Volume 4, Issue 2

Kariuwa
Home of the Nyami Nyami

March 2014 Edition

Length: 4 pages

The rain is gone...

Welcome to our second edition of Kariuwa in 2014, we hope that you are keeping well and this newsletter is keeping you informed. As the rainy seasons comes to an end, people in Kariba are treated to a rarity of water spouts that are higher than Matusadonha Mountains. Naturally we know only the wind being capable of doing this, but in Kariba maybe because of Nyami Nyami, we see these spouts around Bumi, around Sanyati and areas close to Matusadonha. This picture created a bit of a debate on our Facebook page recently. Talk about our page, we would like to thank everyone for supporting us, we reached 500 and here is to 500 more . Back to business, the rains are just about to leave and the safari season is going to open. Make it your wish to visit our numerous and unique safari camps strewn all over the lake and down the river up to Kanyemba. This season is also the baby season, so you will be rewarded with lost of new-borns in the wild. Mana Pools continues to get accolades and you need to make sure that this year you visit it. We recommend day visits if you are on a low budget and sleep over either in Chirundu or Makuti.

Halsteds Safaris
Situated on the banks of the mighty Zambezi river, Halsted safaris offers fishermen luxury accommodation in the middle of the Nyakasanga area of Zimbabwe.

They have a full compliment of highly trained staff, supervised by lodge owners personally on a daily basis. The camp chef, prepares breakfast, lunches (or packed lunches), dinners and braais daily, assisted by our waiters to make One other thing that you ought to try is a Kariba sure all guests are served timeously. Highly exChirundu combo. One day one of our editors had perienced staff play a vital role in your fishing a morning cruise and fishing in Chirundu. Then experience, ensuring the game fish of your drove to Kariba for more fishing and more cruischoice is found effortlessly, whilst ensuring your es, in the same day. One is able to see the differsafety at all times. They also have a full complient moods of Zambezi from the still waters of ment of helpers to assist guests with other tasks the lake to the fast flowing waters of the Zambeto ensure your stay at Halsted Safaris is relaxing zi river. and enjoyable.

Unfortunately this newsletter comes under the heels of media reports talking about the collapse of the dam wall. We would like to assure you that Zambezi River Authority, one of our partners, have everything under control. Read along and see the press release that was sent by the Authority. We are happy to report that other than having two of the most coveted national parks in the country, Mana and Matusadonha. Tailor Made Safaris will be offering Matusadonha as a package. This is good news indeed because the interest of Matusadonha is rising of late. You can contact them on info@tailormadesafaris.com or visit their website http://www.tailormade-safaris.com.

With fully furnished chalets and beautiful en-suite bathrooms, Halsted Safaris offers a touch of luxury on the banks of the Zambezi. All chalets have running hot & cold water, and 12-220v power points, as well as a toilet, shower and double bed in each bedroom plus private deck. Each chalet can accommodate a maximum of 2 guests and a total of 8 guests in camp. Fishing trips are organised daily. They have three boats fully equipped for river fishing, each with 60HP, 4 stroke motors. Our boats are built for the Zambezi river and use approximately 25ltrs of petrol per day. Catches to date include: Tigerfish, Bream, Vundu, Cornish Jack along with a wide variety of smaller species. Best fishing season: September - March. Rates: FOR PRICING OR AVAILABILITY ENQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT Email: paulilo@halstedsafaris.com Tel: +263 (0) 779127200

Inside this issue: Whats new in Chirundu

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Matusadonha Anti-poaching
The dam wall is safe
Wild Zambezi Bulletin Board

If you happen to be in Kariba, during Easter , make a date with us as we help stop antipoaching with Matusadonha Anti Poaching, at their Family Fun Day. Come and join us at the Old Warthogs site, just next to Lomagundi Lakeside for a day of fun and help this worthy cause. We are also reminding drivers to our destination that some parts of our road still have tall grass and we have tricky curves. We are urging motorists to exercise extreme caution. Also to note that our roads gets busy just before dusk, with heavy vehicles rushing to get to towns before dark. Until next time thank you. 1

