A NEW STATE OF MIND Hans Kawanda - Nkwazi Magazine
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
n k w a z i m a g a z i n e . c o m
ISSUE 52 | J U LY / A U G U S T 2021
24
A NEW STATE
OF MIND
Hans Kawanda
44 Why you 50 The Copper 58 AfriConté:
must visit Queens New design
Clarens heights
W W W. F LY Z A M B I A . C O M
3 n k w a z i m a g a z i n e . c o m
4 CREDITS / THE TEAM
PUBLISHING EDITOR
Walid Nassar
walid@silverfoxzambia.com
DEPUTY PUBLISHING EDITOR
Jolezya Adeyemo
editorial@nkwazimagazine.com
DESIGN
Elijah Katema
ads@silverfoxzambia.com
SALES MANAGER
Musonda Chisenga
musonda@silverfoxzambia.com
DISCLAIMER:
While precautions have been
taken to ensure the accuracy of
the contents of our magazine,
Silver Fox Publications Ltd. does
not warrant or assume any legal
liability or responsibility for the
quality, accuracy, completeness,
COVER IMAGE:
legality, reliability or usefulness of
“Street photography found me. Photography saved my life.” These are Hans any information, product or service
Kawanda’s thoughts when he reflects on this image he took in Muizenberg, represented within our magazine.
South Africa. Turn to page 24 to see more of this Zambian photographer's Views in this publication are not
work. necessarily those of Silver Fox
Publications Ltd.
CONTRIBUTORS
Ashley Nakazwe, Bwanga ‘Benny Blow’ Kapumpa, Karthik ‘Dooderman’
Jayaprakash, Jolezya Adeyemo, Mbuyoti Silimina, Lari Merrett, Leelee
Ngwenya, Musonda Kambikambi, Noxolo Kapela, Petra Chikasa, Royd
Kapesa, Ryan Ellis, Samm Tembo.
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS PUBLISHING HOUSE
Kalichi Pictures
SILVER FOX PUBLICATIONS LTD.
+260 211 843 999
info@silverfoxzambia.com
w w w. s i l ve r fox z a m b i a . c o m
View or download our interactive
magazine.
n k w a z i m a g a z i n e . c o m
6 WELCOME
WELCOME ON BOARD
PROFLIGHT
Dear Passenger,
A
ll in the aviation sector are very excited about the
imminent opening of the brand new Simon Mwansa
Kapwepwe International Airport ( SMKIA) on the
Copperbelt and the opening of the brand new terminal
and apron at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA)
in Lusaka. These are both significant investments on the
part of the government and Zambia Airports Corporation Limited (ZACL)
and will be welcomed by the travelling public as well as airlines, both
local and foreign.
This has given me cause to reflect on airport developments over my
five decades in the Zambian aviation industry. I clearly remember the
excitement when the new Lusaka International Airport (now KKIA)
was commissioned. Many people would be surprised that until then all
scheduled flights flew out of Lusaka City Airport, this included the BOAC
VC10 aircraft. This must have been a challenging airport for the pilots of
those old jets and there was great excitement in Longacres whenever the
VC10 was coming in or taking off. The move to the brand new airport
outside Lusaka was a huge milestone in Zambia’s aviation development
and KKIA has served the nation and the travelling public very well for
over 50 years. It still has a world class runway and taxiways but a new,
modern terminal will take KKIA to a new level.
The only other ‘greenfield airport’ during my time has been Mfuwe. This was a major development for the Zambian
tourism industry as up until that point South Luangwa had been served by Zambia Airways landing at the gravel strip,
Kakumbi, in the national park near Mfuwe Lodge. The move to the new Mfuwe Airport allowed the option of larger
aircraft, even jets, and a much safer operation with a control tower and dedicated fire cover.
Ndola has been served by the existing airport since the 1950s, the old Nissen huts with their military origins have
served countless passengers and the Copperbelt region well over an extended period. However, the time has certainly
come for change and the brand new SMKIA will certainly add a new dimension to the Copperbelt, the engine room of
Zambia. This is a brand new airport and Proflight Zambia looks forward to flying our dedicated Copperbelt travellers
out of the new SMKIA very soon. In these very difficult times it is encouraging to have a new and exciting development
in the aviation industry.
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc on the airline industry worldwide. To all our dedicated customers
we say a big thank you for continuing to use our services.
Best regards and stay safe,
Yours sincerely,
Captain Philip Lemba
w w w . f l y z a m b i a . c o m
7
Bank with the app that
speaks your language
Use the Absa Mobile Banking App in English
-another digital innovation that gets things done.
That’s Africanacity. That’s Absa.
absa.co.zm
Absa Bank Zambia PLC (registered number 119710006444) is regulated by the Bank of Zambia.
n k w a z i m a g a z i n e . c o m
CONTENT
REGULARS
16
10. BUSINESS 16. TABLETALK 20. EXPLORE 24. IN FRAME
14 20 36
30. VISIT 36. MUSIC 38. CONSERVE 40. HUMOUR
30
n k w a z i m a g a z i n e . c o m
FEATURES
44
44. 10 REASONS WHY 47. ANITA YAMA 50. THE COPPER 58. AFRICONTÉ
YOU MUST VISIT CLARENS QUEENS
47 50 58
INSIDE PROFLIGHT
65
64. ROUTE MAP 66. FLIGHT SCHEDULE 67. PROFLIGHT NEWS 70. FLEET & CUSTOMS
LIVE STREAM/CATCH UP TO DStv ANYTIME, ANYWHERE On your smartphone, tablet, laptop, PC or smart TV 1. Download the DStv App today 2. Link your DStv account 3. Register upto 5 devices 4. Start Watching
Page 16.
Bart Hofker has been at
the helm of MTN Zambia as
CEO since October 2019. He
is a hands-on leader who
encourages dialogue and
is motivated by seeing the
positive impact of his work.
REGULARS.
