Iconic Victoria Falls bridge may fail soon

 The Victoria Falls Bridge — connecting Zimbabwe and Zambia — has outlived its lifespan and needs to be urgently reconstructed to avert potential structural failures.

Built about 112 years ago, the bridge has outlived its lifespan by 12 years and the Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe says it is working with Zambian authorities to fund the reconstruction at a high level estimate cots of $50 million.

This would be done through Emerged Railways Properties, which operates the bridge.
The Victoria Falls Bridge was constructed in 1905 at the height of British penetration of Northern and Southern Rhodesia. The brainchild of Cecil Rhodes, the bridge was designed by George Andrew Hobson. It crosses the Zambezi River and the Victoria Falls. The Zambezi River is a border separating Zimbabwe from Zambia and the bridge links the two countries.

Its construction took 14 months to construct and was completed on 11 April 1905.
The bridge has the only rail link between Zambia and Zimbabwe and also has a 46-tonne carrying roadway and a pedestrian walkway. Scheduled maintenance of the bridge is undertaken by the National Railways of Zimbabwe as contracted by ERP.

According to the IDBZ, approximately $1 million will be needed for the feasibility study.
Some engineers who spoke to Business Weekly said while the bridge had outlived its lifespan, it might be early to be deemed unfit to bear the weight of heavy loads.

Source: Iconic Victoria Falls bridge may fail soon (09/03/2018)

Vic Falls safari operator robbed

A VICTORIA FALLS safari operator, Alison Baker, reportedly lost goods worth thousands of dollars to two suspected robbers who broke into her house last week, undressed and dragged her to nearby bushes, with her hands tied together before ransacking her house.

Baker owns Horseback Safari Tours in the resort town.

Officer Commanding Victoria Falls Police district, Chief Superintendent Jairos Chiwona, said no arrests had been made, although they were still investigating the matter.

Sources said the suspects went away with cash and electronic gadgets worth thousands of dollars.

“After dumping her in the bush, they went back to the house and stole a large amount of money in pounds, rands and United States dollars, a laptop, a Canon camera and a Samsung cellphone she was using. They then went back to the bush and took her to her house while still tied until she was discovered in the morning,” the police source said.

The tourism community in the resort town has offered a $2 000 cash reward for anyone with information leading to the arrest of the suspects.

Baker is currently receiving post-trauma counselling at a private hospital in Bulawayo.

In a related matter, two suspected robbers have been locked-up in remand prison for allegedly robbing a Mbalabala resident of $200, after attacking him at a bar before force marching him to his home, where they collected an additional $400.

The matter was heard by Esigodini resident magistrate, Tawanda Muchemwa, on Thursday last week when Mamba Sibanda (38) of Mbalabala Compound and Zibusiso Dube (35) of Swaith village Esigodini were brought to court.

They were not asked to plead to the robbery charge and were remanded in custody to March 8 for trial.

Prosecutor, Jefter Nyikadzinashe, told the court that on September 10 last year the complainant, Son Tshabalala (56) of Esigodini, was drinking beer at Mbalabala Night Club, when Sibanda and Dube pounced on him in the evening demanding money but he resisted them.

Dube allegedly grabbed Tshabalala while Sibanda assaulted him forcing him to surrender his wallet containing $200.

Source: Vic Falls safari operator robbed (05/03/18)

Vic Falls sees low flows due to climate change

World famous waterfall and Zimbabwe’s number one tourist attraction, the Victoria Falls, is starting to have far lower flows because of frequent droughts triggered by climate change, new research has shown.

Most of the changes have occurred in the months October and November, where rain has become scarcer, temperatures soared and waterflow diminished.

This could have far reaching impact on the tourism sector in Zimbabwe, and the economy as a whole.

According to the research, the Victoria Falls has been hit by drought in 19 of the 40 years since 1976.

Although precipitation is up 80mm over the four decades overall, it has declined sharply in the last 20 years.

During this period, droughts have sometimes extended for up to 4 years non-stop, it says.

October, which marks the beginning of the rainy season in Zimbabwe, has particularly been the driest.

