States (10.6%) – as well as business visitors from these countries; and the removal of the visa waiver facility (that allowed bone fide tourists staying with licensed tourism operators to a waiver on visa fees), affects all non-African nationals visiting Zambia.

3. International Tourist Responses

Responses to this tour agent questionnaire that was circulated widely in the United States, the United Kingdom, the rest of Europe, Australia and southern Africa are unequivocal about two issues. The top-end tourist market (logically), will be less affected by the visa increases than other market sectors. These clients pay significant amounts for a 6- to 14-day holiday to Zambia and the region and an additional US$140 per person is unlikely to deter them (however, even these tourists will be deterred). This is reinforced by another finding of the questionnaire; that many tourists (23% of responses) see Zambia as a “must visit” destination, with a further 23% of responses seeing Zambia as a more interesting destination. In short Zambia is a “new” tourist destination and as such is beginning to draw high-cost tourists who have not visited before.

On the other hand, the questionnaire response was equally definite that some top-end, as well as mid-range and budget holiday clients from at least the UK and USA will be deterred by the new visa measures. These clients made up approximately 40% of the 2006 arrivals to Zambia and probably increased in 2007.

4. Reasons for the 2008 Visa Measures

The 2008 changes to the visa regime are understood to be mainly a rationalisation of reciprocal visa charges with Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. However, given Zambia’s tourism sector objectives under the FNDP, the visa fee increases were presumably also introduced as a revenue-generating measure. It is also assumed that this was a calculated risk that increased fiscal contributions from the sector through the new visa fees would exceed any losses due to tourists diverting to other destinations. The validity of this assumption is discussed in section 7.

The United Kingdom contributes a full 14% of all holiday tourist arrivals to Zambia and the United States another 10.6% - the two largest tourist source countries after South Africa (22%) - who do not pay visas. Canada only contributes around 2% and is not significant to any arguments for or against visa changes. Thus if an increase in visa revenue is the overall objective, the countries chosen coincidentally also contribute a quarter of all holiday arrivals to Zambia – and strongly support this government fiscal strategy.

As already noted, the 2008 visa schedule also removed the “visa waiver” facility, where tourists staying with a licensed tourism operation were not required to pay visa fees. Some argue that the visa waiver facility was ineffective as it was sometimes poorly administered – leading to disgruntled tourists on day one of their holiday – and was not readily accessible to those organising their own holidays.

5. 2008 Visa Fee Revenue Benefits

Assuming that 70% of all arriving holiday tourists were accessing the visa waiver facility, the 2008 visa measures overnight increased visa revenues by US$ 50 all “other national” tourists due to pay visas, possibly including Canadians, but otherwise US$ 55 for Canadian tourists, US$135 for United States tourists and US$ 140 for United Kingdom tourists – a major windfall estimated at US$ 4.3 million from Canadian, UK and USA tourists alone (calculated on the basis of the available 2006 holiday tourist arrivals data).

6. Anticipated General Tourism Sector Impacts and Responses

Assuming this windfall tax revenue potential is sustained, are the medium-term financial and economic effects of the measures as beneficial as they look at first sight? And why does the tourism industry have major concerns about the new visa measures? The latter question is discussed first and falls into seven main categories.

Market Loyalty – tour agent markets are reasonably robust, but events such as the Asian tsunami, the Zimbabwean situation (see further below) and recently Kenya, demonstrate that rapid re-orientations of tourist preference can happen in real time. Tour agents are now required to comply with significant international health and safety and holiday insurance requirements. Therefore, sudden shifts in their loyalties are understandable where factors increase their risk. The visa fee measures introduce two risks:

the visa fee increases were made practically immediately, thus forcing affected tourists who had already paid for their holidays to an unexpected increase of around US$ 280 per couple, or US$ 560 for a family of four. Our questionnaire indicates that 51% of all tourists to Zambia include other countries in the region in their packages. In many cases this requires a multiple-entry visa, so for a UK family of four an unexpected increase of US$ 1,768 has occurred where a visit to Botswana and or Namibia or Zimbabwe was included with a return through Zambia; and Zambia is a relatively new destination, especially for USA and European tourists and sudden policy changes in this new market area is likely to have negative impacts on tour agents’ confidence about the security of other issues;

Administrative Effectiveness – regrettably the introduction of the new visa regime was made with immediate effect. As the tourism industry works a year ahead of actual arrivals (for brochure production, clarification on entry requirements, airline schedules and bookings and so on), and holidays are often booked at least 6 months in advance; this created an unnecessary negative impact. The Department of Immigration have recently reported the difference in visa fee collections for a 10-day period before the new measures and a 10-day period immediately following their introduction. Their report enthusiastically highlights a 200% increase in US$ visa fee receipts and a 1,000% plus increase in UK Sterling visa fees. It is of considerable concern that the report is numerically incorrect, but also that its authors are unaware that the obvious reason for the apparent absence of immediate resistance to the visa fee increases is that holidays are booked months in advance and late cancellations, or changes, result in significantly reduced refunds.