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Aim The objective of MAPP is to provide logistical assistance to Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (PWMA) so that it can carry on its anti-poaching activities within the planned area and, funds permitting, to replicate this model strategically in other locations along the lake. Transparency between PWMA, MAPP and donors is already being achieved and is key to ensuring that this Project is a success. MAPP MAPP started operating in March 2013 and has recorded significant progress and results since then. The current area of operations is focused on Lake Kariba area and shoreline between the Sanyati Gorge and Kings camp (Matusadona shoreline), encompassing the islands of Spurwing, Fothergil and Long island, and the renowned Hydro and Gordons bay areas. The project currently comprises a Project Manager and a Field Operator sponsored by private businessmen. Its assets are a 22 foot Pelican speed boat with 60hp outboard motor and trailer, with accessories, donated by The Tashinga Initiative Trust. MAPP is operated strategically from the PWMA Changachirere Field Station, Matusadona National Park, a permanent base for PWMA rangers. Most patrols are done at night in the company of PWMA personnel and with consent from the PWMAHQ Tashinga. Current operations are intelligence led and designed around a knowledge of the local area, an analysis of trends associated with past incidents, , good fishing areas, human settlements and activity, information from local villagers, Police, Parks, ex-poachers and any source of information that can give relevant steers to understanding the overall threat . Trustees MAPP has four trustees who assist with funding and support for the project and they are Kevin Higgins and Angus Preston from Changa safari camp and Andy Lowe and Clive Jones from Spurwing Island Resort. Structure The MAPP Project Manager Mr James Macilwaine is responsible for monitoring all patrols, liaison with Police and Parks, fuel, logistics, costs, safety, documentation and reports and assisting with strategic direction. He is in charge of recruitment, training and the general management of the team and subsequent operations they undertake.

Kariuwa

The MAPP Field Operator is the boat driver and is based with the Parks Rangers. He ensures the safety and security of the boat and personnel in it. He also makes sure that the boat and equipment is kept clean and in good order and assists with planning of patrols, information gathering, arrests and assists PWMA rangers where necessary. He ensures that all activities are conducted in accordance with PWMA rules and regulations. All arrested poachers are dealt with lawfully and professionally. Results to Date Since the start of the project there have been over 140 patrols done 39 Zambians have been arrested of which 35 received jail sentences of between 8 and 14 months. 62 Zimbabweans have been arrested and over 70 warnings and fines have been given 126 boats have been impounded or destroyed and approximately 80km of nets have been burned or confiscated. Constraints FINANCIAL.It is of paramount importance that our current operations are sustained for at least one year and preferably three for the overall results of the project to be meaningful. Sustainability is the key component in our work. [We must demonstrate to the poachers that we mean business and that this initiative has longevity.] Advantages: MAPP will provide jobs for local Zimbabweans, help with local community development and improve and protect the countrys valuable environment and wildlife. MAPP is the start of a successful PUBLIC / PRIVATE sector project and demonstrates to the International Community the willingness and commitment by Zimbabweans to protecting and preserving their Natural flora and fauna. It is hoped that this will translate into significant donor funding and assistance. Summary MAPP is appealing to you for financial support, no matter how big or small, cash or kind, every little bit helps. All funds are banked into the MAPP Trust account and financial statements will be made available to donors upon request.