Preciptation during the month has completely dried up.

In 1976, about 40mm of rain fell in October in Victoria Falls.

Today, none does at all.

“Rain now starts in November, and has not extended beyond April, the traditional rain-end month,” said Dr Godwell Nhamo, a Zimbabwean researcher with the University of South Africa, who co-authored the report.

“That means the rainy season has shortened by a month. The delay in the onset of the rainy season could have ramifications on animal habitat, animal migration patterns, and flora and fauna life cycles in the Victoria Falls resort,” said Dr Nhamo.

Climate change has been found to be the biggest cause of extreme climate events such as drought and floods, according to the UN expert panel on climate change.

Shorter peak period

Generally, waterflow at the Victoria Falls has increased since 1976, particularly for April and May, the authors say.

More years have exceeded the average annual 1 000 cubic metre per second water discharge in the past 40 years.

At its greatest, more than 8 700 cubic metres of water plunged down the gorges at the Victoria Falls each second.

That was in 1957.

Things have never been the same from since.

Researchers say the peak full-spray viewing period, historically between March and May, is becoming shorter.

“There is a chance that some months may witness a dried up (Victoria) Falls given that the rainfall has been reducing drastically, against increasing maximum and minimum temperatures,” said Dr Nhamo, in the study..

This will be bad news for visitors.

Holidaymakers love to see the Victoria Falls in its full glory and majesty: the mist, the rainbow and the thunder, studies show.

And that mostly happens when the waterflow is at full discharge.

“Evidence of prolonged low water flowing is worrying,” the research states.

“Measures need to be put in place to maintain and increase tourist flows during this period (September to January.”

Rising temperatures

Titled “Climate change and potential impact on tourism: Evidence from the Zimbabwean side of the Victoria Falls”, the case study-based research was done over two years utilising meteorological and hydrological data dating back 40 years.

About 370 tourists from across the world who have visited the Victoria Falls in the past were surveyed via the Internet, and through Facebook safari and tourism groups.

Researchers asked them questions such as their perceptions on climate change, the impact of climate change on the Victoria Falls and others.

“The online surveyed was preferred in triangulating evidence from the meteorological and hydrolgraphic data as it provided broader geographic reach to source global perceptions,” Dr Nhamo defended the study’s approach.

Whereas more research has previously been carried out on the the impact of climate change on the Zambezi River basin, from which the Victoria Falls emerge, few have looked at the waterfall proper.

Nhamo’s research may be the closest yet to a most comprehensive assessment of the impact of climate change on the Victoria Falls to date.

The study finds that since 1976 day-time temperatures in the Victoria Falls have risen 1,4 degrees Celsius, on average, due to climate change.

he greatest month-on-month increase was noticed in October, a rise of 3,8 degrees Celsius, which is faster than the national average.

Temperatures have warmed by under one degree celcious across Zimbabwe in the past 100 years.

“Such high temperatures (in Victoria Falls) may affect tourists’ comfort and flora and fauna that have to adapt to the ever increasing temperatures,” said Dr Nhamo.

Winters are becoming warmer, he said, forecasting a spike in demand for cooling systems both in the home and offices, in a vicious cycle that will in turn impact negatively on the waterfall.

“Since the energy supply is heavily dependent on burning coal, increased energy demand will also result in increased running costs for the tourism industry,” the study says.

“Increased energy demand will also result in increased carbon emissions leadingvto global warming that also affects the Victoria Falls.

Economic impact

Tourism accounts for over 5 percent of the country’s $16 billion GDP and about 100 000 people work in the sector, according to Government data.

Victoria Falls is Zimbabwe’s main tourist trumpcard. More than one million people flock to see the World Wonder each year.

Any disruption caused by climate change on water discharge at the waterfall will be most damaging to the tourism industry in particular, and the Zimbabwean economy in general.

Higher temperatures are already hitting some businesses in the Victoria Falls badly.

Two helicopter companies that fly tourists above the falls for a better view say warmer climates were disrupting business.

They say above 35 degrees Celsius temperatures impeded operational efficiency. They can not fly to the regulatory height anymore without consuming more fuel.

