DON Carlos’ visit to Zambia will not just be a passing glance as it also brings with it foreign exchange from the travelling fans from South Africa and East Africa.
Smanga Mahlalela from South Africa posted on Don Carlos’ facebook page after learning that the Rastafarian is coming to Zambia, “Let me book my flight ticket, Rastafarian.”
Smanga is just one of those people that will be trouping to watch the legendary reggae star who will be performing this Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Lusaka, Kitwe and Livingstone during his Harvest Time Zambia tour.
While coincidentally it’s almost harvest time in Zambia, it’s also cash in time for Zambian hospitality industry as many of those people coming will need to lodge, eat and drink, while spending some time here.
Such shows, where international artistes come to perform in Zambia, are good for tourism and actually paint a good picture about the country, especially that we need to market it for its vast numerous tourists’ attractions.
Carlos has almost a million followers on Facebook that means if he posts that he is visiting Zambia; it means that the country has been mentioned to a million people in a good way.
Just a good mention of a place by an international icon like Carlos, means that we are marketing ourselves to the prospectus investors and visitors.
People want to visit places that are peaceful and visited by other people.
When P Square came to Zambia last year we had people travelling from Zimbabwe, Namibia and other neighbouring countries to watch the show.
There is need for the Zambia Tourism Board to engage international superstars and invite them to perform shows as a way of marketing Zambia since our music is making ‘very little or no progress’ in penetrating the international markets.
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When I wrote about the coming of Don Carlos about a three weeks ago I received a text from a Mr Charlie Watts from Luanshya who wrote,
“Hi Clever. Am just reading your column where you have mentioned that Don Carlos will be the second high profile reggae star to visit Zambia after Luciano. I beg to differ with you because the first reggae star to visit Zambia was Jimmy Cliff in the early 1980s and his first gig was at State House under Kenneth Kaunda. So this technically relegates Don Carlos to the third slot.”
On top of that State House visit by the man who is credited to have been the one who introduced reggae music to the outside world, I came across this information written by Austin Kaluba in the Times of Zambia of September 16, 1999.
Lusaka — O the years have come and the years have gone still the son of man keeps on trodding on Journey journeying on From innocence to experience Journey journeying on Lines from the song Journey by Jimmy Cliff.
True to the lines in the song Jimmy Cliff, born James Chambers, is a journeying man who has come a long way championing the black man’s struggle for identity in a world dominated by the white race.
The great Jamaican superstar whose hits have enchanted Zambians and all mortals for many years visited this country last week to visit friends that he met in 1982 when he first came here.
What an honour Zambia has been accorded apart from hosting the ambitious 11th International Conference on AIDS and STDs in Africa, (Icasa) after a marathon tour of Europe, Canada, Japan and Madagascar, the legendary singer thought it wise to relax in Africa, choosing Zambia and South Africa for his holiday.
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ROAD SAFETY TIP – Always ensure that your vehicle is in a road worthy condition including enough fuel to cover the intended distance.
Some accidents have been caused as a result of vehicles breaking down on the road causing congestion and panic among other road users.
Email; cleverzulu21@gmail.com