Mbala / Abercorn Heritage and Tourism Centre

Name: Mbala / Abercorn Heritage and Tourism Centre
Address: Mbala, ZM
Telephone: 0966302025
Rating: 5

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Mbala / Abercorn Heritage and Tourism Centre

This page is about the town of Mbala in Zambia. Promotion of its tourism Potential and about its past, present and future. It is also a forum to meet
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Mbala, Zambia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mbala
Town
Mbala is located in Zambia
Mbala
Mbala
Coordinates: 8°50′S 31°28′E
Country Zambia
Province Northern Province
District Mbala District
Time zone CAT (UTC+2)

Mbala is Zambia’s most northerly large town and seat of Mbala District,[1] occupying a strategic location close to the border with Tanzania and controlling the southern approac

hes to Lake Tanganyika, 40 km by road to the north-east, where the port of Mpulungu is located. It had a population of about 20,000 in 2006. Under the name Abercorn, Mbala was a key outpost in British colonial control of this part of south-central Africa.[2] It is headquarters of an administrative district of the Northern Province. Contents

1 History
2 Geography and transport
3 Climate
4 Attractions
5 References

History

A number of archaeological sites in the area (such as at Kalambo Falls) provides a record of human activity in the Mbala area over the past 300,000 years. Before colonial times, Mbala was the village of Chief Zombe on the Lucheche River. It became the focus of British interest as a result of travels by the explorer David Livingstone, the first European to visit the area, in the 1860s. He was followed some years later by Verney Lovett Cameron who surveyed Lake Tanganyika. Livingstone inspired missionaries of the London Missionary Society to come in the 1880s to Niamkolo on the lake and Fwambo and Kawimbe on the plateau. These missions had links to the African Lakes Company which later set up in Mbala and Mpulungu. The area was ravaged by the slave trade during much of the 19th Century, and the African Lakes Company devoted some efforts to trying to stamp it out. This activity drew in the representative of the British Government in the region, Harry Johnston in Nyasaland, and decisions were taken to strengthen the imperial presence south of the lake and prevent other colonial powers establishing a foothold there.[2]

As a result the colonial era began in Mbala in 1893, earlier than in most other areas of what would be come Zambia, when Hugh Marshall was sent by Johnston as the British Consul for the area. Marshall built a well-fortified boma at Chief Zombe's village and acted as Magistrate and Postmaster. In 1895 the British South Africa Company took over administration of the territory, called it North-Eastern Rhodesia, and the ‘Zombe boma’ became known as Abercorn, named after the company chairman. The site was favoured by British administrators as being healthy and having a pleasant climate with plenty of hunting and fishing. Until German East Africa was taken over by Britain in 1919 as Tanganyika, Abercorn and the smaller Chiengi boma on Lake Mweru were the most northerly outposts of British southern Africa. During World War I Mbala was a focus of the unsuccessful British military effort to defeat German General von Lettow-Vorbeck’s German army, and British forces were concentrated there. After Germany’s surrender in Europe, von Lettow-Vorbeck formally surrendered at Mbala on 25 November 1918, though he had agreed a ceasefire at the Chambeshi River 250 km south nine days earlier. A memorial marks the spot of the formal surrender about 2 km south-west of the centre of town. Following the surrender ceremony, the German troops were ordered to throw their weapons into Lake Chila.[2]

After Zambia’s independence in 1964, the name of the town was changed back to Mbala. Since its heyday as a colonial town in the 1950s and early 60s, Mbala has suffered some decline, and has lost out in development terms to the provincial capital, Kasama, and Mpika, which have better road and rail connections. Although the Mbala area has fertile soils and plenty of water, it is too far from urban markets for agricultural produce. Similarly, while it has tourist potential it is a bit too far off the main tourist routes and the poor state of the main highway and the lack of regular air services discourage visitors. There is one hotel but no resorts in the immediate area, the nearest being those in Nsumbu National Park such as Kasaba Bay, 100 km away, but there is no road link there − in fact the lack of a road serving the south-western side of the lake, which is mountainous, is a serious barrier to tourism or to any development there. Kalambo Falls is an attraction, but is not accessible throughout the rainy season. Wars and unrest on the eastern and northern shores of Lake Tanganyika have also hindered trade and tourism on the lake, which has not given Mbala and Mpulungu the advantages of their location. With recent steps towards resolution of those conflicts, the future may be brighter.[3] The population was 16,963 in the 2000 census.[4]
Geography and transport

