Lodgeblog

It is inspiring to see how Chris Mweetwa (above) has expanded and developed his company over the past five years. The latest addition to his 'fleet' being a luggage trailer (parked at our lodge) - and they are not cheap. Chris looks after most of our Guest and staff transport requirements and comes highly recommended. Here's the link to his website. Don't forget to review his operation on Trip Advisor if you have used his services. Here's the blurb:

"We are a travel and leisure company offering excellent and cost effective Tour and Car Hire Services in Zambia. We are located in Livingstone home to the Mighty Victoria falls.

The Company, since its establishment represents transport products, which have been carefully, selected from major activities provided in Livingstone. Acting this way, Chris Taxi & Tours Ltd has managed to continually enrich its product line, from simple ordinary taxi business to the modern transport system of the new millennium and to recently expand its activities to offer tours to the tourism sector."

Meet Richard Nyathi (above) - half South African, half Zimbabwean, born and brought up in Zambia, Richard has spent the past fifteen years or so in the far north of Norway - if that doesn't make him truly Zambian then I'd better look for another reason! Got it! Richard arrived at the studios of Zambezi 107.7 fm to feature as the Guest on our radio show about ten minutes after we'd gone on air with the latest edition of the Chanters Lodge Experience with the Milli Jam Ingredient, featuring Jay Hillz last Sunday. Truly Zambian as I said! Milli Jam stood in for Richard at the start of the show telling us about his son's gold and bronze medals in an Under 16's athletics meeting in Botswana. Great stuff!

The Chanters Lodge Experience airs every Sunday night from 20.30 - 21.30 hrs on Livingstone's leading local radio station. At the top of the show Milli Jam wanted to know how Richard and I had come to know each other, and we explained to listeners that Richard was one of the first Guests at Chanters Lodge when we opened way back in 1998.

I went on to tell Milli Jam that Richard, and one or two of his friends, were very keen on a group of Norwegian volunteers working in Livingstone back then! The Norwegian girls spent a lot of time at Chanters accompanied by Richard and his friends - so much so that Richard ended up marrying one of them - Marianne Olsen (who has also been a Guest on our show) - and moving to Tromsoe in the far north of Norway. Richard, a civil Engineer by profession, now works in maintenance for Moi i Rana town council. Mo i Rana is a town and administrative centre of the municipality of Rana in Nordland county, Norway. It is located just south of the Arctic Circle. Richard told us that socially Norway is a non racial country but professionally it can be difficult for people with non-Norwegian qualifications to get ahead. Things, however, had been better for him since he moved to Moi i Rana.

The music on the show was good with latest tracks from Mr Probz and Indiana at the top of the show, followed by tracks from KCee, Owl City, Katy Perry and Chiko Wise. Our oldie of the week was Beyonce's 'Naughty Girl' and the prize we give to the first person to text us the name of the artist on the track was quickly snapped up. My pick of the week was MNEK's 'Every Little Word' and we closed with a new track from Joel Compass.

Richard told listeners that he had definite plans to move back to Zambia and revealed that he had recently remarried - his new bride was Zambian and the couple were busy trying to finish building their house in Livingstone. Richard had also acquired a plot in Kazungula on the banks of the Zambezi. Milli Jam and I were happy that for once we had a fellow 'Gunner' alongside in the studio. Richard revealed that he had been to the Emirates Stadium many times to watch Arsenal 'live'. His favourite player at the moment - Tomas Rosicky, favourite all time - Dennis Bergkamp. About the manager. "Why can't he re-invent himself?" was Richard's question! Music wise Richard is into jazz and reeled off a list of favourite artists, unknown to the rest of us!

Asked where he would like to be and what he would like to be doing ten years from now our Guest said he would like to be retired, living in his house on the Zambezi and fishing! Milli Jam, who had stood in for our Guest in the early part of the show said he wanted to be the owner of a radio station. "This one?" I wondered. "Why not!" The reply. It was a good show.

Thanks to Judy in Australia for this 'nice' piece!

I have been in many places, but I've never been in Kahoots. Apparently, you can't go alone. You have to be in Kahoots with someone.

I've also never been in Cognito. I hear no-one recognizes you there.

I have, however, been in Sane. They don't have an airport; you have to be driven there. I have made several trips there, thanks to my children, friends, family and work.

I would like to go to Conclusions, but you have to jump, and I'm not too much on physical activity anymore.

I have also been in Doubt. That is a sad place to go, and I try not to visit there too often.

I've been in Flexible, but only when it was very important to stand firm.

Sometimes I'm in Capable, and I go there more often as I'm getting older.

One of my favorite places to be is in Suspense! It really gets the adrenalin flowing and pumps up the old heart! At my age I need all the stimuli I can get!

I may have been in Continent, but I don't remember what country I was in. It's an age thing. They tell me it is very wet and damp there.