Of equal concern are four other issues:

in this crucial period of regulatory change, the Immigration website, the official statements from the Immigration Department and the practical interpretation of the new visa regulations at different ports of entry all varied;

it appears that tourists are now no longer unable to purchase multiple entry visas on arrival in Zambia;

the third issue is that the US$ 10 “day visitor” visa for relevant nationals visiting from neighbouring countries for day activity purposes – crucially important especially to activity providers in Livingstone – was halted and remains an area of confusion; and

the extreme cost (US$ 440) of the multiple entry visa for UK nationals introduces doubts that the reciprocity of this measure has been accurately applied – and in any case when combined with application procedures is now a major deterrent to UK multiple entry tourists.

Visa Competitiveness – although, as noted earlier, the new visa fees for UK and USA citizens are in themselves apparently insignificant in the context of a 10 to 14 day African holiday package, of more relevance to Zambian tourism is the cost in comparison to alternative regional destinations is big enough to create immediate consumer resistance. This is particularly so where tours are routed through South Africa, to Namibia and Botswana, with Zambia as a possible add-on destination. It is equally important for the rapidly growing American market where Zambia is not yet seen as a primary destination;



Effects on Zambia’s UK Tourist Base – The UK has, since independence, been a main source area for Zambia’s tourism industry – its tourists often being more willing than most to explore new destinations and activity areas. At a personal level these tourists, many of whom are multiple-returning clients, or use the multiple-entry facility in planning their holiday, see being specifically penalised by a reciprocal immigration arrangement, however justified, as a holiday obstacle (see Annex 1). At the industry/tour agent level it is seen as strategically short-sighted in the context of probable negative impacts on the 14% of arrivals contributed by UK nationals and therefore also on future revenue streams; but also on the uninterrupted growth of tourism into Zambia;

Impacts on the Growing USA Market - In the 1980’s USA clients represented a significant element of Zambia’s foreign tourist traffic. This decreased with the economic decline of Zambia in the late 1980’s and 1990’s and culminated in the September 11th 2001 catastrophe. Since the mid-2000’s the USA tourist numbers have slowly increased in spite of big global gains elsewhere (in part this reflects the ineffectiveness of Zambia’s national marketing effort in that country - which is a separate but important issue). The 2006 data show that although many Americans are still woefully ignorant about Zambia’s geographic location and tourism opportunities, the “new destination” driver has increased the number of USA tourists to nearly 11% of all arrivals. A sudden increase in visa fees to a client base that is often enticed into Zambia on the back of a South African, Namibian and Botswana tour, could immediately reverse these hard-won gains – as many recent client and agent comments suggest;

Stimulus for the Recovering Zimbabwean Tourism Sector – over the last five years Zambia has benefited from a notable diversion of tourism flows from Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe to Livingstone (as well as a migration of other Zimbabwean tourist clients and tour operators). The resulting 50% decline in tourist arrivals to Zimbabwe (see Figure 1 above), is now being reversed by aggressive strategic responses from the Zimbabwean tourism industry. The recent significant increase in Zambian visa fees will very likely strengthen the diversion of US and UK (as well as South African and other) tourists from Livingstone to Victoria Falls; as well as budget tourists travelling in southern African;

Charter Pilot and Crew Visas - unfortunately the 2008 visa increases come in the wake of an equally sudden and dramatic increase in light aircraft aviation charges that were levied by the National Airports Corporation in 2006. They were only reversed after serious industry consultation, but also involved many of the same tourism agents and operators now being impacted. Charter pilots and crew bringing tourists into Zambia are still required to pay visa fees.

