Victoria Falls - To Be or Not to Be?

There's been much debate in recent months, quite rightly, over how we view the legacy of statues and place names inherited from history. A while back we posted on Facebook about the David Livingstone Statue and the debate soon grew to as whether or not the Falls should still be named 'Victoria Falls' - the English name bestowed by Livingstone when he first saw them in 1855.

This debate is not new - in 2013 the Zimbabwean ruling party determined at its annual national congress that the name should be changed to Mosi-oa-Tunya, the 'Smoke that Thunders,' believing it to be the traditional name of the Falls for the Tonga people who live the shadow of its spray.

The name Mosi-oa-Tunya is widely used among locals, especially on the Zambian side of the river. However, Mosi-oa-Tunya is the name given to the Falls by the Makalolo, a people who under their chief, Sebetwane, invaded the area from the south in 1830s/40s, killed an unknown number of people in the course of conquest and subjected the native people of the region to their domination for several decades. In 1855 Livingstone was escorted downstream to the Falls by Chief Sekeletu of the Makalolo, and without who it is doubtful if he would have received such a warm welcome by the local people, who jealously guarded the river crossing above the Falls for their own protection. After the death of Sekeletu in 1864 a bloody uprising exterminated the Makalolo's grip on the region, leaving behind only a linguistical legacy. 

On his journey to the Falls Livingstone recorded that the local Tonga people called the Falls Syuungwe na mutitima, (modern spelling 'Shungu namutitima') and which Livingstone translated, rather romantically, as ‘the Place of the Rainbow’ but which more accurately translates as 'Boiling Water' The Nambya people from the southern bank know the Falls as Chinotimba, ‘the place that thunders.’ Presumably before the Tonga arrived in the area the San 'bushmen' had a completely different name for it. 

The 2013 resolution to change the name of the Falls was short-lived. Tourism representatives in Zimbabwe pointed out that Zambia had marketed the Falls under the name of Mosi-oa-Tunya for many years, and that they would be giving away a marketing advantage to their neighbour, who would probably also continue to market their side of the destination as the Victoria Falls to gain further advantage. There would also be a huge financial cost in re-branding and re-marketing the Falls under the new name.

Chief Mvutu, whose jurisdiction covers the southern side of the Falls, said at the time that marketing the name Mosi-oa-Tunya would be tantamount to handing over tourism business to neighbouring Zambia.

"It has been long since the place was known as Victoria Falls and a name change is not bad," Chief Mvutu said. "I will suggest that they call it Mapopoma Falls. I am running away from using the name Mosi Oa Tunya because in Livingstone (Zambia) the name is widely used for lodges, parks and other institutions which will definitely take business away." (Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs, December 2013)

Perhaps instead of looking to the past we should look to the future and give the Falls a new name of hope, unity and peace. But first you would have to decide which language to name it in...

Further Information:

Victoria Falls name must fall now (Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs, July 2020)

Victoria Falls no more? (Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs, December 2013)

Footsteps Through Time - A History of Travel and Tourism to the Victoria Falls (2017) Peter Roberts

Tourism Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu joins clean up exercise in Victoria Falls

 Prosper Ndlovu, in Victoria Falls

ENVIRONMENT, Climate ,Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister, Mangaliso Ndlovu, has called on the nation to maintain clean surroundings while adhering to recommended health guidelines to effectively fight the spread of the deadly Covid-19 pandemic.

He was leading a clean-up exercise in the resort town Friday morning, where he pointed out that environment conservation was a key factor in enhancing tourism destination attraction.

The minister commended the local authority for striving to keep clean streets as the town is litter-free. He applauded Zimbabweans for embracing the national cleanup drive, which is conducted monthly and is in its 20th segment following its launch by President Mnangagwa last year.

The media has also played a key role in terms of environmental consciousness and awareness, he said.

Ndlovu was accompanied by players in the tourism sector and senior directors of parastatals under the ministry such as EMA, Forestry Commission, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority. ZimParks and Victoria Falls Mayor Councilor Somvelo Dlamini.

Source: Maintain clean environment to fight Covid-19 (07/08/20)

Tourism industry seeks sustainable Green tourism strategy

 PLAYERS in tourism are keen to invent new strategies to ensure sustainability of the lucrative industry amid calls the sector needed to move away from over-dependence on rain-fed water activities.

There are fears some tourism activities would in the long run be affected by climate change, in the wake of erratic and delayed rainfall patterns, rising temperatures and human activities.