The town is at the edge of the plateau covering most of Zambia, at an elevation of 1670 m, about 900 m higher than Lake Tanganyika, which comes within 22 km (straight line distance). The escarpment above the lake is the end of the Albertine Rift, the western branch of the East Africa Rift, and the Mbala area experiences occasional earth tremors. It is also said that the tiny but picturesque Lake Chila within the town experiences inexplicable drying out, and sudden flooding from underground springs, but this may be just a legend.[3]

The second highest waterfall in Africa, Kalambo Falls lies about 40 km (by road) north west, and is formed where the Kalambo River comes over the Rift Valley escarpment.[5]

Mbala is on the old Great North Road 165 km north of Kasama, and at one time was the end of that road.[6] It has been paved and as of late 2008 is in poor condition, with large patches of pavement missing, and stretches have reverted to a dirt road. However, work crews were patching the road in late 2008, with one crew starting in Kasama, and the other starting from Mbala.[7] Since it is the only paved highway access to the town and district, as well as to the port of Mpulungu, its poor condition is a major barrier to development in the area. Buses run daily from Mbala to Kasama and Lusaka, the capital. Mbala is 25 km from the border with Tanzania and connected by a dry-season road to one of only two road border crossings between the two countries. It is not much used, the road beyond the border is a dirt track impassable in the rainy season.[8]

The paved road which winds down the escarpment to Mpulungu affords scenic views and passes close to Lunzua Falls. From Mpulungu the MV Liemba provides a boat service to other ports and countries on the lake. In the 19th century the lake was an important entry point to the territory of northern Zambia, by boat from Ujiji, which was reached by an overland trade route from the Indian Ocean coast near the island of Zanzibar. Mbala has an airport but does not currently receive scheduled services, though it has a 2.6 km runway and was once a Zambian Air Force Base.

15/10/2024

Tanzania Tourism a Lesson for Zambia!
Tanzania is poised to make history as the first Sub-Saharan African nation to introduce The Ritz-Carlton brand, thereby solidifying its position as a leading tourism destination on the continent, as reported by The Citizen.
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC, an esteemed American multinational corporation, operates a renowned chain of luxury hotels known as The Ritz-Carlton.
The company currently boasts an impressive portfolio of 108 luxury hotels and resorts spanning 30 countries and territories, offering a total of 29,158 rooms.
Additionally, 46 future hotels with 8,755 rooms are in the planning stages.
It is noteworthy that, at present, only Morocco and Egypt have the privilege of hosting The Ritz-Carlton brand in Africa.
The Ritz-Carlton, a prestigious name within the Marriott International portfolio, epitomizes luxury in the hospitality sector and is esteemed as one of the foremost hospitality brands globally.
While Marriott encompasses a diverse range of brands catering to various market segments, The Ritz-Carlton is regarded as its flagship, boasting 108 luxury hotels and resorts across 30 countries and territories, comprising 29,158 rooms, with an additional 46 hotels and 8,755 rooms planned for the future.
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC is an American multinational entity that manages the luxury hotel chain known as The Ritz-Carlton. It is widely acknowledged as one of the leading hospitality brands in the world, synonymous with luxury and exclusivity, and it sets the benchmark for high-end hospitality on a global scale.
This notable achievement highlights the country’s steadfast dedication to enhancing tourism, which has been a fundamental aspect of the nation’s economic development strategy.
By securing the presence of such a prestigious global luxury brand, Tanzania will not only enhance its tourism profile but also showcase its readiness to provide world-class hospitality experiences, thereby reinforcing its position on the international stage.
Information regarding the local partnerships and the entities involved in the hotel’s development has not been revealed, leading industry experts to speculate about the key players behind this landmark initiative.
As anticipation grows, the announcement of these partnerships is highly anticipated, offering insights into the strategic collaborations that will influence this significant advancement in Tanzania’s tourism sector.
Some industry insiders have linked the decision to establish a presence in Tanzania to The Royal Tour filmed by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, which has positioned the country as a must-visit destination for travelers from the United States and beyond.
In the year 2023, Tanzania experienced a significant surge in tourism, with over 1.8 million international visitors contributing $3.4 billion in revenue. This represents an impressive 36% increase compared to the corresponding period in 2022.
Based on these positive trends, the Ministry of Tourism has projected that earnings from tourism are poised to reach $6 billion (equivalent to Sh16.2 trillion) by the year 2025. This ambitious target is predicated on the expectation of attracting approximately five million tourists during that timeframe