Meet Kebby Chimunya (above), Livingstone businessman and Guest on the most recent edition of the Chanters Lodge Experience with the Milli Jam Ingredient featuring Jay Hillz, our weekly radio show airing at 20.30 hrs CAT every Sunday night on Zambezi 107.7 fm, Livingstone's leading local radio station. Kebby has a shop at number 41 Mukuni Park in the city, just a ten minute walk from the lodge, selling curios, carvings and other souvenirs to visitors. "I always tell our Guests they must haggle the prices with you when they visit your market!" I told Kebby at the top of the show, "do you give them a good deal?""Always!" The unsurprising reply. "What's your best selling item?" Milli Jam wondered and Kebby told listeners there is an angel made from sisal and banana leaves, in various different poses, selling at about ZK30 (US$5). Light in weight it is the most popular item with tourists. "Not wire warthogs or carved giraffes"! We laughed.

Milli Jam wondered how our Guest had first got involved in the souvenir business and Kebby explained that his elder brother had helped him make the breakthrough. Leaving Linda High School he had found it very hard to find employment and with his brother's help he had now been involved in the curio business for about eight years. "How's business?" We wondered. Kebby replied that the best months were from May to September but that business was very tough for the rest of the year. "Much the same as the lodges." I commented, and then made the point - not for the first time on our show - that the city of Livingstone needs Zesco (Zambia's electricity company which diverts the water above the Falls) to let the water go over Victoria Falls on the Zambian side for at least an hour a day, every day, during the dry season. A plea that will presumably fall on deaf ears - again!

The music on the show was great with latest tracks from Calvin Harris, Coldplay, and Ariana Grande. Jay and Milli Jam picked numbers from Mubby Roux ft Tommy D, Davido, Michael Jackson ft Justin Timberlake as well as Karasa. My pick of the week was D'Banj's 'Bother You' which samples Lionel Richie's 'All Night Long'. Our oldie of the week was a Zambian track 'Kedike' by Chidinma. The prize we give to the first person to text us the name of the the artist was won, with lots of contestants mostly getting the answer wrong!

Kebby told listeners that he is married with one child. Music wise he loves the Gospel genre and mentioned Ambassadors of Christ and Exile as his favourite performers. On a more worldly basis he likes Westlife! He has enjoyed quite a few of the tourist activities available in Livingstone including the museum, sunset cruise and fishing. He has never bungee jumped. His favourite football team is Barcelona and when it comes to England - Liverpool. He told us that he gets visitors from all over the world to his shop, but especially many from USA, Canada and Italy.

Asked where he would like to be and what he would like to be doing in ten years' time, this hard working, enterprising entrepreneur said that while he would like to still be in business for himself, he also wanted to undergo further education and training as a nurse.

We wished him the best of luck and thanked him for coming on the show.

Thanks to our valuable Australian contributor Judy for this gem!

Of course I love ya darlin
You're a bloody top-notch bird
And when I say you're gorgeous
I mean every single word

So ya bum is on the big side
I don't mind a bit of flab
It means that when I'm ready
There's somethin' there to grab

So your belly isn't flat no more
I tell ya, I don't care
So long as when I cuddle ya
I can get my arms round there

No Sheila who is your age
Has nice round perky breasts
They just gave in to gravity
But I know ya did ya best

I'm tellin' ya the truth now
I never tell ya lies
I think it’s very sexy
That you've got dimples on ya thighs

I swear on me nanna's grave now
The moment that we met
I thought you was as good as
I was ever gonna get

No matter what u look like
I'll always love ya dear
Now shut up while the footy's on
And fetch another beer

Meet Carsten Sommer (left above) and Gert Krantz staying at Chanters Lodge and hailing from Gothenburg, the second largest city in Sweden and the fifth largest in the Nordic countries. Carsten and Gert were kind enough to appear on the most recent edition of our radio show - the Chanters Lodge Experience with the Milli Jam Ingredient featuring Jay Hillz - airing from 20.30-21.30 hrs every Sunday night on Zambezi 107.7 fm, Livingstone's leading local radio station. Milli Jam asked them at the top of the show "how long will you be staying in Livingstone?" and was surprised at the answer "three weeks altogether". "Just in Livingstone?""Just in Livingstone!" Carsten and Gert confirmed. They went on to explain that when they travelled they liked to stay for some time in the same place to be able to make friends and really get to know the local culture. "It's good for Richard's business too!" Quipped Carsten. I quickly agreed...

Gert is a civil servant and works for the Swedish tax authority in civil registration, he told listeners that he is just a couple of years away from retirement. Carsten told us that he had been a chef for some thirty years as well as a sailor in the Swedish merchant navy, he is virtually retired but still works from time to time in the food section of a local supermarket. Did he miss not working full time? Not a bit of a it! He and Gert had spent three weeks in Ruanda in January this year and they would not have had time for so much travel if Carsten was still working. Gert had accumulated enough leave days to also be able to undertake both trips.