10 16 20 24 30 34 38
TABLETALK IN FRAME12 BUSINESS
THE SKILLS THAT WILL
DEFINE THE FUTURE OF
WORK IN ZAMBIA
Words by Musonda Kambikambi
I
f your imagination runs as certain transitions in work, there is a
rampant as mine, thoughts about chance today that future changes can
the future of work bring to be anticipated and well prepared for”. We know that it won’t
mind artificial intelligence and A key part of this preparation includes
flying drones taking over the identifying occupations, skills and
be easy to establish the
workplace. However, when this industries that will be significant to necessary foundations
visual is juxtaposed against Zambia’s the future workplace. Developing
41 percent unemployment rates and expertise within the labour market is needed to capitalise on
large-scale informal sector, it seems
unlikely that the robots will be taking
vital if we are to grow our economy in Africa’s digital and broader
a sustainable way.
over any time soon. economic transformation,
Nevertheless, even within the
Skills but it can be done. The
Zambian context, the world of work is next generation of African
changing rapidly and it is imperative 1. Digital literacy – Surprising no
to anticipate how these changes will one, first on the list is digital workers, inventors and
affect our opportunities and living literacy. Today's world is driven by entrepreneurs have the
standards. According to a 2019 Information and Communication
International Labour Organisation Technology (ICT), thus digital potential to innovate and
(ILO) report on Zambia’s human literacy is and will continue to be a
capital, “unlike in the past when key skill in the formal and informal
thrive.” - World Bank Social
workers did not seem prepared for workplace. There is a need to Development Specialist
n k w a z i m a g a z i n e . c o mBUSINESS 13
urgently scale up investments in organisations continuously 3. Agriculture sector - Zambia’s agriculture
the adoption and use of ICTs. This restructure their businesses to sector is still highly untapped, consisting
includes the teaching of ICTs in accommodate perpetual turbulence, of more than 26 percent of the employed
school and providing easy access to professionals with expertise in population but only generating 10
ICT products at all levels. critical thinking, problem-solving and percent of Zambia’s gross domestic
formulating change strategies will product. This sector has a high potential
2. Continuous learning - Today’s continue to be in demand. for employment creation and economic
workplace is characterised by
growth, however, it is largely associated
volatility. This requires employees to
Sectors with low productivity because of the
be agile and have the ability to reskill
traditional farming methods utilised.
and upskill to support business
Digital technology ought to be leveraged
continuity and competitiveness. 1. Informal sector (gig economy) -
to fully unleash the potential of the
Individuals and organisations need Creating formal jobs has proven to
be a formidable task for Zambia. agricultural sector. Additionally, farmers
to create systems that support
According to the ILO, 83 percent should adopt more efficient farming
lifelong learning and are key for
of Zambians work in the informal practices. However, they also need
continuous development.
sector and this trend is predicted to pricing models that benefit them.
3. Emotional intelligence (EI) – EI has increase given Zambia’s very young 4. Supportive legislation and systems - Like
been crowned the most required population base. While many people most sub-Saharan countries, Zambia has
trait of the future. EI is the capacity think of gig work as a side-hustle a young population with over 80 percent
to manage one’s emotions as well as or something to do while you wait of the population falling below the age
to handle interpersonal relationships for a ‘real job,’ the informal sector is of 35. With this age structure Zambia
skillfully and empathetically. Simply, going to be the new 9 to 5 for the will need to create more jobs to meet
it is the balance between head majority of Zambians. The reasons the rising demand. The future of work in
and heart. The business argument for this are numerous, ranging Zambia will involve equipping its young
for EI is that it leads to better staff from high unemployment rates to population with skills that can enable it to
collaboration, better customer organisations needing casual staff.
thrive. In December 2020, the Ministry of
service, higher sales and greater
employee engagement. In a world 2. Financial services - The advent of Labour released the National Productivity
where vast amounts of information ICTs such as mobile phones has Policy, which aims to build productive
are literally at your fingertips, made it easier to access financial and competitive human capital by 2030.
production processes can be services. As of 2019, Zambia has Additionally, the ministry implemented
duplicated and transferred across over 6 million registered mobile the Skills Development Levy to help
continents, it makes sense that how money accounts providing access to fund the development of critical skills
we relate to ourselves and others traditionally unbanked populations. in Zambia’s human capital. However,
will be key for the future of work. This trend is predicted to grow as they’ll need to monitor the efficacy of
cash increasingly takes a back seat in these policies to ensure a talented and
financial transactions. competitive human resource.
Occupations
1. Information technology specialists -
Global technological advancements
and factors such as the COVID-19
pandemic have required many
organisations’ to undergo digital
transformations. IT specialists and
software developers are a key
resource to organisations and will
increasingly be in high demand in the
local job market.
2. Leadership: directors and executive
management - Despite a global
reduction in hiring, demand for
directors and executive management
has hardly seen a change. This
may be because now more than
ever organisations require agile
leaders who can traverse a volatile
environment and deliver businesses
sustainability and success.
3. Knowledge workers: project
managers/change managers/
turnaround specialists - As
n k w a z i m a g a z i n e . c o m14 BUSINESS
Nigeria is one of the world’s leading
markets for cryptocurrencies
Africa:
The Next Frontier for Cryptocurrency
By Mbuyoti Silimina
A
frica is going through globe. Created in 2009 by a person or Nigerians use cryptocurrencies - the
a monetary revolution people with the alias Satoshi Nakamoto, highest proportion of any country in
never seen before and investors hope Bitcoin becomes a major the world. Estimates show that of the
has become a fertile mode of financial transaction in the top 10 countries for trading volumes,
ground for digital digital age. Nigeria ranked third place after the
transactions. US and Russia in 2020, generating
African countries including Zambia more than US$400 million worth of
Consumers and businesses around have widely adopted alternatives to transactions.
the world are using cryptocurrency, traditional banking in the form of
a form of digital or virtual currency, mobile money platforms including Some observers describe
more than ever before. This has partly Zoona, Kazang, MTN Mobile Money cryptocurrency as a disruptive
been influenced by the proliferation and Airtel Money. Some entrepreneurs innovation, one that could flourish in
of affordable virtual investments as are of the view that the local money Africa, under the right circumstances.
a way to make a quick buck. Much market is ripe for the wide adoption of However, cryptocurrency is not
of the interest in these unregulated cryptocurrency because of this. without its challenges. Firstly,
currencies is to trade for profit, with cryptocurrencies are not legal tenders.