04/09/2024

As promised in my last article that I would get more information on the specific location of Gold Deposits in Mbala, Mpulungu and Senga Hill Districts, I have actually done that and the actual location is on the Saisi River and Lufubu River.
The actual type of Gold found is Alluvial Gold. Alluvial gold deposits form over time where a river runs, or has previously run through ground which is rich in gold. The erosive power of the water removes the surrounding rock due to its comparative low density while the heavier gold resists being moved.
Alluvial gold mining is the process of extracting gold from these creaks, rivers and streams and is generally considered to be the most environmentally friendly method of gold mining as a result of the reduced environmental impact when compared to underground mining
The beneficiation preparation of alluvial gold ore mainly includes wet crushing, ore washing and wet screening of placer gold. In this process, large-grained gangue and fine mud can be discarded, which is convenient for subsequent classifying and gravity separation to recover gold.
Well those that want some adventure you can get to Saisi River and Swamp From Mbala through Kawimbe of using Mbala Nakonde Road!
You can get to Lufubu River and Swamp by going to Chief Chinakila Village from Mpulungu or any other short cut from Mbala.
Wish you all the Luck!

28/08/2024

The 2016 Geological and Mineral Occurrence Map of Zambia of 2016 indicates the occurrence of Gold and Diamonds in Mbala, Mpulungu and Senga Districts up to industrial level.
These 3 Districts actually need an economic lift when compared other Rural Districts in North Western and Luapula Provinces of Zambia and yet according to Colonial Reports Mbala or Abercorn was the only town away from the line of Rail which was comparable in potential to become a successful town. Alas now 60 years after Independence, it is a shell of itself. The only hope for Mbala, Mpulungu and Senga Hill Districts is in Mining. Forget about Agriculture on a large scale it was tried and has failed
Mining has played a part in the economic development of developed countries such as the USA, Canada and Australia. However, the mining economic growth connection varies considerably from that claimed in the historical analogy reasoning. It is not evident that these countries’ historical experience applies to modern developing nations due to modification.
The price of spot gold reached $2,364 per ounce Tuesday after hitting record highs for seven straight sessions and trading at $2,336 per ounce Monday. Year on year, gold is up 16.5%.
Investors who expect the Federal Reserve to cut its benchmark interest rate are the main force driving up prices, but the surge is boosted by other factors, including central banks — led by China — buying up gold to ease reliance on US dollars.
Central banks see gold as a long-term store of value and a safe haven during times of economic and international turmoil.
Gold is considered a resilient investment. When interest rates fall, gold prices tend to rise, as bullion becomes more appealing than income-paying assets like bonds. Investors also regard gold as a hedge against inflation, betting bullion will retain its value when prices rise.

03/07/2024

This is a follow up to the Article on the Rise in the Water levels on Lake Tanganyika which has been predicted to continue rising for some time due to the Climate Change related activities.
The uncontrolled expansion of Mpulungu Town poses a danger to life and property if measures are not taken now because there is the danger of a flood Disaster in Mpulungu.
Images below elaborate the structures built in areas of very critical Wetland areas around the Lake and beyond Mpulungu Town where commercial and Residential builds have been built within the Lake Tanganyika Basin.