The music on the show was good with latest tracks from Pitbull, Foxes, Avril Lavigne and Usher. Milli Jam and Jay chose music from Roberto, Timaya, Tommy D, and Kelly Rowland. Our oldie of the week, chosen by Milli Jam, was 'Soldier' by Destiny's Child with Lil Wayne and TI. Surprisingly the response was poor and no-one won the prize we give each week of dinner for two with drinks at the lodge for the first person to text us the name of the artist on the oldie track. We surmised that our listeners (apart from Man City supporters) were out drowning their sorrows on the final day of the UK EPL and not listening!

Carsten and Gert revealed that they are both single without children and to Milli Jam's disappointment, that they had no real interest in sport! Music wise they loved the Zambian music they'd heard around the bars and cafes in Livingstone, only regretting that they could not hear the words and did not know the names of the performing artists. They also revealed they had spent quite some time in Cuba and the Caribbean, and loved the music from that part of the world.

Since arriving in Zambia they had enjoyed the lion and cheetah encounter but had been unable to complete the elephant safari due to the encroachment of a wild elephant into the area, disturbing those beasts used for the safari. They were looking forward to their first sight of Victoria Falls. They had loved the sunset cruise on Lady Livingstone and had been lucky to see elephant on the river banks during that trip.

Asked where they would like to be and what they would like to be doing in ten years' time, Carsten said his only plan was to live life one day at a time. Gert wished to be both healthy, rich and still travelling.

Arsenal win the 2014 FA cup. As a supporter for the past 50 years (!) I could not be happier!

We are happy to report the start of bedroom renovations at Chanters Lodge.

Rooms 9 and 10 were built and opened in 2006 overlooking the then new swimming pool and these rooms have really really worked! Wear and tear takes its toll!

The picture shows Benson Bulongo the tiling expert busy destroying the work he did in Room 9 all those years ago, in preparation for laying new floor tiles in the bedroom as well as new floor and wall tiles in the bathroom.

Emma from Emma's Wear in Livingstone is busy measuring for new curtains, as well as a bed cover.

We hope the renovated room will be ready by June 7th for it is booked......

Actually every edition of the Chanters Lodge Experience with the Milli Jam Ingredient featuring Jay Hillz is a 'Mudaala Experience'! Why? Well Milli Jam's real name is Milimo Mudaala! 'The Experience' is our weekly radio show airing on Zambezi 107.7 fm at 20.30hrs (CAT) every Sunday night, and we were delighted to welcome Milli Jam's younger brother Munyama (pictured above) as our Guest on the most recent edition of the programme. Munyama is Sales and Reservations Manager with Robin Pope Safaris, based in Lilongwe, Malawi.

Robin Pope Safaris launched in 1986. The blurb says they 'have always believed in offering exceptional customer care and bespoke holidays'. Munyama confirmed that this was true telling listeners that he has been with the company for seven years. The firm specializes in walking safaris in the South Luangwa National Park. Munyama went on to tell listeners about Robin Pope's extensive business interests including Stanley Lodge in Zambia near Victoria Falls as well as lodges in Malawi. Robin Pope himself he described as a 'legend' in South Luangwa. The company has a justifiably awesome reputation.

Jay asked most of the questions on the programme as Milli Jam already knew most of the answers! We wanted to know if Munyama was married, whether he had children and if so whether his family was there with him in Malawi. He confirmed yes, yes and yes, revealing that he and his wife had married on Livingstone Island during the days he worked for Tongabezi here in Livingstone. "Did you swim in Devil's Pool after the ceremony?" I asked. Unsurprisingly they had not! . "Does your wife work in Malawi?" I wondered. "She works for me in the office!" Was the sharp reply - "a real family affair then!" I said.

The music on the show was good. We opened with tracks from Avicii, Rita Ora and the Common Linnets. Jay and Milli Jam featured tracks from Calvin Harris, Eddie Black, Runnel and Trey Songz. Our oldie of the week, for which we give a prize to the first person to text us the name of the recording artist, was 'Hope' by Twista and the prize was snapped up by one Sanford. My pick of the week was Ed Sheeran's 'All Of The Stars' and we closed with 5SOS's 'Don't Stop'.

Munyama told us that he had completed secondary school at St Raphael's in Livingstone before going on to study hotel management at HTTI in Lusaka. He supports Manchester United FC naming his favourite all time player as Roy Keane and current star Wayne Rooney. Milimo and I quickly reminded everyone which club had won the 2014 FA Cup the day before the show! Milimo revealed that his young brother Munyama had gone as far as bribing Milimo's kids to switch support from Arsenal to Man U. Such devious tactics came as no surprise to those of us familiar with Man U supporters and their methods!