Perhaps most telling is the strength of response received to the foreign tour agent questionnaire sent out in late-February to assess responses to the new visa scenario. In 2006 a World Bank-funded Tourism Supply-Side Study sent out a similar questionnaire to tour agents around the world. Only 28 responses were received from 166 questionnaires that were distributed. On this occasion more than 147 responses have been received at very short notice and without undue soliciting; including more than 49 UK agents; more than 32 USA agents; 50 Southern African agents and 16 “other country” (mainly European and Australian) agents – a reasonable representation of the contribution of Zambia’s main tourist origin regions.

7. Anticipated Financial and Economic Impacts on the Tourism Sector

Our research suggests that the likely financial and economic impacts of the new visa measures reflect the disquiet that the above comments create.

Visa Fee Revenues

Analysis based on World Bank demand-side research of the Zambian tourism industry in 2006 (that calculated an average tourist spend in Zambia of US$ 1,100) and the disaggregated 2006 tourist arrival data, indicate that the 242,358 tourists that visited Zambia in 2006 will have contributed around US$ 269 million to the economy through payment for goods and services. If the 2008 visa regime had been applied at that time Zambia would have earned at around US$ 13 million in visa fees.


Sector Financial Losses

On the basis of comments received from tourists and agents while researching this paper (please refer to Annex 1), it is assumed conservatively that 1% of top-end tourists, 3% of middle bracket holiday makers and 15% of budget holiday makers will be diverted from Zambia as a tourism destination; or not come to Zambia. The financial impact of this loss in tourist earnings using a weighted expenditure pattern (US$ 1,500 for top-end; US$ 1,000 for middle bracket; and US$ 500 for budget holidays) on the reduced arrivals will be an estimated US$ 29 million – more than double the visa earnings from the increased visa fees.

Negative Sector Economic Impacts

Placed in an economic context, and again referring to the 2006 World Bank tourism sector research that calculated a tourism sector economic multiplier of 2.1, the negative impact on GDP is conservatively estimated to be in the region of US$ 63 million.

Another important factor is that tourism earnings circulate within and contribute to the communities where they are spent. On the other hand fiscal revenues are returned to government accounts with limited returns to the tourism sector.

8. Conclusions - Big Picture Considerations

In calculating the financial and economic impacts of tourists being diverted to or remaining in alternative destinations by Zambia’s new visa measures, one should not lose sight of the bigger picture. Four factors need consideration in an increasingly competitive world:

1) growth curves suggest that world tourist arrivals will grow to 1 billion by 2010 and that competition for a bigger slice will be intense in emerging markets such as Africa – especially in the run-up to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa;

2) the negative perception impact of the new visa fees is widespread, but particularly evident in the recently growing USA market and in the South African budget market that still supports Zimbabwean tourism – and is a principal sources of tourists to Zambia (especially Livingstone);

3) between 21% and an estimated 30% of tourists to Zambia stay in budget accommodation of one sort or another. Many of these facilities are newly created investments by Zambian entrepreneurs and will be the most heavily impacted by the removal of the visa waiver facility and the tourist visa increases. It is precisely this sub-sector that government committed to supporting; and

4) while Botswana, Malawi, Namibia and South Africa are well prepared for the SADC Tourism Protocol Univisa (with zero visa status for all tourists and free flows between the countries), Zambia may be perceived to be taking a separate approach by increasing its visas.

In an overall context, unless addressed, these circumstances will do much to damage the tourism sector objectives of the FNDP, but more seriously, Zambia’s image in the international tourism world. With the conservatism of international tour agents the image factor could have effects long after the FNDP ends in two years’ time. More unfortunately, this damage is likely to have a double effect.

Initially it is expected that there will be losses through disruption to the impetus achieved by Zambian tourism operators, their agents, the Tourism Council of Zambia and the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources and its statutory bodies (National Heritage Conservation Commission; National Museums; ZAWA; and ZNTB – now ZTB), over the last five to ten years; but secondly there will be the loss of a proportional share of the markets that Zambia could have diverted from neighbouring countries (particularly Botswana – Zambia’s chief competitor – Malawi and Namibia; but also Kenya and Tanzania – another of Zambia’s chief competitors).