speculators at times driving prices In many African countries including Having said this, in June 2021 El
skywards. Kenya, Nigeria, Egypt and South Africa, Salvador became the first country to
cryptocurrency is growing in popularity adopt Bitcoin as a legal tender, with
Top cryptocurrencies include Bitcoin, as more people see it as a lucrative the change to come into effect in 90
Litecoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, Dash investment with high potential returns. days of the adoption. One can’t help
and Monero, but Bitcoin leads the An online survey by a data platform but wonder when or if other countries
pack in Africa and the rest of the Statista found that 32 percent of will follow suit.
n k w a z i m a g a z i n e . c o mBUSINESS 15
In 2018, the Bank of Zambia clamped manipulate them and that’s why if I do
down on cryptocurrency-related an Airtel Money transfer to you of say “Many people in Zambia tend to hold
businesses, days after declaring that it K500, I know that I have not made the an opinion that it is just one of those
does not view digital currencies such as money, you haven’t either – it’s simply pyramid schemes because of the way
Bitcoin as legal tender. The crackdown shifting real money from my account to it has been marketed. For instance,
began when the central bank announced your account,” PSDA Chairperson Yusuf you are enticed to buy cryptocurrency
an investigation into Heritagecoin Dodia told Nkwazi. now and told that after three weeks,
Resources Limited for alleged money the value would have doubled and
laundering. The Lusaka-based FinTech Dodia further stressed that despite you wonder how will it double? What
startup that dealt in the business of cryptocurrency innovation being of the economic activity is backing this
cryptocurrency faced allegations that future, somebody decides whether that currency? Because money, whether it
it had taken on traditional banking money should exist or not. It can easily be virtual or actual, must be backed by
activities, such as accepting deposits be manipulated and that’s where the production,” Lusaka-based economist
from clients, something it was not danger is. Furthermore, cryptocurrency Mambo Haamaundu says.
certified to do. is currently not supported by the
international monetary and banking
Many people in Zambia are desperate He continues, “Money is the store of
system.
for cash and have fallen prey to scams value and if I am storing value, how
by firms that invite them to invest does my value double within a short
Investment experts contend that for
cash with the promise of high returns. period of time. When you deposit
digital money to thrive easily in any
Therefore, if one is thinking of investing money in a bank you earn interest
African nation, prudent economic
in cryptocurrency, it’s important to be as but in a cryptocurrency setup the
management of its natural resources
well-informed on the topic as possible to is key. They refer to the success story gains are often said to be ridiculously
better avoid falling prey to scams. of cryptocurrency in Egypt and South high. The question is, what is it that
Recently, BoZ said that although Bitcoin Africa where both nations do not allow really happens to this money for it
and other cryptocurrencies retained their natural resources to be exported to appreciate to 30 percent within a
“some monetary characteristics, such as, without the equivalent US dollar month?”
being used as a means of payment on a coming into their banking system.
person-to-person basis, cryptocurrencies Economists agree that the Zambian While cryptocurrency is a complex
are not legal tender in Zambia.” market is not yet ready for a topic and not without its risks it is
In neighbouring Zimbabwe, the cryptocurrency revolution as there here to stay for the foreseeable future.
central bank also used its authority are still information gaps in terms of If managed properly it can be a force
over commercial banks to shut down policies on virtual currencies, what for good and in several developing
cryptocurrency markets. cryptocurrency is, how it operates, countries it is used as a tool for
what it can do and what it cannot do financial inclusion and a supplement to
With the continued depreciation of the and so on. the traditional banking sector.
kwacha and other African currencies,
caused by a number of factors such as
rising debt, dwindling foreign exchange
reserves and lack of investment in the
manufacturing sector, cryptocurrency
becomes more appealing.
Zambia has experienced a slowdown in
economic activity over the years. In this
context, financial analysts say digital
transactions through platforms such as
eWallet, e-Pay and mobile money is the
way to go.
As economic shocks continue to affect
Zambia’s inflation, employment figures
and national debt among other factors,
the Private Sector Development
Association (PSDA) believes that
the main challenge of adopting
cryptocurrency in Africa is who decides
the value of the currency.
“If you look at mobile money
applications, money transfers and
digital payments, these are bound
by physical currencies in respective
African countries, so nobody can really
n k w a z i m a g a z i n e . c o m16 BUSINESS
REMOTE WORK VISAS
WORK AND EXPLORE THE WORLD
Words by Royd Kapesa
I
f you could live and work in any To be successful as a digital nomad, one away from our offices and has normalised
place in the world, where would you typically builds a strong financial cushion or remote working for so many people who
go and why? The answers to the needs to develop high levels of self-reliance had never even considered the possibility.
question could range from a sandy and self-discipline.
beach in the Maldives, a lovely It is illegal to work in a foreign country
apartment in the lush forests of Digital nomadism is not defined by time and on a tourist visa and in many cases these
Bali or the glittering metropolis of Dubai. physical structures. The traditional way of visas usually expire after 30 to 90 days,
While this sounds like a fantasy to some, work is defined by one’s ability to report to a and it’s not always easy to renew them.
for others, this is a normal way of life. set physical location at a set time to provide So, what if you want to stay longer?
a service for a fixed remuneration or wage.
Those who are brave enough to choose With digital nomadism, people provide their This is where a remote work visas come
this radical way of life are called digital skills and services to one or multiple clients in. While visa laws in most countries are
nomads. By definition, digital nomads are for a fixed or variable fee from anywhere in not set up to deal with this new class
location-independent people who the world. of modern nomads who are living and
use telecommunications technologies to working remotely around the world, the
earn an income, while living a nomadic With more and more people opting for this tide is turning. A number of countries have
lifestyle. Digital nomadism has been made type of lifestyle, countries have taken notice recognised the need for remote work visas
possible through more affordable internet and are positioning themselves as prime (also called digital nomad visas or freelanc-
access and smart phones, among others. destinations for the adventurous soul that er visas), specifically to entice foreigners to
The growth and normalisation of the gig wishes to work away from their home coun- work and contribute to their economies.
economy has also contributed to digital try. There is also the context of COVID-19, And this trend is expected to continue
nomadism. which has led many of us to begin working with the disruption of tourism and travel
n k w a z i m a g a z i n e . c o mBUSINESS 17
due to COVID-19. As countries look for the profile of the country. positioning itself for remote workers with a
innovative ways to reboot their tourism For the individual, one benefit is the new one-year virtual work programme. This
sectors and overall economies, the remote ability to live anywhere you want, while offers a great chance to remote workers to
work visa seems like one of the best ways maintaining a sustainable income. Many enjoy the sun everyday while working in
to drive this resurgence. countries hoping to draw remote workers one of the safest and most dynamic cities
have also spent significantly on developing
in the world.