Musically Munyama revealed that he has broad taste and that his favourite acts are Boyz 2 Men along with Bob Marley. Asked where he would like to be and what he would like to be doing in ten years' time, he said he would like to have retired and be living on his farm back here in Zambia. We closed by thanking him for appearing on the show and holding him up as a great example to young Zambians of how you could make good with hard work and application.

A 148-room property in Lusaka is set to become the first hotel in Zambia for Hilton Worldwide's Garden Inn brand, the company has announced. Hilton Worldwide has signed an agreement with investors National Pension Scheme Authority to open the Hilton Garden Inn Lusaka City Centre in 2015.

It will form part of an integrated, mixed use development alongside corporate and government offices in the heart of the central business district Hilton Garden Inn global head Adrian Kurre said: “The introduction of Hilton Garden Inn in Zambia marks a new chapter in the brand’s ever evolving global portfolio.

“We are delighted to help meet the growing local demand for affordable, quality accommodation in Zambia’s blossoming capital city and look forward to welcoming guests to Hilton Garden Inn’s award-winning hospitality.”

The hotel will incorporate the brand’s functional signature features of a business centre, complimentary internet access, comfortable guest room desk chair and quality bedding. Guest amenities will also include an outdoor pool, fitness centre, all-day dining facility together with a garden lounge and bar.

“Today’s announcement is significant as we prepare to enter another capital city in Africa and further our strategy to provide quality services and products to the continent’s expanding market,” said Hilton Worldwide Europe and Africa senior vice president, development Patrick Fitzgibbon.

“Lusaka’s influence and prominence as a commercial centre continues to grow and we are inspired to grow with it.” Zambia is currently benefiting from steady economic growth and, according to the African Economic Outlook for 2013, is expected to continue to grow by an average of 7.9% per annum

Meet The Wassinks! Left to right (above) Rosie, Lauren, Emma and Henri, our guests on the most recent edition of the Chanters Lodge Experience with the Milli Jam Ingredient featuring Jay Hillz. 'The Experience' is a weekly radio show airing every Sunday night from 20.30-21.30 hrs on Zambezi 107.7 fm, Livingstone's leading local radio station. The show is sponsored by Chanters Lodge and features latest international and Zambian pop music together with animated conversation with our guests of the week!

The Wassinks told us that they had only recently moved to Lusaka, Zambia after a ten year stint working in Ghana. They were in Livingstone for the long holiday weekend to get some rest and to recuperate after a hectic move from one country to another, a stay in temporary accommodation in Lusaka, as well as finding places for and settling Rosie (9) and Emma (8) into school. The girls told us that they were now learning at the International School in Lusaka but that they were missing their friends from school in Ghana. It was most of the family's first visit to see Victoria Falls though Lauren said she herself had seen the natural wonder from the Zimbabwe side some 18 years ago. Henri had moved to Lusaka to establish his company Liebherr, Zambia having worked for the same organization Liebherr in Ghana.

Henri explained that Liebherr, a German family business was established in 1949 by Hans Liebherr. The great success of his first mobile, easy-to-assemble and affordable tower crane was the foundation on which the company flourished. In Zambia the company sells and provides spares for excavation equipment used mostly in the country's flourishing copper mines some 500 kms north of Lusaka, as well as in Solwezi, north west of the capital.

The music on the show was great. We opened with tracks from Avicii as well as Sam Smith and Fuse ODG featuring Sean Paul. Milli Jam and Jay chose numbers from Usher, Dandy Crazy, and Olly Murs as well as Jay Rox's latest hit 'Khmutima' - 'I'll fix her broken heart' translated Jay "I bet you would!" Said I. Our pick of the week was Nicki Minaj's 'Pills N'Potions' and the oldie Drake ft Rihanna with 'Take Care'. Felistus won dinner for two with drinks at the lodge for knowing the artist on the oldie and quickly texting.

The family told us that as well as relaxing at the lodge they had much enjoyed their visit to the Falls - they had got very wet from the spray and Emma thought it was all quite scary! They had loved their sunset cruise on the Lady Livingstone they had taken that very afternoon, and a visit to the reptile park had also gone down well. "Did you hold the snakes?" I asked the girls. "Noooooo!" they laughed. We wondered whether Lauren had also found a job in Lusaka but she replied she had had no time to do so up to now, though being a primary school teacher she hoped for that chance in the future. Both Lauren and Henri were looking forward to welcoming family members for visits to Zambia once they themselves had settled down.

Henri is Dutch from Twente, Lauren English from North London (born in Tottenham and supporting their team - we brushed past this), they had met in Nigeria when Lauren was working for Shell and Henri for a dredging company. Henri's specialist area is financial management. Henri's favourite footballer is a chap called Robin van Persie. The girls told us that they loved the music of Katy Perry as well as a particular track called 'The Fox'. They also loved their iPads!

