United Fertilizers Company Showcase Fertilization Practices and Benefits in Chisamba
Zambia Invests, February 20, 2022
On 20th April 2021, United Fertilizers Company Limited (UFCL) successfully conducted a field day for local farmers in Chisamba in the Central Province of Zambia.
Farmers were able to observe differences in crop performance among various fertilization practices. Particularly, the effect of additional potassium application in form of potassium chloride was demonstrated on maize and tomatoes.
Shortly prior the field part, attendees listened to a presentation about a balanced crop fertilization approach. Mr. Simunji Simunji, Chief Agronomist, commented: “We were happy to host this event and to share a piece of science with farmers as well as students. Participants have got first a general idea, theoretical background, and thereafter were able to see and understand, what processes are taking place in the field”. His colleague, Mr. Maksim Poltoradnev, added up on that, saying, that “establishing demonstration plots is very important for farmers as they work on the ground and used to trust only what they can see and touch with their own hands”.
Image Markus Winkler Via Unsplash
“The Beginning of a New Era for Travel from Lusaka!”
Airport Suppliers, February 10, 2022
National Aviation Services (NAS) and NAC2000 Corporation launched their Pearl Lounge at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA) in Lusaka, Zambia on Tuesday. The lounge located at the new terminal is part of Zambia Airports Corporation Limited’s (ZACL) efforts to upgrade international airports in the country. Last June, ZACL awarded a five-year tender to NAS and NAC2000 to build and operate an exclusive departure lounge catering to passengers travelling out from Lusaka. The 588 square meter Pearl Lounge includes comfortable seating, food and beverages, free Wi-Fi access as well as a children’s play area among other facilities.
A number of dignitaries including Mr. Frederick Mwalusaka, Zambian Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport and Logistics, Mr. Gabriel Lesa, Director General of Zambia Civil Aviation Authority and Ms. Maggie Banda, Acting MD of ZACL attended the launch event. In his speech at the opening, Mr. Mwalusaka said, “I would like to applaud this joint venture between NAS and NAC2000. This is a good example of local and foreign partnerships that create more quality products and services and employment opportunities in Zambia. It is the hope that such ventures within our new airport are the beginning of a new era for travel from Lusaka.”
All international flights out of Lusaka will fly from the new terminal at KKIA, which opened in August 2021. This includes leading international airlines including Air France – KLM in partnership with Kenya Airways, Airlink, Air Tanzania, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Proflight Zambia, Qatar, Rwanda Air and South African Airlines. Zambia Airways, the recently relaunched national carrier is operating from this airport and other airlines are also expected to open routes into Zambia.
Guy Michel Yazbek, Group Director, Lounges & Meet and Assist Services at NAS highlighted “We are excited to be working with the ZACL and the Ministry of Transport and Logistics in Zambia. The launch of our new Pearl Lounge is significant. Not only because it is located at the largest airport in Zambia but also because we won this tender in the middle of a global pandemic when the aviation industry was on a downturn. The KKIA airport serves as a hub for domestic and international flights and the new lounge is the perfect space for passengers to relax and unwind or catch up on last minute work before they fly. We would like to take this opportunity to thank ZACL for the confidence and trust invested in the NAS and NAC2000 partnership. We also would like to emphasize on NAS’ commitment to Zambia and our willingness to expand our participation in the Zambian aviation industry.”
National Aviation Services (NAS), a leading airport services provider in emerging markets partners with NAC2000 Corporation, a key ground services company in Zambia to operate this Pearl Lounge. The new Pearl Lounge is one of over 50 lounges operated by NAS across its network in Africa, Europe, the Middle East and South Asia. NAS’s extended portfolio of services includes comprehensive ground handling, cargo management, technology solutions and training among others, currently serving over 100 airline customers across more than 60 airports.
Jonathan Lewis, Managing Director of NAC2000 Corporation added, “We as NAC2000 are honored to share participation in this joint venture with NAS and to work with ZACL to deliver world class lounge service and hospitality through the Pearl Lounge at the new terminal facility at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport.”
NAC2000 Corporation, a Zambian company serves all the international airports supporting airlines as well as ad hoc operators for the last 20 years. It is the only ISAGO registered and certified ground services provider in Zambia and offers warehousing, and cold storage while continuing to evolve and become an industry leader in the service of support logistics relating to the movement of cargo and passengers.
Kazungula Bridge: Elevating Africa to World-Class Status
Zinhle, who has been travelling to Zambia by road for the last eight years, recalls her experience of crossing the Zambezi River from Botswana to the Zambian border on a pontoon as ‘agonising’. But, like many other travellers, the opening of the new state-of-the-art Kazungula Bridge in May 2021, has given Zinhle high hopes and a sense of pride for African countries.
Life before Kazungula Bridge
Eight years ago when I first travelled to Zambia by road, I used a pontoon to cross the Zambezi River, from Botswana to the Zambian border.
The pontoon was nothing more than a slab of steel used to ferry people and vehicles across the river. It felt like an adventure, but once was enough. I have travelled on that route several times since then and sharing the old rusty slab with trucks made the experience agonising.
In 2019, I witnessed the construction of the Kazungula Bridge; a partnership between Botswana and Zambia.
Two years later, with bated breath, I embarked on the trip again. I had heard that the bridge had started operating and that it had officially opened about six months earlier (May 2021). The yearning made the 16-hour drive from Johannesburg, South Africa to the Zambia-Botswana border seem longer than usual.
The state-of-the-art engineering of the bridge exceeded even my wildest expectations. It is a feast for the eyes.
Elevating Africa to World-Class Status
I beamed with pride at the testament of what African countries could achieve if they worked together. I imagined how similar feats across the continent could elevate Africa to world-class status.
The partnership between Botswana and Zambia also includes one immigration stop in a shared building.
With Zimbabwe rumoured to be coming on board, the bridge joining the three countries and the quick and efficient immigration protocols from a central location promise a melting pot of tourism extravaganza.
On the Botswana side, about 10 kilometres from the bridge, there is Kasane; a town rich with wildlife. Across the Zambezi River about 70 kilometres from the border, the tourist town of Livingstone in Zambia, boasts arguably Africa’s most prestigious attraction, the Mosi-oa-Tunya (the smoke that thunders), popularly known as the Victoria Falls. The Victoria Falls stretches across to Victoria Falls Town in neighbouring Zimbabwe; less than 20 kilometres from Livingstone.
I cannot even begin to fathom the endless possibilities brought about by the bridge: the transformation of the sleepy Kazungula town into a vibrant getaway, the economic boom, job creation opportunities, quick and efficient delivery of goods between countries and a window to the rest of Africa.
You could have breakfast on a boat cruise in Zambia, a tour of the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and an afternoon game drive in Botswana, all in one day.
Before the bridge, a pontoon ferried people and vehicles across the Zambezi River. Image by Maxime Mugabe
A recent picture of the Victoria Falls in Zambia, by Maxime Mugabe
Working Together
When countries work together, the possibilities are endless. The construction of the Kazungula Bridge is a testament to that. Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe are well-positioned to become Africa’s tourism hub.
I remain optimistic that Namibia, the missing puzzle of the quadripoint will come to the party.
Words by Zinhle Mugabe
“We Are #ReadyForTakeOff”, Zambia Airways
Today, (1 December 2021) Zambia Airways will return to the skies with its first flight to Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe Airport in Ndola and a second flight to Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport in Livingstone.
The commencement of the airline’s operations comes as great news to the tourism industry, while Zambia Airlines welcomes the public to join as they take to the skies on their inaugural flight!
Tickets can be booked via zambia-airways.com