As attractive as remote work visas are, they their telecommunications infrastructure
do come with requirements that aspiring and internet coverage and quality. This is
nomads must meet in order to qualify for certainly appealing to remote workers who At the time of writing Mauritius was the
the visa. These requirements vary from expect fast internet, among other facili- only African country offering a digital
country to country but often relate to: ties, to optimise their performance. Lastly, nomad visa, called a premium visa. It lasts
the type of business that one runs (does visiting digital nomads are offered a safe for a year and is renewable. Elsewhere in
the business require an office to deliver environment to work in. These countries Africa, the Western Cape provincial govern-
a service), gross revenue of the business depend on people coming in, staying for a ment has been calling for South Africa to
(monthly or annually), credible references while and spending money. This wouldn’t create its own remote work visa.
from banks and other institutions, passing be possible if everyone was worried about
criminal background checks, personal their security. Therefore, a lot is spent on There are more than 22 countries that are
health insurance schemes, among others. ensuring that cities are safe, which benefits offering remote work visas and those who
remote workers and citizens alike.
are interested in this way of life will have
The benefits of remote work visas abound
a wide range of countries to choose from.
for both the country and the individual. Estonia leads the way offering a digital
Remote workers are a source of foreign nomad visa for remote workers from The world of work has changed and now
direct investment, which contributes to the outside the EU, that allows remote workers productivity is more important than struc-
economy of the host country. The influx of - whether working as freelancers or for for- ture. Therefore, countries have realised that
people from all over the world also boosts eign companies - to live and work in Esto- the old adage is true, if you cannot beat
tourism for the host country which raises nia legally for up to one year. Dubai is also them, join them.
reservations@mukwalodge.com 26/28 Mpezeni Avenue, Kitwe, Zambia
www.mukwalodge.com +260 962 682 587 | +260 954 987 921
n k w a z i m a g a z i n e . c o m18 TA B L E TA L K
TABLETALK WITH
BART HOFKER
The conscientious CEO
Words by Leelee Ngwenya, Images by Kalichi Pictures
n k w a z i m a g a z i n e . c o mTA B L E TA L K 19
W
hen you first glance telecommunications Bart has had a strong
at the MTN Zambia desire to make his work impactful, a desire
headquarters on that was reinforced while working in
Zambezi Road, the Rwanda, South Africa and now in Zambia.
building seems He has been able to see the high growth in
intimidating. numbers and the direct, positive impact of
However, as soon as you walk through the telecoms and tech on the people and the
doors the environment is both welcoming economy. As for how he defines success,
and friendly. I met CEO Bart Hofker on a Bart reflects, “When I was younger,
cold Monday afternoon at his office. The I was primarily driven to outperform
first thing you will notice about him is his competition, always eager to do better
welcoming presence which immediately than the rest. Now that I am older, my
warms the room. I sat down and found personal motivation has shifted to impact.
myself smiling and laughing within minutes; The desire to have a positive impact in
Bart has the uncanny ability to make you business, in society and in people’s lives
feel at home. we as MTN have achieved that. I think
that is also one of the reasons why I enjoy
Bart is from the Netherlands and as a working in Africa, the impact is so direct.
young economics graduate, he began When you see, for example, financial
his career in telecommunications at a inclusion and what it means for working
time when the industry had just been women. When they are able to make some
privatised and the wireless revolution money and get paid into MoMo [MTN
was just beginning. He shares, “It was mobile money] and nobody can access
an incredible experience of high growth it except for them. These are clear-cut
and transformational change. Telecoms examples.” Telecoms has never
has never been boring. I have been part
of transformational change from fixed to Bart’s key motivating principles as a been boring. I
mobile, voice to data, data to content and CEO are transparency, consistency and have been part of
now moving into the Fourth Industrial approachability. “Every month we have
Revolution with the internet of things.” a town hall session for all of the staff, transformational
which is virtual nowadays. During these
Coming from an advanced European meetings, the management team shares
change from fixed
market with a background in marketing and the state of our business. Anyone can to mobile, voice
branding, Bart, has a unique perspective ask questions and give feedback on
that allows him to understand both the where we need to improve.” It is this to data, data to
technology and the customers. However, kind of leadership based on listening content and now
he has had to navigate and learn the and encouraging dialogue that has made
FinTech business as it was completely for a dynamic and highly motivated moving into the
new to him before working on the African management team that is engaged
continent. “FinTech, the use of mobile with the company beyond their specific
Fourth Industrial
money and its large reach in Zambia were responsibilities. Bart adds, “I am very much Revolution with the
all new to me. In Europe mobile services hands-on. It’s in my DNA as a marketer. I
are all post-paid, and here it is all prepaid, believe we are successful when customers internet of things.”
so I think I bring a wealth of experience can validate that what we are doing is
with me, especially with customer insights. working. I really love to go into the field, I
I think in Europe we have made our fair love to go to the call centre and to listen
share of mistakes by not being customer in and to talk to customers and to be with
centric, whereas here we have to be our MTN data champs.”
customer centric in terms of services, tariff
pricing and more.” COVID-19 has had an impact on
operations in the telecoms sector but
Challenges are something any career MTN was prepared and had the necessary
has and Bart’s has had his fair few. He conversations with regulators and the
elaborates, “Every job at every company government on how to continue doing
provides its own challenges and as you business effectively. They managed to
learn from them, new challenges will always grow from three million mobile customers
arise. Right now, my biggest challenge is to in 2020 to five million in 2021! By
address the complications for our business prioritising their customers’ needs during
caused by Zambia’s macro-economic the pandemic and making FinTech a
situation. The depreciation of the kwacha priority they were able to engage the
has made us seek a balance between largely unbanked populations and add
optimising costs, rationalising dollar them to their platform. Business also grew
investments and growing the business.” as MTN grew their distribution channels
and increased incentives. They have been
Throughout his career in able to contribute to job creation with
n k w a z i m a g a z i n e . c o m20 TA B L E TA L K
50,000 agents in the filed running their ‘bank’ account is a mobile money account,
own MTN booths or service centres. teaching them that their money can be
stored safely, sent in a contactless way and
During the pandemic they prioritised cashed out if need be. Bart explains, “Our
keeping customers connected and sales people, our champs, have critical jobs.