Victoria Falls, the country’s prime tourism destination and tourism draw card through the Falls, relies largely on rainfall patterns as tourists enjoy one of the World’s Natural Wonders during the high water season, with rafting activities on the same Zambezi River also seasonal.

Game drives also depend on rainfall, with Zimparks resorting to artificial solar water pumping during the dry season to augment water availability and save wildlife for viewing.

Sector players comprising climate researchers, wildlife and water experts, strategists, tour operators and hoteliers met in Victoria Falls Friday afternoon for a climate change and tourism workshop to deliberate on possible measures to come up with a green tourism strategy.

Participants concurred on the urgent need for adoption of sustainable strategies to save the country’s major foreign currency earner.

Speaking at the event, Tourism Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu said besides natural climate changes, human activities posed a huge threat to the environment.

“Recent changes in climate have been attributed to human activity. These include massive burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas since the industrial revolution especially in developed countries.

“Developing countries are now also equally contributing to destroying the climate system mainly through poor land-use planning and unsustainable utilisation of natural resources such as charcoal production which are linked to the climate system,” said Ndlovu.

He said Zimbabwe is also bearing the brunt of climate change due to limited adaptive capacities, susceptibility to climate change impacts and general poverty.

Ndlovu bemoaned the effects of Cyclone Idai and drought that also led to death of over 200 elephants, adding that some climate sensitive tourism sites had also lost their sparkle.

He said Zimbabwe’s prime tourism destination, Victoria Falls which was also declared a special economic zone, has not been spared from the impacts of climate change which have over the years, reduced the Falls’ peak season.

While this year, Zambezi River experienced record inflows in more than a decade, over the past few years the Falls had not been the marvel attraction they are known for because of low water.

“Being a developing country, Zimbabwe is highly vulnerable to climate variability and change. Our prime tourist destination was not spared as the records show that it had one of the record low water flows.

“All this shows the urgent need for multi-stakeholder and multi-disciplinary approach to climate change within government together with private sector and partners including neighbouring countries need to raise awareness.

“It is time for enhanced renewable investments including use of solar geysers, protecting wetlands and promoting environmentally friendly constructions. It is possible to mainstream green tourism as Victoria Falls and indeed as a country.

“I believe it is not only possible but pretty much the only viable option going forward as we build a strong and resilient tourism industry with key enablers.

“Zimbabwe’s tourism sector dependence on water-bodies, flora and fauna which are all rain-fed require review and strategising.

“There is an urgent need for transformative approaches in the tourism sector towards sustainability and a need to craft sustainable strategies and interventions which are guided by the best available science,” said Ndlovu.

Source: Tourism industry seeks sustainable Green tourism strategy (10/08/20)

Tourism sector weighs climate change adaptation options

 Prosper Ndlovu recently, in Victoria Falls

CLIMATE change is increasingly threatening the viability of nature-based tourism operations and the country has to urgently adopt sustainable options including mainstreaming green tourism.

In recent years, weather trends have been characterised by delayed onsets, long dry spells, recurrent droughts or flooding, rising temperatures and other extremes such as violent storms.

Zimbabwe’s tourism sector is heavily dependent on water-bodies, flora and fauna, which are all rain-fed and these are largely susceptible to the above climate change induced shocks.

Currently only a handful of tourism and hospitality players in the country have started leading from the front in the drive towards sustainable tourism.

The Government and private sector players in the tourism sector are agreed on the need to review traditional business modelling and strategising towards environmentally friendly operations in keeping with global trends.

The implications of the twin relationship between climate and tourism dominated discussion during Friday’s “climate change impacts and opportunities in Zimbabwe” indaba, which was held in Victoria Falls and organised by the sector.

Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu was the key speaker at the high level gathering that drew participation of key industry executives, researchers and experts among others.

During discussion, stakeholder consensus was loud and clear on the need to adopt climate change mitigation measures, and how to decouple the tourism sector from climate-dependence. Consideration to enhancing renewable investments including use of solar geysers, best practice in preserving and protecting wetlands and promoting environmentally sustainable constructions that minimise disruptions in the ecosystems, came under focus.

“Tourism is a major foreign currency earner and hence requires the necessary support.

We don’t want to remain with stranded assets in the tourism sector, after failing to heed to the climate early warning,” said Minister Ndlovu in his keynote address.

He expressed concern over growing losses of life, flora and fauna associated with climate change and called for transformative approaches in the tourism sector towards sustainability.