28/06/2024

Lake Tanganyika Hits A 50 year Record High Rise Of Water Levels In 2024
Lake Tanganyika, for the first time in about 50 years, has recorded a record high water rise of about 2.5 meters attributed to the high rainfall experienced, currently standing at 1748mm as of March 20, 2024, against the usual rainfall average of 1250mm every year in the Northern Region.
This Report should not be taken lightly by the Zambian Government and the DMMU under the Vice President’s Office as the Port and Town of Mpulungu has seen massive residential development and most of it not planned and illegal.
These Residential areas in Mpulungu Town are in danger of massive flooding in this cycle of heavy rainfall in the Lake Tanganyika Basin.
I hope the DMMU will not come and say in the near future that they have been taken by surprise. The last time this took place was in the 1960’s and by then the Colonial Government and the New Zambian Government were very strict about the expansion of Mpulungu Town because of its delicate location in the Tanganyika Basin.
Well in the last 30 years Mpulungu Town has expanded into the most delicate areas of the Lake Tanganyika Basin and this is what poses as a danger with these reports of the Rise in water levels. Let the Government take measures now of moving people to higher ground. At the moment this flooding is affecting offices, companies, power lines, communities on the lakeshore, and water gadgets that are slowly being submerged in the lake. Let the Zambian Government listen to the people on the ground like Lake Tanganyika Development project which has advised stakeholders to consider constructing smart climate infrastructure in the wake of climate change.
Project Coordinator Dora Kamweneshe explained that many people were previously constructing infrastructure without considering the effects of climate change.
She says the narrative has now changed due to the climatic changes, which call for people to build infrastructure which is resilient.
Ms Dora Kamweneshe told ZANIS in an interview in Mpulungu that the rising water levels in Lake Tanganyika is an eye opener for houses, offices, and companies on the lake shore to build climate smart infrastructure to prevent flooding.
She said the prevailing situation, where offices and houses are slowly being swallowed by the rising waters, could have been prevented.
Ms Kamweneshe said designs that are climate-smart take care of the effects of climatic conditions, thus standing the test of time even in eventualities.
About Lake Tanganyika
Tanganyika’s waters lap Tanzania, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia. It is the longest freshwater lake in the world and the second deepest after Lake Baikal in Russia. The immense depth is because it lies in the Great Rift Valley, which also has created its steep shoreline. It reaches a depth of 1 433 / 4 700ft, which is an astounding 642m / 2 106ft below sea level.
Although Zambia can only lay claim to 7% of its surface area, it stretches north to south a distance of 677km / 420mi and averages about 50km / 31mi wide. The clear waters host more than 350 different species of fish and is well known for aquarium fish exports and excellent angling.
The fertile circulating surface water, although not tidal, provides abundant plankton for its inhabitants which in turn provides much needed protein for both the local and export markets. The stiff winds that blow off the surrounding mountains aid the continual movement which inhibits the spread of bilharzia, the parasitic disease carried by shallow water snails.
A Landlocked Sea
Tanganyika is essentially a landlocked sea but in years of heavy rain the lake overflows into the Lukuga River which in turn feeds the DRC’s Lualaba River.
Despite the ferocious surface storms that occur, driving waves up to 6m / 20ft high, no mixing of the lower relict waters occurs. The bottom 1 200m / 3 937ft of the lake remains ‘dead’ – either too high in hydrogen sulphide or too low in oxygen to support life. This ‘fossil water’ may be as old as 20 million years. By contrast the oceans, because of currents and upwellings, have life forms even as low as 11 000m / 36 080ft.
Lake Tanganyika has a remarkably uniform temperature. The lower regions are only a mere 3°C / 3.6°F colder than the surface. The reason for this strange phenomenon has yet to be discovered.
Tropical fish
Lake Tanganyika boasts over 350 species of fish of which most are endemic. Like Lake Malawi, Lake Tanganyika is extremely old, and the combination of its age and ecological isolation has led to the evolution of unique fish populations. Since new species are being discovered continually in these remarkable lakes, it is difficult to determine which has the highest diversity, but they at least share the distinction of being the top two lakes in the world in terms of biodiversity, while Tanganyika has the highest proportion of endemicity, concentrated mainly in the Zambian side.
The Lake Tanganyika Biodiversity Project works to ensure that its biological diversity is maintained. Its aim is to produce an effective and sustainable system for managing and conserving the biodiversity of the lake.
Species of particular note include the giant Nile perch (Lates angustifrons) and small Nile perch (Luciolates stappersii) which are important commercial and angling species; goliath tiger (Hydrocynus goliath) and the English fish or Lake Tanganyika yellow-belly (Boulengerochromis microlepis) which are important angling species (the latter being especially prized for its good eating).
In addition, the lake supports kapenta (Limnothrissa miodon) which is an important source of protein in Zambia, the rare bichir (Polypterus congicus), and a great variety of endemic cichlids.
Read more about the Lake Tanganyika Cichlids
Biologically Unique
Regarded as one of the most biologically unique habitats on earth, Lake Tanganyika is also an evolutionary showcase due to its great age and stability. Ninety-eight percent of the lake’s cichlids (which comprise two thirds of all the lake’s fish) are unique to Tanganyika. Also endemic are all seven of its crabs, five out of the 13 bivalve molluscs, more than half of its gastropod molluscs and 11 of its 33 copepod crustaceans.
Sport fishing is very popular here and catches include the goliath tigerfish and Nile perch. Crocodiles inhabit most of the shoreline, except around Mpulungu, probably due to the noise of people and motorboats. Swimming in the lake (in the Mpulungu area only!) is an absolute treat. Warm, clear, salt-free water that changes from silky stillness, to high waves for a great body surf – usually with no apparent reason for the change. Storms from way up north probably cause the still waters in the south to agitate.