employees safe. When it came to Fortunately, there was no formal lockdown
business solutions MTN stepped up again, because that would have meant the sales “When I was younger,
with flexible solutions like data bundles guys could not sell airtime and earn a
for MiFi and routers, bulk SMS, MoMo living wage and would have further pushed
I was primarily
limit waiving and Office 365 onboarding people into isolation.” driven to outperform
for remote working. Bart shares, “To
support families who are working Before we end our conversation, I ask him
competition, always
and schooling from home we offered
affordable data bundles and educational
what his favourite part of living in Zambia eager to do better
has been so far. He smiles and replies, “I
solutions under tele-school and eTutor in
think there are two things for me. It’s the
than the rest. Now
accordance with the Ministry of Health’s
directive. We offered free and discounted
people and the nature. Zambia is very open, that I am older, my
optimistic, and the people are happy. Even
family entertainment solutions. As for
with the pandemic and some struggling personal motivation
MoMo, we zero-rated mobile money
transfers up to K150 and doubled the financially, personally, Zambians are happy has shifted to impact.
MoMo transaction limits to reduce the people. The second one, nature is just
physical exchange of money, which could amazing. The wildlife is unmatched. During The desire to have
be virus transmitters.” the pandemic my wife and I have made a positive impact in
a point to travel and see more of Zambia
MTN has also included educational since we cannot travel home.” business, in society
programmes to teach people how to and in people’s lives
deal with FinTech and also to teach And there you have it, a man of the people!
customers how to use it effectively and Bart Hofker demonstrates that he is a we as MTN have
efficiently. By doing so they are tapping hands-on leader. He is always looking for a
into a large group of people whose first way to be involved at the ground level.
achieved that.
n k w a z i m a g a z i n e . c o mwww.atlasmarazambia.com
TA B L E TA L K
TWO MORE HOUSES
WILL BE WON!
Thats our campaign promise
Open an account with only K200 and you
could win one of two houses!
WIN MONTHLY PRIZES
5 Winners of Samsung Galaxy A9’s
10 winners of 1000 Kwacha each
Zambia’s Leading Digital Bank
For more information visit AtlasMaraZambia or
LafargeZambiaPLC or call 202 today.
*Terms and conditions apply.22 EXPLORE
WESTERN PROVINCE
Where history and nature meet under wide skies
Words by Petra Chikasa, Images by James Blewett
C
rossing the magnificent
Mongu-Kalabo Road that
spans the upper Zambezi
River in Western Province,
the sun is reflected by the
broad flood plains melt into
the distant horizon. Looking out over the
water, remote island villages stand out.
They consist of small clusters of houses
with a few palm trees on the occasional
outcrop of dry land that rises above the
water. A few fishermen stand to paddle
their mukolo (the Lozi word for dugout
canoes fashioned from a single tree trunk)
as they go in search of the day’s catch.
Just a few weeks earlier, this vast expanse
of water slowly covered bone-dry land, and
travelling from Mongu towards Kalabo, it
is not hard to see why the rise and fall of
Zambezi River influences the annual cycle
of life for the Litunga (the king of the Lozi
people) and his people who live in this
beautiful part of Zambia.
A few kilometres outside Mongu, the
causeway road that crosses the plains
also provides the best vantage points to
watch the sunset. There are laybys and
the occasional turnoff where you can
park to enjoy the ultimate, but completely
uncommercialised sundowner. You need to
bring your own beer and there are no fancy
decks or manicured lawns. This is authentic
Zambia at its best.
It was when I drove out from Mongu late
one afternoon to catch the sunset that I
met a local fisherman. Nasilele had finished
his day’s work and was waiting near the
road with his canoe to ferry some people to
his nearby village.
We fell into easy conversation, and I was
struck by his warmth and willingness to
share stories. After he told me about where
he was from and how he made his living,
we were soon talking about the world-
famous Kuomboka ceremony, an annual
spectacle where the Litunga is taken in his
royal barge by his subjects to dry land. He
explained to me that kuomboka means “to
n k w a z i m a g a z i n e . c o mEXPLORE 23
go.” As the water levels go down, the return from the bank, the fisherman offered to give where nets were stretched across a small
journey is called the Kufuluhela. After each me a tour of his village and teach me how inlet of water.
trip, the royal barge is left to sink in the to paddle the canoe if I came back the next
shallow water, and a number of these black day. Later the same day, I visited the museum
and white striped boats can be seen not far at the Litunga’s palace, just outside Mongu.
from the road across the plains. The impromptu lesson in the morning turned This small but fascinating collection
out to be a thrilling, but somewhat nerve- includes pottery and carved wooden
Listening to Nasilele, I began to understand racking, experience. When I wasn’t learning artefacts from the local area and features
why the river plays such an important the art of keeping balance and trying to stay a display of objects associated with
role in Lozi mythology. One traditional on course through the reeds, I was scooping witchcraft and traditional healing. One
story tells how the god Nyambe created out the water that seeped into the canoe. metal pot is alarmingly labelled as being
Kamunu, the first human being. Nyambe “for cooking human flesh.” Captioned
had decreed that animals should be treated Despite the occasional wobble, I gradually picture boards tell the story of the history
with respect, as siblings. But Kamunu got the hang of how to stand upright and of the Barotse royal family, which is
started to kill and eat the animals, which handle the long wooden paddle. As we believed to have descended from the gods.
annoyed the god. Nyambe left Kamunu by slowly came closer to Nasilele’s island village,
crossing the Zambezi River, but Kamunu I was received with cheers and laughter from Also at the museum, a crafts shop sells
carved a canoe and followed him. Nyambe a crowd of children gathered to watch the baskets made from the makenge root, a
built a mountain but Kamunu still came unusual spectacle of an outsider trying to Western Province specialty and the ideal
after him, and so Nyambe decided to finally paddle a canoe. It’s not as easy as it looks. souvenir of a visit to this part of the world.
escape from Kamunu by going to heaven,
cursing the human with sickness and death The village was home to about 150 people, For those who want to get even closer to
on his way. living in traditional mud-walled and thatched the real, day to day life of Mongu, a trip
family houses. As I walked along the narrow to the fish market is an absolute must.