The hasty introduction of the 2008 revised visa schedule and subsequent events bring to the fore a number of issues:

the long-acknowledged absence of a practical, medium-term tourism strategy that government is able to work towards;

the important implications that a tourism strategy would have for how tourism development could be nurtured in the cross-border Livingstone areas; compared with the centre and east of Zambia; and particularly Zambia’s still undeveloped northern circuit;

the lack of consultation between elements of the public service and between the public and private sectors (tourism has been acknowledged by government to be a private-sector driven industry – so why not consult them, however difficult this may seem at times). Zambia’s tourism sector and its selected offshore agents have invested heavily in developing Zambian tourism and the visa measures indicate an unnecessary and possibly unwarranted disregard for their efforts;

that short-term, apparent financial windfalls are not always as real as they may seem and may have significant negative short-, and especially medium- and long-term financial and economic impacts; and that although conditions have improved, the administration of tourism arrivals (and particularly the administration of changed circumstances), still leaves much to be desired in coherence, consistency and simplicity – key factors that impact immediately on tourists at point of entry and their desire to visit, and return.

Comments received from tourists and tour agents have indicated a high level of criticism for the new visa measures. This having been said, it is believed that a positive and innovative response to the situation could reverse the damage done - but the strategy needs to be carefully choreographed.

Comments received suggest that the following factors that may be worth considering are:

the Livingstone area is unique in the tourism sense that with the new regional flight opportunities provided by the lengthened Livingstone Airport runway, it stands to gain considerable incoming traffic that will benefit the “Four Corners” area (Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe) and also flows of tourists generated by the South African tourism supply chain. It also stands to lose significantly from two factors: a) the re-emergence of Zimbabwe as a significant and highly developed tourism destination; and b) the loss of traffic and revenue that will result from the high cost of single entry visas for UK and USA citizens and multiple-entry visas for UK citizens wishing to extend their Zambian stay with visits to neighbouring countries - and Zambia’s non-competitive visa position relative to these neighbouring countries;

also in Livingstone, the continuation of the day-visit visa is critically important to supporting Zambia’s competitive edge in adventure tourism, by drawing visitors from Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia wishing to fly over the Victoria Falls, white-water raft, bunji jump, or partake of Livingstone’s numerous other cultural and physical activities. These tourists contribute an estimated 30% to the turnover for these entities – income which may be critically reduced if the day visitor facility is removed, and/or the new visa costs equal or exceed the cost of the activity itself – and possible lead to business closures;

the administration of visas would be infinitely simplified if a single visa fee was levied on non-African nationals and purchasable easily at the port of entry. In these circumstances standard visa application forms could be provided with arrivals forms on all incoming flights and at ports of entry; tour agents and tourists could be advised through the official web site to have a US$ bank note of the required denomination available to reduce the need for change and transaction time at entry points (poor port of entry facilities and management, particularly at Kazangula, are a common theme in complaints from tourists);

the tour agent questionnaire indicated that 51% of responding tour agents provide east and southern African holidays that include more than one country. In these circumstances the easy availability of multiple-entry visas at ports of entry (not requiring prior application), would encourage visits to and longer stays in Zambia (the holiday stay length in Zambia is of the order to 6 days compared to around 14 in Namibia). The 2006 World Bank Tourism Demand-Side Survey has demonstrated the significant financial and economic benefits to Zambia of increasing tourist stay length;

fixing the standard visa rate for all non-African nationals at reasonable levels would send a positive message to tourists that may wish to divert, or extend their holidays to Zambia from other regions. Zambia’s main southern competitor countries have zero visa policies that Zambia could progressively work towards in the context of the SADC Tourism Protocol due for implementation by 2010. But most international tour agents indicated that a reasonable visa rate is not a present deterrent, even though Zambia’s previous tourist visa waiver facility was generally seen as an innovative, if often inefficiently administered development;

removing the current need for visas for pilots and crew of charter operations bringing tourists to Zambia would have very little fiscal impact; bring this sector in line with the treatment of aircrew of scheduled services, and particularly for multiple destination air-chartered holidays, would make Zambia procedurally more attractive;

Government’s further consideration of the current visa measures could be scored around two issues: firstly an honest appreciation that Zambia was listening to its valued tourist clients and their agents and had recognised the need, not to reduce visa fees (revenue was needed to fund the continual improvement of immigration services), but in response to visitor and agent comments, to re-arrange them in a simplified and rationalised format; and secondly that appreciation was being given to Zambia’s commitment to the SADC Tourism Protocol and the need to start an early move towards the Univisa concept.

A smooth and tourist-aware response to the current visa measures is likely to permit the growth in tourist arrivals from the key UK and USA markets to resume with limited negative impacts. It would also minimise the possible diverting effect to Zimbabwe for South African tourists.