Asked where they would like to be and what they would like to be doing ten years from now, Henri said he would like to be retired and living near the beach in Thailand. Lauren hoped to be healthy, happy and settled. We wished them all the best for their time in Zambia.

Zambia and Botswana will start building a $259 million bridge in June to replace the ferry service between the two states, the chief executive of Zambia's Road Development Agency said on Tuesday. Bernard Chiwala told journalists the contract would be awarded in Botswana on Monday.

The bridge, which is expected to improve transport between the mineral-rich regions of Zambia and Democratic Republic of Congo and the port of Durban in South Africa, would be completed in four years, Chiwala said.

The project is financed by the African Development Bank and the governments of Zambia, Botswana and Japan.

The proposed bridge is some 75 kms from Livingstone.

Meet Praise Mashilipa or 'Praiz Mash' (above), young, charming, part time presenter on Zambezi 107.7 fm, Livingstone's leading local radio station which hosts our weekly radio show 'The Chanters Lodge Experience with the Milli Jam Ingredient featuring Jay Hillz'. The show airs live on 107.7 fm every Sunday from 20.30-21.30 hrs CAT and is a lively mixture of international and local music, as well as chat with our Guest Of The Week. On the most recent edition the Guest was Praiz Mash.

Milli Jam wanted to know about the DJ's name and Praise explained that his Dad had named him Praise after his mum had been through a very difficult labour while giving birth to him, at one point her life had even been threatened. He had been named Praise because his dad was so happy his mum had pulled through. "Oh!" Said Milli Jam "I thought it meant you were a gospel DJ!" We laughed, as some of us had thought the same!

Praise revealed that he'd been brought up in Livingstone, educated at David Livingstone High School, and that his parents were still in the city, his dad is employed at Central Statistics. Praise had been a member of the Zambezi fm Fan Club, his first introduction to the station, and had now been a part time presenter for about six months. Mostly his was the 'graveyard shift' - midnight to 05.00 hrs. "How do you cope with the cold weather at night at this time of year?" We wondered. "When you love what you do you hardly notice!" Replied (lied?) Praiz. His mentor at the station is E-Vibes, co-host with Jay Hillz of the 107.7 fm Breakfast Show.

Our music on this show was latest as usual. We opened with tracks from Avicii, Second City and Klingande. Jay chose a track from South African star Syapelile as well as from Zambia's own MC Wabwino. Milli Jam dropped Fuse ODG and Sean Paul's 'Dangerous Love', now a huge hit in UK and very hot round and about the Livingstone night clubs. We also featured Izrael's beautiful 'Efindingile' (enough for me), the artist was formerly known as Exile and is one of Zambia's most popular stars. My pick of the week was Elbow's haunting 'My Sad Captains'. The oldie of the week was an obscure track from Kelly Khumalo and no-one won the prize we give for naming the artist. "Previous prize winners have eaten us out of house and home anyway" I commented.

Praise declared himself an Arsenal supporter through and through. Favourite all time player - Thierry Henry, current star - Theo Walcott. His own musical taste he named as R&B and Acoustics. His favourite artists? Boyz 2 Men as well as Ne-Yo. Locally Izrael. "We have more and more in common" said Milli Jam, a huge fan of both the Gunners and Ne-Yo! "Are you married?" We asked. "No, but I'm taken." The reply. All efforts to make him reveal the name of the one who had taken him failed! He thought Brazil would win the World Cup 2014. He had never done the bungee jump, it scared him even more than revealing his girl friend's name! His biggest career influence? Kunda Mando, TV producer at ZNBC.

Asked where he would like to be and what he would like to be doing ten years' from now, this personable, funny, hard working young presenter/DJ said he would like to have a Phd in English Language, be teaching the subject in England, married and driving a BMW. "Get in!" We said.

This was a nice letter received from the Anglican Church in Livingstone, and there's a photo of the donation being made!

11th June 2014

Dear Mr. Chanter

RE: APPRECIATION

I hereby write to acknowledge receipt with great appreciation of the Solar Charging and Lighting
Kit that you bought and donated to through Mr. Mwamba one of the trainees that was trained by
us under the Lights For Learning Trainer of Trainers Solar Project.

We are happy to inform you that the above stated kit was on Friday 6th June 2014 donated to Lugwalo Basic School which is about 300 kms from Livingstone. The donation was greatly
appreciated by the school and they will independently write to you and acknowledge receipt of the same.
Thanks for partnering with us in making a difference in the community. We pray that God richly

blesses you and your business.