20/05/2024

The Kuomboka Ceremony 2024 – The Case of long Lost Relatives
The Kuomboka Ceremony 2024 will go down in the History as one of the most memorable not because of the political intonations that preceded the ceremony but because two lost tribes finally found each other, the Lozi and Bemba.
These two Zambian tribes are actually from the same family of Ancestors. To many Zambians this was news but to the Historians especially at the University of Zambia, this is a fact that they knew but no one ever bothered to consult them just like on many other national issues!
The Lozi people were originally called the Aluyi. It is thought that they arrived in the Barotse Floodplain in the 1600s. The Lozi peoples are believed to have migrated into the area from Lunda-Luba Kingdom in central Africa (in what is now Congo). Legend has it that a Lunda princess left the Lunda empire with a few followers and headed southwards. (This must have been at the very beginnings of the Lunda Empire, so maybe, actually, they came from the Luba).
The Lozi while on the Barotse Floodplain over time became a complex of about 25 peoples of about 6 cultural groups.Formerly, the groups were all called Barotse as subjects of the paramount chief of the dominant Barotse tribe; the Barotse nation extended into other parts of Zambia, Angola, and the Caprivi strip of Namibia. The Barotse people, originally known as the Aluyi, were conquered in 1838 by the Kololo of South Africa; in Kololo speech “Aluyi” became “Barotse.” In 1864 the Aluyi defeated the Kololo, and “Barotse” has since become “Lozi” (“Malozi”), referring to both the dominant group and all its subjects. The dominant Lozi occupy the floodplain of the Zambezi River, and the people move between two sets of villages, in the plain and on the margin, in response to the annual flooding.

The Bemba are an offshoot of the Luba empire or Luba-Lunda states) and left the Congo in the 16th or early 17th century. They achieved a centralized government under a supreme chief, the Chitimukulu, who was a member of a single, matrilineal, royal clan.
The Bemba were members of the Luba empire in the Congo basin and were part of the Ng'andu (Crocodile) clan. It is thought that they left there in or before 1650, migrating east to an area around present-day Kasama. This was before the Kazembe Lunda migration. There they settled as subsistence farmers and later collaborated with the Arabs in the
The Chitimukulu is the King or Paramount Chief of the Bemba. All Chitimukulus, as well as lesser Bemba chiefs, are members of the Bena Ng'andu (English: Crocodile Clan).
They may call themselves by the particular group name—Aushi, Bisa, Chishinga, K***a, Lala, Lamba Lunda, Ng'umbo, Swaka, Tabwa, or Unga—but the tendency in urban areas is to use the generic term "Bemba".
The purpose of this article is to correct a Post independence narrative which has tried to of trying to make the Mambwe, Lungu, Namwanga people as belonging to the Bemba group and even imposing the Bemba language. The Lungu, Mambwe and Namwanga people never came from from the Luba Lunda Kingdom in the Congo Basin.They have a distinct origin which has been narrated on this page.
The Mambwe and Lungu migrated from north east Africa along with the Fipa, Namwanga and other Tanganikan peoples they are related to. In colonial days due to insufficient information, the British law included them them into the Bemba "world-wide economic and political system." (http://dice.missouri.edu/docs/niger-congo/Mambwe.pdf) It is the British Colonial Government that grouped Lungu and Mambwe people to the "Bemba" which is a near by tribe.

