Develop tourism nationally -- Sichilima
By Business
Reporter
ZAMBIA could have been one of the richest countries in the sub-Saharan region if the tourism industry was fully exploited on a national basis instead of concentrating on Livingstone alone as the case is today.
Local Government and Housing Deputy Minister Gaston Sichilima said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that there was a lot that needed to be done to exploit the underdeveloped tourism potential in other provinces other than Livingstone.
Mr Sichilima, who is member of Parliament for Mbala, named Kalambo Falls in Northern Province as one of the wonders of the world which, if properly marketed, could help the region earn the much needed foreign exchange.
He said Kalambo Falls was one of the deepest falls in the world and is situated only 32 km from Mbala. He said it was at this falls that fire was inverted.
He said Lake Tanganyika, the deepest lake in the world, was also another unexploited attraction while the track where the Germany ship “Goodwill” passed from the Indian Ocean was still visible when it was pushed by human beings on a long stretch.
Two other ships, the first SS Liemba was now submerged while another similar one going by the same name was still operating.
Mbala had the best hot springs at a place called Makaye about seven kilometres South of Mbala. Mr Sichilima said a place where explorer Dr David Livingstone rested was also preserved while a church built in 1939 which had been thatched until four years ago was still standing.
“There is also a prison where veteran politicians like Dr Kaunda (first Republican president) were locked up.
The source of the Zambezi River in Mwinilunga, North Western Province, is another wonder of the world more than the Victoria Falls itself. This is the only source of a river where only after 15 km, the river is so wide,” he said.
He said there were numerous sites in Eastern and other provinces which could all be turned into money spinners.
Mr Sichilima said the burial site for the late Zulu Chief Zwangendaba was found in Northern Province while the first refugee camp which housed Polish refugees was also found in Mbala.
“What we need is a lot of sensitisation especially to the local people for them to appreciate these sites and help in preservation and security. There is need for information flow on tourism not only for Livingstone but for the whole country,” Mr Sichilima said.