Yours sincerely

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Y. Chikoya
LIVINGSTONE ANGLICAN CHILDREN’S PROJECT
BOX 60092, LIVINGSTONE, Tel: 0213320694

Meet Paul Larsson (above left) and Lars Skimmerland (above right) recent Guests at Chanters Lodge, Livingstone as well as stars on the most recent edition of the lodge's weekly radio show, the name of which is in the title above! The show airs every Sunday evening live from 20.30-21.30 hrs on Zambezi 107.7 fm, Livingstone's longest established and leading commercial radio station. Milli Jam the show's host is one of Livingstone best known club and radio DJ's, while Jay is co-host of 107.7 fm's great Breakfast Show 06.00-08.30 hrs Monday-Friday.

Paul and Lars told listeners that they are both from Norway and working in Oslo the capital. Paul originally hails from Bergen, Lars from Stavanger. They explained that they were on a short weekend break in Livingstone, following a week's work in Lusaka, Zambia's capital. Milli Jam wondered where they stayed while in Lusaka and our Guests told us that they used the city's Hotel Intercontinental and that it was 'great'. Paul and Lars both work for the Norwegian Ministry of Finance, tax department, and were in Zambia conducting a study for ZRA - Zambia Revenue Authority. We swallowed. It was their second visit to Zambia for this purpose, the first had been in March 2014. Paul is a qualified political scientist and statistician, whilst Lars is a lawyer. They have both worked for the Norwegian Ministry for a long time.

The music on the show was latest as usual, opening with Avicii's 'Hey Brother!'. We dropped Ed Sheeran's 'Sing' - top of the UK top 40 as we went on air. Tracks from Rehab ft Nervo, T-Sean, Katy Perry, B1 and Aloe Blacc followed, interspersed with chat with our interesting Guests. The prize we give to the first person to text us the name of the artist on our oldie of the week was quickly snapped up by regular listener Gift - the answer? The Ting Tings! My pick of the week was a new Lily Allen number and we closed with a track from Lethal Bizzle. Who else?!

Paul and Lars told listeners that since they arrived in Livingstone they had enjoyed their first sight of Victoria Falls even though, while they were looking, they got very wet from the spray! They had taken the sunset cruise on Lady Livingstone and had felt Livingstone's winter chill as they came off the boat after the sun had gone down. "We thought you Norwegians were well used to the cold weather!" We said. "Africa's supposed to be hot not cold!" The swift retort from lawyer Lars. The gentlemen also said how much they had enjoyed their one day safari to Chobe NP in Botswana on the day of the show and had been lucky to see lots of game, apart from big cats.

Lars told us he is a life long supporter of Leeds United, Paul that he is not much interested in football. They both thought Brazil would win the World Cup. Paul told us he loves jazz music and that they had enjoyed a performance by the Sakala Brothers when they had gone out to the Kalahari Club in Lusaka. They had not had time to rock the Livingstone clubs!

Asked where they would like to be and what they would like to be doing ten years' from now, Paul, a bachelor was not sure, Lars, married with three teenage children wanted still to be working with the Norwegian Ministry of Finance but edging very close to retirement. "Grand children?" I asked. "That too" he said.

As usual, HotelInteractive making a whole load of sense via Larry Mogelonsky!

"One of the better trends that’s taken hold in the hotel industry of late is the notion of delivering an ‘authentic local experience’, or at least thinking in terms of a holistic experience instead of merely a room with its features, all the other property amenities and the staff. We often discuss a hotel in terms of the ‘narrative’ it offers to who visit. But in order for us to successfully deliver what consumers want, this narrative must change from the hotel’s point-of-view to that of each individual guest.

Although it’s a step in the right direction to even contemplate what a property’s narrative is, any efforts along these lines may prove to be a tad blindsided or self-centered if you are only considering what the hotel is doing. In terms of coalescing all operations – guest services, décor, amenities, loyalty member perks, local authentic experiences – into the semblance of a unique ‘narrative’ for your property, you should instead aim to meld them from a guest’s perspective.

It’s a minor tweak in how you approach guest relations, but it can elicit very positive results. The key here – and I say this as objectively as possible and without any inherent misanthropy – is to assume that your guests are selfish. Assume that they are rushed for time, tight on cash and only have enough energy to serve their immediate needs. Superseding any ‘narrative’ you bring to the table, you should be asking: How will this (whatever ‘this’ is) benefit a guest’s story?

Even though it’s your hotel, your property, your team, your operations and your amenities, each guest can only see things his or her own way. It’s all in the eye of the beholder. Notice the repetition of the word ‘your’ though. If you really want to deliver an exceptional experience for your guests, you have to steer away from the attitude of bringing guests into ‘your’ narrative and instead focus on helping guests fulfill ‘their’ needs and realize ‘their’ dreams.

As such, you should set each new customer as the protagonist, and then train and position your staff to be attentive supporting characters for each new story that graces your domain. How this philosophic shift is applied in real time to your operations is a far more complex matter that is best articulated on a case-by-case basis. And most of those cases will come through in the form of day-to-day, bread-and-butter interactions between your staff and hotel guests.