Back in dwindling light, while his paths between the houses, I came across A dense collection of shops and market
passengers waited patiently and the sun children playing pool on a makeshift table, stalls stand by the side along the water at
finally sank into the water, in true Zambian using short sticks to hit marbles into corner the end of the canal that stretches from
spirit, I said farewell to Nasilele over a pockets. Around another corner, Nasilele below the town centre to the Zambezi.
bottle of Mosi. Pushing his mukolo away took me to see a women-only fishing area Sitting under awnings strung from wooden
n k w a z i m a g a z i n e . c o m24 EXPLORE
poles, women sell the dried fish that is an
important part of the local diet. Walking
through the market was a rich experience
of unforgettable sounds and sights, and
smells.
Leaving Mongu early the next morning,
I drove for an hour and a half southward
on the road towards Sesheke to reach
the Ngonye Falls, just outside Sioma.
The Ngonye Falls (also known as Sioma
Falls), 12 metres high and stretching in a
kilometre-wide horseshoe shape, are the
second largest on the Zambezi. Sadly, the
full beauty of Ngonye is hidden by a river
island from the bank closest to the visitor
centre, and because the river was so high,
it wasn’t possible to take a boat to cross
to the best vantage point.
But having seen photos of the falls
from the other side of the river, I wasn’t
surprised to learn that when David
Livingstone came across the Ngonye
Falls in 1855 (two years before he saw
the Mosi-oa-Tunya for the first time), he
was so impressed that he almost gave
the name Victoria Falls to this amazing
cascade of white water.
Note to self: time my next trip for when
the river is lower, and make sure to carry
a boat.
There are no scheduled flights to or
from Mongu, so travelling back to
Lusaka meant another nine-hour drive
along what is (apart from one stretch) a
well-maintained road. But they say that
travelling in expectation is as good as
arriving at the destination, and the drive
is itself a highlight of a trip to Mongu.
The road crosses the impressive Kafue
National Park, bisected by its own mighty
river and offering the chance to see
animals along the way.
Western Province is a very special
part of Zambia – not one of the best-
known tourist hot spots, but all the
more authentic and charming for that.
Barotseland may have disappeared from
contemporary maps, but a unique spirit
lives on. My visit left a series of distinct
impressions of a beautiful part of the
country, steeped in history and blessed
with some amazing nature. I will be back!
n k w a z i m a g a z i n e . c o mThe Agroforestry program, which
follows a Reduce, Regenerate
and Substitute approach, is
complimented by the introduction
of wood-efficient curing barns.
In Western Province, where the
company procures flue-cured
Virginia tobacco, which is wood-
cured, the Matope barn was
initiated. The barn uses 75% less
wood fuel than traditional barns.
In the Eastern Province, where the
company procures burley tobacco,
which is air-cured, the live barn
program was introduced. This
is a barn that the Agroforestry
Supervisor Monckton Soko says
On June 5th of every year, the which was introduced in 2013. In the is made by “growers planting
nature empathizers around the globe spirit of continuous improvement, trees in rows, and then creating a
celebrate World Environment Day, which is woven throughout JTI’s roof between them, and hanging
encouraging general awareness operations, the Agroforestry leaf underneath. It’s much more
and observing its protection. Since program has gone through several environmentally-friendly because
1974, World Environment Day has changes over the years to make there’re no barn repairs needed for
been celebrated annually, engaging it more robust. The results are the planted trees, which form the
governments, businesses, and clear to see -- in the crop year superstructure.”
citizens alike in an effort to address 2020/2021, growers with support
pressing environmental issues. from JTI ramped up their efforts and JTI’s prioritization of sustainable
planted 975,320 trees. The company environment management is a key
In Zambia, the day went by with has also introduced commercial reason Mr. Soko enjoys his work
little to no recognition; but for JTI woodlots to supplement grower’s so much. In his words: “Every time
Leaf Zambia this day is very special, efforts, where over 400, 000 trees I plant a tree, I think about how it
as it provides the company with a were planted in Kaoma, Western absorbs carbon. All that carbon that
moment to take stock of its efforts Province. would be all over the place ends up
in environmental conservation. in the leaves. So, I see myself as
The company has, over time, cleaning up the air, cleaning up the
Environmental conservation is a worked with local traditional environment, and I appreciate that
matter that has been integrated leaders and government to help a lot.”
into JTI Leaf Zambia’s business drive a change in the mindset of
strategy. The long-term supply of growers. These efforts, coupled
tobacco leaf is anchored by helping with the training and coaching
its contracted growers plant and provided by JTI’s extension service
grow trees for curing tobacco, with employees, referred to as ‘Agronomy
“a set target to replace all wood Technicians’, have contributed to the
from natural forests, which they increase in planted trees.
use in their tobacco curing process,
with renewable fuel sources by “We train our growers and
2030,” explains JTI Leaf Zambia’s encourage proper management
Agroforestry Supervisor, Monckton of land through Good Agricultural
Soko. “There’s no business without Practices (GAP) so that the wood
trees,” is a slogan the company can grow alongside the crops,” adds
literally lives by, and this has been Soko. “For example, beans have
translated into the local languages been known to tolerate growing in
of Chewa and Lozi to communicate close vicinity to trees, and in fact
to its key business partners: improve tree growth. This is known
contracted growers. as intercropping, and it is more
sustainable. Through intercropping,
Contracted growers are a key growers are encouraged to tend to
component of the success of the their woodlots as they care for their
company’s Agroforestry program, crops.”26 IN FRAME
Hans
Kawanda
A New State of Mind
Words and images by Hans Kawanda of New State Art
F
rom street, landscape, fashion to
commercial photography, I’ve always
tried to translate moments and feelings
through my lens. Seeing more in
everything. I’ve always believed that God
Nsobe Game Camp -
is constantly painting around me through
our breathtaking African environment, cultures and Masaiti
beautiful people which allows me to create. Watching the sunrise feels
like the day is promised,
I always took pictures on my phone but it really started the beauty always speaks
in 2016 while I was in business school. I bought my for itself.
first camera and nothing was the same after that.