Pre Colonial History of the Mambwe and Lungu people of the Tanganyika Plateau include long lasting disputes and wars with the Bemba. The Bemba raided, started wars, and made slaves of the Mambwe/Lungu people with help of Arab Ivory and Slave Traders. The Mambwe and Lungu people share a common language, although their are many dialects spoken. Their language is commonly referred to by geographic location. If spoken by Mambwe and Lungu people it's called Mambwe-Lungu. Likewise, if spoken by the Fipa, it's known as Fipa-Mambwe.
The greatest Tragedy of the Mambwe, Lungu and Namwanga people is the 1891 Scramble for Africa with new Boundaries where these tribes found almost half of the population in Germany East Africa now Tanzania and the other half in Northen Rhodesia now Zambia.
As Lungu, Mambwe and Namwanga people we wish the Lozi and Bemba people all the best in their new discovered Relationship. Mutwalilile Naswe Tumatwalila vivya kwene ukufuma Nampiti. Tumamilozya kuno mumafika!

28/03/2024

Just When you thought these Inheritance wrangles are over!
The Lungu Royal Established has sued Zesco Limited Company demanding K97million for defaming senior Chief Tafuna whom the company evicted from his Ipalace which is in Isoko.
https://www.facebook.com/100064560977290/posts/820865846742107/
The Lungu kingdom is demanding the millions of kwacha as defamation damages after Zesco injured the reputation of the Lungu speaking people by exposing their chief to hatred contempt or ridicule.
Bozy Simutenda, the spokesperson of the Lungu Royal Establishment, who has cited Zesco Limited as defendant, submits in court that he speaks on behalf of the Lungu speaking people of Tafuna,Chinakila ,Chitimbwa ,Nondo and Zombe Wambala, respectively.
The plaintiff submits that the palace at Isoko area was constructed by Star Construction,the company contracted by Zesco to construct a palace as corporate social responsibility for his royal highness Raphael Sikazwe Tafuna of the Lungu speaking people of Mpulungu ,Mbala and Senga, Northern Province.
He adds that on November 13,2013, the Lungu Electoral college, following the Lungu tradition and successions, selected Raphael Sikazwe Tafuna as the Senior Chief Tafuna of the Lungu speaking people, whom Zesco has no traditional rights to deny as their chief.
The plaintiff shall aver at trial that Star Construction started the construction of the palace in November,2015 and was completed in 2016 and the palace and keys were handed over to the late Cosmas Sikazwe Tafuna as a caretaker on behalf of Raphael Sikazwe Tafuna.
"On December 1,2023, the defendant lost sight of the agreement by giving notice to vacate the purported Zesco property forgetting that the said palace is a corporate social responsibility for our senior chief Tafuna, who the defendant illegally forced to vacate the palace," the document reads.
He adds that on December 7,2023, the plaintiff responded to the letter of vacation from Zesco stressing why their chief cannot vacate the palace.
The plaintiff complains that Zesco has neglected or failed to reply to the facts stated showing why his royal highness Raphael Sikazwe Tafuna cannot vacate the palace and to why he cannot be charged with criminal trespass.
" Zesco, without any court order, used Zesco and Zambia police to forcibly remove senior Chief Tafuna and brutally apprehended him.
"The allegation before this court is that the defendant has no legal rights to arrest and charge the senior chief Tafuna for masquerading contrary to section 12 of the Chiefs Act,Cap 287 of the Laws of Zambia," the document reads.
The Lunga people complain that this is so because there is pending succession dispute involving the Chief before the High Court under cause no.2020/hp/342, in which the court is yet to declare the rightful heir to the Tafuna throne between Raphael Sikazwe Tafuna and Mathews Kakungu Siame.
"Zesco has no legal right to forcibly remove his royal highness[ Raphael Sikazwe]from his land and palace in favour of Mr Mathews Kakungu Siame, a person government mistakenly recognised as senior chief Tafuna," they submit.
They now seek an interim injunction restraining Zesco and it's agents or any politicians from evicting and forcing senior chief Tafuna to leave the Isoka palace or interfering with his rights pending further order of the court.
Further, they want a declaration that the Isoko palace constructed by Zesco is a corporate social responsibility for Raphael Sikazwe Tafuna, as senior chief Tafuna.
(Mwebantu, Friday, March 15th, 2024)
Namwe ya Kazwe peline ayenecho Uwene!