However, most importantly, the early application of a raft of appropriate tourist arrival incentive measures will: 1) place Zambia in an excellent position to challenge Zimbabwe’s return to its previous apex position in regional tourism north of South Africa; and 2) to position Zambia to gain a major market share from the 2010 World Cup.

Beer for economic growth.....

I get this rumour about my social welfare, IMAGINE. take this as a serious reprimand to whosoever is spreading this malicious message.

I THOUGHT AS FRIENDS YOU SHOULD READ THIS BEFORE I GO TO THE PRESS & DISTRIBUTE THIS RUMOUR.

Somebody is trying to cause alarm and despondency by spreading a very dangerous rumour about ME.

I have it on very good authority that someone is telling people that I have stopped drinking! Imagine ME of all people in the “Beer Drinking Industry”!

I therefore would like to categorically state that at no point did I ever attempt to stop drinking, contemplated the idea, let alone even dreamt about it!

May whosoever is responsible for this know that this doesn't only impact negatively on my person, but the Community and the Country as a whole. Let's say I stop drinking today, imagine the steep drop in the sales of the waters of wisdom.

Think of the job losses at the Breweries, Watering holes I frequent and all those downstream activities. Simply put it, it will be a very, very sad day across the economic divide if any such thing were to ever happen. Look, because of the drop in sales, Brewers and other Suppliers will have no choice but increase the prices of their products and services, thereby pushing inflation up! So may this person be advised that the Country is fighting day and night to contain inflation the Country's number one enemy.

I would like to believe that whosoever started this unfortunate rumour did not look beyond the social implications of their mischief for this is more Political than they can imagine.

Dear Friends, let's not force poverty into our Homes. This is your little contribution towards this country's economic turnaround effort, yet someone is bent on sabotaging ME. Why of all People!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Towards inclusive knowledge societies

2007 - number 8

By Roni Amelan (UNESCO) - Publication Date: 24-09-2007

Over the coming two years, UNESCO is committed to continue working for freedom of expression and press freedom and to promoting the use of the information and communication technologies to foster inclusive knowledge societies that empower individuals and communities.

"Contributing to the construction of inclusive knowledge societies through information and communication," is how UNESCO's Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information (ADG/CI), Abdul Waheed Khan encapsulates the objectives of his sector for the coming biennium.

This echoes objectives established by World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), which UNESCO helped organize in Geneva in 2003 and in Tunis in 2005. UNESCO remains active in the WSIS process, destined to build people-centered information societies that are mindful of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and, of the basic human right of freedom of expression.

That strategy focuses on fostering free, independent and pluralistic communication and universal access to information. This is essential for the strengthening of participatory democracy and for the struggle against poverty, as communication and information play a central role in development. However, in many parts of the world, the media need to be reinforced so as to contribute to the international development drive, says Mr Khan.

Media development has long been at the centre of CI's work, notably through programmes such as the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) which, over the last 27 years, has raised some US$ 93 million for over 1,100 projects in 139 developing countries and countries in transition. IPDC is the only forum in the United Nations to discuss and promote free and independent media in developing countries and countries in transition.

The CI sector is also committed to continue serving as a watchdog for freedom of expression around the world, an area in which UNESCO plays a leading role, reminding Member States of their obligation to respect this fundamental human right enshrined in the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and recognized by the WSIS.
Creating resources

"Creating the resources in Member States for them to develop free and independent media is our bread and butter," says Mr Khan, recalling that universal access to knowledge depends on adequate communication and information infrastructures.

"At stake is the empowerment of individuals and communities", says Mr Khan, who recalls that the link between empowerment and knowledge is becoming ever stronger. It is therefore not surprising that another major objective for CI, is to support UNESCO in working towards fulfilling the ambitious goals of the Education For All (EFA) drive adopted by the international community in Dakar in 2000. EFA concerns overall improvements in the provision of quality basic education and life skills to all and achieving gender parity in education by 2015.
The multiplier effect

Mr Khan explains that the information and communication technologies (ICTs) can have a "multiplier effect," contributing to the education of learners and the training of teachers. "Likewise, CI works to ensure that the multiplier effect of ICTs benefits UNESCO's promotion of cultural diversity and dissemination of scientific knowledge." Thus, argues Mr Khan, CI is the leader when it comes to cooperation between UNESCO's sectors.