For me it’s more than a picture or a film. It’s peace, it’s
love, it’s appreciation, it’s a state of mind, a new state
of mind. My photography business, NEW STATE ART,
is aptly named in honour of my journey.
n k w a z i m a g a z i n e . c o mIN FRAME 27
Muizenberg Beach
Always windy and you can smell the
water a mile away. One thing you
won’t miss for sure are its beautiful
colours.
Cape Town
The Mother City, the home of art, the
home tofcreatives.
A city that made me see more
in everything, from creating to
preserving.
n k w a z i m a g a z i n e . c o m28 IN FRAME
Rockview - Lusaka
These are moments I always
appreciate; the humour, laughter,
freedom and peace. Nothing is ever
the same when you witness it.
n k w a z i m a g a z i n e . c o mIN FRAME 29
Lusaka City
Streets where the sun sets like
there’s no goodbye. The image
is as real as it looks. Different
people walking the same path. A
fleeting bond reminding me that
we are strong.
n k w a z i m a g a z i n e . c o m30 IN FRAME
Levy Mwanawasa Stadium
Ndola’s pride. It always looks
beautiful from any point of view.
n k w a z i m a g a z i n e . c o mIN FRAME 31 n k w a z i m a g a z i n e . c o m
32 VISIT
BENIN
Mysticism, Museums and Monuments
Words by Bwanga ‘Benny Blow’ Kapumpa
n k w a z i m a g a z i n e . c o mVISIT 33
FUN FACTS
S
andwiched between Togo and Nigeria
Dahomey, the pre-colonial kingdom that was located in in West Africa, Benin may not be at
present-day Benin had a fierce, all-female army known the top of most people’s list of must-
as the Mino, Minon or Dahomey Amazons. They were the visit destinations, but it offers an
inspiration for the all-female army in the Black Panther film. array of activities for the curious and
adventurous. Once the location of a
thriving kingdom, ancient Benin played a major
Benin has the largest population of lions in West Africa.
role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade and as a
result has a story teeming with dark history and
cityscapes with interesting architecture. Benin
also has idyllic beaches, vibrant festivals and
Benin is the birthplace of voodoo or vodun, the often
misunderstood and stereotyped religion. While Porto-Novo is the capital city, most
government buildings are located in Cotonou,
Benin was the first African country to successfully transition which is the economic capital and largest city.
from a dictatorship to a democracy. But do not confine your travels to these two
cities as the rest of the country has lots to offer,
including Ouidah and Abomey. Some wonderful
sites to visit are the Cotonou Cathedral, Kota
Angelique Kidjo - who Time Magazine once dubbed “Africa’s Falls and the Python Temple. These locations are
premier diva” - hails from Benin. Acclaimed Hollywood star also testament to the fact that Benin is a must-
Djimon Hounsou also hails from Benin. see for those with a keen eye for detail and a love
for history. It has architectural appeal, fascinating
• Spot nocturnal wildlife on a night drive culture and enough sites to build memories for a
YOUR OWN in the Pendjari National Park. lifetime.
ADVENTURE • Attend the exciting and colourful Most of Benin’s attractions are of genuine
Ouidah Voodoo Festival. historical, cultural and religious significance to its
• Learn something new at the Ouidah citizens and not necessarily created to cater to
Museum of History. tourists. For this reason, many visitors feel they
• Gawk at the sprawling Dantokpa get authentic insights into the country.
Market.
n k w a z i m a g a z i n e . c o m34 VISIT
PENDJARI NATIONAL
PARK
Unspoiled by mass tourism, Pendjari National Park
is the largest wild ecosystem in West Africa. The
best time to visit this untamed land is around the
end of the dry season (November – February) and
you can expect to see majestic lions, elephants,
hippos, leopards, buffalos and cheetahs in all
their glory. It’s also home to over 460 bird species
and BirdLife International identified it as an
Important Bird Area (IBA). This means the area is
important for the protection of threatened and/
or range-restricted species (like the Egyptian
plover and black crowned crane).
If bird feathers don’t tickle your fancy, you can
take a deeply relaxing dip at the Tanougou
Waterfalls’ natural pool in the Akatora Mountains
at the edge of the park.
Pendjari is managed by African Parks in
partnership with the Government of Benin,
the National Geographic Society, the Wyss
Foundation, and other partners. Together, these
bodies work towards the ecological restoration
and protection of the park and uplifting its
surrounding communities.
PORTO-NOVO
Located off Lake Nokoué, Portuguese colonisers named
the city after Porto in Portugal when they invaded the
West African shores and began trafficking enslaved people
from the land in the 16th century. The Alexandre Sènou
Adandé Ethnographic Museum chronicles some of this
history. Its ground floor houses a spectacular collection of
ceremonial masks while the colonial structure’s top floor is
organised thematically around birth, life and death. Here
you’ll find traditional regalia, carved drums and more.
Built by freed slaves who returned to their ancestral
home in the 1700s, the Great Mosque of Porto-Novo is an
awe-inspiring blend of Brazilian and West African culture
that should also form part of your itinerary. Benin’s Afro-
Brazillian heritage is apparent not only in Porto-Novo but
also in Ouidah and Abomey.
n k w a z i m a g a z i n e . c o mVISIT 35
COTONOU
One of the most interesting places to visit in Benin’s
economic capital is Ganvie, a village sitting on Lake
Nokoué. With over 20,000 people living in structures
supported by stilts on the water, Ganvie is said to
be the largest lake village on the continent. It was
established as a safe haven for Tofinu people escaping
the Fon slavers between the 16th and 17th centuries.
It’s no surprise that the village is mainly dependent on
fish and fish farming, and you might be interested to
know that the average family usually has three boats –
one for mum, another for dad and one for the children
to get around.
If you believe the adage that art imitates life, you’d
enjoy a visit to the Fondation Zinsou, a gallery housing
contemporary African art. The building itself (the Villa
Ajavon) is a marvel of Afro-Brazilian inspiration and
within it are intriguing collections of photography,
paintings and sculptures.
Not far from the gallery and buzzing with activity
in the heart of Cotonou is Dantokpa Market, which
seems to stretch as far as the eye can see. This is a
must-visit if you want to experience another facet of
Benin. It has everything from batik and ankara fabric
to ingredients for voodoo rituals in its fetish section.