14/02/2024

Kabwe Port, Tanzania, Commissioned.
The Tanzanian Government has finally commissioned the Multi Billion Dollar construction of Kabwe Port on Lake Tanganyika just about a 100Km to the North of Mpulungu Port in Zambia. This Kabwe Port project in Tanzania started in 2020 basically due to the lack of progress on the development of Mpulungu Port in Zambia to be able to accommodate large Ships. Mpulungu Port in Zambia has basically remained the same since Zambia's independence in 1964. This development has led to loss of Revenue for the Government of Zambia.
Here is a Report by Peti Siyame of Tanzania Daily Mail (Dar es Salaam)
Sumbawanga — RUKWA: FARMERS and local entrepreneurs in Rukwa Region are reaping the benefits of the Kabwe port on Lake Tanganyika which has boosted cross-border trade between Tanzania and the land-linked Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Burundi.
The port serves as an opportunity for traders in Nkasi District and Rukwa Region as well as small farmers to supply goods and services to Moba and Kalemie provinces in DRC.
The increased cross-border trade has increased money circulation and lifted the livelihood among dwellers in Nkasi District.
People from DR Congo largely depend on Tanzania for cereals such as rice, maize and sugar as well as cement and other building materials.
Geographically, Moba Port lies about 24 kilometres from Kabwe Port and 78 kilometres from Kalemie Port, which is linked by air and train with Lubumbashi in Katanga Province, the third largest city of DRC.
"More traders from within and outside Tanzania are now buying food crops and ferrying them to DRC, Burundi and Kigoma. Our economies have improved substantially" said Issack Mdude, a maize grower.
He further reveals that before the construction of the port, traders were finding it hard to find reliable markets, but now buyers are coming to their area, hence guaranteeing farmers markets for their produce.
"Now we don't have to travel to as far as Sumbawanga town or to coastal towns to sell our crops as buyers are coming to Nkasi," says Peter Simwela from Namanyere town.
Ms Cricensia Godgiven, who buys maize and rice from Nkasi District, ferrying the commodity to the markets in Kigoma Region, commended the government for improving water transportation, which is cheaper compared to other transport models.
"I have been doing this business for decades now, and we're grateful to the government for constructing this port, which has eased business, and movement of people," she said, noting that TPA charges are fair since they pay 7,000/- for each tonne.
Kabwe Port handles an average of 1,200 tonnes of cargo and 400 passengers a month, with a large per cent destined for DRC.
This paper witnessed busy labourers unloading cargo from trucks and loading it onto vessels for shipment from a small Kabwe terminal to the neighbouring DR Congo and other towns along Lake Tanganyika, the world's longest freshwater body.
The terminal site gives a glimpse of the government's commitment to bolster water transport infrastructure across the country; a well-constructed modern jetty and other essential port infrastructures.
The Kabwe Port, whose construction started on April 2, 2018, was officially commissioned in April 2020, with the government through the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) coughing up 7.49bn/- for the project.
The port has a small cargo shade, passenger lounge, refurbished offices and 5.5 metres deep berths which allow big boats to dock, also serves as a key gateway for traders as well as farmers to supply cereals such as cassava, maize, rice and sugar to Moba Port in DRC which is about 24 kilometres away.
Before the construction of Kabwe Port, the cross-border trade was conducted on a small scale along the lake shore, typically on smaller wooden vessels.
With the new port, big vessels with more loading capacity dock at the port, thus, boosting trade between Nkasi residents and people in the neighbouring countries. They no longer travel to Kigoma to ferry their produce to land-linked DRC and Burundi.
Mohamed Swedi, a truck owner, who transports cargo to DR Congo, says Kabwe port has improved business and hails the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) for good customer service.
SUBMIT

