They say all work and no play makes jack a dull boy. The local accounting body in Africa’s tourism hub, Zambia, has defied the odds by going all out to invest USD210million in a real estate project in Livingstone. This investment will not only add to the accounting bodies inventory of real estate assets but will boost its bottom line in a self sustainable fashion.
Shungu Namutitima – the smoke that thunders
The convention center will be called Shungu Namutitima. The word ‘Shungu Namutitima’ is Tonga for the smoke that thunders, the mosi-o-tunya falls. One other institution that has been named after the Shungu Namutitima, is a basic school situated in Maramba near the famous Mbita market. The real estate investment to be completed over the next 4 years, injects corporate life into Livingstone which had ideally faded over the years, due to lack of flight activity as a result of a myriad of factors that include, lack of a national airline, liquidation of international flights (such as Nationwide, Kulula, Zambian Airways, Zambezi Airlines to mention but a few) and no business case for its attention at all. The few resilient local flights such as Mahogany Air and Proflight Zambia can only service but an infinitesimal portion of potential demand. No wonder Zambia is steps behind, yet on course, in realizing its true monetary tourism potential. Zambia is on course to realizing the monetary benefits of the tourism assets it has to then compete with the likes of Kenya that boast of a USD5billion industry.
Events such as the World Trade Organization – WTO conference in 2012 gave pulse to Livingstone which benefited in road refurbishment and an airport upgrade which clearly was recognized in 2018 when Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula won best airport in Southern Africa.
The recent ended World Bank – International Development Corporation – IDC conference had international delegates jet into the tourist capital.
ZICAs step is actualization of the foresight of Zambia’s growing tourism potential especially at a time when the Southern African nation is re-positioning itself with airport infrastructure of magnitude of just under a billion dollars. The move by ZICA is in tandem with the state drive to rekindle the tourism potential capacity when it declared Livingstone as a conference destination, an announcement made during the 2016 budget presentation. The structure is expected to create over 500 employment opportunities for the locals and will definitely add to the accounting bodies bottom line in revenues through a self-sustaining model.
A description of the Shungu Namutitima center
This investment will be set up on a 105-hectare high land next to the famous Mukuni Big (5) a few kilometers from the mighty Victoria falls. Roughly 20km drive from the HMKIA. ZICA aims to erect 10 Presidential full catered pavilions, roughly about 3km from the 5,000 seater state of the art conference center. The facility will be endowed with an 18-hole golf course which will service Livingstone town which currently lacks a proper golf course. Because of the presidential pavilions ZICA saw it inevitable to plan for a helicopter patio that will receive dignitaries that may fly in directly.
The project will include building of (2) hotels of (5) and (3) star standard to absorb the accommodation needs of visitors. It was further established that ZICA will have erected a ‘ferry or observation wheel’ that will allow for guests to view the city of Livingstone from the top. The construction will also cover a road network within the structure.
This week ZICA signed a USD210million contract with China State Construction Engineering Corporation for the erection of the proposed structure. Witnessing the ceremony was ZICA President Jason Kazilimani in the company of dignitaries to include Hapenga Kabeta (outgoing CEO), Bona Kashinga (CEO designate), Contract manager for Zambia branch Chen Bowi and Livingstone tourism association chairperson Rodney Sikumba.
“We are fully on course for the construction of the Shungu Namutitima convention center which will comprise world class facilities with 2 hotels, one a 5 star while the other a 3 star. We have followed the due process in finding a contractor for the construction and this will be China State Construction Engineering Corporation,” Kazilimani said.
Environment impact assessment will commence soon.
“We are the biggest construction company in the world and have the ability to execute this project,” Contract Manager for CSCEC Zambia branch Chen Bowi said.
Livingstone tourism association chairperson Rodney Sikumba was elated by the development.
“The more facilities in the city of Livingstone, the more the flights and domino effects it will create,” he said.