OUIDAH
Considered the voodoo capital of Benin, this beach town is shrouded in mystique
and delves deeper into the country’s slave history.
After vodun— better known as voodoo in the West—was officially declared a
religion by the government, masses of practitioners and believers began to trek
annually to Ouidah, the epicentre of vodun worship, for an unmissable festival. The
celebrations begin when the supreme vodun priest slaughters a goat to honour the
spirits, and festivities are characterised by chanting, dancing, singing, drumming
and drinking of gin. The Ouidah Museum of History sheds more light on vodun’s
history. Do note that while voodoo is officially recognised as a religion, Christianity
is the biggest religion in Benin.
The Slave Route trail may be triggering for some, but is well worth a visit. It follows
the last four kilometres covered by enslaved people being forced onto ships that
took them to the Americas. The Beninese government with UNESCO’s assistance
started the project to commemorate the victims of the slave trade in the nineties.
The result was an awe-inspiring series of statues, monuments, and installations
beginning in the town, and following the dirt road to the beach. The works were
the product of collaboration between talented artists and architects. At the end
of this dirt road is the towering Door of No Return, a monument to the countless
enslaved Africans snatched from the port of Ouidah.
n k w a z i m a g a z i n e . c o m36 VISIT
ABOMEY
Abomey's main attraction is its Royal
Palaces. UNESCO declared them a World
Heritage site in 1985 and believes that,
“They are the living expression of a culture
and an organised power, testimony to the
glorious past of the kings who ruled the
Kingdom of Dahomey from 1620 to 1900”.
The location has a museum housed in two
palaces that belonged to Kings Ghézo
and Glélé. Within it are displays of royal
thrones and tapestries, as well as eerie
human skulls that were once used as
musical instruments, and four skulls of
vanquished enemies mounted on King
Ghézo's throne.
12 kings ruled the mighty Kingdom of
Abomey between 1620 and 1900. With
the exception of King Akaba who had
his own separate enclosure, all had their
palaces built within the same enclosure
and carried on the tradition of previous
palaces in relation to the use of space
and materials. The palaces are a unique
reminder of this extinct kingdom and the
civilisations that once thrived in Africa.
n k w a z i m a g a z i n e . c o m38 MUSIC
DISHING IT OUT WITH
SOLOMON PLATE
Words by Samm Tembo, Images courtesy of Solomon Plate
I
t’s a Wednesday evening and I’ve just event for charity, hosted at Manda Hill Mall.
ended my day. I sit down and reach The social event aimed at helping clothe
for my phone, looking at the time, the less privileged members of society by
making sure I’m right on schedule. I taking donations of clothing from the public.
dial the line, which rings for a while An electric event, the Winter Warmer “I wanted to find
before the voice on the other comes turned out to be a star studded event with myself, I wanted
through, it’s Solomon Plate. He sounds a diverse list of beloved Zambian artists
preoccupied. “I hope I didn’t catch you rocking the stage for a good cause. One to find my sound…
at a bad time,” I say. I regret the fact that such artist was Magg44, who had on stage
I missed the opportunity to interview with him an ever ecstatic ensemble of artists
It took me a while
Solomon in person due to COVID-19 and backing him up. Next to Magg44 was a because I had to be
his busy schedule. burly guy I had never seen before, standing
out with his nappy hair and plain white sure I was sharing
“It’s just as well you called now, any other T-shirt. He jumped and sang his lungs out, the right sound with
time and I wouldn’t have picked up! I’m ceaselessly. Incredibly energetic, I thought
always just so held up in life,” Solomon he was someone hard to ignore. the world.”
chuckles. We begin our chat, taking a walk
through the gospel artist’s journey. After the set, Magg44 introduced his team.
It was 2017 when I was first introduced It was then that I learned the captivating
to Solomon Plate at a Winter Warmer and talented performer on stage with
n k w a z i m a g a z i n e . c o mMUSIC 39
Mag44 was Solomon Plate.
It’s at this moment that Solomon performed his
first single ‘Dance,’ revving the crowd up with the
seamless movement of his waist and his contagious
stage presence, as he danced, just like the song title
suggested.
Solomon Moyo, aka Solomon Plate, started out on
his musical journey by making beats for artists like
fellow gospel musician Trudon Church. Hailing from
a musically inclined family, it was no surprise that
Solomon found himself making music his career. “I
came from a musical background. My grandmother
used to sing, my brother plays the keyboard
and sings. And I have an uncle who was also a
professional musician. Music was just something
I was surrounded by,” he narrates. “Way before I
started making beats, I actually used to sing. Most
people don’t know this, but in 2007 I was one of
the kids that sang on Muvi TV’s Kids Star Talent
Competition. I even won in the first episode,” he
muses.
I ask Solomon why he didn’t put himself out there
sooner musically, to which he says, “I wanted to
find myself, I wanted to find my sound.” A sound
he describes as Afro-fusion. “When I think of my
music, fusion is always the best word to describe it.
Because that’s exactly what my music is, a fusion of
different sounds. It took me a while because I had to
be sure I was sharing the right sound with the world.”
Solomon describes himself as a gospel artist, refusing
to run away from the fact that the messages in his
music are uplifting and always a reflection of his
faith. “If you hear my music, you’re gonna learn that
I’m very proud of my faith.”
Since the release of his debut album Munthu, in
2017, and his hit single ‘Way You Are’ with its
tantalising visuals, off the aforementioned album,
more people became aware of Solomon’s sound
vocally and production-wise. This has made him a
highly sought after music producer and artist in the
country. He has featured on a myriad of songs by
artists such as The Holstar, Natasha Chansa and Abel
Chungu Musuka. Solomon’s undeniable talent has
also garnered him attention from outside Zambia
landing his production and vocals on works of artists
like Limoblaze and veteran gospel rapper from
Nigeria and Christian rapper Da’ Truth from The USA.
Unbeknownst to most, Solomon is one of the lead
producers behind the Fever season 2 soundtrack for
Zambezi Magic. He’s also the artist behind the new
theme song for season 4 of Zuba, another Zambezi
Magic production.
With a sophomore album looming on the horizon,
Solomon shows no sign of slowing down. Check out
his newest single ‘Kula,’ currently streaming on all
major platforms.
n k w a z i m a g a z i n e . c o mYou can also read