He, however, called for the improvement of the road that connects Kabwe Port to the Katavi-Rukwa highway.
"There is good customer service and businesses are performing well, but we are asking relevant authorities to improve the road that links the port with the Katavi-Rukwa highway, once this road is improved, we'll do more business," he stated.
Mr Swedi also called for the timely issuance of permits to traders who transport food crops to DRC, saying the delay increased the costs of doing business.
It takes 7-8 hours from Kabwe port to Kalemie port in DR Congo on the western shores of Lake Tanganyika.
Kabwe Port officer Mr Said Bakari says during peak times, the port handles about 30 trucks on average.
He added that the port has enhanced safety and security for traders, passengers and their properties

18/01/2024

Zambia find shows humans have built with wood for 476,000 years
By Will Dunham
September 20, 20235:52 PM GMT+2Updated 4 months ago

[1/4]Researchers uncover wooden artefacts on the banks of the Kalambo River in Zambia, near where the oldest-known use of wood in construction was found, in this handout image taken in July 2019. Larry Barham/University of Liverpool/Handout via REUTERS/File photo Acquire Licensing Rights, opens new tab
Sept 20 (Reuters) - Along the banks of the Kalambo River in Zambia near Africa's second-highest waterfall, archaeologists have excavated two logs of the large-fruited bushwillow tree that were notched, shaped and joined nearly half a million years ago.
These artifacts, researchers said on Wednesday, represent the oldest-known example of humans - in this case a species that preceded our own - building wooden structures, a milestone in technological achievement that indicates that our forerunners displayed more ingenuity than previously thought.
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The logs, modified using stone tools, appear to have been part of a framework for a structure, a conclusion that contradicts the notion humans at that time simply roamed the landscape hunting and gathering resources.
"The framework could have supported a walkway or platform raised above the seasonally wet surroundings. A platform could have multiple purposes including storage of firewood, tools, food and as a foundation on which to place a hut," said archaeologist Larry Barham of the University of Liverpool in England, lead author of the study published in the journal Nature, opens new tab.
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"Not only did the working of trees require considerable skill, the right tools and planning, the effort involved suggests that the makers were staying in the location for extended periods whereas we have always had a model of Stone Age people as nomadic," Barham added.
The rarity of wood preservation at early archaeological sites - it is perishable over time - means scientists have little understanding of how early humans used it.
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"While the vast majority of archaeological sites of this age preserve only the stone tools, Kalambo Falls provides us a unique insight into the wooden objects that these tools were being used to create, allowing us a much richer and more complete picture of the lives of these people," said geographer and study co-author Geoff Duller of Aberystwyth University in Wales.
"Wood can be shaped into a variety of forms making it an excellent construction material that is strong and durable," Barham added.
The earliest-known Homo sapiens fossils date from roughly 300,000 years ago in Morocco. The Kalambo Falls logs were determined to be from about 476,000 years ago.
No human remains were found there, but Barham suspects the artifacts were fashioned by a species called Homo heidelbergensis known from about 700,000 to 200,000 years ago. Homo heidelbergensis possessed a large browridge and a bigger braincase and flatter face than earlier hominins - species on the human evolutionary lineage.
The overlying log at Kalambo Falls is about 4-1/2 feet (1.4 meters) long, with tapering ends. About 5 feet (1.5 meters) of the underlying log was excavated.
"The structure involves the intentional shaping of two trees to create a framework of two interlocking supports. A notch was cut into the overlying log and the underlying tree was shaped to fit through the notch. This arrangement prevents the overlying log from moving side to side, giving stability to the structure," Barham said.
The wood, found in a waterlogged condition, was preserved by a permanent high-water table at the site. Clay sediments surrounding it provided an oxygen-free environment preventing decay.
The earliest-known wood artifact is a plank fragment from Israel, about 780,000 years old. Wooden tools for foraging and hunting are known from about 400,000 years ago. A wedge-shaped wooden tool about as old as the logs was found at Kalambo Falls.
The site, about a quarter mile (400 meters) upriver from a spectacular 770-foot (235-meter) high waterfall, was discovered in 1953, but its age remained unclear. The new study used a method called luminescence dating, measuring the amount of energy an object has trapped since it was buried.
"The finds from Kalambo Falls indicate that these hominins, like Homo sapiens, had the capacity to alter their surroundings, creating a built environment," Barham said. "Use of wood in this way suggests the cognitive ability to these early humans was greater than we have believed based on stone tools alone."
Reporting by Will Dunham in Washington; Editing by Daniel Wallis

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