In addition, the ADG recalls that ICTs not only help generate and disseminate knowledge but are also important for the preservation of knowledge. Programmes such as Memory of the World serve to preserve and disseminate the heritage of documentary material and archives. Thus, through ICTs, UNESCO's Communication and Information sector has become involved in the preservation of knowledge, including indigenous knowledge, and in cultural heritage.

The new technologies have operated a deep change in the flow of information and its sharing. Mr Khan strongly believes that UNESCO must play its role in bridging the knowledge gap to ensure that this multidirectional flow of information and knowledge does not pass by those who are less privileged. With programmes such as the Community Multimedia Centres, and a wide range of partners including some of the world's leading private sector companies and NGOs, as well as networks such as the new Power of Peace Network, Mr Khan is convinced that UNESCO can contribute to world peace and development.

* Portal of the Communication and Information Sector

UNESCO

* UNESCO and WSIS – Towards Knowledge Societies
* Memory of the world

The UNESCO Courier, no.5, 2007

* Media under attack

The UNESCO Courier, no.4, 2007

* Media matters

The UNESCO Courier, no.1, 2007

Author(s): By Roni Amelan (UNESCO) - Publication Date: 24-09-2007
© UNESCO 1995-2007 - ID: 39551

ZAMBIA SHOULD RATIFY FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON TOBACCO CONTROL

By Matongo Maumbi,

Tobacco kills almost five million people each year. If current trends continue, it is projected to kill 10 million people a year by 2020, with 70% of those deaths occurring in developing countries. Tobacco also takes an enormous toll in health care costs, lost productivity, and of course the intangible costs of the pain and suffering inflicted upon smokers, passive smokers and their families.

In May 2003, the member countries of the World Health Organization adopted a historic tobacco control treaty, the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which has the potential to reduce this terrible toll.

The FCTC seeks to reduce on tobacco consumption and a number of other countries have ratified the convention while ZAMBIA HAS NOT. Why hasn't the Zambian Government RATIFIED the FCTC? Is it because they are reducing tax on it in a bid to gain the much needed income? Is this the best that the government can do when there are so much adverse effects of the drug?

The FCTC is encouraging governments to increase tax on tobacco and related substances so as to discourage would-be smokers and those that are already in the habit. Is it the nation's well-being or the nation's wealth that counts here? Certainly the nation has to have a healthy citizenry so that they become much more productive.

The objective of the FCTC is "to protect present and future generations from the devastating health, social, environmental and economic consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke." The Preamble of the FCTC recognises the need for countries to give priority to their right to protect public health, the unique nature of tobacco products and the harm that companies that produce them cause.

Tobacco tax increases are encouraged in the FCTC, but the Zambian Government is doing the direct opposite. The treaty states that "each Party should take account of its national health objectives concerning tobacco control" in its tobacco tax and price policies. The treaty recognizes that raising prices through tax increases and other means "is an effective and important means of reducing tobacco consumption by various segments of the population, in particular young persons."

A comprehensive ban on advertising is required: The FCTC requires all Parties to undertake a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship within five years of ratifying the treaty. The ban must include cross-border advertising originating within a Party's territory. The definitions of advertising, promotion and sponsorship are broad and include indirect as well as direct forms. Countries with constitutional constraints are required to restrict advertising, promotion and sponsorship, including cross-border advertising, in a manner consistent with their constitutional principles. The Parties also agree to consider a protocol to elaborate on the cross-border provisions, for example the technical and legal aspects of preventing or blocking advertising on the internet and satellite television.

Nonsmokers must be protected in workplaces, public transport and indoor public places. The treaty recognizes that exposure to tobacco smoke has been scientifically proven to cause death, disease and disability. It requires all Parties to implement effective measures to protect nonsmokers from tobacco smoke in public places, including workplaces, public transport and indoor public places -- evidence indicates that only a total smoking ban is effective in protecting non-smokers.

Large health warning labels are required. Parties to the treaty agree that health warning labels ideally should cover 50% or more of the principle display areas of each packet, which for a standard cigarette package means both the front and back. Health warning labels must include rotating messages in the principle languages of the Party. Deceptive labels must be prohibited. Countries agree to prohibit misleading or deceptive terms on tobacco product packages within three years of becoming a Party. Research has proved that cigarettes that are labeled "light", "low tar", and "mild" (among other terms) are as dangerous as those denoted as regular and thus these terms mislead and deceive consumers about the risks involved in the use of these products. Although the treaty does not specify the terms that Parties should ban, the scientific evidence would certainly support banning the use of terms such as "light", "mild", "low tar", etc.