These are the fine print changes that might go unnoticed if not otherwise instructed. For instance, instead of starting a reply to guest request with a “We can’t…” or “Our policy is that…” begin with a positive response to bring you both onto the same page. Or, rather than introduce new features of your hotel, ask guests first what their plans were and what they hope to gain from their stay with you (and then launch into the sales pitch!). It’s subtle changes like this that will make your staff feel compassionate and win over guests."

We were delighted to welcome Annette and Peter Gane (above) as Guests on the most recent edition of the Chanters Lodge Experience with the Milli Jam Ingredient featuring Jay-Hillz. 'The Experience' is our weekly radio show airing at 20.30 hrs for an hour every Sunday night on Zambezi 107.7 fm, Livingstone's leading local radio station. Annette and Peter were staying at Chanters Lodge on holiday from UK, and told listeners that they lived in Somerset, in the south west of England. "Not far from my village!" I told Milli Jam and the listeners.

"What made you choose Livingstone for your holiday?" Milli Jam wondered. Annette, a nurse by profession though now retired, revealed that in 2008 she had spent one month as a volunteer with African Impact in Livingstone, amongst other duties helping out at Maramba Clinic as well as at an orphanage in Maramba, a sprawling low cost housing complex in the Livingstone suburbs. Annette had loved Zambia so much that she convinced husband of thirty years Peter, that he must come this year and see the place for himself although he had in mind a holiday in Antarctica!

Annette also explained that during her time as a volunteer she had met Trevor Maluta, an eighteen year old orphan, who in 2008, was about to be evicted from the Maramba orphanage on the basis of age. She had helped and befriended him ever since. Annette and Peter had visited Trevor in Kitwe at the start of this trip, further revealing that he was now happily married, about to become a father and busy working in IT support for a firm of mining consultants on the Copperbelt. "Congrats!" We said. Peter told us that they hoped to welcome Trevor to their home in UK for a visit later this year when he would be in their country for further training.

The music on the show was good and featured tracks from Ella Henderson, Rayleigh Ritchie, Beyonce ft Jay-Z, K'Millian, Ruff Kaida ft P-Jay, Miley Cyrus and Brandy - a great selection of international and local tracks formatted by Milli Jam and Jay. We usually give a prize of a dinner for two for the first person to text us the name of the artist on our 'oldie of the week'. On this show I asked a World Cup related question that took everyone by surprise, nevertheless Jacki won the prize. My pick of the week was the number one in the Norwegian Top 40, 'Younger' from Seinabo Sey. We closed with 'Wasted' from Tiesto. Peter said he likes classical music whereas Annette is a fan of Paloma Faith amongst others, including Queen.

Peter told listeners that he was retired, before which he had worked in finance in the corporate world - which he does not miss! He revealed that he is now a trustee on the board of various charities and is also involved in the administration of one of the local schools in his area. The couple have three big dogs and seven grand-children. During their time in Livingstone they had enjoyed the lion encounter, an elephant safari, a one day safari to Chobe NP in Botswana, as well as a river safari on the Zambezi the very afternoon of the show. They were still looking forward to high tea on Livingstone Island at the end of their itinerary, before they flew back to England later in the week.

Asked where they would like to be and what they would like to be doing in ten years' time, both Annette and Peter said they would like to be alive, healthy and happy!

By Firat Kayakiran

First Quantum Minerals Ltd. (FM)’s deal to buy Lumina Copper Corp. including the Taca Taca deposit in Argentina will curb reliance on Zambia, Barclays Capital said, after the African nation threatened to double taxes on mining. The acquisition of Lumina for about C$470 million ($430 million) “comes as a surprise,” Ian Rossouw, an analyst at Barclays in London, wrote in a note. This “continues to diversify the production base away from Zambia.”

First Quantum, the largest copper producer in the country, said in February it was “concerned” about taxation in Zambia after Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda said the contribution from mines should double. Zambia is withholding as much as $500 million of value-added tax repayments to mines owned by First Quantum and others, saying they must supply import certificates from countries where their copper ends up. The miners say they sell the metal to traders and don’t know its final destination.

Chikwanda told state ZNBC TV in January that mines in Africa’s biggest copper producer contribute less than 5 percent to the national budget, compared with about 11 percent in South Africa. First Quantum, investing more than $2 billion in a Zambian smelter, copper mine and nickel project, produced 270,724 metric tons of copper and 167,395 ounces of gold in the nation in 2013.

Lumina shareholders will get cash, stock or both, the Vancouver-based companies said yesterday in a statement. Those that choose cash will get C$1

First Quantum, which last year completed its purchase of Inmet Mining Corp. to add the Cobre Panama project, plans to invest $6.43 billion in Panama to produce an annual 320,000 tons of copper from the first quarter of 2018 to seek to become the world’s fifth-largest producer of the metal.
0 a share, 28 percent more than the closing price a day before the announcement, the companies said. “The project should come into production once Cobre Panama has been ramped up, adding to an already exciting development pipeline to take production to over 1.3 million tons per annum by about 2021,” Rossouw said.