In future, it might cost more to fly in and out of the Victoria Falls, the study says.

That’s because higher temperatures have increased the risk of turbulence, flight sickness, greater aeroplane energy consumption and other issues.

Higher temperatures mean thinner air, requiring “flights to have longer runways and load shedding on takeoff…such trends could result in air tickets becoming higher as insurance premiums for airlines go higher to cater for increased risk”, the research says.

The Victoria Falls isn’t disappearing tomorrow. It may be another several millenia before that happens, if at all.

Nobody knows really. The next best time to visit the falls for a full spray may just be limited to April and May, according to a new calendar of activities developed by Dr Nhamo, even when other low flow adventures continue to flourish.

Source: Vic Falls sees low flows due to climate change (05/03/18)

Govt set up Special Economic Zones in Victoria Falls

GOVERNMENT is in the process of setting up special economic zones (Sezs) in Victoria Falls with discussions with potential investors ongoing, businessdigest has learnt.

By Kudzai Kuwaza

Tourism minister Prisca Mupfumira said on Tuesday that her ministry is in the process of setting up the Victoria Falls Special Economic Zone.

Sezs are designated geographical regions that operate under special economic regulations different from other areas in the same country.

“We have started the process of getting the necessary legal requirements through the ministry of Local Government and the Victoria Falls Municipality,” Mupfumira said. “There are memorandum of understanding being done. We have also started the process of identifying possible investors. There has been such enthusiasm in as far as investing in Victoria Falls is concerned.”

Mupfumira said the major obstacle to getting investment in the resort town was the lack of a plan to help the process of investment.

She said that by March 15, the ministry will have a brochure to market the Victoria Falls special economic zone which she said will soon be launched. She said the Victoria Falls special economic zone will not be confined just to the resort town but to the whole area including Hwange and Mlibizi.

She said there are investors interested in building a marina in Mlibizi with properly developed beaches.

Mupfumira said she was in negotiations with various stakeholders in her sector to introduce special affordable packages for locals to visit tourist attractions and promote domestic tourism.

“One of the issues which has been a deterrent (to domestic tourism) has been the cost of entrance fees, the cost of hotels and the cost of accommodation. We have engaged our partners to see what we can do,” Mupfumira said. “As government we are seriously going to review entrance fees into all National Parks so that people living in those areas will go to enjoy the benefits of our God given resources.”

Mupfumira on Tuesday left the country with a delegation comprising of The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority and other tourism industry players on her second international re-engagement series tour across major tourism source markets; South Africa, United Kingdom and Germany.

Source: Govt set up Special Economic Zones in Victoria Falls (2/3/18)

Vic Falls Carnival thieves nabbed

TWO Harare men who stole cellphones from revellers during last year’s iFlix Victoria Falls Carnival, have each been sentenced to 21 months in jail.

Tatenda Katemanyengo, George Makuvire and Takudzwa Mawire also of Harare who is at large, were found in possession of an IPhone and two Samsung smart phones stolen during the carnival.
Mawire who defaulted after the trio was granted bail in January, has since been issued with a warrant of arrest. Katemanyengo and Makuvire will, however, serve an effective 17 months in jail after four months of their sentence was suspended on condition of good behaviour.

They were also ordered to pay $50 compensation for the property they damaged at the Victoria Falls lodge where they were booked.

The phones were discovered in a torn mattress in their room at the lodge.

Katemanyengo and Makuvire pleaded not guilty to theft of the cellphones and malicious damage to property before Ms Lindiwe Maphosa.

They were, however, convicted of theft and malicious damage to property due to overwhelming evidence against them.

Source: Vic Falls Carnival thieves nabbed (01/03/18)

SA investors fight to elbow out local partner

 TWO South Africans who entered into a partnership with a local businessman to open an upmarket restaurant in Victoria Falls are reportedly fighting to elbow him out of the business after successfully establishing themselves.

Messrs Martin Peters and Ilan Wiesenbacher hold 40 percent each of the investment and gave Mr John Mpofu 20 percent. The joint venture gave birth to Three Monkeys Restaurant last year in January. The trio are joint directors of the on-demand upmarket eatery whose clientele is predominately international tourists.