The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) is the first treaty initiated by the World Health Assembly, the governing body of the World Health Organization (WHO). Negotiations began in October 1999 and concluded on March 1st 2003. The FCTC was adopted at the World Health Assembly on May 23, 2003 and is now open for signature and ratification.

Mother Zambia, you are very welcome to ratify the treaty and help save thousands of lives in our beautiful country. Let us join hands to fight the use of tobacco, it's worthwhile call.

We can indeed be happy to have smoke free restaurants, bars and many other public places........


(with excerpts from Framework Convention Alliance and Tobacco Information & Prevention Source – TIPS)

How can African Journalists benefit from Web2.0 revolution?

African Journalists need to embrace the new revolution of Web 2.0 tools if they are to catch up in this globalised World. Below find an interview on Web 2.0 with Matongo Maumbi a journalist from Zambia whose blog matongo.blogspot.com

Maumbi recently attended an online training focusing on Web2.0 tools organized by PenPlusBytes, the International Institute for Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) Journalism. In 2006, PenPlusBytes launched an online course on ICT Journalism in Africa and it attracted about forty three participants from nine countries spread across Africa, Europe and Asia. You were one of these fortunate students.

Why did you want to engage in such a course? What were your needs?

Matongo: I engaged in the course because I have an interest in exploiting ICTs at personal level and also professionally. I have been working as a broadcast journalist since 2001 and I was lucky to have been exposed to the computer and internet right from the early days of my career. My ICT knowledge is driven by personal interest and enthusiasm. I needed some professional guidance on using ICTs in my career as well as how I would fully utilize them. I needed to know the pros and cons of using ICTs . The limits, the potential benefits the fun of using the internet and how to explore it better.

What did you learn? What did you prefer (e.g.,. learning about new tools, engaging with other journalists, sharing your ideas and knowledge with others, working together on a common article, networking and interacting…)?

Matongo: I learnt quite a number of things. I initially only took blogging as an adventure. Writing whatever came to my mind without any real set objective or target. I guess this was because I did it just out of interest and curiosity. I learnt how to conduct better online research for background information. How to source documents, how to set good parameters for searching. My knowledge on Web 2.0 was improved. Blogging is a good place to express oneself freely without the censorship of your editor or superiors on your work.

How does, what your learnt, influence your current journalism practice? How did it modify your way of working? How did it nurture your work (if so)? How do you apply what you learnt?

Matongo: I preferred learning new tools and also interacting with other journalists from across the continent and globe. As curiosity satisfaction was among my needs, I was really looking forward to learning new tools on ICTs. My mind was more set on learning new tools from what I already taught myself. I guess from the many things I learnt, I now spend less time on the internet. I spend less time because I know better how to conduct my online research with in the shortest possible time but with maximum information. As I am now working better with internet, it has encouraged me to continue getting a local touch to what I read on the internet. During the course I found my self working on fewer but better researched programmes that are of great relevance to our catchments community.

You created your own blog. How do you use this blog? What is the main purpose (PR, information sharing, interacting….?). Did you reach your goal? What are the strength and the weakness of such an exercise?

Matongo: Initially had a website aimed at doing radical campaigns online on things that affect Zambia. Time and resources could not allow me to continue and my site died out. Then I though of creating blog with a similar aim. I basically transferred what my site to the blog. I use the blog to make and achieve my thoughts online. As my blog is more of expressing my self, I have not yet set a good objective. In a small way I have reached my goal of transferring my thoughts online. The greatest strength is that you are your own editor and can write anything you fell is morally right at your own pace and space. You get unlimited freedom besides that fact that you have sensitive stories. Weakness comes in as most of the time I only write about my thoughts without backup professional thoughts. This creates a sense of non credibility from readers. Updates are seldom coming on the blog as I use company equipment and internet to do the updates.

What are the main challenges for African journalists to use Web2.0 tools? Do you think that most journalists have already a "mindset" for Web2 tools? What would the African Media community gain by using Web2.0?

Matongo: The main challenges of African journalists using web 2.0 tools is that we do not have our own working space. We have to rely on computers and internet from our offices. How on earth could one fully use web 2.0 tools when one does not have their own resources? The mindset for most journalists is there but a mindset with out resources is meaningless. Internet connection and access is very expensive for most journalists and even when it is affordable it is very slow. There is plenty to gain such as information sharing, unlimited power to express oneself (group) without the trouble of going through the censoring editors and managers.