Zimbabwe is highly vulnerable to climate variability and change, said Minister Ndlovu as he reminded the gathering of the destructive climate extremes such as Tropical Cyclones Idai last year, Eline and Japhet in recent years, as well as prolonged droughts and heat waves that left a trail of destruction in parts of the country and the region.

He said these factors greatly put the country’s climate-sensitive sectors such as tourism, health and agriculture at risk.

“To ameliorate the impacts of climate change, we need to raise awareness on climate change, accept that climate change is a reality and strengthen our capacity to respond to both current and future climates,” said the minister.

He challenged tourism players to focus more on mainstreamig green tourism starting with Victoria Falls to the entire country.

“I believe it’s not only possible but pretty much the only viable option going forward as we build a strong and resilient tourism industry with its key enablers,” he said.

Among the visible scars are damaged tourism arteries like roads and bridges. For instance, the 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 agricultural seasons were characterised by delayed onset of the season, low rainfall and prolonged dry spells resulting in low crop yields and impacts on livestock and wildlife.

The country has also lost over 200 elephants to drought, according to official statistics, and had a number of its climate-sensitive tourism sites like Kariba, losing their sparkle as water levels fell in most of our major dams, rivers and waterfalls.

Zimbabwe’s prime tourism destination and special economic zone, the mighty Victoria Falls, has not been spared from the impacts of climate change which is reducing the time the falls will be a marvel or at its peak.

A few years back, reports of planes having to delay their landing take off due to extreme weather events especially high temperatures at Victoria Falls and Kariba airports are on record.

Experts have attributed recent changes in climate mainly to human activities that include massive burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas since the industrial revolution especially by developed countries.

This has seen developing countries like Zimbabwe also equally contributing to destroying the climate system mainly through poor land-use planning and unsustainable utilisation of natural resources linked to the climate system such as charcoal production.

These have been exacerbated by widespread energy and water use inefficiency leading to higher demands for energy, which is coming largely from fossil sources that emit greenhouse gas in the process of energy generation.

Developing countries bear the brunt of climate change due to limited adaptive capacities, susceptibility to the climate change impacts and general poverty.

Source: Tourism sector weighs climate change adaptation options (08/08/20)

Victoria Falls Community Programme Serves up 50,000 Children's meals

With virtually the entire town of Victoria Falls out of work due to the collapse of tourism, and with no source of income to support their families, children are bearing the brunt of run-on effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on our community. Most are not getting more than one small bowl of maize porridge or bread a day. 

Utilising seven churches and school locations across Chinotimba and Mkhosana, the Children’s Feeding Programme, organised by the Pastoral Counselling and Community Support Group and the Victoria Falls Covid-19 Taskforce, aims to supply one meal per day, Monday to Friday for school-age children in the region. It is estimated that there are approximately 8,000 children enrolled in different schools across Victoria Falls.

Launched on 14th July, the first day of the program opened with two community kitchens serving over 400 children, and one week later all seven community kitchens were operational, with a total of 14,314 meals served over the first 7 days of the programme.

By the second week of the Programme over 4,000 meals were being served each day, and by the 13th day a total of over 40,000 meals had been served by the Programme through its seven community kitchens - reaching a landmark total of 50,000 meals on the 16th day.

The Pastors Counselling and Community Support Group has been central to the introduction of this programme. This group is made up of representatives from the Union for the Development of Apostolic Churches in Zimbabwe Africa (UDACIZA), the Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe (EFZ), Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC), and Victoria Falls Ministers Fraternity among others and is open to all Christian affiliations.

Hundreds of face masks have also been distributed to the children through the kitchens, which also gave the pastors an opportunity to take temperatures and assess the health of each child.

The programme is the result of huge efforts on the ground as businesses and communities have joined forces to establish and then scale up this huge operation. Hotels and lodges have donated perishables including vegetables and salads from their kitchen gardens, national and regional companies and businesses donated other food supplies, allowing provision of nutritiously balanced meals. Local restaurants have enrolled their staff to help prepare ingredients and tourism operators have provided supporting storage and transport logistics.

Grateful thanks to the amazing individuals making all this happen on the ground, including Gail van Jaarsveldt, Dani Connolly and Christie Brookstein from the Jafuta Foundation, Chef Russell from Shearwater Adventures, Brian Nyamande and the Pastor’s group who have worked tirelessly to set up this programme.

Gail van Jaarsveldt of the Jafuta Foundation is leading fundraising efforts to support this much needed programme: "We are appealing for those of you that can, to please join hands with us to help in anyway that you can so that our children’s Food Kitchens will continue for as long as we are able, or for as long as they are necessary until international aid reaches us. It costs us 25c to give one child a nutritious meal, once a day."