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ZAMBEZI RIVER AUTHORITY APPEALS FOR CALM ON THE KARIBA DAM WALL STORY
Following reports in the local and international media on the status of the Kariba Dam Wall, the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) would like to inform the general public and all stakeholders that the Kariba Dam Wall is in a stable state. ZRA regrets the misinterpretation on the facts about the Kariba Dam Wall impending collapse which caused alarm among stakeholders and the public in general. While the situation at the Kariba Dam Wall is cause for grave concern, the engineers on the ground have the situation under control. This does not translate to an immediate calamity. However, all urgency is expected in order to avert any such catastrophe as dam failure. The information carried in the media emanated from a co-operating partners conference held on 12 March, 2014 in Livingstone, Zambia to mobilize funds for the rehabilitation of the Kariba Dam Wall. The information denotes the scenarios that could possibly occur should ZRA fail to carry out maintenance and monitoring on the dam wall. ZRA carries out inspections and surveys twice a year on the Kariba Dam. In addition, every five years, a special safety inspection is undertaken with experts from France who were involved in the original design of the dam, with the last inspection having been undertaken in 2010. Other ad hoc inspections are conducted from time to time when required. Furthermore, there are several instruments in the dam wall which measure stress, any changes or movement in the wall, water pressure and drainage. These are continually inspected and have remained intact over the last 54 years. In recent years, concern has been raised over the safety of the Kariba Dam wall which was built over 50 years ago. The dam wall now requires a series of rehabilitation works in order to avoid gradual degradation of key dam safety features while maintaining operations levels acceptable in accordance with international operating standards. In its five year strategic plan (2010-2014) ZRA had identified Undertaking critical dam maintenance programs as one of its objectives in that period. These are being undertaken while a lasting solution is being sought, hence the cooperating partners meeting to raise funds for the major rehabilitation works which are: Plunge Pool Re-shaping. The plunge pool whicis immediately downstream of the dam wall requires re-shaping and stabilization to limit scouring and erosion that could undermine the dam foundation, leading to dam failure. Spillway Refurbishment. This involves designing, fabrication and installation of an emergency gate and a new gantry to prevent uncontrolled loss of water in the event of floodgate failure, which would result in water levels dropping below the

minimum operational levels and interrupting power production. Refurbishment of the upstream stop-beam guides and replacement of secondary concrete to prevent failure during operation of stopbeams. To ensure concerted efforts in resource mobilization for the critical works and other projects, the Governments of Zambia and Zimbabwe, through its Council of Ministers (COM) meeting, appointed a resource mobilization committee (RMC). It is with this background that the co-operating partners took a keen interest in the project and agreed to identify financial options, including timelines. The Kariba Complex is central to the Southern Africa Power Pool (SAPP) with 3200MW of the 50 000MW capacity translating to 15% of SAPP total power output. 50% of the Zambia/ Zimbabwe energy output is equivalent to Angolas total needs and double Namibias needs. (WB Report 2010).

Zimbabwe Tourism Authority

Head Office Tourism House 55 Samora Machel Avenue Harare Tel: + 263 4 780651/758714/30 E-mail : info@ztazim.co.zw Web: www.zimbabwetourism.net , Kariba Office Observation Point Building P.O. Box 160 Kariba Tel / Fax: +263 61 2656 Mobile : +263 773 384 844 E-mail: bryanmushangwe@gmail.com , Skype : tendai_mushangwe Facebook : ZTA Kariba

The humanitarian implication at 273km 3 of flood water ( 185km3 from Kariba Dam and 52km3 from Caborra Bassa) would be four times the largest recorded release at 61km 3 over 90 days during the 1958/59 Kariba Dam Construction. GPS Co-ordinates ZRA is currently updating its Emergency Pre- Here are some useful GPS coparedness Plan for the Lower Zambezi and also ordinates to some of the places in enhancing its internal processes and proce- Kariba. dures for preparedness. Bumi Hills Safari Lodge ZRA takes this opportunity to re-assure the public and all our stakeholders that there is no need 164832.93S to panic as the situation is under control. ZRA will continue to fulfill its mandate of monitoring, 282057.49E maintenance and corrective measures to proSpurwing Island tect the dam and ensure its safety. 164832.93S
CONTACT: Elizabeth Karonga Public Relations & Communications Manager Zambezi River Authority Zim Cell +263 773002978; Zam Cell: +260 977 318735 Direct Line +260 211 230551 Email: karonga@zaraho.org.zm; ronga@yahoo.com lizka-

282057.49E Marineland S 16o 32 2.5 E 28o 48 12.9 AMC Windsor Garage S 16o 31 46.0 E 28o 48 28.2 Tamarind Lodges S 1631 28.6.0

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Kariuwa

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