This caught my eye:

By MAIMBOLWA MULIKELELA -

THE Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) has set aside a total of K6 million for the establishment of the Zambian tourism franchise. Players in the local tourism sector would be eligible to access the loans through CEEC to set up tourism franchising.

CEEC Head of communication and public relations Glenda Masebe said the funds would be used to promote a special initiative for international standards in Zambia’s tourism industry by supporting targeted citizens to establish franchise tourism businesses.

In a statement issued in Lusaka, Ms Masebe said the commission would consider investments in tourism which include hotels and lodges, restaurants, water sports, theme parks, take aways, travel and tours, cinema, and any other. “This special initiative will be implemented initially in Muchinga, Southern and Western Provinces and each province has an allocation of K2 million to citizens wishing to tender for franchising support. “The maximum loan repayment period for this initiative shall be 5 years at an annual interest rate of 12 per cent,” Ms Masebe said.

She said the provision of collateral would be a strict requirement for this facility and that the applicant will have the responsibility of proposing a franchise business they wish to invest in.

A franchise is an agreement where the owner of a trademark or brand allows someone else to operate a business that sells their products and/or services under license. The one that issues the licence is called the franchisor while the one receiving the licence to operate is called the franchisee.

We were delighted to welcome Mariann and Gary Barker (above) as Guests on the most recent edition of the Chanters Lodge Experience with the Milli Jam Ingredient featuring Jay Hillz - our weekly radio show on Livingstone's local radio station Zambezi 107.7fm. Mariann and Gary told our listeners that they were staying at Chanters Lodge for the weekend to celebrate their 48th wedding anniversary. "How did you meet?" We wanted to know, and Gary explained that they had been together at high school in California, their home state in USA. "So you were high school sweethearts?" I surmised. "No!" They said "We met up again later after high school when we both went to the same college and that's when we started dating". "Awwwww!" We said and congratulated them on their anniversary thanking them for choosing Chanters Lodge for their celebration.

Pastor Gary, to give him his correct title, told listeners that he and Mariann live in Choma in the Southern Province of Zambia and are the founders of Grace Baptist Church located in the showgrounds at Choma. Gary also teaches at, and operates, the Baptist Bible College and Institute of Choma where pastors are trained on a four year programme. The current number on training is seven. The couple have lived in Choma for seven years and Gary has been a pastor for some 33 years. The mission was founded in 1930 and has about 1200 missionaries worldwide. The missions are funded largely by individual donations leading to great interaction between the missionaries and the donors, and Gary told us that Mariann does a great job in sending photos and other information about their work in Choma back to donors in USA. "They love to see that lives are being changed in Zambia!" Said Mariann.

The music on the show was far from classical or gospel, this couple's stated preference. We opened as usual with 'Hey Brother' from Avicii before dropping tracks from 5 Seconds Of Summer and Gorgon City. Jay and Milli Jam gave us numbers from Brinky ft Kantu, Casper Nyovest, Ne-Yo, Slap Dee and 2 Pac. No-one won the prize of a dinner for two with drinks at the lodge we offer each week on the show to a listener who can answer a simple question. Gary revealed that wife Mariann had been a brilliant drummer in her youth!

Mariann told us that the couple have three grown up children, four grandchildren and two great grand children back in the USA and that they miss them a lot! They were happy that Bart, their son, a policeman in California operating with a police dog, had been able to visit them in Zambia earlier this year with his family. The family had loved all the tourist activities they had been able to do at that time, including the one day safari to Chobe, the lion encounter and the microlight flight. Mariann had drawn the line at any member of the family being allowed to do the bungee jump! They also revealed that they were friends with Jo Brooks, proprietor of the Livingstone Crocodile Park although Mariann does not like going there! Gary revealed that Jo had told him 'plenty of stories'! We moved on unsurprised - Jo was a Guest on our show a while ago so we could just imagine!

Asked where they would like to be and what they would like to be doing in ten years' time, Mariann wanted to be back in America with her family, Pastor Gary wanted still to be ministering and to be close to his family at home.

Chris Taxis and Tours

The Richard C Nyathi Experience!

Travel Plans

The Curio Experience!

Australian Love Poem

The Swedish Experience!

FA Cup 2014

Bedroom Renovations

The Mudaala Experience!

Another new Lusaka Hotel!

The Wassinks!

New Bridge At Kazungula - At Last!

The Praiz Mash Experience!

Solar Lighting Donation

The Chanters Lodge Experience With The Milli Jam Ingredient Featuring Jay-Hillz!

It's The Guest's Story!

The Gane Experience!

Zambia's Copper

Franchise Loans - Zambia

The Barker Experience!