One year after opening the facility, Messrs Peters and Wiesenbacher, who seem to have used Mr Mpofu as a front to start the business, are reportedly fighting to elbow him out.

Chronicle Business is reliably informed that Mr Mpofu was offered $25 000 buy-out, which he refused to accept, after which he was reportedly clandestinely removed from the business’ back accounts. The restaurant is operating near the Victoria Falls train station on premises leased to Mr Mpofu by the council where he used to operate a small cafeteria.

Contacted for comment, Mr Mpofu confirmed the developments but refused to comment saying he had since approached his lawyers to handle the issue.

“I only saw an email notification that I am no longer part of the company,” he said before requesting not to speak about the issue.

Messrs Peters and Wiesenbacher each hung up their mobile phones after this reporter introduced herself.

A subsidiary of Three Monkeys, Little Monkeys, was opened in the Central Business District recently and was supposed to be directed by Mr Mpofu according to an initial agreement, Business Chronicle gathered.

A source close to the goings-on said: “After seeing that Three Monkeys business is booming, the two directors offered Mr Mpofu $25 000 to buy him out of the company but he refused. They went on to remove him from the directorship and business’ joint bank account without his consent.”

Messrs Peters and Wiesenbacher were a few months ago dragged to court by employees who alleged they were being harassed at work. The case is still pending.

Source: SA investors fight to elbow out local partner (28/02/2018)

Vic Falls to anchor proposed tourism hub

President Mnangagwa has directed Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Prisca Mupfumira to lead the process in setting up a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) for tourism, a project that will see Hwange, Victoria Falls and Kariba transform into a hub of tourism on the entire continent.

Addressing tourism industry players from various countries at the end of Meetings Africa – a gathering that showcases Africa’s diverse offering of tourism services and products – here yesterday, Minister Mupfumira said her ministry had already placed “expression of interest adverts” in local media and online platforms.

She said the entire Hwange-Victoria Falls-Kariba belt would be turned into a “virtual city”, with world class artificial beaches, hotels and conference centres, among a host of other business opportunities.

Minister Mupfumira said the SEZ will have a bias towards conventional, medical and sporting tourism.
“The Special Economic Zone will come with benefits in the areas of taxation and special concessions,” she said. “We invite investors to take advantage of this opportunity while it still lasts. It’s a first-come-first-served or winner takes all.”

Making presentations during the event that was hosted by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority and saw tour operators and other industry players from various countries engaging the minister during a question-and-answer session, Minister Mupfumira said President Mnangagwa “did not mince his words” when briefing her on his expectations from the tourism sector.

“He has clearly said economics and trade cooperation would be his priority in Zimbabwe, rather than politics in order to catch up with the region.

“He has also stated that Zimbabwe was been lagging behind in many areas as a result of isolation for the past 18 years. Now we are saying to the world: ‘Zimbabwe is now open for business’.

“And to do so, he said there is need ‘to look at all the legislation that has been constraining business coming into Zimbabwe to improve the ease of doing business’.

“I, therefore, assumed this task willingly, given the political will to change the way things were being done and the enthusiasm and excitement that we were getting from all major source markets following the new political dispensation that saw Zimbabwe celebrate a peaceful transition.”

Minister Mupfumira hailed South Africa for being with Zimbabwe through thick and thin, saying Government had acted in addressing issues affecting tourism cooperation between the two countries.

She emphasised that such issues were “of our own making”.

“When I met my tourism team for a briefing, it became very clear that as a nation we have been anchored by rivals from this great nation, South Africa,” she said.

“Despite the fact that we have not been performing very well since 2006 due to factors that were of our own doing, South Africa still remains as the key source market for Zim- babwe.

The reception was attending by various dignitaries, who included Deputy Ambassador to South Africa Ms Metani Chauke, Consular-General Batiraishe Mukonoweshuro and ZTA CEO Dr Karikoga Kaseke.

Source: Vic Falls to anchor proposed tourism hub (01/03/18)