It has been estimated that more than three quarters of workers in Victoria Falls have been unemployed for more than three months after the implementation of the tourism close-down at the end of March. A significant portion of those retained by the industry are on reduced hours and pay.

For more information - www.victoriafallsappeal.com

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Mosi-Oa-Tunya Development Company

(6th August 2020) 

Cabinet considered and adopted a report on the operations of Mosi-Oa-Tunya Development Company, which was presented by the Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry.

The company was formed in 2012, as an investment vehicle for the Government in the development of tourism facilities in Victoria Falls. It assisted in mobilising resources for the development of infrastructure and facilities for the hosting of the 2013 United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) General Assembly, with initial focus being on the construction of an Integrated Tourism Resort comprising a 5 000-seater Convention Centre as the anchor project.

The 271-hectare piece of land earmarked for this development, which unfortunately failed to take off, has now been identified as the future growth node of Victoria Falls Town.

To operationalise developments on the 271-heactare land, Mosi-Oa-Tunya has developed a draft concept plan, which identifies the projects to be undertaken in the different zones as well as the infrastructure required to attract investment into the area.

Preparations for a comprehensive master plan covering 1 200 hectares in the Masuwe Estate land area are being spearheaded by an Inter-Ministerial Committee of officials and ZIDA. To give impetus to the Victoria Falls tourist and investment Special Economic Zone, Cabinet resolved to expedite processes for the completion of the master plan for the whole of Victoria Falls.

Currently, Mosi-Oa-Tunya Development Company is working with a private sector concern to conduct feasibility studies for the proposed Victoria Falls Integrated Tourism Park in Masuwe Estate. This will pave way for the development of bulk infrastructure facilities at the site. Projects earmarked for this phase include hotels, shopping malls, a medical facility, a convention centre and an upmarket golf course.

Source: Mosi-Oa-Tunya Development Company (06/08/2020)

President launch US$5b National Tourism Recovery and Growth Strategy

President launch US$5b National Tourism Recovery and Growth Strategy   Staff Reporter ZANU PF First Secretary and President, Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa, today launched the National Tourism Recovery and Growth Strategy (NTRGS) in the resort town of Victoria Falls. The NTRGS’s launch which coincided with the official re-opening of the Victoria Falls Rain Forest is the roadmap towards achieving the earmarked US$5 billion tourism sector economy in line with Vision 2030. President Mnangagwa urged stakeholders in the tourism sector to embrace the strategy. “I encourage the sector and all stakeholders to fully embrace this National Tourism Sector Recovery and Growth Strategy for its successful implementation. “The National Tourism Recovery and Growth Strategy is anchored on Zimbabwe’s vision to be a prime international tourist destination based on the judicious and sustainable exploitation of the unique assets of nature, culture, heritage and the built environment,” President Mnangagwa said. President Mnangagwa underscored that the NTSRGS fed into Vision 2030 as espoused in the ZANU PF 2018 People’s Manifesto. “The strategy is informed “One of the key pillars for the projected growth in tourism and the ambitious yet achievable target of US$5 billion is increased investment in tourism products and associated facilities,” President Mnangagwa said. 

President Mnangagwa also said his Government would continue to come up with incentives that cushion the tourism industry. “Government is aware that Adding that, “As enunciated in this strategy, Government will continue to lead and fund marketing efforts designed to re-establish contact with the local, regional and international tourism markets.” 

President Mnangagwa who later on officially opened Mbano Hotel said the New Dispensation remained committed to promoting a private sector led growth of the tourism sector. “My Government remains unwavering in its quest to promote private sector led growth of the tourism sector and provide a conducive climate for both local and foreign investors,” said President Mnangagwa. President Mnangagwa who was visibly charmed “This attests to our potential as a country in the journey towards the target to achieve a US$5 billion tourism sector economy.” 

“It is my Government’s wish to see more local companies establish high quality, competitive brands that will compete regionally and internationally. I commend the admirable high standard of workmanship and products that are on show at this facility. This will undoubtedly help attract the target market and clientele at the hotel,” the President said. The President also remarked that he was impressed “I am informed that at least six other hotels and lodges in Victoria Falls are being upgraded and expanded. This is applauded and will increase our capacity to host not only tourists, but also meetings, conferences and exhibitions,” the President said. President Mnangagwa implored the tourism industry to continue investing in community development.

Source: President launch US$5b National Tourism Recovery and Growth Strategy (6th August 2020)