Do you think that web2.0 applications - if well used by African journalists - can make the Internet more "relevant"? How so?

Matongo: I think Web 2.0 tools if properly used can make it more relevant. There is a lot of information that African Journalists have but because they have to go through editors, such info is suppressed. Mostly it is as a result of editors, managers not appreciating the role of ICTS tools.

Have you advertised your blog. If yes to whom and how?

Matongo: I think my blog is an isolated one. I have not advertised it. The only people that know about are my friends. I never thought of advertising it mainly because I think I do not update it regularly.

Are you making money from your blog?

Matongo: I am not in any way making money from my blog . I still do not fully know how I can tap into that potential. I do not really see how I can make money. I guess this is something I have to learn next. I know I have what it takes; I just do not have the right guidance.

Have you taught other about blogging?

Matongo: I have not taught any of my close friends' blogging and taking full advantage of the internet besides e-mail messaging. Training for African Journalists in necessary on new web tools because these are new things which are not taught in Journalism. It is also important to note that a blog helps to store content online for African Journalists which has been for a long time been stored in paper form. The content put on a blog is shared and people learn from that kind of content.

School Certificate - Zambia's Dream MDGs

Education is one of the fundamental human rights and it is also contained in the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) targets for 2015. We have already marked the half way point for these goals to be achieved.

And it seems the Zambian Government is too excited to achieve this goal at all costs. Is it achievale?

This is achievable, and we shall achieve it. The question is: What quality of Education shall we achieve by the year 2015? The Government of Zambia has made a lot of strides in making sure that the citizenry is educated. Primary schools (up to grade 7) have (almost) been fade out. The primary schools are now basic schools (grades 1 to 9), and high schools (grades 10 to 12) have been introduced. 

This is a good idea. Children can now have a basic education. With basic education, children should as well be equipped with the learning environment they would encounter when they qualify to Grade 10. At the moment there is hardly any basic school with lab facilities to foster for some practical works. more can be said on this, you may add your own thoughts.

The basic schools have now out numbered the high schools. So, where do those children that qualify to go to Grade 10 go to when the high school are already filled? They have nowhere to go to besides going back home and trying to help with different chores at home or worse still, start with the vices we teach them against. Again, you may add more of your thoughts.

It is as though government heard my concern, but just decided to make it worse.

You now just have to have a basic grade 9 certificate to proceed to grade 10. How on earth can you have all those children in schools which are non-existent? I was shocked when I heard the pronouncement from the minister of education.

I eagerly awaiting government's pronouncement that they were going to upgrade the infrastucture of a number of basic schools in the country. increase the number of classes in the high schools so that the many children that come from the basic schools can be accommodated. The situation now is having over 70 children in one class. Yes, and I mean 7 x 10 = 70. 

The majority of the teachers in these basic schools are trained to teach up to grade 7. Now they have to be tasked to teach grades 8 and 9 - without training!! The infrastructure is not enough to handle the many children and teachers. There is under staffing, and many teachers have to do double classes. this is not just a double class. It's a class where you would have grade 3 and 4 pupils learning in the same class. What logic there is in this I still do not understand.

The children have been learning for free up to Grade 9. And they were happy the government was helping them. They would qualify to go senior secondary, and now be faced with the headache of searching for at least half a million kwacha to get to school. Free education should be free education at all levels otherwise we are moving more steps backwards than we are forwarding.

Government should not just upgrade the grades in schools, they should upgrade all the staff, infrastructure and finances for education to be for all at all times.

I would love to know if the minister has children that fall in that category. may be they are performing very poorly and he would like them qualify with the minimum results. 

Imagine a certificate holder writing the G12 final exams. he will do the same hoping to go to college with a basic certificate of education. Soon we shall have colleges, and the universities taking up all those that have proof of completing G12.

Zambia needs a much dedicated effort in achieving education for all. it is achievable. Achieving the MDGs does not mean we have to achieve the basics of it, we need quality achievement. These are development goals. We cannot develop with very poor results from our children and children's children.

Not all shall be chosen, a few shall be selected and we have to improve on that quality so that their output shall be qualitable as well.

We are losing our high education standards, especially in government funded schools. The private or church owned schools are forever going to be succeeding as they do not compromise quality at the expense of EFA.

We need high quality Education For All. 

Matongo Still playing Volleyball

Matongo Jan 07 293
Originally uploaded by Matongo Maumbi.